Fandom: WEST WING
Pairing: Josh/Sam
Author on LJ: wearemany
Author Website: http://www.wearemany.net/
Why this must be read:

Because this fic epitomises some of the reasons why I think West Wing fic is frequently among the best out there.

It's a great story - Josh and Sam's history as shown here is interesting, and made believeable through the use of fantastic political detail and great characterisation. Its non-linear presentation might be a little off putting at first, but the contrasts and subtleties it allows more than make up for that, I think, and I like challenging storytelling that doesn't talk down to its audience. There's an expectation of intelligence here that to me feels very like the show itself, and is one of my very favourite things about this fandom. It's home to some of the very smartest people I know, and they're not afraid to show what they can do.

It's also (obviously) beautifully written and simply delightful to read. When re-reading it for this rec, I was surprised at how long it actually was; it's an epic, but it definitely doesn't feel like one. It sucks you in and has you wanting more the whole time. It's fab, and one of my fandom staples that I'll read again and again.

Chance to Make It Real

Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: none
Author on LJ: faile02
Author Website:n/a
Why this must be read:
A fun little fic that answers the burning question on all our minds of what WOULD Duncan MacLeod do if the devil tried to make a deal? With a fair amount of humor we find out.

Defiantly a fun story and one to be read.

The road to hell

Hi - I'm Sarah, your September Oz dealer. Now that I have my act together, I can finally post my first recommendation. Just to let you know: I'm a B/Ker who pretends Season 666 never happened. But I'll try to broaden my horizons - and yours - with my recs.

Fandom: OZ
Pairing: Beecher/Keller 
Author on LJ: Author is Gwen; don't know if she is on LJ
Website: cellblock 5
Why this must be read: It's an Oz fanfic classic. It's funny and sexy, smart and sad. The writing is superb. And even in this alternate universe, you'll recognize Keller and Beecher in all of their flawed, fucked-up glory.

Author's summary: Boy meets boy, boy blackmails boy, boys do crazy stuff while breaking several laws that aren't any fun anyway.

Okay, so my horizon-broadening didn't extend beyond B/K. But this story does broaden their horizons, taking them from behind the glass of EmCity and onto the open road without diminishing their rich characterizations or raw appeal. (Note: Other Ozzies do make appearances; Schillinger and O'Reily most conspicuously.)

Words of warning: This is an unfinished story, and appears destined to remain so. (It was last updated in May, 2002.) Please do not let that deter you from reading it. Though it is extremely frustrating not to know where the story ends, the cliched truth is that the journey is where it's at. Beecher/Keller are on the run - from the long arm of the law and the longer and scarier arm of Vern Schillinger. And they are on the road to destiny. We don't know whether, in the end, that destiny keeps them together. But we do see how hard it will be for anything to keep them apart.

Nine Tenths of the Law