The confused and miserable colonel sat in his car out the front of Daniel's apartment for a long a while, trying to get up the courage to actually go inside. The time had come to face Daniel about this. Even if it meant shouting out that he loved him at the top of his lungs in some vain attempt to get the scientist to listen to him he would do it. But when he thought he'd talked himself into that, the words that had sliced through him like a knife through butter "I can't stand the sight of you!" kept ringing over and over in his mind. Jack covered his ears to try to stop the voice, but nothing helped. He screwed up his eyes as he threw his head back, slamming it into the headrest behind him repeatedly. Gripping his steering wheel in his hands Jack strangled the black rubber wheel while he summoned up all his courage to go and either end the friendship once and for all, or save it. His knuckles went white as he tightened his grip then suddenly he threw himself out of his car and onto the road, thus ending his procrastination abruptly.

Night had settled in, and it was raining heavily as he hitched his collar up and made his way across the slick street into 1152 Mainland Street, where a lobby light glowed warmly for him. His wet hand pressed on the glass doors leaving an imprint as he went into the apartment building, then he went across the lobby and pressed the elevator for Daniel's floor.

*/*/*/*/*

Moments later..

Daniel peered around the door and saw Jack standing in the hall.

"Oh, for god's sake.." He sighed in disbelief as he stepped back, letting the Colonel into his apartment.

Before he was even inside the apartment Jack threw his hand in the air.

"What? I'm not meant to be curious as to *why* I'm a hypocritical bastard that you can't stand the sight of?" His voice strained with emotion as he stared at his friend. Daniel's eyes shifted towards the living room and Jack turned to follow the look. Relieved to see it wasn't Simmons on the sofa, Jack did catch his breath at the sight of the good looking young man relaxing back and drinking coffee on Daniel's sofa.

"Ah," he said, embarrassment burning the tips of his ears.

Wordlessly Daniel pushed passed him and stepped down to the living room, neither inviting Jack in nor asking him to go. The long legged anthropologist lifted his denim-clad legs up over the other man's lap, his butt almost brushed the handsome face as he stepped over him and sat down on the other seat on the sofa. He picked up his coffee cup, cradling it in his palm as he stared ahead at the television screen. No one said a word.

Silently Jack and the other man swapped pleasant smiles then the young man looked at Daniel, awaiting an introduction. In profile he reminded Jack of someone, but he couldn't put a finger on it. Then he wet his lips, the spit making the parted pink lips glisten in the light in the room. Jack closed his eyes slightly. Simmons. The man looked like Simmons. Daniel sure went for the dark, pretty boy look, Jack cursed himself under his breath.

When the awkward silence became deafening, the youth stood up and crossed over to Jack, but not before shooting a quick look at the sullen man beside him.

"I'm Jack," the Colonel held his hand out to the approaching stranger. The smile in return was breathtaking.

"Hi, I'm Philip," he said gripping Jack's hand in a firm pump. Jack nodded, a little awe-struck by the good looking boy. He looked from Philip to Daniel, who was now, at least, watching them. Jack and Daniel's eyes met and then the colonel frowned, when he saw a photo of someone he thought he recognized on the mantel beside Daniel. He thought it as a photo of Skaara, but when he took a good look, he saw it was Simmons. He looked at Philip again and could really see the similarities between Simmons and Philip now.

Of course! Jack told himself silently. Philip looks like Simmons. Simmons looks like Skaara and Skaara bore an uncanny resemblance to his sister, Sha're. Jack could have smacked himself for that realization, because it seemed to come too late.

Philip noted Jack's scrutiny but wasn't sure that the officer was aware he was doing it. With a quick look over his shoulder towards Daniel again, Philip said, "I'll make another pot of coffee," before excusing himself and heading into the kitchen. Jack saw that he'd made the effort to shut the door behind him, then he turned to look at the stony faced man on the lounge.

"He seems nice.." Jack said, trying to start a conversation. Daniel looked at him with dull eyes.

"Oh, I doubt it!" He sighed as he sat back and tilted his head, the coldness creeping into his eyes once more, "he's gay.."

"Danny.." Jack rubbed his face tiredly.

"Look, I have no idea why you're here Jack." The scientist held his hands up in a shrug before dropping one onto the back of the sofa and one into his lap.

Jack stared at him a moment and was uncomfortable with the look of contempt in the blue eyes. He didn't know this man. He looked around the apartment and didn't know it either. Yet how often had he been there and felt at home? How often had he and Daniel sat side by side on that sofa and talked and fought over a ball game? How often had he slept on that sofa, too tired to drive home after spending a day with Daniel? He wet his lips and shook his head sadly as he started to turn back towards the front door.

"No," he said stoically. "Neither do I!"

As he made his way back up the stairs Philip walked in with a pot of coffee in his hands. Placing the pot onto the coffee table, he pressed one sleeve up his arm further as he straightened up and looked at Jack.

"You're not going?" He said, turning to look at the man sitting behind him. The colonel stopped on the top of the stairs and Philip jogged over to him, jumping effortlessly onto the top step with Jack. His dark eyes asked the question again.

Wordlessly, Jack shook his head and looked at Daniel. Philip followed his gaze then turned back to him.

"I don't think I'm very welcomed," Jack said sadly. The flawless brow creased as Philip gave a soft sigh.

"He's just having a hard time of it lately. Someone he works with is making his life a hell," he whispered. Jack nodded.

"Graham," he said.

Philip frowned. "No, not Graham. It's his boss or something. The guy used to be his friend, but now he's just being a creep."

Just by the way Jack sighed Philip knew who he was. He cringed then screwed up his perfect nose. "You're - not - his boss, are you?" he asked, already knowing the answer by the look in Jack's eyes.

"Yeah, that would be me."

"What are you two whispering about?" Daniel turned from the TV set and looked at the two of them, standing whispering on the steps.

"Nothing," Philip said. Daniel rolled his eyes and looked back at the television.

"I'll go," Jack sighed. Philip gripped his arm then both men looked down at the handhold.

"Sorry," he said, letting Jack go again.

"Tell Daniel that .. he.." Jack looked over at his friend, getting more and more distant every day. He looked down into Philip's dark eyes. "Let him know I care, will ya?"

Philip nodded and saw Jack to the door. Jack leant back on the door after it closed and he heard the two inside argue.

"You were a rude bastard!"

"Like I care," Daniel bit back.

"No wonder he doesn't like you.."

"Listen, he made life hell for me and your brother so don't you start on me about him!" Daniel yelled, then Jack heard, "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to get some cigarettes, if that's alright with you!"

Jack pushed up off the door and headed away but he heard Philip call his name as he trotted after him.

"I'm sorry about all that," he said with a soft sigh. Jack looked at him from the corner of his eye.

"Not your fault."

Philip seemed to consider that then shook his head quickly. "Daniel's just really hurting at the moment. My brother .. well, he's a bastard, let's be honest."

Jack's only response was a non-committal grunt as he folded his arms over his chest.

Wetting his perfect lips once more, Philip flicked his long fringe from his eyes. 'Obviously not military,' Jack thought to himself.

"But - can I be honest here?" He asked, stepping into the elevator with the older man.

"Be my guest," Jack said, already not liking it.

The doors slid shut and Philip turned to him. "I think it was your reaction that hurt him the most. Now, don't take this the wrong way, please!" He said, holding his hands up in placation. Jack shrugged some kind of agreement.

"He loves you. You know, not in 'that' way, but he thinks so much of you.."

Jack's heart lifted a little with that news.

"When you started to come down on him, he just, it confused him a lot."

As much as Jack enjoyed hearing that Daniel loved him - even if it wasn't 'that' way - he had to wonder at the validity of the information.

"And he's told you this?" Jack said, disbelief edging his words.

Philips eyes grew wide. "Well, no."

"Ah," Jack said with a nod as they stepped out of the elevator and into the lobby.

"Listen,' Philip reached out and stopped him again, lowering his voice in the empty lobby. "He didn't tell me but Grae did."

"Oh?"

Philips hand hovered on the door as he turned to Jack. "Can we go somewhere and get a coffee?"

Blinking quickly, Jack looked out at the rain then back at the man next to him.

"Sure, why not." He swept his hand in a 'you lead' gesture and Philip smiled and pushed the door open. Jack hitched his shirt collar up again before stepping out into the cold wet night, hoping that soon - it won't be so cold...

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