Fandom: Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman
Pairing: A.J. Raffles/Bunny Manders
Length: About 2,800
Author on LJ: thirstyrobot and on A03 (story is linked to A03)
Why this story must be read: The story is a missing scene that takes place directly after "Willful Murder." Bunny has been waiting for two days for some word from Raffles. The longer he waits, the more annoyed and hurt he gets, and when Raffles does finally show up, the two of them have a showdown. The story must be read for its remarkable insight into the relationship between the cracksman and his faithful accomplice and companion.

An excerpt:

"The hand came down again and would not be shrugged off without a much greater fight. My back was up; I struggled. Raffles locked an arm across my chest, laughing in my ear, too warm and too close, and even in anger I was not immune. I would have given anything to be out of that hold, and anything to stay within it. Even my elbow connecting sharply with his ribs did not free me. I got only a grunt for my trouble and another arm vice-like round my waist."

The Due Reward of Our Deeds

Fandom: SHERLOCK
Pairing: Sherlock+John
Length: about 2,000ish words
Author on LJ: striped_fic
Author Website: More by this author can be found on their LJ linked above or the Dreamwidth account linked below.
Why this must be read:
It really just makes sense for John and Sherlock to get married, even though they're not really a couple. Sherlock proposes over a hospital bed and John just gets swept away in the insanity, as usual. The end? PRICELESS. I love this story because it is about platonic love and devotion between two men and is one of the closest stories to the feel of the relationship between Holmes and Watson in the original canon that I've found, while still being very, very silly. And well-written. A lovely read.

Declarations of Mutual Devotion
and it's prequel Just a Minor Peerage
and it's sequel A Marriage of Inconvenience

Fandom: PRIMEVAL
Pairing: None. Team Gen Fic
Length: Individual episodes vary from 8,000 to 14,000 words. In total novel length.
Author on LJ:deinonychus_1 lukadreaming,  fififolle, bigtitch, fredbassett, telperion_15, lsellersfic, reggietate, cupidandpsycho, munchkinofdoom,
Author Website: More fic by these authors can be found on primeval_denial
Why this must be read: This is my last rec for the month and as I started by reccing the first of the Virtual Series that have run in primeval_denial, I though the most fitting way to end this series of recs is with the second of the Virtual Serie . Again the episodes are action packed, team based and all very much have the flavour of the show itself. So far as fic is concerned this is the closest you’re going to get to the actual show! And as Primeval returns to UK screens on 1st January 2011, this will hopefully whet your appetite for more dino-adventures. The first VS was great, but the second one is even bigger and better, so don't miss it!

The link to the boxed set of all episodes can be found here.

Fandom: SANCTUARY
Pairing: Helen/James/John/Nigel/Nikola combined in multiple ways
Length: 5,976 words
Author on LJ: bessemerprocess
Author Website: bessmerprocess @ AO3
Why this must be read: Another Yuletide fic. This fic is as EPIC as The Five are. It consists of snippets from the lives of The Five from 1885 all the way to 2010. The Five are such an incestuous little bunch, and I love how the writer pairs them together in all these different ways. The writer totally gets each and every one of The Five and their relationships with one another, and uses the most intriguing quotes to head each snippet. The writing is superb and the voices of the characters spot on. Within five minutes of reading this fic I knew it was going down as a classic in my book.

( excerpt )

Mariposa Grove (A Caelo Usque Ad Centrum)

Vidder: looking4tarzan
Musical artist: The Echoing Green
Pairing: none
Vidder on LJ: looking4tarzan
Vidder's website: crazyjanefic
Why this vid kicks ass: This is the kind of vid I'd show to a friend to explain to them why Sanctuary is so awesome. It also functions as an excellent overview of Season 1 and the webisodes. looking4tarzan captures the tone of the show perfectly through the clips and choice of song - it's really a breathtaking vid. The Sanctuary itself is also a character in this vid, which thrills me to no end. This song works insanely well with Sanctuary, summing up the entire show in the chorus:

You define the line between human and divine,
In this empty place, intrinsic grace so necessary,
See the skies divide when hope and fear collide,
From this cemetery offer me this sanctuary

Sanctuus

Fandom: The Losers
Pairing: Jensen/Cougar
Length: 9047
Author on LJ: storm_petrel
Author's Website: AO3

Why this must be read:
Storm Petrel is an amazing author. She weaves together incredibly well-done action scenes with snarky, snappy dialogue and hot-as-hell sex, and all of her stories work so well that I can't recommend her enough.

And I finish off my month of Losers with the story that is pretty much my absolute favourite story in the fandom. And possibly ever, because I can't stop reading it. It's sharp, witty, sexy, romantic, action-filled and involves a cat.

But not just any cat. It involves Jensen, who might be human most of the month, but has the unfortunate habit of turning into a big black housecat during the full moon. It's about how he copes, about how the team finds out and about how he learns how to turn it into an advantage. And about how he doesn't have to be a cat to get Cougar's hands on him.

I love this story. I seriously love this story. And I hope you love it too.

Excerpt:
So maybe Cat is useful, sometimes, but it’s stupid and uncontrollable, because for every useful, life-saving tipoff, there’s a thousand mornings, afternoons and nights stuck in a truck, in a cargo plane, in a command post in some godforsaken desert, tundra or jungle where sudden, random sensory inputs suddenly hit him like a punch in the gut: the abrupt, overwhelming awareness that no one’s showered in the last week, that Clay’s ringworm has flared up and his feet itch like fuck, that Roque’s carrying so much tension it practically hums off his skin, and Pooch is radiating longing so strong it tastes like blood in Jensen’s mouth and it just beats against him in waves until it suddenly shuts off and he can unclench his jaw.

So yeah, it’s basically the worst superpower ever.

The First Eight Don't Count


I also hope you liked this month-long trip through my favourite fandom, and hope it introduced you to the awesomeness therein.

Vidder: kuwdora
Musical artist: Kesha
Pairing: none
Vidder on LJ: kuwdora
Vidder's website: Vid Tag, Pixielicious
Why this vid kicks ass: This fanvid is a miracle - kuwdora found a way to make Kesha's music far more meaningful and interesting than it actually is. Whoever would have though that a song about transvestites at a drag show would work so well with the Revelations/End of Nights story arc?? It's a fantastic vid that retells the events of those four episodes from start to finish, and although you know how it ends, that ending packs quite a punch. There's a place downtown where the freaks all come around will take on a whole new meaning for you. I highly recommend you also check out the rest of kuwdora's Seven Days of Sanctuary.

Take It Off

Vidder: hellpenguin
Musical artist: OK Go
Pairing: none (maybe John/Sherlock if you have your slash goggles on)
Vidder on LJ: hellpenguin
Vidder's website: More vids and fanworks can be found on this vidder's LJ linked above.
Why this vid kicks ass:
This vid is an example of a truly brilliant use of song lyrics and text use in fanvids, which is wholly appropriate considering the use of text in the source material. The song is dang near perfect for a John point-of-view as he tries to figure out Sherlock and why he is following this madman. The vidder uses scene cuts very nicely. Really enjoyable vid here, folks, give it a try.

WTF on YouTube
Vimeo and download links

Vidder: ellymelly
Musical artist: Robin Williams
Pairing: none
Vidder on LJ: ellymelly
Vidder's website: ellymelly @ youtube
Why this vid kicks ass: So who remember Fern Gully? ellymelly takes the awesome rap that Robin Williams sings in that movie and makes it work for Nikola. Because guys, come on, Nikola is that batty and his logic is sometimes that erratic lol. Excellent crack of the highest quality!!! (Also highly recommended by this vidder: Brand New Day, in which Nikola channels Dr. Horrible.)

Batty

Vidder: lotrfan2888
Musical artist: Gerry Rafferty
Pairing: none
Vidder on LJ: lotrfan2888
Vidder's website: Vidder's YouTube Page
Why this vid kicks ass:
This is a mellow song bringing, together with the images from the show, a feeling of friendship and rest at 221b Baker Street. This is really not my type of music OR my type of vid, but it really stuck with me. Very enjoyable vid, do go take a gander.

Baker Street on YouTube
Vidder's comments and summary

Vidder: Aliyela
Musical artist: Katy Perry
Pairing: John/Lestrade (rated R, for really hot)
Vidder on LJ: unknown (help me out here if you know!)
Vidder's website: unknown (ditto the above)
Why this vid kicks ass:
Because it's hot. Um, ok. Well, I mean, it's a really good vid that manages to frame the few scenes that we see John and Lestrade interacting into an excellent portrayal of their relationship. The vidder also uses other source material, including clips from the two actor's other work and clips of a rather, ahem, pornier nature. You know, to fill in the gaps that the show didn't show us, right? Right. I love how well the vidder has managed to sync the clips and the song. Good stuff here, check it out.

Futuristic Lover on YouTube
vid announcement post by ambrevale

OK, this is my last rec for the month, on this, the last day of 2010~! I've had a blast driving the van for Sherlock for Small Fandom Month and I almost don't want it to end. I have at least two dozen more amazing fanfics that I'd love to recommend and a handful of fanvids I'd love to share (that totally wasn't cheating, btw, ahem, *looks shifty*) and TONS of gorgeous fan artworks that deserve to be shared, but all good things must come to an end.

Although just a jewel in the exquisite necklace that makes up the larger Sherlock Holmes fandom and at the moment less than a year old, the Sherlock fandom continues to evolve and blossom into something spectacular. I hope that Sherlock will come back to crack_van sometime with more amazing stories about Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson and all of the rest. I hope you all have enjoyed the ride this month as much as I have. Now it is time for me to stop spamming your Friend's List. Happy New Year, everyone!

Vidder: Charmax
Musical artist: Infected Mushroom remix of The Doors song "People Are Strange"
Pairing: none
Vidder on LJ: charmax
Vidder's website: Vid Masterlist, Bronze Ambition
Why this vid kicks ass:
This is my absolute favorite fanvid, possibly ever. At the beginning of the month, the only thing I was absolutely certain I wanted to rec was this vid. When I did the fandom overview, I listed "London" as a character in the series and this vid is the perfect representation of that. Not only does this vidder showcase the visual GORGEOUSNESS of the source material, but they actually add to it via brilliant editing. Highly, highly recommended vid here, folks. Enjoy!

Anomie on YouTube
vid announcement post
Anomie download link

Fandom: RAFFLES
Pairing: A.J. Raffles/Bunny Manders
Length: 792 words
Author on LJ: athousandwinds
Author Website: geiriadur (for original fiction)
Why this must be read:

Raffles tends to be a favourite for fic challenges. This one was a response for Porn Battle VII. Raffles proves to Bunny that taking is the only way to get what you want. Bunny proves that when it comes to serving Raffles, he just can't help himself.

Right is Might

Fandom: RAFFLES
Pairing: A.J. Raffles/Bunny Manders
Length: 1,174 words
Author on LJ: constantmuse
Why this must be read:

What do Raffles and Bunny do with their spoils? Sure, Bunny tells us that Raffles goes out to sell the jewels to his fence, but we all know something else goes on behind closed doors.

Pearls by Candlelight

Fandom:Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman
Pairing: A.J. Raffles/Bunny Manders
Length:Fewer than 100 words
Author on LJ: anima_mecanique (Jack of None)
Why this must be read: In just a few words, we find out that Raffles and Bunny lead a dangerous life, but through it all, they take care of each other.

Old Wounds

Fandom: WAREHOUSE 13
Pairing: Myka/Pete
Length: LONG
Author's site: Fanfiction.net

Why this must be read:
Well it's long. Very very long. 30 chapters to be exact. It's also really really good.  Ficlit78 has created an amazing story. AMAZING. The emotional roller coaster will have you one moment laughing and the next crying. Give your self plenty of time to read this story as it will suck you in and not let go.

"Ow!"

"What do you mean, ow? How is that ow?"

"Don't you question my ows! I'll ow if I want to. That hurt!"

"Don't be a baby."

"Don't be a jerk."

"Claudia saw it. Claw, back me up here."

"Your airplanes are mighty and strong, Pete. She might be concussed."

"Concussed, my eye. You chicks and your wagon circling."

"We're not circling! You just happen to be a stupid boy."

Amplification by Ficlit78

Fandom: HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY; DOCTOR WHO
Pairing: Gen
Length: 1200
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: their AO3 page
Why this must be read:

So, my time with you lovely people has come to an end, and for my final rec, this one only seemed appropriate. It’s a very sweet and poignant bit of meta about the man himself, Douglas Adams, which I won’t spoil with my usual brand of inane chatter. The fic, quite frankly, speaks for itself.

So long, Douglas, and thanks for all the fish.

Where do Babel Fish go when they Die?

Fandom: WAREHOUSE 13
Pairing: Team
Length: 16,000 in 12 chapters
Author's site: Fanfiction.net

Why this must be read:
My last rec for the year. ): Good bye 2010. Hullo 2011!
Artie starts writing a list of rules that unfortunately everybody else hijacks and adds their own rules to. This sweet little fic plays on the family feeling of warehouse 13 and does it very well. If you don't start laughing within the first couple lines you may have a problem. :)
Happy New Year!

"Artie took of his glasses and rested his hand in his hands. Claudia used Volta's lab coat just because she wanted to change a light bulb that was flickering and got stuck near the ceiling. The whole episode caused havoc in the Warehouse. Artie couldn't count the times that he had told her not to touch whatever artifact that hit her fancy. He took a piece of paper and a pen. He wrote something down and taped it to the door leading into his office.

"Just because you can use it, doesn't mean you should.

Pete came down the stairs leading to Artie's office. He was supposed to be helping with inventory today. He hated inventory. He was about to open the door to the optical scanner, when he saw a paper on the door and read. The first one was obviously meant for Claudia, but the second was in Myka's precise handwriting.

"If you don't know what it can do, don't touch it...."

Artie's Rules by Shorty McGee

Fandom: HOT FUZZ
Pairing: Nicholas/Danny, AndyWainwright/Andy Cartwright
Length: 7,359 words
Author: random_nexus 
Author’s website: random nexus’s LJ
Why this must be read:

It's a comedy full of misunderstandings, naughty misunderstandings. 

Exceprt:

Andrew sucked his lips inward to avoid saying anything, gripping them in his teeth hard, the ends of his mustache nearly touching the cleft in his chin. His face had gone pink and he gripped Andy's shoulder tightly. He didn't know how long he could keep from laughing out loud. Nicholas Angel and Danny Butterman? Having it off before work? Together?

Something In The Air...Vent