Buffy's anger and determination were chilling. Someone is trying to kill her, but not even waiting for an explanation before jumping right into the torture? She has cut herself off from feeling anything. You captured that sense of disconnect beautifully here: She floated towards him. None of this felt real - not her anger, not his pain. She was suddenly certain that she was still dead, still buried in a makeshift grave in the woods of southern California. I love that it just takes Giles uttering the name Spike to bring Buffy back to her senses.

Then the world explodes. Nicely done!

I liked this flattering take on Spike: His intuition was a razor blade, always the most supernatural thing about him. it was also lovely that Spike is up on the hill outside the villa trying to help, thinking pretty flattering things about Buffy, too.

Author's Response: "it was also lovely that Spike is up on the hill outside the villa trying to help, thinking pretty flattering things about Buffy, too." Yep. This is the type of couple that can only flatter each other in their private thoughts.

Wow, ok, I have no idea what's going on, really, but I'm fascinated lol. I'm sure more will be clear in later chapters.

WhoHoo! Spike to the rescue. Poor Buffy. What in the blazes is going on here!