To end off the month, let's have the theme of...Starsky versus Hutch, the aftermath.

Fandom: Starsky/Hutch

Pairing: Starsky and Hutch

Fiction Website: http://www.squidge.org/~flamingo/starskyhutchgen/classics/White/LosingTouch.htm

Why this must be read: This was originally published in Celebration: An Anthology Zine, Remembering a decade of S&H in 1985 and is a gen story. So, they're still mad. They're at the ends of their ropes and can't see an end to it all. They're lashing out at each other because they're there and you always hurt the ones closest to you. And what does Starsky do when he's backed into a corner? He lashes out and then he runs, all the way back to New York. Starsky's decided to quit the department and move back home. One phone call between the partners, but is this really goodbye?

"I guess that's it then." The words were quiet.

"Yeah. I guess." Starsky tried not to shiver in the too-warm room. "Hutch--?"

"Yeah, Starsk?"

"I..." But there was nothing to say after all. "Just ... goodbye."

Is this the end? How can they put the pieces back together again enough to rebuild the shattered partnership? In the end, they've lost touch with another and they must regain that.

It's gonna take some time to heal the wounds of Starsky versus Hutch.

Fandom: Starsky/Hutch

Pairing: Starsky/Hutch

Fiction Website: http://meandthee.shahrazad.net/display.php?storyid=603

Why this must be read: This was published in one of the VP Chronicles and shows how much healing and change can take place within a week's time. Hutch's grandmother kept a journal of one week of her life, chronicling what happened in 7 days. Hutch decides to do the same thing with a week of his life, May 7-13, 1979. He and Starsky needed to get away and get over the rift that came between them, so Hutch's parents arranged for them to stay at a friend's mansion in San Diego county.

He came without questioning and sat down next to me. The hesitancy as he tried to decide how close to sit rattled me. I put my arm around his shoulders and squeezed. "We'll get through this, Starsk."

He made a small noise that sounded like a sigh of relief. "Jeez, I didn't know how important one letter could be."

"What?"

"You haven't shortened my name since..." He looked away and I saw him bite down hard.

"God, I've been rough on you, haven't I?"

"Not as rough as you've been on yourself."

There will be changes, revelations, and a few precursors to what's to come. Sometimes, your heart knows things before your head does. And sometimes, your head knows them long before they happen. Starsky's afraid, but not of what Hutch thinks. Hutch's parents are accepting, but in a completely different way than you would first believe. They hurt each other and they break down the walls between each other over the course of this week. Starsky and Hutch get down to what's really the matter, not the symptoms, but the bottom line disease. Once they get through that, the rest of it is easy to build back up.

The sequel, entititled The Week, 1980, was published in VP Chronicles 4.

So, this month we've had despair in the form of a sixteen-year-old-boy, a relationship that might just have more bad points than good, waxing poetic on Beat poetry, love and heartbreak in Chino, wanting what you can't have, indecisive impulsiveness, different beginnings with similar endings, big schmoopy futurefic, smooching in the dressing room of a Banana Republic, the story of a lifetime, coming home again, and four things that didn't actually happen. Pretty eventful month, huh? I hope you've enjoyed all these wonderful stories, and maybe got a little more interested in the great fandom that is The OC.

Fandom: Oz
Pairing: No pairings, a Gen story
Author on LJ: kaynyne
Author Website: ?
Why this must be read:

While most people who have only watched a single episode of Oz, or those who haven’t dared to watch it all, always claim that it’s just too violent, too intense. Sure there is violence in Oz, it is set in a prison after all, but there is so much more. One of my favorite parts of Oz is the humor. Oz, funny you say, you must be daft.

But seriously, the humor is there and serves to temper the intensity of the show. Some of my favorite writers are able to capture and expand on that element. K9 is one such writer. With Blue Moon she spins an unbelievable yarn of a tale that will have you laughing and shaking your head. And the reason it works so well is because she is such a master at capturing the voices of all the characters. It feels real, it feels like Oz. See for yourself.

( Read More )

Fandom: Oz
Pairing: Beecher/Keller
Author on LJ: actizera
Author Website:Actizera’s Fiction
Why this must be read:

For my final Rec this month, I am going for all out porn by one of the best writers I have ever had the pleasure to have read, either in or out of fandom. No one writes quite like Actizera whether it be an erotically-charged gem like this one, or an in-depth character study where you suddenly understand the motivations of the characters better through her insight.

She captures the essence of the characters in everything she writes but she also has such a visceral style that you *feel* what the characters feel, you *see* what the characters see, and you *taste* what the characters taste. She transports you *into* the story. You are as transfixed as the characters and she’ll have your mouth watering and your heart racing right along with Chris and Toby.

( Read More )

Fandom: HORATIO HORNBLOWER
Pairing: Horblower/Archie Kennedy
Author: Clotho
Author on LJ: not sure
Author's website: not sure.
Why this must be read:

"You're just like silver," Archie murmured.

This is a new piece, but really beautifully done. It has nice slash parts, but a lovely little character driven story as well. The dancing scene is brilliant.

Thanks again for joining me in the van this month, and I hope to see you all around the Hornblower fandom for a long time.

*returns keys to hook on wall*

*touches hat*

Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2151539/1/

Fandom: STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
Pairing: n/a
Author on LJ: seemag
Author Website: Unbound
Why this must be read:

I've recced a lot about Cardassia this month, but for my last recommendation, it's over to the other side, to Bajor under the Occupation. As Seema's website shows, she's able to write just about every character on the show, but the story I've picked focuses on a pivotal moment in the life of a teenaged Kira Nerys, who meets a childhood friend and finds out just how far both of them have changed in the intervening years.

Kira had been hurt. "You don't trust me?"

"It's not a question of trust, Nerys. It's a matter of nerves."

Kira had answered, "The Kamal I knew would never collaborate with Cardassians. Don't worry. You can count on me." In that moment, Kira had felt strong, had felt determined; collaborators must be punished, even if they were fellow Bajoran citizens. "No mercy."

Blink

That's the last DS9 rec from me; I hope you've enjoyed the stories this month, I've definitely enjoyed picking them. All these authors are well worth reading beyond the stories I've chosen, so take a look at their websites. And happy reading!

Fandom: SPORTS NIGHT
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: callmesandy
Author Website: Lowercase k Collected
Why this must be read:

A month in the life of Sports Night, set sometime before the series, which sees Dana fret about Casey without really knowing why, Dan take up smoking and Casey attempt to go into denial over the state of his marriage. ( Read more... )

Sweet October

Well, it's November 30 in my part of the world which means it's time to hand over the Crack Van keys to someone else. I've had a great time reccing Sports Night this month; revisiting some old favourites and discovering new ones. It's such a great fandom and the writers are simply wonderful. So it is with great reluctance that I present you with my final recommendation.

Fandom: SPORTS NIGHT
Pairing: Dan/Casey, Dan/Other
Author on LJ: helenish
Author Website: Helenish
Why this must be read:

Also known as Gigolo to the Stars, this story picks up after Kafelnikov and takes a sharp left turn thereafter.

Dan's feeling restless. He's in therapy and while it's going okay, he's still not sure how he should be feeling. When Casey make a seemingly innocent remark, Dan takes it to heart and before long they find themselves in a situation they never anticipated. ( Read more... )

Call of the Wild

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK US
Pairing: Brian/Justin
Author on LJ:?
Author Website:?
Why this must be read:

Because it's fun. It's Justin and Brian being snarky with each other. The discussion and choice : where to go on vacation Paris or Key West. The bet : something each of them wants very much. The judge: Michael who's the smartest of the bunch. Telling more would spoil the story. Fun, hot fluff. Best combination in my book.


Winning

Comments always welcome



I've enjoyed driving the van. I wish I had more time to rec stories but alas RL does play havoc with my play time.

I've truly enjoyed being your van driver this month. This is my last rec.

It is from a new (yeah!) author to dS fandom. I have always felt newbie authors to a fandom should be given much constructive criticism (if needed), praise and feedback when they make their foray into the unknown. I think being welcomed into a fandom will keep an author in that fandom. Apathy or negativity will only drive talented authors away and in due South I think we need to keep all the talented authors we can get, considering we are such a small fandom!

Having said my peace, here's my rec...


Fandom: DUE SOUTH
Pairing: Fraser/Ray K.
Author on LJ: therentgirls
Author Website: The Rent Girls

Why this must be read: This story is unique as it it from Fraser's POV and he paints himself in not the most flattering of terms. If you like your Fraser a little darker and edgier, then this story is for you.

Fraser compares himself to a stalker as he is sitting outside Ray's apartment obsessing about his partner. He reflects on his past attempts at romance (it's not good) and contemplates that Ray is better off without him.

But, you know it cannot end like that, right? Ray sees Fraser and goes outside to confront him and they have the conversation. It is then the story becomes brilliant, as you see Ray in his speech and actions turn Fraser's opinion about himself around. So while this story may be in Fraser's POV, it is Ray who really holds all the cards in this tale.

A truly amazing read and for a first time due South writer -- WONDERFUL! I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Stalker


If you liked this story, please contact the author and tell her!

Fandom: THE PROFESSIONALS
Pairing: Bodie/Doyle
Author on LJ: the_shoshanna
Author Website: http://www.thisland.ca/
Why this must be read:

So this is it. I've greatly enjoyed the chance to revisit, and share, some of my favorite Pros fic. As my swan song I'm reccing what may be my very favorite Pros story of all. And I'm going to indulge myself by permitting myself a longer rec than usual, but I'll put it behind a cut ...

( Never Let Me Down .... )

....And thanks for coming along with me on the ride :-)

Fandom: FARSCAPE
Pairing: John
Author on LJ: elliejane
Author Website:
Why this must be read:

farscapefriday the Farscape weekly drabble challenge has inspired some wonderful fic. Recently the challenge was to write in the style of a published author, a challenge which produced some excellent and enjoyable results. Following on from this, the challenge was to write in the style of a favourite fanfic author. Bravely, elliejane took up that challenge, choosing to write in the style of Maayan. (And that's brave *g*).

Elliejane took a plot structure Maayan used in an earlier SG-1 fic called 'System of a Down' and ran with it, structurally and stylistically.

Ellie's story, which starts at the end and works back to the beginning, reveals by increments the slow deconstruction of a good man, or maybe it's more a metamorphosis, the original ingredients the same but in all the wrong/right places.

Either way, it's heartbreaking to see the changes brought about by time and circumstance, even though that change -as part of living and growing - is inevitable.

Freefalling

( excerpt )

And that's me for the month of November. It's been a varied month...and I've hardly touched upon my reservoir of favourite stories, in particular another Rygel fic, and also another heartbreaking Stark fic from the recent series of supporting character ficathons. Really, the sheer depth and breadth of writing in this fandom continues to amaze me.

*happily chucks the van keys to trajictale*