Category: Alternate Universe
Inclusion of non-canon family members (wives, siblings, etc.)
In Absentia (by Belle)
Summary: The boys have been forced to accept heartrending loss. Is it time to move on? K+ (15,750 words)
In Absentia Series, links to stories within the series are included.
Kate (by BettyHT)
Story by story in this series, Kate becomes more and more involved in Adam’s life first acting as his nurse several times when he is injured as he faces troubles, and then as his love interest. She has an unhappy past though which Adam has to unravel to win her heart, and then they face heartache as well as joy together. She is introduced in this first story as Adam faces a significant challenge and his family deals with heartache.
WC = 99,150 Rating — T
None Were The Lovingest (by DJK)
Summary: Ben and Little Joe discuss his father’s three wives.
Rated: K Word count: 658
She Left (by DJK)
Summary: Adam’s love is leaving him.
Rated: T Word count: 599
The Wheelchair Series
The Wheelchair
She Left
The Wheelchair (by DJK)
Summary: Years later Adam’s wheelchair from “The Triangle” comes out of the attic.
Rated: K+ Word count: 667
The Wheelchair Series, links to stories within the series are included.
The Smell of Bread (by Sibylle)
Summary: Adam visits the Ponderosa.
Rated: K+ WC 640
Spot Christmas (by sklamb)
Summary: When Adam brings his family back to the Ponderosa, his daughter Elizabeth’s first Christmas in Nevada is far from idyllic. But in 1903–in St. Louis!–Adam and the rest of her family make an upcoming Christmas truly special for her.
Rated: K WC 2600
A Handful of Ashes (by sklamb)
Summary: After a hotel fire in Sacramento, the survivors must come to terms with what is left to them. A story for all those who have learned from personal experience that even small miracles are sometimes miracle enough.
Rated: T WC 7200
Afterword (by JoaniePaiute)
Summary: A tribute to Bonanza World: much loved, gone too soon. Adam’s nightmare would indicate that all is lost. But Hoss has a different perspective…
Rated: K WC 1900
Thank You For Loving Me (by rosecartwright)
Summary: Joe goes to visit his Pa and brothers one summers day leaving his wife and child alone for the day. What will the Cartwright’s do when one of their own is injured and one is missing? Will Joe do whatever it takes to get his wife back or will he listen to Pa and have the sheriff help? What will they do when things start to go for the worse?
Rated: K (11,190 words)
One Step Closer #5 – From Two to Three a Family (by MissJudy)
Summary: Adam and his wife, Melinda, are living in England, and getting ready to welcome their first child. After a fall on the stairs, Adam must face the fear of losing his wife and child, and he comes to terms with his own lingering grief over his mother’s death. We also see the family back on the Ponderosa waiting impatiently for the arrival of a new Cartwright. The story returns the young parents to the states where a number of surprises await – including a visit from some Nevadans, and one old foe who leaves them reeling.
Rated: T WC 45,000
One Step Closer Series, links to all the stories within the series included.
One Step Closer #4 – In Search of Safety (by MissJudy)
Summary: Following a harrowing experience in Boston, Adam and his new wife head west to the Ponderosa for a visit, hoping to relax where they feel safe. Unfortunately Little Joe is not happy with their presence. Hoss helps sort things out between his brothers, but when one problem is solved, the Cartwrights “welcome” two more unexpected visitors. A misguided act by one of these guests brings near tragedy. This is a story of new lessons learned while old feelings are dealt with. It ends with Melinda and Adam in London, still wondering whether they can ever escape the trouble that seems to shadow them.
Rated: T WC 36,000
One Step Closer Series, links to all the stories within the series included.
One Step Closer #3 – Two Hearts Broken (by MissJudy)
Summary: Adam is back in Boston after a 12 year absence. His career has taken off in a prestigious engineering firm; he’s happily married to his college sweetheart, and he’ll be a featured performer at an upcoming choral production. But the life he’s made is destroyed in three weeks after a beautiful stranger hires him to build a wine cellar. He loses his job; his wife thinks he’s having an affair with the stranger, and he’s forced to participate in a federal crime, knowing that he won’t live through it, but hopes to stay alive long enough to protect the people he loves.
Rated: T WC 28,000
One Step Closer Series, links to all the stories within the series included.
One Step Closer #2 – Til Death Do We Part (by MissJudy)
Summary: Adam’s getting married! He’s moved to Boston to help his grandfather, and has begun to build a good life there, including an engagement to the girl he fell in love with during college. Their wedding is set to coincide with a unexpected visit from Ben Cartwright. All is well until Adam’s fiancee disappears and Ben and his son set out to find her. Adam battles a worsening illness along with the lies of those involved. He must rely on help from those more familiar with the city and at one point despairs as he asks his father why the women who love him…die. Will there be a wedding or will Adam sink further into loneliness and pain as another opportunity for love is torn away.
Rated: T WC 82,700
One Step Closer Series, links to all the stories within the series included.
Transfigurations (by MissJudy)
Summary: I’ve always wondered how Adam’s life would turn out after he left the Ponderosa. This story takes a look at the later years of his life. He’s had a distinguished career as an educator, philanthropist and businessman, and is “comfortable” with where he is and not looking for more. That changes when he sees a woman fall on the sidewalk in front of him and finds out that 40 years ago, she was his student in Virginia City. While getting to know her again, he comes to realize many things about himself – in particular – that being in love again is wonderful…but never easy.
Rated: K 47,000 words