A/N In researching how best for Xander to be trained in the use of his axes, the best I could find was Indian and other subcontinent countries that developed martial arts. Some other more well known forms of martial arts do have some use of axes, but it appears to be limited. A reviewer, kenndavis, had an excellent suggestion, a medieval reenactor. Axes were used in warfare in Europe and my research shows they can break swords, if you're strong enough. Using two axes is rare, but not unheard of.

For the purposes of this fic, Joe's bar is in Los Angeles, like Duncan's dojo.

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Adam Pierson, also known as Methos, sat on a stool in Joe's Blues Bar, drinking his favorite beverage, a beer. Joe was currently on stage playing a lovely blues tune. Adam tried not to react when he sensed the Buzz at the back of his head that told him an immortal was approaching. He swung his stool around to face the door. When it opened, a young man about eighteen, motioned a young woman about the same age, in. He wondered which of them was the immortal. Then he saw the young man's eyes sweep the room, automatically assessing and stop when they landed on him. So the young man was the immortal. The couple walked right towards him. In a low tone, the young man spoke.

"I don't believe in the Game, but if you choose to challenge me, I can and will defend myself. I'm on a date with my girlfriend, I prefer it not be ruined by a beheading."

"I avoid the Game as much as possible myself. You can call me Adam, Adam Pierson."

"Alexander Harris, I'm known as Xander, this is my girlfriend, Cordelia Chase. And yes, she's aware of us."

"Buy you a drink?" Adam asked.

"We're too young."

"How old are you? Appearance are definitely deceptive for us."

"Eighteen, few more months, we'll be nineteen." Adam narrowed his eyes slightly. The young man's strength would indicate either he was older then he said or had taken a number of quickenings. And given that he said he wasn't interested in the Game, meant something wasn't adding up. He watched the young man guide his girlfriend to a table. Joe finished his song and returned to the bar.

"Something up, Adam?" He asked, he'd noticed the exchange.

"The young man's an immortal, but something isn't adding up."

"What?"

"He says he's not interested in the Game, although he will defend himself. Also says he's only eighteen years old and he looks it."

"What's the problem?" Joe asked.

"He's stronger then he should be. If he's not lying about his age, then he hasn't been an immortal for long and if he's not interested in playing the Game, then how did he get so strong, so fast?"

"Did he tell you his name?" Joe asked.

"Alexander Harris, he goes by Xander."

"He activated only a few months ago, but he was known to the Watchers Council before he activated, although they didn't know he was a preimmortal."

"The Watchers Council? The branch that deals with the Slayer? How is he known to them?"

"He's been a hunter since he was barely sixteen. He's known three Slayers, including one he revived from death with CPR, which is why there are currently two, for the first time in known history. And he grew up in Sunnydale, home of the Hellmouth and activated there. Not so friendly fire. An occasional ally was responsible for his first death."

"All that might give him an edge. Who's teaching him?" Adam asked.

"Duncan, kid didn't know he'd activated, walked right into Duncan dealing with a challenge and caught a piece of the quickening. Duncan claimed him as a student to protect him."

"He moves like a soldier, Joe. McCleod's not a soldier, he's a warrior, there's a difference."

"I know and it could have something to do with a magical event he was caught up in, but I'm not sure. Jackman is his Watcher, he might know more. The Slayer he revived from death? She was prophecized to die. A prophecy in the Pergamum Codex itself. He's earned a bit of a reputation in regards to prophecies."

"What kind of reputation?"

"Of seeing a way though them. He's also been a key player in taking down some major players in Sunnydale. Ancient vampire called the Master, in reviving the Slayer, she was able to stop the Master. Some idiots resembled the Judge, kid came up with a plan and totally destroyed it."

"How do you destroy a supposedly unlikable demon?"

"Rocket launcher."

"Rocket launcher? That's a new one. What else?"

"Mayor of Sunnydale turned himself into an Old One. Kid planned and led the battle against him. They blew up the High School to take him out. Only three confirmed fatalities out of more then a hundred students who participated in the battle. One missing."

"He sounds very interesting. Anything else?"

"There are rumors that he's researching the origins of the Game."

"Really? Who's helping him?"

"Conner, Cassandra and the former Watcher to the girl he revived, Rupert Giles."

"I think I need to talk to Duncan. I'm even more curious now."

"Now might be a good time, since the kid's on a date."

"With his girlfriend who knows about immortals." Adam pointed out.

"He must trust her a great deal to not keep it from her."

"I'm going to head out, I'll see you later, Joe."

"You too, Adam."

Methos felt eyes on him and knew the young man was watching him leave. It seemed he wasn't taking any chances with an unknown immortal around.