ATS: Triptych by Perri Smith (Fred, Cordelia, Darla)

I first found Perri Smith through her X-Men fanfic. She's got a trio of stories called The Delphi Set that feature Deadpool at his wittiest and snarkiest, as well as some fine ensemble work for various other characters. Now she has a new trio in a different fandom: Triptych is a series of achingly beautiful vignettes about the women on Angel this season -- Fred, Cordelia, and Darla. Each story resonates with insight and a true-to-character (albeit in second person) voice.

BTVS: 28 Days and Orleans by Hth (Willow/Tara, Buffy/Faith)

Hth's 28 Days is a gorgeous look at the Willow/Tara relationship, fleshing out the complexities and anxieties that have only been hinted at onscreen. Orleans is a carefully-crafted story about Wishverse Buffy and a possible Faith, and like Witness (rec'd here earlier) does a fantastic exploration of Slayer issues: death, darkness, and duty.

XF, BTVS, WW by Thuvia Ptarth (various)

Thuvia Ptarth's gift for breathing life into minor characters (and major -- see her X-Files fic Subaqueous) in many ways captures the spirit of why we write fanfic to begin with. Her prose is beautiful, but more importantly, is always on the mark. After a few short paragraphs I feel like I know the people she's writing about. Especially recommended: On the Way to Grandmother's House (Buffy) and The Daughters of Abraham (my first West Wing fic, for those keeping track).

ATS/BTVS: various by Kate Elizabeth (Willow)

Kate Elizabeth's fanfic makes me miss Willow a lot. A lot. Each small story glows with warmth, affection and stunningly good writing, with a heartbreak waiting behind every other line. They're all fantastic, but I've picked out three favorites: Dreams of Alligators is a golden sliver of an afternoon in "Graduation Day 1"; Beginning to See the Light is VampWillow in all her chilling deadliness; Mirrored is Willow on the way to L.A. to break the news.

ETA: As of January 2012, I believe this author has removed her fanfic from the Internet.

ATS: various (Lindsey)

I've barely skimmed the surface of all the Lindsey McDonald fic out there, but what I've found so far has definitely gotten me hooked. Zahra's Wasteland is Lindsey tired, and driving; Elizabeth's Triangulation is Lindsey today and yesterday; Dale Edmonds' Twilight Quietly Fades is Lindsey caring and not caring; and Lar's The Dating Game I and II are Lindsey being all hot and sexy and tormented, with Angel along for the ride.

XF: Almanac and Most Frail Gestures by cucumberspy (Mulder, Scully)

cucumberspy's Almanac is only 155 words but it seduced me right back into the ficdom, long enough to catch her luminous work Most Frail Gestures.

XF: Yellow Balloon by Zyllah (Doggett, Scully)

Zyllah's lovely, lovely Yellow Balloon makes me remember why I'm so grateful to have started in X-Files.