*blush* Thanks so much! It's great to hear that the voices worked. I do struggle with Buffy - it's easy to get her wrong.

I hear you, about being in a certain mind-set for a character, or type of story, and that's what you want/need to write at a particular time. And I definitely didn't mean to frown on anyone who's writing dark!Buffy - I think that's fascinating, what she could become based on (as you say) what she was. It was more the unnecessary or gratuitous bashing I was thinking of. Good luck with your story! :)