In the Rough (Stargate SG-1 story)
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | In the Rough |
| Author(s): | Brionhet |
| Date(s): | 15 Mar 2006 |
| Length: | |
| Genre: | slash |
| Fandom: | Stargate SG-1 |
| External Links: | online here |
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In the Rough is a Stargate SG-1 Jack/Daniel story by Brionhet. It is part of a series.
Series
- Roller Coaster
- In the Rough
- Disconnected
- Reconstruction
- Goal Oriented
Reactions and Reviews
In The Rough picks up where Rollercoaster - the first instalment of this series - left off. Thank goodness for that, because I didn't want to miss a single minute in the volatile, emotional tidal wave that Jack andDaniel's relationship has become by this point.
The team head off-world so that Daniel can study a temple, and despite the bad feeling between him and Jack, Daniel still manages to get lost in his work. However, his underlying desire is simply to complete the mission to the best of his ability and then return to his requested meeting with General Hammond. By contrast, Jack's anger controls his behaviour and colours his judgement. This leads directly to a horrific event that, incredibly, is not the biggest tragedy in this story.
That event - the rape scene - isn't shown in detail. It's left up to the reader's imagination, and I prefer it that way. What *is* described is powerful and horrific, and frankly I don't want to see any more. The focus of the story, as in all stories in this series, is the characters: how they deal with events, and how they interact with each other as a result of those events. Jack's behaviour, in particular, is a cornerstone of the story, and the launch point for many of the rest of SG-1's later actions.
Angst doesn't come close to describing my feelings as I read this for the first time. I wanted to shout at these people, to shake them until their teeth rattled and their brains ached and - please, please, please - they came to their senses. But despite that urge, these *were* people that I recognised. Something very, very bad had happened to one of their number. They were shocked, horrified and unable to cope.
Jack's fury builds to a crescendo through the story. It's well handled - startling, without being over the top. Sam deals with her feelings by diving into work, and Teal'c is relieved to have something else to worry about. Daniel retreats into himself even further, and has far too much time to think.
One of my favourite scenes shows Sam finally finding an outlet for her own anger and frustration, with Anise as the unfortunate (or well-deserving, depending on your perspective) recipient. It may not be exactly the most diplomatic behaviour from our Major Carter, but my reaction? You go, girl!
In The Rough spends time with other characters too. Janet is her usual efficient and effective self, with her humanity shining through. Hammond is just perfect. And I got to reconnect with the wonderful Adair Heidepriem, who is really fleshed out in this story. Adair and Sam begin to interact as they sit by Daniel's bedside. It's another stormy relationship, as these two women come from opposite sides of the military divide. Again, Adair is a joy to see, and both her and Sam are extremely well-observed.
As before, Jack and Daniel's stories dance around each other, not yet coming together. The two men's needs and desires were crystal clear to me, but they're not ready to understand one another. This story ends, like the last one, as a To Be Continued. In The Rough is not something you can put down and come back to find the next instalment sometime next week or next month. Don't say I didn't warn you.[1]