stargateficrec | To Thine Own Self Be True, by Katie M. (G) (Reply)

Rec Category: Sam and Teal’c friendship

Pairing: none

Categories: Sam and Teal’c friendship, Samantha Carter, Teal’c, Daniel Jackson, gen, episode related, character study

Warnings: spoilers through S7, leading up to Chimera

Author on LJ: katie_m

Author's Website: Katie's Stargate SG-1 Fanfic

Link: To Thine Own Self Be True

Why This Must Be Read: This lovely fic, which is a remix of Minxy's excellent Perchance to Dream, is a thoughtful look at Sam's relationship with Teal'c during Season 6.

Katie gives us a marvelous peek into Sam's head, as she first considers Daniel's bizarre closeness with Teal'c, then turns to Teal'c herself in her grief when Daniel is gone. When Teal'c himself is in need of advice, Sam tentatively offers her assistance - and is delighted when Teal'c actually accepts it.

Sam's strength of character is deeply moving, as we see her cherish a closeness and then step away to give it back to those that she believes need it more. The Teal'c we see through her eyes is truly wonderful, but the Sam who shines through her own thoughts is equally special. This is a quiet, gentle character sketch that will make you love Sam and Teal'c more than ever.

Sam had told Teal’c that he should feel free to call her at any time, not really expecting that he would. He’d always been very careful of her boundaries—Jaffa stuff, the Colonel had said once, with a shrug—and so the first time her phone rang at night and Teal’c was on the other end, she was surprised to hear from him. Gatelag, he said, obviously a little embarrassed at this new weakness and touchingly certain that she would have wisdom to impart.

She didn’t, really, at least not beyond all of the regular advice for the insomniac that Teal’c's human friends had already poured into his brain. But she was awake anyway, and so she figured that she could keep him company, at least.

“I tried watching a movie to help me fall asleep,” she said, “but then I liked it too much to turn it off,” and that was how she found herself describing the plot of All About Eve to an alien warrior at 11:30 on a Thursday night.

“They did not sufficiently value the wisdom that comes with age,” Teal’c declared. “Very little of value is indicated by physical appearance, though certain abilities will often be reflected bodily.”

“I had no idea the Jaffa were so blind to physical appearance, Teal’c,” Sam teased, figuring that she’d bought him enough makeup over the years to be allowed a friendly dig or two.

“We are not,” he said, in that completely unconcerned tone of voice that always made Sam wonder whether he’d gotten the joke or not. “However, I at least do not confuse attractiveness with competence, pleasant as attractiveness may be.”

"You're such a flirt," Sam said, without quite meaning to.