Lt. Uhura and the Change of Life
May 5, 2008
A fairly short, slightly angsty, delightfully romantic piece of fluff. In an attempt to put a halt to a demonic investment scheme, Spike takes part in a plan Xander hates.
My Funny Valentine
May 5, 2008
Years after Chosen, Spike and Xander are both helping Buffy to train a houseful of slayers, when a somewhat traumatic event causes Xander to reevaluate his life. And Spike to come up with a cunning plan.
This story is nice and light, without too much angst. Season 2 Spike is the most fun to watch on TV, but in print, I like Spike the way he is here—snarky but mostly the fool for love.
The story continues in Parts 4-7 and Parts 8-12.
The Magic Number
May 5, 2008
A strange but interesting story. Xander disappears, and when the gang finds him, he’s several years older and has been heavily abused. Although Spike hasn’t the slightest interest in him, he ends up being stuck looking after Xander during the day.
This is one of those stories that’s more about the journey than the destination. I wasn’t overwhelmingly impressed by any one thing, but I enjoyed it immensely from start to finish. I particularly loved Spike’s after-school snacks for Dawn.
Sanctum Sanctorum
May 5, 2008
Wow, it seems like such a long time since I’ve read any really good HP slash. And this story is awesome.
A plot by Voldemort’s forces leaves Harry without his magic, unable to defend himself from any attack. In an attempt to keep him safe, Dumbledore has him move into a London flat, with Snape as his only contact with the wizarding world.
I categorized this story as “humour”, even though it really isn’t, because I found Snape’s thoughts about Harry’s new neighbourhood hysterically funny.
Potter’s hallway resonated with the same rhythmic, primitive thumps he’d heard the week before. Perhaps it wasn’t music at all, but some sort of debased communication between the tenants. Snape stood outside the door and knocked.
There was a lengthy pause, during which he was able, to his chagrin, to make out a semblance of lyrics accompanying the din–an invitation to slump my hump, humpy hump, slump my dumpy hump, it seemed–and then, just as he was raising his hand to knock again, the door opened a crack. Potter stood behind it, eyeing him warily.
For the most part, though, the story is contemplative and a bit sad, but a wonderful read.