Well, it looks as if Spike finally got a big enough brick to the head, so that he could have his eureka moment. I am glad that he realizes that he needs help in the pursuit of Buffy, because up till now, he has been sending some really bad messages. I am also glad that someone clued him in to just how young and inexperienced Buffy is. Even though you had not spelled it out until this chapter, I had a feeling that Angel was the one and only until Spike. I had also been wondering when and how you would do the big Willow/Oz relationship reveal. It was a nice touch, making it so matter-of-fact. Like, of course we are together, STUPID. Also, Buffy's shock at his confession of wanting everything from her was just priceless!! She was so busy ranting, I am suprised she caught on that quickly. Although, as another reviewer said, it is a huge burden he has now put on her, being resposible for saving him. I am not sure if she is ready for him to go from just want to get in your pants Spike, to declaring my undying love William....I guess we will see. Again, I love Gunn. The analogy he used about the little boy on the playground has popped into my head more than once while reading this story-once again you and I are on the same wavelength. And a man who mentions marriage-WOW-I am suprised that did not send Buffy running for the hills (even though it was the best friend.) I did like Spike not taking no for an answer...6 weeks is an awfully long time...we might need some loving to make the time pass more quickly.;-) Loved it, as always. Can't wait for the date chapter!!!!

Author's Response: Yup, one brick to the head along with some friends has definetely woken him up. Glad you liked his confession to Buffy. It's quite a thing to tell someone and yes, her inexperience has her doubting the responsibility. Hee hee, yup, we're on the same wavelength as the little boy on the playground sums Spike up perfectly. And of course he's more determined than ever to make things work by not taking no for an answer from Buffy. He knows in his heart she has to see him for what he is minus the crude statements. Dinner should be interesting, *winks*. And yes, 6 weeks is a long time, enough to give Buffy some serious thinking time. I'm so happy you enjoyed the chappy darling. Thank you so much for such a wonderful review. Hugs.

Wait a minute he's already at the LOVE stage of their "relationship"? Does that mean the story's going to wrap up soon? I'm being selfish here but I was hoping for many many more chapters to come before you got to the end. It's the most fun fic I've read in ages. Honestly.

“`S she the flowers and candy type of bird?”

“Not really.”

My kind of girl! Well, I wouldn't say no to candy, but flowers? Feh.

I like the fight they had in this chapter. It felt very specifically Spuffy-ish in tone and content, you know what I mean? That's why I read Spuffy fanfic - the show may be over but I still need my fix. And truth is I'm kind of picky. *g*

When he says persistence I hope he doesn't mean more stalking. LOL. Once again, poor poor Buffy. Never a dull moment with Spike but with that comes a whole lot of headache and grief to go with it. I'm loving it though - that they both have such strong personalities in this fic.
Here's come the crit (uh-oh): I'm not too keen on you boxing different aspects of Spike's personality as a separate entity by calling his softer side the William part of him. Whatever you want to call him it's still the same one person. -shrugs-

Author's Response: *Tina ducks and cringes*, yup, we're nearing the end of the story. I knew when I began this fic, it wasn't going to be very long, but in trying to produce decent size chapters has also helped to move it along. I am excited though when you said its been a most fun read, b/c that's basically what I was trying to go for... something light and funny, not too much on the angsty note but enough to make it realistic within the setting. Flowers and candy, ah yes. I must admit I'd rather get the flowers than the candy, but hey - either or coming from such a hottie would be welcome in my book, lol. Oh yes indeed, I do know what you mean. The show is long since over but I love reading stories that contain the elements of that special spuffy relationship Whedon created. LMAO, no, no stalkerish Spike, just very determined in that annoying, Spike-like way. Never a dull moment indeed, but Buffy will learn that his headaches can be a most welcome thing - in the end. I totally see your point on seperating his softer side and labeling it William. He is the same person, or rather, his experiences are what shaped who he is today. I did that for the Gunn conversation for the purpose of him explaining his past, but not to implicate Spike would ever go back to being William. That's the one thing I promised myself when I started this fic...... there may be moments of humbleness and a softer side, but this is Spike all the way and the wimpy kind of William has no place in this story, it would sink faster than the titantic, hee hee. Thank you so very much for the wonderful review sweetheart, big hugs and kisses from me and my muse.

Spike's taking a different tactic. He's not taking no for an answer. Can't wait to read more!

Author's Response: Yup, he's still very much Spike, he's just going about it differently this time. Gotta love a determined man. Thanks for the review hon, hugs.

Great! Can't wait for the next chapter please!! It's such a great story I just want to keep reading!

Author's Response: Awwww, thank you so very much sweety. It's my pleasure to entertain. This fic has been the most fun for me to write.

well... that wasn't exactly how a 'asking a girl out' should go but... you can't take out all the spikeness from spike, can you? lol

i'm wondering if buffy will go out with him or not. i mean... right after the bathroom incident, the answer could be just one.but i think that the last meeting with him, and her talk with gunn could inluence buffy's decision.

either way, a 6 week break will be soooo good for both of them... especiallly if they go out together and spike manages to keep his mouth shut all along! lol

smoochies hun! :D

Author's Response: Indeed, Spike is Spike no matter what, God bless him. The bathroom incident is definetely enough reason not to go to dinner with him, but she's also had some time and extra information to chew on over the last couple weeks. I think you'll like what it's store for next chapter, or at least I hope so. A 6 week break will defintely make the heart grow fonder, *winks*. Thanks for the awesome review dalring, hugs and kisses.

Oh will she go to dinner with him I hope she does, I'm glad she got it off her chest to and told him what he was doing was unexceptable. Wonderful update can't wait for the next one Mrs...PS Thanks for letting us know about TE too

Author's Response: Let's just say, she may not have a choice, but it doesn't mean she can't enjoy it, *winks*. I wanted to thank you for recommending this fic out - you're friends seem to really enjoy it and of course its a nice feeling to be able to keep people entertained. Giggles, feel free to pimp me anytime. Yes, TE is in the works, I'm just uber busy these days with some RL obligations and I let the muse choose which fic to set aside. It's hard to concentrate, at least for me, on more than two at a time and with the time constraints I'm currently facing, the muse went for the lighter of the two fics to focus on. Thanks for the review honey, it's always such a pleasure to see you here and know that you're enjoying the tale. Big hugs.

That's a huge responsibility for Buffy - to "save" Spike but seriously who could resist him? Another fantastic update. I LOVE this so much. Please update ASAP.

Author's Response: Yes, it really is a big responsibility. But it's safe to say in the end, Buffy won't mind too much, *winks*. I'm so glad you liked the chapter and thank you very much for the review honey. Smoochies to you.

I was so excited to see this update. This story makes me anticipate more, I cannot wait to see what happens next. Also Gunn's little talk with Buffy with a whole lot of jive made me laugh out loud. Thanks

Author's Response: Hee hee, glad you liked Gunn's jive. I get a lot of that from my husband and his family and it feels right to have him be like that at certain moments. He's such a doll to write, I just love him. I'm so thrilled you enjoyed the chapter and thank you so much for the great review. Hugs you tight.

AWWW HOW SWEET, SPIKE IS PUTTING HIS HEART ON THE LINE TO TRY AND BE WITH HER!!!!!!! i really u hope it works and that buffy sees wat a good person he is and how theyre mean to be together. im so happy that u updated and i love this story. im glad thatbhe didn let her say no to him and ui hope that they have a good time at dinner and she gets to know him better. also i hope that they start to develop a friendship and build form there. please update as soon as u can, cant wait to read more. thanx

Author's Response: Yesm he finally pulled his head out of his ass long enough to breathe and get some oxygen to his brain, lol. He's as determined as ever to make things right and so very Spike-like of him not to take no for an answer. I'll try to update soon sweety, just gotta finish wrting the next few scenes and then decide exactly where I want to cut it off. Thanks so much for the awesome review. Kisses.

hey!!!!! loved it lots and lots. i'm feeling a bit under the weather right now so this really REALLY cheered me up and made me feel better. sooooo glad spike was finally honest with himself and buffy. i think things will start to change for these two real soon. buffy's just gotta be willing to forgive. we'll see what happens. great job, sweets. amazed as always. more soon.

Author's Response: I hope you get better soon sweety and am glad I could cheer you up a bit. Yes, we're at the turning point and the next chapter will be a transitional one on the road to spuffy. Gotta love our stubborn couple, giggles. Thanks for the wonderful review sweets, get better soon. Smooches.

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!! My favorite story with a new chapter!!!!!!! I can't wait to see what's going to happen next with this date!!!! I love the fact that Gunn is becoming such a good friend, he's such a good influence!

More, more, more

Author's Response: Gunn is adorable isn't he? I so love writing him in this fic as the level-headed guy and neutral friend, even though he's rooting for them both, he wouldn't push. Thanks for the lovely review sweety, I'm very happy you enjoyed the chapter. Smoochies to you.

I keep expecting you to go trash without interest. So far you have failed me MISERABLY!

I'm not a military nut and excesive angst and PWP move on without me. I REALLY LIKE YOUR STORY. I keep thinking that you write younger than you are but I doubt my assumptions.

I am rooting for both of them. I would like to see her get some back (IN FRONT OF WITNESSES) but I suspect you'll give it to her.

To me you are new but DON"T STOP.
I'M waiting.

Author's Response: Oh good, that's wonderful to hear. I'm not really one for excessive angst myself, I find it hard to follow and what angst I do write I find hard to do. Probably because I have to get in the trench of the emotions and it's a downer sometimes. LOL. Well, I'm 36 years old, but about 25 in my mind, the saying old enough to know better but still too young to care suits me. I am still very new to the game of writing, less than a year now, but I do hope to get better as the years progress. It takes practice, practice and more practice. That much I've learned, giggles. I'm so very gald you're enjoying this peice and I'll be at work with the next posting. Thanks so much sweety for the lovely reivew. Huggles.

I LOVE THAT HE TOLD HER HOW HE FEELS, NOW IF ONLY SHE WOULD ADMIT HER'S, BUT THAN THAT WOULD MAKE FOR A SHORT STORY AND WE DON'T WANT THAT. HE'S LEAVING FOR 6 WEEKS,MAYBE DISSTANCE WILL MAKE HER HEART GROW FONDER,I HOPE SO. MORE SOON PLEASE, I'M VERY GREEDY WITH THIS FIC , I LOOKED ON EVERY SITE I COULD THINK OF THIS MORNING, GOT BACK FROM SHOPPING AND THERE IT WAS .I WAS SO GLSD.

Author's Response: It was time for him to come around and see the error of his ways. As for Buffy, well, she's had some thinking to do over the last 2 weeks, so I think you'll like what I have in store for dinner. As for the 6 weeks, you're right. It's that needed break to make the heart grow fonder, *winks*. Thanks for the lovely review honey, take care, hugs.