This was another taut, tightly written chapter. Gunn is treading lightly, not wanting to spook the injured woman. His concern and care are lovely to read. I like that he recognizes the signs of abuse in Buffy's sister, too. The vividly drawn, bleak image of her and her silent baby ushering Buffy out of the hospital was haunting. It gives me hope that now that this family is on Gunn's radar, the abuse will be found out. Too bad we already know Darla doesn't survive it.

Spike feeling he's to blame for Buffy's injuries due to his inaction years before makes sense, though he was just doing what was necessary to save himself. If he hadn't fled, he might have been the one to die at his abuser's hands. Buffy's thoughts of suicide on the way home from the hospital made it clear, if Spike hadn't been there to save her, she might not have survived either.

This fiction really intrigues me. I could tell that this will be full of angst but i dont care. As long as it is well written and necessary for the storyline then it is fine. So far i like it. i wanted to know more about their story so please continue.

Author's Response: Thank you. There are glimmers of happiness, tucked away amid all the angst and heartbreak. And like I said, there is something of a happy ending in site. More of their story is about to be revealed. I hope you stay with me until the end. I promise to do my best to keep the quality as it's been. Thanks again.

So Darla is her sister and it looks like the baby her niece. It’s so sad…that monster must be her sister’s boyfriend or husband? Darla knows too. They’re all stuck aren’t they. Thank god for Spike. I can’t wait to see how it continues on. Poor Buffy and Spike. You’re doing an amazing job. I know it must be hard to write something of this nature. I’ll be looking for the next chapter.

Author's Response: They are stuck. At the moment, there's no way for any of them to escape. Thank you, for reading and leaving me a review. I really do appreciate it. It does mean a lot and it makes my day.

Intense lyrics for an intense chapter.
After hearing Spike having talked to Gunn I get the feeling that Spike knows now who did this to Buffy. It sounds almost as if it was the same that did things to him, abusing him. Can be I'm wrong just because he was abused and knows what she feels.
I fear Gunn didn't have a choice, only to let Buffy go. It's the law...
Yeah, it's the same abuser, right? And Darla knows but doesn't help.
I'm glad for Buffy that she has at last this: Feeling safe being with Spike. She doesn't have much.

Author's Response: He has his suspicions, but no proof. That will come with time. Darla knows, but she's caught also. There's many secrets the girls keep, and mostly from each other.