but he won't!

lovely chapter all around, but I especially loved his thoughts on books, then and now. it resonates with me, in a way that other methods of making him seem secretly bookish do not. it was a great image, the diamonds.

Excellent!

Oh, no, no, no, no! Hmmm, you promised no happy ending here, didn't you? *begins to gnaw fingernails*

But she's already decided there isn't enough there for her. There probably never was. Owen doesn't even sound like Buffy's type.

Nope...you're her real thing!

Lovely "catching up" going on here. He's really starting to be in touch with the human still there. Small touches like his memory of the place of books and having his sensibilities offended by our casual treatment of them now are telling. Far more than his diet (loved the "feel like Indian" after watching the girls pass LOL).

Excellent.

Kathleen

This story is unfolding.
The photos Buffy keeps close-her son and Spike.
The tattoo Spike inked on her body so long ago-the Vergina Sun.
The book of poetry dedicated to Buffy.
All intense reminders of the past.

you were absolutely right. You needed the perfect place to let us in on the symbol on Buffy's back. Its meaning just wouldn't have fit as well in any of the previous series. Another great chapter. You give life to these two characters.

I just realized..its Owen's book.

She can't go back.. loveless marriage with someone that let her live through that.. alone.

Seeing a little of Spike's human side..peeking through. The site of her child and a book of poetry.. To B - Will he take it home and let her see "that" side of him. 'Course I am reading through the lines and assuming its is his. Will he buy Owen's book just to compare?

A little dark now.. guess that where Buffy is.. Maybe his poetry will speak to her soul and bring her out of her doldrum..again, if it is his book to her.

Enjoying..

Mmmmmm...loved it. It's so refreshing sometimes to read a fic that isn't tying up neatly, a place for everything and everything in its place. I also like that neither of them is jumping onto the "love" train. It would really be too simple for all that. I can't wait to see where they do decide to go!

Very nice navigation of their pasts. Poor Buffy, who is more than a little ambivalent, as her pictures so clearly show. And Spike, assuming that she can't be his and will go back to her good and traditional ex. Great update, thanks!

I don't know, it seems to me Buffy is seeking him at the wrong time in her life, Spike is nowhere ready for this. It all FEELS wrong! He cannot make her life what it was, and she cannot make him feel alive, when she is not!!Although the friendship aspect of the fic--between co-workers and neighbors is the only thing that gives me a happy!Great Update, I will watch for the next.

Her husband is a bastard, isn't he?

And I love you - and Spike - for that slam at Laurell K. Hamilton 'and her lot.'

I'm glad the husband's book wasn't selling. Heavy with regert? Bastard. He's making money off his regret.

I love your Spike; he's all eeeeevil and compassion, and so in character. Lovely to read, lovely to envision. The way you roll out these chapters are almost like private journal entries from the characters that we're allowed to share.