Watching as Xander made his way up the stairs, Adam thought to himself 'How do I wind up in these situations? I wonder if I shouldn't try to get out of it.' He shook his head. Those questions were more programmed into his line of thinking, for he already had his answer to his second question before he had internally voiced it.

There was no way he was turning his back on Alexander now, he had decided that a while back. He now had confirmed it. He began to make his way down the hallway and past the four rooms. The two rooms on his right were interconnected. The one closest to the front door was a Rec. Room complete with pool tables, dart boards, and televisions. There were comfortable black, plush leather couches and chairs lining the walls.

The room connected to it was a mini lounge with a bar. The bar, which was fully stalked thanks to Adam, would have been an envy to most bar across the western coast. It was made of a fine, thick wood. Its edges had a light padding, making anyone sitting there just a bit more comfortable. There was a wide array of alcohol in front of the mirror covering the wall behind the bar. And best of all…there were multiple beer taps of imported brews. All recently restocked and refilled. There were a few small round tables in the middle of the room, and more couches, similar to the ones in the other room, along the walls.

The two rooms on the left were identical in every aspect. While both appeared to be open, they had the capability of closing off and soundproofing the room. Inside of the rooms had all of the latest technology. There were several flat panel monitors adorning the walls. There was a large table in the middle of the room surrounded by large leather seats. At each seat there was a computer terminal built into the table with a monitor built into the table to make viewing easier. A large projector adorned the ceiling and was pointed towards a plain white wall. Each room was identical and also had the most up to date technology when dealing with Telecommunications and Videoconferencing.

Making his way past the rooms, Adam thought back to his previous stays as this place. He had only stayed here a few times in the past. He had always been bored here, but he liked his privacy. And here he could live isolated from the rest of the public, yet not be too far away from them. He had only been planning on staying here for a few days, but now that he had a guest, at least he was fairly certain he would, he figured to be spending quite some time here. And at least this time, it wouldn't be boring.

As he made his way through the nicely furnished den, equipped with the newest home theatre package, including a specially made, wall mounted 100inch flat panel screen, an advanced surround sound until, DVD player, and Stereo. Along the wall opposite the TV were more plush leather couches. Between two of the couches were end tables, and between those was an expensive leather recliner with a remote control sticking from its pocket. Where most remote controls would operate the entertainment center, this one operated the messaging mechanism in the chair. In front of all that was a long and thin table.

Looking at the chair Adam raised an eyebrow, 'Best damn investments those idiots ever made.' With a small chuckle he opened the door at the far end and entered his 'Smoking Room.'

Inside the room, which was about a quarter of the size as the den, was a small couch, and a few chairs. Each had end tables on both side and a round coffee table in the front. There was a small bar on the far side of the room that Adam made his way too. He opened up a refrigeration unit and took out a couple of beers before making his way to one of the chairs. He placed the beverages on the coffee table and looked at the telephone on the end table closest too him.

Picking up the phone he knew his life was going to change from what it once was. Resigning himself to his fate, he picked up the phone and dialed a number from memory. 'I only hope we can pull this off without me losing my head.' His thought was cut off by the ringing in the receiver. Taking in a deep breath he looked down at one of the bottles, and tentatively picked it up. Taking off the cap with a smooth motion he waited for the phone to be answered.

Joe's Tavern. Joe speaking. came the reply from a ruff, but pleasant voice.

With a small smile Adam spoke, "Hi Joe, long time."

Adam, that you?

"Yea Joe, in the Flesh, so to speak."

You 'Old Bastard' where the hell have you been. You just took of and we haven't even heard from you in over a year! Adam could hear the irritation in Joe's voice and could just imagine the expression to match.

smirking "Hey…haven't you ever heard of respecting your Elders child!" He had to hold in his chuckling from the response that got.

Why you, Old, good for nothin', irritating, beer guzzling…. the rest of his reply was cut of from the howling laughter on the other end of the line. Looking at the phone in disbelief he did the only thing he could think of. With a smirk of his own…he hung up.

Adam's laughter began to subside as he heard the dial tone once again. Smirking to himself he took a long pull from the bottle while hitting the autodial on the phone.

Are you done yet?

Noticing there was no real bite to his voice, Adam smiled as he replied, "Quite."

Good, so where were you?

With a sigh he responded. "I had to get away for a while Joe. I went to Egypt, and I'm sorry, but there weren't any phones where I was. It was about being alone with my own thoughts for a while."

And now?

"I still wanted to be alone…but I wanted to come back around people. I'm in California, actually."

What do you mean…wanted?

"Caught that did you? Well…this is part of the reason I'm calling…I need a favor from you." Drinking some more beer, he awaited the explosion from the other end of the line that never came.

What's wrong…what do you need?

"Well, you remember the plan we were hashing out after my immortality was almost uncovered?"

Yea.

"We need to go forward with it."

Is someone hunting you…I haven't received any Intel on anyone matching your description? slight panic could be heard in Joe's voice.

"No…no…no one knows yet." With a sigh he continued, "But they will soon enough."

What? Why would we find out? How? Where there was once panic, not only confusion remained.

Looking up at the ceiling, as though he could see through the two sets of floors, he responded, "I'm taking on a student Joe."

WHAT! Now the explosion came.

"Joe…before you start getting into hysterics, let me remind you that this is my choice. And it's not like I haven't put A LOT of consideration into this." Looking into the bottle in his hand with a deep concentration he went on. "I watched his as a pre. Not even knowing what he was, he took on multiple bullets wounds from an assassin with an automatic weapon meant for the girl between them. He went straight for her without any thought to his own safety." Adam's eyebrows shot up and a look of admiration covered his face as he thought about the events that took place not so long ago. "Even after the woman shot him herself…he still continued on to push her out of the way…taking the bullets meant for her." Taking another, short, pull from his bottle he rethought everything that had transpired. "Joe…I don't know how he did it. When those bullets hit him…he should have been dead when he hit the ground. But not only did he survive…" He paused in mid speech still in awe of the scene that had laid before him.

What did he do Adam? The awe, and appreciation, in Joe's voice could clearly be heard, if not the respect itself.

"I don't know how, but he was still aware of his surroundings. Aware enough to know that the woman was still in danger…After she realized her mistake, she shot the assassin between the eyes from quite a distance. She went over to Alexander, that's the boy who is to be my new student. As I was saying before, he must have known she was still in danger, because with his last breath he screamed, at the top of his lungs for her to run.

There was silent contemplation coming from both sides of the line before Joe broke it. What do you need from me?

"Well…I'm not prepared to train anyone. God, you don't want to know how long it's been since I last had a student." With a small chuckle he continued. "I'm not prepared, I have no weapons of any kind beside my own." Taking a break to finish off the last of the bottle he continued. "I need you to get in contact with Mac. Tell him everything I told you. Ask him for whatever he can spare. He knows I'm good for it." With a sudden smile he changed the subject. "Say how is Mac anyways?"

Hmm…oh…he's doing good, still has his dojo.

"How have things been?" There was a slight bit of worry in Adam's voice.

Things have been somewhat quiet since you left. Adam nodded along, though Joe couldn't see. 'I guess that means only a few heads have rolled.'

You know…he's still seeing Amanda…so I'd say about as quiet as you could expect. This got a chuckle out of both men.

"So you'll help then Joe?"

Yea…Mac should be in later tonight. One way or another I'll make sure to see him tonight. With that statement Adam let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. There is one slight problem though. With a groan Adam responded.

"What's the problem Joe?"

Well…the Watchers found out about you a while back Now it was Adam's turn to explode.

"WHAT!"

It happened shortly we discovered the high increase in Watcher deaths. You remember that ordeal…the one that almost ended with me dead? Adam nodded along…there was no way that event would be soon forgotten.

Soon after the trial…the Watchers did a more thorough background check on every watcher. Hell they went so far as to do checks on anyone associated with a watcher. It was then that you were found out. Joe waited for Adam to speak but only silence came across the line while Adam silently cursed his stupidity.

Someone discovered a past identity. It was that of a Benjamin Pierson, who at first they thought your father was, but because of an overzealous worker…the truth was discovered.

"Why wasn't I terminated then Joe?"

I'm getting to that. As soon as I learned your secret had been revealed I went ahead with the plan we came up with….with a slight variation to include your Benjamin identity in there as well. Anyways…they decided to do some more research on you before they acted. With them finding that you never used any of the info available to you to hurt us, or others of your kind, and especially because, I and a few other friends you have amongst the watchers, spoke in your defense…they decided not to 'fire' you. And it was through my recommendation that you be allowed to continue your work...You know...I'm still surprised no one was able to make the connection. That brought a chuckle to both men, before Joe continued. I was under strict orders not to inform you that we knew. I was well aware that they would be watching me…so I kept my mouth shut. I remember what happened last time I lied to you…we still friends Adam?

Adam smiled, thinking about the time he had played Joe for an entire car ride while driving Adam to his 'Impending Death.' He gave a quiet chuckle thinking back how he had played with Joe's emotions until Joe finally confessed to what was going on. Adam was smirking at the thought. 'That was so much fun.'

"Yea Joe…we're fine. It's just disturbing that I had no clue." With a sigh he opened the second bottle and took a good, long sip.

I understand…and for what it's worth…I'm sorry.

"It's ok Joe, like I said we're good…So you're still going to help right?"

Yea…I'll see Mac tonight and be there as soon as possible.

Adam thanked him and began rattling off his address and telling him to call his cell phone once he reached the main gate when he felt the Buzz. Getting off of his chair, he put the bottle onto the table and made his way to the door with the receiver still in his hand. He looked through the door to find a recently showered and newly dressed Xander in extreme discomfort. With one hand holding his head and the other holding his stomach, it looked as though he was either going to throw up or faint onto the small bundle of clothes at his feet. As soon as the two made eye contact Xander's eyes cleared and widened in surprise. His posture straightened and his posture became defiant.

With anger tinged on every syllable of every word he asked, "What did you do to me?"

With a sigh he brought the receiver to his ear and heard chuckling coming from the other side. Shaking his head he spoke, "Thanks Joe, I'll see you when you get here." As he pulled the receiver away from his ear, he could clearly hear Joe's laughter erupting from the small receiver as he shut the phone off. Looking up at Xander, he could tell the child was just a heartbeat away from attacking.

"Well…" while gesturing to the 'Smoking Room' he continued, "I suppose we have a lot to talk about."