uh-oh, how is Buffy going to restrain Spike from killing Giles without her powers? Could this be the end of Giles? hehe

Author's Response: Well, maybe she could just ask him not to? :) Giles has a little anger coming his way, but nothing too severe, LOL. Thanks for reviewing!

i didn't even think about the fact that spike would be able to taste the drug in her system. when the intro said something's discovered, i thought that meant that spike was going to see her bruise and freak out from what he did without realising it. great chapter. update as soon as you physically and mentally can. LOVED IT!!!!

Author's Response: Hmm, Spike might freak out about the bruise on her arm later... But I'm glad you didn't see it coming that he found out about the drug. I like to be able to keep some surprises coming, LOL. Thanks for reviewing!

It was wonderful chapter

Author's Response: Thank you!

Loved it! More please!

Author's Response: Thank you!

I feel really bad for Buffy, can't be easy for her to suddenly be without her powers. Can't wait for the next chapter!

Author's Response: Yes, Buffy is having a hard time of it. Next chapter coming soon! Thanks for reviewing!

You're taking us in the familiar territory of the Cruciamentum - but i've got a feeling that your version is going to be a lot more satisfying than Canon. After all, I found Angel's participation - or non-participation I should say, very aggravating and not credible: he let her walk home along already knowing that she wasn't feeling right. Instead of insisting, which, really, the girl inside the Slayer wanted him to do, he just took her meek reassurances and went back to brood by the fire. Oh, and some present, also. A book of poetry for her eighteenth birthday - for Buffy, whom he knew was never into the profound, more like the here and bloody now.

So, yeah. Already, you have Spike reacting just as I would expect. He's right there with her and it instantly occurred to him what damage he could have unwittingly caused her - as well as for the first time looking at the fear and vulnerability of a victim and not getting any pleasure from it, at all. From little acorns ......

I'm loving you work.

Author's Response: Once I decided to do the Cruciamentum, it was a bit hard to figure out exactly what to do with it here, for the reasons you've mentioned. In the show, it makes absolutely no sense that Angel doesn't help her. I realize that having Buffy rely on him would overthrow the girl power message, but within the context of the story itself, it didn't make sense. Likewise, I had to figure out what to do with Spike. The Spike I've got here definitely isn't going to leave her alone (he didn't leave her alone even when she wanted him to), but at the same time, I still don't want him to do it for her. Then add the Watchers, Giles, and the vampire, in and that's why it took me so long to update, LOL. I had to write several chapters ahead so I was sure it all made sense. The main reason I first wanted to do the Cruciamentum in this story was to have Spike react to a human Buffy again (how he first met her) and have this Buffy think about what being the Slayer means to her (which came out slightly differently than canon). Thank you so much for the comments, and I'm glad you liked the chapter!

Interesting, I feel like this chapter is the calm before the storm.

Author's Response: Hmm, actually the next chapter might be the calm before the storm... Thanks for reviewing!

I don't think Buffy is going to be happy with Giles..

And hopefully Spike will find out .. then Giles will finally know. Waiting to see the twist..
Spike actually feeling bad about killing... hmm...

Enjoyed.

Author's Response: No, Buffy is definitely not going to be happy with Giles... Hmm, well, it wasn't Spike so much feeling bad about killing, as much as not liking seeing Buffy in the position of a victim. Thanks for reviewing!

I have the feeling that Spike is going to seriously pissed at her watcher for doing this to her when Angelus is still around. He'll probably get all 'grrrr' and then Giles and everyone will know what Spike is. Wonder if Spike can protect her from this...I mean it's not her b-day....so is it like 24 hr thing or longer? And how the heck did this happen to Buffy when she was with Spike the whole weekend--Giles couldn't inject her with the drugs...or is it a spell?

And of course blindfold sex....hot.

Author's Response: Well, technically we see Buffy on Saturday, and then it cuts to the beginning of the week. So we don't know what she did all day Sunday yet. And Giles has been showing her meditations, so... As for what Spike does, you'll have to wait and see. :) Thanks for reviewing!

OMG.... OH. MY. GOD!!! There was so much to love about this chapter. Buffy's little snoopy dance for FINALLY beating Spike and oooo, and the blindfolded sex... yup, definitely hawt! I loved the part where she brought the groceries in only to produce uber amounts of products for the bathroom. Lpike's line, “Well, it’s no bloody wonder I could never decide what you smelled like.”, had me rolling on the floor laughing. I seriously though Buffy would be truly ready by the end of the chapter to fight Angelus but you went and threw and interesting monkey-wrench into the mix. Nice job. Now you have me wondering - and sitting on the edge of my seat - as to what the problem is with her that her Slayer strength is suddenly gone. I truly hope you're able to update soon, I don't think I can tak ethe suspense, hehehheeheh. Bravo on a great chapter darling. Hugs and kisses.

Author's Response: Thank you so much! I think it was time for Buffy to beat Spike. They've been fighting for a while, but of course she had to do a little celebrating. Which, er, turned into some big celebrating, LOL. And of course she had to bring a lot of things for the bathroom. Though if you ask me, Spike got off easy. I know girls who bring that much to stay over for a weekend. Yep, I just had to throw one more problem for Buffy in there. Besides, I can't move that quickly, LOL. I couldn't have her beating Spike in one chapter to fighting Angelus the next. I'm glad you liked it, and thanks for reviewing!

Hot training session :D
Good to see Buffy becoming a stronger slayer. She needs to be with Angelus.
They became so good, pair-wise and fighting-wise. Got me worried when I read that Buffy couldn't fight Spike all at once. Remembered me of the Cruciamentum. So Giles did it to her, huh? Good thing Buffy has Spike by her side. Sounds as if Giles got himself in trouble now.

Author's Response: Buffy and Spike's training sessions are turning hotter... And they're making a very good fighting team. Yep, it's the Cruciamentium, but with a little different spin on it. Glad you liked the chapter, and thanks for reviewing!

Thanks for great update. The Cruciamentium was such a trying time for buffy on so many levels. Hope that Spike is a source of help to soothe her as she's still Buffy and that's all that matters to him.

Author's Response: Well, this Spike and Buffy met when she was human, so in a way it's like a throwback to the past. I'm sure having Spike around for the Cruciamentium couldn't hurt (not that he will take care of everything). Thanks for reviewing!