Hey your back great turn of events going on here with spike and his learning to be a better vampire. Love to see more soon

Author's Response: I'm working on the next chapter now. Thanks for reading and reviewing. :)

So they were in Rome for a while like months before Angelus and Darla caught up with them or found them. At least Spike had some time alone to himself to go after his own interests. I think some time alone will make him strong and he won't fold under the pressure of Angelus turning back up with his gross ways. I get so excited every time I see a new chapter come up this is one of my favorite stories.


Author's Response: I'm glad you're enjoying it so much. Thanks, as always, for taking the time to review. :)

I have been horrible at reviewing this story, but I have been hanging on to every chapter, checking everyday for an update--- I am blown away by your mastery of writing, and your skill in plot-- too many authors lack one or both of these qualities, and it is a joy to find an author who is simply brilliant.

I have a couple questions regarding the story that you would perhaps not like to answer lest you give away too much, but I am curious. :)

Time travel stories are always fun because there are so many different theories as to how time travel works.

Did Buffy, in going back in time, *change* the past, or are you deviating from the show's established plot for how Spike was turned? While some are anal about canon, I think that half the fun of writing comes from being able to play with the timeline, and since, as I said, each person writes time travel differently, I wasn't sure which track you were taking.

Thank you so much for this amazing story--truly epic! I can't wait for more!

Author's Response: How very nice of you to say! I'm glad you think so highly of my writing. :) Without giving away any plot secrets I will say that, so far, I have been weaving bits of canon with my own original scenes. I don't think it's possible for Buffy to have spent time with William and *not* change the past. But then there's also the possibility of Destiny and the paths our feet are set on no matter what. So, to answer your question ... you'll just have to read to find out. ;) Thanks so much for reviewing! :)

Very well written more soon please.

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

Emiliana is such a pretty name I must remmember that. I loved this new update and laughed at Spike not minding Dru killing off the people for their apartment cause of the ugly wallpaper.
Maybe its good A. showed up cause Italy's purpose burned out with the slayer dying I cant remember the time line if they are off to the Boxer Reb. after this or what but I look forward to more of this story.

Author's Response: I'm glad you like the name. I chose it because its meaning is "Rival" which I thought was singularly appropriate, given her role in the story. In regards to the timeline, the Boxer Rebellion took place in China during 1900. As of the end of Chapter Thirty-Five, it is late autumn of 1880, so we still have a ways to go before Spike gets a crack at the Chinese Slayer. Thanks for reviewing. :)

Spike seems to admire stong women who stand alone in battles and have no fear lol. Who says he doesn't have great taste in women. Please more when you can its so hard to see a page end.

Author's Response: I agree completely. The boy can pick them, can't he? ;) Thanks for reviewing!

I love the back and forth between the Rome Slayer and Spike in how they speak too each other you really did that well. And I liked the fact Elizabeth is never too far away in Spikes thoughts and she is still as strong as ever in his heart.
Cannot wait for your next addition!~

Author's Response: I'm so glad to hear that. Thank you! :)

Fantastic as always I love this story.

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

Drus dolls and her secrets I wonder if he secret is she sent for Angelus to find them. I like Dru but I would not put it past her because she's so crippled by Angelus she does not know any bettyer.
Great writing and great fight scenes.

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

I like that his fantasy is still being with Elizabeth and that they would maybe live there and that his mother too would be there and that they would live there and be happy together. You know he fastly assumed she was dead I mean there was no body and William didnt seem the type to give up on love so soon. I feel bad for Dru cause she knows she will never be to him what (the other woman was) but she still tries in her crazy ways to love him.


Author's Response: One of the reasons he was so quick to assume she was dead (other than the fact that the police could not find her when the horse came back riderless) was that he had been expecting something terrible to happen to her for weeks. It made him all the more willing to assume the worst. And he hasn't given up on love ... he will never stop loving her. But he also never thought himself worthy of such overwhelming loyalty and affection from any woman, let alone Buffy, who he adored. In a way, he always knew it would never last. Thanks for reviewing. :)

After that, Rome lost much of its appeal. It ceased to be a battlefield and became, instead, a tormenting bed of fantasies and regret. Without the Slayer and without her, what did he have left? Nothing but Drusilla, and poor Dru seemed an inadequate substitute for glory and passion.

This is the best line because tight there you see how unhappy Will/Spike is with just how things are and like how the Slayer gave him a distraction from his unlife for a while. Best story by far!

Author's Response: Thank you so much! :)

I love it when Spike shows his honorable sides mixed with his bad boy side I just love coming across this story it always makes me smile I hope you continue with it this summer it is a great tale

Author's Response: Thanks so much. I'm glad you're enjoying it. I will definitely continue to work on this story and, Muse willing, I'm hoping to continue to update every week or so. I hope you'll keep reading. :)

This was another wonderfully entertaining chapter. The deep melancholy Spike feels is beautifully conveyed, and then disposed of. The confronatations with the Italian slayer were sharply choreographed and very entertaining. Spike trading insults and quips in Italian painted a charming picture of the battles not described. The first meeting with the slayer set a code of honor that I hope follows through to Spike's other pursuits.

That first battle also gave Spike something to "live" for: " In the flush of the fight, he had found something to give meaning to his existence, and he didn’t want to surrender that meaning just yet." Nice job effectively shelving his pesky death wish.

Edith was a lovely detail, and Dru's explanation for the gag and blindfold rings true. I'm really enjoying the dynamic you've created between Spike and Dru in this story. It's more a sibling relationship, seeking comfort from one another. I'm looking forward to what's in store now that Angelus is back on the scene. I'm sure that he's going to be pretty miffed...

Author's Response: I'm glad you liked the chapter. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a wonderful, detailed review. I always love reading your thoughts. :)