Hi - just found your story and spent a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon reading it all through up to Ch 24. Great use of all the characters and excellent buildup to the dramatic moment when Spike finds Buffy. My only criticism would be that you use summary sentences every so often (common oral storytelling technique) which I don't think you really need. Your writing and pacing brings out the tension and the characterisations without it needing any reinforcing in my opinion. Keep up the good work - you've got me on tenterhooks!

Omg, I love the story so far. Please update soon, I can't wait to read more. Keep up the good work and once again...please hurry... :D

Oh goddess! Cliffhangers seem to abound this New Years Day. Wonderful action near the end. Dastardly doggies! I loved, loved, loved Anya's statement to Xander regarding the dimensional requirement of equal payment for Buffy's resurrection. My biggest pet peeve of BtVS seasons 6 & 7 was the absence of dimensional/universal balance required for a)Buffy's resurrection and b)the awakening of slayer powers in the potential slayers. It was touched on but never followed through. I can't wait to see what your idea of dimensional balance is. I know it may mean an abundance of angst, but I'd rather face the angst than ignore dropped plotlines. I adored "the look" that Spike and Buffy gave each other in the Magic Box. I could perfectly see it in my mind. *sigh* I hope those damn doggies don't hurt him too bad. I am glad that we finally know what came through the portal. I'm just hoping that, if these are hellhounds from a hell dimension, they don't have the ability to breathe fire. Very inconvenient for our favorite vampire. Interesting that Willow was a no-show. She must still be on her power spree. I agree with you about the adiction reference. I thought that was a lame attempt to teach the dangers of drug use and addiction. Willow's addiction was never magic. It is and has always been power and control. Her perfectionism as a younger girl was just a precursor to what she is exhibiting now. The magic is just the tool through which she expresses her desire to control. A very convenient and easily accessed tool. It is clear that she inherited, either by nature or nurture, her mother's need for control and absolutes. Obsessive/compulsive behaviors have been shown to be very easy to pass down from one generation to the next. If not magic, Willow would still find another avenue in which to act out her base desires. *end rant* Wonderful direction you have taken this story in! I love how you so easily balance the character study, romance, angst, action, and supernatural aspects. I never feel that one is overdone or missing. I cannot wait to see if the cavalry arrives in time to save our vampire from much carnage. Great chapter again!!!

great chapter. glad buffy got out of the house. it is good for her. loved the "looks" they were giving eachother and nice that dawn and tara picked up on it. your portrayal of xander and his thoughts is right on. so are those hll hounds?

Here again, but this time, this actually concerns the story, which i think continues to progress very nicely. I enjoyed seeing Xander try to grasp the idea that Willow may have done something wrong despite the elation he feels for Buffy coming back, as well as his emotions over Spike's presence. I'm also enjoying Tara's role here, how she is more integrated with teh group and Willow becomign more and more ostracized, as opposed to how it worked on teh show. I always found Tara's presence much more welcoming., especially after the resurrection. Looking forward to more.

Liked the Xander pov he's irritating and judgemental but still comes across as a sad character. Hell dogs, is that a tribute to Tuckers' brother?