02/03/2008 02:26 am
I like your working of this scene much better than what happened in the show; of course Buffy would go to Spike; she went to him about everything else!!! And why the hell wouldn't Willow & Tara pay rent?? It always surprised me about that; especially that Tara didn't suggest it; she was always the thoughful one; I could see Willow freeloading quite easily, and I suppose she'd overrule poor Tara. Absolutely love your Dawn/Spike scenes; wish we'd gotten more of them in the show. Can't wait for more; please update again soon!
I always wondered if maybe Willow and Tara thought that since they spent a summer taking care of Dawn they were owed free room and board. Since the BtVS writers never addressed the issue on the show, I guess we'll never know the true reason. Ah, well. Thanks so much for the review. :D
02/01/2008 04:01 pm
I'm SOOOO happy for an update! Glad Buffy and Spike are making progress.
Thank you so much. :D
02/01/2008 02:10 pm
Oh boy - time for Spike to do something incredibly stupid. I can't wait. Loved Spike spilling blood on Buffy, they are so incredibly, stpuidly awkward with each other. Hope that isn't some evil foreshadowing.
Poor Spike. He tries so hard but you're right, he doesn't always use his head, especially when it comes to Buffy. Thanks so much for the review. :D
02/01/2008 07:45 am
excellent read, thank you. was tempted to go off on a rant about the financial situation ( who forged her name to pay bills, why pay the medical bills before the house, etc) but none of the that is your fault. just another case of the writers taking an easy road.
Exactly. The BtVS writers sort of dropped the ball on that one. I am going to work on picking up the pieces later on, but for now, the Scoobies are following canon in that respect. Thanks so much for reviewing. :D
Deb
02/01/2008 05:57 am
Even yet it's still somewhat sweet and bitter as they move through the tough times. Spike is able to painfully point out the very truth in where she lives both physically and emotionally. I do like that you are able to portray Buffy as overwhelmed, and even though Spike is blunt with his comments and it's not yet an easy relationship, he's there for her where the others are often bystanders to her pain. As always excellent writing. Looking forward to more!
I don't believe in immediate gratification in stories (lol, well, obviously). While I think there is an incredible amount of love between them, both of them are working on rebuilding their trust, so things are going to be slightly awkward and, at times, even unpleasant. I'm glad you like the realism in that. Thank you so much for letting me know. :D
01/31/2008 12:23 pm
It's sad when a vampire and a teenager you're supposed to be responsible for are the two most sane, sensible, supportive and soothing people in your life.
That is very true. One thing that always annoyed me about the series was the lack of emotional growth among the key characters. In fact, a few of them (including Buffy herself) seemed to regress in the last couple of seasons. In my story, people won't always be allowed to remain so wilfully immature. Thanks for the review. :D
IT
01/31/2008 06:18 am
Thanks for the update! They still have a way to go, but they're on the right path. And why was Giles so quiet??? More soon, please!
Giles has a lot on his mind, that's all. ;) Thanks for the review!
Ashley
01/31/2008 05:09 am
I also get so excited when I see this story is updated :) I'm hoping the whole "Willow and Tara should pay rent" thing will sink in. I love how they're slowly growing more comfortable w/ each other and Buffy can talk openly with him. Looking forward to more.
You're so sweet. Thanks for the review. The rent issue will crop up again in the story, although, of course, I'm keeping my lips sealed as to how and why. :)
01/31/2008 04:18 am
Spike is too good for Buffy! But as always, Spike is Love's Bitch. Good advice. Hopefully Buffy will heed it.
Spike being too good for Buffy ... well, he'd be angry with you if you told him that. lol. Of course, as you said, he is love's bitch. Thanks for the review. :D
01/31/2008 03:58 am
Spike's right, and Buffy already thought about it, Willow and Tara need to spit out some rent money!
And what's up with Giles. Why do I feel he's focused on something else? Is somehing coming or is he worried about Buffy and Spike?
Spike said money is easy to get. I can't help but to wonder what he means by that. Can't wait until you grace us with another update.
BTW, this was a wonderful surprise. Having a shitty day, this made me happy! Thanks, UB.
And what's up with Giles. Why do I feel he's focused on something else? Is somehing coming or is he worried about Buffy and Spike?
Spike said money is easy to get. I can't help but to wonder what he means by that. Can't wait until you grace us with another update.
BTW, this was a wonderful surprise. Having a shitty day, this made me happy! Thanks, UB.
I'm so sorry you were having a bad day, but I'm happy I was able to help you feel better. Your review definitely made me feel good as well. :D
01/31/2008 03:56 am
And I wonder what Spike is up to? Poor Buffy, just like in the series after her resurrection, she let's everyone tell her what to do. I hope her money situation works out! And yay, for the update! I did a happy squeal. Do you know about how many chapters you have left to do?
Well, if Spike has his say in it, Buffy finances will be sorted out very soon ... Thanks for the review. :D
01/31/2008 03:44 am
Damn secrets and lies...it's not good for one's self esteem :sigh:
Oh noes--does this mean a retelling of "As You Were?" If so, please have someone kick Riley's ass.
And, absolutely loved this line: “Let them pay rent then, or find a new place. By God, you aren’t the only adult in that house and you aren’t the only one capable of singing for your supper.”
Oh noes--does this mean a retelling of "As You Were?" If so, please have someone kick Riley's ass.
And, absolutely loved this line: “Let them pay rent then, or find a new place. By God, you aren’t the only adult in that house and you aren’t the only one capable of singing for your supper.”
And poor Spike never had any self-esteem to spare in the first place did he? As for the retelling of AYW ... well, you'll just have to wait and see. But it's great to know you enjoyed that particular line. I just loved Spike being able to vent the frustrations that most fans seemed to have with Buffy's financial state. Thanks for the review. :D
01/31/2008 03:30 am
Just a quickie for now:
Injustice League--Funny as hell :lol:
he picked up her hand and put it to his chest, over the place where his heart no longer beat--Sad as hell :-(
Injustice League--Funny as hell :lol:
he picked up her hand and put it to his chest, over the place where his heart no longer beat--Sad as hell :-(
Two of my favorite lines as well. Thanks! :D
kim
01/31/2008 02:47 am
Oh, and I love this --
It hurts a little—
What does?
—shedding old calluses
It hurts a little—
What does?
—shedding old calluses
Would you believe I almost deleted those lines before I sent the chapter to my beta? I was afraid it might be too heavy-handed, but I love them so much, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I'm glad you like them. :-D
kim
01/31/2008 02:44 am
He's right about those damn freeloaders, of course. I get Willow not putting in her share, but it always confused me that it was implied Tara didn't either. She didn't seem like the type to take advantage of someone like that.
At least Buffy's used to talking to William enough that she confides her fear and bewilderment here instead of bottling it up. Giles' silence is......odd. I know he's not just holding a grudge over Buffy's absence.....I suppose if there's no apocalypse he's needed for, he'll be hightailing it out of town soon to avoid the responsibility of guiding these children.
The nice thing about bills is that if you go in with honesty and willingness to work out a payment plan, they usually work with you. Especially the bank, since it costs them more to have you default on the loan than if they keep you out of foreclosure.
At least Buffy's used to talking to William enough that she confides her fear and bewilderment here instead of bottling it up. Giles' silence is......odd. I know he's not just holding a grudge over Buffy's absence.....I suppose if there's no apocalypse he's needed for, he'll be hightailing it out of town soon to avoid the responsibility of guiding these children.
The nice thing about bills is that if you go in with honesty and willingness to work out a payment plan, they usually work with you. Especially the bank, since it costs them more to have you default on the loan than if they keep you out of foreclosure.
You're completely right. And I think that, in my story, William is probably the only man Buffy was ever truly comfortable opening up with. As much as she loved Angel, she never seemed on equal footing with him, and, aside from the typical "I love yous," she never really seemed to express her feelings. With Riley, I think she neither trusted him enough or loved him enough to share her private thoughts. Part of this was due to the pain caused to her by Angel/Angelus, of course. William was so gentle and undemanding that she could finally expose the vulnerable part of her because she knew he wouldn't take advantage of her or hurt her. With Spike, it's a bit harder, of course. But his being willingness to share his own vulnerabilities with her has made it a bit easier for her to do the same. Anyway, now that I've rambled on, I'll just say thanks, as always, for the review. :D
01/31/2008 01:29 am
Great to have an update - I really like this work and have enjoyed reading it - Thank You for giving us the new chapter -
One thing that I always felt was a big flaw in the series was Spike being presented as not having means to acquire money - Not that a Spike on the road of redemption should be doing illegal acts, but it would have been great if he could have helped Buffy with all her money woes. Of course that was not a role that was acceptable to the writers, but I would like to have had that happen. Wouldn't it have been a fun episode to have a Spike and Buffy, with or without the Scoobies, go to Laos Vegas and try some gambling. Not very Young Viewers friendly but something that the adult viewers would have like.
Well, I will just have to wait and see how Spike can help with the money acquisition or what Buffy will do.
One thing that I always felt was a big flaw in the series was Spike being presented as not having means to acquire money - Not that a Spike on the road of redemption should be doing illegal acts, but it would have been great if he could have helped Buffy with all her money woes. Of course that was not a role that was acceptable to the writers, but I would like to have had that happen. Wouldn't it have been a fun episode to have a Spike and Buffy, with or without the Scoobies, go to Laos Vegas and try some gambling. Not very Young Viewers friendly but something that the adult viewers would have like.
Well, I will just have to wait and see how Spike can help with the money acquisition or what Buffy will do.
I agree completely. I never understood why, on the show, the writers never chose to have him try to help her. In a way, it was out of character for him. Spike was very protective of those he loved (look at how he treated Dru), so I can't imagine him just standing idly by while he knew Buffy was struggling. Like you said, the writers probably just saw it as unacceptable to have a "soulless, evil thing" in the role of a nurturer. Thanks for the review! :D
Cas
01/31/2008 01:19 am
Money's easy got? Maybe for Spike - but I'll be intersted in how, and so will Buffy.
Spike is one determined boy, so I'm sure he'll manage it somehow. Thanks for reviewing! :D
01/31/2008 12:58 am
I really like how *real* this is becoming - the everyday hassles ruining everything for Buffy. And that she instinctively knows that Spike can understand.
I really wish she'd speak up about the financial situation to her friends, but it would probably be OOC for her to do so.
I really wish she'd speak up about the financial situation to her friends, but it would probably be OOC for her to do so.
lol. Well, financial woes are something I am more than a little familiar with, so that is probably why is feels real. Buffy opening up to Spike was such a big step for her. She's never been good at expressing her feelings to men (or, really, to anyone), and it was only with William that she began to truly open up. It's harder for her to do that with Spike, but I think when he's willing to make himself vulnerable to her, it encourages her to do the same. I'm happy that you think I'm doing a good job with the plot and characters. Thanks so much for the review. :D
01/31/2008 12:24 am
I'm so happy to see the update! This is such a fabulous story! I'm glad she's decided to give Spike a chance. Hope the next chapter won't be long in coming. Thanks!
It's a long, hard journey, but these two have so much love between them they can't help but succeed. And Buffy's opening up to Spike is this chapter is the first small step. Thanks so much for the review. I really appreciate it! :D
01/30/2008 11:35 pm
Aww.. bless im SO GLAD you tackled the freeloader issue
now thats the question i would ask at a con, Why was buffy encouraged to get a job and not the others? im sure it had something to do with pushing her further over the edge, but seriously... its my biggest storyline pet peeve
now thats the question i would ask at a con, Why was buffy encouraged to get a job and not the others? im sure it had something to do with pushing her further over the edge, but seriously... its my biggest storyline pet peeve
It was my biggest pet peeve as well, and what is most annoying is that the writers never did address it. They said that "adult life" was the theme of season six, yet I didn't see a lot of maturing taking place, especially amongst the Scoobies. In my story ... well ... just wait and see. Thanks for the review! :D
01/30/2008 11:17 pm
Spike's talking a lot of sense - and Buffy seems a lot more open with him. Love it!
When he isn't letting his emotions completely overwhelm him (and sometimes, even when he does) Spike is a very perceptive and intelligent person, isn't he? His being so determined to discuss these things is good, if difficult, for Buffy. It's almost the opposite of their relationship before. In 1880, it was William who kept his emotions suppressed and Buffy who gently worked to open him up. In the present day, Spike is the one who wants to talk about their relationship and their lives. Thanks for the review! :D
Pam S
01/30/2008 10:57 pm
And nothing about anyone else getting a job.. Spike is right.
Waiting to see where his money comes from.. Hopefully been in a bank and drawing a lot of interest over the years or poker
Don't think Buffy could handle from his past "meals"..
Glad she feels she can depend on Spike/William for comfort and understanding..
Enjoying
Well, since William never collected from his accounts -- and since he had no heirs -- I'm sure that after an extended period of time his estate and holdings would have been turned over to the government. After all, no one would have been aware that after 50 or 60 years he would still be "alive." But the lack of a trust fund doesn't mean the lack of money for Buffy. Spike will be sure of that. Thanks for the review. :D
01/30/2008 10:29 pm
Doing the excited dance of favorite story ever updates (scaring my dogs)
<i>“All the pressure they’re putting on her"</i>, indeed! On the show I was so angry with the lot of them dumping so much on the girl!
A bit worried about Giles and his behavior in this chapter...got a feeling it won't be anything good for Spike. Think he'd agree with his S7 canon self that Spike should be "removed". *shiver*
Why doesn't the most powerful witch in the world mojo some help financially? Hey even hacker WIllow could shift a few pennies in the bank data base to help out! LOL I always wondered that on the show...Willow could have magiced those copper pipes for crying out loud! Rent at the very least would be appropriate (and what happened to the inventory of the gallery while Buffy was gone?)
Poor mixed up kids! Spike has to learn to curb his temper along with that bloodlust she's so concerned about and she needs to just get over the fact he's a vampire and drinks blood. Both need each other so much and yet are trying not to let the other know.
Lovely update even if Giles scares me and the Scoobies piss me off.
Kathleen
<i>“All the pressure they’re putting on her"</i>, indeed! On the show I was so angry with the lot of them dumping so much on the girl!
A bit worried about Giles and his behavior in this chapter...got a feeling it won't be anything good for Spike. Think he'd agree with his S7 canon self that Spike should be "removed". *shiver*
Why doesn't the most powerful witch in the world mojo some help financially? Hey even hacker WIllow could shift a few pennies in the bank data base to help out! LOL I always wondered that on the show...Willow could have magiced those copper pipes for crying out loud! Rent at the very least would be appropriate (and what happened to the inventory of the gallery while Buffy was gone?)
Poor mixed up kids! Spike has to learn to curb his temper along with that bloodlust she's so concerned about and she needs to just get over the fact he's a vampire and drinks blood. Both need each other so much and yet are trying not to let the other know.
Lovely update even if Giles scares me and the Scoobies piss me off.
Kathleen
Poor Spike is just so stunted emotionally. He expressed it in a different way when he was William, of course, but he was the product of a very indulgent mother and a serious lack of proper adult companionship. I'm sure that if Buffy had been allowed to remain with him in the past, she would have cured him of all his insecurities and taught him to express himself in a healthy manner. Because she wasn't, his problems have only grown over time. Now, his immediate reaction is to lash out when he is hurt, and you're right, he's going to have to change that. As for Buffy's acceptance of his true nature as a vampire ... that will be a hard road also. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. As always, thanks so much for the review! :-D
ya_lublyu_tebya
01/30/2008 10:09 pm
Sounds like Spike's going to help her- yay. And also, awww, just love this sweetness. It'll probably going wrong but it gives me tinglies. Keep up the excellent work.
I think that Spike -- both on the series and in my story -- is a very nuturing sort of person. Because he loves Buffy, he is willing to do anything to take care of her. It's one of the things I love most about him. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Thank you for taking the time to review. :-D