I see your point gar and I certainly hope that Spike does get his rocks back and beats the snot out of Xander. It would be such justice if the "weak and broken" vampire that Xander has had such pleasure breaking down suddenly reared up and kicked his ass. Part of me doesn't want Buffy to have to do it for him, it would be more empowering for him to begin taking back the power Xander stole.

I just worry that Spike may not pull it off because he is just beginning to fully grasp his memories. Spike should be stronger than Xander but he doesn't seem to know that - at least not yet. Xander has done a major mind screw on him and Spike is acting the same way many people would when faced with their abuser - appeasing the bastard in order to survive. It's a classic survival mechanism. IMO, Spike just isn't ready to face off with Xander and to overcome the mental hold Xander has over him. That, I feel, is the fatal flaw in Buffy's plan. Is this something Buffy has even considered? Cause just telling Spike the gun isn't a threat doesn't cut it.

While the door is locked, perhaps this will be the opportunity for Spike to rediscover his true power but that may mean that Buffy won't get to him before Xander hurts him and he'll be forced to defend himself. I shudder at the thought and quite frankly, unless they are videotaping the room, I don't see how that will provide any "proof" for Willow when Xander can just lie and say Spike was so freaked out that he attacked him. It'll be Spike's word against Xander's - no progress on that front. I'm not sure it's worth Spike having to suffer further anguish.

If Buffy does happen to intervene and save the day, well, good on her, she'll hopefully have no need to make Spike see someone who so sadistically used him but then Spike will still need to get on the road to reclaiming his lost power.

I just hope that when DreamsofSpike updates, that I am completely wrong and Buffy did actually think of everything when she came up with this masterful plan.

cant wait to see what happens next!!!!!!!!!! :D

o no, Spike's alone with him.

OK, If he touches him, I wanna break both his arms... please let Buffy and Co come through now, enough is enough...and its time the punisher gets punished.

AHHH! Bad, naughty, WICKED author, you!!! You can't do that!!!! No!!! Please, sir, I want some more! (MORE? Oliver Twist wants MORE?)

Okay, I was channeling weird stuff there-- sorry. But you are so evil and great. More soon, please! Fantastic chapter, I like how it wasn't just leave it open / lock it-- there was the "lock then open" scenario, haha. It was just great. :) Misleading and fantastic. I'm enjoying this story immensely!

I'm with you Abbyland. Angel take Spike away. But at the same time I don't want to see Buffy and Spike apart. I'm too much of a Spuffy fan.

Keep up the good work and can't wait to see what happens next.

Nice going Buffy.

Perhaps I'm speaking too soon but why am I not surprised that she would risk Spike's welfare in order to grasp onto some fleeting hope that Xander is innocent? Despite all the evidence and Spike's own words, not to mention Angel's and Dawn's objections, she's still willing to expose Spike to the person who so cruelly abused him. I don't care what "proof" she needs for Willow or herself - in fact as far as I'm concerned that is just one more excuse - right now I am so disgusted with Buffy.

Angel may have ignored Spike's call for help but he isn't deliberately continuing to compromise his emotional stability now that he knows the extent of Spike's trauma. Buffy may be well intentioned but even now she is trampling all over the person she claims to love in order to give her "friend" one last chance. At this point, dare I say it, she doesn't deserve Spike's love. The only person more revolting than Buffy in this fic at the moment is Xander himself.

Angel, I say take your childe and run.

Fantastic work!

oh wow. my heart was pounding so hard while reading this. loved it soooooo much. really hope that buffy gest all the proff she needs soon. i really hate that spike is going through this again. more soon.

what a place to leave us!! I know you won't torture us with a long wait, right?? Soo gooooddd!!!

Oooh...please update soon!

various sounds of anguish just escaped my lips in having to wait to see how the plan goes! more soon. pleeeeeease.

Oh, this just keeps getting better and better! I hope that Buffy can see just how sad and scared Spike really is when this is all over! And GO ANGEL! Kill that SOB!

:giggle: Great update! P.S... I heard you have a new niece or nephew? Congrats!!! :)

cant wait to see what happens next!!!!!!!!!! :D