GREAT CHAPTER! I love the way you are portraying Oscar. No need to feel worried about writing him anymore!

I think Oscar would be an incredible watcher. He wouldn't pull that "I know what's best for you" crap. I can't wait to see how his role in Buffy's life plays out.

AND... how dare you?! J/K - no hate mail on my part! Bring on the ANGST!! It's my favorite kind of torture! ;-) My heart was clenched the entire chapter. I felt this profound need to apologize to William for any wrongdoing that *I* had done!! I felt very much in Buffy's shoes and so deeply saddened to have hurt such a remarkable man. Damn you and your writing skills!! When he wouldn't meet her eye... and then wouldn't let her touch him... and then wouldn't finish the conversation... and then went to go get drunk... and.... and... oh, my heart broke.

Dru. Billy. William. "Did you miss me, William? I missed you." Oooh. Super spooky for William. Is she going to turn him? How much does Dru realize is going on? Does she know that he was supposed to be hers? Can't wait for the smack-down on the Hellmouth!!

I've had a pretty crappy week at work (and it's only Tuesday! - Argh!) and this was a great pick-me-up. See what I said about loving the angst? I'm one sick puppy.

By the way, loved the Oscar rant about tea. Also, really enjoyed the Mary Dunn comment about getting her mother to shut up by saying Buffy jumped because of her!

Thanks for the update. Can't wait for the next chapter!!!

Author's Response: Inara - Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thought with me. I don't think I can express what it means to me that this chapter cheered you up at the end of a bad day ... so I looked up something Joss Whedon said a few weeks ago, right after "The Avengers" was kicking ass at the box office. He said, " If you think topping a box office record compares with someone telling you your work helped them through a rough time, you're probably new here." I feel JUST like that (with less box office success). Thank you for the trust you've placed in me and I sincerely hope I don't let you down. As a fan of angst, you will be well fed for two chapters, at least. I was so pleased that you like Oscar - he's an awful lot of fun to write and I love that you can see how the Buffy-Oscar dynamic is going to be different than the Giles-Buffy duo. ALSO! Aha! That you picked up on Dru not realizing what is going on. A lot of people don't know the significance of who they're dealing with. Dru doesn't know that Billy the Kid is a big deal and Buffy is only dimly aware of who Oscar Wilde is. And ... that will play out a bit more in Ch 34 but NO SPOILERS! :) ((hugs)) Next chapter is at 2K words right now (most are 4-5K) and I am working through some sticky bits.

Hate mail for this chapter!? Seriously! I loved it! I cried!!! Yay! I love angst! I knew William wasn't just gonna let Buffy get away with that crap - and he shouldn't. You'd think she'd learn, but maybe it's a Slayer (the ONE that stands ALONE) thing. Love how you worked in the scar and the duster - I forgot to say that in the last chapter, but, yes, I noticed. And then Dru and Billy! Argh! Poor William! Buffy will be livid and beside herself - oh, bring on the guilt-trip. It's the second best thing Buffy does ... or maybe third best. Love all the notes - no worries about giving too much info. I actually knew about the dangers of crinolines and had Buffy espouse their danger in a time-travel dream in my own story - they were quite dangerous! And, lastly, since you have an UNLIMITED talent budget, why not have Billy the Kid and Oscar Wilde in the story? I'm really liking Oscar! Keep up the great work and ignore any hate mail - this chapter ROCKS.

Author's Response: I didn't get any hate mail! Science was wrong! Having said that, I will. The story will end in the place I saw it ending when I first plotted it out in Sept. And everyone isn't going to be happy with that. That's ok. It ain't a popularity contest. Hell, we all argue about all of Joss' decisions too. You're too generous with me, but I don't complain :) Thanks P4s :)

Thanks for the shout out! I live to research. Feel free to send me all your historical ( or non-historical) questions

Love the photo of Oscar, I've seen it before but still--he's impressive, isn't he?

Enjoying the story very much and am now so very, very anxious to see if Buffy gets her William back still breathing.

Author's Response: Well thank YOU! I actually got so into Odgen history with those links that I was boring the crap out of my dad on the phone the other day :) Started the next chapter this morning and plan to have it up ASAP. THANK you again, ragpants, for your support and for being so sweet about the research!