"Joe figured out how to do it didn't he?" Methos had been aware of Buffy's presence right behind him before she even spoke. He plastered a neutral expression on his face as he turned to face her.
"Do what?"
"C'mon Methos, don't try to trick me. I didn't just fall off the truck." She paused a moment as a singular thought interrupted her diatribe. "I wonder where that comes from…"
"What did Joe have to say?" Duncan had approached the two of them, casually twirling his katana as he spoke. It was a gesture of supposed innocence, but there was a warning in the way he looked at Methos. Tread lightly, he seemed to be saying. Methos shrugged, not wanting to tell Buffy what he knew in front of Duncan just yet. The highlander would have to know eventually, but he needed the opportunity to run it by her first, to make her understand what she would be undertaking before Duncan could interfere.
"Nothing," he replied innocently.
"You know for a five thousand year old immortal, you're a real sucky liar." Buffy said with some annoyance. Duncan shot her an amused look.
"You just figuring that out?"
"Sometimes highlander I wonder just how naïve you really are," Methos said darkly. "But in this case you're right, I was a little slow on the draw. Buffy, Joe's call was concerning you. And that's why I will tell you first. Without Mac around."
"Methos…" Mac's protest was cut off by Buffy lifting her hand and turning to him.
"He's right Duncan," she said as her eyes met Methos'. "I want to know what it is alone. It's nothing against you, it's just that…it's personal. Can you understand that?"
"I could just ask Joe," Duncan said mildly. Methos knew he was just trying to bait him, so he nodded equally as serenely and smiled a little bit.
"You could if you're really that eager." He told him, trying to make the other immortal feel as childish as he was behaving. "I never said I wouldn't tell you what Joe said, only that I wanted to run it by the slayer first, given that it does have to do with her life."
Buffy watched the two converse and noticed much more than just words being exchanged between them. It was obvious that Duncan and Methos' friendship ran incredibly deep, but that part of Duncan still didn't trust Methos completely, because of what he had learned about his past. Buffy had learned the same thing, but to her it hadn't mattered the same way. It was in the past, and she knew how easily past and present versions of the same men could be such polar opposites. In that respect, she was older than Duncan MacLeod.
Duncan reminded her more and more of Angel, but oddly enough that thought didn't comfort her. There was something in his protective manner that she didn't like, that unnerved her. He was a man with very deep morals and belief in the value of good and nobility. In that respect, he was very much like Angel, but he had also been a clan cheiftan making him very different indeed. Duncan needed to be in charge, needed to be the hero. He needed to be the protective one and Buffy had never been good with being overprotected. Even at her weakest, her independent streak was too strong.
Maybe that's why she worked so well with Methos. She knew that he wanted to protect her, and wanted to help her, but would never overstep his bounds or step on her duty. He would be there afterwards and before the battle, but never during. He knew when to step aside and let her fight. Duncan couldn't understand that and maybe never would. He may have Angel's heart, but Methos had his mind.
And despite how similar the two men were, they would neither of them ever be Angel. He was lost to her forever. And that was something she was beginning to own up to. It still hurt, but the guilt was beginning to fade. Maybe in time she would even be able to date again. But it wouldn't be anytime in the near future no matter how many people she met like Angel.
Duncan was still staring at Methos, slightly annoyed with him, but his shoulders had dropped slightly in acquiescence. He nodded in understanding.
"I'll talk to you later then?" He smiled and picked up his sword as he left.
Buffy watched him go, slightly worried that she had caused the two friends to fight over something to do with her. When she looked to Methos however, he appeared unconcerned.
"Don't worry about Mac, his pride is just a little wounded," he told her as if sensing her concern. "He doesn't like to be placed in the supporting role. He likes to think that this is a show all about him or something."
"Stop stalling Methos," she said firmly. "Joe told you how to stop me if I become dangerous didn't he?"
"He confirmed a theory I had," Methos admitted to her. "Are you OK with discussing this?"
"You mean killing me?" She shrugged and attempted to sound flippant, but Methos could tell there was an edge of distress to her voice. "I'm a slayer remember? It's kinda part of the package. Besides, I told you I want you to have a backup plan. You can at least tell me what it is."
Methos proceeded to reluctantly explain his theory about the quickening weakening her and the knowledge that he could take her head should he manage to incapacitate her somehow. She listened quietly, not interrupting or saying anything until his was finished.
"Basically that's my idea," he finally said, "although if you don't trust me to be able to handle your quickening then you can choose whoever you like. I will understand, knowing what you know about me."
"That's exactly why it has to be you Methos." She told him. "You remember you said you think that we met for a reason? What if you were meant to be the one to stop me…or him, if I lose?"
"You really think I was meant to be your second?" Methos ran a hand through his hair, hating that they must go through this conversation. "I already killed one…"
"Exactly, and that's why it has to be you." She bit her lip and met his eyes. "You know me. If I…if I become something evil, you'll be the only one who will be able to figure it out."
"We still don't know how I will be able to incapacitate you after the fight." He pointed out, wanting to get off the current topic.
"Can you get your hands on a tranquilizer gun?" Buffy asked, thinking back to Giles' library and the tranq gun he kept in the weapons cabinet for when they had been hunting werewolves.
"Yea, I can probably get Joe to locate one." Methos said with a nod. "That will give me time to restrain you somehow…"
"When I wake up Methos, if you…" she paused, trying to force down the fear that almost consumed her when she thought of what might happen. "If you even for a second thing that I'm evil, I don't want you to hesitate. I want you to trust your judgment. If I can't convince you I'm me, then you're better off not taking your chances. Can you do that?"
"Yes," Methos said sadly. Buffy nodded.
"See? That's why it has to be you." She smiled weakly. "Hey, don't worry. Only a really good friend would promise to kill me. I trust you."
"I guess that means you've made your decision then?" He asked, fully knowing she had, but needing to hear it for sure.
"Yea, I have." She said with a sigh. "I don't really have much of a choice."
"No," Methos murmured. "Sometimes none of us do."
"You wanna train some more?" She asked him, breaking him out of whatever flashback-type memory he had whisked himself away to. He looked up at her and nodded, lifting his sword and positioning himself. She's doing the right thing, he told himself. So why was he so afraid?
