Thank you for the birthday wishes, you tease. :)

Enjoyed this chapter very much. Cordy's always appealed to me, and you really have her no nonsense personality down. Thank goodness she spoke with both Buffy and Spike - and that both their stubborn selves listened to her!

Looking forward to next week's update.

Author's Response: You're welcome sweety - and sorry, couldn't help the tease, giggles. YAY - thanks for the compliment on writing Cordy, it's getting easier for me to write her lately. Sooooooo happy you like the chappy hon and hope you like next weekends update just as much - thanks fo0r the review - snuggles.

I love this chapter, Capiche? LMAO

I have to say, you SO nailed Cordy on the head (not literally or figuratively...cause eww!).

And the hot curlers! That's just so... comfortable, honestly, cause if a gal can wear hot curlers around a guy and he still thinks she's awesome then yeah... sigh, he's got it bad!

OMG, the piccy turned out wonderful! And I loved Buffy's reaction to it... "I don't like it... I love it!" awwwww you make my heart all mushy! (damn you)

SQUEEE! He's gonna tell her! OMG OMG *bounces up and down* ABOUT FREAKIN TIME! I would have done slapped the wench at this point, so Spike has a LOT more patience than I ever would. Harumph.

Tee Hee... awesome, awesome chapter dearest. Sorry you're tired and your brain is fried, but this chapter was worth it ;) Wuggles and love.

Author's Response: GIggles, Capiche - oh yeah, knew you'd luv that, it's all for you, baby. Glad I'm finally getting Cordy right - she was tough to write at first. And alas, SPike missed his moment BUT is determined now... giggles, can you guess what's going to happen next chapter? *evil laugh*. Thanks for al the help boo and every review you write that gets me rolling with laughter. Luv ya babes.

Clever comeback of Buffy to offer buying bleach ;)
Loved their banter especially S'pose 'm young enough that you can train me to your likin'. ~ I just might take you up on that offer, Mr. Giles.
Heh heh, Cordelia is clever. *googles* Ah to get the pics saved / laminated. This is indeed better. Oh I like what he had done with it. I hope he won't forget Cordelia's advice though.
Ah well. He almost did but only almost. Maybe he can still do after the dance.
Enjoyed :)

Author's Response: LOL - glad you liked that part - ever the snarky Buffy. And yes, she sort of slipped up - thinking out loud like that, giggles. So glad you liked the picie and Cordy as well - she's a hoot to write. Yup - Spike is pretty determined now - especially after realizing he missed his chance, *winks*. Hope you like next chapter boo and thanks for the review. Smooches.

Great update. Really liked the interaction between the two. They're almost on the same wavelength. Looking forward to next week.

Author's Response: Glad you enjoyed how they got along in this update hon - they're well on their way to spuffyness, *winks*. Thanks for the great review darling - hope you enjoy next chapter. Huggles.

Reading your stories is always such a joy, I love how you include little extras like the photogragh. :D And I liked the Cordy/Spike scene, it was nice to see Cordy watching Buffy back. Buffy's talk with Cordy and Willy was also great, as was the Spuffy talk. Fantastic chapter!

Author's Response: Awww, thank you boo. I do have n affinity for including pics, especially when 'a picture is worth a 1000 words', giggles. Despite Cordy's nature - she's got a heart of gold, and making sure her friends are safe and happy is definitely a priority for her. Glad you enjoyed the whole chapter darling and thanks for the fab review. Snuggles.

Time to take off them dancin' shoes, buddy! We're strollin' now! And that means droppin' the L-train! You had me on the edge of my seat, holdin' on to my pant legs!!! THE SUSPENSE! I don't know if I can hold out much longer, but damn you and your addictive story, i know I'll wait until the friggin' end. Because I like torture. A lot. I also cry myself to sleep. I mean, if you want to take the word of a sleep-crier, be my guest...but it'll be on YOUR conscience when this ship goes down. Got me? < /delusional sarcasm >

Author's Response: LMAO - yu are so funny girl. A true sadist, giggles. But that's why I love you, *winks*. Thanks for everything my twisted sista - luv ya.

It's a good thing I love you therefore I can't kill you or muse!?!!!! THE TALK and NO KISSING at the end. You are truly evil....in only the best way! Wow! What a chap! I was like leaning into the laptop at a minimum of 5 places, just waiting for some large revelation to happen and you ...... didn't revelate! Evil Evil Evil and so damn good at what you do.

So now, I'm hoping (pleading) for a crumb in the next chapter.... perhaps a sensual dance....a moonlit stroll in the garden....a quite shadowy alcove.....a big hot Spuffy SEX SCENE! Oh I know. You'll just string us along. Bait us and leave us high and dry, merrily laughing away with muse sipping a vanilla bean latte!

Got my motor reving sweety and I can't wait to see what you, muse and murphy come up with next for this highly entertaining, spectacular tale.

Sweet Hugs and Spuffy Kisses my friend!

Author's Response: Runs and hides... lol. Just trying to build the story, the tension, honest. As for your guesses to next chapter, there'll be a few of the things you mentioned - that's all I can say, *winks*. Hugs you tight my friend for the fab and funny review. Snuggles.

man! that was an interesting attempt at a DTR (define the relationship) conversation for our two heroes. Hard to tell if they actually reached any kind of conclusion and then with that last line you've definitely got the drum roll a going!

Author's Response: HAHAHHAHA, I ike that acronym, that's a good one. They sort of did and sort of didn't reach a conclusion - more of a 'on-hold' sort f thing, I know - evil, right? Glad you liked the update and thanks so much for the great review - squishes you tight.

Stupid site. Had a nice long review that didn't go through.

That was mean, Buffy! How can she leave him without a response, a word to tell him where it goes next?! It's going to drive Spike insane wondering what she's thinking.

I'm sure the heat between them will be obvious to all at the ball. No way they could dance together and not have the chemistry be dead obvious.

More hints at her worries leftover from the last guy. But, is she worried she can't cut it as Buffy, or as a woman in bed......it would be natural to be intimidated by a guy that's been with many women, but Buffy seems to feel beyond that when she runs away from their heated moments. Very insecure, despite knowing exactly how to flaunt her assets. But I have a feeling that Spike's been more blunt and honest with her than Riley ever was.

Don't remember if you already descibed her dress....I'm sure Spike will be drooling.

Author's Response: LOL - welllllllll, that's Buffy for ya, she's always been WAY to over-thinky gal. She hasn't been with a man in 9 years though so it takes her awhile to process things - understandable when you're worried about giving your heart away. As for the ball... I agree with your assessment, *winks* - things will be fairly obvious to those around them. Buffy has worries about a lot of thing, and yes some of them include the very things you mentioned - accurately so. And just wait - I got a surprise over her dress and Spike's tux - hopefully something you'll be drooling over, giggles Thanks for the awesome review swety - huggles.

Thanks for yet another lovely chapter -they're moving closer all the time! I can hardly wait! Hope you and the muse have a very productive week! *hugs you*

Author's Response: THank you boo - I do hope the muse continues on his path of productivness - I love it when he's like that, lol. So glad you enjoyed the update darling and thanks for the great review. Huggles.

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
Oh lord, I just made a Sotia-like squee. **shakes head** Oh well, it was a grrreat chapter and does deserve a good squeal of excitement because Buffy is finally removing her head from her arse. Cannot wait for the next update, the ball, right? Should be interesting, plus...Spike in a tux. Me-yow.

Hope you're having a great weekend.

Author's Response: HAHAHAHAHAHHA - that was so Sotia, but GOd luv her she's SUCH a doll and a great friend, I adore her personality. Hee hee, Buffy is getting there, she really is. It's taking a lot of courage from her especially after 9 years of no men. Yup - the next update is the ball, *winks*, and what a ball it will be, full of lots of surprises and laughs. As for Spike in a tux... gotta a surprise for you on that as wel that I think you'll REALLY squee over, *win-wink*. Thank you so much for the awesome review sweets - huggles and snuggles.

While Buffy was asking Spike THE speach, I'm sitting on the edge of my seat hoping she would get it out already! Loved it! Can't wait to read more!!

Author's Response: Hahahahhaha, of course Buffy was a bit floored by what she heard and as usual did the running thing - well, sort of - to process everything that was said. Glad you liked the chappy and thanks for the review sweety - kisses.

Love love love this chapter! and especially the picture! It was exactly how I imagined it to be! I can't wait to read more!!!!!!

Author's Response: YAY - glad you like the pic - I fell in love with it the first time I saw it and was so happy Mel let me use it. Thanks for the fab reivew hon - smoochies.