Wow. I am just lurving these Spike/Joyce scenes. She's like the anti-Scoobies.

Loved how Joyce took control of the situation - go mom!

Yay, Joyce!  And, Ooh... Dawn is pissed!  Can't wait till the next chap.

i went away in chapter 17....but now im back...i read all the chapters...and well ive got just one thing to say........the most involving, passionate, psycotic (in a good way) story ive read in long time.
and hurry up with the next chappie will you...buffy better get whats coming to her soon or ill just..pop! hehe

Great chapter. Love Joyce and Bit and their connection to Spike. Can't wait for the next chapter!!!

great chapter

I just love Joyce taking charge. Glad that Spike was able to let it out and he knows that someone is on his side.

I fell horrible for Spike, but now Joyce is here, he has some one to protect him, at least a bit. Thank you for the update!

very good chapter. joyce, at least for the moment, is in control. dawn is going into the lion's den, spike is a wreck, and the scoobies just are. thanks for the fine read.

Mom to the rescue. yeah Joyce.

Yay for Joyce! Can Spike tell her the whole truth about what is happening? Will she get to see 'possessed' Buffy? Somebody other than Spike needs to see this vicious demon. More story please.

Hmmmm, interesting turn of events. Maybe Dawn and Joyce need to take turns being in the same room with him so that the "thing" inside Buffy can't come out and hurt him until they figure out what is really going on.

it's won derful to have first dawn and now joyce (yay, go, joyce!) show up.

i hope dawn gives buffy hell, i hope joyce gives buffy hell, and then i *really* hope joyce gives giles and the other scoobies hell -- giles for thinking of this stupid plan, and the other scoobies for letting the abuse of spike continue.

unlike some comments left, i do blame buffy -- whether or not "she" is the one abusing spike, or whther something is occasionally controlling her, it is definitely buffy herself who keeps making the decision that she'd rather continue taking the (very likely) chance of abusing spike rather than face the potential embarassment of telling giles and the scoobies what's happening and ask for their help in figuring out what's going on and how to control/stop it.

i'd really hate for buffy to get away with the typical scooby "but [insert demon, spell mind-control, hurt feelings, good intentions, etc] *made* me do it" so nothing is ever their own fault.

joyce is the only one who'd never fall for that line, which -- besides her obvious friendship for spike -- is why i love and miss her so much!

so, go joyce!! :-)

Thank God Joyce is finally in the picture and wants to protect Spike from Psycho Buffy. Great but angsty story - looking forward to more!

Great chapter. I am glad that at least Buffy for now listens to her mother. I hope the confrontation that will occur between Dawn and Buffy won't be violent.

The two of them are in a right mess, aren't they? Bring on the exorcist?

I totally love this story to pieces! I have long thought it to be really strange that the only problems in "getting involved" with a demon are external ones. Like questions of ethics and so forth yet I have read a number of stories where Buffy has gained a direct connection to either Spike´s demon or to her own Slayer Demon with no behavioural changes at all.

This situation on the other hand really rocks as far as describing issues with "The Demonic Connection". The problems with Buffy´s dual personality are extremly well written and thought out in a way that keeps you guessing what will happen next. The pace of the story moves effortlessly between the dramatic, the fascinating and the glowing,smoking HOT!

I damn near get abstinence problems between chapters.

Best Regards!

Every day there are updates from you. How do you do it. Not that I'm complaining, nope, no complaining here.

Not sure what I typed to get that pacing frowny face, but it was unintentional.

::sigh:: I could just feel the catharsis Spike got from that mim-breakdown just flowing off the page... er.. computer screen. Nicely done. Joyce knew just what to say.

Squee! I wanna know what Dawns gonna do!

Always knew Joyce could be scary if she wanted to be. lol Not even the slayer wants to confront an angry mother. Nice interaction between Joyce and Spike. Dawn's gonna confront Buffy, huh? This could get really ugly. Great chapter. Can't wait for the next installment.

I was wondering when the touchy subject of spousal abuse would come up. I think it's about time Buffy took responsibility for her actions. "Cave Buffy" and "Nice Buffy" are still just Buffy. Grow up Buffy!

I would love to hate buffy but I dont. so far I have been mad at her but i cant hate her and i am not sure if it is the way you are writing or my own internal feelings. And I feel for buffy, I really do, she made a MASIVE mistake but she IS paying for it. it is destroying her and her relationships with everyone else.

Poor Buffy... I like that lately you finally made it clear she doesn't have control over this and isn't to blame... though Joyce and Dawn think so *gags at them* Only good point is the Spike coddling with those two

I loved this scene. Always liked Joyce and the fact that she was one of the few people to show Spike a little understanding.

Really sweet Joyce and Spike and I liked the way you've turned on sympathy for Buffy.

I LOVE Joyce here....absolutely awesome.

Dawn's got the righteous anger going...and she really shouldn't confront Buffy now...it's too dangerous. Buffy's going to get defensive and lash out at Dawn for ratting her out to their mom.

Chaining Buffy in the basement would really be a good idea about now. She's more demon than girl lately.