Buffy's whole body stiffened. It was a conscious effort on her part, a way to keep from melting, from dissolving into mist. She could never quite put those two things together, no matter how hard she tried--her admiration and awe for those feelings, the kind of love that he liked to display, my life for you, and her anger at having to deal with it. At having to decide whether or not to accept it.

This epitomizes so beautifully one very plausible way their post NFA relationship could go. The burden of being loved doesn't get mentioned a lot but I imagine it's very real. Even when you love someone back, when there's that inequality, it's probably easier in a way to be the one who loves more. Buffy is never the one who loves more (well, perhaps with Angel.)

Their last little exchange is so cutting too. They manage to communicate a little, but it's never quite enough to make things smooth.

And I dig the exegesis on Jacqueline the Giant Killer.