i know you by littlefall_rain (t)

[sandystarr88.livejournal.com]

Fandom Category: Harry Potter
Pairing: Pansy Parkinson/Draco Malfoy
Fic Title: I Know You
Author: [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com]
Link: http://littlefall-rain.livejournal.com/4174.html
Rating/Warning(s): T
Genre: General, Fluff, Angst
WIP?: No

Why This Must Be Read: Draco and Pansy, from enemies to friendship to love, from childhood to adulthood, using all dialogue. The fic lets the reader watch as Draco and Pansy grow up, and brings a fun new perspective to the events of canon through a Slytherin lens.

Kith and Kin by Eleanor J. (T)

[sandystarr88.livejournal.com]

Fandom Category: House
Pairing: Lisa Cuddy/Gregory House
Fic Title: Kith and Kin
Author: Eleanor J.
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3170365/1/Kith_and_%3Cb%3EKin%3C_b%3E
Rating/Warning(s): T
Genre: General, Romance
WIP?: Yes

Why This Must Be Read: A family emergency puts Cuddy in the position of having to ask for House's help and House, being House, decides to push and prod at Cuddy's walls as he comes to know a side of his boss that he has never known. This is a story about what drives Cuddy to succeed and her relationship with her father, and having to deal with the scars of the past in order to allow someone else in.

she smiles by bama02614 (k+)

[sandystarr88.livejournal.com]

Fandom Category: The O.C.
Pairing: Taylor Townsend/Ryan Atwood
Fic Title: She Smiles
Author: bama02614
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3249748/1/
Rating/Warning(s): K+ / mentions of canon character death
Genre: General, Angst
WIP?: No

Why This Must Be Read: Because it respects the fact that for better or worse Ryan Atwood loved Marissa Cooper; acknowledging the feelings that one part of your one true pairing has for someone else tends to be touch and go in fandom (isn't that an understatement). The hurt, anger, and eventual numbness that Ryan feels as he deals with Marissa's death brings a realism that most authors are not able to insert in their fics. The slow way that Taylor is able to help Ryan starting living again, is beautifully done.