Story: Flowers in Summer
Author: Icepixie
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 4248
Author's summary: Charley comes back to Earth. Cecilia Pollard reports. [Spoilers through "Neverland." Eight/Charley, but not excessively so.]
Characters/Pairings: Charley Pollard, Eighth Doctor, other characters
Warnings: none

Recced because: This is a lovely audio-based fic told by an engaging narrator. When Charley went off to travel with the Eighth Doctor, she left behind a family that included a younger sister, Cecilia (nicknamed "Sissy"). Six months after being presumed dead, Charley returns home alone. The story, related via Sissy's journal entries, briefly summarizes the time period between Charley's disappearance and return, then goes into more detail after she's back home. The author establishes an evocative, bittersweet tone that feels just right.

My one concern: Sissy appears in a Gallifrey audio, which Icepixie hadn't heard (neither have I!), so her characterization in this story might be very different. But if readers can get past that potential issue, or don't consider it a problem to begin with, I think they'll really enjoy Flowers in Summer.

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Story: Living History
Author: MinervaFan
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 9668
Author's summary: Sarah Jane and her gang are entrusted with a priceless legacy.
Characters/Pairings: Sarah Jane Smith
Warnings: none

Recced because: Every once in a while you come across a truly unique story, one that you've never seen before or heard before and really wish you had because it's so completely brilliant. This is one of those stories. Sarah Jane saves an alien from death and then saves him again from that much more. It raises some good questions - what is a culture but a collection of stories? And what happens if that culture, that species, is gone, everyone except for one and they, too, are dying? It's a lovely, bittersweet tale that brought tears to my eyes at the end and, despite that fact, made me smile.

( Sample section )

Story: The Chinese Remainder Theorem
Author: eve11
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 1540
Author's Summary: "This is the place? Oh, that afternoon we spent, just flying kites." (Inspired by the Big Finish audio, "The 100 Days of the Doctor.")
Characters/Pairings: Sixth Doctor, Evelyn Smythe
Warnings: nope.

Recced because: Evelyn and the Sixth Doctor are one of my all-time favorite TARDIS pairings. I think they are absolutely perfect together. And this story is them in every possible way. The language, the banter, the underlying love...it's all them. Not to mention the fact that this piece contains one of the most magnificent metaphors in all of fandom.

( a small taste... )

Story: Ten things to do at Torchwood when you're dead
Author: Netgirl_y2k
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 972 words
Author's summary: "Do you ever get the feeling that we're the best two?"
Characters/Pairings: Tosh, Ianto, Owen, Jack, Gwen
Warnings: none

Recced because: In typically incompetent Torchwood fashion, Owen accidentally vaporizes Ianto and Tosh. (Well, kind of.) And a story with a premise like that has to go somewhere great. Sure enough: Tosh and Ianto find themselves lurking around the hub, able to communicate with each other yet unseen and unheard by their colleagues. It's good to have the focus on these two underused characters, and I can't argue too much with the last line.

( a bit from the beginning )

Story: Hall of Mirrors
Author: WMR
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 75,567
Author's summary: Eventually, she will have to accept that this time he really does mean it. That sometimes impossible really is impossible.
Characters/Pairings: Rose Tyler, The Doctor (9th), Jack Harkness (Nine/Rose)
Warnings: none

Recced because: I'll admit it. I have a certain fondness for alt!Nine fics. This is yet another 'verse wherein Rose encounters an alternate version of her Doctor with a very clever twist. We get to see flawed, human characters (yes, even the Doctor) in situations that, while not exactly 'realistic' in the way that you or I encounter Autons every day, you can see happening. Like all of Wendy's writing, this story is more about the characters than the plot. But this story has just about everything wrapped in an angsty hurt-comfort-y wrapper. Its got pieces of Series 1 as it could've been. No punches are pulled with this story and, combined with its gorgeous prose, it's definitely one of my favourites of Wendy's work.

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Here's my second long-story rec.

Story: Reflections
Author: vandonovan
Rating: Adult
Word Count: 90,812
Author's Summary: Charged with saving the universe, can the Doctor overcome his own darkness to defeat the Daleks?
Characters/Pairings: Second Doctor/Jamie, Victoria
Warnings: Dark AU

Recced because: I should probably start by explaining what this story is really about. Perhaps best summarized by one of it's reviewers, it's a story about a ""Dalek-blighted universe created by a Doctor corrupted by his own heart." This piece is an AU based off of the serial The Evil of the Daleks, which I think is one of the best stories in all of classic Who. Sadly, most of the episodes were burned in the BBC purge of misery and woe, but the storyline is worth suffering through reconstructions for. However, if you absolutely refuse to watch this serial, or simply can't for whatever reason, this recap provides all the information you would need to make sense of Reflections. And Van's story is definitely worth the effort.

Although it's pretty darn long by Who-fic standards, I think this one is absolutely worth the time commitment. Not only is it a brilliant Two/Jamie story, but the plot is completely engaging and seriously intense. Van has an excellent grasp of the characters, particularly the Second Doctor (he also does a great Victoria), and the result is that you really understand the motivations of his AU-self. You can believe that this dark version is someone the Second Doctor could have become. (And did I mention the sex is hot as hell?) But most of all, I love this story because it's just so damn angsty. The first time I read it I was hooked from chapter one through the very last line and yes, I cried.

( a small taste from the first chapter... )

Series: Emotional Baggage
Author: sensiblecat
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 6924 words (total series)
Author's summary: A series of conversations following Donna and the Doctor through Series 4.
Characters/Pairings: Tenth Doctor, Donna Noble
Warnings: none

Recced because: There's just something about Donna that makes the Doctor want to talk in the stories in this series. Every conversation they have reveals a little bit more about the Doctor's deeper character as well as Donna's. This the Donna we see on screen, magnified. It's an absolutely gorgeous series and if you only decide to read one series about the Doctor and Donna, I highly recommend that this be it.

( Selected Text from one of the stories )

Story: Not Just for Christmas
Author: paranoidangel
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 1656 words
Author's summary: A dog is for life, not just for Christmas.
Characters/Pairings: Sarah Jane Smith, Luke Smith
Warnings: none

Recced because: It's an adorable Sarah Jane Adventures story about what happens when Sarah has to write a magazine review about a robot dog. Of course, the dog isn't exactly up to K9's standards. Luke misinterprets a casual comment made by Sarah and takes matters into his own hands, which leads to a touching resolution. This fic is just sweet enough without being overly saccharine.

( a little text )

Here is the first of my two longer-story recs in honor of making it through to midweek.

Story: Collected Ficlets
Author: livii
Rating: All Ages through Adult (each ficlet rated separately)
Word Count: 11,828 (most ficlets are under 500 words)
Author's Summary: What it says on the tin - a collection spot for drabbles and ficlets of ~1000 words or less.
Characters/Pairings: Nyssa/Tegan, Jack/Susan, Rose/Adam, Rose/Jabe, Sarah Jane/Benton, Sarah Jane/Benton/Harry, Benton/Yates, Benton/Jo, Harry/Benton, Barbara/Susan, Master/Brigadier, Master/Jo, Third Doctor/Jo, Romana/Duggan, Rose/Nancy, Tenth Doctor/Jo, Tenth Doctor/Martha, Seventh Doctor/Rose, Rose/altverse!Suzie, Rose/altverse!Sarah Jane, Rose/Benton, Jack/Ace, Martha/Harry, Martha/Sarah Jane, Ace/Hex, Fifth Doctor/Nyssa
Warnings: nope

Recced because: These are simply amazing. They just might be my favorite thing in all of Who fan fiction, and I don't say that lightly. I don't know how she does it, but livii manages to pack so much into these little stories. Entire worlds and relationships and so much emotion in tiny snapshots. And I really think there is something for everyone here. Whatever pairings or characters you prefer, whether you enjoy angst or humor or action, it's all there. And the best part is, it looks like she is going to continue to update the masterlist as she writes more of these ficlets, so bookmark this page, people!

(PS. As an added bonus, Benton stars in a number of the stories and she writes him fabulously.)

( here's a taste from my most favorite of the ficlets... )

Story: Terms of Employment
Author: Aeshna
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 7098
Charcters/Pairings: Jack Harkness, Harriet Jones
Author's Summary:"We'll survive. History's not done with you yet, and me... well, I always have before. Don't see why this time should be any different." Written some months before the Torchwood s1 premiere.

recced because: I do love origin stories, especially origin stories for how Jack ends up at Torchwood. Now this one is completely in AU-land thanks to Frangments, but what an AU it is. It's got a perfect Jack characterisation, perfect Harriet Jones and a lot of hard truths being examined between them both. Neither are perfect characters, but neither is the Doctor who brought them both to this point. It's a lovely examination of what could have been.

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Story: Not Her Type
Author: Kalima
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 760 words
Author's summary: Donna has standards.
Characters/Pairings: Tenth Doctor/Donna
Warnings: none

Recced because: This story is an amusing twist on the idea of a Ten/Donna relationship. In this case, Donna claims her main worry is that the aliens holding them prisoner will want her and the Doctor to have sex. It's refreshing to see the Doctor with a deflated ego from the thought that one of his companions might actually not be attracted to him. Best of all, Donna is the real star here, as she controls the situation from beginning to end.

( a few paragraphs )

Story: Naturally Curly
Author: crushedmidnight
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 1840
Author's Summary: The Doctor has a little trouble post-regeneration, and enlists Harry’s help.
Characters/Pairings: Fourth Doctor, Harry Sullivan
Warnings: nope

Recced because: I love Harry Sullivan and I love this story. The first time I read it I actually cried with laughter, and no matter how many times I re-read, I still grin from ear to ear. A bizarre bonding moment for the Fourth Doctor and Harry that is wonderfully in character and full of so much charm. I can't imagine how anyone could read this story and not smile.

( a small taste... )

Story: Mother Knows Best
Author: Wish Wielder
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 26,216
Author's summary: When Jackie makes a flippant comment in the presence of an alien artifact, she wakes up to find her entire world flipped around – and not in the good way. There’s only one man – well, alien – she knows who could possibly fix it, and she’s just wished him out of their lives.
Characters/Pairings: Jack Harkness, Jackie Tyler, Martha Jones, Mickey Smith, Pete Tyler, Rose Tyler, The Doctor (10th), The Doctor (9th)
Warnings: none

Recced because: I adore stories that delve into the intricacies of 'what if' and toying with time. This one is a true gem. It starts with the premise of Jackie wishing for one thing, one thing only: That Rose Tyler never met the Doctor. From that moment on, it hits the ground running. It's an engrossing, well-written story and it contains one of my absolute favourite characterisations of Jackie Tyler in fan fiction.

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Story: And That Was How The Doctor Was Forced To Eventually Invent Retcon
Author: koshiroryuu
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 457
Author's summary: To his great shock, the Doctor discovers that he's about to marry... the Doctor!
Characters/Pairings: Fourth Doctor/Tenth Doctor
Warnings: none

Recced because: Look at the title! Doesn't it make you even a little curious? Come on, it has to. Of course, even without the added glory of that great title, I would have read the story because I have a marked fondness for good crack. Such as the Tenth Doctor learning that he's supposed to marry his fourth self. Featuring perfect dialogue and a killer last line, this fic is one of many excellent efforts to come out of churchontime.

( a snippet, to convince you )

It's finally my turn! I'm so excited!!! Let's start with a Third Doctor AU, shall we?

Story: All These Things That We've Done
Author: Netgirl_y2k
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 1966
Author's Summary: The one where the Brigadier and Liz Shaw travel as companions to the Third Doctor.
Characters/Pairings: Third Doctor, Liz Shaw, the Brigadier
Warnings: nope

Recced because: This is exactly how it should have happened. I absolutely love the Third Doctor era, but it's always bothered me immensely that Liz and the Brig never got to travel in the TARDIS. They would have made fantastic companions, and this story shows us all the reasons why in tiny snapshots of fabulous adventures. The characterizations are spot on, the dialogue is perfection, and the whole thing feels SO right.

( a small taste... )

Story: The Slow Path, or Two and a Half Centuries in Two and a Half Days
Author: Amy Wolf
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 16598
Author's summary: AU from Girl in the Fireplace.
Characters/Pairings: Tenth Doctor/Reinette, Rose, Mickey, Various Historical Figures
Warnings: only if you want me to warn for awesomeness

Recced because: This fic is excellent. It's complex and well-researched and wonderfully detailed. There's a sense of history to it and a sense of geography too. It's well-plotted and well-structured and just very, very good. It's one of my favorites. And as always, Amy Wolf's characterization is faultless.

Plus, there's a scene where William S Burroughs gives the Doctor drugged tea in a room full of Beat Poets and a great cameo by Led Zeppelin. What's not to love?

Story: The Gap Between Womb and Tomb
Author: Kalima
Rating: either All Ages or Teen
Word Count: 2443
Author's summary: He'll build a bridge if he has to. The Tenth Doctor wants what he wants and he's figured out a way to get it. Problem is, it's not exactly ethical. And worse, it doesn't work.
Characters/Pairings: First Doctor, Susan, Second Doctor, Third Doctor, Fourth Doctor, Romana I, Fifth Doctor, Sixth Doctor, Seventh Doctor, Eighth Doctor, Ninth Doctor, Tenth Doctor
Warnings: disturbing imagery

Recced because: The Tenth Doctor used to scare me. And I mean really scare me. He was mad and bad and dangerous to know. I've been warming up to him a bit in S4, but stories like this remind me exactly why he used to scare the shit out of me.

This story is tense and horrifying and very, very good.

Story: Donna: the Beta Reader
Author: Nostalgia
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 1387
Author's Summary: In which the Doctor writes some fanfic and Donna… is Donna.
Characters/Pairings: Donna Noble, the Doctor (10th)
Warnings: Language

Recced because: Every writer should consult a beta reader. But when an innocent request for a beta becomes a shipwar, the Doctor thinks twice about sha