Fandom: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (new)
Pairing: Gaeta/HotDog
Length: ~13,000 words
Author on LJ: trovia
Author Website: her fic website
Why this fic must be read: Gaeta/HotDog doesn't really seem like a pairing with any basis in the show, and it's probably not, although there's no reason not to make it work, either. However, it definitely works here in trovia's story. Starting right after the Demetrius mission, the story (written pre-4.5) goes AU and explores the slowly developing relationship between Brendan and Felix. And it does it right, as the two men first form a friendship and Felix very slowly lets Brendan into his little isolated world.

Technically, I suppose this is a Gaeta fic. It's all his point of view and it focuses very much on his physical and mental and emotional recovery from the amputation. And trovia's characterization of Gaeta is right on. But what makes me completely, utterly, and totally adore this fic is HotDog. I don't think it's possible not to love this Brendan. He's very in character- you never know quite what's going to come out of his mouth, and he's extremely human and good-hearted. But at the same time, HotDog can often become a one-note character in fics, and here those two sides of him- the dork and the more serious, loving friend- are beautifully integrated.

If you aren't normally a slash reader, this is a great one to start with. The story is as much about Gaeta's recovery as it is the friendship, and the romantic relationship develops so well that the actual ending feels inevitable. It's a really beautiful story, not overly sentimental and very plotty. Check it out :)

How to Live and Love as an Amputee, by Brendan Costanza

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: (OT4 fic- various hints and combinations of Arthur/Merlin/Gwen/Morgana)
Length: 2,400 words
Author on LJ: sparky77
Author Website: sparky77's fic is all in memories here.
Why this must be read:

I used to be an OTP sort of girl in fandom, but Merlin has turned me into a dirty multi-shipper. Merlin OT4 fic is now one of my favorite things ever, and this is one of best. sparky77 does a wonderful job of opening up whole worlds of meaning between Arthur and Merlin and Gwen and Morgana with just a few scant lines.

Don't Be Sorry is on one level about Arthur- who he was, is, and will be. But really, this story is more about how vital Morgana, Merlin, Arthur and Gwen are to each other, regardless of happens between them. Or what comes to pass in the future. Destiny (understandably) can be a rather omnipresent theme in this fandom, but sparky77 has a incredibly deft touch, showing the ground shifting beneath their feet without being heavy-handed about it.

Now that Season 2 and all the changes it will bring is almost upon us, it's a perfect time to rec this.

Don't Be Sorry

Fandom: SMALLVILLE
Pairing: Clark/Lex
Length: 160K
Author on LJ: bagheera_san
Author Website:
Why this must be read: This! I mean, basically, the love story of Clark and Lex is the one of a huge and larger than life obsession, whether in hate or love.
They can't let go of each other, in death or alive.
But what if you take this central, core mutual obsession of them, that is also the core element of 99% of the fanfics, away? How would Lex be, and how would Clark react???
yup. Right. What if Lex...

(  more under the cut, plus big spoiler for the story, but its also vital for why I rec it , its an excerpt that kinds of telling you everything and nothing...  )

HAHAH, TAKE THAT CLARK!

Devil's Deal
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Devil's Deal

Fandom: THE X-FILES
Pairing: Mulder/Scully (established relationship is assumed)
Length: 800k in 4 parts (novel length)
Author on LJ: bonetree (all entries are friends only)
Author Website: the untold story - fanfiction by bonetree
Why this must be read:

Two of Bonetree's other stories have be recommended here before: Goshen and Full Reward. Goshen is actually a "prequel" of sorts to Secret World, but it is NOT necessary that you read that first.

This is a novel of a story. Scully goes undercover in a crime ring to solve the case of a mysterious death. What she finds there is something much darker and more sinister than a simple crime. This story tests the limits of Mulder and Scully's partnership as well as relationship. Bonetree puts Scully through the ringer, but not in a masochistic way. She explores the boundaries and expectations of a female undercover in a realistic way.

Scully's character is definitely more developed in this story, but Mulder doesn't lose out either. He has to deal with both his partner and lover being put in a dangerous situation that he can't control. Together they have to solve a case, apprehend some bad guys, and deal with a conspiracy that may be placing them in even greater danger.

In many ways, this is a typical crime file. The story told would not be terribly out of place on Homicide: Life on the Street or Law & Order. In other ways, this is a story about Mulder and Scully. It fits neatly into place in the X-Files universe, but does assume season 7 never occurred. Secret World starts off a whole series (it stands on its own though) using the same characters and addresses the conspiracy brought up in Secret World. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Just a warning, there is an inferred rape in one of the last sections. It is NOT graphically described.

Secret World

Fandom: STARSKY & HUTCH
Pairing: None
Length: 35k
Author on LJ: dawnebeth
Author Website: HERE
Why this must be read:

I’ve always loved to read about the boy’s past, and I think this story, which is a little bit about Starsky’s childhood, is a very good one. It’s well-written and very enjoyable and amusing to read. =)

Excerpt: "Well, well, well," Hutch crowed, holding up a picture of a dark haired child covered in mud. "This has to be you."

"Hey, I was five," Starsky defended himself, examining the photo.

"I meant that you still dress the same."

Hutch pulled out a few more, all Starsky by himself or with his younger brother Nicky. There was a strong family resemblance, two boys with brown, unruly hair, and a look of mischievousness personified. There were pictures of little Davey at family functions, even one where he was dressed in a blue suit complete with shorts and long socks, wearing a yarmulke. Hutch teased him unmercifully about that one. School photos followed, twenty two children clustered around severe looking women wearing old fashioned full skirted dresses. Starsky was almost always in the front row, one of the shorter boys, his clothes in disarray, his face never quite as composed as the other kids for the solemn occasion. There a glint of pure 'boy' about him, as if he were hiding a frog and a sling shot in his back pocket for some adventures as soon as the bell released him from the halls of learning.

"I haven't seen one of your father," Hutch said, flipping through another pile.

Osseum Veritas

Fandom: DOCTOR WHO
Pairing: Ten II/Rose/Jed Holbrook
Length: a series of several stories
Author on LJ: dameruth
Author Website:unknown
Why this must be read:

I usually stay away from stories set in Pete's World about Rose and Ten II, but since I love her stories when DameRuth posted the first story in the series, Joint Venture I had to check it out. And I'm glad I did. Her version of the alternate!Jack is awesome - enough like Jack to make the Doctor and Rose stumble occasionally, but enough of his own character to make me want to read more.

Jed and Friends Series listing on Teaspoon