Seven years have passed since the end of S6. Life has gone on. Some things have changed and others have stayed the same... and Buffy and Spike discover they still have some unfinished business.
The
fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves
—
Julius Caesar, Act 1, Sc. 2
Welcome to Seven Years in the Desert. If you've come here from Missives From the Hellmouth, let me warn you that this is a rather different piece of work that the fiction I archive on that site. For one thing, instead of a series of stories linked in a series, this is a novel. For another, it's written in the style of mainstream romance or "women's fiction." If Susan Elizabeth Phillips or Anne Stuart aren't your style, you may not enjoy this piece. This is an experiment in writing, an exercise to expand my writing skills. For more on why I chose this particular medium, see Why a Novel?
The primary action begins in 2009, some seven years after the events of BtVS Season Six. All events of Season Six happened: Tara was killed, Willow went mad, Spike and Buffy ended in disaster and Spike went to Africa and got himself a soul. Many things have changed; some things -- and some feelings -- have not. The work is Buffy/Spike-centric, even if it doesn't appear to be at times and while I will do my best to rip your heart out and stomp on it a few times, I do promise a happy ending when the journey is done.
-- Caro
July 20, 2004 July 3, 2004
Chapter Seventeen has now been posted. The last few chapters set in 2009 have concerned Spike; now we see what Buffy is up to as Giles, Mike and the Field Team arrive in Sunnydale. Unfortunately for her, the slayer dreams are continuing...
We come to Chapter Sixteen and the action is back in Sunnydale from the end of 2002 to the early months of 2003. Some relationships begin to move ahead while others falter.
Where the Heart Is is a ficlet set in the Seven Years universe featuring Giles and Anya as they reach the one year mark on their relationship. Love, happiness and a new home in London.
June 6, 2004
Today's posting is Chapter Fifteen of Seven Years in the Desert. We continue with the aftermath of the mission the Heildelberg and a look at some of the inner dealings of the Council of Watchers.
The next chapter is scheduled to be posted on July 3; in the meantime, I'll be posting some standalone pieces (including one in the Seven Years universe) as well as the first story in a new triology that takes place after the AtS Finale.
June 1, 2004
After a long hiatus, , Chapter Fourteen has been posted. The action has returned to 2009, with a focus on what's happening in London. It appears that the activities within the Order of Aurelius have picked up...and Spike is about to discover that it does have a personal impact on him.
January 2, 2004
Happy New Year. Chapter Thirteen is now posted and, appropriately enough for the season, we are now at Christmas 2002. No surprise visits from exes this holiday, but since it's Sunnydale, things don't go as smoothly as they might.
December 25, 2003
I've just posted a small Christmas ficlet set in the Seven Years universe, entitled Office Party. Yes, the Council of Watchers indulges in that dreadful tradition. Happy holidays.
November 7, 2003
Chapter 12 has been posted. We're back in 2009 and Buffy is dealing with Dawn's decision to accept the Council's grant, while Spike dredges up old memories.