Fandom: FARSCAPE
Pairing: John/Aeryn
Author on LJ: mazily
Author Website: Circlegirl
Why this must be read:  "This is not this is not this is not happening." (She exclaimed. Whispered. Chanted.)
Aeryn searches for John in an eerie tale written so beautifully that it seems more like some sort of myth than a fanfic.

The Sky is Flesh

Fandom: STARGATE ATLANTIS
Pairing: Weir/Zelenka, implied Sheppard/McKay
Author on LJ: synecdochic
Author Website: venus in furs
Why this must be read: This author's exceptionally well-known for a couple of fics - you know the ones - but this little piece, written for an sga_flashfic challenge is probably one of my favourite Elizabeth pieces. It captures the difficulties of the position that she's in, how she can want someone to share that with and still know that ultimately she's alone in everything: the decisions she makes, the consequences, etc. She can't promise anything, and Zelenka's exactly the perfect counterpoint to that ... caring enough not to demand anything from her, offering comfort and more.

It's a beautiful character piece, and even if you typically don't read het pairings, you should read this.

( Zelenka is the one to reach across the table and rest a hand on her wrist. )

Read the Story / Feedback the Author: Widow's Walk

Fandom: STARSKY AND HUTCH
Pairing: Starsky/Huggy, Starsky/Hutch
Author on LJ: http://peg22.livejournal.com/
Author Website: http://shslash.kassidyrae.com/
http://starskyhutch.kassidyrae.com/
Why this must be read:
Come on, you’re not intrigued by the pairing?

And you know what? Kaye makes it work. Really, really well.

A Beautiful Mess

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Leroy Jethro Gibbs/Donald 'Ducky' Mallard (also hinted at are Abby/McGee and DiNozzo/Ziva)
Author on LJ: ashley_pitt
Author Website: N/A

Why this must be read:

Ashley has been writing Gibbs/Ducky for less time than some of us, but she has already chalked up a very impressive number of stories, and I was hard pushed to choose one (especially when she wrote two excellent ones for our recent Gibbs/Ducky Yuletide Exchange. I have chosen Christmas At Reston House because it made me smile, giggle, sniff a little, sigh with pleasure, go 'awww' and several other emotions. Also, it included Gibbs's entire team - 'the children' as they are known - Mrs. Mallard as well as Gibbs and Ducky.

For those who know NCIS well, the title tells one exactly what the story is about: Christmas at Ducky's house. But it's not just any old Christmas, nor was it as Ducky's instigation. His mother, a formidable woman when she's lucid, insists on the entire team coming over - and, aided somewhat by Gibbs, she gets her way.

It's light hearted, fluffy, enjoyable, a gentle ramble through a day which dear friends and family spend together, because they want to be together. Mrs. Mallard has some superb moments, and some of her comments really do make one laugh aloud - she's spot on in her observations. And beneath it all is the deep love, affection, trust, caring and friendship Gibbs and Ducky share. And on top of all of that, Mrs. Mallard has several surprises in store.

All the characters are very well written, you can see and hear them all quite clearly as individuals. Ashley also places the story in relation to show with a few well placed references, but not so entrenches that you are not able to understand or appreciate the story is you haven't seen the entire series, or know it very well.

It's a romantic meander and well worth a read.

( Extracts )

---

Christmas At Reston House

Fandom: X-FILES
Pairing: MSR, Scully/?
Author Website: MustangSally's fic at Gossamer

Why this must be read: The first word that comes to mind when I think about this post-En Ami story is "disturbing." "Brilliant" and "distressing" are probably next. It is dark and tortured but also fantastically conceived and written; and if dark and dub-con are your thing, then you've got to read this fic!

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