awwwww, you stopped there *sniff* I think some's *wink* *wink* Will you add more with Cordelia and what Angelus is doing with her? Have I told you lately just how much I adore this story... well I do!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday. And I like it. Spike's right , Xander never has had any manners.

That warning you gave in the author's notes was pretty scarey and then nothing this chapter. It almost makes me afraid of the next chapter. Even though... I still can't wait. More soon please.

Happy birthday! And a great chapter.

Author's Response: *hugs* Thanks. . . you are number 800!!!!! whooooooooo

xander xander xander. he lives in such denial and stupidity. nice tho to see him buck up when shits hitting the fan. maybe he'll get his head out of the sand. :) poor sick buffy.....*giggles* as always hun i so love this story and happy happy birthday...*hugs*

First and foremost - a big ol' happy birthday to you! Second - loved the update. Seriously had me glued to the screen with so many wonderful details!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! How about givin' us a present?? More chapters???????? :)

Happy Birthday! Great chapter as always... Xander is a prick, but that's nothing new...

Happy Birthday for tomorrow! I love this chapter as always. Can wait for the next update! ;)

Nia: I have a feeling your message about "not so positive reviews" may have been directed toward me. I want you to know that I do like your story - and your writing style. I guess I wouldn't still be reading this if I didn't, lol. No, I don't like the way Willow or Xander are being written (I don't particularly like Xander, I just think this story has him way out of character - I do love Willow, however, and it makes me sad to read her like this), but I do realize it is your story and I respect that. I guess I keep hoping you'll redeem them in a later chapter, but it seems they are getting farther and farther away from that, in my opinion. I guess I took it literally when you asked for reviews - good or bad. If you would prefer only to hear positive, then I will refrain from giving any negative feedback. My last review may have been put harshly - it was late, I was tired, and I apologize. If you don't want to hear it, I will shut up. My intent was just to voice my opinion, but not in a hostile or negative way. I'm sorry, but I do not have a way to leave an e-mail for just you when I review, and I choose to keep my e-mail address private. I welcome any public reply you choose to leave for me, though. I hope to see further updates as I am enjoying this story, despite any disagreements I may have about some of the characters. Buffy and Spike are still my faves, of course! :) Jackie

Author's Response: There's a reason why I wrote this, and used the two core scoobies as "bad guys". I'm sorry that you think I don't like Willow and that you believe that's why I chose her to be Dark!Willow. I don't dislike Willow -- not nearly as much as I dislike some of the other characters and although I stated I didn't like Xander, that's not entirely the truth. Redemption doesn't always come overnight, but sometimes, if you are granted enough grace, you can achieve it. I don't mind constructive criticism, in fact I welcome it. However, the majority of your reviews have not been constructive. They've been sort of a diatribe. If you want to rail and me and get into the in-depth reasons why I chose to portray some of these characters the way I did, feel free to email me. My email address is part of my author's profile, and while I may not get back to you in 24 hours, I do respond. Ask around. I'm going to give a general comment to some of your reviews. In one of the chapters of Origins, you pointed out that Spike gave up too quickly when Buffy said he couldn't bite her from that position. Well, go back and read that again, because he physically couldn't. They were back to back at that moment, and as dextrous as our vampire is, he cannot physically bite someone when he's facing away. No one can. I spent numerous hours watching the series from beginning to end, pretty much in one marathon session -- and the reasons for that are well, daytime tv sucks and I was stuck home with a dislocated shoulder. As for my comments in my author's notes -- they are my opinions. Feel free to differ with them, but don't attack me for having them. Everyone's allowed their opinions and placing a judgment on them constitutes, in a way, a personal attack. I don't expect everyone to like everything I've written or the way I've portrayed the characters, what I do ask is that you respect my opinions and the other people posting their reviews and, in addtion, the webmistress of this site. If you have a problem with me, or with anything I've written at any time, I urge you to check my author's profile and email me, rather than use this space. I've asked it before and I will ask it again, if the situation arises. I didn't intend for my response to be this lengthy, but I urge you to continue reading. . . . like I said earlier, redemption isn't always a given, but with grace and love and forgiveness, perhaps it can be achieved.

I haven't lost interest! I'm in love with this story as much as I was with the first one. I loved it when Spike was looking around trying to figure out who was watching them. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Oh puhhlease! Get over yourself! I cannot believe the comment about how you should watch the show and the aggravation of the writing and dangling plot threads would inspire you!!! I've seen various comments like this throughout this story and the first one and really cannot believe the gall. HMMMMMMM, if they are such bad writers, why do we all love the show??

I haven't lost interest. and I am enjoying the story. I hope you get better soon and take good care of yourself. One thing I would like to see more of is interaction between Buffy, Spike and Dawn as parents and child. If they are going to have another baby, I would like them to firmly establish their bonds as family, a 'real' family.