Title: Fostering Relations
Author's LJ/DWJ: aelfgyfu_mead   aelfgyfu_mead
Categories: Kidfic, Team, Drama, Hurt/Comfort
Warnings: mild language, violence
Author's Webpage/Fic list: Aelfgyfu's Mead Hall
Link to story: Fostering Relations

Why this should be read: Kidfic with a little twist. While I really enjoy many of the standard tropes, it's also fun to read a fic that deconstructs some of them. Plus, this is a satisfying off world story with an emphasis on character relationships, including Janet and Bill Lee. The fic is set in season 7, between "Death Knell" and "Heroes" and deals with some of the repercussions from "Evolution". About 52,000 words.

A desert planet, a Fountain of Youth device, and SG-1; what could possibly go wrong?

"Okay. Here's what the priest told me: Tel-Shak used the device sometimes on his Jaffa, but more importantly, mostly on the people here, with very bad effects. I think he was experimenting with it. People were never the same after they were exposed to it; in fact, their own families couldn't be near them safely. If Tel-Shak used it on someone, the rest of the family would move out of the house to get out of their way. They were . . . changed. Irritable, violent. . . ." Daniel grimaced, putting the memories from his most recent trip to Central America back in the box out of which they were threatening to slip.

"They weren't allowed to use it themselves when Tel-Shak was still in the picture, of course. After they started to believe he was really, truly gone, occasionally someone who lost . . . someone they loved . . . would get the brilliant idea to try the healing device."

"Pet cemetery," Jack muttered.

"What?"

"Pet cemetery," the man repeated.

Oh, God, maybe Jack was delirious.

With an air of long suffering, Teal'c explained, "Pet Sematary is a work by Stephen King."

For a moment Daniel was afraid they'd all gotten sun poisoning, and it must have shown on his face.

"You haven't heard of Stephen King?" Jack snapped.

"Horror," Sam added.

"Yes, I'm starting to feel it myself," Daniel snapped, but the author's name had finally clicked. Did all his friends read horror? He'd ask Teal'c later. He couldn't remember ever having a conversation about Stephen King before.

"So when they were reanimated," Sam prompted him.

"Oh, yeah. Every so often someone would try it, and even on kids. . . ." He couldn't complete the thought.

"Oh, God," Jack said softly.