Spike and his first slayer. A wonder that they could have an honor match. A wonder that he thought he could fall for her. Such a character. An amazing chapter.

Loved it as always.

Author's Response: I'm glad. Thank you. :)

I -really- enjoyed Spike meeting his first slayer. The way you described the exchange had a poetic vibe to it....and it went so well with the tone of the story and Spike's personality as well.

And Angelus is back (rubs hands together with glee). Can I just say how happy I am to hear that?

Well done :) Can't wait to read more.

Author's Response: You sound like another Angelus fan. I adore writing him, even though I absolutely abhor what he got up to in Chapter 32. My new chapter is at the beta's and should be posted soon. It's sure be an interesting one. :)

No Daddy!
I hate Angelus in how he treats William and his so called lessons and were it fathers day he would so not get a card I tell you. Loved this new chapter it was really great and I cant wait for more.
My only complaint is its sort of hard to tell storyline wish how much time has past for far is it weeks or months?
I'm looking forward to his Flower child eating and Sex Pistols years :P

Author's Response: ROFL. Your "Father's Day" comment was just hilarious! I called my hubby over to read it, and we were both cracking up. You're right, though, if Angelus were my daddy I certainly wouldn't be sending him any cards. ;) Oh ... and in regards to your question ... I actually fiddled with the timeline a little after posting (I made this chapter begin in summer instead of spring). But, to answer your question, here's the sequence of events: Buffy arrived in London on November 5th, 1879. She was hired by Anne a little over two weeks after this. She met William a few weeks later, in early December of 1879. Cecily's ball was on January 11th of 1880. William's thirty-first birthday was on March 31, 1880, and he and Buffy became engaged very late that same night. Buffy disappeared on April 4, 1880, and William was turned on April 5th. William rose as a vampire on April 8th. He spent the spring of 1880 with Angelus, Darla, and Dru in London, before they had to flee to Yorkshire, where he began to call himself "Spike". He stayed in Yorkshire two nights, and then he and Dru went to Italy. They arrived in Italy in early summer (I didn't specify an exact date, but it would have been after June 21), and he met the Slayer ten days later. He and the Slayer fought most of the summer, and then she was killed. Spike remained in Italy until late Autumn, 1880, and this is where Angelus arrives and Chapter Thirty-Five ends. Phew. That took a while! But I hope you found it helpful. :) Thanks for taking the time to review!

It is so sad to see Spike still thinks of Elizabeth in his fantasy of what their life could have been and how he wanted to bring her here and the life they might have had but I do not lose hope on these too to quote The Princess Bride "Death cannot stop true love it only delays it for a while"
I am glad he has Dru to be there for him even if she is not who he really needs at least he is not alone in this.
I think with Angelus coming to Italy it won't be such a bad thing cause show wise we did not know the exact location he got his soul back so it could be here and if so it will be interesting to see how his souling and treatment of William may or may not change.
Great updateonce again I am dying for more

Author's Response: In season two's "Becoming" they did actually name Romania as the location where Angelus regained his soul. Romania is in southeastern Europe, bordering the Ukraine. So, canon-wise, Angelus would not be regaining his soul in Italy. However ... I'm not exactly following canon here, so you never know what might happen. ;) I agree completely with your assessment of the Spike/Dru relationship. She can't replace his true love; he can't fall in love with her. But she offers him affection, comfort, and companionship; that's something he sorely needs right now. I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying that aspect of the story. Thank you for reviewing. :)

This update is, as usual, awesome. I can't wait for the next one.

You know, I was never a fan of Drusilla or of the Spike/Drusilla relationship. However, the way you've written their relationship has really made me love them together and see how they need each other.

Please update soon!

Author's Response: I'm very glad you said that about Spike and Drusilla. A few people have told me how uncomfortable they feel about this relationship. I think some readers feel that William/Spike is being unfaithful to Elizabeth's memory by having a relationship with Dru. In reality, it's his grief for Elizabeth that makes him seek comfort from Dru. Also, I can't imagine that someone as tenderhearted as William/Spike could look at someone as broken as Drusilla -- someone he lived with, someone who loved him -- and not feel some desire to protect her. Spike always struck me as a very nuturing person on the show, and I really wanted to convey that here. In my story, his relationship with Dru is more familial than romantic, but he does love her, and he wants to take care of her. And that doesn't diminish his love for Elizabeth at all. I'm glad you appreciate that and enjoy it. Thanks for taking the time to let me know. :)

Hey your back great turn of events going on here with spike and his learning to be a better vampire. Love to see more soon

Author's Response: I'm working on the next chapter now. Thanks for reading and reviewing. :)

So they were in Rome for a while like months before Angelus and Darla caught up with them or found them. At least Spike had some time alone to himself to go after his own interests. I think some time alone will make him strong and he won't fold under the pressure of Angelus turning back up with his gross ways. I get so excited every time I see a new chapter come up this is one of my favorite stories.


Author's Response: I'm glad you're enjoying it so much. Thanks, as always, for taking the time to review. :)

I have been horrible at reviewing this story, but I have been hanging on to every chapter, checking everyday for an update--- I am blown away by your mastery of writing, and your skill in plot-- too many authors lack one or both of these qualities, and it is a joy to find an author who is simply brilliant.

I have a couple questions regarding the story that you would perhaps not like to answer lest you give away too much, but I am curious. :)

Time travel stories are always fun because there are so many different theories as to how time travel works.

Did Buffy, in going back in time, *change* the past, or are you deviating from the show's established plot for how Spike was turned? While some are anal about canon, I think that half the fun of writing comes from being able to play with the timeline, and since, as I said, each person writes time travel differently, I wasn't sure which track you were taking.

Thank you so much for this amazing story--truly epic! I can't wait for more!

Author's Response: How very nice of you to say! I'm glad you think so highly of my writing. :) Without giving away any plot secrets I will say that, so far, I have been weaving bits of canon with my own original scenes. I don't think it's possible for Buffy to have spent time with William and *not* change the past. But then there's also the possibility of Destiny and the paths our feet are set on no matter what. So, to answer your question ... you'll just have to read to find out. ;) Thanks so much for reviewing! :)

Very well written more soon please.

Author's Response: Thanks. I'm glad you liked it. :)

Emiliana is such a pretty name I must remmember that. I loved this new update and laughed at Spike not minding Dru killing off the people for their apartment cause of the ugly wallpaper.
Maybe its good A. showed up cause Italy's purpose burned out with the slayer dying I cant remember the time line if they are off to the Boxer Reb. after this or what but I look forward to more of this story.

Author's Response: I'm glad you like the name. I chose it because its meaning is "Rival" which I thought was singularly appropriate, given her role in the story. In regards to the timeline, the Boxer Rebellion took place in China during 1900. As of the end of Chapter Thirty-Five, it is late autumn of 1880, so we still have a ways to go before Spike gets a crack at the Chinese Slayer. Thanks for reviewing. :)

Spike seems to admire stong women who stand alone in battles and have no fear lol. Who says he doesn't have great taste in women. Please more when you can its so hard to see a page end.

Author's Response: I agree completely. The boy can pick them, can't he? ;) Thanks for reviewing!

I love the back and forth between the Rome Slayer and Spike in how they speak too each other you really did that well. And I liked the fact Elizabeth is never too far away in Spikes thoughts and she is still as strong as ever in his heart.
Cannot wait for your next addition!~

Author's Response: I'm so glad to hear that. Thank you! :)