I'm so glad Spike was able to stand up for himself and realize that he is not like Xander and Xander is not able to hurt him. It seems this experience was good for helping him reclaim part of his personality, if all the english slang rolling off his tongue was anything to go by. I'm also glad that he realized if nothing else he had Dawn's love, and he shouldn't listen to Xander's crazy ramblings.

I'm concerned about Willow is going to do since she is so overwrought by Xander's actions. It must be hard to see the evidence of all that he has done and how far he has fallen.

Super exciting! Spike vindicated at last.

I am glad that now Xander knows that he has no power over Spike any longer. I am sorry that Willow and Buffy HAD to see what Xander was capable of but this is something that they can't overlook any longer. Love how Dawn is all about finding Spike and making sure he is okay. Awesome chapter and story.

Great chapter, good to see Spike defend himself. Wonder what Willow is gonna do now?

glad to see spike get some sense of self back. even if it cause him to question buffy's love. dawn still seems the only one who truly cares. very good read, thank you.

As a newie round these parts I've only just today sat down to start reading this series - and was captivated and read all in one sitting! There's a lot of amazing stuff here. I love how you're not afraid to explore the darkness within our favourite characters, first Xander and now the potential for Willow's reaction to create more darkness. Oh and go Spike! Finally he recognises his own physical and mental strength. Waiting in anticipation for the next update :-)
~Danni

Exciting chapter. Hope Spike overcomes his scruples enough to continue kicking Xander's ass.

hmm.. the 'getting run over' thing apparently didn't take. How 'bout dawn 'accidentally' sticking her hand in an electrical outlet? that wouldn't be so bad...

;)

*And – although she had told him she did – at the moment, he wasn't so sure about Buffy, either.* said enough on this topic an my last review so i'll leave it alone. Waiting for their reactions when the initial shock is over

Uh oh. Out of control Willow? More badness?
And yay for Spike!

Excellent update, as always. Glad to see Spike unwilling lower himself to Xander's level. Looking forward to more soon. Thanks!

uh oh...
I forgot Willow hadn't finished her "peace training" (or whatever it was) with the coven...yikes.
And no yellow crayons to come to the rescue this time.
Yikes.
Loved Spike's strength and _his_ language coming back.
So glad to see that we're not likely to have more torture. Spike's thought that maybe Buffy didn't love him was sad.

wow doesn't really cover it. this chapter is just amazing. The message is being delivered loud and clear, and very powerful. Sometimes it's just one word in a sentence that gives it so much meaning. You're an amazing writer!

I simply loved the part about Spike, not because he's finally returning to his old self. But because of the weaknesses you showed that still live in him. It wouldn't have been natural without them.
For example: “So let’s see how you handle a *fair* fight between me and you,” Spike continued, forcing his old smirk to his face, straightening his stance, his fists balled and ready at his sides.

The word 'forcing' has such a huge impact on this sentence. It shows that not all is alright with Spike, but he knows he cant show weakness infront of Xander.

Spike's observation about Buffy's love is painfully correct and the road to redemption will be a long one. I was wondering though, when did Spike get strong enough to actually fight back. Or maybe he was already strong enough, his mind finally caught up with the healing process and allowed him to win his pride back.

I really don't like Buffy, Dawn or Willow in this chapter. They seem to be forgetting this is about Spike (yes, I think even dawn forgets it). They're all trying to prove their point. Buffy wants proof that her plan really didn't go *that* wrong, willow wants proof that her best friend didn't do this, and dawn just wants to prove she's right and they should have listened to her all along.

Loved Anya's reaction though, very well written, I could feel her pain. Your touch about Angel not needing an invite was brilliant as well :) I know Anya, giles and angel werent overly present in this chapter, but I liked what I saw of them.

Whoa, that was a wild ride. There's so much good stuff in this chapter I don't know where to begin.

First, I seem to remember promising that if this happened (“Seems the bullet that you put through my head ...also gave me the freedom to make you pay for it.”) that I would bow to you as goddess of the ironic plot twist :bow:

"'Always have preferred a good fight, to a victim who was chained up and injured and broken and never stood a soddin’ chance to begin with'": Alluding to Angelus, I presume. Xander's like Angelus, the most horrific vampire on record. That's a very strong comparison.

"The boy took off up the stairs at a scrambling, desperate run.": Xander turns tail like the coward that he is. After all, only a coward would shoot and torture a creature that he believed could not fight back. Now all Xander needs is a yellow stripe painted down his back :-)

I love Dawn in this story. She's still a typical teenager, but when she needs to stand up for someone she loves, she becomes as strong, and willful, and protective as Spike. Dawn's grows a backbone and a big set of cajones.

Buffy finally comes completely to terms with Xander's turn to the darkside in this chapter. Her seemingly simple act of holding Dawn back from danger--from Xander--shows that she finally sees him as a threat.

"She heard Angel’s quiet, cautious voice – from much nearer than he should have been.": I love how subtly have the characters realize things in this story. Instead of having someone specifically state that the Harrises are dead, you have Buffy realize that Angel didn't need an invitation into the house and the implications of that fact. Great writing.

"Her green eyes flickering back and forth between their ordinary emerald color, and the black of midnight.": Willow's lost another person that she loves. Hope she doesn't lose it...again.

Lastly, I'm so glad to have tough-as-nails Spike back. He's still reeling from his recent trauma, but he goes forward in spite of his fear. That's the difference between a coward and a hero. Kick his ass, baby! :cheer:

GREAT CHAPTER!!!!! Please dont let Willow hurt Spike! If anyone deserves it its Xander please there be justice for Xander not a quick death and not Spike getting any blame in this.... Maybe i am worrying for nothing but i can't help it! GREAT CHAPTER!!!! Please update soon!

awesome chapter. I love the line about the gun and how it had allowed Xander to torture him but also allowed him payback.

Great chapter. I'm glad to see Spike fighting for himself rather than someone else rescuing him.

the only thing that would have made this chapter better would have been having Dawn, after saying this:

“Spike needs me. I’m *not* waiting out here while you guys try to rescue him –"

To say:

"If you guys really are trying to rescue him, that is."

This can't be good. I hope all Willow does is seperate them from fighting. I hope she doesn't lose it and go all black-eyed and scary! I can't wait for the next chapter.

Oh god PLEASE not another dark willow moment. That's the last thing everyone needs. YAY for Spike!!! GET HIM SPIKE!!!

Great read! Spike back in all his snarky glory. Poor Willow so devastated and betrayed. More, more, more....

And all hell breaks loose? Come on they've got to do something quickly before Willow does something. Wow.. guess I should have seen that coming.

Just when I think we've just about reached the conclusion...Willow is likely to do anything! Literally.

Ohhh this is not of the good. The return of black-eyed girl is not a good thing, no matter how big a thumping Xander needs. Besides, Spike was doing just fine on his own.

Xnader and Spike are locked in battle but now enters Willow. Will she take the act into her own hands and destroy Xander herself?

And Spike is starting to question if Buffy truly loves him at all. Can't wait to see how that plays out and how will Buffy convince him that she does love him. Need more.

Thank you for giving Spike his courage and to take back control of his "unlife." Great way to show them that Xander's parents were dead and to show Willow's pain. Excellent chapter, DOS, thanks.

“I said *get up*!” Spike cut off his ramblings with a roar of rage, taking a couple of menacing steps toward him.

Favorite bit. I'm up for him getting some prolonged incarceration . It'll hurt him a lot worse thank killing him.

Aaargh! You're dragging this out on purpose. Well, of course you are because you're evil. Excellent update. Just excellent. I'm on pins and needles.

Oh Oh I have a VERY bad feeling about Willow's reaction to all of this.....gaaaahhh (frying pan/fire anyone?)

LOVED Spike regaining his sense of self. Loved the irony of Xander being the reason the chip is gone. Loved Spike being so much more honorable than Xander....a good man indeed. Loved Dawn's rushing in the face of fear to help Spike. Oh heck.....loved it all!

Kathleen

Oh, and he has Angel to consider here, too, with being back to himself....really looking forward to that conversation, too!

Xander and Spike are still fighting on the floor? Why hasn't Spike just knocked him out? Wouldn't take much....

And oh, boy...we have a Willow situation to watch out for...someone get her out of there before she does something really stupid!!

Pretty sure Angel knew that he wouldn't have a hard time coming in....

And the demon finally nudged the rest of Spike's memory back! Squee! Glad you inserted that line about his doubt of Buffy's love at the moment....if he has all his memories to weigh her actions against, all the past mistrust, abuse, etc....Gotta love Dawn's teen exuberance for not considering her own mortality when her friend is on the line. :)

oops that was me.. my bad..


excellent chapter hun. Cant wait to see what willow does..

Now that was good! And now Willow knows how depraved her friends is. The aftermath should be very interesting since the only person Spike seems to trust now is Dawn. Seems Buffy shouldn't have pushed her little plan forward. I wonder how he'll react to Angel now that he seems to be himself again.
Very good chapter and please update soon! :)

About bloody time! And bravo, Spike. More, please? *smiles*

*rolls eyes at Dawn yet again....*