stargateficrec | My Father Before Me by Telleer (R)

Rec Category: Rodney McKay
Character: Rodney McKay, John Sheppard, Other
Category: Angst, futurefic, Kidfic
Warning: Slash, Character Death (past), Kidfic
Author on LJ: telleer.livejournal.com
Author's Website:
Link on LJ: telleer.livejournal.com/326670.html
Link: www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php

Summary: Even after twenty years, Rodney still has no idea how to raise children.

Why This Must Be Read:

There are many wonderful kidfics starring Rodney as the clueless, but determined, father who manages to give his children the emotional support that he lacked as a child. This is not one of them. Instead, My Father Before Me brings you face to face with a clueless Rodney who raised two children on his own while hauling around some very heavy emotional baggage. Despite the best of intentions, Rodney's relationship with his son, Patrick, can only be termed emotionally crippled. The story takes place during a rare visit from Patrick. Rodney was hoping for a peaceful visit, but Patrick brings news that burst wide open the closet into which Rodney had stuffed all his baggage. Accusations, both voiced and not, are brandied about and some heart breaking truths are revealed. But as the saying goes, the truth will set you free.

Telleer has written a very human story full of emotional turmoil, confusion and frustration. I cried buckets during the "family game" scene. But the aspect that lingered with me the most was the age old struggle between parent and child - how do you protect a child from the very characteristics that makes him his father's child? History repeats itself and apparently so does genetics.