I just read the whole story, know I've read it before but I felt the need to refresh my memory. I truly loved it and I'll be sad to see this one go. Can't wait for next chapter.

Author's Response: *SQUEE!* (hugs you tightly) I'm so glad you're following this! You and Lauriel read it before I took the original down, so you KNOW how much has changed from that utter rubbish that was before. Thank you for the review Pet and for sticking with it - you're a gem!

Fantastic chapter, darling! From Spike and Buffy's loving interaction, to Xander being the voice of reason and bringing Willow back from the dark place she'd receded to, to Anya and Tara being their awesome selves, to Merrick knocking (quite literally *g*) some sense into Giles, everything about it was just amazing and now I'm very much looking forward to the completion of the claim. *wuggles*

Author's Response: LOL, I loved writing Merrick - he's my favorite dude, seriously! I was very unhappy with the way I originally wrote this scene because I wanted to go deeper, and I couldn't `cause I hadn't seen the series yet, just read fanfic. Thank you for helping me reshape this into something worth while, luv - you ROCK! Wuggles!

I can't wait to read more! Hope the kitty is kind.

Author's Response: Thankee, more soon!

Cool! Um.. or perhaps more properly... HOT!
NaughtyBuffy rules OK! I expect Giles is just about ready to explode now... and what's the betting that Willow will want to do a spell to 'fix it'?

Author's Response: Tee hee! Was that sunny baked day hot or Sahara Desert hot? LOL Willow will 'try', but Spuffy will prevail! YAY! Thanks All4Spike, you rock!

Just finished reading from the beginning. (Cross-eyed now from reading too long!) What a wonderful fic. I love it! You integrated the movie and Merrick very nicely; I think you got his character bang on. Great work.

Hope the carpal tunnel doesn't give you too much grief. Have you heard of Dragon Naturally Speaking? It's voice-input software that types as you speak. Sometimes it takes a while to 'train' the user, but the new version is so much better than the older ones. I even know of someone who did an engineering degree using it (his hands were terribly badly burned in an electrical accident). You might want to look into it, especially if it means you'll be able to continue tapping into this gift of writing that you have!

Author's Response: WOW, you must be cross-eyed! But thanks just the same, honestly! I wanted to blend the movie with the series, because that pudgy bald man in the series was not my idea of explaining it away! The CT comes and goes and I have wrist splints for when it gets to be too much. My husband's heard of DNS and while I don't think I'm quite that bad off, it's good to know that there's an alternative if I should need it. Thank you for your kind words, I'll probably write till I die - so here's to long life!

Before I forget (in case there's no LJ entry): Have fun!
Anya said it (regarding Xander): Your ability to mature has increased exponentially in the short time we've been discussing this useless idea of thinking Buffy and Spike weren't meant to be together.
Loved the spuffyness.
Good for Spike that Buffy was telling him now because he was starting he claim even if he didn't want to before he knew how she felt.

Author's Response: We had an awesome time, Cordy! We stuffed ourselves on so much food and drank like fishes! Yup, I wanted some of the characters to mature a teensy bit faster than they did in the series - so I made them all play in the sandbox together with no fighting. Let's see how long it lasts. Thanks Cordy, you're a doll!

Loved it! Can't wait to read more!

Author's Response: Thanks! I'll update soon! *wuggles*

Wonderfully hot chapter. It had me hard from the moment Spike pressed his chest to her back all the way to the end. And what an end! Whew!

Goog going there! And I'll patiently wait for more. Screw that: I WANT MORE!!!!

Author's Response: *walks around Andrei's erection and shoves him towards Sotia* Hope you took care of that little problem, yeah? Ahem. *fans self* You want more? MORE? You'll just have to wait like everyone else :D Love ya dearest.

AWESOME chapter ,OMG !! Loved the smutty Spuffyness *squee* Poor Tara , that had to be embarassing.

Can't wait for the Claims and the Smack Down *jumps in chair and squeals*

Guess now we have to be patient in waiting for the next chappie. NOOOO DONT WANNA WAIT!! OK I'll calm down now . *hugs*


Author's Response: hehhehe, poor Tara indeed! But I think I would stand there and stare... maybe ask if I could borrow Spike for a minute or two... mmmmm guh. *don't break the chair, I'll need it for the smack down!* (hands AMI a Valium to help calm you down). Thanks babe!

Definitely what I needed to read! This was such a guh!worthy chapter, honey. The temperature went up a few notches with that yummylicius scene, and if that was the appetizer I just can't wait for the main course! Plus the Smack down, Watcher Mania style sounds quite promising. Giles so needs to be smacked down. But then again, so does Willow. I wanted to slap them both silly in this chapter. Fantastic update, darling! *smooches*

PS. I hope she gets better soon, too. At least they get sick in turns, so I get to care just for one at a time. *sighs*

Author's Response: LOL, I couldn't have done it without you - litereally! I know I missed quite a few words cause I was all sleepy when I wrote it and then rushed to finish it *sigh*. LOL Yeah, Smack Down will be interesting this time around - more beating, less talking! hehehhe Thanks luv and I'm glad it's just the one!

Nooooo there's no more chapters! Write more! Faster! I'm really loving this. Really really :o) Can't wait for the next chapter xx

Author's Response: Hehhehe (writes until fingers are bloody stubs on my hands) Yes, master I shall obey... write, write, write! LOL Thanks Jewel, I'll update soon!

I love, love, LOVE this story and this update was BRILLIANT!

I've missed you, my sick puppy, was out of town this weekend and I'm now getting back on schedule, so I hope to catch up with you.

I love you sooooooooo much, and thank you every morning.

*squishes*

Author's Response: LMAO, girl - you so crazy! I've missed you too, and hope you're doing well with all the crap life has thrown your way. Thanks for taking time to review, it means the world! Wuggles and many squishes! Love ya!

Sorry to hear about the damage your house suffered. I hope no one was injured and that all is well with you now. *hugs*
As for the chapter it was wonderful! I liked your characterization of Merrick, his talk with Buffy was great. I especially enjoyed that he fixed it so Buffy could hear Spike's inspiring words of love. And his confession about Travers made me laugh... lol! Good update!

Author's Response: Nope, no one injured - no one was home (we were in D.C. for a wedding and my brother was housesitting). *giggles* I love Merrick, he's my fav! And yeah, I wanted him to give Buffy some guidance as to where to take her life instead of letting her wonder around aimlessly. Thanks Mary, more soon!