Fandom: ALIAS
Pairing: Sydney/Vaughn
Author on LJ: nandamai
Author Website: [nanda's lament]
Why this must be read: In my mind, "Tip of the Tongue" has been the one Alias fic that epitomizes angst. Due to its short paragraphs composed of short sentences, Sydney's angst post-"Almost Thirty Years" practically leaps off the page/screen.

The one thing I really love about this story is the theme of 'realness' that runs throughout. I don't want to give away too much of the story's plot, but essentially Syd and Vaughn engage in an affair that tears them both apart internally. But they continue their self-destructive behavior because the events of "ATY" left them craving for what's real and they believe reality exists in the other person.

Even if you're not a Sydney/Vaughn shipper -- or maybe I should say, despite how you're an S/V shipper -- this story is a definite must-read for its power and depth. I've read it more times than I have fingers, and it still continues to blow me away and render me speechless.

Oh, and that ending ... Damn. I first read it two years ago and I'm still haunted by it.

Tip of the Tongue

(And hello there. I'm Karen T and I'm your Alias reccer for the month. My 'theme' for these recs is 'oldies but goodies'. That is, they'll primarily be stories that were written during S1 and early-S2 when the fandom was small and the stories being produced were fan-freaking-tastic. Hopefully, I'll be able to rec some outstanding older stories that'll be considered new to some people.)

And since I'm going to be out of town for most of this week, here's another Alias rec to whet your fanfic appetite. :)

Fandom: ALIAS
Pairing: Jack/OC
Author on LJ: celli
Author Website: Fanfic 101
Why this must be read: I'm never quite sure how Celli does it, but she excels at intermixing angst and humor with pitch-perfect characterization.

In S1, we all knew Syd saw Jack as the aloof, unfeeling father, and even though we as viewers knew differently, sometimes it was hard to remember this all the time. But in "Solace," Celli points out why it is Jack behaves as he does, and how Jack's affected by his behavior:

It was always like this every time: Sydney was in danger; Vaughn was emoting all over the place and making grandiose plans to get her back; Jack was forced to be the realist, the pragmatist, the devil's advocate, and--when necessary--the devil himself.

And then he would sit and get drunk--his hand strayed to his phone--while he waited for the call that would tell him first if the mission had been successful, and only then if his daughter was unharmed.

See, I wasn't kidding about how well Celli mixes humor with angst. :) But the real joy to be found in this fic is how Jack allows himself a night of happy companionship with a woman who isn't playing any spygames, and how this companionship heals him, in a way. It's a story that's heartwrenching AND heartwarming AND provides us with an unforgettable glimpse into Jack's psyche. Furthermore, Suzanne's a kickass original character.

Go read and enjoy.

Solace

Fandom: KNIGHT RIDER
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: The Fanfic Vault

Why this must be read:

Gryph is easily, indisputably, the BEST author in KR fandom. And "Fire & Ice" is the reason why!

The pilot story of an AU series by the same name, "Fire & Ice" rules over all others for it's creativity, engaging style, and perhaps the most interesting character ever created -- Nick MacKenzie. Gryph's entire series has become the backbone of the fandom, the trend-setter from which many authors have borrowed (myself included). The characters and concepts she introduces in this story have become so well entrenched into the fandom, they're more real to most fans than the original TV series.

"Fire & Ice" is an award-winning story of the highest calibre. Not only does it introduce the new and improved Karr -- whom many love as much if not more than Kitt himself -- but it's also the founding story for the presence of the neural link. Ah, yes, the neural link... that little thing Gryph created many moons ago, all unknowing of the powerful impact it would have on the fandom. For it is now considered a main staple... and so is Gryph's "Fire & Ice" AU series.

Link to Story: Fire & Ice by Gryph

Because there are so few truly magnificent stories in this fandom, and Gryph's frankly rock, I'll be recommending other fics in the "Fire & Ice" series. They're special -- they deserve special attention. :P

Fandom: The West Wing
Pairing: Amy/Donna
Author on LJ: intl_princess
Author Website: maybe not so much for you with the talking....
Why this must be read:

Anyone who knows me knows that Amy/Donna is my OTP. And this is one of many A/D fics I'll rec for you fine people. This fic, in addition to having a great characterization of Amy (which we've already come to expect from IP) and a nicely enigmatic Donna, creates a credible backstory for the A/D relationship that perfectly fits into canon. And it features prose like this:

And there she was, stretched out across Amy's mattress, with the sheets rumpled beneath her. The linen was about the only thing she'd taken out of the boxes that surrounded them. She could have been anyone.

The cold pre-dawn light cast shadows across Donna's hip. Like a sculpture, like art history, like her name. Amy had been quickly distracted by the ease with which she could mar that pale, pale skin. Blush here, bite mark there. And afterwards, Donna had been flushed and red, and Amy had whispered, "It's your color."

They'd both lied about what they did for a living.

Also, it uses the subtext and interaction from Commencement in a way that is absolutely perfect.

A spark of that ancient flame by International Princess.