Hmm. Such a powerful little bit. I'm going to comment on the last chapter as well. My favorite part of the last chapter was the emergence of the cautious and shameful tendencies in Spike's Victorian past. But what I really like is how you're showing a divergence from canon. Buffy is much more reasonable, much more astute, and much more willing to use her fine mind instead of her fists. At the same time, I like how you still make her vulnerable and you still make her someone with such deep, irreparable emotional damage. Anywho, thanks for sharing the delightful read.