Standing in the Gate room, Colonel Jack O'Neill waited for the Stargate to open. When it did, he squinted at the bright light, then turned to Captain Sam Carter standing by his side and smiled.

"I know," she nodded, "another day at the office!"

He gave a shrug and stepped onto the ramp.

"Ladies first?" He held his hand up and she gave him such a look that he shrugged and stepped through the gate before her. Daniel stepped up beside her then shrugged and headed through as well. Sam smiled when Teal'c stopped beside her.

"It is an old Jaffa tradition to allow the female to walk ahead.." he said. Sam shrugged.

"You know, somehow from you , Teal'c, it's not sexism.." she headed on through the shimmering gate. The Jaffa straightened up, cocked one eyebrow at her, then followed her though.

.o0o. Jack removed his dark glasses as he stepped out into the dark world.

"I guess it's safe to say this world's running on a different time line than ours," he muttered as he looked around at the dim moonlit world around them.

"Really Jack, what makes you say that?" Daniel teased as he stepped over to what looked to be the molten remains of a bronze statue in the center of the dais in front of the gate.

"Well, that's a stupid place to put a statue.." Jack stated as he watched Daniel look over the melted remains of the icon, damaged by the entry blast of the gate. The anthropologist looked up across the decapitated sculpture at his friend.

"It must be some kind of offering. Probably to the Gods of this world..." he mumbled more to himself than to the officer, considering this sort of information never really interested Jack in the first place. Upon hearing a faint battle cry on the wind, he squinted as he looked out through the night to the distance. "Err... Jack.." he called then pointed as a row of flaming torches appeared on the crest of the hill a short distance away.

"Welcoming party?" Jack hazard a guess.

"Friend or foe?" Sam asked as she stepped up to Jack's side, readying her gun. The colonel gave a shrug then turned back to the encroaching natives.

"Heads up folks," he said, jostling his gun in his hands. Daniel eyed the weapons his team mates were brandishing cautiously, wishing that they didn't enter every world with guns at the ready, but he sighed and understood it was sometimes a necessity, so he took his usual position beside Jack, a little behind his friend's left shoulder, his own hand resting on his still fastened gun holster on his thigh. He was ready, but not *that* ready.

As the group approached the cries and hollers started to appear to be some kind of welcoming song. Jack's hands twitched on the barrel of his gun, and he shot a quick look over his shoulder at Daniel.

"What do you think?"

The younger man gave a shrug. "Perhaps lowering the weapons," he pressed the nuzzle of Jack's gun down to the floor, "might make us look a little less threatening."

"But we do not wish to appear vulnerable," Teal'c suggested from behind Sam. Daniel nodded, watching as the figures started to take form the closer they got to the Gate.

"I know that Teal'c," Daniel adjusted his glasses, "but we also don't wish to appear threatening either," he shot a glance at Jack, which might have gone unnoticed, had the colonel not been looking so closely at Daniel.

As the natives reached the bottom step of the dais, they all looked up at the four strangers above them. Stepping forward was a tall man, his height aided by the tall plumage of feathers he wore on his head.

Jack looked at Daniel, giving the little roll of the eyes that indicated that the linguist was in charge. Stepping forward, Daniel bowed in greeting to the Chief of the tribe.

However, the Chief was not in a welcoming mood. He started yelling and throwing his hands over his head and then indicating in the direction from which they came then back at the molten statue. He was speaking in his native tongue, very rapidly and the linguist had trouble completely understanding him. After a few moments, Jack gave a heavy sigh. The Chief stared at him and stepped up to look at him closely, all the time, he was still ranting, amidst cheers and yells from the crowd behind him.

"Danny.. What in hell is he saying?" Jack hissed through clenched teeth, lifting his gun again cautiously.

Daniel's face was screwed up as he listened to the gibberish.

"It's an ancient form of.."

"*What's* he saying, Daniel, that's *all* I need to know," the colonel said in a controlled voice. Daniel pursed his lips. One day, he was going to be able to do something that really caught Jack's attention! Until that day, however, he had to suffer with the man's ignoramus nature.

Sighing the young linguist turned his attention to the Chief.

"He wants to know who the Chief is in our tribe.." Daniel translated.

Jack cocked his head a little as he looked at the Chief. "That would be me," he pointed to his own chest. The Chief jutted his rotting mouth in Jack's direction then signaled to the group behind him. A loud cry rang out into the clear night sky.

"What?" Jack looked around at the commotion now then back at his learned friend.

"Oh, it's something about....." Daniel stopped talking, his blue eyes grew wide and slowly he and all the members of SG-1 raised their hands up over their heads as they were each confronted by a threatening Native with a bow and arrow aimed right at their face.

"Oh, sweet!" Jack sighed, as he shot the Chief a little smile, then shook his head in disbelief that they were, once again, in trouble with the indigenous people of the world.

.o0o.

Jack knelt before the Chief of the Tribe at one end of the vast hall of what appeared to be a temple. His hands were tied together tightly by some vine and he had guards, dressed in soft flowing robes, flanking each shoulder. Sam, Daniel and Teal'c were held at bay by a row of arrows aimed at them at the back of the Temple. Outside and all around them, wind howled through the trees and pillars in the cold night.

"What's he saying?" Sam frowned, not liking the look in the Chief's eyes.

Daniel squinted as he strained to hear, but the conversation was too far away, and too soft, for him to grasp completely. Teal'c looked around the vast Temple, to see if he could recognize it. There was something familiar about the room, but he wasn't one-hundred percent sure.

"Something about retribution..." the linguist sighed.

Sam shot Daniel a worried look. "For what?"

The young man shrugged. They watched as Jack was hauled to his feet roughly and led away. Daniel tried getting to his feet, but his reward was an arrow tip against his chest. The native told him, in his own tongue, that if he did it again, he would be forced to shoot him. Daniel nodded his understanding. Sam frowned and looked at the Native then Daniel.

"What did he say?" she asked, exasperated that she had no idea what was happening around her. She hated not being in control.

"He told me that if I tried to help Jack again, I'll be shot," Daniel said bleakly. Sam sighed. Suddenly they were all tugged to their feet by their bound wrists, each one grimacing with the sharp pain, then they were led away, to the opposite side of the room to where Jack had been taken.

.o0o.

Once they were all secured into individual cell rooms, their ties were released and they were locked in. Daniel paced the stone cell, he was biting his lip so hard that he hadn't noticed the small split in it until he tasted his own blood. Lifting his finger to his lip he pulled it back and saw the red smear. He sighed.

"Teal'c?" he called to his friend in another cell.

"I am here DanielJackson."

"Sam?" Daniel cried out, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and middle finger.

"What's wrong Daniel?" she called back, concern filled her voice.

"Nothing," he sighed. "I just wanted to make sure you were both still with me.."

"We are both with you," came Teal'c's reassuring response then added, "I believe there is something you should know."

A sudden and loud clanging at Daniel's door had the young man stepping backwards away from it. It creaked open loudly, drowning out all of Teal'c's words.

"Not now Teal'c," he answered as the guards entered his cell, followed by a man dressed in less plumage than the Chief, so Daniel assumed he was his Second in command. The man was tall, dark, and very good looking with unusually green eyes. His teeth were white and his smile was breath taking. The young anthropologist caught his breath.

"Daniel?" Sam's voice raised in alarm again.

Not taking his blue eyes from the Second, Daniel called back. "It's okay, Sam..."

Nodding a greeting to the stargater, the Native sat on the stone bench that was meant to be Daniel's bed and waited for Daniel to return the greeting, which he did, before flicking his wary gaze at the two guards by the door then back at the Second.

A slow realization filled the anthropologist. There was no threat here, no challenge from the Second, so he stepped a little closer.

"You are Daniel Jackson?" the man asked in his native language. Daniel nodded. "The chief has deemed you one visitation with your Chief, before he is executed.."

"Executed?" Daniel said in English as his voice lifted in surprise.

"Daniel?" Sam yelled back, her voice filled with alarm.

"Who has been executed DanielJackson?" Teal'c called.

"Tell your friends to stop talking." The sentence was simple but the threat in it was obvious.

"Err.. Guys, no one's executed.. yet... but.. I think you'd better stop talking to me.. or um..."

"Okay," Sam called back then fell silent. Teal'c merely nodded, aware that Daniel could not see this, but he felt a response was necessary anyway.

Daniel looked down at the native man and speaking in the native language he asked, "Why are you executing Jack?"

"Retribution."

"For?" Daniel shrugged his shoulders, looking around at the guards nervously then back at the Chief's Second.

"Violating the sanctity of the holy place."

"How..?" Daniel's head tilted as he craved to know more. "When?"

"He is your Chief. He instructed you to destroy our icon of fertility. You wish to wipe out our race."

Daniel's lips moved slightly and he titled his head more. "Icon of Fertility? He didn't instruct us to.. destroy..." he lifted his face as he realized they were discussing the statue on the dais. "Oh, no, no, he didn't tell us to destroy your statute. It.. it was an.. an accident. As we came here, through the gate.." he saw the blank look on the Second's face, "err Chaapa'ai"

"The Chaapa'ai?"

Daniel made big sweeping gestures with his arms now. "The .. big.. round.. ring.."

"The Altar..." the Second nodded.

"Altar.." Daniel nodded, a smile slowly creeping onto his face as they began to make progress. "Your symbol of fertility was simply in the way. We didn't mean to destroy it..." he shrugged.

"You violated our sanctified ground. You are not of our world. You ....dress differently.."

Daniel followed the Second's gaze to his fatigues. He touched his hand to his top, his long fingers splayed across the black fabric of his t-shirt. The Second reached out and touched Daniel's stomach too, before lifting green eyes up to look at him. Daniel gave a friendly smile.

"You're right. We came through the altar," he said in almost a whisper implying sincerity, "we didn't know your place was a holy place.." The Second's hand spread wide across Daniel's stomach and he slowly drew in a deep breath, as if savoring the feel of the earth man. Daniel frowned a little then met the green eyed gaze again and he was surprised by the look he saw within them now.

"Thought the altar?" the Native asked, but it didn't sound much like a question as the hand slowly caressed Daniel's stomach through the light cloth.

"Err, umm... through the altar. It .. umm... opens and we can come through it..."

"We do not understand. The altar is for worshipping the Gods. It does not open....."

"Err., yeah," Daniel gave a sweet, nervous smile as the hand increased it's ministration on Daniel's body. "But we have the ability to open it and come through it...

They locked eyes for a moment before the Second spoke, in a low, deep voice, "You are a God?"

"Oh, no, no, no," Daniel shook his head slowly as he continued to stare into the green eyes of his companion. "I'm just a man..."

"Man?"

Daniel nodded, touching his hand to his chest, "man."

The Second's hand slid up Daniel's top and felt the firm chest through the cloth, feeling the strong heartbeat under his palm. He inhaled deeply, his head tilting back a little. Daniel frowned and looked at the guards who both clumsily looked away. He turned back to the young Second, seeing how his eyes were half closed and his mouth open slightly. If Daniel didn't know better, he'd have thought the guy was getting 'off' on touching him. Another quick glance at the blushing guards and he realized that was exactly *what* the Second was doing.

Stepping away, he broke the contact and the Second stumbled a little, feeling the sudden loss immediately. He looked up and saw Daniel's confused expression. "You are a good looking Hassan..."

Daniel gave confused smile as he shook his head gently. "Hassan?" he didn't recognize the word. The Second laid his hand on his own chest. "Hassan..." then he indicated to Sam's cell next door. "Hassina"

"Oh," Daniel nodded.

"Daniel, is everything alright?' Sam was wary of how quiet they had become.

The Second's eyes flicked towards Sam's wall. "*Your* Hassina?"

Shaking his head adamantly, Daniel said, "no."

The Second smiled. "Perhaps you will be able to help us after all..."

The younger man frowned a little, his blue eyes clouded with confusion. "How?"

"You wish to help your Hassan?"

Figuring he was referring to Jack, Daniel nodded. "Yes. Anything. How do I help him?"

The Second gave a deep, throaty chuckle as he nodded. "I chose right!" he said to the guards who shuffled and nodded in agreement. Daniel's brow furrowed further as he nibbled his bottom lip.

Raising his hand, the Second said, "We did not know that our Altar could be opened. The Gods placed that Icon there many many moons ago, and we have been worshipping it."

"You mean, you never had other visitors before?"

The Second frowned. "We have. None have been able to explain to us *how* they arrived here. None have been like you, Daniel Jackson," he placed his hand on Daniel's stomach once more then stepped closer to him, inches from his nose, "you are able to speak to us. The others were not."

"So, how .. did.. you .. get the.. umm.. the.." Daniel's thoughts slowly faded as the Second's hand gently rubbed his stomach again, "how did you restore your statue?"

"Once we sacrificed the culprit, the Gods restored the icon for us.." his hand started slipping towards the top of Daniel's pants.

Sucking back his breath, Daniel suddenly pulled himself together and stepped back. "You.. your Gods restored it?"

"After we sacrificed the guilty one.."

Daniel rolled his eyes. "Well, in Jack's own words, that sucks!" he mumbled. The Second smiled.

"You will help your Hassan, no?"

"Err... yeah, I will. How?"

"Because you have violated our altar, you have deemed us to a terrible end. We will be forced to return to the old ways of survival without it.."

"Old way?"

"Hassan's and Hassina's will have to mate to procreate..."

"Oh?" Daniel frowned then considering the stroking that the Second had given him, he came to a sudden realization. "You don't mate with Hassina's now, do you?"

The Second's face screwed up at the mere mention of the idea. "We have not had to resort to that way of life for many, many moons. Some have gone against the law and have chosen that way of life, however, they are banished to the other lands where they have to live amongst their own kind."

Daniel's eyes grew wide. A totally homogeneous race. Practically the opposite of what it was like on earth.

"How do you....?" he wondered *how* they managed to have more children but by the look on the Second's face, it wasn't a question he thought he should ask.

Daniel suddenly grew suspicious of exactly what kind of help he could be to Jack.

"Look, we're really sorry about destroying your Altar." He sighed then wiped his hand up his jaw as he bit his bottom lip lightly. "If you have a picture of it, perhaps we can take it back to our earth and have a new statue made for you..." he offered. The native shook his head.

"It is created by the Gods... you cannot replace it. The only replacement is sacrifice."

"That's not good enough," Daniel argued. The green eyes flashed.

"If we sacrifice your Hassan, the Gods will bless us again...and restore the Icon."

Daniel wet his lips nervously. "You have to let *us* try! Jack's innocent. He meant no harm.."

The native smiled as he saw the passion in Daniel's eyes. "This is why I have come to you."

The anthropologist frowned.

Leaning a little closer the second started whispering. "Are you willing to see if the Gods will allow a new statue to be created?"

Daniel frowned. "Sure," he shrugged. The Second placed his hand on Daniel's slightly heaving stomach once more. "Your passion for your Hassan ,may well please the Gods.."

"My passion?" Daniel frowned. "I'm passionate about saving his life.." he said, but by the look in the Second's eyes he thought otherwise. Daniel let it drop.

"What do I do?" he asked.

"You will come with me," he turned to the door.

"Where?" Daniel frowned.

"Come," the second said, before wafting out of the cell.

"Where are you taking me?" Daniel asked in English.

"Daniel, what's going on?" Sam couldn't stay silent a moment longer.

"I'm not sure.." came the hesitant reply. "I'm going with them to see if I can't help Jack. Just.. just.. stay and wait.. I guess.." he said, before heading down the corridor and out of the cell block.

"DanielJackson, before you go..." Teal'c called out but knew it was already too late when he heard the footfalls grow softer.

Sam sighed as she looked up at the ceiling. "Stay, he tells us, like we have any say in it?"

Teal'c lifted his brow. "I am curious to know how he will assist O'Neill."

"Why?" Sam asked. Teal'c decided it was best not to fully disclose what he knew.

"I am not sure, Capt'n Carter," came the reply.

.o0o.

After a lengthy walk through a maze of corridors, Daniel was finally stopped outside another cell on the opposite side of the complex. He waited for the guard to open the door then he stepped inside. The Guard placed an oil burner on the stone bench before turning to leave.

"Danny?" came to soft voice from the corner of the dark room.

"Jack?" Daniel snatched up the light and went over to him. In the dim glow he could see that he'd be beaten up. His brow was split and his lips was bloodied.. "Aww, Jack," he knelt, lifting his friend's bloodied and bruised face onto his lap.

"I'm okay, a few cuts and bruises," Jack mumbled. Daniel's fingers touched the reddened skin and the colonel flinched.

"Sorry," Daniel whispered and Jack nodded.

The door opened again and the Second entered the room, carrying a bowl of warm water and some rags. Daniel accepted the bowl and understood that the Second was actually trying to help them. He nodded to the man and received a smile in response before he disappeared again.

Daniel put the bowl on the floor beside him then wrung out the rag before touching it gently to Jack's face. The battered man groaned despite Daniel being very gentle with him.

"Sorry, Jack," he whispered, his other hand softly touching the colonel's cheek in comfort.

Jack smiled. "S'kay," he nodded. Daniel cleaned up the blood and saw that most of Jack's wounds were superficial, except for one deep one on his brow.

"You really should get that sutured," he dabbed at it gingerly. Jack shrugged.

"I'll live.."

Daniel closed his eyes at those words. "Actually, Jack, there's something you need to know." The brown eyes looked up at him and Daniel started gently stroking the face in his lap. "They intend to execute you.." he said quietly. Jack frowned.

"Why?"

Daniel blinked, his whole hand now touching Jack's cheek. "You decimated their sacred mating site..."

"I did?"

Daniel shrugged. "Well, we all did, but you were first through and you're our leader, so they hold you responsible."

Jack sighed and lifted his hand to rub his face, flinching as it hurt. "Sweet.." he sighed.

"That guy, the one that brought in the bowl to us?"

Jack nodded.

"He wants to see if the Gods will allow a new statue to be created."

Jack frowned. "What's that mean?"

Daniel sighed and wet his lips nervously. "You're not going to believe this, but they believe that the gods will create a statue if you mate, in front of the stargate....with..."

"Oh, God.." Jack sighed as he sat up. His brown eyes screwed up. "How does she feel about this?" he asked softly. Daniel lifted his brow then shook his head.

"Jack, these people are homogeneous in their mating.."

Jack stared at Daniel with a blank look.

"Homo- geneous.." Daniel had hoped he'd pick up the word.

Suddenly Jack's eyes widened. "Oh.. for crying out..."

Daniel swallowed.

"With him?" Jack sighed as he pointed to the door.

Daniel frowned then looked back at him. "no, with me.."

Jack spluttered a little. "You?"

Daniel nodded.

"Why with you?"

"Well, you could have Teal'c if you'd prefer.." Daniel said, sounding a little bit rejected.

"Teal'c?"

"You must mate with a member of your team. Sam's out of the question, so it's me.. or... or Teal'c."

Jack sighed.

"This is not happening..." he shook his head.

"It is, Jack, it's very real and the frightening thing is it may not work and if it doesn't, you're sacrificed at sunrise..."

"How?"

Daniel was taken a bit aback by the question but licked his lips quickly as he shrugged. "Beheading," he cringed. Jack screwed his eyes shut, his hand coming out to reach for Daniel in support. The younger man gripped him tightly.

"You're willing to try this?" he asked after taking a few moments to try to process the information. Daniel nodded firmly.

"Why?" Jack asked softly. The younger man got up and paced slightly.

"Jack, I'm going to let you in on a secret.." he smiled. Jack groaned as he suddenly worked it out for himself.

"You're gay?"

Daniel wagged his finger. "Not quite. I'm Bi.."

"Semantics.." Jack muttered and Daniel nodded his agreement then came and sat next to his friend.

"The issue here is this. You need to do this, I *can* do this.. now, are you willing to try?"

Jack looked at the boyish face then shook his head.

"Jack.."

"No, it's alright, I'm just amazed that you're.."

"Well, get over that, because we have less than 5 hours to try this, if you agree..."

Jack looked at him. "If I agree?"

Daniel nodded. "Jack, it's.. it's nothing to me.. okay? I can do this, but you're the biggest concern here. Can you do this?"

"You want to fuck me?" Jack asked. Daniel groaned angrily.

"What sort of question is that? No, I don't *want* to... but I have to.. well..." he shrugged, "I really don't have to at all. Once you're sacrificed I can go home," he said glibly glaring at Jack. The colonel nodded.

"So it's a friendship kinda thing?" Jack asked.

"It's sex, Jack. That's all there is to it. No undying love, no promise of commitment.. nothing. Just sex. I don't believe for a minute that the Gods will reinstate this statue, I just think that this is how these .. people.. get their kicks, and if this is all it takes to get you home again, I'm willing to do it.."

"Why?"

"You're my friend.." he shrugged. Jack bit his lip as he stared at Daniel then he slowly lowered his face, looking down at the stone floor at his feet.

A few tense moment passed by and then finally Jack lifted his face.

"You'll be gentle?" he frowned, feeling his face flush at the question.

Daniel nodded. "I'll be gentle. I'll even let you be the top if you'd prefer.." Jack shrugged, unsure what that meant. "It means you go in .. me.." Daniel shrugged. Jack nodded slowly.

"What about protection?" Jack asked weakly.

Daniel smiled. "It's not like you can get me pregnant Jack.." Then a flit of irony over that thought filled his mind. Who knows if that was true, given the situation on this world.

The colonel nodded, too stunned to appreciate the humor.

"Are you carrying some disease I should know about?" Daniel asked. Jack shook his head. "Good, neither am I."

Jack nodded, still stunned.

Daniel put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "You ready?"

Jack stood, readjusting his green jacket then nodded. Daniel smiled and headed to the door, banging on it to get the guard's attention. He spoke softly to the native then turned to Jack.

Holding his hand out, he said quietly, "coming?"

Jack looked at him, then nodded and followed him out of the cell.

.o0o.

The night air was cold, bitterly cold, as the two men made their way to the stargate, surrounded by about nine natives, including the Second.

The colonel walked with his back straight, hands by his side as he headed to the gate's dais. Daniel had to hand it to him, he was holding up pretty well, under the circumstances. What he didn't know was the war going on within the colonel. Perhaps they wouldn't go through with the threat of sacrifice, perhaps he didn't need to actually go through with .. this. Jack shot a sideways glance at Daniel and wondered about his friend. He never thought of Daniel as being *gay*.. and for some strange reason all he could visualize now was Daniel, head back in the throes of passion, sweaty body, screaming out as a man.. a faceless man, rammed into the back of him. Shaking his head, trying to shift the strangely erotic image, Jack dropped his head as he continued to march towards the Star gate.

They stepped up tentatively and looked around. The Second got up onto the dais with them and started to chant, while raising his hands above his head. Jack shot a quick glance at Daniel, but wasn't surprised to see the man intently watching the Second. Even in the face of this, Daniel found the whole process fascinating - a learning experience. Jack blinked as he looked down the out at the sea of faces, all there to witness this holy act. He shook his head scornfully, then looked down again.

The Second turned to Daniel, spoke briefly to him then looked over at Jack and nodded. Jack nodded in return, but wasn't sure why. He felt both relieved then terrified as the second left the dais. He was alone with Daniel now.

The wind howled around them, and as Daniel stepped up to him, his hair flew around his face, sometimes covering his features, other times blowing straight up like a mohawk. Jack straightened back his shoulders and took comfort in his friend's smile.

"We can be grateful it's so dark, Daniel muttered as his face brushed Jack's cheek as he leant closer to Jack to talk quietly.

"Ya think? Jack sighed. He felt Daniel's hands run up his arms to his shoulder and he stiffened under the touch. Oh god, he told himself, it's started. Daniel's going to have sex with him, and there wasn't a damn thing he could do to stop it, if he wanted to escape with his life!

Daniel sighed, sensing Jack's trepidation. "Would you rather I lie on my back and just let you go for it?"

Ignoring the words, but hearing the softness in Daniel's voice, registering it to be a trigger that he had often relied upon - unconsciously - in strained situations, Jack suddenly understood that he wasn't the only one going through this!

Mentally reprimanding himself for being so inconsiderate of Daniel, he cringed internally at that image his friend had just suggested.

"What do you want?" came the soft, gentle voice once more. Jack felt his heart spike when he heard it, and felt the warm breath on his cheek.

"To be home," he sighed before realizing he'd said it.

"Soon.. " Daniel promised him gently.

"We don't know that for sure." Jack shook his head, feeling Daniel's long hair whipping his cheek.

"We don't, but at least you get to go out with a bang, Jack.." he smiled.

"That's not funny, Daniel.." the colonel sighed. Daniel's hands rubbed Jack's shoulders as he pulled back out of the hug.

"I'm sorry. "

Jack sighed. "I'm sorry too. You're trying to make the best of this, I know.."

Daniel gave a sharp shrug and Jack caught a quick glimpse of his friend's face when a nearby torch flared and added a little light to the scene. All too quickly the light was gone and they returned to the shadows again.

The chanting started rising in pitch and Daniel edged closer to Jack, feeling the trembles within the older man. He sighed and wrapped his arms around his friend tightly, terrified to let him go.

"It's okay Jack," Daniel whispered and Jack allowed himself to give into the warmth his friend provided for him. Their bodies molded together now in the cold night, both men feeling the heat off the other's body, feeling the strength in each other,s arms, feeling safe and secure in the cocoon of friendship.

"Danny.. I,m.. scared.. " came the soft response. Daniel tilted his face and kissed Jack's cheek lightly. When the colonel didn't react he pulled his face back and ran his hand blindly over Jack's cheek. He felt the tears and sighed.

"It's okay.. " he whispered again as he hugged Jack closer. "It's okay.. " he repeated softly into Jack's ear, feeling his friend grip him even more tightly.  Daniel noted how incredibly strong Jack was.

"You'll break me.." He laughed softly and felt Jack release him a little.

"Sorry.." Jack pulled back, but Daniel held him close, knowing that it might help with his friend's trembles.

"Listen, we can do this quickly if you like. Just get undressed and do it."

"Or..?"

Daniel touched his hand to the rugged cheek. "Or, we can treat each other like friends and be gentle."

Jack brought his hand up to grip Daniel's hand on his cheek.

"What would you prefer?

"I'd prefer not to feel like I'm being raped."

Jack sighed. "It's what I'm doing though, Danny."

The younger man sighed. "Not really. I understand and it's okay.. "

Jack nodded then he touched his hand to Daniel's face. "Shall I kiss you?"

"Will it get you in the mood?" Daniel asked sincerely.

"I don't know. I've never kissed a man before.. "

"There's no real difference, Jack, you just put your lips against mine and.."

Daniel felt Jack's mouth close over his, then without thinking, he pushed his tongue into Jack's mouth, teasing the colonel's tongue a little. Jack responded and Daniel groaned softly.

Torch bearers ran up to the edge of the dais, holding up their flames and engulfing the kissing couple in a dim light. Cheers rang out through the small crowd and the second lifted his eyes to the skies, hoping that this might just work.

Jack was lost. He could have been kissing anyone. His mind tried to hold an image of Sam or Janet for him to focus on, but it kept coming back to one thing, Daniel. He was *kissing* Daniel. His good friend, his team mate.. the guy who lounges on his leather sofa while watching a game with him on Saturdays.. the guy who teases Jack relentlessly about Janet's affections.. his geek.. his space monkey.. his *friend*..

Thoughts swam in Jack's mind as he felt his body give into the incredible kiss. He never thought Daniel would be this good! Hell! He'd never thought about Daniel at all! But.. wow! He was some kisser! Soft, warm, sensuous, his tongue firm but playful against Jack's, his lips soft and strong, creating a wash of warm tingles that cascaded down Jack's spine and inched across his butt cheeks, making them quiver.

He tilted his head back, releasing the kiss finally and looking at Daniel in the dim light, able to see the young man's face now as the torch bearers stood intrusively close.

"You're right, it's no different.." Jack whispered in a deep, husky voice. Daniel licked his lips as he shrugged.

"Gets the same reaction too," he said quietly as he felt Jack's engorged groin against his own. The colonel nodded, a little shyly.

"It sure does."

Daniel smiled, then he lifted his hand to remove his glasses, placing them carefully in the pocket of his black flak jacket, before he started to remove it. He placed his green jacket and the black flak jacket on what was left of the statue then decided against that and put them on the stone ground beside them instead. Jack followed his lead and started undoing his top.

"It's going to be too cold to get completely undressed, Jack.." Daniel stopped him by laying his hand over Jack's. The colonel frowned then nodded. Why had Daniel taken his jacket off then?

"I think just our pants.. " Daniel said so unabashedly that Jack caught his breath then his eyes widened as he watched Daniel unbutton his green fatigues. Feeling a little dumbstruck, all Jack could do was nod and follow his lead once more and soon the two men were standing, bottomless, together on the dais, their black T-shirts skimming the tops of their thighs.

"You're right, Danny-" Jack nodded as he watched the wind whip his friends hair again. "It's really damn cold!" He shivered, not altogether because of the cold either.

Daniel laughed. "Oh, that might pose a problem.."

Jack shook his head. "Not for me it doesn't.." He shrugged, feeling a little more secure of his own prowess in the bedroom. Daniel raised his eyebrow in interest then laughed. This time Jack stepped up to him and encircled his friend in his arms.

"But just to be sure, perhaps.. another kiss?" Jack asked. Daniel nodded and tilted his face to accept Jack's lips on his own.

Jack sighed as he felt his body swathed in a warm rush, his belly starting to burn as he felt hands running down his back, over his naked, but covered, ass, then onto his thighs. He groaned a little as he felt the strong hands grip his legs tightly and enjoyed the feeling of the hands slipping back up to his ass once more, this time feeling the warmth of the skin to skin contact. Jack's knees buckled a little, his feet parting to allow the hands to grip him tightly, then his eyes sprung open as he felt the engorged penis slip under his top and brush his stomach. Spluttering he pulled back and watched as Daniel swayed a little.

"What?"

Jack looked down then up at his friend again, before pulling him closer, protecting him from the prying eyes around them.

"I wasn't prepared for .. you know.. " he whispered, nodding his head towards Daniel's groin.

The younger man chuckled. "I do have one, Jack."

Jack nodded. "So I've noticed."

Daniel smiled. "I've noticed yours too," he said softly and Jack felt a spike go through him.

"You.. have?" Why did that thought suddenly arouse him?

"Uh huh, it's pressing against me now," Daniel countered quietly. Jack looked down then back at Daniel again.

"Sorry.." he shrugged making Daniel laugh.

"Why?"

"Oh, god.. I don't know.. for all of this.." he sighed.

"Jack, will you relax? Come on, or you'll get performance anxiety."

"I never get that.." Jack muttered.

"You ever had sex with a man before?" Daniel asked, already knowing the answer.

"NO!" Jack declared loudly, then realizing how it might sound to someone who actually *had* had sex with .. men.. before.. he stammered more quietly, "Err.. no.. "

Daniel had taken brief offense at Jack's tone, but he understood that this was a very trying time for his friend. After all, Jack was a man's man and very, very heterosexual. He tried to be as delicate as possible with his response.

"It's a little.. hmmm, different Jack," he said. The Colonel frowned.

"But I'm going into you," he said, whispering it so that the others couldn't hear, not comprehending how absurd that was as they were about to watch it anyway.

"Err.. yeah, but it's not the same," Daniel tried to explain delicately. Jack frowned then sighed.

"Let's just do this, I'll find out soon enough," he said. Daniel nodded.

"I don't suppose you're carrying lubricant on you?" he said lightly.

"No," Jack said definitely. "It's not standard issue to officers on field trips."

Daniel smiled to himself. "Okay, well.." He went over to his flak jacket and squatted beside it as he opened one of the pockets and pulled out his sunblock. Jack frowned.

"Lubricant," Daniel shrugged as he flipped the lid. Jack shook his head.

"The things you know!" He sighed, sounding a little impressed by his scruffy haired friend. Daniel laughed.

"Yeah, a little more than just rocks and sociology, eh, Jack?" he teased gently.

"So I'm learning," Jack nodded as he held his hand out while Daniel squirted the cold cream onto his palm.

"Perhaps we should.." Daniel reached over for his jacket and laid it on the ground as he sat down. Jack knelt between his knees, looking a little lost so Daniel smiled.

"It's okay, you won't hurt me," he assured him. Jack's other hand touched Daniel's thigh and was surprised by the warmth of the skin, and the tingle that went up his arm at the intimate skin to skin contact. Daniel sat up and looked down at Jack.

"That's not going to get through," he said, nodding at the semi flaccid penis. Jack frowned.

"Oh," he nodded. Daniel looked up and then cupped Jack behind the head as he pulled him down for another passionate kiss. This time he rolled Jack onto his back, the officer forgetting the sunblock on his hand and smearing it all up Daniel's back as the anthropologist squirmed over the top of him. The crowd went wild beside them, but the men ignored that and continued to explore each other's mouth with their tongue. When Jack squirmed himself off the jacket onto the cold stone he jerked his butt off the cold stone and thrust it against Daniel.

"What?" the younger man asked without pulling back.

"The stone's cold.," Jack mumbled into his mouth.

"Oh." Daniel rolled onto his back and onto the jacket once more, pulling Jack onto him. The colonel's legs fell between his friend's thighs and then he felt himself harden as he bumped against Daniel's groin. Instinctively he pushed his own legs apart, which pushed Daniel's thighs apart also. The crowd cheered again, but the two men were too engrossed in the kiss to hear.

Jack moaned softly then he caught his breath as he felt the strong hand engulf his erection, smearing sunblock onto him. He surprised himself at how much he enjoyed the firm massage, the experienced fingers slipping up and down his shaft, the thumb swiping gently across the taunt tip, smearing the pre-cum around. Jack groaned loudly into Daniel's mouth and the younger man continued the massage.

After a few moments Jack yelled, "Danny, stop!" into his friends mouth and his hand went over the one on his shaft, stilling it from moving.

"Sorry," Daniel sighed breathlessly, realizing he was enjoying this too much. Jack pulled back from the kiss, his head a whirl of emotions, sensations and dizziness.

"You did nothing wrong," Jack assured him. "I was just about to.."

Daniel inhaled then nodded, pleased that Jack wasn't objecting to the massage. Just enjoying it too much.

"Then perhaps it's time we got on with it," the anthropologist suggested.

"What do I do?" Jack asked, fear overwhelming him now as he took in how absurd it was that he was about to make love to Daniel.

The younger man swallowed. "Just press through," he said, realizing that it was going to hurt without preparation.

"No, don't I need to do something for you first?" Jack frowned. He was no expert in this field, but he did know a little bit about how tight a butt ring was compared to the size of his own dick.

"It's okay," Daniel shrugged. Jack shook his head, his brown eyes full of confusion. Why was Daniel not helping him here?

"Danny, there's no way I'm pushing into you without doing the right thing. I'll rip you .. or something," he muttered through his teeth. Daniel blinked.

"It's okay, Jack. The only way to prepare me is to put your fingers inside."

"Inside?" Jack cringed, "Inside your.. butt?"

Daniel nodded, realizing that Jack wouldn't be prepared to place his fingers up his best friend's ass.

"So it's okay. Just press in.. I'll be fine," he sighed resignedly.

Jack looked down at his friend, his face covered in shadows in the very dim light, but he didn't need light. Years of memories of Daniel came flooding in, illuminating that face below him. Daniel's smile, his frown, his quirky grin that he usually had only for Jack He loved this guy, only as a friend - but it was still love, and there was no way he was going to hurt him.

"I don't want to hurt you," he whispered. Daniel smiled at Jack's consideration. He lifted his slightly trembling hand to touch the stubbled cheek.

"It's okay," he whispered so softly Jack could barely hear it above the whirling wind. Jack swallowed and felt around for the tight opening, then he positioned himself against Daniel, watching as the younger man brace himself.

Daniel's eyes sprung open when he felt one finger enter him carefully. He stared up at Jack and saw the officer smile at him.

"I don't want to hurt you.," he sighed, discovering that he was enjoying the feeling more than he thought he would.

Daniel blinked then said softly, "Thanks, Jack."

The colonel gave a soft moan as he looked down to where his hand was. Carefully he slipped his finger out then reinserted two of them, watching Daniel's back arch slightly as he did and listening to the soft moan of pleasure. He surprised himself when he hardened at the sight. Soon he inserted another finger and heard Daniel's soft beg, "Oh.. please.. Jack."

He knew then that the younger man was now well and truly ready, and, strangely, so was he! He quickly placed his tip against Daniel, well aware his hand was shaking as he did, then he gripped his friend's waist and pushed himself inside.

The cry from Daniel's lips chilled Jack and aroused him at the same time. Daniel curled up, his face brushing against Jack's cheek as he moaned loudly. Perhaps he should have told Jack about going slowly inside, but a part of him enjoyed the feeling of being pushed open so quickly.

Jack's hand came around to cradle Daniel's head.

"You okay?" He whispered, finding his own voice strained and breathy.

Daniel nodded then straightened out and laid back again. The colonel started the small thrusts, suddenly aware of the tightening ring around his penis. It gave him a sensation that he'd never had before, and it was intoxicating to him, making him want to thrust harder and deeper. Daniel didn't seem to mind either as he laid there and absorbed every nudge Jack gave him.

The colonel's head started spinning. He had no idea that it could be this good! The tightness, the heat, the way Daniel seemed to be enjoying it too. "Oh, God." Jack thought he'd explode while listening to the soft grunts that escaped Daniel now as he watched the young man below him, head back as enjoyed the sensation of Jack thrusting into him.

He got a head rush like no other before in his life when Daniel murmured, his voice thick with desire, "Jack."

"Oh.. God..," Jack moaned softly and then caught his breath as he friend looked up at him.

"Jack," Daniel hissed softly again, eyes locking with his friend's.

That was all it took. Jack felt himself start to shudder and then he screamed out like he'd never done before as he burst forth with the strongest orgasm he'd had in a while, his whole body trembling as he slowly rode out the waves within him.

He fell forward onto Daniel's chest, still thrusting gently into his friend, while his body shivered and his chest heaved. Daniel wrapped his warm arms around Jack's shoulders then he kissed the top of his head as he felt his friend slow to a stop, feeling his heart beating so hard that it threatened to explode from his chest.

"Oh,.. God.. Danny.." Jack moaned against his friend's neck, warming him with his breath as he panted to regain control of his breathing.

"Shh.. It's okay.. " Daniel kissed the top of his head once more. Suddenly the night turned to day and Daniel and Jack turned to look over the crowd of natives, forgotten during the heat of the moment. They squinted at the bright light descending on the people now from the sky above. Jack, still collapsed onto Daniel, quickly checked that they were not revealed more than they should be, and then he felt Daniel discretely pull the back of his shirt down to cover his ass. He looked down at his friend trapped beneath him, seeing his flushed face, then Daniel gave him a breath-taking smile. He tried to return the smile but Daniel turned his face to the bright light above them once more. Jack took a moment, savoring the sweet face below him before he looked up and over as a beam of light shone into the circle of Natives now. As soon as it had appeared, it was gone again, plummeting them back into darkness.

"What the..?" Jack said as he pushed up off his friend then he reached around and grabbed Daniel's pants for him as he stood and pulled his own on. Both men stood, fastening the buttons as they made their way towards the circle of natives, who were cheering and dancing around. Pushing through the group Jack and Daniel stood before a larger than life size statue of.. *them*.

"Well.. I'll be," Jack sighed. Daniel looked at the statue, the image capturing him with his head back, arms around Jack's shoulders, while Jack's face was buried against his neck. He swallowed. It was so lifelike. The fluidity of the clothing what they were still wearing in the depiction was incredible, the look of sheer pleasure on Daniel's face was alarming and the passion on Jack's face surprised the younger man. Grabbing a torch and holding it closer, Daniel sighed. Jack stood next to him.

"Seem to have captured the moment. Don't'cha think?" he said dryly. Daniel looked over his shoulder at Jack briefly before turning back again.

"It's incredible," He sighed in wonder. Jack looked at his friend and smiled.

"So are you.." He said quietly. Daniel shot him a quick look then went back to studying the statue.

"I did what had to be done, Jack," he said flatly before moving around to the other side to have a closer look. For some reason the words cut through Jack like a hot knife through butter. It was *nothing* to Daniel. It had meant *nothing* to the scruffy haired anthropologist. It was, as he had said to him earlier, merely *sex*.

Jack bit his bottom lip then dropped his chin to his chest as he pushed his hands into his pockets. He frowned when he looked down. These *weren't* his pants.

"Err Danny.." he said, looking over at the young man who was too absorbed by the statue to even notice the pants hanging off his hips.

"Yeah, Jack?" he looked at him. Jack indicated the pants to him and Daniel adjusted the glasses on his face before looking up again. "Oh."

The Second ran up to the group with the Chief by his side, talking excitedly. The Chief looked at the statue and then at the two men, standing either side of it, hands in their pockets now.

"It seems the Gods have deemed us suitable replacement for the one we damaged. It seems we impressed him with our passion. Daniel translated the excited speech for Jack.

*Passion?* Jack scoffed.

"We did what had to be done," he said loudly then shot a quick look at Daniel. "That's all."

The Chief nodded then spoke some more and Daniel translated. "It so pleased the Gods," he said, indicating to the statue.

"Good, does that mean we can go home again now?" Jack asked bitterly. Daniel asked the question.

The Chief thought a moment before holding his staff in the air. The crowd cheered and the Second danced around happily before sending a native off to get the others.

Sam and Teal'c arrived just as dawn broke. They were unaware of what had happened here and as the natives still surrounded the statue, there was no opportunity for them to see it. Upon seeing the colonel safe, Sam threw her arms around his neck.

"I'm glad your alright, Colonel," she said. He patted her back lightly then nodded.

"All thanks to Danny," he mumbled. She smiled at her friend.

"It was nothing," Daniel shrugged. Jack gave a silent snort as he nodded. *Obviously*.

Teal'c smiled. "I am pleased you were able to replace the statue," he said. Jack frowned.

"What do you know about it?"

"Many years ago, I too, had to replace this statue," Teal'c said. Jack lifted his brow.

"Oh?"

Teal'c nodded. "I would have offered myself, had DanielJackson not been asked to assist you in the endeavor."

Jack nodded then looked over at Daniel.

"Well if I'd known that, Teal'c.." he shrugged. The Jaffa bowed his head.

"I understand. I should have told you but they had come to you first," he said. Daniel nodded. Sam frowned.

"What's all this about?" she asked.

"Nothing," Jack said quickly, eyeing his two friends cautiously and letting them know that what had happened on this world was *not* to be discussed. They both nodded then Daniel stepped around to the DHD and dialed up home before turning back to the Second.

"Once we are through, you can put the statue back."

The Second nodded. "We are grateful for your help, Hassan, he placed his hand on Daniel's stomach.

Jack watched the interaction and suddenly felt a bite of jealously creep across his butt. *Oh, for crying out loud, O'Neill, don't even think this!* he said to himself as he watched Daniel step back from the Second, still locked in an intense stare.

The gate exploded and the Natives crouched in fear.

"I take it you didn't leave via the gate," Daniel said, pursing his lips together as he looked at Teal'c.

"No we did not. We used the rings to get to Apophis, ship above us."

Daniel nodded. Jack looked at the two men.

"You think you might wanna go.. home.. now..?" he pointed to the awaiting gate. Daniel and Teal'c nodded then watched as Jack gave Daniel one last, wistful glance beofre heading on through. Teal'c stepped up and the younger man grabbed his arm.

"You and..?"

Teal'c's brow lifted. "Apophis."

Daniel screwed his eyes shut then nodded for him and Teal'c to leave the world. On the threshold of the gate, Daniel turned back to meet the green eyes once more. A smile flitted in the corner of his lips before he stepped though, leaving the world behind him.
 
 

~THE END of The Altar~

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Page updated on Monday, June 3rd, 20011