Fic: The Mute Shepherd (McKay/Sheppard, R)

[sgasesa-admin.livejournal.com]

Title: The Mute Shepherd
Author: auburnnothenna
Recipient: meansgirl
Story Length: 34417 words
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard
Rating: R/Mature
Disclaimer: Neither Stargate: Atlantis or Stargate SG-1 are mine. This story is written strictly for the entertainment. No profit is derived from anything herein.
Author's Notes: I have made free with SG-1 and with names from SGU, which I have never seen an episode of, and adapted things I've heard about it to fit my own idea of how the Stargate 'verse should develop. Do not expect this to conform to canon post SGA OR SG-1's final episodes. Set post-SGA Season Five, so everything before that is fair game. Rodney McKay and Jennifer Keller's canon relationship is referenced.
Betas: Anon until reveal.
Characters: John Sheppard, Rodney McKay, Jennifer Keller, Cameron Mitchell, Vala Mal Doran, Teal'c, Daniel Jackson, Jack O'Neill, Jeannie Miller, Ronon Dex, Teyla Emmagan, Richard Woolsey.

Summary: John's never been able to ask for what he wants, but sometimes silence itself is the sin.

( The Mute Shepherd )

Comments

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Reading this story was the highlight of my day yesterday. Thank you for writing it with such clear, believable and well-sustained emotion. John broke my heart in this and I loved it. It was nice that you didn't hold back from showing John's complicity in creating the mess with Keller, Rodney and Mitchell, his own awareness of that complicity, and his taking the flak when it all fell to pieces as it was doomed to, all with just the right amount of angst. Rodney was witty and justifiably hurt and angry; Jack was hilarious in his dry understatement; Mitchell didn't make me want to slap him, which is saying something; and Keller was rather believably caught in an uncomfortable position. The SG-1 characters fit in seamlessly, speaking as someone who hasn't seen much of the series. I liked little things like Rodney seeking protection with Ronon, the paperwork details at the Pentagon, and the controlled frenzy of organization before Atlantis headed home. If anything could be changed, I would wish that the ending had taken longer, focused more on John's emotional satisfaction than the sex (although the sex was hot!), because we'd been with him for so long, believing he could never have what he ultimately found himself getting. Although it could be because I read the last part so quickly in enjoying it!

[auburnnothenna.livejournal.com]

Mitchell didn't make me want to slap him, which is saying something


I have much the same reaction to Mitchell. much of the time. In canon and fanon, he's just a little too perfect. Because of that I worked hard to show he was absolutely innocent in this scenario.

And yes, it could have been even longer, but I tend to lose interest once the characters are happy.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Fair enough! It was the transition that I wish could have been drawn out more, but this story was still one of the most enjoyable of the 'fest for me.