Fic: Things Not Said (Jeannie Miller(McKay)/Sheppard, PG13)

[sgasesa_admin]

Title: Things Not Said
Author: skinscript
Recipient: scrollgirl
Pairing: Sheppard / Jeannie
Warning: Implications of adultery
Rating: PG-13
Prompt: ... I'm intrigued by John/Jeannie Miller (or McKay, if AU Jeannie never married Kaleb). I enjoy episode tags where characters deal with fallout from canon events ...
Spoilers: McKay and Mrs. Miller, Miller's Crossing

Comments

[anonymous]

PLEASE put a warning up. It's well written but I'm starting my day off thoroughly squicked because I read something I usually avoid.

Feel free to erase this comment.

[alyse]

I've been asked by the author to clarify exactly what warning you think is required on the story. I'm afraid she's at a bit of a loss (and so am I).

[auburnnothenna]

I'll take a stab at what anonymous meant, though I wasn't squicked myself.

McKay/Sheppard shippers are going to consider this partner betrayal on some level, even though that ship isn't canon. That's one of those one person is bothered, the next person doesn't even realize there's something to be bothered by scenarios.

However, the story needs a partner betrayal warning anyway, because of the overt infidelity on Jeannie's part. She's married: sleeping with Sheppard is adultery. Even though the tin says Sheppard/Jeannie, most folks aren't going to expect that.

Meanwhile, I'm delighted to turn over presidency of the Jeannie's Not a Saint Club to the author. Youch.

[skinscript]

Hey there

Thank you for the guess! For myself, I figured that the adultery wouldn't be a surprise, even if the headers were ambiguous (on second reading). I really appreciate you taking a stab at explaining!

I've always been a bit torn on Jeannie actually - I like *her* but I don't like that she enjoys seeing Rodney humiliated. I was figuring, maybe there's a reason for why she is that way. Being competitive seemed a fairly natural extension. :)

Happy Holidays!

[bironic]

Ooh, interesting. This is a Jeannie who's not perfect after all, who has believable issues -- who wouldn't be a bit pathologically competitive, growing up with Rodney as a brother and from what we've heard about their father? -- but is still sympathetic. I love that this stemmed from a look John gave Jeannie in "Miller's Crossing" -- I'm definitely going to look out for that next time.

[skinscript]

Do most folks think Jeannie's perfect? I've always found her to be very smart, and to have a good sense of humour, and quite obviously devoted to her family, but I've also found her to be judgemental and hurtful. Is this an unusual viewpoint?

Anyway - sorry about the tangent there. Thank you! I do like Jeannie but I figure if she's a 'real person', she's got to have some issues. I could see being so far from home as an impetus to lose track of some of her priorities. I don't think this makes her unsympathetic either, if anything for me it makes her more.

Cheers!

[korilian]

Oh man. This made me really uncomfortable. Its not entirely clear whether or not there's something going on between John and Rodney (or whether Rodney wants it), but the calculated way Jeannie claimed John was very disturbing. Especially since she didn't spare a thought for Kaleb and Madison.

Good fic.

[skinscript]

Hey there

[korilian]

I'm way cool with being disturbed when it's done in such a masterful way :).

I think Jeannie is an interesting character, because I could think of a lot of directions she could turn, while still staying in character.
The first time we met Jeannie in MMM we were shown that she can be ugly and vindictive. When she told the team all Rodney's embarrassing stories it seemed like innocent sibling ribbing, until it was revealed that she was very consciously punishing him. She deserved a little payback, but I can see how you could turn that character just a few shades darker and more messed up.

It's such a shame that she herself will be the most damaged by this.

Maia - Might as well put my name here, huh?

[anonymous]

I am not the same anonymous person as before. (and I am also a little puzzled as to what any warning should be about).
Anyway, on to the story. This is a very interesting take on this character (I mean Jeannie, of course). I find it to be a very unique insight that makes the character very *real*, makes her a human character. Flawed, intense, interesting.
It's something I never saw on the show - this John/Jeannie vibe - but nevertheless can fit.
Again, a very intelligent and adult startling insight into characters we know.
Nice job, Santa.
Maia.

Re: Maia - Might as well put my name here, huh?

[skinscript]

Hi Maia (*hugs*)

I too think Jeannie needs more to make her flawed and human, in a way that isn't just beating up on Rodney. :)

I never really saw the vibe in the show either, actually - but I did think that if we were talking about real people then something like this could happen.

Thank you for your review, darling!!

[scififreak]

Hmm, I think this is a very interesting take on Jeannie. And quite plausible, given her relationship with Rodney. Personally, I didn't take her actions on the show to be "ugly and vindictive", but then I've known many sibling pairs exactly like that--and much worse. They felt very normal to me. Also, I think fandom is too harsh when it comes to Jeannie and Rodney's interactions on the show. They're all like "awww, poor Rodney! She's so mean!" When we know that Rodney can hold his own and has said much worse to, what I am sure are, many more people.

Jeannie/Sheppard sga-santa fic

[skinscript]

Thanks!

In general, I do find Jeannie believable on the show. I don't think she treats Rodney particularly well, mostly because she sets out to humiliate and hurt him on purpose, where he tends to humiliate and hurt her while being completely oblivious to it. That being said, he *does* do both and I certainly get where the sibling relationship comes from.

I don't think any of those things were really in the story though - I really just wanted it to be about the unexpected consequences of behaviours we don't even really see happening til it's done. :)

Cheers!