Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: none
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: LRHB Fiction Site
Why this must be read:

This is hurt/comfort/smarm done right. It has a real plot. The situation is horrific, but believable. The victimized men are vulnerable, but not weak. It doesn't have a pat happy ending where good triumphs completely. There are costs.

While primarily a Sentinel story 'No Center Line' crosses over with Nash Bridges and, to a lesser extent, Millennium, though knowledge of them is not required to enjoy the story.

Blair Sandburg and Evan Cortez of San Francisco are among ten police officers kidnapped by a sadistic businessman who produces live Internet porn and snuff videos. When Sandburg is almost miraculously recovered, Nash observes the power of the unembarrassed care and unconditional support given their traumatized friend by Jim and Simon. The surviving officers are still in danger and only Blair's courage and resourcefulness can rescue them. Even if Evan is recovered Nash wonders if he will be able to give his friend the kind of support he will need, the kind of caring he has observed between Jim, Simon, and Blair.

No Center Line is the sixteenth installment in a long story arc, though each one can be read as a stand alone. If you want to start at the beginning, go here.

LRH Balzer writes with power and sensitivity, building to a breath-taking climax. Don't miss it.

( Read an Excerpt )

No Center Line

Title: A Step Backwards
Pairing: Jim, Blair, Naomi (gen)
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: LRHBalzer at Wolfspups Den
Why this must be read:

Blair trades places with his two-year old self.  Though the premise may sound corny the author does an amazing job of making it work.  It is well written story with an intriguing plot and on the spot characterization.  No, baby Blair does not turn in to some super, amazing prodigy child.  He is just a confused toddler who wants to go home to his mama.  He does retain his natural curiosity and it is easy to see glimpses of the man Blair will be. 

The plot?  During the middle of a case Jim wakes up to find a toddler in Blair's bed, but no Blair.  Blair wakes up at a 1971 outdoor musical festival where he finds Naomi reporting her two year old son as missing.   Interwoven throughout the past and present are clues that will eventually tie together cases from both realities.

The Nash Bridges crew shows up in both the past and present in supporting roles.  No previous knowledge of them is necessary.  This story is actually part of a larger series, though it does stand on its own.  Primary Focus starts the series, and the Nash Bridges crew start their appearance in the fourth story.

( A picture is worth )

A Step Backwards

The story is hosted on a site that has highly annoying ads so I have linked by way of the Way Back Machine.  The original link is here and the original site is here..