Fandom: DUE SOUTH
Pairing: Benton Fraser/Ray Kowalski (in the background)
Length: A little over 1,000 words
Author on LJ: simplystars
Author Website: Her Fic Index
Why this must be read:

First of all, there can't never be enough Dief-centric fics in the world.

Written from Dief's POV, simplystars uses the 'Five Things' genre to give us a full picture of how our favourite half-wold sees the world. This is a very sweet and funny fic as Dief compares Christmas in Chicago and up in the Northwest Territories. What elevates this story to awesome is how Stars doesn't forget that Dief is part-wolf. As a result, there is a certain edge to his observations that keeps the story from becoming sappy.

A worthy read.

( An excerpt )


A Half-Wolf Christmas in Chicago (Link goes to the due South Seekrit Santa Archive)

Fandom: DUE SOUTH
Pairing: Benton Fraser/Ray Kowalski
Length: Less than 10,000 words
Author on LJ: china_shop
Author Website: Her website and her Delicious tags
Why this must be read:

Following an explosion while in pursuit of a suspect called Amy Earhart, RayK, his 'unofficial' partner as well as some of the members of the 2-7 end up with broken bones and lacerations. In Fraser's case, he is ordered not to talk for at least 48 hours lest he causes permanent damage to his vocal cords.

Having a temporarily mute!Fraser wouldn't usually be a problem for RayK except that they are in the middle of a case. Because this is a due South story, the most normal solution is for RayK to gain the ability to talk to Diefenbaker.

Soon enough, RayK and Dief are arguing and Fraser is trying to keep them on track long enough to find the criminal. Oh, and there's the small matter of how RayK and Fraser's relationship is shifting into something more intimate, romantic.

A funny, slightly cracky and very due South story, Cryptonomicon is a total must read.

( An excerpt )

Crytonomicon (Link goes to china_shop's website)

Fandom: DUE SOUTH
Pairing: None for the most part but there is a hint of pre-slash Benton Fraser/Ray Kowalski in the background.
Length: Medium length
Author on LJ: sageness
Author Website: (or a link to where more of their fic is archived) Her website, her fics at AO3 and her Delicious tags
Why this must be read:

Because this is an alternate reality in which Ray Vecchio gets Stella Kowalski as his new partner in the fallout of the Victoria story arc. FWIW, Vecchio has always been a good detective and Sage's fic reminds us of that fact as Vecchio, still reeling from his rift with Fraser, learns to adapt to a whole new set of partnership dynamics.

Often maligned in fandom, Stella Kowalski simply shines as a smart and perceptive woman who is trying to make her mark in the Chicago Police Department. Her wits and ambition are developed to the point that her budding partnership with Vecchio becomes something delicious to behold. Due to the quality of the writing and the originality of the story, it doesn't take much to imagine that things could have happened this way after the due South episode "Letting Go."

In addition, Sage doesn't let the casefic (of stolen art) veer off into the realms of OTT. Detectives Vecchio and Kowalski follow procedure which adds a oomph to the story. Plus, we get to see Welsh and the Duck Boys working along Vecchio and Stella.

Finally, while there are no actual romantic vibes between Vecchio and Stella, there is something on the verge of happening between Fraser and Assistant State Attorney Ray Kowalski. This is subtle as the story (rightly) focuses on Vecchio and Stella working side by side.

If you are a fan of casefics or great genfic, DO read this story.

You can thank me later. :)

( An excerpt )

The Hypotenuse of a Right Triangle (Link goes to the due South Seekrit Santa Archive)

Fandom: DC COMICS
Pairing: Guy Gardner/Kyle Rayner
Length: One-shot story, about 3,000 words
Author on LJ: crimsonquills
Author Website: Crimsonquills.com
Why this must be read:

To my delight, crimsonquills has recently discovered the joy of Guy Gardner/Kyle Rayner Green Lantern slash. She noted that in her exhaustive study of fic for the pairing, she discovered there was no story featuring penetrative sex between the two, and she set about to fix that. The results are FANTASTIC. The basic story is that the two Green Lanterns find themselves saddled with devices that force them to tell the truth, and...well, things go from there. It's just the kind of crazy fic trope I love to see played out, and she does it with pizazz.

Excerpt: "I'm not sure how you're supposed to learn anything from this," Kyle grumbled. He slid his fingers under the edge of the flat, gold band that encircled his neck and scratched at the skin. "You're the most up front, blunt person I know."

Guy snorted from where he lay stretched out on a plush, couch-like object. Designed for a Sgretian, his feet hung off the end, but it was easily wide enough for his shoulders, even with his hands folded behind head. "Blunt ain't the same as truthful."

Truths

Fandom: Supernatural
Pairing: Chuck/Becky
Author on LJ: girl_wonder
Author Website: The Obligatory Fic Listing
Why this must be read: Regardless of the way the character was portrayed on the show (and fandom’s reaction to her), the Becky as portrayed in fanfiction is really kind of awesome. I mean, come on, if anyone is going to save the world it’ll totally be a fangirl.

( Excerpt )

How Becky Totally Saved the World

Fandom: STARSKY AND HUTCH
Pairing: Starsky and Hutch
Length: one-shot
Author on LJ: racric
Author Website:http://leaningbirch.com./Welcome.html
Why this must be read:

This is one hot little story! I love Rae's writing. She writes the boys the way I like them. This takes place eleven days into their new relationship as a couple in every way. Hutch is totally in his head and he uses every possible method from counting tile to thinking about his first kiss, anything to keep from jumping Starsky's bones. Starsky is fire spitting mad and ranting and Hutch is supposed to be listening. Well you get the picture. Rae does warn that this is a no lube story, but don't worry it all works out in the end!LOL!

Eleven days into their new relationship, Starsky blows a gasket over some work thing that Hutch doesn't even know about. He uses some swear words Hutch hasn't heard in a while.



He puts on a show that's almost as good as some of the fireworks Hutch remembers from Fourth of Julys in the park behind the high school football field. Which reminds Hutch of a certain first kiss way back behind the field house with—what was her name? Oh, Darlene something. She'd had brown wavy hair worn long, and pulled back with a flimsy yellow bow. He'd pulled on the bow until her hair had tumbled all over her shoulders and his . . .



"Are you even listening to me?" Starsky shouts from less than a foot away.



"Of course," Hutch says. "Pigs will never fly, though."





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