I think it is a crime that this beautiful story hasn't had a drive by from the van, but I am squeefully happy that I get to recommend it! And just in time for the weekend, a nice thick juicy story that you can sink your teeth into and enjoy.

Fandom: THE MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: Illya/Napoleon
Length: 52K
Author on LJ: saki101
Author Website: none
Why this must be read: Saki creates a gorgeous alternate world where Napoleon and Illya meet one another under very different circumstances and yet are still drawn together in an uncanny understanding of one another. Illya is still brooding, brilliant and explosive. Napoleon is still observant, insightful and a strategist. In this other time and place they meet and the tension they create, that Saki writes, between them is stunning and compelling. The build up is slow and sensuous and the payoff is beautiful and heartwrenching. This is a story that I not only read again and again, it is a world I want to sink into and never return from, it is very often a little virtual vacation I indulge myself in. Give this story a try, I promise it will stay with you in all the very best ways, lingering like a trace of scent or echo of music, just out of range of your awareness, teasing you to return to it.


Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

part Five

Part Six

And please remember, if you enjoy this story, a comment to the author is all the payment they get! Show
them some love!


Added Note!
While this story is whole and complete in itself, Saki does note that she plans to add to this story, which can only be wonderful, more of this Alternate Universe is a very very good thing, I think.

Sorry for the late arrival, but the Bentley's warmed up and ready to go, and I'm thrilled to be able to shine a light on some stories featuring (mainly) everyone's favourite angel/demon.

Fandom: GOOD OMENS
Pairing: Aziraphale/Crowley friendship (pre-slash if you wish)
Length: 9947 words
Author on LJ: amberdiceless
Author Website: Stories at the Good Omens Library
Why this must be read: This is an older story, but it's absolutely one of my favourites and I reread it often. The voices of the characters are wonderful, and I have a soft spot for angels who find a way to defend their demon friends, even in the face of Death. Our two friends find themselves in a war zone - each doing his part to spur the efforts in the appropriate direction - when a young boy gets caught in the crossfire. The angel reacts, but not quickly enough, and it's up to Crowley to save them both, but at a terrible price ...

( 'Angel...I did something ssstupid, didn't I,' Crowley said with a feeble attempt at a grin. )

Read the story: Be Ye Therefore Merciful

Don't forget to feedback the author - it doesn't matter how old or new the story is. Authors love to hear from you!

Fandom: NARUTO
Pairing: gen; mentions past Naruto/Sakura
Length: 11k
Author on LJ: roachpatrol 
Author Website: Some at LJ and others at FF.net
Why this must be read:

This is a time travel story. But it's not like other time travel stories. It's complete. It also doesn't do that hokey not-changing-things-too-much thing and isn't a retread of the series. Naruto is twelve again, and he doesn't really remember too many details of what happened the first time around and isn't any good at being twelve.

It starts out dark and ends up a comedy. The last chapter has some of my favorite lines from Naruto fic ever.

Second Chances

Fandom: POWER RANGERS
Pairing: Adam/Rocky
Length: one-shot
Author on LJ: lielabell
Author Website: lielabellfic
Why this must be read: One of my all time favorite episodes is Always a Chance - Adam comes back after losing his powers to help out Carlos, the new Black Ranger. During the episode we discover that Adam is still carrying around his broken morpher, and he uses it, even though he knows that it could kill him. This piece gets into Adam's head and discusses why Adam would want to do something like that, and goes into his relationship with Rocky. It's a heartbreaking character study, and definitely worth reading. (Warning for implied self harm)

Fade Away

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Gen; Gwen, Morgana
Length: ~1,000
Author on LJ: [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com]
Author Website: Stories at Archive of Our Own
Why this must be read:

Because this author's characterization of Gwen and her perspective of life in the castle is very well done. Gwen and Morgana's friendship is one of my favorite parts of the show, and to see it so effortlessly done in this piece makes this story one of my favorites.

She'd rather be making something useful than practicing hacking apart defenseless wooden targets, although she's glad she knows enough about weapons not to feel helpless in a fight. She thinks, though she wouldn't say so, that it's not really harder to take things apart than it is to make them; it's not really harder to kill people than it is to keep them safe.

Mending

Fandom: HEROES
Pairing: Zach/Claire
Length: 2,207
Author on LJ: [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com]
Author Website: Fic Master List
Why this must be read:

If there is one character that I missed most after Season 1, it would have to be Zach. He and Claire's friendship was so great to see in those earlier episodes, the trust she has in him was just so heartwarming; I can't get enough of these two.

She comes to him with a proposal. They haven't spoken since sixth grade when he thinks he might have helped her carry a big box of something and she smiled at him. Now, she comes to him with a proposal and she looks about as confused about it as he does.

Cutting Room Floor