Unmade by Destina Fortunato (R)

[green-grrl.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Angst
Pairing: Jack/Daniel
Category: Angst, Slash, Episode related
Warning: Slash, Character Death
Author on LJ: destina
Author's Website: http://www.lyricalmagic.com/sg1.html
Link: http://www.lyricalmagic.com/unmade.html

Why This Must Be Read: Considering that this fic starts with Jack dying in Double Jeopardy while his robot survives, it's hard to believe that more angst is in store. Yet Destina beautifully peels back additional, painful layers of the story, like an onion, until the ending is a full-on sobfest. Masterfully written and a great read.

Excerpt:
Jack stuffed his hands in his pockets and stood still for Daniel's scrutiny, aware that he was only a mirage, an echo of Daniel's blown-apart life. He tried not to look too long or too hard at Daniel in return, but it was impossible; Daniel's presence in the room was like water in the desert. Too much, and he could still drown.  

"It's...strange...to see you," Daniel said finally. Even as he said it, he dropped his gaze, searching the floor for a place to lock his eyes, somewhere away from the place where Jack was. Or, more accurately, where Jack wasn't.

"Likewise," Jack said, although it wasn't. It was, in fact, like seeing Daniel's ghost come to life. He'd been acquainted with Daniel's ghost for over a year, had talked to it, tried to touch it, had felt a part of him die every time he failed.

This was much more painful.