oh i hope dawn wises up the moment she sees him, if not before...poor spike, how very sad this all is for him...

This is wonderful, absolutely incredible and thankfully a chapter that can breath easier with. Yes, maybe now Dawn will start to see things a little clearer. Thanks for this great chapter.

great chapter

Starting with the end, I love the outside perspective of Aunt Darlene about Spike and the very important lesson she is trying to teach Dawn. I loved hearing Willow's thoughts on what she had done and how it didn’t help her with her pain, and her realization that she was no better then Spike, the individual she had considered completely evil. I felt so bad for Spike and his nightmares of Buffy’s death by Warren. And I love the help that Lydia is trying to give those in Africa. Thanks for another great update.

very good read. crammed alot in to this update. dawn's aunt sounding like joyce; red actual seeing how far she has to go; buffy being blond; and lydia being very brave. thanks for the fine read.

Go Aunt Darlene ... set that brat of a Key sister straight. I hated how Dawn turned on Spike. Yes, she heard what Xander told her, but she never tried to take what Buffy said and let it go. Dawn, of all people, should have known that Xander would turn things any way he wanted it to make Spike look the worst.

Another excellent chapter. You are bringing all things together in a unique plot that I am enjoying reading.

Please put Dawn out of her misery. It'd be a mercy!

There is a typo on the summary. It's canon, not cannon. They have a completely different meaning.

Yes Dawn listen to auntie!

Am I sensing an alliance with the Initiative clowns? Yeah to Lydia for the heads up BTW.

Wondering about those dreams of Spike's....Warren????

Great job as always.

Kathleen

Good for Lydia! I like the way you're portraying her. The scene when those beetles crawled into Spike's nose and ears was so creepy, no wonder Spike is having nightmares about it. I couldn't agree more with Willow's assessment about her actions, especially her coming to the conclusion that Spike is a better person than her. Aunt Darlene seems like a nice lady, I hope Dawn listens to her. Wonderful chapter!

Dawnie issues r being addressed i see. i think i like Buffy's aunt

Growing up is painful - you made wonderful, accurate illustrations of exactly that, here. A turning point for so many.

And adding that conversation with Aunt Darlene is genius. You keep managing to bring up little throwaway tidbits from the series, like a name, and making them relevant...enriching the 'verse.

It's still weird to me that Xander's dead, just because people rarely take that choice to have Willow go that way. I think it was a good call, though. It adds even more impact on Willow's recovery, taking away the crutch he'd been for her...and removes the obstacle he often represents.

And Buffy thinking poachers wouldn't be on a nature preserve....LOL....try reading National Geographic once in a while, kiddo. How did she blind herself so badly to common human scumbags? Sure, every soul has the potential to make good choices, but there's still free will - it is a bitch. ;)

Stupid Dawn,acting all bratty.I'm still in shock from Supernatural's season finale. Update soon.