Updated December 13, 2002; new Trek, due South and HL recs.
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OZ
Party by Te - Te uses her considerable talents to eke out the joys of a demented pairing like Adebesi and Ryan O'Reilly...this short story is a joyfully twisted gift.
Pomegranates by Brighid - Once in a great while, I read something that takes my breath away. Brighid managed it with this story, in which she uses the metaphor of Hades dragging Persephone into the underworld to illustrate the story of Beecher and Keller. It's brilliant.
Detente by Gemma Files - I think it's difficult for me to buy a straight-out romantic relationship between two men in prison, simply because there's so many other dynamics contributing to any kind of physical or emotional feelings there. Gemma does a terrific job of making me believe, of letting me hear Keller's voice and understand his feelings for Beecher. It's a sweaty, groping sort of story, perfect for this fandom, and Gemma has a unique style of writing that fits the mood.
The X-Files
A Routine Interrogation by Lyrica - I don't even like Mulder/Skinner fic, but I have to admit, this is one of the hottest, most beautifully written stories I've read in quite a while, in any fandom. Mulder and Skinner discover they have some tendencies and desires they really never bothered to examine too closely before, and they explore them together. This is one hot fic. Really hot. But it's also full of definite bondage and domination -- may I just say, guh!
In a Dark Time: Sleepless by A. Leigh-Anne Childe (aka Anna S.) - Upon first reading of this Mulder/Krycek fic, I said to myself, "Damn, she knows how to *write*." Not only did she describe a believable relationship (of sorts) between Mulder and Krycek, but she wrote some devastating smut scenes that melted my monitor. After all this time, this story still sticks in my mind, and I don't really even read X-Files slash....
Star Trek
What the Heart Remembers by Killashandra - This beautiful, sad tale of things that never were and cannot be made tears come to my eyes. I'm not a K/S girl by any means, but Killa just has a way of making it real, for me. And breaking my heart in the process.
Snow by Virg Vaughn - I happened to be lurking on a list where this sad, lovely gem was posted, and I was so impressed by the mature, bittersweet tone of it that I wrote her immediately. Near the end of his life, Spock reflects on his first snowfall...as Virg says, it's a death story, but a happy one. Go figure, right? I love this story. It's extremely well-written, and so touching...
Bitter Glass by Killashandra - A Star Trek story, post-"Generations". One of the finest stories I've ever read. In stunning first-person prose, Killa evokes Spock's pain with such realism that you will swear he's speaking directly to you. I admit to being awed by Killa's work. And I suspect you will be too after you've read it.
Highlander
Kindle by Julia - Action and depth - it's unusual to find both in HL slash, and Julia has pulled it off. Wonderful writing. This can be found in the online version of Futures Without End IV.
September Song by Kat Allison - The prose in this story is so exquisite, it just thrills the language slut in me. I am always a captive audience to a story where the placement and use of words just sings to me. There are lovely metaphors, themes and dialogue in this story - Methos and Duncan, and a conversation at the end of the millennium. It's just a beautiful piece of writing. Highly recommended.
Something Wicked by torch - I debated where to put this rec - Highlander or XF - but I think this crossover is really more of Krycek crossing into Methos' world, than the other way around. torch has taken Krycek and dropped him into Methos' lap, where he lets go of the demons inside him, if only for a moment. torch's writing, as always, is incredible here - you can sense and feel and *believe* in the world she creates, and in the way these characters interact. Such raw, powerful emotions coming from Krycek...wow.
Live Wire by Killashandra - Killa's story is a beautifully crafted tale, wherein Duncan realizes that Methos wants him, and Methos allows that it might be so, and lovely things happen as a result. .
The Ragged Edge by MacGeorge and Maygra de Rhema - This story blew me away competely. Features a powerful, skilled Methos, who takes on the role of both saviour and predator, and who is utterly passionate and mesmerizing while both giving and taking. The dynamics between Duncan and Methos here are fascinating.
The Shield Brothers Arc by Maygra - Fannish confession time. Long ago, in the days when I read only HL and XF gen, I would have been embarrassed to admit I liked or read slash. I couldn't imagine writing it, either. But...then I happened upon Maygra's Duncan/Methos story "Brotherhood". I was stunned by the emotional impact it had on me. I stopped reading halfway thru, because slash (and violence) made me uncomfortable, but I went back, and back again, and finally I read it all. Lo, these many years later, I still remember every plot point, and it's a favorite of mine. Such is the power of an excellent writer, who can write works that resonate and define a fandom, and Maygra is that kind of writer. And btw, it's all Maygra's fault -- indirectly, she started my conversion to the slashy side. This series of stories is my favorite of all her works for sentimental reasons.
Book of Lost Days by Taselby - I do so admire a writer who can write with a style all her own, and the style of this piece is eloquent, and lush, and wonderful. This story features the musings and memories of Methos, and as the remembrances unfold, you will realize something sorrowful is being uncovered gradually within the lovely prose.
Resolution by Merry Lynne - Sort of pre-slash, actually, but you won't care one whit. Besides, after reading this you can move on to the wonderous sequel "Intervention". Duncan's pain and isolation is palpable in this one, and Methos tries to bring about some understanding between them, and...I can't do this one justice with a simple summary. You'll just have to read it. Please. Read it.
Hard Core Logo
Xeriscape by Kat Allison - Every person who understands the fundamentals of what constitutes excellent fan fiction, and superb writing, recs this story. I'm just jumping on the bandwagon, apparently. Fanfic is supposed to utilize the existing facts and magnify given circumstances to create a more complete and compelling picture of what is behind the scenes. Kat understands this absolutely. Every scene is drawn together perfectly in context. If you ever wanted to learn how to write, or find an example of what excellence in fan fiction really is, go watch Hard Core Logo and then read this story.
Sometimes I Do by Zen&nancy - This story is a delight. It has moments of insightful humor, the voices are dead-on, and the dialogue rocks. Not to mention the fact that they have crawled inside Billy's head and laid his psyche out for consumption like a five course meal. Lovely power exchange dynamics, too. Delicious.
due South
(I swing both Rays - fair warning...)
Serge Protector - This link will take you to the web version of this famous dS zine. If you haven't read every one of these stories, you should. Many lovely stories, many gifted writers, many hours spent in a fabulous haze of fanfic-induced bliss....
Like A House On Fire by Beth H. and Kellie Matthews - Fraser/Kowalski. Long, plotty, lovely. I'm strapped for words, because they've used all the good ones. Go and read.
Teeth of the Hydra by Resonant - Fraser/Kowalski. I can think of perhaps three writers who have ever made me feel truly envious; Res is one of them. This story chronicles the evolution of Ray Kowalski, bits and pieces, intermingled with a present-day story set in 1997. And it turned me that unique shade of green that makes a fan fiction writer glow in the dark. *sigh*
Oasis by Kalena and Purna - Fraser/Kowalski. Action, smut, and character insight. Very enjoyable.
Left by Resonant - Kowalski/Vecchio. Not the usual pairing I go for, but it's sooo, so good. Ray/Ray, and all kinds of hot, and Resonant has captured RayK's voice with authority.
Supple by LaT - Fraser/Kowalski. I'm late to the party on this one. But when writing is this supremely good, I can't resist rec'ing it because I'm afraid someone might miss it, and that would be a crying shame. LaT is one of those gifted writers who never loses track of the inner voice of the characters when she is writing, even in a piece like this, where the heat coming off the screen will melt your eyeballs. I absolutely love this story. Whew. Is it hot in here??
Chicago Tales by Denise Raymond - Fraser/Kowalski. If you followed my earlier rec and read All the Comforts of Home, then you must, must go read this sequel. It's superb. I'm not equipped to toss around superlatives about something this wonderful. If you want to see two men in love, really in love, here they are. Go and marvel. Search for Denise on the dueslash archive, and you'll find her story.
Slice by Brighid - Fraser/Kowalski. This story has much to recommend it. First of all, there is Brighid's insightful, lovely writing. Also there are some kick-ass recipes for desserts that left me drooling. And finally, there is the scene between Ray and Fraser Sr. that made me laugh so hard I was in tears. That scene is worth reading the entire story. Not like it's a hardship, or anything; it's a wonderful look at the post-CotW relationship between Fraser and Ray. Just read it. You'll love it.
A Dare's A Dare by Speranza - Fraser/Kowalski. It's a kink, and one she wrote well: Fraser, in a dress, and a bemused Ray who loves it. Hot! Read it.
Executor by Kat Allison - Fraser/RayK. I admit it, I was begging Kat to finish this story because there can never, *never* be enough angst for me in this fandom. This is a superb, nuanced death story, with such depth of characterization coming from a surprising source, and the voice is totally authentic. Steel yourself and then read it; don't wimp out just because it's got character death as a primary feature. It's simply brilliant.
Likewise by AuKestrel - Fraser/Kowalski. This is my favorite DS story to date. Audra calls it schmoop - and to each their own - but this touched me deeply in a way few slash stories ever have. It made me think of my parents, married for decades and connected so deeply they could never be separated until death took one of them. She has captured that feeling of knowing someone so completely, so truly, every moment in that person's presence feels exquisite and poignant, and completely unique no matter how long two people have been together. It's available on the brand spanking new Due Slash archive; just search for it by title and it will pop right up.
Adorned by Resonant - Fraser/RayK. Wow. This story is exquisitely crafted, set in sections like a series of precious gems in a piece of jewelry, and the analogy is quite fitting. Resonant made me cry with this story, and I'm still not quite sure if it was because I was envious, or because the story is so beautiful. You decide.
All the Comforts of Home by Denise Raymond - Fraser/RayK. You know, I don't recommend novel-length stories very often, probably because I have the attention span of a gnat, but this one is so, so good. Three different perspectives, three different and distinct voices - Vecchio, Kowalski, and Fraser - tell this lovely story of change, and acceptance, friendship and love. I was absolutely enthralled - terrific dialogue, and what a story. Yum.
The Longest Weekend by Livia - Fraser/RayK. Technically, pre-slash, I suppose, but she uses the seasons to such beautiful effect in this short piece, and gives such a strong impression of missed chances, that it's entirely compelling. Livia could probably make a grocery list seem compelling, actually.
True North by Crysothemis - Fraser/RayK. An instant favorite of mine, one that's probably been recommended from here to kingdom come and back, but that's because it's so damn good. What if Ray didn't instantly fall into Fraser's arms - what if, in fact, he needed some serious time and distance to come to his own conclusions about being with Fraser? This story makes it seem plausible, natural, and absolutely worth waiting for. It's another long story, but every word is precious, and I hated to realize I was nearing the end.
Roots Rain by Kat Allison - Fraser/RayK. I'm biased. Kat has never written a bad story in her life. You'll never convince me otherwise. That being said, can there be anything harder than getting inside Fraser's head and writing him in a convincing way? Well, Kat makes it look easy, and in fact, she captures that peculiar combination of formality and deep emotion that makes Fraser such a unique character. Such a beautiful story, and no warm fuzzies here...just...depth and angst and oh, how I *love* angst...*melt*
The Warmth of Spring by Fuzzicat - RayV/RayK. Look, don't start with me. *g* All I can say in my own defense is, a writer who's talented can make me believe, and Fuzzicat makes me believe. Just try it, okay?
Belong by AuKestrel - Fraser/RayK. I could really recommend anything on AuKestrel's site, but this one made me smile, so up it goes. Written in Ray K's first-person narrative, this is one excellent explanation of why, and how, Ray and Fraser decide to add a new dimension to their partnership. You've got to love it when you can hear Ray speaking, clear as a bell, within the narrative, and AuKestrel gets it dead right every time.
In Your Corner by Pares - Fraser/Vecchio. This is the first Vecchio story that has really had an impact on me. Dawn has written Ray as hopelessly conflicted about his ability to give anything to Benny beyond momentary comfort, yet longing to console him. The first-person narrative is vibrant and dramatic, and quite wonderful.
Spandrel by Basingstoke - Fraser/RayV. A nuanced piece of writing which combines both Fraser POV and Ray's third-person observations as they turn to each other, and then things get difficult. I found her stylistic choices to be quite effective in conveying the bittersweet tone of the piece - the first four sections have a smooth sort of surreal quality that's difficult to describe. The characterization of Fraser is a bit different than most I've read, but I liked it very much, perhaps because of that.
Gasoline by Munchkin - Fraser/RayK. Since I finally fixed this link, maybe she'll stop torturing me now! *g* Most of what I've found to read in dS fandom isn't my cup of tea. It's light and fluffy and really just...not what I like. Which is one reason I liked Munchkin's story even more. First of all, she's got the voices right - RayK and Benny sound like I think they should, and she has RayK nailed, I think, in terms of what he might be thinking. And she has a knack for setting a scene - the story drew me in right from the beginning. It reads like an excerpt from an episode of the show, only better. A very good story.
Borderlands Series by Viridian5 - Fraser/RayK. Ahhhh. Like a nice handful of snow against my feverish face. This series of three fairly short stories is just right - not silly, a little angsty, filled with a nice, subtle sexual tension. RayK. and Benny go traipsing across the Canadian wilds, and spooky, mystical things happen, and Benny muses about his Ray, and I just liked it.
Miscellaneous Fandoms (Angel, Batman, Man from UNCLE, H:LOTS, Fight Club)
Becoming by Viridian5 - Ohh, this "Fight Club" story is both clever and subtle, but for me to tell you why, I'd have to completely spoil the movie. This one is a winner - the way it's written is true to the violent spirit of the film. But you won't get the irony if you haven't seen the flick.
Veritas by Nyssa - I have had a hard time finding true-to-character MUNCLE fic, either on the net or in zines. Many authors don't write the characters the way I see them -- equal, powerful, sensual, and capable. It seems to be a particular problem for some writers to make Illya a *manly* man, instead of a feminized shadow of his very sexy self. Nyssa doesn't have that problem. I like the way she depicts these two men; in "Veritas", she gives us a slightly drunk Illya who is having trouble dealing with something he hasn't quite come to terms with yet, and a Solo who is paying close attention to the things Illya needs. Lovely sexual tension, good internal dialogue.
Homicide: Life on the Side by Pamela Rose - I only came into this fandom after seeing the movie and that WOW scene between Bayliss and Pembleton. This fic was one of the first I read, and one of the few in which I can feel the rightness of the interaction between the partners. Plus, Pembleton and Bayliss aren't a picnic to write; trust me, I know. Pamela Rose has it down, in my book. In this story, Frank is looking for something, and Bayliss is willing to give whatever it takes. It's fascinating in terms of character motivation, and has great dialogue.
Just Another Day by J.C. - The flow of this Batman/Nightwing story is wonderful. Not only does J.C. capture the unique voice of grown-up Dick Grayson, a.k.a. Nightwing, but she also has written Tim and Alfred beautifully. No character is overlooked or given short shrift in her work, and her style is smooth and wonderful to read. I loved it largely because it's so well written, and I could "hear" Nightwing.
Matched Pair by Brenda Antrim - Okay, I admit it. I love Angel/Doyle fic. Brenda has written a lovely fix-it fic for...well, you know. If you're a fan of Angel, I don't have to tell you. And if not, maybe Bren's fic will convert you! I was very happy to see she was venturing into Angel fandom.
The Plausible Deniability Affair by Brenda Antrim - The first time I read this Man from UNCLE fic, I was struck by how giddy the characters seemed to be during the smutty scenes, almost as though they'd been freed from normal constraints on their behavior and could indulge their secret fantasies. Which, in a way, is how I see slash fiction. So naturally, this fic is a favorite of mine, by a tremendously talented author.
Shutting Doors by James Kythe Walkswithwind - James has written the ultimate Batman/Robin slash fic here; I've recommended it to several people, and I've lost count of the number of folks who've said this fic converted them into B/R fans. The plot is outstanding, and touches on a number of themes -- tension, angst, love...all the things I like best. This one deserves to be famous.
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