Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: Jim/Blair
Length: 34K
Author on LJ: astolat
Author Website: http://www.intimations.org/fanfic/

Why this must be read: It’s an engrossing alternate reality story off of a pivotal episode. Over the past year, I’ve participated in many episode discussions. It’s given me an appreciation for how authors try to fill in those gaping canon holes and how, sometimes, veering off the canon path can be very satisfying.

“Dream” starts in one of the most angsty episodes of the series; Night Shift. Just after Jim has read and is angered by Blair’s opening chapter of his dissertation, Blair reacts by offering to tear it up. In the episode, of course, it’s frustration talking; eventually they come to an accord and Blair continues to write it. But what if, instead, Blair decided to follow through on his offer to destroy his work? What’s going through his head? This is what’s covered in the story and it is as angst-filled as the episode itself.


( here's a taste )
Lady of Shalott shows us a Blair that has to take a hard look at his methods and his motivations; facing the fact that his objectivity has fallen by the wayside. Enjoy

Dream Deferred

Feedback makes the world go ‘round. Giving some will make you and the author feel great!

Hello! I am Loz. I'm here for another stint behind the Cortina Crack Van. I'm going to rec mostly gen, femslash, poly and het this month, simply because I can.

Fandom: LIFE ON MARS UK
Pairing: Gen
Length: 21,660 words.
Author on LJ: chamekke
Author Website: LJ Masterlist/On AO3
Why this must be read: Sometimes you read a story that you never want to put down. Sometimes you read one that is so touching it makes you cry. Sometimes you read one that boggles your mind with how clever it is. And sometimes, if you're very lucky, you read There's a Land of Begin Again, which does all three. Chamekke has written a rich, engaging story that is at times both gut-wrenching and comedic, beautiful and brutal, mind-bending and sense-making.

Towards the end of the second series of Life on Mars the suggestion is given that the protagonist Sam Tyler is actually Sam Williams, a man of his time who is suffering amnesia and delusion sparked by a recent car accident, triggering memories of the collision that killed his parents in 1950. In the show this storyline is ultimately a red herring, but in this story it is explored in depth. 'After the jump' Sam finds himself waking up as a twelve year old boy in hospital in 1950; not as Tyler anymore, but Williams. And who should be in the bed next to him but a teenaged Gene Hunt, a young man who has to deal with an alcoholic, physically abusive father.

The thing that impresses me so much about this fic is that the characterisation, the dynamics, and the plot are entangled in the world of Life on Mars, they absolutely inform one another, and yet the level of well-researched detail and the cleverness of the story can make this an enjoyable read even if you've never seen the show.

Every time I read this story I notice something new. Every time I am transported to another world. Every time I feel all the feelings. It's a brilliant read.

( Excerpt )

There's a Land of Begin Again

Fandom: GENERATION KILL
Pairing: Brad Colbert/Nate Fick
Length: 5409
Author on LJ: nightanddaze
Author Website: nightanddaze
Why this must be read:

Since the last rec depressed even me, here's a different look at the guys in theater. Told from Nate's POV, Brad gets himself a Sharpie and starts marking people up, just for kicks. But it's about so much more than that: the small amusements they cling to in the midst of the crazy, the impermanence of all things, how things change and how they don't. I especially love the way Brad and Nate negotiate their thing, both in Iraq and when they're home and done, only maybe Nate doesn't want to be done. Wonderful shades to all their interaction, told in nightanddaze's gorgeously tactile writing. And it'll make you smile.

( Excerpt )

Don’t Lick Your Fingers When You Turn the Page

Fandom: HAWAII FIVE-0 (NEW)
Pairing: Steve/Danny (preslash)
Length: 6,345 words
Author on LJ: somehowunbroken
Author Website: LJ Masterlist and AO3 Profile
Why this must be read:

This fic was written for the 2011 zombiebang and may be one of the more unique fusions ever conceived. This fic fuses the play "Waiting for Godot" with Hawaii Five-0 and adds zombies. For those of you who find that a bit questionable let me just assure you that this is an absolutely brilliant fic.

This isn't a typical fic by any stretch of the imagination, but it is full of great dialogue and clever writing. If you are familiar with "Waiting for Godot" you will probably realize that there isn't much action in this fic, but instead it is about painting the scene and the characters. The most important thing about this fic is how you feel when reading it.

I can promise you that you will never read another take on a zombie apocalypse quite like it.

( An Excerpt )

Holding Pattern

Fandom: MARVEL COMICS (AVENGERS MOVIEVERSE)
Pairing: Steve/Tony
Length: 890 words
Author on LJ: sheafrotherdon
Author Website: AO3 Profile
Why this must be read:

Tony Stark is an extremely complicated character. He has an undeniably strong will and yet is broken in numerous ways both subtle and not. Instead of painting him in broad strokes that highlight his narcissism and rudeness, this fic touches on his pain and shows how he cares for Steve.

Both Steve and Tony have gone through a lot in their lives and this fic is a snapshot, showing their quiet struggle with PTSD as a result. Tony is there for Steve as he adjusts to a new era and we get a glimpse of how he had to deal with his own trauma with only JARVIS to support him. This fic is short but leaves you aching.

( An Excerpt )

Twenty Twelve