Is Spike really being noble?

[Chosen Enemy]

In "First Date" when Buffy runs into Spike in the hallway, he tells her he's okay about her going out with Wood. That he's not being noble:

SPIKE
Buffy, I'm all right.

BUFFY
You don't have to...

SPIKE
What? Be noble? I'm not. I really
am all right. You think I still
dream of a crypt for two with a white
picket fence? My eyes are clear.

BUFFY
(tiny bit
disappointed)
Good. I'm glad. Thank you.

SPIKE
(tries a little joke)
Don't care for picket fences anyway.
Bloody dangerous.

But to me it's pretty obvious he's not completely okay with it. It seems pretty obvious he's not over her.

What do you think? Is he being noble? Is he really okay with her going out with others? Does he still dream of a crypt for two with a white picket fence?

 

[Cast No Shadow]

I think that in his mind, he's just being realistic. He's resigned himself to his opinion that him and Buffy will never happen, and while he's not happy with her going for dinner with Mr. Wood, there'd be no point saying anything.

 

[kittenpoker]

I totally agree with this. It's wishful speaking. Buffy does this a lot but this may be one of the few times that spike does it.

 

[brinkster130]

I think it was fake it until you make it type of thing. He wanted it to be true so he said it more for himself than to be noble.

 

[PrincessBuffy16]

I think he's trying to let her live a normal life.. to do what she wants to do. I think that he wants for her to want him back, but by her own choice.

 

[LondonDude]

I think Spike wants Buffy to be happy and have a normal life. He wants her do what she wants. But he still wants Buffy back.

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

Spike's totally posturing. Of course he doesn't want to see her seeing anyone else.

But what can he do?

At this point, Spike's love for Buffy is completely selfless. Remember in Touched when he tells her that when he tells he loves her it's about about wanting her? His love for her has evolved beyond his own wants and needs. It's become about Buffy, and her being happy if all Spike wants. And if that's with Wood, he's willing to accept it.

It's not like he's moved on. She's all he still thinks about, as he admits to her in "Sleeper;"

As daft a notion as soulful Spike the killer is, it is nothing compared to the idea that another girl could mean anything to me. This chip, they did to me. I couldn't help it. The soul I got on my own. For you.

It still hurts, though.