If only. I never liked him. But somehow in your stories you get him to a place where I can actually like and even admire him. He's done it once before. Granted he didn't save the world but he did stop the school from being blown up by a bomb. But I think he was too high on the idea to actually learn from it back then. Not like he did here. For someone who's super power was to see what others missed he certainly dropped the ball in season 7. If he had been the guy you showed us here he would have stood by Buffy even after losing an eye.

I wonder if Buffy gave the amulet to Spike because at that point he was the only person she could trust. She might have still loved Angel but I don't think she really trusted him. Spike had been the only one she could count on that year. She knew he would see it through.

Loved Xander's insightful epiphany!   Also I like the terms sharp and brittle and what they entailed.  

What a wonderful Xander - with all his inante goodness and none of his pettiness on display. I'd like to think this conversation might have actually happened. Buffy could have used it that season. :)