Poor Buffy, being victimized by demons is one thing but having her confidence invaded is horrible by those who she thought she could trust. Obviously, Willow and Xander are immature in their hero worship of her and want her to be the epitomy of purity - which doesn't help her to adjust back to her surroundings at all. The episode of where she uses her body as currency for her drug fix to cope with pressures show that she is vulnerable mentally and has yet to deal with what happened to her. Not sure if she should tell Giles of what happened to her, it would be like telling her father of her life in the brothel. Look forward to more.

"Maybe - this was a stupid thought - maybe he'd love her again if he went back to being soulless." A very interesting theory indeed, even though it has been determined on the other side that he still loves her whether he wants to or not. Broken girl just doesn't see through him as well as she used to. Glad that Giles is helpful, in a reasonable, adult way. One can only hope that the others come around and Spike can be brought back safely to her. Cause I can't say for sure that she's gonna make it without him. Please, update soon... er, on the 18th-ish like you said. :)