Well, it kinda makes sense in a way. When Angel meets Buffy, it's the first time ever in his life (and unlife) he actually wants to make something good of himself. To that end, he's often as naive as Buffy. And, since it's because of Buffy he tries to change, since it's Buffy he looks up to and wants to be like, he himself grows very little beyond the intial change to "good now." It isn't until he leaves her that he really comes into his own, learns about himself, grows, matures, and changes.

a2zmom just pointed out to me that when he sees Buffy he wants to pretend like their relationship is still as it once was, that the horrible things--like killing Connor--didn't happen and they're just quasi-innocent and in love again. And in "Sanctuary"/"The Yoko Factor", they both revert because neither of them want to accept that they can move on without each other. I love the very end of TYF, because they do both accept it, and they understand each other in that moment and are very mature about it.

I think that's the way I'm going to fan wank it from now on, anyway ;o)

I would have thought he was the First if not for the punching.

If the FE really had wanted to fuck with Buffy it would've taken on Angel's form. But of course, the First was just a half assed villain anyway, like so much of S7.

Thanks for joining in, and happy last 13 minutes of Valentine's Day where I live!