Couldn't agree more with everything you said here! :) I actually HATED the idea of Spike/Buffy at first, and this scene was the REASON why! It took me YEARS to accept that BUFFY was good enough for Spike! :)

And yes, I'm sure ALL the gang have some serious PTSD issues! Being strong ISN'T about not fearing or hurting because of things, after all, but continuing on THROUGH those things that cause us such nightmares!