Title: 89 Octane (offsite link)
Author: Wisteria
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike
Summary: The first story in the "Gas. Food. Lodging." series. The sequels are "Absinthe" and "The Last Slow Hours of Morning". Spoilers: Season Six.
Rec: Debra says: "The summer hiatus is undoubtedly going to bring a plethora of Spike-comes-back fics, long and short and dark and light. This one is a graceful, quiet vignette." s.a. said:"Enthusiastically seconded. This is so .beautiful. Gorgeously written. There's no excess here, no unnecessary exposition or words. It's, well, beautiful. Made me happy."
Story Length: short

Title: Abeyance (offsite link)
Author: wiseacress
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Xander
Pairings: none
Summary: No spoilers
Rec: mousehounde says: A nice little character piece. Xander, swimming laps and thinking.
Story Length: short

Title: Achilles Heel (93K)
Author: Elizabeth
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Spike and Buffy are cursed.
BtVs Season 4,"Harsh Light of Day".
Rec: Sandy says: Irresistible POV narration, and dreamlike yet disarmingly *real* love scenes, .great S/B banter and a sense of fun, make this fic a must-read.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Adversaries (285K)
Author: Miranda
Category: Het
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Spoilers: BtVS Season Five (after Checkpoint, then AU after that.)
Rec: Delylah says: This is a 14 part Buffy/Spike fiction about a prophecy concerning the Slayer uniting with her vampire Adversary that I very much enjoyed. I found the Buffy/Spike angle and characterization very convincing
Story Length: novel

Title: Affectations (27K)
Author: Chrystler
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Darla
Pairings: Angel/Darla
Summary: No spoilers. Set as a parallel to 'Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been
Rec: Yahtzee says: While Angel was hanging -- literally -- in Los Angeles in 1952, what was Darla up to? There's a billion-and-one fics out there that take one or more of our favorite vamps, put them in the past, dress them up in period clothes and run them through the horror mill. These can be great fun, but sometimes I feel like if I've read one, I've read them all. This story goes beyond that format to really dig in and find some insight into Darla's character; also, she draws subtle parallels between Darla's contempt for the modern world and Angel's contempt for humanity a continent away. What begins as a glimpse of Darla's past ends as a glimpse into Darla's mind, and then an explanation for how her path changed.
Story Length: short

Title: Affinity (735K)
Author: Ginmar
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Spoilers for Buffy S6 and Angel S3.
Rec: Little Bit says: "I'd like to take the time to recommend ALL of this wonderful woman's fic, but especially Affinity. .Affinity has definitely become my favourite fic of all time. Angsty, sexy, sweet, smart, funny and true to the characters, it explores S6 Buffy and Spike in the most compelling manner I've had the pleasure to read. No easy answers to the complexity that is Spuffy, interesting plot developments to go with the smut, and a very believable crossover with Angel S3 that only adds to this story's worth.
Story Length: novel

Title: Alignment (16K)
Author: Lar
Category: Het
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Faith, Wesley
Pairings: Wesley/Faith
Summary: Some appointments must be kept.
Spoilers for AtS, season 2.
Rec: Angela says: The interaction between the two is so moving, and leaves such a feeling of hope that they can understand each other better.
Story Length: short

Title: All My Heart this Night Rejoicing (97K)
Author: EnigmaticBlue
Category: Het
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Buffy, Dawn, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: A post-NFA Christmas-fic.
Rec: Maria said: "It's a non-fluffy reunion between Spike and Buffy. Beautifully written, really in character, very good voices. It's believable, I could really imagine this happening like that. Very good Dawn/Spike friendship (oh, I'm just a sucker for that ;)) and the most touching christmas present you could imagine." Spoilers: Post-NFA, Post-Chosen, so basically all of BtVS and AtS.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Alla Prima (57K)
Author: D M Evans
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Spike
Pairings: none
Summary: Something is making the art work in LA come to life, something dark from Angel and Spike's past. Spoilers - S5 of Angel thru 'Damage'.
Rec: Astrid said: "Solid plotfic; I found the premise of the story quite interesting."
Story Length: short

Title: Allegiances (43K)
Author: Rivka T.
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Riley
Pairings: Buffy/Riley
Summary: Some girls are bigger than others.Spoilers for BtVS,Season 4 (A New Man)
Rec: Melymbrosia says: It's a chilling exploitation of some possibilities opened up but never used by canon, and its understated but firm feminist take on the Riley/Buffy relationship and the use of witchcraft. Outstanding but convincingly gritty characterizations, even if the W/T falls a little flat and it suffers a bit from POV/time shifts
Story Length: short

Title: Along Came a Spider (4K)
Author: Elizabeth
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Dawn, Spike
Pairings: none
Summary: Keep your friends close.
Spoilers BtVS season 5, "Gift"
Rec: PTP says:This brief vignette is lovely, painful and perfect." Ghostfox said: "Thanks for the rec. it's the best fic I've read in a depressingly long time." Spike and Dawn are in it.
Story Length: vignette

Title: Alternative Lifestyle (20K)
Author: A.C.Chapin
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Giles
Pairings: none
Summary: Her Watcher captured, the Slayer finds herself in a strange place where her parents are still alive, Drusilla's soul was never restored, and Rupert Giles doesn't even wear leather. AU, no spoilers.
Rec: Jeniss says: A.C. Chapin has turned out a really impressive work with "Alternative Lifestyle". This piece is a kind of stream-of-consciousness AU, except that it mixes what we know with the wild, wild way-out-there. As an AU, it's so far off the beaten path that I can't think of any spoilers. More than anything else, it reminds me of Blair Provence's "Alternity" on a methamphetamine rocket ride.
Story Length: short

Title: The American Stranger (17K)
Author: nwhepcat
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Oz, Xander
Summary: Oz travels in Africa and runs into someone. Also see sequel: 'Indelible'. Spoilers: 2 1/2 years after BtVS finale 'Chosen'.
Rec: shybob said: "Good-Oz voice, great Xander-voice. Normal nwhepcat (which means great stuff, for you unconverted out there)."
Story Length: short

Title: Amnesia!Spike (99K)
Author: Mahaliem
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Ensemble, Spike
Summary: Spike loses his memory. Spoilers:Season Six.
Rec: Monanotlisa says: A must-read for everyone-- no matter what your ship of choice is: Like the less serious yet delightfully troubled side of BtVS? Enjoy hilarious yet spot-on stories with characters that make you laugh and cry? Speaking of, want to wipe away tears of *joy*, for a change? This is the humourous fic you've been waiting for.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Amour (106K)
Author: Viola
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Holtz, Justine
Summary: An un-love story, happily never after. No spoilers given.
Rec: Roseveare says: The twisted thing that is Holtz/Justine. Both characters are developed significantly in terms of their history and background, but Viola really writes an excellent Justine - her side of the story presents a more complete picture of her as a person than she's had on- screen, and some sympathetic insight as to what was going on in her head
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Anchored (15K)
Author: Minim Calibre
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Buffy, Wesley
Summary: Part 2 of 2, Spoilers up to "Normal Again" and "Double Or Nothing".
Rec: Melymbrosia said:"Wesley POV, companion piece to "Port in a Storm", which works much better than I would have expected; the author deftly parallels the two characters' alienation and self- hatred. The Wesley piece is especially good."
Story Length: short
Sequel to: Port in a Storm

Title: Ang-nuo (53K)
Author: Corinna
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel
Pairings: none
Summary: "Angel and a buncha monks in the middle of nowhere: there's a party." Spoilers through "Darla."
Rec: Minim Calibre says: To explain anymore would be cheating. It's lovely, lyric, and haunting.
Story Length: short

Title: Anodyne (20K)
Author: Starlet2367
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Cordelia
Summary: Spoilers through New World, Season 3. Post episode.
Rec: Laurie says:That first ep really emphasized this story as a missing scene. It's a post-ep for New World, AtS Season 3- There was a line in the shooting script for the following S3 ep that would have set this in canon perfectly, alas they cut it and decided to ignore a New World occurrence that really needed addressing as that type of thing has *always* been addressed in the show. "Anodyne" is very canon in setting and characterization, so while the main interaction is Angel and Cordelia, it's not any shippier than the show at that time, so very mild. Beautifully written.
Story Length: short

Title: Another Life (175K)
Author: Inamorata
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Cordelia
Pairings: Angel/Cordelia
Summary: Even now, she finds it difficult to believe that this is real, that this is her life, this is who she is now. AU
Rec: Prima says: "Definately not the typical C/A story, Inamorata spins an AU that could have easily been Cordelia's fate based on her low point in City Of Angel. Dark but with a side of hope." Ebonbird seconded with: "Inamorata goes dark but she doesn't plague the writer with 'oh woe is everybody you care about in this story'. There's actually more than one character arc to at least one of the characters. The writings on the spare side, in my opinion, but it makes it a very satisfying read."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Another Peaceful War (64K)
Author: Marina Frants
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Riley
Pairings: none
Summary: Following his debriefing after "Restless" -- the fourth-season finale of Buffy -- Riley Finn tries to work through the trauma of the collapse of the Initiative by going home to his family in Iowa -- only to find that he truly can't go home again.
Spoilers for BtVS,The Summer between 4 & 5.
Rec: Roo says: I thought this story brought out a lot of parallels between Buffy and Riley. The story is mostly a character study - no mysterious demon attacks, no deaths or anything like that. But I think it does a wonderful job of showing who Riley Finn is, and I really identified with him and felt sorry for him here. And I think that even people who didn't like Riley might appreciate him after reading this." For the rest of this detailed rec, check out message 1513. Seconded by Yahtzee.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: anyway, the main thing is (20K)
Author: hth
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: AtS
Characters: Gunn, Wesley
Pairings: Gunn/Wesley
Summary: Gunn remembers what love really looks like. Spoilers:Midseason 2, AtS. Post-Thin Dead Line.
Rec: Mel says:".it was a gorgeous and heartbreaking Wes/Gunn character piece."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Anywhere But Here (offsite link)
Author: Sarah T.
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Dawn, Ethan
Summary: Spoilers: Season 5 up through "The Gift".
Rec: Atozmom says: "Dawn, unable to deal with her guilt, runs away with Ethan Rayne. Beautifully captures the complexities and nuances of Ethan."
Story Length: short

Title: Arriving Home In Winter (60K)
Author: ainon
Category: Gen
Rating: G
Show: BtVS
Characters: Dawn, Xander
Pairings: none
Summary: Xander and Dawn arrive in Cleveland for the holidays. Spoilers: Buffy season 7 post Chosen, AtS season 5 "You're Welcome"
Rec: eve11_girl said: "Good characterization and nice character voices. Interesting stories. I'm a sucker for these kinds of fics, especially when done well."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: As Time Goes By (offsite link)
Author: Yahtzee
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: AtS
Characters: Ensemble
Pairings: Angel/Cordelia
Summary: In its own unexpected ways, the Hyperion Hotel remains the last help for the hopeless in the wasteland once known as L.A. Spoilers: BtVS season 6, AtS season 3
Rec: Tavia says: 'As Time Goes By' is one of the best pastiches (in this case of that great film 'Casablanca') I've ever read in any fandom. The setting is bleak but believable. The characterization manages to stay true to the series, despite the fact that the plot stays quite close to the film. In my opinion, the story captures the best of both the series and the film. Set in the near future, with spoilers for early seasons 6 and 3 of BtVS and Angel, respectively. Rating PG, though readers of a nervous disposition might like to note that it's dark in places

Title: Ashes Ashes (443K)
Author: Mari
Category: Gen
Rating: NC-17
Show: crossover
Characters: Angel, Cordelia, Lindsey
Summary: Angel/The Stand crossover. Spoilers: Vague Season 4 spoilers for Buffy; through 'Shanshu' for Angel, though references will be made to places/events of Season 2. Yup, this one's going old-school. Rating:NC17, mostly for language. Pairings:C/A, mention of C/L, mostly subtext. Warning:Character deaths, violence, grusome images.
Rec: Menomegirl said: "I cannot recommend this one enough. It's all story, no smut. I fell in love with it. Mari did a great job with this."
Story Length: novel

Title: assumption (offsite link)
Author: Gwyneth Rhys
Category: Het
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: If you had been chosen by heaven, how could you live again on earth after being unchosen? A prose experiment in two voices, set in and after The Gift. Spoilers: BtVS s5 'The Gift', Pairing: Spike/Buffy, Length: 10870 words. Note: Religious ideas; might offend some Christians or Jews
Rec: monanotlisa says:This story made me tear up a little, made me re-read passages, made me long for something intangible. Love the way the author strings all those images together, words and phrases and sentences, and it all makes sense. The transitions between the passages flow like water, and there is never any doubt who these voices belong to. The underlying idea is stunning but intriguing. Beware of heavy Angst.
Story Length: short

Title: AtS: No Limits (virtual season six) (offsite link)
Author: The Brat Queen and Others
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Ensemble
Summary: AtS: No Limits is a fan-based virtual season which takes place after the finale of season five of the actual show. The goal of No Limits is to try to recreate as accurate a virtual season as possible given the restrictions listed above and the fact that we're writing stories instead of filming anything. This season is slash-friendly. Season six completed.
Spoilers: Post NFA, so all of Angel.
Writers: The Brat Queen, Jane Davitt, Justhuman, Kara, Kita, Ladycat777, Mad Poetess, Ros_Fod, Soundingsea, Stakebait, Tracy, Wesleysgirl, Wolfling
Rec: Astrid said: "'Flutter' is the season opener of 'AtS No Limits', the virtual season six, and I gotta say, the show may have been cancelled but this is pretty close to the real thing. From the sound of it, this virtual season is being put together with incredible care, effort, love, and skill. They got a team of writers, editors, deadlines. the website features promos and interviews, even spoilers <g>. The first ep really feels like _the_ season opener. That special AtS vibe, it's there - the dialogue is snarky, the characters three-dimensional - I could hear the voices, and saw the images in my head. There are already hints at character- and plot arcs. The plot picks up three months after where NFA left off and is so interesting that I'm tempted to look up spoilers for next week's ep. I had the silliest smile on my face all the while I was reading it."
Story Length: novel

Title: Avignon Days (29K)
Author: Mer
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Faith, Wesley
Pairings: Wesley/Faith
Summary: Faith is staying with Wesley. A beautiful/twisted relationship is developing, and their mutual past is still there. Anything more would be telling. Spoilers: All of Buffy, Season 4 of Angel.
Rec: Whichwitch said: " This is a very NC-17 story, but don't confuse it with PWP at all. It's BDSM, something I'm totally not into, but I took my chances (I can't resist a Wes/Faith tag), and it was worth it, even if certain bits made me uneasy. The writing is so good, the voices of the characters so perfect, that I was actually able to hear Wes and Faith speak in my head. The ending is just perfection, and it kind of summarizes the whole piece: twisted but lovely, touching but creepy, crazy but cute."
Story Length: short

Title: Axis (103K)
Author: Fallowdoe
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble, Buffy, Spike, Willow
Summary: Spoilers: Post-"Grave".
Rec: Debra says: "Another keeper out of the extensive post-season Spike-comes-back collection. This one is low-key and thoughtful, with cameos by most of the Scoobies and a strangely touching guest appearance by Drusilla. Seconded by Jennifer with:"This was just beautiful. Probably the best, so far, of post season 6 fics."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Bachelor Pad (offsite link)
Author: Mad Poetess
Category: Slash
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike, Xander
Pairings: Spike/Xander
Summary: How the single half lives. Season 7 - spoilers through "Him"
Rec: Anne H. says: I'm on a Spike/Xander-living-together kick today. This one is gorgeous, elegantly exploring the sorrows and regrets of both and the ever-expanding gray areas of life in Sunny-D.
Story Length: short

Title: Bachelor Party (235K)
Author: Kimi
Category: Gen, Het
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Ensemble, Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Buffy asks a little favor of Spike. Throw Xander a bachelor party. Against his better judgment, he agrees. Things just go downhill from there. Humor/Romance. Season 6 before Hell's Bells. Angel and other characters from AtS are in the story but I don't think there are any spoilers for that show. It's AU.
Rec: Montiekristo says:So far, I've liked every one of her stories.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Balance (13K)
Author: Dont Make Eye Contact
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Cordelia
Summary: It's a story older than boy meets girl . . . Once there was an angel . . . Who fell.
Spoilers: general spoilers for much of AtS S4, specific spoilers through Slouching Toward Bethlehem.
Rec: Astrid says:"This story makes a lot of things appear in a different light and make sense now, in retrospect. And the language is beautiful, the ending moving."
Story Length: short

Title: Baptism (82K)
Author: Landrews
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Ensemble, Angel
Pairings: none
Summary: Angel struggles to reconcile his past with his current idea of parenthood. Spoilers: Set between AtS "Provider" and "Waiting in the Wings."
Rec: Kelley says: This was the first of Laurie's stories I read and it absolutely blew me away. [.] It's tense, disturbing, full of historic depth and has a lovely, rich storytelling quality that draws me right in. There's a point about 3/4 of the way through where an OC approaches Angel, a moment so intense and shimmering with truth, that I had to get up and walk around the room for a few minutes before I could keep reading. This is a seeker's story about Angel finding his place in himself, in his family and in the world. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Beats a Cruel December (8K)
Author: Brighid
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Dawn, Spike
Summary: Grief knows many forms. Future-fic. Set after season 5.
Rec: Alicia says: A new Slayer, Spike, a might-have-been. I'd be interested in seeing this as a longer piece, since the idea is intriguing. As is, it's a thought-provoking vignette.
Story Length: short

Title: Bed of Bones (8K)
Author: Roz Kaveney
Category: Gen, Slash
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Other
Summary: The life and dreams of the First Slayer. Spoilers:BtVS, Restless. Warnings: slash, multiple partners, character death
Rec: Which Witch says: "This is a 'First Slayer' fic, and it's basically all you can expect of her story prehistoric living, discovering her calling, connection with Buffy etc. this is the only First Slayer fic I've read so far, and it did occur to me that there could be a more original take on that character, but RozK's style was very clean, flowy, and somehow fitting - like the simple basic life of the first slayer, so is the writing (simple in a good way, of course). RozK manages to give a very beautiful feel of the way the slayer's mind works - basic thoughts, more emotions and instincts then anything else."
Story Length: short

Title: Beggar's Banquet (37K)
Author: Elen
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike, Willow
Summary: Spoilers: Set sometime in Season 7, a little spot along the road from the main story line, an island where only Willow and Spike exist for a few hours. Figuratively, of course. Willow/Spike pairing.
Rec: Valkyrn says: [This] is not your average PWP - which I usually don't like and I only read this one because of who the author was. There's a lot of characterization and depth to this little interlude in Willow's and Spike's lives, and I really appreciated it more for that than for anything else. I live for getting inside the characters and seeing what makes them ache, what they long for, what they fear, what motivates them. This one does that for me. The sex is both the point and completely beside the point. It's hard to describe, you kinda have to read it to understand I think. And there's lots of little details that always make me smile, and for which Elen is known: such as the cheap shampoo they all smell like since there are so many potentials now in the house they now have to buy Suave and everyone smells the same - loved that little touch. Anyway, it's here for your consideration and I hope pleasure."
Story Length: short

Title: Behind Closed Doors (234K)
Author: Jane Davitt
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Giles, Spike
Summary: This is Giles and Spike in a dom/sub relationship, written from Spike's POV. The story covers six months, from the summer of Buffy's death in The Gift, to Christmas. It is AU in that Buffy is never brought back. The story moves around in time a little; it begins in early December, there's a lengthy flashback to June/July and then the story moves forward to Christmas.
Rec: Ellen said: "Behind Closed Doors is an AU season 6 focusing on the relationship between Spike and Giles. It's first person from Spike's POV and I just found it all around lovely. It was extremely sexy yet had an entirely emotional level that only made it more sexy to me. The plot is original, i.e. not based on existing eps, and the characters are doing things we've never seen them do.things that might at first glance seem out of character, yet it didn't come across as far-fetched to me but rather held tightly to the truth of the characters, if that makes any sense. The story consists of 14 chapters but I literally could not stop reading until I finished even though I ended up staying up all night." AU / Spoilers through "The Gift".
Story Length: novel

Title: Best Friends 4-ever (6K)
Author: Green
Category: Gen
Rating: G
Show: BtVS
Characters: Dawn
Pairings: none
Summary: Dawn at age ten. Except it never happened, did it?
Rec: Darcy says:"Err. yeah. Very very cool. I always think of Dawn as being intertwined in the Buffybunch's memories, and them being in her own, but I forget that she'd have completely independent memories. Now whether or not I approve of the ending. well, I do approve, definitely, and I'll try to stop thinking before I can convince myself one way or the other as to whether it's a *plausible* ending, canon-wise. 'Cause it works, it's joltingly sad, it makes you go oh god, poor poor Dawn. It makes her as real as we know she isn't."
Story Length: short

Title: Betrayer (298K)
Author: Regala Electra
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Characters: Angel, Buffy
Pairings: Angel/Buffy
Summary: If you're going to hell anyway. might as well enjoy the ride. Spoilers: Ultra-dark post-season 3/6 AU
Rec: Roseveare says: Ultra-dark post-season 3/6 AU. Dark Buffy, darker Wesley, insane Angel, psychotic Connor, Wolfram and Hart, and the apocalypse. Don't be put off by the B/A content, the story makes it work. Very scary indeed as an extrapolation of the evil-Wesley plotline; reading this left me in a state of shock for days.
Story Length: novel

Title: Better Left Unsaid (offsite link)
Author: Gwyneth Rhys
Category: Het
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Buffy gets a glimpse of different aspects of Spike's personality, and finds that the things she thought she knew about him -- and how she feels about him -- might not be everything she believed. BtVS: Season six, Smashed.
Rec: Anna says: I'm recommending a story by a friend of mine which I just read tonight. (I had no creative involvement.) I had put off reading it while I was doing a recent bit of writing, and I'm so glad I did, because it's fucking brilliant and it would have derailed me mightily. She wrote this before reading any of *my* stuff, and it's interesting because there's some evidence of the fannish hive mind at work. And I cheerily hate and envy her as a fellow writer, because I think she worked the premise so much better.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Big Rock Candy Mountain (351K)
Author: Basingstoke
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble, Andrew
Summary: Five things that never happened to Andrew Wells. Spoilers: References to BtVS s1-5
Rec: Astrid says:It's past 5am and I'm still wide awake - well, awake anyway - because I've been reading this story all day and simply couldn't put it down until the end. This must be one of the most convincing, consistent and original AU fics I've read. It has the most amazing Andrew characterization, great dialogue all around, and also tackles an interesting question raised by the show itself. Basingstoke retells the show, integrating the verse we know with a new, original story arc. The story is long, but never drags. It's hard to put down. Can't recommend this enough.
Story Length: novel

Title: The Bittersweets Series (offsite link)
Author: Herself
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Note this series includes several recommended stories and should be read in order. Mr. Grieves: Spike's hands were always clean. Clean and dry and cool, and she missed their touch like she missed her vanished world. This hand was his too, but it was warm. This story is chapter 8 in the "Bittersweets" series, but may be read on its own. Spoilers for season 6. AU after "Wrecked".
Rec: Fay Jay says:It's a Buffy/William piece - and until I read this I had no notion that the world needed Buffy/William. Need I tell you that the writing is exquisite? Need I tell you that she nails the characters? Need I tell you that she evokes the atmosphere and the details of 19th Century London better than just about anyone, that she writes about love without sentimentality, that she makes her sex scenes irresistably down to earth? This is not the happiest of stories, but it's a peach. Go. Read.

Title: Black as a Lifestyle Choice (15K)
Author: Gunbunny
Category: Gen
Rating: G
Show: AtS
Characters: Faith, Wesley
Summary: Spoilers Angel Season 4.
Rec: Which Witch says:"It's a simple story, no real point to it, but it's lovely. Faith and Wes moved to fight evil in London, and we get snippets of their life - demon hunting, clubbing, drinking tea, reading the paper, dusting some vamps, watching Goth People, having breakfast. That's about it, but it's nice. The writing's good (Gunbunny also wrote the "Title Defying Series"), and the characterization is great (though I'm not sure I'm buying Wesley as a party-animal). I wish I had a ton more fics with this Wes and this Faith to read (so. if anyone got any. bring it on)."
Story Length: short

Title: Black Ink (34K)
Author: Rabbit
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Lindsey
Summary: Lindsey thinks to advance his career by recruiting a Slayer. Wishverse. Spoilers: Buffy Season Three and Angel Season One
Rec: Ghostfox says: I normally wouldn't read B/L, but set in the Wishverse, I think it works very well. It's from Lindsey's POV, I fell in love with the writing style and detached Wishverse-Buffy."
Story Length: short

Title: Black The Sun (95K)
Author: Sangga
Category: Gen, Het
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble, Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: The forces of Good and Evil are balancing the books. The threat of a new Armageddon is keeping the Scoobies busy, but Buffy has other things on her mind.
Spoilers - Some vague S5, but it's pretty much an AU.
Rec: tacticsays:"Black the Sun is an ensemble piece that sort of evolves into B/S, .The characters are just. people. It's refreshing. I'm a sucker for the long stories, and it's nice when it pays off." is B/S all the way, but it's the plot that's the focus. Even if Buffy does get a bit distracted by him now and then :) When the Spuffy does come up, it's hot and sweet but not gratuitous or sappy at all. Giles' and Joyce's reactions to it are great. The characters are just. people. It's refreshing. I'm a sucker for the long stories, and it's nice when it pays off."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Bleed (145K)
Author: Ducks and Vatrixta Cruden
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Angel, Buffy
Pairings: Angel/Buffy
Summary: "It may sound absurd, but don't be naive, even heroes have the right to bleed. I may be disturbed, but won't you concede, even heroes have the right to dream? And it's not easy to be me."
Spoilers: AU after BtVS 'Dead Things', AtS 'Waiting in the Wings'.
Rec: Yseult says: Love. Sex. Angst. What more could a B/A shipper want? It's even got tasteful sex. No, children, this is not a flatout PWP. It's an interesting drawing of 2 people who used to be lovers who are trying to regain what they once had.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Blood and Water (183K)
Author: Rheanna
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Ensemble
Summary: L.A.'s vampires are succumbing to a mysterious plague, leaving Cordelia unsympathetic -- "So what? Since when do we run the Undead Red Cross?" Then Angel falls sick, and she and Wesley find themselves in a race to find the cure -- before it's too late.
Spoilers: Post Angel Season 1
Rec: Yahtzee says: "It's a story of uncanny imagination and wit. She captures the flavor of the show's dialogue better than just about any other writer out there."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Blood Kin (offsite link)
Author: Nan Dibble
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Angel, Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: This is a sequel to "Old Blood" and equally fascinating. It continues the storyline of "Old Blood" (it's not strictly necessary to read it first, though you may want to) -- Buffy & Co. count down to the final battle in an AU Season with Spike-trained SITs, and Angel thrown in the mix.
Rec: fountainoflemon said: "What I love about Nan Dibble is her intricate plotting. This is not a story revolving around a ship- it's a fleshed out world with interesting OCs (interesting OCs! Imagine that! And SIT and vamp OCs, at that.) and a complex Spike trying to sort it all out. If you're like me and bemoaned the completely dropped S/D friendship storyline, this story has some of the most gorgeous Spike/Dawn interaction I have ever seen, and those bits alone are enough to read this story. (Not to mention her great exploration of the Key plot) This fic did have some things that I had big issues with, (there's a part that could be seen as Angel bashing, and Spike does occasionally have the glow of the long suffering perfect hero) but those are, for me, outweighed by the many fabulous qualities of this. If you, like me, are into plot, I highly, highly reccommend any of Dibble's fics. This is definitely one for those who like the long ones." Spoilers: AU Season Seven.
Story Length: novel

Title: The Blue Dahlia (156K)
Author: Jennifer-Oksana
Category: Slash
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Cordelia, Other
Summary: Cordelia saves a young woman's life, and gets involved in a world of glamour, sex, and drugs. But this friend's secret may end up destroying both of them. Slash, Cordelia/Other. Spoilers for AtS season 2.
Rec: Joanna says: "Overall, a well-written actiony-adventure kinda thing."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Blueberry Syrup is a Crime Against Nature and, by the way, Thanks for Saving the World (16K)
Author: Maddog
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Giles, Xander
Pairings: none
Summary: The morning after "Grave", Giles and Xander eat pancakes, complain and worry -- but in a very manly sort of way. Spoilers: 'Grave'
Rec: Aura says: Interesting emotions, a lot of things get said that should have been said, well characterized.
Story Length: short

Title: Body Shots (13K)
Author: Minim Calibre
Category: Slash
Rating: R
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Faith, Fred
Summary: Fred and Faith play some games and get some ideas. Spoilers Angel, up through episode 1 of season 4.
Rec: Debra says: "Femslash that's funny, and hot, and actually gives Fred a narrative voice that sounds Texan (it's the sentence rhythms more than anything else.) 100% certified angst-free."
Story Length: short

Title: Book of Daniel (271K)
Author: Glossolalia
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Giles, Oz
Summary: Xander called the time between "Prophecy Girl" and "When She Was Bad" the "most boring summer ever"; Jenny accused Giles of keeping his nose buried in a book the whole time. Maybe it wasn't so bad.
Spoilers:This story takes place after the first season.
Rec: Zyre says:"It's 8 chapters, all of them extraordinary. Gloss has managed to capture, in my opinion, the very essence of both of these characters. They're fun and believable, and the premise is original. Glossolalia is an amazing author, able to twist language into transcendant little pockets of insight that make me want to weep with their depth and honesty. I can't recommend this story enough, it's just simply amazing."
Story Length: novel

Title: Bound (182K)
Author: Ripe Wicked Plum
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Post-Gift, spoilers up the ying yang for fifth season. Spike's the only one that can help Buffy in death, but can she reach out to him?
Rec: Taramisu says: A cute post "Gift" fic where Buffy is a ghost bound to Spike.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Bound (173K)
Author: Inamorata
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Cordelia
Pairings: Angel/Cordelia
Summary: Doyle's last vision brings Angel and Cordelia closer in unexpected ways. No spoilers.
Rec: Astrid says:This takes place between Hero and Parting Gifts. It fits into canon without stretching it too much and brings some sense of closure after Hero. The story is well plotted, even if the basic idea is not entirely new. It's the way the story plays out, the humour, the little plot twists and the vivid descriptive that make reading it so enjoyable. Inamorata perfectly captures the season one feeling in the dialogues, her characterization is absolutely spot on. Just A fun read!
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Brave New World (12K)
Author: Fay Jay
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Wesley
Summary: A character vignette set during "Bad Girls", this is my dabble at reconciling the Wesley of Season 3 BtVS with the Wesley we know and love on AtS.
Rec: Juanita Dark says: I would like to rec this lovely look at Wesley's fragile psyche when he first arrives in Sunnydale. It makes Wesley's confidence collapse and subsequent pomposity believable, and Wes himself a sympathetic character (though to me he always is).
Story Length: short

Title: Bridges (688K)
Author: Tassos
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: crossover
Characters: Xander, Other
Pairings: none
Summary: Crossover with Stargate: Xander's real family challenge. After the collapse of Sunnydale, Jack gets a call aout a woman he he knew over twenty years ago. Spoilers: Stargate sometime early season 7 before the main story arc. And Buffy post Chosen. For the purposes of this story, Spike is completely dead.
Rec: Koos said:"one hell of a job[. . .] Just brilliant. It's a Buffycross with SG1. It's based on the Xander's real father theme."
Story Length: novel

Title: Bruised (offsite link)
Author: KJ Draft
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: "I don't call five hours straight a little while." Spoilers for Season 6, "As You Were
Rec: D. says:They didn't actually show the porn on TV, but if they had, it probably would have looked like this. Plus, the sex doesn't just flow - there are bumps and turbulences that reflect the mental rifts.
Story Length: short

Title: Buffy Summers and the Spiders from Mars (682K)
Author: MustangSally and RivkaT
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble, Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Spoilers for all of Season Six-- AU. Deviates from canon right after Season Five's Fool for Love. NC-17 for adult language, violence, poor automotive maintenance, sex acts so erotic your cigarette will need a cigarette, gratuitous insects, coffee, and brownies. Mmmm, brownies.
Rec: Mona says: "Have a yen for the Scoobies in all their glory? Want a fast-paced, wild'n wacky novel? Care for this magic touch when it comes to writing our characters in good and bad times? Love the sweet stuff as well as the angsty moments? Speaking of, do you want your fiction with a decent dose of darkness? It's hot, it's gritty, it's fun. Go read-- SPIDERS is ONE hell of a ride."
Story Length: novel

Title: Buffybot Behind Bars! (146K)
Author: Keswindhover
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffybot
Pairings: none
Summary: Buffybot is a victim of the system and is incarcerated in Sunnydale Women's Penitentiary. Can her friends rescue her before her secret is discovered?
Spoilers: If you know what a Buffybot is, you won't be spoiled for anything. On reflection, spoilers are through the end of Season 5, in fact, probably for the first episode of Season 6.
Rec: Fleisch says: OK, maybe I'm sort of a sucker for Buffybot stories (it's the only time I get to see Buffy happy), but the whole idea of perky Buffybot in a women's prison just slays me. Well, hey, it's not sick, it's funny! To me, anyway. And if you've read this far, maybe to you. Ludicrous, rollicking slapstick fun that's a real hoot to visualize.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Burn (offsite link)
Author: Julie Fortune
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Cordelia, Wesley
Summary: S3, set between 'Double or Nothing' and 'The Price'. Sequel to "Slightly Darker Than Black"
Rec: Jennifer says: "This gave me shivers at least in three different places. This is the first story I've read in a long time that I felt the need to run and recommend immediately. It's a two-part Angel story, and it's dark, dark, dark."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Burning Down / Reconstruction (143K)
Author: Roseveare
Category: Slash
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Fred, Lilah
Summary: Fred, Lilah, Angelus, and the apocalypse. Spoilers:mid-seasons 7/4 - Apocalypse Nowish
Rec: D. says:The author says it is a femslash series, but, really, it is far, far more than that. In fact, the first story contains not more than the barest pre-slash hints of the pairing in question. .It is NOT, in any sense, a smutty fic. Instead, it takes the basic premise that many authors use to get their improbable characters together, and gives it a life of its own. The story is about how the end of their world affects Lilah and Fred, as they struggle with the layered circumstances around them. By the time you reach the second story, there is a growing awareness that a deep and meaningful narrative lies waiting - there is plot, and it is furthered by distinctly etched original characters, as well as by guest appearances from two surprise characters that I was delighted and moved to see. The second, and most important strength of this series, and the reason I recommend it across the board to all readers, is the fairness and integrity with which each character is treated. One of the main characters I adore beyond all reason, and one of them I can't stand, and I know that the author has very different opinions of them. Nonetheless, at no point did any of the characters seem to be shortchanged or manipulated into being something that the author or reader wanted them to be, and that includes her treatment of all the vampires in her fic. It's been a while since I've found a story I could just read for the pleasure of finding out what happened, not having to watch out for stylistic shenanigans, or shippy manipulations. Plus, its just the perfect shade of dark to torture yourself with, especially if you are unhappy with any recent show developments
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Burning Lucifers (12K)
Author: Spyke Raven
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel
Summary: Obsession, memory and dreams. Characters: Angel, Penn. Warning: Obsessive. NC-21 Spoilers: Somnambulist.
Rec: Belinda says: I utterly and completely recommend Lucifers. Lovely period detail on the old relationship with Angelus, followed by compelling speculation about Penn's modern-day hunting habits. Intelligent and just gorgeous. Seconded with: Not for everyone, it's dark fic with disturbing undertones, but compelling anyway
Story Length: short

Title: California Dreaming (22K)
Author: Tesla
Category: Het
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Dawn, Xander
Summary: Spoilers, Pairings, etc.: BtVS Post-"Chosen", AtS (vaguely) Season Five,but not including "Not Fade Away"; Dawn/Xander.
Rec: Debra said: "One of the many fics being written in response to charity donations for tsunami relief. A believeable and touching Dawn/Xander story, dealing with homesickness, grief, and the nature of memory."
Story Length: short

Title: Captivated (offsite link)
Author: NautiBitz
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: After Lover's Walk, Spike and Buffy get cuffed buck-naked to a bed. Someone thinks it's just plain unsanitary. Smutty fun. Spoilers for Lover's Walk (S3)
Rec: Mona says:"Now, if you're up for some light, entertaining, post-very!evil, pre- chipped & pre-tortured Spike Fluff of the kind some have probably, um, imagined once or twice, go and check out Nauti's latest piece

Title: Captive (31K)
Author: Chrislee
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel
Pairings: Angel/Buffy
Summary: Angel contemplates his life from the bottom of the ocean. Spoilers: Between Angel3 and 4
Rec: Leigh-Anne said: "Detailed story about Angel's thoughts during his time in the box. I especially like how Chrislee showed Angel's love for Cordelia and how any relationship they could have had at that time might have just been one of convenience, despite the show making them seem like they had this great, powerful love. Also, his avoidance of thoughts about Buffy for a great while is sad and much in character when it comes to those two."
Story Length: short

Title: Card Sharp (offsite link)
Author: Caro
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Harmony, Spike
Summary: Harmony is back in Sunnydale and runs first into Spike and then into Parker Abrams. Spoilers: alternate S6.
Rec: Estepheia says: Hilariously funny, spot on dialogue, S6 without the angst. A short feelgood thing. Just. neat.
Story Length: short

Title: Career Change (717K)
Author: Two Ladies of Quality
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Giles, Spike
Summary: Dru left Spike a present after "Crush", and now Giles has to learn how to live his new life. Spoilers:BtVS season 5.
Rec: Anna says:"Absolutely amazing story about Giles becoming a vampire. Giles/Spike, but more in terms of friendship and mentoring than anything else. I sort of suspended my knee-jerk reactions as to what I expected of fledgling vamps, and by the end I was pretty well convinced at the characterization. Spike is dead-on, this being set season fivish. Giles was.well, a vampire. And Giles. Everything about this just rang like the chimes of canon for me--the pacing, the banter, the characterization, the details. Wonderful. It's evil, but not "darkfic" capital-E nasty evil. More like Buffy canon evil, which can be mild and kind of funny."
Story Length: novel

Title: The Case of the Missing Santas (112K)
Author: Little Heaven
Category: Gen
Rating: G
Show: AtS
Characters: Ensemble
Summary: Cordelia's first Christmas is LA isn't turning out the way it was supposed to.
Spoilers: Season 1, set between "Parting Gifts" and "Somnambulist".
Rec: Astrid says: There are so many wonderful things to be said about this fic; where do I start. everything's perfect. As far as characterization goes, it simply doesn't get any better than this. Claire captures the voices of our trio to the last nuance. The dialogue is not just spot- on, there're so many quips and throwaway lines that made me laugh out loud that if I wanted to quote my favourite lines I'd end up quoting half the story. The plot is interesting, and, what is more, it is really tied in with the characters's stories. This story's got heart. If you like AtS, if you liked season one, no way you will not love this fic. It perfectly captures the season one spirit. Not to be missed.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Catching the Westbound (63K)
Author: Puca Dentata
Category: Gen
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike
Summary: Spike remembers an event in 1934 that still affects his life today. Or; why Spike wears nailpolish. Spoilers BtVS early season 5.
Rec: Angela says: Ok, this one is a Spike-centric fic about his past, and what he did when Dru went a little crazier than usual - he rode the rails. Very dark, very believable, and pretty violent in some places." Rowan seconded with: "Just the right amount of creepy and supernatural mixed with gritty reality."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Celestial Light/Butterfly Ops (offsite link)
Author: Alexandra Huxley
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Riley
Pairings: Buffy/Riley
Summary: "Celestial Light": A lot can happen in fifteen years, but some things never change. "Butterfly Ops": Fourteen hikers have been killed in the middle of the Canadian wilderness. Their recovered bodies show no obvious signs of harm except for one big thing: they're dead. They're also covered from head to toe with mysterious markings. Turns out it's personal.
General spoilers through "Bring on the Night" (BtVS, 7thSeason). Rating: PG-NC-17. Very long, 270890 words, give or take.
Rec: Valkyrn said: "This is a story told in two parts, obviously, and it is one of my favorites so far. I hate futurefics so I'd put off reading it but finally one day recently I sighed and started it and I couldn't stop reading until I was through. This is a very good story, well told, and it doesn't hurt if you like Buffy and Riley together, which I do. They've been apart all these years and are just rediscovering each other, very tentatively, when they are handed an assignment, thru different sources, to investigate and solve some mysterious murders in a national park. The story moved fast enough to keep me interested and slow enough to go deeper into the personal and inner lives of the main characters. Alexandra writes very well and I can't thank her enough for giving us such a wonderfully crafted, and also rare, Buffy/Riley story."
Story Length: novel

Title: Chain (342K)
Author: Irfikos
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike
Summary: Starting right after "Dead Things," this is season 6 with a twist. Spike is kidnapped by the nerd trio and manipulated into being part of Warren's next big plan. The Scoobies don't realize what's happened to him. Mostly, it details Spike's state of mind as he tries to survive the situation with his mind intact. Spoilers: BtVS s6
Rec: my_appetite says: The character voices are what I like best about this one. Spike's internal voice in particular is just excellent. Warren and the Nerds are also disturbingly accurate as their own descent into darknes unfolds. The fic takes what could have been a silly premise and proceeds to tell a dark and heartbreaking story. Chains are a theme throughout the whole thing and each of the characters is sort of linked together with their own parallel but isolated struggles. This is possibly my favorite fic and I'm surprised it hasn't been recced before."
Story Length: novel

Title: Checking For Injuries (14K)
Author: ainon
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Anya, Xander
Pairings: Xander/Anya
Summary: Anya practices her teleportation rights. Spoilers: Between Season 6 and 7
Rec: Leigh-Anne said: "Melancholy story about how Anya is trying to hate Xander, but yet still can't help loving him for his bravery and the past they shared together." Astrid said: "So spot on, the voice, I could hear it in my head." hpchick11 said: "Seconded. It's sad and sweet, and very Anya."
Story Length: short

Title: Chiaroscuro (offsite link)
Author: Luna
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Anya
Summary: "I'm telling you to stay alive, Anyanka." The canvas in his hand, the papers in hers. More than a fair trade. "You're good for the arts."
Rec: Lyric says:This is just lovely. A wonderful woven, beautifully told piece regarding Anya throughout the ages. The author advises that there are no spoilers, only season 7 speculation. Enjoy.
Story Length: short

Title: Chocolate Hurricane (180K)
Author: Cici
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike, Xander
Pairings: Spike/Xander
Summary: Xander has an unforeseen reaction to his favorite chocolate. Spoilers: This is set in some vague period mid S6--you'd just have to go to an AU place, really.
Rec: Anna S. says:Wow. This is an amazingly, incredibly good story for the pairing I'm clearly having a passionate affair with on the side, X/S. The title put me off, because I thought, you know, chocolate and sex--unmixy things. But it's not like that. The chocolate is something else, thank goodness.The first parts of the story--with the gay porn set up--kind of made me wary, even though it was well done, but then even this rather standard means of getting them together was turned inside out by the plot. The story just keeps getting better and better as you read. You could kind of say: hey, Xander should be way more pissy! But it works for me. It's so perfectly non-mushy, but it has some deep emotional roots. All the way through it has these nicely tuned canonical moments that just *ping*, and no one ever strays outside the lines of their characters. Greatness. And no calories. Jennifer added:"Seconded. Like Anna, the beginning kinda set me off a bit, because of how cliched it was, but the story was great. I been having a bit of an Spike/Xander obsession lately, and this story hit the spot. :)
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Christmas, Iowa Style (14K)
Author: Annakovsky
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Riley
Summary: What happens when Annakovsky spends her weekend: 1) attending a Christmas party, 2) participating in a Yankee Swap, 3) watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas", 4) watching "It's a Wonderful Life", 5) watching the old X-Files episode "How the Ghosts Stole Christmas", 6) attending church where we are obviously in the middle of Advent, and 7) having Bing Crosby on repeat all Sunday?
Spoilers: BtVS through "Chosen"
Rec: Debra said: "Riley Finn at Christmastime. Good Riley fics are rare, and good happy Riley fics are even rarer. This one's both."
Story Length: short

Title: Clearance (126K)
Author: Treacle Antlers
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Whilst searching for missing Riley, Buffy and reluctant side-kick Spike are trapped together in a medical supply closet for twenty-four hours. When they finally escape their relationship has changed forever. Spoilers for Season 4, BtVS: between 'Goodbye Iowa' and 'This Year's Girl'.
Rec: Anna says: There's a "prologue" to this too, which I haven't read yet, so I'm a bit unclear how it relates. Great, great prose style--very clear and straightforward with a dead-on Spike voice and a perfect, casual toss of season-four trimmings, all of which makes me salivate with envy. Not shippy per se. Maybe "pre-ship." More of a fun characterization piece. But probably with special appeal to Spuffyites.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Close to Home.So Far Away (offsite link)
Author: Gabrielle Lawson
Category: Gen
Rating: none
Show: AtS BtVS/AtS
Characters: Doyle
Pairings: none
Summary: No one in L.A. can see him, hear him, or touch him. but is Doyle a ghost, or something entirely different? Spoilers for AtS "the Scourge".
Rec: H.G.H says:Doyle is dead - or at least gone from Cordy's and Angel's lives. The Scourge's Dark Power is about to be unleashed. Buffy and Doyle have to find a way to stop it, with a little help from everyone else. Long, but very well written, and well worth a read". Ellen said: "one of my all-time favorite Doyle-return stories." Angela said: ". probably the best (Doyle-fic) out there, in my opinion."
Story Length: novel

Title: Coastal (11K)
Author: Minim Calibre
Category: Slash
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Faith
Summary: Buffy and Faith get some time alone. Spoilers through 7x22 "Chosen"-- all of BtVS.
Rec: Mona says: "This is what I imagined the months after to be like; the core Scoobies bonding together with some of the new ones-- Andrew, of course, and Kennedy-- staying but others drifting away again, as it's supposed to be, what with the world needing a good Slayer here and there anyway.I also love the way Min portrays Vi: Slayerdom provided for quite an interesting and drastic change in character indeed, or maybe not so much in character but in courage. Also, Min is a natural at insightful Scoobie shots. I think she does a great job of conveying a certain amount of loneliness-- all of a sudden, Buffy is a bit on her own. She always was, of course, but in the less crowded times, you couldn't see it as much-- there was her old, tight circle of Willow, Xander and Giles, and, from Season Four on, there was always Spike, one way or the other-- reliable punching bag, patrol doggie, shag tool, or, at the very end, champion. Love the way Min shows us those glimpses of the others; in her stories, one always has the feeling that if you stepped into the next room-- the one you're not currently describing--, you'd find a merry or somber Scooby scene as well.As for the B/F-- I'm such a sucker for carefully and credibly developed relationships of growing closeness. Very good background, as Faith, all her bravado and lone wolf act aside, is very much about backing up Buffy. In the end, the non explicit sex is hot, sweet, and awesome; Min manages to convey and image of ease, passion, and tenderness all at once. And go snicker over the fabulous last line."
Story Length: short

Title: Code of the Watchers (111K)
Author: Cyn
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Giles, Spike
Pairings: none
Summary: BtVS meets P. G. Wodehouse, hijinks ensue. A rollicking adventure. Spoilers: BtVS s7 'Chosen'
Rec: Kalima says:".goes pleasantly and hilariously AU from [Chosen]. Spike returns from the dead via an oven in the kitchen of Giles's dinner theatre ala PD Wodehouse, featuring a shapeshifting actress and tornados.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: A Cold And Broken Hallelujah (21K)
Author: NihilistBear
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Other
Summary: The life of a Slayer's parents. Spoilers:post Chosen and Not Fade Away.
Rec: Dodyskin says:.another one with OC's and lyrics, which I usually skip over but this one really grabbed me. Still, think she could lose the lyrics though. I thought this worked really well. I thought the future world was well thought out and she was sympathetic to all the canon characters. Not overblown but some real emotion. The OC's were suitably flawed, well, Melody's perfect but it is from her dad's point of view so that's okay. I really enjoyed this, and on the face of it I wouldn't expect to at all.
Story Length: short

Title: Come Alive (offsite link)
Author: NautiBitz
Category: Het
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Buffy and Spike ride his motorcycle up a sea-sprayed mountain. Spoilers post "Afterlife".
Rec: D.says: Buffy needs something from Spike--she's just not sure what it is yet. a lovely dark blue textured vignette.

Title: Company In Hell (57K)
Author: Mad Poetess and Wolfling
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Giles, Spike
Summary: Misery loves company. Maybe that's all it is. BtVS Season 6 AU. , set during the summer after "The Gift". Spoilers for Season 5.
Rec: Naomi says: "Amazingly enough, it's believable -- the authors have chosen the circumstances with care, and the voices are convincing and true. A great Spike PoV, and Giles through his eyes is fascinating and complex. And wow, hot. Highly recommended, even if you don't like the pairing, which normally I haven't the slightest interest in myself."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Contrite Spirits (63K)
Author: Lizbeth Marcs
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Faith, Xander
Summary: Faith and Xander are waiting for a newly discovered Slayer at the Basilica of Ste-Anne-de Beaupre and find answers to questions they were afraid to ask.
Rec: Lakrids said: This one of these stories, where you can not tell too much about it, without spoiling the story for the next reader. But I think can I say, that is about Faith and faith Xander and the absence of faith and African Gods. The writer have faith in the reader intelligence, and the story develops in subtle way, that does recognize the reader ability to read in-between the lines. There were at the start of the story, where I as a reader, thought I could see the story "sucker punch" telegraphed ahead, and then I got hit from behind of a dastardly plot twist. With plots for at least three stories, guilt and priests of the Redemptionist order, did I find it very enjoyable and satisfying read.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Cotton Candy (5K)
Author: Circe
Category: Het, Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Angel, Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Angel/Buffy, Angel/Spike
Summary: Spoilers: none. Written for the Livejournal Flashfic-A-Thon. Set post-Innocence.
Rec: Sofia says:I've been wanting to rec this one for quite a while. Was sorta hoping someone would beat me to it because I can't really come up with a recommendation that does it justice. I can't say much about it without giving the whole thing away so I'm withholding pairing and warnings. It's one of those "might-have-been's" that fits seamlessly into canon, drawing on subtext and fore-shading later events. A possible reading of the complexity of the relations between the main characters, connecting the dots and making it all come together. Flawless Buffy voice. Bittersweet and heartbreaking. And hot. My idea of the perfect Better Buffy Fic.
Story Length: vignette

Title: Crave (155K)
Author: Rheanna
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Ensemble
Summary: Magic intended to help a recovering drug addict goes wrong, leaving Angel unable to control his hunger for human blood -- and Cordelia and Wesley facing the hardest decision they'll ever have to make.Spoilers for AtS, "Parting Gifts'
Rec: Joanna says: An interesting story where Angel does a spell to help an addict, and it winds up backfiring and exploiting the traits that Angel and his client have in common. Oh, and Cordy gets to save the day for once.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: A Cricket From California (offsite link)
Author: Elsa Frohman
Category: Het
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, William
Summary: A Christmas gift. Warm hands. Hot toddies. Songs of praise. Holly and mistletoe. Fresh snow and church bells. What more could a Slayer ask for? Spoilers: Season 7.
Rec: Taramisu says:This was written as an answer to a Christmas challenge. Buffy hasn't been sleeping and Willow offers her a potion that not only lets her sleep, but gives her any dream she wants. A wonderful look back into the 1800's and a little B/William 'ship."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Cross Road Blues (offsite link)
Author: Lori
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Anya, Giles
Summary: A ghost story. Spoilers through Chosen (all of BtVS). Character death. Author's note: Major Angst
Rec: Debra says:"I'd call it more bittersweet, myself, and oddly charming, seasoned with the occasional note of Buffyverse humor. Excellent Giles and Anya voices, in any case, and a nice coda to the series."
Story Length: short

Title: Cross to Bear (10K)
Author: s.a.
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy
Pairings: none
Summary: Buffy remembered when she started to collect crosses. BtVS: early season six.
Rec: Angela says: When was the last time you read a gen Buffy P.O.V.? It's almost a rarity these days - a story just about the main character of the series. Cross to Bear is just that, and so much more. It's short, but oh so sweet.
Story Length: short

Title: The Cruelest Month (offsite link)
Author: Starlet2367
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Ensemble
Pairings: none
Summary: The story of four detectives, two snitches, one candy dispenser, and an April Fool's day that Cordelia would rather forget. no spoilers beyond AtS late Season 2.
Rec: Astrid says:plotty, episodic and funny. It has the great characterization and the descriptive and witty language I've come to expect from Starlet's stories. Set between Epiphany and Disharmony, it nicely captures the strained relationship between Angel and the gang, Cordelia in particular-- very much in canon. And.it's gen; there`s no shippiness beyond season two subtext. So even those who're not fond of C/A and have thus missed out on Starlet's stories-- go ahead and check this one out.

Title: Cuckoo in the Nest (111K)
Author: Lizbeth Marcs
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Xander, Other
Summary: Tony Harris always knew there was something off about the kid. From the day he was born, he and Jessica never had anything but bad luck.
Rec: The Divine Goat said: "This is the realest account of Xander's home life I've come across in fanfic. With the realest extrapolation of what happened next. Bitter, gritty and some what chilling in tone at times, this is truly stunning writing."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Culture Vultures (230K)
Author: Yahtzee
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Faith, Oz, Willow
Pairings: none
Summary: Set some time after "Chosen", Willow and
Faith, by chance in the same city, meet up with an old friend and a
trip to the museum becomes more than they bargained for.
Rec: asolyom said: "Interestingly enough, although Yahtzee notes that she has not seen season 6 or 7, she still seems to have an excellent grasp on the characterizations of both Willow and Faith. I thoroughly enjoyed this story; it's imaginative and exciting but is really more about character than anything else, IMO." 12-13-04.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Current Traffic Conditions As of 5:17 p.m. (offsite link)
Author: Wisteria
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Death wishes never quite go as planned. Spoilers: post-"Grave".
Rec: Lanie says:"It's starts off a little confusing, but with good reason it furthers the plot quickly and really throws the reader into the drama. A little darkish. The title alone is great not to mention the lead ins to the various chapters and their relativity to the title. It's Buffy/Spike, a good read all around." Ingrid added:"I will definitely second this - I read it as a WIP first and then went back and re-read as a completed work. As mentioned below it is a little dark and angsty, but well written and the imagery is lovely as it typical of this author."
Story Length: short

Title: Daemons Luminati (offsite link)
Author: Kalima
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Can a vampire be dragged, kicking and screaming, into the light? We'll see. Spike's a complicated guy, isn't he?
Rec: Herself says: Daemons Luminati is a really unexpected take on the idea of redemption for Spike. I don't think there's anything else remotely like this out there.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Dangerous (offsite link)
Author: HarmonyFB
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Words have power. Be careful of invoking what you cannot dispel. (Very dark. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.) Spoilers: dark post ep for Season 7, Get it Done.
Rec: Monanotlisa says:An *unconditional* result of Buffy's uttered demand in this episode. Usually, I'm quite happy with my redemptionist fiction, but this made my skin crawl in the most delightful way. Abandon hope all ye who enter--this makes the very end of Season Five mixed with Season Six seem as light as a bunch of lab puppies playin' in the sunshine.
Story Length: short

Title: Dare You To Move (5K)
Author: Doyle
Category: Gen, Het, Slash
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Riley, Sam
Summary: Spoilers: BtVS post-"Chosen". Pairing: Kennedy/Riley/Sam sort of and sort of not.
Rec: Debra Doyle said: "This one is a tour de force -- it takes three of the most-commonly-dissed characters in the Buffyverse and puts them together into something that is simultaneously believeable, sympathetic, and hot.
Story Length: vignette

Title: Dark Horse (offsite link)
Author: wiseacress
Category: Slash
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike, Xander
Pairings: Spike/Xander
Summary: Alternate Universe, Spike/Xander
Rec: Kalima says:Long ago when I first read Here Comes a Candle by wiseacress I was enthralled and in awe. Exquisite control of language and pacing, the creeping dread that overcame me as I read it unable to stop reading.Well, this did the same thing for me. Not the same type of horror story, different, beautiful, sad. Creates a believable AU with spare, crisp imagery so that the relationship lives entirely within that world. Spike is perfectly drawn in relation to the world and Xander is what the world has made him. It's gorgeous writing by a master of the craft. Go read now.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Dawn and The Dead (110K)
Author: HonorH
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Ensemble, Dawn
Summary: Portents cause Buffy to panic and send Dawn to L.A. one weekend. A ticked-off 14-year-old may be more than Angel Investigations can handle--especially when feelings are still so fragile among the team. Spoilers, Takes place after "Forever"/ "Disharmony"
Rec: Angela says: What goes on from there is an interesting study in character reactions, from Dawn as a real 'person' to the Bat Pack's interactions with her. HonorH has Dawn's characterization down pretty well, and I like how the AI team reacts to her, and tries to protect her and make her feel at home.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: A Day in the Life (3K)
Author: Halrloprillalar
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Giles, Spike
Pairings: none
Summary: Bijou snippette. Not slash, but close enough for government work. Note:Takes place while Spike was still living at Giles' place. Spoilers: BtVS Season 4. Humour.
Rec: Anne H. says::"A lovely, short little gem exploring how Spike and Giles probably bounced off each other while being forced to live together."
Story Length: vignette

Title: Days of Our Unlives (offsite link)
Author: Kita and Jessica
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Angel, Spike
Pairings: Angel/Spike
Summary: Spoilers:AU. No spoilers given.
Rec: Shayla says: "Long, hysterical, from christmas trees to zoo animals (from strip twister to jello) it's a delight/ The two POV's switch off in a way that has me falling off my bed in helpless giggles every third of fourth sentence. If you're not a slash fan, just skip those parts, because it is most certainly worth it."

Title: Dead Man Blues (offsite link)
Author: Elsa Frohman
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike
Summary: A trip down memory lane. Just what was Spike up to in 1925, and why did it earn him a curse?
Spoilers: BtVS Season Four and Five.
Rec: Debra says: Lots of good stuff in this one -- jazz, nightclubs, gambling, runaway daughters, vengeful vampires, the Council of Watchers, gypsy curses, and of course Spike. Comes with a recommended listening list.
Story Length: novel

Title: Dear to Us (22K)
Author: Glossolalia
Category: Het
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Angel, Buffy
Pairings: Angel/Buffy
Summary: Friendship's something bizarre and grown-up for these two. Spoilers: AtS s5 through 'Destiny', BtVS s7.
Rec: Astrid says:"If Buffy and Angel were ever to meet on the show again, I hope it would go somewhat like this - true to the characters and their history, beautiful and bittersweet. B/A like this? Any time."
Story Length: short

Title: Decent Interval (16K)
Author: Roz Kaveney
Category: Slash
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Cordelia, Lilah
Summary: Thirty years in the future, Cordelia and Lilah meet and have coffee. Spoilers for AtS 3. RATING: "PG-17 for implied woman/woman sex, and power plays"
Rec: Debra says:I'm a sucker for pieces written in this particular key -- the note of bittersweet not-quite nostalgia, of old friends and old enemies and old battles remembered.
Story Length: short

Title: Decisions, Revisions, Reversals (13K)
Author: Alexia Eve
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Dawn
Pairings: none
Summary: Set in the not-distant future, Dawn POV, the ringing of the doorbell brings a familiar face back to Sunnydale. Spoilers: All episodes.
Rec: Jen says: There are literary discussions, and bonding over poetry, leading to a slow overcoming of the lack of trust. If it wasn't the middle of the night I might have said that better.
Story Length: short

Title: Deliverance (offsite link)
Author: Debchan
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Connor, Wesley
Summary: Wes and Connor after Tomorrow. Spoilers: Season 3 "Angel" through the finale.
Rec: Vonnie says: :"Wesley and Connor. Such a broken pair. It's gen (with perhaps a very subtle pre-slash vibe), and it's got fantastic characterizations and a prose sharp and clean as a blade of grass. Just lovely." Shrift added:"I heartily second this story (or third, or whatever). It's spare, bitter, and lovely. The Wesley and Connor characterization is spot-on, and I wish this was the script for the Angel season 4 premiere.Bleakly perfect, and not a word wasted."
Story Length: short

Title: DeNile (7K)
Author: Indri
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Joyce, Spike
Pairings: none
Summary: Spike and Joyce share a cuppa.
Late BtVS Season 4.
Rec: Debra says:"A pleasant, oddly wistful little fic."
Story Length: short

Title: Depressed There (45K)
Author: Tania
Category: Slash
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Spike
Pairings: Angel/Spike
Summary: Angel always remembers Montana with a little smile, even though he was depressed there. Spoilers: None.
Rec: Astrid said: "I don't seek out historical fic but I love it when done well. and this is done very well! She really catches the feeling of the period (what I imagine the period would've been like, anyway). The setting, the descriptions, the mood are all vivid, and the character voices are spot on as well."
Story Length: short

Title: descant descending (offsite link)
Author: macha
Category: Gen, Het
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: General BtVS S6-7. cante fable in ten parts about the hieros gamos or sacred marriage in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, in which Buffy descends to the underworld on Spike's behalf.
Rec: Dynagirl says:I don't even know what terms to use to rec this--it's unlike any story I've read. The author helpfully defines the form she is using at the start of part one: "cante fable: interwoven song and story, a preliterate bardic formal structure and the oldest known form of the folktale." From that point spins out this kind of structural and lyrical marvel of a piece, told by turns in character voice, prophecy, poetry and lyric. The short description is it's a story of Buffy descending to the underworld to retrieve Spike, but that hardly covers it. Even if that plot doesn't sound like something that would interest you, I encourage you to take a look anyway. It's a marvel, truly beautiful.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Descent (73K)
Author: Indri
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike
Summary: A post-Grave piece written with the benefit of Season Seven hindsight. Spoilers to Lies My Parents Told Me.
Rec: Rec'ced by Tango.Ellen adds: A very interesting and original idea, I had never really thought about how Spike got back to Sunnydale. Also, its funny that we dont often assume that The First was messing with him before his return (at least I never did) and "season 7 hindsight" as Indri says, allows the author to imagine who and what would have been haunting Spike and how he would have reacted from the start. A very enjoyable piece indeed!
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Deus Otiosis (16K)
Author: Annakovsky
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Willow
Pairings: none
Summary: This is set during the Season Seven episode "Empty Places", and contains spoilers up to and including that episode. Willow thinks about the Scoobies and what they've lost.
Rec: Ruth says:"Compassionate, insightful, humane. I'm one with her on her final wish for the Scoobies."
Story Length: short

Title: The Devil of Mercy (15K)
Author: Kalima
Category: Gen
Rating: none
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Spike
Summary: Spoilers through Lullaby.
Rec: Vonnie says:Kalima takes a bit of a depature from her B/S vignette land. This is her description of the story; "Spike. Contemplation on the subject of memory, irony and what we do for love. S/D, some S/B, and fanged four." Vivid, disturbing as hell, and narrated by an irresistible Spike-voice, the story packs a punch in a few short paragraphs.
Story Length: short

Title: Dig for Victory (10K)
Author: Nostalgia
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Other
Pairings: none
Summary: The story of Iris the Vampire Slayer. Spoilers: None
Rec: Recommended by Atozmom. Seconded by Debra. Bonibaru said:"Thirded, and heartily so. Quick and satisfying." Nestra added:"I also found it enjoyable, although occasional grammar errors make me wish the story had been through a hearty beta. Still worth a read if that sort of thing doesn't distract you too much.
Story Length: short

Title: Dismantle the Sun (16K)
Author: KindKit
Category: Slash
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Giles, Oz
Pairings: Giles/Oz
Summary: Giles isn't waiting.
Rec: Glossolalia says:- this is Wishfic at its finest. Giles is alone, waiting for death, after Oz disappeared at the Master's factory. The characterization is subtle and thorough, the style heartbreakingly sharp, and this is a Giles at the very, very end of his rope. His past relationship with Oz, the mourning he's done and is doing, the creature out there who may or may not be: All these elements combine to give us an agonizing shard of lost love and longing in a world even worse than "normal" Sunnydale.
Story Length: short

Title: Disneyland (88K)
Author: Christina Kamnikar
Category: Gen
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble
Pairings: none
Summary: "After shock, after Sunnydale." Spoilers: post-Chosen, so everything.
Rec: Sibling says:"Many post-Chosen fics take place as someone sets up in L.A., Cleveland, London, or wherever. This is an exquisite little exploration of the couple of days immediately following the Buffy finale, from many different POVs. (BTW, I'd heartily recommend any one of this author's stories in a heartbeat; coming upon one of her stories on ff.net is like finding a bottle of Napoleon brandy in a case of Budweiser. She's written the only Buffy/Smallville crossover I really like, and one of the best "Five Things" stories I've ever read. I've been *waiting* for this story to be finished so I could rec it first! :-) )"
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Domestication (382K)
Author: Indie
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Angel, Buffy
Pairings: Angel/Buffy
Summary: AU Series. In a world where demons and humans wage open warfare, the vampire Angel has been enlisted to help the Slayer.
Complete Alternate Universe. Buffy is the Slayer, Angel is a vampire, but not much else is the same.
Rec: Jill says:It's got perfect dialogue and characterisation and the writing skills of the author are just awesome.
Story Length: novel

Title: Don't Be Kind (12K)
Author: Fallowdoe
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike, Willow
Summary: Spoilers: Takes place after "Showtime"
Rec: Laura says: This is a sad, beautifully written story focusing on Spike and Willow. The author does a lovely job of evoking a mood.
Story Length: short

Title: Don't Fear the Reaper (22K)
Author: Mab
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Cordelia
Pairings: Angel/Cordelia
Summary: Angel gets a first-hand look at getting old and doesn't like what he sees. At all.
Spoilers:None.
Rec: Astrid says: Not a happy story; you've been warned. After all, this was written as part of a Halloween challenge. It's gory, and sad, and I found it very powerful. this one stayed with me all day.
Story Length: short

Title: Done to Death (121K)
Author: Anne Hedonia
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike, Tara
Pairings: Spike /Tara
Summary: You could always leave Tara unattended, without much worry about her catching anything on fire - except tonight. Spoilers: BtVS Late S6/Early S7 but this story is clearly AU.
Rec: Juanita Dark says: : "I found this story simply a delight. One of those wonderful (and improbable by canonical lore) stories that just thrilled me to bits to read."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Donna: the Vampire Slayer (177K)
Author: Nomad
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: crossover
Characters: Ensemble
Summary: Crossover. Spoilers for everything up to "The Gift" for Buffy and "Two Cathedrals" for the West Wing.
Rec: Melissa says: This has to be the best crossover I've ever read. I was sent this link today and read it in one sitting. If you like the West Wing, you will *love* this. If you don't, then it will probably fall flat, so don't waste your timeThe author has the voices of all the characters down pat, the banter between Josh and Donna is witty and perfect. Then there's Toby, who we've always known was pompous, overeducated, and far too stuffy. Why didn't we guess he was a Watcher? And we all knew CJ had taste, definitely proved when she hits Giles up for his phone number.Oh, and I guess it would need to come with a Josh/Donna 'ship warning, although no more than the sexual tension we already get between them on the show.I don't think I'll ever look at the West Wing the same again. If I haven't convinced you already, GO READ IT!" Seconded by Amaltheia, who said:"I have to totally second this recommendation. I've never seen The West Wing.Fortunately DTVS is so well written I picked up on whom everyone was and their relationships with each other pretty quickly. It's also incredibly funny. Go read.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Down Through The Morning (10K)
Author: Kyra Cullinan
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Oz, Tara
Summary: A might-have-been. Spoilers: 'Seeing Red'.
Rec: Claire says: "Ever wondered what would have happened if Willow and Tara were standing the other way 'round on that fateful day? Kyra did, and this is her answer. It's a bittersweet AU. A vivid, touching description of people hanging on to what's left of the person who meant the most to them in the world."
Story Length: short

Title: Dreamwalk (98K)
Author: HonorH
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Cordelia
Pairings: none
Summary: When a demon lord attacks people in their dreams, Angel and Cordelia must be joined with blood, bound in sleep, and guided by friend and foe in the pathways of dreams to defeat him. Spoilers season 2 AtS. "To Shanshu in L.A."
Rec: Joanna says: There are some cute appearances by secondary characters (Oz and Spike) as they face their deep fears and dark moments along the way, and a definate mythic-quest quality to the whole fic that is sort of unusual.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Dust (37K)
Author: Lanie
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Willow
Pairings: none
Summary: Willow meets up with trouble in a small Texas town. Spoilers for BtVS season 5.
Rec: Which Witch says: This story has a very authentic feel to it, meaning it feels *real*. The way it could have happened in real life, only with vampires and stuff. Willow's older voice is well done and interesting, and so are the glimpses of the life of the gang post-Buffy-death. Spike is not *shoved* into the story, and Lanie isn't trying to make us all magically forget that for him, it's all about Buffy. In fact you can say that it isn't a shippy fic at all. Accept it kinda is. Anyway, it's great
Story Length: short

Title: Dust Becomes Him (57K)
Author: Little Bit
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Ensemble
Pairings: none
Summary: Is this the end of the vampire Spike? What happens when Spike's all dusty but he's left behind a video for the gang?
Parody. Spoilers: season 6 BtVS, season 3 AtS
Rec: Nomadic Writer says:.it's a parody. A coffee-snortingly funny one, at least in my opinion.Spike's bitten the dust, and the gang gather to see the video of his last will and testament. Featuring a cameo by Angel and bucketloads of snark. It gets even funnier as it goes along.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Echo (19K)
Author: Vatrixsta Cruden
Category: Het
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Cordelia, Xander
Summary: Today is Cordelia's favorite day. Spoilers: Spoiler for Ats season 5. Xander/Cordelia.
Rec: Lakrids said: "Just a perfect day? And what about the butterfly? Good Xander character voice, and ones these stories, that I like. But who are so hard to give a resume, without spoiling it for the reader."
Story Length: short

Title: Eldorado I-- Once in a Lifetime (513K)
Author: MustangSally and Chase
Category: Het, Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Faith, Spike, Xander, Other
Summary: Xander Harris heads to the idyllic Eldorado, Texas in search of a new life. Events conspire to give him far more of a life than he ever expected, including a wife, a dog, a house, a job, a collection of strange in-laws, and the assorted denizens of the town of Eldorado. But when Faith and a resurrected Spike show up unexpectedly in Eldorado, he discovers that his life might not be quite what it seems.
Spoilers through BtVS Season 7, AtS Season 4.
Rec: Monanotlisa says: "Because I spent all afternoon reading it and could. Not. Stop. If you harbour just a tiny shred of appreciation for Xander (God knows I wasn't a prime candidate for this category once upon a time), this is your baby. Eldorado, Part One manages to explore a life beyond Sunnydale and is, up to the last few chapters, a compelling ride into what looks like the golden paradise Xander never dared to dream of. Enter Spike and Faith, stage left. And behold the portents indicating that all hell is gonna break loose. As for me, I can't wait for the second part now."
Story Length: novel

Title: Elysium (481K)
Author: Dana Woods
Category: Gen
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Ensemble, Spike, Tara
Summary: A few months after the fight with Glory, a group of demons come to the Hellmouth for Willow's magic, despite her being dead. When Tara heads out to find a way to stop them, Spike goes after her. Third person past tense, from Spike's POV (um, mostly). Spoilers: goes AU during 'The Gift'
Rec: Ray said: "It has to be one of the best fics I have ever read, and just about the first I read where you aren't sure whether you have been given a happy ending or not. It starts from an AU premise, with an alternative ending to The Gift. An ending you don't get the full ramifications of until the very end of the story. It is powerfully written from Spike's POV, with much in the way of heartwrenching moments for him, and Tara (who features heavily in the story) to negotiate. I started reading Elysium because I am a big fan of both Tara and Spike, but once started I found it very frustrating having to wait to read the next chapter. There are delightfully written appearances by Faith, Dawn and Giles, as well as a couple of new characters I particularly loved. I should mention there is a sequel called The Red Macula, which I have yet to read."
Story Length: novel

Title: The Ember That Still Burns (67K)
Author: Pete
Category: Het
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Willow, Xander
Pairings: Willow/Xander
Summary: Xander finds himself a bodiless spirit.so who's that walking around in his skin? No spoilers given.
Rec: Gyrus says: His writing style is amazing. [This fic] is a deeply-absorbing blend of romance (W/X), action, and suspense.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Emulating Atlas (6K)
Author: Tanith
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike
Summary: A promise is a promise. Spike finds out the hard way. Future fic.
Rec: Doyle says: FutureFic, very short but perfectly written. Spike keeps the promise that he made in The Gift. In fact, all of Tanith's stories rock (Dry Kind of Love made me break my "no original characters, especially children" rule) - if Neil Gaiman wrote Buffy fanfic it's probably what he'd come up with.
Story Length: short

Title: The Epiphany Series (offsite link)
Author: The Brat Queen
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, William
Pairings: Angel/Wesley
Summary: An Angel/Wesley series that diverges from the canon after "Epiphany". The stories are differently rated - from G to NC-17 - and include spoilers through "Epiphany" in Angel S2.
Rec: Wesleysgirl says: :"After that the timeline diverges. There are currently 44 stories in the series, so if you like the first one, you're in for a lot of absorbed reading.(I'm a Wes/Angel junkie, so it makes perfect sense that I love this series.)I love this series because TBQ is a fabulous writer with a great sense of humor. She has an excellent grasp of the character's voices, especially Angel's and Wesley's. This is slash at its finest - hot smut, complex story arcs, and engaging conversations."

Title: Equinox (30K)
Author: Kita
Category: Het, Slash
Rating: R
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Angel, Darla, Spike, Wesley
Pairings: Angel/Buffy, Angel/Darla, Angel/Spike, Angel/Wesley
Summary: Angel ponders on four ways to lose his soul to the Seasons.
Spoilers:Season 2 Angel.
Rec: Brigdh says: "This is one of my favorite stories in the entire Buffy fandom. I haven't read it in months, and I still get lines from it stuck in my head for days. A really beautiful story, it's almost closer to poetry than prose."
Story Length: short

Title: Expert Care (14K)
Author: Te
Category: Slash
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike, Xander
Pairings: Spike/Xander
Summary: Xander deals with his new houseguest. Spoilers: Vague ones throughout S7.
Rec: Anne H. says: :"*Superb* Xander voice, with some of the most hilariously snarky Harris-esque cracks I could ever conceive. I also love how she has Xander giving Spike a tiny break, but without making it AU - she has him do it exactly the way Xander *would* do it, provided he ever *did*, which I don't think he ever *would*, except in this fic. )Read it and get my drift."
Story Length: short

Title: Eyes Only (offsite link)
Author: Magpie, Lesley, and Lori
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Giles, Spike, Wesley
Summary: Spoilers:Set Post-Season 6, spoilers for "Grave". Summary: The three Englishmen of the Buffyverse -- Spike, Giles, and Wesley -- find themselves caught up in mysterious prophecies and worldwide conspiracies. PG-NC17
Rec: Sibling says: I like the concept of this fic as much as anything else -- "posting" on LiveJournal as Wesley, Giles, and Spike (yes, Giles uses a computer at last!) and not only telling the story, but having them snark back and forth at each other over various comments or evasions. Plus, the relationships (Spike/Buffy, Giles/Anya, and Wesley/Lilah) are an integral part of the story -- the women even poke their noses into the weblogs at one point and snark at each other too! And yes, the plot is worthwhile. Some things you can see coming a mile away, and some just jump out and hit you, WHAM. Definitely a good read, if you have the time. This thing is *long*." Length: Unspecified, but long. There are 29 chapters of straightforward narrative, and fourteen "chapters" consisting of weblog posts and replies from all three of the main characters.

Title: Family Issues (392K)
Author: Marcus Rowland
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: crossover
Characters: Ensemble
Summary: Spoilers: For season 6. Crossover: Men in black/ BtVS
Rec: Lakrids said:"If I should describe this story in a few lines would an it be a humorous crossover with MIB and an AU AU ( the last AU is not a typo ). The blending of the two universe is well balanced, even though that the plot is centered around Willow and rest of the Scoobies. The story is plot driven with some good use of the nerd squad Warren ( poor sob ). Warning some very mild story spoilers.You get the feeling when you read this story, that the writer wants to fix all that went wrong in season six for the Scoobies, and overall do I think, that he succeed in that project. But not without some sacrifices, mainly in the characterizations, for example that everybody so quickly accept, that Buffy is having a relationship with Spike. Perhaps with the exception of Dawn, she was a bit of a redemptionist in season 6. But that is a minor flaw, in a over all interesting fanfic."
Story Length: novel

Title: Fault (12K)
Author: Ins
Category: Het
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Angel, Buffy
Pairings: Angel/Buffy
Summary: Buffy has a future. Actually an homage to many wonderful and beloved-to-me B/A romance writers. I swear. I read a lot of epic B/A romance fic. Spoilers for BtVS, season 4. Future fic.
Rec: ghostfox says:It takes the whole badfic cliche and does something unique and dark with it. The first time I read it I wasn't sure, but now it rings true to me.
Story Length: short

Title: Felinity (8K)
Author: Buffonia
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: AtS
Characters: Lilah, Wesley
Pairings: Wesley/Lilah
Summary: Lilah and the act of being feline. Spoilers for AtS, "Tomorrow".
Rec: Kilnotic says:.it's a mean little piece like you'd imagine. Lilah's pov, which is spot on, gives you the sense Wesley's descent is dragging Lilah into a darkness blacker then her own. Not that she cares all that much.
Story Length: short

Title: Final Score (69K)
Author: Jane Davitt
Category: Slash
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Spike
Pairings: Angel/Spike
Summary: A conversation in a pub has Spike's thoughts going back to his first year as a vampire - and that has him knocking on Angel's door. Spoilers: AtS to date.
Rec: Debra says:"Vampires, the Irish Question, Gladstone vs. Disraeli, and sex. An amusing S/A fic for an election year."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: The First Annual Brownie Bake-Off And Rootin'-Tootin' Jamboree (offsite link)
Author: Pete Meilinger
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Joyce
Summary: Spoilers: Early S3, after "Dead Man's Party". A batch of brownies leads to a trip down memory lane.
Rec: Jim says: Cute, funny, a nice exploration of how long Willow and Xander have known each other, and what they've meant to each other.
Story Length: short

Title: fitter happier more productive (offsite link)
Author: zara hemla
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Characters: Connor
Summary: five things that might happen to connor. Spoilers: AtS, Set post-Home.
Rec: Jen says:If you have ever liked Connor, or if you've ever enjoyed the stories of the "5 Things That Didn't Happen" challenge, read this immediately. [.] Heartbreaking, beautiful, and all wonderfully possible and believable even as the stories all require mostly original characters and scenarios and names.
Story Length: short

Title: Five Bastardized Virtues: Xander (21K)
Author: Te
Category: Het, Slash
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Xander
Summary: Five things that aren't true about Xander. Spoilers:through BtVS, season 5.
Rec: Kyra says::"This story consists of five alternate universes diverging from different times in Xander's life (one per seasons 1-5), alternately funny, sexy and disturbing, all intense. Te knows Xander like the back of her hand, and you can't beat this for pitch perfect characterization despite the widely varied backdrops. Unwaveringly *interesting* and fantastically written."
Story Length: short

Title: Five By Five (offsite link)
Author: anr
Category: Gen, Het
Rating: PG
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Cordelia, Faith, Wesley
Summary: Cordelia, Faith, Angel and Wesley. happy endings are never specific. No spoilers, Futurefic.
Rec: Babs says: I feel the need to really talk this up but don't know how without giving it away. It's a future fic that is brilliantly written." Jess said: "I'll will second this rec for sure. I thought it was written very well in style and narration. It was subtle but very compelling. The little twists to the plot and dialogue kept me guessing to the end and added an interesting spin to a fairly mild plotline. The sheer idea of it, just itself, was beautifully imaginative.
Story Length: short

Title: Five Conversations (offsite link)
Author: nwhepcat
Category: Het
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Faith, Xander
Pairings: Xander/Faith
Summary: Spoilers, if any, through "Storyteller," Season 7, then off into AU.
Rec: automatic badgirl says:"I am de-lurking to rec this smashing fic by nwhepcat. It is a follow up from her "Sunnydale Calling" fic which can also be found through this link, but it has been recced here before. It is a Faith/Xander fic and while this may seem like an unusual pairing, nwhepcat really makes you a believer in the ship. The pure and honest loveliness of their interactions is a perfect tonic for any S7 blues that may be lingering. There are many reasons to love nwhepcats writing, but perhaps the one I admire most is her ability to convey so much emotion with just a few beautifully crafted lines of fic, For example"He went back to the iPod, but all the songs seemed unbearably depressing. Why did he listen to this indie crap? It felt like standing in the cafeteria line behind a pretty girl and suddenly noticing the row of fine cut marks on her forearms. "Boom! picks up jaw off ground, closes mouth This story is just an excellent yarn in the finest and best sense of the word. She packs humour, angst, romance, and pretty much everything else except the kitchen sink in just the five short coversations that comprise this fic."

Title: Five Futures Full of Alcohol and Sex (13K)
Author: Kyra Cullinan
Category: Het, Slash
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble, Buffy
Summary: Buffy's possibilities. (Buffy/Faith, Buffy/Xander, Buffy/Willow, Buffy/Giles, Buffy/Angel/Spike, 14k, spoilers through "Chosen", Five Things & Cocktail Bar challenges) Timeline: post 'Chosen'
Rec: Sofia says: "I firmly believe that a good writer can sell you onto almost any ship. This fic is proof. Five snapshots of what the future might be for Buffy depending on who she'll pair up with. Gorgeously written, ranging from melancholic and disenchanted to happy and hopeful. All credible, picking on the subtext when there is any or setting them up in such a way that Buffy's choices seem logical. Maybe I'm biased since it does end with my ship (and that in itself is cause for celebration since good stories featuring it can be counted with one hand) but I really don't think so. And it would be easy to categorize it as shippy fic. Except it isn't. That's the whole point. Just amazing."
Story Length: short

Title: Five Other Lies (14K)
Author: Rebecca Lizard
Category: Het, Slash
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Willow
Summary: These didn't happen.
Spoilers for seventh season.
Rec: Green says:"Going on Kita's 5 Things That Never Happened challenge, this one is Willow-centric. It spans the seasons and has multiple pairings (femslash, het,pre-slash). This absolutely shines. Breathtakingly stark and cold at times, painfully beautiful in its boldness. I really don't have the words. It's just wonderful."
Story Length: short

Title: Five Things That Never Happened To Spike (37K)
Author: Kita
Category: Het, Slash
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike
Summary: Five things that.yea. That. Response to a challenge. Dark, sad, and creepy. And that's just the fluffy Spuffy part.
Spoilers for Seasons 4, 5 & S7 up to Storyteller. AU.
Rec: Mer says: "Wanted to recommend Kita's lovely story. It's part of the Five Things That Never Happened challenge, but IMO stands on its own. The mood varies, as you'd expect with a range like that, but lets just say what I'd expect to be tender is disturbing and what I'd expect to be disturbing is tender." Coquette added ".for some reason Kita's sitting on it as if it were some sort of modest achievement. When in fact it's gorgeous. Horrid-gorgeous. Hideous-gorgeous.five Spike scenes that never made it to Tuesday night at 8:00. Dark, brutal, punishing, rotten scenes, and some sweet (or bittersweet) scenes too. Everyone gets their due, and Kita doesn't pull punches or overexplain. Beautifully written: crisp and trimmed. There's snark and still-bleeding humour and a careful attention to the characters. Oh, gosh. I just loved it."
Story Length: short

Title: Five Ways to Have a Happy Ending, and Not One of Them True (6K)
Author: Minim Calibre
Category: Het
Rating: PG
Show: AtS
Characters: Wesley
Pairings: Wesley/Lilah
Summary: Lilah, Wesley, and five ways they didn't work out. Five things that aren't challenge. Spoilers through AtS S4, Habeas Corpses.
Rec: Roseveare says: "A Wes/Lilah-centric answer to the five things challenge that I think slipped through the rec net (apologies if it HAS been posted before). I'm particularly fond of the hilarious Thing 1 and the poetic Thing 5, but I love how they're all so very different in tone and set-up, and all still distinctly Wes/Lilah."
Story Length: short

Title: The Flat in Bath (13K)
Author: Jayne Leitch
Category: Gen
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Giles
Pairings: none
Summary: Giles goes home and doesn't get settled between BtVS 'Bargaining' and 'After Life'. Spoilers for BtVS Season Six.
Rec: Evan says:A rarity in fanfiction, Flat is a non-sexual solo outing for our favorite Watcher. The S6 Giles voice is true and mature and he's every bit of the adult that became more and more scarce over the past two seasons. I wanted to hug this guy after this fic was over, then settle down and have a commiserating drink with him."
Story Length: short

Title: Follow Me Down (36K)
Author: Josey
Category: Slash
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Spike
Pairings: Angel/Spike
Summary: When Angel disappears, Spike searches for him. Set post season five.
Rec: Estepheia said: "A sad, poignant story with amazing visuals and an excellent Spike voice. I find it hard to say more without giving too much away. Let me just say the story is full of magic and old gods, wonderful language and some stunning images. It's about feelings and memories."
Story Length: short

Title: Follow the Yellow Brick Road (offsite link)
Author: Martha Wilson
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: crossover
Characters: Ensemble
Summary: A crossover between Hercules and Angel the Series. Hunting for a marauding shapechanger, Hercules and Iolaus run into some side-tracked travelers.Spoilers: There's no place like Plrtz Glrv.
Rec: Recommended by Deena. talbot added:"seconded! this appears to be a sequel to a Buffy/HtLJ crossover (on the same site) called "When Hellmouths Collide", which was also quite entertaining." Amaltheia said:"If you've read When Hellmouths Collide you'll already know how well Martha Wilson combines two worlds that just should not work together. Here she doesn't just get the two worlds to march in step; she sends them off dancing to the fandango. She gets the balance of action and humour just right, and the characterisation spot on. I'm eagerly awaiting the next part."

Title: For One Night Only (158K)
Author: Rheanna
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Ensemble, Angel, Cordelia
Summary: Angel's back, but Cordelia isn't ready to forgive and forget -- until she's forced to see things from his point of view. Spoilers: Epiphany.
Rec: Astrid says: I was very surprised that this wasn't in the bookmarks. Of all the Angel fanfic I've read, this one probably comes closest to an actual episode of the show. It makes me wish that whoever wrote Carpe Noctem would have read this first. The story is full of humor and, like all of Rheanna's work, it has a well thought-out plot and great characterization.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Foreign Devils (25K)
Author: Indri
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Other
Summary: The tale of the Chinese Slayer. Spoilers for BtVS, "Fool for Love".
Rec: Kate says: *This* is the tale of the Chinese Slayer. This is *exactly* how it should be. I honestly can't say more than that. It's how it *should* be. It's her story. From her Watcher, to her mother, to the world around her. It's definitely a must-read.
Story Length: short

Title: Forsake Me Not (281K)
Author: Herself
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: "All this time, they thought I loved them, the way they love me. But I can't love." Part of the 'Bittersweets' series. Spoilers: all of S6.
Rec: Katiemac says:This story is Herself's latest; it follows directly from her "Bittersweets" series which is a S6 and AU take on the freight train that is Buffy and Spike. So, unless you've read the previous stories, this one ain't gonna do much for you, except wow you with the writing. Herself is an enormously talented creator of a plausible *way-angsty* Buffy-Spikeverse (i.e., more angsty than even S6).she takes up the characters here seven years after her previous endeavor, the charming "The Littler Bit." All you need to know is, Buffy and Spike are together, sort-of, and they've got a kid, their very own, and things are tough all over. It's mostly Buffy-angst, but there's a lot of great Spike POV. This is NC-17. Um, not sure what else to say except read it! Except first read all of "Bittersweets." Herself is simply delicious.
Story Length: novel

Title: Four Hours (9K)
Author: Meltha
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Spike
Pairings: none
Summary: After the Deeper Well, Spike and Angel still face a long plane flight back to L.A.
Rec: Leigh-Anne said: "One of the better friendship fics written for Spike/Angel I've read so far. Meltha is true to their characters, in that they really don't like each other all that much, but still can appreciate the things they have in common. She also manages to show why Spike would be so willing to stay and fight besides Angel in the series finale, even though he would never have done that in the past." Miss Melanie said: "This particular story made me want to cry. God it was such a good fanfic!" Spoilers: Angel season 5, up to A Hole in the World.
Story Length: vignette

Title: The Fragments Left to Them (offsite link)
Author: Inkbrush
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike, Willow
Summary: He was like her first kiss of air, and it made him hers. Spoilers for Season 6.
Rec: Chrislee says:"This story, which I *just* read is lovely. The language, the pairing (which is not one I have read much of, but I know there's lots of it out there.)and the place these two characters find themselves in just seems authentic."
Story Length: short

Title: France Is That Way? (141K)
Author: Harry Lime
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Harmony, Spike
Pairings: Spike/Harmony
Summary: Spike & Harmony meet for the first time and give the Watchers Council a much needed kick in its complacency.
Between Grad 2 and Harsh Light of Day
Rec: Angela says: "one of the better recent Spike fics out there. (the author's) pacing is quick and there isn't any writing that is wasted or doesn't serve a purpose in developing the characters or the plot."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Freak Show (3K)
Author: Kate Bolin
Category: Gen
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Summary: "A travelling attraction in a Mexican freakshow." What if a freak show owner was telling you about his best attraction? It's an alternate future for one of our Season Four characters, and not one that's all that pretty. Spoilers for BtVS, season 4.
Rec: Rowan says: Great original concept, pulled off with style.
Story Length: vignette

Title: Fuck You and Your Cat! (19K)
Author: Rune
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Lorne, Spike
Summary: Spoilers for AtS Season 2, "There's No Place Like Plrtz Glrb". A frantic feline brings comic chaos to the Spike/Lorne love nest.
Rec: Indri says: Pornographic and just plain silly.
Story Length: short

Title: The Fugitive (120K)
Author: Cas
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel
Pairings: none
Summary: Oregon, 1934. Hard times, depression, and a vampire. Angel, pre-series. No spoilers.
Rec: Recced by Debra. Cerisaye seconded, "Loved both these stories. Well written and thoughtful pieces. Worth a look.” Atozmom said, "spare and evocative, this is exactly what I imagine Angel's years of sadness were like.”
Story Length: nouvelle
Sequel to: The Hobo

Title: Fumbling On (38K)
Author: Larilyn
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Cordelia, Spike
Summary: Future Fic. Buffy and Angel get to live happily ever after. Spike is still a non-living, non-breathing vampire. Cordelia is not evil, nor is she in a coma. And lets pretend the Connor thing never happened. Not that it matters for the story's sake. Its just icky. AU, no spoilers.
Rec: Debra Doyle said: "Hot and funny. Worth it for Cordelia's narrative voice alone."
Story Length: short

Title: Future Imperfect (offsite link)
Author: Cousinjean
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: In the year 2336, Buffy wakes to find she is humanity's only hope for the future, and Spike is the only link to her past. Spoilers: All of season 5, BtVS.
Rec: Gyrus says: :"In this science-fictiony story. Buffy finds herself in a future in which vampires dominate the Earth and humans survive only on a lunar colony. The plot and backstory are engaging, and the Buffy/Spike relationship is developed in a plausible way (not always an easy feat, IMO). The ending, although a bit predictable, is emotional without being cloying or melodramatic. One caveat: Don't read the author's comments at the start of the last chapter, as they spoil the ending a bit."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: A Game of Thrones (9K)
Author: Mad Poetess
Category: Slash
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Angelus, Darla, Drusilla, Spike
Pairings: Angelus/Spike
Summary: Spike tends to lose.
Fanged Four, Spoilers: Shortly after the mineshaft sequence in Fool For Love.)
Rec: Atozmom says: Another story written for the Secret Slasha project, this little gem looks at the emotional ties between Darla/Angel/Dru/Spike.
Story Length: short

Title: The Gang of Four (9K)
Author: Jim Loats
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Cordelia, Willow, Xander
Summary: What if "The Wish" wasn't Anya's first time meddling in Sunnydale? Spoilers: Welcome to the Hellmouth, The Wish.
Rec: Gyrus says:The premise is that Cordelia, Willow, Xander and Jessee were once very good friends, and that Cordleia and Jesse were romantically involved, but that a bitter Wish changed all of that - permanently. The alternate history described here is interesting and believable, and Willow's voice is 'imitated' well.
Story Length: short

Title: A Gap in the Clouds (7K)
Author: Dolores Labouchere
Category: Gen
Rating: G
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Joyce, Lorne
Pairings: none
Summary: Joyce goes on a visit to LA to seek out her future. Spoilers: Buffy season 5
Rec: Kate says:This is a Joyce fic that just feels *right*. Joyce going to Caritas and discovering that life isn't always perfect, but you can still enjoy it. It's.god, it's just very very good.
Story Length: short

Title: Geek the Girl (25K)
Author: Rachel Anton
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike, Willow
Summary: Two power junkies share a Christmas miracle. Actually, there is no miracle, but there's a creepy story. Spoilers for BtVS, through "Wrecked". The rest of the series can be found here: http://hometown.aol.com/ranton1013/page1.html
Rec: Ebonbird says: A brill Spike and Willow study. I'm really curious as to what people think of this story. I don't know if it's the insight into the Spike as shown to us in Fool For Love that I like the most or if it's the character parallels but I dug this. As to how 'Spike' Spike sounds I'm not sure - but I came away from reading this with an understanding of why so many Willow/Spike writers are moved to write them. Maybe they were responding to something that was in Spike all along - but wasn't revealed until 'Fool For Love.'" Lovesbitca said: "It acknowledges where Spike and Willow's characters are right now. And does it beautifully. Tip top characterization and a good dollop of poignancy.
Story Length: short

Title: A Genuinely Nice Guy (offsite link)
Author: Regina Welch
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Clem
Summary: Buffy falls for a genuinely nice guy. Who do we know who fits that description? This is a short, smutty parody that begins during "Entropy” and takes off in a very different direction from there. Spoilers up to Season 6, "Entropy".
Rec: Indri says: This is a sweet little parody of all those Buffy PWPs. Plus, Buffy is happy in it and sometimes you need that. To be honest, I baulked a bit when I realised that I'd be forever listed in the archive as the Person Who Rec'd a Naked Clem fic, but then I thought, why not? Clem's a sentient being and a particularly fine one at that and he can get naked if he wants to. Buffy's lucky to have him.
Story Length: short

Title: Ghost of a Chance (171K)
Author: Little Heaven and Starlet
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Ensemble, Angel, Cordelia, Dennis
Pairings: Angel/Cordelia
Summary: When Cordelia arrives home from hospital to find an evil presence manifesting her building, the gang's attempts to rescue Dennis from its clutches throw her recuperation into chaos.
Spoilers: 'To Shanshu in LA'.
Rec: Astrid says: This is a wonderfullly funny, sparkly fic, sad and bittersweet on occasion, full of warmth (for lack of a better description). I just love stories with adventure plots, but I love them even more when that plot ties in with the characters' emotions. And I think it does that in a subtle way. Love the subtext in the end. Perfect characterization all around, including a character who's almost never the focus of attention. The dialogue flows smoothly. And I say it's hard to find anyone who does better Cordy-speak than Starlet and Little Heaven. It could come right from the show. Actually, it's not just Cordy's lines. everyone sounds just right.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Gifted (13K)
Author: Lar
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Willow, Xander
Pairings: Willow/Xander
Summary: Willow's birthday, Xander's shopping. Spoilers: None.
Rec: Kristina said:"It's a well-written, very in-character wander through Xander's brain as he shops for a birthday present."Jess seconded with:" Well-written Xander characterization, and nice look at the Willow-Xander friendship (even if it does get a tad shippy)."
Story Length: short

Title: Gifts of the Fathers (21K)
Author: Meghan OHara
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Spike
Summary: It's a holly, jolly, Wolfram & Hart Christmas. Spoilers: AtS Season Five, between "Lineage" and "Destiny"
Rec: Debra said: "Like all good holiday fics, this one is sweet without being saccharine, with just enough wistful sadness to keep the taste from cloying."
Story Length: short

Title: A Girl Made From Sky (9K)
Author: Doyle
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: crossover
Characters: Dawn
Pairings: none
Summary: Dawn and The Cheeseman. 'He first saw her in the dream of a monk in Budapest.'
Spoilers: Conviction (AtS s5) and The Kindly Ones (Sandman)
Rec: Indri says:This is a crossover with Neil Gaiman's Sandman comics. Original, surreal, strange and beautiful."
Story Length: short

Title: The Girl who Isn't There (9K)
Author: Lesley
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Cordelia
Pairings: none
Summary: *Dark*
Spoilers:To the start of ATS S5.
Rec: Lakrids says: A little creepy vignette, or more correct perhaps to say that it's very creepy and poor poor Cordelia. One of the most fucked over character in the Joss universe.
Story Length: vignette

Title: A Girl with Kaleidoscope Eyes (9K)
Author: Kyra Cullinan
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Willow
Pairings: Willow/Tara
Summary: This is not a story about Tara. Spoilers for all of BtVS Season Six.
Rec: Melymbrosia says: "[Willow] does remember how to exorcise a ghost, with clarity bred by years of studiousness. The number of candles needed, which herbs to use, the volume with the most easily adaptable spells. She turns to look at Tara sitting beside the bookshelf and knows she would never, never, never." Gorgeous, sad, and creepy.
Story Length: short

Title: Given Name (9K)
Author: Azar
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: crossover
Characters: Spike
Pairings: none
Summary: Crossover. Spoilers: Firefly--maybe little ones for "Ariel"; BtVS--all of season 7 thus far to be on the safe side. River finds a kindred spirit in a newcomer to Serenity.
Rec: Bruce says:A crossover, not so much a Buffy fic as a Firefly fic, but *very* elegantly done. Could be called a future-fic, perhaps post-apocalypse if you want to use the term loosely. I don't want to say too much, other than it's a very cool look into one of my favorite characters.
Story Length: short

Title: Glorious (offsite link)
Author: Tara OShea
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike
Summary: Spike takes a walk down memory lane, and takes up poetry again. BtVS: Fool For Love.
Rec: Lanie says: I have a thing for Spike fic.and I think I have found an exceptional piece. Seriously this fic is stunning-it's so unbelievably well written and detailed.I certainly cannot write a summary that would give this fic justice-and won't try. But I highly recommend it-seriously you will be awed.
Story Length: short

Title: Going Scully (56K)
Author: roseveare
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Kate
Summary: Set somewhere between The Prodigal and Five by Five. Detective Lockley hunts a demon.
Rec: Angela says: It's set between The Prodigal and Sanctuary, so she doesn't have a lot of love for Angel or the idea of demons in her city. It portrays her in a very realistic manner, which is the best I could hope for, and has some great detective work in it by Kate. I love Kate, and think she's gotten such a bad rap in Season One.
Story Length: short

Title: A Good Man (12K)
Author: Indri
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: William
Summary: William before he died. Past fic.
Rec: Debra says: William, living a life of quiet desperation. Coquette said: "I second this. It's a PG vignette--a day in the life of William. Life is dreary and unjust, but he has hopes. Poor William. There's a nice slow build here, and the writing is even and well-controlled, with just the right dose of dry misanthropic humour."
Story Length: short

Title: Good Man (8K)
Author: Huzzlewhat
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike, Xander
Summary: Xander does clean-up duty. Spoilers: AU to Bargaining.
Rec: Lakrids says:"Many are probably already familiar with this story, because it arrived nearly just after, hers other excellent BtVS fanfic. The story is dark, and that is perhaps an understatement. But it is very subtle done. And the writer, instead of telling the reader, does the writer show more and more fragments, of the picture she paints. Which forced me to reread the story, to get all nuances with. Xander knows difference between good and nice."
Story Length: short

Title: The Good, the Bad, and Cordelia (58K)
Author: Speaker-to-Customers
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble, Cordelia
Summary: An adventure in the "Wishverse” from BtVS Season 3, but goes AU very quickly. Cordelia makes a wish that Buffy Summers had never come to Sunnydale, and finds herself in a nightmare world ruled by The Master; but there were some faces missing from the Wishverse who really should have been there if Buffy's absence was the only factor that had caused things to go differently. Why was there no Luke? Did Spike and Drusilla still come to Sunnydale? And might things have worked out a little differently for Cordelia if they had? Spoilers: Buffy s3 'The Wish'; a few spoilers for s5.
Rec: Astrid said: "A lighthearted story that takes wishverse canon and runs with it.tugging and twisting it a bit until it's even more AU than before."
Story Length: short

Title: the great cereal mastermind (12K)
Author: Amand-r
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Andrew
Pairings: none
Summary: Spoilers: Season Seven, up to but not including "Dirty Girls".
Rec: Debra says:"Another lyric wheel story. Andrew. Breakfast. Potentials. Pathos -- the good kind, that isn't a dirty word."
Story Length: short

Title: Green Card (168K)
Author: Ripe Wicked Plum
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: When Spike's threatened by the INS, Buffy steps in to help our fave blond vamp out. Spoilers AU after season 4.
Rec: D. says:I can't believe that plum hasn't actually featured in our recs before - i searched the messages and came up with zilch on her. Anyway, this is my favourite novella from her collection, although there's a WIP I have great hopes of It's a rather light-hearted tale about Spike's efforts to avoid deportation, including the *evil grin* sham of a fake marriage to Buffy. Hee. And then, of course, what proceeds thereafter. Read it especially for the description of the wedding, and the tape Xander sends to Angel.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Half a League Onward (48K)
Author: Mikelesq
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Halfrek, Xander
Summary: Halfrek grants a wish that creates a demon even she cannot control, and only Xander can help her stop it. Set approximately four weeks prior to the "Lessons” episode of BtVS.
Spoilers: General up through Season 7 of BtVS
Rec: Lakrids says: "Mikelesq is a writer that knows his/her buffy canon very well and is not unaware of other literature than Buffy fic (yes there is stories that have nothing to do with BtVS). All that and more, is shown in this little story that takes Xander on a demon hunting with the unlikely companion Halfrek. The writer takes a lot of the small background stories, that we have gotten, and ties them into a solid in between story with great dialog. The ending made me feel something other than disinterest for Halfrek, who would thought that?"
Story Length: short

Title: Hallmark Card for my Assassin (15K)
Author: Witchkittyn
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Faith
Summary: The darkest place in Sunnydale is the hospital gift shop.
Pairing: Mayor/Faith. Spoilers:through 'Graduation Day I', the end of Season Three.
Rec: Dreamsmith says: "It works in a big way. Rock-solid characterization; this IS the Mayor we're seeing. His mannerisms, his peculiar blend of being a wholesome, good-natured guy, and an obsessed, remorseless killer, warped by his lust for power. While you're reading this story, you believe it really did happen just this way. I could keep trying to describe how good it is, how the writing style is so graceful that it's almost lyrical, but that still doesn't really get it across. Just go and check it out."
Story Length: short

Title: Happy Ever After (13K)
Author: Rheanna
Category: Gen, Het
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Cordelia
Pairings: Angel/Cordelia
Summary: "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world."
Spoilers: none.
Rec: Amanda says: This story is DARK. It focuses on Cordelia and insanity. What happens after the world ends? Rheanna tells us beautifully with a haunting answer. A must read.
Story Length: short

Title: Hard Candy (offsite link)
Author: Annie Sewell-Jennings and Wisteria
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Buffy and Spike. No holds barred. From the destruction of the house to the destruction of the crypt. Little glimpses. Full-blown sex. Aftermath. Nothing light and fluffy. Nothing normal. Spoilers: Season: 6.
Rec: Lyn K. says: "This is pure gorgeous smut, set in Season 6 after Smashed. The way Buffy's and Spike's dysfunctional sex-capades might have gone."

Title: Harmonic Distortion (12K)
Author: Irfikos
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: AtS
Characters: Ensemble, Harmony
Summary: Harmony has a little surprise for everyone. Spoilers: none, takes place in early AtS s5.
Rec: Astrid said: "While I was looking up Irfikos's compelling and super-angsty 'Chain',I stumbled upon this Harmony-POV fic. Very funny. Very. . . Harmony."
Story Length: short

Title: The Haunting, Hunted Kind (36K)
Author: Selena
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Connor, Darla
Pairings: none
Summary: Mother and son. Darla has never encountered a ghost before. Spoilers: AtS:Pretty much everything till "Home".
Rec: Lakrids says:"Selena gives, as always, an excellent characterization of Darla in all her incarnations."
Story Length: short

Title: Hazy Shade of Winter (offsite link)
Author: Marina Frants
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Maggie Walsh, Riley
Summary: Who was Maggie Walsh, and what made her tick? Pre-series; spoilers for Season Four.
Rec: Debra says:"Riley before the Initiative. Maggie Walsh before she started trying out for the Victor Frankenstein Science Prize. A believable and moving backstory for both of them."

Title: The Heart's Filthy Lesson (207K)
Author: MustangSally and RivkaT
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble, Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: In 2001 the evil from 1936 has reared its ugly head, a Nazi demon with an unpronouceable name and a vampire henchman has decided to use Sunnydale as a recruiting center for the disenfranchised and discontented undead. How will Buffy/Spike and the rest of the Scoobies manage to consign this particular evil back where it belongs? First in a series. BtVS - early Season Five.
Rec: Jennifer says: They're wickedly, hysterically good.
Story Length: novel

Title: Heartbreak Even (offsite link)
Author: Amerella
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike, Xander
Pairings: Spike/Xander
Summary: Post-series. Spoilers: vague ones throughout BtVS.
Rec: Monanotlisa says:"Gorgeousness on a stick. A poignant glimpse into a different post-series world. A wonderfully captured Xander. A Spike with a twist. And then some. Heartbreak Even instantly made the list of my favourite S/X stories due to this sensible portrayal of two lost characters after things have run out of steam. So realistic in its bleakness, this is definitely a story I could imagine happening."
Story Length: short

Title: Heat Stroke (offsite link)
Author: Starlet2367
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Cordelia
Pairings: Angel/Cordelia
Summary: "Please tell me there's a Kwik-E-Mart next door," Angel said. Cordy slapped him on the arm. "No, dummy. There's nothing but desert. Flat, empty, stupid desert." Spoilers for 'To Shanshu in L.A.', Season 1.
Rec: Astrid says:When was the last time I was so involved in a fanfic I took it everywhere I went? One that I couldn't wait to finish and at the same time tried to read as slowly as possible so it would last longer? Kelley has a way with descriptions and imagery which lets you experience a story, rather than read it. Rarely do I have such clear images in my head. The desert setting, the relentless heat, the way the two deal with the situation they've been thrown into and are changed by the experience - everything's written so vividly it draws you in right away. The story is told from Cordy's POV, and Kelley is not slipping once here. also a bit of a rarity, and very refreshing.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Hell Hath No Fury (69K)
Author: Aadler
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy
Summary: If the road to perdition is paved with good intentions, then what about the road out? Spoilers for BtVS season 6, "Gift".
Rec: Jennifer says: "At first glance it seems like fics that have been done before - there's a girl dead, and someone goes to the afterlife place (wherever it is) to get her out. All I can say without spoiling it, is that figuring out the whos and wheres is half the fun of the fic. It's well written and deserves a look."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Hello Mary Sue (offsite link)
Author: Shuvcat
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble, Other
Summary: Spoilers: Buffy up to Graduation, Part 2.
Rec: Melissa says:"A Mary Sue fic that is actually really, really good.Basically, the premise is that a fanfic writer steps into her world ala Mary Sue. The whole thing actually works very well, drawing on a lot of the Mary Sue contrivances to spin a darn good plot. And I've always had a soft spot for the Mayor, so I quite enjoyed the stand off between him and Mary Sue."

Title: Here Comes A Candle (offsite link)
Author: wiseacress
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble, Spike, Xander
Summary: BtvS, Season 4, early season 5.
Rec: Jennifer says:"Creepy creepy creepy. Just in time for Halloween.
Story Length: short

Title: His Tender Mercies (316K)
Author: EnigmaticBlue
Category: Het
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Buffy, Cordelia, Drusilla, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Wolfram & Hart make a slight error, and bring Drusilla back instead of Darla at the end of Ats S1. Drusilla heads straight to Sunnydale and Spike, and in the process throws a monkey wrench into Buffy's thinking.
Rec: Peyton said: "I really like Enigmatic's writing but I chose this story to rec because I'm entranced with her version of human Drusilla. I also think the other character's reactions to Dru were spot on. It reminds me of how the episodes felt to watch. If you like to read Spuffy (or even Spara) I also recommend Enigmatic's other stories also available at the link given." Valkyrn said: "I do love both the theme and the way it's handled. I'm not a big Drusilla fan where stories are concerned as most of them are written so poorly, but this one is definitely a cut above and very readable. The girl can write." Spoilers: Summer before BtVS5 and AtS2.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: The Hobo (101K)
Author: Cas
Category: Gen
Rating: none
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Other
Pairings: none
Summary: In City of, Angel tells Tina he was in Missoula during the Depression. Spoilers for AtS, season 1.
Rec: Angela says: Angel implies in "City Of" that he spent some time wandering around America during the Depression. This story picks up on that. Not quite as dark as Spike's adventures on America's railroads, but still nice. Add in a not-naive little boy, some tasty rats, and the possiblity of a new circus attraction, and it's something worth taking a look at." Kate seconded, with: "Not nearly as twisted as I like my freak-show stories to be, but the great style and tight writing makes it into a gorgeous cinematic story.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Home From The Great Escape (91K)
Author: Cynthia Liskow
Category: Gen
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Riley
Pairings: none
Summary: Spoilers through Season 6's "Gone." "She's alive, Riley. Buffy's alive." On his way home from his jungle epiphany, Riley stops in Sunnydale for closure. Silly boy.
Rec: Nestra says: "I am not a Riley girl. Nope. This story sat in my inbox for probably a week before I opened it. And I found that it is, in fact, a story about Riley. But I bought it. I was never quite sure where it was going, but I was intrigued with where it ended up. The author doesn't forget canon - this Riley is damaged, this Riley has a friendship with Xander, this Riley is never quite sure what he should be doing or where. Worth a read."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Homemaking (46K)
Author: Kassia
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Cordelia, Gunn, Wesley
Pairings: none
Summary: Cordelia and Wesley are exploring their new base of operations. Angel is acting strange. Spoilers: AtS s2 AYNOHYEB.
Rec: Astrid said: "A treat for AtS fans. kassia06 over on LJ has written a missing ep gen story that is so amazingly true to the characters, season two really comes to life. With plot ::happy sigh::"
Story Length: short

Title: Hoop Screams (41K)
Author: Yahtzee
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Ensemble
Summary: When the Staples Center becomes infested by demons, there's only one detective agency in L.A. the Lakers can call on.
Spoilers: Set early S3, pre-"Billy". Farce.
Rec: Jennifer said: "Light and fluffy." D. said: "I laughed even though I didn't get all the pop culture references." Mandi said: "Ship-free, fast-moving, and downright hilarious.I'm never going to watch a basketball game the same way again."
Story Length: short

Title: How Good Girls Get Laid (offsite link)
Author: Pares
Category: Slash
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Tara, Willow
Pairings: Willow/Tara
Summary: Spoilers for BtVS season 4.
Rec: Anna says:Five-hundred word piece based on a "defining moment" story challege. Absolutely endearing Tara/Willow. Will make you all mushy inside. Or should, even if you are only 1/16th lesbian. Made me very happy.

Title: How to Date a Beautiful Woman (In Less than One Week) (511K)
Author: Melissa Flores
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Ensemble
Pairings: Angel/Cordelia, Fred/Gunn, Wesley/Faith
Summary: Lorne has his hands full when three men who love three brunettes reveal three stories that meld surprisingly - and the three brunettes go missing. Spoilers: AtS season 3, Birthday.
Rec: Mandi says: the reason it appeals to even a non-shipper like me is that all the couples are treated realistically. None of these couples have it easy in the fanfic, and I loved that. Aside from the treatment of the couples, the story's structured wonderfully; most of it's told in flashback, and the switches from present to past never lose me. It's also got one of the best confrontation scenes with Holtz I've read in a while.
Story Length: novel

Title: Human Day (15K)
Author: Veggiebelle
Category: Gen, Het
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Anya, Xander
Pairings: Xander/Anya
Summary: Xander reflects on his relationship with Anya. Spoilers: "Chosen" and the rest of Season 7
Rec: Leigh-Anne says: This story includes a perfect example of Anya's character and I could actually see her badgering Xander into giving her a birthday party just so she can be more like a regular human girl. The characterization of Xander is also done very well [.]. Altogether, a good representation of Xander and Anya's relationship through the years.
Story Length: short

Title: I Really Don't Like Mondays (18K)
Author: Booster
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Ensemble, Angel
Pairings: none
Summary: Spoilers: AtS s5 thru 'Cautionary Tale.'. An ordinary working day for Angel at Wolfram & Hart.
Rec: Leigh-Anne says:A hilarious story detailing what a typical working day for Angel at Wolfram & Hart is like. I could actually believe that Eve would plan every minute of Angel's day down to the second and Angel's reaction to his schedule is very funny. The interaction between Angel and the rest of the W&H staff and clients is also done very well and includes some funny moments with the mailroom staff. And, the scenes between Spike, Harmony, and Angel are priceless.
Story Length: short

Title: I Sing The Body Electric (24K)
Author: Fairy Tale Echo
Category: Gen
Rating: G
Show: AtS
Characters: Ensemble, Wesley
Summary: "I sing the Body electric; The armies of those I love engirth me, and I engirth them; They will not let me off till I go with them, respond to them, And discorrupt them, and charge them full with the charge of the Soul."
Spoiler: ATS 5 'Not Fade Away'.
Rec: asolyom said: "This is a lovely short piece set that begins directly after the final scene in "Not Fade Away" that deals with the group's reaction to Wesley [. . .] It has an aching, bittersweet quality that I really enjoyed while still leaving you with a hopeful feeling."
Story Length: short

Title: I-55 (27K)
Author: Yahtzee
Category: Het
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Angel, Buffy
Pairings: Angel/Buffy
Summary: Let's go ahead and call it an AU. Consider yourselves spoiled through the fourth episodes of the sixth season of BTVS and the third season of ATS, respectively.
Rec: Yseult said: "While just about everyone has read "Phoenix Burning", this is the one that always has me searching for heart. It's about Angel, Buffy, and a baby except it's not what you think."
Story Length: short

Title: If That Mockingbird Won't Sing (8K)
Author: Doyle
Category: Slash
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Drusilla, Willow
Summary: "Hush and don't tell, because this is a secret of Drusilla's: she has always wanted a little girl."
Rec: Astrid said: "An unconventional pairing, creepy and convincing - so convincing you don't doubt for a second that this is what happened." Spoilers: 'The Wish'.
Story Length: vignette

Title: Impossibilities (23K)
Author: Jessica Harris
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Giles, Xander
Summary: There are parts of this that no one on the outside could see.
Rec: Yahtzee says:"By no stretch of the imagination am I a Xander/Giles reader. But I took a chance on this story, and I'm glad I did. Jessica Harris does a good job of showing what the age difference between them would really mean and making this far-fetched pairing amazingly believable."
Story Length: short

Title: Impossibly Delightful Flesh (864K)
Author: Sadbhyl
Category: Het, Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble
Summary: The Scoobies have an accident that has them questioning the deeper issues of sexuality, gender, and the heart.
Rec: Sally said: "The s5 canon Scooby pairings are present, minus Riley, with a twist of Spike/Buffy on top. Has a lot of brilliant, hilarious lines and situations, she has a knack for a great one-off." Spoilers: Through Buffy Season 5.
Story Length: novel

Title: Imposters In This Country (66K)
Author: Minim Calibre
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Wesley
Summary: Change one little thing, and the world goes pear-shaped. The first story in the Trial by Fire series.
Spoilers: After "Becoming".
Rec: Yseult says: This is a beautiful story about Buffy and Wesley and a road trip.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: In Ev'ry Angle Greet (136K)
Author: Aadler
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy
Pairings: none
Summary: Someone has woven a tangled web indeed, and now the threads are unraveling. AU after BtVS season 5
Rec: Jeniss sais: This one seems to be an AU, set just after the beginning of Season 5, with sly allusions to things happening in the original Buffyverse and lots of guest stars. Longer on relationships and lighter (a little) on action than a lot of Aadler's other stuff, I think it's still worth a look.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: In Harm's Way (offsite link)
Author: Yahtzee
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Harmony, Spike
Pairings: Spike/Harmony
Summary: Buffy searches for her future. The Scooby Gang searches for Buffy. Spike goes to the mall. Spoilers for BtVS season 4
Rec: Gyrus said: "All of the dialogue is clever and authentic; Harmony is especially well-drawn. The action is fast-paced, and the ending is surprising and brilliant." RumPunch said: "I felt like I was watching an episode when I read it." and Tam third's the nomination.

Title: In Heat (offsite link)
Author: NautiBitz
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: A hot night with no relief.what's an exhausted Slayer to do? Summer after Season 5. In my happy-ending version of the finale, thanks to Willow's fabulous powers, the key was magickally transferred out of Dawn just in time to close the portals and defeat Glory. So everyone, including Buffy, is alive and well. (This was written before 'The Gift'. Please engage your denial and suspend your disbelief now.) Spoilers: Up to 'The Gift'
Rec: Amyslayer says: I'd also like to rec an update to an already existing storyline - if you guys read NautiBitz's hot hot S/B "In Heat" series
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: In the Bleak Midwinter (17K)
Author: Annakovsky
Category: Het
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Dawn, Xander
Summary: A Christmas vignette for those of us who like a little sour with their sweet. Xander comes to visit the new Slayer abode for the holidays. Xander/Dawn. Post-Chosen.
Rec: asolyom said: "Excellent."
Story Length: short

Title: In the Ground (22K)
Author: Rabbit
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Spoilers through "Forever". Set in season five. What if Dawn hadn't ripped up Joyce's photo?
Rec: Gyrus says: This short story is an interesting alternate version of the BTVS episode "Forever", in which Dawn does not /do what she did in the last two minutes of the ep/. While the story has some mechanical problems (mainly the frequent misuse of punctuation), there is a lot of very strong descriptive imagery, and the depiction of Buffy and Dawn's differing reactions to /that ending two minutes/ is both believable and horrifying." Jen said it was creepy and she adored it!
Story Length: short

Title: In the Mood (offsite link)
Author: Ellen M.
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble
Summary: Each story is approximately 500 words.response to a challenge to create very short stories using moods from the Livejournal list, In the Mood consists of forty multifandom vignettes, six of which are set in the Buffyverse.
Rec: Kyra says: Each of them is phenomenal, a self-contained treasure which perfectly captures the author's attempt at creating mood. These are stories I come back to over and over; they stick with you long after you've finished reading them. The writing is spare and beautiful, the characters clear and often heartbreaking. I particularly recommend "And This Is Your Broken Heart", "Things Giles Does Not Say, and One Thing He Does" and "Tarot Readings, $1.00" (which still gives me shivers; fabulous creep factor)."
Story Length: short

Title: In the Waiting (82K)
Author: Rheanna
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Ensemble, Angel, Other
Summary: Set prior to 'To Shanshu in LA'. Angelus is back. Or is he?
Rec: Joanna says:The story deals with an original character's attempts to psychoanalyze Angel in spite of his skepticism, and the not always helpful meddling of our two favourite sidekicks. Very clever. This is no Mary-Sue!
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: In This World (173K)
Author: Felicity
Category: Gen, Het
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Angel, Buffy
Pairings: Angel/Buffy
Summary: Buffy wakes up after "The Gift"--but things are a little different. Can she live in a different world than her own? Spoilers: "IWRY" "The Gift" probably all of fourth and fifth seasons BtVS
Rec: Storm says:This is a "falling through the portal into an alternate reality" take on The Gift, but it's the best I've read. I almost skipped over it when I saw it won best romance at Halo, but in my view it would be better described as drama, general or even angst. The romance really isn't the main force of the plot. The Buffy-voice and Buffy-emotions really convinced me - and not many authors manage to write Buffy's POV in a way that does that. She comes across very real and the trauma of late season 5 followed by what happens next in the story is dealt with honestly. It's B/A but it takes very seriously the changes in Buffy between the ages of 18 and 20. It also deals with characterisation in the alternate reality very well - the AU scoobies are clearly the same people, but changed by different circumstances and experiences and Buffy's disorientation and other reactions are very well done. And it never forgets that although "our" Buffy may be alive in another dimension, there's a very real body buried in our Sunnydale and a very real death. It doesn't try to take an easy way out of the emotional minefield. I enjoyed it a lot & I suggest you give it a try for Buffy & her take on life & for the Scoobies, even if B/A isn't your usual thing.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Indelible (81K)
Author: Nwhepcat
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Dawn, Oz, Xander
Summary: Spoilers: Post BtVS finale 'Chosen'. Pairing: Xander/Dawn; Xander & Oz.
Rec: shybob said: "Angsty. Good Oz, good Dawn, great Xander (big surprise). Left me feeling kind of adrift--not from lack of a good ending, but from empathy with the characters."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Inheritances (35K)
Author: Kita
Category: Slash
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Angelus, Giles, Spike
Summary: Spoilers: Takes place current day, with flashbacks to Becoming(s) I&II Violence, torture, non-consensual, (not descriptive) sex.
Rec: Melissa says: "Inheritances takes Giles's, Spike's and Angel's perspectives on the torture scene from Becoming 2 - it's very dark and includes rape, but it's more of a power issue than slash." Kate seconded with: "It's dark and disturbing (the rape isn't written but the torture is both brutal and beautiful) yet the tale is so intricately woven that you get sucked in."
Story Length: short

Title: Inside (18K)
Author: Rat Head
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Dawn, Spike
Summary: Spoilers for Season 5: The Gift
Rec: Merri says: This is a rather well done interaction between Dawn and Spike, if a bit AU as per later glimpses on the show. "Spike's not syrupy, nor Dawn screechy,” said Merri. Seconded by Lovesbitca, who said, "great Dawn/Spike interaction without the usual cloying sappiness of a lot of Dawn/Spike fanfic".
Story Length: short

Title: Inside (61K)
Author: Gyrus
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Faith
Summary: The concrete and steel of supermaximum-security prison can't protect Faith from loneliness, guilt.or the wrath of Wolfram & Hart.
Spoiler warnings: BTVS episodes "Faith, Hope & Trick", "This Year's Girl", and "Who Are You"; ANGEL episodes "Five by Five" and "Sanctuary".
Rec: Roseveare says:A wonderful, gritty and poetic story about Faith in prison.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Into That Good Night (88K)
Author: Chrystler
Category: Gen, Het
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Cordelia
Pairings: Angel/Cordelia
Summary: Cordelia is ready to go gently. Others aren't ready to let her. Spoilers for AtS, "Billy".
Rec: Amaltheia says: A beautiful piece of A&C (the author makes the point of differentiating between A&C and A/C) dealing with what happens when Cordy accepts the inevitable but Angel can't." Babs said: "Oooh. I second. I adore this fic. It's A/C without really being A/C. It's winderfully writted and I think it really gets into the characters motivations for doing what they're doing. Go on and read it.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Into the Desert (73K)
Author: Lizbeth Marcs
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Ensemble, Buffy
Summary: Buffy begins the task of starting her life over and rebuilding the Watchers Council without her two best friends at her side. Spoilers for Season 7
Rec: masknshadows says: This one is well worth an hour's read -- it's an excellent character study of a post-season seven Buffy. The story is dark without being morbid, and the ending definitely invoked a tear-ruddy face.The story isn't spuffy friendly, but the actions that take place are within the realm of possibility. It certainly doesn't fall within the realm of character bashing, however.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Ishmael Sings of the White Whale (145K)
Author: Lizbeth Marcs
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Faith, Wesley
Summary: Faith is pulled into Angel's hunt for the Senior Partners as the world crumbles into chaos. Warnings: Character death(s); graphic sex; sexual situations;violence; and language.
Spoilers: Post- Buffy S7 & AtS S5.
Rec: hpchick said: "This is a rec and a response to mousehounde's request for a long ficathon entry. It's dark, brutal, and wonderfully written. It had me in tears at times." Astrid said:"The author paints a picture of the world after 'Not Fade Away', and it ain't pretty. A story about vengeance and obsession, treachery and loyalty. and the big picture. How does one fight the good fight?"
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: It's Just a Jump to the Left (209K)
Author: kimberly_a
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike, Xander
Pairings: Spike/Xander
Summary: Summary: Xander is having the strangest night -- repeatedly. Spoilers: AU after BtVS s5.
Rec: Astrid said: "I saw this story rec'ced on LJ today, and have read it in one go. Or rather, inhaled it. What a great read - spot-on Xander voice, lots of demony action, humour, and above all a solid plot. (it doesn't hurt that it hits on my favourite plot kink, says the fangirl who watched Groundhog Day eight times <g>). And I absolutely loved the ending. And the nuances in the S/X relationship. Heck, I loved every bit about it."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Itsy-Bitsy Teeny-Weenie Purple-Puppet Angel Penii (17K)
Author: Willa
Category: Slash
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Spike
Pairings: Angel/Spike
Summary: Angel's day keeps getting worse. Spoilers: AtS s5 'Smile Time'
Rec: atozmom says: This is spit-take funny, with perfect characterization and voices. Yay, it's puppet pr0n, what can I say. It turns out, muppet!Angel's nose isn't his only removeable part. And if you're not snorting soda out your nose during this, your sense of humor is missing.
Story Length: short

Title: Jigsaw (offsite link)
Author: Perri Smith
Category: Gen
Rating: G
Show: BtVS
Characters: Dawn
Pairings: none
Summary: A tiny puzzle piece of/about Dawn that makes you ponder the whole picture. Spoilers: Season Five of BtVS
Rec: mona said: "When I stumbled upon this story, I remembered, once more, how much I love short but crisp & clever genfic-- this makes such a stunning amount of sense that I consider it canon from now on."
Story Length: vignette

Title: Jump (11K)
Author: Fallowdoe
Category: Het
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Spoilers:indefinite mid-sixth season date, post-"Smashed".
Rec: Debra Doyle says: A scene that didn't happen on screen, but which easily could have. Another night, he saves her . . . ." Lady Lark added:Seconded. A nice piece of angst ^_^.
Story Length: short

Title: Ketchup Blood (10K)
Author: Kalima
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: After sex, there's always breakfast at Denny's
Spoilers for BtVS, season 6.
Rec: Barb says: Kalima hs a couple of starkly lovely and unsentimental looks at Spike and Buffy's relationship, such as it is. 'Demon Drink' is good, but 'Ketchup Blood' is just gorgeous
Story Length: short

Title: Kill the Pain (114K)
Author: Philister
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Faith
Summary: "When Buffy is on the verge of ending her own life after sending Angel to Hell, she meets someone who can help her kill the pain. Her name is Faith. But who is she really and what does she want that only Buffy can give her?" Buffy and Faith relationship study. Spoilers for BtVs, season 3, post "Becoming".
Rec: Chazzman says: To tell more would spoil the surprise.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Killing the Messenger (offsite link)
Author: Neftzer
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Angel, Willow
Summary: Spoilers: Buffy Season 5, minor Angel Season 2. Post "The Gift" / "Welcome to Pltz Grlb".
Rec: Cieran says: Perfectly angsty and very Willow. Angel's reaction and Willow's reaction to it just make the fic, its perfect. This is a great fic.
Story Length: short

Title: Kiss Me Deadly (152K)
Author: Jennifer-Oksana
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: AtS
Characters: Wesley, Other
Summary: A late night phone call leads Wesley into a strange case with unpleasant consequences. Wesley/Other with hints of UST all around. A:tS Season Two
Rec: Rheanna says: There's some very sharp dialogue, and an excellent charaterisation of Cordy.and so much snarky Wesley goodness to enjoy. This is what the show would be like if it were called "Wesley".
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Kissing Under the T'Gathan (4K)
Author: Dancetomato
Category: Het
Rating: G
Show: BtVS
Characters: Anya, Giles
Pairings: Giles/Anya
Summary: The season brings out a little cross cultural exchange. Spoilers: Season 5ish, but not really spoilery.
Rec: Spiralled said: "I'm recommending it because it's funny and sweet and captures both Anya and Giles so well."
Story Length: short

Title: Knocking On Heaven's Door (33K)
Author: Estepheia
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Andrew, Spike
Summary: If life gives you lemons, go look for tequila - Spike and Andrew are stuck at the mission.
Rec: Mouse said: "Excellent characterizations of both Spike and Andrew in a nice little PWP. Even if PWPs aren't your thing, you should check it out for the nifty way Spike and Andrew just act and talk so right." Spoilers: BtVS S7, during 'Touched'. Pairing: Andrew/Spike.
Story Length: short

Title: Komodo (offsite link)
Author: Kita
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel
Pairings: Angel/Lindsey
Summary: M/M slash, rape, disturbing imagery, violence. A very dark Angel fic, inspired by Shanshu,a line from Anne Rice: ``In the language of the ancient people, the word for flowers is the same as the word for blood`` ( Armand/Daniel, `Queen Of The Damned`) and the ponderance of exactly where inside of Angel does his soul meet his demon. Angel/Lindsey. Absolutely NOT shippery.
Rec: Sandy says: "It's not often that one finds a story that is, to all intents and purposes, flawless. But that's what I felt I'd found after reading Kita's 'Komodo.' A dark and beautiful interweaving of surreal dreamlike psychodrama, and all too real violence, this is Angel fic at it's most edgy, bloody, and poetic. Komodo is one of those rare stories that leaves you feeling like you've seen a characters insides, a terrifying insight into what makes them tick. Suddenly, Angel is heroic, textured, and three-dimensional to me, all because of this fic. Anyway, onto the story itself. Sex, violence, demons, blood, some of it inside Angel's head, some of it frighteningly real, show the reader just how thin the line between man and demon really is- if indeed it exists at all. The imagery is breath-taking, the plot will make your hair stand on end, and setting it all off is a final exchange with Lindsay ('gentleness.') that was wonderfully insightful. This is dark fanfic at it's best."

Title: Lament of Gandymede (20K)
Author: Two Ladies of Quality
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ethan, Giles
Pairings: Giles/Ethan
Summary: Giles, Ethan. angsty, maybe a bit dark. Spoiler: Season 6, post Tabula Rasa, slash
Rec: Minum Calibre says:This story makes me very happy. And I want to kiss the feet of what or whomever convinced Two Ladies of Quality to start writing Slash.
Story Length: short

Title: Last Men Standing (offsite link)
Author: Kita and Maayan
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Angel, Spike, Xander
Pairings: Angel/Spike, Spike/Xander
Summary: The notion of comfort and family is pretty damn tricky. Damned if you do.Future Fic, 20 years after The Gift. A/S, S/X, A/X, angst, slash.
Rec: Lakrids says:"First, I don't like slash, sorry. I want my characters to be as close to the canon as possible. But in this story, set 20 years after The Gift, the writers make the actions of characters believable. The story is Dark, the heroes were killed, and only the survivors are back. In the end the writers give a small hope, that only feels like hope on the background of the story general bleakness and apathy. Forever is a long time."

Title: Last One Before Closing (offsite link)
Author: Selena
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: AtS
Characters: Lorne, Wesley
Summary: After regaining his memories, Wesley asks Lorne for a favour. Spoilers: AtS S5 'Origin'.
Rec: Astrid said: "A short character study. Made me ache for both of them and who they used to be."
Story Length: vignette

Title: The Last Summer (328K)
Author: Annie Sewell-Jennings
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Spoilers: Season 5. A post-apocolyptic B/S fic. After the world is destroyed by nuclear apocalypse, Buffy and Spike meet up in Australia for what may be the last summer on Earth.
Rec: Mina says: "I almost cried." D. re-recced, "This is some seriously cool shit. It's disturbing, which you expect from Annie, also haunting, but what is best, is the way she plays on your Spike feelings, until you're as ripped up about the way you feel about him, as he is about himself. Annie writes with a gothic pen - jewelled stained glass panels of writing, and towering abysses of darkness. A few stories transcend their ship, and I think this is one of them."
Story Length: novel

Title: Latency (20K)
Author: Shrift
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: AtS
Characters: Gunn, Wesley
Summary: Summary: When time elapses between a stimulus and the response to it, it doesn't mean that response is any less.
Spoilers up to late season 2, but vague enough for any fan to enjoy the story. Slash.
Rec: Katta says: :.arguably the best Gunn/Wes story I have ever seen. The characterization is spot on and the lines of dialogue so good Joss & Co. can just roll over and die in comparison. It's witty, clever, and hot. The ending (but not really the rest of the story) is NC-17, and I for one can rarely get into the rolling around in haystacks part of a story, but that's a personal quirk that doesn't affect the quality of it all. Just a very short example to show why I love this:Cordelia frowned at him, hands on her hips. "Is this about Virginia dumping you like the cold-hearted, big-haired bitch with a trust account that she is? Not that I'm still bitter about my trust account going poof, or anything." Wesley turned another page."Yes, you've hit the nail on the head, Cordelia. I'm pining away for Virginia. Please, leave me to my sorrow." Read!
Story Length: short

Title: Leaving Hell (offsite link)
Author: anr
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Cordelia
Pairings: Angel/Cordelia
Summary: AU after "The Wish". What if the wishverse continued to exist after the amulet was broken? What if Cordelia and Wishverse- Angel were the only survivors?
Rec: Astrid says: The author takes it from there and shows their relationship develop, very slowly, very convincingly. It's beautifully written, well characterized, and angsty. The story has a roadmovie-like quality. And we finally get to see more of the wishverse outside Sunnydale.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Legend (21K)
Author: Marcus L. Rowland
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble
Pairings: none
Summary: This is a BtVS futurefic; what will the world make of the destruction of Sunnydale, and who's going to tell the tale? Spoilers: All of BtVS, AtS s4 thru 'Home'
Rec: Astrid says: I like the format; the whole story is told through a series of critical reviews and the author matches the reviewer's lingo perfectly - overinterpretation and all. An original and funny little story.
Story Length: short

Title: Legions of True Hearts (offsite link)
Author: Eurydice
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, William
Summary: Post graduation, a restless Buffy goes to London to escape the memories of Angel, only to lose herself in unexpected dreams. But is William real, or is he a distraction? Is he, possibly.both? Buffy/William. poilers: Buffy Season 3.
Rec: Peyton said: "I don't have to talk about fan fic long before it becomes apparently obvious that Eurydice is my all time favorite writer and her newest fic, actually one of 2 regularly updated WIPS, Legions of True Hearts is an excellent example of why she holds that status in my heart. Strong characterizations which are in keeping with canon. Well developed and unpredictable plot lines. Complex and three dimensional bad guys. Well written non schmoopy romance and gripping action scenes. I've heard Legions called her masterwork and although I disagree (I think all her fics are masterworks) I highly recommend Legions to anyone interested in reading a well written novel length action/romance."
Story Length: novel

Title: Lesser Men (154K)
Author: Jedi Buttercup
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Ensemble, Jonathan, Wesley
Summary: Jonathan finds a direction. Wesley feels like a target. Britishness abounds.Spoilers: Everything up to "Normal Again" (6:17) in B:tVS, crossover includes everything up to "Sleep Tight" (3:16) in A:tS.
Rec: Jenuine says: "Lesser Men is delightful full of a lot of missing fathers and sons, and is written in the POV from Wesley and Jonathon. Lots and lots of British characters, and the story shows one more time, that is a good idea in the Buffy univers (and real life, too) to have learnt CPR. The story reminds me of a tv soap, but a good one." s.a. added: "Yep. very soap-operay. but a good read. a *very* good read."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Lets Go Round Again (20 minutes with Anya) (4K)
Author: Booster
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: crossover
Characters: Anya
Summary: Aziraphale's been hauled back to Heaven to help deal with the backlog of souls. His first case: Ms Anya Jenkins. Part of Jinni's 20 minutes with Anya Challenge. BtVS/Watership Down crossover. Spoilers: Post season seven and "Chosen”.
Rec: Shelley said: "This is a short fic, written quickly, so it is not flawless. and yet I still remember it fondly eight months later. It's fun!"
Story Length: vignette

Title: Lies (9K)
Author: The Brat Queen
Category: Slash
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Wesley
Summary: Utopia isn't the only thing that's not true. Spoilers: AtS season 4 'Magic Bullet'
Rec: Astrid says: This is very short piece, so I don't quite know what to write without spoiling the episode. Except that I loved this fic, the ending in particular. What I liked most, apart from the touching final scene, was the whole feel of this story. TBQ just got the Love & Peace vibe down. Even though you know it's all fake, you want to believe that it's real -­ just like on the show
Story Length: short

Title: Lies to Children (6K)
Author: Gulessable
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Giles
Summary: It's not the fall that kills you. Spoiler: Season 7, of a sort.
Rec: Monica says: Short, dark and sad. A possible future where Giles is left to care for a child who may hold the same seeds of darkness as her mother." Melissa added:"Seconded. Chilling at the end.
Story Length: short

Title: Like Minds (offsite link)
Author: Perri Smith
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: crossover
Characters: Ensemble, Cordelia, Other
Pairings: none
Summary: Two Seers walk into a bar. Crossover with the Dead Zone. Spoilers: Angel Season 3.
Rec: Mandi says: There are plenty of crossovers that revolve simply around one character from one series meeting another - and Perri knows how to do it right. An introspective meeting of minds that works really well; the characterization is great, the writing sincere, and I could completely buy the necessity of such a friendship.Bleah, I'm not at my most profound, but I'm tired and scatterbrained and was happy to stumble across this. Just go read it. :)" talbot added:"enthusiastic second! very touching story." Amaltheia said:"I'm not at all familiar with the Dead Zone, but with a writer of Perri's standing that doesn't make any difference. A haunting look at the loneliness of seeing, Go read now." s.a. added:"Seconded like there's no tomorrow. I happen to adore TDZ, so when someone writes *good* TDZ fic, I fall over. And the xover happens to meld beautifully with AtS S3.
Story Length: short

Title: Lilac City (759K)
Author: Nwhepcat
Category: Gen, Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Faith, Xander, Other
Pairings: Xander/Faith
Summary: After the fall of Sunnydale, Xander resigned as the heart of the Scoobies, creating a solitary life away from the supernatural wars. He manages a supermarket in Spokane, stays sober, keeps to himself. But now, five years later, his quiet life is about to change forever, in ways he can't possibly imagine.
Spoilers: 'Chosen'
Rec: Lakrids said: "This story have I seen reced on several different places, but in case somebody have not noticed it yet, will I point out this excellent story. I think it's over 100.000 characters in length by now, and there is nearly a short updates every day. The story is also a textbook example, for why some writers publish on LJ, there have been some lively and interesting discussions between the readers, about the plot development, and sometimes does the writer listen, and sometime (s)he doesn't."
Story Length: novel
Sequel to: Postcards from a Kerouac Summer

Title: Limits (21K)
Author: Benaresq
Category: Slash
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Angel, Xander
Summary: "This I like. The scariest thing in the world is." Spoilers for BtVS season 2.
Rec: Jessa says:I would recommend basically anything by BenaresqShe writes Angel/Xander to die for (read and worship the 'For Giving' series, especially 'Limits' which boasts one of my favourite fanfic lines ever - ". the divide between "feeling human" and "feeling a human" which is such a vast chasm in theory, is in practice hairline-thin but that perfect happiness is an illusion, and that is how it steals your soul.
Story Length: short

Title: Line in the Sand (23K)
Author: Dazzle
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Cordelia
Pairings: Angel/Cordelia
Summary: Angel and Cordelia try to find their limits. Spoilers: Waiting in the Wings A:tS Season Two
Rec: Ebonbird says:A Cordy/Angel fanfic that so doesn't suck, at least in my opinion. Dazzle has an ear for dialogue and she addresses the effects of romance on almost everyone in Angel Investigations. It's hot, convincing, and chilling depending on who's talking to who.
Story Length: short

Title: Living Dangerously (11K)
Author: Andraste
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Andrew
Pairings: none
Summary: Andrew Wells bakes some muffins and comes to a realisation.
Rec: Debra says:"This one is absolutely wonderful. Andrew bakes fresh blueberry muffins (it's important to use fresh blueberries, and not to stir the batter too much) and has an epiphany of sorts."
Story Length: short

Title: London Hellmouth (122K)
Author: Sylvia Volk
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Drusilla, Spike
Summary: Historical adventure, set in 1905, with dragon. No Spoilers
Rec: Debra said: There's something bad and powerful sleeping under London, and the Slayer is missing with no new girl called . . . when Spike and Dru show up in town, lost luggage is the least of their problems.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: London Rain (24K)
Author: Ducks
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Spike
Pairings: Angel/Spike
Summary: As Angel ponders the direction of his life as a human being, someone from his past appears to remind him what it means to be *alive*.
future fic, features a human Angel and Spike.
SPOILERS: None, really. If you know what Shanshu is, you're fine.
Rec: D. says: Sad, sweet, and indirectly B/A in a lovely way that I can read even today and connect to.
Story Length: short

Title: The Long Term (offsite link)
Author: Helen Raven
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Wesley
Pairings: Angel/Wesley
Summary: 'bloodletting and dark themes'. Spoilers: Up to early season 2 Angel.
Rec: Eyesdarker says: "This is a Wesley/Angel fic with an unusual clarity. We are shown a Wesley carefully convincing himself that he is taking a dangerous course of action because it is his duty to do so. The reader, however, knows there is more to it than that and Helen explores Wes' thought process in fascinating depth. Wes' character is detailed and beievable who else would make a major, potentially disastrous decision based on a Word Puzzle answer? Self-justification, very beievable power games (which are focussed into intense sexual tension rather than just sex), and a cleverly downbeat ending, make this a great read."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Looking-Glass House (6K)
Author: Doyle
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Buffy, Dana, Giles
Pairings: none
Summary: For the Danaficathon for aaronlisa: request was angsty darkfic with Giles and Buffy. Spoiler ATS season 5
Rec: Kyra said: "Cool and interesting story about Dana (the crazy slayer who showed up in LA in Angel season five), Giles and Buffy. The Lewis Carroll quotes work well to give it a sense of simultaneous whimsy and menace. A fascinating treatment of both slayer lore and insanity."
Story Length: short

Title: Loserville (92K)
Author: Shrift
Category: Slash
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike, Xander
Pairings: Spike/Xander
Summary: Welcome to Loserville, population: two. Spoilers for BtVS season 4.
Rec: Green says:"The characterizations are perfect. The dialogue is crisp and funny and smart. The progression is believable and the sex is incredibly hot. I don't know what else I can say, except *read it*."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Losing My Religion (offsite link)
Author: Kita
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Wesley
Pairings: none
Summary: "Angel. Wesley. Insanity. Italics." Spoilers: All of Season 3 Angel.
Rec: Brigdh says:"This fic is just beautiful. The language used to tell the story is poetic in places, chilling in others, and always takes your breath away. It's a story about Angel at the bottom of the ocean, Angel the man, and Angel the vampire. It's about hope, and trust, and love and family. It's about getting what you deserve, and learning to expect nothing more. It's everything Season 3 could have been. Just read it, I don't have the words to describe it well enough."
Story Length: short

Title: Lost in the Supermarket (21K)
Author: Lint
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: AtS
Characters: Illyria, Wesley
Summary: Wesley. Illyria. Grocery shopping. Spoilers: Set in AtS s5.
Rec: Debra says: Wesley is finding his agreement with Illyria harder to live with than he anticipated; Illyria is finding this world stranger than she expected. Neither one of them is particularly happy about it. But they still have to buy groceries.
Story Length: short

Title: Loving Kindness (offsite link)
Author: Herself
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: "Their stares penetrated him the way he'd penetrated them, and sucked him nearly as dry." A sequel to What She Deserves. Spoilers: up to end of Season 6. Rating: NC-17, contains m/m relationship as well as m/f .
Rec: Jennifer says: "Beautifully written, heartbreaking, a sequel to Herself's previous fic "What She Deserves". Picks up where that fic left off, with Spike returning to Sunnydale after an absence sparked by getting his soul. There are no simple paths for Spike and Buffy in their relationship and Herself explores the anguish of souled Spike and the hurt and confusion of Buffy with detail and alacrity."

Title: L� et Ailleurs (offsite link)
Author: Yseult deBreton
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Angel, Buffy
Pairings: Angel/Buffy
Summary: AU. Instead of disappearing into Hell, Angel follows Buffy to LA. This story is set in the days and weeks following "Becoming II".
Rec: Elizabeth says: This is unlike any other Becoming II story you've ever read. Yseult makes one small change (Angel doesn't go to Hell) and the world as Buffy knows it completely unravels. If you're looking for smutty fluffy B/A, this is not the story for you. Yseult will drag you kicking and screaming into some dark places and just when think you've figured out what's going to happen next, she turns the knife again.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Manus (31K)
Author: Kita
Category: Slash
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Connor, Spike
Pairings: Angel/Spike
Summary: Post-Damage, the contents of Angel's sweetest dreams. Also, Joss has a weird obsession with hands. Please note this fic contains vague images of incest between Angel(us) and Connor.
Spoilers through BtVS s7 'Chosen'; AtS s5 'Soul Purpose', 'Damage'.
Rec: Astrid says: "Dark and beautiful. Kita captures the essence of Angel in the relationships with those who matter to him the most. I can't really describe it, best read for yourselves."
Story Length: short

Title: Many Loves (236K)
Author: JW
Category: Het, Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Angelus, Buffy, Darla, Drusilla, Spike
Pairings: Angelus/Spike, Buffy/Spike, Spike/Drusilla, Spike/Harmony
Summary: A not-so-brief history of William the Bloody, including a hundred and twenty years, two girlfriends, three doomed obsessions, four continents, nine haircolors, four parties, three torture scenes, two blowjobs, twelve consecutive shots of whiskey, forty-three thousand eight hundred packs of cigarettes, and a car theft. Spoilers for BtVS "School Hard" through "The Gift."
Rec: Ruth says: I was particularly impressed by the smooth integration of canon into the story -- few writers can retell something we've seen on screen and add something new to it, but Jessica does. Great characterization of Spike (and Dru) and a marvelous take on the weird and warped dymanic between the four vampires.
Story Length: novel

Title: Martyr (8K)
Author: Settiai
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Anya
Summary: Even in the most senseless death, the victim sometimes emerges as a willing martyr. The question is, however, how do you know when they are?
Spoilers for the seventh season of BtVS (mainly "Selfless" and "Chosen") and the fourth season of AtS (mainly "Home").
Rec: Ailine says: a creepy, yet realistic, look at a possible outcome of the final battle "
Story Length: short

Title: Mascara (15K)
Author: Sharkbait
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Jonathan
Summary: "Here in this dingy bathroom, putting on a dead woman's makeup, pretty much verything seems trivial."
Spoilers for BtVS, "Dead Things".
Rec: Kate says: A Jonathan story that's the right level of harsh and dark without wallowing in the tar. Bitter, biting, and with gorgeous backstory and characterization. Just fabulous. Seriously.
Story Length: short

Title: Me More Than You (10K)
Author: Glossolalia
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: AtS
Characters: Spike, Wesley
Summary: Spike's hurt, Wes comforts. Or is it the other way around? Post-s5/s3.
Rec: gwyn says:"This little piece really stuck with me, and it had a lovely air of melancholy and regret. It's not really slash, per se, but there's definitely a sexual interest in the story; nothing is overtly acted upon. The writing is lovely, evocative, quiet and beautifully conveys a male sensibility in the characters. This is a Wes I wish I could see on the series. And a Spike, as well."
Story Length: short

Title: Mercy Street (70K)
Author: Gwyneth Rhys
Category: Gen
Rating: none
Show: AtS
Characters: Ensemble, Dana, Spike
Summary: When Dana returns to LA looking for Spike, they make a strange truce and find a way to help each other with their damage. Spoilers: AtS through 'Shells'
Rec: Kalima said:"It's painful and spare and elegant and deeply moving. I loves me some Gywnneth."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Messengers of Grey (offsite link)
Author: Sarah T.
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Giles, Oz
Summary: Oz prowls in London. BtVS Post Season Five
Rec: Kate says: It's a delicious proper English ghost story with an appropriate "BtVS" twist and it just generally rocks my socks on a regular basis.
Story Length: short

Title: Midnight Run (30K)
Author: Mad Poetess and James Walkswithwind
Category: Slash
Rating: PG-13
Show: crossover
Characters: Angel
Summary: Angel prepares to meet a pair of old acquaintances. He's not necessarily happy about it.
An Angel/Dukes of Hazzard crossover. Bo/Luke, Angel/.good question. Spoilers: not really.
Rec: mouse said:"The authors did an excellent job on capturing the spirit of the "Duke boys". It was fun, it was plausible, it worked. Check it out if only to say you read a Dukes/Angel xover. I think you will be very pleasantly surprised."Debra said: "From the department of truly-way-out-there crossovers comes this amusing entry -- nothing particularly deep, but enjoyable reading for anyone who ever had a guilty-pleasure relationship with Bo and Luke and the General Lee."
Story Length: short

Title: Miles To Go (offsite link)
Author: Rachel Anton
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Angel, Spike
Pairings: Angel/Spike
Summary: Two souled vampires with a long way to go. Spoilers: Through Grave and Tomorrow
Rec: msrossdiva says::"Sometime between "Grave" & "Lessons", Spike visits Angel looking to antagonize him & hopefully find some of the pain & punishment he's looking for. This is a Spike with a lot of snark but who'll break your heart as well with all the pain he's in."
Story Length: short

Title: Mine Eyes Dazzle (8K)
Author: Victoria P.
Category: Gen
Rating: G
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Angel, Xander
Pairings: none
Summary: Xander confronts Angel after the events of 'You're Welcome'. Spoilers: AtS Season 5 through 'You're Welcome'.
Rec: hpchick11 said: "A poignant, well-written story with great characterization. It made me cry."
Story Length: short

Title: Miserere (216K)
Author: Starlet2367
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Ensemble, Angel, Cordelia
Pairings: Angel/Cordelia
Summary: Spoilers:AtS season 3 finale, post "Tomorrow"
Rec: Astrid says: "This starts as a decent and convincing post-tomorrow, pick-together-the-pieces fic, something we could very well see in the season opener. Then the story takes a few unexpected twists and turns, and becomes something more. I found it impossible to put down before the ending, but it was totally worth losing a couple of hours sleep."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Miss Perfect (33K)
Author: HonorH
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Riley, Sam, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Riley, Buffy/Spike
Summary: Set before, during, and after "As You Were," Buffy and Sam size each other up in a series of alternating POVs. Spoilers: Post "As You Were".
Rec: Lady Lark says: Opinion: I don't like Riley. I didn't like Sam. But I liked this fic. Especially because it realistically portrays how someone might act when they are introduced to their significant other's former significant other. I found myself reassessing the character of Sam (who before I only thought was a Mary-Sue at best). Jess added:"Enthusiastically seconded. A really great look at what was running through both Sam and Buffy's heads during "As You Were." Very good characterization, with some good quips thrown in, too. I highly recommend it.

Title: Modus Vivendi (offsite link)
Author: wiseacress
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Spike, Xander
Pairings: Spike/Xander
Summary: AU. Spoilers: definitely through season 4, and probably about half-way through season 5
Rec: Stef says:"This is a fabulously well-written story. The pacing is great; I've been sucked into the plot. I quote from someone else's FF.net review: "The entire structure you've established with this work, raising more questions as you reveal only a tiny bit of information at a time, it really gives the whole setup a suspenseful, unpredictable feel."I couldn't have said it better myself. It's an AU, positing that Xander has moved to LA and broken up with Anya, but the characters are entirely sympathetic. Spike is suitably non-schmoopy, there's a great non-Mary Sue OFC, and the UST is done so well that I was left guessing for a while as to what the pairing would be (wiseacress has no warnings other than rating on the story). Also some great subtle meta humor.NC-17 early on for violence, and only recently for sex.Sample dialogue:"She wasn't even one of the originals. He half-smiled when he thought that; as if they were a TV cast and she was a third-season add-on who turned out to carry the plot. He was a true child of the eighties."If you haven't read it yet and S/X is your thing, this might be right up your alley.Enjoy!"
Story Length: novel

Title: The Monster (2K)
Author: Miranda
Category: Gen
Rating: G
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy
Summary: Spoilers for Season 7, "Beneath You"
Rec: D. says: "The mind of Buffy at the end of the final scene of the afore-mentioned episode. A straight-shooting take on her reasoning, with a lack of sentimentality which I thought was accurate and refreshing."
Story Length: vignette

Title: Morituri Te Salutamus (5K)
Author: Annakovsky
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Pairings: none
Summary: (Spoilers: The Wish) Nancy, in the Wishverse, on being cannon fodder.
Rec: Ruth says:" Interesting choice of protagonist; realistic portrayal of one person's reaction to that extreme situation;telling little asides and character refs; wonderful Wishverse Giles. Great job, Annakovsky!"
Story Length: short

Title: Mortal Enemies (93K)
Author: Laure Alexander
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Spoilers: Post Becoming. Buffy goes to Kansas after sending Angel to hell and has a breakthrough, with Spike's help.
Rec: Kass says: "Laure has the talent to show exactely what is going on in one's psyche and she shows their emotions very well."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: My Baby Is A Centerfold (42K)
Author: Barb C.
Category: Het
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Dawn, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Spike and Dawn undertake a mission of honor. If you've ever wondered what became of the nerd trio in the Barbverse, wonder no longer. Takes place in the same universe as "Raising In the Sun," "Necessary Evils," and "A Parliament of Monsters." It's set in the summer between NE and POM, and contains minor spoilers for NE. Spoiler: Post-Gift /AU Season 6/7.
Rec: asolyom said: "In my opinion, it has excellent voices and characterization for both Dawn and Spike. The story is humourous with some moments of deep insight into both of them. Highly recommended, 5 stars and two thumbs up, WAY up!"
Story Length: short

Title: My little Glass Shoe (4K)
Author: Mark and Ins
Category: Gen
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Faith
Rec: Sandy says:.it melds more seamlessly than any fic I've ever read the thin lines between pain, pleasure, devotion, sex, and violence- love and hate.
Story Length: vignette

Title: My Pet Monster (12K)
Author: Jessie
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Dawn, Spike
Summary: Spoilers, S6 sort of, but only vague allusions. Takes place after "Wrecked"
Rec: Fleisch says::"Dawn reflects on her life and her relationship with Spike. Raises a number of issues I hadn't considered about how difficult Dawn's life must be, and how you never see her with the same friends twice Seems to catch a 15-year-old POV fairly well." Belinda, however, thought it could have been executed better - she thought it was full of cliches about how teenagers think, was tell-not-show, and missed some major details.
Story Length: short

Title: Mystery Play (16K)
Author: Glossing
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Angel, Buffy
Pairings: Angel/Buffy
Summary: The state of Angel and Buffy's relationship in Season Three and it ain't pretty.
Rec: Anne said: "Probably one of the few fics I've read for B/A that made me cry and perfectly shows how much love they have for each other and yet it'll never be enough to keep them together. Though I doubt they ever got close enough as this story portrays to risk his soul, I could imagine that desperation and loneliness might drive them to the actions shown in the fic. Overall, a wonderful story with some great descriptions." Spoilers: BtVS Season Three.
Story Length: short

Title: Myths and Shadow Plays (17K)
Author: Christina Kamnikar
Category: Gen
Rating: G
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike
Pairings: none
Summary: Spike POV. Spoilers: Season Seven, post "Beneath You"
Rec: Debra says:A Spike POV piece that --among its other virtues -- doesn't forget that William the Bloody Awful Poet was a well-educated man. Also angst, and pain, and oh, yeah, he's still love's fool.
Story Length: short

Title: Nairobi in the Rain (9K)
Author: inlovewithnight
Category: Gen
Rating: G
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Fred, Xander
Summary: For azarsuerte's Rare Pairings challenge. Spoilers: BtvS post-Chosen, AtS through "Not Fade Away". Fred/Xander
Rec: Debra said: "Not so much angsty as wistful; a brief fic about loss, forgiveness, and the necessity of love."
Story Length: short

Title: Necessary Evils (offsite link)
Author: Barb C.
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble, Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Spoilers: AU after Season 5. Sequel to "A Raising in the Sun". A story of sex, violence, violent sex, pizza, gods, demons, ex-demons, road trips, gratuitous Hank Summers, black magic, white magic, sorta greyish magic, felonies and misdemeanors, Eskimo kisses, spontaneous combustion, ethical dilemmas, ex-lovers, Willow Gone Bad, wrecked furniture, the importance (or not) of the soul [.] and (ooh, that word) redemption.
Rec: Desiree says:It's quite long (37 chapters) but worth every second. Necessary Evils does not have any cold dead seed magically healing sex or character bashing. What is does have is an intricate storyline with an impressive big bad and plots for everyone. The voices are all well done and no one really gets the short stick in terms of characterization. It deals with Season 5 & 6 issues a whole lot better than they were dealt with on the show.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Never Fall in Love with the Good Guys (8K)
Author: HonorH
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Anya, Lorne
Pairings: none
Summary: Sometime after NFA, Lorne reflects, chats with a ghost, and makes a decision.
Rec: Astrid said: "Both the voices are just excellent. My only gripe is that it whets the appetite for more. It screams for a sequel. Besides, there's never enough Lorne fic out there." Spoilers: NFA, Chosen.
Story Length: short

Title: New York August (21K)
Author: Europanya
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike, Other
Pairings: none
Summary: 1977 New York City. Spike finds what he's been searching for. SPOILERS: BtVS thru S7. Characters: Spike, Nikki
Rec: Anne Hedonia said: "Wow. This fic is utterly delicious, even without a pairing, because I've never heard anyone get so sensuously in touch with Spike's predator nature before. Every line is electric and immediate (and there's even room for humor). You know those hotter-than-hot pics of Spike from "Fool For Love" where he's on the subway, Billy-Idol-ed out, on his knees snarling up through those black-lined eyes, and he's just nothing but liquid *fuck*? This is an *entire fic* of that feeling. And this author says she's just getting started. Mmmmboy."
Story Length: short

Title: Nine Swords for the King (88K)
Author: Cas
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Other
Pairings: none
Summary: This story takes place early in Season Two, with consequent spoilers, but the flash back part follows on from events in Borsa in 1898. 9,769 words
Rec: D. says:". . . this is a story about Angel's past, and foreshadowing, and the strange way history seems to repeat itself. Its a very quiet, almost demure narrative, which doesn't even explicitly narrate the two turns in Angel's life, which comprise the twists in the tale. Instead, it develops through some finely drawn original characters, and leaves you wondering how many lives can be touched by a person who has been existing for over a hundred years."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: The Ninth Circle (offsite link)
Author: Mess
Category: Het
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Lilah, Wesley
Summary: Late evening finds Judas Iscariot and the Whore of Babylon taking a respite from the same old perversions. Spoilers for AtS, "Tomorrow".
Rec: Kate says: All I can do is quote the first paragraph. And if that doesn't automatically make you want to read this stunningly poetic piece, then, well, I don't know what else I can say. "Late evening finds Judas Iscariot and the Whore of Babylon taking a respite from the same old perversions and conducting an alarmingly civil conversation about the Antichrist. The ubiquitous They have said that his dearest pseudo-Papa - who had fallen into the bleakest Abyss but never actually stopped loving God, to confusion of several distracted angels who followed him - had met his demise." Singhue said: "This is such a gorgeous story with imagery that perfectly supplements the story's central theme on "evil" and evil's many forms. The dialogue is wonderful and believable; the characters wax philosophy without even sounding odd. Some writers would sell an appendage to write that kind of banter.
Story Length: short

Title: No Oceans Left (offsite link)
Author: Melymbrosia
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Justine, Wesley
Summary: "Confined to sex, we pressed against/The limits of the sea:/I saw there were no oceans left/For scavengers like me."
Spoilers:AtS s4 "Deep Down", All of Angel S3.
Rec: Leigh-Anne says: This fic is an account of Justine's time as Wesley's prisoner. Though it can definitely be stated that Justine deserved what she got, Melymbrosia still manages to write the character somewhat sympathetically and one can understand the reasons why she did what she did. The description of Wesley is also on-target and somewhat chilling as he gets revenge on Justine.
Story Length: short

Title: No Pirate on Earth (257K)
Author: Circe
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS crossover
Characters: Spike, Xander
Pairings: Spike/Xander
Summary: 'This may be the Spanish Main in an alternate universe where vampires are pirates, and pirates swish instead of swash, women hold high political office, and there are no such thing as shrimp, but one thing remains constant. No matter where you put him, no matter what the time, or place, or situation - Xander Harris will always be Xander Harris.' Spoilers: none.
Rec: Doyle says:This Xander-centric AU is a crossover with Pirates of the Caribbean - as the author's summary puts it, 'It's wacky, zany AU Spike/Xander/Captain Jack Sparrow. Jack has stolen the Ring of Amara, and Spike and a reluctant Xander team up to get it back. They trace the pirate to a brothel in the port city of Oxnard-town, where bawdy nautical hijinks ensue.' It's one of the maddest, funniest, meta-est and most original fics I've read, making cheerful references in the text to its AU status while keeping everybody in character. It has pirates, scurvy wenches, enchanted islands and sail-in movie theatres. It doesn't have shrimp or Dr. Phil, but they get name-checked anyway. All that and excellent Spike/Xander too.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: No Power on Earth (107K)
Author: Circe
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike, Xander
Pairings: Spike/Xander
Summary: So, you wanted more details on what Xander did on his summer vacation . Think Catcher in the Rye meets gay vampire porn. Spoilers: Set in the summer after Season 3.
Rec: Estepheia says:"I'd say this is on the same level of quality as Anna S's 'Sidelines' or 'Throwing Shapes'. Very very convincing Xander voice, and a Spike who still has his bite. Spike is evil, lying, drop-dead sexy, irresistible and funny. All the contradictions that make up Spike are here. We see him from Xander's perspective, who obviously lacks the knowledge to add up and understands what he sees, but we as the reader get glimpses of the man, of the idiosyncrasies and emotions that made it possible for Spike to ally himself with a Slayer or kidnap Willow. Great characterization."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Not Even Jimmy Olson (90K)
Author: Blair Provence
Category: Gen
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble, Buffy, Other
Pairings: none
Summary: During the spring of senior year, a Cordette finds out more than she bargained for about her friend Cordelia and the weirdness of Sunnydale High.
Rec: Robert says:"An excellent anti-mary-sue in late season 3 Buffy. A normal girl spends a night with the scoobies accomplishing precisely nothing, but her analysis of their characters is superb.""This one is several years old by now, but still holds up, and was the first time I ever ran into an original character who served the story rather than threatening (or at least attempting) to take it over. Solid "Buffy" in itself, it also shows that someone can occasionally see into this special world without necessarily ever finding a place in it."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Nothing Gold Can Stay (17K)
Author: Diane Harris
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel
Pairings: none
Summary: Angel broods in his room reading a book of poetry. Cordelia makes him stop and forces him to play scrabble with her, Gunn, and Wes. And then there's an ending that'll make you want to cry for Angel. Spoilers:Post Epiphany.
Rec: Tam says: "If I say more I'll give too much of the story away. It's a very good fic. You won't be disappointed."
Story Length: short

Title: Nuda Veritas (8K)
Author: Zero
Category: Het
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Spoilers through Season 6, AU.
Rec: Cari says:"Nuda Veritas is a gorgeous piece of writing - just a little snippet of thoughts going through Buffy's head in the 'thin, cool hours between night and day'. I love this story because it makes Spike seem like a real person. (Almost!Human!Spike as opposed to Generic!Schmoopy!Spike or Sex!Machine!Spike) I love it when writers capture a voice which really seems to me to be rooted in canon, and then takes that one step further so that you can really get immersed in the story and imagery without any jarring characterisations."
Story Length: short

Title: Observare (411K)
Author: Jeanne DeVore
Category: Gen
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Giles
Summary: Summary:(formerly known as "Journeys, Past and Present") When Buffy accompanies Giles to England to deal with the death of Giles' father, the Watcher and the Slayer learn more about their callings.and each other.than they'd expected. No spoilers given.
Title page illustration: http://www.chicagostation.com/buffic/observare.htm
Rec: LJC says:I've never found better Giles fiction than hers, and this is a touching story of a watcher and his slayer getting to know one another a smidge better, as Giles returns to England when his aging father falls ill.
Story Length: novel

Title: Odds Against Tomorrow (129K)
Author: Jennifer-Oksana
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Ensemble
Summary: Survival is a cruel thing to test a friendship with. Spoilers for AtS, Eternity, There's No Place Like Plrtz Grb
Rec: Kate says: I hate her. I hate her for writing something that has rendered me positively incompetent for the next few weeks. I hate her for writing something that had me on the edge of my freakin' seat -- literally -- biting my fingers in fear and delight as to what was going to happen next. This is "Angel" gone horribly noir and oh-so-*right*.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Oedipus Paradox (15K)
Author: Sophia P.
Category: Gen
Rating: none
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel
Summary: Why would a loving father kill his only son? Spoilers for AtS "Sleep Tight".
Rec: Cam says: "This one falls under the heading 'short, but certainly not sweet'. A very interesting and cleverly thought out answer to the question 'Why would a loving father kill his own son?'. It left me with icy-footed ants crawling up and down my spine."
Story Length: short

Title: Of Old Mystics (offsite link)
Author: Wolfling and Magpie
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ethan, Giles
Pairings: Giles/Ethan
Summary: "I know we're not particularly fond of each other, Rupert. But we are a couple of old mystics." Of Old Mystics a Giles/Ethan exploration. This is a co-written series of stories by Wolfling and Magpie. Angst, h/c, dark flashbacks, schmoop. You name it, it's in here somewhere. Slash - m/m explicit sex. Elements of kink. Drug references. Lots of magic. Spoilers: up until the end of the final episode of BtVS.
Rec: mouse says:: I loved the writing and loved the way the authors treated the characters in the stories. Plus, long fic! Yippee!
Story Length: novel

Title: Offerings (171K)
Author: OneTwoMany
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Spoilers:Season 7 through Showtime.
Rec: Gwyn says: I really liked the quiet romance of this story, and the warmth and tenderness that she shows for all the characters. They act as they do on the show, but we get to see a side of them other than what we were offered on screen. There's a dignity provided to everyone that I often found lacking in this season, even Giles, and I loved Spike's voice, especially-- very well captured." Sigrid added: "This is an absolutely lovely story, with evocative language that doesn't detract from the poignancy of the emotions portrayed by being too much.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Ogden Nash Blues (53K)
Author: Anne Hedonia
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike, Tara
Summary: Spike, Tara and a lucky kitten.
Rec: Jeanne said: "This is a light-hearted fic. No angst, doom, gloom, misery, world-shattering events or deep introspection. It is -- dare I say it? -- fun! Spike, Tara and a lucky kitten. What more could anyone want?" Spoilers: Timeline: Season 6-ish, some time in the area of "Older and Far Away/As You Were."
Story Length: short

Title: Old Blood (299K)
Author: Nan Dibble
Category: Gen, Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Dawn, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: While controlled by the First, Spike sired a number of fledgling vampires, something he'd specifically refused to do ever before. Recovered by Buffy from the First, Spike sets out, with Dawn's help, to assassinate those fledges, while assisting Buffy with training the SITs and trying to avoid resuming their destructive sexual patterns of Season 6.
Spoilers: Season Seven, through "Showtime".
Rec: Debra says: "A nice, long, meaty season seven fic, with Spike/Dawn friendship, Spike/Buffy tentative shippiness, Potentials as characters and not just a Greek chorus, not to mention an actual plot. Mildly AU in some details, but not so far off that it couldn't be ultimately fitted into a close relative of the actual full season arc."
Story Length: novel

Title: On Ancient Wings (88K)
Author: Cynamin
Category: Het
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Angel, Buffy
Pairings: Angel/Buffy
Summary: Angel has reached an age where he no longer looks quite human and lives in the permanent shadows between the sky-high buildings that the city's of that future consist of. Future fic (no real spoilers, although it was written during BtVS season five.)
Rec: HG Hettinger says:There are a couple places in the story where the author switched POVs, but you don't really notice it until a line or two later because the break in the formatting somehow got lost - which made the first read a bit confusing in a couple places - but I thought it was worth reading in spite of that.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: On Impermanence: A series (offsite link)
Author: Dale Edmonds
Category: Gen, Het, Slash
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble
Summary: A series of character studies with varying POVs. See individual parts for spoilers.
Rec: Kate says:About "On Impermanence: Joyce", A very harsh but very poignant story about fertility and children and how Joyce knows what a dangerous world she lives in. The writing just flows oh-so-well and it's glorious and heart-wrenching. The whole series is worth a look. Spoliers season 5.
Story Length: short

Title: On The Education of A Young Man (31K)
Author: Yahtzee
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Connor
Pairings: none
Summary: Containing an assessment of the intellectual and moral advancement of Master Connor Angel, late of Quartoth, in various subjects appropriate for the refinement of a gentleman; in seven parts.
Rec: Larshine said: "Exceptional, insightful and dryly humorous, it's a lovely glimpse into the mind of Connor after the finale. Great Connor voice, in my opinion." Seconded by Jennifer and Kamil. Spoilers: entire Connor arc of S3 Angel (general and specific).
Story Length: short

Title: On the Persistence of Beige and Memory (5K)
Author: Shadow
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Xander
Summary: He wonders if evil is just another word for nothing left to lose. Spoilers for BtVS, "Hell's Bells"
Rec: Anne says: I have looked through the bookmarks and decided that this little vignette has somehow missed the attention of the rec'ers here. I don't know how. It's a wonderfully evoked mood piece wherein Xander considers his (exactly 2) past women and his wretched life post "Hell's Bells"
Story Length: vignette

Title: On the Way to Grandmother's House (offsite link)
Author: Melymbrosia
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Other
Summary: Character study. Spoilers: Into the Woods
Rec: Gyrus says: I recently noticed a post from Melymbrosia on this list, which reminded me of her short, intense, and excellent fic, "On The Way to Grandmother's House". It's a brief character portrait of the blood-whore from "Into the Woods". If you want five minutes of sheer artistic intensity, check it out
Story Length: vignette

Title: One of them Extreme Makeover Thingies (8K)
Author: Tania
Category: Slash
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Spike
Pairings: Angel/Spike
Summary: Post Smile Time, Spike has several ideas about how Angel could bide his time. Pairing: sorta kinda Spike/Puppet Angel. Spoilers: s5 Smile Time
Rec: . Peyton said: "I thought the interaction between Angel & Spike in "One of Them Extreme Makeover Thingies" was not only spot on WRT characterization but I couldn't stop laughing the entire time I was reading."
Story Length: short

Title: One Thousand Miles of Sky (offsite link)
Author: Athenae
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Giles, Other
Summary: Futurefic. Long past "Chosen," Giles, separated from the others, goes his own way in the desert, and looks for miracles. Spoilers: BtVS post-"Chosen".
Rec: Debra said: "A haunting tale of Giles in the Jordanian city of Amman, investigating the death of the British ambassador's housekeeper. The suspect -- a mysterious Englishwoman who is both more and less than she seems."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Optimistic (18K)
Author: Sheila Perez
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Oz
Summary: On the road and feeling fine. BtVS: vague season four spoilers.
Rec: Kate says: This is Oz on the road for me. This isn't the nicest story, this isn't the sunset on the open highway and your favorite mix tape playing and a warm feeling in your heart. This starts out slow and steady about trying to forget the problems you're running away from, and slides into pure nearly-Lovecraftian horror before you realize it. Yeah, those problems you're running away from? They ain't goin' away, and they're gettin' bigger and meaner too. It makes me shiver. How many stories can you say make you do that?
Story Length: short

Title: Orleans (35K)
Author: hth
Category: Slash
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Faith
Pairings: Buffy/Faith
Summary: THIS STORY IS ABOUT the house that Anya built, which sure as hell wasn't any World Without Shrimp. It's about the wish that turned Buffy into a warrior, first last and only. It's about fighting back, and ordinary girls who dream of learning to Slay.
Spoilers:Wishverse.
Rec: Kate says: It's a wishverse removed from Sunnydale, and not what you would expect, but that's what counts, isn't it? Decadent and lush and very very *nice*. Tammy said: "Utterly stunning and almost sinful that they haven't been rec'd here yet! Orleans is written in such a different kind of style that you have to read it to believe it would work - brilliant piece of writing."
Story Length: short

Title: Other Pervert (10K)
Author: Elena B
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Anya, Xander
Pairings: Xander/Anya
Summary: Xander thinks about stuff. BtVS - Early Season Six.
Rec: Angela says: It's the sweetest little fetish story I've ever read. It's told from Xander's POV, and I really like Elena's style - there are little snippets I had to re-read just because of the way they sounded, so rhythmic. It has this confessional tone, and feels sincere. It's one of the few fics I've read recently that stuck with me. Not much of a plot, but a nice little character piece.
Story Length: short

Title: Our House (104K)
Author: Puca Dentata
Category: Gen, Het, Slash
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Devon, Oz, Tara
Summary: Spoilers:AU after BtVS season 4.
Rec: Jude says: "Wow! This story is told through various journal entries by Devon (Oz's friend from the band). When the hellmouth breaks open and several of the Scoobies are lost to the fight the rest of the gang must flew, but they know there's no real place to run. They must fight off the constant onslaught of demons as they take the last stand, but will they ever be able to win? Surprising twists to the story leave you aching to read more to find out what's going to happen next. Written in a unique style and though it's long-ish, it leaves you wanting more. There is a Oz/Devon and a Oz/Tara ship in this story and though there's nothing really explicit other than language in this story, it is most certainly 'Dark.' This also doesn't follow any story line so you're again spoiler free. I really can't say how much I enjoyed this story, but I can say it is soooooooo worth the read and you're almost sure to love it as well."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Ouroboros (offsite link)
Author: Selena
Category: Gen
Rating: G
Show: crossover
Characters: Connor
Summary: New lives and old guilt. Past and present collide when Connor encounters the Furies. Spoilers for all five seasons of AtS and the entire Sandman saga, plus "The Furies" by Mike Carey.
Rec: Lakrids said: "As many others did I like Origin, it was effective in with creating a satisfying ending to the Connor story line. But with only episode would to that. It could perhaps not be helped, that some of Connor's plot lines, did not get dealt with. Selena take some of these dangling plots, and incorporates them, in a successful crossover with Sandman universe, which I by the way have only a minimal knowledge about. The plot works with is own internal wicked logic, that one only can agree with, when one reads the story. With perhaps the exception of one very minor detail, namely the name of one the characters, where the coincidences get stretch a little to far for me. Anyway a very satisfying story."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Out of the Blue (37K)
Author: Meghan OHara
Category: Gen
Rating: none
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Ensemble, Buffy, Willow
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: After the retrieval of Dana, the surviving Scooby Gang reunitesto investigate the potential threat of Angel and Wolfram & Hart. when a surprise discovery sends Willow and Buffy on a mission to Los Angeles.
Status: never finished, but an excellent vignette in it's own right. Spoilers: After AtS episode "Damage", before "Smile Time". After end of BtVS season 7.
Rec: Valkyrn said: "It's funny, it's interesting, it's well-written,and it's worth a read."
Story Length: short

Title: Parallel Lives (34K)
Author: roseveare
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: AtS
Characters: Connor, Wesley
Pairings: none
Summary: "Look, kid, do you want to save the world or not?" So your dad's a vampire, your foster-mum's in a different dimension, and you're living in a world where somebody did a Sam Beckett on the timeline. It's tough being a Teenage Champion of the Light. Spoilers: End AtS season 4
Rec: Astrid says:I love stories that don't tell everything right away. that keep a level of curiosity right to the end. There's plenty of good dialogue, too, and an interesting plot. It was a lot of fun reading.
Story Length: short

Title: Paris by Night (15K)
Author: Amanda Wilde
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Cordelia
Summary: Fluffity fluff fluff. Don't say you weren't warned. Spoilers: AtS s3, esp. 'Dad'
Rec: Ebonbird says: The Cordy-speak is dead-on and the Angel voice reads true.Fic spoilers, too:.It's got fantastic Cordy, and stoned Angel in a way that hints that it might be part of a bigger story. The language is transparent, the characterizations dead on and MaybeA tackles the way Angel's been looking at Cordelia lately.
Story Length: short

Title: Perfect World (offsite link)
Author: Cousinjean
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble, Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: A slip of the tongue creates a whole new world of problems for Spike.Rated R. Series complete. I know this looks like another one of those "Spike's back from Africa" fics, but it's not. This is one of those big, epic, plotty stories that has been stewing in my brain for much longer than Spike has had a soul. Although the soul added a whole new layer to the idea that made it too interesting to ignore.
Rec: Alyse says:"10 chapters, mainly S/B but has plenty of the rest of the Scoobs, Kinda AU/Wishverse." Anna S. added:"It's a great story. I finished this a few days ago when I noticed the last chapter was up. This is the way AUs should be written. It felt very like the show. The ensemble stuff was a lot of fun, too--though, er, the story's premise wasn't *fun* per se. The style of this story, or maybe I should say the tone, is a kind I quite like--darkfic written lightly, I'd call it. Like BtVS itself. ;)Definitely second this."
Story Length: novel

Title: The Periodic Table of Wesley (6K)
Author: Dana Woods
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: AtS
Characters: Fred, Wesley
Pairings: none
Summary: On a rooftop, with the harsh, jarring sounds of bullets firing, Fred classifies Wesley. Spoilers: Angel Season Five, up to "Lineage"
Rec: Leigh-Anne says:Though Fred was probably the person who spent the least amount of time with Wesley out of all the gang until Season Five, the insight she has into his character is interesting. He is the only one besides Cordelia who has grown the most since his Sunnydale days and that hasn't been acknowledged much, so it's nice to see a fic which recognizes the changes he has gone through."
Story Length: short

Title: Perspectives (11K)
Author: Kate Bolin
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble
Summary: Spoilers for BtVS, season 4
Rec: Several different perspectives on the same event. It's interesting how just a different POV changes the entire events.
Story Length: short

Title: Phoenix Burning (offsite link)
Author: Yahtzee
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Buffy
Pairings: Angel/Buffy
Summary: This is a follow-up to "The Gift" quite unlike most you will have seen. Buffy awakens from death to find a world vastly changed. BtVS - Post Season Five.
Rec: Danielle says: I have just finished reading an amazing story. It is called "Phoenix Burning" by Yahtzee. It takes place after "The Gift", so if you haven't seen the season finale, you might not want to be spoiled. Also helps if you have seen the first two seasons of Angel, especially "To Shanshu in LA". It takes place about 350 years in the future and that is all I am going to tell you as I do not want to give away the plot. Genre would have to be action and romance. I swear this author reminds me of Joss; the foreshadowing in Buffy's dreams is so much like the show. Actually, the entire story is like an episode (or several). Words can not express how good this story is.
Story Length: novel

Title: Pianissimo (9K)
Author: Mad Poetess
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Tara
Pairings: none
Summary: Falling apart.
Spoilers: BtVS Season six, OMWF and Tabula Rasa
Rec: Melymbrosia says: A quiet and sad Tara vignette that uses OM,WF (sort of) to reflect upon Tara's backstory. Some lovely moments.
Story Length: short

Title: Pinch Me (38K)
Author: Tania
Category: Slash
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Spike
Pairings: Angel/Spike
Summary: A Shanshu tale, of sorts. Spoilers: Not Fade Away
Rec: Astrid said: "This one had me in its grip right till the end. Just the perfect balance of angst and fluff. A story that bears re-reading."
Story Length: short

Title: Plain to See (75K)
Author: Two Ladies of Quality
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Gunn, Wesley
Pairings: Gunn/Wesley
Summary: Ethan Rayne has a little job for Angel Investigations. Slash. Spoilers for AtS season 3, "Provider".
Rec: Minim Calibre says:Sexy, funny, and slashy, it made me long for the good old days of Wes/Gunn fic. Ethan Rayne is a bad, bad man, but if he could make this happen on the show, I'd forgive him.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: plex (56K)
Author: Spyke Raven
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble
Summary: Wishverse. Season 4 characters. Imagine a universe where Buffy Summers never existed. There have been.changes.
Rec: Vonnie says: "Although the Oz/Larry part is written well, my favorite is actually part one, where the relationship between Riley and Maggie Walsh is brought forth in complexities only hinted at during the Initiative arc. Beautifully written, with especially wonderful characterization of Walsh."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Point of Focus (71K)
Author: Aadler
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Cordelia, Giles, Joyce
Pairings: none
Summary: In a time outside time, a different champion must face the same problems and threats. Spoilers for BtVS season 3, through "Doppelgangland".
Rec: mburtu says:Obsession much? The central character is damn near one-dimensional, but you can see how a person COULD be turned so single-minded by grief that massive. And one line in particular is delivered in a way that makes it haunting (and shatteringly ironic).
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: A Poor Captain (47K)
Author: Rachel Anton
Category: Het
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike, Willow
Summary: "Sometimes it feels like an invasion, like a violation. Sometimes it feels like he's been possessed by yet another demon, like there are two of them inside him battling for control and none of it has anything to do with him. None of it has anything to do with what he wants. Sometimes he feels like a conduit for forces he doesn't even understand." Spoilers: Post "Grave".
Rec: Debra says: Recommended by Debra. D. added:"I am praising this with, as Aragorn reccommended, high praise. I've been following Rachel since her first story, and it amazes me how well she stays in canon. not just plot-wise, a difficult feat though that is, but character-wise. And yet maintaining a totally UC ship. Anyway, you don't have to like S/W to read this, because in fact, there isn't really any shippiness so to speak. What there is though, is a devastatingly interesting Spike. I have been avoiding thinking of post-Grave Spike, let alone reading him. But this, now this is just right. and there's going to be more of this. i am very happy.
Story Length: short

Title: Port in a Storm (19K)
Author: Minim Calibre
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Buffy, Wesley
Summary: Story Notes: "Who is he?" "Oh he's a . . . he's a kind of acquaintance." "Nothing of the kind, we hardly know him." "True . . . we don't know him very well . . . but all the same . . ."
Spoilers:Normal Again/Double or Nothing. Buffy/Wesley
Rec: Melymbrosia said:"Buffy POV, companion piece to "Anchored", which works much better than I would have expected; the author deftly parallels the two characters' alienation and self- hatred."
Story Length: short

Title: Postcards from a Kerouac Summer (38K)
Author: Nwhepcat
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Xander, Other
Summary: The Fabulous Ladies Nightclub? A total fabrication. Well, 99% of it. Here's the true story of Xander's post-graduation road trip across America, told in 100-word drabbles.
Spoilers through BtVS season 3.
Rec: Lakrids says:"Xander summer adventure between season 3 and 4, has given life to a host of Xander centred stories, often with guns and swords somehow involved. This is a far more lyric story, than I have seen in that sub genre. It is structured in chronological following drabbles, with some very good lines in it. Good conversations between Xander and the dead, imaginative, live people and other entities. And also good OC, and to that would I only I add, that I miss Vaughnie and nice foreshadowing"
Story Length: short

Title: The Prague Series (offsite link)
Author: Fay Jay
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Spike
Pairings: Spike/Drusilla
Summary: Spike & Dru hit Prague. (Set pre-Sunnydale.)
Rec: Kalima says:This is the best Spike/Dru I've ever read - thought so before I even knew Fayjay. But now another part is up. It's romantic adventure in the wickedest way, full of delightful, witty imagery - wry observations by a charmingly evil Spike. It's set in Prague in the eighties, a fabulous fanciful *actual* story involved about just what caused Dru's mysterious illness, Spike's rescue efforts and hot damn, the nasty bitch watcher Gwendolyn Post. This story makes me laugh in horrified delight. Go! It's fun!
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: A Proper Funeral (36K)
Author: Cyn
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Andrew, Angel, Giles, Spike
Pairings: none
Summary: post "Not Fade Away"
Rec: Debra said: "What can I say? All the people who disliked "Code of the Watchers" aren't going to like this one either. But if "Code of the Watchers" was entirely your pseudo-Wodehousian cup of tea, then you'll like "A Proper Funeral" just fine. Starring -- among others -- The Ripper, Spike, Angel, Andrew, several irate Hell Guardians, and a potted plant." Tara seconds: "I have to agree with the screamingly funny description of "A Proper Funeral", but I love Wodehouse, so that makes sense."
Story Length: short

Title: Pure Emotion (73K)
Author: Mike Dewar
Category: Gen, Het
Rating: PG
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Cordelia, Wesley
Summary: Cordelia and Angel finally realize they are right for each other. Or do they?
Spoilers through Angel mid-season 1.
Rec: Roseveare says: A very funny Wesley-centric story, although Cordelia/Angel shippers may not like it :)
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Pyrophobia (5K)
Author: Ins
Category: Slash
Rating: none
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Wesley
Pairings: Angel/Wesley
Summary: Spoilers for AtS, To Shanshu in L.A
Rec: Kassie says:This is a Wesley loves Angel too much story. I want to burn my own stories regarding the same topic in light of it.
Story Length: short

Title: Queen Of The Night (306K)
Author: Starlet2367
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Cordelia
Pairings: Angel/Cordelia
Summary: In order to have a future, Cordy must face Angel's past. Spoilers: Through Birthday, ATS 3
Rec: Little Heaven says:This is one of the most amazing, in-depth looks at Cordelia I've ever read. It examines her relationship with the visions, and her strength of character - something I've always liked about her.
Story Length: novel

Title: Queer Eye for the Spike Guy (56K)
Author: Michael Weaver
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Spike
Pairings: none
Summary: The Fab 5 have a challenging makeover on their hands. Mild midseason spoiler for AtS s5.
Rec: yourlibrarian rec'd. Seconded by Anne Hedonia: "this fic was hi-fucking-larious, much better than another QE-does-over-Spike fic I've seen out there. This one has every single person's voice perfect (although I had a few teeny quibbles about Thom -- he sounded a bit too much like Carson, but that was my only complaint), and that makes all the peerless one-liners ring even truer and funnier. Seriously, go read. Now. Laugh your ass off."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Quiet as a Mouse (299K)
Author: Miranda
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Spike, Tara
Pairings: Spike/Tara
Summary: Events have driven Tara from Sunnydale and five years down the line they start to draw her back in, along with a reluctant Spike. Spoilers: Goes AU after Forever.
Rec: Almatheia says::"Somehow, without realising it, I've become a Spike/Tara (Stara?) 'shipper. And this is the fic that cemented it. This fic makes the developing relationship between Spike and Tara credible and believable, and the pacing is just right right. All the usual suspects are present including a welcome return from a favourite baddie."
Story Length: novel

Title: A Quiet Pint (23K)
Author: Klytaimnestra
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike, Tara
Pairings: none
Summary: Spoilers S6 to Smashed. Spike and Tara talk about Willow and Buffy.
Rec: Fleisch says: It's now been Jossed or Martied or whatever, but I think Tara's reaction to Spike and Buffy's relationship rings more true here than it did on the show.
Story Length: short

Title: Rainmakers (offsite link)
Author: Lar
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Lindsey, Riley
Summary: Lindsey said he was headed back to his roots, "something like that." So what exactly did he mean?
No spoilers given
Rec: Angela says: Deals with the growing companionship between these two very flawed characters as they both try to escape their pasts.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: A Raising in the Sun (offsite link)
Author: Barb C.
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble
Pairings: none
Summary: My take on Buffy's return from the dead. The Scooby Gang discovers Magnus Bryce's plan to Raise Buffy using the Scroll of Aberjian, and the race is on to stop him--but Willow has other ideas. BtVS Post Season Five This story is the first in a series.
Rec: Mary says: It's long, but the dialogue rings pretty true to me, as do the characterizations. It's a B/S friendly resurrection story.
Story Length: novel

Title: The Rapturous End (26K)
Author: Annakovsky
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Xander
Summary: Buffy dreams of Xander, in these apocalyptic dreams, when the flashes of blurry image, of rivers of blood and piles of rubble and destruction, clear a space in the middle for him. Spoiler: BtVS Season 7 'Chosen'.
Rec: hpchick said: "It's an amazing, well-written fic based in the same universe as 'Seeing Africa' by Huzzlewhat and 'Preparing' by Lalejandra."
Story Length: short

Title: Real (31K)
Author: Amanda Wilde
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Cordelia, Doyle
Summary: An AngelFic, in which Angel appears only in hindsight, and Cordelia is careless with a (sort of)young man's heart. For a change.
Spoilers:The author says:" Slightly AU (Timeline? We don't need no stinkin' timeline!)" Season One
Rec: LJC says:"I found this utterly charming and exquisite. I love her Cordy and Doyle, and the magnificent touches of realism and setting really make LA a character in itself."
Story Length: short

Title: Red Flag Danger (19K)
Author: Alex Dollard
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Characters: Anya, Giles
Pairings: Giles/Anya
Summary: Giles and Anya after "Grave." Spoilers: BtVS Grave.
Rec: Debra says: (story quote) Seconded with: This was beautifully reflective piece of writing. Alex has put a lot of work into her fic and it's incredible to see the incredible strides she's made in her fic. She's a peculiarly English writer.
Story Length: short

Title: Reflections in a Turning Mirror (61K)
Author: Two Ladies of Quality
Category: Slash
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ethan, Giles
Pairings: Giles/Ethan
Summary: What's Ethan Rayne been doing lately? This is one take on the answer to that question. Spoilers: Buffy season 7.
Rec: Debra says: You have to love a Giles/Ethan story that contains two Potentials, a library, a set of lockpicks, an explosion, take-out curry, and lines like "There had been lies and prevarications between them since the day they'd met, but at times like this they'd allowed truth to show. It was no different now they were older, allegedly wiser, and much, much better at telling lies.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Regression (287K)
Author: Gyrus and Honor H
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Ensemble
Pairings: none
Summary: Crossover, AtS, BtVS. When a millionaire abducts Dawn to L.A. for an unholy experiment, the Scoobies and Angel Investigations cooperate to secure her return -- until Angel and Spike undergo a startling change. Spoiler: takes place after "Fredless" and "Life Serial".
Rec: Astrid says: "This is a fast-paced, plot-driven story with a plethora of truly interesting original characters. What is more, it´s an AtS/BtVS xover where all the characters get a fair treatment, there´s not even a hint of character bashing.The story might need some suspension of disbelief in the linguistics department (and I don´t know how to specify that without giving away the subplot) but I don´t know enough about linguistics - or history - to be sure. In any case, this fic is very entertaining and gripping" Atozmom added:"Happily seconded. Action, humor, great villians - what more do you need?"
Story Length: novel

Title: Repeat the Sounding Joy (offsite link)
Author: Princess Plum Jade
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Angel, Buffy
Pairings: Angel/Buffy
Summary: "Too often, it is easy to look back on our first loves and wonder what might have been when the truth is we've changed so much our first loves probably wouldn't even recognise/identify with the people we become in 10 or 20 years. This is my view on what might have happened to them if they never got past the past." Spoilers: BtVS S 6,7 and AtS S 3,4.
Rec: Yseult says: This is a well-written and original tale which knits some of the characters from both shows in the future. The characters are believable and the plot moves along at a steady pace. It's a shipper fic but I didn't get the impression it was being shoved down my throat. Yes, there's some hot-and-heavy action but it's not the "Debbie Does Dallas" variety. It's fairly lengthy. I've no idea how many words that works out to, but there are chapters. This is a real treat, especially if you like B/A, and it was a great way to spend a morning. Enjoy.

Title: Resistance Movement (8K)
Author: Nomad
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS crossover
Characters: Buffy
Summary: In the not so distant future, Buffy's still Sunnydale's resident slayer. A brief, bleak glimpse what might have been. Post 'The Gift'
Rec: Delylah says: Story is a vignette, set seven years into the future, presumably 7 years after the events of "The Gift" if it had ended differently. Buffy remembers those who are gone, and despairs. Hints of B/A, B/S, but not so much a shippy fic. A bit of dark fic, but enjoyable - a believable peek inside Buffy's mind as the world crumbles around her." Jennifer seconded with:"Short, meaty, bleak, tragic. I loved it."
Story Length: short

Title: Return (47K)
Author: roseveare
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Faith, Wesley
Pairings: Wesley/Faith
Summary: 'She can't believe they're the last ones left.' Faith and Wesley, ten years on. Post-season 3.
Rec: Monica says:"As Roseveare puts as her summary for this fic, 'She can't believe they're the last ones left.' Faith and Wesley, ten years on. This is a projected future-fic, and it extrapolates what might have happened from events put into motion last season on Angel as well as Buffy. This dark, bitter, wonderful fic is definitely a must-read, with a great Faith voice and a Wesley turned old before his time."
Story Length: short

Title: Revelations (81K)
Author: Lizbeth Marcs
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble, Xander
Pairings: none
Summary: Spoilers: mid season 7. What if Willow's magic blast in "Grave" had long- lasting consequences for Xander? Story is told from the POV of Faith, Buffy, Willow, Spike, and Giles. Takes place mid-S7. No shippyness
Rec: Lakrids says: This story is part of subgenre of Xander centric stories, that I somehow always read when I find them. Not that I have found before now, any stories that there were more than half decent. I am of course not including the recommended story in that harsh generalisation. I think that it is more than decent, but it is, as I said before, from a genre that I have a small weakness for.The story is built up on a line of different characters POW, where the characters looks back and reflects over actions that has happened. I miss in the story, that author show the reader the actions and not just tell about the consequences, and this I think the main weak point of the story, a little to much tell and not enough show.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Rhapsody in Oil (offsite link)
Author: Eurydice
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: A mysterious painting, a Slayer looking for something just a little bit different from Sunnydale, and a horny vampire.what could possibly go wrong? Spoilers:Takes place S4, just after Something Blue but before Hush, then, AU.
Rec: Peyton says: It's an engaging and fresh idea for a Buffy fanfic involving pseudo time travel. I'm a fan of big band music and this story just grabbed me from the day I found it online. Eurydice's a fast writer with a new chapter almost every day yet she's still not fast enough to keep me satisfied. The non-canon characters are well fleshed out, the canon characters are acurately dialogued and the plot is simply fun and well thought out.

Title: Rise (He Buys Cigarettes) (5K)
Author: Kawcrow
Category: Gen
Rating: none
Show: BtVS
Characters: Spike
Pairings: none
Summary: A little horror story for things who go bump in the night.
Spoilers after and including "The Initiative".
Rec: Debra says: A Spike Vignette. What do his former demonic associates say about him now, and does he even care?
Story Length: vignette

Title: Rising From Our Dust (offsite link)
Author: Mahaliem
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble, Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Spike/Buffy, Anya/Giles, Xander/Willow. Canon for S6, then AU, an alternate S7 based on spoilers (some of which turned out to be false). Script format - several episodes form story arcs with bad guys that last for several episodes.
Rec: Estepheia says: : "People who are put off by script format should still try this because the dialogue just sparkles. I haven't enjoyed myself like that in a long time. The whole thing feels very authentic most of the time. With just one difference: unlike Joss Whedon she gives us what we want, lots of friendship and forgiveness, fun and action, positive thinking and great comedy. Just marginal angst. There is amusing slash-y subtext between Xander and Spike, the resolution of which may be a little unrealistic but I honestly didn't care. I just sat back and enjoyed the whole thing. There are good original characters and many cameo appearances. I often found myself wishing to see the whole thing enacted on television. *Sigh* So good."

Title: rm w/ a ghst (offsite link)
Author: Panthea
Category: Gen
Rating: G
Show: AtS
Characters: Dennis, Other
Pairings: none
Summary: A young girl with a past takes over Cordy's old apartment and learns the rent is cheap for a reason. How does she react? How does Dennis react? And can he and Angel Investigations help her come to terms with her *own* demons? Spoilers: Up to Spin the Bottle.
Rec: Lore says:I rarely read any Angel fics that center around OC's, but this got me despite that. This is a beautiful and wellwritten tale centering mostly around an OC and Dennis (the ghost). The oc is interesting in her own right and gets a look at Dennis' connection to Cordelia. I guess I just love the way that Dennis was written without making the oc a Mary Sue of any kind. It's a nice look at what happened to Dennis after Cordy dissappeared and how the new tenant deals with having him as a roommate.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: The Road Not Taken (offsite link)
Author: Robin and Buffychick
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS/AtS
Characters: Ensemble
Summary: After a strange dream, Angel gathers the LA Gang and leads them back to Sunnydale where they help Buffy and the Scoobs track a demon. Turns out the demon, once captured, is obligated to show each member of the capturing party how their life would have been if just one detail, of their choosing, had been altered. Spoilers for Season 6 for BTVS and Season 3 for ATs.
Rec: Dawny says: basically the premise is that the BTVS and ATS characters get their chance to see what their life 'could've been'. I wasn't sure if I would care for this story, felt as if I've seen the premise before.but the plot and characterizations rang true for me. There's some slight graphicy type violence, especially in Spike's story but for the most part seems to fit all age genres.

Title: Ronin (103K)
Author: Cyn
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Andrew, Dana, Spike
Summary: Andrew Watches over Spike and Dana, after an Apocalypse. Set in Los Angeles and Mexico.
Rec: Astrid said: "I like Cyn's writing style a lot. Anyway, roadtrip with vampyre. Enjoy."
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in Mazatlan (11K)
Author: Christina Kamnikar
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Jonathan
Pairings: none
Summary: Jonathan thinks about the two guys that no one ever thinks about again. Spoilers for BtVS, season 6, "Grave".
Rec: Jennifer says: This short fic is a Jonathan POV exploring his fears from not knowing what's happened back in Sunnydale, and his crumbling relationship with Andrew. There's a great little callback to the Hamlet characters in the title as well. Monanotlisa commented, Fabulous motif, and the story itself is well crafted and wonderfully evocative; especially the observations about Andrew as well as his characterisation were entirely credible
Story Length: short

Title: Roundabout (offsite link)
Author: DevilPiglet
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Dawn, Spike
Summary: Spoilers: S6, post `Hell's Bells'. The author writes: "While it overlaps some themes of 'Normal Again', for my purposes, the events in that episode haven't occurred."
Rec: Little Bit says: "Excellent look into an alternate version of 'Crazy Buffy', with great characterisation and beautifully developed Spike/Dawn interaction. Lanie seconded, "at first I was with the 'eh?' The piece drew me in though and I fear I shall be the next person eagerly awaiting an update."

Title: Ruination in Red (12K)
Author: Annie Sewell-Jennings
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Two people are ruined by their love for each other, but sometimes damnation is divine. Post-"Into the Woods"
Rec: Lisa says:The Spike/Buffy fics that I've read and liked. They are all Buffy/Spike fics that I thought stayed true to the characters. Their UST isn't given a simple, romantic resolution. The stories are a little dark and yet there's also real affection underneath the darkness. She writes Spike/Buffy, and it's all arty and *hot* and fun to read.
Story Length: short

Title: Running for our Lives (offsite link)
Author: Syn
Category: Het
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Ensemble, Faith, Wesley
Pairings: Wesley/Faith
Summary: Wesley is trying to make amends with Angel and the gang. Things get complicated when he finds out Faith has been released from prison. Sequel to Scars. Spoilers: AU after Sleep Tight.
Rec: Ericacline says: :"I'd like to make a strong recommendation for [this]. Wesley's on the run with a recently released Faith in a story set soon after "Sleep Tight." The story has everything - action, adventure, a little redemption for Wesley and Faith, and even some chills (literally)."

Title: Sacred Flame (165K)
Author: Nocte
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: It's AU, Season 6 and set in the future.
Rec: Lyn says: Spike comes back to Sunnydale years after he left the town. It's quite dark and angst-ridden but beautifully written.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Sally Dances (23K)
Author: Juanita Dark
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Angelus, Drusilla
Pairings: Angelus/Drusilla
Summary: Angelus only has eyes for Dru. Spoilers for AtS, "Dear Boy'.
Rec: Cam says:This one is called 'Sally Dances' and describes Angelus' fascination with Drusilla, theorizing why he still finds her fascinating more than one hundred years after her creation. While reading, one might want to bear in mind the saying 'it takes one to know one' which applies in more than one way in this excellent, poetic piece.
Story Length: short

Title: The Same Rainbow's End (18K)
Author: Doyle
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ethan, Tara
Pairings: none
Summary: Wishverse ficathon backup for hermionesviolin who wanted Tara and Ethan somewhere outside Sunnydale. Set about ten years after The Wish. Spoilers: very vague from all seasons.
Rec: Lakrids said: "Tara and Ethan together are as partners, is a strange thing to say at least. But in this wish verse fic does it come out naturally. Being that it's a wish verse fic, angst is mandatory."
Story Length: short

Title: Sands of Time (offsite link)
Author: James Walkswithwind and Wolfling
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Giles, Spike, Xander
Pairings: Spike/Xander
Summary: Xander gets away from home. This series (and story) will be angsty, dark, and dreary with a happy ending. AU after Season Two.
Rec: Amy says: It's one of those good, long stories for teeth-sinking winter evening (the Giles content alone is worth the rec.)
Story Length: novel

Title: Say Eh-Oh to the Chosen One (7K)
Author: Ducks
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: crossover
Characters: Ensemble
Summary: BtVS/Teletubbies crossover. General spoilers for season two.
Rec: Mistral said: "This fic is quite short, but I have gotten more laughs out of it than anything else I have ever read (and I've read this one many times, and am still laughing). Whether that's because it's funny, or because I'm twisted, you'll have to judge for yourself."
Story Length: short

Title: Saying It (3K)
Author: Gyrus
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Giles
Pairings: none
Summary: Spoilers for BtVS, "Intervention".
Rec: Jacob says:Takes place during Intervention while Giles is driving Buffy to her "walkabout". Giles is pondering his feelings towards Buffy. This scene easily might have happened. I think it did.
Story Length: vignette

Title: Scheduling Issues (11K)
Author: LadyCat
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Xander
Pairings: none
Summary: Spoilers:Season 7, post-"Conversations With Dead People"
Rec: Debra says: If Xander had had a scene in "Conversations", this is very much what it might have been.
Story Length: short

Title: Sea Change (106K)
Author: Yahtzee
Category: Slash
Rating: NC-17
Show: AtS
Characters: Angel, Lindsey
Pairings: Angel/Lindsey
Summary: "everything Angel personifies is everything Lindsey's trying to put behind him by boarding a ship bound for the other side of the world. And Angel has spoiled the plan by climbing aboard himself. Spoilers for AtS season 3.
Rec: D. says::."this story unites two of the most slash friendly nummy treats in AtS, and comes up with a wonderful interlude that slips seamlessly into canon. I can see it happening. (I would want to see it happening, I would pay good money to see it happening, but that's a different story) To be factual, this is a story about Lindsey, the lost little boy who left at the end of the season after doing a variety of bad things, and what he finds aboard a freighter ship he gets on. And no, the ship is not headed to Sri Lanka. I'm just saying. It is a love story. More importantly, it is about love. Most importantly, it is told with love. Yahtzee knows her characters, and she loves them. It shows. go read, and rave.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Season Noir (offsite link)
Author: Anna S.
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: Virtual season. AU
Rec: Debra says: Three good fics here already, if you like sort-of-AU Spike/Buffy with a noirish twist." 02/02/02 Raved about when the new story Carnival was posted on 03/08/02. Raved about again when each individual story is posted.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Second Hand (45K)
Author: Kita
Category: Slash
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Connor, Spike
Summary: "Beware the Jabberwock, my son/The jaws that bite, the claws that catch." -Lewis Carroll. Spoilers: Not Fade Away, BtVS from The Gift on. RATING: R for imagery and sexuality, PAIRING: Spike/Connor, and the dragon.
Rec: estepheia said: "The name Kita stands for strong metaphors, a tight grip on canon, perfect extrapolation, emotional plausibility, depth, lyrical but conomic language, and poignant characterisation, the ability to sum up whole storylines and juxtapositions with just a few words and then use that interpretation to give her story that extra spin, that makes it tighter, more to the point. Brilliant piece of art." Astrid said: "Just like her to tear out my (fannish) heart, rip it into shreds and stomp on them for good measure." atozmom said: "stunning with the command of character insight that Kita always delivers."
Story Length: short

Title: Secret Mating Rituals of the Slayer and Vampire (offsite link)
Author: Wisteria
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: NOTES: "I'm going to stake you good and proper, you evil undead fiend!"
"And I'm gonna bite you bad and improper."
In other words, Spike and Buffy having a bit of role-play fun in the cemetery.
Spoilers: post"Older and Far Away".
Rec: MustangSally says: "This fun read is a quickie at less than 4,000 words, and sure to leave at least a smirk on your face if not a smile. It's the old Spike and Buffy are playing reindeer games in the graveyard and they get caught by a Scoobie. The charming bit is the reindeer game itself, and I won't spoil you for it! But what can you say about a fic that gives Buffy charming lines like: "They're never going to do a Lifetime made-for-cable movie about this thing we have, that's for sure. It's kinky and weird and hell, we played hide-the-stake tonight, for God's sake." If you need a Spuffy smile today, check this one out."
Story Length: short

Title: See How They Run (45K)
Author: Doyle
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: AtS
Characters: Eve, Lilah, Lindsey
Summary: Written for the Angel Book Of Days. Required character ~ Lindsay. Genre ~ request was: dark, humour, drama or romance. It turned out drama with a bit of humour and arguably some of the other two. One other requirement ~ Lilah or Lorne.
Spoilers: AtS S4 Habeas Corpses/Calvary, Season 5.
Rec: Astrid said:"Anyone else think that the Lindsey arc in S5 didn't make a whole lot of sense? Turns out that's because this bit of story never got aired. Doyle takes a couple of dangling plot threads, weaves them into a nice fabric and uses that to stuff a few gaping plotholes. And voilà, suddenly a lot of things make a whole lotta more sense. Even Eve. I found myself liking her, and might just view the character with different eyes when rewatching the season. Doyle writes, 'The original intent was for this to (mostly) mesh with canon,' and boy, mission accomplished. It doesn't just mesh, it's like a missing ingredient that completes canon. Very neat."
Story Length: short

Title: Seeing Africa (33K)
Author: Huzzlewhat
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Show: BtVS
Characters: Xander
Summary: Traveling through Africa [.]. Some things you leave behind, and some things you carry with you.
Spoilers Post Chosen. References made to Angel S5 timeline.
Rec: Carolyn says:"Here's a brand new story by a brand new Buffy writer that you don't want to miss. This is a beautifully written depiction of Xander's thoughts and experiences during his solo travels through Africa [.]. The Xandervoice is wonderful, the writing is flawless and the research really shows--very richly detailed, and very moving. Run to see this one, and encourage her to write more!"
Story Length: short

Title: A Series of Short Stories about William the Bloody (45K)
Author: Luddite Robot
Category: Gen, Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Drusilla, Spike
Pairings: Spike/Drusilla
Summary: A series of unconnected short stories by those who have encountered Spike and is paramour, Drusilla, during their reign of terror. Spoilers: none given.
Rec: Sofia said:"Contains death, violence, confusion and drug use, among other things. Spike and Dru seen by the eyes of others. Three short stories with three different first-person narrators. Intelligent. Original. In character. Chilling. Intriguing. 3:00 a.m. and I'm pimping this here instead of going to bed. Go read."
Story Length: short

Title: Serious Moonlight (329K)
Author: MustangSally and RivkaT
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Ensemble, Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Buffy/Spike
Summary: From the authors: "Summary: Nah. But bad things happen to chairs." Second in a series. BtVS - Early Season Five.
Rec: Jennifer says: [The Heart's Filthy Lesson and Serious Moonlight] are wickedly, hysterically good. Serious Moonlight is the better of the two, and it's as delicious, twisted and wonderful a Buffy/Spike as I've ever had the pleasure to read. The stories tend to focus very tightly on Buffy and Spike (in the second story, they spend most of their time not in Sunnydale in a really big sweeping romantic adventure that REALLY shouldn't work, but does), but I mention that Anya comes off hysterically in the stories (particularly Serious Moonlight), and that Willow is also fairly well characterized. Other things about this fic that are fantastic? The prose, which is sharp, witty, and very distinct. Sally and Rivka have a voice that is unmistakable. The plotlines are incredibly clever (one involves Nazis and Spike's past, the other takes place in 1920s Egypt with old-fashioned Slayers, lesbian mummies, et cetera et cetera), and you're rooting for the Buffy/Spike relationship even though the authors never let you forget that it's.well, kinda creepy. The only criticism I can think to throw on this set is that if you're a Dawn fan, she's going to come off as a snotty little brat." FYI, there is also a third in the series: "Changes"
Story Length: novel
Sequel to: The Heart's Filthy Lesson

Title: A Serpent's Kiss (103K)
Author: Lisa Drexel
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: BtVS
Characters: Angel, Buffy, Spike
Pairings: Angel/Buffy, Buffy/Spike
Summary: "What happens when Angel discovers that when Buffy provoked his demon to drink from her to save his life during G2, that there was a lot more to it than just a bite."
Spoilers: Season 4, Restless
Rec: Whitewolf says: ".not what I tend to like or read, but she hooked me completely with that Serendipity Series . Another great one for character introspecitves, and another interesting 'moment in BtVS history' to explore. Angsty. "
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Seven Habits of Highly Effective Sex Poodles (15K)
Author: Doyle
Category: Het
Rating: R
Show: BtVS
Characters: Anya, Xander
Pairings: Xander/Anya
Summary: It's a very ordinary summer. Xander doesn't mind so much. Spoilers: none
Rec: Astrid says: Very funny, very witty, spot-on Xander voice. And there's the title.
Story Length: short

Title: A Shade Too Precisely (28K)
Author: Nynaeve
Category: Het
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Anya
Pairings: Xander/Anya
Summary: Anya's trying to learn the mechanisms of being human, but it's been a very long time. Spoilers for BtVS season 5, "The Body".
Rec: Ames says: Awesome Anya fic. Deals with the events in The Body and especially Anya's place in the group. Not everything was resolved in Triangle, and Anya's tired, hurt, and done with all of it.
Story Length: short

Title: Shadow of the Apocalypse (93K)
Author: Christina Kamnikar
Category: Gen
Rating: PG
Show: BtVS
Characters: Jenny
Pairings: none
Summary: It's the story of "Prophecy Girl" as seen by Jenny Calendar. Spoilers for BtVS, season 1.
Rec: Deborah says: "Shadow of the Apocalypse" is a story I keep coming back to. It's the story of "Prophecy Girl" as seen by Jenny Calendar. Chris Kamnikar writes a more well rounded, interesting Jenny than I can remember seeing anywhere else, and her perceptions of the other characters rarely waiver from dead on. Read it for a reminder of what we loved about the show in the beginning, written by a very talented author.
Story Length: nouvelle

Title: Shagging Harmony Kendall (8K)
Author: Indri
Category: Het
Rating: NC-17
Show: AtS
Characters: Harmony, Spike
Pairings: Spike/Harmony
Summary: "Why unicorns?" he asks her. "Because they're pretty, duh." She's putting her make-up back on, after her cry. "And because no-one believes in them either." Spoilers: BtVS all; AtS through "You're Welcome".
Rec: Debra says:"A sad, almost wistful little bit of fiction, like a PWP only not."
Story Length: short

Title: Shaken, Not Stirred (27K)
Author: Fay Jay
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Lorne, Wesley
Pairings: none
Summary: Spoilers, AtS "Epiphany"
Rec: Theresa says:We have a Wesley story with a delicious appearance by the Host. This is a little fic with a twisty ending. Wesley is written with affection but no sacharine. If I say more, I'll give it away.
Story Length: short

Title: She Bruise Easy (38K)
Author: Tesla
Category: Gen, Het
Rating: none
Show: crossover
Characters: Cordelia, Xander
Summary: A/N: This is an entry for Hepcat's Jossverse birthday ficathon; the birthday really
is in there, somewhere.
Spoilers, Pairings, etc.: BtVS Season Four, AtS Season One; AU. Post-'Hero'; Cordy/Xander (sort of)
Rec: Debra Doyle said: "An intriguing "what if" on that vision thing. I've always thought it was a pity that we never got any crossover interaction between the more mature versions of Xander and Cordy in the aired canon, and this story scratches that itch in a nicely satisfactory fashion."
Story Length: short

Title: She Dreams in Red (7K)
Author: hold_that_thought
Category: Gen
Rating: R
Show: AtS
Characters: Cordelia
Summary: Cordelia still has layers. Spoilers: AtS Season 4
Rec: Astrid says:Oh, this is good! Tightly woven, with twists and turns. So suspenseful that my heart actually pounded by the time I finished it. And she manages to achieve all that with just two or three pages of story. Amazing.
Story Length: short