For my last recommendations, I'll be featuring stories that do an excellent job of exploring the gradual nature of change, especially when it requires a change of heart.

Fandom: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Napoleon Solo/Illya Kuryakin
Author on LJ: evan_nicholas
Author Website: some of his stories are in his lj memories.

Why this must be read:

I fell in love with this delightful story from its opening sentence:

It occurred to Illya, hanging by his ankles, swaddled in chains above a pit of - he could barely believe it - crocodiles, that there was something wrong with his life.

Not surprisingly, Illya decides he needs to make some changes. His attempts to fix his life between missions, and figure out what it all means in an ongoing conversation with his partner emulates the TV show at its very best. The absurdity of their lives as U.N.C.L.E. agents is counterbalanced by the wry seriousness and good humour of both men. Such is Evan's talent, you can easily believe that he's simply showing you what was happening to Napoleon and Illya when the cameras weren't rolling.

The Dangling Conversation

Fandom: Heroes
Pairing: Peter/The Haitian
Author on LJ: kuwdora
Author Website:
Why this must be read:

You probably shouldn't read this if you're new to fandom, actually, since it takes place directly after the Season 2 finale. In it, The Haitian finds Peter and attempts to explain himself to him. Despite the rating, I would say it isn't the sexual content the reader should be wary of, butthe terrible sadness Peter, and, by extension, the readers are feeling.

Dwelling In Forlorn Luxury

Fandom: Heroes
Pairing: Matt/Mohinder(kind of sort of)
Author on LJ: toestastegood
Author Website:
Why this must be read:

Relationships aren't perfect, and they take work to function. This story is about what happens when one partner has to convince the other it is working, that he's doing good. Matt is having trouble, after the S2 finale, trying to pick himself up and continue with Mohinder and Molly, and Mohinder has to make him see that they're worth it.

A Kind Of Sort Of Rescue

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Leroy Jethro Gibbs/Donald 'Ducky' Mallard
Author on LJ: causticquery
Author Website: Gibbs/Ducky Archive

Why this must be read:

Anguis In Herba is a missing scene story from 'Red Cell'. It's premise is simple: after his fight with the somewhat younger Gunnery Sergeant, Gibbs goes to Ducky to be healed, both physically and emotionally.

As with the vast majority of Caz's stories this contains angst, but this time only a smidgeon. The scene was clear to see and hear, and Caz shows us how sometimes it's the healer who hurts more than the person he is healing. The story is tender, moving, intense, in character and contains the kind of dialogue that only two such old friends and lovers can have.

( Extracts )

---

Anguis In Herba

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

Why this must be read: Post-takeover again, and after the boys have got their groove back; the network sends them out of town – why doesn't matter; there's a shared hotel room, a late night, some drinking, Casey being Casey, a lot of video games, and, at the end, some boykissage. It's fluff, the author says so herself, but sometimes fluff is what you need. It helps if it's really good fluff. And this is that.

Start Button

Fandom: STARSKY AND HUTCH
Pairing: STARSKY/HUTCH
Author on LJ: http://aesposito.livejournal.com/profile
Author Website: http://shslash.kassidyrae.com/fiction.html
http://starskyhutch.kassidyrae.com/shgen_fiction.html

This is my last Bay City post for the month. I'm putting my map back into the glove compartment and slamming it shut. I hope you enjoyed the tour! I know I did. Please send feedback to the authors. They work hard to keep us fed.

Why this must be read:
Because this is probably one of the best stories with Nick Starsky in it that I’ve ever read.

Because the scene about the silverware made a nest inside my head. And stayed.

Because it has this:

“He blinked, looking down at the body beneath his. A head turned, and light blue eyes—eyes clouded with desire and pain—stared back.

“I’m so, so sorry,” Starsky whispered.

“Never be sorry,” Hutch responded with a ferociousness that surprised them both. “How dare you be sorry for needing me?”

Road Trip

Just a note to let everyone know crack_van will be on hiatus in February. Sorry this comes so soon on the heels of our November mental health break, but some major-ish (elective, not to worry!) surgery will be keep me off-line for most of the month.

We'll see you in March!

Fandom: HOUSE
Pairing: Cuddy/House
Author on LJ: firenze083
Author Website:
Why this must be read:

I love the use of poetry as a structuring device, particulary when I love the poem itself. This fic is a series of kisses, good and bad, and some we'd prefer to forget. It is gentle and lovely and, although short, manages some acute characterisation.


Read Archipelago of Kisses.

Fandom: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Pairing: Elizabeth Bennet/Fitzwilliam Darcy
Length: 12,000 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: The Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Why this must be read:

The Jane Austen fandom has some stories of the supernatural variety, but they are not nearly as numerous as, say, modern-day retellings of Pride and Prejudice. Most authors, however, stick to the book and the Regency era and write what-ifs. What if Mary Bennet instead of Charlotte Lucas had married the odious Mr. Collins? What if Mr. Darcy had explained himself better at the Netherfield Ball or during his proposal at Hunsford Cottage? What if Lady Catherine had not gone to Elizabeth to demand that she not marry Mr. Darcy, but instead went straight to her nephew? The possibilities are endless, as, it seems, are the stories.

This story is also a what-if, but not in the traditional sense, for it also adds in a supernatural element. One would think it would not work well, but it does. In the book, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth meet for the first time at an assembly in Meryton, where he subsequently snubs her--much to his later frustration and dismay--and fixes within her a dislike for him that only grows with time. The entire book of Pride and Prejudice depends upon their first poor impressions and subsequent misunderstandings of each other.

But their meeting does not quite go that same way in this story. The day of the assembly begins inauspiciously for both Darcy and Elizabeth, and strange occurrences follow them throughout the day. Both recognize the strange, albeit minor, happenings as omens, but omens of what?

The payoff at the end is worth the story. This tale is not long; it will take all of twenty minutes to read it, but it's well worth it. Highly recommended.

* * *

( Excerpt )

Omens

Fandom: DUE SOUTH
Pairing: Gen
Author on LJ: troyswann
Author Website: http://salieri.bonuspoints.net/

Why this must be read:

I don't read that much Vecchio fics, but now and then one catches my eye, and I just jump and try it. And I'm very, very glad I did in this case.

Fraser escapes with Viktoria on the train. Nineteen month later Ray receives a note from him. This is heartbreaking and a real possibility how things may have turned out differently. Strong character voices, beautiful language, vivid description and just enough humor to carry you through the sadness. The ending is sad, yet hopeful, and I can feel for them both.

( Snippet )

Dysmas

Fandom: Heroes
Pairing: Matt/Mohinder
Author on LJ: fox1013
Author Website: http://www.innergeekdom.net/
Why this must be read:

M3 has a been an occasional ray of sunshine to me in S2, but the writers never really dealt with the everyday aspect of the relationships. The story is slash, but can be read as gen, and it's about Molly having a really bad day at school, culminating in a suspension, and how Matt and Mohinder deal with that.

Interrogation Techniques

Fandom: Heroes
Pairing: Matt/Mohinder(no theme here, move right along folks)
Author on LJ: celli
Author Website: http://www.fanfic101.com
Why this must be read:

It's a much needed missing scene for "Out Of Time" featuring Matt, Mohinder and Molly in a joyful reunion. Really, that's all that needs to be said.

An Eventful Day