"Duncan, what happened?" Tessa asked.

"It's allright, I found him down by the river," Duncan answered.

"How did you know to look for him there?" Tessa asked.

"Easy, that's where he went the last time he ran away," Duncan said.

"When did he run away last?" Tessa asked.

"Well it was a couple of weeks ago, and you were-"

"I was what?" Tessa asked.

"You weren't here at the time, in any case, it wasn't really anything to get excited over, just a simple feud in which he took the outcome the wrong way...anyway, he's back here, he's fine, don't worry about him," Duncan told her.

"Don't worry about him?" Tessa repeated, "Duncan, after what happened last night, and especially after what you just told me...I think I have a right to worry."

Then it just hit Tessa that Duncan would somehow see what Richie did as suitable for a punishment.

"What did you say to him?" Tessa asked.

"Same thing my father told me when I was 13 and almost got killed," Duncan joked.

"Duncan!" Tessa said.

"Well...more or less it's true," Duncan said.

"Well what did he do?" Tessa asked.

"In short, he gave me a warning that I wouldn't be getting away from him anytime soon," Duncan replied.

"How did he take that?" Tessa asked.

"I'd say he took it rather well," Duncan said, "of course now that we're back here, I'm not sure if he's up for it."

"Duncan..."

"Don't worry Tess, I'm going to keep my eye on him," Duncan said.

"Well I'm not going anywhere then," Tessa told him.

"Tess!" Duncan said, "I already told you, there's no need for you to stay here, I'm going to be watching Richie, no reason for you to stay home..."

Tessa had arranged a reunion with her first cousin a couple of weeks ago, she agreed to meet her in South Carolina, but due to what she'd just heard, she was having second thoughts about going.

"Duncan, I don't feel comfortable with leaving you two here alone, especially after what happened to Richie," Tessa said.

"Tess! Look, how many times am I going to have to explain that we'll be fine?" Duncan asked.

Tessa jumped when she felt someone grab her shoulders, she turned around to see it was Richie, who was laughing through the side of his mouth.

"Don't worry about me Tess, I'll be fine...and I'll keep an eye on Mac too," he said.

"Very funny...I guess it's no use arguing with both of you...allright, I'll go, I just hope when I return you are still alive," Tessa told them.

"Don't worry about me, Tess, I'm not going anywhere," Richie assured her.

"That's good to know Richie, but actually I was talking to Duncan," Tessa laughed.

It was a thin scrap of humor in the room at the time, and it quickly died down around when Tessa left.

"Mac...I'm sorry that I had to put you through this," Richie said.

"I'm sorry you had to be put through this, Richie...I don't mind going through hell on Earth by myself, but when someone like you or Tessa is involved...then it bothers me."

*************************************************************************************************

Duncan checked the time, 4:13 P.M., a slight rainstorm had built up into a downpour, it was obvious that no one would be going anywhere anytime soon. Duncan looked over at Richie who was passed out on the sofa, for the first time in almost 14 hours, Richie looked relieved. He wasn't the only one, Duncan was glad Richie was back where he could keep an eye on him to make sure it didn't happen again. Suddenly, the Immortal buzz hit him, he picked up his katana and headed over to the door. It swung open, only to reveal Connor standing in the doorway.

"Hello Duncan," he said.

"I thought you were in Seattle looking for Johnny Callaghan," Duncan said.

"Oh...he's dead, anyway, I was about to head to Seattle when I ran into that guy from last night," Connor started.

"What? You mean-"

"Exactly...the same guy who told us where to find Richie," Connor replied.

"What happened?" Duncan asked, "Is he dead too?"

"No, he got away again...but not before explaining something to me," Connor said.

"What?" Duncan asked.

"Where's the kid?" Connor asked.

"Richie?" Duncan asked, "he's...asleep...why?"

"Nothing, just making sure...anyway, this guy...Tony Bonpensiero...he made it clear that he had no intention of even coming in contact with Richie...fortunately for him however, Tony is familiar with the Lezarro gang since he used to be a member before he was blackballed and thrown out...He knew what they were capable of doing, and when he was close enough, he knew that there was an Immortal nearby and in trouble so he got there with little time to spare...he became an Immortal at the age of 19, not exactly an age you'd recommend to be part of the Game at...so he figured he'd be doing Richie a favor if he could get him to hold on long enough to pull through and live," Connor started.

"Go on," Duncan said.

"When he passed out, Tony knew he couldn't take him to a hospital because people would ask too many questions, and since he didn't know he lives with you, he decided to take him back to the place where he was currently staying...However, he has a short temper, so when Richie came to and started asking questions, he slapped him...Anyway-"

"Wait a minute, what was he doing in Seacouver in the first place?" Duncan asked.

"Same thing as me...only he and 2 of his friends were looking for Callaghan's Watcher...anyway, by now he was starting to wonder if Richie did die and become Immortal, would he be like one of us, or like one of them...so he kept him chained to a bed in one room until the verdict was final...However, when the other 2 came by, one of them didn't take too likely to what he did with Richie and had him moved...they thought Richie might be of some help to them when they tried to find Callaghan's Watcher, but after they thought he went schizo, they couldn't chance it and tried to find out who he was and...When Tony got around to explaining that, the other two showed up, the lady said that at some point he started apologizing for something?"

"He's been doing a lot of that lately," Duncan said, "why, I can't exactly be sure...which reminds me, Richie said something about her injecting him with a tranquilizer, any idea about that?"

"Yeah, she said that she always keeps one on her, when Richie started acting strangely, she slipped it through the sleeve of her jacket to her reach and gave it to him," Connor said.

"Hold on, Richie told me that last night they asked him who his 'owner' was, did they say anything about that?" Duncan asked.

"Yeah, they figured since he's a pre-Immortal, then he must live with an Immortal who could keep an eye on him, like an owner, or master or whatever the hell you wish to call it," Connor said, "although there is something I'd like to know...they said that Richie knew they were Immortal...how?"

"I can honestly say I don't know...I'm not even sure he knows, after last night, I'm surprised he's able to explain half the things he has so far...wait a minute, wait a minute Connor, something sounds screwy here..." Duncan said, "why didn't this guy try to take your head?"

"Well when we first noticed each other...we both made it clear that we were only looking for Johnny Callaghan at the time...so then he asked me what I knew about him, after telling him, I began to question a lot of what happened last night, it's a long, drawn out thing that I'd rather discuss with you in another century or so, so if you don't mind..."

"Hold it!" Ducnan snagged Connor as he swept past him heading for the door, "What happened to Callaghan?"

"Tony got to him first, turns out he was in Seacouver the whole time, just hiding out...he got him a few hours ago," Connor said, "now if you'll excuse me, I have plans to make, and you have a 17-year-old to watch, so long..."

Connor was out the door before Duncan could open his mouth, but he knew he was right about one thing, he'd told Richie he was going to keep an eye on him, and he intended to stick to it.

*************************************************************************************************

"So if that guy's gone and has no business around here anymore...why do I still have to be on punishment?" Richie asked.

"It's not a punishment Rich...and in any case, you're still under my watch because we don't know who else may have followed him to Seacouver...and the next time, it might be someone you'll just run into...I strongly suggest you lay low for a while, at least until there isn't such a risk of someone getting you," Duncan said.

"Well why would anyone willingly want me?" Richie asked.

"You'd be surprised what length some Immortals will go to when they come looking for me...I don't want to take any chances," Duncan told him, "understand?"

"Yes..."

Richie's reply sounded somewhat empty, but Duncan knew he understood.

"I still can't see why these guys didn't try to take Connor's head, I mean, sure they may all have been looking for the same guy, but after he's gone, they're gonna go after someone else," Richie said.

"And apparently they'll cross that bridge when they come to it...I've been in that position before...in time, you learn who your friends are, and who your enemies are," Duncan said.

"Yeah but...think about it," Richie said, "if there can be only one of you left...that means that you have to kill every last Immortal, even Connor."

"True...but, that's not something I plan on facing for a few hundred years," Duncan said.

He knew Richie was right, which meant that soon he'd be finding himself in the same position. However, for now, Richie was Duncan's responsibility, and he was going to try to make sure Richie didn't become a part of the Game any time soon...The last thing he needed was meeting up again with Tony sometime in the near future.