Fandom: LIFE ON MARS
Pairing: Sam/Gene
Length: approx 1200 words
Author on LJ: fawsley
Author Website: Link to the memories at Life in 1973 community
Why this must be read: Sam and Gene are absent from work and no one can get hold of them so Chris goes round to their homes to have a look for them. What will he find when he tracks them down? *g*. This is a lovely, light hearted story that is told from Chris’ perspective and Faws captures Chris’ character wonderfully. This fic is funny, with lots of innuendo, sweet and romantic, clever, and vivid in the picture it paints. Fantastic and guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

( Excerpt )


Off the Hook

Fandom: STAR WARS
Pairing: None
Length: 3960 words
Author on LJ: madman007
Author's Website: FFN profile
Why this fic must be read:

The Force isn't often a character in a fic, but it is in this one. When training methods of Jedi and clones come to a showdown, which will be the last one standing? Obi-Wan, Padawans and clones all want to know. This story has the answer, a strong sense of the characters of Zett Jukassa, Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Force and a certain Clone Commander. Tinges of humor, a few cliffies despite its short length, this story's tone sets it apart from other Clone Wars offerings as it marches to a very satisfying conclusion. Plus, a clone story seemed appropriate, given that it's Clone Sundae over on capslock_cw.


Vote of No Confidence

Fandom: Due South
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski
Length: 1890 words
Author on LJ: kindkit
Author Website: Kindkit’s Fic on AO3
Why this must be read: Not only has bethbethbeth written some wonderful Due South stories which have been recced here, she also has an amazing Multi Fandom Recs Page that I visit often. Many of my favorite Due South stories can be found there. Waiting for the Weird is one of those stories I read every time I visit the recs page, and I never grow tired of it (sidenote: the story is incorrectly listed as one of Sage's and the link is wrong, but I love the story enough to hunt it down. I'm not sure what happened to the original link and as far as I know all other links on the page are correct. The story is sweet and so full of Ray and Fraser's love for each other. I love the way we see Fraser through Ray's eyes and see not only how much Ray loves Fraser, but how much Fraser makes Ray feel loved. One of my happy place, comfort stories.

( Excerpt )

Waiting for the Weird

Title: Snapshots
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Mica Davies
Author on LJ: tearoseandhoney
Author Website: Fic Tag
Why this must be read:

This story picks up after Children of Earth and tells the story of Mica Davies. She's her uncles neice, but she's also her own person and the life she leads is no less extraordinary than any that came before her.

This is a stark and painful and brutal look at the world that exits in Torchwood and what comes next. Have tissues ready.

Also, this is some extraordinary world building and is just beautifully done.

Excerpt: Mica Davies is special.
She knew she was. Not because sometimes Mrs Griffiths would look at her books and give her a sticker, then go on and on about ‘potential’ and ‘effort’ and making something of herself. And not because after the funeral, her dad had pulled her and David close (her dad who was good at racing on the computer and piggyback rides round the house and funny faces) and told them that they were good and special and needed to help Mum for the next little while. Not because her mum had started looking at her (usually when she got up from in front of the telly, something she’s started doing more and more since her uncle died, and went to boss her brother around or find out what her dad’s latest scheme is) and sighing and telling her she was sensible, just like Ianto. And not even because Gwen Cooper (Gwen who has a gun and fights soldiers and aliens and everything) came round every week to play with her and David, or take them out for ice-cream. Sometimes she came round at other times to sit with Mica by herself and tell her stories about her uncle, little things that made them both laugh. Mica knew she was special because of The Man.

Snapshots

In addition to Torchwood, I'm also reccing DBZ on crack_van. I'm getting a late start, but this fandom still has a large piece of my geeky heart.

Title: "Mrs. Chestnut, about your daughter...."
Fandom: Dragon Ball Z
Characters: Marron, Android 18
Author on LJ: C.S. Hayden
Author Website: http://www.fanfiction.net/u/14853/CSHayden
Why this must be read:

In a fandom that is primarily about boys beating up other boys, it's nice to see the girls get some recognition. Even if one of those girls is the indomnitable Android 18.

This is a future fic dealing with Krillan and Android 18's daughter, Marron, who is having trouble with bullies at school… and her mother's advice on how to handle it.

Excerpt: Marron stared miserably at her shoes. The other girls' parents had already gone into Mr. Fitzpatrick's office, their muffled voices rising and falling indignantly through the thick door. She could hear hissing whispers a few seats away and ventured a sidelong glance through the blonde fringe of her bangs. Jetta and her cronies were huddled together, gossiping as usual and casting vicious looks at her.

"This is it, Chestnut," Jetta taunted from the safety of her little social club. "Once my dad is through with Fitzpatrick, you'll be expelled and no school in town will take you."

"Where's your little shrimp of a father?" another girl, Missy or Muffy -- Marron could never keep their silly names straight - sneered as she popped her gum. "Betcha he's too scared to come."

The outer office door opened and firm footsteps strode towards them. Marron looked up and nearly fainted with relief. "Mom!"

Eighteen ignored the other girls and went straight to her daughter. The ex-android was dressed in a chic pants suit and perfectly groomed - but with a no-nonsense look in her eye. "Are you all right?" she demanded. "What was that moron talking about?"

"I'm okay," Marron answered reluctantly, not wanting to blubber in front of everyone, "but they started it."

"Did not!"

"Liar!!"

Looking over her daughter's shoulder, Eighteen swept a frigid stare over the covey of girls that stunned them into silence. She took in the disheveled state of their clothes, the assorted bruises and bumps, and large bald patches in their hair. Turning back to Marron, she gave her the barest smile.

"Mrs. Chestnut, about your daughter...."

Title: Judgment
Fandom: Dragon Ball Z
Characters: Piccolo, Kami, Others
Author on LJ: Vespera
Author Website: http://www.fanfiction.net/u/7331/Vespera
Why this must be read:

A big part of DBZ is the idea of redemption and how someone who was once evil, and who bears the guilt of murder, can still be a source of immeasurable good in the world. The most prime example is Piccolo.

Once the feared Demon King, once the mortal enemy of Son Goku, he later became the most trusted and beloved friend, and the one whom Son Gohan loved second best.

This is the story of his redemption. It takes place after the Battle with Nappa in the Saiyan Saga.

Excerpt: I think I knew that bastard's intention even before he did.
I saw the murderous glint in his eyes, as that thick lip curled in a nasty snarl. I've seen that kind of rage light up many a warrior's eyes... but this time, there was no helpless alarm behind the glare.
This brute actually had the kind of unnatural power to do something about it.
I took one look at that thickheaded Saiyan, and I could read his mind.
Kill... kill... kill...
Not very sophisticated, but he got points for focus.
Then, I took one look in the direction his burning gaze was directed.
Gohan.
Judgment