Prodigal by coalitiongirl

09/12/2011 01:30 pm
Epilogue         
An imaginative, exciting take on season six.  I really love the way you drew the characters...  and three cheers on the marriage of Anya and Xander, saving Tara and bring Angel back and pairing him with Faith... they fit in this universe quite well.  As for our primary pairing, they are lovely... 

Thanks,

Blue
http://www.tthfanfic.org/authors.php?no=12717&list=profile

Deb
07/15/2010 07:38 pm
Epilogue         
Really enjoyed your story.  Thanks for sharing!
 Thank you!

06/28/2010 10:01 am
Epilogue         
What a wonderful Spuffy and general character series - a pleasure to read - I especially like how you brought Angel and Faith back into Sunnydale - Everything was very different but plausible. 
 Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed!

Enjoyable read. Thanks.
04/14/2010 03:57 am
Epilogue         
 
Glad you enjoyed! :D

spuffy chick
03/28/2010 07:06 pm
Epilogue         

awesome fic!

 Glad you enjoyed!

shefelldown
03/12/2010 01:06 pm
Epilogue         
i enjoyed this story a lot!  thanks for writing it.  your anya makes me giggle every time.
 Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed! Anya is such fun, isn't she? :D

03/10/2010 09:14 am
Epilogue         
Sorry I haven't reviewed before now, but I have been ridiciously swamped with school (which is also why this is a short review).
Yay you didn't actually kill Tara, great story!
:D Thank you for reviewing now, and thanks for all your previous reviews! Lol, you always are my favorite reviewer... :D

Dayna
03/09/2010 07:07 am
Epilogue         
The ending made me smile. Great ending for a great story!
 Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. :)

03/07/2010 02:52 am
Epilogue         
 Lovely ending to a fantastic story :) 
 Thank you, and also for all your feedback. It was much appreciated. :)

ascii27
03/05/2010 05:10 pm
Twenty-Five         
 wow, that was incredibly exciting.  great job.
although... i kinda thought that throwing buffy into the hellmouth and then sealed it back up sounded like a great plot for a story.  oh, and spike should be with her too.  has that one already been done?
 Glad you enjoyed! Lol, I liked that idea too, but it would have strayed far too much and become another story. Oh, well, there's always season seven... :D

03/02/2010 02:06 am
Twenty-Four         
 Fantastic! So much action and emotion. Its amazing :)
 Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed!

fyreburned (Kara)
02/28/2010 10:22 pm
Twenty-Four         
Whoa... a strong chapter. But, why do I wonder if there's still more of Tara to come? Might the charm/wards have come down when she died/stopped breathing the *first* time? So the paramedics got her back once, then lost her once at the door as they were taking off, it seems, but then? Odd that Xander or someone didn't ride along to the hospital with her, regardless? Tho', I know they were all in shock...
Pity that this Willow had to go all Dark!Willow again, and worse, as well
     "...but the last time he’d tried that, Spike had   started humming sea shanties. And that was far more irritating. And a bit less entertaining."
Gotta say, been there, done that, kinda feel for Angel actually (I hate to admit! Tho' your Angel, so far, is almost tolerable; & am hoping for no more Angelus outta him, either.) I say this from experience, as a gal whose fiance has actually cut an album of Sea Shanties... they're enough to fry one's  nerves! Especially the second time around.... LOL.
This is really picking up... can't wait to see where it goes, and how far you take it.  Am enjoying the the polarities; two pairs, one dark, one light, each fairly balanced for what it is; within each pair, one straddles the line a  bit like a yin-yang symbol---the dark a little light, the light a little darkened. Each showing growth marks, changes, evolution. And the tag-teaming, just the teaming-up is great. Always did love the double-Slayers dynamic. The love hate thing going on between Buffy and Faith (tho' MUCH more functional now, more mature, workable, more like FAMILY) is greatly mirrored between Angel and Spike, and it keeps the tension going fabulously. Gotta admit, the four make a helluva team!
Enjoying, and can't wait for the next chapter!
~~Kara
fyreburned@yahoo.com

     "...


 Finally responding to reviews from post-Tara's "death..." didn't want to give anything away. :D I really appreciate a response like this, so detailed and long it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside... :) 

Anyway. To answer your question, Xander (or someone, I'm inclined to think that it was Anya because Xander would have to drive Dawn) did go to the hospital with Tara, along with Anya and Dawn...Spike and Angel were left behind because it was still sunny out. Glad you liked the scene with Spike annoying Angel... it's fun to write them like that! :D I'm also happy that you enjoy the Faith/Buffy, Spike/Angel setup and dynamic- would you believe that I wasn't a Faith fan when I started this fic? :D Now I can't imagine writing a fic in which Buffy and Faith aren't friends (or enemies... ;)). 

Thank you again! This really made my day!

Dayna
02/26/2010 08:40 am
Twenty-Three         
Oh my, definitely didn't see that coming!
 :( Well, things couldn't stay good for long, not in this fic! :D

02/26/2010 01:02 am
Twenty-Three         
Oh no!
 Oh, yes... :(

02/25/2010 11:45 pm
Twenty-Three         

Poor Tara doesn't deserve to die, this is goig to be bad.

 Poor Tara is right! As always, she's the ultimate victim because of that...

02/25/2010 04:05 pm
Twenty-Three         
Good God, you killed Tara AGAIN!
 I'm evil! i know! But there'll still be a semi-happy ending... :D

03/21/2010 06:10 am
Twenty-Two         

 

02/23/2010 11:12 pm
Twenty-Two         
Exellent. Nice to see that there is still some hope for Wilow.
 ...Or is there? :D Lol, there is, there always is, but after the next chapter... :(

02/23/2010 07:33 am
Twenty-Two         
Great chapter! I'm glad the wedding went through without a (major) hitch.
Oh Dawn, she never does remember never to use the w word, does she? lol
I'm glad Willow and Buffy talked some things out, and you explained Willow's ridiclious amount of Buffy hating (I personally still side with Buffy on the running away thing- it was stupid, but she had every reason to do it, and, while she does owe on an apology, she shouldn't be expected to beg forgivness because I personally don't think she owes it to them).
And as to your question about Angel finding true happiness with Faith from my last review, I think he could, but not at the moment. To me, love always had to be involved in order for there to be true happiness, which was why he didn't lost it with Darla or Eve. Since he doesn't love Faith he should be good, but I do think he could grow to love her, and then there'd be issues (for Faith at least lol).
Can't wait for more!
 Thank you! Fluff abounds, but it won't stay like that for long... :D

I figured that it was about time we hear why Willow's been so out-of-control, and I also side with Buffy on that... their interactions in this chapter should have been the initial reaction to her return. Shame Willow didn't accept it at first...

I agree about Faith and Angel, I think that any relationship they might have is far too young to cause that perfect happiness, but I doubt that they'll be risking it anyway. So Angel might just have to go to Africa or something before he and Faith can start with the loving. :D (Not in this fic. It's about Buffy and Spike, not Faith and Angel.)


02/21/2010 11:46 am
Twenty-One         
Damn, I knew Angel was going to be an ass.
LOL Xander- I'm thinking Anya would love that you were a 'little aroused' about Spike, as long as you shared. lol. I shudder at Spander, I really do, but here it just makes me laugh.
Finally Faith sees how out of control Willow is- now I wonder what they're going to do about it. And her taking the high road and going to get Buffy. Go her!
The Faith/Angel was AWESOME! Oh, I'd have paid to see faith's face at the no sex (though, I can see him being able to have sex with her- can you see Angel getting perfect happiness with her, at least at the moment? lol)
Update soon!
 Classic Angel, still doing his own selfish thing because he's decided it's best... :( 
And the Spander subtext here is, as we say in the Buffyverse, rapidly becoming text. Lol. But Xander's always been in love with Spike in my mind, it's just not mutual! (Of course, in my mind, <i>everyone's</i> in love with Spike. And Spike loves Buffy. :D) 
And yay! Character development! I mean, yes, Faith's doing the right thing. About time. :D
Faith/Angel and perfect happiness...well, you tell me what you think at the end of the fic. Lol. ;)

02/21/2010 11:22 am
Twenty-One         
Haha, Faith's look of horror!
 Poor girl, especially coming from a relationship with Spike the sex god! :D

02/21/2010 06:04 am
Twenty-One         
 Haha Faith and Angel very hilarious, and very Faith. Nice chapter I can't wait for a Buffy Spike reunion :)
 Faith's found herself some new arm candy... shame he doesn't come with the "with benefits" part of being friends, lol. :D

02/21/2010 05:51 am
Twenty         
 You have to love an insightful Xander :D Awesome job!
 I'm very fond of this Xander- he's just like the canon one, only with a shiny new friendship with Spike to keep him unbiased and insightful in those matters, too! ;D

02/19/2010 06:27 pm
Twenty         
Yay! Xander made nice again- you're right...he's totally in love with Spike. lol
I'm really hoping that Angel doesn't act like a complete and total jerk, but I'm not holding my breath.
I know I've said it before, but I love Tara and Anya. It's good to see them being such good friends to Buffy, when in actuallity in canon, they were never really close to her.
I liked Dawn's abrupt meeting with her. It had me chuckling.
Can't wait for more!
 Yup, there are parts of this fic that are totally borderline Spander. :D 

And I love Tara and Anya, too! My favorite part of them in this fic, randomly enough, is the way they actually seem to have a behind-the-scenes friendship. I don't really highlight it, but I tried to make it natural for them to hang out. I can't imagine their conversations. :D

This Dawn's a bit immature considering her age but at least she acts older than she does in canon, which makes her fun to write. :D

02/20/2010 10:03 pm
Nineteen         
I love this story. I can see the characters and the dialog sounds like them. The plot is interesting and I can't wait for updates.
One little quibble, Buffy has no water and electricity but does have a working freezer?
 Lol, so I actually pondered that for a while, but I remembered that we once had a huge blackout, about ten years ago, for almost a week, and we didn't open the freezer so the food didn't defrost at all. So I added this line:   On her way upstairs, she’d been startled when she opened the freezer, still a bit cold for lack of being opened, and found blood bags stacked neatly behind the frozen spinach. Still a little lame, but consider it writer's license. :D

02/17/2010 02:05 pm
Nineteen         
What a mess for all concerned.
 Hear, hear. It will get better, eventually... :D

02/16/2010 06:32 am
Nineteen         
Poor Spike- that has to suck hardcore. I am happy that the plan backfired on Faith though; I get that she's upset she lost Spike, but once she knew he was in love with Buffy, the wanting to break them up became super wrong (what can I say, I'm a romantic at heart?). At least she feels some guilt, even if she doesn't plan to do anything about it (hopefully that will change).
You know what, feel free to kill Willow before this is over. She's asking to be killed.
Wow Buffy- way not to let go. At all. I mean, I get that Angel might need some help adjusting and all that, but staying there and not going to see Spike? Bad call. Not trying to make things right with Spike? Even worse call. Hopefully she gets over her lack of judgement soon, Angel gets back on his feet and prances off to LA for his own show (What? I like Angel...just not with Buffy. lol).
Can't wait for more!
 Yep, Faith is out of control. She has no right to try to take Spike back, not now that she knows that he and Buffy have something so much better...although Buffy isn't exactly being the stellar example of doing what's right these days... :D Buffy's running away from her problems again, something she does all the time throughout canon (until maybe Season Seven, but I believe that the suicide mission into the Hellmouth in Chosen was also her giving up, just like jumping off the tower in S5.) Hopefully, someone will knock some sense into her before she does something stupid. Update coming ASAP!

02/15/2010 04:59 pm
Nineteen         
Love the plot!  Can't wait for the next chapter!
 Thank you! I'll be updating ASAP!

02/15/2010 04:48 am
Eighteen         
I just know this is going to be bad,  Yum.
 Lol, yum is definitely the word! ;)

Sharon
02/14/2010 11:55 pm
Eighteen         
Wow, you're making me almost regret that you post once a week! I like that the story will last longer, but this cliffhanger is a doozy!

Very good chapter, very intense, so not going to be good for Buffy and Spike!

Looking forward to next week, and thank you for sharing your story with us!
 Actually, now that the fic is finished, I'll be posting probably twice or three times a week until it's done. There are eight more chapters, so it won't be long now... Glad you're enjoying. :D

02/14/2010 06:17 pm
Eighteen         
 Ohh the suspense! Hehe :) Awesome chapter
 Thanks! :) More coming probably tomorrow-ish...

Liza
02/11/2010 10:17 am
Seventeen         
Oooh!  Unexpected friendship - I'm a sucker for the bonding - and the Angel thing is tasty.  Can't wait for the next chapter.
 Yup, Buffy/Faith bonding is always fun. :D I'll be posting the next chapter tonight!

02/11/2010 04:26 am
Seventeen         
 Ahh! Maybe I'm stupid, but I really wasn't expecting that! Nice chapter :D
 Yay! I'm glad it came a surprise to most people... :) More coming in later tonight!

02/08/2010 05:51 am
Sixteen         
Great chapter! I'd leave a better review, but I have to get back to my ten page paper due tomorrow!
 Understandable- though I can't imagine ever choosing schoolwork over Spuffy. ;) Which might explain some of my recent grades... :D  More posted now! Hope you like!

02/07/2010 03:51 am
Sixteen         
 I'm glad Buffy finally saw the truth to her trust issues :D I also can't wait to see what happens with the rest of the characters. Nice chapter!
 Yup, but as you already know, things are just going to get worse... :D

Sharon
02/07/2010 03:00 am
Sixteen         
Somehow I missed your lovely story, but I'm sure enjoying it now!

I like the natural reactions of the group to Buffy's return, it would not be all hearts and flowers. I do see that with someone of Faith's personality encouraging her, Willow could so go dark, that's pretty much what I would expect to happen if those two became friends.

Looks the the poop is going to hit the fan when Faith sees that picture! I can't wait to see where you're going next, thank you for sharing your story!
 Thank you! I'm glad you like it! I've just finished the fic, so I'll be updating often and constantly for the next few weeks...hope you continue to enjoy it!

01/31/2010 09:37 am
Fifteen         
Wow...when Faith is getting antsy about Willow, then there are serious problems. Willow is way off the deep end. Wonder what her plan is- how come I can see her pulling the same thing as in Dead Things?

Go Tara! I'm glad her magic is holding. And you know what, who cares if Spike/Tara friendship isn't canon? THat's because the writers were idoits who wanted Spike evil, thus Tara as a friend was a big no no. Spike/Anya friendship is one of my fav, which they did seem to be building up to (it's the only part of Where the Wild Things Are that I can stomach), but that got dropped too. *sigh* So many lost oppertunties...

I feel sorry for Faith. Even if she doesn't love Spike, losing him to someone else (who she sees as a rival) is a blow to the ego. And I wouldn't want to lose Spike either, so I don't blame her. lol

By the way, I was just wondering; did Angel ever come back in this verse? I'm assuming not, but I was curious.

Can't wait for more!
 Dead Things will be coming soon, about when we find out what Willow's planning (though that doesn't mean she's doing it! ;) )

Hear, hear! They tried so hard to make Spike the villain, so that Buffy could be "treading on the dark side" and all that, all the way up to the AR. But in doing so, they erased the prospect of some relationships that really could have been amazing. Spika/Anya friendship is my absolute favorite- they're so adorable in S7, S4, and whenever else it comes up. :)

And I'm glad that you see Faith's side- so many people just hate her on principle because she was keeping the Spuffy apart, but she's suffering, too.

And I've always associated Angel's return at the start of S3 with the Claddagh ring, so no. He's still off in hell somewhere, I guess. :)

01/30/2010 05:29 am
Fourteen         
Amazing how in this alternate reality, the other Scoobs take on aspects of the Slayer's attitudes in this case, deliberately choosing to ignore a harmful act.  Very different indeed.  Hopefully Tara's spell deflects as intended.
 Yes, the Scoobies are blinded by friendship, and only Buffy, as an outsider, recognizes how wrong this is. Thanks for reading!

01/24/2010 12:26 pm
Fourteen         
Buffy's reluctance to ever sleep with Spike is interesting--understandable, after Angelus-- but I wonder how long they'll be able to resist. Glad they've informed Tara about Willow, but I can't help think that Willow's gonna be very scary when she finds out. Great chapter!
 Well, if anyone can convince Buffy to get over her fears, it's Spike, because...yeah, he's Spike. :D Oh, Willow's not quite ready to give up yet... *cue ominous music* :D

01/24/2010 01:43 am
Fourteen         
Anya drinking game= epic. I might try that sometimes...I'll pick sex though, since I'm betting that'd win. lol
Okay, I do understand Buffy's not wanting to sleep with a vampire (I give her credit for being able to resist Spike- she's stronger than I am. lol)- it did turn out bad last time and she's going to be nervous, but she really has to learn to let go. She's so stuck in the past that it's painful to read- caution is one thing, but this goes way beyond that.
Yay for Spike being all 'grr' to defend Tara! YES! Someone is finally on the girl's side!!! Again, ironic that it's the evil, souless vampire that sees how wrong it is ad wants to do something about it. I hope Tara's wards hold on all threee of them (they should, after all Tara is pretty storng as a witch- in Hush the only way Willow was able to move that thing in front of the door was when Tara joined in). Though, I don't think it'll plesant when Willow finds out.
Can;t wait for more!!!
 Glad you enjoyed it! It was inspired by a recent episode of HIMYM, when I started wondering if i could do the same with BtVS... :D

Buffy's still so messed up because she never actually met her problems head-on- she just avoided them. So now that she's put in this position again for the first time, she freaks out and runs. But if anyone can change her mind, it's Spike... :D

And yup! I know it's not really so canon, but I love Spike/Tara friendship almost as much as I love Spike/Anya friendship :)! He's more protective over her than the rest of them are, because it seems like she comes before Willow in his mind. So hats off to Spike!

More coming soon! Plus, I'm something like five chapters ahead on LJ, so I'm predicting at this rate I'll be done with the fic in a week or two, and then frequent updates till it's all posted and my new fic will be started! :D

01/22/2010 02:30 pm
Thirteen         
I've just read all the chapters, and I'm loving this! I wasn't sure about it for a while, from the summary, but I'm glad I decided to give it a go. The way the role reversal has changed things so subtly but with such a difference is excellent. I'm looking forward to seeing where you take it from here!
 Thank you! I'm glad you like it! I love writing Buffy as the outsider- it gives Faith her due and at the same time, allows Buffy to perceive things unbiased... New chapter up already! :D

01/17/2010 10:00 am
Thirteen         
I seethat although she's had three years in the real world, Buffy's still hung up on St Angel!
It's really a shame...but maybe Spike can change her mind! :D

Niori
01/17/2010 01:41 am
Thirteen         
Yay! Was finally able to read all this!
The last chapters were all great too.
Wow...apparently Buffy has never larned history/current events if she thinks that all human criminals have guilt running through their mind after they've killed someone. Let's see Nero, Caluglia, Count Dracula, Elizabeth Blathory, Hilter, Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, Stalin, do I really have to go on?
And really Buffy- a vampire being able to feel any guilt at ALL, even over people he cares about, that's big. And as to not feeling guilt over other people? Who cares as long as he doesn't hurt said other people?
Oh Buffy *sigh* Though I do understnad why she wnats to cling to the no soul means evil idea- it means accepting that someone you loved so much (even if it is the past) didin't love you the way you loved them. That's a painful revelation to make, but there comes a time when you need to accept it and move on.
And all of the Scoobies are honestly making me sick over the Willow/Tara. Tara is being abused in an even more horrible manner than normal- how can they think that's right. Get backbones people and stop enabling the abuser! Oh, and you've made me hate Xander again- when he was going on how it wasn't their buisness I wanted to leap intot the screen and throttle him. That's just the approch that let's so many abusive relationships continue. It doesn't matter if Willow's a friend- what's she's doing is wrong. I like that Buffy can see that and not make excuses.
And yay for kissing! Hopefully she doesn't go all denial girl like normal. Or it doesn't lead to the hateful, angry sex that was season six (so the angry part was hot, but the hateful part was terrible) because I don't know if I can read that again. lol
Can't wait for more!
 Wow! Longest. Review. Ever!

Buffy has a bit of a selective memory when it comes to souls and the like, but maybe Spike can change her mind...I don't see this Spike getting a soul, even for her. He's much more confident and accepted in his humanity. Hopefully, Buffy can come to terms with what happened with Angel... she's never had the opportunity to confront the long-term effects in this 'verse, although she will, in time. :D

The Scoobies are acting like they did on the show- shameful, really! Just because Willow's their friend, (and the old Willow/Tara relationship was such a good one, pre-Dark!Willow) they're not willing to instigate anything! Lucky that Buffy's outside of the situation and can see clearly...

I can't imagine that Spike here would let Buffy use him like that- now he's got friends and family and a reason to keep their relationship a secret...but I guess you'll find out soon... :D

Thank you for your review! As always, a delight to read! :)

01/10/2010 11:32 am
Twelve         
It's interesting to see how the Scoobies have fared with Faith as a more amoral Slayer than Buffy was, the differences are more subtle than huge. 
 Yup, glad you like it! :D Thank you for reviewing!

01/03/2010 12:51 am
Eleven         
I really liked this chapter. The way your keeping Faith in character but showing glimpses of her inner struggles and insecurities, even about what Willow does to Tara- which was partly from Faith's encouragement to be selfish and use her power and turn to the dark. And Tara, she really is being violated. Why does Willow even want to stay with her, if she has to change how she thinks and acts and shut her up when she disagrees? The only part of Tara that Willow doesn't change is physically, and then we get into a truly abusive relationship metaphor.

Spike's an idiot, of course, as we all know Spike can be. And Buffy really having to worry about Willow without the denial of the 'best friend would never hurt me or anyone really' buffer was very nice. I can't wait to see what happens next.
 Thank you! I'm glad you like it. Willow really is abusing Tara, but in her twisted mind she thinks that she's protecting her, almost. It's dangerous for all involved. Spike CAN be an idiot, huh? :D But hopefully he'll come to his senses soon... :D Thank you for reviewing! It's good to know that some people in the BSV are still reading this fic here! 

12/27/2009 02:30 pm
Ten         
If they don't ease up on Buffy after that, they must be under Willow's spell.  She really is a nasty piece of work.
 Oh, yes. I'm really hating this Willow, and I write her!

12/27/2009 12:41 pm
Ten         
A very believable alternative 'OMWF' considering the altered dynamics. I hope Tara can figure out a way to get free from Willow... and that Spike can find a way of letting Faith down gently... although I fear that might be a more tricky proposition. By the way... you haven't mentioned Angel in LA (at least I don't remember it if you did). Has he returned from Hell in this 'verse?
 Angel has not returned from Hell in this 'verse- I've always associated his resurrection with Buffy leaving the claddagh ring near where he died, so if she never did that, he never returned. Can't say much more on that topic. ;)

Glad you enjoyed it! You're right, Faith isn't going to take it well... and neither will Willow...
More coming tomorrow!

Fangfaceandrea
12/27/2009 02:20 am
Ten         
And Willow keeps getting creepier and creepier. Godd thing Tara realized things are so bad.

And Loved Spike for tahta not kiss. It was very sweet of him... in the long run.
 Poor Tara... :( 

Lol Spike's thinking of Buffy before himself- he's really in deep :D

12/22/2009 04:57 am
Nine         
Good to see Buffy making headway into settling down.  However, I wonder what the Trio have in mind.  Certainly something to pique interest.  Love the Trio scene! 
 The trio are so much fun to write :D

Thank you for the review!

Niori
12/14/2009 12:18 am
Eight         
I enjoy that the trio is here now- they were amusing, until they went all homicidal. I swear, Warren was on his way to being one of the serial killers who kidnapped and tortured women to get kicks out of the power it gave him. He went from creepy and annoying to downright scary after Dead Things.
Anyway, great chapter. Your Dawn amuses the hell out of me- and here I thought Spike had his hands full watching over canon Dawn.
And I'm with Buffy- if Tara is stuttering when she talks to her girlfriend, that's not a healthy relationship. At all-it reminds me of how she was like with her family. It's even more horrible than in the real season six.
The Spike-Xander teasing bit was epic. It had me laughing for a good five minutes. And oh Anya, why am I not suprised that she went and suggested a threesome? You know she probably did at one point- that might explain why Xander was oh so mean to Spike. lol
And congrats, you have me liking Xander in this, which is no easy feat. I'm suprised that he's the more forgiving one, apologizing for what he did and everything. He's usually the one who holds a grudge long past the time he should let it go (one of the reasons I don't like him).
Can't wait for the next chapter!
 Glad you liked it! I love the trio- they're my inner geek :D. Except Warren, of course. Creepy sleaze. Dawn's fun to write now, since she's still herself but with Faith's influence. It feels like all I write are the many incarnations of Dawn these days : ). Tara and Willow's relationship really is horrible, I guess that's what happens when one's a control freak and one's too timid to fight back. 
I love Spike/ Xander's relationship- I've always been under the impression that Xander's a little bit in love with Spike, and here, now that they're friends, I can have Spike tease him about it. And I totally get Anya loving that :D. For some reason, this Xander's really not such a bad guy. I usually have serious Xander issues, lol, but I'm basing his reaction on the pretty sedate one from Dead Man's Party, and I imagine him with Faith stopping the prejudice makes him much more mellow. I'm also a little confused by how much I'm liking Xander in this fic. :D
Thanks for the feedback!

12/13/2009 01:58 am
Eight         
As if Buffy hasn't got enough on her plate, here's creepy Warren sniffing round her skirts!  Nice to see Spike being so accepted, one good result of Faith's dodgy standards apparently.
 Yup! :) Thanks for the feedback!

12/13/2009 12:57 am
Eight         
Loving the Spuffy buildup.  Anxiously waiting to see what happens with Faith and what the Trio have planned.
 Glad you're liking it! hanks for reviewing! :D

12/13/2009 12:07 am
Seven         
Thanks for the addition to timeline history.  It puts things in better perspective.
 Glad it helps! Thanks for the feedback :)

Niori
12/09/2009 01:51 am
Seven         
Not gonna lie, I LOVE the story who wove about Willow and Tara getting together. I'm also with Anya about not caring about Riley's death.
I love Tara- she's such a sweetie. And Anya in her own way sorta, with the making clear she doesn't hate Buffy. Those are my two fav characters after Spike- I have a thing for the outsiders. lol
Can't wait for more.
 Lol I've read so many with Buffy and Spike in that room in Where the Wild Things Are...I just wanted to put someone else in there! And Faith and Spike would be wasted in that room much like Buffy and Riley were. I love Anya, too! And I'm pretty fond of Tara (starting S6, really), so it's nice to give them roles in the fic. Especially since the others I've written really don't feature Anya... :(

12/06/2009 12:51 am
Seven         
Smashing conversations and a glimmer of hope for Buffy.  I hope she struts her stuff at the Bronze.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed :)

Niori
11/30/2009 08:32 am
Six         
The developing relationship between Spike and Buffy reminds me of season six |(though not as angsty- if that's even possible to top anyway).
I love that the demons at the bar were so loving hearing her travel stories. Even if it was in mockery (not quite sure) a vamp asking her about her trip made me laugh.
Can't wait for more (well, actually I can because I know the feeling of trying to write more than one fic at once).
 I'm trying to mirror Season Six- mostly subtly, but there will be some obvious correlations (the drunk scene in this chapter, for example; a semi-musical chapter is incoming...). So the romance is just naturally settling into that Spuffy- which is my favorite Spuffy relationship, anyway. :D 
Pretty sure they were mocking her, since from what we know of Buffy's travels, they were anything but interesting :D but I do love the idea of the demons in town having to put up with a drunk Slayer! Although, knowing Faith, it probably won't be the first time...

I've only got three (maybe four) chapters of Real Me left to write, and I should be done by the end of this week, so hopefully I'll be writing Prodigal for next Monday, and it can take over Real Me's posting schedule... But I'm still not positive. It may be sooner or later...Balancing two fics is a pain! And yet for some reason, I'm already planning my next...

12/12/2009 11:40 pm
Five         
Always of the good to see Spuffy camaraderie!
 Glad you enjoyed! :)

verito
11/21/2009 08:14 pm
Five         
i love it!!!!  can t wait for the next chapter!!! 
 I'm glad you do! More coming soon!

Niori
11/20/2009 11:47 pm
Five         
I'm happy about Xander's attitude. I always thought he needed to apologize (which was another reason I hated the beginning of season three), even if Buffy was right in saying she wouldn't have fought as hard. He's a lot more grown up here, and that's nice to see (I'm not a Xander fan, and you've made me like him here-way to go).
Wanted to kick Willow's ass, but I figured that was coming. Even after all these years, I can't understand being that hateful. I get being upset that she left, but can youu really blame Buffy? She killed someone she loved.
And the Spike/Buffy beginnings of freindship is fun. I like them just as much as friends as I do a couple. Their chemestry here works and is believeable. Good job.
Can't wait for more.
 I'm actually not a Xander fan either (I like to think that all my opinions on characters were formed based on S6), but I felt like Faith would have been good for him, because she wouldn't be afraid to tell him when he's out of line, and he SO OFTEN is... Willow's just not in a good place right now, attitude and dark magic-wise. Will she snap out of it? (I don't know, I haven't written that far!)
Thanks! Glad you liked it!

12/12/2009 11:29 pm
Four         
I'm a bit croggled with some of the relationships in this time line.  Riley and Willow?!  And I take it Angel didn't come back?
 I've always thought that there was supposed to be something going on with Willow and Riley in the early S4 episodes that just vanished once he started on Buffy. :D Here, without Buffy to fixate on and Willow in rebound city from Oz, why not Riley? :) Until Tara, anyway... :D And no Angel returning in this timeline, I'm pretty sure that the "reason" (other than the planned spinoff in the RW :D) was something to do with the claddagh ring that Buffy left nearby where he was resurrected. So she never did that... 

Thanks for your review! :)

11/20/2009 07:14 am
Four         
good chapter, thank you. love the ending line.
 Thanks for all your reviews! Glad you like it!

Fangfaceandrea
11/16/2009 02:41 am
Four         
yay! great fic so far, very interesting twist on the show. I'll be glad to read more when it's up.
 Glad you like it! : )

Niori
11/16/2009 12:11 am
Four         
I like that Spike is so accepting for Buffy, and willing to help her. Also liked that she was pretty at ease with him. It already has the makings of a friendship. Yay for quickish Spuffy. lol
And IU want to smack Willow and Xander. In the beginning of season three too- how DARE they judge Buffy on running away. If either of them had been forced to make that choice- killing Oz or Cordy- they wouldn't have reacted any better. The whole zombie party episode I was screaming at the tv for them to have a little freaking compassion. She had to kill the man she loved -literally since he was Angel again- and none of them seemed to care. I hated how callous they were...and I'm thinking I'm gonna be feeling the same sentiment here.
COngrats, you're story is going to get me as riled up as the show. That's no small feat, since the show could really bug me at times. lol
Can't wait for the next chapter.
 This Spike is much more relaxed in the group, and he's already sleeping with a Slayer, so Spuffy isn't so hard to visualize here. And I totally agree about the beginning of season three and how heartless they seem to be. Here, a lot more time has passed, of course, so they are more justified in their anger, but some of it's just out of control. Glad I could bug you lol! That's my goal with some of these characters right now! Especially Willow, since she's really been transformed personality-wise and doesn't need Buffy at all anymore. Thanks for your review, as always!

calminthechaos
11/15/2009 08:44 pm
Four         
Very nice update! I'm anxious to see how long it takes Faith to wonder if Spike's attracted to Buffy and then try to 'do something' about it.....
 :D I'm also looking forward to writing that! 

jane
11/15/2009 01:32 pm
Four         
Only just started reading but really good start. I'm guessing Xander never owned up to his part in Buffy's departure. Looking forward to seeing how this pans out.
 No, but Xander's still feeling guilty about it and it will come up soon! Appreciate the feedback!

11/20/2009 07:06 am
Three         
enjoy the reversal of positions (from canon.) faith has everything, buffy will be the outsider. very good read, thank you.
 It's fun to see how each one deals with the opposite life! :)

Joan
11/13/2009 03:40 pm
Three         
Oh, I'm so sad for Buffy... Her friends, pseudo-dad, even sister and Spike all belong to Faith. Now she finds her mom and home are gone, as well. Next she'll realize Giles wouldn't have even looked for her if he hadn't thought Faith was still dead. Please, please, please make life better for her!!
(Despite my whining, I really am enjoying your story!)
Aww, things are sad for Buffy now. But she will slowly reacclimate, and I do like a happy ending! Just gotta get through some angst first! :D Glad you're enjoying!

calminthechaos
11/10/2009 07:15 pm
Three         
All I can say is 'Wow'! Another great installment! I really like how Spike is paired with Faith, they suit each other in appetites! Now I'm wondering though...Both Faith's and Buffy's moms are dead? Great work, can't wait for more!
 Thanks! To answer your question, Faith arrived on the scene at the same time that she did in the show, so her life up until then (plus sister) is the same as canon. Buffy's mother, unfortunately, still suffered from the same illness as in the show, and met the same eventual fate. 
Glad you enjoyed! More coming this weekend!

Michael
11/08/2009 03:39 pm
Three         
Exellent, love Spike and Faith's relationship, sort of friends with benefits. And also that Spike is the heart of this new little familly, Faith not being able to because she's The slayer.   This new world will be a total eye-opener for Buffy, Spike's respected and valued and his ability to love is not under question. 

Keep it up
Yep, Buffy's really going to have to change her world view.
Thanks for reviewing! Glad you enjoyed.

Niori
11/08/2009 02:35 am
Three         
Leave it to Faitth to find heaven boring.
I like how you're describing this new Dawn- the other one I found kinda whimpy and annoying. Though, from the sounds of things she doesn't have the support system that Buffy's Dawn did, which is a downside.
Faith and Spike together makes sense (more so than Buffy), but it does make me gag a bit, so I'm hoping it won't be too much.
Poor Harmony- it makes me sad she's dust. I've always liked her.
Anyway, great chapter and can't wait for the next one.
From the way Buffy described heaven in Afterlife, I couldn't imagine a Faith who never had to go on the redemption road really enjoying it. Don't worry about the Faith and Spike stuff- there won't be much, it won't be at all fluffy (not their style!), and the spuffy moves fairly quickly.
Glad you liked it! 

11/08/2009 12:57 am
Three         
Love the realistic way you fit Faith being the Slayer while Spike was chipped and how their relationship would have developed. Spike's care of Dawn and the hints of Dawn being different than the girl raised by Joyce was also great. I thought this chapter was wonderful, but I admit I'm hoping the shocking reunions with the very different people she knew have some action involved, and definitely a lot of Spike time!

What will Spike think of Buffy and how she's changed, and how will she thinka bout him around Dawn and helping out? I can't wait!

Excellent chapter.
Thank you for reading! Glad you enjoyed! The next two chapters will be lots of reunions and lots of Spike/Buffy action... :D

11/20/2009 06:55 am
Two         
glad faith isn't going to stay gone. good read, thank you.
 I'm glad you liked it : )

Akela
11/05/2009 01:57 am
Two         
this fic is set up to be awesome. i cant wait to see what happens next

dustyelle
11/04/2009 07:19 pm
Two         
Great story!  I just wanted to know, if this is following cannon, is Spike in love with Faith?
It's very close to canon, but not exact. Spike and Faith DO have a relationship, but it's very much shaped by what kind of people they both are and how they've interacted in canon. Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Liza
11/04/2009 10:16 am
Two         
Really intriguing dynamic going on between the Scoobies.  Dying to know the Spike backstory.  How did he get into the fold this time?  And what kind of a Dawn will we have if she's made from Faith?Looking forward to answers to my questions! 
 I'm looking forward to answering them in the next few chapters! Thank you for reading and reviewing!

Omelia
11/03/2009 07:23 am
Two         
Awesome chapter.Cant wait to see what happens next.
 Thanks for reading and reviewing!

calminthechaos
11/03/2009 03:16 am
Two         
MOREMOREMORE!!! Although I'm not a fan of Willow turning to dark magick so quickly, I like that story line. Please clarify something for me: Faith and the Scoobies were/are friends and Dawn is Faith's sister, right? I may be a bit confused, but that's good! Because I will keep reading no matter what!!!
 Yes- Faith's taken Buffy's place, and nearly everything that happened to her has happened to Faith. I'm trying to change the characters based on Faith's influence on them, though, so Willow's darker, Dawn's tougher, Tara's meeker... Willow, though, is more of a controlled dark witch now, not the uncontrollable one we see in late S6, so you'll still get to see some of that transformation!

I'm glad you enjoyed! Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Niori
11/03/2009 03:01 am
Two         
Seems that Faith was a bad influence on Willow- she's even scarier than the normal season six.
Poor Buffy. That life seems so hard. I do love though (that's sarcasm, which is hard to pick up in print) that Giles always seems to think he can walk in and take Buffy back to her old life (not only in your story, but in the show too). I mean seriously, she ran away for a reason.
Anyway, great chapter and can't wait for more!
Giles IS pretty controlling sometimes, but here it might be what Buffy needs... And I thought that Faith might encourage Willow's power and darkness. Later chapters will explain when she actually went overboard.

Thanks for reading and reviewing! 

12/02/2009 04:49 am
One         
Interesting story, CG.  Sorry you got rid of Faith so soon tho.  :)  Awesome banner too.
  Just going back and responding to old reviews, but I guess you know by now that she wasn't gone for long!  Thank you for the feedback!

11/20/2009 06:47 am
One         
sad to see faith go in the first chapter. always had a soft spot for that slayer. very good beginning, thank you.
 Just going back and responding to old reviews now, but I guess you know by now that she wasn't gone for long! Thanks for reviewing! : )

10/24/2009 04:05 pm
One         
Great start. This was an amazing tease. I look forward to more of this story.

calminthechaos
10/23/2009 04:59 pm
One         
I'm VERY intrigued! My mind is full of questions and speculation... I really really can't wait for an update! I'm excited to see that the next installment will have a few chapters to it, I just hope the update will come soon!

Niori
10/20/2009 10:27 pm
One         
Teaser indeed. I like this one so far, and I hope you get those five chapters written soon.

10/20/2009 01:22 pm
One         
All I can say is "yay Faith!".  She deserved to be the hero for once.

But I'm definitely looking foward to where you'll go from here.

10/20/2009 05:40 am
One         
Lovely beginning...can't wait to see what you have in store for everyone.