Poor Anya - writing letters to Xander. Took a while to wrap my head around this thread again, esp. compared to BHNM.

I'm glad Joyce is able to see there is some good in the relationship between Buffy and Spike even if she isn't thrilled about it. Loved Spike insisting he would have to kill David if he was actually making a move on Dawn. very protective big brother. The thing with Faith and Willow seems pretty complicated, but then so was the thing between Spuffy when they first started. Hopefully a little honesty will help make things go smoother.

That was so hard for Spike, but I agree with him as far as David is concerned, too old for her. Glad Joyce is still trying to be supportive. Love the possessive way that Buffy got woth him and that she needs for him to understand just how she feels. Love this more open and affectionate Buffy. Excellent work! Thanks.

Wow, this is really good. Its been ages since I have read a good Spuffy fic and I was really glad I started reading this one. Update soon!

aww... seeing anya like that is so heartbreaking!! poor thing!

very good read, thank you. loved spike's "...i’d have to kill him anyway." find faith being slightly confused very enjoyable reading. anya in the cemetery is a very well written, but sad, read. thanks again.

wow this chapter was really incredible...i loved the whole story so far, but this one made me sit up and take notice...so much emotion from so many different directions, and so expertly done...i love poor dawnie, and the watcher who sees her as his sister..lol...and poor spike is breaking my heart, thinking of what he's dealing with now thanx to the first, though buffy handled it well...and faith and willow...and then anya in the end, so very moving and poignant...lovely chapter, pet, looking forward to more ;)

Hooray chapter!

"...why vamps suck." Hee! Love your new slayers, and their relationships with Dawn.

Ooo -- the premature vision-of-doom thing -- VERY clever! The canon version of the First was so inexplicable; fanon Firsts can be much better, and yours promises to be superlatively spooky-yet-sane!

I think your Joyce's reservations about Buffy's co-habitation with Spike make a lot of sense, both in terms of her character and in terms of the arc. On the show Joyce's parenting style seemed alternately laissez-faire and "putting my foot down now," especially in terms of negotiating with Buffy's slayerhood. She was the most responsible canon parent figure excepting Giles (whose relationship to the Scoobies cannot be reduced to father-children), but she was far from perfect in defining and expressing her hopes for Buffy.

Too many fan fictions give Joyce a post-mortem Spike-love based on the hot chocolate scene that I find excessive. Having Joyce survive S5 solves, I think, one of the most problematic "threats" on the show -- financial difficulty. The Buffyverse's younger characters were adept at grappling with psychological instead of material reality. And the older generation paid the bills and found the prophesies, but often urged a kind of caution that wasn't quite commensurate with living on the Hellmouth. As both a mother and a "civilian," Joyce's concept of how things "should be" will inevitably conflict with her daughters', even when she is happy that they are happy.

Erm, sorry for soapboxing: I just wanted to say I love you Joyce :P .

And I respect your Anya very, very much.

Happy Thanksgiving! Don't make any bears!

Great chapter - and still with spooky undertones. Love it.

I liked Spike’s lecture and the reasoning behind the behavior of a vampire. Dawn’s reaction was cute to David’s compliment and then telling her that she reminds him of his sister. I loved Spike’s comment when comforting her. I like how Spike gave Buffy her message in French and how Buffy was there for Spike. Faith’s confusion is rather interesting to follow. Anya’s letters to Xander always make me tear up. It feels good to be all caught up and I have really enjoyed these chapters, thanks.

Poor Anya...I want to give her lots of hugs.

I'm finding it weird that Joyce is still squicky on the Buffy-Spike thing, but carry on.

Faith and Willow are definitely the odd couple, eh? Solace finds itself in unusual places sometimes, though. And it's definitely better than Kennedy!

And I'm always happy to see affection between Spike and Dawn. She was the first to love him.

I support you all the way: Spike's special:D Anya's short POV at the end was gorgeous, and very well characterized. Spike, Buffy and Dawn's domesticity is adorable, I especially liked Spike's comment to Dawn about David. Faith and Willow are still really interesting... Generally, just a great job!

I keep on forgetting that it's Thanksgiving in the States. Hope its a good one:)