I know I just reviewed the last chapter but I have to comment here, especially after rereading chpt. 42.

Again, speaking for myself, it's clear that Buffy was in a difficult position. She essentially had to choose between her love for Xander and her love for Spike. It is expected that she would need a moment to think things through and ensure she didn't rush to judgement.

But Buffy didn't do that, stop and think, I mean. She insisted on executing a plan that really was designed to give Xander the benefit of the doubt while at the same time implied that Spike was either delusional or lying.

Sure, Buffy thought she could handle it but that was where she underestimated her adversary because he was her friend. Again, giving Xander the benefit of the doubt while ignoring all of the warnings she was given. In the end of course, things worked out as they always do for Buffy, regarding slaying anyway. But how many times have we seen Buffy go off half-cocked only to have fate intervene to save her and the scoobies. Yes, she is incredibly skilled and powerful and she thinks fast on her feet but Buffy is also one of the luckiest slayers ever. She's been doing this type of thing since she was called. I'd like to think that after so many close calls that she would have devised a better battle strategy.

As to the plan, the others could have helped more but each time I reread chpt. 42 and I see how she manhandled Dawn with her slayer strength and ignored Angel's objections, not to mention turned a blind eye to Spike's obvious terror, it tells me that Buffy didn't want to hear anything that didn't fall in line with proving Xander was innocent, right there and then. If someone had suggested, "let's wait a bit to come up with something a bit more secure", but wait, in fact Dawn wanted to wait, but Buffy wouldn't hear of it. What was the rush? IMO, it is these things that Buffy has to feel guilty for - her arrogance, her bullying, her adamant insistence on the rushed execution of a plan that really could have used some serious rethinking in order to give her friend the benefit of the doubt.

How could she promise Spike that she would protect him when she literally wouldn't allow herself to believe that he was in any danger from Xander? Chapter 42 starts out acknowledging that no one really wanted the plan to prove Xander's guilt. It appears Buffy wanted it even less so. Again, we see where Buffy was in a tough situation but Spike's welfare was in her hands but she didn't take the threat seriously enough. Yes, she made a mistake - a grave one. And she will be forgiven for it. But forgiveness does not erase the consequences of her actions. People have been hurt, some have died.

That is where my frustration with Buffy in this fic comes from. Because Buffy should be in her early twenties at this point and her experience as a slayer should have driven that point home many times. Her actions carry severe consequences. She carries the weight of the world and often stands between life and death. If she's going to promise to protect Spike then she needs to be prepared to accept whatever she's protecting him from.

Had she acknowledged her uncertainty and taken more time to stop and think things through, instead of bullying others and rushing into this hairbrain plan, she wouldn't be feeling so guilty at the moment.

I'm glad Giles talked her out of rushing to LA and what would most likely be an ugly encounter with Spike. Both are stubborn and irrational when upset. Spike made the best decision to leave. And as I mentioned before, had he waited till she came home, he wouldn't have been able to. Spike can deny her nothing and she would have persuaded him to stay. I had hoped that he might have left a note but perhaps he simply couldn't find the words.

Anyway, Spuffy has a long way to go yet but I'm glad to see in the last chapter that Buffy finally sees what she was actually deciding between. It's amazing what a little time to reflect can do.

And yeah, it's just a fic but it gets you thinking, which keeps the fandom interesting imo.

So Spike is feeling sorry for himself now....

it seems almost as if everyone wants to jump and put evrything on Buffy. what about Angel for 3 months Spike called for him and he ignored it but no one says anything about that. it has always seemd to me that when other peoples plans have failed it was "ok we tried let's find some other way" but when one of Buffy's plans go awry "it's let's all dog out buffy and blame her for eveything." then they all turn around and expect her to be there for everyone else, push her hurt and pain aside and worry about them. help them feel better . we have to remember that Buffy is also a human and a young woman who has feelings and emotions and will make mistakes. No she want always make the right desicision but it is not fair to blame her for eveything that goes wrong.

we have to remember that Buffy also had a hard time with believing that Angel wasn't Angel when he lost his soul. she had to see it the hard way. and that is because she was in love with him. She loved Zander as a friend he had been in her life for years as her best friend she just couldn't fathom him being that way.

Spike leaving was a shock . i think a goodbye should have happen . he should have let her say her side. i just pray that Angel stays out of it because what happens now is between those two. i also hope Dawn stays out of it too. at points she really got on my nerve and i was sometimes wishing buffy would just stand up to her and tell her to shut the hell up..i think Dawn kinda oversteped herself in someplaces..but then she is a irritating little brat i have wanted to slap a time or two on the show..LOL.

i hope this is not the end and that they can get together somehow without everyone in there business. i do stand strong on the point that they need to talk and try to work it out and everyone else should back the hell off.

Dream i have always enjoyed your work i look forward to more of you updates soon...N

So Spike went with Angel because he feels betrayed by Buffy, doesn't believe what she told him when they found him, he also called Angel out on not coming sooner.

Why do I see by time they allow her to contact Spike he will be gone from LA.

Please don't keep them apart to long they need each other.

cant wait to see what happens next

As much as I would love for Buffy to chase after Spike and beg for forgivness, Giles is right. Loved Spike's talk to Angel.

wonderful chapter - very much like the choices that Spike has made - And you have put out an excellent foundation for the continued development of both Spike and all the other characters -

I like your Giles very much - it's nice to not have Giles on automatic "I hate that Vamp" mode.

GREAT CHAPTER, BUT SO SAD. WOW , WHAT ANYA SAID WAS SO TRUE,AND I'M GLAD SPIKE LET ANGEL KNOW TRUTH TOO. I KNOW THEY'LL FIND THEIR WAY BACK TO EACH OTHER ,AND AS FOR XANDER ,WELL IF BUFFY HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH HIM AFTER ALL THIS I'LL BE SURPRISED. I KNOW DAWN WILL GIVE HIM WHATFORE THOUGH.

I hope Spike gets better. Hopefully Buffy won't go into depression or anything and get herself killed. Sure I wasn't happy with her plan, but I'd rather she not die. Update soon please!

...And for once, I'm very much hoping it's a 'Spike-moves-on-and-forgets-about-all-things-Sunnydale-(most-of-all-Buffy)' ending.