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crack_van2008-01-18 02:17 pm
nakeisha.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2008-01-18 02:17 pm
Christmas At Reston House by Ashley Pitt (G)
Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Leroy Jethro Gibbs/Donald 'Ducky' Mallard (also hinted at are Abby/McGee and DiNozzo/Ziva)
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
ashley_pitt
Author Website: N/A
Why this must be read:
Ashley has been writing Gibbs/Ducky for less time than some of us, but she has already chalked up a very impressive number of stories, and I was hard pushed to choose one (especially when she wrote two excellent ones for our recent Gibbs/Ducky Yuletide Exchange. I have chosen Christmas At Reston House because it made me smile, giggle, sniff a little, sigh with pleasure, go 'awww' and several other emotions. Also, it included Gibbs's entire team - 'the children' as they are known - Mrs. Mallard as well as Gibbs and Ducky.
For those who know NCIS well, the title tells one exactly what the story is about: Christmas at Ducky's house. But it's not just any old Christmas, nor was it as Ducky's instigation. His mother, a formidable woman when she's lucid, insists on the entire team coming over - and, aided somewhat by Gibbs, she gets her way.
It's light hearted, fluffy, enjoyable, a gentle ramble through a day which dear friends and family spend together, because they want to be together. Mrs. Mallard has some superb moments, and some of her comments really do make one laugh aloud - she's spot on in her observations. And beneath it all is the deep love, affection, trust, caring and friendship Gibbs and Ducky share. And on top of all of that, Mrs. Mallard has several surprises in store.
All the characters are very well written, you can see and hear them all quite clearly as individuals. Ashley also places the story in relation to show with a few well placed references, but not so entrenches that you are not able to understand or appreciate the story is you haven't seen the entire series, or know it very well.
It's a romantic meander and well worth a read.
Several days later Tony walked into the squad room holding an envelope. “Did you all get your invites? Unfortunately, I have other plans. Do we tell Ducky face to face, or leave him an e-mail?”
McGee looked up. “ I was wondering that, too. I have plans with my troop.”
Gibbs strode into the squad-room, “You’re going.”
Tony turned and said, ‘But Boss, she is… I am..we…”
“Cancel it.”
McGee looked up from the phone that he was rapidly dialing, “Changing plans as we speak, Boss.”
The gray-haired man turned and found himself face to face with the Mossad agent. He looked at Ziva, his eyebrows raised slightly.
“I, of course have no plans for that evening and am looking forward to attending the party at the Mallard’s.” she said quickly.
“Now, for Ziva,” Mrs. Mallard said as she handed her a package.
The Mossad agent opened it to find a beautiful antique necklace and earrings.
“You should dress up more. You will find that you attract more bees with honey than vinegar,” the old woman said as she glanced at DiNozzo. “This is for Anthony. Young man, I do not know why you have to move furniture. You seem to have a nice job with these people.”
Christmas At Reston House
Pairing: Leroy Jethro Gibbs/Donald 'Ducky' Mallard (also hinted at are Abby/McGee and DiNozzo/Ziva)
Author on LJ:
ashley_pittAuthor Website: N/A
Why this must be read:
Ashley has been writing Gibbs/Ducky for less time than some of us, but she has already chalked up a very impressive number of stories, and I was hard pushed to choose one (especially when she wrote two excellent ones for our recent Gibbs/Ducky Yuletide Exchange. I have chosen Christmas At Reston House because it made me smile, giggle, sniff a little, sigh with pleasure, go 'awww' and several other emotions. Also, it included Gibbs's entire team - 'the children' as they are known - Mrs. Mallard as well as Gibbs and Ducky.
For those who know NCIS well, the title tells one exactly what the story is about: Christmas at Ducky's house. But it's not just any old Christmas, nor was it as Ducky's instigation. His mother, a formidable woman when she's lucid, insists on the entire team coming over - and, aided somewhat by Gibbs, she gets her way.
It's light hearted, fluffy, enjoyable, a gentle ramble through a day which dear friends and family spend together, because they want to be together. Mrs. Mallard has some superb moments, and some of her comments really do make one laugh aloud - she's spot on in her observations. And beneath it all is the deep love, affection, trust, caring and friendship Gibbs and Ducky share. And on top of all of that, Mrs. Mallard has several surprises in store.
All the characters are very well written, you can see and hear them all quite clearly as individuals. Ashley also places the story in relation to show with a few well placed references, but not so entrenches that you are not able to understand or appreciate the story is you haven't seen the entire series, or know it very well.
It's a romantic meander and well worth a read.
Several days later Tony walked into the squad room holding an envelope. “Did you all get your invites? Unfortunately, I have other plans. Do we tell Ducky face to face, or leave him an e-mail?”
McGee looked up. “ I was wondering that, too. I have plans with my troop.”
Gibbs strode into the squad-room, “You’re going.”
Tony turned and said, ‘But Boss, she is… I am..we…”
“Cancel it.”
McGee looked up from the phone that he was rapidly dialing, “Changing plans as we speak, Boss.”
The gray-haired man turned and found himself face to face with the Mossad agent. He looked at Ziva, his eyebrows raised slightly.
“I, of course have no plans for that evening and am looking forward to attending the party at the Mallard’s.” she said quickly.
~~~~~~~
“Now, for Ziva,” Mrs. Mallard said as she handed her a package.
The Mossad agent opened it to find a beautiful antique necklace and earrings.
“You should dress up more. You will find that you attract more bees with honey than vinegar,” the old woman said as she glanced at DiNozzo. “This is for Anthony. Young man, I do not know why you have to move furniture. You seem to have a nice job with these people.”
Christmas At Reston House
Christmas at Reston House
(Anonymous) 2008-01-18 09:00 pm (UTC)(link)no subject
Re: Christmas at Reston House
glad you caught the reference.
*g*
no subject
no subject
no subject
In fact if you enjoy Gibbs/Ducky there's a comm
Here is a link to all the memoried fiction All Fiction (http://www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml?user=ncis_gibbsducky&keyword=Fiction&filter=all)
And here's one that will take you to a post that has links to all the individual writers (including Ashley Pitt).
Links to all writers (http://community.livejournal.com/ncis_gibbsducky/227761.html#cutid1)
no subject
Being the bozo that I am, I was bereft in my duties and did not respond.
Thankfully Nikki the omni-present one was on duty. *g*
no subject
Hee. Methinks you're confusing me with Jethro :-))