Whipping Boy 101, by Lex (PG-13)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Daniel Jackson

Pairing: none
Category:  Daniel Jackson, Jack/Daniel friendship, drama, humor, episode related
Warnings: some language, some violence
Author on LJ: unknown
Author's Website: Lex at The Tablet
Link to Story:  Whipping Boy 101

 
Why This Must Be Read: In New Ground, Daniel was forced to face two new things: being tortured by human beings, and being made solely responsible for the safety of his teammates. In this fun episode tag, Lex adds another component to Daniel's frustration: being singled out as the weakest link.

To be fair, Rygar probably targeted Daniel because he'd been the one to identify himself by name in the first place, before they went through the Stargate at all. But when Jack is summoned to deal with an angry Daniel late at night, he understands Daniel's frustrations and deals with them the way Daniel wants.

Or, perhaps, doesn't want, by the end of the story. :)

Highlights include Jack's attempts to pretend to be a Goa'uld, Daniel's POV to the scene in the locker room, and some wonderful Jack/Daniel friendship and banter that makes this story a truly wonderful read.

 

I shrug, then up the ante a little. "New scenario: you're alone in the SGC with a group of hostile aliens. They're threatening to blow up the base. What do you do?"

"Am I a prisoner?"

"Not in the conventional sense. There are no weapons in sight, but these aliens don't need them."

"Do they understand me?"

"Yes."

"Then I talk to them. I need to understand why they want to destroy us. Maybe we did something to them that they see as deserving of this punishment."

"Maybe they're an invading force."

"I won't know that until I talk to them, Jack."

"You know they've already killed everyone else. Surely that's enough proof."

"Then why am I still alive?"

"Uh..." Damn good question. "You're not considered a threat."

Daniel sighs. "Of course I'm not."

Crap.

"Okay, how about this one. SG-1 are off-world. We've been captured by a local warlord who refuses to believe that we're peaceful explorers. He thinks we're spies. He studies us all, asks us questions, then chooses you to question further. What do you do?"

"Why me?"

"Because you're the one who was calm and truthful up until that point. You're the one who tried to reason with the guy."

Daniel considers that for a few seconds. "This sounds a little too familiar, Jack."

I give him time to think.

"I'd do what I did before."

"You mean keep trying to convince him that what you're saying is true."

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I have no other viable options. Because I can't escape and I can't rescue my friends and I can't contact help. The only thing I can do is stay alive and try to keep everyone else alive. In the process I can talk to them, gain their trust. I tell the truth."

"Not the whole truth," I say.

He smiles at that. "There are some things the bastard doesn't need to know."

"I agree wholeheartedly."

"But it's still me he's going for. That's the part I don't follow."

"You'd rather it was someone else?"

"Yes! No. I..." He ducks his head and goes quiet. I give him a minute, but no further insights are forthcoming.

This talking thing isn't as useful as it's cracked up to be. I manage to keep the devious smile off my face as I stand up. "Okay, theory is over. It's time for the practical." Daniel looks a little worried. "Come on, on your feet."

He complies, but little lines are creasing his forehead and his teeth are worrying at his bottom lip.

"Closer. I won't bite."

He shuffles forward, stopping just out of arm's reach. Smart boy.

I put on my most serious Colonel Take-No-Crap-From-Anyone face, hold out my right hand, the palm facing Daniel, and bellow, "Kneel before your god, Tau'ri scum."

Daniel crosses his arms and raises an eyebrow.

I clear my throat and try again. "I said kneel! Do you wish to feel the wrath of my ribbon thingy?"