LMAO - Spike called her out on her dream. Loved it and of course Buffy's not so stupid she can't see through him. Wonder if she'll put two and two together b/c of what Enid said. I'm sure she doesn't believe his sxcuse that the hag was trying to start trouble between them. That was funny about Buffy making a comment about being so fat Spike wouldn't want her, giggles, as if. They might have to try a different position, but I'm sure he'd take her any way he could get her.

Loved that Enid is finally gone, bu-bye, *waves*. Very intense scene with Spike's demon chasing after Buffy. I got to hand it to her, she knew just how to calm him down. It's good that they had that discussion about his beasat, it makes her realize some very important things about him, things I think she'll think on later.

And finally, YAY, so glad to see Buffy start to come around a bit. Finally a glimmer of hope that she's starting to have some small measure of feelings. - with her light comment as he carried her up the stairs. Sighs, her gallant William - oh yeah, she's in trouble. Wonderful job sweety, I do hope you update this next weekend.

Lovely chapter sweety. I think the pacing is just fine, especially considering how complex the characters are and all that is happening. We've got Dru and Angel to contennd with, Willow and Lucian, Willow and Spike's growing friendship, if that's indeed what it will be is friendship, Spike and Buffy (don't get me started cuz we all know what they've been through), Willow and Lucian (YUM), Wilow and the villagers as well as the new ploy to get the medallion back. It's like reading a novel off a bookshelf. We need the details behind what's going on or it would all be action without explanation. SO bravo, I liked the Willow/Buffy talk. It's good to see Buffy is softening up and I hope Spike is able to repair some of the damage. I do fear for him though when she finds out about his abilities. I doubt he'll open up to WIllow about it if she asks, but he might surprise us all and he could confide in her, which could ultimately help his cause in earning Buffy's love. Guess we'll have to wait and see. Also can't wait to see how things will be handled about Willow going to the village during the day without a vampire escort. I'm thinking it can't be safe for a woman, especially gypsy, but who will Spike get to escort her> OMG, I'm waited with baited breath to see if Buffy is actually going to attempt charming Spike. I bet it'll be sort of funny, because he'll so know something is up with that. LOL, you got my mind reeling with ideas as always sweetheart and say hi to Mike for me, he's a doll and obviously so in love with you. Take care sweety.

Author's Response: Thank you. I have woven a huge tale here with a lot of different threads and in the end, they have to all come together. The things that have been intreguing in the past ie: the medallion, the child, Angelus and Dru's revenge, spike's curse and the effect it will have when Buffy finds out, all must be continued to see completion. Like you said, if I just jumped to what was going on all the time it would be all action no explanation. I can't simply suddenly have Buffy and Willow in a carraige going off to the vilage. These details are important and they require unspuffy chapters. I know you understand that and I thank you for it. Buffy will be unsure and yet aluring at the same time. A young girl trying out something she has little clue of but a natural ability for, and yes, I hope it proves to be intersting. Thanks again and thanks for all the help you have given to both Mike and I over the past few weeks. He thinks you are a sweetie too and I do believe you are starting to give him a big head. Hee hee, he got all growly when I showed him your review but blushed as well. Too funny.

Whoa. Buffy hasn't got much time left before her birthday or the birth of her son to get that medallion. I hope that Samuel isn't going to be a problem when it comes to getting it (what a prick he is). And why oh why do I see Dru coming back into play concerning Buffy's visits to the village? I'm curious as to if the medallion is crucial to her powers when they emerge. Would they emerge without them? Since she is the golden child, or is it that without the medallion, they won't be understood? You may or may not be able to answer those questions depending on if they contain spoilers, but I'm curious enough to ask anyway, you know me hon..
It's very good to see Spike doesn't lie about his reasons for treating the villagers the way he has. It may not be exactly what Buffy would like, but hearing the truth is easier to swallow than a lie. Plus she did leave him with that tasty line from last chapter - give us time - definite hope there.
I hope you have fun on your vacation sweety. I'll be waiting for the next installment to see how Buffy/Willow plan on obtaining the medallion and hey.... any news on the Willow/Lucian front??? Just curious since some time has passed. I'm guilty as charged for want of some Wucian or Lillow or whatever other fans are coining them as... slut that I am, hee hee. Smoochies to you my friend, enjoy your time off.

Author's Response: No she does not, things are going to be coming to a head soon and yes, Drusilla will be reappearing. Bad pennies always turn up. She and Angelus have simply been biding their time, waiting for the moment when they can reclaim the castle. As for the medallioan, well, Buffy and it are tied together, it's kind of like the medallion wouldn;t be of value (powers I mean) to anyone but Buffy but Buffy needs it to activate what is inside of her along with her coming of age. Spike knows better than to lie. He is no fool. He knows Buffy would sense it right off. Also his male, lorship pride feels a bit funny and embarrased over the gifts and letting any and all know he does it for his wife is better than letting them think he is getting soft for all humans. As for Lucian and Willow. Patience hun. I know, I know. We have to build plot here and have Spuffy too. Don't owrry. It will come but don;t be expecting any hot sex right off. Remember who owns Willow and that Willow, fool that she is, thinks she doesn;t want Lucian and that he is an arrogant ass. I will have a good vacation. I'm being sent off to the spa. Ummmmmmmm going to relax until all my muscles turn to jello. Hugs hun.

Ahhhh, good plan on Dru’s part. I can see it coming to fruition, but when it comes time for the fulfillment of death, well, Spike would be there to the rescue. Perfect moodiness on Buffy’s part btw. To go from sweetness to bitch in 0 flat, totally the hormones of a pregnant women. I was A#1 bitch during my first pregnancy, bad me, during the second pregnancy I recognized and tempered it. If I couldn’t, I warned my husband and he, thankfully, kept his mouth shut, hee hee. I am so going to enjoy the fast pace now of all the ugliness coming. I live for those roller coaster rides of yours, they’re always so thrilling.

Oh boy, Spike may be a master vamp, but apparently the male stupidity part stuck with him when it comes to his little secret. If he were smart about it, he wouldn’t outright lie to Buffy. Rather he would skirt the truth so he could say, later on, I never lied to you, I just didn’t tell you the whole truth. Saying, yes there is something I’m keeping secret, but now is not the time for me to tell you wife and that is the end of the discussion. But good on him for having the bravery to go to Willow and discuss it. I just hope it pans out well in the end because there is no way Buffy is not going to be mad about it. Hopefully by that time, there will be a closer bonding of them as husband and wife and her forgiveness will come quicker than it would say like now.

Wonderful chappy as always hon, I do hope you update this week, I’m looking very forward to it. Hugs, Tina




Author's Response: Dru is a very smart lunatic. You have to give her that. her plan will have far reaching consequences. Thanks for the kuddos on Buffy's moods, I've never been there myself but have had some very serious PMS. I can do 0 to 60 in ten seconds as well, especially now that I'm older.

The speed will certainly pick up now, things are in place and as you know through emails details are worked out well ahead. I love giving the roller coaster ride you guys enjoy. I just like to give it slowly. Makes you hold your breath.

As for Spike, yep, male dumb gene. It's in all of them. I mean what can I say. I guess it's the fact that he hasn't loved in so long, if ever combined with no common sense. Your idea about skirting the issue might just make her even madder. Who knows. Can you see your hubby telling you yes I have a secret but we won't discuss it now? Now THAT would piss me off. Then again, it is 2007 and not the 1500's. Thanks sweetie, glad you enjoyed it. Regular update will be there as usual. You go take care of all that packing. Hugs

Oh my, oh yes, yeesss, YESSS! Can you tell I’ve had my meds lady? LOL. But seriously, I’ll, try to keep this one brief b/c I simply must go on to the next chapter and all the Wucian-y goodness you promised me. Oh, my boy Lucian was a wicked, naughty boy… I love it. I thought for a moment he was going to just start undoing her corset without letting her know it was him and not Hannah behind her. He tried, bless his cold, dead heart, to convince her to let him help, but Willow is no fool either. I think if she had no interest in him whatsoever, she might have let him. But the fact she is, even if she won’t admit it to herself, is all the more reason to tell him no. I mean HELLO… with a man like Lucian talking dirty like that, wanting to undo my clothes, that’s a hard thing to resist.

Looks like Lucian met his match in the mental arena. Setting aside the physical attraction, the verbal sparring is the foreplay here. Without that, (the wit and banter) there wouldn’t be much interest above the fleshly kind for sure. I loved having more insight into his thoughts on Willow and what draws him to her. Good to see that no matter her heritage, status in the castle or her indifference to him, he sees her for what she is… a desirable woman with desirable qualities. The fact he WANTS to please her – in the bedroom – well, I don’t think it’s for bragging rights or even being a gentleman for that matter. What he wants is to show her how good it can be between a man and a woman (between them) and then watch her passion unfold like a flower under the spring sun and a gentle rain, all soft petals and vivid colors. The fact he’ll be the one to nurture and benefit from the beauty of Willow coming into her own sexually (more ‘when’ than ‘if’ that’ll happen? *Hint, hint*) is only going to make him want more I imagine. Men like Lucian, for the times, are rare in that they care about their partner’s pleasure and poor Willow has no clue what she’s missing out on. At least the attraction is there for her too. A bit more time and perhaps circumstance and I can see these two causing a fire that would bring the castle down.

I hope Lucian get’s his opportunity to inform Spike of his suspicions of Hannah soon, lest it come too late. She’s a stupid bint and an even worse liar. When the time comes for it, I’m interested in seeing Lucian’s demon and what he is capable of. They always say it’s the quite ones you have to watch out for and I’ve no doubt his beast is as dark as Spike’s is when prompted.

Bravo sweety, delish chapter and I am so off to read the next one.


Author's Response: Okay, first off, you are way too funny on those pain meds and second, I don't agree that you can't write. True your beta might have to work a bit harder but this phrase "What he wants is to show her how good it can be between a man and a woman (between them) and then watch her passion unfold like a flower under the spring sun and a gentle rain, all soft petals and vivid colors." tells me Muse is dying to get out. That was quite eloquent hun. I'm glad you enjoy their banter so much and yes, he was a naughty boy but he could have been far worse. I imagine he would have been if not for that mark on willow's neck. Oh well, poor man will just have to yearn and not gethis wish.

One of the reasons Spike and Lucian are lovers who are about the feelings of women, who care about arousing them unlike the men of that era, is that they have lived so very long and have come to lern the value of pasion. Why bed a cold still fish when you can have a fiery responsive woman instead? Also,pratice make perfect right? As to the rest, well you already know the outcome of Hannah's deciet and that Lucian will tell Spike soon. Thanks so much for taking the time to review even when you are feeling so crappy. Yeah for pain meds!!! Drugs can be a wonderful thing. Hugs hun.

how to get Buffy to see things rationally. Someone who had suffered as much as her friend had would surely have a clouded view of things. This statement right here is all the explanation needed to understand Buffy’s response and behavior towards Spike. Spike has made many allowances towards Buffy in her behavior/outbursts, all in an effort to win her love, so it’s understandable that she acts so bold towards him, especially when she believes she’s in the ‘right’ over Hannah’s situation. That and the fact he wouldn’t harm her or their child gives her the extra courage to say everything she has. Am I upset with Buffy’s behavior? Not really. I think she said some pretty harsh things to him here, hurtful & uncalled for things, but who hasn’t when arguing with a loved one? She’s simply a person who reacts first and thinks later.

Willow is the thinker here and of course, after what has occurred between her and Lucian, she will work out in her mind everything that has occurred. For now she knows it’s best to leave things as they are and side with Buffy until she’s drawn her own conclusions. I so love Willow for this.

A-HA! So the baby is now perceptive beyond the womb… bloody brilliant of you. As a magical child I would expect nothing less. Since I don’t know when the little critter is to be born, I’m going to suspect that his own perceptiveness outside of the womb is only going to grow and increase. I don’t think Spike is just going to get a little bundle of joy once he’s born, I think he’s going to have his hands full of something for which he is completely unprepared… and not just from the lack of experience with being a new father or being around babies in general.

Smart move on Spike’s part to decide to inform Lucian of his empathic abilities… this will surely be a help where all is concerned: Willow/Buffy/Hannah/Dru.

I can see where many readers can get caught up in the story and they’d be instantly riled up over Buffy’s behavior, but, let’s not forget that ‘we’ as the readers ‘see’ all (all character thoughts) because of what we read. Buffy sees only what she wants and has only her own experience to go by when making decisions… emotional ones at that. It’s actually quite canon Buffy and is helping greatly to facilitate the story-line. Just because Spike has tried so hard to sway her feelings for him is in no way a reason to side with him. Feel sorry for him? Sure, absolutely, I have many times over. Is Buffy being a bitch? Not from her perspective but outwardly it’s easy to see and hate her for it.

Can’t wait to see where you’ll take us next sweety. Good luck on this busy time of the year.


Author's Response: Hi Lady! Greta chat yesterday and I'm glad you figured out the secret about the baby (No anyone reading this, I'm NOT talking about him having feelings) from the hints that have been in a couple of chapters. That's all I'll say here. if someone else wants to go back and hunt if they read this reply so be it. I am amazed no one has picked up on it.

Now then, as for this chapter and Buffy. Thank you. she has been through alot and yes it would cloud her vision of things. Also, she has not been privy to the thoughts of those around her including her husband. She has only seen him as a caring man who always reverts to a monster when provoked. How can she not react badly. What would any woman do if faced with a life time of being married to someone who has a monster inside spring forth everytime you have an argument? As I said above, I;m sure now days Buffy would be diagnosed by some therapist with a few disorders because of her abuse so it is natural that she's a bit messed up. Her need to save Hannah and be strong stems from past feelings of complete helplessness and desperation and of course guilt over the little boy who was slaughtered in her name.

The spell is a double edged sword. Right now Spike needs it. It has been very useful, but it will come back to haunt him when Buffy finds out. She will feel violated lie he has been peering into her soul and will not believe he feel in love on his own.

As for the uproar and readers feelings and who to side with. Well yes, I think the readers need to think back on how they felt when Buffy was really suffering, I mean in the beginning when she was in so much pain and despair. I mean it drove her to want to die. Remember how we hated Spike? How you all loathed him and said she could never love him? Now look at things through her eyes and think about how she has only her perspective to go by. A couple of months of sweetness interspursed with the demon coming out a time or two doesn't create a bond of love and trust forged out of steel. We have a long way to go here and there are going to be setbacks. She has her reasons and I know she is irritating. I hated buffy in cannon many times but hey, just try to be compassionate and understand. Spike is.

Thanks sweetie, hope muse can get into her routine soon and get back to work. hugs and smoochies to you.

LOL, the choice of fluids crystal Pegasus mentioned over my reaction to the Wucian kiss was a bit off – hee, `nough said. WOW, the emotions really leaped off the page in this chapter, particularly between Buffy and Spike. Good to see he’s trying to smooth things over and I can’t help but to ‘feel’ for Buffy despite the barbed comments. Boy, she really tested the limits with him, but that’s good, for 2 reasons. 1: I think he came out of their discussion with a better understanding of her feelings, even if her judgment is clouded b/c of her first few experiences after having arrived at the castle. 2: She recognizes that she pushes the limits of how a woman/wife is supposed to behave and I feel this will help her to see her husband in a different light later on, when she becomes willing again to let him in. It’s not a small task for a master vampire, let alone a man of the times, to sit there and take such behavior from a wife (I’m speaking from the viewpoint of the times, not present day).

Giggles, I think I caught something Buffy didn’t intend to say quite the way it came out... “I shall never be happy. Not here, not with you, never again.” ... ‘never again’, things that make you go, hmmmmmm.

God I adored it when he comes right out and tells her that he loves her and to open her eyes. The poor guy is desperate. Sure, he’d done some awful things, but he’s right when he conveys that the past has to be let go, whether forgiveness is involved or not.

Looking forward to the reveal of proof Spike found over Hannah’s deceit. I can only hope that Buffy’s ‘actual’ treatment towards her husband softens. I know she’ll feel a bit bad inside for doubting him, but as to whether they’ll have any small form of verbal reconciliation, I can’t guess what you’ll be doing there, I can only hope. Hmmmmm, will Buffy beg her hubby not to torture Hannah first if she is to die? Give her a humane death? I also can’t help

Oh Lord, don’t get me started on Angelus, *cringes*. He’s smart, I gotta hand it to him. He may not be the brightest minion in the bunch, but he certainly makes up for where Dru’s insanity threatens their safety. That poor kid, I felt so bad for him and I have a feeling he’ll meet his end soon enough at Angelus’ hand. Giggles, I wonder just how pissed Dru’s going to be when she wakes up.... especially if she wakes up more than 6 feet under.

*Sighs*. “And I wouldn’t have you any other way.” So presumptuous, that’s my Lucian. His persistent is going to pay off though whenever Spike gives the go ahead. Oh yeah, Willow is definitely getting her bloomers charmed off here. The bond they’ve created just by having to spend time together and the fact they both care equally for their friends is a huge help. Love that Danior was such a dumb oaf when it came to pleasuring his wife, or lack thereof. I can just imagine her confusion when she actually felt the stir of passion for the first time. If Lucian can do that with just a kiss, I can only imagine when he actually gets his hands on her. Hee, she’s going to think she’s died and gone to heaven. This interaction was too delicious, it left me squee’ing, he’s wearing her resistancec down so well. Hopefully there won’t be any repercussions, from Spike’s end, that he ignored vampire law.

Well done my friend, very good chapter chocked full of action, emotion and intrigue. Take care and hope you're able to update this coming weekend.



















Author's Response: Okay, you too are too much. You had me laughing so hard though. Still, it did surprise me. I mean it was just a kiss. I guess I have been doing a good job building up the tension between Willow and Lucian if that was your reaction. Or maybe both of you are simply just gaga over my vamp. Willow certianly seems to be melting doesn't she. She snapped at him over his comment but kissed him back nne the less. Hell, if you've never tasted suchdelights and someone with looks like that and charm that oozes from every pore comes along and offers it to you on a silver platter it's hard to resist. Lucian better keep himself in check though. That was a big no no, though I suppose you could say he was simply trying to get her to talk. Yeah right.

Yes spike and Buffy had a good talk and Spike made ground even though she was still so very stubborn adn resistent. She revealed more of her feelings, such as wondering about his feeding and what he does when he isn;t with her. Who he takes his natural demon urges out on and that was good even though it was unjust. I mean hell, she has to wonder. here is this guy who was so very brutal and now he's all sweet puppy most of the time. When does he vent and who suffers? As far as what she said "Never be happy again." I think Buffy would admit that she had been becoming happy with Spike. That is part of the problem here. She let her defense down, started to let him in, started to care and accept her home and husband, and now BOOM, we are back to square one in the trust arena.

As for Angelus, yes he is smart. Smarted than we though but that is from desperation and hate. It makes one keen at times. He wants William the Bloodys life and he will do what he has to to get it. I know the boy thing is sad but he really was the perfect one to get to cross over to the side of the evil plotters. Angelus can manipulate him so easy. Okay hun, I'm off to edit. Hopefully I'll be able to post today or tommorw. School is out and I will be a lady of leisure as soon as my class next week is over. Hugs to you.

I owe you a review for this chappy, but I'll have to keep it brief sweety. YAY for Buffy finally realizing she can trust her husband. Oh wow... she finally knows a bit more about her powers and knows she could destroy the inhabitants of the castle. Holy cow she has a lot to think about. I lmao over Dru's ranting, such a spoilt brat she is. That poor little boy too, he'll be dinner the second his usefulness is up. Sorry for the brif review hon, I'll try to write a longer one for the next chappy, which btw is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! I just need to get off the computer for now as I'm still staying with relatives and everyone needs a turn here, lol.

Author's Response: Hi there lady. I LOVED the piccy. You look so very happy. Dazed too. Did you manage to keep the drool from trickling down your chin when James had his arms wrapped around you ;) Yes Buffy has finally entered the land of trust. How could she not. The proof was there and he has been so good to her. They still have issues because of the whole alive/undead thing, but they will work it out together.