Just read this whole fic and enjoyed the hell out of it.  Can't wait to see how you'll continue!

Good chapter but the lack of Spuffy was mildly annoying, especially with their last scenes wrought with tension, I was wanting to find out how it was resolved. Looking forward to the next chapter, hopefully more Spuffy-involved.

Good chapter but the lack of Spuffy was mildly annoying, especially with their last scenes wrought with tension, I was wanting to find out how it was resolved. Looking forward to the next chapter, hopefully more Spuffy-involved.

Interesting to see things from Dawn's and then Faith's perspective. More please.

I was so happy to see a new chapter.  I like how you changed the battle to fit in with your version of season 7.  I wish Spike didn't blame himself for it all going wrong.

Nice twist on the battle. Typical of SouledSpike to blame himself for it all going wrong. More please.

Just found this superb story because of the update. Can't say 'I love it' strongly enough. I hope you can keep going - I'll be waiting impatiently for the next instalment!

I just found this story and am totally blown away.  I've read everything all in one sitting and am completely hooked.  This is one fantastic story!  I really, really look forward to more of it.

Gosh I love this. It's just that your characterisations, and I mean all of them, are so well done. I really like how you've represented Buffy in particular. She doesn't come across as a complete bitch when it comes to her relationship with Spike and some other characters, in which seems to be a popular interpretation in Spuffy fics, but showed more of her understandable inner-conflict. Love it :D

Yay Update. Thanks so much for this, and I'm glad you said you're not giving up on your fic "Master" either as it is one of my favourites!!

thrilled to see this fine tale updated. welcome back and thank you for the fine read.

Please write more!  The story is great and I am so very hooked!

more Please. :)

great story... please keep the chapters coming!

This story is fantastic so far! It's getting to everything that I'd wanted the actual 7th season to get to. And your plot-lines and characters are WAY more believable than the end of the series turned out to be. I can't wait for the next chapter :-)

Just read up to here and love this story. Youare doing wonderful things with canon here. This Buffy is more the way she should have been and the others relationships are as well. Love your Faith and Wood scenes much better than the quickly forced ones we got on camera. Look forward to more updates when possible.

Kathleen

excellent read, thank you. loved,the conversations spike/buffy, faith/wood, and the anya monoloque(because willow was not listening.)

Great update....

I really like the Faith/Robin interaction. Flirty, but not cloying.

Great fic. Looking forward to the next chapter.

I'd like to think that Buffy was finally letting someone in and it was him. What a great Anya scene. She was always an after thought with all of them, Giles included. She had over a thousand yeas of demon knowledge and they rarely ask for her help. Xander kept her quite for the most part anyway. If I were Anya, I'd be upset too. Excellent chapter, thanks for the update, hope you can update again soon.

good update, especially loved buffy apologizing for her cruel words during that infamous speech...i always hated how she talked to him then, after everything he'd done for her...great chapter, love :)

Very nice Faith/Wood stuff.

Poor Anya...

And I can see why Spike is disturbed by the free-flowing Buffy emotional train....that year did beat down on her sense of what to do more than any other. Hardest apocalypse ever, since it was made personal for all of them.

Great chapter. Spike giving Xander, of all people, a pep talk. It seemed to work though didn't it? Just love that Buffy's not keeping their relationship a secret any longer, I know how happy that make's Spike and I'm so proud of him for putting his feeling's aside for Buffy, where Xander is concerned. This time Faith will know exactly Spike and Buffy's relationship from the get go, though I have no doubt that she won't test the water's at least. I like your reality for the residents of SunnyD better then Joss', as the people left, companies like Xander's would have pulled up stakes earier too. Thanks for the wonderful read Aurora, Happy Holiday's to you.

I just finished reading this wonderful and engaging story and getting to read a story where Buff and Spike forge a new a much healthier relationship was so very beautiful and special and I want to tthank you for that. I would love to see updates to this story!! You do a fantastic job with emotion and characterization of all the characters like they were on the show.

hmmm...like the spike/xander interaction, very well done...you haven't abandoned this, have you? it's so very excellent...looking forward to an update :)

Good chapter - and such wise words from Spike!

Wonderful interactions between Spike and Xander. Lovely.

excellent read, thank you. loved buufy's morning musings and her cutting faith some slack zn spike's lecture was an enjoyable read.

I'm liking your version of events much better than Joss'. Looking forward to more.

Good relating.

A born and bred Yankees fan would never point that out to you. In fact, she'd offer you smooches up the wazoo!

Would you like smooches up your wazoo?

Wonderful fic so far, reading it all in one shot.

wood's words to buffy seemed very realistic and genuine..i really enjoyed this chapter, love to see the relationship developing between faith and wood...and it's funny, she and buffy always had very similar tastes in men, didn't they? :) great chapter :)

It's a pleasant change to see Faith actually talking to the guy before she jumps his bones. Hopefully Buffy won't jerk Spike around too much!

Also kudos to you for planting some plausible background for Wood and Faith coming together -- the show just sort of plopped it in out of nowhere. Good stuff!

Seriously loving this story. I really hope you update it soon because I am so curious about what the "demon mist" will do to Buffy. :)

They all need each other for the fight, so it's better this way. being civil is better then nothing. Poor Spike, needs another cold shower. Yay, I made to through, looking forward to your next chapter. Thanks again for the great read.

I loved seeing the Boston/New York rivalry between Wood and Faith. Definitely a glue for their relationship.

very good read, thank you

Nicely done.

wow, that was great...faith's speeches in this chapter were very insightful and thought-provoking...loved this chapter, off to read more :)

Great chapter -- lots of interesting insights into guilt and the challenge of being a slayer.

That was different, they both airing their dirty laundry. Got alot out of the way That is one way to start a relationship. They all seem to have enough guilt to go around. Another great update, thanks for the great read.

great chapter, thanks. love the conversation between faith and woods.

Wonderful chapter - what an incredibly meaningful conversation betweeen Faith & Robin. I've never read anything like it and think you did a great job in creating a scene that makes beautiful sense. Thank you!

I've been reading this story for the past two days and have totally enjoyed it. You've made just enough changes in cannon to make the story all your own. I'll be looking forward to your updates, can't wait to see where you take the rest of it. ;)

i really like this convo between robin and faith...and that spike and buffy are ok again. I'd really love to see buffy and faith form some kind of sisterly bond. They have a lot of bad blood...still at this point they've both been to some really dark places and made some really bad mistakes that despite the personal stuff I think they can both understand each other better.

Really liked this...really like seeing them connect before the sex. Excellent work, and all the good questions were addressed.

that was much better, such a relief after how badly she treated him last chapter...very much enjoyed this one, off to read more :)

Now that he knows the sorted details of her's and Faith's past he's got a better understanding of where she's coming from. Another fantastic chapter. Going to try and finish this but I've been up all night, so I don't know if I can finish the last two chapters before I can go to bed. Thanks for the read.

Awesome update!! Glad to see one. I love this story.

great update
I'm glad they worked things out

excellent update. love dawn putting spike on the right track. very good read, thanks

Ooh, how I love when you update this story. Great chapter!! So glad that Buffy finally let Spike into her thoughts/feelings, and I def. loved that she told him about Faith. Hehee, so like Spike to be pissed to share his beloved beer with her. Can't wait for another!!!

So pleased to see this updated. You handle dialogue brilliantly.

okay, that makes me mad that she did that to him...that is so humiliating for him, and very irrational, as he said, when all they were doing was talking....i wouldn't blame him if he went right back down to talk with faith some more!! grrr...at buffy ... great chapter :)

Taking Faith side was a hugh No No. Poor Spike he'd already gone through so much already that day, just add tonight to it too. At least they weren't on his cot like they were in canon. That was much worse. Love this fic, Aurora. Thanks.

Gah, you sooo have to update! We need to get Spike out of the doghouse! :P

{sighs} Buffy jumps to way too many conclusions. {frowns} I hope that things get fixed in the next chapter. Her jealousies are stupid and petty. How could she even think after what she shared with Spike earlier, and his confessions to her, that he'd go sidle up with Faith. {Frowns} Hell he got his soul because he hurt Buffy. Why the heck would he go to someone else now when things were looking up for him and Buffy? Stupid woman.

oh Spike is so in the dog house. But really how is he suppose to know about all of the "other" things Faith has done... Great update. So can't wait for more.

good story...im really liking it...its different yet still on familiar ground....keep up the good work

She is such a child. Spike's right about her being irrational, and this kind of childish tantrum is so not what the household needs right now. But of course, it all has to be about Buffy. You know, if you completely trust Spike, Buffy, then it shouldn't matter one lick what Faith does or doesn't do in his presence.

Spike has the patience of a saint to put up with all of her insecurities. Sleeping in the hallway outside the door, though? Have a little pride, man. At least go downstairs, or something.

Loved the new update. Only I think Will's eyes are blue, not green. other than that it was awesome.

Hey!!!!!!! where is the next chappie???
Pokes screen, It is jyust sooooo damn good :P

Oh dear. Somebody should tell Spike about Faith sleeping with Riley. That may help him get through to the blockhead. More story please.

oh yea. faith. wonder how this will complicate matters? love how spike was able to tell buffy she loves him, but hated how she brushed it off...great chapter, looking forward to more :)

Yay, she loves him, and Spike's well on his way to the healing that will allow him to be guilt-free one day. Now lets see how's this is going to go with Faith. Wonderful chapter.

I am just glad that Buffy and Spike were able to talk and listen to each other... And what a way for Faith to show up... Loved the new chapter.

Great update. You moved the plot along really well, and you handled Spike and Buffy's emotions quite well too. Loved it. Look forward to more.

i love the way you rewrote that bit...love how understanding buffy was, and how in the end, even wood had to accept that spike was changed...great chapter :)

What an emotional chapter for all three of them. She really loves him or she would never of fought for him like that. Maybe now she can say the words to him. Wonderfully told, thanks.

This is soooooooo much better than the actual show! Anxiously awaiting more!

Reviewed at SR, but I wanted to add here as well. Again I am enjoying this story. I think that you used the dialogues from the two episodes very well. You tied the two worst times of his life together into meaning one thing, and that was great. Look forward to more.

Glad to see you continuing this story! Awesome chapter! Can't wait to read more. -Lisa

YOW!! The stone was a lot busier in your story. Hopefully it will preclude Wood's and Giles' plan to off him while distracting Buffy. More story please.

wow, I'm still trying to catch my breath...I found this excellent story last month and I've been checking back for updates and tonight here it is. I absolutely love this story. It has to be right at the top of my all time favourite list. can't wait for the next chapter :) mandy

oh no...this could get ugly, especially if wood and giles find out...i hope everything works out okay...on to more :)

Wow, I'm so glad that I can continue to read on. That was an evil cliffie. Really surprised that Giles would stand by his slayer and her decision. Now to see what Spike's going to do. Fantastic chapter, thanks.

wow...i'm really loving this story. I especially love the discussion between giles and robin...and Giles actually standing by Buffy's side on this. That was one thing that truly pissed me off about season seven was how Spike with a soul was given less respect than angel, even though angel was the one that killed Jenny.

Although with the new situation here at the end of the chapter, I wonder if Giles and even Xander will still stay on the "yay spike" train.

oh, evil cliffhanger!!! More please. I really was enjoying this story.

Uh oh ... Wood is likely to come down at that precise moment or another of the Scoobies. I hope Buffy can get through to him. I'd say the main in black to worry about it Wood, not Spike.

well, last time that didn't go so well, did it? hope giles doesn't end up causing more trouble...great chapter, on to more :)

How sweet of him. Nothing says I Love You then a flower, a note and a clean room! Was worried about Giles coming back, but may be it will be OK after all. Now Buffy's got to talk to Spike about Woods. Does he know who Woods is? Great chapter, thanks.

i hope that means he wont willingly seek out the opportunity to hurt spike now...this was an awesome chapter, i think buffy handled the situation much better than she did in the show :)

Well, that went better then I thought, even if he still wants to kill him. I thought Giles was going back to the States? Wonder if Spike knows who Woods is? or was it just jealousy? Thanks for the great chapter.

well maybe that will prepare giles a bit to accept her news...this was another great chapter, love the easy tenderness developing between buffy and spike...

Thank you as well Darkezza, this is a wonderful fic, a great rewrite. Giles probably thinks the vamp is Angel and the one dressed in black is Spike, but Spike's not a man. Blood breath, yuck! Will he's sure is going to have a fit, that's for sure. Great read, thanks.

“I’ll go get the phone.” LOL great last line, typical Spike.

lol...the ending was perfect...so sweet and funny...love the way their relationship is getting slowly stronger and stronger...and love how you're having xander come around, also...great job :)

Thanks for the giggle. Of course he'd get the phone! It's a good thing that Xander and Buffy could come to a mutual understanding about their relationship. He may not have physically left her but he did leave her, emotionally, on several occassions. Often hurting her feelings. Glad all of that's out of the way. When is Giles coming back? Another fantastic chapter, thanks for the read.

go willow...so glad she managed to shut xander up, even temporarily...i hope xander comes around, though, really...i always kinda liked him...i love the fragile relationship that's slowly building between the two of them, so sweet :)

Nice going Will's, get Xander all up in arms. Love that Spikes helping with the potentials and now he gets to help Buffy save the world again. Just love this rewrite of S7, much better then what Joss left us with. Hope this mean's that Spike doesn't have to sacrifice himself this time. Wonderful chapter, thanks.

well so much for discretion, eh?:) great chapter, very much enjoying it :) you've done a lovely job with this fic so far, i love the realistic yet sweet way you're progressing their relationship :)

Glad Buffy finally told everyone and credited Spike for it. Love his reaction to her invite to share her bed. Domestic bliss. So happy that they're find comfort and trust in one another. Must be Dawn at the door or is it Willow? Wonderful chapter. Thanks for the read.

grrrrr  argh!  There goes Buffy being all non-commital again.  While I wish she'd told him she loves him, your writing is much more realistic and typical Buffy...sigh...

poor spike..he really has been so hurt by that past year...you write both their emotions so realistically, so beautifully...excellent chapter, love :)

Oh, I like spontaneous sleepovers for him too! Joking aside, it almost killed me when he started to cry. He's so full of love and emotion, it can take your heart. Fantastic chapter, thanks for the wonderful read.

How wonderful that you repaired the relationship between Dawn and Spike!  You let Spike express the frustrations he must have been feeling much better than Joss ever did--although I do feel a bit sorry for the vamp he beat up! LOL

In your version Buffy apologizes to Spike--good!  I always thought she should have, so I'm glad you had her do it!

Any idea how many chapters this story will be when it reaches the end and when that might be?

ah, that's better...she needs some support from someone who can actually understand...spike is the perfect confidante in this sitution...great chapter :)

Well, she finally told someone, glad that it was Spike. Nice to see Dawn and Spike back on good terms. Wonder how this is going to effect "Empty Places"? Excellent chapter, thanks.

I was so intrigued by the premise of your plot, "what if...".  I love it when writers use their creativity like that.  But I was hesitant to read it since I didn't find it until 2010 and feared that since you started it in 2005 it was abandoned.  Now that I see you are still updating, I am diving right in to read it!

Wow, this Buffy's afraid? That's never a good thing. So glad that Spike's got her back. Glad that Dawn's forgave Spike and Willow seems to be right there with her. A great beginning, thanks.

very interesting beginning...on to the next chapter now :)

Love this story! Absolutly love it. I can't believe how sweet Buffy and Spike are being to each other, and it makes me hate Joss even more for not doing it this way. I can't wait to read what happens next, 'cuz it's so nice to find fics with good plot and good writing, like this one.

I'm so thoroughly enjoying this rewrite of S7. If only it had been like that. Really interesting prophecy coming up. I like how you've uncovered secrets in a different manner from the show. Also, the Spuffy romance is just too good.

I want more! Darn that was very very good and I am really intrigued. Thanks for the good read and please update soon.

Another very strong chapter. I can't wait to see what happens next. Because it's certain that Robin is going to try 'something'.

Thanks for the update. As usual, I worry about Buffy's ability to maintain herself in the face of opposition from her so-called friends and watcher. More soon please.

Love the new update. I just hope they can figure it all out before the craziness shows up on their doorstep. I am just glad that Giles seems open. I mean he did have a heads up since the coven did give him a heads up.

Good story; hope you continue it soon. Like the slightly AU version of the battle with the First.

I love this story. I sincerely hope to see more, but believe me I understand about time issues.