First, thanks for the explaination on the blood sharing - that makes pretty good sense - keeping them equal. I loved the love scene in this chapter - not gonna call it smut 'cos it was more of a love scene, a very sad one really. I think you really conveyed Buffy's feelings of desperation there well. I liked her giving him the words, even if she wasn't sure (are we ever really *sure*?). And I LOVE THE SONG. I've never heard of that singer before, but that is a lovely little song, I'll have to check out more of her work. I like your take on Adam and Prof. Walsh - obviously, she couldn't have been such an insano bit-ca all her career and get to that position, so the explanation is good - doesn't make me like her any better, however, esp torturing Spike. I like Spike growly - defiant - he can take pain, he had the best teacher in the world - Angelus. Shocked me with Giles using 'fuck' ... I would've expected 'bollixed' up, but that was very harsh and out of character for him and I know that's how you intended it. Yes Xander, you are an idiot. So where is Oz? I get that Willow broke up, but did he leave town or ... still sitcking around? Hopefully Ripper can take out some of his frustration over the kids eating all his cake on Ethan and clear the dark magicks from town so they can find Buffy and Spike soon.

Author's Response: Glad the blood sharing makes sense now and Walsh makes a little more sense in my version of events, too. Giles is going to get more and more shocking. Oz is still in town. He's not going to play a huge part in the future--I wrote him out. So happy you liked the song.

I have exams coming up but I had to leave a review. It is so interesting to see Maggie developed into a full character and the interactions of the staff within the Initiative. I feel like you have created an authentic alternate season four that rivals the series. I look forward to seeing if the tabby cat leads the scoobies to them or if Riley will finally 'man' up as it were and actually help Spike and Buffy.

Author's Response: Thanks for taking the time out to review. It means a lot to me! I was trying to make Maggie into as much of a real person as possible. I think the revelation about her son makes her even creepier. You can imagine how controlling she was when he was alive.

Very powerful chapter bittersweet and suspenseful. Look forward to more.

Author's Response: Thank you so much!

Progress on the outside, and some form of progress on the inside. Spike and Buffy have bonded and Riley is feeling guilty. May not quite be the ticket out, yet, but it has to be getting closer. I do wonder if there will be a thing between Giles and Dav, cause unconventional it may be, but if it makes them happy?... Great chapter. Update soon!

Author's Response: Thank you for the comment!

I think I've said this before but I always felt that Magfie was the real true villain of season 4 and she was wasted by being killed so quickly. Well you have realized Maggie's full sadistic potential. Looks like help might be on it's way, hopefully not too late.

Brilliant to have Ethan involved. He is such a troublemaker, I could totally see him being funded by Halliburton. :-) Also, I am probably the 1% that actually wants to see Xander and Dav back together. Stupid Xander. Stupid for being self-sacrificing and then dipping into the friend pool. He needs a good pounding to slap sense into him.

And lastly, a beautiful sexy and sad beginning. I loved it. More please!

Author's Response: I agree about Maggie; killing her was a waste. Glad you like how I used that character. Thanks for the bit about Ethan. He was so funny in that season four episode, "A New Man." He also had worked with the mayor before, so it seemed natural he'd try to go legit. Xander was being stupid, but in a hopefully Xander-like way. I wrote and rewrote that sex scene a bunch of times. Glad it was effective. Thank you!

Yay! The bungled recipe, the tabby cat, Eddie and Andrew!

You hit the trifecta. Thank you.

BTW, loved that you made Ethan a Halliburton consultant--it doesn't much more evil than that.

Nice to see that Riley has a bit of conscience left and Dr. Oliver might be a good guy.

And poor Spike and Buffy--recovering from the full Maggie Walsh experience is going take time. Glad they have each other.

Author's Response: Yes! The tabby didn't go into the initiative, but it may, the recipe had me stuck for a little while. Thank you so much for your suggestions. I think they were sort of genius. And thanks for letting me know you liked it.