My top stories on AO3 2023
Happy New Year!
This appears to be another year of shakeups on my list! Seems to be a lot of swaps this year, such as Vanished has knocked Ziva David Is Not My Lover from it's long residence in the # 2 slot.
Top 20 AO3 NCIS stories based on Kudos:
I now have 135 NCIS stories posted, so these are roughly the top 20%. I've decided to add some entries to keep it at 20%. *shrugs*
1) SOLD! with 1067 kudos, 11/05/2017 -
(started in 2010 - completed 2017) [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (263,069 words)
This continues to hold the # 1 slot.
My first and only story to get over 1000 kudos!
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. 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) Vanished with 811 kudos, 06/16/2021 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (18,433 words)
This is my only story that made it into the top 20 the year it was written (2021), ranked at 19. This year, it's jumped up to the # 2 slot, finally kicking out Ziva David Is Not My Lover! Last year Vanished was part of the "500" kudos club and now has made it into the "800"+ kudos club! I suspect in a couple more years, this one could overtake SOLD!
While I did start writing Melancholy Man first, however, as I already had artwork done for it, I wanted to make sure I had a summary to submit for the NCIS Big Bang art claims. So I stopped writing MM and started on this one. I've noticed how stories based on the Dead Air episode seem popular, so I thought I'd put my only little twist on it. And hey, it's in the top 20 the year it was written!
When Ziva and McGee turn off the monitors, Tony is abducted. The FBI's BAU team (Criminal Minds) is brought in to investigate. Fornell tries to run interference between Gibbs and Hotch. Gibbs doesn't care who the case is assigned to, he wants Tony found ASAP and has no intention of sitting around doing nothing.
This was the 3rd of 3 summaries claimed, but Red_Pink_Dots did a great job, inspired by the Bull artwork.
3) Ziva David Is Not My Lover with 740 kudos, 05/23/2016 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (5871 words)
This story has finally been bumped out of the # 2 slot. Although, it has now joined the 700+ kudos club.
I wrote two Tony leaving NCIS stories in May 2016. Personally, I prefer the other one You Don't Waste Good, 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.
4) Melancholy Man with 609 kudos, 08/11/2021 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (28,219 words)
This story was # 5 last year. It has jumped to the # 4 slot. Last year it was part of the "400" kudos club and now has made it into the "600"+ kudos club!
This is my second Big Bang story of the year, inspired by a piece of artwork I originally created for the RB. However, Muse made grabby hands and wanted to keep this one. This is my favorite of my 2021 stories. In this story, Gibbs appears to turn on Tony, so Tony leaves. And Gibbs goes after him, determined to bring Tony back to DC. Like Vanished, which was also written last year, this story has made it into the top 10 in its second year.
5) Table For Two with 510 kudos, 07/31/2016 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (18656 words)
This dropped from the # 4 slot to the # 5 slot. While this story continues a slow downward slide, it did join the "500" kudos club this year.
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.
6) Healed By Moonlight with 493 kudos, 12/09/2018 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (35,176 words)
This story has jumped from the # 7 slot last year, to # 6 this year. It has been on a steady rise. It remains my most popular SeSa story.
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 10 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 the 2019 Happy Holidays 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!
7) Call Me Tony with 478 kudos, 09/10/13 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (11,784 words)
This story has dropped from the # 6 slot last year.
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.
8) Paw Prints with 464 kudos, 12/23/16 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (6183 words)
This one has held onto its # 8 slot for the second year.
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. 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!
9) Pencis: When Tony Met Jethro with 453 kudos, 08/09/14 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (12,529 words)
This one has held onto its # 9 slot for the second year.
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.
10) Lost At Sea with 430 kudos, 01/19/2020 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (13,110 words)
This story has finally made the top 10! It was debuted tied for #14, but has held the # 11 slot for the last two years. It has also made the "400" kudos club.
Wow! This is my first story in a few years to make the top 15 the year it was posted. If I had known it would be so popular, I might have used it for the 2020 Big Bang Challenge!
So this story, this was a bunny from early 2014. I've been on a kick the last couple of years to try to finish up some of my WIPs. I have gone from 7 WIPs to 1. Yes, only ONE left. Perhaps I'll wrap that up one year. For this one, I was thinking more Tom Hanks Castaway. However, before I got to writing this, NCIS put out "Twenty Klicks" with McGee and Gibbs being in a helicopter crash and having to survive. It's not the same, but I had my bunny months before that aired. I'll give credit where credit is due, but that episode did not inspire this story at all. It did cause me to put the story on the back burner because of the similarities.
Then last year, I decided to dust that little bunny off and work on it. I didn't think much of it, but it turned out to be pretty popular.
11) It All Started With A Burrito with 424 kudos, 12/20/2015 [DiNozzo/McGee] (11,425 words)
This one dropped from # 10 to # 11.
I'm still shocked and stunned to see this one in the top 10 (as I'm known as being a Gibbs/DiNozzo writer)! It's by far my most popular Tony/Tim story. This was my NCIS SeSa story from 2015 and was my most popular SeSa story for a few years. It's now my 3rd most popular SeSa story. 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.
12) Holding On 403 kudos, 08/14/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (43,276 words)
This story has jumped from # 13 up to #12. It has also made the "400" kudos club.
In 2019, this one debuted # 32. In 2020 it got into the top 20 at # 19. Last year, it made the top 15.
It seems like I often get ideas for Big Bang stories in the fall. I probably heard the song on the radio and couldn't get it out of my head. And I thought I could build a BB story around it. In October, I got the visual of sad Tony standing on a beach. That image stayed with me, and I eventually wrote it. This is a mostly Tony-centric story with a cool twist. It features LaSalle and Pride from NCIS: New Orleans. Basically, Tony and Gibbs had a relationship, and Tony was heartbroken when Gibbs was in the explosion and no longer remembered they were together. When Tony's Mustang explodes, he calls in a favor to be sent undercover and to be officially pronounced dead. Eventually, Gibbs finds out Tony is alive, this one also has an interesting twist at the end. I often don't have a clue how my stories will end until it hits me. And when it hits, I know, *THAT* is how this story is supposed to go. I thought this one might be too depressing for many, but I suppose it also has a message of hope.
13) The Gypsy Prince with 399 kudos, 12/30/2017 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (7,898 words)
This story dropped from # 12 to # 13. And with 399 kudos it's just shy of making that elusive 400 kudos club. Probably will get there in 2024.
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 the year it was posted. Abby takes Gibbs to a psychic for a reading - and the following months turn out quite interesting as the psychic's prediction comes true. And it features a really cool cat or two!
14) The Contract with 391 kudos, 08/10/14 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (31,130 words)
This one remains at # 14.
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. 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.
15) Operation Black Cat with 384 kudos, 11/17/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (20,954 words)
This one was # 80 the year it was written, but it's always tough for stories posted in December to get very far. It made it to the top 20 in 2021, and has risen from # 16 to # 15.
This was my SeSa for 2019. I drew Cutsycat, and we both like cats. It's a fair bet she'll like something with a kitty cat in it. And she likes Trent Kort. This story has both! I worked in Tony surveilling Kort at the airport and a cat hops into his car. I had so much fun creating this kitty cat! He does his share of messing with Tony, and of course, while Tony is frustrated with him at first, he worries about him when the cat disappears.
16) When Dreams Come True with 381 kudos, 12/18/16 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (18,224 words)
This one also dropped a slot and is now # 15.
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!
17) The Right Choice with 374 kudos, 10/31/20 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (6391 words)
This one jumped from slot #19 last year to # 17 this year.
The artwork this story was based on was offered for the 2019 Reverse Bang Challenge. I didn't claim it, but it was on my list. It was not claimed as part of the challenge. Early 2019 was very rough for me as both of my parents were declared demented. I spent much of my time caring for them, while also keeping up my own house and a full-time job, often working overtime. I was exhausted and couldn't think about fanfic during that time, but I kept thinking about the artwork. About a year and a half later, I completed the story and asked the artist if I could still use the artwork. She was agreeable! This story is about when Ziva wanted Gibbs to choose between her and Tony. As the title indicates, Gibbs made the right choice.
18) The Cabin Christmas Story with 362 kudos, 11/15/2015 (posted 12/22/2015) [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (4712 words)
This one has dropped from slot # 11 in 2019 to tied for 14 in 2020. In 2021 it dropped another slot to # 15. It's now dropped another slot to # 18, but it's still in the top 20!
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 two years, but seems to slip each year since then. 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 (don't feel bad for my recipient, her Tony/Tim request has held the # 6 slot for a couple of years, It All Started With A Burrito). 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.
19) On Your Six, Boss with 360 kudos, 02/14/2010 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (4,906 words)
This has dropped one more slot from # 18 to # 19.
This was my first standalone NCIS story, written in early 2010. It has risen to the ranks to finally make the top 15 in 2019. 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.
20) Whisper In The Wind
336 kudos, 03/31/18 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (64,363 words)
This story has risen from the # 22 slot last year to # 20, so it is making it's debut in the top 20 list, knocking out Broken.
Last year, it was at exactly 300 kudos when I did the stat sheet for 2023.
This was my Reverse Bang story from 2018. I remember that year being mesmerized by Rose_Malmaison's beautiful artwork, which included horses. I LOVE horses. I love writing about horses. Plus, I'd been thinking about re-writing the series story where Gibbs and Tim are held hostage on the ship. I love Tony. I love writing Tony. So, I wanted to write a story where Gibbs and Tim are rescued by Tony! Seeing the horses in the artwork, plus Tim with his facial hair, it all just clicked. This was a very easy story for me to write. It's long for a Reverse Bang story, where we only have three months of writing time. But I had images coming to me every week, so every weekend, I would read and edit what I already had and I would add another chapter. The story is 11 chapters total, and I generally consider this to be the BEST fandom story I've ever written. I'm THRILLED to see it's finally made it to the top 20!
Anyway, Tony rescues Gibbs and Tim, but they're both still having issues, so they're sent out to Colorado for therapy, and Tony goes along with them. It wasn't really planned out, but as the story was written, the two horses in the image almost mirrored Gibbs and Tim in some ways. And while Tony is there to help Gibbs and Tim, Gibbs ends up saving Tony as well. So yeah, I'm really very proud of this one and will always cherish it.
2023 quick reference:
Notes:
In 2023, I wrote and posted 33 stories, and created artwork 6 pieces of artwork.
# 61 - Escorting Abby
181 kudos, 4/16/2023, [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (10,140 words). Written for the 2024 Reverse Bang.
I didn't originally claim this piece. However, the claimant had to drop from the challenge, so I picked it up last-minute, and wrote it in 4-5 days. Basically, Tony is assigned to escort Abby to court. They're run off the road, abducted, held hostage, escape and are able to call Gibbs to come to their rescue.
Beta'd by Rose_Malmaison, Artwork was by Hinky_Hippo
# 65 - Never Let Go Crossover with Criminal Minds
164 kudos, 7/24/2023, [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (43,001 words). Written for the 2023 Big Bang (3rd story).
So it's a story where Tony is supposedly on vacation with his frat brothers, but he's not there when Gibbs goes to pick him up. Gibbs, Tim, Fornell and Morgan and Dave Rossi of the BAU all go looking for Tony together. The first 6 chapters are Gibbs' POV. The next 6 chapters is the same timeframe, but from Tony's POV. Then everything is resolved in the last two chapters. IMHO, this is my best story of 2023. I'd done the original banner for the 2022 RB, but my Muse made grabby hands for it. I didn't have time to write a second Big Bang last year, because the one I wrote was over 60K. So I saved this thought and began writing it in 2023. I did still finish my other TWO 2024 Big Bang stories first so I could put them up for the claims.
# 73 - Casting Lines
140 kudos, 5/13/2023 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (8,851 words)
So this one, I was concerned we may have more artists than summaries (2022 NCIS Big Bang). I wanted something to offer if that were the case and all artists wanted to participate (like last year, when I offered up Temping Poses). I wasn't happy with where this one was. Also, I knew it was headed in the 5000 Micro-Bang level, and all the other stories are over 20K this year. I really had no interest in submitting a crappy 5K story in that field. My plan was to wrap it up in time to post for Father's Day in June. I made it, YAY!
Gibbs and Tony invite their dads to go fishing over Father’s Day weekend and decide to share the news that they are a couple.
# 75 - The Pup Tent
135 kudos, 5/16/2023, [Anthony DiNozzo/Jethro, GibbsAnthony DiNozzo & Timothy McGee & Jimmy Palmer] (3,911 words)
While I didn't have any really strong feelings for the 2023 NCIS Reverse Bang Challenge, I did feel I could write a story for most pieces. I did decide to stand back and let other people make their choices first. I looked over the pieces left and decided I would pick up this very nice Tim & Jimmy camping piece. I loved the artwork, but Tim and Jimmy are background characters for me. I don't tend to focus stories on them. But I was all set to claim the piece. But then I heard someone else wanted to claim it as their second story. I let them claim it. I knew they'd do a better job remaining true to the artwork and what the artist would like to see. I was pretty confident I would manage to twist it into a Gibbs/DiNozzo story despite them not being featured in the artwork. So yes, a lovely story was written for the piece, with Tim and Jimmy bonding over camping with their kids. However, since I had a bunny hopping around my head, I decided to write it anyway. And this is it!
Jim and Tim bond over being fathers and Tony feels left out. Eventually, he claims to be watching “Charlie” for his recently divorced neighbor (Calli) in the afternoons until she is home from work. Unsure if Tony is actually being truthful, they invite him to bring “Charlie” on a camping trip along with Tim’s twins, and Jimmy’s daughter.
# 76 - Death Runs in the Family
134 kudos, 6/12/2023, [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (20,930) Written for the 2023 Big Bang (2nd story).
TBH as this is a case fic, I expected THIS story to be at the bottom of the BB pile. It's actually the second to the bottom. I'm happy with the story IF you enjoy case fics created by the author and not rewrites of a series case. So, it is what it is.
# 94 When Worlds Collide
6/7/2023, 109 kudos, [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (20,930). Written for the 2023 Big Bang (1st story).
I'm not sure why this story wasn't received better. People like Tony, right? There are TEN Tonys in the story! It seems very Tony-centric to me. But yeah, what a bomb. It's the least popular Big Bang story this year out of 11 and hasn't even garnered 100 kudos in nearly three months. *sigh*
# 107 - The Day Ari Went Down (To Hell) Crossover with Ghosts (US TV)
63 kudos, 5/28/2023, [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (2,905 words)
One of the readers left a lovely comment on my Ghost!Kate story and suggested that I write a story about Ari (In the Kate story, it is revealed that Ghost!Ari is on Gibbs' property).
After assisting Kate to ascend, Tony decides to confront Ari Haswari's ghost.
# 108 - How Kate Got Off Sucked Off (The Rooftop) Crossover with Ghosts (US TV)
62 kudos, 5/24/2023, [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (5,367 words)
I don't know why the idea suddenly hit me, but I got the idea that if Tony can now see and communicate with ghosts, he'd certainly see if he could track down Kate and hopefully help her ascend.
After meeting the ghosts at Woodstone Manor, and finding the ghost of Mike Franks living at Gibbs' house, Tony decides to return to the rooftop where Kate was shot and does indeed find her ghost there. After another visit to Woodstone Manor to talk to Samantha, Tony tries to help Kate get 'sucked off' (ascend) from the rooftop.
# 111 The Christmas Cat Complication 33 kudos, 11/5/2023, [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (11,448 words). Written for 2023 SeSa.
With a field of 8, I drew longtime friend cutsycat. I've written 2 SeSa stories for her previously, Paw Prints (a backup story in 2016) and Operation Black Cat (2019). Both based around cats who found themselves in Tony's life. Like those other stories, The Christmas Cat Complication deals with Tony rescuing a pair of kittens. Although, it seems cat stories have fallen out of favor with general readers. I don't mind. Writing cats into stories is a lot of fun and I know Cutsycat will always appreciate a good cat story. *G*
Beta'd by Rose_Malmaison.
This last group is a series I wrote for the Happy Holidays Challenge. I call it, "Memories of Ducky".
They all run from 500-2700 words. I think the whole series is right around 24K. In kudos, they range from 12-29.
I basically just wanted to write something for Ducky, and inspiration hit for the HHC Advent challenge. They're written so they can be read as stand-alone, but can also be read as a continuing story. While there are a couple of implied relationships, these can all be read as GEN if you prefer. If you want to read the series in order, just start with The Party Begins and you can click forward through the series from there.
They're all holiday-themed and the series begins with Jimmy hosting a party where he has created a book with stories and photos of Ducky he's gathered from the others. Tony flies in to visit and he is staying with Nick. A group goes to a parade. Gibbs invites Tony to spend a few days with him at his cabin. They bring back a tree for Nick's apartment. Jimmy allows Victoria to adopt a pair of kittens, one is a gift from Ducky that he'd arranged shortly before his death. And then Parker hosts a Christmas Eve party at his apartment, with some help from Kasie. The final story is Gibbs, Tony and Nick, and is a follow-up to an earlier Christmas story I'd written in 2016 called Christmas Angel. But again, each story can be read as a stand-alone. The main tie-in is an original character, an orphan named Kendall whom Bishop helped get adopted in the 2016 story.
# 112 - The Duck Pond Memorial [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 113 - No Two Exactly Alike [Anthony DiNozzo/Nick Torres](HHC 2023)
# 114T - The Party Begins [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 114T - Tony’s Baby Grand [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 116 - Ducky’s Charity and Scholarships [Anthony DiNozzo/Nick Torres] (HHC 2023)
# 117T - A Ducky Sweater [Anthony DiNozzo/Nick Torres] (HHC 2023)
# 117T - A Tree for Nick’s Apartment [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 119 - Musical Notes Falling [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 120/T4 - The Bourbon and the Christmas Elves [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 120/T4 - The Midnight Toast [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 120/T4 - The Holiday Parade and the Grumpy Elf [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 120/T4 - Ducky and the Proper Earl Gray Tea [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 124/TT - The Keepsake [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 124/TT - Jubilant Indeed [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 124/TT - Ducky, Forever in Our Hearts [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 127/T4 - The Italian Gigolo and the Pack of Yapping Hounds [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 127/T4 - A Santa Hat and a Snow Shovel [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 127/T4 - Christmas Stockings and a Sofa Bed [Anthony DiNozzo/Nick Torres] (HHC 2023)
# 127/T4 - Mango Grinch and Apple Max [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 131T - Vintage Cards and Memories Past [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 131T - The Earth Touches Us All [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 133T - Going Down a Slippery Slope [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 133T - The Festive Corpse [Anthony DiNozzo/Nick Torres] (HHC 2023)
# 135 - The Kiss of a Prince [Jimmy Palmer/Jessica Knight] (HHC 2023)
Art for 3 stories:
I created art for 3 stories this year.
# 7 - Artwork for Never Let Go by Jacie [56 kudos]
# 11-TIE - Artwork for Artwork for When One Door Closes, Another Door Opens by Aussiefan70 [38 kudos]
# 14-TIE - Artwork for Riptide by Fulltobursting [35 kudos]
I also created three pieces of artwork for the Happy Holidays Challenge. These were posted with a handful of the stories, but are not assigned to any specific stories.
Holiday Airtwork
Top 3 Art pieces by kudos:
And because, why not? My top 3 (of 13) pieces of artwork by kudos:
# 1 - From 2021 - Artwork for Melancholy Man by Jacie3 [123 kudos]
# 2 - From 2021 - Artwork for The Sound of Silence by by phoenixrising01 [73 kudos]
# 3 - From 2021 - Artwork for The War Within by Cutsycat [68 kudos]
Now, what do you imagine 2024 will bring?
Top 16 AO3 PopSlash stories based on Kudos:
These shifted around a bit, but the same group of stories.
1) The Bassk Club 54 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. I'm still baffled it's my most popular PopSlash story these days. 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 53 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 fanfic 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 fanfic slot. It's an AU (as most of my popslash is). Maybe it's futuristic. Sort of a caveman 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 - TIE) Lion Around 39 kudos, 10/19/08 [Chris/JC] (4342 words)
This is now tied for # 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.
3 - TIE) Mighty Wind 35 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 is now tied for # 3, moving up from # 4 last year. 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) Crazy For You 31 kudos, 01/11/2004 [Chris/JC] (5304 words)
This is now tied for # 5, moving up from the #6 slot. This one is made its debut on the list in 2019. 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.
5 - TIE) The Proof Isn’t Always In The Pudding 31 kudos, 12/11/07 [JC/Lance, Brian/Nick] (25,371 words)
This is now tied for # 5, moving up from the #7 slot. 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. I was quite proud of it when I wrote it. College AU meets murder mystery.
7) A Centaur’s Journey 30 kudos, 12/22/08 [Chris/Joey, Joey/Kelly] (15,458 words)
This has dropped from # 5 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 worth 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.
8) Stranded: Where Time Stands Still 26 kudos, 09/23/08 [Lance/Justin, Chris/Joey, JC/Chris/Joey] (23,103 words)
This remains in the # 8 slot. I've always liked this one. It was originally intended for a PopSlash Big Bang. But here's what 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 originally 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.
9) Sunshine, Dreams And Unseen Things 23 kudos, 03/23/04 [Chris/JC]
This remains in the # 9 slot. 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!
10) Roadways 21 kudos, 02/19/04 [Chris/JC]
This remains in the # 10 slot. 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.
11 - TIE) 2424 18 kudos, 08/04/08 [Lance/JC, Chris/Joey] (6583 words)
This was alone at the # 11 slot last year. I have really come to love this story. I lost the original version, which was much more detailed, in a computer crash. But I was writing this for a Basez Day challenge and had to get it done. I am quite please with how it turned out. It's different, alternating between Lance and JC. In this one, I really like the futuristic world. JC and Lance aren't allowed to be a couple due to their society's rules, but their love is too strong. They won't give up on their relationship. I love Lance's determination in this story. I like that he won't give JC up for anything.
11 - TIE) Thanksgiving: TrickC Style 18 kudos, 11/24/05 [Chris/JC]
This was 14 last year. The third (and final) story in the Thankful Series. Another favorite of mine. Very sweet Chris.
14-TIE) Superstar 17 kudos, 02/03/04 [Lance/Justin, Lance/JC] (6875 words)
This was 2-way tie for the # 12 slot last year. This is the beginning of one of my favorite series. As usual, my muse was doing everything in its power to get Chris and JC together, LOL. Lance is thrilled when he finds out his boyfriend knows his idol, JC Chasez.
14-TIE) Falling Star 17 kudos, 04/03/04 [Chris/JC] (6955 words)
This was 2-way tie for the # 12 slot last year. New to the list in 2019. 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.
14-TIE) Shining Star 17 kudos, 04/04/04 [Chris/JC] (4510 words)
This was tied for # 15 last year. This is the third story in the Star Series, following Superstar & Falling Star.
JC takes Chris out to Lunch.
14-TIE) Hidden In Plain View 17 kudos, 03/05/05 [JC/Justin, Lance/Joey] (4514 words)
This was tied for # 15 last year. It gained 7 kudos, which may be the most on the list. I like the whole atmosphere in this one, the tenderness, the vulnerability. And Lance & Joey *sneaking* around together *G*.
Year In Fic 2023 on LJ
Year In Fic 2023 on DW
This appears to be another year of shakeups on my list! Seems to be a lot of swaps this year, such as Vanished has knocked Ziva David Is Not My Lover from it's long residence in the # 2 slot.
Top 20 AO3 NCIS stories based on Kudos:
I now have 135 NCIS stories posted, so these are roughly the top 20%. I've decided to add some entries to keep it at 20%. *shrugs*
1) SOLD! with 1067 kudos, 11/05/2017 -
(started in 2010 - completed 2017) [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (263,069 words)
This continues to hold the # 1 slot.
My first and only story to get over 1000 kudos!
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. 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) Vanished with 811 kudos, 06/16/2021 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (18,433 words)
This is my only story that made it into the top 20 the year it was written (2021), ranked at 19. This year, it's jumped up to the # 2 slot, finally kicking out Ziva David Is Not My Lover! Last year Vanished was part of the "500" kudos club and now has made it into the "800"+ kudos club! I suspect in a couple more years, this one could overtake SOLD!
While I did start writing Melancholy Man first, however, as I already had artwork done for it, I wanted to make sure I had a summary to submit for the NCIS Big Bang art claims. So I stopped writing MM and started on this one. I've noticed how stories based on the Dead Air episode seem popular, so I thought I'd put my only little twist on it. And hey, it's in the top 20 the year it was written!
When Ziva and McGee turn off the monitors, Tony is abducted. The FBI's BAU team (Criminal Minds) is brought in to investigate. Fornell tries to run interference between Gibbs and Hotch. Gibbs doesn't care who the case is assigned to, he wants Tony found ASAP and has no intention of sitting around doing nothing.
This was the 3rd of 3 summaries claimed, but Red_Pink_Dots did a great job, inspired by the Bull artwork.
3) Ziva David Is Not My Lover with 740 kudos, 05/23/2016 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (5871 words)
This story has finally been bumped out of the # 2 slot. Although, it has now joined the 700+ kudos club.
I wrote two Tony leaving NCIS stories in May 2016. Personally, I prefer the other one You Don't Waste Good, 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.
4) Melancholy Man with 609 kudos, 08/11/2021 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (28,219 words)
This story was # 5 last year. It has jumped to the # 4 slot. Last year it was part of the "400" kudos club and now has made it into the "600"+ kudos club!
This is my second Big Bang story of the year, inspired by a piece of artwork I originally created for the RB. However, Muse made grabby hands and wanted to keep this one. This is my favorite of my 2021 stories. In this story, Gibbs appears to turn on Tony, so Tony leaves. And Gibbs goes after him, determined to bring Tony back to DC. Like Vanished, which was also written last year, this story has made it into the top 10 in its second year.
5) Table For Two with 510 kudos, 07/31/2016 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (18656 words)
This dropped from the # 4 slot to the # 5 slot. While this story continues a slow downward slide, it did join the "500" kudos club this year.
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.
6) Healed By Moonlight with 493 kudos, 12/09/2018 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (35,176 words)
This story has jumped from the # 7 slot last year, to # 6 this year. It has been on a steady rise. It remains my most popular SeSa story.
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 10 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 the 2019 Happy Holidays 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!
7) Call Me Tony with 478 kudos, 09/10/13 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (11,784 words)
This story has dropped from the # 6 slot last year.
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.
8) Paw Prints with 464 kudos, 12/23/16 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (6183 words)
This one has held onto its # 8 slot for the second year.
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. 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!
9) Pencis: When Tony Met Jethro with 453 kudos, 08/09/14 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (12,529 words)
This one has held onto its # 9 slot for the second year.
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.
10) Lost At Sea with 430 kudos, 01/19/2020 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (13,110 words)
This story has finally made the top 10! It was debuted tied for #14, but has held the # 11 slot for the last two years. It has also made the "400" kudos club.
Wow! This is my first story in a few years to make the top 15 the year it was posted. If I had known it would be so popular, I might have used it for the 2020 Big Bang Challenge!
So this story, this was a bunny from early 2014. I've been on a kick the last couple of years to try to finish up some of my WIPs. I have gone from 7 WIPs to 1. Yes, only ONE left. Perhaps I'll wrap that up one year. For this one, I was thinking more Tom Hanks Castaway. However, before I got to writing this, NCIS put out "Twenty Klicks" with McGee and Gibbs being in a helicopter crash and having to survive. It's not the same, but I had my bunny months before that aired. I'll give credit where credit is due, but that episode did not inspire this story at all. It did cause me to put the story on the back burner because of the similarities.
Then last year, I decided to dust that little bunny off and work on it. I didn't think much of it, but it turned out to be pretty popular.
11) It All Started With A Burrito with 424 kudos, 12/20/2015 [DiNozzo/McGee] (11,425 words)
This one dropped from # 10 to # 11.
I'm still shocked and stunned to see this one in the top 10 (as I'm known as being a Gibbs/DiNozzo writer)! It's by far my most popular Tony/Tim story. This was my NCIS SeSa story from 2015 and was my most popular SeSa story for a few years. It's now my 3rd most popular SeSa story. 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.
12) Holding On 403 kudos, 08/14/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (43,276 words)
This story has jumped from # 13 up to #12. It has also made the "400" kudos club.
In 2019, this one debuted # 32. In 2020 it got into the top 20 at # 19. Last year, it made the top 15.
It seems like I often get ideas for Big Bang stories in the fall. I probably heard the song on the radio and couldn't get it out of my head. And I thought I could build a BB story around it. In October, I got the visual of sad Tony standing on a beach. That image stayed with me, and I eventually wrote it. This is a mostly Tony-centric story with a cool twist. It features LaSalle and Pride from NCIS: New Orleans. Basically, Tony and Gibbs had a relationship, and Tony was heartbroken when Gibbs was in the explosion and no longer remembered they were together. When Tony's Mustang explodes, he calls in a favor to be sent undercover and to be officially pronounced dead. Eventually, Gibbs finds out Tony is alive, this one also has an interesting twist at the end. I often don't have a clue how my stories will end until it hits me. And when it hits, I know, *THAT* is how this story is supposed to go. I thought this one might be too depressing for many, but I suppose it also has a message of hope.
13) The Gypsy Prince with 399 kudos, 12/30/2017 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (7,898 words)
This story dropped from # 12 to # 13. And with 399 kudos it's just shy of making that elusive 400 kudos club. Probably will get there in 2024.
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 the year it was posted. Abby takes Gibbs to a psychic for a reading - and the following months turn out quite interesting as the psychic's prediction comes true. And it features a really cool cat or two!
14) The Contract with 391 kudos, 08/10/14 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (31,130 words)
This one remains at # 14.
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. 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.
15) Operation Black Cat with 384 kudos, 11/17/2019 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (20,954 words)
This one was # 80 the year it was written, but it's always tough for stories posted in December to get very far. It made it to the top 20 in 2021, and has risen from # 16 to # 15.
This was my SeSa for 2019. I drew Cutsycat, and we both like cats. It's a fair bet she'll like something with a kitty cat in it. And she likes Trent Kort. This story has both! I worked in Tony surveilling Kort at the airport and a cat hops into his car. I had so much fun creating this kitty cat! He does his share of messing with Tony, and of course, while Tony is frustrated with him at first, he worries about him when the cat disappears.
16) When Dreams Come True with 381 kudos, 12/18/16 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (18,224 words)
This one also dropped a slot and is now # 15.
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!
17) The Right Choice with 374 kudos, 10/31/20 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (6391 words)
This one jumped from slot #19 last year to # 17 this year.
The artwork this story was based on was offered for the 2019 Reverse Bang Challenge. I didn't claim it, but it was on my list. It was not claimed as part of the challenge. Early 2019 was very rough for me as both of my parents were declared demented. I spent much of my time caring for them, while also keeping up my own house and a full-time job, often working overtime. I was exhausted and couldn't think about fanfic during that time, but I kept thinking about the artwork. About a year and a half later, I completed the story and asked the artist if I could still use the artwork. She was agreeable! This story is about when Ziva wanted Gibbs to choose between her and Tony. As the title indicates, Gibbs made the right choice.
18) The Cabin Christmas Story with 362 kudos, 11/15/2015 (posted 12/22/2015) [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (4712 words)
This one has dropped from slot # 11 in 2019 to tied for 14 in 2020. In 2021 it dropped another slot to # 15. It's now dropped another slot to # 18, but it's still in the top 20!
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 two years, but seems to slip each year since then. 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 (don't feel bad for my recipient, her Tony/Tim request has held the # 6 slot for a couple of years, It All Started With A Burrito). 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.
19) On Your Six, Boss with 360 kudos, 02/14/2010 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (4,906 words)
This has dropped one more slot from # 18 to # 19.
This was my first standalone NCIS story, written in early 2010. It has risen to the ranks to finally make the top 15 in 2019. 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.
20) Whisper In The Wind
336 kudos, 03/31/18 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (64,363 words)
This story has risen from the # 22 slot last year to # 20, so it is making it's debut in the top 20 list, knocking out Broken.
Last year, it was at exactly 300 kudos when I did the stat sheet for 2023.
This was my Reverse Bang story from 2018. I remember that year being mesmerized by Rose_Malmaison's beautiful artwork, which included horses. I LOVE horses. I love writing about horses. Plus, I'd been thinking about re-writing the series story where Gibbs and Tim are held hostage on the ship. I love Tony. I love writing Tony. So, I wanted to write a story where Gibbs and Tim are rescued by Tony! Seeing the horses in the artwork, plus Tim with his facial hair, it all just clicked. This was a very easy story for me to write. It's long for a Reverse Bang story, where we only have three months of writing time. But I had images coming to me every week, so every weekend, I would read and edit what I already had and I would add another chapter. The story is 11 chapters total, and I generally consider this to be the BEST fandom story I've ever written. I'm THRILLED to see it's finally made it to the top 20!
Anyway, Tony rescues Gibbs and Tim, but they're both still having issues, so they're sent out to Colorado for therapy, and Tony goes along with them. It wasn't really planned out, but as the story was written, the two horses in the image almost mirrored Gibbs and Tim in some ways. And while Tony is there to help Gibbs and Tim, Gibbs ends up saving Tony as well. So yeah, I'm really very proud of this one and will always cherish it.
2023 quick reference:
Notes:
In 2023, I wrote and posted 33 stories, and created artwork 6 pieces of artwork.
# 61 - Escorting Abby
181 kudos, 4/16/2023, [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (10,140 words). Written for the 2024 Reverse Bang.
I didn't originally claim this piece. However, the claimant had to drop from the challenge, so I picked it up last-minute, and wrote it in 4-5 days. Basically, Tony is assigned to escort Abby to court. They're run off the road, abducted, held hostage, escape and are able to call Gibbs to come to their rescue.
Beta'd by Rose_Malmaison, Artwork was by Hinky_Hippo
# 65 - Never Let Go Crossover with Criminal Minds
164 kudos, 7/24/2023, [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (43,001 words). Written for the 2023 Big Bang (3rd story).
So it's a story where Tony is supposedly on vacation with his frat brothers, but he's not there when Gibbs goes to pick him up. Gibbs, Tim, Fornell and Morgan and Dave Rossi of the BAU all go looking for Tony together. The first 6 chapters are Gibbs' POV. The next 6 chapters is the same timeframe, but from Tony's POV. Then everything is resolved in the last two chapters. IMHO, this is my best story of 2023. I'd done the original banner for the 2022 RB, but my Muse made grabby hands for it. I didn't have time to write a second Big Bang last year, because the one I wrote was over 60K. So I saved this thought and began writing it in 2023. I did still finish my other TWO 2024 Big Bang stories first so I could put them up for the claims.
# 73 - Casting Lines
140 kudos, 5/13/2023 [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (8,851 words)
So this one, I was concerned we may have more artists than summaries (2022 NCIS Big Bang). I wanted something to offer if that were the case and all artists wanted to participate (like last year, when I offered up Temping Poses). I wasn't happy with where this one was. Also, I knew it was headed in the 5000 Micro-Bang level, and all the other stories are over 20K this year. I really had no interest in submitting a crappy 5K story in that field. My plan was to wrap it up in time to post for Father's Day in June. I made it, YAY!
Gibbs and Tony invite their dads to go fishing over Father’s Day weekend and decide to share the news that they are a couple.
# 75 - The Pup Tent
135 kudos, 5/16/2023, [Anthony DiNozzo/Jethro, GibbsAnthony DiNozzo & Timothy McGee & Jimmy Palmer] (3,911 words)
While I didn't have any really strong feelings for the 2023 NCIS Reverse Bang Challenge, I did feel I could write a story for most pieces. I did decide to stand back and let other people make their choices first. I looked over the pieces left and decided I would pick up this very nice Tim & Jimmy camping piece. I loved the artwork, but Tim and Jimmy are background characters for me. I don't tend to focus stories on them. But I was all set to claim the piece. But then I heard someone else wanted to claim it as their second story. I let them claim it. I knew they'd do a better job remaining true to the artwork and what the artist would like to see. I was pretty confident I would manage to twist it into a Gibbs/DiNozzo story despite them not being featured in the artwork. So yes, a lovely story was written for the piece, with Tim and Jimmy bonding over camping with their kids. However, since I had a bunny hopping around my head, I decided to write it anyway. And this is it!
Jim and Tim bond over being fathers and Tony feels left out. Eventually, he claims to be watching “Charlie” for his recently divorced neighbor (Calli) in the afternoons until she is home from work. Unsure if Tony is actually being truthful, they invite him to bring “Charlie” on a camping trip along with Tim’s twins, and Jimmy’s daughter.
# 76 - Death Runs in the Family
134 kudos, 6/12/2023, [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (20,930) Written for the 2023 Big Bang (2nd story).
TBH as this is a case fic, I expected THIS story to be at the bottom of the BB pile. It's actually the second to the bottom. I'm happy with the story IF you enjoy case fics created by the author and not rewrites of a series case. So, it is what it is.
# 94 When Worlds Collide
6/7/2023, 109 kudos, [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (20,930). Written for the 2023 Big Bang (1st story).
I'm not sure why this story wasn't received better. People like Tony, right? There are TEN Tonys in the story! It seems very Tony-centric to me. But yeah, what a bomb. It's the least popular Big Bang story this year out of 11 and hasn't even garnered 100 kudos in nearly three months. *sigh*
# 107 - The Day Ari Went Down (To Hell) Crossover with Ghosts (US TV)
63 kudos, 5/28/2023, [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (2,905 words)
One of the readers left a lovely comment on my Ghost!Kate story and suggested that I write a story about Ari (In the Kate story, it is revealed that Ghost!Ari is on Gibbs' property).
After assisting Kate to ascend, Tony decides to confront Ari Haswari's ghost.
# 108 - How Kate Got Off Sucked Off (The Rooftop) Crossover with Ghosts (US TV)
62 kudos, 5/24/2023, [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (5,367 words)
I don't know why the idea suddenly hit me, but I got the idea that if Tony can now see and communicate with ghosts, he'd certainly see if he could track down Kate and hopefully help her ascend.
After meeting the ghosts at Woodstone Manor, and finding the ghost of Mike Franks living at Gibbs' house, Tony decides to return to the rooftop where Kate was shot and does indeed find her ghost there. After another visit to Woodstone Manor to talk to Samantha, Tony tries to help Kate get 'sucked off' (ascend) from the rooftop.
# 111 The Christmas Cat Complication 33 kudos, 11/5/2023, [Gibbs/DiNozzo] (11,448 words). Written for 2023 SeSa.
With a field of 8, I drew longtime friend cutsycat. I've written 2 SeSa stories for her previously, Paw Prints (a backup story in 2016) and Operation Black Cat (2019). Both based around cats who found themselves in Tony's life. Like those other stories, The Christmas Cat Complication deals with Tony rescuing a pair of kittens. Although, it seems cat stories have fallen out of favor with general readers. I don't mind. Writing cats into stories is a lot of fun and I know Cutsycat will always appreciate a good cat story. *G*
Beta'd by Rose_Malmaison.
This last group is a series I wrote for the Happy Holidays Challenge. I call it, "Memories of Ducky".
They all run from 500-2700 words. I think the whole series is right around 24K. In kudos, they range from 12-29.
I basically just wanted to write something for Ducky, and inspiration hit for the HHC Advent challenge. They're written so they can be read as stand-alone, but can also be read as a continuing story. While there are a couple of implied relationships, these can all be read as GEN if you prefer. If you want to read the series in order, just start with The Party Begins and you can click forward through the series from there.
They're all holiday-themed and the series begins with Jimmy hosting a party where he has created a book with stories and photos of Ducky he's gathered from the others. Tony flies in to visit and he is staying with Nick. A group goes to a parade. Gibbs invites Tony to spend a few days with him at his cabin. They bring back a tree for Nick's apartment. Jimmy allows Victoria to adopt a pair of kittens, one is a gift from Ducky that he'd arranged shortly before his death. And then Parker hosts a Christmas Eve party at his apartment, with some help from Kasie. The final story is Gibbs, Tony and Nick, and is a follow-up to an earlier Christmas story I'd written in 2016 called Christmas Angel. But again, each story can be read as a stand-alone. The main tie-in is an original character, an orphan named Kendall whom Bishop helped get adopted in the 2016 story.
# 112 - The Duck Pond Memorial [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 113 - No Two Exactly Alike [Anthony DiNozzo/Nick Torres](HHC 2023)
# 114T - The Party Begins [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 114T - Tony’s Baby Grand [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 116 - Ducky’s Charity and Scholarships [Anthony DiNozzo/Nick Torres] (HHC 2023)
# 117T - A Ducky Sweater [Anthony DiNozzo/Nick Torres] (HHC 2023)
# 117T - A Tree for Nick’s Apartment [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 119 - Musical Notes Falling [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 120/T4 - The Bourbon and the Christmas Elves [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 120/T4 - The Midnight Toast [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 120/T4 - The Holiday Parade and the Grumpy Elf [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 120/T4 - Ducky and the Proper Earl Gray Tea [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 124/TT - The Keepsake [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 124/TT - Jubilant Indeed [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 124/TT - Ducky, Forever in Our Hearts [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 127/T4 - The Italian Gigolo and the Pack of Yapping Hounds [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 127/T4 - A Santa Hat and a Snow Shovel [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 127/T4 - Christmas Stockings and a Sofa Bed [Anthony DiNozzo/Nick Torres] (HHC 2023)
# 127/T4 - Mango Grinch and Apple Max [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 131T - Vintage Cards and Memories Past [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 131T - The Earth Touches Us All [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 133T - Going Down a Slippery Slope [GEN] (HHC 2023)
# 133T - The Festive Corpse [Anthony DiNozzo/Nick Torres] (HHC 2023)
# 135 - The Kiss of a Prince [Jimmy Palmer/Jessica Knight] (HHC 2023)
Art for 3 stories:
I created art for 3 stories this year.
# 7 - Artwork for Never Let Go by Jacie [56 kudos]
# 11-TIE - Artwork for Artwork for When One Door Closes, Another Door Opens by Aussiefan70 [38 kudos]
# 14-TIE - Artwork for Riptide by Fulltobursting [35 kudos]
I also created three pieces of artwork for the Happy Holidays Challenge. These were posted with a handful of the stories, but are not assigned to any specific stories.
Holiday Airtwork
Top 3 Art pieces by kudos:
And because, why not? My top 3 (of 13) pieces of artwork by kudos:
# 1 - From 2021 - Artwork for Melancholy Man by Jacie3 [123 kudos]
# 2 - From 2021 - Artwork for The Sound of Silence by by phoenixrising01 [73 kudos]
# 3 - From 2021 - Artwork for The War Within by Cutsycat [68 kudos]
Now, what do you imagine 2024 will bring?
Top 16 AO3 PopSlash stories based on Kudos:
These shifted around a bit, but the same group of stories.
1) The Bassk Club 54 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. I'm still baffled it's my most popular PopSlash story these days. 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 53 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 fanfic 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 fanfic slot. It's an AU (as most of my popslash is). Maybe it's futuristic. Sort of a caveman 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 - TIE) Lion Around 39 kudos, 10/19/08 [Chris/JC] (4342 words)
This is now tied for # 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.
3 - TIE) Mighty Wind 35 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 is now tied for # 3, moving up from # 4 last year. 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) Crazy For You 31 kudos, 01/11/2004 [Chris/JC] (5304 words)
This is now tied for # 5, moving up from the #6 slot. This one is made its debut on the list in 2019. 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.
5 - TIE) The Proof Isn’t Always In The Pudding 31 kudos, 12/11/07 [JC/Lance, Brian/Nick] (25,371 words)
This is now tied for # 5, moving up from the #7 slot. 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. I was quite proud of it when I wrote it. College AU meets murder mystery.
7) A Centaur’s Journey 30 kudos, 12/22/08 [Chris/Joey, Joey/Kelly] (15,458 words)
This has dropped from # 5 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 worth 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.
8) Stranded: Where Time Stands Still 26 kudos, 09/23/08 [Lance/Justin, Chris/Joey, JC/Chris/Joey] (23,103 words)
This remains in the # 8 slot. I've always liked this one. It was originally intended for a PopSlash Big Bang. But here's what 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 originally 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.
9) Sunshine, Dreams And Unseen Things 23 kudos, 03/23/04 [Chris/JC]
This remains in the # 9 slot. 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!
10) Roadways 21 kudos, 02/19/04 [Chris/JC]
This remains in the # 10 slot. 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.
11 - TIE) 2424 18 kudos, 08/04/08 [Lance/JC, Chris/Joey] (6583 words)
This was alone at the # 11 slot last year. I have really come to love this story. I lost the original version, which was much more detailed, in a computer crash. But I was writing this for a Basez Day challenge and had to get it done. I am quite please with how it turned out. It's different, alternating between Lance and JC. In this one, I really like the futuristic world. JC and Lance aren't allowed to be a couple due to their society's rules, but their love is too strong. They won't give up on their relationship. I love Lance's determination in this story. I like that he won't give JC up for anything.
11 - TIE) Thanksgiving: TrickC Style 18 kudos, 11/24/05 [Chris/JC]
This was 14 last year. The third (and final) story in the Thankful Series. Another favorite of mine. Very sweet Chris.
14-TIE) Superstar 17 kudos, 02/03/04 [Lance/Justin, Lance/JC] (6875 words)
This was 2-way tie for the # 12 slot last year. This is the beginning of one of my favorite series. As usual, my muse was doing everything in its power to get Chris and JC together, LOL. Lance is thrilled when he finds out his boyfriend knows his idol, JC Chasez.
14-TIE) Falling Star 17 kudos, 04/03/04 [Chris/JC] (6955 words)
This was 2-way tie for the # 12 slot last year. New to the list in 2019. 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.
14-TIE) Shining Star 17 kudos, 04/04/04 [Chris/JC] (4510 words)
This was tied for # 15 last year. This is the third story in the Star Series, following Superstar & Falling Star.
JC takes Chris out to Lunch.
14-TIE) Hidden In Plain View 17 kudos, 03/05/05 [JC/Justin, Lance/Joey] (4514 words)
This was tied for # 15 last year. It gained 7 kudos, which may be the most on the list. I like the whole atmosphere in this one, the tenderness, the vulnerability. And Lance & Joey *sneaking* around together *G*.
Year In Fic 2023 on LJ
Year In Fic 2023 on DW