Work in Progress by Scarlet Ibis
Chapter: Breakdown

01/17/2016 12:08 pm
Rape - always such a miserable and difficult theme and especially with your choice to use Riley and Spike - although I have to say that the symbolism for these two - the extreme hatred and physical abuse that Riley as a member of the Initiative is an excellent fit.  

I like how you show that Spike admits to his own evil acts and karma - makes the story even more powerful -

alým
02/24/2008 12:04 pm
I loved the Spike-Giles friendship you placed to the chapter.
And I loved it when Buffy came in and thought the whole thing was about her.
And I certainly loved it when Spike showed her her place.
The chapter was beautiful,thanks:)
I think that Spike and Giles were kind of close at one point (pre "Crush," and after Buffy's death), so it wasn't such a stretch in my brain :D  They did live together after all, and it was actually said in canon how they hung out during the summer before s5, so yay!

Thank you for being a diligent reviewer :D

02/20/2008 01:23 am
A great chapter.  I loved how Giles has reacted, but what I was most impressed with was your characterization of Buffy and even Anya. 

You have all the characters voice down solid, but Buffy's reaction was just spot on to what I would have thought she'd do and say in this situation.

Loved it!
*blushes* Thank you.  Yeah, I made myself really live and breathe all of the characters for this fic especially, because of the sensitive subject matter.  I would have hated to flub a fic such as this, but I'm gald it worked.

07/19/2007 10:33 pm
Ah ... I always suspected Giles had something of a soft spot when it came to Spike. It was one of the reasons I was so disappointed by his asinine behavior toward Spike in season seven. So glad to see that in your fic we have the more understanding, more human version of Giles, a man who is capable of believing Spike when he tells him about the rape. I'm also happy to see that Buffy appears to believe the story, as well. Let's just hope she reacts in a manner that is positive to the victim. Great chapter. I'm on to read the next now. :)
I think in s7, it was obvious that Giles was smoking crack, or sniffing glue... At any rate, he clearly belonged on a short bus ;)

05/25/2007 11:13 pm
Poor Spike, everybody in the universe knows. Liked Buffy's reactions - both good and bad.
Well, there's still Willow, Xander and Tara... They're still in the dark (and Giles isn't- so weird ;)

sirc
05/10/2007 09:36 pm
great chpter
Thank you :)

04/04/2007 08:40 am
Looks like the Ripper might come by and pay a visit to Mr Finn? Anya's still human and what's Buffy going to do? Beat him up so he can hurt Spike all over again? Spike's not safe no matter where he goes as long as he has the chip. Great read, thanks.
Well, most will be answered fairly soon... There will be vengeance, and all kinds of things that I really can't say ;)

Dirktavian
03/31/2007 07:56 am
Wonderful began. You have dealth very nicely with a horrendously difficult subject-matter. Love how Spike pulls a Dr. Phil~ "It's not about you!" Can't wait for more!!
Thanks for reviewing :D And the next several chapters will take place on the same day, so more dealing with this subject matter to come.

03/30/2007 11:00 pm
I'm reading and I will continue reading. It's disturbing, but I write disturbing so I can't fault you.

I got mixed reviews when I wrote about Spike as a victim of child molestation and rape. People seemed to think I emasculated him. Something *I* don't personally believe is possible.

If anything I think it made him stronger, more aware of what he can survive and overcome.

I don't share your slightly higher opinion of Angelus and I always thought that 'one time' refered to *Angel*... But I think it could have gone that way...

*I'd* enjoy seeing Angel rip your Riley into tiny bloody pieces myself.

My, when I actually sit down to READ a story I write rambling reviews. Sorry. I need to go write more Drawing Down The Moon...
This is my first disturbing fic, so if it gets too light- let me know ;) I don't see child molestation as emasculation- after all, that's something he'd have no control over, and the fact that he's a child... As for the Angelus thing, well, at least he was a superior (in a sense) if it had been rape (though I don't think it was, cause Spike referred to it as "intimate"), and to have Riley do it... well, it's a low place. And I like your rambling reviews- here's hoping to seeing more of them :D

kim
03/30/2007 11:43 am
Ah, yes...the one who believes humans are milk and honey goodness is the last convinced. What'll she do now, though?

I'm glad Giles said something. It wouldn't be any of Buffy's business if she wasn't dating Riley, but she is, and that makes her vulnerable.

Anya, of course, caught on quickly. There isn't much she hasn't seen or imagined in 1000 years...

I suppose this is one situation which really would rattle Spike's mask in a great way. Still managed to snark well to the Slayer, though....

There's a typo of a mistaken word - I think Giles means to say "..formally press charges..". Spell check wouldn't catch "formerly", since it's spelled correctly.
You know, for some reason, your first sentence made me think of Cartman, relishing the situation, lol. Okay- ignore me there. I think it affects Spike so greatly in particular because of who the perpetrator is. Oh, and I made the change for formerly ;)

03/30/2007 10:32 am
Nice that Giles is so supportive, Spike needs that from another male especially.

Kathleen
Yes- Giles makes the most logical sense. And they used to live together before, so... Spike will have a good support system, though I won't have him mollycoddled.

Lou
03/30/2007 10:16 am
Stick that in your pipe and smoke it, Buffy!! Thank god at least Giles is perceptive! Great chapter.
Thanks Lou :D Yea- Buffy needed a serious wake up call.

BT_
03/30/2007 09:54 am
I can't decide to be mad at Buffy or not...but I do hope she apologises to Spike.
Reading your story kind is kind of like watching a horror movie - too awful to watch, too good to look away. Just, not with the scarey, more with the horrible.
Well, she really didn't know- not that saying it's okay to beat Spike up is particularly good either. And, I'll take that last line as a compliment :D Actually, that's how I felt about writing it- too awful to write, but I couldn't not write it... Thanks for the review.

03/30/2007 07:31 am
very good read, thank you. perhaps ripper can come out to play?
We shall see...

;)

LadyYashka
03/30/2007 07:06 am
:( This chapter made me cry. I'm glad Spike had someone to go to and I'm glad Giles believed him.

Maybe Anya can get Spike a no-strings-attatched vengance wish.

Now I need something lighthearted to read. :(
I'm sorry about it making you cry, but on the other hand, touched at the same time that it could effect you so. This fic is kinda staying in a dark place for awhile, sense the next several chapters take place during this same twenty-four hours, so if you continue to read, I hope you have more fluffy fics to alternate in between ;)

03/30/2007 06:27 am
I'm glad Spike told it to Giles, and that Giles let Spike stay with him. It was good that Giles told Buffy what had happend.
Spike had to tell someone- I couldn't just let him stay at the crypt unprotected. And Giles made the most sense to me. Thank you for reviewing :D

03/30/2007 05:25 am
OMG, you almost had me in tears when Spike broke down, but then Anya made me all better, lol. Great chapter. I'm glad he was able to talk to Giles about what happened, and Buffy didn't take a dip in the Nile and she believes. Now I can't wait to see how she handles Riley, and what will Spike say when he finds out that Buffy knows?
NO! I need *tears* damn it!! Lol- j/k. I'm glad you're liking it. And Buffy simply cannot dispute Giles' authority (well, not in this season, anyway ;)

JJ
03/30/2007 02:39 am
This is such a powerfully moving and disturbing story. I am enthralled and can not wait for the next chapter. Both chapters have made me cry and that says a lot about your writing. Keep going.
Wow- I'm speechless. I think overall, I've gotten about four people mentioning to me about this fic bringing them to tears at some point, and I'm terribly shocked. It means so much as a writer that I can touch you guys this way. I hope you like how the rest unfolds, and thank you profusely for reviewing.

Tamara
03/30/2007 01:33 am
Yay for Giles and Anyain this chapter. I'm glad he put a stop to Buffy's attempt at denial.
I'm thinking you may like Anya a bit more in the next chapter. And someone had to stop the Buffy Denial train. Thanks for reviewing :D

03/30/2007 01:26 am
I didn't expect Spike to open up to Giles, but I like it when they're friendly and respectful with one another. Even though I realize Buffy needs to know about it, I can't imagine how embarrassing it must be for Spike to let Giles tell her. Really liking this fic so far, Scarlet!
I thought long and hard about that- who Spike would tell because he needed some where else to stay, since he can't protect himself. Giles just made the most sense to me. I'm glad you're liking it so far, and I hope you like the rest :D

03/30/2007 12:55 am
Well, thank you Giles for NOT protecting her, and for making the leap of logic about Riley possibly hurting others. Now, let's see how Buffy handles it.
Giles is an intelligent guy- it'd be wrong to have him any other way ;) And Buffy, well... you'll see.

03/30/2007 12:37 am
very poignant, emotional chapter, love...very beautifully written and devastatingly painful...great chapter, love :)
Well, it's good that I have an excellent beta to watch my back :D

03/30/2007 12:28 am
Good second chapter! I always love it when Giles is friendly toward or at least tolerant of Spike. So glad he's backing up Spike here. It's hard to see Spike let this get to him (I think of Spike as more resiliant than that -- at least in terms of what he's willing to show) -- but the Giles thing has me totally hooked.
I get that it's hard to see it effecting Spike in such a matter, but I think that the fact of who it is, to be dominated by Captain Cardboard (even with a chip), of all people, would bring him to a depressing place and feel utterly shamed. At least, that's the perspective I wrote it from :D And I think Giles liked Spike (before the "Crush" ep), and he mentions spending quality time with him during the summer at the end of "The Real Me," so I took the ball and ran with it.