There is nothing to say. Your muse
just seems to hate that family. Here is a song for your muse. "Love will keep us together' by Captain and Tenille.

Author's Response: Oh Bridget ... That could only be topped by Muskrat Love! He honestly doesn't hate them, he just likes to test them ... and us ... to our very limits. Just to see what we can take. Thanks so much for sticking with us and the music! -p4s 2012.01.29

Spike did win, but of course that's not the end of the badnes. He should know it's Buffy so I'm guessing he tries to save her from the fire but they will be badly burned, both of them.

Author's Response: Yes, he knows it's Buffy and they will both be burned ... Spike still worse than Buffy. My muse simply must have his due in blood and tears. Thanks, Magnus!! -p4s 2012.01.29

Are you kidding me?!?! I've spent the last two days reading from the beginning of this fic to have to stop at this point?! You are evil. Very talented, but totally evil.

:)

Author's Response: Oh IT! I'm soooo sorry! (not!) heehee! Yes, I've been called evil a time or two in the past ... my muse is quite giddy when that word appears on the screen! :) Thanks so much for reading all the way from the beginning so fast! Wow! I promise to not keep you waiting very long! Thanks again! Love hearing from you! -p4s 2012.01.26

Spike won but what did he lose? Your muse wants his pound of flesh and is not done tormenting us. Even with a prophecy pending, Spike and Buffy seem to be in harm’s way all the time! Buffy blacking out can only mean that the next chappie will probably be in her point of view to further the angst. If she is blacking out, then at least give her back the 5 years of memories she lost! Will Spike go all “Angelus” and have his demon rein over his humanity? All I can say is, that their financial woes have put a proverbial “bulls eye” of grief on them. No fire sprinklers in the building and no one rushing in with fire extinguishers, I think the promoters are trying to welsh on paying the prize money. If Spike doesn’t get the prize money, then let Spike go all “Scourge of Europe” on the promoters and resort to Faith’s philosophy of “Want – take – have” from her earlier years. Buffy really did leap into the ring before thinking things through though; she could’ve just opened the pouch before jumping in to douse the flames. Time to bring out the “big guns” in music torture for your muse; hands Passion4Spike a CD of Barney the Dinosaur’s “I Love You” song to play for hours on end mercilessly. This song was actually use by interrogators at Guantanamo Bay on their detainees. *Cackles evilly*

Author's Response: OH NO! NOT ... BARNEY! Arrrrrgggghhh!!! You have my handsome, evil muse cowering in the basement talking to dead people now! You have no idea how close you are with the 'going Angelus' bit ... that will be the pound of blood to be paid - the price that's demanded of Spike by the universe for his win. The next chapter will actually start out from Spike's POV and seeing Buffy jump into the fire... and no - she cannot have her memories back or I'd have to figure out what they all are and my muse enjoys parsing them out little by little! LOL! We'll find out what happens next --- soon, I promise!! thanks so much, Vette! Love your reviews ... Please turn off the Barney song now! {{arrrrgghh!}}

You write a great fight scene, but why must there be a sacrifice? I can only imagine that Spike won't get the money which is unbelievably cruel considering the injuries Spike and now Buffy have sustained.

Author's Response: Hi Bridget! Thanks so much! I'm glad you liked the fight! There must be a price because my muse rarely gives anything without asking for something in return. But money really isn't the price - he likes his payments in blood and tears. We'll find out the price shortly ... Thanks sooo much for stopping in here! I do love hearing from you! -p4s 2012.01.26

I read your response to my last review and I don't think you have become too predictable. I never know where your evil muse will go. The brief respite of happiness that occur in this story or always a welcome surprise to me. I hope for the best in this chapter but expect the worst. (covers eyes)

Author's Response: Hi Bridget! Well, I'm glad you don't think the story has become predicatble - I do worry about that. glad you like the little respites my muse kicks in, just when he thinks he's pushed everyone to the limit, he will sometimes let off the gas on the angst. Thank goodness! Got more of the fight posted --- you will have to uncover your eyes, however to read it. Thanks so much for stopping in here! Love hearing from you! -p4s 2012.01.25

Chews on happy cookie with sedative in it, this fight is making me gain weight from stress eating! Your muse better not have a Dust Devil vacuum on hand for the next chappie, cause I’ve got a pitch fork handy to throw his way. EVIL! MEAN! SINISTER! Your muse….he’s having a good time isn’t he? Chomps on sedative cookie.

Author's Response: Oh no, Vette! I'm so sorry about the weight ... and it won't be over yet, even though another chapter is up. {{eeeeek!!}} Yes, Blue-boy is just giddy with evil excitement at everyone's squirming and screaming. I got more emails in all caps on that one that I've gotten on any other. ... LOL! Keep the ccokies handy and, hey - I bet I can talk BB into going half-sies with you on a gym membership or something for that stress weight. :) {hugs} -p4s 2012.01.25

Feel the love with this chapter! Faith using reverse talk-o-logy on Bess was indeed a sign of maturity on her part. Love the tradition Buffy and Spike have to bring in the New Year and ward off bad spirits! -Never mind watching the ball drop on New Year’s Eve when you can….opps! Never mind. Speaking of balls dropping, Angelpie sure did a number on the Christmas tree ornaments she really is an attention stealer. Channeling Drusilla…”Bad Kitty – hiss!” The fight scene is really making me dread reading about it since your muse is feeling all bad and dust happy. Maybe it is time to bake your muse cookies that have sedatives in them. Goes to look up recipes in my “Happy Meals for Naughty Muses Cookbook.

Author's Response: LMFAO!!!!!!!!! nope, no need for these two to watch the ball drop ... not the one in NYC, anyway! LOL! Angelpie I think could be a bit of a hambone ... wanting the spotlight. Not sure she really wants that much spotlight from Spike, tho! :P LOL about the cookbook! Is that available for the Kindle? I can borrow it from Billy... I will DEFINATELY look into it ... perhaps I can sneak the end of the fight in while he's napping ... {{huge hugs}} -p4s

I can't understand why your muse would even want Spike to lose. I am sure that he will be beaten within an inch of his unlife, but it would be beyond cruel to have him lose. I hope that you and your muse find it in your heart to give this family a financial break.

Author's Response: My muse is evil - pretty much he thinks he will make us all very unhappy if Spike loses, and that just makes him jump up and down with giddy joy! He also thinks it would be 'unexpected' and tells me I've gotten too predictable ... I am, at this moment applying torture devices to my evil Blue-eyed muse, but thus far, he's simply enjoying them ... {sigh} ... Perhaps I need to play some Barry Manilow or some Partridge Family reruns and force him into submission... :) Thanks Bridget - I'll do my best, but no guarantees! -p4s 2012.01.21

Glad the cat gets to keep her name. Spike can call her something else, though we all know the cat will likely do its bet to not do anything that Spike tells her. As do most cats... And it seems like it was a pretty good home coming. More Drama to come for sure, but this all went pretty well. And Faith and Lindsey... Could work. Gonna have to watch out for that. Update soon!

Author's Response: Hi BuffyRat! I'm thinking that cat and Spike are gonna have a rocky relationship, perhaps forever. As you point out - cats have a habit of not exactly doing what you say. Angelpie seems to have a link with Bess, but doing what Spike says? I'm thinking, not so much. Thanks so much for stopping in! -p4s 2012.01.21

Love how the family reunion went smoothly, almost as if Bess only was gone a day. The name “Angelpie” really should make Spike happy; it’s a good way to get back at his sire. Little Billy defending Bess and Angelpie with the jaw ticking and the eyes blazing was just too adorable! A “mini-me” version of Spike! He was like the little “Seabiscuit” of that match of emotions. Too, too endearing. I love the idea of Slayer Olympics, this could really be a good way to find out the strengths they have within their ranks to make “special teams” for particular circumstances. They can have their very own motor club now that Bess know how to ride a Harley. Imagine the roar and rumble of slayers on “hawg’s” going against demon bikers similar to “Razor” and their biker gangs. The slayers have a magical scythe, so if they can have bikes designed with weaponry built into them and become like a biker dragoon squad that would be every male’s fantasy. (Next calendar edition – biker slayers and their rides!) Spike would be so proud! I cannot blame Buffy for not wanting to be the general. Her main concern and focus should be the safety and welfare of her family now that a prophecy is hanging over their heads. So, Faith mentioning that Lindsey had to walk over burning coals in Nepal, does that mean that they have the solution to Spike’s upcoming match against Pele? So Spike’s frame of mind should be that it’s a matter of belief that he won’t get burned? Mind over matter kinda thing? If that’s the case, then will he have to be hypnotized to not feel the burn? Your muse is evil! Sedate him!

Author's Response: Hi Vette!! I just *love* Billy! Definately a little mini-me of Spike! So sweet but also willing to stand up for others when pressed. LOL on the Biker Slayers and their rides! Whoo-hooo! Hot! Now, just what (who?) would Buffy's ride be in that scenerio? heehee! I can see Faith as a biker chick, too ... got a good start there! Not sure that Spike can use the same methods that Lindsey did, since he's more combustable, I don't think mind over matter will work this time. We'll see. {cue evil laugh track} My muse is now singing ' I wanna be sedated....' He is definately evil!! Thanks so much for your always indepth and amusing/entertaining reviews! You always make me laugh! {hugs} -p4s 2012.01.21

I'm not sure I like it but I understand why Buffy wants Faith to be the Slayer-general. I am really looking forward to Angelpie wrapping Spike around her little paw! Thanks for another wonderful update! More soon please.

Author's Response: Hi Melly! Poor Spike, he's totally outnumbered on the Angelpie fight - that's one he will never win! I really struggled with who should be the Slayer-general, but after much internal debate between myself, I decided that after all Buffy had been through with the Wish World and losing Bess, and all the prophecies hanging over them, that she would want to put her family first for once. Not sure how that will work out, honestly, 'cos my muse doesn't share his secrects for the future with me. I have a feeling that there could be a conflict between Buffy and Faith which would leave Buffy and Spike standing alone ... (geee - sounds vaguely like something that happened in s7, doesn't it?) Only 'cos that sounds like something my muse would do. Only time will tell. Thanks much for reading and always stopping in! Love hearing from you!! -p4s 2012.01.18

This was so nice and sweet so I'm guessing something horrible will happen next :-)

Author's Response: LOL! Magnus! I can't imagine what you're talking about! You think my muse would do something horrible now just 'cos I forced him to write a happy chapter? Well ... yes, of course! He's warming up his red-hot pokers as we speak ... :-) -p4s 2012.01.18