Part 28
The music beside him, low and almost inaudible, suddenly went off indicating that Jack had been sitting there for over an hour, reading his book. He reached out without looking and pressed the button on his clock radio once more, and the soft strains of music wafted from the speakers again. He shuffled his feet, bending his legs and resting the book he had in his hands in his lap. He reached out once more, again without looking, and picked up his hot coffee. Still reading, he brought the cup to his lips and took a sip. The sound of coughing pulled his attention from his book and he raised his head, looking towards the doorway. The sound stopped and Jack waited a moment before twisting and putting the cup down again, then returned to his book.
After a short while Jack heard a sound in the hallway. He looked up, seeing the shadow pass his partly closed door then he waited, his ears listening for any further sound. More coughing was heard, harsh and hacking, bad enough to make Jack's own chest tighten. The sound of spitting was heard next and he screwed his nose up, before tilting his head down the minute he saw the shadow pass the door again.
"Jack?" Philip was standing in the doorway, his slender body silhouetted by the hallway light.
"Hello," Jack said, as he slipped the book from his lap. It was hard to see Philip's face; the light was directly in his eyes now.
"Thought you'd be asleep by now. Daniel left a long time ago," Philip said, slowly stepping towards the other side of the bed. Jack straightened out his legs as he dropped his hands onto his thighs.
"Funny thing is, I just can't put the book down," he said with a wry smile. Philip lifted a leg and knelt onto the edge of the bed with one knee as he twisted his head to read the title. Then he raised his brow as he looked back at his lover.
"You couldn't put down 'Astronomer's Guide'? Really, Jack!" He laughed then sat on his heel, his other foot still on the floor. "What am I to do with you?"
Jack gave a suggestive grin. "Anything you wanted to..."
Phil smiled then nodded as he stood again. "Nice offer, but I'm right in the middle of a sketch and I don't want to break the mood.. if that's okay?"
Jack didn't hide his disappointment well but he didn't say anything. Instead he shrugged and picked up the book again. Curling his legs once more, he rested the book in the valley between his stomach and thighs as he said, "Nice to know you're sketching again.." He didn't bother to look up at the other man at all.
Philip finally reached the door. As he turned and looked at Jack he put his hand out to steady himself then he waited. When Jack didn't look up at him, he sighed softly to himself then turned and left the room.
Jack's eyes lifted towards the door that was slowly shutting then he tilted his head back completely as he narrowed his eyes and contemplated the sense in telling Philip about his test results. After all, what harm would there be now if they were to finally consummate the long-term love affair? But again the reality came flooding into Jack's mind. Would telling Philip have the desired effect? The news would probably devastate the young man and rip their fragile relationship asunder; not coming near the desired effect Jack would hope it did. Lifting his book almost automatically, he went back to reading.
*
Daniel stood on the balcony, staring out at the night sky. He knew he should be asleep as he had work in a few hours but his mind was racing. The last twenty-four hours had certainly changed his life - and readjusted his attitude on a few issues. He couldn't believe Jack's career had been snuffed out, so quietly and without honor like it had - and in order to preserve what little dignity he had left, Jack had let them too.
He wondered about the government he worked for - one that would let one of their best men walk away simply because of the way he chose to make love. He always hated the secrecy of the Stargate program, but he understood it, to a certain extent. Yet here on the balcony he was having trouble justifying the secrecy of a person's private life against the work he could perform.
At random moments he was ready to charge into Hammond's office and throw in his resignation, citing a recent affair with not one, but two, SGC staff as the reason. If Sam came in on it too the small-minded system would be forced to lose ALL of SG-1 in one fell swoop, plus a lieutenant and their Chief Physician.
'Wouldn't that cause a stir in the hallowed halls of the damn mountain!' he thought. 'It would be sure to shake them up and make them see that their best and brightest were the 'feared' ones.' Daniel's heart raced and his hands felt sweaty when he play-acted the confrontation scene over and over in his mind.
Then in moments of clarity, he knew he would never do that.
Might be a nice thought, but impossible. Too many lives at risk, too many careers ruined - and would it make a difference in the long run? Knowing what he knew about the Military Mentality on such issues he had to be honest and admit that it would probably, in the famous words of Jack O'Neill, mean squat!
Then there was the undisputable fact that, despite the BS, he really loved his job. What explorer worth his salt wouldn't die for an opportunity like his - getting to make first contact with alien species. While part of him hissed at himself about 'sell out', the other part silenced it with a quick glance to the stars above his head.
He stared up at the twinkling stars, wondering if they'd been to any of them lately. With his head tilted back towards the night sky, he shifted his gaze to the rest of the building above him. Suddenly his thoughts changed and he became aware that somewhere up there Philip's friend, Todd, lived. Daniel tried to recall what he looked like. Philip had called him handsome and in his vague recollections, he realized he had to agree with him. Standing together at his cupboard in the living room, Daniel could distinctly remember the scent the man was wearing - light and earthy - and he recalled a flop of hair, going into one eye and being tossed away when Todd shook his head.
Crossing his arms over his body Daniel wondered at the sensibility of accepting the offer by Philip. With Graham and Teal'c in his wake, Daniel wasn't sure if he was ready for another man in his life - especially when Jack was going to need him so much soon.
Still, as the cool evening winds puffed over his bare arms, Daniel shivered and thought about the loneliness he'd been living with of late. Perhaps a 'new' man was what he needed - someone who had no history, someone he could get to know, start afresh with. Someone else, who didn't come with anY of Daniel's past emotional baggage.
Turning to go back into his apartment, the young man yawned then rubbed his hand through his hair as he headed though into his bedroom.
*
Around lunchtime Philip stood at the Information Desk, behind Todd's left shoulder. He was checking something on the computer that Todd was bringing to his attention - several books had gone missing from the shelves without being checked out. The tired young man ran his hand through his hair and sighed heavily.
"Do you think it's incompetence or do you think this has been deliberate?" Phil asked, awkwardly sitting against the edge of the desk to look at his friend.
"Well, I'm the one that does most of the check-outs. It's not incompetence, I can tell you that!"
Phil patted his uptight friend's shoulder and said, in a low voice, "I didn't mean you!" He raised his brow to emphasize that point.
Todd looked at him a long moment, his gaze shifting over the ruddy face and dark circles under the cimmerian eyes. "You look like shit," he said, keeping his voice low.
Phil gave a feeble chuckle then slapped his friend's shoulder again. "Be nice," he told him, "I've arranged for you to have dinner with your idol."
"What?" Todd's eyes widened. "The guy from the accident the other night?"
The smile on Phil's face told him that that was the one.
"I'll love you forever.."
"Well, love me until I die, that way you don't have to carry the torch for too long!" Philip said flippantly as he looked around at the desk behind him to ascertain if he could settle back further on the counter. He slipped himself onto the smooth surface and dropped his hands into his lap.
Ignoring the comment, Todd said, "When?"
"Tonight?"
"Tonight? Oh god!" A throaty laugh drifted from Todd before he said, "I have nothing to wear!"
"Oh, for crying out loud!" Philip mumbled playfully as he picked up a pen to fiddle with while they talked.
"Mr. Simmons?" Sylvia approached the desk. Philip twisted to look over his left shoulder.
"Sylvia?"
"I just received a phone call from Head Office. I put it through to your office," she looked between the two men then said, "I didn't realize you were out here or I'd have put it through to Todd's phone."
Philip slipped off the counter and turned to face her, and her seemingly accusing pinched face. "Thank you. I'll get it next time I'm in the office."
She sniffed then jutted her chin as she looked at him. "It was urgent."
Philip bit his bottom lip as he nodded slowly. "And I'll get it when I go back to my office, thank you, Sylvia."
With a roll of her eyes she turned and went back to her area. Todd looked up at his friend who was now standing beside him.
"Ouch!"
With his eyes firmly fixed on the retreating woman, Philip muttered, "tell me about it!"
"What's her problem?"
With a shrug, Philip said, "Who knows? No sex?"
The two men laughed then Philip nudged Todd's arm with his thigh. "Speaking of... dates.."
He saw the dreamy smile on Todd's face now and couldn't help but grin wildly. Knowing what he knew about "tenacious Daniel" (as Blair called him) he thought that the two men, if they hit it off well, would make thunder together.
"I've made a booking for tonight. Rigoni's. I've left a message with Daniel already, so I hope you're free?"
Tossing his head a little Todd said, jokingly, "Hmm tonight? Gee, you know, I'd have liked some more time to, you know, consult my diary."
"Fine," Phil went alone with the charade. "We'll go without you then."
"What time," Todd said with a deep chuckle once more.
"Eight."
"Meet you there?"
"Sure. I'm so pleased Jack agreed to this, I can't wait for you to meet him."
Todd wanted to say that he had 'met' him - in the hospital - but that would give away the fact that he'd been pretending to sleep in the chair that day. With a nod, he simply said, "I'm looking forward to meeting the man who has captured you, too!"
Rolling his eyes, Phil said, under his breath, "Thank god he captured me! The fool that he is!"
Todd smiled. "He's no fool, Philip."
The two friends exchanged a meaningful glance then Phil said quietly, "Thanks," before heading back to his office - and the important phone call.
*
Daniel trudged wearily up the stairs to his apartment. It had been one hell of a day. Lack of sleep made him exhausted to begin with then there was the impromptu visit from Thor, asking for SG-1's help on a certain matter on his ship. He requested Jack's help however was informed that 'Colonel O'Neill was no longer with the SGC'. As Thor had appeared before Hammond had the opportunity to talk to the rest of Jack's team 'this' announcement made the three friends exchange silent glances, but they had to go on the mission without an opportunity to talk about the news. The mission was basically straightforward and Sam was actually a better choice for helping Thor than Jack ever would have been. It took the astro-physicist around two hours to repair the damage to Thor's ship and then they were back on earth again.
After the examination and debrief the three of them met in Sam's lab to discuss Jack. Janet had, as promised, told Sam and Teal'c about Jack's test results so they knew the truth about his sudden retirement like Daniel did. Sam was relieved to know that Daniel had been told and thought it was fitting that Jack had chosen to tell him himself - a clear indication to her that Jack's feelings from the previous year had been sorted through properly and that the love between the two men was more than 'just friends' but not enough to make them lovers.
Daniel was selective in what he shared with the others regarding his conversations with Jack the day before but he did tell them that, when Jack needed him, he'd be there for him - taking time from the SGC himself if necessary.
At some points during the discussion, when Sam spoke about the colonel, her eyes watered but she always sniffed away the tears and upheld her professionalism. She told them how she had argued with Janet to let Jack go through the gate to a sarcophagus so that he might be healed. Daniel held his hand up at this point and said that he’d basically said the same thing to Jack but that the colonel wouldn’t cure himself when Philip still had to suffer. He said that it wasn’t ‘right’. Sam snorted at that and said, dryly, that Jack dying ‘wasn’t right’ either, and all Daniel could do was agree with her. He said that Jack had reluctantly ‘implied’ that once Philip was gone, and if he’d be allowed, then he’d consider going through the gate *then*. Sam had screwed her face up at that and said that, from what Janet had told her, that he *could* end up not living that much longer than Philip, considering the rate of his accelerated disease and despite how fit he appeared at the moment. Daniel had scrubbed his hands over his face angrily at that point but sighed and told her that even if he had to knock Jack down himself the day after Philip died he’d get him through the gate and to a sarcophagus. Sam and Teal’c exchanged glances then agreed to help him – when the time came. Then Sam promised to stand by the colonel, in whatever capacity he would allow her too, while appreciating the fact that he wouldn't lean on her like he would Daniel.
Teal'c was simply baffled by the whole notion that Jack had to leave because of the virus. Sam tried to explain that he had to for several reasons, the main one being that he now poised a threat to any alien life form that they encountered, not to mention the potential hazard he might be to each of them in a bloody battle. Teal'c told them that he would volunteer to be Jack's 'guardian' on missions, and that he would be the one that would deal with the colonel should he ever be hurt. Daniel had tried to explain to him that it wouldn't be that easy - that if he'd - Teal'c - been hurt in battle himself it left Sam or him to look after Jack instead. That was the potential threat. Reluctantly Teal'c conceded that point and told Daniel to pass on that he, too, would like to offer services to Jack when he'd need them. Daniel had nodded, knowing that Teal'c strength would come in handy when the time came where he had to physically handle Jack, towards the end of the disease.
While none of them felt easy about the news or the retirement, Daniel and Sam were at least honest enough with each other to admit that they 'would' be fearful of contamination should Jack should bleed on them in a battle situation. Both felt badly after that confession but Daniel reasoned that it was a realistic and human fear. Sam watched him a moment, realizing that as a gay man, Daniel probably lived with the fear every time he started a relationship. She was glad that she had Janet, and that they had been together - blissfully happily - for almost two years now.
*
Now as Daniel returned home from work later that day he could hear his phone ringing on the other side of his door. He fumbled with his keys then he hurried through the apartment, but the call went through to the answering machine. Daniel listened to the caller. It was a somewhat familiar voice.
"Um, Daniel? You don't know me - my name is Todd Tudor and I work with Phil at the library..."
Daniel's heart thudded as he quickly lifted the receiver. "Hello?"
/Hello, Daniel? Oh.. Hi/
The anthropologist smiled to himself as he heard the soft, velvety voice.
/ I'm Todd. We met very briefly the other night, do you remember?/
'You were in my home without a shirt on, of course I remember you!' Daniel wanted to say but wasn't sure what Todd was like so simply answered, "Of course. You came up here for some blankets."
/One of which I still have actually, now that I come to think of it./ He laughed, a little nervously, and the rich throaty sound made Daniel tingle slightly.
"Well, I'm sure I don't miss it."
/Thanks. I'm calling because Phil has arranged a dinner for the four of us. I'm not sure what he's told you but I've been here a few months now and he's sort of eager to expand my circle of friends. Do you mind terribly?/
"Mind? Coming to dinner? No, not at all. When?"
/Philip said he left a message for you at work?/ Todd sounded a little disappointed that Daniel might cancel now that it was such short notice.
"Oh, Um, I didn't get it. I forgot to check my messages before leaving tonight."
/Oh,/ There was definite disappointment in Todd's voice now. /Is that a problem?/
Daniel inhaled deeply then rubbed his face. He really could use the break and a good dinner.
"No, it's.. it's fine."
/Sure?/
"Yeah. Do you mind telling me the details?""
/Oh, it's Rigoni's at eight. Do you know the place?/
With a soft laugh, Daniel said, "It's Philip's favorite restaurant. We've been there a few times. Meet inside at eight?"
It crossed Todd's mind to suggest meeting at Daniel's, after all it was a few floors below his and they could walk there together but he decided that it would be best to meet at the restaurant instead. /Lovely. I'm looking forward to meeting you... again./
"You, too. Bye Todd." He hung up the phone then looked around his apartment. He was tired. He started to tug his shirt from his belt as he crossed to the bathroom. It was a little after six, so he needed to start getting ready now. He had no idea what he was going to wear. As he stepped under the dream it occurred to him that Todd lived in the same apartment block as he did and that it might have made sense to meet first and go together. Running his face under the water he decided that it was probably best to meet at the restaurant instead.
*
Waiting in the foyer Daniel tugged at the tie around his neck to loosen it then he sighed. He checked his watch again and saw it was a little after ten past. He went over to the wall and leaned against it, crossing his legs at his ankles. While he was there, eyes downcast, a set of shiny black shoes came into his view. Slowly he lifted his gaze, scanning up the long legs, noting the neat black belt and chambray shirt tucked into the black dress pants. A black jacket was casually swept back behind arms that disappeared into the pant pockets. A patterned blue and purple tie completed the picture and led Daniel up to the drop-dead handsome face.
Todd smiled after the long scan and then said, "Hello, I'm Todd."
"Yes." The anthropologist said quickly as he straightened up and adjusted his glasses. "I mean, of course. Hello."
Todd laughed then held out his hand. "Nice to meet you, Daniel. I'm afraid that it's going to be only us tonight. Phil called me at home and sent his apologies."
"Oh, um... okay. Do you still want to..?" Daniel asked, pointing into the restaurant.
"Sure," Todd said, a little enthusiastically. "I mean, if you do?"
With a hesitant smile Daniel said, "I'm game."
"Good. I hear this is a nice restaurant."
"Yes. It is. You've never been here before?" He was surprised that Philip hadn't brought Todd here - at least once.
"No. Never."
"Then I'm ready when you are."
Todd nodded and then approached the Matre De.
*
The two men were eating their main meal by the time a conversation at the next table became loud enough to catch their attention. The diner was growing more frustrated as he tried to communicate with the waiter, who obviously didn't understand his language.
Todd arched his brow when he caught Daniel's eye. "That's why waiter's should b bi-lingual," he muttered. "Imagine a non-Italian speaking waiter in an Italian restaurant. Daniel turned to look at the young, flushing waiter. "Makes you wish you could speak the language, doesn't it?" Todd said, placing a forkful of food into his mouth.
Daniel wiped his mouth with his napkin and said, "Actually, I can. I'll be right back." He got up and approached the arguing men carefully.
Todd picked up his wine glass and sat back in his chair, watching his companion act as interpreter for the sparring men. A smile, almost of pride, came to his lips as he watched the gorgeous linguist work out the disagreement. Looking around, he noticed how others were watching the commotion as well. Finally the problem seemed to be sorted and Daniel was gripped and kissed on both cheeks by the Italian diner before returning to his table. As he sat down, his cheeks pink by the attention, he gathered his napkin and placed it on the table.
Todd beamed at him from the other side of the candlelight. "Well done!" He raised his glass in salute. Daniel muttered something under his breath and rolled his eyes. Todd's attention was caught as the young waiter came over to their table. With his back slightly towards Todd, the young man addressed Daniel.
"I'd just like to thank you, for your help."
"My pleasure," Daniel said, with an understanding smile on his face.
"I know a little Italian, but he lost me, I'm afraid."
"Not surprising really. He was using a few different dialects in there. God knows which part he came from." Daniel flashed a glance in the direction of the back of the baldhead.
The youth smiled gratefully. "Well, thank you. I really appreciated it."
The linguist nodded then blushed with another smile as the waiter walked away. When he looked at Todd he saw a slight chill in the dark eyes. "Sorry."
"Don't be." Todd smiled again, realizing he was becoming possessive of a man he had no right to feel possessive about. Nor had he the right to feel proud, but he did that also. He was proud to be in Daniel's company - the man fascinated him, with more than just his looks now that Todd had gotten to know him a little better.
"I just hate misunderstandings," Daniel told him, picking up his fork again and looking over at the other couple, settled back into their meals.
"So do I," Todd said, meaningfully. Daniel turned his attention back to his companion, blinked then looked down at his plate. "So maybe I should tell you that I'm glad Philip pulled out tonight." Daniel lifted his gaze and stared at the handsome face across from him. "Really glad," Todd told him.
Lowering his face while blinking rapidly, Daniel pushed his fork around the plate a little then confessed, "Me, too." He took a beat then looked up into Todd's unwavering gaze. The librarian smiled brightly and returned to his meal.
*
As the two men ambled back towards the apartment block they were talking amiably about the time Todd worked as a model. Daniel kept casting sidelong glances at his companion, clearly seeing why the tall, handsome man would be a model. Todd gave a deep chuckle as he confessed to being 'too old' now to earn a living from it but that he was comfortably off and that's why he could return to his trade of being a librarian and still survive, as he put it, on the pittance he earned doing that.
They climbed the stairs, shoulder to shoulder, and then Todd followed Daniel to his front door, still in conversation. As the anthropologist took out his key and placed it into his front door he turned to the man beside him.
"I'd invite you in.. but.." He said with a shy smile. Todd quickly looked at the door, thinking of what might have happened beyond the barricade if Daniel had have let him inside. He returned his gaze to the good-looking man before him.
"That's okay."
Daniel gave a hesitant smile then said, "Night. I really enjoyed dinner."
Todd shoved his hands into his pockets as he nodded. "Yeah, I did, too." Leaning towards him a little he said, in a low voice, "You're a very fascinating man, Doctor Jackson."
Daniel swallowed as he inhaled Todd's scent - Yves St Laurent's Jazz - he could recognize that anywhere, it was one of his favorites. "You're um.." He smiled hesitantly, "You're very interesting too," he returned the compliment.
Todd's smile broadened and he lifted a hand to pinch his bottom lip. "Do you, um, do you think we could..?" He shrugged then said, "dinner again?"
"I'd... yeah, I'd like that.." Daniel nodded.
"I've got your number so shall I call you?"
"Yes. I'm free for the next two nights but then I'm going.. away, for three days."
"Going away? Damn, just when I met the most interesting man in Colorado Springs he goes away..."
Daniel laughed. "It's only for three days."
"So I should make the reservations for ...?" He was too afraid he would seem too eager to suggest tomorrow night but he didn't have to worry.
"Tomorrow night..?" Daniel offered. Todd smiled again.
"I'll look forward to it."
"You'll need my work number," Daniel said. Todd grabbed a pen from his inside jacket pocket but neither had paper. Realizing Daniel wasn't going to invite him in to write down the number Todd presented his wrist instead. The anthropologist frowned then gripped the tanned arm in one hand while he wrote his work number on Todd's arm, right beside his Rolex watch. He felt a squeak of sexuality as he pressed the ballpoint to the dark skin, brushing aside the tiny black hairs on Todd's forearm to leave his phone number. He hadn't done that kind of thing since college, and even then it was something he rarely had to do. Todd read the number as Daniel passed back his pen then he nodded and said, "I'll call you tomorrow."
Daniel nodded. "Night Todd."
With a lopsided smile, Todd said, "Good night Daniel," as he backed away then turned and disappeared through the door leading to the stairs.
Daniel watched him go, noting the confident stride of the long legs and the way the jacket swayed as he walked. Then he unlocked his door and went into his home. Sighing softly to himself he leaned back on the door to close it behind him.
*
Jack was sitting in his bed, book propped up against his knees, and his hand cradled a cup of steaming coffee against his stomach. His eyes moved across the words, but he retained none of the content. His mind was across the hall and in the room that Philip occupied.
The sound of severe coughing had yanked his attention violently from his reading a short while ago and it hadn't let up yet. He took a moment then he got up off his bed and went into the spare room. Philip was facedown on the bed, still fully dressed. He looked like he could be asleep, however he was leaning over the edge of the bed, coughing and spluttering violently. Jack looked around quickly then grabbed up the bin from beneath the sketching table. Tossing out the rumpled discarded paper, he squatted beside the bed, putting the bin on the floor. He placed his hand on Philip's back, and the black, watery eyes slotted open. They barely exchanged looks before Philip began to retch. Jack nodded towards the bin and Philip dove over the top of it, vomiting out the contents of his mouth. Jack screwed up his face but continued to rub the bony back as he cooed softly to his lover.
End of part 28
Stories on this page are the property of Nessessitee and Slida. Please do not copy these without the written permission of the Author. All Rights are acknowledged for MGM, Gekko and Stargate Productions as to the Copyrights of the characters within this story and no infringement on the copyrights are intended. For the Bombshells Series the character of Philip Simmons is entirely the creation and intellectual property of Nessessitee and Slida.
While the performances given by RDA and MS help to fuel the author's desire to write for their characters in a niche that she feels is present on the actual show, the portrayal of their characters in loving relationships in no way reflects the Author's opinion of the men's private life, nor should it be construed in that manner.