I originally meant to get a lot farther into Spike's issues and adjustments in this fic, but the set-up (and time constraints) just didn't allow it. But there's definitely lots more to be dealt with before we get to the relatively well-adjusted Spike that appears in later fics in the 'verse.

I worried a little that the scene with Buffy at the end would come across as too abrupt, and that it needed more set-up. I'm still not sure how I feel about it, in the writing sense. But the idea itself - that Buffy would be broken and desperate enough to cut through all the issues and not-talking - is always how I meant that aspect of their story to go. As you say, there just isn't time for a lot of mincing around any more.

Thank you for the lovely comment!