Deja Vu
Jennifer Campbell


Thanks to my sister Katie, who helped me through thefiner details of
Buffy characterizations and offered some great suggestions. Couldn't do
it without you, Kate.

The characters of Methos, Joe Dawson, Angel, Buffy, Spike and Dru don't
belong to me. I promise to return them all to their respective owners
no worse for wear when I'm done. I make no money off this,
unfortunately.

Please keep in mind while reading this that at the time I wrote "Deja
Vu," the Buffy Powers That Be had not yet explained much about Angel's
past: When he was cursed, who he sired directly, what he was up to
between the time when he was cursed to when he met Buffy. Based on all
the things Joss shared with us later, some of the facts in this story
are woefully out of date.


===============================

Methos woke as lamps lining the passenger cabin of the airplane
switched on, flooding his closed eyelids with light. He groggily opened
his eyes and looked around at the other passengers preparing to
disembark. Once again, he had managed to black out most of the
unpleasantness of flying by sleeping through 90 percent of it.

A stewardess stood at the cabin's head and spoke into the intercom.
"Let me be the first to welcome you to Sunnydale. We will be
disembarking in a few minutes, but please remain seated with your seat
belt on until the seat-belt sign turns off ..."

As her speech turned to the normal airplane drabble, Methos turned his
thoughts to more important matters, like what to do next. A hotel
room is in order, I suppose. But first, to find Joe and buy a good,
stiff drink, he thought. Bloody watchers. Why did they have to
choose a city on the other side of the world for their training
session? It's not like I need training anyway.

But Methos knew why he had come, and why the watchers chose Sunnydale
for their happy weekend getaway. Despite Methos' extensive experience
with following immortals -- or avoiding them -- Adam Pierson lacked the
same advantage. And, as his superiors had so forcefully pointed out,
Adam might someday have to cover for a field agent and needed proper
training. So, here he was, a watcher researcher forced into a weekend
retreat in a city known for its unusually large population of
immortals.

Perfect for Adam; bad news for Methos. He was more likely to find
himself unmasked as an immortal here than in any other city on earth.

And MacLeod says I don't take enough risks, he thought ruefully
as he stood and unloaded his bag from the overhead compartment.

At least he had Joe to turn to in an emergency. The watchers had talked
the poor guy into helping run the funhouse --  30 untrained researchers
chasing immortals around Sunnydale with only a handful of veterans to
keep them in line. Methos knew no matter how bad his own situation got,
he wouldn't exchange places with Joe for anything short of losing his
head.

Because of the late hour, the terminal was almost empty. Methos slung
his bag over one shoulder, claimed his sword from baggage check with
surprisingly little hassle and left the terminal in search of a taxi.
When he found none, he settled for a bus that would take him within a
few blocks of the hotel.

He watched the nght-time scenery pass by for the next few miles. Few
people walked the streets, and those who braved the warm night glanced
behind them frequently, as though afraid of being followed by someone,
or something. Sunnydale was not a city living in peace.

I left Palm Beach for this. Bloody watchers.

Methos continued to stare out his window until he saw his hotel on a
side street, and he got off. The bus had not driven one block away when
he felt a presence, but the sensation prickling up his spine didn't
originate with an immortal. It felt ... different. Methos ducked into
an alley, drew his sword and waited.

A few moments later, the culprit came into view at the alley's mouth,
stopped and looked around. Methos loosened his grip on the sword's hilt
as he recognized the figure. This was a man he hadn't seen since the
Civil War and one he'd often thought about. Maybe this trip would not
be a total loss if he could catch up with an old friend.

In an unheard-of display of blind trust, he called out only after a
moment's debate. "Angel. Over here."

The figure turned, revealing his pale skin and burning eyes. A slow
smile crept across Angel's face, and he laughed in delight, sending a
chill down Methos' back. I think I've made a mistake, Methos
thought.

He looked around the alley to check for exits and found that his choice
of battlefield was not ideal. It was a dead-end, and Angel blocked the
only way out.

"Now this is interesting," Angel said, inching toward Methos. "I do
believe I am looking at the good Doctor Adams, but that's impossible,
isn't it? Doctor Adams was alive a century ago and should be dead. But
here you are."

Angel laughed again, and his eyes burned brighter. Some instinct told
Methos that although this appeared to be his friend, the man  had
changed. This was not the human-like vampire he had known. This was a
souless creature who would kill Methos without hesitation. Methos
mourned for his friend when he understood the truth: The curse was
broken.

Terror threatened to overwhelm the immortal as he realized he was
staring into the eyes of a demon, but he sternly pushed his emotions
down and raised his sword to fighting stance. Angel stopped his slow
advance; his eyes flicked to the weapon, gleaming dully under the city
lights.

Angel shook his head scoldingly. "Now, doctor, is that any way to treat
an old friend?"

"You are not my friend," Methos replied quietly.

"Oh, I'm hurt," Angel said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Well,
actually, I'm not. And I hope that frog-sticker is ready for me because
I am kinda hungry, and you look very appetizing."

"Then come and die," Methos said.

Angel launched himself at Methos feet first, ripping the sword from the
immortal's hands with one powerful kick. He landed behind Methos and
raised his arm to grab his opponent from behind. Methos had no time
hesitate. He ducked under the vampire's arms, summersaulted to his
sword, which had flown across the alley and landed on a trash heap, and
rolled to his feet, ready for the next attack. He had underestimated
the vampire's strength and speed, but it would not happen again.

Angel smiled and clapped. "Very good, doctor. What did they teach you
in medical school, anyway?"

"We don't have to do this, Angel," Methos said. "Walk away."

"Um, let me think for a moment. No."

Methos was ready for Angel's attack this time and slashed his sword
down the vampire's shoulder. Taking advantage of Angel's surprise, he
immediately followed with a cut across the chest, drawing a thin line
of blood. Angel growled and swung at Methos with his uninjured arm,
smashing the immortal against a brick wall like a rag doll.

Methos quickly assessed his own damage -- two broken ribs and a twinge
in his left wrist -- and noted that Angel was causing more damage than
he was. If he hung around here much longer, the vampire would turn him
into his next feast.

Methos struggled to his feet, preparing to make a run for the street,
when he heard a footstep at the alley's mouth. He and Angel both turned
to see a teen-age girl standing in fighting stance, a wooden stake in
one hand.

"Hello, lover," she said.

"Well, well, if it isn't the slayer," Angel said. "You're timing could
have been better, Buffy. The doctor and I were catching up on old
times, and you know how discourteous it is to break up a reunion
between friends."

Buffy glanced toward Methos. "Get out of here," she said.

Methos didn't need to be told twice. It was obvious this girl knew how
to fight a vampire. He gave Angel one last glance and walked quickly to
the street.

"Leaving so soon, doctor?"

Methos looked back at Angel, trapped in the alley and looking somewhat
like a cornered, rabid dog. He knew that an animal with nothing left to
lose would become desperate, and desperation was dangerous. He couldn't
just leave this girl to face him alone. MacLeod, you and your boy-
scout morals are rubbing off too much for safety's sake.

Methos rejoined the girl, and she looked at him as though he were
crazy. "Are you hard of hearing? I told you to leave."

Angel laughed. "You don't seem to realize, Buffy, that the good doctor
has an overblown sense of honor, and it's gotten worse over the years."

Buffy looked from Angel to Methos, and Methos shrugged. "So, he's a bad
judge of character. One of the follies of youth."

Buffy nodded slightly. "Sure. Whatever. You wanna help, fine, but let's
do it, OK?"

Methos nodded, and the two slowly advanced toward Angel, who backed
farther into the alley until he was flat against the wall. "Two against
one, not very sporting."

"Ask me if I care," Buffy said.

"I can see you don't. Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but I have
business elsewhere." He looked directly at Methos with his burning
gaze. "Another time, doctor."

The vampire faced the wall and began climbing it's sheer face, and
memories of another Angel came to Methos as he watched. That incredible
strength had once destroyed an evil being -- and almost caused Methos'
death. Spike had been so angry...

After Angel vanished over the top of a tall building, Buffy slid the
wooden stake into her coat sleeve and glared at Methos. "OK, what
gives? How do you know Angel?"

Methos sheathed his sword under his trench coat and headed for the
street. "It's a long story."

"I've got the time."

He turned to look at her -- this killer in the body of a teen-ager.
Like so many people, she was more than what she seemed. What had Angel
called her? The slayer? She killed demons with wooden stakes and
probably would fare better against Angel than he did. But that didn't
matter. Whatever she was, she could never handle the truth.

"I don't," he answered, and turned away, leaving her alone in the
alley.

===============================

"Vampires? That's just a story."

"Your mouth is hanging open, Joe."

"It's just hard to believe. Are you sure about what you saw? I mean,
that guy could have just been some wacko off the street. There are a
lot of those in Sunnydale."

"Why is this so hard for you to accept?" Methos gulped from his beer
bottle, sighed and leaned across the table. "Look, Joe, if there is
such a thing as immortals, why not vampires?"

"OK, well, what about the girl?"

"What about her?"

"A vampire slayer? Come on, Methos. It's crazy."

This is getting annoying very quickly. Stubborn and pig-headed --
that's what you are, Joe Dawson.

"If there are vampires, then why not a vampire slayer? All good stories
are based on reality, and this one just happens to be closer to the
truth than most. Angel is a vampire. Buffy is a vampire slayer. And
somehow I've managed to tangle myself in a situation that is none of my
business to be involved in."

"You got that right," Joe said. He drained his glass and signaled the
waitress for another drink.

Joe wasn't taking this well. Methos didn't understand why a man who
spent his life watching immortals was so bent out of shape when he
found out that there was more than one type of immortal. Maybe he was
just disappointed to discover he didn't have the monopoly on
supernatural beings. I suppose now would be a bad time to bring up
leprechauns and witches.

"All right, Methos, let's say that you're right and there are vampires
in Sunnydale. What's next?"

Methos finished his beer right as the waitress brought Joe's drink. He
smiled at her in his most charming manner and shook his empty bottle.
"Would you be so kind as to bring me another one of these?"

She smiled as she took his bottle. "No problem, cutie."

As the waitress walked away, she swayed her hips and glanced over her
shoulder at Methos. He grinned broadly. "Now that is an attractive
woman. Do you think she likes me?"

The display had no effect on Joe, who had seen Methos' barroom antics
before. "Don't change the subject."

Joe just doesn't know when to leave it alone. Methos couldn't
stop an edge of annoyance from creeping into his response. "The truth?
I don't know what happens next. With any luck, I avoid Angel and Buffy
and the whole mess, and then I go back to Paris."

"That's it?"

"What do you want? I'm not going to hunt down Angel just so he can turn
me into a blood cocktail. He's not my problem anymore."

The waitress returned with his beer and a suggestive smile. Methos
smiled back, but he really wasn't in the mood to pursue any conquests
tonight. Too much had happened, and he just wanted to rest. Bloody
vampires.

"Thanks," he said dismissively. She gave him a confused look and went
on to the next table.

"So," Joe said, sipping from his glass, "exactly what was it between
you and Angel? Were you friends?"

Methos looked around the bar and remembered another saloon in New
Orleans 130 years ago. He remembered the young-seeming man sitting at
the corner table, in the dark, suffering from the guilt of past crimes
he had never had the power to prevent.

"Yeah. He was a good friend. And I'm sorry he's gone."

===============================

New Orleans, July 1863

Dr. Benjamin Adams entered the saloon and walked straight to the bar.
He needed a drink, and he needed it fast. Losing patients was never
easy, especially when he didn't know what ailed them in the first
place. His mind methodically worked its way through all he'd read about
the human body, sickness and cure, trying to find a logical answer, but
there was none. I really need a drink.

The bartender, Charles, looked up from wiping the bar as Benjamin
entered. He filled a mug with Benjamin's favorite beer and set it on
the counter; the doctor gratefully grabbed the mug and drained it
contents without a word. "What's wrong, doc?" Charles asked.

"You know Jonny Gaither?" he asked, waiting for Charles' nod. "He died
about half an hour ago."

The bartender's ever-present smile fell, and he smacked the bar with
his open palm. "Damn. He was a good man. What killed him?"

"Extensive blood loss through two small holes in his throat. His boy
found him in the street earlier this evening, and he swears there was
no blood at the scene. It's damn well impossible."

Charles shook his head in disbelief. "So, the bloodsuckers are back."

"That's a myth, Charles." Benjamin set the mug on the bar and signaled
for a refill, which Charles granted.

"A myth didn't kill Jonny Gaither."

"No. A vampire did," said a man behind them.

Benjamin and Charles turned toward the voice, which originated with a
man sitting in the shadows at a corner table. Benjamin squinted, trying
to see into the dark, but all he could make out were the man's bright
eyes.

Charles pointed at the man and nodded. "See, I told you, doc. A
vampire."

Only then did Benjamin notice the presence of the man. He berated
himself for being so wrapped up in his own problems that he had ignored
the presence of an immortal. But if this was an immortal, he radiated a
sensation unlike any Benjamin had ever met -- and that was saying a
lot.

Benjamin walked toward the table, his full mug left forgotten on the
bar. As he got closer, he saw that the man's skin was pale, almost
translucent. This was no human. Methos' hands itched to reach under his
coat, grab his sword and take this immortal's head, and it took quite a
bit of control to overcome the urge and school his face into a passive
expression.

"Who are you?" he asked.

The man only smiled sadly and stood. "Let's take a walk," he said and
left the bar without looking back to see if Benjamin would follow.

The immortal exchanged a look with Charles, shrugged and went after the
pale man, who stood just outside the saloon door, hunched down in his
coat. Even though the night was hot, he acted as though he were
freezing. As soon as Benjamin appeared outside, the man turned and
walked down the street, and the doctor almost had to run to keep up.

"Enough games," Benjamin said. "Who are you?"

The man smiled coldly. "My name is Angel, and I'm a vampire."

Benjamin's eyebrows shot up and he felt inside his coat for the cool
comfort of steel. If this man decided to attack him, he wanted to be
ready. "Really. Did you kill Jonny Gaither?"

"No, but I know who did. He calls himself Spike," Angel stopped and
looked at the doctor, "and he will kill again."

"Why should I believe you?"

Angel shrugged. "It's up to you what you want to believe, but it's the
truth."

He walked down the street, but this time, Benjamin didn't follow. If
this vampire had chosen to reveal himself to the immortal, he wouldn't
vanish anytime soon. Benjamin knew he could find him if necessary.
Vampires. Well, I've seen stranger, I suppose.

He returned to the bar and unhitched his horse without going inside.
For some reason, the beer didn't sound good anymore. Angel had given
him much to think about, and he needed time to absorb the information
and decide what to do next. He mounted and rode toward home, oblivious
to the burning eyes of an evil vampire watching from the roof of the
saloon.

===============================

Methos decided that Roger Darrow, who headed the watcher bureau for the
western United States, must beat most professors on how many students
he could put to sleep in 20 minutes. The lecture hardly had begun, but
several watchers' eyes already had glazed over. And unlike many
lecturers, Darrow didn't have the experience to realize when he was
losing his audience.

"The key to tracking an immortal is to avoid detection," Darrow said.
"Of those watchers who get caught by their immortal, only 40 percent
survive to tell their superiors."

Methos rolled his eyes and sighed. He was certain the man had never
worked a day in the field. Tomorrow's mass venture into the city would
turn into a circus if all the presenters were this exciting and
insightive.

In the front row of the hotel conference room, Methos noticed the back
of Joe's head begin to dip forward and then shoot up as he pulled
himself back from sleep. Well, at least I'm not the only one who's
ready for a nap. Gods, the man is boring.

"...Now who can answer my question?" asked Darrow to a sea of blank
faces. "Mr. Pierson?"

Methos snapped to attention and put on Adam's most confused, wide-eyed
expression. He had tuned out whatever Darrow had been talking about
with the expertise of an experienced student, and now he was on the hot
spot. Adam looked at Darrow with his best impression of a child who'd
been caught with his hand in the candy jar.

"Um, can you repeat the question, please?" he asked.

Darrow pursed his lips and shook his head. "What should you do when you
encounter a quickening?"

Any watcher who can't figure that out is too stupid to live.
"You duck for cover."

"Good. Why?"

"Because quickenings can blast just about anything to bits, and running
for cover might be the only way to avoid a large scrap of wood through
the heart."

"Very good. And remember, safety is the first rule..."

Methos tuned Darrow out again and settled back in his chair. Wood
through the heart. I guess I know what's on my mind. He closed his
eyes and replayed the previous evening's events -- the joy of seeing an
old friend, the terror of facing a stronger enemy, the relief of
realizing he had survived.

The logical part of his mind rationalized that he never was in any real
danger because Angel didn't know how to kill him, but he had been
frightened nevertheless. No, not frightened ... terrified ... haunted
by the imagined feel of fangs closing around his vunerable neck. Other
parts of his body were quick to heal but not the neck, the Achilles'
heel of immortality.

Methos lifted one hand and moved it slowly from his chin down to the
sharp collarbone as if to assure himself the skin was still smooth and
unbroken. It wasn't, as he already knew. His fingers stopped when they
glazed over two scars, tiny circles of rougher skin at the base of his
neck -- a gift from an old foe.

"Mr. Pierson, you seem to know this material well enough that you feel
comfortable ignoring me, so maybe you would enjoy teaching this class
instead," Darrow said.

Methos sat up in his chair, his eyes snapping open. He recovered in an
instant and once again became Adam Pierson, annoyed that Darrow had
intruded on his thoughts. This man must be every student's worst
nightmare. OK, old man. Time for another acting demonstration.

He smiled sheepishly and allowed an embarrassed blush to crawl up his
cheeks. "Sorry, Roger. My mind seems to be elsewhere today."

"Well, bring it back here, and maybe I won't make you share your
obviously important thoughts with the rest of us."

"Yes, sir."

Mehos sighed and focused his attention on the lecture. It was promising
to become a long afternoon.

===============================

New Orleans

After returning to his home, a small flat above his doctor's office,
Methos found that he couldn't sleep. He stared out the second-story
window until dawn, his mind racing through all that had happened,
trying to decide on the least painful course of action.

Fighting a vampire was out of the question, of course. If he were
killed, he'd have to leave New Orleans the next morning. I'd have to
give up my patients, and there would be no one to look after the
slaves. I can't do that.

He realized what he had just thought and mentally kicked himself.
Staying and waiting for disaster to strike sounded a lot like suicide,
something that Benjamin Adams might consider but Methos never would. He
rubbed his tired eyes and walked to his bed, abandoning the golden
sunrise just peaking over the city. I'm beginning to think like
Benjamin. Very dangerous, old man. Maybe it's time to abandon the good
doctor and start over as someone with a larger sense of self-
preservation.

He lay down and fell into an exhausted sleep. It seemed only minutes
later that he was dragged back to consciousness by someone pounding on
his front door. He looked out the window and was greeted by the last
rays of sunlight vanishing to the west. He'd slept all day.

Methos groaned as he surfaced from sleep and rolled to his feet, barely
noticing that he hadn't changed out of his wrinkled, sweaty clothes
from the night before. He stumbled downstairs and opened the door to a
panicked young man. James worked for Charles, and if he were here, that
could only mean something was wrong with --

Oh, gods.

"James, what's happened?" He was fully awake now and found himself
shaking the boy's shoulders. He forced himself to let go and adopt a
calmer appearance, even as his mind sorted through what might have
befallen his friend.

James rubbed his shoulders and tried to catch his breath. Only then did
Benjamin notice the boy's face was flushed and he was panting. He must
have run all the way from the saloon. The doctor pulled on every ounce
of his control to keep his patience in check.

"Doctor Adams," James finally said. "You have to come to the saloon. I
think Charles is dead."

Benjamin needed no more urging than that. He ran to the back of the
house, unhitched his horse and mounted without bothering with saddle or
bridle. Even if Benjamin did not have a reputation as an expert rider,
Methos could guide the animal with only the pressure of his legs. Haste
was needed now, whatever the cost to his assumed identity. He galloped
away from the house, leaving James standing at the front door.

As he approached the saloon, he vaulted from the horse and ran inside.
There he found his darkest thoughts come alive. Charles lay on the
floor surrounded by a crowd that simply watched without a clue of what
to do. Benjamin pushed his way through to the bartender and dropped to
his knees, feeling for a pulse. There was none. Charles was dead.

He buried his emotions and examined the body. No visible wounds, no
blood. He pulled down Charles' collar and, as he expected, found two
small puncture wounds at the base of the neck.

Vampires. Angel probably had something to do with this, or his buddy
Spike. Ordinarily, Methos would supress his regret and catch the next
train heading north, but he felt responsible for Charles' death. He'd
known what was going on and had walked away, leaving his friend to the
mercy of monsters. He couldn't leave -- not until he had avenged
Charles.

He shook his head at the unnecessary risk he knew he was about to take.
Benjamin is rubbing off too much. After this is over, he goes into
quick retirement.

Methos stood and left the saloon without a word, ignoring the dozen or
so people who were waiting for his diagnosis. They would have to figure
out on their own what had happened to Charles because Methos wasn't
about to explain. He had a more important task; he needed to find
Angel.

He didn't have to go far. As he strode into the street, he felt the
unmistakable presence of what he now knew was a vampire. He turned,
reaching for his sword before he realized he'd left his weapon at the
house, and relaxed as he recognized the dark figure leaning against the
outside of the saloon.

"Relax, doctor. I won't hurt you."

"We need to talk, in private," Methos said, dropping all pretenses as
Benjamin Adams. The doctor has gotten me into enough trouble for one
night.

Methos could barely make out Angel's nod. He mounted his horse and
signaled for Angel to get on behind him, which the vampire did almost
as smoothly as Methos. The immortal tensed at the feel of Angel's
breath on his neck. Those teeth were too close for comfort. As if
reading his thoughts, Angel chuckled quietly.

"Don't worry. I broke that habit years ago."

"Well, don't get any ideas." Methos swung the horse around and, after
assuring himself that his passenger wouldn't fall off, galloped back to
his own house. It was the only place he could think of where they
wouldn't be disturbed.

Methos walked inside and began searching through the dark for a lamp.
He heard Angel clear his throat and turned to see the vampire standing
outside.

"You have to invite me in," Angel said. "It's one of the drawbacks of
being of vampire."

Methos gave up on finding his lamp -- they'd just have to talk in the
dark -- and returned to the door. "I invite you in," he said. Angel
entered and walked across the room. Before Methos' eyes had time to
adjust, the vampire had located the lamp, lit it and set it on the
table. Both men sat down.

"Killing Charles was a warning, wasn't it?" Methos asked. "Spike is
telling me to stay away."

Angel nodded. "Did it work?"

Methos decided not to share his thoughts of revenge quite yet. The two
of them shared a goal in wanting to hunt Spike, but first the immortal
needed to know Angel's motivations. The vampire had one shot to
convince Methos, so he better make it good.

"We'll see," Methos answered carefully. "First, you tell me how you
know Spike."

Methos met Angel's eyes in a battle of wills to determine who would be
the first to show some trust, and Methos was damned sure it wouldn't be
him. After a few tense seconds, Angel dropped his gaze to the table.

"I'm Spike's sire," he said.

"His what?"

"His sire, his maker. I turned Spike into a vampire."

Methos hissed in surprise. He almost grabbed for his sword right then
but drew on his self-control and forced himself to stay seated and
calm. There was more to this story, and Methos intended to find out
what it was.

If Methos' sudden change of mood surprised Angel, he didn't show it. He
just traced the lines of the wood grains in the table with one pale
finger as he spoke, meeting the immortal's gaze once again. "I was as
evil as Spike once. Worse. I killed and tortured, and I felt no regret.
But then a gypsy family cursed me for killing their daughter. It
restored my human soul."

This time it was Methos who looked at the table. He understood better
than most the overwhelming guilt that came with a change of heart, the
pain of living with an empty space inside for all the people who were
dead for no reason except the pleasure of killing. He remembered those
first tortured years after the Horsemen, wanting to hunt Kronos and
lacking the courage to judge his former brother. He felt a strange
connection to Angel through his empathy for the vampire.

"So why come to me?" he asked, his voice hardly above a whisper.

"You're different, stronger than any mortal I've seen. I think you have
the power to ..." his voice trailed off.

"...To kill Spike," Methos finished, and Angel nodded. Well, who
better than a vampire to judge the strength of a vampire killer. He
made his decision. "Will you help me?"

Angel looked up and smiled slowly, sadly. Methos pitied the vampire but
not enough to back off his request. He didn't stand a chance without
Angel's help.

"Help me," he said quietly.

This time, Angel nodded, and Methos relaxed. "So, what do we do?"
Methos asked.

"I have a few ideas," Angel said after a moment of hesitation. Then,
the vampire began to describe his plan, and Methos had to admit, it
just might work.

===============================

Methos was dreaming. Strange, half-formed images of vampires and
immortals mixed with each other and attacked him from all sides. Angel
was there with Spike, grinning like the demons they were. At his back
were MacLeod and Kronos, standing side-by-side, advancing on him with
swords unsheathed. Methos turned to face them, his sword magically
appearing in his hands, but before he could swing, he felt a sharp pain
at the base of his neck. Vampire teeth clamped down hard, and Methos
felt the life drain from him through two impossibly small holes. He
tried to scream, but all that came out was a desperate gasp for air.

Methos bolted upright in his bed and almost panicked when he didn't
recognize the room. He closed his eyes and slowed his heavy breathing,
willing himself to remember where he was. Watcher training ... a tiny
hotel room ... Sunnydale ... Angel.

A quick glance at the clock told him it was 1 a.m., still the middle of
the night, even though he felt he'd lived a hundred lifetimes since he
drifted to sleep earlier that evening. His heart returned to a normal,
calmed rhythm, and then someone pounded on his door, almost sending him
through the ceiling. Gods, I'm jumpy tonight, he thought as he
stood and pulled on a T-shirt. He felt no presence, which meant his
late-night visitor at least was mortal, so he carefully opened the door
and peeked into the hallway.

"It's about time. You are way too deep a sleeper."

Methos recognized the teen-age girl who forced her way into the room,
which was the only reason he let her in. Buffy was dressed all in
black, her blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, and her body language
indicated she was all business. Methos shut the door and met her
intense gaze with his own expressionless eyes. She was here because of
Angel, and Methos wasn't about to give her an advantage by acting off-
guard.

"All right," she said, "I want to know who you are and how you know
Angel."

Methos allowed himself a small smile. The girl was tough, but she
lacked finesse. She had followed him to the hotel, barged into his room
and demanded an explanation that would probably result in her trying to
punch a stake into his heart ... just to assure herself he wouldn't
turn to dust. But maybe, if he played his cards right, he could get
more information out of Buffy than he gave.

"Is something funny?" she asked.

He broadened his smile. "You are."

"Oh, really. Care to explain, doctor."

OK, time to push a little. "I'll answer your questions if you
answer mine," he said casually, leaning back against the door.

He watched Buffy consider the offer, and he could almost see the pros
and cons she weighed in her mind. Finally, she nodded curtly and folded
her arms in what Methos recognized as an subconscious, protective
gesture. Buffy was nervous because she'd suddenly lost control of the
situation, and she wasn't hiding her emotions well.

"Angel is an old friend," he said carefully. "We once worked together
on a project to help the community." He paused. "What happened to break
the curse?"

Buffy smirked, but Methos noticed the faint, tell-tale signs of pain
and guilt flicker across her eyes and vanish in a heartbeat. "He had a
moment of complete contentment," she said.

"That's not an answer."

"Neither was yours," she said.

Then it clicked. The pain in Buffy's eyes, her words the night
before... "Hello, lover." He shook his head in disbelief at the
complete stupidity both Buffy and Angel apparently had shown. If I
were that careless, I'd have lost my head centuries ago. Maybe she
deserves whatever she gets.

"You slept with him," he said quietly. She looked startled and sat down
on the bed. He'd guessed right. "He loved you, and you turned him into
a monster."

"It wasn't supposed to be like that," she protested. "It just happened,
and then he was gone." She recovered and stood, facing Methos with
determination in her eyes. "I can't change the past, but I can fix my
mistakes. I want to kill Angel, and I want your help."

Methos laughed at her bluntness. "Why would you want my help?"

Buffy suddenly turned thoughtful, her voice losing its angry edge.
"I've faced just about every supernatural thing out there," she said.
"Vampires, witches, a teacher who turn into a praying mantis -- you
name it, I fought it. And I know when I encounter something that's not
human."

Methos narrowed his eyes and said nothing. Any denial he could make
would only confirm her suspicions. Maybe I've underestimated this
girl.

"Besides, you carry a really big sword, and vampires don't like
swords," she half-joked, releasing some of the tension that had built
between them. "So, will you help me?"

Methos knew that if he agreed, he would go up against an evil he'd
tried to forget for more than a century. But he also knew Buffy would
attack Angel with or without his help and that no matter how strong
this fragile-looking girl might be, she probably would die. He couldn't
help but like Buffy for her fire and passion, something Methos sorely
lacked at times and always regretted the loss of. He couldn't stand to
see that flame snuffed out, especially not by Angel -- not when he
could prevent it. Here I go again.

"If I help, you forget that you ever saw me," he said.

She nodded. "Deal."

Buffy then proceded to tell him the plan. Methos had to admit that it
just might work.

===============================

New Orleans

In addition to his sword, Methos carried three wooden spikes, one
beneath each sleeve and one in his coat pocket. They poked
uncomfortably into his arms, but he ignored the slight discomfort and
focused his attention on the deserted warehouse before him. It's not
too late to turn back. I can turn around, walk away and be 30 miles
north of town by daylight. But for some reason he would never
understand, he didn't move.

"There it is," Angel said, pointing toward the building. "Are you sure
you want to do this?"

In response, Methos unsheathed his sword. He held it lightly, enjoying
the soothing feel of its weight in hands, and swung it couple times for
show. He glanced at Angel, and walked purposefully toward the
warehouse.

Methos felt Angel follow him, and the vampire's voice was quiet,
reaching no farther than the immortal's ear. "When this is over," he
said, "you have to explain to me why you carry a sword under your
coat."

Methos smiled thinly. "If we survive," he said.

They reached the warehouse and made their way to the back door without
even the sound of a footstep. As Methos reached for the door knob,
Angel's hand closed firmly around his own and pulled it away.

"Before we go in, there's something else you need to know," Angel said,
unable to meet Methos' eyes.

Don't surprise me with anything new, Angel, he thought, but he
said nothing, waiting for the vampire to continue.

"Spike's not the only vampire in there," Angel said finally.

Methos felt an uncontrollable, irrational wave of anger wash over him
at Angel's words, which hit too close to a betrayal of trust. The
immortal set his sword against Angel's throat with a snarl and pressed
just hard enough to cause pain. Angel tried to pull away but found
himself pinned against the warehouse wall, and part of Methos almost
retched at the savage feelings of power and control that threatened to
overwhelm him. But the dark part of him loved to watch the vampire
squirm, and he fought with himself for one eternal second to keep from
severing Angel's head.

The immortal wretched the sword away, scared at his violent reaction to
Angel's unwelcome information. He leaned his forehead against the
warehouse and slowly regained control, pushing Methos the Horseman back
into the hidden depths of his soul. Normally when he lost control like
that, someone lost their head. That was too close, he thought.

Still, Angel's words planted the seed of distrust in Methos. Not for
the first time, Methos considered the possibility that Angel was luring
him into a trap. He looked into the vampire's eyes searching for any
trace of evil, but all he saw was torment.

"How many?" he asked, his voice sounding harsh to his ears.

"Three. Spike, Drusilla and Richard." A slight edge of panic crept into
Angel's voice.

"And how many are your creations?"

"All three. Spike and Richard are brothers."

With some semblance of control, Methos nodded and reached for the door
knob again. It turned with a soft click, and Methos pushed the door
open, directing the last traces of his anger toward whatever was
waiting on the other side.

===============================

"There's something I need to tell you before we go in."

Methos turned his attention from the warehouse to Buffy. She looked
worried, but the immortal already knew what she would say. Too much
during the past couple days had been an echo from the past, and the
scenario wouldn't be complete without two missing players who had yet
to make their entrance.

"Let me guess," he said. "Angel isn't alone. We're also fighting Spike
and Drusilla."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "What is this? Some kind of trick? Are
you in league with them and plan on sticking your sword in my back the
first chance you get?"

Methos sighed dramatically. "If I were going to betray you, do you
think I'd give myself away?" he said. Buffy scowled, and Methos knew
more explanation was needed. "Let's just say I have a past with all
three of them, and it's a past I would rather forget. You have to trust
me, or neither of us will walk out of there alive."

She glared at him for a few more seconds and then nodded, a wooden
spike seeming to materialize in one hand. "Let's do it," she said.

===============================

Even in the dark, Methos could see that something weird had happened to
Angel's face. He looked more like a monster from a child's nightmare
than a self-tortured human. But Angel had warned him this would happen.
It was all part of the show.

Methos felt the other vampires just as Angel set a hand on his
shoulder, pulling him to a stop. Angel signaled around the corner, and
Methos nodded before peeking around into a large open space. Two
vampires -- a man and woman -- sat at a table lit by several candles.
The woman was obsessed with situating the dress on a small doll; she
carefully smoothed the doll's long blonde hair with a soft touch. The
man read a newspaper and periodically looked up at the woman in a
familiar way. The pair looked so human going through their morning
rituals that if not for their presences, Methos might have thought
Angel had led them to the wrong warehouse.

He held up two fingers to Angel, indicating that the third vampire was
somewhere else. Angel nodded. Time for plan B. Angel disappeared into
the dark recesses of the warehouse in search of the missing vampire,
leaving Methos to deal with domestic pair.

Charles, this is for you. Methos took a deep breath, raised his
sword and stepped around the corner.

The woman glanced up from her doll, and a serene smile slowly crossed
her lips. "Spike, look," she said, her voice soft and dazed. "We have
company."

Spike carefully folded his newspaper and set it on the table. The eyes
that met Methos' were amused but not worried. Methos knew this creature
would be a formidable opponent.

"So, you finally decided to drop by," Spike said, leaning back in his
chair. "I was wondering how long it would take."

"You sent me an invitation I couldn't refuse."

"Ah, yes. The bartender." Spike made a face of distaste. "He tasted
like fish, you know. That's the only problem with living in a town by
the ocean -- everyone eats fish. What did you have for dinner?"

"You'll never know," Methos said, pointing his blade's point at Spike
for emphasis. This bastard deserves to die, he thought.

Spike laughed. "I think you have a little problem there because there's
one of you and two of us. Get ready to die."

Spike launched himself at Methos, who automatically raised his blade to
meet the vampire in the chest, but Spike changed direction at the last
moment, ducking around behind the immortal. Methos dropped to the floor
before his opponent could grab his neck and rolled to his feet again
next to the table. He pressed the tip of his sword against Drusilla's
neck, just hard enough to draw a thin trail of blood. If the vampires
wanted to play rough, he'd give them a good fight.

"Team up against me, and she dies right now," Methos said harshly.
"Unless you give me a fair fight."

After centuries of practice, the lie came easily to his lips. Methos,
of course, had no intention of playing fair. He intended to make Spike
pay for the blood he'd spilled, no matter what it took.

"Spike?" Dru said, not taking her eyes off the blade. "Spike, help me."

"It's OK, love," Spike said. Then he turned his attention to Methos.
"You want to fight me one-on-one? Fine. Let her go, and we fight."

Methos gave Spike his most chilling smile and pulled the blade from
Dru's throat. She sighed deeply and almost glided out of range. All
right, one problem solved. Now the fun really starts.

Spike attacked again, and Methos went on the defensive, holding his
ground and testing his opponent. More than half of the vampire's blows
snaked under his guard and connected painfully with his ribs and face,
but Spike also was taking his share of cuts.

The vampire pulled back to catch his breath for a moment, and Methos
tried to think of something that might stall Spike from pressing the
attack again until his wounds had healed. Then he felt it: A wave of
power swept through the room like a shockwave, so evil in nature that
Methos felt his stomach churn, and then it was gone. He knew the
vampires felt it as well because Dru wailed from her hiding place in
the corner. Spike narrowed his eyes and growled deep in his throat, a
horrifying effect when combined with his vampire features.

"You bastard," Spike said. "You were here to distract me while your
friend fought my brother. Who did you bring? Is it Angel?"

So that's what that was. The death of a vampire. Interesting.
Methos considered thanking Angel for distracting Spike when this was
over but changed his mind when he saw the murderous hatred burning in
the vampire's eyes. Gone was the last trace of civility, replaced with
death. Now I'm in trouble.

Before Methos had time to react, Spike lashed out with his open palm,
smashing the immortal in the face. The blow dazed Methos for only a
second, but it was enough time for Spike to grab him and sink his teeth
into Methos' bared neck. The immortal gasped in surprise and pain. He
dropped his sword and used both hands to push the vampire away, but
Spike didn't budge. Methos began to feel lightheaded and knew he had
only a few seconds before he lost consciousness.

He quickly ran through what Angel had told him about killing a vampire.
Wooden stake through the heart, beheading ... and fire. Methos reached
for a candle still burning on the table. He dashed the flame into
Spike's right eye and almost collapsed in relief when the teeth left
his throat. Spike screamed and clawed at his eye as if he could rip the
burn from his skin.

"Spike!" Dru cried, forgetting her own safety and running to him. She
wrapped her arms around her companion, who had lost all interest in
everything except his wound, and shot a dark glare at Methos. "Another
time, deary," she snarled.

Both vampires vanished around the corner just as Methos' last reserve
of strength gave out. His last thought before darkness overwhelmed him
was that he hoped Angel would find him before Spike and Drusilla
returned.

===============================

"Angel's not there," Buffy whispered, leaning over the railing that
overlooked the warehouse's interior. "You stay here. I'm going to find
him."

A quick glance over the ledge confirmed her words. Spike and Dru were
there, but Angel was no where in sight. Still, as soon as the fighting
started, he'd show up momentarily. Buffy would be foolish to go
searching for trouble when it would come to her -- just another
extension of her inexperience. Besides, Methos couldn't shake the
memories of what had happened last time he'd split with his partner.
He'd barely escaped. Those who forget the past ...

He grabbed Buffy's forearm, ignoring her stiffled gasp. "Didn't anyone
ever teach you that spliting your forces is not a good idea? We stay
together, or I leave now."

He knew throwing that ultimatum in her face was unfair, but he didn't
have time for subtlety. He had to exert some control now, or he knew
the whole raid would fall apart around their ears.

Buffy glared at him, but she stopped pulling away from his unrelenting
grip. He released her, and she rubbed her arm. "Didn't your mother ever
teach you to play nice?"

"Are you ready?" Methos asked, ignoring her comment. She probably
wouldn't react well to a truthful answer anyway. For her response,
Buffy climbed over the railing and dropped to the warehouse floor.

"Hi, guys," she said to the vampires, who went rigid as she pulled a
stake from her sleeve. "Hope you don't mind if I drop in."

Bloody impatient slayer, Methos thought as he lept over the
railing and landed next to Buffy. "Your mother obviously never
taught you the value of patience," he said to the girl.

She shrugged.

Unlike Buffy, Methos understood the importance of well-timed drama, and
he also knew that right about now, Spike and Dru were stunned by the
appearance of an enemy who should be long dead. He played the situation
to his advantage by granting them a chilling smile and slowly drawing
his sword, letting its soft hiss echo throughout the room. The effect
was not lost on the vampires.

"I love what you did to your hair, Spike," he said. "Blond suits you.
But the wheelchair just doesn't go with the image."

Spike recovered first, masking his tension with a smile that never
reached his eyes. "I knew there was something different about you the
last time we met. I'm not too upset that you turned up, really. You
still have to pay for this." He traced one finger over a scar on his
right eyebrow. "Dru, be a dear and find Angel. I know he wouldn't want
to miss the party."

As Drusilla smiled coldly and slipped out a side door, Methos went on
his guard. Spike was not stupid enough to send away his backup when
faced with two enemies, so he had to be planning something. Now I
just have to find out what.

"That's not very wise, Spike. Two against one aren't good odds."

"One against one, actually," the vampire replied, coming awkwardly to
his feet, almost as if his knees were about to collapse on him. But
whatever ailed the vampire, Methos didn't have time to speculate.
Spike's words had sent a chill up his back. He glanced to his side and
silently cursed. Buffy was gone.

"You see," Spike said, walking carefully, slowly toward Methos, "I know
Buffy a lot better than you do. She's obsessed with Angel. At first she
was trying to get him into bed, but now, well, she just wants to kill
him. I wouldn't mind so much if she succeeded, so I'm letting Dru lead
her straight to him." He paused, turning his full attention on Methos.
"That gives us a chance to finish what we started 130 years ago."

"Then stop talking and fight," Methos said calmly, raising his sword.
He sent a silent prayer to every god he could think of that this fight
would end better than the last one. Spike produced a long knife from
the pocket of his jeans, braced himself against a heavy crate and
waited.

As if to prove to himself that the past wouldn't continue to haunt his
steps, Methos went on the offensive immediately. He flicked his blade
expertly, inwardly thanking MacLeod for all their recent sparing
sessions in Paris. His skill had been rusty last time he had met Spike,
but now he had the advantage. Methos easily brushed off his opponent's
strikes, but Spike refused to back away from the crate.

This is getting tiring, Methos thought. He surprised the vampire
with one swift move to disarm, and the knife clattered to the floor.
The immortal raised his sword for the fatal blow when he felt smooth,
cold hands clamp around his arms and pin them against his back. His
attacker pried open his fingers, and his sword fell to the ground.

"Good timing, Dru," Spike said breathlessly. He picked up his knife
from the floor and pressed it against Methos' neck. The immortal
struggled to break free, but Drusilla's grip was too strong. "I
appreciate the help, but the kill is mine."

"Spike, you're too weak for this," said the familiar, soft voice. "Go
sit down, and I'll finish him for you."

"No. He is strong, and you know it, Dru. This could restore me."

After a short pause, Dru breathed softly against Methos' ear. "Yes. I
feel his strength. Take him now."

Methos cried out in pain as Spike sunk his teeth into the imomrtal's
neck. At first the drainage was slow, but the vampire seemed to gain
momentum as the blood flowed faster and faster. Methos struggled weakly
against Dru, but his strength was gone, and he felt that if Dru
released him, he would only fall to the hard concrete floor.

He dimly wondered what had happened between Angel and Buffy, but even
that thought faded from his mind, and he began to drift. Methos
couldn't feel Spike's teeth anymore, and he floated in a strange limbo
between life and death. He knew he was dying, but he didn't care, going
slack against Dru's chest with a low moan. Then the darkness came, and
Methos knew no more.

===============================

The warehouse was empty of vampires and daylight slipped through the
windows as Methos awoke with a ragid gasp for air. He groaned and
rolled onto his back, feeling at his still-tender throat with his
fingertips. As he sat up and looked around, he noticed his sword lying
on the floor where he had dropped it ... how long ago? Repairing blood
loss as he had suffered would take hours, but no more than a day or so.
Methos guessed it must be the morning after.

That meant no vampires, at least not for a while. Angel, Spike and Dru
would all have hidden with the rising sun, unless one of them had died
after Methos had lost consciousness. But I'm never that lucky.

Methos crawled to his sword and used it to help pull himself to his
feet. His body had repaired the wounds, but only time would restore his
strength. He slowly stumbled out of the warehouse, using the sword as a
cane, and blinked fiercely in the sunlight. Realizing that passers-by
would look strangely on his weapon, he switched it for a solid rod of
wood laying nearby, sheathed his sword and headed toward the street.

The night's fiasco was over, but the fight was not. If five thousand
years had taught Methos anything, it was that you can never escape your
past, no matter how far or how fast you run. Methos knew he would see
the trio of vampires again and again -- until they were dead, or he
was.

That day would not come for a long time, though, if Methos had any
control over his fate at all. And maybe I don't, but who bloody well
knows? I think it's time for a vacation. No vampires, no immortals ...
just a quiet, sandy beach and as much sun as I can soak in.

He smiled at the thought and walked slowly down the street. No one
would miss one immortal for a few months, or maybe a few years. He
chuckled softly, and with that one action he banished the ghosts of his
past, living and dead, that had goaded him into such a dangerous
mission.

Kronos, my brother, you were right all along. If you wait long
enough, everything comes back. Ah, Fate. She is a cruel mistress, and
even I cannot escape Her. But maybe I can try ... for a while.

He laughed quietly to himself all the way home.


the end