Space Challenge by Tara Keezer

[elementalv.livejournal.com]

Title: Naked
Author: Tara Keezer
Rating: PG-13
Fandom: due South/Battlestar Galactica crossover
Notes: This challenge hit just after I started obssessing over the thought of Fraser and Leoben in conflict. This fic takes place several months after Knife. It’s not necessary to read the other before you read this, though if you want to, I suggest you read Knife first. 300 words.

~*~*~

Fraser always wakes up naked and alone, but for the centurion standing guard over his alcove. He assumes this is part of Leoben’s efforts to break him, though it might just be a general expression of contempt for humankind. Cylons, Fraser has found, are always eager to show him how little they care about his species. However, he thinks they’re anxious for humanity’s attention, much the way a rebellious teenager will constantly misbehave in an effort to make sure her parents are still watching.

Still, it’s tiresome being kept naked, and it’s beginning to wear on him in ways small and large, just as the dinners with Leoben are becoming more difficult. Early on, Fraser once made an effort to fight back, but all that garnered him was a knife driven through his hand. He tries to draw his right hand into a fist as he thinks back to that night, then stops, giving it up as a lost cause. Leoben’s aim had been true, slicing through at least one tendon, possibly two, and it’s unlikely that Fraser will ever regain the full use of his hand.

Not that it matters.

As far as Fraser knows, the base ship he’s on is far from Earth and on its way to another planet — Caprica, Leoben told him — and he’ll never see his home again. Rather, he won’t see Earth again as long as he continues to deny Leoben what he wants. And Fraser will deny Leoben what he’s desperate for as long as he draws breath. Once Fraser’s dead, he will win this particular battle.

Until then, however, Fraser will not pretend a love he does not feel for Leoben, will not offer the kiss Leoben so very much wants Fraser to volunteer, will never again mistake Leoben for Ray Kowalski.

Comments

[k1p2psso.livejournal.com]

And to think I sent 'Just Due' to you. Between Knife and Naked, you do quite well in creepy tales all by your lonesome.
Brrrrrr. Keep on Keepin on.

[elementalv.livejournal.com]

There are times when I'm a little creeped out by how well I do the creepy tales, and then I tell myself to get over it, because really? It's fun creeping myself and others out.

Glad you enjoyed!

[j-s-cavalcante.livejournal.com]

Fraser will not pretend a love he does not feel for Leoben, will not offer the kiss Leoben so very much wants Fraser to volunteer, will never again mistake Leoben for Ray Kowalski.

Ouch! Well, now you have to write more! This is too much of a teaser! :)

[elementalv.livejournal.com]

There will be more, I promise. But right now, I need to finish the first of the due South/Discworld crack!fics.

[metaphoracle.livejournal.com]

This reminds me of the Smallville Clark/Lex dynamic at its sexiest creepiest. There's something about watching someone so inherently good face down someone so manipulatively evil that makes it impossible to look away.

Well done.

[elementalv.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I love seeing that breaking point get closer and closer, and I love seeing what stress can do to a character, especially the kind of stress Leoben's about to bring to bear.

[nos4a2no9.livejournal.com]

Okay, I just read Knife and this story and all I can do is stutter incoherently and demand more. Because I need a whole epic story about Fraser/Leoben and good-vs-evil and woobie!Cylons and Fraser in the future. This is...I've never even seen BSG and you've managed to convey so many details about that world in the space of these two short ficlets that I am blown away. Also blown away by the creepy/sexy hotness of these two locked in their battle. These bits were fantastic, and now I demand a longer story. Because, um, I have the power to demand things. Or perhaps I will resort to bribery...

[elementalv.livejournal.com]

You really need to find time to watch BSG. The show is incredible, and the Cylons are only one part of it. A significant part, yes, but there are other parts as well.

[nos4a2no9.livejournal.com]

It is sitting on my boyfriend's hard drive! We're planning to watch after we catch up on Dr. Who and Rome and Veronica Mars and...okay, I'll bump it up the list of priorities. Because I need to see Leoben. And, er, all the other wonderful things I keep hearing about the show. But I'm mostly in it for the Leoben (in, what, season three?)

[elementalv.livejournal.com]

Leoben makes his first appearance in the miniseries and one of the S1 episodes, and then he's in a number of the S3 eps.

[nos4a2no9.livejournal.com]

Arg, LJ ate my original comment, which was a little random and rambly, but I did want to tell you how much I've loved both Knife and this short piece, and how much I want you to write that dS/BSG epic crossover that will consume your brain and all of your talent for the next several months. Please? I'll send you cookies! And Paul Gross Arms(tm) if you do!

[elementalv.livejournal.com]

I want you to write that dS/BSG epic crossover that will consume your brain

No!

[makes the sign of the cross at you]

I've already got a due South/Discworld series eating my brain. If I let dS/BSG grab any more of my brain, I won't have anything left to earn money to pay for my internet connection. You see the problem?

[nos4a2no9.livejournal.com]

*g* Ack, dS/Discworld? That really would constitute brain-eatage. And...yes, that is the fundamental problem with work. You need to work to earn the money to keep teh interweb flowing, but teh interweb distracts from the work. I think we should get some of those blue-ribbon economics guys on this problem. They could probably win the Nobel Prize if they figured out a way for us fangirls to survive by only our wits and our fannish glee.

[elementalv.livejournal.com]

That dS/Discworld thing is fun, trust me.

And yes, we need to figure out a new economy to sort out the needs of fangirls.

[akite.livejournal.com]

Damn, you made me all shivery again.

[elementalv.livejournal.com]

[hands you a blanket]

Sorry. :-(

[akite.livejournal.com]

Shivery is not a bad thing. *takes the blanket and huddles until you write some more*

[elementalv.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. You haven't read the latest one, have you? Maybe I should build a bonfire for you.

[mickeymvt.livejournal.com]

*flail*

Dude, you wrote Fraser/Leoben...well, sorta. Creepy and scary and *shivers*

[elementalv.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Fraser and Leoben mixed together give me the willies, and since I don't like to be alone in the dark, I'm dragging as many people along as I can manage.

[malnpudl.livejournal.com]

*shivers*

Wonderfully chilling. You win at creepy. In the good way, I mean.

[elementalv.livejournal.com]

I do have a creepy turn of mind, no doubt about it.

[cc-the-wolf.livejournal.com]

This is... exquisite. They are both so perfectly in character. I especially loved the bittersweet satisfaction of Fraser knowing that in death he wins.

[elementalv.livejournal.com]

There's always an escape route. Always. Unfortunately, Fraser can't take it deliberately, but he knows it's there.

[ultra-chrome.livejournal.com]

I read Knife yesterday but was on my way out the door and didn't have time to comment. But now...Well you just have to post lots and lots of these freaky little gems. One every day would be nice. Like episodes in a truly disturbing fantasy.
Until then, however, Fraser will not pretend a love he does not feel for Leoben, will not offer the kiss Leoben so very much wants Fraser to volunteer, will never again mistake Leoben for Ray Kowalski.

There's a part of me that wants to know if Leoben will take it anyway. And the other part is scared to find out either way. See what you've done to me? I'm arguing with myself over whether it'd be a kink thing or a squick thing.

I really must watch more BSG. I've only seen half of one episode.

[elementalv.livejournal.com]

It's a good, good show, and yes, definitely you need to watch more. Also, "Creepy" may well become the name of the crossover series, because, well, it is.

[sam80853.livejournal.com]

OUCH!

OMG! This really hurts, it brings tears to my eyes ... Poor Fraser! ::sighs deeply::. I can virtually FEEL his hurt ...

Very intense!

[elementalv.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there's really no happy with this particular series of crossovers.

[eledhwenlin]

Oh FRASER. *whimpers*

[elementalv.livejournal.com]

I know, I know. It will get better.

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

Waaah! You broke them all in tiny little pieces.

*tries to put them back together, fails*

*cries*

Um. Where's the rest? *shakes computer*

[elementalv.livejournal.com]

You're feeling better now, aren't you?

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

I do indeed. Thank you kindly!

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

*sits on tenterhooks*

I really have no comment, other than OMG keep going.

[elementalv.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm still adding to this, and I will be for a while. You can find two more shorts at:

http://elementalv.livejournal.com/tag/that+bsg+thing