Something HAD to happen to save Spike from the sun! I don't think he would have had the strength to pull himself into a dumpster as others have surmised.  In other words,  I like your explanation because of Buffy not being surprised when Spike showed up at the party.  

no...no that cannot be /all/ . where's the rest? bah! anyway always a pleasure to read.

She just keeps on hurting him. I don't even think she realizes just how much. Why he stayed was beyond me. I understand loving someone, being completely in love with someone. But you can't stay when they treat you like that. Not when their every word and action make it clear that they don't love you. Hell they don't even respect you.

This was absolutely beautiful. Loved it.

So much more satisfying than the real episode, but I'm still not completely happy with Spike's totally submissive attitude... I suppose I'd just prefer him to stick up for himself just a *little* bit more. You have however made Buffy think about her actions, which she never seemed to do on the show.

I love that Buffy actually showed remorse for what she did to Spike and that she realized who the monster really was in their relationship. To bad that she can't quite stop the lying about their relationship. Thanks for posting this here.

Nice story Patti - i enjoyed it!

For once, she realizes who's the real monster in that relationship and Spike's still taking the crap end of the stick. She so doesn't deserve him, but he loves her. Very insightful story.

Excellently done. This would have been a heck of a lot better ending to that episode. Her at least giving him a chance and realizing the monster she really had become. Awesome job

Never a question that Spike would forgive her, but Clem, I bet he's good at holding grudges. And really, there was a bit of a question why Spike was there, invited by Dawn and party crashing aside. Wonder if Clem will still come... Random and completely uneccessary questions aside, a wonderful story and a pretty interesting step in the path of their relationship. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.

very fine read, thanks

awww... poor spikey...

Spike was way too easy on her.

Lovely and painful and hopeful. So very Spuffy

that was heart-breaking, very sweet and tender and how i wish buffy would have reacted to what she had done...i always almost hated her worse for leaving him there like she did than for beating him in the first place...excellent little fic here... :)