Give and Get.. He probably won't do "it "after and she is going to let him take a little nip here and there on the "baddies".. sounds like a plan. Better than I thought.

Enjoyed...

Author's Response: Glad you liked it! Thanks for reviewing!

This whole chapter was peaceful and perfect. Loved it, and I'm sorry I was so late getting to it!

*hugs*

Author's Response: Thank you so much!

I can't remember if I have commented before (I should have) but this is a great fic with strong character voices. I liked the conversation at the end of this chapter. Things are not going to be easy.

Author's Response: Thank you so much! I'm glad you're liking the story!

This gave me a surprised laugh: “Don’t touch the dresses,” Spike said.

“Yeah, because I came here to touch the dresses.” Excellent Xander voice.

I really enjoyed the Spike and Xander bonding time. These guys will never really be pals, but burning stuff is a lot more fun when you're doing it with somebody else. Xander looting was hilarious, as was Anya's reaction to the spoils.

Spike and Giles' conversation was quite adult, and Spike raised interesting points. Giles is rigid, but he's not completely unyielding. It's making for an interesting dynamic between him and Spike and Buffy.

That conversation in Buffy's bedroom was nice and awkward. Buffy keeps asserting that Spike is his own vampire, but she still wants him to be good. Things are not that simple. It's all making for a fascinating relationship and an excellent read.

Author's Response: Thank you! I'm glad you liked Xander and Spike's scene at the mansion! And Spike and Giles' scene. I think Spike and Giles needed to have a talk with each other, instead of just Spike talking to Buffy and Giles talking to Buffy. Buffy has decided that she is going to be in a relationship with Spike, but she's still uncomfortable when she's really confronted with his vampire nature. It's always going to be a little hard, for both of them. Thanks for reviewing!

It is so easy to expect something of someone when they will have an end date. But when life goes on forever, how can she possibly expect absolutes? I do understand what drove Giles to make his statement, and I understand why Buffy brought it into the open, but I mostly just feel for Spike. He has a way that he is supposed to be, and he has changed all of that for her, and now she's asking him to change that for forever. Don't quite know if she really understands what she's asking. But I do believe our boy vamp will do anything, and promise anything for her. And on a lighter note, I loved his bout of destruction with Xander. Not to mention Xander absconding with the lovely bedroom furniture. Really great chapter. Please, update soon.

Author's Response: I personally don't think that Buffy has the right to ask Spike to change forever, though some disagree with that. I do understand the desire to see Spike completely change for Buffy, but I also think it has to be a gradual process and his decision. He can't change for her, he can only change for himself, only if *he* wants to. Buffy certainly influences that, and he has stopped killing in order to be with her. But he hasn't had a worldview shift. In this length of time, I don't think it's realistic for him to. And Buffy knows that he hasn't, on some level, and it still bothers her, even though she's decided to be with him. She still sort of balks when completely confronted with his vampire nature, but she has to deal with that. Someday, maybe he will change, but it's going to happen at it's own pace. Thank you for the review!

AWWW!!! I need to know what happens next, and I need to know now!

Author's Response: I'm glad you liked it! Update coming soon!

I see this coming to an end.. Spike needing to put Drusilla's clothes and doll I assume somewhere safe to remember her by.

And coming to a conclusion that the changes he has made will never be enough. As much as he needs Buffy. And understandable for Buffy.. But a relationship that will always be bittersweet for both of them.

And as much as most will cringe when I say this.. he could "off" Giles and drive off into the sunset and I wouldn't be upset.. Cause sooner or later Giles and the council will try their best to get rid of Spike - it would be what is best for his Slayer.

Enjoyed..



Author's Response: Aw, we can't Spike offing Giles, LOL. If he hasn't by now, he's not going to. Buffy and Spike will never have an easy relationship, but I think they can have an understanding. And things are coming to and end soon... Thanks for reviewing!

Would be a shame to torch the Mansion if they could use it later. Spike was careful only to burn things though.
Heh... helping Xander with the drawer would have given away that he can walk in the sun.
Spike and Giles are more alike than Giles wants to acknowledge (when it comes to Buffy).
Buffy is still insecure I think (it sounds this way), Giles remark (question) got her thinking too much. Hurting Spike this way. Giles always manage to get in the way, huh?

Author's Response: Thank you! Spike and Giles do have a few things in common. Not many, but a few, LOL. I think Buffy will always have a few problems when she thinks too much about her relationship with Spike, but she has to deal with it. Thanks for reviewing!

I just luv Spike, can't wait for the next chapter.

Author's Response: Thank you so much!

Please please continue! I am trapped at home for a while with very hot weather and an injured german shepherd I am fostering for Shepherd Rescue. Thank you!

Author's Response: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it! I'm working on the next update...

The gesture with the flowers was wonderfully over the top. The exuberant display mirrored the overwhelming relief Spike must have been feeling at Buffy's recovery. Her studied "I love you" falling a bit flat was hilarious.

Giles little lecture wasn't falling on deaf ears, but Buffy was firm and to the point. This is her vampire, but he's his own man, too. He'll defend her to the death, and to the death of anyone or anything that's a threat. I love how she stands up to Giles without completely dismissing him. He's still got a role to pay in her life, so she can't completely shut him out.

Buffy standing up to Joyce, too, paints a picture of a woman in charge of her own life. This is her guy. They need one another. I enjoyed hearing the gang relating Spike's behavior at the hospital. It's no wonder Buffy loves him.

Author's Response: Thank you so much! I liked the idea of Buffy thinking about how to tell Spike she loved him for so long, and then not remembering that she already had. I think this Buffy is naturally a little more independent. She's older when she comes to Sunnydale, and grew up without the baggage of being the Slayer. She's not going to be a bitch about it, but she will take a stance and stick with it. Spike is in her life, and he's not going anywhere. I'm glad you liked the chapter, and thanks for reviewing!

Awe, so sweet of Spike to get Buffy flowers because it was Valentine. :)
Not sure if Buffy really convinced Giles but she got him thinking I guess.
Loved the update, as always.

Author's Response: Yeah, Giles isn't going to come around instantly. Glad you liked the flowers part! Thanks for reviewing!