Wow... I think I took a total of one breath the entire chapter.... eek scary! You're really good at the tension!

The words might not have come from his heart, but they were in his mind. He'd thought of this, probably many times before. Wanting to and doing are two different things, ask Faith. I'm surprised Angel didn't try to deck Spike. He's in love with the girl, he might be Spike's friend, but it's Cordy that has his heart. Look what Spike did to Riley for Buffy and the jury's still out on his feelings for her. Faith needs help, I hope she gets it. Great Ozzy song, thanks.

Author's Response: Did I ever tell you about the time I *only* listened to Ozzy? Yeah, it was sophomore year, and all I would damned listen to was Black Sabbath and solo Ozzy... it was crazy. I remember every riff of every single one of his songs... Tony Iommi is god. The words were definitely in his mind; I'm doing a very clever thing here by putting up a facade for Spike to see how bad he really is. Yeah, Angel is definitely pissed off at Spike.

yayyyyyyyyyyy more life threatening madness soon plz!!!!!!cant wait!!!!spike is a bastard !!!lalalaalaa

Author's Response: Hehehe... thanks, I guess? ;)

My only complaint is the lumping of Pride and Prejudice in with Can't Buy Me Love and other pop culture nonsense I'm too old to reference.
If you think Spike is disgusted with some of society around him, he's got nothing on Jane Austen...she made fools out of many who never realized it was them she was paroding. W.H. Auden in his poem "Letter to Lord Byron" said of Austen "You could not shock her more than she shocks me, Beside her Joyce seems innocent as grass. It makes me most uncomfortable to see an English spinster of the middle class describe the amourous affects of brass, reveal so frankly and with such sobriety the economic basis of society."
I suggest you reread Pride and Prejudice, as Darcy, like Spike finds himself in love with a most unsuitable (in his mind) woman, and Darcy is by far one of the greatest male characters developed in the English language, more young men (and women) would do well to follow his lead and learn to curb their pride and prejudices for the sake of love.
Besides that there was wonderful writing in the scene with Buffy and Spike on the roof, very good indeed....just remember Austen is very nearly untouchable (for me anyways). But my reasoning on this may be more based on my crush on Colin Firth than scholarly argument =)

Author's Response: Yes, well, when I originally wrote the movie references, I was thinking the 2005 remake of Pride and Prejudice (not the book), which was, as you perfectly asserted, "pop culture nonsense." And I was not consciously writing with Pride and Prejudice as a road map - in fact, this is actually the first time I've connected my little drabble to the spectacular and awe-inspiring novel. I guess I kind of stumbled upon it, though, in some type of broad, roundabout way. I most definitely was NOT trying to copy Austen's great work, though, as I've stated several times (in A/N and review responses) that this story's inspiration comes from similar feelings I've had in high school, about falling for a superficial and otherwise not-so-bright valley girl and just hating yourself for it. I had to switch the story up a little, make Buffy a likable heroine, and I can see where I might have garbled up a few original intentions. I'm most definitely not trying to copy masterpieces of the English language here - the closest you'll ever see to that in this story is maybe some broad song or movie line/reference. Thanks for the compliment on the roof scene, it's much appreciated. I hope to echo that same scene later in the story with similarly opposite descriptions on the scenery. And Spike's malcontent of society is also, at least partially, derived from similar feelings I have (although I'm not some crazy psycho either...). Thank you very much for commenting; I love it when you analyze my story, it really keep me on my toes. :)

Wow! Can't feel sorry for Spike right now. He's the one who invited Faith to the party in the first place. I feel Angel, Cordy, and Buffy's feelings about what happened are justified. Can't wait to read more!

Author's Response: Yeah... Spike brought Faith. And he went a little too psychopathic in the speech about everyone and when he was on the roof with Buffy things went pretty sour... and he's never really liked Cordelia. Thanks for commenin'! :D

Wow...that was interesting. What's gonna happen now? Update soon please!

Author's Response: Something... even more interesting? >_> Heh, thanks! :D

Love it. More please.


Author's Response: More in a few days. Thanks for loving it, hehe. :D

Oh my God I can't believe even after he threw the gun down like that they weren't smart enough to figure it out. Poor Spike can't seem to get a break! Great update!


Dana

Author's Response: Yeah... he saves them and they treat him with indifference. :(

Lookit! I'm reviewing. Wheeeeeeee!

But, reviewing this time comes with a wee price. It's gonna be sort. It's nearly two in the morning and I get to get up bright and freaking early to go to work. Yay.

So here's my thing, I thoroughly enjoyed Spike's lil speech. And the reactions of those around him weren't incredibly over the top, it's understandable. I mean, gun waving about all willy nilly and then the guy SAVING your collective asses goes all nuts in the head to get the crazy to put the gun down. That's bound to make you just a little... heheh... gun shy! HA! Couldn't resist. My apologies. Nah, I'm not really sorry.

So anyway, I promised a short review and I'm not really delivering on that, so I'll stop now.

Good chapter. =D

Author's Response: I thought the A/B/C reaction might have been a bit of a stretch - glad to see it's understandable. That's what I wanted - just a little conflict to tie us down until the Spuffy conflict. Which WILL be gotten to pretty soon now, especially if I fast forward time in the story. The stuff now is mainly rising action, maybe little spurts of climax (yes, I realize I just said "spurts of climax" >_>) but we're definitely not to the Spuffy climax yet. You also got the situation of the chapter perfectly, even at two in the morning. ^_^ Thanks for reviewing both chapters! :D

i hope that buffy and spike will keep talking

Author's Response: Definitely; not a story without the good ol' Spuffiness.

Okay, i think that maybe i can breathe a little now, that was... absolutely brilliant.
I don't really know what Spike was expecting from Buffy, after what he said on the roof even if he dont know how she reacted to what he said, he can't expect her to be all with the supportive at that point?
I could really -feel- what Spike was talking about during his speach, amazing.

Author's Response: :D :D :D I must admit I had a really fun time making the speech, I felt it really hit home with Spike's viewpoints on an extremely exaggerated level. And yeah, Spike also dumped on Buffy on the roof, so you can't really expect much from her right about now.

No. I don't think Spike took it too far. He knows Faith and he knows what she is capable of. They don't. Spike probably knew that Faith wouldn't shoot any of them. Somebody had to do something.

I don't think Spike did anything wrong. And if those people treated him bad for that then he should just forget them.

Author's Response: I can definitely agree with you. It's not my intention to prolong any tension and conflict from this, as it's pretty clear Spike did the right thing, however anti-hero it may have been (or not). When things finally come full circle for this, there will be a similar understanding to what you've described; Spike saved them and they should be grateful. I could see that future S/A makeup scene in my head while I was writing this chapter. Thanks for responding to my response. =]