Bates.

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

I'm looking for stories where Bates is a major character and isn't vilified. Stories from his POV would be amazing, but any fic where he is treated fairly would be welcome. Genre, rating and pairing don't matter.

Thanks!

Comments

[jenna_marianne]

I remember really liking this one, though it's more about Sumner, Bates features also.
Apparent Horizon by crimsonclad: The Atlantis Mission had seemed like a gift, proof of regained trust, until he saw the list of blacklisted names. Sumner POV, Bates/Sumner

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[jademac2442.livejournal.com]

The Lantean Legacy (http://keiramarcos.com/fan-fiction-index/stargate-atlantis-fan-fiction/the-lantean-legacy/lantean-legacy-no-enemy-within/), by keiramarcos. McKay finds a full ZPM and the expedition gets to know the city in ways they hadn't thought possible. Primarily John/Rodney. Bates isn't a super huge part, but he does feature in every chapter, multiple times from his point of view. He's warm and protective, and a little gruff, but never vilified or evil. This story kind of changed my opinion of him to be honest.

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[tzzzz.livejournal.com]

You probably already read this one, but: http://www.intimations.org/fanfic/stargate/transcendental.html

Also if you don't mind some slash with dubcon issues:

http://sperrywink.livejournal.com/311923.html

and

http://fictionresource.com/gaia/fic.php?story_id=00008&chapter=01

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

I'd forgotten about that AMTDI fic! I've always liked the portrayal of Bates in it.

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

It was ages since I read those stories last, but you're absolutely right. That was one of the first stories I found were I actually agreed with the way Bates was written.

[csad21.livejournal.com]

Here are a few:

so you think you're a leader by kho (http://kho.livejournal.com/652893.html?format=light):
Everybody thinks Bates is an asshole, and yeah. He is. He likes it that way. Keeps people away. Keeps them in line.[...]
He’s not here to make friends, he’s here to make sure they stay alive.
So everyone thinks Bates is an asshole.
Now ask him if he gives a shit.

Calm After The Storm by Mhalachai (http://www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php?action=printable&textsize=0&sid=7437&chapter=all):
Summary: Bates didn't like Major John Sheppard in any way, shape or form, but that didn't matter after the storm. (Set after The Storm/The Eye)

Remedial Leadership by Goddess47 (http://www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php?sid=10951&index=1):
Summary: Rodney's in charge of Atlantis and not happy about it. // The story where Bates and Miko get put in charge of household and security, and Rodney goes to the individual departments to find out what's not working, since no one seems to want to send a report on the problems. Abandoned WiP, unfortunately.

Storyteller by tigs (http://www.sparklydanceboys.com/tigs/sga/storyteller.html)
Summary: "Welcome. I am Rodney McKay, Chief Scientific Officer here in Atlantis, and this. This is story time." || Set in a peaceful future, but written during season one. [ Alternate link: http://www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php?sid=1445&index=1 ]
I'm including this because the image of Bates as father of a toddler just isn't to be passed up.

The Way We Look to a Distant Constellation by 30toseoul (http://archiveofourown.org/works/226782)
He finds a spot near the edge of the camp to sit and watch, to look east. Waiting and hoping until they can gather their things and go home. // The other side of the coin: What Zelenka, Bates and the rest of the Lanteans and Athosians on Manaria were thinking during "The Storm/The Eye".

Transcendental by shalott (http://www.intimations.org/fanfic/stargate/transcendental.html): Sarin gas courtesy of a Genii spy disables Elizabeth for months. Rodney takes command as second highest ranking civilian, and the Genii are in for quite a surprise. The best part of this is how Bates and the rest of the military love Rodney's leadership style.

"This Bolder Life" by Darkrose and Telesilla (http://sgabigbang.talkoncorners.net/?view=fic&id=36): Bates has only a minor role here, but I really loved how the authors brought him into the story, and how he was written. Actually, now that I think about it, maybe his role wasn't that minor. Don't quite remember. But he *was* important for a difficult rescue operation earthside.

Instructional by Jenn (http://seperis.illuminatedtext.com/sga/instructional.html): Again, a minor role (the story is all about how the scientists teach the newcomers of the military contingent their place), but I'm adding it mentions how you don't know true terror until you see Bates and McKay cooperating.

Square Peg, Round Hole by sharkie335 (http://archiveofourown.org/works/129251): Another good Bates here, even if not central focus of the story. Bates is the one keeping the newcomers and wannabe coup stagers in line as far as he can.

The first two above are Bates POV, by the way. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few other good ones, but hopefully these help. :)

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

Wow, thank you!

[mckaysmonkey.livejournal.com]

Nobody seems to have linked to "Uninversal Constant" by Alyse http://www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php?sid=1526
It's Bates POV - pairing Bates/Zalenka.

If you enjoyed Lantean Legacy by keiramarcos, you might want to try her Sentinels of Atlantis story, in which Bates has his own story thread, starting around chapter 10:
http://keiramarcos.com/fan-fiction-index/stargate-atlantis-fan-fiction/the-sentinels-of-atlantis-atlantissentinel/

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[eccentricweft.livejournal.com]

Converging (http://purna.livejournal.com/22055.html), by purna includes Bates. It's an AU, John/Rodney, and so they are the major characters, but Zelenka and Bates are the only others from canon (plus Hollander, the soldier John tried to rescue in Afghanistan, but he's comatose). As seen through AU-John's eyes, at first Bates seems like an unsympathetic character but John comes to realize that's not correct.

Sacrificial Drift (http://www.eternalvox.net/auburn/SacrificialDrift.html), by Auburn. Also John/Rodney, and sadly Bates has an even smaller role in this, but it was memorable (to me at least.)

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[juniper617.livejournal.com]

I don't think anyone's mentioned Gypsies Tramps and Thieves ( http://archiveofourown.org/works/73472/chapters/97464 ), where Bates has an important supporting role and comes off pretty well, overall.

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[duonoaikouka.livejournal.com]

If you're still looking, I found a very poignant, very short, work by sperrywink last month, Remembrance (http://dadt-repeal-fic.dreamwidth.org/550.html). It's from Bates' POV and it's him reflecting on the repeal of DADT and the effect having to hide has had on him in the past and how the repeal affects him now. It's very touching; me think you might like.

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

Thank you, that sounds great.

[lunabee34.livejournal.com]

Total self rec, but I wrote a couple of fics that pair Kavanagh/Bates (which is not as crazy weird as it might sound! LOL):

http://lunabee34.livejournal.com/tag/lunabee34%20fic%3A%20dataverse

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I've seen weirder. :P

[esteefee]

Hey: I'm sticking this in here for reference in future searches, because it was fun writing Bates as being awesome stand-up guy in Almost Human. (gen, John-as-cyborg AU.)

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

That's a pretty good idea.