[recs] Stargate: Atlantis - Elizabeth Weir Recs
The Call of the Traveler by linaerys
What if Atlantis were alive? I know, it's a common fanfic trope, but this is a really well-done version of it. Plus it has dark Elizabeth. I have a hard time resisting that.
Survival Is The First Imperative by miera_c
Elizabeth-centered darkfic. WIP, but works as a standalone, and Elizabeth's first scene with Rodney was amazing enough that I'm linking it here anyway.
Reactionary by Tigerlady. Elizabeth calls a meeting, because, as she says, "Ladies. It's time we face the very real possibility that every man on this base is gay." Part of the pegasus_b AU, which is usually fairly heavy on the m/m, but in this case, well, the women deal with that in their own way. Femslash.
Better to Reign by shusu
Another entry for sga_flashfic's "dark side" challenge. I'm really loving the stories that have come out of this (though I admittedly page past most of the Shep/McKay fics). Atlantis and Earth are at odds. I love the colonial mentality of the Atlantis folks.
Temporary Engagement by Kylie Lee
I'm not a huge fan of Zelenka/Weir, but this was just adorable, and it's a total takeoff of the 'mousy secretary gets a glamorous makeover and pretends to be engaged to the boss' romance cliche. Yeah, Zelenka's the secretary. It's so cute! Go and read!
In This Hour by witchofthedogs
John's having a very bad time of it, and Elizabeth talks him through it. Not a 'ship piece, but a friendshippy, hurt/comfort piece. I find that her voice in this piece is very true to her character.
Contraction & Expansion by illman
Elizabeth is having a stressful day in Antarctica. And she copes with it. I like this one because of this: How often do you see characters who're under stress in fic who deal with it themselves and move on from there? It's usually meant to be the breakdown that starts up the 'ship, or emphasizes it, or something. And it's got John, and it's a lovely meeting piece, but what I like best about it is that it shows Elizabeth's independence.
the more things change by alephtav
This is baddirtywrong Liz/John smut. It's kinky and dark and just has great moments of character and coping threaded through it. I don't know if I necessarily agree with the characterization, but it's dark!Liz and I like it anyway.
Logically Irrelevant by miera_c
John and Elizabeth are taking things slow. Very, very slow. And Elizabeth remains entirely aware of her position as leader of Atlantis and the repercussions a relationship with John could have on it. Though, thankfully, she doesn't explicitly state them, because that's become such a thing in breaking the regs-type fic that we've both been there and done that five zillion times. I've seen it starting (for my experience with fandom) with X-Files fic, moving to SG1 and now on to SGA. And obviously I have this thing for chain of command fic, which is why I'm so confused that I'm pretty much a genner for NCIS.
Four Queens by familyarchives
The oddballs of Atlantis get together for some poker and some girlbonding. Because why should poker night be reserved only for men? Also, contains Elizabeth, Kate, Teyla and Laura being vulnerable in some ways and strong in others, which is a nice example of how people really are. (I also tend to dislike fics where everyone is Strong All The Time, because that? Just isn't possible.)
Perimeters by unwinding
Post-ep for "Irresistible." Elizabeth copes. And while John is there, she doesn't need him to make her feel better.
Moments of Tenderness by amitee
Not a missing scene, not an ep tag, but a short vignette where John gets bad news and his reaction is typically underwhelming. But I like his interaction with Elizabeth.
Painted Ladies by azarsuerte
Teyla and Elizabeth friendship piece. Teyla comes to ask Elizabeth about the strange Earth custom of painting one's face different colors. It's a quiet, sweet moment where you can see their friendship beginning.
The Hot Seat by azarsuerte
This is post-"The Hot Zone," and Elizabeth and John sit own and have a little talk about things like the chain of command, and why his ignoring her orders just won't do. Elizabeth is hard when she has to be, and bends when she needs to, and it all shows that while she's a leader who does what she has to, she hasn't let those choices make her inflexible or cold.
Words of Wisdom by sga_addicted
For the sga_flashfic Secret Superpowers challenge. I like this one because it gives full credit to Elizabeth for her diplomatic abilities, and shows just how valuable they are. I don't think the series intends to give it short shrift, but sometimes the action overwhelms the diplomacy with the simple fact of being louder and more attention-grabbing.
Resurrection Girl by gategrrl
For the sga_flashfic Secret Superpowers challenge. Elizabeth Weir cannot die. And she uses this to her advantage, despite the toll it takes on her.
Elizabeth Draws Emperors Every Time by shusu
Meta essay on The Real World. It's very much a psychological study of Elizabeth and her interpersonal relationships. And it references Tarot. How cool is that?
Blankie Saga #1 by isaymckay
Okay, this is a comic strip, and I think I've posted this before, but it has wee!toon!Lizzie headdesking and in search of alcohol. I cannot help but love it.
May to September (1/2) by sally_lightfoot -
This is a WIP, so I am reccing the first half, and will do some kind of an actual rec when the story is finished. I like this story for a few reasons--first off, I think the author writes Elizabeth realistically. The premise is that John is gay and Elizabeth, well...doesn't realize that at first. (Except that, yes, this is a John/Elizabeth piece, so John does sort of evolve. Which isn't really a spoiler story, given that it's labelled as a John/Elizabeth piece.) Within the premise of gay!John and straight!Elizabeth, their friendship and interactions are written extremely well. She's got feelings for him, yes, but she works on getting over that and not letting it affect their working relationship, or their friendship.
I also like this one because there's the fact that I've both been there and done that with the unrequited feelings. Needless to say, the unrequited!Elizabeth writing certainly resonates with me.
Routine Perspective by lyssie
Elizabeth daydreams. Sometimes everyone needs a moment to just stop and think.
What if Atlantis were alive? I know, it's a common fanfic trope, but this is a really well-done version of it. Plus it has dark Elizabeth. I have a hard time resisting that.
Survival Is The First Imperative by miera_c
Elizabeth-centered darkfic. WIP, but works as a standalone, and Elizabeth's first scene with Rodney was amazing enough that I'm linking it here anyway.
Reactionary by Tigerlady. Elizabeth calls a meeting, because, as she says, "Ladies. It's time we face the very real possibility that every man on this base is gay." Part of the pegasus_b AU, which is usually fairly heavy on the m/m, but in this case, well, the women deal with that in their own way. Femslash.
Better to Reign by shusu
Another entry for sga_flashfic's "dark side" challenge. I'm really loving the stories that have come out of this (though I admittedly page past most of the Shep/McKay fics). Atlantis and Earth are at odds. I love the colonial mentality of the Atlantis folks.
Temporary Engagement by Kylie Lee
I'm not a huge fan of Zelenka/Weir, but this was just adorable, and it's a total takeoff of the 'mousy secretary gets a glamorous makeover and pretends to be engaged to the boss' romance cliche. Yeah, Zelenka's the secretary. It's so cute! Go and read!
In This Hour by witchofthedogs
John's having a very bad time of it, and Elizabeth talks him through it. Not a 'ship piece, but a friendshippy, hurt/comfort piece. I find that her voice in this piece is very true to her character.
Contraction & Expansion by illman
Elizabeth is having a stressful day in Antarctica. And she copes with it. I like this one because of this: How often do you see characters who're under stress in fic who deal with it themselves and move on from there? It's usually meant to be the breakdown that starts up the 'ship, or emphasizes it, or something. And it's got John, and it's a lovely meeting piece, but what I like best about it is that it shows Elizabeth's independence.
the more things change by alephtav
This is baddirtywrong Liz/John smut. It's kinky and dark and just has great moments of character and coping threaded through it. I don't know if I necessarily agree with the characterization, but it's dark!Liz and I like it anyway.
Logically Irrelevant by miera_c
John and Elizabeth are taking things slow. Very, very slow. And Elizabeth remains entirely aware of her position as leader of Atlantis and the repercussions a relationship with John could have on it. Though, thankfully, she doesn't explicitly state them, because that's become such a thing in breaking the regs-type fic that we've both been there and done that five zillion times. I've seen it starting (for my experience with fandom) with X-Files fic, moving to SG1 and now on to SGA. And obviously I have this thing for chain of command fic, which is why I'm so confused that I'm pretty much a genner for NCIS.
Four Queens by familyarchives
The oddballs of Atlantis get together for some poker and some girlbonding. Because why should poker night be reserved only for men? Also, contains Elizabeth, Kate, Teyla and Laura being vulnerable in some ways and strong in others, which is a nice example of how people really are. (I also tend to dislike fics where everyone is Strong All The Time, because that? Just isn't possible.)
Perimeters by unwinding
Post-ep for "Irresistible." Elizabeth copes. And while John is there, she doesn't need him to make her feel better.
Moments of Tenderness by amitee
Not a missing scene, not an ep tag, but a short vignette where John gets bad news and his reaction is typically underwhelming. But I like his interaction with Elizabeth.
Painted Ladies by azarsuerte
Teyla and Elizabeth friendship piece. Teyla comes to ask Elizabeth about the strange Earth custom of painting one's face different colors. It's a quiet, sweet moment where you can see their friendship beginning.
The Hot Seat by azarsuerte
This is post-"The Hot Zone," and Elizabeth and John sit own and have a little talk about things like the chain of command, and why his ignoring her orders just won't do. Elizabeth is hard when she has to be, and bends when she needs to, and it all shows that while she's a leader who does what she has to, she hasn't let those choices make her inflexible or cold.
Words of Wisdom by sga_addicted
For the sga_flashfic Secret Superpowers challenge. I like this one because it gives full credit to Elizabeth for her diplomatic abilities, and shows just how valuable they are. I don't think the series intends to give it short shrift, but sometimes the action overwhelms the diplomacy with the simple fact of being louder and more attention-grabbing.
Resurrection Girl by gategrrl
For the sga_flashfic Secret Superpowers challenge. Elizabeth Weir cannot die. And she uses this to her advantage, despite the toll it takes on her.
Elizabeth Draws Emperors Every Time by shusu
Meta essay on The Real World. It's very much a psychological study of Elizabeth and her interpersonal relationships. And it references Tarot. How cool is that?
Blankie Saga #1 by isaymckay
Okay, this is a comic strip, and I think I've posted this before, but it has wee!toon!Lizzie headdesking and in search of alcohol. I cannot help but love it.
May to September (1/2) by sally_lightfoot -
This is a WIP, so I am reccing the first half, and will do some kind of an actual rec when the story is finished. I like this story for a few reasons--first off, I think the author writes Elizabeth realistically. The premise is that John is gay and Elizabeth, well...doesn't realize that at first. (Except that, yes, this is a John/Elizabeth piece, so John does sort of evolve. Which isn't really a spoiler story, given that it's labelled as a John/Elizabeth piece.) Within the premise of gay!John and straight!Elizabeth, their friendship and interactions are written extremely well. She's got feelings for him, yes, but she works on getting over that and not letting it affect their working relationship, or their friendship.
I also like this one because there's the fact that I've both been there and done that with the unrequited feelings. Needless to say, the unrequited!Elizabeth writing certainly resonates with me.
Routine Perspective by lyssie
Elizabeth daydreams. Sometimes everyone needs a moment to just stop and think.