Why did Spike do that? Did he not trust Angel with Joni's safekeeping? What has made the torment easier now? Now, Spike and Buffy are parted, they have no 'other half' to lean on. Will either of them feel better knowing that the other is with their child? Such a terrible quandry to be in... I'm not sure how I would have acted in Spike's place. Does that make me a bad mother or wife? Does Spike care less for Buffy than Joni because of the choice he has made? Shheesh... this is making my head hurt and my eyes want to shed water... what are you doing to me here FMS?

Holland Manners role continues to confuse me. The tool of evil but with a face of fatherly concern... and I'm not confident in Angel at all.

Nice update, pet.

Author's Response: Okay Chrissie...Let me try to explain- First, "Holland" may, or may not be "Holland" at all. Holland is who Angel expected to see. In fact, you may remember that he slipped up and called Joni "Dove" a while back. That's Spike's pet name for his daughter, remember? Spike may not have done it right, but he was trying to give Buffy hope. After all, the devil you know...that being Angel, is better than the one you don't. At least Buffy will know that her baby and husband still exist. What she, or Angel, does with that knowledge, is still up in the air, and *could* effect what happens to Spike.

Merry Christmas to you too. :)

You're jumping again. First we see catatonic Buffy when Angel took Joni. But then it's later when Spike is dead and Joni found Homer. And Buffy meets him in Homer's body. Willow opened a portal that makes that Spike will follow Joni. So that's the reason he jumps a lot? But at last Buffy woke up!

Author's Response: I tried to let you know when time had passed with the use of dates. Also rememeber that not all dimensions have a linear time flow.

My, oh my... sometimes this is so heartbreaking. Even before the time so far in their future. Seeing Spike so torn by Buffy's vegitative state and knowing what's to come is even more painful makes it hard to breath...

I love this story but I so enjoy getting to the end of the chapter and drawing in a deep breath... and then I prepare myself for the wait until the next installment.

Great work, pet. I do hope you're still enjoying this as much as we readers are. Have a great Christmas Season.

Author's Response: Thanks Chrissie! I'm so glad to know that you still love this story. I know leaving a comment can be scary...but it's the only way writers here will get through writer's block. Thanks so much for taking the time.

Holland's squirming was fun to read. I like how much mileage you get out of the interregnum... it's a great plot mover. I'm so curious to find out if Buffy is gonna turn up at Homer's cabin. Good update. Can't wait to read more!

Author's Response: Buffy might show up, she might not. Have to wait and see.

Things are changing again I see and yet still piecing together nicely. It was sad that Spike and Joni's reunion took such a sad turn. I guess Buffy's actions in "Minor Keys" might be coming into play here. However it was optimistic that ghosty Spike overheard 2005 Spike's conversation with Giles and that Spike seems to be remembering things. The Spike missing a piece of his soul is really interesting. Great chapter. I really enjoyed it!

Author's Response: M.G.- "Minor Keys" does indeed come into play here, as well as two other chaps. See if you can guess which ones. Remember that Spike's Hell is being without Buffy. Hers is being without Spike...are you seeing a pattern? Also, remember the end of "Prayers", Willow said they were "sharing" a soul... could be.

I'm glad for Joni she did see her Daddy - even Spike didn't have the intention to be seen by her :)

Author's Response: He wasn't to tell because she had to see it for herself.

Heartbreaking to watch Spike die *sigh* ... And Angel noticed now that Holland war after Spike? Too late as it seems now.

Author's Response: Not too late... after all there is a mighty powerful witch in the mix,

Ahhh! So many time lines! I love it! (Did I mention I like puzzles? Well, there. I do.) I'm really enjoying all the twists in this fic. Keep up the good work!

Author's Response: I love a good puzzle as well. Enjoy!

This is so torturous! It's like a three dimensional game of chess and I feel as though the goodies have far fewer power pieces than Holland and co.

There's no timeframe or sphere that's not filled with pain and angst... I keep hoping for a sliver of hope, but you've been mightily elusive with that so far. How about letting us in on Homer's commitment? C'mon, just a teensy bit of hope?!

Author's Response: Chrissie- Homer is the hope your searching for. And, believe it or not, so is Holland. I let you in on a* Big* clue a while back. I'll let the cat out of the bag a little for you- As far as interractions in a graveyard go, consider Homer and Holland the same entity- They're both Spike in disguise. Does that help you any? :-)

I'm a bit late reading here - so I don't know if I should wish you luck? When it's not too late - good luck :) It was good to see the update. I really have to re-read this fic when it's finished. Then I can understand the different time lines better :)

Author's Response: That's always a good idea. Read it all again if you can. Multi-chaps are hard to keep up with anyway, but at least you don't have to wait long between updates with this story. That way it's still fresh in your mind.

Break a leg next week. . . . til then I'll be re-reading and trying to figure it all out

Author's Response: thanks! The clues are there, you just have to find them all. Kind of like a scavenger hunt.

Wonderful chapter! Homer and Joni talking over cups of cocoa was so sweet. How typical of Angel to be so worried about Joni now... he's such a hypocrite. Holland's talk with Angel was very intriguing. Can't to find out what happens with Spike and Conner.

Author's Response: M.G.-Looks can be decieving. Holland may not be Holand at all... just as Homer isn't *really* Homer.