Fandom: OZ
Pairing: Alvarez/Torquemada
Author's Website: Birdland
Author's LJ: N/A

Why This Story Must Be Read:

So I didn't start watching Oz until the show was already over and I had heard whispers about this legendary Torquemada and I had absolutely no clue who he was. For a while, I just thought I had somehow missed him. And then he appeared like a fabulously gay light at the end of the dark tunnel of season 6 and he was wonderful. I couldn't let my month go without reccommending a little bit of Torquemada/Alvarez. I honestly believe that Alvarez was just too broken to ever have any sort of happiness, but it's nice to pretend sometimes and this is a fun, hot little story. It's just nice to see Alvarez actually have a little fun.

Everything You Want

Fandom: X-MEN MOVIEVERSE
Pairing: Bobby/John
Author on lj: hackthis
Author's website: dysFUNctional
Why this must be read:

Bobby/John has been a popular pairing since X2 came out, done by many authors with varying degrees of skill. In "There Goes the Fear," Zahra perfectly captures the fumbling uncertainty of first relationships, the inarticulateness of teenage boys, and the awful feeling of only realizing you've screwed up when it's too late.

There Goes the Fear

Fandom: X-MEN MOVIEVERSE
Pairing: Xavier/Magneto
Author on lj: 3jane
Author's website: Janefic
Why this must be read:

One more by Jane St. Clair, because I couldn't live with myself if I didn't rec this one. It's a gorgeous look at young Charles and Erik as two gifted, damaged young men on the road to see America, with all the betrayals far in the future, barely a shadow on the horizon. The detail is lush and sensual, the characterization dead-on. And without being explicit, it manages to still be scorchingly hot. Go see.

Fragile Bodies of Touch and Taste

Fandom: MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: A hint of Napoleon Solo/Illya Kuryakin
Author on LJ: przed
Author Website: Zed's Vids and Fics

Why this must be read:
Illya suffers horribly as Dr. Egret infects him with a nasty virus. Napoleon must race against time to find Illya before he dies. The Girl from UNCLE characters, Mark Slate and April Dancer, also join in the hunt.

This is a fine example of a slash story that has cross-category appeal to gen fans as well. There is a 'realistic' edge to the narrative, with tense angst and suspense mixed with some graphic violence and action drama. The established relationship between Napoleon and Illya is warm and loving, but it forms the backdrop to the actual plot. If you were to take away the references to 'lover' and the brief kiss, the story would qualify as hurt/comfort gen.

For fans who are tired of the focus on sex and relationship and want to see the guys working as agents, this is the story for you. Fans of GFU will also get a kick out of the strong supportive roles played by Mark and April.

The Virus Affair

Fandom: SPORTS NIGHT
Pairing: Dan/Casey friendship
Author on LJ: allcanadiangirl
Author Website: http://bj.gatefiction.com/
Why this must be read:

As is common with much of Aaron Sorkin's work, the most important part of the story is subtext and no one does subtext quite as well as Dan Rydell.

This is one of those stories where nothing much really happens but if you read between the lines there's an awful lot going on. There's Dan trying to go along like everything is okay, Abby prodding him about what's really happening and Casey doing what Casey does, that is being there for Dan but giving him space at the same time.

ubivis

Fandom: SPORTS NIGHT
Pairing: Dan/Casey Dana/Casey
Author on LJ: callmesandy
Author Website: lowercase k collected
Why this must be read:

When I first read this story I thought it was going to be an amusing banter piece between Dan and Casey. Nothing to think about too deeply and one that would (hopefully) leave me with a smile on my face.

Boy, was I wrong.

About half way through this fic takes a sharp left into an exploration of love, friendship and loyalty when a snooping Casey accidentally discovers something about Dana that he wishes he hadn't. as with all of k's Sports Night stories, Dan and Casey's voices are so clear it's almost frightening. She has a wonderful understanding of all the characters and isn't afraid to make them look weak or petty. Human, in other words.

Document

Fandom: MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Napoleon Solo/Illya Kuryakin
Author on LJ: not that I know of
Author Website: Veinglory's Slashphile

Why this must be read:

Illya is an UNCLE agent, but he still has strong ties to the Soviet Union. KGB agents closely watch him for any signs of 'attachment' to his new employer. When he and Napoleon make love one night, Illya finds the cost of juggling his conflicting loyalties may be higher than he can bear.

This is a lovely first person Illya story that does a brilliant job in depicting the difficulties of being a foreigner in a strange land. There is no use of Russian language; Illya's alien perspective shines in his dry observations of the US and Napoleon, and in the interesting use of "Old World" language and syntax.

And don't be fooled by the rating. Relationships form the emotional core of this story.

Two Masters

Fandom:BLAKES7
Pairing:Blake-Avon, sort of
Author on LJ: No
Author Website: None
Why this must be read:

Another pastiche, albeit this time in a much lighter vein. And, once again, I won't spoil the experience by telling you what the source text is for this touching AU account of young Roj Blake's first job after washing out of engineering school: Human Relations Manager for the Captain of the Liberator and his seven ill-assorted crew members. Blake helps the austere Captain to warm up, Vila Saves the Day, Servalan and Travis are Themselves, Only More So. And, just like the source text, you'll probably hate yourself but you'll probably feel a lump in your throat as voices ring out in the Sector Six anthem.

I love pastiches because of what they can reveal about the characters by putting them in another context. Not only is this an evilly brilliant choice of text, but...well, they really ARE like that (although the Tarrant Nostra won't approve).

Something Good

Fandom:Star Wars
Pairing: Han/Leia, plus other Solo family members and their own sweeties.
Author's Website: The Darth Side
Author on LJ: ZP is no longer on the net.

Why this must be read:

Insanely funny story. Worth the bad formatting for the sheer humor factor. Han takes Leia home to meet the family: his mom and sister. Mama Solo is a true matriarch, "She had wide shoulders and large hands, a mass of gray, unruly
hair,and a face to scare away a thousand ships."

Sister, Sueryma (you work it out), is knocked up, and we get full, florid description of the lovemaking that never mentions genitalia.

But the knock-your-socks-off punchline is better than Sueryma, tales of Han's toilet training, and Mama Solo's marital advice of "First of all, you gotta be firm with him. If he gets out of line, don't be afraid to hit him with something heavy. Don't worry, he is used to it."

Go, read it. but don't drink while doing so.










Meetings

Fandom:DUE SOUTH
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski
Author's Website: None for dS; her Sentinel stuff is here.
Author on LJ: sihayab

Why this must be read:

(Hey look! Another AU!!) It's got such an inventive story-line, along with all the characters acting like themselves, and as a bonus, Polish food! Mmmm.

( A small snippet )

This was an insta-rec when I first read it back in March of '02, and it's one of the few stories I've got printed out in hard-copy. It's just that good.

Pas de Deux

Fandom: SMALLVILLE
Pairing: Clark/Lex
Author on LJ: mareen
Author Website: The Unholy Trinity
Why this must be read:

In Season 1’s Hourglass we see a vision of the future: Lex is president, standing in a field of sunflowers that blacken and crumble to bones under his touch, while the sky rains blood on his awestruck face; Clark sits alone in a vast graveyard, markers for everyone he loves, save Lex.

This is that story - their final goodbye - and it will fuck you up, for serious.

The Crack Inside

Fandom:Star Wars
Pairing: Han/Luke
Author's Website: Luminous Beings
Author on LJ:irene_heron

Why this Must Be Read:
In this series, Irene has given us 4 different takes on the relationship between Han and Luke.

A Breach of protocol (PG-13) starts as a basic adventure story. And although Lando manages to convince Han he's taken up the offers from Luke that han has been missing, the deception doesn't last. But the usual intrigue, assassinations, breaking and entering and sewer crawls drive the plot. Great adventurous fun. And a treat for R2D2 fans who really don't see enough of the droids in this fandom.

Forever in the Branches (G) gives us a Chewbacca PoV. I have deep, abiding love for the way Irene writes Chewie: wise, knowing, and with a wicked sense of humor. He totally fulfills Ben Kenobi's statement "And not just any Wookiee would be found roaming the galaxy in his comapny. Yes, Chewbacca is an individual of some note too." This is a multilayered, metaphorical and lovely piece.
(It won a STIFfie for best Short story of 2000)

Laughter in the Dark (G) gives another often neglected PoV: Leia's. Often she is quickly discarded or ignored entirely in slash fandom. But this paints an exquisite picture of a woman who knew her love was doomed from the start, and moves on with grace.

No Regrets (NC-17) is the final culmination of the series. It's rather PWP, but after 3 stories worth of build, it's what's called for at that point. And the sex is very nice.


Go, enjoy, feedback.

Fandom: FIREFLY
Pairing: Kaylee/River
Author on LJ: none
Author Website: NA

Why this must be read:
This was apparently intended to be part of a series that was never finished, but this part stands well on its own. The fic does a good job of keeping River treading that unique line between crazy and lucid. Set shortly after "Objects in Space," the fic has a faithful Kaylee POV. It's especially nice to see Kaylee being the comforting one, rather than the one who needs comforting.

Slip of a Girl