Fandom: STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
Pairing: None, Vic Fontaine
Author on LJ: not sure
Author Website: Narrowstreets.net
Why this must be read:

Because there is nothing in the world better than fic which explores minor characters by expanding on things that were barely hinted at in canon. This stunning fic has the holographic lounge singer, Vic Fontaine, contemplating the nature of his existance far from 1950s Vegas.


There are things you try not to think about. The fact that in reality you live in a box under the counter of a bar. A glittering cylinder tucked in neatly beside all the other fantasies these people of the future like to live out, while people walk by you every day, oblivious to your pseudo-existence. You know this, because Julian told you, when you asked. He's delighted with you, giddy about his new toy.

Sentient holograms. The latest rage in holotechnology, and you're more than happy to oblige, to be a part of it all. There's been some trouble in the past, you understand, but they're very careful now. Detailed psychological profiles, all the variables which might cause trouble painstakingly programmed out. So you never have to worry about getting angry or violent or unstable in any way.


Fly Away

Fandom: VORKOSIGAN UNIVERSE
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: rhyo
Author Website: None that I know of except LJ

Why this must be read:
Here's a missing scene from Shards of Honor, Aral's POV of Cordelia on their second night planetside. This is a quiet moment in the night as Aral contemplates Cordelia's character and his reaction to what he's seen since meeting her. I like the effective creation of mood, and it has a canon feel.

Civilization

Fandom: VORKOSIGAN UNIVERSE
Pairing: Miles/Ekaterin
Author on LJ: laurajv
Author Website: devilmonkey press

Why this must be read:
Warning: Death.
This sort of story isn't usually my cuppa, but having recently lost a loved one, I was deeply affected by this piece. So I am rec'ing it with a warning that it might depress you.

All Disastrous Things
(Or read it on LJ here.)

There seems to be a dichotomy within Farscape fan fiction between "literary" and "story-based" stories. I happen to favor the story over the literature and am recc'ing different types of fiction from those of prior Farscape crack_van hosts. I'm not sure of their reception, but I feel that these older and more plot-driven fictions should not be ignored in favor of those written on the lj. Because Farscape Archive sites are rapidly disappearing, I'm very worried that these wonderful romps will be lost. The stories I've been introducing this month are well-written but character-driven and tend to end on a happier note than literary endeavors. They are more grounded in "cannon" and down to earth and I love them.

So without more talk, here are some more hurt/comfort John Crichton stories.

Fandom: FARSCAPE
Pairing: None--Moya's crew
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website:Crash Debris
Why this must be read:

Kernel Crash writes novellas of emotion and realism. This story posits that John Crichton looses his ability to understand the myriad languages that exist on Moya. What would happen to John? How would he deal with this disability. Then, throw in bounty hunters and a black hole and stir. What results is an exciting psychological drama about John's ability to adapt and cope in a nearly impossible situation. The story won a Sparky for Best Original Plot in 2003.

Voices Of Reason

Fandom: FARSCAPE
Pairing: John/Aeryn, John/Other
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Crash Debris
Why this must be read:

Crash has created an entire world in this story. The setting is gorgeouslly detailed and its people are so vividly brought to life that one wants to spend time savoring the complexity of a satellite and its avian-based population. This is a story of telepathy, miscommunication on many levels (it takes place just after Fractures), and emotional healing/wounding. It is sad, deeply moving, and mysterious. John struggles to solve the mystery of this alien outpost before he is overcome. At the same time, he struggles with Aeryn's grief as well as an affliction that had hit Moya and Pilot. Hox is an original character of compassion, mystery, deception, and wisdom. Read this story and weep for John and Aeryn.

Whispers

Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: none
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: Hephaistos' Forge
Virtual Season: Faux Paws Productions
Why this must be read:

The Sentinel is fortunate to have not just one, but four - three gen and one slash - Virtual Seasons that carried the series forward after cancellation. Written by some of the best authors in the fandom, all are well worth reading, especially if you like could-have-been-an-episode type stories.

This selection is from Faux Paws Productions Virtual Season 5. Though The Sentinel was often gritty, it always had a sense of humor as well. Humor is not easy to write well, but Hepaistos is one of the best and she delivers in this episode, keeping it in character and integrated into the plot.

Just before the Millennium an old friend of Sandburg's drops off a gift, an artifact reputed to have magical powers. Does it? Make a wish at your peril.

( Read an Excerpt )

Note: For the story in alternate formats, go to the Virtual Season.
The Baboon's Foot

Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: Methos/Alexa
Author on LJ: amonitrate
Author Website: None but nice index here.

Why this must be read:
A beautiful, sad story. Sometimes there isn't a happy ending and how a character deals with the sad tells us a lot about him.

With a new verse the ancient rhyme: Part I and Part II

Fandom: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA 2003
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: bktheirregular
Author Website: Irregularities
Why this must be read: After Season 1 ended, a Common People writing challenge was issued on LJ and this was one of the fabulous stories that was written for it. It's a great story about a truly "common" person trying to keep up and stay sane during all the fleet's FTL jumps. Because heroics is such a commonplace thing on the show, it's nice to see someone non-military also being heroic, but in a mellow-er, more low-key way.

( snippet )

Gooney Bird

Fandom: AFFLECTION
Pairing: Matt Damon/Ben Affleck
Author on LJ: rsadelle and aleathiel
Author Website: Ruth's Writing World; Aleathiel's Story Listing
Why this must be read: There aren't many AUs in this fandom yet. This one has cowboys. I mean, cowboys! What's not to like about that?

Eleven Days at the Rocking M and Not Wrong

Fandom: Lord of the Rings
Pairing: Thranduil/Elrond, Glorfindel/Erestor, Elladan/Elrohir/Legolas
Author on LJ:orchydconstyne
Author Website: Hith a Naur: Fog & Flame

Why this must be read: Well... (ticks of list of reasons)
1. Elrond/Thranduil? check
2. Twincest? check (explicit as well)
3. Threesomes? check
4. Elvish all over? check
5. Angst? Oh yes.

This is a tetralogy of series by Orchyd and I think that it is an excellent treatise into 3somes and a very difficult pairing.
Read it for the angst, the wonderful twincest and the end of the Elves on Middle Earth.

( Detailed chapter links and such under the very real cut )