Better Than Revenge, by Aelfgyfu (PG)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Episode related

Pairing: none
Categories: episode related, Teal'c, team, angst, friendship, gen, character study
Warnings: none
Author on LJ: unknown
Author's Website: The Mead Hall 
Link: Better Than Revenge

Why This Must Be Read: This fic is something I thought couldn't possibly exist – a good-quality rewrite of Shades of Grey from a brand new angle!

Alefgyfu retells the episode entirely from Teal'c POV, as he grapples with what Jack has apparently become and what it means to him, as the shol'va who left Apophis to join an honorable man who no longer seems worthy of his respect. We see both Teal'c and the other members of SG-1 acting with intelligence and acuity, as they analyze Jack's actions and draw their own conclusions – not the actual truth, perhaps, but an understanding of Jack's character and what they believe he is trying to accomplish. There's Teal'c's reflection on the act of forgiveness, and his observations of Makepeace as leader, and his dealings with Daniel and Sam throughout the episode. The ending, with the unique revenge that gives the story its title, is SG-1 to the core and the perfect touch.

There's teaminess and friendshipiness and insightfulness galore in this long, satisfying, wonderful story. We need more Teal'c fic out there, and this one is not to be missed!

 

Now that he was calmer, Teal'c could see no sense in O'Neill's behavior. Retirement would not satisfy O'Neill. He must have something else to do. Fishing on Edora? Not enough. O'Neill must have something else in mind.

Teal'c thought of his teammates making a list on a used sheet of paper and felt better. He could see two possibilities as clearly as if MajorCarter were writing them down:

1. O'Neill planned to use the Gate on Edora to access other worlds and continue the fight against the Goa'uld by himself.

2. O'Neill planned to use the Gate on Edora to access other worlds and redeem himself so that he might ultimately rejoin SG-1.

O'Neill would not need a GDO. Several planets now had Sagan boxes or other means of contacting the SGC in times of need; he knew their locations and, though he pretended to have trouble remembering, Teal'c was certain that O'Neill could dial Cimmeria and the Land of Light as well as Edora from anywhere with a working DHD.

He could imagine O'Neill continuing the battle himself. To do so would be dangerous, but without a GDO and knowledge of current codes, O'Neill risked little besides himself. He would sooner die than be compromised. There was a slim chance he could be captured and become a host, but Teal'c was confident that he would not; he would choose his missions carefully.

Perhaps O'Neill's ultimate goal was simply to harass the Goa'uld; Teal'c suspected the man could spend a lifetime doing that. Perhaps, however, his goal was to achieve enough to rejoin SG-1. Again, Teal'c doubted Makepeace would lead them for long. The man simply did not, in the Tau'ri expression, "have what it takes" to lead SG-1.

Teal'c did not wish to tell his teammates; MajorCarter might feel compelled to share the information with her superiors. After all, O'Neill had proven untrustworthy with an ally once; she could not risk him endangering relations further. Teal'c felt confident that O'Neill would not bring shame on the SGC, but he had to take account of MajorCarter's position and responsibilities. And DanielJackson? Teal'c felt guilty for not wanting to tell the younger man, but he often could not predict the linguist's reactions. Perhaps after some time had passed and his feelings were less intense, DanielJackson could be informed of the possibilities.

By the time early morning arrived, Teal'c felt better than he had felt in days. He could not ask O'Neill openly; he doubted O'Neill would tell the truth anyway, and he saw no point in letting O'Neill know what he suspected. O'Neill would have to avoid SG-1 at the beginning, at least; knowing that one or more members of the team might be looking for him would make O'Neill's life even harder. But he thought of a way to sound out O'Neill's attitudes with no risk to anyone.