Downtime by Merry (G)

[green-grrl.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Jack/Daniel
Pairing: Jack/Daniel
Category: pre-slash, humor
Warning: none
Author on LJ: merryish
Author's Website: http://anyroad.org/merry/
Link: http://anyroad.org/merry/downtime.html

Why This Must Be Read: The 2006 Jack/Daniel Ficathon produced a tremendous amount of first-class slash for Jack/Daniel fans. It's truly worth reading through the whole list. (And many thanks to greensilver for putting it on!) As the Jack/Daniel reccer this month, I'm going to try do the impossible task of picking a few favorites, without completely spamming the comm. Unfortunately, two of the very best won't be listed this month as they're WIPs, but I am eagerly awaiting their finishes.

Of the fics that will be listed, no one was more surprised than I to find that among all the wonderful smut and darkfic and angst on offer, it was a G-rated pre-slash story that was the absolute delight, the one that demanded immediate rereads. Several rereads, in fact.

In a nutshell, the team goes on a mission to help Narim and the Tollans, and there are a few bumps along the way. (Already I hear you saying, "Narim! Tollans!" Yes, Narim escaped the destruction! Worth the price of admission already, isn't it?) There is a series of low-key, wryly amusing adventures before everything wraps up on a high note.

There are numerous delightful character moments for each of the team, and other characters. Jack and Daniel get some time alone for their special brand of banter and connection, and Jack has an increasing realization of how much Daniel means to him. The growing potential for romance is all very subtle and understated. Teamy goodness and J/D friendship are the main notes. And humor, lots and lots of humor. This is the feel-good fic of the year and just cute as a bug's ear.

( Excerpt under the cut )

Slavery on a Civilized Planet by CK (NC-17)

[green-grrl.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Jack/Daniel
Pairing: Jack/Daniel
Category: Slash
Warning: Sex, Non-con, Language
Author on LJ: muck_a_luck
Author's Website: LJ index: http://brainofck.livejournal.com/54980.html
Link: http://brainofck.livejournal.com/150977.html

Why This Must Be Read: Written for the 2006 Jack/Daniel Ficathon. CK's assignment was to write a story in which Jack is sold as a slave to Daniel, with the slave duties continuing after their return to Earth. Oh, and a happy ending. CK's personal goal was to do it without being derivative. She managed very nicely by postulating a mission to a unique society -- very modern, with a "kinder, gentler" slavery that was an integral part of the culture. Yet of course it was disturbing to the Americans and free Jaffa of SG-1, and an anathema when applied to one of their own. Fortunately, or not, the society gives them a technological "assist" for making the adjustment.

CK, as always, deftly treads the line between non-con and mutually enjoyed hot sex, with doses of angst and humor peppering the story.

Disclosure: I betaed this story, which basically consisted of probably one or two minor notes and one shameless plea that was indulged.

( Excerpt under the cut )

Pushed Into It by Jane Davitt (NC-17)

[green-grrl.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Jack/Daniel
Pairing: Jack/Daniel
Category: Slash
Warning: Sex, Language
Author on LJ: janedavitt
Author's Website: http://www.janedavitt.com/
Link: http://janedavitt.livejournal.com/530550.html

Why This Must Be Read: Written for the 2006 Jack/Daniel Ficathon. Anyone under the impression that Daniel is angelic, sweet, shy, timid or nice will get an eye-opener in this story. How easy it is to forget what a stubborn, recalcitrant, pushy bastard Daniel can be when he wants his way. Of course Jack's pretty stubborn himself, and could use a bit (read: a lot) of pushing, and Daniel's tired of waiting. There are some terrific Jack moments in the story -- the team leader on guard having to balance his inner dialogue with fulfilling his professional duties. The fic nicely portrays a frustrated Daniel and an exasperated Jack negotiating towards a middle ground, but no easy, pat answers or shiny, wrapped-in-a-bow resolution.

Jane's extraordinary skill with language is at its finest in this one.

Disclosure: I betaed this story, which meant making one tiny note.

( Excerpt under the cut )

After Chulak, by Random (PG)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Daniel Jackson

Pairing: None, although there are memories of Sha're
Category:  Daniel Jackson, Daniel/Jack friendship, gen, episode related, angst, character study
Warnings: none
Author on LJ: RandomFreshInk.blogger.com
Author's Website:  http://www.myspace.com/randomfreshink; Stargate fanfics listed here.
Link to Story: currently offline

Why This Must Be Read: Well, it's a Random story. Which means it will feature Daniel, and his friendship with Jack, and be scarily good at hitting all the right notes. So yes, this certainly must be read. :)

Many authors make the mistake of instantly making Daniel and Jack best friends at the beginning of S1. While there certainly is an intense bond, forged in their first mission to Abydos, they aren't quite friends yet, although the journey is certainly beginning. In this powerful story, Random gives us the two of them at 3 a.m. the night after Chulak, sitting in Jack's living room and simply... talking. For a fic that's technically simply conversation, it's amazing how riveting this story can be.

With Daniel in a haze of grief over his losses and Jack at a loss how to breach that grief, Jack and Daniel spar verbally as they try to figure each other out. Daniel is frustrated by Jack's apparent need to pigeonhole him based solely on his lack of military skills, without taking anything else into account; Jack is baffled at the mere attempt of trying to pigeonhole the ultimate outside-the-box guy into anything at all. Most of all, Daniel is frightened and angry at the risk of losing his chance to look for Sha're and Skarra, and Jack is alarmed and confused about how he's supposed to take a guy like Daniel Jackson and make him part of a working team.

Great insights into both characters, snappy dialogue that fits each of them perfectly, and a cautious forging of the next link of the chain in their friendship. This thoughtful story is an amazing glimpse at early Daniel Jackson that you'll want to savor.

( Snippet of fic... )

Drops in the Ocean, by Scribe (PG-13)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Daniel Jackson

Pairing: reference to Daniel/Sha're
Category:  Daniel Jackson, Jack O'Neill, gen, Daniel/Jack friendship, humor, angst
Warnings: nudity, sort of
Author on LJ: unknown
Author's Website: Daniel's Diaries
Link to Story: Drops in the Ocean

Why This Must Be Read: I don't think it's possible to rec the Daniel Jackson category without at least considering one of Scribe's stories! Since I've decided this is S1 Daniel Day, I chose this lovely little poignant story for my Scribe rec of the month.

Daniel is staying in Jack's apartment until he finds a place of his own. He's not a bad houseguest, but there's one peculiarity that's driving Jack insane: while Daniel is clearly showering before breakfast every morning, Jack doesn't hear the usual grumbling from his pipes when the shower goes on. How is Daniel getting clean without using the shower?

After several days of this nagging enigma getting on his nerves, Jack resorts to underhanded tactics to discover Daniel's secret. The truth surprises him, and the reasons behind that truth move him deeply - as they do us. It's so easy to picture Daniel doing just this, especially in those first months after he returns from Abydos.

As with most Scribe fics, particularly the shower series, there's Daniel-nudity involved, albeit technically off-screen. Mostly, though, this story is Jack learning something new about Daniel Jackson.

( Snippet of fic... )

Getting to Know You, by Seanchaidh (PG)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Daniel Jackson

Pairing: None
Category:  Daniel Jackson, gen, episode related, angst, team, Daniel/Jack friendship
Warnings: none
Author on LJ: seanchaidh
Author's Website: Seanchaidh
Link to Story: Getting to Know You, which includes additional series

Why This Must Be Read: Seanchaidh takes us through the edges of the first two episodes of S1, giving us a glimpse at Daniel's struggles with this new life and providing us with rich details into the making of SG-1.

From that first breakfast in Jack's house on a cold Colorado morning to the revelation of Teal'c's direct involvement in Sha're's implantation to the first tentative bonding with Captain-Doctor Sam Carter, we're treated to Daniel's POV of the various goings-on and his reaction to settling into the SGC. Some empty corners on canon are filled in very nicely, and it's fun to watch the first steps towards friendship among the team. Canon events and Seanchaidh's own tags are woven together seamlessly, leaving us with a very satisfying and polished whole.

The three part story of Getting to Know You is actually the first of several series, which sadly remain unfinished. Check out the link to read and enjoy the other stories, too... and how about dropping Seanchaidh a note and asking her to finish the rest? :)

( Snippet of fic... )

Cry for the Moon, by Carrie (PG-13)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Daniel Jackson

Pairing: None
Category:  Daniel Jackson, Jack O'Neill, Daniel/Jack friendship, episode related, angst
Warnings: references to canon minor character death, some language
Author on LJ: unknown
Author's Website: Carrie at Stargatefan
Link to Story: Cry for the Moon

Why This Must Be Read:  Reccing another Carrie fic this month, albeit in a different category.  Here's another wonderful author who allows us to see the process of Jack and Daniel's bond through Abydos deepening into real friendship.

Most of this story takes place just after the events of Enemy Within, when Jack is trying to cope with Charlie Kawalsky's death. When Daniel shows up at his home, uninvited, to offer consolation, Jack isn't interested in the slightest. He's angry at how much Kawalsky's death means to him, and resolved never, ever again to allow a teammate to become a good friend.

Hah. Little does he know.

This fic is a gem, because Daniel is not having an easy time getting through. After all, he shouldn't find it easy; he and Jack are still new to each other, still finding their way tentatively towards friendship, and Jack, who essentially pulled the trigger when he shut off the wormhole, really isn't in the mood. Daniel perseveres in the face of O'Neill-at-his-worst, and after some literally physical therapy to break the ice, finally gets invited indoors - both physically and metaphorically.

The final paragraphs of the story shift abruptly to some months down the line, and a pivotal moment for Jack in another episode. I won't spoil it here, because it's that parallel that left me breathless when I read this story. Until that point, it was a simply an excellent, if rather routine, Jack and Daniel friendship story. But with the twist linking the two events, Carrie left me astonished at her keen understanding of Jack O'Neill and the depth of his friendship with Daniel Jackson.

( Snippet of fic.. )