Go Angel! Angel Rules! (I thought I'd never get to say that on fandom)

very good read, thank you. again it pains me to cheer for the great forehead, but way to go angel. dawn, even when written to be annoying, was more aware of the "real world" than buffy.

Never thought I'd say it but good call by Angel on the Buffy obsession -- he maybe should have thought it out before but easily said when you're not wild with rage. The whole thing needs some brains on it -- hint! Excellent story.

Go, Dawn! Dawn's always been rather intuitive where Spike's concerned - in a way, much more so than Buffy. I know there's no way Spike will tell her anything as long as he thinks he's protecting her and Buffy, but I hope that Dawn will sense that something's not quite right and become suspicious enough to put two and two together. I don't think she's ever spent as much time vacationing in Egypt as Buffy has. As for Angel, I'm really cheering him on now. He's really got Xander's number, and I sincerely hope that he gets the opportunity to make Xander feel as helpless and hopeless as Spike felt. If that means Angelus gets to come out and play for a while, I can't get too concerned about that. Although I would hate for Angel to lose his soul over this. That would mean that Xander has scored again in his sick little game and that would be just wrong.

Another great chapter. I am really glad that Angel threatened Xander. It will be interesting to read how Xander plays this encounter.
I wonder what Dawn saw in her room. Please update soon.

Poor Spike, now he's afraid to stay around the one person who can protect him. That's deeply cruel. I think Angel may have to be more proactive here, like tie up Xander and drop him in a sewer somewhere. Hope Detective Dawn is putting on her thinking cap.

Never really cheered for Angel before. It was interesting.

Go Angel! At last somebody reminded Xander that he is just a useless coward! I wish Buffy wasn't this stupid!

This is my favorite chapter so far!!!!! That scene with Angel was freakin' awesome! You got him exactly right for that kind of situation. He really just needs the proof now to make Buffy believe.

And there's evidence in Dawn's room! Yay! Please let her figure it out.

Meanwhile, Anya's still absent...

First, loved the "three of a kind' comment. Bingo!

Second, it appears Dawn might not have been as out of it as Xander suspected? Please?

go Angel go!
If he has proof that it was xander he smelled in the cave, why doesn't he tell buffy?

I hope Dawn heard something, so Spike has to tell the truth.

This chapter just brightened my mood considerably on a really crappy day, thank you :)

OK, Dawn knows something is up...hopefully, she won't let it go. Buffy is WAnTING to believe it isn't Xander, but has some niggling seed of doubt. I'm thinking this is good...
But I'm still afraid you're going to let Xander get his hands on Spike before it's all over...
AGH!

I wonder what Dawn is questioning him about...did she see the blood in her room? I wish she hadn't asked the question in that way, because it will be hard for him to figure out what to say. Clearly he is struggling with choice right now, and what to do to keep everyone safe. I really hope they are able to just figure out that it's Xander without Spike having to necessarily tell, because his abuse response is so strong he isn't going to be able to do it.

How much did I love Angel in this chapter! He did a good job of being menacing and letting Xander know he couldn't hide the fact that he is responsible for Spike's condition. I am a little worried how this will play out, since Xander clearly didn't have enough fear in this situation, and he may be able to manipulate Buffy again. Angel really needs to confront Buffy again about what's going on.

Unbelievably good so far. You had me flip flopping between it being Xander or Riley as the abuser, at first I assumed Xander, but then you brought Riley into the mix and i was SO SURE it was him (mostly because I hate him ;)) I hope Spike doesn't have to keep his secret for too long this stress is KILLING ME!

Please say that Dawn saw some blood or that something had happened in her room!
And go Angel! I've never really been a fan of him, but here I'm all 'yay, go Angel, beat up Xander'.

she knows??

I followed your story from vampires-kiss.net so I could get the latest chapters. Again, I have to say bravo on the excellent writing. Although I would not consider Spike's attachment to Buffy Stockholm syndrome (that would be becoming sympathetic to a captor/abuser as a means of self-preservation) I do think his need for her is very plausible. He might not believe in Buffy's ability to protect him, but certainly he is more safe and comfortable with her than with Xander. At this point, I'm sure he'll take all the crumbs he can get.

I can't wait until Xander gets his. Make it bloody, please. :P

This is something I rarely say, but YAY for Angel. Now what to do with this knowledge. He needs to let Spike know that he has an allie and know's about Xander. Cocky punk, can't wait 'til he get's his. Bless Dawn, she's not about black and white, she's alway's seen the gray in between. Wonder what made her suspicious. Maybe her room was disturbed enough by the abuse of her friend. Thanks for the update, just keep them coming DOS, there fantastic.

“See, that’s the thing,” Angel sneered maybe I don’t *care* what Buffy wants anymore!” GO ANGEL... usually i can't stand angel but i love that he has figured it out. just hope xander doesnt convince buffy to turn on him. Please update soon i am dying to know what dawn is talking about. i know its not about xander but still very curious.

YES. Go Angel. Giving Xander a taste of his own punishment. To bad he got away before Angel could continue. *sigh* And Dawn, did she hear something last night? Can't wait for more.

Ohhh another update... you are spoiling us! I love it!
I'm so happy that Angel knows what really happened and he is warning Xander... all we need now is for Buffy to realize!
Excellent chapter!!

oh gawd PLEEAASSEE TELL DAWN!!!!!

Now correct me if i am wrong but shouldn't Anya beable to feel Angel's rage and want for vengance? PLEASE ANYA PAY ATTENTION!!!!!

oh sorry got alittle carried away there... oops..... its just I can hardly STAND IT!!!!

Great Chapter! Thank you so much for updating!!!

Congratulations, you actually have me cheering for Angel. That never happens. And I'm also practically clapping for glee that Dawn is not as stupid as Buffy. I really think if Spike told them, Buffy would believe him, because Spike has no motive to lie--he has none of the memories that would have given him reason to lie to Buffy about Xander. Buffy has clearly understood that he's different, tabula rasa'd pretty much, so she'd also know that hey, this is not Yoko Spike. Angel's talk with her opened the door; Spike's admission would blow it wide open. Xander's toast! Also, that Lysol comment was funny.

And so the retribution begins! :-)

A really good chapter. Angel and Xander were written perfectly, and you know that Xander is now screwed. And if Xander was smart, he'd realize that Angel is one thing: A stalker. We saw Angelus do it, we saw Angel do it. He will stalk Xander,and the moment, the moment he makes a mistake, he will die.

While your explaination about Spike and the Stokholm syndrome is ok, to me, it feels like you are grasping at straws there. Stokholm takes a while to be achieved. YOu have not shown Spike regaining memories of Buffy, only a senstation. But the memories and scent of Xander should still remain stronger, and Spike should still be more scared of Buffy now then needing her.

And the idea that she is powerful, so she will protect him also seems, personally, tacted on. If you go that route, then Spike should leap into Angel's arms as soon as he reappears (Which I would love to see. perosnally, I have said before, I hope Spike and Angel get the hell out, and leave Buffy to find out the truth.)

I do disagree with the reviewer whosaid Buffy was overly dumb. If Xander was a demon, Iwould agree. But in this case...she is on charecter: Buffy is the dumbest person when it comes to humans.

My only hope is that you have Buffy spend alot of time on her knees, and not in a sexual way. Trusting You is probably the best example for length of Buffy mourning/groveling this story needs.

GO ANGEL! (damn I'm rooting for angel!)

Methinks Dawn knows something...

Great update.

Do we dare hope that Dawn knows? Thanks for all the timely updates! Can't wait for the next!