Years and years (and years!) ago I read a long multi-part series fic that I'm trying to track down having dipped my toe back in the fandom. Here's what I know:

* Multiple instalments- starting in Season 5 because Dawn features, but veering out of canon.
* Rest of the characters all feature and are developed throughout.
* Domestic Spuffy elements...
* One of the instalments (potentially the final one) has something to do with a traditional Czech golem as the Big Bad.
* There may a Buffy possession element/spirit of the First Slayer element in the final instalment.
* I can remember (don't ask how I can remember this and not the title or author...) Dawn making a joke about baby batter, and an internal thought line from Spike about if the mountain not going to Mohammed with relation to the Buffy-potential-First-Slayer-posession thing.
* It was a WIP when I read it.
* It was potentially by cousinjean, in which case I'm not expecting it to be available. It's just doing my head in that I can't remember it...

Hi,

Some of the elements you described feel familiar. I've only read one fic featuring a golem. The golem was impersonating a social worker from child services and was sent by the Council. The social worker was a man who was called away while visiting Buffy's house, claiming an emergency with his son. He was replaced by a golem afterwards. I think there were cameras to spy on Buffy and the scoobies involved. There was a big battle against the Council at the Hyperion in the end with the ATS team and multiple golems.

I can't remember the title but if you think it's the one, I'll look for it. 😉

Here's a link to Cousinjean's stories, and to Dancing Lessons a S5 3 parts unfinished series by multiple authors including Cousinjean.

Edit: I asked on the EF shoutbox ans someone found the one I was talking about. It's Setting Up House by sandy_s. It was first posted on 2004 but finished years later. It's also on AO3 and Nocturnal-light.

Summary: What if the second social worker actually paid a visit to Buffy and Dawn after the incident in "Gone," and Dawn and Spike convinced Buffy to set up house with Spike? Buffy POV.Story

Thanks so much for getting back about this, and for the link! Some of what you've said above is actually ringing a bell. And thanks as well for the link to Setting Up House Always great to have a fic rec to read!