Alane S. Megna, A Hill of Beans
Summary: This alternative post-"The Gift" scenario has Spike pondering the idea of romantic tragedy and sacrifice. Alane writes a sweet, sad Spike who appeals to me. (Hard to describe ... sort of angsty fluff)
Rating: PG
Length: Approximately 2600-word vignette
Spoilers: Through Ep. 5.22, "The Gift"

Amy, After the Dance
Summary: In this fic, Amy has written a stunningly beautiful Spike POV after his ensouled return to Sunnydale ... one of the best stories I've read in a very very long time. I wept much of the time that I was reading it ... full on sobbing. It's simply gorgeous. (Romantic, angsty drama)
Note: See also the sequel, "Spinning"
Thanks: To "The Other Amy," who recommended this fic to me, and introduced me to Amy's lovely work
Rating: PG-13/R
Length: Approximately 3,900-word short story
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.22, "Grave"

Amy, After Midnight
Summary: Another lovely Spike introspective by Amy, who just excels at this particular mini-genre. This is set sometime mid-Season 6, when Spike and Buffy are still sexually involved. Spike thinks about his relationship with her. (Angst)
Rating: R
Length: Approximately 1600-word vignette
Spoilers: Through mid-Season 6

Amy, Getting Lost
Summary: What is Buffy thinking at the end of "Tabula Rasa"? This is Amy's version. (Internal monologue)
Rating: PG
Length: Approximately 1100-word short story
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.08, "Tabula Rasa"

Amy, Spinning
Summary: A Buffy POV sequel to Amy's lovely "After the Dance," exploring the possible emotional effects of Spike's ensouled return to Sunnydale. (Romantic, angsty drama)
Note: Sequel to "After The Dance"
Rating: R
Length: Approximately 5,800-word short story
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.22, "Grave"

Amy, When She Breathes
Summary: Another lovely fic by Amy, this one focuses on Spike's point of view early in Season 6, sometime soon after "All The Way," as he secretly watches Buffy sleep. (Romance)
Rating: PG
Length: Approximately 1800-word short story
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.06, "All The Way"

Avalon, Love Is Blind
Summary: Sometime during Season 5, Buffy is permanently blinded and becomes suicidal, and it seems that Spike is the only one who can help her. This story is almost universally acknowledged as one of the finest Spike/Buffy fan-fiction stories ever written, and I completely agree. In fact, this was the story that got me hooked on fan fiction. (Angsty romance, but with some humor)
Rating: NC-17 for one scene of graphic sexuality.
Length: 25 sections, consisting of approximately 45,000 words
Spoilers: Through Ep.5.09, "Listening to Fear"

bubonicplague1348, Interred Remains
Summary: A very dark perspective on the Spike/Buffy aftermath of "Grave." This is beautiful, wonderful, searing, biting, powerful, intense writing. Throughout the story, the stream-of-consciousness interweaving of past and present in Buffy's mind is phenomenally well done, and — while I never thought of Buffy as having this sort of vocabulary — the emotions communicated ring so very very true. As a rule, I am not archiving unfinished fics here, but I love this one so much that I couldn't resist, and this first chapter works fairly well on its own. (Dramatic angst, with lots of stream-of-consciousness flashback and internal monologue)
Rating: NC-17
Length: Work In Progress (thus far, about 3,000 words)
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.22, "Grave"

bubonicplague1348, Morning After
Summary: An alternative aftermath of "Wrecked," because the author didn't like the addiction parallels. This is a lovely Buffy POV, with a unique perspective on her relationship with Spike. (Internal monologue)
Rating: R
Length: Approximately 2000-word short story
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.10, "Wrecked"

Chelle, Walking After Midnight
Summary: Injured in a fight, Buffy finds herself paralyzed and in a wheelchair. Spike takes on the task of caring for her, while refusing to put up with her moping. This story is angsty and romantic, but the first half also includes a lot of humorous banter between Spike and Buffy. (Dramatic romance, with some adventure/suspense elements)
Rating: NC-17
Length: 23 chapters
Spoilers: Early Season 4

Chris, Enough
Summary: This AU epilogue to Ep. 6.06 ("All The Way") explores the question, "What if Buffy had realized how much she needs him sooner?" A beautifully written Spike/Buffy love scene, full of poignant emotion. (Romantic smut)
Rating: NC-17
Length: Approximately 3700-word short story
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.06, "All The Way"

Chris, Yellow Was Desolate Without Stripe
Summary: After seeing Spike with Anya, Buffy skips town. Not knowing that Buffy has left, Spike leaves Sunnydale, too. Then Xander and Dawn take off after them. All four travellers have adventures on the road ... and learn a thing or two along the way. This lovely story is chock full of interesting characters, compelling plot, and mysterious beauty. (Romantic suspense / adventure / drama)
Rating: PG-13/R
Length: 11 chapters, consisting of approximately 22,500 words
Spoilers: General for Season 6, though this is mostly AU

Cousinjean, And Miles To Go...
Summary: One of my long-time favorite Spuffy fics, this is an alternate take on the aftermath of "The Gift," in which Spike is instrumental in bringing Buffy back from the dead. I just love mythic themes in modern storytelling, and Cousinjean uses the old myths beautifully here. (Fairly fluffy romantic drama, with some humor)
Rating: PG
Length: Approximately 11,500-word short story
Spoilers: Through Ep. 5.22, "The Gift" (and cross-over with "Angel: The Series")

Cousinjean, Future Imperfect
Summary: Wow. This is such a great adventure story! The author's summary: "Three centuries from now, vampires have literally taken over the world, relegating what's left of the human race to space colonies. The humans -- along with a defected Spike -- want their planet back, and there's only one person they know of who can hope to make that happen. Can Spike help Buffy cope with future shock enough to allow her to save the world one more time?" I normally don't like futurefics, but this one connects with the "present day" of Ep. 5.22 ("The Gift") in really poignant and interesting ways. The plot is complex and fascinating ... Spike is fabulous ... and Cousinjean's portrayal of Buffy is a breath of heroic fresh air after Season 6! (Romantic adventure-drama futurefic)
Rating: R, for graphic violence and some sex
Length: 6 chapters, consisting of approximately 37,000 words
Spoilers: Through Ep. 5.22, "The Gift"

Cousinjean, Getaway
Summary: Spike and Buffy on a road-trip of self-discovery. Okay, okay, it's been done before and since, but this is Cousinjean's version, so you know it's gotta be good. And it is. Romantic, and funny, and angsty, and wonderful. Give it a read! (Romantic drama)
Rating: R
Length: 6 chapters, consisting of approximately 20,000 words
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.17, "Normal Again"

Cousinjean, A Letter Home
Summary: This brief ficlet is basically just an attempt to get inside the mind of the newly ensouled Spike, and his attitude toward facing Buffy again. (Letter-form vignette)
Rating: G
Length: Approximately 600-word vignette
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.22, "Grave"

Fallowdoe, Agnus Dei
Summary: This evocative, haunting, heart-breakingly beautiful ficlet explores the immediate emotional aftermath of Buffy's death, as the Scoobies gather to bury her in the night. (Angst)
Rating: G
Length: Approximately 900-word vignette
Spoilers: Through Ep. 5.22, "The Gift"

Fallowdoe, Axis
Summary: A lyrically-written exploration of the emotional aftermath of Season 6 ... from the perspective of not only Spike and Buffy, but also many other characters, including most notably Willow and Drusilla. This story is unique and lovely and sometimes reads almost like poetry. (Drama)
Rating: PG-13
Length: 10 parts, consisting of approximately 18,000 words
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.22, "Grave"

Fojiao2, Silencio
Summary: Buffy bets Spike that he can't keep his big mouth shut, but his determination to prove her wrong teaches them both some lessons about what he's really made of. (Fluffy romance, with just a hint of angst)
Rating: PG-13
Length: Approximately 13,500-word short story
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.14, "Older and Far Away"

Herself, Bittersweets
Summary: In this multiple-award-winning novel-length series, Herself intimately examines the emotional complexities of Spike, Buffy, and their relationship ... the good and the bad, the joyful and the destructive ... the sex, the love, the fear, and the hate. Within this series, Herself creates a detailed, intimate world of emotional tangles. Not for the weak of heart, but most definitely worth the journey! (Romantic, angsty, joyful drama)
Rating: NC-17 for graphic sexuality and violence. This story also contains minor elements of slash and sado-masochism, which may bother some readers.
Length: Novel-length series, consisting of 11 separate stories intended to be read in sequence as follows:

Manhattan Nocturne (10,100 words)
All Wrong (3,800 words)
Near Enough (1,400 words)
Listening to Garnetta (3,300 words)
Who Am I? (7,900 words)
Forgive Me (16,000 words)
What's It To Be? (30,400 words)
Spike, or The Ambiguities (14,100 words)
Mr Grieves and the Fallen Woman (20,900 words)
The Littler Bit (32,000 words)
All Merry and Bright (4,400 words)

Herself, What She Deserves
Summary: Oh. My. God. What can I possibly say about this story? It's basically Herself's take on ensouled Spike, and it's painful. One of the most darkly, disturbingly, complexly intimate stories I've ever read. The emotions in this story are some of the most intense I've ever seen expressed in a fanfic. In the end, this story is about forgiveness and redemption. I cried a lot. A lot. (Angsty angst angst angst)
Note: See also the sequel, Lovingkindness
Rating: NC-17 for disturbing sexuality. This story contains elements of slash and sado-masochism, which may bother some readers.
Length: Approximately 30,000-word short story
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.22, "Grave"

HLynn, Sideways Shanshu
Summary: Author's summary: "Takes place directly after 'The Body', and continues from there into a resolution of the season. Buffy has to try and deal with the aftermath, and it's just then that Glory decides to push things into overdrive." This story has a really interesting plot ... a very different perspective on the potential outcome of the Glory situation in Season 5 ... with a lot more focus on Dawn and Spike. (Drama)
Rating: PG-13
Length: Approximately 21,000-word short story
Spoilers: Takes place immediately after Ep. 5.16, "The Body"

HLynn, Sideways Shanshu: Closure
Summary: Sequel to Sideways Shanshu. It's time to deal with Joyce's death ... and with Angel's reaction to Spike's changed situation. (Drama)
Rating: PG
Length: Approximately 18,500-word short story
Spoilers: Through Ep. 5.16, "The Body"

HW, The Dream
Summary: Author's summary: "Buffy becomes confused between dreams and reality." This story is sweet and touching and utterly unique. The dream world with human Spike, human Angel, etc. is fascinating, and the ending is completely perfect. (Fluff)
Rating: NC-17 for graphic sexuality.
Length: Approximately 7700-word short story
Spoilers: Takes place immediately after Ep. 4.03, "Harsh Light of Day"

Isabelle, The Unknown Citizen
Summary: Spike is completely down-and-out ... but why? It's basically romantic angst, from Spike's point of view. This is a beautiful, beautiful story that makes my heart hurt. Just writing this review makes me want to go read it again ... it's that good. Read it. Read it now. You won't be sorry. (Angst)
Rating: R
Length: Approximately 6000-word short story
Spoilers: Vague for Season 6

Jericho TGF, When Eternity Lies in the Balance
Summary: Even about a year after I first read it, this multiple-award-winning story remains one of my favorites. After Buffy's death in "The Gift," the Powers That Be call on Spike to do them a favor to bring her back. This fic is full of magic, sacrifice, loyalty, determination, strength, and love. (A bit of everything ... drama, humor, angst, adventure, suspense, but most of all romance)
Rating: R (mostly for language)
Length: 16-chapter novella, consisting of approximately 82,000 words
Spoilers: Through Ep. 5.22, "The Gift"

Julbie, Recognition
Summary: Buffy suffers amnesia after her resurrection by Willow, and finds the Scoobies a little hard to take. But an all-night talk with Spike changes things and makes her feel a bit more relaxed. (Humorous romance, with just the tiniest smidgen of angst)
Rating: PG-13
Length: Approximately 7300-word script-formatted short story
Spoilers: Through Ep. 5.22, "The Gift"

Juliatheyounger, A Strange Turn of Events
Summary: Spike wakes up one day to find that he's not that dead anymore ... leading to all sorts of complications. This story completely cracks me up, every time I read it. (Fluffy, humorous romance)
Rating: R/NC-17
Length: Approximately 20,000-word novella
Spoilers: Through Ep. 5.22, "The Gift"

Kantayra, Forbidden
Summary: Sometime around mid-season 4, Buffy is granted her most forbidden wish ... Spike. While this is pretty much straight-forward "porn without plot," I really like the central idea of Buffy having the secret longing for Spike, even back when he was more decidedly evil. (PWP)
Rating: NC-17 for graphic sexuality.
Length: Approximately 15,000-word short story
Spoilers: Through mid-Season 4, and definitely through Ep. 4.03, "Harsh Light of Day"

Kantayra, Last Night
Summary: You want proof that Kantayra can write widely different types of fics? Well, after reading "Forbidden," give this one a try ... but only if you can deal with a frustrated response to the nightmare that was Season 6. What would happen if Buffy's pattern of using Spike sexually had continued, unchecked? This is not a pretty picture of Buffy ... this is Abusive!Buffy on steroids. But I find this well-written short fic strangely cathartic. (Angst)
Rating: NC-17 for graphic (and disturbing) sexuality.
Length: Approximately 2000-word vignette
Spoilers: General for Season 6

Lara Dean-Brierley, For the Sleepwalkers
Summary: The author's summary: "A visit in the darkness, the surrender of sight, the gift of a lie. Buffy/Spike, twisted as always." This vignette deals with the aftermath of "Seeing Red" ... how will Buffy and Spike deal with the attempted rape? I find this fic simply heart-breakingly, breath-takingly beautiful and sad. (Angst)
Rating: NC-17 for graphic sexuality and issues of rape.
Length: Approximately 2200-word vignette
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.22, "Grave"

Lara Dean-Brierley, Masks
Summary: The author's summary: "What you show the world. What you tell the world. And what you don't." This story is sort of a series of five brief, interrelated Spike POV vignettes which weave a dense tapestry of emotion and imagery. Pay attention to the fairy tale references, because they're my favorite element of this fic. In fact, this may very well be my favorite fic archived at this site ... I love it that much. (Romantic angst)
Rating: NC-17 for sexuality
Length: Approximately 1400-word vignette series
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.22, "Grave"

Mr. Monkeybottoms, Spike Lips! Lips of Spike!
Summary: A hilarious take on the aftermath of the episode "Something Blue," in which Spike and Buffy are under a spell that causes them to believe they are in love ... but was it only the spell? The author's notes preceding each chapter are sometimes even funnier than the story itself! (Humorous smut)
Rating: NC-17 for graphic sexuality.
Length: 14 chapters, consisting of approximately 33,000 words
Spoilers: Through Ep. 4.09, "Something Blue"

NautiBitz, In Heat
Summary: One of the best Spike/Buffy fanfics ever written, in my humble opinion! If you've never read it, you're in for a treat! This series is set in the summer following Season 5 (except Buffy never died), when a demon-caused heatwave is hitting Sunnydale ... and heating things up between Spike and Buffy. The dialogue is hilarious and in-character throughout, and the writing is nearly flawless. I just can't recommend this one highly enough! (Humorous smut)
Rating: Oh so VERY NC-17!
Length: 18 chapters, consisting of approximately 23,000 words
Spoilers: General Season 5, minus "The Gift"

Nimue, Once When We Were Young
Summary: Another one that makes me cry. Buffy, late in her life, looks back on the past, and remembers Spike and how she done him wrong. Definitely worth a read! (Romantic, angsty fluff)
Rating: PG
Length: Approximately 4600-word short story
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.22, "Grave"

Nocte, Sacred Flame
Summary: The author's summary is as follows: "Future Fic. William the Bloody returns to Sunnydale after an extended absence (seventy five years) to find something crucial. He finds things very different. The Hellmouth is more deadly than ever and the denizens of Sunnydale do not welcome new arrivals. Set after the events of S6 up to Normal Again but further into the future." This is an achingly gorgeous, very angsty story by a new author, and I can't recommend it highly enough. (Angsty drama)
Rating: NC-17
Length: 16 chapters, consisting of approximately 27,000 words
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.16, "Hell's Bells"

Rabid, Still Life with Melon and Honey
Summary: Rabid's imagined segueway between the vicious beating in "Dead Things" and Spike's self-invitation to Buffy's party in "Older and Far Away." (Angsty, sexy drama)
Rating: NC-17
Length: Approximately 6,000-word short story
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.13, "Dead Things"

Rainyday, Driving
Summary: This truly beautiful angst ficlet takes a fascinating peak into Spike's mind in the aftermath of the attempted rape in "Seeing Red." See also "Haunted" by the same author, which gives Buffy's POV during the same approximate timeframe. (Angsty internal monologue)
Rating: PG-13
Length: Approximately 900-word vignette
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.20, "Seeing Red"

Rainyday, Haunted
Summary: This truly beautiful angst ficlet takes a fascinating peak into Buffy's mind in the aftermath of the attempted rape in "Seeing Red." See also "Driving" by the same author, which gives Spike's POV during the same approximate timeframe. (Angsty internal monologue)
Rating: PG-13
Length: Approximately 1100-word vignette
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.20, "Seeing Red"

Ripe Wicked Plum, An Angel in Disguise
Summary: Spike can't decide what to give Buffy for Christmas. A mysterious woman helps him, by providing the ideal gift. But when he finds out what it is, will Spike really have the nerve to give it to her? This story is sweet, and a bit angsty ... and utterly, utterly perfect. (Mostly fluffy romance, with just a hint of angst)
Rating: PG-13
Length: Short Story
Spoilers: General for Season 5.

Spike Speigel, Whispers and Remembrances
Summary: Buffy unexpectedly overhears Spike's conversation with an old friend ... and comes to see him a bit differently as a result. (Fluff)
Rating: PG-13 (for language)
Length: Approximately 4200-word short story
Spoilers: Through early Season 6, but mostly just Season 5

Starbaby, In the Days Still Left
Summary: In a stable Spuffy future, Spike contemplates the perils of loving a mortal woman. This elegantly-written short fic packs a lot of emotional punch into few words ... and always makes me cry when I read it. "They are souls wrapped in delicate flesh wrappers..." (Hard to describe. I guess it's sort of fluffy angst?)
Rating: PG-13
Length: Approximately 1400-word short story
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.10, "Wrecked"

Treacle-Antlers, All That's Left To You
Summary: Willow and Spike share a tender moment of parting and remembrance. (Hard to describe. Sort of fluffy angst? It made me cry. Whenever a fic makes me cry, I immediately write and ask permission to archive it. *g*)
Rating: G
Length: Approximately 2900-word vignette
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.22, "Grave"

Treacle-Antlers, Clearance
Summary: Spike and Buffy get a little closer than planned when they get locked in a closet together at The Initiative. Chapters 1-5 take place before the Buffy/Faith body-switch in Ep. 4.16 ("Who Are You?"), while Chapters 6 and 7 occur immediately afterward, and the two story halves don't blend especially well, but I enjoy both halves so much that I completely don't mind. The dialogue is fabulous, and Treacle is great at communicating Spike's mannerisms. (Humorous and sorta romantic smut)
Rating: NC-17
Length: Approximately 24,000-word short story
Spoilers: Through Ep. 4.16, "Who Are You?"

Treacle-Antlers, Pen Pals
Summary: Post-Season 6, Angel and Spike exchange letters about the things they have in common, both past and present. Definite cross-over with "Angel: The Series." (Humor)
Rating: PG-13
Length: Approximately 2900-word ficlet
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.22, "Grave"

Trisha, The Keeper of Truth
Summary: As Spike mentions in the episode "After Life," magic always has consequences. In this case, Buffy is resurrected by Willow's magic, but finds herself in the Season 2 Buffyverse instead of Season 6! This story is rich with tension, passion, fear, melancholy, hope, and at least a dozen other poignant emotions. The interactions between Season-6 Buffy and Season-2 Spike are wonderful: full of bickering, hesitant intimacy, and passion. (Romantic drama, with both some angst and some humor)
Rating: R
Length: 13 chapters, consisting of approximately 56,000 words
Spoilers: Through Ep. 5.22, "The Gift"

Trisha, Slip of Mind
Summary: Warren's nerd trio gains control of Spike's chip, with the intention of using him as a weapon against Buffy and the Scoobies. This somewhat disturbing story makes a surprisingly intelligent, poignant parallel between Warren/Katrina and Spike/Buffy. My favorite quote: "But this monster on his knees before her, this beast who growled and snarled and spat, this wasn't Spike. If Warren was trying to show how much of a monster Spike was, he'd failed utterly. All Buffy learned was how much of a monster Spike was not." (Angsty drama)
Rating: R
Length: 7 chapters, consisting of approximately 25,000 words
Spoilers: Through Ep. 6.13, "Dead Things"

Zarrah, Little Buffy
Summary: A spell to bring Buffy out of her gloomy mood backfires, causing a "small" problem for the Scoobies. Are you feeling a bit tired of Buffy being mean to Spike, after the nightmare of Season 6 and too many angst fics? Well, this story is just what Dr. Kimberly ordered ... sweet, fluffy, cute, but not enough to make me gag. I normally don't like 'So-and-so gets turned into a little kid' fics, because they're usually just too too too cutesie ... but I love this story. Zarrah writes the Spike/Little Buffy relationship very sweetly. (Fluff)
Rating: PG
Length: Approximately 16,000-word short story
Spoilers: Vague Season 6 (Willow's addicted to magic, but Spike and Buffy haven't been sexually involved)