Fandom: MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Napoleon/Illya
Author on LJ: cousinnat
Author Website: Unknown

Why this mustbe read:

This is a short...a short what? Not a story or a ficlet (there is a topic but no unity of action); it's too long for a drabble, the writing is too dense and concise for prose, the style (quite deliberately) too plain and casual for poetry; let's say it is a text in prose with the emotional charge and expressive power of poetry, and from my point of view (maybe not the author's), it's a poem in prose.

Actually, this remarkable little piece presents a succession of scenes, essentially the same ones (Illya, wounded, in hospital and Napoleon at his side), more or less regularly repeated during a long period, from the very beginning of the partnership to its full development. The confuse impressions and disconnected reflexions conceived by Illya through the haze of pain and drugs mark the stages of their relationship, from wariness and withdrawal, to closeness, to mutual affection, to the eventual perfect communion.

The touch is light but cut deep at the core of the matter: more is said in a hundred lines than in some lengthy works and the discreet hint may be more convincing than the most eloquent speech.

I'd like to give a quotation, to show the strength of the style, but a single paragraph would make no sense. You have to see by yourself.

Vigils

Fandom: SMALLVILLE
Pairing: Clark/Lex
Author on LJ: rivkat
Author Website: RivkaT
Why this must be read: This story just has everything. A fun plot, adventure, sun, sand, and hot sex! It's a future fic, where Superman is worn out, and Lex talks him into taking a vacation. Can't have his nemesis in less than tip top shape, cause what fun would that be? *g* The two of them end up on Lex's very own deserted island. The catch is, Clark can't use his super powers, and Lex can't do any work for the duration of their vacation. It's lovely and entertaining and hot like whoa! This is one of those stories that brightens rainy days again and again.

Lex launched into an obviously prepared speech. "As one of your most likely targets, I'd prefer you to be rational and not as short-tempered as you've been of late. Not to mention that I do appreciate your hard work saving the planet from people and other entities who aren't me."

Hideaway

My apologies! Due to massive gridlock all over the capital, we're running a bit behind schedule. But, we've been invited to a special screening at the White House -- to watch a retrospective of Josiah Bartlet's first years as President. Enjoy!

Vidder: Xanthe
Musical artist: Sting
Pairing: none
Vidder on LJ: xanthelj
Vidder's website: http://www.walterwatching.co.uk/
Why this vid kicks ass:

I'll let Xanthe tell you about this particular vid, because my words just don't do it justice:

I wanted to explore all Jed's "fragilities" in this vid - physical, emotional, and psychological. The refrain of "lest we forget...how fragile we are" is a good counterpoint to the fact that Jed is the president - with all the power and glory that comes with that title and high office. I tried to weave together the shooting at Rosslyn, his multiple sclerosis, the political assassination he authorises and his discomfort with his role of Commander In Chief, the death of Mrs. Landingham and his abusive childhood - using the repeated imagery of rain and his smoking in times of stress. The vid is highly contextual in that it helps to know the show but some of it's pretty obvious too.

You can find the vid on its own page here

Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: (Methos/other)
Author on LJ: sylviavolk2000
Author Website: Sylvia Volk's fan fiction
Why this must be read:

When you read Sylvia Volk's stories you enter a unique world full of adventures and exotic locales. This story is part of a series of tales about the history of Methos. I picked it because it can be read independently without knowing the rest of the series, and because I love it.

In it a beautiful young slave girl is bought by an ugly foreign devil and goes to live in his house. What follows is quite the education for the slave girl, and a wonderous story for the reader. Enjoy!


She, or the Slave Girl

Fandom: SMALLVILLE
Pairing: Clark/Lex
Author on LJ: estrella30
Author Website: Estrella
Why this must be read: Watching the Clark/Lex relationship unfold and fall apart on Smallville is hard. Sometimes I need to rewind to a more simple time, and see things as they might have gone. This story does just that, as it's set mid season three. Writing a story using flashbacks interspersed with the present can be tricky, but Estrella has mastered it beautifully. Lex and Clark's relationship has suddenly taken a decidedly new track, and we experience it in Clark's memories as he faces Lex the day after. Aftermaths are often awkward, but is this going to be a good thing or a bad thing? Hot, hot sex, and a strong and resolute Clark just add to the many reasons why I love this story.
( a tiny snippet )

In the Light of Day

Fandom: X-Men
Pairing: Rictor/Shatterstar
Author on LJ: tangeriner
Author Website: http://www.offpanel.net/tangerine/
Why this must be read: Tangerine is one of the fandom's favorite authors. Her stories are always moving, interesting, and have top notch characterization. Catalyst is no exception, an X-Force comicverse story that centers around the Julio Richter and Gaveedra Seven pairing (arguably the fandom's first gay couple). It's just a terrific story with an interesting twist, and the boys are as hot as always.

Catalyst

Fandom: FIREFLY
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: aliaspiral
Author Website: SilverSpiral.Net
Why this must be read:
This ficlet proves that Alia writes outright creepifying fic as well as she writes her fluff. In this story, River finally goes over the edge. And Jayne is the only one left... Brilliantly and chillingly written.

Broken Like Dolls

Fandom: FIREFLY
Pairing: Mal/Simon
Author on LJ: clayangel
Author Website: Clay Devil
Why this must be read:
Everyone knows but Simon and Mal, and even they have to convince themselves. True to character, fun and enjoyable, Clay tells the story of Mal trying to get over his own denial while he convinces Simon that he's not sly. Really.

Meeting the Challenge

Fandom: X-Men
Pairing: Logan/Remy
Author on LJ: not on LJ
Author Website: none, though some stories archived here
Why this must be read: BJ is a writer than seems to be able to draw one in with her ability to create characters with such emotional depth. She's especially adept with his pairing. Though this is a short piece, she convincingly shows us a side of Wolverine that few ever get to see. This one won the 2003 People's Choice Adamantium Award for short story.

When the World Ends

Fandom: MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: Napoleon/Illya
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Hosted in Incognito

Why this must be read:

Because it's absolutely fabulous! And I am not so much addicted to superlatives. My top appraisal is usually "excellent" or "remarkable". Besides, it's not everyday you happen to read something where you wouldn't change a single word. Pushed to my limit, I'd go so far as saying that the "happy end" is somehow too happy for my conception of likeliness. But it's only me and I'm sure it would be a betterment for most readers. Otherwise the work is flawless.

Anyway, it's easy to get over any objection because the story takes place, if not in an alternate universe, at least in an alternate reality. Not that there were any irreducible contradiction with the admitted canon, but for the reason the stunning originality of the premises leaves the reader without his familiar landmarks. I can't tell anything about the setting and background of events and characters because the charm of the tale owes much to the slyness of the plot and the induced effect of surprise. If the e-zine Incognito should set out an emblematic example of its chosen theme, it would be this story.

Suffice to say it's a first person narrative, a difficult and perilous writing mode that gives the writer little freedom of expression and allows the reader to expect a more than fitting characterization. What is achieved here. We are enabled to hear the narrator's voice and it sounds so right that we can easily see the speaker's face and gestures, though they are not described, and sense the slightest slip of his mood and feelings though they are not always presented with total honesty.

Another remarkable achievement is the style, in perfect accordance with the narrator's uncommon personality and obliged double act: the mix of self restraint and boldness, calculation and ingenuity that defines the character is reflected in a text where the utmost economy of words and a cold objectivity is used to support and enhance the emotion. To quote the "marriage of fire and ice" is, assuredly, a terrible "cliche" but, here, I'd dare to do it, for it's completely justified. See by yourselves:

Dishevelled

Fandom:  BUFFY
Pairing: Spike, Tara, Giles, Dawn, Faith
Author on LJ: danawoods
Author Website: Broken Symmetry
Why this must be read: 

The first story in the series, this is an action adventure AU post The Gift; the only survivors are Giles, Tara, Spike and Dawn.  Without a Slayer the demon population is exploding; Faith and her new Watcher are sent to Sunnydale to cover the Hellmouth.  Unfortunately, the gang soon realizes they have another problem - a group of demons are determined to steal the magic Willow carried with her to the grave.  Spike and Tara find themselves traveling the world to obtain the items needed for the ritual that will stop the demons from succeeding.  On top of that Tara is struggling with the aftermath of both her lover's death and her own brush with insanity.  Spike is forced to deal with the fact that he is changing in ways he isn't sure he likes.  The journey helps lay the foundation for the friendship that weaves its way throughout the series, a friendship that later grows and changes with the addition of Faith to the mix.

Elysium
First story in the After the Opera series