This chapter gave me a sad feeling. Thanks for the new chapter...I was looking forward to Buffy's reaction very much. My first reaction to her reaction was...that 's it? I am always wanting the the drama but then I really thought about it...she is just stunned & shocked...the news is so unreal. Ahhhh Giles is singing that same old tune...makes me crazy...but I grudgingly agree that Buffy needs to really think about what she wants or at least have some idea before she acts. Well...Spike is out in the world making with the saving but it is hard to get a read on what is really going on with him...picked up sadness. Oh yeah...yikes...that opening scene...very painful. There is going to be more pain before this story is over...I am sure...nothing is ever easy...nothing. Can't wait to see how the next chapter unfolds.

Author's Response: More response from my favorite reader. Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy. The opening scene was a little hard to write, but it is called drama and sometimes I have to say things that I don't want to say. There was no way I could ever make Giles supportive of Spuffy, though I did like the admission from him of Spike's worth at least. Spike has earned his respect if nothing else, though it was certainly hard enough for Spike to do, wasn't it. I've been very careful, even with Angel, never to make anyone out of character. I couldn't do any less with Giles. And now Spike . . . notice how he never even says a single word in this chapter. No dialogue. No description of his emotions, yet the sadness still shines through. Kinda cool. Thanks for the kind review. I have a feeling some people will hate me.

Author's Response: Oh, and did you notice that the image of the dead girl at the beginning of this chapter was the same as Buffy dead at the end of S5. I thought that was kinda cool.