I've been enjoying this story so far, but there are rather a few things bothering me with this chapter. First, the whole plan of the Resistance. They are attacking the Chateau just for the hell of it? That's rather unrealistic and not what the Resistance was about. They would sabotage, they were quite sneaky, they didn't just attack and risk their lifes if there wasn't even something to be gained. I know this is not your main focus, but I have always been very interested in the time of Nazi Germany and the Second World War, and it bugs me when authors take it as a back ground to a story and then handle it sloppy. The second thing is, that Joy just gave away her baby to go and die a useless death next to her dead husband. Might sound romantic when you are fourteen, but it isn't. The man she loved is dead, but there is still her daughter, the only thing she has left from him, and she just walks away, even while her child is still in the danger zone!
I got the feeling you threw character motivation to the wind and just went ahead because you wanted a) the Resistance plot device to end, maybe biting of more than you could chew, andb) Buffy and Spike with a baby. But you could have achieved that rather easily by giving them a proper plan and motivation to attack and letting Joy fall in the fight right away. The way you did it it felt sloppy.

Sorry if this sounds harsh, like I said I enjoyed it so far, but it's all the more disappointing when an author takes such short cuts.

Author's Response: Sorry you were unhappy about this chapter. In my opinion, I have taken no short cuts at all with the plot, and I certainly didn't get rid of the Resistance link because I had "bitten off more than I could chew". I think, perhaps, you were missing the whole point - I see that English is not your first language. Buffy is on the outside of this - she admits it - she is not the one making the plan, putting the plan into action or even told what lies behind the plan! There are some VIPs in the Chateau and the Resistance, for their own reasons that Buffy does not know, attack them. It would make a nonsense of the story if Buffy was told what was going on. I hoped I had made it clear that this is Joy Slayer's battle, not Buffy's. She is an onlooker and hates it. She feels detached and as if, I think I say, she is watching a TV movie. As for Joy giving away Aurora - I think she asks Buffy to take her to England and keep her safe. Lots of small children and babies were smuggled out of France at that time. All Pierre's family have been shot and Joy is still a Slayer with a mission. Canon tells us quite clearly about Slayers with children (ie.Robin) and missions. Unfortunately, Aurora is too small to be left behind a handy bush while her mother fights! Luckily you will discover in the next few chapters that the last thing I want to do is involve Buffy with Aurora. This is NOT a Buffy and Spike with a baby story. But glad you are enjoying some of the story. It's always interesting to have the readers' views.

spike rescuing a baby and pretending it fell into him arms...I love that...and you're a tease haha but I love that tearing of clothes to segue to explosion, very cinematic ; ) Much fun! I could picture all the action...another superb chapter. Good balance of romance, plot and action...it's all there,

Excellent update. This was action packed and really compelling.

Oh my... poor Joy. I'm not sure she was thinking right, she must be out of her mind because of grief. The way she is now she'll be most likely be dead, sooner or later, trying to fight.
So they'll have to save a baby now.
Enjoyed - and looking forward to more.

A rash decision on Joy's part, that's for sure!

“The vamp hasn’t been turned yet who can kill me,” she retorted.... Guess she forgot about the Master. But then her death didn't take, so I guess it really doesn't count, does it? :)

Thanks for posting. I was missing this fic.