I almost feel sorry for Angelus. (Giggles) He really created a monster.... He, he.
Spike is such a rebel teenager... And it´s understandable that he doesn´t want to be William any more.
Don´t get me wrong. I love William, and I understand very well why Buffy was so in love with him. But try to see it through Spike´s eyes: William was a looser, who didn´t have any real friends, who was bullied by his peers if not ignored and who couldn´t even protect the women he loved. Not Elisabeth nor his mother. He couldn´t even protect himself as a fledging from Angelus´s "lesson"... So what better than to create a new "persona" who is the total opposite to William. Who isn´t afraid of anything, damn the consequences?
All this is what I get out of reading your story so I hope I´m not to far away from your view of William/Spike.
I can´t say it enough. This is really the best portrait of Spike I have read. Can´t wait to see what happens next.
I Angelus going to tell him about the Slayer?


Author's Response: lol. Angelus certainly has his hands full now, doesn't he? I agree with you completely on Spike's reasons for trying to suppress his "William" side. Although we know he will never be able to completely destroy that vulnerable part of himself, he is learning to hide it, to give a coat of armor. If he didn't do this, he would never have been able to recover from the events of the last chapter. I'm glad you like the story and I'm very flattered that you think it's so good. Thank you for the review. :)

great update!
the behavior of spike is the one of an rebellious adolescent!!!! rebellion is against the paternal figure of angelus, clear that also there is resentment by the rape, and a bite of competicon by dominion i guess, the demostio of which his demon is not but small who the one of angelus
in the original Cannon, drusilla never shows a sincere interest in spike, daddy always the frist interest by her, this it is a change that I don't know where it can finish, william this beginning to have deep feelings by her, in my previous commentary, it mentions that this impossible for me, because unlike william of the original Cannon, this william experiment the true love, to the light of this, its relation with durusilla is single sad reflection of which it is the true love
it is this sense of lost what it makes take refuge in this false relation with dursilla?
or it is desire to experience the love again what it makes really fall in love with drusilla?
in truth drusilla loves william? because in the original Cannon, never it gets to happen...
too many questions, I hope that they clarify following undates!!!
great story! i love each detail




Author's Response: I'm so glad you like it, anabel. Thank you for taking the time to review. :) You're right; Spike is very much a rebellious teenager in this. William was a man weighed down by responsibilities (business, home, mother, morals, etc). Spike, as a vampire, is freed of those burdens. He frees himself, even more, by refusing Angelus' domination of him. The rape was brutal, but Spike was able to see it for what it was and move on from there. He will not be bullied any longer. Each step on his journey is taking him just a little farther from the William he was ... and a little bit closer to the William (or Spike) he will become. After all, it is bringing him closer to Buffy.

"However, for a moment, Angelus just gaped at the approaching mob. When his eyes shifted back to Spike, they were filled with disbelief.

“Goddamn it, William,” he said."--That face, I can see that face on Angelus, and can't help but laugh. He is truly the disapproving father that can't help but bail out his troubled, irresponsible son. So terribly the Spike that we always imagined, wreaking havoc and what not, simply because it makes things a challenge... and is a bloody good time! You've captured him so very well. I love watching him develop this persona. I look forward for the next installment, and the eventual reunion with his Elizabeth. A marvelous chapter in a magnificent story.


Author's Response: My inspiration for pretty much this entire chapter was the two minute mineshaft scene in "Fool for Love." I absolutely adored Spike's rebellious teenager vibe when he argued with Angelus. The two of them had wonderful chemistry together, very love/hate. And you're right, Angelus is very much the disapproving father in my story. Rocky times ahead for these two, I'm sure. Thanks for the review. :)

Haha! I'm really enjoying William's transformation into Spike. And the way you write the characters is really spot-on.

Keep it up! I'll be eagerly waiting for more! :D

Author's Response: Thank you so much. I'm glad you liked the chapter. :)

Fantastic chapter... I like that William constantly vexes Angelus LOL
Poor Spike he does have a death wish... update soon...

Author's Response: I'm glad you liked it. Thank you for reviewing. :) I'm working on the next chapter now. If the Muse behaves, I can hopefully post it by Friday.