A Time For Killing... and a Time For Healing, by Aelfgyfu (PG-13)

[figs_sg1_rec]

Rec Category: Episode Fix

Pairing: none
Category: episode fix, Daniel Jackson, Janet Frasier, gen, drama, angst
Warning: canon violence
Author on LJ: unknown
Author's Website: The Mead Hall
Link: A Time For Killing and ...and a Time For Healing

Why This Must Be Read: A newly released fic! It's always fun to rec an old and favorite classic, but it's even more fun to invite other readers to share in the joy of a brand-new story.

The best episode-based stories give us a unique perspective on the events that took place on the show. In this wonderful story, Aelfgyfu gives us the POV of a character that many might assume can't be understood - but it turns out that they'd be wrong!

In this fic, we get to see the twists and turns of Menace through Reece's eyes. Aelfgyfu lets us see her motivations, her fears, her anguish and her longing to be part of something again. There's deft weaving of canon events with Reece's perspective, including a clear and logical explanation for the Replicators' final actions in the climatic moments before Reece's death. Her perception of the members of SG-1, as well as the attitudes of the other members on base, is of special interest as well. The use of present tense throughout this section contrast nicely with the past tense in the following story, giving a more child-like immediacy to Reece's voice.

The story continues with a sequel in ...and a Time For Healing, told from Janet's POV. While I didn't find this second half to be as powerful and compelling as Reece's story, there are some excellent insights here, too, including a thoughtful parallel between Reece and Cassie, Charlie-the-Reetou, and Shifu; the insight into Reece's sculpture was particularly poignant. Most importantly, it's a powerful illustration of Janet's role as healer not just of physical wounds, but emotional ones...anyone else miss the Little Doc more and more these days? It was incredibly satisfying to see Janet take Jack to task for his inappropriate line about not liking most of what Daniel said, but resisting the urge to throw him through the wall.

Aelfgyfu calls these two fics a "duology." They're both well worth reading.

Daniel's getting upset again. I don't want him to be upset. I take a few steps away.

I made a mistake, but I didn't mean it. I want to forget. You're okay now; you have to forget too, Daniel. "No, please, Daniel, I'm so bored. I just want to get out of here. I wanna see your world." When I spoke like this to my father, he would do almost anything for me. But Daniel's not my father, and he still looks confused.

I don't want him to look at me like that. "Why are you all so afraid of me?" I don't want him to be afraid. I watch his face as he answers.

"No one's afraid of you." He shakes his head slowly.

He's lying. Maybe he isn't afraid, but I know they are. I saw their faces. "I won't do anything bad! I promise."

"I know," he says, and shrugs.

I think he means it. I feel bad that I hurt him. I'm glad he's okay now. "I made you something."

"Yeah?" He's surprised!

"Remember when you said you wished that you could have more fun?" I'm smiling just thinking about how much fun we can have.

"Yeah. . . ." He sounds curious. He'll be so surprised!

I tell my toy to come out. It walks over the other things on the shelves and comes right to my arm, bigger than when I sent it back there, but exactly the way I wanted it. I'm proud.

Daniel's face gets very still. Why does he look like that? He liked my art! My toys are even better! There's yelling somewhere. Is that Jack?

Maybe Daniel doesn't know what it is. "Don't be afraid. It's just a toy." I smile to show him it's okay.

The door opens so hard and fast that the people running in nearly knock Daniel over - Sam, and Jack, and the two men outside the room. I want to laugh, but the men point guns at me! Daniel looks frightened. But I told him not to be scared! Doesn't he believe me? Daniel starts to put his hands out to me, but Jack grabs Daniel by both shoulders and yanks him back, away from me and my toy. That's not nice.