RATING: Kinda stuck in the land between PG-13 and R. 'Cause I used a naughty word.
DISCLAIMER: You know...I write these things over and over again and you know the point of having them? (Other then obeying Fox's stupid will?) To make you miserable at the fact that you don't own the coolest characters in existence. (Does "Friends" producer go on the "Friends" posting board? Hmm? Does "Friends" have a posting board? Uhh...why am I going after "Friends"? Hmm…'Cause I kinda like that show, eehe...) So "regrettably no," I do not own them. Joss and his Merry Band of Goat Men do. That is all.
DISTRIBUTION: (Me and lurker Puppiecat's site.) But if you want it on yours, aaaask!
SPOILERS: Post Earshot. If memory serves. Hold on...*shuffling through her fic here...* Yeah, post Earshot. That way the Prologue makes sense!
SIDE NOTE: This was written under the influence of no sleep, and Puppy wanting a fic like this hehe. Actually it'd been setting around in my head before hand, but I just thought I'd let you know. : ) It's a whole series now, if uh, I can finish the third fic thus far...hehe...laaazzyy...anyway...on with the fic I'm actually proud of! (At least parts of it..mwahaha...)

Prologue

Buffy was pretty much recovered from the sudden previous experience of a "burst of thoughts." Things were going totally good (you do realize the, ahem, foreshadow here, don't you?) for her, especially the fact that she was on good terms with Angel again -- not that she could ever *stay* mad at him. All these feelings made her almost happy about this routine patrol. It was too bad Angel hadn't come with her, she would have liked the company. Then again she didn't really want to bother him about this, its not like she couldn't handle a vampire, you know?

This was all she could think about in midst of a fight. Angel.

Buffy hiked her foot up into her vampire foe's face. He -- the vampire -- grabbed her foot midway and she kicked her other foot up into his face, letting herself fall on her back --- grunting every so slightly. He grabbed her other foot and started twisting her ankles around. Buffy yelped and -- trying to get away -- arched back up on her shoulders for leverage and shoved her feet into the vampires face.

"Hold on undead Karate Kid," Buffy snapped at the vampire.

She gave herself a microsecond to recover and go hard and fast at the vampire. He was dust in less than a minute. Buffy nodded at herself in approval and brushed off what little dust got on her slacks. She glanced around, expecting more vampires to come and saw nothing so she headed towards the gates.

Faith stood there, waiting for her predecessor. She was still, and always, intensely jealous of Buffy and she really wanted her gone now. Thankfully the Mayor didn't seem to object to her plan so she set it in motion...tonight.

Buffy stopped in her tracks seeing Faith and crossed her arms over her chest -- trying to be intimidating even as she spoke. "Faith."

"Buff." Faith responded simply and turned her back to Buffy, putting two fingers in her mouth to whistle for the big gang of ten vampires the Mayor had let her borrow. She looked back to Buffy, winked, and left. "Have fun, girlfriend," was the only line she left her with.

Part One

"Oh great, this is exactly how I wanted to finish up the night. Surrounded by Faith's cronies." Buffy boosted herself up on her tiptoes, getting a view of Faith as she yelled after her. "How many of these guys did you sleep with before you got them to come after me!?"

The first vampire of the group walked solemnly up to Buffy, looking like he had something to offer her, which he did. "Come with us willingly, and I promise the pain'll be less...severe..."

"And I promise, if you give up easily, my slaying of you will be less...severe." Buffy retorted, reaching for the stake in her pocket. She lodged it in the vampires chest and glimpsed at the others. "Nine against one, maybe I'm feeling lucky tonight."

Then her heart sunk as they all charged her. She expected two at a time, and even then...now all she needed was a freakin' miracle. She got one in the face of her Angel. She was so excited to see him; she lost her focus and was grabbed by two vampires from behind, and the one to her right wasted no time in burrowing his fangs into her neck.

Buffy cried out, completely startled. A vampire *bit* her! She wasn't going to take that. She stepped on his toe with the heel of her sandals -- that being the only detrimental thing she was capable of in midst of frenzy. The vampire to her left was holding her down quite well, but she slammed her elbow into his stomach and called for Angel. Composing herself in this sort of thing was difficult; the bite was just so...exquisite.

Angel staked his third vampire when he caught sight of Buffy. Hell, he almost lost control when he saw the way she was. He chucked his stake at the one on her left. The vampire taking Buffy's blood held her closely to him, taking all that he could from her because, well gosh she was just that sweet. Buffy didn't seem to be struggling either; she was overcome with the flurry of feelings that came with a vampire bite.

Angel broke the vampires neck that was coming at him and took his second stake to stab it in the one to his left. The remaining two thought wiser and scampered off while Angel darted over to Buffy.

Buffy opened her eyes slowly and saw Angel zip past and throw her attacker to the side. She fell painfully to the ground, clasping the side of her neck accompanied by a wild cough. Angel dispatched the vampire and rushed to Buffy's side, cradling her in his arms gently.

Buffy coughed again, staring up at Angel. Her vision was pretty blurry, but she could tell by her feelings that it was Angel. "Angel, they...he..."

"Ssh, just relax. Save your strength."

"No! He...he..." She broke into tears, nuzzling her face against his chest. She was delirious and he knew it. The bite would do that to you. "I don't want to...die...Angel, it hurts..."

"You won't die..." He carefully swept her up in his arms and started to go out of the cemetery, heading down the street for the hospital. He wasn't about to give up on her. He stopped when he heard her heart start to dangerously slow down.

"Buffy?"

The last thing she audibly said was his name, and then she was gone. He wouldn't stand for that.

Part Two

A couple of days had past by now, nobody still really was better. Buffy's sudden death was...well, heavy. As expected. They hadn't seen Joyce in the longest of time and Giles...he hardly came out of his office. But they always came back to the library, not just because it was part of the school and they were still in session, but because it was like a second home to them.

Willow was staring blankly at the table, as was Xander while Cordy and Oz just watched them. Sure, they had gotten into the whole gang this year but still...they could only shed so many tears.

"I--I know this isn't the best time to bring this up but, what do we do now? Buffy's she's..." Willow trailed off and looked up at the person in the doorway who replied.

"Right here?" Buffy canted her head to the side and approached the group. "Miss me?"

"Buffy? Wow, you look funky." Cordelia commented. "To be blunt, our little Buffy doesn't put red extensions in her hair. She doesn't have *that* bad of taste."

Buffy did, indeed, look completely different. She had her hair just wild, but brushed -- dyed the tips of her hair blood red; she had thick eyeliner on to bring the eerie into her presence and it only complemented her outfit. An off-white hangover top and long black leather skirt, just barely baring her midriff. Completing the unusual ensemble was some heavy, matching the skirt, knee-high platform boots.

Xander shifted around in his chair. "Buffy. Nice...look."

"Please!" Cordelia shot back. "She's totally gone, this is some other girl because Buffy has some sense of fashion. Okay?"

"Cordelia," Buffy began in a hoarse tone. "For once...be quiet. I happen to like the new me." She lowered herself down in a chair, looking around the table. "Why the glum? I know you've been missing me...I appreciate that."

Silence.

"You could at least say something. I feel so...unloved." Buffy feigned a pout face. "I don't get a hug?"

Xander got up, just being the polite one first and went over to Buffy and hugged her tightly. She hid the oncoming smirk and nestled her mouth by his neck, making a pleased noise as she forced herself to return his hug.

"I could sink my teeth into you now, Xander..." She whispered in his ear and pushed him back, looking almost as innocent as the eyeliner allowed her to be. "Then again, you'd like that...wouldn't you?"

Xander stepped back, looking wide-eyed at Buffy and decided his seat was safer.

"See?" Cordelia said. "Can I pick up on these things or what? You're a vampire!"

Buffy put a hand to her still-beating heart and made a gasping noise. "Say it ain't so!"

"You really put yourself in a lot of danger coming here like this," Willow said -- who had now gotten a few feet behind Buffy with a crossbow positioned shakily in her hand. "We're--we're smarter than that."

Buffy didn't budge nor turn around. "You know what makes this whole vampire thing more fun? Example A."

Willow let the crossbow bolt loose at Buffy's back.

"My reflexes?" Buffy half-turned and caught the bolt an inch before her heart. She giggled lightly, swiveling back around to toss it on the table. "They're way better than a vampires. So, Willow. Put up the crossbow and sit down."

Willow obediently did so. They weren't going to stand a chance.

"Good, so we're all sitting. Let's have a chat, I'm in for some talking." Buffy leaned back in her chair, smiling sweetly.

"Oh, right. You want to chat. Is that before or after you bite into our necks and bring about unholy havoc?" Cordelia shot back.

"If you keep this up, Cordelia, I may just have to kill you first. Which isn't looking too bad right now. I could use you on my rep for the first blood, it'd definitely piss off my soul whenever you guys restore it. Don't be surprised, I'm pretty sure you'll be doing that eventually. It's your natural 'solution', right?"

They pretended not to hear the soul restoration comment.

"I'll be quiet," Cordelia said meekly.

"Who sired you?" Xander asked. "Was it Angel?"

"Actually, it was. And it was *good*. One of those...rash attempts at keeping me alive, touching really."

"Angel would never do that to you, and you know it!" Willow defended Buffy's once-boyfriend. "He wouldn't have bit you either."

"I never said he bit me," Buffy said slowly. "It was only a matter of time before he did though, but that's not gonna happen. Now anyway. Actually, I came here just to let you know that my services are only here for the Ascension. You let me know when that happens; I'll be there. Until then, I've gotta go kill another Slayer. Nice chatting, really."

Buffy stood up in her seat, winked at Xander and headed into Giles' office. The librarian was bent over a book, just thinking about things until he heard the door be shut. He didn't lift his head, just muttered a hello.

"Why, Mr. Giles. I'm ashamed of you, backing off on your research to mourn it's...inconceivable."

Giles almost jumped out of his seat hearing Buffy's voice. "Buffy?" He looked up and nearly fell out of his chair, sure her clothes were different but you never knew with teenagers these days. "How? What happened?"

"Now, now. I'm a tired girl. All that climbing away from the light just to get back here took a lot of energy out of me...Near death experiences do nothing for my complexion, wouldn't you say?"

"And you still manage to retain your sense of humor, yes. Perhaps you should go home, spend time with your mother. We can manage here."

"So it seems," she said with a nod. "I'll be seeing you." She flashed him a crooked smile and left his office and the library to go see her ex-lover. She had plenty of tormenting to do today and certainly not enough of nightfall to do it.

Part Three

Humming a fairly morbid tune to herself, Buffy hip-hopped up the stairs to the mansion, giddily awaiting the look on Angel's face when he would see her. Especially like this. It would be priceless.

Angel was in the living room, completely locked up in himself over Buffy's death. He hadn't budged an inch for the past two days until he heard someone come in. Just being the polite gentleman he is, he stood up to see his visitor.

"Hello," Buffy said stopping behind the couch. She sneered at the last phrase of her sentence. "Lover. Miss me?"

Angel said not a word.

"Strange, you being my sire and all, I'd expect you to say something to me..."

"I didn't make you."

"Didn't you?" Buffy tilted her head to the side, eyebrows raised. "You made me into your perfect image, and now...I think I fit it even better wouldn't you say? Get to experience every single drop of hate for the world just like my dear ol' sire. You know what makes it even more fun?"

Angel tore his eyes away from this creature that held his Buffy's face. "What?"

She set her hands on the head of the sofa and leaned forward, simpering. "The table's turned, Angel. I get to torment you to my heart's content, and I know the weak spots...the hurt, and you're my obsession now."

Angel gritted his teeth, trying to shut all her words out by raising a tightly clenched fist. Buffy batted her eyes in surprise and then made the perfect frightened expression that shook him up. Made him think twice.

"You would hurt me? Angel," Buffy sniffed and let her eyes water up. "Angel don't you love me anymore?"

Angel complied, dropping his arm by his side and sighed. Buffy giggled sinisterly and clicked her tongue teasingly at him. "I have you tied by a string, don't I? You know I'm glad you made me. Not just for the bloodline but god, the power's so intense." She boosted herself over the edge of the sofa to roll over into it and lay down. Stretching her arms, she continued. "A whole new time table to live on and…there's so much to do… to you. To that idiot Scooby Gang..."

Angel lowered down onto the coffee table, still quite in a daze. Buffy glanced to him and rolled her eyes. "Such a weak fuck, I'm not sure if you're worth the time of screwing around with. Certainly not worth it on Christmas...You know I don't know why you never turned me before. Guess Angelus didn't have the brawn for it either."

"And I don't know if you were worth the time siring," Angel responded -- now looking at Buffy.

"Ah, ah." She sat up and leaned forward -- her hands on his thighs so she could hold herself up in his face. "Don't get testy with me, dear. Somewhere inside, there's gotta be a little Buffy just completely hurt at all your harsh...awful words. Then again, you always kind of knew where to get her each and every time didn't you?"

Angel's anger boiled up. He gripped her by the arms and pinned her back against the couch. She giggled wildly at him. "The only reason I don't kill you now--"

"You love my face, me like this really turns you on. I'm a baaad girl."

"I don't want a bad girl," he shot back gruffly and stood up.

"Oh please!" Buffy sat up, scowling. "You don't think I can still feel what you want? Just because I'm dead doesn't mean I'm closed off. Then again that doesn't work the same for you."

"I channel my feelings differently," he said with his back turned to her.

"I'd phrase that different, dear, I have a twisted mind. I mean it was only a matter of time before I really broke down. The whole us thing wasn't cutting it. You should have just stayed gone; maybe my relationship with Scott would have gone according to. He wouldn't have dumped me right before Homecoming, but--oh hey, I should probably go find him..."

"You won't be finding anyone, you're staying here."

"With you? I don't think so; I have contacts to make...hell to rise. I'll be around later. I do need a place to stay and all, I don't think dear old mom wants a vampire in the house. 'Course she kinda liked you."

Angel cringed at the last part. Her mother *liked* him? Oh geez...she really did know how to torment him.

"Don't miss me for too long, stealth-guy."

When Angel turned around, she was gone. He was quite surprised. "She's good..." So he took off after her.

---

Buffy dropped lightly down the stairs in the forgotten old factory, hoping her guests were here. She could hear them snapping at each other constantly.

This she would have to fix.

"Spike, Dru," she cautioned as she entered the room. "Didn't I mention my hate for arguing?"

Spike whirled around to Buffy, glowering. "You know we wouldn't *be* arguing if *you* hadn't brought us 'ere!"

Drusilla looked wide-eyed at Buffy and started shaking. "She's strong." Sucking in an unneeded breath, she went on. "I don't like it."

"Can't say I'm much for you either, Drusilla but...I didn't want Spike unfocused." She brushed past Spike, patting him on the cheek and snickered. "You guys are about the strongest vampires, next to me, to hit Sunnydale. I think we'd make a relatively fun team." She turned on her heel, narrowing her eyes at the two. "If you can just shutup and start hanging over each other like you used to."

"Who made you anyway?" Spike said, glancing from Buffy to Drusilla. "Some Master bugger who you couldn't 'andle?"

"It was really erotic...one bit me, the other held me down..." She dropped back on the bed, soaking in the memory of the bite. "Dru's beloved Angel revived me, of course he doesn't really like his handiwork anymore. I think he blanked it out, too...what a shame..."

"Eh, he never did. Man never had an appreciation for art." Spike responded, coaxing Drusilla over to him. "Come here, peaches, you know I didn't mean all those things I did to you."

"She'll ruin us all," Drusilla said, looking back to Buffy. "Strong."

"And in need of a couple of new accomplices soon if you don't quit complaining, Drusilla."

"No one's ever had the brains to make a Slayer a vampire," Spike said. "Hell, it never really was thought on. Considering the blood you already 'ave…packs quite a kick, so I'm told. Probably have some hidden powers that you won't tell us."

"I've only been out and about for two days, Spike...I haven't tried much. My reflexes are totally into it though; I can catch crossbow bolts like a baseball. It probably only gets better though, since Angel *did* give me his blood...probably his most unconscionable act -- next to you Drusilla -- he's ever done. Making his poor, poor lovey-dovey Buffy a vampire..."

"You feed yet?" Spike asked.

"Not hungry," Buffy sat up with a shrug. "Probably will be soon."

"Jesus, two days without needin' food. Don't suppose you'll be wantin' to wreak end of the world sor' of things, do you?"

Buffy shuddered. "End of the world? Why? This one's so...fun. So many things you can do with it. Uh uh, I like this one. Just like you Spike, only for more worthwhile reasons."

"What the bloody hell is wrong with dog racing?" Spike shot back.

Drusilla tugged on his arm. "Spike...you mustn't raise your voice, princess has sore ears..."

Spike turned to pull Drusilla closer to him, smirking. "Why are the pets ears sore?"

"He screams...inside...they all do...she makes them suffer."

"What'd you expect?" Buffy hopped up off the bed. "Them to roll around, doing cartwheels because I'm one of the undead? You know, I'm not even clairvoyant and *I* knew that. When does she do something cool?"

"If you lived half as long--"

Buffy cut Spike off. "I've lived for two days and already I have *you* two intimidated. I don't think I need a couple of centuries on my back just to prove otherwise. I'm a little impatient sometimes; I don't like to argue. I kill, I fight, I occasionally torment. Deal."

"You know, minus the lack of conscience I'd almost say you were the same person. Only a bit more focused, right pet?"

Dru buried her face in Spike's neck for just a moment and then pulled back to walk towards Buffy. "He comes for you, teach you a lesson...You were a bad girl."

"I was an innocent girl. Now who comes for me?"

"You'll know...soon..."

"Well, you think he'll come in less than five minutes? I need to take some clothes, deal with a Slayer. Bring her into the vampire pit, that kind of thing." Buffy started up the stairs when Spike finally let her last phrase sink in.

"Vampire pit? You--"

Buffy laughed and opened the door -- careful not to step in the weak spot that Cordelia had fallen in once. "Have a vampire pit? No, I meant us three. She's just gonna have to pay for betraying me, yep..." With that said, she left.

Spike nodded after her. "I can actually deal with this one, li'l worried about my health but..."

Drusilla lowered herself down on the bedside, humming to herself. "She needs 'er..."

"Who?" Spike asked while going over to sit by Dru. "Who needs who?"

"The li'l spell wizard...she goes for 'er soon."

"Thought she was getting that other Slayer, can't wait to meet that one."

"She finds them...finds them all..."

Spike sulked for a minute, looking up at the ceiling. "Wish you weren't so vague all the time, really would help."

Part Four

Willow glanced wearily around the cemetery, not liking this too much. "We should go back. This isn't safe, it's...wrong. We don't stand a chance! What if Buffy comes?"

"That's a last phrase I...never thought I'd ever hear." Xander responded shakily. "Listen, I don't like this either but someone's gotta keep the regular fangalized populous down."

"And somehow you think...I'm guessing here...you two think you're the creme de la creme of the crop?" Faith asked, tapping a stake at her side. "Beg to differ, sweetie."

Already Xander's right eye was flinching. "I kinda like to think we should have gone back. You know Will, here on out -- I listen to you."

"If you make it to here on out, I mean come on." Faith started. "You think you can stand a chance against me?"

"You...you want the truth side of it or the deep down, completely petrified side?" Willow said, trying not to look scared.

"Well, you don't really have to say anything."

"So it can be a silent fear," Xander added. "Spiffy..."

"Now Faith," Buffy suddenly said. "What'd I tell you about messing around with them? Nothing? Oh good, it's a surprise. I like surprises."

Faith's smirk disappeared into confusion. She turned, seeing Buffy with a vampire face on. "Holy shit! They sired you! God, some vamps..."

"Oh no, it wasn't them. They drained me." Buffy shrugged, stepping forward. "Angel sired me. Kind of ironic, idn't it? Now shutup and get to it. I know you wanna slay me, and I'm just itching to get to do the same to you."

Faith swung a fist at Buffy who caught it easily and bent it back suddenly, breaking it. Faith fell back, holding her hand and in the process -- dropped her stake. Buffy hiked her skirt up just up to her knees and kicked Faith in the face, knocking her over.

"You were always the weak Slayer, guess when I died the first time, not enough essence got around. Kendra was so much better than you."

She stooped over and yanked Faith up to her feet and just simply snapped her neck. Then of course she tossed her aside and looked at Willow and Xander. "So much for the pit…See you around -- oh! And did you mention anything to my mom?"

They both shook their heads slowly. Pretty much caught on in the moment that Buffy just saved them and killed the bad girl.

"Good," Buffy said and left.

"That was a scary casual...We better go tell Giles about Faith." Willow said once her voice returned to her. "Maybe he can get Wesley to...have them send another Slayer."

"What makes you think she'll be the same? Buffy was a one of a kind." Xander said sullenly. "She'd just be like Kendra."

"Be nice! Kendra changed a little. She was nicer, I'm sure this girl wouldn't be any worse. Let's go before...we have another unscheduled death experience."

"Yeah..."

---

Flashback, 1861 - Ireland

Darla's eyes flew wide open as Angelus entered their bedroom with a woman on his arm. Though, she made accusations yet -- she assumed all would explain itself in but a moment. It's not like she didn't sleep around anyway.

"A gift, my dear. I worked so hard on her..." Angelus looked to the side at his creation, smirking slightly. "Quite a work of art, my best yet."

"You spent...you spent four months away working on that?" Darla pointed at the vampiress. "She's not worthy for the Master! You were supposed to be bringing together a small band of people who would protect him, and a little snack. He's weak you know."

"I got bored," Angelus replied simply. "The Master means nothing to me, his cause is...needy. Yes, but it's all in vain. The Slayer will come--"

"And the Slayer will die," Darla interjected. "They all do. They're useless, Angel. What good is she to anything?"

"Drusilla? Oh, well, love...you don't seem to care. I'm just going to take my new toy...for a ride. Don't wait up, darling. I'm sure you can find young Timothy again to suit your need."

"Angelus! Get back here! You belong to me, you can't do this!"

Angelus flashed her a wicked debonair smile, replying to her in Gaelic. "Is fada anois an lá a d'fhág mé mo bhaile."

With that statement said, he took Dru out for a kill. Then they'd leave for England. He really had gotten tired of Darla and her "The Master" thing. He was his own vampire, he didn't need some stronger one wanting to rule the world. That was what he was going to do when the time came, anyway.

Even as he walked away, he could hear her screaming after him in Gaelic, Latin -- just about anything she could remember a snooty putdown with. She was a mad woman, or rather vampire.

Drusilla started wandering off down a dark alley, she'd already spotted her kill. Angelus curved his mouth into a grin and stole quietly off after her.

Part Five

Angel jolted awake from his nap. He'd tracked Buffy -- found where she was staying and then came back home. Mysteriously he fell asleep and dreamt. About Darla, Drusilla...all those things. It was strange; he could mostly understand how Buffy was getting to him. There was no question the next few days -- probably months even, were going just to murder him. She had a way with words, regardless if she was a vampire or human.

Then he could feel her presence in the room -- so close that...

"Gah!" Angel jumped out of bed and whirled around seeing Buffy sitting there just watching him sleep in the utmost disturbing way. "What are you doing here?"

Buffy rolled over to lie where Angel was, doing her innocent look again. "Why, lover, need you ask? I only came to see you...I can still do that right? You know you should be a little nicer. After all, I did just kill Faith..."

"You turned her?"

Buffy burst out laughing and sat up. "Do I *look* like an idiot to you? Good lord, Angel. She would have been a terrible vampire, and I don't want her coming after you like a desperate--"

"I get the point," Angel cut her off bitterly. "Now go."

Buffy slid off the bed, walking slowly up to him and slid her arms around his waist. "Now you know you don't want me to do that, you want me here..." She raised her head an inch to view his face better and smiled grimly. "What I say gets to you, and you like it."

Angel kept his stoic, calm facade up as best he could. This was a tough act to play.

"Come on, Soul Man. Just admit it. Maybe I'll go."

"Maybe?" Angel questioned back, narrowing his eyes.

"Or maybe it's just a little annoying..." Buffy shrugged and slumped back on the bed, twirling a red strand of hair around her finger. "The old me was a lot like that, but there's no going back there. I mean please, think of all the *love* you had for her. Little Innocent Buffy, tromp around slaying vampires...it's all really pathetic."

"It was a good cause," Angel slowly replied.

"It was," Buffy said dryly. "Night after night, slave away to the dark forces...'keep humanity safe' kind of bull shit. Well, I got sick of it. Fast. Especially you, oh yeah I loved you to the depth of my heart. When it beat. You hurt a lot, inside. I just want a little revenge, maybe an added bonus. It's not like you're a bad looker. I can claim to have had good taste."

"You never stop talking do you?" Angel shot her a look and left to the living room, anything to get her words out of his mind. They were *really* starting to plague him now. He decided this wasn't the best place to keep his mentality in tact, so he went off to find Giles and see if he could help him either curse her or...the alternative...

---

Giles opened the door sleepily to see Angel standing there, glancing around as if someone had followed him.

"Everything all right?" Giles asked curiously.

"No, everything's not."

"What could possibly be wrong?"

"Giles, you don't...you don't know? They didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"Buffy -- she's--"

"Right here," Buffy said while brushing past Angel. "Right here" is Buffy's favorite little phrase now, so deal with it. Yes, I'm being critical leave me alone. I'm okay, honest. "Just fine and dandy. Anything wrong?"

It dawned on Angel she'd been manipulating Giles into thinking she was still human. *Come on Giles, does she dress like that regularly to you?* He probably thought it was normal for a teenage girl like Buffy to just up and change her style once she'd been assumed dead for the past two days. The British...

"Oh nothing," Angel said between his teeth and then latched on to the back of Buffy's neck with his hand. "I think we have some business to go do, wouldn't you say, Buffy?"

"Actually I was going to talk to Giles abou--"

He cut her off and spun her around, pushing her forward before glancing back to Giles. "I'll talk to you later."

"But I want to talk to Giles, now, Angel." Buffy easily shoved Angel aside and went up to Giles. "He's just acting a little weird lately and --" Her eyes traveled down to the crossbow he held by her chest. "Giles...?"

"Don't think I haven't been informed of this, Buffy."

"Informed of what?" She snapped back.

"Step aside, Angel is..."

"What!?" Angel whirled around, now seeing the crossbow aimed for him. "Giles! She's playing you! Look at her! Does she seem normal to you?"

"Get inside, Buffy." Giles warned.

"Giles! You aren't going to -- you know? Are you?" Then she realized she just got herself a nice little invitation and scampered inside. She came back out just to give Angel a mock-gaze. "Just leave him, we'll make a plan soon."

"For god sake's Giles, she's a vampire! Check her for a pulse!" Angel started forward only to back right up again from Giles hinting he still had the crossbow.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Angel." Buffy said innocently. "Or should I say Angelus?"

"I'm not Angelus! Why can't you see that?" Angel thought quick of a point he could make. "When could I have lost my soul? Hmm? I'd only be with Buffy, no one can do a spell as far as we know to take it away..."

"We don't know how pelvic you and Faith ever got," Buffy said coldly. "You could have gone after her."

Angel shot her a look and then relented. "I'm sorry about that, but I never touched her. Not like that."

"And you expect me to believe you?" Buffy asked hurtfully.

"If you trust me, you would." Angel said, trying not to grin. Oh yeah, he got her here.

"How can I trust a monster?" Buffy retorted. She got him there.

"Look, I don't care who's who here…Buffy get inside, Angel leave." Giles said tersely.

Buffy smiled smugly and tugged Giles inside. "Yes, we have to talk."

"Giles -- you're making a mistake!" Angel started for the door when Giles slammed it in his face. Angel didn't just want to walk in, even if he was invited…it was improper. At least it was until he heard a thud against the door and serious gagging. He barged in, nearly falling under Giles as he was tossed through the door.

"Yes, Giles, big mistake." Buffy chided.

Giles was out cold from the blow Buffy gave him to the head. Angel was about to go in after Buffy when she whipped out the crossbow, smirking.

"You know how good I was with this before, Angel. Wanna see my accuracy now?"

"Do I get a choice?"

"Yes, actually. You know I really couldn't kill you, unlike Angelus I admit my feelings. I feel frightened, I feel scared, and I feel hurt. When I'm around you. Only you have this profound effect on me Angel, I hate it intensely. I don't know if getting rid of you will help, but that's a step I'm not willing to make. No, my revenge is going to be sought out just by torment. I'm sure you know that method well."

Angel lowered his head, replying shamefully. "You know which nerves to hit…"

"I learned from the best," Buffy said bitterly.

"That wasn't me, and you know it."

"Just like it's not really Buffy who's talking to you now? Well, maybe it is what it is. But my words kill you just the same, and you know it."

Giles slowly got to his feet and stared at Buffy, mortified. "She is a vampire…I…"

"Should have known?" Buffy finished in her old chipper tone. "Yeah, well, guess all the Watcher's weren't born geniuses. Then again most Watcher's don't get fired either. Then those that stay around to keep helping well, obviously they don't do a good enough job."

Giles bit back a comeback and looked at Angel, completely haggard. "I suppose she does know how to get one when he's down."

"I'm going to go now, I have visitors. I promised them a Slayer and I regrettably kept her to myself, so I'm going to bring them a snack. So, don't try to follow me." Buffy tossed the crossbow aside and strode confidently past Giles and Angel.

Giles reached to catch her arm and pull her back so they could tie her up in the back but she whirled around on him and punched him in the face harshly. Giles was sent stumbling back against the wall. Buffy gave Angel a warning look and stomped away.

Angel knelt down by Giles, examining the damage. "Can you stand?"

Giles started to sit up and hissed from the whirling sensation. "Yes, but…I may in need for a new prescription of glasses, she must have knocked me down a couple of lenses…"

Angel managed a laugh at that and helped Giles stand. "I'll go after her," he said while helping him inside. "Just sit over there, I'll get some ice and track her. It's the least I can do."

"I'm terribly sorry about assuming the worst."

Angel went to the fridge, swiping a hand towel off the stove while getting some ice. "Where did you come up with me being Angelus?"

"To see if Buffy bought it, I didn't right out assume she was human when she came to me earlier. I had to be sure, I rather think I should have thought that plan through more thoroughly…"

Angel brought the ice back to him, nodding. "Understandable. She's a good little actress, but I think everyone knows."

"I don't think Wesley knows…or Buffy's mother."

"I'll check on her instead then, she might want her next. The snack, she's bound to have the most hate for her."

"Why is that, do you suppose?"

Angel just gave him a look that explained it all and left.

Part Six

Buffy was seen from a distance skipping over the cracks in the sidewalk on her venture to her mother's house. Angel kept a good distance between them, muttering to himself about the fact that his assumption was right. She was on her way to kill her mother.

Buffy came to a spinning stop at her front door and knocked briskly. Joyce trudged down the stairs and blearily answered the door. She nearly fainted at seeing Buffy looking like a punk in the front door.

"Mom?" Buffy asked innocently. "What's wrong? I--I couldn't just stay gone…I'm the Slayer, it's my duty to keep fighting, you know…"

Joyce frantically pulled Buffy inside and hugged the dickens out of her. She sobbed in her haphazard of hair. "How was that possible? This is so…"

"Bad for you," Buffy said lowly and shoved Joyce back. "Rule one, Mom. Never let a vampire into the house when she wears your daughter's face. Rule two; never trust your daughter when she's been dead for two days. Any questions?"

Joyce backed up, looking long and hard at Buffy. "You mean you're a…"

"Vampire? Yes, that would be the proper term I guess. Can you guess who sired me?"

"I--I don't know anything about your life…like this."

"Come on, it's not hard. I mean he's standing right behind me, aren't you…lover?" Buffy turned casually, seeing Angel attempt to sneak up from the sidewalk. "You forget, even if I'm dead I can still feel you. It's kind of pain when you think about it."

Angel gave a slight pout-y expression as he approached them, which brought an amused look to Buffy. "You're not taking her."

Buffy acted surprised. "I'm not? Why in the world wouldn't I?"

"I won't allow it, she doesn't deserve to die."

"You're really starting to get pathetic on me here, Angel. It's all fairly disappointing, so I think I'm just going to shut you up for awhile. Excuse me, mother." Buffy hopped down off the porch, waltzing right up to Angel and slammed her fist into his face. He flew back against the pavement with a new bloody nose, though he quickly recovered back to his feet and the blood caused his demon face to show.

Buffy too had now gone into "vamp mode", looking mightily happy by seeing his vampiric visage. "You know, if I was desperate I'd have someone find a way to strip your soul from you. I really do miss Angelus, I mean when you played him out alone…ooh, but I guess that's out of the question huh?"

Another fist went barreling for Angel, but he caught this one and whirled Buffy around into his arms, holding her still for the moment. "I'd be too dangerous for you, you couldn't handle that."

Buffy leaned back against him, a grin warming to her lips. "Are you willing to find out?"

Joyce by now had shut the door and locked herself in her room, this was quite disturbing watching the two of them.

Angel let her go and turned her around, looking pretty darned vicious. "Not preferably, Buffy."

"You're weak, you always have been. Never could please me in any way at all, it's tragic. I'll miss you, I promise." Buffy grabbed his arm and swung him into one of the pine trees in the yard and went after him, keeping him up against the trunk easily. "Even I can beat you, what happened to Angelus? The Scourge of Ireland, big tough guy that knew every kind of torture there was? I'm deeply disappointed."

Angel lifted her up off the ground by her arms and spun around, slamming her back against the tree. "He's around here."

"I'm really not interested anymore, actually I'm quite hungry and you ruined my supper. Probably sent her shuddering into the closet, tsk tsk. You should be ashamed of yourself, hurting my mother like that. Then again, that's nothing new to you."

She paused for a minute, now getting a whiff of the blood on his face and the fact that he was completed vamped out. She was hungry so…she wet her finger and wiped off some of the blood and stuck it in her mouth.

"Mm…blood of the sire, better than I thought."

Angel realized the sort of dried blood on his face and backed off from Buffy and went inside the Summer's home to wipe it off. He didn't exactly want her feeding off his face while he tried to stake her already. He noticed in his washing off of the face that Buffy was inside, wandering around the living room.

Angel dried his face off and went to the living room where she by now had sat down. Angel just stood there watching her; fully conscious of the fact that she knew he was there as well.

"I miss this," Buffy said suddenly and looked to Angel, her eyes getting watery. "Why did you do this to me?"

"I…I'm not sure, Buffy. I don't remember ever siring you -- I must have done it on accident, I…"

"Ssh…" She got up and went over to him, hiding her face in his chest. Angel just sort of stood there, not really expecting this. "It's my fault…for falling for you, not staking you when I had the chances…You've had ample chances to do that to me, you know that -- don't you?" She lifted her head to look at him.

"I know…"

"We're just stuck like this aren't we? I'm so screwed up, Angel…" She broke away from him and ran out of the house. Angel simply didn't have the will to go after her. It all would come to an end, sooner or later. He couldn't stake her, none of them could. Their last, and only, resort would be the Curse. How that would affect Buffy was beyond him, but it was a risk that they had to take…in time.

Epilogue

"Uhh…don't be so…hard on yourself, there, Sl--Buffy…" Spike's lame attempt at keeping Buffy appeased. "'S really nothing, happens to the best of us. Right, Dru?"

Dru stayed silent, looking up at the burnt roof of the basement of the factory they were staying in.

"Come on now, say something." Spike pleaded.

"This place 'urts," Dru finally spoke.

Spike blinked and looked back to Buffy. "Yes, there, see? She cares quite a bit. Says the buildings 'urts, tha' says something right?"

"Oh shutup, Spike. I'm going through things here, it isn't something that you can try to be lively about. Why are you trying to be lively? Are you scared that I'll kill you?"

Spike scoffed. "Scared? Hardly, jus' concerned because I know the bloody damage you can cause and I don't fancy being in the crossfire."

"You're not as dumb as I thought, thanks. Hey Dru," Buffy said shifting her attention to the insane vampire.

Drusilla looked at Buffy, blinking. "Yes?"

"Go hunting with me? I bet you're starving too."

Drusilla gave this some thought and nodded. "Yes, h'ngry."

"What about me?" Spike asked.

"We'll bring you back somebody." Buffy got up and headed up the stairs with Drusilla trailing behind.

---

Angel sat uncomfortably around the group in the library. "So, we don't want to curse her?"

Willow lowered her head, frowning. "Buffy would hate us forever…you know that, she wasn't happy being the Slayer, how do you think she'd take being a vampire?"

"So we kill her?" Xander asked loudly. "That's the damn solution? I don't accept that!"

Giles stepped forward. "Calm down, now. This isn't official…I don't…enjoy seeing Buffy like this, but Willow does raise an interesting point."

"Yes, we can't just go around cursing vampires." Wesley said snidely. "It defeats the purpose of keeping the world spinning."

"Do you breathe underneath that tweed?" Xander questioned, eyes narrowed. "This isn't just anyone, this is Buffy. Our best friend. She's a good asset anyway, regardless of being a vampire or not -- you saw it yourself Willow. She caught that crossbow bolt so easily and…how quick she killed Faith. We can't just leave her like that!"

"I know…it's just, confusing." Willow replied sheepishly. "I want her back too…"

Angel zoned out, Buffy's words ringing in his head. "I'm so screwed up…" However sharply she phrased it, there was something up. This revelation brought him out of his reverie.

"Buffy…she…we fought at her house, and she stopped being the demon. I don't know what exactly happened, she…Giles, look up what happens to Slayers as vampires. If it's ever happened, there might be a loophole."

"Mr. Giles?" Wesley cleared his throat. "I believe I am the W--"

"Oh shutup already," Xander cut him off.

Cordelia who had been sitting quietly for the moment grew furious with Xander. "Let him talk!"

"Stop it!" Willow argued. "This isn't solving anything! We just need a little bit of time. Angel, can you keep Buffy at bay? As long as she doesn't really kill anything we'll be fine…I don't want to curse her with her regretting deaths, she could Faith-it."

Angel nodded. "I'll watch her. It's the least I can do." With that, he left in search of Buffy to keep her remaining innocence intact.

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