Okay, so I love you story and all, but I've got to say, hasn't this little apology happened too quick?? I mean, the thing between Dru and Spike was only some of the issues right? What happened to Buffy not trusting him? Or her never saying that she loved him back??? The thing with Dru was only a catalyst for all the stuff that was building up!!! And I don't think that Spike should just let all that just be forgotten because she let him explain. And seriously?? Why the hell is SPIKE apologizing in this chapter? I mean, sure he can be sorry he slept with someone else WHEN THEY WERE BROKEN UP...but isn't it Buffy who's got a whole lot of apologizing to do??? For all the aforementioned things? If you just leave it like this, all those other issues are just going to pop up later, again, and the same thing is going to happen with Buffy taking off. I think Buffy needs to do some real making up to Spike before he really lets her back in. And she needs to make a certain confession...Anyway, take into consideration that Spike really isn't all that much in the wrong here, and keep on writing!

Author's Response: Yes. The whole thing was way too quick. I hated it. It stubbornly refused to write itself and I just wanted to get it over with. It was annoying me.

I rewrote bits of it this morning. Hopefully improved it a little. Note, Spike didn't actually apologize, in words anway, in this chapter. Buffy actually did. However, even though he didn't technically do anything wrong, the the fact that it happened is something they have to deal with and let go.

Heh, you made me pause with the 'confession', I was like confession, what'd I forget, Buffy's hiding something? Ohhhhh yeah, she so does. Lack of caffeine is making my brain a slug.

Anyway, thank you for the very valid criticism and keeping me honest. This chapter sucked. I tried to make it suck a little less. Hope I succeeded a little.

I found this story today and couldn't stop reading until I finished with all the posted chapters. I found the story realistic and I loved your writing style. I'm very looking forward to reading more of this.

Author's Response: Thank you! I enjoy reading your stuff too. Previously, I didn't always leave a review - bad me. I was kind of shy and never knew what to say in them. My apologies! I'll have to go back and at least post a plea for an update on 'Someday, Somewhere, Somehow'! :)

Thanks for the compliments and the review!

Awww... I love this Chapter! xxx

Author's Response: Thanks! :)

Wow, emotional chapter!

Spike's story is so heart-breaking, especially as Buffy refused to listen to him and was easily able to believe the worst of him (though, of course, it would be incredibly easy to be hurt by the scene that Buffy witnessed, and drawing the wrong conclusions was inevitable- she was just protecting herself from further hurt by refusing to listen to him).

So glad that all of it is now out in the open- and that hug at the end was just so perfect (I got the tinglies!! Tee hee!) I'm so glad that you put that bit in- showing the walls crumbling down so easily.

I wonder how their relationship will be pieced back together from here. It could still go bad I guess- which would be terrible after everything they've been through!

Can't wait for more! Bye Bye Jake and Melanie!

x

Author's Response: I'm still not that happy with the beginning of this chapter. Think I copped out with all those paragraphs of exposition from Spike. Felt like I was just getting out of the way to ge to the Dru scene (which uh...I was). Maybe I'll go back and rewrite it properly sometime, but for now I thought people would just want to know what happened so I posted it anyway.

Glad no one is unhappy with the explanation and events so far, though. That's a relief. Kinda wrote myself into a corner and I had the devil of a time trying to figure out how to get him to shower and how to explain how Dru managed the timing so well. Hope it all held together.

Everything's not perfect yet, for them but it's better, thus the hug.

Yes, bye bye. Wonder who got the worse blow-off, Melanie or Jake? I think Jake because he was looking for a relationship. Oh well, he'll live :) Until Chapter 12! Muhahahaha...just kidding.

You let him go for nothing. But nothing went right after that. Ahhhh, so Dru had plans to steal Spike, but he wasn't willing to go through with it. He lost Buffy, but that didn't mean he was willing to settle for Drusilla. I like that- it's explained a lot to me. (Plus- I liked Dru's nuttiness being explained by drug addiction- really suits her character).

I found the openning scene incredibly touching, with Buffy arguing with herself about wearing the jewellery that Spike bought for her. I could really imagine her inner-turmoil at that, because each piece comes attached with memories (She missed the kiss he'd plant on her neck when he was finished clasping it for her.- I could really picture like that- as if Buffy were holding the necklace, and flashing back to Spike memories).

Also, when she was in the car with Jake and her thoughts kept drifting back to what Spike would be doing if she was with him instead. (That girl is forever trying to convince herself that what she needs is nice normality- pfft!)

Oh, and I've been thinking. I like Jake. I like Melanie... Perhaps they should get together =) (perfect ending!!)

x

Author's Response: Your reviews are so much fun for me because you always highlight the parts that are my favorites too. The drug addiction for Dru is nothing new, I can't claim it as my idea as many authors have written it. To me, it seems only the logical thing that some progressive change happens to her while she's dating Spike, since I can never picture him getting together with her if she's that nutty from the beginning.

This may be my favorite scene that I've written, I don't know why. As you said, something about the memories that are attached to objects being what makes them so much more than just "things" just gets to me.

Spike is just so full of life (kinda ironic in canon) and noise and snark that I imagine any place he wasn't would seem empty and dull to Buffy, whether she's happy with him at present or not..

Haha! Another reviewer, Jo suggested Jake might be Melanie's ex, which I hadn't thought of. Only thing that's stopping them from getting together is the unbelievable coincidence plus neatly wrapped up in a bow everybody's happy factor. But I may do it anyway. Haven't gotten that far yet :)

Yay! More storey! :) Thanks a bunch for updating! I am soooooo glad they've finally begun listening to each other; that trust thing tends to be rather important in relationships...

And of course, I understand the need to sleep. Without sleep the muse cannot function... or it just goes really crazy... :)*

Author's Response: Thanks for reading it! Yes, Buffy was a little too broken up to argue much more than halfheartedly and Dawn got Spike to force her to talk to him finally. Yes, the muse needs to sleep and to earn money, sadly. Darn work! Thank you for reviewing, it makes my day!

She went to xans? omg. no way.

Author's Response: Xander's always willing to host a meeting of the 'We Hate Spike' club after all :) Thanks for reviewing.

Ohhh... Now the next chap makes so much more sense! lol

I liked this chap, pace was really good, you could feel that she was in a rush and you were right along with her!

Weldone! xxx

Author's Response: Thanks Kat and thanks for looking over the next one for me. I was nervous about it. I appreciate it! Now...where's the next chapter of Superstar? hehe.

I really, really like this storey so far. The characters and the dialogue are incredibly realistic and engaging. way to leave it on a total cliff-hanger, tho'! More, please...? :)*

Author's Response: Thank you so much! Yes, I know it's a cliffhanger, I'm sorry. I had to go to sleep so I woke up for work. I was trying to resolve the last cliffhanger and got myself into another. I'll try to write more soon. Thanks for reading it!

Well that was a surprise for Buffy! Did she believe Dru? I hope its not too late to recover Spike from Melanie's crutches! But i bet once she learns that Spike slept with melanie she would get angry at Spike again. Dont wanna see them separated for soo long.

Author's Response: New chapter up where *gasp* they're finally in the same room at the same time. haha. Should answer one or two things. Thanks for reviewing!

Glad I could make you laugh that much! I've done it myself when I've been left a review.

Forgot to add that, you shouldn't worry or hang your head in shame that you haven't got a beta hun ... I haven't got one either!

With me it's because I'm too impatient to have to wait for someone to read /change and email back... I'd just prefer to post and let people tell me if they find mistakes (yes I am lazy!)

I'm not sure but am I guessing right by thinking that you are a brit too?
xx

Author's Response: That was a very funny review. I've appreciated these reviews so much that at some point soon I need to go back to all the stories I've loved and *not* reviewed and make sure I leave one. I didn't realize how much fun it is to get them. It's like getting presents! I just usually clam up and don't know what to say other than I love the story :) Oh good, so I'm not the only one without a beta. You hit it in one, I'm too impatient and I'm worried I'll lose steam and get stuck if I don't keep writing and posting. I try to check things very carefully before I post, but stuff like the Jack/Jake problem it's hard to catch until you know you're prone to doing it. No, I do live in New England, USA, though :) In New Hampshire, about 45 minutes from Boston. I did get hooked on the tea drinking when we visited friends in London. Your tea tastes so much better there, I have no clue why. I have it almost right now, but it's still not as good, I love London. I wish we could go more often. Stupid work! :)

Author's Response: Actually, if you could do me a favor and post or email me what the HECK I'm doing wrong with paragraph breaks in the review responses, I'd be very grateful. I've tried firefox, tried IE and have no idea what's wrong. Obviously hitting return/enter isn't doing it! I feel very dumb! Hmm...maybe there's a FAQ of some sort *goes off to look*

Very, very clever way to solve the mystery how Buffy finally gets wind of how wrongly she accused Spike, and so believable for her, right from the source. Hopefully, it´s not too late. She´s got some grovelling to do, majorly. Please don´t let Spike dive too deep into his new thing with the other, that one night was definetely enough for my taste.

Author's Response: Thank you! Yes, hopefully it's not too late. I know, I know, everyone's on board with the Melanie hatred :)

Right finally got caught up and I am really enjoying your fic... one thing though, every now and again you put 'jack' instead of 'jake' thought I would let you know!

Thank you for posting it's really good! xxx

Author's Response: Ack! I'll have to go back and change that. Thank you for letting me know. Please do let me know if you see anything else dumb. I admit it, I don't have a beta *hangs head*. The funny thing is I keep calling him Richard in my head and I know someday that's going to get me. I wanted him to not be Richard, but *shrugs*. Thanks for the review and catching my mistake! I'll just go run along and fix that...