Beach

Beach by Martha and Kitty Woldow was the epitome of smarm in The Sentinel fandom, and was known and talked about even by fans who never read it, because it was such an extreme example of the genre. 
The story was released a chapter at a time on the Senfic mailing list as it was written, with the authors apparently alternating chapters. The chapters themselves were relatively short, no more than a few thousand words at most. The posting schedule was at first very regular, then gradually more intermittent, and stalled out at Chapter 78 sometime in 2001, making it a notorious WIP.
Beach opens in media res, with Blair searching frantically for an injured and drowning Jim, who has just escaped mysterious captors. Jim's injuries are horrific and he's so hypersensitized that even water drops hurt; the story focuses on Blair trying to help him.
What makes the story truly notable, if not to say infamous, is the amount and kind of touching involved: from kissing to french-kissing to Blair fondling Jim's genitals, all completely platonically.
When the online posting schedule got more erratic, the authors began a mailing list to give people access to the new chapters as they were written, instead of having to check back at the website to see if a new chapter was up.
Martha and Kitty had always intended to finish the story, and eventually to publish the entire thing as a print zine, "Note: When this story is complete, a revised and re-edited version will be released in print. The zine will be illustrated by Marty Siegrist and published by Monte Cristo - Amethyst Press as a high-quality collector's edition with a limited print run." - Sentinel Smarm Sanctuary Inner Sanctum, accessed January 12, 2009. but this zine was never completed.
In 1999, saffronhouse/Martha was asked in an interview: "If you could see any of your stories made into a real episode, which one would you choose?" Her answer: "Beach obviously. (A story I am co-writing with Kitty). Filmed in black and white at Ingmar Bergman-esque detailing and pace. I guess it would probably take a couple of episodes to do it right. Or a couple of seasons." from Cascade Library
In October 2015, Beach was uploaded to the Archive of Our Own as a "work in progress" of 78/? chapters. Beach, by Excellency, Martha
==From the Authors==
The pace is glacial, as the story lingers over every emotion and sensory input. In the first chapter, they make it from the water to the beach, but it takes 12 more chapters to move from the beach to a vehicle, and 10 more chapters to make it to a motel. This drawn-out telling was deliberate; the authors were well aware of their indulgence, and reveled in it. The list posting of the eleventh chapter stated:
==All the Chapters Titles and Blurbs==
* Chapter 1 He thought briefly of Naomi, and grief closed around his heart
* Chapter 2 Either was an end to the torment, the only goal he had left
* Chapter 3 A fear so large he couldn't name it yet
* Chapter 4 Listening for the sound of that heart, and its truth. Finding his own there.
* Chapter 5 Though he had nothing to give, not even his own self left to offer, he tried
* Chapter 6 He hadn't known anything could be worse than Jim's madness
* Chapter 7 This time, Blair stayed down
* Chapter 8 All that strength and beauty held in abeyance, in sacrifice
* Chapter 9 But his heart was naked
* Chapter 10 Blair felt the white heat again
* Chapter 11 In the soft silence of the fog-bound morning like a lost god
* Chapter 12 Closer to the end of the hurting
* Chapter 13 Beating in his breast like a living thing
* Chapter 14 Whatever it takes, Jim. Now and forever.
* Chapter 15 His heart taking over before his mind could convince him not to try
* Chapter 16 The gulls were getting louder
* Chapter 17 It was the end of Jim's life
* Chapter 18 Blair heard the surrender in his voice
* Chapter 19 Surrounded entirely by Blair's living presence
* Chapter 20 Blair decided he would not speak again
* Chapter 21 His eyes were open, clear, their brilliant blue more achingly bright than the morning sky overhead
* Chapter 22 Rest, Jim. I'll be right here
* Chapter 23 The memories could still be read plainly, scrawled across his body
* Chapter 24 He wouldn't allow Blair to partake of such a bitter feast
* Chapter 25 Deaf and blind, at peace
* Chapter 26 Quiet blueness as he looked into Blair's eyes
* Chapter 27 Though his voice was furious, his touch was gentle
* Chapter 28 All I had to do was get you off the beach, and then everything would be all right
* Chapter 29 His entire life had been only prologue and preparation for this moment at Jim's side. Nothing else would ever matter so much.
* Chapter 30 Jim in agony, beyond his help forever
* Chapter 31 Didn't I promise you that? Didn't I promise?
* Chapter 32 Blair must love your strength
* Chapter 33 He would take his death, if they wouldn't give it to him
* Chapter 34 As though a soul in hell had been granted voice
* Chapter 35 Nothing I hate more than getting caught in the rain
* Chapter 36 A pristine white beach in the heat of mid afternoon
* Chapter 37 His weakness had brought Jim to this, and Jim's weakness had let him do it
* Chapter 38 Soul stripped bare as his flesh
* Chapter 39 The same strength that would take them both home
* Chapter 40 For the courage that made him strong, for the strength that made him beautiful
* Chapter 41 A man who could touch him that way loved him enough to make anything possible
* Chapter 42 I'll be more careful next time
* Chapter 43 The hills were still dusky with the flush of spring
* Chapter 44 The heat of a tear scalded his thumb
* Chapter 45 Souvenirs of the journey
* Chapter 46 A glimpse of the life Blair would help him reclaim
* Chapter 47 The ease their closeness brought him
* Chapter 48 Blair's faith and laughter
* Chapter 49 No music and damned little grace
* Chapter 50 Rest, and I'll be right here
* Chapter 51 Had kind of a rough night
* Chapter 52 The painful, joyous weight
* Chapter 53 Accepting without surrendering
* Chapter 54 The ocean of betrayal in Blair's eyes
* Chapter 55 They hurt him
* Chapter 56 Like talking to a crazed jumper
* Chapter 57 Needles of language
* Chapter 58 Might be great coffee
* Chapter 59 Blair's smile was almost enough
* Chapter 60 Cold and heavy going down
* Chapter 61 The drift was fast and easy
* Chapter 62 Seeping into their combined soul and darkening Blair's eyes
* Chapter 63 Smiled back at him with contented trust
* Chapter 64 Without anyone losing a finger
* Chapter 65 You're not going to believe this, man, but I haven't got anything to say
* Chapter 66 As though Blair had taken the pain first
* Chapter 67 Such a minor, fragile victory
* Chapter 68 We're done with room service
* Chapter 69 Used everything up and not finished the job
* Chapter 70 Feeling quite young
* Chapter 71 The spaces between gasped breaths
* Chapter 72 Constellations of time and agony
* Chapter 73 No son of mine
* Chapter 74 From the May to the roses
* Chapter 75 His father's house
* Chapter 76 Not innocent
* Chapter 77 Low and golden through the windows
* Chapter 78 He was all alone
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==References==
Category:1998 Fanfiction
Category: 1990s
Category:2000s