I know. His mother was certainly special to him. Being his parent/mother, she was a rolemodel, someone strong/special. Her sickness meant he had to take care of her to a certain extent though. Dru the same, special and also strong/a rolemodel as she introduced him to a new world, freed him. Still, she was weak in her own way, so he could take care of her as well.

Spike's always given off an air of 'I don't give a sod what you think' and 'I don't like you people, sod off' -- still he needs attention, needs people around him, needs to matter to someone.

Very good point about his turnaround when he was entrusted with Buffy's family in s5. He allready had an affinity for Joyce(imo), and really started to care for Dawn as well.