like the way you tell your tales. thanks for the fine update.

Hmm... I wonder if Buffy was actually thinking of Spike as a resource for the ritual when she took him, or if that was just some post-kidnapping rationalizing (and a good excuse to give Giles). Personally, I didn't see the logic when she grabbed Spike - just instinct and maybe pity.

I really loved Giles' line about hoping that breaking Spike is beyond Buffy's ability. I like that it's out there, kind of foreboding, how far is Buffy willing to go? Especially since we know you're not afraid to go there - this Buffy is younger and (IMO) has less tendency toward torture than the Buffys in your other fics, but you never know... Since we know that Spike *can't* tell her what she wants to know, will she take out her frustration (at being the cause of Angel's soullessness) on him?

Excellent chapter, DoS!

Just read the other comments, and wanted to let you know that I agree with pfiefferpack. I'm sure that you'll keep writing the story in your own way. It is, afterall, YOUR story. You have a unique writing style, and the characters in your stories always act completely in character according to the universe that you've created. It wouldn't make sense for the characters to act in any other way. Okay, that's my two cents :)

"'Nobody’s asking you to take the life of someone you love!'" I have always thought that Giles and the Scoobies were a tad too harsh with Buffy when it came to her emotionally difficult slays. I always wished that just one of them would try to see things from Buffy's perspective. She's just a girl--a girl in a long line of mystical warriors--but a girl nonetheless. She didn't choose to be the slayer. Xander, Willow, and Giles all chose to fight against evil, and they knew what they were getting into. I'm not saying that Giles shouldn't have advised Buffy to kill Angel/us, but it would be nice if he at least tried to sympathize with how difficult it would be for a 17-year-old girl to kill the man she loves. I'm a bit older than 17, and if anyone asked me to kill my husband for the good of humanity, I'd tell humanity to f-off :) You've had Buffy try to get Giles to see the situation from her point-of-view, but he ignored it, which of course is completely in character. Good on you :-)

"unaware that his journey into the sunshine had already begun" for some reason this line made me go awwwww... *happy sigh* This is a great chapter :) I really like where this is going, it's a great idea I love the plot, and all the character's interactions are delightful to read!! thanks for a great update, can't wait for the next one!

Yea for Buffy taking Spike outta there! But Giles is being quite the butthead, isn't he? After all that it almost made me a bit surprised he even let Spike in his home. But obviously, he's at least showing some feelings towards the vamp in question beacuse of the poor state Spike's in.

looking forward to more. ;)

LoL, are they going to chain him in the bathtub again and keep him as pet? Oh...and the neck mockage, I love the neck mockage

What a wonderful last line...I can't wait to see the path their journey takes. Slayer blood would heal Spike in a jiffy, but Buffy wouldn't take a step like that now...at this point, they don't trust each other one little bit. I'm looking forward to seeing how you build the trust between them...that's one of the story arcs you do so brilliantly. Please update soon! Alia

I wonder what would happen if the Initiative got hold of Angelus. Dru would probably go bust him out, true, but maybe they'd be better prepared for her this time?
And I wonder what they are doing now, since she got Spike out. HMMM...
Come on, Buffy - come clean about sleeping with Angel already. Ripping the bandaid off quick generally hurts less...

Ah, this makes much more sense now, why she took Spike, what she hopes to gain...and to hide. But Spike hasn't quite figured it out yet that there is something for him to gain as well. Please post more soon.

Oh and regarding some other suggestions..... PLEASE write the story YOUR way and let others write (or not) their way. For every naysayer who believe you need coaching there are dozens more who are totally enraptured with your storytelling. You have your own style, as so we all.....don't worry if a couple just don't like it. Not everyone likes Filet Mignon....some still prefer ground chuck.

Kathleen

Especially love that last line! So nicely put, hon.

Yes scheming indeed. Buffy is going to try her hardest to place the blame on Spike's ritual and Spike is making plans of his own to just survive. Giles is likely the one who will have to sort it all out.

Loved the line from Giles about HOPING that Buffy wasn't able to do the sort of torture that would be needed to "make Spike" do or say anything. Wish Buffy would just open her eyes and see that the condition Spike is in is largely due to her honey and that her honey is far from Angelic!

Excellent.

Kathleen

oh I just gotta say it....

MORE!

Is Buffy still trying to convince herself it was all down to the ritual? Can't wait for the next chapter.

Nice ending to the chapter.

nice story, good to see you aren't falling into your usual pratfals (ie, Make buffy an uber-bitch that can beat people and get away with a tiny apology; make spike into a love sick little bitch). It takes me a while to remember that this is one of your stories, and that is a good thing. It is stretching yourself as a writer, and I hope you continue to write the story as well as you have. Please, don't fall back on your usual suspects. You are better then that.

And I really, really hope you keep this story simple, and don't make a ton of subplots. See my review of your last story for the reason for that.

I'm with Giles.

Poor Spike.....it won't take a lot of blood just for him to be able to answer a couple questions, and then what will he do? She'll want to stake him after she's gotten what she thinks she wants....we know you aren't allowing that, of course, but atm, that still doesn't give Spike a plan....

If Giles finds out about the chip, will he be making his same offer as before?

Well, I've sussed out the sunshine bit, and I look forward to the impending journey :D

Nice chapter.

Awesome chapter DoS.