Think you did a great job fulfilling your goal to meet Andrea's request.

Wonderful story that did reflect the characters in the series and their relationships.

Great description of how beautiful and elegant they all would have looked.

Lovely, lovely, lovely. Very well written, a great adventure. Dialogue is sparkling and right on. Insight into Spike and especially Buffy is illuminating, and darned fine analysis.

Only nit-picky quibbles I have is that you have altar spelled wrong throughout (alter is a verb that means "to change"), and you seemed to use the word "bemused" to mean "amused" when it really means "confused." Other than that, this story is so good, a complete delight to read.

Author's Response: Thank you so much! It was one of the very first fanfics I wrote and you never know how those are going to hold up over the years. So glad you found it enjoyable. :-) Ack! I can't believe I never caught the "alter" thing! ::face palm:: Thank you very, very much for pointing that out. I need to try to fix that asap. As for "bemused," I know it's not the formal definition. I haven't gone back to look and see where it's used in this story, but I plead guilty to sometimes going by the looser slang definition, which is basically confused and wryly amused..Bad me. Heh. Thank you again. I really, really appreciate the kind words and constructive criticism.

I'm not sure how I missed this story when you first published it, but it's truely excellent in every way.

Author's Response: You're way too kind. But I love it! Thank you!

I feel so unresolved. I mean, I know I'm supposed to. But it's still a little unsettling. I really loved the story. The closet scene started out so hot and turned into something so icky and disturbing. I liked it alot. Does that make me a bad person?

Loved it. And I'd love to see more. You know, some resolution. RST if you will.

Author's Response: Oh, I understand completely. So sorry about the unresolved, unsettled feelings. When I started working on this challenge story, the request was for Season 6 Spuffy with lots of UST. Instead of writing an AU story, I set myself a challenge to write something that could slip neatly into Season 6 without disturbing canon too much. Hence, the unresolved ending and the closet scene. I pretty much had to take them back to status quo by the end. Honestly? I can't see this one continuing. It is what it is, good or bad. But I'm so glad you shared your thoughts with me, and I'm really glad you liked it despite yourself. Heh. Btw, If you're interested and it will help, I just started posting a WIP called "Marking Time." I promise this one will have a clear-cut (and very Spuffy) resolution. ;-) Thanks so much for the well-thought-out feedback!

I'm sorry I had to read through all this for this sort of ending.

Author's Response: I'm sorry you feel that way, Shippy. The whole point of the ending is that it wasn't really an ending. You were meant to imagine it as a Season 6 episode we never saw -- one leading into the musical -- and that means there couldn't be the type of ending you were probably hoping for. It's certainly your right not to like something and to choose to read only a certain type of story. But unless someone tells you up front that it's going to be happily ever after (which I hate because it completely destroys the suspense), then that's the risk you take every time you read a story or watch a TV show or movie. I have to admit I'm surprised you kept reading if you weren't enjoying the story. And if you were, then I'm not sure why the ending would have ruined the whole thing for you. But I guess we just have a different attitude about that. I love a happy ending, and I tend to write them more often than not, but I also write the story the way I feel it needs to go, and I think no author should ever have to apologize for that or reassure readers that everything will turn out okay or warn them that it won't. It's the principle of the thing, and it's all tied up in authorial integrity. That said, I thank everyone who's willing to go along for the ride -- no matter what the final destination. After all, that's what BtVS was all about.

Cliffhanger of doom! Ack. I love this story. The way that you write is amazing - the flow of your words, it puts me right in the moment. Your character voices are all spot-on. I especially love your Buffy and Spike voices. Great fic, I can't wait for an update :)

Author's Response: Oooh, "ack" is good. I like "ack." ;-) I also really appreciate your thoughtful comments, especially the bit about how the words flow. The flow of the narrative is every bit as important to me as the plot and the characters, and something that I try very hard to achieve. So it warms my heart to have that pointed out and gives me hope that I'm getting it at least halfway right. Thank you so much.

GAHHHH! So much in one chapter! The dinner conversation was priceless; the passion in the closet was scinillating, and the surprise ending left me gobsmacked. How could you doooo that!! Great chapter; great story, totally hooked and looking forward to more. Thanks!

Author's Response: Before I forget...Pin, I think when this site recently moved to its new server, your review of my story, "Dear Departed," got lost. Since I can't reply to it there, I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciated your comments. And, yes, the Spuffy companion piece is almost finished. If I can steal a little writing time over the next week or two, I should have it ready to post fairly soon. As for your comments on this chapter...squeeeeee!!!! (You've made me very happy, in case you couldn't tell. ;-) )

spike in a tux- one word yummy! i've seen james in a tux and it is definately a good look ;)

Author's Response: I'm finally catching up on responses, and all I can say is...Oooh, I'm so green with envy! Seeing JM in a tux? *sigh* Surely there has to be a picture somewhere. Anyone? And thanks so much for reading.

I do so much hate Xander. I love your portrayal of Buffy's inner turmoil, though. Great work. And you're stopping here that is a damn shame.

Author's Response: Darn! I responded to this review way back when by posting a note of my own. This was apparently before I learned how to use the "respond" button. Sheesh. So two years later, here's what I said: Thanks so much, Pin and Shippy, for the feedback. Trying to get inside Buffy's head, especially at that point in time, was quite a challenge. I'm very happy to hear it's working for you. I also had to keep reminding myself that the Scoobies were fairly accepting of Spike's presence around that time, even if they weren't particularly welcoming. I hope I've managed to strike that uneasy balance. Thank you again for commenting. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story as I'm able to post it!