I'm in the mood for something that's written extremely well, the kind of Spuffy fanfic that just makes you wonder why in the heck the author isnt writing novels instead. Something that blew your mind, talent wise. If the fic is all kinds of HOT, then even better hehe

"West of the Moon, East of the Sun" by KnifeEdge. AU season 5. To my mind, that is currently the absolute pinnacle of Spuffy fanfic that's out there right now. Even better, it's complete -- and it does include a few chapters of hotness, plus lots of UST. It's over at Elysian Fields.

I'd also recommend DUST (WIP) by the same author but it seems currently to be on some kind of indefinite hiatus with no sign of when or if it will resume again.

"The Truce" (WIP) by Eternal_red, which is here on SR. This is seriously AU, but nonetheless one of my all time favorites, for its Spuffy, its characterizations, its concept and its plot. Sadly, it too seems to be on hiatus.

"Forward to Time Past" by Unbridled Brunette. It's here and on Elysian Fields. This has amazing Spike/William characterizations, excellent Buffy and Scoobies, time travel and plotty angst. Seriously impressive.

These are my top three fics. There are many others that I love though, so I may pop back in this thread again.

Guest
The Writing on the Wall by HollyDB on this site. Holly's stuff is usually top drawer but this is in a league of its own.

Lovingkindness by Herself is a very strong piece. It has a prequel, What She Deserves which is much shorter. You can find it on her own site or AllAboutSpike. I actually hardly ever re-read this as it is very, very dark in places but it is bloody well written dark. If you can stomach it then A Terrible Thing, also by Herself, is an amazing story and has much more smut (also well written, unusually enough) but makes Lovingkindness read like a fluffy picnic.

Any of Eurydice's or Enigmaticblue's, Niamh's Origins series, Holly, Herself, Dreamweaver... and that's just for starters, all excellent writers.

Winter's Storm by GreyAngel

Seconding the KnifeEdge recs. Amazing, incredible stories. East of the Sun, West of the Moon is my all-time favourite.

"My Life Closed Twice" by Anaross--loads of poetry that makes you think.
Other stories by Anaross are also lots of fun. Can be found on Just Rewards.

"Bloody Soul" by Kallysten--very intriguing premise. It's the first of a series, but I really only love "Bloody Soul". The others, though well-written, didn't really hook me. You can find this on Nocturnal Light.

"The Rose" by coalitiongirl--fascinating AU with excellent writing and characterization. Loooong.

...Out of all of these, I absolutely absolutely love East of the Sun, West of the Moon. Really. (Oh, and about the DUST hiatus: KE posted on her LJ that she's busy with RL stuff, but will get back to writing since it's winter, or something along those lines.)

Shoshanna's 'Trinity'. My very first fanfic that featured Spuffy. Cannot express how much i love this fic. Actually, any of Shoshanna's fics are great reads in my book. You can find them over at Sinister Attracton.

More Than Strangers by Sadbhyl. Available at SA.
The Song Remains the Same by SMac. WIP.

I've been around this fandom for more years than I can remember and have read so many great fics I can't choose just a few, so instead I'm going to give you a list of really good authors that you can pick any story and have a great read.

I'm trying to think in alphabetical order to give you the most authors I can.

Abby, Addie Logan, Anaross, BarbC, coalitiongirl, cousinjean, dampersandspoons, dreamweaver, enigmaticblue, eurydice, Herself, Holly, icemink, kantayra, KnifeEdge, Kyra Storm, Lirazel, lisa_dec a.k.a. lisa y drexel a.k.a. jypzrose (depending on the site, but all the same person), Megan, Mrs Muir, Niamh, pfeifferpack, pipergirl, randi, rikki_oko, speakers2customers, spikeskat, spikeslovebite, spikes_heart, The Enemy of Reality, and many more that I'm sure I have forgotten at the moment.

Oops, I can't leave out these two authors: Slaymesoftly and Bloodshedbaby.

Minx Delovely is a fab new author and her He May Be Your Dog... story is wonderful Spuffy.

Also, I love Science with Welcome to the Neighborhood and For the Sake of the Song/

Nautibitz and dampersnspoons are the definition of well-written as well as hottt. Crash and Burn (Nauti) and Something Real (d&s) and Closer and Closer (d&s) are my favorites. Addie Logan is great too.

Excellent list. I need to add (unless I messed them being mentioned) Herself, really anything she's written. Mustang Sally and RivkaT the entire Bowiebaharata, and Imitation of a Man by darkapple

A Different Light by dreamweaver is amazing. The language created for the dimention was great. That aspect of original speech made me feel like I was reading Tolkien.

Yes this one is amazing

I'm trying to think of my fave Canon one though.

Summary: Angel and Spike are members of a gangster type family ruled over by Masters (in NY) Angel runs the LA branch of the 'family' and after an affair with Buffy he disappears. Masters is furious and is determined to bring his wayward child back to be punished. Spike and Dru are lovers and have been living in NY working for Masters but when Angel vanished he took Drusilla with him...Spike is enraged and seeking revenge...then he discovers Angel's one true love (Buffy) and the perfect revenge is within his grasp...this is a Spike and Buffy story...how hate and revenge turn into lust and desire and finally into trust and love... Complete

http://www.sinister-attraction.net/stories/g/winters_storm.htm

http://www.sinister-attraction.net/stories/g/winters_tale.htm

A Winters Tale

Summary: A short Christmas story, where Spike Winters and Buffy Summers spend their first Christmas together...which includes, a romantic carriage ride, X-mas shopping, mistletoe kisses, and fluffy feelings... This story is related to my other story 'Winters Storm' and features the characters from that story...but can be read alone... Complete