Rebcake-o-rama

First of all, Happy Birthday to the extra-delicious thedeadlyhook! Also, thanks to the kind soul who extended my paid account on Dreamwidth! Wow! So very kind and generous! I'm about to get all sloppy and tell everybody in this bar that I love them, because you are so nice!

Today is a good day because I have apparently finished my rarewomen assignment on time (to my utter shock) AND I've got this for y'all:

A new chapter of my Buffyverse San Francisco story/travelogue just in time for seasonal_spuffy! Will wonders never cease?

Title: Fire in the Soul (4/?)
Author: Rebcake 
Rating: PG13
Word count: 3370
Pairing: Spike/Buffy, but also quite a bit of Dru, though not in this chapter.
A/N: Thanks for the quickie beta by MiAmor. Some photos contained herein are copyrighted as noted. NOT comics compliant.
Summary: A few years after Sunnydale’s spectacular demise, Buffy and her crew are getting on with their lives in San Francisco. A not entirely unwelcome blast from her past (Spike! It's Spike!) blows into town, but he’s brought more than the generally allowable amount of baggage with him. 

Previously: 
Chapter 1 on LJ / Chapter 1 on DW — In which a "chance" encounter leads to strong language and less-than-adult behavior. Also: animal magnetism.
Chapter 2a on LJ / Chapter 2a on DW — In which Dawn makes her feelings known and Buffy tries not to.
Chapter 2bc on LJ / Chapter 2bc on DW— In which Buffy gets on with her Sunday, which naturally ends up being weird.
Chapter 3 on LJ / Chapter 3 on DW  — In which Buffy checks in with Giles and has another bizarre vampire meet up.

New today:
Chapter 4 on LJ / Chapter 4 on DW — In which Buffy possibly overthinks things before she and Spike try that new-fangled “communication” thing.


( Spike wanted to talk. Buffy was terrified... )

I was happy and a little surprised to see that my funny little Superstar!verse Harmony story was awarded a pretty in the latest round of the Sunnydale Memorial Fanfic Awards! Lookit!



In my opinion, everything is even prettier with Gunn on it... There are some terrific stories on the winner's list, which you should go read if you haven't already. No surprise, many talented friends also won awards and I salute you all! I'm always happy to see the good stuff get recognition.


I observed September 11 by making sure to call my little sister. It's her birthday, you see, and ten years ago, when she lived and worked in lower Manhattan, she didn't get any birthday calls. Considering all the the horrendous events of that day, it might seem like a small thing to miss getting birthday greetings in the pre-Facebook era. And it is, of course. But, if I've learned anything from that day — and I learned precious little, I'm afraid — it's that we should cherish our loved ones at every opportunity. We'd lost our only other sister three years before, on Thanksgiving Day, and my family has had enough of this conflation of national celebrations and personal tragedies, and vice versa. (I urge whoever is responsible for arranging these things to keep that in mind. Thanks so much in advance.)

Here's to you, sweetie! In the past ten years you've weathered being on the evacuation line for both the Twin Towers bombing and the latest hurricane, completed your graduate degree, married a great guy, buried a parent, moved to Brooklyn, and had a beautiful and brilliant child*. If I had the power, I might wish you a less interesting life, but I'm so proud of all you've accomplished, and the way you've kept all your kindness and humor intact through it all. Happy birthday!

*I am aware that some of the people on my f-list think they have the "world's cutest nephew". Respectfully, you are mistaken. ;-)