*takes a shuddering breath* Holy Molly!!!! Girl this chapter was abso-freakin-lutely AMAZIN'!!! If this doesn't have the readers squirmin' in their seats then I don't know what will, LOL! Hun, you have truely out done yourself this time. I think that muse of yours deserves a HUGE cookie for this one ;) I hope you have a wonderful Turkey day and be sure to be safe on your trip to and from. Talk to you soon! Kuddos!

Author's Response: Hee hee, glad I can make ya squirm a bit. Thanks for all your help sweety and the wonderful review.

GAHHHH!!!!! I guess I am a little weird, but I love (maybe lust) take charge, take what he wants Spike. I don't think men (maybe other women too) get that when you are a strong woman, living a hectic, type A personality life, it is a relief to surrender to someone who is stronger than you and be taken. Not in a real forced way, but in a he really wants me, I am woman way. Lorne is right that William needs to realize that Spike is an aspect of his personality and one that Buffy needs sometimes. Great chapter, as always!!

Author's Response: Okay, so YOU are a girl after my own heart. You summed up the 'being taken' thing incredibly well. That's exactly what Buffy needs (ok, me too, lol) and it is nice to have someone take charge like that... and a 'little' force doesn't hurt either. Thanks so much for making my day with your review, we're kindred spirits you and I.

Thanks for the update and have a restful Thanksgiving

Author's Response: Thank you sweety, it was indeed restful.

Congratulations for all these awards, they were awfully well deserved ! Who the hell could have the audacity to flame you ?!! Beats me...
Yes, there was angst in this chappy, but good angst. And the Halloween party is probably going to open up doors ? I bet Lorne will try something...
Thanks for my weekly fix, and my kitty cuddling on my lap is sending purrs to your Muse.

Author's Response: Thanks you sweety. I'm not sure what I did to deserve the attention TE is getting, but I'm grateful people think so highly of it too. Well, the Halloween party will open up doors, but as to what kind I can't quite say yet, sorry. Oh sweet... I'm a huge cat lover (have 3 of them), so my muse is all happy to hear yours purr. Thanks for the lovely review hon, smooches.

Your A/N isn't complete :-D
You forgot to add the The Sensual Award from the Forbidden Awards. My Congratulations :)
But now to the story:
Angst to come *tries to steel herself*...and I have to check the safety word. Uncle? Yes, uncle.
Ah well *deep breath* on to the angst.
Mmm old fashioned, cute but old fashioned: A man needed a means to support a woman no matter how much money she had in her bank account or how successful she was in her chosen career. If he would ask Buffy she would take him as hers instantly.
Yeah, now Buffy has to think of what job he meant.
For the sake of him wanting to be with Buffy? Good decision to quit the escort job. So he's becoming a bodyguard now? Could be dangerous but don't have to. And he still doesn't want to tell her. I think Lorne is right that he worries.
Buffy's birthday? Too bad he can't come; I wonder if he'll tell Spike/William about it.
Uh-huh.. that had to happen :( Spike run into Buffy and she assumes the worst. I hope she's careful with Angelus and does nothing she regrets because she is mad at Spike right now.
So it was about making Spike jealous; it worked indeed. They are both so stubborn and saying things they don't mean but things that hurt.
Buffy noticed how much power she has about Spike, I hope that will make her confident that he would never hurt her deliberately. Maybe that will help her decision. Buffy needs indeed to sort her emotions. Ah well, Spike only told her that he is a bodyguard. He forgot to mention that he quit his other job.
And Angelus deserved Spike's fist *gg*
Happy Thanksgiving to you :) Have fun.

Author's Response: WOW, I had no idea I'd been nominated for another award, I'm flattered. Yeah, they both have issues all the way around. It will take a bit, but they'll get it together in the end. She wanted to make Spike as jealous as she was feeling - go figure. And yes, she has power over Spike, but no more than he does over her... something else she nneds to realize. Thanks for the awesome review sweety, smooches and hugs to you my friend.

Ah...they both have quite the problem with speaking first and thinking later. Buffy still keeps jumping back to the whore thing before thinking of him as anything else. She still really doesn't trust him much. I wish Lorne had said more over the phone. These two seem to only muck things up without an intermediary.

Author's Response: Oh yes, they love to shoot off at the mouth. Well, Buffy can't help but keep thinking back on the whore thing, and understanfbaly so given the circumstances. She doesn't fully trust him, nor herself for that matter, so yeah, and intermediary person (Lorne), is needed every now and then. THanks for the great review sweety, smooches.

I'm glad William is almost done getting the money to buy Grisanti's AND that he decided to take the job as a bodyguard to get there, good for him.

It was so sad seeing Buffy admit that she was his when she doesn't know that he hasn't been with anyone since he's been with her. That must have been so heartbreaking for her.

Really good chapter!! :)

Author's Response: Yup, William is all about taking the noble road, especially after being an escort for so long. His issue, though, is all about making things right before telling all... a downfall. Thanks for the lovely review sweety.

loved it

Author's Response: Thanks sweety.

What a great chapter, very intense. I also love that you post longer chapters. Thanks for the update!

Author's Response: Thank you hon, yeah, I couldn't see dividing this chapter up, it would have left too much of a cliffie.

William and Buffy are both complex characters so the angsty turn is only natural. I have plenty of faith things will get better eventually, so i'm gonna just sit back and enjoy the ride. Good update!
I want to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving, and I hope you have a great vacation!!! :D


Author's Response: Good, I'm glad you liked the angst, it was invetable really. Thanks for the well wishes hon, I enjoyed myself immensely. Thanks for the review also, and the faith sweety, smooches.

well, I always say, the angst makes the happy endings sweeter. They're learning to appreciate each other more this way. Bummer about misunderstandings, but it shows how much they care about each other, right? Love this! Can't wait for more!

Author's Response: Good, glad you don't mind the angst... it's mild at best. Yes, they do care about eachother very much, they just can't see past their own issues to get it right at the moment. Thanks for the great review sweety, hugs and kisses.

You already know that I love everything you write, and I know this chapter was especially difficult, what with the muses running off together somewhere, damn them! *lol* It was a wonderfully emotional chapter, you had me at the edge of my seat, waiting with baited breath as to what was going to happen and now I'm dying to find out what's coming next, what would they do, how will William might try to do to win her over. So, hurry up, okay? I can wait, but I'm not too patient when it's one of my favorite stories.
Happy Thanksgiving Day for you, cariño! *huggles* Mari

Author's Response: You know I can't wait too long before writing the next chapp sweety. Now that the muse is done fratenizing, *giggles*, with yours, he's longing ust as much as I am to continue writing. Thanks for all your help sweety.