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! =)

Spike is getting what he's always wanted...to know how Buffy really feels. Kinda sad. Can't wait for more!

Author's Response: Mhm, what an excellent way to put it! Yes, I suppose Spike is finally getting some insight into Buffy's feelings, but it's definitely more complicated than he anticipated it to be. Thanks for your *awesome* review sweetie! *hugs*