Balancing Act by Mhalachai (PG-13)

[morena-evensong.livejournal.com]

Show: SG-1/Anita Blake
Rec Category: Crossover
Characters: Clone Jack, Richard Zeeman, Anita Blake
Categories: Gen
Warnings: Violence, threats of violence
Author on LJ: mhalachaiswords
Author's Website: Mhalachai
Link: Balancing Act

Why This Must Be Read: There are so many reasons why this story should be read, not the least of which is Mhalachai's amazing writing. Mhalachai does a wonderful job setting up what should be a rather awkward crossover, yet makes it seem effortless. The pacing is perfect and, best of all, other than the sudden existence of the supernatural, this isn't really an AU story, not entirely. The author even slips in a reason as to why we don't see any were-creatures in the SGC (done just as seamlessly as everything else in this story).
The main reason this should be read, however, aren't the vampires and werewolves. It's clone Jack. This is possibly the best rendition of the character I've ever read. He's recognizably Jack, but in a restrained way as he tries (and fails) not to bring attention to himself. He's a little bit bitter, a lot sarcastic and can't help but look at his fellow students and think that they're the same age Charlie would've been if he hadn't died. And even further underneath that is the battle-hardened soldier, the one that only hesitates for a moment before going after a friend who's been kidnapped by werewolves. Watching others react to clone Jack as they struggle to figure him out is just as entertaining as Jack's reactions to everything around him.
The only major flaw to this story is that there is, sadly, no follow-up.