This is my second trip around the block behind the wheel of the X-Files crack van, and, just like last time, I've packed the car full of the very best in Mulder/Krycek (with a knock-out guest star for crossover-day). I hope you'll enjoy the ride!

Fandom: THE X-FILES
Pairing: Mulder/Krycek
Author on LJ: Not to my knowledge.
Author Website: LZL Slash Factory
Why this must be read:

Trips to a parallel universe are fairly common occurrences in fanfic, but this is one of the best treatments of that theme I've come across. When Mulder falls into another reality where his life has developed quite differently from the existence he is familiar with, he is forced to reconsider many of the things he thought he knew for certain. The result is a simply presented, yet complex story about the vast consequences of the seemingly small choices in our lives. How much can sharing a pizza change the universe? And is there a way to repair the years of damage caused by eating that pizza alone? As Mulder discovers, the answers are not easy.

Echo Lane

Hey! Stars here, back again for a second trip behind the wheel. As before, please keep seatbelts fastened and tray tables stowed, 'cause I'll be reccing the gamut from tear-jerkers to the spew-worthy, and every now and then you might be thrown for a loop. :)

Fandom: FARSCAPE
Pairing: John Crichton/Aeryn Sun
Author on LJ: suelac
Author Website: Alchemy Mouldiwarps & Coprophagy
Why this must be read:

On DrumBae they tell a story about a woman who was looking for something, and a man who found something he was sure had been lost.

Cofax is one of the most distinguished writers in Farscape fandom, with a superb ability to draw alien worlds and species and create the most satisfying story... when she doesn't make you want to tear your hair out and throw things. But I've already rec'd that particular piece. *g*

This fic is a masterful example of storytelling at work, with storytelling as the device. And just when you think you know where it's going, there's a twist and a juicy tidbit to chew over and you realize that Cofax has you right where she wants you---hook, line, and sinker. So just settle back and enjoy the ride; in this case, it's the journey and the destination that make the trip so very worthwhile.

No previous experience with Farscape fandom is necessary to appreciate this fic, so if you're new to the series and characters, why not give it a read? I think you'll be more than glad that you did.

( Excerpt )


The Money-Changer's Tale

Fandom: POPSLASH
Pairing: Lance/Justin
Author on LJ: throughadoor
Author Website: Through A Door
Why this must be read:

Into every fandom, into every genre, into every pairing, there come a certain set of assumptions, a range of cliches and themes which repeat themselves over and over. In Allegedly Yours Kel has very conciously choosen to write a story which defies every single one of those cliches for the Popslash High School AU. But this fic isn't just about NOT doing something, it's about how two people connect, and how things begin. It's worth reccing not just because it doesn't play the cliches, but also because it's well written. The ending in particular always leaves me breathless.

Allegedly Yours by Kel

Fandom: ALIAS
Pairing: Sydney/Sark
Author on LJ: siryn99
Author Website: Shimmer and Flicker
Why this must be read: I am an obvious big Sarkney fan and it’s rare when you find a fic that represents Sydney and Sark as individuals but yet the same type of person. Set during season two it focuses on Sydney’s frustration towards her relationship with Vaughn while exploring the sexual one she could have with Sark.

I love the details in this fic. There are these small things about Sark where images peak inside your head. Beautifully written and hits the characters on the right marks. Even if it is possible we’ll never see the couple on screen this way, at least there are stories like these that explore the possibility with such vivid imagery.

Come Undone

Fandom: POPSLASH
Pairing: Chris/Justin, Lance/JC
Author on LJ: fluffontop
Author Website: Fluff on Top
Why this must be read:

In a nameless desert town, high schooler Justin finds his way into Chris' life and bed. The style is achingly understated, with a truely desert feel - dry and dusty and a little sweaty. This is a Lolita!Justin story, in that Justin is indeed underaged, but the depth and truth of his emotional discord transends that description. The Lance/JC storyline is secondary, but no less desperate, no less complex.

The Bubble Gum of the title isn't the soft kind, like Bubblicious, it's the kind you get in trading cards - brittle and dusty, but ultimately sweet if you have the strength to get through to it.

Bubble Gum by Cappuccino

This is technically a High School AU, since 3 of the 5 are written as students, but I think it makes an excellent bridge to my next genre - the Hometown AU - stories where the cities in which they are set shape the narratives.

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: None, really, though Josh is pondering the possibility of Josh/Donna.
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: http://perriverse.dreamhost.com/fanfic/westwing.html
Why this must be read:

Really more of a character study than a romance fic with a pairing, this excellent piece by Perri Smith explores the question: How oblivious is Josh about his personal life? The answer: Not as much as we might be led to believe. Set on Air Force One, Josh has some time to contemplate himself and his relationship with Donna--all the while with a sleeping Donna's head on his shoulder.

I encourage people to read this fic because it's a Josh POV that is at once completely believable and utterly heartbreaking. A Josh who is worried that he can't be involved with Donna not because she's his assistant, and not because he isn't aware of any interest in her, but because he's sure he'll doom the relationship and lose her friendship is a vulnerable, and rare, Josh indeed. Josh is so often written as oblivious or smug or a bit of a jackass (and let's face it, he certainly can be all three :)) that reading a Josh who is human and tender is refreshing. There are also nice references to episodes and canon bits, but a fleshed-out Josh point-of-view is definitely the reason this story is an essential.

Read and enjoy!

The Best of Me

Fandom: Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Napoleon Solo/Illya Kuryakin
Author on LJ: not that I know of.
Author Website: Taliesin's Reach
Why this must be read:

Non-con scenarios (technically borderline consent) are a major kink of mine, and this is one of the most sizzling non-con stories I have ever read. The first time I first read it, I melted into a little puddle of lust as I willed Illya to give Napoleon the fucking he deserved. Go, Illya! Woo hoo! Give it to him!

And he does. Sigh. It is such a fantastic sex scene. Even now, several years on, I still remember it well.

The set-up is simple enough: convinced that Napoleon's dalliances are a threat to U.N.C.L.E., Waverly forcibly restricts Napoleon to a sex partner within the organisation - Illya. Napoleon is disgusted at the idea and only seeks Illya out of desperation for release. Illya's sympathy for his partner turns into anger when he finds himself being used as an object.

There is an AU aspect to the characterisation that may jar some fans. The Napoleon in this story is more cruel and remote than canon. Some may wonder if Illya would even agree to the arrangement in the first place. And would Waverly really force his top agents into such a situation? Perhaps not.

But I didn't mind at all, for I felt the set-up was what made Illya's 'fightback' all the more wonderful. Go, Illya! Go go go!!

Marriage of Convenience