I have loved ''Yours, William'' and I have loved as much ''My Elisabeth''. Those stories are the reason why i still continue after so many years to look for new stories. I know that somewhere there are some that are just wonderful and that I will read again and again. Thank you so much Puddinhead for those great stories. Take all the time you need but please come back eventually with a sequel of this tale.

Author's Response: Thank you so much Pierrie. I learned a lot writing this story - a lot of mistakes that I can't help but wince when I see them. But it's so nice to know that you enjoyed it.

So, I wanted you to know that I read this two days ago, and just had to let it all digest before I expounded upon it, because you went and made this whole two story tale far more philosophical than I was expecting. A story about the journey, two heroes that are always ready to sacrifice everything for the world and how this journey that was supposed to save them from these trials somehow throws them right back into it. No, where they end up isn't important, but the fact that these two souls find themselves there and still give it all up once again for the world really does prove the kind of character they are made of. Two champions that are nothing if not greater than the sum of their smarts and heart. Seems to me that maybe the powers that be finally realized what great champions they had, especially when teamed up, and still manipulated them to accomplish the greater good. I have to believe that there is another place for them to be, both healthy and human... maybe their daughter is the one reading that sign... though I think we both know their daughter wouldn't likely be blond. :) And I still smile thinking of Buffy trying to "drive" that carriage. I would have to imagine automobiles offering her the same contemptuous expression.

I love knowing that Dru made it out of this disaster, with her true Billy in her head. I think there could be many wonderful tales of their antics from the past through to the, well, now. Would Billy adapt to the modern age or would he work that much harder at keeping Dru all vintage? And after all the tales Buffy told of her first lifetime in California, I really think the only fair thing to do would be to upend our almost still proper William into the world of cars, TVs, and blooming onions. A reverse world, where Buffy is the knowing entity, (though I still have my money on William more successfully garnering a drivers license.) Yes, that is where they should be. William and Buffy.

It was quite a ride. Made me think quite often and always made my day. I hope more of this or some other verse comes about one day. Your muse creates wonderful worlds to visit. May even follow it somewhere that's not Spuffy. :) Thank you so much for this one, and the bonus history lessons. It's been a pleasure.


Author's Response: Wow Buffyrat. This is a review for the ages. Thank you so much. When Joss posted on Whedonesque, right after the Avengers came out, he talked about how fistfuls of money really were nothing compared to having someone tell you that you made them laugh or made them cry. Well, fistfuls of money isn't an option for me, but that really shouldn't matter, because knowing that someone came along on the journey with you - that you touched their emotions or made them *think* really means everything to me. Thank you, humbly, for going with there with me and for letting me know about it in such a graceful way. When I'm feeling like I can't write, this is a review I'll pull out and wrap myself in like a blankey. (Like Spike's blanket, but less flammable!) Hope to see you some day soon. -P-

Oooh, this kept me sitting at the edge of my seat from the first sentence to the last! I can't tell you how much I freaking LOVE the fact the villain are humans because I think it was a hard and a brave choice on your part, and I've always wished Joss took that same choice in S4 and made the people be villains instead of Adam. It's much more interesting this way and I just love the way you write. Can't wait to see what happens in the epilogue!!!

Author's Response: Thank you so much EoR. One of the neat perks of this story has been getting to know you (and your writing). And I agree with you. If history shows us anything, its that people can be prime monsters

So gorgeous. Love that they're working together and appreciating each other. Also love that you used the phrase "a murder of crows!" Have always loved that collective name. I watched the video q & a's on James Marsters' official site, and in one of them, he's asked what his favorite emotion is and he says "exaltation." He goes on to say that when a group of small birds take flight all at the same time, it's called an "exaltation of birds" and that he thinks it's a good description of what the heart does when in the moment of exaltation. Love that, too! =)

Author's Response: It's great that you liked murder of crows. I was trying to think of something *like* butterflies in the tummy but intense and unpleasant. :) Thank you again for your feedback, for myself and other writers too. It keeps us goin

Fabulous job. I thought the ending was perfect. You accomplished everything you set out to do on chronicling their respective journeys. And I learned a lot of history on top of it! Well done.

Author's Response: Thank you seapea! Hope the history wasn't too ... teacherish :)

I hope one day your muse tells you what happens to Buffy and William, I know we'd all love to know. And I fully agree that inside William was always a hero's heart just waiting for someone to allow him to show it. Love this spuffy couple - lovely story.

Ok, you asked for negatives - I have only one thing I would've changed: At the end I would've loved a longer goodbye with many, many more tears, thoughts of dashed dreams, unborn children, lost potential, perhaps guilt on Buffy's part for coming back and bringing William here, etc.

Overall, of course, I loved the story and hope we hear more from them sometime in the future.

Brava!

Author's Response: Yes, and THANK YOU. I love constructive criticism. That would have been a nice touch - to think of the unborn children etc. If I had it to write again I would like to try it with an aside to William thinking these thoughts. Partly, he was under a time constraint. Also, I saw him at that moment of being very ... selfless. And when I got in his head, tried to think his thoughts. He was just in that moment for me at that time. But you make a great point. Thanks for sticking it out with me :)

This was great! I like where you left it. Thank you.

Author's Response: Thank you so much Nana!

Love this happy little chapter. I realize the happiness may not continue unimpeded, so I'll just savor it for a few minutes.

And I have always loved Oscar, but haven't read nearly enough about him. Your factoid about his subversive little society makes me love him ever so much more! And his mom, too!

Author's Response: Thanks SD! Yeah, I ended up being fasinated with Oscar. I'll be honest, researching him was a joy and I had to force myself to stop reading about him and write already!

I always enjoy your author's notes. You feed my inner history nerd. :) And as someone who moves around a lot, I have to ask... don't you just hate it when boxes full of stuff still pop up weeks and weeks after you've already moved in and unpacked? Why does that happen?!

Oh, William, so concerned about Buffy's breasts. *snickers* That amused me to no end! And the eeriness of the old SunnyD. Man, LOVED the descriptions because you write them so well and vividly. All the awards you got were well deserved. I sure as hell voted for you. ;)

Btw, this made me legit shudder. 'The earlier sensation of prickles along her back grew more pronounced, as if a metal spider were patrolling along her spine.' Aaah, creepy visual. I loved it.

Can't believe this story's almost over because I'm going to miss being excited for a new chapter. But at the same time, it's been amazing and I can't wait for the grand finale!!! :)

Author's Response: You're too nice to me and I don't deserve you. I know this. Just letting you know that. Thanks so much for the juicy review. I love the things you pull out that you like because you're the only person that likes them! That I know of! And I love that. Having trouble with the next chapter but chipping away at it, like at an iceberg with a toothpick. A METAL toothpick tho! What are you working on lately anyway?

Fred Phelps! I went to law school in Topeka and he would picket the school because we had *gasp* professors who were gay.

Author's Response: He seemed a natural fit. Hating "differentness" for 100 years (and making a pact with evil to stay alive). Thanks Ace!

THE MAYOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, okay so yeah, he's totally one of my favorite Buffy villains. I see no reason why evil can't be courteous. Rude and evil are in fact mutually exclusive things. I'm a dork, I know.

Is the Mayor the white demon? I know we're in a split off/alternative universe, so I assume that if Buffy kills the mayor now it won't have an effect on her defeat of him at the school??? Right??? Sorry - probably way more than you wanted to think about. Anyway, I can't wait to see how Dru's army works with the Mayor and why she was oddly coherent about what is going on. There is still the question of who Billy is? Is he the First? 'Cuz Billy in real life wasn't that smart and definitely not omnipotent. Curiouser and curiouser. Although, gotta say, poor Buffy is she has to face that big bad again.

Can't wait to see what happens! Thanks again.

Also - I'm glad you get to move back "home". Although, having just moved myself, I sympathize.

Author's Response: Thank you again Inara, for your excellent feedback. I need to more clearly define who Billy is (the first? a spook? her mind?) and I will do that. Someone commenting on EF made me include the Mayor. Feedback, I will humbly admit, totally changes this story. It is absolutely collaborative. The white demon thing will be made absolutely clear too. I will say that ... William's dream on the hill. Pretty accurate foretelling. Hugs! Thanks so much for your input hon!

Aaaah, the brilliance of working in the Bram Stoker just tickled me! :D And it was a very interesting tidbit I didn't know about. One of many, many reason why I LOVE this story so much.

Oh yeah, who wouldn't remember Uncle Thomas and the hilarious dumping of the pudding right on his head. :D

Author's Response: Thanks EoR! I didn't know a lot of this stuff either - and when I found it out while researching, I got VERY excited. Esp. about the Dracula connection!