On my second reread and I know I'll come back to this story again and again. I love the train wreck of this chapter and I can suddenly see why Xander was so scared that he'd turn into his father. He has that way with words that can build people up or tear them down which, in my mind, is a trait he inherited from Tony. Here his grief becomes self-loathing turned outward and while Xander probably hasn't touched any alcohol lately, he's definitely punch-drunk.

This seems like the other half of Robin and Faith's fight, where Faith spots Xander's blank face and recognises his tell, realises just what he felt connected them. But for Robin and Xander there is no chance of connecting at all.

"UNS: Wait! I don’t understand your answer! You didn’t explain whether Faith or you are the link!"

Damn, Tikri's blind spot is large enough to hide an elephant in it. Dead on for what happens when you run across somebody's unquestioned beliefs - it takes a lot more than logic and facts to put a dent in them.

This was a brilliantly executed and astoundingly well thought out story. I am not a particularly big fan of Buffy following the Glory storyline - I felt like the show should have ended there - even though I ended up watching it to the bitter end. And I think I like your version of the characters better than the canon ones. The entire Faith/Xander ship was one I'm fairly indifferent toward, though if it had been written as well as it was here, I'd certainly have gotten on board. The 'interview' chapters were absolutely astounding - the Faith one in particular had me in stitches - and added a lot to the overall story that I was not expecting.

Kudos, and thanks for an excellent, excellent story.

Amazing chapter; the tension, the build up, and the references to the spider: utter genius. I usually don't comment on stories until the last chapter, but this almost had me crying. Genius.

I found this about a week ago, not sure where I was looking from or I would let you know, and have really enjoyed reading it. I hope I can find the follow-up that you mention on your lj. Time travel stories can be wonderful or really, really bad. This one is great.

Thanks so much for sharing with us lurkers.
Billie

Well, it's in the middle of the night (2 o'clock in the morning), and I just realised that I will not be able to read this fic in one sitting like I had planned to (because, well, 70 chapters, WOW!).

I just wanted to tell you that I think it's a brilliant fic so far; the future thing is done really well, with the mispronouciations, and the religion that's developed, and I like that you're showing different opinions on Wood; first I thought that you were so bashing him, and I thought "okay, I don't like bashing, but I don't really like Wood either, and I like the rest, so I'll read on," but then you went and made the arguments for him being like he is convincing and totally in character.

Sorry if this makes no sense, I am half-delirious with lack of sleep, which is you fault for writing a story like this and keeping me up =P

I loved it.

Yes, I know this is complete... but I like doing this with good stories, so bare with me... I just want to guess about this 'journal' or 'book'... it's Xander's isn't it? And I bet that the year isn't 2008, but 2003 Xander-scratch style! *Giggles* Just couldn't resist! Write more stories like this one, its great and I'm gonna go finish it now! Ja~!

~Shouri the Kentoukurige~

Nice story. You definately put a lot of thought in it. The whole coming from the future thing was interesting to say the least. I had great fun reading it.

Though there were parts that seemed to just drag out a tad bit too long. Mainly the parts in the end where you have characters reflecting on events and such. I found those reflection moments often repetative. They also seem to be a bit too well-thought-out to be actual thoughts of the person in question, which somewhat diminishes their true character.

The dialog on the other hand was mostly spot-on and had me cracking up several times. :)

I loved your references to some of the other scifi shows, Red Dwarf in particular, which is one of the funniest shows I've ever seen but really doesn't seem to be all that popular around here.

Your time-travel explaination was a bit strange though. The supposed lie the future crew made-up with Willow seemed more plausable to me than what appears to be the truth. How can you travel back in time, change things and still have the same future? What what the grail doing in the past anyway? 'Try not to think about it too much, because your head will hurt' doesn't quite cut for me. It's just all a little too vague.

That's pretty much all I had to say. This is definately one of the better quality stories, though maybe a bit elaborate.

I like the story. There's a few parts that kind of irritate me, and it's obvious you're not a Wood fan. But overall it's very good.

I was very surprised that Kennedy gave up being an active Slayer according to history.

Someone should have just flat out ordered Andrew to talk normal.

I get the feeling that you're not a big Buffy fan, but you did treat her fairly. Andrea's comments in the cemetary about burying people in the backyard deserved a smack upside the head. And Buffy, well people seemed a little hostile to her. While four months isn't a lot of time, she didn't seem to take a big leadership role in this story. It seems like maybe someone would realize that she wasn't actually much for leadership. After all her having Xander and WIllow around is a sign of her not being a leader. She tried to get them not to risk themselves, they didn't listen. If they're going to put themselves on the line then can they really be upset when she makes a plan that might risk that. I'm very thankful for Vi's revelation in chapter 69.

Did Willow fall off the wagon, what she said suggested she was going after someone that really deserved it. Is this true?

The story of what they thought happened in Sunnydale was very interesting. For example the story of Dawn and Anya not being there, was most likely about Buffy asking Xander to take Dawn out of town. But did Giles ever tell Catherine that Faith had actually used the Scythe?

I never did quite figure out how hanging around a Slayer who wanted nothing to do with them could not be considered stalking, at least by the courts. And which legend are you talking about in chapter 67.

Took me 3 days to read this story and I have to say it's one of the best Xander/Faith, if not Buffy in general, stories that I have read so far. Even though they don't actually get together.
I'm really mad at myself right now, because I'm not good at writing reviews and this story really deserves a longer and better one, than the one I've come up with. Keep up the good work.

Once again, fabulous cracklike story. I've stayed up way too late... again. :) But every moment was a joy. I find myself not wanting to say goodbye to this story. It's a really interesting future you've built and I could see other stories that are possible in this universe, I just hope we are blessed with their presence.

WOW that was an awesome story! Well done you're a fantatic writer :)

X X X

Hilarious! This shines a whole different light on those stories Faith was telling about alligators and ministers and stuff.

What a terrific story! I love the banter and the way you're portraying all the characters.