Interesting new take on the reproductive cycle of slayers. Seems a shame though - and so sad that it wasn't the death/rebirth that caused it, but a common affliction!

I loved how realistic it was of Dawn trying to tease her sister and their mom overhearing. I loved the Dawn – Buffy talk and how Dawn got Buffy to admit that Spike trying to change did count. Buffy’s talk with Tara was interesting and I laughed with her comment about Spike being ‘two tables over pretending to read a newspaper while he eavesdrops’. Buffy telling Spike that she doesn’t want them to stop talking was so great.

i love where you're going with this fic, glad buffy gets the chance to think about things a little, hopefully let spike in

i love where you're going with this fic, glad buffy gets the chance to think about things a little, hopefully let spike in

very good - i love the barren twist

Great chapter! I really like the way you soften Buffy, making her more accessible and less aggressively defensive. Good reqork of the epsiodes. Thanks!

You just have to love Dawn. Little sisters are like that. Glad that Buffy had Joyce through all of this. And to have Tara there was a big help for her today. Love Spike's reaction to the "Buffy stay away from Spike plan" discusssion.

oh no!!! dawnie!!! i hope they can help her in time!! but at least buffy is handling things a bit better this time around, being a little more fair with him, not toying with him so badly...great chapter, pet :)

wonderful read, thank you. loved buffy dawn conversation. it is late, and i have had sufficient scotch to allow myself to rant about why an authors has to justify what they do with the story and the characters. it is your tale. tell it your way. if someone doesn't care for it, they do not have to read it.

I really like the reproductive spin on things. It's interesting, and not so strange that it couldn't have fit into the true Buffyverse. You have a great way with words (i have just recently started reading this story) and its very good. I like the way it has changed with Joyce being around; not overtly obvious, but enough to make a difference.

Super job, and I can't wait for more:)

Fab update. Your non canon bit on reproduction abilities (or lack thereof) makes lots of sense actually. Food for thought there.

At least eavesdropping Spike didn't hear evil of himself!

Wish she had wanted to continue talking on screen! That was the WORST part of S6 IMHO....they had developed such a great foundation of friendship then she shut it down as soon as the hot lovin started.....sigh.....

Kathleen

That is so much better than canon, no ugly words about him being "convenient". She's not telling him no, so that's a whole lot better and he knows she at least said something to Tara about him. Well, you may not be to far off with the menstruation thing. You do have a valid point. Loved the chapter, thanks for the read.

Very intriguing chapter. Would have liked to have seen more of the scene between Buffy and Joyce, but I'm glad that Joyce didn't totally freak - just gave Buffy some sensible advice. Looking forward to the next update.

oh no!!!!!! *gasp*

I think this is good. it really makes since the slayer reproduction thing...plus it's one more thing that spike isn't "taking away from her." In light of your story though, it's interesting that she obviously didn't tell angel and he was too clueless to figure it out. cause he told her he couldn't give her children...so in your AU, if that scene happened, then she didn't feel secure enough with him to tell him. (like maybe if she told him she'd find out there were other reasons he didn't want to be with her.)

I love this and can't wait for more.

I like this morning after much better!

Oh, the Willow crash and Dawn's broken arm!

Loved that Dawn is included in this, and the gentler tone of Buffy about her life. And that Joyce doesn't want Spike hurt anymore than Buffy hurt.

The barren angle is an interesting one to take. Makes even more sense for the not trying for a "normal" life, since she couldn't give a human husband what he asks for. Not that there aren't plenty of other options, of course, but it's just more proof that becoming a Slayer made her not so normal anymore. She hasn't really made her peace with those things yet. Nice to see Tara involved, too.

This Buffy is not allowed to be so isolated, and that's really good. About time to deal with Wilow, now.