Oh, I can't wait for the next chapter. The sparks are gonna be 'fun'. There will be sparks, right? Right?? None of this 'polite conversation' or even worse, deafening silence - gasp! Ok?!
Come back soon, looking forward to more.
Sorry about the headaches, hopefully nothing serious.

Author's Response: Heh, I can't guarantee anything, but it'll be fun to write and read, if nothing else. Thanks for the review. :D

good update

Author's Response: Thank you! :D

thank you for that chapter, it was what i've been waiting for since spike and buffy fell out. i loved how buffy and spike was talking to each other but not directly although i would like them to actually have a proper personal conversation, that is why i'm looking forward to the next chapter.

Author's Response: Yeah, I know, I've been really light on the B/S conversations recently. It was nice to see them communicate with each other in some way, though. I can't promise you the personal conversation will be right away, but it is down the road. Thank you for your feedback.

Oh I hope Cordy was wrong and it wasn't a suidide note. Wonder what Spike and Buffy will actually say to one another.

Author's Response: I'm sure it wasn't; he would never go that far, he doesn't have the guts. They have to say a lot to each other, but don't fear, this isn't the denouement. Thanks for feedback.

i would love to get emails about updates on this story. l oved it sooo much. please post soon. spike is so intense in this story. it makes it really easy to relate to him cuz it's seems so real. i know at one point we all have dealt with this at some point, to some degree. loved it lots and lots. wonder what harsh words buffy's got for spike in the next chpater, not that he doesn't deserve them. great job.

Author's Response: Sure, just tell me your email, okay? ;) Yes, Spike is SO intense in this story, he sees things just so excruciatingly. I'm very glad you relate to him because of this, because that is the intent. More on the way. Thanks for reviewing.

1984 is a classic, it always invokes strong emotions when discussed. I'm surprised at this confrontation between Spike and Buffy. A very pleasant surprise with 1984 as the catapult to examine their relationship. Excellent job in showing Spike's acceptance of his role in his and Buffy disastrous relationship and his penance. Really great work, thanks for updating so soon.

Author's Response: Thank you, Verda. 1984 is one of my favorites. I've always wanted a class discussion like this - Buffy and Spike speaking in code - and 1984 is a book that, I feel, you can relate to anything. Especially when it comes to bad relationships, which is exceedingly odd, considering the book's main focus is political. I also thought it was a little odd at first, them actually talking, but Spike's changing (slowly but surely) and Buffy needed to get stuff off her chest. Just seemed right when I put it that way in my head.

Wow...that was very good. I like the poem, very deep. Hope Spike doesn't continue his downward spiral. If only he and Buffy would truly take the time to talk.

Author's Response: Thank you. The downward spiral is nearing its end for Spike, I'm pretty sure. Seriously, he's pretty low down there already, right? ;)

Good solid chapter; you can really visualize Spike reading his work, see his face and how he reacts to his peers in class. Again good chapter.

Author's Response: Thank you, DK. It took a long while to get everything just right, I didn't want him to be too biting or cynical but at the same time, those are his defining characteristics.

Funny, how I referenced herion, a few chapters back. Another great chapter, you did a great job in showing just how far he has fallen. The fact that he asked for help, is exactly what needed to happen, I just wished he hadn't fallen quite that far to begin with. There are some things you just can't get back from. Glad you chose Wesley for that role, though I think some type of medication is warranted here. Spike needs help and medications, even for a short period of time, do help.

Damn, I'm all caught up, if no one else offers to help, read my reviews and see if I might to able to give you the help your looking for. I do want a Spuffy ending and I'll help any way I can. Thanks for picking this up again, it is a really great story, even if it is this dark.

Author's Response: You misspelled heroin again. :( *cries in corner* Yes, he fell far. I thought Wesley was good for the role, too, and he will come back again, really soon, to help over people. I thought hard about giving Spike medication and decided against it: I do not need readers thinking that the meds are the reason he's getting better. He needs to get better on his own. And read your yahoo account regarding help with the story. Thanks for doing a full sweep of reviews, you're truly amazing.

It is a bit weird. Is he having a nervous break down or something? And what is Riley doing, taking her back, just like that. To get back at Spike or because he has real feelings for Buffy. If that's the case, maybe you should have them go there seperate ways. I really don't see them getting past this. This has gone way beyond any thing remotely, resembeling love, for either of them. I'm a Spuffy shipper, without a doubt but even I think it would be better for him to find Dru and try to life out his life loving her. Somethings are beyond repair. Maybe if they had a connection before, something to build on but they don't, they have nothing. I'm sorry, it's just how I feel. I understand you've always intended for this to have a Spuffy ending. I hope you can pull it off and it still feels right. You weren't kidding when you said this was dark. *roots for a Spuffy ending* A fantastic fic, to be sure, thanks Andrew.

Author's Response: Yes, he is. Riley just looks at Buffy as a possession, a prize, something he won over Buffy. I'm very glad you brought that up so I can set it in stone in future chapters. As for how to get this to love, it'd be awesome to talk fully with you about it. Look at your email on your yahoo account. Thanks for reading, it means a lot. :)

Spike is losing it. How could Angel just let him go like that?

Author's Response: He knows that Spike needs to be alone, to think things over and change. Angel can't do it for him, it can't be forced, or it won't stick.

Spike is scarying me.

Author's Response: Exactly what I wanted. :)

Angel! How best to get back at his former friend, then by telling Buffy's secret, the one that only Spike knew. Paybacks a bitch. Thanks, he did need a wake up call. Pull out the rug, right from under him. I'm glad you decided that enough was enough. I can see where some people might have been put off by now but I guess they don't remember how badly Buffy treated Spike through out most of the entire series. Great job.

Author's Response: Much bigger than just Angel... you'll see... *cryptic smirk* Yes, he did need a wake up call. This was never meant to be drawn out this long; I was suppose to have them apart by chapter ten, not twenty-five. I just tend to get lost in a type of situation, though, and want to exploit it to its full worth. That's just the way I write sometimes. Yes, all readers need to have the way Buffy treated Spike in mind when reading this. Also, it's great to look at revenge without the act that evoked it - to see revenge in its truest form and see how bad it is. Undoubtedbly, anyone who reads this fic will be hit over the head that vengeance is a bad thing, which is one of the MAJOR things I wanted to get across. Thanks ever so for reviewing, Verda.