Disclaimer: Same as what I said in all the other parts.

Author's Note (another brief rant warning Ok, people...only six days has passed in the timeline of this story (and I checked), so please don't get snippy about Angel not heading to LA yet! But because I understand that you guys want a little more interaction from the LA gang, I'll see what I can do... NO promises though.

Author's Note 2 (aka, the timeline so far Parts 1-31 day; Parts 4-121 day (that's a shocker to even me!); Parts 13-161 day; Parts 17-213 days, Parts 22-? day(s).

Author's Note 3: Why does Methos want to drive me crazy? Why!

Author's Note 4: Remind me to never get on Cordelia's bad side. That's all I can say.

Twilight Unicorn: The Vampiric Unicorn (who is in total agreement about phones with Methos right now)


Part 22

Ring... Ring... Ring... Ring--

Methos lunged for the phone to keep it from ringing for the fifth time.

"This better be important," he snarled as he sat up in his bed rubbing his face to wake himself up.

"Good morning to you too, Old Man," Joe said cheerfully on the other end.

Methos looked at his alarm clock, and said darkly, "What's so important that you had to wake me up at five in the morning my time, Watcher?"

His voice suddenly serious, Joe said, "Just wanted to give you a heads up that another Immortal is in Sunnydale."

That got Methos' attention, as he grabbed a pen and pad on the nightstand, and said tersely, "Details."

"His name's Ethan Rayne. He's a newbie, but doesn't seem like it, according to his Watcher. He's also very dangerous."

"How so?"

"He only trained with his mentor for a year...before killing him. "

"What! How?"

"Apparently, Ethan Rayne knew of his Immortality before his death, and had been making preparations for quite some time."

"How far back?"

"From what we've been able to gather: since he was perhaps sixteen, and he is in his mid-forties now. Let me tell you how much he prepared, since he didn't even hide what he was doing: extensive lessons in many different sword techniques, seeking out Immortals to learn about how they have survived through time, setting things up with an Immortal so that when he became Immortal...he wouldn't have to find someone to teach him, and etc."

"Thus," murmured Methos, "he wouldn't need much time to learn the final lessons an Immortal needs to know before going out on his own...and killing his teacher to prove it."

"Got that right. Oh, and it appears as if this Ethan Rayne knows Giles, so you might want to see what he says about this guy."

Methos sighed deeply, before saying, "I'll definitely talk with him. Thanks Joe."

"Not a problem. Oh, and MacLoud says hi and that he hopes you're enjoying yourself in California."

Methos laughed abruptly, then coughed, before saying, "Tell Mac that it's been interesting, if anything else."

A dry chuckle followed that. "I'm sure it has... Well, I better let you go. Talk to you later, Old Man."

With that, the phone disconnected. Shaking his head, Methos hung up the phone. As he was about to fall back to sleep, the phone rang again.

What now? he thought irritably, before grabbing the phone, and saying curtly, "Who is this, and why are you calling me at this atrocious hour?"

There was a startled pause, before the person on the other line spoke, saying, "I am sorry to intrude on your sleep, Adam, but it is imperative that I speak with you."

Muttering an ancient curse under his breath, Methos closed his eyes, and asked tiredly, "What is it, Watcher?"

"An old...friend of mine came into town last night. I though I should warn you about him, as he is Immortal," said Giles grimly on the other end.

A faint disbelieving laugh escaped Methos before he could stop it. With cynical humor, he then said, "Interesting. I just got another call not a moment before about an Immortal that just arrived in town... Is your friend's name by any chance Ethan Rayne?"

"Yes, in fact, it is. I should warn you, Adam, he is also a magic user, and very cunning."

Dryly, Methos said, "So I gather from what I was told...except about the magic. I didn't know about that. Is there anything else you want to tell me, Giles?"

"No, that was it."

"Very well. I shall take into account what I have been told and be careful... Make sure to tell Buffy and Angel as well. I don't want her to have to face a dual yet. Even if she is more than capable of handling it, skill-wise. I'm not too sure about mentally though, since -- as a Slayer -- she is vowed not to take human life."

Grimly, Giles replied, "Agreed. I shall see you later then, Immortal."

"Goodbye," Methos said, before hanging up.

Just as he was taking his hand off of the receiver, the phone rang again. Rolling his eyes in disbelief, Methos picked up the phone, and said into the mouthpiece calmly, "Hello, Buffy."

"How'd you know it was me, Adam," Buffy asked in surprise.

Smirking, Methos said, "Lets just call it a hunch, shall we?"

"Whatever. Anyway, the reason I'm calling is because I'm calling an emergency meeting at the Magic Box."

"What's the emergency?"

"I'm not going to repeat myself, so come to the meeting and you'll find out. Oh, I gotta go. Someone else is trying to call me."

"Fine. I'll come...and tell Giles hi and that he might as well wait for the meeting before telling you and everyone else why he's calling."

As he hung up, he heard Buffy exclaiming, "What the Hell are you talking about!"

Methos' smirk slowly transformed into a satisfied grin, before becoming a scowl...as the phone rang again. Ignoring the phone, he stood, went over to his suitcase, grabbed some clothes, and got dressed. By the time the phone rang for the fifteenth time, he picked it up, and snarled, "Whoever's on the other end better have a good reason to call, or they'll find themselves a head shorter next time I see them!"

"Nice talking to you too...Methos," Cordelia said sarcastically with a bitter edge.

In stunned shock, the Immortal asked quietly, "How do you know my name?"

"Vision," came the curt reply, then, "and I saw a LOT of things...Death."

The shock wore off, to be replaced by anger. "Why are you calling me? Aren't you Angel's Seer, not mine?"

"Because my message is for you, not him."

"Then speak, Messenger."

"Fine. The reason you were called as a Warrior for our side is about to become apparent...and it isn't what you think either."

"Why was I called, then?"

"Can't tell you. You gotta figure that out for yourself. Although, a warning: you better tell Angel who you are and were, and how you changed sides. If you don't, some really BAD stuff will happen."

Before Methos could reply, Cordelia hung up. Slamming the receiver down in rage, Methos then picked up the phone, and threw it hard against the farthest wall. He grabbed up his coat and sword, and slammed the door behind him, as he left his hotel room. The hotel room he had rented once he realized that Giles didn't have a guest bedroom.


Next Part: Showdown number one doth commence! Ie: Watchers, Immortals, Slayers, Witches, Vampires, and maybe even a Messenger. Need I say more?