Rating: PG-13 due to swearing

Summary: Explanation for what she did. PTB Powers That Be

Warning: Swearing

Chapter 1: Why Did She Do It?

That night in Buffy's dreams

Buffy: (enraged) Alright you SOBs! I've done what you asked! This better have been the right thing to do or I swear I will hunt you down and beat the crap out of you, 'Powers That Be' or not!

PTB: (calmly) You would like some assurance that your action was correct?

Buffy: Since they hate me and will probably never trust me again – especially Giles – damn straight I'd like 'some assurance'!

PTB: What do you think would have happened if you told everyone right away? Or even had told only Giles?

Buffy: (quieter but now also saddened) I don't know, but at least things would be better for the gang. I suppose it's possible that they would have just gone and staked Angel before he could get loose.

PTB: Why didn't you? Certainly you could have overpowered him. You were able to chain him up after all.

Buffy: Because I wasn't sure that it was the right thing to do. I didn't know how or why he came back. Until I knew that, I didn't want to do anything except contain him.

PTB: And you weren't sure that the others could have understood that?

Buffy: (uncertainly) That…and maybe I was a little afraid that they would say that I was letting my feelings ruin my judgment where Angel's concerned. But they would be right about that.

PTB: So if Giles had gone there and staked him, you would have agreed with him? You don't think his judgment would have been impaired by his feelings? Or Xander's…or Willow's, or anyone else's? You know, as far as Faith is concerned, she hasn't dealt with any 'good' demons. To her, it is a 'stake first and ask no questions later'. She has a 'the only good demon is a dead demon' mindset. But you've learned that sometimes the line can be blurry. Or that sometimes there can be special circumstances.

Buffy: Okay, I'll agree with you that Faith's judgment is wacky and Xander's jealousy toward Angel would make him overly biased, but I trust the others to do the right thing regardless of their personal feelings…especially Giles.

PTB: Then let's see what would have happened…