Greeting and Salutations. Okay, this one started in a strange way.

Remember when I told you about Manticore Gurl's Buffy/Highlander challenge? Well, lack of interest forced her to can it, but she did pass on a second Buffy/Mutant X challenge, which I accepted. I was looking over it, when I got the idea of combining the two. The result? A totally AU for both series that brings a hell of lot of known facts into question. How's that? Read and find out.

Los Angeles, California.

1978.

Amanda moved towards her apartment, keeping an eye out for other Immortals. She was not in the mood for a challenge. Adam was talking about some clue to the mystery of where Immortals come from, something about a hidden ability in the human genome to adapt, like Immortals were the next step in human evolution or something. Amanda had told him he had been reading to many comic books.

She sighed loudly. Maybe it was time to track down Duncan again.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the cry of a baby in the alley nearby.

She moved cautiously, hand inside her large coat, fingering her hidden sword. It wouldn't be the first time she'd fallen into a trap like this, though last time she'd been hung for stealing an amulet used to summon demons. The only reason she'd survived was that the rope hadn't cut her neck, thankfully.

She followed the crying, looking around the alley carefully. She walked up to the dumpster and looked within.

Inside was a baby girl, not a month old, wrapped in blankets. She was screaming her lungs out, already red in the face.

Amanda reached in to pick her up, "Now, who'd want to dump such a precious little girl?" She muttered to herself, holding the child close. She looked around, trying to see anyone who might have dumped the girl. Nothing, which meant one of two things: one, the child had been left here a while ago, and the person or persons that had dumped her had already done a runner.

Two, the girl was pre-Immortal, and had mysteriously appeared, as Immortals tend to do.

Amanda took the girl up to the apartment she and Adam had been sharing, placing her gently on the bed. She unwrapped the blankets, finding she had nothing on but a nappy. Amanda checked to girl over, looking for some sign of abuse.

That's when she saw it.

The Mark of the Order.

"Oh my God," she whispered, reaching for the phone next to the bed and dialling Adam's office.

"Adam Kane."

"Adam, we have a problem," Amanda said.

"Amanda, what is it?" Adam asked. Amanda took a breath.

"I just found a baby girl in the dumpster next to our building," she explained. She heard a short sharp breath from the other end of the line.

"Is she…?"

"I think so," Amanda, not waiting for him to finish the question, "but that's nothing to what else I found. A birthmark on her left shoulder. Sound familiar?"

"Oh my God," Adam breathed. He'd had run-ins with Slayers in his thousand plus years of life; he knew what it meant, "A Potential? What are we going to do?"

"I know what we aren't going to do," Amanda said forcibly, "And we aren't going to put her where those assholes at the Council can get their filthy paws on her," Adam let out a deep sigh.

"I guess I'd better stop off at a twenty four hour store for some supplies then," he said. He had to pull the phone away from his ear as Amanda squealed in delight.

"Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!" She said. Adam grinned. Damn she was cute when she was happy. She even sounded cute.

"Are you sure we can do this?" Adam asked, "What do either of us know about raising a baby?"

"We were both kids once," Amanda answered, mixing the formula Adam had bought, "It can't be that hard."

"That was over a thousand years ago," Adam said, "For both of us. Things change, Amanda. Do you really think we're qualified…?"

"Adam, what are the other options?" Amanda snapped, "We put her into social services, the Watcher's get a hold of her and before you know, they're turning her into the perfect weapon. We both know what she is, Adam. We both know she's pre-Immortal. I won't let them get their hands on her," Adam looked at his lover for a moment.

"You really care for her, don't you?" Amanda picked the girl up, rocking her gently.

"I've always watched all the mortal women with their children," she said, softly, "I was even a nanny a couple of times. 'Course, I was usually casing the place out, but I always enjoyed it. It sort of… made up for not being able to have one of my own. Now, I have my chance and I am not letting it slip through my fingers."

"Alright, Amanda," Adam chuckled, "Okay. You win. The girl stays. But she needs a name," Amanda looked down at her new daughter.

"Elizabeth," she whispered softly, "My darling Elizabeth."

On the roof of the building across the road, Whistler watched through the window as the two Immortals decided to keep the kid.

"And you thought Adam wouldn't go for it," he said to his companion in the shadows.

"So I was wrong," the figure said, "Are you sure this is good idea?"

"Relax, wouldja?" Whistler said, "They're perfect. Amanda can teach her thievery, which includes being flexible and quick on your feet, Adam can educate her and teach her to think for herself and both of them can teach her to fight. She'll be better than anything the Council can come up with. Then, there's the Society of Watcher's to keep an eye on her. We've got a couple of people in their ranks. Nothing can go wrong."

"How long do you think it'll take for them to figure it out?" The shadow asked.

"That she's a Slayer at birth?" Whistler said, "Once her sword training starts. You gotta loosen up a bit, Angel. You worry too much," the souled vampire known as Angel looked across the street.

"I think I'll hang around," he said, "Just in case."

"You do that," Whistler said, "I'll see ya around." With that he vanished back inside the building, leaving Angel to watch over his charge.

"Nothing will happen to you, my daughter," he whispered, "I promise."

Four years later.

Boston, Masachusetts.

"Elizabeth!" Amanda called her young ward from the stairs of their apartment building, "Get back here."

"Coming, 'Manda," Amanda watched, with some relief, as the young girl came running out of the alley next to there house, a raven haired girl behind her, "Yes?"

"What have I told you about running off like that?" Elizabeth thought a moment.

"Don't get caught?" She asked, believing that to be the answer.

"Bethy…" Amanda said warningly.

"'Manda…" Elizabeth said just as sternly. Amanda sighed ruefully, giving in to the smile that had been trying to break through.

"I can never stay angry at you," she said. Elizabeth smiled up at her, "And who's your friend?"

"This is Faith," Elizabeth said, "She lives in the next building over," the girl, Faith looked at her confused.

"Thought your name's 'Lizabeth," she said, "Why'd she call you Buffy?"

"Bethy," Amanda corrected, "It's a nickname."

"Oh," Faith said. She looked at Elizabeth, "C'n I call you Buffy too?" The newly renamed Buffy grinned.

"Sure," she said happily.

"Aren't your parents worried about you?" Amanda asked. Faith shook her head.

"They's sleeping," the girl said, "They get angry if I wake 'em up, so I spend a lot of time out," Amanda looked down at her in horror.

"You are far to young to be let out by yourself like this," she said. Faith glared at her.

"I'm three," she said, holding up two fingers. Amanda grinned.

"Well, why don't you come inside?" Amanda said. Faith looked at Buffy, who was grinning.

"Guess so," Faith said. Buffy draped an arm around her friends shoulder.

Six months later.

"'Manda!" Buffy screamed, "Somethin's wrong with Faith!" Amanda quickly ran into her wards room and looked out the window. She could here screaming from across the alley and it was most certainly Faith. She continued to listen and, to her horror, saw Faith's small body climb out onto the fire escape.

"Where're you goin'?" A male voice slurred, a large arm reaching for the girl. Faith moved as fast as she could down the escape, the large drunk after her, "You c'me back here. Show some respect for yer father," by this time, Amanda was shaking.

"Elizabeth, stay here," she said, climbing out onto the fire escape. Elizabeth obeyed, looking down at her friend with fear.

By the time Amanda had reached the bottom, Faith was just climbing down the ladder.

"C'mere," Amanda said, pulling the girl into her arms. Faith sobbed into her shoulder, shaking with fear. Amanda walked to the fire escape to her own building, "I want you to climb up to Elizabeth. Think you can do that?" Faith nodded numbly and started climbing the ladder.

"Hey," Faith's father yelled, "Waddaya thing yer doin' with my daughter?"

"I'm taking her to my place until you sober up," Amanda said sternly, "You come near that girl and I make you a head shorter, clear?"

"You can't do that!" he slurred, "She's my daughter, an' I need to teach her useless ass some manners," he took another step and felt cold steel against his throat.

"Still think I can't do this?" She asked coldly, "People like you make me sick. You don't deserve children. Now, go back to your little palace and drink yourself into oblivion like you normally do," She turned, sword still in hand and climbed back up the fire escape, as soon as she had, she quickly checked Faith before turning to Buffy, "Elizabeth, find Faith some clothes and get packed. We have to leave by tomorrow morning," Buffy nodded, dragging Faith over to her cupboard. Amanda looked at the two. There was no way in hell she was making that poor girl go back to that.

A year and a half later.

Paris, France.

"'Manda!" Elizabeth screamed, as five year olds tend to do, "Look."

The girl had, tightly clenched in her hands, a small dagger she had found on the floor near where Amanda kept her weapons. Faith was close behind her, eyes wide, looking at the dagger.

"She jus' picked it up," the four year old said fearfully, "I told her not to…"

"It's alright, Faith," Amanda said, "I'm not going to yell. Elizabeth, where did you find this?" Elizabeth looked up at her, confused.

"On th' floor," she said, then added proudly, "I cleaned up."

"Very good," Amanda said, "Now give it to me," Elizabeth handed the dagger over obediently, then looked up at her guardian.

"'Manda," she said, "Where's Adam?" Amanda gave her a sad look.

"Adam got in trouble," she said, "He had to go," in truth, the experiments that he had been so adamant would show where Immortals come from, had gone awry, and Adam had been forced into hiding. He had, however, given her a contact number.

"If you see anything out of the ordinary," he said, "children with strange abilities, call me," it made no sense to Amanda, but she kept the number anyway, simply because Elizabeth thought of him as her father.

"When's he comin' back?" the girl asked. Amanda sighed.

"I don't think he is," she said sadly.

"He left us?" The girl whispered, "He doesn't like me?" Faith grabbed Buffy in a huge bear hug.

"I like you, Buffy," the younger girl said. Amanda grinned. The two were inseparable. Good, Elizabeth would need the friends

"No, it's not you," Amanda said firmly, "It's, well, it's partly me, and partly his work," the girl seemed to accept that.

"'Manda?"

"Yes, Elizabeth?"

"What do you do when you go out?"

Five years later

Seacouver.

Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod walked down the street, ever alert. He was hungry and tired, all he wanted to do was…

The sight of the dojo door, wide open, cut off his thoughts.

He examined it quickly, but could find no proof of forced entry. In fact, his keys were still sitting in the lock. A quick examination of his person proved that they were his keys. He groaned softly as he walked in, feeling the Buzz of another Immortal in the kitchen. There was only one Immortal he knew of with the skill to merely lift his keys from his pocket.

"Hello, Amanda," he said as he walked int. Amanda grinned, walking up to give him a kiss.

"Hey," she said, "how'd you know it was me?"

"Who else would pick my keys out of pocket, unlock the door, then have a cup of my coffee while she waited?" He said. Amanda shrugged.

"How many other thieves are you friends with?" Amanda asked, "And should I be jealous?" Duncan chuckled.

"You haven't changed, Amanda," he said, grabbing a cup from the cupboard.

"You expected me too?" She asked innocently. Duncan merely shook his head.

"I just have one question," he said, "How did you get the keys without my recognising you?" At that moment, ten-year-old girl walked in, carrying one of the short swords from Duncan's collection.

"Hey, Amanda," she said, "You never told me Duncan…" she stopped, looking at Duncan, "Was already here. Hi, I'm Buffy," Duncan stared, taking the out held hand, "Nice swords you've got."

"Uh, thanks," Duncan managed. Amanda grinned at the look on his face.

"Duncan, Elizabeth is my…"

"I prefer 'daughter', but Amanda tells me that isn't quite true," Buffy said, "She raised me from birth, she's 'mom' to me."

"I found her in a dumpster in LA," Amanda said, "She's been my ward ever since."

"I still prefer daughter."

"Elizabeth…"

"Amanda," Buffy said just as sternly, "I prefer 'Buffy'."

"It sounds like a something you'd call a pet dog," Amanda said.

"I like that name," Buffy said, "Faith gave me that name."

"Faith?" Duncan asked, amused.

"Yeah?" a second girl walked in, this one carrying a very worn out kilt, "Hey, Amanda, why's he got a dress?"

"It's not a dress," Duncan stared sternly. Faith's head whipped to face him, fear in her eyes. He's going to hit me, she thought, "It's a kilt."

"Looks like a dress to me," Buffy said, walking over to Faith "And don't yell at my friend."

"I didn't yell," Duncan said, looking at the girl. She's about to burst into tears, he thought. What he heard next blew his mind.

"Don't hit me," the girl whispered, "I didn't mean to make you mad. I didn't mean it. I'll be good. Please…"

"Shh," he whispered, drawing her into his arms, "It's alright, child. I won't hurt you," he looked up at Amanda as Faith sobbed into his shoulder, "What the hell happened to her?"

"The first three years of her life with abusive alcoholic parents," Amanda said as Buffy put a hand gently on her friends shoulder.

"Easy, Faith," she whispered, "I'm right here. No one's going to hurt you. Ever."

Just outside, Angel listened to every word. A small tight smile stretched across his face, "That's my girl," he muttered. Whistler had been right; Amanda was good for her.

He sighed and walked down the street, stopping at a payphone to make a quick call.

"Darla? Yeah I was checking the whelp. I know, soft touch, happens when you get a soul. She's fine. No, not injured. Yes, she's still alive. You keep with the questions, I'll start thinking you give a damn. Yeah, whatever. I'll see you soon, lover."

A week later,

"Come on, Faith," Buffy taunted, holding her short sword out teasingly, "You can do better than that."

"You stand still for two seconds, I might," Faith grumbled.

"Alright then," Buffy said, "I'll stand here and block. Promise."

"Five by five," Faith said, charging, sword ready. Buffy blocked, their training swords cracking together. They disengaged for a moment, then clashed again, both of them blocking and parrying each strike.

"Those two are good," Duncan said. Amanda nodded shortly.

"Too good," she said, "Duncan… I've told you what they are. They shouldn't be exhibiting these abilities, not at this age and not together," Duncan nodded. It had taken some convincing (and an actual vampire) to convince him of the existence of the Slayers.

"So, why are they?"

"I don't know," Amanda said, "And I don't trust the Watcher's Council enough to ask them."

"I have an idea," Duncan said, getting up, "I need to make a phone call."

            You were warned. My trademark weirdness right from the get go. Why are they both showing Slayer abilities so early? Who is Duncan calling? Why the hell did Angel call Buffy 'daughter' and what does Darla have to do with any of it?

Stay tuned.

Doc.