Really tough. I could have listed any story here (and suspect my list would be different if I did it an hour from now). But it is now, so here we are:
Shortlist:
Where Credit's Due, Last Shot, Low Noon,
War Lance, Smoke signal
Finalists:
I'd Give It Ten Minutes Or So... - I LOLd at the closing line, and smiled throughout.
Greater Good Ghosts - I thought this was a really nicely written, and effective, character study. Nice drama.
Devil Ether - Very nice piece, with a funny, surprise ending. Really good.
As I am a kid at heart, I went for: I'd Give It Ten Minutes Or So... I really needed that LOL, so thank you!
I'd like to guess authors, but I'd cast a vote for putting an author's list up, before voting begins. It's just too hard (IMO) without one. Thanks for the wonderful hosting job, farntfar! And thank you to farntfar and Victoria for the wonderful reviews. Best of luck in the voting, all!