Good to see Xander maturing a bit so he isn't a 'baddy' in this fic. Anya had just as much choice about staying to fight as he did and Willow and Dawn and the others... eevryone except Buffy. She knew what she was getting into and stayed anyway. Not so sure about Giles' motivations yet. Love the interaction between Spike & the Potentials who had been at Sunnydale. Interesting to see Buffy being the chaser and getting a taste of her own medicine. Spike's comments about the uniforms and the morality of taking even criminals' money are helping to get Buffy really thinking about what's going on with Giles and the 'New' Council. Now she's no longer mourning she can stop drifting through life and sit up to take notice.

Author's Response: Anya's death made him grow up. The Potentials would value Spike. They know what he did. Reversing the roles was fun. I'm so glad you like it!

Great chapter!

Giles is such a realistic not-just-villain with such real moral dilemmas facing not only him, but Willow and Buffy and every girl suddenly endowed with power. I love how Spike is still Spike, even wtihout his memory, and his clear sight and honesty show through, along with his snarky tendencies. I do wonder, though, if Buffy's willingness to take anything he's willing to give her will keep him from loving her, because he might not consider her not being there and caring for him from his now limited experience.

The Giles-Angel comparisons, and Buffy's wariness about them, were great. Love that she demanded Spike talk to her about 'her own good' and that he told her to do the same for him. Equal. Wes' not being blind to Angel's faults and able to question his decisions was also shown well. I've been struggling with reading a fic where the author kept Angel wonderful and charming and noble and without flaw, except for the curse, and I wanted to pull my hair out. Of course Angel has flaws! Of course he's got layers! Stop making him so perfect!

I wonder about Spike's moment of distraction was about, absently watching Willow during the meeting after she hears Vi tell her in her head that most of the Slayers gathered in the gym. Foreshadow, anyone? LOL

Author's Response: At this point in time, Giles would be easily seduced by the new power he's not accustomed to. The fascinating thing about BtVS is that all the characters have major flaws and Angel is not exempt. I adore Spike, and he too is seriously flawed, but that caring lover / evil killer dichotomy is so compelling! :D I'm so glad you're enjoying it! Thank you!

Must be hard for Buffy loving him and have him not even remembering her. Still wonder what Giles has up his sleeve. Can't wait for more!

Author's Response: At least he won' t hurt her the way she did him. And Giles is walking a very slippery slope. Thank you for liking it!

I love the role reversal... And the way Buffy is dealing with it.

Author's Response: I'm so glad you like it! Thank you! It seemed only fair.

I feel bad for Buffy. She loves Spike but realized he's not really hers to have. Can't wait for more!

Author's Response: Now she feels what the poor man has been going through all these years. I'm so glad you're enjoying it!

Buffy isn't the young and influenceable slayer she used to be. She knows what she wants now. Better this way or Giles would have her back in England without Spike who would stay at Angel's.
Mmm politics; how is this saying - great powers is great seducement / corrupts great? I forgot it. Seems if Giles isn't careful the new Council could become like the old.
I wondered what Spike's plan was (and if it would work, heh heh). Didn't expect him to want to make some money. And even if it didn't work without a problem, it worked. :)
Even more money to be independent from the Council.
Buffy's not ready to talk about her feelings, huh? To loose Spike to another woman. Even if it was a good start to say that she was worried.
Looking forward to find out what name Spike has now. *g*

Author's Response: She's learned after losing Spike. She won't be pushed around. Power is such a temptation and puts one on such a slippery slope. Giles is new to it and flailing around. I'm so glad you're liking it!

Great update. I love Spike just hating Angel even with no memories. LOVED Spike smashing the amulet, cause he'd never want to be tied to W&H. Reckless, but so Spike to do something like that.
Yay! Buffy telling Angel where to go. Now let's hope she stands up to Giles.
Could Angel be more immature? WTH does he get off yelling about it not being over? Wanker.

"Cookies?" exclaimed Spike incredulously. "Of all the sodding dumb similes..." LOL Are you in my mind? Cause that's how I felt about what has to be the dumbest thing Buffy has ever said. EVER. Totally stupid, IMO.

Loved the chappie, can't wait for the next one! =)



Author's Response: That 'cookie' simile really was so lame. :D I remember shaking my head over it when I first saw the ep. So I figured Spike wouldn't be able to resist commenting. And Angel really is going to cause trouble. I'm so glad you're enjoying it! Thank you!

God I'm loving this. You have Spike down to the tee I could picture everything like I was watching it on t.v. Can't wait for more and just reading that makes me wish I was Buffy so I could jump his bones. The intense emotions I can even picture Buffy jumping him the second the elevator doors closed.

Author's Response: Oh, thank you so much! That's a huge compliment! I want my stories to seem like new episodes. I actually see them like movies playing in my head. I'm so glad you're enjoying it!

Great chapter! Everyone acting exactly in character. Love the way Spike effortlessly slips into his 'annoy the Poof' mode... and Buffy lets him.. and not only sticks up for him but is comfortable with his little intimacies. My heart skipped a beat when Spike smashed the amulet... I wonder what effect that's going to have.. if any?

Author's Response: The kind of person Angel is would drive Spike up the wall - they're such opposites. Hassling him would be automatic, even without a memory. :D Thank you for enjoying it!

A new storyyy! I can't tell you how excited I am!

Author's Response: I'm so glad you're liking it! Thank you!

*gg* Spike's remark about the names.
So Spike was burning up, seems he's already a vamp.
But I'm glad Buffy said it doesn't matter if Spike has still a soul or not. He can be good without one.
Buffy knows what she has lost when she lost Spike; made her appreciate it more to have him back (like adding some slayer's blood to the pics blood).
I found it good that Buffy said: I had so many stupid, stupid issues. I hurt you so bad. I hope you never remember that. Don't want you to remember all that pain.
First because of what she said and second if Spike remembers the bad times he can't blame her for not telling about it.
They have a chance now to start anew and still are aware of the past. So is shouldn't be too bad when Spike remembers. I still hope for him that he'll get his memory back.

Author's Response: She's learned through losing him and will be trying her best. People who haven't seen the show do react like that on the names, so I thought Spike would too. :D I'm so glad you're liking it!

I just read the first two chapters now. I'm absolutely loving it. You are becoming one of my must read authors. Your stories are just so good. I can also tell that we think alike about the show and the characters just from reading your stories. Spike may not have his memory but you can tell the feelings that he has for Buffy is still there underneath. I can imagine how happy Buffy feels that Spike is back even if he doesn't remember anything. She is just happy to be able to touch him and talk to him. I'm sure it would be like that.

Author's Response: Oh, thank you! I'm so glad you like it! I know how I'd feel if someone I loved died and then came back. I'd just be so glad he was alive I wouldn't care about anything else.