* Jack sat in the debriefing room, his arm hitched up in a sling, the strap of it cutting into the back of his neck. He sighed and got up, heading over to the window to look down onto the Gate room at SG-9 who were suiting up before the twirling gate.

He twisted from the hips to look at the clock on the other side of the room, then he sighed. SG- 9 was getting ready to embark on another mission. Major Kovacek was just having a quick word with his men before they turned and stepped through the shimmering light. A flicker later and Jack was staring at the back wall once more, realizing that at this very moment, Kovacek was millions and millions of particles, rushing through space and just about to reintegrate and step out into a new world. Jack looked down at his feet. It was quite an amazing thing really.

He was in one place, seeing the smile on Kovacek's face, hearing the man's laughter then moments later, the Major was on some distant world, clear across the universe, and, knowing Kovacek, he was smiling and laughing again. The world he was going to was a friendly place. They were going for a peace treaty, no one was expecting any trouble from that mission, but Jack was forever on guard, forever worried, especially about his own team.

Sam had led them out earlier that morning. After a few words from the colonel, she's taken the reigns of SG-1 yet again, looking, at once, excited and nervous about the command. Jack liked to see that in her eyes. He knew that would keep her keen. Keep her on her guard and ready to handle any situation that arose on p3x5609, the world they were currently on.

Jack fidgeted with the strap around his neck again, lifting it off a sensitive strip of reddened skin and settling it onto a part that hadn't been rubbed raw yet. He hated being wounded. Damn, but people just loved to take shots at him. This time, though, it was 'friendly' fire and Jackson looked like he'd never forgive himself!

Jack laughed softly as he recalled the last mission to P5x43221. It was routine and they were all heading back to the DHD when suddenly a large pack of wild dog-like creatures came at them from the woods. It really was a kill or be killed situation and Jack ordered the attack. They all drew their weapons and opened fire. The group of attacking animals was falling rapidly and as Jack took aim at one of the last, he felt a hot sting in his arm and dropped his gun. The dog-like creature lunged for him, teeth bared, snarling and drooling for all it was worth. Jack only had enough time to screw up his eyes and start a prayer, but then he heard the curdling yelp and thud as the creature hit the dirt, so close to him that one of it's front paws landed on Jack's boot. Releasing his captured breath, Jack looked down then noticed that his sleeve was clinging to his arm, and then the pain hit him! Gripping his arm he started to groan, and Daniel ran to his side while Sam and Teal'c finished off the last of the pack.

"Jesus!"

"Oh god.. Jack, I'm so.. I'm so sorry!" A horrified Daniel fawned over the colonel, fussing at his arm until Jack tugged it away, sending a spike of pain into his shoulder. Daniel lowered his face so that Jack couldn't look him in the eye and stepped back away from his injured friend.

"Colonel? Are you alright?" Sam called as she ran towards him.

Waving his good hand at her, he grimaced, "Fine, Major. Just dial us home!"

Then he turned to Daniel. "You 'shot' me!?"

Daniel cringed and tried to look at Jack's arm, forgetting that his gun was still in his right hand. Jack jumped as he saw the piston being brandished, ripping it from Daniel's grasp with an exasperated, "give me that damn thing!"

Daniel fell quiet and only looked up when Teal'c approached them.

"Are you alright, O'Neill?"

"Just peachy," Jack quipped, shooting a sideways glance at his overwhelmed friend. "Come on, let's get home, before I'm *really * hurt!"

Daniel walked all the way to the gate with his head lowered then he stepped straight through, not stopping once he reached the other side.

Hammond was in the gate room waiting for their return, and he smiled as Daniel stepped through, but it soon faded as the young scientist pushed straight past him and headed out of the gate room without even a pause. Hammond snapped back around to the Gate in time to see the rest of SG- 1 come through. He immediately saw Jack's injury.

"Colonel? Did you encounter hostiles?" he was bewildered. The MALP had indicated an uninhabited place, but they had been wrong before.

"Err, no," Jack handed the General Daniel's Baretta, and the puzzled man looked from Jack to Sam, who pursed her lips and gave a little shrug. Hammond nodded for her to go and she and Teal'c headed off to the Infirmary for their after mission check up.

"Dr. Jackson shot you?"

Jack knew Daniel needed time to come to grips with what he'd done before Hammond tore strips off him, so he looked down at his arm. "Sir, I'd really like to get to the ..."

Hammond suddenly realized that Jack was dripping blood onto the ramp and waved him on. "Yes, go! Go.. We'll debrief as soon as you're through.."

Jack was heading away from him then stopped and turned back. "It really * was* an accident, Sir.."

Hammond looked into Jack's brown eyes and saw the concern he had for his team member. The older man nodded then waved him on again.

Halting again after a few more steps, Jack turned back to the general. "I'd like a chance to talk to him first, if you don't mind, Sir."

Hammond sighed then looked warily at the colonel.

"We'll debrief in half an hour then," he said with finality that told Jack he wasn't giving him any more time on this. The colonel nodded then headed off to the infirmary.

* Daniel was inside, pulling his black t-shirt on over his head. Jack saw the blue eyes appear slowly in the neck of the top, bright azure rings that bore right through him.

"I'm okay," he said, as Daniel tugged the top down to his neck then threaded his arms into the holes and gripped the top, sliding it down over his smooth chest and stomach.

"I'm .. sorry.." his voice was soft and raspy, and full of contrition. Jack wasn't able to respond before Janet had entered the room, slapping on a rubber glove and steering the wounded man to a bed. Daniel shot a look at Jack, not really surprised to see that the colonel was still looking at him despite the people milling about him, asking him questions and probing him to ascertain the damage. Jack tried to offer his friend a small smile, but all Daniel did was turn and head out of the infirmary.

* Daniel didn't bother to look up as he heard the soft rap of knuckles on his office door.

"Come in, Jack," he said, already knowing who it was. The colonel stepped into Daniel's office, closing the door behind him. Daniel lifted his head, removing his glasses and bringing his other hand up to rub at his tired eyes.

"I think you and I need to talk," Jack dragged a chair out and sat straddling it, his holstered arm lying across his chest.

Daniel nodded, his hand still pinching at his tired eyes. Jack tilted his head and waited for Daniel to drop the shield between them. Finally his hand came away, and the younger man slid the glasses back onto his face and gave a soft sniff before looking over at Jack.

"I've said sorry, Jack. What more can I say?"

"I don't want to hear you, Daniel. I want you to hear me."

Daniel clasped his hands together and dropped them into his lap, rounding out his shoulders and hunching himself over. Jack recognized that posture. Daniel often huddled himself when he thought he'd done something wrong. Unconsciously, Jack straightened up his back and shoulders, as if trying to compensate for Daniel's hunch.

"It was an accident! I know that. You were aiming for the dog, thing.. whatever it was, and you got me," he shrugged with his good shoulder. "I don't want you beating yourself up over this, do you hear me?"

Daniel rolled his eyes, then sighed heavily, looking over at his cluttered shelves. He reached out and toyed with some papers on the shelf, taking a long while before he spoke again.

"Jack, I shot you!" he said, an ironic laugh lifted his words.

"No, I got in the way of your bullet!"

The scientist turned to look at him and shook his head. "That's just stupid, Jack!"

The colonel shrugged. "Okay, so what are you going to do? Beat yourself up over this?"

Daniel shrugged then looked over at Jack. After a very long silence he spoke.

"Let me take you to dinner tonight to make up for it?"

Jack cocked one brow then smiled slowly. "Okay."

Daniel smiled and slipped off his stool, moving over to where Jack was sitting. The colonel's neck arched as he looked up at the man standing over him. "You sure about this?"

Daniel looked at Jack, his eyes owlish behind the glass shields. "You've been asking me out for ages now..."

The sitting man nodded. "And you've been saying no for ages..."

Daniel wet his lips quickly as he looked at the upturned face by his hip. "Well, today's your lucky day.." he said, well aware of the irony of the statement. Jack rose from the seat slowly, his eyes never leaving Daniel's and the younger man remained on the spot as Jack stood. Chin to chin now, Jack's eyes wandered over the face before him.

"What time shall I expect you?"

After making a quiet, throat clearing sound, Daniel said softly, "I'll make the reservations and get back to you..."

Jack continued to search Daniel's face then he lifted his eyes to stare into the thin rings of electric blue that were staring back at him.

"Okay..."

They remained locked in the stare until the phone rang. Daniel reached across and answered it. It was Sam, telling him he was five minutes late for the debriefing, and asking if he knew where Jack was. He told her that they were both on their way.

* Later that evening Jack sat in his living room, waiting for Daniel to call by. Daniel had told Jack to dress comfortably and casually, but that was all. Infact, a part of Jack wished they weren't going out. He'd rather spend the evening with Daniel, sorting through whatever it was they were both feeling and finally admitting to, in the privacy of his own home. The doorbell rang and Jack leapt up the steps and swung it open enthusiastically. Daniel looked great! Dressed in a pair of not too tight black jeans and a tan turtle neck top, topped off with a tan sports jacket, Jack smile grew bigger as soon as he saw him and Daniel grinned when he noticed Jack's smile. Stepping aside to allow his friend into the house, Jack was glad he'd chosen to wear what he had. Beige pants and a black turtle neck top. It wasn't easy getting changed with a bullet wound to your arm, but Jack had managed it - slowly.

Daniel pushed his hands into his back pockets as he turned to face his friend.

"You ready? You .. look.. ready.." he said, slipping his hand out and indicating up and down Jack's body with it.

"Yeah, I'm ready," Jack nodded, reaching up to get his jacket from the hook. Daniel took it from him and stepped behind him, easing it up one arm then hooking it over his shoulder, careful not the hurt his arm any more.

"Thanks," Jack looked over his shoulder at his friend. Daniel moved to stand in front of him, almost snaking himself around the colonel in one swift move. He tugged lightly on the lapels of the jacket.

"You. ..look great..." he said hesitantly, still unsure of the dynamics of this 'friendship'.

Jack had been acting a little strangely of late whenever they were alone. In front of others, he was exactly the same, but when they were alone, which seemed to be more and more often, Jack seemed to be hinting at something, giving him 'certain' looks, long and unblinking, which made Daniel's skin shimmer. It was not something he understood completely either, and he wasn't sure Jack even knew what he was doing to him. All he knew for sure was what * he* felt - and that was arousal. Pure and simple! He had been having this sensation whenever Jack was close by him for months now. And being this close, close enough to smell the peppermint toothpaste that Jack had used, it was driving him crazy and making his hands tremble slightly.

Jack could feel the trembles and lifted his hand to lay it over Daniel's. The blue eyes blinked quickly at the intimate touch and Jack could hear him swallowing.

"I guess that kinda answers my question.." the older man said softly.

"And that would be?" came the quiet response. Jack's thumb brushed over the back of Daniel's hand now and he saw the way the eyelids fluttered with the touch. Carefully lifting their joined hands now as their eyes locked together in an intense gaze, he pressed a kiss onto Daniel's soft warm palm. The younger man's mouth opened slightly as he drew back his breath. Jack smiled.

"You're trembling..."

"You're kissing me.."

Jack laughed softly then nodded. "You noticed..."

Daniel gave a soft moan as Jack kissed his palm once more. "I've also noticed the way you've been looking at me lately..."

Jack's brown eyes crinkled with his smile. "How's that?"

Daniel licked his lips quickly. "Like you want to..." He finished the sentence with a nervous shrug. Jack's laugh was low and soft, and definitely seductive.

"Oh, well, that's probably because ..." he kissed the palm again, then trailed his tongue up to the pale wrist where he placed another moist kiss, "I do..."

Daniel nodded, trying to keep his self restraint in check, but the fact that Jack had taken a small step closer, completely removing any space between their stomachs now was making things hard. Very hard. And as Jack moved, to brush some of Daniel's hair away from his throat, Jack felt *how * hard things had gotten.

Daniel sucked back a breath as Jack's groin brushed his own, then he saw the colonel eyes crinkle again, knowing he was giving another one of his stunning smiles, and Daniel could no longer resist. His hands came up to cradle the back of Jack's head, his mouth eagerly sought Jack's, his tongue pressing into the sweet warmth and the immediate taste of toothpaste soon gave way to the essence of Jack. Tongue's jousted and tumbled as hand's fumbled and tugged at clothing. The room was filled with breathy sighs and small gasps as Daniel carefully knocked the jacket from Jack's injured arm, then the colonel held his arm down and the jacket dropped to the floor. Next Daniel's nimble fingers had the black top untucked and he slid his hands up the soft furry chest, eliciting a guttural groan from his soon-to-be lover.

"Jack,' Daniel whispered into his mouth, not ready to give up the taste of Jack yet.

"Ah huh?"

"I, err... I need some help.." he mumbled, trying to talk around the thick tongue embedded deep within his mouth.

"Ah.. errr." Jack wasn't giving him up just yet, and Daniel dived straight back into the sweet juices of Jack, lapping him up, swallowing him, digesting and still wanting more. Finally, he threw his head back when his lung had tightened for air and he needed to stop his head from spinning.

As his mind cleared he focused onto the softest brown eyes he'd ever seen.

"Jesus Jack, you're so fucking gorgeous!"

Jack gave a surprised laugh. "Daniel!" he wasn't used to that language from his friend. A seductive grin creased Daniel's smooth face, dimpling his right cheek a little. He devoured the face before him, taking in all the lines around Jack's eyes, the creases on his face which were tell tale signs that this man had lived a good few years more than he had. But Daniel didn't care. They all added to his appeal! The lines around his eyes were caused by laughter; the best sounding laughter that Daniel could ever recall hearing. The crease between his brow was from years of doubting and challenging, and he loved that Jack was such a strong willed person, that he demanded to know the truth and would settle for no shit! The long lines down his cheeks were also from his smile and appeared sometimes when he spoke. Daniel suddenly realized that he'd been *watching * Jack quite closely these past few months!

The colonel's hand trembled slightly as he touched it down Daniel's cheek, following the gentle curve of the smooth, well defined cheekbones then down into the soft hollow, and onto the strong jaw line. He pinched the jaw, just before the ear, gently between his thumb and forefinger, using the light hold to pull him closer for another kiss. This one was less frantic, but still as fiery. Daniel's mouth widened as Jack pressed deeply inside, as if trying to get swallowed up by his lover. Daniel's hands danced over his short hair, digging into the scalp as he manipulated the head to the otherside, while continuing the deep kiss. It was lack of oxygen that pulled them apart this time, having kept the seal between their mouths without breaking to suck in air.

Daniel swallowed again, tasting the juices of Jack, while the colonel ran his thumb under his bottom lip then sucked it into his mouth. The younger man smiled.

"Maybe we should." he twisted from the waist to look down the hall.

"Oh. Yeah." Jack seemed less than enthusiastic at that suggestion, making Daniel frown.

"Oh?"

With a slight shrug, Jack sighed. "I haven't made the bed..."

Daniel scoffed softly; putting his arm around Jack's shoulders carefully then leading him down the hall. "I promise you, I'm not there to look at your mess..."

Jack reached forward and placed a little kiss on Daniel's bottom lip as they continued to walk towards the bedroom.

"Sure you're not canvassing for 'House and Garden'?" he quipped. Daniel looked around the house then at Jack.

"I'm sure..." he teased. Jack frowned and pushed the door open to the bedroom. Daniel looked in at the 'mess'. A few stray shoes scattered the floor and a pile of washing sat on a chair in the corner. The bed *was * unmade, but it was only going to get worse....
 
 <End of part 1> To Be Continued...But don't hold your breath - please :)

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