No Signs, by Random (R)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Teamy Goodness

Pairing: None
Category:  team, gen, Samantha Carter, Daniel Jackson, Daniel/Jack friendship, action/adventure, drama, angst, friendship
Warnings: violence, temporary minor character deaths, intense sexual situations, drugged reactions
Author on LJ: RandomFreshInk.blogger.com
Author's Website:
Link to Story: currently offline

Why This Must Be Read: I'm a huge fan of Random's stories. It's gotten to the point where I'll automatically save a new fic of hers to hard drive without reading it first, because I know I'm going to want to reread it at my leisure. This long, engrossing story seems to be Random's first SG-1 fic that isn't directly episode related, and it's a real keeper. It's definitely Sam's and Daniel's story, but it's also got lots of Jack, and Teal'c. And a great plot. And drama, and angst, and friendship. I've never had to list so many categories before... Yep. A teamy goodness fic, without question!

SG-1 is sent on a S&R mission when SG-4 fails to return to the SGC. They find a thriving matriarchal society, automatically giving Sam a wonderful chance to shine in the spotlight. While SG-4's situation seems to be explained easily enough, and it seems as if they can come to a peaceful resolution in just a few days' time, little details combine to present a troubling picture. These people defeated the local Goa'uld, but when, and how? What secrets are they keeping from SG-1, and what are their true motivations? How can SG-1 discover the truth, without risking the freedom of SG-4 - and possibly their own lives?

Besides the intriguing plot, Random treats us to some wonderful characterization and interaction, especially the close friendship between Daniel and Sam. That friendship is tested when the two of them are exposed to a drugged smoke that nearly leads them somewhere they don't want to go, but the connection never fails. As with every Random fic, we also get wonderful Jack and Daniel friendship, with a fantastically wisely observant Teal'c as well.

The climactic scene of the story includes a deadly standoff between the established villain and Daniel, with Jack misunderstanding Daniel's intentions until the very last second, and nearly beyond it. The fic wraps up to a satisfying conclusion as the natives are ready to rebuild, the teams are ready to go home, and Daniel and Sam are most definitely back in business.

I love Random's wonderful episode-based fics to pieces (I've recced two before, here and here), and I don't want her to stop writing those, but here's hoping we get more original storylines of delicious teamy goodness in the future.

( Snippet of fic... )

A Vacation at Jack's Place, by OughtaKnowBetter (PG-13)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Teamy Goodness

Pairing: None
Category:  team, gen, humor, drama, action/adventure, hurt/comfort
Warnings: Danny-whumping
Author on LJ: unknown
Author's Website: OughtaKnowBetter at Heliopolis
Link to Story: A Vacation at Jack's Place

Why This Must Be Read: This entertaining story begins with a light note, as Teal'c and Jack kick back at Jack's cabin in Minnesota, waiting for Sam and Daniel to join them on their vacation. Things quickly go south when Daniel overhears a terrorist plot at a roadside diner and starts a chain of events that includes hapless FBI agents, Teal'c in excellent tracking and looming mode, Sam disarming bombs at airports, Colonel Jack in superb black ops mode, Daniel translating both Farsi and that "unusual subset of ancient Egyptian that you've been working on," ribbon devices, "daughter" ships... as General Hammond wryly observes, "Only Jack O'Neill can find a Goa'uld in Minnesota."

It's just lovely to see SGC-standard competence from both SG-1 and the other SG teams when they're working on Earth. Teal'c's POV sections are particularly enjoyable, as he attacks the art of fishing with fierce intensity and considers The Three Stooges DVDs that he's working through at the moment. There's lots to enjoy for each team member, though, not just Teal'c - Sam smoothly taking over whenever the situation demands, Jack outmaneuvering the FBI agent who quickly realizes he's way out of his league, Daniel doing his best, even while being hunted, to save another person's life and keep going until his teammates can catch up and help him. Treasure maps, booby traps, disgruntled locals and terrorist camps... This wonderful story is a mix of exciting plot, wonderful characterization, great dialogue, and delightful teamy goodness.

( Snippet of fic... )