I now suspect shady motives and strange alliences in every faction - W&W, the Watcher's Council, all of it.

And well you should. Everyone has reasons for what they do.

And Lindsey has at least five reasons, five plans, and probably five contingency plans on top of that. He's my Crais/Scorpy with many hats and many balls (to be juggled, of course).

And Dawn is useful, isn't she? If there's ever a need for Spike and Buffy to drop everything and share a common goal, Dawn exists to be the perfect excuse. :)