Fandom: SPOOKS (MI-5)
Pairing: Lucas North / Kate Masters (original character), Harry Pearce / Ruth Evershed
Length: Novel (150,000 words)
Author on LJ: not that I know of
Author Website: fanfiction.net and Wattpad

Why this must be read:

Lucas as introduced in series 7 had enough backstory for several mini-series and enough angst to fuel a small nation. This story explores his history and character in depth, against the background of section D’s exploits to prevent a bioterrorism attack.

The story is built around some of the fanfic’s time-honored staples (original fictional character, explicit romantic scenes, hurt/comfort and graphic accounts of torture and imprisonment), but nonetheless manages to make the characters very human and engaging. The focus is primarily on Lucas and the original character Kate Masters, but there are some nice Ros, Malcolm, and Jo moments, and Ruth and Harry get a bit of space to develop their relationship as well.

The plot is built well, with plenty of twists and cliffhangers, but the story also succeeds in creating genuine investment in the characters – not just genuine suspense about what happens next, but in the fates of the characters as well.

Excerpt:

Leaning against the railing he looked out over the river Thames, his constant companion on his long lonely runs. Glancing around he registered his surroundings, the majestic Tower Bridge and Tower of London on the opposite side. Lucas smiled at the irony, he ran to escape his visions of a prison and ended up outside of one of the most famous prisons in the world. A psychologist would probably say that no matter how far he ran, he would never out run his demons. He knew he had to face them, but half the time he had no idea what woke him. They were not visions, just feelings of terror. Lucas sighed, where did one even begin to start to address something so intangible?

The Gruinard Project on Wattpad (less explicit) and fanfiction.net (unexpurgated version)

Fandom: SPOOKS (MI-5)
Pairing: Adam Carter / Lucas North
Length: Eight shorts (about 15,000 words total)
Author on LJ: paperclipbitch
Author Website: Other fandoms masterlist

Why this must be read:

For two characters who had three scenes and ten minutes onscreen together, Adam and Lucas had some pretty impressive chemistry (of the complete-opposites-completely-messed-up-by-spying sort).

This series follows the two of them episode by episode through an AU series 7 where Adam survived long enough to persistently hang around the only guy in MI-5 more damaged than he is. There’s some wonderful, sharp dialogue. Adam and Lucas don’t banter so much as snarl at each other and circle warily, two cagey survivors just trying to make it through another day. There is angst and there is bonding, and there is a fascinating take on both Lucas and Adam’s characters, just never quite like you’d expect.

Excerpt:

Three days later, and the ringing in Adam’s ears has finally died down. In fact, the injuries from the bomb blast are less extreme than he would have expected; he managed to find enough cover so all he has are a few unattractive grazes and some mild burns. He’s relieved, to say the least.

Lucas’ smile flickers smoothly when he pulls the door open. His eyes are red-rimmed from exhaustion and he’s too pale, but he’s still standing. He leans against the open door, fixing Adam with a steady blue-eyed stare; it’s meant to intimidate but Adam won’t back down.

“I have pizza,” Adam states. He’s not trying to placate Lucas, just offering the facts.

Lucas raises an eyebrow. “Is this some kind of I’m sorry for thinking you were a traitor gift?” he asks, voice a scrape of amusement.

Adam shakes his head. “It’s just pizza,” he says, and doesn’t wait for Lucas to invite him in.

Half The Truth Series:
And Tell Me What I Never See
Everything In Full Swing
A Lot Of Bad Behaviour
Waste Of Paper
‘Cause A Ghost Don’t Feel Love Or Nothing
One Two Three (But Only You And Me)
Looking Through The Mirror
And I Should Know Better

Enjoy!

Dark Of The Heart