Chapter 10: The End of the Horsemen

Warning: I don't know; maybe language and innuendo somewhere along the way.

Disclaimer: BtVS characters belong to Joss Whedon / Mutant Enemy. Highlander characters belong to Davis-Panzer Productions. I claim no rights to any copyrighted material. Please do not copy or take this story without my permission.

A/N: This is mostly in response to Challenge #1599 by Claddagh. But I'm also attempting to use it as sort of my own interpretation of a response to #4372 by ChaosCarlos and #2324 by raynee.

A/N2: Thanks to my betas for their help... AshDawnSoulmates and ktweaver.

Streets of Seacouver

It didn't take long for Phoenix to find her friend. "Adam! Wait up!" she called out.

He didn't even turn around; just kept on walking. His pace stayed the same, though. Methos knew that if she really wanted to catch him, his fastest gait would be barely a brisk walk for her. "I want to be alone right now, Phoenix," he growled, hoping she would take the hint.

Unfortunately for him, Phoenix had other ideas. "Nuh-huh. Ain't gonna happen. You're just going to find some dark place to brood about the bad things you did in your past. Been there, dealt with a guy like that before, so not looking forward to having you become like him."

At that, he whirled on his heel to face her. "You don't know what I did. All the people I killed; women I raped! I tortured people for my entertainment!!!" he screamed at her. Dammit! Why didn't she understand this? Why was she making him admit these things to her?

She wasn't put off by his anger; it was actually a refreshing change for her. "Hey, I'm not trying to convince you that you weren't an evil bastard. You sound just as bad – if not worse – than my ex. And he was a vampire without his soul when he did those kinds of things."

"This is supposed to be cheering me up, how?" Methos bit out through tightly clenched teeth.

Phoenix went on like he hadn't said anything, "What I will do is remind you that you aren't that guy anymore. As weird as it is to say this, Death is dead. He's been dead for thousands of years. You are a different man, Adam," she reminded him gently, putting her hand on his arm as a sign of her support.

A voice spoke out the darkness, and with it, the pair felt a Quickening approach, "And that new man can die as well."

Methos stiffened when he saw who it was. "Kronos, what are you doing here?"

"Aww, can't a Horseman look up his last remaining kinsman?" War inquired, a mock look of hurt on his face.

Not liking the other man's phrasing, Methos questioned, "What happened to Famine?"

Kronos gave him a cruel smile in return. "I killed him months ago. Now it's just you and me."

Seeing where this was going, Phoenix interrupted their little reunion, "I am Phoebe Nix. I challenge you, Kronos!"

Methos grabbed her arm and twisted her to look at him. "What are you doing, Phoenix?" he demanded.

"I can feel the blackness of his soul from here. There's no way I'm letting you feel that inside you – unless you want his Quickening," she tested him.

He saw her words for what they were and answered vehemently and honestly, "Of course not!"

Not sensing the small woman's Quickening, Kronos called out, "You are not an Immortal! You cannot challenge me!"

Phoenix snorted derisively, "That's where you're wrong, ugly. I can, and I do. What's more is that when I defeat you, all the souls you've held all this time will be set free, and you will go to your eternal punishment."

"You will die for daring to mock War!" he cried out. After he killed her – whether she was an Immortal or not – he would finally take Death's head and be the final Horseman standing. Too bad he couldn't have a little 'fun' with her first, like so many other women in the past.

She just rolled her eyes at his threat. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Planning boring me to death? Or maybe killing me with your stench? You know, breath mints and deodorant have been around a while; you could have tried them out by now."

Kronos attacked in a rage, and the fight began. Phoenix would make scathing comments every couple minutes, which only served to fuel his anger. She was surprised that such an old Immortal would be so easy to bait. What she didn't know was something in his subconscious recognized her as a Slayer – the thing that broke up his 'family'. And for her to be with Death was the final insult. Well, that and the fact she was possibly an Immortal.

It didn't take long for Kronos to start making mistakes. Even less time for Phoenix to take advantage of one such opportunity. She put him on his knees with one blow, then took his head with the return motion.

Methos watched in horrified fascination as the Quickening overtook her. It was like the worst train wreck times ten. He was appalled by the pain on her face as she re-lived the lives of all the souls being released. For the first time, he was struck by the idea that others' souls were similarly trapped in him. When that sunk in fully, he doubled over, retching.

Pulling himself together, he moved to Phoenix's side. "Are you alright?"

"I'll be okay; just need a little breather. So not wanting to do that again! That guy was seriously…" she shuddered. "Even before becoming an Immortal."

"I can imagine," he sympathized. "Of the four of us, he was the most bloodthirsty and sadistic. By the way, why did you tell him your name was Phoebe Nix?"

Phoenix shrugged her slim, shaking shoulders, "I don't know. I've been toying around with names, and liked the idea of one that could also explain my nickname. I loved the TV show 'Charmed', and really identified with the character of Phoebe. And the Nix part was just kinda obvious. Figured this was a good time to try it out."

"I think it works very well for you. Have you considered any physical changes you wish to make?" Methos inquired, trying to come up with disguises in his mind for her. He was trying to get her mind off of the things she witnessed during the Quickening.

"Probably the easiest is just to change my hair – both in color and in style." She looked down at her clothing and added, "The other change would be to mix up my fashion sense."

While he really appreciated her look, it wasn't one if she wanted to be taken seriously by people. "If I could offer a suggestion… As you are going to be in charge of an international organization, you may want to go with a professional appearance."

"As long as I don't look like a mom – or have to wear a lot of tweed. I suppose there must be some occasions when it's necessary. Although I can't imagine what they would be, 'cause seriously--" Phoenix started to babble.

Methos laughed, which meant her own distraction worked. "We'll work it out. Have you ever considered having auburn hair? Would sort of work with your name as well," he pointed out, referring to the red flames of the Phoenix.

She was willing to do it at least once. "Sure, let's give it a try. If it doesn't work we can always try something else. So, you feeling better now?" she asked. It was important to know that he wasn't going to brood when she wasn't around later.

He thought about it for a minute, then replied, "Well, I'm not looking forward to facing Cassandra again, but yeah. I think knowing that I'm the last Horseman helps. The only way they could ride again is if I chose to create a new family. Somehow I don't think you'll ever let that happen," he added, almost as a request.

"Got that right!" she declared. "Not sure if it will make you feel better, but I'll take your head before you become Death again. Of course, I'll fight like hell to keep you from getting to that point either."

As twisted as it sounded, Methos had to agree, "Actually it does make me feel better. Both that you would fight for me and be willing to stop me."

"It's my mission from the Powers," Phoenix teased. Then she grew serious and continued, "Plus, you guys have helped me out so much already in such a short time; it's the least I could do in return."

Tired of the emotional drama of the night, Methos held out his arm for her to take. "Let's go home and relax with a beer. I'll tell you some stories from my past," he offered.

Even though she knew he was being serious, Phoenix still joked to keep the mood light, "Cool. It's a slumber party then."

"Yes, and we can braid each other's hair and make prank phone calls later," Methos commented dryly, rolling his eyes. Phoenix just giggled in return, weaving her arm in his.

He turned to her and kissed her temple, then whispered, "Thanks."

"My pleasure, Adam," she returned warmly, squeezing his arm.

A/N: Next…A common goal.