Yay! I'm so glad you got a chance to finish this! I loved the reconciliation scene with Spike, of course, and the fact that he heard her out and wasn't too mad at her.

Other bits I liked:
that gives her a wobbly sort of feeling, like she isn’t really sure she knows how to walk straight anymore. Aw, Dawnie. I can totally see this - her friendship with Spike had become such a big part of her life, pre-AR.

a very, very long moment, during which empires rise and fall and several stars collapse into black holes Heh. Just love your description here.

Pandora didn’t know what hell on earth she was unleashing when she let you out, Apate.

And, I loved the whole classical mythology riff, and the idea that he's still making up new names for her. Their whole scene together was so sweet. So much love between them.

Mom had done the same thing after the divorce, and also when her own mom died, and Buffy says it’s a Summers woman way of mourning. I liked this tidbit very much. It sounds exactly right.

That absolute wanker! Hah! And Dawn has totally picked up Spike's lingo...

Yay!

(Coupla typos: a peace of her mind - should be "piece"
the Poof doesn’t know which was is up - should be "way")