rec: pretenders by ponygirl

[nonelvis]

Story: Pretenders
Author: ponygirl
Rating: None, but I'd call it Teen
Word Count: 2,115
Author's Summary: Professor Bernice Summerfield isn't the only pretender.
Characters/Pairings: Jack Harkness/Benny Summerfield
Warnings: None

Recced because: This is definitely an unusual pairing, but a surprisingly well-matched one. A pre-"Empty Child" Jack meets up with unlucky-in-love companion Benny, and drinking – much drinking – ensues, followed by seduction and the sort of morning-after experience you might expect when a con man is involved. Read this one not for the amusingly written sex scene, but rather for the perfect characterization: Jack's smooth suavity, and Benny's interior monologue questioning whether a one-night stand is really a good idea.

Rec: The World, The Universe by Doyle

[livii.livejournal.com]

Story: The World, The Universe
Author: Doyle
Rating: All Ages
Author's summary: Hex steps off the yellow brick road.
Characters/Pairings: Ace/Hex, Seventh Doctor
Warnings: none
Word Count: ~2,000 words

Recced because: This absolutely gorgeous story goes AU after the Big Finish audio The Settling, but knowledge of that story isn't particularly required (though it gives some context). After trying holidays to get Hex to stay, and adventures where he realizes that this isn't who he wants to be, he leaves the TARDIS to go and help the world – so utterly in character. The whole story is incredibly sweet without being the tiniest bit sappy – exactly as romantic as Ace/Hex could ever be, and completely satisfying. Add in fabulous details about the TARDIS, Ace trying to pick up girls for Hex at a bar, and drunken almost-kisses, and overall it's a heart-wrenchingly perfect slice of fic for a very underrepresented character and pairing. I just can't recommend it enough.

rec: Never Doing That Again by Becky_H

[lyl-devil.livejournal.com]

Story: Never Doing That Again
Author: Becky_H
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 4895
Author's Summary: Jack should really be more careful about who --and what-- he crawls into bed with.
Characters/Pairings: Jack, Ninth Doctor, Rose
Warnings: Sorta-not-really mpreg. No really, it's not.

Recced because: Remember that line in the very first scene of the first Torchwood episode where Jack says 'At least I won't get pregnant - never doing that again. Well, this is that story. Never fear, it's not *really* an mpreg. It's not one of those 'fifty first century men have uterus' stories - I like to think of it as a PSA for interspecies sexual relations.
This should be canon for Jack - it would explain so much. It features Nine and Rose, and Jack in a situation that is just. Not. Right. Plus gratuitous use of the term "alien parasite". It's also the funniest story I have ever read. The characters are beautifully written and the description of everything is short and sweet but full of imagery.