Moving On Up, by Tiv'ester (PG)

[figs_sg1_rec]

Moving On Up, by Tiv'ester (PG)
Rec Category: Episode Fix

Pairing: none
Category: episode fix, Jack O'Neill, Daniel Jackson, gen, humor
Warning: none
Author on LJ: unknown
Author's Website: Lion's Lair

Link: Moving On Up

Why This Must Be Read: You don't have to be an obsessed Daniel fan to think that our resident archeologist deserves some formal recognition for his work at the SGC. Jack and Sam have both been promoted twice; Teal'c and Bra'tac were awarded the status of "Brother" to all fellow Jaffa and were granted seats on the Jaffa Council. Daniel...? Well, he's probably gotten an increase or two in salary over the years.

Tiv'ester, who is unquestionably a shamelessly obsessed Daniel fan, does something about that in the delightful Moving On Up.

The twist in the episode is simple enough: at the end of New Order, Jack honors Daniel and saves Sam's promotion for a later date. Tiv'ester isn't the first person to write an award ceremony for Dr. Jackson, of course; the real fun of the fic is the subsequent revelation of Daniel's status at the SGC under Jack's command. Tiv'ester has a talent for snatching a single moment in canon and building a story around it - I challenge anyone to read her Nondisclosure Agreement and ever look at Thor's correction of "Supreme Commander" in Full Disclosure the same way ever again. In Moving On Up, Tiv'ester seizes upon the scene in Daniel's office, when Weir picks up a red phone to receive information. The second half of this fic is based on that scene, and it makes a lot of sense. After all, Weir, as presented in SG-1 (I don't follow Atlantis) is essentially Daniel-lite; Daniel speaks four times as many languages as she has and has brokered agreements and treaties of interplanetary significance. With Kinsey's politics finally out of the way, Tiv'ester allows things to take their natural course.

My recs make it pretty clear that I'm as shamelessly obsessed about Daniel as Tiv'ester, but you don't need to be as enthusiastic about Daniel as I am in order to thoroughly enjoy this entertaining fic.

"It is with great pride that my first order of business as commander of this base is to correct an oversight that’s been too long in the coming. It’s to present a special award to Doctor Daniel Jackson for everything he has done for SG-1, for this base, for the Earth and for humanity here and elsewhere.”

Jack stopped speaking as the applause echoed through the chamber. Daniel was staring at him, dumbfounded, when Jack jerked his head in the “get up here” motion. Sam had to give Daniel a little push to get him started, and he walked up the ramp beside Jack.

Again, Jack cleared his throat and whispered, “Since this was probably the one and only time I’ll ever see you stand at attention, I get to be formal too. Don’t think I’ll ever do it again.”

“I can’t see you doing it this time,” Daniel answered back.

“Doctor Daniel Jackson, the President of the United States has placed special trust and confidence in your patriotism, integrity and abilities. You have selflessly and courageously given your knowledge, your skills and on more than one occasion your life in defense of not only this planet and your team but also innocent lives, some who I’m still regretting you helped.”

“Jack,” Daniel started to quietly protest.

“Hey, I’m just saying,” Jack stopped him as he placed the specially designed medal around Daniel’s neck. It was a one of a kind, designed specifically for Daniel by the president himself. Then, in a loud voice, “For bravery above and beyond the call of duty for either a civilian or military personnel, for all the sacrifices you’ve made and for all that you’ve given to those who didn’t know they could ask, it is my privilege and pleasure to present to you this Special Medal of Honor. The president regrets that he couldn’t be here today to award you this medal, but it is my honor to be the one to give it to you. It’s a thank you that’s long overdue.”

Carter and Teal’c led the applause, and Jack knew that Daniel didn’t think he deserved any of it. Daniel didn’t know how wrong he was.

Given the almost overwhelmed look on Daniel’s face, it had been a perfect surprise.

~~~~~

“I’m still not calling you sir,” Daniel told him as they unpacked Jack’s personal items into his new office.

“You’d better not. I need one person here who can call me an ass and get away with it,” Jack told him as he placed a picture of himself, Sara and Charlie on one side of the credenza, another of SG-1 on the other. “Besides, you’re going to have a lot more to do from now on. You’ll be too busy to call me sir.”