Heroes: The Story of the SGC, by Purpleshrub (PG)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Episode related

Pairing: none
Categories: episode related, Janet Frasier, gen, team, drama, angst
Warnings: spoilers through S7 Heroes; canon character death
Author on LJ: purpleshrub
Author's Website: Purpleshrub at StargateFan
Link: Heroes: The Story of the SGC

Why This Must Be Read: This long, satisfying fic doesn't exactly "fix" Heroes – Janet still dies. On the other hand, Purpleshrub breathes vibrant life into Emmett Bregman and the other minor characters of the episode, fixes many of the glaring plotholes, and gives us a more humane and empathetic story than the one we watched on our screens.

For a gen fangirl like me, of course, there's the deconstruction of the Sam/Jack innuendo put forth by the interviewer and the teamy goodness as SG-1 rallies to defend Sam against the insinuations. We still have tragedy, but it's Janet where she's supposed to be, instead of inexplicably where she never should have gone. And we get a very different view of who the heroes of the SGC truly are, with a much better film for Bregman as a result.

If you liked Heroes just the way it was, then this story is not for you. But if you prefer a more intelligent look at the SGC and all of the heroes who keep the Earth safe, then you will be absolutely delighted with this fic!

 

Emmett spent a few days on the material he had before tentatively seeking out SG-1. In the end he spoke to Teal’c first, sitting uncomfortably on the floor in Teal’c’s quarters for nearly two hours. Neither made any reference to Emmett’s previous disastrous interview attempt, for which Emmett was grateful. Teal’c spoke briefly but with obvious pride about his son, and Emmett said without thinking, "It must be difficult to be so far away from him."

Almost instantly he wanted to take the words back, but Teal’c’s response was a regal nod. "Indeed, he has grown into maturity outside my sight. Yet were I still First Prime I would likely be dead by now. And were I still alive, I would not see him much more than I do now. In fact I chose to betray Apophis because I could not bear for Rya’c to live out his life as a slave."

Emmett was very moved when without prompting, Teal’c looked straight at the camera and said, "People of the Tau’ri, I have often seen your desire for the universe to be a simple place, where right and wrong are clear and all Jaffa are the enemy. But we are not. We live lives that are not so different as you may believe. We love our children. We yearn to be free of the Goa’uld. The Jaffa who believe the Goa’uld are gods also believe the universe is simple, but that is no more than a wishful dream. When you learn the secrets of this facility, remember this."

When asked about Janet Teal’c said gravely, "Doctor Frasier was a skilled warrior. We were honored by her presence and although my symbiote often protected me from serious injury, she saved my life on a number of occasions. She was a fit ruler for the infirmary." Emmett thought that was an odd turn of phrase—"ruler of the infirmary?"—but Teal’c explained, "I also did not consider healers to have a great deal of personal power, but after observing her victory on numerous occasions against Daniel Jackson and Colonel O’Neill I came to recognize her prowess as a warrior." Emmett thought he detected a note of amusement in the last words, but Teal’c had such a perfectly straight face he wasn’t sure.