This has to be one of my favorite chapters so far. It was light, fluffy, but didn't lack the serious undertones that are so important.

I really had to smile at the part where Spike silently threatens Willow before she arives.

Dawn is just-... Sigh... I love Spike and Dawn. As far as I'm concerned, every story could be about Spike and Dawn. Still Spuffy, but lots and lots of Spike and Dawn. So I'm glad you gave me a great reunion scene with Dawn being Dawn. :)

The part with Willow is interesting. I always felt those two had the potential to become friends and I loved the scenes they had together on the show. But alas, they went a different path. To me, it seems a bit unrealistic that Willow would actually say she'd missed him. I don't think she would, because they weren't close at all in Season 6 and 7. But then again, your version of Willow obviously went through some serious growing, like everyone else in this story. I'd be curious to hear what changed her mind about Spike.

Despite Xander being of no real interest to me (as I've said before), I really like the Jesse explanation. I've heard it before, but not as well done and it does strike me as true. In the entire show, but especially in the early seasons, a lot of things were left unanswered, a lot of issues brought into the show, but never resolved. Xander's reaction to killing his best friend and the consequences is one of those things.

Also, who could ever resist male bonding? Personally, I always find it amusing, even when it's rather serious, as it is here. :P

Haha, reading through the review again makes me realize I've requested a lot of backstory and story developement on minor characters even though you just said you're nearing the ending of the story. I'm not trying to draw it out. Seriously. I'm not. ... :P

Author's Response: Very glad you enjoyed the chapter - what a terrific, in-depth review! Let me address a couple points.

Willow never said *she* missed Spike, only that he was missed. I know, it's splitting hairs, but I thought it would be something she would say. And yeah, I could see them developing a bond - it seemed like whenever they were together on screen there was potential for a greater friendship.

The Jesse thing. I've wanted to write this little vignette, possibly as a stand-alone, almost from the beginning of Distress Signals. It's an idea that my brain would not let go of, and I was thrilled to finally be able to include it here and have it fit reasonably well.

You say you're not trying to draw out this story, but I don't believe you. :)

Cheers!

Buffy asking Spike to move in with her..
And the main core of the Scoobies getting their differences settled..
enjoyed.. waiting for Spike to heal.. been an ordeal it seems..

Author's Response: Broken bones always take awhile to heal, even for vamps and slayers. He's on the mend, just not quite ready to put weight on a broken kneecap when he's in a position to avoid it and let things heal.

Buffy didn't *quite* ask Spike to move in with her. She's just ready to find her own place and there's an added bonus of gaining some privacy for quality alone-time with him.