Buffy was waiting for him, and it was obvious from the bags under her eyes that she hadn't slept much while he'd been missing. Upon seeing him, she'd gasped in relief and grabbed him in a tight hug, her tears wetting the front of his shirt.

Then she'd hauled off and hit him across the face and took off running

This really stuck out to me; such a strong image, and everything about Buffy, and her feelings, in nutshell. And really gorgeous description at the beginning, of Spike hiding, watching Buffy from the shadows. Loving these.