The Art of Driving, by Yalena78 (PG13)

[anenko.livejournal.com]

Fandom: ALIAS
Pairing: Lauren Reed/Julia Thorne (Sydney Bristow)
Author on LJ: yalena78
Author’s Website: Unknown
Why this must be read:

The femslash04 challenge provided a treasure-trove of well-written femslash, for which I am incredibly grateful--especially as there would be even less well-written Lauren fics without this community.

This is still very much *Sydney’s* story: we are drawn into her confusion and uncertainty as Sydney begins to remember her time as Julia Thorne. . . and Lauren. “The Art of Driving” manages to convey Sydney’s emotional state clearly, without veering into melodrama.

She folds up the dreams into a thousand tiny squares, forgets them, goes on with her day.

This routine goes on for weeks.

Then, one night, the view changes. One face becomes clearer than any of the others. The lights come up and Julia hears her own name being whispered like an incantation, as if she is being summoned by someone who understands how to manipulate the will of the gods. Sickly-sweet lipstick presses into her tongue, or perhaps it's the other way around; she tries to locate the familiar taste of skin beneath this artificial surface. She succeeds only in drawing blood as the other woman finds her own success, fingers expertly dancing routines her own are only now learning.

"Julia," the blonde sighs, afterward.

"Lauren," Julia mutters.

Sydney wakes up in a cold sweat.

The Art of Driving