This was a great chapter ; it fleshed out quite a bit of "what happened in-between". Very dramatic and gives some credence as to WHY Buffy treated him so badly in the latter part of the series.

This was another exellent chapter. The idea of Darla sticking close to Drusilla in light of Angelus' defection makes sense, and the friction is fun to read. The set up for the confrontation with the slayer was vivid and, again, fleshed canon out beautifully. That slight "dart of shame" was a pleasant surprise, even if Spike pushed it away with both hands, even as he's grabbing Dru.

No telling how long we're going to be in Spike's past, but being free of Angelus and standing up to Darla have certainly forged a much different vampire than canon. I'm loving the subtle changes, and am looking forward to how they're going to alter Buffy's storyline.

Thanks for another wonderful chapter.

China... all the chaos there must be very welcome to our vamps. Even if Spike has to endure the company of Darla.
Mmmm Spike is after the slayer again; her being older (maybe because of the training started young) makes sense (= the death wish she had as Spike stated once later). Unexpected that she run again, but it made sense when she run to the temple. ~ Till next part....

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

Thank you for the update, i have been eagertly waiting for it. Wonderful writing, as always!!

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

Oh yes!!!!!
I was so happy to find a update I and a couple of pages behind but wow so much Spike goodness here I went and re-read the whole story again its so good it is by far the best story on SpuffyRealm.

Author's Response: Wow ... thank you so much for the high praise! I'm glad you're still enjoying the story. :-)

More, more, more please!!!!!!!!!! ASAP!

Author's Response: Very soon. I promise. :-)

You've portayed the victory over his first slayer in such rich detail that it bests the visual of the show. Truly a great read to learn the backstory, motivation, and setting. Hope that you are able to have Spike gloat to Angelus while he's at the Boxer Rebellion of his triumph. Love the description wherein Spike grabs Dru up after besting the slayer in such a way that she knows what she's in for. Phenomenal writing.

Author's Response: Thanks so much! It's great to know that you're still enjoying the story. I hope I can continue to entertain you in the future. :-)

I'll have you know that I was actually late for class this morning because I couldn't wait until I got home tonight to read your latest chapter :) And oh, being late was so worth it :)

Thank you for doing such a great job on one of my favorite episodes. I actually popped in Fool For Love to rewatch after I started reading this story.

Beautiful chapter.

Author's Response: FFL is one of my favorites as well, and I must have watched it a hundred times in researching this story. I'm sorry I made you late to class, but it's great to hear that you think it was worth it. I always love reading your thoughts on my writing. Thank you for taking the time to post them. :)

He got his first slayer. I can't wait for the third.

Author's Response: The time draws nigh ...

Sod Buffy returning...I am enjoying watching Spike become Spike-the violent Slayer of Slayers we fell in love with in Season 2. He won't be the strong and skillful companion that Buffy needs unless he learns to fight and plan, and that's going to take some time.

To him, Elizabeth is gone. Forever. While she still haunts his thoughts, why should he seek redemption from a God he doesn't believe in? He has no reason to be a "good man". His submersion into his vampiric tendencies is his vengeance against a God who took everything he ever loved away from him. The fact that he still loves the memory of Elizabeth and does not, himself, take part in harming children (feeling it to be "wrong") should be enough to soothe the souls of those who feel Spike should be "good".

I don't believe that your story is one about the "change" in Spike...his character remains true to what we saw in canon when he was spurned by Cecily. He's still a heartbroken man wanting to prove himself as worthy to be noticed in the world. The only difference is that his tragedy is greater since he lost mutual love as opposed to having Cecily trample on his crush. That would almost be enough to make him a greater evil. In fact, it makes me wonder if when he meets Buffy, he only goes after her kill more tenaciously because she dares to resemble his Elizabeth so much.

No, I look to see the big changes in Buffy. How she reacts to Spike once she is re-seeded into the timeline. Her character will have to have a monumental change of heart.

While I look forward to seeing those future interactions, I can't help but be drawn to this history of Spike in a way few fanfics command. He IS Spike. I love him. And I love seeing how he was tempered and forged.

I love your story.

Author's Response: ==To him, Elizabeth is gone. Forever. While she still haunts his thoughts, why should he seek redemption from a God he doesn't believe in? He has no reason to be a "good man". His submersion into his vampiric tendencies is his vengeance against a God who took everything he ever loved away from him.== Exactly my own thoughts. I'm so glad you find that it is being accurately conveyed in the writing. Your review just made my day, after reading some less-than-enthusiastic ones on a number of sites. Thank you so much. :)

I struggle so much within myself, as I can't wait for Buffy and Spike to be reunited in this time, but at the same time, I'm loving all the back history. This is one of the most brilliant stories I've ever read, and certainly the most complete account of Spike's history that has been done in fiction to my knowledge.

So, while I look forward to the reunion of our heroes, I'm in no way eager for the history to end.

Great chapter!

Author's Response: It's wonderful to hear that you're enjoying this part of the story so much. I've been told by so many people that they're bored and just skimming, that it's starting to become a little depressing. But it's for readers like you that I continue to forge ahead. Thank you. :)

Please ignore anyone who says you should speed this up it is an amazing story and one that should be savoured. You'll get there in your own good time and I am enjoying the journey so much. Thank you for writing this.

Author's Response: I'm so glad you're enjoying this part of the story. Thanks so much for letting me know! :)

EWW I NOW THAT THIS WAS ALL MEANT TO HAPPEN FOR BUFFY AND HIM TO BE TOGETHER AGAIN, BUT I DONT LIKE IT AT ALL!!! i love this story and am so happy that u updated. i know that for the most part u are following that story line of the show and including his history, but i really dont like this side of him, he had buffy he shoud have changed somehow becuz of her, in the show he was rejected and had noone, he had her he should have been different. anyways i really hope that he continues to live and that he meets up with her soon. also i hope that things work out well and that they end up otgether and happy, PLEASE update as soon as u can, i cant wait to read more. THANX

Author's Response: Is it the Drusilla-Spike interaction you don't like, or Spike's behavior in general? I know that in the last scene he seems a bit hardened (and he is), but that doesn't mean there is no hope for him. And his meeting Buffy as William did not change him, because she left him in the same predicament that Cecily did--heartbroken and alone. Actually, Buffy left him in a worse one. He had been truly in love with her, not just infatuated, as with Cecily. And on the night Drusilla found him, he was also under the influence of a serious sedative. As for his behavior as a vampire ... he has no reason to resist the darker urges of his demon. In fact, he has every reason to want to embrace them. He's angry at a world that took away his love, his dreams, and his life. He finds his pleasure where he can ... and at the moment, he's finding it in violence. I'm sorry it's hard for you to read, but I feel confident you won't be disappointed in the end. Thanks for your review. :)