Fandom: SPORTS NIGHT
Pairing: None; Casey McCall, Isaac Jaffee, gen
Author on LJ: laylee
Author Website: None; fic archived in her LJ memories and on snarchive

Why this must be read: one of the things that lifts Sports Night out of the run-of-the-mill is its secret weapon: Isaac Jaffee. His is the formidable brain behind the show and, to a great extent, also its heart and its soul and its conscience. He runs his studio with an iron hand, always ready to smack down anyone who gets uppity – but at the same time he's strongly supportive of his people, and will fight the network tooth and nail for them. Hit by a stroke midway through season one, he comes back fighting, strong as ever. He's the surrogate father many of us dream of; the Sports Night crew are lucky enough to have him. Oh, and he has the world's most evil sense of humour.

Here, it's some time post-series, and Casey has left Sports Night to move to Chicago and head a show of his own. He's a little lonely, has lingering doubts and insecurities, and misses what he's left behind – but, luckily for him, there's help and advice just a phone call away, from a man who understands exactly how he's feeling.

This was written in December for the sn_holidays challenge. I don't, as a rule, rec challenge fics, on the grounds that they'll already have reached a wider audience than something posted only in the author's blog, but, since this was quite a teensy challenge – and since the fic itself is so damn good – I'm making an exception here.

Hangin' On the Telephone

FANDOM: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: Sirius Black/Severus Snape
Author on LJ: amanuensis1
Author Website: Despoiling Harry
Why this must be read:

For a moment, I was completely stunned that no one had recced this fic here before. Amanuensis is the one whom I personally have to thank to getting me into smut, slash, and specifically, Harry Potter slash. She's completely fabulous, I think, more than capable of writing full-body shuddering fic and laugh out loud fic, and both linger for a good, long time.

This story is unique, as, in the author's own words, it's "A parody written for the Intimate Enemies (Snape/Black) FQF, consisting of all 53 challenges, answered." Totally hilarious. Here are a few of my favourites:

( an excerpt )

Okay, I'll stop now before I end up pasting the whole thing in. Enjoy Fifty-three Stories About Snape and Black.

Also, enjoy the new Half-Blood Prince poster!!! :)

Hey, I'm 50thousandtearz and I'll be your driver for the Farscape van this month. I'm mainly into John/Aeryn, but considering how most of the good stuff has already been recced, I'm going to try to do some other things, we'll see how that goes. I'd like to encourage people to sign up to rec Farscape, I'd hate to see this fandom get dropped.

Fandom: FARSCAPE
Pairing: Stark/Zhaan, minor John/Aeryn
Author on LJ: astrogirl2 
Author Website: n/a
Why this must be read: I don't usually read mpreg, but astrogirl handles the subject so well in this case that I made an exception. The mechanics behind the pregnancy are well thought out, and the Stark/Zhaan is rather sweet.

The Embodiment of Hope

Fandom: STARGATE ATLANTIS
Pairing: Sheppard/McKay
Author on LJ: laytoncolt
Author Website: nixa_jane
Why this must be read: Continuing in the vein of funny stories, this one is hilarious. The author's summary says: "They kept running these corny little phone sex infomercials that had seemed really pathetic and funny at one o'clock, and somehow had morphed into 'good idea' by three." We've all been there, but when you're Rodney McKay, you actually find yourself calling 1-877-HOTGUYZZ and freaking out when you realize what you've done. Luckily, John Sheppard answers the phone and wackiness ensues. It's crack!fic of the bestest kind because the voices are spot-on, the banter is funny, and if you need more convincing ... imagine John Sheppard as a reluctant phone sex worker. I rest my case.

( Hey there, hot stuff, what can I do for you tonight? )

Read the Story / Feedback the Author: The Hotline

Fandom: Smallville
Pairing: Lex/Lana
Author on LJ paperbkryter
Author Website: Words
Why this must be read: A season one Lexana fic that is hilarious and a little sad as it shows the hints of Lex and Lana becoming more than just Clark's friends, even from the beginning.

Author's Synopsis - Lex and Lana are kidnapped and handcuffed together. During a long walk back to Smallville they talk about Clark, and a few other things.

( Excerpt )

Flying Pigs Paper Hats and Pretty Girls All in a Row

Fandom TORCHWOOD
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Author on LJ:wildestranger
Author Website: Memorable Entries
Why this must be read:
This story is set after Cyberwoman and demonstrates one of the things I love most that is a very crafty Ianto showing how clever he is and going after what he wants.

Lonesome schoolboy, just come into town

Fandom: MAGNIFICENT 7
Pairing: none, gen, but features Vin, Ezra, Chris, Buck, JD, and Mary Travis, as well as a wonderful OC
Author on LJ: not that I know of
Author Website: The Magnificent Bedlam Boys
Why this must be read:

Okay - this was kinda fast for me - I read it today, directed to it rather by accident, but it is wonderful. Like the recommendation I made last for Annie's "Call of the Wild", this is humor, and like hers, in character - but a little more extreme, perhaps, in the focus on specific aspects of the characters. Unlike Annie's though, which was set in the modern-day ATF universe, this one is set in the universe of the series, The Old West (my personal fave). It does rely on some of the staples of fanon - Vin's wonderful buckskin coat, Chris' temper and periodic over-indulgence, Ezra's foppishness - and they are delightfully used. As is the style - which is a part of the amusement as well. Definitely another good story for keeping the winter doldrums at bay. And I promise, I will get away from the humor soon and into some of the more intense and nitty-gritty stories I love so well!

Cluckie, The Rooster That Couldn't Crow