Seriously? Ugh! My eyes ... I need to brillo out my brain. It's bad enough that you had Spike and Faith together (now that's just all sorts of weird), but does it have to be so graphic? I mean, I can forgive the chapter where Faith pulls down his pants to give him a bj, but this? Come on!!! It takes squicky to a whole new level! Please stop torturing us ... me ... us ... and end this relationship. If it takes Faith dying (again) to end it, then I'm all for it. She doesn't do anything for me anyway except maybe wanting to beat her head with a swizzle stick. Hehe.

More soon please.

Author's Response: Lol I'm trying to have the readers feel for Buffy, and see what she's seeing, no matter how distasteful it is for all of us. Seems like I've scarred lots of people with that scene, which was my goal to begin with. :D But, as I stated when I warned you all that there would be Spike/other in this chapter, this is the end of such scenes. There WILL be more Spike/other (clearly, they weren't breaking up), but pretty much one-sided, and the Buffy/other I have in the warnings probably won't go much further than a kiss or two. Just so you don't worry! :D

Please keep writing and update as soon as you can.

Author's Response: I update every Saturday (although that will probably change to Monday once I finish posting Switch), but newer chapters are posted as I write them to my friends on livejournal, if you're interested...

The story was going well untill chapter 4..........then Buffy meets Spike and it's like you ignored your whole set up and put them in the original season 5/6 together with bitch Buffy smacking him around and Spike taking it with a "sheepish" expression as you said. He may be unable to hit back but why would he be so apologetic and sumbmissive, especially with her awful attitude.

Author's Response: What's important to remember about this Spike is that he's far more connected to his human friends than the Spike of the real BtVS. He loves them all, to some degree, and his reactions here are far less defensive and more laid back and accepting. Someone once described him as the "heart" of the group, and that's really what he is here. So he's going to react differently to Buffy, not because he's in love with her but because he's in love with the people she's been sent to help.

Finally got caught up on this one, and I love the idea of Faith, having actually gotten what she always wanted, Buffy's life. It's interesting to see her "with" Spike, and I love his explanation in this chapter. Why it could never be with her like it could be with his Buffy, that he wouldn't cry over Faith. And now that we've OMWF'd it, I think there shall be quite a bit of interesting exposition in the coming chapters. Gotta love the tension. And Giles observaions, he seems so much less bitter at this point than he did in the cannon universe. I find that interesting, and I like that he can still make the effort to be Buffy's closest ally. And poor Tara, wonder how her leaving will go with the new, unbalanced Willow. Love your take on these common universes, looking forward to more.

Author's Response: I'm glad you're enjoying it! I love twisting the universe to give other people center stage, and this was Faith's turn at it! :) Of course, she and Spike have nothing near the relationship that Buffy and Spike had (though the cynic in me is wondering if that's just because Faith actually accepted him). OMWF will change everything, just like it did in the series- much less adjustment going on and much more conflict! As always, I thank you for your reviews... :D

AAAwwww i wanted to see Spike kissage lol oh well he is right she saved Faith life now maybe Faith will stop being a Bitch... maybe...

Glad you updated i love this fic, more please soon : )

Author's Response: I think Buffy also wanted the Spike kissage, lol. :D But at least now Buffy's got her shoe in.... Thank you for reviewing! Glad you liked!

This is my favorite chapter yet and this is without Spike to boot! There were so many sweet parts of it, Giles being my favorite. It was also so nice to see her receive that letter from her Mom, it's so sad that they couldn't actually forgive each other in person. And even Dawn was kind of sweet even if it was for her own motives, it was refreshing to have Buffy not get it from every end. Ohh, but that Warren, he's just as hateable here as he was in the show. Can't wait for the next!

Author's Response: This was a quick one because I was really in the middle of finals, but I'm glad that you liked it anyway! I wanted there to be some closure with Joyce, even if there couldn't be any in person... I used to really hate S6 Dawn, but ever since I started Real Me, I haven't been able to write her as a bad guy, much :D.

Appreciate the feedback!

More! More! More! PLease!! I love this story and am very eager to see where you're going to go with it. After all this time since the show has ended ,it's lovely to see fresh new ideas being written about the fandom. Reall, there are only so many scenarios you can come up with for these characters and their personal relationships. While I have read the premise of Buffy returning post Angelus before in other stories, I haven't read one with this particular set of circumstances. I'm liking your stories' Spike. This is where he could have been in the show if the writers would have allowed his character to develop with the scoobies instead of only being the protagonist for another round of kick the Spike. I really don't think they quite knew what to do with him..........................It always bothered me that characters forgave each other, no matter what they did......................but not him; and also; with Buffy; she was only forgiven if she did what evryone else wanted.....................But I digress..... Your Willow has the capacity to be very, very, scary I think.....poor Tara.::((.. Loving the relationship rebuilding with Giles too. It really is an excellent read, and I can't wait for the next chapter......................so...........type faster! (lol) Do it for, puppies and Christmas and me!!! ::))

Author's Response: I'm glad to hear that you like it! I've had all these ideas swimming in my head for a while now, and the more original ones are the ones that I tend to use...since I mostly write in order to read, anyway! :D Yeah, it seems like Spike really had the potential to be the heart of the group, since he's got a little bit of that inner little kid and a little bit of the man who cared for a crazy woman for a century inside...who better to handle the Scoobies? :D But he never got the free pass in the series,even once he got that stupid soul...it really annoys me, too. And this is a Willow who was encouraged to build on her dark magic- I thought that it would be like Faith to support power, regardless of where it's from... But I'm happy you're enjoying this! Especially since it isn't so popular at TSR, it's nice to know that people here are liking it! Thank you for your review!

Please keep writing and update as soon as you can. I don't like Faith, so I really hope that Spike leaves her and goes to Buffy, and they have a happy end.

P.D. Sorry for my English.

Author's Response: Glad you're enjoying! Thanks for the feedback! :)

Not enough! i was ready to keep reading more and more. Loved this chapter, favorite one yet! Loved Giles and Buffy in this story. It was great to see them reconnecting and kicking her butt back into shape. Loved Anya too, she was written perfectly,. And I loved loved Tara too! She was sweet, supportive, and marvelous. It was great seeing Buffy bond with someone who was genuinely caring and nice. It was a great breakthrough moment for her. But damn, Willow is scary! I have a bad feeling about her and Tara. Can't wait to see what happens next.

P.S. Congratulations on your nomination :-)

Author's Response: Thank you! Now that Real Me is finished and my newest fic isn't even online yet, there's no pressure with Prodigal and it's much more enjoyable to write :). guess it showed... I loved Tara and Buffy's relationship on the show- unfortunately it's pretty much ONLY in Dead Things- so I really wanted to have them build a real friendship here. Buffy's got to stick with the outsiders, too, now that she's one of them... :)

Awesome update really looking forward to more, hope Buffy can make progress without Faith interfering, please keep update and soon lol.

Author's Response: Glad you enjoyed! Update in about a week!

Poor Buffy! It's hard to stay motivated when everyone is so hostile, especially if you have to live with them. I can understand Willow's anger but dang, Faith is a bitch! Guess that shouldn't be a surprise! :-) Have to admit, I too, will be glad when Spike is no longer with Faith, because, although the scenes are short, they're kind of icky, and not because he's with her, it's because the sex is just cold and sad.

Author's Response: Yup! At least she's still being positive about it... And I think we're all waiting for the end of Spaith already...it will definitely be coming soon...! :D

I can see Faith getting a bit jealous of the friendship between Spike & Buffy. Willow is going to be a real problem though. Not happy about how timid Tara appears to be. I hope Willow isn't using magic to control her, but I suspect she is. Good for Xander for owning up to lying to Buffy, something he should have done on the show. I hope the Spaith doesn't last too long... but who is going to dump whom? hmmm...

Author's Response: The whole dichotomy of the group has been changed with Faith there... there will be some more Spaith but it's really Spuffy :) Thanks for reviewing!

Great chapter. I love the chemistry between Buffy & Spike. More please.