My top stories on AO3 2019
Did you notice I didn't do this last year? Probably not. I checked it last year, but the order hadn't changed at all, so I didn't see much point. There's been some shuffling around this year though...
Top 15 AO3 NCIS stories based on Kudos:
1) SOLD! with 910 kudos, 11/05/2017 -
(started in 2010 - completed 2017) [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (263,069 words)
This continues to hold the # 1 slot. This year, it has had its 50,000th hit! It's hard to believe I started writing this one back in 2010 and finally completed it in Nov 2017. This has far more hits, kudos, comments and everything else than anything else I have posted over at AO3 (probably at LJ, too!). While I was first writing it, I thought it was far too Tony-centric for most people to enjoy, but it does seem rather popular. It's a Gibbs/DiNozzo where there isn't much more than brief mentions of Gibbs for the first 20 chapters. Tony is tortured, then has a very up and down relationship with Gibbs, who isn't sure he wants to be involved with a slave. I can't imagine I would ever write anything that would surpass this story. I'm okay with that.
2) Ziva David Is Not My Lover with 498 kudos, 05/23/2016 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (5871 words)
I wrote two Tony leaving NCIS stories in May 2016. Personally, I prefer the other one You Don't Waste Good (which only has 86 kudos), but I often like some of my underdog stories, LOL. This is an alternate take on Tali being Tony and Ziva's child. I know a lot of people hated the cannon exit story, which is probably why this one is so popular. In this, it's found that Ziva had stolen Tony's sperm donation and had herself impregnated. It continues to hold the # 2 slot.
3) Call Me Tony with 356 kudos, 09/10/13 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (11,784 words)
This held onto the # 3 slot, just barely. Actually, it was tied for a while, but got that one more kudo just recently. This one is my second entry for the 2013 NCIS Big Bang. It was one of 2 bunnies that kept bugging me all summer while I was trying to write my Big Bang story. A couple weeks after finishing my first story, I began writing this one. It was written in 3 days. It was never intended to be a Big Bang story. I originally thought it would wind up being 3000-5000 words, but it kept growing and once it topped the 10,000 minimum WC for the Big Bang, I figured why not? This one has Tony working undercover when Gibbs takes a fancy to him. First time/first meeting fic.
4) Table For Two with 355 kudos, 07/31/2016 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (18656 words)
This held on to the # 4 slot yet again, but it is closing in on Call Me Tony. The two were even tied for a while! Like Call Me Tony and Pencis: When Tony Met Jethro before it, this was a second Big Bang story. I wrote this in 5 days. Somehow my second Big Bang stories, the ones I spend 3-5 days writing, go over better than the ones I agonize over for months. LOL. Gibbs Team (Stan, Vivian and TAD Tim) are investigating a series of murders. The only link they find is that the victims were all customers of male escort, Tony DiNozzo. Gibbs goes undercover as a client of Tony's to draw out the killer. I was happy with this and Rose_malmaison did some lovely artwork to go along with it.
5) Pencis: When Tony Met Jethro with 334 kudos, 08/09/14 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (12,529 words)
This has held onto the # 5 slot for a couple years now. This one is my second entry for the 2014 NCIS Big Bang. Like Call Me Tony in 2013, this was just a bunny that was bugging me. It came to me quickly and was written over 3 days. Since it wound up over 10K words, it became a Big Bang story. This is a different take on how Tony and Gibbs meet. Gibbs is a Marine and Tony is a teenager who was kidnapped by terrorists while traveling with his father in the Middle East.
6) It All Started With A Burrito with 315 kudos, 12/20/2015 [DiNozzo/McGee] (11,425 words)
I'm shocked and stunned to see this one in the top 10! It's moved up from the # 8 slot last year. This was my NCIS SeSa story from 2015. It was another one that I really struggled with as my muse wanted to write The Cabin Christmas Story . I'm floored to see it's here. It's the only non-Gibbs/DiNozzo story to make it to the top 10. It's my only non-Gibbs/DiNozzo SeSa story and has the most kudos of any of them! I was really struggling, so to jump-start the story, I borrowed from one of my own requests, the beginning of the episode Stakeout where Tony throws a burrito at Tim, then they go at it (wrestling - although the camera cuts, so imagine what you like!). In this story, Tim and Tony begin to realize that their relationship is moving from friendship to romantic. It was a struggle, and my beta had me cut/re-write a couple scenes. But I was pretty happy with it in the end.
7) Paw Prints with 307 kudos, 12/23/16 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (6183 words)
This one dropped from the # 6 slot for the past two years. The original idea was just Tony seeing kitten paw prints in the snow. I was planning to use it for the Happy Holidays Challenge, but I really needed to write my SeSa story. So this got put on hold. I went from intending to use it as a theme story, then as a stocking stuffer. Then we had one Santa drop out of this year's SeSa, and it happened to be the same recipient (with a similar request) as the stocking stuffer I was going to use the story for. So, it became a last-minute SeSa story. It was intended to be the year following The Cabin Christmas Story , so the stories are (very) loosely connected. But I mention the Millers as the neighbors of Gibbs' cabin in both stories. They're only mentioned in last year's story, but make an appearance in this one. Tony does find some kittens, then Gibbs helps to find them a home with the Millers. Tony takes a special liking to the runt of the litter Binx (named after a character played by Sean Murray in Hocus Pocus). Of course I always had a soft spot for this one. Come on. KITTENS!
8) The Contract with 294 kudos, 08/10/14 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (31,130 words)
This one dropped one slot from # 7 for the last two years. Written for 2014 NCIS Big Bang, hosted by ncis_bang. Like Playing Those Mind Games Forever the year before, I really struggled with this one. Tony's dad is forced to sign over custody of Tony to a friend to cover gambling debts. Tony is released, but one day the man comes back intending to reclaim him. This slipped from # 5 last year. It's my second most-read story, after SOLD!. Actually, when I really think about it, this truly was a second Big Bang story for me in 2014. Although it did take months to write. My first go was abandoned and finally finished the following year as a second Big Bang story.
9) When Dreams Come True with 271 kudos, 12/18/16 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (18,224 words)
This one moved up from the # 10 slot for the last couple of years. This was my 2016 SeSa story. The first one, my original assignment. I panicked when I saw I drew rose_malmaison. We email at least weekly, if not daily. We chat about writing. She betas a couple stories each year for me. How was I going to HIDE that I'm her Secret Santa? I think I stalled by telling her I was stumped for a plot, LOL. Then this weird thing happened. My beta for this story emailed me that she wasn't going to get the beta done. I saw her email the morning of the 24th. Stories GO LIVE at 5:00am on the 25th. PANIC! Then another Santa dropped out, never posted her story (she'd said she was struggling and might have to drop out). However, I had a Happy Holidays story I was writing for that same recipient. All I had to do was finish it. So...I finished writing Paw Prints for cutsycat and asked Rose to beta for me, telling her that my beta had dropped out that morning. True story...for my other story. This one I had written for Rose. So then I remembered jane_x80 had once offered to beta if I needed. So I emailed her, and she did a super fast last-minute beta on this story. Rose betad the other one. Somehow I got them both edited and posted in time.
So, this is Stripper!Tony who messes with his dad by hiring male strippers for Senior's party. Then Tony and Tim go undercover as male strippers. Tony disappears and the team have to track him down. I liked the idea, but I think it sounded better in my head than it wound up written out. But it seems that some people like it!
10) The White Room with 253 kudos, 12/01/13 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (14,703 words)
This moved up from the # 11 slot the last two years. This was the other bunny bugging me over the summer as I was trying to write my 2013 Big Bang story. I never know how the darker fic will go over, but this seems to be a popular one! It's my third most-read story, after SOLD!. This has Tony being kidnapped and eventually finding fellow kidnap victim Gibbs. Another first time/first meeting fic.
11) The Cabin Christmas Story with 244 kudos, 11/15/2015 (posted 12/22/2015) [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (4712 words)
This one amazingly jumped into my top 10 list within one week of being posted! I was totally stunned by that! It continues to slip. It's held the # 9 slot for the past two years. It is my 2015 story with the most kudos (but not the most hits). I was really struggling with my ncis_sesa that year. This is the story my muse wanted to write. I finally gave in and wrote this, but held onto it in case we had a drop out Santa and no Back-up Santa to claim it. Since this was Gibbs/DiNozzo and had a bit of holiday cheer in it, I figured it would work for a few of the requests. As it turned out, no one dropped out this year. YAY! Why didn't I use this for my SeSa? Because my recipient wanted a different pairing (DiNozzo/McGee) and had other requests. However, IF I had pulled a recipient who had requested a Gibbs/DiNozzo holiday-themed story, they would have gotten this. I had a brief thought that IF my Santa had dropped out, I might have to use this as a story for me, LOL! No one would ever guess that I had written it, if I was the recipient! Tony agrees to spend Christmas with Gibbs at the cabin. When Tony fails to return from a walk on a snowy day, Gibbs goes out to search for him. Rose_malmaison also created beautiful artwork for this story! The art was added 01/23/2016. This is also loosely tied to one of my 2016 SeSa stories, Paw Prints.
12) Healed By Moonlight with 243 kudos, 12/09/2018 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (35,176 words)
This is the first of my 2018 stories to make the list. I still feel the three stories I wrote in 2018 are three of the best I've ever written, so I'm glad to see one of them getting enough kudos to be in my top 15 list. I am not a fan of supernatural things or MPregs. I never would have suspected I would write either of those things and in 2018, I wrote each. And could not be more pleased with the results. So this one has shapeshifters and vampires, oh my! It is also a crossover with Criminal Minds. I loved making Tony and Morgan buddies. In this, Tony is kidnapped and both his NCIS team, plus the FBI's BAU team search for Tony. In this year's Happy Holiday's Challenge, one of my Christmas wishes was for artwork for this story and I'm so thrilled that Starwatcher307 did an amazing job, and created artwork that was very close to what I imagined, without us ever discussing it!
13) On Your Six, Boss with 228 kudos, 02/14/2010 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (4,906 words)
This is another surprise! This was my first standalone NCIS story, written in early 2010. It has risen to the ranks to finally make the top 15. It is an alternate take of Gibbs and Tony's first meeting. Gibbs goes to Baltimore looking for a new partner, and offers the job to Tony.
14-TIE) Broken 224 kudos, 09/09/16 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (33,683 words)
This story remains tied for the 14th slot, although it's tied with a different story (it was previously tied with Wyoming ). This was my Big Bang story from 2016. My first one. The one I struggled over for months. While Table For Two was my second Big Bang of that year, which I wrote in 5 days or so. At any rate, I'm super proud of this one as it is my first Crossover with Criminal Minds and NCIS: New Orleans. I think it turned out really well, and am very happy with my portrayals of the characters from all three series. In this one, Tony gets kidnapped from a vacation in New Orleans. Tony getting kidnapped stories seem to be popular ones! In this one, he is beaten and raped. Gibbs immediately heads to New Orleans when he finds out Tony is missing, but Fornell catches up to him at the airport and insists on getting the FBI's BAU team involved. Pride and Fornell try to keep Gibbs out of Hotchner's way. I later wrote a prequel for this, which I finished writing this year. It's called Fragile, and is mostly Tony/Hotchner - when Tony was just out of high school and in need of training.
14-TIE) The Gypsy Prince with 224 kudos, 12/30/2017 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (7,898 words)
This story is making its debut in the top 15. This was written in 2017 as a stocking stuffer for Cutsycat. It's a story I had a lot of fun writing and was quite happy with the result. I'm glad to see it in the top 15. It actually got over a hundred hits in the first few days, but it wasn't enough to make the top 15 list. Abby takes Gibbs to a psychic for a reading - and the following months turn out quite interesting as the psychic's prediction comes true.
Notes:
In 2019, I wrote and posted 10 stories, which is quite an increase from 2018. However, the three stories I wrote in 2018 have a total of 167,178 words, while the ten stories from last year only have a total of 94,762 words, so more stories, but fewer words. However, I did finish up a couple of my old WIPs.
# 25 - Second Chances with 182 kudos, 01/01/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (4447 words)
This was at least half-written in 2018, but was finished and posted on New Year's day last year. Another bunny that wanted to be written.
# 29 - Piano Man with 165 kudos, 09/07/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (1806 words)
I'd started this in 2016, but never finished it. I decided I wanted to clear out my old bunnies. It's probably a lot shorter than my original thought for it, but it happens.
# 31 - Winning Bid with 164 kudos, 07/14/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (5686 words)
This charming piece was inspired by artwork from Red_Pink_Dots and a prompt from Cutsycat. I had fun weaving the two together.
# 32 - Holding On with 162 kudos, 08/14/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (43,276 words)
This was my first Big Bang story of the year and has bucked the tradition of my second story usually being more popular. I got a bunny for this when I was posting my Big Bang story of 2018, but didn't start writing it until later. I'm very happy with how this turned out, but a bit disappointed it didn't do better. However, I'd say that about all of my 2018 stories. Sometimes I have to remind myself that just because a story is one of my favorites, doesn't mean other people will feel the same way. Bonus with this is the amazing artwork created by Red_Pink_Dots. This is a crossover with NCIS: New Orleans
# 42 - Piano Man II with 116 kudos, 09/21/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (1892 words)
This came about because some people grumbled about the team barging in on Gibbs and Tony's couples time. Of course, when I posted this one, some people complained that the team was getting cut out. Can't please everyone. I have no intention of doing a third story for this series!
# 48 - Christmas In Stillwater with 95 kudos, 12/24/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (2519 words)
I wanted to write something for Geminiangel64 because she'd missed the sign-ups for this year's NCIS SeSa challenge. And then she fulfilled all 24 advent prompts for the Happy Holidays Challenge and I really wanted to write her something! Cute Christmas fluff! I'm glad that most people seem to enjoy this one.
# 60 - Operation Black Cat with 80 kudos, 11/17/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (20,951 words)
I wrote this for Cutsycat for the NCIS SeSa (Secret Santa) Challenge. I knew I was traveling for Thanksgiving and wanted to be done with my SeSa story by then, and I made it! I had a lot of fun putting this one together. It focuses on Tony around the time he was dating Jeanne. But it's the cat that was a lot of fun to create and have mess with Tony.
# 71 - Unsettled with 61 kudos, 08/15/2019 [Tony/Tim] (10,412 words)
This was my second Big Bang story for the year. I actually started this in 2014 as a gift for my beta, Naemi. As I was trying to wrap up some WIPs this year, I did manage to finish this one. This one features art by SexyCazzy.
# 72 - Traditions with 60 kudos, 11/30/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (2413 words)
I wrote this one while I was traveling for Thanksgiving! My brother put me up in a motel, so I had me-time in the evenings to write. I wrote this for the Happy Holidays Challenge for the "one-horse open sleigh" theme.
# 76 - In Another World with 50 kudos, 12/24/2019 [Tony & Trent (Gen)] (1360 words)
My final story for 2019. This was written for Cutsycat, to fulfill her holiday wish. It's sort of an alternate take on what happened around Tali. And in this one, it turns out that Tony isn't her biological father, but Kort has an idea.
Now, what do you imagine 2020 will bring?
Top 15 AO3 PopSlash stories based on Kudos:
It's interesting to see the change in the kudos for these older stories. I've only moved about 1/3 of my PopSlash stories over to AO3, so 2/3s of the stories don't even have a chance to make the list at this point. When I first started posted the older stories to AO3, I had several with only 1-2 kudos. It's nice to see a few of them slowly breaking out of the pack. I started by posting my favorites over here, but if any PopSlash fans have a favorite of mine that isn't on AO3, please let me know. I'd be happy to move any of them over. It's just not a priority.
1) The Bassk Club 33 kudos, 12/22/03
[Multiple pairings, includes: Chris/Justin, JC/Lance, Lance/Justin, Joey/Justin, (implied) Chris/Joey, JC/Joey] (26,051 words)
This remains # 1 . This was the 4th fandom story I ever wrote. I'm actually surprised to see it having the most kudos. It did not make my list of Author's favorites, LOL. Lance runs a kink club and purchases Justin and Lance from a pimp.
2) Chris' Cave 21 kudos, 12/18/03
[Multiple pairings, includes: Chris/Joey, Chris/JC, Chris/Justin, JC/Justin, JC/Joey, Lance/Justin, Joey/Justin] (20,418 words)
In 2014, this was the # 1 story, in 2015 it was tied for 1st. In 2016 it slipped to # 2 and remains there. This was my first ever fan fic written. I always thought it would be my favorite. It may still be my favorite popslash story, but one of my NCIS stories has taken over my favorite fan fic slot. It's an AU (as most of my popslash is). Maybe it's futuristic. Sort of a cave man thing only much more thoughtful and articulate. Primitive society where young men are thrown out of their clans once they show signs of becoming mature (or at least sexually mature). Five young men find each other and begin a bachelor clan of their own.
3) Lion Around 15 kudos, 10/19/08 [Chris/JC] (4342 words)
This remains in # 3. This story is also near and dear to my heart. It's one of the few stories I have that ever won an award and it won two for the 2008 Pop!Tober Challenge, Best Love Story and Reader's Choice . One of my favorite things about it is that it comes full circle. I'm not one that plans my stories out much, nor do I do much editing. I start writing and whatever comes out is what you get. I'm surprised how often the perfect ending just comes to me. I absolutely love how this one turned out. JC is heartbroken when Chris leaves him, but finds his heart through a plushie lion Chris gave him.
4) Mighty Wind 14 kudos, 03/16/04
[Multiple pairings, includes: Chris/Joey, Chris/JC, Chris/Justin, JC/Lance, JC/Justin, JC/Joey, Lance/Justin, Joey/Justin] (33,771 words)
This remains # 4. This is the sequel to Chris' Cave . I love it almost as much as it's predecessor. In this one, I like the growth & development of Lance. He changes from a shy kid into a leader & a hunter, able to stand up for himself & care for others. And of course, I love the horses! And Justin finally gets to see his mom again. And I love Chris' dedication, really how dedicated they all are, to JC.
5-TIE) A Centaur’s Journey 12 kudos, 12/22/08 [Chris/Joey, Joey/Kelly] (15,458 words)
Moved up from # 8-TIE last year. This is one of my favorite of my PopSlash stories. This was a backup assignment for the 2008 PopSlash Secret Santa. I've always mentioned that I wrote this 15K story in 3 days. While I suppose that is correct, I didn't get the assignment until Friday night, and finished writing Sunday afternoon. So it was, in fact, written within 48 hours. I worked a bit Friday night, and a lot on Saturday and Sunday. I had 3 betas go over it (it was last minute and I was afraid someone might not come through). They all sent the files back the following day, and I remember staying up all night long editing. It was my fault that SeSa was a little late going live that year. I hope it was work it. Someone actually guessed that Ninjetti had written this. I much admire him as a writer, so that always thrilled me that someone thought he had written this. Still does! This is a magical story (to me anyway). A mixture of fantasy and Greek mythology/history with Chris as a zephyr intrigued with the earthbound beings, especially a centaur soldier (Joey) who is traveling home on leave after being injured in battle. Traveling with Joey is another injured soldier, Lance, a human archer. Chris engages his friends JC (a dream nymph) and Justin (a sunbeam) to assist him in courting Joey.
5-TIE) The Proof Isn’t Always In The Pudding 12 kudos, 12/11/07 [JC/Lance, Brian/Nick] (25,371 words)
This remains tied for 5th. Written for 2007 MTYG PopSlash SeSa. It is my first PopSlash SeSa story to make this list. The most notable thing to me is that, I don't know anything, really, about BSB beyond their names. I actually did a lot of research to try to get them right in this. I think it turned out pretty well. College AU meets murder mystery.
7-TIE) Crazy For You 10 kudos, 01/11/2004 [Chris/JC] (5304 words)
This one is making its debut on the list. I have always loved this one. It's so much fun! It's fun and full of craziness that is Chris and cute adorableness that is JC.
7-TIE) Hidden In Plain View 10 kudos, 03/05/05 [JC/Justin, Lance/Joey] (4514 words)
This has slipped from being tied for 5th the past three years. I like the whole atmosphere in this one, the tenderness, the vulnerability. And Lance & Joey *sneaking* around together *G*.
9-TIE) Sunshine, Dreams And Unseen Things 9 kudos, 03/23/04 [Chris/JC]
This was in a tie last year for places 8-10. This is the sequel to Roadways . I had originally thought of doing a third installment, but never did. I guess too many other bunnies got in the way!
9-TIE) Superstar 5 kudos, 02/03/04 [Lance/Justin, Lance/JC] (6875 words)
This was in a tie last year for places 8-10. This is the beginning of one of my favorite series. As usually, my muse was doing everything in it's power to get Chris and JC together, LOL. Lance is thrilled when he finds out his boyfriend knows his idol, JC Chasez.
9-TIE) Timberlake Café 9 kudos, 12/18/03 [JC/Lance, JC/Chris, JC/Justin]
This was in a tie last year for places 8-10. It is now alone at # 7. This one was my 2nd ever completed fandom story. Lance thinks he’s in a relationship with JC, but learns the truth when they both end up working together at the Timberlake Café. JC is a slut.
9-TIE)Stranded: Where Time Stands Still 9 kudos, 09/23/08 [Lance/Justin, Chris/Joey, JC/Chris/Joey] (23,103 words)
I'm glad to see this one making ground! I've always liked this one. It was originally intended for a PopSlash Big Bang. But here's want happened. Back then I was incredibly impatient to post stories. If they were done, I wanted to post them that day or the following day. I'd written this in about 3 weeks and was ready to go. And I had to sit on it. About a month after it was done, the mod posted a posting schedule. This was the first big bang I had ever signed up for and it original said that stories were to be posted Nov 1st. But this new post had it alphabetically not by pen name (Jacie), but by journal name (syncalot), so that put me not posting until December. I knew people would be writing their SeSas then and it wouldn't get read. I tried to talk the mod into giving me an earlier slot and she refused. I mean, I was DONE and many others were still struggling to write, but she wouldn't even discuss giving me an earlier slot even when I pointed out what she posted for the challenge was a go-live date of Nov 1st. She never explained that all stories wouldn't be posted on that date. This was her first challenge as mod (as far as I could tell) so there wasn't a previous year to go to and see that everyone posted on different dates. She basically said if I didn't like it, I could drop out. So I dropped out before entering the story for the art claim. A lot of people dropped out, and those who didn't said they got little or no reads or feedback. I still do not regret dropping out. Anyway, I really liked this story, and wound up posting it for Halloween. I consider it a *ghost* story. But it's one you almost have to read twice to really catch it. JC, Lance and Justin find themselves stranded on an uninhabited island and later find that two others, Chris and Joey, had been shipwrecked across the island years before. I had some good feedback from a couple people and still really like this story.
13-15 Tied with 8 kudos each:
Roadways 8 kudos, 02/19/04 [Chris/JC]
Another one of my favorites. Probably one of my better written popslash stories. Chris picks up two hitchhikers, JC and Lance, while on his way to California.
Falling Star 8 kudos, 04/03/04 [Chris/JC] (6955 words)
New to the list this year. This is the second story in the Star Series. It is the sequel to Superstar, wherein JC goes on vacation, Chris plots, Joey cooks, Lance obsesses and Justin tries to forgive.
Shining Star 8 kudos, 04/04/04 [Chris/JC] (4510 words)
This is the third story in the Star Series, following Superstar & Falling Star.
JC takes Chris out to Lunch.
Top 15 AO3 NCIS stories based on Kudos:
1) SOLD! with 910 kudos, 11/05/2017 -
(started in 2010 - completed 2017) [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (263,069 words)
This continues to hold the # 1 slot. This year, it has had its 50,000th hit! It's hard to believe I started writing this one back in 2010 and finally completed it in Nov 2017. This has far more hits, kudos, comments and everything else than anything else I have posted over at AO3 (probably at LJ, too!). While I was first writing it, I thought it was far too Tony-centric for most people to enjoy, but it does seem rather popular. It's a Gibbs/DiNozzo where there isn't much more than brief mentions of Gibbs for the first 20 chapters. Tony is tortured, then has a very up and down relationship with Gibbs, who isn't sure he wants to be involved with a slave. I can't imagine I would ever write anything that would surpass this story. I'm okay with that.
2) Ziva David Is Not My Lover with 498 kudos, 05/23/2016 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (5871 words)
I wrote two Tony leaving NCIS stories in May 2016. Personally, I prefer the other one You Don't Waste Good (which only has 86 kudos), but I often like some of my underdog stories, LOL. This is an alternate take on Tali being Tony and Ziva's child. I know a lot of people hated the cannon exit story, which is probably why this one is so popular. In this, it's found that Ziva had stolen Tony's sperm donation and had herself impregnated. It continues to hold the # 2 slot.
3) Call Me Tony with 356 kudos, 09/10/13 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (11,784 words)
This held onto the # 3 slot, just barely. Actually, it was tied for a while, but got that one more kudo just recently. This one is my second entry for the 2013 NCIS Big Bang. It was one of 2 bunnies that kept bugging me all summer while I was trying to write my Big Bang story. A couple weeks after finishing my first story, I began writing this one. It was written in 3 days. It was never intended to be a Big Bang story. I originally thought it would wind up being 3000-5000 words, but it kept growing and once it topped the 10,000 minimum WC for the Big Bang, I figured why not? This one has Tony working undercover when Gibbs takes a fancy to him. First time/first meeting fic.
4) Table For Two with 355 kudos, 07/31/2016 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (18656 words)
This held on to the # 4 slot yet again, but it is closing in on Call Me Tony. The two were even tied for a while! Like Call Me Tony and Pencis: When Tony Met Jethro before it, this was a second Big Bang story. I wrote this in 5 days. Somehow my second Big Bang stories, the ones I spend 3-5 days writing, go over better than the ones I agonize over for months. LOL. Gibbs Team (Stan, Vivian and TAD Tim) are investigating a series of murders. The only link they find is that the victims were all customers of male escort, Tony DiNozzo. Gibbs goes undercover as a client of Tony's to draw out the killer. I was happy with this and Rose_malmaison did some lovely artwork to go along with it.
5) Pencis: When Tony Met Jethro with 334 kudos, 08/09/14 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (12,529 words)
This has held onto the # 5 slot for a couple years now. This one is my second entry for the 2014 NCIS Big Bang. Like Call Me Tony in 2013, this was just a bunny that was bugging me. It came to me quickly and was written over 3 days. Since it wound up over 10K words, it became a Big Bang story. This is a different take on how Tony and Gibbs meet. Gibbs is a Marine and Tony is a teenager who was kidnapped by terrorists while traveling with his father in the Middle East.
6) It All Started With A Burrito with 315 kudos, 12/20/2015 [DiNozzo/McGee] (11,425 words)
I'm shocked and stunned to see this one in the top 10! It's moved up from the # 8 slot last year. This was my NCIS SeSa story from 2015. It was another one that I really struggled with as my muse wanted to write The Cabin Christmas Story . I'm floored to see it's here. It's the only non-Gibbs/DiNozzo story to make it to the top 10. It's my only non-Gibbs/DiNozzo SeSa story and has the most kudos of any of them! I was really struggling, so to jump-start the story, I borrowed from one of my own requests, the beginning of the episode Stakeout where Tony throws a burrito at Tim, then they go at it (wrestling - although the camera cuts, so imagine what you like!). In this story, Tim and Tony begin to realize that their relationship is moving from friendship to romantic. It was a struggle, and my beta had me cut/re-write a couple scenes. But I was pretty happy with it in the end.
7) Paw Prints with 307 kudos, 12/23/16 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (6183 words)
This one dropped from the # 6 slot for the past two years. The original idea was just Tony seeing kitten paw prints in the snow. I was planning to use it for the Happy Holidays Challenge, but I really needed to write my SeSa story. So this got put on hold. I went from intending to use it as a theme story, then as a stocking stuffer. Then we had one Santa drop out of this year's SeSa, and it happened to be the same recipient (with a similar request) as the stocking stuffer I was going to use the story for. So, it became a last-minute SeSa story. It was intended to be the year following The Cabin Christmas Story , so the stories are (very) loosely connected. But I mention the Millers as the neighbors of Gibbs' cabin in both stories. They're only mentioned in last year's story, but make an appearance in this one. Tony does find some kittens, then Gibbs helps to find them a home with the Millers. Tony takes a special liking to the runt of the litter Binx (named after a character played by Sean Murray in Hocus Pocus). Of course I always had a soft spot for this one. Come on. KITTENS!
8) The Contract with 294 kudos, 08/10/14 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (31,130 words)
This one dropped one slot from # 7 for the last two years. Written for 2014 NCIS Big Bang, hosted by ncis_bang. Like Playing Those Mind Games Forever the year before, I really struggled with this one. Tony's dad is forced to sign over custody of Tony to a friend to cover gambling debts. Tony is released, but one day the man comes back intending to reclaim him. This slipped from # 5 last year. It's my second most-read story, after SOLD!. Actually, when I really think about it, this truly was a second Big Bang story for me in 2014. Although it did take months to write. My first go was abandoned and finally finished the following year as a second Big Bang story.
9) When Dreams Come True with 271 kudos, 12/18/16 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (18,224 words)
This one moved up from the # 10 slot for the last couple of years. This was my 2016 SeSa story. The first one, my original assignment. I panicked when I saw I drew rose_malmaison. We email at least weekly, if not daily. We chat about writing. She betas a couple stories each year for me. How was I going to HIDE that I'm her Secret Santa? I think I stalled by telling her I was stumped for a plot, LOL. Then this weird thing happened. My beta for this story emailed me that she wasn't going to get the beta done. I saw her email the morning of the 24th. Stories GO LIVE at 5:00am on the 25th. PANIC! Then another Santa dropped out, never posted her story (she'd said she was struggling and might have to drop out). However, I had a Happy Holidays story I was writing for that same recipient. All I had to do was finish it. So...I finished writing Paw Prints for cutsycat and asked Rose to beta for me, telling her that my beta had dropped out that morning. True story...for my other story. This one I had written for Rose. So then I remembered jane_x80 had once offered to beta if I needed. So I emailed her, and she did a super fast last-minute beta on this story. Rose betad the other one. Somehow I got them both edited and posted in time.
So, this is Stripper!Tony who messes with his dad by hiring male strippers for Senior's party. Then Tony and Tim go undercover as male strippers. Tony disappears and the team have to track him down. I liked the idea, but I think it sounded better in my head than it wound up written out. But it seems that some people like it!
10) The White Room with 253 kudos, 12/01/13 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (14,703 words)
This moved up from the # 11 slot the last two years. This was the other bunny bugging me over the summer as I was trying to write my 2013 Big Bang story. I never know how the darker fic will go over, but this seems to be a popular one! It's my third most-read story, after SOLD!. This has Tony being kidnapped and eventually finding fellow kidnap victim Gibbs. Another first time/first meeting fic.
11) The Cabin Christmas Story with 244 kudos, 11/15/2015 (posted 12/22/2015) [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (4712 words)
This one amazingly jumped into my top 10 list within one week of being posted! I was totally stunned by that! It continues to slip. It's held the # 9 slot for the past two years. It is my 2015 story with the most kudos (but not the most hits). I was really struggling with my ncis_sesa that year. This is the story my muse wanted to write. I finally gave in and wrote this, but held onto it in case we had a drop out Santa and no Back-up Santa to claim it. Since this was Gibbs/DiNozzo and had a bit of holiday cheer in it, I figured it would work for a few of the requests. As it turned out, no one dropped out this year. YAY! Why didn't I use this for my SeSa? Because my recipient wanted a different pairing (DiNozzo/McGee) and had other requests. However, IF I had pulled a recipient who had requested a Gibbs/DiNozzo holiday-themed story, they would have gotten this. I had a brief thought that IF my Santa had dropped out, I might have to use this as a story for me, LOL! No one would ever guess that I had written it, if I was the recipient! Tony agrees to spend Christmas with Gibbs at the cabin. When Tony fails to return from a walk on a snowy day, Gibbs goes out to search for him. Rose_malmaison also created beautiful artwork for this story! The art was added 01/23/2016. This is also loosely tied to one of my 2016 SeSa stories, Paw Prints.
12) Healed By Moonlight with 243 kudos, 12/09/2018 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (35,176 words)
This is the first of my 2018 stories to make the list. I still feel the three stories I wrote in 2018 are three of the best I've ever written, so I'm glad to see one of them getting enough kudos to be in my top 15 list. I am not a fan of supernatural things or MPregs. I never would have suspected I would write either of those things and in 2018, I wrote each. And could not be more pleased with the results. So this one has shapeshifters and vampires, oh my! It is also a crossover with Criminal Minds. I loved making Tony and Morgan buddies. In this, Tony is kidnapped and both his NCIS team, plus the FBI's BAU team search for Tony. In this year's Happy Holiday's Challenge, one of my Christmas wishes was for artwork for this story and I'm so thrilled that Starwatcher307 did an amazing job, and created artwork that was very close to what I imagined, without us ever discussing it!
13) On Your Six, Boss with 228 kudos, 02/14/2010 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (4,906 words)
This is another surprise! This was my first standalone NCIS story, written in early 2010. It has risen to the ranks to finally make the top 15. It is an alternate take of Gibbs and Tony's first meeting. Gibbs goes to Baltimore looking for a new partner, and offers the job to Tony.
14-TIE) Broken 224 kudos, 09/09/16 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (33,683 words)
This story remains tied for the 14th slot, although it's tied with a different story (it was previously tied with Wyoming ). This was my Big Bang story from 2016. My first one. The one I struggled over for months. While Table For Two was my second Big Bang of that year, which I wrote in 5 days or so. At any rate, I'm super proud of this one as it is my first Crossover with Criminal Minds and NCIS: New Orleans. I think it turned out really well, and am very happy with my portrayals of the characters from all three series. In this one, Tony gets kidnapped from a vacation in New Orleans. Tony getting kidnapped stories seem to be popular ones! In this one, he is beaten and raped. Gibbs immediately heads to New Orleans when he finds out Tony is missing, but Fornell catches up to him at the airport and insists on getting the FBI's BAU team involved. Pride and Fornell try to keep Gibbs out of Hotchner's way. I later wrote a prequel for this, which I finished writing this year. It's called Fragile, and is mostly Tony/Hotchner - when Tony was just out of high school and in need of training.
14-TIE) The Gypsy Prince with 224 kudos, 12/30/2017 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (7,898 words)
This story is making its debut in the top 15. This was written in 2017 as a stocking stuffer for Cutsycat. It's a story I had a lot of fun writing and was quite happy with the result. I'm glad to see it in the top 15. It actually got over a hundred hits in the first few days, but it wasn't enough to make the top 15 list. Abby takes Gibbs to a psychic for a reading - and the following months turn out quite interesting as the psychic's prediction comes true.
Notes:
In 2019, I wrote and posted 10 stories, which is quite an increase from 2018. However, the three stories I wrote in 2018 have a total of 167,178 words, while the ten stories from last year only have a total of 94,762 words, so more stories, but fewer words. However, I did finish up a couple of my old WIPs.
# 25 - Second Chances with 182 kudos, 01/01/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (4447 words)
This was at least half-written in 2018, but was finished and posted on New Year's day last year. Another bunny that wanted to be written.
# 29 - Piano Man with 165 kudos, 09/07/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (1806 words)
I'd started this in 2016, but never finished it. I decided I wanted to clear out my old bunnies. It's probably a lot shorter than my original thought for it, but it happens.
# 31 - Winning Bid with 164 kudos, 07/14/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (5686 words)
This charming piece was inspired by artwork from Red_Pink_Dots and a prompt from Cutsycat. I had fun weaving the two together.
# 32 - Holding On with 162 kudos, 08/14/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (43,276 words)
This was my first Big Bang story of the year and has bucked the tradition of my second story usually being more popular. I got a bunny for this when I was posting my Big Bang story of 2018, but didn't start writing it until later. I'm very happy with how this turned out, but a bit disappointed it didn't do better. However, I'd say that about all of my 2018 stories. Sometimes I have to remind myself that just because a story is one of my favorites, doesn't mean other people will feel the same way. Bonus with this is the amazing artwork created by Red_Pink_Dots. This is a crossover with NCIS: New Orleans
# 42 - Piano Man II with 116 kudos, 09/21/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (1892 words)
This came about because some people grumbled about the team barging in on Gibbs and Tony's couples time. Of course, when I posted this one, some people complained that the team was getting cut out. Can't please everyone. I have no intention of doing a third story for this series!
# 48 - Christmas In Stillwater with 95 kudos, 12/24/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (2519 words)
I wanted to write something for Geminiangel64 because she'd missed the sign-ups for this year's NCIS SeSa challenge. And then she fulfilled all 24 advent prompts for the Happy Holidays Challenge and I really wanted to write her something! Cute Christmas fluff! I'm glad that most people seem to enjoy this one.
# 60 - Operation Black Cat with 80 kudos, 11/17/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (20,951 words)
I wrote this for Cutsycat for the NCIS SeSa (Secret Santa) Challenge. I knew I was traveling for Thanksgiving and wanted to be done with my SeSa story by then, and I made it! I had a lot of fun putting this one together. It focuses on Tony around the time he was dating Jeanne. But it's the cat that was a lot of fun to create and have mess with Tony.
# 71 - Unsettled with 61 kudos, 08/15/2019 [Tony/Tim] (10,412 words)
This was my second Big Bang story for the year. I actually started this in 2014 as a gift for my beta, Naemi. As I was trying to wrap up some WIPs this year, I did manage to finish this one. This one features art by SexyCazzy.
# 72 - Traditions with 60 kudos, 11/30/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (2413 words)
I wrote this one while I was traveling for Thanksgiving! My brother put me up in a motel, so I had me-time in the evenings to write. I wrote this for the Happy Holidays Challenge for the "one-horse open sleigh" theme.
# 76 - In Another World with 50 kudos, 12/24/2019 [Tony & Trent (Gen)] (1360 words)
My final story for 2019. This was written for Cutsycat, to fulfill her holiday wish. It's sort of an alternate take on what happened around Tali. And in this one, it turns out that Tony isn't her biological father, but Kort has an idea.
Now, what do you imagine 2020 will bring?
Top 15 AO3 PopSlash stories based on Kudos:
It's interesting to see the change in the kudos for these older stories. I've only moved about 1/3 of my PopSlash stories over to AO3, so 2/3s of the stories don't even have a chance to make the list at this point. When I first started posted the older stories to AO3, I had several with only 1-2 kudos. It's nice to see a few of them slowly breaking out of the pack. I started by posting my favorites over here, but if any PopSlash fans have a favorite of mine that isn't on AO3, please let me know. I'd be happy to move any of them over. It's just not a priority.
1) The Bassk Club 33 kudos, 12/22/03
[Multiple pairings, includes: Chris/Justin, JC/Lance, Lance/Justin, Joey/Justin, (implied) Chris/Joey, JC/Joey] (26,051 words)
This remains # 1 . This was the 4th fandom story I ever wrote. I'm actually surprised to see it having the most kudos. It did not make my list of Author's favorites, LOL. Lance runs a kink club and purchases Justin and Lance from a pimp.
2) Chris' Cave 21 kudos, 12/18/03
[Multiple pairings, includes: Chris/Joey, Chris/JC, Chris/Justin, JC/Justin, JC/Joey, Lance/Justin, Joey/Justin] (20,418 words)
In 2014, this was the # 1 story, in 2015 it was tied for 1st. In 2016 it slipped to # 2 and remains there. This was my first ever fan fic written. I always thought it would be my favorite. It may still be my favorite popslash story, but one of my NCIS stories has taken over my favorite fan fic slot. It's an AU (as most of my popslash is). Maybe it's futuristic. Sort of a cave man thing only much more thoughtful and articulate. Primitive society where young men are thrown out of their clans once they show signs of becoming mature (or at least sexually mature). Five young men find each other and begin a bachelor clan of their own.
3) Lion Around 15 kudos, 10/19/08 [Chris/JC] (4342 words)
This remains in # 3. This story is also near and dear to my heart. It's one of the few stories I have that ever won an award and it won two for the 2008 Pop!Tober Challenge, Best Love Story and Reader's Choice . One of my favorite things about it is that it comes full circle. I'm not one that plans my stories out much, nor do I do much editing. I start writing and whatever comes out is what you get. I'm surprised how often the perfect ending just comes to me. I absolutely love how this one turned out. JC is heartbroken when Chris leaves him, but finds his heart through a plushie lion Chris gave him.
4) Mighty Wind 14 kudos, 03/16/04
[Multiple pairings, includes: Chris/Joey, Chris/JC, Chris/Justin, JC/Lance, JC/Justin, JC/Joey, Lance/Justin, Joey/Justin] (33,771 words)
This remains # 4. This is the sequel to Chris' Cave . I love it almost as much as it's predecessor. In this one, I like the growth & development of Lance. He changes from a shy kid into a leader & a hunter, able to stand up for himself & care for others. And of course, I love the horses! And Justin finally gets to see his mom again. And I love Chris' dedication, really how dedicated they all are, to JC.
5-TIE) A Centaur’s Journey 12 kudos, 12/22/08 [Chris/Joey, Joey/Kelly] (15,458 words)
Moved up from # 8-TIE last year. This is one of my favorite of my PopSlash stories. This was a backup assignment for the 2008 PopSlash Secret Santa. I've always mentioned that I wrote this 15K story in 3 days. While I suppose that is correct, I didn't get the assignment until Friday night, and finished writing Sunday afternoon. So it was, in fact, written within 48 hours. I worked a bit Friday night, and a lot on Saturday and Sunday. I had 3 betas go over it (it was last minute and I was afraid someone might not come through). They all sent the files back the following day, and I remember staying up all night long editing. It was my fault that SeSa was a little late going live that year. I hope it was work it. Someone actually guessed that Ninjetti had written this. I much admire him as a writer, so that always thrilled me that someone thought he had written this. Still does! This is a magical story (to me anyway). A mixture of fantasy and Greek mythology/history with Chris as a zephyr intrigued with the earthbound beings, especially a centaur soldier (Joey) who is traveling home on leave after being injured in battle. Traveling with Joey is another injured soldier, Lance, a human archer. Chris engages his friends JC (a dream nymph) and Justin (a sunbeam) to assist him in courting Joey.
5-TIE) The Proof Isn’t Always In The Pudding 12 kudos, 12/11/07 [JC/Lance, Brian/Nick] (25,371 words)
This remains tied for 5th. Written for 2007 MTYG PopSlash SeSa. It is my first PopSlash SeSa story to make this list. The most notable thing to me is that, I don't know anything, really, about BSB beyond their names. I actually did a lot of research to try to get them right in this. I think it turned out pretty well. College AU meets murder mystery.
7-TIE) Crazy For You 10 kudos, 01/11/2004 [Chris/JC] (5304 words)
This one is making its debut on the list. I have always loved this one. It's so much fun! It's fun and full of craziness that is Chris and cute adorableness that is JC.
7-TIE) Hidden In Plain View 10 kudos, 03/05/05 [JC/Justin, Lance/Joey] (4514 words)
This has slipped from being tied for 5th the past three years. I like the whole atmosphere in this one, the tenderness, the vulnerability. And Lance & Joey *sneaking* around together *G*.
9-TIE) Sunshine, Dreams And Unseen Things 9 kudos, 03/23/04 [Chris/JC]
This was in a tie last year for places 8-10. This is the sequel to Roadways . I had originally thought of doing a third installment, but never did. I guess too many other bunnies got in the way!
9-TIE) Superstar 5 kudos, 02/03/04 [Lance/Justin, Lance/JC] (6875 words)
This was in a tie last year for places 8-10. This is the beginning of one of my favorite series. As usually, my muse was doing everything in it's power to get Chris and JC together, LOL. Lance is thrilled when he finds out his boyfriend knows his idol, JC Chasez.
9-TIE) Timberlake Café 9 kudos, 12/18/03 [JC/Lance, JC/Chris, JC/Justin]
This was in a tie last year for places 8-10. It is now alone at # 7. This one was my 2nd ever completed fandom story. Lance thinks he’s in a relationship with JC, but learns the truth when they both end up working together at the Timberlake Café. JC is a slut.
9-TIE)Stranded: Where Time Stands Still 9 kudos, 09/23/08 [Lance/Justin, Chris/Joey, JC/Chris/Joey] (23,103 words)
I'm glad to see this one making ground! I've always liked this one. It was originally intended for a PopSlash Big Bang. But here's want happened. Back then I was incredibly impatient to post stories. If they were done, I wanted to post them that day or the following day. I'd written this in about 3 weeks and was ready to go. And I had to sit on it. About a month after it was done, the mod posted a posting schedule. This was the first big bang I had ever signed up for and it original said that stories were to be posted Nov 1st. But this new post had it alphabetically not by pen name (Jacie), but by journal name (syncalot), so that put me not posting until December. I knew people would be writing their SeSas then and it wouldn't get read. I tried to talk the mod into giving me an earlier slot and she refused. I mean, I was DONE and many others were still struggling to write, but she wouldn't even discuss giving me an earlier slot even when I pointed out what she posted for the challenge was a go-live date of Nov 1st. She never explained that all stories wouldn't be posted on that date. This was her first challenge as mod (as far as I could tell) so there wasn't a previous year to go to and see that everyone posted on different dates. She basically said if I didn't like it, I could drop out. So I dropped out before entering the story for the art claim. A lot of people dropped out, and those who didn't said they got little or no reads or feedback. I still do not regret dropping out. Anyway, I really liked this story, and wound up posting it for Halloween. I consider it a *ghost* story. But it's one you almost have to read twice to really catch it. JC, Lance and Justin find themselves stranded on an uninhabited island and later find that two others, Chris and Joey, had been shipwrecked across the island years before. I had some good feedback from a couple people and still really like this story.
13-15 Tied with 8 kudos each:
Roadways 8 kudos, 02/19/04 [Chris/JC]
Another one of my favorites. Probably one of my better written popslash stories. Chris picks up two hitchhikers, JC and Lance, while on his way to California.
Falling Star 8 kudos, 04/03/04 [Chris/JC] (6955 words)
New to the list this year. This is the second story in the Star Series. It is the sequel to Superstar, wherein JC goes on vacation, Chris plots, Joey cooks, Lance obsesses and Justin tries to forgive.
Shining Star 8 kudos, 04/04/04 [Chris/JC] (4510 words)
This is the third story in the Star Series, following Superstar & Falling Star.
JC takes Chris out to Lunch.