Ok, that description of Giles without eyes or a mouth, followed by He fades, was deeply creepy. Genuinely frightening. Meep.

I did like the riding crop scene quite a lot, but now I'm mostly shaking off the shudders.

Author's Response: I'm perversely pleased with your opinion on the creepy factor. Thanks!

R&R before :) Loved it and looking forward to find out what Tara wants.

Author's Response: Thanks!

OK ... I am admitting that I although I have not ever posted a review for your chapters ... you are one of my two favorite authors. You are MASTERFUL !!!! Your writing is not only creative ( adore Meret and the entire concept of her) but I feel as though I am standing in what ever scene you are describing ... I am there and it is so completely entertaining. I do not know if you are a feedback driven author but I plan upon leaving reviews from now on. Your pieces are to be treasured ... movie worthy ... truly. Thank you so much for sharing your talent!

Author's Response: Thank you! I'm flattered that you would think so! I wouldn't say "driven," but I do enjoy hearing what you guys have to say. Thanks for leaving a review!

Spike is back and the worries start.. overdrive :) Oh so clever of Dawn. The letter she let Spike write will save this head *grins* Buffy isn't amused. I guess Dawn has to take the blame now. Too bad it didn't work ;-) But awe, they made up. Means they really talked and got some issues out of the way. But now Spike has to worry about getting a gift for Buffy aka getting a gift for his girlfriend :) Loved the chapter

Author's Response: OMG! Functional communication (well, kind of) in a Spuffy story! Snerk! Glad you liked it though. Thanks for reviewing!

You started this chapter vividly, with Spike punting the headless zombie just to fill the time. It was amusing and sick, and the surreal call from Dawn lightened the mood even more. The jewel's reaction to Spike's desire to free its trapped souls altered the mood beautifully. Spike channeling all those souls was a striking scene, and Miclantechutli's description of him as an "empty vessel" was apropos. The line "You aren't my slave William. You are my son.." did a great job taking the sting out of being said "empty vessel.

Author's Response: Amusing and sick was what I was going for, so I'll take that as a complement. ;-) I was really worried about the scene with the souls, so I'm really happy that you liked it. Thanks!

Brilliant! It was extremely nice! Your story is so wickedly funny! I loved it! I'm terribly sorry I'm not being very original but here it's late and I'm still riding on the high that your chapter brought me!
xxx
mikim

Author's Response: Just knowing that my story is a narcotic is more than enough. ;-) Happy to be of service. Thanks for reviewing!

Playing catch up with your story, so expect a few reviews from me today. Loved the chapter, *lol* especially the discovery of what the envelope contained. Dawn's reaction was too fun to read. I'm loving those moments of Spike's introspection and I'm awfully curious over how his little trip might go. :) Off to read more. :D

Author's Response: I really love Dawn. Her relationship with Spike was one of the highlights of season six for me. I hope the "trip" doesn't disappoint. Thanks for reviewing!

Great chapter!

Author's Response: Thanks!

Ooooh...

Yes, go de-possess Giles, or whatnot. (And yeah, I thought he was dumb for leaving town without telling Buffy, but I was thinking more in the slaying realm than in the relationship realm. Do I fail girl? *g* Dawn amuses.)

Author's Response: Dawn can be so much fun to write. And I'd say you're still passing girl, but only just. ;-) Thanks for reviewing!

Most excellent chapter. I was wondering how Spike was going to get out of the predicament he was in. Also, I loved Meret at the end.

Author's Response: As horrible a confession as this is going to be, when I wrote the end of the last chapter, I kept thinking of George Clooney saying "Damn boys! We're in a tight spot!" over and over again. Hee! I'm glad you liked my 'out.' Thanks for reviewing!

I really love your story. It offers an unexpected view on Spike's character. Many stories show him extremely human and while I really appreciate and love those stories I think I love the stories showing him as a vampire more. What I mean is that you've shown him as being different from the humans and while he definetely feels and relates to others he's not a human but a vampire. I'm probably not making much sense but you so totally deserve each of the nominations you've received. Oh hell, it doesn't really matter if I'm expressing myself well as long as you keep writing this wonderful story because after all that's the important bit. At least for me!
xxx
mikim

Author's Response: You're making all kinds of sense, and thank you for the huge compliment! Part of the fun for me when I'm writing Spike is the fact that he isn't a human. He might act and look like on sometimes, but he's just not one. It's interesting to try to figure out how vampires might think and act since they aren't 'wired' exactly the same as us. I'm so glad you're liking my take on things. Thanks!

Really loving how inventive and different this story is - not just more of the same.

Author's Response: I can't even begin to tell you how flattering this review is. Thank you so much!