Artists: None
Characters: Anya, Buffy, Charles Gunn, Dawn, Faith Lehane, Fred, Jonathan Levinson, Joyce, Lindsey McDonald, Lorne, Oz, Spike, Tara, Wesley
Genres: Dramedy
Warnings: Adult Language
Completed: Yes Chapters: 15
Word count: 64,332 Hit Count: 11,282 ePub Downloads: 119
Published: January 12, 2019 Updated: June 07, 2020
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Disclaimer : All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No money is being made from this work. No commercial and/or trade purpose is intended to infringe the copyrights registered by official parties. (I’m just playing in Joss’ sandbox.)
1. Chapter 1 - How They Met ... by rkm - Likes: 16 Comments: 6 Word Count: 2,173 Hit Count: 1,984 Published: January 12, 2019
Chapters One and Three are loosely inspired by my parents first meeting and first kiss.
I want to thank my brother for reading and providing me with feedback for the first chapter – he doesn’t like fiction and he REALLY HATES reading it, so this was a big favor. Here’s to hoping I do justice to my parents, who inspired the initial concept, and my brother.
Callie8M beta’d this, and I cannot thank her enough for her time, patience and commitment. If there any typos are anything along those lines, it’s probably because I continued to play with it ...
2. Chapter 2 - Retribution by rkm - Likes: 9 Comments: 5 Word Count: 3,556 Hit Count: 924 Published: January 17, 2019
There's a bit of a change in plans for the chapters; this chapter is dedicated to my brother and Meavepagan - both of you wanted to know about the revenge, and I hope I didn't/don't disappoint. (chapter 1 and 3 deal are loosely based on the highlights of how my parents met and their first kiss.)
Speaking of my brother, he HATES reading fiction, and he beta'd my first chapter. which in itself is an extreme feat. I'm so grateful. however, he told me it's too painful to do anymore ...
I realize I was amiss in not detailing some information - this story is basically vignettes of their story. Unless, of course, the story leads me in a different direction. If that occurs, I'll need to double up on my vitamins ...
There are lines from Season 4’s ‘Something Blue’ and Season 7’s ‘Chosen’ and Season 6’s‘After Life’ (there might one or two words changed to fit the tense, etc, but the idea is there …)
3. Chapter 3 - Their First Kiss by rkm - Likes: 11 Comments: 5 Word Count: 1,392 Hit Count: 871 Published: January 20, 2019
There is a paraphrase/adaption of a line from ‘Fool for Love’.
This chapter is inspired by my parents.
Callie8M beta’d this, and I cannot thank her enough for her time, patience and commitment. If any typos are anything along those lines, it’s probably because I continued to fiddle with it ...
4. Chapter 4 - A Gift of Blue and Green by rkm - Likes: 10 Comments: 4 Word Count: 2,643 Hit Count: 866 Published: January 25, 2019
From their point forward has nothing to do with my parents, just Spuffy fun!
Callie8M beta’d this, and I cannot thank her enough for her time, patience and commitment. If any typos are anything along those lines, it’s probably because I continued to fiddle with it ...
5. Chapter 5 - Let's Get Serious by rkm - Likes: 6 Comments: 4 Word Count: 3,250 Hit Count: 801 Published: March 02, 2019
This chapter has no beta, so please forgive me for any typos or just extreme lameness ...
6. Chapter 6 - It's Vetting Time by rkm - Likes: 7 Comments: 3 Word Count: 3,083 Hit Count: 822 Published: March 03, 2019
This was inspired by the hysterical poem ‘How to Give a Cat a Pill’ (I think the author is John Delack, per a site I found). My chapter isn’t nearly as hysterical …
There is a quote from ’Once More, With Feeling’ and a paraphrase/adaption of a line from ‘Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered’.
This chapter has no beta, so please forgive me for any typos or just extreme lameness …
7. Chapter 7 - The Visit by rkm - Likes: 8 Comments: 5 Word Count: 3,150 Hit Count: 689 Published: April 27, 2019
I knew what I wanted for the purpose of the chapter, it just took me a while to wrap my mind around the scene-age (okay, I may be channeling the buffyverse too much right now … wince …)
There are two quotes from ‘Surprise’, a paraphrase/adaption of a line from ‘Halloween’, a quote from ‘The Gift’, and a paraphrase/adaption of a line from ’Superstar’, and a from ‘After Life’ (there’s also a tiny – pardon the pun – reference to ‘Fear, Itself’).
This chapter has no beta, so please forgive me for any typos or just extreme lameness … Let me know your opinions!!
8. Chapter 8 - Not So Perfect : Promotion by rkm - Likes: 8 Comments: 5 Word Count: 2,724 Hit Count: 644 Published: August 27, 2019
I know it’s taken me a while to get this out. I’ve had to break down what’s happening into sections, otherwise it was way too much to process it as a whole. So for those who actually liked this and wanted to see more, I’m sorry for the delay. Hopefully I won’t disappoint. And even if I do, hopefully you’ll let me know…
This chapter has no beta, so please forgive me for any typos or just extreme lameness …
9. Chapter 9 - Not So Perfect : The Ex Event by rkm - Likes: 4 Comments: 5 Word Count: 3,348 Hit Count: 571 Published: February 21, 2020
THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO GREEN, MAGNUS374, MEAVEPAGAN, PFEIFFERPACK, ELIANNE, CONNIE_3D, AND AMAYUSCULA – for whom have inspired me to continue this fic. My apologies for the long delay; it seems my mind just couldn’t get un-stuck – there’s just so much that needed to happen and trying to get into some sort of time line, etc was too much for my small brain… I hope you haven’t given up on this fic! Enjoy!
There are two quotes and a paraphrase/adaptation of a line from ‘No Place Like Family’, one paraphrase/adaption of a line from ‘Something Blue’, a quote from ‘Life Serial’ (more like … a sound), a paraphrase/adaptation of a line from ‘Harsh Light of Day’, and a paraphrase/adaption of a line from ‘School Hard’.
Warnings : I’ve managed to tone down Anya’s description, but I think that small section earns/may have earned the R rating. In my opinion. You’ll know it when you read it. Cheers to anyone who doesn’t think it was too much – when the words were pouring of the keyboard, it was more graphic, shall I say …
This chapter has no beta, so please forgive me for any typos or just extreme lameness …
10. Chapter 10 - Not So Perfect : San Diego Sojourn by rkm - Likes: 4 Comments: 3 Word Count: 5,693 Hit Count: 494 Published: February 28, 2020
THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO GREEN, MAGNUS374, MEAVEPAGAN, PFEIFFERPACK, ELIANNE, CONNIE_3D, AMAYUSCULA, FLUFFYPUPPY, FYREBURNED, CHAPSTICK, FROST, JILLWILL, LOOPY, NOJIRI23, SIBB, STILLAFAN – for whom have inspired me to continue this fic, not just give up and delete it from the site …
There is one quote from ‘Fool for Love’ (although it’s a literal interpretation, not with the meaning behind it), one quote from ‘School Hard’, one quote from ‘All the Way’, another quote from ‘Fool for Love’, a paraphrase from ‘No Place Like Home’, and a paraphrase from ‘I Was Made to Love You’.
(FYI … I also went back and made a few adjustments to the other chapters; either just cleaning up the formatting of the time frame, including words that were left out, or adding another small action – and I do mean little – section to the first chapter [spike asks buffy to walk back and forth to the door and back, and buffy’s reaction to such ... THAT was part of my parents story, atleast the general idea. Mom couldn’t remember his exact words…])
This chapter has no beta, so please forgive me for any typos or just extreme lameness …
11. Chapter 11 - Not So Perfect : Restless by rkm - Likes: 5 Comments: 2 Word Count: 5,725 Hit Count: 483 Published: March 06, 2020
THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO GREEN, MAGNUS374, MEAVEPAGAN, PFEIFFERPACK, ELIANNE, CONNIE_3D, AMAYUSCULA, FLUFFYPUPPY, FYREBURNED, CHAPSTICK, FROST, JILLWILL, LOOPY, NOJIRI23, SIBB, STILLAFAN – for whom I continue this tale on paper …
THIS CHAPTER IS ALSO DEDICATED THE EXCEPTIONAL AXELL AS SHE IS THE ARTIST WHO CREATED THE BANNER! Thank you, Axell, for taking the time to create something beautiful and special!
For some reason, this chapter seems to match the disquieted feelings from the wonderful, musical episode “Once More with Feeling” – there is a paraphrase of a song quote from ‘Going Through the Motions’, a paraphrase of a song quote from ‘What You Feel’, a song quote from ‘Walk Through the Fire’, another paraphrased song quote from ‘Walk Through the Fire’, and a repeat of the first song quote from ‘Walk Through the Fire’, a song quote from ‘Let Me Rest in Peace’, a song quote from ‘They Got the Mustard Out!’, (a spoken quote from the episode ‘School Hard’), a song quote from ‘I’ll Never Tell’, and another song quote from ‘I’ll Never Tell’. [in between all of these there is a line paraphrased from ‘Sex in the City’ about someone being so tired their hair hurt; for some reason I loved this line and couldn’t resist adding it here …]
This chapter has no beta, so please forgive me for any typos or just extreme lameness …
Disclaimer : All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No money is being made from this work. No commercial and/or trade purpose is intended to infringe the copyrights registered by official parties. (I’m just playing in Joss’ sandbox.)
12. Chapter 12 - Not So Perfect : So Close by rkm - Likes: 4 Comments: 3 Word Count: 7,154 Hit Count: 552 Published: May 05, 2020
There is a quote from ‘School Hard’, a quote from ‘First Date’, a song quote from ‘Once More with Feeling’, a combination of paraphrasing and quoting of Spike infamous speech from ‘Touched’ (Spike’s famous speech), another quote from ‘Touched’.
A SPECIAL “THANK YOU” FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL AXELL AS SHE IS THE ARTIST WHO CREATED THE BANNER! Thank you, Axell, for taking the time to create something beautiful and special!
I would like to thank GREEN, MAGNUS374, MEAVEPAGEN, PFEIFFERPACK, ELIANNE, CONNIE_3D, AMAYUSCULA, FLUFFYPUPPY, FYREBURNED, Allison42, Chapstick, Frost, Iggymom, Jillwill, Loopy, Megz00_, Nojiri23, Sibb, Stillafan and Tari_NA – my writing demon really appreciates your thoughts and your encouragement, and for you is whom I hope to please …
I WISH TO PROFUSELY THANK THE MAGNIFICENT MSXGINGERXNINJA FOR BETA’ING THIS CHAPTER – DURING THIS TIME OF STRESS AND FEAR, SHE STILL TOOK THE TIME TO READ, AND OFFER SUGGESTIONS, AND LISTENED TO ME BABBLE ABOUT CHARACTERS OR PLOT, ETC. I RECOZNIZE HER TIME, PATIENCE AND COMMITMENT ARE PRECIOUS … IF THERE ARE ANY TYPOS OR ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES, IT’S ALL ME …
13. Chapter 13 - Oh! Part I by rkm - Likes: 3 Comments: 3 Word Count: 5,672 Hit Count: 631 Published: May 26, 2020
There are two quotes from ‘Something Blue’.
A SPECIAL “THANK YOU” FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL AXELL AS SHE IS THE ARTIST WHO CREATED THE BANNER! Thank you, Axell, for taking the time to create something beautiful and special!
I would like to thank MSXGINGERXNINJA, Green, Magnus374, Meavepagen, Pfeifferpack, Elianne, Connie_3D, Amayuscula, Fluffypuppy, Fyreburned, Allison42, Chapstick, Frost, Iggymom, Jillwill, Loopy, Megz00, Nojiri23, Sibb, Stillafan and Tari_NA – my writing demon really appreciates your thoughts and your encouragement, and for you is whom I hope to please …
I WISH TO THANK THE DEVINE MSXGINGERXNINJA FOR BETA’ING THIS CHAPTER – DURING THIS TIME OF STRESS AND FEAR, SHE STILL TOOK THE TIME TO READ, AND OFFER SUGGESTIONS, AND LISTENED TO ME BABBLE ABOUT CHARACTERS OR PLOT, ETC. I RECOZNIZE HER TIME, PATIENCE AND COMMITMENT ARE PRECIOUS … IF THERE ARE ANY TYPOS OR ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES, IT’S ALL ME …
14. Chapter 14 - Oh! Part II by rkm - Likes: 5 Comments: 3 Word Count: 5,796 Hit Count: 482 Published: May 26, 2020
The chapter was too long and I had to break it into two parts. Please make sure you read Chapter 13 before your proceed with 14.
There is a singular word quote from ‘Chosen’, (a quote from the Disney movie ‘Mary Poppins’), a singular word quote from ‘Fool for Love’.
A SPECIAL “THANK YOU” FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL AXELL AS SHE IS THE ARTIST WHO CREATED THE BANNER! Thank you, Axell, for taking the time to create something beautiful and special!
I would like to thank MSXGINGERXNINJA, Green, Magnus374, Meavepagen, Pfeifferpack, Elianne, Connie_3D, Amayuscula, Fluffypuppy, Fyreburned, Allison42, Chapstick, Frost, Iggymom, Jillwill, Loopy, Megz00, Nojiri23, Sibb, Stillafan and Tari_NA – my writing demon really appreciates your thoughts and your encouragement, and for you is whom I hope to please …
I WISH TO THANK THE DEVINE MSXGINGERXNINJA FOR BETA’ING THIS CHAPTER – DURING THIS TIME OF STRESS AND FEAR, SHE STILL TOOK THE TIME TO READ, AND OFFER SUGGESTIONS, AND LISTENED TO ME BABBLE ABOUT CHARACTERS OR PLOT, ETC. I RECOZNIZE HER TIME, PATIENCE AND COMMITMENT ARE PRECIOUS … IF THERE ARE ANY TYPOS OR ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES, IT’S ALL ME …
15. Chapter 15 - Epilogue: Almost Four Years Later and Plus ... by rkm - Likes: 7 Comments: 6 Word Count: 8,973 Hit Count: 467 Published: June 07, 2020
There is a quote from the movie ‘The Princess Bride, and one paraphrase of a quote from ‘Lovers Walk’ (just not from the originating character).
This is the end folks ... It's definitely been an interesting ride.
I CANNOT EXPRESS ENOUGH ‘THANK YOU’S’ TO MSXGINGERXNINJA FOR BETA’ING THIS CHAPTER! SHE ROCKS BEYOND THE TELLING OF IT!
And last but certainly not least, I would also like to thank the wonderful, special people at the Elysian Fields Ficstorming Community on Facebook, especially Kathleen Leonard Nielsen, Ditte Rasmussen, Gillie Sturcbecher, Onalee Israel, Hannah Orlove, Sandy Soenning Durbin, Maureen Anglim, Sarah Walsh McIntyre (Sarah re-pointed me in the direction of the Spanish revival homes for Spuffy). They’re comments and suggestions were so very, very helpful of the homes for Buffy/Spike, Joyce/Giles and Dawn/Oz, and also some amazing song selections and bands that I felt truly made the remaining chapters better. I’M SO GRATEFUL!!!!