Do What You Have to Do
Part XVIII
The light knock on the door jarred Spike from his notebook. "Come in," he announced and watched as it opened to reveal Dawn.
"Hey, Nibs," he greeted and closed his book.
"So," she said dryly and crossed her arms over her chest as she leaned against the doorframe. "Do you spend all your time shirtless and in jeans?"
"I'll have you know that this is the first time since I've been here that I've worn jeans," he responded indignantly.
"Yeah, whatever," she said and rolled her eyes. Spike stood up and closed the distance between them, noticing the slight flush of her cheeks as she glanced at his chest. He smiled seductively, intent on having a little bit of fun.
"Like what you see, Bit?"
Dawn's eyes widened as she took in Spike's bare chest--a chest that baby oil had definitely been applied to, quite liberally. She bit her lip as her eyes, totally of their own accord, of course, traced the lines of his abs and the planes of his chest. She then cast a glance at his face and immediately took interest in her sandals when she saw his trademark smirk.
"You are so evil," she muttered and walked the rest of the way into the room and sat on the bed.
"Could've told you that, platelet. So," he said and plopped down next to her, "what brings you here? Don't you have a date with Garrett today?"
"Yeah but I don't think it's him that was at the door. Buffy hasn't called me yet." Spike noticed how she fiddled with her hands and refused to look at him.
"Okay, Nibs," he said and turned to face her fully, "out with it."
Dawn stuttered, attempting to deny it but gave it up when Spike glared at her with those all-knowing eyes of his. "Fine."
"Fine what?"
"I'll spill."
"So there was an ulterior motive to your visit?"
"You could say that."
"Why don't you say it instead," he said softly, understanding that she wanted to talk about something serious.
"I…yesterday morning, when I woke up, I was watching how good you and Buffy fit together. Even asleep, you two gravitate towards each other like it's the most natural thing in the world."
"Always have, 'Bit. Even when we were at each other's throats," he said reverently. Spike had known from the beginning, from the first time he had seen Buffy, that she was the living definition of unique. She had haunted his dreams and every waking thought and Spike had known that she would never leave.
"The thing is, I know she's with Garrett," Dawn interrupted Spike's thoughts, "or, at least she was."
"What do you mean 'was'?" Spike asked, not wanting to tell her something without talking to Buffy first.
"The ring. When I looked at her hand it wasn't there anymore and I assumed that she had given it back to him."
"Why would you think that?"
"Because," she sighed and Spike brushed a strand of hair from her face. She looked at him and warmed inside at the smile he gave her. She couldn't hide the blush that crept up over her cheeks at the gesture. Although he had been a surrogate brother to her, Dawn had never fully gotten over her crush for him and living in the same house for the last few days had, to her utmost surprise, reaffirmed bits and pieces of that crush. Of course, that's all it would be but that was okay. This was her best friend--again--and having him in her life, ready to help her when she needed, was everything she could ask for.
"Because what, Nibblet?"
"Because you're back, silly." Spike chuckled at the annoyance in Dawn's voice and stood. He picked up the white tank top still on the bed and slipped it over his head.
"So, you think that she broke off the engagement because of me?"
"Spike," Dawn said and stood. He sighed mentally, noticing that she was just as tall as him now. His Nibblet had truly grown up. "Cut the crap. You know that's true so don't deny it."
"Not denyin' anything, Bit. Just not sharin' is all."
"So you and Buffy did talk?" She half-squealed.
"You could say that."
"And?" Dawn clasped her hands in front of her, expectantly.
" 'Fraid you'll have to ask big sis." She stomped her foot lightly and he chuckled at the pout but stood firm. "Sorry, Nibs, but I'm not gonna be the one to tell you what's Buffy's to tell."
"But it involves you," she pried, "so you could tell, too."
Spike grinned. "Reckon I could. But I'm not. Sorry." Dawn's face fell and she refused to look at him. Spike frowned at the sudden change and cupped her cheek, forcing her to look at him. He was taken aback at the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. Her lower lip quivered almost imperceptibly.
"Dawn, what's wrong? And don't say 'nothing'."
"It's just that, I--I just got you back and I don't want to lose you all over again. If you and Buffy don't…" she started but Spike silenced her with a finger to her lips.
"Doesn't matter, Sweets." On her confused look, he continued. "Whatever happens between me and your sis has no bearing on me an' you, you hear me?"
"But--but if you don't have Buffy, then what reason do you have to stay here?"
"You."
"Me?"
"Yes, you." He ushered her back to the bed and they both sat down. Spike kept his hand on her back and rubbed it comfortingly. "Dawn, what I feel for Buffy--what I feel for her is…"
"Complicated?"
"Yeah. So bloody complicated. Goin' from enemies to allies back to enemies…then back to allies to almost friends to shag mates muddles things up quite a bit. Even still, I'll never stop wantin' 'er. Never stop lovin' 'er. Not to say I still don't think about stranglin' the stubborn bint sometimes, but still.
"With you, it's different."
"It is? And here I thought you once threatened to drink from my brain stem," she said flatly.
"Well," Spike huffed, "when you don't mind me, I do." The both laughed at that before he continued. "The point is, my love for you's not complicated. 'S so easy to love you Bit. Don't really 'ave to worry bout you threatenin' to stake me or rippin' my 'eart out. Only thing I gotta worry 'bout is disappointin' you. Again," the last was said in a whisper and Dawn slung her arm lovingly around his neck.
"You won't. Disappoint me. I believe in you." To say Spike beamed at her words was an understatement. When he felt his cheeks about to burst, he ducked his head sheepishly.
"Means a lot for you to say that, Bit," he said and their gazes locked. "An' that's why I can't go. I will always be here for you. Always. No matter what 'appens between your sis, and me don't ever think that I will leave.
"I promised that I would take care of you till the end of the world. And though I may have welched on that the past two years, I will tell you right now, that a gentleman always keeps his promises."
Dawn stared in awe at the man before her. Spike had changed so much over the years although the love and care that he held for her in his eyes had never changed. Even that first time she had met him all those years ago, when he had not known who she was, he had still possessed that overprotective glint in his eye when looking at her. Seeing those cerulean jewels shine before her, Dawn knew that Spike, just like Buffy, would always be there for her. He would be there when she needed him, willing to lay his life on the line for her. The reality of that thought humbled her. He had done it once before, when he had had no soul and she knew without a doubt, if necessary, he would do it again.
Not trusting her voice, Dawn wrapped her arms around the ex-vampire's neck, conveying her love and devotion to him in an embrace that said so much more than her words ever could.
*&*
Once we get inside, I usher Rachel to the living room where she sits down on the couch. I take a seat on the love seat across from her. One look in her direction and I can tell she's just as uncomfortable as I am.
"Would you like something to drink?" I ask after several minutes of false starts.
"No thanks," she says and smiles. I can't help but notice how pretty a smile she has. Her two cheeks are indented with the barest of dimples and she…
Wait a minute—why am I complimenting her? I'm supposed to be the big, bad intimidating slayer. I cross my legs and fold my arms across my chest and slide in place a firm yet not overbearing scowl.
"So, does Spike know you're coming?"
"I don't know. I left a message this morning on his cell but he didn't call me back. Of course, I didn't actually say that I was going to be the one to bring his car here. I kind of wanted to surprise him."
So, she wanted to surprise him, huh? "Well," Spike doesn't like surprises like that; I want to say but catch myself.
"So," Rachel says and her eyes survey the room, "is Will around?" Was that annoyance I just heard? Cuz if it is, polite Buffy's gonna be gone faster than you can say…
"Hey short girl," Dawn yells as she bounds down the steps. "You really need to keep your slayer stuff…" she stops when she sees Rachel on the couch. Dawn gives me a questioning gaze before the 'nice lady' speaks.
"Hi, you must be Dawn," Rachel sits up, a little too eagerly for me and I narrow my gaze. "Will's told me so much about you."
I can see Dawn's mind working from here. She crosses her arms defiantly over her chest. "And you are?" She says and I smile inwardly at Dawn's reservation.
"Rachel. Rachel Sanderson." She walks over to Dawn and offers her hand. Dawn shakes it warily, though I can see some of the hostility melt from Dawn at the action. I've never seen 'Hostile Dawn' batted down so quickly. This Rachel must be some sort of witch.
"Rachel brought Spike's car all the way here from San Diego," I tell my sister as I maneuver my way between them. Okay, so I'm being overly cautious and maybe a bit irrational…
"So you're Rachel, huh?" Dawn asks and scrutinizes the brunette with a critical eye. I've been around my sister long enough to know that, from her body language, Dawn is fighting between taking an immediate liking this woman and straight up jealousy. Who can blame her-for the jealousy part, I mean. That's how I feel—would feel—if I met my best friend's new best friend. I'd feel a bit threatened by this woman just popping up to give him a 'surprise' visit, like she was expecting to take him back just as he was set to be in my life once again. If I was Dawn, that is.
"Hello? Earth to Buffy," my sister snaps and I jerk myself back into the now.
"Yeah?"
"I'm going to meet Garrett at the Expresso Pump and we're gonna go out from there, okay?"
"Why doesn't he come pick you up?"
"He was," Dawn says and stares at her silver toenail polish sheepishly, "but I figured what with all the drama from the past few days that it'd be easier on everyone if, you know, he didn't come around just quite yet." I smile at my sister's foresight and brush a strand of hair from her check. As much as I don't want things to be awkward with Garrett, I know that they will be. Especially with Spike here.
"Do you need some money?" I hug her and she returns it, a little tighter than usually as if offering her strength.
"Nope. G-man's treating me. Besides, check out what Spike gave me." She pulls out a crisp hundred-dollar bill and before I comment, Rachel's exclamation interrupts us.
"Something wrong?" I ask and bite my lip at my condescending tone. Rachel flinches ever so slightly though her smile never wavers.
"No, I just remembered something, is all." One look at her and I know that she's hiding something but I let it go for now. There will be plenty of time later for analysis. As for now…
"Nice to meet you Rachel," Dawn says and I mentally curse my sister for the lack of hostility in her voice. If I didn't know any better, I'd say her sentiments were genuine.
"Wonderful to meet you, too, Dawn," Rachel replies and Dawn shakes her hand before giving me a kiss on the cheek and ripping out of the door.
"Guess she was in a hurry," Rachel quips, staring at the door.
"Yeah, guess so," I reply sardonically. Rachel cranes her neck and eyes me quizzically and, for a moment she reminds me of that bewildered expression Spike gives me when I do something unexpected. I throw a false smile (I'm really aiming for genuine but I just keep missing the mark--damn) her way before walking back into the living room. I know it's rude not to escort her back in but she can find her way. Of course, the other ruditude just may happen to be that I haven't called Spike down just yet.
"So, Rachel," I say and keep the levels of hostility in my voice just below radar, "how long are you staying?"
"Well, it depends." I detect a hint of befuddlement in her voice and for a just a moment I feel bad for my callous behavior. "Depends on what me and Spike do in the next couple of days." Hey, the moment's passed. Whatta ya know?
"So, just what are you and Spike plannin' to do?" I ask and my hands go instinctively to my hips and my tone gets a little edgier.
Rachel notices the change and takes a minute step back and I can see her eyes—man, I've never seen such dark eyes before; yup, she must be evil—size me up warily. But other than that, she responds friendly enough. "Well, when I talked to him the other day, I told him that, since he's dead set on relocating here that I made a few calls to some realtors about some lots for opening up Sunnydale's own Blue Song. He thought it was a good idea, so I thought that we could survey the lots, check out some of the price tags on them and go from there."
"So that's all that you're staying for," I say though it comes out more as a question. I bite my lip reflexively and notice Rachel's eyes soften as if she's just figured something out.
"Buffy, I…" but she doesn't finish as the baritone voice traipsing down the steps interrupts her.
"So, Slayer, do you fancy doin' anything on this glorious…" he stops in mid sentence when he sees her and his eyes light up like they always do for Dawn.
"Night?" His voice was the barest of whispers and I can't help but frown at the love evident in his voice.
"Will," Rachel replies and gives him a broad grin.
"Get your bloody arse over here," he shouts joyously and she flies into his arms. They hug warmly--a hug I don't think is just friendly. Hell, I've never hugged Xander like that before.
"Why didn't you tell me you were comin', pet?" He asks and I bristle at him using my name on her. I roll my eyes but keep quiet as he addresses 'O, she of the Night'.
"I'm just gonna go and…" I start before Rachel cuts me off.
"Well, I did leave a message on your cell phone this morning. I guess somebody didn't check said messages."
"You called?" He asks. "What time?"
"Around seven this morning."
"You were up at seven?" He asks incredulously and I roll my eyes before sitting down on the arm of the chair.
"Yes, I was up at seven. Don't make a big deal about it."
Spike surprises me when he turns to me, smirk firmly in place as he hikes a thumb towards Rachel. "You think the Bit sleeps hard, luv, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Night 'ere could sleep through a bloody apocalypse. And forget about her doin' anything before ten a.m."
"Hey," she pouts and slaps him in the shoulder. By some miraculous will of God, I bite back the comment about touching Spike. I'm thankful for that since--well, since I really don't want to be seen as a loon. "Standing right her."
"That you are," Spike says affectionately and touches her hair briefly. A sharp pain enters my chest at the delicate touch but I bat it away.
Spike ushers Rachel back to the couch and sits next to her. The next fifteen minutes are spent in conversation and Spike is thoughtful enough to include me in most of it. The dialogue jumps from the club in San Diego to establishing another one here to Spike hackling Rachel about how she better not have scratched up his car.
After awhile, I dismiss myself, muttering about needing to fix my hair. As I leave the room, Spike's gaze is heavy between my shoulder blades and I resist the urge to turn back, paranoid at what I might see.
I make a beeline for my comb and brush, angrily yanking the kinks from where my hair is tangled. My thoughts turn to the last thirty minutes or so with Spike and Rachel. They looked so comfortable together, as if they were on the same wavelength. I've never had that type of rapport with him; well, not until recently. Before that, only Mom and Dawn had ever been totally at ease around him. But Rachel…
A tired sigh escapes my lips as I think about the two years they had spent together, working together, living together (I think). As much as I've gotten to see a different side of him these past five days, there's no way I can compete with Rachel in that field. I had him by my side--well, in my hair, mostly--for, what? --Four years and I know next to nothing about him. What he likes? What he dislikes. His hopes and dreams. Yeah, I know he was a vampire then but still--still, there was William inside, sharing space with that demon. The William that comforted me when Mom was sick. The William that was always there for Dawn or the William that always made me see that I was trying my best even when I didn't think I was. The William that prevented me from dancing myself to ashes when all I wanted was to end it all. The William that tried so hard to show me compassion, tried to make love to me though I shot him down again and again, only wanting the physical that turned it into nothing but a shag.
Everything that I had said and done to him for four years rushes back to me. I thought I had forgiven myself for it all but the guilt still lingers. I guess it's because, now, for the first time, I truly acknowledge that I only knew Spike the vampire and never gave him the opportunity to show me the man that was always inside of him, waiting to be let out. Rachel knows that part of him. She knows his fears, his loves and desires. His dreams. I want to learn those things, I really do. But can I ever compete with someone who helped him rise from the ashes? Someone who never took morbid pleasure in beating him down with words and fists? Can I ever make up for that? Do I even know where to begin?
I growl in frustration at my wayward thoughts and turn my attention back to my finally cooperative locks. When I look into the mirror, however, I see me. The real me. I see the scared little girl that clams up at the very idea of someone loving her with all his heart. I see the brat that lashes out when something doesn't go her way or hides behind snide remarks. Yeah, I know I have changed in these last two years, but how many times have I reverted back to my old ways in the past few months? How could he love someone like this?
I gasp as the thought enters my head. That had been the question I had asked myself over and over again during our tryst two years ago. How could he love me when I did such horrible things to him? But he did. He does.
I wipe the errant tear away before it falls and stand up a little straighter as I come to a decision. I can't continue to beat myself up like this. I've changed, I really have. Okay, so I still have a ways to go, but I'm trying here. That's more than I can say for the Buffy from a few years ago. I have to let go of the past and embrace the future that awaits me. Of course, thinking of that brings up issues that I so do not want to deal with right now…
Spike's baritone laughter carries through the house and Confident Buffy falters a bit. How many times have I made him laugh like that? No, not gonna think like that. Not now.
Satisfied with my hair, I lay on my bed, determined to give myself a few minutes of 'thoughtlessness' before going back downstairs to greet the company. Gone for now are thoughts of Garrett and Spike. So, too, is comparing Rachel and myself. There are no bills, no work and no demons. Just me. Buffy. It's been far too long since I've thought about myself and--dammit! --I deserve the attention.
A smile creases my lips as I think about myself and what I want and, for the first time in months, I'm free of pressure. And it feels so good.
Here's to hoping it'll last.
*&*
About twenty minutes after she had first went to her room; Buffy finally re-emerged from her willful exile. When she walked into the living room, Spike and Rachel were still on the couch, talking amicably.
"Hey," Rachel said, being the first one to see Buffy.
"Hey guys, what's going on?" Spike stood and closed the distance between he and Buffy.
"Is everything all right, luv?" He asked and she smiled at the concern she saw in his eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just needed some 'me' time. That's all." She squeezed the arm that had, at some point, come to rest on her hip. Spike nodded, though Buffy could tell that he was not all the way convinced.
Rachel smiled sadly at the exchange between the two blondes. As happy as she was for Will finally coming home, a part of her was jealous of the tangible love that radiated from him for the petite blonde. To be honest, when she had first walked in, Rachel had to corral her longstanding anger with Buffy for treating Will so badly a few years ago. But she hadn't and it wasn't just because Rachel knew that Will was also to blame but the fact that she saw that this wasn't the same Buffy that Will had gushed and ranted about. Despite never meeting her before, one look into those hazel eyes and Rachel knew Buffy had done a lot of maturing in the past two years.
"So," Buffy said and took her familiar seat in the chair. "What are you guys doing today?"
"Well," Rachel said, "I don't know about Will here but I was going to check out some of the potential plots to build another Blue Song."
"And I'm going, too," Spike affirmed.
"What? You don't trust me?" Rachel asked in a mock pout.
"Not that, pet, but I'd like to talk to those real estate wankers myself."
"The intimidation factor," Buffy and Rachel said simultaneously. They traded sheepish grins and Buffy felt a bit of the animosity she had from the woman slip away from that simple gesture.
"Now don't you chits try and gang up on me now. I've a mind to turn you both over my knee." Rachel chuckled when she saw Buffy blush furiously.
"I'm thinking that'd be more a reward for you and less a punishment for us," the brunette deadpanned.
"Yeah," Buffy agreed. "As a matter of fact…" she caught herself before finishing but by the gleam in Spike's eye, Buffy knew he remembered.
"Okay," Rachel interrupted, drawing Spike's attention from a thoroughly embarrassed Buffy, "then it's settled. I get to meet with the realtors and you, Will—well, you do whatever it is you do best. Besides annoying poor Buffy here. Or me for that matter." She winked at the slayer and they shared another laugh at the ex-vampire's expense.
"Down boy," Rachel teased and took off her jacket. Buffy couldn't help but scrutinize the woman's every movement and was surprised when she saw the woman underneath.
She had a tight red shirt that clung to breasts that, for all intents and purposes, quite spectacular. They were substantially larger than Buffy's (though that wasn't saying much) but, at the same time, not mammoth. The lines of Rachel's sports bra were visible through the cotton fabric of the shirt. Buffy noticed a slight thickness to the other woman's waist that bunched as she sat but would taper considerably when Rachel stood.
How many times since she had seen Rachel had Buffy thought the other woman would be a model of perfection? Though she was beautiful (very beautiful, Buffy added grudgingly) she was also a normal woman. She did not have the 'perfect body' Buffy imagined that Rachel would have and the slayer knew that the brunette probably shared some of the same insecurities that the petite blonde did. Again, a sliver of Buffy's dislike for Rachel dissipated.
That being said, she was still sitting a tad too close to Spike for Buffy's tastes.
"Buffy?" Spike said and the blonde ripped her guilty eyes away from their perusal of Rachel's body.
"Yeah? What did you say?" God, if he saw me eying Rachel, he may think…
"I was asking if you wanted to come by and check out some of the flats I'm gonna look at…"
"Well…" Buffy started.
"We're gonna meet for lunch at around three," Rachel supplied.
"Count me in," the slayer finished a bit too enthusiastically.
"Cool beans," Rachel remarked and stood up. Buffy avoided staring at the woman and, instead trained her eyes on the platinum blonde across from her. Did he just check out her boobs? The slayer asked herself incredulously. He just checked out her boobs!
"Well, I'm gonna get to the hotel and get cleaned up for the meeting," Rachel informed.
"What time did you schedule it?"
"The first one's in about, oh, an hour. The second one's at one. There are a few pending for later on in the week, Will, but I wanted to get your assessment on these first two before we moved forward."
Moved forward? Buffy thought though her tongue remained still.
"All right, pet. If you need anything, just give me a ring on my cell."
"You know me…" Rachel trailed off, smirking.
"Bloody right I do. You askin' fer help's bout as likely as the sun shinin' at midnight." His eyes drifted to Buffy. "Wonder where I've noticed that before."
"I'll have you know," Buffy replied snidely, "that in Alaska the sun does shine at midnight. Well, six months out of the year. Maybe."
"So you're a stubborn girl, too?" Rachel asked and Buffy raised her chin defiantly. "Well," she said and punched Spike in the chest, "we stubborn girls must unite."
"You all will be the death of me yet," Spike groaned and was promptly smacked in the head by Buffy.
"And don't you forget it, blondie." She turned to Rachel and stuck her hand out. "It was good meeting you, Rachel and I guess we'll see you later." This time, when they shook, Buffy did apply a tiny bit of pressure that Rachel withstood admirably. Just because I don't hate her doesn't mean I have to like her.
"The feeling's mutual, Buffy." Rachel said and dropped her hand after the shake. She put one arm around Spike's neck and kissed him on the cheek. Buffy noticed said cheeks flame and she knew the woman had whispered something to him. Did anybody ever tell you it's rude to whisper in front of someone? Buffy thought and her eyes burned into the other woman's skull. She dropped her gaze just in time as Rachel offered her another smile before Spike led her out the door.
"So," Spike said when he came back into the living room. "What did you think?" Buffy glanced up from the magazine she was reading (and was very interested in, by the way) and shrugged.
"She's okay, I guess."
Spike scowled at his slayer's noncommittal reply until he noticed her right leg bouncing where it was crossed over the left. Coupled with several of the looks he had seen Buffy give Rachel and the uppity tone she had had in her voice on more than one occasion gave it all away.
Buffy was jealous. No, scratch that. She was the embodiment of jealousy and envy and, if he didn't know any better, he would have said she was just a bit greener around the edges.
Maybe she wants me after all, he thought hopefully. A part of his mind cautioned him from thinking too far ahead but he ignored it, content to feel confident at least for now.
Smirk firmly in place, he strode over to Buffy with his patented cockiness and knelt in front of her. His eyes traced a single bead of sweat that cascaded down the side of her face and he resisted the urge to stop its progress with the swipe of his tongue.
"Well, luv, guess I'll finish getting' dressed." He eyed her saucily and chuckled as the familiar burn tinted her cheeks. Her leg stopped bouncing and it appeared that she pulled her legs even closer together. Spike refrained from any type of touch and he stood up when Buffy finally acknowledged that he should get dressed with a wave of her hand.
He sauntered out of the room, very aware of Buffy's eyes on him but he did not turn around. If anything, he put a little more strut into his step before disappearing from her view.
As he climbed the steps, Spike did remind himself not to push things. He wanted Buffy as much now as he ever had but he knew she had a big decision to make. As much as it pained him, she would also have to spend some more time with Garrett and less time with him.
The next couple weeks are gonna be rough, old boy, he told himself as he walked into the guestroom.
No matter what 'appens, remember to stay the course. Spike knew that, even if Buffy didn't choose him, he couldn't leave her. Although she could possibly leave Sunnydale if her and Garrett were married, there was no way Spike was going to leave again. He had done it once and that would be the last time he would ever abandon her. Not in his mind, his body, or his toddler-aged soul.
Spike chuckled, his thoughts bittersweet. He had once told her that he was drowning in her. That still held true and Spike knew that there were only two ways to go; it would either consume him, take his will if he was denied or she would accept him and throw him a raft to stay afloat in his love for her. Either way, his entire being would always be surrounded by her presence. It was something he felt in his bones and, though it sounded romantic, such consumption was dangerous as well. The night in the bathroom was a testament to that.
No, Buffy's love would consume him—that was something he could never help, just like the chip. But he would temper it. He owed it to her not to feel overwhelmed by what he felt for her but more than that, he owed it to himself.
TBC
***Well, there's good news and bad news. The good news (and bad for some) is that the ride is almost over. I know the ending already as well as how I'm gonna get there. I have maybe 4-6 chapters left to write, including an epilogue that will--well, you'll see.
***Now, the bad news is that I'm going to take a break to write a few chapters of Severed Ties before hitting the stretch run for 'Do'. Not only do I not want to lose my flow with ST but I also want to clear up the final chapters in 'Do' to make sure the ideas flow correctly. So it may be 10-14 days before a new chapter of 'Do' but, in that time ST should be updated 3 times at the least.
***Review, my pretties. Review.