Always Wait For You by slaymesoftly
Chapter: Ten

11/16/2007 03:53 am
the bantering shows all is not lost on the personal front. very good read, thank you.
oops?

11/16/2007 03:53 am
the bantering shows all is not lost on the personal front. very good read, thank you.
thanks

11/16/2007 03:45 am
the bantering shows all is not lost on the personal front. very good read, thank you.
Things are looking up - relationship-wise, anyway. :)

11/12/2007 12:49 am
Here's hoping Angelus stays as predictable as ever -- or maybe not?
We'll see....

11/11/2007 08:17 pm
Hehe, pissed off daddy vampire. :)
:)

11/10/2007 07:41 pm
Well, at least they acknowledged the 'later'. Don't know what else to say besides I'm still hooked.
Hooked is good. :)

fyreburned
11/10/2007 07:16 pm
Gawd, I'm loving this story!
(Please don't make me eat those words!)
You've got the characterizations down pat. Very nice that Xander didn't, however, revert to idiotic type. So kind of him to act as go-between for Spike and to keep him informed about his children & Buffy as time wore on. Somehow, I'm feeling that the Xan-man might see those kiddies as the closest to any he might ever have if his life is with Faith (not that Faith wouldn't be a good mother, but perhaps she fears she wouldn't, with her past, and perhaps sees her path as strictly Slayer-ish and as Warrior). It's also fascinating that none of Buffy's old cronies, most of who've seen/suspected Spike's continued existence on this plain, have seen fit to mention it to Buffy or to each other...again, growing up and knowing perhaps when to keep something to oneself when important.
I don't understand that Willow isn't being utilized more in this fic, as her, and her witches, talents would/could definitely come in handy; at least, I would think so as the fight w/Angelus & Dru comes on.
Why not call in some of the more senior slayers, which surely, once others behind them were trained, began supervising/troubleshooting/instructing, etc...such as Vi, Rona, etc? Even an S8 Buffy-double would be a good thing here, to throw Angelus off his game---I know, vampire noses would spoil that quickly, but for surprise effect, and I doubt Dru was used to sniffing Buffy... hey, even the S8 Buffy-in-body-bag-double would be a good diversion, and might buy time...OK, I digress...(which I do a lot...)
I liked, that for the most part, I think that you're definitely using the BtVS S7 & AtS S5 Spike's personality, a slightly more serious Spike, more grown-up, more (usually) in control of himself & his demon & his impulsivity; of course, the years he had away from Buffy w/Angel in LA, then his return to mortality and subsequent years to marry Buffy, have children (and as a mortal babies can sure wear your ass down...errr tire you out....errr make you grow up in a hurry (usually, Hank notwithstanding) and establish a life besides slaying even though hand-in-hand with it; in other words, he had time, both as a vampire, then as a human, and apparently still as a vampire again, to realize, recognize and assume real responsibilities to himself, his family (even when not "allowed"), the people he cares about and probably his world/at least life wherever he's been. This Spike seems able to make decisions coherently for the most part, even if his heart IS still worn on his sleeve. And at least we are still treated to a bit of the snark between B&S, not least of which was the expected/nearly obligatory fist-fight between the two of them. Masterful of you to end it so quick, and with the two of them realizing this was something mom's & dad's should not do; and that the two of them did NOT end up in the sack right then and there (not that any of us gentle readers would've minded!)...barbs spoken between the two of them still are only to be expected, no matter HOW grown up they become (visions of Wm. shaking his cane at Buffy come to mind...)...Spike will somehow always feel the need to test the Slayer's mettle at least in verbal battle, and even in the depths of love with continue to complain about the other at least some. The comment about 'marrying a midget' was priceless. Especially as he's SO gargantuan himself!!! (hey, anybody know how tall (& weight?) JM actually is? Have seen estimates of anywhere from 5'6"-5'11", w/5'10" the est'd avg, and 135-200 lbs (know he said someplace he gained wt in B S/7 & A S/5 to minimize nude scenes plus was trying to get off cigs)I know most group publicity still-shots he's standing etc ON something like tires or steps or a riser); next to DB & MB (Riley) he looks 4-6" shorter; to SMG 5-7" taller; to TW of Smallville LOTS shorter, again, 4-6"+?))
Which leads to Buffy---not surprised that she ran away, still, when faced with something, especially involving Spike, that she couldn't handle. And with facing her own mistake(s). But to her credit, she has held down the fort for a number of years, raised her brood, kept 'em relatively happy & safe so far, been a mommy-taxi-service, ain't a spring chicken now, saved the world before that (and maybe since), and bore the weight of the guilt of saving Spike when he rose, sending him away, lying to his children & friends and keeping the secret of it all. Now with the added stress (and probably, knowing Buffy, undeserved self-heaped-on guilt) of Angel's turning to Angelus, a slayer's death, Nina's death and the fear for her life, that of her circle of friends/extended family (yeah, what about DAWN, BTW??? Wouldn't she, and if any, her family etc be a prime target too???) and the safety of mini-slayers and any ensuing casualties there, the gal's shoulders MUST be sagging...that's more than even she should be asked to bear. Add to that the gut-wrenching fear, and guilt, not to mention anger, that just the thought of Angelus brings to her mind every time it wanders to those years, and add to that exactly what Angelus just tried to do with his phone call---throw her back to a time when her younger-self was indecisive at the cost of others, and it adds up to an explanation of why she could easily revert in behavior when she has coped, be it with routine as a net, for the years since Spikes 2d human death.
Please don't let her totally revert to wishy-washy Buffy who can't file her nails w/o someone to tell her how & when & if she may do it. So many authors, especially some AU writers, paint a weak Buffy. It's one thing to get overcome (like she was after Glory stole Dawn), but another to be weak. She is, short of Diana Prince, the epitome of woman power. And the difference w/Spike has always been that he wanted to fight alongside her (or against her sometimes!) and at her back, not to pat her head and tell her to keep the homefires burning in her bare feet at the stove...
Cute that Spike's son turns out with a little pervy streak, wanting to crash with his newfound crush. Also his newly found thing for slayers...wonder if HE will fight right along with them in later years...a watcher in training? IF sequel were to come along, wouldn't THAT be a biggie w/Buffy as she would totally wig that something would bite him like ultimately happened to his father.
And Spike's reaction to his daughter having a talent for magick! Altho' unspoken, I felt like the gist was there, his feelings against the use of magick, hating it's use, even when necessary, even tho' lifesaving at times. It felt like he suddenly had a very bad taste in his mouth when he found out about Joy & magick. I think maybe he wanted her to turn out to be a slayer too. Maybe she has watcher as well in her cards?
I hope that both Will and Joy keep their heads literally & figuratively, and sadly, draw on a maturity that children their ages should not have to have nor use, but that children of a slayer and her circle, would. I hope they do not buckle and hope/think with weakness that they can help Lucy whether she is in thrall under Dru's influence or if turned by either Dru or Angelus (or other). (Begs a question: if a slayer was turned, which is always a big question or a no-no, would she automatically be a minion if not made childer? Would her demon/essence override or supercede that of the vamp demon, whether w/ or w/o soul, for good or for evil? Of course Angelus is going to use Lucy, and did so, to play w/Buffy et al, endanger the kids etc...would he take a chance on turning her? Will already more than halfway thinks it cool to be a vamp, and idolizes the possibility of a "good" vamp, knowing of souled vamp possibilities, and apparently theorizing that since his dad was a good vamp others might be too, or be saveable...SO hope that little talking to sunk in, in this case. And Lucy had become Joy's friend, closer even due to proximity and crisis.
Well, I think I've rivalled my gal ISA (that is Yzba, right?)in post-length. Like her, you had me bawlin' from the get-go of the prologue, and swept up into the story from that moment on. At first, I stalled reading this, as I knew it was going to be sad, angsty, but now I'm so glad I braved the beginning and read on.
Your fics are always great, so worth the read. And are appreciated. Even tho' we clamor for more, we are thankful for what you do give us readers.
Thanx again,
~~K.~~
~~fyreburned~~
fyreburned@yahoo.com


Wow! I think I can safely say that this is the longest review that I've ever received. :) I'm so pleased that the story has touched you so much that you would take that much time and effort to tell me how you feel about it. I certainly hope that you don't have to eat your words by the time it's completed, and that you continue to enjoy it. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. :)

11/10/2007 03:46 pm
ok Im caught up again!! MORE MORE MORE I just love this story!!!!!
:) Thanks.

11/10/2007 03:20 pm
Well, at least they're talking, even if it's just related to the current crisis.
Talking is good - as you say, even if it's crisis-related. Thanks for reading. :)

Mr. Chaos
11/10/2007 05:41 am
While this was a good chapter, I can't help but notice the mistake: Locator spell on Lucy. Willow is uber witch...probably could teleport the entire Slayer Army to the hideout instantly.

But then, wherewould bethe drama? So Imust try and ignore that small hole.
You are 100% correct! Major plot hole! Gah! Thanks for pointing it out. *goes off muttering about how to fix/explain the lack of locator spell to find missing Slayer without losing drama.*

Pam S
11/10/2007 03:45 am
Poor Lucy. Flashback of Season 2. Soon to be tortured by Angelus and Dru. Waiting for the Spike surprise. And the personal conversation b/w Buffy and Spike are drawing them closer
along with protecting their children. And I do want a different Spike. And for Buffy to have to work for it. I'm sorry is not something that comes out of her mouth very often.

I did enjoy the puppylove between Buffy and Angel. Preferred the character of Angelus in Buffy Season 2 although I think the best acting Mr. B did was with James in the last season of Angel.

Enjoying.
Thanks. I"m glad that you're still enjoying it. :)

11/10/2007 03:32 am
Oh, I absolutely love the interaction between Spike and Buffy; that "I married a midget" remark was fantastic. It's the same sort of half-snarky, half-fond remarks most couples make, if they've been together any length of time. You've really got that sense of familiarity down pat for them, even if they have been separated for years. Please, please update again soon; and then update again. And then, one more. And maybe another chapter, if you've got time. OK???
LOL Another chapter tomorrow. There are only four more to go. :)