This was an excellent, vivid start. Spike's angry reaction to his attraction is clear in his adverse focus on Buffy. I shook my head when he ordered her into the mud pit to cover up " the disturbing, natural smell of her..." Yeah, it's disturbing his libido! The setting is well detailed, and I'm getting a real sense of place in this. The letter scene was a bit disturbing, but at least you had another character call Spike on its inappropriateness. I'm looking forward to more of this.

Author's Response: Oh good, I'm glad to see you here honey and of course thrilled you like my first chappie. Hee hee, just wait till you see the plans I have cooked up for our couple. Spike is going to be an uber evil drill sergeant. You'll love to hate him. Oh yes, what man can resist the smell of vanilla flavored sugar cokies? He's hungry alright, but he's starving himself on purpose. Yeah, the letter part was something I added in to ramp up the tension. They would never really do that, but as Spike attraction grows for her, so too does his awful beahvior. Don't take everything I write as a fact of what happens at boot, I've purposefully twisted some things just to suit certain areas. Thank you so much for the review hon, big hugs.

Well, my goodness :) Can I just say that, though I have several friends who have joined/will be joining some form of the armed services, none of them have ever explained to me what their experiences were like. I do know that a friend of mine in the military (whose rank is now Sergeant, I believe) fractured his leg during his last week of bootcamp, had to rest up six weeks until it healed, and then had to complete bootcamp AGAIN, but that's about it. I'm glad that you're writing about your experiences as far as this goes, because I know that it can be different for boys and girls. And given that I don't have any desire whatsoever to ever go anywhere near a drill sergeant as a private, I'm glad you're explaining things here.

As for Buffy and Spike, you always have such a clever build up to their relationship, so I'm quite glad to see that you've addressed their attraction to each other -- no matter how much Spike tries to deny it -- and then put them on their way to being the good old love/hate teammates that we know them for.

And can I just say, that banner? My GOD. I know it's a manip, but still... My. GOD. *guh*

Other than that, I can't wait to read the next chapter!

Author's Response: Oh if they write you while they're there, you'll definetely notice some similarities between what you read here and what they tell you. If I wrote all about it, I'm afraid there might be a decline in people joining - it can be pretty scary, especially in the beginning. But as with any rough experience, you come out stronger, like the old saying... what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Oh no, that had to have been horrible for your friend to break his leg so far intot eh game, poor guy. Honestly, I can't say it's much different between the males and females, at least not in basic or AIT. There's a few DS that treat the women a little better bu it's not a constant. On the buildup of spuffy, you can count on them reaching a boiling point and a huge explosion. After that, much later down the road, Spike will get his comeupance before he gets the girl, *wink*. I've never written a really Spike and this is definetely a setting that makes it easy for me to try my hand at it. I enjoy reading love/hate spuffy stories and well, now I have my chance to write one. Hope you enjoy the ride, it's going to be bumpy and funny. Thanks to the lovely kitty, she always seems to know just how to capture the essence of any fic, matching it with a perfect picture to give a vivid image of the SPike I write about. Oh yeah, you know I was drooling all over my laptop when she made this one for me, yummy. Thanks for the lovely review hon, look forward to the next chapter soon, hugs.

i love your story so much is really great please im waiting for next chapter. you are really a great writer.

Author's Response: I'm glad you're enjoying it so far. The update is coming right along now, shouldn't be much more than a day or two tops, promise. Thank you for the review sweety, hugs and kisses.

When you mentioned the title of this, I wondered if it would be Buffy or Spike in the army. I am so glad that it is her and that it is light hearted. I think being able to draw upon your own experiences may make it your best fiction yet! I admire your fortitude at being able to go through all that abuse. I would have been one of those ‘failure to adapt’ people I am afraid. Although, I think they would have locked me up instead of kicking me out. I do like when Spike argues with himself about his attraction to Buffy and as much as I like the pay-off, I really love the build-up, where you feel like you are just going to scream if they do not sleep together soon. I also did not think parts read dry at all. Other than Gomer Pyle (I am really dating myself now) or An Officer and a Gentleman, I have no idea what goes on in Basic or the military, so I liked the information. I think it makes it easier to get a feel for the situation. Keep up the great work. I look forward to the next installment!

Author's Response: I thought about making Buffy the DS, but it just wouldn't sound right. Spike's the big bad so it just seemed to fit better. It's definetely light hearted not matter how much Buffy is put through and in the end, she'll get hers. Awwwww, don't sell yourself short, many people that join think they can't handle it, but if understand the psychological side of 'the game' it's just a matter of putting up with the abuse. In the end it makes you a better person. Some of the people I arrived with thought they were 'bad' or 'all that', those were some of the first to get kicked out believe it or not. Oh good, I'm soooo glad you didn't find those eplanatory parts too dry. I know they can be, but like you said, without it - much of it wouldn't make sense for someone who has no idea what it really is like. You can be rest assured that the sexual tension and build up is going to be long and very, very, very intense. The pay off will be worth it and then of course after that... It's Buffy's turn for revenge. I'm thrilled you like it so far sweety, stay tuned, more fun to come soon. Thanks for the wonderful review, hugs and kisses.

this is awsome can't wait for the next chapter

Author's Response: Thanks sweety, hope you like the next chapter too, hugs.

I really enjoyed the first chapter...looks like poor Buffy is in for a rough time though.

Author's Response: Oh indeed she is. She's in hell to begin with and Sgt. Satan hanging over her every move will make it so much worse. Glad you enjoy it so far hon, big hugs and take care.

Interesting story. Looking forward to more.

Author's Response: Thanks hon, I do hope you enjoy the next chapter... more evil SPike to come. Hugs.

Hmmm...Sergeant Spike huh? I'm sure it's going to become my new favourite flavour - alongside 'Let's-Fight' Spike, 'Let's-F*ck' Spike, 'Let's-Take-The-Piss-Out-Of-The-Great-Prancing-Poof' (aka Angel) Spike and just about any other Spike you could name, LOL. Hope Buffy get's the chance to show her more 'slayerly' side before too long and fulfills Joss' vision of a typical horror-flick victim (i.e. the blonde bubble-gum type beauty) becoming the kick-ass saviour of everything. Or at least the other new army recruits in Basic, hee! More soon. Please?

Author's Response: Yup, Spike + authority over Buffy = some very hot smut when the time is right, lol. I like that, 'the dancing poof' - too funny. They are definetely going to LOVE to hate eachother and that spills into the smut when it comes time for it. Buffy will have revenge, but it won't be right away. She'll be kicking his ass all over the place once the opportunity arises and believe me... that time will come and she'll put a reeeeeeeeeeeal hurtin' on SPike he won't forget - over and over and over again, LOL. Thanks for the awesome review honey, hugs.

This story is off to a great start. I love that you are usuing your real life experience to write this fic. I'm sure it'll make a lot of it ring very true and beliveable.

Can't wait for more!

Author's Response: Thank you so much for the lovely review darling. Yeah, drawing from my own personal experience will help build a colorful vision of our couple in this 'I love to hate you' relationship, though my DS's never lusted after the recruits. But hey, if I had Spike as a DS, I think I just might go back and do it all over again, lol. Hugs.

I really love the setting for this story. Looking foward to the next update!

Author's Response: That's wonderful, glad you like the arena I have our couple in. Thanks for the great review, kisses.

OMG!! I am totally having flashbacks!

I am in the ARMY too, and have been for the past five years.... I thought I put basic behind me! LOL Loved "Lemonwood"!

Please update soon!!!

Author's Response: Oh yes, (Ft Lost in the woods). I changed the name for fic purposes but obviously you know all too well the place I speak of. 43rd AG hoo-ah. I'll never forget. Glad you like it so far hon - you know the funny stuff that hapens in those places, so I'm sure your flashbacks have you giggling. Thanks so much for the awesome review sweety, and my prayers are with you during your service, it's not an easy life. Huge smoochies to you.

I don't have to read Chapter 2 I can already tell its going to be great!! Update soon!! Loved it.....

Author's Response: Awww, thanks hon, I appreciate your confidance in me and I promise to deliver the goods to the best of my ability. Thanks for the great review, smooches.