i still feel for buffy and what she is going thru. she needs that reasurance from spike that he will not leave her. it was a very touching moment. the biting was beautiful. your use of emotions and the english lanugage astound me aaahhhhh willow...power hungry willow. doesn't want to go back to being the girl she was. nice use of the playground to emphasize that point.

I sat on the edge of my chair… I loved Tara in this chapter. And glad that Buffy was able to help him too – when getting bitten.

That was cute at the begin (Spike’s 3 girls) and hot at the end. :-D Looking forward for more. Thanks for this chapter, and thanks too for you’re A/N’s, the summarize of the previous chapters.

*fans her self* OHHHHHH that was just so damn yummy.....Ok that scene with the three women was just touching and full of emotion and tenderness that well most of them did not realize or know much about in their lives. Tara doing Spike's laundry that is fantastic.....I loved how you took the scence of Buffy offering Spike healing blood and not letting it get into some kind of emotional bruhaha of shit...Thank you for that...what needed to be done was done and it was done with love....GODS Niamh you are just compelling and an amazing writer....BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A nice twist on a spoonful of sugar. Think it could catch on.

Oh Nia. The moment between the three girls and Spike in Buffy's bedroom was just so touching. You created yet another moment for Spike that I would pay money to see onscreen. -- “Surrounded by beautiful girls. Must’ve done somethin’ right.” -- I can perfectly see the expression Spike would have on his face while saying this. JM would have loved acting out this moment and given us a piece of perfection. It's such a wonderful moment of family, of belonging. The kind of moment Spike never truly was allowed to have in the Jossverse. Wonderful, lovely moment, but also somewhat bittersweet. *sigh* Sorry, just got a little maudlin for a moment there. The oh, so sexy disrobe and bite scenes after were a wonderful panacea to my melancholy. I particularly enjoyed the "Your fault kitten", and Spike's whispered, "soon, pet." Five little words that undoubtedly had Buffy's heartbeat soaring, blood racing, and thighs clenching. Damn. Now if only I could get JM to record your story using his Spike-voice. The only thing that could make this chapter any sexier would be hearing it from the Big Bad himself. Loved your use of Tara this chapter too. She wasn't front and center, but it still was incredibly enjoyable seeing her fill the nurturing role with Spike and Dawn. It's nice to see a mother presence in that home again. I'm also glad that you didn't allow her to doubt her earlier actions too long. Where Tara truly wants to help in times of need and crisis, Willow seeks to fix. Willow may tell herself and others that she just wants to help, and sometimes that may be the case. Willow often, however, NEEDS to help, whereas Tara WANTS to help. Willow's need to help and fix situations takes precedence often over what others desire. When Buffy died, and even before that, when Tara was "brain sucked" by Glory, Willow's tight reign on control started to crumble. Whenever Willow is faced with an emotional overload, she counterbalances that with a great desire to control the environment around her. She may feel like she's spiraling out of control inside, so she over compensates. Her mother may have instilled, even subconsciously, the value of control of one's emotions. As witnessed in many early episodes of BtVS, Sheila is a woman who is in complete control. She seemed to prize intellect, reason, logic over emotion or feeling. It's possible that Willow was taught, by example and word, that emotional reactions to situations weren't appropriate and that logical reasoning was valued. Willow is naturally a very feeling individual. She feels with her entire body and soul. A natural reaction to stress for her may be seeking control of some kind. Magic gives her an outlet for both her desire for control and her perceived unwanted emotions. I know I'm no therapist, but some healthier coping mechanisms may be in order here. Gosh, did I just go off on a tangent or what? I'm sorry, didn't mean to do that! Anyway...adore this chapter and adore this story! Thank you for putting up with my long-winded musings. I promise to keep a lid on my soap-box meanderings next time! Can't wait to see what happens the morning after!

It gets better all the time. So moving.

Sigh...the emotions you evoke and inspire with your words and character interactions is just enliving. I'm as addicted to this story as I am an actual episode. I love Buffy and Spike's developing relationship - the beauty of it honesty and equality. Also love the interactions of the other characters, esp. Dawn and Tara. I love seeing them work together to be a group and as a group.

Again very lovely. I really, really like the story, although I have to say that the little cliffhanger at the end of the last chapter is kind of a little bit mean! But who am I to complain, as long as they are Spuffy cliffhangers...?! ;)

Crafty little Buffy! I suspect she's going to try and get Spike to bite her again, or make some declaration of feelings...or both. Yep, nothing like a good crisis to bring the lovebird's together. I'm glad that Tara brought up the topic of needing to discuss some issues with Spike. I was hoping she wouldn't put it on the back burner until he was better. I wonder if Willow will be waiting at home for them. I'm hoping not. The last thing they need to be faced with right now is Willow. At least until Tara gets a chance to talk to Spike. I love how you used Dawn to make Spike and Buffy talk about their feelings out loud. And I'm even happier that Buffy admitted to wanting to kiss Spike. Yeah, it only took days of constant, vigilant care during the most traumatic moments of Buffy's life for her to let those walls down. I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next chapter. These next one or two chapters sound like they could be extremely pivotal to the story on many different levels. I'm all a flutter! Btw, I'm going to have to watch Beauty and the Beast again 'cuz I'm not seeing the similarities. But then again, it has been over 10 years since I've last seen it. I'd love to know what specifically about that movie inspires you. Great chapter again!

had to review again....LOL. i wonder who or what called the hounds off....hhhmmmmmm

There's no word for such a wonderful story.

again you put me right there in the cemetary, fighting alongside them. i enjoyed how you got buffy to the training room and starting to workout using what spike had done for her..........he sooooo deserves cookies....big ones...nice that she is seeing that. spike biting buffy while in pain will be interesting to see how its played out with the chip not going off and her realizing that it didn't b.c he would never hurt her........gods another wonderful chapter