Fandom: JAMES BOND SKYFALL/ PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: Bond/Q, Finch & Reese
Length: 36k
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read: Two MI6 operatives are killed in New York. Apparently collateral damage. Bond takes a detour on his way home from a case in Mexico to take a deeper look, Q in tow. Not so surprisingly, the deeper look turns up some very interesting connections - and a special CIA unit with a supernatural edge...
I was initially reluctant to read this fic, mostly because I ship the hell out of M/Bond (my absolute het OTP), but I have to admit I love this story. It is part of a wider series based in the Skyfall fandom but it can be read entirely on its own. The primary focus is on Bond/Q as they are the main characters in the story arc, but there are plenty of lovely Finch Reese interactions. Be warned though it is not only a crossover it also has supernatural elements.

Extract
“You just bring me in? As a favor to the CIA?”
He shrugged.
“Too bad I’m going to disappoint you,” Reese stated easily.
Bond sighed. It would have surprised him if matters had gone smoothly.
Oh well.
He had tried.

Lunatic by Macx

Fandom: THE AVENGERS (movieverse)
Pairing: Clint Barton/Phil Coulson
Length: ~ 2723 words
Author on LJ: sabinelagrande
Author Website: sabinelagrande's stories on AO3
Why this must be read: Like the last rec, this one has a road-trip, although in this one it's the destination, not the journey that's important. There are a lot of stories that focus on Clint finding out that Phil is alive and how he deals with that. I like this one because Clint is determined to get answers no matter what the risk, and his reaction to the whole situation is realistically complex. He's happy, he's angry, he's desperate, he's screwed-up, he's resigned, he's insecure--but at least he's taken the first step to having some kind of resolution, even though he isn't certain when he sets out what that resolution might be. I also like the almost domestic aspect of this story, and how surreal it seems in light of the broader context; it's been my experience that sometimes reality is more surreal than anything we could dream up.

( 'How fucking arrogant are you?' Clint snaps, disgusted; he stands up, pacing, because it's just impossible to rage at somebody from a rocking chair. )

On AO3: wondered how tomorrow could ever follow today

If you enjoy the story, remember to feedback the author!

Fandom: THE AVENGERS (movieverse)
Pairing: Clint Barton/Phil Coulson
Length: ~ 25,450 words
Author on LJ: topaz119; t_fic (fic journal)
Author Website: topaz's stories on AO3; Index of Stories on LJ
Why this must be read: When someone hurts you or disappoints you it can be hard to forgive them, but it can also be unsettling if you find yourself wanting to forgive them, to have them back in your life. This story deals with that complex mix of emotions when Clint and the team find out Phil is alive and well, a year after the incident with Loki. Phil's living somewhat nearby, teaching classics and history to graduate students (who are thrilled when Clint shows up at one class with a Welsh longbow to show them). The story's a slow unravelling of the anger Clint feels, as he comes to terms with all of his other emotions about Coulson. Again, it's one of those stories that feels authentic as the characters struggle to deal with a new, unplanned-for future. It also has some nice team cameos, and a lovely Clint+Natasha friendship.

( It's not the first time Clint's looked at a random guy in a dark suit and seen Phil. )

On AO3: doesn't matter if I bleed

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Title: Out of Joint by HonorH
Pairing: Gen? (Subtle Nine / Rose, Nine / Rose/ Jack, Jack flirting with absolutely everybody, some background Mal/Inara)
Author on LJ: honorh
Author Website: A Teaspoon and an Open Mind archive
Why this must be read:
A mysterious incident in the Time Vortex forces the TARDIS to set down on Serenity. Mal finds a few headaches, the Doctor finds a mystery, and River finds someone who speaks her language.

Such a perfectly done crossover where Nine, Rose, and Jack crash land on Serenity and need a little time to fix the Tardis back up. There's fantastic characterization, interesting plot devices, some fantastic interaction between the characters, and Captain Jack flirting with absolutely everybody. Nine's interactions with Mal have the undercurrent of recognition between them- of haunted soldiers- and there's a great air of mutual respect between the characters that works so well for the world this story is taking place in.

There is a lovely short sequel where Ten and Martha run into Mal and his crew some years later which is also worth reading.

Out of Joint

Title: It's Genetics. Unfortunately. by Lisgreomg
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur, Gwen/Lancelot
Author on LJ: lisgreomg
Author Website: Ao3
Why this must be read:
Merlin Holmes, the youngest Holmes brother, reaches out to Sherlock for help finding a friend that has gone missing.

Reincarnated Merlin (with all his memories) is the youngest Holmes (brother to a Sherlock- and John- reincarnated from Victorian times) who's a little estranged from the family because his brothers don't like Arthur very much.
But Lance has disappeared and Sherlock suspects Moriarty might be responsible, so it's off to Cardiff they all go.

There is some fun interplay between the characters here, from Merlin and his friends who are all aware of the reincarnated cycle of their lives, Sherlock and Mycroft who Do Not Approve of Merlin's friends, and John who's a bit completely in the dark but always by Sherlock's side. There's a mystery for Sherlock to solve, and the Holmes version of family prevails a little in the end.
Morgana seems to be working In Government and her showdowns with Mycroft are quite amusing.

It's Genetics. Unfortunately.

Title: Hunter's Haven by Morgan Briarwood (morgan32)
Pairing: Gen
Author on LJ:
Author Website: Ao3
Why this must be read:
Haven, Maine is a town full of mysteries, but even among the weirdness, John Winchester is a puzzle. At first, Audrey Parker is only intrigued. When a series of strange deaths appears to involve him, she decides she needs to solve the puzzle soon. But John, too, is trying to solve one of Haven's mysteries, and this one involves Audrey herself.

Gabriel pulls John Winchester out of Hell and leaves him in Haven. And John can't leave town.
This universe provides some Supernatural-universe explanations for the events and Troubles in Haven while keeping the Haven characters truthful to their own show. John Winchester's an interesting addition to the Trouble filled Haven, and Audrey might have a more epic history than she might imagine.

It's a great creative mashup of two universes that really seems to have nothing to do with each other, but manages to keep all the elements of those two canon true to their own internal logic.
There are passing references to the timeline in Supernatural up the end of season 6.

Hunter's Haven

This month's crossover/fusion rec.

Fandom: Teen Wolf / Hell Boy
Pairing: Derek/Stiles
Length: 12,918
Author Website: pandacowhipster
Author's Summary: There are things that go bump in the night, make no mistake. These are the dudes that bump back.
Why this must be read: This is the Teen Wolf characters in a new setting, part of The Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense and a little changed. A solid world build and a nice use of the freedom of changing the characters into extraordinary creatures.

( Excerpt )

We're All Freaks Here

Title: Branching Out by Mhalachai
Pairing: none; gen
Author on LJ: mhalachaiswords
Author Website: Mhalachai's Writing
Why this must be read :

Author's Summary:Jennifer Jareau's first day as liaison for the Department of Defense really wasn't what she expected.

I really like what mhalachi did with JJ's character and how she was brought into the Stargate program. Her abrupt departure during the beginning of Season 6 of Criminal Minds is explained so well. The reason she is brought into the Stargate program is genius and dealt with in a manner that brings depth to her character and gives us a view into the future of the program itself. Mhalachi's characterizations breath with life and her voices are spot on. I thoroughly enjoyed JJ meeting the Stargate world and all the wonder that 'verse entails. Definitely a story that will give you an urging for more of the same.

Branching Out

Title / Author: Follow You Into The Dark by Misachan
Pairing: Clint Barton/Phil Coulson, Clint/Phil/Natasha (briefly implied)
Length: ~ 13,782 words
Author on LJ: misachan
Author Website: Misachan's stories on AO3; Masterlist of Fic on LJ
Why this must be read: Clint Barton tries to make a deal with a crossroads demon to wipe his ledger clean after the Helicarrier attack. However, they'll only let him reclaim one lost soul in exchange for giving up his own soul ten years down the line. Unfortunately, being an Avenger is dangerous work and Clint doesn't get those 10 years.

With a little help, Natasha and Phil set about trying to bring Clint back from Hell. Part of what I love about this story is how the three characters are devoted to one another. I also liked the journey through Hell, how vivid and terrifying it is, reinforcing how much you have to care about someone to be willing to risk everything for them. It's a story of friendship and love, and well worth reading.

(The Mature rating on this story is more for violence and the disturbing nature of Hell than anything sexual.)

( 'None of what happened was your fault,' Coulson said again, softening his voice. )

On AO3: Follow You Into The Dark

If you enjoy the story, remember to feedback the author!

Fandom: STARGATE SG1
Pairing: mostly gen but background Jack/Sam
Length: ~49,000 words
Author on LJ: redbyrd_sgfic
Author Website: Redbyrd's Stargate Fanfiction
Why this must be read:

Author's Summary: Charlie Kawalsky and Samantha Carter are astonished at the differences they find in this perfect alternate reality where their friends are alive and the Goa'uld attack has been averted. After they return home, they are faced with the enormous task of rebuilding Earth's failed defenses and they know they need to make some changes. Number one on their list..recruit Daniel Jackson.

This is one of those stories that is truly among the best that Stargate SG-1 ficcage can offer. It builds on the Season 3 episode "Point of View" in an extremely intriguing way. Not only do we get to explore that episode through the eyes of alterate!Kawalsky (a truly unique and gratifying POV), we get to see how his reality starts to rebuild after the defeat of the Goa'uld. Redbyrd explores the impact of this utterly defining event, the way society is reshaped, how people take such a explosive revealing of the Stargate program, and we get to see how slowly, and at times jarringly, Earth starts to rebuild both itself and their Stargate program.

And yet, Redbyrd still keeps the story intimate as she explores the impact of this episode's events on Kawalsky, his Sam, his Daniel, and the others from his reality. Among the epic missions and rebuilding, we get scenes like friends relaxing over conversation and a friendly glass of brandy. We end the fic with a feeling that this reality is headed in the right direction with a bright future all around. For a fic that revolves around a completely alternate reality than the one we know, the reader is rivited to every word and utterly wants to know the outcome for our alternate team.

Rearranging Fate