Conforming to Requirements

Fanfiction
Title:	Conforming to Requirements
Author(s):	Fluterbev
Date(s):	January 19, 2005
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	The Sentinel
Relationship(s):
External Links:	online here
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Conforming to Requirements is a Jim/Blair story by Fluterbev. It has a sequel called "Conflict of Interest."

Author's summary: "In a society where Sentinels are prized, and the inferior status of Guides is enshrined in law, Sentinel Jim Ellison doesn't want to Bond. His rental Guide isn't allowed to."

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As far as this particular kind of AUs go, it's the best canonical characterization I've read so far. A long, carefully plotted, thrilling story, full of angst and emotions and a very satisfying read.

Why You Should Read This: As far as this particular kind of AU goes, it’s the best characterisation of the guys I’ve read. Long excellent detailed story, full of angst . A very enjoyable read.

A long, involved, thrilling "Sentinels and Guides"-AU that will have you at the edge of your seat until the end. Sentinel and Cop Jim Ellison doesn't want a Guide but is forced by Simon and the regulations to take one, temporarily, as Jim is stating adamantly. He chooses Sandburg but Blair isn't your usual, "run of the mill" Guide, quite the contrary and soon things start to become problematic. Circumstands don't look good for them and it gets worse when one of Jim's co-workers discovers the state of the affair and wants to do what an upstanding cop in this universe has to do. There doesn't seem to be a way out...

This is a tough one for me, because it's a modern slave AU set in a bonding universe. Bonding universe stories (based on fanon mythology about a physical/mystical link between a sentinel and guide) are very hit or miss for me, primarily because they are usually melodramatic and kinda cheesy. On top of that, modern slave AU's are a huge squick for me (denigration is, by far, my biggest turn-off), something I only read once I've gone through every other story in a fandom and am willing to cringe through some painful fic in the hopes of finding a hidden gem.

Conforming to Requirements is that gem. While there is some modern slave squickiness (especially at the beginning), it's offset by the fact that Jim is not remotely interested in that aspect of the Sentinel/Guide relationship and the fact that the slavery aspect apparently doesn't actually happen in real word Sentinel/Guide parings (no matter what the government and society expect of either). Plus, this world has a lot of other layers to it, like the guide resistance movement and the fact that Sentinels are just as much prisoners as the guides (though their cages are lined with silk).

The plot: Jim is ordered by Simon to get a guide and, rather than bonding permanently with a guide brought up for that purpose, he chooses to rent Blair (a rouge who wasn't caught by the government until he was almost thirty) with the condition that they cannot bond. Guess what they promptly do. Fluterbev can't entirely avoid melodrama in this fic, but it's minor and is easily off-set by an intricate and interesting plot. Jim and Blair don't want to change the world (thank goodness -- I can suspend my disbelief, but *come on*), they just want to escape the one they live in, and the obstacles in their way are not minor. The end result is a heart-pounding adventure/thriller, with several interesting OCs and a couple of cameos by Sentinel favorites.

I know everyone's probably read this already, but I had to put it on the list. This is my favourite of Bev's slash and gen fics, and that's really saying something. She's created an amazingly original universe here that holds together and makes sense, and the exquisite blend of angst, suspense and romance will have you on the edge of your seat until the last moment. It's an astonishing achievement, and definitely worthy of recognition.

Jim doesn't want to bond with a guide. Guides are namby-pamby well-trained automans. To avoid bonding, he chooses a rather unsuitable temporary guide who isn't allowed to bond at all. Blair's perfect for him -- up until Jim starts bonding with him regardless of better intentions or rules. Blair pays the price.

If we're talking fresh air, there's nothing fresher than fluterbev's Conforming to Requirements. Here's the link. This is a well-written, well-plotted novel-length joy to read. It's set in a GDP-like universe, with great OC's and plenty of angst and drama. Not to mention the hot, hot freakin' bonding-type sex between our favorite Sentinel and Guide. There is violence, but it has its place in the plot, rather than being random let's-hurt-'em-again filler. I loved it when Bev was posting it bit-by-bit to her LJ, and I'm so happy to read it again now.