This would be a great ending if there were a sequel - but I also would have said WTH if it had ended here. 

Loved the photo, and Buffy from Faith's point of view. Glad that you add the epilogue.

I like that Buffy and Faith seem to be getting along. I loved Buffy’s joy at having Spike back and could understand her confusion and reaction when she realized he had a soul.

wonderful read, thank you. marvelous end to this section of the tale. buffy always was so insightful. not!

Argh! This is the 4th time I have written this review and everytime it is getting worse and worse. I'll try to recapture what I wrote the first time ::rolls eyes::

Wow. What a sudden, unexpected, completely AMAZING ending. I have read many a Spuffy fic, but never have I encountered a reaction like this. I just love it. Although it leaves us a tad hanging (I would diiee before missing out on the epi+sequel), I love how you took the risk to do it your way, and i think it turned out really effectively. Great job! :love

Aaah - give the guy a break!

Great story and I love the way you managed all of the twists and turns. Surprise ending! I look forward to the epilogue and sequel. Thanks fora great read.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I concur with your beta. what an evil ending! ::laugh:: One moment we're basking in the warm fuzzies with Buffy and then next she has a stake. !!!!!!!

argh!! omg... why would she stake him!?! I dont want it to end... please please please make a sequel!!!

I think my heart stopped when I read "The End" - yes, please, epilogue is needed. This was/is brillant & when your done, I'm going to sit in a dark room and read it start to finish :)

Epilogues are good, epilogues showing points from sequel are even better.

Oh, I am in shock, I just don't know what to say, that is the last reaction I thought Buffy would have to the soul. But I am waiting with bated breath for the epilgue. So this is what you meant by pushback. but you have written a wonderful story so I will trust that everything will work out.

yes, cruel ending indeed! very lovely fic...can't wait for the next story, love...looking forward to it immensely :)

OK i read some of your review replies, and I guess i can see that, how she might think that Spike wasn't her Spike. I still don't think she'd want to stake him. he has a soul, and she might want him to leave or be freaked out, but why would she try to stake him?

But I know she won't stake him and I know you're going to clear it up.

omfg that's cruel leaving it there. what? why would she want to stake him? I mean I knew you said she was going to react differently but WTF???

omfg that's cruel leaving it there. what? why would she want to stake him? I mean I knew you said she was going to react differently but WTF???

Sequel? You did say sequel, didn't you? Cos if you leave it hanging like this with no sequel... well, that would just be cruel and downright evil. I really loved this fic and definitely want more. Sooo... hurry! Uh, please???

Well your beta was right. Leaving it there would have been very very cruel. Thats why the news of an epilogue and sequel are very welcome. Great story! I'll be looking forward to the rest. =)

I don't think she'd treat him like a stranger, which is what her wording suggests....grabbing for her stake, for a souled being? That's just weird, considering Buffy's soul=good philosophy. Even with Angel/Angelus, she knows that they both have the same memories. Yeah, the feelings are different, but the memories are all shared and intact.
But he's not even acting like he's not her Spike....she's really being a bit irrational.

Loved everything else from the last two chapters. You've mentioned the Bringer killings, and the girls are all powered up, so the sequel is going to be pretty interesting, with their advance notice army. And of course, I'm thrilled that Joyce and Tara are still alive.

Well thank god for your beta, because just leaving it there would definitely be cruel and unusual torture. I'm glad you're planning a sequel, because you did leave a lot of loose ends, and the story is just excellent so I can't wait for more. Thanks so much for such a delightful story.

I completely agree that that would be mean to leave it there. I don't think I've ever seen that reaction from Buffy about the soul. I love it. Looking forward to more.

Wow! That was a completely unexpected ending. ???

I've really loved this story, but the ending was a real show stopper. ;) Really glad there's going to be an epilogue to smooth things out. Right?

Okay, that was dumb of her. Why would she think he was another person? It's Spike, with a soul...duh!

So, the Slayer spell is done, Xander's buried, Anya's still a mess, Giles is still gone...And Faith and Buffy are almost getting along.

Ok, I'm glad I read that last author's note before I left a review cuz I was gonna yell. You can't just leave it like that. But now that I see you aren't I will just say that the story is awesome and I can't wait for the epilogue and the sequel. Hurry please.