I'll amend my age correction due to the fact it's AU, but my opinion still stands on Buffy's reaction. I definitely think she would've flipped a lot more, cuz Dawn will always be her baby sister. Also Dawn and Clem... kinda squicky to me, but I survived.

Author's Response: Thanks for being fair in that sense and I think you have absolutely every right to your opinion; I partially agree, though I disagree in some senses. Otherwise, Clem/Dawn IS kind of weird but eh, challenges like these are kinda fun to take on. Thanks for taking the time to write this, it's very sweet and kind of you! *hugs*

Well I think it's cute, but a tad unrealistic. Firstly because Dawn wasn't 18 in season 6. She was still a sophomore in high school actually... In season 7 she was a junior. Also I think if Buffy caught Dawn having sex with anyone, let alone a demon, she would totally flip out. I definitely don't think she would allow said demon to come back to her house and sleep there. Also, Dawn has blue eyes, not brown.

In one of the paragraphs toward the end you've got some strange parentheses going on. I'm not sure if that was something a beta did and you forgot to change it, but I thought you ought to know. I noticed that this was rated NC-17, but so far it's only been R. If the sex isn't going to actually be described, you should consider changing the rating. But other than that, I think this is a cute story so far. Off to read the rest!

Ciao

Author's Response: Hi Kiera Thornton, Terribly sorry for not getting back to you sooner for any of your awesome reviews! Life got really tangled and crappy and eh, the fandom had to be put on hold for a bit (with the exception of SOME immature indulging...hey, I'm only human =P) Regarding your first paragraph, I put this fic at AR because of the age difference so that was a given. Additionally, I agree that it was probably a tad OOC and I'm totally with you there. Though, said demon IS the reason why she and Spike are a happy couple now. Mhm, mistake on my part. The brunette hair/blue eyes always screws up. Apologies *bows* Strange parentheses, huh? Well, damn. Thank you for pointing that out! I'll definitely get around to fixing that bit up when I get some free time! As for the rating, I prefer to be safe and stick with R unless I absolutely know where I'm going with a story. This way, it's relatively fair to my readers, as well. But you're definitely right in this case; I'll probably switch the general rating right around to NC-17 for all chappies. Thanks for reviewing, sweetie! I appreciated all the constructive criticism! It's very helpful and strangely motivating! *hugs*

Loved the way Buffy gave her 'friends" a piece of her mind! All in all this fic was awesome! Hope to read more from you!

Author's Response: Aw, thank you so much! I'm really happy you enjoyed the ending! *hugs*

EEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKkkkkkk lol, i waited for that every time an episode aired, i truly wish it had ended like that. Anya having real friends, Buffy having real friends, Spike having real friends...the people who deserved them never got them. when Anya died in the show i was devastated lol, as well as Spike obviously, and Buffy's 2nd death hit me hard too. Notice how it was all the misunderstood characters that always got offed, even if in some cases it was only temporary? i love that your story offers the complete opposite of the whedonverse, not that i didn't love every part of his creation, but some happiness for those who deserved it would have been wonderful.
I'm very happy with this story, so great job shakes, you did it!!!

Author's Response: LOL When I saw the beginning of your review I was like, "Hell yeah, this has been a damn good day!" Haha, yes, I TOTALLY agree. Spike+Anya having friends was something that I yearned to see but alas, it was not meant to be on air. And you worded it perfectly: the people who deserved them but never got them. Despite the fact that Clem/Dawn's involvement with this fic is crucial yet just plain weird, I think that in the end it was characters like Dawn, Clem, Spike, Anya, Tara and Buffy who were all imperative in just being there for each other, y'know? Haha, yeah, I noticed that too! I mean, c'mon! Spike *and* Anya? They couldn't have offed, like, Giles or something? The guy *deserts* Buffy in season-what? 6? Right? Right after she comes back *From the dead* and he gets to live. *waves hand* Eh, the Whedonverse cannot be questioned, since I'm a Whedonite, but still, I have my doubts about it sometimes! ; )

Well, Lindsay, it was truly a pleasure being able to "talk" about the story in this way. I really loved your reviews, I sincerely did and it's lovely to hear that you enjoyed the ending! *hugs* Thank you SO much for your sweet comments and feedback! Warm wishes for your health, life, and writing!

Thanks for a fun fic! Who would have guessed about Clem and Dawn?

Author's Response: Greetings MarzBar! =) Aw, I'm SO happy you liked the fic! *hugs* Haha! Yeah, who woulda thunk it, huh? : P Thanks for your review!

(huge intake of breath, HUGE) GASPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP.
Ok, i really hadnt expected that in this chappy and i love it! The whole chap was wonderful. From her opening up and him just listening, to her admitting he and Dawn was enough, for him realizing his declarations may have been more harmful than good at the time. I really just loved this from beginning to end, though visually again, Dawn and Clem lol (shakes but with a sappy smile). Was she a virgin in this fic by the way? And ooh, i wonder if Clem and Dawn are about to get busted lol, cant wait, off for more!

Author's Response: Aw, it's SOO nice to see more reviews from you! You truly rock my world, hon! Okay, so, I would like to first and foremost thank you for your sweet comments! I'm glad you enjoyed this chappie! Yes, the part about her "realizing his declarations may have been more harmful than good at the time", was exactly what I was getting at! I realize that Buffy truly was a horrible person to Spike in season 6 but I've always believed that it takes *two* people to destroy a relationship, not just one. So, I wanted to emphasize that Spike did have to take the blame for part of the downfall that was their entire relationship. I'm happy to see I achieved that!! =D Also, Dawn/Clem is admittedly a CRAAZY pairing but oh-so fun to write so it's nice to see someone taking it in stride and just chillaxing about it : P. Yes, she was a virgin and I'm terribly sorry I didn't go to in depth with the sex scene, I just wanted to be able to focus more on the Spuffy. But, yes, she was a virgin and Clem was her first *grins*. LOL Thank you SOO much, hon, for your fantabulous review! *smooches*

wow...what a poignant interlude, loved the last two lines so much. I think its human tendency to dehumanize people into categories, lawyer/cashier/mother/shoulder to cry on/support and so on. We forget, because of everything that they are, that in the end theyre just another person with the same needs as most. I remember when my dog died on my bed, there was a big mess, i was a big mess, but the first thing i did was wrap him up and clean the mess so that my sister couldnt see the worse side to it. Later my mom told me that when they had been talking my mother had told my sister, 'She was taking care of you, that's why she cleaned first' and my sisters response was 'well she's so busy taking care of others, who takes care of her?'. It was the first time in years i felt as though they realized i was a person. So well done, almost everybody in the world can relate to those last two lines, and that means it was one of the more rare and powerful statements ive ever heard.
Buffy allowing herself to openly be a girl is touching, Spikes questions were profound but not aggressive, i enjoyed the interaction thoroughly, fantastic job Shakes, i clap for you!

Author's Response: Greetings Lindsay!!! =) It's awesome to hear from you, as usual!! :P I couldn't agree more! Buffy was always seen as Slayer first, everything else later, and that really pissed me off, y'know? But again, you raise a good point; it's only human habit to do this and we can't help it, I guess. I suppose I just wanted to be able to highlight this particular fact that I believe even *Spike* seemed to forget at times. I mean, he was *always* supportive of her, but I feared that he only recognized her needs as a Slayer at times. I wanted Spike, as a character, to be able to see her for everything she was, like *she* saw him as William, Spike in all of one person! :D Aw, I realize it's probably quite late to say it but I'm terribly sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. I lost my pet fish (as pathetic as that may sound) when I was a young child and it killed me, because I dunno...I really cared about him and it just really broke me inside that my friend...*died*. : ( I'm very flattered and more than a little awed to hear about the impact of the last 2 lines and I'm really proud it had that effect on you. =) Thank you SO much for your feedback and kind comments, Lindsay. You never cease to amaze me with your brilliance! =)

awww, an ice cream parlor, i didnt see that coming lol, the set up yes, not the place.
i can see how dawn and clem relate like that, both closest to people who who let you in, and it makes sense.
SO thanks to you i now want a mint chocolate chip ice cream AND a british blond uber sexy male to be there when i get there. Sigh, you have forever raised my expectations of ice cream parlors lol...ice cream and love, is there a better mix on a hot day?
Loved it, great job

Author's Response: OMG It's my bestie again! *giggles* Hey, Lindsay! =D Yeah, I've always thought that ice cream parlors, well, if I'm trying to establish Buffy as "just a girl", why not exploit her in where "Girls", literally speaking, typically hang out? Haha! Lindsay, girl, don't we *all* want ice cream and Spike? *grins* LOL It's good to hear I can raise expectations....for such...ahem...delicious things. : P Thank you SO much for your review, honey! *hugs and smoochies*

Hmmm, Clem and Dawn huh? Before i develop an opinion on this id like to know how old he is lol? If 'young enough' id think it would be really cute, Clem is such a sweetie!
So somehow is plan involves gambling, kittens and poker chips and trouble, i can't wait to read on. When Buffy told him she needed him it broke my heart, but Spike deserves better than her treatment and she deserves better than the treatment her friends give her, i can see this working out quite nicely.
On a side note, did clem have tentacles lol? Has it really been that long since ive rewatched the show???
Good job!

Author's Response: Hey Lindsay! It is *wonderful* to hear from you again! =) Eh, Clem? Oh y'know...like 21. LOL I dunno, really. Let's just go with the whole "yeah they're legal, babe!" =P Oh yes, Spike *definitely* deserves better treatment than her and while I typically favor season 6 fics, I love the ones where Spike stands up for himself more! Haha, the tentacles were my own evil invention. I can't quite remember, since I haven't watched an episode w/ Clem in it for a while now, but eh, just go with it. ; ) We'll pretend our fave demon has cutsie tenticles! :P Thanks SO much, Lindsay!!! =D

Loved how Buffy thanked Clem! Can't wait for more!

Author's Response: Thanks for your review, PhotographyNut! *hugs* =)

um, wait a second, isn't dawn supposed to be 15 here? how is it possible that she's 18?

Author's Response: Terribly sorry about the confusion; in my original posting, I had included the A/N that for the purposes of this story, Dawn was 18. (This is AR/AU after all, hon! : P) Thanks for the comment anyhow! Good to know people still pay attention to the little things!! :D *hugs*

Glad Buffy finally told Spike she loved him! Can't wait for more!

Author's Response: Hey PhotographyNut! Mhm, I'm definitely glad too! It's about damn time! : ) I'm glad you liked the chapter! More soon! Thanks for reviewing! *hugs*

Looks like Clem will be getting lucky himself! More please!

Author's Response: Hi PhotographyNut! Haha, looks like he will, eh? : P Thanks for leaving a review! I'll be updating very soon! Only two chapters to go! *smooches*