Buffy saw herself thrusting the axe into Willow's keeping and throwing herself into his arms. He'd catch her and lift her to his mouth for the long restorative kiss that would make everything right.

A couple of breaths passed before she recognized that she wasn't actually doing this, and neither was Spike; he remained at a distance, hands thrust in his pockets.

***************************

Brilliant.  Not just the bait-and-switch, but the way it shows Buffy second guessing herself.

I think I like these revised chapters better than the original; I knew buffy's fear that once Spike was back to himself he wouldn't want her anymore would come back to bite her again; it certainly looks like it!  Can't wait to see more!

If only if only if only if only.....is the lesson here that no matter what is happening things can still get busted?  How do you do this, in the tiny space of one sentence, I'm on the rooftops over the moon joyous, grateful, safe, able to draw a breath that doesn't cause my chest to ache, then 10, 15 words later, I ain't worth shooting.  Dadblame you are good!  Love reading this.

"The words, rather than being heard, seemed rather to appear to Buffy, branded red into the black air in front of her. Hanging there, sizzling a little at the edges, for contemplation and reference. Need time. They looked like a rebuke, and also a plea, and also a dismissal, and also an assurance. She couldn't sort that, so she squeezed her eyes shut on them, picked up the little glass, and swallowed. "

really love this section, the section right after as well - terrific update .   Wonderful to have this work back again -  Hope you find this more rewrite more satisfying - Certainly is an excellent piece of work -

Oh, poor Buffy - this is so sad.  Wipes away a tear.

Oh.  That turd.  lol.

Whoa! Different direction! I think I like it - more angst potential, and yet more hopeful.   Really anxious now to see where you plan to take this new tack.

Sad, very sad. But still so brilliant!

This Spike is making Buffy (and me) totally bereft.  Of course it's not payback and that, somehow, is worse.  Because that means there is no something making him act this way.  He is acting this way because he appears to feels nothing.  Or, if anything, barely a whisper of antipathy.  It seems that Buffy is in freefall; just about hanging on, just putting one foot in front of the other in order to act normally.  To just be able to breathe.  Willow's rare moment of snapping at Spike is shown to be just thoughts, not actually spoken, or aimed at him.  Go on, Willow, give him a reality check.  For this is the reality.  He is back and alive.  Buffy is alive.  And loves him.  And the irony of that, now?  The girl loves him unconditionally.

You're not making this easy for anyone, are you?  It's great! 

I like this reworking of the section.  I'm going to go back and read the whole story again, but I really like the way this version flows.  There's more hope now.  Although, I'm still getting used to you writing a Spike & Buffy story that isn't in the Bittersweets universe!!  Thanks again for this new and very appealing story.

I went from relief to sadness within mere lines! I don't know how you do it, but your writing is magical!

xxx 

I like this new direction.  I feel the cohesiveness of it. The sadness is so palpable. 

And now for the difference..but this Spike.. still not wanting Buffy..rather the fight..