My biggest Spike thought through out this story (and I think it's pretty obvious) is why is he still there? Beyond his promise to Buffy, what kept him there before? What does he see in Xander? What does Xander see in him? I'm really trying to avoid the "They're both outsiders" cliché but still get to a hint of similarity. Not an easy path, my friend. So I went for the funny. (As I often do.)
Thanks. *g*