Journal Entries - Part 4
"At ease people," General Hammond said as he walked into the briefing room. "Doctor Jackson, Major Carter, it's good to see you up and around."
"Thank you, General," Daniel answered.
"Thank you, sir," Sam said with a small smile.
"Major McAllister, let's get this briefing started."
Daniel glanced over at the Major. He was an ordinary looking man in every sense of the word. Mouse brown hair, average features, average height, average weight. He could blend in anywhere and never be noticed. Until he looked at you. Daniel was amazed at the outright intelligence the man had in his eyes. He nodded to himself in approval. He hoped he could become friends with this man.
"Yes sir," the Major nodded and flipped open his folder. "As you know, sir, we made planet fall approximately 2 hours after we lost contact with SG-1. Before embarkation we received the transmission from the underground complex, and thanks to Doctor Jackson's presence of mind in what was, no doubt, a stressful and dangerous situation, we obtained enough intel to determine direction and distance from the gate.
"We launched the UAV on a nearly vertical trajectory to try and avoid the automated gate defense system. We detected activation, but at 150 meters it appeared we were out of range. Thirty seconds later we launched the second UAV and thirty seconds after that, the third UAV. Neither of these UAVs detected activation. Based upon that information, we determined that the first team would go through and trigger the defense system. They were armed with zats and small arms. After we had confirmation of the system's activation, the majority of the extraction team embarked, accompanied by Dr. Fraiser and two other field medics.
"We made it beyond the perimeter and obtained a visual of our target. Information from the UAV indicated that there were no enemy forces in the immediate vicinity. Our team inside the complex indicated they'd found strong resistance and there were a number of casualties. At that time we advised the SGC that additional medical personnel would be needed upon neutralizing the situation.
"When we came to the complex, we noted that the walls appeared to be constructed of a glass-like substance which was mirrored, perhaps even one way. However, we could make out vague shapes on the inside and we saw that Colonel O'Neill, Major Carter and Teal'c were all restrained and possibly injured. We also saw that Doctor Jackson had maneuvered himself so as to hide our movements outside from their captor and he had the situation well in control." At this point McAllister looked up and shot Daniel an approving, yet somewhat teasing look. Daniel coughed and felt his face warm slightly.
"We placed explosives around the base of the walls. As we were monitoring the transmission from the complex, we timed our entry with that of the rest of our team. They'd persuaded one of the technicians to guide them up to the holding cell where SG-1 was being kept. On my signal we blew the ordinance and entered the holding area. Doctor Jackson rendered his captor unconscious, my team made sure the defense system around the gate was deactivated and the medical personnel were brought in.
"We secured the area and had a few moments of intense negotiation with the inhabitants of the complex. After convincing them we only wanted our people and that we would leave thereafter, we were shown to the area where SG-14 was being held. There was a medical evac and we returned home slightly less than one hour after the sortie began. We took three moderate casualties to the first incursion team, moderate injuries to SG-1 and severe to moderate injuries to SG-14. Four regulars were injured in the initial incursion, and there were no fatalities. All personnel were returned to the SGC." McAllister closed the folder in front of him and sat back with a satisfied look on his face.
"Thank you, Major," General Hammond said. "Doctor Jackson, your impression of the mission?"
"I'm not sure what capacity Callington served in, sir. He was a brutal man, obviously well practiced in his methods. He was also highly egotistical and overly confident. I believe their society is such that they view blood sport as some sort of social gaming even, not unlike how the ancient Romans deteriorated to the point of using human beings and beasts of prey to provide entertainment to the masses.
"I was chosen as the first 'victim' because it was perceived by Callington that I posed less of a threat than the others. If they were able to monitor us at all, I'm sure they were well aware of the command structure of the team, and had maybe become familiar with it from SG-14. Teal'c, being physically more formidable than Callington, certainly would not have been released. Jack, as our leader was almost immediately incapacitated. Sam, being a woman, was probably viewed as someone to use against me as I would have tried to protect her, thereby giving him a way to control and manipulate me.
"It has been my experience," Daniel said, dipping his head to shuffle his papers, "that when faced with an overbearing, egotistical power monger, it is usually best to remain physically passive while egging him on in such a way that he will, eventually, lose control of themselves mentally and make a mistake of monumental proportions." He tapped his pen on his note pad for emphasis. "That knowledge would come from years of dealing with the Goa'uld, sir."
General Hammond chuckled. "I see. Please go on, Doctor."
Daniel smiled, his tongue wetting his lips quickly. "After Jack was, uh - injured - and I was released, I needed to find some way to provoke Callington into making a mistake. His intentions became obvious very early on and so I leveled my attack, such as it was, at his not inconsiderable ego."
General Hammond got his paternal look on his face and nodded warmly. "Yes, Doctor, we were privy to the exchange between you."
Daniel scratched his nose and carried on. "As things progressed, I noticed activity at the gate and knew I just had to keep things as contained as possible until help arrived. That's when Major McAllister and his teams showed up and the situation was resolved."
"Do you see any possible reason why we would want to go back to that planet?" General Hammond asked.
"No sir," chorused both Sam and Daniel in unison.
"Very well," Hammond said, sitting forward in his chair. "I am ordering PZY-998 to be locked out of the dialing computer. Dismissed."
++++
Jack eased himself into Daniel's office, disappointed that the archeologist was nowhere to be found. He walked into the room, glancing around at all the 'stuff' that filled the space. Picking up two small paperweights from the desk for examination, he realized they were presents from Cassie. A small clay figurine squatted on the top of one of the several computer monitors scattered throughout the office and Jack snatched that as well, looking closely at the fat, glowering figure. Three objects in hand he began doing the most natural thing he knew - he started juggling. Daniel picked that moment to walk in, shook his head in consternation and snatched the figurine out of the air.
"Nice catch, grasshopper," Jack teased.
"You just can't restrain yourself, can you?" Daniel asked, placing the artifact on a far shelf, well out of harm's, or the Colonel's, way. "I see Janet has finally cut you loose."
"'Bout time. I've been in there for a week," Jack pouted.
"And you'll be home for another one," Daniel said firmly.
"You get to stay with me?" Jack asked hopefully, a lusty light coming to his eyes.
"Uh, nooooo," Daniel chuckled. "I have to work."
"Hey, you were wounded," Jack tried.
"I had a concussion and a bruised kidney. Hardly enough to keep me home." Daniel grinned up at him. "Don't worry, I'll be over in the evenings. We have a little unfinished business to tend to." Daniel licked his lower lip without lifting his eyes to meet Jacks.
"Ah yes!" Jack stated. "Unfinished business. Loose ends, as it were." Jack pushed his hands into his pockets. "So, can you drive me home?"
"Actually," Daniel said with a small frown, "no, I can't. I have a briefing in a few minutes with SG-9."
Jack lifted his chin in acknowledgment, only his deep brown eyes revealing his disappointment. "Right. Briefing. Gotta make that briefing."
"I'll bring Thai tonight?" Daniel offered.
"Oooooh, yea, that little place downtown?"
Daniel nodded. "You want that hot peanut sauce, right?"
"Most definitely," Jack confirmed. "Sooooo, I'll see you tonight?"
"Yes, Jack, I'll see you tonight," Daniel said, gathering up a book and a notepad full of scribbles. He gave Jack a pat on the arm and hurried off to his meeting.
"Right. Important to be on time to those briefings." Jack ambled off to shanghai a couple of airmen to get him and his truck home.
++++
Daniel scowled at the video playback on his computer, leaning forward to squint at the fuzzy carvings on the stone pillar. Just then his IM alert went off and he glanced down at the notification. With a snorted laugh he accepted the invitation to chat.
SilverFlyer says: I'm bored
BagO'Rocks says: Of course you are. I, however, am trying to get some work done so I can pick up Thai food and be at your house by 7
SilverFlyer says: But I'm boooooooooooored !!!!!
Daniel laughed and shook his head.
BagO'Rocks says: I only agreed to let you IM me if you needed something important
SilverFlyer says: You don't think this is important? I'm about to climb the walls!
BagO'Rocks says: Watch tv
SilverFlyer says: Nuthin on
BagO'Rocks says: Play with your telescope
SilverFlyer says: I'd rather play with yours ;-)
BagO'Rocks says: LOL
SilverFlyer says: Did you know the prostate is about the size of a walnut?
BagO'Rocks says: OMG
BagO'Rocks says: You've been online... haven't you?
SilverFlyer says: hehehe >8-)
SilverFlyer says: Can we type dirty to each other?
BagO'Rocks says: NO
SilverFlyer says: :-p~~~~~~~~~~~~
BagO'Rocks says: I'll be there in a little over 2 hrs
BagO'Rocks says: I'm sure you can HANG ON till then
SilverFlyer says: Oh alright - ur no fun
Daniel saw Jack sign off the computer and closed the messenger screen. He returned his attention to the glyphs in front of him. A few minutes later there was a small knock at the door.
"Doctor Jackson?" came an airman's voice. He turned around to see the man standing in his doorway with a handcart stacked with two square boxes. "There's a delivery for you, Doctor."
"Delivery?" Daniel asked, rising to his feet and heading toward the airman. "Um, okay... put it over here by the bookshelf I guess."
The young man rolled the cart into the room and slid the boxes off. He handed Daniel the bill of lading and sauntered from the office. Daniel scowled at the boxes. He hadn't ordered anything recently. He looked at the shipping manifest and the name across the top caught his eye. Springs Book & Calendar. His afternoon with Jack came back to him in a rush. He knelt down and tore open the boxes. He noted that each box held a dozen books, all identical. He pulled one out and whistled into the air. Embossed burgundy and green covers bound heavy velum pages together in thick, ornate volumes. Daniel ran his hands over the spine and along the edges of the paper. When he glanced down the front cover, he noticed the gold-leaf imprinting. The Personal Journal of Daniel Jackson, Ph.D.
Reverently he opened the journal, hearing the creaking of the spine and the smooth hiss of the pages as they slid over each other. "This must have cost a fortune," he muttered. He pulled the book to his chest and ran his fingers over the spines of the others still packaged. "He speaks with actions not words." Daniel looked affectionately at the articulate speech laid out before him in a language no one could translate but him.
"Daniel?"
Daniel looked up, startled. "Sam," Daniel greeted. "What's up?"
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked.
Daniel rubbed his hands on his thighs quickly then gave Sam a brief smile. "Sure. Come on in and have a seat." Sam eased onto an available stool. "What's going on?"
"I wanted to apologize," Sam said, her voice tight. "I screwed up. Really screwed up."
"Hey it happens," Daniel absolved. He stood and began shutting down the computers for the evening. He knew he wasn't getting any more work done. "We got out okay, if not a little bruised."
"That's not what I'm trying to apologize for," Sam said tiredly.
Daniel walked over to the woman and brought her face up with a finger under her chin so she was looking at him eye to eye. "Everybody screws up."
"Not me," she said, her voice quaking ever so slightly. She shrugged her shoulders. "I feel so ashamed." Daniel put his arms around her shoulders, pulling her close into his body and petting her hair slowly. "I've got an official reprimand on my record." Daniel sighed and buried his face into the top of her hair. "All these years my record has been completely spotless, and now there's this big black blob sitting on it. And all because I was stupid and cut one freaking corner."
"Have you ever seen Jack's service record?" Daniel asked, rocking Sam side to side gently. She shook her head. "Well, I haven't read it exactly, but I've seen it. There are three file folders full. I was in Hammond's office the last time we went through personnel evals and I saw it sitting there. I don't think it got to be that voluminous because he has a spotless record."
Sam snorted against Daniel's chest and lifted her eyes up to meet his once again. "He's a damn good commanding officer."
Daniel nodded. "Yes he is. And he's got more reprimands in that file than probably any other officer in the service." They both began to chuckle. "No one expects you to be perfect, Sam - except you." He pushed her back and squeezed her arms. "Go home, eat some dinner, watch one of those gooey chick flicks you love so much." Sam laughed and wiped at her nose. "You aren't the first officer to receive a reprimand and I doubt very seriously you'll be the last. Whatever it was that you did, or didn't do, you won't make that same mistake again. We all know that."
Sam gave a rueful shake of her head. "Maybe I'll stop by the store and buy a quart of ice cream to go with that movie, huh?"
"Sounds great," Daniel said. "Now, I'm gonna give this up for tonight and go, uh - I'm gonna - leave. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yeah," Sam smiled.
"Okay." Daniel held onto the back of her shoulders as he walked her out the door, rubbing them gently as he went. "See ya."
"Thanks, Daniel." Sam took a deep breath and walked back toward the elevators.
Grabbing up the files he wanted to look over that night and packing them in his satchel, Daniel looked around him quickly before grabbing his keys and heading for the locker room to change.
++++
Jack sat on the couch reading through the book Daniel had left on his kitchen counter. He felt warm, his heart was beating faster than normal, and his jeans were markedly more uncomfortable now than they had been all day. To his surprise his cell phone beeped. He pulled it from his pocket and looked at the display. He'd been text messaged. Open Door. Jack smiled.
Jack pulled himself up carefully, trying to lean away from the ache in his side. He shuffled carefully to the door and pulled it open just as he saw Daniel's car pull up. He checked his watch. It was only 17:45. Daniel slung his satchel over his shoulder then moved to the back seat of his Jeep Wrangler and pulled two bags full of food from behind his seat. "You're early," Jack commented as Daniel kicked shut the car door and strolled up the walk.
"Yes I am. Between people chatting with me on the computer and dropping by my office for a little heart to heart, I wasn't getting any work done. Figured I'd just give up and try again tomorrow."
"So nice to be wanted," Jack scowled as Daniel walked through the door.
"Do not start with me," Daniel warned. "I got your peanut sauce, with extra chiles I might add," he said as he dumped the bags on the kitchen counter. He pulled two plates down from the cupboard. "You at least owe me half an hour of conversation with no sarcasm."
"Huh, fat chance," Jack muttered as he pulled the containers from the bags.
Daniel grinned fondly at the man. "How you feeling? Janet knew I was bringing over some food tonight and she sent these along." Daniel pulled a small bottle of pain killers from his pocket. "Want one?"
"Nah," Jack said as he dug out serving spoons. "I've been hurt worse than this."
They dished up dinner and went into the living room to eat. Jack leaned back into his nest of pillows and let out a small groan. Daniel had just tucked into his plate of food when he spotted the book Jack had been reading on the coffee table near the chess set. His eyebrows climbed up his forehead. Jack noticed and quirked a smug look at him. "You're the one who said it's an educational book."
"You have plans for this evening?" Daniel asked cautiously. For some reason the entire idea made him a little squeamish.
"I would at least like to finish what we started last time," Jack admitted quietly. He studied his friend carefully. "You don't seem very - enchanted - with the suggestion."
Daniel took a long drink of the beer he'd snagged from the fridge on the way in. He placed it deliberately on the table. "I guess I'm not."
Jack nodded slowly. "Look, Daniel, I understand completely. I was there, remember?"
"What, you think because . . . Callington . . . because he tried to . . ."
Jack merely looked down at his food, pushing it around on his plate. "Don't push this, Daniel. Trust me, it will just make things worse."
"He didn't do anything!" Daniel objected firmly and slid his plate onto the table. "He couldn't - do - anything."
"Whether he succeeded at penetration or not isn't the point," Jack said quietly. "You remember what he felt like, what he smelled like. All the time you were looking at me, I could see it in your eyes. You were terrified beyond all reason." Jack speared a small carrot and popped it in his mouth. "I understand this, Daniel."
"I won't let him get in the middle of this, Jack," Daniel vowed.
"Eat your dinner," Jack said with a quiet voice, his manner calm. "You haven't processed this through yet. You'll need to before anything else can happen, and when you're ready, you'll let me know."
Daniel picked his plate back up and sank against the back of the couch. He knew in his gut Jack was right. He'd been getting just enough sleep to function, but he'd avoided sleep in general like the plague. To sleep perchance to dream, he thought darkly. The two men ate in silence for awhile. When both were completely full, Daniel took their plates to the kitchen and put away the remnants of their feast. He rinsed and tossed the dishes into the dishwasher then set the coffee maker up for coffee. Just as he was pouring in the water, he heard Jack's cell phone ring. He waited for his to start but nothing happened. Not wanting to intrude on a private phone conversation, Daniel watched silently as the coffee pot filled with dark, steaming liquid. He smiled to himself at the thought that Jack, who had spent a fortune on gourmet coffees not even a week before still refused to drink anything other than Folgers when he was at home.
"Hey Daniel?"
Daniel walked into the living room. "What's up?"
"Looks like you just scored three days downtime. Carter put in a request for some time off so Hammond stood us all down." Jack tossed the phone back onto the table. "Hammond knew you were on food duty with me tonight so he asked me to let you know."
Daniel nodded. He took a step back into the kitchen then turned back.
"Do you think I could. . ." "Did you want to. . . " both men spoke at once.
"Stay?" Jack finished.
Daniel rubbed his eyes. "I think I need to." Even from where he sat, Jack could see that Daniel's hands were beginning to shake. "You still have that bottle of Bailey's?"
Jack thought then nodded. "Yeah, I do."
"Good, cause I can't do this stone cold sober."
"Do what?"
"Talk about this," Daniel said from the kitchen as he prepared the coffee. He walked into the living room a few minutes later with a carafe, two mugs and a bottle of liquor. Throwing himself down into the soft cushions he let out a long groan. Jack eased forward to pour the coffee, splashing liberal amounts of booze into each. If it was going to be this hard for Daniel to talk about, it was going to be hard for him to hear. He had no delusions about that.
Daniel took a long, slow drink from the cup then rolled his head back. "Growing up in the foster system in this country is ridiculous. The good families aren't allowed to keep the kids and you can't pry them away from the families that are dangerous." He took another drink. "The next-to-the-last family I lived with was one of the dangerous families. I was only there for two weeks, but it felt like a life time. I was twelve. I got dropped off at their house and I immediately knew there was trouble. They had four girls of their own, the oldest was fifteen and the youngest was eight. The parents had specifically requested a young boy to foster. The state of California very willingly obliged them." Another very long drink of coffee. "Sabrina, the oldest girl . . . I can't explain it, but I just had this sense that she hated me instantly. Three nights after I got there, I heard the screaming start. Sabrina and her father. He was a real piece of work. He was a big construction worker, had arms the size of my leg." He shook his head and looked over at Jack.
Jack was intently studying the handle of his coffee mug, his body held perfect still. Daniel carried on with his tale.
"A few days after that Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell had to go run errands so all us kids were left at the house. Sabrina comes into my room and just stares at me. She tried to cover it up with make up, but I could see this big bruise on the side of her face. She says to me, 'so you're gonna be the reason I kill myself.' I just looked at her like she'd hit me in the head with a fish. I remember her laugh - it was so harsh and dark, no humor at all. She told me to follow her, so I did.
"She took me up into the attic and went into this room that had camera lights and a video camera on a tri-pod. This huge, dirty bed was in the middle of it all. 'Daddy's gonna make movies of us doin' it.' That's all she said to me. A couple days later, Mr. Blackwell brought me up into that room with Sabrina. I was shit scared, Jack. I was twelve years old for Christ's sake!" Daniel ran his hand angrily through his hair.
"He locked the door, told me to stand in a corner and he would show me what he wanted me to do. Then he turned on Sabrina. I can't . . . I can't begin to tell you how vile that was." Daniel refilled his coffee, his hands trembling. He splashed the Bailey's onto his hand when he tried to pour it and quickly wiped his hand on his pants. "He had her pinned down underneath him but was obviously having some - difficulty. The next words out of her mouth have stayed with me my whole life. Need me to draw you a map?"
Jack stomach turned and he fought down the bile that rose up into his throat. He set his coffee aside and sat perched on the edge of the sofa. Daniel got up and began pacing through the room.
"He beat the living daylights out of her, and then he turned on me. When he was literally too tired to hit us anymore, he stormed downstairs and we were finally left alone. I went over to Sabrina. She was cut and bruised, god almighty she was a mess." Daniel began to stare out the picture windows into the night, his voice taking on a distant quality. "Once I got her cleaned up, I asked her why she let her father do that, why she didn't run away. I don't think she understood what I was asking her. What she told me was that she'd do anything to keep from getting raped - even take those kinds of beatings."
"I snuck out to a neighbor's house and called child services that night. And the police. The raid on that house looked like something out of a movie. Apparently Blackwell had quite a distribution ring set up for his home movies and the police had been after him for years. They'd never been able to catch him. I never heard about the girls again. After that I was placed with the Haggertys."
"When Callington - when I knew what he wanted - knew what he was going to do, I suddenly understood exactly what Sabrina meant. I would have done anything to keep it from happening."
"You beat him," Jack said softly.
"Doesn't make the night terrors go away, does it?" Daniel asked sharply. "Doesn't take away the fact that I could smell his stinking breath over my neck, feel his sweaty body pushed up against my bare ass now, does it? Or his dick sliding between my butt cheeks looking for a way to tear into me!" Daniel had his arms wrapped around himself tightly and he was veritably trembling so hard Jack could see his clothes shake from across the room.
Jack pushed himself to his feet, ignoring the jolt of pain that went through him at the quick movement and came to stand behind Daniel. Daniel started to turn away from the window but Jack held him in place. He wrapped his arms tightly around him and squeezed. Daniel's breath started rushing in and out as the adrenaline surged through him. "I'm not him," Jack whispered into his ear, "look at the reflection. Who do you see?" Daniel lifted haunted eyes up and looked at the reflected image. "Who is it, Daniel?"
"It's you, Jack." Daniel leaned into the warmth behind him.
"Do I smell like him?"
"No," Daniel said after taking in the scent of Jack's aftershave, the smell of fresh coffee, and the natural smell of Jack's skin.
Jack softly kissed the back of Daniel's neck. "Do I feel like him?"
Daniel's body began to relax. "No, you don't."
"Do I sound like him, Danny?" Jack practically purred into his ear.
Daniel shook his head, his hair rubbing against Jack's face. "Nothing about you is like him."
"And you're not them," Jack said, chasing his own ghosts away.
Daniel closed his eyes and took a long, steadying breath. Jack knew - more than anyone - what he'd gone through. He pulled himself away and turned to face Jack. He studied the face before him carefully, searching the deep brown eyes to see what the next step should be. He smiled when he realized Jack was doing the same. "Tell you what," Daniel began, "since I haven't slept for more than a couple hours a night since we got back, how about we just concentrate on getting through the nightmares first. We'll take everything else as it comes . . . so to speak."
Jack wrapped his arms around Daniel's shoulders and rubbed his nose into the hair just over his forehead. "Mmmmmmm. . . nilla wafers," he droned in his best Homer Simpson impersonation.
Daniel burst out laughing and reached up to hook his fingers over Jack's arms. "You come up with the weirdest shit, Jack."
"Oh pot, thy name is kettle," Jack said, leading Daniel back over to the couch. Daniel pulled him to a halt.
"I'm tired, Jack," he said. "I'm so very tired." Jack lead him down the hallway and into the bedroom.
++++
The clanging in Jack's ears caused him to growl and swat at his alarm clock angrily. When it didn't stop, he hit it again, harder.
"J'ck," came the muffled voice beside him. Jack raised his head and looked beside him, his face breaking into a huge grin. "Jack, get the phone," Daniel said grumpily and pulled a pillow over his head.
Jack reached out and snagged the phone from it's cradle. "O'Neill," he said, his voice hoarse
"Colonel, were you asleep?" came Carter's bemused voice.
"Carter?" Jack asked. He looked up at the clock. It was barely eight in the evening.
"Oh god, I woke you up," she said, embarrassed.
"Just taking a little nap," he said, throwing an arm over Daniel and tugging his back against him. "What's the emergency?"
"I was hoping I could talk to you, sir. About the other day at your house."
"I'm really not up to rehashing all that right now, Carter. Besides, we all have bad hair days."
"That was the wrong thing to say," came Daniel's muffled comment and Jack aimed his knee at the back of Daniel's thigh to shut him up. Instead he got a snorted giggle.
"Sir . . . Jack . . . I do think it's about time we discuss some things, don't you?"
Jack sighed. He looked over at Daniel and came to a decision instantly. "No, Major. I don't."
"You don't?"
"No. We're both adults and I'm not going to try and hand you some ridiculous line about careers and regulations and all that other shit. The fact is, if we had wanted anything to happen, we would have done something about it. We didn't. It's been six, almost seven years. So, in order to spare the both of us a debilitating amount of humiliation, I'm going to end this right now with a warning that this subject is now closed. If this is what clouded your judgment about '998, then I suggest you get over it - toot sweet. I'll make that an order if I have to."
"No need, sir. I understand."
"I'm glad you do. I'm going back to my nap now. I'll see you on base." Jack hung up the phone.
"That was a little harsh, don't you think?" came Daniel's voice. He turned to look at the older man.
Jack scowled. "I know."
"Then why?"
"Had to be done. Carter's like a pit-bull. She absolutely refuses to let go of something once she sinks her teeth into it. Quite honestly, I'm tired of being mauled." He reached down to pull up the covers and draped them over himself and Daniel. "It's starting to affect her judgment. And I'm tired of watching her turn down other opportunities. She's been waiting for something that was never going to happen."
"It seemed like it was going to there for awhile," Daniel commented.
"I toyed with the idea. Could never make that final step though."
"Why not?"
"How many times does a guy have to be turned down by a beautiful, intelligent, sexy woman before he finally gives up?" He smiled a little sadly. "I gave her the opportunities - she turned me down every time."
"The fishing trips to Minnesota?"
"Kept asking. She kept finding excuses not to go. I was all but telling her I didn't give a rat's red ass about the regulations. She kept choosing the regulations, her career and her toys over me." Jack shrugged. "She never said yes, but she never let go, either. It didn't do either one of us any good." He looked over at Daniel. "And then, of course, there was the matter of you."
"Me?"
"Even if she would have said yes, and barring any extra-terrestrial intervention, I know I would have found a way to beg off. You were here," he said, tapping his chest, "even though I refused to admit it to myself. Being with her - wouldn't have changed that. I know that now."
"But for awhile, you wanted there to be a 'you and her.'"
"For awhile," Jack acknowledged.
"So then, last week, when I saw her leaving here?"
"She came over to invite me to lunch with her and Teal'c."
"Ah," Daniel said, nodding.
"She wouldn't leave. I told her I was expecting you, that we were going to go over some things, and she just figured you could come with us. Woman just can't take a hint."
"She cares about you," Daniel defended softly.
Jack picked up Daniel's hand and began playing with his fingers. "I'm sure she does, but not in the way she thinks." He traced the tops of Daniel's fingernails with his fingertip. "She's finds me physically attractive, I know that," Jack said with a little roll of his eyes, "but when I think about who stuck by me when things were the toughest, her's isn't the face that comes to mind. Yours is." He leaned in and kissed Daniel.
"She got you back from Eudora after the fire rain."
"You wouldn't leave me when the Ancients did the mondo-mind dump thingy."
Daniel smiled and conceded the point with a nod.
"You came to see me during the sting to get Mayborne and the boys."
Daniel smiled at that and kissed Jack back. "That must have been hard for you."
"I wanted you to see through the lies. I guess at that point it was pretty hard for you to do that."
"Yeah. It was," Daniel acknowledged.
"Did you guys really draw straws?"
Daniel shook his head and stifled a laugh. "No." He scooted over a little closer to Jack and propped his head up on his hand. "I got a delivery today."
Jack's face split into a huge smile. "Yeah?"
"Yeah," Daniel nodded. "Seems someone spent a fortune on 24 personalized journals. Don't know who that would be, do you?"
Jack shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not."
"Mm hm," Daniel said, nestling down into the pillows beside Jack and putting his arm carefully over his stomach. "If you do know, tell him how much I appreciate it, would you? And that I'll gladly let him know how much I appreciate it when he's well again." Daniel rolled toward Jack and kissed his shoulder.
"I'm glad you liked them," Jack said, twining his fingers with Daniel's.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure," Jack said, feeling incredibly relaxed in the darkness of the room and the nearness of Daniel's body.
"Did you used to take Charlie out on little excursions - to the store, to run errands?"
"Yeah, all the time, why?"
"He never came home without a little present, did he?" Daniel's voice bore the note of a smile.
Jack thought back carefully, the sweet memories flitting through his mind. He realized Daniel was right - he always managed to get Charlie 'a little something' on their trips. "How'd you know?"
"Cause you're doing the same thing with me," Daniel snickered.
"Am I?" Jack asked honestly. He thought for a second. "Guess I am. You mind?"
"Nope," Daniel said, burrowing closer to Jack but being mindful of the ribs. "I'm a materialistic bastard at heart."
Jack chuckled then grunted as the action tweaked his side. "Could you do me a favor?"
"Want one of those pills?"
"Yeah, I think so," Jack admitted.
Daniel was up and moving in a second. He brought it in with a glass of water. "You should probably get up and go pee. Those pills knock you out pretty hard."
"You saying I'll wet the bed?"
"No, just trying to get you settled down for the night so you can sleep without interruption."
"Or so you can sleep without interruption," Jack amended as he let Daniel help him to his feet. He ambled off slowly to the bathroom as Daniel crawled back under the covers. He poked at the mattress, realizing suddenly it felt much different than when he was here last. "Doc Fraiser's magic bed pads," Jack said from the bathroom. Daniel looked over and squinted, realizing Jack had a direct line of sight to the bed. "She said they worked for you, so I figured that was pretty high praise."
Daniel smiled and snuggled down into the cushiony softness. Jack tottered back out and eased himself into bed. "Crap," he snorted as he lay down. "I hate broken ribs. Rather break anything else other than these things." He let out a relieved breath once he was settled.
"How many times have you broken your ribs?" Daniel asked as he took up their prior position.
"This makes four," Jack said with a yawn. He rolled his head over and kissed Daniel quickly. "Sleep well."
"I will," Daniel promised. He knew he would, even if the nightmares came. Jack was there. As long as that was the case, he knew he'd be alright.
++++
"Two more weeks," Janet Fraiser announced as she walked into the exam room. She held up her hand just as Jack started his tirade. "If you fight me on this, I'll make it four. Two. More. Weeks."
"It's already been three," Jack whined.
Daniel tried not to snicker. Watching Jack go through an exam was like watching a ten year old be told he couldn't have dessert.
"I will release you to half days light duty, but that's all you're getting out of me," Fraiser said firmly. "Now go home. You can come back on Monday. And it's half days, Colonel. I'm serious."
She looked over at Daniel. "I'd ask you to help on this, but I know that's a lost cause," she said with a sniff. "And try and cut back on the ice cream intake. His weight's a little . . ."
"Hey! Are you saying I'm fat?" Jack demanded. This time Daniel did laugh.
"I'm saying you need to cut out the ice cream. Your cholesterol is slightly elevated and I know ice cream is your one weakness when you're bored. Knock it off." She tapped his medical chart meaningfully. Turning sharply on her heal, she strode to her office.
Jack glared after her. "I used to be able to come back from injuries like this in a couple weeks. This will make it over a month."
"You're not old, Jack," Daniel said as Jack eased down off the exam bed, grabbed his jacket and tossed it over his shoulder.
"I feel old," Jack replied tiredly. He shoved his hands in his pockets as they walked. "So how long will you be off-world?"
"Three days," Daniel said. "Just until we get the dig set up and working. Then I'll come home."
"Wish you could stay out there?" Jack ventured.
Daniel shook his head. "Nope, not this time. It'd be different if . . ." he let the sentence trail away.
"It'd be different if what?" Jack urged.
"If you were out there." Daniel looked embarrassed. "I don't like going out there without you anymore. Just doesn't seem right."
"What, the magic's not there?" Jack teased gently.
"That's exactly right," Daniel admitted. He saw Jack's surprised look. "Ever since that first trip to Abydos, it's been about me and you, Jack. Us. As a team. I've gone out there without you before and I didn't like it any more then than I do now. It's just not the same."
"I didn't know you felt that way," Jack said softly.
They walked quietly to the elevators. "I need to go check in with provisioning to make sure I've got everything, so I guess I'll see you later." He looked up at Jack, trying to convey with his eyes what he felt.
"Yeah, I'll see ya. Take notes. Tell me all about it."
"I will," Daniel snickered. "I guess I don't need to say it, huh?"
Jack shook his head. "Nope. I know. Me too." Daniel nodded and watched as Jack stepped into the elevator. "Bring me back a present," Jack said as the doors closed.
Daniel chuckled as he moved alone down the hall.
++++
Jack paced back and forth in the control room. It had been seven days since Daniel and the teams from SG-7 and SG-11 had gone missing. After the fourth day, Jack had again been a permanent fixture at the base, Dr. Fraiser barely able to threaten him into a couple hours of sleep a night. Over and over again they'd dialed the address to the planet where Daniel and the rest of the scientific team had gated, but the seventh chevron wouldn't lock. Sam was in her lab trying desperately to find a reason. Jack had contacted every space faring race they knew to try and recruit some help. Naturally, no help was forthcoming.
"Any word yet?" came Hammond's tired voice from behind Jack. He'd been on base ever since the crisis started and he was beginning to show signs of wear.
"Nothing," came Jack's strained voice.
"No word from our allies?"
"No," was the clipped response. Jack rubbed absently at his side. The discomfort he felt was nothing compared to the ripping, sucking emptiness he was experiencing on the inside. "Good thing we signed all those treaties, eh, General?"
Hammond merely clenched his jaw. "Sergeant, let me know the moment we have anything." He turned and retreated to his office.
Jack sat down at last, the weariness he felt beginning to sink in. Closing his eyes and leaning his head back, he heard the gate power up - and the claxons begin to sound.
"Incoming wormhole!" shouted Sergeant Davis. Within moments the control room was filled with people. Jack pushed his way out and into the gate room. He stood at the foot of the ramp as the event horizon engaged. "Receiving IDC code." The wait seemed interminable. "It's SG-1!"
Jack let out the breath he'd been holding as the iris slid clear and the first of the missing teams staggered through onto Earth once again. They were beaten, bloodied, some of them being carried in makeshift stretchers. Jack waited, his hope slipping as one after the other came through, but not the one he was looking for. He grabbed one of the teams who'd just returned and spun her to face him. "Where's Daniel?"
She turned, motioned back toward the gate. Jack swallowed. "Right behind us, sir," she finally managed. Jack gripped her shoulders to steady himself then gave her a small pat on the arm. When he turned to look, Daniel had only just appeared, propping up two injured crewman.
"Shut it down! Now!" he yelled. With a reverse whoosh the gate disengaged and infirmary personnel swarmed up the ramp to take the two airmen out of Daniel's arms. He stumbled down the ramp before he was finally caught by Jack.
Jack led him to the end of the ramp and eased him down onto the step. Not caring who saw or what they might say he clamped an arm around the battered man's shoulder and pulled him close. "Thought we'd lost you,"he said, his voice husky and barely under control.
"So did I," Daniel mumbled, leaning heavily into Jack. Sam came to a skidding stop in front of Daniel and knelt down.
"What happened?" she demanded, her eyes tear filled and frightened.
"Planet quake, three motherships full of Jaffa, not to mention the sandstorm that came up out of nowhere." Daniel laughed. It was a harsh, brittle sound. "Everything that possibly could go wrong did go wrong, and all at the same fucking time!" he shouted.
"How the hell did we not know about the Jaffa, Major?" came General Hammond's voice.
Sam looked up, alarmed. "Sir, there was no sign."
"That's what you said before," Jack said, his voice becoming very dark and very ugly.
"No! Jack, no . . . no, it wasn't Sam's fault. There was literally no sign that anyone or anything had been on that planet for hundreds, maybe even thousands of years. Those Jaffa showed up completely out of the blue. Started drilling into the planet with these huge lasers. The quakes that followed . . . Jesus, I'm surprised any of us are still alive." Daniel rubbed at his head, willing the pain to recede.
"Get down to the infirmary," General Hammond ordered. "We'll debrief in one hour."
Daniel nodded and flopped back onto the ramp, his arms over his face. "Oh god, Jack," he groaned, "there were so many Jaffa and we had so many wounded, I didn't know what the hell to do."
"Where's Major Caruthers?" Jack asked. "He should have been in command."
"He was killed in the first quake. He threw me clear of a boulder that came down off a cliff." The gate room was silent at last as the injured were hustled off to the infirmary. Jack helped Daniel to his feet and guided him along the corridors. "The first quake knocked the gate completely over, onto the DHD. The Jaffa were in a valley just a couple miles off. I don't think they realized we were there."
"Teal'c went to see if he and Bra'tac couldn't scare up some help for you guys. We were getting pretty worried," Sam offered. "I'll go contact him, let him know you're home." Sam took a few steps away then came back, throwing her arms tightly around Daniel's neck. "Don't you ever scare us like that again, you hear me!" she ordered.
"I didn't think I was getting home this time," Daniel said. "I really thought this was it." He looked at Jack over Sam's shoulder. Sam let him go, obviously having a hard time keeping back her emotions. "You can't go without us," she said and punched him in the arm. He flinched. "Damn you, don't you EVER do that again." She wiped her eyes and trotted back down the hall.
"What she said," Jack echoed.
"Come on," Daniel said, practically dragging Jack along behind him. "I want to get checked out, debriefed, and then de-briefed again, you got me Colonel?"
"Yeah, I gotcha," Jack nodded. The two men made their way stride for stride down the hall.
++++
General Hammond looked around the table at the haggard faces before him. He wanted the briefing short and sweet so his people could get home where they belonged, and he had just about attained that goal. It had been a trying week. "Doctor Jackson, do you have any idea why those Jaffa took such an interest in that planet."
Daniel shook his head. "We hadn't found any technology, no trinium in adequate amounts to mine, no naquada. We were interested in the ruins and the detailed history it contained concerning the Goa'uld. One minute we were setting out the perimeter of the preliminary dig site, the next we were trying to take cover from three mother ships."
"How did you get the gate back up?" Sam asked.
"The same way they raised the obelisks in Egypt," Daniel said, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "It'll all be in my report, Sam. I can't even think anymore. I'm sorry."
"I'm giving everyone three additional days down time," General Hammond said. "After what we've all been through, we could use the break. Colonel, that includes you."
"Yes sir," Jack said with a wry smile.
"That's it people. I'll expect to have your reports on my desk first thing Monday morning. Dismissed."
Jack pushed away from the table looking at the exhausted man in front of him. "I'll drive you home."
Daniel nodded tiredly. Sam snagged his hand quickly on the way out, giving it a quick squeeze as she walked toward the door. Just before both men had turned to leave, Teal'c stepped through the door, one of his rare half-smiles on his face. "DanielJackson."
"Hey, Teal'c." Daniel found the reserves for a return smile.
"I am pleased to see you safe and unharmed."
"Thanks," Daniel returned. "I understand we couldn't get much support for a rescue mission out there."
"It is indeed true. I will discuss this in detail with General Hammond when he returns to duty. I find the lack of support disheartening."
"Yeah, no kidding," Daniel muttered. He stifled a yawn quickly. "Sorry," he apologized. "I'm about to fall through the floor, here. You have any plans over the next couple days?"
"I will be off-world," explained the large man. "There are new recruits that have not yet received their certifications. I am to be their instructor."
"Oh, lucky them," Daniel drawled. "Then I guess I'll see you Monday. Thank you for everything you did, Teal'c. Bra'tac, too."
Teal'c inclined his head. Daniel eased his way past as Jack led the way to the locker room. He changed quickly while Jack waited. Once he was finished he turned tired eyes on Jack. "Get me the hell outta here."
++++
Jack and Daniel stood shoulder to shoulder in the elevator. Neither one had said a word during the drive from the mountain to Daniel's apartment. They didn't need to. The elevator stopped on Daniel's floor and both men stepped out and turned to walk down the hall. Standing in front of the door Daniel fished his keys out of his jacket. "You know what's going to happen the second we get through this door," he said evenly.
"I know," said Jack. He wished Daniel would just hurry the hell up and get the key in the lock. Finally the blessed sound of the lock unlatching sounded and Daniel practically pulled Jack through the door. Daniel slammed it behind them then shoved Jack against it, holding onto Jack's collar in both fists.
"You're about to lose your shirt, Colonel," he said, his voice low and threatening. "Hope you aren't terribly attached." On the last word he pulled, tearing both shirt and t-shirt in two, trapping Jack's arms at his sides in the torn material.
"Jeezus," Jack hissed, his breathing becoming rapid.
Daniel grabbed Jack's face with both hands and sealed his mouth over Jack's in a brain-melting kiss. Daniel left the older man to figure his way out of the tatters of his clothes as he feasted on the willing lips and tongue before him. Licking and biting his way down Jack's lean frame he finally came to Jack's belt. Frantically he worked at unbuckling it until it finally gave way to his demanding hands. Jack had worked his hands out of their bonds and tried to help Daniel. The younger man swatted his hands away. "Mine," he growled at last disengaging the offending restraint and working the jeans down over Jack's hips.
"Bedroom," Jack tried to reason. "Not here."
"Right here, right now, dammit," Daniel snarled as he pulled Jack's jeans down and off. Jack clumsily kicked his way out of his shoes and socks as Daniel yanked down his briefs. He nuzzled into the warm, musky groin of the man before him. "I'm not waiting a second longer." With that, he engulfed Jack in his mouth.
"OhmyGOD," yelled Jack in a strangled voice. It was the last coherent thing he was able to say for the next hour.
- finis -
