Fandom: LOST
Pairing: A little bit of Jack/Kate
Author on LJ: rheanna27
Author Website: Golden Maze
Why this must be read: In this well-written AU from early in the first season that is both terrifying and hopeful all at once, Jack is the recipient of some startling information regarding what's really going on in regards to the mysterious island the survivors have found themselves stranded on. A haunting journey through a theory that could have been, this story excited the hell out of me when I first read it, and it's one of those stories that I can't resist going back every once in a while to reread.

Under the Twinkling of a Fading Star

Fandom: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
Pairing: Oz/Xander
Author on LJ: glossing
Author Website: Glossings -- Fanfic by Glossolalia
Why this must be read:

Part of a collection of short scenes (though this can be read alone) focusing on the Oz/Xander relationship from pre-canon to post-Chosen, this brief story posits a chance meeting between the two characters at a skate park. The author presents an event involving a hurt/comfort dynamic, aptly mixing that element with a strong yet restrained sense of Oz’s observational prowess. Though Oz meets Xander here, within moments he knows him, and descriptions of the character are woven nicely into the narrative along with reflections on teen hierarchies. Bittersweet, with a strong sense of (as the series to which this ficlet belongs is titled), what “could be” between the two.

Playing Doctor

Fandom: HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS
Pairing: Ares/Iolaus, Hercules/Iolaus
Author Website: Dreamtime
Why this must be read:

I had some qualms about reccing this story. Not because it's not good; I think it's fantastic. But if you're anything like me, you're going to read this story alternately shuddering in horror at what the author puts the characters through and sighing at the excellent writing and characterisation. If you have nightmares, I don't wish to be held responsible.

The bombastic intro to Hercules: the Legendary Journeys begins, 'In a time of myth and legend, when the ancient gods were petty and cruel and they plagued mankind with suffering...' and in A Prize of War, Sheffield shows us what that really means. What a god can really do, with an endless cold cruelty at his disposal.

The plot sounds hackneyed - Ares captures, tortures and rapes Iolaus, to get back at Hercules - but the execution is brilliantly, terrifyingly original. It's not just Ares who is the villain here. Both Zeus and Hephaestus play ambiguous parts, and it's clear that they are very nearly as cold as Ares is when it comes to mortals: they are tools, toys, weapons. Xena, Autolycus, Salmoneus and others show up to help Hercules, who nearly goes mad trying to find Iolaus, while Iolaus uses all his audacity and cleverness to try to escape. But mortals can also be turned into weapons against each other...

( Excerpt )

A Prize of War

Pardon my absenteeism - I'll be making recs in quick succession to make up for time lost.

Fandom: FARSCAPE
Pairing: Stark/Zhaan
Author on LJ: tiamatschild
Author Website: Unknown
Why this must be read:

I honestly cannot think of a better way to introduce this fic than with the author's own words: "There is a kind of fairy tale that plays at a happy ending before it breaks it and sends its unfortunate characters tumbling on down their ways again. I’m addicted to them, particularly those quieter middle bits."

In this strange, haunting little tale, Nanni presents what could be the happy ending for Farscape's most tragic couple - John and Aeryn have nothing on the mad Stykera and his Lady Pa'u - but it's bittersweet, still steeped in heartbreak. Whether AU or futurefic is unclear, but Nanni makes the hows and whys secondary to the wrenching emotions she paints perfectly in the flowing lyrical language of the classic fairy tale.

( Spring came, and with it a woman )

Go to the orchard, and leave the gift of feedback for the sad tender and his lady to find.

In the Orchard

Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Author on LJ: helens78
Author Website: Helens' Happy House O'Porn

Why this must be read: The remix phenomenon has been responsible for some amazing stories of late, and this is one of the best I've read. This is a remix of a story that's been recced here previously, 'Voice' by Laura Mason. But it really stands on its own merits as a wonderful piece of writing.

Helens has a real way with erotica and with kink, especially the darker stuff. Her Methos is totally in character, deeply pragmatic and more than a little twisted. Be warned though, while this is a very good story, it's not a nice one and some not-very-nice things happen. The post-Horsemen, post-Bordeaux period is one of the most examined in Highlander fic and this story takes it into an AU that really works in terms of the characters and the universe.

Oh, and did I mention there's some seriously hot porn? Well, there is. Fabulously well-written porn.

( An Excerpt That Is Definitely Not Safe For Work )

Echoes (Voices Linger Remix)