Your Cowboy Days Are Over (Mammas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys) by M., (R)

[gottaluvit123.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: John Sheppard
Pairing: None
Category: Gen; Angst; Drama; Hurt/Comfort;
Warning: AU, Strong sexual situations, Disturbing content. Strong Language
Author : M., m@butcheredart.net
Author's Website: N/A
Link: www.butcheredart.net/Fiction/YourCowboyDays.html




Why This Must Be Read: I considered for a long time whether I should rec this story under this catergory (or leave it to rec as an AU down the track), but I decided that this story shows so much of the John Sheppard I love that it fits here just as well. The story revolves around the fact that Sheppard is living offworld with Teyla and his son who is the product of a wraith experiment. This is not a John/Teyla pairing, it's friendship deep and true, with Teyla giving up much to stand by John when he needs her the most.

The story is AU but could very well have branched of pre-EATG cannon. It's a haunting tale that shows not only the shock and horror of wraith experimentation but also John's acceptance and blossoming love of a little boy that had no control over his introduction into John's life. Their relief at being rescued from the wraith quickly develops into desperation that forces John and his young son to flee Atlantis with the support of Teyla (and help from Rodney)

Johns courage and spirit leaps from the page as he struggles to protect his son. His need to do that comes at a terrible price that almost drives him over the edge. A surprising twist sees an old enemy become a close ally that provides the incentive for John to fight through the despair that almost overwhelms him after tragedy strikes.

When I first read this story I had a little trouble following what was happening at first, but quickly discovered the mystery in the first parts are slowly and carefully unveiled as the story goes on.

This story is also available in podfic form and is beautifully read by general_jinjur here: audiofic.jinjurly.com/search/node/your+cowboy

Be warned though, this reading left me sobbing in places as the emotion bleeds through. This is a Sheppard that has been torn apart emotionally yet still finds the strength to fight on. He's broken but has the courage to rise over it and do what he feels is right in his fight against the wraith for the people of Pegasus.


When the tart sweets Teyla scrounged up for dessert are gone, they watch the setting of Bajan's blue sun over the skyline, the remnants of day cooling to a teal hue. From this perspective, down-city is blanketed in a haze of fog moving in from the sea, and as the primary star of the binary system disappears, the veil of smoke ignites like a pool of ethylene, blue as the purest flame.

The effect is transient, a handful of seconds at most, but Ben grips the rail and leans over, and John's whole body flows into the movement, curving around his son's frame like a shell, mouth open on a voiceless shout.

This fear is a sickness. It camps inside John's veins, patient and merciless as an army. He doesn't think that he'll ever learn how to handle it; it doesn't seem possible, now, when his cheek brushes against a head of sweet damp curls, when his clothes smell of child-skin and clean sweat, when his hands cup that thin ribcage and the flutter of life inside it.

Ben grows restless when the embrace goes on for too long, so John pushes the fear out in one breath, and pulls them both away from the edge. Ruthlessly ignoring his still-pounding heart, he points to the massive figurehead of a high-rise ahead, and asks, in a voice almost steady, "What should we call this one? Come on, Ben. Who does it look like?"

John doesn't have to trade glances with Teyla to know she'll play along..

Comments

[mf_luder_xf]

Wow, I can't believe it hasn't been recced in this category before! One of my favorites.

[gottaluvit123.livejournal.com]

I was surprised by that myself. I scrolled back through pages and pages of Shep recs and couldn't see it. So unless it was recc'd many, many moons ago (in which case I thought it would be time to rec it again 'cause it's awsome) or in another category, it isn't there.

I have the podfic on my ipod and must have listened to it 20 times. One of my favs too. :)