This fic digs its hooks in deeper with every update. Great characterizations, interactions and dialog this chapter. Your Dawn is among the best I've ever read - all those conflicting, confusing, seething to raging emotions. And I love Buffy's self awareness that she must to force herself to rise above her natural inclination to engage with Dawn on her level, and play the adult as best as she can. I think you're doing a super job keeping everybodie's reactions and responses true.

There was one little thing that jarred me a bit; why wouldn't Buffy have given Spike his new boots at the Magic Box so he had them to wear on the walk home?