okay, i'm back. yep. that's right. i read it 3 times. 3! times! i finally stopped my little sniffles and had to go back and reread the last part again. NOW we're getting deep!! i like it when it gets like this! goes to show that all that cockiness and swagger doesn't make up for everything! and u do depth so well Tina! i can't wait for the next chapter!!! now i'm gonna go reread ARMY! after THIS, i just feel like a little swagger and jingle-jangle dogtags! :oD

Monica

Author's Response: # timess, omg - I'm sorry for the sniffles darling. But yes, now we're getting deep - into the stuff our couple is really made of. And I'm so happy to hear you like how I write it - God knows I try and its not always easy. LMFAO, jingle-jangle dog tags and cock and swagger army spike.... hope you like it the second time around boo. THanks fr the awesome review. Snuggles.

okay stop stop STOOOPPPP!!!! Xander???? XANDER???? lovable SPIDOINKAL XANDER??? Why??? just....why???? he was the first one to show us that shaking a cross didn't fix it!! granted i didn't like him in seasons 5-6. he was an ass! but XANDER!!! okay...i'm going to take a HUGE breath here and go back and help Spike pick up the phone. BRB.....SOBS.....(see? didn't give any away. me smarty.)

btw, reading this made me go to youtube and....you know....i mean besides the Spike videos......

great X/W/B vid!-min.2:40!! aww lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDpacinMr0s

great X/B vid!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdgwDHQXLhs

this was basically W/X relationship!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FRM-NIlDSw

don't get mad! u're the one who caused it!!

:op

Monica

p.s. hope the last one makes u laugh! hope u're doing better!

Author's Response: WOW - great videos boo, thank you for sharing - the last one was brilliant btw. And I know, I feel shamed for killing Xander, but it had to be someone Buffy cared about to affect the way it did so SPike could step up to the plate and be there for her. Thanks for the fab review and all the lovlies at youtube my friend - huggles you tight.

OH MY! I took a two week break from reading fics and my favorite author returns! That was a major SQUEE moment after my near-nervous breakdown when the site re-direct popped up. Welcome back.

I completely geeked-out on the sexy word-origin discussion: I’ve had that ento-/ety- argument in the past, not the “oral” one. You’re exquisite in relating that perfect balance of humor, vulnerability, sexiness, and longing. Buffy is like an indoor plant gradually shifting towards the sunlight. I’ve never been so glad to be “behind” in my reading, so I simply don’t need to put up with that cliffhanger!


Author's Response: HAHAHHAAHHA - I couldn't help myself with writing the fellatio scene - me and my twisted sense of humor, giggles. And WOW, thank you for the compliment - I do try and provide a balance so it doesn't become to bland. And I love your anaogy of Buffy being like a plant - that's very fitting. THanks so much for the awesome review sweety - man hugs and kisses.

I'm speechless. As much as I want to whoop and cheer because of Spuffy, I couldn't too under these circumstances. I know it's a fic, and... it's not real. But the mood is there. You wrote everything so well, and really let the emotions jump off the page. Needless to say, I'll be looking forward to the next one. Love the chapter!

Author's Response: Oh wow, I'm glad I got the mood of the chapter right, I'm just sad you couldn't whoop for joy, but I suppose maybve I did my job as an author if it touched you on an emotional level. Thank you for the review boo - hugs and kisses darling.

First you leave an evil cliffe, then you tear out the heart strings! I know Xander doesn't play an active role in the fic, but it's still sad to think about his death. *sigh* Beautifully written, though. Spike is showing some real maturity. Looking forward to next week.

Author's Response: Sorry - muse can be evil like that sometimes... but of course it's ll with a purpose. Glad you enjoyted Spike in this chappy hon and I think/hope you'll like him in the next one as well. Thanks for he review darling - kisses.

Poor Buffy and Spike! Buffy that one of her close friends died... and Spike for being the only person present that has no ties to the man who died (it's extremely unconfortable at first to go to the funeral of a person you had no relations with, except to support the person your with...at least it was for me).

But I agree, this will allow for a greater bonding to occuring between our favorite blondes. It's good to see Spike really mending his playboy ways, and Buffy realizing the change that is happening to him. And yes, friendship is the best thing to have with your partner - my husband is my best friend and I couldn't love him more! I just hope Spike and Buffy don't let this oppertunity to grow closer pass them by! But I have faith in you - you wouldn't screw us over now...would you? *hint hint...wink wink*

Wonderful as always, my lovely butcher! And many thanks for the kudos - you KNOW it's my favorite past time - all that wordsmithing... LOL! My hats off to ya! Wuggles

Author's Response: Oh yes, I agree - it's going to be awkward for Spike, but of course what choice does he have? He wants to be there for her. Giggles - of course I'm not gonna screw you over with next chapter - there will be much bondage, I mean bonding, hee hee. And yes, my hubby and I, like you and yours are the best of friends - makes for a super marriage, squeee. Giggles - all our wordsmithing has made for some, AHEM, HOLY - somethings and others, LMAO. Thanks a mil sweety - luv ya.

Excellent chapter but then again they are never anything else!! Spike really is a changed man isn't he? Taking care of Buffy with no thought of what he had to gain, just because she needed him. It's a beautiful thing seeing how close they are becoming. Loved it.

Author's Response: YAY, I'm so glad you enjoyed it sweety. Spike is indeed a changed man, his phiklandering ways and days are over - he's in love, giggles. Thanks for the review darling - kisses.

Oh it was Xander that died. Must be a shock for Buffy, being one so young. Loved Spike taking care of Buffy, thinking of calling Cordelia and getting them both off of work. Sad chapter in a way (the background, the feeling) and yet not. Because like you said it brought Buffy and Spike nearer together.

Author's Response: Yeah, I turly hated to do that to Buffy and Xander, but it will bring out Spike's true character This experience will definitely help them to grow closer to one another and I'm so glad you liked it boo. Thank you for the great review - huggles.

Enjoyed... but sad. And now another step in the development of their relationship.. Someone she can depend upon to take charge when she needs it... and honestly cares..

Not quite the chapters you want to write.. at this time.. understandable.

Author's Response: Indeed this will make for great leaps and bounds in their relationship. It was sort of difficult to write this chapter given what I went through recently, but I had this planned in my outline already and wasn't going to change it - this needs to happen for our fav couple to grow closer together. THank yu so much for the wonderful review darling. Snuggles.

That was an evil cliffy! A truly amazing chapter. So simple the little things that are pulling them together. So very sweet, they almost hurt my teeth. But just like candy, I really want more. Looking forward to the next update.

Author's Response: I know - but I couldn't resist taking the advice, hee hee. And yes, it is the simple things that are bringing them together - however - with this bad news, something major will bring them even closer, *winks*. Glad you liked the chappy hon and more coming this weekend - snuggles.

Buffy's ignorance of the true meaning of the word fellatio was hilarious. I'm with Spike, her ignorance is charming. The inadvertent caressing of the cucumber added more humor to the embarrassing scene.

Their closeness and emerging feelings are happening organically and it's lovely to see Spike is just as wary as Buffy. It helps her to believe his sincerity that he's in this for the long haul. The tension between them is so thick, I wonder how they're keeping from jumping one another just to get some relief! Stupid phone.

Thanks for another tight, entertaining chapter.

I'm so sorry for your loss, and I hope your father's surgery goes smoothly.

Author's Response: Hee hee - I couldn't help but exploit that innocence for a few laughs and the cucumber, oh yeah, she didn't realize WHAT she was doing, *snicker*. I'm really happy you like the pacing of things, I feel it has to happen more slowly here given their characters from the beginning and allwing time for change. Of course you're right about the tension being so thick they're about ready to jump one another again, hee hee. THanks for the fab review darling and the well wishes, they mean a lot to me. Kisses.

I wrote a review yesterday, but sadly it was lost. :( I'll just keep things simple and say the chapter rocked! It's awful of me but I just loved how tortured Spike was by Buffy's naivete... lol! Thanks for the great update! :D

~ Sorry to hear about your loss. *hugs* You and your dad will continue to be in my thoughts and players. Mary

Author's Response: Awwwww, that sucks - I wondered how it ate the reviews up but I'm so glad you stopped in again to leave me another - thank you boo. LMAO - poor Spike realy was a bit tortured by her ignorance - I couldn't help my twisted sense of humor from taking advantage of it. Thanks for the well wishes hon, it's been a rough time but things happened the way they were supposed to and at least she's at rest and my dad doesn't have to go thru his surgery yet. Hugs you tight.