You said last time: Sorry still don't see the problem...even reading it back I just don't understand the confusion so I dunno what else to say...In my opinion its perfectly clear from Buffy's non-commital response and locking the letter away that she didn't react to his leaving until he'd left and the CD forced a reaction from her...
I think for me it is that I want to see them back together (looking forward to) so I don't see it through Buffy's eyes like you do, seeing 'the whole' story. I can't explain it better. Don't worry about it. I think it would have been better for me to read the whole story not as a WIP, to read it all in one when it's finished. Would have been easier and maybe better to understand for me. Not your fault. With a WIP you'll never know what you get. ;)

Buffy is really at a bad place at the moment.

Still here, still reading. I don't give up easily on a story even if I don't understand a twist.

Author's Response: Hmm okay, I still don't think I get it (sorry again) I mean I think the story wouldn't make a lick of sense if they got back together so soon, and also it would be very unrealistic and a bit pansy (lol sorry couldn't think of another word) to have the characters suddenly change and react to things differently, they both avoid things, have all the way through, obviously they will eventually come back together, but only after time and experiences teach them its necessary, but obviously its my story so its very personal to me... but despite our differing opinions (or maybe because of them) I do want to stress that the fact that you're still reading is greatly appreciated :)

Congratulations! You've been rec'd!

The Reader's Have Chosen is a new fanfiction recommendation community dedicated to finding the best of the best in fandoms across the boards, and sharing them with other authors and avid readers.

Your story, "Protect Me From What I Want", has been rec'd and is now being voted on in the Monthly Poll: Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Fellow fandom-aficionados will vote for their favorites of all the recommendations, and the stories with the most votes will be posted on the front page.

You can find our website at (without spaces): http : // thereadershavechosen . eternflame . com You can find the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Monthly Poll at (without spaces): http:// thereadershavechosen. eternflame. com/ forum/ index. php? topic= 1383.0

Author's Response: Wow, thats amazing, its an honour to be recommended for anything (first time, so shocked) but especially along side such great stories like Sandara's Beneath the shadows of evil, I've been reading that religiously...I don't know what to say but thanx! :)

Great chapter, lovin every new chapter u post, don't despair its a great story, im enjoying it lots.

They're both emotional powder kegs and nowhere near over one another. Spike has no right to be angry if Buffy's with another guy, but his overreaction was certainly telling.

Nice chappy. Sweet and well written.

Author's Response: Thankyou! Glad someone thought it was sweet! I was beginning to think everyone was crazy (or I was lol)

So sad! But sad in a good, things are finally going to progress sorta way. I do want them to be together again, because it was so marvelous, but I shall be patient. If they have any relationships with other people, it will be hard to read but I will persevere because this story is awesome and there is going to be a massive payoff. Each chapter has been a gem.

Author's Response: There may be something coming up, but mentioned in passing nothing more...they're only a few Chapters away from reuniting, but that will in itself take a few more Chapters, glad you can be patient thats nice to hear...I feel like lots of people want me to rush the story, and I just can't do that, because I know it'll look forced and I won't be happy with it...and I'm too attached to this story to let the writing suffer in order to pander...so its nice to hear this...

I've got confused too; Spike said he loves Buffy and wanted to make sure that he didn't leave because he was running from her. He's not leaving to get away from Buffy but still Buffy thinks he said goodbye with the song.
That confused me a bit because he said he wanted to come back (well and talk).
You said most people say goodbye when they leave the country and that's right, made it a bit easier to understand because it confused me reading it the first time (= that Buffy thought Spike said goodbye with his song).
I know it won't get better soon but I just hope it will. It's so sad at the moment.

Author's Response: Sorry still don't see the problem...even reading it back I just don't understand the confusion so I dunno what else to say...In my opinion its perfectly clear from Buffy's non-commital response and locking the letter away that she didn't react to his leaving until he'd left and the CD forced a reaction from her...

okay, i'm confused as to why he would be saying goodbye after he sent her that letter. what could have changed in a week? well, that's disappointing, i'm really hoping this story has a happy ending, but i'm still not seeing it. i hate that they're still apart. i was hoping they would have resolved things by now, but i guess he'd rather be famous.

Author's Response: You're obviously totally not getting my story, I've frequently posted my views on the story as well so I don't see how you can think that...the whole story is that they're not happy with themselves, they fell apart because they were two broken people trying to make themselves whole with each other, that can never work...they both have to make themselves what they want to be before they can reunite, I've said this many times, Spike even says it in the letter...he realises it and Buffy doesn't, thats all, its not that he wants to be famous, but he knows they're both too scared to follow their dreams, he says "I don't think your happy either" he knows she has to go out and change her life too, but she hasn't realised that yet (the next Chapter will deal with her dream)...they can't be together this way, Spike is just seeing it...and how can you be confused he was saying goodbye? He told her he was leaving for England and then he left...most people say goodbye when they leave the country...he never said in the letter he wanted her back, he said he was leaving, he loved her and they would talk when he got back and she stressed over in what way he still loved her...Did you not read the letter segment? They're not going to resolve things til the end are they? I've stated many times its about 32 Chapters or so long depending on how much I write in the last stretch and we're only on 25...

i think this is really really great - and i think the way you're making it much more realistic is fantastic - when's the next one??

Author's Response: Thankyou so much, thats really great to hear...I'm a bit swamped at the moment with Uni work but I have one more Chapter ready, just needs editing so hopefully will be up by the end of the week, but then it might be a while before I can update again after that...

Spike was such a prick to Buffy! Glad she was able to hold her own. Looking forward to more!

Good to see you solved your posting problem. :)

So Spike was on stage (makes me wonder if Faith knew that). At last they talked a little, even if it was only a little bit.

Thank for the update, painful though it was.