Absolute / Better To Light A Candle, by Redbyrd (PG-13)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Gen

Pairing: none
Categories: gen, Daniel Jackson, episode related, drama, angst, Sam and Daniel friendship, Jack and Daniel friendship
Warnings: canon minor character deaths
Author on LJ: redbyrd_sgfic
Author's Website: Redbyrd's Stargate Fanfiction
Link: Absolute / Better To Light A Candle (link also included at end of first story)

Why This Must Be Read: Redbyrd neatly puts her episode tags for Absolute Power and The Light together to form a long, fascinating whole. First, there's an intensely satisfying post-episode debriefing after Shifu's departure from the SGC, told from Jack's POV, complete with a Daniel who puts two and two together to get twenty-five and soundly puts Aldwin in his place. Then, as Daniel still struggles with the implications of Shifu's dream, he accompanies SG-5 to P4X-347… and, as the events of The Light unfold from Daniel's POV, we're treated to some excellent insight into Daniel's mindset and his desire to bring his relationship with his teammates back to normal.

By the time Redbyrd is done, the members of SG-5 have developed into characters so real and recognizable that you'll be astonished to remember that the only one we actually met was Barber - and that was only in the teaser, when he committed suicide. There is, as can be expected from a Redbyrd fic, lots of extra details and scenes that enrich the episode we saw onscreen, including the exchange where Jack and Daniel make their bet about whether or not Sam would agree to come to the planet. And then there's the final resolution: the discovery of Loren's homeworld, the tightening of bonds of friendship, and Daniel's quiet acceptance of who he is and what he is doing with his life.

There are hundreds of ep tags to The Light. Redbyrd's retelling is definitely one of my favorites!
 

There was a clunk and a grinding noise as the gate started spinning. Whitaker looked at his watch. "It's not time for our report," he said.

Daniel brightened. "Barber, probably. Hopefully with some information from Teal'c."

The gate whooshed as Whitaker and Howe swung their weapons to ready position, just in case. Nothing came through the gate however. They waited in puzzlement. The event horizon just shimmered. Whitaker waved them back into cover, out of sight. Daniel drew his own gun and moved behind a pillar in obedience to his command, pointing the gun in the direction of the gate.

"Knock-knock," said Howe quietly.

Daniel suspected from the quelling look Chris directed his way that had Barber been there, he would have learned a few stargate knock-knock jokes. McClure said. "I think it's the SGC, sir. I'm getting the carrier wave they use to keep the gate open. Nothing's coming through though."

"We could radio," Daniel suggested.

"If it's not the SGC, I'd rather not advertise our presence," Whitaker said, shooting him a quick look that changed to satisfaction at seeing his hand was nowhere near the radio. After what was probably two minutes, but seemed longer, they heard a transmission issuing from the radios. "SG-5, this is Stargate Command. Come in."

Chris raised an eyebrow at Daniel, who shrugged. "That's Walter.. uh, Sergeant Harriman," he said.

Whitaker held down the send button on his radio. "Stargate Command, this is SG-5. What's going on?"

"Major, we've had an- incident. Please stand by."

There was a further wait of nearly a minute, then another familiar voice came on. "SGC, O'Neill here. Major, your team is recalled. Pack up and come home."

Whitaker gave the MALP a surprised look. "Acknowledged." The stargate closed.

"An incident?" Daniel said. "I wonder what happened?"

Whitaker shrugged. "You heard the man. Let's get packed up."

Daniel gave the gate an irritated look, and then moved to start packing his gear. "Just when we found this device, too. Oh, well. Maybe Teal'c can help me with it." He packed the computer in a padded box, which he planned to hand carry back to the SGC.

They were ready to go in a surprisingly short time. McClure dialed the gate, and they passed through.