I agree, but not to the extent this seems to argue. And also--I think it's less Angel as a person and more the (romanticized) memory of what they had once upon a time. I can honestly see Buffy having a healthy relationship post-"Chosen." Also, the idea of her sitting around still being hung up on Angel makes me sort of sick to my stomach because it's so emotionally stunting and arresting. Ugh.

I love your ideas, though I think I've read better fics that do the healing thing. ;p Like I said, I think this is definitely the best, happiest argument for what the comics are trying to accomplish, but I just want Buffy to be past this already. At the end of "Chosen," I thought she was, so again--it feels like regression to me. I may, of course, change my mind when I see how it ends. :D