holy shit...ok, where to start, i'll begin at the end. What a traumatic thing for someone so young to have to endure, and the self-hatred while understandable and all too human is such a cross to bare for such a long time. i think that's almost everyone's worst fear, the very reason we're told not to go to bed angry at someone...
As for Buffy and the Othello bit, i enjoyed it, and sadly people are still trusting the wrong people today, it's a virtue and a stupidity. To wish that the good you see in someone really exists but to know it always isn't the case, i'm sure we've all been backstabbed at some point but i like to believe we let it happen more than once because there are good people out there, they're just harder to find.
I love how you have portrayed Snider, i really violently dislike him lol, giant snake death was too good for him!
I love that Buffy touched on her feelings and her fears for/of Spike, it adds a very human quality to her that was in no way missing but adds to her development none the less.
I truly cannot wait to read more, i'm ensnared lol!
xx
L.

Author's Response: Heya Lindsay! = ) OMG Your review is SO awesome! Ah, let me respond to every comment and area you addressed, as I'm excited to be able to discuss my work with a reader! : ) Yes, I completely concur that Spike's experience is one that probably happens too often. Your all too accurate analogy of "never going to bed angry" which I've heard as an adage used years ago as well, is completely fitting. It's truly refreshing to hear your take on the Buffy and Othello bit. I was wondering how well that would go over, as I did have a reader(s) who was somewhat doubtful about this particular stage in character development, but alas, I am met with approval! : ) Othello is an old favorite of mine, because it portrays exactly what you've so aptly described; "to wish that the good you see in someone really exists, but know it always isn't the case". Indeed, indeed. Truer words were never spoken, and this is unfortunate, for it would be a much better world if we could all simply trust in each other, wouldn't it? : ( LOL I *hated* Snyder in season 3 (or whichever one he came on for) but I definitely agree, he totally had the snake death coming! : P His character was all too judgmental. It's curious though, in a sense, that he and Buffy are *somewhat* alike. I mean, they both only see black and white, right? They don't *really* see the greyer shades of life. Buffy sees vampires w/o a soul as incapable of loving, and Snyder sees Buffy as a delinquent, nothing more, refusing to believe she is capable of academic achievement, as Flutie may have possible implied. Aw thanks for your kind comments about Buffy's development. I agree all too well that perhaps if the show had humanized her more, we, the audience, may have been able to empathize slightly. But she was so closed off, even to us, that we weren't able to see past that. Wow, all of these comments were truly remarkable and I'm sincerely glad that you decided to post them. I appreciate the time you took to write and I truly enjoy you continue to enjoy the story. I'll do my best with chapter 9 and hopefully, it will live up to expectations. : )

Happy to see you back. Sorry about real life. I'm really enjoying this story and am curious as to where it is going. I like the characterizations of Buffy and Spike in particular.

Author's Response: Hi Marta. : ) Aw, thanks for your kind wishes and comments! I'm glad you're able to understand Spike/Buffy better now, I was anticipating this chapter would help definite Spike's character better, guess it worked! : P Thanks again for your review and I hope you continue to enjoy! : )

again great chapter. and b4 when i said the hope solo thing , she is the girl in the banner in the green goalie uniform, she is the US womens national team goalie.

Author's Response: Hey TV! Ah, okay, I get what you mean! *grins* Thanks for your review!

Can't wait for more. I'm really enjoying this story so far. I like that its about something different. Plus I love soccer. good job on the chapters. Update soon!

Author's Response: Hiya! :D Thank you so much! Yeah, soccer is a hobby of mine so I figured, why not make a Spuffy of it? =) I'm really happy it appeals to you and I hope the coming chapters continue to!

dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnnnnn! I love it, hopefully Ethan, though he is a right bastard, has bigger and better plans than Buffy is aware she's capable of. i'll have to keep reading to find out but the reading of this fic is extremely enjoyable so yay for you, good job!

Author's Response: Yo, it's my homie lindsay! *giggles with a sheepish grin* Hey girl! Great to to hear from you again! =) Ah yes, our favorite "right bastard" Ethan Rayne..was there ever another like him? :P Thank you so much for your stellar review hon! *smooches* I hope you continue to enjoy the story and the next chappie will be up soon since I got so many awesome reviews for this last chapter! =D

awww...I love how she defended him against drusilla... which shocked buffy's own feelings for spike

Author's Response: Hey sask! Good to hear from you! =) LOL I know, Go Buffy! :P Thanks for your awesome review and I hope you continue to enjoy the story!

love this fic. reminds me of when i still played soccer. and since buffy didnt get the forward position and hope solo is on the banner .. will she be filling in her spot?? cant wait for more

Author's Response: Hey tv! =) Thanks a lot for taking the time to leave a review, totally means a lot to me! It's also great to hear from a new reader! But, unfortunately, I don't quite understand what you mean by "hope solo is on the banner...will she be filling in her spot??" *scratches head* Sorry. My lack of perception. :P Hope you like the next chapter and please continue to review! :)

i loved the Othello discussion, is it a favorite of yours? Well i really hate Dru, so well done lol, and i'm loving Spike, it's refreshing to see a fic out where Angel isn't a complete douche, at least so far. I'm dreading what Dru has planned next for Buffy but i'm hoping buffy comes up with some retaliation of her own for the alarm clock trick, like maybe hair removal in her shampoo lol
xx
L.

Author's Response: Yeah, Othello was a favorite, actually. Really awesome book. *sheepish smile* It may have been kinda weird to just throw it in there but hey, this *is* Spuffy so it's all good, I guess. :P LOL Yeah, Angel not being a douche...kind of a new concept for me too. But, I was sort of tired of always posing him as a bad character in my stories and wanted a different outlook to his character. Though I hate canon-Angel, I realize that in the fanfic world, he can be anyone authors want him to be. So why not have a little fun? =) LOL Hair removal...hehe, you're a funny one. Love your ideas. Thanks so much for the great feedback, lindsay!

Seems like Faith was a friend and mentor to Buffy. She is living her life with the advice Faith taught her. Can't wait to read more!

Author's Response: Yay, thanks for all the great reviews, PhotographyNut! I'll update as soon as possible! =)

Buffy better keep her wits about her with Dru around! Can't wait for more!

Author's Response: Thanks for your review, PhotographyNut!

Hmm! Looks like Dru is planning something. Can't wait to read more!

Author's Response: Well this *is* Dru we're talkin' about. =p Thanks for your review sweetie! Really appreciate it!

shit, i didn't think it would post my banner lol,
so you start from this

Author's Response: LOL See my response to your third review. :)

Hi,
I've checked what I could on the other skins (Orange crashed my IE); I'm using 'Breathing'.
The chapter isn't centered (means the text of the chapter) but it's a link (the text of the chapter). Try to click the text and it leads to your Photobucket picture. I guess you didn't close the HTML Tag for 'link back'. It's in the help section; I try to add it at the end of my text in case it deletes the rest of my review here = and a in the brackets you use for HTML tags (I'm don't know how they are called) just without the * I used: *

Author's Response: Thanks cordykitten for your help! Really appreciate it! I'll see if it works!