Poor Spike, doing the wrong thing for the right reason. Even if he wins that fight and the half million, I'm not sure that Buffy will quite forgive him. Here's hoping that Bess comes round, and that the children don't quite catch on to what's going on. Update soon.

Author's Response: Hi BuffyRat! Unfortunately, the kids are gonna hear what's going on - Buffy, however, does the right thing and doesn't bad mouth Spike with them, thank goodness! Spike doesn't always think things through - always thinks he can handle stuff and just wants to give them the world ... he's got a good heart, but his plans will always be a bit off I'm afraid. Thanks so much for reading and stopping in!! Love hearing from U! -p4s 2012.01.11

Your evil muse has donned his Grinch outfit and ruined the happy moment the Weckerly family was enjoying. I’m sure at this moment he is happily dipping candy canes into cod liver oil and removing batteries from toys. Blue boy is set to name the home into “the mansion of misery” and now they have more repairs to make on their place. Since they are borrowing money from Willow, they may as well have her put some magic around the mansion to prevent violence like Lorne had at Clarita’s. Also, they should look into an alarm system around the perimeter of the property like the wicca’s did around the magic box against Glory on the TV series. I feel for Spike, for all of his good intentions, he broke Buffy’s trust, but she is also keeping her own secrets too! Pot…kettle black! The shark has to pay, he has been toying with Spike by threatening his family and even though business is business, how would he like it if his family were threatened. Hints to your muse to have Spike grab a baby shark and threatened to serve it up as sushi! Only then would “seal breath” understand how vulnerable he can be too! Hope that Spike and Buffy can let cooler heads prevail and know that when it comes to protecting your loved ones (such as Spike did for Bess) that there are not right or wrong answers. Channeling thoughts of Hannibal Lector to your muse to heat up some fava beans and a nice Chianti to eat with shark liver!

Author's Response: LOL!!!!!! cod liver oil!! Not even my muse is that evil ... is he?? heehee! The problem with the spell like at Caritas is that Spike can't fight ... and neither can Buffy for that matter (Giles has it on the Magic Box and they had this problem a long time ago - they couldn't hurt a human (watcher) there) ... Oh yes, someone may point out the pot and kettle problem to Buffy very shortly! LOL! on Fava beans and chianti with shark liver! You're too funny!! I love your reviews, Vette!! You should write stories of your own! Thanks sooo much! Be back with more soon! -p4s 2012.01.11

You broke my heart with the last chapter and now you and your muse have decided to stomp on the pieces. I keep hoping since Bess is so strong she'll come back and kick some demon shark a** and then win the tournement. I'll settle for Buffy and Spike working this out and it not destroying their marriage. Thanks for another great, although heartbreaking, update. More soon please

Author's Response: Hi Melly ... Well, my evil, blue-eyed muse is doing a little jig now ... dancing around the computer as he breaks our hearts and stomps on them. Buffy will certainly consider kicking some shark ass in the next chapter ... but technically, Spike did borrow the money, despite the shark's extra-high interest and late fees ... Of course, if he actually comes after the kids, then all bets are off. We'll find out soon what Buffy decides to do ... and we will get back with Bess soon too. Thanks so much. Sorry about the broken heart; does it help to know you're not alone? Yeah, that never really helps, does it? {hugs} -p4s 2012.01.08