Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: none / gen (author says she considers it Gibbs/Tony but it can be absolutely read as gen/friendship so that's what I labelled it)
Length: about 1,200 words
Author on LJ: thefannishwaldo
Author website/archives: waldos_writings (on Dreamwidth)
Why this must be read: I love Waldo's stories. This story has to be my favorite though, for the simple fact that is portrays Tony the way I see him: strong, loyal to a fault, with a huge sense of justice. He's unapologetic and stubborn when it comes to protecting Gibbs -- even and especially when Gibbs has no clue about it.

(Punch Line)

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: none / gen
Length: 2,872 words
Author on LJ: unknown
Author website/archives: FFN
Why this must be read: Yesterday I recced something that always makes me smile. Today, I'm reccing something that always makes me cry. Yes, without fail. Even though I know what's coming.

Please heed the warning (major character death). But even if you normally don't read this kind of story, I urge you to give "Eight Minutes and Thirty Seven Seconds" a try for the simple fact that it's a brilliant written fic. It conveys so much in only a few paragraphs, and the hurt and anguish and helplessness everyone feels is palpable.

(Eight Minutes and Thirty Seven Seconds)

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: none / gen
Length: 4 short one-shots
Author on LJ: lyl_devil
Author website/archives: unknown
Why this must be read: This is a (much too short!) series of one-shots focusing on Ella, an amazingly written OC who works in the Starbucks Gibbs likes to frequent. The stories are obviously Gibbs-centric though the third story also features Tony and McGee. The fourth story hints at Gibbs/Hollis, so if you don't like that pairing, you can skip the final installment (it's subtle enough not to upset anyone really, just mentioning it for the sake of good order *g*).

The one-shots are funny as hell, Ella is, without a doubt, one of the best OCs ever written, and everyone is perfectly in character. I go back and read these one-shots whenever I need something to cheer me up, and I promise you, they'll make you smile, too.

(Fic 1: Gibbs' Barista)
(Fic 2: Hiatus Revisited)
(Fic 3: Late Night Coffee Run)
(Fic 4: The Other Woman)

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Gibbs/Tony (though it's pre- and post-slash, so this can be mostly read as a gen fic)
Length: epic
Author on LJ: marzipan77
Author website/archives: unknown
Why this must be read: There are about a gazillion tags to the episode "Boxed In" and, in my very humble opinion, most of them are pretty bad. "Box Out", however, is much more than a mere episode tag, and it puts a spin on the whole episode that makes you stop and wonder if maybe, just maybe, this could have happened in another lifetime. marzipan77 created an epic of a story that is Tony-centric and looks at the team during Ziva's early years...and none of the characters really look good in it. Which makes them all the more believable and three-dimensional. They're full of flaws and get caught in a tangled web of lies and obfuscation that may seem far-fetched at first but sucks you in just the same until you get so paranoid that you're convinced that this is what really happened on the show (they just didn't want to let us viewers know about it). This story is powerfully written and blends past and present seamlessly, making us feel for Tony and wanting us to headslap Gibbs repeatedly.

Do yourself a favor, get comfortable and really take the time to enjoy this epic.

(Box Out)

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Gibbs/Tony
Length: 1060 words
Author on LJ: taylorgibbs
Author website/archives: AO3
Why this must be read: I love Fornell. He's one of my all-time fave recurring characters. While I don't ship him, I still think he's awesome as a person and brilliant as Gibbs' friend. I love their scenes together on the show, and I'm always thrilled to find well written stories focusing on their friendship. "The Real Thing" combines the wonderful Gibbs-Fornell dynamic with a great twist featuring Tony at the end. Gotta love their banter. Plus, there's Italian food to be had. *g*

(The Real Thing)

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: none/gen
Length: 1610 words
Author on LJ: unknown
Author website/archives: NFA
Why this must be read: If you need something to make you smile (or laugh out loud actually), this is the story for you. It's funny, hilarious, and in a way, something that could happen on the show (which is a bit of a scary thought *g*). After reading this, you'll never look at sprinkles the same way again.

(To Whom It May Concern)

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: none / gen fic
Length: 3000+ words
Author on LJ: mrwubbles
Author website/archives: not known
Why this must be read: I love everything mrwubbles writes (which means I'm beyond frustrated because there isn't nearly enough to read! *grumbles*). I could rec anything and everything by mrwubbles but picked "Half Empty, Half Full" because it's Tony-centric, features whumped!Tony, a wonderful team/friendship feeling...and while it has a happy ending of sorts, it's still bittersweet and tugs at your heart strings. It's brilliantly written, incredibly in character and something that I could easily see happening on the show.

(Half Empty, Half Full)

Hello again! I'm Gaby aka sinfulslasher, snagging the keys to the NCIS van once again. As my LJ username suggests, I love slash. I'm also a Tony gal. So, my recs tend to be of the slashy Tony persuasion (most notably with Gibbs) but I'll try to add enough other recs to hopefully make everyone happy. :)

The first rec is, of course, Tony-centric but it's het. *gasps* At least the het is hinted at, there's no explicit sex, only an established canon het relationship. This is a character study if I ever saw one, and an amazing one to boot. This is "my" Tony the way I see him, and I love the story to pieces for tackling a very serious and all too realistic topic and portraying Tony in character all the way through.

This isn't an easy read because of the raised issues, so please heed the warnings, but it's too good not to give it a try. Trust me!

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Tony/Wendy
Length: 1366 words
Author on LJ: dietpunkfics
Author website/archives: on AO3
Why this must be read: As I already said above, the story tackles a very serious topic in a very realistic manner and gives us an amazing insight into the character of Tony DiNozzo.

(A Real Man)

Well, it's been a treat to drive the NCIS van for Feb. I'll pass it on to sinfulslasher when her turn comes around. I've enjoyed sharing the love that is NCIS fanfic and look forward to doing so in the future again! :)

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: pre slash for Gibbs/Tony ; past Gibbs/Shannon
Length: 2,241 words
Author on LJ: kaylashay81
Author Website: Kayla Shay.com
Why this must be read:

Author's Summary: They became his guardians when he needed them the most. They were his family no matter what kept them apart.

Now to say goodbye from the NCIS fandom for this rec cycle, how about another feel good fic that will just make your heart melt and you go "aaaawwww...."? :D Another supernatural!Tony fic, in this one he can see his guardian angels. And when you find out who those angels were, I swear you'll get tears in your eyes; I did, I'm not afraid to admit. This fic is a sweet example that the Gibbs/Tony part of the fandom has to offer. After reading Gibbs in the basement with his two ladies and them pushing him on to treasure what he now has in his life, I feel like everything will work out somehow. Like I said, a feel good fic, and one of the best. :)

His Guardians, His Family

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Gibbs/Tony
Length: 6,502 words
Author on LJ: gjaneo
Author Website: WWOMB (for older fics) ; more current ones, centralized locale unknown
Why this must be read:
Author Summary: Tony is being evasive about his plans for Valentine's Day. Ziva and McGee decide to snoop and get a surprise.

I swear, I nearly bathed my keyboard with my Dr. Pepper more than once while reading this. Ziva, and McGee are worried about Tony being so quiet on his love life; flashes of Jeanne enter the picture. So, of course, being the worried friends that they are, they work with Abby to bug Tony's apartment to peek in on a date they suspect he has set up, just to watch out for him. Boy are they in for a surprise!

What follows is some the absolute funniest lines and images that I've read recently in NCIS fandom, MST3K style. Just picturing these three sitting on the couch with popcorn like they're at the movies, watching Tony's night, with their hilarious commentary with make you snort, I guarantee. I adored McGee's faces (see icone) and the girls cheering Tony on. And then the twist at the end! I swear you'll be giggling long after reading not to mention just melting at the loving Gibbs/Tony. :)

Voyeurs' Valentine's Surprise

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: none
Length: 63,166 words
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: Fanfic.net
Why this must be read:

Author's Summary: A covert and dangerous assignment tests the bond between Tony and McGee and forces Gibbs to face some unpleasant truths. Can he hold his team together or is it too late?

Laine3112 reigns as one of my queens for casefics in NCIS fandom; the way she's able to spin together action sequences, plot twists, h/c elements, and team-y goodness is something to behold. I had a hard time picking a favorite, but I picked Means to an End as it had a few more elements besides all those previously mention.

Besides an incredibly suspenseful survival story that will leave you biting your nails to the quick, this story provides some insightful illumination on the Tony / McGee friendship and how far they are willing to go for each other. With their snippiness in canon that sometimes makes me grind my teeth in irritation, reading a fic where they have such a deep friendship and keep each other alive in a dangerous situation is a real treat. And then there's the fantastic characterization of Tony. He's portrayed as an incredibly competent agent with a deep knowledge in the background politics of the law enforcement world and how to stay alive in desperate scenarios.

So all those elements including more delicious tidbits like the trust issues that arose in the mid seasons between Tony and Gibbs, just as one example, make this fic a wonderful way to kill a few hours. It will suck you in and keep you enthralled through Laine3112's storytelling and characterization skills.

Means to an End

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: none
Length: 1,259 words
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: Fanfic.net
Why this must be read:
Author's Summary: For all the times I was not there, I am here tonight. Gibbs does a little introspection. Father/son.

This fic illustrates what I most love about the Gibbs and Tony father/son relationship, the sense of pride that Gibbs has for his senior field agent. The pride in him professionally and the pride from a father for a son that he knows has been raised well.

While Gibbs may not have been there for the first walks or the college graduations, he is there for the professional commendations for heroism and to take care of his "son" after injuries on the job. He's there now to provide that soothing pizza and those words of " Proud'a ya" that Tony so needs, and deserves, to hear. This fic will warm your heart and make you see the father/son moments that are so common NCIS canon.

Missed Opportunities

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Gibbs/Tony
Length: 3,782 words
Author on LJ: the_7th_swan
Author Website: Masterlist on LJ
Why this must be read:

Author's Summary: In a world where the line between imagination and reality blur, Tony finds himself struggling with the fallout.

Another supernatural!Tony fic, what I really like about this one is the unique supernatural trope it explores and the way that trope provides some insight into Tony's character development and his relationship with Gibbs. There is a ton of shifter wolf and precog fics out there, but this is one of only a few (the only one I can think of right now off the top of my head) seeing dead people fics. It's a talent that's both tragically heavy and yet heart-lifting-ly warm at the same time. How Swan uses it to show how Tony has developed into the independent and giving man that we know he is makes for a very engrossing read.

And then there's how it's used to start his relationship with Gibbs. The acceptance that Gibbs had for Tony's talent just made me smile 'cause of how much it showed his trust for his Senior Field Agent. Even when he gets information from seemingly out of nowhere, Gibbs acts on it with total trust and faith. Then Shannon in the basement... I'm sure my eyes weren't the only damp ones after reading that; even Gibbs was a bit teary eyed. I enjoyed reading Shannon's blessing on Gibbs having a new love in his life, someone to complete him and bicker with. A story that will definitely stay with you.

Just Your Imagination

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Damon Werth / Tony DiNozzo
Length: about 82,000 words
Author on LJ: cyndrarae
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read:

Author's Summary: DiNozzo has always looked up to Gibbs as a father figure. But after the Frog debacle and a year full of lies and deception, Tony realizes the grave error he’s made all these years – he never asked if Gibbs wanted the job in the first place. Enter disgraced marine Damon Werth, the man who couldn’t be more Gibbs-Junior if he tried. And it’s like Tony is eleven again, teetering on the edge of abandonment, fighting to hold on even though he knows he’ll lose again. Except 'abandoned' isn't all that Tony is feeling. How screwed up must he be to feel both jealous of and attracted to one guy at the same time? AU set after S5E10 (Corporal Punishment)

NCIS is one of those fandoms where I have a slash OTP and pretty much stick to it. And for me that's Gibbs/Tony, hands down (as evidenced by so many of my recs so far this month). Which is why my enjoying of this fic surprised the heck out of me. I was originally drawn to it because I enjoy the Damon Werth character and I saw the length which made me squirm in happiness (I'm a long fic whore. :D). So I decided to give it a change, and boy was I glad I did!

Cyndrarae explores the romantic relationship between Damon and Tony and the father/son relationship between Gibbs and Tony with deftness and insight. Her Tony characterization is out of this world. His insecurity in regards to his relationship with Gibbs was painfully portrayed in canon and is now explored even more in Cyndrarae's capable writer's hands. Throw in Damon, a mini!Gibbs if you will, and the relationship dynamics is wretched up a few notches. And despite all the painful tugs of that relationship being worked out, there's the developing attraction to a man Tony never would have thought of. All together, this fic was a fascinating exploration of the relationships in Tony's life. A wonderful fic to spend a few hours with.

Wrong at the Top of my Voice

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Gibbs/Tony
Length: about 1,350 words
Author on LJ: jayfray18
Author Website: Masterlist on LJ
Why this must be read:

Author's Summary: Gibbs takes care of Tony, trying not to let his fears get the better of him.

Another feel good fic like my previous rec, this story will just make you smile and melt at the tender loving and the comfort after some sick-y hurt. We all know the focused and determined Gibbs at work, ready to drop everything and turn his laser sights on the mission and nothing but. Now that the case is done, he turns that focus and those laser sights on a sick Tony that needs his care and help.

Enter Jayfray18 with this tender expression of utter love. The whole story details Gibbs lovingly washing his man after a hard case in which Tony has developed a lung infection and then taking him to bed for cuddles. I know I can't be the only one with the phrase "D'wwwwaaaaahhhhh" going through my head after reading this. And after some of the heavy emotional recs I've thrown out since the middle of the month, this feel-good-er is just perfect for a bit of relief. :)

Silent Fears

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: none current , past Tony/Jeanne
Length: 3,450 words
Author on LJ: writinginct
Author Website: Nocturnal Scribblings
Why this must be read:

Author's Summary: Tony gets a call that leads to many unexpected things: a daughter, a family, and happiness he never expected.

I'm a huge sucker for my favorite characters being fathers; probably 'cause I was so close to my father when he was alive and so know the rewarding relationship that can exist between father and daughter. So of course I had to include a story featuring daddy!Tony. :)

What I really like about this one is that it focuses on the father!Tony aspect almost exclusively, with a bit of healing between Jeanne and Tony on the side. There's no angst-y side stories or life-threatening situations that cause peril for our favorite agent and his progeny. It's all about Tony being faced with a huge surprise in his life and finding the joy in it with the help of his team. Gibbs and team stepped up and provided the support this new single father needed and we get to see the strong bonds of family that exist between this group of people. Then there's Tony and his little girl; I could literally picture the wonder on his face at the knowledge that he was a daddy now and this little person was now the center of his universe. This is one of those stories that will just make you smile after reading it, one of those true feel good stories that every fandom needs amongst the angst.

Unexpected Happiness

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Gibbs/Tony
Length: 10,200 words
Author on LJ: generale_kenobi
Author Website: only her LJ that I could find
Why this must be read:

Author's Summary: After breaking up with Gibbs, Tony accepts a dangerous mission in Afghanistan and is captured. Full of regrets, he thinks no one will come to rescue him, until help arrives in a most unusual shape…

This lovely fic illustrates the best that NCIS fandom has to offer in the shifter subgenre of ficcage. For a police procedural, there is a TON of shifter fics in this fandom, most dealing with wolves. What makes Secrets, Regrets, and Surprises stand out is the form of animal (horses) and the mythology and community that generale-kenobi builds for Gibbs' form. One of the author's passions is horses, in her words, so the way that the herd and horse!Gibbs acts is written with experience behind it. It makes for a very realistic look at shifter!Gibbs.

Then there's the Gibbs/Tony elements. I liked how even through the misunderstandings and missed connections, their love for each other made Tony want to understand and Gibbs want to extend that hard-earned trust so that Tony could. The rescue from insurgent hands in Afghanistan was a cherry on the top of an already wonderful fic. I loved the shifter lore, the Gibbs/Tony dynamic, and the working out of the kinks in this relationship. Altogether, a fic to be savored.

Secrets, Regrets, and Surprises

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Gibbs/Tony
Length: 5223 words
Author on LJ: justhuman
Author Website: PrimalGlyph
Why this must be read:

Author's Summary: Tony visits the alma mater and takes a detour on his way home

I was sad when the powers that be killed off Kate; she had such a brother/sister dynamic with Tony that I enjoyed watching to the hilt. They had their moments where they wanted to scratch each other's eyes out, and yet they also stuck by each other, pulled together to play pranks on the younger sibling (McGee), and were generally there to support the other. Her death made such a hole in the team dynamic that no one has been able to fill.

And so ficcage where Tony comes to her grave to vent and seek clarification in his life is so in character. I could see him doing this in life, so why not in death? The banter and the caring that existed in their living relationship is so evident in this story through Justhuman's capable hands, even if the banter is one sided and the caring is ethereal on one side. Then Gibbs knowing where he'd be and ambushing him? How in-character is that, the all knowing Gibbs. :) Loved the kiss and the final goodbye to a friend that is dearly departed until the next time they visit Indiana.

A Friend in Indiana

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: none
Length: 1,020 words
Author on LJ: lillian_raven
Author Website: Masterlist on LJ
Warnings: self-harm
Why this must be read:

Author's Summary: Sometimes it's enough to simply know that you are not alone with your problems.

It's amazing the subjects and themes that I find explored in ficcage, the power of emotion and subtlety of writing. Butterfly brings all of these to the table, a painfully moving subject, the theme and emotions of healing with friendship, and the quiet power of subtle phrases that pack a powerful punch.

Self cutting is a painful subject to explore, even for me who doesn't know anyone personally who does this. And yet, bringing light to a movement that is out there to help these individuals know they're not alone is an inspiring idea for a fic. And incorporating that movement so well into NCIS canon while keeping everyone in-character takes some serious characterization chops. I felt my heart clench at the pure love the reader can feel in this fic, the love of family, friendship, and the healing that can come of it. Even though the tears, I had a wobbly smile plastered across my face.

Butterfly

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Gibbs/Tony
Length: 260 words
Author on LJ: hawk_soaring
Author Website: only her LJ that I could find
Why this must be read:

Author's Summary: Waking up in the morning hadn’t felt so good in a very long time …

'Cause there aren't enough Gibbs/Tony snuggling fics out there. The gentle atmosphere and love evidenced in this fic just makes me smile. Gibbs even puts off the potty call just to snuggle with his man. I loved how hawk explored Gibbs' inner workings and musings about where he used to be and how he won't let Tony go now that he has him. I've got a grin on my face right now just remembering, and you will after reading! :D

Man on Top

Title: Highly Classified and Very Hush Hush by rageprufrock
Pairing: none
Length: 1,704 words
Author on LJ: rageprufrock
Author Website: glitterati
Why this must be read:

Author's Summary: Gibbs sometimes wonders what he did to deserve these morons, but then he looks through the one-way window at three naked and extremely uncomfortable-looking Marines and figures it could be worse.

This still makes me giggle like crazy long after I've first read it. Rageprufrock has captured everybody's voices incredibly; I can hear everybody loud and clear in my head. And the circumstances in which she has these two canons meet!! Three naked marines suddenly appearing in a Washington DC mall, who's going to get the call but our favorite NCIS team right? Their interactions with Rodney and John, and the marine's reactions to those very same guys, just made me giggle, chuckle, and almost snort my Pepsi out my nose, even during my re-read prior to writing this rec. Definitely a fic to read when one wants a chuckle!

Highly Classified and Very Hush Hush

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Gibbs/Tony
Length: 2,700 words
Author on LJ: taylorgibbs
Author Website: Fanfic.net
Why this must be read:

Author's Summary: The Dc earthquake is just one of the things that rattles Gibbs.

I know I'm not the only one who when they first heard about the Washington DC earthquake wondered how it affected our favorite NCIS team. Taylorgibbs gives us a tender aftermath with caring neighbors, a protective!Gibbs, a hurting Tony, and a deep yearning for a sequel. I'll be the first to admit that I just wanted to cuddle these neighbors, especially the elderly slash fans who are contemplating the pairings of their favorite shows. I can see myself doing this in later years, I'll tell ya.

Gibbs realizing that life is too short and that one shouldn't sit it out on the sidelines just made me smile. This is one of those fics that will just leave you smiling and waiting eagerly for more. Hopefully, Taylorgibbs will oblige us in future. :)

On the Sidelines

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Gibbs/Tony
Length: 4,446 words
Author on LJ: thehoyden
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read:

Author's Summary: "Put the damn scarf on, DiNozzo, or I'll strangle you with it myself."

What fandom is complete without those snowed in cliches? It's a staple of every one I've ever read in. And what a lovely cliche fill this fic is. A tender look at the Gibbs/Tony relationship, Interrogative melts you with the comfort and gentle affection between these two men. It's Gibbs/Tony at its domestic and sweet best as they find their way together. From warm soup left on a desk to remembering the other person's reading glasses to snuggling in the blankets after a power outage, this fic will warm your heart and soul. All of that and the comfort after the final few episodes of Season 2 and the hard beginning of Season 3 that those episodes created the need for. Just some love shared between two souls who need it and each other so badly.

Interrogative

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Gibbs/Tony
Length: 24,839 words
Author on LJ: slashscribe
Author Website: Masterlist on LJ
Why this must be read:

Author's Summary: While investigating a double homicide that turns out to be a violent hate-crime, the NCIS team stumbles upon a God-loving, gay-hating group called Genesis.

Insightful self discovery, teamy goodness, a fascinating case fic with a twisty ending, and a get together that will just melt your heart, Boiling Point has it all. Slashscribe has written a tale straight off a executive script, I swear, everything plays out just like an episode. The character voices are all spot on and the development of the case was paced wonderfully. Tony finding himself, his home, and his man at the end was a cherry on the top of an already wonderful story. You'll love reading him discover himself and that his team is there for him through everything.

Boiling Point

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: none
Length: Nine Lives: 39,478; Melius: 11,442
Author on LJ: none that I could find
Author Website: Fanfic.net
Warnings: major character death in alternate ending
Why this must be read:

Author's Summaries: (Nine Lives): "Well...looks like...I've...finally...run out...Boss," he gasped quietly in the direction of the small opening. "And what is it you've run out of DiNozzo?" The gruff voice sounded just that bit scared, and rightly so. Tony smiled grimly. "Al...mosts." --- and (Melius Cras Fore): "This... this was no one's fault," he said hoarsely. His answer was met with a soft, toneless laugh that set his teeth on edge. "Is that so? Well, if your conscience is so clear Mr. Semper Fi, why is it you can't even bring yourself to look at me?"

A prime example of the fantastically well-written gems on fanfic.net, Nine Lives and its alternate ending will tear your heart out, play with it a little bit, then fix it, even if you read the alternate ending with its tragic ending. This fic and its alternate ending were so powerfully emotional that I literally felt it in my gut. My heart clenched at the angsty misunderstandings, at the overall tragedy of the situation, and at the team's desperate efforts to save two (or what they thought were two) of their own.

On top of all the evocative emotions, Bondgirl also gives us a fast-paced race to save fellow humans and a teammate who is trapped below tons of steel and concrete. The way the talk each other through the pain and have the occasional misunderstanding are so very human and touch on how we all may act in a similar situation.

Then there's that alternate ending.... Just wow.... If you're not a fan of character death, then I would probably avoid this; the original story provides a much happier resolution. However, you would be robbing yourself of an emotional journey to healing and dealing with loss that will leave your heart in the dust, but happily so. I'll admit I probably cried enough tears to fill the Great Salt Lake of Utah with even more salty water. :)

Nine Lives and its alternate ending
Melius Cras Fore

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Gibbs/Tony
Length: 147,000 words
Author on LJ: xanthestories
Author Website: Xanthe.org, Masterlist on LJ
Warnings: non-con , dub-con , violence
Why this must be read:

Xanthe is one of those authors that, while she may take you to places darker and a bit more disturbing than you're comfortable with, she'll also provide bright illumination on her characters, their relationships, and the situations she puts them in. She'll take you for a journey that will make you both squirm and gasp in wonder at the depth of her writing and character exploration. I've seen her do this in both the Stargate Atlantis and NCIS fandoms.

With this story, Xanthe takes those storytelling skills up another notch. I read this in utter shock, seeing where Xanthe took Gibbs and Tony. The horror of their surroundings for most of the narrative and the pain of trying to re-acclimate to the real world with both of the psyches still intact, all the while building and keeping a healing relationship, kept me spell bound through all 147,000 words. Gibbs especially is taken to some dang dark places. His dark and white sides almost split down the middle and it's up to Tony to help bring them back to a gray medium. The way Xanthe can pull and twist these characters with her dark environment and situations and yet keep them totally in-character and their relationship one any slash fan of NCIS could recognize is a true measure of her writing talent. Even though you'll probably need to take a few breaks while reading this to take a deep breath from all the pain, you'll enjoy every word and be sucked in, just as I was, with the healing and beautiful Gibbs/Tony resolution.

Two Wolves

Sorry for the late start; Smallville kinda took over my life for a couple weeks while marathon-ing 10 seasons worth of show. But now I'm on the NCIS van and am ready to drive! I'm a huge Tony girl in this fandom so expect a butt load of him. I read both gen and slash of the Gibbs/Tony variety. I've got both in the offing with a bit more of the slash side of things in evidence. So buckle in and lets get this late start on the road. :)

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: none
Length: 28,000 + words
Author on LJ: mrwubbles
Author Website: Masterlist of Fics on LJ
Why this must be read:

To start out this month of NCIS, I bring a shining example of fantastic action writing, teamfic that illustrates what we all love about our favorite Team!Gibbs, and h/c elements that will just make you cringe. Starting from scene one, the reader finds themselves sucked into a lockdown situation in the NCIS building with a teammate shot and down, another teammate locked outside the building and trying desperately to find their way in, and everyone working together to bring the culprits to justice and just survive. With fast paced sequences that will keep you on the edge of your seat and teamwork that could jump straight from the TV screen, this fic is all that I love about NCIS fandom.

Lockdown

So, this is my last rec! Where'd the month go? *boggles* I had a lot of fun driving the van, and I didn't even get lost once! :D In fact, I had so much fun, I already signed up for another round! So, look out for the slightly erratic driver sometime in future. LOL!

Thanks so much for being a passenger during my wild ride through slashy and gen territory. I hope I was able to rec some unknown gems that found new fans as well as old classics that you might have rediscovered through me. If I managed to rec a story or two that you enjoyed even half as much as I did, then I succeeded. :)

In unrelated news: Happy Halloween! Here's my last treat for you!

Gaby / sinfulslasher


Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Leroy Jethro Gibbs/Tony DiNozzo
Length: short
Author on LJ: unstoppablefrce
Author Website: N/A
Why this must be read: Please heed the implied non-con warning. I couldn't possibly say more about this story without giving anything away (which is also why there's no excerpt this time around), and you really do need to go into this story without even an inkling of where it might be going. The first time I read it, it felt like a gut punch. (Yes, that's a compliment. LOL) Do yourself a favor and find out what it is about!

Haunted Eyes

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: None. Gen. Team fic with emphasis on the Tony DiNozzo & Leroy Jethro Gibbs dynamic.
Length: about 104,500 words
Author on LJ: hinky_hippo
Author Website: N/A
Why this must be read: As every writer will tell you, there are stories out there that they wish they had written. This story here? Is one of maybe five fics on my "wish I had written it instead of that other author" list. The first time I read this epic, it totally blew me away. And it continues to make me green with envy whenever I read it (see "list" above). The epic is about Tony going undercover and ending up in sexual slavery. The main focus, however, is on his recovery and how the team as a family and especially Gibbs as protective papabear deals with the consequences of the op gone wrong. The story is incredibly well written, the team is in character, and you can't help but be sucked right into the plot. If you like long, well written fics, this will be right up your alley. If you like whumped Tony, this will be your new favorite story.

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Memories of Me

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: None. Gen. Tim McGee-centric
Length: 61,142 words
Author on LJ: emerald_green37
Author Website: on NFA Community
Why this must be read: This epic deals with alcoholism and, more specifically, how the family of an alcoholic deals with the addiction. The author doesn't pull any punches and describes the nightmare of living with an alcoholic in very realistic and great detail. This story isn't for the faint of heart, but it's so good, I urge everyone to give it a try. It'll change the way you look at McGee forever.

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My Father's Keeper