Rec: A Cuddle for a Dalek

[mysticalchild_isis]

Story: A Cuddle for a Dalek
Author: spastasmagoria
Rating: All-Ages
Word Count: 1697
Author's Summary: There's only one thing the deranged dustbin wants in all the universe.
Characters/Pairings: Barbara, Ian, Peri, Ace, Rose, Mickey, Jack, Gwen, Future!Doctor, and a Dalek.
Warnings: Silliness

This one is a wonderfully humorous multi-era romp, all centered around a Dalek (capable of a "temporal shift of infinite sadness") that just wants a hug. Particularly amusing are the reactions of Peri and Ace, but every scene is quite brilliant (including the small hints about the fashion sense of the future!Doctor).

Rec: The Devil You Know

[wendymr.livejournal.com]

Yesterday, completely coincidentally, isiscaughey and I both recced short but meaningful ficlets. Today, she's recced a crackfic, so I'm going for a complete contrast: dark-ish, twisty, plotty fic (with a bit of ship).

Story: The Devil You Know 
Author: Rosa_acicularis / rosa_acicularis 
Rating: Adult
Word count: 13516
Author’s summary: Better the devil you know than the devil you don't. The question is: how do you know the difference? Rose and the Doctor after Journey's End.
Characters/Pairings: Rose Tyler, The Doctor (Duplicate 10th)
Warnings: Explicit Sex, Explicit Violence, Swearing

Reason for Recommendation: Journey’s End, and in particular the creation of the Duplicate Doctor, has spawned a thousand fics. Amid all of them, this one stands out. Why? Well, partly because it’s so very well-written; if you’ve never read Rosa_acicularis’s work before, this won’t be a surprise to you, and if you haven’t, what are you waiting for? Second, it stands out because of the clever, brilliant plot: fascinating, gripping, roller-coaster what the hell is happening here? I won’t give any of it away - including a certain guest character who I hope will take readers by surprise - because, seriously, this story must be read without spoilers. Suffice to say that I was gripped from the first three lines, and she kept me breathless throughout. Even if you’re not a Ten/Rose fan, I almost guarantee that you’ll enjoy this story.

( First few lines below the cut, just in case you need any further inducement: )