Could be interesting seeing how Spike handles going back to the girl after being with the woman.  And how long before Buffy wants this Spike to want her and not Buffy2??

now that's as she was.  wonder how long it will take her to figure it out. very good read, thank you.

It was refreshing to see Buffy realize that Willy the bartender was trying to cause trouble by telling her about Spike going home w/ a Brachen gal. But she gets back to her old self when she gets mad at him for helping her w/ the poisonous demon.

Stupid immature Buffy!! Well some things never change...LOL

She really has no idea how to deal with Spike does she?  Comes across as ungrateful but that isn't it...she is confused.  She's dealing with a complete unknown and it unnerves her. 

Buffy didn’t need anyone to take her into the light. She was light.  So correct!  That whole "need someone normal" was rot and Angel giving up the chance to be her normal guy in IWRY proves that even HE knew it!

Once, for all too short a time, she had seen him as a man, not a monster. But after they had started that disastrous liaison of theirs, she had seen him only as a monster. He had wanted her to see him as a man again OH this is THE perfect explanation for how the demon interpreted Spikes, "Make me what I was"!  Nothing in canon made sense of it.  He didn't want to be human.  He NEVER was a souled vampire before. Joss swears that the intent was always for a soul so it didn't mean remove the chip (and really if that's what Spike wanted all he needed was a doctor!) so it made little sense until this  insight here.  YES!  To have her see him as a man like before they started the sex and the only way was to come back with a soul.  Excellent!!!!!

Poor Spike, he really doesn't think he deserves Buffy's love and so he isn't even going to try to make this one care.  His Buffy made the decision to win the other Spike's love but Spike knows well that Buffy's aren't interchangeable....still he'll protect her to death if needed.

Really loving this story (or pair of stories actually).
Kathleen

Wonderful chapter.
Kathleen

The way he was looking at her felt somehow more dangerous to her than an attack would have been.

Could be, Buffy.

I like her uneasiness. I also think that Willie might end up being a problem. He's so venal and grasping here.

Good chapter.

 aww love this story, its hard findind good ones.... i read them all...lol 

I'm so glad you revisited this universe you created with Pinch Hitter.  I like the way you show Buffy's ambivalence.

Another great chapter.
Oh, poor Spike. You had me near tears when he was thinking how bitter sweet Buffy2's folder was. And then with the him beating up on himself for not going to her once he was solid again. It makes me so sad, knowing that he gets to find out that she finally loved him and no she is quite literally gone forever.
Way to make me cry. lol
My this is Buffy ever a study in contradictions; she's all hey be my partner and then when he does the whole helping out your partner thing, she flips. It sounds like something a child would do actually, kind of like my kid sister. I think I just commented on Buffy (at said point and times) immatureness.
And good point on the whole Angel/ Spike hero/vigilantee. That irked me, considering Angel had just sold himself out to evil incoperated. And yet Spike, going along helping teh helpless and that mission statement, he's a vigilantee, not hero.
And here I thought it was the good guys' job to rise above doulb standards. Apparently not.
Though it is interesting to note that, despite calling him a vigilantee, Wes and Gunn were more than willing to use Spike to their advantage. He was just the only one smart enough to see W&H as bad news.
And I go with what you say; what the HELL was that fight with the senior partners about? Can you say pointless? Way to be an idoit Angel.
Anyway, I think I kinda ranted there. Sorry.
Can't wait for the next chapter!

Whoa! lol What was that fight about? Just blew up at him! It's funny! Great chapter! Looking forward to the next one!

 Fab- looking forward to more. Interested to see how you reconsile what happened wit it not happening now that Buffy knows. Did that make sense?  Anyway. can't wait for the next instalment.

Can someone one please "spank" Buffy's ungrateful ass. OMG I know she is just a figment, but she gets on my last nerve. 

Great chappy.  Nice tension between the intrepid duo.  Also, love you addressing the dual edge sword poor Spike was forced to lived upon.  Angel = hero Spike = Vigilante  Hell did Angel ever _thank_ Spike for pulling the soul sucker thingie off of him or for anything else?  And don't even get me started on the Scoobs and the Fang gang.  "White hats" my not so little butt. <G>

Ta!