Broken Dreams, Shattered Memories, by Moonshayde (PG-13)

Rec Category: Daniel Jackson

Pairing: none
Category:  Daniel Jackson, gen, team, drama, angst, episode-related, Jack/Daniel friendship
Warnings: emotional whumpage
Author on LJ: moonshayde
Author's Website: Scribal Traditions
Link to Story: Part One; follow links, or read individual parts on the series page

Why This Must Be Read: This long, satisfying Daniel-comes-home story is actually seven shorter, linked fics, telling the story of Daniel's return to himself from the moment he stepped through the Stargate until the moment, post-Orpheus, that he and his teammates start apartment-hunting. Each section is told from a different person's POV, so we're treated to the thoughts of Janet, Hammond, Sam, Teal'c, Jack, and even Jonas on Daniel's return.

Moonshayde doesn't make it quite as easy as canon for Daniel to get his memory back. While we follow along the first few episodes of S7, Daniel is struggling, especially with the team's expectations. The breakthrough finally comes with, of all things, a bar of chocolate... and that, for me, is when the fun really begins, because Moonshayde takes us on a roller-coaster ride of seven years' worth (including the movie and Abydos!) of Daniel's mixed-up memories. From that first dazed bite of chocolate to the finally, climactic scene in an all-too-familiar storeroom, Daniel's recall of past events leaves the reader breathless and hoping for more.

There's plenty of teamy goodness, and lots of Jack and Daniel friendship, and a wonderfully satisfying look back at all the things that make Daniel Jackson so special. Reserve a good chunk of time to read this, because you won't want to stop before you're finished.

( Snippet of fic... )

The Taste of Honey, the Hum of Bees, by Salieri (PG-13)

Rec Category: Daniel Jackson

Pairing: none, but vivid memory of Daniel/Sha're
Category:  Daniel Jackson, gen, team, drama, friendship, character study
Warnings: some language, reference to Jack being tortured in Iraq
Author on LJ: troyswann
Author's Website: Outside the Box
Link to Story: The Taste of Honey, The Hum of Bees

Why This Must Be Read: I'm going to sidle past S6, even though there are some superb fics out there based on Abyss and Full Circle (although, sadly, I've never seen any based on Changeling - and if someone knows of one, please let me know!). On to Season 7, and Daniel's back with us! Yay!

There are approximately eight thousand fics, give or a take a few hundred, based on Daniel's homecoming and recovery. I obviously can't rec them all, tempting as that might be, so I'm going to choose one or two of my favorites.

The Taste of Honey, the Hum of Bees is a beautifully lyrical story, set just after Daniel's return. The team is still carefully feeling out the differences between pre-ascended and post-ascended Daniel. When they gate to a planet and a fascinating place that seems a little too perfect, they're not quite sure how to react. Is it dangerous, or their good fortune? Are the things they're feeling and seeing simply safe, harmless fun, or are they at risk? Told from Sam's POV (how lovely!) with deft characterization, this story should be read carefully and leisurely to properly appreciate it.

There's the enchantment of re-enacting Peter Pan, and the boys' efforts to take Sam along for the ride. There's the mirror room, and Daniel's pleasure in sharing, and Teal'c with all his serenity, and Jack's harsh determination to remain wholly himself. There's music, and otherworldly effects, and the four of them struggling together to truly understand.

Teamy goodness with an emphasis on Daniel, all wrapped up in truly elegant prose. Read this one and savor.

( Snippet of fic... )

 

Unpacked, by Jen (PG)

Rec Category: Daniel Jackson

Pairing: none
Category:  Daniel Jackson, Jack O'Neill, gen, Jack/Daniel friendship, character study
Warnings: none
Author on LJ: jenlev
Author's Website: Time Is Like A Kiss
Link to Story: Unpacked

Why This Must Be Read: This short story carries an inherent sweetness in it that speaks of faith and good old Jack O'Neill stubbornness. While it's certainly a Daniel story, told entirely from his POV, we learn more about Jack, and what Daniel means to him, than we do about Daniel himself.

Jenlev gives us Daniel in his office, slowly unpacking the accumulated rocks - er, artifacts that have been stored over the year of his absence. One by one, he uncovers objects that have been meticulously saved, in true Jack style, for his future appraisal. "Doodads" wrapped in notebook paper, archeological magazines with stick figures doodled in the margins, comments about what Daniel would think about this or that object... The inherent implication, that Jack knew that Daniel would somehow be back, shines through to add an extra dimension of warmth to this lovely fic.

We get a glimpse of delightful teamy goodness when the scene shifts to the team's effort to build a birdfeeder in Jack's backyard, but the main emphasis of the story is, unquestionably, the solidity of Jack and Daniel's friendship.

( Snippet of fic... )

Salvage by Sunrise (PG-13)

Rec Category: Daniel Jackson

Pairing: none
Category:  Daniel Jackson, gen, Jack/Daniel friendship, episode-related, drama, angst
Warnings: language, emotional whumpage
Author on LJ: unknown
Author's Website: Sunrise's fics at StargateFan
Link to Story: Salvage

Why This Must Be Read: Sunrise picks up where the episode Lifeboat left off, with Daniel still recovering from the massive personality download. But in this gripping story, Daniel didn't exactly escape the trauma unscathed. Whether it was accidental - or deliberate, as Jack surmises - Daniel's mind has been damaged, and it's up to Daniel and his friends to try and pick up the pieces.

When a crisis at the SGC forces Daniel into action before he's fully ready, it's teamy goodness that helps him keep going and find the solution just in time to prevent disaster. And, thanks to his own innate stubbornness and his friends' help, we can be assured of an eventual happy ending.

While Sam and Teal'c offer their support, it's Jack who does the most to keep Daniel from flying apart at the handle when he's forced to cope with his sudden losses. There's anger, and fear, and lots of arguments... but there's also encouragement, and determination, and hope.

( Snippet of fic... )