For McShep author appreciation week, I present: sheafrotherdon! You may have already read Cate's work. You may even have already read some of what I'll post below, but hopefully there will be something you haven't read or want to read again. She writes gorgeous McShep, gen and a few other pairings too. Her writing tends to be lyrical, vivid and creates pictures in the reader's mind.
Summary: AU in which John inherits a farm, Rodney ends up entirely out of his element and there is much ado about baseball.
It segues from first meeting to falling in love to domesticity galore. Familiar characters make appearances, some in very amusing ways and there are some wonderful original characters. All is not perfect, of course and issues are dealt with, communication is attempted and much love is always present. There is also loads of humor running through the series. I laugh out loud when reading it and it always makes me smile. This is my go-to fic when I need to get out of a bad mood. I do think this is my most favorite SGA fic ever.
It segues from first meeting to falling in love to domesticity galore. Familiar characters make appearances, some in very amusing ways and there are some wonderful original characters. All is not perfect, of course and issues are dealt with, communication is attempted and much love is always present. There is also loads of humor running through the series. I laugh out loud when reading it and it always makes me smile. This is my go-to fic when I need to get out of a bad mood. I do think this is my most favorite SGA fic ever.
She also has miscellaneous stories in this 'verse collected under Farm in Iowa Apocrypha. There is a Farm in Iowa master list at her LJ, but it has not been updated recently. However, there are some works by other authors in the 'verse listed, some fan art and a few podfic.
Like podfic? Have about 14.5 hours? I recorded podfic for the whole series. Parts 1-41 are in one file in audiobook format. Parts 42 and 43, part 44 and part 45 are available separately as they were written after the original file was created. All can be found here. I've also recorded the Apocrypha. It is only about an hour long and can be found here.
They reach for each other again in the grey half-light of dawn – slow where they'd been frantic; patient where they'd rushed heedlessly before. John falls asleep to the brush of Rodney's fingertips against his cheek.
Summary for Taken: Nothing makes sense to Rodney anymore
Summary for Reclaimed: John hovers while Keller's checking Rodney over, testing his vitals and drawing blood.
"I don't leave you behind," John murmurs, standing as close as he dares, thighs barely brushing Rodney's knees.
Summary: On PX8-839, scientists are valued above all other commodities.
This story isn't that long, but it is intense and beautiful. I can't really think of how to describe it without giving too much away, but do read it anyway.
If you like podfic be sure to download the podfic by 2naonh3_cl2 at audiofic archive. Anatsuno also recorded it and it can be found here.
Teyla shakes her head. "Scientists are marked. In their quadrant of the galaxy this – trade in human ability is widespread. Communities mark those who are gifted to register their claim. They may not be taken off-world, nor can their enemies claim any who are so identified."
Summary: John runs.
John is made into a Runner and Rodney is going to get him back. No matter what. Showing both John and Rodney's points of view, this story is a wonderful view of just what they mean to each other.
"Of course not!" Rodney twists in his chair to stare across the conference room table with incredulity. "I'm simply saying a) we need to crack the frequency that the Wraith are using for Runner transmitters, and b) we need to do all we can to help him survive in the interim."
Summary: Rodney McKay has an opinion on everything, including whether, in times of crisis, John Sheppard has any business risking death. Answer: no, don't be utterly stupid, what kind of ridiculous half-wit are you anyway? Small casting spoiler for season five.
Things go very, very wrong offworld and events are set into train that will change things completely. John takes responsibility and Rodney has issues with it. Solutions are found, but not without some sacrifice. This story is gorgeous, complex and so very good.
The podfic by lunate8 can be found in mp3 format and m4b format at audiofic archive.
"And they have once again declined to meet our demands. We have not, it seems, fully impressed upon them that we are not afraid, that we will see this through." She looked at John. "We are forced by their actions to raise the stakes once more."
No offical summary.
Trusted (by all but John) allies betray the team and one of their own is abandoned to "the old ways". This is not acceptable and they go to the rescue. Rodney in peril, John (and Teyla and Ronon) worried but wrathful. John helps Rodney recover when they get home.
He tried not to think of how many hours Rodney had been gone.
Summary: John. The name seems solid if not familiar, a passable identity – nothing about it makes him cringe, at least, and he's been called other things (he thinks) these past few days that weren't so benign.
Rodney proves hard to get rid of. There are thirty, forty minutes where John's brain feels clear before pain begins to build, and it's not enough time to figure out why Rodney's taken root in a chair that's obviously killing his back. A headache throbs dully at the base of John's skull, and Rodney just keeps tap-tap-tapping on his laptop. Even the doc – her name . . . Killer? No, Keller – can't get Rodney to budge. "You should sleep."
Summary: John regains consciousness in a tumble of noise and memory. Vegas episode tag.
". . . hey, hey, stay with me here, you self-sacrificing piece of shit. Did I not tell you not to engage? Is this a pattern with you? God help me, it has to be a pattern with you, you're exactly the type, I always . . ."
And a few she co-authored with other very talented people:
Summary: In which John and Rodney live on Nantucket, Mass.
Summary: In which John likes Rodney's leather jacket.
Summary: The boys take a vacation, and all it takes for everything to come unraveled is one pair of swim trunks.
All of her work is wonderful, but those listed above are some of my favorites. She has 272 stories on her AO3 in the SGA fandom. Enjoy!