I am fascinated with the idea of Buffy being with Xander after Chosen, but then everything changes when she learns that Spike is alive. I'm thinking to write a Spike/Buffy story post both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel with this theme when I learn how to write a story.

My question is, how will you break Buffy and Xander? I would like to be so fair with all the characters, especially not including a phrase like "Spike is much better and more attractive than Xander" because it'll only make Buffy shallow and childish. I want the choice to be really hard, no easy way out, no abusive, bigot Xander, because well, this is after Chosen, meaning we are dealing with a mature, understanding, less funny Xander.

What do you think? How should I break them up? How would Buffy know that Spike is alive? Basically make up your own version of the story.

sure go ahead and start with the easy question (not)...this is a timeless pain in the arse question..how to choose between your bestfriend and your boyfriend.  Each man knows you intimitley, and you cant live without either one.  In my own case my bestfriend and I talked it out..every honest inch of it.  (He's still my bestfriend & now has a lovely wife) (Best friends don't breakup they let go)

As for how would Buffy know that Spikes alive:  Nothing is worse than running into someone unexpected on the street, or seeing them and not being able to reach them.

Hope this helps a little. 

Randi Giles

Thank you so much, I can't believe you went through that situation, that must have been real hard.

Running into Spike would probably be the worse way possible to know he's alive, not to mention Spike's reaction.

I'm not sure where to place Buffy: Scotland, Rome and better yet London with Giles. I must think this through.

If you're planning on basing it off the comics so far (which I think is where the idea came from, if I remember the thread where this came up), then I think there's a lot of groundwork for a decent Buffy/Xander relationship. Xander has definitely grown up and matured, and his role in the new Watchers' Council puts him on pretty equal footing with Buffy, so it wouldn't be an easy or obvious decision for her when Spike shows up. If it were me, I'd want it to be more than just "well, Xander was the only guy around, so Buffy hopped into bed with him," but I do think there's an element that plays into their relationship. They (and Willow) have been through so much together that it really would be impossible for them to find someone who knows them and understands them as well as they know each other. So, really, they're the only ones for each other. (Spike is obviously another option for Buffy, but as far as she knows, he's dead.) So, I can understand them feeling that connection, that intimacy, and turning it into a relationship. And I think it would work, but it probably wouldn't have the same fire that Buffy had with Angel or Spike (her "great loves").

When she finds out Spike is alive, she'd be faced with possibly losing her best friend if she dumps Xander to go back to Spike. But, on the other hand, can she really pass up this chance to be with Spike? It's a weighing of her options - Xander is comforting, dependable, and probably a pretty safe relationship; Spike is passionate, intense, and has caused her a lot of pain. Buffy has always wanted the safe relationship (Riley), but is drawn to the painful ones (Angel, Spike). Both of them can bring out the best and the worst in her in their own ways. 

As for how it would actually happen, I could see Buffy being out on a mission or something, or in London visiting Giles, and accidentally running into Spike. She'd be feeling the desire to rekindle things, but would probably hold off, because of Xander. She'd go back to Scotland, but things wouldn't be right with Xander. Maybe Spike would end up there, too, in order to keep the choice hanging over her head (she can't just forget about Spike), until finally she's forced to make a decision. Maybe she admits to Xander that she still loves Spike, or maybe Xander confronts her with the fact that he knows.

I think it'd be hard, and angsty, but since they are best friends, I would hope that Xander would be happy for her in the end (and surely he could find happiness with another Slayer out of the hundreds that he works with). I really, honestly think he's past his high school crush on her by this point, so I don't think he needs to be bitter or jealous.

That was probably a lot more than you needed, but this is an idea I've been thinking about since the topic came up on the other thread.

That was really great, and it gave me a lot of ideas. I won't do it exactly like yours because these are your thoughts and I won't steal them, but you helped me a lot. I feel the urge to write my story at this moment. Thanks to both of you.

The days of jealous Xander are over at this stage of his life, so don't worry about that. I still find the Spike parts a little hard to connect with everything, for example why is he in London? What's his actual reason for not telling Buffy sooner that he's alive? I expect Buffy to give him a good one for hiding the truth from her all that time and now it's too late, she's with Xander now. I can see Buffy throwing that fact in his face as an angry reaction, which she might regret later.

reading into AtS Season 5, I always believed that the reason Spike never told Buffy he was alive was down to one factor- fear. In a nutshell, Spike didn't want to go back to her to find out that she didn't love him. While he was away from her he could hold onto that, and make himself believe that she did, despite his doubts. I also think that it would take a lot for him to admit that.

He could also be in London on Wolfram and Hart buisness- whether for or against them, as they *must* have a branch there too.

I think, plain and simple, Buffy would realize she loves Spike more.  Or maybe she wouldn't realize it consciously, but Xander would see it, and know it, cause that's what he does.  I see a scene kinda like in Checkpoint, the whole "If he's the guy, don't let him go speech."  Especially adding in the fact that they both lost the most significant loves in their lives on the same day--like if Xander could have the chance to make it right with Anya, to be with her again, I think he'd take the chance.  I haven't read any of the new stuff, but I have trouble buying that Buffy and Xander would have passion for one another.  Love, yes, friendship, totally, but after "Restless" the tone is wrong for them to be lovers.  It seems to me more rebound, as they see each other as safe havens in the face of their grief.  But that's just me.