Nine Tenths of the Law by Gwen (NC-17)

[ultraviolet730.livejournal.com]

Hi - I'm Sarah, your September Oz dealer. Now that I have my act together, I can finally post my first recommendation. Just to let you know: I'm a B/Ker who pretends Season 666 never happened. But I'll try to broaden my horizons - and yours - with my recs.

Fandom: OZ
Pairing: Beecher/Keller 
Author on LJ: Author is Gwen; don't know if she is on LJ
Website: cellblock 5
Why this must be read: It's an Oz fanfic classic. It's funny and sexy, smart and sad. The writing is superb. And even in this alternate universe, you'll recognize Keller and Beecher in all of their flawed, fucked-up glory.

Author's summary: Boy meets boy, boy blackmails boy, boys do crazy stuff while breaking several laws that aren't any fun anyway.

Okay, so my horizon-broadening didn't extend beyond B/K. But this story does broaden their horizons, taking them from behind the glass of EmCity and onto the open road without diminishing their rich characterizations or raw appeal. (Note: Other Ozzies do make appearances; Schillinger and O'Reily most conspicuously.)

Words of warning: This is an unfinished story, and appears destined to remain so. (It was last updated in May, 2002.) Please do not let that deter you from reading it. Though it is extremely frustrating not to know where the story ends, the cliched truth is that the journey is where it's at. Beecher/Keller are on the run - from the long arm of the law and the longer and scarier arm of Vern Schillinger. And they are on the road to destiny. We don't know whether, in the end, that destiny keeps them together. But we do see how hard it will be for anything to keep them apart.

Nine Tenths of the Law

Comments

[hypertwink.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure but I don't think you can post WIPS (or unfinished stories).

[ultraviolet730.livejournal.com]

I checked with the mods before I posted, and I was told that abandoned fics are allowed. So this WIPP (Work in Perpetual Purgatory) is okay. :)

[rowanfairchild.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm glad you checked and were allowed to rec this -- 'cause it's one of my alltime faves. :-)

[ultraviolet730.livejournal.com]

Yay! I know it wasn't a bold choice, but really, this is a classic!

I've often wondered what would happen if another great Oz writer tried her/his hand at finishing this, or other abandoned classics.

You'd have to get the author's permission, of course, and the story took so many great twists and turns that I really just want to know how Gwen envisioned it ending. But it's so sad to have it out there, unfinished. Maybe people could just chime in with their ideas on where they thought it might go.

[callmeri]

Gwen has actually said "never say never" about finishing it, so don't abandon all hope! *g* I do know that she has the story planned out all the way to the end (and I also know how it ends, but I won't tell anyone, *g*). So IMO, the best way to get it finished is to write to her, and nudge those stubborn muses! ;)

[ultraviolet730.livejournal.com]

This is great news! I will happily harangue Gwen, but I don't know her e-mail address. Does she have an LJ account or a website?

I can't believe you know how it ends. You really are a lucky woman!

Oh, and thanks for the okay to use your icon. I love it!