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Insert usual disclaimers here about everyone and everything in the story being the property of Rysher, Panzer-Davis etc., and not wanting to infringe on their rights and not making any money on this story and all of that usual stuff.

TIMELINE: Story is set a day or two after Chivalry. Sex theme so mild as to be non-existent. If you blink, you'll miss it.

Author: AnneZo @ fastmail . fm

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Methos approved of this restraint. It showed a common sense that the boy was going to need to survive. It might be a good idea for *Adam Pierson* to get together with Richie. As he turned in, he promised himself he would look Richie up the next day and try to make amends somehow.

The next afternoon he made good on this promise. He avoided asking Duncan. This was a private matter. Checking the Watcher files casually, he came up with a list of places where the young man was known to spend his free time.  

He finally ran Richie to ground at a crowded garage. He had a carburetor torn apart and was cleaning the pieces industriously, if a bit absent-mindedly. Methos had a good idea what he might be thinking about. Kristin.

"Hello," he said quietly, stopping about ten feet away carefully. Richie, who had risen to his feet when *Adam* entered, returned the greeting politely but coldly.

"I think we need to talk," Methos said firmly.

"What's left to talk about?"

"I think we should talk about what I did. And why."

"I know why. We don't need to talk about it."

"I think we do."

Richie stared at the rag in his hands stubbornly. Methos tried again.

"Look, do you want to do this here? Or would you like to go somewhere a bit less public?"

He approved of the look of caution the younger man gave him.

"It's not a trick," he assured him. "MacLeod's a friend of mine, and I don't have a problem with you. I want to make sure the feeling is mutual."

"If you're worried that I'm going to come after your head, I can promise you...." Richie began.

"I didn't think you were," he interrupted. "That's not why I want to talk with you. Can we go somewhere else?"

"Sure, I guess so."

"Where do you want to go?"

Richie shrugged. "I don't know. This is your party."

"Listen, I've got some beer at my place. Want to go there?" Methos thought the conversation might go more easily if they didn't have to worry about waitresses overhearing any of it. He also thought that a few beers might help this stiff-necked young man relax enough to hear what he wanted to tell him.

It was easier when they reached the apartment. After Richie had settled on the couch with a cold beer, Methos decided the best plan was to go straight to the heart of the matter.

"She's not the only woman in the world, you know."

"Who?"

"Kristin. That's what this is about, isn't it? Kristin?"

Richie looked away. "Yeah. I guess."

"The world is full of beautiful women."

"Not like her."

"Yes! Like her. Only better, because most of them won't try to kill you if you turn your back on them!"

"I know! I know! It's just that..." His voice trailed away in frustration and he drained his beer. Methos handed him another one, hoping the alcohol would relax him enough to make him listen to reason. He had a good idea what the problem really was.

"Sex. She was good in bed, right? Hell, she was fantastic!" Richie looked startled and Methos went on. "And, why shouldn't she be? She spent several hundred years perfecting her technique!"

"It wasn't like that!"

"It was like that! It was exactly like that! And you know it!"

"Yes." The admission came quietly. "I know. I really do understand. It isn't really..."

"So, you're not regretting her death?" He asked the question carefully.

"No. Yes. I don't..." He stopped and licked his lips, then tried again. "I understand why you killed her, really I do."

"So, what's the problem?"

"There isn't one, I guess."

"Good."

The two of them sat drinking in silence for a few minutes before Methos decided to try another approach.

"I remember my own first experience with a woman like her," he lied.

"Was she..."

"Immortal? No. But immortality isn't a requirement for being good in bed."

Richie shifted nervously.

"Are you uncomfortable talking about it?"

"No. Not really. It's just that Mac doesn't really..."

"Kiss and tell?" Methos chuckled. "MacLeod is a good teacher, and a good man, but he's prude."

"Yeah, I guess he is. He's always so *right* about everything, it's hard to talk to him sometimes."

"I'm not MacLeod," Methos pointed out softly.

Richie glanced at him, then looked away.

"You're a grown man, Richie. You have to make your own decisions in life. Don't try to be a carbon copy of Duncan MacLeod. Be your own person."

"I'm trying. But sometimes I just need to talk to someone."

"Did it ever occur to you that Duncan wasn't exactly objective about Kristin himself," Methos pointed out. "He fell into the same trap you did, you know. He let a beautiful face and body blind him to the truth. And in his case, it got someone else killed. When he looked at Kristin yesterday, the face and the body were still what he saw."

"He knew better than to get involved with her again!"

"Yes, but he still couldn't stop her. Do you know why?"

"Because she was a woman. And because he was in love with her once."

"MacLeod wasn't any more in love with Kristin than you were. He just spends so much time denying what he really wants, that he can't think clearly on the subject."

"What do you mean?"

"Sex. It's as simple as that. It isn't a sin, or a particularly complicated subject."

"I know that already."

"Do you? I doubt it. Especially if you're trying to live up to MacLeod's code of honor."

"I'm not doing that. Mac and I haven't ever really talked about it. It's not something I think he..." Richie's voice trailed off, he didn't seem to know how to finish the sentence.

"You're curious. You're young and attractive and the world is your oyster. You'd be less than normal if you didn't want to explore all your options."

"I don't know. It just doesn't seem..."

Methos understood what Richie was unable to say. "Noble?"

Richie blushed slightly. "Yeah, I guess. Something like that."

"I told you. You're not MacLeod, so don't try to turn yourself into him."

He could see Richie thinking about this carefully.

"You're right. I guess I've been trying to live up to his expectations," he admitted.

"It's worse than you think."

Richie looked startled.

"You're trying to live up to his expectations of *himself*," Methos pointed out. "You told me you hadn't talked about the subject with him, so you can't say he's given you a set of expectations to live up to."

"You know, you're right. I guess I just assumed..."

"Not even Duncan MacLeod can always live up to Duncan MacLeod's expectations," Methos said tartly. "He's going to find that out one of these days. In the meantime, decide for yourself what you want."

Methos let him think about that while he collected a couple more beers. When he returned to the living room, Richie seemed inclined to talk.

"Okay, so you're not Mac," he said carefully. "What do you think?"

"About sex?" Methos pretended to consider the question, although he had his answer ready. "It's been my experience that the world is full of men and women who don't share MacLeod's reticence on the subject. Just keep your eyes open."

Richie was silent for a moment. "Mac's been a good friend. And a good teacher. He's taught me everything I need to know."

"But not everything you *want* to know," Methos pointed out gently. "Those things you'll have to learn for yourself. No limits, except for those you want to set."

Richie laughed nervously. "I've thought about it. But I don't know where to start."

"I told you. The world is full of men and women...finding someone to teach you shouldn't be difficult. If that's what you want."

This time the phrase caught Richie's attention. "Men and women?"

"Either. Or, both. It's up to you." He shrugged. "Don't tell me you haven't thought about it."

Richie struggled for an answer. "Umm..."

"I'm not MacLeod," Methos reminded him.

"Yeah, I can see that. OK, it's not a new subject. It just isn't something I've thought about much."

"I'm just telling you not to limit your options," Methos pointed out. "Either way, the decision is yours. Give yourself some room to explore."

"I know it is," Richie admitted reluctantly. "But sometimes I wish..."

"I know. It's easier to let someone make these decisions for you."

"Yeah. It can be."

"I know. But in the long run, it's better to make your own choices. At least that way you stand a better chance of getting what you want."

"If you know what you want." Richie stood up slowly. "I guess I have a lot to think about."

Methos rose and walked him toward the door, resting one arm casually on the younger man's shoulders. "Anything I can help with?"

"No. Not right now, anyhow."

Methos smiled down at him. "My door is always open," he invited. "Stop by any time."

Richie nodded, "I just might do that." He stepped into the hallway.

He chuckled. "I hope you do. You don't even have to bring flowers."

Richie stopped and looked over his shoulder in surprise, seeing the older man smile significantly. He stared for a moment, before returning the smile. "How about chocolates?"

"Just beer."

"I may take you up on the offer. Thanks, Adam."

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The End