As expected Spike seems to have adapted to his strange situation. His ability to bounce back is still with him.
Given Buffy's reaction, I suppose that his novel reflects his previous life. So something is still inside his brain waiting to come back.

I'm sad to see that Angel has gone back to being alone in a so gloomy place full of painful memories. He, more than anyone, needs human contact since he finds so easy to detach himself from the world around him.