bleary eyes or no, I'm going to try to stay the course--thank you for letting their eyes and hearts open together, I get a little frustrated by the hand of Calaban, arbitrary and harshly uncaring.  I don't know why I want their love to be, just know it feels so good when you let them slide together--two bodies, one soul, halves of the whole.  What a helluva deal love can be.....and that Spike proves the exception to the rule that pretty men can't kiss for beans......

bleary eyes or no, I'm going to try to stay the course--thank you for letting their eyes and hearts open together, I get a little frustrated by the hand of Calaban, arbitrary and harshly uncaring.  I don't know why I want their love to be, just know it feels so good when you let them slide together--two bodies, one soul, halves of the whole.  What a helluva deal love can be.....and that Spike proves the exception to the rule that pretty men can't kiss for beans......

bleary eyes or no, I'm going to try to stay the course--thank you for letting their eyes and hearts open together, I get a little frustrated by the hand of Calaban, arbitrary and harshly uncaring.  I don't know why I want their love to be, just know it feels so good when you let them slide together--two bodies, one soul, halves of the whole.  What a helluva deal love can be.....and that Spike proves the exception to the rule that pretty men can't kiss for beans......

bleary eyes or no, I'm going to try to stay the course--thank you for letting their eyes and hearts open together, I get a little frustrated by the hand of Calaban, arbitrary and harshly uncaring.  I don't know why I want their love to be, just know it feels so good when you let them slide together--two bodies, one soul, halves of the whole.  What a helluva deal love can be.....and that Spike proves the exception to the rule that pretty men can't kiss for beans......

That was perfect -- it blew me away!

So glad that Buffy and Spike are on their way to reconciling! (I think they are, at least. Unless you pull a surprise :) I hope Buffy tells him that she was walking the streets in London trying to protect him from Dru, and why exactly she refused his proposal the first time, so he doesn't think she started out trying to lie to him. Great chapter!

Delicous reunion. Excellent writing as always!

Did I not comment on this chapter? I could have sworn that I did. I know I had thoughts. Maybe I forgot 'cause I read through it to beta. Anyway...

There's tons of good shit in this chapter, but I've been typing all day, so I'm gonna keep it short. Well, short for me, anyway :-P

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: You have a wonderfully refreshing knack for turning a phrase. "Like a funhouse mirror of who you were" is this chapter's gem. What a perfect way to convey who Spike is in comparison to his human self. He's still the same, but the reflection is distorted. That doesn't even take into account the irony of vamps having no relfection :-)

There have been some great last lines in your tale, but “Let’s not do that again" takes the cake. It's so simple, but all the pain and heartache that the two of them have caused and endured are behind Buffy's words. We feel Spike and Buffy's relief as well as our own. It's as though we held a collective breath through the chapter and breathed a sigh of relief with them.

ohhh how I love this story
Please keep writing, pretty please

very good read, luv. thank you. it is always difficult to decide who is the bigger ass, angel or giles.

Beautiful!

......YAAAAAAAY! seriously....seriously yay!...ok because these two and all their drama were gonna turn all of my hair gray....I'm sure there is some more classic UB trickery in store, but that is ok, because at least I have this moment!
Thanks for this chapter, it was fantastic.

You're very good at last lines - I find that yours make me forget the whole rest of the chapter, so I have to re-read to remember the build up.

I'm relieved that this fic isn't finished yet...things are looking up, but I'm not ready for the story to end.

I was wondering when the ring would come back into play. This was the perfect place for it.

Beautiful

yes Yes YES!!!!

wonderful update, UB!! What a lovely early Christmas gift you've given your readers.
Loved how you wrote Giles - how he manipulated Spike with the truth.
The bit with Dawn at the door was well done - her fear and his misunderstanding of it.
And you left us with that dangling pregnancy still, too.

Whew what an awesome fight!

I guess being laid up means you putting out another great chapter. Not that I want you to go hurting yourself again. Hope you are feeling even better today.

I would like to think this means that things would go well for them but I know you won't make this easy. There is Giles to consider not to mention Xander. I'm looking forward to seeing the reactions of the other scoobies as well. If Buffy and Spike go public. Oh, and btw, I'm wondering when you are going to be bringing Glory back into the story? Will we ever find out where she is? Then there is the fact that Buffy didn't comment or retort to Spike's quip on them having a baby. Still waiting on a definitive answer on that. No surprise to me that your keeping us waiting.

This chapter was a strange one for me in that nothing really jumped out at me as my favorite part or line. So I guess I'll go with...
* One world-class prat, he thought bitterly.* It's emotionally genuine. It speaks volumes of his own self loathing. And that even though he tries he's helpless to control his need to be with her.

It's the start they needed, one he's been waiting over a hundred years for. I know it's petty but I can't wait for Giles to find out. He's so full of hatred for Spike, he's no idea the humanity still left in him. So happy she's giving them a chance. Hoping this is just the beginning for them, the beginning of the life they started in 1880.

What a fantastic chapter, thanks Cam, I'm still bouncing with excitement! Have a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

BEAUTIFUL! More soon please!

WOW! So good. absolutely love that last line - Austen-esque without being cheesy. Awesome

Thank you for another mesmerizing chapter. *chokes back a sob* Thank you.

I love it!!!!
They are finally getting together, Spike and Dawn are friends. Things are of the good.
I hope she deals with her "friends" soon cause they are getting really annoying.
Its a great chapter can't wait for the next.

Bloody Perfect.

This chapter was wonderful. The last of the scene between Spike, really Spike not pretending to be William, and Buffy was beautiful. At the same time, Giles and Dawn and Spike's drinking were all clearly realistic from what we know of canon. Watching Spike hurting himself with thoughts of Buffy and what she thought and what she was doing with Angel and then seeing him react that way to Buffy returning, making Buffy angry... I was petrified they'd leave like that and convince themselves they hated the other.
Great chapter and it leaves a reader desperate to know, Where do they go from here?

This chapter was wonderful. The last of the scene between Spike, really Spike not pretending to be William, and Buffy was beautiful. At the same time, Giles and Dawn and Spike's drinking were all clearly realistic from what we know of canon. Watching Spike hurting himself with thoughts of Buffy and what she thought and what she was doing with Angel and then seeing him react that way to Buffy returning, making Buffy angry... I was petrified they'd leave like that and convince themselves they hated the other.
Great chapter and it leaves a reader desperate to know, Where do they go from here?

DAMN. This was some unbelievable writing. I can't wait to see what happens next. This has been such an amazing story! It should be bound and published.

OH what a PERFECT, beautiful chapter! Gut wrenching emotions throughout and two sad hurt people finally SEEING each other aside from all the clutter of bad decisions and choices.

You made me cry when he said it would have been different had she been there, that he could have been good. I believe that. Had William the Bloody had someone worthy to love who wished for him to BE good, he would have (even the version on the show). He became what he was to please Dru (and in this story out of anger and frustration). He always was willing to be whatever pleased those he loved, it was/is his nature. Heartbreaking for its truth.

Hope Buffy puts her foot down HARD on Giles and the Scoobies. She may waver on starting up with Spike for a bit (and why do I think he may head off for that soul knowing her opinion of its necessity for good choices?) in time but I think she'll have to acknowledge the love is there.

Hon this entire story hasn't had one false note, one wrong word. I mean this compared to "professional" books, not just fanfic when I say it is one of the best written, most cohesive tales put into writing. I have adored every single aspect of it from the romance to the tragedy, the descent of a good man to a depraved monster and the struggle back again. Jim is loving it just as much as I am.

I really do see you becoming a "professional" author in time should you choose but even if you don't you have created a work that will stand the test of time with this one.

In awe as ever,
Kathleen

What a wonderful, beautiful chapter. I can't imagine anything that would have made that better! I loved everything about it.

YAY! I'm so happy you updated, and it's such a good chapter too!

Thank you. That's all I can say. Thank you. Awesome chapter. Please update again. I was literally on the edge of my seat the entire time, with tears in my eyes. So again, I say Thank you.

Keep going.... I know with the holidays coming updates will be delayed so thanks so much for this one.

Wow, that was one hell of an emotionally-loaded chapter. Fantastic work! Keep up the good work.

Okay, that was incredibly painful...followed by incredibly sweet. *sigh* Knowing them they'll be getting right back to painful again soon...but I do hope not!
To say that the Scoobies aren't going to be happy is probably the grossest understatement possible. lol

Awwww! A very soothing balm onto every aching heart.

They both hurt one another, but they also both care so much. At least Buffy's accepted that he's still there, that even though he's changed so much, William still exists.

Definitely want to see what comes of these new breakthroughs. I know Giles sure isn't going to take it well...

guh.

that was...so very good. i don't have anything more constructive to say. it was just so very very good and i need to go be choked up somewhere else now.

darn you.

Let's hope this dance of theirs stops being two steps forward and one-and-a-half steps back. It must be love--nobody could forgive as many hurtful things as they both have without being hopelessly in love with each other. I am trying to figure out just who is going to trigger the next batch of Buffy remorse and guilt over being with someone who is not human. Or initiate the next 'but it's for your *own good*' round of Buffy mental anguish.

I love this story!!! Please keep it coming! Any possibility that the baby angle might come through? It would be beautiful for William and his mother. I'm glad they're being honest with themselves and each other now. Thank you for still writing.

Okay, I was ready to kill you when Buffy was going to storm out after say that he killed his mother. But I'm so happy he finally cleared things up. No, correction. I'm happy Buffy decided to grow up and go talk to him, no matter how painful it was. It's good. It's a starting point.

And Giles. He's back on my hit list. Ponce.

I really enjoyed this chapter. Again, I was so thrilled when I saw the update. I know, I know, it's hard writing and stuff, or finding time to do it. But I hope you get one more update in before the New Year. Please, with sugar... err, naked Spike on top, lol.

Wonderful update!

You had me thinking Spike would ruin his chances for a good while with his temper, and then with utterly believable lurches, brought them to this tenderness.

I'm too cynical to believe it'll last, but it's a gift nonetheless. Thank you.

“Let’s not do that again.”

I really hope this holds true since the others are going to make it very difficult for them to be together. Wonderful update. :)

Bout bloody time some sense was knocked into those two! And honestly...I was thinking about this the other night, actually--Angelus perverted him; dashed his romantic notions of love and so forth, and wanted to remake him in his image. And had William had proper, um "good" guidance when he was first turned, I don't think it would've made much of a difference. I hope those crazy kids make it in this fic.

And yes--I'm still bountyful with my hope :D

Aaahh! HEEE!! He got the story out before she ran this time!! OMG!

She's kissing him now, but oh, things with Buffy are never easy....*iz scared*