both angel and riley would've been gross! but i always wanted to see something more with will and spike. maybe not an actual relationship, but maybe a strong friendship or something.

I feel like Spike's nerdy girl will always be Fred. So... I dunno, I'm gonna go with Riley. The least demony of the bunch.

On my opinion it would be awkward for Willow! Sorry

I never liked Riley with Buffy, so maybe to him with Willow would be interesting!!! :)

I don't remember where I heard/read this, but I'm fairly certain that Joss was thinking about Spike/Willow around season four when Seth was leaving.

In terms of plot, Angel and Willow could never be together. Here is my reasoning. Angel decides to seek redemption after seeing Buffy and falling in love with her when she is Called. Angel also only meets Willow by way of Buffy, having Angel and Willow get together undermines the entire basis of Angel being in Sunnydale. Either he is in love with Buffy (which I believe he was in a way) and that's that, it doesn't matter if she returns the feelings because he is attoning for his past and there to help her (and his efforts at redemption. Not to date. Or.... explain to me again why he is in Sunnydale? It just doesn't add up. Sure you can have him there trying to atone on his own (he he, that rhymed and I'm tired) but it just wouldn't work for me, Angel there on his own without knowing about Buffy makes him a different Angel, not the one we know.

Riley...where to begin on my Riley thoughts. I'm no longer anti-Riley so that has nothing to do with it, I mearly think that they don't match up at all. I can't see them together (I've seen well done vids that almost make me go 'hmm' but the feeling is short lived). Riley is too straight laced for her. Willow is a character so wound up that her partner needs to be somewhat relaxed. Oz and Tara were perfect for Willow while Riley just isn't to me. Riley wants the perfect sort of relationship with the confident, straight foward (to a degree), sort of girl while Willow's confidence is built on her friends and the fact that she is needed and they make her stronger. Riley and Willow are just unmixy for me.

Now we get to my pick, Spike. I support pretty much all Spike ships from Dru and Buffy to even Harmony (I have reasoning! Ask if you've curious) and have my favorite (Spuffy) but I could easily see this ship sailing. Spike is a character who adapts to be what his partner needs. Dru needed him to take care of her, to be his dark knight, and he molded himself to please her. Harm needed to learn the ropes and she needed to have some sort of companionship - face it, as a fledgling she would have been dust right away)- Spike did that. Buffy needed to say nothing, and he listened, she needed to feel and he did that, and then she needed him to fight and he fetched his duster. Spike is whatever his loved ones need him to be. From protector to Dawn to the guy who brings down the Hellmouth.

Spike would, in my opnion, be there 100% for Willow, he would support her magic (though mention that there are always bloody concequences) and I believe have the same sort of Tara effect in trying to get her off Magic (in the drug analogy). Spike would have given her confidence and worship her. Where I believe Angel would expect her to be stronger, Spike would offer his own strength. Where Riley would want her to be perfect he would marvel in her quirks. Spike's character is mallable.

As far as Willow working for Spike I find the Fred/Spike relationship (if it wasn't for Wes and the thought of Spuffy I would so be there) a good comparision. Willow and Spike would have balanced, her appealing to his William side and appericating his Spikness (to an extent). Spike, in the presence of a lady (I believe he counts Buffy, Dawn, Joyce, Fred, Tara, Anya, and Willow) reverts to his Williamness to a degree and I think Willow would allow him to straddle both worlds.

Okay, that felt nonsensical but there is my ramblings.

Great questions Cat. I've been doing them since I got home from work and they have all required an essay. ;F

What twinlet said, and I so need to prop her for it now.

thanks katie! i'm curious about why you like spike & harm...

I did a quick search and found link from a while ago (it was when I first switched from a lurker to sort of a talker actually. Also, I finally figured out how to do the link/texty thing, so expect that alot until I get over it).

The reason I like Spike and Harm is because I feel they make sense storywise (you know I'm a slut for expositiony goodness) and they fit the characters. Spike needed a rebound, he needed to feel needed. All of his life and unlife he has had somebody depend on him (his mum and Dru) and he likes the role of caregiver, it's that bit of William that Dru needed in her Dark Knight that never went away. In Harmony, Spike finds somebody who needs him and through their relationship Harm actually becomes a stronger personpire. She started out as a minion of Queen C, became the somewhat leader of the group following Cordy's A.X. time and then when she was vamped she feel back down into minion area (I believe). If it wasn't for Spike I personally think Harm would either be dusty or a 'vamp sucking ho' - perhaps we would have seen her in Into the Woods if you get my drift. Basically, I feel that Harm needed someone to help her along, to a degree, and push her far enough that she became her own womanpire.

Spike needed to care for somebody and he needed to be loved, even if it was false. Spike needs to be needed and craves to be loved.

It was a perfect blending of character traits, needs, plot, and- because it's Spike and Harm - humor.

that makes sense i suppose. although i still can't bring myself to ship them :)

I never would have shipped them, but I fully support the ship in the context of the show.

Now, if we are talking about uncanonny Spike ships I'm all for Spike/Fred/Illyria (given the right conditions) and I'm good with Spangel and Spawn.

i dont really think of willow with any of them. 1 she's gay. and 2 the only guys that she has ever liked was Xander and Oz.

I can't see Willow dating any of Buffy's exes in canon, but I can maybe imagine Willow/Angel in some sort of AU earlier seasons.