Not that the story is forgettable, because as soon as I saw the title, I remembered reading this over the summer, but I had honestly forgotten about this fic since it's been so long! And of course, I would love to read more whenever you post it, but since it hasn't been on my mind for a while now, I could definitely wait until you had completed the story to start posting it regularly. I guess it's up to you and the other rabid readers to decide, but either way, I will read each and every installment of this fic!

I just started reading this fic, but do agree with those who think it would be better to let you finish and then post. I love the story so far and assume your plan for the future chapters will be as good as what you've started with, so I will continue to check for the tale to continue. I am glad you let us know you plan to finish this 'cause so many good fics never get finished. Thanks for taking the time in your busy, busy world to keep us informed---it gives me real hope. Hope you feel lots better soon.

I think you should wait until you have the story completed then it won't be such a long wait in-between chapters. BTW I love this story and i'm still with you.

chapter 9 please!!! And I hope life gets better for you soon...

If you feel the best way to do this fic is to wait, then by all means, we can wait! Just as I was excited that this would be an update, I would feel the same way some time in the future when you have it all finished, then we can read through to the end.

Good luck with life and school!

i waited this long , i can wait a bit longer . Hope yu get well soon . its' really wierd tho because i reviewed a fic from Jamesgirl " his dirty little secret" and in my review i mention yur fic ., and then i checked updates and saw yurs and flipped out because i actually thought i was getting one, i'm disappointed yeah! but I want yu healthy more , so don't sweat anything kiddo , just take care, i let my imagination take me to chapt 9 for now.

Author's Response: I'm glad it has stuck with you long enough that you were thinking of it the other day! thanks for the support.

I jus found this fic, I hope you are planning to pick it up! It's hot! Please update soon!

Hi MEL,
(Now that I know your name and can mosy over to read at your LJ...)...
Sorry about life getting you by the short ones....know how that is...don't let 'em getcha down too long, 'cos speaking as one who knows, you will be soooo surprised how fast time flies by til it's gone (@ 46, I must as myself that at least once a day).
I know that college life is hard, and frankly, it and health and sanity arethe big big big priorities. If writing keeps ya sane, more power to it and ya, but if it starts to drag on you or what's really important, well readers will get over it.
I know how much I had to just let go when in college, and how much over the years things that I tried to hang onto, especially during the rapidly changing college time (and even post grad job time or family time) pulled me in too many directions at once for my own good.
Vet school...SOOOO awed. Years ago, one of FL's first avian certified vets (might have been one of the first 3 in the US) tried to convince me to go to vet school (and THEN I was only 27!) but I thought I was too old, or too dumb (have trouble with algebra, maths, etc, flunked it 5 times but did manage Statistics, go figure, therefore barely got thru chem by the skin of my teeth) Having been a nurse, I know Med school, to which vet school is comparable, is hard on the students in way more than an academic way.
What I have learned about animals I have learned from good (and bad) vets and techs, old breeders, GOOD research books and school of hard knocks, trial and error, and some fly by the seat of my pants. I've relied on my nursing skills a LOT with animals, especially emergency and pediatrics experience. I became an animal breeder and really can't recommend that enough for learning about their natural behaviours and translating that to captive/domesticated animals. My best vet, who went to U of F 's vet school and teaches there sometimes told me that your parents (or the student) goes in debt $40 grand ( I think that was the yearly quote) a year to get you thru vet school, and you get out not knowing squat about (fill in the blank, with her it was birds, her chosen specialty, to which she said, i believe, they get a 4 to 8 hr class max)______. Then, she said, you have to go in debt another $40 grand to travel all over the place taking classes, seminars, etc and studying for six years while in practice PLUS crank out a study and publish/present a paper to get board certified in a specialty. She pretty much compared it to indentured servitude....
But she's so great. And so willing to impart knowledge, not treating it like it's a big secret only the paying can get tidbits of... She doesn't have the "GOD" doctor attitude complex either....
Was just gonna suggest along the way you might learn bunches from other sources like specialty (species) breeders, breeders forums, and techs who've worked the ropes. Don't know if you have a specialty in mind yet even.
Again, if you ever need any help I can give you in the birds dept, feel free, plus with limited knowledge I've raised fowl, sheep, goats, had way too many cats and some dogs, forgot what I knew about fish (my fiance won't let me get started with those, afaid I'll fill the house up like with birds....LOL...tho' when a lil' kid I raised fancy guppies as well as mice... and had a ton of geckos, house and Tokay running loose in my farm house (pest control)....
and I just added two MORE kittied to the zoo (somebody stop me!) as a friend ran into some "crack" for a former addiction of mine....manx/bobtailed/tailles cats....I uaed to have a houseful, and they are so unique, totally different personalities, but lost them all in a housefire that burned down my farmhouse 4 yrs ago....anyway, these two babies are so cute, about 8 wks old I'd guess, eating on their own...female is white with torbie (tabbie-ish) stripes on calico-like patches here and there on her white exotic length hair, tri-colored. The little male looks just like my alpha female that I lost did---grey/tan tiger striiped, white underchin blaze and paws....He's the shy one, she gently head-butts for attention. And she mothers him.
Very sweet. We'll be getting them fixed as soon as they're old enough. I think they'll be a joy,, big lovers.
Anyway, enjoying your fic, hang in there, study hard, BEST of luck, sorry to run on, and don't worry about the readers. If they really are interested they'll keep checking back. Life and priorities change. Hopefully we'll get to read the end of this fic, but if not, hey, that's life.
Liked the ficlet, drabble...almost blew on the keyboard when I realized it was the bot. Quite a reasonable "plug-in" to the canon story (no pun intended)....
Enjoyed it, Congrats, and good luck...
Kara
shakkaed@aol.com

I just wanted to let you know that I really love this story, and am so excited to see an update. I am very picky about the AU's, I either adore them or hate them. I adore yours!

Thanks for all of your hard work and for sharing it with us!

Thanks for being forthright about when you miight get the chance to update. The fic is terrific, and hope that RL works out well for you. Good luck with school & everything else.

i feel so sorry for buffy, i remember what is was like to be 16 and in love. i've also been in the situation of caring for a married man, not fun and does not make one feel good about themselves. my heart just bleeds for buffyr. i feel also that spike and dru are playing with buffy's emotions. how could spike think that a 16 old girl could take their alliance as just casual sex and not get involved emotionally. great update

I'll be waiting for your next update no matter how long it takes! I just love this story! Sorry to hear about all the curveballs! Hope it gets better!

Just starting reading this and it's definitely hot! Can't wait to see how it's going to go (even though I should be studying for anatomy lol). And I hope you don't mind if I add you on LJ. =)