Rec Category: Alternate Universe
Pairing: Sheppard / McKay
Category: AU, McShep
Warning: None
Author on LJ: denynothing1
Link: http://community.livejournal.com/sga_flashfic/692866.html

Why This Must Be Read: This AU is just such a great read. It unfolds in a wonderfully humorous way, with all our favourite SGA characters having appearances in this Ski-based universe. Rodney's voice in particular is spot-on. I generally love Stargate Atlantis AU anyway, but this is one I've re-read many times already, because it just feels *good* to read.

Rec Category: John Sheppard
Pairing: Sheppard / McKay
Category: John Sheppard
Warning: None
Author on LJ: crysothemis
Link: http://crys.mrks.org/sga/fic/doover.html

Why This Must Be Read: This story is a very fun look at how falling in love can be remarkably like falling up the stairs - it takes a strange combination of luck, effort, and pain to make it happen. This is a great John story (though told from Rodney's perspective) because it shows how utterly inscrutable John can be, especially to Rodney, and how obvious he *really* is at the same time.

Rec Category: Sheppard/Weir
Pairing: John Sheppard/Elizabeth Weir
Categories: SGA; romance, humor, pre-established relationship
Warnings: N/A
Author on LJ: dreximgirl
Author's Website: Unknown

Link: Under the Mistletoe
Why This Must Be Read:

Because we all deserve a little Christmas season Sparky romance and fluffy goodness; a fun little fic about Atlantis and Sparky during the holidays. *grin*

Rec Category: Sheppard/Weir
Pairing: John Sheppard/Elizabeth Weir
Categories: SGA; romance, humor
Warnings: N/A
Author on LJ: azarsuerte
Author's Website: Author's Fic Site

Link: Game, Set, Match
Why This Must Be Read:

Rodney plays match-matcher... 'nuff said. *grin*

Rec Category: Samantha Carter
Pairing: Sam/Jack
Category: Angst/Drama
Warning: Character deaths
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author's Website:http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1253801/AstraPerAspera
Link:  Samantha Carter's Wonderful Life 

Why This Must Be Read: It's Christmas time; and the weight of command is dragging Sam down.  She wonders if she made the right decision accepting command of Atlantis. A brief peek into a "what if" universe reveals the truth. 

Rec Category: McKay/Sheppard/Beckett
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard/Beckett
Category: Fluff, Humor
Warning: Slash
Author's Website: Angyl's fic on Area 52
Link: Happy Birthday Dr. McKay

Why This Must Be Read: Not nearly as brain melting as my last fic-rec, but this little gem is hopefully as much of a delightful present for you as it is for Rodney. Dr. McKay's birthday comes complete with alcohol, nudity and a threesome surprise. I don't always go for short fic that isn't of the PWP variety, but this is one of my favorites. I'd call this the fun-size candy bar of McKay/Sheppard/Beckett fic, small, sweet and satisfying.

Rec Category: John Sheppard & Rodney McKay friendship
Pairing: none
Category: hurt/comfort, John Sheppard, Rodney McKay
Warning: none
Author on LJ: kodiak_bear
Author's Website: Master Fic List
Link: Disorientation

Why This Must Be Read: Sheppard gets concussed and temporarily deafened by an offworld explosion; Rodney ends up babysitting, and things hit a snag when an emergency comes up. This is cute and fun with plenty of interaction between the boys (and the rest of the cast later on).

"You’re temporarily deaf and suffering from a concussion. I’m apprehensive of what classifies as ‘not good’ in your book, Colonel. Follow me, and bring your gun."

Rec Category: Sam and Daniel friendship
Pairing: none
Categories: Sam and Daniel friendship, Samantha Carter, Daniel Jackson, gen, humor
Warnings: none
Author on LJ: tallulah_rasa
Author's Website: To Explore the Universe and Eat Pie
Link: Between the Lines

Why This Must Be Read: It's the Wonder Twins, eating pizza and cookies on Tuesday night and speculating on the nature of life and the definition of routine when you walk through the Stargate. You'll love their absolute comfort zone and the amiable squabbling over toppings. Delightful humor and sparkling dialogue written in the classic Tallulah Rasa style will have you smiling, if not laughing aloud... and possibly, hungry for pizza! :)


"What was it this time?" Sam asked, zeroing in on a dangling string of cheese and flicking it back into place. "Tricky translation? Long-running briefing? A mysterious something that could have been an artifact from the Ancient-Furling-Nox alliance, but turned out to be the galactic equivalent of a stink bomb?"

"Once. That happened once," Daniel returned automatically.

Rec Category: Bill Lee
Pairing: none
Categories: Bill Lee, gen, drama, hurt/comfort, episode related, Daniel Jackson
Warnings: canon violence/torture
Author on LJ: aurora_novarum
Author's Website: List of My Stories
Link: Just a Scientist: on LJ or at Stargatefan

Why This Must Be Read: This is my personal classic Bill fic, retelling the two-part episode of Evolution from Bill Lee's POV. It's not just what we see on-screen, either; Aurora deftly fleshes out the story with with extra scenes and insight that brings both Bill and the story into vivid, vibrant life. It's always fun to read a good outsider's POV, and Bill is just enough on the inside - and the outside! - to give us the best of both worlds.

Long, satisfying, and full of character, Just a Scientist is a fic that you're sure to enjoy.

( snippet of fic... )

Rec Category: Sheppard/McKay
Pairing: Established Sheppard/McKay, passing mention of other pairings
Categories: romance, slash, atlantis, au, porn, angst
Warnings: John/Nancy (even in a loveless marriage) makes this partner betrayal
Author on LJ: hestia_lacey
Author's Website: Fic tag
Link: Untitled fic for BJ Friday

Why This Must Be Read: As you might expect from a BJ Friday fic it's very hot, but it's so much more than porn. There is a beauty and power to the prose that makes the emotions of John and Rodney jump off the screen at you. In just 3500 words the author takes John (and us) on a journey from desperation, desire and sadness to release, joy and completion. Add that to supportive team and confident Rodney and you have the perfect mix of sad, sexy, painful, and joyous.

( Excerpt cut for sexual content )

Rec Category: John Sheppard & Rodney McKay friendship
Pairing: none
Category: AU, crack
Warning: none (aside from high crack content)
Author on LJ: skinscript
Author's Website: Dimensia
Link: Joyriding on ff.net and Joyriding on LJ

Why This Must Be Read: This fandom has the most whacked-out AUs of any fandom I've ever been in. And I love it. :D Actually, by SGA standards, this is relatively tame. Rodney runs an aquarium, and John ... is an orca. It probably says a lot about this fandom that he totally comes across as John despite being a whale. Various other cast members appear as both human and non-human denizens of the water park. This is short and adorable, and total cracked-out fun!

Rec Category: Sheppard/Weir
Pairing: John Sheppard/Elizabeth Weir
Categories: SGA; tragedy/angst; drabble
Warnings: Mild Language
Author on LJ: j_guda
Author's Website: Unknown

Link: Master Plan by j_guda

Why This Must Be Read:

It's a short, sweet punch to the gut. (in the best possible way)

Rec Category: John Sheppard
Pairing: Sheppard / sadism
Category: John Sheppard
Warning: Mentions of torture and sadism
Author on LJ: magus_minor
Link: http://community.livejournal.com/sga_flashfic/216976.html

Why This Must Be Read: So, a while ago I created for myself a "Psycho Sheppard List" of stories where Sheppard is psychotic or flat out nuts. In creating that list, I came across this story, where John has some serious trends towards sexual sadism and sociopathy that he hides very successfully behind his easy facade. It's quite short, but it packs a big impact and actually frighteningly plausible. This story inspired seven sequels by a total of three authors, each who explore a different dimension of 'what if'.

ETA: There have been a lot of requests for the sequels! So, figured I would just post all the links here for everyone.

Magus Minor's sequels:
The Obvious Place
Open Blade

All of the following take place after "Open Blade":

Ellex's sequels (The Shiver Trilogy):
Predator
Shiver
Frenzy

Khalessa Bloodrose's sequel:
Incision

ix_tab's sequel:
Ripped and Torn

Needless to say, *all* of the sequels contain warnings for graphic violence, sadism, etc.

Rec Category: Sam and Daniel friendship
Pairing: none
Categories: Sam and Daniel friendship, Samantha Carter, Daniel Jackson, gen, drama, hurt/comfort
Warnings: implications of imminent torture
Author on LJ: pepper_field
Author's Website: My stories
Link: It's Been an Honor and Therapeutic Effect

Why This Must Be Read: Fic based on musuem artifacts can't help but be entirely appropriate for Daniel, don't you think?

In these paired stories, we get Sam and Daniel comforting one another, first in the middle of a rather desperate crisis and then in dealing with the aftermath. You will love Sam and her frantic need to do something, anything, even if it's not enough; you will love Daniel and his automatic choice of coping methods, and his willingness to abandon it for Sam's sake. But most of all, you will love them both for their concern for one another and their affectionate, wonderful friendship.


She looked down again as Turquoise Armbands came forwards with the jade needle, blinking back tears. Sometimes all she could offer just wasn't enough.

Rec Category: Bill Lee
Pairing: none
Categories: Bill Lee, Sam Carter, gen, humor, episode related
Warnings: none
Author on LJ: redbyrd_sgfic
Author's Website: Redbyrd's Stargate Fanfiction
Link: OMG, They Killed Science!

Why This Must Be Read: Redbyrd is famous for her fanfic fix-its of the more outrageous canon errors. Here, in this hilarious little ficlet, she tackles the insanity of the science in Red Sky with tongue planted firmly in cheek and Bill and Sam in all their geeky glory!

At only 250-odd words, this will only take a minute or so to read, but it will leave you smiling for some time to come.


"Nuh-huh. I'm not going to try to explain this to the General." He glanced around and leaned forward conspiratorially. "Think we can get Felger to do it?"

Rec Category: Sheppard/Weir
Pairing: John Sheppard/Elizabeth Weir
Categories: SGA; Scene addition
Warnings: Spoilers up to 4x10: This Mortal Coil; adult content
Author on LJ: gan_cericheye
Author's Website: Unknown

Link: The Heart-Ache and Thousand Natural Shocks That Flesh Is Heir

Why This Must Be Read:

If you're looking for angst and sorrow in your fic, this is one of the best ones out there for it. A very well written and vivid take on the pain that is Sparky during the horror of it being Elizabeth, but not.

Rec Category: Sam and Daniel friendship
Pairing: none
Categories: Sam and Daniel friendship, Samantha Carter, Daniel Jackson, gen, humor, character study
Warnings: none
Author on LJ: lokei
Author's Website: lokeis_pen
Link: Cabbages and Kings

Why This Must Be Read: This lighthearted story takes place mostly in the distracted pathways of Daniel's brain, as he tries to determine why Sam is driving him to her home for a "talk." Written with deft humor and affectionate friendship, we follow Daniel's rambling "scientific method" as he catalogs ice cream habits, mannerisms, and Sam's romantic history in his effort to get to the truth. With lovely characterization and an extra touch of team love, Cabbages and Kings is a delightful fic that is sure to leave you smiling!

Full disclaimer: I got to beta this one. Lucky me, eh? :)

( snippet of fic... )

Rec Category: Sheppard & McKay friendship
Pairing: none
Categories: original character, hurt/comfort
Warnings:none
Author on LJ: reen212000
Author's Website: n/a
Link: Rosie's Corner Store

Why This Must Be Read: A checkout clerk in a small grocery store observes two new customers in her store, both of them obviously recovering from some kind of undisclosed trauma. I really enjoy outsider POV, and this is a neat look at Sheppard and McKay, and their friendship, through a stranger's eyes.

Rec Category: Sheppard/McKay
Pairing: Sheppard/McKay
Categories: romance, slash, atlantis
Warnings: Mention of past McKay/Keller and McKay/Brown
Author on LJ: ms_jvh_shuh
Author's Website: Fic list
Link: Eight Nacre Rings

Why This Must Be Read: Four heart warming ways John and Rodney end up wearing matching nacre rings. John's nervous terror and Rodney's bravery in asking for what he wants are perfect for a quick uplifting read. Ranging from spontaneous to planned, each gifting is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.

Is this what you want,he wants to ask, Do you know what you're getting into? Me? Really? But the questions are obsolete, because Rodney is clearly past questioning this thing between them, and John is well past questioning Rodney's genius.

Rec Category: Bill Lee
Pairing: none
Categories: Bill Lee, gen, Daniel, episode related, character study
Warnings: none
Author on LJ: thothmes
Author's Website: unknown
Link: Five Things Bill Lee Learned About Daniel While They Were In Honduras

Why This Must Be Read: This delightful five things doesn't only tell us what Bill learned about Daniel during their misadventures in Evolution, but gives us the chance to learn a lot about Bill Lee, too. Whether it's why he doesn't use the SGC's gym or how he classifies Daniel's bravery or his fascination with Daniel's languages and dedication to pure science, this list shines a spotlight on both characters, and does both of them proud!


Bill knew he wasn't a particularly brave man, and he knew that Daniel Jackson was. After all, when Jack O'Neill walked into a room, Daniel smiled in greeting, instead of trying desperately to remain unobtrusive as most of the base's scientists would.

Rec Category: McKay/Sheppard/Beckett
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard/Beckett
Category: PWP, humor
Warning: Slash
Author on LJ: chaps1870
Author's Website: Chaps1870's Website
Link: Official Capacity

Why This Must Be Read: There really is something extra special about combining a wicked-hot PWP with prostate exams. I'm not sure what it is, exactly, but you'll certainly find out if you read for yourself. Despite the fact that this P is for the most part entirely WP, the characterizations are great and the amusement and affection that the boys have for each other is clearly evident. And did I mention that it's super hot?

Rec Category: Sheppard & McKay friendship
Pairing: none
Categories: AU, John Sheppard, angst
Warnings: "permanent character damage" is probably the most accurate way to describe it; not a happy story
Author on LJ: harriet_spy
Author's Website: sometimes you need a story
Link: Uncanny Valley

Why This Must Be Read: This is possibly one of the most disturbing takes on John Sheppard that I've ever read. This is not a happy story or a comforting one -- but it's hopeful and fascinating, with great characterizations and a Rodney who is so determined and loyal that he breaks my heart.

Rec Category: Sheppard/Weir
Pairing: John Sheppard/Elizabeth Weir
Categories: SGA; AU; Baby!fic
Warnings: N/A
Author on LJ: leave_me_light
Author's Website: Unknown

Link: Blue Dots

Why This Must Be Read:

There are of course, many, many sparky baby!fics out there, but this is one of the best. leave_me_light writes a touching and fluffy fic that gives us a glimpse into what might have been. John is perfectly playful and Elizabeth is warm and lovely. There's an inventive and fun use of an Ancient "gizmo" and all and all, it's just a fun little piece of AU sparky fluff!

Rec Category: Sam and Daniel friendship
Pairing: none
Categories: Sam and Daniel friendship, Samantha Carter, Daniel Jackson, gen, angst, humor, episode related
Warnings: none
Author on LJ: penknife
Author's Website: Penknife to Paper
Link: Debriefing

Why This Must Be Read: Penknife treats us to a marvelous episode tag to Hathor, as Sam and Daniel eat takeout and discuss the ramifications of what happened during Hathor's rampage through the SGC.

There is self-deprecating humor, and almost painful honesty, and wonderful characterization. The twist in perception here is perfectly Daniel, especially with the parallels he draws. And Sam is the perfect friend - no sugarcoating the situation, but just being there, with the promise that they'll both be there for each other in the future.

No episode tag to Hathor could ever be a really happy one, but Penknife gets this one just right.

( snippet of fic... )

Rec Category: McKay/Sheppard/Beckett
Pairing: McKay/Beckett, McKay/Sheppard/Beckett, past McKay/Sheppard & Sheppard/Beckett
Category: h/c, earth based, AU, angst
Warning: slash, non-con, violence/torture
Author on LJ: zaganthi and perryvic
Author's Website: caffiends.net
Link: Life Without

Why This Must Be Read: I can't think of a reason why this shouldn't be read, especially for anyone who is interested in this threesome and/or interested in Carson/Rodney. This is the fic that made me love McBeck, that made me love M/S/B and that made me love these authors. It is an EPIC read so perfect if you need something to keep you company over the holiday season. Though this fic has many excellent features, detailed flashbacks (see warnings re. violence/torture), drama, h/c, and more, what really gets me about this one is the characterization of Carson, Rodney and, later, John. They are written well IC and you can't help but love them, separately and together, feeling every moment right along with them.

As epic as this fic is, there isn't really a good quote to sum up all of the excellent moments you'll read, but here's a brief snippet in which( Rodney and Carson discuss their Christmas visit to Jeannie's )