Lost and Found, by Karen Greim Mullian (R)

[figs_sg1_rec]

Rec Category: Jack and Daniel Friendship

Pairing: peripheral Sam/Pete
Category: Jack and Daniel friendship, Sam/Pete, episode related, team, hurt/comfort, drama, angst
Warning: physical and emotional Danny-whumpage
Author on LJ: unknown
Author's Website: Stargate SG-1 Slightly Off Base
Link: Lost and Found

Why This Must Be Read: It may seem odd to rec a fic in the "Jack and Daniel Friendship" category when the two of them, technically, are never face-to-face throughout the story. But this fic is very much about how desperately Daniel needs Jack's friendship, and how very lost he is without it.

The story opens sometime after the events of Lost City, when Jack is still frozen in Antarctica and the Stargate is still closed. Lost and adrift without those two anchors, Daniel struggles to find the courage to keep going. Visitations from Ancient!Jack, and some of the best-written and creepiest hallucinations I've ever read, aren't much of a help, either.

There's lots of team support in this story - both for Daniel and the struggle to keep the Stargate program going and to get Jack rescued. Teal'c is a strong, unwavering presence, sometimes more unwavering than Daniel might want. Sam is a wonderful support, and shares an interesting friendship with Dr. Weir, who still serves as head of the SGC before the events of New Order. Janet's loss, as highlighted by Daniel's visit to her grave at the beginning of the story, is very strongly felt.

I'm the poster-girl for non-shipping, but Pete and Sam in this fic are just right. Pete is lightly irreverent and strongly supportive, offering a friendship that Daniel finds just a little bit off-kilter - exactly what I'd expect it to be. The scene in which he calms Daniel in the midst of a particularly painful hallucination is both moving and perfectly in character.

Despite the constant beating Daniel takes in this story, both physical and emotional, he does not come across as pathetic or whimpering, both of which are fic aspects that I strongly dislike. Instead, we see a strong person struggling with even stronger difficulties... and eventually making it through.

(As an aside, there is a truly wonderful flashback of Teal'c's to the first confrontation he had with Daniel regarding his role in Sha're's abduction. Unlike many other fics, with "Saint Daniel" forgiving Teal'c all too easily, this flashback depicts true rage and anguish before acceptance.)

I won't say this fic is an easy read, but it's definitely satisfying and highly recommended.

"You've told us everything it isn't," Doctor Weir said to the surgeon. She glanced across the Briefing Room table at the two remaining members of SG-1. "Do you have any idea what it might be that's made Doctor Jackson so sick?"

Doctor Warner spread his hands helplessly.

"I'm afraid I have no idea, Ma'am," he answered, his kindly face clearly showing concern. "I've done similar procedures hundreds of times. I don't think it was anything my team or I did."

Pushing back his chair, Teal'c stood up and stared balefully at the doctor. Then he turned his back and walked to the Gate Room window.

"Keep working on it," Doctor Weir said, dismissing the surgeon.

"Doctor Weir–" Doctor Warner replied.

"No one's blaming you," she tried to assure him.

>Teal'c looked over his shoulder as Doctor Warner gathered up the papers on the table and left the Briefing Room.

"Okay, you two," Doctor Weir said. "What is it?"

"It is nothing, Doctor Weir," the Jaffa said politely.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am," Sam replied, lowering her head for a moment. "It's not nothing. Daniel's sicker than he's ever been – except for when he was dying from radiation poisoning – and our Chief Medical Officer is stumped. I realize Doctor Warner is a good doctor –"

"Daniel Jackson had misgivings about having the operation," Teal'c interrupted.

Doctor Weir rose and joined Teal'c at the window.

"Daniel has misgivings about a lot of things, Teal'c," she said.

"He is usually correct."

"I know you both had a tremendous amount of faith in Doctor Fraiser," Doctor Weir said gently, not wanting to offend, "but I've been assured that Doctor Warner is the best we have. You saw the man's face. He's as concerned about Daniel as anyone. Aren't you being a little hard on him?"

"Daniel's our friend," Sam said defensively. "We lost him once. We were lucky enough to find him again." She couldn't finish her thought.

"I do not believe Daniel is ill because of anything Doctor Warner may or may not have done," said Teal'c, still gazing down at the idle Stargate. "He has suffered many losses, more than most people must endure. He now mourns the loss of Doctor Fraiser, and he misses Colonel O'Neill's friendship deeply. But more than that, he believes his concerns for this world no longer matter. I believe Daniel Jackson's heart has finally broken."