It's interesting that you touched on the different perspectives on the romance at the end there, because one of the things that occurred to me is that, as much as I agree with you, I can see how people might come to the conclusion she didn't love him. After all, Spike himself came to the conclusion she didn't love him. Even he needed the words.

I like the reference back to "Intervention," because I think it's barking up the wrong tree to expect the words from Buffy. She's just not that open. (And, sidebar, one of the reasons I have latched onto Buffy so hard is because I'm not that open, either. I hate getting to the "I love you" stage of a relationship, because the guy always gets there before me and it's awkward. I hate being mushy. Even beyond romance, I'm not a gushy person, or prone to flailing. I'm just not comfortable expressing myself that way, so I totally get Buffy's reservedness.)

That... was a long sidebar. I forget what my point was. Right, perspectives. I can understand seeing it from Spike's perspective and needing the words, because their relationship has been so confusing and complicated that it's tough to trust your instincts. But it's also a fundamental misunderstanding of Buffy's character to expect her to be comfortable with that kind of openness, so I'm not sure what to say to people (including Spike, lol) who can't believe she loves him without a more effusive display of emotion.