Forward to Time Past by Unbridled_Brunette
Chapter: Chapter Sixty-Four

Taylor
07/17/2009 03:11 am
My heart just leaped out of my chest, a little bit, at Angel's last words.


The intensity is freaking palpable.

12/05/2008 03:00 pm
Yay! An insightful Angel!

This-Family-Affair
11/30/2008 04:24 pm

Jeeze! Took me long enough to realize something was up with this. :) I'm trying to catch up, now. I just had to drop in and say I love: "if Spike wants his soul back…if he’s actually trying to find a way to retrieve it…that pretty much says he doesn’t need it in the first place." Love that bit!

CalmintheChaos
10/24/2008 11:18 pm
Wow, that last line...blew my mind. I was surprised when Spike went to Angel. I hate that he can't help him, not even tell him about the other demon he gets his soul from in the series? But as you already know, I love every word!

10/10/2008 05:24 am

HUH?!?

Deb
09/17/2008 03:38 am
Never thought that I'd like Angel  in a scene, but you've proved me wrong.  Love that he's here not wanting to support Spike, but finding himself doing so regardless of his feelings. Great chapter.  Thanks for updating.  As always, this is one of my favorite fics in the Buffy genre.  Have fun writing!
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter, and I hope you like the new update as well. :D

Lal08
09/15/2008 09:36 am
I started to read this story in fanfic.net. Then saw that you updated it on this site faster. It is epic and beatiful and so well written... You have put in French, German, Italian, Latin. How, I got no idea. You are well versed in "British" english and how Victorians would speak. I am utterly amazed at how much work has put in to this story. Absolutely amazing... It is by far one of the best Buffy/Spike stories I have ever read...

I can't tell you how flattered I am by your review. It's wonderful to know that you think so highly of my writing. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know. :)

09/14/2008 10:17 pm
WOW.

For the first time, I actually LIKE Angel. Amazing.
lol. Poor Angel. He does have a few good qualities. ;) Thanks for the review! :D

Winchester Hemery
09/14/2008 07:52 am
Yey !  I really like the interaction between Buffy and Angel. Very good chapter, Thank you !
Thank you for reviewing! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. :D

09/14/2008 02:19 am
very good read, thank you. enjoyed the concept of claims as myth and loved angel's chapter ending line.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :D

deborahc
09/13/2008 05:02 pm
I honestly can't remember how much of this story I've read in the past. I'd thought I was up to date with it but as I read the new chapter I realized I have no idea how Buffy got back from Victorian London, let alone how Dawn ended up nearly eviserated. 

But seeing as I have read the new chapter I wanted to quickly pop in and Thank You for the claim twist. I love it.  I'm one of those whose eyes involuntarily roll when a story I'm enjoying turns out to have Buffy and/or Spike claimed. It's just not my thing. And because, as I said, I was disorientated in the new chapter, I wasn't sure whether I hadn't previously read as far as Spike claiming Buffy or if I'd dropped this story because of it. But now that I know that the claim turns out to be bogus I'm definitely going back to re-read. 

Looking forward to catching up, and thank you for continuing the story.
Oh, I'm so glad to hear that you came back to the story! The "claim" was always intended to be a red herring and not genuine, but the problem with posting a WIP is that readers had to wait a few updates before finding that out. I hope that you enjoy rereading the story, if you decide to. Thanks so much for taking the time to review it. :)

09/13/2008 02:20 am
This was so worth the wait. This small part particularly touched me: Her hungry, lovesick Victorian. Because that's exactly what he was all those years ago and he was just desperately in love with her...

Angel's appearance at the hospital... Interesting about claims not existing, because that means that what Buffy is feeling is real, thus not manufactured by a mystical vampire myth. And, of course, his wise last phrase is a truth that merits some thoughts on her end.

You cited my most favorite line. Thank you! :D

09/12/2008 04:12 am
“The fact is…if Spike wants his soul back…if he’s actually trying to find a way to retrieve it…that pretty much says he doesn’t need it in the first place.”

I am in TEARS reading this! (and you thought your muse had left you?) Oh, poor Spike. Your writing is brilliant. Characters so real I can see and hear and hurt for them. *sob*
It's so flattering to realize that my writing can spark that much emotion in a reader. Thanks for letting me know. ((hugs)) :)

09/11/2008 07:45 pm
Wonderful chapter and the last line to me just really says it all. Thank you so much for this story and of course can't wait till next update! :)
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter. I was a little nervous posting it, because I was just getting over an incredible bout of writer's block, so I really appreciate your taking the time to review. :)

Angie
09/11/2008 01:56 pm
I never thought I would say this but YOU GO ANGEL!!! I loved the last line.  What a great story1!!!
Thank you! I'm so happy you think so. :D

sirc
09/11/2008 12:00 pm
It was surprising to hear Angel defend Spike and be the voice of reason when he was talking to Buffy, but I'm glad that someone other than Dawn got him. That, at last, someone other than Dawn is on Spike's side and attempting to overrule the bullshit that lies, misunderstandings, self-deceit and stubbornness has piled together on the Scoobies.

I love how someone is telling Buffy that Spike doesn't need a soul renewal - even better that that someone is Angel himself, soul-bearer extraordinaire.

Personally, I've never liked souled Spike, he wasn't all himself anymore. That is one of the many reasons I have never watched season 7 or why I don't read fic featuring that season or that version of our bloodsucker.

Great chapter.
I liked souled Spike (I like any Spike, lol), but I didn't see the soul as being necessary to his character development. And the way the writing staff went about getting it for him...well, that entire arc pissed me off just a bit. I'm glad you're enjoying my own take on his redemption. Thanks for letting me know. :D

Nell
09/11/2008 07:56 am
 Your story is always brilliant, but this portrayal of Angel is especially good. It avoids completely all of the fanfiction characterizations and cuts right back to how he was on the serious episodes of the show. And that is the single best why-Spike-is-fine-without-a-soul explanation I've ever read (and I've read'em all). Perfect!
The single best explanation you've read? *happy sigh* I think that's the nicest thing anyone could have said about this chapter. Thank you. :)

IT
09/11/2008 06:54 am
Awesome update.  I'd love to write more, but I'm taking a break from studying and have to get back to it.  Thanks for the wonderful escape from reality.  Back to the books now.... 
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Good luck with the studying. :)

09/11/2008 06:04 am
The comment down there that starts with this:

"AAAAAAHHH!  You are killing me!  I can't take any more suspense.  I'm all tense "

was me not logged in :-)
I knew it was you just by the way it was written. ;)

09/11/2008 06:03 am
AAAAAAHHH!  You are killing me!  I can't take any more suspense.  I'm all tense :grr:

Okay, just had to get that out :-)  Awesome chapter.  Many revelations on Buffy's part.  Angel being level-headed.  I like how you're using him in the story.  I'll write more thoughts later.  I'm too wound up right now...

UB is BACK! :-D

09/11/2008 05:12 am
“The fact is…if Spike wants his soul back…if he’s actually trying to find a way to retrieve it…that pretty much says he doesn’t need it in the first place.”

Praise Jeebus--finally the voice of reason!  Thank you Angel for showing up and not holding back!  Thank you for forcing Buffy to face certain truths (Oh, Spike claimed me--bah!).

And this was great!!  Your writing is great! Tell self-conscious "you" to piss off, mmkay?
Aw, thank you! If I could, I'd kick self-conscious me right in the arse. Unfortunately, we share the same arse, so it just wouldn't work out properly. Ah, well... :P

Miss. Onyx
09/11/2008 05:08 am
Dear UB,
Thank you for making your Angel not be a total F**ktard. He is so often portrayed this way in stories, and it accomplished nothing except to piss me, and the other characters in the story off quite a lot.

P.S: You are awesome

Sincerely,
Miss. Onyx ^_^
F*cktard. Hee. I love this word. Hubby and I have officially adopted it as our own. Thank you. :D

09/11/2008 04:54 am
I'm awed, amazed and overwhelmed by this - it's  that powerful.  That last line (especially considering that it's coming from Angel of all people) just blew me away.

My computer was stolen just before Thanksgiving last year, and I didn't get a replacement until this past July.  One of the first things I did once I was able to get back online again was to catch up with this fic.  This is absolutely riveting stuff.  This is how the series should have gone.  I mean this fic feels more like canon than some of the actual series episodes do.  I hope I'm making sense here. 

Anyway, I just wanted to say that you've got an amazing talent and I'm delighted that you're sharing it with us. 
Oh, I'm sorry to hear about your computer; I had wondered where you'd gone to. It's nice to see you again--and even nicer to hear that you're still enjoying the story. Thank you! :)

09/11/2008 04:37 am
AAAAAAHHH!  You are killing me!  I can't take any more suspense.  I'm all tense :grr:

Okay, just had to get that out :-)  Awesome chapter.  Many revelations on Buffy's part.  Angel being level-headed.  I like how you're using him in the story.  I'll write more thoughts later.  I'm too wound up right now...

UB is BACK! :-D
Oh, don't worry. You won't *die.* I plan to bring you just to the brink of death ... and then the story will end. Yep. That's the plan. :nod:

09/11/2008 01:23 am
Hope you're feeling better.  Thanks so much for this wonderfully enlightening chapter! I hope you'll be able to have more for us soon.
I am feeling better, thank you so much for asking. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. :)

09/11/2008 01:01 am
Babe what were you worried about???? 

Somehow you have done the impossible...made me love, love Angel.  He is being honest and grown up, well reasoned and fair.

<i>To him, the right thing is doing what he thinks you want him to do. Doing what he thinks will help you. He’s always going to believe that, and he’s always going to make mistakes. He’s always going to struggle—”</i> That's it in a nutshell...Spike's morality is whatever Buffy wants or needs is good.

Then the coup de gras (okay I can't spell) with some home truths
<i>"The thing is…people who have souls hurt other people all the time. They rape and kill each other; they start wars. Some of them struggle with morality the same way he has, and they do it for their whole lives."</i>  Buffy and her soul obsession is OLD and stupid.  It was on the show and in fiction...she saw too much to buy into that crap.  GILES couldn't really believe it not if he was conscious his entire life at any rate.

Amazingly enough he hits the nail on the head here.
<i>“The fact is…if Spike wants his soul back…if he’s actually trying to find a way to retrieve it…that pretty much says he doesn’t need it in the first place.”</i>

Buffy needs to really own her part in all of this.  She's starting to in a way but she needs to fully own it and make Giles see it too because that will be vital I think.  Giles needs to know of this development especially as he cannot seem to see the differences between Angel (and more importantly Angelus, killer of Jenny) and Spike and they are there in spades.

This is a fabulous chapter.  Lots of food for Buffy's (and Giles I hope) to think on while Spike is off chasing a soul.  I know he'll wind up in Africa, it is fated.

I am glad the claim is a myth.  I don't mind claim stories, truly there are several I love, adore and cherish but this one is better without them.  Spike would have heard the myth though (hey he chased the mythical Gem of Amarra!) and seen it as worth a try.

Hope Dawn wakes soon and drives a few truths home as well.  Buffy lazing about while Spike was clearly doing something that was damaging him in order to provide for her makes her as big a bad guy in his plan as what he did and SHE had a soul.

Wonderful, excellent and perfectly written as always.

Kathleen
You always make me feel so much better about myself. (((hugs)))

I think my main problem was that I fiddled with this chapter far too long. The more I edited and rewrote, the less capable I became of gauging its quality. In the end, the entire thing just seemed like a mess to me. I'm so incredibly glad that it doesn't seem that way to the rest of you. Someday, maybe I'll actually be brave enough to go back and reread it, and see for myself. :)

09/11/2008 12:32 am
Good to see you back in the saddle, and in such powerful form.  Nonstop turmoil for Buffy, she's taken this so badly.  Angel's reaction is intriguing.  Well done
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :D

09/10/2008 11:40 pm
OH.....MY......FREAKIN.....GAWD

First of all, soooo wonderful to see an update from you; I LOVE this story, and it just gets better and better.

Two, The fact is…if Spike wants his soul back…if he’s actually trying to find a way to retrieve it…that pretty much says he doesn’t need it in the first place.  Truer words were NEVER spoken.  And Bless you for having ANGEL, of all people, say them.

And Three.  THANK GOD for the UPDATE!!!!  LOL!!!  BRAVO!!!
I'm so happy to know that you didn't lose hope (or interest) during the long delay between updates. Hopefully, that period of writer's block is over now. Thanks so much for the review. :D

timeofchange
09/10/2008 10:42 pm
I've been following this story for a long time, and with every new chapter I feel more respect for you as a writer.  You have held control of such a complicated plot.  You've keep the characters consistent, and held onto the internal logic of the story.  It's really impressive.
Thank you so much! When I started writing this story, I never intended for it to be so long and complicated, so it's a relief to know that I managed to keep things under control without much planning. :)

09/10/2008 09:03 pm
it so wonderful to have this update - great new chapter.  I feel so sorry for all of them - everyone had their own "Good Intentions" that  all worked out so very wrong.  Love how you are making Buffy see her own part in all this -

Hope that you can bring us new parts again very soon.  I LOVE this story - Plus, I really like how you have brought in the idea that the claim can be a myth among vampires - nice twist.
Thank you! It took me so long to get this chapter written and posted, I was afraid everyone might have lost interest in it. I think my bout with writer's block is over now, thank goodness, so the next update should be posted in a reasonable amount of time. :)

TwilightChild
09/10/2008 08:02 pm
  Wonderful and brilliant.  I love it.  I have to admit, I especially love the 'Claim is a fable' part.  It always seemed like such a cop-out to me. 

  And what Angel said is true.  If he wants his soul so bad, he's already on the path to learning right and wrong.  He doesn't need a shiny bauble soul like a badge to prove it.


Yeah, claims aren't really my "thing" either, although I know a lot of respected authors use them in their stories. I'm glad you liked the update. Thanks so much for taking the time to review it. :D

ya_lublyu_tebya
09/10/2008 08:01 pm
Well put, Angel. Wonder if he'll actually be able to get through to her. And very interesting twist on the claim idea. A great update and I look forward to the next.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Goodness knows, it took me long enough to write ... ;)

Bridget
09/10/2008 07:45 pm
I am glad you updated this story.  I am disappointed in Buffy's reaction to everything but it is not surprising.  She doesn't listen very well and is quick to blame Spike for his shortcomings.  She alludes to the fact that she is upset with Giles because of his stupid scheme but she can still sit and talk with him while blaiming Spike.  You have done an excellent job showing Buffy and Angel's weariness.  Please don't take three months for the next update.  I know that life gets in the way but this is a great story.
I will definitely do my best to update quickly from now on. I'm sorry it took me so long to post a new chapter. Thanks for not losing interest during the interim. :)

09/10/2008 07:26 pm
YEA!!!!!  I am so glad you updated!   thank you thank you thank you!   Great Chapter!  I LOVED IT!!!!!
Thank you!. I was actually really nervous posting this chapter. Ever since my concussion, I've been struggling with a massive case of writer's block. I think I rewrote this chapter at least half a dozen times. It's a relief to know that you enjoyed it. :)