Yeah, one nail in the coffin of the Spike/Eve "relationship". Or would that be two? Three? However many, can't wait for him to dump her. Such a witch! Glad that things are proceeding with the Spuffy comeback. Great chapter.

OMG WAT A BITCH!!! i cant believe she said that. LOL he couldnt get it up for her, haha, thats how it should be. i LOVE this story and am so happy u updated. i really glad that spike doesnt feel for eve the way he feels for buffy. i really hope that spike and buffy start to talk more and fall in love again. also i hope that spike breaks up with eve and that buffy stops seeing robin, spike and buffy belong together and they should see that. please update as soon as u can, i cant wait to read the next chapter. thanx

I loved this chapter. Loved, loved, loved the whole thought process Buffy was going through at the beginning and her heartache when Spike doesn't call. And I loved, loved, loved the fact that Spike felt like he was betraying Buffy rather than Eve when he stayed the night and that he couldn't perform afterwards. Also, there was nothing Eve could have said that was worse than what she said about pretending to be her sister, considering that was exacty why Buffy left him in the first place. Great job, as usual.

And I read the tagboard and please don't leave this site because of one crazy person who obviously just has some weird obsession/vendetta with you. She speaks only for herself - I love this story and think it's one of your best. It's kept me completely entertained from the beginning, and I love what you are doing with it.

Okay, I wasn’t going to say anything because I usually stay out of these things, but I just can’t keep my mouth shut anymore.

Addie, you are a magnificent author. I’ve been reading this story since the beginning, and I’m sorry it’s taken this long to actually review (I’m one of those lurkers with a really busy life… lol) but I have to tell you, this story is… amazing. More than, actually, and it sucks bum, big time, that you’re getting all these negative reviews, that aren’t actual reviews and fall more into the category of whining.

I mean, seriously people, if you want instant gratification in a fic, then, go read smut, or find a story that goes: “Buffy and Spike got together. They lived happily ever after. The End.” And leave the reading of this fic to the rest of us that love it just the way it is.

Now to my actual review part of this, well, review lol…

Where do I start?

Loved how they got together, loved their time in New York, completely understand the feeling of moving to a different state and the stress that was piled onto them. I mean, Buffy had to deal with her mum being sick, possibly dying, the guilt that even then she couldn’t, in a way, forgive her for everything that had been said and done. And then dealing with Spike’s jealousy and the problems that they were having, and then the whole thing with Quentin, I can understand how things just felt so screwed up. With Spike too. I mean, the whole making an album, Quentin’s request that he take into consideration what dating his step sister could do to his career, trying to be there for Buffy, and trying not to be jealous, even though he is.

They might have not dealt with it in the best way, but when you’re actually faced in that kind of, or even just a similar, situation, you don’t really think things through. You just feel, and then do.

I totally understand why Buffy chose to leave Spike. If I were in her place, I’d do the same thing. Sometimes, you just love someone so much, that you’re willing to hurt them, to turn your back on all the greatness of the relationship, just so they can be free to have a future without you holding them back. Which I think, it’s what Buffy though she was doing.

Your story breaks my heart because, three years later, they’re still so adamant about moving on, that they just can’t see, even though they do feel it, how much in love they still are with one another.

I like that Robin is willing to give Buffy time and space to move on and move their relationship to the next step and how he gives Buffy a bit of insight on how Spike was right on how their relationship wouldn’t, for a lot of people, be viewed as wrong, much the same way that Eve gives Spike insight on how Buffy’s fears weren’t exactly unjustified.

Even though I’m not an Eve fan, and I hate seeing her with Spike lol, I like how you portrayed her as being so… human… lashing out at Spike, using words to make him feel guilt about being in love with Buffy, being in love with his step sister, because she feels insecure.

I’m… love, there are no words, I am in awe of this story. The plot is brilliant, the characters are beautifully flawed, the angst is so good it’s painfully good, I just… I love it!

If it gets so bad you have to stop posting here, which I’m really hoping it doesn’t and you don’t, email me and let me know where you will post? ‘cause I don’t want to miss a chapter of this.

thanks for the great update! hopefully spike can get rid of "the actress"(god, i love your writing!) hope buffy comes to her senses soon

I don't remember to review often enough but had to give you all the good reviews that you deserve. :)
I know that there is angst here but that's part of the story and this wouldn't be what it is if you'd just put them into each others arms right away without any angst.
Oh and little Spike wasn't up to it. :) He's got some other girl in his mind. Loved that Eve knows what's really going on.
Hope to read more soon.

I agree with Klai - Eve's response was a perfect way to show Spike that Buffy's fears were not completely unfounded. I think part of him being unable to forgive her yet is that he feels she broke up with him over nothing but her own imagination.

Also wanted to say that these lines:

[i]His touch was for Eve now, and all Buffy could have was his voice.

And it seemed tonight she couldn't even have that much.[/i]

...were just perfect. Haunting , beautiful and perfectly captured what I imagine Buffy was feeling. You paint such vivid pictures with just a few simple words.

An as for the review drama, I can only say that if you are looking for the quick payoff; the "OMG he ran into her arms and said baby I'll never leave you and Buffy had tears in her beautiful green eyes as Spike kissed her...." - well, you are reading the wrong author's fics. I am a real fan of Addie's work, and she is all about strong character and plot development, none of which happens in a few short chapters. Reading Addie's fic is like reading a book - you know, those long things with all the pages that you get at the library? I for one would be terribly disappointed if she made Spike behave completely out of character by running back to Buffy instantly. It would be ridiculous and contary to the Spike that she has created in this story.

Personally, I like angst, because it makes the payoff all the sweeter in the end - but different strokes for different folks, I guess.

Author's Response: *snort* This review made me giggle. I love your sample fic there... lol But don't you know making Spike out of character means doing things like making him drink, since he NEVER did that on the show?! LOL And of course, after three years of bitterness and anger, leaping into each other's arms immediately is so realistic...I just know nothing about real relationships!

Okay, done with the sarcasm now. ;) Thank you very much for your review and your support.

What a bitch! I hope he goes and calls buffy. Ugh I want to strangle eve.

Okay, my darlings, I promised myself I was going to jump in and defend AL's writing.

However, I'm at work and cannot access the chat board so here goes...

I feel this need to point out a few things once and for all and I hope this does not piss off anyone, certainly:

What do you suppose is going to happen if we start losing anymore of the wonerful author(esses) at this site?
Soon there won't be a stie, here or elsewhere and we've lost enough of them already, don't you think?
As a person who tries to write my simple little stories and who looks up to Addie and others, I'm a little put off by the downright anger in some of these reviews we have all gotten.

If Addie is like me, or others that I know of, then we are writing for our enjoyment and need first; for the readers second. It's as simple as that, really.
I cannot speak for every writer, of course, but all's 'I' ask is thet if you are going to review a chapter, etc? Please, if being negative; try to word it in a constructive manner.
Readers (me included) want the stories written in a constructive, prpoer manner, right? So for Heaven's sake, pls, pls try and be constructive and proper in the way you word the reviews???
Look, no here is claiming to be Ernest Hemingway (although I think there are some terrific writers here!).

We are just trying to have some fun, share our thoughts and ideas through writing and such.

Besides, Hemingway and many others did not always write the plots the way we wanted them, right? they wrote them the way they wanted to and felt was necessary.

i love this site for many reaons and would hate to see it disbanded because writers are discouraged from posting here.

Just a thought...
spuf

soooo...your going by the name "darla" today i see. *shakes head* i guess you were never taught any manners were you? its very obvious for all to see. why don't you go and crawl back underneath that rock of yours little girl cuz you really do not want to continue this!!!!!
HEY REVIEWERS...........i emailed Pari about this pathetic coward. i ask you all to do the same. please.....for me...cuz..its my birthday today and my wish is to get this little "thing" to stop her abuse!!! come on guys...who's with me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jesus christ, you sure are campaigning for bitch of the year, Darla. Addie doesn't have to respond to you, but i felt that your comment was completely uncalled for. If you don't like the story, then just go away. I'm sure Addie won't lose any sleep over it. You have no right to attack her like that. She can respond to any review the way she feels like it. If you have a problem, then again, just go away. Nobody wants you here if you can't appreciate a great author like Addie Logan. She's one of the best ones in this site and frankly, I'm embarrassed for you right now. You all need to just get over it already. If you have a problem, it's not hard to just stop reading and not even bother to comment. You're just making yourself look bad. Sorry, Addie, I felt that I had to say that. She was pissing me off and as for the story, you still have me interested. I know this will end Spuffy and that's all I need to know. You're doing a great job. Don't let negativity like that discourage you. There are a lot of us behind you on this one.

Author's Response: Thank you. *hugs* This whole thing is getting very difficult for me, and it helps immensely to have this sort of support. I don't know why exactly I've been targeted, since honestly, I haven't left responses to any reviews that warrant such nastiness, but whatever. I guess some people were just never taught how to behave.

hey i for one am loving this story! i think you are doing a fab job. been with you from the begining (sorry i havent reviewed earlier). not likeing eve though i think thats the point here. ignore the hurtfull stuff on here its not worth getting upset with them. keep writing honey and update soon xx

Uh.. Robin again. Buffy fell asleep at work. I haven't been getting enough sleep lately, I guess. ~ hopefully because talking to Spike at night I hope, long talks. Okay one night then. seemed to be developing an ever-increasing intimacy and the fact remained that she still had feelings for Spike and She didn't need to worry about her heart getting involved in these nightly chats of theirs—it already was. Good I think for them getting back together even if Buffy doesn’t believe it now. ~
Eve…. so Spike talked to Buffy even if she was there? Yeah :-D Who's bed are you leaving mine for, huh? She, Eve, is angry and right. Spike confessed to himself that he is sharing more of his feelings with Buffy than with Eve :)
Buffy *sigh, big one*. Spike chose Eve again even if he thinks he is betraying Buffy this way. (Sorry, I wear my Spuffy glasses again.) Even if Spike had a good argument for staying it made me sad. And it was not only Buffy chicken out because of what people could say about their relationship. There was a bit more too. Things they have to work out…. Buffy had the right idea why he hadn’t called too and cried again well brought tears to her eyes.
Ah.. Sorry? No, I’m not sorry that Spike had performing problems with little Spike, that he couldn’t do ‘it’. Seems his subconsciousness has decided what he wants :-D I’m even more glad because Eve was such a bitch to him, hurt him, making him leave *YAY Scoobie dance*. I’m easy to please, huh? Not really, but this is a start. I know Eve is hurt and therefore hurt Spike still I’m not on her side here (sorry Eve but not really). I’m so happy because of the way the chapter ended. Eve did herself no favor to attack him like that, the real bitch (Diva?) she is, huh? That was Spike’s warning, now he has seen her for what she is. If he really looked. What Spike is doing with Buffy at the moment it is like the song lyrics War bestimmt nicht immer treu. Doch ich hab dich nie betrogen. = Was not certainly always faithful. But I have never deceived (betrayed) you. That is what Spike is doing, he has an emotional affair with Buffy, kind of. I don’t know how the definition is for one. Oh I don’t want Spike to betray Eve, I want them to break up so these two can back together again *gg*. I don’t want him to betray Buffy either. Spike should simply break up with Eve, but I know he doesn’t see it my way ;-), I know. At last he saw a glimpse of Eve’s bad side. I loved that Spike’s emotional connection with Buffy got stronger, even if they talked only about ‘normal’ things and not about their relationship. I wonder if they will continue to talk now, how Buffy will react next time Spike calls. Buffy is getting no sleep when he called and neither did she get sleep when he didn’t call. She felt betrayed even if she doesn’t have the right for it at the moment. They still are connected together even if both have problems to see (acknowledged) it.
And like I said before: If I have something to say I say it. If not I’m not. But when I sign it (even if I can’t log in any longer). Not using a name? Coward. *nods*
I stand for my opinion with my name.