Doctor Hillard, the young English born, dark haired anthropologist and linguist who had replaced Daniel on the team for the past month, was also aware of the gossip. She sat at the table opposite Sam in the mess hall one afternoon before a mission.

 “So, I guess you’ll be looking forward to your friend’s return to the team.”

 Sam raised her brow and shrugged. “Sometimes I wonder if he’ll ever come back.”

 Shrugging also, the anthropologist twirled her spoon through the froth on her coffee and then licked the spoon.

 “Well, my contract’s up at the end of the week. I’ve heard nothing so I’m guessing he’s coming back.”

 Sam wet her lips as she stared down into her drink. “Maybe it’s best if he didn’t.”

 “I don’t believe I heard that, Captain,” Jack said bluntly, sitting beside her. She looked at him with dull eyes.

 “You know exactly what I mean. These people took to Teal'c better than they are accepting this about Daniel. The guy doesn’t need this!” She rubbed her nose with the back of her hand. “Allergies,” she said, dismissing the looks from the others. Jack nodded, knowing better.

 “Janet’s with him at the moment. They’re running a few tests on him, checking him out for any glitches,” Jack said, pushing his sandwich aside, still without an appetite. Sam saw this and looked at him. He’d lost weight. Enough so that it was noticeable.

 “You’d better eat, Colonel. You know what gate travel does to an empty stomach.”

 Jack looked at her then opened the cling wrap and pulled out half the sandwich. He munched without enthusiasm at the soggy sandwich. Tossing the remainder down, he gave a heavy sigh.

 “Have you seen much of Dr. Jackson recently, Colonel?”

 Jack looked at their newest member and shook his head. “No, Nikkie, I’ve been a little busy.”

 Sam looked at her friend, knowing that he’d been deliberately avoiding Daniel. She knew it was hard on him also, afterall, he’d lost something here too. Infact, two things. The baby *and* Daniel’s friendship.

 Lowering her voice slightly, she turned her attention back to the anthropologist, but kept a watchful glance on Jack. “Daniel’s needed a lot of time to himself of late. Janet thought it was best for us to let him come to us instead of us going to him. We’ve each had counseling with him, but,” she shrugged her shoulders again, indicating that things were not good with him. Nikkie looked down, empathetic with the team’s pain.

 “Well, I don’t know the guy at all,” she said in her soft British accent, “but I do know that he’s highly regarded here. When I first got here, people kept telling me I had jolly large shoes to fill.”

 Sam nodded. “Yeah, well, that was before. We’re not so sure anymore.”

 “He’ll be fine, Captain,” Jack said dryly. She merely nodded.

 “Come on.” The colonel stood abruptly when his watched beeped. “Time to go to work.”

 The threesome got up and headed from the mess hall, towards the gate room where Teal'c was already waiting for them.

 .o0o.
After the mission the group went to the briefing room where they gave their mission debrief. After they’d all given their reports Hammond took Nikkie to his office for a quiet chat, asking that the others remain in the room until Doctor Frasier arrived.

 When Janet finally entered the closed room, Hammond and Nikkie came out from the office and joined the rest at the table.

 Inhaling a deep breath, Hammond laced his hands together and laid them on the table before him. “It’s with great regret that I have to inform you, SG-1, that Doctor Daniel Jackson will not be returning to active duty.”

 Sam looked between Jack and the general. “Begging the General’s pardon, but for how long, sir?”

 Hammond looked over at Janet, who answered for him. “Daniel’s results are not good. He’s in no fit state to start working again.”

 Sam’s face wrinkled in a frown. “Fit state? But for how long?”

 Jack rubbed his hands over his tired face. “For good, Captain!” He growled from behind his hands. The confused officer looked at him, her blue eyes wide.

 “No, that can't be right!”

 “Can't you hear what they are telling us?” Jack sighed, looking at her.

 “Daniel’s results are rather alarming, actually,” Janet said quietly.

 “What does that mean, DrFraisier?” Teal'c asked.

 “He’s not coping very well.”

 “Well are we allowed to see him yet?” Jack said in a tight, exasperated tone.

 “He’s requested that no one visit him still.”

 Jack gave a frustrated growl while Sam stood up and started pacing the room.

 “In the meanwhile, Dr Nichole Hillard has been asked to remain on the team and she has agreed.”

 “I’m sorry, folks. I know you’d prefer the good Doctor back,” she said in a small voice. Sam looked at her.

 The Captain immediately felt badly. “It’s not that, it’s just-”

 “We want Daniel to be ‘well’ again, that’s all.” Jack shrugged.

 The anthropologist nodded. “I know. I really do understand and I’ll do my best to keep up his excellent standards for SG-1.”

 “I think that’s all any of us can ask, isn’t it?” Hammond said, trying to soothe the ruffled team.

 “Sure,” Sam nodded and gave the newest team member a small smile.

 “Well, as there’s no more business for today, you are dismissed until 0800 hours on Thursday.” Hammond got up and left the room.

 The stunned team waited until the others left the room, including Nikkie, before they exchanged worried gazes.

 “Something has to be done about Daniel,” Sam said.

 Jack stared out of the window and down to the gate room. “What can be done? He’s requested we leave him alone.”

 “Would it not benefit him to know that we are still his friends and wish to help him?” Teal'c asked, coming to stand beside the grey haired man. Jack twisted to look at the man next to him, then wet his bottom lip as the gave that some thought.

 “I think,” he said, dropping his chin to his chest, “we should ‘respect’ Daniel’s decision here. This can't have been easy on him. Because of the Gate, he’s lost his wife, been addicted to a substance, and now this? I’m not surprised he doesn’t want to ever see it again.”

 Sam and Teal'c exchanged quick glances then the captain came to stand on the other side of her friend and leader.

 “Begging your pardon sir, but *you’ve* lost something here too.”

 Jack looked at the pretty officer, then turned to look at Teal'c. He responded with a arch of his brow. Jack looked down onto the gate room.

 “Ah huh.” Was all he said.

 .o0o.
Jack was driving home when he noticed a familiar figure walking along the sidewalk, huddled against the sleet and wind. The rain swept figure stopped and headed into the local bookstore. Jack pulled his car over and followed him inside, heading straight to the Anthropology section, but it was empty. He went to the Archaeology section, but still no luck. He was starting a more methodical search when he came across Daniel in the Holistic section.

 He stepped up behind his friend’s left shoulder and waited for him to sense him standing there. Daniel eventually looked over his shoulder, his blue eyes were dark and shadowy. Jack caught his breath at the vision of the weary looking man. Where Daniel had once been plump, with soft tanned skin, he was now looking white, and drawn, and very sickly.

 “Jack?” He frowned as if not really sure he was right.

 “How are you, Daniel?” He hoped his voice didn’t sound as shaky as it felt.

 “I’ve been better. How about you?” The humor was so dry it was almost brittle.

 Jack blinked and shook his head. “Same here.”

 They fell into an awkward silence and Jack shuffled his feet while he waited for Daniel to say something next.

 “How’s work?”

 The colonel looked up then shrugged. “It’s the same,” he said, scratching at his eye. Daniel nodded then looked down again.

 “Would you like to go for a coffee?” Daniel finally asked when he realised that Jack wasn’t going to go away. The older man nodded.

 “Let’s go back to my place.”

 Daniel considered that a moment then nodded as he slipped the book under his arm and headed to the cashier’s desk. As they stepped out into the rainy day, Daniel hitched his collar up. Jack steered him over to his car and they got inside.

 “I’m dripping on your lovely seats.” Daniel sounded so apologetic.

 “Who cares,” Jack shrugged, “so am I.”

 He pulled the car out into the traffic and drove them both home.

 .o0o.
Daniel entered the place like he’d never been there before. There once was a time when he’d bounce in, toss his jacket and not even bother to see if it hit the back of the chair or just slumped to the floor. He’d sit himself down on the sofa and tease Jack about taking his time with the coffee. Today, he stepped cautiously down the steps, went over and sat on the edge of the sofa. Jack’s heart broke at the vision of the shattered man in his living room.

 “I’ll go make us some coffee,” he said, watching Daniel nod and look around the room.

 Returning with the hot brew and a plate of chocolate biscuits, Jack deliberately chose to sit beside Daniel on the sofa. He handed his friend the hot cup and noticed that Daniel looked a lot thinner than he recalled.

 “You’ve lost weight,” they said together. Biting his bottom lip gently Daniel looked up into Jack’s eyes.

 “I haven’t had much of an appetite,” he shrugged. Jack nodded.

 “No, neither have I. I’ve practically lived on base the past few weeks, too.”

 Daniel took a biscuit, looked at it, then replaced it again before turning his dull eyes onto Jack.

 “How’s it going? I hear Nikkie’s a dream to work with,” he said without a hint of regret or jealousy.

 “It’s not the same.” Jack sighed pointedly and put his cup down.

 “I’m sorry,” Daniel said quietly.

 “Nothing’s the same there now, Daniel.”

 Jack turned to him and sat facing him, his anxious hands resting uneasily on his thighs. The anthropologist looked at the colonel, knowing what he was thinking without having to hear the words.

 Looking away, he said in a small voice, “I can't go back there, Jack. I see the way they look at me when I come in for my check-ups. I can just imagine what they’re saying.”

 “Nothing. They are saying nothing!” Jack knew it was a lie, but hoped it sounded part way true.

 Daniel laughed without humor. “Oh, I doubt that. First man to be impregnated by an alien? I must be quite the topic of conversation.”

 “It wasn’t an alien though,” Jack said, sounding heartbroken. Daniel looked at him and Jack added miserably, “We both know the truth.”

 Tears stung Daniel’s eyes. By the look of the dark circles under his blue orbs, tears were often stinging Daniel’s eyes these days. Jack cupped his hands over his friend’s hands.

 “Don’t shut me out. Let me help you,” he whispered. Daniel shook his head as he tugged his hands free. He rose to his feet and went over to the large window, staring out at the rain.

 “You can't help me,” Daniel said sadly, his voice trembling only slightly despite the tears down his cheeks. Jack got up and went over to him.

 “When you thought I was going to die on that world you did *everything* you could to save my life. For Christ’s sake Daniel, now *you’re* dying! Let me help you!” Jack’s voice rose as his frustration and angry came crashing forth.

 “You can't help me!” Daniel flung his hands over his head as he screamed back, his outburst of anger adding color to his pallid face.

 “I can!” Jack’s face was flushed just as red, his veins standing out on his neck. “God damn you Daniel, if only you’d let me!” He lowered his voice as he saw Daniel crumble into tears. The thin man hugged himself tightly and folded at the waist, dropping his head as his face screwed up with tears.

 “Oh, Jesus.” Jack stepped closer, his arms going around his friend’s shoulders. He pulled him against his chest and they stood, cuddling by the tall window overlooking Jack’s back yard until Daniel’s seemed spent of tears.

 Slowly, with the light fading behind them, they pulled apart. Jack’s hands came up and cupped the younger man’s face. Daniel was surprised to see Jack’s tears.

 “I needed that,” Jack whispered.

 Daniel nodded. “So did I. Somehow hugging yourself never feels as good as having someone else do it,” he said with a glimmer of a smile. Jack nodded.

 “If you’d let me, I would have hugged you from the start. *You* shut me out,” he said, his fingers brushing the wet face.

 “I didn’t know. I - I still don’t… Jack, what did we lose?” He asked in disbelief, his wide blue eyes filling again.

 Swallowing hard, Jack pressed his forehead against his distressed friend’s. “A baby. We lost a baby, Danny.”

 Daniel sobbed loudly and allowed his stronger friend to pull him against his body tightly.

 They remained that way until Daniel pulled back slowly, then offered a faint smile to Jack. Still keeping his arm across his shoulders, Jack lead him back to the sofa.

 .o0o.
“It’s illogical.” Daniel announced as he sat curled up on the sofa, his knees hugged to his chest, his chin resting on his knee. They had been talking on and off about all sorts of things for a long while now. Just touching base again with each other, even talking in circles some of the time. Jack was happy about that though. It meant Daniel was finally coming around again, leaving some of the trauma behind him and focusing on something other than the whole catastrophe.

 Jack was now sitting on the sofa beside him, his coffee cup balanced on his thigh. He was pleased that Daniel looked a little more like his old self again. At least he was sitting like the Daniel of old did, with his shoes on Jack’s expensive soft leather sofa. He wasn’t going to let that bother him this time. Almost as if sensing his friend’s thoughts though, Daniel tugged his shoes off and dropped them to the floor.

 “Sorry, I forgot about my shoes,” he said, with an apologetic smile on his face.

 Jack gave a sharp shrug then smiled. “Thanks.”

 Daniel blinked and looked down at his coffee. “As I was saying. I went through so much. One minute I’d be perfectly fine with it, almost joking to myself that I was too young to be a mother anyway, and then the next minute it hit me all over again.” His voice dropped to a soft whisper and he unconsciously curled his hand into a fist and pressed it against his chest.

 “It really *hit* me what had happened,” he said, looking up at his friend. Jack nodded, ever so slightly. Daniel’s face tilted and a soft smile creased his mouth.

 “You and I.. we did the impossible! *We* created a baby.”

 Without a word, for he was unable to speak at the moment, Jack nodded once more. It was all he could think about that past month. The baby he and Daniel had created. His mind was flooded with images of tiny fingers wrapped loosely around his own aging digit. Of soft gurgles and pooped nappies. Once, when he closed his eyes during a mission to PX45609, he distinctly smelt baby powder. Distinctly. When he opened his eyes, all he saw was a barren world, and Sam and Teal'c and… and Dr. Hilliard…..

 Daniel bowed his head when he saw the pain in the brown eyes now. “And then it hit me that it meant you’d lost *another* child-”

 He looked up when he heard the soft sigh. Jack was pushing up out of his chair and heading over to the window again. Daniel quickly put his cup down and went to his friend’s side.

 “Jack, I’m sorry,” he whispered. The colonel’s mouth was a tight, white line of suppressed emotion. He cursed himself repeatedly for getting attached to a baby that wasn’t ever born. How was he meant to explain that to Daniel? What would the guy think? Would he wonder why Jack was imagining ‘happy families’ with him and a baby?

 “Stop it! Stop doing that!” Daniel yelled at him, his frantic arm waving pulled Jack from his thoughts.

 “Doing what?” Jack asked through a tight throat.

 “Stopping yourself from feeling this! Look at you! I can see it in your face, oh god Jack!” The younger man jumped up and down on the spot, waving his hands around.

 “What do you want from me?” Jack yelled angrily, way too close to tears for his own comfort.

 “The truth! Show your goddamn feelings for once!”

 “And what? Cry?” Jack shouted.

 “If you have to! If it releases all that’s in there!” Daniel touched his hand to Jack’s stomach. The colonel pushed him away roughly.

 “It doesn’t help!” Jack hissed, his eyes dark with emotion.

 “It does! Being honest always helps!” Daniel cried, his chest heaving as he lowered his voice. He shook his head. “Look at you, you’re wound tighter than a watch! Why can't you-?”

 “Shut up! You’re one to talk!” Jack snapped back harshly, seeing the pain his tone caused his friend. “You ran and hid for a month! Keeping all of us at arms length,” he sniffed, “Keeping *me* at arms length! *I- needed-you*!” Jack yelled as tears spilled down his face finally. Daniel stared at him, his rage slowing down.

 “Jack.??”

 The colonel looked away, out to his dimly lit garden, his ragged breath misting the glass before him as he panted.

 “You needed me?” Daniel asked quietly.

 “What do you think? “ He looked at him from the corner of his eye. Daniel bowed his head in thought.

 “I thought you were fine. You went straight back to work,” Daniel said.

 “I went to work because, on the record, I had no right to *not* be at work. It didn’t mean I wasn’t worried sick about you, wanting to be with you, to talk to you-” He stopped himself from saying, ‘to hold you’. “What did you think, Daniel? That this didn’t affect me?”

 Shaking his head, his lips parted slightly and his teary eyes fixed onto the brown orbs, Daniel said softly, “I didn’t.. “ he stopped himself. “I guess I wasn’t thinking straight, Jack.”

 The colonel nodded, completely understanding. He turned to him once more.

 “No, you weren’t thinking straight!” Then he shot Daniel a quick glance and shrugged, “That’s understandable.”

 Daniel sighed, his shoulders lifting and dropping suddenly with the huge exhale of breath.

 “I guess we really need this, don’t we?” The younger man asked quietly. Jack nodded then looked back out the window, seeing his own haggard reflection in the dark glass now that night had closed in around them.

 “It’s getting late. Why don’t I call us a pizza?”

 Daniel nodded. “Sure, I’m actually feeling hungry,” he said, going back to retrieve his coffee. Jack smiled. So was he - for the first time in a few days.

 “The Works then?” he asked. Daniel’s stomach growled so he nodded.

 Jack went and ordered the pizza then returned to the living room. Daniel had switched the light on and so Jack went and lit the fire.

 “You’ve had quite a history with the Air Force, haven’t you?” Daniel said as he looked over the medals and recommendations that littered the shelf.

 “Yeah. Been a long, and not so illustrious, career.”

 The two friends looked at each other. Daniel stepped closer to Jack.

 “I’m really sorry.”

 “If you say you’re sorry once more..” Jack made light of the threat. Daniel bowed his head and laughed. “Yeah, Sorry.. oh!”

 They looked at each other again and laughed heartily.

 “But I am,” Daniel said. Jack nodded as he lit the candles along the mantel piece.

 “I know. I’m sorry too. I should have come to see you sooner.” The older man shook the match out.

 “I did ask for no visitors,” Daniel said flatly. Jack snorted softly.

 “Since when did that stop me? No, I wanted an out, and you gave me one. For a while I didn’t feel guilty,” the older man said in a voice barely louder than a whisper.

 “And then?”

 “And then I started to,” he said with remorse.

 “I did that so you wouldn’t feel guilty. I didn’t want you feeling like you *had* to come over.”

 “I didn’t have to come over, but I should have. I just didn’t know… I didn't know what to say to you, how you were feeling,” Jack said, turning to face his friend. Daniel bowed his head so Jack lifted it with a crooked finger. The large blue eyes blinked quickly.

 “I think we needed some time apart, to gain some perspective,” Daniel said quietly.

 Jack gave a lop-sided grin and nodded. “Oh, I’ve definitely got perspective now.”

 Daniel smiled quickly then gently yanked his face from Jack’s touch as he walked away. Jack sighed silently and rolled his eyes. He’d been ‘that close’ to telling Daniel how he felt - how he *still* felt, about him.

 He gave a throat clearing cough and said, “When Janet said you weren’t coming back, I decided that I’d procrastinated enough. I was actually on my way over to see you when I saw you walk into that bookstore.”

 Daniel nodded and picked up a small ornamental sword from Jack’s bookshelf.

 “I love that bookstore,” he said absently as he turned the detailed implement over and over in his hand, looking at the intricate carvings on the handle.

 “I must confess, I’d never seen it before in my life.”

 Daniel smiled and nodded again, not taking his eyes off the sword in his hand.

 “This is nice. What’s it a representation of?”

 Jack waved his hand in the air. “Oh, who knows. Some Franklin Mint thing Sara got for me a long time ago.”

 Daniel nodded again, making out a few of the symbols carved into the gold plated handle. “Hm, it’s nice.” He placed it back on the shelf then picked up another dagger, a small ornamental one, from the next shelf up. He twirled it over and over in his palm too, looking at the design down the blade, trying to figure out which dynasty it was from. Jack watched him silently, seeing a spark of the inquisitive archaeologist that he knew and loved shine from the harrowed man.

 He wasn’t sure how long he stood, just watching Daniel slowly look over his collection of ornamental swords and daggers, but when the doorbell rang, it gave both men a fright. Daniel looked around, as if surprised Jack was still there. The colonel climbed the steps and withdrew his wallet from his back pocket.

 While he paid for the pizza, Daniel went into the kitchen and pulled two beers from the fridge. He knew they’d be there. Jack always had beer. As he reached the drawer that he *knew* housed the bottle opener, he suddenly realised how comfortable he was there with Jack. It was like old times. He prised both bottles open and then went into the living room. Jack had switched off the light and left it that the television and candles lent the room a shadowy atmosphere. Passing Jack his bottle, Daniel stepped across his lap and sat beside him on the sofa. Jack had briefly admired the view as the rounded butt brushed past his nose.

 “Hope you don’t mind, but the world news will be on soon,” Jack said, indicating to the television with his slice of pizza before munching into it.

 “Good. I haven’t caught up with world affairs in..” Daniel hesitated while then thought about it, “about a week.”

 Jack swallowed and looked at his profile. What had Daniel been doing all by himself? He imagined darkness and solitude and a pile of dirty coffee cups. When Daniel turned to look at him, Jack looked down.

 “Actually, now that I think about it,” he said, sipping at his beer, “neither have I.”

 They sat watching the news reports, commenting and arguing over particular stories and world issues while chewing through the pizza together. Finally the pizza, and the first beers, were gone. Jack got up to dispose of the box and empty bottles while Daniel went to the kitchen to get some more beer, and to brew a pot of coffee. The officer joined him in the glaringly bright kitchen. Daniel had put his glasses on the top of his head as he fussed with the filter and then reached for the coffee from the refrigerator. Jack stood against the bench, his arms folded over his chest as he watched his friend at work. Even in that light, Daniel looked a hundred times better than he had on that cold wet street earlier in the day.

 “You’re looking better.” Jack smiled at his friend.

 Daniel looked at him and lowered his glasses back into place. “Am I?”

 Jack nodded then took one of the bottles from the bench. “You’ve got more color back in your face.”

 Daniel smiled and dipped his face. “I must say, I haven’t felt this relaxed in a.. well.. in a long time.” He looked up at his friend. “Thank you.”

 Jack shrugged. “I did nothing. I think *we* just needed to talk. I think the stress and strain of it was getting to the both of us.”

 “You’ve lost weight,” Daniel commented, peeling his label off his bottle.

 “So have you.”

 Blinking quickly, Daniel nodded. “I know. I couldn’t eat, I just.. I kept thinking…” he looked up, his eyes pale in the harsh light.

 “Me too,” Jack said quietly.

 “It really was pretty incredible, wasn’t it?” The soft awe was back in Daniel’s voice.

 Jack gaze didn’t break as he nodded slightly. “And if it didn’t mean you being in any kind of pain, or any sort of discomfort, I’d have gladly had that kid.”

 “What about your career?” Daniel asked, surprised by that confession. Jack gave a wry smile and shrugged one shoulder.

 “Screw my career.”

 “We almost did.” Daniel commented dryly as he lowered his face. Jack looked over the bowed head, and then sighed.

 “If it meant having a child, I couldn’t have cared less,” he said quietly. Daniel looked up at him, his eyes sad once more. “I wouldn’t care,’ Jack reassured him. The anthropologist nodded.

 “I’m more sorry I lost it then.”

 “You were never designed to carry it. The blame isn’t yours, Daniel. It’s the damn aliens for not warning you.”

 “Maybe they didn’t think it was possible.”

 “Don’t defend them, Daniel. What they did to you, you should be angry with them. Why aren’t you angry with them?”

 Daniel gave a soft snort as he shrugged. “I was.. I *am*. I just… I had an opportunity no other man’s ever had, Jack.” His voice was softened by his awe once more. Jack stared at the wide blue eyes, sparkling now with life again.

 “For three days, I carried a baby within me.” He placed his hand on his stomach. Jack looked down at his hand then up at his eyes again.

 “And it nearly killed you.”

 “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that. I think the aliens must somehow intervene, help the men accommodate the growing fetus. Maybe they place the men into incubation chambers.…”

 Growing frustrated by Daniel’s boundless enthusiasm for things that *should* get him angry instead, Jack waved his hands around his head. “Is everything science to you, Danny?”

 The young man blinked quickly. “No, of course…”

 “You and me. We almost became a family. *WE*..!” He waved his finger between the two of them.

 “I wouldn’t have expected you to do anything, Jack. I would have left and raised the child alone.”

 “No, you would *not* have!” Jack snapped. “You would have stayed at the SGC and *I* would have raised the kid.”

 “The kid? *The* kid?” Daniel frowned at the crude description of their child.

 “Yeah, the damn kid. My kid. Your.. I mean.. our..” he said, flustered with anger. Daniel looked at him, his lips pursed into thin white lines.

 “Ours…” he said, correcting the mistake. Jack met the wide eyed stare.

 “Yes,” he said, lowering his voice to a whisper, “Ours.”

 Daniel shivered as if a cold wind swept by him.

 “You okay?” Jack frowned. The scientist smiled.

 “Goose walked over my grave, as my mom used to say,” he said, smiling at the memory of his foster mother. Still, his body tingled all over.

 “Maybe we should get back to the fire,” Jack said, picking up his bottle and heading out of the room. Daniel followed him, switching off the light as he went.

 .o0o.
Daniel chose to sit right infront of the fire, his body still feeling the cold chills.

 “Jack,” he asked quietly. The colonel stretched his legs out and put them on the coffee table.

 “Yeah?” He closed his eyes and titled his head back.
 
 

“Would you have really given up your career for the baby?”

 Sitting forward once more, Jack rested his elbows on his thighs. He looked over at Daniel, kneeling before the fire.

 “Yes.”

 “Because of Charlie?” Daniel tilted his head in question.

 “Some of it was. But mostly, it was so you could continue to work there. So you didn’t have to sacrifice the chance to look for Sha’re..”

 Daniel blinked and looked away. “And then what? When I found her was I meant to choose between the two of you?”

 “Maybe,” Jack shrugged, having not really given that any thought. “I suppose it would have been a hard decision.”

 Daniel looked down, reached forward and placed his bottle on the hearth. Sitting back, he rubbed his hands over his knelt thighs.

 “Oh, no, not really,” he said. Jack blinked and looked at him, tilting his face slightly.

 “I’d have stayed here, with the baby..” he smiled at Jack. *And with you.* He added to himself.

 Jack nodded. “Ah huh.”

 Yawning, and fearing he’d say too much more, Daniel checked his watch, obviously preparing himself to go.

 “Why don’t you crash the night here?” Jack asked casually, picking up his bottle and downing the rest of his drink.

 “Thanks.” It was not an odd practice for Daniel. He’d often crashed in bed with Jack after a night of too many beers and too much television. Over the past month, he thought such occasions were over, now that Jack knew he was bi-sexual. Part of him was relieved that Jack wasn’t treating him any differently.

 “There’s an old vampire movie on in a minute. I know how much you love them,” Jack commented.

 The anthropologist laughed. “And I know how much you hate them. It’s okay, I don't need to watch it.”

 “No, go ahead. I’ll probably hit the shower soon anyway.”

 “Yeah?” Daniel looked so happy again that Jack couldn’t help but laugh and toss the remote to him.

 “Yeah.”

 .o0o.
After his shower Jack pulled on a pair of sweat pants, tied his toweling gown around his waist and ruffled a towel through his short hair. He headed to the kitchen and poured out two cups of the brewed coffee, then went through to the darken living room. He smiled as he saw Daniel, hunched up into a little ball in front of the television set like a child watching t.v. Moving to the side of him quietly, Jack watched the face; mouth opened slightly, eyes glued to the flickering black and white images on the screen.

 “Here.” He held out the cup. Daniel nearly leapt into the air as his arms and legs flew out in all directions. Jack laughed heartily as he watched his younger friend scramble to straighten himself up. “Sorry Space Monkey, didn’t mean to frighten you.” He held the cup out once more.

 “Christ, Jack,” Daniel said, before looking up at the man standing beside him. His eyes immediately fell onto the exposed torso of his friend. He stared at the trail of hair down the stomach then quickly looked up at Jack, taking the cup from his hands and muttering a thanks.

 Jack, oblivious to the reaction, went to his chair in the corner and sat down. “Caught you at a good bit, huh?” He asked, sipping his drink.

 “Yeah,” Daniel adjusted his glasses a little nervously, then stammered a soft, “Yeah,” again under his breath. Collecting his thoughts, he continued, “the vampire’s about to bite the neck of the heroine and make her one of the un-dead.”

 “Whatever you say, Daniel.” Jack rolled his eyes, teasing Daniel somewhat.

 The scientist scoffed. “Don’t laugh! Vampires are very ‘sexy’!”

 “They’re *sexy*?” Jack queried, managing to sound both surprised and disbelieving at once.

 “Don’t laugh. It’s a proven fact that vampires are seen to be erotic creatures!”

 “Why? Because of the women in those soft flowing dresses that just seem to stay on magically despite the high winds as they wander through the grave yards in search of Drac?” Jack rambled in one breath, dramatically sucking in another deep lungful of air when he’d finished.

 Giving a soft laugh, Daniel shrugged. “Well, yeah, but I’m really referring to vampires themselves. Especially the male ones…” He hugged his knees to his chest as he watched the screen intently again.

 Suddenly interested, Jack sat forward in his chair. “Oh?”

 “Oh, yeah!” Daniel grinned, looking over his shoulder at his friend then sipped his coffee. “The stare, those teeth, the way they bite your neck! It’s so spine chillingly seductive, Jack.”

 “Okay, I’ve watched about a dozen of these shows with you Daniel. You never mentioned they turned you on before!”

 “Oh, come on! Who doesn’t like having their neck bitten?” He laughed then suddenly realised *who* he was talking to. He blushed slightly and lowered his face, looking down into the cup of coffee on the floor beside him.

 Jack was glad Daniel didn’t see his reaction. The older man rolled his eyes slightly and wet his lips, unable to believe Daniel had just confessed that. He didn’t need to know what turned the guy on. It was hard enough dealing with the fact that they were totally alone, in a dark room with Jack’s testosterone running rampant because of the man on the floor as it was.

 “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that-” Daniel said in a soft voice before looking up.

 Fighting all his urge to just tackle his friend to the floor, Jack waved his hand near his head and said, “Forget it! I’m just going to file this one under ‘bribe material’ so don’t sweat it.!”

 The younger man dipped his head once more then muttered, “Great. What else is in the file?”

 Teasingly Jack grinned. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

 “Yes, that’s *why* I asked.”

 Daniel looked up at Jack and the older man arched his brow.

 “I tell you what,” he said, sitting forward and putting his coffee onto the table before crawling onto the floor with Daniel. The anthropologist was a little surprised by Jack’s actions but smiled when his friend sat next to him by the fire.

 “What?” Daniel asked.

 Wetting his lips quickly, Jack turned his face to Daniel and said, “come back to work and I’ll burn that file.”

 Blinking rapidly, Daniel lowered his eyes. Jack waited a few moments then tucked some hair back behind Daniel’s ear to gain his attention. The younger man looked up quickly at him, moving his eyes to watch as Jack pulled his hand away slowly from the touch. Their eyes met again.

 “I.. I..” Daniel only managed to stammer.

 “Come back to work. We need you there…” Jack said in a low, determined voice. “*I* need you there.”

 Daniel’s eyes were owlish behind the round frames, some of his long fringe had fallen into his eyes once more.

 //Jack needed him? He needed Jack! Or rather, needed to hear that Jack needed him!//

 The older man touched his hand to his friend’s face, lightly sweeping the bangs from Daniel’s eyes then tucking it behind his ear. The blue eyes remained fixed onto the rugged face before him. Jack gave a slight smile when the hair seemed to stay where it was put, then he moved his vision to look into Daniel’s eyes as he took his hand back away again.

 Dipping his face again, allowing the hair to fall forward seemed to be a deliberate act by Daniel, Jack thought. Perhaps he was testing Jack’s reaction? He wasn’t aware that his younger friend was actually staring at his exposed torso, clearly visible within the opened toweling gown in the soft glow of the fire. Sucking in a silent deep breath, Daniel clenched his eyes shut from the tantalizing sight.

 //Oh, yeah! He *needed* Jack….!!//

 When Daniel looked up again, Jack swept the hair back once more, a silent confirmation that it was no mistake before. Capturing the hand as it left the surface of his skin, Daniel gave a sad smile.

 “You probably shouldn’t touch me Jack,” he said, lowering the hand from his face.

 “Why?” The question was asked in a deep, husky voice.

 Daniel heard the tone clearly and looked into the dark orbs staring back at him. “Because, I’m so turned on by you at the moment,” he said, pausing to inhale one deep breath before summoning up the courage to continue, “I’m likely to do something we will both regret.” Jack’s hand came back up, the tip of his index finger touched the unshaven cheek lightly. “I wouldn’t regret it.”

 Daniel closed his eyes to the touch and gave a soft moan. His head titled backwards when Jack stroked his cheek once more. Seeing the perfect opportunity, Jack leant forward and gently nipped Daniel’s throat. The younger man jolted at the soft bite. His eyes sprung open and he lowered his face as Jack pulled back.

 “Oh gods, Jack, please….. don’t .. do this to .. me..”

 “Why not? It’s all I’ve thought about since PN3451,” the older man confessed quietly. Daniel shook his head and looked away.

 Reaching forward and making him look back at him, Jack reaffirmed, “I’ve wanted you since then, Daniel.”

 “You don’t. You’re getting gratitude mixed up with.. with something else!”

 “Don’t tell me what I’m feeling,” Jack said relentlessly.

 Shaking his head, Daniel considered the advantages of a one night fling - right here - right now- with Jack. IIt would certainly ease the frustration he’d accrued over the month within seeing Jack. But then again, it would certainly hurt more the next time he needed Jack and Jack wasn’t available to him.

 “You’re my best friend. My ‘straight’ best friend - remember! I… I couldn’t do that to our friendship-”

 “It can stand it,” Jack assured him. “How straight can I be if I want to be inside you once more?”

 //Once more?//

 “Jack, no,” Daniel sighed as he shook his head and looked down. Jack just wanted that sensation, that intense orgasm, again. Nothing more, it seemed.

 Brushing his hand over the silky hair, Jack inched forward slightly and felt Daniel pull away. “Daniel, I’m not asking for..”

 Daniel looked at the dark eyes. Not asking for what? A commitment? That hurt Daniel. He wasn’t after a series of ‘one-nighters’ with his friend. He wasn’t a casual sex kind of guy, and always wanted more from a partner. Certainly more than that from Jack. Infact, he craved a *lot* more from his best friend than he ever thought he would. All because of that one little incident…..

 “Jack! No!” The younger man shook his head and started to get up, knowing he’d ruined their friendship now. He was about to step away when Jack gripped his wrist tightly.

 “At least let’s talk about this!”

 “I’m too tired to talk about this,” Daniel sighed then tugged his hand from the grasp. Jack got to his feet and stood infront of him.

 “You do look exhausted,” he said, placing a hand on each shoulder. Daniel rubbed his eye beneath the lens.

 “I am. I haven’t had a decent sleep since….” he mumbled and looked up at Jack. “Well, since I lost..”

 Wordlessly, Jack nodded and slipped his arm across his friend’s shoulders, leading him from the living room.

 “Where are you taking me?”

 “To bed.” Daniel stopped suddenly but Jack tugged him along. “To sleep! We have done this before, remember! Loads of times..!” Jack said simply, almost as if he wanted to shame Daniel out of thinking anything else would happen. Regardlessly, the younger man shook his head when he saw Jack lead him around the corner and down the hall to the main bedroom.

 “Still, this is not a good idea.” He protested weakly.

 “I’m not going to do anything to you Daniel, trust me!” Jack said, sitting him on the edge of the bed.

 “I’m more worried about what I might do to you,” the tired man mumbled under his breath as Jack removed his shoes for him. The colonel knelt with one knee bent up, on the floor by Daniel’s feet. His elbow rested on his knee.

 “If you’re really worried, I’ll let you fall asleep before I come to bed.”

 Rolling his eyes, Daniel shook his head. “It’s okay, really.”

 Jack nodded then indicated to him to climb under the bedding. “I’ll be back.” He got up and went out to the living room, turning off the television and putting out the fire and candles.

 By the time he returned to the bedroom Daniel was on his side away from the door, hands tucked under his face, and he seemed to be fast asleep. Jack stood by the side of the bed, looking down at the man in his bed. A small smile tugged at his lips as he looked around, seeing the discarded glasses on the side table. Jack thought it was definitely an image he could get used to. After removing his sweater and shoes, he climbed into bed and turned away from Daniel, snuggling under the thick quilt to fall asleep.

 .o0o.
Jack woke suddenly when a hand came out and slapped him across the face. It took him a few moments to come to grips with what was happening then he was well aware of Daniel thrashing about in his sleep next to him. The distressed man was crying out, “No.. No.. the baby. Jack.. the baby!”

 Shifting to sit up, Jack tried to catch Daniel’s arms as the flung over his head once more.

 “Sonofabitch, don’t take our b-”

 “Daniel!” Jack yelled as one hand thumped painfully against his cheek. He grabbed the wrists and held them down against the pillows. Kneeling over Daniel he waited until he could see his eyes open slightly in the dim light.

 “Jack?”

 “I’m here, Danny,” he whispered. Daniel started sobbing uncontrollably and Jack wasn’t sure if he was fully awake yet or not. He released the wrists and moved in behind to cradle Daniel back against his chest, wrapping his arms tightly around his distressed friend. He couldn’t help but wonder about the private hell Daniel had been living in all alone for the past month. He certainly hadn’t look like he was sleeping, or eating, that much. Heartbroken, and wishing he could have been allowed to help him more, all Jack could do now was to coo softly and tell Daniel that everything would be alright.

 “I lost your baby…” the sleepy man whimpered.

 Blinking away tears of his own, Jack whispered. “You’re alive. That’s all that I care about. Shhhh, don’t worry about the baby…”

 Feeling the man within his arms shiver violently, Jack tightened his hold, spooning into the back of Daniel more closely. “I could have helped your pain. I could have helped replace Charlie..” he mumbled in his sleep. Jack’s lips brushed the tip of Daniel’s ears.

 “No one can replace Charlie, Daniel. I would have loved our kid differently, because it was ours, but he wouldn’t have replaced Charlie. Just like no one can replace Sha’re in your heart.”

 Jack felt Daniel’s hand seek along his arm for his hand. He moved it slightly and allowed Daniel to lace their fingers together.

 “Would you have loved our baby? Or thought it was a freak?” The words were slurred by sleep but Jack’s heart clenched at that thought, just the same. What had Daniel been thinking all this time?

 “I’d have loved it, heart and soul. And spoilt it rotten, too.”

 Daniel smiled sadly at that thought, but Jack didn’t see that.

 “It would have been a constant reminder of the moment of my life that changed me forever.” Daniel frowned slightly but didn’t get a chance to say anything before Jack continued, “It was the moment, I think, that I fell in love with you.”

 Jack felt the man in his arms stiffen then start to turn onto his back to face him. Reaching out, Jack hit the lamp onto it’s lowest setting, illuminating the room with a soft, yellow light so they could see each other. Daniel looked up at his friend through puffy, wet eyes.

 “Jack?”

 With an uncertain smile Jack touched his hand to Daniel’s face very lightly.

 “I don’t *normally* make these kinds of admissions unless I’ve had a few too many to drink. Ask Sara. She never got to hear this unless I was *really* off my face.”

 The dark eyes shifted over the younger face, taking in all the features in the soft glow. Jack saw Daniel’s mouth twitch and start to open but he gently laid his finger against the soft, plump lips, silencing him and allowing himself time to say what he needed to say.

 “And I certainly never thought I’d be saying this to another man!” His eyes, full of nervous uncertainty, flicked up from where his finger was lightly bouncing against the pink mouth up to the blue eyes, no longer watery but now wide with disbelief. His soft swallow highlighted his uneasiness and his sincerity. With a heartfelt sigh, he began again. “But you’ve got me…. I’ve never felt like this before… for anyone, Daniel. You’ve got to believe me! *You* took me completely by surprise!”

 Daniel only blinked. Forgotten where it laid, Jack’s finger was still on his lips, preventing him from speaking anyway. But Daniel had no words to offer. He was, literally, speechless. His mind raced and his body tingled as he laid there, cocooned within the warmth of Jack’s arms and body pressed alongside his own. “I think a little part of me has always been in love with you, but I just didn’t know it, or more to the point, I didn’t recognise it.”

 Reaching up onto his elbows, Daniel frowned. “Why didn’t you say something earlier?”

 “Before tonight? Because I didn’t know what I was feeling. I just knew we were closer than I’d ever let myself be with a friend before. It wasn’t until after the incident on that world that I started getting a clue as to what my feelings really were for you. At first, well, I fought them. I’m not gay, Daniel….”

 The blue eyes lowered slightly and Jack mentally kicked himself for the comment.

 “But, I just… I ‘love’ you.”

 It was so simple to say. Not flowery or sentimental, just a simple and honest proclamation.

 Jack continued, his voice thickened by emotion. “Your zest for life, your thirst for knowledge! Your incredible, unswerving friendship for me - which you proved on PN3451 - it all adds up to a very attractive package. One that not even I can ignore.”

 “Maybe your feelings are more gratitude than you realise?”

 Shaking his head slightly, Jack sighed. “No, I don’t think so. I know the difference between gratitude and love.”

 Daniel looked at him, his eyes wide and his mouth opened slightly. Jack looked down to the parted red lips and sighed softly.

 “You opened up a whole new world to me that day, and I wanted to tell you how I felt when we got back. But I was confused and you didn’t seem to care. You kept saying it was just sex, nothing more. I wasn’t sure what to say or do. Then you got sick,” he said quietly. Daniel wet his lips when he saw a tear spread across the bottom lashes of Jack’s dark eyes. “I thought I was going to lose you. I thought it was some cruel trick - worse than anything Hathor could have put us through!”

 Seeing the genuine depth of love Jack had for him, Daniel’s heart caved in. He no longer had to hide how he felt. When Jack propositioned him in the living room, he thought it was just for a one night fling, but judging what Jack had just confessed to, Daniel knew it was more than that. His hand came up and cupped the side of Jack’s head. He slowly scooped him closer but Jack tried to pull back.

 “Don’t Daniel, you made your feelings perfectly clear out in the living room…” He didn’t need pity now.

 “Jack!”

 “Daniel, for crying out…” He kept trying to pull back but Daniel tugged him until their lips met, silencing the argument. It was a little crude, a bit harsh, but it got the point across. They pulled back at the same time, Daniel licking his lips as Jack frowned and scratched at his eyebrow with his thumbnail.

 “And.. that was….because..??”

 “I’m in love with you, too,” Daniel whispered. Despite it all, he was still nervous of Jack’s reaction, like he had been everytime he imagined telling his friend about how he felt.

 Scoffing slightly, Jack said, “Now you’re just saying that..!”

 “So telling you that you were turning me on in your living room meant - what - then Jack?” Daniel was gettinng a little annoyed.

 “Meant exactly that! I’m a guy, and you’re attracted to… . to men....and vampires… and that movie was turning you on so *I* was turning you on! That’s what it meant. Not that you have any real depth of feeling for..” Jack sounded almost flippant.

 “Oh, shut- up- Jack!” Daniel sighed loudly.

 “What?” Jack titled his head as he looked at his friend who was rubbing at his eye.

 “I said shut up. Christ! What’s it take to get through to you!”

 Jack fell silent then cocked his head to the side slightly, one brow arched questioningly. Daniel looked at him and, even annoyed, he found his friend irresistible. He had to smile at the look on Jack’s face.

 Laughing slightly, Daniel said, “I love you! God help me.. I think I need to be shot!”

 Jack laughed too: the tension snapping and dissolving suddenly. “Well, that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me! Nice.. and romantic.. Gee, Danny, I never knew you were such a romantic before.. but …”

 Daniel reached forward, and pulled Jack closer. “Shut up.” He chuckled softly.

 “You say that a lot too…” Jack was silenced by a kiss. This time it was stronger, more passionate. Both men moved to reach the other better, allowing their hands to roam over willing bodies. Daniel’s hand trailed along Jack’s shoulder, down his arm and onto his hand. Their palms pressed together and Daniel entwined their fingers. Jack cupped the back of his head lightly, holding his new lover carefully as their tongues butted and jostled together gently in the warm, moist mouths. Jack’s tongue pressed further into Daniel’s mouth, filling the smaller cavern completely. Daniel moaned softly as a surge of arousal cascaded through him, culminating in his groin. He fidgeted until he was up onto his knees, then he pressed Jack back down onto the bed, kneeling beside him. His hand planed over the black t-shirt, feeling the hard chest within it, then down to the softer stomach that disappeared under his touch. He smiled against Jack’s lips when he felt his partner’s groin thrust up to meet his hand. Pulling back slightly, he inhaled a deep, long breath.

 “Do me a favour?” Jack asked huskily.

 “What?” Daniel panted.

 “Take my jeans off,” Jack requested.

 “But I’m not wearing them.” Daniel barely said it before Jack groaned loudly and pushed him away.

 They stared at each other a moment before Jack said, humorous disbelief in his voice, “You really said that, didn’t you?”

 Daniel swallowed and then nodded. Both men laughed. Falling onto the bed beside him, Daniel pushed his hair out of his eyes. Jack rolled onto his side, resting up on one elbow. The blue eyes moved to look at him.

 “Sorry, I sometimes say the wrong things when I’m nervous.”

 Jack laughed lightly and shook his head. “Ya think?” His hand toyed with the pattern on Daniel’s sweatshirt.

 Covering his face with his hands, Daniel growled loudly. “I’m sorry!”

 Jack removed one hand and looked at the revealed eye. “I forgive you!”

 They laughed once more, then fell quiet again. Jack looked over the face looking up at him.

 “I’m suddenly reminded of a comment you made to me when we were at the altar.”

 Daniel frowned before he shrugged, inviting Jack to refresh his memory.

 With a smile, Jack touched his finger to the soft, full bottom lip. “You said that even if we didn’t make the statue, I’d at least go out with a bang.”

 Closing his eyes, but not hiding his smile, Daniel shrugged. “And I was right…”

 Jack laughed and nodded his head. “Oh yeah, you were. A big bang! The best damn bang I’ve ever had…” He fell silent once more as Daniel looked at him.

 “It was?”

 Jack nodded. “It was. But I’m sure that we could do better… next time-”

 Daniel smiled shyly. “Next time?”

 Jack’s finger pressed against the full lip then he reached down to kiss Daniel repeatedly as he spoke.

 “And the time after that.. and the time after that-”

 Daniel moaned softly as Jack’s hand squeezed his chest then he sighed as the older man pulled out of yet another kiss.

 Licking his lips, Daniel quipped dryly, “but will we be able to walk tomorrow, Jack?”

 Jack stared at him then laughed. “We’ll pace ourselves!”

 Licking his lips, Daniel quipped dryly, “but will we be able to walk tomorrow, Jack?”

 Jack stared at him then laughed. “We’ll pace ourselves!”

 Flattening his hand against Jack’s chest, Daniel pushed him off slightly.

 “Jack, you really ready for this? As you said, yourself, you’re not ‘gay’.”

 Shaking his head, Jack’s hand played with the soft hairs on Daniel’s forearm.

 “You have no idea how ready I am for this!”

 Sitting up slightly, Daniel said, “still, we *should* take this slowly.”

 Jack sat up as well, nodding his agreement. “I know.” His finger traced over Daniel’s skin, filling the younger man with tingles. “As much as I’d love to just re-enact what happened out there,” he kissed the back of Daniel’s hand then straightened up once more, “I don’t think that either if us is really ready.”

 Daniel smiled. “Thanks Jack.”

 Lying alongside him once more, Jack caressed his new lover’s face with the back of his curled fingers. “It’s probably going to take you a long time….”

 “Well, actually physically I’m fine…”

 Jack nodded, unsure what to say next.

 “Just.. just emotionally..?” The officer hedged. Wetting his lips, Daniel nodded slightly, the pain resurfacing in the blue eyes.

 “I think so,” he said in a soft whisper. Jack gave him a small smile then hugged him closer.

 “Then we’ll let this thing play itself out. We’ll know when it’s time.”

 Daniel snuggled closer to the warm body, enjoying feeling his head resting against Jack’s chest. He was able to hear the older man’s rapid heartbeat and knew that while he was calm on the surface, Jack was nervous on the inside. He tilted his head back to look at him.

 “What about you?”

 “What about me?”

 “You know.”

 Jack looked up into the blue eyes unblinkingly.

 “I’m terrified,” he said, the candid confession seeming to take even him a little by surprise. Daniel touched his trembling fingers to Jack’s cheek, his thumb brushing the corner of his mouth.

 “Then we definitely take this thing slowly.”

 Jack saw the confident man, the one who took charge on PN3451, return in Daniel’s eyes. Leaning down, he kissed Jack softly and the older man let him take the lead.

 Their tongues leisurely explored each other this time. Gently butting and tumbling, neither seeking dominance, merely contact. Jack squirmed beneath the caress of Daniel’s hands, enjoying the growing confidence in the strokes, the way the warm palm pressed beneath his shirt and up to his chest. Through the kiss, Jack inhaled deeply, an action that had Daniel climbing onto him, his fingers pinching and tugging at Jack’s hardened nipple, his legs entwining with the long legs of his lover.

 Daniel’s hand cupped the back of Jack’s head, his fingers touched the ear lightly, filling Jack with tingles. Breaking for air, they seemed to check with the other, no words spoken. Seeing no resistance, Daniel covered the hungry mouth once more, this time grinding his groin against Jack’s firmly. The older man growled deeply, the rumble vibrating through Daniel’s own chest. The man on top gave a thrust, his rigid groin seeking contact against the warm body. Finding it against an equally hardened shaft, Daniel moaned loudly. Jack’s hands gripped the soft ass, squeezing him through the pants he was still wearing, pushing him hard against him. He bent his legs, the thighs pressing Daniel’s hips in a vice like grip.

 Breaking once more for air, Daniel’s head went back. Seizing the opportunity, Jack bit the arched throat repeatedly, alternating between gentle nips and actual bites. Daniel grounded his groin into Jack, feeling the thighs tightening around him even more.

 “Jack, Jack!”

 “Mhmmpphh?” The older man continued to lick, nip and suck the stubble covered skin, the numbing sensation enticing him more.

 “This.. isn’t.. taking… things.. slowly..” Daniel strained to pull back, but Jack’s hold kept him still.

 “Sure it is..” the officer mumbled, his tongue pressing against the pulse point on Daniel’s throat.

 “Oh.. Gods..” The younger man growled as Jack’s hands slipped between the backs of his thighs and squeezed him tightly. Daniel instantly opened his legs and bucked against the groin beneath him. “No.. this is.. way too close for.. me..” he sighed, feeling the legs tighten even more. Jack pushed him back and stared up at the black eyes.

 “Jesus Danny, you talk too much!”

 “You wanted to take this slowly…” he countered breathlessly.

 “I can't help it your so damn fuckable!”

 Rolling his eyes, Daniel groaned. “Don’t say that!”

 “You’d prefer the word ‘do-able’?”

 “You know what I mean!” A dimple appeared on Daniel’s cheek as he pursed his lips together and furrowed his brow.

 Jack sighed heavily, his hand coming up to touch Daniel’s face.

 “I’m ready when you are… I’m a *little* scared, I’ll admit, but I remember what you were like on PN3451, how carefully you guided me… how gorgeous you were when you came,” he whispered then smiled. “I’m so ready to see that again…”

 Daniel stared at Jack a moment, and just when Jack thought the man was about to leap off the bed and run out of the room, Daniel moved and tugged his pants off him instead.

 “Yes!” Jack hissed softly as Daniel’s face rubbed against his hard shaft. The long fingers peeled the red underwear down the furry thighs and calves then tossed them across the room.

 “Sure?” Daniel’s face hovered over the weeping tip. Jack’s fingers threaded through the soft silky locks.

 “Sure.” He nodded, fear creeping up the back of his throat.

 “I’ll need some type of cream..”

 Jack nodded and pointed to his bedside table. Daniel leaned across and pulled out a slightly used tube of personal lubricant. Arching his brow he looked at Jack. The officer gave a slight shrug, making Daniel smile. Putting the tube aside a moment, Daniel repositioned himself between Jack’s legs.

 “You’re not going to ask?”

 “I don’t need to know,” Daniel said simply, then added, “only, and you should know this Jack, but fool around on me and you won't get a second chance.”

 Blinking quickly, Jack heeded the serious warning.

 “I’ve no intention of it, Danny,” he whispered. The younger man smiled such a smile that Jack caught his breath, then the head dipped and Jack was engulfed in a hot, moist mouth.

 He melted into the bedding. A long, boneless sigh escaped him. He’d had this done before, plenty of times. But none of his past lovers had the same firm suction that Daniel had. None had hands that engulfed his hard, thick shaft as easily as this larger, warm palm did. Certainly none teased at his tight opening with their little finger before, eliciting a spiral of tingles crashing through Jack’s body, making his butt twitch.

 While Daniel’s mouth moved up and down the slicked skin, pausing every now and then to catch his breath but replacing the action with his left hand instead, he pressed his gelled up little finger through Jack’s tight opening, gently preparing his lover for his other fingers. When he felt Jack slacken enough to allow a larger finger in, he pressed one in. Jack bucked slightly, ramming himself against the back of Daniel’s throat. The younger, more experienced man, continued with his actions. Gently, and slowly, he worked in another finger, right in until he reached the firm gland hidden within Jack’s body. Pulling back he smiled as Jack’s dopey eyes finally opened to look at him.

 “What?” The question was barely more than a whispered hiss. Daniel reached in and stroked the gland. The brown eyes sprung open, Jack’s whole body twitched and he let out a loud, deep groan.

 “What the hell…?”

 Daniel laughed. “Welcome to you G spot, Jack.”

 “You’re kidding me?”

 Daniel brushed it once more and Jack twitched again, his tip weeping slightly from the stimulation. Leaning down, Daniel licked up the pearl bead then sat back.

 “How ready are you?”

 “How ready are you?” He countered.

 “If I can get over this huge fear of impregnating you..” Daniel said, then bit his lips together slightly. Jack touched his hand to Daniel’s cheek.

 “You’re not going to do that.”

 “That’s what we thought last time.” His fears came crashing around him once more.

 Closing his eyes briefly, Jack sighed then looked at him again. “Want the truth? I’d give anything to take you back there, impregnate you again and have a baby with you Daniel. If those Halterons could see to it that you weren’t in *any* pain.”

 “You’re joking, right?”

 The officer shook his head. “Of course, you’d have to be willing too!”

 Daniel’s eyes widened. “You’re not joking, are you?”

 Jack sighed, awe softening his words. “We were going to be Dads, Danny! I know first hand how truly rewarding that would be!”

 “You really did want this baby.”

 Jack nodded and recalled his thoughts at the time….

 *When they went back to PN3451 to get help for Daniel, maybe he could even talk him into helping him replace the statue again - then they’d *both* be impregnated.

 //Yeah,// Jack had thought with a dopey smile on his lips, totally losing himself in the fantasy by then, //he could do that!!//

 *His happy thoughts fled a moment when he recalled the sight of Sara, screaming and gripping him tightly as she suffered through her contractions.

 //Maybe Daniel would be the only bearer then. He’s younger and has a better back..// Jack retreated slightly.

 Returning back to reality as he felt the fingers slip from his body, he looked at Daniel who was turning away. Touching him on his shoulder, Jack called his name softly. Daniel didn’t respond so Jack sat up.

 “I thought you hated the idea. I thought it was going to ruin your career,” Daniel said in a quiet voice. Jack looked over his shoulder, resting his chin on the warm skin.

 “It probably would have ruined my career, only because I would have let it.”

 Daniel blinked and looked back at Jack. The officer slipped around to face him better.

 “The same way you’re allowing it to ruin your career now.”

 “Jack, I’m not..”

 “Shh, listen.” He pressed his fingers against the small mouth. “Who cares what anyone on Base thinks? *We* know the truth. We know you did one selfless act that nearly cost you your life and it’s now costing you your career. Don’t let it ruin you, Danny, please.”

 “How can I…?”

 “Go back there? With me!” he said, lifting Daniel’s hand and pressing it against his chest. “I love you. I want you back in my life, in my ‘whole’ life, and that includes work.”

 Daniel looked at his own hand then up into Jack’s eyes. “You know, for an antagonist you’re a pretty good negotiator at times.”

 Jack smiled quirkily. “I have my moments.”

 Daniel laughed. “Yes, you certainly do.”

 “So does this mean you’re coming back to work?”

 With a shy smile, Daniel tilted his head and nodded. “I’ll go and see Janet first thing in the morning.”

 Jack screwed up his nose. “Well, maybe not *first thing*,” he said, tugging Daniel back into the bed with him.

 “Oh?”

 Jack grinned. “I tend to sleep a lot after sex.”

 “You do?” Daniel laughed.

 “Uh huh,” Jack nodded and gently bit Daniel’s jaw line, making his way from his chin to his ear, then he kissed the small ear softly. Daniel moaned.

 “Especially after a lot of it-” Jack laid back, pulling Daniel on top of him.

 “Oh, really?” Daniel laughed, allowing Jack to take his sweatshirt off him.

 The colonel tossed it across the room. The brown eyes widened at the sight of the smooth chest as the legs tightened around Daniel’s hips once more.

 “If you want, I’ve got condoms in that drawer too,” Jack said, pointing to the side table. Daniel sucked back a breath, refusing to question Jack on the matter but dying to find out who it was awith and how long ago. He trusted Jack that it was over with. Reaching up, he fumbled around in the drawer and pulled out the box. Three packs fell onto the bed and Daniel tossed the empty box to the floor.

 Lying himself over Jack’s body, Daniel kissed him once more. Sighing softly as they pulled back, Jack brushed some hair out of Daniel’s eyes.

 “I still remember what you said to me the first time we kissed.”

 “That it was just like kissing a woman, only better?”

 Jack laughed. “Well, I don’t recall the better bit, but yeah, that’s what you said.”

 Daniel smiled. “Well, it is.”

 “I know.” Jack said, pushing him back and rolling on to him. Daniel’s hands ran up the dip in Jack’s back, pushing up the black t-shirt along the way. He tugged it off Jack’s head and flung in across the room. Jack pawed at the pants and boxers Daniel was still wearing, getting them off him quickly and disposing of them without another thought.

 Now, both totally naked, Daniel pressed Jack back onto the bed. He gathered the stuff beside him then gently probed Jack’s tight opening once more. Reaching down, he kissed the older man’s lips softly before breaching the ring. Jack gasped as he felt his gland get pressed.

 “Is this what I was touching that night?” Jack asked. Daniel nodded and grinned.

 “No wonder you seemed to.. enjoy .. it..” Jack hissed as Daniel gently rubbed him before reaching down and kissing any skin he could reach on Jack’s body. He felt the soft trail of hair against his lips and followed it down as far as he could reach. Then he turned his head, kissing along Jack’s thigh, right down to the inside thigh, nestling his nose between the sac and leg. Jack gave a slight thrust and Daniel kissed the hard shaft as he continued to caress him internally. When he was sure his lover was ready, and that was clear by the loud groans Jack was making,he covered himself in a sheath, lathered it with the lube and pressed his tip against the opening.

 “Remember to tell me if I hurt you.”

 Jack nodded and Daniel withdrew his fingers before gripping Jack’s hips. Partly pulling Jack onto him, partly pushing into the tight body, Daniel inched his way into his lover.

 Jack held his breath. It was a lot more painful than he ever thought. Finally, with a loud expel of air, he told Daniel to stop.

 Daniel’s clean hand came up and caressed the damp cheek.

 “Shhh, it’s okay. I won't go any further.”

 “Kiss me?” Jack asked through his soft pants for air. Daniel smiled and leant over, kissing Jack tenderly. The older man wrapped his arms around his shoulders and held on tightly. Their tongues were gentle at the start, but soon burning passion had them fighting and butting and seeking dominance. Throughout the kiss, Jack loosened and Daniel inched in further until he was buried deeply into the hot, moist cavern. The older man bucked when Daniel swiped his gland with his large tip.

 “For crying out….!” Jack cried out loudly. Daniel smiled and continued to thrust into him, slowly building up the rhythm and the depth of the strokes until he was pressing in deep and hard with each thrust. Jack’s hands gripped the soft ass cheeks, his fingers digging into the white flesh as he held on tightly and enjoyed the feel of the butt working to provide him with pleasure.

 “Danny!” He whispered as he opened his eyes finally. Blue eyes met his gaze and smiled back at him, then he cupped Jack’s face in one hand and lent down to him.

 “Love you,” he whispered, his cheek brushing Jack’s damp skin.

 “Oh, baby..” Jack’s arms wrapped around Daniel’s chest as he hugged him close, trapping his hard shaft between them.

 Suddenly Daniel pushed back, arching his back as he slammed himself deeply inside Jack. He gasped and gagged softly as his whole body shook with the intense orgasm. Jack stared at the sweat streaked face above him, seeing the parted lips, the tongue tickling at the inside of the mouth as the body shivered and shuddered, expelling its load into the sheath buried deep inside Jack.

 Carefully pulling himself out, Daniel dropped the sheath to the side of the bed before inching down and engulfing Jack’s shaft once more.

 Gasping and curling up slightly, Jack dug his fingers into the long hair, scrunching it into handfuls as he came, pouring down the back of his lover’s throat. He jerked and shivered as he fell back onto the sheet exhausted.

 Daniel draped himself over Jack’s chest, his breath moving the hairs on Jack’s chest as he softly panted. Jack caressed his fingers through the long hair. They laid together for a long while before Daniel moved to lie beside him. He buried his face against Jack’s damp neck, his breath warming the skin.

 Jack responded with a sleepy moan and Daniel smiled. He snuggled closer to him and drifted off to a totally restful sleep for the first time in a month…

 - THE END -