Ah, yes, hysteria. All those poor docs' sore fingers...

Author's Response: They used to keep trays of ice to ease their sore joints. :D I just never get over finding this so amusing!

Oh my goodness - thanks for the William P.O.V.!! I will happily take credit for your decision to use him as the narrator for that chapter! LOL! ;-)

Poor William.... writing this chapter from his P.O.V really underscores his confusion. While, yes we feel Buffy's pain as she realizes she's been chosen [again], I think seeing things through William's eyes really shows us how frustrating this situation must be for the guy. His wife, who he loves beyond anything, seems totally bonkers! I liked the part where you mention how she went from Bessie to wife to amnesiac - ish person to 'I am the Slayer and must hold everything in', really sums up what a crazy ride this has been for him.

I can't wait for more!! Will Buffy kick some racists people's butt? Was the riot started by Drusilla and her new companion? If so, will Dru realize her mistake in killing this time period's slayer - making Buffy a formidable foe once again? Will William have the hots for Slayer-Buffy? Oooh! So many questions, can't wait to see how this will play out. Thanks again for the great work!

P.S. You know - I really wish that the "Opinion of story" option below the review box had a choice of "Loved it". *pouts*

Author's Response: POV always seems to kick my ass :( I wrote 1000 words of chapter 31 - unhappy with it as always, and realized it was in the wrong POV too. I should just write a story "in stereo" and have both povs! Then when I publish, just pick which one! Thanks again for your thoughts. I've been feeling discouroaged with this story as my readership is dropping off (and just about dead on LJ too). So to know you're still along for the ride (and wondering about the right kinds of questions!) is 15 different kinds of encouraging. Thanks!

Can u have Buffy tell William, "Forget William it's Chinatown."

Author's Response: I know that's how I feel whenever I'm in Chinatown!

People are capable of such hatred it boggles my mind. It's so much easier to commit crimes when hidden behind the anonymity of a crowd and this chapter got it to a T. I loved it and can't wait for more!!! Such a cliffhanger!

Author's Response: Thanks EoR. Creepy crowds can be unfun to write. So glad you're still with me

Dru and Billy teaming up to get through to Buffy through William does not sound good at all. :( Of course I'm rooting for Spuffy, but I do like Billy a lot too. He peed on Warren. How could I not like him?!

Author's Response: Billy is difficult for me not to like. The more I found out about the "real" guy, the more I liked him! So glad you like him too

I totally loved that bit on pullman porters!! I love history trivia, so this got me all excited. :D A tremendous chapter with Buffy being her funny inappropriate self, poor William suffering the case of UST and Billy waking up buried in horse shit. I couldn't have asked for more!

Author's Response: Yay! Glad you're still diggin' Billy! And I feel for William too. Thank you again for your feedback

Oooh, what a twist with the whole Billy/William thing! And the scene between Buffy and WIlliam was both scorching hot and really lovely. :) Another fantastic chapter!

Author's Response: That was probably my biggest surprise in the story was Billy the Kid. When I first thought to do it I thought "Nah! It's too over the top". And then this other, more childish part of me said "fuck that! DO IT!" So I did! Glad you liked it

William is the best husband/sweetest man ever! I love how Buffy's mood swings don't make him love her any less and how he keeps a calm head even though he must miss being with someone who remembers loving him. I love this version of him so much! Both him and Buffy. :)

Author's Response: I saw him as carrying 'them" through these chapters. He carried all of who Elizabeth was, all the memories of what they were - and he was so lonely through it. I think this kind of bravery often goes unnoticed. Thanks, as always, for your comments

The idea of William and Buffy in the 19th century swimsuit. *gg* I'm pretty sure I've never read it in any other fic, for which I want to kiss you in a most inappropriate way. ;) Another hilarious line: "Throw a homeless guy and a drug bust into the mix and I’d swear we were at the Santa Monica Pier." LOL!! Reading this story is like tasting chocolate ice-cream for the first time. It gets you addicted for life!

Author's Response: Thank you so much! Researching Coney Island was kind of a blast - also the hideous swimwear! What was weird was to realize that, to him, it would be kind of scandelous to see her so undressed in public and for him to be flaunting himself so. :D God I love those wacky victorians.!

Okay, this was hilarious... "It’s what America is good at. Bringing super-sizing to the world since 1880." :D I missed reading this story so much, and now I can finally pick it up again because I handed in all my uni work. YES! Also, felt really bad for William and the whole Statue of Liberty thing because he's really trying to make it easy for Buffy. Then again, Buffy's reaction is understandable as well. And I really love all those bits of history you incorporate in the story... it makes everything seem very real. Aaah, it's all so well-written. :)

Author's Response: You're too good to me and you have no idea how badly I needed something positive right now. Chapter 30 is kicking my ass! It's the most difficult thing I've written yet. Gah! Anyway, congrats on being finished with your uni work and so glad you liked this chapter.

Okay... is it wrong that I think angry William is damn hot?! Something about angry-disapproval with an arched eyebrow over spectacles - super sexy.

Annnd... moving on. Great update. I can't wait for Buffy to kick some butt. While I love that she gets her normal life as a reward - come on, we all love Buffy's slayer-ness. Also, I think William will greatly enjoy kick-ass Buffy. I can't wait to see what these turn of events will bring. I hope that the PTB will step in at some point and make it so that while Buffy gets to keep her powers, she's not solely responsible to protect the world in the 1880s. Then there won't be all the guilt and slayer baggage to get in the way of Buffy/William happiness.

Thanks for the update!

Author's Response: Hey Inara! I'm awfully glad you feel that way about a pissed off William. This next chapter is going to be very full of action and I've been having a bit of a time trying to find a foothold. Partly because of your noting that you liked a pissed off William, I've decided to write it from his POV. So thank you for that!

OH Yay William! Good on ya!! Don't let her get away with that hooey of leaving you with no explanation - or even with one! Of course, it could get you killed... that would be bad. Try to not get killed or turned or beat up. OK, c'mon Buffy, time to buck up now - let him in - he deserves your trust and honesty.

I do feel badly for Buffy, and understand her wanting to let William stay happy, but she should know by now that secrets aren't the way. And thank you, Puddin' for letting Billy out of his box for a moment! Describing someone as Charlie Sheen's 'crazy brother' ... wow - low blow! :) Better watch your back, Billy! Emilio might be gunnin' for ya!

Author's Response: Thanks P4This next chapter is going to be a bit tricksy to write since I want to make it as close to the facts as I can (without making my readers want to curl up in the fetal position). I think the ride is about to turn bumpy, but at least the end of this very long tale is at last in sight! Thanks for the feedback, as always!