Fandom: THE PROFESSIONALS
Pairing: Bodie/Doyle
Author on LJ: hagsrus
Author Website:
Why this must be read:

I thought I might try for a “Chalk & Cheese” feel for the month, partnering one story with another one that has some surface similarities but is basically very different. So today’s offering has several things in common with my earlier rec Ambush: an opening confrontation, Bodie menacing with guns and partner beating up on partner. However if you read ‘Safety’ (and you should!) you’ll find that this story is an entirely different animal. Hope you enjoy the ending as much as I did!

Safety

Edit 9 June 06. The Circuit Archive link is now:
Safety
I've left the old link in place in case the domain is returned.

Fandom: LotRiPS
Pairing: Viggo/Orlando
Author on LJ: ancabell
Author Website: Unknown
Why this must be read:

This fic isn't flawless, and I think that might be part of what I love about it. The images are so powerful and unique (Viggo can *hear* Orlando's smile, for example) that this story has lingered in my mind for months now.

( An excerpt )

Electrical Storm

Fandom: LOST
Pairing: None, really
Author on LJ: literarylemming
Author Website: None that I could find.
Why this must be read: Because it's nice and silly, that's why. While on a hike to explore the island, a few of the castaways discover some impossible yet oddly familiar things in the jungle. It's both completely in character and completely ridiculous all at once, and the ending is a cute little kicker.

"Guys, Where Are We?"

Fandom: LOST
Pairing: Charlie/Claire, Shannon/Hurley
Author on LJ: yesterday4
Author Website: Fanfiction.net profile
Why this must be read: More fluff, this time focusing on Charlie and Claire trying to connect during the preparations for Shannon and Hurley's wedding. Yes, I said Shannon and Hurley's wedding. Not only is the Charlie/Claire aspect of the story well done, but Shannon and Hurley's weird yet endearing romance in this story completely sold me on the pairing.

Beyond the Sea

Hi! I'm sperrywink and I'll be your POPSLASH driver for June. Probably the biggest Pop Fandom happening this month is The Backstreet Boys releasing their new CD Never Gone on June 14 so I decided to emphasize BSB in my recommendations although I will sneak in one or two intra-NSYNC since a couple of my all time favorites haven't been recced yet. Since my favorite BSBer is Howie, this might end up just being Howie Month, but I’ll try and mix it up a bit more (but don't hold your breath. *g*).

Fandom: POPSLASH
Pairing: AJ McLean/Sarah Martin, AJ McLean/Howie Dorough
Author on LJ: arsenicjade
Author Website: every rose has a thorn
Why this must be read:

Author's warnings: This story deals with suicide, please either read with caution or do not read if this is going to cause issues for you.

This story goes back to a couple of years ago to when AJ and Sarah were engaged (and before they broke up) and takes an AU turn from there. A complex and troubled Sarah is born who struggles emotionally and fights her problems as long as she can until they overwhelm her and she commits suicide starting off the story. We then follow AJ over the course of a year or two as he remembers Sarah and comes to terms with a life without her and what the band means to him, Howie in particular.

This is one of the longer story recs I'll do as well as one of my all time favorite stories. Despite the tragic events that start off the story, I re-read this story often because of AJ's humanized and complex characterization and the positive way the band pulls together to help AJ and cope themselves. AJ is given the time to adjust to Sarah's suicide and grieve realistically and the change in his relationship with Howie from friends to more is allowed to progress organically. I love how this story shows the caring and concern between the members and shows the band as a unit also dealing with the tragedy. I also like how the band's families are included in this story. They enrich the story and create a whole world instead of a tight, insular band bubble but don't over-run the story.

( He whispered, "So what do I do now?" )



Edging Toward Enough by Arsenic Jade

Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: amand_r
Author Website: The Slap & Tickle

Why this must be read: Darkfic is a staple of the Highlander fandom and no one does it quite like Amand-r. This is a disturbing, beautifully written and perfectly characterised story about friendship, Immortality and life. Amand-r manages to imbue the deceptively simple dialogue with layers of meaning that make it a hugely satisfying read, and heartbreakingly sad at the same time. And because it's Amand-r, it has moments of genuine humor mixed in with the darkness, so well that the darkness kind of creeps up on you without being obvious at all.

But be warned, I'm not kidding about the heartbreak.

( A wee peek... )

Yeah, That One Last Thing