I suppose you have a point. Splitting off at 5x22 gives too many possibilities, whereas splitting off mid-S6 is sort of more like being given a prompt - and people tend to work better off prompts.

Hmm... that does sound interesting. Maybe if I go looking for fic, I'll see if I can find it based on that description. But you never know, I ask for recs, and then I remember how goddamn picky I am when it comes to spn fic. :P