What Happened Before, Missing Scenes, What Happened Next, What Happened Instead, and stories that begged to be told that were not included within the series. Some of these stories were challenge inspired and some, the writers were just never satisfied with what was aired.
~ B ~ O ~ N ~ A ~ N ~ Z ~ A ~
Please be advised that the listing of stories below may contain works which have been assigned and “R” or a “Mature” rating by their respective authors. Such stories could contain explicit language and/or adult themes; and are not intended for readers under the age of 18. Please heed our rating guidelines.
To read the story, click on the title.
A Dish Served Cold by Questfan
Summary: A somewhat AU What Happened Instead for The First Born. While New Orleans had brought Marie into Ben’s life, it was also a breeding ground for lies, whispered rumours, family disputes and long-held hatred. It has long been said that revenge is a dish that is best served cold.
Rating: T Word Count: 63028
A Legacy Deferred by BluewindFarm
Summary: Joe is summoned to the Ponderosa for a matter pertaining to an inheritance. Curiously, the letter and recent events in his life reveal his dissatisfaction, and thrust him on a journey of discovery.
Rating: T (16,980 words)
A Matter of Family by BluewindFarm
Summary: A mistaken identity sends the Cartwrights on a race to save one of their own.
Rating: K (6,820 words)
A New Understanding by Terri
Summary: A WHN for First Born. Adam is angry at Joe for offering to leave with Clay. Will he be able to reconcile with his youngest brother?
Rating: K+ WC 2200
A Note for Santa #1 by Dodo
Summary: A Christmas WHI for First Born
Word Count: 1709 Rating: K+
A Note for Santa #2 – Regrets and Resolutions by Dodo
Summary: A WHN for A Note for Santa
Rating: K+ Word Count: 1725
A World Turned Upside Down by Krystyna
Summary: Little Joe Cartwright can’t believe it when Clay Stafford enters his life again …nor can his brothers for very different reasons. Is Clay back for good? Are his motives honest and above board? And who is the man with whom he keeps in contact?
Rating: T (55,545 words)
Between First Borns #1 by DJK
Summary: Adam has a chance meeting with Clay after Clay has left the Ponderosa. Followed by: By Step, By Half, and By Heart.
Rating: K+ Word count: 1445
Between First Borns #2 – By Step, by Half, and by Heart by DJK
Summary: Clay sends a telegram to Adam asking him for help. This time Clay’s troubles send the entire Cartwright family down a road that could led to the destruction of Ben Cartwright’s dream or finally bring Joe’s other brother home.
Rating: T Word count: 32335
Blood is Thicker than Water by Terri
Summary: What if Clay and Will never left the Ponderosa. How will Ben cope with five rambunctious under his roof. Will rough housing, drinking, card playing, womanizing become the norm??
Rating: T WC 24,000
Clay by Rona
Summary: A sequel to the episode First Born – A chance meeting in an hotel reunites Joe with his brother Clay. But is Clay’s past about to catch up with him again?
Rated: T (10,585 words)
Choices by HelenB
Summary: A WHN for First Born. Clay returns to the Ponderosa. Will trouble follow him again?
Rating: T (8,330 words)
Coming Home by Deansgirl
Summary: A WHN for The First Born
Rated:K+ (4,410 words)
Echo of a Heartbeat by Patina
Summary: While watching her sons playing down by the lake, Marie wonders about the child she lost.
Rating: K Word Count=1523
Family Ties by Patina
Summary: WHI for The First Born and WHN for The Last Viking. Can Hoss protect his younger brother when Clay Stafford reveals he’s Marie’s first born?
Rating: K Word Count: 8114
Fortune’s Son by Patina
Summary: WHIB for The First Born. On a moonlit night, Clay reflects on the lies and deceptions that ruined his mother’s life in New Orleans but led her to happiness in Nevada.
Rating: K Word Count=1799
Gambler and the Cowboy (The) by Dodo
Summary: What if the Episode “The First Born” had never happened?
Rating: T (2,750 words)
Heart of Clay by DebbieB
Summary: While being held prisoner by a gang of bank robbers, Joe makes contact with a man from his past. Confused by why this certain person is associated with the bandits, Joe struggles to put the pieces of the puzzle into one. Not until much heartache later is the truth revealed to him, and then it is up to Joe to learn to forgive.
Rated: G (13,425 words)
Her First Born #1 by PJB
Summary: A WHI for “The First Born.” Ben recounts the arrival of Clay Stafford, Marie’s first-born son.
Rated: K+ WC 16,600
Her First Born #2 – Saying Goodbye by PJB
Summary: Eight years after Clay Stafford’s departure from the Ponderosa, the truth is revealed.
Rated: K WC 3700
If Marie had Lived by Krystyna
Summary: If Marie Had Lived… and Ben had died…
Rating: T (225,640 words)
In Silence and in Tears by Rona
Summary: Joe’s depression after Clay leaves is worrying the whole family. What can they do to help him recover?
(9,940 words) Rated: T
Kin by the Tahoe Ladies
Summary: The return of an old face on the Ponderosa.
Rated: T Word Count: 10436
My Little Boy who Never Was by PuchiAnn
Summary: Ben reflects on the son he should have had.
WC 768 Rating: K
Need by Dodo
Summary: A WHN for Firstborn and my submission for the May Literary Challenge. Relations between Ben and Joe have become tense.
Rated: K+ Word Count: 2284
Pain Goes On and On (The) by Dodo
Summary: A WHI for First Born – Clay Stafford arrives in Virginia City to meet his brother Joe, but only finds heartache at the Ponderosa.
Rated: K+ Word Count: 20178
Studio Executives #6 – Fake History by pjb
Summary: The Cartwrights recognize that they have a great deal to be thankful for. So why won’t they do a Thanksgiving episode?
WC: 2,440 Rating: PG
Under the Influence by Cheaux
Summary: Words and actions impact and influence the people around us more than we realize. A WHN for “First Born.”
Rated: K+ Word Count: 2,176
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