Okay.... uh, I'm sorry to tell you this, but that was pretty damn incredible. ;-) I don't even know where to start. So, I guess I'll begin with: You think I'm gonna complain that I get to have more than 36 chapters? Are you insane? And, why do you break my heart and say "it will definitely be under 40 chapters"? As far as I'm concerned - you could go to 140 chapters and I would be one happy girl.

Favorite Moments:

1) “Know you’re real! It’s why you have to go. Run! Bloody Dru. She’s close.” Awe... William, all beat up and still his first concern is the Buffster and her well-being. Hasn't seen her in weeks and yet he instantly understands the situation and tries to get her out of there.

2) “I ain’t even got a weapon. All I got — is me.” Very reminiscent of the Angelus/Buffy S2 fight with take away all your weapons, all your friends, and what do you have left. -Me- Clearly, Billy's "Me" was not enough like Buffy's. Also reminds me of the whole "a slayer should never reach for her weapon - I've already got mine". Very nice touch.

3) “You shot my fucking EYE! You weren't supposed to do that! Jesus Christ! It stings! You no good, fucking son of a whore!” the cowboy screamed. Did Billy expect him to play fair?? WTF was he thinking? I just about fell off of my chair laughing at that one.... but I didn't laugh as hard as:

4) “Kindly do not make disparaging remarks about my mother.” That was CLASSIC! Nice way to have a "mamma" joke back in the old Wild West. And the phrasing was so spot on for William. It was great. It took me a while to stop laughing before I could get back to reading the next part! :)

5) “Not my dark prince! Not my William!” She stumbled off the porch, clawing her way through the deep underbrush toward the clearing. Does she mean Billy, Spike, or both? I'm still questioning how much Dru understands her role in all of this. Is she a "free agent" so to speak without Miss Edith and without Warren? Does she just know she's supposed to have a "William", but can't decipher who is who? Anyway - just thought the mystery behind the statement was nice - cuz technically Billy died so she lost him, but also with William slaying Billy - she loses Spike too.

6) “Yo, bitch-face.” Enough said.

Oh - and I keep forgetting to ask you. When you decided to give William the duster a couple of chapters back were you only thinking of giving Spike back his signature outfit or were influenced by the James Marsters "High Plains Invaders" movie with cowboys (James - in case you haven't seen it) fighting aliens?

Can't wait for the next installment. Thanks again for update!

Author's Response: Thanks so much for this lovely long review Inara :) Usually by Tuesday I have about half of the next chapter finished. Not this time! I'm a bit stuckish - but this review has me all bouncy and inspired now so sitting down to write after this! I'm glad you liked the finding WIlliam on the porch scene. I had trouble getting that started and I really hated to go with something cliche. When I got inside William's head, turned out he just wanted her to go away! It was great to hear your reaction to the "yo mama" joke too. As enraged as Billy was, to have William respond with "Kindly..." was fun to write. I always loved it when Joss would put jokes in the middle of very tense scenes, but you never know if it's going to "work" or not. ~~~ I'm glad you like the ambiguousness of Dru as well. Not sure who her William is. No, we're not sure because she's not sure. ~~ Giving William the duster (and scar) wasn't because of High Plains Invaders (yup, saw it) but was a nod to Spike for two reasons. 1. Clothes make the man. As William is becoming more like Spike in ways (being a match for the slayer) he should look like the slayer. 2. For a mysterious reason I can't tell you about. 3. (Yes, I changed my mind. A third reason) It's his DUSTER! He looks HOT in it! And they wore those then! I HAD TO! ~~ ((hugs)) Hope all is well in your life.

Author's Response: Oops. I have a TYPO in my response to a review! See why I need betas? Anyway, the duster was so that William could look more like SPIKE, not "the slayer". Duh. He wouldn't look like the slayer unless I got him in tight red leather pants! (Which I won't!)

Thank you for a great story. I really enjoyed it. I really liked the Buffy/Elisabeth switcheroo, that was so much fun. thank you very much for the ejoyable read. Hope you feel better (saw the note re hospital) and please go on!

Author's Response: Thanks Linda, for taking the time to leave a note. So glad you like the story and I am feeling all better now - thanks for asking!

Go William!! So glad he's alive, and so sad he's had to endure Dru and Billy's torture for weeks.

It seems so true to his character that even this version of William would find a resourceful way to over come the odds in a fight. Beating Billy the Kid in a duel was fantastic!

Can't wait to see how this new information about Vampires and Slayers effects Buffy and William's relationship.

Author's Response: Thanks Leanne. I was glad that WIlliam got to be the hero, but in his own way. Buffy can't help but notice that he isn't just Elizabeth's equal, he's the slayers equal as well.

I have only recently started reading this and have quickly got through this and it's prequal. Thank you for the good writing and the interesting plot twists and turns. Always gotta love a bit of slayer back in the mix!

Author's Response: Thanks Blueyedevil. It's great to know that new readers are joining in!

William does not try. William succeeds. I knew he was smarter than to aim anywhere but the head. Atta boy!

Author's Response: Thanks ace!