I like this Xander being much more perceptive than in canon.

I like the insight that Xander is showing.

lovely second chapter - still enjoying it !

This is a really interesting idea. I'm not sure if I've seen it before. And you write it so well. I'm looking forward to more!

Spectacular!

"And how weird that it had been with her family all summer, like some sort of ghost in cute boots making terrible puns with a dead girl's voice."

This line is just fantastic!

Great chapter!

Interesting idea, one quite simple but one Idon't think i've seen before, what difference would Joyce make to seaon 6..brilliant.

Should be interesting to see how much it changes things, like for beginners I guess Buffy might not have to work at Doublemeat Palace or whatever it's called, but she still might not be able to go back to school because she didn't apply in time...I think that's what happened anyway.

Also it will be interesting to see how Spike will do things differently, now that he has Joyce to be his concience.

Well will be interesting to read how you imagine things would go.
Update Soon
Harry

Giving Xander a little more awareness does wonders for him. I look forward to your take on Willow.

Continuing to like this very much. So far it's pretty close to canon, though I'm enjoying the differences. The line about how Bufy's mom gave her clothes aways except for a couple outfits picked out by the Bufy-bot was cute; for example. And always nice to see Xander not being bashed!

Looking forward to seeing how you develope this further. It's a clever idea!

Thank you for your e-mail telling me that you were planning to respond to my challenge. I'm so glad you decided to take it up.

This looks very promising, and i've liked it so far. I'm looking foward to reading the rest of this fic. :)

Ooh this is good. Xander and Spike seemingly on the same page. (even if Spike doesn't know it) Please update soon.

This is great! Xander left Egypt! Looks like he's walking away from de river and seeing the forest through the trees. Good bit of humor, leave it to Spike to put a sexual twist on it. Excellent first post, congrat's. Great read, thanks.

Nice interaction between Xander and Spike. I can see this Xander is already an enormous leap from canon Xander. He's actually willing to be reasonable and intelligent. I have a feeling that, despite his personal feelings about Spike, Xander wants to help Buffy and understand what she may have been through.

More please?

Nice chapter. I like the direction this fic is taking so far. I really like thoughtful Xander. It's kind of strange, but I like it. Hated how obnoxious and closed minded his character became later in the series. Wish he'd been more like this. Can't wait to see what direction this fic takes with Joyce being alive and all. Looking forward to the next update.

Me likey. Want more!

The Spike and Xander interaction was a breath of fresh air too. They're usually flat out enemies in Spuffy fic, and Xander generally comes out looking particularly bad. This story looks like it's both aware of that - as Xander's thoughts show - and perhaps going to do things a bit differently. I'm looking forward to seeing the impact of Joyce in season six.

Yay for the update. I'm beyond glad that you had Spike question her about the hell comment & Xander. It always bothered me that Dawn dismissed that and not one scoobie could be bothered enough to see Buffy wasn't quite right. Looking forward to how this plays out.

Oh, it'd be nice if Xander actually noticed her pain this time.

Is she going to tell Joyce the truth? If anyone could give her comfort, it's her mother, right?

Really liked this chapter. It's not often we're given a good look at Xander's point of view. Can't wait to see what else is different.

i see hope for xander actually having a brain this story, maybe? :) that would be nice, to see him actually wise up for a change....another lovely chapter, pet...looking forward to your next :)

Nicely done.

thanks for the read, enjoyed the update. at least xander's pain is minute.

A great idea with a fantastic start! Adore the idea of Joyce being around for season six. Look forward to the complications to come.

Good update! Thank you.

It's nice to get a look at Xander's thoughts here... I'm glad he's seeing tht things aren't quite right.

LOL. I love this...

“Did she seem okay to you?”

Spike gave him a look long. “Not really, no.”

And again with the Spike agreement.

His brain really hurt.