ARGGH is this like the whole Riley Doctor Egg thing.  Is spike going to earn his soul in this story.

Oh NOOOO!  I can just see where this is leading.  Please fix it!

have to agree with dawn.  where is red's mind?  good chapter, thank you.

I love the part where you wrote that Spike knew he was in over his head. He knows what he is doing is wrong yet he can't back out of it. Almost as if he has a wish for failure regarding his relationship with Buffy. Too good to be true.

oh dear. 
You're gong to throuw another wrench in the works soon, aren't you? 
This is such a finely wrought story.  Your characterizations are perfect. 
Loved Dawn following him out of the house. 
Buffy is drunk on her power over Spike?  Maybe a little tipsy? 

Oh, so now we're waiting for Riley to stick his stupid head into the picture and depress Buffy some more--first by outing Spike as the caretaker of demon eggs, then by making sure Spike can't get any more money, then by getting her kicked out of her home when no more money is coming in.
By the way, I wondered when she'd try waiting to see if some random fledge would act normally if she left it alone. Not one of her smarter moves.

ohhh I see a bad turn for our dear old spike...

Good Anya and excellent scene with Spike and Dawn.  The whole chapter had a very Victorian feel to it which is very nice in contrast to all the modern muck that's around. 

The eggs! Now why didn't I see this coming?  I'm so on edge. Spike is just setting himself up for a big fall. Making bad choices, but doing it all for love, that's our guy.

Every time you mention the ring, I feel all weepy. She says she loves him, trusts him. If so then why won't she, can't she wear his ring?

I see much heartache on the horizon. Fav part...

He said it dispassionately; neither proud nor ashamed of the part he played in the creature’s misery. To him, it was just a part of life, a means of making money. Dawn shivered and turned away from the cage.

I liked this because its raw and revealing about his nature. Makes me question if its the demon in him or did this cynical side of him just develope over time?

Brilliant update. Really good insight into Spike's feelings. But God, I've got this horrible feeling it's all going to blow up in his face and she'll leave him and he'll go psycho... Hmm. More please!

This is a wonderful chapter. It's good to have Buffy and Spike finally "out", and to see the Scoobies dealing with something that is, rather than trying to stop something that might be. Dawn is great in her interactions with everybody, as always. It was very interesting to see Buffy try to apply Spike's history to reach a natural, but flawed conclusion: vamps aren't inherently evil. This is territory worth exploring further!

This is insane. the plot thikens and the dread grows

Dawn's right,  when Buffy finds out, that is if Giles doesn't fiend out first, everything is going to hell isn't it?

I know angst is part of the story and I have loved reading its development. But wasn't ready for  Spike as Buffy's puppy dog that hasn't quite learned his manners yet.. or Spike the dolt. Got that in As You Were and didn't know we would revisit it.. So be it.

 Waiting to see what will happen with the eggs and Giles and more importantly Buffy and Spike's relationship..

Great chapter!

Gosh i just know this is going to blow up in Spikes face... starting the cringing now........

can't wait for MORE!!!!

Thanks for the update.

Oh my GOD.  I have the same sick knot in my stomach that Dawn does.  What the hell is Spike thinking??  Never mind, i know what he's thinking, but OH MY GOD.  I think he's fully aware of what will happen if Buffy finds out, but he's forcing himself to do this anyway; would certainly explain why he's not eating; he sees this as the only way to help her, and he's going to do it, even if it costs him her love.  Amazing chapter, as always; can't wait to see more; you're ramping up the tension unbearably!!!  Bravo!!

Great chapter - knew Spike could be doing something really bad, but did not expect this - what a terrible potential for complete disaster.  Can't wait to see where you are taking this - especially after his discusison with Buffy and his telling her that he could have been a different kind of vamp from the normal.

Ahhh, so it is the eggs, only they're cooled this time. As for Dawn's pondering at the end...yeah, I'm wondering about that, too. Does Spike just want to get Buffy back on her feet before he knows the time will come for her to move on? He has to know if he doesn't stick to her ideals enough, that they won't have a life together.

Flowering almond.  Thank you.  Now, talk your boy into getting a decent job, like cage-fighting!

Oh, dear, Spike really has got himself into trouble!  I hate to image what will happen when Buffy finds out, because I have a horrible feeling she will eventually.   And I have a sneaking suspicion that Giles will be in on it.  He was just too curious about the money; from where and how much.  I bet he's going to try to use Spike's activities to bring Buffy to her "senses."  But then, it's all speculation and I could be wrong ... please?

Oh, and be kind to Spike ... please feed him more! :)

Well, this Spike is clearly a lot more clever and a lot more knowledgeable about the eggs as opposed to canon.  Not sure how to feel about that.  But on the other hand, this Buffy is clearly more caring for Spike and their relationship.  She calls it a relationship, so that's a huge plus.  I don't know how you're going to spin that god-awful AYW, but I'm putting my faith in you :D

And of course--yes, I still have hope.  High hopes for that other thing that's been discussed and disscussed ad infinitum.

And Willow still isn't paying rent, and has the audacity to complain about Buffy's personal life?  Oh yeah, it's time for her to move her ass out.

OH GOD!  I smell set-up in a major way here (just as on the show).....he has GOT to do something to get out of this before those eggs hatch or before he gets caught.  Giles is on the scent now and that can not be of the good.

Poor Spike, trying so hard but oh so clueless.  He may HAVE to go get that soul to be in a position to think more clearly about consequences and human "morality".  Yes it would end with Buffy in a New York minute. 

Wish Buffy had put on that ring.

Damn!  Why hasn't fully souled Giles come up with a way to help Buffy with the finances?  Tara made a good point about rent at least (notice no guilt in Willow though). 

Scary update...just scary.

Kathleen

Oh sadness, we all knew he was going to be doing something bad. I keep hoping something will happen where Spike will still have to run of and get his soul back.

Another wonderful chapter :).