Fandom: FARSCAPE
Pairing:  Chiana, D'Argo, John, Jool
Author on LJ: rubberneck
Author Website:fanfic by feldman

Why this must be read: The twinning arc of Farscape had lasting reverberations. In this fic, feldman explores (in her inimitable style and snappy dialogue), the lasting guilt of the survivors, of those that were left behind. And in a subtle way, feldman touches on the question of identity. The interaction between the four is fast and driven, bantering and humorous. In this fic, they all give as good as they get.

Excerpt 1 "You took a mushroom for me once."

( read a little more )

Sugar and Spice

Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: n/a
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: http://enook.net/hl/devo/devo.htm
Why this must be read: It's an excellent way to work through issues you may have with the character of Cassandra. 8-)

In Devo's summary for the story, she writes, "In the city that never sleeps, Cassandra struggles to come to terms with the events of Bordeaux. Really! This is not another 'Crazed Bitch Cassandra tortures Methos for his sins' story."

It is a story which handles the aftermath of Bordeaux with a lot of compassion and sympathy for both of the characters, as told chiefly from Cassandra's point of view, but with a glimpse into Methos's mind as well. Cassandra, searching for a way to cope with her re-awakened memories, flees to New York. After an encounter with a yoga teacher, and then with a therapist the teacher recommends, she tries to find her way back to her own healing arts, and her own healing. Cassandra's pain and mental confusion is well-drawn, and her confrontation with Methos is both chilling and heartbreaking.

I hated Cassandra -- at least as she was written in the Horsemen episodes -- until reading C.M. Decarnin's And Hades Followed Him, previously recommended here, in which Methos and Cassandra make an uneasy truce. That story and this one are perfect examples of how fanfic can enlarge and improve the canon, giving readers a deeper and sometimes better story.

The Best Revenge

Fandom: ROSWELL
Pairing: Various
Author on LJ: N/A
Author Website: N/A
Why this must be read:
Looking over last week's recs I realized that they were all very short stories, so this week I'll be linking up some series. First up, the "Angst and Perversity in Four Movements" series:
"The Message" by Whirling Girl
"Twist" by Shimi
"Undone" by Marianna
"Breathe. Eyes. Memory" by Elizabeth

This is a series of four short stories based on a clip from the second season promo, in which Tess, Isabel, and Maria are dancing in The Crashdown. The stories are different interpretations of the brief clip. Each story can stand alone but read as the responses from four very good and very different writers to the same challenge they are even more interesting.

Angst and Perversity in Four Movements

Fandom: HORNBLOWER
Pairing: Horatio/Archie, Bush/Wellard implied
Author on LJ: misskittie79
Author Website: Sacred & Profane
Why this must be read:

Strike Your Colors is set during the dark days of Mutiny, as Horatio and Archie struggle to come to terms with what is happening aboard the ship (not limited solely to the problem of a mad captain), and their own changing relationship. Miss Kitty's writing is rich and descriptive, with an unusual cadence, and contains many lines that have stuck with me long after reading. The greatest feature of this story, however, is the characterisation, which is absolutely spot on in all instances (with the possible exception of Bush, but he doesn't actually appear in person). This is a sometimes melancholy, sometimes giddy, sometimes painful look at just how beautifully Horatio and Archie complement each other.

( An excerpt )

Strike Your Colors

Fandom: X-FILES
Pairing: Skinner/Mulder, Doggett/Reyes
Author on LJ: xanthefic
Author's Website: Xanthe

Why this must be read: Xanthe's summary reads as follows: A small boy struggles to make sense of his destiny and his unusual abilities in a world full of danger. She also says that "this is my personal homage to The X Files now that the show is over. I think it's also the last time I'll ever try and make sense of canon! I wanted to draw in lots of elements that I loved from the show and give it a fitting farewell." And in my opinion, this is a wonderful way to say goodbye.

( Read more... )

World's Child

Fandom: Lotrips
Pairing: Dom/toy dog (yeah, you got that right)
Author's LJ: lobelia321
Author's website: Lobelia's Niche

Why this must be read:
It is cute. Kind of. It is creepy. Again, kind of. It is highly original, has phantastic character's voices. Lobelia is an author that always suprises you.


Rover & Dom

Chronos by Jillian R (NC-17)

Fandom: ALIAS
Pairing: Sydney / Vaughn
Author on LJ: kenya121
Author Website: n/a
Why this must be read:

Romance is a very hard thing to write in fic. It's too easy to tip the scales one way into fluff and the other into sap. Well, forget all the bad romance fics you have read and welcome to Chronos.

In Chronos, Jillian skillfully stops time to bring Season 3 Syd and Vaughn back together. She is not afraid to let their reunion build slowly and let these characters rediscover why they fell in love in the first place. It starts at a slow simmer and builds to the perfect pitch, all tied up in the perfectly executed web of time.

Chronos

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: CJ/Toby
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: The Squirrel's Nest, though it seems to be down right now
Why this must be read:

This story is for anybody who's ever had a fantasy about just getting in a car and driving away. Going to Mexico. It's about how much it might take to propel that fantasy into reality.

This story goes AU sometime in mid-season four; an unspeakable tragedy occurs and the others move on, leaving CJ and Toby to cope in the only ways they know how. It examines the depth of Toby's feelings for CJ, but it also, surprisingly, touches on the respect and affection between CJ and Bartlet.

This is also a story that grabs you from the first line and pulls you in; by the time you realize exactly what's happened, the knowledge hits you like a fist to the jaw.

The opening paragraphs:

( In the end of all things, they were together. )

Out Here on the Border

ETA: I just noticed the author's email address isn't anywhere on the story itself. Her last known address is here, don't forget to send feedback!