Summary:
Alternate reality. Buffy starts as a normal college girl. But her life is slowly turned upside down beginning with the day she’s unexpectedly in danger. Hired by chance to protect her is Spike, a vampire with a reputation for doing business with anyone for enough money. She’s less than thrilled, but finds herself drawn to him even as she realizes he’s more than he seems. But humans aren’t the only ones after her, and when she’s called as the Slayer, her whole world changes. Things with Spike, who she’s discovered some realities about, are no longer as simple as they seemed. But being sent to the Hellmouth and realizing the high death rate of her calling, Buffy hires Spike as backup with the only thing she has left—Slayer blood. Winner of 20 awards!
Rated: 18
Categories: General Fics Characters: None
Genres: Action, Angst, Romance
Warnings: Adult Language, Sexual Situations, Violence
Challenges:
Series: None
Chapters: 92 Completed: Yes
Word count: 202533 Read: 170806
Published: 10/19/2007 Updated: 09/13/2009

1. 1 Problems by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 12] Liked (1499 words)

2. 2 Conversations by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 15] Liked (1205 words)
Awards this story has won and is nominated for. Thank you for all your support! Fang Fetish R8: Best Alternate Reality, Best Angst, Runner Up Best WIP. Rogue Poet R4: Best Plot, Runner Up Best WIP. Spuffy R14: Best General Saga Reader's, Best General Angst Judge's, Judge's Pick, (nominated Best General Romance). Rogue Poet R5, 'Best Round': Best Plot Readers Choice. SunnyD R15: Best New Author, Best Spuffy Angst, Best AU, Best Drama, Best Unfinished. Rogue Poet R6: Runner Up Best Characterization. Spuffy R15: Most Original Plot Judge's, Judge's Pick. Running with Scissors R4: Runner Up Best WIP. Spark and Burn R5: Runner Up Best Alternate Reality, Best Alternate Reality Reader's, (nominated Best WIP). Spark and Burn R6: Currently nominated for: Best Plot, Best Angst, Best Spike Characterization, and Best New Author.

3. 3 Introductions by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 11] Liked (1387 words)
I have revised the first eighteen chapters. So if you happen to be rereading and wondering if something had always been there, the answer is probably not. I have not taken anything out or changed anything major, and have kept the chapter content the same, in order to not throw off the chapter numbers or the reviews. I have ended up adding a few scenes, but mainly there are smaller changes. Tighter point of view, conversation structure, more description, etc. These early chapters before Buffy becomes the Slayer have been bothering me for a while, and after much debating with myself, I decided to redo them. I felt that the tone and style didn’t quite fit with the rest of the story, and I wanted the story as a whole to flow more naturally.

4. 4 Indications by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 16] Liked (1215 words)

5. 5 Exchanges by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 12] Liked (1601 words)

6. 6 Dances by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 16] Liked (1677 words)

7. 7 Clues by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 11] Liked (1360 words)

8. 8 Inquiries by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 8] Liked (1704 words)

9. 9 Parties by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 15] Liked (2163 words)

10. 10 Revelations by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 13] Liked (1597 words)

11. 11 Explanations by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 14] Liked (1694 words)

12. 12 Answers by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 17] Liked (1577 words)

13. 13 Tensions by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 18] Liked (1623 words)

14. 14 Hits by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 15] Liked (1574 words)

15. 15 Departures by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 23] Liked (2052 words)

16. 16 Collisions by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 17] Liked (2771 words)

17. 17 Stories by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 16] Liked (1675 words)

18. 18 Realities by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 18] Liked (1840 words)

19. 19 Shiftings by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 14] Liked (1932 words)

20. 20 Callings by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 13] Liked (1461 words)

21. 21 Lessons by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 13] Liked (1393 words)

22. 22 Hunters by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 12] Liked (1688 words)

23. 23 Glimpses by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 16] Liked (1402 words)

24. 24 Predators by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 16] Liked (1604 words)

25. 25 Moves by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 14] Liked (1705 words)

26. 26 Decisions by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 16] Liked (1776 words)

27. 27 Burdens by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 17] Liked (1421 words)

28. 28 Sessions by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 17] Liked (1197 words)

29. 29 Admissions by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 20] Liked (1717 words)

30. 30 Contracts by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 15] Liked (1838 words)

31. 31 Adjustments by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 15] Liked (1687 words)
For convenience’s sake, the house that was for sale when Buffy and Joyce moved in the show is also for sale now. :)

32. 32 Meetings by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 12] Liked (1683 words)
A huge thank you to whoever nominated me at the Spuffy Awards Round 14! I'm up for Best General Saga, General Excellent Author, Best General Angst, and Best General Romance. Thank you so much! I'm thrilled people are enjoying the story so much.

33. 33 Histories by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 20] Liked (1749 words)

34. 34 Agreements by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 18] Liked (1874 words)
I’ve been nominated at the Fang Fetish Awards round 8, for Best Alternate Reality, Best Angst, and Best WIP! Thank you!

35. 35 Tastes by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 19] Liked (1081 words)

36. 36 Insights by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 21] Liked (2018 words)

37. 37 Ramblings by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 20] Liked (2348 words)

38. 38 Acclimations by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 16] Liked (1830 words)

39. 39 Flashes by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 15] Liked (2282 words)
Because I’ve always wondered whether the ritual from What’s My Line, if completed properly, would really have killed Angel, or just made him weak like Dru or worse. Also, I’m going to assume that there were other books with the ritual/key code in them that are floating around out there in the demon world.

40. 40 Gatherings by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 18] Liked (1970 words)

41. 41 Preparations by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 12] Liked (1783 words)

42. 42 Interviews by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 15] Liked (2031 words)
Thank you to LindsayH for beta-ing from here on out!

43. 43 Outings by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 17] Liked (1898 words)

44. 44 Disclosures by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 24] Liked (2006 words)

45. 45 Accounts by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 16] Liked (2581 words)
Because I always wondered what would have happened if the Mayor had met the real Angelus, not the pretending one in Enemies…

46. 46 Assumptions by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 16] Liked (1632 words)

47. 47 Pieces by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 14] Liked (1846 words)

48. 48 Shatters by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 20] Liked (1656 words)

49. 49 Steps by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 19] Liked (1641 words)
Sideways has just won Best Plot and Runner Up Best WIP at the Rogue Poet Awards round 4! *squeee!*

50. 50 Moments by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 27] Liked (2611 words)
I won at the Spuffy Awards round 14 for Best General Angst Judge's Choice, Best General Saga Reader's Choice, and Judge's Pick! Thank you! And another thank you to whoever nominated me at the Spark and Burn Awards round 5 for Best WIP, Best Plot, and Best Alternate Reality!

51. 51 Lines by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 15] Liked (2495 words)

52. 52 Reflections by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 16] Liked (2861 words)
I’ve been nominated at the Sunnydale Memorial Fanfiction Awards Round 15, for Best New Author, Best Angst, Best AU, Best Drama, Best Unfinished. Thank you to whoever nominated me!

53. 53 Stances by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 16] Liked (2087 words)

54. 54 Advances by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 15] Liked (1790 words)
I won at the Rogue Poet Awards round 5, the “Best of the Best” round, for Best Plot Readers Choice. Thank you!

55. 55 Weapons by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 21] Liked (2546 words)

56. 56 Rests by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 18] Liked (2231 words)

57. 57 Whispers by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 20] Liked (1814 words)

58. 58 Discoveries by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 18] Liked (2698 words)

59. 59 Talks by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 17] Liked (2036 words)

60. 60 Breaks by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 18] Liked (2136 words)

61. 61 Ruins by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 17] Liked (2438 words)

62. 62 Reckonings by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 22] Liked (1627 words)

63. 63 Reports by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 16] Liked (2059 words)

64. 64 Touches by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 16] Liked (1619 words)

65. 65 Evenings by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 21] Liked (3333 words)

66. 66 Declarations by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 14] Liked (2906 words)

67. 67 Deliberations by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 21] Liked (1529 words)

68. 68 Vows by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 28] Liked (2800 words)
Wow! I got a bunch of awards at the SunnyD Awards, Round 15! I won for Best New Author, Best AU, Best Spuffy Angst, Best Drama, and Best Unfinished. Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me!!

69. 69 Connections by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 18] Liked (3394 words)
I won Runner Up Best Characterization at round 6 of the Rogue Poet Awards, and
Most Original Plot Judge's Choice and Judge's Pick at round 15 of the Spuffy Awards. Thank you!

70. 70 Days by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 13] Liked (2416 words)

71. 71 Confessions by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 15] Liked (2684 words)

72. 72 Shocks by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 15] Liked (3123 words)

73. 73 Difficulties by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 11] Liked (1631 words)
Thank you to whoever nominated my story Descent at the Spuffy Awards for best short story! Voting is also open now.

74. 74 Assurances by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 21] Liked (3429 words)

75. 75 Intentions by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 13] Liked (4358 words)
Thank you to Slaymesoftly for starting to beta!

76. 76 Trials by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 12] Liked (5544 words)
While I’m not a total conspiracy theorist about the Council, I do think it’s unlikely that every Slayer would have faced a vampire as bad as the one Buffy (who could have been a problematic Slayer) faced in canon.

77. 77 Stages by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 12] Liked (4034 words)

78. 78 Secrets by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 13] Liked (2900 words)

79. 79 Arrangements by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 13] Liked (1789 words)

80. 80 Understandings by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 12] Liked (2588 words)
Sideways won Runner Up Best WIP at round 4 of the Running with Scissors Awards! Thank you!

81. 81 Dreams by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 14] Liked (2213 words)
Sideways won at the Spark and Burn Awards Round 5 for Runner Up Best Alternate Reality and Reader's Choice Best Alternate Reality. Thank you so much!

82. 82 Stirrings by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 9] Liked (2619 words)
Thank you to whoever nominated me at the Spark and Burn Awards round 6! I’m up for Best Plot, Best Angst, Best Spike Characterization, and Best New Author!

83. 83 Targets by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 10] Liked (1973 words)

84. 84 Contentions by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 11] Liked (4087 words)

85. 85 Battles by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 18] Liked (1969 words)

86. 86 Wounds by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 14] Liked (3171 words)
Thank you to Legen for helping with the medical bits!

87. 87 Recoveries by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 10] Liked (2348 words)

88. 88 Visits by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 13] Liked (3433 words)

89. 89 Resolutions by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 14] Liked (4522 words)

90. 90 Choices by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 9] Liked (4131 words)

91. 91 Circles by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 11] Liked (3242 words)
There are some Sideways drabbles on my Livejournal HERE. Also, keep an eye out for the second Interlude, which will take place between this chapter and the previous one. It will be posted separately on this site sometime after Sideways is done.

92. Epilogue by GoldenUsagi [Reviews - 28] Liked (2375 words)
Another thank you to Slaymesoftly for beta-ing! And a huge thank you to everyone who has read the story. Thank you for all your reviews, support, and encouragement! I hope you enjoyed reading the story as much as I enjoyed writing it. I really can’t believe it’s been almost two years since I started it. And I can’t believe it’s actually finished. :) But I’ve had a great time, and that’s because fandom has been so great. Thank you!