Title: Aegis
Fandom: Stargate: Atlantis
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard
Categories: AU, angst
Length: Epic
Warnings: none

Collaborative LJ: leahwoof
Springwoof's LJ: springwoof
Leah's Website: http://www.geocities.com/coffeeslash/leah/index.html

Review:
In an alternate universe where a large portion of Earth's population has the ATA gene (albeit inactive in most of the population), the gene itself gives about ten percent of the population special powers ('Gifts'). Most of the Atlantis mission has these gifts; Aegis is a retelling of season one through this universe.

This fic surprised me, because I wasn't thrilled with the premise but I ended up loving the story anyway. Unlike most super-power AUs, Aegis isn't a rehash of comic book mythology with SGA characters, and the most significant difference is also the one that really makes this story work: characters can't use their Gifts willy-nilly, because there is a physical cost (e.g. a huge calorie/glucose consumption by the body) each time they use it. As a result, not only do you not get a free pass out of the more difficult situations that came up in the series, but some crises become even more thrilling, due to the fact that characters are in danger of going into hypoglycemic shock if they're not careful.

On top of this, you have a really damaged John (who is, cleverly, a 'Chamer'), who is so afraid of his gift that he won't touch anyone or let anyone touch him. At all. As his history is slowly revealed through (thankfully short) flashbacks, you start to understand his aversion and at the same time you'll want to smack him because he's in love with Rodney and Rodney's in love with him and John needs to stop being an idiot already and get with the kissing. Arg! And yet this tension is what really makes the story so compelling, even if you aren't a huge fan of SuperPower!fic. Highly recommended for anyone looking for angst, action, and (mountains of) trust issues.

Aegis