crack_van | This Time by Rae (R)

Fandom: STARSKY AND HUTCH
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: No
Author Website: Leaning Birch Productions
Why this must be read: Rae is one of the best S&H writers out there. Her writing is seamless and so well-written, any time I read something she's written, I almost hate for it to end.

This Time is set during the events of The Plague, and is a "what if" story with an interesting twist. It isn't a deathfic, though it may appear to be at first. It's sort of like the X-Files episode "Monday"... and to say more will ruin it.

This time Starsky was there when Hutch died. That had never happened before. Usually he was still out on the streets looking for Callendar when his worst nightmare became his reality. Sometimes Callendar died outside the Emergency Room, and Roper, laughing out the window, screamed away in his limo. A few times, Starsky had never even gotten the chance to put the word out, to make the deal that would bring Callendar in. More than once, maybe even the first time—Starsky had lost track—they made the serum, but Hutch died anyway. Those had been the worst.

And it just gets better from there. Starsky's angst and determination to get it right this time skirt the edges of insanity, and that insanity, combined with Starsky's love for Hutch, and his obligation to duty is simply beautiful. And Rae's writing is, too.

Read and enjoy... and don't forget to send the author feedback.

This Time