Titles

A Whole New Scene by Sasha Chase
A great read that has Faith leaving Sunnydale to head for LA where she meets up with detective Kate Lockley. Taking place right after "This Year's Girl" and "Who Are You?" Faith is understandably confused over who she is becoming in terms of a slayer and a person. With Kate's help and support, she makes herself a semblance of a normal home life and starts to settle down in LA until someone unexpected shows up, asking for help. Now, she has to wrestle with the decision of leaving Kate or disappointing Buffy.

About Ready to Pop by Faithtastic
Set during "The Zeppo" episode, the story has Buffy saving Faith from the Apocalypse demon instead of Xander. And, of course, you know how Faith gets after a good slay. Even as Buffy adamantly denies feeling any sort of attraction for her fellow slayer, Faith easily knocks down her resistance by showing a little(okay, a lot of) skin. There is no happy ending, only an ending line that makes you wonder if Buffy isn't still in denial or if she's intentionally pulling the wool over her own eyes.

All Revved Up With No Place to Go by Liz Estrada
This great little fic asks the eternal question of what Buffy and Faith really did during those late night training sessions. It's virtually plotless but who cares when the author is Liz Estrada? It's very well written, the dialogue snaps, and it's fun. What more can you ask for?

Always Towards Wholeness by Joan the English Chick
A short fic that takes place immediately after the "Sanctuary" episode. An introspective piece of all the things Faith wants to tell Buffy if the blonde were actually there. It's touchingly tender and makes you just wish that Buffy would've stopped to listen.

As Vampiresses by Anne
What can I say? This is a really entertaining fic. Faith and Buffy as vampires. Faith and Buffy going on a cross country murder spree. Faith, Buffy, and Willow in a three way. Damn, what a neat concept. But you know what I love most about the story? There isn't any sort of apology in there anywhere for what they do. It's just straight out hedonistic fun.

Better Than Cable by Gareth D. Layzell
If you've seen the fourth season episode "Primeval", then you know Willow, Giles, and Xander invoke the power of the Slayer in order to defeat Adam. Gareth brings up the interesting point that if that's what they did, then it would also rope Faith into the spell too since she's also a slayer, the last to be exact. And so, the author sets out to weave Faith's character into both "Primeval" and "Restless". This is done almost seamlessly and it makes for a very well executed, as well as entertaining story.

A Buffy Christmas Carol by Adam Windsor
A Dickensian Christmas Special, BtVS style. Whistler acts the part of the three ghosts as he guides Buffy through the past and present at the behest of some higher power. And just like Scrooge, Buffy isn't too thrilled at first...or the middle or even towards the end but she eventually takes the first step in repairing her relationship with Faith. It's interesting just how deeply Buffy's character denies any feelings towards Faith aside from hate and resentment and, as the story unfolds, you wonder how they're ever going to completely reconcile, if based on nothing then her hard line stance. But this story is based on "A Christmas Carol" so you know some kind of happy ending is in store.

Burning Strong by Kirsten
The third and final story in the "Coming Around" series. Just when you thought nothing worse can happen to our two slayers...two words: Vamp Willow. After being dragged back to Sunnydale, Buffy is conscripted to stop both the Mayor and Willow's evil counterpart. Not only are her friends and Watcher treating her like a leper but she's forbidden to so much as talk about Faith whose whereabouts are still unknown. Even when Faith finds a way back, their happiness together doesn't last more than a day before Vamp Willow kidnaps the dark slayer. This story's got so many great moments in it that I can't even begin to count but the one that stands out the most has to be the ending because after such a harrowing ride, you just have to have that feel good ending.

Coming Around the Series by Kirsten
I've been hesitant to do a review of this set of stories because I know that whatever I write about it, I'm not going to do it justice---it's just that damn good. Each one in the series, from "Coming Around", to "Piece by Piece", to "Burning Strong" are about as good as you can get when it comes to fanfic. The first time I read the series, I was instantly pulled into the world that Kirsten created and if ever there was a word to describe what these stories are, it's epic. Starting out in the third season, right after Buffy stops Faith from boarding a freighter out of Sunnydale, an ambush by Trick leaves the blonde laid up in the hospital with a case of amnesia. Taking advantage of the situation, Faith wants to start off on a clean slate but to do so, she has to take Buffy out of town. And so, with what seems like everyone and their mother out to stop them and keep them apart, they somehow manage to form a bond that survives everything that's thrown in their path. (And believe me, that's a lot of stuff) I might be hesitant to do a review but I'm not hesitant to say that this is definitely my favorite set of stories.

Darby - This isn't a B/F fic. In fact, it doesn't even take place in the BtVS universe. So why would you want to read it, I hear you asking yourself. Simple, I say, cause it's a darn good story. Strike that, it's a darn good *novel*. This is a long one --- really long. In a nutshell (I hate that phrase), it's about a 17 year old girl who runs away from an abusive father and finds herself hitchhiking her way into a small town near Atlanta. Here's the hitch though: she's decided to dress as a boy from the outset to avoid drawing notice and through a series of kind, albeit misguided intentions from a kindly trucker, finds herself stuck in a motel room about to have sex with a prostitute. And that's only the beginning. There's lots of things I could say to recommend this fic but the aspect I enjoyed most about it is the genuine likeability underlying the two main characters (Darby and Anna) that more than compensates for their often too human fallibilities.

Dancing in the Dark by Anne
When I first read this story, I was blown away. It wasn't because of the narration or storyline, although both are great. It's because the descriptions Anne paints with her words gives you a clear window into what's going on, so much so that it's almost like watching a movie unfold. And her pacing is superb. From the very beginning of the story, the tension starts building and building until you know something monumental is about to happen and the anticipation of that moment makes the story what it is. She marries so many different shows and movies together in Dancing in the Dark that on a superficial glance, you'd think it would fall flat on its face but, instead, all the characters are believable and the separate worlds they inhabit don't collide more than merge.

Doughnuts by Mayumi (archived on this site)
A short story that rocks. It's written as a letter that Faith pens to satisfy the shrinks in the prison. It pretty much deals with some of the reasons why she dug such a big hole for herself back in Sunnydale and why she can't get a certain blonde off her mind. Short and sweet, just like the title would suggest. I kinda think the author has been able to channel Faith in this piece.

Enemies by WWIII (Review by Kegcider)
An interesting remix of a series three episode, this story examines the idea of Faith not going to the Mayor's side. It's fast paced and carefully thought out with a no-nonsense writing style that keeps things flowing quickly. Set so early on in Faith's history, it plays before she and Buffy have really started to fight and as such it is almost angst free. The conclusion, though understated was moving in its own way. Look forward to seeing more from this author.

Everest by Wlfgrrl
It's been a couple of years since Faith's release from prison and Buffy has finally requested a meeting with her sister in arms. I think the best thing I find about this story is the explanation Faith gives when asked why she mentally shut herself off after the Allan incident. Talk about beautiful and innovative. This is a first time fic. You wouldn't know it by reading it though.

Faith by Night Series(unfinished) by Roz Kaveney
This isn't really a Faith/Buffy story but it's well written and I have a soft spot for Cordelia's character. Set after Queen C's blow out breakup with Xander and her dad's bankruptcy, Cordelia's truly feeling her lowest low when she gets picked right back up again by a tryst with the dark slayer that eventually turns out to be much more than she expected. This set of stories is exceptional in that Roz somehow manages to stay in her character's voice throughout the entire narration and you come out of the whole experience with a sense of a rawness and a tired jadedness that you didn't have when you'd begun. And some nice twists within the stories make this series a can't miss.

The Faith Factor by Erin
How could I review the original and not the sequel? Erin pulls off something that I think is pretty darn hard to do. She writes a sequel that rivals "Redemption" in every way. Think about it, how many sequels do you know (movies, books, whatever) that can pull that off? She continues developing the relationship that Buffy and Faith are forming as they deal with coming out to the Scoobies and to Joyce. And as if that weren't tough enough, they also have to deal with Adam who's continuing to galvanize the local demon population with his gospel-like rhetoric. And the fact that the whole story is narrated from Faith's point of view only enhances what is already one of the premier femslash stories on the web. I cannot say enough about this series but I'll end my rant now.

FAQ by Hth
This is an interesting story insofar as I had to read every other line twice. The writing style is such that I wasn't too sure which character was speaking at any particular time. It might have been intentional or it might not have been but I stand by my claim that this story is interesting. The tempo to the piece is jarringly dissociative, almost as if you're watching two people talking through someone else's dream. It's basically a crossover between BtVS and "Cruel Intentions" where Faith and Kathryn are cellmates. And if you're skeptical about this setup, read the disclaimer: it sure cracked me up.

Forgive If Not Forget by Janine
Set immediately after the episode "Who Are You?", Janine reinterprets events and, instead of letting Faith run off, Buffy determinedly follows the other girl from the church and eventually convinces her to stay and work out the problems and grudges they're all still holding. The story's narrated through Buffy's point of view and nearly all told in flashbacks as the blonde slayer tries to sort out the conflicting emotions she's developed for Faith, finally coming to the truth that she's been trying to deny herself for so long, namely that she's falling in love with another "bad boy" or girl in this case. A story that contains one of the sweetest endings I've had the pleasure of reading.

The Girl I Once Knew by Nicollette Marquis McFadgen
A running reverie that doesn't attempt to figure out *why* the relationship between Faith and Buffy failed, so much as why *Faith* thought it failed. And even when Faith has convinced herself that she hates Buffy and she's going to make the blonde slayer pay, the next sentence totally undermines the earlier sentiment which, in my opinion makes the piece that much more real, emotionally speaking.

Heavenly Creatures by HSKSulky
A short story about one of Buffy and Faith's movie nights. It starts out cute and cuddly in the beginning but takes a decidedly more serious bent from there as the movie they're watching, "Heavenly Creatures" similarly takes a nasty turn. I can understand cause when I saw that same part of the movie, I was damn near nauseous too. Even thinking about it now makes my stomach start to turn and I don't get squeamish very often. Although the ending of the story leaves off abruptly and without too much resolution, I think the writing as a whole was pretty good.

Hope is For Losers by Prophecy Girl
You ever read the first line of a story and you just knew you were in for a ride? This is one of those stories. It starts off with the premise that Buffy has run away from Sunnydale after sending Angel to hell at the end of the second season and, unlike canon, where she eventually came back after the summer, this story has Buffy opting to stay in LA. It starts off several years after those events have taken place and Buffy is slowly killing herself partying hard, drinking hard, and fucking hard. All so she can forget about who she's let down and the people she's left behind. Her downward spiral is stopped when Faith shows up to drag her butt back to Sunnydale. Not only does the other slayer understand what she's going through but she also reminds her that there are people who still care for her. The narration is wonderful and the overall tone of the story captures a reality that is gritty yet, unlike the title would suggest, hopeful.

Horror Movie by KC
Short story involving Faith, Buffy, and "The Exorcist". Wackiness ensues when the entire Scooby Gang go out for a night of movie watching. Who knew Buffy was scared of horror movies? Go figure. Short but nice.

If This Ain't Love (Why Does It Feel So Good?) by Faithtastic
This is set during "This Year's Girl" but right before Faith and Buffy switch bodies. Buffy is patrolling the cemetery, ruminating over just why it is she's still attracted to Faith even after everything the other girl's done to her when the brunette slayer suddenly shows up. Yes, they have sex. And for a few moments, there is hope---a hope that things don't have to turn out like they always do with each slayer on opposite sides. But the hope dies as surely as the night itself. This is the type of story you know won't end well yet you can't help but hope, along with the characters, that this time will be different. Faithtastic has imbibed this story with a sense of the inevitable and when the inevitable does come, you can't help but cringe just that little bit.

I'm Going Home by Prophecy Girl
This is a follow up story to Hope is for Losers. It's a nice companion to the earlier piece and like that one, this is also told from Buffy's point of view. After taking the first tentative step forward in her long road back, she accompanies Faith to Sunnydale where she'll finally have to face Willow, Joyce, and the others she abandoned all those years ago. But she soon realizes that, unfortunately, everything hasn't remained the same since she's left as she'd naively hoped. And now she has to get used to a few new faces in addition to a new member of the family.

Intercession (unfinished) by Jeff Hosmer
I don't think this story is finished---I'm about 80% sure it's not. But that doesn't really matter though cause the part that IS done is pretty good. It starts off with Faith in prison, doing her time for killing Lester and Allan. The story is told from Faith's perspective as she adjusts to her current situation and just when she's starting to take control of her life again, who should pop up but our favorite slayer. This story's got great potential and I'd be the first to admit that I'd love to see what happens.

It's A Start Series (archived on this site) by Shamrock
A friend of mine once said that all the best scenes in film history happen when it's raining. It just seems to enhance emotions, ambience, and whatever else you want to call it when there's water falling hard or soft from the sky. I guess this could also be applied to the written word as well cause there's a scene within the first story of the series that's been running around in my head for awhile and it involves rain. You'll know it when you read it. As corny as it sounds, Shamrock's story is all about forgiveness, new beginnings, and tender moments that won't wash away with the rain.

The Jack Daniels' Effect by Anne
This is a story with one of the most memorable scenes I've ever come across. How does this strike you? Faith seduces Buffy as she's on the phone talking to Riley. And as Mr. Ex-GI Joe asks "You sound really distracted. Is something wrong?", I always laugh my ass off. Even now as I'm typing it, I've got a smirk on my face. And just for that fact alone, you should go and read it.

Just Another Love Story - This is the first review I've done in a long, long time and I don't think I could've found a better story to do it on than this one. I'll tell you right now, I've enjoyed all of the B/F stories Nikita's written so far but this is, in my opinion, her best yet. It's an emotional rollercoaster ride that'll leave you as drained as its characters. From the first paragraph, it traps you into a small dark corner and doesn't let up until the very last word. The choice: life or love. The consequences: heartrending. The road there: bumpy and not the least bit apologetic.

Just One of Those Nights by Kimber
This is what I would label a fun story. And why not? It has a loopy Buffy throwing off her inhibitions and finally admitting to herself as well as Faith that, yes, there IS an attraction between them that goes beyond their bond as slayers and their bond as friends because, come on, let's face it, they're two hormonally charged girls who look damn hot. (But, that's just me talking) And I find it really interesting that Buffy has to believe she's drunk to admit this. And whether someone really did slip something into her drink or whether it was all in her head is never really clear and this ambuguity just lends that little bit of extra complexity into a story which is already great to begin with.

Killers, Angels, Refugees by Anne
The companion piece to Dancing in the Dark, this one is told from Buffy's point of view. After receiving a cry for help from Faith in a slayer dream, Buffy immediately catches the first plane to New York. Although apprehensive about their meeting after so many years and the sour note they'd left each other the last time they came in contact, she is, however, willing to keep an open mind. "Killers" tidies up where Anne's last story left off, giving you a different take on the events that happened. As with "Dancing", it successfully marries all the different crossovers that have been thrown into the mix and the ending just leaves you wanting more.

The Longest Walk by Adam Windsor
This isn't a Buffy/Faith story even though our two favorite characters are featured. It's Buffy/Angel all the way but I can live with that cause it's sweet and nice and fluffy and...well, you get the idea. After spending nearly nine years in jail, Faith comes out and finds that her parole officer is Buffy and she's asking for her help in finding Angel. The story ends in a happily ever after sorta way for B/A but you can't ask for everything.

Love and Hellmouths, a Round-Robin by Melissa, Joan the English Chick, Jedimom, Siubhan
This is not a Buffy/Faith story. It's not even close but you know what? It doesn't matter cause it was entertaining and *hilarious*. The story is written in round robin fashion and supposedly by authors who had different plots and agendas in mind. It's really just an excercise in writing deliberately bad fanfic. The outcome is totally out there. My favorite scene was probably with Giles and Ethan with the tutu. You have to read it to believe it.

The More Things Change (unfinished) by Trancer
This is one of those stories you wished were finished cause you really want to know what happened to your favorite characters. The story is based on the world created by Freelance Spice's Trying Again where Faith is transported to the alt-world from "The Wish". (You remember, it's the episode where we first meet vamp Willow) Faith has once again fallen in love with Buffy, only this one isn't so much into ideals and duty as her counterpart. Their happy time together is short-lived however because the Mayor is set on bringing his prodigal sheep back into the fold by any means necessary. This is truly a fast paced, nail biter of a fic.

Most of the Time by The Vector Queen
Yeah, most of the time, I don't dig song fics but this one just puts a sad half smile on your face when you're done reading it. It's nothing more than a small moment in time (never specific, timeline-wise) as Faith reminds herself of exactly why she pushed Buffy away. Wonderfully short and well written. (I'm a sucker for any fic that ends on such a memorable note.)

Orleans by Hth
I absolutely love stories like this --- stylistically, it's so very different from most of the other stories I read, it almost always takes me a couple of paragraphs to get into the flow. But when I do, it takes my mind to this utterly surreal place the author has created, a place where you're not entirely sure which are the more wicked, humans or vampires. The ambiguity, the shading and near obliteration of what's good and what's evil, the hopelessness of it all and the determination to keep living and fighting in the face of everything around you going to hell ... well, read it for yourself.

Piece by Piece by Kirsten
The second in the Coming Around series by Kirsten, we find our two girls on the run from both the Council and the Scooby Gang who are desperate to get Buffy back from Faith's evil clutches. Unbeknownst to them however is that Buffy doesn't want to come back cause she's having a grand ole time with her fellow slayer. But their time together abruptly comes to the end as they're finally tracked down in Los Angeles. Faith gets a beatdown by Angel and her ass carted off by the Council. Buffy is forced back to Sunnydale to face a reality she still has trouble remembering clearly. One of the most gut wrenching endings you'll ever read.

Powerless by Sean Donohue
This is set sometime during Season three, right around the time when Wesley and the Council are debating about what to do with Faith after she accidentally kills Allan and intentionally lies about it. The story departs with canon when the Watchers eventually decide to transport Faith to England and permanently take away her strength as punishment. Gritty and engrossing, the author's style only adds to the already dark subject matter to create a must read that holds no punches and delivers a rawness that almost hurts to read.

The Prophecy by K. McIsaac
Story is set sometime after "Primeval" and "Restless". Written in a first person narrative through the voice of an original character of the author's own creation, it casts a new light onto the concepts of Sunnydale, watchers, slayers, and hellmouths. Quirky, funny, and touching, McIsaac's character comes to life with all the human foibles, weaknesses, and strengths that the author somehow manages to capture onto paper. A truly enjoyable and well written story that puts a different but believable spin on Tara's background and the slayer's history.

Redemption by Erin
I must've read this story about twenty times by now. It's a classic, no two ways about it. The story starts off with Faith in the back of a truck as she makes her way out of Sunnydale after the body switching incident in season four. Realizing that the roads are blocked off, she has no choice but to stay in town until the heat dies down. And so, with this decision made, she inadvertently changes her life along with Buffy's. Some of the scenes you'll read are touchingly sweet. Some are heartrending. Some are just plain beautiful. The relationship that Erin explores between the two slayers is one that'll last in your mind, if not forever, then for a really long time.

Rubicon by Liz Estrada
There are just some people who know how to write and if you read this story, you'll know what I'm talking about. Told from Faith's perspective, it's a meandering character exploration that captures a voice so real, you'd think she were sitting right next to you, spitting out her private, innermost thoughts. This isn't the type of story that will make you sit on the edge of your seat cause nothing really happens action-wise but this IS the type of story that will work itself into your mind and make you glad you were able to read something this beautiful and effortless. So, do you think I like it? You betcha!

Suspension of Belief by Cecily Hawkins
All I want to ask is how I ever missed reading this story before today. Wow. Short. Powerful. Haunting. Beautiful. Damn near perfect ending. You've got to read this. It'll take you two minutes but I bet it'll last in your memory for much longer. I love stories like this. Stories that give you a kick in the ass when you don't ever suspect it coming.

Trying Again by Freelance Spice
The author herself put the premise best when she posed the question: "What would happen if Faith Gone bad met Tomb Raider Buffy?" And this great fic is the happy result. We're treated to a world that Joss just teased us with on the show---a world that has the vampires ruling the streets and a tough as nails Buffy whose attitude could give Faith a run for her money. Through some quirk of fate, alt-Buffy comes back to life after the Master breaks her neck, much to Faith's relief. And as Faith tries to come to grips with her guilt over betraying the Scoobies, alt-Buffy shows the dark slayer that forgiveness can as easily be accepted as given.

Waiting by Scott Nisbet
I love POV stories. For one thing, you don't really find that many of them floating around and for another, it's a real treat when the author manages to find and convey the character's voice so convincingly as in this story. Told from Faith's point of view, we get to see all her insecurities, doubts, and self-loathing on display as she waits for Buffy to go out on a simple lunch date. There's an underlying sweetness and simplicity underscoring each word that leaves you wanting more.

Waking to a Shared Dream by Liz Estrada
If you've read any of my other reviews on Liz's work, you know already that I love how this woman writes---really, I absolutely love it. And this story is no exception. Actually, I think this is the first work of hers I've ever read and it's still got a profound effect on me. Set after Buffy's graduation from high school, i.e. Buffy's total demolition of the high school, she begins sharing dreams with her fellow slayer. Dreams where scores are settled, love is admitted, and promises are made. The entire story has that dreamlike quality to it and you, along with the characters, are never really certain when the dream ends, when reality begins or if the line has been entirely erased somewhere along the way.

What We Deserve by Talion
I just reread this a few minutes ago and it still kinda takes my breath away. To say that Talion's characterisations of Buffy and Faith are far removed from what we're normally used to is to put it lightly. The relationship that's developed between the two slayers is abusive and co-dependent in a "made for TV mini-series" sort of way. But, it works cause you can believe that Faith, with her low self esteem and need for forgiveness to redeem prior evil acts can allow herself to be treated in this fashion. It's a different look into the Faith/Buffy dynamic and it sure packs a punch.

Who? by Faithzangel
Buffy has a crush and Faith's determined to find out who it is, even going so far as to lock the other slayer in the library cage to extort the answer. Of course, it comes as a total shock to hear that the object of said crush is actually Faith herself. The story somehow manages to be funny and touching at the same time. The ending, though subdued, is perfectly matched to the angst that came before it. Very cute story.

Winter Wonderland: A Slayer Christmas Special by Prophecy Girl
This is a different type of story than the other two by Prophecy Girl that I've reviewed on this site. For one thing, it's not dark or angst-filled or anything else like that. It's surprisingly light and almost fluffy in its content but it's just as well written as Hope is For Losers and I'm Going Home. I guess everyone feels that Christmas vibe around the end of December and this story gives you that in abundance. It's a nice, uncomplicated look into Faith and Buffy's downtime as they take a trip to Vermont with their two Wiccan friends.

Worlds' Series by Adam Windsor
The story begins after Faith, getting tired of her stay in jail, breaks out, eventually ending up in the Canadian back woods. Buffy makes a deal with the Council to find and retrieve the wayward slayer but after successfully capturing Faith, she thinks better of what she's about to do. (Probably had something to do with Faith's admission of love mumbled inadvertently in her sleep) And so starts an arc of stories that haunts you with the pervasive sense of the fragile nature that runs through its characters and the moments they pass through. Very well written as the author's style clearly shines through each and every word.