Okay, so I know I'm ridiculously late to the party, but I finally finished reading this. I started it when you were first posting it, but then I disappeared for awhile. This story was always in the back of my mind, though, and I am back, for who knows how long, to tell you how much I loved it. 

Because I LOVE THIS STORY. You're an incredible writer, and you get these characters' voices so well. This story in particular is so complicated to tell because you're creating such an intricate world that's so like the one we're familiar with, and yet so different at the same time. The confusion and heartbreak that Buffy was feeling through this entire story was so real. The grief and guilt that Faith was feeling was a weight that I could feel in my chest from the moment Buffy laid eyes on her. JFC. 

I love that you left a lot of this up to interpretation, and that nothing is cut and dry and perfect happy endings. Buffy and Faith don't get perfect happy endings because of their calling, but if they try, they just might get each other, and I love that that possibility is left open-ended. 

Just in case you thought I'd stopped fic-stalking you, here I am again! I re-read "Chutes and Ladders" because it's always been one of my favorites and I needed more Alice-fic in my life after getting through the last update of "The Girl From Away." And when I finished that, I thought to myself, well, might as well read it all, and started re-reading "Omega Rising." 

And hot damn, am I glad I did, because there was a lot going on here that I had forgotten about! Your Faith-voice is hands down one of the best out there. I love that this story is first-person narrative so that we can really get into her mind. She's a Slayer, yes, but she's taken herself out of the fight for what she thinks is forever. A zombie apocalypse has got to be one of the harshest ways to force her back into the slaying gig, and yet here we are. I love that you show that internal struggle. She's good at what she does, yes, but that doesn't mean any of this is easy for her. 

Now that I'm getting into the meat of the story, I'm realizing I may not have finished reading this when you were originally posting it. Shame on me! I must rectify this now. :)

Yup. Yup I did read this. At least through this chapter. Can't remember if I went any further because you made ZOMBIE BABIES and that is the most horrible thing ever. That scene has stuck in my brain for YEARS, even if I couldn't remember (or blocked from memory) which story it was from. 

Aside from the massive gross-out that it is, aside from the absolutely horrific implications it has, it's an interesting choice of place for Buffy and Faith to have a bonding moment. You allow Buffy to see how much Faith is struggling with this. You allow Faith the opportunity to physically show Buffy how she's been able to mature, and how much responsibility she's now willing to shoulder.

Faith reacts from the gut when she's at her most on point, and even though that gets her into trouble from time to time, it allows her her humanity. Buffy compartmentalizes every single experience she has. It's how she gets through each day with the knowledge that every single person she loves could die at any minute.

She could have taken care of the babies herself, and she would have come out harder and more brittle because of it. By allowing Faith to take over, Buffy is able to soften. Buffy is able to keep that little shred of her humanity. And that is amazing storytelling. 

For fuck's sake, woman. 

It's funny what I remember of this story from the first time I read it and what I don't. For instance, I remember being somewhat put out by the fact that Giles got a proper funeral, of sorts, but Xander didn't.

This time around, though, it makes a lot more sense, especially in the context of Buffy being so ready to get outta dodge right afterwards. Giles' funeral is definitely in his honor (and I love that Faith suggests the bookstore), but for Buffy and Tara, it's really a funeral for all they've lost and all they're leaving behind in Sunnydale.

I don't remember how the rest of this goes, and I know it's probably impossible since this is from Faith's point of view, but I'd love to see a scene or two of Buffy and Tara leaning on each other for support through their shared grief.

The reunion between the Sunnydale and LA crews was inevitable, but it definitely puts a different spin on the story from here on out, especially with Kim and Cordelia in the mix. Buffy is really only as solid as she lets herself be, and jealousy has always been an ugly look on her. Here's hoping they make it somewhere safe before she has a complete meltdown. 

If there is anything I have learned from reading your stories over the last couple of weeks, it's that every good action has consequences, and every loose thread will eventually get tied up. 

The vampire "safe" house was something that I thought was resolved, mostly, when Faith and Wesley and Kim left it all those chapters ago. The fact that you brought it back now, and gave Faith the opportunity to take Helmet-face on and kick his undead ass was awesome. That, and he gave them a lead on the boy in Cordelia's vision, and Faith is 2 for 2 in the saving the world department here. 

The dog is a little silly, though allowed for some sweet moments, and I love dogs so I'll let it slide. ;) 

One thing I love about your stories is that when Faith and Buffy get together, it feels earned. They've been rebuilding their relationship from the moment they first laid eyes on each other again. A little teasing here, a little flirting here, some near-death experiences, and they're finally in that place where they can trust each other, not just with their lives but with their bodies and, to some extent, their emotions. But like I said, no good deed goes unpunished in your stories, and as much as I want these two to make it, I know they're not in the clear yet. 

And I'm back! I only got halfway through this chapter before I had to leave for grad school orientation. There was a big, out loud debate with myself over whether I should actually go, or stay and finish this. Not even kidding. 

I had the strangest thought while Buffy and Faith were having their heart-to-heart while Faith was packing. I suddenly got very sad that Buffy had lost her entire family, including Dawn. Took me a minute to realize Dawn doesn't even exist in this 'verse. And that just made me sadder. Not really a critique or anything, just the rambly thoughts in my brain. 

Now on to the things I love. Can I say everything? Because I seriously love everything about this ending and about this story. Like FFAG, it leaves a lot up to interpretation and leaves a lot of things open-ended. Did the infection really spread to the entire country, or the world? Or was it isolated to the southern California region? Buffy and Faith will find out on their way to Chicago, but we as readers won't (unless you write that sequel. Hint hint!).

I did appreciate that you didn't leave Michael's situation up in the air. That would have been a loose end that would've bugged me forever and ever, I just hate that it had to be Tara to incur his soulless wrath. She's been through so much already! 

After all of the mayhem and trauma of this zombie apocalypse, there really can't be a happy ending, but you leave us with hope, and that to me is much more important. Jacob's wife could hold the key to stopping the outbreak once and for all, and if anyone can find her, it's the Chosen Two. 

"All this destruction, all these people gone, and we're still here." She looks at me. "The Chosen Two, together again, watching it burn down. Maybe that means something." 

Finally getting around to re-reading this. I know I read the first few chapters when it was fresh and new, but I don't think I ever finished it and for that I am ashamed. 

This is an interesting start and definitely one that's stuck in my mind all these years later. The precognitive witches are creepy, but what is creepier to me is their subservience to the Council. It almost reminds me of a partnership Wolfram and Hart would take on. And when you think about it, the Watchers Council and W&H aren't all that different in how they operate, it's just that one revels in the idea that they're good, and the other in the idea that they're evil. Hmm... 

I love that Buffy has the dream/vision of Faith while she's asleep in class. So very Buffy. And I love that her initial reaction to that dream is that she needs to do something to help Faith, even if they're on opposite sides now. 

Oh Buffy, shouldn't you know by now that not having a plan pretty much always backfires on you? 

I love the use of the Slayer connection in this story. It's something they only ever hinted at in canon and is used so well here. Interesting choice to have Faith reacting as if she always knew the connection was so strong, and was just waiting for Buffy to catch up. I wonder if Kendra and Buffy shared the same kind of connection, and if they ever could've used it to their advantage if Kendra had survived longer.

As it stands in this story, I'm curious to see how Buffy is going to be able to convince Faith that she's trying to help her stay alive, because talking to her is about as useful as talking to a brick wall right now. 

You write Buffy and Faith so well, have I told you that? Their interplay at the motel was spot-on. I love the way you write Buffy's emotional obliviousness and Faith's guardedness. Neither one of them really gets the other, but at the same time, neither one is really willing to give any ground, either. 

I love all of the twists and turns this story takes. The Council has never been trustworthy, but it's still jarring and painful to see them so casually discussing the murder of not one Slayer, but potentially two. I love that Faith isn't as dumb as she looks (she never was, but it's still nice to see it play out) and has enough self-preservation instinct to get out of the line of fire of the Council assassins. Makes me wonder, though, since she seemed so ready for Buffy to show up, if she didn't reopen the Slayer connection on purpose so that Buffy would find her easily. Maybe Faith does want Buffy's help after all. If only Buffy could handle subtlety at all, she'd see it. 

Oh, Faith. I want to trust you. I really do. I want to think that the Council assassins have you spooked enough that you're willing to do whatever Buffy and Giles ask of you to keep you safe, because deep down, you don't want to die. Not yet, and not like this. But the Mayor is a manipulative bastard, isn't he? 

Ugh. I wish I had time to read more before work, but I only have a few minutes before I need to leave. How did I not read this when you first posted it? Bad Kasey! 

I am eager to find out how far Faith is willing to go. If she thinks she can do this one last thing for the Mayor and get out alive and sane, or if she thinks she can do some recon of her own. Be a white hat. I hope it's that second one. Oh, Faith. 

Huh. I don't think I've ever seen a pool used for slayage purposes in fic before. Nicely done. 

I'm glad Faith finally came clean to Buffy about Professor Worth. You had me worried that she was going to try and get to him on her own, and get herself killed or worse. I'm also glad that Buffy and Faith finally admitted to each other that they care about each other. Innuendos aside, even. 

Good chapter!

Woah... I hope Willow's magic is up to snuff here, because if it's not... 

The image of Faith sitting on Professor Worth's couch, distraught and scared and guilt-ridden, with his hand on her back, trying to comfort her after she showed up at his apartment intent on killing him has got to be one of the most heartbreaking things I have ever read. I really, really hope it isn't too late for Faith. 

Why do I get the feeling that this is not going to turn out as easy as they all think it will? Montana is a big state, but short on people. Two girls like Buffy and Faith are going to stick out like sore thumbs. Willow might be packing some serious mojo right now, but it kind of all hinges on things going exactly to plan. When do things ever go exactly to plan?

Joyce is seriously going to win Mom of the Year,I swear. She's exactly the kind of positive influence Faith needs right now and I love that she just jumps right into this,feet first, to help Buffy AND Faith.