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crack_van2010-11-27 09:55 pm
laceymcbain.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2010-11-27 09:55 pm
Entry tags:
Visiting Hours by Lily (NC-17)
Fandom: STARGATE ATLANTIS
Pairing: Sheppard/McKay
Length: ~ 13,000 words
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
lilysaid
Author Website: Improvidence - Lily's Stargate Atlantis Fic page
Why this must be read: It's been such a pleasure for me to go back and see if my favourites have been rec'ced here before. Many of them have, but just as many haven't. This is one of those stories that I adored when it was written, and still love today. The team (S2) runs afoul of an alien race and the resulting agreement leaves Sheppard a prisoner on the planet, which is protected by an impenetrable shield. McKay negotiates an arrangement where he can return once a week to see Sheppard, while Atlantis tries to figure out a rescue plan.
The story encapsulates the dynamic of the two main characters so beautifully--how well they know each other, how much they hide, what they would do if the other person needed it--yet the story avoids devolving into cliche. Sheppard's a man on the edge of a breakdown: exhausted, lonely, desperate. Rodney's torn between responsibility and his own feelings. Of course, that's when Heightmeyer prescribes "human contact" to help Sheppard cope, and Rodney's the one who must deliver.
“Is there any physical interaction?” She must catch his expression of surprise, because she holds up her hand and goes on. “A hug, a handshake…anything?”
Immediately, Rodney’s face heats with a defensive indignation, as though she is accusing him of failing at some basic part of life. “I’m not exactly the touchy type.”
“You don’t need to be,” she says gently. “But even non-touchy types like yourself are used to a certain degree of human interaction: a high five, a hand on the shoulder, even the presence of your colleagues working nearby. Colonel Sheppard has been deprived of that contact for weeks, and it’s probably made worse by the fact that when he does receive attention, it’s negative.”
“For your information, I have never high-fived anyone in my life.”
“Rodney.”
“Fine, fine. So- what, I’m supposed to make up for all that? I’m sure that’ll go over really well.”
“You may be surprised,” she tells him, frowning a little. “Rodney, Colonel Sheppard is probably frightened and lonely, regardless of what he shows you. It’s doubtful that he’ll ask for any of the things we’re talking about, here.”
Rodney considers her words over the next week. There is the slightest possibility that she may be onto something, although Sheppard is quite self-sufficient and not nearly as affection-starved as she’s imagining. He promises himself he’ll try to try at the very least, but Elizabeth takes the decision out of his hands when he’s leaving for his next visit.
She waits until Dr. Beckett has handed over the capsules holding Teyla’s root supplements, and then gives Rodney a pointed look. “Dr. Heightmeyer tells me she’s sending you with a prescription, as well.”
“It’s hardly a prescription,” he says, pretending to be distracted by the fastenings on his vest. “It’s more like an extremely intrusive suggestion.”
“Right. If it’s for John’s benefit, then I suggest you take it,” she says, and he busies himself with packing so he won’t have to answer.
Read the Story / Feedback the Author: Visiting Hours
Pairing: Sheppard/McKay
Length: ~ 13,000 words
Author on LJ:
lilysaidAuthor Website: Improvidence - Lily's Stargate Atlantis Fic page
Why this must be read: It's been such a pleasure for me to go back and see if my favourites have been rec'ced here before. Many of them have, but just as many haven't. This is one of those stories that I adored when it was written, and still love today. The team (S2) runs afoul of an alien race and the resulting agreement leaves Sheppard a prisoner on the planet, which is protected by an impenetrable shield. McKay negotiates an arrangement where he can return once a week to see Sheppard, while Atlantis tries to figure out a rescue plan.
The story encapsulates the dynamic of the two main characters so beautifully--how well they know each other, how much they hide, what they would do if the other person needed it--yet the story avoids devolving into cliche. Sheppard's a man on the edge of a breakdown: exhausted, lonely, desperate. Rodney's torn between responsibility and his own feelings. Of course, that's when Heightmeyer prescribes "human contact" to help Sheppard cope, and Rodney's the one who must deliver.
“Is there any physical interaction?” She must catch his expression of surprise, because she holds up her hand and goes on. “A hug, a handshake…anything?”
Immediately, Rodney’s face heats with a defensive indignation, as though she is accusing him of failing at some basic part of life. “I’m not exactly the touchy type.”
“You don’t need to be,” she says gently. “But even non-touchy types like yourself are used to a certain degree of human interaction: a high five, a hand on the shoulder, even the presence of your colleagues working nearby. Colonel Sheppard has been deprived of that contact for weeks, and it’s probably made worse by the fact that when he does receive attention, it’s negative.”
“For your information, I have never high-fived anyone in my life.”
“Rodney.”
“Fine, fine. So- what, I’m supposed to make up for all that? I’m sure that’ll go over really well.”
“You may be surprised,” she tells him, frowning a little. “Rodney, Colonel Sheppard is probably frightened and lonely, regardless of what he shows you. It’s doubtful that he’ll ask for any of the things we’re talking about, here.”
Rodney considers her words over the next week. There is the slightest possibility that she may be onto something, although Sheppard is quite self-sufficient and not nearly as affection-starved as she’s imagining. He promises himself he’ll try to try at the very least, but Elizabeth takes the decision out of his hands when he’s leaving for his next visit.
She waits until Dr. Beckett has handed over the capsules holding Teyla’s root supplements, and then gives Rodney a pointed look. “Dr. Heightmeyer tells me she’s sending you with a prescription, as well.”
“It’s hardly a prescription,” he says, pretending to be distracted by the fastenings on his vest. “It’s more like an extremely intrusive suggestion.”
“Right. If it’s for John’s benefit, then I suggest you take it,” she says, and he busies himself with packing so he won’t have to answer.
Read the Story / Feedback the Author: Visiting Hours