Oh yes! Spike better kick his ass but good. But god did Xander actually do it? I've gotta read more.

Okay, gotta share parts of a conversation with my husband on this story (remember I'm reading it to him in the truck as we drive).

Crazy Xander.....in a court of law the deciding factor for an insanity plea is if the perp knew the difference between right and wrong when committing the act. Xander knew while shooting and torturing Spike. Peoples ex. A...Xan removed Spikes stuff to cover the crime and making it look like Spike just left. Ex B. Xan threatened Spike to keep the secret of his being the perp showing he KNEW he was doing something "wrong" and would be judged by his friends. So no matter how off the spool he is now, he was not when he shot and kidnapped/tortured Spike.

As for "justice"...D'Hoffryn would be recruiting me I think..I'd make a wish that would do multiple things. 1. Xander would return to sanity and be prohibited the "luxury" of slipping back over into it. 2. Xan would be unable to commit suicide or have any convenient "accident" to shorten his life. 3. He would be cursed with guilt that would be unending over his actions...nightmares and genuine brood boy guilt.

Okay.....I return you to your own well crafted, fully satisfying story. LOL

Kathleen and Jim

I think that the only way Spike will ever fully recover from his ordeal is if he confronts Xander himself and comes out the winner. Spike needs to regain control of his life. He'll never feel really safe again if someone else comes to his rescue and saves the day so to speak. Spike needs to be the one who resolves this situation. Spike is the victim here, but as a vampire in a world that denies the existence of supernatural creatures, he has no way to claim human justice. If Xander kills his parents and is found guilty in a court of law, human justice will be served, but Xander will never pay for what he has done to Spike. But if Spike manages to keep Xander from murdering his parents and in the process is able to save himself, then, perhaps with Anya's help or even Willow's, he can decide Xander's fate. Maybe he'll decide that Xander deserves to die a slow and painful death - maybe he'll be merciful and spare him. Maybe he'll find a way to make Xander really see and understand just how horrilbe his actions have been. With Spike, there's no telling what he'll do. The important thing is that it will be Spike doing it, taking back his life and making the final decision. And boy, is it time for me to shut up or what? Sorry for the long winded, rambling thoughts.

The neat thing is that your stories are always so thought-provoking and intriguing. I can't think of many other fan fic writers whose work inspires the kind of debate that yours does. I'm always eager to see what you're going to come up with next.

Some of the characters and some of the readers seem to be having trouble seeing things from Dawn's point of view. Let's not forget that Dawn is a teenager. It's been awhile since I was a teenager, but not so long that I've forgotten that teenagers blame EVERYONE for EVERTHING that goes wrong in their lives. Typically, teenagers blame their parents (Buffy being the parental figure in this case) when their lives aren't going the way that they want them to go. Perhaps it's the realization that adults are no longer the infallable people who make everything better, but are real people with real faults who make real mistakes. Case in point: Buffy's hairbrained scheme to entrap Xander.

Dawn is trapped between being a child with no strong opinions of her own and no real understanding of the difficult things in life and being an adult who knows the ways of the world and how she would like things to be. Dawn wants to help and protect Spike, and she wants Xander to pay for what he has done.
However, Dawn doesn't get to call the shots. The Slayer calls the shots. Dawn might be feeling completely ineffectual in protecting Spike, her best friend who has protected her over the years.

Love Angel's remarks about not being able to believe that Buffy would commit such heinous acts. Little do any of the characters know that she's already done horrible things to Spike, such as beating him to a pulp and leaving him in that alley to greet the sunrise. I hope Buffy is doing some reflecting of her own on Angel's statement. Maybe if she remembers what she's capable of, then she might begin to believe that Xander could be capable of horrible things, too.

Good point about Dawn. She was not around when Spike was bad and trying to kill Buffy every other day or Xander and Willow were young and good so she only interprets events based on the recent past. Xander seems to be too far gone to rescue now.

very good read, thank you. at this point, it is as if none of them can remember what a worthless creature xander has been since season 1. dawn being the exception even if he was a "crush."

Yes! That's my Spike..always with the heart of a hero even if sometimes it's against his better judgment!

I'm glad Spike is thinking of ways to help himself. He should defend himself and know that he is capable. I really hope the others get there soon though, because I don't know how long his courage will last.

Last 3 chapters...excellent! Have to say I didn't see the parent angle coming. Just one of the many things about this story keeps interested. Thanks!

and once again, it's all about buffy...

i should be amazed that dawn is the only one firmly concentrating on spike's suffering -- but sadly it's completely in character for everybody else to be more worried about buffy's hurt feelingf than about whatever horrible things may be happening (again!) to poor spike...

i'd really love to see xander *and* buffy both made to pay for their spike-abuse, in this story and/or in the show itself...

I really like the way you've been characterizing Angel in this. So often Angel is the "bad guy" I like to see him when he has more layers. :)

There are so many different issues in play (it's what makes this all so interesting). Anyway, here's my scorecard:

1. This isn't the time to be playing the blame game -- so Dawn isn't helping by pushing it now.

2. It would be out of character for Buffy (or any of them) to want to rush out and exact vengence on Xander. He's their friend. And Buffy has never been in the vengence business. When Spike first got the chip, she refused to kill him because he was no longer a threat. If vengence were her game...well, Spike had killed a lot of people and deserved some serious vengence. She may have talked about wanting to put the hurt on whoever hurt Spike at the beginning of the fic -- but things are more complicated than that.

3. Still, it's clear that she doesn't love Spike. Even if we grant Angel's point that she didn't really believe Xander would hurt Spike when he got him alone, she KNEW that Spike was traumatized anytime he was anywhere near Xander. And she still put him into that situation. Buffy is a fierce protector of the people she really loves. She would not subject someone she really loves to that kind of trauma. She did here. I conclude she doesn't really love Spike. And this is true to canon. Whatever her feelings were for Spike in season 6, he never registered with her as one who was in the charmed circle of those-to-be-protected. He *did* get into that circle in season 7. We can say that in this fic she has come to not totally despise him. She feels some compassion for his suffering. But he doesn't trigger her mamma-bear responses... and in this case that has led to bad things for Spike. And that has to be a huge obstacle for them. And yeah, she should feel guilty because honestly whether she loves someone or not, she shouldn't be trying to get "proof" by putting a deeply traumatized person into an inherently traumatic situation.

Glad to see Spike getting some of his own back. Can't wait to see how this all plays out.

Anya keeps surprising me in this story. She has always been one to speak her mind,but not so much to protect other...even though that have happened. I think it`s better that the "supporting Buffy" speech came from somebody who doesn`t feel obligated to protect her...like Willow obviously would. And nice inpupt from Angel.

I really hope Spike will get his courage and that he has beaten the whelp to his senses by the time the rest of the Scoobies comes.

I have to say that even though I really didn`t like Buffy`s idea,you somehow make me symphatise with her.You`re excellent writing keep bringing up different emotions and perspectives on the story as well as the characters. Excellent work all the way:D

(I know I don`t explain myself as good as I should,but unfortunately...english is not my first language...Ergo; not always the best explanations:) )

That's right, Spike.. get em!!!!!

Great! Spike NEEDS to get back some of his own NOT merely be rescued (although the rescue WILL be necessary). It is vital to his healing to regain a sense of his power, of himself and taking on Xander is the only way for that to happen. He needs this success.

Hope the parents are not dead....lots of ways for blood to have been spilled and Spike sure didn't hear gunfire.

Anya made sense. The only part I still have issue with (and it IS in character) is Buffy not simply taking Spike's word as proof enough for HER. Sigh....and she had made such progress otherwise. Just like Buffy S7 she must have to nearly see him gong to ash to wake up!

Anxiously awaiting more updates and grateful to you for your faithfulness and speed.

Kathleen

I'll confess, you took me by surprise. I thought for sure that Spike was going to go up to prevent their deaths.

And I don't think Dawn will be able to forgive Buffy until a) Spike is safe, and b) Spike forgives Buffy. And that latter could take a while.

Good chapter. It's great to see Spike wanting to defend himself and I hope he acts fast enough to save Xander's parents. I am especially pleased that Spike has not suffered anymore devastating and repeated beatings before he got to this point.

I do understand that Buffy might have needed some type of proof. But come on, Spike had no knowledge of how to lie... And his actions spoke volumes... So for the most part I am with Dawn on this one. I just hope they get to him in time before Xander really does snap more than he already has..

That cliffhanger just wasn't nice. I'm all tense now. Please update soon.

Good story, very true to the characters. I really dislike Buffy in this just like I did at the end of the show so it's true to point. I also really disliked Xander because he was an abusive a-hole. When with Cordy he always told her that she was was a slut and not as good as Buffy & Willow, we all know how he treated Anya. Xander has always been just like Dear Ole Daddy only he mentally & verbally abused people.

Xander has always been a bully, when he's safe to be one. When he has no protection he's show what a pansy %^#(&$# he really is.

Great story this is just like BtVS I dislike Xander & Buffy.

Anya the voice of reason...who would have thought, but very good in pointing out the obvious to Dawn. Looks like Spike may be getting his fangs back too. Good chapter, looking forward to more.

Reviewed earlier, but machine had problems so I guess it didn't take. Love Angel's comment about Buffy. In canon, I don't think he knows how badly she treated him, although I am not sure about here. Hope Spike can find the wherewithal to stand up to him, or, I still like my idea of the human police taking care of the matter (and out of Buffy's hands) when they find that Xander has killed his parents.

I think you missed the title of your own chapter. You had reflection from Anya, Angel and somewhat Dawn...However, you missed the reflection for Buffy on Angel's words.

You did a great job in dealing with Buffy's feelings of regret in earlier chapters, but this was a time where she needed to reflect. The words of Angel should of at least brought some reflection

Afterall, if she could do that to Spike...how hard is it to believe that Xander did it. Unless, she still believes she did nothing wrong in abusing Spike as well.

Plus, if anything now she should either freeze in seeing Xander tormenting his parents or Spike and at least flash to her beating of Spike in the alley.

The harsh truth has to hit Buffy.

I am not saying that it is all Buffy's fault..yadda yadda yadda...but in the end...you could make the reflection shine in Buffy's eyes through Xander's actions.

Plus, if Anya believed in Xander...should Buffy not of at least thought the same way if she is indeed in love with Spike...would she not reflect on Anya's words as well.

Good Story...always good to raise questions.

Giving Spike a few minutes to regroup was probably the dumbest thing Xander could have done at this point. I wonder if he has come to believe what he's been saying to Spike all this time. Spike _isn't_ Stupid, pathetic and weak, nad he's becoming less frozen in the state Xander put him in all the time.
Yay for Anya's honesty! I'm glad somebody has the job of cutting through everything and stating the simple truth.
It's interesting that Dawn, who did have a crush on Xander for a while, and has known him all the time she was growing up n Sunnydale (yeah, monk-memories, but they still feel real to them all) hasn't had even the tiniest shred of sympathy for him.

See previous comment: If situation was turned, and this were Spike, none of them would have trusted him in the room with the person he abused.

Youcan'c compare humans to humans in this one...we are talking about Buffy taking Xander's side over Spike's, even when Spike has been hurt.

Of course, this is Buffy, the girl that killed Jenny Calander because she couldn't fire an arrow at a mass murderer. When it comes down to it, Buffy would rather not do the work that must be done and be a whiny little bitch...and let people die because of it.

I wonder who will die now because Buffy is a coward that can't live up to her word of protecting the innocent.

Of all the people talking to Dawn, I never thought Angel would be one to convince her.
Spike in gameface, Xander with a gun and the posse heading to the rescue. Looks like the next chapter is going to be chaos. Looking forward to it.

I'm proud of Spike. Now, I just hope he can beat Xander, or at least stop him to give Buffy enough time to get there and save him.

I do hope Buffy doesn't set herself up as judge, jury and executioner for anyone. Great Chapter

I am so frustrated!!!!! OH yes yes they all wanted to give Xander the benefit of the doubt if it had been anyone else they would have needed proof,, as some other posters pointed out anyone else but Spike... they would have stacked him first and asked questions later! ARRRGG!!!!! Your being true to character but its still frustrating! GREAT CHAPTER!!!! but I am still waiting on bated breath!

Beautiful chapter.

Anya was right...actually I really like Anya in this story. And Angel too for that matter.You make me like alot of characters ;)

Buffy's musings must have been painful to her. Xander lost his mind and did horrible things, but that doesn't erase the fact that he's been her best friend for years.
Quite the moral dilemma you've put everybody in. Do they kill Xander as painfully as possible for what he did to Spike? Or do they lock him up in a mental institution as he so clearly needs?

Aww, our Spike is growing up. So many symbolic acts in this chapters: wearing his demon face, standing up, planning to stand up to Xander. It makes me happy to read :)

Lot of deep relections going on. I liked what Angel said so I'll take Buffy and Willow off the moron list... and put them on the stupid list.

Great update, well Spike is starting to believe in himself, that's good but I don't understand how everyone reasons with Buffy. It wasn't enough when Spike told her it was Xander; his word wasn't enough against Xander! She put him in danger to be sure!

That’s typical Buffy for you, always puts he Scoobies front. And she cannot bring herself to punish Xander! If it was Spike who committed the crimes Xander did, she wouldn’t be having guilt party would she?

Any way all & all this is a great story but please update soon and update a very long chapter where we read Spike kills Xander and then leaves to L.A. with Angel so Buffy should work for the love and trust of Spike!




That’s typical Buffy for you, always puts he Scoobies fornt. And she cannot bring herself to punish Xander! If it was Spike who commited the crimes Xander did, she wouldn’t be having guilt party would she?

Any way all & all this is a great story but please update soon and update a very long chapter where we read Spike kills Xander and then leaves to L.A. with Angel so Buffy should work for the love and trust of Spike!

Angel has a point about Buffy, however Xander's not her! She is nothing like him. They all had seen his dark side at different times. Other then treating Spike like shit most of the time, she never did the things that Xander did. Spike may get to fight for himself but are they going to let Xander be turned over to the "human world and the human ways?" Can't wait to see how you end this, thanks DOS.

Spike has to do this if he's ever going to believe in himself again.

~~“I wouldn’t have believed it,” Angel added softly after a moment. “If someone had told me it was – Buffy,” his eyes met the Slayer’s, gentler than they had been all evening, as he added, “I wouldn’t have believed it unless I saw it…I would have thought that no matter how scared he might be, he would have been perfectly safe in a room with her…because there’d have been no convincing me that Buffy would be capable of something like that…”~~

Well Angel wasn't around in Season Six so he didn't know how Buffy behaved after she came back. But that aside Xander's case was different. The signs were there. The rape attempt during the hyena posession, even if Buffy believed him that he didn't remember anything I think anybody else would have always been wary of him (BTW I still don't like how Giles let that one slide), then his reaction when she refused to see him in other way than a friend, then his constant hatred against Angel even before Angelus made an appearance, his revenge action when Cordelia broke up, his betrayal of Willow's message to Buffy to "stall" (and I can't believe Buffy forgave him for that), his spying on Buffy when Angel returns and ratting her out to Giles, his constant belittling Anya, his bullying against Spike (ok they all did that, so that point doesn't count), his summons of the dancing demon and his no show of remorse or regret of the people that died during that episode, so there were signs to see his vindictive streak, his dark side so to speak if you only opened your eyes.

And one thing to the argument Spike was a killer. Yeah he was, he was supposed to. Vampires kill to live (or unlive). But Spike was never one for torturing humans more directly go in for the kill. And even his attempts at torture (railroad spikes) seems rather amateurish against what Xander did to him for months.

And finally Spike is going to stand up and fight. Go Spike

GO SPIKE! I can't blame Dawn for being mad at Buffy, but I'm feeling sorry for Buffy too.
Great chapter.

On the age thing, the first season wasn't a full season, and Buffy was 16 when the show first started, and turned 17 in season 2 in 1998. Just remember that the kids graduated in '99 (18), and that'll keep you on track for figuring it out later. Xander had his driver's license before Buffy (could have), so he might have been a couple months older, but still the same age.

You had to destroy my happiness over Willow shutting Dawn up, didn't you? Maybe Anya and Angel finally shut her up... pleeeaaase or else we can still kill her *nods*

oh goodness... i hope xander didnt kill his parents... he's gone too far... Good on spike for finding the courage he needs :D

Come on, Spike....let the demon out to play and remember what it's supposed to do.

Hmmm, justification for Buffy's feelings....except for the terrible irony in Angel's words that Buffy is capable of hurting Spike a hell of a lot! Spike wasn't safe with her at all before all of this, except that he could fight back if he chose. Will she actually have the courage to confess that she was his previous abuser?? Spike could barely see after that beating in "Dead Things".