There seems to be some hope in the horizon! I so hope all of them don't have to go through Hell once again to manage to be whole! (though I sincerely doubt my hope will come true :P)

Have a Happy New Year... and please let the Dustins have one too!!!

XXX

Author's Response: It'll be a little strange getting there, but the happy ending will happen. :) I promise.

*reaches for a tissue* The closing scene was a real heartbreaker, it's another one of those scenes that just play out so vividly in my head... poor little Joni, Spike and Buffy too for that matter. :( Can't wait to see where things go from here for the Dustin family. Good update.


Author's Response: Aww...:( How do you think Joni will take this? Will she think it's her fault, and what will she do about it? Thanks for reading!

This chapter really left me feeling all kinds of hopeful, and intrigued by the new possibilities it opens. Loved it, wonderful update! :D

Author's Response: Hope is what I was going for, so I'm glad you are- hopeful that is. :D Thanks for reading.

Very interesting flashback, the Oscar/Buffy scenes are wonderful. I like how Oscar is handling himself in the past and in the present with Buffy, can't wait to find out how the rest of their conversation plays out. :D Great chapter!

Author's Response: Glad you liked it. It's hard to have an OC that doesn't seem like a know -it- all. He's there to protect something he's not even sure he believes in. As far as Oscar's concerned, "Rabbit" is just a hunch. Is "Rabbit" real? Read on and find out.

I loved that you gave us a glimpse into Spike's poker games antics, having Oscar be one of the poker players seems so right. :D Wonderful update!

Author's Response: The caveman debate and Spike's mention of the poker game in accounting was too good to pass up! Glad you enjoyed it.

Long, hard road, eh?

Author's Response: Yeah, it looks like it.

Spike rabbit is now a she. :D I think I might know who Joni is talking about, but in case I'm wrong i'll keep my big mouth shut. ;-)
Loved the family scene, Spike singing to Joni always pulls at my heartstrings.
Beautiful banner! Joni is so cute, and Oscar looks like Brad Pitt! For some reason and I don't exactly know why, I always imagined Oscar as unassuming middle-aged accountant, looking kinda like actor Bob Hoskins... but a "almost as handsome as Spike" Oscar definitely works for me too. ;-)
Wonderful chapter!
Have a safe and fun 4th of July! =)

Author's Response: Thanks for the compliment on the banner, though I didn't make it. That was "The Space Between." It's very pretty, don't you think? In my head, Oscar kinda looks like Opie Taylor with fangs. :-) ::Wink:: I think you might be on the right track with "Rabbit." I'm glad you like the story so much!

Wow! You've totally blown me away with this installment Wendy, first the new twist in the flashback, and then the exciting turn in the closing scene... again with the WOW!!! Your muse rocks!!! Wonderful chapter!

p.s. My e-mail's been wonky lately, did you ever get my response to your e-mail last week? Just curious. :D

Author's Response: My muse surprises me sometimes. Glad you liked it so much! I'll have to give him extra wheetabix!!!

I'm so glad Oscar is in the picture, it's gonna be a hard task, *crosses fingers* but here's hoping he can reach Spike... relying too much on Liam is never of the good. Loved the update.

Author's Response: Liam has a way of leaving things out. So I thought I might need to bring in the back up. Still, let's hope Liam can be humble enough to actually help. *crossing fingers,too* :-)

Wow! What a profound scene between Spike and Joni, the emotions were so raw *reaches for a tissue* my poor heart really ached for both Joni and her Daddy. :( I'm really looking forward to seeing how Spike and Joni interact with each other after this.
I also enjoyed the insightful talk Buffy had with Liam. Buffy showed more restraint than I would've, but it was smart of her to keep her cool. Loved the chapter!

Author's Response: Thanks! It was difficult for me to "watch" too. I don't like hurting Spike or Joni. But, I can't mess with the timeline too much, even if it is mine to mess with. The promise may make interaction difficult. It may be time for Liam to step in and try to take care of Joni. I think he owes Spike that much, at least.

in the next chp cud u update us plyz...i missed some chps i think n i need a brief explanation on wts happenin'...its a really gud fic...bout love and friendship and hw 2 redeem ureself.

Author's Response: Thanks for reading. I'm not sure how much you missed, but the chapters are all still posted here. I haven't deleted or changed them, you are free to read whatever you missed. And, if you're still confused, feel free to contact me by using the "Authors" link. Thanks again for reading.

Hmmm... *ponders thoughtfully* The beginning of the chapter was very intriguing, I'm definitely thinking the kaleidoscope is turning again. ;-) And Wow!!! The Joni/Spike scene was so intensely dramatic, I'm so worried for Joni right now! I can't wait to find out how Joni and her parents deal with this situation. Wonderful update!

Author's Response: And you would be right! How will Joni deal with this? Is there someone out there in the dark waiting to prey on the littlest Slayer? Read and find out...