Great way of handling what everyone's thinking. Can't wait to see how Joyce fails to get rid of Giles;) And it's so typical of the Scoobies and Joyce to be thinking in terms of Buffy's let them down rather than Buffy's been very badly hurt.

Oz is right, Willow does seem to be a kind, loving person; right up until she gets her feelings hurt, justifiably or not, then it doesn't even occur to her that there might be something going on that is not her concern.
Remember that bit in Phases when Oz declines to stay and help with the werewolf research? She goes over to his place and blows up at him because of it, mocks him for saying he's got problems right now and nearly gets them both killed because he wasn't locked up in time.

Beautiful rendition of Oz's thought processes, as we saw in Earshot there's a lot more going on in his head than he shows.

It's a good thing the Doctor's noticed what's going on, hopefully the shrink will as well.

Joyce's plan will come out in the next chapter, but probably not be resolved for a couple after that because we have to meet the new people.

I just kinda felt bad for Oz that he picked the wrong girl. Willow's a little too selfish for my tastes - which her magick addiction and its fallout prove.

You'll be surprised what the shrink notices.

I Really Loved this chapter. It definitely sets the stage for future things to come, IMO. I bet Joyce will try to have Giles deported or some such nonsense or claiming sexual abuse or brainwashing or something absurd like that.

Man the Scoobies (minus Oz) and Joyce need a major smackdown! I can't wait until Buffy, Giles, and Oz leave Sunnydale and head for Miami.

You'll just have to wait for it, but trust me, it will be bad! As for the smackdown, we'll have to see. You think they're headed to Miami, huh? *evil grin*

Wonderful. I really love how you did the pov's excellent job. I eagerly await the next installment.

It seemed like a good way to find out what was happening without relying on dialogue - especially since those thoughts wouldn't be spoken out loud anyway.

Oooh, this REALLY isn't a Joyce-favorable story is it. Hank didn't actually abandon Buffy like she thought, but rather it was Joyce's manipulations that drove Buffy and her dad apart, just because she didn't feel like the "favorite"? That is horrible! More "bratty tween-age girl" than "mother" there. Reminds me of something from another story: "Buffy disappears, Giles searches high and low, and Joyce joins a book club."

I know you didn't say much either way, but I am now hoping that this will end up a Buffy/Oz pairing. I've long thought that they would be a very compatible match. He would adore her like she needs without needing to out-macho her (as Riley did, and even Angel to some extent), and she would be more than strong enough of a mate for his wolf side, especially if they can work together to get his wolf side under the control of his human consciousness. Can you imagine Veruca even making a dent in that bond? She'd be a beta at best, compared to the alpha predator that is the slayer.

A werewolf with a completely human mind would be almost the most effective companion for a slayer possible. He can only be killed by a silver weapon, which isn't something your average demon or vamp would be carrying around anyway, or a deathblow from another werewolf (also not likely to occur, at least with Buffy there).

Ack! I've been babbling! Sorry about that. I'll just try and wait quietly for your next update now.

Nope, Joyce is not going to look good here. At least nobody can complain that I didn't warn them, though. And she's gonna get even worse, if you can imagine that.

I'm totally with you on the Buffy/Oz pairing; they would have been such a better couple than Oz/Willow or Buffy/Angel. I guess that's why we have fanfiction though - to fix the mistakes of the show.

I am definitely intrigued by Buffy's amnesiac thoughts about Giles and especially Oz. Loved that Oz figured out the reason behind Buffy's running. Definitely interested to read more. :)

I was going to use Giles' thought, but then thought...Oz's would be more interesting - especially seeing as how he isn't usually very verbal. And without knowing that she's the Slayer, Buffy wouldn't understand that Oz's wolfiness is pinging on her radar. Since she doesn't have all her personal baggage cluttering up her mind and emotions, her radar will be much more sensitive.

Okay. Funniest thing. I saw that you updated something in my 'Tracked Authors' list, and as I go to click your name, I say to myself: "Mmooch! I love you!" Then I saw the title of what you updated... and I answered it. I said, "I do! I do!"

I loved it. Buffy's reactions to everyone is great, and Oz's thoughts? Perfect. Waiting for more.

CT.

LOL. Thanks for the ego boost.

While she won't say her thoughts, Buffy doesn't have the martyr filter to make her discount her reactions to everyone. Should make for some interesting confrontations when the time comes.

awesome chap!!! i would love to beta for you any story you need!!!! :)

Thanks. Just email me and I'll try to send you the next chapter of this story when it's done.

Thanks, I've got more than a few Issues with these episodes myself and its good to see an author starting with the premise that yes, Buffy was being treated in a fairly horrible fashion by her 'friends'; rather than the everything would be so much better if Buffy did whatever "Insert Scooby of Your Choice" wanted.

There's a story you might be interested in tracking down, Five Things That Never Happened During Dead Man's Party by Gileswench. Unfortunately I've lost the link for it and can't remember all the details but one of the things was Giles telling the Scoobies that they didn't get to decide on a party at someone else's house, another was Joyce having the party arrested.

Found the link. It was at *Of Demons & Destiny* - http://www.vampirecows.com/odd/authors/wench/fivethingsdmpglz.html. My favorite sections were the two mocha ones and the hootenanny one.

It will probably take more stories than I can count at before the annoyance for this episode starts to fade. Which means there will probably be more anti-Scooby fics on the horizon once this one is done.

LOVE this! LOVE that you had Giles & Oz stand up for Buffy. This episode pissed me off too, so I really like how you're handling it. Can't wait to see what happens next. :)

*giggle* I have some truly evil plans coming up.

I like this when can we get more.

Lisa

Just as soon as I flesh out the next chapter a little. It's woefully short the way it is now.

Ok you have caught my attention.. Interested to see where this will be going.. (i also love the occasional Scooby bashing. Its like a sickness i can't help it.) Maybe i should look into getting help.. :)

No, no help is needed for that 'affliction'! Just a special dose of stories like this one. LOL

Interesting new story.
Is this going to be a Buffy/Oz?
Looking forward to seeing where you're taking this.

Not entirely sure about the pairing yet. We'll have to see where Musie takes it.

Nice start. Yeah, I understand your issues with this episode too. Not one of them seems to remember that Buffy is a girl as well as a Slayer, and, considering everything, she basically suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome for most of the series. 'When She Was Bad' shows it - she's still suffering from dying. 'Anne' and 'Dead Man's Party' show it quite clearly as well.

I love fatherly Giles, and I look forward to more - especially the Diagnosis Murder and CSI: Miami aspects. It's an interesting combination - isn't Diagnosis Murder set in LA?

Keep up the good work.

Lol, Tanydwr

Thanks. Yeah, DM is set in LA and that will bring up an interesting twist for everyone. *evil grin*

A good story start - and I hope Oz and Giles feature prominently in the story - I have always liked Oz.

Thanks. I plan on it. Buffy needs some people around her that know about the supernatural side of life.

Well, I like it so far... Can't wait to see where you take this. Is this going to be a Buffy paired with CSI member, or as a Horatio is Buffy's Dad kind of fic? Cos' ya know I like the pairing fic idea. Perhaps with Speed, or even (especially) Horatio.

Yes, I am fixated on the Buffy/Horatio pairing almost as much as Buffy/Bobby, I know this...Don't gotta tell me twice. You turned me onto them, but I like it! Although the Speed pairing would be cool too; especially if you keep it to where Speed doesn't die in the 'Lost Son' episode...

I don't know, Eric's kinda cute! Would Horatio go for a girl he met when she was 17? Even if it were a year or two later? Don't know about the dad aspect for Horatio yet. We'll see.