Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Tony/OC, Tony/Gibbs
Length: 2,057 words
Author on LJ:lucifers_toy
Why this must be read:

Hilarious story in which Tony is 'outed' as bisexual to Kate and McGee when he breaks up with his current boyfriend. Wonderful undercurrent of Tony/Gibbs in which both view it as inevitable that they end up together eventually.
This has some truly stupendous lines, including Gibbs uttering the line “I heard the term was bi,” , definitely a must read for those who enjoy witty banter and 'Outed!Tony'


(s)ex

Fandom: STARGATE: ATLANTIS
Pairing: Evan Lorne/Dr Parrish, implied John Sheppard/Rodney McKay
Length: 6708 words
Author on LJ: l57371
Author Website:
Why this must be read:

Because Parrish having such a massive crush on Lorne that he turns into a bumbling, tongue-tied klutz whenever he's near Lorne is completely adorkable. And Lorne, who has his own crush, not having a clue why Parrish is so jumpy and skittish around him is equally as adorkable.

( It was odd that the man everyone else seemed to know and the man that he knew were almost two completely different people. )

The Other Man

Fandom: U2 (RPS)
Pairing: Bono/Edge, Adam/Larry
Length: One-shot
Author on LJ: melissa2u
Author Website: u2slash
Why this must be read:

Because Crack Van needs some crack. Because Mel's stuff is awesome. Because this is all fairytale and weird and night-time. Because it's an AU, so you truly don't need to be a U2 fan to enjoy it. Because it's carnival! Because it's nothing like any fic I've read before. Because it has drag and monkeys and humour. Because I told you to. Because you need this fic in your life.

For Love of Monkeys

Fandom: DC COMICS
Pairing: Roy/Jason but not quite yet, Dick/Roy in the past
Length: Almost 7000 words; beginning of a long, unfinished series
Author on LJ: pervyficgirl and cero_ate
Author Website: LJ, Merely An Illusion and Cero's FF.net site
Why this must be read: This is the first story in the long, unfinished "Spaghetti Verse". Set after Teen Titans issue #47 (the funeral of Duella Dent), Jason is left badly hurt by his brothers and makes his way to Roy's rooftop. Roy has a way of taking care of falling Robins. Lian is perfect. No really, her depiction is one of the best I've ever read. She's a kid--snotty, bratty, happy, hopeful, tired, scared, wonderful and silly, all rolled into one. Jason is broken and angry, and Roy is trying to be a good father, trying not to be disappointed in Dick yet again, and trying to understand Jason. This fic is just the tip of the iceberg that involves into a wonderful family story with a hot Jason/Roy pairing and Lian stays perfect all the way through. I squee every time a new installment arrives. Read the first fic here, then click on the tag for "spaghetti verse" for the rest, some of which are NC17.

( excerpt )

Mistaken Trust

Fandom: DC COMICS
Pairing: Slade/Dinah, Dick/Roy, OMC/OFC, other minor ones
Length: at least 50000 words
Author on LJ: merfilly and ilyena_sylph
Author Website: their LJs
Why this must be read: I don't usually read futurefic but this one hooked me. It relies on a belief that in the past Dinah (Black Canary) and Slade (Deathstroke) had an affair. In this story that affair produced a kid named Duncan who is just a marvelous original character. He grows into his teenhood determined to meet his father who has no clue he exists, and he's also determined to become a Teen Titan. In this story, consisting of seven parts plus the finale under a different name, we meet the teenage or adult versions of the kids of current and past Titans, and their personalities are well-fleshed out. The authors show a Dick and Roy happy and together, a Joey and Rose who are not crazy or criminals (this was written a couple years ago), and a Slade who's not evil and insane. Dinah is beautifully written as strong-willed yet rather lonely until her son brings Slade back into her life. Part of the story is about Duncan and his growing relationship with his father and his girlfriend; the other is the path Slade and Dinah take, which includes the Justice League not reacting well. It's just a wonderful story. The link is to a tag page; the first seven parts of the story are linked under the January 26, 2007 entry "Duncanverse"; the finale is March 26, 2007 and is called "Facing the Future".

( excerpt )

Consequences and Truths plus Facing the Future

Vidder: Tara
Musical artist: My Medea by Vienna Teng
Pairing: character study about Kara, destiny, motherhood. Includes Kara/Leoben content as portrayed in early season three (one-sided and sinister)
Vidder on LJ: taragel
Vidder's website: vid tag
Why this vid kicks ass: Okay, I'm biased. I loved this song before Tara made a vid to it. Plus it's about Kara (my favorite!) and her many layers: wounded daughter, vulnerable but strong woman, to reluctant mother and going beyond that into whatever her destiny means. It also packs quite a punch for a video that focuses so closely on just season three.

My Medea

Fandom: Firefly
Pairing: Jayne/Kaylee
Length: Novel
Author on LJ: wily_one24

Why this must be read: This, for me, is one of the most definitive Jaylee fics around. Written for the joss100 challenge community the story moves through 100 chapters plus an epilogue of wonderful storytelling. The author takes us on a journey through the relationships aboard Serenity focusing on that between Kaylee, Simon and Jayne. The other members of the crew are there too, filling out the story as it flows to its conclusion. If you like a wonderfully rounded story with lashings of angst and well drawn charters - then this one is for you.

Excerpt ( Read more... )

Pieces

Fandom: STARGATE: ATLANTIS
Pairing: none – gen
Length: ~1500 words
Author on LJ: kiku65
Author Website:
Why this must be read:

This is one way Todd's relationship with Sheppard and the Atlantis Expedition might have evolved. Told from Todd's POV it's centered around times that Todd has saved John's life. The transitions through the years trace the developement of his relationship with Sheppard from grudging to accepting, friendship and love. It's a beautiful fic and quite bittersweet in the end and how I wish canon had gone.

( The first time Todd aided John Sheppard was after his escape from the Genii prisons. )

My Brother's Keeper

Vidders: Melina, Killabeez, and Luminosity
Musical Artist: Blue Oyster Cult
Pairing: none
Vidder on LJ: melina123, killabeez, sockkpuppett
Vidder's Website: Melina's Misty Moon and Triptychvids (registration required); Killa's Adventures in Melodrama; Luminosity's Vidworks

Why this vid kicks ass: I believe that will be self-evident once the vid is watched. *g* I love this vid. It gives me glee. Not only because it's a really great vid, but because it revels in the dark side of Duncan MacLeod. MacLeod is often viewed as a child of the light, which he mostly is, except for when he isn't. Also, I confess I'm in a very "Duncan MacLeod will f*ck your sh*it up" frame of mind these days. Don't mess with him!

Don't Fear The Reaper @ Triptychvids (Registration required.)

I have had limited computer access this month as my machine is in the shop. So I tried to see if this was rec'cd before, and don't think it was. I will try to get one more fic rec up tonight. I apologize for the dearth of recs lately.

Vidder: Nicole D'Annais
Musical Artist: Abba
Pairing: Napoleon & Illya
Vidder on LJ: ndannais
Vidder's Website: Nicole's Fic
Why this vid kicks ass:
Have you ever heard a song which is so bouncy and happy that you can't get it out of your mind? Add your favorite men and you have a recipe for satisfaction. I play this one over again and again, especially when I need a quick lift.

And with a name like Napoleon, a video to the song "Abba" is a match made in heaven.


Waterloo

Fandom: NEWSIES
Pairing: gen
Length: 20k
Author Website: fanfic.net
Why this must be read: This fic is a true rarity in newsies fandom. It's gen, 1899 and deals with the aftermath of the strike. The characterizations in this are wonderful, and the way it deals with Jack's actions in the movie are incredibly realistic.

Rippling Out

Fandom: STARGATE: ATLANTIS
Pairing: Michael Kenmore/Ana Larson (OFC)
Length: ~12,500 words
Author on LJ: miriel
Author Website: The Wide World
Why this must be read:

What I love most about fan fiction is that it gives the chance to explore different aspects of characters and alternate events – how things or people would be different if this happened. I like Michael Kenmore and have always been disappointed by the direction his storyline took in canon. The poor guy got a raw deal. "The Enemy You Know" is told from the POV of Ana Larson, a new scientist in Atlantis who arrived after Michael escaped from the planet in "Misbegotten". Larson is taken prisoner by Wraith worshipers and ends up in a cell next to Michael. As she gets to know Michael we get to see him through untainted eyes. And they come to love each other. The story ends on a happy note for Michael and Ana, which I like; Michael needs some love.

The Enemy You Know and Snapshots of a Future: The Lives of the Kenmores

Fandom: STARSKY & HUTCH
Pairing: Starsky/Hutch
Size: 48.7 MB
Author on LJ: ?
Author Website: http://www.bistokidsfan.com

I’m a very biased about this vid: It was my present for the 2008 Secret Santa (LoveofMeandThee Group).

I have to admit that I really did not think that it would be possible for the vid to be done, but I asked anyway because I love this song. When I made the request, I was told that it was highly unlikely that the vid could be done.

Why?

Home by Now/No Matter What by Meatloaf is an epic song, clocking in at more than six minutes. Given the length of the song and the technical expertise and the time needed to produce a vid, such a task would be daunting, if not impossible.

I then requested a story or a piece of art.

Imagine my delighted surprise when I opened my Secret Santa gift and found my vid. It was the best present I received for Christmas 2008.

And it’s perfect. Annette nailed this song splendidly, blending and matching scenes from Starsky & Hutch perfectly to the song lyrics. The story it tells is totally theirs: A love that can’t be destroyed no matter what the universe throws at them, be it forced heroin addiction, poisoning, bullets, or death. It is better than I could ever imagine.

Thank you very much, Annette!

Please don’t forget to feed the author feedback!

Home by Now/No Matter What

Vidder: Samus McAslan
Musical artist: The Dixie Chicks
Pairing: none
Vidder on LJ: samus_mcaslan
Vidder's website: Samus McAslan @ Kawoosh! vid archive
Why this vid kicks ass:

The song is perfect for Michael and how he feels after being betrayed and experimented on by the Atlantis expedition: angry, hurt, and unable to let it be water under the bridge. And I love the way Samus did the video for the I don't have time to go round and round and round lyric. It makes me smile and think "That is so awesome cuz that's exactly how it was."

Not Ready to Make Nice @ Samus' LJ

Vidder: Yunitsa
Musical artist: "Northwest Passage," lyrics by Stan Rogers, performed by Show of Hands
Pairing: gen, Fraser-centric, all seasons
Vidder on LJ: yunitsa
Vidder's website: Fanfic and Vids Index
Why this vid kicks ass:

I'm having trouble coming up with an answer to this question that doesn't just involve a lot of flailing and pointing and "oh show ♥ ♥ ♥!!!" Because that would be undignified. But seriously, it's THAT kind of vid, the kind that makes your heart swell with love and inspires you to rewatch the entire freaking series.

Yunitsa takes us on Fraser's journey - leaving his settled life, throwing it all away, to seek an outreaching hand of friendship, and the road back home again. It's the Rays' journey too; it's also about those who went before him - Buck and Bob and Caroline - and those who will follow. There's a expansiveness to this vid, and a sense of wonder.

It's just great. Watch it.

Northwest Passage

I thought I'd finish my time as Atlantis driver this month the way I began it – with Shep/Todd by SylvanWitch.

Fandom: STARGATE: ATLANTIS
Pairing: John Sheppard/Todd the Wraith
Length: 986 words
Author on LJ: sylvanwitch
Author Website: SylvanWitch @ Wraithbait
Why this must be read:

"Hunger" is a series of short poems. To be honest, poetry is not my thing. I don't get what makes something poetry or know anything about...composition or style or anything like that. But I do like these poems because of the stories they tell. Each one is a different take on human/Wraith interaction from Todd's POV, set in or around "Common Ground" with hunger as the theme tying them all together.

( First, he is nothing but fortuitous food, )

Hunger: A Symphony in Seven Parts

And with this I shall take a back seat in the popslash van! I hope you have enjoyed this as much as I have!

Vidder: Mette
Musical Artist: Backstreet Boys
Pairing: BSB gen
Vidder on LJ: bubbleforest
Vidder Website: Youtube Channel
Why this vid kicks ass: Mette's vids have been recced numerous times here, and for very good reason. It's rare to find decent videos in popslash, but this one is really wonderful and deserves to be recced!

Last year, 2008, was the Backstreet Boys' anniversary celebrating fifteen years as a group. Fifteen! That certainly warrants a tribute, right? Mette delivers with this warm, energetic video which skillfully blends clips from recent performances with old footage and interviews (including some of those unforgettable outfits!) Mixing friendship, emotion, and great music, a great way to commemorate a fandom. Go watch!

You Can Let Go

Fandom: DUE SOUTH
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski
Length: 9,220 words
Author on LJ: nos4a2no9
Author Website: Out of Water or fic_by_nos
Why this must be read:

Fraser and RayK find a member of the Franklin Expedition.

( We found the body in the fourth week of our journey. Or rather, we found a button. We discovered the body quite by accident. )

The Age of Lead

That's it for me! I hope you guys enjoyed the recs! I'm glad video day falls on the last day, because this is a great thing to blow out on. :)

Vidder: Wafflesnbrains
Musical Artist: Hollywood Undead, Andy Gibb, South Park, Elton John, Crash Test Dummies, The Prodigy, Bring It On, Sean Paul, E-40, Justin Timberlake, Austin Powers, Michael Jackson
Pairing: none
Vidder on LJ: nowhack
Vidder's Website: At Youtube

Why this vid kicks ass: This is the funniest thing that ever happened! Everyone's chosen theme songs and clips are <i>brilliant</i>. My especial favorite is Peter (who is first). But everyone else's is well-chosen and well-edited, too. Perfection in every second.


Character Theme Songs 1

Last rec of the month for me! I've really enjoyed driving the van, even if I did, um, break some speed limits here at the end of the month. Major thanks to akamine_chan for maintaining the DS Crack Van list on Delicious, without which I would have been lost. And I'm looking forward to seeing what turns up next month!

As always, remember to feed the authors back!

Fandom: DUE SOUTH
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski
Length: 2,600 words
Author on LJ: joandarck
Author Website: Fic Index
Why this must be read:

The night before the Eleventh of March, Fraser sits at the fireside trying to focus on the duty before him, trying to disengage from the life he's had in Chicago and all his longings and dissatisfactions. This isn't going over too well with the representative of Chicago he's got still sitting there beside him, trying to get through to him.

Funny, yearning, haunting, painful in places, and just overall some of the best Fraser POV I've ever read.

Seeking Gold and Glory

This is it for me, folks. Hope you've enjoyed the ride!

Vidder: Nicky
Musical artist: Effigy by Natalie Merchant
Pairing: Guinevere character study (Guinevere/Arthur, Guinevere/Lancelot implied)
Vidder on LJ: obsessive24
Vidder's website: obsessive24.net
Why this vid kicks ass: Oh, wow. What a gorgeous piece of work. This is a character study of Gwen and the way she's trapped by her text, half way between the paragon of all virtue and the scarlet woman. This is a vid not to be missed.

Effigy

Vidder: JennMiller/ZeroMuch
Musical artist: Idioteque by Radiohead
Pairing: None
Vidder on LJ:
Vidder's website: ZeroMuch.com
Why this vid kicks ass: A twisty, techno look at Helm's Deep. The editing really kept pace with the music and dragged me in. All of Jenn's vids are great, but this is one I just keep coming back to.  Maybe not the absolute best video I've ever seen, but one that hits me every time I watch it.


zeromuch.com/2004/08/02/happening/

Vidder: Aranhe
Musical artist: Who Wants to Live Forever by Queen
Pairing: Arwen/Aragorn
Vidder on LJ:
Vidder's website: Here
Why this vid kicks ass:

So it's sappy. And romantically tragic. And all the other things people whine about Arwen/Aragorn in the movie adaption. But this video gets it right. The story of Arwen and Aragorn was sappy, romantic, and tragic to its core, but that's how it was supposed to be. And this video captures that feeling in an extraordinary way, as well as the outside events surrounding the romance.

http://ravenseye.co.uk/edderkopp/, scroll down the page to find the video

Fandom: LORD OF THE RINGS
Pairing: OC/Denethor
Length: 2 short chapters
Author on LJ:
Author Website: Stories of Arda
Why this must be read:

Another blissfull patient character study of Gondor in Denethor's youth. This fic has so much in such a short space that I will never fail to enjoy it. annmarwalk is an excellent author, and deals with all of her characters so carefully that every sentence brings some new piece to light.

For the Moon to Lead, and All the Stars to Follow

Fandom: LORD OF THE RINGS
Pairing: None
Length: Short
Author on LJ: casapazzo
Author Website: Fanfiction.net
Why this must be read:

The elves have their own kinstrife, and the elf-kin must not be left out in the cold. A tale of the Kinslaying of Gondor, and Umbar, and black fleet in the Anduin. A look at what happened when a king and a foreigner got in bed together.

Perfection, of a Kind

Fandom: LORD OF THE RINGS/SMALLVILLE
Pairing: Clark/Lex, suspicious comments by other characters
Length: Short
Author on LJ: mahaliem
Author Website: Here
Why this must be read:

The best kind of crack - funny, but so, so true. Mahaliem makes a brave attempt at answering "What would happen if Lex was a billionare in Gondor, and Clark had hobbit cousins?" Like all of mahaliem's fic, The Most Unlikely Creature Imaginable: aka - How to Make a Really Long Story Short is side-splittingly funny and excellently crafted.

The Most Unlikely Creature Imaginable