Totally enjoyed this - Thanks for another great Spuffy story. 

Excellent!  This sounds like it's come to a stopping place but with a little room for more, maybe?  Love what you've done tweaking the 'verse, good characterizations and dialogue.  Looking forward to reading more of your work.

It's good that Giles didn't immediately jump on the 'EvilChiplessSpike' train, but Buffy is seriously delusional if she thinks she's not going to be reminded every single day that Spike is a formerly evil vampire, however guarded he is about his past.

There's that denial rearing it's ugly head. Poor Xander his world is very narrow isn't it? He doesn't get it. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do it. Magic is dangerous, it can lead to dangerous actions. Willow wasn't taught magic by respectful responsible people she is self taught. So she didn't learn a basic principle. Actions have consequences.

At least Willow thanked Spike for what he did. It was a necessary death. It had to happen and Spike was the obvious choice. In his mind what he did was for the greater good unlike all the other deaths he caused. For Spike killing Ben was the right choice the only choice.

Is Buffy seriously thinking she can pretend that Spike isn't a vampire? What is he supposed to get an apartment and a 9 - 5 job? Go about his day like any other human? Is he never supposed to bring up anything in his past again? It's not that easy. He has a past everyone does. She can't hide from it or pretend it doesn't exist and its wrong to try to get Spike to live like none of it ever happened. It might make Buffy happy but it won't make Spike happy. That isn't how a relationship should work. You don't sacrifice one persons happiness for the sake of yourself.