SV: The Sixth Hour by Tara O'Shea (Chloe, various)

Smallville love continues with Tara O'Shea's The Sixth Hour. This story moves like an episode, only better. Great characterizations, some intriguing speculation about Lex's past, and a Chloe just the way I love her all add up to one engrossing, satisfying read. Plus, it has a plot!

SV: Eve by Kate Elizabeth (Chloe/Lana)

Eve by Kate Elizabeth is a lovely little sliver of Chloe and Lana at the cusp of whatever comes after girlhood.

SV: Lucifer in Starlight by Brighid (Clark/Lex)

Brighid's Lucifer in Starlight has been rec'd all over for being a gorgeous glimpse at Clark and Lex teetering on the edge of future darkness.

WW: Only in the Cold by CazQ (Josh/Sam)

I went looking for West Wing fic without even realizing Josh/Sam might be a possibility (yes, I do live under a rock), and then CazQ's wondrous Only in the Cold took my head and tilted it sideways so I could see the world the way it's meant to be. This is a marvel of a story, wintry and tender and aching, in love with the characters, in love with writing.

BTVS: Sweet William by Peasant (Spike/Angelus)

I've only recently found Peasant's Buffy fic. I haven't had time to read anything except Sweet William -- but let me protest that this is an actual novel, and a heavy-duty one at that. Spike's first few years as a vampire, with Angelus as his guide. I've seen the mentor/fledgling dynamic done lots of ways in fic, but rarely have I been so fascinated by every single line, so invested in every action and reaction.

Bonus: while you're at this site, check out History of the Aurelian Vampires.

BTVS: Home from the Great Escape by Cynthia Liskow (Riley)

Home from the Great Escape by Cynthia Liskow brings Riley -- and if I'm rec'ing a Riley fic it's got to be a good one -- back to Sunnydale post-resurrection in such a better way than "As You Were" that it makes me even more disgusted with the ep than I was when it aired. I particularly appreciated the careful thought Cynthia put into addressing Riley's big issues: addiction and Buffy. The ending is especially provocative.

ATS: Fostering by Elizabeth Ann Lewis (Pike, Angel)

I watched the original Buffy movie a little while ago and happened to notice Elizabeth Ann Lewis's Fostering in progress at FF.net. Now it's finally finished. There's a really nifty premise behind the fic: Pike meets up with Angel Investigations during the summer before S3. (More than that happens, but I don't want to spoil.) There are also some fine characterizations of Cordelia, Wesley, Kate, and Fred, among others.

ETA: As of January 2012, I can't find this story anywhere on the Internet. Links help would be appreciated!

FS: Written on a Thumbnail by cofax (John, John)

I just rec'd the hell out of cofax's Farscape fic Written on a Thumbnail in my blog. This is a fantastic Season 3 AU that does great things with the two Johns, Moya John especially.

Matrix: Goliath by Neil Gaiman (OC)

Neil Gaiman's Goliath proves that The Matrix can be fertile ground for more than just Mary Sues. It's one of the more original short stories I've seen, ever, and makes fantastic use of the universe's parameters.