Hi! Forgot to introduce myself last time. I'm Jetpack Monkey. I recced Angel last month. My "Buffy" tastes run towards Xander!fic and minor characters. Hope you enjoy!

Fandom: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
Pairing: N/a
Author on LJ: N/a (I believe)
Author Website: Boca del Infierno
Why this must be read:

Because it's different. Somebody goes into hell to rescue a certain Slayer, post-"Gift." We're never told who this brave adventurer is, specifically, until the end. Part of the fun of this fic is trying to suss that out.

Well-paced and full of detail, Aadler creates the sort of tests that a person would have to withstand in order to fufill such a task. The main character's strength and determination are impressive -- he is fully realized and developed, even if we're never quite sure of who he is.

Hell Hath No Fury

Fandom: DC COMICS
Pairing: Connor Hawke/Kyle Rayner (aka Green Arrow II/Green Lantern...uh V?)
Author on LJ: keelywolfe
Author Website: Keelywolfe's Fanfiction
Why this must be read:

It's cute, it's funny, it's sexy...what more do you need? The latest (and until recently the only) Green Lantern is sleepwalking, er sleepflying, uh...look, he's showing up in the second Green Arrow's bed every night and nobody knows why. So, while Martian Manhunter tries psychotherapy, Green Arrow tries to adjust to having his friend show up in his sleep. And then there's the sex. In his sleep.

( Read an excerpt )

Six Days, Seven Nights

Title: Wonderland
Fandom: Stargate SG-1
Pairing: Sam/Janet
Author on LJ: mandysbitch
Author Website: Mind Games

Why this must be read:

It's an insightful look at Sam as well as a warm and dreamlike Sam/Janet story. And I adore the Janet in this story, compassionate but strong and completely grounded despite her very strange life.

Fandom: Highlander
Pairing: mildly implied Methos/Duncan MacLeod
Author on LJ: katallison
Author Website: Kat Allison's Fiction
Why this must be read: The scene-setting is perfect, the dialogue reads as if the characters spoke it on screen and, like the best Highlander episodes, this story looks at some of the big questions in life without flinching. On the surface, it's simple: Methos is wandering Paris on a warm September day before Y2K resets the calendars in a few months. Beneath that, however, are musings on history and change, on the nature of people and the importance of nature, and on subtle, fundamental differences between Methos and Duncan that are rarely explored.

September Song also repays each rereading with more layers and more nuances. I recommend you read this one with some free time and a glass of your favorite beverage to hand. It's a story to savor, where each word was clearly chosen deliberately for the texture and context. Sit back and enjoy -- Kat knows where she's taking you and that the scenery along the way is as important as the destination.

( To whet your appetite )

September Song

Link corrected thanks to daemonluna.

Direct Link: Le Dormeur du Val
Fandom: Smallville
Pairing: Clark/Lex
Rating: NC-17
Author on LJ: pun
Author Website: Movies in My Head

The last of four recommendations around the theme of Clark's alienness, this one explores Clark's life as Superman.

Why this must be read: One of the great appeals of Smallville is that it shows the very human confusion and vulnerability of the boy who will one day be the Man of Steel, and pun carries this theme into the future, exploring how Clark's superness distorts his grown-up life and relationships, most particularly his relationship with Lex.

The story begins with Clark appearing out of the blue at the penthouse, exhausted, obviously in trouble, asking for help, even though he and Lex haven't really been close in years. As it unfolds, we see just how difficult Clark's life as the savior of Metropolis is, and we see it through Lex's eyes, which makes it all the more affecting. At the same time, we catch a glimpse of how similarly empty and draining Lex's high-powered corporate world can be, even if he's not entirely aware of it himself.

"Le Dormeur du Val" is a wonderful testament that both superheroes and business moguls need someone to be their sanctuary, to help them find a satisfying balance. I found it a very satisfying read.

Le Dormeur du Val

Fandom: Doctor Who
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: dblauvelt on A Teaspoon and an Open Mind
Why this must be read:

Doctor Who fic has a somewhat unique position in fandom as, for years, the BBC accepted unsolicited manuscripts to include in their Doctor Who novel series. This makes finding the line between fandom and canon a bit more of an adventure. This story was submitted as a sample for a potential New Adventures book but wasn't picked up, although god only knows why. The writing is brilliant, and the concepts are fascinating. I do rather wish we could have seen this developed into an even more complete story, although had it been given the opportunity to develop further, it would fall into the 'canon' category rather than the 'fic' category and I wouldn't be posting it here... it's all terribly confusing. Anyways, read this fic. And don't let the first chapter lull you into a false sense of security. Mwahahahaha!

Torus