Story: Fly Away Home
Author: Christina K
Fandom: Highlander
Genre: Gen
Pairing/Character: Tessa, Methos
Summary: Four decades, two friends, one apartment. Methos & Tessa

Squeeing: This made me nostalgic for the HL series, along with having an absolutely charming Methos and Tessa relationship. Sweet, wistful, ironic.

Excerpt: "Don't you have anywhere to stay?" she asked, torn between disbelief and laughter. His hair was rumpled exactly like the duck's feathers, and he appeared utterly unconcerned to be caught sleeping in public. "I thought you were a student here."

"I did. I am. I'm supposed to be defending my thesis in June, I'll be in student housing then. I had a friend here, in Montmarte, who said I could stay with him for the next few weeks, but... well, he lost his head over a woman." He sighed. "Thus. Park bench. And duck soup."

Story: When Summoning Please Watch the Wording
Author: Ryuuza Kochou
Fandom: Supernatural/Good Omens
Genre: Crossover
Pairing/Character: Crawley, Dean, Aziraphale, Sam
Summary: Dean and Sam fall into the hands of Satanists, who, naturally, want to use Sam as the vessel for the Golden Eyed Demon. Well...they do get A Certain Golden Eyed Demon. And an avenging Angel. And a serious posterior whooping

Squeeing: This crossover hit all the right notes, with wonderful characterization for Aziraphale and Crawley. I nearly died of laughter.

Excerpt: My Lord!” the girl’s voice was exultant. “We have summoned you so that you might bring about your glorious rule. And then, the Apocalypse!”

“What? Again?” The man in black looked around blearily. “Look, we tried the Apocalypse and the Anti-Christ said he didn’t want any.”

Story: God of the New World
Author: Eclipse
Fandom: Death Note/Doctor Who
Genre: Crossover
Pairing/Character: Raito/Matsuda and Raito/Mikami
Summary: Kira versus the Master. Or the reason why Japan burned in DWS3.

Squeeing: Just a really wicked piece that manages to fit both universes well - an idea I definitely wouldn't have thought of, but one which just makes me giddy with guilty pleasure. Because you KNOW the Master and Kira would end up clashing... and when two sociopaths meet, only one can win.

Excerpt: No. No, no, no, he was a God, this world needed him, this was all some horrible mistake, somehow this was all just a mistake …

Story: Don't Break Your Heart
Author: miko_no_do
Fandom: D. Gray-man
Genre: Romance, Angst, Smut
Pairing/Character: Lavi/Allen
Summary: Lavi kept warning him, but Allen couldn't have taken the advice if he'd wanted to.

Squeeing: sailormac pointed this out.

It's no secret that miko_no_da is one of the most talented DGM writers - this long oneshot proves it. Not only does she take a common scenario (character decides to "test out" sexuality) and manages to make it new, but she also really illustrates the change the characters (Lavi particularly) are going through while writing smut. She's also one of the few fanfic writers who is able to handle dialect (Lavi again). Just... a masterfully written story that hits the right notes.

Excerpt: "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Lavi held his hands up to stem the flow of words. "Wait, so, lemme get this straight. You don't wanna make out with Lenalee, and you're realizing now that you've never paid much attention to women, so you're worried maybe you don't like women at all. And you wanna kiss a guy, and see if you like that..."

Lavi paused, and Allen could see him running through a mental head-count of the Order and coming to the same conclusion Allen had. "And I'm about your only choice, izzat it?"

Story: Example Lesson
Author: TeaForRevenge
Fandom: Ouran High School Host Club
Genre: Drama, Character, Angst
Pairing/Character: Tamaki
Summary: Tamaki bears a burden. Problem is, he doesn’t even notice.

Squeeing: A really effective use of contrast and staccato sentences illustrates Tamaki's characteristics brilliantly as he battles his grandmother to a standstill without even realizing what's going on. So painfully Tamaki.

Excerpt: “Klutz,” she calls him, “Such a ditzy klutz.”

Tamaki stands up, a bit disoriented, and is drawn into a fight not of his own making.

“Grandmother,” he calls her, “Such an honour to meet you.”

Story: The Great Debate
Author: cutiechibi
Fandom: Naruto
Genre: Humor, Crack
Pairing/Character: NaruSasuNaru
Summary: Trying to define Sasuke and Naruto into seme/uke roles, Sai and Sakura interrupt their grand reunion...

Squeeing: Funniest. Thing. Ever. There's just something about seeing the "great drama" moment through the eyes of yaoi fans.

Excerpt: "Awwwwww, look at his face!" Sakura squeals, "The pain and suffering in Naruto's eyes. So uke!"

"S-Sakura-chan?"

"But did you hear his voice? So much authority in his words, so much power. Obviously seme," Sai says knowingly.

"What in the hell are you two bickering about?" Sasuke asks.

In the spirit of the "New Authors" meme, I'm now hoping you'll all offer me your All-time Favorites.

What are the fics that you find yourself going back to, time after time? What's worth re-reading? What fics shaped your fandom experiences and stand-out as the all time best? Give me one, or give me several...

For example, I find myself periodically re-reading fics like:

Realizations (Harry Potter): Harry Potter spends the gap year after Cedric dies in Diagon Alley. (WIP)

Frozen Sky (Bleach): The definitive (to me) Hitsugaya backstory (now noncanon, but still wonderful). (WIP)

The Best Defense (Harry Potter/Yu Yu Hakusho): The Reikei Tantei go to Hogwarts, done RIGHT.

Scattered Blossoms (Card Captor Sakura): Kinomoto Touya comes to grips with his place in the world. Watch the boy become a man... set preseries.

Genma's Daughter (Ranma 1/2): Ranma was born a girl. An exploration of gender identity, and a romance.

Empire of the Sun (Sailor Moon): A reopened police investigation kicks off a long drama for the senshi. (WIP)

Relative Truth (Detective Conan): Shinichi and Kaito must face the truths of the past, which have created this present. (WIP)

The Armed Intervention Series (Highlander): Methos and Joe friendship series that absolutely rocks.

Next to NetGo (Hikaru no Go): AU where Hikaru isn't a pro, but plays online. And is involved romantically with Touya Akira.

The Way of the Apartment Manager (Naruto): Proving an original character can be added to an AU without turning into a Mary Sue. Naruto gains a positive influence as a child, however reluctant she may be.

And no, these aren't my top-ten... they're just ones that immediately pop to mind. Um, I really like long fic... ^^;; But I'd love recs of all shapes, sizes and colors.

Story: Convention
Author: Serenetwinkle
Fandom: XXXholic
Genre: Humor, Romance
Pairing/Character: Doumeki/Watanuki
Summary: Watanuki is bribed into going to a convention.

Squeeing: Watanuki and Doumeki in a traditional cosplay! Yuuko manipulating him into dressing up! Watanuki being stalked at a con! Just... so funny... has the feeling of one of the more "cracktastic" meetings in the series, although there is something more underlying it.

Excerpt: “No. Way.” The skinny, costumed boy stomped over to his boss and shoved his hand out to her. A blonde wig dangled limply from his fist. “There is no way I’m wearing this thing.”

Story: Fuel for the End
Author: BukkakeNoJutsu
Fandom: Naruto
Genre: Drama, Romance
Pairing/Character: Naruto/Anko
Summary: Anko prepares Naruto for the final "rescue Sasuke" mission in her own insane fashion. Insanity is catchy... not that Naruto's sane in the first place.

Squeeing: A very crack pairing, but this works by drawing on the attitudes that Anko and Naruto share. There's also a sequel, The End of All Things that I like just as much.

Excerpt: Deep down inside, Naruto was content because she took him on with a merciless enthusiasm unlike the comparative kid gloves he was treated with by his other training partners. People, like Lee and Neji, held too much respect for him to fight with intentions of sending him to the hospital for a long stay.

For a moment, Naruto shuddered as he wondered if he was becoming a closet masochist. His thoughts briefly turned to the other violent women in his life, Tsunade-obachan and Sakura-chan.

It's been a while, but once again I'll try to help people out with specific requests. I'll rec fics to the first five people who respond.

You can request:

1 - A fandom in general (I'm looking for some really neat Tantei Gakuen Q fanfic!)

2 - A fandom and "style" (I'm looking for Gundam Wing Schoolfic; I want Kenshin epic drama)

3 - A style with a list of fandoms (I love schoolfic, and I'd like to see some in Gundam Wing, Kenshin, or Hikaru no Go).

4 - By character (I want Fruits Basket Kyou fic!)

Anything's fair game, but if I don't know the fandom, I'm not going to be much help.

Fandoms I've recced in the past

Meme Closed

Story: Out of the Loop
Author: FinalArc
Fandom: Yu Yu Hakusho
Genre: Drama, Post Series
Pairing/Character: Kuwabara, Kurama, Hiei, Yuusuke
Summary: It started with a camping trip. Well, actually, it started with Kurama, and that led to five million other things, and pretty soon, I, Kazuma Kuwabara, had became team therapist.

Squeeing: The Kuwabara 1POV works really well to explore the ties between the Reikei Tantei. It's set post series and is at times humorous, poignant and insightful.

Excerpt: It seemed those three were always keeping some sort of secret. I still didn’t know exactly how Yusuke arrested Kurama; I couldn’t believe he was capable of it, even now. They decided not to tell me Genkai was dead, and, I’m still the only one who doesn’t know who Hiei’s sister is. I know a couple things happened while Sensui had me captured, that nobody wants to talk about, and I don’t even want to imagine the things that went on during the Demon World tournament. But they keep making comments, and jokes, and, as always, I have no idea what’s going on.

Story: We Know Who You Are
Author: wendymr
Fandom: Doctor Who
( Cut for 4x12 Spoilers )

Story: View From the Morgue
Author: Connecticut Junkie
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Genre: Drama, Outside Perspective
Pairing/Character: Buffy, Spike
Summary: Buffy, Spike, and Sunnydale from a Medical Examiner’s POV. And if that doesn’t get you reading, Spike is SHIRTLESS. Ooh yeah. Or, no. Depending on your own POV.

Squeeing: An oldie but goodie - I really like Buffy and Spike from this OC's perspective. Plus, having a competent ME explains SO MUCH about Sunnydale. Just a fun read.

Excerpt: He also had another thing- again, not a gift but a habit picked up from experience. Some of the newer or less aware citizens of the town who worked with him at the hospital morgue found it curious, should they happen to catch him in the act. Some were angered, others were mocking. It was the stuff of horror movies and cheesy Anne Rice books, a superstition that Gordon shouldn’t possess because he was a doctor, for chrissakes, and he should know that it was medically impossible.

Story: Acts of Complicity
Author: Lena Inverse
Fandom: Kyou Kara Maou
Genre: Humor
Pairing/Character: Murata/Yozak
Summary: Murata enlists Yozak's skills to keep a visiting diplomat from causing problems for Yuuri...and because some undertakings are just more fun with a partner.

Squeeing: This long oneshot really has a perfect Yozak voice - and the characterization of Murata is superb. It manages to sound very similar to the series - a serious problem being addressed by crossdressing and sex-appeal, and the way Murata manipulates the whole situation is just so... him.

Excerpt: If someone had asked him three days ago, Yozak never would have believed that the Great Sage of all people would ask him to use sex appeal to aid in the quest for justice, or whatever it was the kiddo called it. He’d always known that Murata wasn’t above being sneaky, or even practicing the fine art of telling people only what they needed to know, in order to meet a larger goal. But for some reason, he’d been surprised that Murata had asked him to manipulate Ormond in such a way. Yozak blamed his misjudgment of Murata entirely on the innocent smile and the schoolboy glasses.

Story: This Is How the Universe Ends
Author: perryvic and googlebrat
Fandom: Torchwood/Discworld
Genre: Crossover
Pairing/Character: Death/Jack/Universe
Summary: EXCUSE ME, he said, not impolitely. BUT YOU ARE HOLDING UP THE END OF THE UNIVERSE.

Squeeing: I haven't laughed this hard at a fic in a while, but it's also got some fabulous ideas that really make this resonate. While I'm not much of a Discworld fan, that didn't deter from my enjoyment - Jack is oh-so-perfectly in character.

Excerpt: BUT IN ANY CASE, IT IS REQUIRED THAT YOU DIE IN ORDER THAT THE UNIVERSE CAN END. He raised his scythe again, meaningfully. WHENEVER YOU'RE READY.

The man stood up and grinned as he spread his arms wide. "Can't wait! Frankly, the last few million years have been downright dull. Would it help if I assumed any sort of position?"

Story: Exile
Author: amarielah
Fandom: Death Note/Yu Yu Hakusho
Genre: Crossover
Pairing/Character: Light Yagami, Ryuk, Yusuke Urameshi, Koenma, Botan.
Summary: Light encounters an enigmatic stranger who claims to know him, much to Ryuk's amusement. There is more to Kira than even he realizes. Well, until he finally dies.

Squeeing: Merging these two worlds is a trick, but it works. I can't say much without spoiling it, but this is a REALLY COOL IDEA.

Excerpt: "I'm Yusuke Urameshi," says the man, grinning very wide. "But that probably doesn't mean much to you. It will, eventually, when you remember."

Story: Pick Out Your Cloud
Author: Kali Cephirot
Fandom: Kyou Kara Maou
Genre: Back story, romance
Pairing/Character: Onesided Wolfram/Julia
Summary: Clouds have shape just because people say they do. Just like Wolfram’s ‘friendship’ with Julia.

Squeeing: This is one of those fics I've been looking for - it develops Wolfram's relationship with Julia in a canon-based way, and has a really great portrayal of both characters. And the end is perfect.

Excerpt: Wolfram was so startled by hearing another voice so close to him that he almost fell from the branch he was sitting on. That tree had been his secret hiding for over fifteen years: not even Conrad had known about it. Whenever he had been teased, denied something or just felt lonely, he had climbed upon it and he had gazed upon the landscape of Shin Makoku until there was nothing else in his mind.

Story: Peter in Love
Author: Tosca
Fandom: The Chronicles of Narnia
Genre: Character, romance
Pairing/Character: Peter/OMC, Peter/Aslan
Summary: There's many types of love, and Peter experiences them all.

Squeeing: This isn't usually the kind of fic I like for Narnia, but there's something very beautiful about it... as aspects of love are explored, we can see the strength of Peter's character. Very poetic style of writing.

Excerpt: But Aslan said nothing, accused him of nothing. And when he found in himself the courage to look, he saw in Aslan's face not only forgiveness, but also the promise of worth, if he just took that leap of faith and believed. Not only in Aslan, but also in himself.

Peter leapt.

Story: Another Story
Author: etothey
Fandom: Princess Tutu
Genre: Meta fic, fairytale
Pairing/Character: Ahiru
Summary: The story of Princess Tutu, as a story within a story.

Squeeing: This is a really hard fic to describe, but it's short and lovely, really catching the feel of a traditional fairytale. I can't say much except that etothey has a real haunting turn of phrase.

Excerpt: In another story, your mother would not be a duck, but a queen among swans and a swan among queens, long of neck and lithe of figure. In another story, you would be her twelve daughters, each fairer than the last, except for the youngest with her black hair and dark, thoughtful eyes, just as you, littlest duckling, are black-feathered and wise.

Story: Coda
Author: Karaera
Fandom: Kyou Kara Maou
Genre: Darkfic
Pairing/Character: Shinou/Murata
Summary: An AU set postseries. What if Yuuri had failed? What if the Sovereign had won?

Squeeing: A dark ending to the 2nd season, creepy and wonderful in its directness. Watching Murata's evolving feelings toward the situation is fascinating.

Excerpt: The Sovereign is turning away from the boxes with a terrible, terrible smile on his face, taking no notice of the blue pendant crushed beneath his heel when he steps forward; Murata winces inwardly at seeing that expression on Shibuya's face but stands his ground. The others have fled – he made them flee, forced them back to the castle as Shibuya's last effort at resistance was squashed – but he did not. Could not.