i just read the end scene with buffy pleading with spike for him to stay and it still gets me in the gut and amkes me choke up. Nia you are a great writer!!!

Willow is danger on legs! Wow.
My thanks to the little spider because of it I got to read the new chapter. I wonder if Buffy’s angst would get better if they mated .. but this is maybe to early in the game.

Absolutely fabulous updates! I've often thought as you - that Willow certainly knew what she was doing and she always wanted to get her way. I thought Joss let the "dark Willow" concept die too quickly. Yes, there is a childlike essence to Willow but it's her darkness that overwhelms her for whatever reason. The tenderness between Buffy and Spike is wonderful - I often felt that while Buffy seemed "co-dependent" on Spike that she really did love him. (Or at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it) I never did like the whole Angel bit - he left her. Yes, he was cruel because he lost his soul but Spike was never cruel to her without his soul. (Not really anyway) I look forward to the next round of updates. Simply marvelous!

Lovely as always! Update soon, please.... ;)

Sweet and sour - that's what this chapter is. The sweet hope of a shared tomorrow and the bitter aftertaste of a powerful girl out of control. How did Willow get out of control so fast? I mean, I understand how, and I even think I understand why. I guess, like any person who is faced with a friend or loved one who is bottoming out, I am left struggling with the disparity of who Willow was and who she now is. You write her fall from grace so expertly. She seems to be drunk on the power she now has control over. I love how she harkens back to her insecure and "weak" days. It ties it very nicely together, making it obvious that Willows proclivity is for control & power, not necessarily magic. Very nicely done. I am enjoying the first tentative reach into something more than friendship for Buffy and Spike. Like Spike, I hope when Buffy wakes up that she needs and wants him just as much as she does during a nightmare. I thought you carried over the emotions Buffy displayed during 'The Gift' very well. I could just see the desperation and hopelessness in Buffy's eyes. This chapter, more than any previous chapter, really fleshes out Buffy's reasoning and emotions for needing Spike in her life, for wanting Spike in her life. Just excellent display of very real, very human emotions. I especially loved the line, "Can't do this anymore." I myself have uttered that phrase when faced with hopelessness. When Buffy finally asked Spike for help I was so happy that she was able to risk that amount of vulnerability again. The slow blossoming of friendship/relationship you have built between Buffy and Spike has gone a long way towards explaining the slow shift in Buffy's emotional state - from not talking and constant, fearful vigilance to accepting creature comfort and asking for help. Just wonderful work in this chapter. I'm excited to see the morning after effects of this sweet and sour chapter.

Gosh...just beautiful. Spike and Buffy's journey throughout this story is just beautiful. I wish we could have had even a fraction of this happen on the show - awesome characterazation (I love Spike/Dawn friendship, something that the show ruined) and it is portrayed SO well here. Kinda reminds me of Journeys by Mary (another favorite), but still different and original in itself. I'm just loving this story and can't wait for more!

*grins* at the lil spider who helped you along with posting.....hmmmm what has Giles realized and Willow once again responsible for...gods that girl needs to be taught a harsh lesson....Buffy still having those thoughts of not being able to breath...though i am sure it's not just the nightmares she is talking about....Alas though Spike is the one there to show her someone will stay...someone will listen....someone will just hold her and love her...someone being the one person she was not sure of....the one person who is her rock....her muse...her opposite but yet twin....they mirror each other so well without even speaking....*sighs* this is just enthralling....the hottness..the tenderness...the sexuality.....the passion....I think my computer screen melted on this one....i'll need a new one if they decide to have passionate nookie *laughs*....great job again