Disclaimer: Not mine, never will be.

Author's Note: This is killing me, I don't know how much more I can do. Methos is the hardest character I have ever had to write in perspective (especially trying to work through his thought processes'!). I hope you appreciate what I had to go through.

Author's Note 2: If you have an idea, go ahead and tell me. I'll see what I can do.

Author's Note 3: This part's dedicated to Joan Osborne, and her song "The Man In the Long Black Coat." That was the only song that Methos would allow me to play for this part. I must have listened to it at LEAST fifty times! Damn you Methos!

Twilight Unicorn: The Vampiric Unicorn (who is (once again) wondering what she has gotten herself into)


Part 8

Methos watched as Giles descended the stairs, saying, "She'll be down in a moment."

He nodded, as he sat down on the couch in the living room, in site of the stairway. Joe carefully eased himself down beside Methos, grunting as he dropped the last few inches.

Gazing at his friend in concern, Methos asked, "You alright Joe?"

With a grimace, Joe said, "Yeah. Just need to remain seated in one place more than a few minutes at a time, that's all."

Methos nodded, then -- as he felt his Immortal sense become even more intense than it already was -- looked towards the stairs. A few seconds later a young woman with long blonde hair, wearing a white tank top and light blue jeans, came down the stairs slowly, rubbing her neck. And the person behind her...

With a jolt, Methos sat ramrod strait in his seat, blood draining from his face, as he recognized the man in black following the Slayer. For a moment, he could not breathe, then breathed in sharply, heart pounding, blood returning to his face as he calmed himself.

It was then he realized what the Messenger had meant about the vampire making the choice at a later time than he. They had both been Called to aid the Slayer. This Slayer. He obviously was to teach her about her Immortality...but what was the vampire's purpose?

By that time, the Slayer and vampire had reached the entrance to the living room. They gazed at Joe and him uncertainly, warily. It was the look of those who had learned not to trust easily.

Methos noticed how the vampire put a hand on the Slayer's shoulder, covering her hand and stilling it. She seemed to relax instantly...much to Methos' surprise. The nearness of the vampire should have upset her further, not calmed her.

He watched as the two silently moved into the living room and sat down. He was interested to see that they sat in a recliner, the Slayer on the vampire's lap. She looked like such an innocent at that moment, but one would only need to look into her eyes to know otherwise.

So intent was he on his study of the vampire and Slayer, that it took him a moment to realize that Giles was speaking, introducing everyone.

"...Adam, Joe, this is Buffy and Angel."

Joe said "Hello" while Methos continued to gaze at the two before him. After several seconds, he asked, "I wish not to be rude, but... How is it that a vampire is in the company of a Slayer, and not dust?"

The Slayer started, eyes widening with a touch of fear and wariness, while the vampire seemed to become even stiller than he already was, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

It took a moment for the Slayer to speak, but when she did, it came out in a rush.

"How did you know he was a vampire?"

Methos tilted his head, then said quietly, grimly, "When you interact with vampires and other demonic beings as long as I did, you would know on site who was and wasn't human...and tell what they really are."

He would not reveal how he truly knew that Angel was a vampire. He could not. Not until he knew more about the vampire's presence.


Next Part: Dawn, Tara, and Willow make an appearance.

Be forewarned: remember what Dawn is, and what Buffy said about her in the season finale (s5). Those that don't watch Buffy or Angel, just bare with me, all will be explained in time...I hope.