Over the next few weeks Leigh avoided Ridge like the plague and she and Thierry spent a great deal of time together, when she wasn't studying for finals. But every time she went somewhere with or without someone she felt eyes watching her and she wondered if it wasn't just her imagination, but finally, she realized it wasn't. She suspected Thierry felt it to, but said nothing for fear of upsetting her. She also suspected it was Ridge following her, waiting for her to be alone, but she never was. She always left the house with her mother or Thierry or Cat.

But finally on the day right after graduation from high school Leigh was headed home alone, when she noticed a car in her rear view mirror. "Oh no, it's Ridge," Leigh muttered to herself. She recognized his red and white striped sports car. Leigh silently speeded up trying to outrun him, but Ridge's car was a suped up sports hover car, while hers was not. She didn't have a prayer of outrunning him.

Thierry, she called out in her mind, I'm in trouble.

There was no reply at first and Leigh was afraid that the distance was too great for telepathy to work. Where are you? Finally came; the reply. Unknown to Leigh, Thierry had been following her just to keep an eye on her, for he had sensed the eyes watching her.

I'm about 5 miles from where I live, on the north road, Leigh said. Ridge is chasing me in a red and white suped up sports car. I can't outrun him and I have a feeling he's trying to run me down.

I'll be there as soon as I can, try to lose him or at least keep your distance from him, Thierry said as he drove his rented car down the road where she was. Thierry finally broke the connection, just as Leigh felt a jolt and she knew no more as her car crashed into the side of the deserted rode. "No," Thierry screamed, as he felt her lose consciousness, through their connection. Thierry barely managed to keep control of his rented car as he felt Leigh crash in his mind. He drove his rented car as fast as he could to the scene of the accident.

~~~Thierry and Leigh~~~

Two minutes later Thierry arrived at the scene of the accident to find her car a wreck at the side of the road and no sign of the other car. Thierry tried to open the door, but it was stuck, so finally using his vampire strength he ripped the door off its hinges. He climbed inside and gently picked Leigh up and carried her out of the car. He checked her injuries and groaned at what he found. Internal; bleeding, a broken leg, at least three cracked ribs and a fractured neck. Even with today's medical technology she was not going to make it unless he got her to a hospital and soon. The only problem was they were at least 20 miles away from the nearest hospital. Leigh woke up suddenly and groaned. Her head hurt, one of her legs was broken, she couldn't move her neck and it felt as though her ribs were on fire. How badly am I hurt?" Leigh asked hoarsely as she saw Thierry staring down at her worriedly.

Thierry sighed before he responded, knowing it was know use to keep the truth from her. "You're very badly hurt Leigh and there is nothing I can do for you. The nearest hospital is at least 20 miles away."

"Am I dying?" asked Leigh, strangely calm about it.

"Yes," responded Thierry, sadly, "The only way I can see out of it is to turn you into a vampire, but I don't want to do that."

"Do it," whispered Leigh, almost losing consciousness.

"Are you sure?" asked Thierry. "Once we start this there is no turning back and vampires don't come back once they are killed," said Thierry, making sure she understood the consequences of her actions.

"Look it is the only way I am going to live and I don't ever want to leave you alone again. I love you more then anything more then I have loved anybody, even my parents. Do it so we can be together," said Leigh, couching up blood as she finished saying what she had to say.

A silent tear rolled down Thierry's cheek and he moved them both away from the wreck that was Leigh's car, then leaned down and gently kissed her neck. Leigh felt the moment his control broke and she just relaxed and did not resist. Do not be afraid, Thierry told her telepathically. I will not hurt you. What I am doing is taking some of your blood and then I will give you some of mine, but if I take too much or give you too much the consequences could be disastrous. The connection, Leigh noticed somewhat groggily, seemed even stronger as Thierry drank her blood. I wonder why that is? Leigh did not respond, but she was still strangely calm. She trusted Thierry more then she had ever trusted anybody in her life and she knew he would do his best not to harm her. Silently she sent him a message that she loved and trusted him and he responded in kind. Thierry drank her blood savoring its taste but finally 10 minutes later he broke away.

He ran a fingernail across his wrist slowly, until he drew blood. He lifted Leigh's head and she took a drink slowly. She noticed it tasted sweet. What she was getting was the power of life, a blood so ancient that it had been around since the beginning of time. She was becoming something that had existed for thousands of years. She could feel the blood racing through her system overriding everything. She felt strangely drowsy, clear and calm, but she wasn't hurting anymore.

Thierry gently lifted her and carried her to his car, leaving the burning wreck of her car far behind. A few minutes later Thierry arrived at the hotel and he gently took her out of his car and carried her inside. He put her on the bed, and gently covered her with a sheet. He kissed her forehead then sat down beside her, not even changing his bloodstained clothes. He just hoped he had given her enough—he thought he had. They would have to do it again in a few hours and finish what they had begun. Her birthmark had; began to fade as the vampire blood took over, soon it would be gone entirely. Thierry stroked her fading birthmark gently.

A few hours later Thierry gently bit her neck again and took some more of her blood. Leigh did not wake up doing it all. Then he very gently retracted his teeth and gently shook Leigh, she looked up groggily. "Here you need to drink some more," said Thierry. He had already slit his wrist again and blood ran down it. He lifted Leigh's head gently and she drank again slowly savoring its taste. Thierry laid her back down on the bed and she was asleep again instantly. Finally, he moved away from the bed and called the sheriff, telling him about the accident. The sheriff knew about vampires so Thierry asked him to come right over.

~~~Thierry and Leigh~~~

A few minutes later there came a knock on Thierry's hotel room door and Thierry opened it allowing the sheriff to enter. "What can I do for you Mr. Descouedres?" asked the sheriff.

"You know I'm a vampire right?" asked Thierry, seriously. When the sheriff nodded he continued. "There was an accident out near Leigh Thornson's house."

"Yeah I just heard about that, it's a real sad case, poor girl. We went out to the sight and found no body, must of burned up when the fuel tank exploded," said the sheriff.

"No the body did not burn up in that accident it is here," said Thierry, pointing towards the bed.

"Is she dead?" asked the sheriff, glancing at the girl lying on the bed.

"No, I had to turn her into a vampire to save her life. I did it with her consent of course. What I need from you, is that you find a body that is so badly burned that it is unrecognizable and claim it is Leigh. A coroner verifies it and I take Leigh home with me. To everybody in this town she is dead the victim of an unfortunate accident, and we can live peacefully," said Thierry.

"Why are you doing this?" asked the sheriff, wanting to understand Thierry's reasons.

"She is my soulmate that's why. About 75 years ago I watched as Hannah Snow my soulmate died of old age, but she made me promise to wait for her to be born again and Leigh is that person. I love her more then anything in this world."

"I'll see what I can do," said the Sheriff nodding. He understood completely, but it didn't make his job any easier. "On the condition that you leave this town and never return," said the sheriff as he got up to leave. "By the way, do you know who is responsible for this so called accident?"

"Yes, it was Ridge Redfern," said Thierry a hidden anger in his voice. He wanted to kill that vampire for what he had done to Leigh, but he wouldn't, he would let the law handle it.

"Oh, no, It just had to be him didn't it?—One of the most influential families in this area—damn. Why would he do such a thing?" asked the sheriff.

"Because Leigh kept turning him down when he asked her out and I guess he finally just snapped from the rejection. Plus it is known that his father was a mad vampire who kept killing other vampires," said Thierry. "By the way, here," said Thierry handing the sheriff a small bag, with a needle in it.

"Like father, like son?" asked the sheriff, shaking his head. "What is this anyway?"

"It has a small cluster of Leigh's cells on it so the coroner can identify the body," said Thierry.

You've thought of everything haven't you?" asked the sheriff.

Thierry shrugged, "I try, besides, I've had a few thousand years of practice in thinking of everything."

The sheriff nodded, took the bag. He shook Thierry's hand and left. Thierry went over to the bed took off his clothes and silently lay down beside Leigh. In moments he was fast asleep.

~~~Thierry and Leigh~~~

Leigh awoke feeling strange. She felt stronger, better then she ever felt in her whole life, but she was also hungry, not for food, but for blood. She was also in perfect control of her body, she could smell better, hear better and see better then any human had ever been able to. Leigh got up slowly, trying not to wake Thierry and went into the bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror over the bathroom sink. Her hair was a mess, her face was streaked with dirt, but the strange thing was that she no longer had the birthmark that had plagued her all her life. She stroked her cheek, slowly where the birthmark had been until she began to feel like she was suffocating. Thierry, she called.

Thierry awoke instantly at her mental call, What's wrong?

I feel like I can't breathe, what is wrong with me? Leigh asked.

Thierry groaned before he answered her also telepathically, You need to get some blood or your cells will start to die from lack of oxygen. Thierry got up quickly and pulled on his clothes then opened the door and looked around. He saw a man coming his way and using his mental abilities influenced him inside. The man sat down on the edge of the bed at Thierry's mental command and Leigh could actually smell the blood running through his veins. Just at the thought of blood her teeth began to sharpen and she bit his neck. Instantly her mouth was filled with the warm, coppery blood. She drank and drank and drank and didn't want to quit, but Thierry quietly put a hand on her shoulder. "That is enough," said Thierry, in a commanding tone of voice.

Leigh looked up quickly and realized what she had almost done. "Oh Thierry I almost killed that man," said Leigh after they had shown the man out. Thierry used his mental abilities to make him forget the incident and to tell him all he needed was sleep.

Thierry kissed her and said, "Your instincts are too good, I don't believe you would have killed him. Leigh said nothing, but a silent tear ran down her cheek. Thierry gently wiped the tear away and kissed her again. "Why are you so good to me?"

Thierry did not respond, but led her gently to the bed where they both laid down. Thierry made love to her then and Leigh did not resist. Thierry started to kiss her neck and Leigh kissed his mouth. Pretty soon they seemed to be devouring each other with kisses. Thierry's kisses were gentle, for he was afraid of hurting her, but Leigh's were not quite so gentle. Leigh began to unbutton Thierry shirt, slowly, nearly torturing him. Finally, the shirt was off and Thierry threw it on the floor. Thierry started to undo her dress, going just as slowly as she had, until she was practically screaming at him to hurry up. Finally, the dress was off and joined Thierry's shirt on the floor. Thierry fondled her breast, but gently and kissed her nipples, until Leigh groaned with pleasure. Leigh kissed his chest and soon seemed to be devouring him with kisses.

Passion rose between them and they started really kissing then, Leigh's tongue entered his mouth and massaged the roof of it and then intertwined with his tongue, saliva, mixing with, saliva. She was not afraid of his teeth, considering she was now a vampire to. Thierry panted and started to kiss her more private areas, until Leigh returned the favor, by taking off his pants and his underwear and doing the same thing to him that he had done to her. Finally, Thierry rolled on top of her and entered her, trying to be as gentle as possible and Leigh groaned with ecstasy. Finally two hours later they lay back sated to their very souls and absolutely exhausted. Soon afterwards they fell asleep in each other's arms.

Two hours later, Leigh awoke to Thierry stroking her back. Leigh grinned up at him and Thierry returned it with a smile of his own. "I think I am going to go get a shower," said Leigh. "I'm a mess." She got up and headed for the bathroom.

"Mind if I join you?" inquired Thierry, mischievously.

Leigh looked at him strangely for a moment then shrugged not sure what he had in mind, but anxious to find out. They both entered the bathroom and Leigh started the shower. She stepped inside and let the hot water run over her body, suddenly she felt a pair of arms encircle her waist and start to massage her back. Leigh groaned in pleasure as they both stood there under the hot water. Leigh kissed him and he continued his massage with difficulty as Leigh started to kiss his neck, his chest and his lips. She finally began to massage his shoulders and his neck muscles, kissing them as she went. He groaned in ecstasy and they were finally done an hour later. Leigh managed to wash her hair and her body doing all this, extremely appetizing interplay.

When they got out of the tub finally Leigh dried her hair with a towel and put on a pair of jeans that belonged to Thierry. They shrunk immediately to fit her waist, but the legs were still a bit long, so she rolled them up. She put on an old, white T-shirt of his and tucked it into the pants. It looked extra big on her, but at least it was clean. She brushed her hair with his brush, until it shone. Thierry put on a pair of jeans and a blue shirt with buttons. He tucked the shirt into the waist of his jeans and then he put on the pair of boots he had been wearing earlier, while Leigh put back on her tennis shoes which had managed to escape getting to dirty from the car accident.

A few minutes later they were both presentable and Leigh asked, "How am I going to get out of here without being seen?"

"We'll wait until nightfall then take the back roads out to the airport," said Thierry. He turned on the TV and listened to the news. There was a report on Leigh's car accident and he listened to it closely, checking for anything abnormal.

~~~Thierry and Leigh~~~

"There was a terrible car accident yesterday," the reporter was saying. "Her name was Leigh Thornson and she was driving home from her high school graduation when a red and white striped sports car rammed her. The car is said to have belonged to Ridge Redfern who at this point can't be found by the police to be questioned. Her family and friends will be mourning this accident for years to come and I hope they catch this diseased manic who did this to a teenager. Apparently the body burned up when the car exploded and all the police found were her charred remains. This is Deanna Thompson channel 3 news."

~~~Thierry and Leigh~~~

Thierry turned off the set and sat back satisfied, with a slight grin on his lips. "Okay what did you do?" asked Leigh, looking at him suspiciously.

"What makes you think I did anything?" inquired Thierry, innocently.

"Because I know you, that's why. So what did you do?" Leigh repeated, looking at him suspiciously.

"I simply told the sheriff to find a body that was so badly burned it couldn't be identified as you on its own and I also took a cluster of your cells and gave them to the sheriff, so that the burned body could be identified as you, just in case something like this happened. I am always prepared for any occasion. Now, I think it is time for me to call a friend of mine and get you a disguise." Thierry took out his cellular phone and silently dialed a number. A few minutes later there was a knock on the door and when Thierry opened it he found a package waiting for him. He brought it inside and opened it. Inside was a belt of some kind.

"What's that?" inquired Leigh, looking at the strange belt. It was done in some kind of silver mental with a green stone of some kind in the center.

"It's a hologram belt it will make you look like anybody or anything." Thierry took out the control and looked it over quickly. He pressed a few buttons and the stone in the center of the belt lit up like a miniature nova. "Here put it on," said Thierry, handing it to her.

Leigh put it on and instantly she was covered in a glowing light, which then disappeared after a few seconds. It also shrunk to fit her waist. Leigh looked in the bathroom mirror to find herself looking totally different from her usual self. She had black hair and green eyes. Her skin was a lot darker then it usually was. And she was a bit broader, but not fat. "And this is all an illusion?" When Thierry nodded Leigh laughed, "It sure looks real."

"That's the point, it ought to fool anybody even the cops," said Thierry.

Leigh took off the belt and her own face reappeared, "Thierry this is marvelous, sometimes I wonder how people got by without all this technology years ago."

Thierry laughed and said, "They managed, especially since they didn't know what they were missing."

They laid down then and made love again after that and slept for a few hours.

~~~Thierry and Leigh~~~