I'm glad it was Buffy who accepted that the relationship with Angel was truly over. While heartrending at the time it's not nearly as permanently damaging as having her first love break up with her in the sewer just before the prom!

bravo!

Whew!   What a relief!  I so glad that she made the break, since he was just going to drag it on forever!  I really like the way that she sort out these issues. 

Whew!   What a relief!  I so glad that she made the break, since he was just going to drag it on forever!  I really like the way that she sort out these issues. 

Whew!   What a relief!  I so glad that she made the break, since he was just going to drag it on forever!  I really like the way that she sort out these issues. 

I really wasn't expecting that. I thought that Angel and Buffy would get into an argument and Buffy would throw some of the things Spike said in his face. Then, whatever??? I never expected Buffy to willingly end the relationship. (Excellent writing!!!)

Ending the relationship with Angel gutted Buffy, but she held it together until she got home. (That scene, walking away, was fantasticly strong.) Once at home, where she was safe, safe with her mother and safe with Spike, she turned the pain loose and let herself experience it. (This was something the canon Buffy never had the chance to do. Yes, she cried when alone. But she never had the chance to share her pain or recieved understanding and support. Canon Buffy held all her pain inside, convincing herself that the extreme pain she was feeling was a measure of how much she loved Angel.)

Excellent chapter!!!  :)

awww... so sad for our lil buffy... but, still, good riddance angel!!!!!!
~liz

I don't know how I missed the update yesterday, but 2 chapters in one day for me, Yay!!  I really love this story, keep up the great work!

Beautiful. 

The emotions roll off the page, or screen, really.  Spike and Joyce are just what she needed. 

Thanks.

As she curled up in her bed, alone, she saw Angel’s face before her eyes, as he had been the first time she had met him… and she forced it aside, closing her eyes and praying for sleep.

Just to add how much I liked the ending - I love how it brings in the vital change of perspective both in her understanding of Angel/Angelus and how being -ensouled works with the vampire-human entity.  This seeing him as she first saw him and the forcing aside makes a beautiful metaphor - new truths and new paths to travel.

Great chapter, and Buffy is clearly growing up and I bet dealing with Spike had something to do with it. Maybe I'm a little too hard on Angel, but it seems so in character for him to devastate Buffy with a noble statement that he'll be leaving for her, and then come back and hesitate and say he loves her... waiting for her to beg him to stay. I think Buffy feeling Angel made her so weak and act so humbly and still left was why she hated the thought of asking Riley to stay in Into the Woods.
Of course, the Spuffy part is what I'm interested in, and you know Joyce is going to think something of Buffy sobbing over Angel, and seeing Spike comfort her. I loved how you wrote that scene, and noticed the past-tense love too.
The Scoobies have been accepting of Spike, and don't seem to be thinking about the fact that the last vampire they accepted lost his soul and went on a killing spree. Spike has the same curse, he could lose his soul! And I wonder how different the experience of having the soul, Buffy's compassion, and living with the Happy Meals in a way that made them more people would affect soulless Spike?
Great update and looking forward to more!

Great pacing...I like the fact that ultimately Buffy told him to go. Her realization in the last paragraph was enlightening.

Wonderful!  You know, I don't think there are many stories set in this time period where BUFFY makes this choice....good on her!  I think she will heal much faster having been the one to do the leaving.  It will certainly keep her from having Angel's name on the list of men who abandon her and that will be a big step in helping her be emotionally healthy.

Spike is so intuitive (just as on the show) and knows what she needs.  He is just what she needs at this point....one who understands without judging.  His own past with Angel makes it easier to understand that mix of love and hate he can inspire too.

The mental image of the hand holding mirrors the "147 days" scene from S7 and was lovely!  As Spike was showing the same compassion it was perfect!

Kathleen

Heartbreaking for Buffy, but she knows she's done the right thing.

Yay Buffy!  I'm so glad you had her take matters in her own hand and break it off with Angel.  Gives her back some control of the situation with him. 

This is a very good story, BTW.  I"m not sure if I"ve reviewed before...