Fandom: MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Napoleon Solo/Illya Kuryakin (pre-slash)
Author on LJ: geometricfandom
Author Website: her general livejournal

Why this must be read:

Since I've been promoting pre-slash stories that I consider to be unique, it could be argued that I believe most pre-slash is. . . well, predictable. Nonetheless, I've been happily seduced by many a story that followed the familiar paths of fan fiction.

In The Shouldn't We Be Escaping Affair, all of the standard elements of a pre-slash story are cheerfully summed up in one hilarious cartoon. Like the rest of Severa's Man From Plush series, this installment celebrates the clichés we love, and reminds us why we fell in love with them.

The Shouldn't We Be Escaping Affair

my apologies for this being so late. I could tell stories, but I'd rather just get to the recs.

Fandom: DC Comics
Pairing: Multiple: Koriand'r/OFC/OMC, Starfire/Robin I/Speedy I, Koriand'r/Jericho/Nightwing, Starfire/Robin II/Wonder Girl I, Starfire/Nightwing/Troia, Starfire/Grace/Jade
Author On LJ: rubynye
Author's Website: To Hold A Star In Your Hand
Why This Must Be Read:

I barely know Kory. I've had passing glances with her character and not a whole lot of familiarity with her storyline. But I read this on a whim and fell absolutely in love with it. rubynye writes six threesomes that Kory was 'never' in. It's not just a porn fic, however. It goes far beyond that into something that's absolutely breath-taking. The writing just transports you and the world is so easily pictured and the characters emotions so tangible. It's one of those stories that, when you try to describe it, the best you can come up with is gorgeous

A Certain Star

Fandom: HOUSE
Pairing: Cuddy/House
Author on LJ: zauberer_sirin
Author Website: 42number
Why this must be read:

This is sweet and sad and lyrical. It's a little surreal, a little like a fairytale, a little less than perfect. But it is hopeful. And I think, when it comes to love, that's all anyone can ask.

(There are a few niggling typos, but try to look past them, because the writing is definitely worth it.)

( A nice love story. )

Read waking up with you (is like drinking from an empty cup).

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Leroy Jethro Gibbs/Donald 'Ducky' Mallard
Author on LJ: kalliekat
Author Website: N/A

Why this must be read:

Kallie is a fairly new writer, both in terms of Gibbs/Ducky and in terms of writing, this story is only her second Gibbs/Ducky story, nonetheless I feel she has done a splendid job. She is also very new to Live Journal and has only made a handful of posts before. She wrote it as part of the ncis_gibbsducky Yuletide Gift Exchange (2007) to the specific requests of another member of the community and novice writer or not, she hit all of the recipient's requests. I think the greatest testament to this kind of story has to be the reaction the recipient and I can tell you that she (ashley_pitt) loved it.

From my point of view she did what I thought was hitherto undo-able, she made me not dislike Hollis Mann. The story is of the aftermath of Hollis's death, and how Gibbs comes to terms not only with her death and his own behaviour leading up to it, but also his own feelings related to Shannon and Kelly and to Ducky. The entire team feature in the story too when, one morning, they arrive at work to find both Gibbs and Ducky missing. They are determined to give Gibbs the support they think he needs, because they are after all, family.

It has a great mix of emotions, it had me smiling and sniffing; it's loving, tender, moving, painful at times, full of affection, and the characters are very much the men and women we see on the screen. Kallie, to my mind, did a great job on it and it is well worth reading.

( Extract )

---

The Case Of The Missing ME And Team Leader

Fandom: STARSKY AND HUTCH
Pairing: gen
Author on LJ: http://jojosimco.livejournal.com/
Author Website: http://bcl.skeeter63.org/wjojo.shtml
http://meandthee.shahrazad.net/author.php?authorid=75
Why this must be read:

It’s a beautiful, heartbreaking story, one that paints a picture of fear, despair, connection and redemption.

“When they had got to the scene, a matter of minutes too late, he had been able to crawl a few yards to reach them before collapsing. His head shook against Starsky's hands and his damp, reddened fingers pressed into Hutch's. 'How's Milo? Tell me... tell me... how's Milo?' They told him to hang on, that they didn't know about Milo yet -- even though they did, even though they had already seen what was left of him only a few yards away.

He'd never stopped asking for Fenn, the nurse said. And no-one had the heart to tell him the truth. He slipped into terminal unconsciousness still hoping he was about to get a visit from the one who could pull him through.”

Straighten Up and Fly Right

Attn. Drivers: Tomorrow is the last Friday of the month, which means it's time for Friday Night Drive-In, a.k.a. Fan Vid Recs! Reccers may post 1 vid rec for their fandom, formatted as follows:

Subject Line: VID REC: Fandom - Song Title

Vidder:
Musical artist:
Pairing:
Vidder on LJ:
Vidder's website:
Why this vid kicks ass:


Because the vidder community has some unique ownership issues, it’s important that reccers be extra careful when making vid recs. Depending on the vidder’s preferences regarding public access to their work, please link your rec in the appropriate manner:

1. If the video is publicly accessible, direct link to the web page the vid is linked on, or if it’s the vidder’s request, to the HTML splash page of their site.

or…

2. Link to the site with instructions on acquiring the password, if the site is protected – do not reveal the password yourselves.

or…

3. Provide contact info for the vidder if their vids are only available privately (tapes, dvd-R’s, collections, etc.).


Do not:
Hotlink, i.e. link directly to the video file rather than the webpage.
Re-upload videos that a vidder has removed from the web.
Delay in removing a vid rec if requested to do so by the vidder.

Thank you!

Vidder: sdwolfpup
Musical artist: The Muppets
Pairing: gen
Vidder on LJ: sdwolfpup
Vidder's website: Wolfpup Serenade
Why this vid kicks ass: DUDE. IT'S THE MUPPETS. sdwolfpup brilliantly combines the two Henson fandoms in this marvelously fun video. Crichton and D'Argo's friendship throughout the years.

Moving Right Along (second vid on the page)

Fandom: SPORTS NIGHT
Pairing: Casey McCall/Dan Rydell
Author on LJ: mardia
Author Website: None known

Why this must be read: The author's own summary really says it all: " A fic comprised of seventeen connected drabbles.* The good, the bad, the sublime, and everything in between." The story's told from Casey's point of view, and sometimes Casey's point of view looks like this:

It starts with Dan asking for a pen, and Casey handing it to him. Their fingers tangle for a split-second, and Casey wonders if his fingers are supposed to feel so hot suddenly, if that spark that he felt can just be put down to static electricity.

It starts with that and it grows from there, until Casey is sneaking looks at Dan, Dan’s mouth, Dan’s hands, the half-inch of skin that appears when Dan twists and raises his arms above his head to stretch out his back.

Casey can’t stop looking.

Simply put: this is wonderful. Read it!

17: Both a Constant and Ever-Changing State

* [and snippets, and fragments, and ficlets]

Fandom: DUE SOUTH
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski
Author on LJ: katallison
Author Website: http://www.katallison.com/

Why this must be read:

Fraser is dying, and Ray Vecchio comes to Canada for a final visit. It's not easy to convey such themes without getting sappy and sweet or maudlin. This is beautifully done, very real, very heartbreaking and so very them. One of the best stories I read with this theme, in any fandom.

( Snippet )

Go Gentle