it is a pleasure to see buufy appreciate spike. those nominations are well deserved. very good read, thank you.

Congratulations on your nominations - you should put the links on your author's notes -

This is a wonderful Alternate Reality story -  thanks for your regular updates

Yep, "forget about Angel" - and I'm sure THAT's going to please the old poufter...Still, I'm interested to see what happens when the "real man" he pushed her towards turns out to be Spike...
Great story!

 Another wonderful, touching update.  

William is certainly shining through that shiny new soul!  But then, sometimes he was not far below the surface without it.  I wonder how his demon is feeling.  Angelus was also sooo pleased to be let out again.  I don't get the same feeling with Spike.  He just doesn't feel bad about what he's done.  Even without the First, I think he might have gone crazy with guilt for a while, just because of the caring person that he was.

Buffy is certainly benefiting from having him around, too.  She is maturing nicely.  And Joyce continues to be her wonder, understanding, supportive self.

Thanks for the update!

A wonderful chapter that is very realistic and true to all the characters but also fits in well with this plot very removed from canon. I'm glad Buffy is letting herself feel anger at Angel and not telling herself he's perfect and feels so guilty she can't be angry with him. As for Spike, I love the layers and how Buffy is seeing them, but what I keep thinking about is how Spike is cursed with a soul in this fic.  So, if he gets happy enough he could lose it. And what will soulless Spike with these new memories he's been making and the insight into having a soul do?
Can't wait to read more, and not afraid of Angel-bashing! Great story!

Lovely to see so much William in Spike... and a Buffy who seems to know her own mind is a rare treat.  Their growing friendship makes for a fabulous chapter.

I'm glad Angel-ass is leaving, I'm glad that Buffy had her one bad night of crying, but I'm really glad that she's starting to get angry. I always hated the way Angel could manipulate Buffy's emotions.

Ah!  Better than retail therapy.  Thank you.

Oh lovely in every way.  Love the shy William peeking out and being welcomed.  I don't imagine he did have much in the way of positive reinforcement after his mother passed.  Dru was more the sort that needed the spotlight on her (I am one of the few...or so it would seem... who really like and feel terrific sympathy for Dru BTW.   She was not able to nurture, however because of what had ben done to her.)

The friendship between Buffy and Spike is natural and would have been just like this had he socialized with her before she built her walls.  His friendship with Joyce is just what he needs.

Congratulations on the nominations....VERY MUCH DESERVED.  This is not the only story of your worthy and I am sure others will be receiving nominations in due time (one does not wish to compete against oneself after all! LOL). 

You are laying a wonderful foundation for a real relationship that will stand the test of time here.  Lovely!

Kathleen