Sorry I'm getting off to such a slow start with my recs, the early part of July has been really... intense.

Fandom: DC COMICS
Pairing: Steve Trevor/Diana Prince (Wonder Woman)
Length: 960 words
Author on LJ: bradygirl_12
Author Website: N/A, try her page. Navigation can be a bit confusing.
Why this must be read:

There're a few reasons this fic really has to be read. One, it's good het in a fandom where, at least in my circles, the slash tends to reign. For another, bradygirl_12 is trying to almost singlehandedly re-ignite one of the more awesome canon 'ships, namely Wonder Woman and the man that was her lover and partner up until COIE... and then disappeared completely, wiped from her existence, though he was a major part of her origin story. Three, she does a singularly awesome job writing a really lovely, and strong, Diana.

( Excerpt )

A Little Slice of Paradise

Fandom: MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: Napoleon/Illya
Length: 65K
Author on LJ: meris_mfu
Author Website: Archived at CGM and Raven's Lair

Why this story must be read:

It was quite a challenge to select which one of Meris' works to rec here. It isn't easy to give an overview of her writing since she's such an able writer in a variety of styles - both poetry and prose, first time or established relationship, humour, drama, angst - you get the picture. 

Throughout, her Illya and Napoleon are authentically voiced - just the right amount of sarcasm/irony/misdirection. Meris writes deliciously hot sex that chimes faultlessly with the stage of the partnership. The sex here is implicit but still feels very much part of who they are. As a bit of a relationship junkie (damn... there goes at least part of my cover) it's the exploration of this deeper emotional connection that I find so compelling in her work. 

For this reason alone I very nearly recced her "The Secret Word is Home" here. In the end, though, I chose "Waiting", for all of the above - plus the following reasons. The central plot is - engagingly alternative (think X-files meets Twilight Zone) with the theme of loss at its core. The structure of the piece interweaves this central device with Napoleon's journey towards a recognition of the shocking depth of his feelings for Illya. It worked for me. 

The language is - well: 
Why wait? Go and read it immediately (if not sooner) here.
 

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Jethro Gibbs/Tony DiNozzo
Length: 2500 words
Author on LJ: crimsonquills
Author Website: Crimsonquills.com

Why this must be read:

Crimsonquills’ Myths and Revelations series: “an AU exercise in centaurs” is a real AU gem. Whilst Gibbs/DiNozzo are not a pairing I normally read, these stories caught my eye. Somehow Crimsonquills makes the centaur side of the story fit seamlessly into the fabric of the NCIS universe. I am reccing this particular story (the fourth in the series) as I love the idea of Gibbs attempting to go back to his roots, in weaponry of course, thanks to Tony’s intervention throughout the first few stories in bringing him back in touch with his past. Plus Tony has a surprise for Gibbs, but not as surprised as he will be at his reaction... and of course it’s crimsonquills – so it’s hot.

Brushes and Bedding

The Myths and Revelations Series (14 stories, links on the left, green box)

Fandom: SHERLOCK HOLMES
Pairing: none
Length: 2250 words
Author on LJ: not that I know of
Author Website: http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1460858/aragonite
Why this must be read:

Okay, I admit it -- I chose this story because aragonite's other stories are (fascinating, absorbing) WIPs. But if you're any kind of Lestrade or Watson fan, this is a new author you've got to give a try, and at least this is the very first of the stories, so that's fair, right?


( The first time he came to Baker Street, )


An Ordinary Meeting

Fandom: SHERLOCK HOLMES
Pairing: Holmes/Watson
Length: 18,000
Author on LJ: katieforsythe
Author Website: The Seventeenth Step
Why this must be read:

When it comes to stories which intertwine new material into the canon, Katie Forsythe is the bee's knees. Whether she's writing from Holmes' point of view or Watson's, she gets the narrative voice as near to right as anyone I've ever seen. If I weren't trying to get as many authors worth looking at into the mix I could probably have just been lazy and recommended each of her stories in turn to make my allotment.

This is one of her newest pieces, woven into the events of Wisteria Lodge and set shortly after the Devil's Foot. The relationship between Holmes and Watson is well-established, but even a longstanding love can encounter some stumbling blocks. Since the link below goes straight to the story, I'll reiterate the author's warnings: off screen non-con, violence and injustices involving minor canon characters.



( Sherlock Holmes is less a creature of habit than are some men. )


A Man of Questionable Morals

Fandom: STARSKY & HUTCH
Pairing: None (gen)
Length: 57K
Author on LJ: DNA (as far as I know)
Author Website: http://meandthee.shahrazad.net/author.php?authorid=26
Why this must be read:

Hutchrules3 is probably best known as co-author (with Paula Wilshe) of Tandem, a phenomenal hurt/comfort, first-time, post-Plague novel that's been rec'ed here before. That's a heck of a read. But this story is excellent as well.

It's the holiday season (first Thanksgiving, then Christmas), not long after the events in The Fix and Shootout. Starsky is going home to New York to celebrate with his family, and invites Hutch to come along. Once there, Hutch soon realizes Christmas with the Starskys is nothing like Christmas in Duluth, and with that realization, emotions come to the surface that both surprise and embarrass him. 
 
This is such a sweet, feel-good story.  Yes, it's gen, but squint a bit and you can see the slash.  It's chock full of Hutch-angst, Starsky h/c and so much love you can't help but smile.  

*******

The Difference

Fandom: SHERLOCK HOLMES
Pairing: Holmes/Watson/Mary
Length: four chapters
Author on LJ: I don't know
Author Website:
Why this must be read:

This fic asks, and answers, the interesting question, "What if Mary Morstan Watson was a slasher?" It's a fun, hot read, and does a nice job of counterbalancing all the fics where she either doesn't exist at all, or has to die painfully.


( A year ago when we had married, we had both been flush with the discovery of our love. )


Improprieties

Fandom: SHERLOCK HOLMES
Pairing: gen
Length: 1600
Author on LJ: not anymore
Author Website: http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1020160/EchoValley26809

Why this must be read:

Taken from a writing prompt on an lj-community, this "story" in sentences includes some wonderful interconnected ideas -- some of which have already inspired other authors to write longer stories around them. A very nice example of using a few words to get a larger effect.


( 11. Box )


Forty Years, Fifty Sentences

Fandom: SHERLOCK HOLMES
Pairing: Holmes/Watson
Length: four chapters
Author on LJ: pandapony
Author Website:
Why this must be read:

I love a story where Watson's medical skills and intelligence shine through, as well as his heart, and this is a perfect example. I'll also admit to enjoying a "first time" story where Holmes has some experience in his background before the two of them come together, although I'm nearly as uncertain about the quality of that experience as Watson is in this situation. But Pandapony manages to make the matter credible, giving both men something to learn before they come to the ending. And as for that ending... well, have the cold shower waiting!



( I had seen enough casualties during my service abroad to recognize the look of a man who has been injured in the groin. )



The Injury

None of us are sure how we feel about it, but here's the thing: in bandom, everyone can hear you slash. And by everyone, I mean the bands. Your filthy proclivities are no surprise to them. They read the stories, they comment, they use the internet like we do. It's - a bit awesome and a bit terrifying. It's the FUTURRRRE.

Fandom: Bandom (FOB focus)
Pairing: Pete/Patrick
Length: ~7,000
Author on LJ: [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] anew_leaf

Why this must be read: Of all the bandom peeps (with the possible exception of creepy genius Gabe Saporta), it's Pete Wentz who is most active online. Much of his life is out there to google, and this story bounces off that so, so sweetly. In this fic, Pete is irritated. Because he's regularly showering his bestest friend Patrick with affectionate - and very public - kisses, and no one is paying a blind bit of notice. Because, of course, it's just what Pete does. --- OR IS IT.

Meanwhile, everywhere he looked there were youtube slide shows of dudes kissing. Half of those seemed to feature shots of Gerard and Frank, or members of Panic! in various combinations, which somehow seemed deeply unfair. Panic! fielded the gay question all the time, and the guys in My Chem had a standard response about how the punk and hardcore scene had been really homophobic or just intolerant of guys being affectionate, and so they'd decided to go and do their own thing.

Pete, in contrast, got to field questions about his dick, the time he popped a handful of Ativan, and his questionable taste in women. It was like there was only one set of interview questions in the world.

Naturally, being Pete, he decides the only thing to do is ESCALATE HOSTILITIES. By which I mean, kiss Patrick a whole lot more. Not, like, talk to him about it, or anything, just... with the kissing. Things get a little complicated when Pete starts having weird dreams about Patrick's mouth and hands and... but that's probably just, like, a side-effect of insomnia, right?

Oh, Pete.


Public Relations(hips) by Anew_Leaf

Fandom: NEWSIES
Pairing: Jack/David
Length: 1,000 words or so
Author on LJ: cycnus
Author Website: Shimmerwings' Fanfiction.net Page
Why this must be read:

A lot of the fic in Newsies fandom takes place in alternate universes, putting the characters in modern settings. And while a lot of that fic is fantastic (and much of it will probably wind up among these recs), it's nice to remember, sometimes, that great fic set within the universe of the movie - set within the movie itself, even, or directly after - also exists. This is one of those fics.

Catharsis finds Jack and David immediately after the credits roll, and deals - harshly, unrelentingly, and completely believably - with the unresolved tensions of their friendship and Jack's betrayal. The author uses Jack's perspective, which is simultaneously clueless and observant in all the right ways, to craft a ficlet of great power and intensity where actions speak much more loudly than words. The characters feel just right, despite the distinctly un-Disney tone, and it serves as a reminder that, however much Jack and David's attraction to each other may be evident to viewers with even the slightest hint of slash goggles, they aren't a pairing automatically destined for uncomplicated fluff.

Catharsis