A Friend in Need by slaymesoftly

06/25/2014 06:13 pm
Fifteen         
Great to read some slaymesoftly works again - think you did a really good treatment for Buffy and Spike and I liked what you did with Riley.  Riley was a good combination of Riley insecurities & crazy jealous but you also made me feel some sympathy for him because we knew how much crazy behavior is bascially how insecure he is and how his own cultural upbringing contributed to his super narrow minded and bigoted beliefs.  

Riley and the Initiave and Maggie Walsh are, for me, the most important Big Bads of the series as they, more than anything else, IMO, reflect back on our real world.  In contrast, Spike and Buffy and their entire transformation journey are the most important story arc of the entire series. 
That is so true about the Initiative - no supernatural  stuff, just ordidnary humans doing awful things.  Much scarier than vampires and demons!

03/18/2014 12:46 pm
Fifteen         
Very nice... though your mentioning Buffy's shorter lifespan was kind of sad and made me think you weren't quite done dealing with them... 

Did you mention 'sequel'?

Blue
http://www.tthfanfic.org/authors.php?no=12717&list=profile
LOL  Pretty sure I didn't.  Never say never, but I have too many "verses" going on already to be adding to any other non-canon worlds I've come up with.  Thanks for reading, though. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

03/18/2014 12:45 pm
Fifteen         
Very nice... though your mentioning Buffy's shorter lifespan was kind of sad and made me think you weren't quite done dealing with them... 

Did you mention 'sequel'?

Blue
http://www.tthfanfic.org/authors.php?no=12717&list=profile
:) 

Buffy Convert
05/27/2013 07:24 pm
Fifteen         
TextWonderful story. I can't wait to read the next book. But I guess I'll have to as my computer seems to have died. Ah, well, Spike & Buffy will still be there when I get back.
Glad you liked it. And, yes, they will still be here when you get back. :)

03/10/2013 05:51 am
Fifteen         
Really enjoyed that, wish there was a sequel
:)

Miranda
03/10/2013 05:49 am
Fifteen         
That was really good, wish there was a sequel
Thanks! :)

03/08/2013 03:54 pm
Fifteen         
NICE!
Thank you. :)

kimkaykae
02/12/2013 02:04 am
Fifteen         
Amazing story, as usual. I have read all your stories on this website and have enjoyed all of them. You are an awesome writer and one of my favorites. I look forward to a lot of more Spuffy goodness from you. Keep them coming!
Thank you so much. I'm glad you've enjoyed them. :)

01/08/2013 12:20 pm
Fifteen         
Totally enjoyed!  And I think we all could get used to this. 
I'm glad you liked it. :) Thanks for reading.

Basia
01/06/2013 08:28 pm
Fifteen         
Mixed feelings.  Happy about the ending, sorry that it's over. What am I to read now?
Is there going to be a sequel?  Riley's threat to come back would suggest so...
Sequel possibilities are being discussed - although hadn't thought about Riley coming back. More worried about Joyce and that blood clot....

Jane
01/06/2013 12:32 pm
Fifteen         

Great ending, hope Joyce does better in this reality she's a great mum.

That will be the question, won't it? Does she die anyway, or will she be able to avoid it this time? Not sure that Spike will be able to do anything about that....

01/04/2013 11:35 pm
Fifteen         
I'm glad that Joyce is realistic about the Spuffy relationship and accepts it.

The end? What do you mean, the end? Noooooooo!
{pout}
I hate it when one of your stories carries those fateful words.

LOL It was time to go. Thanks for reading. :)

01/04/2013 09:52 pm
Fifteen         
I love Joyce. Really! She kills me. I love that she never liked Angel. So I adore it when she picks Spike over the great forehead. That sounds like a very good way to get to know Spike!
Well, she never did like Angel. That's canon, so not much of a stretch to say she'd prefer Spike. :)

02/10/2013 11:57 am
Fourteen         

Totally enjoyed this - Thanks for another great Spuffy story. 

Thanks for reading. :)

sister cuervo
01/04/2013 01:20 am
Fourteen         
Excellent!  This sounds like it's come to a stopping place but with a little room for more, maybe?  Love what you've done tweaking the 'verse, good characterizations and dialogue.  Looking forward to reading more of your work.
Thank you for the kind words.  And yes, it certainy could have ended here. But there were some loose ends I thought might bother people (or that people have already asked about) so I thought one more chapter to wrap those up and give Spike and Buffy some time to work on their relationship. Which, I'm sure, will be a wip for sometime.... :)

01/03/2013 06:52 pm
Fourteen         
It's good that Giles didn't immediately jump on the 'EvilChiplessSpike' train, but Buffy is seriously delusional if she thinks she's not going to be reminded every single day that Spike is a formerly evil vampire, however guarded he is about his past.
It may take her a while to get used to being with a vampire who doesn't feel overly apologetic about his past the way Angel did. But I think she'll be okay. :)

01/03/2013 06:18 pm
Fourteen         
There's that denial rearing it's ugly head. Poor Xander his world is very narrow isn't it? He doesn't get it. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do it. Magic is dangerous, it can lead to dangerous actions. Willow wasn't taught magic by respectful responsible people she is self taught. So she didn't learn a basic principle. Actions have consequences.

At least Willow thanked Spike for what he did. It was a necessary death. It had to happen and Spike was the obvious choice. In his mind what he did was for the greater good unlike all the other deaths he caused. For Spike killing Ben was the right choice the only choice.

Is Buffy seriously thinking she can pretend that Spike isn't a vampire? What is he supposed to get an apartment and a 9 - 5 job? Go about his day like any other human? Is he never supposed to bring up anything in his past again? It's not that easy. He has a past everyone does. She can't hide from it or pretend it doesn't exist and its wrong to try to get Spike to live like none of it ever happened. It might make Buffy happy but it won't make Spike happy. That isn't how a relationship should work. You don't sacrifice one persons happiness for the sake of yourself.
Denial is a big part of living in Sunnydale. 

I would guess Willow has no problem with the death of someone who hurt someone she loved....

I think Spike's vampire nature (and unrepentant attitude about the things he's done) is probably going to be an ongoing issue for them. But not so much in this fic....

12/31/2012 05:49 pm
Thirteen         
Great outcome, Riley really is a dumbo idiot.
Thanks. :)

Jane
12/31/2012 12:31 pm
Thirteen         

Yay Riley's gone, no great loss he was hapless and useless and didn't even know it. What a berk.
Now for the Spuffy loving.

LOL  Well, we can hope so. :)

12/30/2012 07:14 pm
Thirteen         
It's good to see Buffy owning up to her feelings somewhat in public for once.   
As much as she can at this point.  They are, in some ways, still frenemies with a very strong physical attraction (and more on his part).

12/30/2012 12:24 am
Thirteen         
Stupid Riley! Yay! Glory is gone and the fact that Spike has no chip is common knowledge. Now what?
Now what, indeed?  ... 

12/30/2012 12:19 am
Thirteen         
Love the silent communication between Spike and Giles. They both knew what had to be done and they knew Buffy couldn't do it. I always thought Riley was a little dim! Where does he get off trying to condem Spike for doing what he himself had advocated doing? He suggested killing Glory/Ben but because Spike did it now it's some kind of crime. Idiot.
He's just looking for an excuse to eliminate the competition.  :) Too late, though!

Jane
12/28/2012 01:16 pm
Twelve         

Super update, lots of wanton Spuffy loving. Pity Riley didn't get an eyeful. Would have been poetiv justice.

Oooooh You are evil!  LOL

12/27/2012 12:08 pm
Twelve         
Excellent! Wondering what type of Real Life will intrude next...
Well, it's not like Glory is leaving....

12/27/2012 04:52 am
Twelve         
If the comfy crypt for two includes Spike as my roommate/bedmate I could put up with rudimentary plumbing! She must be over Angel, Spike made fun of him and she laughed. Progress!
LOL - yeah, that particular crypt has some perks that might make the inconvenience worth it. :)

Jane
12/24/2012 02:10 pm
Eleven         

Riley really is more of an hindrance than a help. It'd serve him right if Glory got her hands on him. At least it's brought our heroes closer together. Great update.

Thank you. ;)

12/22/2012 11:09 pm
Eleven         
How great for Buffy to be acknowledging the mutual attraction and actually acting on it! And Riley is a pillock who could have killed her or anybody else who was down there, and Buffy can't dump him quickly enough!
I'm pretty sure dumping is in his future - assuming he hasn't figured it out aleady....

12/22/2012 10:34 pm
Eleven         
Riley's buddies have more sense than Riley.  Good to see Buffy letting loose with the hotness that is Spike!
They do - but then, they have nothing to be jealous about...

12/22/2012 10:13 pm
Eleven         
Trust Riley to break up a great snogging session!! Spike's right though. Riley had no idea who was down there. He could have killed an innocent human. At the very least Buffy could have been hurt if Spike didn't protect her. His jealousy could have gotten someone killed. I knew there was a reason I never liked him.
He really should have thought first. Especially if he knew that Buffy had been using the crypt to hide Joyce and Dawn from time to time. Maybe he didn't know that, but still......

Jane
12/22/2012 10:42 am
Ten         

Damn, thought Tara was gonna escape the brain draining  this time round. Still I suppose it gives Willow the opportunity to do her thing. Yeh Glory's thick, but she's also persistent. Great update. 

Thanks! Only one more chapter to go before we're at the wip part and they slow down.

12/21/2012 11:51 am
Ten         
I thought they were lingering a little too long in a place that Glory knew of. Wondering whether Riley is going to turn up and stick his oar in. Can't wait...
:) Only one more completed chapter to go, then they'll be posted as/when I finish them. :)

12/21/2012 03:28 am
Ten         
Damn almost a clean getaway. Nice hammer work though. Can I just say I still like Spike's kill the human plan?
LOL I"ll keep that in mind.

Jane
12/20/2012 07:55 pm
Nine         

It only makes sense to send the Scoobies away, maybe this time Tara won't get mind swiped. They just need to find somewhere safe for Joyce and Dawn then dig in. We all know Glory isn't the brightest, I still wouldn't shed any tears if Ben tripped on his stethoscope. 

LOL - I hadn't thought about him tripping on his stethoscope...   Yes, getting away is important, and since the Knights are too busy being mind-swiped to have figured out who Dawn is yet, maybe there won't be any pursuit this time. :)

12/20/2012 12:56 am
Nine         
It's funny one swims out of the river and another jumps in. Xander finally made it out of deNile and Buffy waded in.  Sometimes you just want to smack them all upside the head. Leaving town? It'd be my first suggestion. Getting the hell outta dodge is a brilliant idea when you're up against a god.
Out of town sounds good to me. Close the shop and head for the hills! (or someplace remote with a hospital for Joyce).

12/20/2012 12:21 am
Nine         
Something tells me that Glory knows a lot more than they think she knows...
Shhhhhhh!

nmcil12
02/10/2013 03:44 am
Chapter Eight         
Good treatment for Riley - a nice balance between his sometimes rigid narrow minded perspective on demons and his emotional traits. 

sorry I can't review using my ID - the system keeps shutting me out of my login/account ID.  Anyway, I am very much enjoying this story.  So glad that you are still active and finding Spuffy a creative source. 

nmcil12 - BSV member
Glad you like him. I tried to keep him realistic and not demonize him.

Jane
12/18/2012 11:03 pm
Chapter Eight         

Great update, always enjoy seeing Riley making a prat of himself.  

I think you'll find he really blows it this time. :)

12/18/2012 03:46 pm
Chapter Eight         
Methinks things are going to get a lot worse before they get better.  Cheers!
Probably, maybe...  Merry Christmas!

12/18/2012 03:02 pm
Chapter Eight         
Yup, it's penis envy. Those steriods probably shrunk the equipment.

Spike talked to the right scooby about killing Ben. Giles knows Buffy couldn't do it. She feels guilty every time she stakes a vamp because she wasn't there to prevent them from becoming a vampire. No way could she purposefully take a human life. Anya might have been on board but she can't offer any help and she'd wind up telling Xander. Won't Riley be surprised if he goes after Spike and Spike kicks his ass!!! I'm actually hoping it happens!
LOL Haven't decided yet if it's going to happen or not.  Very tempting....

12/18/2012 02:27 pm
Chapter Eight         
Ooooh! Buffy should totally have slapped Riley! And then royally dumped him. I'm surprised nobody has suggested all going off to Angel's hotel. They couldn't on the show because of crossover issues, but I would have thought it would be the ideal place otherwise. Gies had a good idea though, of letting Riley kill Ben....
I actually do have Buffy thinking about Angel's very briefly, but only she and I know what she was thinking because she changed her mind quickly and said something else. :) I don't think Buffy and Angel were getting along all that well at this point....  And sending them there would raise other issues for her. I think she's got enough on her plate right now with Glory, Spike, and Riley - throwing a jealous Angel into the mix might just be a little much, yes? :)

12/17/2012 04:41 am
Seven         
What can I say I have a dirty mind.
LOL

12/17/2012 12:22 am
Seven         
So everyone seems to be accepting Spike's presence - except Riley, of course. And now his thoughtless remarks have upset Dawn and the scene is set for more misunderstandings and revelations...
Riley isn't likely to be very understanding - especially now that he's had a hint that Spike is not just there to be an extra Scooby....

12/17/2012 12:03 am
Seven         
I think it's penis envy. Who knows what they did to Spike when the Inititatve had him but I'm just guessing here they know how big his equipment is. So maybe Riley is feeling inadequate in other areas besides losing the steriod strength?

So Dawn figured it out huh? Now she's crying in the back room, Spike's in game face. Oh nothing's going to go wrong with this scenario. Not a thing.
ROFL I'd never thought of that - but it's certainly possible that Riley is very aware of the other ways in which Spike out does him. :)

Good thinking!

12/16/2012 04:30 pm
Six         
I'm still a bit croggled that Glory's hiding spell is not working in this fic.  This should make for an interesting outcome.    Love Buffy's question about being jealous!
It's not working - makes things a little easier in some ways, a little trickier in others. :) 

Jane
12/16/2012 02:13 pm
Six         

Super update, nice to see Spike getting some creit for helping out. Usually  he gets trashed and they still treat him like crap.

*nods* well, that beating by Glory did make a change in how Buffy saw him during that season, and the others were pretty accepting of his presence after that. Too bad they all reverted to "hate Spike" as soon as Buffy came back in season 6. *sigh*

12/16/2012 04:43 am
Six         
Every time he comes to Sunnydale he gets his ass kicked. You'd think he'd learn!! LOL
You'd think, wouldn't you?  LOL Ah, but Sunnydale is where Buffy lives...

12/16/2012 12:08 am
Six         
Yay for Spike! But now he's a captive audience for Giles and his 'chat'. Wondering where Buffy is going to stash Dawn & Joyce now that she's realised that Spike's crypt isn't suitable for Joyce's convalescence...
The chat may go better than you'd expect. :)  yes, what to do with Joyce and Dawn? It's a problem.

12/18/2012 03:49 am
Five         

Heh I bet Giles wants Spike to do the dirty work.  :)

I think he'd be fine with that.

Jane
12/15/2012 07:39 pm
Five         

Sometimes you just want to hit Buffy on the back of the head with a wet fish. Interested to see if Gile's feels the same way.

LOL Giles is pretty flexible for a good guy - kinda like the rest of the Watchers Council when you think about it...

12/15/2012 02:56 pm
Five         
Thanks for the flirtations!  Scenarios like these are so fun to read.   

UST for the win! :)

12/14/2012 01:58 pm
Five         
Wondering why Buffy can make the connection between Ben and Glory, and then remember it. Is Glory's spell broken? Great UST! Can't wait for the Giles/Spike chat...
Glory's spell just isn't figuring into this particular AU season 5. Buffy knows enough from watching Ben disappear and Glory appear shortly thereafter to realize that he must be Glory's host once Giles tells her about that facet of the situation.  I actually haven't decided if I'm going to address the spell at all... It won't affect Spike, and he is the one who would be willing to take out Ben, so.... 

12/14/2012 12:45 am
Five         
Naughty thoughts from Buffy! Well who could blame her? I have to agree with Spike, killing Ben is the best plan. Kill one person to save the world. As long as you don't make a habit out of it. But then again how many humans have hell gods hiding inside them?
Naughty thoughts - how can she not have them?  Yes, Ben could end up being a probem for a budding relationship....

12/18/2012 03:38 am
Four         

Eh Buffy was at the hospital she should have stolen some human blood.  Hee.

Hee! She probably should have.

Jane
12/15/2012 06:56 pm
Four         

Can't help thinking she's storing up trouble leaving the talk till the last moment. Either way, it's not gonna go down well with either party.    

Well, Spike knows about Riley - he was in the picture already when Spike left. Riley isn't going to be pleased to see "hostile seventeen" back, and helping Buffy.  Thanks for reading.

12/12/2012 11:19 pm
Four         
So she hasn't told Riley about Spike and she hasn't told Spike about Riley. I see emotional reefs dead ahead...
As I just said to someone else, Spike probably knows she's still seeing Riley (the nose knows), and Riley will soon know that Spike is the help she's expecting. At this point, there really isn't much else to tell him because Buffy is confused.

12/12/2012 11:14 pm
Four         
Bad slayer, not waking up when a vamp is just feet from her! Bad Buffy for kissing said vampire when she has a boyfriend! Then not telling Spike that she has a boyfriend? Really bad.
Well, Spike knows she was dating Riley when he left, and chances are his nose tells him she still is. She doesn't really owe him too much of an explanation at this point. And Riley has been (and will continue to be) a bit of a pill lately, so kissing the sexy vampire who's come back to help her? Probably not that big a deal in the overall scheme of things.  Although I'm sure Riley won't see it that way....

12/18/2012 03:05 am
Three         

Buffy and Spike should go on a road trip!

LOL - I think the plan is to send everyone else on a road trip while they stay home. Whatever will they do with the time....?

Jane
12/15/2012 05:21 pm
Three         

Not surprised Riley still can't make the grade, even without Spike to blame for his own inadequacies.
Looking forward to the reunion.

Riley's problems really couldn't be blamed on Spike - those inadequate feelings would be there no matter what. Although I doubt he'll see it that way...

12/11/2012 11:32 pm
Three         
Hopefully Riley's days are numbered in Sunnydale. He's not going to be happy when he finds out that Spike is back at Buffy's request and his 'help' in not needed. And it is so all about him and his needy little ego..
Alas - Riley's ego could become a problem... 

12/11/2012 02:47 am
Two         

Oh goody Riley will be upset!  Love Spike the big mama's boy. 

Oh, indeed he will. :)  

12/10/2012 05:33 pm
Two         
I loved the burgeoning friendship nbetween Spike & Joyce and always regretted the way the writers wrote Joyce's reaction to Buffy's discovery of his feelings. If only she'd been a bit more supportive...
And yes, Riley is definitely going to go apeshit.
Oh me too! Poor Joyce just never quite got how unlikely it was that Buffy was going to have anything resembling an acual life. Although I suspect if he tried, Spke could have wormed his way into her good graces to some extent. Since we never saw that much of them together in canon, and what we did see was pretty positive, I think I can just write their relationship any way I want to. :)

Riley - speaking of people who just don't get it....

12/10/2012 05:27 pm
Two         
I love it! Joyce knows more about where Spike is than Buffy. Is it mean of me to laugh about Buffy being out of the loop? I wouldn't be surprised if Dawn had talked to him on the phone too! Spike not asking any questions just agreeing right away to come help was great. Apeshit? I don't think that word is going to fully encompass Riley's reaction. Plus there's still the Scooby gang.. they will go bug shagging crazy when the find out she asked Spike to come back.
LOL I love to write Joyce and Spike friendship - although in realty she wasn't/wouldn't have been so eager to see Buffy with another vampire at that point. Poor Joyce still struggles to understand Buffy's calling and the life it's going to give her.  The Scoobies may surprise you, actually....

Jane
12/15/2012 01:06 pm
Prologue and One         

It's always nice to see Clem, hope he's not being made homeless.

Nah, he just keeps the place looking lived in for Spike. He's got his own home. :)

12/10/2012 03:23 am
Prologue and One         
Love Clem and Buffy is being a bit of a bitch telling him he can't hang around when she brings her Mom and kid sis over.  
Not exactly what she said - she did explain to him that they weren't used to seeing demons and might be frightened. And she said that if they were going to be there a lot, she would introduce him so it would be ok. 

12/09/2012 06:20 pm
Prologue and One         
P.S. Yes, it seems the backstory is posted as the summary, but I didn't see it until after I had read this first chapter. I followed the link in the 'favourite author has posted a new story' email and went directly to the first chapter page. I have since been and read EDNF, so now it makes a lot more sense.
:-)

12/09/2012 03:02 pm
Prologue and One         
Intriguing. Wonder why Spike left Sunnydale and where he went and what he's up to. Guess I'll have to wait and read to find out...
Um... did I not post the whole summary/backstory here? (I'll check)  We do know the why, we don't necessarily know what he was doing while he was gone, but we may find that out before the end of the story. And we will know where he was shortly. :)  
But to understand why he left, check out "Even Demons Need Friends" here: http://www.bloodshedverse.com/stories.php?go=chapters&no=12415