Written in the Stars

<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>Written in the Stars</B></div> <div>  <A NAME="written_in_the_stars"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>Sam Carter laughed as she watched Janet Fraiser lay out the crab puffs and stuffed mushrooms on the platter.  "He did not."</div> <bR> <div> "He did, I swear.  Got the whole lot of them for the night.  One riiiiight after the other."</div> <bR> <div> "I can't believe he'd do that.  I mean, not in his own house!"  Sam stole a mushroom and scampered away as Janet swatted at her ineffectually.</div> <bR> <div> "Colonel O'Neill is letting you use his house, he's arranged the entertainment, he's allowing us to throw you the biggest bachelorette party to be seen in this state for at least a century - and you can't believe he'd hire male strippers for you?"</div> <bR> <div> Sam laughed again.  "You know, if I had gone into the service, none of this would be happening right now.  I wouldn't be in the program, I wouldn't have met Pete . . . none of it.  Jack's been such a good friend."</div> <bR> <div> "And the ultimate sacrifice, young lady," came Jack's booming voice from the hallway, "is that I'm allowing you and your reprobate friends to use my house and yard for your shenanigans.  I better not hear about a visit from the police this weekend."</div> <bR> <div> Jack strolled into the kitchen and looked at the preparations.  Janet handed him a small plate of treats and a cold beer.  "You let me know if those are alright," she beamed.</div> <bR> <div> "Doc, with the way you cook, this could be filled with dog food and it would still be wonderful."  Jack popped a golden crab puff into his mouth and chewed happily.  "Carter," he said with his mouth full, "you're not going to destroy my house this weekend, right?"</div> <bR> <div> "Wouldn't dream of it, Jack," she smiled wickedly.  "Just how attached to that mattress are you, anyway?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack shook his finger at her and sauntered into the living room, which was bedecked in bunting and streamers.  Eyes traveling over the decorations, he sat down on the couch and continued to eat his snack.  "You know, I've never heard of a two and a half day bachelorette party."</div> <bR> <div> "The party should only last for today - the rest of the weekend we'll just all be throwing up and trying to remember who we are," Janet shouted down from the kitchen.</div> <bR> <div> "That makes me feel <I>so</I> much better," Jack mumbled.</div> <bR> <div> "So where did you end up getting a room?" Sam asked casually.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm not telling," Jack said, putting his feet up on the coffee table and slouching back into the cushions of the couch.  "I'll have fifty drunk, hormone-crazed women after me. . . wait a minute . . ."</div> <bR> <div> Sam laughed and grabbed her keys.  "Okay, I'm gonna go pick up the liquor and then I'll be right back.  Janet, you need anything from the store?"</div> <bR> <div> "I'm all set," came the perky voice from the kitchen.</div> <bR> <div> "Jack?"</div> <bR> <div> "Nope, I'm good.  Just waiting for the festivities to start."</div> <bR> <div> Sam stopped and looked down at the man.  "You know you don't have to stay here with us.  I think we'll have the guys out numbered."</div> <bR> <div> "Humor an old man," Jack said.  "How often do I get to be in the same room with fifty sexually aroused women?"</div> <bR> <div> "Every damn day at work," Sam mumbled as she walked out.  "Be back in a bit."</div> <bR> <div> Jack chuckled and relaxed into the couch.  He was still feeling a little hungry.  "Hey, Janet?  Need anything else sampled?"</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> A large oak cabinet in the corner of Jack's home office was covered in papers and stacks of personal business paraphernalia.  Beneath one of those stacks was a high gloss, color brochure outlining the group of men scheduled to appear at the party.  Jack picked up the slick sheet and opened it.  His eyes traveled over the image of one man in particular.  Large blue letters declared his name to be "Daniel."</div> <div> <IMG SRC="18071710.jpg" border=0 width="113" height="113" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> It had been nearly twenty five years since he'd felt this type of stirring in his gut.  Sara had been in his life, then Charlie . . . and encompassing all of it had been the military.  There were many things that could be said of Jack O'Neill; he was irreverent to the point of insubordination; he was sarcastic; he was impatient; he was impudent at times; but it could never be said that his lack of self-control ever got the best of him.  He hadn't survived four months in an Iraqi prison by letting a situation overwhelm him.  He hadn't risen to the rank of Colonel by not knowing how to shut off his baser desires.  And he sure as hell wasn't second in command of the Stargate program due to dumb luck.  But if he could have a wish - he would wish for this man depicted in the brochure.</div> <bR> <div> He wasn't sure how long he was standing in the small room, lost in his thoughts, but the doorbell and the sound of boisterous voices brought him out of his reverie.  A place in a file in the back of the desk drawer was found for the ad before Jack went to let in his 'guests.'  They greeted him with calls of 'hey, dude!' and 'nice place' as they were shown to the guest bedroom.  Jack shook his head; he couldn't remember ever being that young.  Just as he was getting ready to close the door after the group of dancers when a foot slid into the door jam and an "oomph" sounded.  Jack yanked the door open to see the 'Daniel' from the ad standing there with his arms full of sound equipment and his glasses slightly skewed.</div> <div> "Damn, sorry about that," Jack said, taking a few of the pieces from the precariously balanced stack.</div> <bR> <div> "No problem," came the muffled voice.  "Where are the ladies going to be sitting this evening?"</div> <bR> <div> "Down here," Jack said, leading the man into the living room.  They piled the equipment next to the fireplace.  "The rest of the guys are in the back room."</div> <bR> <div> "Thank you," came the quiet reply as the man slipped away as if trying to be as invisible as possible.  "I'll go make sure everything's okay."</div> <bR> <div> Jack felt as though someone had just tipped him off balance and he was reeling, trying to right himself.  He rubbed his forehead firmly.  "Get a grip, O'Neill."</div> <bR> <div> The rest of the afternoon was a bustle of activity.  People were in and out of the house, requests for extension cords, water, paper towels and other items were made.  Jack did his best to comply.  When, at last, the women began arriving, the frenetic energy of the residence began to escalate exponentially.  Drinks were poured, music was started, and soon Jack wondered if his house would ever recover from the Bacchanalia currently taking over.</div> <bR> <div> A throbbing electronic beat began to emanate from the speakers and the lights in the room were suddenly turned off.  The woman, over fifty in all, whooped and yelled as the colored lights and strobe effects began in earnest.  Jack had wondered what all the additional equipment had been for - now he knew.</div> <bR> <div> A smooth, purring voice spoke to the gathered group.  "Ladies, are you ready to let your fantasies run free tonight?"</div> <bR> <div> The resulting cheer nearly deafened Jack and he wondered if perhaps this had been such a good idea.  He moved closer to the hall window so he could make sure the police didn't pay the party an untimely visit.</div> <bR> <div> "Let me introduce you to the Latin lover all women want - and very few ever have.  Please welcome . . . Antonio."</div> <bR> <div> The music turned to full volume and a man wearing a bullfighter's outfit flashed passed Jack and into the maelstrom that was the bachelorette party.  Jack looked to his right and saw Daniel standing, microphone in one hand and remote control pad in the other.  They exchanged a brief look.</div> <bR> <div> "Sam is the one in the pink shirt sitting in the chair by the fireplace, right?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack hid the start he felt at having someone so unexpectedly close to him.  He turned to see Daniel watching the proceedings carefully.  "Yeah," he said.  He was met with the most brilliant blue eyes he'd ever seen.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel flashed a thumbs up signal to the dancer currently performing.  "Thanks.  We hate getting the wrong one."</div> <bR> <div> "Nice set up you've got."</div> <bR> <div> "We aim to please," Daniel smiled and ducked back down the hallway.</div> <bR> <div> Jack watched as one dancer after another teased and tormented their audience.  Each man stripped down to nearly nothing, bringing great squeals of delight from the assembly.  After the fourth dancer finished, Jack heard a different voice come over the mic.</div> <bR> <div> "You've had a great time tonight, ladies, but the fun's not over yet."  Smokey blues and the sad wail of a saxophone set an entirely new mood.  "Angel's face and a devil's heart . . . meet . . . Daniel."</div> <bR> <div> Jack stared as Daniel strolled out into the crowd from the kitchen, wearing white jeans so tight they had to be painted on, a large, white cotton shirt . . . and no shoes or socks.  Mouth dry and eyes riveted on the man before him, Jack let himself be swept away in one erotic fantasy after another . . . as the burning ache in his soul increased with each song.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Jack watched as the dancer ground out his moves to Greg Allman's "Tied to the Whipping Post" with Sam Carter in his arms.  The last half hour had seen the room full of women go from incredibly enthusiastic to mesmerized as they watched Daniel strip down to nothing but a white g-string and perform for them.  His left fist was filled with bills of varying denominations and his right hand held Sam pinned against him as he dragged his tongue from her collar bone to her ear before blowing softly against the wet flesh.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh gaaaaaaaaawwwwwd," she groaned, her head thrown back and her eyes shut.</div> <bR> <div> <I>. . . oh lord I feel like I'm dyin . . .</I></div> <bR> <div> With graceful and slow deliberateness, the man dipped Sam deeply before planting a long kiss on her that left her breathing hard and slightly cross eyed.  He set her back on her feet and helped her into the chair.</div> <bR> <div> "Thank you, ladies," he said in his soft voice, "it's been a pleasure."  With that, he turned and walked slowly to the doorway and back toward the guest bedroom that he and his associates had used as a dressing room.</div> <bR> <div> Jack shook his head at the pleas for more that followed the man.  Jack removed an envelope from his jacket pocket and walked back toward the bedroom.  The end of the evening's 'live' entertainment signaled that it was also his turn to leave.</div> <bR> <div> After a brief knock on the bedroom door, Jack walked into the room just at the moment the dancer yanked off his g-string and grabbed a towel from his duffle bag.  His throat went dry and he fought to maintain his composure.  It had been so long and the man before him was absolutely breathtaking in his physical beauty.  "You and your friends did a good job," Jack said.</div> <bR> <div> "Thank you.  It was a nice bunch to work for.  We're not always that lucky."</div> <bR> <div> "You're . . . Daniel, right?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah.  Daniel Jackson."</div> <bR> <div> "Then this is for you I guess," Jack said, handing him the envelope.</div> <bR> <div> "Thanks.  I appreciate your business.  How do you know the bride-to-be?"</div> <bR> <div> "We work together."</div> <bR> <div> "Nice of you to let her use your house for this."</div> <bR> <div> "Her, uh . . . fiancé is moving his stuff down this weekend so her house is pretty well trashed."  Jack watched as the younger man scrubbed at his well-oiled limbs with the towel.  "You wanna take a shower?"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel looked up.  "Could I?  It got kinda warm in there and I've got another show in two hours."</div> <bR> <div> "Another one?" Jack chuckled.</div> <bR> <div> "Hey - it's good money," Daniel said as he tucked the 'tips' he'd received into the envelope Jack had given him.</div> <bR> <div> "It's . . . just . . . right through that door.  Towels are in the cupboard below the sink."</div> <bR> <div> "Great," Daniel smiled.  "Thanks.  My clean up crew will be by in the morning to get the equipment."  Completely unconcerned at his total state of undress, he walked quickly into the ensuite bathroom and turned on the water.</div> <bR> <div> Jack left the room and heard peals of laughter coming from further in the house as the game portion of the evening commenced.</div> <bR> <div> It was less than ten minutes before Daniel emerged, showered and dressed.  Jack nodded toward the back of the house and the garage entrance.  They could leave without being seen that way.  He did catch Janet's eye and signal he was going, receiving a wave in return.  With Daniel following close behind, Jack led the way to their awaiting vehicles.</div> <bR> <div> "Brave man - leaving a group like that in your house over the weekend.  Where's that leave you?"</div> <div> "I'm booked in at the Old Town," Jack said with a shrug.  "Not exactly a hardship."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel noted that Jack was walking him to his car and he smiled.  The interest Jack had displayed toward him during the evening was obvious from the moment he'd first arrived with his 'crew.'  Jack had been casting him furtive, hungry glances all night.  He didn't mind . . . not in the least.</div> <bR> <div> "It's a weekend of debauchery for the ladies then?" Daniel asked, not quite ready to let his association with this man come to an end.</div> <bR> <div> "Those who survive," Jack smiled, "will be back tomorrow to open gifts.  And then there will be <I>make overs</I>," he said, his fingers sketching quotes in the air, "and a hair design class.  Sunday afternoon is the wedding.  I'm allowed back in for that one."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel's face reflected a slight flicker of horror.  "No wonder you're leaving," he chuckled.</div> <bR> <div> "Doesn't that bother you?" Jack asked suddenly, motioning back toward the house.  "Being naked in front of all those women, having them paw over you like that?"</div> <bR> <div> "It used to, until I distanced myself from it, learned to put it in perspective."</div> <bR> <div> "There's perspective on a woman shoving a twenty dollar bill into your crotch?" Jack asked.</div> <bR> <div> "There is when you're gay," Daniel smiled.</div> <bR> <div> Jack's eyes grew wide and he swallowed visibly.  "I see."</div> <bR> <div> "Yes, I think you do."  Daniel met Jack's gaze and held it.  "I watched you watching me."</div> <bR> <div> Jack's back stiffened and he took a step away.  "I think this conversation has gone far enough," he said quietly.</div> <bR> <div> "You wouldn't be the first, you know," Daniel all but whispered, placing a hand on Jack's forearm to keep him from moving away.  "You'd be surprised how many men I've dated who work under that mountain."  He saw Jack go immediately on alert.  "Don't worry.  None of them have ever said anything about what they do and I know better than to ask."</div> <bR> <div> Jack relaxed fractionally.  "The risks are far too high to even think about . . ."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel reached forward and opened the driver's door on his Jeep Wrangler with his left hand and put his right hand on the widow just above Jack's shoulder, effectively trapping the man.  He leaned in close, knowing that Jack could smell his freshly washed hair and skin, the scent of his cologne and the personal scent he carried in his clothes.  "There are some things in life well worth the risk, Colonel O'Neill."  He dropped his hand, laying it on the inside of Jack's thigh and dragging it over the well-defined muscles beneath the thick denim as he maneuvered himself into the driver's seat.  "There's a little bar about three blocks from the Old Town.  They serve a great Long Island iced tea."</div> <bR> <div> "You don't understand my position," Jack said apologetically.</div> <bR> <div> "Yes, I do.  I understand discretion and I understand the regulations in the military.  I also understand that I very much like what I see - and so do you."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel started the Jeep and Jack pushed himself away with a heavy sigh.  "You do this often?"</div> <bR> <div> "What, proposition the customers?" Daniel smiled, leaning his arm out the window into the cool night air.  "Never, actually," Daniel said, raising his eyes to lock onto Jack's.  "I don't do casual and I certainly don't date my clientele."</div> <bR> <div> "So what does that make me?"</div> <bR> <div> "Worth the risk," Daniel smiled.  He leaned back in the seat and pulled slowly away from the curb.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Jack sat at the bar, nursing his beer and thinking over the events of the evening.  He'd checked into the Old Town then gone for some dinner at a small café he knew.  And now he was here, having a beer before heading back.  His thoughts tumbled through his head, each one containing  brilliant blue eyes illuminated by moonlight.  <I>God, it's been so long</I>.</div> <bR> <div> "Jack, can I get you another one of those?" asked the female bartender as she quickly wiped down the polished wood of the counter, cleaning up from the noisome group that had just left.</div> <bR> <div> With a quick nod, Jack finished off what was left in his glass before pushing it aside to make room for the new one.</div> <bR> <div> "And I'll have a Long Island iced tea," came a voice just off Jack's left shoulder.  "He's buying."</div> <bR> <div> "Hey Daniel, how are you tonight?" the woman smiled as she set Jack's beer in front of him.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm tired, Lisa.  Very, very tired.  How are you?  How's the new baby?"</div> <bR> <div> "Wonderful," she grinned.  "Chuck's at home with her and he's loving every second of it."  She turned her smiling face back to Jack.  "Would you like me to start a tab?"</div> <bR> <div> "No, I got it," Jack said and tossed a twenty on the counter.  He looked up at Daniel.  "I'm buying?"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel merely grinned and sat down on the stool next to Jack.  "Watch her make this - she floats the liquors in the most amazing patterns."</div> <bR> <div> "Only for you, Daniel," laughed Lisa.  "Everyone else just gets them mixed."</div> <bR> <div> The men watched her concoct her potion before setting it before Daniel with a flourish.  "That just . . . amazes me," Daniel grinned.  "Thanks, ma'am.  Perfect as always."</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah yeah, you say that to all the bartenders."  She winked, picked up the twenty and moved off to serve her next customer.</div> <bR> <div> Jack watched her count out change and shook his head at her when she looked in his direction.  She gave him another pretty smile and put the change in her tip jar.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm glad to see you here," Daniel said as he stirred his drink slowly, watching as the colors mixed in the glass.</div> <bR> <div> "I don't even know what I'm doing here," Jack said honestly.  "This is completely insane."</div> <bR> <div> "You want to go somewhere and talk about it?" asked Daniel.</div> <bR> <div> Jack made to say something, then stopped, instead taking a long pull on his beer.  "How did your other 'appointment' go?"</div> <bR> <div> "It uh . . . it went," Daniel said vaguely.</div> <bR> <div> They sat in silence for long minutes, watching the televisions above the bar and finishing their drinks.  After a while, Jack put his hands lightly on the counter, his fingertips barely touching the surface.  "You have to understand . . . the last time, I was eighteen . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "It's okay," Daniel said softly.</div> <bR> <div> "I was a kid, I didn't know what . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Jack," Daniel interrupted, "it's all right.  I understand."  He looked into the eyes before him, dark and coffee rich.  "You're safe with me.  You really are."  He threw an extra ten on the bar and stood up, shrugging into the leather jacket he'd carried in.</div> <bR> <div> Jack watched as the top of the linen shirt opened to reveal the golden, hairless skin below.  He cast his eyes up to meet Daniel's.  "This is nuts."</div> <bR> <div> "I know," Daniel said.  "But it's okay.  You're with me, so it will be fine."</div> <bR> <div> Jack stood and watched Daniel turn slowly and walk toward the door, the leather jacket coming just to the top of his hips.  He swallowed roughly and followed the man out the door into the cold night air.</div> <bR> <div> The two men turned as one and started down the street.  They walked in tandem, step for step as though they'd always walked side by side.  Daniel put his hands in his coat pockets and looked around at the night.  "Indian summer's just about over.  Too bad, too.  It's been really nice for the past few weeks."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm looking forward to winter, actually," Jack said.  He shrugged when Daniel looked at him.  "I'm a skier."</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah?  So am I.  Didn't have much chance last year.  My appendix ruptured and I kinda fell behind.  Had to work extra to make up for it."  He sniffed a little bit in the cold.  "Maybe you and I could . . . you know . . . go, sometime?  Hit the slopes?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, maybe," Jack nodded.  "Could be fun."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to push that.  You may not even like me once you get to know me," Daniel laughed self-consciously.</div> <bR> <div> "How did you end up . . . uh . . . dancing?  Is that the term?"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel's smile lit up the night and he nodded.  "I'd just finished my masters . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Masters?"</div> <bR> <div> "Linguistics, anthropology and archeology," Daniel shrugged.  "Anyway, I was on a dig and I got - stranded.  Up in New York.  I'd flown back from my last trip to Egypt - everything had been fine, not a single problem.  I hit U.S. soil and it all went to hell.  I got mugged.  Stole my wallet, stole my identification, all the artifacts I had brought back with me . . . everything was gone.  Anyway, I was staying with a friend and I had pretty much worn out my welcome by that time - and I had to make some money quick because the bastards that rolled me - they wiped me out.  Figured out my accounts - took everything I had in savings.  Cops were no help.  Anyway, I'm walking back to my friend's apartment in the Village when I see there's this contest for male strippers and the prize money is twenty-five hundred dollars.  I figured what the hell and entered."</div> <bR> <div> "And won, obviously."</div> <bR> <div> "Well, no, actually," Daniel chuckled.  "But I did come in third.  I was good enough that the owner of the bar - a gay bar, mind you - asked if I'd consider dancing as a regular there.  Next thing I know, I've got enough money not only to buy a ticket out to California, but to start rebuilding my life."</div> <bR> <div> "You missed California," Jack noted.  "It's a few hundred miles thataway," he said, pointing west.</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, well . . . the bar owner wanted to expand out west and so he asked me to start a club for him up in Denver.  I mean, hell, I've commuted farther than that to jobs before, so an hour's drive is no big deal.  I couldn't exactly turn down the money he threw at me, either."</div> <bR> <div> "It doesn't sound like you were done in school though," Jack stated as they turned the last corner to the Inn.</div> <bR> <div> "I can always go back and finish that one day, I suppose," Daniel said, a far away look in his eyes.</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, cause it's easy to go back and pick up a doctorate," Jack snorted.</div> <bR> <div> "Don't judge until you've been where I've been, Jack," Daniel said softly.  "Sometimes things aren't as easy as they look."</div> <bR> <div> Jack fell silent as he guided Daniel into the inn.  Unlocking the door, Jack led Daniel into the 'Oriental Poppy Room.'  "It's not much, but it's home," Jack drawled.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel laughed and went immediately to the porch upon which a steaming hot tub waited.  He looked out into the moonlit night at the shadow of Cheyenne Mountain in the distance.  "Great room.  I've been in the African Orchid room before, but not this one."</div> <bR> <div> "Oh?" Jack asked.</div> <bR> <div> "Private party," Daniel explained.  "Never been so glad to be out of somewhere in my life as I was that one."</div> <bR> <div> "Got a little ugly did it?"</div> <bR> <div> "They made some assumptions about what it is I do for my fee," Daniel said as he turned and looked at the decor.  "This is very nice."</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, it's comfortable," Jack said as he sat in one of the two chairs by the fireplace, stretching his legs out in front of him.  "So.  Here we are."</div> <bR> <div> "Yes," Daniel echoed, sitting in the other chair.  "Here we are, then."</div> <bR> <div> "What is it you want from me, Daniel?" Jack asked, rubbing his forehead as if trying to massage away a headache.</div> <bR> <div> "I . . . I don't know that I <I>want</I> anything <I>from</I> you," Daniel answered haltingly.  "You act like this is a con of some sort."</div> <bR> <div> Jack propped his chin in his hand and leaned his elbow heavily into the arm of the chair.  He regarded Daniel appraisingly.  "Then what is it?"</div> <bR> <div> "Suspicious by nature?" Daniel asked, a little cooly.</div> <bR> <div> "It's my job," Jack nearly growled.  "Just you being here with you right now is enough to get me court martialed and thrown out of the service."</div> <bR> <div> "I know that," Daniel said calmly.  "I told you before, I've dated men in the military.  I understand the rules."</div> <bR> <div> "I don't really think you do," Jack said tiredly.</div> <bR> <div> "Deep space radar telemetry," Daniel said.</div> <bR> <div> Although Jack showed no outward sign of recognition, inside every warning bell and light was going off in a cacophony.  "What?"</div> <bR> <div> "It's okay - I don't expect you to say anything.  I just know that - whatever it is that goes on up at that mountain has the cover of deep space radar telemetry.  It means it's classified and no one can talk about it; I know I can't ask questions about what you do.  I understand the rules.  I understand what you have to lose.  I understand."</div> <bR> <div> Jack's mind began to sift slowly through all the men he knew at the mountain and who Daniel may have dated in the past.</div> <bR> <div> "You won't know him," Daniel chuckled.  "I won't tell you who he is, and by law, you can't ask.  I am, personally, one of the people who's very glad the 'don't ask don't tell' rule exists.  A lot of good men would get hurt otherwise."</div> <bR> <div> "But if someone does find out  . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "They certainly won't find out from me.  Look," Daniel said, getting comfortable in the chair, "do you know why I'm so popular?  Why I've got my Friday and Saturday nights booked solid for the next three months with parties of horny, middle-aged women?"  He raised an eyebrow at Jack.  "It's because I don't act like anything other than what I am.  A guy.  I just act like a guy.  That's what makes me successful - especially with women.  My sexual preferences are no one's business but my own.  Holding your hand in public and stealing kisses at the grocery store isn't me."</div> <bR> <div> Jack snickered at the absurd visuals that sprang to mind.  He suddenly recalled a baseball game that several of the base's command staff had decided to attend, along with their family and friends.  Major Davis, the Pentagon liaison had been there . . . with Daniel.  There'd been no outward sign that the two weren't just friends out for a night at the ballpark.  They'd laughed and joked with those around them, laughed at the antics of some of the children, then driven off in separate cars.  Jack had had no idea.</div> <bR> <div> "Someone who knows you may well see the two of us together - and <I>know</I> what's going on."</div> <bR> <div> "How?" Daniel asked.  "For all they'd know . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Paul Davis."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel's mouth closed and his face went a little pale.  "I see."</div> <bR> <div> "You're a bright guy.  You can imagine what would happen . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Then no one has to know.  We keep it secret.  Keep it between us."</div> <bR> <div> "I don't want to live like that," Jack said, standing up.  He crossed the room and stood looking outside into the night.</div> <bR> <div> "You live like that now," Daniel said.  "Everything that goes on up at that mountain is secret.  Even more so now, since nine eleven."</div> <bR> <div> Jack turned when he heard the soft rustle of material.  "What the hell are you doing?"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel pushed his pants down and kicked them off over his feet while quickly yanking his shirt up over his head.  He stood proudly, looking at Jack.  "You want this."</div> <bR> <div> "Get dressed," Jack said, his voice hoarse and thick.  "Get dressed and get out."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel shook his head and took the few steps toward Jack until he was standing practically against him.  "There's something here between us, Jack.  I felt it when I walked in your house today and it's even stronger now.  Look at what just being near you does to me.  Go on," he dared, "look."</div> <bR> <div> Jack's eyes dropped and his breath began to speed up as he watched Daniel's cock lengthen and fill before him.  "Jeeezus," he hissed.</div> <bR> <div> "I couldn't look at you tonight at the party because if I had, this would have happened.  When you walked into the bedroom to pay me, it was everything I could do to keep myself in control and not shove you up against the wall and suck you off right then and there."</div> <bR> <div> "Stop it," Jack demanded, his voice nothing but breath.</div> <bR> <div> "I told the guys I wanted to go first on the second gig because I knew, I <I>knew</I> you'd be waiting for me in that bar and I had to see you.  Can't you feel it?  This pull, this <I>need</I> between us?"  Daniel was close enough that the tip of his cock grazed over Jack's zipper.  He moaned softly at the sensation.  "You don't need to be afraid.  I won't do anything, ever, to put your reputation or your career in jeopardy.  I'm not like that."</div> <bR> <div> "I can't risk . . ."  Jack's words were cut off as Daniel softly brushed a kiss over his mouth.  "Don't," came the weak protest.</div> <bR> <div> "Don't . . . what?" Daniel asked as he flicked the tip of his tongue on the soft underside of Jack's upper lip.  "Don't . . . stop?  Don't . . . tease?  Don't . . . leave?"</div> <bR> <div> "Damn you," Jack growled, his hands coming up to frame Daniel's face, his thumbs rubbing over the full bottom lip.  "I don't want to do this."</div> <bR> <div> "Yes you do," Daniel said, licking over the warm skin of Jack's fingers.  "It's been so long for you since you've known this . . . touched another man this way."  He turned his head quickly to the side and took Jack's middle and forefinger into his mouth and sucked them slowly in and out between his lips.  "Let me remind you what it's like - how good it can be."  Taking Jack's wrist, he pulled away one of his hands and brought it down until his balls were resting in the upturned palm.  He smiled as Jack closed his eyes and groaned.  Taking the other hand, he guided it down over his chest, making the trembling fingertips pass over his nipple, then down farther until it reached the warm and straining skin of his erection.  He sighed as Jack's fingers closed over his cock, stroking and feeling the rigid muscle.</div> <bR> <div> "Daniel," came Jack's last plea.  "You don't know what you're asking."</div> <bR> <div> "Yes, I do.  I'm asking you to let go," he whispered, bringing his own hands up and into the silver brown hair of the man in front of him.  He rolled his hips, pushing himself in and out of Jack's fist, watching as Jack let him masturbate himself in his hands.  "I'm asking you to trust me."</div> <bR> <div> Jack raised his eyes and Daniel moved in, laying his lips smoothly over Jack's mouth.  Jack grunted and let himself fall back against the wall, Daniel stepping with him as he went.  "Just trust me, Jack," Daniel mumbled while nibbling his way back and forth over Jack's soft, yielding mouth.  "I'll make sure nothing happens to you - make sure no one ever knows."</div> <bR> <div> "Not fair to you," Jack whispered, his hands busy squeezing and pulling at his handfuls of brazen masculinity.</div> <bR> <div> "Life's not fair," Daniel said, "but there is compensation."  Daniel shoved his tongue inside Jack's mouth, wrapped both arms around his neck and humped himself strongly against Jack for several long minutes.  "Let me strip you down . . . get you naked . . . make you wild," Daniel all but purred against Jack's neck.  "We're gonna be so good together, Jack.  So good and hot we're both gonna ache with it."</div> <bR> <div> Jack nodded slowly, and Daniel pulled away, watching as Jack's fingers lingered on his skin.  "Come over to the bed," he breathed.  Sure that Jack would do as asked, Daniel reached for his pants, smiling as he heard the intake of breath from behind him as he bent over to rummage through his pockets.  He tossed a small bottle of Astroglide and a few condoms on the bed then pressed himself up against Jack once again.  "Like what you saw?" he asked, nibbling down over Jack's jaw.</div> <bR> <div> "Quite a view you gave me," Jack breathed.</div> <bR> <div> "Want to do more than look?"  Daniel pulled back to see Jack's eyes darken in the dim light of the room.  "Want to touch?  Maybe taste a little?"</div> <bR> <div> "You should come with a health warning," Jack said, his hands stroking carefully over Daniel's hips.  "You're gonna kill me if you keep on like this."</div> <bR> <div> "Nah, it'll only feel like you're dying," Daniel smiled as he reached down to undo Jack's belt.  When Jack raised his hands to help, he gently pushed them away.  "No - this is my treat.  I get to unwrap this."  With sure fingers, he released each of the buttons on the faded 501's before running the flat of his palm inside to massage Jack's already straining dick through the tight, black briefs he was wearing.  "Can you come more than once in a night?" Daniel asked, as he began unbuttoning the Jack's shirt with his free hand.</div> <bR> <div> Jack shook his head.  "Once is pretty much all you get from me," Jack whispered, "and if you don't quit that, we're gonna get there all too soon."</div> <bR> <div> "There are ways to draw it out," Daniel said as he leaned in to lap at the prominent collar bones, "make it last."</div> <bR> <div> "Daniel," Jack grunted and pushed into the maddening hand inside his pants.</div> <bR> <div> With quick, efficient movements, Daniel had Jack's shirt off and pants down in seconds.  He turned him and sat him comfortably on the bed, kneeling down in front of him to remove the shoes and socks before shoving the jeans all the way off the long, furred legs.  "Move up onto the bed," he urged and Jack scooted backward slowly.  When Jack had settled down, Daniel crawled on his hands and knees up the bed until he was straddling Jack's hips, lightly brushing the head of his cock over the treasure trail of hair leading to his prize.  "You are one magnificent looking man, Jack O'Neill," Daniel breathed, leaning down leave small, licking kisses on Jack's face.</div> <bR> <div> "You obviously need glasses," Jack said self consciously.</div> <bR> <div> "Got my contacts in," Daniel smiled.  "I can see perfectly fine."  He pushed back with his arms, sitting down over Jack's groin, and began licking along his chest, back and forth between the dark, hard nipples.  "You smell amazing."</div> <bR> <div> "You're killing me here," Jack laughed, his voice a little strained.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel lifted his hips a bit so the friction between them wasn't so strong and smiled down into the anxious face of his new lover.  "You want to do a little exploring of your own?  Use your tongue on me, get your fingers inside me, see how I feel?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack could hear his heart racing, feel the sweat breaking out over his body as this man he barely knew delved easily into every private fantasy he'd held since he was a teen.  Not able to find his voice, he nodded.</div> <bR> <div> "You can get as raunchy, as nasty, and as rough as you want," Daniel growled as he climbed over Jack and lay beside him.  "I'll stop you if it gets to be too much."</div> <bR> <div> "I don't want to get rough with you," Jack finally managed to breathe as he rolled over on top of the man.</div> <bR> <div> "I just want you to know you don't have to hold back, okay?  Anything you want, I want.  And I mean absolutely anything."</div> <bR> <div> Jack nodded and let his eyes drift down the long, lean body beneath him.  He smiled when he saw Daniel's cock every bit as hard and leaking as his.  He wrapped his hand around the shaft again and squeezed, loving the low moan that worked its way from Daniel's throat.  He gave a few slow, leisurely pumps, watching the foreskin slide back and forth over the crown, then ran his index finger over the slit, gathering up the moisture there.  "Never touched an uncut dick before," Jack whispered, bringing his finger to Daniel's mouth and smearing the pre-come slowly over his bottom lip.  He then leaned forward and licked it off before sliding his tongue into the hot, wet cavern.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel arched against him, trying to take as much of Jack in as he could, loving the taste of him, of his own cock on his lips, and the feeling of the strong body pushing against him so urgently.  He broke away and spread his legs.  "Come on and play, Jack."</div> <bR> <div> Jack didn't need asking twice.  He grabbed Daniel's thighs and spread them wide then dove between them, his mouth going immediately to the warm flesh of Daniel's balls.  He buried his face in Daniel's skin, breathing in the thick, rich scent of the man before running his tongue slowly over the sensitive orbs covered in velvet soft skin.  He heard a plea for more and continued on, sucking and laving until Daniel's hips were moving in slow circles as the waves of pleasure tracked through his body.</div> <bR> <div> Moving lower, Jack sucked gently at the silken skin of Daniel's perineum which caused a wonderful full-body shudder that translated itself straight into his own dick.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel pulled his hands from Jack's hair and placed them on his own buttocks, spreading them wide in invitation.  Jack hesitantly licked a slow line over the twitching opening.  The sharp, musky flavor exploded on his tongue and he dived in like a man possessed, pushing his tongue as far into the small opening as he possibly could.</div> <bR> <div> Bucking his hips up into the sensation, Daniel worked himself back and forth over Jack's mouth, all the time uttering demands for more.</div> <bR> <div> Jack pulled back, looking down at the tight hole.  "Open up," he ordered.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel groaned and concentrated, letting the muscle relax and open.  Jack shoved his tongue quickly in and out and Daniel's tremors increased.  "That's right, tongue fuck my ass, Jack.  Christ, that feels so good.  Lick me . . . lick my ass.  Put your fingers up inside me and feel how soft and hot it is."</div> <bR> <div> Jack put two fingers in his mouth, wetting them, then slid them slowly and carefully inside the tight passage.  Daniel let out a huff of breath and bore down, impaling himself.  "Easy," Jack soothed, his other hand coming up to rub soft circles on Daniel's stomach.  He felt raised lines beneath his hand and looked up suddenly.  In the dim light he hadn't noticed but from this angle he could see the raised welts over Daniel's abdomen.  "Daniel?"</div> <bR> <div> "Just some scratches," Daniel panted, working his hips against Jack's hand.  "One of the ladies at the second party got a little over zealous."</div> <bR> <div> "What the hell did she do?" Jack asked, a wave of possessive jealousy washing over him suddenly.</div> <bR> <div> "Rings, fingernails . . . I dunno . . . god, please don't stop right now.  Please."</div> <bR> <div> Jack leaned up and kissed the red scratches, his fingers stroking and petting inside the younger man.  "No one should ever hurt you," he whispered.  "Never hurt you."</div> <bR> <div> "I know Jack, I know you won't," Daniel soothed.  "Turn your palm up, push up with your fingers," Daniel begged.</div> <bR> <div> Jack did as he was asked, his long fingers suddenly tracing over a round lump along the upper wall.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh!  Fuck!" Daniel hissed and arched into the touch.  "Right there, baby.  Right fucking there."</div> <bR> <div> Jack had gone through enough exams to know what it was he was toying with at that moment and he stroked back and forth slowly over the gland, pushing gently, rhythmically until Daniel was writhing on the bed.  Leaning down, he carefully took the head of Daniel's cock in his mouth and began to suck, tasting the salty-bitter flavor of the oozing fluid while swirling his tongue slowly around the ridge.  He let his tongue brush over the underside of the head in time with the fingers that were buried in Daniel's ass.</div> <bR> <div> "You gotta fuck me," Daniel begged.  "I can't take this anymore.  You gotta fuck me and make me come.  God, Jack, please . . . please fuck me."</div> <bR> <div> Jack reluctantly released Daniel's cock and sat up, reaching for the lube and condom.  Daniel grabbed the lube out of his hands, poured some onto his shaking fingers and slicked himself up quickly, teasing Jack a little in the process.  "Like watching me do that to myself?" he asked, his slick fingers sliding in and out of his ass slowly.</div> <bR> <div> Jack nodded and held out his hand for Daniel to dribble a few drops on his fingers.  "You can do that for me any time you like," Jack panted.  He rubbed the lube on the head of his cock then rolled the condom on quickly before reaching out again.  This time Daniel coated Jack's fingers before laying back.</div> <bR> <div> Jack pressed himself up against Daniel's hole and yelped as Daniel relaxed the muscles once again and allowed him to slide in part way.  He waited until he saw a nod from the other man, then pushed himself slowly all the way in.  Daniel reached down and grabbed the base of his cock, squeezing firmly.  "Fuckfuckfuckfuck . . . not yet, oh god not yet," he panted.</div> <bR> <div> Jack felt the muscles ripple around him and groaned, his hips moving in response.  "Jesus, Daniel . . . give a guy a break," he whimpered.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel laughed.  "Always wondered if I could do that.  Stop the ejaculation but have the feeling of orgasm."  He thumped his head back on the bed.  "Holy crap."  He laughed again.</div> <bR> <div> "You just came?" Jack asked, amazed.</div> <bR> <div> "As long as you don't shoot, you can have pretty close to a full orgasm but without getting soft.  First time I've actually been able to do it."</div> <bR> <div> "Jerk off a lot, do ya?" Jack growled.  Their talking had eased him back from the edge of his own impending orgasm and he felt a little more in control.</div> <bR> <div> "All the time," Daniel smiled.  "At home I usually have my dick in one hand and the phone in the other."</div> <bR> <div> Jack laughed and rolled his hips into Daniel.  They both sighed at the feeling.  "I don't want you to hold it back this time, 'k?" Jack asked.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel nodded.  "Take my ass, Jack, c'mon."  Daniel gave Jack's flank a firm swat and then lay back, holding his legs up and out.  "Nail me right through this mattress."</div> <bR> <div> And Jack did his best to oblige, urged on my Daniel's nearly continuous moans and muttered cries; he was riding the knife's edge of pleasure when Daniel reached down and began stroking himself rapidly, one hand around his cock and the other pressing and rubbing against his perineum.</div> <bR> <div> "Come on, Daniel, lemme see it," Jack barked out.</div> <bR> <div> "Jack . . . Jack, now...oh god now now now NOW."  Daniel's body heaved and arched, his come shooting up onto his chest and stomach.</div> <bR> <div> Jack felt the muscles around him spasm and clench and he eased the power of his thrusts back and watched the amazing sight before him of Daniel in full climactic meltdown.</div> <bR> <div> When Daniel let go of his dick, he looked up, his face sweaty and relaxed.  "Did you come yet?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack shook his head, his hips still rolling slowly.</div> <bR> <div> "Come here and lay down.  I'm about to make you see stars, Colonel."</div> <bR> <div> Jack pulled out of Daniel's body slowly, then lay down next to him.  Leaning over the bed, Daniel grabbed his shirt and wiped off his chest and hands before laying down between Jack's legs and gently removing the condom from the red-purple cock before him.  "Hand me the lube," he breathed, taking a slow lick over the full balls tucked firmly at the base of Jack's shaft.</div> <bR> <div> Jack fumbled with the small bottle but managed to get it to Daniel without spilling it.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel poured some lube onto his index finger and rubbed it quickly over Jack's pucker before beginning to push inside.  While doing this, he casually swallowed half the achingly hard cock into his mouth.  Jack's hips jerked up off the bed and Daniel went with him easily.  If they were just starting the activities for the night, he would have held him down, but right now Jack needed release and Daniel wanted him to feel free to move.  Climbing to his knees, Daniel worked Jack inside and out, finding the firm protuberance of Jack's prostate and stroking it.</div> <bR> <div> Jack tried to warn Daniel that he'd reached the end, but his world exploded in a flash of white as his body spasmed in release.  When he regained his senses, Daniel was gently kissing his balls, laving them with small, tender licks.</div> <bR> <div> "There you are," Daniel smiled.</div> <bR> <div> "What the hell did you <I>do</I> to me," Jack moaned, his entire body feeling like it weighed a thousand pounds.</div> <bR> <div> "About the same thing you did to me," Daniel said as he licked his way back up Jack's sweaty body.  "And look at us . . . not even a drop of come on the bedspread.  Not bad for a first time out, eh?"  He snickered against Jack's neck.</div> <bR> <div> "Is it always like that?" Jack asked, still trying to catch his breath.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel shook his head.  "No.  Usually it's much, much better.  We were just impatient this time."</div> <bR> <div> It took a minute for Daniel's words to penetrate the fog currently floating through his brain, but when they did, Jack snorted with laughter and pulled Daniel in for a long, wet kiss.  "You swallowed?"</div> <bR> <div> "Every bit," Daniel said with a huge grin.  "I can go brush my teeth if it bothers you."</div> <bR> <div> "Nope," Jack said, as he rolled Daniel over and arranged him to his satisfaction so they could spend the next several minutes kissing and nuzzling against one another.</div> <bR> <div> "Mmmm," Daniel murmured, "cuddly."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm a highly decorated, highly trained, highly dangerous, U.S. Air Force Colonel - I am not <I>cuddly</I>," Jack objected as he nibbled the soft skin just below Daniel's ear.</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah," came the retort, "whatever ever you say . . . Colonel Cuddles."</div> <bR> <div> "Oh do not," Jack said, lifting his head to look down into the laughing blue eyes.</div> <bR> <div> "Gonna call you CC for short," Daniel snickered as he worked his way out of Jack's grasp.</div> <bR> <div> "You do realize I know a hundred ways to kill you with a spoon and a piece of belly button lint, don't you?"</div> <bR> <div> "And I know one way to kill you with my tongue," Daniel threw back with a wink as he disappeared into the bathroom.</div> <bR> <div> Jack rolled over onto his back and threw his arms over his face.  "I am in <I>such</I> deep shit."</div> <bR> <div> A few minutes later, Daniel walked back out of the bathroom, his skin still slightly damp from the shower he'd taken.  "Do you think I could borrow a clean shirt?  My seems to be a little . . . messy."</div> <bR> <div> Jack unfolded his arms and looked quizzically at the man standing at the foot of the bed.  "You want a shirt to wear to bed?"</div> <bR> <div> "Oh, uh . . . no, I was gonna leave, actually.  I didn't think you'd want me . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Staying?" Jack asked.  For the first time those confident blue eyes held more than a little self-doubt.  "Get in bed, Daniel.  You're not going anywhere."</div> <bR> <div> "I didn't want to . . . you know . . . push."</div> <bR> <div> Jack looked at him in amazement.  "Little late to be worried about that, I think," he said, his voice holding the warmth he wasn't sure his eyes were conveying.  "We've got a lot to talk about tomorrow, a lot of things we need to consider.  But one thing I do know is that I don't want you leaving tonight, so please, come to bed."  He pushed the covers away from one side of the large queen-sized mattress and waited for Daniel to make a move.  "Please."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel slid gracefully under the sheets and as close to Jack as he could get.  "Thank you," he whispered against the warm skin of Jack's shoulder.  "I didn't want to leave."</div> <bR> <div> "We've opened up a big ol' can of worms here, Daniel.  I'm not even gonna try and kid you about that."</div> <bR> <div> "I know," Daniel yawned as he settled down once Jack had turned off the bed-side light.  "But I would like to make a go of this.  I think we could have something amazing."</div> <bR> <div> "Sleep," Jack said into Daniel's hair as he spooned up behind him.  "We'll talk it all through tomorrow."</div> <bR> <div> "'Night, Jack."</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <div> Daniel's eyes peeped open into the breaking light of dawn.  The room was still dark, but the sun was beginning to brighten things and show colors against the shadows of the night.  Just at that moment, Jack walked out of the bathroom, glorious in his nakedness.  His soft cock hung heavy and straight between his legs, the tanned skin moving like liquid velvet over the muscles and sinews of the whipcord strong body.  Daniel felt a spear of desire shoot through his guts and he rolled over, his eyes sweeping over Jack.</div> <bR> <div> "Good morning," he said softly.</div> <bR> <div> Jack turned, surprised to find him awake.  "Hey.  Did I wake you?  Just wanted to grab a quick shower this morning."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel shook his head and threw back the covers.  His erection lay thick against his thigh.  "You're gonna need another one soon," he said as he eased from the bed and pinned Jack to the wall.  "Looks like it's time for breakfast."</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Daniel scooped the last of his yoghurt parfait out of the glass and licked the spoon.  He and Jack had ordered room service, deciding to stay in and talk instead of going out to a restaurant.  Currently Jack was tidying up after their most recent round of sex and Daniel was trying to curb his ravenous hunger with a small, mid-morning snack.  He set the glass on the table and looked up at the blue sky above them.  The weather was ready to turn fully toward fall, but right now the sun was warm on his face and the dark blue Air Force sweats Jack had loaned him to wear.</div> <bR> <div> "Okay, no attacking me for at least a few hours," Jack said as he sat down in a chair beside Daniel.  "I think my dick's about to fall off from too much use."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel smiled broadly and quirked his eyebrows.  "I make no guarantees."</div> <bR> <div> "You're a damned horn dog," Jack mumbled, not unappreciatively.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel put his feet in Jack's lap and looked at him defiantly.  "I'm a high maintenance little bitch who likes his men hot, horny and ready to go."</div> <bR> <div> Jack shook his head and wonder.  "And people actually think you're straight?"</div> <bR> <div> "Constantly," Daniel said, wiggling his feet.  Jack obediently began massaging the high arches.  "I only give in to my inner bitch on rare moments when no one but my significant other is watching."</div> <bR> <div> Jack pinched a toe, producing a satisfactory yelp before going back to the massage.  "Is that what I am to you already?  Your significant other?"</div> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry," Daniel said, "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."  He tried to pull his feet away but Jack refused to turn loose of them.  "I just know what I feel . . . even though it seems far too soon to make such a grand statement."</div> <bR> <div> "You could destroy me with one phone call," Jack said.  "That's all it'd take."</div> <bR> <div> "I'd never do that," Daniel promised.  "You have to believe me.  I'd never, ever do that."</div> <bR> <div> "The last time I moved this fast, let myself get involved this quickly, you know what I got?"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel shook his head.</div> <bR> <div> "Married."  Jack let out a long, aggravated breath.  "And then I lost my son to a stupid, stupid accident . . . and then Sara, she left . . ."  He shook his head ruefully.  "Moving rapidly has never served me very well."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm not in this to hurt you.  Not in any way.  I don't do that to people.  I've had enough pain in my own life - I don't want to cause it in anyone else.  Especially you."</div> <bR> <div> "Tell me about Davis," Jack said suddenly.  "Tell me what he was to you."</div> <bR> <div> "I don't think that's any of your . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "He knows you, dammit.  If he sees me with you . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "He'll make assumptions," Daniel finished.</div> <bR> <div> "Based on what he knows," Jack continued.  "How much does he know?"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel looked down at his hands.  "Pretty much everything there is," he confessed.</div> <bR> <div> "Were you together long?"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel shrugged.  "Knew each other for about a year, I guess we were together for around nine months of that - you know - long distance type of thing.  I'd fly there, he'd fly here."</div> <bR> <div> "What happened?"</div> <bR> <div> "We went out for dinner one night, just to this steak house.  Someone there recognized me and came over to say hello.  One of my clients from a party a few weeks before; she was married to one of the Captains who works up at Norad.  Paul was up putting our coats away and couldn't come back to the table.  It kind of hit him all at once that night I think.  The next day was the baseball game, and that night we broke up."</div> <bR> <div> "Did anyone ever say anything to him?" Jack asked, his hands traveling up inside Daniel's sweat pants to caress the strong calves.</div> <bR> <div> "If they did he never told me."</div> <bR> <div> "Did you love him?"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel looked up, anger flashing in his eyes.  "I told you before, I don't do casual."</div> <bR> <div> "I know that.  What I asked was if you loved him."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel was quiet for several minutes.  "In a way, I suppose so.  He was kind, generous, cultured.  Incredibly intelligent.  But his first love was, and will always be, the Air Force.  I think I knew that and wouldn't let myself go that extra step."</div> <bR> <div> "Are you expecting me to leave the service for you?"</div> <bR> <div> "No."  Shaking his head, he looked up at Jack.  "I don't want you to do that and I wouldn't ask you to.  I just want to be with you when you don't have to be the Colonel."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm him much more than I'm not," Jack said gently.  "I can't promise nights home, or nights out - or days for that matter."</div> <bR> <div> "I understand," Daniel nodded.  "But it's worth the trouble, isn't it?  Isn't this - thing - we've discovered between the two of us at least worth exploring?"</div> <bR> <div> The nod of Jack's head was small but to Daniel it was one of the most important moments of his life.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Fall turned cold and eventually the snow began to fall.  Daniel was driving home late one night from one of his engagements when his cell phone rang.  Reaching over to the seat beside him he flipped it open to see Jack's number on the caller ID.  "Hey."</div> <bR> <div> "Hey.  You driving in this shit?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah.  Just got done with a gig.  What are you doing up at this hour?"</div> <bR> <div> "Missing you.  I've got a few days off.  You wanna swing by?"</div> <bR> <div> "You're kidding, right?"  Daniel reached down and adjusted himself quickly.  The thought of two days alone with Jack pushed every button he had.</div> <bR> <div> "Hey - that archeology thing you do.  Is there a specialty in that?"</div> <bR> <div> "Lots of them.  Why?"</div> <bR> <div> "What's yours?"</div> <bR> <div> "Egyptology."</div> <bR> <div> "You think you could look at something for me real quick when you get here?  Probably take you five minutes."</div> <bR> <div> "Sure," Daniel said, making a right turn to take him back in the direction of Jack's house.  "I'll be there in about fifteen minutes."</div> <bR> <div> "Garage will be open.  And put that thing in four wheel, would ya?  It's slicker than greased owl shit out there tonight."</div> <bR> <div> "Yes, mother," Daniel said, hitting the button to engage the four wheel drive.</div> <bR> <div> "See you in a bit."</div> <bR> <div> "Be naked," Daniel said and hung up the phone.  That always drove Jack nuts.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> The Jeep crunched through the fresh snow and into Jack's garage.  Reaching into the glove compartment, he grabbed the remote and lowered the door before getting out and trotting up into the house.  Jack ambled into the kitchen looking completely at ease in his oldest pair of sweats and ratty tee-shirt.  Daniel reached down and ran his hand over his balls.</div> <bR> <div> "Well there's a fine how-do-you-do," Jack grinned, pulling the man in for a kiss.</div> <bR> <div> "I could just drop right down on the floor and jerk off at your feet," Daniel offered, pulling Jack even closer.</div> <bR> <div> "Mmmm.... nice.... hold that thought."  He moved away.  "Come here, this is what I want you to take a look at."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel walked to the dining room table and looked at the black and white photographs scattered randomly about.  "These look like linear A, but I can't be sure - maybe something a little older," he said as he glanced over pictures of various carved panels.  "I don't recognize these glyphs at all," he said, shoving some of the single image prints out of the way.  He moved to another set of paneled photographs with wording along the bottom.  "Can I write on these?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, sure," Jack said, holding out a grease pencil to him.</div> <bR> <div> "Well it's obvious they're still using <I>Budge</I>," Daniel said as he began to cross out words and write his own below them.  "It's amazing he's still in print."</div> <bR> <div> Jack hid a smile behind his hand.  The arrogant tone in Daniel's voice was one he'd rarely ever heard coming from the man outside the bedroom.</div> <bR> <div> "God, who translated this?  They should go back to school and start their course work from scratch."  Daniel rapidly transcribed the words and as he reached the last photograph, Jack's heart nearly stopped.  In Daniel's precise lettering were the words 'star gate.'</div> <bR> <div> "Star gate, Daniel?"</div> <bR> <div> "Well, they had it translated as 'stairway to heaven' but I'm afraid the only thing that refers to is a Led Zeppelin song - not these hieroglyphs."  He looked up at Jack.  "Gonna tell me why someone who works in deep space radar telemetry has got pictures of ancient Egyptian writing all over his dining room table?"</div> <bR> <div> "You know I can't," Jack said sadly, gathering up the pictures.  "Just know you've helped tremendously."</div> <bR> <div> "You damned military men and your damned military secrets," Daniel said, pushing Jack back toward the bedroom.  "Maybe I could fuck it out of you."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm sure you could fuck something out of me," Jack answered brightly.</div> <bR> <div> "Let's just go see to that, shall we?" Daniel said, lifting Jack up over his shoulder in a perfect fireman's carry.</div> <bR> <div> "Daniel!  What the hell are you doing?"</div> <bR> <div> "I'm about to go alpha on your ass, Jack.  Deal with it."</div> <bR> <div> Jack's whoop of triumph echoed through the house.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Snow blew in lazy swirls outside Jack's bedroom window, piling up in soft mounds on the ground and window sills.  Daniel lay awake, Jack comfortably tucked in close and wrapped in his arms.  The peace that surround them was so nearly perfect that he had to fight back the wellspring of emotion that threatened to burst forth.  He watched as clouds scudded across the sky, clearing now that they had dumped their crystalline cargo on the ground beneath.  A smile touched Daniel's lips as the glittering stars that made up Orion's belt sparkled in the slowly clearing sky.</div> <bR> <div> As surely as if someone had dropped a stack of glass dishes, the peace that surrounded Daniel not ten seconds before shattered and fell.  Leaping out of bed, he didn't turn at Jack's shouted protest as he ran back down to the living room, searching for the pile of photographs Jack had put away earlier.</div> <bR> <div> "Daniel, what the fuck has gotten into you?" Jack demanded as he scuffed down the hallway.</div> <bR> <div> "The photographs, Jack.  Where did you put them?"</div> <bR> <div> "I put them away.  What the hell do you want to see them now for?"</div> <bR> <div> "Get them for me.  I know what they are."  He turned his eyes to Jack.  "I know what they are."</div> <bR> <div> Jack grunted tiredly and went to his briefcase, clicking the combination into place.  He pulled out the folder holding the pictures.</div> <bR> <div> With a rapid grab, Daniel snatched the folder out of Jack's hands and began arranging the pictures on the dining room table.  Bounding back down the stairs and to Jack's den, he found an astronomy book with all the constellations pictured, and ran back to where Jack was waiting for him.  He quickly flipped through the pages until he found the picture of Orion.  He picked up one of the photos and laid it on the page facing the illustration.</div> <bR> <div> Jack's eyes went wide in understanding.  "Sonofabitch," he breathed.</div> <bR> <div> "Here," Daniel said, "this series of symbols here," Daniel said, picking up one of the photos he'd skipped over earlier.  He lay out the pictures of the glyphs in the same order they appeared on the panel.  "Points in space.  Points depicted by the constellations."  He went to the kitchen and brought back a notebook and a pen.  He drew two squares and hooked them together so they were a three-dimensional cube.  "Six points in space."  He drew the intersecting lines.  "This isn't a language - it's a map."</div> <bR> <div> Jack sat down at the table, staring at the pictures.  "But there are seven symbols."</div> <bR> <div> "Maybe it determines a code, or a lock sequence, or the person's point of origin."  Daniel sat down and looked straight into Jack's eyes.  "This isn't from here, is it?"  He tapped the photographs.  "From Earth."</div> <bR> <div> Jack wanted to answer, started to, but stopped.</div> <bR> <div> "Look, let me show you something."  Daniel pulled on Jack's arm to get him to follow him into the small office Jack had set up at the back of the house.  Logging into the internet, Daniel went to a website for the Oriental Institute, then pulled up what appeared to be a news clipping.  "Read this."</div> <bR> <div> Jack sat reading the article on one Daniel Jackson, who had been summarily laughed out of academia for his views that the pyramids and Egyptian civilization was far older than anyone believed.  His theories were then linked, indirectly, with crackpot UFO organizations.  His fall from the scholastic world was dramatic and humiliating.  And now it appeared that his theories were about to be proved one hundred percent correct.</div> <bR> <div> "We have to go to the mountain," Jack stated quietly.</div> <bR> <div> "Jack," Daniel said, his voice holding a warning, "no.  You can't."</div> <bR> <div> "I can't keep this secret."  Jack turned pained eyes toward his lover.  "I can't just let this be."</div> <bR> <div> "There are people who know me who work up there," Daniel said firmly.  "Who know me <I>intimately</I>.  Your career, your reputation . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Means less than what is sitting out on that table right now."  Jack stood up.  "Those men would not only have to confess to knowing you, but exactly how they came to have such knowledge.  In outing me, they'd out themselves.  Give me a chance to think about this, come up with something plausible.  General Hammond's a good guy, a sensible man.  If you've got the answers to what we've been working on, he'll be willing to listen.  Do you trust me enough to let me do this?"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel nodded.  Months ago he'd asked Jack to trust him with his career; it looked like it was time for him to do the same.</div> <bR> <div> "Good.  Let's head back to bed, see if we can get a little sleep.  I'm gonna need to go in first thing tomorrow.  I'm sorry."</div> <bR> <div> "No, don't apologize.  It's fine, really.  I . . . how could I mind?"</div> <bR> <div> Taking two steps closer, Jack put his arms around Daniel's chilled body.  "We're naked and we're freezing," he snuffed into Daniel's hair.  "Come on.  Let's go to bed."</div> <bR> <div> Tight arms around his ribs indicated that Daniel wasn't ready to move yet.  "Is this it for us?  Are we over?"</div> <bR> <div> "I don't know.  I don't have any idea what this means."</div> <bR> <div> "Then I don't want to sleep.  If this turns out to be the last time I get to be with you like this . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Okay," Jack whispered soothingly, "okay.  I'm here."  He led Daniel back down to the bedroom to spend what could well be their last night in each other's arms.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> "Chevron seven is locked!" called out the voice from the control room.</div> <bR> <div> A blinding flash of what looked to be swirling water shot out from the center of the stone ring, bathing everything in a blue-white glow.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh my God," whispered Daniel as he watched the technicians rush forward and begin taking readings.</div> <bR> <div> "Colonel Makepeace, you have a go," shouted General Hammond into the microphone.</div> <div> The grim-faced Colonel turned and saluted, then led his men and the mobile cargo carrier toward the shimmering surface of the wormhole.</div> <bR> <div> "I wish I was going with them," said Sam, her voice full of awe.</div> <bR> <div> "Not me," said Daniel, "not the first time through."</div> <bR> <div> "Come on, Doc," Jack said from beside him, "where's your sense of adventure?"</div> <bR> <div> "Right here," Daniel said.  He reached out, between his body and the Colonel's, and ran his fingers quickly down the palm of Jack's hand.  "Got all the adventure I need right here."</div> <bR> <div> "Daniel, we're watching history being made," said Sam, her eyes sparkling with happiness.  "You made this happen."  She turned and gave a knowing wink to Daniel.</div> <bR> <div> "I don't know about that," Daniel said.  "Let's just say I was inspired."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm just glad Colonel O'Neill had the foresight to track you down based on your previous research, Mr. Jackson."  Hammond turned a fatherly smile on his recalcitrant second in command.  "Well done, Colonel."</div> <bR> <div> "Thank you, sir," Jack said, smug as he could be.</div> <bR> <div> "Sir, we're receiving audio signal."</div> <bR> <div> "Put it on speaker, Sergeant," Hammond said.</div> <bR> <div> "We made it in one piece, sir," came Makepeace's voice.  "Setting up perimeter.  Rothman's looking for the symbols right now.  We'll give you another update when you dial back in four hours."</div> <bR> <div> "Roger that, Colonel.  Good luck."  Hammond looked over his staff.  "Shut down the gate.  Get those readings taken, pronto."</div> <bR> <div> As Daniel watched the gate dissipate into nothingness, he felt a strange sense of <I>deja vu</I> float through him, as though he was repeating something very familiar.  He looked beside him at Jack who stood, calm and casual as always, staring out at the bustle going on in the gate room.  "Meaning of life stuff," he said quietly.</div> <bR> <div> Jack turned his eyes toward Daniel and looked at him warmly.  "You gonna be okay?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah," Daniel smiled.  "Yeah, I'm gonna be fine."</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> <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="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="He Trusts Me"><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="id98.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="I Can Live With That"><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>