The Christmas Gift -  Part 2

As the plane engines hummed in their ears Jack slotted his eyes and looked at the pale man beside him. Biting his lips together, he held back the smile that wanted to brim on his lips - but he cared too much for Daniel to make light of his fear of flying, even if it seemed an unfounded fear considering what they all did for a living. So he kept himself to himself and left Daniel to remain pale beside him.

A short time later, while he was reading his novel, the small plane hit turbulence. He noted, out of the corner of his eye, how Daniel's grip tightened on the arm of his seat, and he quirked a brow. His gaze shifted to the white knuckles and he felt a stab of pity, and regret, for his friend.

Obviously flying was not something Daniel enjoyed, yet he made this trip, knowing it would be in a small plane and that turbulence, when it hit, would hit harder. Dropping his book into his lap he turned to his friend and asked him, in a low whisper, "You okay?"

Daniel's eyes didn't shift from the back of the seat in front of him as he nodded quickly. They all bumped again and Jack watched Daniel swallow nervously. Shifting in his seat he leaned closer to him and whispered again, "you sure?"

Daniel blinked rapidly then his golden lashes fluttered as he tried to casually shrug. Jack placed his hand over the one gripping the armrest between their seats and told him, "It'll be over soon. We'll down in about ten minutes."

Daniel swallowed then laughed, despite his fears. Turning towards his perplexed companion he said, "you do mean properly, huh? Like, as in landing..?"

Jack's face split with a smile then he patted Daniel's clammy hand. "And I promise you, after that it's a twenty minute drive, no sweat! We'll be at the cabin, the family will love you, and you'll have egg nog..."

Daniel's eyes had focused onto Jack's and held the stare, as if Jack was replacing the headrest as a focal point for Daniel's fear-conquering technique. Jack knew the trick for combating one's fear - focus on one point and just stare at it and soon, it was said, the fear would level out and it might dissipate altogether. It was a theory anyway, one he'd never had need for in his life, and watching the way Daniel had drilled his eyes into the back of the seat in front of him the entire trip, he started to wonder if it actually worked. After all, Daniel was still terrified.

Now he couldn't help but notice the intensity of Daniel's blue-eyed gaze, like he was staring almost through him. He just about had the urge to look back over his shoulder to see whom it was behind him that Daniel was staring at, but he resisted, keeping his own eyes locked with his friend's. It was small compensation but if it helped Daniel overcome a fear, hell, he’d do that for him. Besides, the view wasn’t half bad!

Daniel now shuffled his shoulders around so that he was facing Jack a little better, but his eyes never lost contact. Instead, he pressed his temple into his own headrest as he asked, in a low whisper, "what are the roads like there?"

Jack cringed internally. If Daniel was asking this to take his fear off the flying, then it was way the wrong question to be asking! Sure, his fear for the plane would go, because if Jack were honest, Daniel would become totally terrified of the drive they had to endure after this ordeal. With a noncommittal shrug he said, "They're good..."

Daniel didn't seem to note the hesitant tone but smiled instead as his eyes closed briefly for the first time. "I've got to tell you Jack, I will be glad to get out of this plane."

The colonel felt deep regret now. What sort of friend was he for dragging Daniel along with him, knowing his fear flying and his allergy to travel? Yet despite all that, despite his own fears, Daniel was the only one to stick with him when he needed a friend the most! That really meant something to Jack. It showed him how Daniel put him first. Not too many people did that in Jack's life.

Patting the clammy hand once more, the older man reassured him, "Won't be long now." Then, perfectly on cue, the announcement was made for all passengers to return to their seats, to place their tray in an upright position and to secure all seatbelts. Jack smiled to his friend then watched as Daniel quickly tugged the belt already fastened across his lap to ensure it was tighter. Gripping the armrest again, Daniel was ready for the landing. Jack tucked his book beneath his thigh then yanked on his seatbelt.

Daniel leaned towards him and asked, "You're not leaving that book there, are you? What happens if we crash?"

Jack wanted to point out the absurdity of worrying about a paperback tucked under his thigh if the plane was plummeting out of control towards the ground, however he just gave his friend a quick nod, then reached forward and put his book in his bag. He sat back and noted the way Daniel was looking at the bag at his feet.

"For crying out loud," Jack hissed quietly as he reached forward once more and safely stowed the bag beneath the seat in front of him before sitting back in his seat again. Daniel gave him a somewhat appreciative smile then closed his eyes as he tightened his hold on the armrests again.

*

It was a much calmer companion that walked alongside him through the terminal, Jack observed. Daniel was obviously much more relaxed, his bag was slung casually over one shoulder, leaving him one hand free to stop and pick up nearly every souvenir that they passed in the stores.

"Really, Danny, we can get some stuff on the way home, if you want. But can we just get to the car now?" An exasperated Jack asked when Daniel stopped for the umpteenth time. With a shrug Daniel obeyed, falling in behind the older man as they headed towards the car rental counter.

*

The pretty woman behind the rental counter seemed to be eyeing Daniel off, much to Jack's annoyance. With a cough he drew her attention back to him and his paperwork, before shooting a glance over his shoulder to where Daniel remained, sitting on a chair with both bags by his feet. Looking back at the girl once more Jack caught her eye and she seemed to blush before looking down. It was on the tip of his tongue to make a glib comment about Daniel being 'taken' or something like that, but Jack had to remember that this place was still pretty small and word got around. Even in jest, he could cause some major embarrassment if he were to say what he wanted to say at that moment. So he let it go and he endured the task of the paperwork without further provocation.

When Daniel had tired of waiting around he came over to the counter and stood behind his friend, watching over his shoulder as Jack filled out the countless forms. Part of Jack was pleased that Daniel had done that. For some odd reason he gained some satisfaction from Daniel's close proximity and from the open mouth stare the pretty girl was fixing onto the oblivious man behind him. Soon the time came for the handing over of the keys and the girl asked Daniel, "Will you be driving too, Sir?"

"Oh?" Daniel looked at Jack, not really sure of that answer.

Jack shook his head and told her, "He's not used to the roads-"

She nodded thoughtfully then said, "Especially as bad as they are tonight. Should take you about forty minutes to reach your destination in this snow, Sir."

Daniel's brows arched high as he tilted his head to look at his friend.

"Forty minutes? Snow? Ugh...." He held a finger up and Jack knew, he just knew, that Daniel was about to challenge him there and then about the driving conditions.

"Come on, Danny! It’s not like I haven't driven in this before, for crying out loud!"

"But.." Daniel's head tilted even further. Jack now held his finger up to silence his friend's fears.

"'But' nothing! Just think about how you'll be snug and warm in our cabin in about an hour's time. I'll even pour you your first eggnog myself!" He turned back to the girl and saw the surprised look on her face. So much for discretion, he thought, then realized he had to clear it up, for fear the wrong rumor would get about - not that he minded, but his family and Daniel deserved better than to be local town gossip over Christmas.

"You can take the relative out of the city.. but not the city out of the relative..” With a soft scoffing sound he went on, “Bout time he made a family reunion!” Jack smiled and nodded as he collected up the keys. "Well, you have a good one!"

She smiled at him then at Daniel. "You too. Hope the roads are passable on the Ridge.."

Daniel's mouth dropped open but before he could utter a word Jack had pushed him out of the small office and into the parking lot.

"What did she mean?" Daniel asked as they reached the rental. He noted that it was practically a snowmobile. "Jack?"

The older man sighed as he got into the vehicle. "Look, I promise you, it's not as bad as it seems. The roads are a little snowy, so I thought I'd get this baby.." He leaned forward and patted the dashboard.

"A snow plough?"

"Oh, Danny! For Pete's sake, this isn't a snow plough!"

"Looks like one!" Daniel grumbled.

Starting the engine, Jack said, "Shows you what you know, snow ploughs have a much bigger scoop at the front.." The large vehicle trundled out of the park slowly. Daniel sighed and made sure his seat belt was fastened securely before crossing his arms across his chest. Jack left him in his solitude while he concentrated on the roads.

*

By the time they reached the cabin Daniel had actually fallen asleep. That was something that Jack was pleased about, especially as they lost traction while rounding one of the bends on the Ridge and for a moment the back end slipped towards the edge. Still, due to his consummate driving, Jack had managed to keep the vehicle on the narrow road and Daniel would be none the wiser about the near miss.

As he shut off the loud engine the silence flooded his ears. He took a moment to enjoy it before leaning across to his sleeping friend and stopped to watch him sleep. He looked over at the Cabin, made generations ago by his ancestors and recently added onto by his father, and he recalled many times turning up to this cabin for a large family Christmas reunion. This year though, without his mother's presence, it was going to be hard. Jack didn't often talk about his family, but Daniel knew better than anyone how much strain there was between Jack and his father - his namesake, Jonathan 'Jon' O'Neill.

All his life Jack had felt like he failed his father, though he never knew why. When he married Sara and started his family he seemed to gain some points with the elder O'Neill, however that was short lived. After Charlie's death - the grandchild that Jon doted on - things between them returned to their old tense ways. That was why Jack really needed someone, anyone, to come this weekend. To be a kind of buffer, to give him somewhere to go when things got too tough. It was no surprise to him though that he didn't mind that Sam and Teal'c pulled out, so long as Daniel still promised to come. It meant so much for him to have his friend with him - especially at Christmas, and especially at this first Christmas without his beloved mother, for whom Christmas always seemed so very important.

Jack took a moment to wonder, as he watched the handsome man beside him snuffle in his sleep, what his mother would have thought of him bringing a 'man' home for Christmas. He figured she'd have just eyed him knowingly, accepted Daniel with open arms and sneaked approving glances at them every time they stood too near together. At least, that was how she was when he brought Greg to many family functions. She was the only one that knew about him - about 'them' - and she let Jack know tthat it was all right by her. She just wanted him loved, that's all.

Maybe - Jack thought as he cast his eyes over the sweet, sleeping face beside him - if she were here this year he could find the courage to tell Daniel just how he felt about him. But without her here, and with his father as strict and homophobic as he was, he knew that this weekend he and Daniel had to be very careful of how close they stood, even if there was really nothing between them.

"Hey," he said in a low voice as he gripped Daniel's shoulder and shook him gently.

The younger man startled awake then looked around, confused about his surroundings. In the darkness he could see what appeared to be a sizable building with a light burning in one window. He turned his face back to the man who was still slightly across him. "We're here?" He sat up, adjusting his glasses.

Jack nodded with a smile. "Yeah. See, told you I'd get us here and it only took..oh.. fifty minutes..."

Daniel rubbed his eyes as he sat up. "Fifty minutes? I was asleep that long?"

"No, you fell asleep about forty minutes ago," he said, reaching into the back and dragging Daniel's bag forward. "Jesus! What do you have in here? Rocks?"

Daniel gathered the bag onto his lap then rolled his eyes. "Books, actually. And some snow boots and a few.."

Holding his hand up, Jack laughed. "It's okay. Let's not take inventory here!"

Daniel shrugged and tugged the door release, opening the door. Jack jumped out and slung his bag over his shoulder before coming around to head up the path alongside his friend.

As the reached the bottom of the three steps that led to the porch Jack stopped Daniel, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Look, I'm just going to apologize in advance for my father, okay?"

Daniel arched his brow. "Oh? Um, okay.." He said, deliberately slowly.

Jack sighed then shrugged. "He can be a little bit obnoxious, that's all."

"Oh? Really? Family trait there?" Daniel teased him. Jack glared at him as they trotted up the steps.

"Remind me, why did I ask you along?"

"Because Sam and Teal'c pulled out," Daniel retorted quickly with a nod.

Jack raised his hand and was about to open the door as he said, "Oh, yeah, it's all coming back to me now!" Suddenly the door flew open and a pretty woman, a few years younger than Jack, stood in the warm yellow glow and smiled at them broadly.

"Jack! Thank god you made it safely!" She flung herself into Jack's arms while carefully holding her cup of eggnog in her hands and not spilling a drop down the back of Jack's sweater.

"Susan!" He hugged the woman, not too affectionately Daniel noted, then he pulled back.

"Let me help you with this," she said, taking the bag from him before he could protest. Jack rolled his eyes at her as she struggled to carry the bag into the house. With a sweep of his hand he invited Daniel to go ahead, then they entered the house together.

Daniel felt a little overwhelmed, as people seemed to come from everywhere to greet them as they stood, in a puddle of melted snow, just inside the front door. Young girls, teenagers from what he could tell, threw themselves at Jack and hugged him. Two men came up and shook his hand, one was unmistakably Jack's brother, whom Daniel knew to be named Claude. After the initial excitement died down Jack could finally introduce them to Daniel.

Daniel soon learned that the woman that greeted them at the door was Jack's sister, Susan. She was pretty much like him, only more feminine. She had the same eyes as her brother. In fact, Daniel noted that they all seemed to have the same dark attractive eyes. Susan was married to Bill, a rugged-looking man with a large stomach and wide shoulders. He was, by all accounts, a rigger by trade and worked in the next town. They had two children; Amy, aged eight, and David, who was ten. Next Daniel was introduced to Claude, Jack's older brother. Claude's wife was no longer with him, but he had his two boys; Peter, fifteen and Julian, seventeen, with him this Christmas. There was still one person missing.

"Where's Dad?"

Susan shot Claude a quick glance then the brother jerked his thumb towards the glass doors that divided off the living area of the house to a private study. This was one of the recent renovations Jon had made to the cabin. Initially it was nothing more than a three-room place; a kitchen, a living area including somewhere to eat, and the sleeping area. Jack had already told Daniel to pack something decent to sleep in as they all had to share the one room, known as the bunkhouse. It was a large room full of bunk beds allowing enough sleeping spaces for fourteen people.

The cabin had remained that way for many years, built five generations ago out of logs. It was a warm and rustic homestead, furnished well to keep any visitors comfortable throughout their stay. It served generations of O'Neill's well as a holiday house, but over the past year - since Jon's well-overdued retirement - he and Maude had come up to the cabin often while he made some additions and some renovations. Now the cabin sported a fine sunroom, just off to the left and down three steps from the living area. Off to the right of the same area was the newly built study, splendid behind two French doors of glass. From there, going up four steps, was the new master bedroom, complete with its own bathroom and spectacular view of the boathouse and river. As it had always been, the bunkroom was off to the right of the living area while the kitchen ran along the entire width of the back of the cabin and a new bathroom was to the left of that. Of all the renovations, Jack appreciated that one the most! Bathing in an old wooden tub in front of the fireplace might be okay if you were alone or holidaying with someone you loved, but in a house full of family members, it was to be avoided at all costs!

Jack now looked at the closed glass doors then tuned to Daniel beside him.

"Come on, I'll show you where you can drop your bag."

Daniel nodded, not voicing his curiosity as to why the father hadn't come out despite the commotion. Instead, he followed Jack through the living room, already ascertaining it to be the heart of the cabin. It was warm, with the log walls and, due to the season, it was elaborately decorated in deep burgundy and evergreen with a large ornate Christmas tree in the corner near the sunroom door. In front of the roaring fire Amy and David had returned to their game of monopoly while Bill had returned to his chair near the hearth.

Daniel noted with some degree of relief that the warmth from the other room carried over into the bunkhouse. He watched as Jack looked beneath the bunks and realized he was checking for bags or some kind of indication of 'ownership'.

The last two beds, one on either side of the room, were apparently left for them. Daniel was pleased that the teenagers seemed to opt for the top bunks - he didn't much enjoy sleeping on the top bunk, and his idea of sleeping on top of Jack was a little different than that.

"Here we are," Jack said, pointing out the opposite bed to his friend. Daniel tossed his bag onto the gray blanket then sat down. The coils creaked loudly as he bounced up and down on the bed and Jack shot him a sideways glance as he began to unpack presents from his bag. "You're not planning on making that noise all night, are you?"

Daniel sliced a droll look his way then kicked his feet onto the mattress as he laid himself down onto the bed, tucking his hands behind his head.

"Jack," came a rusty sounding voice from the doorway. Jack swiveled on the spot immediately while Daniel sat bolt upright and stared at the figure in the doorway.

"Dad," Jack said, and then threw a quick glance at Daniel, who got to his feet straightaway. As the two men approached the straight-backed man Daniel couldn't help but notice all the incredible similarities between him and Jack. He realized he'd seen this man before; only it was on Argos - when Jack was affected with the aging device. It was amazing how much Jack would look like this man in about thirty years time. Jon deliberately turned his gaze onto Daniel now and he seemed to scrutinize the young man thoroughly.

"I'm Jon O'Neill," he said, holding his hand out towards Daniel.

Jack sighed and shifted his footing while waving his hand between the two men. He lowered his face and mumbled, "Daniel Jackson - my father, Jonathan O'Neill.."

Jon's dark eyes shifted to take in his son then the same wry grin that Jack was predisposed to tweaked at the corner of the older man's mouth. "Just told him that, Jack."

Jack huffed and lowered his face as he scratched at his eyebrow. Daniel, mouth agape slightly, finally gripped Jon's hand and shook it firmly.

"Pleasure to meet you, sir," he said.

"I bet Jack's told you nothing about me," Jon said, with familiar cynical humor. It was on the tip of Daniel's tongue to beat the old man at his own game and say 'in fact he's told me a lot, none of it good!' but he knew better than to insult the host. Besides, there was something very intimidating about Jack's father.

"He keeps stuff pretty much to himself," Daniel ventured instead, with an affirming nod. Jon snorted, again casting a sideways glance at his younger son.

"I bet."

Jack sighed uncomfortably once more then held his own hand out and said, "Nice to see you again, Dad. Merry Christmas.."

Jon stared at the hand on offer then clapped his into it and shook it roughly. "Merry Christmas, Jack. How was the flight?"

The two men turned now and headed out of the bunkroom, talking amiably, leaving Daniel feeling a little shell shocked in their wake. He followed them out and through to the kitchen where Jon proceeded to pour drinks for all three of them. Then he clapped his arm across the back of Jack's shoulders and led him into the living room, where they sat side by side on the sofa. Daniel loitered by the kitchen door, suddenly wondering if coming with Jack was such a good idea. He carefully sipped at the warm drink while he watched the family before him.

"Dad's a bit scary when you first meet him," Susan whispered, making Daniel jump slightly.

His blue eyes went wide as he titled his head. "Oh, he's.. he's..."

"Scary,” she said with a mild laugh. Daniel shrugged then looked down at his drink.

"Believe me, I've met worse!"

"Heaven Forbid, is that possible?" She laughed heartily now and Jack turned towards the sound, surprised to see that it was Daniel she was laughing with. True to form, though, Daniel looked quite bashful as he stood with his face lowered and his drink cupped in both hands.

"How long have you known this Daniel?" Jon asked his son when Jack's attention had been stolen from their conversation.

"Huh?" Jack looked back at his father.

Jon pointed his finger and asked again, "How long have you known this Daniel? Susan tells me he's a work colleague?"

"Yeah," Jack said, arching his brow slightly as he looked down into his drink. "We've worked together about four years now," he said, and then took a long sip of his drink.

"He looks a little geeky, if you ask me," Jon sniffed, making Jack's skin crawl.

"He's a good man. Nothing geeky about him!" He said than added, "He's intelligent and strong - both traits I've needed and relied upon haul my ass out some pretty hairy situations lately."

Holding his hands up in defense, Jon said, "Only commented that he looked geeky!"

Jack sighed and shook his head before draining his cup of its warm, spicy liquid. "With you, Dad, that's usually enough," he murmured.

"Don't judge me, Son," Jon said under his breath but Jack merely screwed his eyes shut before shaking his head again. "And stop shaking your damn head at me!"

"Well, you're not going to treat Daniel like you treated my other friends that you decided were geeks, okay? This time, " he said, standing up and looking down at his father, "I won't let you do that." He went over to where Susan and Daniel were engaged in friendly conversation.

"Jack-" Her dark eyes shone with her laughter. "You didn't tell me Daniel was an archaeologist!"

"Didn't I?" Jack said then shrugged, "Probably slipped my mind."

Daniel turned to him and asked, through his smile, "that I'm an archaeologist?"

"No-" Susan patted his arm then told him, "That I'm a budding archaeologist myself."

"Oh!" Daniel said with a nod then fixed his eyes onto Jack. The older man just raised his brow as he flapped his mouth without saying anything then he pushed between them and went into the kitchen. Daniel held his cup up and excused himself, following his friend into the kitchen and allowed the door to swing shut behind him.

He went to over to Jack, who was leaning on the counter with outstretched arm with his head bowed, and asked him, "You okay?"

"Yeah," Jack sighed then looked up. "Listen, if my father gives you a hard time over the next few days you have my permission to bite back at him."

Daniel frowned. "Why?"

"Because he's an ass."

"No, I mean," Daniel waved his hand then tilted his head and said, "what makes you think he's going to give me a hard time? Did I do something to offend him already?"

Jack looked up into the blue eyes, such earnest eyes, then he patted his friend's shoulder. "You've done nothing wrong, Danny, believe me. It's him!"

"But I can't be rude to him, Jack. He's my host and more importantly, he's your father.."

Jack sighed and bit his bottom lip a moment. Looking at Daniel he said, "Trust me on this, okay? Because his my father I can tell you, in all honesty, that if he offends you in any way, I need you to bite back at him.."

"I can't.." Daniel shook his head.

"Yes, you can! You've been hanging around me way too long not to know some pretty good repartee now.."

Daniel quirked his brow but said nothing. Soon the door opened and Claude entered the kitchen.

"Jack, I need your help in the cutting shed."

"Okay," Jack said, holding Daniel's perplexed gaze. "I'm going to go and cut some more firewood. You can either come with or stay, it's up to you."

"Well considering my options," the anthropologist said as he shrugged. Jack nodded.

"Go get your snow boots then and I'll wait for you."

As he passed through the living room Daniel couldn't help but throw a sidelong glance at Jon, sitting in the center of the sofa, staring at the fire. Just as he reached to door of the bunkhouse, Jon asked, "Where's everyone going? Is there a party in the kitchen I don't know about?"

Daniel wasn't sure if the elder O'Neill was asking him the question, or the room in general but when no one else bothered to answer him, he offered, "We're going to cut more firewood."

Slowly Jon turned to look behind him to where Daniel was standing. "’You're’ cutting more firewood?"

Daniel wasn't sure where the older man's surprise came from, but the conversation he'd had with Jack left him in no doubt that Jon didn't think much of him. With a shrug, Daniel said defensively, "I've cut wood before..."

"Oh!" Was all Jon said as he turned back around to face the fire. A bubble of anger started in the pit of Daniel's stomach as he went to his bag to extract his snow boots. What the hell had he done to deserve being treated so rudely? He decided that he'd spent worse Christmas' but that this one would probably go up there as a 'never to be repeated' one for next time. Next time Jack needed his friends around him at this time, he'd better hope Sam or Teal'c were available. His thoughts faltered. If Sam had had come up with Jack none of this would have happened anyway. As he reentered the living room, Daniel was lost in thought about how different it would have been for Jack and Sam. Probably romantic....

"Don't like the thought that you're cutting our wood," Jon said, breaking through Daniel's thoughts. So agitated was he now - from travel fatigue, from the unpleasaantness between him and Jon, from the taunting images of Jack and Sam in blissful happiness as they created snow angels outside - that Daniel didn't think first before snarling, "oh, please! I'm capable of cutting wood! I'm not some pathetic ..." He stopped himself suddenly as Jon rose to his feet. "Sorry, I'm.." He muttered, lowering his face as he touched his fingers to the tip of his nose.

"I'm sorry too, son," Jon said, then stepped around the sofa to where Daniel was standing, snow boots in his hands. "I merely meant I didn't like the idea of a guest of mine cutting wood. Make sure Jack does his share."

Daniel was about to snap back at what appeared to be an 'anti-Jack' comment when he looked up and saw the twinkle in Jon's eyes. Tilting his head slightly he mumbled, "Okay.." Jon's smile broadened as he winked and reached out to pat his shoulder.

*

Daniel didn't discuss the unusual encounter with Jack but he heeded the words. He sat back, watching and listening to the two brothers as they split the wood and relived Christmas' past with each other. It wasn't too long before Claude dismissed himself, saying he needed to use the bathroom. Jack, who was now stripped down to his long sleeved undershirt, wiped his forearm across his brow as he panted, "that's the last we see of him!" He lifted his axe and slammed it down into the next stump of wood.

Daniel got up and picked up the abandoned axe. Jack eyed him cautiously then said, as he raised his axe once more, "you have done this before, haven't you, Danny?" The axe came down with a mighty blow.

"Yes," Daniel muttered as he tightened his grip on the wooden handle. He gritted his teeth and lifted the axe head high, slamming it down and splitting the first log effortlessly. Jack quirked a brow, impressed by the strength in his friend. Soon they were cutting log for log until it became almost a competition to see who could hit the fastest and the hardest.

"OW!" Daniel yelled, tossing down his axe as he gripped his hand furiously. "Holy.. shit!" He moaned softly, grimacing with pain. Jack, who had dropped his axe on the first syllable, raced to his friend's side to see what was wrong. He uncurled Daniel's hand slowly and saw a number of small splinters had embedded themselves in the soft skin between his thumb and forefinger.

"Ouch!" He said screwing up his nose at the mess. He quickly put Daniel's hand to his mouth and sucked out most of the smaller, less embedded, splinters before spitting them out.

"Jack?" Daniel asked, as he squirmed with the unusual pain of having splinters sucked from his tender skin.

"Didn't your mom ever to do this?" Jack asked, again spitting the stray splinter from his mouth.

"No," Daniel said flatly then looked down at his reddened hand. There was still one stubborn dark line beneath the inflamed skin.

"Might need to get a needle onto that one," Jack said, lifting his hand to scrape out the elusive splinter that he couldn't spit from his mouth. Finally he had success and wiped his hand onto his pant leg.

"Needle? Great.." Daniel said as he inspected the sore hand.

"I'm sure Susan will know what to do," Jack said. Daniel looked at him.

"Actually, Jack, I know what to do. Being an archaeologist, we 'sometimes' get splinters.."

Jack didn't seem to pick up the sarcasm in his friend's voice as he returned to his axe and said, "oh, good. Well, I'm sure you'll find something up at the house!"

Daniel nodded and headed up to the main house while Jack watched him go, all too aware that he might have been a tad enthusiastic about getting to suck on any part of Daniel's body.

Inside the cabin Daniel located Susan and was soon shown the sewing box. The young woman heated a needle over the flame before stepping over and taking Daniel's sore hand in hers.

"Really," Daniel protested, "I can do this myself!"

"Nonsense," she said, "I'll do it. I'm forever digging splinters from Bill's ass..." She laughed at her own joke but Daniel still reached up and wrestled the needle from her.

"I appreciate that," He said, then wet his lips as he said, "but I really do prefer to do this kind of thing myself. When you're an archaeologist, you learn to fend for yourself.."

"Yes, but when you're a mother, you tend to mother everyone-" She laughed.

"Oh, for pity's sake, leave the damn boy alone!" Jon snarled as he entered the kitchen. For once, Daniel appreciated his intrusion.

"Dad, we're only having a bit of fun!"

"Well, seems to me the man is capable of yanking a splinter out of his own damn hand, so let him! Stop fussing over him!"

Susan blushed then lowered her face before turning to leave the kitchen. Daniel was glad that he was allowed to tend to himself, even if the method of obtaining the freedom was too high a price.

"Thank you," Daniel said, albeit a little begrudgingly. Jon nodded as he poured more coffee into his cup.

"What happened?"

"Splinter.." Daniel said holding up his hand. Jon looked from the red hand to the face behind it.

"So I gather. I meant, how did it happen?"

"Oh," Daniel said with a soft laugh at himself. "The axe handle was a little rough."

"Jack should have been cutting the wood..."

"Actually," Daniel flared quickly then pulled himself into line by biting his lips together. Jon quirked his brow in the same way Jack had when silently questioning someone. The younger man sighed then said, "Jack was splitting logs, with the other axe. It was Claude's axe I was using."

"Claude's in the living room..."

"Yes. He said he needed to go to the bathroom," Daniel explained. Jon frowned.

"So he left you two to it then?"

"Really, it didn't bother either of us. Jack and I are used to hard work, actually.."

Jon looked over the slightly red face, and saw the agitation in Daniel's eyes. "You work well together as a team, is that what you're telling me, son?"

With a slight raise of his brow, Daniel gave that some thought. With a nod, he said, "Yes, sir. I believe we do."

Slowly a smile crept across the older man's face. "I bet you do," he said, and again Daniel got a strange feeling from his words. Susan came into the kitchen with her snow boots in her hands.

"Where are you going?" Jon asked her as she passed behind him.

"Going to keep Jack company," she said.

"Oh, I'll be out there again soon," Daniel told her.

"No, son. I think you should stay in here, help me get the evening supper ready. Susan can keep her brother company," Jon said, looking at his daughter. She nodded and then went outside. Daniel felt a slight nervousness bubble within his stomach as the older O'Neill turned to face him once more.

"Come on," Jon said, patting his shoulder. "Let's get to work. But first-" He fished though the first aid kit, found a plaster and put it on Daniel's hand for him with all the care of a father to his son. "That's better!" He said, with a warm smile. Daniel frowned then smiled as he nodded.

"Thanks, sir."

"Please-" Jon held his hand up and sighed. "Call me Jon."

Daniel had heard the exact inflections in Jack's voice as he told people to call him Jack. The familiarity and the difference were intriguing the anthropologist. Obviously the O'Neill gene pool was a very strong one, with each of the children resembling their father so much he wondered what influence the mother hand in their genetic makeup.

Jon passed him the silverware and Daniel said to him, "I was very sorry to hear about your wife's passing..."

Jon stopped a moment then he took a long look at Daniel. Finally he said, "Thanks, son. It's not easy losing someone you've loved for so many years..."

Daniel nodded mutely as he jostled the cutlery in his hands. Jon's dark eyes lifted to the ceiling and Daniel clearly saw tears along the lashes. "She loved Christmas..."

Daniel bit his bottom lip then felt a certain relief when the older man lowered his face and swiped his hand cross his eyes. "But enough sadness. She did love Christmas and that's why this one has got to be very important - for all of us." He leaned in closer to Daniel and the young man wondered if he was meant to garner more from the sentence than what Jon actually said. The next words out of the patriarch's mouth floored Daniel. "I know that it's not easy for people like you. People like me make things so damn hard, but it's only because we're ignorant."

"S..Sorry?" Daniel frowned and tilted his head.

Jon went on. "I'm not surprised that Jack and Maude kept it a secret between themselves. I'm not the most approachable person, Daniel, but where Jack's concerned I'll try to make more of an effort. Though it is hard altering a life time of thoughts and feelings, but.. well.. if my son is gay, he's gay and there's not a damn thing I can do about it." Suddenly his head shot up as he said, "not that I *would * you understand. You seem very nice and..."

Through his bewilderment Daniel managed to hold his hand up, silencing Jon. "Hold on!" He stammered. "You think that Jack and I.. are.. together?"

"It's alright, son. Maude explained it all to me a month before she passed on. I'll be frank with you, I wasn't happy at first, but she soon made me see that Jack was still 'my' Jack.. my boy..."

Daniel rubbed his hand across his mouth as he sighed. Jon smiled.

"Kinda floored ya, huh? I bet Jack warned you about me, probably told you to be careful of how close you stood or how you approached me, but really, it's okay. I'm not about to win Father of the Year award so please - keep it to yourselves and no, you know, touchy feely around me, for Christ's sake! But, well you seem like a nice man, an intelligent man..."

"I'm glad you approve," Daniel mumbled numbly. Jon laughed.

"Well, you're no long haired geek, so that's a plus! Jack's last partner, from what I was told, was his room mate.." He paused at the connotations that word now brought to him. Shaking himself he went on, "he was a long haired geek. I thought he was just Jack's best friend, you know, how was I meant to know!" He shrugged. "But from what Maude told me, Jack and this kid, I forget his name..." He stopped, his words trailing off as he looked at the pale face opposite him.

"Son?"

Daniel blinked then Jon slapped his own forehead. "Oh god, don't tell me I've let a cat out of the bag..."

Daniel blinked then lifted his eyes to Jon's face. "Huh?"

"You did know about Jack and this other guy?.."

"Actually,. No.." Daniel stammered.

"Oh geez!" Jon growled at himself then shook his head. "I'm stupid! You men probably don't talk about past lovers anymore than we do.."

/'We' do/ The words rang through Daniel's head.

"Um," Daniel said, frowning as he looked across at Jon. Jutting his thumb over his shoulder he muttered, "Do you mind if I.."

Jon cringed as he shrugged. "Sure. Hope I didn't cause trouble between you.."

Daniel shook his head. "No, Jon, that's fine. I just need to .. you know.."

Nodding, the older man flicked his hand towards the door as he said, "Go!"

Daniel turned and left the cabin, hopping across the snowy ground as he tugged his snow boots back on.

End of part 2