FICLET: The Walls of Jericho, Jack/Daniel. Fight.

[icarus]

The Walls Of Jericho
by Icarus




"Daniel..." Jack threw down a t-shirt in frustration and paced the disaster area of his office. It joined a number of wads of paper that had missed the basket. He'd been balling it up in his hands for most of their conversation -- Daniel somehow knew exactly which nerves to hit. "Don't ask, don't tell is a hell of a step forward!"

"I don't see how. It's just another example of the way the military lags behind modern societal norms."

Jack made a cutting gesture, "No." He spun around and pointed at Daniel, who lounged on the corner of Jack's desk as if perfectly, infuriatingly relaxed, crinkling a pile of unsigned forms under his ass. Though his shoulders were as tense as a bow. "You're just mad at me because I wouldn't approve your precious plan -"

"Jack, that's beside the point..."

"You are, and you're trying to piss me off and taking it out on the military deliberately, because you know --!"

"Jack..."

"Ah-Ack!" Jack's finger was up, cutting him off. "Because you know I hate that pointy-headed, eyeglass-wearing, pseudo-intellectual snooty-assed crap!"

"I also happen to be right." Daniel folded his arms around himself, and looked far too smug for someone scoring a mere intellectual point. This was personal. "It's a step backward as a matter of fact. A lot of soldiers have lost their careers over --"

"No!" Jack fist swung out in denial. "No, it's huge step forward because the military admits that we're here, admits that they want the soldiers they've got, who they've trained, who are valued AS IS. And they've promised to keep their damned noses out of the bedroom where they don't belong in the first..." Jack suddenly realized that Daniel was staring, mouth slightly open, the smug look gone. "...place. What're you looking at?"

Jack didn't feel quite ready to abandon the argument just yet, but all the fight seemed to have gone out of Daniel.

Daniel licked his lips, blinked a little. He said quietly, "You said 'we.'"

"No I didn't."

"Yes. You did."

"Did not."

"Did..."

"Didn't!"

"Did, too!"

Jack shook his head and changed tactics. "Now why would I say 'we'?"

"Jack... are you... are you gay?" Daniel asked, determined, with utter disbelief written across his face.

"You're changing the subject just because you were losing," Jack pointed out, placing a whole desk between the two of them.

"I was not los-- ooo that was good, nice try, but you, you're... you are?" Daniel's hand dropped to his side.

Forced into a lie, Jack growled, "Of course not!"

"You are." That look of dumbfounded shock still hadn't left Daniel's face. He stepped forward and Jack retreated a six inches. "Look, Jack, I'm on your side."

"What side? There isn't any sides! The military doesn't want the rep of being a bunch of candy-assed fruit flies and I don't blame them!" Jack exploded. "Reputation counts. Battles are won - and lost! - on reputation alone. The walls of Jericho didn't drop because of trumpets -- that's stupid. Those guys were scared of what they faced. Those Jews were total bad-asses." He leveled a glare to beat the point home. "No soldier would willingly give up that advantage."

He grabbed his jacket and stalked out of his office, forcing Daniel to shut up, out in the open. Of course he heard the footsteps skip a little as Daniel trailed behind him.

"Jack..."

He didn't look back but kept walking, shoulders set. He made for the most public place he could think of, anything to forestall the rest of this conversation. The commissary would do nicely. "The subject's closed, Daniel," he said in a flat voice, pulling on his jacket.

Not for the first time Jack was grateful their security cameras were visual only. Just what part of Don't Ask, Don't Tell didn't Daniel get? Oh yeah - the asking part.

Part II here.

Comments

[setissma.livejournal.com]

I don't suppose there could be a sequel based on the semantics of "I'm on your side," could there? *G*

Nice work, as per usual.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Wow. That was quick.

Yeah, I think so. There's not a chance Daniel will let go of this conversation. But now we're in danger of cliche-land. So... *Icarus pulls out sextant* how do we steer clear of the shoals of cliche-dom, when what causes the cliche is the Don't Ask, Don't Tell issue? (I have a post brewing about this.)

Icarus

[setissma.livejournal.com]

I have a flashing semagic icon, really, it leads for quick turnover timing.

More importantly, how on earth is anyone going to get Jack to talk about emotions? I managed to catch a few episodes this week. (Daniel wasn't in any of them, but hey, at least I've got a feel for Jack now.) I really don't think that's going to be easy.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Cool. I've never downloaded a client for this thing.

Talk? About emotions? Jack? :D Yeah, you've got him pegged. Especially since part of what he means here is that as a soldier he doesn't want the rep of being a candy-assed fruit fly. It's his own advantage that he's talking about.

Icarus

[setissma.livejournal.com]

You become rapidly hooked.

I rather liked the Pavlovian story. Daniel was like, "Let's TALK about what's HAPPENING to us and these FEELINGS" and Jack was much more, "Okay, yeah, so much no." It seemed terribly accurate from what I knew about the characters, if you get the picture. I think the key to Jack is either a lot of liquor or surprising him. And I bet he'd probably be very, very unhappy the next morning, either way, as he strikes me as the type who likes to know exactly what's in every christmas present he opens, before he opens it.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

That gets him into bed. But why?

I was brewing a post (and lost it) about how the mono-focus on Don't Ask, Don't Tell in this fandom tends to obscure the reason why the heck the two hop into bed. All other emotional undercurrents are abandoned in favor of this logistical problem.

It is a problem. But if the story is built around this idea, it is, well, rather superficial.

Having been in a highly proscribed society, I can tell you that this kind of injunction isn't what drives people. And just being surprised wouldn't drive Jack to break the rules either.

Letting the Don't Ask, Don't Tell issue drive the plot is what dumps us into the same ten Jack/Daniel tracks, which are all about solving this Don't Ask, Don't Tell problem:

"Aliens Made Us Do It"
"Stranded On An Alien World"
"Jack and Daniel Sneak Around"
"Jack Angsting Over Being Attracted To Daniel"
"[fill in name here] Reacts To Finding Out About Jack/Daniel"
Etc.

I'm thinking that people are viewing the Don't Ask, Don't Tell as a rule imposed by an outside force, and they don't see what it is that makes that rule so powerful. It's Jack's own committment to the military and what the military means to him that drives it. The good reasons he feels are behind that policy make it a force in his life. His reasoning will be different from the military's, because he will have owned that policy.

That means that his feelings about Don't Ask, Don't Tell (and how he'd deal with being surprised) will be in accordance with his feelings about the military as a whole. Thus, he's far more likely to go for it when things are getting ugly and corrupt than when he's on a hero upswing.

Then, Daniel. There's this assumption that just being attracted to Jack is enough. But Daniel is one hell of a complicated man, driven as much by his ethical beliefs as by his gonads. So why would he risk a friendship he obviously values for something potentially short-term? More than that, would he believe that it's the right thing to do? For Jack?

Here's a story that avoids the trap of being driven by the logistical concerns - how do we get around this policy - and you can feel the power of it. What a difference that makes.

One Bare Hour (http://www.area52hkh.net/asd/dmarley/1barehour.php) by Dorothy Marley

It's NC-17, and she idealizes first time sex more than I would (though I've had first time encounters like that, this could only happen like this if Jack had done this before). But, assuming that, there's an emotional undercurrent driving this story that's a lot deeper than most SG-1 fanfic.

Icarus

[setissma.livejournal.com]

I think you're completely right about the way the timing would have to be, because two things dull the rules: distance from the rules, and a lack of faith in those rules. The rules control Jack because Jack believes that the rules are the right thing, and that they're there for a reason, and he adheres to them because he has confidence that they keep things running smoothly.

But sometimes, there are situations where the rules just don't work - hence the "Stranded on an Alien World" thing. I think, as much as Jack values the rules, he values his people more, and if it comes between choosing between one of his people getting hurt and Following The Rules, he'd choose the person, because he's probably smart enough to realize that you have to adapt to the situation, and that the rules aren't the be all and end all. I think, for the corruption side of it, he's not a 'might as well be hung for a sheep as for a lamb' sort of guy. I think the downfall would come from, "This rule is bullshit. By extension, it makes this rule bullshit." So on, so forth, a bit like unraveling a chain link fence.

So I think, from one standpoint, for both of them, there would have to be a damn good reason. Which is why I'm not entirely certain this pairing would ever be good for something quick in a supply closet, if there wasn't anything else behind it. Because, as someone once put it, you don't risk long-term friendships for meaningless sex. There has to be motivation, and something more, especially if careers and Jack's Stable Grip On The World And The Rules are at risk.

I'll go check that out promptly.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

he's not a 'might as well be hung for a sheep as for a lamb' sort of guy. I think the downfall would come from, "This is bullshit. By extension, it makes this rule bullshit." So on, so forth, a bit like unraveling a chain link fence.

Yes, exactly.

I think, as much as Jack values the rules, he values his people more, and if it comes between choosing between one of his people getting hurt and Following The Rules, he'd choose the person, because he's probably smart enough to realize that you have to adapt to the situation, and that the rules aren't the be all and end all.

Damned straight. But the 'stranded off world' scenario is inherently depressing, so I hate reading those (let alone writing them). Because in that scenario, they have to give up who they are - military, scholar - and fight the elements. It's such a difficult, wearying thing that it negates any joy from getting them together.

So when would it be in Jack's best interests (according to Daniel Jackson) to give in to a sexual relationship?

Icarus

[setissma.livejournal.com]

And that, you see, is a question I think canon is required to answer.

But I can think of a couple reasons. From one viewpoint, Jack? Is a complete workaholic. He is the military. And really, that's not terribly good for you, in any sense. So I think Daniel could argue that he needs to loosen up. I don't, however, think Daniel would necessarily advocate loosening up with him. But you could get there.

Secondly, I could imagine - well, Jack seems to have this utter sense of moral duty that ties in quite well with the military thing. But I can imagine that at times, that moral duty gets in the way of having a sense of self-preservation, and he probably does some incredibly (from Daniel's perspective) stupid stuff, solely for not seeing any other way to go about it. And I think that might lead to Daniel just hitting his head against the wall. Repeatedly. And it's not a suicidal urge, I don't think, Jack just can't get it through his head that sometimes, it doesn't take risking life and limb to get a job done. Which, if you put into perspective, has to be incredibly scary for someone who cares about you. Watching people almost die, or, well, dying (as Daniel has apparently done, here) seems to bring out the desire to not keep things to yourself forever.

And maybe, you know, there's canon romance somewhere, but it seems to me like Jack is awfully unwilling to tie himself down to anything at all, because being unattached makes it a whole hell of a lot easier to risk yourself. If you're in a relationship, you have to think "well what would happen to so and so if I died," morbid as that is. And you worry about it. Essentially, the 'life insurance policy' clause. But if you're unattached, and you get hurt, no one gets hurt but you. I think Jack maybe just doesn't realize that people begin to care whether or not you want them to, or not. So that's another issue to address, really. Jack's kinda married to the military, so to speak - would he be able to give up that utter carelessness for Daniel? It's habit, so I bet he'd have a hell of a time learning not to go dashing headlong where angels fear to tread.

I think what it boils down to is that, in order for it to work, Daniel probably can't be doing it for selfish reasons, he has to be (somehow) doing it because he thinks it's in Jack's best interests. I'm just not quite sure what would trigger that "best interests" button.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

It is a canon issue, although character insight counts for a lot.

Hmmm. For Jack's own good... the next part's for you.

Damn. I'm scattered around a dozen fics. I didn't need another plot bunny grabbing me.

Icarus

[setissma.livejournal.com]

I should feel guilty, but really, I like your writing way too much to do so.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Okay, here you go: next piece (http://www.livejournal.com/users/icarusancalion/309893.html).

There's another one coming in a minute.

Icarus

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Okay, next tidbit. This one's taking time to get out (and I don't feel like using cut-tags so I'm keeping it short): next (http://www.livejournal.com/users/icarusancalion/310089.html?mode=reply).

Icarus

[setissma.livejournal.com]

Well, that's certainly a lovely thing to get up to. *goes to read them!*

[lherelenfeline.livejournal.com]

Wow, that was disturbingly real, as in it's actually what happened to this guy i know, only the cameras recorded the sounds as well.

Good job.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Oh no kidding? What were they talking about? Gay men in the military or something else?

Icarus

[lherelenfeline.livejournal.com]

gay men in general, and he slipped "we" instead of "they". Got kicked out within the month.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Oh holy shit. God, poor guy. I heard Don't Ask, Don't Tell described once (by a fanfic writer) as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, don't even breathe."

Sounds pretty damned accurate.

Icarus

[lherelenfeline.livejournal.com]

The thing is that the policy chnaged nothing........... there's still investigation based of old photos and gossip... It's all the same really.

[melpemone.livejournal.com]

Okay, that just filled me with so much anger that I scared myself. Few things seriously hit my insta-rage buttons, but that's certainly one. That poor man.

Icarus, I've figured out why I can't get past DADT in my SG1 bunnies. Because the issue is such an emotional button for me. I think I may actually feel the need to address it, even though everyone else does too. This is likely the equivalent of using fic as a propaganda method, which is something I hate in everyone else, but there you have it.

Now that I've identified the source, let's see if I can't come up with J/D fics NOT based on the concept. Wish me luck. :-)

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

I've been very distracted by that icon. Man, is Michael Shanks a specimen of male beauty. Wow.

I think the trick is to use the characterization as the base, and then let the story hit up against the issue, like a wave hitting a dock. There's more power to it if you don't let the policy define the plot. Think of it as a way to rebel against the policy.

I've been in structured worlds that are defined by very rigid rules, so this doesn't make me angry. At all. I understand it personally.

In fact, the reason the SAIC (military contractor which employed almost entirely ex-military personnel with high security clearances) told me that I could name my salary, they'd pay whatever I wanted, because I "fit in" so well. I understood the red tape - how to follow it and avoid it at the same time - and the military discipline and hierarchy extremely well. "Yes sir. How high sir? No sir. That will fuck us up, sir."

Icarus

[lherelenfeline.livejournal.com]

He's allright now, but the fact that he's got a dishonourable discharge reeks. He can't access any of the VA services or anythin. It's one of those things that really piss me off, but I'll let the the SLDN handle it. They, at least know what to do...

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I guess in the story here I'm working from Jack's rationalizations, his attempts to come to terms with the fact that he does in fact "think military." Daniel's the one who's right of course.

Icarus

[cyanei.livejournal.com]

Wow. I can smell all the thought you put into this. Also, yay. So so so real.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

*waves madly* Hi! I feel like it's been a while since we've talked.

WG and I have wrangled a bit, and I've been reading fanfic and seeing the ruts that seem to spring up. They all seem rooted in letting the Don't Ask, Don't Tell control the story (or ignoring the issue which isn't realistic), rather than letting the characters drive it.

Icarus

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

By the way, wanna beta? *smiles and beams*

Though obviously there's more story here, I'm working into how to write SG-1 slash sort of the same way I did with HP fanfiction. I noticed the main pitfall of HP fanfiction was forgetting the damned magic (though often even when I put it in, it isn't central enough to really make it HP). In SG-1 there's a repetitiveness someone described to me, and I think I've found the source. Though I'm not sure I know how to get around it.

Icarus

[cyanei.livejournal.com]

I'd love to. ( :

I think the best way to get out of the SG-1 repetativeness funk would be to step completely out of a fandom frame of mind and think of how you would write it if you were trying to write a part of the show. Does that make any sense? To not just write a fic about Jack and Daniel getting together, but to write a story about the interactions between Jack and Daniel (slashy or otherwise).

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

I think the best way to get out of the SG-1 repetativeness funk would be to step completely out of a fandom frame of mind and think of how you would write it if you were trying to write a part of the show.

Oh. You know, you're right. But I think I'll finish out the bunnies I have before I leap onto that idea. Because that would not result in slash, not by a long shot.

Icarus

[cyanei.livejournal.com]

Hee, Well all right then! I can't wait to see what we get out of you in the future. ( ;

As far as a look over of the first part of this (I'm reading the second right now), it's pretty much all clear. There's only one bit that's iffy, but I'm still unsure of whether it only seemed iffy because I was reading to fast, since it made sense on a second read-through:

He spun around and pointed at Daniel, who lounged on the corner of Jack's desk as if perfectly, infuriatingly relaxed, crinkling a pile of unsigned forms under his ass, though his shoulders were as tense as a bow.

I think we need a third opinion on that, honestly. *L*

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Good catch - it needs a period or semi-colon before "though his shoulders were as tense as a bow." It's too long.

Icarus

[cyanei.livejournal.com]

Hee, Well all right then! I can't wait to see what we get out of you in the future. ( ;

As far as a look over of the first part of this (I'm reading the second right now), it's pretty much all clear. There's only one bit that's iffy, but I'm still unsure of whether it only seemed iffy because I was reading to fast, since it made sense on a second read-through:

He spun around and pointed at Daniel, who lounged on the corner of Jack's desk as if perfectly, infuriatingly relaxed, crinkling a pile of unsigned forms under his ass, though his shoulders were as tense as a bow.

I think we need a third opinion on that, honestly. *L*

[melpemone.livejournal.com]

That was really well done. I love how fast and perfectly you've nailed Jack especially - it makes me feel as though you've known men in the past just like him... am I right?

And you're right - Daniel wouldn't let this go. He'd be harming more than helping, but he wouldn't see it that way. This can't end well. And yet, I want to read it. :-)

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

The men I've worked for are respectively:

- an ex-Marine (Semper Fi), post Korean war

- an ex-Army Lt., WWII vet

- an ex-Army Intelligence officer, Vietnam vet

- SAIC, which is a military computer integration systems contractor, quite Top Secret (you had to have clearance to know certain clearances even existed) and mostly staffed by ex-Air Force flyboys... who are the most flirtatious, pampered, spoiled things! Man, the time I've taken telling these guys "No, you can't go first class...."

Other military personnel:

- an ex-Green Beret who'd completed Special Forces training

- wildernessguru, a surprisingly knowledgeable military analyst, groomed for the military, who took a left turn and surprised everyone by becoming a forest firefighter instead. Why? Because there was no war in which to test himself, but CA was in flames at the time.

In personality, Jack's sarcasm is very similar to WG's. They're not exactly alike, but Jack is really WG's kind of guy.

Icarus

[wenelda.livejournal.com]

I'm just now reading all this (yay for being slow to hop on the bandwagon!) but I really like the characterization (I've read part 6, too). I think you got all the characters down, and made it believable. Very well done. :)

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Cool! I just put up part seven. It's really a pretty short story. I'm just posting it in drabble-sized pieces.

Thank you, it's very encouraging to know you're reading it.

Icarus

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Okay, I've just put up another part. Sorry about the two-week delay. School, you know. We're only a few parts from the end at this point. :p (And we're just getting to the good stuff.)

Icarus