Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Gibbs/DiNozzo
Author on LJ: twoweevils
Author Website: None
Why this must be read: I love the Gibbs/DiNozzo pairing, but, in a twist of irony that never ceases to annoy me, I don't believe most of the plots which are used to get them together. It's Gibbs' stupid rules! *glares at Gibbs* Fortunately, the twoweevils are a team who consistantly manage to write stories that get around the problem of my disbelief, so it was hard to pick which story I wanted to rec in this set. I chose "On it, Boss" because as well as having a clever reversal at its heart, it uses one of my favourite plots: a professional time-out. The result is beautifully characterised, funny, and all around delightful.

On it, Boss

Fandom: STARGATE: ATLANTIS
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard
Author on LJ: wickedwords
Author Website: Rachael Sabotini's House o' Fanfic
Why this must be read: The convenient marriage is one of the hardest romance cliches to do really well because it's near impossible to keep the tension consistant until the climax, especially when it's clear to the reader that the protagonists love each other. In "The Spare" Rachael makes the convenient marriage theme her bitch! This fills me with near infinite amounts of glee.

As though that is not gift enough, "The Spare" is a fresh, interesting AU, which manages to pick up several of the key themes of canon and twist them into something unexpected but so right. I love the way royalty has been thrown into the mix; I love how John and Rodney still seem so much like themselves; and I love John's alienation in this too... in fact there's nothing I don't love about this story.

The Spare

Fandom: FARSCAPE
Pairing: John/John, John/Aeryn
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: Maayan’s fic
Why this must be read:
I'm glad Maayan's Farscape fic was some of the first I read way back when. It's edgy and provocative, spare and dense at the same time, and it certainly opened my eyes to a whole new way of writing.

This story is crazy insane, but it's amazing and it's all Farscape.

Please Hold Tightly

ETA: To link to the correct fic page.

Fandom: THE PROFESSIONALS
Pairing: Bodie & Doyle
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Mackie's Fanfic

Why this must be read:

And another gen story! So few are listed here that I don't think to be abusive. I deem they deserve a little light and a little space when they are good, well written, thrilling, full of action, friendship and suspense, like this one.

I had also a favourable prejudice because I know well and appreciate Gina Martin's stories in my other fandom: "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." I wasn't wrong; I found in this work, fruit of her collaboration with Linda Maclaren the same attractive qualities: a simple but neat style, a clever plot skillfully developed to build up the dramatic tension and a deep understanding of what is a true partnership.

The authors, obviously, are writing for a public of readers who don't belong primarily to the "Pros" fandom; therefrom, at the beginning, a maybe too explicit, though sketchy presentation of the characters which may stir smiles from the seasoned fans. For example, it's the first time I see Doyle described as having "a boyish face"; it's usually and more rightly Bodie. And I sometimes felt that some other characteristic features have been permutated as well. But that's very subjective, indeed, and such slight inaccuracies don't spoil for me the interest and emotional power of the narrative, no more than the exclusively gen approach of the relationship, because of the absolute predominance given to the friendship and the indissoluble bond between the partners.

This is what makes their strength, actually, as is also their independance of mind and their capacity, and willingness, of bending rules. Even their boss has to acknowledge it. The ending of the story gives it's moral and meaning:

Doyle sighed. "Didn't do anything, sir," he replied quietly. "Just sort of hung around" (Doyle has been abducted by a madman, lusting for revenge, and Bodie has recued him through the greatest dangers, by trespassing CI5 rules and Cowley's orders).

Cowley wasn't amused, even if he had understood the macabre joke. "You stayed alive," he shot back fiercely. "In this business, sometimes that's the only way to tell the winners from the losers."

Doyle's flippancy died as he realized the truth of Cowley's words. "Yes, sir," he replied, suitably meek.

Cowley nodded. "All right, then." It was an inane statement, but Cowley's thoughts were on the conflict and the deadly game Bodie had played against a cunning, maniacal adversary. When desperate measures were called for, better a calculated, deliberate action then a spontaneous one. He thought about Bodie and his rebelliousness, his defiance of procedures and regulations, his flamboyance and rash independence: these were his worst traits in the team structure of CI5. Yet these were the very traits which had saved him now.

Maybe there was room for a rebel in the ranks after all. Perhaps even two of them.

Dead Bluff