"So what are your theories on the girl, Joe?" Duncan asked as soon as Anne and Richie were out of earshot. Methos bristled at Duncan's words, not understanding himself why hearing Duncan refer to her as 'the girl' should bother him.

"It's a legend. I'm not even sure if it's real, but if it is, then it has to do with the slayer possibly being immortal. I will have to do some research on it before I'm certain, but if I'm right than this girl could be incredibly important. Adam, you can't let her run."

"What makes you think she will Joe?" Methos knew that the slayer was skittish, but had thought they had come to an understanding. Clearly Joe did not agree, and from the look on his face, neither did Duncan.

"Whatever she's been through it was tough." Joe told them. "I've seen vets with that very same expression in their eyes. If things get too rough, she may decide to run. She's already done so."

"I'll watch her." Methos promised. "I'll keep her from running."

"We can't hold her against her will either." Duncan said with a frown.

"I wasn't suggesting kidnapping." Methos retorted sarcastically. "I just meant that I will try to convince her to stay. She may be scared, but I don't think she will run again. In fact, I think all she wants is to stop."

"I hope you're right." Joe told him with a heavy sigh. "Look, I'm going to go back and start on that research. The sooner the better."

Methos watched as Joe left and turned back to Duncan who was shaking his head slightly. His suspicion was really beginning to irk Methos.

"You really buy into this whole vampire slayer thing?" He was asking him. Methos almost smiled at the Scot's innocence.

"I take it you don't?"

"I've never seen a vampire." The Scot said stubbornly. Methos hoped that one day he would realize that the world did not revolve around his view alone.

"Well then it stands to reason that if Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod has never seen it, then it must not exist." He could not seem to keep the sarcasm in check.

"Very funny."

"I don't usually pull out the age card here, but I've seen far more than you could ever imagine," Methos told him all seriousness returning to his tone. "The things that most people don't see, she protects us from. Without the slayer, this world would have ended a long time ago. If you still don't believe me, check the other Watcher's Council...hell, talk to Joe about slayers for five minutes!"

"You said some watchers don't even know the other branch exists." Duncan pointed out. "How is it that Joe does?"

"They only tell a select few." Methos told him. "They want the councils kept separate for a reason. They slayer's watcher has extensive contact and influence over the slayer whereas immortal watchers are the exact opposite. I guess they are afraid that if our watchers knew just how the other side worked..."

"They'd want contact with their immortals as well." Duncan finished for him. Methos nodded.

"You catch on quick." He smiled wryly. "In retrospect, Joe probably wasn't the best one to tell about slayers."

"How long have you been with the watchers anyway?" Duncan wondered.

"I've known about them almost as long as they've been in existence." Methos replied. "But I haven't belonged to the immortal watcher's branch for very long. The slayers branch was a different story however. I was there for quite some time."

"Research?" Duncan guessed.

"Field man actually." Methos replied with a grimace as he thought of his beautiful slayer.

"You're kidding!" He was exclaiming. "You are telling me that you watched a slayer?"

"For a time." Methos said quietly. His eyes remained impassive as he spoke of her. "I was...harder than I thought it would be."

"You fell in love with her." Duncan's words were a statement not a question. Methos allowed himself to picture her face as he answered.

"She was...extraordinary. A true warrior. I was...foolish." He drew a breath as he met Duncan's eyes. "Slayers and watchers aren't supposed to...it's frowned upon."

"It must have been rough when she died." Methos could see the empathy in Duncan's eyes as he no doubt remembered the pain of losing Tessa.

"All slayers die." Methos said with what he hoped was a casual shrug. He did not want the Scot's sympathy. "It's in the legacy. I forgot that for a moment, that's all. This one will die too. Immortal or no, it's her destiny."

"She's young." Duncan protested. "Too young."

"Only in appearance." He looked toward where she sat with Richie and smiled bitterly. "Slayers have old souls MacLeod. It's what helps them cope and survive. This girl is older than most."

"You like her." Duncan's voice sounded almost accusatory. Methos glared at him.

"I'm not that foolish. I feel bad for her. She has a tough rode ahead. That's why I brought her here."

"What do you mean?" Duncan asked suspiciously.

"She'll need someone to train her with a sword." Methos said simply. "She's had some experience as a slayer, but that will only go so far for her. If an older immortal challenges her, she could lose. You're the best with a sword Mac. You're the one who should teach her."

"Modesty doesn't become you Methos." Duncan said with a wry smile. "You're just as good as I am, in fact I would bet money that whenever we've fought, you've been holding back. Why me?"

Methos allowed his shoulders to slump in exasperation. He couldn't tell Duncan his reasons for not wanting to train her, when he himself was not sure of them.

"Look I'm not that guy, OK? Let's just leave it at that. I'd make a lousy teacher."

"What about the fact that she refuses to fight?" He could tell Duncan was starting to come around.

"She's been through something rough, but she's a slayer." Methos replied confidently. "She won't run forever."

"You can't be sure of that."

"I can, believe me." Methos said softly.

"I'll train her to fight, but only if she wants to learn." Duncan finally agreed.

"Have patience with her Mac," Methos said with a sigh. "You can't possibly understand what she's lost, simply by being the chosen one."

"Never thought I'd see this much empathy from you." He remarked.

"There are a lot of things you don't know about me." His tone was guarded. "And you can afford to be empathetic when you know what they see. Their lives are one big tragedy MacLeod."

"I'm starting to get that." He responded. Then, after looking around a moment, "hey where did she go?"

Glancing over to where they had been, Methos cursed when he saw the empty seat beside Richie. Anne had left.

"Damn it!"