Interesting. I never even thought to have it that way. Way to go with the surprises!! And, as always, thanks for the great update!

Author's Response: Thanks. I thought it needed some explanation how everything got started. And of course since he was the one who got Buffy and Willow into the agency, he feels he can take credit for everything either of them has ever done or become. By his book - they owe everyhting to him, even though he did it for selfish reasons.

Riley back like a bad penny. Glad the skulldugery is over between Buffy - Tara & Spike. Better to have all cards on the table. Good chapter.

Author's Response: I like the bad penny analogy. But unfortunately there is still more that will go wrong between Spike, Buffy and Tara - even though things do seem better now that everyone is presumably telling the truth. Pretty soon Giles is going to have to come clean about some things too.

Riley? What the hell?? How does he play into this?

Thanks for the good update. Nice to see Giles and Spike actually getting along. Well, getting along as well as those two can. :-)

Author's Response: Actually, you could say that Riley is one of the main forces behind current events. Of course, that is how HE sees things - with himself at the center of the universe! As for Giles and Spike- well, we'll see.

great chapter

Author's Response: ANd again.

great chapter

Author's Response: My you were a busy reader!

great chapter

Author's Response: Appreciate it.

Dawn doesn't like Buffy's apartment... well it's smaller. Mmm the journal. I hope it will turn out all right (the decision Buffy is about to make., Tara's plan).

Author's Response: They'll be good news soon - but it never seems to last for poor Spike.

Good update. Sure would like to know why Spike has blackouts. I hope Tara can get eveyone to participate in her plan. Look forward to next update.

Author's Response: I think I'll get it up today (sunday). Thanks for the review, and yes, we'll eventually learn everything Spike has conveniently forgotten - which is not to imply that the blackouts are not real..

Okay, first of all I have to say I read Ashlee's 'Criminal Games' and was worried when I started reading yours that I'd already read it and hated that fact because I was really enjoying it and then!!! It's not the same story! Yay! (Of course it would have helped if I'fd read your note first, but...) Anyway, I love this story and the sexual tension (and other tension) is so perfect so far. Gonna keep reading now. Thank you for posting this one. :-)

Author's Response: Thanks. It's always nice to hear from someone new! Especially since you are just picking it up. And the resemblance to Criminal Games fades pretty fast - although the set up is similar. Hope you enjoy!

good updates

Author's Response: Thanks

Boy this has really started to go off to left field...I cant really even remember how it all started...was this what you planned?or did your muse just wonder in a different direction?I was just wondering why the NC-17 rating, it just that in all the chapters there has been no sex etc, was it for the violence? Will there ever be any action between our heros, I believe in a build up but boy this is really taking some time, its chapter 33 and they seem further apart than ever!!! Anyway please dont think this is a flame , I just thought you might be interested in a different point of view:)

Author's Response: No, you're absolutely right. But where the story grew was at the beginning. I really began the story right about where Buffy meets Dawn. I don't know how it got so much longer and so involved. And really, there is too much plot - and it gets worse. I think I am going to end it earlier than intended to keep it from getting far too long and confusing, and then finish it in part 2 - which will be shorter and wrap up all the loose ends. As for the NC, well, it does get racier - but I agree its far too long a wait!. I guess I could have used a beta to help me cut it down, but that is such a long and tedious process, and I'd pretty much have to have the whole thing done before she could figure out what was extraneous... So you see by my ramblings how this story grew in the telling. Thanks for sticking with it this long - and for being honest.

Looking forward how Spike will react to Buffy later when he sees her again. And Dru debauched virgin William. I wonder too why the dream felt like a nightmare.

Author's Response: Yes, what happened in China is not at all what Buffy assumed from what she read of the journal. We'll find out more about the nightmare issue as the dreams/flashbacks continue.

Warren told Spike too (Was he the one at the phone?). Good thing to give the journal to Tara. Looking forward to more (what Spike will do, what about Dawn, what Tara will find).

Author's Response: I'm not sure what you are referring to "Warren told Spike too." Spike was NOT the person Warren was talking to on the phone. Yes, Tara certainly plays an integral role in this fic - more so than Willow. Just worked out that way.