Perspective

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=120 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="01078642egerdp.jpg"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=428 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="00f64643.jpg"> <div> <B>Perspective</B></div> <div>  <A NAME="perspective"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> "We shouldn't have come up here," Daniel said quietly as Jack leaned on the railing beside him.  Bats flitted through the night sky in search of insects, their acrobatics bringing them tangibly close to the two men.</div> <bR> <div> In the cloud-softened light of the moon, Jack's eyes searched Daniel's face.  "Why do you say that?"</div> <bR> <div> "We're in the way," Daniel said.  His voice was tinged with a smug sense of knowing.  "You and Sam . . ."</div> <bR> <div> Jack snorted.  "Hardly."</div> <bR> <div> "It's pretty clear . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Obviously not."  Jack stood and turned around.  Leaning backwards, he propped the heel of one boot over a well-worn wooden slat and pushed his hands into his jeans pockets.  "I'm transferring Carter to Area 51.  And then I'm taking the transfer to DC to replace Hammond."</div> <bR> <div> "What?  Why?"  Daniel's confusion was a palpable thing.</div> <bR> <div> "There are lots of reasons," Jack said, his voice so low there was no chance of an echo.  "Mainly, she needs to be away from me.  Coming up here has proved to me just how screwed up she is with all that.  I won't be in her chain of command, she won't have access to me, and quite honestly, maybe she'll forget this ridiculous infatuation if I'm not around."</div> <bR> <div> "That's . . . harsh."</div> <bR> <div> "She's been following me around like a puppy since the first day up here," Jack sighed.  "Even I hadn't realized how bad this had all gotten."  He shook his head, his face a mix of anger and sadness.</div> <bR> <div> "And me?" Daniel asked.</div> <bR> <div> Jack smiled affectionately.  "I just signed your travel orders to Atlantis before we came up here."</div> <bR> <div> "You did."  Daniel stared for a moment.  "You did?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah."  Jack looked loving at the cabin before him.  "I've been coming up here my whole life, especially when things got tough.  I always gain some perspective, get my head around some things.  When we all came up here that first time, I thought I had things all figured out, how everything would go, how it would all shake out.  I was so wrong.  Monumentally so."  Jack watched as a bat flashed over his head, capturing a large moth mid-air.  "She fucking left Pete," he said, his voice hard.  "What the hell was she thinking?"</div> <bR> <div> "That you and her . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, yeah."  Jack took a long breath.  "Hell of an assumption to make."</div> <bR> <div> "You've sort of given the impression . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Jesus, does she have nothing better to do than chase after an aging fighter jock with bad knees and a worse sense of humor?" Jack hissed.  "I'm not saying Carter's not a fine looking woman, but for fuck's sake, I got a member of the CIA and an operative of the NID into my bed with little to no problem; don't you think if I'd really wanted Carter that I would have let a little thing like regs stand in my way?"</div> <bR> <div> "So you *don't* want her?"</div> <bR> <div> "I'd fuck her in a New York second, Daniel," Jack whispered, "but that's all it would be.  There are no hearts and roses when it comes to her.  There weren't with Kerry Johnson either, but if I was willing to play fast and loose with the rules for her, doesn't it stand to reason that if I'd *really* wanted Carter that way, I would have done the same for her?"</div> <bR> <div> "What are you saying here, exactly?" Daniel asked.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm saying I'm transferring her to the farthest base away from where I'm going to be and give her a job that has the least chance of having her show up where I am."</div> <bR> <div> "You're running."</div> <bR> <div> "Damned right I am."</div> <bR> <div> "And you're sending me to Atlantis - why?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack looked down at his feet.  "Because you deserve to go.  You want to go.  You should have been allowed to go a long time before this."</div> <bR> <div> "You wouldn't let me."</div> <bR> <div> "I know."</div> <bR> <div> "Care to tell me why?"</div> <bR> <div> "Because unlike Carter, I wanted you as near to me as I could get you."</div> <bR> <div> The silence that descended over the two men was like a blanket.  "Are you saying . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm just saying how it is."</div> <bR> <div> "That can't be what I'm thinking I'm hearing you say."</div> <bR> <div> "I didn't let you go to Atlantis because I needed you here?"  Jack turned and looked his friend square in the face.  "*I* needed you here.  Me.  Selfish bastard that I am."</div> <bR> <div> "We talking feelings here?" Daniel asked.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh yeah," Jack said pushing away from the railing.  "There are feelings.  Great, big, career-ending ones."</div> <bR> <div> He walked off the deck and to the edge of the water where he stood, watching the glimpses of starlight in the mirror smooth lake.</div> <bR> <div> "You never said anything," Daniel accused, coming to stand beside him.</div> <bR> <div> "What was I supposed to say?" Jack asked.  "First there was Shau're, then her kid, then shit got . . . stupid."</div> <bR> <div> "Why the hell didn't you ever say anything?" Daniel demanded.</div> <bR> <div> "Will you keep your voice down?" Jack barked, hushing Daniel and motioning for him to follow him farther down the shore.  "What good would it have done?"</div> <bR> <div> "I would have understood," Daniel spat, "I would have known why you pushed me away . . . why you . . ."  He bit the end of his sentence off.</div> <bR> <div> "Why I let you go with Oma and the Glowy Gang?"</div> <bR> <div> The pain and sadness of that time crashed on both men like a sea wave against a storm wall.</div> <bR> <div> "Yes," Daniel said, fighting his voice to keep the emotion out of it.</div> <bR> <div> "Because after all the shit that'd been dished your way, from life, the universe and me, letting you go without a fight was probably the kindest thing I could do for you at that point."</div> <bR> <div> "It broke my heart that you didn't ask me to stay."</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, well . . . it broke mine to know you would have if I would have asked."</div> <bR> <div> "So then, you know . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "I know that feelings are there on your side, too," Jack nodded, absently kicking rocks into the water.</div> <bR> <div> "And now you're leaving."</div> <bR> <div> "But I'm still in your direct chain of command."</div> <bR> <div> "Oh?"  Daniel couldn't think, couldn't keep up.  His world had just tipped sideways and he could barely figure out how to draw his next breath.</div> <bR> <div> "You'll report to the new General, and if not him, directly to me."  Jack reached up and plucked a leaf from a branch.  "Give you lots of reasons to come to Washington."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel felt as though someone had just stuffed his head full of cotton.  "You won't for Sam, but you will . . . for me?"</div> <bR> <div> "For you, I'd do just about anything."</div> <bR> <div> "Even let me go to Atlantis."</div> <bR> <div> "Especially that," Jack nodded.  "You deserve that one more than anyone else."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel turned and looked back toward the cabin.  "You're killing me."</div> <bR> <div> "I know.  I'm sorry."</div> <bR> <div> "All these years," Daniel turned back, pulling in a wavering breath, "and you never ... said ... a word."</div> <bR> <div> Jack turned and saw the tears standing in Daniel's eyes as he fought them back.  A shake of his head was all he could offer.  He watched as one drop of moisture worked it's way free and slid down Daniel's angry face.</div> <bR> <div> "You sonofabitch," Daniel whispered tightly.</div> <bR> <div> "Grade A," Jack said sadly.  He felt heat begin behind his own eyes and he considered turning away but he'd had his fill of cowardice for a time.  "I wish I could take it all back."</div> <bR> <div> The sound of the screen door slamming careened into them like a sledge hammer.  They both looked toward the cabin and then at each other, their eyes telling each other that the conversation was far from over.</div> <bR> <div> "Guys?" came Sam's voice, far too loud for the night and the distance.</div> <bR> <div> "Just having a chat, Carter.  Go on back inside."</div> <bR> <div> "Everything okay?" she asked, beginning to move toward them.</div> <bR> <div> "Fine, Sam," Daniel said, cutting Jack off from making the biting comment he could see forming.  "We're just talking, enjoying the air.  Go back to bed before the mosquitoes eat you alive."</div> <bR> <div> "Sir?"</div> <bR> <div> "It's *fine* Carter," Jack snapped coldly.</div> <bR> <div> Sam shrugged in exasperation and stepped back inside.  The porch lights clicked on, an intrusive brilliance in the peaceful night.</div> <bR> <div> "Guess we better go in," Daniel said curtly.</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, go ahead.  I'll make sure everything's put away out here."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel shook his head at the obvious stall but did as he'd suggested and walked back toward the cabin.  Jack remained outside until dawn.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Daniel was first up, having slept very little the night before.  Not even bothering to look in Jack's room, he made coffee, poured two steaming mugs and headed outside.</div> <bR> <div> "You been out here all night?"</div> <bR> <div> "Time flies, huh?" Jack said, his dark eyes tired and sad.  He accepted the cup and took a small sip.</div> <bR> <div> "She waited up for you.  Ended up falling asleep on the couch."</div> <bR> <div> "You'll understand if I don't feel the least bit bad about that.  She had her own bed to go to."</div> <bR> <div> "I don't think that's the one she wanted."</div> <bR> <div> "We've been over this," Jack said, stretching his legs out in front of him and crossing them at the ankles.</div> <bR> <div> "I know.  I'm just saying."</div> <bR> <div> "I never meant for it to happen, go as far as it did."</div> <bR> <div> "You lead her on."</div> <bR> <div> "A little," Jack said.  "There was a time I thought she would be the answer."</div> <bR> <div> "Explain to me again why she isn't?" Daniel asked.</div> <bR> <div> "Jesus, Daniel, what was I supposed to do?  Ask her to be with me, leave the military and crank out a few kids, stay home, bake cookies?"</div> <bR> <div> "She didn't have to be the one to leave the military.  You'd retired before."</div> <bR> <div> Jack turned a bland look on the other man.  "Yes, and I would have loved being called 'Mr. Carter' for the rest of my life."</div> <bR> <div> "And exactly what did you think you'd have with me?" Daniel asked, his voice not in the least bit warm.</div> <bR> <div> "Nothing," Jack said, all the fight leaving him suddenly.  "It's why I never said anything.  I knew there wouldn't be anything and I wasn't willing to risk what we did have."</div> <bR> <div> "And what exactly was that again?  See, when I died, I could have sworn you were pretty glad to see me go."</div> <bR> <div> "Well, you were wrong."  Jack's head was throbbing and his vision was more than a little bleary.  He needed sleep but he wasn't going to fool himself into thinking he could get any.</div> <bR> <div> "I know that," Daniel said, "I'm sorry.  That was unfair and unkind."  He sipped at his coffee then set it down on the deck.  "Were you afraid to say something?"</div> <bR> <div> "There was no point," Jack said.  "Would have been a waste of time and emotion."</div> <bR> <div> "You sound pretty certain of that."</div> <bR> <div> "Daniel, if I had gone to you, and told you the score, what would you have done?"  Jack gave him a moment.  "Let me tell you what you'd've done.  You would have analyzed it, researched it, empathized with it, then cut me the widest possible swath you practicably could have.  There's no way in hell you would have *ever* trusted me again."</div> <bR> <div> "That's not true," Daniel argued.</div> <bR> <div> "Bullshit," Jack snorted.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel sighed heavily when he realized Jack was right.</div> <bR> <div> "I never would have done anything inappropriate, Daniel.  Ever."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel knew that was also the truth.  Jack could be a ridiculous pain in the ass, but he was an honorable man, possibly the best man Daniel had ever known in his life.</div> <bR> <div> "What kept you from telling me sooner?"</div> <bR> <div> "Like I said - I was selfish.  Wanted to keep you around as long as I could."</div> <bR> <div> "And you knew I may feel some of the same things about you, when?"</div> <bR> <div> "Ba'al's prison."  Jack rubbed his eyes and rolled his neck back and forth.  "You asked me to go with you - ascend."</div> <bR> <div> "I was trying to get you out of there the only way I knew how."</div> <bR> <div> "I know.  But there were other ways to get me out.  You were asking me to go be with you again - together, like before."</div> <bR> <div> "Why wouldn't you?"</div> <bR> <div> "I was afraid."</div> <bR> <div> "But I was there."</div> <bR> <div> "I know," Jack said tiredly, finishing his coffee.  "Back on Abydos, the first time, you gave me back my life.  I wasn't ready to let go of it yet."  He stood up tiredly, stretching his back.  "Think I'll see if I can catch a nap.  I'm supposed to teach Teal'c the fine art of fly fishing later this morning."</div> <bR> <div> "Jack," Daniel called softly before the other man moved off too far.  "I came back."  He looked up into eyes that showed only emotional emptiness.  "I came back because you asked me to."</div> <bR> <div> "I asked you to cross a line."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel smiled.  "Same thing."</div> <bR> <div> Jack smiled sadly and went inside.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> "Are you sure about this?" Daniel asked, lifting Sam's suitcase into the back of the truck.</div> <bR> <div> "He doesn't want me," Sam said, "not the way I want him to."</div> <bR> <div> "Sam," Daniel tried again.</div> <bR> <div> "Don't," she said, her anger barely hidden beneath the surface.  "Just - don't."</div> <bR> <div> "He's doing what he thinks is best."</div> <bR> <div> "By transferring me to Area 51?  By shipping me off to the middle of the desert?"</div> <bR> <div> "He's making you head of research and development.  You're going to head the F303 and 304 projects."</div> <bR> <div> "When I first heard, I thought he was moving me out of his direct chain of command so we could be together.  Then he invited us up here again.  I thought . . . I thought . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "You thought he'd . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "When I saw him walk in this morning, I knew he wasn't out there trying to figure out how to make a life between us work.  He was trying to figure out how to get the hell away from me."</div> <bR> <div> "You both just need some space.  A lot's happened . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm in love with him, Daniel.  Don't you understand that?  I've been in love with him for years.  And the kicker is, I've been waiting around for nothing.  He has no intentions of us making any sort of life together."</div> <bR> <div> "I don't want to see you leave like this," Daniel said.</div> <bR> <div> "I think it's best," Sam said, as she sniffed into a tissue.  "I can't take this any more.  I wish he could have talked to me about it, but obviously he can't and I'm just prolonging the agony by staying.  I've got a lot of packing to do, I need to sell my house, there's just . . . I have a lot to do and I want to get started."  She gave Daniel a brief hug.  "Jack's friend will meet us at the airport and drive the truck back."</div> <bR> <div> Teal'c came out and placed his suitcase in the back next to Sam's.  "Take care, DanielJackson.  If you require anything, I am certain you will call one of us immediately."</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, I will but it'll be fine.  It's gonna bother Jack that you're both leaving though."</div> <bR> <div> "Bra'tac's message was quite urgent," Teal'c said.  "I feel I am needed there as quickly as possible."</div> <bR> <div> "Let the SGC know if we need to come home," Daniel offered.</div> <bR> <div> "I will," Teal'c smiled and shook his friend's hand.  He then held the passenger door open for Sam.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel waved as they pulled away and then walked back inside the cabin.  He hoped Jack wouldn't wake up for several hours yet - he really didn't want to have to explain why everyone had gone.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> "Oh Daniel," Jack sing songed from the screen window.</div> <bR> <div> "Jack?"</div> <bR> <div> "You know, it seems to me that when I came in for a nap earlier, there were four people here.  Now, upon waking, that number seems to have decreased by half.  Any idea what happened?"</div> <bR> <div> "You know, it's a funny thing you mention that," Daniel began.  A few seconds later he heard the door slam and Jack's long stride crunch along the path leading to the deck.</div> <bR> <div> "Why not let me in on the joke?" Jack asked.</div> <bR> <div> "Teal'c got a message from Bra'tac," Daniel said and saw Jack roll his eyes and nod in understanding.  "Sam . . . felt it was best if she leave."</div> <bR> <div> "Ah," Jack said.  "Guess that spares me having to have that conversation."</div> <bR> <div> "I refuse to feel glad for you about that."</div> <bR> <div> Jack sank heavily into the lawn chair beside Daniel and looked out over the sun lit trees on the far shore.  "Where's my truck?"</div> <bR> <div> "Sam made arrangements with your friend Matt to bring it back from the airport on his way home tonight."</div> <bR> <div> Jack nodded and then adjusted his hat.  "This has turned into a complete bust."  Jack rubbed his face roughly with his hands.  "Did you want to pack up and head home?"</div> <bR> <div> "We've got some unresolved issues between us I think.  We still have a week's vacation.  I'd like to try and work things out."</div> <bR> <div> Jack nodded and slouched down into the chair, watching as the shadows moved across the deck.</div> <bR> <div> "Are you gay?" Daniel asked quietly.</div> <bR> <div> "I am for you, apparently," Jack sighed.</div> <bR> <div> "I don't think it works that way," Daniel answered.</div> <bR> <div> "Well what about you?  Where have your feelings in all this come from?"</div> <bR> <div> "I asked you first," Daniel deferred.</div> <bR> <div> "Jesus Christ," Jack hissed under his breath and shifted angrily in his seat.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel rolled his eyes and let his head drop back until he was looking nearly behind himself.  "I was sixteen.  There was a kid in the neighborhood, couple years older, that I took a pretty definite liking to.  It became - reciprocal.  He left for college a couple weeks later."</div> <bR> <div> "That's was it?"</div> <bR> <div> "I didn't need any more than that.  He left and so did my interest in males."</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, well . . . you're talking to the poster boy for rampant heterosexuality.  I don't know what the hell happened."  Jack gave a sour look in Daniel's direction.  "One day I just . . . knew."</div> <bR> <div> "Must have been one hell of a shock."</div> <bR> <div> "You have no idea," Jack groaned.</div> <bR> <div> "Care to share?" Daniel asked.</div> <bR> <div> Jack was silent for a moment or two before speaking.  "You know how sometimes you have these dreams about people you work with?"</div> <bR> <div> "That happens to everybody, Jack."</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, well, six months down the road, I was still thinking about it - still dreaming about it.  I came to the rather startling conclusion that it wasn't the dreams that were making me have the feelings.  I was having the dreams because the feelings were already there."  He glanced briefly at his friend.  "You are a rather remarkable human being, Doctor Jackson."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel smiled.  When he wanted to, Jack could be rather sweet.  "Well, I don't know about that, but thank you.  That means a lot.  Especially coming from you."</div> <bR> <div> Jack muttered something unintelligible and picked up a stick off the ground.  "So how far did you and . . . what's his face - get?"</div> <bR> <div> "I don't see that that's material," Daniel responded evenly.</div> <bR> <div> "No, no, you're right.  Sorry.  That was out of line."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel picked nervously at the sole of his boot.  "A few very clumsy forays into oral sex was as extravagant as it got, but hey, at sixteen - I thought we were porn stars."</div> <bR> <div> Jack couldn't help but laugh.  "Tell me about it - me and the Martelli triplets, we thought we had it all figured out."</div> <bR> <div> "Triplets?" Daniel asked.</div> <bR> <div> "Like I said - *rampant* heterosexuality."</div> <bR> <div> Both men sat in quiet amusement for several minutes.</div> <bR> <div> "Triplets?" Daniel asked again.</div> <bR> <div> The sound of laughter echoed across the lake as afternoon pushed toward evening.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Daniel sat up in bed, hands over his ears as the concussion around him eased.  With his heart in his throat, he leapt to his feet and ran from the bedroom, nearly knocking Jack down in his haste.</div> <bR> <div> "Jack?"</div> <bR> <div> "One hell of a storm," Jack smiled as he shuffled to the large slider windows.  Another brilliant purple white flash flared out, followed almost instantly by the deafening <I>crack-bang</I> of thunder at extremely close range.</div> <bR> <div> "Holy shit," Daniel yelled over the sound.  "It's right on top of us."  He winced as another flash of light illuminated the living room, covering his ears against the force of the sound.</div> <bR> <div> "Hope this doesn't cause any fires," Jack said as he looked out the windows.  "I haven't cleared the fire break this year."</div> <bR> <div> They sat at the windows, perched on the back of the couch, watching as the storm continued.</div> <bR> <div> "It's not letting up," Daniel noted between thunder claps.</div> <bR> <div> "No, it's not," Jack said and reached down beside him, clicking on the emergency radio and switching it to the weather service channel.</div> <bR> <div> "...severe thunderstorms moving slowly through the area tonight and into tomorrow.  Tornado warnings for the areas south of Minneapolis, St. Paul . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "That's us," Daniel said.</div> <bR> <div> "Yep," Jack said.</div> <bR> <div> "You got a cellar or something?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, we do.  Outside by the door."</div> <bR> <div> "I thought that was a storage locker," Daniel muttered.  "Think we should go down there?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack got up and surveyed the sky, walking around and gazing out the various windows and doors.  "I think we're alright for now.  We'll keep the radio on, keep an eye out."</div> <bR> <div> "Who the hell knew camping with you would be so fun?" Daniel asked sarcastically.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh, life's just a barrel of monkeys around me," he said, then quirked a smile in Daniel's direction.</div> <bR> <div> "Don't start," Daniel warned.  "I still haven't lived that down."</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Daniel finished frying the bacon for sandwiches then turned off the stove.  He looked out the kitchen window at the black clouds moving in their direction.  "Jack!" he called out toward the sliding glass doors.  "Looks like another one's moving in."</div> <bR> <div> He saw the man straighten up, turn and look behind him.  "Alright, I'm coming in."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel finished constructing the BLTs then put the plates containing the large sandwiches and chips on the table while Jack moved the items that were easily blown about into the storm cellar.  The air took on a heavy, still, oppressive quality and Daniel knew there would be rain associated with this latest storm cell.</div> <bR> <div> Just as Jack stepped through the door, the phone rang and he plucked the handset from the cradle.  "O'Neill.  Hey, Jay.  Yeah, we've been watching it.  Nah, it's fine up here.  Could use some more beer, but that's SOP."  Jack laughed at the response.  "It doesn't get any easier with rank, let me tell ya.  So this is the rain they've been promising?  Can't say I'm sorry to hear that, I know these storms must have sparked some fires and it's pretty damned dry."  Jack leaned casually against the old wooden stove in the corner of the kitchen and gave Daniel a playful wink.</div> <bR> <div> The conversation continued, but Daniel had turned away, hoping to hide the sudden and unexpected flush that came to his face at Jack's small act of teasing.  It had meant nothing, just an acknowledgment of his presence, yet the butterflies he suddenly found in his stomach confused him and he wanted a moment to settle and figure out what had just happened.  His attention was drawn by the sound of Jack sitting down to lunch.</div> <bR> <div> "Jay says there's some good rain associated with this, probably go on for the remainder of the night.  Looks like fishing's out this evening."</div> <bR> <div> "We can go tomorrow," Daniel said as he pulled up a chair beside Jack and sank his teeth into the soft white bread from the local bakery in town.  "Mmmph, that's so good," he said, wiping mayo from his mouth quickly with a paper towel.</div> <bR> <div> "These are great.  Thanks," Jack said appreciatively.</div> <bR> <div> "Beats the hell out of MREs," Daniel said around another mouthful. </div> <bR> <div> Jack smiled widely before returning to his meal.  "I'm glad you stayed."</div> <bR> <div> "Me too," Daniel nodded, washing back his last bite with a long sip of ice cold soda.  He looked at the wet bottle in his hand.  "Do you know how long it's been since I had Pepsi in a glass bottle?"</div> <bR> <div> "Gordon likes to keep things the way they were back in the day," Jack said, speaking of the man that owned the local grocery store and deli.  "I pay more for them, but the nostalgia factor's way the hell up there."</div> <bR> <div> "We should see if he has Grape Ne-Hi when we go into town tomorrow," Daniel said.</div> <bR> <div> "You like that?"</div> <bR> <div> "No, actually, I was thinking of sending some to Walter."</div> <bR> <div> "You are a devilish man, Daniel," Jack laughed.</div> <bR> <div> "He'd probably shut the iris on me if I called him Radar."</div> <bR> <div> "He's creepy that way, isn't he?"  Jack shoved some chips into his mouth.  "Damn glad he's in that control booth, though."</div> <bR> <div> "He's a good guy.  You ever met his wife?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack shook his head slowly.  "Don't think so."  He licked some bacon grease from the small webbing between his thumb and palm.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel watched the tongue trace a delicate path before Jack went back to his sandwich.  He shook himself to continue the conversation.  "She's a gem," he grinned.  "Thinks Walter's an absolute god."</div> <bR> <div> "There's a frightening thought," Jack snickered.  "I wish I knew more about some of the staff.  There was never time."</div> <bR> <div> "You had other things you needed to do.  My business is people - I make a point of asking."</div> <bR> <div> "Being nosy's more like it," Jack chided.</div> <bR> <div> "Potato, potahto."  Daniel finished his sandwich and swished back the rest of his soda.  "Is the wind coming in, too?"</div> <bR> <div> "Don't know."</div> <bR> <div> "Hate to close up the windows.  It'll get hot in here."</div> <bR> <div> "Should be okay.  Not like the sills haven't seen a little rain before."  Jack looked up as the first of the clouds began to block the direct light of the sun.  "Here it comes.  Bad part should be here in about an hour."</div> <bR> <div> "Think I'll read," Daniel said, gathering up the plates and putting them in the sink.  He disappeared into his room and returned with a large book, taking his place on the couch.  'Full slouch' Jack called it when Daniel spread himself out to take up every available inch of that particular piece of furniture.</div> <bR> <div> Grabbing his newest crossword puzzle book, Jack eased himself down into the recliner by the fire place and set to filling in one of the harder pages.  When he looked up, it was in time to see the heavens open and the rain traveling in a sheet across the lake.  "Here we go," he said, nodding his chin toward the window.</div> <bR> <div> They watched as the storm advanced.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Daniel stepped from his bedroom on the way to the kitchen.  He'd awoken thirsty and sticky, the humidity of the storm settling down in the sultry night air.  As lightening flashed in a spider web across the sky, he saw Jack standing at the window, watching the storm.</div> <bR> <div> Before he knew it, his feet had carried him to stand beside his friend.</div> <bR> <div> Before he could think, his lips closed over Jack's in a slow kiss.  Jack blinked at him in question.</div> <bR> <div> Letting himself act on instinct, he took Jack's hand and lead him back toward the bedroom.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> The loud slam of thunder woke him from the dream and Jack's yelp of "holy shit!" prodded him from the remnants of sleep.</div> <bR> <div> He pushed himself to his feet and walked quickly into Jack's room.  "Whas'a'matter?"</div> <bR> <div> "Rain, window," Jack said, his voice still thick with sleep.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh," Daniel said, helping Jack drag the storm window down.  The wood had swollen from the moisture and it took some persistent tugging to get it all the way down.</div> <bR> <div> "Crap," Jack muttered, wiping water off his arms.  He looked down at his t-shirt.  "I'm wet."</div> <bR> <div> "You'll live," Daniel said as he yawned.  He blinked and his eyes settled on the hardened points of Jack's nipples showing prominently through wet cotton of his shirt.  "You uh, might want to change."</div> <bR> <div> Jack simply took off his shirt and lay back down.  "Nah."  He rolled back into the position he'd been in before he'd been ripped from sleep by the feeling of cold spray on his face.  After a few minutes he turned his head.  "Daniel, you need something?"</div> <bR> <div> "Oh," Daniel said, "uh, no.  Sorry.  Just sorta . . . zoned out for a minute.  G'night."</div> <bR> <div> "Daniel?" Jack said just before the man stepped all the way through the door.  "You sure?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah," Daniel nodded, taking one last look at the broad back on display before him.  He turned and took one more step.</div> <bR> <div> "Because you're welcome to stay," Jack offered quietly.</div> <bR> <div> "Your window's closed," Daniel said, barely above a whisper.</div> <bR> <div> Jack frowned slightly.  "What's that got to do with anything?"</div> <bR> <div> "I just . . . I mean, it'll be hot in here soon.  And I'm thirsty."  Daniel wondered briefly if he'd brought back some odd alien virus that completely ruined his brain and the ability to think coherently.  He left Jack in the dark and made his way back to his room.</div> <bR> <div> Several minutes later, Jack stood in Daniel's doorway.  His shirt was still off and he had a glass of water in his hand.  "It's cooler in here, I think," he said, handing Daniel the drink.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel sat up, took the offered glass and downed a large gulp of water.  "I guess you could stay in here, if you want?"</div> <bR> <div> "You okay with that?" Jack asked.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel nodded.</div> <bR> <div> Hesitantly Jack knelt on the bed, presumably to crawl over Daniel to get to the other side, until his lips found Daniel's in a brief, tentative kiss.  "God, please tell me this is okay with you."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel nodded again and moved in closer until he found Jack's mouth.  As he lay back, he brought Jack with him.</div> <bR> <div> Making a small sound of capitulation, Jack followed willingly, fitting his body snugly against Daniel's and wrapping his arms tightly around him.  "You're hard," Jack breathed.  "Were you dreaming before you came in my room?"</div> <bR> <div> "About you, the storm."</div> <bR> <div> "Damned dreams," Jack said as he softly rubbed his lips over Daniel's, "make you do all sorts of crazy things."</div> <bR> <div> "I think I'm probably going to fall in love with you," Daniel sighed.</div> <bR> <div> "I'll be at the bottom waiting for you," Jack said before he delicately licked at Daniel's lower lip.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel rocked his hips gently against Jack's.  "What's your excuse?"</div> <bR> <div> "You're breathing," Jack answered as he nuzzled his way behind Daniel's ear.  "All the excuse I ever need."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm scared," Daniel whispered.</div> <bR> <div> "So am I," Jack admitted readily.</div> <bR> <div> "I'll hurt you," Daniel warned.</div> <bR> <div> "We'll hurt each other.  We're not going to be able to help that, not in this business."</div> <bR> <div> "Don't let me leave without you again."</div> <bR> <div> "I'll do what I can."  Jack hiked his leg over Daniel's and pulled him possessively against his body.  "I really want you, Daniel."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel licked his lips and wriggled until Jack loosened his grip slightly, then shoved the scrub bottoms he was wearing down past his hips.  He helped Jack undress then reached down and brazenly wrapped his hand around Jack's straining cock.</div> <bR> <div> Jack's response came out in a helpless bleat.  "It is attached, you know."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel gave a long, slow, firm pull followed by several gentle caresses.  "So it is."</div> <bR> <div> Thunder crackled and spat around them, lightening strobing through the dark, illuminating Daniel's dilated eyes.  Jack looked at him in wonder.  "No going back."</div> <bR> <div> "I don't want to," Daniel said as he rubbed the hard, throbbing erection in his hand.  "I didn't realize how badly I wanted this until just now."</div> <bR> <div> "Can we stop talking and do something about it?"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel looked down as Jack's hand enveloped his own rigid length, the palm rubbing the foreskin of his dick firmly back and forth over the already-moist tip.  "Ah god," he gasped.</div> <bR> <div> "I don't want this to be some quick fumble in the dark," Jack said.  "Tell me what you like.  What you want.  I swear to god, Daniel, I'll try and do whatever you ask."</div> <bR> <div> Jack was so tense with sexual energy he was practically vibrating.  "You won't have to do a damned thing if you keep talking like that," Daniel warned.  "Think you can suck me?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack nodded.</div> <bR> <div> "Ever done it before?" Daniel smiled.</div> <bR> <div> Jack shook his head.</div> <bR> <div> "Watch your teeth," came the smiling response as the two men repositioned themselves carefully.</div> <bR> <div> "This won't be very good," Jack warned, "but I'll try and make up for it in enthusiasm."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm about to be enthusiastic all over your chest, so . . . don't worry about it," Daniel said as he lay back against the pillows.  "This won't take long."</div> <bR> <div> "Yes it will," Jack purred and Daniel groaned at the sound of the words as they flowed over him like warm velvet.</div> <bR> <div> "Not if you keep that up."  Daniel let his legs fall apart, exposing himself.</div> <bR> <div> Jack dipped his head and suckled the head of Daniel's cock into his mouth.  He pulled back briefly, settling in on the salty bitter flavor and the smell that was thick with arousal.  As if deciding that this was something that would be pleasurable for them both, he flicked the head into his mouth with his tongue and began to suck gently.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh . . . Christ," Daniel gasped and rolled his hips slowly.</div> <bR> <div> Jack grunted in approval, slid a hand up to cup and squeeze Daniel's balls and increased the suction around Daniel's leaking tip.  After several minutes of gentle stimulation, Jack pulled back and took the thick shaft in has hand, looking down on his prize in the flashing light of the storm.  With a look of intent concentration, he brought both hands to the head and gently gripped the foreskin just at the sensitive underside of the head and pulled it away far enough to insert the tip of his tongue.  He looked up with dark, liquid eyes as he began to torment the bundle of sensitive nerves with his tongue as he closed his mouth around the rest of the head.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel's shoulders came up off the bed, his hands winding into Jack's hair as flaming sensation shot through his cock and into his balls, stabbing hotly at the tight opening of his ass.  "Oh shit fuck!" Daniel yelped as his hips moved rapidly of their own accord.</div> <bR> <div> Jack hummed happily and wriggled his tongue more quickly until Daniel gave a final shout and poured himself into Jack's mouth.  Even after the last meager dribble had escaped the slit, Jack refused to let him be, licking tenderly around the ridge through the foreskin and then down to the firm orbs of his balls.  He heard more than saw Jack swallow and another spasm passed through him as he writhed through the aftershocks of orgasm.  Without realizing fully what was happening, Jack had pushed his legs up and back and had his tongue pressed firmly to the soft folds and pucker of his ass, feeling the tremors of his body through his lips and tongue.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel wanted to ask him to stop, to let him breath, let him rest, but Jack's insistent tongue continued to lap at the tight opening until Daniel felt desire beginning to build again in his body.  When Jack flattened his tongue and began long, firm licks along his perineum, Daniel was lost again in a pool of physical need that hung just on the gentle side of painful pleasure.</div> <bR> <div> "Do you have any idea how much I love this?" Daniel purred as felt Jack's tongue snake back down and probe gently just inside his opening.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm beginning to get an idea," Jack mumbled against his skin.</div> <bR> <div> "When do I get my turn?" Daniel panted.</div> <bR> <div> "When I'm finished," Jack said, scooting closer.</div> <bR> <div> "And that'll be?"</div> <bR> <div> "Sometime next month," Jack said before pushing his tongue inside as deeply as he could.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel moaned loudly and reached down to spread his ass cheeks.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh yeah," Jack said as he slurped hungrily at the exposed flesh.</div> <bR> <div> "Jack, let me suck you," Daniel begged.  "I want your taste in my mouth."</div> <bR> <div> "Later," Jack panted.  "I'll let you have as much as you want but right now just let me do this," he said, an edge of pleading in his voice.</div> <bR> <div> "Jack," Daniel whispered, his body going limp as he gave into his need and let sensation wash through him.</div> <bR> <div> Jack devoured him like a starving man, leaving a myriad of bite marks, sucking and lapping until Daniel was nearly frantic with need.  He refused to let Daniel stroke his own cock or use his hands for anything other than holding himself apart for Jack's oral attack or raking his fingers through Jack's hair.  When Jack's fingers breached him he nearly bucked them both off the bed.</div> <bR> <div> "There!  There!" Daniel shouted.  "God almighty right there, inside, stroke me.  Ah GOD, Jack!"</div> <bR> <div> "Daniel, please," Jack whispered desperately, taking the full head into his mouth once again.  "Please."</div> <bR> <div> When his orgasm hit this time, Daniel shrieked out a string of words that were incomprehensible to Jack, his body going rigid before shaking so hard he could feel his teeth chattering in his head - and still the pressure around his cock and against his prostate continued at just the right level for him to dissolve into one of the longest and most intense climaxes he could recall having in his lifetime.  By the time he came to, Jack was barely licking his cock, his fingers were softly stroking the sensitive ring of muscle at his ass, and he was humming happily deep, deep in his throat.</div> <bR> <div> "J'ck?"</div> <bR> <div> "I wanted to give you that," Jack whispered as he kissed his way back up Daniel's body.</div> <bR> <div> "Jesus Christ," Daniel huffed, "I think you broke me."</div> <bR> <div> Jack's eyes were fever bright, his face flushed.  "You mind if I . . ."  Jack motioned toward his own painfully hard erection.  "Won't take but a second."</div> <bR> <div> "Yes, I mind," Daniel said, mustering strength from deep within and shoving himself downward.  "You give me an orgasm like that and you think I'm gonna make you jerk yourself off?"</div> <bR> <div> "You don't have to . . ." Jack said quietly.</div> <bR> <div> "My need's every bit as deep as yours tonight, Jack," Daniel said and without another word, took the pre-come covered head into his mouth and began to suck, moving his tongue around, feeling the taste through his entire body as it exploded on his tongue.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh, fuck . . . Daniel!" Jack cried out and it was over as he spilled himself into Daniel's mouth.  Daniel sucked long and hard, drawing it out, making it last until Jack gently pried him away.</div> <bR> <div> "Attached, remember?" Jack panted as he pulled Daniel up and dove in immediately for a kiss, licking the remaining fluid from around his lips and into his mouth.</div> <bR> <div> Neither man remembered falling asleep.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Jack reached down and pulled one of Daniel's hands from his pocket, turned it palm up and dropped a set of keys into it.  Daniel looked at them and recognized the skeleton key that opened the front door to Jack's cabin.</div> <bR> <div> "What are these for?"</div> <bR> <div> "It's a good place to go when you need perspective," Jack said.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel smiled at him appreciatively.  "Thanks."</div> <bR> <div> "So, I'll be looking into that travel budget," Jack said, taking a step backward.  "Make sure there's enough for you to make some pretty frequent trips to Washington.  I'm sure you're going to have a lot of justifying to do."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel's smile grew broader.  "I may need some extended stays."</div> <bR> <div> "I'll make sure you get some," Jack said.  "I better get going.  The movers left an hour ago."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel nodded.  "I won't deny I'm going to miss the hell out of you."</div> <bR> <div> "You better," Jack said.  "I'd hate to be alone in that boat."</div> <bR> <div> "Thanks for letting me go to Atlantis."</div> <bR> <div> "Just make sure you come back," Jack said.  He pointed to Daniel's hand.  "That's my only set of keys."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel watched as Jack drove away toward his new life in Washington, D.C.  He was glad, at long last, they had finally gotten perspective on some things.</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> <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> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=120 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="01178643.jpg"> <bR> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=52 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="00f64643.jpg"> <div> <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><IMG SRC="0181d270.jpg" border=0 width="29" height="39" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></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="id190.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sheep in Wolves Clothing"><U><IMG SRC="017271d0.jpg" border=0 width="39" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id195.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Getting Personal"><U><IMG SRC="016271d0.jpg" border=0 width="39" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>