stargateficrec | The O'Neill Method, by Paian, PoG, and Sid (G)

Rec Category: Jack and Teal'c friendship
Pairing: none
Categories: Jack and Teal'c friendship, Jack O'Neill, Teal'c, gen, character study
Warnings: none
Author on LJ:

paian,

princessofg, and

sidlj
Author's Website: see individual LJs
Link: The O'Neill Method

Why This Must Be Read: Paian and Princess of G and Sid did a stunning collaboration here, as Teal'c weighs his experiences with the Tau'ri and considers the meaning of ritual, friendship, and the depths that can often be found in simplicity.

There is magnificent Teal'c POV, written with gravity and choice turns of phrase. Teal'c looks back at his habits over the years and his connections with Jack, at the weight of their burdens and challenges and the choices they make for the sake of others. It's all wrapped up in Jack's fondness for cliches and the benefits of long, hot showers; but there are layers and layers here, waiting to be read with careful thought and even deeper appreciation.

This is the Teal'c I love, and the Jack he respects: the warrior friendship bond at its absolute best.

"You can stay, y'know," O'Neill said, propping a foot on the end of a bench and leaning a forearm on his knee, the other arm braced at the elbow on his thigh and draped across.

Standing at his open locker, Teal'c inclined his head, then began to dress. He did know; O'Neill had offered him a team of his own, a chance to serve the galaxy as an explorer instead of the oppressor and then liberator he had been until now -- an opportunity to continue on as an explorer instead of becoming, perforce, a politician. O'Neill knew how much he would like to escape his fate. O'Neill would spare him a future of policymaking, negotiations, civics.

He would spare O'Neill the same, if he could. But he could not. In order to protect this Program and to safeguard this planet, O'Neill would relocate to a place he did not like and accept a job he did not want among men he did not trust. Teal'c would do no less for his people.