Thank you for the lovely review. I can certainly respect the fact that certain pieces of writing call for silence. I like to let my work have breath and cadence to it, as though there is a conversation happening in the actual pacing of the text. And this is definately a quiet, whisper of a piece. So, your reaction seems like a completely appropriate response to this story. I'm glad that I was able to transport you to that place in time, so that you could really feel and I know what this moment meant to the both of them. Sometimes visuals are not enough, and in a scene like this one, all that was left unsaid seems as important as what we did get from Joss & Co. on screen.

Thanks for the review. It's always nice to see this oldie still touching new readers. The scene had so much power and that emotional catharsis translated really well to this one-shot.

It's great to see readers still coming back to this piece well over a year after I wrote it. That short FiTB seems to have a very strong resonance with people. This fic literally woke me up in the middle of the night to be written. As for the characters being kind, Spike tells Buffy in "Touched" that he's "seen her kindness and her strength," and I always firmly believed that she would not let him burn on that cross. That's not my Buffy. The First Slayer tells her to "love, give, forgive," and that's the motivating thrust of this story. Buffy's realizes her part in Spike's fate and doesn't abandon him in his time of need. I'm glad you enjoyed it.  

That's wonderful that you find inspiration in my work. Passionate and powerful are how I would describe the characters themselves. If my words match the essences of who they are than I've more than done my job. It's always a pleasure to dig deep and see what makes them tick. In this particular fic, I wanted to plumb the depths of Buffy's little seen kindness. The first Slayer tells her to "Love, Give, Forgive. Embrace the pain." Those words are what drive her here as she truly sees Spike's suffering and realizes her role in it.

This is probably my most well-received story, so it's wonderful to hear that people are still continuing to enjoy it well over a year after it was written. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.

Thanks so much! Glad you liked it.

*bows* Thank you for the kind words, hun. I'm very glad you enjoyed this.

Thanks for reading, Emma. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Sorry to disappoint, but there will be no continuation to this. I accomplished what I set out to do -write the missing scene between "Beneath You" and the following episode.

Thanks for reading, vladt. I'm glad the experience was a good one.

Thank you for the lovely review, akarinacj. It's deeply gratifying to hear that it touched you so deeply. It's really what I strive for with my writing. As for more...there won't be a continuation of this, but I do deal with similar themes of renewal, hope, and healing with all my fics. If you haven't already, check one of the one-shots out.

"If only it happened on the show."

Amen to that. Thank you for reading and reviewing, Bridget. I loved sharing this with you all.

Thank you so much, Avalon. I'm deeply flattered and I'm glad my depiction rang true to you. What they left us with on the show just wasn't enough.

I'm glad it touched you so, Yash. It's really what I'm after when I write. To connect with the reader. Thanks for reading and commenting!

Hm, yes, but Spike always did have extreme views of the women he loved. While he sees the truth of her, he also idealizes her, which I think might have been heightened in his crazy state. Not thinking lucidly, I could see her easily falling into familiar arch-types.

Thanks for the lovely review, LB. I was happy with how this came out. I'm pleased to know I can, in fact, write things without sexual content that still pack a punch. Now, show me what ya got with Clocks. I know you're going to wow me.

Thanks for the review, UB. Seems like that last line was a winner with most. Very glad you liked it. I actually used the lines you quoted as a way to guide the story. How did he get out of the church? How did his burns heal so quickly? Why did she run away? Why was she scared? All of those colored the content of the story. *sigh* Fanfic is such a great thing.

*nods* They did really cop out on that scene. There was never any resolution. It's all hope and healing with me. I'd like to think that she was able to see the reality of the situation and gift him at last with something - her forgiveness.

While I wrote this, it did occur to me that Spike was likely not Catholic, but it worked with the story and I really liked using the Mary imagery with Buffy as well as both of them juxtaposed with images of Christ (both resurrection and pieta). And, you know, he was crazy and a former poet. Maybe he just likes reciting Catholic liturgy. It could happen, right?

I totally agree with your second comment, Kim. And it was my pleasure to open her up so you could all take a peek inside. Buffy is such a complex woman, and I love delving into the mysteries of her heart and her pain. I, too, wish they had done something like this on the show. It was a terrible and wonderful place to end the episode. It left us all wondering...

Thanks!

Thank you, BT. I loved writing it and it has been my pleasure to share it with you all.

Thanks for reading and reviewing. Ah, good catch on the typo! I'll go and fix it. Away, errors, away!

Thank you. *hands Inzey a kleenex*

You're welcome, FMS! I'm glad you bought into my version of the scene. What they left us with just wasn't enough.

Thank you so much for the kind words. It was my pleasure to write this. And if I was able to touch you so deeply than I feel I've accomplished my goal. Writing should kick up feelings in the reader.

Thank you!

I do like to pull on the heartstrings and if I could make you connect that deeply with the writing than I have done my job. Thanks for reading, TC.

Thank you for the kind words, Alia. I love your reviews, even when you're speechless ;)

Reading it over, it is surprising the punch this little ficlet packs. Thank God for my restless subconscious. If I hadn't gotten up in the middle of the night to write this, it could have been locked away forever. I am deeply honored to hear that it is one of your favs. *bows to you*