Salvage by Sunrise (PG-13)

[figs_sg1_rec]

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.

Jack picked up an otoscope, flicked on the light and began using it to examine the back of his own hand. "So, Daniel. What'll you feel like doing when we get to your place?"

Daniel slid the sneaker on his foot and paused, brow furrowed. "Doing? I thought you'd drop me off and head back to the..." He stopped, disconcerted when he couldn't find the right word. In his head he clearly visualized a road disappearing into a towering hill of earth and rock, but his mouth couldn't articulate that picture.

"The mountain?" Jack shook his head. "Guess you didn't hear. Hammond gave the whole team 48 hours leave. You bought us all a vacation, Dannyboy."

Daniel snorted softly. "You're welcome."

He fumbled with the laces--around, over, under. Or was that over, under, around? Daniel wrapped and tugged with increasingly unsteady fingers, breath speeding up to rapid pants for air. He blinked, black spots dancing at the edges of his vision, a rushing sound in his ears.

Jack's face appeared, eyebrows knitted, mouth moving. One large hand cupped the back of his neck. The warmth and pressure grounded him and gradually the dance of Jack's lips and tongue resolved into words.

"...slow it down. That's it, deep breaths. Nice and slow."

A nurse hovered, pointing urgently toward him. Jack waved her off, voice switching to an authoritative bark. "I said we're fine here. Go get Fraiser. NOW."

"J...Jack?" Daniel shivered, staring down at his hands, still clutching the laces.

"Right here, Danny." The gentle, soothing tone was back. Jack scrutinized his face as if looking for the answer to a particularly baffling puzzle. "You want to tell me what the hell that was about?"

"Jack, I c-can't...I duh...duh...don't remember." He choked out the confession in a thready whisper.

Jack gritted his teeth but kept his voice calm and even. "Don't remember *what*?"

Daniel licked his lips, his mouth desert dry. "My shoes. Jack, I...I don't remember how to t-tie my shoes."