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.<\/p>\n
~ B ~ O ~ N ~ A ~ N ~ Z ~ A ~<\/p>\n
Please be advised that the listing of stories below may contain works which have been assigned and “R”<\/strong> or a “Mature”<\/strong> 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n To read the story, click on the title.<\/p>\n A Dish Served Cold<\/a> by Questfan<\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 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. A Legacy Deferred<\/a> by BluewindFarm<\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 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. A Matter of Family<\/a> by BluewindFarm<\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 A mistaken identity sends the Cartwrights on a race to save one of their own. A New Understanding<\/a> by Terri<\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 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? A Note for Santa #1<\/a> by Dodo<\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 A Christmas WHI for First Born A Note for Santa #2 – Regrets and Resolutions<\/a> by Dodo<\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 A WHN for A Note for Santa A World Turned Upside Down<\/a> by Krystyna<\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 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? Between First Borns #1<\/a> by DJK<\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 Adam has a chance meeting with Clay after Clay has left the Ponderosa. Followed by:\u00a0 By Step, By Half, and By Heart. Between First Borns #2 – By Step, by Half, and by Heart<\/a> by DJK<\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 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. Blood is Thicker than Water<\/a> by Terri<\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 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?? Brother? \u2013 by Lau <\/a><\/p>\n Synopsis: What was Adam real feelings when he knew that Clay Stafford was his little brother’s brother. Clay<\/a> by Rona<\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 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? Choices<\/a> by HelenB<\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 A WHN for First Born.\u00a0 \u00a0Clay returns to the Ponderosa. Will trouble follow him again? Coming Home<\/a> by Deansgirl<\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 A WHN for The First Born Echo of a Heartbeat<\/a> by Patina<\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 While watching her sons playing down by the lake, Marie wonders about the child she lost. Family Ties<\/a> by Patina<\/p>\n Summary: WHI for The First Born and WHN for The Last Viking. \u00a0 \u00a0Can Hoss protect his younger brother when Clay Stafford reveals he’s Marie’s first born? Fortune\u2019s Son<\/a> by Patina<\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 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. Gambler and the Cowboy (The)<\/a> by Dodo<\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 What if the Episode \u201cThe First Born\u201d had never happened? Heart of Clay<\/a> by DebbieB<\/p>\n Summary: While being held prisoner by a gang of bank robbers, Joe makes contact with a man from his past.\u00a0 Confused by why this certain person is associated with the bandits, Joe struggles to put the pieces of the puzzle into one.\u00a0 Not until much heartache later is the truth revealed to him, and then it is up to Joe to learn to forgive. Her First Born #1<\/a> by PJB<\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 A WHI for “The First Born.” Ben recounts the arrival of Clay Stafford, Marie’s first-born son. Her First Born #2 – Saying Goodbye<\/a> by PJB<\/p>\n Summary: Eight years after Clay Stafford’s departure from the Ponderosa, the truth is revealed. If I Could Turn Back Time \u2013 by Annie K Cowgirl\u00a0 <\/a><\/p>\n Summary: Foolishly, I had thought I’d have more time; there were places I wanted to see, things I wanted to do. Now, due to my stupidity, I’d never get to. Rated: T (only for mentions of death)\u00a0 Word Count: 1,167<\/p>\n If Marie had Lived<\/a> by Krystyna<\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 If Marie Had Lived… and Ben had died… In Silence and in Tears<\/a> by Rona<\/p>\n Summary: Joe\u2019s depression after Clay leaves is worrying the whole family. What can they do to help him recover? In This Life \u2013 by Wrangler\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Summary: When Joe arrived in Savannah to be Clay’s best man he never knew he’d be running for his life after contracting yellow fever. Now home, he recounts the terrifying details to his family. Kin<\/a> by the Tahoe Ladies<\/p>\n Summary: The return of an old face on the Ponderosa. My Little Boy who Never Was<\/a> by PuchiAnn<\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 Ben reflects on the son he should have had. Need<\/a> by Dodo<\/p>\n Summary: A WHN for Firstborn and my submission for the May Literary Challenge. Relations between Ben and Joe have become tense. Pain Goes On and On (The)<\/a> by Dodo<\/p>\n Summary: A WHI for First Born – Clay Stafford arrives in Virginia City to meet his brother Joe, but only finds heartache at the Ponderosa.
\n
\nRating: T Word Count: 63028<\/p>\n
\n
\nRating:\u00a0 T (16,980 words)<\/p>\n
\n
\nRating:\u00a0 K (6,820 words)<\/p>\n
\n
\nRating:\u00a0 K+ WC 2200<\/p>\n
\n
\nWord Count:\u00a0\u00a0 1709 Rating:\u00a0 K+<\/p>\n
\n
\nRating:\u00a0 K+ Word Count:\u00a0\u00a0 1725<\/p>\n
\n
\nRating:\u00a0 T (55,545 words)<\/p>\n
\n
\nRating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0\u00a0 Word count:\u00a0\u00a0 1445<\/p>\n
\n
\nRating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 Word count:\u00a0\u00a0 32335<\/p>\n
\n
\nRating:\u00a0 T WC 24,000<\/p>\n
\n
\nRating:\u00a0 G
\nWords:\u00a0 2,100<\/p>\n
\n
\nRated:\u00a0\u00a0 T (10,585 words)<\/p>\n
\n
\nRating:\u00a0\u00a0 T (8,330 words)<\/p>\n
\n
\nRated:K+ (4,410 words)<\/p>\n
\n
\nRating: K\u00a0 Word Count=1523<\/p>\n
\n
\nRating: K\u00a0 Word Count: \u00a08114<\/p>\n
\n
\nRating: K\u00a0 Word Count=1799<\/p>\n
\n
\nRating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (2,750 words)<\/p>\n
\n
\nRated: G\u00a0 (13,425 words)<\/p>\n
\n
\nRated: K+\u00a0 WC\u00a0 16,600<\/p>\n
\n
\nRated:\u00a0 K\u00a0\u00a0 WC\u00a0 3700<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\nRating: T (225,640 words)<\/p>\n
\n
\n(9,940 words)\u00a0 Rated: T<\/p>\n
\n
\nThe First Born
\nRating T, WC 47,230<\/p>\n
\n
\nRated: T\u00a0\u00a0 Word Count: 10436<\/p>\n
\n
\nWC 768\u00a0 Rating: K<\/p>\n
\n
\nRated: K+ Word Count: 2284<\/p>\n
\n
\nRated: K+\u00a0 Word Count: 20178<\/p>\n
\n