Thank you lord jesus christ. LOL. I've been waiting forever for part III to come. I may not have been a huge fan of part II but I must say that I understand why you did what you did. You really wanted us to know the hell and transformation that William had to go through because of her and how he ultimately became Spike. Because really, could we have William here in 1997 instead of Spike? You took your time to really develop your character and your work is the better for it. Can't wait for the next part.

Author's Response: Wow, if you've hit the altar, I guess it was good! Thanks so much for the review. :-D

So happy to see the update. As I saw the year, 1997, I wondered if you initially intended this big jump, or if you felt pressured to get to Part 3. Just wanted to let you know that as hard as it was to read sometimes, I really appreciated the journey of William becoming Spike.

I was feeling very emotional reading the first couple of paragraphs: the acknowledgment of becoming closed off emotionally and the enjoyment of having "no past."

I'm kinda apprehensive for all the angst that is sure to start happening now with Buffy. Can't wait for more though. I love this story!



Author's Response: Nope, this jump was intended all along ... although I know with some of the peer pressure I've been receiving, it might seem like I'm just giving in. Anyway, it's great to know that you've enjoyed the story posted so far, and that you're looking forward to the next part. Thank you! :)

I highly anticipated Part III but I was not at all disappointed in Part II. If we didn't get to see William's journey into Spike than I think something huge would have been missing in this story. Don't apologize it is what the story needed.

Author's Response: Thank you so much! I"m glad you enjoyed Part II even as you looked forward to Part III. :-)

You did an excellent job weaving canon into this, fleshing out the details of the Gypsy encampment and how Spike and Dru happened to be nearby. Making Spike's massacre of the Gypsy's wife and children an act of malice works much better for this Spike than canon's idiot mistaken massacre. Spike's confrontation with Angelus was emotionally satisfying, and getting a bit of his own back felt right for the character. I also like how Spike turned the event to reflect on his own choices since becoming a vampire.

We're still nearly a century removed from Buffy's calling, but I'm enjoying Spike's evolution so much I don't mind a bit. I somehow missed this chapter when it was posted, so I have another one to get to right away. Lucky me!

Thanks for another wonderful read.

China... all the chaos there must be very welcome to our vamps. Even if Spike has to endure the company of Darla.
Mmmm Spike is after the slayer again; her being older (maybe because of the training started young) makes sense (= the death wish she had as Spike stated once later). Unexpected that she run again, but it made sense when she run to the temple. ~ Till next part....

Author's Response: I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks! :)

Thank you for the update, i have been eagertly waiting for it. Wonderful writing, as always!!

Author's Response: I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you. :)

Oh yes!!!!!
I was so happy to find a update I and a couple of pages behind but wow so much Spike goodness here I went and re-read the whole story again its so good it is by far the best story on SpuffyRealm.

Author's Response: Wow ... thank you so much for the high praise! I'm glad you're still enjoying the story. :-)

More, more, more please!!!!!!!!!! ASAP!

Author's Response: Very soon. I promise. :-)

You've portayed the victory over his first slayer in such rich detail that it bests the visual of the show. Truly a great read to learn the backstory, motivation, and setting. Hope that you are able to have Spike gloat to Angelus while he's at the Boxer Rebellion of his triumph. Love the description wherein Spike grabs Dru up after besting the slayer in such a way that she knows what she's in for. Phenomenal writing.

Author's Response: Thanks so much! It's great to know that you're still enjoying the story. I hope I can continue to entertain you in the future. :-)

I'll have you know that I was actually late for class this morning because I couldn't wait until I got home tonight to read your latest chapter :) And oh, being late was so worth it :)

Thank you for doing such a great job on one of my favorite episodes. I actually popped in Fool For Love to rewatch after I started reading this story.

Beautiful chapter.

Author's Response: FFL is one of my favorites as well, and I must have watched it a hundred times in researching this story. I'm sorry I made you late to class, but it's great to hear that you think it was worth it. I always love reading your thoughts on my writing. Thank you for taking the time to post them. :)

He got his first slayer. I can't wait for the third.

Author's Response: The time draws nigh ...

Sod Buffy returning...I am enjoying watching Spike become Spike-the violent Slayer of Slayers we fell in love with in Season 2. He won't be the strong and skillful companion that Buffy needs unless he learns to fight and plan, and that's going to take some time.

To him, Elizabeth is gone. Forever. While she still haunts his thoughts, why should he seek redemption from a God he doesn't believe in? He has no reason to be a "good man". His submersion into his vampiric tendencies is his vengeance against a God who took everything he ever loved away from him. The fact that he still loves the memory of Elizabeth and does not, himself, take part in harming children (feeling it to be "wrong") should be enough to soothe the souls of those who feel Spike should be "good".

I don't believe that your story is one about the "change" in Spike...his character remains true to what we saw in canon when he was spurned by Cecily. He's still a heartbroken man wanting to prove himself as worthy to be noticed in the world. The only difference is that his tragedy is greater since he lost mutual love as opposed to having Cecily trample on his crush. That would almost be enough to make him a greater evil. In fact, it makes me wonder if when he meets Buffy, he only goes after her kill more tenaciously because she dares to resemble his Elizabeth so much.

No, I look to see the big changes in Buffy. How she reacts to Spike once she is re-seeded into the timeline. Her character will have to have a monumental change of heart.

While I look forward to seeing those future interactions, I can't help but be drawn to this history of Spike in a way few fanfics command. He IS Spike. I love him. And I love seeing how he was tempered and forged.

I love your story.

Author's Response: ==To him, Elizabeth is gone. Forever. While she still haunts his thoughts, why should he seek redemption from a God he doesn't believe in? He has no reason to be a "good man". His submersion into his vampiric tendencies is his vengeance against a God who took everything he ever loved away from him.== Exactly my own thoughts. I'm so glad you find that it is being accurately conveyed in the writing. Your review just made my day, after reading some less-than-enthusiastic ones on a number of sites. Thank you so much. :)