This is cool. Toby and Leo on the campaign when Bartlett first runs. I like this because we see how Leo gets Josh on the campaign, and we see how Josh gets Sam and how Donna gets herself, and even how Toby gets CJ, but we never see Leo recruiting Toby so this is some good backstory. The voices are, if maybe not absolutely pitch perfect 100% of the time, pretty damned close. There are a lot of lines that I can just hear Leo saying and that is never a bad feeling.

Playing the Game

I’m not big on the het, but I wanted to branch out when I got called up for crack_van duties. And well, every fandom needs an apocalypse story or two (or ten!) So when I saw this one I decided to take a chance. And it was well worth it. Coming from popfandom, which has possibly the largest selection of brilliantly worked AUs of every variety, I’ve always enjoyed a good AU. And this story certainly provided it. The writing is sparse, but in a world overtaken by an apocalyptic plague, it works perfectly.

Apocafic series

This one is pretty short, but it’s definitely worth reading. In a fandom where the canon character’s voices are so distinct, and thus, harder for authors to capture, Michelle K. does a great job with them. As the title implies the story is about Will settling into his place in the West Wing, and the way this author writes, it feels like it could have actually taken place, between one show or another.

Settling In

I have to admit I’m a sucker for these stories. They’re an interesting challenge, 5 AUs in one go, and this story is no exception. Julian Lee has a really solid grasp on Danny’s character, and it’s really nice to see him fleshed out a bit more. Make sure to read the subject lines of each part because they really tie the stories together.

Five Stories Never Filed by Danny Concannon

Spoilers for Season 6, Episode 2: The Birnam Woods This episode killed me a little bit. Leo has always been at the heart of the West Wing, whether we saw it or not, and well, I guess I feel like this is how the episode should have been shot. (Or maybe I just think that this is what happened and we didn’t get to see it.) It’s hard for me to explain this story actually. It’s brilliant, and absolutely heartbreaking. Seriously, it gave me shivers.

The Things You’l Never Say

This series is really good. Spoilers for the first two episodes of Season 2 In the Shadow of the Gunmen 1 &2 it’s a gen story, no pairing but the characterization is good and she’s added a lot of interesting depth to the events post-shooting.

Time and the Fates of Man

Wherin Sam takes Josh to Florida for vacation. First time fic, good but not particularly great.

You and Me in a Rowboat to Rio

Pretty good, but I don’t feel like they really nailed Josh and Sam’s voices. Never the less it’s worth a read.

Boys of Summer

Good writing, a short Sam/Josh creation myth story.

Three Times

Pretty short, a little schmoopy, interesting take on Josh and Sam’s history pre-west wing.

The Thinner the Skin

This story, or series of stories is really charming. Andrealyn has real talent for dialogue and she balances it by detailing the fast-paced world of the West Wing perfectly. The series is long an plotty and each section story is told from a different point of view: first Josh, then Donna, and lastly, Sam.

All That’s Fit to Print The Bad Case of Loving You Tomorrow, No One Will Remember

Fascinating Josh/Sam perspective. I really like these two incarnations of the guys, they’re interesting and confused and I like that we get to watch them take this whole journey of figuring things out.

Bodies In Motion

This won 3rd place in 2001 for Outstanding Josh/Sam in The Jeds West Wing awards. While I’ve got some issues with it, I do like the story. It’s first person pov (Josh’s), but Jori has created so much create background for her Josh and Sam that I can’t help but like it.

Indscretions

This is good, it’s long it has a politically driven plot and a good amount of angst and confusion. It also has some Josh/Amy and even less Sam/Ainsley so if the het really scares you then stay away.

You and me of the 10.000 Years War

Long, and funny and hot, this story feels like a natural progression. Plus, Candle Beck’s Sam is stunningly accurate at times.

Josh was lying on his side, and when he blinked his eyes open, he saw Sam lying on his back beside him, staring up at the ceiling, emitting a remarkably intense aura of panic for someone not moving or speaking.

That, right there, that’s my Sam, a guy who is fully capable of panicking at the drop of a hat and having Josh be able to pick up on it no matter what.

The Best Idea Ever

This is, I think, going to become one of those stories that I go back and reread when I need to read something that’s happy without being too sugary-sweet. The tension! I just wish it was longer, this one is good.

Things To Do In Cleveland When You’re Overcoming Denial