Hello, lovies! I'm back for round two here in the van, and hope I'll be able to supply a few tasty treats for you all this month. I'm pleased that the timing is such to allow me to make December's first recommendation a followup to the first story I recommended back in September.

Fandom: STARSKY & HUTCH
Pairing: Starsky/Hutch
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: SH Gen Archive (Minnie K), The Pits Archive (Minnie K), SH Slash Archive (Sarah Problem), The Pits Archive (Sarah Problem)
Why this must be read:


In this sequel (first published in Venice Place Chronicles 4) to Minnie K's "Blood Test" , the author (now writing under slash alter-ego Sarah Problem) picks up immediately after the events in the first story, weaving an intriguing plot of conspiracy and assassination which serves as the backdrop against which the Starsky/Hutch relationship develops. The transition from a Starsky & Hutch friendship to a Starsky/Hutch romance is rather seamless, evolving in a quiet, natural way that is completely in synch with the characters and their relationship as we were treated to in the initial Gen work. S&H may be strangers to male/male sex, but they're not strangers to each other, and there is a marvelous simplicity, and almost innocence, to their 'feeling out' just how to go about this new aspect of their relationship. With loads of excitement, some *quite* enjoyable first-time sex, and brother Nick returning to once again be the stone in our poor boys' shoe (they only have one, y'see), Blood Ties is a lovely, long read to snuggle up to with some fuzzy socks and hot chocolate on a wintry afternoon.

Blood Ties

Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Author on LJ: astolat
Author Website: Intimations

Why this must be read:
More than a year ago, shaggirl rec'd "A Weather of the Heart," the first story in this series, but I thought I'd do all three stories as my rec, so I think that's not a repeat.

I think this whole series stands out because the fact that it's written entirely in dialog and yet is still completely readable and in character is remarkable.

Normally, I would turn away from a dialog only story of any length over a drabble because keeping who's talking straightened out is just too much work for me. I never felt that with Shalott's stories, and furthermore, the Harry/Draco pairing is appealingly written even though I am firmly in the Harry/Snape camp. *g*

I don't feel that new canon affects my reaction to these stories (posted in 2000) at all, because the focus is on the Harry/Draco interaction, and it's sexual chemistry at work, not similarity in character or friendship. There's the expected angst when it's Hogwarts-era H/D, and the encounter with Voldemort, and still this is a satisfying set of stories.

A Weather of the Heart (NC-17)
A Weather of the Eye (R)
A Weather of the World (NC-17)

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: Ellie Bartlet/Winifred Hooper
Author on LJ: tangleofthorns
Author Website: Spark Girls

Why this must be read:
Two words: Ellie Bartlet. Ellie is, for me, one of the most interesting characters in a show entirely made up of interesting characters, and she doesn't get enough love. Violet goes some way to making up for that lack here. She's is no stranger to crack_van and for good reason. This story sees her following Ellie's thoughts following Zoey's kidnap in and around a portrait of the breakdown of Ellie's Catholic faith and the inevitable friction that causes in her family. Oh, and there's femslash too. (Winifred Hooper, for those who don't remember, is the intern from GAO who can't stop sighing at Sam in 'The Stackhouse Filibuster'.)

If you never get out of the car you can ignore the truth; you can outrun it.


Oh, and er, hi! I'll be reccing for West Wing this month. I'm shooting for a wide range of character-based stories from both familiar and lesser-known authors but my good intentions may get overwhelmed by my intense Toby-love. Just so you know. :)

::taps microphone::

Welcome to Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital! We have a lot to get through this month, people, but first a few ground rules. The legal department requires me to warn all new interns that many areas of this hospital are Sarcasm Intensive Zones, which, as you should all know by now, are highly infectious! So, please, for your own safety, stay within the green lines at all times, under *no circumstances* open any closet doors without knocking first, and if you see anyone with a stick, then for God's sake, don't encourage him to poke you with it!

Any questions? Okay, then let's get this show on the road. The first department on our itinerary is Maryland...

Fandom: HOUSE
Pairing: House/Wilson
Author on LJ: astolat
Author Website: Intimations
Why this must be read: I love this fic. My affection for it is so great because it has my favourite premise: House making Wilson his latest case to solve. Watching House solve a case is always a wonderful thing, and this case has unexpected bonuses above and beyond the banter, the hospital politics and the obligatory snark. A truly joyful fic.

Maryland

Hi, I'm paranoidangel, your Lord of the Rings driver for December. All my recs are from people who haven't been recced on Crack Van before (at least in the LOTR category). I've got a little bit of variety for you to start with, but then we're pretty much going to descend into my favourites: Elrond and Aragorn.

Fandom: LORD OF THE RINGS
Pairing: Various canon pairings, Gimli/OFC
Author on LJ: misscam
Author Website: Miss Sandman's World of Dreams
Why this must be read:

My first rec is an 'I can't believe it's not been recced before'. Partly because it's very good and funny but also because it's very big in the fandom.

The basic idea is that there's a university where students can learn to write good fanfic. Only thing is, the university staff are characters from The Lord of the Rings and they like to torture students. Especially students who throw themselves at the staff.

Most of it is seen through the eyes of one of the students, Lina, whose lust object is Legolas, naturally, and it's about her year at OFUM, which includes the delights of Grammar Boot Camp (where students have grammar drummed into them - literally). It sounds like a horrible place but as I read more I couldn't help but think how much I'd like to be there.

If you've ever seen people talk about mini-balrogs or urple, this is where they came from.

There is a sequel, but that's still a WIP and isn't, IMO, as good as the original.

The Official Fanfiction University of Middle-earth

Hi, My name is Chris and I'll be the Highlander driver this month. I really enjoy strong plots, believable characterizations of both Duncan and Methos, and great writing. Fortunately, the Highlander fandom has a great many stories that contain all three. Please let me know what you think of the recs.

Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: Not known
Author Website: Daire's Fanfic Refuge
Why this must be read: This is the first story in Nutmeg9cat's As Time Goes By series, probably the best gen Highlander stories that I have read (and reread). These stories have it all; mystery, adventure, drama, and comedy. I wish that the producers of the new Highlander movie had looked here for their plot. Although definitely not slash, the friendship between Duncan and Methos is integral to the story. Someone recently mentioned that the Highlander fandom has been spoiled by the professional caliber of many of the writers. Nutmeg9cat certainly qualifies.

Three great sequels and the story is still ongoing. What more could you want?

Fundamental Things