[Okay, that does give him pause, at least for a moment. Spike really does look like shit.
Of course, he's not looking too great himself at the moment, with two black eyes caused by that broken nose, and still with that seething anger beneath everything.
Still, his tone is noticeably softer when he replies.] I didn't say harmless. I said best available option. I still maintain that, but if you really want someone to come round and put you out of your misery, I had plenty of volunteers.