Penmanship, by Salieri (G)

[figs_sg1_rec]

Rec Category: Gen

Pairing: none

Categories: gen, George Hammond, Teal’c, character study

Warnings: none

Author on LJ: troyswann

Author's Website: Outside the Box

Link: Penmanship

Why This Must Be Read: rydra_wong recced this amazing story in the Teal’c category several months ago, and I fell in love with it the moment I read it. This is George Hammond, personified, and Teal’c, walking clear-eyed into his future, one careful step at a time.

 

Salieri gives us very early S1 Hammond, looking through SG-1’s reports of their latest mission. There is the light humor of how perfectly the reports mirror their authors: Sam’s is nearly mathematical in its precision, Jack’s is delightful succinctful, Daniel’s is desperately crammed with all the details he longs to tell the world, but never can. But then Teal’c comes into the office, and the reader is blown away by the power of what happens next: Teal’c’s triumph, Hammond’s understanding, and the satisfying snick of the team together as one.

 

This one is tenderly beautiful. Go and read!

 

Hammond found that Teal'c's was missing. He frowned. It wasn't like Lt. Pyrkychuk to be late with her transcription of Teal'c's report. He was just picking up the phone to send an aide for it when Teal'c appeared in the doorway.

"General Hammond." He remained where he was, hands folded behind his back.

"Come in, Teal'c." Hammond dropped the files back on the blotter and squared the edges. "I was just looking for your latest mission report."

"It is here," he answered, advancing and holding out a manila folder.

Inside there was only one completely filled piece of ruled paper. The letters were precisely written in block capitals, each one filling up the entire height of the line.

MISSION REPORT FOR P3F 255 FROM THE THIRTEENTH HOUR OF APRIL 3 UNTIL THE NINTH HOUR OF APRIL 5, 1997

"I apologize for its tardiness, and for the penmanship. I hope to improve with practice."

Hammond met his eyes. There was something in there, behind the reserve. "You did this?"

"I did."