Meet Emily, 15 year-old daughter of John Thornton MP... This story is about a few weeks in summer 1869 that change the course of her life; it's a coming-of-age fraught with revelations that have precious little to do with finding first love.

This story begins just after Margaret's father has died. With no one showing her any sympathy, what will happen when Mr Thornton is the only person to treat her with genuine kindness?

A continuation based on the TV miniseries: Coming home to Milton after their very public kiss and swift engagement was never going to be simple; but little did Margaret and Mr Thornton expect their challenges to start with a broken-down train, leaving them stranded on the way. Yet there's more to come—things that might derail their wedding plans...

Some possible thoughts of the characters surrounding J&M's first meeting. This combines text (in italics) from Sandy Welch's amazing BBC script and Elizabeth Gaskell's wonderful book (neither of which do I own). Reviews and comments are welcome.

Margaret Thornton is walking through the mill yard on a regular visit to her husband's office. She is struck in the head by a falling wooden beam and knocked unconscious. She wakes up…and thinks it is the day of the riot, over two years ago. With no memory of their reconciliation and marriage, can Margaret learn to love Mr. Thornton again? (M rating only for Chapter 9)

What if Mr. Thornton found Margaret in the study when she fainted after the inspector left. This combines text (in italics) from Elizabeth Gaskell's wonderful book and Sandy Welch's amazing BBC script (neither of which do I own). Reviews and comments are welcome.

A period AU: What if something had happened to prevent Margaret from going to Milton with her parents in the first place? What if it had taken another ten years for Mr Thornton—well, a Mr Thornton, anyway—to arrive in her life?

A North & South crossover with It's a Wonderful Life. John, in his deep despair after the failure of his mill and his broken heart, contemplates suicide. Instead he is given a vision of what life would be like had he not been born. Credit to Elizabeth Gaskell, Sandy Welch, Philip Van Doren Stern, Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, and Frank Capra (their words in italics).

Modern AU. One shots of John and Margaret's married life that take place after my story "The Rhythm of Life: North and South Retold." Suggestions and prompts welcome.

This is an in canon one-shot based on the book that begins as Mr. Thornton's first meeting with Margaret and Mr. Hale concludes. This uses text (in italics) from Elizabeth Gaskell's wonderful book. Reviews and comments are welcome.

As Thornton battles bitterly with Margaret's rejection, and she in turn struggles to come to terms with her true feelings for the northern mill owner, an ailing Mrs Hale decides to intervene. Will her final gift to her daughter be enough to save this classic couple?

Stand-alone stories with slightly different takes on the dinner party scene. "Complete" for now, but I may update with the other variations that I have in mind.

The day of the dinner party Edith attributes Margaret's redness and whiteness to the heat but the actual cause of both color changes is a certain someone. This combines text (in italics) from Elizabeth Gaskell's wonderful book and Sandy Welch's amazing BBC script (neither of which do I own). Reviews and comments are welcome.

Dixon has always considered Mr. Thornton a pest. So she decides to get rid of him just as she would any other vermin that enters the house. This combines text (in italics) from Elizabeth Gaskell's wonderful book and Sandy Welch's amazing BBC script (neither of which do I own). Reviews and comments are welcome.

Explorando qué puede haber pasado luego de que Margaret le dijera a John: Tengo una mejor opinión de usted, que usted de mí, en este momento, creo. Que hizo que el Señor Hale finalmente le preguntara a Margaret si cree que John tiene sentimientos por ella - (Versión en español de The two absent-minded men. Basado en un 'prompt' de Eliza en twitter)

A little drabble exploring what could have happened right after Margaret tells John 'I have a better opinion of you than you do of me at the moment, I feel', that made Mr. Hale finally ask Margaret what was going on with his student. -Based on a prompt by Eliza- -Thanx to Chiara on twitter for coming up with the title-

What would happen if Margaret had kissed John before New Year's Eve? A series of one shots exploring all the places in "The Rhythm of Life" where Margaret could have cut to the chase and kissed John much sooner.

Bit of a crossover with LOTR. John on the last day of work at Marlborough Mills, speaking with Higgins. I guess I have to credit J. R. R. Tolkien, Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Elizabeth Gaskell, and Sandy Welch for my inspiration here.

Margaret takes Bessy's simple cup as a memento of her beloved friend. Whatever happens to it? The first chapter is pretty much strictly from Gaskell's book as background. Chs 2 - 6 are a mix of my words and Gaskell's (in italics). Subsequent chapters are entirely original material. This is not a contiguous story, just one-shots with Bessy's cup. Reviews and comments are welcome.

And now for something completely different: A fantasy AU loosely based on Gaskell's N&S! ... Imagine a world without names... Imagine a wide flatland... The Plain; inhabited by five tribes with an uneasy truce between them—until, one day, a young Guardian is sent on a secret mission among the rough highland Miners, where she finds out that all is not as it seems.

When John Thornton attends a ball, he is devastated that he is not the one dancing with Margaret, the woman he loves. However, as he watches grumpily from the wings, his sister comes to join him, and spending a little time together, the siblings have a chance to talk, allowing them to share a sweeter moment than they have in years, bringing them closer.

Based on the 2004 TV miniseries: Something unexpected happens at that final short stop at a Midlands train station, sending Margaret back to London while Mr Thornton returns to Milton, alone. Will our favourite couple still find a way to come together in the end?

Margaret Hale is devastated to learn that she is to marry John Thornton after her parents discover the truth about the riot. In a final bid to persuade her father of the folly of this match, she goes to him, only to stumble upon a conversation which leaves her feeling hurt and humiliated. Overcome by hopelessness, she takes out her anger on the man she must soon call, husband.

After their chance reunion at the train station, John and Margaret return to Milton. Margaret uses her new wealth to search for a purpose, John struggles to come to terms with his past failings - and they must learn to live with each other. (M version is up on Archive of Our Own) Contains some instances of strong language. Complete

Nine years after coming home to Milton together, at the beginning of the Lancashire Cotton Famine and the American Civil War, Margaret and John Thornton's marriage is being put to the test by events that affect both their immediate family and the mill.