What a very powerful story. Angel's words to Buffy were awesome. His increased awareness of people and their feelings, and the reasons for it, is a masterstroke of complex storytelling.

I love your Riley in this verse. He's a true partner for Buffy here, able to take up the slack when she doesn't have the words.

Anyanka creating a myth makes huge amounts of sense and really works. Poor Harmony though, she's going to be run ragged. :) The Gem being destroyed is a major blow but I think it will work out.

Xander's need to engage with Ben I have mixed emotions about. Ultimately, it served to make Xander feel better about killing him but may have actually been harder on Ben. Regardless, Ben remains a selfish bastard who, while he didn't deserve to die, I don't really mourn his loss.

The last bit with Dawn just made me incredibly happy. :) As does this whole story.