excellent story created by an excellent write. thank you for this piece so far, i look forward to reading and commenting more

Finally he speaks. I'm not used to Spike being quiet. It's wierd.

dawn's doing wonderfully. buffy does not know her "friends" at all. great chapter, thank you.

The only word to be said as his first. Glad that Angel's still perceptive and not counting them out for Spike's sake and I'm glad only for now, that he's staying around and with Giles coming too it really will be a full house again! Another fantastic chapter.

Spike's a freaking Einstien!

Just awesome. You've gotten Angel down pat - great characterization. Love the progress that Spike's making with Dawn's help. Moving on to read the next chapter - can't wait.

OMG! He really is picking up on things quickly. I love Dawn's enthusiasm for teaching him, and how he's responding to all the praise and warmth he's getting from the sisters. And is it not telling that his first word was Buffy's name? I think Angel's right that one of the guys is his abuser and I'm hopefully that working together they'll be able to keep Spike safe.

I really hope buffy takes what Angel said about Spike to heart. Love that Dawn is taking the initiative to help him and that Spike is progressing. Love his first words. they are just a loving family unit.

Awesome chapter! I'm glad Angel wants to help, but he better remember Spike is *HERS!" lol.

That was an awesome chapter! I would still like to smack Buffy for being so dense on the subject of it being Riley or Xander (Xander), but at the same time, what she said about protecting him agianst whoever it was at all costs was good.

Excellent chapter (even if Buffy is far too delusional for anyone's good where her "human" friends are concerned! This lesson SHOULD finally hammer home that human is not always good and soul means nothing in some beings).

Love the slow progress. With Vamp healing it should be more rapid than regular but not too fast. You've captured that nicely IMHO.

Love the response to the Sire voice of Angel in the previous chapter. Completely on the money and not sexual at all.....no matter what went down with Angelus and William the reaction to Sire is seperate and you did it spot on. The word Sire means more than"Father" ....it denotes a person of authority to be respected (yup, looked it up with all the nonsense over the term in the Buffyverse) among other things. The authority of Angelus would have been total.

Love Angel being properly wise to just who the real suspects are. Love his warning to Buffy and unspoken promise to Spike. Actually, loving HIM in this story!

So yeah Angel and Dawn......double yeah Spike....whap on head to Buffy and kick in the butt to the two likely suspects until we know that one to nail properly.

Excellent, you continue to excell.

Kathleen

Buffy should realise that it might be Xander or Riley who hurt Spike. I was so happy when he learned to say Buffy, that was just fantastic.
Lovely chapter.

Aww! Amazing chapter!! I can't wait to find out who did this to him and see them pay. I have a feeling I know :)

Spike is doing so great, and good for Dawn helping out so much!!

I am so not believing Angel's big act. And, Riley and Xander are creeps, too. Glad Spike is starting to come back, but I bet you're not going to let him remember who shot him, because you're evil.

Denial thy name is Buffy... *sigh* someone needs to remind that girl that humans can be evil and cruel...

YAAAH! for the giant poof coming to the conclusion it has to be one of the moron twins...

*bounces* HURRRAAAAH! Spike knows Buffy's name and talk!


MORE!

Very nice chapter. Have a bad feeling that Spike willgo into relapseonce thevillian of this little play is revealed, though. My money is on Xander, as, this would be his revenge for sleeping with Anya and trying to rape Buffy.

Also, Ihopeyou remember to address the fact that Spike would most likely not have a British accent if he has to relearn everything. Because, Spike currently is little more then a baby, mimicing those around him. Infact, he is more likely to develop Dawn and buffy's mannerisms then anyhting else.

YAY!!
Dawn's not being completely annoying (and not perfect, either - bringing him downstairs when she knew somebody was probably down there was STUPID!) Buffy's kindness and caring, Spike progressing...Yay!
DoS's great writing, continuation of the mystery, keeping us on the edge of our collective seats and updating frequently...YAY!

YAY!

Oooo! That was so poignant! I'm seriously hoping that Angel is being truthful with Buffy and that she now has someone else to help her protect Spike. I would be very afraid for him if Angel turns out to be the perpetrator - although, I would also anticipate eventual Angel dustage....lol

baby steps my butt,lol. spike is a fast learner. liking that angel is there to help... or is he. i'm starting to think it might not have been just one person who has been hurting spike, maybe its two. two of the three men united and planned this. can't wait for more.

I hope Buffy get a really loud wake up call on her friends.Such a sweet moment between them upstairs. I like the effect this is all having on Angel too. Another Great Chapter

If I could be in front of Buffy right now I would slap her silly. Once again, she is in the land of denial over her friends.

Yay Spike!!!--he always was so very intelligent and he will really need that to relearn everything.
I can't wait for the next chapter!!

Awww -- poor Spike!! It's heartrending. Dawn is being pleasantly mature about all this. If only they could be left too it . I just know the perpetrator is going to try to get to him.

I honestly can not believe that I'm about to say this, but Buffy really needs to listen to Angel on this one. Xander and Riley are camable of doing something that horrible to someone that they precive as nothing more than a 'thing'. Spike is a demon so torturing him like one of them did would be perfectly o.k in their minds.

Anyway, wonderful update. I'm already looking forward to the next chapter.

I hope Angel goes and sniffs out who was in the cave with Spike. I'd LOVE to see that confrontation.

aww... thats a good sign.. but why say buffy for? its a freaking hard name to say.. dawn is easier to say by far.. i dont know maybe thats just me.. lol

awesome chapter!!

Stupid site - it timed out when I was posting my review...

Okay, I kinda wanted Dawn's name to be said first...Buffy still has a lot to make up for, you know?

Angel was great here, with the common sense, and the tears...I hope she starts listening to reason. She doesn't know what those guys are capable of, especially Riley's current incarnation.

Since this takes place concurrently with AtS season 4, are you going to show Angel calling Fred and Gunn to say he's going to be a few days/weeks? At this time, he was trying to get on good terms with Connor, and find Cordelia, since he just got dredged up from the ocean. Just want to know if AtS will be ignored or not...I know, I'm probably being too thinkety...

I kinda want to smack buffy and say "duh!" for underestimating her sister, too. It's not like she's 10! The girl was 16 for Season 7.

I got really angry at Buffy for not wanting to believe that Xander or Riley could hurt Spike. Okay,so Xander is supposed to be her best friend and Riley is an ex,but they show their hatred for the vampire again and again...wake up,Buffy!!And,way to go Spike!!!:D