Oy!

Oh yeah, this indeed is a real life story... He goes drinking, she is waiting in vain for him to come home... Well, I haven't reviewed a couple of chapters now, but I read them all and was very pleased - not about Spike's behaviour but about the way you portrayed the whole situation. Spike really seems to have serious problems with himself and everything, if he acts that way. Plus, I'm worried about his alcohol consume. It may still be harmless and just a stupid way to deal with his sorrows, but becoming an alcoholic sometimes happens sooner than expected... I'm sure I haven't to explain this...

Concerning Buffy's mom, I wonder if she will get better at first until some aneurysm(?) is going to kill her...Maybe in this parallel universe she gets a chance to remain alive...

I think Spike's behaviour isn't just because of his ex-girlfriend. In my personal, non-professional view, Spike hasn't come over the loss of his mom yet, and maybe even he doesn't want to, he regards the relationship between Giles and Joyce as a scaring replacement of persons, and that's why he keeps on thinking that he himself could be easily replaced by someone else in the relationship with Buffy.

To cut a long story short - this fic has a huge potential of developing thoughts, and I like it very much - even with the following angst passages *g*. This is a long review to compensate the lack of others. :) Thanks for the regular updates, it has been a pleasure to read.

I'm still new at this reviewing thing so I hope I get this right! What an interesting and riveting story. I really enjoy a complex story that challenges us reader to step outside the norm. I have to support your view that the relationship would be a tabloid feeding frenzy. When I started reading this I kept thinking how Jerry Lee Lewis. (His music career never recovered from the scandal that he married his 15 yr old cousin) I know his situation was much more taboo, but still in the same category. Stick to your intuition on this story and keep true to your vision. I can't wait for the next installment.

Oh Addie, the sh&t you're putting up with is what’s breaking my heart. I, personally, love this story and have been following it for awhile. I think it's fabulous that it has spread out into different aspects of REAL life. Sometimes when it rains it pours, families have multiple problems at once so that's very realistic. I think some readers (& not just this story) are not paying attention to the basics here. 1st, you chose your categories and angst is one of them, 2nd, you warned people appropriately in A/N - and that's showing responsibility to the readers to inform them prior to something they may not like. 3rd, this is fiction with a capitol F. It's not real, it's what you're mind creates and like watching a movie, some things may or may not seem real or plausible to some people... what you choose to project in your story is what you want readers to believe/accept is happening so we all can stay caught up in it and enjoy it for what it is. As an author here myself, there's a lot of non-plausible scenarios and what not all over my story. Who cares, take it at face value and be entertained. I had one flame recently and I deleted it. I addressed the issue in the following chapter's A/N using the KISS principle, you know, Keep It Simple Stupid (or Sweetheart as some prefer) b/c I’m a no-nonsense kinda gal. Plus I agree with you 100%, if someone has an issue they feel they MUST address, the review board is NOT the place to do that, your email is. But I’ll tell you something, people like that (and my flamer as well) in my OPINION (let’s get that word right… right? LOL) are prone to antagonistic behavior and simply love/seek conflict in their lives (I’ve taken waaaaaaaay to many psych courses in college not to ignore the signs). Your best bet sweety, do like me… ignore it, you’ll only fuel it further. I feel I would waste my time and creative energy by even responding and I can’t afford to be dragged down mentally. I told my readers flat out I won’t apologize or defend my work, it’s unnecessary. Every author deserves the utmost respect for their work regardless if someone likes their story or not. It’s not an easy task to write, it can be extremely difficult sometimes. And if people would sit down and try it for themselves (put the shoe on the other foot so to speak) they’d see just what a chore it can be and that it’s a labor of love. The creative process is allowing you’re imagination to run free, and that’s the fun part I find. I considered sending this as an email to you, but instead am leaving it right here. Perhaps those who will read it will look at it from a different angle before just writing any old review. My hats off to this chapter, I enjoy angst, plus I totally LMAO at Sarah g’s review when she said WTF… it was my sentiments exactly. Isn’t it just like a man to do the same stupid f&*ked up thing that got him in trouble in the first place? Ahh, Quentin, ever the trouble maker. He does have a point, and I can see Spike needing to talk w/ Buffy on the issue. I feel really bad for her ya know??? I mean she came to a very mature conclusion in her mind when she could have just stayed mad, then he had to go and not come home. Arghhh, I am SOOOOOOOOOOO looking forward to the next chapter. Tastes like… more please???

Author's Response: Thank you very much for your support. It is difficult to write sometimes, and for me at least, that becomes more difficult when people are complaining about me or my story when they can simply be matire and stop reading. I'm glad to see someone understands where I'm coming from, and thanks again for your kind words.

Dear Author , you wrote :" Yes, it is my story, and personally, I don't believe it's "gratuitous" angst. As far as I'm concerned, this could very well be a problem, especially if the media put a certain spin on it, and yes, it's something a label may worry about when promoting a new band. Furthermore, Spike is already stressed, which makes it harder for him just to roll his eyes and ignore Travers.
Sometimes in life, a lot of bad things hit you at once. This story has never been a particularly happy story, and if you don't like where it's going, simply stop reading. I'm sorry, but I don't need to hear your rant. I have my plan for this story, and I'm doing everything for a reason. You can choose to either read it and accept that or not."

No need to become angry you know. The problem with the review is that , as soon as it expresses something that it isn't high praise , it's called 'flame ' or ' rant'.
It wasn' t a rant , it was a reaction - a gut reaction - after reading the chapter.
I stay in my belief that you create a problem where there shouldn't be , BUT , that doesn't mean that I I will stop enjoying the story , unless you follow a very dark path , but in that case , I won't be the only one.

My words were my opinion , and what I call freedom of speech , nothing more.
Like I said , it is YOUR story . It' s also my right , as a reader , to say - while staying polite - that I don't believe in some things happening.

I never meant something else , and never meant to imply that your story wasn't worth reading anymore.

So please , don't say 'Read and shut up ' , or don't read.


Author's Response: You're entitled to your opinion. I'm entitled to think it's wrong. I don't have to have every review be positive, but when someone writes a very long review telling me they don't like something I'm doing, I have my right to defend myself and my story. And yes, if you don't like what I'm doing you can not read it. I've already said there's angst, and I've already said I'm not changing what I have planned., and that I don't want to listen to people complain about it. That's MY right as an author. If some people don't like the path I choose to take, fine. I'm not going to be upset if people don't like this kind of story, but I'd rather not have to get dissertations on what people don't like about it.

Furthermore, I think this would very MUCH be a problem for them. It would be more unrealistic to ignore it. Record labels can be very controlling, and could go on and on there. It's all about image--there's a possiblity this could hurt Spike's image. Nothing's been proven, Travers never said definite, but there's a reason for an executive to think this would raise some eyebrows. People have told me they won't read this story because of the step-sibling angle--it's something that still bothers people in 2006. Furthermore, Travers never demanded they split or anything like that, he simply brought the issue up with Spike because, as someone running a business, he's worried about how this would effect his business. There's nothing unrealistic in that, and if you're fully convinced otherwise, perhaps you should take a look at the way record labels and PR firms are run. There's a big focus on spin and image, especially in the early stages of someone's career.

I stand beside my story and my response to your review. Yes, you have freedom of speech, but you can also respect me as another person and as someone who works hard to produce entertainment for others with no personal gain for myself. Freedom of speech doesn't mean you can just say whatever you want whenever you want to anyone, and yes, I took your review as a bit of a rant. I never called it a flame, but at the same time it was highly critical and something I didn't agree with. I've already asked that the readers don't criticize that this is an angsty story because I know, and I'm not going to change it--and you chose to ignore my request. This is what made me a little upset about it all. I'm working very hard on this story, and I have a plan for it, which is why I don't necessarily want to hear complaints about angst.. And I find it a little amusing that you defend your right to say what you want, but then tell me two sentences later that I can't say what I feel on the matter.

If you have anything else to say to me, I'd prefer you contacted me through email. My email address is at the top of the story and there is a "contact" link on my author profile. The review forum really is not the place for comments to me personally that move out of the realm of the story itself and into mt personality, as this has done.

Spike finding stress relief in the bottom of a bottle won't lead anywhere positive. I'm enjoying this angsty turn of events, but I hope you have these two talking things through before long.

This is such a wonderful story im enthralled

This story is well done and moving. I discovered it a few days ago.
But i'm sorry to say ( and it is not a flame ) that , according to me , you're going to gratuitous angst with Buffy being a problem for Spike's career.

Angst because Spike is insecure and because Buffy doesn't express enough how much Spike is important in her life , right. But this ? Who would dare to think that Buffy is related to Spike in the wrong way? Silly , narrow-minded people. They're not related by blood and that only should matter , especially in 2006.

So making Spike act like he is seriously afraid of the effect fame would have on Buffy , or let Quentin speak to him in such unpleasant , distateful manner , is a bit ridiculous.


I love angsty stories, don't get me wrong , - and yours already followed this road brilliantly , I might add - but there , it is not very believable : who cares that Spike is dating the daughter of the woman who married his father ? Please !

And Spike , who had a fight with Buffy , who didn't see her for a while , who needs to discuss things , decides to go have a drink?

Sounds to me like gratuitous angst , especially knowing that Spike and Buffy will find a way to overcome their differences .

Of course , it is YOUR story and you're doing what you want , that's clear.
It was just my two cents.

Author's Response: Yes, it is my story, and personally, I don't believe it's "gratuitous" angst. As far as I'm concerned, this could very well be a problem, especially if the media put a certain spin on it, and yes, it's something a label may worry about when promoting a new band. Furthermore, Spike is already stressed, which makes it harder for him just to roll his eyes and ignore Travers.
Sometimes in life, a lot of bad things hit you at once. This story has never been a particularly happy story, and if you don't like where it's going, simply stop reading. I'm sorry, but I don't need to hear your rant. I have my plan for this story, and I'm doing everything for a reason. You can choose to either read it and accept that or not.

Wait, a little reassurance from you here, are they going to break up?

I know, stupid question, but I do want to know *puppy dog eyes* and so do many of your readers.

Author's Response: If you want to know the answer to that, email me directly. There are readers I'm sure who don't want to know, so I'm not posting anything about future chapters on a public forum.

I think two people need to learn that communication is the key to any successful relationship. I'm sitcking through the future angst cuz itll make the ending so much better.

OMG! I can't believe him. She was gonna forgive him but then he decided to go drinking because of the possibility of her being mad still. How is drinking some more gonna make it any better?!?! That was the problem in the first place. I can't believe he forgot about that. I hope it's just one drink and he's not stupid enough to get drunk AGAIN!!!

Poor Buffy...she was ready to move on and then he didn't bother going back home right away. What's this gonna do to her? Better yet, what's it gonna do to the relationship when she finds out where he went? He's gonna have A LOT of groveling to do if she forgives him. Hopefully they'll make it through this together.

Hehe, sorry bout that. Lots of stuff up there. Great chapter! I was sad to find that was the end of the chapter. Update soon please!

WTF!!!! why is he acting like this. i love this story and am happy u updated. i cant beliee that spike went to go get a drink after everything that happened the night before with buffy. also i cant believe that buffy thinks that its her fault he thihnks shed do that and that she doesnt show how much she loves him, that crap its all becuz of his insecurities. i really hope that spike and buffy talk things through and that they stay together and are happy. please update as soon as u can, cant wait to see wat happens next. thanx

Wow, that was a bit heavy. Damn, I love Buffy ready to forgive, but Spike and his stupid drinking. That's certainly another place for angst. Love this story, can't wait for more.