Fandom: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E./Hustle
Pairing: Napoleon Solo!Albert Stroller/Illya Kuryakin
Length: 300 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Unknown
Why this must be read: This fic provides insight into Albert's thoughts during a Hustle episode. Yes, Hustle/(NCIS)/Man From UNCLE are often crossed over, but for good reason, I say. Especially since Robert Vaughn, who played both characters, explained that Albert was rather what Napoleon could be when he retired. And this fic is rare in it's take on the situation, and it's handled and written so beautifully.

Now an old man, Albert remembers back when his name and job was different, but his character and love are shown to remain unchanged. A beautiful little fic, while taking place in Hustle era, it transports back in time and in few words, serves to bring hope, pathos and a sense of meloncholy for the reader.

The Old Emperor's Ballroom

Contrapositive by Evan Nicholas (R)
Fandom: NCIS/Man from UNCLE/Hustle
Pairing: To quote the author..."Umm...
characters-played-by-David-McCallum/characters-played-by-Robert-Vaughn, and characters-played-by-David-McCallum/Gibbs. Does that make sense? Jolly good."
Author on LJ: evan_nicholas
Author Website:
Why this must be read:

Given the fact that NCIS shares an actor with Man from UNCLE (David McCallum), this might seem like cheating. Heck, there are a number of "Ducky and Illya are the same person!" fics out there. Even so, none I have read have been this good.

The story is deceptively simple - Napoleon, (who has been living in London, now called 'Albert Stroller' and surrounding himself with a 'family' just like Ducky/Illya has in D.C., of con-artists who fleece the sort of nasty people he and Illya would have 'dealt' with in their younger days) looks up his old friend/lover in D.C. Gibbs 'accidentally' overhears the conversation and jumps to the wrong conclusions... not to mention having grave suspicions about this 'old friend' of Ducky's.

Cue bittersweet reunions, jumped to conclusions and wonderful character voices. The canon is a bit hinky (as the author, himself, admits) but it's not a bother.

evan_nicholas has already been rec'ced before for his Man From UNCLE work (including a rec for this month too) and I'm so damn pleased that he's writing in NCIS too.

If you've ever wondered what happened to these two spies after the affair(s) ended... this is the kind of happy ending they deserve.

Contrapositive by Evan Nicholas