very good read, thank you. really enjoy the dawn-spike scenes.

I wonder what's happening in LA that Buffy doesn't think they need to go. Loved Dawn's reaction to finding Spike, and his joy at seeing her again. Seems Rafael was decent about the break up and a good rebound for her. Now if only she and Spike would stop being stupid and move forward with their own relationship

huh. So "Raphael" (the Immortal?) knows she's leaving, but she isn't going to LA?
This is a fun story.

Thank you for updating. She'd kissed Angel but not him? She was happy to see him but what about Spike? She's in love with him, would it be to hard for her to at least do the same for him? or can't she take that step yet, hoping for some spuffy lovin though. Glad that thing's are finished with Rafael, good that he's an empath so that was easy enough. Looking forward to more. Great chapter, thanks.

YAY! There you are again! I'm thinking the Immortal might have something up his sleeve the way he is acting ;)

I liked your interaction between Spike, Dawn and Illyria but I don't agree with how you portray "The Immortal" given the little we know about him. First of all, the fact that he goes by a name like that shows how massive his ego is. This is the guy who chained up Angel and Spike just so he could screw Darla and Dru. In "The Girl in Question" he set up the two vampires just so he could humiliate them once again. He obviously knew they were coming to Rome since he sent them on that whole run around Rome which took elaborate planning to steal that bag, switch it and lead them on that chase. A huge give away is that two old and powerful master vampires were able to get so close to Buffy without setting off her Slayer sense. If the guy is an empath, he would have felt if Buffy loved and missed Spike. So, if he was being truthful when he told Buffy:

“Only when I know they still want me. Your heart is with someone else, pantera. It is not something that happens to me often, but amore allineare is something I am loathe to tamper with, even being the cad that I am.”

then he would have told Buffy about Spike the first time she was in Rome. The only other explanation is that Buffy didn't feel like that towards Spike since an empath would be able to feel what Buffy felt, even if she was denying her feelings or trying to forget about them.

Other than the part about "The Immortal," I think this is a pretty good story so far.

Ah yes another apocalypse started by Angel/us. The boy just can't seem to stop himself from taking the world to the brink of disaster can he. I thought that when NFA aired....oh yes, Angel logic. Take on a foe he admits they will not be able to defeat, merely wound a bit....be a speedbump to. Set your people up to either leave you to swing in the wind alone (unlikely) or commit suicide helping in your quest. Kill a true innocent (Drogyn) to position yourself. All for....what?????? Perhaps if Angel was tired of the good fight he should have merely retired instead of destroying all of LA and killing friends in the process.

Look forward to the rest of this story. Great start.

Kathleen

oh man..that's a sobering thought...really excellent chapter, love dawn's reactions, the interactions between her and spike...and your illyria is flawless...
one little point though, that was just sort of niggling at me...dawn *has* seen a dragon before, and quite memorably, while at the top of glory's tower when the portal was opening... :P
a minor point, but one i noticed :)
as for the chapter itself, though, love, beautiful work, very very emotional and touching and true to the characters, loved it and looking forward to more :)

That last sentence just goes to show--Buffy is better at the apocalypse thing than Angel is. Looking forward to more awkward interactions.

OMG I love this story please keep up the great work!!

He doesn't stand much chance against Dawn the Battler and the new improved womanly Buffy.

Wondering what will happen between Spike and Buffy.
Great chapter.