Yeah! Vengence for Spike! Can't wait for her to find out who did it and with Anya's help they could come up with one hell of a wish. Now to keep him safe from Riley for good. Thanks for this wonderful fic.

Well between Buffy being on the vengance path and Dawn looking forward to teaching him it seems like he might be well taken care of for the time being. Dawn seems a natural at reaching him so she would be the right person to try and help him reclaim some sense of himself. It seems they all understand that Dawn is the person he feels comfortable with right now, from Anya giving her the second glass. How awful is it that on top of being starved he also was put through such trials to get food judging by his reactions to the first glass.

the three working together are making progress, slow progress with spike, but major movement with each other. this is a wonderful tale, thanks for the read.

Wow! I read all last 3 chapters together today and they are getting even more interesting and better. Buffy wants revenge, Dawn wants to help, and they were expected I guess but Dawn's calm reaction was a surprise, it was great. And Buffy understands that she needs all the help she can get including Anya's. I wonder what would be their reaction when Riley and Xander see Spike in Buffy's home, their reaction maybe give us clue about the shooter, but since you clued us that the shooter knew how to torture psychologically then my money is on Riley.

Well I cannot wait to find out, and read more of this story.

Poor Spike, thinking he needed to beg for blood. I really hope you have something really evil instore for whoever hurt Spike. Update soon.

P.S I'm loving the Spike/Dawn stuff.

I go back and forth from anger, pain, and tears I am exhausted at the end of each chapter. I read this one and the prev together and while I loved "trust me" this story is unbelievably beautiful, heartbreaking, heartrending intensity. The maturity of Dawn and Spike's response are just amazing.
I don't know if I hate Xander enough for this to be him but i won't be surprised really. However no big if it is riley but I hope he dies at Buffy's hands if he is guilty.
you are adored for the fast updates- we bow before you in thanks lol

This just keeps getting better and better. I like the way you have Buffy finding clue after clue as to just how cruely Spike was treated. But you also give us hope that between Buffy, Dawn and Anya they'll figure out a way to help him recover as much as possible. I won't hazard a guess as to who is the evildoer. I just love it that Buffy is implacable in her determination to see justice done.

Reader wipes a tear away. That was so sweet.

Excellent chapter -- the girls working together. They make a formidable team. The glimmer of hope is a bonus!

His understanding is reduced to a baby's, but he still does. As long as those neural pathways can reconnect and establish themselves, then you at least have a blank canvas to rebuild on, if not full restoration. Vampiric healing does tend to take the body back to it's original state, but who knows if anyone's experimented with how that relates to the mind. Building memories does create physical changes in the brain, so it's possible the vampiric healing could restore him to pre-gunshot levels.

You DO like to torment us, don't you? Such a good story!
and another theory - Xander fired the shot and left Spike in his crypt. Riley found him and chained him up in the initiative and tortured him.
So much fun to try to figure it out!!!

I’m going to make them pay for hurting you…...loved this line,hope buffy gets a chance to do it soon.
glad spike can still learn but hope he gets hid old memories back as well.

Yay! Now they have to make quick progress before THE BUM discovers Spike's missing...but he will probably turn up at Buffy's anyway. Please keep Spike safe from further abuse!

Each chapter is better than the last!!! You are so in sync with the characters. Can't wait for the next installment.

Good chapter. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Dawn as a teacher??? But at least someone is going to try. Love how the three of them are working on a game plan to help him. And the 'Slayer' is going to find and hunt down the one who did this. I have a bad feeling about who they are going to find.

Spike begging for his blood was just wrong. I'm so looking forward to the revenge.
Loved the chapter. Can't wait for the next.

Cause for hope indeed. Heartbreaking to see the condition of Spike but love how the girls are all coming up to the plate. Noticed how Buffy didn't complain about the human blood diet when she saw the bags Anya brought in.

Still hoping it turns out to be Riley because I really really want vengeance and don't hate Xander enough to want it to be him. I can just hear the "justifications" too. Any of the suspects will likely "point out" that Spike has killed enough in the past for this punishment to be deserved....hope Buffy has plenty to say on THAT issue!!! Much like most of mankind, we plea for mercy and forgiveness for ourselves and demand "justice" from others for their "sins"....sigh.

As always, briliant chapter. This is shaping up to be one of your best yet (and that is stiff competition, hon).

Kathleen

Another great chapter. I am really looking forward to what happens when Buffy finds out its someone close to her.

Poor Spike. Love Dawn and Buffy in this, but wish that Anya had a larger role - she's an additional asset they should use.

Yay! Go, Dawnie. Now, we just have to be sure that Dawn doesn't take so much of his time that he never learns to trust Buffy. But that was such a hopeful chapter. Thank goodness.

Love this Dawn and Spike. Wonderful chapter.

I'm liking the new, mature Dawn. Not to mention the Anya and Buffy cooperation. I'm eagerly awaiting more of the story.

time for anya to put her demon skills to the test yeh?


Great update!!

Another excellent chapter. Dawn will hopefully bring back the Spike we all love. You are such a goos writer, you have captured the characters so good,and I loved tha fact that Anya came back with blood. Because although she doesn`t always shows it,she really cares for the Scooby gang and Spike. I really would like to know who did this though;)

Wow, good chappie. Spike learns quickly. You broke my heart when he jumped down off the couch to beg for his blood. *cries* I'm so happy he's safe and away from who ever did this to him. Can't wait for more.