And yet again... Dawn the Annoying Brat strikes.... can Xander shoot her before they stop him? *bats eyes*

I so want to smack Buffy. What is wrong with her!?! How can she not see the absolute terror Spike is in? Especially when Angel and Dawn are highlighting it to her. I don't care what her reasons for following through with this plan are, it's going to end badly because it just highlights the ways Spike can't, and shouldn't, trust her. Especially if she would willingly subject him to Xander.

Who would have thought that Angel would be the only sensible person in Spike's life (or considerate). Dawn counts too but she isn't as forceful as Angel. Hope he doesn't let things go too far for Spike to handle. I hope he is suspicious enough to be ready to rescue Spike when this plan goes south.

The tension mounts.

Kathleen

ok, yeah she's being a bitch but i understand buffy. she wants everything going acording to her world, and if all is off then she has to make it right. but poor spike. and angel and dawn were right. i want angel to kill xander, but that must be saved for when spike gets back to normal.

“selfish, super-hero, super-powered, super-*bitch* older sister”. dawn's comments seem to cover it, well. very good read, thank you.

Buffy you bitch! Evil writer.

Poor Spike, always trying to be brave for the sake of others. I can understand Buffy wanting to be absolutely sure, but poor Spike shouldn't have to face that kind of danger to get protection. Wonderful story, as always. ;)

Please please don't let anything happen to Spike. Thanks for the update.

You know...I agree with Angel and Dawn on this one. Buffy is being a...well you know. Personaly, I think this *is* all for her. What more proof does she need? Spike's already *told* her. And, right now, he doesn't have the capacity to lie to her- as if he ever did before. Besides that, everything about Spike's demeanor screams at her to put a stop to this.

But, she won't do it. I think she subconsiously wants to hurt him some more- because of what he did with Anya- and that is just, plain and simple, heartless and cruel.

I think Buffy is too busy sailing down a river in Egypt right now to see that Dawn and Angel are on the right track here.

Aw, poor Spike! Buffy is really enjoying her stay in Egypt once again isn't she?

Another great chapter -- and thanks so much for being so prompt with the updates. It's *much* appreciated.

Anyways, now in addition to wanting the much-needed Xander thrashing, I want to see Buffy catch it and catch it bad. I'm really pissed at her... she's all with the "I love you, Spike", but she's totally putting her needs ahead of Spikes. And the last scene with her basically manipulating him just creeped me out. Please, please, make sure that she gets punched!

This was the most intense thirty minutes of dialogue I've ever read. I'm on the edge of my seat for the next chappie.

will Buffy just never learn. They know that Xander did it. Spike really can't lie that well yet, but she is intent on putting him through this. AUGH... Love how Dawn and yes even Angel was trying to talk her out of it. I just really hope that she doesn't live to regret this night.

Why do I feel something is about to go terribly wrong! Poor Spike. Update soon!

On pins and needles, waiting ever so impatiently. More soon please!

oh god!.... suspense is killing me!!!

Now the real question is, not what will happen with Spike (we all know, unless you decide to play against the grain on us) but what the fall out will be.

There has to be an Angel/Buffy confrontation. If you truly want to pay off everything, you really should have Angel take Spike away from Buffy, with Spike not struggling.(there is a fic called Escape to Survive, a nice one shot, that I have seen where Angel plays hero very well and saves Spike. I hope this happens like that.)

Second, and probably bigger, will be the fact that Buffy using her strength on Dawn MUST be addressed. Not only because it happened and right now Dawn is mad, but it also plays into Buffy's greatest fault: Buffy is like a wifebeater. She solves her problems with her fists. If this were a man doing that to his daughter, we would be calling for his arrest. The same with Dawn.

Hell, I'd love it if Dawn used the line, "I'd have been safer with dad or in foster care then with you, Buffy."

or, "Mom would be so dissappointed with you."

It's just good storytelling.

Finally, as I have said for a long time, we need some super Buffy angst, with her realizing that she is no better then Xander.

oh goodness, would someone just please shut Dawn up?! At least Angel, for once, is talking to Dawn rationally. And he's probably right...

Nice job of displaying Buffy's motivations and Spike's fears, as well as how the others feel about it. Very well done, but the suspense is killing me.

Why am I thinking gloom, doom and more pain for Spike? Methinks Buffy should have listened to Angel and Dawn. Go Dawn!!!I am also hoping that the bullet blew out the chip in Spike's brain and he finds out that he can stand up on his own without depending on Buffy. Here's hoping.......

I do SO hope Buffy can keep her promise. She is being pigheaded and rather stupid, but I hope Spike doesn't have to pay the price for it. If anybody gets hurt, I am hoping it is her. That surprises me, but there it is.
Then again, having read some of your other work, I'm pretty sure Xander will get to Spike before Buffy can stop him, causing much trouble with Spike's healing, Dawn and Angel's relationship with her and basically wreaking havoc with everything she has built up since she found Spike.
This chapter has made me so _angry_! And I can't wait for another. :)

Bad, bad plan.
Stupid Buffy.
Great chapter.

I so, so, so do not like this plan.

I am so nervous for him!!!! I understand Willow wont believe it but wouldn't everyone else without this? Man i am scared for him! Great chapter! thanks for posting!

So much for free choice, Buffy might not just lose Xander tonight. Excellent Chapter.

I need a sledghammer. Anybody got a sledgehammer? ::looks around for one:: I really need to use it on Buffy.
Is it too much to hope that Angel says "screw the plan" and kills Xander the moment he walks in the door? No? Damn......

Great update and I can't wait for more. Update soon Please! :)

Tough call. Poor Spike is so afraid, and we're not talking Court here where but the only way to get proof beyond reasonable doubt is to catch Xander in the act. But then again it has to be real not magic. And would Spike ever be really mended if he doesn't see the true weakness of Xander? Can't wait for more!

intense. poor spike. I really think they DO need the plan though. Despite everything, Buffy really does need ALL the scoobies but Xander on her side. There is no way in hell Anya or Willow would just "accept" spike's word on it, even if they like him.

I think Dawn is right about the "superbitch" part of her mumblies. I'd like to slap Buffy right now. Nobody can outrun a bullet, not even a slayer.

Buffy is an idiot, Angel is rigth for the first time of his entire existence. Why don't they do a simple truth spell or glamour that will show angel or buffy like spike?

Somehow I have the feeling that Spike is going to be hurt again, despite Buffy's reassurances. I mean, her plans do have a higher ratio of working out than Spike's but still, I've got a bad feeling about this. Of course, I'm also hoping the Big Bad will reappear when the confrontation happens. Either way, it's going to be a great read, cause I don't think you're capable of a bad read. Don't feel bad if you don't update soon, but just know I'm sitting here doing my "Scanners" impersonation until you do. I'll be patient, but only cause I really, really love this story!!

That poor tortured creature and Dawn's right This is all about what's good for Buffy and no one else. She still is as selfish as ever, and Spike doesn't need that kind of love, he really doesn't. He deserve's so much better. It may have started out all about Spike but along the way this became what Buffy want's and needs. Maybe Angel can take her down a peg or two. That just pisses me off. Thanks for reminding us that this is "Buffy" after all. Now, more torture for Spike. Great chapter, thanks.

O_O......
You are EVIL for ending it there!
But you KNOW that already don't you! I'm more than on the edge of my seat, I'm out of my seat standing on my roof jumping and screaming for more chapters!.....I'm going to get ARRESTED because of you! >__<
::gives candies:

Spike's not the only one that's worried. I am too!

Emotional frickin' blackmail, Buffy! Can't you tell what's best for Spike?! Angel and Dawn are right.....and this is so going to backfire. Xander's going to panic, and do something really rash, and this is all going to go belly up. I hate her right now, I really do. This isn't about Spike at all, and it damn well should be!