RATING: If you watch Buffy, this is fine.
DISTRIBUTION: My site and Land of Denial Archive, anywhere else please ask
NOTE: I sent out part of this as Untitled a while back, but after some feedback and suggestions, I decided to change things around some.
SUMMARY: This is a sequel to my first fic "When Reality and Fiction areReversed." It would help if you read that first since this picks up right where it left off. You can find it here: http://www8.50megs.com/banana/buffy/fanfic.html
But since I sent it out like a year ago now, I'll give a re-cap for those who need a refresher: Buffy and Sarah switched places and spent a day in the other's world. While in the real world Buffy gets a hold of an S/I tape and a Passion script, neither of which have happened yet in her world. Now, Buffy's back in her world and she finds out the previous day was not a dream.
FEEDBACK: I'll love ya for it! And I'll be patient this time too.

Part 1:

Sarah was in the process of getting ready when there was a knock at her door. She opened it and was surprised to find Alyson on the other side.

"Hey."

"Morning," the red haired actress said cheerfully. She was glad to find Buffy awake and dressed already. "How was your night? Did you sleep well?"

"I'm a little tired," Sarah confessed, "But what are you doing here?" She let the other girl inside and Sarah shut the door behind them.

"I'm taking you to the set, remember? Sarah has an early call and you're gonna have to go in her place." Alyson saw the furrowed brow and lost expression on the girl's face and quickly added, "I know it'll be weird pretending to be Sarah pretending to be you, but if you just act like yourself maybe-"

Sarah's hand went up motioning for her friend to stop. "What? Pretending to be me, pretending to." She shook her head still not understanding "Why are you talking about me like I'm not in the room? Did you get enough sleep last night cuz you are making no sense. Oh." She stopped. Her dream from the night before popping into her mind. There was no way. Either she was still sleeping or.

"Wait a minute! It's you again, isn't it? Sarah?" the other girl asked hopefully.

All she got was a slow nod and then she embraced the blonde in a hug. "Oh thank god! I was so worried we'd never figure out a way to get you back. It was just all too bizarre and I didn't even want to think about it."

"It really wasn't just a dream then?" Sarah finally asked letting it all sink in.

"No, Buffy was here in your place and everything. So you just woke up in your bed again this morning? Like nothing happened?"

"Pretty much. You don't think we just hallucinated it all or something do you?"

A smile crept on Aly's face. "Thinking our head's are messed up would seem more logical huh?"

"Oh yeah."

"Sorry to say, but I talked to David this morning and he remembers yesterday with the real Buffy too. Unless all three of us are crazy that is."

The two actresses laughed at that.

"Wow. There's a real Sunnydale out there somewhere! What we act. it's actually their lives. All those demons and horrors. They really do deal with that."

"Yeah. But at least things are back to the way they're supposed to be. I don't even want to contemplate the idea of alternate universes or how this all happened in the first place. It pretty much puts into question everything I believe to be real and not real." Alyson admitted.

"I know what you mean. And yeah, Buffy's back where she belongs. She's with her friends and the people that love her."

***

She hadn't even noticed Willow Rosenberg who stood waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Buffy strode down quickly with her bag slung over her shoulder.

"Hey!" she said surprised when she finally looked up and saw her best friend. "What are you doing here? Were we going to walk to school togethertoday?"

Willow looked at her curiously, her mouth opened slightly, but she didn't speak. Buffy continued assuming that look had been a confirmation, "Sorry, it must have slipped my mind. I had a pretty sucky night."

"I'm sorry." Willow figured girl was still freaked out about the pervious day's sudden events. "Although, it's understandable," she added trying to offer her support. "Did Angel leave before dawn or is he still here?"

"Angel? Angel's not here. Why would you think he'd be here?" Buffy asked as the two girls approached the front door.

"Sarah, you asked him to stay the night, remember?"

"I did no- Sarah?" Buffy groaned and threw her hands up in the air. "I thought I was done with this nightmare!"

"Are you ok? You know, Giles is trying his hardest to figure out-"

"Look, I don't know who you are: Willow, Aly, shapeshifting demon,WHATEVER, but I'm Buffy. NOT Sarah and NO, I'm not ok! I just want this to end," Buffy cried. She didn't think she could take much more of this.

"Buffy?!" Willow asked a hint of hope in her voice. With an outburst like that, maybe this really was her friend.

"Yes, Buffy. I thought I cleared that up."

"Oh, thank God," Willow embraced her friend into a tight hug. "There was this girl here, just like you! Her name was-"

"Sarah," Buffy finished. Willow only nodded and Buffy ran her fingersthrough her hair tiredly. "Let me guess. Actress. Works on some TV show that just happens to be about my life."

"Yep, that would be her. Were you in her world? That's what we assumed."

"Yeah. It was so weird, Willow. They know everything about us. They act it out and people call it entertainment! My pain and misery is a good story line for them." Buffy said dryly.

Willow nodded sympathetically at the Slayer. "We're just glad you to have you back. I'm guessing Sarah's back where she belongs too."

"Yeah, she probably woke up this morning in her own bed, just like I woke up in my mine. I thought it was only a dream.." She let the words hang as a sudden painful realization shot through her. A dream. She'd written off the previous day as dream and believing that it hadn't been real. A jumble of images flashed through her mind. That meant what she saw on those tapes...

"Oh God." Buffy gasped. She could already feel the tears threatening to spill. She frantically began searching the contents of her bag.

"Buffy? What's wrong?" Willow asked as soon as she saw the stricken look on her face.

The Slayer dashed back up the stairs not finding what she was looking for. She threw her bedroom door open and her eyes scanned the room hurriedly. "They have to be here somewhere," she muttered. "Where are they?!"

"Buffy, what are you looking for? What is it?" Willow followed, but Buffy only ignored her questions.

A second later Buffy was on all fours by the side of her bed. She flung the cotton sheets hanging off her un-made bed out of the way. A choked sob escaped her throat and Willow saw her friend reach under the bed for something. A videocassette was clutched in Buffy's hand as she stood up slowly.

"Buffy, tell me what is going on," Willow pleaded. Buffy's pale face gave reason for concern.

Buffy silently sat down on the edge of her bed. Her voice was quiet when she finally spoke.

"They're episodes. of the show. Everything they've acted has happened here, Will. Two of these episodes haven't happened yet."

"It's like seeing the future. Giles warned us about that. He didn't let Sarah tell us anything."

"Well, I already saw them." She nodded sadly and a tear spilled down her cheek. She wiped it away hastily and stood up. "There's something I need to do. Tell everyone I'm ok. I'll meet you guys at school later and explain everything."

Willow tried to protest, but she was silenced.

"Later, I promise." Grabbing her bag, Buffy stuffed the tape inside and made her way out of the room and then out of the house.

**

Part 2:

The insistent knocking on his door drug Angel out of his light sleep. He'd come home just barely before dawn and finally managed to get some rest. His mind couldn't seem to do much more than worry about Buffy. They didn't know for sure where she was or what had happened to her. He only hoped that maybe they'd found something.

Angel walked barefoot towards the door as the knocking intensified. What if something was wrong? A million different scenarios flew through his mind. He was surprised he could even come up with anymore.

When he reached the door and pulled it open he found that familiar face that he loved so much staring back at him... except this wasn't his girlfriend he reminded himself.

"Angel." She didn't even give him a chance to think much else before she threw herself into his arms. He instinctively pulled her body close to his own body and she buried her head in the crook of his neck and held on to him desperately. "Sarah, are you-"

"Angel, it's me. Buffy." She whispered to him from the safety of his arms. It was exactly where she'd longed to be. "I'm back. I'm back."

Her soft words calmed his worries and he held her tightly. "Buffy." She was ok. She was safe and she was here with him. Angel kissed her head softly not wanting to ever let her go.

She looked up at him, their arms still holding each other close. Her small warm hands rested on his back. Buffy closed the distance between them before he had a chance to speak. Her lips pressed against his passionately and he responded instantly. He kissed her deeply trying to somehow convey all he felt for her. all the fear and the worry he'd felt for her and how incredibly important her presence in his life was. He knew that with more and more certainty lately. She was everything to him, he just didn't know how to tell her.

She pulled away gasping for air. "I missed you so much. I know it was only a day, but." She kissed him again lightly and pressed her cheek against his cool chest.

"I know, baby. I know exactly what you mean."

***

Alyson grabbed Sarah's arm to pull her aside. They were between takes and she had to tell her what had happened.

"Hey! Aly!" she exclaimed.

"Guess what?" she finally said when they were farther away from all the people.

"What's going on?"

"Remember I told you that David and I showed Buffy that tape?"

"Yeah, the credits because she didn't believe you."

"Right, we took her to my trailer and watched it there. I also had a copy of Surprise/Innocence around, and it's gone," Alyson informed. "She must have taken it when David and I went outside to talk for a minute."

"Are you sure? Maybe you just misplaced it?"

"No, it had to have been her and there hasn't been anyone else in my trailer since yesterday."

"So, she knows then?"

"I'm guessing so. If she didn't watch it last night at your place, she probably did today back in Sunnydale."

"Damn. That's rough, you know? Everything's about to get screwed up bad for her and everyone," Sarah said sadly.

"This is entertainment, just a job for us, but Buffy's going to have to live that pain," Alyson added.

"All I have to do is pretend," Sarah responded feeling terrible for the real girl she portrayed.

"She was so angry when she realized that her life, all that horrible stuff she lives through, is something people find fun and interesting to watch Tuesday night's on TV," Alyson remembered.

"And Joss is cruel. You've read the script for Passion. Him and the writers went all out with that one. Makes for great drama, but it's a bitch if you gotta live it."

"And count on Joss coming up with much worse for the finale," Alyson added. "He killed you first season. He'll be looking to top it and I have no doubt that he will."

"He's playing with people's lives and he doesn't even realize it," Sarah sighed. "Maybe."

"Maybe what?"

"Nothing. It's only that I feel so bad for them now. They were all so nice to me. Angel even stayed the night so I'd feel safer!"

"Aww."

"Ooh and he put on his true face for me. David sits through all that make up and Angel did it like that!" She snapped her fingers. "I want to help them," she added after a pause.

"What?! But how?"

"I don't know. Ask Joss to change his entire storyline so everyone's happy?" she answered with a grin.

It gained her a 'yeah right' look from Aly. "He would never, and if he did I have a feeling we'd be out of a job. Happy endings don't usually sell drama television shows."

"Ok, right, but what if he wrote an alternate? Everything that's been written has happened over in that world. We could change it so things aren't as bad. No evil Angel, Jenny lives, Oz doesn't even have to be a werewolf." She pointed out excitedly. "Here everything is the same of course. We follow the original storyline and no one has to know that in the real Sunnydale they got the better a deal."

"How do we know it'll work?" Alyson asked still not convinced. "How can we be sure their world won't still follow what we're acting out instead of this alternate version?"

"We just really, really hope?" she offered weakly. "I don't know! But at least I'll feel like I tried to help."

Alyson smiled slightly at her friend. "So, who's gonna write this new alternate series?"

"I figure it'll only have to be an episode. Just to set it up, and then hopefully they can go from there," she explained. "It's a lot of assumptions on something I barely know anything about, but it sounds logical enough, considering."

"Yeah, ok. It's the best we can do I guess. But you still didn't answer my question. Who's gonna actually write it? Neither of us or David have experience there."

"I'll just have to get Joss or one of the writers to do it," Sarah answered matter of factly. "Don't look at me like that! I'll find a way to convince someone. I hope."

Part 3:

Buffy and Angel sat together in silence on her bed, holding hands. He'd come over that night at her request. She said there was something he needed to see. Now he rubbed her hands gently trying to soothe her. Buffy's sobs had subsided, and Angel was trying to sort out the things he'd seen on that video tape.

"What are we going to do?" Her voice broke the awful silence they'd fallen into.

He squeezed her hand gently. "I don't know," he replied honestly. "But now that we know what can happen, we can at least prevent it."

Buffy looked down, staring at her hands in his. He pulled one hand away to guide her chin up so she was facing him. Their eyes met and he spoke. "We'll figure something out, Buffy. I'll die before I let myself hurt you."

"He's not you, Angel. I think if one thing is true, it's that. I'm not going to loose you," she said as anger replaced her fear. "This happened for a reason and we're going to find a way around your curse. We have to."

He couldn't help but smile at her sudden determination. It was one of the things he loved about her. In the midst of everything she could still find the courage inside herself to fight the worst of things. He grabbed on to her strength. "We will," he promised her.

"Ms. Calendar," Buffy said remembering the script she'd found. "She's our only chance."

"I still can't believe she's Romany," Angel said in amazement. "You really think she'll be able to change my curse? She said that those magics were lost."

"I know, but I read a script. Sarah had it in her room. It's an episode they haven't filmed yet. In it, Ms. Calendar finds the curse. She was going to be able to give you your soul back. But."

"But what? If she can do it then-"

"He killed her. Angelus killed her before she got a chance to tell anyone. And I was so horrible to her. Her and Giles were so close to making it work."

"She's not going to die, Buffy. She's going to help us fix this. And don't beat yourself up for something that hasn't even happened. You know now that Jenny couldn't control it. You won't have to make that mistake."

"Ok, so we'll talk to her."

"Right, tomorrow night we'll go see her."

"Angel?" she asked softly. "What about us? Where does this leave us in the meantime?"

"We be careful. Don't let things go too far."

"Right," she said pulling away from him. She stood and wrapped her arms around herself. "Besides, who knows if it'll even turn out to be all that great."

"Buffy!" He looked up at her shocked.

"You heard what he said, Angel. I mean, it's understandable. I've never-"

"He said that to hurt you, Buffy." He placed his hands on her shoulders and looked at her seriously. "Angelus sadistic bastard who gets off on causing people pain. He said those things to deliberately hurt you. I would never. You made me happy. No one else in 100 hundred years, but you. I think I would take that as a compliment."

Buffy looked at him, absorbing in his words. Some of her insecurities slipping away...

"Just imagining what it would be like to share something so special with you. to know that you'd even want to be with me. knowing what I am, it's more than I ever expected."

Her cheeks blushed furiously under his intense gaze. "Of course I want to be with you. I just wish you'd stop thinking of yourself as a monster. When I look at you, all I see is the man I love more than anything."

"Thank you then. for loving me. And you know what? I'm not going to let it take almost loosing you to tell you how I feel. I love you. So much. It's something I can't even describe."

Buffy felt her heart fill up with his words of devotion. Surprising herself at little, she grinned wickedly and leaned in closer to him. much closer. "Well. if things work out, you won't have to. You can just show me."

***

Part 4:

The Scooby gang had gathered in the library upon Buffy's request the next night. They'd all been relieved to have her back. Willow had filled them in on her strange behavior that morning and were all been anxious to find out what was happening.

So Buffy told them about being in Sarah's world and she'd let them know about video tapes. She'd explained that Spike and Drusilla were alive and told them all about the plans to raise the Judge. Buffy then told them about Xander's idea to use a rocket launcher and that they shouldn't be too worried about the situation. They'd be able to handle it. She just wanted them to know what was going on and remind them to be careful.

The more serious issue of Angel's curse was something the couple wanted to deal with privately first. Xander, Willow and Cordelia had said their goodbyes leaving only Buffy, Angel, Giles and Jenny.

"There's something else we need to talk about," Buffy began. "I didn't want to say anything in front of the others yet." They'd decided it was best to confront Ms. Calendar about her gypsy background without the whole gang present.

The four of them sat at the table in the center of library. Jenny and Giles looked concerned and waited for her to continue.

"It's pretty serious. Makes Spike, Dru and The Judge seem like kinda non-issues."

"Buffy, what is it?" Giles asked as fear crept into him. What could possibly be more pressing a matter than The Judge?

"It's about Angel," Buffy said softly. "It's all on the tapes and unless we can prevent it things will get really ugly."

"We will prevent it," Angel assured. If Jenny couldn't help, there were other ways... they just weren't very appealing ones.

"Right. But we need some help to do that. And there's only one person here who can."

Angel decided to take it from there. "Jenny, we know who you are."

Her eyes went wide for a split second, but she tried to keep her composure. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Janna..." Angel began.

She stole a quick glance at Giles, afraid of his reaction to all this. At the moment he looked rather confused.

"Please, I'd rather have you tell the story then us," Angel told her. "I'm not angry..."

"I don't quite understand." Giles said, "What exactly are you getting at?"

"I'm a gypsy." Jenny said finally. "Romany."

"What?" Giles turned to her, a look of shock on his face.

"I'm from the tribe that cursed Angel. I was sent here to watch him. To make sure he was suffering for what he did," she said the last part softly.

"You mean you've been lying to all of us?" Giles realized. It was obvious he was hurt by the revelation.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't... I have specific orders. I have a duty to my people," she tired to explain. "But it does not mean that I don't care about you all."

"So the only reason you're here is because of Angel? All of it was an assignment given to you by your tribe?"

"Giles, don't." Buffy began.

"No!" Jenny exclaimed. "I'm not here just because of that! At first that was the reason, but I got to know all of you. You became my friends and you Rupert are- "

"Stop," he interrupted her. "Don't say anymore." He got up slowly and went to his office leaving her stunned.

Jenny sighed watching him close the door behind him. She turned back to Buffy and Angel. "How much do you know?"

"More than you actually. I'm sorry we had to do this, but there was no other way," Buffy said. "Don't worry about Giles. I'll talk to him. He'll understand."

Ms. Calendar nodded, grateful the Slayer was willing to help. Then she turned to the vampire, "Angel, I am so sorry. My people they don't- they haven't seen what I have here. I'll tell them that you've changed."

"I know, Jenny. I told you I'm not angry. I have no right to be. I just needed to get all this out in the open because I need your help."

"My help for what? I think my family has done enough already."

"You don't know the half of it," Buffy muttered.

"It's all on the tapes Buffy had, Jenny. It turns out that my curse has a clause and we were going to have to find out the hard way. Even you didn't know about it until it was too late."

"What happened?"

"I changed. If I ever experience a moment of true happiness, of peace where I stop suffering, I loose my soul."

"Oh my God. That's supposed to happen?"

Buffy nodded, "Your uncle came to Sunnydale. He told you to keep Angel and I apart. He didn't explain what would happen and you couldn't have stopped it anyway."

"I know it's a lot," Angel said to her, "but you're the only one we can turn to right now. If somehow you could change my curse, take out the clause..." he suggested.

"I don't know. I would gladly do it, Angel, but I don't know if I can. I'd have to have the original curse and from what I know it doesn't exist anymore."

"But you can do it," Buffy insisted. "I read a script of another episode and you found the curse. You found a way to translate it. The spell wasn't actually written in the script, but you did it. There was some program you used..."

"If you're so sure, I guess I can try. The last thing I want is Angelus around. I can't promise anything though, and you'll have to be patient."

"Don't worry, we will be. And we'll help in whatever we can, like with research and stuff," Buffy offered.

"Thank you, Jenny. Even if it doesn't... it means so much that you're even willing. I know it's a lot to ask of you."

"I'll do everything I can."

***

"Now what do you think?" Buffy demanded, "Do you see her point of view?"

Although she'd explained the situation about Angel's curse to her Watcher, he was still being stubborn about Ms. Calendar. Buffy's last resort had been to force him to watch the episodes himself. Of course she'd had to do a little fast forwarding at certain private parts...

"Buffy, she lied to me. You can't expect me to forget that." Giles was hurt by the fact that she hadn't trusted him enough to tell him the truth. And doubts clouded his mind, telling him that maybe her feelings for him weren't genuine after all.

"Giles, don't be like this," Buffy pleaded. "Look how horrible I was to her. I blamed her for what happened to Angel, when she couldn't have even stopped it. I made a mistake, and I don't want to you to do the same."

"I'm not angry for the same reasons you were. How can I possibly trust her again?"

"Look she screwed up, ok, but you need to forgive her. At least talk to her. It's not worth losing her over."

"Buffy, I appreciate that you're interested in helping, but honestly I don't think this is any of your business," Giles told her finally fed up with her insistence. "I don't want to hear anything else from you about it. It's between Ms. Calendar and I."

"Fine, I didn't want to do this, but obviously it's the only way." This would have to get to him. "She's supposed to die, Giles. Angelus snaps her neck! It's all in that script. While we were busy snubbing her and blaming her for everything, she was secretly trying to find a way to curse Angel again. She did it, he found out, and he murdered her."

Giles stared at his slayer, his face hard, but obviously effected by her words. "You finally forgave her, but it was too late. He left her dead body in your bed. You don't know what can happen tomorrow, Giles. I know you care about her, so don't let her go. You're getting a second chance here. We all are. I'm making the most of mine, and I think you should too."

With that she left his office, leaving him to ponder her words.

Part 5:

"This is... wow." Alyson said, holding the script in her hands.

"It really is," David agreed.

"So you think it's good?" Sarah asked. "You think they'll be pleased?"

"Oh yeah." Aly nodded.

"I can't believe you did this already!" David said amazed.

"I told you I'd help those two out," Sarah grinned proud of herself.

"Who did you end up convincing to write this?" the red haired actress asked.

Sarah only laughed. "Not telling. My secret."

"Fine. This more than I expected actually," Aly admitted.

David smiled. "Yeah, on behalf of Angel: thanks."

"Well, I figured, while I'm at it why not go all the way? Everything else is so screwed up in Buffy's life, at least she can have this to count on."

"I agree, they deserve to be happy. And I liked that you left the end open," Aly added.

"Right, so they can make their own ending not dictated by what someone else wrote."

"Well now that we've done all we can, let's just hope it works," David told the girls.

Sarah nodded. "Keep your fingers crossed."

***

Buffy lay content in her boyfriends arms. They'd done an early patrol of the cemetery and then headed over to her house. Joyce was working one of her many late nights at the gallery, so when Angel walked Buffy home, she'd asked him to stay for a while.

They were lying on her bed together in the dark. They were tired tonight. Not only from having killed a few vampires, but things had been a little hectic lately. The gang knew about the curse now and they were all doing their best to help Ms. Calendar in everything they could. But it was getting frustrating, since even with the non stop research, they hadn't gotten very far at all.

Buffy and Angel's growing feelings for each other weren't making things any easier either, but they were both very clear on the consequences of letting things go further. For now just being together as much as they could would have to be enough.

"Oh, I didn't tell you," Buffy remembered. Her head rested comfortably on his shoulder and a hand lay on his chest.

Angel's eyes were closed, just enjoying the feel of her in his embrace. Her warmth, and the soft sound of her heart beat... "What?"

"Guess who I found smooching in the library today?"

Angel smiled, "Would it be a certain Watcher and gypsy?"

"Yep. Normally I would have been a little disturbed with the whole scene, but I have to admit they're kinda cute." Her hand roamed across his chest, feeling the silky fabric of his shirt. "I'm glad they worked things out. They really care about each other."

"I'm glad too. I knew he'd come around, especially after everything you said to him."

"Yeah," she sighed. "He's was being so difficult. He didn't give me much of a choice."

"So, next week," Angel began, changing the topic. "It's your birthday already."

"Yes it is." Buffy said with little enthusiasm. "I guess I'd be a little more excited if we didn't have to deal with the whole Judge thing."

"It'll be fine. We're a step ahead, Buffy. There's no need to worry." He kissed her hair lightly.

"I know, I know. It's just annoying that they had to pick my birthday of all days to raise that big Smurf," she complained. Where was the birthday fun if she had to be slaying a demon that sucked the humanity out of you?

"Well after we deal with that, what do want to do? The whole surprise party idea got ruined, but we still have to do something special." Angel and her friends were determined to give Buffy a happy 17th birthday. It would be nothing like the one she saw on those tapes.

"Doesn't matter what we do," she told him. "As long as I get to spend it with you and my friends, it'll be good."

"Hmm, we'll come up with something fun to get your mind off of things," he promised.

"Wanna get my mind off of things now?" the Slayer suggested. She shifted her body so she could see his face. The moonlight that poured into her room allowed her to see a small smile creep onto his features.

Angel spoke seriously however. "You know we shouldn't tempt things, Buffy."

"Aww, just a little kiss," she begged.

Her pouty look and sad eyes were more than he could resist.

**** Part 6:

"Rupert!" Jenny yelled. "Oh my god, I did it," she whispered to herself.

Giles came hurriedly out of his kitchen and into the living room. "What? What is it?"

Jenny sat at his desk with her laptop. "I think it finally worked," she told him excited.

"The curse? You translated it?" Giles came up behind her. He looked over her shoulder to the computer screen.

"See here's the original text," she pointed to one side of the screen and then the other, "And here it is in English."

"Dear Lord, that dreadful contraption actually did it."

She laughed and turned her head to look at him, "See Rupert, you should have more faith in computers! Now all I have to do is edit the part about the clause and I can do it!"

Giles sighed with relief. After over a month this was finally going to be over "Angel will be very grateful. We have to call him and let him know."

"Yeah, call him. I just need to get a few other things. You have the orb right?"

He nodded. "Perfect. I'll swing by the magic shop and pick up the rest of the things early tomorrow. Then we'll go to Angel's and hopefully his soul will be permanently stuck in place by noon tomorrow," she finished proudly.

"You are an amazing woman," Giles told her thoughtfully. He stared at her for a moment and then leaned down and kissed her lightly. He pulled away with a smile and went to reach for the phone.

***

Angel was on his knees in pain... his head hung down near the floor. Only moments ago, Jenny Calendar had completed the spell.

"Something's wrong," she said worried. She hurried to Angel's side and placed a hand on his shoulder, unsure why he had reacted this way.

Giles was right there with her. "It shouldn't have been more than a flash in his eyes!" Jenny exclaimed. "Angel! Can you hear me?!"

"Maybe we should get back, Jenny," the Watcher suggested. He grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the figured hunched over on the floor. What if this wasn't Angel at all?

They stood back watching him as he shuddered on the floor of his apartment, but it only lasted a minute more. His head jerked back finally and he gasped loudly like he couldn't breathe. Angel stood up slowly, panting and with wild eyes.

"I'm alive," he rasped out. "Oh my god... I need to breathe. My heart...."

"What?!" both Jenny and Giles exclaimed shocked. They rushed back towards him.

"My heart's beating," Angel said in awe. "What did you do to me?" he demanded.

Jenny grabbed his wrist ignoring the question. "You have a pulse! You're human!"

"I thought we just covered that!" Angel snapped. "Sorry. I didn't-" he was just confused and didn't know what to make of all this. Maybe there was some sort of mistake...

"Oh. Dear. Lord," was all Giles could manage to say. "How is that even possible?" But he felt the man's pulse himself and it was there.

"I- I don't-" Jenny stammered. "The spell was only supposed to get rid of the happiness clause."

She turned and reached for the printout lying on Angel's desk. "I was in a trance during the spell, Giles. I don't really remember everything. It was the spirit or whatever power went through me that was really saying the spell."

"Yes, you explained how that could happen, but how could it possibly cause something like this?"

"Rupert, what did I say?" She shoved the printout into his hands. "Was it exactly like this? Read it word for word. Is this the spell I performed?"

Giles read over the words, "Well I'm not really familiar with the language... It sounded like this, so I just assumed." He shook his head and finished seriously, "However I don't believe this is what was said."

"Are you telling me that whatever possessed you for that moment during the spell just decided to make me human instead?" Angel asked.

"I can't answer that. It's possible," Jenny responded. She pondered the idea, "I was dealing with very powerful magics. Some higher power could have intervened and changed the spell."

"But why?" Angel asked not understanding, "and why me?"

"I don't know, Angel," the computer teacher told him honestly. "But maybe everything happens for a reason. If The Powers That Be let this happen, maybe it's just meant to be."

Angel raised an eyebrow and gave her a confused look. "The Powers That Be?"

Jenny sighed, "Whoever's running this thing, Angel. That higher power. Maybe they're giving you a second chance."

"Me?" he asked incredulously. "I think I'm the last person who deserves a second chance."

"Maybe there was someone or something up there that feels you deserve this," Giles told him. "If this is real, I wouldn't waste the opportunity."

Angel stood silent for a moment. His eyes wandered around his dark apartment in thought. He saw the herbs and other ingredients scattered on his desk, still unable to believe a simple spell to fix the clause in his curse had caused this. Maybe Jenny and Giles were right...

The couple stared at him, not sure what could possibly be going through the ex-vampire's mind. He hadn't been alive in close to 250 years! Overwhelming was probably an understatement.

Angel's gaze fell on the heavy curtains covering the windows... His breath caught in his throat and he slowly walked over to them. Hesitantly his hand reached out to touch them. He felt the soft fabric for a moment with his fingers as he summoned his courage.

Without looking at the two people behind him, he spoke softly. "Maybe you're both right."

Then he jerked the curtains open and faced the sun.

Part 7:

Buffy's hand flew up over her mouth in surprise. Was this really happening?

There'd been a knock on her door, but she hadn't been expecting anyone. Finding Angel on the other side was the absolute last thing she expected.

"Oh please tell me I'm not dreaming... or in some other reality," she begged.

"It's me," he confirmed with a smile tugging at his lips.

"It's the middle of the day, Angel. Are you really... or is it just a trick?"

"Why don't you come closer and find out."

And she did, but tentatively. Almost afraid that if she touched him it wouldn't be true. She noticed the rise and fall of his chest. Her hands reached up slowly, a little shakily to his face. Her fingers made contact for only an instant. She pulled away frightened. His skin was warm.

Buffy stared at him for a moment. This was so not happening. Her stomach was in knots and she was so scared to believe it was true. She wouldn't be able to stand it if turned out to be a dream. She took a deep breath and her hands came up to his face again, this time more confidently.

He closed his eyes as she let her hands roam the planes of his face. His cheeks, his forehead, eyes, nose, his lips... and then her lips were on his and she was kissing him with all her might.

His arms wrapped around her tightly and her fingers now found their way though his hair... After a few moments, she pulled away with a gasp.

"What?" he looked at her concerned.

A grin formed on her features and her eyes fell to his chest. "I can feel your heart beating. When we were kissing I could feel it right here against my own."

"It's a little weird, but something I could get used to." He pulled her close to him again, hugging her fiercely. He kissed her hair softly and then let his cheek rest on the top of her head.

She stood in his embrace with her ear to his chest, just listening. "Your heart is racing," Buffy noticed.

"It'll probably do that a lot when I'm around you," he informed her with a slight laugh.

"You know I'm actually very mad at you," she told him without pulling away.

"What...? Why?"

"Cuz you didn't tell me about this before."

"I just did. I came here to tell you right away," he pulled away only enough to see her face.

"Nope, there was a spell. Ms. Calendar did a spell right? That was the whole plan and you were supposed to tell me." She poked him in the chest as she said the word you. "I wanted to be there when she did it."

"Well the human part wasn't something any of us expected. I don't even know if there's a logical explanation to that one. But when Giles called last night and told me Jenny finally finished the spell, I decided I wanted it to be a surprise. I didn't want you or anyone else to know. Besides, the look on your face made it worth it." Angel gave her his best puppy dog eyes. "Can't you forgive me?"

"You'll have to make it up to me," she replied matter of factly and trying to not seem affected by his pleading eyes.

"Well I'm sure we can come up with something that's appropriate one of these night's your mom's out of town." Angel said suggestively.

Buffy's jaw dropped, a little shocked at his answer.

He blushed slightly. "Did I say that out loud?"

"Ah ha, so it turns out you are like all men!" Buffy exclaimed, "That really is all you guys think about."

"No. I don't, it's just-"

"Human for like five minutes-"

"Two hours."

She glared playfully. "Human for two hours and already you've got your foot in your mouth. What happened to my broody stealth guy?"

"I think he was replaced by excited can't believe he's human guy." Buffy only laughed at his answer.

"I'm sorry I said that," Angel said getting a little serious. "You know I won't push..."

"It's ok. I like that you want to be with me," she said softly, blushing a little herself now.

"Whenever you're ready."

She nodded and rested her head back onto his chest listening to the sound.

***

Angel was sitting pleasantly on one of the benches in Weatherly Park admiring the sunny day and watching the children playing when a voice called behind him. "So it's really true. I had to see it to believe it."

He was a bit startled, he didn't turn to see who it was. He already recognized the demon's voice. "I'd say I'm surprised to see you, but I'm really not."

The shorter man took a seat beside Angel on the bench. He was wearing his trademark hat and some crazy clothes as usual. "Expecting me were you?"

"I figured you'd show up eventually, Whistler."

The demon nodded, knowing the ex-vampire was right. "So how are you enjoying the new living breathing parts of life?"

"Can't say I don't like them."

"Right, especially the part that involves that cute little slayer," Whistler added.

Angel couldn't help but grin a little at the thought of her.

"You two sure did change the story around..." Whistler commented. "You know, it wasn't supposed to be anything like this?"

"I know." Angel answered. He'd seen the horror and pain on those tapes.

"Someone up there must really like you."

"You mean you don't know how it happened?" Angel asked.

"They don't tell me everything, buddy. And with this one, I pretty much came in late to the picture," Whistler stated.

"What do you mean? What did they tell you?"

"Told me to remind you that it's not over," the balancing demon explained. "This little gift of humanity you got came a little too early." At the vampire's stricken face, he hastily added. "But don't worry, they're gonna let things be."

"There's a condition though." Angel knew it. "What is it?"

"Nothing new. You just have to remember that you're still working for our side. You may be human, but you still have a long way to go. Don't forget that."

"I don't plan to. I'm still going to protect Buffy and help her in every way I can."

The demon stood up and slapped Angel lightly on the shoulder. "Good. Then it's settled." He began to walk away, his work done.

"Whistler!" Angel called after him. The little man stopped and turned his head to look back. "It was good to see you again... Thanks."

***

Part 8:

Buffy, Angel, Willow, Oz, Xander and Cordelia gathered at the Bronze. The music was blaring as they sat off to the side on one of the plushy couches. The gang had decided to go out and have some fun. It was a special occasion with Angel being human now.

"This means I can't call you dead boy anymore," Xander complained. "Ah well, I'm sure I can come up with a better one that'll annoy you just as much."

"Don't forget I can still beat the crap out of you," Angel warned the younger boy.

Xander only shrugged.

"That's nice." Oz said simply. "I mean, you still being strong." Willow nodded agreeing with his statement.

"Yes, it is," Buffy said wholeheartedly. "I won't have to deal with any guy issues."

Angel raised an eyebrow. "What guy issues?"

"I mean the part where most men can't handle it if their girlfriend can kick their ass."

"But you can. I may still have some strength, but it's not the same as before."

Buffy shook her head. "You can still hold your own against me. And if you train and work out now, I don't doubt you'll be close to your full strength again."

"I guess."

"Of course, that means you can't eat like that all the time." Buffy pointed to the three plates on the coffee table in front of them. First he wanted to try one of the big chocolate muffins, then he'd seen the peanut butter cookies and the cake...

Amused by the ex-vampire's new found appreciation for food, Willow and Cordy stifled a giggle.

Angel shot his girlfriend a look. "It's completely different when you're alive," he tried to explain.

Xander grinned. "And we haven't even introduced you Twinkies or cheese puffs yet. Ahh, you still have so much to learn."

The girls groaned, but Angel got an excited look just thinking about trying them.

"Personally I think this human thing is good too," Cordelia started, "I mean at least now we don't have to worry about you going homicidal and killing us when you and Buffy finally do the deed."

Buffy's eyes widened and Angel coughed on his sip of soda.

"Cordy!" Xander glared at his girlfriend.

"What? It's true. You know we were all thinking it."

"Gee this is a good song. We're going to dance." Xander grabbed his girlfriend's arm and whisked her away before she could embarrass him anymore.

"And on that note, I'm off to the get ready," Oz said. "Dingoes are playing tonight."

Willow got up with him, "I'm gonna go be a groupie and watch." She waved goodbye to Buffy and Angel and followed her boyfriend.

"Looks like it's just you and me now." Buffy scooted into Angel's lap.

"I don't mind." He took her hand and kissed the back of it sweetly.

Buffy sighed happily, sending a silent thank you to whoever it was that had given them this gift. She then proceeded to kiss him soundly knowing that this was exactly the way things should be.

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