History FanficRecs / PersonOfInterest

* ''Synopsis'': “It’s perfectly logical. We’re bound to be caught at some point together, and as far as I can see there’s no downside to connecting Mr. Warren to Mr. Wren socially. We’ll have an easier time explaining ourselves being together if we’re observed being together, and since you’ve vetoed all of my suggestions for activities that you could take up—“ “I’m not joining a bowling league, Harold,” John says firmly.

Now, on to why. The story focuses on the relationship between Shaw and Root - how it began and how it develops. It's a gradual and realistic process - one not without its problems. Shaw ''is'' basically a sociopath, with all the issues that implies. What I especially liked is that Root understands this, and her expectations are appropriately limited: Root doesn't think Shaw will ever be able to meaningfully reciprocate her feelings. Underneath all her innuendo and pushiness, Root actually doesn't feel much hope. However, just like Root, Shaw is a complicated person... and that's all I'll say on the subject.\\

* Recommended by figmentof
* ''Synopsis'': The Texas sun beating down was merciless, almost a physical weight on his shoulders. John couldn't move even to change the angle: the collar was tight, the cuffs were tight, and the chains had been pulled to their limits.

* Don't be fooled by the author's name - all of their stories are actually 'Shoot' (Shaw/Root) centered. Nearly all of them (with [[http://archiveofourown.org/series/390640 two exceptions]]) are based upon prompts, and have 2000-7000 words (though some are part of a series). The relationship between Root and Shaw is in some way an important element in each of the fics. However, the variations of what said relationship is like are many; also, these stories are about more than just shipping. One thing readers should be aware of is that many of the fics are [[AlternateUniverse AU]], sometimes to the point of being quite bizarre. Don't be discouraged though - there are many stories to choose from, so you can just ignore the ones whose summary makes you go [[FlatWHat "What."]] or [[NoJustNoReaction "NO, whyyy!?"]] and discover some true gems. Some personal favorites: '''(prompts spoilered if they might give away too much)'''

* Don't be fooled by the author's name - all of their stories are actually 'Shoot' (Shaw/Root) centered. Nearly all of them (with [[http://archiveofourown.org/series/390640 two exceptions]]) are based upon prompts, and have 2000-7000 words (though some are part of a series). The relationship between Root and Shaw is in some way an important element in each of the fics. However, the variations of what said relationship is like are many; also, these stories are about more than just shipping. One thing readers should be aware of is that many of the fics are [[AlternateUniverse AU]], sometimes to the point of being quite bizarre. Don't be discouraged though - there are many stories to choose from, so you can just ignore the ones whose summary makes you go [[FlatWHat "What."]] or [[NoJustNoReaction "NO, whyyy!?"]] and discover some true gems. Some personal favorites: '''(prompts might be spoilered if they may give away too much)'''

* Don't be fooled by the author's name - all of their stories are actually 'Shoot' (Shaw/Root) centered. Nearly all of them (with [[http://archiveofourown.org/series/390640 two exceptions]]) are based upon prompts, and have 2000-7000 words (though some are part of a series). The relationship between Root and Shaw is in some way an important element in each of the fics. However, the variations of what said relationship is like are many; also, these stories are about more than just shipping. One thing readers should be aware of is that many of the fics are [[AlternateUniverse AU]], sometimes to the point of being quite bizarre. Don't be discouraged though - there are many stories to choose from, so you can just ignore the ones whose summary makes you go [[FlatWHat "What."]] or [[NoJustNoReaction "NO, whyyy!?"]] and discover some true gems. Some personal favorites:

[=[[reviews:A Talk with God]]=]

* Don't be fooled by the author's name - all of their stories are actually 'Shoot' (Shaw/Root) centered. Nearly all of them (with [[http://archiveofourown.org/series/390640 two exceptions]]) are based upon prompts, and have 2000-7000 words (though some are part of a series). The relationship between Root and Shaw is in some way an important element in each of the fics. However, the variations of what said relationship is like are many; also, these stories are about more than just shipping. One thing readers should be aware of is that many of the fics are [[AlternateUniverse AU]], sometimes to the point of being quite bizarre. Don't be discouraged though - there are many stories to choose from, so you can just ignore the ones whose summary makes you go [[FlatWHat "What."]] or [[NoJustNoReaction "NO, whyyy!?"]] and discover some true gems.

* ''Synopsis'': She wants to tell Root that fire creates as much as it destroys, that forests are as dependent upon fire – upon chaos and heat and carnage – as they are upon water. The forest needs fire to stay alive, to grow. She wants to tell Root that she thinks they might be the same way – dangerous and destructive but still somehow necessary. -- A 5.09 missing scene - the night between the park and the Team Machine meeting under the bridge

* ''Synopsis'': “Harold honors John's sacrifice and keeps himself alive. '''-spoilers for series finale-'''”

* ''Synopsis'': “Root is an amazing character, but she has this habit of disappearing from the show sometimes and only hinting at what she's been up to. This is a canon-compliant take on her entire story, starting just before she first appears on POI in Root Cause. Rated for canon events such as torture, murder, etc.”

* ''Synopsis'': “After Shaw's trail runs cold, Root is left to deal with her absence in whatever way she can. What will happen when she finds the medal Gen gave to Shaw?”

* ''Synopsis'': “It starts in the cage, when Root is looking for any answers as to why she's here, any answers at *all*. Anything, really. It doesn't end there.”

* ''Synopsis'': “Root and Shaw have to go undercover at a research facility in the Arctic, the mission goes smoothly until due to a mistake by Shaw (something Root wont let her live down) they get stuck. They have to maintain their covers as a computer scientist updating systems and security analyst. Due to Root, however, everyone is under the impression they are also a couple."

* ''Synopsis'': “She wants to tell Root that fire creates as much as it destroys, that forests are as dependent upon fire – upon chaos and heat and carnage – as they are upon water. The forest needs fire to stay alive, to grow. She wants to tell Root that she thinks they might be the same way – dangerous and destructive but still somehow necessary.\\
\\
-- A 5.09 missing scene - the night between the park and the Team Machine meeting under the bridge”

* ''Synopsis'': “What does it mean to win the war, but lose the battle in the process?”

* ''Synopsis'': “Absolute crack, in which Sameen Shaw has the brightest idea.”

* ''Synopsis'': “A series of strongly-opined Yelp reviews (which is really just an accidental series of journal entries about Shaw's non-dates with Root).”

* ''Synopsis'': “"Why do you never make me any exploding pens, Finch?" Reese asks one day.”

* ''Comments'': This 'missing scene' is rather well thought-out and I find it worthy of personal head-canon status. A simple yet poignant look into the relationship between Root and Shaw.

* ''Synopsis'': “She wants to tell Root that fire creates as much as it destroys, that forests are as dependent upon fire – upon chaos and heat and carnage – as they are upon water. The forest needs fire to stay alive, to grow. She wants to tell Root that she thinks they might be the same way – dangerous and destructive but still somehow necessary.

* ''Synopsis'': “She wants to tell Root that fire creates as much as it destroys, that forests are as dependent upon fire – upon chaos and heat and carnage – as they are upon water. The forest needs fire to stay alive, to grow. She wants to tell Root that she thinks they might be the same way – dangerous and destructive but still somehow necessary.\\
\\

-- A 5.09 missing scene - the night between the park and the Team Machine meeting under the bridge”\\
\\

* ''Synopsis'': “It starts in the cage, when Root is looking for any answers as to why she's here, any answers at *all*.
Anything, really.
It doesn't end there.”

* ''Synopsis'': “She wants to tell Root that fire creates as much as it destroys, that forests are as dependent upon fire – upon chaos and heat and carnage – as they are upon water. The forest needs fire to stay alive, to grow. She wants to tell Root that she thinks they might be the same way – dangerous and destructive but still somehow necessary.
---
A 5.09 missing scene - the night between the park and the Team Machine meeting under the bridge”

''[[http://archiveofourown.org/works/2695514 Flowerpots and Trellises]]'' by [[http://archiveofourown.org/users/Tamoline/pseuds/Tamoline Tamoline]]

* ''Synopsis'':"There is no Machine, is there? It's just you." (Rambling, incoherent) AU exploration of the possibility that the line between Finch and the Machine is a very thin one indeed.

* ''Comments'': A five-chapter look at how Root deals with what happened to Shaw. Halfway through, the author realized that this fic in a way follows the stages of grief... and I should add that both Root and Gen's emotions feel spot on.

* Don't be fooled by the author's name - all of their stories are actually 'Shoot' (Shaw/Root) centered. Nearly all of them (with [[http://archiveofourown.org/series/390640 two exceptions]]) are based upon prompts, and have 2000-7000 words (though some are part of a series). Though the relationship between Root and Shaw is in some way an important element in each of the fics, the variations of what said relationship is like are many; also, these stories are about more than just shipping. One thing readers should be aware of is that many of the stories are [[AlternateUniverse AU]], sometimes to the point of being quite bizarre. Don't be discouraged though - there are many stories to choose from, so you can just ignore the ones whose summary makes you go [[FlatWHat "What."]] or [[NoJustNoReaction "NO, whyyy!?"]] and discover some true gems.

* Don't be fooled by the author's name - all of their stories are actually 'Shoot' (Shaw/Root) centered. Nearly all of them (with [[http://archiveofourown.org/series/390640 two exceptions]]) are based upon prompts, and all of them have 2000-7000 words (though some are part of a series). Though the relationship between Root and Shaw is in some way an important element in each of the fics, the variations of what said relationship is like are many; also, these stories are about more than just shipping. One thing readers should be aware of is that many of the stories are [[AlternateUniverse AU]], sometimes to the point of being quite bizarre. Don't be discouraged though - there are many stories to choose from, so you can just ignore the ones whose summary makes you go [[FlatWHat "What."]] or [[NoJustNoReaction "NO, whyyy!?"]] and discover some true gems.

All in all, this is the best, most realistic and well thought-out "Shoot" story I have read so far. The grammar leaves something to be desired, but the fic's qualities more than make up for it.

* ''Comments'': Does the premise seem a bit contrived to you? Well, it did to me. So, for some reason, Root and Shaw have to go to the Arctic (of all places), where they are conveniently stuck? I was rather skeptical, but eventually decided to give this fic a chance... and ended up so pleasantly surprised that I actually highly recommend it!
** Now, on to why. The story focuses on the relationship between Shaw and Root - how it began and how it develops. It's a gradual and realistic process - one not without its problems. Shaw ''is'' basically a sociopath, with all the issues that implies. What I especially liked is that Root understands this, and her expectations are appropriately limited: Root doesn't think Shaw will ever be able to meaningfully reciprocate her feelings. Underneath all her innuendo and pushiness, Root actually doesn't feel much hope. However, just like Root, Shaw is a complicated person... and that's all I'll say on the subject.
** All in all, this is the best, most realistic and well thought-out "Shoot" story I have read so far. The grammar leaves something to be desired, but the fic's qualities more than make up for it.

''[[http://archiveofourown.org/works/682250 A Perpendicular Expression]]'' by Leupagus

* ''Synopsis'': Pissing Finch off never actually ends well; usually it ends like this, with John ''scaring the shit out of her'' at ''two in the morning.''
* ''Comments'': Hilarious and in-character.
[=[[reviews:APerpendicularExpression]]=]

''[[http://archiveofourown.org/works/670296 Date Night]]'' by Spatz
* Recommended by Virodhi
* ''Synopsis:'' To Team Machine, privacy is something that happens to other people. Carter/Beecher, with possibly some Reese/Finch if you tilt your head and squint.
* ''Comments:'' In the same vein as the above recommendation. Finch and Reese fail at normal human interaction, and it's glorious. [[ItMakesSenseInContext The Yelp thing]] alone is worth the price of admission.

''[[http://archiveofourown.org/works/624571 Birds of a Feather]]'' by faith_manages
* Recommended by Galaxysoup