Weekly Recs 9/30/11
Two happy occurrences this week:
1. The hiatus-related summer fic slowdown finally ended! My inbox has been stuffed since last weekend. Outstanding.
2. This marks the 50th edition of Weekly Recs. In order to make past recs a little more accessible (there have been about 500 stories featured) I set up weeklyrecs, which has individual recs categorized and tagged more rigorously to make it easier to find what you want to read. There are about past 175 recs posted so far with more going up quickly. (And of course past issues are always available for browsing via the Weekly Recs tag--the link is in my sidebar.)
Completed Stories:
(Mostly newly-completed stories, plus some old ones if I haven't read them before.)
"Déjà Vu" by sara_f_black (sfb_escritos)
[K+, Ziva, Gibbs, Tony, spoilers for 9x01 "Nature of the Beast", ~1,100 words]
Quote: Se concentrarían en eso, en ayudar a DiNozzo. El déjà vu de aquel verano, las preocupaciones incesantes de uno de sus agentes por el otro, el miedo de una fatalidad inminente, la impotencia por que el otro no se deje ayudar, parecía llegar a su fin. Pero Gibbs sabía que de alguna manera, con Tony o con Ziva, comenzaría de nuevo.
KEW note: Excellent connections drawn between the various secrets the team has kept from each other.
"Better Left Buried" by nancystagerat
[T, Ziva, Tony, set post 7x23 "Patriot Down", ~2050 words]
Summary: Tony threw back half his beer in one gulp. He wondered darkly how much else about her he'd never want to know.
KEW note: I appreciate the fact that nothing gets pushed too far into the open and nothing gets resolved.
"As You Wish" by alidiabin (alidiabin)
[T, Tony, Ziva, set post 9x01 "Nature of the Beast", fanfiction.net link, ~1,265 words]
Summary: Tony visits Ziva's apartment. She is there for him just as she promised.
KEW note: This story re-establishes a dialogue between Tony and Ziva after their estrangement in 9x01. I like how humor ends up in a veiled comment on their emotions towards one another. It feels very much like the show.
"If Given as a Gift" by dome_epais
[T, Tony/McGee, AU, ~12,200 words]
Summary: An AU where McGee is a forensic computer analyst who washed out of training to be an agent. He gets a chance to work with Gibbs' team on a case - can he prove that he has what it takes?
KEW note: A plausible "What if?" story and I particularly like characterization of McGee in the first section.
"Hope for the Future" by Smackalicious
[K, McGee/Ziva, set during 9x01 "Nature of the Beast", ~1,100 words]
Summary: McGee and Ziva go out to celebrate, and Ziva realizes something she should have seen ages ago.
KEW note: Fluff for the week. But I really like how it builds out of "Nature of the Beast."
"Je T'aime" by Proseac (proseac1)
[K, Jeanne, Tony/Jeanne, set during 4x18 "Iceman", fanfiction.net link, 100 words]
Summary: Once bitten, twice confused,
KEW note:I've never thought about this scene from Jeanne's perspective before. Very well observed.
"Nature of the Beast" by Trivette Lover Heather
[K, ensemble, set post 9x01 "Nature of the Beast", ~1,900 words]
Summary: Individual Series of Tags to the Season Nine Premiere, Nature of the Beast.
KEW note: I especially like the character continuity from season 8. The second chapter is my favorite part.
"Adrift" by sofia-carby
[T, Tony/Ziva, ~6,600 words]
Summary: Ziva is adrift; having trouble finding her footing in the rocky waves. Then, Tony teaches her English as a way to get back to what they had before Somalia. The night doesn't end there and the past comes rushing back; painful and demanding.
KEW note: Pick of the week. I almost didn't read this story because I thought the premise seemed contrived (Tony teaching Ziva English--huh?) but of course that's not really what''s going on. Instead I found a story that kept utterly surprising me with its emotions and writing.
Works in Progress:
(Stories in this section will be carried over week to week as long as I continue to follow them or until they are completed or abandoned. Recent updates will be noted.)
"Gray Scale" (Part 2) by lennoxcontrary *UPDATED
[M, ensemble, AU from 7x24 "Rule 51"]
Summary: When the Reynosas come after Gibbs the team is forced into dark territory.
KEW note: Chapters 37 & 38 posted. I love the little crumbs of character backstory that the author doles out. In the latest chapter we switch from the mystery of Gray's history to the mystery of Ziva's.
"Grand Canyon Deep" by hazelmom *UPDATED
[M, McGee, Gibbs]
Summary: McGee struggles to climb out of the depths of despair while Gibbs fights to help him.
KEW note: Chapter 4 posted. Someone astutely pointed out to me that what differentiates this story from other similar stories is not the set up but the characterization of Gibbs's reaction.
"Warning: Hazardous Seas" by Fingersnaps *UPATED
[K+, Tony, McGee]
Summary: Tony and Tim are sent to the USS Nimitz to investigate possible sabotage; they're flying into rough seas, in more ways than one…
KEW note: Chapters 3 and 4 added. I still like the details of this fic, but I think it needs an action kick in the next chapter to get in moving again.
"Quake" by jelenamichel (jelenamichel) *UPDATED
[T, Tony/Ziva]
Summary: Tony sometimes thought of the progress in his relationship with Ziva in tectonic terms. They moved together with agonizing slowness, until a burst of seismic activity either smashed them together or ripped them apart. They're due for another quake.
KEW note: Chapter 5 added. This is a really funny chapter.
"Unyielding" by Ink On Paper (ink_on_paper93)
[T, ensemble]
Summary: Because in a world of such uncertainty and carefully veiled half-truths, it's comforting to know that some things are unyielding.
"Of Ghosts and Gremlins" by AlkalineTeegan (alkalineteegan)
[T, Tony, Jimmy, set between season 3 and 4]
Summary: A post-"Hiatus" exploration of how Tony and Jimmy might have become friends.
"From Hell's Heart" by Laine3112
[T, Tony, ensemble]
Summary: Gibbs' unusual behaviour has everyone concerned. When the reason is revealed and almost kills them both, Tony demands answers.
"Fitting Pieces" by Detour
[T, Tony, Gibbs, pre-series, written before 8x22 "Baltimore"]
Quote: The cops on scene weren't having problems keeping the perimeter clear, but one stupid tourist with a camera had started taking pictures, and suddenly a half dozen people were trying to snap a souvenir, making it a busy evening. Cameras were confiscated, and threats of being taken to a holding cell issued, but neither the cops nor the onlookers seemed extremely concerned. It was just a dance, and one none were more practiced in than the reporters who camped to the side of the observers. But even they were strangely listless, saying the right words, asking the expected questions, but without strong interest. Murder was not a novel concept in Baltimore.
"Defensive Wounds" by rebecca-in-blue (rebecca_in_blue )
[T, Ziva, ensemble, ~11,950 words]
Summary: When the team discovers that a suspect on a case has a history with Ziva, she's forced to confront a few things she's buried.
"Road Trip" by talefomorewoe
[T, Tony/Ziva, Chapter 2]
Summary: “... Drive me home.” The words were said quietly and once out between them, she turned to head for the elevator. Tony sat there in some sortof temporary shock, trying to get the words to register properly, until he heard the ding and the familiar woosh of air as the doors parted. He quickly shoved away his papers, shut off the light, grabbed his bag, and ran for the doors himself. He made it just in time to slide into the elevator next to her, leaning against the wall and staring at the now glowing button for the garage.
1. The hiatus-related summer fic slowdown finally ended! My inbox has been stuffed since last weekend. Outstanding.
2. This marks the 50th edition of Weekly Recs. In order to make past recs a little more accessible (there have been about 500 stories featured) I set up weeklyrecs, which has individual recs categorized and tagged more rigorously to make it easier to find what you want to read. There are about past 175 recs posted so far with more going up quickly. (And of course past issues are always available for browsing via the Weekly Recs tag--the link is in my sidebar.)
Completed Stories:
(Mostly newly-completed stories, plus some old ones if I haven't read them before.)
"Déjà Vu" by sara_f_black (sfb_escritos)
[K+, Ziva, Gibbs, Tony, spoilers for 9x01 "Nature of the Beast", ~1,100 words]
Quote: Se concentrarían en eso, en ayudar a DiNozzo. El déjà vu de aquel verano, las preocupaciones incesantes de uno de sus agentes por el otro, el miedo de una fatalidad inminente, la impotencia por que el otro no se deje ayudar, parecía llegar a su fin. Pero Gibbs sabía que de alguna manera, con Tony o con Ziva, comenzaría de nuevo.
KEW note: Excellent connections drawn between the various secrets the team has kept from each other.
"Better Left Buried" by nancystagerat
[T, Ziva, Tony, set post 7x23 "Patriot Down", ~2050 words]
Summary: Tony threw back half his beer in one gulp. He wondered darkly how much else about her he'd never want to know.
KEW note: I appreciate the fact that nothing gets pushed too far into the open and nothing gets resolved.
"As You Wish" by alidiabin (alidiabin)
[T, Tony, Ziva, set post 9x01 "Nature of the Beast", fanfiction.net link, ~1,265 words]
Summary: Tony visits Ziva's apartment. She is there for him just as she promised.
KEW note: This story re-establishes a dialogue between Tony and Ziva after their estrangement in 9x01. I like how humor ends up in a veiled comment on their emotions towards one another. It feels very much like the show.
"If Given as a Gift" by dome_epais
[T, Tony/McGee, AU, ~12,200 words]
Summary: An AU where McGee is a forensic computer analyst who washed out of training to be an agent. He gets a chance to work with Gibbs' team on a case - can he prove that he has what it takes?
KEW note: A plausible "What if?" story and I particularly like characterization of McGee in the first section.
"Hope for the Future" by Smackalicious
[K, McGee/Ziva, set during 9x01 "Nature of the Beast", ~1,100 words]
Summary: McGee and Ziva go out to celebrate, and Ziva realizes something she should have seen ages ago.
KEW note: Fluff for the week. But I really like how it builds out of "Nature of the Beast."
"Je T'aime" by Proseac (proseac1)
[K, Jeanne, Tony/Jeanne, set during 4x18 "Iceman", fanfiction.net link, 100 words]
Summary: Once bitten, twice confused,
KEW note:I've never thought about this scene from Jeanne's perspective before. Very well observed.
"Nature of the Beast" by Trivette Lover Heather
[K, ensemble, set post 9x01 "Nature of the Beast", ~1,900 words]
Summary: Individual Series of Tags to the Season Nine Premiere, Nature of the Beast.
KEW note: I especially like the character continuity from season 8. The second chapter is my favorite part.
"Adrift" by sofia-carby
[T, Tony/Ziva, ~6,600 words]
Summary: Ziva is adrift; having trouble finding her footing in the rocky waves. Then, Tony teaches her English as a way to get back to what they had before Somalia. The night doesn't end there and the past comes rushing back; painful and demanding.
KEW note: Pick of the week. I almost didn't read this story because I thought the premise seemed contrived (Tony teaching Ziva English--huh?) but of course that's not really what''s going on. Instead I found a story that kept utterly surprising me with its emotions and writing.
Works in Progress:
(Stories in this section will be carried over week to week as long as I continue to follow them or until they are completed or abandoned. Recent updates will be noted.)
"Gray Scale" (Part 2) by lennoxcontrary *UPDATED
[M, ensemble, AU from 7x24 "Rule 51"]
Summary: When the Reynosas come after Gibbs the team is forced into dark territory.
KEW note: Chapters 37 & 38 posted. I love the little crumbs of character backstory that the author doles out. In the latest chapter we switch from the mystery of Gray's history to the mystery of Ziva's.
"Grand Canyon Deep" by hazelmom *UPDATED
[M, McGee, Gibbs]
Summary: McGee struggles to climb out of the depths of despair while Gibbs fights to help him.
KEW note: Chapter 4 posted. Someone astutely pointed out to me that what differentiates this story from other similar stories is not the set up but the characterization of Gibbs's reaction.
"Warning: Hazardous Seas" by Fingersnaps *UPATED
[K+, Tony, McGee]
Summary: Tony and Tim are sent to the USS Nimitz to investigate possible sabotage; they're flying into rough seas, in more ways than one…
KEW note: Chapters 3 and 4 added. I still like the details of this fic, but I think it needs an action kick in the next chapter to get in moving again.
"Quake" by jelenamichel (jelenamichel) *UPDATED
[T, Tony/Ziva]
Summary: Tony sometimes thought of the progress in his relationship with Ziva in tectonic terms. They moved together with agonizing slowness, until a burst of seismic activity either smashed them together or ripped them apart. They're due for another quake.
KEW note: Chapter 5 added. This is a really funny chapter.
"Unyielding" by Ink On Paper (ink_on_paper93)
[T, ensemble]
Summary: Because in a world of such uncertainty and carefully veiled half-truths, it's comforting to know that some things are unyielding.
"Of Ghosts and Gremlins" by AlkalineTeegan (alkalineteegan)
[T, Tony, Jimmy, set between season 3 and 4]
Summary: A post-"Hiatus" exploration of how Tony and Jimmy might have become friends.
"From Hell's Heart" by Laine3112
[T, Tony, ensemble]
Summary: Gibbs' unusual behaviour has everyone concerned. When the reason is revealed and almost kills them both, Tony demands answers.
"Fitting Pieces" by Detour
[T, Tony, Gibbs, pre-series, written before 8x22 "Baltimore"]
Quote: The cops on scene weren't having problems keeping the perimeter clear, but one stupid tourist with a camera had started taking pictures, and suddenly a half dozen people were trying to snap a souvenir, making it a busy evening. Cameras were confiscated, and threats of being taken to a holding cell issued, but neither the cops nor the onlookers seemed extremely concerned. It was just a dance, and one none were more practiced in than the reporters who camped to the side of the observers. But even they were strangely listless, saying the right words, asking the expected questions, but without strong interest. Murder was not a novel concept in Baltimore.
"Defensive Wounds" by rebecca-in-blue (rebecca_in_blue )
[T, Ziva, ensemble, ~11,950 words]
Summary: When the team discovers that a suspect on a case has a history with Ziva, she's forced to confront a few things she's buried.
"Road Trip" by talefomorewoe
[T, Tony/Ziva, Chapter 2]
Summary: “... Drive me home.” The words were said quietly and once out between them, she turned to head for the elevator. Tony sat there in some sortof temporary shock, trying to get the words to register properly, until he heard the ding and the familiar woosh of air as the doors parted. He quickly shoved away his papers, shut off the light, grabbed his bag, and ran for the doors himself. He made it just in time to slide into the elevator next to her, leaning against the wall and staring at the now glowing button for the garage.