10 Pros Stories for Newbies

Ten Pros Stories I'd Suggest Any Newbie Begin With:

If you're looking for a first time story nestled beautifully within a case, you can scarcely do better than this classic. Doyle is asked to go undercover as another man's lover. No big deal, right? It is when the "other man" is George Cowley, and Ray is unable to tell his partner what is really going on. What I like best about this story is not the realization on Bodie's part of his true feelings towards Doyle, or even the fireworks that ensue. What I found truly moving was how loyal Bodie was to Ray, when others began to call into question Doyle's conduct, how sure he was that his partner would never jeopardize his career or his integrity for a fling with the boss. A lovely, satisfying read.

2. Ringing in the Changes by PFL

This epic traces the evolution of Bodie and Doyle's relationship from their early days of chalk and cheese through friendship, romance, estrangement, and reconciliation. You get spot-on dialogue (a good deal of it very funny), action, sizzling sex, hurt/comfort and everything in between. This is wonderful, wonderful stuff, and the kind of story you can lose yourself in for an afternoon. Highly recommended.

3. Fruits of the Spirit by Cherilyn

You're going to have to plop down some coin to read this one, as it's only available from Gryphon Press. Trust me when I tell you, it's well worth the investment. Not unlike Ringing in the Changes, this story begins during the early, early days of Bodie & Doyle's partnership, when it looks like the lads might quite literally kill each other, and ends when they've not only realized that together they're Cowley's finest, but that each is everything the other needs. The entire zine is wonderful, but I'm especially fond of the section dealing with their relationship going from friendship to romance. Doyle comes to terms first with his changing emotions, and Bodie, bless him, tries to do the noble, if misguided thing. Funny, sweet stuff.

4. Harlequin Airs by Ellis Ward

Those of you who know me and my tastes should be very impressed that I was able to wait until #4 to talk about Harlequin Airs. Any newbie to Pros should probably be made aware that the fandom is spoiled for choice when it comes to AUs. I actively stayed away from such stories for the longest time. Why would I want to read about Bodie and Doyle in space or as Regency gentlemen? Isn't CI5 and London in the 70's and 80's what they're all about? For me, the answer is both yes and no. Any reader would be really cheating themselves by not at least sampling some of the excellent AUs out there. This happens to be my favorite. It may sound ridiculous, but I swear it works. Doyle is an agent with CI5 (see, not so AU). He goes undercover as a trapeze artist, whose partner is in enigmatic man named Bodie (wait! come back!!). I LOVE this story. It has suspense and humor and original characters I actually like. I defy you not to want a Basil of your very own. And Sanjay made me cry. But most importantly, the way the relationship develops between our two lads is hot as hell, tender, and just a little bit dangerous. I've reread this story more than any other since discovering Pros. And to top it off--it's illustrated! Give it a whirl.

5. Where the Worms Are by Pamela Rose

Pamela Rose is a terrific, versatile writer. She does a MEAN amnesia story (Forget That I Remember and Dream That I Forget -- for me, easily the best example of the genre in Pros), a funny and sweet AU (Professional Dreamer -- which would be on this list, were it not for some other AUs I wanted to include), and a classic h/c (Fevers). But this is the story of hers that sticks closest to canon and manages to weave in intrigue, angst, h/c, and romance. Cowley is dead, CI5 has been disbanded, villains are everywhere, and our heroes don't know who they can trust. Except each other, of course. An exciting read.

6. Voice-over by Elizabeth Shea

I wish Elizabeth had the time to write more. This, her longest story, always makes me yearn for more. Bodie is in a coma and Doyle has been told it would do his partner good to hear a familiar voice. So, heartbroken and hoarse, Ray does his best to reach poor Bodie. He decides to remind Bodie of a trip they took to France, where each realized how they felt about the other. It's a magical journey Ray describes, filled with fog and salt air and deserted village streets. The section in the church is one of those scenes that has stuck with me vividly in the year plus since I first read this. And the simple, almost inevitable way the lads' relationship changes is just gorgeous. It's a marvelous story.

7. Suitable Gravity by DVS

Time for another AU! This one is TERRIFIC. It's the future. And Ray Doyle is a Protector, a kind of unarmed policeman. As violent crime has largely been eradicated, his job isn't so much chasing down bad guys with a gun in his hand, as making sure citizens are traveling safely on the slipwalk. Despondent over being dumped by his Higher match-to-be, Ann, Doyle heads off to turn in tickets to Mars he had purchased for their honeymoon. Little does he know he'll be seeing the red planet after all, in the company of a mysterious, scarred man named Bodie. It turns out that in this world, as in canon, CI5 exists, and Bodie is an agent, on the run from vicious villains trying to keep him from testifying in a case that would bring down their empire. Together, the lads must keep Bodie alive and one step ahead of those wanting to silence him forever. This is a thrill ride filled with biting dialogue, action, romance, and some very satisfying resolution for the lads and their relationship. DVS creates a very complete, compelling world. I can't recommend this one highly enough.

8. In God's Country by Kitty Fisher

I'll be completely honest, when it comes to Kitty's writing, I actually prefer The Chameleon's Dish. However, with this being a list for newcomers, I'm going to refrain from including that story, as the angst is extreme and I don't know that Bodie and Doyle, as written there, are particularly close to canon. This story isn't quite so wrenching and features what is arguably the best opening line in Pros fic: The road to Damascus, as far as William Bodie was concerned, was in the car park at Finchley Central station. Bodie discovers his feelings for his partner have changed, and really doesn't handle matters all that well. This is a funny, snarky, sweet first-time story, and a good introduction to Kitty's writing (though, admittedly, her stuff tends to be edgier).

9. Handy Pandy, Out Goes the Rat by Rimy

This is a terrific third person POV story. A new agent watches Bodie and Doyle with fascination and envy. He is attracted to Ray, but falls into a relationship with Bodie, and ultimately becomes friends with both men. Rimy's lads are smart, tough, have tongues like razors, and are nobody you want to mess with. They're also achingly in love with each other. This story's narrator bears witness to everything.

10. Blood Still Cries by Debra Hicks

This is a bit of an unusual choice for me, as it isn't overt slash (which is my preference in Pros, though I'll read gen on occasion). However, I certainly think you can read the story as pre-slash very easily. I'm including it as it has an "us against the world" vibe I enjoy, and should definitely scratch the itch of any h/c junkie. Someone is picking off members of Bodie's old SAS unit, so Cowley has him stashed away, under guard, in a remote safe house. Unfortunately, the baddie tracks him down just the same. So it's a frantic Doyle to the rescue. Unfortunately, things don't go according to plan and Ray is forced to take a wounded Bodie with him on the run. This story is beautifully tense, features wonderful interaction between the lads, and keeps the reader guessing as to what might happen next. This is a good one.

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