Normal Is Just a Word by slaymesoftly

01/24/2016 09:48 am
Nineteen         
Love the transcendent ending.
Thank you.

07/08/2013 06:37 pm
Nineteen         
  Yeah ok, that was an awesome ending to.
LOL See? It wasn't finished yet.  Glad you liked it.

Tiffany0314
04/14/2012 07:19 am
Nineteen         
Is there a sequel to this story? Please let me know at tiffany0314@ymail.com tiffany0314(at)ymail.com
This story was an absolute masterpiece, just like all of your work is. I never thought to interpret Buffy in this way, but now that you put it out there, I find it to be a wonderful interpretation of the underlying workings/meaning of the show. Awesome.
Thank you, Tiffany. I'm glad you liked it. However, I have no plans for a sequel as that would mean I had to say for sure what happened at the end of this one, and I don't want to do that. I want readers to be able to decide for themselves if Buffy would be going back to her AH "real world" and Will, or if she is dying along with Spike and will go back to the Heaven she was in before Willow brought her back.  I like leaving it up the the reader which ending they would prefer. But thanks for reading :)

bec
03/11/2012 06:58 am
Nineteen         
omg so ya that was good. im gonna go try not to kill myself now :/ 
LOL Please don't! I'm glad you liked it. :)

08/16/2011 09:21 pm
Nineteen         
Yeah... had a feeling that was where you were going with that...  and I didn't mind at all.

You took what may be my least favorite episode of the entire series...  (well, that and Doublemeat Palace) and somehow you turned it into something exceptional.  You have this talent thing...  In spades. 

Impressed,

Blue
Thank you. I'm glad it didn't add to the urge for violence. :)  

Deb
07/20/2010 04:33 am
Nineteen         
Thank you for your story.  This has been an interesting read, because it does twist reality, and you just don't know which reality you want to root for.  Death is her gift as an ending.  I always appreciate your stories, they are inventive and thorough.  I do love your Spuffy, keep writing.
Thank you so much. I'm glad you found it interesting and enjoyable. :)

wolf116
07/11/2010 03:08 am
Nineteen         
Please tell me there's a sequel in the making.

This is too good to just end there.
Thank you. But that is where it ends. For now anyway.   I'm glad you liked it. :)

Thx.
07/09/2010 01:28 am
Nineteen         
 
Thanks for reading. :)

Deb
05/19/2010 08:02 pm
Nineteen         
Wow, unexpected but suitable ending.  Clever.  Thanks for taking us through this journey. 
I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for reading. :)

05/19/2010 01:58 am
Nineteen         
Totally surprised by this ending but it all made sense.  Wonderful!
Thank you. I'm glad it worked for you.

ya_lublyu_tebya
05/17/2010 08:37 pm
Nineteen         
Oh. Wow. That was a breathtaking ending! I loved every single moment of this story.
Thank you so much. I'm really pleased that you like it. :)

calminthechaos
05/16/2010 11:42 pm
Nineteen         
WHOAH!!!!!! Do we get an epilogue?
Nope. You're free to imagine your own epilogue. :)  Thanks for reading.

05/16/2010 11:13 pm
Nineteen         
Aaaahhh, now I'm crying.  Way to go it was the perfect ending to a wonderful story.  Thanks for the ride!!
Thanks for reading. I'm so glad you liked it.

05/16/2010 09:27 pm
Nineteen         
Very nice story.  Wish there had been some Will scenes say during the Normal Again stretch. 
Thanks. Um, why do you think there were no Will scenes during the Normal again parts? He made several appearances, including being the one to let Buffy go back and fulfill her duties. I hope you didn't miss those chapters! :)

05/16/2010 06:45 am
Nineteen         
I liked the ending. Was wondering about Will.
Thank you. :)

Dayna
05/16/2010 04:48 am
Nineteen         
I feel so empty...hahahah...
Sorry? :) Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it.

05/16/2010 12:04 am
Nineteen         
Did Spike have it right when he said it was a pity fuck... and did Buffy find Will?  An chance of an epilogue maybe?
No, I don't think it was a pity fuck. I think Buffy genuinely wanted to physically express how she felt about him. Not planning an epilogue, though. I like leaving it up to the readers to decide if that's it, or if she's returned to the "real world". 

kim
05/15/2010 10:08 pm
Nineteen         
The end? The END? They both die and that's it?
Well, that depends on which one you think is the real world...  *evil laugh*

05/14/2010 03:13 am
Eighteen         
He sent Spike away so he couldn't stop what Giles knew was going to happen.  hmm I never thought of that, Giles did seem to send Spike away for a reason, but ... 

It's debatable. Spike and Andrew did come back with some information for Buffy. And one of my betas felt that the revolt was spontaneous rather than planned, so...  To some of us, however,  it seemed just a little too convenient that he had a mission for Spike that same day that Buffy was going to be "fired".  Coincidence? Who knows?

05/14/2010 01:17 am
Eighteen         
It always rankled with me how Buffy was thrown out and then it was treated like nothing much had happened.  At least she's really appreciating Spike this time round.
*nods* Yeah, she was pretty forgiving there, wasn't she? I think she appreciated Spike then, too. She was just less inclined to be forthcoming with the apprication. :)

kim
05/09/2010 11:59 am
Eighteen         
Depressing end to the chapter.

Nice to see her not so clammed-up earlier, though.
She's different... but not that different. :) Thanks for reading.

Dayna
05/09/2010 06:12 am
Eighteen         
Damn Buffy and her doubts and damn everyone for kicking her out! Haha, I'll be back for the next chapter!
Next chapter, next weekend. :)

05/09/2010 06:11 am
Eighteen         


nojiri23
05/09/2010 01:19 am
Eighteen         
a very nice reworking of season 7 thus far.  intriguing! 
Thank you. I hope you enjoy the rest of it. :)

:-)
07/09/2010 01:12 am
Seventeen         
 
Thanks.

05/14/2010 03:08 am
Seventeen         
The scene with the postcard was good.  You're hurrying the story too much here, I think.  Also, what's happening with Will?  Is Buffy even thinking about him?
I'm glad you like it.  Hmmm - that's been an ongoing problem - either hurrying the story too much, or spending too much time dwelling on canon events that everyone already knows about. Truth is, though, summers don't even exist in canon, so I don't feel like skipping through all but a few scenes is rushing too much. But duly noted. Thanks!  And, no, Buffy has committed herself to seeing through her life as the Slayer. She probably does dream of Will from time to time, but tries not to.

Dayna
05/09/2010 05:58 am
Seventeen         
Awe!! Yay! Great Chapter and I'm onto the next one.
Thanks - hope you enjoy.

05/02/2010 04:23 pm
Seventeen         
Lots of maturing going on...on all sides.
As there should be... :)

05/02/2010 10:23 am
Seventeen         
Yikes, I'm surprised Buffy' isn't longing for her other world.
Well, I'd be surprised if she wasn't, but she did make a conscious decision to go where she was most needed...

nojiri23
05/02/2010 06:20 am
Seventeen         
 *sniff*  great update.
Thank you.

kim
05/02/2010 04:34 am
Seventeen         

Thanks for reading. :)

07/08/2013 05:56 pm
Sixteen         
   I was going to write that this story could have ended here- 
"You're playing my song," she said, almost with enthusiasm, pulling out her stake and sprinting forward, Spike on her heels, his coat flapping behind him.
And it would have been a perfect ending for me.  However the rest of the chapter turned out to be pretty damn good.also.

  I still think that what I wrote down above was a damn near perfect ending, but I am glad there is more.
LOL  It could have ended there, I guess, but there was more story to tell. :) Thanks for reading. I'm glad you're enjoying it.

01/17/2011 09:29 pm
Sixteen         
I am really enjoying this story....
Thank you for telling me. I hope you continue to enjoy it.

05/13/2010 04:01 am
Sixteen         
Don't wait up - oh boy  :)  Great chapter. 
Thank you. :)

05/01/2010 12:46 am
Sixteen         
Very balance scenes with just the right combination of contentness and angst.  That stubborn denial just won't go away, will it?
Nope. Queen of de Nile - that's Buffy. :)

Dayna
04/28/2010 10:10 am
Sixteen         
That damn Buffy! I wonder what's gonna happen after Spike gets his soul (or am I making the wrong assumption? hahah)!
Right assumption. :) We'll find out on Saturday.

04/26/2010 12:03 pm
Sixteen         
Sometimes I would really love to smack Buffy till she sees what is really there!  Love the update!
Glad you liked it. :)

04/25/2010 03:41 pm
Sixteen         
Oh, wow. On the edge of my seat, here.
I love this story so much! Can't wait for the next chapter to see how exactly Spike's going to fix things.
I'm glad you're still enjoying it.  We'll see next Saturday. :)

04/25/2010 10:27 am
Sixteen         
I much preferred this way to get Spike on his mission, even though it still stings.  Nicely done.
Thank you.:)

kim
04/25/2010 05:03 am
Sixteen         
Ahh.....so that's how you get him to get a soul and/or a heartbeat. Poor Spike.....he's trying so hard and Buffy doesn't make it easy. Her being nice and a friend gives him more respect than he had before, but at the same time, there are a lot of rules and he's still not allowed to love her like he feels.
*nods* Yep, he  thinks the soul will fix everything. Of course, we already know how well that goes, don't we?

:-)
07/08/2010 07:39 pm
Fifteen         
 
:)

05/13/2010 03:53 am
Fifteen         
Oh, poor Will.  That was so so sad.
*hands you a tissue*

Dayna
04/21/2010 09:42 am
Fifteen         
Aw, I'm sad for Will, but excited for Spike!!! : D
Seems as though he's won, doesn't it?  We'll see...

calminthechaos
04/19/2010 10:55 pm
Fifteen         
GAH!
That was...I dont' know...I want this to have a happy ending...but for some reason I prefer Will over Spike. That's weird for me. Saturday can't come soon enough for an update!
LOL Sorry? 

04/18/2010 09:53 am
Fifteen         
I can only hope she'll see Spike in a kinder light after this.
I suspect Will is going to have quite an impact on her feelings toward Spike; although, maybe not quite as much as we might hope...

nojiri23
04/18/2010 06:09 am
Fifteen         
 this just keeps getting better and better!  i'm torn between which world is where she'd be happiest!
Thank you. I hope you continue to enjoy it. :)

04/18/2010 04:31 am
Fifteen         
Very poignant. So sad...
Alas. There was no way to make everybody happy.

BuffyRat
04/18/2010 12:41 am
Fifteen         
I just love how he understands her.  Amazing.  Update soon. 
Thank you. :)

04/17/2010 10:38 pm
Fifteen         
Wonderful update! I have to say it leaves me scratching my head, but  oh well, there's always the next chapter.
Head scratching is good. :)

baycmnx
05/21/2010 09:57 pm
Fourteen         
?

05/13/2010 03:49 am
Fourteen         
Very nice the way you're filling in the missing scenes between Spike and Buffy as well as the Will and Buffy.
Thank you. I'm glad it's working for you.

Dayna
04/16/2010 09:44 am
Fourteen         
Great chapter, I'll be back for next week's...and the week after that and the one after that!
Thank you. I hope you continue to like it.

nojiri23
04/15/2010 06:19 am
Fourteen         
 really love this story and where it's going...
Thank you. I hope you continue to like it. :)

04/11/2010 08:10 pm
Fourteen         
Loving the storyline but seriously hoping that she can incorporate both worlds ..somehow...someway.. 
It would be nice to have both Will and Spike happy, wouldn't it?  Probably not possible though...

04/11/2010 03:23 pm
Fourteen         
Boy do I hope she remembers about Willow's shaky boundaries if she gets to stay in this world.  I really can't blame her for wanting to go back though, thanks for the update.
Thanks for reading!

04/11/2010 11:19 am
Fourteen         
No wonder Buffy prefers happy land, what with dodgy Willow and superhelpful Dawn, who can blame her!
LOL

calminthechaos
04/11/2010 03:12 am
Fourteen         
I've been waiting all day for this!!!
I had a thought: Buffy's doctor seemed to want her story pretty bad, is she the one returning Buffy to Sunnyhell so she can get more of the story?? That would be cruel and awesome.
Thanks for the update! Still addicted!!!
LOL - No, she isn't - but that would have been an amazing plotline!  *runs off to figure out if it can be inserted somehow/somewhere.*

05/13/2010 03:43 am
Thirteen         
Xander you big jerk.  Great Spuffy conversation
Thanks!

04/11/2010 07:53 pm
Thirteen         
Choking back tears here...
*hands you a tissue*

04/10/2010 02:57 pm
Thirteen         
Please let it be a better ending than Joss' season six!!  Begging here cause I really like where you seem to be going with this.
Hmmm - well, a little bit different, obviously, but I don't know about better. Bad things could still happen.

time of change
04/10/2010 01:16 pm
Thirteen         
I am really enjoying this story.  Haven't been great about feedback, but this chapter moved me so much!
Thank you for telling me. I'm so glad you're enjoying it. :)

04/10/2010 11:43 am
Thirteen         
But will Buffy tell?  It would be better for everyone if only she could summon up the courage.
I doubt she'll go into great detail, but she has to tell them something. :)

Dayna
04/10/2010 07:13 am
Thirteen         
Oh man!!! I wonder what Xander and Willow will think and hopefully Buffy tells them!
We'll find out, I guess...

calminthechaos
04/08/2010 06:45 am
Thirteen         
AHHH!!! Great stuff!!!!!!!! I'm totally hooked, and craving more!!!
I'm so glad you're liking it.  More soon.

05/13/2010 03:38 am
Twelve         
Great scene with Buffy and Dawn.  Isn't Buffy missing Will a little bit?  Or has Spike taken over her brain?
She has no memory of Will - Patience...

04/11/2010 07:37 pm
Twelve         
Great dialogue especially between Buffy and Dawn!  
Thank you.

calminthechaos
04/08/2010 01:08 am
Twelve         
Just found you fic! And HOLY CRAP!!! Everything was going so well! I knew the other shoe was going to drop! Things were just too perfect...I'm hoping she'll remember or hop over back to the other world...
I can't wait for an update!!!
I'm glad you're liking it. One more chapter to post tonight and then updates will be every Saturday until it's completed. :)

08/16/2011 07:41 pm
Eleven         
OK, I usually don't react violently... especially when I'm not that big a fan of 'human' Buffy, but this one was soooooooooooooo sweet.  I knew there had to be a 'shoe', but when I saw the beginning of this chapter, it still shocked me.  You are waaaay too good at this!  OK, now, off to actually read the rest of the chapter and have you break my heart!

Grrr...

Blue
*ducks from violence* 

05/11/2010 04:14 am
Eleven         
Poor Will!
Yep - got a long row to hoe...

04/11/2010 05:23 am
Eleven         
She walked away?!  Well I suppose so considering the next episode in canon.  But that was just so....cold... albeit through a flammable mix of emotions.

Wondering what is happening in "the real world"?
*nods* I'm trying to stick close to canon here until she hits "Normal Again".

ya_lublyu_tebya
04/07/2010 09:03 pm
Eleven         
I knew it, I knew it!! I'm hooked. Can't wait for more. Will she ever get back to Will and her other life??
Hee! It remains to be seen...

Dayna
04/07/2010 12:46 pm
Eleven         
Poor Spike :*( I honestly had no idea this was coming...I thought that maybe they'd all be integrated into the other world or something. Aww, and poor Will. Can't wait till you write more, I'm hooked.
Two more chapters to post and then it will be caught up and updated on Saturdays. :)

:-)
07/08/2010 05:15 pm
Ten         
 
thnx

05/11/2010 03:54 am
Ten         
More sneaky from the shrink.  I just know she's going to be evil.
LOL

ya_lublyu_tebya
04/05/2010 03:18 pm
Ten         
This life she's got going for her sounds a bit like heaven, doesn't it... Hmmm... Can't wait to read more of this!
Funny you should mention that.....

Dayna
04/05/2010 01:47 pm
Ten         
Great story so far! Love it!
Thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying it. :)

05/11/2010 03:38 am
Nine         
is Buffy's psychiatrist evil?  I feel it coming on.
LOL Everybody thinks that at this point in the story. :)

:-)
07/08/2010 03:31 pm
Eight         
 
thnkx

05/10/2010 03:12 am
Eight         
Okay, Will was very naughty reading B's diaries. 
*shrugs* She allowed him to see them before. And they aren't really diaries. Not in the sense that she's writing about things she's doing in the real world. They're just stories from Sunnydale.

04/11/2010 04:49 am
Eight         
Very cute!  Methinks Joyce wants these two together hee hee..
I suspect she does. :)

:-)
07/08/2010 03:22 pm
Seven         
 
thkx

05/10/2010 03:05 am
Seven         
That was really sweet.  You're going to destroy that right?  Is Sunnydale slipping back in?
Oh yeah, I'm going to destroy it. Count on it. :)

04/07/2010 03:53 am
Seven         
Sweet and gentle!
I'm glad you thought so. :)

:-)
07/08/2010 03:12 pm
Six         
 
:)

05/10/2010 02:57 am
Six         
Hmm interesting that some Buffy kung fu bled over into the normal world. 
Yup. Interesting, huh?

04/07/2010 03:41 am
Six         
It seems like a melding process of some type is occurring? No? 
Umm...no? LOL

:-)
07/08/2010 03:02 pm
Five         
 
thnx

05/05/2010 04:32 am
Five         
Will is so nice.  Couldn't he do something a little naughty, like punch Sean in the nose.
LOL He's only as nice as he needs to be...

04/07/2010 03:25 am
Five         
You worked through these awkward scenes very well.  Very deep conversation..
Thank you.

:-)
07/08/2010 02:53 pm
Four         
 
tnkx

04/02/2010 05:38 pm
Four         
Love the reasoning of Dr Swinson!
*G*

05/01/2010 12:48 am
Three         
And yet Buffy didn't jump his bones right there.  She has nerves of steel.  Dump Sean.
Hee! Sean isn't going to be much of an issue.  But it's going to be quite a while before Buffy is ready for a relationship with Will. ;)

:-)
07/08/2010 02:44 pm
Three         
 
:)

04/14/2010 04:40 am
Three         
Interesting turn. 
*G*

:-)
07/08/2010 02:34 pm
Two         
 
thnx

04/14/2010 04:35 am
Two         
Buffy is so together - what a refreshing change.  Hank is such a jerk - what a refreshing unchange.  :)
Yeah, I just can't seem to make Hank a good guy -even if he is still in her life.

04/02/2010 05:12 pm
Two         
Hmm.  All human versions of Angel and Spike with their essences exposed...interesting.  How the hell is Buffy supposed to keep sane with these guys and not give away her world?
We'll see. She manages. :)

03/28/2010 09:56 pm
Two         
 Wow. This is interesting. Is Will short for William? If William is Spike, I guess I wouldn't be able to tell if I was Buffy too. 
Thanks. I hope you enjoy the rest of it.  I'm afraid for a long time, it creates more mysteries than it solves.

:-)
07/08/2010 01:45 pm
One         
 
I hope you continue to like it. :)

04/19/2010 07:13 pm
One         
Excited about reading your current new work - always been a big fan and this episode has always been one of the favorites - actually wish that the writer had done more in Season Six - 
 
Will start this tonight - beautiful banner.
Thanks. I hope you enjoy it. :)

04/14/2010 04:27 am
One         
Ooo evil head shrinker.  Hope Buffy punches her lights out - human or otherwise.  Really liked Buffy's homecoming and the way Daddy dearest is such a jerk - just like in Sunnydale.
LOL  I hope you enjoy the rest of it. :)

04/02/2010 04:56 pm
One         
Interesting concept!  Looking forward to this version of "heaven".  
I hope you enjoy it. :)

03/27/2010 04:56 pm
One         
Looking great so far, love the idea, and can't wait for the next chapters!
Next chapter coming soon. Thanks for reading and letting me know. :)

SMac
03/27/2010 04:07 am
One         
I love your story!
Thanks! I hope you continue to like it. :)