Excellent portrait of the motivations and circumstances that led to Spike's rebellious search for violence. Both fight scenes were wonderfully vivid and brutal. Spike's nonchalant reaction at his rescue gave me a happy shiver, and I delighted in his placing his muddy boots between Darla and Angelus and just dropping off to sleep.

It's wonderful that in this rebirth, Spike has found it in himself to forgive Dru and even understand her actions. You've made her a sympathetic character once more while you've kept Angelus's villainy simmering nicely. That last image and Angelus' incredulous line made me laugh out loud.

This was another tight, richly detailed chapter that flowed seamlessly from scene to scene.

Author's Response: Thanks so much, Brunettepet. I'm glad you liked it. :) I always had a lot of empathy for Dru. It wasn't her fault she was insane, and I honestly think she did love Spike. When she hurt him, she did it unthinkingly, and when she left him, it was only because she saw that he was no longer in love with her the way he once had been. Even though my Spike doesn't have the same passionate feeilngs for Dru that canon Spike did, he does love her. In a non romantic and non sexual way, he cares for her. And, like William, he likes to shelter and protect the women he cares about.

Trust Spike to look into the eye of the storm and spit right into its eye! I see a mine shaft in their future and info on a Slayer and finding out what one is coming his way soon. This made my morning at work here :)



Author's Response: The mineshaft is definitely coming. ;) I'm glad you like the chapter and thanks so much for taking the time to review. :)

A+++++ Ok I feel like a Ebay rating but hey this story is above and beyond in the making of the monster in our man William all tongue and cheek and moxie. I loved him bringing Drusilla into the bar I lust laughed out loud over that.


Author's Response: I'm glad you liked the bar scene. I got a kick out of writing it, the way he was so gentlemanly to Dru and so brutal to everyone else. Thanks for reviewing. :)

The era of Spoke has begun!
It was hard to see William go because I had grown to really care for him in this but out of the ashes of William Spike was born so you have to still love him all the more.

Author's Response: I had a hard time letting go of William, too. I think, deep down, Spike remains William even despite all the evil things he does. The new tough-guy persona is only skin deep, because, as we see in seasons 5--7, he actually remains very emotionally vulnerable. I was watching "Crush" the other day, and it struck me how very much like William Spike was in that episode. Very awkward in his pursuit of Buffy, very ... well, almost self conscious. It wasn't until Buffy shot him down, and Dru showed up that things went so wrong. Before that, I really think he was trying to be what he thought she wanted him to be (preppy clothes, gentler attitude etc). Anway, now I've rambled on. Thanks for the review. :)

Great reafing

Author's Response: Thank you. :)

He seems addicted to the surge and pulse to the fight. After the last chap I am glad to see hes taking his unlife back and could care less what happens
Go William

Author's Response: As Spike said in Fool for Love: "There's death, there's glory, and sod all else." The more notoriety he receives for his crimes, the more he feels he should top them. And once he got a taste of a real "fist and fangs" fight, you're right, he did become addicted to the rush of it. I'm glad you liked the chapter. Thanks for reviewing. :)

I am so behind on updates i am giddy here trying to catch up ok Dru is such the proud Momma here it made me smile and I think she is trying to be there for him the best she can and Angelus is so not making any sort of point with Spike cause he just does not care at all I could almost see Angelus face with the mob approaching I just keep smiling reading this and thinking he comes Spikeeeeeee!



Author's Response: Glad to hear you're catching up on your reading. :) Thanks so much for taking the time to review!

Man he is taunting people know with his victims and working on his snark and giving the finger to Angel and society
I LOVE IT!!!

Author's Response: I'm so glad you do. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. :)

Spike heeeheeheehee* I love the mob coming for him great cliff hanger please more soon

Author's Response: I'm glad you liked it. Thanks so much for taking the time to review. :)

As gruesome as the story is supposed to sound, I find parts of it down right hilarious.

Author's Response: Parts of it were supposed to be hilarious, so that's okay. Thanks for the review. :)

You can't keep a bad boy down lol. Love where this is going more soon please!

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

“Spike,” she echoed softly. It sounded good to his ears, although she pronounced it “Spoik.”

I cringe each time I hear Drusilla call him Spoik, but I'm really glad you added this in because it definitely stays true to her character. I love little details such as those :)

I also love the transition as to how Spike is understanding Drusilla now...I always did enjoy the two of them together so reading what's going on in his head is a nice little bonus.

And tee hee to Spike versus Angelus. I remember Angelus in one of the flashbacks yelling at the newly named Spike about his reckless behavior, so it's fun to read the backstory you created for it.

Waiting patiently (sort of!) for the next chapter :) Wonderful work!

Author's Response: I think I may have chased away some readers with the Spike/Dru interaction (there has been a noticeable decline in reviews, at any rate). But I think that his growing affection for her is only natural. What he feels isn't passionate love, but it is affection and friendship. Dru appeals to the side of him that wants to nurture ... and to the side of him that wants to be nutured. At least, that's how I always perceived it to be on the show, and that's the way I'm writing it. It's just that, in my version, as opposed to Joss' ... Spike is in love with another woman. I'm glad you liked the chapter. Thanks so much for taking the time to review it. :)