Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK US
Pairing: Brian/Michael
Author on LJ: -
Author Website: http://www.gypsy-fic.com/
Why this must be read:

Another one of my top three QAF writers, Gypsybird's stories are always well-written and an excellent excuse to procrastinate doing any (home)work you might have. This story, in particular, is a fond staple of my Brian/Michael readings - an extreme AU spin-off, Escaping Sorrowful paints an intriguing picture of two young strangers who meet in a different place, under difficult circumstances. The plot is, to be honest, somewhat predictable and slightly implausible at certain parts, this weakness is more than compensated by the author's ability to sustain a moody, gritty 'believability' to the bleak little world of Sorrowful; a kind of oppressive, suffocating coldness to the town that can feel all too familiar these days, and which serves as a stark contrast to the little niche of color and happiness that her characters seek to carve for themselves. Definitely make yourself check this classic oldie out if you're a Brian/Michael fan, and look out for more of her other stories (the current WiP 'Full Circle' is especially worth waiting for!).


( Michael felt the grind of the rough pavement beneath his cheek )

Escaping Sorrowful

Fandom: ALIAS
Pairing: Sydney/Sark
Author on LJ: redrover1980
Author Website: A Cynic Vexed By Love
Why this must be read: I could go on and on about why this is a must read. Sark has always had a better understanding of his connection with Sydney. In this story his view of destiny mingles with the past. It reaches deep into the pockets of lives lived before.

It works. I was sucked in simply by the idea of these two characters being pre-destined. Everything flows in a circle. Things from their lives together as spies are tainted and haunted by lives their souls have lived already.

It’s just magnificently written. It's a woven story of characters that become the writers own, along with a few history lessons.

( Excerpt )

Destined: Pt 1-4
Destined: Conclusion

Fandom: THE X-FILES
Pairing: Mulder/Krycek
Author on LJ: ursula4x
Author Webpage: Ursula's stories at TER/MA
Why this must be read:

The X-Files goes Raymond Chandler. Need I say more?

There are few truly successful comic stories in XF fandom, but this is one of my favourites. The noir pastisch is wonderfully executed, filled with the right kind of terse wit and clever word-games, as well as the proper mix of misanthropy and romanticism. And, to make it all perfect, there is an extra, hilarious twist - the gender roles are reversed.

Really, this is total crack fic, but if you're a fan of the type of movies where rough but noble private eyes drink too much scotch and have their hearts torn out and stomped on by Lauren Bacall's razor-sharp heels, you're going to love it. And The Theban Band's period appropriate illustrations are guaranteed to at least make you crack a smile. As a sucker for all things noir, I'm not ashamed to admit that I have a serious crush on this story.

Pulped

Fandom: SILMARILLION
Pairing: Narvi/Celebrimbor
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: Honesty on ff.net
Why this must be read:

Thousands of years before Gimli ever met Legolas, the first canonical friendship between Dwarf and Elf featured Narvi, maker of the west gate of Moria (Khazad-dûm), and Celebrimbor, grandson of Feanor & smith of Eregion (Hollin). Honesty has fleshed out the hints from canon about Narvi into a rich & intriguing character who feels a lot more dwarf-like than many fanfictional portrayals. She also gives us a relatively light portrait of Celebrimbor, who Tolkien describes in Unfinished Tales as 'having an almost "dwarvish" obsession with crafts', without entirely forgetting his family's dark history.

The reader is also treated to delicious details of everyday life for Elves and Dwarves, thoughts on the nature of craftsbeingship, and glimpses into the very different philosophies of the two races. Honesty was the first to write about pre-Third Age Dwarves, as far as I'm aware, and the much-recommended 'Bargaining for Beginners' is a real classic.

( A snippet )

Bargaining for Beginners

Fandom: POPSLASH
Pairing: Joey/JC
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: Suitable for Framing
Why this must be read:

In "Real" Popslash (rather, as "real" as popslash can be) stories that slash Joey just confuse me. Sure, he was a big ol' Theatre Geek, but that doesn't necessarily translate into queerdom. And he's such an unrepentant horndog, gleefully chasing anything in skirts that I can't really grok him with any of the other boys. Now, in AU's, that's a different matter.

Here, in An Adult or Something, Sandy draws on Joey's other obvious trait - his love for children. As a school teacher, Joey is clearly in his element. But he's still having some trouble making his own transition into adulthood. When he meets the artistic furniture maker JC, sparks fly.

This is a wonderful character study, very believably redirecting Joey and JC's talents into other areas, and creating lives for them that are perfectly normal.

An Adult or Something, by Sandy

Fandom: Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Napoleon Solo/Illya Kuryakin
Author on LJ: dinahmt
Author Website: not that I know of, but her fic can be found @ CaGM
Why this must be read:

A wickedly funny and slashy interlude that captures the banter, rivalry and developing friendship between Napoleon and Illya.

The premise: Midway through the events of the first season episode Shark Affair, Napoleon and Illya are imprisoned in a cabin aboard a cruise liner. Napoleon is nursing a sore back after being whipped. Illya is starving after a bout of seasickness. Bored and frustrated, they start talking - and the conversation turns to the recreational activities that occur between Russian seamen stuck in submarines.

Illya's sly mischief is refreshing and so in-character. The way Napoleon seeks his assistance in a 're-enactment' is hilarious and sizzling. Don't worry if you haven't seen this episode - the characters are so engaging that they fill you in while you read.

Passing the Time

Fandom: SMALLVILLE
Pairing: Clark/Lex
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: unknown

Why this must be read:

This series was written in the early days of Smallville fandom, and it's pretty much a classic. It's fabulously over-the-top, with first-rate Clexy adventures and melodrama. You've got Alien!Clark with concomitant kinky sex; devious, plotting Lex; heartbreaking Rift; drug addiction; rapturous reunion; and even a smidge of mpreg. Love, love, love it!

Acid

The link above takes you to the first story in the series. Alternatively, you can go to the main page and search by author name, CRoxane.

Fandom: SMALLVILLE
Pairing: Clark/Lex
Author on LJ: tzi and zechsy
Author Website: http://rpgplug.co.uk/Asylum/

Why this must be read:

Fair warning: this story features child abuse and nonconsensual sex. If you are squicked by that sort of thing, for heaven's sake, please do not read.

In this alternate universe fic, Clark and Lex meet because they are both prisoners in Lionel Luthor's mutant research facility. First of all, I love young Clex stories, where Clark and Lex are their pre-Smallville selves. Also, I think the authors captured Clark's voice very well right at the beginning of the story when he's 13, confused and frightened to find himself in this horrible situation. Another thing I loved about this story is that it absolutely does not gloss over the consequences of the type of prolonged abuse Lex and Clark suffer at Lionel's hands. Things are not wrapped up tidily after Clark and Lex are rescued with an "and they lived happily ever after." The authors really take the time to explore just how damaged Clark and Lex are and how that affects their day-to-day life. This is a somewhat painful read, but definitely engrossing.

Ad Astra Per Aspera

Fandom: SMALLVILLE
Pairing: Clark/Lex
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: unknown

Why this must be read:

This is a lusciously long, plotty story. Very interesting, almost experimental stylistically, with multiple points of view. I love the melodrama (I mean that in a good way) of Clark’s kidnapping and the frantic efforts to get him back. A lot of angst and intense emotion, and a very satisfying ending.

Source Figure

Fandom: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
Pairing: Faith/Kate Lockley
Author on LJ: not sure
Author Website: The Pink Rabbit Consortium

Why this must be read:

I see I'm a bit behind on the month's recs; today, I think I'll try to catch up.

First up is Liz Estrada's "The Way, Way Back", which was interesting to me on a first glance because of the unconventional pairing--I admit, I seek them out--but, of course, anyone could slap a Faith/Kate label on a story and call it done. Not the case here. Liz has both characters down to a T. When they talk, I can pretty much "hear" the characters saying the words, high praise as far as dialogue goes. More than that, the characters are placed in realistic situations. Kate busts Faith out of jail using her cop-influence, because she's chasing down a monster and she doesn't trust Angel. Faith's sceptical, but willing to do a hell of a lot to be free and Slaying once more. And therein lies all that fun tension that just lifts the story off the screen. Kate, especially, has doubt down to an art, and Liz shows that to perfection. The plot itself--monster, time travel, romance--is quick-paced and a fun read. This isn't heavy, storywise, but it pulls you along and is a hell of an entertaining ride.


The Way, Way Back

Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: none
Author on LJ: sapphiresmuse
Author Website:Sapphire's Book of Musings
Why this must be read:

Because nothing is better than a discombobulated Duncan MacLeod, and Methos surely is pulling his ears this time around. It's very short, so to say anything else would give it away.

( 'If Stones Could Sing' Sampler )

If Stones Could Sing

Fandom : Due South
Pairing : Fraser/Kowalski
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website:Journey's due South Fanfiction
Why this must be read:

I am a big fan of Journey's DS fics and this series is one of my favorites. I don't think it's exactly called the Pathfinders series, but that's how I tend to think of it. So I referred to it here as that. The first two fics in this series are shorter stories that really lead into the big finish of the last one.

This is a post COTW fic that pics up just as the adventure winds down. Another journey is starting though as Fraser and RayK find their way to one another. There are things from the past they have to resolve before they can move forward freely and they set out to face them. I really like how the guys work their way toward each other as they slowly start to put the past to rest. Finding their way to one another slowly and gently. Journey has a great ear for voices in her fics. I can really "hear" RayK, Fraser, Stella, and RayV in the dialogue. I just adore all her stories to pieces and these are no exception. A fabulous read.


Journey's End
Pack
Pathfinders

Fandom : Due South
Pairing : Fraser/Kowalski
Author on LJ: viridian5
Author Website:The Green Room
Why this must be read:

"One for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl, four for a boy, five for silver, six for gold, seven for a secret, never to be told, eight for a wish, nine for a kiss, ten for a time of joyous bliss."

This story has a great mystical feel to it that seems to fit right into the Due South universe. I mean Fraser spent a good deal of time conversing with the ghostly apparition of his father. You can slip some mystical stuff into this universe with a certain amount of ease.

Ray has stayed in Canada with Fraser after the adventure to make the other man happy. The only problem is that the transition is harder for Ray than he anticipated. Both men start to fear Ray is losing his grip on reality. Either that or a scary trickster crow spirit is stalking Ray. Some call the spirit Raven, Franklin (of the reaching out hand) called him "One for Sorrow". Is Ray really losing it or is a trickster spirit preying on his vulnerability? As always, it's hard to say in this universe.

One thing I really liked about this fic was that at one point Fraser thinks it might be best if he and Ray broke up. Partly out of fear for Ray's mental health, but tinged with an hint of trying to leave before he gets left. It's a scenario that's been played out in many fics, no matter what the fandom. Ray doesn't let him pull away though. He calls it for the bullshit it is. Unlike Fraser he's been in long term relationships before. He know there are good times and bad ones. That you just have to hang on and work things out. Which is something Ray is good at. I really liked that aspect. It really fits with Ray, who never wanted to give up on Stella even though saner men would have. It's a good lesson for Fraser too, who needs to realize that people don't always leave you.

A great series of fics. Like the other series I recced the first few stories really lead up to the later ones. Build the universe and lay the backstory.


Amigos
One for Sorrow
Long, Long Way from Home
Nevermore

Fandom : Due South
Pairing : Fraser/Kowalski
Author on LJ: resonant8
Author Website:in media res
Why this must be read:

I really like the style of this story. The past and the present being weaved expertly together to tell two stories that seem separate, but are really part of a whole.

The story in the present is about Fraser and RayK trying to find a perp who drugs his victims and tatoos them against their will. While at the same time Fraser and Ray are starting to realize that their feelings for one antoher are more than friendship. The stories from the past that Resonant slowly weaves in each give a little insight into Ray. Like memories flooding in connected to the present in some way. I love how seamlessly she weaves them in. All of it giving hints and clues to Ray that even he has missed. I just adore Resonant's stories. I've read her work in several fandoms. My favorites are her DS stories. This one is one of my favorites of hers. A lovely plot driven story that's layered so well.


Teeth of the Hydra

ETA: Just when I thought I was actually reccing one story in this round that didn't have a sequel or two. Found out I was wrong when I went back and re-read Teeth of the Hydra for fun. At the bottom of the fic was a link to it's sequel, Display.