Fandom: The West Wing
Pairing: Josh/Donna
Author on LJ: falseeeyelashes
Why this must be read:
I don't usually read Josh/Donna, but Michelle sucked me in with this fic. The style is sparse but beautiful, and it raises new questions about Josh and Donna both as a couple and as separate people. A must read if you like Josh/Donna!

Here's an excerpt for you:
The televisions are lit with newscasters and pundits alike. Bartlet takes the White House again. And it’s not really a surprise and they talk and they speculate and there’s a blurb about California and another about dead senators – they never die; they just fade away – and Josh doesn’t really watch. He drinks instead.

There’s a map of America. Red state. Blue state. He chuckles like he’s reading Dr. Seuss.

Girls in red dresses dance and mingle around him. None of them wear blue.


girls in red dresses (with no white sashes)

Fandom: The West Wing
Pairing: CJ/Danny, CJ/Toby
Author on LJ: wistful_memory
Why this must be read:

This is a post administration fic that tells the story of CJ and Danny's daughter, and her relationship with CJ, Toby and the twins. It's a really lovely premise and it's executed so well. Claire is the only kind of OC I like - the kind that lets you see the canon characters in different and interesting details. If you like post-administration fic you should definitely give this one a try!

Claudia

Fandom: West Wing
Pairing: CJ/Toby/Sam
Author on LJ: raedbard
Author Website: ex urbe
Why this must be read: This is an absolutely stunning threesome fic, made even more wonderful because of the moments of CJ/Toby, Toby/Sam and Sam/CJ. The language is lyrical and heartbreakingly beautiful. This is my favorite West Wing threesome, and raedbard more than does it justice. She makes it impossible not to love the three of them together. Go read it!

Thirteen Ways of Drawing a Triangle

Hi everyone! I'm your West Wing reccer this month, and I apologize for my slow start but never fear, I promise I'll make up for it!

Fandom: West Wing
Pairing: CJ/Toby
Author: International Princess (website)
Why this must be read:

This is a post-administration fic that will rip your heart out. It's an unusual take on CJ, in that this time she's the one who falls apart after Bartlet leaves office (in a lot of post-admin fics Toby crashes and burns). The relationship portrayed between CJ and Toby is brutal and honest and raw, but also beautiful. It's a unique take on a pair that has been written a lot, and is definitely worth a read or reread.

The cadence of the hours before dawn

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: Jed/Abbey, Jed/Leo
Author on LJ: warlordkittens
Author Website: http://oro.incipience.net/oro.htm
Why this must be read:

Oro’s story tells the tale of Leo’s time in Vietnam and how he learns of Jed and Abbey’s upcoming wedding. While it’s a simple idea on the surface, this story probes closely at Leo’s character pre-series.

Polychrome

Hello everybody! I’m Jen, and I’ll be your West Wing reccer for January. I love pretty much everything about this fandom, and read just about anything in it … hopefully I’ll find a little something for everyone! Enjoy :)

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: none, features the Wyatt-Ziegler family
Author on LJ: black_eyedgirl
Author Website: http://black-eyedgirl.livejournal.com/32529.html
Why this must be read:

There are a slew of post-administration fics out there, but there aren’t many that can narrow their focus enough to create a real sense of a character’s life after Santos takes over. This brief story (only 1,700 words long) captures a glimpse into the future of Toby and the twins. A definite must-read for anyone who loves Toby and Toby with his kids.

Songs of Sea and Sky

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: none
Author on LJ: furies
Author Website: Several stories are collected here
Why this must be read:

One of the beautiful things about the characters Sorkin created for TWW is the fact that we know most of them only in broad strokes, with the occasional details filled in. For the many characters who float on the periphery of the action, there's a multitude of stories and conflicts we can only dream about knowing. This is another of those stories that tries to shade in the gaps, to build up on what we've already seen in order to give us the character we think we know.

I can only speak for myself here, but Nancy McNally was one of the characters who always left me wanting more. How did she end up in her position? How did she justify her decisions -- to herself and to the world at large? Unlike the uniformed men in the Sit Room, she made decisions to end lives without the comfort of a military background and a wall of men and women to support her. Written for Jae Gecko's Defining Moments challenge, What It Means... gives us a glimpse of how Nancy came to reconcile herself to the things she did. It's heartbreaking and so very realistic and, like the show, leaves me breathless for more.

What It Means to Love Your Country

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: Charlie Young/Zoey Bartlet
Author on LJ: winema
Author Website: http://fwf.healthyinterest.net/index.html
Why this must be read:

If you're looking for some of the very best TWW fic out there, you can't go wrong with Ryo Sen. She seems to inhabit every aspect of the characters -- their inner lives as well as their outward actions.

Chiaroscuro is a beautifully rendered portrait of Charlie as he takes stock of his life and the repercussions he can expect from daring to follow his heart. It's the heroic in miniature and the mundane; we should all be so lucky to find this kind of love in our lives. (I dare you to keep from wibbling at the last lines!)

Chiaroscuro

ishie here, taking another turn at the wheel. This time, I make two promises: 1) more recs!, and 2) more recs! I sadly neglected some wonderful stories and characters last time, so buckle up -- it's going to be a busy month.

If you're wondering what you're in for, it's simple. This month, you're going to get a lot of smaller stories about many of the secondary and tertiary characters. Plus, the obligatory ensemble piece -- and at least one Josh/Donna story. What can I say? I'm weak. ;)

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: Ainsley, Mrs Landingham (gen)
Author on LJ: pene
Author Website: [unknown]
Why this must be read:

My original review of this story was one word: Guh. I still stand by that opinion. This is a very tiny, very beautiful post-18th and Potomac Ainsley fic, but it's so much more than that. It was written for something called the Gal Pal ficathon and uses the aftermath of the episode to explore the permanent and fleeting bonds between women.

We don't notice time pass

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: Ainsley/Sam, Ainsley/Josh, Josh/Donna
Author on LJ: falseeeyelashes
Author Website: unknown

Why this must be read:

If you like Ainsley, you'll love this fic. If you don't like Ainsley, check it out anyway and perhaps you'll change your mind. I'm a sucker for backstory, particularly when it's so perfectly woven with canon events and real honest-to-God believable characterisation.

This is a realistic and human look at Ainsley, and it comes with a side order of unromanticised Josh/Donna, and a Sam that you kind of just want to hug.

( excerpt )

Fake Plastic Trees

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: CJ/Toby
Author on LJ: lifeasanamazon
Author's Website Wishful Thinking

Why this must be read:

There didn't turn out to be as much post-ep fic for 'Here Today' (7x05) as I was expecting, which is why I'm so glad lifeasanamazon wrote this piece. It's not very long, but it's moving, and harsh, and CJ and Toby the way they probably really are, even if we wish they weren't.

The Comfortless Tragedy of Isolated Hearts

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: CJ/Toby
Author on LJ: pene
Author's website: unknown

Why this must be read:

This is CJ and Toby, post-admin, and it's really all about the tenses. Perfectly structured for a sense of looking into the future, and liking (or not) what you see.

If you need convincing, check out this ( excerpt: )

The Same Day, Every Year

Hi, I'm Lin, and I'll be your driver for The West Wing this month. Apologies for the late start, I've been away from my computer. Hopefully I can make up for it now. Enjoy.

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: CJ/Tabatha Fortis (with a side of CJ/Toby and Toby/Tabatha)
Author on LJ: littleloonlost
Author Website: no frills
Why this must be read:

It's hard to know what to say about this fic, really. littleloonlost dips artfully into moments from relationships, past and present, with a beautifully poetic style, and then ties them up with a bow. Her CJ is perfect, and moving. Her Toby is, well, Toby. If only we could have seen this Tabatha on the show.

( An excerpt... )

Redrafting

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: Josh/Amy backstory, Josh/Donna current. Derek/Addison (from Grey's Anatomy)
Author on LJ: callalillykaye
Author Website:
Why this must be read: This is something a little different. It's a crossover piece between The West Wing and Grey's Anatomy, a friendship between Amy Gardner and Addison Montgomery Shepherd. Knowledge of one show or the other is fine, but both is helpful. It provides a convincing backstory to Amy and Josh's relationship in college, as well as her present-day feelings about Josh and Donna. Great characterization, and the friendship between Amy and Addison fits into both canons.

“Of course, not to your knowledge, Amy. It’s a secret society. The whole point is that it’s not to your knowledge.”

“Joshua…”

“All I’m saying is that the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, the Vice President…all Skull and Bones guys.”

“Also, Republicans,” Addison counters. Amy has figured out how to make Josh laugh, how to push his buttons, how to turn him on.

Addison knows how to shut him up.

The Elizabeth Blackwell Society

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: Gen.
Author on LJ: tinkerbell99
Author Website: tinkerbell99
Why this must be read: It's a humorous piece set during a campaign. The author has a real knack for writing the banter and dialogue as it would be on the show itself. She captures all of the characters well, especially Donna. It's incredibly funny.

“My uncle-”

“The trucker?”

“-once sent him two dollars to pay for an autograph, and do you know what he did?”

“I would imagine I’m about to find out.”

“He sent it back. The money. He sent it back with a note that said friends don’t take money from friends.”

“Yet you take money from me all the time.”

The Wheels on the Bus

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: CJ/Sam friendship. Indirectly about Toby.
Author on LJ: darkl
Author Website: None.
Why this must be read: It's set during The Al Smith Dinner (7x06) after Toby leaves, and it gives a kind of closure with how CJ is dealing with his departure. It reclaims Toby as the character we've known and loved. The author captures both CJ and Sam very well.

“Bingo! And then Toby was there and I fell in the pool and the next thing I knew, I was handing out press passes in Manchester.”

“Wait—you fell into a pool?!”

“Yes.” CJ said, curtly.

“I don’t…like, a swimming pool? How in the world—”

“There was a pool and I fell into it. And that’s all I want to say about the matter.”

The Happy Warrior

Fandom: The West Wing
Pairing: gen (albeit with some slashy Josh/Sam overtones)
Author on LJ: elgrey
Author website: Bunnyfic

Why this must be read:

I've always loved long, plotty, ensemble stories, and they don't seem to be all that common in this fandom, although there are some wonderful and well-known ones that have been recced previously here on crack_van. I was quite excited to discover this lesser-known fic, which has an interesting plot, snappy dialogue, and nice characterizations of the ensemble, although it's a Sam-centric fic. It's a season 6 AU in which Sam has decided to run for office again, and is kidnapped by white supremacists after he makes a fiery speech denouncing their activities. Sam, as the central figure, is a wonderful mixture of passionate, vulnerable, and resolute, and the author doesn't "woobify" him too much. Another aspect of this story that I appreciated was its alternative narrative structure--it starts with the moment that Sam is found by the FBI, and moves back and forth in time from that point.

Here's a taste: ( Read more... )

Go read and enjoy! The Air Stings Like Autumn

Fandom: The West Wing
Pairing: mostly gen, hints of Andi/Toby
Author on LJ: dancinginsane/soaked_in_stars
Author website: n/a

Why this must be read:

I wanted to rec something light and fun, and I love the women of the West Wing, who don't get to interact with one another often enough. The premise of this one is simple: CJ Cregg, Andrea Wyatt, and Donna Moss attempt to keep themselves entertained on a long trek through the Midwest, with amusing results. Sparkling dialogue with an underlying sweetness.

Here's a taste:

( Read more... )

On the Road and On the Road Again


Go and enjoy. And laugh a lot.

Fandom: The West Wing
Pairing: gen (Toby, Andy, Huck&Molly)
Author on LJ: dedletrbox
Author website: n/a

Why this must be read:

Toby Ziegler is one of the most complicated characters on The West Wing, and from the first appearance of his ex-wife, Congresswoman Andrea (Andi) Wyatt, it's clear that they still have chemistry and a very real connection. However, their relationship remains a complex and ambiguous one, through the end of the show's run. This fic does a fabulous job of illuminating their individual characters and the choices each of them has made, as well as their relationship with their children and their much more tenuous relationship with each other, all through the lens of a seemingly simple holiday celebration. This author also has a wonderful grasp on the characters of Huck and Molly--s/he has a gift for capturing the way young children perceive the world, what they love and what they fear. Also, the command of tone and language is beautifully evident throughout this fic--I could quote almost any line, I think:

Here's a taste:

( Read more... )

Go. Read. Show love.

The First Thanksgiving and Other Fairytales

Fandom: The West Wing
Pairing: Josh/Sam
Author on LJ: N/A
Author Website: Wayfinding

Why this must be read: Jackie Thomas is a classic "old-but-good" author in West Wing fandom. A couple of her stories have been widely recced, but I was pleased to discover that she has quite a few others that are also good, but less widely known. In fact, I had a difficult time choosing which one to rec. I chose "Rough Magic" because of its nifty and rather unusual premise--imagine a spy novel plot intertwined with the characters and situations of The West Wing--not to mention a truly innovative take on the question of "what happened to Mandy?" Although there are occasionally missteps of language and tone, I think this story is well worth reading. At the beginning of the story, Sam Seaborn has been missing for over six months, leaving behind only an ambiguously-worded note that many interpret as a suicide note. Josh, however, has never believed this, and while he's in London, he received a mysteriously worded message asking him to go to a particular location. Sound melodramatic? Maybe, but it's a fun, wild ride, and how can you not enjoy the spin boys as less-than-totally-competent spies?

Here's a taste, from a conversation between Josh and FBI agent Mike Caspar:

( Read more... )

Rough Magic

Fandom: The West Wing
Pairing: CJ/Josh/Sam (references to Josh/Sam, past CJ/Gina Toscano, and Donna/OMC)
Author on LJ: arsenicjade
Author's Website: Format: Every Rose has a Thorn

Hi! I'm erinpoetchica and I'll be reccing West Wing fic for the month of July. I'm relatively new to the fandom, and this is my first time reccing for crack_van, but I've enjoyed discovering some great fic, and I'm excited to be sharing it with you. I love the whole ensemble, and enjoy all sorts of pairings; I'm going to try to focus a bit on authors that I haven't seen recced much.

Why this must be read:

I discovered arsenicjade through her Harry Potter fic, and read this, her lone West Wing story so far, when I was just starting in the fandom and had only seen a few episodes. Since then I've re-read it many, many times. I think I might be imprinted. I love this story for its outstanding depth and characterization of CJ. "Aishet Chayel" means something like "woman of valor" in Hebrew, and it's an appropriate title for a story that showcases a CJ overcoming adversity. Also, I'm a sucker for stories that make good use of the whole ensemble, and this one does, without feeling at all forced. Finally, there's a lot of lovely dialogue, which I think is particularly important in this fandom. If you're not a fan of threesomes, or of NC-17 stories (I wasn't at the time I first read this) please consider checking this one out anyway--much of it works as pure character study.

Here are a few quotes to give you a flavor of the story: ( Read more... )

Aishet Chayel

Please leave feedback if you enjoyed it--and encourage this author to write more West Wing!

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: Donna/Carol
Author on LJ: krazykitkat
Author Website: Krazy Kat's Korner
Why this must be read:

I'm a great fan of fics that explore the relationships between the assistants and I adore this story of Donna and Carol's relationship. The fic itself has a lovely bittersweet quality with the relationship unfolding under the shadow of its inevitable end.


It will end the way it began.

***

"It's unbelievable. She can't be dead. What's the President going to do?"

Margaret, Bonnie and Ginger left ten minutes ago. Donna's still babbling on the couch and she doesn't know how to ask her to leave so she can break down in peace. Subtle hints fail to make any impression and her head is about to explode, but she doesn't have the energy, or the heart, to tell her to shut up.

So she kisses her instead.

***

In the midst of loss.


Happy, Never, After

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: CJ/Ainsley
Author on LJ: mandysbitch
Author Website: Mind Games
Why this must be read:

Because it's hot and awkward and disappointing in that way that only drunken sex with someone you've been obsessing over can be.


She's obsessed with the Press Secretary. She's drunk and she's barely able
to move and her thoughts keep returning to CJ Cregg who is tall and gracious
and always able. So much more able than Ainsley Hayes who has one foot in
the White House, one foot in the upper echelons of the Republican Party,
and, on occasion, one foot in her mouth.

It's normal - she read that somewhere - quite normal to fantasise about
other women and be a normal, heterosexual, god fearing, Republican, only
she's pretty sure the "Republican" part is her own addition. Perhaps it is
normal, but it's driving her crazy.

How did this happen? Was it CJ's hand grasping hers in her new office as Sam
and Josh sang "He is an Englishman?" Was it those long fingers pressed
against hers that sent a message to her brain along with a shiver up her
spine?

And now the thought is wild, well and truly out of control. She finds
herself fantasising about CJ when the night gets too long and the air
conditioning in her office is too hot to concentrate. CJ's image sits on her
desk and pushes her hair off her face.


Eyes Grow Feet

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: Toby/Ann Stark
Author on LJ: tangleofthorns
Author Website: Spark Girls
Why this must be read:

During The Leadership Breakfast Toby said there was a time when he and Ann Stark could sit over a few bourbons and talk. This fic creates a great backstory for Toby and Ann, with a lovely sort of friendly antagonism between them.


"She's kind of living with me," he mutters when his glass is empty.

She raises her eyebrows over her last sip. "Kind of?"

"Her shit's all over the bathroom," he explains. "But she's not, we're not usually there at the same time."

It's a stupid, obvious question, but she has to ask it. "So why did you ask her to marry you?"

He touches his forehead with his free hand. "She's... interesting."

"Lots of people are interesting. I'm interesting." He grinds his thumb against her instep, and she wiggles involuntarily in her seat. "Liz Taylor's interesting."

"Liz Taylor wouldn't be any good at defending the First Amendment. And she wouldn't marry me."

"Why not? She's married everyone else." She licks a film of alcohol off her lower lip. "I gotta tell you, Toby, those are lousy criteria for a wife."


Don't Marry Her, Fuck Me

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: CJ/Sam
Author on LJ: seanarenay
Author Website: Seana Renay's Fanfiction
Why this must be read:

The most memorable thing for me about the west wing is the quickfire dialogue between the characters, and this fic being comprised of nothing but dialogue captures that brilliantly. Before I carry on I should say that this fic suffers from the problem of most fics of this type in that it's occasionally a little difficult to tell who's speaking. But apart from that the characterisation is great, the dialogue is sharp, and the very idea of CJ/Sam is hotter than a hot thing.


"So you can lock me out? Fat chance."

"I won't lock you out."

"Don't think I wouldn't bang on the door until someone called security. Don't think I wouldn't do that just to spare you and Toby from having to write a press release about my removal from the hotel."

"I don't think that."

"Don't think it, Samuel."

"I think you wouldn't do it to spare yourself the embarrassment of having to read a press release about your removal from the hotel. In front of Danny. How is Danny, by the way?"

"You know, it's funny you asked."

"I won't like what's next, will I?"


This Invisible City

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: Joey/Donna, Joey/Josh
Author on LJ: furies
Author Website: Running Through The Tulips
Why this must be read:

If there's one thing I think that I think west wing fandom could use more of it's Joey Lucas. This is a five things that never happened to Joey fic, some obvious, some not, all worth a read.


“I like you,” he says, and Joey has to keep her smile in, because the words he chose are like he’s a little third grader on Valentine’s Day. He’s looking at the door now, as if calculating how fast he could make a break for it.

She interrupts his thoughts by saying, “I like you, too.” And the words don’t sound right, she knows, but he hears her because his eyes are wide when he looks at her. They are full of surprise and question and she thinks he might be the most insecure man on the planet.

Joey unwraps her hair from the towel and shakes it loose. It falls in a framed disarray around her face, and she smiles again. She signs, I like you, and his brow crinkles in concentration. She laughs. She can’t contain it. Joey’s laugh is indescribable, off-kilter and loud, but honest.


Five Songs you've Never Heard Before

Title: Shades of Love, by nancy
Pairing: Gibbs/DiNozzo, Gibbs/CJ, CJ/Danny
Author on LJ: slashy_me
Author Website: The Tenth Muse1 Fanfiction for all fandoms; it is password protected but the main page states how to email her for access.
Why this must be read:

What would you do if the man you loved was killed in a convenience store mugging gone wrong--and his doppleganger showed up out of the blue? And what would you do if the man you loved seemed to be falling for a woman who, to you, only seemed interested in him because of his appearance?

When the ghost of Simon Donovan in the form of Special Agent Jethro Gibbs shows up in CJ Cregg's life, she's not sure what to do. Slowly, she begins to fall for him, and he for her. There are just a few problems: Tony's in love with Gibbs; Danny's in love with CJ, and Gibbs fitting in with CJ's world is not necessarily something that's going to happen smoothly, if at all. Nancy's interactions between the West Wing crew and the NCIS bunch are spot on, the story keeps you intrigued and makes you go "awww" at all the right moments, and you don't have to know much about either fandom to follow the story (although it'll just make you appreciate it all the more). Angst, humor, and hot sex--what more could you ask for?

( excerpt )

Shades of Love

Title: Not Without Affection by Babylil
Pairing: CJ Cregg/Catherine Willows
Author on LJ: babylil
Author Website: Bluejello.org
Why this must be read:

Because the dialogue between CJ and Toby, Catherine and Sara, and CJ and Catherine is equally great. And because there's nothing about CJ/Catherine that isn't hot.


Catherine was less easily fooled. "I heard you yelling at his voicemail." She twirled a forkful of linguine elegantly. "You think the gossip columns'll write about you getting stood up?"

"Sure," CJ shrugged. "'Bartlet's Press Secretary's Lack of Social Life Moves to a Whole New Level.' I can see the headlines now."

Catherine leaned forward conspiratorially. "I'll pretend to be your girlfriend, if you like."

The couple at the next table turned their heads as CJ chuckled loudly. "You think those headlines'll be better?"

"Oh, absolutely. Especially when, in addition to the lesbianism, they dig up the fact that I used to be a stripper in Vegas."

CJ drained her wine glass, refilled it from the bottle on the table, and swallowed another generous mouthful before she spoke. "Okay, here's the deal. I won't get up and leave, if you swear you won't tell the press we're sleeping together."


Not Without Affection

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: CJ/Josh, CJ/Toby
Author on LJ: thepurpleswitch
Author Website: and chimeras
Why this must be read:

Because this fic has just the right mixture of quiet desperation, angst and humour. Because it is wonderfully written and has fantastic characterisation all round, and because you can't describe CJ in just two words no matter how hard you try.


Standing outside Leo's office, she contemplates Margaret.

And feels nothing.

Maybe she's lost her sex drive.

That makes her feel better. That can be funny. She smiles at Margaret.

'Hello? Manchester Airport? I arrived on a flight from LA four years ago and I lost my libido at your terminal.'

Margaret gives her a startled look and rushes her into the office.


Versatile and Tempestuous

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: Andi/Ainsley, Toby/Sam
Author on LJ: don't know
Author Website:Ashes of Old Lovers
Why this must be read:

This fic has Toby and Andi's marriage as a marriage of convience, but despite this still manages to show deep and genuine affection between them, it has Toby almost giving himself whiplash trying to keep tabs on Sam at at party and Andi making a pass at Ainsley to amuse herself and annoy Toby. Despite how easily a fic with this premise could have gone out of character, Suki manages to keep all the character voices true to the show.


Andi looks back at Ainsley, leaning over to place her empty plate on
the table and swinging her hair out of her eyes, and quickly decides
on a course of action. "You would prefer I took your best friend CJ
home with me, or maybe Ginger, your trusty, but off-limits,
assistant?" She asks teasingly but with no smile.

"Andrea," he growls in warning.

"Exactly, so, I think I have been more than considerate of any
possible discomfort you may feel at the thought of my having--"

"--Andi, can't you at least restrain yourself from hitting on White
House staff?"

"Toby, I am hurt. Seriously, I would never do anything to make you
feel uncomfortable in the least," she says, smiling softly and
smoothing down his lapel with her fingers. She drains her wine and
places the empty glass on a passing tray before grabbing two glasses
of champagne. "I'll let Sam know you want him," she says with a wink
and a smile as she walks purposely across the ballroom toward
Ainsley, knowing Toby is rooted to the floor behind her watching her
move, scowling and freaked, fearing she may actually say something to
Sam.

Inconvenient