Title: BEST SERVED COLD

Author: Imagine

Feedback: on list or imagine647@msn.com

Webpage: http://www.oocities.org/limagine647

Rating: NC17

Pairing: J/D

Category: Slash. ER. Angst. Drama. Hurt/Comfort

Date: 10th January 2005

Status: Complete

Season/Spoilers: Seven - Chimera

Archive: AlphaGate; Area 52; The Cartouche. Anyone else please ask.

Answer to FNF Challenge # 79 - Wanted...Daniel Jackson for the murder of Jack O'Neill

Synopsis: Daniel is hunted for Jack's murder and only his friends at the SGC doubt his guilt,

but where is he? And, considering all the blood, where is Jack's body?

Notes: Thanks to my trusty Beta, Gateroller. Always there with encouragement and ideas

when I get stuck!

Warnings: Violence, language. Despite the challenge, not a death fic.

BEST SERVED COLD

by Imagine

Sitting at the breakfast table in his Colorado Springs hotel room, Robert Kinsey couldn't help but smile as he stared at the photograph adorning his morning newspaper. Then his face widened into a grin as he read the headline over the picture of the handsome man:

WANTED: Dr. Daniel Jackson for the murder of Jack O'Neill.

He didn't know which part he found more delicious: that his nemesis was declared dead or that know-it-all smarter-than-thou Jackson was going to pay for it.

The Washington politician slowly ran his fingers over the headline, relishing that he had made this happen and it had worked out perfectly. He could not lose. There was some stupid saying about revenge being best served cold! Ludicrous, he was burning with a righteous passion. At last, God and his political ambition had showed him the way!

He sat back in his chair, making himself really comfortable in his hotel room as he gave rein to his thoughts, recalling the times his plans had been thwarted by those two men.

The very first time he met them he had managed to achieve his goal of closing the money drain that was the Stargate. He left Cheyenne Mountain feeling good, feeling vindicated and yet less than twenty four hours later they and the rest of their team had openly disobeyed orders not only from the Pentagon but from the President, going through the thing and damn if they hadn't made heroes of themselves. As a consequence he had been made to look a fool.

Time after time they demolished his carefully laid plans. He had bided his time, making alliances with groups of people who he considered were on the right path until finally he had backed a plan to try and get rid of Hammond, the USAF general who allowed O’Neill and Jackson to do whatever they liked. It had been going well, the man had resigned and a new general was in place, a man who was much more pliable -- until again, O'Neill interfered and forced him to reinstate Hammond. His capitulation had cost him heavily with the NID, as did the fact that O'Neill had walked away with evidence on disc.

It seemed that at every turn, O'Neill was blocking his way. He still didn't believe that those aliens, the Aschen, had been the dangerous race O'Neill claimed them to be. There was too much evidence for his own peace of mind, that O'Neill knew more than he ever let on. In some way the SGC would never admit that O'Neill, maybe the others too, had gone to the future and had seen him in some position of power, a position that somehow threatened them and they had the temerity to change his future, change the future of the world in such a way that he no longer held that position. He had to find a way to correct that, to put things right. He should be in charge; he knew what the country needed. He would lead the people to a god-fearing, stable future.

Pleasurably he remembered the last time he had seen Jack O'Neill, on the steps of another hotel. A rare occasion up until that point when he had succeeded in besting the man when, unknowingly, the colonel had helped his career by being forced to stand beside him, even to shake his hand for the cameras after the aborted assassination attempt using O'Neill's face. That day had been the catalyst that had started him back on the road to success.

And he had begun to plan his first major step by getting rid of O’Neill and Jackson.

Looking at his watch he realised it was time he got dressed. He was due to attend the meeting with Hammond in just over an hour. He smiled at the thought that he would be able to find out what they were thinking, planning in the corridors of the SGC. He was not naive enough to expect that they would simply accept the situation as presented. So he would just have to throw a few ...suggestions into the mix.

~~

General Hammond sat at his briefing room table, the morning paper spread out before him. He'd always believed that his greatest shock would come from a far away place through that massive stone ring beyond the glass, but he'd been wrong. He could still hardly believe the headline wasn't someone's idea of a cruel joke but he only needed to look around the table at the faces of his colleagues to know the horror was all too real.

Sam Carter was as pale as he'd ever seen her and her fingers were in constant motion. Janet Fraiser sat hunched forward her eyes captured by the handsome face of her favourite patient presently staring back at her from the front page under the heading WANTED.

The newspaper article itself posed a quandary for the general. There was far too much information that should never have left the mountain. He had to find out how and why. It could just be some reporter adding spice to a very bald outline except that some of it was too near the truth.

Teal'c sat immobile and if he didn't know him well enough, Hammond might have thought the Jaffa was unconcerned but he need only look into his dark eyes to see the confusion there.

Yesterday had been bad enough but this morning had reached a new low. The general was regretting that he had not been more forceful in attempting to commence his own investigation, instead of allowing the local police department to insist that it was their jurisdiction. He had been in talks with Major Davis in Washington but they had agreed to wait for the preliminary result of the police investigation. What they hadn't expected was the publication of such damning circumstantial evidence in the local newspaper. It only made him more suspicious that something else was going on. He just didn't know what.

Yet.

Squaring his shoulders, he sat forward and said, "I refuse to believe this without a body and damn, even then I'll never believe that Dr. Jackson could ever harm Colonel O'Neill!"

Everyone sat up straight, except for Teal'c who always had been but even he seemed more alert somehow.

"Of course, you're correct, this is all circumstantial," Dr. Fraiser agreed. "There has to be another explanation for all of this. Until I see the body I will not accept that the colonel is dead."

Looking from one to the other, the occupants of the room nodded to each other, none of them willing to believe that the ebullient man was dead -- and never at the hands of Daniel Jackson.

"Some of the comments in the write-up seem very accurate. I wonder where they got some of this stuff?" Sam wondered.

"The argument you witnessed is even alluded to in this article," the general said, glancing at the paper again. "So, besides the mention of Cheyenne Mountain there are no details beyond it was a -- and I quote -- 'a vitriolic disagreement that almost came to blows except for the intervention of a colleague'. Is that true, Teal'c? You made no mention in your report of any threat of violence."

"There was no threat of violence but they were both very angry."

"Theirs has always been a volatile friendship," Hammond smiled fondly, thinking of happier times.

"Yes, but I have noticed a change in recent months. Haven't you?" asked Fraiser, glancing around the table. "For a while things between them got a lot better, then slowly it all began to fall apart and now they fight nearly all the time." Fraiser could hardly admit that as their doctor she was well aware the men had developed an intimate relationship. Besides, she had no idea if their team-mates knew. As for Hammond....

"You're right!" Sam spoke up. "I had noticed but thought I was making too much of it. After the colonel rescued him in Nicaragua, Daniel seemed withdrawn but then after what he went through in that jungle, it was no more than could be expected."

"But getting back to the other day," the general interjected, "was it as bad as this rag suggests? Would they have resorted to blows if you hadn't interfered?"

"I believe not," Teal'c replied. "They were both upset, especially O'Neill but he simply walked away. However, DanielJackson seemed ...defeated. I enquired if he needed assistance and though his reply was somewhat cryptic, I believe he did not understand what was causing the disagreements though he did seem to feel responsible for most of it."

"Daniel? Why would he think that?"

"He did not elaborate."

"I feel I've let him down," Dr. Fraiser suddenly said. "I did try and get him to have counselling after his torture in Nicaragua but he refused saying he was fine and he did seem alright. He said he would talk to the colonel and I had no reason not to believe him, they were so close then but now I doubt that he did. I had secured his promise to come back and see me if he felt he needed help but he never did and now I realise that I should have pushed harder but you know how stubborn he is!"

"This is not the time for second guesses and recrimination," Hammond said. "We need to get to the bottom of this people; get to the truth and pray it is as not unpalatable as it appears on the surface."

"Where do we begin?" Janet asked softly.

"We set up our own investigation team," the general replied. "Get Major Davies here to act as mediator between the Air Force and the local police."

"How about Pete?" Sam asked cautiously.

~~

Within two hours Major Paul Davis was on his way from Washington by military jet due to land at the nearby Peterson airbase. During his conversation with the general it was obvious that he was no less sceptical.

Pete Shannahan had only received a crash course in the SGC from Sam but now he sat in General Hammond's office and listened to a much more detailed background story, with special reference to Colonel O'Neill and Dr. Jackson.

By the time the general had finished, Pete was positive he was in some alternate universe and when he jokingly said this to the general, his mouth fell open when Hammond casually commented that they could discuss those another time.

Hammond was quite clear that he would not hold it against the Denver police officer if he chose to refuse but Shannahan was intrigued by the whole thing. Also he had met O'Neill and Jackson when he’d followed Sam to the doctor's house and had instinctively liked both of them.

Pete was glad to learn that he wouldn't be expected to work alone as the Air Force go-between with the Colorado Springs Police Department, he would have the company of an experienced Air Force Liaison officer, a man used to dealing with military brass and politicians at the highest level. Pete wasn't sure if that was a recommendation or a condemnation.

He had been almost as shocked as the two men's friends when he'd seen the headlines that morning and he had already checked with his contact in the Springs PD and it was pretty clear what they had was mostly circumstantial evidence but there was enough of it to point a finger very strongly at Daniel.

It had come to light when the general sent an SF to the colonel's house because he had an important meeting but had not shown up for work, nor could he be contacted by telephone. They were also unable to contact Dr. Jackson either and the driver was supposed to call for him too. However, on arriving at the colonel's house the SF found O'Neill's truck still in the drive but couldn't get any answer at the front door. Walking round the back the man was shocked by what he saw through the glass doors leading to the deck.

The room was a mess. Smashed and overturned furniture all over the place but what really grabbed his attention was the blood splattered everywhere. Before the SF had chance to report in to General Hammond the police had arrived, apparently telephoned by a neighbour who had gone round that morning to complain to the colonel about the noise from the night before. He too had seen the damage inside and called nine-one-one immediately.

When the police finally got inside they found evidence of a bloody fight and amongst the debris were Daniel's glasses, one lens broken. There was no sign of either O'Neill or Jackson at the house and a check of the local hospitals, including the Academy Hospital, also hadn't turned up anything on either of them. The police were of the opinion that the victim must have lost a lot of blood with the amount at the scene, and that he would be in a bad way, certainly in need of medical assistance.

There was also evidence of another car being parked on Jack's driveway and signs that something may have been dragged across the corner of the front lawn. One of the neighbours confirmed that Colonel O'Neill's friend, the nice young Dr. Jackson had indeed visited the evening before and that his car had been parked in the driveway for an hour or so. A search of the house found many items that seemed more of interest to a linguist and anthropologist than to an Air Force colonel, confirming that the men had been firm friends for some time. The colonel's guest bedroom in particular seemed fitted out for the regular visitor that Dr. Jackson clearly was.

Apparently under questioning by the local police on the crime scene, the SF admitted that Colonel O'Neill and Dr. Jackson had been arguing a lot recently and had had a blazing row the previous afternoon in Cheyenne Mountain where they both worked. As the police attempted to continue the questioning, the SF stated that for reasons of national security he wouldn't say another word until he had spoken to his commanding officer.

No trace of Dr. Jackson could be found at his house and his vehicle was missing.

Investigations continued but an APB was put out on Dr. Daniel Jackson.

Three hours later, just as the dark was settling in, Daniel's car was discovered abandoned a few miles outside of town, parked above a small but very deep lake. There was no sign of him but there was plenty of evidence that Jack O'Neill had been stuffed in the trunk of the linguist's car. The interior of the trunk was virtually coated with blood and, as expected, it proved to be an identical blood group match to that in O'Neill's house which his AF records confirmed was O'Neill's. The results from more detailed blood tests and DNA confirmation would take some time.

A search revealed no sign of Daniel Jackson but the theory was that he had brought the body of Jack O'Neill to this spot to dispose of it in the lake knowing it would be difficult, if not impossible, to recover a body from its depths especially if the doctor had taken the trouble to weight it. Jackson's intelligence was not in question though his state of mind at the time certainly was.

Why Dr. Jackson had left his car here was another question, it would have made more sense to drive it away but it seemed clear the good doctor was not running on all cylinders at the moment. Footprints were clearly shown walking away -- running maybe -- into the depths of the woods nearby. The police were sure they would prove to be Dr. Jackson's. A search would begin at first light and the site was protected until then.

So far there had been no sign of him and the morning papers were full of the story. Pete hoped that there was something he and this Major Davis could discover that hadn't made it to the newspapers, or better still, something that the police investigation hadn't turned up.

Sam was adamant that Daniel would never hurt anyone, especially his best friend. She admitted they had been going through a rough patch recently but she was of the firm opinion that beneath the disagreements they were still friends. Pete wasn't quite so sanguine but then he didn't know either man very well. He decided to trust Sam's opinion until his own instincts told him any different.

~~

Daniel pulled Jack closer, trying to make the unconscious man more comfortable as he lay with his head on Daniel's knee. There was nothing else that he could do for him in this empty concrete box of a room. They hadn't even been provided with a simple blanket so Daniel removed his jacket and placed it over Jack as best he could. They had merely been left alone in the room for over twenty-four hours, a slot in the metal door had opened twice to allow food and water and to be passed through. It was some kind of very basic stew. Whoever had taken them wanted them alive but hadn't even bothered to question them. Daniel was more worried by that than almost anything else -- except for Jack's physical condition, which didn't seem to be improving.

Almost absently Daniel leaned down and placed a swift kiss on his lover's temple. It didn't seem all that long ago when he’d been wondering if he would be able to call him that much longer after having yet one more argument.

He should probably have been grateful that it took place at the SGC so they had to keep a lid on the more personal barbs. Their relationship was strictly off limits at work though this time mention of it had come mighty close. Daniel almost had to bite his tongue to stop himself from calling Jack jealous; though that was precisely the problem and he wasn't sure that he had not called Jack just that later when his control had finally snapped.

He let his mind drift back to that time a few short months ago when they had finally broken through their mutually constructed wall. Jack had told him later that seeing all those various personalities using Daniel's body and knowing there was a real possibility that they would never be able to free his consciousness trapped within his own mind, made Jack realise just how much Daniel meant to him. The colonel admitted that evening over a simple meal of pizza and beer, that he couldn't let another day pass without telling Daniel how he really felt. He'd told Daniel that now he'd got him back -- again -- he wasn't gonna let the opportunity slip past him this time. Daniel could still remember the tingle of excitement that rushed over him when he realised that his feelings were reciprocated, that his lonely dreams were shared.

They had spent the rest of that night just talking, both of them coming to the realisation that they had been slowly falling in love with each other for a long time. Jack admitted he hadn't understood how much he relied on Daniel until after he had left and that long lonely year had been very hard for him.

Daniel told Jack that his feelings had been the first memories to return after they found him following his descension. At first he didn't understand them and he pulled back, afraid. Then gradually other memories came flooding back and he began to understand himself and why he felt the way he did. He still felt afraid but now for a different reason, he was fearful that he would have to carry the burden of an unrequited love when he knew he had so much to offer. He needed to give of himself as much as he needed Jack to want him but Daniel didn't know how to tell the man of his desire.

Being trapped inside his own mind had been terrifying but it had made him realise that he was doing the same thing to himself by keeping his feelings locked away. He had planned to tell Jack the truth and Jack's confession had been a wonderful gift.

They took things slowly at first and had eventually become lovers. At first it had been marvellous. Things had only started to go wrong after his rescue in South America.

Thinking back now, Daniel wasn't sure what had really happened between them but the arguments had begun around that time.

He wondered then if it really could all be his fault; if he'd been more affected by his torture at the hands of the terrorists than he'd realised. Why hadn't he considered it before? Because he was a stubborn bastard! Why hadn't Jack suggested it? Maybe because Jack thought he had suffered enough; maybe by the time Jack would've said something things had gone too far between them.

It was no longer just their usual bickering but a gradually increasing anger that neither of them seemed to be able to control. They sniped at each other continually and for a while he wondered if Jack was doing it on purpose, a distraction to keep any possible interest away from their secret relationship. Yet when he challenged Jack on the subject, he’d denied it.

Suddenly Jack moaned and attempted to turn.

"No, Jack, don't try and move, you're hurt. It's okay, I'll look after you."

Jack's eyes fluttered and for a moment Daniel thought he might be coming to, glimpsing just a sliver of brown before the eyelids slid shut again and Jack quietened. This was the third time he'd almost regained consciousness but he hadn't managed to stay with Daniel.

Daniel stroked Jack's temple, muttering comfortingly to him until his brow cleared and his breathing settled into the pattern of sleep again. They had really hurt him and Daniel had been able to do nothing to stop them and he couldn't help feeling guilty over that. Jack would have grumbled at him, saying there wasn't anything he could have done, the truth of that wouldn't have lessened his guilt.

Daniel had decided to visit Jack's house that evening to try and smooth over his ruffled feathers after the latest argument that afternoon, after Jack had found him in the infirmary, Sarah in his arms as he was trying to comfort his old friend from finally getting Osiris out of her. Daniel heard him come in and looked up, too tired and hurt to be surprised when he saw the anger flit across Jack's face before he schooled it away.

"When you've finished, I'd like a word," Jack said, his voice quiet but Daniel knew from his tone and the look in his eye that he was not a happy camper.

After calming Sarah enough to leave her in the care of the nursing staff, Daniel had gone to Jack's office where he didn't even have a chance to close the door before Jack started on him.

"What the hell was that?" he demanded.

"What?" Daniel wouldn't give him the satisfaction of acknowledging that he knew what Jack referred to.

"Why were you hugging her like that!"

"Because she was hurting. It's called comfort, ever hear of it?"

"I've heard less salubrious words for it too!" Jack snapped.

"Oooh, syllables; been reading a dictionary, Jack?"

"No! I know a linguist! Thought he was my ...friend."

Ignoring the slight whine in Jack's voice, Daniel said, "So I can't have other friends, real friends? Is that it?"

Things just went downhill from there and the next thing either of them knew they were throwing angry, bitter words at each other and he couldn't be certain but Daniel thought he'd called Jack a jealous bastard which had brought them both up short. Not the use of the phrase but where he had used it. It hadn't stopped the argument, just sent it in another direction with Jack accusing him of having no sense of discretion and Daniel biting back that at least he knew the meaning of the word trust.

"I don't know...." Jack bit off what he was going and say, instead snarled, "you were the one with your arms around that woman!"

"That woman has just had a fucking snake removed from her head. Something you couldn't do for Sha're!" Daniel snapped, knowing even as he uttered the words that he was being totally unfair but he couldn't help it. His stomach was churning and his heart was pounding against his ribs. He felt sick.

"You bastard," Jack growled furiously taking a step towards him.

Daniel stared at the face of his lover flushed with anger and wondered if the time had finally come when Jack would strike him.

Suddenly an arm came down between them and the only person Jack would back off from stepped between them.

"This will cease!" Teal'c said firmly.

Jack stared at the Jaffa, before turning his gaze on Daniel. "I would never...." he bit off whatever else he was going to say and marched out of his own office, leaving them staring at the now empty doorway.

Daniel, deflated, slumped against the wall by the door.

"Are you alright, DanielJackson?"

"No, no I'm not. What the hell is going on?" he asked sadly.

"Do you require an answer?" Teal'c said quietly.

Daniel smiled though it never reached his eyes. "Not from you, Teal'c. From Jack, though maybe more from myself." He felt ashamed. Lost. "Thanks anyway."

With that he walked away.

When Daniel arrived at Jack's house that evening he hesitated for a moment whether to use his key or not, then he decided what the hell, what more did he have to lose?

Jack was waiting for him in the entrance hall, having heard Daniel's car draw up outside. When Daniel hesitated on his doorstep, Jack guessed what must be going through his mind and he waited to see what his lover would do and it was with a cross between relief and frustration, that he heard Daniel's key turn in his lock.

Suddenly as Daniel stepped inside a huge man moved in quickly behind him through the still open door, pushed Daniel towards Jack as a second man fired a dart into Daniel's thigh. Jack tried to catch him but he didn't quite make it.

"Ja..ck," Daniel murmured brokenly, as the pain in his thigh turned to a cold numbness that was sapping his strength.

Lying on the floor he stared through half-lidded eyes as Jack struggled with the two assailants. Jack was clearly doing his best but he was outnumbered and both men were heavier than Jack.

One man had managed to get behind him and twisted his arms up his back as the second man began to strike him again and again. Jack desperately tried to free himself but the two men clearly knew what they were doing and he was held fast.

By now Daniel was unable to move, watching horrified as Jack fought a losing battle, clearly hurting. Blood splattered everywhere as one man held Jack while the other pounded on him. Daniel was suddenly afraid they would kill him and he tried to beg them to let Jack alone but words would not come. He was unaware of the tears that fell from his eyes.

Suddenly the petty jealousies and sniping arguments seemed so trivial set against the feeling he held for this man and he swore to anyone, any being who might listen that he would do anything if only this would stop.

A voice spoke from behind him, demanding that the men halt their activities. "Don't want him dead ...yet. Just leave enough evidence."

There was an odd inflection on the word 'evidence' as the stranger said it and it gave Daniel a chill. Evidence of what? Oh God!

"You still with us, Dr. J?" the voice addressed him quietly. Daniel still could not see him. "Don't worry, you'll understand ...eventually."

Daniel saw as Jack collapsed into a heap at the men's feet, clearly unconscious now, just before he lost his own battle against the darkness.

~~

"But, general you cannot simply dismiss the evidence out of hand because you wish it wasn't true. It is clear that for reasons you seem to find it hard to understand, Dr. Jackson attacked and killed O'Neill!" Kinsey declared.

"There is circumstantial evidence suggesting that but ..."

"Circumstantial!" the politician interrupted. "My dear General Hammond, how else would you explain the blood liberally splattered all over the colonel's house and in the trunk of Jackson's car?"

"Because there’s blood in the colonel's house does not prove that Dr. Jackson attacked the colonel and the blood in his trunk doesn’t prove that Dr. Jackson placed the colonel's body in there." General Hammond placed his hands palm down on his blotter, frustration adding a red tinge to his features as he leaned forward facing the politician across his desk. He had never liked this man and this was another example of why. The man was positively gloating over this terrible situation.

"Oh, so what would prove it to you? A video of Jackson committing the crime?" Kinsey's voice dripped disdain. "You are blinkered over this, general. Does it not bother you that a senior officer under your command has been murdered and by a member of his own team! Lord, how much does it take? From Jackson's point of view he had any number of reasons to despise, even hate the colonel."

"That is ridiculous; they were friends, good friends."

Kinsey laughed. "Definitely blinkered. Or was it perhaps that Jackson was such a good actor? I’ve been warning you for years that man couldn’t be trusted. Think carefully, general. Just what makes you think that Jackson could regard O'Neill with anything but anger? The man had allowed his wife to be taken as a host and then stood by while a Jaffa killed her right in front of him!"

Just then there was a knock at the general's door and Sergeant Davis entered. "Sorry, sir, you are needed immediately, it is urgent!"

"I apologise, Senator but I am sure you understand," Hammond said as he got to his feet. "We will have to reconvene another time, perhaps tomorrow would be best, unless you have to return to Washington?" he asked hopefully.

"No, I'll be staying in Colorado Springs for a few more days. I want to be on hand to offer any assistance I can in helping to capture Dr. Jackson."

Hammond hesitated at the door and turned back. He wanted to tell Kinsey where he could stick his assistance; instead he bit back the words and contented himself with giving the sycophantic politician a hard stare.

After walking a short way down the corridor with the sergeant in attendance, General Hammond asked, "So, sergeant what exactly is the emergency?"

"I wouldn't exactly call it an emergency, sir but you asked to speak to Sergeant Makita when he came on duty today and he has just reported into the security room.” He gave a small cough and continued, “I heard some raised voices and thought in the circumstances you might prefer to interview him there rather than in your office."

Hammond gave his aid a satisfied smile. The sergeant knew his feelings about Senator Kinsey and he was also smart enough to know the man would jump at any chance to disgrace the SGC. The supposed murder of the C.O. of the flagship team by one of his subordinates would be grist for his mill.

General Hammond commandeered the office of the security commander on duty and interviewed the SF who had discovered the crime scene at Colonel O'Neill's house.

"Is there something wrong, sir?" Sergeant Makita asked, standing to attention facing his commanding officer. Hammond waved him to relax.

"I just wish to check certain facts with you, sergeant. I know you answered a couple of questions for the Colorado Springs police before you refused to tell them anything more without my permission. I need confirmation of exactly what you said."

The SF frowned as he had already answered this for the general the day before. "Yes, sir. I identified Dr. Jackson's glasses and as I said, sir, I was surprised to see them broken and splattered with blood like that. I then told them that he and the colonel had been arguing recently and had in fact had an argument at the base the previous afternoon."

"That was all? You said nothing else at all, no description of the argument?"

"No, sir. I realised I had probably already said too much and refused to answer any more questions."

"I see. Have you read the article in this morning’s paper?"

"Yes sir. I was surprised at some of the ...information in the article."

"What exactly were you surprised about, sergeant?"

"The accuracy of some of the comments, sir. It was ...I," the sergeant stopped speaking and looked at the general, a question in his eyes.

"Speak freely, sergeant."

"Yes, sir. It seemed to me that someone had been talking to the reporter, sir. There's no other way the paper could have had such detail."

Hammond had come to exactly the same conclusion. He was a very good judge of men and he trusted the sergeant's word. Whoever had given the information to the newspaper it wasn't Sergeant Makita.

"Very well, sergeant. Thank you, if you can think of anything else, anything at all that might help us in our investigation inform me immediately."

"Of course, sir."

The sergeant saluted and exited, leaving Hammond speculating on where the leak could be coming from. He had no doubt at all that someone was talking, embellishing a story was one thing but this was too close to be guesswork. The general found it very difficult to credit the idea that one of his people could act so treacherously. He was determined to track down the culprit -- he just had to think of how.

~~

Kinsey walked up and down the sitting room of his hotel suite as he listened to the person on the other end of his cell phone.

"Hmm, not surprised to hear that. The military mind is not very imaginative, just because Jackson has been on his team for years and he acted the friend it seems they can't accept that he could kill O'Neill."

He nodded as he listened again, "History? Six or seven years working together doesn't guarantee a connection. I have worked with people in Washington for much longer than that and I still despise them!"

He stopped pacing after a moment. He should have known that the general would bring Major Davis in but this Denver police officer was a surprise. "Are you not able to get any more definite information than that?" he spoke into the mouthpiece with some asperity. He listened to the answer, his frown deepening and he walked out onto the balcony.

"You need to find a way to get more ..." he hesitated, frowning. "Don't tell me you can't! You work in the SGC and that place is rife with rumours. Find out what Carter and the Jaffa are up to and what Hammond is planning. That man never knows when to quit. I need to know more about this ...Shannahan, did you say?" He waited for the confirmation before adding hastily, "Yes, yes, go. Stay in touch, I want to know anything you find out immediately."

He stared out over the city wondering how the hell a Denver cop had got involved with the SGC. How on earth did he get clearance? He could find out through channels but that might alert Hammond and he didn't want to risk that.

He glanced at his watch. He had another phone call to make, he was sure the editor would welcome a little new information. Then he had to go and meet with Wolf and get an update. He was looking forward to that.

~~

Sam's hands were white as she gripped the evening paper. Each paragraph she read increased her anger. She couldn't believe that anyone could write such things about the kind gentle man she knew Daniel Jackson was. The paper was painting him as a bitter, angry man who had never forgiven the colonel for the death of his wife. That part of the story was accurate in enough details to show that his wife had been kidnapped while under the protection of the colonel and then had later died while they were attempting to rescue her. It was suggesting that Daniel had played a waiting game, lulling the colonel into a false sense of security by pretending to be his friend, just biding his time until he had enough confidence to attack and kill the extremely competent military man. It was vague enough in the detail under the 'National Security' umbrella that they didn't have to explain too much, just enough to lay the blame squarely at Daniel's feet.

The final nail in his coffin so to speak, had been the discovery early in the afternoon of a knife in the woods not too far from where Daniel's car had been found abandoned. It seemed there had been an attempt to wipe off the blood traces on the blade, apparently using the grasses and leaves nearby but it had not been very successful. Even more importantly the police had found some fingerprints on the handle that had swiftly been identified as those belonging to Dr. Jackson when compared to those on his Air Force civilian records. Sam's immediate reaction to the discovery of the knife was that Daniel would never be stupid enough to leave such blatant evidence behind if he had committed such a crime; he simply wasn't that incompetent!

Where was the newspaper getting its information? The detail in the article could only have come from someone who knew the official records well enough to doctor it for public consumption -- and twist it in such a way that Daniel's character was a parody of his true self, a man who would go to such extremes to plan the murder of his so-called friend.

She knew from an earlier conversation with Hammond that he suspected some kind of 'mole’ who was working on the base and feeding the information to the newspaper but the general also believed there was something else behind this, something even more sinister than the supposed murder of Jack O'Neill. Sam still found it hard to accept that the colonel really was dead and she was relieved that both the general and Teal'c shared her belief. She only hoped that they weren't simply deluding themselves.

She saw only two possibilities. One, that Daniel really had killed Jack, dumped his body and had made a run for it. She couldn't, wouldn't believe that. Besides the fact that she simply didn't believe Daniel was capable of such an act, even if for some terrible reason he felt that way, she couldn't see the peaceful archaeologist being able to defeat a seasoned officer like Jack O'Neill in a fight. Jack had taught Daniel virtually everything he knew and though Daniel had improved out of all recognition to the clumsy, hesitant man she had first met; he was still no match for O'Neill. God, Daniel was not even a match for her!

The second possibility, though sounding more far-fetched, was to her way of thinking the more likely. Someone was manipulating the situation to suggest that Daniel had killed the colonel and had Daniel hidden somewhere. There was also an outside chance that maybe the colonel was still alive and also a prisoner.

She knew she might be able to convince her friends and colleagues of that but without proof, or at least some evidence to make them look again at the situation, she wouldn't convince the police.

Picking up the newspaper she headed for the general's office. If there was a way for her to take a look at the forensic evidence perhaps she could find something. Janet would be a big help with that too. Something that had always puzzled her was the excess of blood. Okay, now they knew a knife was involved but that still didn't explain the broad pattern of blood splatter the reports seemed to suggest, unless perhaps an artery had been hit. Was she just clutching at straws? Maybe but Sam thought it was worth it -- she might just uncover something important.

~~

The darkness surrounding him was heavy, he could feel it pressing down on him, he could even taste it. He tried to open his eyes but it seemed too difficult. He concentrated on trying to bring his other senses to bear and after a moment he realised he could hear the familiar sound of breathing, steady and regular. It wasn't him; his own breathing was harsh and difficult. He suddenly needed to know where he was, who was near him. Very slowly he managed to force his eyelids open.

The scene that greeted him filled him with a mixture of relief tinged with disappointment.

Daniel was leaning back against a grey stone wall. He appeared to be dozing, fitfully if the expression on his face was any indication. His eyes were moving rapidly behind his closed lids. Jack realised he was lying against Daniel with one of the younger man's arms wrapped around him, holding him close against his lover.

To see Daniel safe and whole filled him with relief, the disappointment came from the fact that he was obviously in the same predicament that Jack was. Whatever the hell that was. From the aches filling his body it was obvious the situation was bad. As if knowing Jack was coming to, Daniel's eyes slowly opened.

As he came back to awareness, unsure what had awoken him, Daniel was shocked to find Jack's eyes open. The older man was obviously disoriented but as his gaze met Daniel’s, his eyes lit up and he gave a tremulous smile. Daniel was heartened by this reaction as he realised that at that moment, Jack’s emotions were unguarded, he was showing his true feelings. Daniel gave him a smile, knowing now that whatever was wrong between them could be rectified.

Still smiling, he stroked Jack's forehead and leaned down to kiss his hair.

"Danny?" Jack asked, his voice hoarse, not only because he was thirsty but also because his emotions were so near the surface. Waking up to see Daniel's anxious face and then feel his tender concern was worth the pain of whatever truck had hit him. "Danny," he breathed again.

"I'm sorry, god I'm sorry," Daniel whispered, guilt bubbling up and threatening to choke him.

Frowning, Jack murmured, "No, no, don't do this, please." He knew only too well his lover’s capacity for accepting guilt. He lifted an arm to caress him, only to wince in pain. "Fuck!" he muttered.

"No, keep still. Damn, what am I doing?" Jack was hurt and he was being a Prima Donna, more concerned with his own feelings of guilt than what Jack needed. "Don't move they really hurt you. You've been drifting in and out for almost two days."

"Two days! We've been prisoners here for two days? Do you have any idea who is holding us? Or what they want?"

"I don't know. They drugged me and beat the crap out of you. I woke up here about three hours after they attacked us. I've not seen anyone since. They sent some food and water in through that," he indicated the slot in the door, "twice."

"No questions, explanations, nothing?"

"No."

"So, no one knows where we are. Hell, we don't even know where we are!"

Just then there was a click, the handle turned and the door opened.

~~

A couple of hours later Sam was in the commissary with Teal'c and Janet Fraiser discussing her meeting with the general who had been in talks with Major Davis. The Pentagon liaison officer was going to try and arrange for Carter and Fraiser to have access to the evidence as part of the Air Force investigation. The evening newspaper was open in front of them and they were going over every bit of information they had learned since the disappearance of Jack and Daniel.

Sam suddenly sat up straight and stared at first one friend, then the other. "God, I’ve been blind!"

"What?" Janet asked as Teal'c just stared at her.

"Daniel's glasses!" she exclaimed. "They were left at the colonel's, damaged and covered in blood. He is supposed to have stabbed him, somehow got the colonel's body out and into the trunk of his car and then driven all those miles across town and out to that lake." As she spoke she saw dawning realisation on their faces.

"That’s impossible," Janet said. "Daniel's eyesight is too poor for him to do that without the help of his glasses."

"He has spare ones at his home and here on the base," Teal'c said.

"Yes but he doesn't carry a spare pair with him. This is excellent, Sam. We have proof now that Daniel couldn’t have done it." The relief in Janet's voice was evident.

"I don't think the police would consider this proof, Janet. It might get them asking more questions. It might also get whoever has set this up, worried. That could endanger Daniel."

"You believe these hassak hold DanielJackson?" Teal'c queried.

"Yes, I do," Sam nodded.

"What about the colonel? Do you believe he is still alive?" Janet asked.

"I wish I could say I believed that, unfortunately I can only say I hope he is. I don't think we can categorically know about that until we figure out who or what is behind all this."

"You think they have killed the colonel anyway? Why keep him alive, I guess is a good question," Janet pondered.

"A better one is why go to all this trouble if all they wanted was to kill O'Neill and DanielJackson?"

"We don't know that they intend to kill Daniel," Janet said frowning.

"If they have, or intend to kill O'Neill, how can they allow DanielJackson to live to either refute their claims or bear witness against them? Would it not be much easier if they have a dead culprit?"

~~

Instinctively Daniel tightened his grip on Jack as three men stood in the entrance of their cold stone cell, two of them he recognised immediately as obviously did Jack from the way his body stiffened. The third person Daniel had never seen before but as soon as spoke he recognised the voice as the man who had been charge of the attack at Jack's house.

"It is good to see you are finally awake and aware, Colonel O'Neill," he said, somehow imbuing Jack's name and rank with disdain. "I have been waiting for you to recover sufficiently before the three of us had this little chat."

"The three of us?" queried Jack, his still hoarse voice breaking out into a cough.

"Perhaps a little water would help," the man said referring to the dryness of Jack's throat and the resultant cough but not answering his question. "It is not really time for your sustenance yet, not for another hour but I think in the circumstances it would be solicitous. Mr. Smith, if you would be so kind?"

"Solicitous!" Daniel couldn't help the disgust in his voice.

The man gave Daniel a quick scathing glance and proceeded to answer Jack's earlier question. "Smith and Jones here are of no consequence to you. They do what I say, exactly what I say; hence your condition. I instructed them to hurt you just enough to put you out of commission for a couple of days but not enough to cause any permanent damage. They followed my instructions to the letter. You will be stiff and sore but you will be feeling a little better shortly." He said this with such certainty that neither man doubted his words.

Jack grunted, only stopping from commenting aloud by his raw throat. Smith and Jones! He could hardly believe it. Did the man have no imagination? Unless he was a fan of the old TV show, Alias Smith and Jones? Somehow he doubted the man had the sense of humour to enjoy that. It was only latterly that the full meaning of the final comment sunk in and he wondered why on earth they would care if he felt better shortly, unless it gave them longer to goad him.

Smith returned then carrying a metal cup full of cold water. "Mr Wolf?" he asked.

The man, Wolf, nodded and Smith moved forward. "Do not attempt anything, Dr. Jackson," Wolf said, as Smith handed the cup to Daniel, "or the colonel will not only not receive any water..." He didn't complete the threat but Daniel understood it anyway.

Daniel carefully put the cup to Jack's lips and he drank. "Slowly, Jack, easy."

As Jack drank, Wolf continued, "Smith and Jones will leave us now but they will be just outside. Understand that I taught them everything they know. I am more of a threat to you than they will ever be."

Daniel didn't doubt his word for one moment. Wolf was not as tall as either of his cohorts, nor as heavy. He looked about ten years older than them, nearer to Jack's age but considering the condition the colonel was in, Daniel expected the wiry frame of Wolf contained as much strength as skill. Jack gripped Daniel's wrist signalling in his own quiet way that they should obey -- for the time being.

"As you already know now, my name is Wolf, John Wolf and I have been charged with bringing you here and keeping you until it’s decided it is no longer necessary."

"Charged?" Jack commented, "As I suspected you are little more than a guard. Why are we prisoners?"

Daniel recognised that Jack was deliberately bating the man, probably hoping for more information than the man wanted to give. He didn't think it would work this time, this man didn't seem to be the type to lose control that easily at all.

"You think of me as merely a guard?" Wolf smiled a cold calculating smile. "Depends on your definition of the word, perhaps you should ask your linguist friend here. My point is that you have ...disturbed too many plans, upset too many people and the time has come for you to pay the piper."

"If you wanted to get to me why take Daniel too?"

"I think maybe you misunderstand. Sorry if I was less than clear gentlemen, you both have to pay the price. The misdeeds were not yours alone, O'Neill. The SGC and SG1 will also pay the price but yours is the greater crime and therefore yours is the greater punishment."

"What are you talking about?" Jack asked, a cold hand twisting his gut as he feared he had somehow brought all this down on Daniel's head. Whoever this enemy was it was clear that he...they put most of the blame on Jack and he would much rather have paid whatever price they wanted on his own. He would do anything to spare Daniel. Trouble was that if Daniel realised that, he would never let him take it on himself, he would consider it his responsibility too.

"Who is behind this?" Daniel queried. "The NID, or whatever those in charge call themselves now, what was it, the Committee?"

Wolf looked at Daniel squarely for the first time, his eyes raking him up and down. "Do you really expect me to answer that?" he asked coldly.

"Do you really need to answer that?" Daniel countered.

"For crying out loud! What do you want?" Jack snapped, at the end of his -- very taut -- tether.

"I think the easiest way is for you to enjoy a little light reading. I think you'll find it much clearer that way." With that he threw some newspapers to land next to Daniel, before adding, "We will speak again." He turned and left, locking the door behind him.

Daniel glanced at the newspapers and felt a chill skitter down his spine. He had a really bad feeling about this.

"Jack?" he said quietly.

"I know, me too," Jack said, "He didn't leave us those for our benefit but waiting won’t make it any better. Let's bite the bullet."

Nodding Daniel picked up the newspapers and saw there were two; one dated that morning and the other the day before. He put today's paper down and looked closely at the one from the day before, squinting without the benefit of his glasses.

"Oh my god!" he breathed. The shock of the headline had cut into him. He was wanted for Jack's murder! That was just too horrific. Just the idea that his name was associated with Jack's murder was anathema. Only the fact that he knew it wasn't true made it bearable.

"Show me," Jack said hoarsely.

Daniel lowered the paper into Jack's lap, saying, "I can't read the detail but the picture and the headline...oh, Jack."

Unnerved by the tone of Daniel's voice, Jack read the headline and stared at the picture of his lover. It was a shock to read that the world thought he was dead, murdered by his best friend; by his lover but, of course, no one else knew that. Studying the portrait he thought that whoever had produced the image had chosen a particularly good one of Daniel and to any who didn't know him, it would seem more of a shock that such a good-looking, bright-eyed, intelligent man could commit a cold-blooded murder.

Glancing up at that same face now, Jack said, "It's all right, Daniel. It's not real."

"Not to us but what about our friends? God, what must they be thinking? Can you read it, Jack? Can you read it out to me?"

Jack wished it weren't necessary but he knew they both had to know everything, so he began to read, each line, each paragraph producing worse information for them to take in. When he finally finished some time later after reading every line in both newspapers covering his supposed murder and the hunt for Daniel Jackson, both men were emotionally exhausted.

"Why, Jack? Why are they doing this to us?"

"Because besides wanting to punish you and me, they want to disgrace the SGC and what better way to do that?" Jack kept the gnawing anger from his voice; it wouldn't help either of them. He had to keep calm, especially for Daniel's sake. He didn't know what the next few hours might bring; he had to be ready for anything.

"For what, Jack, for what are they punishing us?" Daniel was saying.

"Well I assumed the obvious, me for shutting down their operation," Jack smiled at his lover, "And you, for just being your usual pain in the neck at every opportunity. Seriously, if they can shut down the SGC, even for a short time, god knows what they could get up to."

"We can't let them get away with this," Daniel said.

"Daniel, concentrate. The only way they can get away with this is for both of us to disappear, permanently. Or, at least for me to disappear and you to get arrested for my murder."

"But you're not dead." Daniel sounded incredulous and Jack recognised that he was finding the whole situation hard to cope with.

"I will be," Jack said quietly, looking Daniel directly in the eye. Jack didn't believe that Daniel hadn't allowed himself to consider that possibility.

"No, oh god, Jack no. We have to find a way out of here." Daniel leaned towards Jack so they foreheads touched.

"I know."

~~

Thanks to pressure from Washington, Major Davis had arranged for certain samples of the evidence against Daniel Jackson to be provided for the Air Force, specifically Majors Carter and Fraiser. Some items such as blood samples were to be kept for their own testing purposes while others such as the knife were on loan for twenty-four hours and could only be subjected to limited testing. Sam and Janet were also to be allowed to visit the crime scene in the company of Pete Shannahan and a police officer from the Colorado Springs PD. It seemed strange to Jack's friends to hear his home referred to as the 'crime scene'.

So far no reliable sightings of Daniel Jackson had been reported. The usual mistaken identities or false reports had been coming in and unfortunately the police had to follow up each one but nothing had come of any of them. The last known position of the doctor was still where he had abandoned his car above the lake. He seemed to have disappeared since then.

Hammond had to put up with Kinsey dropping in from time to time, usually with little or no warning. His position on the Oversight Committee gave him rights to query just about anything and everything within the SGC and he was using the present emergency to question just about every decision that Dr. Jackson could have influenced Colonel O'Neill to make.

Hammond had been forced to step in once and stop him questioning personnel about the relationship between the two men. He hadn't even been aware of what Kinsey was doing until Sergeant Siler had contacted him. The sergeant wanted clarification on if he should confirm that he had been witness to a disagreement in the Gateroom only a few days previously. The General had been furious that the Senator was taking advantage of his position to corner the lower ranks, often in the corridor from what he could discover, trying to dig up dirt on two men he still considered to be the best the SGC had.

Neither the body of Jack O'Neill nor the live personage of Daniel Jackson had yet been discovered and as far as Hammond was concerned, that gave him cause for hope.

~~

Daniel wasn't stupid and although Jack hadn't elaborated on the statement, instead going on to talk of Daniel being arrested for his murder, Daniel knew it would be much easier to make the charge stick if he wasn't around to dispute it. They certainly needed a dead Jack O'Neill, even if his body was never discovered -- which, considering he was still alive over two days past his supposed time of death, would cause an awful lot of questions during the autopsy -- and it would be a lot easier if the wanted Daniel Jackson was killed trying to escape, or even better resorted to suicide as his grief and guilt finally overcame him. Either of those scenarios would confirm his guilt without having to resort to specific proof in a court of law during anything as inconvenient as a trial.

It was almost three hours since Wolf had left them alone with the newspapers and Daniel didn't think it would be too long now before he returned. It all depended on what the plan was for their disposal -- and perhaps most importantly of all, when.

At the present time Jack was still weak and hurting from the beating they had given him. He told Daniel he was feeling better but he believed that Jack was just trying to make him feel better, trying to convince him that they had a chance at escape if the opportunity arose. They had already discussed the difficulty, if not impossibility of escaping from the room in which they were held without outside help. It was literally a concrete box with only one way in or out through a metal door. There was no window.

Daniel could only see one option; it depended on those holding them, Wolf it would seem, taking them out of this cell and the only time that would happen Daniel guessed was when Jack -- or as he suspected, both of them -- were to be killed. The only fly in the ointment as far as Daniel could see was if Wolf ordered Jack -- or both of them -- murdered in their cell. Rather an important fly!

"What are you thinking?" Jack asked.

He was still leaning against Daniel but the younger man suspected it was as much to be close to him as in need of his support. In the few short hours since Jack had fully awoken they had mended their relationship though both men knew they had some talking to do -- if fate allowed them the chance.

"Wondering if we have the ghost of a chance to escape. Trying to look at this situation from Wolf's point of view. Look, Jack, you know as well as I do that they have nothing to gain and everything to lose if they allow either of us to survive. For whatever reason they've kept us alive this long, I guess it has something to do with setting up this whole murder scenario. It not only gives them revenge against us, it disgraces the SGC but surely our usefulness must be coming to an end. Why else would they have told us this now?"

"Okay, okay I buy it. But what’s your point?" Jack knew Daniel always had one, just that sometimes he took forever to get to it.

"Unless you know something I don't," Daniel continued, "Our only way out of here is when they take us outside which I guess they will only do when they’ve decided it's time to get rid of us."

"You mean when they come to kill me," Jack said harshly.

"Don't try and fool me, Jack. I'm not stupid, it's just as important to them that I'm dead too."

Jack opened his mouth to deny it but he knew it would be a waste of time, besides being condescending to Daniel, who was nothing if not intelligent. Instead, he sighed and nodded. "You're right. I've been wracking my brains but there is no way out of here except by that door and even if I was one hundred percent, without tools I can never get that door open."

"What if...." Daniel took a breath and started again. "What if they intend to kill us in this cell? Do you think...I'll fight to the death Jack, you know that but without you to help?"

"You think I'll let them hurt you without a fight. They'll have to get through me to get to you and I'm gaining strength by the minute. That supposed-stew might taste awful but it is helping."

Wrapping his arm tighter around his lover and smiling, Daniel said, "I wondered if it was just my manly body you craved."

Jack laughed. "What I would like to do to your manly body will have to wait until I am fit."

"If you can get us out of here you'll be fit enough."

"That an invitation?" Jack asked softly.

"It's an incentive," Daniel grinned.

"Thanks, I needed that," Jack smiled.

"Whatever happens," Jack said, "we act together, right?"

"Right."

~~

"This makes no sense," Dr. Fraiser said as she double-checked the result again. "Or perhaps it makes perfect sense," she mused staring at Sam Carter across the lab table.

"What do you mean, is that the colonel's blood or not?"

"It is definitely the colonel's blood type but I would need DNA evidence to confirm it is specifically his blood but in this case even without that I can definitely state this is not the colonel's blood."

Sam frowned, "What?"

"Look, someone has gone to the trouble of getting blood the same as Jack's blood group but they made the mistake of not getting whole blood. This has come from a blood bank or a hospital. According to the labelling this is from Daniel's car."

"So it is definitely a set-up!" Sam said excitedly. "Why didn't the police report this?"

"I don't know, unless they haven't completed all their tests yet. Maybe they do know and are keeping it under wraps."

"Why would they do that?"

Janet frowned and shrugged, like Sam she was confused by this. Then her brow cleared, "Unless they too don't like just how much information has been getting into the newspapers."

"So why didn't they tell us?"

"Competition?" Janet shrugged. "They probably feel we are stepping on their toes. They know we are doing our own tests so why help us?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"Let's see if we can find anything else," Janet added, picking up the supposed murder weapon.

~~

When the small buzzer sounded, Smith went out into the rapidly falling dusk to check the main gate of the small, presently unused military establishment that Wolf had chosen as their base of operations. It was ideal for their purpose being only a couple of miles from the lake that he had picked out as the place where Jackson was supposed to dispose of O'Neill's body. The Committee, through their go-between, had left all the details to Wolf knowing he would devise a good strategy and with his links to the military, he had sought out the location he needed. While on the base they dressed in uniform, except for the rare occasions when it was necessary to visit the prisoners and then they appeared in civilian clothes. Wolf didn't wish them to know more than he wanted, until he decided differently. Smith had worked with Wolf before and had full confidence in his abilities.

He remembered with a grim smile the day before, when the police had arrived to question them about the missing suspected murderer who had apparently dumped the body of his victim in the lake nearby before mysteriously disappearing. The police thought that perhaps he was hiding out in the surrounding woods and they'd had dogs out probing the area since the night before. Now they had men out searching any buildings within a five mile radius of the lake where the perpetrator's car had been abandoned. One of the police officers was quite talkative and told Smith and his partner Jones who were standing guard on the gate, that he thought the man must have gone a bit crazy. He suspected he had wandered off into the woods after tossing his one-time friend into the lake. Meanwhile the other policeman was talking to Major Wolf who was explaining that a small force was working on the base conducting a special, rather secret experiment and the gate and perimeter fence were guarded at all times. He was quite categorical that there was no way a stranger could have got into the base. The police officers had quite happily gone on their way to search more accessible buildings.

As Smith expected when he reached the small gate and saw the black car waiting, it was the go-between from the Committee. Wolf told them not to refer to him by name, though of course, they all knew who he was. It seemed The Man wished to keep his identity secret, which Smith found faintly ridiculous but he was being well paid so why should he care? Smith unlocked the metal gates and allowed The Man to drive his car through, before locking them again and walking slowly over to where the vehicle was being parked. Then he led The Man through to a small office at the back of the main building.

He knocked, opened the door and let the stranger inside before closing it and standing guard outside.

Wolf got to his feet. "Sir," he said. Privately he didn't feel Senator Kinsey deserved his respect but he had no choice, he was the chosen representative of the Committee for this mission. He had to acknowledge that Kinsey was passionate about the execution of this plan.

Kinsey sat in the only other chair in the room and as soon as Wolf was seated, he asked, "He is awake?"

Wolf knew exactly which prisoner Kinsey was asking about. "Yes. O'Neill came to about eight hours ago. I gave them a few hours to talk together, possibly increase any worry that Jackson developed after almost forty-eight hours alone in virtual silence."

"Did you hear any sounds of arguing," Kinsey asked, almost licking his lips in anticipation.

"No, sir. Jones was outside the whole time and he reported that they spoke quietly together. If anything, Jackson was helping O'Neill recover and I guess he appreciated it. There was no sign of any animosity between the two men."

Kinsey frowned and his lips thinned.

"You have to understand, sir," Wolf said. "These men have been team-mates for years and even if they don't like each other they will pull together in adversity. It is no more than I expected. In the end it doesn't matter, it never did." Wolf was very aware of Kinsey's attitude to his two captives and while he despised them too it was for entirely different reasons.

Kinsey was selfish and petty and Wolf considered that the Senator put his own agenda before the group. Major John Wolf was ex-NID who passionately believed in what he had been doing and when O'Neill shut them down by betraying them to the aliens, his ideas for keeping Earth safe had died and he would never forgive the colonel for that. Unlike Makepeace, Wolf's identity had never been known and he’d kept a low profile doing what he could for the Committee and waiting for an opportunity. This was so much better than he could have hoped for.

To get revenge against O'Neill was delicious and using Jackson to do it had been his idea, Kinsey had jumped at it. Wolf had no particular grievance against Jackson other than that he was a member of SG1; to him it had just been the best plan to get rid of the colonel, destroying SG1 and disgracing the SGC in the process.

Kinsey, on the other hand, had been delighted at the price Jackson would pay. He'd actually suggested that they allow him to live just so he could spend his life in prison, hopefully on death row. Wolf had pointed out the flaw in that plan and in the end Kinsey had agreed, though he stipulated that both men knew what was happening before they were killed.

"Have they seen the papers?" Kinsey asked.

"Yes, sir. I gave them copies about two hours ago."

"I want to see the prisoners," Kinsey suddenly said, getting to his feet.

"Is that wise?" Wolf asked. He didn't really care but somehow the pettiness of this man irked him. He might hate O'Neill but at least the man was brave.

"Why should it matter? I want them to know who has brought them to this."

~~

While they were looking over the crime scene at Jack's house, Sam explained to Pete what Janet had discovered and he wasn't surprised that the local police hadn't shared the information.

"I overheard a couple of 'em speaking and they're not happy with the amount of information leaking to the newspapers. They are positive the information isn't coming from them and that only leaves the base. They've discovered something up at the lake but I don't know what it is."

"Since they found the knife?"

"I think so. I'm trying to find out. Major Davis is trying to put pressure on from his side too but I think I might have more luck with this police liaison officer they have given me."

"What, you playing the dumb cop?" Sam laughed.

"Hey, it works!"

Sam’s laughter peeled out and she suddenly stopped, her hand to her mouth.

"What?" Pete asked.

"How can I laugh like that with maybe the colonel dead and Daniel in god knows what kind of trouble?" she asked uneasily.

"Don't sweat it, honey. Let's just see if we can't help solve this mess."

"I wish we could find something here. Whoever set it up to make it look like Daniel had done this was thorough. Look at this place."

"I know but it’s possible they have been too thorough," Pete said looking around the trashed room.

"Too thorough?"

"Not sure, just ...well, it looks like it’s been staged. There may be something out of place, some hint, some clue they have overlooked. Would you know, or anyone else?"

She sighed, "The best person to ask that besides Jack would be Daniel."

"Damn!"

"Yeah," Sam answered sadly.

~~

Wolf stared at Kinsey, keeping his feelings and his opinions tightly under wraps. The idea of this ...this weasel getting his kicks from gloating over his prisoners was galling. Wolf was a professional; he'd carry out his instructions without compunction. He would maim, kill if it produced the necessary end result but he saw no advantage in Kinsey's self-serving wallowing in his enemies' downfall. His success over them should be enough. This was just cheap and nasty -- well didn't that just describe Kinsey.

"I asked if it was wise. I never take any risk that isn't warranted and necessary," Wolf said. "It is not necessary for you to see and be seen by these men. It is a risk you should not take."

"A risk? What risk? You have them under lock and key, O'Neill is injured and Jackson is no threat to you and your men. Or do you doubt your ability?" Kinsey asked disdainfully.

"No, I don’t but neither will I discount that rare outside chance, that unknown variable. Any action that is not necessary is dangerous and a risk. That tiny percentage chance that they might escape, is that possibility worth your future just to see them and gloat?"

Kinsey stared at Wolf. The senator had heard of the man's devotion to duty which was the reason he'd chosen to use him for this mission and at last he appreciated the recommendation. He saw little reason to agree with the man but he’d heard enough to accept his suggestion. Nothing, not even the chance to stare into the eyes of O'Neill and Jackson and see their capitulation was enough to risk his future chance of being President of the United States.

"Very well, I won't confront them but I do wish to see them. There is a way?"

"See and not be seen?" Wolf nodded, satisfied. "There is a slot in the door through which we pass the food and water. You could see into the cell through that."

"And they wouldn't be able to see me? Good!" Kinsey added as Wolf nodded.

Wolf had no wish to witness Kinsey 'viewing' of the prisoners so he called Smith to take the man to the cell so that he was able to look through the slot in the door. Smith gave him a puzzled glance but said nothing as he indicated the Senator should follow him.

Shortly Kinsey stood in front of a metal door in which there was a narrow slot. He knew from the reports that this door had been specially brought in and added to the concrete storage room to make it escape proof. It was identical to those used in high security prisons.

Smith had informed him on the way down to this level that it would be necessary to stoop to see inside the cell and though he found the position uncomfortable Kinsey adopted it willingly to get a good look at his nemeses.

It took a second for him to grow accustomed to the dimness of the cell compared to the bright corridor outside and for his eyes to find the two men who were together against the back wall. It irked him that they seemed so comfortable so close together. Jackson was sitting with his back against the wall and his legs straight out and O'Neill was half lying against him, slouching between the younger man's legs, his back supported against Jackson's chest. Kinsey noted with surprise that Jackson's arm was around the colonel and that O'Neill was holding it tightly against his chest and that his head was resting back on Jackson's shoulder. They were apparently talking quietly together, Jackson's head bent towards O'Neill, their heads so close that for a moment Kinsey thought they were kissing.

Shaking his head with disbelief, he dismissed that ludicrous thought and when he looked again he saw O'Neill smile at whatever Jackson was saying and the younger man grinned back at him.

He had hoped to find them anxious and fearful, arguing because of the tension of their situation. Instead he was faced with this calm, good-natured togetherness and it infuriated him. Anger curled in his stomach and he had the insane urge to wrench the door open and tell them they were going to die and it was all his doing. Kinsey had fooled the redoubtable Wolf into working for him, letting the major believe the instructions to dispose of O'Neill and disgrace the SGC came from the Committee. Taking deep breaths to rein in his furious temper, it took all his willpower to turn and walk away without shouting some obscenity through the opening. He took with him the knowledge that he had won. He just wished there was some way to let O'Neill know, to look him in the eye as Wolf finally killed him.

~~

Jack leaned back against Daniel, revelling in the feel of the man. He couldn't lose this, not now he had regained his lover, not now Daniel accepted he'd had a problem that they could work out. Daniel wanted him as much as he wanted Daniel and no way was he going to let these bastards who had them locked in this concrete box, spoil the future he wanted so much.

Daniel dropped his head and as if he knew what Jack was thinking, he nuzzled his neck and whispered, "Love you, Jack. Never going to let you go."

"Daniel," he murmured back, turning just enough so their lips met in a kiss that ended too quickly as Daniel sighed his name.

"Finish that properly later," Daniel said with a smile and Jack grinned appreciatively.

All of a sudden Jack's senses were on alert. Surreptitiously he looked around for whatever had got all his alarm bells ringing but of course there was nothing, not even Wolf.

"What?" Daniel asked, sensing something was wrong.

"Don't know. It just feels ...off."

Daniel lifted his head and glanced around too. After over four years serving with Jack he trusted his instincts implicitly.

"I've got that feeling in the back of my neck as if we're being watched."

"Well, yeah, that's a given I guess."

"Yeah, sure but this is the first time I’ve felt this particular feeling."

"Someone you know maybe?" Daniel asked putting into words what had been at the back of his mind since this whole fiasco had started, that there was something personal behind all this.

"Could be. Unless ..."

"Unless?"

"It's time?"

"Now? You think they'll come now? What do we do, Jack? We haven't really had time to talk about this and I somehow thought we would have more time. Don't know why really. I wonder what makes..."

"Daniel, you're waffling."

"Uh? Sorry."

"It's gone. That feeling. I don't know what it was but I think we're safe for a while yet."

"We need to talk about this, Jack. I mean do we go on lying here or should we..."

"Relax, Daniel, that's the first thing you have to do." Jack edged that fraction closer and lowering his voice, he continued. "Now, listen, it will all depend on what they do when they come through that door. We have to think of every scenario and have a plan."

"They're bound to have guns this time aren't they?"

~~

A furious Kinsey quickly marched back up the stairs to the office Wolf was using and barged in without knocking. Smith, on his heels, stood in the doorway until Wolf waved him away.

"What the hell is going on?" demanded Kinsey. "Those two are ...are...."

"Coping well with their situation? I know. They are professionals. O'Neill especially will keep Jackson calm, though I have yet to see any sign of panic from him either, even before the colonel awoke. Could it be that you underestimated him, Senator?" Wolf took an unexpected pleasure in asking him that.

Gritting his teeth, Kinsey said, "Enough. The ...point has been made; there is no need to carry this on any longer. Finish it. Get rid of them!"

"The plan was to hold them for at least three days. Tomorrow night I will finish it..."

Kinsey interrupted, "I'm in charge here, Wolf. There is no need to wait any longer. Finish it ...now!"

Wolf stared at him contemptuously. "We should stick to my plan. The Committee would..."

"I speak for the Committee," Kinsey interrupted angrily. "Tell me what your plan is?"

Wolf wasn't happy but Kinsey did speak for the Committee so his hands were tied. Kinsey was his only contact; he had no other way to contact the shadowy men who comprised the group. He straightened his back and lifting his chin, he said, "I will kill O'Neill in the cell and dump the body in the lake. Then I take Jackson and stage his suicide."

"Suicide? I thought the idea was to stage it so it looked as if he was killed trying to escape?"

"That was one possible scenario but I considered it too high a risk and the suicide plan is not only easier to control, it also suits his character better."

"Jackson was never one to give up, I'll give him that," Kinsey said grudgingly. "I tried for years to make him leave, resign but he is one stubborn bastard."

"I understand that but look at this way. He has nowhere else to go. He'd already burned all his professional bridges years ago. He has no family left since his grandfather disappeared and his only friends are in the SGC. He is wanted for the murder of his one-time friend and C.O. There is a small hut in the woods a few miles from where we abandoned his car but outside the police search area. Not too far to walk and he could have done so along the road, hence no tracks through the wood. It will look as if he has been hiding out there and his guilt brought him back to the scene of his crime, where he threw his friend in the lake. There, in despair, he will kill himself."

As Wolf explained his plot, Kinsey's smile developed and grew until he nodded with approval. "I'm staying while you carry this out. Don't concern yourself," he said quickly as Wolf made to interrupt. "I will keep out of your way; they'll never know I'm here but I ...I," he licked his lips, "I will satisfy myself that it is finally over."

Staring at Kinsey, Wolf had a nasty taste in his mouth. "I see. You have the authority but I want it on record that I protest about this change of timetable." Kinsey nodded but was clearly uninterested. Raising his voice, Wolf called, "Smith, get in here."

Smith entered and without a glance at Kinsey he walked to the front of Wolf's desk.

"Instruct Jones to get my car and park it out front. Then take our guest here and wait outside, out of sight around the side of the building."

Smith was puzzled but he just nodded and backed out.

Kinsey waited and watched as Wolf stood, put on his jacket and checked his weapon before placing it in the holster at his waist.

~~

Jack stared at Daniel steadily as the footsteps came closer. It sounded like only one person this time. Either it was just time for food, though he was pretty sure that didn't fit in with the schedule. If, as seemed more likely, their moment had finally come, could it possibly be Wolf on his own? The man was very full of himself; that or very sure of himself, the latter Jack suspected was the truth. The man gave off confidence in waves, he reminded Jack of the way he was a few years ago when he was working for Special Ops. Supremely confident and supremely cold. He so much preferred the man he was now and he knew precisely whom he had to thank for that -- and whom he had to protect now. If only he could. If he was a religious man he would have prayed but he had lost that ability the day his son died. Instead he promised himself he would do everything in his power -- and then some.

But as he looked at Daniel, sitting calmly beside him, he knew fooling himself wouldn't help, he had to be ready. Promising Daniel and promising himself was one thing, fulfilling that promise was another. One thing was certain though; the only way that Daniel was going to die was if he was already dead.

The cell door swung open and Wolf stood there, this time dressed in the uniform of a Marine Major. He stood just inside the cell looking from one man to the other, a slight wariness in his eyes as he noted that O'Neill was sitting beside Jackson, though still leaning on him for support.

"A jarhead?" Jack said, disdain dripping from his voice. "I should have known."

Wolf ignored the insult and slowly lifted his right hand. Neither man was surprised to see he was carrying a weapon, a 9mm berretta. It was the same model that Daniel carried on missions. Jack stared at it recognising the danger represented by Wolf carrying such a gun -- he even wondered if it could possibly be Daniel's actual weapon. Keeping one eye on Wolf he took a quick glance at Daniel and saw that he too was drawn to the gun. Jack knew he understood the implication.

Wolf carefully kept the gun aimed at both men as he casually withdrew a sharp knife from his pocket.

"Ah, so now you carry out the 'murder'," Jack said calmly. "And Daniel, that wouldn't be his Berretta by any chance?"

"Don't suppose it's more than you have already surmised," Wolf said almost casually, ignoring Jack's question. "Your body is going to go into that nice deep lake, so if by any remote chance it is found eventually it should be nicely decomposed by then." Daniel gasped at the indifference in the man's voice but Wolf ignored him and ploughed on. "Then poor, guilt-ridden Dr. Jackson will return to the scene of his crime and commit suicide."

"You think I'm just going stand by and let you carry out this atrocity?" Daniel said getting to his feet and Jack could hear the strain in his voice.

Wolf gave a harsh laugh. "You think you could stop me? You're an anthropologist, Jackson," he said and Daniel frowned. The man laughed again. "I'm a true alpha male, I'd destroy you. Wolf by name and wolf by nature."

"You mean one of those mangy, howling scavengers that tries to be more than just a dog?" Jack retorted now using the wall for support as Daniel was standing.

Wolf started towards him, rage contorting his features and just as suddenly he stopped and a smile broke out. "I must remember not to underestimate you. A certain person has already done that with the good doctor here I think."

"And who was that?" Daniel asked.

"That won't work. I've already told you everything I'm going to. Now move away, over there," he said pointing the gun deliberately at Daniel with one hand and waving him off to the right, while the other hand held the knife at full stretch towards Jack who at last rose slowly to his feet. Daniel moved slowly away, his expression one of fear as he stepped little more than an inch at a time away from Jack. Wolf watched his slow movement with mounting frustration. He waved the gun again and Daniel started and moved quicker.

Watching him carefully, Jack knew now they had a chance. The man was overconfident, so sure he didn't need the help of his cohorts. He was stupid enough to dismiss Daniel, which suggested either he'd not done his research properly or whoever was behind him had given him a false impression. What had Wolf said? A certain person had already done that with the good doctor. Whichever, it was now to their advantage and he knew Daniel would make good use of it.

"Well then Wolf, let's see how a mangy dog fights," Jack goaded the man.

Wolf moved his eyes slowly back to Jack. "This 'dog' has sharp teeth and knows how to use them," Wolf said stepping towards Jack who looked as if he needed the wall to hold him up.

Wolf moved so fast that he almost caught Jack unawares and the knife just slid past his ribs, as the colonel's well-honed instincts allowed him to move the fraction necessary to get out of the knife's way, yet leaving Jack feeling the pull of his still recovering muscles. Wolf hampered himself by still keeping the gun aimed, albeit loosely, at Daniel.

As Wolf made a second lunge at Jack, Daniel suddenly moved, kicking out as he did so and knocking the Berretta from Wolf's hand. At the same time, Jack grabbed the other hand, forcing it back and twisting the knife from his attacker’s grip. Belatedly wondering if he had miscalculated trying to take both these men on at once, a furious Wolf turned on Jack. Daniel, trying to work in concert with his friend, sprang at Wolf attempting to use a move he had learned from Jack, a double-fisted blow on the back of Wolf's neck.

The sound of a body hitting the stone floor with a loud thud carried to the empty corridor outside.

~~

"Are you sure this is the right way, Sam? I thought we'd be there by now," Pete commented.

"I'm sure. Not much further now," she replied, checking the map spread out across her knees as Pete drove.

"I do not understand why these police officers were not more thorough in their investigation," Teal'c said.

"Well, they don't have any jurisdiction on military property. Unless the officer in charge had invited them in they would have to take his word. If they had any real doubts they would have had to go through channels to get permission to enter and search, and then it would have been in the company of military police."

"I see," Teal'c said, his tone indicating that really he did not.

Teal'c considered that the disappearance of DanielJackson was of paramount importance. He could not accept that his friend could ever have killed O'Neill. Besides the fact that their relationship, while stormy at present, was very deep and real, Teal'c could never imagine DanielJackson committing violence except to save life, never to take it.

He was, therefore, grateful that the confusion and dissatisfaction of PeteShannahan had caused the policeman to check back over all the reports that had been received by the Colorado Springs PD. One report had jumped out at him, from two police officers who had questioned but not searched a small military base not far from the lake scene. The fact that it was so close and had military links had caused him to contact MajorCarter to obtain confirmation that the base was legitimate. She had done a quick check, purposely avoiding channels just in case it was not above board. They were all grateful for her precaution when it proved the base should not be occupied, particularly not by Marines, the personnel interviewed by the police at the base.

Hammond ordered the three of them to go and check out the place, keeping in close contact with him at all times. He had backup waiting but did not want to send more than one car initially so as not to spook anyone who might be holding Dr. Jackson captive, and hopefully even Colonel O'Neill.

"Pull over, Pete," Sam said. "The gates are just round the next bend. I think we should go on foot from here, see how the land lies."

Teal'c was tempted to produce one of the comments that he would make to one of O'Neill's slang sayings but he held his tongue. This was not the time or place.

With its headlights and engine already off, the car slid silently to a halt just inside a stand of trees at the side of the road. The three of them got out and moved quietly towards the chain link fence just ahead, shining slightly in the light from the moon.

~~

Kinsey checked his watch and, as he suspected, Wolf has been gone longer than expected. It had been almost fifteen minutes.

"Don't you think one of you should check on Major Wolf?" he asked irritably. Smith had stayed with him from the moment he'd brought him out here and Jones had joined them as soon as he had parked Wolf's car out front as instructed.

"No, sir," Smith replied with a smirk in Jones's direction. "The major wouldn't want to be interrupted just now and he certainly doesn't need any help. He enjoys his work and he particularly wanted to enjoy it with O'Neill."

Kinsey nodded, unwillingly impressed by the men's confidence in Wolf though he was heartened by the condition O'Neill had been in when he saw him in that cell with Jackson. He got a quick reminder of how the two men had seemed, close together as Jackson supported O'Neill. Something about that still bugged him but Jones dragged his attention back as he commented that he thought he heard movement.

Kinsey stepped closer to the wall, more hidden from the front of the building but with a clear view as two men stepped outside. They were little more than shadows as they moved from the bright light of the building into the diffused light provided only by the moon high above.

Major Wolf had donned his overcoat but he still wore his uniform cap. The Berretta was the clearest object as it reflected the moonlight, Wolf pointing it at a stumbling Daniel Jackson as he moved just ahead of the major. He hesitated when he reached the car, looking back at the man with the gun and the major waved it in the direction of the door.

"You bastard, fuck you!" Jackson snarled and Wolf jammed the gun against his neck forcing him to bend away from the harsh metal.

Kinsey could have sworn he saw fear in Jackson's eyes but he knew it was just wishful thinking as he couldn't even see his face that clearly from this distance. Suddenly like a bolt out of the blue it hit Kinsey that O'Neill was dead! Lying on the cold stone floor of his cell and butchered with a knife. Excitement ran through him and he wanted to see the body so he watched impatiently as Wolf forced Jackson into the passenger side of the car and made him slide across to the driver's seat. Wolf climbed in beside him, keeping the weapon aimed at Jackson's head and Kinsey watched as they drove slowly away.

Smith must have read his intention for he took hold of Kinsey's arm. The Senator turned an angry glare on the man but Smith just said, "Wait, sir. Let Jones check things out."

"I want to see the body. Now!"

~~

It was somehow no surprise to find Kinsey there, apparently hiding at the edge of the main building on the other side of the chain-link fence. Sam glanced at Teal'c and saw a muscle twitch in his cheek, it was rare for her to see that sign of anger in the Jaffa.

"You know him?" Pete asked softly.

"Yes, he is on the Oversight Committee for the SGC. Let's just say we’ve had trouble with him too many times before. He really has it in for the colonel and Daniel."

"Ah!"

"He is the lowest form of life," Teal'c intoned.

As they observed, the door to the building opened and Kinsey and the two marines with him moved closer studying what happened. Sam sucked in a breath as she saw Daniel stumble out of the building, held at gunpoint by a marine major. He looked thoroughly dejected, his shoulders drooping and his head dipped, only showing any fighting spirit when the major indicated he should get into the vehicle.

"Oh, Daniel," she whispered but Teal'c heard her.

"He is alive, MajorCarter, we should be grateful."

"He’s alone though. Does that mean O'Neill is dead after all?" Pete wondered.

Sam hated to hear her own fears put into words and giving herself a figurative shake she knew she had to concentrate on freeing Daniel. Whatever had happened to the colonel would have to come later. She only hoped that at least Daniel knew the answer to that.

Daniel was forced into the driver's seat with the major sitting alongside, holding the weapon to his head.

"You two intercept the vehicle and release DanielJackson. Kinsey is not going to escape retribution for this act," Teal'c said. "I will watch and stop them if they try to escape." Almost before he’d stopped speaking he was heading along the fence for the main gate.

Sam and Pete rushed to their car. As the road curved from the base they could move off down the road and get ahead of the major's car.

"I can stop them," Pete said as they reached the vehicle, "This is my line of work remember?"

Sam nodded smiling at her boyfriend.

~~

Kinsey paced up and down in front of the door. Smith had told him it was better to wait for a few minutes; it was Jones's job to check out the site, ensure Wolf had left no clues or anything and see what clean up was necessary. Smith was leaning against the wall watching the pacing man. He knew why everyone wanted O'Neill and Jackson dead but he found Kinsey's fervour distasteful. To him it was just a job; they were targets, no more. Apparently, this time for Wolf it was different but even he was treating it just like one more job.

Suddenly there was a shout from inside. "Dave, Dave, it wasn't Wolf. He's here ...in the cell," Jones appeared at the door, gasping for breath as he stared at Smith. "He’s ...unconscious. That had to be... O'Neill!"

Kinsey stared for a moment and then he was dashing for his car, parked around the side of the building. Smith watched him go in disgust before turning to run back inside after Jones.

Teal'c had almost reached the closed gate even as Kinsey drove at it. The car didn't stop, just smashed through the gate, the twisted metal screaming as it scratched its way along the black car. Teal'c stood by the destroyed gate staring at the car as it sped away. He didn't think the others would be able to stop both cars. DanielJackson's safety was paramount but that didn't mean he didn't find it galling that Kinsey might get away with his involvement in this as it appeared that they had no evidence linking him to the crime.

However, he was determined to stop the men inside the building from escaping. He suspected that DanielJackson could identify those men to the authorities. Dismissing Kinsey from his mind, Teal'c hurried to the building and carefully made his way inside.

Moving slowly from room to room and finding each one empty, he went deeper into the building until he found a found a stairway going down. He followed it and that was when he heard voices. He saw an open metal door, which Teal'c couldn't help but compare to a cell door. He withdrew his zat from its holster and approached the door where inside, he saw the two men and a third man who seemed to be just coming round from unconsciousness. He was dressed only in a tee and boxers and on the floor nearby was what looked like a pair of trousers and a shirt.

Before he had time to take anything else in, one of the men straightened and began to turn, presumably sensing his presence. Teal'c swiftly punctuated the room with the zat, taking down all three men.

Striding into the room he quickly checked out the clothing, anger heating his blood as he realised the shirt was streaked with dried blood. For a moment he assumed the shirt was DanielJackson's but then he realised that didn't make sense unless his kidnappers had brought him a change of clothes. He looked at the pants and he suddenly recognised them; knew immediately where he had seen them before. They were O'Neill's. So, sometime recently O'Neill had also been held in this room.

Angrily he turned to the three men and wished they were not unconscious. He gave a cold smile, knowing they would soon awaken. He quickly removed their belts and used them to tie their hands behind their backs, using O'Neill's belt to tie the hands of the third, partly unclothed man. Then he bolted the door shut and went up top to wait by the main entrance.

~~

Pete drove to a curve in the road and pulled the steering wheel hard down as he pressed on the brake, slewing the car across the road and blocking it. Sam and he got out and using the vehicle for cover aimed their weapons at the road. A minute later a car came racing towards them, the driver, Daniel, only slamming the brakes on in time for it to stop almost touching Pete's vehicle.

Sam could see Daniel leaning over the steering wheel, breathing hard. She was relieved he was okay, for a terrible moment she thought he would slam into their car. She glanced quickly at the major who was still hunched over the dashboard, hurrying round to cover him with her weapon.

Pete was already at Daniel's side, pulling the door open to make sure he knew he was safe. "Dr. Jackson, you're fine now. You can get out."

Daniel lifted his head and stared at Pete, not seeming to recognise him immediately. He turned back to the marine major and to their surprise pulled the man towards him, asking hoarsely, "Are you all right?" Then he turned angrily to Pete and said, "What the hell were you doing?"

"Daniel? What’s wrong? We’ve been worried sick about you," Sam queried puzzled.

"What about Jack?" he asked, still holding the other man against him.

Sam looked over the roof of the car at Pete, wondering if there was something wrong with Daniel after all.

Then she heard a voice she thought never to hear again.

"I'm okay, Daniel, it's all right."

"Sir? Oh my god, it's the colonel!" Sam exclaimed as she leaned into the car and saw it was Jack O'Neill under the major's cap. She reached out a hand to make sure he was real.

"Carter," he said unsteadily.

"Colonel O'Neill?" Pete checked trying to peer past Daniel to look at the other man's face. "This is wonderful! We were pretty sure you really were dead."

"And me? You didn't believe that I..."

"No way, Daniel!" Sam interrupted. "We never believed it for an instant. Hammond ordered our own investigation immediately and drafted Pete here to act as liaison with the Springs Police. We hoped that the colonel might still be alive too because his body was never found but ...well we weren't too sure of that. Your house was such a mess, sir, and the blood…" She saw Daniel shiver and stopped.

"Daniel saw them attack me, they drugged him but he saw," Jack said quietly, looking much more like his usual self now.

"I thought they were going to kill him, they assaulted him so viciously," Daniel added softly, glancing at Jack. "But Wolf told me how professional they were, seemed very proud of the fact that they hurt Jack without doing too much damage."

"Wolf?" Pete asked.

Sam realised that both men had obviously been through an ordeal and she needed to get them back to the base and under the tender care of Janet Fraiser. Though the colonel seemed all right on the surface, it was hard to tell how badly injured he was under his clothing. And Daniel, well he seemed to be in shock.

"Sir, why don't you and Daniel get in the back and let me drive this car. We need to go back and pick up Teal'c and any prisoners he has, then we can all head back to the Mountain. I know a lot of people there who will be glad to see you."

She moved to one side to let them change places and watched casually as Daniel came around the vehicle to help Jack out. He hadn't said anything but he was obviously still a little shaky from the suddenly aborted collision of the two cars. She took her cell from her pocket and told them, "I'll just call the general now and let him know we have you both safe."

"I'll just bet he’ll be interested to know about Kinsey's involvement too," Pete added.

"Kinsey?" Jack ground out, too angry even to raise his voice.

"You never knew?" Pete asked. "We saw him back at the base, watching from the side of the building."

"Base? We knew very little. Don't even know where we were held. Just got into the waiting car and followed the road. The only names we knew were Wolf and his smucks, Smith and Jones."

Just then a black car came around the bend moving fast but the driver had enough presence of mind to jerk the vehicle sharply and he just missed both cars, swerving violently to squeeze between the trunk of Pete's car and the nearby trees.

Pete cursed, as there was no way he could follow, it would take too much time to manoeuvre his car around and give chase. They would just have to go the base and see how Teal'c was faring -- and discover who may have just escaped.

~~

Kinsey only got a glimpse of the people standing near the cars blocking the road but the sight of the figure of Daniel Jackson solicitously supporting Jack O'Neill was burned into his brain as fury seared his body.

~~

Teal'c was standing by the door of the main building when the two cars drove back through the open gate. He moved forward, his zat at the ready but quickly lowered it when he saw who was driving the vehicles. When he realised who MajorCarter's passengers were, the Jaffa actually quirked up the corners of his mouth, for him a large grin.

"DanielJackson, O'Neill, it is very good indeed to see you both alive and well. I was concerned." He was still the master of the understatement however.

"Thanks, Teal'c," Daniel replied smiling at his friend but sounding exhausted. It was obvious his ordeal was finally catching up with him.

"Teal'c, a black car passed us as we were helping the colonel and Daniel. What happened? Who was that?"

"That would be Kinsey," he answered with disgust. "I regret I was too far away and unable to stop him leaving. I did, however, capture three other men."

"You got Wolf?" Jack spoke for the first time.

"Wolf?" Teal'c queried. "One man was half undressed and I found what I believe to be your clothing nearby."

"Yeah, that would be Major John Wolf; I guess ex-NID, ex-Special Ops if I am not mistaken. At least we have him." The tone of Jack's voice filled in what he left unsaid.

"Let's just get everyone back to the Mountain and sort things out there," Sam suggested. "The general is keen to have you both back, sir."

"Let's go home," Jack said quietly.

~~

Jack and Daniel sat side by side in the back seat, content to let Sam drive them to the mountain. Daniel commented, loudly enough for Sam to hear, that Jack should lean against him as he seemed to finally hit the proverbial wall.

Pressing a little closer to Daniel and leaning against his shoulder, Jack said quietly, "You did real good back there, Daniel."

Daniel shrugged, "I only did what I had to. You got us out of there."

Jack grinned, "Well, I've always wanted to dress in wolf's clothing."

Daniel laughed softly and Sam glanced back at them in the rear view mirror, pleased that they seemed closer than they had in weeks.

A minute or two later, Jack whispered into Daniel's ear which was conveniently very close to where he was resting his head, "Do you remember what you said to 'Wolf' when I pretended to force you into the car?"

For a second Daniel frowned, then his brow cleared as he remembered, "Yeah," he said recalling his words very clearly -- You bastard, fuck you!

"I might just hold you to that," Jack murmured and Daniel quickly turned to look out of the window but Jack saw his quick flush anyway.

When the two vehicles pulled up at the final checkpoint at Cheyenne Mountain, General Hammond, Dr. Fraiser and a team of SFs were waiting for them. Sam was driving the first one with Jack and Daniel in the back and Pete was driving the other while Teal'c sat in the passenger seat keeping an eye on the three men bundled in the back seat, still securely tied with belts. The SFs immediately took control of the prisoners but Teal'c insisted he accompany them down to the SGC cells.

Jack and Daniel were greeted with smiles and handshakes from the general and a smiling insistence from Janet Fraiser that their first port of call must be the infirmary.

"You need to take a look at Jack, Doc, but I'm..."

Janet stopped him with a raised finger, "Don't tell me you're fine Daniel, no one who has gone through what you've just experienced is ‘fine’."

Daniel had the grace to look sheepish but didn't try and correct her and when she turned her penetrating gaze on the colonel, he judiciously decided not even to try and argue, the truth being now he no longer had to be the 'colonel' for his team-mate, his aches and pain had intensified.

They got in the elevator when it finally arrived, the SFs and Teal'c having to wait to take the next car to take the prisoners down to the brig. They hadn't travelled very many levels when the general turned to them.

"Naturally I will hear the reports from Major Carter, Teal'c and Detective Shannahan first but when the doctor has cleared you both I would like a detailed report from the two of you."

"Yes, sir," Jack replied, exhaustion now evident in his voice. "It's a long story and I don't know all of it. Most of the first couple of days I was out of it. Daniel will have to tell you all about that."

General Hammond glanced at Daniel and saw the archaeologist was obviously at the end of his tether. "Very well, gentleman but for now you get some well earned rest."

"After the doc has finished with us we'll need it," Jack said sarcastically.

"No, colonel, I refuse to take any of the blame, not this time!" Fraiser retorted.

"No Jack, this is squarely on the shoulders of Wolf and Kinsey," Daniel said tiredly.

"Kinsey?" Hammond glanced from one man to the other, yet somehow he didn't look shocked.

Carter stepped in, "We can explain about that, sir, more than they can actually."

~~

While Jack and Daniel were resting for once, gratefully and without any complaints in the infirmary, Hammond was in his office with Major Paul Davis and Pete Shannahan where they were engaged in a four-way conversation with the Chief of Police for Colorado Springs. The general had already informed the man that as the three prisoners were all military personnel, a major and two sergeants, captured on military property, they came under the jurisdiction of the Air Force. The one thing they had been able to get out of the prisoners was name, rank and serial number and surprisingly Smith and Jones were their real names.

Pete told the Police Chief that he and Major Davis would call and see him in the morning on behalf of the Air Force and explain everything, as far they were able without violating National Security. The Chief accepted this, albeit a little reluctantly but the base and the Colorado Springs PD had a good rapport he had no reason to doubt the general.

Just as Paul returned the telephone to its cradle there was a knock at the door and Captain Peller, the armoury officer, entered when the general called, "Come in!"

"Sir, as requested, I checked the Berretta that Major Carter brought in earlier. I am sorry to say, sir that it is indeed Dr. Jackson's weapon. The serial number tallies and it was missing from the armoury."

"How the hell could that have happened?" blurted Pete. "Sorry, general," he added apologetically.

"No need, son that was my next question. Captain?"

The tone of the general's voice told the captain that he was in trouble. There was no way a weapon should have left the armoury without being accounted for and a signature obtained. The captain squared his shoulders and then admitted, "I am sorry, sir but I have no answer for that. Until I checked at your request I was certain that no weapons were missing."

"I trust the Berretta is the only one?" Hammond asked.

"Yes, sir, I can confirm that."

"I want security stepped up, captain. There will not be a recurrence of this."

"Yes, sir, of course, sir." The captain was ramrod straight.

"Dismissed."

The captain saluted, smartly turned and left.

"So, the mole has been doing more than just getting information out," Major Davis said thoughtfully.

The general's expression eloquently expressed what he thought of that situation.

~~

The following morning, about eleven, Janet Fraiser came to see her two newest patients who had both had a good night’s sleep, helped a little by her judicious injections of a tranquilizer. Even though they both seemed really tired she thought their strung-out nerves wouldn't be conducive to a good night's sleep, so she decided to give them a helping hand.

Predictably Daniel asked for coffee but she refused, offering him herbal tea or juice. She gave him the once over and said that after his debrief he could go home, provided he ate properly, got plenty of sleep and no work.

Jack waited patiently for his turn, expecting the same instructions from the petite doctor but after her examination she suggested that he stay in the infirmary for another twenty-four hours observation.

"Aw, come on, Doc. I'm just a bit stiff, nothing I can't handle with my eyes closed."

"I should hope you would be more careful than that," she smiled but it soon faded. "Seriously, sir, they did quite a number on you no matter how they tried to sugar coat it. While it is true they inflicted no serious damage, you still took quite a beating. I would like to keep an eye on you for a little longer. I wouldn't want you driving yet either."

"Er, could I do that, Janet? Drive him home and keep an eye on him, make sure he does what you say?" Daniel asked.

"And who makes sure you do that, Danny?" Jack asked snidely.

Janet Fraiser looked from one man to the other, wondering if she could trust them to watch out for each other. They had each looked after the other when injured on more than one occasion but this time neither man was one hundred percent. However, they cared for each other greatly and now it seemed pretty clear their friendship was back on track so she knew without doubt each would do their utmost for the other.

Nodding as much to herself as to them, she said, "Very well, I will approve your discharge if Dr. Jackson takes you home and stays with you and that you both get plenty of rest. I want to see you both back here in forty-eight hours, sooner if there are any problems. Got it?"

"Yes, ma'am," Jack said demurely and Daniel laughed. Janet just crossed her arms and tapped her feet.

"I think it is time you both got dressed and got out of here. Go bother the general!"

A few minutes later when they were dressed and about to leave, she called out to them,

"Gentlemen?" at the doorway they stopped and turned. Janet smiled and continued, "It's good to have you back."

They both grinned and Jack traced her a salute.

~~

A few minutes later found both men in a more serious mood as they sat with the general, Major Davis, Pete, Sam and Teal'c and they began to tell their side of the story. They both had different viewpoints of the original kidnapping and even Jack learned a little more detail about the first couple of days when Daniel feared for Jack's condition. A little brokenly, trying not to say too much yet needing to voice his reactions to the original attack on Jack, Daniel told of his fears that Jack might die in the sterile concrete box and how helpless that made him feel.

Later after they’d covered everything up to their escape, the general filled them in on what had been happening on the base and when he mentioned his belief that there was a mole involved, Jack was not particularly surprised knowing that Kinsey was involved. Hammond discussed the new investigation he had started but admitted he didn't have much confidence it would smoke out the informant.

"After all, it is not beyond the scope of possibility that the mole is a member of the security forces. We were never able to confirm if Makepeace leaking information all along or if he was turned after he joined us. There is no way of knowing how many others might have similar sympathies."

"I gather the prisoners are not speaking, sir?" Daniel asked the general.

"No, other than to confirm name, rank and serial number they are the proverbial three monkeys," the general sighed.

"Three monkeys?" Teal'c queried.

"See no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil," Pete answered with a shrug.

"Ah, I believe I understand. It is certain they appear to have never seen, heard nor spoken to Senator Kinsey," Teal added.

"So he walks away squeaky clean again, the bastard!" Jack said.

Hammond didn't have the heart to pull him up for the language, especially as he shared the viewpoint. "And the mole in the SGC will probably continue to report to him."

~~

They were finally alone, going to Jack's house together. At first Daniel thought they would have to go to his apartment, which, odd as it sounded didn't feel like home to him anymore. He had been spending more time in his own place over the last few weeks because of his volatile relationship with Jack but he no longer felt that sense of calm his books and artefacts used to bring him. Now, he realised that what he needed most was his lover's presence, being surrounded by all things Jack. They each had a few things at the other's home, the only possible compromise in living space they could make in the necessary secrecy of their relationship.

So it had been something of a surprise when Pete had told Jack that he, Sam and even Janet had gone over to his place first thing that morning when they were still asleep in the infirmary and sorted things out as best they could. Some of the furniture was unsalvageable and had to be thrown out.

When they were on their own Jack turned to him and asked, "Daniel, I guess you prefer to go to your apartment?" Obviously expecting that he would rather do that, Jack made the suggestion first.

When Daniel said, "No, Jack, I think I would rather to go your place -- our place?" Jack was surprised and pleased.

Softly he replied, "Yes, Danny, our place."

They drove in companionable silence for a few more minutes then Jack commented, "Fraiser must have been practising her Napoleon routine."

"Eh?"

"Wanting me to behave, eat properly, yadda yadda yadda..."

"Jaack!"

"Rest?" Jack queried, giving Daniel a sideways glance as he tried to manoeuvre through the traffic. "You expect me to rest when all I want is to get properly reacquainted with you," he added, firmly placing his hand on Daniel's thigh.

Daniel started and veered the car sharply to the left. "Jack, not when I'm driving!" he exclaimed getting the vehicle back under control.

Jack just grinned but he did remove his hand.

Daniel quickly glanced at Jack and then stared out of the windscreen. After a minute or so he said, "You sure? We still have ...stuff to work through."

"I know and we will, together," Jack said, looking steadily at Daniel's profile. "And I am very sure," he added softly. Daniel's quick flush was just what he wanted to see.

Daniel suddenly grinned and said, "Well, bed is the place you normally rest. You can rest ...afterward."

"After we talk?"

"After we ...communicate."

~~

Daniel pulled into Jack's driveway and sat back with a sigh. "Home. I wondered once if this would ever feel like home to me again."

Jack didn't say anything, just squeezed his shoulder and then got out of the car. He stood staring at his house and suddenly felt afraid to go back inside. He wasn't afraid of the place because of what had happened to him there, he was afraid that it would no longer feel like the safe haven it always had been, especially for Daniel and him. It -- and to a lesser degree Daniel's apartment -- were the only places they could really be themselves. Two men in love who wanted to share their lives.

He looked over at Daniel and his lover smiled back, "Come on, Jack, let's go inside."

With Daniel at his side, Jack walked into his home and was relieved it was in a better condition than he had expected. There were some gaps where broken furniture used to stand but their friends had cleaned up and rearranged stuff a little so the missing furniture wasn't too blatant. There were also a few areas where someone had tried to clean a stain from the carpet and the walls and Daniel felt sick as he realised it must have where Jack's blood had sprayed.

"Gonna have to make some new purchases," Jack said wryly. "But just now I wanna forget all about it. I'll make us coffee and we can talk?" The last comment came out as a question and he raised an eyebrow at Daniel.

"Yeah, I think we need to clear the air," Daniel agreed.

A few minutes later with a cup each on a tray on a small end table, as Jack's coffee table was one of those things that had disappeared, they sat at opposite sides of the sofa.

Daniel took a quick sip of his coffee and then carefully placed it back on the tray. He turned to Jack and said, "I know that in the truck we ...we..."

"Practised our foreplay?" Jack grinned.

Daniel smiled but almost immediately dropped his eyes to stare at his shoes, very interesting shoes. "I don't feel ready to ...not until I have told you how I felt, what I went through when I was in Honduras. I guess I should begin by apologising..."

"Whatever for, it wasn't your fault," Jack interrupted.

Daniel raised his eyes then and met Jack's gaze. "Wasn't my fault? After the way I began to treat you after I got back? I shut you out and even I didn't understand for a while why and that made me even more angry. With myself and with you. I do owe you an apology. It was all my fault and you didn't deserve any of it. I really am sorry."

Jack made to speak and Daniel stopped him with a finger to his lips. "Please, Jack, let me finish." He stopped for a moment to gather himself; he needed to keep calm about this. He took a breath. "I had a lot of time to think while I was in that cell and you were unconscious, god all I could do was think. I came to the conclusion that it was because I believed I was gonna die in that jungle and I kept thinking about losing what I had finally, finally found with you and I think I was afraid that I might tell them what they wanted to know just to get back to you. You became my weakness."

Jack frowned and said, "You were a little distant when I found you but I just put that down to what you had been through."

Giving a wan smile, Daniel continued. "I never did break but in some twisted way I began to believe I would've if I'd been there any longer and I blamed you. I started to pull away from you 'cause if I didn't have anything to worry about, anything to lose, then I was safe. I know that's stupid but I wasn't thinking clearly, I see that now. Part of me wanted you; I loved you so much that it hurt so I began to think it would hurt less if I had no one to care about, so I couldn't care about you. Oh, god it sounds so weak," Daniel dropped his gaze again, this time staring at the flooring. "I'm sorry, can you ever forgive me?"

Moving closer but stopping before he touched Daniel, sensing this wasn't the time, Jack replied, "Daniel what you felt, what you did isn't so unusual. People cope in such situations in the best way they can. You did what you felt you had to, it doesn't have to make sense, it just has to work at the time. You wanna know how I coped when I was in that Iraqi prison?"

"I guessed you hung on to Sarah and Charlie."

This was hard for Jack to talk about, something he hardly ever even allowed himself to think of but he knew if Daniel realised that he truly understood it would make it easier for the younger man.

"No, at least not in the way you mean. I couldn't bear for Sarah or Charlie to think of me in that hellhole so I couldn't think about them, they couldn't exist there. Understand? I locked them away in a little box in a special place in my mind, where they would be safe for when I was finally free. They were protected there and they would never have to know of my humiliation."

"It helped?" Daniel asked gently, grateful for Jack's honesty.

"Yes while I was there, but when I got home? I found it hard to ...to bring them out, to bring them back into what was then my real world." He hesitated and Daniel realised he was caught up in difficult memories. With an obvious shudder Jack brought himself back to the present day. "Daniel, I understand exactly what you had to do, I think I even knew at the time it was something like that but I let my confusion, my anger get in the way of my understanding and I hope you can forgive me for that. I should have helped you, should have shown you that it was safe to be with me, not yelled at you and made you think I wanted to push you away."

"Oh, Jack. Can we put this behind us, start again?"

"Do you trust me?" Jack asked softly, finally touching Daniel as he reached for his hands.

"Always, always. I never stopped trusting you; it was myself I lost faith in."

Jack nodded, understanding only too well. "We don't have to start again; it was always there for both of us, just buried a little under our insecurities."

"When did you get to be so smart?"

"I've always been smart, I just don't advertise the fact," Jack grinned.

"Can I make love to you, Jack? Can I show you how sure I am of how I feel about you?"

Lifting Daniel's hands to his lips, Jack kissed each one swiftly in turn. "Whatever you want Daniel, I'm yours."

~~

They entered the bedroom which was lit only by a single bedside lamp. It was raining outside and the drapes were pulled together, however the window was still open and occasionally one of the drapes would billow and a little diffuse light from outside would bathe the room for a moment.

Jack went quickly to the bedside table drawer and withdrew a tube of lube and quickly dropped it among the pillows. Then he moved to stand by the bed, his back to it and holding Daniel's gaze, he reached up to undo a shirt button.

"No, Jack, let me do that. I don't want you to do anything; I want to make love to you."

Jack smiled and dropped his hands, spreading his arms, the message was clear; I'm all yours.

Daniel leaned in and kissed Jack, their first real passionate kiss in longer than he cared to remember. Jack was a phenomenal kisser and he didn't hold back now, licking along Daniel's lower lip until he opened up and Jack slid his tongue inside. Daniel pulled him closer, wrapping his arms around his partner who simply slipped his hands onto Daniel's ass and the younger man smiled into the kiss. Even when trying to obey and not initiating anything, Jack managed to make his intentions clear.

Daniel broke their contact and with a sigh, Jack reluctantly let him go and stood back again as the younger man began to slide each button through its buttonhole, gently caressing newly exposed skin each time. When the shirt was finally unfastened Daniel reached for Jack's belt, slowly pulling it from his pants. Then he popped the top button of the pants and pulled out the shirt, letting his hands drift over the warm skin at his lover's waist as he did so. Next he ran his hands over Jack's abdomen feeling his stomach muscles contract at the touch. Daniel let his hands glide up Jack's chest, loving the feel of the chest hair and skimming his hands over proud nipples a few times as Jack sucked in a breath. He pushed the shirt off the older man's shoulders and down his arms letting it slip to pool on the floor.

Lifting Jack's hands to his mouth he kissed each palm, then beginning with the right hand, he kissed and licked each finger, sucking in the ring finger of each hand before letting them both fall back to Jack's sides.

Reaching for Jack's pants again Daniel lowered the zip slowly, being particularly careful over the obvious erection that Jack was now sporting. Staring into his partner's eyes, Daniel rubbed a hand over the bulge in Jack's boxers eliciting a moan from the colonel as his eyes narrowed at the sensations running through him.

Jack was struggling not to touch Daniel. His lover was being particularly erotic and his hands itched to reach out and touch him; god the man was still fully dressed! He wanted to see and feel that smooth skin. He gasped as Daniel finally pushed his boxers over his hard on and shoved both them and his pants down to the floor.

Stepping out of his pants, Jack kicked them out of the way; Daniel stood back and admired his naked lover with his impressive cock jutting out just for him. He licked his lips appreciatively.

"God, Daniel, you're killing me here, I wanna touch you," Jack said in a strangled voice. He longed to touch and he knew the wait would be worth it eventually but just now the waiting was akin to agony.

"Soon enough," Daniel smiled. "Now, lie on the bed and you can watch me get undressed."

With a feral grin Jack crawled onto his bed, Daniel's eyes tracking his every move, watching the taut muscles of his ass as he made his way to the pillows piled high against the dark mahogany headboard where Jack turned and sat, leaning back on his hands to watch his lover get naked. His legs were spread and his engorged penis was erect and Daniel wanted to touch, to taste. But not yet.

Eyes wide Jack watched as Daniel slowly removed his clothes, drawing it out temptingly until Jack was all but panting. Finally he stood there completely naked and he ran a hand languorously over himself, caressing his nipples and then drifting down towards his jutting erection.

"For god's sake! Daniel? Get over here!"

"For god's sake?"

"Okay, okay, for mine. I'll beg if I have to!"

Laughing, Daniel said, "No, no ...at least not yet!" as he climbed up onto Jack's bed and crawled towards the older man.

Jack couldn't take his eyes off him as he clambered over him, sucking in a breath as hot flesh finally seared hot flesh. "Oh god, Daniel. Kiss me!"

Not wasting another second, Daniel seized Jack and dived in for a bruising kiss. Jack moaned as he held on to Daniel's waist while he felt fingers digging deep into his shoulders holding him steadily as the younger man ravaged his mouth.

Daniel released him and Jack immediately felt the loss lifting his hands to drag his lover back until the younger man simply said, "Ah!"

Jack dropped his hands by his side, immediately grabbing up handfuls of bedding as he arched into the warm cavern when Daniel suddenly engulfed his cock. "Ohmygod!" he cried out.

Daniel smiled at Jack's enthusiasm as he slowly pulled back and began to vigorously use his tongue to lick along the length of the older man's cock and then he nipped gently at the tip, eliciting moans from Jack, who was by now thrashing back and forth among the pillows.

Releasing his lover for a moment, Daniel flicked the lid off the tube and lubricated his fingers. Taking Jack back into his mouth and sucking and licking the throbbing cock, he seized Jack's balls in one hand rolling them against each other and his hips lifted off the bed as his moans grew deeper. Daniel had been ready for that and pulled back slightly before releasing his lover's balls and sliding his fingers behind them seeking out the opening to his body. Circling the pucker as he continued to suck Jack off, Daniel gently pushed a finger inside. It had been a while since they had done this and as he suspected, Jack was a little tight. He loved finger-fucking Jack so he took his time preparing his partner.

Soon Jack was incoherent, mumbling nonsense except for the repeated use of Daniel's name and imprecations to god. Sensing he was near to completion, Daniel sought out Jack’s prostate and brushing a finger across it, made Jack's orgasm race through him. As Jack attempted to buck off the bed, Daniel held him down with one hand as he prepared to swallow all that Jack had to offer.

Jack was floating, no longer really aware of where he was, all he knew, all he cared about was that he was with Daniel and his lover was sucking his soul into his keeping. He couldn't think of a better, safer place for it to be.

Just then the drapes blew apart and the room was bathed in dappled light, the shadows dancing with raindrops painting abstractly across the bed and the two figures lying entwined.

Daniel collapsed alongside Jack and watching the grin plastered all over his lover's face, he was happy. The first part of his plan had gone well. Now for stage two. He ran his hands over Jack's chest, fondling his chest hair and caressing his nipples.

Jack slowly turned his head towards Daniel, his eyes focusing on his lover's face.

"Back with me?" Daniel smiled.

"Yep, think so. God, you're good at that."

"I know, ready for me?"

"Good thing you're gonna do all the work, I can't hardly move," Jack grinned.

Daniel reached for the lube again and carefully spread some over his fully erect cock. He had to go easy, he was so ready and he didn't want to spoil things now. He shoved one of the pillows under Jack to lift his hips up a little and then he raised Jack's legs over his thighs. Jack was relaxed from his recent climax and he needed no further preparation, so Daniel lined himself up with Jack's opening and glancing at his lover, he let his eyes ask the question.

"Go for it, show me again how you feel," Jack said.

Daniel smiled at him, "Guess this is about the only time when I agree actions speak louder than words," he said and to prove the point he pushed gently, breaching Jack in one smooth movement. He waited for Jack to adjust to his penetration and when he saw Jack's neck muscles relax he knew from experience that the older man was ready so he pushed again. Watching carefully for any signs of discomfort, Daniel pushed into Jack little by little until he was fully sheathed inside his lover.

Jack had missed this, not just the actual act of being penetrated but what the act meant between them when they really were connected. He hadn't quite realised before how different it felt. They'd had sex since Daniel's return from South America but he knew now that something had been missing. Everything felt so right now. He sighed.

"Comfortable? You just wanna lie there?" Daniel asked.

"Move it, doctor. You wanted to show me, so I'm waiting."

"That a challenge?"

"It was an invitation but take it as you like."

Leaning forward and placing a hand either side of Jack's shoulders Daniel set up a steady rhythm, slow at first and building with each thrust into his lover's body until Jack thought he was going to drive all the way to his heart. Daniel was grunting and groaning while Jack was gasping and moaning and between them they filled the room with a myriad of sound, not exactly music for they lacked harmony in the pitch, but their bodies were in perfect harmony and they soared together until Daniel's climax tore through him and he poured himself deep into Jack's body.

~~

Jack awoke feeling really good, feeling that everything was right with his world. He was very aware of his lover lying beside him; it was difficult not to be aware of him as he was absently running a hand up and down Jack's arm.

Rolling towards him, Jack said, "Thinking again, Daniel? What did I say, oh," he looked pointedly at the bedside clock, "three hours ago; don't think, just feel?"

"I know and I'm feeling. I'm feeling wonderful, complete and grateful."

"Grateful? I think it should be the other way around. I'm the one who got nailed to within an inch of his life."

Daniel laughed, "Yeah, well. I wasn't actually feeling grateful towards you."

"Huh?" asked Jack confused, thinking was definitely beyond him just then.

"Kinsey," Daniel said.

"What?" Jack pushed up onto his elbows, staring at Daniel.

"It wasn't anywhere in his game plan but he did bring us back together."

Jack laughed, "If only he knew!"

"Would never occur to him, thank god!" Daniel looked thoughtful for a moment. "I was going to say he has no passion but that's not true is it?"

"No, guess not but he only wants to destroy what he can't own."

"Um, you heard that old saying about revenge being a dish best served cold?"

"Oh, great old Klingon saying that." Jack said smugly, pleased that he recognised it.

Daniel laughed, "Ah, no, the scriptwriter ...borrowed that from a much older source. Anyway, that's all Kinsey is, cold through and through." Daniel smiled, "Now you," he said moving his roaming hand to Jack's chest, "You're hot, damned hot...."

~~

Senator Robert Kinsey filled the crystal glass with whiskey, took a gulp of the amber liquid and sighed with relief.

He was on safe ground, deciding retreat was the better part of valour he had returned to Washington. He would have his Aide telephone Hammond and tell the general he'd been called back to the Senate. He had considered staying in Colorado Springs and bluffing it out, knowing that Wolf and the others would not speak. Neither O'Neill nor Jackson had ever seen him and if any of the others had, then they had no proof of his involvement. Anyway, he was Senator Kinsey, well on his way to becoming President Kinsey.

He smiled at the thought but it soon faded as he remembered why he had finally decided not to go to Cheyenne Mountain. He couldn't stomach all the smiles and self-congratulation that would surround O'Neill and Jackson. Worst of all he couldn't bear the idea of looking into their smug self-satisfied faces. Safer by far to beat a hasty retreat; live to fight another day.

Refilling his glass, he took a seat in front of the fire, settled back in the comfortable chair and let his mind drift. He was on the cusp of sleep when an image began to coalesce in his mind's eye. O'Neill and Jackson in the cell, sitting close together and for a moment he felt satisfaction at seeing O'Neill's need for reliance on the other man. Then the scene shifted and slowly, agonisingly slowly, Jackson's head came down towards O'Neill's. Both men were smiling, eyes glittering as Jackson moved closer and closer. Their lips met, tenderly, a fleeting yet passionate kiss that spoke volumes.

Shock speared through Kinsey and his eyes snapped open.

How, dear God, how did I miss this? He knew without doubt that it was a memory not a fabrication. This was what had been frustrating him, nagging at the back of his mind ever since he had viewed the two men through the slot in the cell door. He had refused to accept what he had seen at the time. Now he knew.

He couldn't help but see them again; it was as if the scene was imprinted on his retina, the image frozen at the moment of the kiss. He could clearly see the expression on each man's face and as he stared at Jack he hated him and he wanted him. Looking at Jackson, he wanted to be him.

He squeezed his eyes shut trying to blot out the image and the traitorous emotions raging within but it was impossible -- dear Lord, he felt his cock begin to swell. He hated them, hated them both with a passion born of jealousy and envy. With a howl of utter frustrated rage he threw the crystal glass to smash against the wall.

FIN