The West Wing

Chairman, Not Chairwoman by MaidenJedi
Ainsley fic - MJ starts writing West Wing and don't we all jump for joy! This is a very faithful and loving portrayal of Ainsley as she follows the Democrats' Convention with more than a little nostalgia. A little politics, a little memory and plenty of Ainsley. A delight for Ainsley lovers and West Wing fandom alike.

killing time by oro
CJ/Zoey - a crazy pairing that shouldn't make any sense, but given events in Zoey's life recently it does. The story conjures an ominous mood, heigthened by re-invoking the trance music from the night Zoey was kidnapped. A curiously touching and evocative piece.

Tell Me Why by Michelle
CJ/Toby - While not so much a pairing story, this is a story about these two people and all their short-fallings. CJ contemplates the parents in her life. A little sad, a little tragic but not devastatingly so.

The Rhythm of In Between by Another Juxtaposition
Mandy/Josh and a little Mandy/CJ - This is a Mandy history of sorts, something of an explanation as to why the girls is who she is and another explanation as to why she never really fit into the West Wing. A weaving narrative style, a set of complicated relationships and a little femslash. Fantastic.

Withdrawal by Freedomfry
After the California 47th Sam adjusts to life outside the White House. Another bittersweet story about getting off the merry-go-round. But it's such an appealing topic.

Need by Katrina McDonnell
CJ/ Toby post "The Long Goodbye." A beautifully written vignette that is a classic Toby portrait.

And One Day, Soon by Francis
A Donna/Amy story with the spectre of Josh hanging over them, a constant reminder of who they are with as opposed to who they are not with. A vaguely melancholy story with a kicker of an ending.

The Cigarettes Will Kill You by Teanna
If you are familiar with Teanna's work you will miss her unique style and unexpected touch with characters as much as I do. She takes CJ and Josh and makes them complex and a little of centre and it all just works so well.

Happy, Never, After by Katrina McDonnell
A tale within a tale that highlights the way appearances are a lie. I like the simplicity of this, and the credibility of the characters actions. And
it's just a nicely done story.

(Let Me) Fall Into Your Hands by KeladryB
A beautiful story which reminds you that sometimes all you see is a particular aspect of someone and it seems weird but it's just the way it happens. In this case it's Amy's fascination with the First Lady's hands that draws you in so that you see with Amy's eyes.

Crossed Some Line by Victoria P
It's the last line that's the kicker. And Sam's tie! There's something very appealing about desire formed from a similar desire for third party. It just reeks of undercurrents.

When we weren't speaking (Josh, in parts) by Pene and august
August threated Josh/ Kenny many moons ago but who would have thought she (and Pene) would make it so rich and layered. A must read for West Wing readers of all types. A story with writing that you will want to stay in and never leave.

The World in Solemn Stillness by Luna
CJ and Toby and everything that made you like the pairing in the first place. Luna's deft touch with Toby is truly unique and a pleasure to read.

A Spark of that Ancient Flame by International Princess
A fabulous Amy characterisation. And IP pads out the Donna/ Amy history so it's completely credible. You won't watch them the same way again.

The Same Day Every Year by Penelopody
Pene highlight the circular nature of relationships, how they never really end but just keep going round and round like a ferris wheel. A story that is touching in the way it strikes you so close to home.

José Cuervo, or How Will Bailey Stopped Worrying and Started Dating a Republican by aeyre
Utterly brilliant fic that totally captures Will, Joe and the Sorkinese with a light hand and a hilarious take on the "wake up next to someone you can't remember bringing home" cliché. I adore this story and want to have its babies. I can completely see both Will and Joe saying this dialogue.

Forgie a Hameless Loon by Julian Lee
A kind of a "tug at the heartstrings" death fic - which is SO not my cup of tea but really quite lovely here. Something for a rainy day where you feel like lying in bed and being all weepy.

Still Fighting It by Luna
This is such a vivid story. It just slides into the Sam story SO easily. If could happen on the show like this and you'd not bat an eyelid. And all in seamless second person which is a feat in itself. I could love this sam.

Mirror, Mirror by Victoria P.
I think Vic P wrote this to get into my pants - well, it worked! This is Mandy the way I love her - never quite fits in and doesn't know how to do so when it's needed. And the reflection thing is so very effective. There's some things you can't spin. Not if you're Mandy.

Around a Sense of Self by Luna
I think of this story now and this image of a child Will spilling an ice-cream down his t-shirt to hide blood comes back so easily - such is the power of that image. And then there's the thought of Sam and Will...

Maybe That’s a Waste of Angels by aj
Lyrical is the first word that comes to mind here: lyrical, poetic, slightly ethereal - which is perfect because it's set in a church. A very intense fic - and I appreciate the slightly bitter/ slightly amazed edge here.

Shades of by Katrina McDonnell
It's been a while but Katrina reminds us of why we loved CJ/ Toby in the first place - because they're just so tragically beautiful.

Five Minutes Ago, Five Minutes From Now by Internationalprincess
Finally. A Charlie fic that realises the Charlie in those moments when he's a shining character. There's so much potential in the guy - you can see it. But it's never really emphasised in all those quick one-liners he has. This story is great for all those little things - just walking away at the wrong time, just saying the right thing at the right time. There's a beautiful subtlety to the whole piece. Makes it all seem 'still' for want of a better description.

My Life as an Ephemeron by Tahlia
I'm repeatedly amazed at just how well Donna/Amy *works*. This is a very sympathetic look at Amy - or a sympathetic treatment in that I don't think she's portrayed as the nicest character in the world but she's certainly more complex than she was onscreen. And I like the way Donna is painted as an enigma - it's a nice outsiders view of Donna.

Something About the Open Road by Oro
Oh my god... <sniffs, blows nose> This just ruined me. Even now the image of CJ huddled in a ball against Toby's front door just breaks me up. I feel like the little Mutant Enemy guy after "Becoming":  "I need a hug"... Everything you've ever loved about CJ/Toby

A Strange Spot in the Sky by Luna
A love story that shows you can write a love story and it doesn't have to be sappy or simple or all hearts and roses. What's fantastic here is that you can really see these characters - you can see them saying these lines, making hand movements and giving each other looks because it's a story that classically evokes a situation. You'll be glad you read it.

Atonement by Tahlia
"This thing, they'll weather it." Ow! That just gets me. Angsty CJ/Toby at its finest. Lies, betrayal and that small matter of the pregnancy. Heartbreaking stuff.

Prognosticate by Oro
There's a nice rhythm going in this story along with a very effective piece of repetition. All in all it makes for a fic that gets you in the end.

The Fall of the World's Own Optimist by Luna
Luna's fic is always a treat, but if you feel like something a little different in the TWW camp, this is the story for you. Luna builds a beautiful, sympathetic Hoynes who is fallible and regrettably so. An insight into the character you'll never get anywhere else.

You'll Remember It by Michelle k.
Michelle's seen potential in Donna that some of you might have missed - and she sees it with Amy what's more. There's a lovely lyrical flow to the this story and a believable context - and you *will* remember it.

Another Light Missing by Jae, Luna and Lydia
Put three talented West Wing authors together and what do you get? A story that is tight, provocative, well thought out and delightful. These writers handle a difficult issue with Sorkin-esque aplomb. An unmissable West Wing fic.

The Space Taken Up by Silence by International Princess
IP is a master of trickery. I love the way she uses style to convey a certain atmosphere. It's a rare and wonderful talent. This story pulses with noise and shines with CJ.

More Land Than Water by Jessica S.
Considering how little we actually know about Jack Reese, this is surprisingly in-character story. Very nicely done.

Hang a Shining Star by White Star 2
A CJ-centric story set after Holy Night.  I've had a hankering to read something that dealt with the aftermath of Andi's pregnancy and this fit the bill quite nicely.

A Probable Impossibility by Victoria P.
A plausible look at Sam's thoughts during the election, with a dead-on voice.

Doppler Effect by Shaye
This is short, but it perfectly captures the strong sufficient Donna that we see on the screen at Sorkin's best.  And unlike most Donna stories, there's no mention of the men in her life and that alone speaks for itself.

Please Don't Ask Me To Smile by Another Juxtaposition
There's a tendencey to choose odd pairings in West Wing fic and Ainsley/Hoynes shouldn't work. But it does and it's a credit to both of them. AJ takes the backwards fic challenges and shows how well it can work.

Again With the Music by Teanna
This is a daring fic that is touching and gut wrenching. There are scenes here that will break your heart.

(Pink) Lady Godiva by the Stylus
More from the department of pairings that shouldn't work - the Stylus brings us Amy/ Nancy and makes it work. This story is a credit to both characters but it's Nancy that shines through.

Dancing Drunk by Teanna
Teanna's writing surprises me and I do like being surprised. Just when you're telling yourself "you can't do that in fic," Teanna says you can and goddamn, she'll show you how. This is a dark story of a steady decay - a CJ and Toby who are not nice, and not coping.

Whatever Happened To Baby Mandy? by Teanna
This is Mandy the way we like her. She's a bitch and with a potty-mouth that makes a sailor blush.  And I love a writer who can get away with this sort of thing: "Bitch. Bitch. Bitch. Yeah, whatever."

Opportunity Cost by The Stylus
It's just such a slow and beautiful story. You find yourself seeing CJ and Abbey exchanging longing looks over drinks and you can imagine the detail. The quick looks, the shake of a head. I want more!

Revelation by Luna
When you've written so many stories at such a high standard, it has to be hard to top yourself. But "Revelation" has become a clear favourite for me in Luna's oevre. This writing is so beautiful it makes me want to throw my word processor out a window and give up ever trying to write something that is this good. I think what impresses me most about it, is that it's a romance that is real - it's like believing in fairy tales. CJ and Toby the way we wish it would be.

Carrying Cathy by Luna
We could probably just stick up a link to Luna's stories here and leave it at that, but I think those of you who are unfamiliar with her stuff might appreciate a couple of suggestions to start with. This a very subtle fic that investigates that elusive definition of love and offers up a sad answer.

Transcendence by CGB
Donna figures out what she wants. Lovely Donna-voice - so true to the character.

That Only I Remember by Marguerite
Amazingly written, understated, yet like a big emotional wrecking ball, Marguerite takes us through something of what it must be like to lose a parent. Absolutely excellent fic that makes my heart hurt.

Still in Recovery by Luna
It's Abbey and it's *really* Abbey. She's angry and tired and full of fight and we love her because of it. And for those who don't believe it's possible, this is 2nd person point of view working *for* the story. Something about the use of "you" makes Abbey seem self-accusatory, holding herself up to a standard she can't possibly achieve.

Bound to be moving on by CGB
Mandy figures if you can't join them, then you might as well screw them.  This is a character who's usually forgotten by writers, but Christine nails her attitude and her arrogance and her place in the Bartlet world.

Out Here on the Border by Meghan Reilly
Man, oh man.  It's such a pleasure to see a wonderful, unfolding pretzel of a story like this one appear from the keyboard of a writer you thought you knew.  C.J.'s pain and disillusion is filtered through Toby, who's hardly an innocent himself, as they take a drive to Mexico.

Little Girl by Ellen M
Another dark C.J./Toby, this one takes place post-Manchester as C.J. continues to unravel.

Transition by International Princess
I have to admit - I'm a sucker for a story with interesting section titles. It makes it so much more - I don't know - stilted? Stilted is a good thing - particularly in this story where no one seems to know how to act and when Josh finally does the right thing, is that really
all Sam needed? I love this for the "what if..?" factor and for a sad, sad mood.

Mortal Drugs by Meg
Almost nobody melds politics and characterization like Marguerite, as shown by this weave of affection, Sorkinesque dialogue, and
bittersweet angst.

Days in Between by CGB
Lovely writing that flows from decade to decade with very little jarring.  The ever relaible Christine delivers the Toby and CJ we've come to know and love.

Aleph-Tav by International Princess
This is a retelling of CJ and Toby's story during Season three, done in a way that is moving and breathtaking. The constant highlighting of words is subtle and yet powerful. A real tour de force in West Wing Fanfiction.

Athenaeum by Kat McDonnell
Because words mean so much to us and are sometimes the edicts we live by. And because we all collect them on our skin in places you can't see. CJ and Toby and words and things that fade. This is a memorable story.

Definition by Marguerite
Nails Donna. Just... *nails* her. Short, but packs a lot into the small space.

Chasing Perfection by Tori Morris
Prescient fic in which Donna deals with Josh dating someone else. If you've ever watched the someone you love be with someone else, you'll get this fic.

Galatea by Pix
Stunning in its beauty and wonderfully right in its characterization, this may be my favorite Josh/Donna story of all.

You and Me of the 10,000 Wars by Luna and Ellen M.
When I saw that these two authors had paired up, I knew I was in for a treat.  Nothing too dark or painful here, but excellent characterization combined with caffeinated, sparkling dialogue.

Turning series by Jae Gecko
Of all the Josh/Sam stories, this is one of the most realistic. It doesn't flinch in the face of either character's flaws and like a song, it weaves in and out of canon, subtly changing your impression of even the most innocent exchanges.

Seven Beginnings and an ((un) Happily) Ever After by International Princess
International Princess is making a regular showing on BSO, and this story is just another in a long line of quality fic. This is beautifully,
written, subtle, and an investigation into these characters that is original and surprising.

Summer of a Boy by CGB
Lovely, nostalgic writing with just that little twinge of all-too familiar regret at the end.  It's Josh and Sam, but that hasn't always meant what it does now.

This Is She by The Stylus
Nancy McNally is one of my favourite non-regulars on The West Wing, so it's great to see Nancy in ANY fic let alone one that pairs her with Abbey. This is really a story about Abbey seen through a lover's eyes, but it's such a gorgeous depiction of an indefinable relationship, you won't be able to resist.

A Little Love For Toby by Julian Lee
If the thought of Toby/ Bruno scares the pants off you, don't fret, this is more about undercurrents and personalities than
anything really intimate.  But you have to love Julian's adherence to the voices of these characters - it's spot on. And Toby trapped in amber is such a glorious image to be left with.

Six Places We May Have Met by Luna
I shouldn't have to tell you that Luna's a genius, but check these six little pieces out if only to be reminded of what a writer can do with snatches of a history between two characters. The kind of piece that inspires you to write.

The Rarest Faith 1: Spirits of Great Events by Marguerite
Slowly, lovingly Marguerite is creating a complete universe in the years after the Bartlet adminstration.  All the guys are here and the tone channels Sorkin's so accurately, I guarantee that you'll mix it up with canon.

Passage by Joanna
This includes a premise that frankly, I usually hate, but Joanna handles her words and the characters with such intelligence that I can forgive it this one time.  Angst, UST, genuinely laugh out loud dialogue, and a road trip.  Enjoy.

The War Against Silence by Lydia
This is the Toby we know and love, with some deliciously dark backstory to spice things up.