New Fic: Nobody Does It Better [SGA] Complete

[eretria]

Hello, this auburnnothenna  posting for eretria .  Don't start worrying, nothing has happened to her beyond the overwhelming need to study for her Bar Exam, so she's staying away from Live Journal until it's all over.

She wrote me this incredibly delightful story however and I want her to share it with everyone, so I'm posting for her. It took about a year for her to finish (not that I get to say anything about that) but she did and got it to me on my birthday. Isn't she great?

Comments might not get answered quickly because of the exam thing, but they're a lovely pick-me-up, so after you've enjoyed, tell her so.

Without further ado,

Nobody Does It Better

Title: Nobody does it better or Rodney McKay and the Really Feisty Harem
Author: eretria with initial co-writing in the first scenes and brainstorming by Auburn
Fandom: SGA/SG-1
Disclaimer: Written for entertainment purposes only.
Rating: R
Size: 33071 words
Genre: Crossover, team, humor, action, a bit of het.
Warnings: Spoilers for The Pegasus Project
Characters: John Sheppard, Rodney McKay, Sam Carter, Vala Mal Doran, Teyla Emmagen, Ronon Dex, Cameron Mitchell, Daniel Jackson, Elizabeth Weir.

Summary: In which everyone loves Rodney, Vala is a stowaway, John is smart, Sam is flummoxed, Daniel is jealous, Ronon and Teyla realise all Earth people are peculiar, and Elizabeth is reminded that guests are like fish. (Pegasus Project based teamfic with a side-dish of John/Vala and Sam/Rodney - Prequel to "A question of perspective Or Reality Doesn't Always Come in Second to Fantasy")

Beta-read: By the invaluable enname, Auburn, and murron Thank you!


And for your reading pleasure, the coda where Sam succumbs to Rodney's obvious charms.


A Question of Perspective

Comments

[wildestranger.livejournal.com]

Oh I couldn't stop grinning as I read this. :) And Rodney really does deserve a harem.

[eretria.livejournal.com]

Now, finally out of the clutches of law:
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed, glad it made you smile, and, yes, why doesn't Rodney have a harem already?

[anna_luna]

:D Rodney *so* deserves a harem! I love how you wrote the kisses and the setting and of course *Vala*! She is made of awesome! And they're all driving poor Elizabeth to early retirement...

[eretria.livejournal.com]

Now, finally out of the clutches of law and bar-exams:
Thank you! It's funny that the kisses were really easy to write, apart from the Sam/Rodney one. That one was really hard, becase it had to gel with "A question of perspective".
Heh. Vala. I adore Vala. She had to be there.
As for Elizabeth ... originally, she was going to have a much, much harder time, but I figured that she was already suffering enough. :o)

[d_odyssey.livejournal.com]

OMG, this is fantastic! I loved this, especially putting Vala into the mix. Love her interactions with the Atlantis team and I could so see this happening. Cracked me up with her threatening to steal Sheppard and the team's protective "no" to her. The Vala/Sheppard and Sam/Rodney scenes were great, culminating in the harem at the tavern. So, so perfect and Vala steals the blueprint. I am definitely bookmarking this one. Outstanding! Thank you for writing this and to Auburn for sharing her birthday present with all of us.

[eretria.livejournal.com]

Now, finally out of the clutches of law and bar-exams:

Thank you!
Putting Vala with the team was an idea that immediately surfaced after Pegasus Project, and, I don't know about you, but she would really fit well into the SGA team. Not as straight-laced as the SG-1 team and she could be really useful.
I'm glad you enjoyed, and hearing that you bookmarked it makes me really happy.

[tassosss.livejournal.com]

This was completely awesome. From Rodney and Sam fixing, to the dynamics on Sheppard's team, to Sheppard and Vala being evil geniuses! and going ahead and stealing blueprints and being so hot and fun together! And Teyla and ehr gameboy and managing her guys! And Elizabeth with "round two"! And Rodney's Harem! So much love for this story. Terrific job.

[eretria.livejournal.com]

Now, finally out of the clutches of law and bar-exams:
Thank you so much! I'm glad that you enjoyed the plot as much as the single scenes.
As for John and Vala ... I think they're a team that could be very, very dangerous if left to their own devices - sexy, smart and dangerous. Cliched, but, heavens, I'd love to watch them plot and execute. ;o)

[shara50.livejournal.com]

That was a great and fun ride.

[eretria.livejournal.com]

Now, finally out of the clutches of law and bar-exams:

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[voleuse.livejournal.com]

So, so, so, SO AWESOME. ♥!

[eretria.livejournal.com]

Thank you, dear. Coming from you, that means a lot. A real lot.

[lillian13.livejournal.com]

Bwah-hah-hah-hah!

Fighting over McKay! Vala flirting with everybody! McKay kissing! Defending Sheppard! Frying-pan fu! Elizabeth herding Daniel and Cam!
Four stars. Joe-Bob says check it out!

teeny edits:
Foeld Of The Sun
Sam watched his throat work, too perplex to chide him.
watch how his eyes slipped close when he began licking his way into her mouth

[eretria.livejournal.com]

Now, finally out of the clutches of law and bar-exams:

First of all, thanks for catching the typos. Though I had a hard time seeing what you meant about the "too perplex". The non-native speaker came through full force there, since in my native language, this would be the correct flexion. Glad you caught it, though. One more thing learned.
Second of all: Thanky for your enthusiastic review. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[jimandblair.livejournal.com]

Heee, I enjoyed this a lot. I find Vala incredibly annoying (as a character) but you kept that annoyingness intact and made it work as part of the plot and drive of a very entertaining story. All the characters were perfectly drawn from Carter and Ronon to McKay and Sheppard et al… – this I would watch on telly and enjoy. I am going to reread this story.

Thank you for writing and auburnnothenna thanks for posting and sharing your birthday present and “Happy Birthday.”

[eretria.livejournal.com]

Now, finally out of the clutches of law and bar-exams:
Thank you! And it's interesting, because I really love Vala (I find other characters rather annoying, but that's all down to taste.). BUt I think it's rather hard to write Vala if you don't like her, besides, I always had Auburn to bounce ideas off and to talk to, so she kept my Vala in line.
And I'm so glad you enjoyed the plot. I sometimes think that people don't really want to see plot anymore, but I'm glad to be proven wrong.

[jimandblair.livejournal.com]

I hope that the exams went well.

And I'm so glad you enjoyed the plot. I sometimes think that people don't really want to see plot anymore, but I'm glad to be proven wrong.

please, don’t shy away from writing plotted stories, while snippets and drabbles and pwp ‘instances’ can be insightful and a lot of fun, I personally prefer a structured, plotted story. While they are hard work and they don’t seem to garner the same amount of feedback as moneyshot fic (why? No clue) they can be much more satisfying (for the writer and, hopefully, the reader) like a full bodied, complex merlot.

Okay, I’m waffling – off to work.

[eretria.livejournal.com]

I have no clue, really. Either I'm a lawyer next year or not. *shrugs*

Make it a Cabernet Sauvignon and I'm right there with you. I love plotty stories, but it's incredibly hard to find any these days. I love slash and het both, but after a constant diet of those, one yearns for something different, or at least, something with a little plot on the side.
As for the feedback... I'd been expecting it, really. It's het, and het rarely gathers much attention in this fandom, much like gen. But while that is sad, I'm all the happier for everyone who takes the time to comment, because it really does warm my heart. So, thank you again.

[raisintorte.livejournal.com]

::loves::

That just made me smile and laugh! I love Rodney and Sam and John/Vala is fast becoming a favorite. I loved that Vala saved the day in the end. :-) The tavern scene was great as well. It was nice to see Sam watching Rodney and his team.

[eretria.livejournal.com]

Hey! I had so hoped you'd enjoy the Sam/Rodney, but, yeah. John and Vala are a dangerous team and I just hoped they'd had more time together on screen.
Sam ... I think if she had more time, she'd see Rodney in a different light. I already doubt she sees him in the same light she saw him when she first met him, but some more time couldn't hurt. So ... desert! :o)

[raisintorte.livejournal.com]

I did love the Sam/Rodney. :-) I just loved the John/Vala - I've been on a kick with them lately.

Yay fic! :-)

[enname.livejournal.com]

Due to bludgeoning and comparisons to varied species of ass, I am here leaving a comment.

A Comment!

:P

I am quite sure you know what I think of the story, and if you don't know what I think of the story by now then you need to unhand those painkillers-that-aren't-working-much and go lie down because clearly they are doing something to your brain that is not of the good. :P

[enname.livejournal.com]

Lordy, I sounded almost exactly like my brother then.

*blink*

[eretria.livejournal.com]

*whacks you*

Thanks again, my beta-master. You're the best and the most patient.

[enname.livejournal.com]

Hey, stop it with the bludgeon! I commented already. :P

[jmchau.livejournal.com]

Very nicely done, quite enjoyable.

[eretria.livejournal.com]

Now, finally out of the clutches of law and bar-exams:

Thank you!

[grey-bard.livejournal.com]

I loved this! It felt funny, true to the characters and scorchingly scorchingly hot.

[eretria.livejournal.com]

Now, finally out of the clutches of law and bar-exams:

Thank you! Both comments are very flattering and make me very happy. I'm glad you enjoyed!

[ozsaur.livejournal.com]

That was a most delightful read! I loved Sam outside perspective on the team. Loved Vala, annoying and charming at the same time. I especially enjoyed the John/Vala and Sam/Rodney moments. And poor Teyla, trying so hard and expecting so much from herself. Ronon and his quirky sense of humor. And you made me want to send Elizabeth a care package including alcohol, chocolate and ear plugs. *g*

Enjoyed this so much, I will definitely be reading this again.

[eretria.livejournal.com]

Now, finally out of the clutches of law and bar-exams:

Thank you! Hearing that you will read it again is one of the biggest compliments imaginable to me.
In this story everyone was so much fun to write, and while the plot sometimes gave me grey hair, in the end, it really was a fun - if long - ride, and I'm so glad that it feels the same to you.

[melagan.livejournal.com]

This was just a wonderful read. Btw, we all should be kissing Rodney

[eretria.livejournal.com]

Now, finally out of the clutches of law and bar-exams:

Thank you. And, yes. We really, really should.

[fatema.livejournal.com]

Oh, the love. *SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE*

This was all sorts of fantastic. So plotty and rich in imagery. I loved the characterization of everyone - of how you've handled Sam and the SGA team and Vala and everything in between. The scene in the bar between Rodney and his feisty harem was just hilarious. I was laughing out loud through the whole bit. It really was all sorts of awesome.

And John/Vala! There can never be enough of that. So, thank you for that fantastic bit.

Also, I loved the bit where Rodney points to his head and tells Teyla that smacking him upside the head is love and that Sheppard taught him that. I seriously love the team dynamic you've created - the importance of Teyla and her negotiation skills; Ronon and how protective he is of everyone; McKay in all his fierce ways (and yes, he is fierce, and you show that brilliantly); and mostly Sheppard keeping an open mind about Vala and that boyish charm so alive and well. :)

This was magnificent. I loved every bit of it. :D

[eretria.livejournal.com]

Oh, my Fatema. You leave me speechless with this most excellent, absolutely adored feedback , so I'll just deliver the world's biggest hug when I see you in Autumn (I will see you, right?)

[fatema.livejournal.com]

You will definitely see me! Just let me know when. :D

[friendshipper.livejournal.com]

So I finished reading it and awwwwwww! The "protecting our Rodney" scene in the bar was what really stood out for me -- just so incredibly sweet, especially the Sheppard/McKay kiss ... I adored that particular twist on the "aliens made them do it" idea, and the wonderful comfort level that all the team members have with each other, plus Vala's thoughts on the whole thing and her fondness for the Pegasus Galaxy way of doing things. Very sweet! Surprisingly, being the gen girl that I am, I really liked the way that the John/Vala pairing was integrated into the story, because I'm normally *very* iffy about pairings that don't have a solid basis in the characters' canon relationship, but in this case I can so totally see John going for an available and very willing piece of tail (not to be vulgar about it *snort*) who's outside his chain of command, and we all know how Vala feels about such things -- just a very fun, open, no-strings-attached relationship. It works for me!

[eretria.livejournal.com]

You read this in September? And I didn't see your feedback? HOW?
Thank you so much.
And I'm very glad that the pairings, as loose as they were, worked for you.
I'm not shipping John and Vala, as you know, as there really is little to no basis in canon, but after those few looks they exchanged in Pegasus Project, I could see them both thinking: Why the heck not? And we know that Vala flirts with just about every man, and John isn't quite as stupid as he sometimes acts. So, yes. It's no deep, true love. It's simply good fun at the time.
And I'm especially glad the "protecting Rodney" worked for you, because, to be honest, that scene was one of the first that was written in the entire story.

[cat-77.livejournal.com]

Just found this for the first time. Loved it. You have a very good handle on their voices, and I kept giggling at all the stunts Vala tried to pull. Excellent story!

[eretria.livejournal.com]

Eeep! How did I overlook this?
Thank you so much! I'm very glad you enjoyed it.

[ionis-gom.livejournal.com]

That was so awesome! I enjoyed this so much, couldn't stop grinning or clapping while reading this.
I totally cheered at the John/Vala (Vala would be an awesome fit for Atlantis) and Rodney/Sam bits. And normally I am a hardcore McShep OTP slash shipper.

Really loves this to bits.

[eretria.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much, and especially that the praise is coming from a "hardcore" OTPer. So glad that the pairings worked for you!

And, yes, Vala would be great on Atlantis, wouldn't she? She'd have the right mindset to do very well in Pegasus.

[loriel-eris.livejournal.com]

Heee! Very cool! Thoroughly enjoyed this! *g* I don't usually read fic where Vala has a big part (I don't dislike her, I just have no interest fic wise) but she was fantastic in this, and the whole fic, especially with John not being as stupid as he was leading everyone to believe, was awesome. *g*

ETA: Also? I read fic that implied something other than John/Rodney. *is amazed* ;)