The officer had had quite a bit of time to wonder what was keeping Daniel - and to wonder why it bothered 'him' so much. What he didn't know was that Daniel had stopped off to see Stan on his way but the Major was in no fit state to talk to anyone, dropping in and out of consciousness the whole time Daniel was there. It made the younger man aware that life was too precious to waste and that petty arguments were not worth losing a valuable friend over.

Yet that was all well and good - in theory, but in practice, it was going to be a little harder to work through.

In the meantime, Jack was telling himself that Daniel was probably just held up, and that he wasn't really repairing the damaged relationship with Simmons.

Sighing to himself, he was only fooling himself if he thought he could be 'okay' about Graham. But he knew he had to be, or at least to appear to be! If the Lieutenant was going to be Danny's choice for a partner, then Jack would have to live with that! It's not like he was about to offer the anthropologist an alternative...

But his skin still crawled when he thought of his brilliant, passionate friend with the young, naive Lieutenant. What could possibly have been the attraction between them in the first place? What made Daniel pursue a relationship with Graham when he could have had anyone else.. anyone.. well, like Jack.. If it was Daniel that started the relationship, then could he have been putting moves on Jack beforehand but the colonel 'missed' them? No, not possible.. So the likely answer was that Daniel just didn't find Jack attractive..

Or maybe it was Graham that started it up. If he was anywhere as intoxicating as his brother, Jack could certainly see where Daniel would have failed to resist. Still, was he resisting him right now? In the Infirmary or was he....? Jack shuddered at that thought.

He took some consolation in Daniel's words from last night - when he called Graham a weasel. He'd just have to wait and see what had happened between the rodent and the anthropologist. Stopping himself mid-thought, he realized that Graham *was* Philip's brother, and surely *some* of what made Philip so wonderful must exist in Simmons as well. If he gave the lieutenant a chance, he might find out what Daniel saw in him. Suddenly an absurd image of the four of them double- dating had the officer shuddering violently once more.

Things were such a mess. Jack was still 'possessive' of Daniel even when he had no rights or reason to be. He guessed years of 'wanting' him took more than 72 hours to erase. Yet if Daniel was interested in someone else - anyone else - Jack was sure he wouldn't feel this way. It was just the puisne soldier that got under the colonel's skin.

Sighing and heading for the door, he realized that he would have to keep his head down and out of Daniel's life until Daniel was ready to share it with him again. Perhaps they'd take a few days then get together to 'talk'. There was still so much to say to each other - if the friendship was to survive. The cards were on the table but they still needed to be dealt with.

As Jack reached for the door knob the door swung open and the anthropologist wandered into the room, his head was bowed and his hand was touching the fresh bandage on his forehead. Wordlessly, Jack turned to watch him walk pass.

Daniel was deep in thought, his brow furrowed and his blue eyes clouded. Absently he lifted his pants off the hook and flicked them out before lying them onto the bench behind him. He turned from Jack slightly as he started tugging on his belt to undress.

Sighing quietly to himself, Jack mulled over what might be going through Daniel's mind. Was he considering Graham again, and why did that thought make Jack's stomach flutter uneasily? Biting on his bottom lip gently he watched as Daniel kicked the tattered fatigues from his legs and reached over for his fawn pants. The long, golden haired legs stepped into the pants then he gave a slight jump as he stepped off the cuffs and fastened the waist. He grabbed the hem of his tattered shirt now and slipped it up over his head, his back flexing with the movement. Jack saw the bruises and cuts standing out against the white skin and then he looked down.

"Got the all clear?" he asked, just for something to say to break the silence.

As expected, Daniel just mumbled as he reached in for his jacket off the hook and slipped it on his long arms. It was then, and only then, he looked at Jack. There was the same kind of pain in his eyes that he had in the park. The colonel grew concerned by the look in the blue eyes.

"Danny?"

There was a slight cringe now, like the mere word inflicted pain on Daniel. He turned his slightly unfocussed eyes towards Jack and the older man watched them focus on him.

"Daniel?"

"My head hurts," he muttered as he fastened the bottom button on his jacket. Jack nodded and took a step closer to him.

"Did Janet give you anything for that?"

Blinking, Daniel looked at him and shook his head. "There's nothing she can give me.." he said softly, then pinched his nose as he bowed his head. Jack tentatively placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Are you okay?" He was getting concerned.

Daniel shifted to face him more, then he looked up, his eyes narrowed with whatever pain was behind them. He seemed to look at Jack closely, intently, then he sighed and shrugged as he looked at his feet. Jack bit his lip lightly.

"Can we talk about this?" Daniel asked in a soft voice, keeping his head down. "I really .. need to .. talk about this." He pressed a shaky hand against his unshielded eye.

Checking his watch inconspicuously, the older man sighed and lowered his chin to his chest. "Sure," he said, and with a jerk of his head towards the bench he went and sat down, shifting over so that Daniel could fit beside him.

"Things didn't go well between you and Graham then?" he asked tentatively. Daniel turned his head, his cold eyes stared at Jack as if 'you are joking, right?' then he looked straight ahead as he rested his elbows onto his thighs.

"At this stage in my life, I'm probably the loneliest I've ever been, Jack."

The colonel cringed at that sorrowful admittance then he lifted his hand and touched the back of Daniel's head lightly.

"You're not alone, Danny," he said benevolently.

The dark blond head bowed, the long hair forming a curtain between Jack and him. The colonel swept the barrier aside and Daniel turned to the touch, making Jack's hand brush against his cheek. With a unsure smile, Jack tucked the hair behind Daniel's ear, and then lowered his hand into his lap.

The younger man looked down at the hands in Jack's lap then up into the concerned brown orbs. In a soft, low whisper he confessed, "Our friendship - it was one of the most important thinggs in my life, Jack."

"It was for me, too," Jack said honestly.

Shaking his head, Daniel held back bitter tears as he bit his lips together and looked away. "Yeah?" He asked, sarcasm evident in his voice.

"Yeah!"

Sniffing loudly, he looked down at the floor as he felt the sting up the back of his nose and then lost focus as his eyes began to water. Angrily he clamped his jaw tight, trying to stem any more from gathering before he roughly brushed his hand across his eyes.

Without looking at him he said, "When Grae and I broke up I needed you.."

"I probably wasn't the best person to help you, Daniel.." Jack said, then he heard the door knob turn. Both heads shot up to look at the door cracking open but it was Jack the stood and went to the door, whispering to either Sam or Teal'c - whoever was trying to get in at that time - then he shut the door and returned to the bench.

Daniel inhaled a shaky, deep breath, his eyes still fixed onto the door. Finally he glanced over at Jack who was sitting beside him again. The colonel saw the tears glistening in the eyes, but he said and did nothing about them.

"For crying out loud, Danny," he said then shifted to straddle the bench, inching closer to his friend. The anthropologist turned to look at him. "I cared 'too' much for you, that was the problem. Don't you see that?"

Daniel searched the earnest face then nodded as he looked away. "I do - now."

Jack closed his eyes as he tried to work through the feelings churning within him. After a few moments he whispered, unabashedly, "I loved you.." Daniel looked at him and Jack touched his face gently, "I *still* love you.. I don't think that's going to ever change.."

Biting his lips together, Daniel sniffed sharply then shrugged.

"For a while there I thought I was in love with you and that's why I acted so crazily.." Jack continued, waving his hand beside his head. He stared into the crystal blue eyes as he said in a low whisper, "God, I'm so sorry Danny. I never meant to hurt you!"

Sucking in a deep breath, Daniel asked in a clarifying tone - not a plea, "But, you're not *in love* with me, are you, Jack?"

"No, I don't think so.." Jack confessed and watched as Daniel looked down at his hands in his lap.

"Yet you were willing to destroy a relationship of mine - and the friendship *we* had because of .. what? Just some misguided feelings?" There was a definite sting in the azure gaze as the anthropologist looked at Jack.

Jack thought for a moment then nodded slightly. "I guess. I was crazy with jealousy, what can I say?"

Daniel nodded then scratched his brow quickly.

"Look, I'm sorry Daniel," Jack said, seeing how hard this was for his friend, "because believing that I was in love with you ruined something special between you and Simmons. I realize that now.."

The archaeologist rolled his eyes as he pursed his lips. Jack saw a look in his eyes and wondered if maybe *that* wasn't a lost cause after all. He didn't press that point as he had other things he needed to work through first.

"But as far as I knew *we* were forbidden fruit. A relationship I could only 'dream' about - a perfect one at that! I was fooling myself! It was a case of wanting what I couldn't have.."

Daniel cocked his head and said, plainly, "Who said you couldn't have it?"

The remark stalled Jack mid sentence. The colonel caught his breath loudly as he stared, wide eyed, at his friend. Daniel couldn't help but smile at his flustered friend now. He liked it when he caught Jack off guard like that!

"O-kay," Jack said with a shrug as he saw the light in Daniel's blue eyes. "I was .. stupid.."

"Yes, you were." Daniel had heard enough apologies and confessions. Despite it all, he still wanted Jack to be part of his life, at work and off-duty.

"So where does this leave us now?" He asked.

Jack's eyes widened momentarily, unable to believe he was going to get a second chance. He said quickly, "Friends. The best.. of .. friends..?"

"You really think we can be again?" He didn't want Jack to know how much he needed to hear the word 'Yes' right now.

"Believe me, Danny, it's all still here," the other man said, touching his hand to his own heart.

Daniel felt his heart thump in his throat and his eyes narrowed. "What's still there though?"

Jack wet his bottom lips slowly then looked from Daniel's mouth to his eyes. "Care, concern.. love."

Daniel sat forward, mirroring Jack's posture. The two friends turned to look at each other for a long while, Daniel's eyes searched the face beside him then he wet his lips as he looked at his feet once more.

"Three of the four things I need in my life right now," Daniel said, almost nonchalantly.

"What's the other thing?" Jack asked and watched as Daniel looked at him. Coming to his own conclusion, the colonel decided that 'sex' was the other thing.

"You," Daniel said quietly, his lips puckering around the word before he gave a shy hesitant smile and looked down again.

Lifting his brow high, Jack tilted his face. "Me?"

With a little nod, Daniel sat back slightly. "I need my best friend back again." Swallowing hard, he said in a soft voice, "I'm going through a really bad time, you see.."

Jack played along; "Yeah, so I've heard.."

Daniel gave a half hearted smile. This was a start. It was going to be a long road back again, but the care and love was still there. Now, at least, Jack had some perspective and would keep out of Daniel's love life.

"So, you forgive me?" Jack asked, almost too afraid in case it was too soon for Daniel.

But the younger man nodded slowly. "I forgive you - if you forgive me.."

Nodding enthusiastically, Jack said, "Ah, that's a given!"

"But we've still got a lot to work through," Daniel said hesitantly.

"Yeah, I know.."

"Like working together. I'm happy to stay with SG-1, but I'm not sure it's a good thing that we share a tent anymore.."

Jack cringed. "If this is about this morning.. Ah, that.. that wasn't for you.." Jack said, referring to his erection. Daniel laughed coyly.

"I never thought it was.!"

"Good."

"And I also didn't - want - it to be either," he said, looking Jack straight in the eye. The colonel nodded. "But I still think it's unwise for us - feeling like we do - to share a tent."

"Why? We're friends, Daniel.."

"Rather 'close' friends, don't you think, Jack?"

The colonel stared into the brighter blue eyes now and smiled. So Daniel felt it too. Something indescribable, but tangible between them. Not love, yet more than friendship. He touched his hand to Daniel's slightly swollen cheek as he said, "Yeah, I guess we are."

Daniel smiled hesitantly then said, "Good, well, I'll take Sam and you can take Teal'c."

"Oh, great! I get the roomy option, I see!" Jack mumbled, making Daniel laugh gently.

"Teal'c might object too, you know! You do snore!"

Jack whined like a petulant child, "But he's so wide! You take him and I'll have Sam, or better still, we just stay the way we are! You and I had this real position thing going. It was comfortable!"

Daniel looked at Jack. Sure it was comfortable, they were spooned together all night - *that* was their position.

"It was .. really .. comfortable," Daniel said, nodding slowly. Jack caught his eye and they stared at each other a long moment. They both realized the threat it might become now. Last night was awkward enough, neither of them getting much sleep until sheer exhaustion over came them.

"Okay," Jack gave a resigned grumble, "I'll take Teal'c."

"Good, well I need to see the general, I think," Daniel said, suddenly bursting the warm bubble surrounding them.

"Yeah, go and get that damn resignation from him!"

"It was a transfer, Jack," Daniel said. The colonel shrugged. Either way it meant he was going to lose his friend.

"Welcome back to SG-1, Dr. Jackson!" The colonel smiled.

With a soft laugh, Daniel said, "It's good to be back.."

The two friends looked at each other a long while then Jack gave a little jerk of his head before pulling Daniel into a tight embrace. With his lips brushing the dark blond hair, he said with a laugh in his voice, "Space monkey!"

Daniel laughed now and tightened his arms around his friend as he buried his face against Jack's shoulder. Slowly they pulled out and Jack cupped the happy face in his hands.

"Good. Now, we've got the week off... Go, get the hell out of here and find something to occupy your mind with that isn't work! Have a little *fun*, Daniel."

The anthropologist nodded. "What about you?"

"I'm going home, lighting a fire and .. well.. I don't intend on surfacing for a week!" he said, grinning wildly. Daniel cringed visibly.

"You know, I'm not sure about this frank exchange of information!" He mumbled as he got up and went to his locker. Jack laughed as he got up and followed him. He nudged him playfully with his shoulder.

"Aww, come on, Daniel. Exchange of information - it's what it's all about! We don't need to tell each other *everything*," he said, then stared into the big, blue eyes, "just the important stuff!"

Daniel's head tilted slowly like he was thinking about that. Then he nodded.

"Cool."

Jack grinned, slapped his friend on the back and said, "So, I'll see you in a week!"

He started to whistle as he headed out of the locker room and Daniel found himself smiling as he watched him go. He'd been offered everything he'd ever wanted in a friendship. And from the only person in his life that he wanted that kind of commitment from.

Sam poked her head into the locker room.

"Oh, the colonel's gone?" She asked.

"Yeah," Daniel bowed his head, smiling profusely, "he said he'd see us in a week!"

//A week?//

"You okay?" She asked, surprised to see such a smile on his face. He inhaled a deep breath then blew it out loudly.

"Yeah," his face broke out into a big smile. "I'm okay."

She raised her brow, wishing she knew what had happened that had righted the situation then decided she was just as happy that it had been done, whatever the circumstances were.

"So, does this mean you'll come with me, Teal'c and Janet to the pub tonight?"

Daniel bit his bottom lip then nodded. "Sure!" There were a few things he wanted to talk to her about!

"Wow!" She said then smiled at his smile. "That's great!" Finally, she thought, he was coming out of it!

Go to Next Part