I just finished this story and this chapter literally brought me to tears. So glad that Spike really listened and let Dawn vent her pain and the love tween the two is so precious. It was sad when Buffy basically barred him from the house after her return. Dawn still needed Spike so much. After Buffy returned Spike seemed to pay less attention to Dawn, as did everyone else. Just some observations. I am really looking forward to more of this special story! I love it! :)
Kim

That was sweet. I was really worried when Dawn didn't seem to recognize him, but I was glad that she got her feelings of her chest. She needed to be able to say she was angry and wanted him to be around, and he needed to hear that she loves him despite his belief that he failed her. it was such a beautifully emotionally night between the two of them, and showed how clearly they were connected over the summer and what that bond meant to both of them. That it was feeling like there was still someone in the world that they lvoed and that wanted them around.

sad chapter and a great read, thank you. they interact well.

So happy that they can once again find comfort in each other, in their grief. So happy that Willow and Tara are thinking of them both. Xander on the other hand, hate Spike enough not to care all that much about Dawn and how much he means to her. Wonderfully tender chapter, thanks Space.

This is so sad! The emotions between Spike and Dawn are killing me! Is it the 147th day yet? I don't think I can take much more! (You know I will, so that is just a smoke screen)

Please continue soon!

The Spike and Dawn interactions continue to be absolutely wonderful. You're doing an amazing job of exploring the Spike/Dawn friendship. Great update!

Well done.

Ah, the smells....there are scents I still associate with my grandparents, even after all these years, it really sticks with you.

Spike has the patience of a saint. I suppose I should remember how teenagers see the world as revolving around them!

Great chapter.

sad, but wonderfully written chapter. thank you

What is going on with Dawn, and how can she not recognize Spike? Seems both she and Spike are going on a hunger strike to deal with Buffy's death. Which really isn't helpful. I was surprised that it was Xander at the demon bar, and even more surprised at the abuse from his Father when he went to visit. Poor thing.

Good chapter. I guess poor Spike forgot his promise when he tried to put Buffy out of his mind. He'll be feeling guiltier than ever now.

Ah, the teen's taken it personal that he hasn't been around....

Thanks for the warning but kinda figured that it would be considering the state that she's in and his guilt. Suprised that you had Xander go to his families home. I would of liked to see him punch his lights out but that's just me. Glad Spike's there now, they need each other so much. Thanks for the great update.

OMG!! That was powerful, for all the characters! Splendid chapter!

That was mean. You made me feel sorry for Xander. Armed with Tissues.

Great scene between Xander and his parents, it was sad, yet very insightful... no wonder he was so afraid of getting married and turning into his father. And poor Dawn, the close of the chapter really has me worried, can't wait to learn more about what's going on with her. I also liked how you addressed Spike's weight loss, he was definitely at his thinnest during season six, it makes sense he would not eat well do to his grief. Wonderful chapter!

Oh this is so sad! Please update soon... BTW.. I HATE Xander's dad! PRICK!

very good read, thank you. love the way spike can calm dawn, the tenderness he displays and that the scoobies know this. (feel free to punctuate the previous.) but did you really have to bring in the great broody one?

I ache in sympathy for your flu and laptop drearies. Hopefully, getting reviews will act as some sort of homeopathic remedy! I really love this story. It's very touching, and I can't wait to see how it unfolds. Best of luck to you!

On no, Space. Hope you feel better soon. Greedy readers are waiting semi-patiently. I liked the part with Faith beating up the prison bitch.

So sorry Space, hope you'll feel better soon. Damn computer's never know when shit can happen. angel just has to throw his weught around. Love these scoobies so much better then canon. Their attitude will help Spike and Dawn deal with her loss. Looking forward to your next update. Love the Angel bashing, by the way. Thanks for this wonderful fic. Take care.

Feel better soon, hon!

Dresden crypt, eh? :)

Very nice having Wes show up offering to help, and Giles and Xander still being nice to Spike. Ah, Angel....well, that was expected, what with his thinking being so a couple years ago...

Looking forward to more.

You're doing a wonderful job with this story, and already tried to contain my tears with this chapter, but I couldn't. Love it. Ooh, I hope you feel better soon!

Good chapter. You've really caught the weirdness of bereavement. Nice to see Xander behaving decently for a change -- and could Angel be a bigger prat?

I like that Xander and Giles were more open to Spike after what happened, although it makes it worse that they didn't continue once buffy came back. Really wanted to slap Angel for implying Spike didn't have the right to be there. Interesting that Faith could sense something was off even while in prison. At least Wesley's presence explains how they came up with the idea to patrol together to keep word from getting out.

Great chapter.

I gotta say from the first scene to the last this was one incredibly well written chapter! I especially loved the beautiful way you descibed Spike and Dawn in the sleeping scene. And I liked that you included the glimpse into Faith's life in prison, that's not something you find in a lot of fics. Wonderful update!
Sorry to hear you're sick, I hope you feel better soon! :)

I am enjoying this soooo much!! This is what I would have loved to have seen played out on screen. I can't wait to read more!! Hope you feel better soon!!

I had to wipe my eyes after reading this. Absolutely heart breaking. From Spike's meltdown at having Buffy's blood on his hands, to Dawn's complete shutdown, to Anya and Tara trying to help, it was all just wonderfully written. The pain and agony of everyone, but particularly Spike, Dawn and Anya was moving. The repeated refrain of Buffy in both Dawn and Spike, and the fact that he was able to reach her so she could begin crying shows how lost they both feel without the person they loved the most there.

another beautifully written, so sad, chapter. thank you. anya's emotions were extremely well done. [anya being one of the abused (misused) characters in canon.]

Good Spikeness. He's such a sloppy drunk.

Okay...well now I'm crying. My God, you just do an amazing job with their emotions. I can't just read any of this story; I experience this story. :)

This is so sad. :( You're doing an amazing job of making me feel everyone's pain. Loved the chapter. Can't wait to read more!

*sniffle* thats so sad... you really express their grief well...

Heartrending. You captured the numbness of bereavement perfectly. Spike is much better off at Revello than Willy's.

Oh wow, this is fantastic. So powerful and emotional that I'm crying like crazy right now. I love it and can't wait for more.

Spike and Dawn need each other so much. It was nice to hear Anya's feeling's towards Buffy, it's rare that it was mentioned, the trust and respect they had for one another. How beautifully you are writing this emotional fic. Excellent chapter, Space.

Yeah, you've got the grief right.*sniff*

I like the clarity that comes upon both Spike and Dawn when they need each other.

Tara being the most together makes sense...she's been through this before, knows what helps. And Anya's part was perfect, as well.

Even tougher scenes. I think that you put a lot of thought into each person's reactions. Oh, and I forgot to say earlier, how much I like your Anya.

Interesting that both Spike and Dawn wondered why people weren't moving to help Buffy, as if the reality was too much that they couldn't comprehend it. i really liked Giles giving Buffy's body to Spike when he asked, and that no one commented on his carrying her away. It was interesting to see the combinations and that Giles got left taking care of Dawn, although Tara clearly wanted to. The trek with her body through the sewers back to the house was very well done.

Wow, you picked a hard scene to write, but you did really well with it.

well, when the muse wakes up, he really goes to work! this is great stuff, desi.

and thanks so very much for the dedication.

Thank you so much Space, for bring this heart breaking scene to life. Since we never got to see Joss' version, I think he'd like it. Everyone in shock and dealing with her death. We all know, if given the chance, that is just what Spike would have done, what all of them would have done. So happy to know that you're putting this and "YHWLYH" together as a series. I'm not the only one who's missed it. Great chappie, thanks.

WOW! I can't say anything else because I'm speechless from the beautiful imagery of their grief.

That was so moving. What a stunner of a story -- exceptionally well written too. Can't wait for more.

wonderfully written, sad chapter. thanks for the fine read.

Awesome story! Ihopeihopeihopeihope there will be no writer's block.....anxiously awaiting next chapter (s)!!! LOL

Nice chapter, Space. Surprised they didn't just leave Spike stranded.

Great chapter.

Just wanted to drop a line and say that this is a good story. It does seem like the show left a lot of moments just sitting there, with no follow through or transition. It's really interesting to see what you think those lost moments were like. Plus, I love the Xander in your story. I'm also currently reading DoS's "Because He Needs Me," and needless to say, that Xander scares the crap out of me. Your Xander is a nice guy. The whole story is sad anyway, but when he just offered a boost to Giles, silently, well, that's when I started crying. Seeing the group bond together in your story makes the way they fell apart on the show all the more tragic. Good luck with the continuing story! Oh, and a Wes/Spike sandwich? Heck yeah!

Very well done, displaying the shock and start of grief.

This chapter was so sad, the closing scene nearly broke my heart. :( You did an amazing job of capturing the intense moments following Buffy's death. I especially liked getting the painful glimpses into Spike and Dawn's heads. Wonderful update.

awww... you're gonna make me cry! I can literally feel Spike's pain... great update! Looking forward to the next!! :)

awwww that is so sad. It had me in tears!

I love the dialogue between Dawn and Janice. I thought they were Xander's parents at first! Novel outlook.

Good idea! This was engrossing.

This is a great start! Love the way that Spike cares for his Niblet, and I love the quick change from rage to concern when he smelled her blood on the air. Most of all, I love how he begs her not to make him a failure again. So very touching! More soon, please!

hmmmmm, i'm intrigued.

seems to be a nice start!

Beautiful scene at the end. You're doing a great job with Dawn & Spike's characters. Can't wait to see what you do with their grief. :)

Can't wait to see what's to happen next. Dawn doesn't need to be around anymore tension then she's already having to live with. Thank god she has Spike. This does bring back all the resentment I've still got for the scoobies during that summer. He was good enough to help them and take care of Dawn but they never gave him one bit of respect or gratitude for everything he did for them. He's a vampire for christ sake, he didn't owe them anything, he did it out of love for his slayer and her sister. Wonderful beginning Space, I do hope you'll get back to "Your Heart...", I do miss it.

awwww.... what a great start! i love this! Please continue it!! :D awesome chapter

Fantastic start! I look forward to reading more. Loved your banner, I also liked the pretty artwork you displayed on the forum. :)

wow great start. And you will not hear any complaints from me about long chapter lol

Interesting start Space. You need a banner.

good start, can't wait for more.

Interesting that Spike took her to his crypt rather than return her home, and made such an effort to clean so it wouldn't look so bad when she woke up. I loved his terror response when he smelled Dawn's blood and how it sent him into an absolute panic. I also really liked the scene of them holding onto each other and crying while they thought about their loss and how they are presently surviving just for each other. Really nice moments between the two of them. The scene with Janice and her parents provided an interesting counterpoint to what was going on with Dawn. How each of the girls had a home situation that was lacking, but at least Dawn has Spike, and it seemed like Janice didn't have anybody. Not to mention the drinking them seems to be more of a habit with her, which is dangerous considering family history. Hopefully Spike will be able to keep her from at least the drinking in the future

I've wondered what happened during that summer. Great prologue, can't wait to read more.

She was, and I think a big part of her attitude in S7 was because he left her, more than the Buffy thing. All Dawn's know in her real life (not the created memories) is loss.

fantastic, thank you.

This is good! You've got all the characterizations spot on. Best of all, you're captured the relationship between Spike and Dawn perfectly. I actually like longer chapters and am looking forward to more. Soon, please! :)

I've enjoyed exploring that summer, as well. There was a lot that could have gone on.

I so missed their friendship later. he got all wrapped up in Buffy after her resurrection, and poor Dawn got brushed to the wayside.

Awesome begining, I wouldn't mind if all the chapter were like this. This long I mean. Don't take this the wrong way becasue I really like this story but you have a lot of errors, mostly with verb tenses. It's most likly because you copied some stuff from a transcript website or something because it dosen't happen that much in the added on peices.

Loved it. Great idea looking forward to the next update :) personally I prefer the longer chapters, I liked the length of this one :) Great work!!