Fic: When I Sorrow Most (McKay/Sheppard, NC-17)

[sgasesa-admin.livejournal.com]

Title: When I Sorrow Most
Author: the_cephalopod
Recipient: sheafrotherdon
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: ~55,000 words
Warnings: Angst, but I can guarantee a happy ending.
Spoilers: Set early in season 3, so nothing for anything recent.
Author's notes: Happy Christmas Cate! Thank you for your lovely multi-optioned prompt; I tried to encompass as much as possible - I hope you enjoy! Many thanks to my amazing betas - you know who you are - and to moonlettuce and alyse for organising such a wonderful fic exchange!

Summary: "Hey," John said, trying to lighten the tone a little. "The IOA are getting better," he said, reaching across the bed to flick the little Canadian flag on Rodney's jacket before nodding his head towards Ronon and Teyla.

"Yes, well, I suppose so," Rodney sniffed. "It's not as if they could do without me, anyway."

"Or indeed any of us," Teyla added with a smile.

"Well, I hope you all realise that our success is entirely down to the exceptional talent and expertise of your team leader," John said.

"Oh, yes, of course," Rodney replied sarcastically. "We'd be nothing without you."

When I Sorrow Most

Please note, due to the size of this story, it is being hosted offsite.

Comments

[margec01.livejournal.com]

This is a fantastic story. Long and plotty. Often I don't like the separated-and-they're-searching-for-a-teammate story, because that means the team isn't together. But telling the story both in the present and in the past keeps John with us and his team throughout most of the story. And Rodney, Teyla, and Ronon are a wonderful team as they won't give up the fight to save John.

I really liked showing that Teyla and Ronon have their own useful tasks when they return to Catara, especially Ronon. All we have seen of Ronon on the show is grunting, eating, and fighting, and I was happy to see him working with the sensor sweeps here--a damn fine team they make, indeed!

The love story between John and Rodney was also excellent, especially the angst where they are so happy to then John being torn away from Rodney. But it makes the ending, where they get back together all the more special. Great hurt/comfort at the rescue as well--from all the team, too.

Extra points for reminding me of all the various particles which have been discovered/postulated since I last took a physics class. And it all made sense, too!

Great story as always. Er, yes, that means I did figure out who wrote this one. (g) And that just let me settle in, knowing it was going to be a great read. (Though Cate's rec had pretty much convinced me of that before I started.)

[the-cephalopod.livejournal.com]

Hee! I did think it would be pretty obvious who'd written this for anyone who'd read my stuff before - I can't seem to help myself getting immersed in physics! *g* Glad you enjoyed the science too & that it made a certain amount of sense!

I know what you mean about 'missing team mate' stories & that's why I felt that I had to do the dual-timeline structure. I really wanted John to have a real presence throughout and also felt like I needed a happier 'past' storyline to counter-act the angst-ridden 'present'. I'm so glad the team aspect of it also worked for you, as that's something I love reading about in stories as well.

Thank you for your lovely comments!

cep xxx