Journal Entries - Part 5

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=160 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="012a0643.jpg"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=435 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="00f64643.jpg"> <div> <B>Journal Entries - Part 5</B></div> <div>  <A NAME="journal_entries___part_5"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> "Daniel?"</div> <bR> <div> "Hmm," answered the younger man, head stuck halfway in his fridge assessing the breakfast situation.</div> <bR> <div> "What the hell is this?"</div> <bR> <div> "What's what?" Daniel asked and looked up over the door at Jack and burst out laughing.  "Have you been snooping through my things?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack was holding up a t-shirt resplendent with Marvin the Martian.  He then held up another one covered with Ren & Stimpy, followed by a third of Pinky and the Brain.  "There something I need to know about here, Dannyboy?"</div> <bR> <div> "I collect cartoon t-shirts," Daniel said with a grin as he closed the refrigerator after pulling out the eggs and milk.  He took a loaf of uncut bread from the cupboard and began to cut thick slices.  He was glad Jack had talked him into running to the store that morning for groceries as he prepared to make French toast.</div> <bR> <div> "How many of these things do you have?  You have one whole dresser drawer full of these," Jack said as he sat down and watched Daniel fix breakfast.</div> <bR> <div> "I started when I was a kid," Daniel said, feeling slightly bashful about the subject.  "One of my first foster families did everything they could to make me feel wanted.  I, however, being the headstrong individual I can be . . ."</div> <bR> <div> Jack snorted.</div> <bR> <div> ". . . knock it off . . . didn't respond to much of anything.  Until one day they brought home a Bugs Bunny t-shirt.  They'd found my weakness."</div> <bR> <div> "Bugs?"</div> <bR> <div> "Cartoons in general," Daniel amended, reaching into the cupboard for the nutmeg and vanilla.  "Every Saturday they'd get up with me and watch cartoons."  Daniel smiled at the fond memory.  "They really were wonderful people."</div> <bR> <div> "What was your favorite?" Jack asked.</div> <bR> <div> "What?"</div> <bR> <div> "Cartoon.  When you were a kid, what was your favorite?"</div> <bR> <div> "Ah," Daniel nodded.  "That would be Jonny Quest.  The original one - not that strange hybrid show they have on now.  I wanted to <I>be</I> him one day.  Travel around, have adventures.  Little did I know."</div> <bR> <div> "No kiddin?" Jack asked.  He tried to picture a juvenile Daniel Jackson sprawled on the floor in front of a television, glued to the set as he watched the adventures of Jonny, Hadji, Bandit and Race Bannon play out for him.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel licked melted butter off his thumb as he turned to look at Jack.  "I did have periods of normalcy in my life.  I'm not some Oliver Twist reject."</div> <div> "Bet I can guess what your favorite episode was," Jack challenged playfully.</div> <bR> <div> "Alright," Daniel snickered and monitored the french toast in the frying pan.</div> <bR> <div> "The one with the electric monster," Jack declared confidently.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel turned to him in disbelief.  "How the hell did you know that?"</div> <bR> <div> "It was mine," Jack said with an offhanded wave.  He got up to pour a second cup of coffee.</div> <bR> <div> "You watched Jonny Quest?" Daniel asked.  "Weren't you a little old for that?"</div> <bR> <div> "Pffft," Jack smiled.  "I was a kid once too, ya know."</div> <bR> <div> "Was?" Daniel said with a snicker.  He flipped the battered bread slices carefully and smiled in satisfaction as he watched them puff up.</div> <bR> <div> "Are you implying I'm childish?" Jack sniffed.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm saying you're the tallest twelve year old I've ever known.  You want powdered sugar or syrup?"</div> <bR> <div> "Syrup," Jack said and moved out of Daniel's way again.  "I don't notice many twelve year olds out there kicking snakey ass."</div> <bR> <div> "Give it time," Daniel drawled as he poked around in the refrigerator once more, "I'm sure we'll run into them eventually."  He found what he was looking for and thumped a can of real maple syrup down on the table.</div> <bR> <div> Jack whistled.  "Hey, this is the good stuff."</div> <bR> <div> "Friend of mine sends me a gallon every year.  I'm almost out."  Daniel set out butter, brown sugar and powdered sugar.</div> <bR> <div> "Where'd you learn to cook?" Jack asked.</div> <bR> <div> "Just picked it up," Daniel shrugged.  "It relaxes me."</div> <bR> <div> "Can I wear your Marvin the Martian shirt?"</div> <bR> <div> "No."</div> <bR> <div> "Why?"</div> <bR> <div> "Because I said so," Daniel said, looking up at Jack as though that was all the explanation in the world needed.</div> <bR> <div> "Please?"</div> <bR> <div> "No," Daniel reiterated as he dished up the french toast into the plates then started cooking a second helping.</div> <bR> <div> "I won't hurt it," Jack said with a slight whine.</div> <bR> <div> "Jack, they've never been worn.  They're my collection."</div> <bR> <div> "I'll take it off when I eat," Jack cajoled.</div> <bR> <div> "As wonderful as that offer is, the answer is still no."  Daniel set the plate down in front of Jack.  "Now eat your breakfast before it cools off."  Daniel sat down across from Jack.  His face broke into a wide smile when he felt Jack trap his bare feet between his own.</div> <bR> <div> "Please?"</div> <bR> <div> "No!"</div> <bR> <div> "How about just to bed?"</div> <bR> <div> "God no!" Daniel yelped.  "Food is one thing - other stuff is . . . another . . . thing."</div> <bR> <div> Jack cut into the meal before him and was momentarily silenced as the sweet, syrupy bread nearly melted in his mouth.  "Damn.  That's good."</div> <bR> <div> "Thank you," Daniel said, slicing into his own.  "And you still can't wear my t-shirts."</div> <bR> <div> "You're no fun," Jack pouted and continued to eat.</div> <bR> <div> "Not what you thought last night," Daniel said as he licked his fork.</div> <bR> <div> "Okay, we discussed this before - it's a little difficult for me to eat with a raging hard-on," Jack teased back.</div> <bR> <div> "But you're wearing sweats this time, not those black jeans."  Daniel wiggled a foot free and propped his toes on the edge of the chair between Jack's legs.</div> <bR> <div> Jack sat back slightly to have a measured look downward.  "You, uh, not planning on doing anything sneaky with that are you?  I just might flip some syrup onto your precious t-shirts," he said, nodding to the chair beside him.</div> <bR> <div> "Then I'd have to punish you," Daniel said calmly.  "Until you beg for mercy."  He gazed at Jack's mouth and licked his lips slowly.  With a shove he pushed himself away from the table and went to turn over the French toast.</div> <bR> <div> He heard Jack let out a sigh and return to eating.</div> <bR> <div> "Anyone ever tell you you're a tease, Jackson?"</div> <bR> <div> "On occasion," Daniel said and flipped over the pieces of toast.  He leaned back against the counter and watched Jack closely.  "You're a flirt."</div> <bR> <div> "I am not."</div> <bR> <div> "Yes you are.  I didn't take much notice before, but you're a terrible flirt."</div> <bR> <div> "I so don't flirt," Jack snorted.</div> <bR> <div> "You so do," Daniel countered.  "As a matter of fact, now that I think about it, there isn't anyone you don't flirt with in some way or another."</div> <bR> <div> "How do I flirt?"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel checked the browning on the toast and yanked it off the stove.  He walked it over to the table and deposited one more slice onto each plate then dumped the hot pan into the sink.</div> <bR> <div> "All that touchy feely stuff you do."</div> <bR> <div> "That's not flirting," Jack said.</div> <bR> <div> "Yes it is.  Works great with Hammond."</div> <bR> <div> Jack nearly spit his coffee over the table.  "What?"</div> <bR> <div> "You do this, thing, this shoulder pat - thing.  Gets him every time."</div> <bR> <div> "I do not!"</div> <bR> <div> "You do so."</div> <bR> <div> "Do not!"</div> <bR> <div> "Do so."</div> <bR> <div> "Don't!"</div> <bR> <div> "Do," Daniel sing songed and took a large bite of the french toast.  It crunched delicately in his smiling mouth.</div> <bR> <div> "I do not flirt with Hammond," Jack stated decisively.  He chewed in silence for a few minutes.  "Do I?"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel merely giggled and nodded.</div> <bR> <div> "I never considered that flir...heyheyhey!  Watch what you're doing down there!" Jack squeaked as Daniel's foot made contact with its target.  "Dammit you're dangerous."</div> <bR> <div> "Yep," Daniel smirked and continued to eat slowly.  He smiled again when Jack lowered his left hand to his lap and caressed the top of his foot, holding it in place now and then as he pushed his hips forward into the sensation.  "Do you have any idea how fun you are to wind up?"</div> <bR> <div> "That's what half our little fights were about, weren't they?" Jack said, his voice lower and softer than before.</div> <bR> <div> "Arousal is such a good look for you, O'Neill," Daniel veritably purred across the table.</div> <bR> <div> Jack lifted his eyes slowly to meet Daniel's, holding his gaze, letting him see the fire that was building inside.  "Pretty nice fit on you, too," he said, pushing Daniel's foot firmly into his crotch.  He bit his lower lip and smiled as he watched Daniel's eyes dilate further.  They ate the rest of their meal in silence, touches being the only communication needed.</div> <bR> <div> When Jack had finished the last of his french toast he gazed levelly at Daniel.  "Feel like working off some of these calories?"</div> <bR> <div> "Thought you'd never ask," Daniel said as he pulled himself free of Jack's grip and stood up.  He began backing toward the bedroom.</div> <bR> <div> "What about these," Jack nodded toward the table as he followed his prey.</div> <bR> <div> "It's what I've got a dishwasher for.  They can get done later."</div> <bR> <div> "Later?  How much later?"</div> <bR> <div> "How's tonight after dinner sound?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack nodded and pulled his sweatshirt off over his head.  "Sounds good to me.  I call bottom."</div> <bR> <div> "You did that last time," Daniel objected.</div> <bR> <div> "We switched halfway through.  I get bottom this time."</div> <bR> <div> "You're a slut, O'Neill."</div> <div> "I told you.  Big fan, Daniel.  <I>Big</I> fan."</div> <bR> <div> "Conceited, too."</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Daniel stumbled blearily into the kitchen, hiking up his shorts as he walked.  He looked at the clock and sighed happily.  Not even noon yet.  He began clearing away the remnants of breakfast when Jack assailed him from behind.  "Come back to bed," he breathed into Daniel's neck while a hand snaked down into the front of his jersey shorts.  Jack nibbled up along Daniel's nape and into his hairline, smiling as a shiver traveled the length of his lover's body.  "See, you're shivering.  You need to be tucked away safe and warm in bed with me."</div> <bR> <div> "There is no such thing as <I>safe in bed with you</I>," Daniel chuckled.  "I just want to get this cleaned up first."</div> <bR> <div> Jack half moaned-half whined into Daniel's neck and pulled him closer.  Daniel simply continued to load the dishwasher, enjoying the near radiant warmth of the man behind him.  Just then the phone rang and both men grunted in disapproval.  Daniel reached for the phone, smiling as Jack pretended to tug him away.  He grabbed it just before his machine picked up.  "'lo."</div> <bR> <div> "Daniel?"</div> <bR> <div> "Sam?" he answered.  He felt Jack's arms fall away as Jack gave a disgusted snort and went to sit at the kitchen table.</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah.  Hey, you got a few minutes?"</div> <bR> <div> "Uh . . . sure, Sam.  What, um . . . what's up?"  Daniel looked apologetically at Jack who merely rolled his eyes and motioned for him to continue.</div> <bR> <div> "This is . . . this is kind of hard for me to talk about," Sam said, her voice quavering slightly.</div> <bR> <div> "You okay?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, I guess . . . I mean, yes, yes, I'm fine.  I just . . . dammit," Sam sighed and he could tell by the slight huff of breath that she'd sat down suddenly.  "Daniel, I'm just going to come right out and ask this. . . please don't get mad."</div> <bR> <div> "Wha-at is it?"  Daniel's brow furrowed and he looked up at Jack who sat forward slightly, eyes squinting in concern.</div> <bR> <div> "Is Col . . . Jack - is Jack over there right now?"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel paused for a moment and grit his teeth in distaste.  "No, no he's not.  Why?"</div> <div> "Daniel, you're lying."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm lying?"  He raised pained eyes to Jack who winced and looked away.  "Why am I lying?"</div> <bR> <div> "I saw his truck in the parking lot."</div> <bR> <div> "You saw .... his .... truck.  And how did you come upon seeing his truck, Sam?"</div> <bR> <div> "God, this is so lame, even for me," Sam said, her voice slightly thicker than it had been before.</div> <bR> <div> "Are you following him around?" Daniel asked, not liking the turn this conversation was taking.</div> <bR> <div> "This is juvenile," Sam said with a sniff.  "Daniel, I'm sorry.  I just need to know."</div> <bR> <div> "Well you are right in one respect, you did see Jack's truck here," Daniel said, staring straight into Jack's eyes as he continued.  "You don't understand the reason why he's here at my building, though."</div> <bR> <div> "What's that?" Sam asked, her voice sounding very sad.</div> <bR> <div> "There's a neighbor of mine, a woman, who's son . . ." Daniel said with a long steadying breath, "killed himself a few days ago.  Jack, having gone through similar . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Shit," came the small voice from the other end of the phone.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel swallowed roughly and it was now Jack's turn to look apologetic.  He reached out and laced his fingers loosely with Daniel's.  Daniel strengthened the hold and closed his eyes against the lie.</div> <bR> <div> "He's trying to help her out."  Daniel dipped his head, moving the phone up away from his mouth so Sam wouldn't hear the sigh that escaped.  "He'll probably come by later.  Did you want me to have him call you?"</div> <bR> <div> "No!" Sam yelped, "no don't tell him I called.  It's just, the other day when I saw you at his house, I had thought . . . well, never mind what I thought . . . and then I called to apologize for my behavior and he was so rude . . . and then I saw his truck over there."</div> <bR> <div> "Look, Sam," Daniel began, softly, "Jack and I have gone through an incredibly rough time recently.  It was hurting the whole SGC, not just SG-1.  He and I need to work some things out between us, so in a way you're right in that he and I will be spending a lot of time together."</div> <bR> <div> "Can I ask you a very personal question, Daniel?"</div> <bR> <div> "Depends on what it is," Daniel said and tried to smile despite the monstrous knot in his stomach.</div> <bR> <div> "There was a time when he and I . . . you know . . . felt some things."</div> <bR> <div> "Sam, don't ask me about this," Daniel whispered.  "He hasn't said anything to me."</div> <bR> <div> "No," Sam sniffed again, "that's not what I'm asking.  I just want to know what you think.  I mean, is there a chance or am I just . . . wishing - dragging things out, and making bad choices as a result.  He basically told me to buy a clue and get over it."</div> <bR> <div> "Honestly?"</div> <bR> <div> "Of course," Sam said firmly.</div> <bR> <div> "I don't think there's much chance.  Jack's heart . . . lies somewhere else."  He looked at Jack as though pleading for him to find a way to end the call.</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah," Sam said quietly, "I guess I've known that all along.  The man's married to the military."</div> <bR> <div> "As are you," Daniel reminded her gently.</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, I guess I am at that," Sam said with a small, sad laugh.  "Maybe I should have taken him up on one of those invitations, huh?"</div> <bR> <div> "Maybe," Daniel replied quietly.</div> <bR> <div> "Thanks, Daniel."</div> <bR> <div> "For what?"</div> <bR> <div> "For understanding.  For not laughing.  For telling me the truth."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel wanted to throw the phone across the room.  Instead all he said was, "You're welcome."</div> <bR> <div> "I'll let you go.  You sound tired."</div> <bR> <div> "I am a little," he said, heart sick at the conversation.</div> <bR> <div> "I'll see you later.  You and Jack are doing better, right?"</div> <bR> <div> "We made a start.  A good start.  We'll see how it goes."</div> <bR> <div> "That's great, Daniel.  Really.  I've hated seeing you so down."</div> <bR> <div> "I'll talk to you later, Sam."  He heard her quiet goodbye then hung up.  He dumped the phone on the table as though it was dirty.  Jack sat quietly, not moving.  He still held Daniel's hand and was stroking his thumb gently against Daniel's palm.  "That sucks," Daniel said finally and slouched down in his chair.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry," Jack said.  He couldn't think of anything else to say.  He felt guilty, responsible for Daniel's pain.</div> <bR> <div> "She thanked me for being honest with her," Daniel sneered.  He leaned his head back on the chair and stared at the ceiling.  Jack tried to tug his hand away but Daniel held it tight.  "Don't," he whispered.  "Don't pull away."  He was quiet a few more minutes before he spoke again.  "She wanted to know if she should stop 'wishing' for something to happen between the two of you."</div> <bR> <div> "And you told her yes," Jack stated.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel nodded and sat up straighter, his other hand motioning for Jack's.  Jack slid the fingers of his left hand into Daniel's right.  "I hate lying to the people I love," Daniel said, "but I'm not losing this.  You were right, though.  If she had wanted you, she should have made her choice sooner.  You're mine now.  I'll do whatever I have to in order to keep this."  He squeezed Jack's fingers in his own.  "Even if I have to lie and sneak around like I'm doing something wrong."  He fixed glittering eyes on Jack.  "I'm <I>not</I> giving you up."</div> <bR> <div> Jack nodded once, briefly.  "Me either."</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Jack strolled onto the base heading toward Teal'c's quarters.  "Colonel O'Neill?"  Jack turned around and saw Sgt. Davis walking toward him.  "Thought you were off until tomorrow, sir."</div> <bR> <div> "Just came to visit Teal'c."</div> <bR> <div> "He's in the gym right now," he was informed.</div> <bR> <div> "Thank you, Sergeant."  Jack spun and headed back the way he'd come.  A few minutes later he walked through the doors to the work out area and watched as the Jaffa finished his routine.  He gazed in appreciation at a friend.  "How were the recruits?"</div> <bR> <div> Teal'c turned and faced his friend.  "O'Neill."  Grabbing a towel he came to join Jack.  "The training was satisfactory."</div> <bR> <div> "Glowing report, coming from you."</div> <bR> <div> "I was disturbed by the behavior of two of the young officers."</div> <bR> <div> "What'd they do?"</div> <bR> <div> "It is not anything they did, it was the way they behaved toward one another.  I found it to be most distasteful."</div> <div> "Hey, young guys in a high stress situation are going to egg each other on.  Training like that doesn't just bring out the best in people."</div> <bR> <div> "You misunderstand my meaning."  Teal'c raised his head imperially.</div> <bR> <div> "And . . ." urged Jack.</div> <bR> <div> "I believe these two young men are engaged in a more personal relationship than is allowed under your laws."</div> <bR> <div> Jack's stomach dropped to his feet.  This is what he'd come to talk to Teal'c about, to tell him about he and Daniel.  He was certain Teal'c would understand.  He'd had no idea Teal'c felt this way.</div> <bR> <div> "They did something?"</div> <bR> <div> "They did nothing overtly to prove my suspicions."  Teal'c seemed to come to some sort of internal decision.  "However, I have spent the majority of my life in an all-male environment.  I have seen enough to know the signs."</div> <bR> <div> "And that sort of thing bothers you."</div> <bR> <div> "A Jaffa is trained to fight and die.  It is not unknown for two men to develop a relationship with a fellow warrior in such intense situations.  I find it . . . disturbing."</div> <bR> <div> "You've never thought about . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "I have not," came the abrupt reply.  Teal'c began moving toward the showers.</div> <bR> <div> "What are you going to do about it?" Jack asked.</div> <bR> <div> "As I said, there was no proof.  I will not accuse someone of an action without having the evidence with which to bring the charge."</div> <bR> <div> "You could have misinterpreted what you saw."</div> <bR> <div> "I did not."  Teal'c stated certainly.  "If you will excuse me, I wish to prepare for Kel'no'reem."</div> <bR> <div> "Sure thing," Jack said.  "I'll see you tomorrow."</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Jack let himself into Daniel's apartment, closing it quietly behind him.  Daniel looked up from his work which surrounded him on the couch.  "Hey."</div> <bR> <div> Jack didn't say anything in reply.  He walked quietly into the apartment and came to sit next to Daniel.  "Interesting chat with Teal'c tonight."</div> <bR> <div> "Oh?" Daniel asked.  "Something happen with the training."</div> <bR> <div> "Teal'c thinks there two of the recruits, two of the men, who were a little more fond of one another than they should have been."</div> <bR> <div> "And it caused a problem?" Daniel asked.</div> <bR> <div> "He made it clear he didn't approve."</div> <bR> <div> "In specific, or in general?" Daniel asked, his apprehension growing.</div> <bR> <div> "At all."  Jack leaned back against the couch, fussing with the corner of his jacket.  "Probably a good thing I stopped at the house and changed out of the clothes you leant me."</div> <bR> <div> Nothing further was said as the night gathered around the two men.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Dawn slid through the window to fall across Daniel's bed.  In the chill light Jack tugged Daniel closer to him.  The smell of sex and passion still hung heavy in the air from the night before.  It was the first day back at work for the entire team and Jack wished he could do anything to postpone it.</div> <bR> <div> "It's our business, not theirs," came Daniel's voice.  Jack smiled and nuzzled his nose into the back of Daniel's hair.  "I don't give a damn what any of them thinks about it."</div> <bR> <div> "Go back to sleep, it's still early."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel rolled over and faced Jack.  "I refuse to be ashamed of having these feelings for you."</div> <bR> <div> "We just need to be careful."</div> <bR> <div> "Careful," Daniel grunted.  "Sam's stalking us.  Teal'c's got gaydar."</div> <bR> <div> "What?" asked Jack with a chuckle.</div> <bR> <div> "Gaydar," Daniel repeated.  "The two people in the world I counted on to accept me unconditionally have just proved I can't and you tell me to be <I>careful</I>.  You have a gift for understatement."</div> <bR> <div> Jack looked into the worried blue eyes in front of him.  "Maybe it's time I pack it in.  These last two missions. . ."</div> <div> "I don't want to decide that right now," Daniel said, shaking his head.  "It's too soon.  We don't know how it will all shake out in the end."</div> <bR> <div> "Teal'c will notice, no matter how careful we are," Jack said.  "Nothing gets past that guy."</div> <bR> <div> "Maybe he'll make an exception in his personal views for us," Daniel pondered out loud.</div> <bR> <div> "Always looking for that silver lining, aren't you?" Jack asked.  He lay back, putting his hands behind his head.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel reached out and traced the outline of the remaining bruise on his ribs.  "We never really stopped to consider the cost, did we?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack rubbed tiredly at his eyes.  He'd gotten very little sleep the night before.  Even though he was scheduled for one more week of light duty and half days he knew he'd be exhausted by the end of today.  He glanced over at the window and saw the boxes of journals sitting beneath the window.  He closed his eyes and remembered the feelings that had torn through him as he'd read Daniel's words about the pain he'd unknowingly inflicted and cringed back at the picture that had been painted of himself through Daniel's eyes.  He moved his hand to run through Daniel's already mussed hair.  "It's a price I'm more than willing to pay," he stated honestly.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel's eyes met his.  "Yeah, me too."</div> <bR> <div> Jack sat up with a grunt as the residual soreness in his side reminded him he wasn't quite at 100% yet.  "I'm gonna take a shower and head home to change."  Daniel nodded in agreement, his hand slipping down Jack's back as he left the bed.  "Oh, by the way, I wrote in your journal last night."</div> <bR> <div> "What?" Daniel asked.  He looked over at the book on the bedside table.  "That supposed to be private."</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, I know," Jack said.  "So sue me."</div> <bR> <div> After Jack had started the shower, Daniel reached over and clicked on the bedside light.  He put his glasses on quickly and grabbed his journal, turning to the page where the pen was used as a place holder.  The picture drawn there warmed and centered him like few things rarely had in his life.  A cartoon heart, battered and torn nearly in half.  Sutures ran up the middle, each stitch in the shape of letters that spelled out two words - Daniel Jackson.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel was out of bed and through the bathroom door in an instant.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> - finis -</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto:claforce@plotexpo.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:claforce@plotexpo.com"><U>Give the author's ego a marshmallow . . . please feed the bear.</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id3_sg1_slash.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stargate SG1 Slash Fiction"><U>Back to Fic List</U></A>     <A HREF="id2_directory.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Directory Listing"><U>Back to Directory</U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=45 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="00f64643.jpg"> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="161" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 45 ><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="39" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="29"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Plotexpo.com"><U><B><IMG SRC="0181d270.jpg" border=0 width="29" height="39" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="15"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="45" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="15" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Journal Entries Part 4"><U><B><IMG SRC="017271d0.jpg" border=0 width="39" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Slow Ride"><U><B><IMG SRC="016271d0.jpg" border=0 width="39" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>