:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Author's Response: *tee hee* This made me giggle - I'm weird that way. Thanks for all the smiley faces... whomever you are!

brilliant, wonderful, amazing and i'm glad you didn't leave out a line
looking forward to the last chapter

Author's Response: You know Vara, I think you're one of the few people that is patient enough for the sex because plot got in the way. My humble thanks to you for that. *bows and offers homage* Thank you ever so much for following this, you've been the greatest!

No killing, but only 'cause I'm a nice person (not).

I was about to scream, but then Andrei pointed something out, so now I'm being all smiley and waiting eagerly for more.

I'm sorry it took so long to get to it, but a business trip and then what I said in my last post on LJ didn't let me get to it any sooner!

Love this story and love you,
*wuggles*

Author's Response: LMFAO - you were gonna kill me until Andrei stopped you???? Woman! You're gonna be the death of me, anyway. No worries on the review, hun - you get to it when you get to it, and if not, again - no worries. Love you too, babe! Thanks!

Wow. I'm floored.Thank you so very much for dedicating this to me and for your other gift as well.
This chapter had everything it needed to bring us readers from the brink of despair to gales of laughter and back to that same brink again in such a manner that the only thing left to say is "WOW!".

And I loved how you spun the story of the Gem(s).

Thank you again and *hugs*.

Author's Response: Don't be floored - that's Sotia's job. ;) And it was your birthday, so I had to get you something! Hope it was good. Hopefully, I used your ideas well and wasn't too confusing. (I sure as hell was at one point) I greatly appreciate your help with everything, you're a gem. Huggles

what an evil place to leave it..more please, i'll beg
cookies for your muse.
i felt for poor willow taking blood, it was awful the first time i did it...
great update

Author's Response: Sorry I was so late in responding to reviews, please forgive me! I know it WAS an evil place to leave it, but I had good reason - to get you to read the next chapter :D. Yeah... still evil, I know. And while I've never drawn blood, my father is a senior lab tech and I've watched him do it all my life - it's damn tricky! Thanks Vara, huggles.

Buffy sure is on a rampage on the Spike front. It's no wonder Giles is annoyed.

Author's Response: Unfortunately, the only reason Giles is annoyed is because she's beating up his science experiment! But it'll all turn out ;) Thanks!

Well, this can't be good.

Author's Response: Well, it won't be as bad as the spell in that episode mind you, but still... she's messing where she aught not to. You'll discover more as the days go on. Thanks!

What purpose would shoving these random facts into Spike's brain serve? Poor thing, it's no wonder he's spun.

Author's Response: And wow, it seems you're reviewing each chapter... thanks! A correction though, these facts are being shoved into his brain - they're already there in his mind, it's just the chip accessing it. But it IS making him near looney trying to repress all that info. Thanks!

I'm a weird one, but we knew that already.

Just realized that in my ranty review I failed to mention how heartbreaking and how beautiful this chapter was. I think you outdid yourself. Always thought you get their voices down perfectly, but this chapter was magnificent, not just great. You know how I feel about this story - how I've felt since I started reading it - and yet I can tell you that this chapter brought my love for it to a whole new level (even though I read about half of it behind the blurriness of tears)

You rock, your evilness.

I wuv ya

Author's Response: Yeah, I knew you were weird, but that's why I love ya. Awww, I'm glad you love your lover even more (HB is not jealous, you gave him Lily ;) *hands Sotia a tissue* Blow your nose hun, it looks like you've been drinking for 5 days straight. No, not really, but could give Rudolph a run for his money... LMAO, no... never mind. Thanks for thinking I rock, and you would about me being evil, since you indulge in that yourself!

I have read many many Spuffy stories. But this has to be one of the most heart breaking chapters that I have ever read. Also, one of the best chapters I have ever read. Such detail and you describe things so well. I can picture it exactly in my mind. Like seeing Spike's dust on her hands and just imagine how horrified Buffy will look seeing that. I can picture Spike's body so well and it makes me want to cry. What a way to go for a vampire and must be painful as hell. I also think that is how a vampire will be if they would drain. If someone took out all or pretty all of their blood then their body would be exactly how you described Spike and that if you were to touch them or handle them rough then they would turn to dust. At this point it is looking like Spike is dead. As in really dead. It doesn't seem even seem like giving him blood will do any good because just by rubbing him and turns to dust. But I look forward to seeing what happens next.

Author's Response: WOW! *sniffles* That was really... WOW (still trying to wrap my mind around your kind words). I wish you would have left your name or an email address so that I could thank you properly, but hopefully you'll come back to this and see what I wrote ;). I act and think more like Spike, but I always try to put myself in Buffy's shoes... what would I do if I found my loved one this way? And sometimes, imgaes just assault my brain until I write them down, like this chapter. Chapter 29 will get into more why certain things did or didn't happen with the Gem and why Spike's body hasn't completely dusted yet, so I hope you'll read that one too! More soon and I'm glad you took the time to leave a detailed review of what you liked or didn't like. Thank you so much, and leave your name next time ;) *hugs*

Tghat was gruesome, sweet, hilarious and demented... and if it wasn't 2 AM and I still had at least one working neuron in my head, I'd find a dozen other things to call it. All in all, another great chapter of a killer of a story. You outdid yourself, and not just in length ;)

Now, do like Igor and flip the switch on our stitched-up undead-boy!

Author's Response: LMAO, like I said, even at 2 am, your reviews are like totally awesome dude! hehehehe. *drags foot and stumbles to the switch* "Yesssss master," she said right before... the lights went out! LOL, more soon dearest, and WOW thanks for the confirmation of the idea! MWAH

I really, really hope the odds are on Spike's favor. And again, I have to say that you're so evil for making me cry (again) for Riley. I didn't see that coming. *sniffs and sighs* Although I guess Brandon is right and everyone deserves a chance at redemption, even Riley. Anyway, I absolutely loved this chapter, loved the going back and forth switching between the POVs, too, it truly added to the story. I'm looking forward to reading how they're going to tell Angel he's been volunteered for the vampire's blood part of the reanimation process. *wide evil grin* So, more please?

Author's Response: (kicks the dirt) yeah, I know I'm evil - but YOU KNEW it was coming, but I don't think you expected to feel for the guy. Can't say as I'm sorry, tee hee! Oh Angel's gonna put up such a fuss before, during ... and gulp, will there be an after once they're done? dum dum dummmmm! More soon babe, you'll read it first! Thanks for all your help, you're a lifesaver!

Oh. My. Andrew!!!

They better get Spike reanimated, and yes, that is a THREAT (or, you know, you'll be plagued by all the whining I promised when you least expect it!!!)

Oh, and I wouldn't mind if the drained Angel in the process!

As for Riley, I don't mind his being redeemed one bit. Since he died and all *biggrin*

Wuv you lots and lots!

Author's Response: Ooooo it's not nice to threaten the writer while she's trying to make you happy (taps foot and glares.). Angel will get what's coming to him, tee hee! LOL, you sadistic woman you - you don't care as long as Riley bit the big one, eh? tsk tsk. Love ya too toots! MWAH!