That was really good. bravo

WOW! such a touching story... i almost cried...

 Splendid.  Wonderfully well-handled reconciliation between Dawn, Buffy & Spike.

A sweet and heart wrenching story. I liked that they were able to work through things, but in some ways it seemed like a big leap for him to go from the crazy mess of self loathing to happily kissing her - but maybe it was just more of the miraculous healing properties of slayer blood. :>

very angsty, I felt so bad for both Spike and Buffy, as well as Dawn. Love your work DoS. Take it easy love.

WOW what a way for this story to end. I am glad that Dawn and Spike had their conversation. And to have Buffy be the one to ask for the second chance was just awesome. She let go of all of that anger. And maybe she will be able to help him deal with his past 'demons'. Great story.

aawww. How sweet :) That would totally be a perfect ending right there. But, looks like you have more planned...

NICE PIECE - like how you ended the story and using Warren to bring in the theme of past history and starting over with a real potential for a relationship and new chance for both -

One of the things that I really felt the writers back off from and needed to be resolved was that scene from the alley in Dead Things. We know that it was mostly all metaphor for emotional trauma and symbolic of the Inner Monsters, both Buffy's & Spike, but I think that the writers really missed a great chance at speaking to Buffy's oftentimes violent nature and easy use of Spike as a ready means to channel her inner demons onto Spike.

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Can't wait to see what they do with the problem of the First, but I LOVED this chapter! :) I can't believe how you make me like Dawn, story after story.

Didn't expect a kiss between them so soon, but it's good to see Buffy apologize, too.

That was so sweet. You write those tender moments that were too far between on the show so well.

Time to heal for both of them - beautiful chapter.

Now see. THIS is what should've happened in season 7. Instead we get a Buffy whose only acknowledgement of her behavior was a half assed confession to a vamp she was going to kill and saying you're just know getting that to Spike's saying that he got that she was using him. In both circumstances , Buffy never took any of the blame for her abusive behavior.

really enjoyed buffy in this chapter. finally starting to understand who she is. very good read, thank you.

Still wish she could just articulate!

You know I have thought a lot about Spike going to get his soul. The only souled vampire ever was Angel and so he was the only "authority"....now we all know he lied and/or told half truths about the difference that soul made. Angel made it sound like Angelus just was gone....not even aware of anything just as he with a soul was not aware of what unsouled Angelus did. Seperate beings running the body at different times. As far as anyone, especially Spike, was concerned that is what getting a soul involved. By getting that soul Spike (Demon included because he did it deliberately and willingly)was expecting to commit a form of suicide...at least the demon. He was condemning himself as he knew himself to death to keep from er hurting her again! Your having him misunderstand Buffy's intentions here “Might make us both feel better" picks up that spirit. If his death will make it better for her, keep her from hurting, he's willing.

That she cannot say the words, while typical, annoys the hell out of me. What he did to her IS forgivable if only because HE stopped himself (rapists don't do that)....that is far more than she did. She didn't really stop herself until she no longer "needed" to punch and verbally stake him. I'd say it's a draw and she should let him know that as well.

Love your stories, pet. Happy to see the update.

Kathleen

Just read this in one go instead of writing a paper for my class. And you had me in tears. Especially on the first and the last part. They were so to the point and would have loved your Buffy to be on the show, showing some compassion.

Loved this :D