I started to read this story a while back but aborted due to a tiring of initiative based stories.

After reading a handful of mostly underwhelming fics since, and remembering how much I had enjoyed your writing style, I had to come back and see what I'd missed.

Might I just say, Wow.
Amazing, amazing chapter here.

I didn't see most of that coming. I always feel like that is the best thing I can say about a writer in any medium. So I'm gonna say again I didn't see most of what has happened I. This chapter coming.

I'm gonna work on finishing this story over the next couple nights, I just wanted to thank you for the compelling read.

Also, your friends I'm not sure exactly what to make of Doctor Oliver. Sometimes he reads like a creepily conscience free antagonist, while at other times he reads kinda guilt ridden about the role he's played in the treatment of both Buffy and Spike, as well as about the function of the Initiative itself. (all while remaining kinda creepy.)

Scientific detachment, interspersed with spots of actual empathy from a man unused to the emotion maybe?


Great story thus far anyway.

Author's Response: Wow, thanks for taking another look at this one. I wanted to mention what happens in this chapter, but didn't want to leave spoilers on the comment page. Anyway, I'm so flattered that you liked this. Dr. Oliver's main goal is to protect Maggie. He doesn't like what she's doing, but in the end he'll sacrifice anything or anyone for her.

Wow! Lots of surprises there! Giles staked Angel!?? OMG! Go Giles! Although, I think he might've been better to use Angel to find Buffy first. With their connection, Angel might've been the best chance. I wonder at Giles just going to sleep the night before with Buffy missing, honestly, doesn't seem in character no matter how tired he was. And Willow sleeping with Xander - gotta say, I hope Dav doesn't take him back - that's just .... almost as bad as leaving Anya at the altar. I hated Xander after that - that and the fact that he was so shitty to Spike. I never could feel sorry for Xand after that atrocity. This is right up there, IMO. Glad Riley is showing some humanity, hopefully he'll grow a backbone too. Love Spike singing to Buffy - one of my favorite things he does to comfort her.

Author's Response: I think Giles acted rashly, too. That's explained a bit later. Giles fell asleep on his couch with all his clothes on after taking a flight from England. I know when I took that trek, I was not only a bit sick from the flight but falling asleep on the train. I think Giles is a hell of a man, but a man nonetheless. I was going for a parallel with him leaving Anya at the altar, but not quite so bad. After all, he didn't humiliate Dav in front of her family and friends. He is being a stupid, stupid boy, though. Love the Spike singing to Buffy bit, too. That was one of the first scenes for the story that came to me.

So very many interesting things going on in this chapter. Feels like this was a lot of transition. Xander and Willow, Giles and Dav, Giles and Angel! I am very interested to see what path each of them end up on. Clearly there is much more story to be told! Update soon!

Author's Response: THank you!

Giles dusting Angel was a surprise, he always did the hard choices for the greater good, a little revenge on the side is also a balm to his pain. Maggie Walsh is becoming the monster that she is so cold heartedly trying to dysect with her cruel experiments. So much so, that the men around her are repulsed at her lack of morality and compassion. Hope that Buffy and Spike can hold on until help arrives.

Author's Response: Thanks for the review! Glad the Angel dusting was in character for Giles.

Wow! What a densely packed chapter. I don't even know where to start. I guess I'll begin at the end. It was so sweet and so heartbreaking at the same time. Poor Buffy, Maggie is such a monster. Ugh! She got off way too easily on the show. I think you're doing an excellent job of staying true to her character, her evil sadistic character. I hope Riley helps out, I still think he's a good guy.

Oh Angel, it was heartbreaking but it made sense. That is totally something Giles would do. Angel may have had his soul, but he sure did need a better compass to point him in the right direction. Guess he'll never get the chance now.

With all his faults, Giles is still one of my favorite characters, and I love the papa bear part of him. I checked the reader reactions about Giles & Davina, and I'm not too sure about them as a couple. I like the idea that love & friendship can be non-sexual, that you can make a true connection with someone without having to sleep with them. Plus she is a wee bit young.

I love the character of Davina. It breaks my heart that she's an emotional wreck & Xander is fooling around with Willow. Another Ugh! I could also TOTALLY see that happening and it is believable. I'm torn. I really wanted to see Xander and Davina back together, I had hope, but now I'm not to sure. It couldn't happen with Willow around. I'm glad I'm not the one making the decision! I'll just have faith in your story-telling ability. :-)

Author's Response: I was worried people would be upset about Angel, glad it made sense. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with Dav and Giles, yet. She and Xander really can't come back from him sleeping with Willow while she's still around. Dav would never ask him to stop hanging out with his best friend. Unless, say, Willow were to switch sexual orientations. Which would just be silly, right?

Good on Giles. Angel is a threat and one that need removing. Liked how he lulled Angel into complacency then staked him.

Giles and Dav? Interesting pairing. Giles does need someone to look after him and care. Someone who is familiar with everything that goes on on the Hellmouth.

And Maggie Walsh just keep getting more and more evil. She needs to taken down hard.

Author's Response: Glad you liked the Angel dusting. I haven't decided if Giles and Dav are going to hook up yet or if he's just fond of her. Everyone seems to like the idea, though. Thanks for the comment!!!!

Author's Response: Also, you're the 100th commentator, so you get a treat. E-mail me and I'll tell you what you've won.

As far as BtVS.. didn't mind Angel.. and Angelus on "Angel" was a joke.. As an actor I like his character and his acting better on "Bones"..
Anyway.. just a little revenge I guess from Ripper.. And I was feeling sorry for Angel before Giles decided to end his connection to Buffy.. oh, well..
Maybe Riley will be man enough to help Buffy and Spike escape her torture.. Not before I hope.. Spike gets a little revenge.. on Maggie.
enjoyed.
Enjoyed..

Author's Response: 'Bones,' is a fun show, but has way, way too much product placement. He is cute on it, too. I kept hoping they'd bring in James Marsters as a love interest for Dr. Brennan, just because it would make me laugh. On to your actual comments on the story, though: Glad you felt something for Angel before he dusted. I wanted the audience to empathize with him. You're the only person who isn't cheering on the Angel dust, but I'm kind of glad. I didn't mean to write the big lug as a villain here. I'm not so good at writing sympathetic Angel. Can't speak to the rest of your comment, but I can say thank you so much for taking the time out. It means a lot to me.