Indeed, the Scoobies were fighting a lot. But Willow made Dawn understand why she and Buffy are having difficulties.
And Xander seems to be on his way to revenge.

Interesting couple of chapters, DoS. I have to say, though, that it would be more intriguing if you would delve more deeply into Xander's psyche. Right now he seems so much like a cardboard cutout villain and oddly at variance with his canon self. I could easily see Xander turning evil, but it would be nice to know exactly what triggered his downfall. Yes, shooting and even torturing Spike was understandable. But what about threatening Buffy and Dawn? What about hurting Anya? And I'm assuming he's going to hurt his parents now, as well.

Don't get me wrong, I think the plot premise is very unique and interesting. But the execution of the characters seems to be getting very black/white. Xander is solely a villain and Spike is solely a victim, which is rarely how people are in real life.

Please don't take this as a flame, because I really do enjoy your story. But I think it has more potential than to be just another pot boiler. You are a wonderful writer and I would really love to read some of your insight into the characters, rather than just their actions.

What's Xander gonna do now? Will they find Spike in time? Update soon please!

So, um, I'm just wondering. If you plan to have Xander kll his parents or at least get into some violent confrontation with them, from the looks of things it seems as though you plan to let him get killed. I certainly don't know if that is exactly what you are planning but as far as forcing Buffy to deal with him, Xander's death will certainly make things more convenient for her.

I hate to be cruel but I was thinking about it after reading the last chapter. Ever since Buffy has suspected Xander of this atrocity, she has progressively moved from her earlier vows of retribution, which even had Anya a tad worried, to a more tempered "let's consider other options" approach now that she can no longer deny Xander's guilt. Understandable - no one wants to hit to switch on the electric chair with their best friend in it.

But this now puts Buffy is an awkward position, or even more awkward than the one she's going to be in when they get Spike back and he realizes that she doubted him still. In true to Buffy form, she will want to save Xander, again understandable given their history, but in saving Xander she may lose Spike.
Assuming Xander kills his parents and it were only the parent murders to consider (not that they aren't important but let's face it they made Xander a monster) then something along the lines of the rehab Willow is undergoing might be appropriate considering she also killed someone - again if in the end Xander was only guilty of killing his parents. That is not the case however. Xander is without a doubt guilty and what he did to Spike he doesn't even have Angel's excuse of losing his soul. Xander set out in cold blood to hurt and torture him. He kept him around for months for his sick pleasure, intentionally slowing his healing to prolong the fun. Spike has been so traumatized that even now in Xander's basement he doesn't seem to know that he can fight back. On some level, irreparable harm has been done to Spike and the fact that Buffy is even suggesting "other options" is going to have a major effect on whether Spike can be around her or not - unless those other options include chaining Xander in the initiaive caves in the manner Spike was and allowing Spike and Angel to have a go - but somehow I think not.
So how does Buffy keep Xander around, even if it's in merry old England, without damaging her relationship with Spike? And does Xander stay in England forever or will he at some point in the distant future be reintegrated with the scoobies? No matter how many eons pass, there is no way Spike can ever forgive this and work with him. And I can't see him being too understanding of Buffy either. Buffy may not be able to do it herself but if she gets in the way of others who try to take Xander out, that will also be another betrayal to Spike.

The only way out for Buffy is to take it out of her hands completely. If Xander gets killed during a confrontation with his parents, her hands are wiped clean. Yes, she'll mourn him but she won't have to choose between her once best friend and the supposed love of her life. And yet the sad thing will be that Spike will know that she wouldn't be able to make the choice - between him and the *human* who destroyed him.

Of course, it doesn't have to go this way, you surprise us all.

UPDATEEEEEEEE!

Good chapter. While I'd hate for Xander to resolve his issues with violence, at least he sees where his problems began. My only thing is whatever Xander does to his parents, I don't want Buffy to feel responsible for that. Knowing her she will but these are Xander's choices - including taking and hurting Spike. IMO, Buffy's guilt lies in knowingly giving him the opportunity to do so. I hope she can separate where her failure and responsibility ends and his begins.

While I'm glad that Willow got the group to focus on the task of finding Spike since obviously they were all wasting time arguing, her logic simply explains Buffy's need for further proof of Xander's guilt, which is understandable but not the careless way she went about in getting it. Sure, she made a mistake, a colossal mistake but in light of how well Buffy's plan went down exactly how are Dawn and Angel supposed to react when their objections and rather valid points of view were completely ignored and rejected? Pat Buffy on the back for a job well done? Sit back silently fuming at her arrogant assumption that she could risk two people she loved (one of whom happens to be nuts) and handle it herself? Simply saying someone made a mistake does not in any way take away the consequences of their actions or the resentments that may result. Buffy still has to live with it. Dawn is still angry over being ignored and fearful for her friend and so is Angel. I'm not saying they're perfect or that they should waste precious time berating Buffy but their feelings are valid and once Spike is rescued they should be voiced. Just because people can't stand them doesn't mean they shouldn't be heard. And yes, Buffy was acting with the best of intentions but you know what they say about the path to hell ...
And btw, if the roles were reversed and Dawn had acted the same way to defend Spike, it would make her loyal to one friend, uncertain of her love but just as arrogant and careless as Buffy has been portrayed.

In any event, what is up with Giles? It seems all he can talk about is Anya. I realize they've hooked up and she is his priority but my goodness, she's a vengenace demon - a bullet can't kill her. He says the group isn't focused on the task, what about him? He seemed to play no role in formulating the "plan of the year" with Buffy, he feels they're wasting time yet I don't see him rallying them into action - I mean he's waiting for Willow to do a location spell? Can't he do one? I have no idea what Giles is there for, I mean other than his chat with Anya he seems to be terribly sidelined.

cant wait to see what happens next!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Yeah for Willow~ She of the level head! I love the way she made her points so perfectly, even in her "rambling, spazzy sort of way." More soon, please!

great great great update. im so glad i dont have a sister right now. i wonder if spike'll realize his chip isn't working....hope to see more soon!

Willow needs to admit when her "so call best friend" has lost it.

Dawn kind of got carried away but I can understand where she is coming from.

Can't wait to see what happens next. Is Xander really going to kill his parents? Is Spike going to try and stop him.

I feel kind of bad for Buffy when she admited it that it was her fault for Xander having Spike again.

Love this story. Please update soon.

Uh oh, Xander's going after the parents. I wonder if they'll even have to take care of him at all, or if the police will do it for them. Either way, at least Willow's finally brought some logic to the group.