Loved it!! The reveal about Dawn's true parentage was perfect...coming out in a moment of emotional vulnerability. There was a very believable transition from Dawn being Buffy's sister and Spike's sister-esque friend to their child and vice versa. The "I love you" over Dawn's head so sweet and love how it spoke volums in that moment.

Author's Response: Yeah. That was Dawn's breakdown, so to speak. Can't lose anyone else. Thanks for the positive feedback!

Delurking to say how much I enjoyed this one. I think you handled it really well! :)

Author's Response: Yeah! Thanks for delurking and telling me you enjoyed it!

THAT WAS HOT!!!!!! LOVED ITA LOT. I WONDER HOW EVERYONE IS GONNA REACT TO THIS NEWS. I'M GLAD BUFFY AND SPIKE TOOK IT WELL.

Author's Response: Not really a shock to either of them. IBut then again, not everyone knows yet. . . . 'm really glad you liked it. Thanks soo much for your steady reviews, they really mean a lot to me.

OMG!!! This was sooooo amazingly beautiful. Especially how Buffy and Spike each took Dawn's surprise announcement sort of in stride, not really questioning anything. Just truly amazing. This lived up to every hope and dream I had this moment. When Spike ran his finger over Dawn's nose and said, "That's mine," I just about wept with the weight of the moment. This chapter truly does this little family justice. And I so wish we could have seen this on t.v. The three of them bonding as family would have been an amazing sight to see. Thank you so much for giving us this incredibly moving, jaw dropping chapter. You have no reason to be nervous my dear. This chapter will stay with me always as a moment that should have been canon. Thank you so very, very much.

Author's Response: Yeah, that was one of my favorite moments to write. He just. . . accepted it, sort of. . . I would have liked to have seen them act it also, but hey, I can see it in my head whenever I read it. . . Thanks Rana, your reviews always make my day.

HOLY F"N SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Drops some rosehips and dragon's blood into the pot to really make my heart melt into a rich big ooze. Nia, you know I love you dearly and I love every story you have ever writen. This this by far is one of the best. It might be a chapter *wipes tears* that was fuckn beautiful. I am in awe, I am in such a flutter right now. Dawn was brilliant. You nailed her down in how she would be. She is so scared and so worried about losing mum and dad. Spike, gods that man gets better each moment. That point when they looked into each other's eyes and saw what was really there, a daughter and father*more tears* jeezus I don't have the words. I can't describe what you just painted on this screen. I can't...the emotions are so fuckn raw. Buffy, listening to their converstation, hearing the words and realizing it. Understanding about the past and just knowing it was the past. Knowing that she needed him, they both needed him. I am a blubbering mess, so I will stop. I love you my sister and I love your words. Pat yourself on the back, you nailed this chapter.

Author's Response: C'mon, tell me how you really feel? Please? You know how much I love telling you stories, always have, probably always will. Used to be with cookies . . and sometimes milk. Now its beer and whiskey . . . . *hugs* You think they're happy about this?

Fantastic!

Author's Response: Aw. Thanks!

I've been waiting for this chapter FOREVER and you did a really great job with it. Liked how Dawn just blurted it out by accident... and she and Spike really do look alike. Anyways, it's good, don't be so nervous about it!!

Author's Response: I was waiting to write/post it also. Thanks!

Oh wow...I couldn't have imagined this going any better - this entire chapter was just beautiful - how Dawn blurted out her secret, how Bufy and Spike - especially Spike, took the news. Wow...just perfect and so emotional. This story keeps getting better and better with each new chapter. I apologize for not reviewing more often, but I follow this story like no other and can't wait to see where this goes next.

Author's Response: Don't worry, you don't have to apologize for not reviewing all the time. Thanks for this one. I appreciate it.

The tension was high during Angelus' stalking, and everyone converging on Buffy's room was well detailed. The choreography of the scene for Tara's spell and its aftermath was also well realized. I liked the line "Spike was too tired to argue, which for him had to be a first." That could hold true for Buffy, too, they're both so stubborn!

i thought this was a great chapterit will be interesting to see how you pull together willow and angelus. i especially liked teh tidbit about how the huntsmen typicailly waits for the final betryal before taking the traitor.... :) keep up the fantastic work. i hope your shoulder feels better!!!!

I enjoyed this chapter. I love the growing friendship between Wesley and Spike! And I really really want Anya to dump Xander, he is just horrible to her.

Loved the Spike/Angel standoff. Love love love Tara. I'm looking forward to Giles and Spike discussing the removal of the chip. Keep 'em coming, I've loved the story so far.