5.

Andrea [September 2002]

Whore [R/NC17] [Spike POV, S/B, A/S]

URL LadyCat's Fiction

Why? Spike's recognition of why none of his 'relationships' work out. This fic is filled with emotion and Spike's sick and sorrowful take on his situation with both Buffy and Anya. It's true to Spike form and thought and VERY profound.

4.

Yahtzee [August 2002]

I-55 [PG] [Buffy/Angel]

URL Yahtzee

Why? Bit of an AU now, in which Angel asks Buffy a favor- but things don't go according to his plan. This fic is the tragic tale of a 'what if'- what if your child was to be the doom of the world? What would you do? Run? Or kill the child? This story is powerful in the fact that it's just the story, as told per Buffy… and it's SO powerful without even trying! Without even trying to evoke some horrifying emotions, it does so in the blink of an eye.

3.

Annie Sewell-Jennings [July 2002]

Last Summer [NC17] [Buffy/Spike]

URL NA

Why? This fic is SO amazing. Have you ever wondered what the Slayer might have felt on Sept. 11? Or how she'd feel if the world was being blown apart by nuclear warfare? THIS piece is EXACTLY what I'd imagine would happen. It's SO real with the emotions of both Buffy and a vampire who was supposed to live forever. It's truly worth the read. And the smut ain't half bad either!

2.

Buffonia [June 2002]

Only When I Breathe [PG] [Willow/Tara]

URL BuffDom

Why? This fiction is so gorgeous. It forges so many parallels between Tara's mother and Willow's using magic and connects them so well- you can't help but *feel* how desperate Tara was/is. You feel her pain so clearly… it's simply beautiful.

1.

trixie [May 2002]

Afterlife [NC17] [Angel/Buffy]

URL Always His Girl

Why? This fiction is just INCREDIBLE! Her description of Buffy's grief over her 'normal' marriage is just SO magnificently written- the fiction is just *dripping* with emotion, heartache, love, passion, grief, pain, loss, irony and above all desperation.