See now my mind keeps wandering and I'm thinking that Lindsey is the one working with Dru or something...and she wants him to get Buffy away...I don't know. Haha maybe that's just paranoia. I can't wait to see where this goes but I would really like to understand more about Dru's plan and whatnot. Can't wait for more.

This is great!!! I've never seen Buffy and Spike written like this before. I eagerly await your next chapter in this riveting saga.

totally ignore my comment reg. the hit..because i hadn't read your response to my review yet...and if you are setting up for what happens in the video...then of course she hired a hit man...because the is nuts!

Oh, I am liking this story. i was a bit worried that Buffy was sticking around while it was obvious that Spike wasn't willing to commit to her. I'm wodering who Dru was talking to... and if Spike will find out what Dru is up to. I hope Buffy doesn't roll over and go back to Spike right away. She should find herself and become self sufficient. I hope Spike realizes that he shouldn't just "keep" Buffy in an apartment and presents. Good luck with the rest

I KNEW that Dru must know. I knew that had to be why she wanted to have a baby, etc. What a fucking bitch...sorry, but yeah, that's how I feel about her. I'm looking forward to more, I hope Spike figures this out soon because Buffy doesn't deserve anymore of this. I still don't get why he's with Dru though.

What I'd like to know is what Spike's relationship with Drusilla is all about. I'm not getting the impression from this story that he's trying to choose between two women he loves- so why is he still with Dru?

as always, this chapter was amazing... your other fic has me laughing, and this one has me almost in tears!! fantastic writing :)

Yeah, Buffy!

This is soooooo good. And you write so well! I'm sure I've told you that before, but I'm doing it again.

I finally caught up on my reading! I'm glad I waited until you reached the 9 chapter mark because I would have bitten my nails down waiting for each chapter. As it is, I can't wait until the next one! This chapter was absolutely heartbreaking! It definitely needed to happen but it sure hurt the heart to read. Not one thing I would change about this story. Although now I'm really really curious about what it would have been like if you did go darker!

Author's Response: Glad you're all caught up! I know it was heartbreaking to read (it was very hard to write), but it did need to happen. To answer your curiosity, the darker version would have featured an almost completely unredeemable Spike. Pretty much, him as a bastard who wouldn't give a damn about Buffy (as it is now, he at least tries to comfort her when she's hurting) and he probably wouldn't have let her leave. I decided it would have been too draining to write it that way (I'm emotionally exhausted with this story as it is). I do plan on writing a VERY dark fiction (eventually), but I will probably end up posting the story as a whole on my website, that way it wouldn't be as hard to read. It will be a while, because this story has taken a lot out of me (hence, co-writing False Pretenses and being able to unwind with comedy/fluff). Thank you for reviewing!

bravo Buffy. the first step of many towards a more self-actualized life. both Buffy and Drusilla deserve to be the only woman to someone who loves them to their fullest. right now, Spike is not that man. i just hope he can get his shit together before any irreversable actions (such a bringing a child into the world) are carried through. thanks for such a brilliant chapter.

My heart broke with Buffy's heart , and I felt Spike's despair so sharply.. This was a chapter so hard to read , so incredibly painful. But of course it was the right decision for Buffy , to try to find some of her own self-esteem. Make it better , as soon as you can , please ?