unless you put the proper words in her mouth, buffy will spend the next 20 chapters answering him, and not say anything. very good chapter, thank you.

“What was I to you, Buffy? What *am* I to you, now?” I wanna know the answer to this one too.

“I think I love you, Spike…” Don't think too much Buffy, it'll hurt your brains. Instead take action. Action is good. And forget the plan. Plans never did anybody any good and do me a favor, kill Xander before bedtime.

well isn't that the question to end all questions. Very interested in how she is going to explain their relationship, especially given the fact that she is growing to realize she is in love with him. I'm glad Angel could admit that Buffy is family to Spike and not confuse him any more than he already is. She should try and explain what they had and what she would like for their future to him so he can begin to understand that he has a place with them. Very interesting that Spike doesn't feel any desire to hurt humans since he's come back to himself, and even with Xander isn't sure he could actually do it. That says something about the nature of his demon

And in the morning -- he *did* remember.

Methinks the sire's blood has brought back all of Spike's memories. Or maybe, he's not sure if they are real memories, and that's why he has lots of questions...

I've been reading some of the other reviews, and one thing hadn't even crossed my mind--the chip! I got so caught up in the whodunnit mystery that I didn't even think about the sodding chip.

OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH! Is THAT how Spike gets to hurt Xander???? That would make sense: Spike couldn't hurt Xander before he shot him because of the chip. Spike didn't try to hurt Xander after he shot him because he was too weak and too afraid. He hasn't thought about hurting other humans since he started to recover. All these things mean that we have no idea if the chip is either gone or just not working. If you write a story where Xander shoots Spike in the head, and Spike is only able to exact revenge on Xander because Xander shot the chip out, then I will bow to you, oh goddess of the ironic plot twist :bow:

Wow, sire blood packs a kick doesn't it. And now Spike has a serious question. Can't wait to find out how Buffy resonds and will he be upset?

Uh oh. Time to 'fess up, Buffy!

Okay, what a way for Buffy to have to face the past. I just hope she doesn't talk around things. It is going to be worse when he does find out the complete truth. I can understand the feeling of jealousy over Angel being able to help him, but she has to keep her eye on the ball. Getting Spike better is what really matters.

Dumb Buffy, it doesn't count if you say it while he's sleeping. Evil cliffhanger.

Alright, you know what, you're just evil! C'mon, don't leave me hanging like this!! :'(

Oh, Buffy on the spot! I love it!

I wonder what Buffy's answer will be. I hope that she will be honest with herself and Spike for a change.

How interesting that Spike has felt NO desire to hurt humans. It's not the chip either but a sign of how he had changed. Hope he gets a chance to let them all know that interesting piece of information (Giles in particular would be amazed). Too bad Angel forgot the chip when he said my favorite line:
"Except Xander," Angel suddenly added, as he took his childe back into his embrace. "If you get the chance -- it's completely okay to hurt him. Any way you like." ROFLMAO I just love THIS Angel!

Certainly hope THIS Buffy isn't a wimp and will put Spike's needs over her love of denial (so typical of her to admit feelings when he wasn't able to hear them $%^&*). We all know she DID love him in S6 (or would have if she had allowed herself to just feel). The whole pre sex relationship was leading to love for gosh sakes! It makes sense for her to admit her feelings now but she needs to say the words to him while he is awake. Now is the perfect time.

Why do I have the terrible feeling that Spike did not get any heads up to Buffy's plan at all and that she will be manipulating him into a situation to trap Xander? I wonder if Spike will think he is protecting his girls or somesuch. Could have interesting fall out if she IS planning that sort of thing (Angel and Dawn will be as furious as Spike will be hurt and disbelieving of her protests of love if that is the case).

Excellent, excellent!

Kathleen

Great chapter! Can't wait to hear Buffy's answers to these questions. Hope she can be honest with herself and Spike.

Another fabulous chapter- anxiously awaiting the next!

I'm wondering what Buffy's gonna answer. Hope she's honest.
And the "I think I love you, Spike", that was just lovely.

Yay - Spike is coming back to himself! Interesting that it seems to be in language that it's first manifesting. His first question to Buffy is great - shows that his priority is relating to her. It's also a step forward in that Angel's reaction caused suspicion in him - since it was only recently that he couldn't tell at all if somebody was lying to him. I"m hoping that Buffy is honest with him - and that he can see that what he is to her now is so much more than what she allowed him to be in the past.
Buffy's jealosy is so predictable, but she was ble to set it aside. Yay!
(And I know Xander hitting Anya isn't canon, but you've made this story fit so beautifully into Joss's world that I can neatly snip off the original in my mind and put yours there, and things that happened in the original, before your story came along, just makes sense. - I hope THAT made sense...)

Ah, the million dollar question!

Nice questions! I hope she is honest with him and tells him the truth about what they were, and what happened. Only that way can he put into words what he is feeling and they can work it out together. But, Buffy never is very forthcoming with her feelings, so I am afraid that she is not going to be open and honest.

Oh dear, oh dear, Buffy. How are you going to tackle that one?

"you are my sunshine, my only sunshine. you make me happy when skies are grey. You'll never know dear, how much i love you. So please dont take my sunshine away..."

lol.. sorry bit of an outburst there..

Even disoriented and amnesiac, he still goes straight to the heart of the matter. Or maybe I should say straight for the throat?
Let's see Buffy bluff her way out of this one.

I am so happy for him! He is doing so well! PLEASE Buffy dont screw it up!

Thank you so much for the chapter!

Can't wait for the next update!

ooh la la! More Brilliance!
I love that Spike is getting better, and that he's starting to understand things. It brings HOPE! >__

Spike's made huge strides -- I hope Buffy is honest with him. Excellent chapter

Wonderful chapter! The sire/childe interaction is so sweet.
The result of angels blood is amazing, I'm so glad that spike is finally getting back to his old self. He even thinks about protecting his family against Xander, Yay! His self-esteem must have improved some.

*snicker* Yes Buffy, what is spike to you? I wonder how she's going to answer that one. I hope she tells him she loves him, but know miss denial, she probably wont.

Really, really great chapter.

Please have her tell him that he's "mine". Been wondering how you were going to handle his demon. William wouldn't want to hurt a human but his demon's just been awakened, glad he's able to keep him under control. Can't wait to see What Buffy tell's him. Very surprised that Angel told him that Buffy's family. Very big of him for a change. Excellent chapter, DOS.

Ohhh, I want more!! Quickly!! Hurry, seriously...lol...

Oooo, a question she'll want to run away from...will she? And I want to smack her a little bit for being jealous of Angel's help to Spike. Her thoughts still jump first to number 1....and that's not anyone but Buffy.

Really neat hearing that Angel tried to give the best answers he could to things. Quite interesting that he called Buffy family, too. Family because they've loved her, family because he's marked her before....family because of affection now. But...there are concepts Spike probably still needs fully explained, like how people feel towards friends, and family, and lovers.

I remember your description of the back of Spike's head, the injury, and I really don't think the chip is inside anymore. He hasn't shown any signs of it being there...but he hasn't really been in a position to accidentally cause pain, either. And he soon will be *much* stronger than Xander. I hope Angel explained the physical differences like that - the strength, the senses, etc.

Looking forward to more!

“What was I to you, Buffy? What *am* I to you, now?”

And now will Buffy be a coward and lie or will she tell the truth?

If she lies, he'll know and most likely in Spike's mind she'll have betrayed him.

If she tells the truth many doors will be opened.

I can't wait to find out how you have her answer. :)

Evil Cliffie!!! I'm going to cross my fingers and hope she's brave enough to repeat what she said when he was asleep. That's gonna be a weird conversation. I mean, I've kinda pictured Spike as being well, an innocent since the shooting. And even if he gets his memories back, that's not necessarily him anymore. I'm so confused now. But yay that he's getting better!! Thank you and can't wait for the next thrilling installment!