Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: Jim/Blair
Author on LJ: sihayab
Author Website: Sihaya’s Seraglio
Why this must be read:

Sometimes, you’re in the mood for a long, plotty adventure with our boys. You want to read a tale with mystery, with intrigue, with shadowy villains who are suitably and believably evil.

When you’re in that mood, what you're looking for is “Those Who Can.”

It has all the details I mentioned above – intrigue, suspense, complex and well-nuanced original characters, an engaging plot that makes you think, and a villain with motive so sinister it’ll make your skin crawl. Though I don’t want to give away the twists, I will say that I have a difficult time imagining a fate that Jim and/or Blair would dread more than what’s cooked up in this story.

I’ve read my share of torture scenes (okay, okay, I’ll be honest – far more than my share), and though these aren’t among the most brutal ones I’ve come across, they’re certainly plenty disturbing - particularly since, ( cut for slight story spoilers )

Stylistically, “TWC” is a fabulous example of the 'unreliable narrator'; told from first-person Blair POV, you’ll often find yourself shaking your head in exasperation at the mental contortions he puts himself through to rationalize the way he and Jim interact.

He blinked and solemnly turned to me. "Chief, it isn't my mail that's being opened..."

The bottom dropped out of my stomach, landing somewhere way down in my gut. Not a good feeling.

"But why me, Jim?" It came out as a whisper. "Why the hell would anyone be interested in me, unless it was to get to you?"

"I don't know, Blair."

Oh shit. Jim called me by my name. He must really be worried. I glanced over and caught him staring at me, a frown creasing his face. For Mister Stoic, that was pretty much like having hysterics in public. He reached out and gave my shoulder a quick squeeze, then started up the truck. "Don't worry," he said as he pulled back onto the highway. "We'll find out what's going on, and someone," he growled, "will have to answer to me..."

Jim sounded mean and threatening and like a guy I would not want to cross. I almost felt sorry for that unknown someone. Almost, but not quite.

I was really touched by his concern. But that's Jim - he's like everyone's big brother. Jim keeps an eye out for everyone, and makes sure everyone's okay. I guess it's all part of the Sentinel gig - a genetic predisposition to make sure the tribe's safe. He'd do the same thing for any of his friends.

Sure, Sandburg. Just like a brother. Heh.

The sexual tension ratchets up right on par with the tension of the mystery; even though I’ve read this more than once *coughseventimescough*, I still find myself nibbling on my fingernails in the closing third of this epic.

Sihaya has a talent for sheer physicality of her descriptions; her readers are never floundering about in their mental space, wondering exactly where a character is. Her world-building is exceptional as well; TWC is rich in the little details that bring stories to life.

Adventure? Romance? A damned good read? If that’s what you're looking for, set aside several hours and dig into Sihaya’s –

Those Who Can

Fandom: ANGEL
Pairing: brief implications of Angel/Cordy, Angel/Faith, Angel/Gunn
Author's website: Biblioteque Diabolique
Author on LJ: obsessedmuch

Why this must be read:
Because, as Lar says in her summary for this piece, "How bright can the future be for Angel?" It's an AU not all that far in the future, its canon based in season 1, but it is so true to the core of the characters that it still resonates. As more than one episode this season has indicated, this could still be Angel's future. Softly sad, with threads of bitterness, threads of sweetness, at the end you'll pause, close your eyes and hold your breath for a moment, and just feel it.

And Heaven Burns

Fandom: ROSWELL
Pairing: Max/Michael, with references to Max/Liz.
Author on LJ: thisisbone
Author Website: http://www.geocities.com/coffeeslash/bone/index.html
Why this must be read:

It was both incredibly easy and incredibly hard to try and slash Max and Michael, and I'm not just talking about finding a time in canon when their off-and-on canonical relationships were both in 'off' mode.

Their relationship was often resentful on both sides. Neither let the other get away with *any* bullshit. But they always had each others' back; they *knew* each other better than any two characters on the show. And maybe needed each other more than any other characters, as well.

There were times you could tell that Max was thinking he'd rather bang his head against a wall than talk to Michael for thirty more seconds, and vice versa; at other times, their bond was just so easy and *there*, such a clear and present part of them... you could see it happening. Just like it does in Bone's story "The Morning After."

There's no huge "am I gay" angst, there's no "omg we're in loooove now, what are we gonna tell Maria and Liz." It's just what they've always done for each other-- Michael cutting through Max's bullshit, giving Max what he thinks Max needs, while hiding his own physical and emotional needs. And Max, not buying *that* for a second. Always trying to pull Michael closer. This is really a gorgeous extension of their canon dynamic, and probably my favorite Max/Michael story.

The Morning After

Note: Out of respect for Bone's wishes, I did ask her before reccing/linking this story on crack_van, and she said it was okay.

Fandom: FARSCAPE
Pairing:  none. exactly
Author on LJ: sunshinercj
Author Website:?
Why this must be read:

L,G&M 3.5; Bend at the Breakpicks up where Liars, Guns and Money, Part 3 leaves off, John descending into madness, the chip in his brain at war with him.

The story opens ambiguously, with John apparently back in the clutches of Natira, and barrels on from there, leaving the reader breathless, wondering if this is an AU, if this is John's what if no one had come for him.

And then things get worse, strange and off balance and what we find instead is the mental meanderings, the fears and panic and uncertainty that John know has to live with since he can't trust in anything, least of all the sanctity of his own mind.

The language is tight and taut and the construct of the story holds through to the end, even when we know the truth, we still ache for John, alone, terrified and shifting, changing, and merging with his nightmare.

Scorpius circled around Natira and placed the muzzle to the back of her head. Her pleas grew more intense, more demanding. She stared at John, begging him to do something, anything, to save her.

And he tried. If for no other reason than to avoid witnessing the execution. "Wait. Don't-"

"I do not suffer betrayal well," Scorpius interrupted.

Natira's head exploded under the blast, spraying milk sap blood across John's face, leaving salt on his lips. Bits of meaty blue flakes spattered his chest and sprinkled in his lap like crumbs.

He squeezed his eyes shut and listened to his pulse thunder against his eardrums.

When he dared to look, Scorpius stood before him, hovering too close. Pallid flesh stretched tight over a jagged skull, shark's teeth grinning near enough to bite. "You have a visitor."

The chair jerked and elongated, reclining suddenly as the restraints snapped open. John was left to gape at the ceiling, blinking into harsh overhead light. A familiar form leaned over him.

"Zhaan?"

"Yes, John?" The Delvian dipped a piece of brown cloth into a bowl Scorpius held. Gently, she cleaned Natira's blood from his face.

John's tongue felt thick against the roof of his mouth. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm tending to your injuries. Do you need anything for the pain?" She finished her work and dropped the cloth into the bowl. Scorpius carried it to the back of the room.

"Pain?" He watched the Scarran Hybrid until it would become necessary to turn his head, but he didn't want to look away from Zhaan. "You talking past or future tense?"

She reached slowly to his forehead, lightly prodding a tender spot just over his eye. "It doesn't appear to be severely bruised."

Scorpius remained out of sight. The cell was empty except for the other chair and its grisly occupant. Blood dripped from the ruin of Natira's head, hitting the floor with heavy drops. The smell of burnt flesh overpowered.

"Where'd he go?" He tried to sit up, looking around the cell for lurkers in the dark.

Zhaan's brilliant blue eyes narrowed. She touched John's shoulder, gently pushing him back down. "You shouldn't move, John. You need to rest."

He shrugged off her hand and suggestion, watching the door as he swung his feet to the floor. The guards were gone, leaving the exit unwatched.

Dizziness came in a tidal wave as he stood, spilling him forward into Zhaan's arms.

"John!"

He steadied himself within her grasp, head bowed against disorientation, keeping his eyes closed only long enough to know which end was up. "We need to get out of here."

Sunshiner's L,G&M 3.5; Bend at the Break

Fandom: LOTRIPS
Pairings: Viggo/Orlando
Author on LJ: chaosmanor
Why this must be read: I find this story very charming. It's kind of schmoopy, but not in a 'You've *got* to be kidding' kind of way. Just a light touch, enough to leave you warm and tingly after. Mmm.

Doors

Fandom: LOTRIPS
Pairings: Billy/Dominic
Author's website: Bypaths - lotrips fiction by Kia and Shallow
Why this must be read:

Yet another in the warm, tingly category. In it, Billy and Dom are already in a relationship, but Billy starts worrying about the future. It just leaves me in a very good mood and hopefully, it will do the same for you.

In the moment