A Regency SGA Tale by GraceandFire [NC-17]

[melodysparks.livejournal.com]

Show: SGA

Rec Category: Alternate Universe
Characters: John Sheppard, Radek Zelenka, Rodney McKay, Ronon Dex, Teyla Emmagan Jeannie McKay
Pairings: John Sheppard/Rodney McKay
Categories: Slash Alternate Universe Romance Regency Harlequin
Warnings: Adult Themes Slash
Author on LJ: graceandfire
Author's Website: I know not what I DO!!! (Except on rare occasions) also Graceandfire on AO3 and Graceandfire on Wraithbait

Link: A Regency SGA Tale on AO3 and A Regency SGA Tale on Wraithbait

Why This Must Be Read: The Summary Says: John Sheppard is determined to bring to ruin the villainous McKay family. But young (ok, youngish) Rodney interferes with his plans.

John wants to destroy the McKay family but before he proceeds with his plans he pays them a visit to see if any of the McKays are worth saving. He Meets Rodney whom he thinks is too timid, too unworldly, too innocent and then realises that this nervous, fearful young man before him needs his protection from an abusive father and brother. John decides to appoint Rodney as his secretary until Rodney is confident enough to stand on his own two feet but everything doesn’t go to plan.

This is a novel length Regency tale with romance and it is surprising how easily I could picture Rodney as the younger shy, nervous man in need of a knight in shining armour to come along and rescue him.



Ronon merely glared silently before issuing a curt "I have household matters to see to," and stalked off down the hall.

John grinned after the departing figure of his friend before turning towards the parlor, the grin quickly fading into a rueful grimace. Oh, he knew exactly why Teyla Emmagen was here. He sighed in resignation and, squaring his shoulders, much as he had as a young lieutenant about to enter his commander's tent for a dressing down, he entered the parlor, a boyish, lop-sided smile on his face. It was a smile that had managed to charm generals, drill sergeants, foreign princes, their daughters and too many of their wives but, unfortunately, had failed to work on Teyla for some time. Actually, John had a sneaking suspicion it had never worked on Teyla. Taking the hand she raised in greeting, he pressed a friendly kiss to its back. "Teyla Emmagen, as beautiful as always," he complimented, turning up the charm another notch. Besides, it was nothing but the truth. Teyla was indisputably a beautiful woman, with mysterious eyes, rich reddish brown hair currently pulled back into some sort of complicated female style, flawless honey brown skin and a perfectly curved figure now clothed elegantly in pale green silk. They'd flirted madly when they'd first met. Fine, he'd flirted madly. And then somehow they had settled into a close friendship in spite of himself.

Teyla, who had been smiling up at him warmly, let her smile widen in gentle amusement as she removed her hand from his. "Your compliment is most welcome John Sheppard but it will not turn my mind from my task," she scolded him.

John resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "And what task would that be?" he asked, playing dumb.

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Did you speak to Rodney McKay as I asked of you?"

This time John did roll his eyes. "Yes, I talked to the man."

"And?" The blasted woman was relentless. Beautiful, graceful, tiny and relentless.

John stayed stubbornly silent.

Teyla remained silent as well, an annoying ocean of patience.

John hissed out an irritated breath. "He's not like his father or older brother," he finally admitted, scowling down at what was apparently his very own extra conscience.

Teyla smiled back serenely. "I knew you would find him pleasing."

"I didn't find him pleasing," John's scowl darkened. "I didn't say anything about finding him pleasing. All I said is he's not like the bastard who spawned him." Stalking over to the sideboard he opened a crystal decanter of brandy and splashed some into a glass. "Want some?" He raised an inquiring eyebrow and poured a second glass when she acquiesced. He carried it over and handed it off, clinking glasses with her in silent toast before tossing the liquor back in one long swallow.

Teyla sipped hers at a more lady like pace as she studied John with a gaze gone serious. "But you see now that destroying the McKay family will bring suffering to those who do not deserve it? Not only Rodney McKay but his younger sister, Jeannie, as well?"

John's eyes began to darken. "I won't stay my hand Teyla. Warren McKay deserves the destruction I will visit down upon him."

Teyla took a troubled breath. "I do not deny that Warren McKay is a villainous man John. Nor that his eldest son is his equal in villainy. I merely point out that if you destroy him, there are innocents who will also suffer. Innocents who have done nothing to deserve such a dark fate."

"Innocents always suffer," John responded, his voice cold and low and rough. "It's the way of the world."

Comments

[popkin16]

I confess this is one of my favorite fics - I've read it so often!

[melodysparks.livejournal.com]

I have read it a couple of times too. There is just something sweet and very innocent about Rodney in this and I picture him in his 20's when I read it with all those curls

[stargatesg1971.livejournal.com]

This sounds like a great read. Thanks for the rec!