Bright Shiny Objects

Battlestar Galactica

Intra by Kate Andrews
Kate does UST like no-one else. The story is set in-between those relentless raids in "33", and the ratcheting up of tension between Kara and Lee (both erotic and otherwise) is breathless and urgent. Great dialog and gorgeous characterizations, too.

Hold Fast by Meredith Bronwen Mallory
Chief Tyrol contemplates Sharons, past and present. Sparsely lyrical and introspective, this story will make you ache for the poor Chief, who needs to be hugged. A lot.

know well the gathering of stars by claira
An elegant Roslin-fic, full of subtle character moments that ring true. I particularly loved the way claira weaved in the references to Roslin's past life as a teacher.

Supply and Demand by sangga
Because BSG is all about life-and-death situation, one tends to forget about the small moments and everyday things on Galactica. Sangga doest a terrific job highlighting the importance of these details, and does so while keeping everyone beautifully in character. Her Kara voice is particularly wonderful. (The fic is in three parts—click on the little right-pointing arrow on top for the following parts.)

Buffy and Angel

The Signs That We Missed by Hannah
This amazing story looks forward and back with all the characters, using the events of "Reprise" as a starting point, and ending point, a center.

Tace by Dodyskin
No pairing - Spike, Angel and Conor in a post-"Not Fade Away" fic that brings the apocalyptic overtones in a way that just feels like 'the end.' here's the ominous feel of forces coming together, desperation, resolve, resolution, restitution. Fantastic writing.

Childhood's End by Charlotte
Harmony - I love the musings on immortality, and how it's just a little sad, even when expressed Harmony style. Like this: "it’ll all be normal, except
longer." Even immortals have to "grow up".

It is the hour of departure by Tesla
Faith/Wesley - I love the recall in this story, the constant return to Faith's melt down. There's a lot of very pertinent thoughts about this relationship in such a short space. Very clever.

Five Good Things That Never Happened to Faith by M Phoenix
Faith is such a tragedy. I love reading "what might have been" stories about Faith - it seems that with every twist and turn in her life there's a way it might have gone but didn't and it all seems so much *sadder* because of it.

The Girl in the High Castle by Mosca
What if it were someone else who became a vessel for Illyria? What would have happened to Fred? The Fred in this AU version of the verse is complex and fearsome and feels every inch the realization of the flashes of dark potential we glimpsed under her sweet demeanour.

Crossovers

(Lemony Snicket/Edward Scissorhands)
The Gargantuan Garden by Yahtzee
Yahtzee once again demonstrates her considerable talent for one-shots, and for making the improbable seem plausible. The Baudelaire siblings stray from their own twisted world into that of Tim Burton, which hilarious and lovely results. Also a delightful round of meta. Brilliant.

(Batman/House)
Change is the Only Constant by Mara
Something about House MD seems to attract improbable crossovers. This is both the unlikeliest and the best: Bruce Wayne comes under the care of Gregory House, much to the dismay of the latter. He is more than familiar with Wayne and his retinue, you see, and their presence is dredging up a past he'd rather forget.

(HP/Narnia)
The Made-Up Things by K. M. Petravich
Beautiful Narnia/HP crossover, in which Petunia remembers Lily and their mother, and the things she ~~always~~ never wanted to believe in.

(BtVS/ Firefly)
Rough Heals by Voleuse
Dawn - How does a key die? The FF 'verse is the perfect backdrop to the story of a girl who was never actually a girl and who gets to be one for the rest of time. There's a history repeats itself theme it the show that works so poignantly in this story.

(BtVS/Doctor Who)
Edit by Marcus L. Rowland
This is a smart, inventive short story that meshes the worlds of BtVS and Doctor Who seamlessly, with lots of delightful little details that made this particular fan of both shows very happy.

(Firefly/Stargate Atlantis)
The Big Bang and Everything After by cgb
Cgb writes a River Tam/Rodney McKay and makes it *work*, which tells you all you need to know about this story. Rather odd, as you would expect from the pairing, and weirdly affecting, too.

(BSG/Miles Vorkosigan)
Ekphugion by Shaye
So, one fine day, a Barrayan captain spots a ragtag fleet that materialized over Sergygar out of nowhere... and thus begins a rollicking good tale of trans-galactic culture clash. I don't know which section is my favorite, the one with Cordelia and Roslin (genius!), Ivan and Starbuck, or Miles and Boomer. The characterizations are utterly spot-on and there is a plot (OMG! Plot!) to boot! I just adored the hell out of this story from the beginning to the end.

(BSG/Farscape)
Catch A Tiger by the Tale by hossgal
I would have been disappointed if no-one tackled this particular pairing because... yeah. I won't say more. Best to let you read this on your own. Hossgal's writing, as usual, is sparse and powerful.

(Law & Order: SUV/Veronica Mars)
Appeals by Annakovsky
For someone who allegedly hates the show (heh), Annakovsky has an *amazing* grasp at the voice of Logan, who's exasperating, vulnerable, a jackass and just completely, massively fucked-up in this story, as he should rightly be post S1 finale. And I have never watched L&O:SUV but I love this Alex Cabot anyway, whoever she is. (I understand she was de-aged for the story, but who cares? She's great.) It's got fabulous, sparkly dialogue, and the story is funny, raw, and weirdly tender. A great read.

CSI

Arthur Miller's Wrong by Camilla Sandman
Written based on a list of requests from yours truly for the LJ Comm Geekfiction's Fic-a-Thon, Camilla has taken a haphazard group of random things and turned it into a piece of beauty. With Brass at the forefront and angst ahoy, a bumpy ride is expected and given.

Fatherly Advice by helskinibaby
Two things I love - Brass and Sara/Warrick. Put 'em together and what have you got? A mixed up Sara, a wonderfully written Brass and a little bit of fatherly advice (no, Brass does not admit he's Sara's father a la "Star Wars". Although...).

Doctor Who

Over Tea by Kate Bolin
Rose brings the Tenth Doctor around to meet her mum, prompting reminiscences and some great dialogue.

Planned Obsolescence by Miggy
At the end of "Parting of the Ways", Jack takes extraordinary measures to save himself. This has a great premise, solidly rooted in the series itself, a marvellous extrapolation of everything we know about the Earth of the future, and Jack himself.

Snow White Lies by TaraLJC
Nancy and Jamie, after "The Doctor Dances". Doctor Who has become a series about ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary things. This fic follows the lives of two of the most memorable of those people in a believable and bittersweet fashion.

At Last by TaraLJC
Rose mourns both Jack and the Ninth Doctor. Well-observed and, as with much post-PotW fic, bittersweet.

Nine to Five by uktechgirl
In which various temporal shenanigans leave Rose on the TARDIS of the Fifth Doctor. One of the reviews described it as "a ripping good yarn", which is quite, quite accurate. Also quite accessible to those who, like me, have only a passing familiarity with the Fifth Doctor.

Oi, if Mary Sue's on the Next Planet, I Quit, Doctor by Livii
You are, perhaps, familiar with the cliche in which two characters are forced into a situation where they must make love or die? So are the Doctor and Rose. The title is a little clunky, but the story itself is succinct and witty.

18 Seconds by Kate Bolin
The lost 18 seconds between the Doctor's first leaving Earth at the end of "Rose", and his return. The Doctor uses the time wisely, and so does Kate. References to future episodes only make it more satisfying.

Notes from a bed of Rose's by Redscharlach
The Doctor loves to watch Rose sleep. Further cliche sporkage, building to a memorable finale.

Ever After Happily by Raven
A series of bedtime stories, and a look at various incarnations of the Doctor, and the ripples he sets in motion. A series of moments that are a joy to glimpse.

The Child that Time Made by Calapine
Babyfic. But oh, such extraordinary, clever and bittersweet babyfic. Rose has the Doctor's child, and "unearthly" doesn't begin to cover it.

Culture Crash by Cadhla
Jack has a run-in with Leela, and where Leela goes, the Fourth Doctor is surely nearby. Funny, clever and timeline-twisting. Also: a religion founded around Danger Mouse, and jelly babies!

The Terminus of Prayer by Cadhla
An extraordinary look at the events of "Parting of the Ways", but much more than simply an episode recap. Poetic and brilliant.

The Candle that Burns the Brightest by icebluenothing
An AU, or possibly a whole missing timeline, from "Parting of the Ways". Rose goes home, years pass, but she never forgets. Until a solution presents itself. I'm not easily moved to tears by fic, but this had me sniffling like a child in the middle of a library.

Roundabout by casira
This is lyrical powerhouse of a story, providing rich textures for the relationship between Doctor and Rose leading to the events in the season finale. Gorgeous, sometimes deliberately oblique writing adds more layers to the story.

Firefly

Golgotha by Beth/CG
A short story about Wash and where he came from. The detail and the voice is so compelling, and the world that is created is way too brief. I could have hung in it for hours. A little slice of life on the terra-formed planets, fits beautifully into the Firefly 'verse. It just *belongs*.

What River Knows by Lizbee
This is a sharp little River ficlet that says so much in so few words, and manages to be disconcertingly matter-of-fact, heartbreaking and chilling all at the same time.

Gilmore Girls

Cry Havoc and All That by k.
Sharp, witty, wistful story of Lorelai attempting to read the complete works of Shakespeare that Luke bought her as a graduation gift and then forgot to give her. k. captures everyone's voice perfectly.

The Power of Myth by Mosca
Rory/ Paris - The girls are ten years older, no wiser but just as witty. So sweet in the 'finding love where it always was' sense.

Good Omens

Backseat Drivers by istealboyswings
Crowley and Aziraphale are lost and Crowley won't buy a map; instead he settles in for the night in the backseat of the Bentley. I really like the stillness in this, and the sudden realization. Couple of minor apostrophe issues, but don't let that stop you from reading.

Satan Is My Motor by tea_and_snark
Lovely, evocative story in which Crowley tries to make a moment last by reliving it.

Survivors' Guilt by Iris Bleu
Utterly beautiful and moving story of Crowley and Aziraphale through the ages.

Harry Potter

20 Random Things About Draco Malfoy by Furiosity
One of the highlights of a meme-turned-fic-challenge, this covers Draco's life up to just past the events of HBP. There's a nasty, brilliant twist in the end, and the kind of personal details that please the soul in the meantime.

The Rowling by redscharlach
This may well be the first poem recced on BSO: a taut, clever parody of Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven, and of HP fandom itself. Brilliant, and guaranteed to have you laughing out loud.

Reclamation by Sam Vimes
This story just killed me: An AU where Tom Riddle became something other than Voldemort. Taking the name Tom Gaunt and teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts, he struggles against his innate amorality, until his students begin to ask: "Sir, what is a Horcrux?"

Direct the Other Way and Sundry Superlatives by L. Inman
A short, well-observed pair of post-HBP fics in which Harry is forced to place his trust in Snape once more. Wonderfully well-written gen.

One for Sorry by Lilith Morgana
An extraordinary, sparse fic about Eileen Prince, in which the spaces are as significant as the moments we are permitted to see.

In Every Word by Sam Vimes
Slughorn fic! A marvellous portrait of a character and era, as observed by the young Tom Riddle. Everyone here is simply perfect, and Tom is a compelling and disturbing narrator.

Defining Moment by Ayla Pascal
The first Snape fic written in the wake of the revelations and events of HBP. A well-drawn character portrait with a seed of hope.

all my senses rise against this coming back to you by Wilde Stranger
Beautiful Lie Low at Lupin's fic that covers the whole 'relearning each other' thing I love so much.

Apparition No. 12 by Edna Krabapple
It's beautiful and harsh and sad and truthful, the story of Remus and Sirius during OotP.

Casualties of Movement by taffetablue
Absolutely gorgeous Remus/Sirius fic.

Five Dead Women by Snegurochka
Sharp, smart, haunting portrait of five women in the Potterverse, and what happens to their strength. Morbid and creepifyingly good. HBP spoilers.

The Fall of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black by xylodemon
Her summary tells it best: "Regulus comes to terms with his brother, his family, his Lord, and himself." Lovely, haunting, believable.

Heir, Apparently by Riz
Angry!Harry, inheritance issues, and the return of Stubby Boardman. This story is very, very cool.

Hold Me Close by Sioniann
Ron/Hermione during the war, in prison. You don't need to touch someone to love them.

It's Not the Years, Honey, It's the Mileage by Thistlerose
This is an awesome post-PoA Remus/Sirius story that hits nearly every single thing I love about the pairing perfectly. And how can you not love a title that references Indiana Jones?

It Was Evening All Afternoon by Penknife
This hurts a lot, in the best way. Eleven interconnected drabbles set during OotP, and Sirius deserved better, deserved more. So beautifully written and so sharp and true, it makes me weep.

A Pretty Girl by Chloe
Goyle kinda likes being a girl. Wonderful story exploring one of the most interesting little details we learn in HBP (so yes, spoilers). Couple minor grammar issues, nothing that should stop you from reading and enjoying.

Seven Times Touched by Spikey Boots
Lovely, wistful, lyrical Sirius/Remus set between GoF and OotP, wherein Remus and Sirius try to learn to touch each other again.

The Things We Did and Didn't Do by Kyra Cullinan
Delicate, insightful story in which Hermione and Ron live after the war. Spare and powerful.

Weather Patterns by Sioniann
Lovely, tender Neville/Luna that rings so true to their characters.

All Too Sweet To Last by Annakovsky
A beautiful post-war Hermione fic in which Hermione tries hard to be a normal teenager. Quietly devastating.

Double Tongue by rowen_r
Remus and Tonks, in the throe of battle with Death Eaters, get help from someone unexpected. Nice and sharp characterizations all around, and the title is clever indeed. HBP spoilers.

The Only Truth That Sticks by victoria p.
Vic writes Snape/McGonagall (!) and I'll be damned if it doesn't make a perfect sense. Set after HBP, this story is understated and immensely moving.

House

Ghost Ships by Bellsie
Maybe I'm biased, but Bellsie's contribution to the 'House' fandom is something of a wonder. Her use of words, the way she sneaks in a thousand different nuances into a character and her direct and overwhelming understanding of these oh-so-screwed up doctors from New Jersey leave you wondering why her fic isn't cropping up more. A beautiful realisation piece, full of imagery and sound - oh, and House and Cameron going mini-golfing, with a smidge of 'Gone with the Wind" to spice the mix.

Saints & Saviors by EnchantedApril
THE H/C long-fic. Detailed and finally finished, EnchantedApril's managed to take the old "one of us is ill" plot line and make it work, work, work. Sweet, gentle with a bit of a kick, it's seventy-odd parts will keep you going until the baseball goes away and House comes back to FOX.

Alien Tears by AtlasShrugged
Such subtlety in such a complex piece - simple, perfect, slow-moving yet sharp. Perfect House/Cameron, with a little bit of death thrown in for a good time.

Of Nuptials by Pitza
House/Wilson - Why does anyone get married more than twice? I mean, surely after the first two times you think, maybe it's not them, maybe it's me... Anyway, I love Wilson breaking down, House being his not so supportive support group and the whole thing being a fantastic mess. Love the resignation here. Lots of depth and down and dirty characters.

The Order by Alibi_Factory
A curious, well-written character sketch of Eric Foreman.

The Art of Self-Preservation
House, Cameron (no pairing) - When Liz grows up she'll be House. No 'wants to be' about it. Great House voice here and a little bit of profound musing of whether to be or not to be.

All the Rooms You Wander Through by Luna
Chase/Foreman - Chase and Foreman do what they do best: break into homes and argue. A truly gorgeous writer takes on a truly strange pairing and does it so perfectly, you could see it happening in the show. No. Really.

Joan of Arcardia

True Love Leaves No Traces by Regina
Oh, my. I have to admit that while I have seen plenty of subtext, I haven't thought too much about Joan/Grace because I adore Grace/Luke and Joan strikes me as so, well, straight, but this story is pretty much *perfect* in every way. The Grace in this fic is marvellous, full of rough hurt, anger, longing and confusion, and Regina rightly never forgets about Adam or Luke.

Law and Order

Accident Prone by Ellen M
Casey/Olivia - Ellen M writes Casey as an awkward, never quite fitting in, all guts and no glory DA. Utterly irresistable in her failings. A welcome return to fanfiction from a beautiful writer.

The Fictions we Manufacture by Ellen M.
Casey/Olivia - And one more. There's a refrain about a "story" here, about the way in which relationships are never what you expect, and nothing will make it right. Casey is desperate and Olivia is enigmatic. It's tragic, but so human it's beautiful.

A Different Shade of Blonde by Anotherjuxtaposition
Casey - Another story about Casey the outsider. I have a real fondness for stories about people who don't quite fit in, but keep plugging away anyway. You gotta love their balls. "Casey never misses unless she means to." Oh yeah.

Lord of the Rings

Seam of Stone by hossgal
Sharp, brittle, sad and knowing. Gimli waits while Legolas, Aragorn and Eowyn try to sort themselves out.

Miscellaneous

(Batman Begins)
Backstage by Yahtzee
Wonderful Lucius/Alfred story, charting the course of the relationship over the years quietly and subtly with wry humor and a deft hand. Lovely.

(Batman Begins)
Climbing by Shalott
Beautiful, hot and evocative Bruce/Ducard fic.

(Batman Begins)
Fathers and Daughters by David Hines
This is comics Batverse, which I know nearly nothing about aside from what everyone knows, but my love for Commissioner Gordon is pure in the wake of Batman Begins, and this is a beautifully written, quiet story about Jim and Barbara Gordon, and the new Batgirl, about fathers and daughters, the kind of thing explored all too infrequently in fanfic. Wistful and spare and lovely.

(Breakfast Club)
Higher Education by Resonant
Excellent post-movie Bender/Brian story. Hot, funny and believable.

(Fire from Heaven)
Like Mars Himself by Devil Doll
Alexander/Hephaistion first time fic that just nails them. It's sweet, it's hot, it's just a touch angsty, because Alexander can't do anything without a little drama, and it's oh so GOOD.

(Nip Tuck)
So Much More Than You've Been by Fryadvocate
Christian/Sean, Christian/Julia - An enigmatic fic that AUs after the end of season two. It's a story with a light touch and is just vague enough to have you wondering what the hell is going but not so vague you don't figure it out eventually. A beautiful, beautiful Sean portrait too. Read it twice.

(Sherlock Holmes)
Sub Rosa by Professor Pangaea
Not so much a fic as a work of art. A narrative told over a series of telegrams between Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes in the three years following his 'death' at Reichenbach. Innovative and brilliant, with close attention to detail. A great deal is said in very few words between two characters who were never forthcoming about their feelings to begin with. Contains large images which may be troublesome to those on slow dial-up connections.

(Star Wars )
Even Though I Know You're Leaving by Aldalindil
Slightly alternative ending to RotJ, wherein Luke and Vader have a little more time to bond. Beautifully, simply written, it made me bawl like a baby.

(Star Wars )
Inheritance by Lady Lisse
Wonderful bit of character work exploring Princess Leia.

What We Have Instead by Epigone
Beecher/Keller - Another story format I've fond of is the story that is a conundrum, something to be solved. This story starts in confusion and slowly comes together, and ends on a lonely, plaintive voice calling out to no one in the night. I like the theme of communication and never quite getting heard. A powerful story.

Hands by Hecate
Alvarez/Rivera - A very powerful fic that toys with the notion of seeing black and experiencing the sensations that can only be found in darkness. There are so many powerful relationships in Oz, these deep, deep ties, and this story is one of them, effectively highlighted.

Stargate SG1

Herculaneum by Pares
Jack/Daniel - it's the short, sharp, to the point dialogue that really makes this story. The repartee is witty and pertinent and endearing, and the characters are wonderfully direct without being obvious.

Chrysostom by tafkar
Uhm... *fans self* OK, we have a Daniel/Vala, food porn, and without mentioning any naughty parts, this story manages to be hotter than most smut out there. Whew.

Stargate: Atlantis

Refraction by Martha Wilson
Plotty team action! Quantum mirror! Dystopian AU! It's like Martha fashioned this fic out of all my plot kinks and added good dialog and terrific
characterization to the mix... and seriously, this is a fabulous story. There should be more like it in the fandom.

Hindsight by Rageprufrock
(Sheppard/McKay)- So John never goes Air Force but ends up a tortured and very straight cop in Colarado Springs? How the hells does this get our boys together? Recced all over the place, but so damn beautiful you really shouldn't miss out.

A Taste of Home by Maverick
McKay/Sheppard (on a very platonic level) - A very cute exchange of snark with a little longing underneath. The Rodney in here in just the way I like him - almost earnest, but tragically flawed in the warm-fuzzy department.

To You Scattered Bodies Go by Sage
"Yes, but there is always some damage. And we remain." A fantastic aftermath fic about the whole team. Unexpected character interaction (I mean, Teyla and Zelenka - who'd see it?) makes it all the more poignant, like reaching out to whoever is there.

Coming Down from Mt Olympus by Trinityofone
McKay/Sheppard - There's a disturbingly ominous tone here, it hints of a dark John Sheppard, so very complicated. I like the way the story is something of a mystery until it comes together at the end. Some great dialogue, and great characterisation.

Euler's Jewel by Basingstroke
Mckay/Sheppard - Primarily written for the math geek, but who can go past cute and sexy dialogue, cookies and a god-smacked Rodney, I ask you?

No Refunds or Exchanges by Shallott
McKay/Sheppard - John's a mail order bride? Is someone selling crack to fanfic writers? Am I smoking it? It has to be the craziest premise for an AU, but when that gets left behind this is a story about the subtleties of a relationship, the way you two people come together and make something out of themselves and the way sex means so much more.

He's Having Her Baby by Rageprofrock
McKay/Sheppard - I'm still laughing. But I feel guilty because it's not nice to laugh at poor, deluded Rodney, as John finds out. Good (not)mpreg fun, sweet, cute. Pure pleasure.

Mutually Assured Destruction by Shrift
McKay and Sheppard - Rodney and John navigate a minefield and tell jokes. Too damn cute and just so like them.

Zelenka's Still by Auburn
Oh, my God. McKay and Sheppard are such a pair of 15-year-old boys. It's a slacker day in Atlantis, during which our two intrepid—well, make that one intrepid and one hypochondriac—heroes scope out the hidden *cough* pleasures of the Ancient City. And that's before the flying blue platypuses and the karaoke. Prepare to giggle your way through the entire fic. Gen? Well, gen-ish.

Day by Day by Perri Smith
Written in response to the Common People Challenge, we meet several geeky scientists in this story, not-so-quietly working in the background; there is grousing, joking and mourning for the dead, and each original character is briefly yet memorably drawn as a three-dimensional person. Lovely.

Star Trek (all series)

(Star Trek: The Next Generation)

Just Because It Feels Good (Doesn't Make it Right) by Kaite
Picard/Crusher - After all these years I still love this pairing, and it seems to be a never ending saga of two people who are never on the same page. Even sex doesn't get them there. I like the way this story continues the relationship, makes it into something that may never be resolved. A great take on an old pairing.

(Star Trek: Voyager)

Ask Me No Questions by Julie Levin Russo
Janeway/Seven - brutal relationship story. Janeway and Seven have a relationship that isn't quite working out and the result is disastrous. I love a story that doesn't hold back, pulls no punches. It always hurts so good.

Veronica Mars

We are using our own skins for wallpaper by Annakovsky
There have been many stories exploring the Veronica/Logan dynamic in the aftermath of S1, but few has hit it on quite the perfect note this short story has. Veronica is practical, Logan is bitter, and that last line is an absolute killer.

Don Lamb Has Fifty Business Cards by trajictale
Houston, we have a Lamb-fic! And I have to admit this is... dare I say, kind of adorable. Oh, don't worry. He's still a dick. But this funny, funny story lets us get under his skin and manage to find some layers, which is no small feat indeed.

Written Out by always_winter
Good Duncan POV stories are rare, and this is a *great* Duncan POV story. It's a carefully constructed fic that rewards multiple re-reading; plus, wow, talk about packing an emotional wallop.

Into the Blue by Anjou
This is a thoughtful exploration of the repercussions of the season finale from Logan's POV, showing Logan be proactive instead of broken, which is rather novel as post-finale fic go. Plotty and satisfying, with good Logan voice.

Scent of Blood Oranges by Signe
I love this ficlet, which packs incredible amount of vivid imagery and scents into its tiny package, along with lovely bits of characterizations. It's like a small sensory feast.

a little less conversation (a little more action, please) by Nichole
There should be more Logan/Weevil fic in this fandom, because, damn. Have you seen the show? Especially if they are going to be like this story—hot, believable, with note-perfect characterization and dialog.

The X-Files

How to Survive a High-Rise Hotel Fire by Very Improbable
Krycek/Marita - and the title pretty much covers it... but awesome exchanges between these two characters.

Old Recs	Current Recs: October 2005
Alias Battlestar Galactica Buffy and Angel Crossovers CSI Discworld Doctor Who Farscape Firefly Gilmore Girls Good Omens Harry Potter Joan of Arcadia Law and Order Lord of the Rings Miscellaneous Oz The Pretender Scrubs Smallville Sports Night Stargate SG1 Stargate: Atlantis Star Trek The West Wing The X Files X Men RecsRainbow Your reccers are...	Battlestar Galactica Intra by Kate Andrews Kate does UST like no-one else. The story is set in-between those relentless raids in "33", and the ratcheting up of tension between Kara and Lee (both erotic and otherwise) is breathless and urgent. Great dialog and gorgeous characterizations, too. Hold Fast by Meredith Bronwen Mallory Chief Tyrol contemplates Sharons, past and present. Sparsely lyrical and introspective, this story will make you ache for the poor Chief, who needs to be hugged. A lot. know well the gathering of stars by claira An elegant Roslin-fic, full of subtle character moments that ring true. I particularly loved the way claira weaved in the references to Roslin's past life as a teacher. Supply and Demand by sangga Because BSG is all about life-and-death situation, one tends to forget about the small moments and everyday things on Galactica. Sangga doest a terrific job highlighting the importance of these details, and does so while keeping everyone beautifully in character. Her Kara voice is particularly wonderful. (The fic is in three parts—click on the little right-pointing arrow on top for the following parts.) Buffy and Angel The Signs That We Missed by Hannah This amazing story looks forward and back with all the characters, using the events of "Reprise" as a starting point, and ending point, a center. Tace by Dodyskin No pairing - Spike, Angel and Conor in a post-"Not Fade Away" fic that brings the apocalyptic overtones in a way that just feels like 'the end.' here's the ominous feel of forces coming together, desperation, resolve, resolution, restitution. Fantastic writing. Childhood's End by Charlotte Harmony - I love the musings on immortality, and how it's just a little sad, even when expressed Harmony style. Like this: "it’ll all be normal, except longer." Even immortals have to "grow up". It is the hour of departure by Tesla Faith/Wesley - I love the recall in this story, the constant return to Faith's melt down. There's a lot of very pertinent thoughts about this relationship in such a short space. Very clever. Five Good Things That Never Happened to Faith by M Phoenix Faith is such a tragedy. I love reading "what might have been" stories about Faith - it seems that with every twist and turn in her life there's a way it might have gone but didn't and it all seems so much sadder because of it. The Girl in the High Castle by Mosca What if it were someone else who became a vessel for Illyria? What would have happened to Fred? The Fred in this AU version of the verse is complex and fearsome and feels every inch the realization of the flashes of dark potential we glimpsed under her sweet demeanour. Crossovers (Lemony Snicket/Edward Scissorhands) The Gargantuan Garden by Yahtzee Yahtzee once again demonstrates her considerable talent for one-shots, and for making the improbable seem plausible. The Baudelaire siblings stray from their own twisted world into that of Tim Burton, which hilarious and lovely results. Also a delightful round of meta. Brilliant. (Batman/House) Change is the Only Constant by Mara Something about House MD seems to attract improbable crossovers. This is both the unlikeliest and the best: Bruce Wayne comes under the care of Gregory House, much to the dismay of the latter. He is more than familiar with Wayne and his retinue, you see, and their presence is dredging up a past he'd rather forget. (HP/Narnia) The Made-Up Things by K. M. Petravich Beautiful Narnia/HP crossover, in which Petunia remembers Lily and their mother, and the things she ~~always~~ never wanted to believe in. (BtVS/ Firefly) Rough Heals by Voleuse Dawn - How does a key die? The FF 'verse is the perfect backdrop to the story of a girl who was never actually a girl and who gets to be one for the rest of time. There's a history repeats itself theme it the show that works so poignantly in this story. (BtVS/Doctor Who) Edit by Marcus L. Rowland This is a smart, inventive short story that meshes the worlds of BtVS and Doctor Who seamlessly, with lots of delightful little details that made this particular fan of both shows very happy. (Firefly/Stargate Atlantis) The Big Bang and Everything After by cgb Cgb writes a River Tam/Rodney McKay and makes it work, which tells you all you need to know about this story. Rather odd, as you would expect from the pairing, and weirdly affecting, too. (BSG/Miles Vorkosigan) Ekphugion by Shaye So, one fine day, a Barrayan captain spots a ragtag fleet that materialized over Sergygar out of nowhere... and thus begins a rollicking good tale of trans-galactic culture clash. I don't know which section is my favorite, the one with Cordelia and Roslin (genius!), Ivan and Starbuck, or Miles and Boomer. The characterizations are utterly spot-on and there is a plot (OMG! Plot!) to boot! I just adored the hell out of this story from the beginning to the end. (BSG/Farscape) Catch A Tiger by the Tale by hossgal I would have been disappointed if no-one tackled this particular pairing because... yeah. I won't say more. Best to let you read this on your own. Hossgal's writing, as usual, is sparse and powerful. (Law & Order: SUV/Veronica Mars) Appeals by Annakovsky For someone who allegedly hates the show (heh), Annakovsky has an amazing grasp at the voice of Logan, who's exasperating, vulnerable, a jackass and just completely, massively fucked-up in this story, as he should rightly be post S1 finale. And I have never watched L&O:SUV but I love this Alex Cabot anyway, whoever she is. (I understand she was de-aged for the story, but who cares? She's great.) It's got fabulous, sparkly dialogue, and the story is funny, raw, and weirdly tender. A great read. CSI Arthur Miller's Wrong by Camilla Sandman Written based on a list of requests from yours truly for the LJ Comm Geekfiction's Fic-a-Thon, Camilla has taken a haphazard group of random things and turned it into a piece of beauty. With Brass at the forefront and angst ahoy, a bumpy ride is expected and given. Fatherly Advice by helskinibaby Two things I love - Brass and Sara/Warrick. Put 'em together and what have you got? A mixed up Sara, a wonderfully written Brass and a little bit of fatherly advice (no, Brass does not admit he's Sara's father a la "Star Wars". Although...). Doctor Who Over Tea by Kate Bolin Rose brings the Tenth Doctor around to meet her mum, prompting reminiscences and some great dialogue. Planned Obsolescence by Miggy At the end of "Parting of the Ways", Jack takes extraordinary measures to save himself. This has a great premise, solidly rooted in the series itself, a marvellous extrapolation of everything we know about the Earth of the future, and Jack himself. Snow White Lies by TaraLJC Nancy and Jamie, after "The Doctor Dances". Doctor Who has become a series about ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary things. This fic follows the lives of two of the most memorable of those people in a believable and bittersweet fashion. At Last by TaraLJC Rose mourns both Jack and the Ninth Doctor. Well-observed and, as with much post-PotW fic, bittersweet. Nine to Five by uktechgirl In which various temporal shenanigans leave Rose on the TARDIS of the Fifth Doctor. One of the reviews described it as "a ripping good yarn", which is quite, quite accurate. Also quite accessible to those who, like me, have only a passing familiarity with the Fifth Doctor. Oi, if Mary Sue's on the Next Planet, I Quit, Doctor by Livii You are, perhaps, familiar with the cliche in which two characters are forced into a situation where they must make love or die? So are the Doctor and Rose. The title is a little clunky, but the story itself is succinct and witty. 18 Seconds by Kate Bolin The lost 18 seconds between the Doctor's first leaving Earth at the end of "Rose", and his return. The Doctor uses the time wisely, and so does Kate. References to future episodes only make it more satisfying. Notes from a bed of Rose's by Redscharlach The Doctor loves to watch Rose sleep. Further cliche sporkage, building to a memorable finale. Ever After Happily by Raven A series of bedtime stories, and a look at various incarnations of the Doctor, and the ripples he sets in motion. A series of moments that are a joy to glimpse. The Child that Time Made by Calapine Babyfic. But oh, such extraordinary, clever and bittersweet babyfic. Rose has the Doctor's child, and "unearthly" doesn't begin to cover it. Culture Crash by Cadhla Jack has a run-in with Leela, and where Leela goes, the Fourth Doctor is surely nearby. Funny, clever and timeline-twisting. Also: a religion founded around Danger Mouse, and jelly babies! The Terminus of Prayer by Cadhla An extraordinary look at the events of "Parting of the Ways", but much more than simply an episode recap. Poetic and brilliant. The Candle that Burns the Brightest by icebluenothing An AU, or possibly a whole missing timeline, from "Parting of the Ways". Rose goes home, years pass, but she never forgets. Until a solution presents itself. I'm not easily moved to tears by fic, but this had me sniffling like a child in the middle of a library. Roundabout by casira This is lyrical powerhouse of a story, providing rich textures for the relationship between Doctor and Rose leading to the events in the season finale. Gorgeous, sometimes deliberately oblique writing adds more layers to the story. Firefly Golgotha by Beth/CG A short story about Wash and where he came from. The detail and the voice is so compelling, and the world that is created is way too brief. I could have hung in it for hours. A little slice of life on the terra-formed planets, fits beautifully into the Firefly 'verse. It just belongs. What River Knows by Lizbee This is a sharp little River ficlet that says so much in so few words, and manages to be disconcertingly matter-of-fact, heartbreaking and chilling all at the same time. Gilmore Girls Cry Havoc and All That by k. Sharp, witty, wistful story of Lorelai attempting to read the complete works of Shakespeare that Luke bought her as a graduation gift and then forgot to give her. k. captures everyone's voice perfectly. The Power of Myth by Mosca Rory/ Paris - The girls are ten years older, no wiser but just as witty. So sweet in the 'finding love where it always was' sense. Good Omens Backseat Drivers by istealboyswings Crowley and Aziraphale are lost and Crowley won't buy a map; instead he settles in for the night in the backseat of the Bentley. I really like the stillness in this, and the sudden realization. Couple of minor apostrophe issues, but don't let that stop you from reading. Satan Is My Motor by tea_and_snark Lovely, evocative story in which Crowley tries to make a moment last by reliving it. Survivors' Guilt by Iris Bleu Utterly beautiful and moving story of Crowley and Aziraphale through the ages. Harry Potter 20 Random Things About Draco Malfoy by Furiosity One of the highlights of a meme-turned-fic-challenge, this covers Draco's life up to just past the events of HBP. There's a nasty, brilliant twist in the end, and the kind of personal details that please the soul in the meantime. The Rowling by redscharlach This may well be the first poem recced on BSO: a taut, clever parody of Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven, and of HP fandom itself. Brilliant, and guaranteed to have you laughing out loud. Reclamation by Sam Vimes This story just killed me: An AU where Tom Riddle became something other than Voldemort. Taking the name Tom Gaunt and teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts, he struggles against his innate amorality, until his students begin to ask: "Sir, what is a Horcrux?" Direct the Other Way and Sundry Superlatives by L. Inman A short, well-observed pair of post-HBP fics in which Harry is forced to place his trust in Snape once more. Wonderfully well-written gen. One for Sorry by Lilith Morgana An extraordinary, sparse fic about Eileen Prince, in which the spaces are as significant as the moments we are permitted to see. In Every Word by Sam Vimes Slughorn fic! A marvellous portrait of a character and era, as observed by the young Tom Riddle. Everyone here is simply perfect, and Tom is a compelling and disturbing narrator. Defining Moment by Ayla Pascal The first Snape fic written in the wake of the revelations and events of HBP. A well-drawn character portrait with a seed of hope. all my senses rise against this coming back to you by Wilde Stranger Beautiful Lie Low at Lupin's fic that covers the whole 'relearning each other' thing I love so much. Apparition No. 12 by Edna Krabapple It's beautiful and harsh and sad and truthful, the story of Remus and Sirius during OotP. Casualties of Movement by taffetablue Absolutely gorgeous Remus/Sirius fic. Five Dead Women by Snegurochka Sharp, smart, haunting portrait of five women in the Potterverse, and what happens to their strength. Morbid and creepifyingly good. HBP spoilers. The Fall of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black by xylodemon Her summary tells it best: "Regulus comes to terms with his brother, his family, his Lord, and himself." Lovely, haunting, believable. Heir, Apparently by Riz Angry!Harry, inheritance issues, and the return of Stubby Boardman. This story is very, very cool. Hold Me Close by Sioniann Ron/Hermione during the war, in prison. You don't need to touch someone to love them. It's Not the Years, Honey, It's the Mileage by Thistlerose This is an awesome post-PoA Remus/Sirius story that hits nearly every single thing I love about the pairing perfectly. And how can you not love a title that references Indiana Jones? It Was Evening All Afternoon by Penknife This hurts a lot, in the best way. Eleven interconnected drabbles set during OotP, and Sirius deserved better, deserved more. So beautifully written and so sharp and true, it makes me weep. A Pretty Girl by Chloe Goyle kinda likes being a girl. Wonderful story exploring one of the most interesting little details we learn in HBP (so yes, spoilers). Couple minor grammar issues, nothing that should stop you from reading and enjoying. Seven Times Touched by Spikey Boots Lovely, wistful, lyrical Sirius/Remus set between GoF and OotP, wherein Remus and Sirius try to learn to touch each other again. The Things We Did and Didn't Do by Kyra Cullinan Delicate, insightful story in which Hermione and Ron live after the war. Spare and powerful. Weather Patterns by Sioniann Lovely, tender Neville/Luna that rings so true to their characters. All Too Sweet To Last by Annakovsky A beautiful post-war Hermione fic in which Hermione tries hard to be a normal teenager. Quietly devastating. Double Tongue by rowen_r Remus and Tonks, in the throe of battle with Death Eaters, get help from someone unexpected. Nice and sharp characterizations all around, and the title is clever indeed. HBP spoilers. The Only Truth That Sticks by victoria p. Vic writes Snape/McGonagall (!) and I'll be damned if it doesn't make a perfect sense. Set after HBP, this story is understated and immensely moving. House Ghost Ships by Bellsie Maybe I'm biased, but Bellsie's contribution to the 'House' fandom is something of a wonder. Her use of words, the way she sneaks in a thousand different nuances into a character and her direct and overwhelming understanding of these oh-so-screwed up doctors from New Jersey leave you wondering why her fic isn't cropping up more. A beautiful realisation piece, full of imagery and sound - oh, and House and Cameron going mini-golfing, with a smidge of 'Gone with the Wind" to spice the mix. Saints & Saviors by EnchantedApril THE H/C long-fic. Detailed and finally finished, EnchantedApril's managed to take the old "one of us is ill" plot line and make it work, work, work. Sweet, gentle with a bit of a kick, it's seventy-odd parts will keep you going until the baseball goes away and House comes back to FOX. Alien Tears by AtlasShrugged Such subtlety in such a complex piece - simple, perfect, slow-moving yet sharp. Perfect House/Cameron, with a little bit of death thrown in for a good time. Of Nuptials by Pitza House/Wilson - Why does anyone get married more than twice? I mean, surely after the first two times you think, maybe it's not them, maybe it's me... Anyway, I love Wilson breaking down, House being his not so supportive support group and the whole thing being a fantastic mess. Love the resignation here. Lots of depth and down and dirty characters. The Order by Alibi_Factory A curious, well-written character sketch of Eric Foreman. The Art of Self-Preservation House, Cameron (no pairing) - When Liz grows up she'll be House. No 'wants to be' about it. Great House voice here and a little bit of profound musing of whether to be or not to be. All the Rooms You Wander Through by Luna Chase/Foreman - Chase and Foreman do what they do best: break into homes and argue. A truly gorgeous writer takes on a truly strange pairing and does it so perfectly, you could see it happening in the show. No. Really. Joan of Arcardia True Love Leaves No Traces by Regina Oh, my. I have to admit that while I have seen plenty of subtext, I haven't thought too much about Joan/Grace because I adore Grace/Luke and Joan strikes me as so, well, straight, but this story is pretty much perfect in every way. The Grace in this fic is marvellous, full of rough hurt, anger, longing and confusion, and Regina rightly never forgets about Adam or Luke. Law and Order Accident Prone by Ellen M Casey/Olivia - Ellen M writes Casey as an awkward, never quite fitting in, all guts and no glory DA. Utterly irresistable in her failings. A welcome return to fanfiction from a beautiful writer. The Fictions we Manufacture by Ellen M. Casey/Olivia - And one more. There's a refrain about a "story" here, about the way in which relationships are never what you expect, and nothing will make it right. Casey is desperate and Olivia is enigmatic. It's tragic, but so human it's beautiful. A Different Shade of Blonde by Anotherjuxtaposition Casey - Another story about Casey the outsider. I have a real fondness for stories about people who don't quite fit in, but keep plugging away anyway. You gotta love their balls. "Casey never misses unless she means to." Oh yeah. Lord of the Rings Seam of Stone by hossgal Sharp, brittle, sad and knowing. Gimli waits while Legolas, Aragorn and Eowyn try to sort themselves out. Miscellaneous (Batman Begins) Backstage by Yahtzee Wonderful Lucius/Alfred story, charting the course of the relationship over the years quietly and subtly with wry humor and a deft hand. Lovely. (Batman Begins) Climbing by Shalott Beautiful, hot and evocative Bruce/Ducard fic. (Batman Begins) Fathers and Daughters by David Hines This is comics Batverse, which I know nearly nothing about aside from what everyone knows, but my love for Commissioner Gordon is pure in the wake of Batman Begins, and this is a beautifully written, quiet story about Jim and Barbara Gordon, and the new Batgirl, about fathers and daughters, the kind of thing explored all too infrequently in fanfic. Wistful and spare and lovely. (Breakfast Club) Higher Education by Resonant Excellent post-movie Bender/Brian story. Hot, funny and believable. (Fire from Heaven) Like Mars Himself by Devil Doll Alexander/Hephaistion first time fic that just nails them. It's sweet, it's hot, it's just a touch angsty, because Alexander can't do anything without a little drama, and it's oh so GOOD. (Nip Tuck) So Much More Than You've Been by Fryadvocate Christian/Sean, Christian/Julia - An enigmatic fic that AUs after the end of season two. It's a story with a light touch and is just vague enough to have you wondering what the hell is going but not so vague you don't figure it out eventually. A beautiful, beautiful Sean portrait too. Read it twice. (Sherlock Holmes) Sub Rosa by Professor Pangaea Not so much a fic as a work of art. A narrative told over a series of telegrams between Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes in the three years following his 'death' at Reichenbach. Innovative and brilliant, with close attention to detail. A great deal is said in very few words between two characters who were never forthcoming about their feelings to begin with. Contains large images which may be troublesome to those on slow dial-up connections. (Star Wars ) Even Though I Know You're Leaving by Aldalindil Slightly alternative ending to RotJ, wherein Luke and Vader have a little more time to bond. Beautifully, simply written, it made me bawl like a baby. (Star Wars ) Inheritance by Lady Lisse Wonderful bit of character work exploring Princess Leia. Oz What We Have Instead by Epigone Beecher/Keller - Another story format I've fond of is the story that is a conundrum, something to be solved. This story starts in confusion and slowly comes together, and ends on a lonely, plaintive voice calling out to no one in the night. I like the theme of communication and never quite getting heard. A powerful story. Hands by Hecate Alvarez/Rivera - A very powerful fic that toys with the notion of seeing black and experiencing the sensations that can only be found in darkness. There are so many powerful relationships in Oz, these deep, deep ties, and this story is one of them, effectively highlighted. Stargate SG1 Herculaneum by Pares Jack/Daniel - it's the short, sharp, to the point dialogue that really makes this story. The repartee is witty and pertinent and endearing, and the characters are wonderfully direct without being obvious. Chrysostom by tafkar Uhm... fans self OK, we have a Daniel/Vala, food porn, and without mentioning any naughty parts, this story manages to be hotter than most smut out there. Whew. Stargate: Atlantis Refraction by Martha Wilson Plotty team action! Quantum mirror! Dystopian AU! It's like Martha fashioned this fic out of all my plot kinks and added good dialog and terrific characterization to the mix... and seriously, this is a fabulous story. There should be more like it in the fandom. Hindsight by Rageprufrock (Sheppard/McKay)- So John never goes Air Force but ends up a tortured and very straight cop in Colarado Springs? How the hells does this get our boys together? Recced all over the place, but so damn beautiful you really shouldn't miss out. A Taste of Home by Maverick McKay/Sheppard (on a very platonic level) - A very cute exchange of snark with a little longing underneath. The Rodney in here in just the way I like him - almost earnest, but tragically flawed in the warm-fuzzy department. To You Scattered Bodies Go by Sage "Yes, but there is always some damage. And we remain." A fantastic aftermath fic about the whole team. Unexpected character interaction (I mean, Teyla and Zelenka - who'd see it?) makes it all the more poignant, like reaching out to whoever is there. Coming Down from Mt Olympus by Trinityofone McKay/Sheppard - There's a disturbingly ominous tone here, it hints of a dark John Sheppard, so very complicated. I like the way the story is something of a mystery until it comes together at the end. Some great dialogue, and great characterisation. Euler's Jewel by Basingstroke Mckay/Sheppard - Primarily written for the math geek, but who can go past cute and sexy dialogue, cookies and a god-smacked Rodney, I ask you? No Refunds or Exchanges by Shallott McKay/Sheppard - John's a mail order bride? Is someone selling crack to fanfic writers? Am I smoking it? It has to be the craziest premise for an AU, but when that gets left behind this is a story about the subtleties of a relationship, the way you two people come together and make something out of themselves and the way sex means so much more. He's Having Her Baby by Rageprofrock McKay/Sheppard - I'm still laughing. But I feel guilty because it's not nice to laugh at poor, deluded Rodney, as John finds out. Good (not)mpreg fun, sweet, cute. Pure pleasure. Mutually Assured Destruction by Shrift McKay and Sheppard - Rodney and John navigate a minefield and tell jokes. Too damn cute and just so like them. Zelenka's Still by Auburn Oh, my God. McKay and Sheppard are such a pair of 15-year-old boys. It's a slacker day in Atlantis, during which our two intrepid—well, make that one intrepid and one hypochondriac—heroes scope out the hidden cough pleasures of the Ancient City. And that's before the flying blue platypuses and the karaoke. Prepare to giggle your way through the entire fic. Gen? Well, gen-ish. Day by Day by Perri Smith Written in response to the Common People Challenge, we meet several geeky scientists in this story, not-so-quietly working in the background; there is grousing, joking and mourning for the dead, and each original character is briefly yet memorably drawn as a three-dimensional person. Lovely. Star Trek (all series) (Star Trek: The Next Generation) Just Because It Feels Good (Doesn't Make it Right) by Kaite Picard/Crusher - After all these years I still love this pairing, and it seems to be a never ending saga of two people who are never on the same page. Even sex doesn't get them there. I like the way this story continues the relationship, makes it into something that may never be resolved. A great take on an old pairing. (Star Trek: Voyager) Ask Me No Questions by Julie Levin Russo Janeway/Seven - brutal relationship story. Janeway and Seven have a relationship that isn't quite working out and the result is disastrous. I love a story that doesn't hold back, pulls no punches. It always hurts so good. Veronica Mars We are using our own skins for wallpaper by Annakovsky There have been many stories exploring the Veronica/Logan dynamic in the aftermath of S1, but few has hit it on quite the perfect note this short story has. Veronica is practical, Logan is bitter, and that last line is an absolute killer. Don Lamb Has Fifty Business Cards by trajictale Houston, we have a Lamb-fic! And I have to admit this is... dare I say, kind of adorable. Oh, don't worry. He's still a dick. But this funny, funny story lets us get under his skin and manage to find some layers, which is no small feat indeed. Written Out by always_winter Good Duncan POV stories are rare, and this is a great Duncan POV story. It's a carefully constructed fic that rewards multiple re-reading; plus, wow, talk about packing an emotional wallop. Into the Blue by Anjou This is a thoughtful exploration of the repercussions of the season finale from Logan's POV, showing Logan be proactive instead of broken, which is rather novel as post-finale fic go. Plotty and satisfying, with good Logan voice. Scent of Blood Oranges by Signe I love this ficlet, which packs incredible amount of vivid imagery and scents into its tiny package, along with lovely bits of characterizations. It's like a small sensory feast. a little less conversation (a little more action, please) by Nichole There should be more Logan/Weevil fic in this fandom, because, damn. Have you seen the show? Especially if they are going to be like this story—hot, believable, with note-perfect characterization and dialog. The X-Files How to Survive a High-Rise Hotel Fire by Very Improbable Krycek/Marita - and the title pretty much covers it... but awesome exchanges between these two characters.