A Glimpse at the Heart

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=160 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="012a0643.jpg"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=435 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="00f64643.jpg"> <div> <B>A Glimpse at the Heart</B></div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="a_glimpse_at_the_heart"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>It was barely 0615 hours when Jack pushed through the door to his office.  He felt his toe kick something on the floor and when he clicked on the harsh overhead lights, he saw a red envelope halfway across the floor.  He let the door ease back and click into place before he picked up the card.  He turned it over, looking for more writing than the simple 'Jack' scribbled on the front.  He snickered.  Someone had tried to conceal their handwriting.</div> <bR> <div> He sat down at his desk and his eyes caught the page of his calendar at the top of his desk.  February 14.  It was Valentine's Day.  He briefly remembered his time in elementary school when all the kids in class would bring Valentines for all the other kids, and by the end of the day he would walk home with an armful of the silly little cards.  He opened the envelope carefully and pulled the card out into the light.  The front surprised him.  A golden sunset over a quiet beach wasn't what one normally got for Valentine's day.  He opened the card.</div> <bR> <div> <I>I wish you peace.  I wish you joy.  I wish you more happiness than your heart can hold.  Most of all, I wish you love.</I></div> <bR> <div> There was no signature.  Jack re-read the card five, six, seven, ten times, still with no clue as to who had left it for him.  He ran through everyone he knew but the writing didn't match anyone's.  And he should know, he had to read all the hastily filled out forms that came through the base.  He set the card carefully beside his computer monitor and with a stymied shrug, got up to go get some breakfast.  On his way, he stopped at the accounting office where the personnel mailboxes lined one wall and had to stifle a snorted chuckle.  Bits of pink and red were in everyone's boxes, but the one marked 'Daniel Jackson' was a veritable waterfall of crimson.</div> <bR> <div> He walked up and looked closely at the overly stuffed mail slot and this time did laugh.  Daniel would need dynamite to blast those cards loose.  He doubted one more would be able to be squeezed in.  Just then Carter sidled up next to him and forcefully wedged a card into Daniel's mail slot.  "Carter."</div> <bR> <div> "Sir," smiled the woman and handed him a large pink envelope before she began distributing her others to various and sundry boxes along the wall.  "Happy Valentine's Day."</div> <bR> <div> "Same to ya," Jack said.  He reached in and pulled out a fist full of papers, along with a couple other envelopes.  Terminally pleased with himself for securing a few of the gaudy pieces of this particular tradition, he resumed his walk to the cafeteria.  He sniffed haughtily.  He'd distributed all his cards the night before.</div> <bR> <div> Grabbing a bowl of cereal, a banana, some milk and a cup of coffee, Jack settled himself at one of the far tables and began looking at the cards.  He recognized Dr. Fraiser's straight off - her neat printing was a dead giveaway.  Then there was Cassie and the oversized curly-que of her script.  He laughed loudly when he saw that even Teal'c had given into the spirit of the holiday.  His smile turned to a smug grin as he recognized a couple of the envelopes were from various nurses and female airmen around the base.  <I>Not bad</I>, he thought to himself.</div> <bR> <div> The last one had him snickering happily.  A gangly limbed monkey hanging from a tree surrounded by heart-shaped leaves bidding him a 'swinging good Valentine's.'  The signature read <I>Spacemonkey</I>.  He read them all, feeling insufferably pleased with himself by the time he was done, finished up his breakfast and headed back toward his office.  He lined all his cards up neatly on one of his bookcases and began the day's work.  Hours later, and well into a pile of requisitions, he heard a faint knock on the door.  Pausing only long enough to grunt permission to enter, he continued scribbling his reasons for denying the request before him.</div> <bR> <div> "Please tell me you didn't go out and buy all those yourself," came Daniel's slightly acerbic voice from the doorway.  Jack looked up and saw Daniel glance over at the shelf full of cards.</div> <bR> <div> "Hey, people like me," Jack said with mock indignation.  "Obviously not as much as they like <I>you</I>."</div> <bR> <div> "Yes, well, that was a deplorable outpouring of holiday excess," Daniel said, fighting back a blush.  "I don't even know half those people."</div> <bR> <div> "Those people are women, Dr. Jackson, and they definitely know you."  He signed the form in front of him with a flourish and shoved it in his out box.  "What's up?"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel waved a form at him.  "Could you . . . sign this?"</div> <bR> <div> "Sure," Jack said, motioning for the man to hand him the form.  He took it from Daniel's grasp, signed it without looking at it and handed it back.</div> <bR> <div> "You didn't even read it," Daniel said.  "I could have just had you authorize my purchase of a new BMW."</div> <bR> <div> "Can I have a ride?" Jack asked casually, then shrugged and went back to his overflowing in basket.  "You know, if people really wanted me to know how much they cared, they'd quit giving me this <I>stuff</I>," he grumbled, nodding to his still-overflowing in box.</div> <bR> <div> "You're the one who keeps complaining you don't get your memos," Daniel said.  He glanced at Jack's computer and ducked his head quickly.  "I should let you get back to work."</div> <bR> <div> "Hey, Casanova," Jack shouted before he was all the way out the door.</div> <bR> <div> It was a scowling Daniel that turned and looked back at him.  "Yes?"</div> <bR> <div> "Did all those Valentines garner you any dates tonight?"</div> <bR> <div> "No," Daniel answered and his frown got a little deeper.</div> <bR> <div> "Wanna get some dinner?"</div> <bR> <div> "Tonight?  There's no way we'll get into a restaurant tonight."</div> <bR> <div> "Ah, yes.  All the people who have dates."  Jack sighed.  "Hockey game?"</div> <bR> <div> "There's one in town tonight?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yep.  Semi-pro.  I think it's fifty cent beer and hot dog night."</div> <bR> <div> "It's no wonder you're alone," Daniel grumbled as he walked out the door.  "At least it's not the night they have the teddy bear toss."</div> <bR> <div> "Hey!  Is that a yes?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yes," came the dismal response from the hall.</div> <bR> <div> "Cool," Jack grinned and continued with his work.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Jack watched Daniel trot across the parking lot of his apartment building to the truck.  He opened the door and climbed inside quickly.  "It's colder than hell outside," he said, huddling close to the heat vents on the dash.</div> <bR> <div> "Cold snap," Jack said as he steered the truck through the crowded lot.  </div> <bR> <div> "You wear an extra sweater?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yes, mother," Daniel growled as he fastened his seat belt.</div> <bR> <div> "Just checking.  You always whine about being cold at these games."</div> <div> "We're sitting in a refrigerated auditorium, Jack - of course I'm going to be cold."</div> <bR> <div> "You're cold unless it's ninety degrees out."</div> <bR> <div> "Eighty five," Daniel muttered and watched the traffic and houses pass by.</div> <bR> <div> Jack smiled.  "I got asked out."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel turned to him, surprised.  "You did?"</div> <bR> <div> "You don't need to sound quite so shocked," Jack snarled.  "Women still find me somewhat attractive."</div> <bR> <div> "I didn't mean that," Daniel said flatly.  "I mean why are you going to a hockey game with me instead of out to dinner with.....with.....with.....give me a name anytime here, Jack."</div> <bR> <div> Jack smiled at the man's curiosity.  "Nurse Higgins," he said proudly.</div> <div> "The one with the...."</div> <bR> <div> "Yup."</div> <bR> <div> "And the rather abundant..."</div> <bR> <div> "Oh yeah...."</div> <bR> <div> "And that high, squeaky, nasal voice," Daniel finished.</div> <bR> <div> "Exactly why I'm with you tonight instead," Jack said with enthusiasm.  "If she and I hadn't had to talk over dinner, it would have been great."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel laughed good naturedly.  "I, um, got asked out, too."  His voice turned a little shy.</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah?" Jack smiled.  "Who?"</div> <bR> <div> "Doctor Richter from geo-phys."</div> <bR> <div> "Hey, she's a looker," Jack said with a nod.  Daniel beamed that Jack approved and seemed happy he'd been asked out.  "Why'd you turn her down?"</div> <bR> <div> "I would just rather do this tonight," Daniel said quietly.</div> <bR> <div> Jack felt a warmth spread and swirl around his chest.  "I'm not much of a consolation prize, Daniel."</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, but who can turn down overcooked hotdogs and nearly flat beer while watching two mediocre hockey teams beat the living hell out of each other?"</div> <div> "It just doesn't get much better than that, does it?" Jack asked and laughed along with Daniel.  Suddenly the front of the mystery card came back to his memory and he nearly missed a red light at the sudden realization of who the sender was.  "Hey, thanks for coming with me," he said after a few minutes.</div> <bR> <div> "You bet, Jack.  I'm glad we could get out and do something."</div> <bR> <div> Jack tried to act as calm and casual as possible during the remainder of the drive, but he found himself stealing glances at the man beside him, all the while feeling his stomach do little flips every time Daniel caught his eye.</div> <bR> <div> When they got to the arena Jack paid for the tickets and they hustled inside out of the cold.  Daniel stopped and looked around him.  "Uh ... wow."</div> <bR> <div> "I didn't think it would be crowded tonight," Jack said as he steered them toward the concession counter.</div> <bR> <div> "I know what this is," Daniel said suddenly.</div> <bR> <div> "What?"</div> <bR> <div> "Women who bought tickets for their men.  Sort of the reverse Valentine thing."</div> <bR> <div> "You think?" Jack asked, looking around him.</div> <bR> <div> "Jack, it's Valentines Day.  What woman in her right mind would voluntarily come here tonight?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack watched a middle aged, round, surly woman walk past who was sporting a plastic hockey helmet with the hometown pennants sticking out of it and wearing a home team jersey, while trying to carry two large foam fingers indicating their team was #1, as well as four full-sized pennants.</div> <bR> <div> "Never mind," said Daniel as he scooted forward in line.</div> <bR> <div> Jack smiled and slid forward as well.  The lines were long and the people boisterous.  Jack looked around at the women and determined Daniel was right - as usual.  Most of them seemed to be bored out of their minds already, but the men appeared to be having a great time.  He smiled.  A line from an old song, <I>the things we do for love</I>, rolled through his mind.  He chuckled.</div> <bR> <div> "What?" asked Daniel.</div> <bR> <div> "Nothing.  Just a random thought," Jack said.  He leaned up against the counter and waited for the clerk.  A harried young woman looked at him and waited.  "Uh, yeah, gimme four jumbo dogs, with chili."  He heard Daniel mumble <I>oh god</I> and turned to look at him.  "You like kraut?"</div> <bR> <div> "No," Daniel said with a sharp shake of his head.</div> <bR> <div> "Two with kraut.  And two jumbo drafts."</div> <bR> <div> The girl rang up the total quickly.  "Four dollars," she said.</div> <bR> <div> "Three dollars," said Jack.</div> <bR> <div> "You got jumbos.  They're extra."</div> <bR> <div> Jack grunted and tossed down the money.  The lady threw the order together quickly and put it in a carry-all, practically shoving Jack and Daniel down the counter toward the condiments.  "Good help's hard to find," Jack said loudly and meandered down to the mustard selection.  The girl shot him an acid look.</div> <bR> <div> "No wonder we don't have very many allies," Daniel growled at Jack.</div> <bR> <div> "Are you implying I suffer a lack of social graces?" Jack demanded.  He glopped mustard onto his hot dog.</div> <bR> <div> "You bet I am," Daniel said as he pulled out a fist full of napkins from a holder.  He looked down at his food.  "I'm going to have heartburn for a month."</div> <bR> <div> "Nah, these are great."  Jack led him into the arena.  "Gas maybe."</div> <bR> <div> "Do I have to ride in the same vehicle as you?"  Daniel gazed suspiciously at the kraut covered hot dog buns.</div> <bR> <div> "Misery loves company," Jack sing songed as he made his way as close to the ice as possible.  They found two seats on the front row and settled down.  Daniel watched as Jack checked that his pager and cell phone were securely in his pockets, then pulled his portion of the food from Daniel who was waiting patiently for him to get situated.  The teams were already out for their warm ups and Jack, between huge bites of his chili laden snack, watched them skate around.  Daniel glanced at his friend quickly, then turned back and looked more closely.  Jack was examining the skaters intently, studying their footwork and stick handling.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel smiled and leaned close.  "What?"</div> <bR> <div> "What what?" Jack said, swallowing a mouthful with a gulp of beer.</div> <bR> <div> "The look on your face - like you were thinking something, or remembering something."  Daniel was stunned when Jack actually blushed slightly.</div> <bR> <div> "Just when I was a kid, that's all."</div> <bR> <div> "Tell me."</div> <bR> <div> "It's nothing," Jack said with a small shrug.</div> <bR> <div> "No, really.  I'd like to hear."  Daniel turned in his seat to face Jack as much as possible and started in on his own food.  "I know you love hockey, you must have played when you were a kid."</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah," Jack said, and a sad little smile came to his face.  He put down his meal and shoved up the sleeves on his right arm.  He pointed down at his forearm around the elbow.  "I had a little injury when I was a teenager."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel leaned down and looked.  He could see the faint stitch and incision marks on the skin.  The scars went completely down the arm, and up past the sleeve.  "Oh my God," he breathed.  "How the hell did that happen?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack winced a little and gazed back out over the ice.  "I was a wild child," he said quietly, barely loud enough to be heard over the constant buzz and hum of the arena.  "Best hockey player my coach had ever seen.  I didn't just love hockey - I lived it.  Morning, noon and night.  I'd go to sleep at night dreaming of playing in the pros one day."  Jack's eyes seemed a little out of focus as he talked and Daniel listened quietly, knowing that stories like this from Jack were never told easily.  "We were in the playoffs and were playing our cross state rivals.  I went in for a huge body check on this guy.  They didn't have this plexi-glass plating all around the rink.  I nailed him.  He must have turned at the last second and I heard a snap."  Jack took another drink of beer and looked down at his hands.  "I broke his back.  He collapsed on the ice, couldn't move.  Six guys were on me, two held my arm, two used their sticks.  Broke my arm.  I never played again."  He took another drink of beer.  "I still love hockey."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel sat back.  He didn't know what to say, and <I>sorry</I> was a pathetic response.  He waited a minute and took a small sip of his own beer.  "If that hadn't happened, would you have gone on, tried to be in the pros?"</div> <bR> <div> "Would have been in the pros.  There were NHL scouts at that game to see me."  He set his jaw and his lips got thin.  Daniel knew he didn't want to talk about it any more.  "I entered the Air Force Academy two years later.  Decided flying jets was a good alternative."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm glad you did," Daniel said softly with a little smile.</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah," Jack said and went back to watching the warm ups.</div> <bR> <div> "Hey, I'm gonna hit the bathroom real quick," Daniel said, standing up.</div> <bR> <div> "I'll save your seat," Jack said.</div> <bR> <div> "Please do," Daniel said and slapped him lightly on the shoulder on his way past.  He didn't really have to go, he just wanted Jack to have a minute or two alone to pull himself out of the funk that Daniel had so ungraciously dropped him in.  He was gone for about five minutes and when he returned, he noticed his meal was mysteriously short one hot dog.  "Um, Jack?"</div> <bR> <div> "What?  It was getting cold," Jack said and Daniel saw the twinkle was back in his eye.</div> <bR> <div> "Better your gut than mine," Daniel said and grabbed his beer from under the seat before he sat down.  "Hey, I saw posters out in the concourse that said there's a contest tonight.  Something about a shoot off?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack nodded and finished his beer.  "Beat the goalie, get a thousand bucks."</div> <bR> <div> "Are there tickets or something?" Daniel said, looking around.</div> <bR> <div> "They call seat numbers," Jack said, waving to a beer vendor.  "You want another?"</div> <bR> <div> "No, I'm done for the night, thanks," Daniel said.</div> <bR> <div> "You wanna drive back?" Jack asked</div> <bR> <div> "Sure," came the reply and Jack handed over the keys to the truck.  Daniel smiled to himself.  Out of everyone he knew, out of everyone that Jack knew, Daniel was the only one that Jack let drive his new truck.  He shoved the keys into his pocket.  "Oh hey, I knew there was something I forgot to tell you."</div> <bR> <div> "What's that?" Jack asked distractedly as he pulled out a one dollar bill, got his beer and pocketed the change.</div> <bR> <div> "Sam had a date tonight."</div> <bR> <div> Jack nearly spilled beer down the front of his shirt.  "You're kidding, right?"</div> <bR> <div> "Major Hensley Crenshaw," Daniel drawled.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh really?" Jack smirked.  "Well what do you know about that?"</div> <bR> <div> "We'll know on Monday," Daniel leered and laughed as Jack wiggled his eyebrows.</div> <bR> <div> "Good for her.  About time she gets out there and, you know.... gets out there."  Jack took a smaller drink of beer.  "So, Richter huh?  How long have you two known each other."</div> <bR> <div> "Actually," Daniel said with a slightly shy smile, "we don't.  She sort of surprised me with the invitation as I was heading home tonight."</div> <bR> <div> "You could have called and canceled," Jack said.</div> <bR> <div> "I know," Daniel said, squirming slightly, "it's just . . . I don't know, she seems sort of - forceful- for my taste."</div> <bR> <div> "Forceful?"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel coughed.  "I've heard . . . rumors."</div> <bR> <div> Jack was interested now.  "Rumors?  As in base gossip?"</div> <bR> <div> "No, actually," Daniel said with a nervous laugh, "as in academic colleague rumors."</div> <bR> <div> "Do tell," Jack leered.</div> <bR> <div> "Does the word <I>dominatrix</I> mean anything to you?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack burst out laughing and Daniel couldn't contain a blush.  "My my my, Dr. Jackson, you certainly do attract the interesting ones."</div> <bR> <div> "Must be the eyes," Daniel said with a shake of his head.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh yea, I'm sure that must be it," Jack cackled.  The teams were being introduced and all conversation stopped as the crowd rose to its feet to greet the home team.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> "Seat D-1!" shouted the announcer.  "If you are sitting in seat D-1, please make your way around to the end of the stadium for your chance to shoot for one thousand dollars!"</div> <bR> <div> The crowd was cheering wildly and Jack was in the middle of paying for his beer as Daniel grabbed his arm.  "Jack!  That's you."</div> <bR> <div> "What?"  Jack asked, setting his beer under his seat.  "What's me?"</div> <bR> <div> "D-1!  If you are sitting in seat D-1, please come to the end of the stadium!" called the announcer again.</div> <bR> <div> "Jack, you're seat D-1.  That's you."</div> <bR> <div> "It is?"  Jack spun around and looked at the seat number.  A white, chipped D-1 stared back at him.</div> <bR> <div> "Jack, do it!" Daniel urged excitedly.  "You can take that goalie easy."</div> <bR> <div> Jack began to stand up, a little stunned.  The crowd around him began to cheer loudly.  "Daniel, this is crazy.  I haven't played in years."</div> <bR> <div> "Do it, Jack, go on.  I want to see you do this."  Daniel smiled hugely and shoved him toward the walkway.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh fer cryin' out loud," Jack said with a shake of his head.  He pointed at Daniel.  "If I fall on my ass and break something, I'm letting you deal with Fraiser and Hammond."  With a final doubtful look toward the others around him he made his way to the waiting ushers.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel sat back happily and rubbed his hands together in anticipation.  It was between the first and second periods and the game had been exciting so far.  Daniel, much to his amazement, was having a great time.  He kept his eyes on Jack as the older man selected a pair of skates and began lacing them up.  He watched as he checked the fit, grabbed a set of gloves, a stick and headed out onto the ice.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel was transfixed the moment Jack's skates hit the ice.  He'd always been appreciative of the way Jack moved.  At 6'2" it would have been easy to be ungainly, but Jack always seemed to move with the grace of a large cat, especially in battle situations - never a wasted movement.  But now, watching Jack skate around, getting used to the ice, Daniel was amazed at the fluidity of his motion, the absolute command he had over his body.  Jack seemed to glide effortlessly over the ice and Daniel felt his heart constrict in his chest.  He could imagine Jack as a young man, skimming over the frozen surface, playing with the utmost skill.  Jack looked over at him, gave him a wry smile and shook his head.  He skated to a stop at the center line and the MC approached him with a microphone.  Daniel didn't hear a word the man said, his eyes were riveted to Jack.</div> <bR> <div> "So this is what, two out of three?" Jack asked.  The crowd laughed at the overheard comment.</div> <bR> <div> "No sir, you only get one chance."</div> <bR> <div> The people began to stand up and yell, drowning out the sound of the instructions the MC was giving to Jack.  Daniel did as well, clapping and cheering along with the others.  Jack headed down toward the far end of the ice and Daniel laughed.  He knew he was being cussed out right about then.  Jack swung around the far goal and came flying back down the rink.  He picked up the puck at center ice and headed toward the goalie.  He faked once, twice, dodged to his left, made a small stutter step and tucked the puck neatly into the side of the goal.  The entire stadium exploded and Jack made his way leisurely back to the MC.  He turned to face Daniel who pumped his fist in appreciation of his friend's accomplishment.  After the official presentation of the thousand dollar check, Jack skated casually off the ice, shaking hands with the goalie on the way.  The team member slapped Jack on the back and joked with him, trying to hand him his mask and gloves.  Jack laughed and stepped easily from the ice to change back into his own boots.  He accepted the congratulations of those around him and sauntered back to Daniel.</div> <bR> <div> "That was great!" laughed the younger man.  "Jack, you were fantastic out there.  God, I've never seen moves like that!"</div> <bR> <div> Jack merely shrugged and settled back into his seat, the people around him patting him on the back as he sat.  "Been a long time," Jack said with a quiet smile.</div> <bR> <div> "That kid's gotta be what, early twenties?" Daniel asked, pointing toward the now empty goal.</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, probably that," Jack said, still not looking up to receive Daniel's praise directly.  He looked at the check and tucked it into his shirt pocket.  He cast one more longing look out toward the ice before reaching back down to find his beer.</div> <bR> <div> "It looked like you never stopped playing," Daniel said.</div> <bR> <div> Jack finally raised his eyes and met Daniel's.  "Thanks."</div> <bR> <div> The teams took the ice once again and the game continued.  Daniel, still energized by the performance of his friend and teammate enjoyed the remainder of the contest, even though at the end the home team lost by two.  As Jack was pulling his coat on and gathering up the empty cups and wrappers from the evening, one of the men behind him yelled down, "they needed you out there tonight!"  Jack looked up and smiled, waving at the compliment.</div> <bR> <div> "What are you going to do with the money?" Daniel asked as they began the hike up the steps to the concourse.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh I've got plans for that," Jack grinned.  "Hey, you got anything to do tomorrow?"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel thought for a minute.  "Um, no.  Why?"</div> <bR> <div> "You'll see," Jack said mysteriously.  "Why don't you crash at my place tonight.  I think you've still got some spare clothes tucked away in a closet somewhere in the guest bedroom.  That way we can both sleep in a little later before we need to head out."</div> <bR> <div> "Where?"</div> <bR> <div> "Part of the surprise, Daniel."  They pushed through the stadium doors into the frigid night air and trotted toward the truck.  Daniel hit the auto locks and both men jumped in quickly.  Daniel started the engine and flipped the heaters to full.  Jack hit another couple buttons and Daniel wiggled down into the seat.</div> <bR> <div> "I have got to get seat heaters put in my car," he purred as the radiant warmth began to soak into the back of his thighs.  They drove home in comfortable silence, Jack gazing out into the darkness with a secret smile on his face.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel came awake slowly, the smell of fresh coffee wafting into his room from the kitchen.  He pulled himself up groggily and made his way into the spare bathroom just outside his door.  He showered, shaved, brushed his teeth then dressed in the extra clothes that he found tucked away at the back of the closet - just where Jack said they'd be.</div> <bR> <div> He shuffled down into the kitchen to find Jack already dressed and showered, reading the newspaper and drinking a cup of coffee.  "Mornin'," he managed to grunt before searching for a cup for himself.</div> <bR> <div> "Morning," Jack said distractedly.  Daniel smiled as he remembered when he'd come back from Abydos and had stayed with Jack.  This was exactly how it had been every morning he'd been there.  Jack would get up first, make coffee and get at least once section of the paper read so that Daniel could start on it.  They would share the paper and the silence of the early mornings in preparation for the day ahead.  Daniel sat down and saw that Jack had already finished the international news section before he'd arrived.</div> <bR> <div> After three cups of coffee each, Jack finally handed the last section of the paper to Daniel who skimmed it briefly then set it down on the table.  This was the signal that normal conversation could now begin.  "So, what's up for today?"</div> <bR> <div> "Get your coat," Jack said and stood, putting his cup in the dishwasher as he headed toward the garage.</div> <bR> <div> "Where are we going?" Daniel asked, following suit.</div> <bR> <div> "You'll see," Jack said and made his way to the truck, Daniel right behind him, turning off the coffee maker on his way.</div> <bR> <div> They crawled into the truck and started it up while the garage door opened slowly behind them.  Jack wheeled them out into the street and made sure the garage closed before heading off.  Jack aimed toward the center of town.  When he pulled up at a small ice rink, Daniel began to clue in.  Quietly he followed Jack into the building and his smile widened as he heard the voices of nearly thirty small boys shouting encouragement to one another as they skated around the small ice arena.</div> <bR> <div> "Jack!" came a happy, male voice.  A teenage boy, maybe seventeen years old, trotted up and shook hands with the Colonel.  "We were hoping you could be here."</div> <bR> <div> "Day off," Jack said.  He turned to Daniel.  "This is a buddy of mine from the Mountain.  Daniel Jackson, I'd like you to meet Jake Tomlinson."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel shook the young man's hand and was surprised by the strong, confident grip.  "Nice to meet you."</div> <bR> <div> "Hey, you too," grinned the teen.  "You play?"</div> <bR> <div> "Hockey?" Daniel asked, looking at Jack.  "No, I'm just a tag-along today."</div> <bR> <div> "Ah," said the young man.  "Well, you're gonna love this."  He chuckled and whistled toward the ice.  "Kids!  Look who's here!"</div> <bR> <div> Excited squeals and shrieks echoed in the cavernous dome as thirty little bodies tried to propel themselves as fast as they could to the boards to greet their hero.  "Hey kids!" Jack yelled and trotted down the few steps to meet them.</div> <bR> <div> "He coaches," Daniel said.</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, he does.  You didn't know?"</div> <bR> <div> "No clue," Daniel said, folding his arms in front of him and watching as Jack talked with a few of the kids.</div> <bR> <div> "He travels a lot, but when he's in town, he's here at every practice."  Jake laughed.  "The kids adore him."</div> <bR> <div> "I can see that," Daniel laughed in return.  "How do you know Jack?"</div> <bR> <div> "Oh, um," Jake stammered, slightly uncomfortable, "Charlie was my best friend when I was younger.  Jack sort of adopted me after my own dad died, helped me with my game, stuff like that.  When I graduate this year, I've got a full ride scholarship to a couple schools up north if I want it.  A few pro scouts have been by to see me play.  Jack did that too, arranged for them to come here."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel nodded in understanding.  Jack, being the private man he was, had never mentioned any of this. </div> <bR> <div> "Jake, you get my skate fixed?" Jack asked, coming back up the steps.</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, they're over on the bench," Jake said.</div> <bR> <div> "Hey, I got something I want to give you," Jack said and pulled the check from the night before out of his pocket.  He'd already endorsed it over and he simply handed it to Jake.</div> <bR> <div> "Jesus!" Jake exclaimed.</div> <bR> <div> "Think that'll cover the new uniforms?" Jack asked.</div> <bR> <div> "And the cost of going to the tournament.  Ah, Jack this is great!  The kids are gonna be so excited.  I can't wait to tell them."</div> <bR> <div> "No," Jack said firmly, "don't tell them where the money came from.  Just let them know they're going to the tournament with brand new uniforms."</div> <bR> <div> "This is <I>awesome</I>," Jake said and shook Jack's hand again.  "Wow, okay, well... I better get these kids practicing or we'll be home after the first round."</div> <bR> <div> Jack watched Jake scamper onto the ice and soon the kids were shouting and cheering once again.  Jake got them settled and at last practice began in earnest.  "I better get on my skates," Jack said.  Daniel followed him over to the coach's bench and sat down.  Jack suited up and hit the ice, skating easily around the miniature hockey players.  Daniel was amazed how gentle yet firm Jack was with the children.  After even just a few minutes, he saw what a difference it made to have Jack there as the kids began to skate with better form.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel watched for nearly an hour before he noticed the first parent came buy to collect their child.  Today's practice was obviously an extra one.  When the last little player left the ice, Daniel noticed a little girl, dressed in a frilly pink dress and pink leggings trying to keep up with her older brother who'd headed out to skate a few laps on his own.  She stood with her toes turned in and her little legs wobbling so badly she could barely stay upright.  And then Daniel watched something that filled him with warmth.</div> <bR> <div> Jack skated carefully up to the little girl, leaning down to talk softly to her.  She looked up, her eyes as big as saucers and nodded at something Jack said.  Jack held out his hand and she grasped two of his fingers in her tiny hand.  Slowly, taking extreme care with his precious charge, Jack began to skate backwards.  As the little girl gained confidence, Jack nudged her toes apart and soon had her swaying back and forth between her feet.  He knelt down, his elbows on his knees and continued to lead her carefully around the ring.  By the last turn he no longer had to reach out a hand to support or guide her and the exhilaration on her face was evident to everyone around them.  Jack held out his hand once more, smiling as she grasped it and he twirled her carefully on the ice, in front of her parents.  They clapped and praised her efforts and she applauded herself with a loud giggle.  Jack then held out his arms in invitation and she scurried into his embrace.  Jack picked her up and as he passed by, Daniel heard the older man ask, "Will you dance with me?"  The little girl nodded and Jack began to skate in long slow circles up and down the ice.  The little girl threw her arms out wide and laughed, tilting her head back as Jack propelled them around and around the rink.  After a few circuits, he brought her to a quick stop and deposited her in her mother's arms, the entire family laughing and rejoicing with their daughter.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel watched as Jack shook hands with the girl's father, patting him on the shoulder and calling him 'Marty.'  It was obvious they knew each other.  Daniel stood up to make his way to the front doors.  Jack saw him and waved, said goodbye to the parents and little girl, who bestowed a kiss on his cold face, and quickly changed out of his skates.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel was waiting for him by the exit.  Jack seemed almost bashful as he approached his friend.  "So now you know my secret," he said.</div> <bR> <div> "You're great with kids," Daniel said.</div> <bR> <div> "They're great kids," Jack said.  "You hungry?"</div> <bR> <div> "I could eat," Daniel said and followed Jack out the door.</div> <bR> <div> "Pancakes?" Jack ventured.</div> <bR> <div> "Waffles," Daniel countered.  Jack considered for a moment then agreed and they headed across town to the restaurant known for the best waffles in Colorado.</div> <bR> <div> "You're the one who gave me the card," Jack said simply as they drove along.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel wondered if he should feign ignorance but decided against it.  "Yeah," he admitted quietly.</div> <bR> <div> "Got something you need to tell me?"</div> <bR> <div> "Not if it's going to ruin having times like this with you."</div> <bR> <div> Jack was quiet for a few moments.  He'd spent almost the entire night laying in bed with butterflies the size of B-52s in his stomach - and all at the thought of Daniel sleeping in the next room.  He knew something within him had changed toward Daniel.  He'd certainly been on the receiving end of one or two 'stress relief' sessions with his buddies in the field, but this was different.  There were emotions boiling around inside him the likes of which he'd only ever felt with Sara.  He knew what this was.  "No, that won't change," he said softly.  "How long?"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel sighed and looked out the window.  "Years probably."</div> <bR> <div> "Didn't realize?"</div> <bR> <div> "Didn't want to."</div> <bR> <div> "Oh."</div> <bR> <div> "Sorry."</div> <bR> <div> "For?" Jack asked.</div> <bR> <div> "Letting it happen."</div> <bR> <div> "Don't be."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel turned to face him.  "Today made it just that little bit stronger.  So did last night.  Seeing you out there, so alive like that."</div> <bR> <div> Jack nodded in understanding.  "You're scared."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel looked back out the window.  "Yeah."</div> <bR> <div> "Me too," Jack said as he swung the truck into a parking space.  "We'll figure it out."</div> <bR> <div> "Are you saying. . . .?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack nodded again.  "Must have been there for awhile, I just didn't see it.  Last night kind of opened my eyes a little bit.  And the card - the card helped."</div> <bR> <div> "So, what are we saying here?" Daniel asked.</div> <bR> <div> "I don't know yet," Jack said honestly, "but I'm willing to look at some options I didn't know existed until yesterday."</div> <bR> <div> "I'll take that," said Daniel, relieved.</div> <bR> <div> Jack looked over and smiled.  It was shaping up to be a great Valentines weekend.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> - finis -</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto:claforce@plotexpo.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:claforce@plotexpo.com"><U>Give the author's ego a marshmallow . . . please feed the bear.</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id3_sg1_slash.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stargate SG1 Slash Fiction"><U>Back to Fic List</U></A>     <A HREF="id2_directory.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Directory Listing"><U>Back to Directory</U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=45 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="00f64643.jpg"> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="161" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 45 ><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="39" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="29"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Plotexpo.com"><U><B><IMG SRC="0181d270.jpg" border=0 width="29" height="39" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="15"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="45" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="15" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id177.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Valentine 2006"><U><B><IMG SRC="017271d0.jpg" border=0 width="39" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id12.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="That Certain Something"><U><B><IMG SRC="016271d0.jpg" border=0 width="39" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>