Fandom: THE MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: none (but it can be interpreted as pre-slash between Napoleon and Illya if you're so inclined)
Length: 1000 words
Author on LJ:  xjestx 
Author Website: None that I'm aware of
Why this must be read: This is another of the marvelous entries from last Christmas' Down the Chimney story exchange over on muncle . Napoleon has been given a truth serum by UNCLE to find out exactly what he told THRUSH while he was being interrogated, except that Napoleon isn't reacting to the truth serum as expected. The story is from Napoleon's jumbled POV and it's a delightfully drug-induced trip through hazy truths. The author has a charming style, one that I hope we all get to sample more of in the near future. "Mermaids Explained" is too short to give you a sample without giving away the stories enchanting style, but just trust me - this one is well worth your attention.

Mermaids Explained

Fandom: LIFE ON MARS
Pairing: Sam Tyler/Gene Hunt
Length: 1,291 words
Author on LJ: culf 
Author Website: Culf's fics at The Collators' Den
Why this must be read: You wouldn't think a fic that started as text messages could be so powerful. But, culf is able to evoke such powerful images in just a few words. It's quite a tragic fic with glimmers of hope that vanish as soon as they appear. Yet, it's really a story of how devoted Gene is to Sam and that's what really tugs at your heartstrings.

Warnings for angst and darkness.

Just a Simple Choice

Fandom: Psych
Pairing: Shawn/Lassiter (Gus/Juliet as a secondary couple)
Length: medium
Author on LJ: regann
Author Website: n/a
Why This Must Be Read:

Fluff and cranky!Lassiter don't exactly seem to go hand in hand. And yet, here they do. Lassiter likes Shawn and really kind of hates that he does. To make things worse, it appears that O'Hara likes Shawn too, and really, Lassiter's not at all sure how to feel about that. He knows his partner deserves better than a lying (sexy) psychic, but also wants her to be happy. He also wants Shawn all to himself. What follows is a very grumpy Lassiter trying to be supportive and then deciding he deserves his misery at the same time for falling for someone so obviously wrong for him. (It's all very Catholic of him, and another reason I love this Lassiter POV, because he was an altar boy, you can tell).

Of course, things aren't what they seem, and some fantastic sweetness follows.

A little sample: O'Hara was nice and much too gullible for Spencer who, in Lassiter's opinion, was the exact opposite. Spencer was manipulative, underhanded, obviously capable of lying indefinitely, if this psychic crap was any example of his usual behavior. He was also irresponsible, completely irreverent, untrustworthy and perpetually immature.

Not any of that stopped Lassiter from wanting him.



Between The Lines

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: gen
Length: ~ 1.500
Author on LJ: wiccagirl24
Author Website: Profile on ff.net or wicca_ficca on LJ
Why this must be read:

This is an AU type fic where Kelly didn't die. It is a short, heart-wrenching little story about how a little girl is scared and alone and how her daddy makes it better. I can't really tell you much, just that it had me in tears and rang so true if it had had happened that way.

Picking Up the Pieces

Fandom: THE X-FILES
Pairing: Mulder/Scully
Length: 260K
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: Brandon's gossamer page
Why this must be read: So I know Mulder/Scully married fic is not everybody's cup of tea. When they've got twin babies named Emily and William and call each other Fox and Dana, well it's not mine either. However, this is one of the best married fics I have ever read, because it's entirely plausible. The circumstances of their marriage (in Scully's own words, "it just ...sort of ... happened."), how they struggle to get adjusted to the relationship, how the author winds their relationship througout season 6 and deals with Diana, it's all very well done. A nice long, enjoyable read.

Making it Personal -this is his author page, you'll have to search for the fic on here, gossamer doesn't allow direct linking :(

Fandom: TOUR OF DUTY
Pairing: Myron Goldman/Zeke Anderson
Author on LJ:  majorbrat 
Author website: Notes From the Underground

Why this a must read:

There are two major genres within Tour of Duty. Those set during the war and post war. This a very realistic post war fic exploring the cost of hiding who and what you are. It is also about fear, love, small town politics, and homophobia.


( Excerpt )


A YEAR OF LIES

Fandom: MARVEL COMICS (YOUNG AVENGERS)
Pairing: Gen (Some background Billy/Teddy, but very much not the point)
Length: 1895 words
Author on LJ: iphignia939
Author Website: "fanfic" tagged entries on iphignia939
Why this must be read:

This is a beautiful, heartbreaking look at Molly Altman, Teddy's mother. We don't learn much about her in the comics, sadly, and this fic does a fantastic job at filling in the blanks.

The child opens its eyes and stares at her. His eyes are small and blue, and focused on her. He yawns.

Instinctively, the woman reaches out and brushes the child’s hair from his face. “Hello,” she whispers, tasting unfamiliar words on her tongue. “I am your mother.”

If she knew the Empress better, perhaps she would be able to decipher the expression on the other woman’s face. But she does not.

on the lips of all children

Fandom: DOCTOR WHO
Pairing: none
Length: 916 words
Author on LJ: trollopfop 
Author's website: profile on Teaspoon
Why this must be read: "An orphan in the storm. I was a naked child, found on the coast of the Silver Devastation. Abandoned, with only this."  Did you ever wonder how the Master came to be found as a child? This story offers a believable and chilling explanation and in just a few words says more about the Time Lords, the Master and Romana than many novel-length stories. 

The Master isn't listening anymore, though. This... this isn't right, and it isn't fair. There are tears prickling at the corners of his eyes, and that's even worse, since he hasn't cried in... He can't remember. And that he's shedding tears over this, this of all things, when he should be rejoicing in the fact that the fools ruling Gallifrey have seen fit to let him live again... It's all wrong, somehow, and that just makes the tears come faster.

Childish Things