Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: Harold Finch/John Reese
Length: 1030 words
Author on LJ: menagerie
Author Website: AO3

Why this must be read: this fic looks at the most divisive and shattering episode of Person of Interest from a slash perspective and works.

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The death of Detective Joss Carter was the peniultimate event in POI fandom. It broke hearts, drove many out of the fandom and caused anger and despair among those who stayed. It happened in December 2013 and was one reason I had trouble doing the recs for this comm the way I should have because even if I wasn’t sobbing over her death, the way the fandom was affected upset everyone. Not only was a loved character and woman of color killed in what some saw as a senseless quest for ratings or to inflict man pain on John Reese, many fans, myself included, felt scenes between Carter and Reese in what proved to be their last hours together were greeted with accusations they were out of character, too soon, too little, too much and worse, a retcon of the motivations of John Reese’s character from the previous two seasons. While those who shipped him with Carter saw a slow building sexual tension on screen, others, both non-shippers and slashers alike, didn’t pick up on those elements. For two years, Reese told anyone he met, strangers, numbers he was helping, random passersby, that it was Finch who saved him and gave him a reason to live. Suddenly, in the episode The Crossing, while trapped and surrounded by bad guys and facing near certain death, he started telling Carter that it was she who saved and changed him. Not to downplay her role in his life, many still felt this came out of left field, while the het shippers were rejoicing to see their fondest dreams realized – only to have them dashed not fifteen minutes later when Carter and Reese were shot by ambush and she died in his arms. For the Careese fans it was a shock to have the rug swept out from under them by apparently deceitful show runners. For the Rinch contingent, it was equally baffling. Did TPTB intend to forget that Reese had said dozens of times that he regarded Finch as the one to whom he owed his life and that, even with Carter dead, would the relationship we had come to adore be ignored in the “new direction” the show was taking? For many, POI is their first fandom or first slash fandom and this seeming reversal took even long time fans slash goggles and ground them under the heel of writers who had apparently thrown out the canon of the last 40 episodes of the show.

How could John Reese show affection for Carter, say those things to her and even kiss her when he loves Finch? If they had never taken their relationship that far, how could they now? If they were already lovers, what did it mean?

Thank goodness for Managerie. Into this maelstrom of anguish and tears, she delivered this fic that put things into perspective.

Reese has also been shot and since this fic picks up immediately after the end of the episode and was written before the subsequent one in which we saw the severity of his injuries, Managerie skillfully tells us just enough about how badly he may be hurt, having Finch and Shaw do first aid in a hotel room they’ve gone to hide from authorities in, as Reese sobs out his pain and despair to Finch.

Managerie not only posits an ongoing sexual relationship between Reese and Finch, she doesn’t shy away from the canonical idea that Reese and Zoe have been friends with benefits either. In her hands, we learn that Reese, the damaged warrior, has been trying to figure out what Finch wants with him by the mixed signals Finch has been sending out. He also hints at what kind of a man his father expected him to be and his self loathing for his misdeeds with the Army and CIA are never far from the surface of this man who only seemingly has put himself back together since joining Finch in his quest to save lives.

Through Managerie’s words, I could see Reese’s trembling body, hear his catching breaths and practically taste his tears and he tries to express to Finch why he said what he did to Carter and how confused and lost he now feels. Desperate, he says what he never would if he were wounded and grieving, he asks Finch what he did wrong. Of course, Finch says he has done nothing.
John gathered some toilet paper to wipe his eyes and blow his nose, “Then why do you keep kicking me out of your bed? I thought we figured out the sex pretty well.”
Harold blushed, stood and busied himself with the medical supplies before he answered. “Our sex life is wonderful Mr. Reese. However, I feel it would be wrong of me to steal your chance at a family.”
But Reese feels he doesn’t deserve a normal life and family and hthis man who will never forgive himself for the lives he’s taken has been unable to reconcile what he does want.
Managerie ends on a poignant note, just as the next couple of episodes did, giving the reader just the right amount of explantion and hope. POI fans know that Reese and Finch, however they regard their relationship, have entered into a pact that may all too soon end in both their deaths.
As for the fandom, I am seeing signs of recovery as the few episodes since Carter’s death have aired. It remains to be seen whether the fiction or the fannish energy will return and only time will tell.



The Crossing Over/a>

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: Grace Hendricks/Will Ingram
Length: 6630 words
Author on LJ: http://orockthro.dreamwidth.org/
Author Website:
AO3

Why this must be read:

Yes, you read that right, this is a fic about Finch’s fiancé Grace, who thinks he’s dead, and the son of Finch’s late business partner, Nathan Ingram. Will is younger than Grace but in Orockthro’s deft hands, they meet and find solace after the loss of the two people most dear to them. The Machine, of course, has a hand in things.

Orockthro is an author who tackles the many side chracters of Person of Interest, not shying away from the usual OTP fare. She paired Shaw with Grace in her fantastic cyberpunk fic, Kick the Generator, and she’s written and illustrated various permutations of Grace/Finch/Reese, along with exploring their relationships with Genrika, the young girl who envisioned a career as a spy who was a number earlier this season and even Leila Smith, the youngest number they ever helped in first season, so it’s no surprise she has picked these two people who haven’t even met in canon to write about. This is an AU but I feel it could be canon. It’s poignant, endearing and hopeful at the same time.







Awaiting Some Return

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST/WHAT NOT TO WEAR (RPF)
Pairing: gen
Length: 416
Author on LJ: lynne_monstr
Author Website: AO3

Why this must be read: for just the sheer fun of an adorable crossover with reality show “What Not To Wear” as Stacy London and Clinton Kelly discuss the sartorial splendor of John Reese and Harold Finch.

It’s been a series running joke about Reese being known to both criminals and good guys alike as “the man in the suit” because he’s adopted his classic black suit, worth with a tieless white shirt no matter the season or occasion. Someone like Clinton Kelly would have something to say about that, obviously, and this little fic captures his voice and those of the characters well. While the “real” people comment on Reese’s bland choices, they praise Finch’s custom suit with waistcoat and matching pocket square while pondering the relationship of the men whose attire they are judging.






The Man in that One Suit

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: Harold Finch & Sam Shaw, Harold Finch/Sam Shaw, Harold Finch/John Reese
Length: 8923 words
Author on LJ: dien
Author Website:
AO3

Why this must be read: This delight popped up just a few days ago and it reflects the new season of Person of Interest and the changes it has brought very well. It was written for the 2013 Irrelevant Gift Exchange and in its five chapters, goes from the missing scene between seasons two and three where Finch discusses the job with Shaw and heads into Christmas territory in the final chapter. As usual, Dien gets the voices of the characters perfectly and in this fic, we see through the less than empathetic eyes of Shaw. She’s tough, cynical and yet with Dien’s deft writing, readers can enjoy her. There’s humor in her attitude and this fic captures both that and Finch’s exasperation with Shaw, who possess Reese’s skills and yet none of his warmth.

The Reese/Finch relationship is mostly off-screen in this fic, with Shaw kind of putting up with what she calls ” whatever semi-sacred, co-dependent junkies thing they had going on.” I appreciate Dien’s way of showing us they are together despite not having any specific scenes about it, pretty much the way the show has been portraying them this season. There’s also some attraction, though Shaw wouldn’t call it that, between her and Finch portrayed, as their somewhat rocky relationship grows during the fic.

Shaw doesn’t fit in, but then she doesn’t want to. She observes the bond between Finch and Reese, gets her job done without messy feelings and yet we care about her. When the three of them are caught up in a blazing fire, and Shaw feels Reese is being too concerned with Finch’s dignity, she takes matters, and Finch, into her own hands. When Christmas rolls around and they have a number who was supposed to be Santa Claus, not only do they solve the case but she gets a glimpse of the lengths Finch will go to not only to prevent a number from being a perpetrator but to make sure needy children get to receive their gifts as well.

This is a great fic to pass the time til the next new episode is aired.







Shaw Is From Mars, Finch Is From Venus: Five Times Shaw and Finch Weren’t On The Same Page (And One Time

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: Root/Samantha Shaw
Length: 1052
Author on LJ: livenudebigfoot
Author Website:
<ahref="http://archiveofourown.org/users/livenudebigfoot/pseuds/livenudebigfoot">AO3
Why this must be read: I think this is the very first fic to capitalize on the heat between Shaw and Root. They met for the first time in the episode “Relevance” which was the one that introduced us to Shaw. She was trying to find out information about the people she’d been working for and when she went to meet with a woman that her murdered partner had talked to from the organization, Root took the woman’s place. Shaw found out that the woman she’d been looking for was tied up in the hotel room bathroom by Root and things got interesting from there. Root got the drop on Shaw and threatened to torture her with a hot iron for information; Shaw replied that she kind of liked that sort of thing. So it was no small surprise that authors found a new female pairing to slash.

In this fic, Shaw still doesn’t know Root’s name so she thinks of her as Veronica, the woman Root had been impersonating when they met. This fic is from Shaw’s point of view and it’s a sexy, hot little piece where they’ve already done numerous things together, mostly with Root taking charge. I’ll just list the additional tags to give you the general idea: burnplay, finger fucking, bondage. How’s that?

Livenudebigfoot writes a lot of Fusco centric fic in this fandom, but she gets Root and Shaw’s voices just as perfectly as she does Fusco’s and I like that she decided to dabble in this new couple.









With One Eye Open

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: Harold Finch/John Reese
Length: 16294 words
Author on LJ: tiranog
Author Website: http://tiranog.southroad.com/, AO3
Why this must be read:

If you're looking for a nice, long character driven first time story, this is it.

( Read more )
Walking in the Dark

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: Harold Finch/John Reese
Length: 2282 words
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read:
I knew the name of this author from another small fandom: Wiseguy. She wrote great characterization and excellent prose and thus this was one of the first fics I read when I discovered Person of Interest fandom. It's a gut-grabbing fic, where Reese has been kidnapped by some bad guys and doesn't know how he's going to get out of the situation. Thus, it has the kind of stuff I love -- physical jeopardy for our hero, potential hurt/comfort and a man's partner coming to his rescue.

The author's summary says, What he needed was Finch's cavalry coming to the rescue. Except. Oh, yeah. He was Finch's cavalry.

( Read more )

I'm so happy to be able to drive the van for Person of Interest in this final month of our beloved Crack Van community and will be bringing you as many recs as I can during my time.

Proof of Life

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: John Reese & Harold Finch
Length: 3700 words
Author on LJ: croik
Author Website: LJ link
Why this must be read: The author's summary reads, "Five times Reese and Finch stayed in the library, and one time they didn't." It's an excellent overview of season one and how Reese and Finch's relationship evolved throughout that time.

J'adoube: on LJ or AO3

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: Joss Carter/John Reese
Length: under 1000
Author on LJ: none
Author Website: here
Why this must be read: The author's summary reads, "Three times Joss Carter let Reese go and the one time she didn't." In less than a thousand words, Homeric neatly delineates some of Carter's thoughts from 1.10 "Number Crunch" and later in the season, and carefully adds in that silent attraction between her and Reese. Non-canon pairs never interested me much before PoI, but I ended up stuck on this one. That's due in in part to authors like Homeric, who can create the gritty edge of what a romance would be like for Reese and Carter.

Three

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: none; Leon Tao, John Reese
Length: 3000+ words
Author on LJ: livenudebigfoot
Author Website: AO3 profile
Why this must be read: I really wanted to rec a multi-chapter fic by this author, but it's not going to be done before the end of the month. But that works out well for Leon Tao. This fic captures his voice fantastically well and the story itself turns from scary to humorous in a hugely entertaining way.

untitled

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: none
Length: 2000 words
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: here
Why this must be read: "Baby Blue" is that episode--the episode with name recognition, where everyone instantly recalls the plot. This story takes a brief moment from within that episode, and fills it with some nicely comic reflections. Sweet without being out of character for both Reese and Finch.

A Touch of Innocence

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: gen (brief reference to past Jessica/John)
Length: 1400 words
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: on ff.net or on AO3
Why this must be read: One reason I love fanfic is for how it fills in the missing spaces. At this point I doubt we'll ever know what happened to the photo of Jessica and John that Carter found; this story gives one plausible explanation. Also, the author has a deft touch with Carter and Reese's points of view in their sections.

Possession: on ff.net or on AO3

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: Zoe Morgan/John Reese
Length: 2250 words
Author on LJ: joss80
Author Website: on AO3
Why this must be read: For anyone who likes to believe that John Reese and Zoe Morgan didn't just play poker after their "divorce" in episode six of season two, this fic does a great job keeping these two in character. Booze, cards, and sex served in turn.

Two Paired: on LJ or on AO3

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: none; Joss Carter
Length: 500 words
Author on LJ: jedibuttercup
Author Website: on AO3
Why this must be read: Jedi Buttercup's series of post-episode ficlets for (most of) season one were some of my favorite stories. She has fantastic insight into the characters and their voices. This particular fic uses Carter's POV after 1.19 "Flesh and Blood." It's a gritty look at the compromises Carter has made for the team.

All Out of Faith

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: past John Reese/Jessica Arndt; John Reese & Harold Finch
Length: 1600 words
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: fic on AO3
Why this must be read: So really, my favorite pair for this show is Reese/sad faces. There aren't any pictures in this fic, but plenty of Reese reflecting on who he became and who he was before, when he was with Jessica... and how he has changed again since meeting Finch. (The rating strikes me as excessively cautious, by the way.)

In a New York Minute

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST / 30 ROCK
Pairing: none
Length: 4300
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: on ff.net
Why this must be read: I couldn't post to LJ on crossover day, so this is a belated entry. 30 Rock's Liz Lemon has a distinctive voice, and this fic captures it really well. Her perspective on Reese is spot-on; add in Jack Donaghy's perceptive paranoia and you have a fantastic mixture of 30 Rock's usual comic chaos. It's an enjoyable contrast to Person of Interest's darker tone.

excerpt/author's summary: "I'm NOT going to poison my coworkers, Jack, and I'm NOT going to call up a murderer or whatever, because that guy is NOT an assassin! He is a NICE, HANDSOME, ORDINARY man who simply can't act!"

New Guy

Crossover fanfiction is difficult to write well, so I tend to be pretty choosy about reading them unless someone has already recommended them. Well, it’s my turn to recommend, and I realized that I really couldn’t think of any Avengers crossovers that hadn’t already been recommended here or elsewhere. I freely admit to inputting some search terms on the AO3 and just trawling through looking for anything interesting to read. I’m glad I did, because I found several excellent stories…and a few series I’ll need to keep an eye on. But this one was especially fun:

Fandom: Avengers movie!verse/Person of Interest/NCIS/Criminal Minds/Leverage
Pairing: None (gen, although the author tags this as "implied relationships". I interpreted this as "slash goggles optional")
Length: 3,245
Author on LJ: None that I could find.
Author on DW:scripted-sra
Author Website: sarcasticsra on AO3

Author’s Summary: Five computer geniuses and their asskicking counterparts get locked in a room...

Why this must be read: Because it’s absolutely hilarious. Because the characterizations are spot-on to the point that I could hear each actor’s voice in my mind as I read their dialogue. Because it’s indulgence of the best kind: wanting to see the way these characters would interact with each other.
Because the brain/brawn relationship is a tried and true classic, and the best examples make it new and wonderful all over again.

Press Zero for Assistance on AO3

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: John Reese & Harold Finch
Length: 1600 words
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: profile at ff.net
Why this must be read: This is a nicely comical look at a situation where Reese didn't quite manage a triumph. Short and enjoyable, especially for the interactions between Reese and Finch. (Note: the author's first language isn't English, but other than a couple of minor glitches, it's not obvious.)

Blackmail

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: Joss Carter & Lionel Fusco
Length: 4200 words
Author on LJ: dien
Author Website: on AO3

Why this must be read: Written after the season one finale, Dien's fic gives a fantastic and detailed glimpse on how Carter and Fusco might interact now that they know they're both working for the Man in the Suit. Parts of it have been jossed, but it still works beautifully to illustrate a growing relationship between two very different people. Plus there's a reasonably successful resolution of the case, even without the help of Suit and Glasses.

A Narrow Place

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: Grace Hendricks/Harold Finch
Length: 800
Author on LJ: litlover12
Author Website: none
Why this must be read: I've found myself alternating between sympathy and frustration with the Grace and Harold storyline at times. This story does a nice fix for the situation, putting Grace back into Harold's life in the current timeline. There's a sequel to it, Vigil. Both stories are short, sweet without being cloying, and make me appreciate the characters more.

An Artist's Eye

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: none in forefront; background Carter/Reese and OMC/OMC
Length: 5000
Author on LJ: blacktop50
Author Website: masterlist on LJ or fic posted to ff.net
Why this must be read: While blacktop50's stories often focus on Carter/Reese, many of her stories delve into other areas. "A Fine Death" mentions an established relationship, but it's more of a character study of Reese, and of the new number's life... and death.

Blacktop's usual gorgeous prose and interesting characters--both canon and original--make this worth the time to read, as well as the historical background used within the fic. (One character in the story is based loosely on Bayard Rustin.)

A Fine Death on LJ or on ff.net

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: none; Kara Stanton
Length: 1000+ words
Author on LJ: chimera_12
Author Website: detailed index on LJ or list on AO3
Why this must be read: Part of the Wolf and Chain series, this short fic explores what Stanton thinks when she first meets Reese (episode 1.08). The author did an impressive job in capturing the calculation and mockery we saw through most of Stanton's time on the show.

On the Chain

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: Reese & Finch
Length: just under 1500
Author on LJ: devikun
Author Website: on AO3
Why this must be read: This is a brilliant take on what Reese might have thought and done after Ulrich Kohl's death in 1.08. It demonstrates the growing relationship between Reese and Finch, plus addresses the abandoned topic of Reese and alcohol.

Fall In

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: none
Length: v. short (just under 1000 words)
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: on AO3
Why this must be read: Fusco doesn't get a lot of fic written about just him; this one takes his POV and, without excusing his past crimes, gives a voice to his situation now that he's involved with Reese and Finch's mission. Set late during season one, it's a grimly realistic view on what could be waiting for him. (I chose to rec this one today since we didn't have any Fusco in last night's episode.)

excerpt: And even though he slept better every night, each morning he woke to wonder if today was the day, the day he'd have to tell Carter he wasn't a good cop, wasn't a clean cop, hadn't been for a damn long time. The day he'd have to give up weekends with his son because it was too damn dangerous. The day someone would ask him to go one step too far.

Expendable

Rose here, driving for Person of Interest. I've been reading (and bookmarking) fic in this fandom since shortly after the show started, so I'll be reccing stories in both seasons one and two.

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: none; Joss Carter and Bill Szymanski
Length: under 1500
Author on LJ: lizardbeth_j
Author Website: here
Why this must be read: After 1.18 "Baby Blue" we had just one episode showing Carter dealing with the repercussions of Elias's move. This fic fills in some of the blanks, clarifying her guilt and anger over what happened to a fellow officer.

With the Dogs: on LJ or AO3.

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: Finch/Reese
Length: 5 Panels
Author on LJ:n/a
Author Website: tumblr
Why this must be read: This is a fantastic series of gifs that has inspired several fics. Redfar is an amazing giffer, who has an exceptional eye for the perfect 3 second moment.


Drive by Redfar

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: Finch/Reese
Length: Two panels
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: tumblr
Why this must be read: Somanoma does wonderful line work in their art. These are two lovely, protective and loving panels. I would suggest taking a moment to have a look through the rest of Somanomas person of interest tags they are really good.

時間前 by somanoma

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: John Reese & Harold Finch
Length: 1.8k
Author on LJ:medie
Author Website: AO3 Dreamwidth
Why this must be read:This is a gorgeous little AU that I somehow missed the first time round, but happily can now rectify that oversight. John is sent to kill the Machines creator. This is the story of how Harold recruited John.
It was written as part of Yuletide 2012

Extract:
"Do you see?" he asks, not daring to turn his head. "Do you understand?"

"They're going to take this."

"If you let them." Harold closes his eyes.


not a thousand, just one by Medie

Fandom: YOUR PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: Finch/Reese
Length: 13.6
Author on LJ:astolat
Author Website: AO3, tumblr, Website
Why this must be read:It should be read for the sheer fact that it is a fic by astolat and she is a pleasure to read. This fic was written for the tech support AU prompt on the kinkmeme. John takes a job as security guard at IFT Plaza after his (canon) meeting with Carter. Finch is the IT guy, together they are Reese and Finch fabulous! Its a nice long plotty fic that takes a slightly different angle on their meeting than the show.


Extract
He tried to follow Harold again that night. Lunch had produced the data that Harold didn't particularly like either beer or the Mets, and had read at least fourteen more books, including Team of Rivals, which John had read half of in Morocco, what felt like a lifetime ago. They'd talked about it for almost half an hour before John realized he was running out of time and had made an admittedly pathetic attempt to segue to talking about Illinois and DC, trying to figure out how much Harold knew about either. Harold had just given him a disdainful look and called for the check.


Technical Support by astolat

Fandom: PERSON OF INTEREST
Pairing: Bear/other
Length: 1.1k
Author on LJ:galaxysoup
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read:Reese has Finch. It’s only fair that Bear gets someone to. Bear adopting little creatures in this fandom is a consistently adorable trope, one which Galaxysoup handles perfectly. Harold and John trying to name the little thing is really fun. Read it and enjoy because we all know there's a storm coming!

Flock together by galaxysoup