I just found this story and have read it straight through while being completely enthralled. I love the directions you’ve chosen in plot and characterization – all of them present in S5 canon. Your narrative and dialogue are excellent, and I’m very much enjoying the quotes that preface the chapters and title them. Absolutely looking forward to more!

Wow, what an early Christmas present! I love the pacing of this story. How every chapter is dedicated to what seems like 6 hours or so. We get to see everything that we weren't allowed to see with BtVS. I loved seeing Buffy, Spike, and Dawn resting together on her bed. I could imagine every sniffle, every shift, every sigh, every soothing caress. I felt like I was lying in that bed with them, trying to make everything better. Buffy does seem to be faring a little better. I'm impressed with how she seems to be dealing with the traumatic emotions she's experiencing. The nightmares are to be expected for quite a while, but it is the crying that I'm surprised at. Not because I don't think she deserves to cry, but that I'm surprised she's allowing herself to cry. Very un-Buffy like, or rather un-like Buffy pre-death. I gather she was most likely in heaven (in the quiet) for what seems like a millenia. Time, or even the perception of passing time, changes a person. I'm intrigued to see what about Buffy has changed. I see her attitude toward Spike has been altered somewhat. Although, logically, she was becoming more tolerant and accepting of his presence (maybe even his friendship) pre-death. I love the nuturing side that is being brought out in Spike by Buffy's vulnerability. Of anyone that knows Buffy, he is the most skilled and most qualified to be taking care of her needs right now. The 100+ years he spent at Drusilla's side, plus the untold years he spent caring for his ill mother prior to that, have prepared him for this. I just hope that everyone (not including Dawn, because she's already on the Spike-loving train) recognizes that fact. Wonderful last few chapters! I read them all in one sitting and felt like I was in the very same room. I can't wait to see Giles', Xander's, and Anya's reactions to Buffy's very lively appearance.

ACKKKKK............left us with another clifhanger...........my gods woman.........its beautiful and keeps me wanting more and more and more....