And now for a little self-indulgement *g*

Fandom: MICHAEL BIEHN CHARACTERS - Judson Cross from Adventure Inc.
Pairing: almost....
Length: short, more a ficlet
Author on LJ: unknown
Author's website: -

Why this must be read:
Because I think Michael Biehn is hot and this fic paints him in all his naked glory *happy sigh* All during a nice midnight swim.

But actually, apart from the 'eye candy', this is really a sad little story, in which the author doesn't follow the easy fanfic paths, but stays a lot more true to reality. And so what it's really about is unrequited feelings.


Midnight Swim

Fandom BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (NEW)
Pairing: Past Gaeta/Hoshi and Gaeta/Baltar
Length: 8000-10000 words?
Author on LJ: millarific
Author Website: right here
Why this must be read: Good Hoshi fic is hard to find, and for good reason. Let's face it- as much as I love the man, he's more of a function than a character, and he really only got any personality in the webisodes, and even then not much. Of course, such a blank slate makes great ficcing material, if you like to develop your own characters, and millari obviously has a lot of fun doing just that with Hoshi.

The Gaeta/Hoshi relationship was definitely tacked on, and with some of the other scenes, I sometimes wonder how much the writers thought about the implications. But millari really fleshes those implications out in this fic about Louis coping with the mutiny and losing Felix, and one possible interpretation of what their relationship prior might have been like. Because really, how Louis Hoshi must have felt and coped after the mutiny is worthy of its own story, and it's a shame the show never gave it to us.

In a way, it's funny that I'm reccing this. I'm a total Gaeta/Hoshi shipper, not because I think they belong together (see earlier note about Hoshi being a function more than a character), but because I really, really like the idea that Gaeta had some happiness sometime after New Caprica. And this fic is not happy. It's messy and sad and bleak, although there is definitely a light of hope at the end. This one wrings the heart dry, and I think it's probably millarific's best fic that she's written.

Aftermath

Fandom: HEROES
Pairing: Gabriel/Luke
Length: ~3,000
Author on LJ: brighteyed_jill
Author Website: Fic Masterlist

Why This Must Be Read: Heroes fandom has produced many, many well written historical AUs and choosing just one to rec this month was very hard. In the end, I decided to rec Liberty because of how evocative brighteyed_jill's writing is.

In this fic, Gabriel and Luke are European immigrants quarantined on Ellis Island in the early twentieth century. The strength of Liberty lies in how well brighteyed_jill knows the time period; she brings the setting to life beautifully (especially the architecture of Ellis Island) and creates a slash relationship that is both believable and period appropriate. It's a non-powered AU, but Gabriel and Luke never feel out of character for it, and despite going by the moniker 'Gabriel', Gabriel is more purely Sylar than I've seen him in most fics.

One caveat is that it's written in the 2nd Person POV. Usually, I'm not a fan of 2nd Person POV fic at all, but somehow, brighteyed_jill makes it work, and as you read, you get a great insight into Gabriel's thoughts and motivations.

( Excerpt )

Liberty

Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: Lord Byron/Methos
Length: short story
Author on LJ: silvercobwebs
Author Website: None, but she has done a good job of tagging and using Memorable entries on LJ
Why this must be read: A well written, moody, first death story of Lord Byron, and Methos' part in the tale.

Lines Inscribed Upon a Cup Formed From a Skull

Fandom: SUPERNATURAL
Pairing: Dean/Castiel
Length: ~ 5700
Author on LJ: tracy_loo_who
Author Website: Dean/Castiel is Ruining My Life Tag
Why this must be read: Fandom's got a downright obsession with Castiel falling. I'm sure if we were the sort, someone somewhere would be running a betting pool based on that concept. But it's because we like to see the angel pushed to the very edge. How far will Castiel go to prove his love, his loyalty for Dean? Would he make that sacrifice, the ultimate sacrifice, for Dean Winchester, sinner, skeptic, and all around pain-in-the-angel-ass? Tracy lets us see what Castiel's going through as he comes to a decision, and it's heart-wrenching when you realize why it has to be that way.

tracy_loo_who is not only a prolific Dean/Cas writer, but she's what I think of as the head cheerleader for the ship. Her enthusiasm and delight in the pairing have been there from the beginning. She's amassed a fabulous rec list for the pairing as well, so if this month of recs isn't enough for you (and I'm sure it won't be), check out her thematic list.

( Castiel tries to stay out of Dean's dreams that night, he really does. )

Read the story and feedback the author: The One in Which Castiel Doesn't Fall

Of course the TV series Adventure Inc wasn't about naked midnight swims *cough*toobad*cough*, so even if the team indulged in between their adventures, as I'm sure they did *g*, here is also a story that could have been a part of the series.

Fandom: MICHAEL BIEHN CHARACTERS - Judson Cross from Adventure Inc.
Pairing: none
Length: short
Author on LJ: tarlanx
Author's website: Phoenix Michael Biehn website and Tarlan's fiction archive

Why this must be read:
As stated above, this story could have been a part of the series. It has the adventure, the historical artifact, the danger it brings the team in, the whisp of the supernatural that also was such a nice part of the series - but it has something else as well: namely the question about ethics. Because as good as it sounds, trying to find historically significant artifacts and bringing them to light for all of us to see and learn from, maybe doing that isn't always such a good idea. Maybe it might have consequences... serious consequences. And doing what you thought was harmless, and right, might not be so for others.


Grotesque mask

Fandom: SUPERNATURAL
Pairing: Dean/Castiel
Length: ~ 4150
Author on LJ: uschickens
Author Website: The Kitsch N Sync (boyband fic) and Story Things Tag on LJ
Why this must be read: So, you might pass by this fic because of the title - unless, of course, you're as old as I am and you get the reference to the 80s movie Short Circuit. And if you passed it by, you'd be missing out on a lovely short story complete with typical self-sacrificing Winchesters, and an angel who refuses to let that happen one more time.

I don't want to give the whole thing away, but we get to see Castiel as human, and how that changes him and his relationship with the boys in fundamental ways until one day Cas realizes he's got to leave them. Of course, it's only then that Dean realizes what he's lost. Not an angst-fest, I swear, although there's a small gut-wrench or two. Much humour in this and a more-or-less happy ending.

( Sam threw himself in front of the final seal ... So – naturally – Dean threw himself in front of Sam. )

Read the story and feedback the author: Number Five is Alive

Fandom: STARSKY & HUTCH
Pairing: Starsky/Hutch
Length: 17k
Author on LJ: ea_calendula
Author Website: HERE
Why this must be read:

I fell in love with this story the first time I read it; I think it’s just too cute and funny. =) Starsky and Hutch are in a committed relationship, and well, if you read the excerpt you’ll know what it’s about. ;)

Excerpt: "It's supposed to be a surprise, Starsk. It wouldn't be as much fun if I told you now." Hutch smiled. All week Starsky had tried to get him to tell about the restaurant where they were going tonight. He'd managed to keep it secret until now, but it hadn't been easy. He was looking forward to Starsky's reaction.

"Yeah. But, Hutch, should I wear a tie? Or a suit? How would I know if I gotta wear one, if you don't tell me where we're going? You're wearing a tie. Hutch?"

"Oh, I just felt like it. I don't think you need a tie—or a suit. Just a nice shirt. Here, what about this blue one?"

"So you don't think I need more than a shirt? No pants? Feeling a little kinky tonight?" he asked, raising an eyebrow and looking meaningfully at Hutch.

"No, of course you don't need to wear pants," Hutch said ironically and rolled his eyes. Really, Starsky was too much. "And the pants you're wearing already are fine. Just keep 'em on. And hurry up. We're late."

Taste

Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Pairing: John Sheppard/Rodney McKay
Length: novel-length
Author on LJ: icarusancalion
Author Website: Icarus.Slash.Fiction
Why this must be read:
This skating AU is fun! OK, so I adore ice skating anyway, but John and Rodney as skaters is a fantastic idea, and Icarus did a thorough job of creating a universe in which we get the John/Rodney dynamic along with skating.

On the Web in one file: Out of Bounds
Story post on LJ: Out of Bounds

Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Pairing: John Sheppard/Rodney McKay established relationship, John Sheppard/Rodney McKay/Evan Lorne
Length: long: 20,000 words
Author on LJ: shetiger
Author Website: Tigerlady's Twisted Thoughts or LJ Master fic list
Why this must be read:
This is a 2008 SGA Secret Santa story (sga_santa) that you might have missed. The threesome is fairly rare, plus the lengthy setup for it is noteworthy and pleasing. It's not random "aliens made them do it" smut, in other words. The setup feels very episode-like and at the same time like original world building. I wouldn't mind more adventures set on this planet, a sign of satisfying world creation.

Note: Diverges from canon after season 4, though there aren't any real spoilers from previous seasons, either.

Hottest Blood of All

Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: Jim/Blair
Length: 28k
Author on LJ: none
Author Website: Veronica's stories on 852 Prospect
Why this must be read:

Veronica's author's notes say that this was written "for Dolimir, who wanted a first kiss, some other stuff, and handcuffs." And it has all three, as well as Jim and Blair's trademark banter, which Veronica is a master at writing. But she had me completely at this, because I am a total sucker for a quiet, hurt Jim:

"It's okay, Sandburg. I can take a hint. I took my shot and you're not interested. End of story."

If I didn't know Jim's voice as well as my own, I never would've caught it, that tiny, emotion-roughened inflection that yanked me out of my free fall into misery. I'd been avoiding looking at him but I did now, surprised and a little unsettled by what I saw.

Jim, my Jim, my self-possessed, straight-shooting Jim, could not hide behind his offhand words. He was staring past me, his jaw clenched, both hands rolled into tight fists. Twin patches of dull red had risen across those high cheekbones, and even in the dim lighting of the hotel room, I could see the pain-filled shine in his eyes.

Never Let Go

Fandom: LIFE ON MARS
Pairing: Annie/Ray
Length: 1000ish words
Author on LJ: elfbert
Author Website: Elf at the Collator's Den
Why this must be read: Because I don't ship Chris and Ray (my own fault, I know) I rarely get a chance to see the sexy side of DS Carling. This little gem makes me sorry about that, and shows me an Annie that would be perfectly at home wielding that flogger we see her with in 2.04.  Just a perfect little PWP guilty pleasure.  Enjoy.

The Fic!