God, but it was satisfying to have him on the back foot. She jabbed a finger at his chest but -- notably -- pulled up short just before actually touching him. Physical contact was a line neither of them had yet crossed. This time.

"Can't you even muster one inch of compassion? I get it. You're rocking the rage 'cause -- yeah -- getting stuck here? Sucks beyond the telling of it. But while you're wrapped up in your testosterone-charged aggro-fest? Here's me. Once again with my heart in the blender as I watch an endless parade of people I know and lo--" Don't say love "--care about. As they show up. And then leave. And then show up again. And here's Buffy, too out of her league to find a way home like she'd otherwise always do. And too luckless to get the easy way home. And too...stupid not to go and end up caring for other, less-from-home people."

Her shoulders heaved. Wow. That was a vitriolic rant long left corked.