Crap, The First! Poor Spike and Buffy! Will this be more like canon or AU. Guess she's going to follow him now. Damn, one more to go, I hate this part, making him feel even more guilty. Willow will be there in the morning, so maybe she'll be more help this time around.

I see from the updates that a good portion of this story started with regular updates- then a three month or so break- followed by regular updates. Then another three month break, just to torture us. Two chapters were written 6/26/07 and I can only pray for the rest soon without a long hiatus. I am so interested in what could happen next.
I know real life can get in the way, but please write more!! soon!!
A devoted reader of Spuffy

I love this story so far! The idea of Buffy realizing how much she misses her Spike at the same time as seeing the softer side of real Spike all the trauma shows, is great. The sadistic and hateful First Evil playing with him and poor Dawn in such a cruel and twisted manner rouses all my protective instincts just from reading, and I am dying to get those crazy kids together and talking!! That's the only way, to compare stories, and it's tragically laughable how easy it is to make assumptions and lies and explanations that could mean the end of the world, or at least one life.
The anticipation of the next chapter is also stressful. On the show, Spike could be brainwashed partly because of his soul adn living directly on the Hellmouth. I am rather desperately hoping he won't physically be harming anyone without this help. AFter all, knowing he was cruel and said things while he never acted is far easier to understand than him saying those things, harming people while Buffy watches, and say he doesn't remember. As he leaves the house, PLEASE let it be our Spike and not a brainwashed or incorporeal version. I can't stand to see him in so much pain even as it hurts Buffy!
Must read more soon! Story has great ideas.

very bad timing for a walkabout. very good chapter, thank you.

Gah...feeling for both Spike and Buffy here... the First is playing some nasty games with them.

It will be interesting to see what happens once Willow arrives.

Hmmm... I wonder if Spike is off on a First-controlled killing spree... or if 'Buffy' has driven him out of the house while the real Buffy was upstairs in bed. Or if there is some other reason for him to be leaving...

Looking forward to the next chap.

Thanks for the updates!!

Curiouser and curiouser -- I love a good mystery.

Oh oh....The FE is one nasty bugger. Excellent rewrite of that plot BTW.

I am so excited to see more of this story. I am enthralled with it and dying to see where you are going (while enjoying the ride completely).

Thanks for the updates. I think you finally nailed Dawn too.

Kathleen

So, did triggered Spike just uncuff himself and go on walkabout for the First? Since we know the First, itself, can't open doors...

Poor baby...rewriting his head besides all the crap the First will do?

oh man....who let him out, though? the first had to have someone else do it, because it can't touch anything....hmmm....this just gets more and more intriguing, and can i just say i'm loving this kinder, gentler buffy? she's handling this as well as can be expected under the crazy circumstances :) great chapter, love :)