Disclaimer: Nope. Not mine. At least in this part!

Before a great sandpit stand Character-Muses from various TV shows, movies, books, and original works arguing. A shifting of the sands in the pit causes all arguing to cease. For long agonizing minutes the Muses watch the sifting sands with baited breath. Suddenly, a black equinine head with an equally black spiraling horn upon its brow breaks through to the surface of the pit. With determined gaze, the black unicorn swims towards the Muses. Once the shore is reached, the dark unicorn collapses, changing into a human female of about 24 years. In her hand are clutched several pieces of handwritten paper. Fear is in her eyes as a deep ominous growling is heard from the pit. Quickly, the woman thrusts the papers into the nearest Muse's hands as a red dragon both fierce and terrifying erupts up out of the sandpit. With a cry of denial, Twilight Unicorn is pulled back into the pit by her stepmother. Stunned silence follows before the Muses huddle together to view the pages left behind by their Writer. Pens and quills soon come out and make corrections on the parchment before it is sent off with the most computer-literate of the group to be posted on the Internet. Once this is done, the Muses once again begin to argue how best they can free their Writer from the eternal torment called "Real Life".

Author's Note: As you can tell from the above -- I'm baaaack!

Author's Note 2 (Important! Ack! I just realized that I'm setting everything in one time zone (clock-wise), not two! (scowls and grumbles to herself) Ok, then, just think that everything is set according to Pacific Standard Time (aka: California), and everything will make sense.

Dedication: This goes to all those who emailed and reviewed me to continue writing. You know who you are!

Twilight Unicorn: The Vampiric Unicorn (who is determined not to fall off of the face of the Earth again!)

Part 13

Seacouver: Joe's Blues Bar, 8:30pmish, Day 4

"I don't know how they did it," Joe Dawson said in amazed amusement as he held the mike while standing on the stage, "but this is gonna be more of a Rock night than a Blues night. So hold onto your seats, and enjoy the ride... Hit it Oz!"

As Oz began playing what eerily sounded like a motorcycle riding across the stage on his guitar, Spike took the microphone from Joe while the Watcher settled on his stool. After that, Dawn began playing an electronic keyboard, followed by Joe on his guitar and of all things: Methos playing the drums. In a pause in the intro music, Spike began singing Meatloaf's I'd Do Anything for Love, with the men singing background. At the appropriate place, Dawn sang counterpoint to Spike.

Seacouver: Joe's Blues Bar, Midnight, Day 5

"Alright, folks," Joe said, "that's the last encore we're doing. The cops have already been here once tonight, and I don't want them in here again. Besides, it's not like you won't hear us ever again. So finish you're drinks and enjoy the rest of the night."

The Watcher stepped away from the microphone to thunderous applause and whistles. Those on the stage bowed, then began putting away their instruments. It didn't take long, after that, for the crowd to disperse and leave. Half an hour later found only those working at the bar left in the building, sitting at one of the round tables talking.

"I can understand why you would call Buffy and Angel 'Mom and Dad' because they're your actual parent, Dawn," Oz said. "But doesn't that get strange at times? Especially since you'd look about the same age as they do."

Dawn leaned back into her seat and took a sip of her soda before saying, "I didn't actually start right off calling them that." She looked thoughtful for a moment before continuing. "It started out as a kind of joke after the whole 'Buffy's now Immortal' thing. And after that, I'd do it to tease either of them when I felt things were becoming too tense or serious." She shrugged. "I guess it just became a habit after that."

"And Adam, here? I've heard you calling him 'Uncle,'" Oz asked and commented.

"Angel and I call each other brothers," Adam answered. "So it would be logical for her to call me 'Uncle.'"

Oz nodded his understanding, then looked over to Joe as the Watcher said, "I hear you know about Immortals, Oz."

"Yeah. It's been about five years since I met and became friends with one. We try to keep in regular contact."

"Mind sharing who this Immortal is?"

There was a faint gleam of laughter in the werewolf's eyes as he said, "Connor MacLeod."

Stunned silence followed, except for Adam who was choking on the beer he had been swallowing. After a moment, the Ancient Immortal gasped out, "How in the Hell did you accomplish that? That Highlander tends to avoid mortal interaction like a plague!"

Oz shrugged, then said, "He started to. But then he sensed the wolf in me, and we talked instead."

"I'm amazed nobody got this on tape," Joe murmured.

"Perhaps they did. But decided it was too strange even for your group," Dawn suggested. "Kinda like how you and Wesley have to doctor you own records so ya don't get labeled as crazies."

"Wouldn't surprise me any," Adam said, smirking.

"Yeah. 'Specially since you're the king of cover-ups," Spike said into his glass.

Adam snorted in derision, then said, "Can't help it if I can infiltrate their organization without batting an eye."

"Which brings up a good question," Joe said. "How many times have you done that, Adam? I've had time to think about it, and realized how you got in was far too smooth for this to be your first time at doing it."

Adam tipped his beer bottle to the Watcher, before saying, "Smart deduction. You're right. Every hundred years for the past thousand years I've been going in for a ten year period. It's just enough time to do the things I need to do, then get out before anyone gets suspicious about my lack of aging."

"And no one's realized you were doing this? I find that hard to believe," Spike commented.

"I cover my tracks pretty well by not going into the same area of expertise more than once," Methos explained. "It was sheer bad luck – as well as circumstances out of my control – that got me caught this time."

"Which leaves the question: do they know who you are now?" queried Dawn in curiosity. "And when did they find out?"

"Unfortunately: yes, they know. It happened roughly two years ago, because Duncan asked a favor of me, and in the middle of that they caught me."

"If they know, then why're you still with them?"

Methos chuckled in amusement. "They'd rather have me knowingly in the 'Society of Watchers' than wondering where the Hell the most ancient of Immortals has disappeared to! And truth be told, I've grown tired of constantly tip-toeing around them. It's kind of a relief, actually, to be known and not hunted for it."

"Doesn't mean that you aren't treated like a celebrity – or the carrier of a plague – when ya go to any of the Headquarters though," Joe said in laughter, causing the ancient Immortal to roll his eyes and grimace.

"Don't remind me!" Methos sighed. "That does remind me though...we'll need to talk later about something Watcher-related."

"Gotcha."

Spike shook his head and stood. "Anyone for a refill?" Dawn handed him her glass. "Anyone else?"

Seeing everyone's negative reply, Spike went behind the serving bar. As the vampire did that, Oz stood, went to the stage, pulled out his guitar, and began to quietly play. Joe soon joined the werewolf, and soon enough the two were having a friendly and carefree musical duel.

"Those two will be goin' at it the rest of the night if we let 'em," Spike observed as he come back to the table and handed Dawn her soda. "You alright, Nibblet?" He asked her. "You've been awfully quiet."

"I guess," the young Immortal Slayer said. "I've been getting a feeling that something's not quite right since about three tod-yesterday. I don't know what it means, but I don't like it."

"Why didn't you say something sooner, Dawn," Methos asked, concern in his voice.

"'Cause it's not one of those 'Something bad's gonna happen now!' feelings." She shook her head, as though to get an image out of her mind, and looked at Adam. "Have you heard from Mom and Dad recently?"

"Yes, actually. Around four this evening. Seems everything is going as planned with them. It's with the other group that they're worried about."

"Why? What's happening," Dawn asked in alarm.

"Apparently, Sunnydale's being over-run with demons. They've sent Gunn and some of his people to deal with it."

The Slayer breathed a sigh of relief, before saying, "That's good."

"So what's the bone you've been worrying over, Oz?"

The werewolf continued playing as he said to Joe, "What do you mean?"

"Something's bothering you. We've all noticed. You might as well admit to what it is, and let us see if we can help."

Oz shrugged faintly. "Not much to tell. Merely wondering whether to head back home or not."

"You mean Sunnydale?"

"Uh-huh."

"From my understanding, that's where your old girlfriend lives with her girlfriend." An off-key note while Oz played was all the reply the Watcher of Immortals needed. "Something tells me you going back is more complicated than seeing the old homestead."

Joe took up the playing as Oz stopped. The werewolf slowly gazed up with the most serious look in his eyes the Watcher had ever seen, before saying, "You know that in the wild wolves mate for life, right?" Joe nodded, and after a long pause, Oz continued, "The same goes for werewolves."

"But I thought the wolf within you was gone?"

"It is, but the instincts and knowledge aren't. Even if Willow isn't mine anymore, my heart and nature say otherwise. That's what's been bothering me."

"Quite a dilemma," Joe sighed as Oz once again took up the playing.

"Yeah," Oz agreed, "but not all of it."

"What's the rest?"

"Something I'll need to talk to Willow and the other one about in person."

"Her name's Tara, Oz."

The werewolf was silent for a long moment, then he said placidly, "I know."

They played in silence after that, until Methos called to Joe in alarm.

"What is it, Adam," Joe asked.

"Something's happened to Dawn and Spike!"

In a moment Joe, Methos and Oz stared at the supernatural couple, perplexed by what they saw, for Dawn and Spike sat straight and still in their seats. Their expressions were one of shock, with eyes that gazed sightlessly into the distance.

"What happened," Joe finally managed to get out.

"I don't know," Methos replied. "One second they were just fine, the next they were like this!"

"You tried calling to them," Oz asked.

"First thing I did."

"Huh."

"Maybe throw some water on them, or shake them," Joe suggested.

"Shake them! Are you insane?"

"I'll get the water," Oz said, then moved towards the bar counter. A few moments later, he came back with two pitchers of water. "How should we do this?"

"Throw the water at them, and run," was the ancient Immortal's immediate response.

"Sure," came Joe's sarcastic reply. "Just let me mosey on over to the stage before you do that, since I can't run." Methos glared at Joe as the Watcher demanded, "What in the world's gotten you so damned skittish, Adam!"

"Bloody Hell! Can't you two shut your trap!"

The three's attention immediately went to Spike, where the vampire leaned heavily against the table – his head in his hands –, wincing. They then looked at Dawn as she groaned and slumped back in her own seat, arm over her eyes.

After a few seconds of startled silence, Joe asked hesitantly, "What happened to you two?"

"Someone in the family's been hurt bad," came Dawn's near numb reply.

"And from our double reaction," Spike added, "it must be the Pouf and Miss Sunshine that's in trouble."

"Huh?" was Joe's confused response.

"Angel and Buffy have been seriously injured, and somehow these two sensed it," Oz translated, as Methos pulled out his cell phone and began dialing.

All watched as the Immortal waited for someone to pick-up the other end of the line. After a pause, he said, "Cordelia? It's Adam. I need to ask you something: have you heard from Buffy or Angel? (long pause) How badly?" Methos winced, and after a long silence, said, "Thank you for telling me. I'll inform the others, then call you back with that answer," and ended the connection.

"So what's the prognoses," asked Spike as he sat up in his seat.

Methos grimaced, the said, "Seems the Taraka Order got tired of waiting, and ambushed Buffy and Angel. Of course: Buffy will be fine. Angel's the one to receive the brunt of their anger. According to the Seer: he had a dose of that vampire poison shot into him, and apparently one of the bullets the assassins used lodged into his spine, and now he can't feel or move his legs."

There was a moment of silence, then Spike snickered, "Oh, that's just bloody priceless!"

"Hey!" Dawn snapped, her eyes flashing with displeasure at Spike's mirthful attitude.

With a disgusted look at the vampire now howling with laughter, Joe commented, "Angel's not going to the very pleased when he realizes how limited his movements are going to be."

"What I'm wondering is what the assassins will do now that their targets are stationary," Methos murmured.

Oz nodded his agreement, just as Dawn shouted, "SPIKE! I swear if you don't stop laughing now, you'll be going home with Adam for a week!"

At the sudden sputtering protest from Methos, and the gapping silence from Spike, Joe grinned.

All watched as Dawn struggled to control her temper. After perhaps a minute had passed, she said in a strained voice, "Adam, what's the info Cordy needs?"

Clearing his throat, the Immortal said, "She needs to know how long Spike was in his wheelchair before he was walking again."

"I was in that soddin' chair for five months. But I was walkin' after three months," came Spike's reply.

"So, for two months you pretended you still couldn't walk," Joe said, then asked, "Why?"

Leaning back in his seat while propping his feet on the table, Spike answered, "Tha' fourth month I was learning ta walk again, and didn't want old Angelus to laugh at my blundering attempts at it. After that, I was waiting for the perfect moment to backstab the bloody bastard and get Dru back. That reason enough for you, Watcher?"

Joe nodded as Methos wandered into the kitchen while hitting redial on his cell phone. When the Immortal came back to the main barroom, it was to hear Oz saying, "I'm going back to Sunnydale as soon as I get a plane ticket."

"What's the rush," Dawn asked, concern in her eyes.

"I've got enough money, and I've been avoiding doing something," was Oz's placid response.

Sighing, Joe said, "Well, Oz, we'll miss you around here. It's not often I get a guitar player with your level of skill in this place."

The werewolf shrugged with one shoulder, then said, "If I find my way out here again, I'll drop by."

"I'll hold you to that," Joe said, grinning. "And when you do, I want the full details of some of the comments you've made about Conner MacLeod."

Oz gazed at the Watcher with a long measuring look, before smiling faintly. There was a gleam of wicked laughter in his eyes.

Seacouver: Airplane to Sunnydale – Coach, 3pm, Day 5

Oz sat in his seat, staring out the window, idly listening to the people boarding around him. The pointed clearing of a throat next to him caused him to turn his head to the source of the sound. Looking up at the person standing in the aisle beside him, the werewolf raised an eyebrow. This made the person grin while taking his seat next to Oz.

"Looks like we're going in the same direction, kid," Whistler said.

Next Part: Demons, Shapeshifters, and Messengers... Oh Crap! (Heaven help us all: the plots and Muses are starting to come together! (sees an ever growing snowball wildly careening towards her, and runs) AHHHH!

Author's Note 3: I'm terribly sorry for the extremely long dialog sequences, my dear Readers. But they were necessary to get the plots on their feet and moving. Gah I think I even bored myself with this part! Of course, if you think otherwise, let me know. I'd appreciate it.

To The Highlander Fans: I know, I know. If this were the actual show, Methos would've been in a whole different situation upon being discovered. (shrug) Oh well.

To Any Who Reviewed Since I Last Posted: Thank you, one and all. I appreciated all of your guys' comments, and hope to hear from you all again. I will once again be posting individual replies in the next part, so keep up the reviews!