I completely forgot about the "Little Girl in the Coal-bin" story. When did Spike tell Dawn that one? During Crush, maybe. Whatever.
I love this story. Great insight to Spike's character and how he got to be the "big bad" he is...was anyway.

Thank you x a billion for the update!

“Perisher!” if angelus said it, he must be giving himself a new name. if spike said it, he was simply accurately describing angelus. excellent read, thank you.

Ah, the dreaded coal-bin story. I'm glad to see that although not in its complete form, Spike wasn't lying to Dawn when he told the end of it.

This is another fantastic chapter. Everything feels real, authentic, in charachter. I could repeat what other reviewers have written, but I'll just say that I agree with them.

Angelus "saving" Spike was a fascinating piece of insight in his charachter. No one kills Spike but Angelus. Spike is his property. The killing of the Dutch slayer was without honour and without intent. It was all about Angelus, and if this is what he refers to when he utters "one of us" after Spike has killed the Chinese Slayer, well, that speaks volumes about him.

I also found it very fitting that Spike should use the words "Jesus Christ" when he hears Angelus' voice in his ear. -...and "sentiment"? such a good choice!

The little details that you add to your story (the Dutch doors, the use of the old word “perisher”) really help to make the period piece to seem authentic. Those little touches show how much time and thought that you put into your writing.

The coal-bin girl! You take the littlest canonical events, change them just slightly, and insert them into your own UB-verse :-) That’s what I’ve been talking about when I’ve told you that you could insert your story into canon almost seamlessly.

The little girl’s features scream Buffy: round face, bow-shaped lips, blonde hair, big hazel eyes. Not just her physical appearance, but her actions, as well. She hides when her older brothers are too scared to even know when their mother is trying to get them to run (love “eyes stupid with fear.” Such a uniquely vivid turn of phrase). She doesn’t cry when her family is killed, not giving herself away (unfortunately, she does have to breath :-P ). And she waits until the coast is clear to escape. In other words, she handles the situation much like Buffy would have; she is brave even though the odds are against her. Was that whispering voice telling Spike that to kill this little girl would be to keep Buffy from coming to be? ;-)

Do you think that canon Spike really did let the canon coal-bin girl go? Knowing how he was with Dawn, and his soft spot for women, maybe he really did give her to a nice family :-)

Yeah, we short squat types can be deceptively fast and strong. Hee hee! Loved the interaction between Spike and the Dutch slayer.

The second part of this story is absolutely incredible. The writing is spectacular and the story is fascinating.

A throwaway comment from the show, brought to life by your capable hand. And nice touch, making her Buffy's ancestor! Waiting patiently for the next update.

Angelus killed the slayer? Interesting change in events.

I loved the little girl in the coal bin LOL... and I imagine 'and then I fucked Dru sensless against a wall while she escaped' isn't exactly something he would want to tell Dawn in front of Buffy!

I missed chapter 36, so i had to read both this one and the last update. I really enjoyed both of them, and I liked how you made Spike stand up to Angelus, but of course he just had to get him back. i also enjoyed how Dru chose Spiek over her Daddy and stayed with him, and helping him get in shelter before the sun rose. I'm very much looking foward to your next chapter. I'm enjoying the Adventures of Spike and Dru, I don't want them to end. ^_^

I loved it. Can't what for the next update. I loved the coal bin bit.

Your words jump off the screen and come to life in my imagination. Thank you.

Suuuure he is! lol
Brilliant update, well worth the wait. I hope things are going well for you. Keep bringing us this magic!

Wonderful chapter -- so atmospheric. I loved the kiddie in the coalbin catch. Fabulous stuff.

Lovely chapter! It was certianly worth the wait. :)

For some reason, this line tickled me pink: "their eyes stupid with fear." Ask me no questions, UB...

And, Angelus, really! He was just as insolent with the Master (yes, I know, circumstances were different, lol. The Master not having a sexual interest in him, after all).

As for the little girl in the coal bin- you could've taken that one of two ways, but I like the way you handled it. Though I must wonder if he ate her in canon, being a "veal kind of guy," after all. He's still drowning in her, and doesn't fully realize it... Oh wow- just had a thought- what does this mean for your version of "School Hard?" Oh, so many questions (bounces in seat). Can't wait for the update!! Will we be in the House of Pain? (twirls excitedly)

I really shouldn't write reviews so late at night...

Well, well....

And no more Angelus for 17 years? That's a bit of a surprise....if only because of Dru and her relationship with her sire.

So Spike figured out that he's not old enough to face Slayer after Slayer, yet....I'm interested in how you will improve his skills.

This was very much worth the wait. You did it up right. I love what you did with the coal bin girl story. I like how you didn't go with the presumed killing of the child nor the story that he "gave her to a loving family". My favorite bit...

*He also thought that if Dru whined one more time about not liking the way Dutch people tasted, he would abandon her in the charred ruins after said burning.* It made me laugh what can I say? :D

Also enjoyed the description in the next paragraph about his fluctuating mood. I could just see him filled with the pent up emotions boiling over. Angelus was a surprise to see but a nice one. Don't want to assume that you are going to jump ahead a bit in the time frame but I hope you do to the Boxer Rebellion period. Keep up the amazing work!

Thanks for the update. I bet Spike's done with slayers for a while. How embarrassing for him, Angelus was waiting for them for nearly a year. Glad he didn't kill the child though. Helps to keep some of his humanity to feel the difference. so excited about this, I hope you'll have the time to post again soon, thanks UB, really enjoyed it.

I'm so glad you updated. Your story has me completely hooked (I can't get enough of the epic-fics, even if it KILLS to wait for each installment). Great stuff, keep it up!

Awww! Coal bin girl! It always seemed like the end of the story in Crush would have been, "And then I killed her," if Buffy hadn't walked in, so I'm curious whether the reason he finds killing children to be wrong has to do with Elizabeth.

Loved the contrast between this Slayer and the last one - and I was definitely surprised that Angelus popped up to kill her, since Spike claims Angelus had never done it.

Curious to see where it goes from here... and definitely worth the wait. (But, uh, if you happened to post the next chapter a little more quickly, I wouldn't complain. ;))

Fantastic chapter! Love your take on the coal bin child...sounds right (that wee voice of William still alive though overpowered for the most part).

Angelus is perfectly in character too.

Love the contrast in Slayers and Spike having certain expectations frmo them to be met to make the kill "worth it".

Still the most extraordinary story out there and this chapter continues that legacy.

Kathleen

Excellent as always. Interesting how Spike has sunk so low that he isn't bothered when Drusilla is torturing children, yet he can still let another one go. Just when I thought William was totally wiped out, he peaks out again. Loved the Slayer - what a brute.

great chapter. Can't wait to read the update.