A/N In Babylon 5 lore human telepaths can't entirely block out other's minds, just reduce it to a sort of dull roar in the back of their minds, so it becomes something like the background noise from a refrigerator. They can read alien minds, but it's uncomfortable for them. I imagine Angel's mind would be very alien. Anla'shok are taught meditating and interesting fact, Vulcans from Star Trek, who are also telepaths, meditate as well. Well interesting if you're a scifi geek, like me. I imagine it's easier to block unwanted thoughts from others if your own aren't chaotic. And human telepaths in the show demonstrate the ability to read minds at a distance, by touch and through walls, but it varies by individual and by level of ability.

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While Alexander meditated, the others relaxed around the room and Angel left, being uncomfortable in the presence of a human who might be able to read his mind. Buffy and Willow were quietly talking and so were Xander and Faith.

"Buffy, what if he's right?" Willow asked. "Giles seems to think he is. That means when I restored Angel's soul I did something that is hurting him, not helping him."

"But he has more right to the body than Angelus does, doesn't he?"

"When he was alive, yes. But he's not alive anymore. And it is the demon that takes over the body when the human dies. So a dead body, I guess, belongs to the demon. In which case, Angel is the one that doesn't belong anymore."

On the other side of the room Xander and Faith were also quietly talking.

"I'm liking the idea of two of you. More fun." Faith wriggled her eyebrows playfully.

"Really? Because you weren't acting like that earlier."

"What do you mean?"

"When you threw me out, in my underwear, I might add."

"Well, we were done. When you're done, you leave, that's how it works."

"I always thought it involved cuddling and conversation. Except in porn videos and I don't think of you as one of those kinds of girls."

"What kind? Porn kind?"

"Yeah, that kind. I think you talk a big game, but that doesn't make you a professional. Just more experienced."

"It was your first time, wasn't it?"

"Yeah and it was memorable. Just not what I was expecting."

Alexander was trying to concentrate on reducing the background noise but it wasn't easy, these people broadcast without even realizing it. He frowned as he realized something.

"Some of you have shadows in your minds."

"What do you mean?" Giles looked up from his reference book.

"Someone or something has been influencing some of you. It looks like black splotches to my mental sight."

"Influencing us how?" Giles asked.

"I don't know, I'd have to do a scan of you to try to sort out what's you and what's outside influence. I'm having a difficult time blocking you. Most of you broadcast every thought in your head as it is. Who's Cordelia? Because two of you have been broadcasting really loudly about her."

"Cordelia is my ex girlfriend." Xander told him. "Am I one of those that's broadcasting?"

"Yes, weird thing, you're broadcasting emotions and her name, but that's it. You've got a very strong mind. Given that you appear to be another me, you may very well have some mental ability of your own. I wonder if the Vorlons and Shadows exist in this reality? If they do, they may have something to do with it. The Vorlons created telepaths on a hundred or more worlds to be living weapons against the Shadows, who used living minds as the computer for their organic ships. For the Shadows, those minds were essentially computers anyway."

"And you fought a war against them?" Giles asked.

"The younger races have been fighting them off and on for thousands of years. Sheridan and Delenn figured out what they were doing. The Elder Races evolved beyond the Rim millions of years ago. Became something more. Two of them stayed behind to shepherd the younger races but they had differing philosophies on how to do it. The Shadows thought growth came from conflict, so they instigated wars. The Vorlons thought order and obedience to their teachings would take us farther. We basically kicked them both out of the galaxy. Telepaths aren't the only ones who don't appreciate being controlled or manipulated."

"Who's the other one who's thinking about Cordelia?" Xander asked as everyone tried to process Alexander's revelations.

"The one who introduced herself as Willow. She's broadcasting some seriously unsavory thoughts. But then she's got the largest amount of mental shadows in her mind. Interestingly, you have the least amount of shadows. Some yes, just less than the others. Probably because you have a strong mind. Whoever or whatever is responsible for those shadows must find it more difficult to influence you."

"What exactly are the unsavory thoughts Willow is broadcasting?" Xander asked.

"Not saying, I'm doing my best to block it and she's entitled to her privacy, just as you are. But word of advice, you should sit down and have a conversion with this Cordelia and express those feelings to her."

"I'd loved to but she's not talking to me, just trying to rip me to shreds verbally. I get why she's upset, I just don't know why I did what upset her."

"Could be because of the influence on you. If you all decide you want me to help you to figure it out, let me know. I'm going back to trying to block you out. And Faith, that particular thought isn't happening. You're under age."

Faith smirked.