Author's notes: Well, it's been a rough week. My whole job plans for next semester were changed, currently I don't have one. I was sick. And…well hopefully nothing else will appear. Thanks to all my reviewers out there. I'll try to keep the story coming. Oh, I get to go to Europe this summer…Yippeeeeeeeee!!

Chapter 9

Early Christmas morn, 2002

Everyone panicked. Adam's voice had taken on a tone that made him seem like the worse evil anyone had ever seen. Xander was prepared to fight. He grabbed his new sword and rushed Adam. He pressed the sharpened wooden blade to the man's throat. Decapitation seemed to work on any race, be it vampire, immortal, or human.

"What are you? Why did you say Death has already come?" It seemed as if Xander had growled his questions to Adam. The others sat with fear across their faces, except for Richie. Richie was slowly working his way behind Xander in order to prevent him from taking the life of the oldest living immortal. 'What a show the quickening would make though,' thought Richie.

Methos looked at the young boy holding the sword to his throat. The poor boy never had a choice about any of this. He weakly smiled and returned back from the depths of his mind so as not to scare them again. "Xander, I'll explain all if you would remove the sword from my neck. I'm quite fond of my neck, just ask Richie." The sword still lingered against Adam's neck, Xander wasn't moving.

Richie gently placed a hand on the slayer's shoulder. "Hey Xander, trust me, all will be okay. Adam knows a lot and I think he will tell all of us what he just realized." Richie made sure to look strait at Methos as he said this. He was going to make sure the old man wouldn't make a liar out of him. Richie would take his head if he did. Xander slowly lowered the sword, but kept it ready just in case the mysterious man made a move.

"Okay," Methos rubbed his neck, "I'm sure young Xander here already knows, but I'll say it anyway; I am an immortal." Methos let that sink in with everyone before he continued. He was gauging exactly how much he needed to tell them. Judging by the look that Richie was giving, he had better tell all or else there would be a spectacular light show in the Giles' residence.

"Well," Methos cleared his throat, "all stories need a beginning, and mine happens to begin around 5000 years ago. That was when I had my first quickening. Beyond that, I can't remember." The room was so silent that heartbeats could almost be heard. "During the past 5000 years, I have seen civilizations rise, then fall, and then another rise in its place. I have seen the wonders of life, but I have also seen death." Methos pondered how to continue. "Let me ask one question, what do you know about the four horseman of the apocalypse?" Methos waited for response to his random question. He saw the realization hit Giles' face.

Giles pushed his glasses up, 'This man can't be. That was only rumored among the ancient texts. He would be a demon.' Giles looked at Adam, "According to the watcher texts, the four horseman were said to have actually ridden during the years before Christ was born. They were merciless, killed entire tribes, and were immortal. Then, they mysteriously vanished and were left to legend. It was discovered that one slayer may have encountered one of the four, but the truth is not known." Everyone looked at Giles then at Adam; they wanted to know how it all tied together.

Methos tried to not let his thoughts cloud his mind. "What you know of the four horseman is all fact. They had made a deal with a demon for immortal life, but in return they rode as the faces of evil. They were consumed by the evil deeds they did. But soon dissent formed among them, because one took lead over the others. The four broke apart and discovered that immortality was already theirs. Three of the riders kept their ways, while the fourth was given a choice. He had encountered a slayer. He did not want to kill her but she knew what evil he was. The rider was then given a choice by a demon of the light: live forever redeeming himself, or die at the hands of the slayer. The rider was always in favor of not dying, so he began his work for the powers that be. He ceased to be 'Death' that night and took the name of Methos. Of course over the centuries, his name has changed until he is now called Adam." Methos looked around the room and knew that everyone just realized that he had committed more murder than all the demons they had ever fought combined. He hung his head waiting for the response.

Surprisingly, Willow broke the silence. "You actually killed millions of people as one of the four horseman? How can you expect us to trust you, to let you in on our lives?" Willow had practically shouted the last part at him. The redhead flung herself in tears into Oz's arms.

Xander narrowed his eyes and drew closer to Adam with the sword. "She is right, why should I not kill you right now for all the evil that you have done?"

Richie looked at Methos then at Xander; he couldn't let this happen. "Xander, everyone, Adam is not against us in this battle. Everyone has their demons; his just go further back. He is trying to redeem himself. A few years back he even helped destroy the other three horsemen; the three he considered his brothers. If that's not redemption, I don't know what is." Richie grew silent hoping is words would ease things.

Methos lifted his head as Richie spoke. He was glad the kid was standing up for him. 'Hell,' he thought, 'the kid isn't much of a kid anymore.' "Richie is right. I have been redeeming myself for 2000 years. If you want a reason for not killing me Mr. Harris then here is the best I can give: none of you would be hear if it weren't for me. After I met the slayer, I formed a solid conclusion: she needed help. I formed the Watcher Council. If I had not done that, Mr. Giles would not be here, all the slayers would have had shorter life spans, and the world would be completely different as we know it." Methos saw the shock present on everyone's face. He inwardly smiled at his unknown trump card.

Xander stood dumbfounded. This man had formed the Watchers. 'Well,' he thought, 'maybe he would be alright after all.' "Okay, I'll trust you for now. But don't ever take advantage of that trust." Xander's voice took on a depth that shocked even himself. Something deep down inside was starting to emerge, something that even he knew nothing about.

"Since we seem to have found a truce amongst us, I believe it is time we got to business. This prophecy has been waiting for this moment for 2000 years. All that was seen originally were flashes of what might be. Now we must make sure that what happens is what was meant to be." Methos looked around at the young group gathered in the house. His eyes lingered on the very nervous Mrs. Giles. He could tell the events of the past few hours were taking a toll on the pregnant woman. Hopefully all would turn out just fine.

Giles pushed his glasses up, "First, I suppose we should patrol around the old library. If hell opens up, that's were it will be."