Forward to Time Past by Unbridled_Brunette
Chapter: Chapter Twenty-Eight

nmcil
08/15/2007 06:12 pm
Wonderful start - very much enjoying your work -
I'm glad you are. Thank you!

LindsayH
06/01/2007 10:29 pm
That was bloody brilliant writing! Arising from a borrowed grave, inhabiting his new world, then that final cruel reminder of what he's lost. Wow. I'm kinda glad you're not writing the Sunnydale part in with this, because I would be thinking, "Oh, so does Buffy know this? How can she say that when she knows what he's been through?" And so on. This way is just more dramatic. Oh, and ps, love the banner!
That was just the way I felt about it, LindsayH. I wanted my readers to understand just what pain William/Spike went through as a vampire, and also what terrible things he was capable of during that time. I think it will make it easier to understand his interaction with Buffy in the future. I'm glad to hear that you feel the same. Some readers have pressured me to jump ahead to the future, but I really think this part is integral to the story. Thanks for your review. :)

Oh, and if you mean the banner for Part II, thanks so much!

Esther
04/27/2007 08:32 pm
I just finished catching up (I had some major ISP probs that are now fixed) and goodness---wonderful chapters!! Don't take this the wrong way, but please forgive me for skipping the Spike/Angelus cause anytime Spike's abused like that, I can't read it. I'm a softy when it comes to Spike, can ya tell? Still, everything goes in character with what I think would've happened with William turning into Spike and having to deal with his new 'family.' Loved it and can't wait for more!!
No, that's fine! I completely understand being sensitive to that scene. I had a hard time writing it, but it was necessary for character development. I'm glad you liked the chapters anyway, and thanks so much for reviewing. I've missed reading your thoughts. :)

03/31/2007 03:52 pm
Part 1 down, and what an amazing ride it's been! I've barely stopped reading.... I couldn't, even if I wanted to!! Now we get to see Spike's story... should be very interesting, I can't wait to read more :) Still loving it!
Thanks so much! I'm glad you feel that way. :)

Nova
03/31/2007 05:54 am
love it keep it up.
I will. Thank you. :)

03/30/2007 01:09 pm
My first review to your story, or any story here at this site for that matter. Weeks ago when I started to read this story I was immediately sucked in. Out of all the fanfiction that I have readover the last few years, mainly other realms, (I'm new to Spuffy fiction) your ability and style of writing is refreshing and very well written.

It's hard to find well written fan fiction and your story is one of the best I've read. I love how you take the time to develop your characters. It's a sign of a good author when their words come to life right in front of your minds eye and you are feeling the characters emotions right along with them.

You've had me sighing, crying, smiling, biting my nails, and gasping with every surprising twist. More than that I especially appreciated you showing how real love grows over time, not the 'love' that comes from instant attraction and consummation.

Which brings me to Part II. I don't mind at all the fact that you are focusing on the transformation of William. I look forward to seeing your interpretation of the man who became 'Spike' aka William The Bloody. Again, its all part of the development to a good story. Taking your time to explore all possibilities. So with that being said I anxiously await every update. Shameful, but I check about every other day for an update, what can I say? I'm hooked. Keep up the great work! You have a devoted fan here, I'd be happy to read anything that you write.

Btw you really should think about submitting your work if you've written anything original.
Very flattering that I should be your first review. Thank you! :)

I want very badly to be a published author. I've got an outline for a novel ready, but I'm waiting to write it until I've cut my teeth on this one. I'm using it to polish my skills. ;)

Deb
03/30/2007 11:45 am
Absolutely love this story! Completely hooked. Thank you for your creativity and thoughtful rendering of their lives in the alt universe.
Thanks so much for the review, Deb. I'm glad you like it.

03/30/2007 05:25 am
excellent read, thank you. poor dru, not what she expected.
Thanks for the review. :)

03/30/2007 02:32 am
Firstly, I think that it was very wise to keep the linear progression of the story and not to alternate chapters or jump back and forth through time within chapters. I find it very difficult to follow stories when they jump back and forth; I don't fancy whiplash. But I DO fancy your William :love: So, I'm happy to delay the Spuffy.

This first chapter of Part II is quite different from the whole of Part I. Part I was about the romance, etc. There was new love, and engagement rings, and horse rides. Part II has an entirely different tone. You've set up the tone of Part II in the first few paragraphs. Words like "unyielding," "black," "corpse," and "horror" let us know that this part is not about puppies and Christmas, even without your disclaimer :)

"...the flesh of it felt moist and soft. It peeled a little beneath the pressure of his fingertips." That was an incredibly gross, vivid picture. Loved it.

Eventhough we have to wait for the Spuffy, William clearly has not forgotten his Elizabeth. The first thing he thinks of after crawling out of his grave is her: "...his heart ached for her. His love...He lived for her."

I also love how you've given us a glimpse into what it must be like to die and rise as a vampire. The sense of panic at waking up in a coffin. Things like feeling as though he has to remind himself to breath, the call of his sire.

Another interesting thing that you've brough to light is William's new sense of morality. He knows that killing the girl is wrong, but he doesn't care that it's wrong. He needs to feed on her blood, and it makes him feel good. I've kind of thought that maybe the myth of vampires are perhaps representations of our basest selves (our ids, but I won't get into the Psych right now). William was a very moral, respectful man, and now he's killing people and having sex with a stranger. The vampire inside of him is animalistic and wants nothing but to experience pleasure no matter if it's wrong or right. He knows it's wrong to kill the girl, he does it anyway, and he feels no remorse. William has sex with Drusilla, he knows it's just lust, and he feels sick afterward because it wasn't Buffy. This kind of feels like Spike's tendency to have selective guilt :P

Anyway, I can't wait for more of the story to unfold. You're creating something that the writers of the show only gave us glimpses of.
Yep, definitely no hugs and puppies in this part of the story. :P Thanks for the review! I'm so glad you like the story.

bluebird
03/30/2007 12:43 am
Wow! I love it - can't wait to see more of William story through your words! Please write more soon!Thank you!
Thank you for reviewing. I really appreciate it. :)

03/29/2007 02:25 pm
His rising was so well done. He DOES know right from wrong, he just doesn't care. Is this common in this world you are spinning for us? Very interesting!
Yes, he does, BT. And there is great significance in that, although we won't learn just what it is until much later. I'm glad you find the storyline interesting. Thanks for taking the time to tell me so.

Lou
03/29/2007 01:09 pm
Terrific opener. William's awakening was truly horrific, but he's proving to be adaptable enough to survive. God help him with Angelus!
lol. My thoughts exactly, Lou (about Angelus, that is). I'm glad you liked the chapter and, as always, thanks for taking the time to review it.

03/29/2007 12:23 pm
Very different for THIS William. He has a love already and Dru is not it.

Love the way you describe his rising and learning what he now is and how he is to live. Very chilling and realistic. I am looking forward to seeing the differences in this William...Will he become "Spike" with a reputation for using the railroad spikes? Not expecting an answer....quite willing to await your getting to that part of the story.

Very well written.

Kathleen
Yep, no answers here, Kathleen. At least not yet. I'm glad you're enjoying the journey, though. We still have quite a ways to go before we're through.

Thanks, as always, for reviewing! :)

kim
03/29/2007 09:57 am
Oh, dear William....

Fabulous job describing his first night as a vampire. I had a feeling you might carry on like this. I'm sorry we won't hear anything of Buffy for a while. I wouldn't have minded alternating chapters of the past and present.

His relationship with Buffy before Dru casts a totally different light on reading him with his sire. I feel very uncomfortable.....and as William does think, it seems like cheating..and in essence, his body just betrayed him, as the demon took over his desires in that rough moment. And William, you *were* worthy....fate, life..has played a horribly cruel trick on the both of you.

And now for home....oh, dear....what will become of Anne? She must be sick with fear and worry, having lost both Buffy and William in the same week. I would not be surprised to see her having taken to her sick bed.....
I think a lot of readers would have liked an alternating POV, kim. But because of the structure of the story (and the way I write it) I just didn't see how it could be possible without making the narrative seem uneven. I hope you aren't too disappointed by this.

Truth be told, I was incredibly uncomfortable writing this chapter...just as uncomfortable as you were, reading it and William was, living it. However, the Muse was at the helm, and I bow to her every whim.

Thanks, as always, for reviewing!

Onyx
03/29/2007 08:32 am
UB, you SCOUNDREL! lol wonderful chapter, very gritty. I like it.
Glad the grittiness didn't scare you away, then, Onyx. I had a feeling it wouldn't. After all, you are the girl I caught wallowing in the angst. :P

Thanks, as always, for reviewing.

03/29/2007 07:54 am
I don't think Drusilla got exactly what she expected when she decided to turn William. Did I mention you're evil to make us wait for the Buffy part of the story? I think you're absolutely right about jumping back and forth in time interrupting the flow, but you're still evil.
You're right, nightshift, that she did not. And, yes, I am very evil. :evil: But I think we knew that to begin with.

Thanks for reviewing!

03/29/2007 07:22 am
The altered story of William the Bloody... Cool beans. Can't wait to see his artistry in regards to that... damn, forgot his name. You know the guy- the rude guy who punched him. Anyway, will part two be as long as part one?
The rude guy's name is Charles Archer. ;)

I'm glad you aren't disappointed by the lack of Buffy in this part. Yes, Part Two should be comparable to Part One...give or take a few chapters. Since I'm basically writing by the seat of my pants, it's hard to give an exact estimate. I hope you continue to enjoy it, though. And as always, thanks for reviewing.

03/29/2007 07:14 am
This has me shivering, it's so good. And of course, while I'm eager to see how things may pan out in the future now, I'm equally eager to read about William's transformation, and if he still holds his torch for Elizabeth for a century. Can't wait for more!
Coquine, I'm so glad you feel that way. Thanks for taking the time to let me know! I will definitely be updating as soon as the Muse sees fit...which, hopefully, will not be too far from now.

03/29/2007 06:55 am
Poor William, we see so much of his humanity still, though the demon will have what it needs. When he goes home will he keep Elizabeth's ring, as a reminder of his love? Glad you've decided to explore him as he makes his next 120 year journey. Equally excited to see how you handle Buffy's homecoming and how they're first meeting during S1 will change for him since she will not remember him until they catch up to when she first disappeared from SunnyD and into the past. Wonderful part 2, thanks.
I'm glad you like it, Verda. As always, thanks for the review.

Esther
03/29/2007 06:28 am
WOW!! Great chapter!! Love how well you've described William's change into a vampire---the discovery, his hunger, and then Dru---and his realization that he's changed forever. Can't wait for more!!
I'm glad you feel that way, Esther. Thank you for letting me know. :)

Taylormaid
03/29/2007 06:09 am
I was thrilled to see this updated!! How sad for William. It is interesting to see if his time with Elizabeth will effect him as a vampire. Will he still love Dru? Looking forward to more!!
I'm glad that you liked it, Taylormaid. Thanks so much for reviewing.

Vinity
03/29/2007 05:58 am
Very well done. I have to say, I had been enjoying the story but had not expected to take this turn. after reading your opening comment I almost skipped it. I'm glad I didn't.

Very well written. William's reaction is obviously shock to detach him from Life then Dru came in and made that a very real reality.

This is hard but I'm willing to stay in, only cause the writing and characterizations remain very strong. I am however, out of my comfort zone. Warning are greatly appreciated
I'm so glad you didn't skip it! I debated whether or not to even put that note on the chapter, but I didn't feel right about sending the reader in with no preparation. This part of the story isn't going to be the fluffiest, but it will still be a romance, even without Buffy's physical presence. I hope you continue to stick with it. Thanks for the review. :)

Oh...and the warnings are posted on the story's index page. You'll notice that Chapter Twenty-Eight has different warnings listed than the previous chapters. These warnings are for the whole of Part Two and will appear on each chapter in this part of the story regardless to content. This way, I can warn you guys of what is coming, without giving anything away as to *when* it will come.

03/29/2007 05:33 am
Definitely sounds accurate, as far as digging ones self out of their grave goes. You've putting more depth into the story than if you had just skipped ahead to the future. Wonderful writing, as always. Can't wait to see more!
Thanks, as always, for reviewing, TC. I'm glad you like it. :)

Shanna
03/29/2007 05:31 am
Well this was a surprise!!! I think I can push down my desire to see what happens in the future time to enjoy 'the birth of Spike'. Great first chapter for this part. I look forward to more but I have a feeling it is going to be a bumpy and bloody ride especially when Angelus enters the picture and starts 'educating William. **shudder**
I'm so glad you feel that way, Shanna! I was really expecting do be ducking flames over this plot twist, but so far, most readers have been supportive of it. Only one or two have expressed disappointment. But you can't please everybody. :P

Thanks for the review!

03/29/2007 04:59 am
This was well worth the wait and I'm looking forward to how William's life is going to be from now on. :)
Thanks, as always. I'm glad you weren't disappointed by the fact Buffy will be gone for a while.

03/29/2007 04:54 am
Oooh... I try to be angry that you're not going to give us immediate gratification on the Buffy front... but I can't. (I kinda figured you were gonna do this anyway.) I'm curious to see what happens, how he becomes Spike when his relationship with Buffy has changed him so much from canon Spike. Thanks for updating! :)
Aw, you know you can't get angry with me. :P Thanks for the review!

gdo
03/29/2007 04:54 am
Ohh, yeah, new chap! Thanks fro the warning, 'cause I would be wondering a lot about Buffy. I forgot the Victorians were keen on premature entombment. Though I'm surprised William didn't wake up in vamp face. But I'm so glad to see a new chap!
Interesting that you should mentioned that, gdo. There is a certain significance to it.

I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Truth be told, I was a little nervous posting it, knowing it might turn off some people. But the muse wants, what the muse wants.

Thanks for the feedback!

fanxstitch
03/29/2007 04:48 am
Thank you for writing more of this wonderful story. I hope the next installments will be soon. Blessings.
Thanks so much for the feedback. I'm glad you enjoyed it.