At the time Giles wanted to get rid of Spike he WAS an *actual* danger owing to the First's mind control. The distraction issue is quite another thing.

As for Buffy being *pleased* that someone "puts Giles in his place, I can only say: BITCH. HE deserves better.

Not buying that Giles would think "being in love" was any excuse. He never let himself put it before his duty; it's a core belief for him: can't see him changing now.

It’s nothing bad, I just thought I would try to explain my way of thinking for those of you who feel the same way… I totally get what you’re saying… And you’re probably right… My mind just works differently. Lol…

First, yes, at the time that Giles wanted to get rid of him Spike was a threat… To the others. Giles was by far the most focused on Buffy’s relationship with Spike and how dangerous he was in regards to her… However, I never saw anything this season that supported the theory (in opinion anyway) that Spike was ever a serious danger to Buffy… Even in “Sleeper”, when Spike attacked her, he realized it was her and backed off before he could cause any real harm. I know I’m probably the only one who sees it that way, but that was sort of my reasoning behind that whole deal.

When it comes to Buffy’s being pleased that Faith was “putting Giles in his place”, that wasn’t exactly what I was trying to convey… Basically, in the story, that was just how I had Spike put it. I didn’t mean to make it sound that way. Faith was simply pointing out certain things that Giles couldn’t bring himself to see because his opinion of Spike is clouded by past experiences with him. However, Faith has never had the chance to see what Spike was like before he fell in love with Buffy; or after for that matter. Sure, she may have heard stories and all, but she was never actually involved, therefore her opinion of the Spike and Buffy relationship is more open, and she sees things differently than the others.

Also, I didn’t mean for it to seem like Buffy would have been pleased that someone was “putting Giles in his place”… I simply meant for it to come across as a light, playful conversation between two people in love who are simply happy to finally be together again…

Finally, I also didn’t mean that Giles considered “being in love” an excuse. I probably wasn’t really clear on this, but I meant for it to come off as Giles realizing that Spike was providing Buffy with the strength she needed to get them all through the battle… Although, I also have to make reference to his comment back in “Spiral” when he told Buffy that one of the qualities he admired most in her was her ability to follow her heart (among my favorite Giles quotes when it comes to my stories)… But that wasn’t really the point of the whole thing. It was that Buffy is stronger, as she herself said, when Spike is there for her, and that maybe they’ve got a better chance with the two happy and together than with Spike gone and Buffy depressed and pissed off…

I know, I know, major rant… Sorry… Just trying to clear up a few things regarding the way I think. It is in no way intended as an insult to the reviewer… In fact, I’m thankful for the review, because criticism is the only thing that can help me become a better writer and find my mistakes and what I need to be more clear on… I know I probably didn’t change your opinions, and I didn’t intend to, however I was probably far too vague on a few things I should have elaborated on more than I did… You pointed them out and gave me a chance to explain myself…

Basically, the story’s not really meant to be realistic… Kinda more my way of making myself feel better about the whole Giles/Buffy situation, as well as my way of finding the happy ending in Buffy’s make out session with Angel, ‘cause I’m completely Spuffy, of course…

Again, thank you for the review… I do appreciate the help I get from your opinions… J

~*~Melissa~*~

K.T.B.S.P.A.