Trilogy by Julia (NC-17)

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Nathan; mention of Vince/Nathan; Vince/OMC; Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Julia's Stories on Across the POnd

Why this must be read:
Don't let the unconventional pairings put you off--this trio of stories has a recognizable Stuart and Vince and Nathan, and an absolutely delightful adolescent Alfred. It's an AU before the end of series 1; in this universe, Vince doesn't go with Stuart when he moves to London. I loved the Stuart characterization, and I fell for Vince all over again.

Ivory Tower
Dreaming
Home

Title: Athaneum
Fandom: The West Wing
Pairing/Characters: CJ/Toby
Author on LJ: krazykitkat
Author Website: Oddsmakers
Why this must be read:

( She'd always been an open book. Words, phrases, ideas, inspirations, tattooed her skin, visible to those granted access to her collection. Her aspiration was emblazoned on her forehead, drawing him in at their first meeting. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. theme continued, with 'Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter' on her left cheek, and 'The ultimate measure of a man...' covering her neck and collar bones.  )

Athaneum

Fandom: STARGATE SG1
Pairing: Jack/Daniel
Author on LJ:elfinessy
Author Website:Elfin's stories
Why this must be read:

Meridian fix it story. I still have problems watching that episode. Even knowing the outcome. When this story came out, no one knew what the outcome would be. This is my favorite fix it story. Elfin captured the mood and feelings that were floating around and put them in this Meridian fix it. Included some Daniel angst and evil!Jonas.

Invisible touch

Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: None
Author Website: Highlander Fiction by Kat Parsons
Why this must be read: For my last rec of the month, I thought it would be a nice touch to introduce this little gem, which was written before sixth season ever aired (and yet, the similarities to the final episode are, ah, striking). Duncan gets a view of what his world would be like without him in it, and gets the strength to carry on. Thanks, guys, it's been a pleasure reccing for you!

The child glanced their way, and her face was bitter and ugly in the stark shadows cast by the streetlights. It was also vaguely familiar. "Who is she?"

"Melinda. You remember Nikki and Melinda?"

"What? But, the last we heard--"

"You were never born, Duncan. You never sent Richie across town on an errand. Richie wasn't there to intervene when the drug deal went bad. He didn't save Nikki's life, so Nikki's daughter Melinda is an orphan. A sweet, pretty little girl: she should have been easy to place. But the first home she was sent to, the prospective parents couldn't cope with her grief. In the second one, they were dissatisfied with her because she has Attention Deficit Disorder and never smiled. By the time she was in her third home, she wasn't trying anymore, and that couple grew discouraged and gave up. Melinda realized she was damaged goods. She's still only six, but she's angry and sullen. No one wants to adopt an angry, destructive child. This family meant well in the beginning, but they've lost patience with her tantrums. And the caseworkers are busy people, trying to do too much with too little: they can't afford to be too picky about an unmanageable child *no one* wants."

It's a Wonderful Highlander

Fandom: DUE SOUTH
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski
Author on LJ: lalejandra
Author Website: apostatize, though there’s not much up yet. I suggest her lj memories.
Why this must be read:

For one of my last recs, I’ve decided to highlight an author who is relatively new to this fandom (though I’m sure many of you are familiar with her brilliance in other fandoms, such as The O.C., Everwood, Lotrips, BTVS, HP, Lost, and damn the woman gets around, doesn’t she?). Anywho, if I’m not mistaken, this was her first novel-length contribution to due South, posted just a few weeks ago, and it's definitely an insta-rec.

Set years after CoTW, with Ray in Chicago, Fraser in Canada, and a lot of unresolved issues between them. Naturally, circumstances arrange for them to meet again and…well, you’ll see. But if you think this is going to be one of your everyday ordinary they-broke-up-and-were-unhappy-and-oh!-they've-reunited-and-love-is-triumphant sort of stories, you're in for a surprise.

lalejandra’s RayK voice is amazing- it’s raw, intense, and so, so powerful. Her take on Fraser and Ray is angsty, sure, but it feels so original. Because this is an OTP fandom for sure, a happy ending is practically guaranteed. You don’t find many stories (outside of Ray/Ray) that seriously consider the possibility that maybe Ray and Fraser wouldn’t work out, or even if they should.

If that wasn't enough, there are OCs who are sharply drawn and wonderful and you care about them too. What's really great about it, though, is how deftly lalejandra handles the mystery of the piece, so that you have to keep reading to find out what happens, not only with the case, but with Fraser and Ray too. Read it. Trust me, once you start this one, it’s going to grab you and not let you go.

Surviving

Variation on a theme no. 4: The LKU story

( So what is an LKU? )


Fandom: HORNBLOWER
Pairing: none
Author on LJ: clotho123
Author Website: Clotho’s Fanfic Page
Why this must be read:
Most LKUs focus on how Archie Kennedy escapes his canon fate and the immediate aftermath which usually involves the happy – though occasionally bittersweet - reunion shortly thereafter between Archie and Horatio. One of the things that makes this story so intriguing is that it completely dispenses with such a reunion. In fact, the author gives a bit of a handwave to the “how” of Archie’s presence and instead presents us with another intriguing scenario, namely an encounter between Archie, the nameless privateer of the story and Admiral Hornblower many years after the fact. As the author says in her notes, Admiral Hornblower is precisely the kind of officer Archie would have hated and the interaction between these two characters is fascinating to read. The story deftly and cleverly merges book canon with an AU based upon movie canon which is in itself a kind of AU and the results are quite compelling to read.

The Privateer