hi, just found you and this story through the llg awards. great story! i'm excited to read more, and i hope you don't mind if i friend you to keep up!

Oh I love it! Tara is so sweet and Buffy is so confused and Joyce is so motherly. It's true that Buffy wouldn't have been the ideal person to comfort Spike, but even she would have been better than leaving him alone to grieve. Is that it? Is it finished? It just sort of stops... I really want to know how the rest of the season goes now Spike is chipless and we didnt have the whole 'chained up in the crypt' incident to put Buffy right off Spike.

thank you for the 2 new fics, i loved unfinished business, glad for the spuffy ending, any chance of a happily ever after sequel or epilogue? and broken things is just great, glad to see tara was able to intervene before buffy started treating spike so poorly

As for this chapter, Buffy for all her emotional problems really showed great presence of mind in calling her mom and sending her to Spike. Buffy really isn't capable of helping him, and with that lack of ability she still managed to send Joyce who is probably the best person on the planet to be there for him right now. I love that Tara was the only person at home and that she was able to be there for Buffy and help her see things in a non judgmental light and make a decision before Willow, who is the least judgmental of the Scoobies, came home. Willow's reaction was perfect for this time frame and I can only imagine how much worse Giles' and even more so Xander's would have been. Thanks so much for the update I really enjoyed it.

Loved it :)

I love it!

Oh God.

Great chapter!

Wise Tara - Willow was a bit harsh wasn't she?

She can't leave him like that! GO BACK, YOU SILLY BINT!

Great Spike voice.

Tara was well cast as the sounding board and sympathetic ear.  Her reaction was nicely juxtaposed with Willow's immediate judgemental response to Spike's feelings.  Buffy sending Joyce to the mansion nicely tempered her abrupt flight from Crawford Street, showing she does care about Spike's feelings.  Buffy's concise wrap up of why Spike matters at the end of this chapter was lovely, and it worked in the context of her emotional conversation with Tara.

I really loved Tara's observation about Buffy being one to cry alone in the dark, it made Buffy's tearful tale more poignant.

Buffy's being extremely magnanimous.

well I am glad that Buffy was trying to look after Spike in some fashion by getting her mother to go to him. I just love how Tara always had a calming feature about herself and leave it to Willow to just jump on the "Tell Spike NO and kick him out band wagon". I just hope he is okay.

Good dialogue, and I like the way conversations and events from the series change subtly, rather than being exactly the same.

This story is really good.

very good update, thank you. glad to see buffy sending joyce to spike and very glad to see tar being the one she talks to about what happening. love tara.

keep it up, buffy...stay strong regardless of your other friends and listen to tara...i hope to see how spike's doing in the next chapter...this one was excellent...great job ;)

forgot of i reviewed here or not, but great chapter, glad tara has a bigger part to play

Well Tara's advice was certainly rational and got Buffy's head on straight, but can I just mention that running from Spike to have girl talk after he dusted his Sire ranks pretty high up on the Cold Scale? Compassionate Buffy really took a walk on that one. Looking forward to the next update.

Geez, I'm all caught up now. Just love Tara, glad she was the one to be there and help Buffy get through this. That will be an interesting conversation with her mom when she tell her mom about Spike's feelings and her will remember what he told her. Hope you can update soon. As the new chapters come in, you'll find that I'm not above begging when I find a story that I like. Great story here. Thanks for the read.

I think it's a step forward for Buffy that she called Joyce. Her usual M.O. is to just run, usually without talking to anybody. It's good to see her reaching out in her own Buffy-ish way. Also - Yay for Tara! She's such a steadying influence, and I love that she doesn't judge. It's a pity the same can't be said of Buffy's other friends.

Good chapter. I am glad that Buffy saw Tara first. She is the most reasonable and kind person of the bunch. I hope Buffy actually follows through on what Tara said.

Wow he dusted Dru! Guess there wasn't anything left for him to do since she had Buffy in a thrall. He needed Buffy so much and all she could do was run, how sad. Excellent chapter, great read.

Nice of her to allow Dru to leave if she would. This is going to be very interesting. Wonderful chapter.

Of course Giles would think the worst and Xander too when he finds out. Glad that she's at least giving him the benefit of doubt. Very interested in what he's going to do with his Sire. Excellent chapter, great read.

Wow can't wait to see how that's going to work out and Dru is back looking for him, which is never any good. Great read, thanks.

Poor Spike couldn't face her, not yet anyway. Got rid of Harm which is definately for the good. I see that Dawn picked up on what Spike had confessed to Joyce but Joyce didn't. Dawn was always sharp as a tack. Not much got by her. Another wonderful chapter, thanks for the read.

Glad that Spike didn't feed or kill him. Was hoping it would go that way. Alway's loved Spike and Joyce scenes and that she always liked him and not Angel, the woman had taste. Wonder when he's going to tell the slayer, or even if he is. Really like this, going to the next I think before I go to bed. Thanks for the fine read.

Very exciting chapter! Spike's chip didn't fire! That's what happened when Glory headbutted him. Doubt if he will feed but you never know, he jumped Harm when he was corporal, so going to find out. Great read, thanks.

This is the first fic that I've read of yours and it looks very good. Like where you're starting from. What happened to Spike? His ear is bleeding? I'm guessing it's part of the plot, so I guess I'll see what's the what. Good read, thanks.

At least Spike won't be alone and thank God for Tara! Great Chapter and I can't wait for more.

Great chapter. Please update soon, please. Poor Spike, left alone,after what happened!!!!

Absolutely brilliant update! Looking forward to Buffy and Spike's next meeting.

And okay, I get that she's incompetant when it comes to emotional/mentally challenging situations, but her behavior is such at odds with how I would have been....it's hard to show any compassion for her being so...ugh.... I had a friend, when we were 5, that was being abused by her dad, and she came to me for comfort and advise...even at that age...so helping others through tragedy is something I was born with to handle. A gift of empathy, as my family refers to it as. Just wanted to let you know where I'm coming from on the Buffy opinions. I am very glad that she got deterred from the hate train very quickly, and that Spike won't be disinvited from the house soon. I can't imagine the shape the poor Desoto's in. She decided to drive, in that state? Truly scary!!!!

Thank you, Tara!!! Thank you, thak you, thank you... Poor Spike...he needed comfort, and the coward just ran. At least she called Joyce...who's probably going to reprimand Buffy when she sees her next. You know, Buffy, just because Angel didn't act devastated when he staked Darla for you, doesn't mean that Spike's going to have an easy time severing that connection with his sire. Dru was his everything, until you came along. Nearly 120 years of making her his world. This death is huge, and she couldn't show an inch of compassion and cry with him....bitch. It would have been enough comfort just to lay your hand on his shoulder, or hold his hand. Just so he wasn't alone.

Wow. I'm very impressed with Buffy that, in that state, she thought to call Joyce to look after Spike. Well done. And it's incredible the difference of having the first reaction be from Tara rather than the Scoobies can make.

Well plans for a morning read went out the door. But finally I got around to it. I'm so glad that Buffy found Tara in the room instead of Willow, just imagining how things could have gone makes me shudder. Now I desperately want to know how Spike is fairing, poor baby. Will wait patiently for more. I sooooo love this fic.

You've taken a situation that happened on the show and taken it into a different "what if" direction.  In this case, what would have happened if Buffy had gone to Tara instead of Willow after she found out that Spike was in love with her?  We get to see a little bit of Tara's opinion when Buffy tells her that she's been sleeping with Spike, but of course at that point, things were too screwed up for Tara to make a difference.  It's nice to see Tara as the voice of reason.  The Scoobie's lives would all be much better if they saw things through her eyes.

I'm glad Buffy was affected this way by everything that happened. She didn't go General Buffy and she didn't just dismiss it or overreact.

And the way you fit Tara in was awesome, definitely the best person for her to go to, and definitely a good way to see Tara fitting in. I love stories where Tara and Buffy are good friends.

And at least she sent Joyce to Spike. How is he doing? Please tell me!

I *heart* Tara! I'm glad she was able to get in there with the voice of reason before the scoobies had the chance to do their usual poisoning act.

And I am so glad that despite her state of mind Buffy was able to think clearly enough to get Joyce to go and help Spike.

Fabulous chapter, my dear.

Hooray for Tara talking some sense into Buffy! Well done.

great chapter

My first thought was no Buffy Spike needs you, go to him, but with everything that has happened to Buffy over the last while, as well as Dru just having her in thrall, I just can't see her being able to do anything but run and regroup. The only way she has learned to cope with the things that have happened to her is to shut down emotionally and with that comes the reaction that when things get too hard, too emotionally trying she hides from it. I am looking forward to the emotional impact for Spike from what has happened and am grateful that he has Joyce in his corner. Thanks for such a thought provoking update, I really enjoyed it.

Your Tara voice is excellent. Great chapter overall.

Well done Buffy to get Joyce to go to Spike. And even more well done Tara - voice of reason.

Thank goodness for Tara. It's a pity she didn't get to give that advice first in the original version. Lovely chapter.

I loved the difference between Tara's calm wisdom and Willow's gut reaction to the news that Spike loves Buffy. Thank goodness Buffy sought out the dorm and found Tara there alone. And I was heartened to see Buffy's concern for Spike even through her confusion.

Lovely chappie and will be on the look out for more when it arrives. Thanks ever so. *hugs*

I liked Tara's advice very much. Sensible girl, as ever.
I love that Buffy rang Joyce to go to Spike. It made sense that she ran herself, but very encouraging that she thought on to find help for Spike in the midst of her own distress.

Looking forward to reading joyce with Spike next chp., hopefully? Looks hopeful.

If Buffy cried, Tara would have expected it to be in private, on her own, in a darkened room in the dead of night. Buffy didn't even cry in front of the Scoobies, let alone walking through an area filled with people who'd be all too happy to spend hours speculating over her misfortune.


What a very astute observation fro both you and Tara to make. I love the way you write Tara, and I'm so very glad you had Buffy find her before Willow! Sometimes we just need a rational sounding board, and Tara does that well. Willow predictable spazzes; though in all fairness to Willow Tara was never kidnapped by a drunken , heart broken vampire, or had said vampire make several good attempts to eat her. So maybe I can forgive Willow for being a little biased! At any rate, good thing for all concerned that you had Buffy find Tara first.

Tara's comment regarding her crushes on inappropriate people is very well taken. She does add a lot of wisdom to the gang. I suspect that Buffy will eventually get there, but she's too young to have the perspective at this point in her life. Very in character; nicely done. I sympathize. I know romantic complications seemed life threatening when I was was Buffy's age!


And so glad Buffy thought to send Joyce to check on Spike. That's a good sign for everyone involved, not to mention for future Spike & Buffy interactions.

Thank God Tara laid down a layer of reason before Willow showed up. It bodes well for future Spike/Buffy interaction.

Oh, I enjoyed this, esecially Spike belonging to himself. I liked dru's description of his 'new ' family too, the 'green fairy lights'.

Coming back from my vacation and finding this great chapter was lovely!
Terrific part !
Wonderful combination of poignancy and beauty.
I always imagined that the better way for Dru to cease to be would be to be dusted by Spike.

Thank you. :)

I don't know how I missed these past three chapters, but I was happy to read them all together.  Giles' reaction to the news about the chip was spot on, and I loved Dawn coming to Spike's "rescue."  Spike's resigned reaction on the train was lovely, and I felt heart sick right along with him when he just knew she was going to be at the mansion.  The strength reverberating through his "I'm mine" speech turned it all around, if only for a moment.  The entire bedroom scene was vivid and heartbreaking in its conclusion.  Thanks for having Buffy run rather than console.  It was painfully in character.  This story is wonderful.

NO! No cliffhangers! Update soon, I really love this story. I like how you are taking time to develop things and cant wait to read more!

Gah - I know I reviewed on LJ, but just to add to the record here - this is so heartwrenching. Everyone is thinking "poor Spike" - as am I;but I'm thinking "poor Buffy" also. Even if she knows and understands that emotion and sympathy are not her thing, it has to hurt to know that you've just turned your back on the man who saved your life. No one with the Slayer's innate moral compass could possibly be comfortable with that behavior. I hope Joyce and Dawn can take up the slack a bit, but the compassion needs to come from the person who was responsible for his loss...Eagerly awaiting future chapters to see how you play this out.

So harsh-- But that is Buffy's MO: to run when the emotions get too confusing. I like how you changed the scene at the Bronze to have Buffy run after Spike, as well as Buffy giving Spike the benefit of the doubt about the chip right away. I hope that Buffy will open herself up to comforting Spike soon. Otherwise, it's going to be up to Joyce again. Very cool how she was listening in on the conversation-- I wonder if she has any clue that he's in love with her?

Poor Spike!!!! Killing his sire and then Buffy runs away. Stupid girl. I hope she realizes what he did for her... Great story, by the way. Please update soon.

what a way for Dru to find her end. I just can't believe that she just left him there. I just hope that Spike will have someone who will be there for him when the find out what he had to do.

Um, apparently I didn't review on here. I think we were on IM at the time and I guess I wrote my "poor Spike, poor Buffy" on there. And now everyone here has been so eloquent, all I can add is "what they said" *points to all above comments* Beautifully done, honey.

Nooo!! You do not run in that situation! You offer comfort! Grumble grumble. Sigh. Guess I'll just have to wati around for the next chapter. ::grin;:

Whoa he dusted her, his Sire, the Vamp who was his everything for over a century and what does Buffy do to show gratitude? She runs off like her arse is on fire. Spike sure does know how to pick them. But I guess it was probably a shock to the system. Well definitely was not expecting that, that's fot sure. Loving it Update soon Harry

O.k, calm now. Great chapter and I can't wait for more. Poor Spike. =(

That bitch! Please say she's going to pay for that!

[quotes]:"I'm a bad rude man, and maybe there's part of me that wants to pick you up, dust you down and apologise for the next hour but I'm not going to... And you want to know why? Not because I'm hers. That's never gonna happen, I know that, but because, for the first damn time in a century and a half, I'm bloody well mine." YES! Thank you! I've been waiting for Spike to make a declaration like that since... ever! This story is brilliant enough in its own right, but this line makes me love it all the more.

*whimpers* poor Dru... (sorry, I have a soft spot for that girl) Poor Spike... Love this story! please update soon?

Oh wow. This is really, really good. I wonder how much of that exchange Buffy will realize was about her. I imagine it would have been very easy to give up too much in this chapter, but you kept just enough back to keep things interesting. At the same time, you've put enough out there that they can't pretend it never happened (although they probably will anyway). I can hardly wait for the fallout.

Oh I love when Spike gets the chip out!!!!!!!

I also thought it was so nice that he told Buffy about it and about Dru and that she was sane enough to see his actions as reasons not to stake him.
Though I am very saddened by the loss of Dru, I always prefer to think that she's out there somewhere, I like this ending of Crush much better.
I want to read more now.

excellent read, thank you. even for buffy, the running out on spike might be an all time low.

god, what a bitch. he stakes drusilla for her and she just runs away? she's such a damn coward.

Spike did what he had to once Buffy was thralled...and the stupid little girl ran away again. Poor Spike...no matter what, that was still going to hurt like hell. No matter what Dru did to him, she was still family.

oh no buffy....how can she leave him there like that?? after he just saved her life at such cost to himself?? great chapter...need more soon though :)

Day-am. Maybe not happy, but it was still fabulous. I loved Spike's speech to Dru about being his own man. And this sentence:

His eyes lifted to hers, begging her for a compassion she no longer knew, asking for the girl behind the slayer's mask.

Absolute poetry.

I also like that you didn't take the easy way out. It was very in-character for Buffy to take off, and I'm glad that you stuck with that.

Whoa heavy. I can see why you say they need a break.

Loved the part about Spike being his own man for the first time. Gives me much more hope for his future than the rather common idea of Buffy being insta-replacement for Dru. Hopefully this way he'll be strong enough to NOT become Buffy's punching-bag, despite Drusilla's prediction.

The dusting-scene (as well as the aftermath) is interesting as well. As far as we can tell right now this was not really an either or decision between the two woman. Surely Spike could have just pushed Dru away and while maybe not saving her in the end, he could at least have created a situation where he would have less guilt over her death. I know, I'm assuming he thought about it instead of acting on instinct, but I think it is interesting to ponder whether he has subconsciously chosen to make his choice at a time when it was truly his - and not pressed upon him by the circumstances. (It would tie in with the earlier idea of him being his own man, after all.) -- Or better, I think it is interesting to ponder whether that was YOUR intention. Because I know I tend to forget the characters are not really acting on their own. *lol* But then, my forgetting they aren't real shows you'd doing a good job at telling this story, doesn't it?

Can't wait to find out what the result of Buffy's running away will be.

Keep up the great work. *hugs*

I read this on Greatest Journal but came back here to comment because I didn't have the right icon uploaded there.

The Argentinosaurus of Approval. Only ever used once before, for one of rahirah 's stories, and now brought out again as nothing else would suffice.

Superb.

Fabulous!
Dru raised a finger in front of her face, swinging it back and forward like the pendulum of a metronome ticking out the beat of a funeral dirge Wow...what a line! I love it.

Poor, poor Spike! *hugs him*

Even if he does it to protect Buffy, I would never think that Spike would stake Dru.  He says that he will in "Crush," but I was never convinced that he would go through with it.  He stops Dru from hurting Buffy in the episode, but he doesn't kill her.  That was an unexpected turn of events.  You use a scenario that happened in the canon, and take a different path that leads to a different conclusion.  You have many original plot ideas (both here and in your other works) and an ability to build suspense.  I'm on the edge of my seat!

Absolutely wonderful. You really captured Spike here in all his complexity and strength.

That was so intense and moving.

"Buffy turned on her heel and ran"

Ugghhh this line made me feel the need to find something sharp and pointy and chase her.  My poor Spike, I love his comments about finally being his own man...so true.  Love this fic.

OHH MY, poor Spike! *sobs* wonderful update! *sniff*

I'm in awe. That was a powerful sceen.

His eyes lifted to hers, begging her for a compassion she no longer knew, asking for the girl behind the slayer's mask.

Poor Spike! What a scene you wrote!

Beautiful. I always think the best thing for Dru would be for Spike to stake her, but he would feel bereft after he did it.

OMG! Bravo! Encore? *hugs*

Oh, WOW


I'd say someting more, but that that would require the ability to think coherently after that!!

I really loved Joyce and her insistence that Buffy apologize to Spike. Thanks for the update, I really enjoyed it.

Nice thoughtful empathetic Buffy at the end, and a great snarky interlude in the car. Glad Spike decided to tell the truth about it being Drusilla.

I missed the update ! I so enjoyed this story . Season 5 Buffy /Spike had great potential , and I like what you're doing here .

Nice banter between them , and I enjoyed seeing them together in the train. So Buffy is ready to trust Spike who is going to talk to Dru . Poor Spike , he sounded suddenly so vulnerable , but I appreciated Buffy's reaction.

Don't worry for the time between updates , it's summertime and the heat is killing everyone I think ;)

I wanted to start reading your other wip , Unfinished business but is it Spuffy too? Maybe it' s a naive question ?!

Thank you for the lovely chapter !

very good read, thank you. and thanks for joyce, buffy would screw everyhting up if she only had giles for guidance.

poor spike...at least buffy's being a bit more understanding now...i'm glad joyce made her apologize :P lol great chapter

You can't expect him to want her dead, but that doesn't mean he's going to join her in the old ways, either. He knows too well that he can't trust Dru, feelings for the Slayer not withstanding. Love that Joyce made her apologize. Buffy definitely needed to learn that violence first isn't always the best, or right, action.

You are so good at mixing sexual tension, humor and angst. A very enjoyable chapter. Thank you.

I seem to have missed this one somehow, although I have been following Unfinished Business. Off to catch up, but I must confess I "peaked ahead" by reading this chapter. I liked it --- very nice parallel between Buffy and Spike's disappointments in love and having been both abandoned by their loved ones.

Ahhh, the big entrance! Can't help wondering how you're going to handle this - with Spike being pulled two ways at once. Lovely chapter, and I'm really looking forward to more.

Absolutely delightful!

Great chapter!

I"m loving that story. You found the right tone to go AU while keeping in contact with canon and without falling into fluffy/easy scenes about Spuffy or Joyce/Spike that are legions in poor fanfictions.

Chapeau!

Excellent update, hun. I love the amount of leeway they are giving each other here. Just enough to make things smoother between them but not OTT.

Great chapter :D

Great chapter!

Very nice chapter. I got a sense of Spike's despair at the confrontation w/ Drusilla; very nicely done. Bravo for Buffy's ability to translate that to her own relationship with Angel, too. It's very nice to see those formative relationships dealt with in a story!

And Go, Joyce! I love the way you write Joyce!!

awesome update!! poor spike, between a rock and a hard place...literally, sigh!

Oh, scary and sad for him - for them both, really. Worth waiting for.

great chapter

Fabulous chapter. I loved Joyce's scolding; it was perfect. I also liked that moment of unspoken understanding between Spike and Buffy. You'd think that they would have had quite a bit to connect on where it concerned Angel(us) and Dru.

I LOVE Joyce... lol... she did a fabulous job of verbally banging their heads together!

The banter in the car was wonderful and so VERY them! lol

Poor Spike, he's in a terrible situation here, isn't he?

It's nice to see Buffy's empathy for Spike here, and also her epiphany about her and Angel. She's doing well! You're showing us a Buffy who is starting to see that the world isn't quite so black and white and is 'growing up' in the way that a young woman of her age should be. Well done!

The gap was not that horrendous - and the chapter well worth waiting for.

ECCKK!!! convince her spike convince her!!! lol, great update!

eck!! wow, way to spell it out for them spike...rofl *runs quickly to next chapter*

Great Chapter!! *sigh* I would have thought Joyce would have figured it out, but Dawnie's a smart cookie! lol

awesome chapter!! poor spike so conflicted *sigh*

eeck!!! *hides eyes* awesome chapter!! i always love joyce and spike scenes!

awesome beginning...trying to catch up on my reading...lol, on to the next chapter!

This was most enjoyable!
I really like how you're portraying all the characters. Giles is not mean , he's trying to do what is best for his slayer , as usual. :)

Captivating turn of events.

I'm looking eagerly for more !
Thanks!

I love that Buffy realizes that she wants Spike to be telling the truth and that she wants him to have her back. Thanks for the update, I really enjoyed it. :)

very good read, thanks. buffy could have been less dramatic at the end of the chapter. she wants to believe in him, so she attacks. joyce is probably going to be more pissed at the attack, than the favorite mug. thanks again for the fine read.

"Broken Things" just keeps getting better and better.  Spike sending Harmony packing was vivid and in character, I laughed out loud at Spike's "Community property doesn't apply to vamps, Barbie."  His plot to drop Harm off at Cordelia's fits into ATS canon seamlessly, too.

The scenes between Spike and Joyce are beautifully realized.  You're really letting Joyce shine here, without having her act out of character.  She's sympathetic and nurturing, and I love the way she's full of motherly advice and concern for Spike even after learning the chip's stopped functioning.

I'm really looking forward to Buffy and the gang's reaction to Spike's news.  This story is well written with excellent dialogue and attention to detail.  Nice job so far.

Buffy's behavior is so tiring. She never uses her brain. Just when would Spike have had the opportunity to slaughter all those people on the train. Please hurry and fix Buffy's stupidity.

Wow for some people 2+2 does equal 5. Let's get this straight, Spike, knew his chip wasn't working. and didn't have to tell Joyce, but not only did he make sure the guy was human and then tell Joyce. He was there with the gang when it happened, So because he has an alibi he's guilty? That makes as much sense as Buffy dating Riley. You get the feeling both Giles and Buffy are projecting? Giles extracting revenge for what Angelus did and Buffy because Angelus couldn't love and change without the curse? Well it will be interesting to see how Spike disproves an accusation that has little or no ground, except curtamstantial(sp?). Though I think Buffy needs to convince Spike it was him responsible for the massacre, afterall, Spike usually is the one in the middle of the action not leave it to the minions. well loving it Update soon Harry

Jeez, what's up with these people? Paralysis of the logical thinking process?

I don't know if I've reviewed this story or not, but it's great! I've been catching up on my reading, and I really like the way you capture the friendship between Spike and Joyce-- how he can let out the inner poet around her. I also like the way you make Spike a Buffy a little more vulnerable and open to one another in Season 5. Great work-- keep it up!

Bitch... Spike made the decision all on his own to tell you that the chip was out, and gave you the decision of what to do with him after that. He willingly put his unlife in your hands, so this plan? So not his doing. Geeze, do none of these people actually go on logic rather than jumping to conclusions?

i love your writing style...this is a great chapter, very well done...i thoroughly enjoyed every word...wish buffy'd give him a real chance though, poor spike :( she'll feel bad once she knows the truth... great job :)

Gah I can't believe it's taken me so long to get to read this. Bloody RL should learn to bugger off. I love that Joyce and Dawn have Spikes back (or heart so to speak). Giles is being very Giles like...lol. I like that Buffy is conflicted but willing to trust Spike, even when jumping to conclusions. I love Giles whole master of Sunnydale theory...the man has his blinkers on again. Can't wait for the next chapter.

great chapter :)

Another great chapter. Just as Buffy thinks she might be able to give Spike a chance and let him earn her trust, along comes a vamp massacre to make her Slayer instincts jump to the fore. Giles is completely in character - for him to do a complete about face and welcome Spike as a companion in arms would be totally wrong. And I loved Dawn screeching to Spike's defence.

Great chapter.

LOVE Dawn's threats. And poor Giles. The vampires aren't playing by the rules anymore... Good stuff.

Poor old Giles - how difficult life is when the vampires stop sticking exactly to the rules...

Hee! You and I both have Giles being a complete git right now, don't we? At least Buffy is giving Spike a breath of doubt - not staking him outright. Can't wait to see how you twist the rest of this episode.

"Well, look at it this way," Spike suggested. "When I sneak in and murder them in their sleep, you'll have the consolation of knowing it was her own fault for threatening the pig."

Threatening the pig, now that's not acceptable. I really like your Dawn. She's very good at defending her friends . And great Joyce, too. As for Giles, he's operating in his instinctive Watcher Mode .

Superb chapter.

Giles is absolutely in character and there's no reason for anyone to hate him; he is making decisions that are correct on the evidence available to him and it's not his fault that he is not in possession of all the facts.

Cool update. I know you're a Giles fan, and I'm glad you're writing him this way anyway. It's easy to take a character you like and have him parrot your ideas; I strongly suspect that canon Giles have behaved exactly this way and with good reason. I love Spike, but at this point in the story (or in canon!) there isn't a huge amount of evidence to support his desire to play for the white hats and a lot to support his evilness. In Crush Spike ate the teenager Drusilla killed for him, after all. I think Crush is a critical episode for Spike; it's one of the first times he actively choose to do the right thing. He could have let Drusilla kill Buffy and left town with her. The fact that he did not was sort of an epiphany for him IMO. Your Spike is at the same place under slightly different circumstances, and I'm looking forward to seeing how you handle things!

Wow, two updates. I hope this means you're feeling better!

most exciting!
Hope you are feeling a bit better?

How do you do it? Write such a wonderful, warm, caring Giles one moment, and this grouchy, judgemental one the next.

I hate Giles! I understand where he comes from but he seems to have forgotten himslef that the chip wasn't a soul (and that Spike could have paid, or forced, demons to burn them all in their sleep).

Poor confused Buffy.

I don't think Joyce is just gonna stand back and let Buffy attack Spike.

Yikes! Maybe someone should issue Buffy with a crystal ball so she can suss everything out. Giles is being a git, and I doubt that Spike's mouth is gonna win him too many points when he responds to the slayer's gentle query. I'm gonna be betting on Joyce to be a strict referee in this game.

Super chapie, hun. Thanks ever so and looking forward to more. *hugs*

Poor confused Buffy... it is all just too much for her brain to cope with... she needs to do less THINKING and go with her instincts. May I slap Giles? Please?

I'm enjoying your story very much. Season 5 Spuffy holds so much potential.
Would it be okay to friend you and be able to follow your work?

Thank you.

I like that Spike finally told Buffy about the chip not working and that he was so smart about the way he did it. Telling Giles at the same time, not having the Scoobies (Xander) there, and pointing out their options so concisely. Thanks for the update.

Nice cliffhanger. Can't wait to see what happens next. I thought his "options" were very well delivered. You got Spike's character nailed.

very good read. spike directness is not going to set well with the idiot watcher, but buffy, maybe. thanks for the fine read.

good update. dawn has it figured out. joyce is only a hint away. the slayer is glad he is hanging with her mum. now the easiest way for spike to screw this up, is not to tell buffy soon. thanks for the fun read.

Can't wait to read what happens with Dru. You write an amazing Spike!

Nicely done.

Well, it's taken me about four attempts, but I've finally managed to read this chapter all the way through.

Good to see Buffy not letting Xander sway her, and nice to see Tara and Anya sticking up for them both (even if Anya did pay for it *kicks Xander*). Liked Spike's revelation scene, he's obviously put a lot of thought into coming up with an explanation that will keep him from revealing his love interest and will get Buffy to think rather than just stake him as a reflex reaction. Xander's going to go ballistic though.

wow...way to go spike, very direct and forceful and confident...now to see how buffy takes it...hope giles isn't a jerk about it...but he probably will be *sigh*.

Nice reworking of the ep. I love Spike's proposal - great chapter. Can't wait to see the explosion that's coming.

Took the bull by the horns, there. Oh, dear...Dru's in town.

Very nice.

Decision time! That could be a very foolish move - letting Giles in on the announcement. Let's just hope that Buffy's good sense overcomes her belief in Giles ...

Much better than the original version too. Yet another example of nassssty Xander in that.

Nice chapter!

Great chapter!

I liked Spike's speech at the end, and Buffy willing to see that Spike deserves some consideration. Xander is a condescending asshole, as always, and I'm pretty sure that Drusilla is going to screw it all.

Excellent! The reaction to Spike's list of options should be very interesting. Very much looking forward to more, hun. Thanks ever so.

Xander is on automatic ass ,isn't he? Even to his girlfriend.

Great ultimatum by Spike. He (by that I mean you) laid it out in such a way that they actually have to think instead of just reacting. That's probably helped laong by the lack of Xander's presence.

Fabulous chapter, sweetie!! The interaction between Buffy and Spike early in the chap (both inside the Bronze and outside) is wonderful... nice to see Buffy looking outside her usual black and white veiw of things... and especially nice to see that she didn't put up with Xander's arse-like behaviour.

The scene with Dru was suitably chilling, because of her seeming child-like innocence it is easy to forget sometimes just how dangerous she is.

Spike laying it all on the line was brilliantly done... and having Joyce there for support is great. And with Giles being super-agressive I think Buffy is being a little more understanding than she would normally have been... even with her recent insight.

Way to go Spike - tell it like it is!

And Dru - aaargh!

That scene w/ Drusilla was absolutely chilling; wonderful descriptions. It oddly never occurred to me that the burns were the reason she killed everyone on the train; but it certainly makes logical sense.

I like the scene at the Bronze w/ the scoobies. I almost forgotten how obnoxious Buffy and Xander were; your version is a Buffy i can like better. She's not totally sold on the Spike version 2.0, but not letting Xander get away with his bullying either. Very cathartic!

I've always loved "crush". Poor Spike is trying so hard, and just doesn't see what he's doing wrong. That Buffy wasn't ready to see it, but I think yours is rightly more receptive. Really enjoying this story!

Ahhh! Evil cliffhanger! Of course, I have a feeling that Spike will remain undusted, so that's okay. I loved him laying out his options, and Buffy softening towards him. You made it very believable. Love this.

That's good. Love Spike laying out his options and Dru in the mix too? Most entralling:)

ooooh - love all "take charge" Spike.Got his balls back, didn't he. I predict angst and distrust coming up with Dru's arrival though. I'm anxious to see where you decide to go with this twist on the episode. Good job, luv!

I like Buffy's thought that she felt more at ease because Spike was with her mom, I'm just hoping that some of the sentiment that made her feel that way remains when she finds out about the chip. I really enjoyed Dawn and in particular her thoughts when Spike left and that she realized that he was talking about Buffy. Thanks for the update.

Still loving this. I'm sorry it took me so long to get around to reading it. I loved Spike's speech to Joyce, and that Dawn has it figured out. She's a smart cookie. Definitely looking forward to whatever comes next.

Our Spike's in a bit of a pickle, isn't he?

spike better come clean and come clean quick... I would hate for Buffy to find out any other way. I am just glad that he told Joyce first that the chip does not work.

This is a fabulous story!! I really liked this chapter - can't wait for next update. Thanks!

Great chapter

Good story so far.Poor Spike freaking out.Update soon.

well that's a good sign, maybe her reaction wont be so bad...he just needs to be very careful about how he talks to her about it...can't wait for an update, this was another excellent chapter :)

Well done thus far. With some dialogue taken straight from the show you've rooted the piece firmly in the established Buffyverse but there's sufficient exploration of new ground to make it all feel somehow fresh. Your original dialogue rings true with the show and characters we got to know and love too - more soon. Please.

Great, i think this is excellent!

Poor Spikey...

Another great chapter.  I loved your interpretation of Spike's declaration of his love for Buffy "somehow she slipped into that empty space that Dru left..."  Not nagging here, but will the next chapter be coming soon??

Interesting choices Spike is making. So love the way you write him with Joyce.

Still my favorite new WIP. And I agree with Buffy (for a change) about feeling relieved about Spike hanging with her mother. Why would you reject the help of another superpowered being when you have a hell god after you? I'd have slept with him.

Wonderfully ditzy Harmony, and I like the way Spike is using thoughts of Joyce as his conscience - and I now have a picture in my head of her sitting on his shoulder like Jiminy Cricket.

Glad he's confessed to Joyce, secrets are never good in the Buffyverse, particularly when they are Spike's. Dawn's finding out all sorts of things by her eavesdropping.

Looking forward to finding out what happens next.

A cup of coffee and a new chapter of "Broken Things" = breakfast of champions! :)

Fabulous chap, sweets!

Hee hee, Harmony is so dim. And gone! YAY.

I always love Spike and Joyce interaction and it is so nice that he has someone to talk to. I love Dawn's eavesdropping... SO very her!

Gorgeous, delectable, stunning, dazzling, superb, delightful...

ooh-- more fic! I hope this means you're feeling better!

I love the scene with Harmony. Hee! You do write her special brand of witlessness well. A little Harmony goes a long way though-- not sorry to see her head off to LA and the MoG! And in this version you've nicely avoided "Crush". There are a lot of things I like about Crush, but it takes Spike in a different direction. I'm looking forward to seeing where you take him in this version!

Woohoo the twit is dead (well gone at least), thats one reason for Buffy to get pissed at Spike gone. Now all we have to do is wait for him to stop doing a Buffy (avoiding the situation) and fess up. Great chapter

I love the Spike/Joyce interaction - it's Joyce at her best, and that's bringing out the best in Spike. Lovely.

Gah! I've just caught up with both of your new stories, hun, and love them to bits. I so adore it when Spike is either in a pickle...or creating one. Fabulous stuff and I can't wait for more. Thanks ever so.

Joyce isn't a fool. She'll figure it out eventually...Great update. I'm glad to see you're still working on this story.

I'm loving this story! I can't wait to see how Spike is going to handle his de-chipped state.

excellent chapter. spike has already made hi decision ("...not tonight.") he just has to sell himself the decision. very enjoyable read, thanks

Great story idea-- Looking forward to how things progress between him & Buffy. Also, hoping for hilarious hijinx as he dumps Harm.

I really enjoyed that Buffy was able to observe Spike with her mom and sister, and that she saw, even if she didn't fully comprehend, how much he was accepted and a part of their lives. Thank you for the update.

come on spike...i know you can make the right decision here...excellent update, i can so feel his uncertainty, his dilemma :) excellent job

Good chapter.

Ooooo whatever will he do? Excellent update, I'm looking forward to more (greedy minx that I am for good well written fic). Kathleen

Well, it's not his fault Glory fried the chip for him. It's just up to Spike to decide what to do, now it's done. He could have freedom, but be completely alone, or stay in hopes of continuing acceptance, and not feed on anything that doesn't come out of a bag. Buffy's such a dumbass. She limits herself so much by never expanding her thoughts.

i really hope he doesn't turn evil again. he will definitely not get buffy that way. i'm worried about what will come next.

Great chapter. Interesting progression in Spike's thinking. Looking forward to more. Thanks!

Another fine start with this story.  The interaction between Spike and Joyce and Dawn rang true to the characters, and the action sequence was vivid.  I laughed at Buffy's dazed observation of Spike getting some mothering from Joyce, and a sisterly hug from "the brat."

The chip's failure is going to put Spike on an interesting new path.  I'm looking forward to the journey.  Heck, I'm looking forward to Spike and Harmony at a Greyhound station!

Oh, baby! THis story is great!

I am so enjoying this story! I love stories where the chip stops working and Spike has to figure out what he's going to do about it. And you know how much I love Spike/Joyce interactions.

Oh, very nice update! I'm really enjoying you stretching your writing muscles in a different direction. I loved SWBD, but it's very cool to see you work in another 'verse. You have a great plot here, and an excellent grasp of who exactly the various characters are. Your Buffy POV in particular sparkles in this chapter. Her concern for Dawn and Joyce, and confusion over what exactly is up with Spike rings true. And her "dealing by ignoring it and hoping it goes away" is so Buffy!

Curious to see what's up with Spike's chip, and how he handles the loss of his muzzle. I think at this point in the series he hasn't yet consciously committed himself to the good guys. On the show it happens gradually, but now he's going to have make that decision. Ooh, character growth! Very nicely structured!

Looking anxiously forward to the next chapter!

Great stuff.

Lovely story - beautiful Buffy voice in particular. loopy knights of hack and slash running riot in her home, is just plain wonderful - great rhythm to the lines and just her style.

Buffy just looked on in amazement when Spike brushed a kiss to her mom's cheek before he stepped free of her arms.

More of that wonderful Spike/Joyce connection! Great chapter!

Poor conflicted Spike. He's just been given what he thought was his dearest wish only to find that it probably isn't.

Lovely chapter.

As they say in those adverts, "I'm lovin' it".

Love Buffy's thought that she must have been brainsucked without realising it when she can't make sense of what's going on. And Spike - what's he going to do I wonder. Looking forward to his thought process as he works out what he thinks is the best plan.

great chapter

Maybe she'd been brainsucked and forgot about it and this was the end result.

I love this line... i can so see the confused look on Buffy's face and poor Spike and decisions to be made. Thank you for a great update to this "little" fic.

Absolutely wonderful! So good that I'm bringing out the ultimate icon of approval for the first time since I created it for one of rahirah 's stories.

Poor Spike! He doesn't know what to do. *snuggles him*

Fabulous chap, sweetie!!

Great chapter!

I wonder... is it because the knight is somehow not all human that Spike can feed or did the fall have something to do with the chip not working.
Great chapter

Great start :)

I like this a lot - well written and original.  I really want to know what happens next!

Oh yes, and away she goes. This is going to be a fic choc full of goodness - Joyce, Spike and Dawn, no chip, taking S5 in a wonderful new direction. Love the fact that Harmony has been camping out in Spike's crypt all this time.

And I'm glad your two fics are so different, that way I won't have trouble remember what's happening in which one when I read them. I'm easily confused. *g*

Another great start, always like to see what might be going through character's heads when something starts off following canon.

Off to read chapter 1, but really, Dawn is STUPID. 'Run away, you're in danger' 'Oh, no I'll just stay here and be useless'.

kill him spike, sort it out later. probably not the brightest move, but do it. just personal choice. love the story, thanks for the great read.

fun read, thanks. should be an enjoyable read, with such a good starting point.

I just know this is going to be my new favorite WIP. I love the too rare season 5 AUs, especially if Spike's involvement grows more out of his relationship with Dawn and Joyce than Buffy. Those friendships were my favorite things in the show and it would have been so much more interesting for them to have let them grow to contrast their attitudes with the Scoobies. And I think Dawn and Joyce were certainly sharp enough to not reject the help of someone with superstrengh when they had a hell god after them. Especially Dawn, who had all those talks with Spike, who went out looking for her own answers, questioning the crazies and Glory. That's more than Buffy ever did.

Great start.

That hard knock he took broke the chip...as tempting as it is, though, Buffy would stake him in a heartbeat if he killed this guy. And then, he wouldn't be able to protect Joyce and Dawn. Time to make a choice.

Oh wow Spike's chip stopped working, hopefully this will allow him to prove to Buffy that he has really changed and that it is not just the chip holding him back. I really love his and Joyce's relationship and I really like how their scene together showcased this. I'm really looking forward to this story.

I like that you went through and reviewed some of what when on in that episode. Some of the episodes I haven't seen for so long that I forget details.

ooooo I am hooked! More please. I'm thinking the chip stopped working when Glory knocked Spike across the room....um....Buffy won't be pleased with that bit of news. Kathleen

wow! so glory's blow disabled his chip!! wow! awesome!!hope he doesn't kill the guy, though, for the sake of his relationship with buffy and her family...loving this story so far..awesome job ;)

poor spikey!! what did she do to him?? reading on to find out

Ooh. Can't wait to see what happens next. Enjoying this story immensely.

Cool prologue, and first chappy. Hope spike doesn't do anything stupid.

Ok my son just looked at me weird cause I started jumping on my seat and squeeeing. Yes I'm being a child, I love this. Using the knight to attack Dawn, the relationship between Joyce and Spike (which I always love) and Spike's protectiveness of his girls. I can't wait to read more.

Wow great start thank you so much. I love the way you write. SOrry if I stirred up a bigger bunny than expected. eeep

I loved the Joyce/Spike scene as they thrash out how to make Harmony think that is her idea to leave town. I am another fanfic reader, who always wanted more Joyce/Spike and Dawn/Spike interaction. I liked the twist about how Spike is willing to risk seriously injuring himself to protect Dawn, and, then finds that the chip doesn't fire. I look forward to more.

Very cool twist. I was surprised where you picked up, I love being surprised:) and tehn started to get an inkling the chip could be a factor with the ear bleeding and all.

Wonderful!

The prologue made me suspect that Glory's blow might have disabled the chip but the way you have made the revelation is masterly (mistressly?).

Ooh... So that 's what happened. I had a feeling it was either that or Spike being back in a wheelchair.

Great chapter!

Excellent work! Love the chapter LOL... and look I'm the only one NOT screaming at you wanting to know where this is going!!! *giggles*

You know already how much I like this!!!

It might be a while before Mef stops conversing with god on the big white telephone and is able to actually focus enough to find the computer screen... *giggles* When we left her this morning she was a very sorry sight!!!

Off to read the next chap!!

Oh, man... This just keeps getting more and more intriguing! I love the relationship between Joyce and Spike, as you know, and you do it so well. :)

Good thing it was Joyce and Dawn were the only ones there. If any of the scoobies were there, they'd attack Spike, no question.

Excellent!

OK - I'm a dummy (shocking, I know. lol) I'd forgotten that I had already read this prologue to the fic and that it ended with a very strong hint that something might be amiss in Spike's head. Ignore my comments on the next part. lol

Very cool! I was expecting h/c following the Glory incident in the prologue but you go and surprise me. Nicely done!

Very intrigueing beginning. I always thought the Knights that say Key were underused; such an interesting idea. Looking forward to seeing where you take it!

Yay! Not only did you get it done on time - but what a great concept! So, what? The chip doesn't work if Spike is protecting Dawn? defending himself? the attacker is a crazy monk? This cries out for explanation!

Good job!

(okay, laying off the exclamation marks now and calming down)

Oh ho....I have an inkling where we are, and where we are going, but not a very clear one just yet! Excellently suspensful!

You spoil us, your humble fan-base, oh great one!

Meep - Spike!

Eek - Dawn!

and possibly woops - Willow!!

Bleeding from the ears is NEVER a good sign.

Ooh-- great start. Like this very much! And excited to see the next chapter; poor Spike seems to have a head injury. Uhm not that I'm worried or anything. Really, I'm fully aware that he's a fiction character, and thus not real .

He's going to be OK, right?

That was creepy and exciting and worrying by turns.

You started a new thing already? Brill start!

What happened to Spike?

Sorry. This is a great beginning and as you can see, I am worried about Spike. What happened to him?

ooohhh... is the chip fried? i do hope so -- i *hate* the chip, that plotline went on *way* too long!