A tense, well-written story. I kind of feel sorry for Buffy at the end. Her sense of identity as Slayer has been stripped away, her psyche has been savaged by Xander's monologue and she's just seen her lover totally destroyed. Yeah, she's gonna need TONS of therapy. I find myself wishing that Xander hadn't been quite so harsh...

Jennifer Evens, 13-7-2086 – 5-2-2003. This made me stop and blink, threw me right out of the story.

Don't know about the rest of you, but I thoroughly enjoyed this fic.

Don't like Buffy Hate fics.
Especially ones that make her, and Spike OOC.

Reply to your reply:

Nope. You just have Xander bias. And hate Buffy.
Buffy would have saved Xander over Spike. She only felt love for Spike at the very end, when he had proved he was the only one who had had her back at the end of season 7. Before that, she was super protective of Xander.
Another thing. Buffy was the most forgiving character on the show. She forgave Xander for attempting to rape her in Season 1. She forgave Xander for his constant jealousy. She forgave Xander for ripping her out of Heaven. Hell, she told Faith to protect the people (including Xander) who had just humiliated her by kicking her out of her own house. And afterward did not get one apology from anyone.
So yes, you wrote an OOC hatefic.

So you love this fic then, considering they are entirely in character.

I just reread this story from the beginning (I think this is the third time) and it's just as fascinating as when I first found it.

One of the things l really *hate* about many Crow fanfiction stories is how ... soft ... some of the Crows are portrayed. The idea seems to be that because Draven's and Corvis's deepest trauma included the murder of their lovers, and that when they went to rest their women were waiting, that they were "nice guys". Eric and Alex both managed to connect with other people, but they were utterly ruthless and violent.

This Xander is enraged; he's full of hurt at his friend's betrayal. He never forgets that Buffy sacrificed him to save Spike, and you make sure that we always know that. I think the best part of Crow-Xander's characterization is that he *also* keeps track of the big picture.

Thanks for killing Whistler, by the way.

I love this fic. I had a hard time putting it away so I could get other things like sleeping done. Very good work

Oh wow. I love this wonderful story. I love what you did to Spike that was way way cool. I love that Xander was able to do everything that he did that stuff was rather cool. I think that this is going to be one of my favorite stories.

Thanks for this! Really like your fanfics :)

I love properly done dark fics, and I agree, writing them does take a certain mindset, a certain set of feelings that you have to constantly tap into to get right. Congras on getting through this, 100k isn't easy to write when your angry/depressed/despondant.

Now,... this was really something. Poor Buffy... really, you made me feel real sorry for her... especially at the end. And Xander... Willow... you really made them work nice, amazing fic. *thumbs up*.

Really enjoyed this story

Amazing story. It's hard to find good Crow fics...and this is definately one of them.

Thank you.

very cool

I thought it was good. I just don't understand how come Xander can never get a spotlight unless everyone bashes Buffy. I like all of 'em. Instead of making Xander a hero, you made him petty. Willow made mistakes, too. Buffy is the only one to get punished. How sad. Xander had her put out in revenge, and then set himself up in Buffy's place as judge, jury, and executioner. I have my own pet peeves with Buffy Bashing. However, I thought you did write a good story. It's just my fault with it is, that instead of a "Dark Queen" you made Xander a self serving "Dark King". He decides who gets power according to him and how he feels. Isn't that what he accused Buffy of?

If you want a story where Xander gets a spotlight and nobody is perfect, and nobody gets bashed, read my Buffy Z, and Half Blessing, Half Curse stories.

Xander isn't a dark king, and he didn't decide who gets power at all. Power or no power is how the chips fell, Buffy's depowering was especially like that, and all Willow, had nothing to do with Xander.

Perhaps you would like to try the (unfinished)sequel to this story, The Safehouse Policy, written by somebody else - BigHead, which you can find here: http://www.angelfire.com/alt2/3dmaster/stories/Safehouse_Policy.htm. You'll find Xander is no king, dark or light.

This is good. Thanks for writing it.