Awww, Spike's taking care of Tara! I love it! I couldn't believe it on the show where everyone was all concerned about Willow but Tara got left in out in the cold.

I like Spike's play with the phrase 'I wish'. We all underestimate Anya, don't we?

Author's Response: Which highlights my belief that Tara really was given the short end of the stick at every turn. Thanks for reviewing!

Oh, poor Tara and Buffy. I'm so glad they have Spike worrying and taking care of them. The moment with Spike touching Buffy in her room was so tender. Wonderful chapter, I really can't wait for more!

Author's Response: I'm glad you're enjoying the fic. Thanks for commenting!

another masterful chappy.

Author's Response: Thanks for the review!

Chapter came out great. I love the acknowledgement of Anya's past, and the deepening bond with Tara. She's the kind of friend William would have loved to have, and needed, and it's no less true for Spike now.

This is one of my favorite fics I'm reading right now. I bounce in my chair when I see a new chapter. :D

Author's Response: OK, now I'm feeling inordinately pleased that this fic is getting that kind of reaction. :-D Thanks for reviewing!

I hope Willow is going to be called to task for the spell this time, someone could have been killed. I enjoyed the fight scene, it was vivid and exciting. You did a good job choreographing the action. I wonder why everyone's linked with Meret now? I'm looking forward to finding out.

Author's Response: I'm glad you liked the fight scene. I had a lot of fun writing it. Thanks for leaving a review!

That was fun! Oh don't tell me that wasn't fun! But now Giles and Xander can hear Meret too? So that implies they're a part of Spike's convey right? And by extrapolation of his relationship with the fire-lizard they're now a part of Meret's too right? And is that because of bonds formed under pressure when they all had to band together while without their memories and an understanding of their circumstances, or did the bonds exist beforehand but get strengthened (or opened right up) by Willow's spell gone awry? Oh I'm desperate to find out so please - be kind and update soon!

Author's Response: I'll get to the details of the bond in a bit, never fear! Thanks for leaving a review!

Yep...loving the Spike - Tara interaction though you ought to be careful in case I start begging you to write a Spara story LOL.

Author's Response: Hee hee! That is a relationship that would make me twitch to write as anything but platonic. Sorry. :-D Thanks!

oooh the plot thickens...now what's a human mage doing in league (or simply using the services of more likely) with a bunch of demon minions? And how long have they been watching Spike to be sufficiently aware of his companion (Meret) and thus be prepared to catch her too? And is it Spike they're after or was it Meret all along (I remember your earlier reference to how coatl were hunted into extinction as their feathers were used in magical rituals)? Love it when a fic makes me ask more questions that it answers!

Author's Response: I'm going to have to sit on those answers for a bit. ;-) Thanks for reading!

Lord I just want to slap the Scoobie sometimes...yes even the indomitable Giles! While caution must be a way of life for those who fight vampires and all other manner of beasties you'd think they'd have learned to try and foster goodness and selflessness wherever it shows itself - it's not like there's that much of it to go around in the first place so you'd wanna sow the seeds where you can wouldn't you? Still lovin' it.

Author's Response: The hypocricy of many of the Scoobies drove me around the bend as well, especially in seasons five through seven. For the "good guys," they were terribly elitist. Oh well. Thanks for reviewing!

oh coolness...we should have known Tara would help (I soooo loved her gentle character and was very saddened when she was killed). May I ask if you named Meret for the egyptian goddess of song and celebration? If so then I really appreciate the way you chose to reference a god(dess) who was accessible to the 'common' people. In my culture we had a similar system - most of the 'masses' in my iwi (think of iwi as a tribe or nation) kept practices involving Uenuku (his avatar being the rainbow) while the name of the highest deity was invoked only by tohunga whose practices were kept from most of the people. Looking forward to seeing Buffy more explicitly as this develops too - though it's been really interesting the way you've spoken around her and of her impact on Spike and Dawn. It's been like drawing one of those pictures using negative space, where the actual figure you're creating comes together in relief AGAINST the backdrop of the other figures you've actually drawn in. Go you!

Author's Response: Meret is named for the goddesses Meret and Meretseger, both of whom were worshipped by "commoners." Now you've made me curious about your iwi's religious traditions! I'm a sucker for the religions and myths of other cultures. I hope you keep liking my dancing around Buffy without including her after a few chapters, because I keep that piece of negative space running for a while. Thanks for the review!

Glad you didn't spend too long on the Tabla Rasa impersonation. Your story is strong enough with adding in the old favorites.

Author's Response: I promise I'm off to strictly AU from here on out, but I thought that the Tabula Rasa spell was such a perfect motor for what I wanted to happen with Meret's bond that I wanted to use it. Thanks for reviewing!

great now everyone can feel/hear meret.... waiting for more!!!

Author's Response: Coming up soon! Thanks for leaving a review!

Dumm, de dum dum dummmm... Oh dearie, dearie me. Is Willow in for a virtual spanking upside the spellbook. Poor, poor Tara. I do hope someone goes after her and makes sure she's OK.

The positive thing to emerge from the experience though, is as you intended, Spike's acceptance within the group is growing. Giles has acknowledged him by asking him to help. Xander has acknowledged him by not firing of barbs. Willow though, *sighs*, she's going to be a problem isn't she. I do hope she doesn't tangle up with the Mage who's heading up these faceless demon types.

So glad Meret's OK. She knows they're after her, doesn't she? Hopefully, with her able to transmit emotions to the rest of the gang now, she'll have them all on her side. Never know, she might be able to help Buffy, too.

Lovely update. More, more, more... please?

Author's Response: Maybe not a spanking, but more than a few Scoobies are in line for a wake-up call. (I have to admit, I'm loving your virtual horror music. It's been making me grin all day.) Thanks for reviewing!