AUTHOR: Tisienne Blue

E-MAIL: tisatko@msn.com

DISCLAIMER: I own no one but Serena... all other characters belong to their respective companies/ studios/ production execs/ writers/ creators... I have no legal entitlement to any of
them...

RATING: I'm hoping for a hard R... eventually...

PAIRINGS: W/Methos; W/A; Serena/Jarod

NOTES: X-over fic between Buffy/Angel/Highlander/Pretender... for Natty's b-day, which was the 27th, I think... *****= scene/location change, while ~~~~ indicates passage of time
within a segment...

SPOILERS: Up to the ep 'Reunion' for Angel, not really much for Buffy, to end of season 4 for Highlander ('cause s5 sucked ass... and I refuse to believe that it ever happened...), and
nothing much for Pretender... I just like Jarod an awful lot, so...*g*

DISTRIBUTION: As always, Charity can have anything I write, as can anyone I've said yes to for anything in the past... list archives of course, and anyone else who asks first...

FEEDBACK: is good... and gets you a dedication... bribery, I know, but what's a girl to do???

DEDICATIONS: to Natty, of course, 'cause this IS her b-day fic... also to: Darkgem, Maxine, KFlowers, Charity, and Beth Ann... thanks so much, luvs...*g* And to the CO... you rock,
chicas...*g*

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

< in a car in Paris, 5 pm local time>

Angel shifted uneasily, once again, in the passenger seat of the taxi. He and Willow had been in the damned car for close to an hour already, and he was fairly sure that their driver,
that Adam character, was deliberately taking the long way to their lodgings in the city. Of course, with the animated conversation Willow was carrying on with the man, he wasn't really
surprised, just... annoyed. He couldn't believe that this was Willow! She certainly wasn't acting like the shy little hacker he'd known back in Sunnydale... of course, that had been years
earlier, and he knew for a fact that she'd gone through a lot of changes, but... He still didn't like it. She was chatting away with the man as though she'd known him for years, and he
almost felt like he was being ignored, but... he couldn't quite bring himself to join in the conversation, and one glance at the dark-haired man who was driving convinced him that his
comments were really not desired. So he pressed himself against his door, staying as far away from Adam as he possibly could, and... brooded.

Willow was having a wonderful time. She had been a bit hesitant, at first, about actually talking with Adam, but once she'd given it a try, she'd discovered that she really wasn't terribly
shy anymore. Of course, he made it easy, by starting to tell her the history of some of the landmarks they'd passed, and she had truly enjoyed startling the hell out of him with her own,
sometimes more extensive, knowledge. Her enjoyment of the drive was somewhat marred, however, by Angel's silence, and when she was actually able to get a good look at him from
her position in the back seat, she'd realized that her smiling, joking friend of the last day or so was gone, and in his place was the Angel she'd known back in Sunnydale. She had no
idea of what had caused him to retreat into his King of Brood persona, but she was sure as hell going to find out... as soon as they got to wherever it was that Angel had arranged for
them to stay. In the meantime, though, she was determined to enjoy the rest of her time with their oh-so-knowledgeable driver. "So," she continued their conversation, "What is there to
do here during the day... that I can do alone, I mean, 'cause Angel... well, you know."

Methos laughed, meeting the girl's eyes in the rear-view mirror. "There are so many things that I don't even know where to start!" He turned his eyes back to the road in front of him, not
missing the glare being sent his way by the vampire sitting next to him. "There are the museums, for one, and countless galleries, and there are a few Bistros I could recommend,
although you might not want to go to them alone... unless you want to be propositioned by every man around..."

Willow giggled at the very thought. "Oh, yeah, sure, because all the men in Paris have just been waiting for plain little old me to arrive! No," she continued, still chuckling, "I think I'll
take my chances on my own..."

The oldest immortal glanced at her in the mirror, almost unable to believe what she'd just said... how dare the girl call herself plain, when it was obvious to anyone with eyes that she
was... glorious... ethereal... almost incandescently lovely! Oh, well, she'd learn... and he had every intention of being the one to teach her. His eyes opened wide for a moment as he
realized what he'd just thought. He wanted her! He almost moaned out loud. He wasn't supposed to be interested in the girl, that had never been a part of the plan, but somehow, for
some unknown reason, he was interested... very! And he'd be damned if he'd let her just walk around on her own, prey for whichever bastard found her first... no, that just wouldn't do.
"That's probably not the wisest decision, Willow," he said, after sorting himself out, "But why don't I take you around in the daytime, at least until you're somewhat familiar with the city,
and you can spend time with your friend after dark..." He was sure that he'd kept his intentions hidden, at least until he heard the low growl coming from the large body beside him. He
glanced over at the vampire, recognizing the look in his eyes for what it was... a warning.

Willow grinned hugely as she accepted his offer, glad that she'd actually have more time to spend with him... after all, he was nice, and smart, and gods he was handsome... Besides,
he obviously knew the city, so she'd be sure to have a good time. Or she would if Angel would just snap out of his funk!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Joe Dawson was getting scared. He had called in a few favours with his friends still in the Watchers organization, and they had messengered everything they had on Angelus to him. As
it turned out, there was much more than he'd ever thought possible. The man had been around for less than two hundred and fifty years, but the list of his atrocities rivaled those of
immortals who'd been walking the earth for easily three times as long! Methos had been right about him being a part of the Scourge of Europe, but there was so much in the files he'd
received that he doubted his friend knew about... Angelus had run with the Kurgen for a few decades, until that bastard had decided that the younger immortal was too vicious to be
around... He had bought young children from very poor families for the express purpose of setting them loose and hunting them... Between his times with the remainder of the
Scourge, he had committed acts of violence and degradation that his Watcher had been too horrified to even record... And he had known many immortals in his years, most of whom
seemed to be... afraid of him.

If this was the same Angelus who was with the girl, Joe couldn't blame his friend for being worried. He did wonder, though, why no one had taken the prick's head long ago... or why
there was no record of his ever being challenged, for that matter. It was a mystery, and if there was one thing Joe Dawson, former Watcher, hated... it was a mystery. And that was why
he was going to figure it out! Of course, he might need some help with that... He smiled and reached across the bar, pulling the telephone to him and dialing a number he only used
for real emergencies.

"It's Joe," he said to the voice on the other end when the ringing stopped, "Tell her to call me." He hung up and sat back down, waiting for the return call that he knew would be
coming in mere minutes.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Willow sighed deeply as she watched the cab pull out of the covered parking garage, and turned, following the silent form of the vampire with her luggage. They entered through a
large steel door into the basement of the apartment building, and got onto the nearby elevator, with still not a word being spoken. After what seemed an eternity, they finally arrived at
their floor, and she followed him again, this time down the thickly carpeted hallway, until he stopped at a bright red door bearing the number 39. She stood by as he dug in his pocket
and came up with a key, and watched while he opened the door. Her eyes narrowed when he waved her in before him, and she stalked into the beautiful apartment, barely noticing
how nicely it was appointed as she heard the door shut and turned on him. "OK, Angel," she forced out through gritted teeth, "What the hell is your problem?"

He had been able to smell her growing ire from the moment the taxi had pulled away, and he hated the fact that she was mad at him, but he didn't have any idea of what to do about
it. So he'd just led her in, hoping she'd calm down by the time they reached their new home, or at least be distracted enough by its comforts to forget her irritation. Obviously, it hadn't
happened that way, but he was for damned sure not going to tell her what was really wrong with him. "What... what do you mean?" he said, trying to pretend that he didn't understand.

The witch snarled at him. "I mean that one minute you were fine, laughing, joking, having a good time, and the next... the next minute you were being all Mr. Broody, and growling at
Adam!" She turned away from him and started pacing the floor, ignoring the thick Persian rug beneath her feet. "I had really hoped," she gritted out, "That you had left your inclination
towards self-flagellation back in LA, but I can see that you didn't, and that's all right... brood all you want to around me, I know how to handle it, but... acting that way with Adam?
That's just wrong!" She stopped in her tracks and spun to face him, her green eyes almost blazing. "He's a nice guy, Angel, and he's going out of his way to see that I... I mean, WE,
have a good time and get to know the city, and I don't know why you had to be such a..."

"You had it right the first time," Angel growled, staring directly into her angry eyes. "He wants you to have a good time... not US, you! Don't you get it, Willow? He wants you! He
couldn't care less that you're here with ME, that you're my... my best friend, he just wants to get close to you, and it's scaring the hell out of me!" He growled again, stalking across the
living room and throwing himself down on the plum leather couch. "I don't know what his agenda is, but I know he's got one, and I have a feeling that part of it is to take you away from
me..." He sighed suddenly, his own anger fading into worry. "I'm sorry, Will, I'm not saying that he doesn't like you. I'm sure he does... after all, you're Willow! I'm just saying... there's
more to this. He's too... slick, too smug. I just... I know he's up to something." He sat back, gazing up at her through his lashes as she thought about what he'd just said.

The redhead considered his words carefully. Angel was many things, she knew, but irrational wasn't actually one of them, and if he got some sort of a... creepy vibe from Adam, then
chances were that there really was something going on. It didn't help any that he didn't know what it was, though, and she really liked the other man, but... Angel was her friend, and
she just had to give him the benefit of the doubt. That decision made, she sighed and let go of her anger. "All right, then," she said seriously, walking over and sitting beside him on
the couch, "What do we do about it?"

"Ummm..." the vampire said hopefully, "You... stay away from him?" He smiled slightly when she rolled her eyes. "Well, it was worth a try..."

Willow returned his small grin, shaking her head wryly. "If you're right, Angel, and he is up to something, then we need to find out what. And we can't do that if I'm avoiding him, so..."

Angel sighed, rubbing his eyes with his hand. "So you go out on your date with him tomorrow. Fine. But I want you to call me every hour, just so I know that you're all right."

She smiled more broadly. "OK, first off, it's not a date. He's just gonna show me some of the sights, maybe take me to a museum, or one of those Bistros he was talking about. And
secondly, what good would it do to call you when you can't go outside in the daytime? I mean, if something DID happen, what could you do?"

He reached out, taking her small, warm hand in his much larger, much cooler one. "Willow," he said softly, "If something happens, I need to know where to start looking for you. If you
don't call me, I'll have to scour the entire city for you... please, sweetness... just call, OK?"

Willow sighed, knowing he had a point. "All right, Angel," she said gently, giving his hand a light squeeze. "I'll call you every hour or so, although what Adam's going to think..."

Angel laughed. "He'll think that your best friend is very protective of you when you're on a first date with a guy he doesn't know. And trust me, Will," he said, almost growling at the
thought, "It IS a date..."

"Pfffttt... whatever," she replied with a roll of her eyes. Whatever Angel might think, Adam didn't want to date her... he was older, for one, and she was sure that he must have a
girlfriend, or a wife hidden away somewhere... Someone tall, and beautiful, who was sweet and kind, and would understand his taking pity on the poor American girl whose friend had
an unfortunate 'medical condition'. "So," she said, changing the subject as she stood, still holding his hand, "Where's my room?"

Angel grinned and stood up himself before leading her to the door on the right, against the far wall. "This one's yours," he said blandly, as he turned the knob and bowed her in. His
smile grew wider at her happy reaction, and he was once again glad that he hadn't sold the apartment when he'd left Paris the last time. He wondered, as she dropped his hand and
raced around the room examining things, whether any of his old friends were still in town... he hadn't seen Duncan or Fitz in decades, he'd have to look them up.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Joe was surprised when Methos entered the bar whistling a happy little tune. He hadn't known the immortal could whistle, much less anything jaunty. "Well, you seem happy," he said,
somewhat dourly, "And I can't help but wonder... why?" He needed to tell his friend what he'd found out, and that they would be having a visitor soon, but he really didn't want to spoil
his good mood... not until he had to, anyway.

The oldest immortal grinned at his friend. "There has to be a 'why'? Can't a fellow just be happy for no reason?" He plunked himself down on a stool and began drumming his fingers
against the top of the bar, looking for all the world like an impatient child.

The former Watcher stared at him for a moment. "So you killed Angelus, then..."

"No." Methos answered, still tapping his fingers against the mahogany. "It wasn't him. I don't know exactly who it is that she's got with her, but it's not Angelus."

"Another immortal?" Joe said, confused by the older man's attitude.

The immortal laughed, a bit breathlessly. "I suppose you could say that, Joe, but..."

"Oh, wait," the mortal said sarcastically, "Let me guess, Not your kind of immortal... again."

"Got it in one!" Methos glanced at his friend, eyes crinkling at the corners. "But this one's no threat to her, in fact, he protects her! Never thought I'd see the day, but... here it is, and I'm
seeing it!"

"Uh-huh. And if he's not your kind of immortal, then what kind is he, exactly?"

"He's a vampire, Joe... just like Angelus..." The immortal laughed at his friend's look of shocked disbelief. "It's all right, Joe, I know you don't believe me, but it's true. I expect you'll see
for yourself, though."

Joe stared at his friend, amazed that the older man would think he'd believe something so ridiculous. Something had obviously happened to the immortal since he'd seen him last...
he hadn't seen Methos so giddy since... His eyes widened, and he smirked a bit. "OK, Methos," he finally said, "Who is she?"

"Who is who?" the dark-haired man asked, his mind still occupied with planning the following day.

"The woman, man! The woman!" He laughed at his friend's shocked expression. "I know you, my friend, and the only time you ever act like a kid in a candy store is when you've met
someone, so... give!"

Methos grinned, forcing his hands to still on top of the bar. "You'll find out tomorrow night, Joe. I have a date with her in the morning, and I'm planning on bringing her here after."

Joe sighed. "Fine, Methos, and I hate to change the subject, but... I pulled some strings and got some more information on Angelus. He is seriously one bad dude, but I guess it doesn't
matter since he's not here..."

The oldest immortal frowned for a moment before brightening again. "I'd still like to look it over, though... maybe after my date..." He started whistling again as he stood and started
towards the door. "See you later, Joe," he called out over his shoulder before being stopped by the former Watcher's next words.

"Oh, and Methos," Joe said, just loud enough for the other man to hear, "Serena's on her way here... She'll be getting in sometime tomorrow." He smirked slightly to himself when he
heard his friend muttering something that sounded remarkably like 'Oh, shit!' on his way out the door. "Well, this should be interesting..." he murmured to himself as he slowly climbed
the stairs to the stage and picked up his guitar.

End-- Pt 3

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