God bless the smart girl with the shiny hair. Now that's she helped Spike, I hope she goes and helps Buffy in the same way. I also hope Angel trips on a stake on the way home, but if wishes were fishes, James Marsters and I would be living at the bottom of the ocean. Another excellent chapter. I cried, if it makes you happy to know that sort of thing.

Don't know how I missed this update. Buffy's still so black and white about everything. Can't wait to read the next chapter. I hate that Spike's still in so much pain. I'm hoping that Buffy's only lashing out because she's hurt and confused as well. Yeah, we all wished Angel hadn't come back to SunnyD.

“No, I’ve been cast in an off-Broadway version of Les Misérables. I play Jean Valjean. I’ll be in drag, but it’s a big break for me.”
I freaking love your Dawn.

“'You can convince yourself that you’re the same person as him; you can tell yourself that all you want. It doesn’t make it true.'" In typical Buffy fashion, she attempts to make a distinction between the human and the vampire. She always thought that Angel was completely separate from Angelus. She's trying to do the same with William/Spike, and she's failing. In typical Spike fashion, he sees right through her smokescreen: "'...you know it’s the truth and that I’m the same man I was, just with a hundred years and a thousand dead men at my back. You know you still love me, and it scares the hell out of you!'" Buffy seems to know that William is close to Spike's surface, but she's afraid to admit it. But I'm not holding my breath until she does: that girl has an iron-clad stubborn streak :-P

My God, you take my breath away. This is an amazing story; please, PLEASE update soon, I can't wait to see what's going to happen. I love the way you've had canon suit your story so beautifully, and, to my amazement, I absolutely love your William. Usually I can't stand Will; both in Fandom and the Buffyverse, but you've made him sensitive without being a wimp; you made him a human being with all the foibles and strengths humans have, not a joke, or something for Spike to overcome. My hat is off to you, and I stand in awe. You have created a 'verse that is both beautiful, touching and brave. Bravo.

Absolutely wonderful chapter with a sad, however beautiful and touching ending. I loved it. I hope you'll write more soon.

Ah! I love it all! Dawn's great, and I hope Angel does something helpful for once, instead of screwing things up further. He's got the story, but I bet he won't tell. Great chapter!

I just so wanted to bitchslap her right now. TALK TO THE MAN... She can't imagine what he has gone through since her disappearance. But I am so happy for his sake that he has Dawn. She may be a teenager, but she is wise beyond her years. She picked up things quick and new that there was something that has changed between Buffy and Spike. And really can we stake Angel already. He just so gets on my nerves.

Oh Wow! My eyes actually started misting there towards the end. Poor Spike! I'm glad that he at least has Dawn's friendship through this whole mess. Buffy, as usual, is being a total bitch and refuses to look past the obvious "vampire" defense. As for Angel, can you just dust him, please? He just plain annoys me. Great chapter, by the way!

Absolutely fantastic. I almost feel like crying with Spike......but I'm far too hard core for that! great work, I can't wait for more.

It's a good thing that I'm allergic to alcohol because I would be so tempted to dive into a CASE of vodka after this last chapter!! Talk about angst!! Argh to Buffy, woo hoo for Dawn and an aginized sob for Spike/William. Here's hoping that Angel can put his stubbornness, his pride aside and tell Buffy about William's attachment to his Elizabeth after the turning. Too much to wish for?????

Wow, this story is Amazing!!!!! I LOVE it!!!!! This is definitely THE BEST time travel Spuffy story I've ever read!!!! It's Awesome!!!!! You nail ALL of the characters, especially Buffy and Spike!!!!! Along with their very complicated relationship!!!! Buffy and human William were written Beautifully too!!!! Your an Awesome writer, I feel like I'm watching Buffy on TV!!!! Keep up the Awesome work, and again Awesome story and job so far!!!! And PPMS, ASAP!!!! I Can't Wait to read more, and find out what happens next!!!!!! :)
Take Care,
Amber :)

Wonderful chapter! It hurt me but it was such a delicious pain.

Your Dawn rocks!

I like the new, more adult version of Dawn. Buffy right this moment I could do without. And don't even get me started about Broody Boy and his pet soul.

fantastic read. thank you. we have 'everything must be black and white' buffy; angel pretending not to be angelus; spike wallowing (he does not brood;) and dawn being at her best.

OMG, you almost made me cry at the end. Bad you, but also good too, lol.

This chapter was really good. It made me want to slap the sh*t out of Buffy for being a thick skulled idiot! God, i hope she comes to her sense soon and sees that Spike and William are one in the same. I want to know how the misunderstanding with his mother gets cleared up too!

Just when I thought I've bled all I can for these two, (especially Spike) you open the flood gates again. Straight away with the first sentences you had my heart in my throat. I'm all for the angst, and damn girl you know how to write it well.

I'm not surprised with how Buffy reacted at all. It's so like her to say that he couldn't be a man, that he could no longer be William but be only a monster. What a resounding truth when Spike said that she still loved him, but she is scared to hell of the fact. It was as much the truth on the show as in your story.

So at first I thought my favorite part was going to be from the first few paragraphs, but then I read this....

*“So…I guess you’re in school now, huh?” he asked, making an effort to sound friendly.

She didn’t even bother to hide her scorn. “No, I’ve been cast in an off-Broadway version of Les Misérables. I play Jean Valjean. I’ll be in drag, but it’s a big break for me.”*

LMAO!!! It's been days, maybe even a week since I've laughed so hard. What a brilliantly funny thing for Dawn to say. Angel's reaction was so dead on. I can just see his clueless expression. :))

Then the Spike/Angel confrontation in the street. So like those two. Always trying to stick it to each other.

And then Dawn and Spike. I love so much how she is there for him. She's the rock that he desperately needs. If not for the Jean Valjean line, this would have been my favorite part.

Aww...that's so sweet- the hugging and the crying. Not Buffy and Angel, of course. Poor Spike- it just breaks my heart... And go Dawn! That made me like her again :D

Whew that was awesome - Buffy is never so boneheaded and when she thinks she's right. That was heartrending.

The long-awaited confrontation between Spike and Buffy went nothing like I thought it would. I was hoping for fluffy "I'm sorrys" - silly me. But I love the angst, and I trust it will eventually lead to Spike knowing that Buffy really did love Wiliam all those years ago.

Incredibly well written and completely heartbreaking. I can't help comparing impressive Dawn and breathtakingly cruel Buffy. At least Angel acknowledged a twinge. Can't wait for more.

wow, i almost cried reading this. I kinda hope Buffy dies for the things she said to Spike. Or at least a good ass kicking...

GOD what a heartbreak! I so want to pummel Buffy. Yeah, I know all she's been taught and told but for the love of God she has EYES, a mind! Some part of the bitch has to know that is William!

Angel needs to have his liver removed, preferable through his nose. The beast, the bastard! He SAW William, he knows! If he had any real love for Buffy he'd head across town and tell her the truth and let the chips fall where they may. He should tell her about William and even if he didn't paint himself as black as he was he could clue her in that her William is there under all the bodies.

Part of me just wants Spike to leave the bitch for a while until SHE has to come looking for him when she wises up finally.

LOVE, LOVE Dawn. So glad she is there for him because he is gutted between Buffy and Angel.

I am crying here. Yet another perfect chapter. This just never fails to be exactly in character and heart wrenching stuff. Wonderful.

Kathleen

I love this story! Keep it coming.

Poor Spike. Buffy makes me sick.

Oh, poor Spike! Buffy is a cruel, vicious idiot. Thank you, Dawn, thank you, thank you.

Um, why is Angel walking when he owns a car?

Ahhh...Angel and Spike did what they do best....fell into old habits even though Angel could have helped right there. But they aren't the season 5 guys, yet, so.....a lot of blood under that bridge. Now that Angel knows, though...what will he say to Buffy (if anything)?

I can't believe she immediately pulled out the Anne card!!! Geeze! And that "different person" line is such a load of crap, since you'd have to wipe the brain and start over for that to be true! Such an ignorant fool....we're the sum of our memories, you moron....you can't canonize William to push off your own guilt.

At least Dawnie loves him....so, so many years of pain....I foresee we're getting a lot more angst from you for a while!

How much pain can one express with 4697 words? Well, I know now. The lines should be blurry and twisting for all the agony in there. Brilliant work, but sooo hard to read. I´m hanging onto your every word, go on soon, please.