I've been reading (and enjoying - so much!) for a while so I thought the least I could do was de-lurk and tell you how captivated I am by your story. The Buffy-Spike characterizations are so convincing, as is the way they interact with each other. I totally accept that Buffy and Spike could have started out on this footing and I love the fact that they are portrayed as equals despite Buffy's youth and inexperience as a Slayer. I'm also thrilled that you're taking time to carefully develop their relationship rather than just giving us the instant satisfaction of perfect sex and declarations of love that most fic would have provided us with by now. This is far grittier, more compelling and I can't wait to see you where you take it from here. Thanks for posting!

Author's Response: Well, thank you for reading, and thank you for writing to tell me! I'm thrilled to hear that you're liking it so much, especially that you think my characterizations are down. And yes, things are going slowly. Well, somewhat slowly. Buffy and Spike have already had sex, that, if not perfect, was close enough. And now that we have the UST out of the way, we can work on their emotional tension. Though the blood and biting arrangement will certainly increase their physical closeness. As for declarations of love, those are coming, but rather a looooong way down the road, since there's some other issues they have to work out first. I hope you keep enjoying! Thanks for reviewing!

Oh I love it, I wonder if this is going to get them to start a relationship up again.

Author's Response: Well, it certainly won't hurt... Thanks for reviewing!

I read every update and can´t wait for another one. It´s very well written and keeps me in waiting.
Thanks

Author's Response: Thank you so much! I'm glad you're enjoying it!

AWWW THEY ARE SOOO SWEET, THEY JUST NEED TO ADMIT THEYRE FEELINGS FOR ONE ANOTHER!!! i LOVE this story and am so happy that u updated. im SOOO glad that theyre getting closer and they really just have to admit that they want to be together, they love each other and that theyre willing to sacrifice for one another. also u can tell by spikes reaction to her statement that he cares and he just needs to see that. PLEASE update as soon as u can, i CANT wait to read more. THANX SOO MUCH

Author's Response: Yep, Spike cares, but they won't be admitting things just yet.... Glad you're enjoying, and thanks for reading!

Now I'm eagerly awaiting the weekend so I can get the next update :) Very good chapter, I enjoyed the intimacy of the act and the care they seem to be taking with each other. And Spike can say whatever he wants (as can Buffy for that matter) but there's definitely some feelings there...

Author's Response: Oh yeah, there's feelings... :) And him drinking her blood will continue to get more and more intimate as time goes on.... Glad you enjoyed, and thanks for reviewing!

Guh! Loved the bite, loved the way he sort of cuddled with her afterward too. Fantastic chapter, can't wait for next week!

Author's Response: Glad you loved it! A little blood, a little cuddle... Thanks for reading!

Short.. but sweet. Trusting him yet ... sorrow because

is this the Slayer Death Wish.. before she has even started.. And Spike there as confidant.. .. world definitely on her shoulders and not handling it very well..

Author's Response: Buffy doesn't exactly have the death wish, but everything has just hit her at once. However, she's not alone as the Slayer, because she has Spike..... Thanks for reviewing!

I just read the whole story so far and got hooked after the first chapter. This fic is now one of my favorites. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Author's Response: Thank you for the compliments! I'm glad you're enjoying it so much. Thanks for reading!

I love your character of Buffy. Despite her late calling this girl does not hold the haunting baggage within her as Buffy of canon and as such she is more objective, with a side order of subjective - re. Spike. Spike is caustic but in no way either downtrodden at the thought of the Aurelius mob or overly protective towards Buffy. However he feels drawn to her, it is still very much about the blood; after all, he could, like she half-heartedly suggested, have just returned to his unsuspecting family and killed them for her, but this is not an option. She is the Slayer: that is her job.

So, identities still acknowledged; a line still drawn.

Although soon, that menace Angelus is going to tamper with that line ......

Look forward to update.

Author's Response: Yes, older, non-Slayer Buffy comes with less baggage, and by the end, more grey areas. Spike is definitely in it for the blood right now, with a side order of keeping Buffy alive, especially once he found who she was facing off against. And oh yes, Angelus will be tampering with the line, and Buffy and Spike will become something more than business without their realizing it. Thank you for reviewing!

lol @ gym and locker. I like your Buffy and I love your Spike. A great read again, thanks! :)

Author's Response: Hehe, glad you liked! Thanks for reviewing!

I started reading this fic a few weeks ago and I check several times each day obsessively awaiting the next update! I have loved every bit of it. I love that Spike isn't a pansy right away, how he is still true to the demon that he is, and I like that Buffy doesn't just readily accept it either, they are wary of each other but at the same time loyal and I think you have really captured their early dynamic. And the obligatory more please!

Author's Response: Hehe, well you don't have to check several times a day. :) I usually update on weekends, *maybe* a Thursday, if I get a lot done. Glad you like the way I'm handling things--Spike is still quite the vampire, only has a soft spot for Buffy, and he's having a hard time fessing up to that. She trusts him, but still has a hard time dealing with the killing, and soon will wonder about the only reason he's not doing it (she's paying him not to), and wonders what will happen after he stops working for her. With him and between them... Thank you for reviewing!

Oooh yes, what about the blood? *bats eyelashes* I'm so happy they cleared things up, loved the explanations and how trusting is Buffy of Spike, even going as far as to accept that a vampire has to eat. ;) Fantastic update, cariño! Can't wait for more!

Author's Response: Hehe, blood coming soon! And Buffy has made her peace with what Spike, as a vampire, as has done--in the past. Her feelings will be torn on what he's not doing now, how much he might want to, and why he's not now (only because she's paying him not to?), which will complicate what she feels for him... Thanks for reading and reviewing!