Xander Harris ran down the hallway's of Sunnydale High. He was late for his science class and the new teacher was a real pain. As he rounded a corner he collided head first with the only person he really did not want to see. Principal Snyder fell dazed to the floor and muttered. "When I get up and take a good look at who you are...." Xander did not need much encouragement as he turned right on his heels and ran to the classroom, despite Principal Snyder's screaming protests.

Well, all he got was a detention slip so that morning run had been for nothing. He sat down and gazed at the seat beside him. Buffy Summers sat with her eyes to the front, but Xander could see that she was not paying any attention to what the teacher was saying. Then again, neither was anyone else. "Buffy, what's up?" He whispered, noticing her sad mood. She took one look in his direction and he did not need to be told that she was thinking about Angel formally now known as Angelus again.

It had been only two weeks since Ms.Calendar's death and no one in the Slayerettes group, especially the slayer, was really over it. Buffy felt responsible for what had happened to Ms.Calendar. After all, if she had killed him when she had the chance, none of this would have happened. It almost seemed now that death had consumed most of her life. When she had lost her life to the Master she had felt that Angel was the only thing that kept her going. His love, and now even that was gone and Buffy felt like she was completely alone.

She spent the rest of her periods in different classes daydreaming of what her life had been before she had found out that she was the chosen one. Then in the middle of her math class Giles burst into the classroom and asked for permission to pull Buffy out for a moment. Buffy was curious because he seemed very exited. He ushered her into the library and had her sit down. "Now, Buffy I'm going to tell you what I just found out and I want you to stay calm and most of all don't tell anyone." Buffy looked at him oddly and spoke. "Giles, will you just get to the point, I feel like I'm in a therapy session." "Oh, Hmmm, yes, alright this is very important." he stammered. "Get on with it," she said in an impatient tone. "I think it would be best if I just showed you first and explained later," he said as his voice got lower. He turned his head toward the office. "I think it's best that we wait until sunset though."

So they waited and Giles spent the rest of the day explaining that he had a plan on how to give Angelus his soul back. He had just found the answer in an ancient book known as The Necranomicon-Book of the Dead.

Buffy thought that the title suited the book perfectly. It seemed that when the Master had bitten her in his cavern he had intentions to turn her into a vampire but drank too much of her blood. However it is said that for a full vampire switch there needs to be a transfusion of blood from both ends.

When the Master bit Buffy, it seem that from so many feedings his saliva contained small amples of blood and he accidentally passed it into her body while he drank. So that would mean that not only did Buffy have the superhuman strength of a slayer, but she had partly the strength of a vampire as well. Buffy was part vampire.

Buffy almost passed out when Giles told her that. She had to breathe deeply to keep from sobbing out of control. What had that monster done to her? She felt that whatever had been left of her life.....was ruined. Giles explained that what the master had not known was that even if he had succeeded in making Buffy a full vampire she would still be...well, Buffy.

A slayer's will was stronger that a normal human's and the demon would not be able to takeover. Buffy listened intensely as Giles explained that if she could be turned fully into a vampire then she would be able to give Angelus back his soul. You see if a soulless vampire is bitten a second time then the demon that hold's him captive is passed on to the vampire that bit him and the vampire becomes twice as strong and evil. Only in Buffy's case is she was strong enough she would be able to overcome the second demon and the result would be Angelus to Angel.

Only their was a small catch in his plan. The master had to be the one to make Buffy a full vampire because only the vampire that first bit her for the first time would be able to do it. Buffy sighed. "We can't Giles, I killed the master." Giles gave her a gentle smile and looked toward the office. It was sunset. ShowTime! "You can come out now," he said in a loud voice. Buffy stepped forward in wonder as a figure stepped out of the shadow's in the office. She took a deep breath and fainted.

Buffy moaned and rubbed her head. Her eyes were still closed. Someone took her by the shoulders and laid her head back onto a pillow. "Shhhhh, don't move your head," the figure exclaimed. The voice sounded familiar. "Giles?" She asked in a groan. "No, don't be frightened, I won't harm you," the figure answered her. Buffy's eyes flew open as she recognized the voice. She was face to face with the master.

The next couple of second's were a blur. Buffy screaming and jumping off the couch in a daze. Giles running back into the library and calming her. She attempting to stake the master and Giles stopping her. "What the hell are you doing, let me go," Buffy screamed at Giles. "It's alright Buffy, he won't harm anyone. He's regained his soul," Giles cried out. Buffy froze and looked at him. The master walked over to her slowly and she watched in shock as he gently pulled the stake out of her hand and took her hands in his own. "Listen to me," he spoke. "I'm not going to hurt you, when you get your life back, you get everything that comes with it." He slowly took her back to the couch she had been sitting on and laid her down, covering her with a blanket. Seeing that she had fallen asleep. He watched her for a moment and wondered why he had ever wanted to kill her so much. He shook his head off the terrible memories and walked over to Giles. "We should let her rest for a while," Giles said. "Yes, she is in a bit of a shock," the master agree with him. "Strange, I feel like I'm responsible for her," the master said. "It's natural," Giles answered. "Hmmm, she's like the daughter I never had." the master said smiling.

Buffy spent the night in the library. She slept soundly and the master spent most of the night sitting on a chair watching her sleep. Thankfully, Giles had supplied him with a pair of blood bags. Giles had considered calling Mrs.Summers but then remembered that Buffy had told him that her mother was at an art convention somewhere and would be gone for three days.

The master felt frustrated. What kind of feelings did he have towards Buffy? He knew it was not hate. Not anymore. It was more of a partial love. Somewhat a kind of love a father would have for a daughter. He didn't want to think it was anything more them that. But deep down, he knew it was. Early the next day Buffy awoke and remembered what had happened. Giles was not in the library and she wondered if the master was in Gile's office.

She slowly walked over. She was not holding a stake or even a cross. What had happened the night before had convinced her that the master would not hurt her. She quietly opened the door to the office and peeked inside. It was incredibly dark because Giles had covered the window's with black plastic bags. He had also dragged a small couch inside. On it lay the master. He was turned onto his back and slept soundly. She walked over to him and recalled how ruthless he had been when she had come down into the caverns. When now he was so.....gentle, and kind. She smiled and set at the end of the couch. "Hmmm," he tossed in his sleep. < I wonder if he's dreaming? > she thought to herself. He still had his vampire face on and Buffy realized he could not remove it.

Buffy glanced at the clock on the wall and realized her first class would start in less then ten minutes. < Better go > she thought. She slowly got up and headed for the door. Taking one last look at her new ally she slipped out and headed for class, locking the door behind her.

During lunch, Buffy crept back to the library. Giles had supplied her with a key to get in. He was currently at a staff meeting and would be gone for and hour. Buffy took out the key and slipped inside. What she didn't notice was Xander and Willow hiding behind a corner watching her. "What do you think is up with her?" Xander asked Willow with concern. "I dont know, maybe we should talk to her," Willow replied. Xander nodded and they proceeded quietly after Buffy.

Buffy walked over to the office and slowly opened the door. She went inside and shut the door. "Hello?" She asked the darkness. "Hello, how are you?" She heard the master reply. Buffy was surprised that he was awake. "I'm alright," she answered. "I didn't think that you would be awake." "I'm full of surprises," he said, giving her a light smile. "No kidding," she muttered. She sat down on to the couch and closed her eyes. "Don't worry," he said as he sat down next to her. "We'll get Angel back his soul." "Did you just by any chance....." she didn't get to finish. "....read you're thought's?" He asked chuckling. Buffy shook her head and laughed.

Meanwhile Xander and Willow were inside the library listening to their conversation. "Buffy's got a new boyfriend?" Xander whispered. "Well, she must like him a lot to tell him about Angel," Willow said amazed. They slowly got up and walked over to the office. Xander opened the door and they went in. "God, Buffy turn on a light," he said as he reached to pull down one of the garbage bags. "Xander? Oh, no don't touch that," she cried out. Xander slowly drew his hand away, surprised by her sudden outburst. "Ooookay!"

Buffy came over to him and took him by the arm. "Xand, Will, I would like you to meet my new friend," she spoke nervously. The master approached them and Xander screamed. He immediately drew a stake from somewhere hidden in his jacket and jumped at the master. "Stop, Xander stop it!" Buffy screamed and picked him up by the collar. Willow just stared at the master in silent shock. "Wha....," she stammered. "It's alright, let me explain," Buffy said calmly. When she was done telling them what had happened, they looked at the master again. "I can't believe this is the same guy that killed you," Xander said. "I very deeply apologize for what I did, but I had no control," the master said sadly. Just then Giles walked in.

"Buffy, I thought I told you not to tell anyone," he spoke angrily. Buffy sighed and explained what had happened.

"Well never the less, It's time we got started for our plan," Giles said seriously. They waited until nightfall and then left Buffy and the master to deal with the first part of the plan. "Are you sure you want to do this?" Buffy asked. "I should be asking you that," he said. "No, I'm ready," she spoke. "Don't worry, I promise It won't hurt," he said giving her a reassuring look. She nodded and stepped forward. He brought his hand up to her neck and carefully brushed some of her hair to one side. The he tilted her neck back and bit her. Buffy closed her eyes momentarily. He was right It didn't hurt. The first time he had bitten her it was like someone was grasping at her mind. But now he seemed careful.

When the whole procedure was done he carefully tilted her chin back and looked into her eyes. "Listen to me, you are Buffy Summers, the slayer, come out," he said loudly. Buffy's eyes widened, her body convulsed and she fell to the floor in pain. "Fight it, do you understand? Fight it," the master screamed. Her cries of pain filled the chilly night air, but soon turned to screams and howls as she fought the demon attempting to posess her mind. She gave off one last screech and then lay still. The master ran over to her side and picked her up. "Buffy?" he asked. She opened her eyes and smiled.

"Are you alright?'' he asked sounding worried. "I think so," she said as she slowly reached toward her face. She felt the form of her flesh and fangs. She cried out in shock. The master took her in an embrace and hugged her. He carried her to Gile's house and knocked on the door. Giles opened it and stared at Buffy. "Ahem?" The master eyed him. "Oh....oh, yes come in, come in," Giles ushered them both in. "Buffy are you alright?" he asked. "Yeah, I'm fine," she replied as the master sat her down nearby on a chair. Buffy and the master spent the night there and the next night Buffy went in search of Angelus.

The master accompanied her. They reached the factory and the master stopped her. "Whatever happens, I need you to know something," he whispered. < God, how can I tell her? > "Whatever happens to us, I just want you to know that I'll always be here for you," he said smiling. He caressed her face and gave her another long hug. He then took her hands and smiled.

She smiled back and gave him a light kiss on the lips. "Thank you, I won't forget this," she said as a tear went down her cheek.

They then both entered the factory and crept down the corridors until they found Angelus. He had just fed and was fast asleep. Spike and Drucilla were probably still out hunting. Buffy slowly went towards him and put on her vampire face. She leaned down and before he could make a move, bit him in the neck. Buffy shut her eyes and cried.

She shakily stood up as she felt the demon slide into her. She fought him with all the will she had left. But it did not look good. Angel had passed out and the master watched silently. She screamed. This was not like the first demon. This one had experience. She was going to lose. "Think Buffy," she heard the master scream out. "Think about Angel, do this for him." Buffy winced. She thought about Angel, the master, Giles, her friends, and her life. The remembered all the good and bad memories. And last of all, she recalled Ms.Calender's death. She suddenly felt as though a great weight had lifted off her heart and she sighed. The demon was gone and Buffy was alive. Well, partially.

Suddenly Buffy noticed the small speks of light in the horizon. She ran over to Angel and the master helped her pick him up and they carried him outside to a sewer. She jumped in and the master passed her Angel. She dragged his body into the shadows and then waited for her friend to jump down too. But he didn't. As she stared up at him, she watched him take a longing look at the sky and smile. He looked down at her and mouthed "I love you." Then as Buffy watched horrified the rays of the sun peeked over the hilltops and the master put the manhole back onto the sewer. He took one last look at the sky and sighed. The sun came out and he disintegrated into a small pile of ashes.

The next night Buffy and Angel came back to the spot where the master had laid down to rest and Buffy picked up his ashes in a small jar. Then they headed to Sunnydale's lookout point and she released the ashes. They flew into the air and as the last trace of them disappeared Buffy looked down toward her own and then separately at each of her friend's houses and bid them each a silent goodbye. Then under the moonlight she and Angel kissed. Hand in hand they went down the hill and out of Sunnydale. They had a lot of catching up to do, but they took there time. After all, they had forever to catch up. As they were leaving Sunnydale a single word could be heard in the breeze. "Goodbye."