ENCORE by Suzan Lovett (R)

[nickygabriel]

Fandom: STARSKY & HUTCH
Pairing: none
Length: short
Author on LJ: not known
Author Website: HERE
Why this must be read: The sole reason I could give would be that it’s Suzan Lovett’s story and that would be enough said. However, it’s a wonderful story about the future of the partnership that is being decided about just after the tag in Sweet Revenge. And it’s simply beautiful!

"What next, Starsk?"

Next, I was gonna fall asleep, I knew, as I realized those shots hadn't only been painkillers. It bothers the hell outta me that they never tell you exactly what they're doin' to you at the hospital. Anyway, though, I knew that wasn't what Hutch was askin'.

"I don't know yet. First I wanna get outta here, then the rehab. This time I may not have much choice. I'll have to wait and see what can be repaired and what's permanent."

He got huffy at my choice of words. Guess I should know better, but I also have my quirks. Comes from being a loner until I ran into this urban cowboy. I can give easier than I can take, and it bothers Hutch that he's got to offer instead of me takin' it granted as my god-given right.

He set me straight very unsubtly. "As far as we have a choice, what are we choosing?"

ENCORE by Suzan Lovett (R)

Comments

[nickygabriel]

I've just finished re-reading the Thousandth Man and again I felt as if I was reading it for the first time :)

[klangley56.livejournal.com]

Yes! "Thousandth Man" and "The Goliath" are epic stories for the ages. :-)

I always thought it a darned shame that her output in S&H fandom wasn't greater. (Of course, fortunately for me, she and I have shared a lot of fandoms, so I've gotten to extend my pleasure with her phenomenal writing ability . . .)

[nickygabriel]

And the art in these stories is amazing too :)

[klangley56.livejournal.com]

You and I are really in sync on this--I just logged back because I forget to say the same thing in my earlier post. :-)

Suzan's composition has always been a hallmark of her work, along with her ability to convey emotion. I can positively *feel* the desolation in Hutch in the illustration opposite page 32, the fierce resolve he arrives at in the one opposite page 48, the utter heartbreak (and aching tenderness) in the illustration opposite 111 and, of course, the blazing joy and love in the one opposite page 137.

A personal favorite is the illustration opposite page 115, where Suzan illustrated the scene where an anxious Starsky in mother hen mode is trying to get food into Hutch, during the course of which he stuffs a french fry in Hutch's mouth. I like that one because Suzan illoed that bit at my request, and them made a gift of the original piece to me. :-)

The zine's covers are excellent, as well, even though Suzan hates to draw in pen and ink. :-)