The End Of The Line

Wadjet

Part One

Jack O'Neill lay beside his lover of two years, unable to sleep and staring at the ceiling. He turned, propping himself up on one elbow, and gazed in wonder at the sleeping man. He brought a hand up to stroke his lover's face, then stopped. Daniel looked so beautiful in repose, Jack hadn't the heart to wake him.

They'd made love frantically the night before, clinging to each other as if their lives depended on it. That last mission had been close. Too close.

They'd been surrounded by Jaffa, the GDO had been dropped in the panic, and Daniel had almost lost his life going back for it. The Jaffa had been closing in, staff weapons going off all around them as Daniel desperately dialled home. The blast damage to the walls of the 'gateroom bore witness to the ferocity of the battle, and how near SG1 had come to not returning home at all. Again. How many times was that now? If they'd been cats they would surely all have been down to their last life or two. Except for Daniel. He'd been dead more times than Jack wanted to think about. These days whenever they went through the 'gate, it worried Jack senseless that maybe this time would be the last.

Jack was tired. The whole of his adult life had been spent being shot at, captured, tortured, stressed out. He was sick of fighting what seemed to be an invincible enemy. Sure, they'd taken out some of the Goa'uld along the way, perhaps slowed them down a little. They'd even managed to forge good relationships with some of the more powerful races.

Unfortunately, the Nox had stayed firmly on their fence, and no-one knew where the Furlings were, even if they existed at all any more. To Oma Desala 's race, the Ta'uri were little more than ants in the scheme of things, and no-one had heard from Daniel's grandfather since he'd been left with the giants. Sadly, the Tollan were no longer around. Or at least that's what they all assumed, and even when they had been, their policy of not trading technology with more primitive races meant they weren't much use. Primitive. The Tollan's insistence on the use of that word had always stuck in Jack's craw.

The Asgard and the Tok'ra had come to their aid several times, but not really as part of the fight against the Goa'uld. They both regarded the Ta' uri as primitive too. Not advanced enough to be trusted with the technology they needed. That grated with Jack as well. SG1 had helped them both out of tight spots more than once, but sometimes it felt like the goodwill only went one way.

Still, maybe the Asgard and the Tok'ra were right. Everywhere you looked on Earth there were fights, wars and squabbles. Usually over land. Land which would, in all likelihood, be unchanged long after the human race had gone. In time, humans would probably destroy each other, or the Goa'uld would finally come back and do the job for them. Either way the land would still be the land, and belong to itself just the way it always had, no matter which flag flew over it.

Daniel stirred, mumbling in his sleep. Jack was so much in love with the man, some days he felt his heart could explode. It had been a major surprise to him that he could fall in love again at all after Sara. The fact that he' d fallen for another man had been somewhat of a shock too, but that the man was Daniel, for some reason, had been no surprise at all. Jack smiled. Whatever doubts had been in his mind melted away, as he watched the younger man open his bleary eyes and roll automatically into Jack's embrace.

Jack enveloped him with one long arm and nuzzled into his neck. Daniel snuggled closer.

"Mmmm. Morning," he whispered.

Jack's reply was to hold him closer, and kiss his neck and shoulder softly. Daniel pulled away slightly, and looked at his lover with his familiar frown of concern.

"You okay, babe?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. You?"

Daniel smiled, "A little sore maybe, but otherwise I'm okay. We went at it kinda hard last night."

Jack smiled back, a little sheepishly, "Yeah. I guess I got a little carried away. Sorry."

Daniel cradled the older man's face in his hand. "Hey, don't apologise. I'm okay. Really. What's wrong, Jack?"

"I've decided to retire."

Daniel sat up in bed, "What? What's brought this on?"

Jack lay back on the bed and sighed. "I've had enough, Danny. Yesterday was close. Too close. You could have died. We all could. I can't do this anymore."

"But that's the nature of the beast. Most of the time we haven't a clue what we're going to find when we step through the 'gate. We all know that every time could be the last one."

Jack sat up and faced him. "Everything's different now. It'd break my heart to lose Carter, or Teal'c, but if I lost you, my life would be over. I know that sounds kinda melodramatic, but it's true. I guess anyone who's served with me would think I'm going soft in my old age," he chuckled, "and they'd probably be right. Fact is, I love you. I know you know that, but you've changed the way I look at things. On and off the job."

Daniel rubbed his face with both hands, and ran them through his spiky hair. "If we're gonna have this kind of conversation, I'd better make some coffee. You get a shower and I'll go put some on." He kissed Jack lightly and got out of bed, slipping on the blue towelling robe Jack had bought him for the Christmas just gone. Jack smiled ruefully when he remembered buying that particular shade because it matched Daniel's eyes so well, and also remembered feeling a complete sap for doing it.

He padded into the bathroom and turned on the shower, waiting a few seconds for the water to reach a temperature which wouldn't make his balls retreat inside his body completely, and stepped in. The warm spray felt good, wakening his skin, making it tingle. He picked the sandalwood shower gel which had been one of Daniel's gifts on that same Christmas morning. Everywhere he looked, and everything he touched seemed to remind him of his young lover.

He poured a little of the gel into his hand and began to soap his body, noting all the scars and lines. All the physical evidence of a life spent in battle with one enemy or another. If that wasn't enough, there was the psychological damage, and the memories of another war which still shocked him awake, screaming in the middle of the night. These days though, Daniel was there when it happened, and Jack didn't have to sleep with the light on anymore. His lover was always there to hold him as he wept, murmuring softly and rocking him back to sleep.

It was a side of Jack that only Daniel saw, and Jack liked it that way. "Signs of weakness are not a good thing in prison." Jack had once told him. Well, the same went for the 2IC of the most secret project in the history of the planet. It wouldn't do for anyone else in the SGC to know that Colonel Jack O'Neill, one of the toughest men in the Air Force, cried like a baby in the dark. It also wouldn't do for the rest of the SGC to know who cradled him through it.

"Don't ask. Don't tell."

No-one had asked and Jack was tired of not telling. Running his soapy hands down his abdomen, he cradled his balls and fondled them gently. As he rolled them around in his hand, the other strayed to his thickening cock. Memories of the previous night flooded into his mind, as the blood flooded into his penis. Daniel's hands stroking him, fingers squeezing, probing inside him. Daniel's wet mouth engulfing him. Daniel's tight ass, hot and all-encompassing. Jack driving hard into him, over and over. Trying to fuck away the fear, trying to get so far inside Daniel, that they could never be separated by anything.

Jack's eyes closed and his hand began to move more swiftly up and down his cock as he braced himself against the wall of the shower with the other, concentrating on the sensation and the memory. He was too far gone to notice the presence of the man behind him, until he felt callused hands smoothing his flanks, one hand reaching around to pull and rub one of Jack's nipples, as he masturbated. Daniel gently bit his back and shoulders and Jack moaned, leaning into his lover's embrace, rhythmically squeezing the glans and increasing the pace of his stroking. His back arched, and he gasped as Daniel's soap slicked finger probed inside him, sliding in and out. The finger touched the small hard gland deep at the heart of him and Jack cried out, his come mingling with the water stream. Daniel continued stroking gently, taking the weight of the other man's jerking body while Jack grunted and squeezed himself hard, forcing out the last drops of semen, then lightly rubbed the sensitive end of his softening cock. Jack's orgasm faded like an ebbing tide and he finally relaxed, leaning back and panting Daniel's name.

They stood together, the warm water raining down on them both. Daniel held his lover tenderly, resting his head on Jack's shoulder. After a moment or two, he took the sponge and soaped Jack all over, then Jack did the same for him, pausing once in a while to kiss Daniel's face, his lips and his body.

They towelled off in silence, Jack wrapping himself in his old, comfortable black robe, Daniel in his new blue one. The younger man retrieved his glasses from the sink, wiped off the film of steam and put them on. He held out his hand to Jack, and Jack took it, their fingers automatically entwining, and Jack allowed himself to be led into the kitchen where the coffee pot was bubbling gently and reassuringly. He reflected silently that he would pretty much allow Daniel to lead him to hell with the same compliance.

Jack took his usual seat at the kitchen table, and cradled the steaming mug, which the younger man had placed in his hands. He gazed into the blackness and wondered if that was what his life would be like if Daniel ever got killed on a mission. He shuddered.

"Jack?"

"Hmm?"

"This isn't just about yesterday. Do you want to tell me what's going on? You're beginning to freak me out."

Jack sighed and took a long gulp of the hot liquid.

"Okay. Here's the deal. I'm scared. I'm scared that the next time we go through that fucking wormhole either I'm gonna end up dead or worse yet, you are. When we first got together I thought I could handle it. I didn't know how long it would last. Hell, I'd never had a relationship with a guy before, I didn't know how it would work. Buddy fucks and hand jobs in the middle of some godforsaken war zone is a million miles away from being in love with somebody. I never asked for this, Daniel. It just happened."

Looking into his partner's eyes, Jack saw hurt and fear reflected back at him. He moved quickly to reassure him. He took Daniel's hand and squeezed it. "I don't mean that I regret it happened, Danny. God. You know I'm not as good with words as you are, doesn't mean I don't feel it just the same. It was a shock. Can't deny that. But I wouldn't be without you now for anything. And I mean anything. I'm becoming a liability to the team. I care more for you than for Carter and Teal'c, and I'm afraid I could fuck up and put us all in danger." He took another sip of coffee.

" Y'have to understand. I'm Air Force. All my adult life, some General has said 'Go out and shoot that' or 'Go bomb that place.' So I have. Followed orders right from Day One. Even though I'm not exactly... orthodox, you might say."

Daniel grinned, "You might say."

"I've taken care of my team, I've cared about my team, but this is the first time I've fallen in love with one of my team. I thought I loved Carter once, but that soon faded away. Then there was you. I guess I probably fell for you a long time ago but never realised. I thought it was friendship. You were like my kid brother. Then things changed.

It was different for you. You'd had relationships with guys before. None of which I want to know about, by the way."

Daniel smiled. " Jealousy. I like that."

"Huh. Yeah. Go figure." Jack took another long gulp of his now lukewarm coffee, and sighed, "I guess I had a taste of what was coming when you were captured by Nem. We all thought you were dead and it screwed me up way more than it should have. I was gonna retire then, you know? Told the General. He wouldn't let me. He didn't even let me pay for smashing his car window at your wake! Then we found you and everything was okay."

Jack put his head in his hands, "Christ, Danny, I've lost you too many times already. It hurts. More than you can imagine."

Daniel smiled, grimly, "Oh, I can imagine, Jack. I can do more than that. I know. You were lost on Eudora for three months. Three months for God's sake! We thought we'd never get you back. We hardly got any sleep at all, we worked so hard. We tried everything. You weren't dead, but we didn't know that, and you might as well have been. Then we finally found you, and you were with Laira, I just."

"I was never with Laira," Jack interjected, "Not like.well, not like you think. I didn't love her. I was making the best of it. I thought I'd never see you again."

"Okay, I'll give you that one, but for a little while even I thought you were in love with Sam, and that meant you would never be with me. Christ Jack, I've been in love with you for years. Just me and my right hand. 'I care for Carter a lot more than I'm supposed to'. You think that didn't hurt?"

Jack hung his head in shame, unable to find the words to even begin to excuse himself.

"Then there was the whole thing with the bugs, and you expected me to give the order that would kill you. How do you think that felt? Hmm? I watched the torpedoes on the radar. I saw the pictures when they hit the submarine. Dammit Jack, I thought I was going to have to watch you drown or watch the bugs kill you in whatever gruesome way they intended to do it," he cradled Jack's face in his hand. "Look at me, Jack. Don't you think it scares me half to death every time we go on a mission? Don't you think I'm just as scared of losing you? Have you any idea how much I need you? I've lost every single person I ever got close to. My parents were killed, my wife was made a Goa'uld, by Apophis. APOPHIS for fuck's sake! I had to deliver his baby, and then Sha're was killed by one of my best friends ."

"It was Amaunet, Daniel. She would have killed you," Jack interrupted quietly.

"Yeah. I know. I forgave Teal'c. He did the right thing, I know he did. He freed Sha're. It was best." Daniel paused to gather his thoughts and drained his mug before continuing. "My grandfather's off world with whoever the hell they are, then there was Ke'ra, and even my girlfriend from college wasn't safe. I couldn't exactly be accused of making healthy choices when it comes to relationships. At least, not very healthy from the point of view of the person I'm with."

Jack chuckled, "Should I take that as a warning? Seems like you're making my argument for me!"

Daniel smiled, "Point taken."

Jack picked up Daniel's hand and kissed his palm, lightly. " Aw crap. Maybe we should both quit. I'll tell you the other thing that pisses me off. The fact that we have to keep this a secret. When we get back in one piece, the first thing I want to do is hold you in my arms and thank God that we're both all right. I can't do that. Can't remember the amount of times I've wanted to fuck you senseless in the showers, or hold you close and kiss you when you're in your office working, then there's that desk of yours that I keep wanting you to bend me over ."

Daniel pouted, "Jack O'Neill! Anyone would think you only wanted me for one thing."

Jack grinned, "Well, you have to admit, Danny, when we're together it's one helluva thing."

Daniel blushed and grinned right back at him, "One helluva thing, Jack."

"It's not even all that. It's stupid stuff, like the amount of times I've almost called you 'babe' at work. I know it's you calling me that more often than not, and I know I'm not much of a romantic, but I have been known to use terms of endearment like that. On occasion."

Coffee sprayed over the table as Daniel guffawed, "Yeah, but usually those occasions are when I'm buried hilt deep in your ass! Mind you, at least 'babe' beats the hell out of 'Spacemonkey'. Where in God's name did you get that from?"

Jack laughed, "I'm fucked if I know. It just came out, and for the record, that was another time we thought you were dead. God Danny, I really don't want to lose you. Scratch that. I can't lose you, and the longer we keep doing this job, the more likely it is that one of us will end up dead. I wanna do dumb stuff, like go to a gay bar and be able to hold hands, hold you, kiss you in public. I wanna visit San Francisco and cruise the bathhouses, now I know how good gay sex is. Ow! That hurt."

Jack rubbed the sore spot on his arm where Daniel's fist had connected.

"You'll have to discover how to have sex without your dick if you do." Daniel grinned.

" Jealousy. I like that," O'Neill mimicked him, grinning smugly.

Daniel chuckled, "So. What do I do if you retire? If I go back to the academic community I'd never get a job, because even though you and I know that I was right about the pyramids,"

"And boy, were you ever." Jack interjected.

"Well, that's as may be, but no-one else can ever be told. They still think I'm crazy."

"You mean you're not? Let's face it, you're with me. That's more than enough evidence in anyone's language," Jack teased.

Daniel peered over his glasses, "Hmmph. And if I went back to archaeology, I 'd be away on digs half the time. Assuming I could get on one, we'd be apart a lot of the time. What would be the point?"

Jack finished his coffee and considered, "Well, if you can't quit the SGC, I figured you could still work for them even if we tell Hammond about us. You' re a civilian, so the regs don't count. You could take a desk job, still do the stuff with the rocks and shit,"

Daniel frowned. Jack smiled weakly, "or put another way, utilise your extensive archaeological expertise."

"Hmmph. Better." Daniel grunted.

"You could still deal with the language stuff, and I could find work pretty easily as a civilian security consultant. I looked into it when I retired the first time. It could work, Danny. We'd make it work."

The younger man beamed at him, "God, I love you. Come here."

Jack moved around the table, and was grabbed by the neck and drawn down for a tonsil tickling kiss.

"Now, get into that bedroom, Colonel, and get naked, because I'm going to fuck you until you beg me to stop." Daniel grinned.

A wicked glint appeared in Jack's eye. "Hope you've got some viagra in the bedside drawer, Doctor Jackson, because you're not gonna hear me begging for that any time soon. Last one to the bedroom's a pansy."

Daniel stood up and removed his robe wiggling his hips suggestively as Jack stood, positively drooling.

"Well, I would guess that makes both of us," Daniel smiled coquettishly.

O'Neill shook his head. "Daniel, you have the most beautiful ass I have ever seen. It has 'Lick me, Jack, Suck me, Jack, Fuck me, Jack' written all over it. Who am I to argue? Lemme at it!"

Part Two

Jack snuggled further into Daniel's embrace, laying his head on the younger man's chest and resting an arm across his body. Daniel placed a kiss on top of Jack's greying head and sighed.

"Do you think we could do this forever?" he asked.

Jack smiled, "The sex or the snuggles?"

Daniel grinned, "Both."

"The snuggles I can do any time."

The younger man chuckled, "Yeah. Who would have thought you'd be such a sucker for a cuddle?"

Jack raised his head, "You tell and I'm gonna have to kill you."

Daniel pushed his head back down, "Oh shut up, macho man. As if I would. But then again.I could always blackmail you with it."

"Too late, Jackson. I already told you. I'm retiring. I have this little fantasy,"

"Go on.no, let me guess. You want to go down on me in the 'gateroom?"

Jack stroked Daniel's chest, his hand slowly making it's way down his body. "Actually, no, but it's an idea," he grinned, "You standing on the ramp in your bandana and your khaki BDUs that wrap around your tight little ass so well, leaning against the railings,"

Daniel squirmed as Jack's hand wrapped itself around his dick, which was beginning to show signs of interest. "Keep going."

"Then I could kneel in front of you,"

"Hmmm."

"Unbutton your pants," Jack's hand started to massage him.

"Yeeeahh."

"Take out your dick and squeeze it. I'd rub it slowly."

"Aaaaahh."

"Kinda like this,"

"Ah God, go on Jack. Keep talking."

Jack chuckled. This was a new one, he'd have to store this away for later.

"Then I'd look up into the control room and see all the guys up there. Walter at the computer, and Teal'c, and Carter."

"Oh Jesus."

"and General Hammond looking down on us, with their jaws on the floor."

"Mmmm, God, that's it Jack, squeeze it. Ooohh. All of em?" Daniel asked breathlessly.

"All of em. And then, just when I'm sure I've got their attention, I'd take your dick in my mouth and suck it. Like this."

Jack's hot, wet mouth descended on Daniel's by now rock hard cock and took him in to the root, sliding and sucking, changing the pace as Daniel writhed and moaned beneath him.

"Oh Christ, Jack. How did you get so damned good at this? Must have been all that.aaahh.b.b.battlefield training." Jack nipped the mushroomed head and grinned.

"Ouch!"

"Less of the lip, Doctor."

Daniel pushed Jack's head back down firmly, "More of the lip, Colonel and a little more tongue while you're at it."

Jack continued sucking, rubbing his own hardening cock at the same time.

"Jack.ooh Jack."

O'Neill stopped abruptly.

"What?! Dammit, I was really getting somewhere."

Jack grinned, "But my Mom always told me it's rude to talk with your mouth full. Do you want me to carry on telling you about my fantasy?"

Daniel's eyes widened and his cock jerked, "Yeah. Tell me. Everything."

"Well, after I've sucked you for a little while and made sure your cock was really hard.like it is now."

"Yeah?"

"I'd unbutton my pants so that you can take 'em down."

"Uh-huh."

"Then I'd lean forward against the railings."

He got out of bed and braced himself against the nightstand.

"Like this."

Daniel grinned, clearly enjoying the scenario, and got out of bed to join him.

"Then," Daniel continued, "I'd kneel down behind you, stroking my dick, like this." He began to slide his hand up and down his erection wantonly, inviting the Colonel to watch. "Then I'd part the cheeks of your ass, "

"Ooooh yeah."

"And do this."

He began to lick and lave the older man's tight pucker, sliding his tongue gently in and out, able to taste his own come from their previous coupling.

"Oh God, Danny. Yeah. Do it."

"Then, when I'm sure your gorgeous ass is really ready for me," he stood and positioned himself, resting the head of his cock at Jack's entrance.

"I'd do this." He slid inside, his full length, making his lover gasp and push back against him. Grasping Jack's hips he began to rock.

"and. in front of. the whole SGC." he moved more swiftly, sliding balls deep with every stroke. "I'd fuck you. You want that, Jack?" he breathed.

"Oh damn, yeah! Fuck me, Danny. Fuck me hard. Ah God." One of Jack's hands moved to his own cock, stroking and pulling as Daniel fucked him hard and fast.

"Mmmm, oh yeah." Daniel panted, "The geek fucking the ass of the big, bad 2IC of Stargate Command, right there in the 'gateroom. With everybody watching. Oh Christ! Oh, they'd know then wouldn't they? Hmm?" he panted, "They'd know you were mine. Get in their goddamned, supercilious. military. 'Don't ask, oooh, don't tell', mmmm. fucking faces with it, aaaaahh."

"Yeah do it, Daniel. We'll show 'em all. Oh God.Daniel!"

Jack's come splattered out onto the wooden nightstand as Daniel jerked inside him, drawing his fingers so hard down Jack's back as he came, that red welts appeared under the skin.

He rested on Jack's back, their breathing slowly returning to normal, and Daniel kissed his neck.

"Wow." Jack turned his head and kissed Daniel's lips. "You are one sweet fuck, Doc Jackson. Holy shit."

"Flattered I'm sure," Daniel smiled, and withdrew from his lover with a final kiss to his glowing back.

"Ooh Jeez, Jack. I'm sorry."

"What?"

"Your back."

Jack looked in the mirror and saw the angry marks where Daniel's nails had scored him. He smiled, almost proudly, and grabbed Daniel for a searing kiss.

"Geek? Geek my ass. You're a tiger. And you're my tiger. I'm never letting you go, Danny. I'll tell Hammond today. You and me. Together. For good."

Daniel pulled back, resting his hands on the other man's waist. "God, you're really serious about this, aren't you?"

"Never more so. I." he looked down at the floor, unsure whether or not to tell Daniel what was in his heart. "Crap. I'm lousy at this."

The younger man cradled Jack's face in his hands. "What is it? You can tell me anything, Jack, you know that. Out with it."

Jack smiled. "It's not really the kind of thing you can just 'come out' with," he chuckled, "if you see what I mean? I know we've been together a while, but the way I feel about you is.well, it's all new to me. Like I said, I've had sex with guys before, but I never fell for one before you and it still kinda freaks me out sometimes. Especially what I'm feeling right now."

"Which is?"

"I.ah dammit. I want to marry you, Danny."

"Wha.?"

"Yeah. Crazy, huh? I mean. can we do that? " Jack blushed. Daniel thought it was the sweetest thing he'd ever seen.

"I think so," he smiled.

"I'm 45 years old, been straight all my life, well, basically straight. Career military. I just.I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Make a commitment. I wanna go stand on the top of Cheyenne Mountain and yell out at the top of my lungs, 'I love Daniel Jackson and if anybody can't handle it, they can stick it up their ass!' You've made me happier in the last two years than I can ever remember. When we first met I was ready to die. Hell, I wanted to. After losing Charlie, I thought my life was over. I never thought I'd be able to get past that kind of pain. Never wanted anyone to get that close to me again. I drove Sara away because I shut her out. Couldn 't share how I felt. You pulled me past that, kicking and screaming. You. Nobody else could do it. You made me feel again. I guess I couldn't help but fall in love with you. Oh God, I sound like an idiot."

Daniel pulled him close, fighting back the tears, "No, you don't. It's okay," he whispered.

Jack tenderly wiped one stray tear from Daniel's face with his finger. "See, I can't risk losing you. I won't. I want us to end up a pair of crabby old queens, bickering over whose turn it is to do the laundry or take out the trash. I want you in my life forever, Danny. Will you?"

"Will I what?"

"Jesus. For a bright guy. you want me to get down on one knee? Is that it? Because you know I can't, it fuckin' kills me."

Daniel laughed through his tears. "Will I marry you?"

Jack nodded, still embarrassed.

"Let me see. To coin a phrase, 'yeahsurey'betcha'," he smiled.

Jack held him close.

"You're the only one in this world who's ever made me feel safe," Daniel whispered into his neck.

That made Jack chuckle, "Safe? In this job? You have to be kiddin' me!"

Daniel laughed with him, "Yeah. I guess. I don't mean physically safe necessarily, I love you, Jack. I don't want to live without you. I've been scared all this time that you'd wise up and decide that being with me was a mistake, or that someone would find out and your career would be over. When we're together I feel like I could do anything, that we could be together always. Then I see you back in your element again and.I'd be afraid that you 'd leave, break up with me, and I wasn't sure how or if I'd be able to handle it."

"And now?"

"Now I feel like I could take on the world with one hand tied behind my back. You are mine, Jack O'Neill. Fuck em all."

They took the drive into Cheyenne Mountain in virtual silence, but there was no tension between them, both had knowing smiles on their faces the whole trip. Every so often Jack would ruffle Daniel's hair or Daniel would squeeze Jack's thigh. They entered the elevator and began the long journey down.

"So, how are we going to do this?" Daniel asked, "Together, or separately?"

Jack shrugged, "I guess I could go in first, prepare George for the bad news. I'm the one resigning. Then you could come in later and we could try and work something out."

"He's gonna go ape. You know that, don't you?"

Jack put an arm around him. "He'll be fine. He doesn't have much of a choice, now, does he?"

As the doors opened, Jack and Daniel were in a close embrace, Jack's tongue attempting to extract one of Daniel's wisdom teeth.

"Ahem."

Jack turned to see a young, extremely red-faced airman waiting to use the elevator, who then saluted smartly, "Sorry, Sir."

Jack grinned broadly, "Hey, no problem, Airman. We're getting married!"

The doors closed on the astonished, blushing young man as Jack and Daniel walked down the corridor roaring with laughter.

They were still giggling as they rounded the corner, almost falling over Sam Carter.

"Morning Sir, Daniel. What's so funny?" she asked.

Jack put his arm around Daniel's waist and squeezed, "Oh, we have news, Major."

Sam raised her eyebrows quizzically.

"Big news." Jack repeated, smiling.

"Huge." Daniel continued, looking at Jack and grinning.

"We'll see you later." With that, Jack strode purposefully down the corridor towards General Hammond's office.

"Daniel? What's going on?"

Jackson hugged her, "We'll tell you later. Go find Teal'c and we'll meet you in the Commissary in about a half hour. Okay?"

Sam nodded dumbly as Daniel jogged off to catch up with the Colonel.

Jack stood outside General Hammond's closed office door and took a deep breath.

"You still sure you want to do this, Jack?" Daniel asked.

O'Neill cupped Daniel's chin and kissed him, softly, for once neither looking around, nor caring if anyone saw them. "Absolutely. I told you. You and me. Together. No more hiding, no more fighting. Let someone else risk getting their ass blown to kingdom come, for a change. Personally, I have plans for yours."

Jack knocked twice.

"Enter."

The General looked up from his desk and smiled, "C'mon in, Colonel. What can I do for you?"

Jack sat down and crossed his legs, "Well, sir, you could accept my resignation."

Hammond dropped his pen. "What?! What's this about?"

"It's pretty simple, General. I want to resign from the Air Force. Effective immediately."

Daniel leaned against the wall outside the General's office, one arm wrapped around his waist, his head resting in the other hand. Various people walked by him, and occasionally someone would throw a concerned look his way, but Daniel was oblivious. After a few minutes, he took to pacing back and forth past the closed office door like an expectant father, frowning, hands in his pockets, clenching and unclenching.

Inside the small room, General Hammond was having difficulty taking in Jack' s bombshell. "You're my second, Jack. One of the best officers I've ever served with, even though you bend the rules to breaking point sometimes. I don't want to lose you. Are you under pressure? D'you want some personal time?"

"There's more than one reason I want to go, George. I'm sick of it. I've been fighting for a long time. Not as long as you have, I know, but I'm still out there in the front line and I've been in some pretty tough spots. We all have."

Hammond had to concede that what Jack and SG1 had faced certainly rivalled his experiences during the war in Vietnam.

"You're out there because you're damned good at your job. As are all of SG1. You're the best hope we have of stopping the Goa'uld from coming back and finishing the job they started 10,000 years ago. SG1 works as well as it does because you all have strengths which complement each other. You go out there and get the job done. That's why I let you get away with blue murder."

Jack smiled proudly. "Yes, we do. SG1 are the best I've ever worked with. Carter is a freakin' genius, Teal'c could probably stop a tank with his bare hands and Daniel. well, Daniel has pulled our asses out of the fire more times than anyone's given him credit for, sir. If it wasn't for him, the SGC wouldn't exist, and the Stargate would just be a pretty ring of metal stored in a basement someplace. Which is something else the boys at the Pentagon seem to forget on a regular basis. Truth is, he's partly the reason why I'm leaving."

"Doctor Jackson? What does he have to do with all this?"

"There's no easy or subtle way of saying this, and you know me, sir, I don't do subtle real well." Jack said, sheepishly.

The General chuckled softly.

"Me and Daniel have been together for the last two years."

"Together as in a relationship?"

"Yes."

"You and Doctor Jackson."

"Yup."

"Well, I can't say I'm not surprised, Colonel. I didn't know you were.I mean, I didn't know you preferred." the General spluttered.

Jack smiled, "Don't worry, sir. I haven't been having sex with every cute guy on the base. Just Daniel."

Hammond frowned, "And it's serious?"

"Oh yeah."

"Are you being blackmailed, Jack?"

"No, sir."

"Then why? You could have kept it quiet. Hell, I'm your Commanding Officer and I had no idea, and if it's been going on for two years, you must have been discreet about it. I don't want to break up SG1, you're my premier field unit. Are you sure this is really what you want? I don't want you to do something you'll regret later on. I'd be prepared to forget this conversation ever happened, and we can go back to business as usual. You can stay with Doctor Jackson and I can ignore the fact that it's going on. Assuming you can conduct your relationship as you have been up to now."

Jack shook his head and sighed. "I don't want to skulk around in the shadows any more. I love Daniel, pure and simple. I love him like I loved Sara - my ex-wife, sir. I couldn't exactly turn up at an official function with Daniel on my arm, despite the fact that I'm sure he'd look just great in a satin ballgown."

The General smiled despite himself.

"I know we can't be accepted by the military, as dumb as the 'don't ask, don 't tell' rule is, so I'm quitting. This isn't a flash in the pan thing, George. It's not some voyage of sexual discovery. Been there, done that. I'm too old in the tooth to be messing around. He wants me for me. He doesn't give a damn that I'm a crabby old sonovabitch, with no patience and bad knees. We argue like cat and dog at times, and he won't take my bullshit any more than I'll take his. He's good for me, General, and I want to be with him, and frankly, every time we go on a mission I'm scared to death I'll lose him. That makes me a liability to the rest of SG1 and that's not only unfair, it's dangerous. I won't put them in danger because I feel more for Daniel than I do for Teal'c and Carter. I don't expect you to understand, or even accept it. I'm just telling you. I quit."

"Then I guess that's it. I can't persuade you?"

Jack shook his head, "Not a chance. There is just one thing, though."

"And that is?"

"Daniel wants to stay on with the SGC, but as a consultant, not as part of a field unit. Can that be done?"

"I don't see why not, I'd hate to lose his experience as well as yours, but it would have to come from him."

Jack rose and opened the door, "Danny? Wanna come in for a minute?"

Daniel entered the room nervously.

"It's all right, son. The Colonel's told me all about you two. Why don't you have a seat?"

Daniel drew up a chair next to Jack, who put his hand reassuringly on the other man's shoulder.

"So, you two are an item, huh?" Hammond asked Daniel, smiling.

"Yes," Daniel said quietly, "ahem. Yes," he repeated, much more confidently. "Yes, we are. Absolutely."

"Well, I can't say I'm very happy about you taking away my 2IC, Doctor Jackson. Can't say I didn't wish you were a female, either, but that's not really open to debate."

Daniel smiled, "Sorry I can't be of any more assistance, General. The fact is that Jack and I are in love. That may not be a nice fact as far as the military is concerned, but it's a fact all the same. Jack is Air Force, and for us to make a life together he has to leave. I'm a civilian, and hopefully the same regulations don't apply. Frankly, I'd have a pretty hard time of it if I did have to leave the SGC. I'd be laughed out of academia, it's unlikely I'd be able to even get on a dig of any significance. As far as they're all concerned I'm a deluded idiot. Like my grandfather. The fact that we were both right is neither here nor there in the wider world, because no-one can tell them. I could still bring a lot to the programme, General. No-one knows more about the Goa'uld than I do, except Teal'c. As good as my staff are, no-one has the language expertise I have, or the extent of the archaeological experience. I haven't studied ancient Egypt, I've lived it."

General Hammond put up his hand to stop Daniel before the young man became breathless.

"It's all right, son. You don't have to convince me how important you are to the Stargate programme. I know better than anyone how big your contribution has been and still is. Personally, if being together makes you happy, then that's just fine with me. I wish you both well. Obviously from a military point of view, I have to go with the regulations and accept the Colonel's resignation, but with a heavy heart, I might add. I wish there was another way, Jack, but there isn't. As far as you're concerned, Doctor Jackson, I see no reason why you shouldn't continue working for the SGC. You're not a security risk, since the military rules don't apply to you in this particular case. Obviously I'll have to clear it with the Pentagon, but I have a certain amount of influence," he smiled, "and we certainly couldn't afford to lose your expertise for the sake of who you're sleeping with."

Daniel blushed.

"SG1 will have to be completely re-structured. Do Major Carter and Teal'c know about this?"

Jack shook his head. "Not yet. We're planning on telling them right after we leave here. We thought you should be the first to know."

"Well, all right then. Get a your resignation to me in writing, Jack, and I' ll process it immediately. Doctor Jackson, I'll have to do a little shifting around of personnel and I'd appreciate any recommendations, but before I do, I'll contact the Pentagon to appraise them of the situation. I'll be in touch, but in the meantime I'll put SG1 on stand down. Can't let you go quite yet, Colonel. Not til the paperwork is through."

"Yes, sir."

Hammond sighed. "I'll be sorry to see you go, Jack. It's been quite a ride."

"Quite a ride, sir," Jack smiled.

"I know I've said it before, but you are two of the best people I've ever had the privilege to serve with." Hammond stood and saluted.

Jack returned the salute. "Thank you. You too, sir."

"Dismissed."

Jack gently closed the door to Hammond's office and took Daniel by the hand.

"That went pretty well," Daniel smiled.

"Yeah, I guess it did at that," Jack replied, squeezing his hand. He picked up their conjoined hands and looked at them in wonder. "God, Daniel. I feel like I've had the weight of the world taken off my shoulders."

" Are you still sure you made the right choice, now it's done?"

Jack pulled him into a close embrace and nuzzled into his neck, laughing. "Yahsurey'betchasnookums."

Daniel pulled away and kissed him, "I love you, Jack. It'll be all right ."

"I can't believe you just did that outside Hammond's fuckin' office!" Jack chuckled.

Daniel grinned, "Know what? I couldn't give a shit." He stroked Jack's cheek softly. "I can't believe you just did that for me. You've given up everything. I can't tell you how much that means to me."

Jack leaned into Daniel's hand and kissed his palm. "Not for me Danny, for us. I can't imagine being without you. Don't wanna even try. If I had to bungee jump from the Brooklyn Bridge I'd do it. I'd take on a battalion of Jaffa armed with nothing but a rubber band and a coupla paper clips."

Daniel smiled, "You're not MacGuyver, Jack."

"Maybe not, but I look kinda like him, don't I?" he smiled back, taking Daniel's hand again and they began walking down to the Commissary to tell Sam and Teal'c their news.

Daniel loosed his hand and slipped his arm around Jack's waist. "Except for the hair."

Part Three

Sam turned around in her seat to get a good look around the commissary, which was fairly quiet because of the time of day. Shift changes had already happened, breakfast was long since over and lunch was an hour or so away.

"Daniel said half an hour. That was forty five minutes ago. Where the hell are they?"

"I do not know, Major, but if DanielJackson said they would be here, they will be here." Teal'c replied, with his usual pragmatism and complete confidence in the honesty and sincerity of both men.

Sam took a sip of her orange juice and sighed, "I wish I knew what all this was about. They were acting very strangely. Do you have any idea?"

"I do not."

"Well, they said it was big news, it obviously concerns both of them. It was almost like..."

"Almost like what?"

"Like they were... together."

Teal'c quizzically raised an eyebrow, "But did you not just say that they were together when they spoke to you?"

"I don't mean like that, Teal'c. I mean... together."

"I do not understand."

Sam smiled, "No. I guess you don't."

"Hey kids! Sorry we're late, we got a little..." Jack looked at Daniel, who was blushing furiously, and grinned, "... distracted. I'll get us some coffee. Carter?"

Sam shook her head, "No, thank you Sir, I'm fine."

"Teal'c?"

"I do not drink the coffee here. It is swill. But thank you, O'Neill."

"Swill? Daniel teach you that?"

Teal'c nodded, slowly, smiling. Daniel smiled proudly through his blush and Carter giggled. Daniel sat at the table with his head so far down, it was threatening to disappear into his t-shirt.

Okey dokey," Jack smiled, and went up to the counter. Looking back he shouted, "Don't you tell 'em anything til I get back there, Daniel. I wanna see their faces when we tell 'em!"

Sam decided to see if she could get Daniel to spill the beans anyway, and sidled up close to him, smiling sweetly and resting her head on his shoulder. "Daniel?"

Jackson shook his head and grinned at her, "Nuh-uh. He'd kill me."

"And?"

"Okay, I know. Been there, done that, but he's Special Ops trained, Sam. You can bet he'd find some way creative."

Carter banged the table in frustration, "Damn! Party pooper."

"You must curb your impatience, Major Carter," admonished Teal'c, "We will find out soon enough, but I must confess to becoming curious myself about your news, DanielJackson."

Jack returned with the tray, coffee for himself, tea for Daniel. The younger man always preferred tea in the commissary, his delicate coffee palate unable to stomach the cheap blend they always served here.

Sam couldn't contain herself any longer. "So?"

Jack smiled enigmatically, "So. Been busy?" he teased.

"Sir!"

Jack threw up his hands in defeat. "Okay, okay! Don't blow a gasket, Major. So. Tell 'em, Daniel."

Jackson took a deep breath, "Well, er... ah... I'm not sure how to start."

"Oh fer cryin' out loud! We're getting married." Jack grasped Daniel's hand across the table and smiled, looking into his lover's eyes.

The last three words were delivered to a silence so complete, you could have heard a pin drop. The silence was almost immediately broken by mutterings around the room.

Teal'c's eyebrows almost hit the ceiling, but other than that, there was no response from the big Jaffa. Sam initially chuckled, "That's a good one Sir, very original." Then something in the way the two men were looking at each other made her gut clench in shock. Her jaw dropped, coming to rest softly on the table top, her eyes as big as saucers.

"You're kidding, right? Sir??"

Daniel and Jack were completely immersed in each other, hardly noticing the stares from the other diners, or the abject shock on the face of their colleague.

"Colonel!"

"What?! Oh, Carter, sorry. Just stepped out for a minute there."

"Getting married? You and... you and... but... You and Daniel? Sir? Are you serious?"

Daniel wrapped his arm around Sam's shoulders. "We've been lovers for the past two years. We didn't tell you, because... oh God, there were a million reasons why we didn't tell you. Not that we didn't think you'd understand..."

"I don't," Sam snapped.

"Well, I guess it'll take a little getting used to," he smiled and squeezed her gently.

"You're not... I mean, I didn't know you were gay. Either of you, let alone both, let alone that you were..." she babbled.

"We're not," answered Jack, "well, I wasn't, I mean, not officially... kind of... we're... I mean... Daniel? Help me out here."

"The thing is, Sam, Teal'c. I had feelings for Jack almost from the beginning. I've been bisexual for most of my adult life. You weren't to know, it's not the kind of thing that comes up in general conversation and not the kind of thing you share unless it's necessary. The problem was never which sex I wanted to have a relationship with, it was just that I wasn't good at relationships. Period. Until him that is," he smiled.

"But Daniel, what about Sha're? Didn't you love her at all?"

"Of course I did, even though she was a gift. Trouble was, I was attracted to Jack when we went to Abydos, despite the fact that he was a complete jerk, and hated my guts."

"Hey!"

"Sorry Jack, but you were. At the beginning, at least."

"Well, okay, maybe I was. But I never hated you."

"Did."

"Didn't."

"Yes, you did."

"Did not!"

Daniel frowned, "Anyway. We started working together and I fell for him, God help me. Big time. I knew he didn't feel the same about me, or at least that's what I thought, and I did love Sha're. I just chalked it up to another unrequited crush. Then.well, then things changed and we got together. It turned out that Jack cared about me in the same way as I cared about him. He wanted the same things, but fought it off. I had no idea."

"You had no idea," Sam snorted, "What about General Hammond? What did he have to say about this?"

Jack chewed lazily on his slightly stale Danish and shrugged, "Not much he could say, seeing as I retired. Again."

Sam crumpled in her seat. "So, you're breaking up the team. Thanks a ton, Sir. They'll probably shuffle me off into a lab somewhere. Couldn't you just have kept quiet about it?"

Daniel looked at Jack, puzzled and concerned. This obviously wasn't the reaction they were expecting, particularly from Sam Carter.

"Sam, we thought you'd be happy for us." Daniel said, quietly.

Sam's face softened and she took Daniel's hand. "Don't get me wrong, Daniel. I am.I guess. I care for both of you and I want you both to be happy. Just didn't ever dream you'd find happiness with each other. It's a lot to get my head around, Sir. You just turned my world upside down. Teal'c's too. I just assumed you were both straight, you've both been married, both had relationships with women apart from your wives. What else was I supposed to think? You've never shown the slightest indication to me that you were attracted to men, or each other for that matter. Two years?"

Jack nodded, "Yup. Been living together for almost one."

"Why the hell didn't you say something? Didn't you think we had a right to know?" she almost shouted.

"Jesus, Carter! What are you? A cop?" Jack bristled, "We didn't think it necessary to put an ad in the base bulletin. We also didn't think you needed to know. Not then. Don't ask, don't tell. You didn't ask and neither did Hammond. Besides, it didn't affect the job. As your CO, it really didn't cross my mind to share who I was having a wild time making love with, and I'm so sorry if that's rained on your parade, Major, but that's the way it is. I'm in love. With him." Jack jerked a thumb in Daniel's direction, "I'm gonna get married. To him." Jack's tone softened. "Look, Carter. You and Teal'c are the nearest thing we both really have to family. We were hoping you'd be supportive. Let's face it, Daniel is in love with me, the guy needs all the help he can get."

"The guy can take care of himself just fine, flyboy." Daniel retorted.

"Dammit Daniel, you said you'd never call me that at work!" Jack blushed.

"You retired. It doesn't count."

"If anyone calls anyone else here 'baby', 'honeypie', or 'sweetcheeks', I'm going to have to leave." Sam smiled.

Her smile broke the tension, and all eyes turned to Teal'c, who sat as impassively as ever.

"So, big fella. What's your take on all this?" Jack enquired, wrapping his arm possessively around Daniel who had come to take the seat next to him.

"I have no take, O'Neill." Teal'c replied. "There is no custom on Chulak for a man to take another man for his wife. There are sometimes physical and emotional relationships between warriors, but there can be no formal union between them."

"So, what happens?" asked Daniel.

"Usually, the two men take wives and continue to see each other in secret. It is, as here, 'do not ask, do not tell'. The wives know what is happening, but never speak of it for fear of shaming themselves and their husbands. Since coming to your world I have learned many new customs and this union of men is one of them, even though it is not widely accepted. Perhaps it would work on Chulak, but not for many centuries, I fear. I am happy for you, O'Neill. I am sure DanielJackson will make you a good wife."

This last remark heralded chuckles around the table. Even Teal'c was grinning.

"Never thought of it that way," Jack grinned, "Hmm. Wife. I like the sound of that. Wife! Get my slippers. Wife! Where's my dinner?"

"Husband! Get over here so I can kick your ass." Daniel responded, smiling calmly.

"You think you're man enough, Dannyboy?" Jack parried, warming to the verbal sparring.

"You want me to show you again, so soon?" Daniel leered.

"Just wait til I get you home." Jack replied, a wolfish grin appearing on his face.

"Oh guys, wait up there. Very nearly waaaaay too much information." Sam interjected.

Both men grinned, sheepishly. "Sorry, Sam." Daniel apologised.

"Ah, yeah, sorry Carter."

"Are you two like this all the time?" she smiled.

The lovers looked at each other and smiled inanely. "Pretty much," Jack answered.

Sam rolled her eyes. "Why am I not surprised? Although I never really figured you for such a sap, Colonel."

"Oh Sam, you have no idea," Daniel grinned, looking at his blushing lover, who shot him a glare.

"Hey. I'm retired. Paperwork still has to go through, but what say we give Jack a try, huh?"

"Sure. Jack," she smiled. "So, where do we all go from here?"

Jack shrugged, "Tell you the truth, I don't really know. I'm hanging up my boots, Daniel is staying on with a desk job, because quite honestly I've been on my own way long enough and there's no way some slimy snake-head is going to take him away from me. I don't know what Hammond has planned for you guys, I think he's still reeling."

"He's not the only one."

"Sam, I'm sorry we didn't tell you before," Daniel said softly, "Neither of us knew how long this would last. We wanted to be sure. Up to now, we've been able to work together and keep it quiet. Now? Now, it's different. I couldn't guarantee I would watch your back or Tea'lc's, as conscientiously as I should. I'm in love with Jack and I don't know if I'd save his life over yours, even if it wasn't the right choice for the team, but I might. I don't want to put us all in jeopardy like that."

Jack nodded his agreement, "That goes for me too, and for the CO to take more care of one of his team than the others, just can't happen. Not only that, but I've come to terms with being with him now. It doesn't screw with my head anymore. We love each other and make each other happy. I'm done hiding, I'm too old for that crap. I want to be out in the open. If folks don't like it, that's too damn bad, but at least this way I can't be fired for holding hands with the person I love."

"I guess so, S... Jack. Having a hard time getting used to all this. That's all."

"I know, Carter. I realise it's kind of a shock to everyone. It hasn't been exactly a walk in the park for us either, for all the reasons you came up with before. Still, now you're in the picture."

"Yep, I guess we are. So what's this about you getting married? You proposed?"

Jack nodded, "An officer and a gentleman."

Sam laughed, "You don't mean you picked him up and took him outside?"

"Yep," he grinned, mimicking Homer Simpson, "I'm going to the back seat of my car with the man I love, and I might be ten minutes!"

"Be careful, we might start calling Daniel 'Marge'", Sam teased.

Daniel sent her a mock hurt look, "Sam, I swear if you ever do that, I'll divulge your innermost secrets."

Sam blushed, he had no idea of her innermost secret. Why would he? She'd never told him how she felt about him. They were friends, great friends. The best, but he would never know now that she had wanted it to be more.

The truth was, their little revelation had hit Sam to the core. Up to now, she'd been content to hope that one day Daniel would fall for her the way she had fallen for him. She'd never meant it to happen, she guessed it was just a consequence of their close friendship. They talked a lot, laughed a lot, got along like a house on fire. She'd never thought to confess to him the amount of nights she'd lain awake, or cried herself to sleep thinking about him. Now it was too late. He'd found the other half of himself he'd always been looking for and it was Jack fucking O'Neill.

In hindsight it wasn't so much of a surprise. They shared each other's personal space way more than was normal for two guys. Daniel was much more physical with Jack than he was even with her. He would allow Jack to take liberties with him that he'd never allow anyone else to take. His glasses, for example. It was okay for Jack to push them up, or take them off, but he wouldn't let anyone else get that close. Ever. Then there was the time they all thought he was dead on Apophis' ship. She had naively thought that his smile was for all of them, but thinking about it now, he was just looking at Jack. The smile had been for him, and only for him. She remembered the time when Jack's mind was flooded with the knowledge of the ancients. Daniel wouldn't leave his side the whole time, or so she was told. If he could have, Sam thought Daniel would have gone through the 'gate with him, heedless of the fact that it could have been a one way ride.

She went back to her office almost spitting bullets. It was hard to keep the façade of being happy for them, when not only had the Colonel turned her working world upside down, but had broken her heart at the same time by taking away any chance she had with Daniel, forever. The dilemma was that part of her was happy. She really did love them both in different ways and really did want them to be happy. It would have been so much easier if they'd met someone from the outside though. For some reason, it stuck in Sam's craw that they were together. It was her problem, she acknowledged it was her problem and it was up to her to suck it up and get over it.

She did the only thing she could do. She called Janet.

About an hour later Jack sauntered into Daniel's office and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Jack!"

"What?"

Daniel blushed, "Oh yeah, I forgot. We're out now aren't we?"

"Oh yeah," Jack grinned and decided if he was going to be a bear, he might as well be a grizzly, and after winking into the security camera above them, he swooped down to take Daniel's gaping mouth in a full-on kiss. With tongues.

"Mmmmpphffff."

"I'm sorry?"

Daniel fought to catch his breath, "Nothing. Not a thing. I'm fine. More than fine. C'mere."

Daniel grabbed the Colonel's jacket and pulled him forward again, doing some serious exploration of his own, leaving the older man breathless too.

"Woah! That was... you are... damn Daniel. How in God's name do you do this to me? Two years we've been together, and you can make me hard just like that. I wonder sometimes how the hell I keep up with you!"

Daniel grinned, "Talent, Jack. Pure talent. Not to mention the fact that I love you down to the roots of your hair."

"Now, y'see there you go again. Talking about taking me down to the root."

"That's not what I said and you know it."

Jack grinned mischievously, "Do you think we've squicked them enough to have turned off the cameras?"

"Jaaaack..." Daniel admonished.

"Oh, all right. I can wait til we get to the truck. But no longer. I am so gonna blow you in the parking garage."

Daniel choked on his coffee, "Jesus, Jack, don't do that!"

"Try and stop me, spacemonkey."

"Oh, God. What am I going to do with you?"

"Well, you can blow me in the truck. After. I'm sure I'll be needing a little relief, and turnabout's fair play." Jack replied innocently.

"Out."

"But Daniel..."

"OUT! I am trying to find a minister or someone who can marry us. Gay marriage isn't legal in Colorado, so we can't have a civil wedding..."

Jack snorted, "Hmmph, no wedding I've ever been to has been civil. Always ends up with somebody fightin' somebody."

"I didn't mean... Jack, please. Just leave me be for half an hour. Then we can have a little lunch, take ourselves off to the parking garage and I can have dessert," he smirked.

"Me too!"

"You'd better. Now go, shoo, skedaddle. I have work to do." Daniel waved him away.

"Well, okay, but don't forget, all work and no play makes Jack a grouchy old bear."

"Half an hour. Forty five minutes tops. Forget lunch. My lips, my tongue. Your hard-on. Promise."

Jack put his hands in his pockets and turned on his heel, leaving Daniel's office, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

"Oh yeah!"

Daniel shook his head and smiled. Two years down the line and he still couldn't believe how happy Jack made him. Or how horny. He shifted in his seat and tried to think of the translation he was attempting to finish.

Jack was grouchy, stubborn, petulant at times, bright and breezy at six in the morning... Daniel shuddered at the thought. Even when Daniel had tried to keep him up all night - literally - the man was still awake at dawn. Thankfully, Jack knew how to deal with 'Morning Daniel'. Mostly coffee, coffee and more coffee. Daniel had gradually trained him in the coffee addict's ways, and apart from one extremely explosive incident with a pack of Folger's decaff, Jack was coming along nicely.

Distracted from his search, a thought occurred to him. He picked up the telephone and began to dial.

"Hello? Cascade Police Department? I'd like to speak to Blair Sandburg please."

"Well, whadaya know?" Blair put down the phone and ran his fingers through his unruly mop.

"Chief?" Jim Ellison enquired.

"A... friend. From college. Daniel Jackson. We studied anthropology together. He's getting married."

"That's great. Do you know her?"

Blair chuckled, "No Jim, not her, him. And not personally, although Daniel's told me plenty. He's a Colonel in the Air Force."

Jim raised his eyebrows, "The how the hell can they get married? The military isn't exactly famous for its tolerance."

"Jack retired. For Daniel. Man, that's some commitment. He must love Danny a whole lot."

Jim went quiet, "Yeah. So, er, you and Daniel?"

"Yeah."

"Good friends?"

Blair squirmed in his seat, "Yeah, we were... yeah, real good friends."

The sudden flush on Sandburg's face and his quickening heartbeat told Jim what he wanted to know. Something he'd been wanting to know for a while. Blair and Daniel had been lovers, which meant that Blair had been with guys before. It didn't necessarily mean that Jim's attraction to the young man was reciprocated, but it was a start. A few times he'd noticed the smell of arousal on his Guide, but Ellison was never sure enough that he was the reason, to follow it up. Something to pay close attention to from now on.

"He wants me to go down to Colorado Springs. Come to his bachelor party, be his best man, or something. Hell, I've never been to one of these things before. I have no idea!" Blair laughed.

"When?"

"Next weekend. You wanna come?"

Jim smiled and shook his head, "Can't. Sorry, Chief. Simon's booked me for a stakeout next weekend."

Blair looked puzzled. "He never said."

"Oh it wasn't for you to worry about. Just a favour for another Captain. Only needs one of us. You go ahead to Colorado Springs and have a good time. And no hitting on the bridesmaids... or whatever."

Sandburg's puzzled expression deepened. "Sure. Okay, Jim. I'll call Daniel back and tell him."

"I'm going to the snack machine. You want anything?"

"Man, since when have you known me put any of that crap into my body?"

Ellison threw up his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. Only asking. There's always a first time. For everything."

Blair could swear he saw something flicker in Jim's eyes, desire maybe? A dare? Was he flirting?

"Nah. Not possible." Blair whispered to himself and picked up the phone.

"Ah Christ, love you Daniel. Bless the gods of tinted windows and big parking garages." Jack sighed, ruffling Daniel's hair as the younger man tucked Jack's soft member back into his pants and zipped them up. "I thought the top of my head was gonna come off."

"Mmm. Me too. You really are something, Jack. How come we've never done this before?"

"In the truck?"

Daniel nodded.

"I...'ve thought about it. Once or twice. For a little while. All the fucking time," he grinned.

"Kinky. Dangerous. I like it. Think of any more public places we could do it?"

Jack snorted, "You mean like all the storerooms in the SGC? We already did those."

Daniel smiled, "Oh I don't know. There's one on Level 16 we haven't tried."

"How about Main Street in the middle of the day? That dangerous enough for you?"

"I like a little danger. The possibility that we might get caught. I've seen enough cells to not want to be arrested, thank you!" he thought for a second or two, "Although, I've seen a couple of discreet places in the woods I'd like to check out sometime."

The glint in Daniel's eyes threatened to make Jack get hard yet again, and he marvelled both at his lover's libido and his ability to pull Jack along for the ride. And what a ride it always was. Jeez, who knew? No wonder Sha're practically kissed his face off when they first went back to Abydos.

"I'm gonna get you some bromide, Jackson. Now, did you find anything out about ministers?"

"As a matter of fact I did. Neither of us are religious, and if you look in most religious texts, what we're contemplating is pretty much a no-no."

"And?"

"and so, I spoke to a Humanist minister. Dave Carson. He wants to see us both before he agrees to do the ceremony."

"We have to be interviewed?" Jack asked incredulously, "You jest, Daniel. Surely, you jest?"

Daniel shook his head, "Nope. He has to be sure you really want to make an honest man of me before he'll marry us."

Jack sighed, "Red fucking tape. Okay. When?"

"This afternoon. Five o'clock. In town."

Jack rolled his eyes, then smiled. "You really want to get this done quick dontcha? Say.you're not pregnant or anything are you?"

"Jack, don't be an ass."

"Ooh, haven't heard that one in a while. Okay, are we good to go? I don't have any work to do, because I'm retired now. How 'bout you?"

Daniel grinned, "Re - ti - red. Oh, I really like the sound of that. No, I'm good. I finished the translations for SG6, we have a little time and I think I know where I'm going..."

"You think?"

"I'll get us there, Jack. Just drive. I need some decent coffee and Tylenol to get rid of this crick in my neck before we get there anyway. Next time, we go in the back. Serves me right for taking my time."

O'Neill looked at his young lover and smiled wolfishly, "Next time? Oh boy."

Part Four

The airport concourse was pretty crowded as Daniel squirmed his way through, his stomach clenching in anticipation. Parking, as usual, had been an utter nightmare and if Blair's flight was on time, that meant Daniel was fifteen minutes late. He stopped to catch his breath and looked up at the arrivals screen above him.

'Flight NW340 - Cascade - Landed - Gate 19'

"Shit!" Daniel muttered under his breath, and looked around for the gate. Negotiating the noisy, jostling crowds as swiftly as they would allow him to, Daniel caught sight of a shock of dark curls, the owner of which was sitting at a table outside the Starbuck's booth, his body crouched forward, obviously reading. It never had taken Blair long to find a coffee shop. If anything his coffee radar was even better than Daniel's. Or maybe it was his Sentinel's influence, making those already discerning nostrils even more sensitive. Daniel smiled to himself. The younger man had taught him so many things, coffee appreciation being just one of them, even if he did have the awful habit of re-using grounds in emergencies. Anything was better than instant.

Daniel's breath hitched and his heart skipped a beat at the sight of his former lover. A brief memory of the last time they were intimate flitted through his mind. It must have been over two years ago, before he and Jack had finally bought a clue and become a couple.

Still, running his fingers through Blair's long, luxuriant hair had been something Daniel had missed, as happy as he was with Jack. Not to mention the feel of those beautiful tresses splayed out across his own bare chest, as they held each other in the afterglow. The younger man's hair was soft, and full of life, a little precocious even, rather like Blair himself. Daniel was pleased he had decided not to tie it back today.

No-one at the SGC had known, not even Jack, but Blair and Daniel had been meeting fairly regularly since he'd been back from Abydos. He'd never told Jack because... well, it had never come up. Jack had never asked where he was going when he took R&R and it wasn't the kind of thing a person in a military environment would actively advertise.

"Bye guys! I'm spending the weekend with my boyfriend!"

Even General Hammond hadn't known, although it probably wouldn't have mattered. All he knew, was that for the first few years Daniel was with the SGC, when he went on leave, most of the time there would be a Cascade contact number as well as his mobile and beeper. Daniel had always been a private person, and his relationship with Blair was something he liked to keep just between them. Perhaps it was time to tell Jack, though. Clear the air before the wedding. Blair was going to be ring-bearer, after all.

When Daniel had told Blair about Jack, he had been understanding and pragmatic about it. He could tell Daniel was in love and was happy for him. That wasn't to say he didn't miss being with Daniel, they'd been lovers for a very long time, off and on, and good friends for even longer. Sex was something that worked very well for them. Blair would probably describe them as 'fuck buddies', but he wouldn't dream of ever saying that to a romantic like Daniel, and besides, Blair did love him.

Blair chuckled to himself, trying to imagine the other man's face if he ever actually described their relationship that way. Speaking of which, where the hell was Daniel?

Blair almost jumped out of his seat as a pair of long arms wrapped around him and a face nuzzled into his hair.

"Sandburg..." Daniel murmured, his velvet voice vibrating against the shell of Blair's ear and sending shivers down to his toes.

"Jeez, man! Don't creep up on a guy like that!" Blair yelped. Daniel grinned and took the chair opposite.

"Sorry, B.J. And I'm sorry I'm late. Couldn't get a parking space."

Blair raised his hands, "Hey, don't sweat it. You're here now. Damn! You look great, D.J.! Being in love suits you. 'Bout time that Colonel of yours made an honest man of you."

"Yeah. I still can't believe he actually retired though. I guess he really does love me," Daniel shook his head incredulously.

"What's not to love? I'm just surprised he waited so long to make his move!" the younger man grinned.

Daniel chuckled, "I have to say, I was getting a little tired of waiting. I seem to remember it didn't take you too long, though. Taking advantage of a poor innocent virgin like that," he whispered.

"Hey, no-one could accuse me of being backward at coming forward, when I want something. You were the cutest guy on campus. Bar none. And you were older than me, but wasn't everyone?" he laughed. "Besides, I wouldn't let a little thing like that stop me, " Blair's voice also dropped to a whisper and he leaned across the table until his face and those beautiful, twinkling blue eyes were mere inches from Daniel's, "and I don't seem to remember you complaining at the time. Or since for that matter."

"Touche." Daniel smiled, wickedly, fighting off the urge to kiss him.

"I'm just glad it worked out between us. You've been a good friend to me, man."

"Likewise. You ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

After stowing Blair's hold-all in the trunk of his dark blue Range Rover, Daniel got into the driver's side and buckled his seat-belt. The car started with a throaty roar and Daniel looked across at his passenger, grinning as Blair struggled to clip his own belt in place.

"What?"

Daniel shook his head, "Nothing. I'm just so glad you're here."

Blair cupped his hand around the other man's thigh and smiled warmly.

"Me too. Now, let's get to your place, I need a shower and something decent to eat. Airline food just does not get any better!"

"You got it."

Daniel slipped the car into gear and eased out into the traffic.

Jack was back at his house, rattling around like a pea in a bucket, surprised at how lonely he was after only a couple of days without his lover. Not being at work didn't help much, but both Jack and the house were definitely suffering from a lack of archaeologist.

He and Daniel had agreed, that now the arrangements were made, the minister was booked, and Janet and Cassie were dealing with the catering, they would spend the couple of days before the wedding apart. For appearances if nothing else, Daniel had kept the loft. They thought it wise, just in case anyone started to take too close an interest in their relationship. Daniel said it was customary in almost every culture that the groom and the bride didn't see each other from at least sundown the night before the wedding, until the ceremony itself, so he'd taken a few things and gone back. Jack had felt a stab in his gut as he'd watched Daniel put his bags in the car. He knew Daniel would eventually be coming home, for good, but seeing him go had not been a pleasant feeling.

The bed was far too big without Daniel in it, and Jack had been unable to sleep for two nights now, tossing and turning ceaselessly. Even cuddling Daniel's pillow, which still smelled of him, didn't make it any easier. Jack felt ashamed. A total sap and insecure to boot. He'd spent the time mooching around like a lost puppy dog. To add insult to injury, they had decided to pick something to read to one another, something suitably romantic. Jack had searched the web for hours and so far had been completely unable to find a piece which didn't come with an insulin shot. He sighed heavily, feeling both hopeless and helpless.

There were two more nights to go before the big day. Teal'c had offered to take him to Chulak, to indulge in the Jaffa pre-marriage ritual, but in all honesty Jack felt far enough away from Daniel as it was. Going all the way across the galaxy was going a little too far, in Jack's opinion. Then there was Daniel's friend, Sandburg. Daniel hadn't really mentioned him before, and that worried Jack. If they were close enough for him to ask Blair to be ring bearer at their wedding, why hadn't Daniel talked about him? Jealousy swirled around in his stomach like the aftermath of left-over meatloaf at the SGC commissary.

"Aw crap." Jack said aloud to the empty room, "Pre-wedding jitters. That's all this is. You had 'em just the same before you married Sara. Get a grip O'Neill."

After refusing Teal'c's suggestion of a full Jaffa bachelor party, Jack had counter suggested something he knew the big Jaffa enjoyed, even if it didn't do that much for him - jello wrestling. Sam had declined, preferring to accompany Daniel and Blair on their civilised little evening out. A basketball game, followed by a meal and plenty of alcohol. Another thing they agreed on was how horrendous it would be if they turned up at their own wedding with raging hangovers, so the bachelor parties were being held two nights before the ceremony, rather than the night before. Jack figured that he'd miss Daniel just as much tonight as he had the previous two, but decided it was time he stopped feeling sorry for himself, and have a good time with Teal'c.

He looked at his watch. 3 o'clock. Four whole hours until he had to go and get Teal'c from Cheyenne Mountain. He sighed, for the hundredth time that day, and went out onto the deck to catch some sun, collecting a cool beer from the refrigerator on the way, chugging on it as he climbed the stairs.

"Oh wow!" Blair exclaimed, his voice muffled by a mouthful of salt beef sandwich, "You remembered. I can't believe you remembered!"

Daniel grinned, enjoying the sight of the younger man attacking his late lunch with the same enthusiasm as everything else in his life.

"Salt beef on rye, 4 inches deep, with a sour Israeli pickle, from Segelman's Deli. How could I not remember? The few times you've been here you've made me get you at least one!"

"Mmm. Y'know, I've had salt beef sandwiches in New York, and London, and LA and plenty in Cascade, but no-one, man, I mean no-one makes a salt beef sandwich quite like Manny at Segelman's. They taste almost as good as you. You're beautiful, Daniel. Thanks."

Daniel blushed.

"Hey, I'm sorry D.J. That just kinda came out. I didn't mean..."

"It's okay. Really. You want a drink? I have some iced tea."

"Perfect."

Daniel padded into the kitchen, adjusting his swollen cock and massaging his aching balls. He'd been half hard since he'd first clapped eyes on Blair again, but that little throwaway comment had just finished the job. He opened the refrigerator door and looked at the icebox, the idea of shoving a few ice cubes into his pants briefly crossing his mind. He decided that the screaming would probably alert Blair that something was wrong, and since he really didn't feel in the mood to explain why he had ice in his shorts, Daniel tried to think of something to calm things down a bit.

Harry Maybourne in the shower. That should do the trick.

Blair slumped back on the couch, leaving his sandwich half-eaten. The last thing he wanted to do was make Daniel uncomfortable, but even though he'd fallen hook, line and sinker for the Sentinel of the Great City and was convinced that his place was always by Jim's side, it didn't stop him pining. He'd forgotten how sexy Daniel was. His years in the military had changed him from the slightly built, vulnerable, nerdy type of guy he'd been at college, as unbearably cute and attractive as he'd been then, into a fit, muscular, incredibly hot and sexy man.

Daniel was still the nave one, still able to see the best in people, still quick to blush, but his age and experience had given him a harder edge, which Blair found irresistible. When Daniel had told him about Jack, he'd understood completely that they couldn't be together as lovers anymore. It pained him, but first and foremost Daniel was his friend. Other than Jim, his closest friend, and although he found it difficult not to kiss Daniel - especially when he did that 'lip licking' thing - and as hard as it was not to touch him, and damn near impossible not to want him, their friendship was strong enough to stand that test. Blair silently prayed that he would be.

Jim had accused him once of being enough of a dog to hump a table leg. He was probably right. Blair's more than healthy libido had worked its way through quite a few girls at Rainier and elsewhere in Cascade. He wasn't exactly a hedonist, but he had needs and there always seemed to be plenty of ladies willing and available to take care of those needs. Blair loved women. Their touch, their smell, making love to them...or at least having sex with them. It sounded pretty shallow when he thought about it, but as much as he loved women and they seemed to love him, Blair could never see himself settling down with anyone but Jim. He just couldn't commit to any of them.

Since he'd met Jim, there had only been one woman and one man who had captured his heart. The woman was Maya Curasco and their relationship had been more complicated and painful than he wanted to recall. He didn't know when or if he'd ever see her again and thought it was probably best that way. The man, on the other hand, he had fallen for many years before, and was standing in front of him with a tall glass of iced tea in his long, slender fingers and a bulge in his pants, which was showing distinct signs of interest. Not that Blair was really looking, but when a guy's groin is inches away from a person's face, it's a little difficult not to notice.

"Thanks."

Their fingers brushed as Daniel passed him the cool beverage, and both men felt a tingle.

Daniel turned away, his breath escaping in a sigh. "Oh, God."

He deliberately went to the chair that was farthest away from Blair and sank into it. His head flopped onto the soft back of the armchair, he took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

"Hey D.J. You okay?"

Daniel didn't move, couldn't say what he was going to say, and look at Blair at the same time.

"You mean apart from wanting to fuck you through the floor, and feeling like a complete bastard for it? Just fine, thanks." Daniel replied quietly, frustration and confusion evident in his voice.

Blair hung his head, "Oh, Daniel."

Daniel smiled, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees and allowing his glasses to hang from his hand. Sometimes it was slightly easier to deal with difficult situations when the world was a little blurry.

"Yeah. Oh. D'you want to know the worst part? I'm scared."

"Of marrying Jack? Come on, you love him. I know how long you waited for him to come around. He's your soul mate. Your beshert. Just like Jim is for me."

The older man nodded, smiling at his friend's use of the Yiddish word. "Yes, he is. But one of the reasons why I called you was because..." Daniel took a deep breath, "because I couldn't stand the thought of not being with you again. Ever. I wanted to be with you...I wanted to sleep with you, one last time. How bad is that?"

Blair went over to his friend and knelt between his legs, wrapping his arms around them.

"It's not bad. You're not bad."

"Blair, I want to be unfaithful to the man I love. Doesn't that make me a cheating bastard?"

"Does it make you love Jack any less?"

"No."

"Would you do it again after you're married?"

"God, no."

"Look, D.J. This is a time of transition for you. You're taking a leap of faith here, it's bound to be scary, and it's only natural to want to hang on to some of the life you're leaving behind."

Daniel sighed and stroked his friend's face, " You... you're so special, Blair. You were my first, you know? Not just the first person I ever slept with, you were the first person I ever fell in love with. You only get one first time and one first love. I was lucky, it was you."

The younger man leaned into Daniel's hand and closed his eyes, "That goes both ways, Daniel. When I first saw you in class, I knew there was something different about you. You were the only one who was ever able to keep up with me. Really get what I was talking about, and then some. You challenged me. You were brilliant. It's a clich, but you hit me like a blinding flash, man. I fell in about a minute flat and I've loved you ever since. I'd screwed around some, but I'd never fallen in love before. Not real, grown up kinda love, anyway. No matter who I'm with, or who you're with, I couldn't stand to not have you anywhere in my life at all. Jim's the man for me. Absolutely. If he ever gets a clue. But there'll always be a place in my heart for you. Always."

Daniel smiled and ran his fingers through Blair's curls, sighing.

"I'm not on my own here, then?"

Blair chuckled, "No way, man. If you want the truth I've been hoping something would happen ever since you called. I was just praying it wouldn't be a drunken grope after your bachelor party, because that would have been cheap and nasty and we'd both have regretted it. If we do this thing it has to be with both of our eyes open. We know what we're doing and we know why."

"And that scares me too," Daniel's voice had dropped to a whisper, "because if we do get together, it's always so overwhelming, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to stop. It's like I can't get enough of you and that scares me. I'm just a big ball of fear right now. I don't want to cheat on Jack, I love him. I don't want to hurt him, but I can't marry him without being with you again. I'd always be wondering. Hankering after one last time. It would eat away at me, it could ruin everything. I know what I'm like."

"Okay. You and me together, now, it's a last fling. That's all. At least, physically. I'll always want to be your friend. Try to see this as a literal and symbolic kissing goodbye to the old order, so you can move forward to your new life with Jack. For me, too. I've decided that when I get back to Cascade I'm going to tell Jim how I feel. I can't hold it back anymore. Every time I'm around the guy lately, everything about him turns me on. He's a Sentinel for chrissakes, he's gonna smell it on me. I have to 'fess up. Hey, he might already know!"

"You're taking a pretty big risk."

Blair nodded, "I know, but I have to do it. Jim is my beshert. I can feel it. Besides, you know me, I have been known to take risks in the past and I have less patience than you," he smiled.

Daniel chuckled softly, and leaned forward, taking Blair's face in his hands. "Part of me will always love you, you know."

Blair's lips parted in anticipation of Daniel's gentle kiss, and he leaned forward into the seated man's embrace. Their lips met and meshed as if they were made to be together, their tongues meeting, tenderly tasting each other. The chill of the iced tea still faintly evident, the slight bitterness of the pickle and the unique and special taste of the other.

"I love you, too, Daniel. We'll work this out."

Daniel rose and held out his hand to the younger man. Blair took it and pulled himself to his feet, his fingers entwining with Daniel's.

"Come on," Daniel smiled.

It was an order, a plea, and a tentative question, all in one. Blair slipped his arm around Daniel's waist and they walked together the short distance to Daniel's bedroom, the taller man resting his head on Blair's.

Daniel closed the bedroom door behind them, softly. The golden glow of the afternoon sun flooded the room, casting long shadows across the floor. Years of passion, love and desire hung in the air, trust and reassurance in both men's eyes for the other.

Blair lifted his head to capture Daniel's mouth in another sweet kiss as he deftly unfastened the buttons on the other man's cotton shirt. He pulled it out of Daniel's pants and nuzzled the older man's neck, sucking on the pulse point and breathing in his scent.

Daniel leaned his head backward and hissed as Blair continued his explorations. It had been so long and felt so right. His hand drifted up to entangle itself in his lover's long hair and Daniel sighed Blair's name as he carded his fingers through it.

Seemingly finished with Daniel's neck, Blair turned his attention to Daniel's hairless chest and his small, taut nipples. He circled them with his tongue, each in turn, then worried one nipple with his teeth while stroking the other with his thumb.

"Ah, God, Blair! You keep on like that I'm going to come in my pants. Slow down a little, please?"

The younger man grinned. "Oh, now that's a sight I haven't seen in way too long."

Daniel gritted his teeth as his nipples faced another onslaught from Blair's swathing tongue and teasing finger tips.

"You...are...a...bad...man...Sandbuuurrrgg. Ah dammit! I'm serious. Wait til I get near that fucking nipple ring!"

Suitably chastened, Blair quickly unfastened Daniel's belt buckle and unbuttoned his fly. The light grey soft, cotton shorts already had a dark stain on the front, from the pre-come seeping out of the tip of Daniel's cock.

"Oh, wow. You weren't kidding were you?"

His "No" came out as a strangled gasp. Blair didn't need to be a Sentinel to know how close his lover was and he pulled Daniel's shorts roughly down to his knees, being careful to pull the waistband over the heated flesh, exposing the purple headed cock to the open air.

Blair smiled in appreciation, "And there you are. God, Daniel, you're so beautiful. Have you any idea?"

He took a long lick from base to tip, bracing Daniel's shaking legs with his shoulders, flicking his tongue at the last second to swipe off the clear fluid.

"Mmmm. That tastes so good. Change of plan. Get naked Daniel, and lay down. I feel a 69 coming on," he grinned.

As they undressed, Blair looked slightly concerned.

"What's wrong?" his lover asked.

"I hate to make this 'sensible' babe, but...it's been a long time. Are you clean?"

"Oh yes, yes of course. Regular tests. They're always sticking a needle in my arm for something. You?"

"Absolutely. I get tested pretty regularly too, but it doesn't really matter, the only person I've had unprotected sex with in the last five years is you."

Daniel lay back on the bed, enjoying the sight of the smaller man divesting himself of his clothes. There was a wiry strength in him that belied his small frame. He was, as the phrase suggested, 'small, but beautifully formed' and Daniel couldn't wait to explore every inch of him.

Blair knew that with him, 69 was one of Daniel's favourite positions. They would lie on their sides, head to toe, sucking softly on each other, taking pleasure from giving pleasure, tongues, lips and fingers working together to bring each other close. Concentrating on pleasuring the other person gave just enough distraction for them both to make it really last. Sometimes they brought each other to a shuddering peak, the slow burn culminating in a sweet intensity they rarely found from penetration. Sometimes, the urge to be inside would become to much for one or the other to bear, and they would come together that way instead.

"C'mere B.J. It's been too long. I want to taste you."

Blair took his place along Daniel's side on the bed, lifting his leg to rest on Daniel's shoulder, allowing the other man easy access to his cock, his balls and his ass. And Daniel would assure his best attention to all of them.

Blair's cock was slightly bigger than Daniel's, and Daniel was more than well-enough endowed. Sometimes it made deep throating Blair difficult, but that was really too intense a sensation for this. Daniel drew as much of Blair's cock as he could into his mouth and Blair gasped at the wet heat of it.

"Oh, man..."

"Mmmmm."

The air filled with soft moans and sucking sounds, as the two men made love to each other. Stubbly chins nuzzling around swollen ball sacs, teeth nibbling gently on tumescent flesh, wet tongues lapping at swollen cock-heads and tight rings, fingers probing each other, seeking, finding that sweet spot inside, stretching, sliding in and out, point and counterpoint until Daniel could hardly stand it and Blair was breathless.

"Oh god, Daniel!" Blair gasped, suddenly, "Want to...want to be in you. Stop. Want to come inside you. Please baby, stop!"

Daniel loosed his mouth's grip on Blair's aching cock and turned him around so that they were facing each other. As Blair caught his breath, he stroked Daniel's face.

"You are so good. So intense," he murmured, panting. "I'm gonna fuck you so right, Danny. Love you. Wanna make this something to remember."

"Oh, yessss. Oh, Jesus! Please Blair, yes!"

Daniel raised his leg and guided the younger man to his opening. As he wrapped his long leg around Blair's hip, Blair's cock slid inside him smoothly, their previous efforts having made Daniel more than ready.

Daniel grabbed Blair's head and pulled him in for a deep kiss, his tongue mimicking the movements he wanted and needed from the other man. Daniel held him tightly as they rocked together, Blair's lips and tongue never leaving Daniel's skin, kissing his face, his lips and his neck without cease, as Blair thrust upwards into him. His free hand strayed all over the larger man's back, nails gently dragging as Daniel moaned and mumbled.

Blair could feel the orgasm coming, his balls tightened and tingled, pulling up into his body, the wheel of fire beginning in the small of his back. He brought his hand between them, and encircled Daniel's weeping cock, the slick moisture and sweat on their bodies proving to be all the lubrication he needed to bring Daniel to orgasm in a few swift pulls. Daniel's come spattered between them, landing on both their bellies, as the bigger man cried out his release. The clenching pulses from Daniel's ass dragged Blair's own come screaming out of him and deep into his lover, as he threw back his head and gasped Daniel's name.

Blair held onto him, his face buried in Daniel's neck as they gradually came down, breathing and heart rate slowing to normal. Daniel nuzzled his face into Blair's hair and gently rubbed small circles on his lover's sweating back.

"Oh Christ, Daniel. Oh, man. That was incredible. I'd forgotten. Can you believe that? I'd actually forgotten how good we are," he whispered.

No reply other than a small sob was forthcoming from Daniel, and Blair drew back to look at him. Tears were rolling down his nose, one or two dripping onto Blair's chest.

"Aw baby, no. Don't do that. Don't."

Daniel pushed Blair's curls back over his ear as the younger man wiped Daniel's tears with his fingers.

"You know what? I hope this guy knows what he's got. I don't care how big a hardass he is, if he ever hurts you, I'll break his fucking legs, I swear."

Daniel chuckled through his tears, "Oh, don't do that. He already has bad knees. It's an ACL problem."

Blair smiled and kissed him, "That's better. Jesus, man. What am I gonna do with you?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..." he sniffed.

Blair's finger appeared, touching his lips softly to silence him. "Ssshh. I know. That's the thing. I know. I'll go get a washcloth and clean us up."

Daniel held him tighter, "No." he whispered. "Not yet. Let's just stay like this for a couple more minutes...okay?"

Blair stroked Daniel's hair soothingly. " Okay, I'm not going anywhere. It'll be all right. I promise."

Part Five

Sam sat disconsolately at Janet's kitchen table, staring into the mug of steaming coffee Janet had just given her.

"I want to be happy for them. I really do, but...da..." Sam suddenly chuckled, diffusing the tension.

"What?"

"I almost said "Dammit, Janet"."

Sam's companion chuckled with her at the reference to the Rocky Horror Picture Show. " Well, I'm glad you know, now. It's been terrible having to keep it a secret."

Sam's eyes widened in shock, "You knew?"

Janet lowered her head and took a sip of coffee, "Well, there are certain things...when they'd been...it's..."

The penny suddenly dropped for Sam, "Oooh, I see."

The other woman smiled gratefully. Having to explain exactly how she found out about Jack and Daniel's affair wasn't something she felt comfortable doing. She could still remember what a shock she'd had, when she had been giving Colonel O'Neill what should have been a routine post-mission examination. She'd thought that Jack had been assaulted while they'd been off-world, but didn't want to talk about it. She cajoled, bullied, ordered him to have a full exam and some counselling, but he'd been adamant there had been no assault. She'd been forced to admit, even though there was evidence of anal penetration, there was no sign of injury. Not even a small tear, indicating that the perpetrator - who ever he was - had been extremely careful.

//"Colonel, I have to take a swab to check the DNA, just in case it was one of our people. I have to report this. You know that."

Jack took her gently by the arm. "Janet, please. You don't have to report this. I wasn't raped and I can tell you exactly whose DNA you'll find on that swab, apart from mine. Daniel's."

Janet's mouth opened in astonishment, as Jack's face reddened with embarrassment.

"Yeah," he said quietly. "Our very own, Doctor Daniel Jackson."

"And you weren't raped?"

Jack chuckled, "Rape? Janet, this is Daniel we're talking about. Come on. Do you honestly think he'd force himself on anybody? Least of all me. I was asking for it. Trust me on this."

"A simple 'no' would have sufficed, Colonel."

Jack blushed an even deeper shade of red. "Sorry, Doc."

"So are you telling me that you and Daniel are having an affair?"

He nodded, "For quite a while now. We got careless is all. Usually we make sure that we haven't slept together anytime near to a physical exam, or if we do, we make sure there's no, ah..."

"Evidence?" Janet smiled.

"Exactly."

"So what happened this time?"

"Oh, too much time on our own, too much opportunity, too little control. We ended up doing a long recon together, while Teal'c and Carter checked out something else. He just can't keep his hands off me, sex god that I am," he grinned.

It was good to tell someone, finally, even though his hand had been forced. He was glad that it was Doc Fraiser, too. She and SG1 had a close bond, had been through a great deal together and she cared very much for all of them. As for she and Jack, they shared a chemistry which had allowed a deep friendship to form over their years of service, although for a whole host of reasons it would never have gone beyond that for either of them. It helped that she wasn't under his command, at least not directly, and that allowed them to tease each other, sometimes mercilessly.

"Hmm. Sex God. I can see that, Sir. After all, there aren't many people who know your body as well as I do," she smiled, with a hint of mischief.

"So, you guys want to do a quiz?" Jack enquired, "Or maybe you could write a book together? 'Colonels' Bodies I Have Known' by The Two Doctors."

Janet snorted, trying not to laugh. "You can get dressed now."

Jack began to pull on his shorts. "You're still a Napoleonic power-monger," he teased.

"I certainly am," she grinned. "And don't you ever forget it, Jack O'Neill. Seriously though, you two will have to be more careful. I can keep this to myself under the aegis of doctor/patient confidentiality. After all, it doesn't impair your fitness to command. When you and Daniel have your exams, I'll try to make sure it's me, but I can't always guarantee it. If anyone else finds out about this it could be...awkward."

"Understood, Doc."//

Sam refilled Janet's mug, passed it to her and drained her own.

"So, what do I do? I'm in love with someone who's gay."

"Bisexual," Janet corrected.

"Whatever. That someone doesn't know how I feel. That someone is in love with someone else, and that someone else is my ex-Commanding Officer. And to make matters worse, they're getting married. Getting married! I didn't even know that two guys could do that!"

"They can't. At least not legally, not in Colorado. Daniel booked a Humanist minister to conduct a commitment ceremony for them."

Sam sighed, "I still can't get my head around it. I could maybe - at a push - imagine Daniel as bisexual, but the Colonel? I would have bet my pension on him being straight."

Janet put her arm around her friend and squeezed. "Listen sweetie, I know it's difficult. You only just found out. I've had time to come to terms with it all. The fact is that they love each other, whether we like it or not. Somehow, the pieces fit. We may not see how, but they do, and that's all that really matters, isn't it? Jack retired. Quit the only job he's ever really known, to be with Daniel, to keep Daniel safe. That alone should tell you how serious he is. I know you probably feel like he's taking Daniel from you, but...well, I hate to say it Sam, but Daniel was never yours, was he? Not that way."

"I guess not," Sam replied forlornly.

"If anything, Daniel should be jealous of you."

"Me? Why?"

"There was a time not so long ago when we all thought there was something going on between you and Colonel O'Neill. Especially after what he said when Martouf..."

Sam shrugged, "He didn't mean what it sounded like."

"Well, to use one of his favourite phrases, 'Ya think?'"

Sam looked at her watch, "Oh God, look at the time! I have to go pick up Daniel and Blair. I said I'd go with them to the basketball."

"You've seen this mysterious Sandburg?" Janet raised her eyebrows.

"No, but I guess I will shortly. See you tomorrow, Janet. Give me a call if you and Cassie need any help."

"Will do. Thanks honey."

Sam picked up her jacket, kissed Janet lightly on the cheek and headed out the door.

At the loft, Daniel brought coffee into the bedroom for he and Blair, pausing for a minute in the doorway to look at his lover. Soon to be ex - lover. His eyes were half closed and his hair was splayed out along the pillow. The sheet was rumpled, covering his groin, but his hairy chest and legs were visible, the silver nipple ring glinting slightly in the shards of sunlight peeping through the small gap in the bedroom curtains, which Daniel had closed for privacy, even though they were high enough up not to be overlooked. Daniel appreciated the view and smiled a little sadly. Having them both was not an option. Loving them both wasn't a choice, he just did and always would.

They were so different, Blair and Jack, and yet there were similarities which he couldn't ignore. Certainly not physical similarities, but they both had a sarcastic sense of humour and were both a good deal brighter than they let on sometimes. Both stubborn, both level headed in a crisis and able to take tough decisions, both absolutely committed to what they thought was right, both adventurers and both sexy as all hell.

"Hey," Blair smiled sleepily at him.

"Hey."

"Must have dozed off. Sorry, man. Jet lag."

Daniel placed the coffee mug on the night stand next to Blair, and chuckled. "It was only a two hour flight. Jet lag, my ass."

"Or that," Blair grinned. "The soporific effect of a really good orgasm can never be understated, in my humble opinion."

Daniel joined him on the bed and snorted into his coffee, "Since when have you ever been humble, B.J.?"

Blair pouted, "Gee, Doctor Jackson, you know how to hurt a guy."

Unable to resist that full bottom lip, Daniel swooped in and kissed him.

"And you don't play fair, Sandburg," he murmured.

"Never said I did," Blair teased, before gently biting Daniel's bottom lip which Blair in turn found irresistible.

"Hmmm." Daniel pulled away.

"What?"

"Let me put my coffee down, at least. I'm likely to pour it all over the bed, or all over you."

Blair smiled wickedly, "But then you could always lick it off. Couldn't you?"

Daniel's cock began to twitch and thicken at the thought of licking Blair's body all over. He didn't really need or want any other flavour than Blair, but they'd had some fun in the past with various substances. Whipped cream, chocolate sauce, Maple syrup and one time, when they were both feeling particularly decadent, champagne.

"I'm going to miss you so much, Blair Jacob Sandburg," Daniel sighed.

The younger man drew Daniel into his arms, wrapping them and his legs around the other man's body. He kissed Daniel's forehead and sighed. "We'll always be friends, Danny. Nothing can ever change that. Not Jack or Jim. We can't be lovers anymore, but that's really only because the social structure we live in demands monogamy. We're anthropologists. We've both lived within cultures where monogamy isn't necessarily the norm, and we probably have a slightly different slant on relationships as a result. Unfortunately for us, our lovers - well, in my case I'm hoping - but, they don't have that advantage. If it is an advantage."

"Doesn't feel like much of one right about now," Daniel sighed, stroking the hair on Blair's chest. "What I want...what I want is to be able to love you both. To be able to see you both, sometimes. Have you both in my life. I want to make love to you both. In my fantasies, both at the same time. It's not just a physical thing, either. I want to show you both how much I love you. It's hopeless. Someone has to be hurt. Either me and you, because we're giving this up, or Jack. If I told him, he'd never be able to deal with it and there's no reason why he should have to. I couldn't do that to him and I won't. Can't have my cake and eat it too, can I?"

"Not in this life, babe." Blair said, quietly.

"No."

They lay together in silence for a minute or two, Blair stroking Daniel's hair, Daniel idly playing with Blair's nipple ring, their limbs entwined, both of them completely relaxed in a cocoon of intimacy and warmth. Finally, Daniel spoke.

"What time is it?"

"5."

"Sam'll be here soon."

"What time's jump off?"

"7.30. I thought we could grab something to eat first."

"We have time. C'mon Danny, I want to feel you inside me one last time."

Daniel kissed him, softly. "We have all night, babe. I don't want to rush it, and I can't risk us being caught. Sam's my best friend, next to you and Jack. She's like a sister to me. I couldn't put her in that position."

"And I don't want to risk you getting an attack of the guilts when you see Sam and not want to do it at all."

"Oh, Blair."

"I know, I know," he sighed, "I'm a self-centred sonovabitch. So, sue me. I love you, and I'm going to miss you more than you realise, no matter what happens with Jim. I wish we could be together too, but we both know we can't, don't we? That really would make us a couple of cheating bastards. I want our last time to be special."

"So, no pressure then?" Daniel smiled, and traced the outline of Blair's face with his fingertips. "Every time with you is special. It always was." He leaned in to give the younger man a deep kiss, and Blair responded by arching his body to rub against Daniel's. The older man could feel Blair's already hardening cock rubbing against his thigh.

Daniel pulled back, grinning. "Shower. Now. Or we'll end up in trouble. Sam will catch us in flagrante and then we'll both be royally screwed."

Blair grinned back at him, "Is that a threat or a promise, Your Majesty?"

"Just get in the shower will you?" Daniel slapped his ass playfully.

Blair saluted smartly and leapt out of bed, swinging his hips as he sashayed towards the bathroom.

"Bastard!" Daniel muttered under his breath as he fought the urge to join Sandburg under the water and make love to him until he begged for mercy. Daniel really would miss him. He just hoped that he loved Jack enough for it not to matter.

"I heard that!"

Daniel smiled and shook his head, "Ears like a bat. That Sentinel of yours been giving you lessons, Sandburg?!"

"No, baby, I'm just in tune to the sound of your voice!" Blair shouted from the bathroom.

"You're full of it!"

Daniel heard him laughing above the sound of the running water. "Not yet, but you keep promising!"

Daniel was wrapped in a towel when the doorbell rang, Blair was dressed, thankfully, but even though Sam had seen Daniel in a towel more than once, the tented effect was something he didn't think she needed to experience. Extracting his tongue from its exploration of Blair's tonsils, Daniel ducked back into the bedroom, hoping that this erection wasn't going to be one of those which just wouldn't go away without being dealt with.

Blair answered the door and smiled warmly at the attractive woman standing before him.

"You must be Blair," she smiled back, offering her hand.

"That's me. And you must be Sam. Hi." He shook her hand, but resisted the temptation to kiss it. She was beautiful and smart, if what Daniel had told him was anything to go by. He could just imagine the look on her face if he'd tried something that dumb.

"C'mon in, Daniel's just taking a shower. He shouldn't be long. Drink?"

"Diet coke, thanks."

"So," Sam called after Blair as he went to the kitchen to get their drinks, "you guys known each other long?"

"Since college," he replied, his head and shoulders obscured by the open refrigerator door. "We studied anthropology together."

The door banged shut as Blair clumsily closed it with his foot, carrying a bottle of Diet Coke in each hand.

"We were the brightest two there. I'd fast tracked and I was four years younger than him, but he was the only one who could understand me, and me, him, I think. We just kind of clicked. You know how it is sometimes."

Sam smiled, "Yeah. Daniel and I are a little like that. Kindred spirits in a way."

Blair's eyes brightened, "Exactly. He's really something, isn't he?"

"Yes, he is." Sam smiled, then took a long gulp of her Coke, enjoying the cool liquid sliding down her throat and taking away some of the city dust.

Blair Sandburg was cute. Very cute, in a Bohemian kind of way. Completely different to Daniel, even though they both seemed to have a disturbing affinity with plaid. Sam found herself wondering if they'd been more than friends at college, given Daniel's recent admission about his sexuality. She found herself beginning to like Blair, as they talked. He was funny, bright and there was something about him that immediately made you feel at ease. He was so animated, full of energy and enthusiasm. A little like Daniel when he was really excited about something, but Blair was obviously like this all the time. She could easily imagine Daniel and him together, they complemented each other perfectly.

Sam was finding it easier to relax. She was gradually coming to terms with Daniel's decision, and had to face the fact that even if he had known how she felt, it probably wouldn't have changed his choice. He and Jack had always had a bond which she couldn't quite define. They were team players - always - but hindsight being the perfect thing it is, she realised that there was something between them that was special. It had been there almost from the very beginning, probably before they even recognised it themselves.

As Blair talked about Daniel, it became more apparent how much the young man cared for him, and how much Daniel had told Blair about his relationship with Jack. She felt a little envious that Daniel hadn't been able to come to her and share how he felt about the Colonel, and how happy Jack made him, but she could hardly blame Daniel for that. The more she and Blair talked, the more she began to feel real happiness for Jack and Daniel.

She smiled as the lyrics from a Wilson/Phillips song began to drift through her mind.

You're in love, that's the way it should be, cause I want you to be happy You're in love, and I know that you're not in love with me It's enough for me to know that you're in love, I can let you go, cause I know that you're in love

Daniel leaned against the tiled wall of the shower, thanking the gods for the bolt on the door and stroking himself, trying to drag up the fantasy which would be likely to get him off quickest. Thinking about Harry Maybourne had - unusually - not alleviated his erection. His balls ached and his dick was sore. Something had to be done. Every time he tried to think about Harry, or Kasuf, or the General, Jack's face had become superimposed on whichever body he was thinking about and the hard on just refused to go away, or it would fade momentarily, then as soon as Jack appeared in his thoughts, up it would come again, which was worse than it not going away at all. Part of him was glad - the part being fairly obvious - because that meant it didn't matter how well or how badly Jack's body aged, Daniel would still want him.

He squeezed and stroked, sliding his soapy hand up and down more swiftly, as his mind wandered to Jack O'Neill, naked, willing and his. Jack's hot mouth around his cock, Jack's long fingers stroking his asshole, probing and fucking. Then Jack above him, Jack's cock buried deep inside him, thrusting hard, the muscles in Jack's arms and neck, tense and corded, his dark brown eyes filled with love and passion. Jack grunting out his name at the moment of truth, with the look on his face that never failed to make Daniel's heart soar... and suddenly Daniel was coming, spurting long and hard against the tiles, biting his lip to stop himself from crying out as the orgasm gripped him.

He relaxed with his forehead against the wall, panting and whispering, "Love you, Jack, oh God! Loveyouloveyouloveyousofuckingmuch. Never letting you go. Never."

Sam placed her empty bottle on the coffee table. "It sounds like you guys are really close."

Blair grinned, "You could say that. We, er...we were together. For a long time, off and on. I love him. Always will. Jack is one lucky guy."

Sam nodded, "Yes, he is. I don't know. What is it about Daniel that makes people fall in love with him?"

"Beats me. Although if we thought about it we could probably come up with a long list." Blair smiled when he recognised the look on her face. Sadness, regret, love. "You too?" he asked, quietly.

"Yeah," Sam lowered her eyes and blushed a little, "Go figure."

"Does he know?"

She shook her head. "And I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell him. You know what he's like when he feels guilty. I don't want to put him through that. Besides," she shrugged, "he's made his choice and it wasn't either of us. Not much we can do."

Daniel walked into the room, dressed, but still towelling off his spiky hair. "Not much you can do about what?"

"How long it takes you to get ready," snorted Blair. "Come on D.J., if we don't get going we'll have to grab a hotdog at the game."

"Yeah, come on Daniel, look at the time!"

Daniel frowned at them both, narrowing his eyes. "Hmm. Why do I get the feeling I'm being ganged up on here?"

Sam grabbed Daniel's jacket and slipped an arm around his waist, steering him towards the door. "Because you are. Let's move."

Time and traffic conspired against them, and Daniel's plan to eat before the game was abandoned. The upshot was that by the time the basketball game ended - and Blair had relieved them of the money they had bet him that the home team would win - they were all famished.

"Like taking candy from a baby," Blair giggled. "Or in this case, a couple of babies."

Daniel linked his arm with Sam's and huffed. "Guess you're paying for dinner then, Sandburg? Seeing as you're flush."

"Ah...well...um..." the other man spluttered.

Sam and Daniel guffawed.

"Okay, okay. Where d'you want to go?" Blair conceded.

Sam piped up, "O'Malley's?"

"D'you think they'd recognise us after all this time?" Daniel asked.

"I...doubt it," she replied, obviously not totally convinced.

Blair raised his eyebrows, "Sooo...what would be the problem in them recognising you at O'Malley's? You trying to tell me you guys caused trouble in there?"

"Kind of," Sam squirmed.

"Mmm. Sort of," Daniel agreed.

"There was a..."

"...fight."

"Yeah, and things got a little..."

"Broken."

"Mmm."

Blair threw back his head and laughed until his sides ached. Eventually, with tears rolling down his cheeks, he managed to speak.

"I thought I'd heard everything, man. Doctor Daniel Jackson involved in a bar-room brawl. That is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. I'm proud of you, man. PROUD."

"Gee, thanks," Daniel sniffed, but he couldn't quite help breaking into a grin.

"It was pretty funny, looking back on it," Sam chuckled.

"Dare I ask what it was about?"

Sam's chuckling turned into full blown laughter. "Some guy called Daniel a geek."

"Oh God," Blair chortled.

"Yeah, Jack told me to let it go. And I wouldn't, so..."

"So the three of you busted the place up?"

"That's about the size of it," Daniel grinned, "Sam, how many guys did we put in the hospital?"

"Erm, there were the two guys Colonel O'Neill threw over the pool table, and that guy who really pissed me off..."

"Well, you had just won all his beer money. There was the one I threw over the bar, and the other one I battered with a pool cue..."

Blair held up his hands in defeat, "So not O'Malley's then?"

"Not O'Malley's!" Sam and Daniel chorused.

"So, what do we feel like?" Blair enquired.

"I'm so hungry I could eat a horse. I've had nothing since breakfast," Sam complained, rubbing her stomach.

"What about Charlie's Pit?" Daniel suggested.

Sam's eyes lit up, "Oooh, barbecue. I could go for that. Their ribs are good. Eat in or take out?"

Daniel shrugged, "We could make up our minds when we get there, there's one not far from here."

"We could take it back to your place and get a case or two of beer on the way home? You don't want to drink and drive D.J., and this is your bachelor party and you do want to be drinking. I'm the ring bearer. I have an obligation." Blair stated, puffing out his chest.

Daniel grinned, "Sounds like a plan. Let's do it."

Jack had dropped Teal'c off at the mountain and driven home. The jello wrestling had been fine, the company had been fine. Teal'c had seemed to enjoy himself, but with the best will in the world, he wasn't the world's - or rather the galaxy's - best conversationalist. Jack looked at the clock as he wearily dropped the truck keys onto the kitchen table. 1am. Stone cold sober. Going to bed almost the same day he'd got up. Not much like his last bachelor party.

It had been 5am when his buddies had poured him through the front door of his apartment, giggling and excited. He'd done the usual 'bachelor' bit, bars, a strip club, lap dancers. It had been fun. A riot, in fact, as the king sized hangover he'd sported the following morning had attested to. He still had the last vestiges of the headache when he'd gone to the church the day after, to marry Sara.

"You're gettin' old, Jack," he chided himself, "If Daniel could see you now, he'd slap you around, y'sappy moron."

He wanted to bring the ceremony forward, and cursed himself for letting Daniel persuade him to let them be apart for this amount of time. He yearned to hear Daniel's voice. Couldn't deal with not being with him any longer. He thought about getting back in the truck and high tailing it off to Daniel's place, but didn't want to spoil whatever Daniel had going over there. It was his bachelor party after all, but...

"One phone call. He can't get pissed at me for one phone call. I won't actually see him. What can it hurt?" he announced to the empty room as he picked up the receiver and dialled Daniel's number.

"Hello? Daniel Jackson's Den of Iniq...iniquity."

Sam's chirpy voice gave him a bit of a shock, and Jack suddenly felt very guilty about breaking up the party and forcing his melancholy on them.

"Hello?" Sam asked again.

"Hi."

"Colonel! Hi! How're you?" she giggled.

Jack heard Daniel's voice in the background.

"Colonel? Is that Jack?"

"Well, how many Colonels are you sleeping with, Dannyboy?" she enquired.

"Oh, ha fucking ha! What's he calling for? Gimme the phone, Sam. Hi, Jack!"

"Hey, Daniel. You drunk?"

Daniel snorted into the phone, "After this much wine I certainly fuckin' hope so! What's up?"

Jack smiled, "Ah, nothin'. Just...ah...just wanted to...nothing. I'll see you day after tomorrow. And don't you be late."

"I won't. I promise. Love you, Jack. Love you to pieces."

A muffled chorus of "aaahhhs" came down the phone line, followed by loud guffaws and "Ain't love grand?"

"You sound like you're having a good time. I'll let you get on with it."

"No, no, nonononononononononono, 's all right, Jack. You wanna come over? We got lotsa booze," he slurred.

Two drunken voices in the background chimed in, "Lotsnlotsa booze!!!"

"Yeah, we've got wine, and...beer, and...some JD and...what's this stuff B.J.?"

"Tequila!"

"Yeah, yeah, we got tequila too. And salt and limes and there's a fuckin' worm in it. Can you believe that? A fuckin' worm!"

Daniel collapsed into hysterical giggles.

"You comin'? We'd love to have you, but then I love to have you aaaallllllll the time!!!" followed by more giggling. "In fact, if you are coming, I can guarantee it...that you'll come...that is..."

"Eeeeewwww! Daniel," yelled Sam, "that's the COLONEL you're talking to. God, keep it in the bedroom will you?"

Jack chuckled when Daniel snorted with laughter, "Sorry, Sam."

"Go, Daniel. Enjoy."

"Aw no, Jack. Come on. I can't enjoy myself here when I know you're all at own on your home...I mean at home all on your...you know what I mean. Dammit, I can't even talk now, and I'm a fucking linguist!"

"You certainly are. Who knew?" Sam interjected.

"Sam!"

"Sorry."

"Sorry about that Jack, she can't hold her liquor."

"Only by the ears, baby!" she retorted.

Jack couldn't help but laugh at that one. They'd all been out drinking countless times, but Jack had never known Sam get quite that vulgar before.

"SAM! Jesus Christ! Blair, can you get her under control?"

"Take a bigger man than me, D.J."

"Oh, I don't know..."

"Oh God, she's on his lap. She's going to kill him. I'm sorry Jack, I'll have to go and save the poor sap."

"I'm just fine, D.J.," Blair replied. "Don't you worry a bit. You carry on having phone sex with your flyboy there."

"One sec, Jack. Blair. Babe. This is Major SAM fucking CARTER. You have NO idea what you're dealing with."

Jack chuckled. "Danny, go and party. You know what it's like when someone turns up who's sober. I'd ruin everything. I'll see you at the wedding."

"Never! You could NEVER ruin ANYTHING for me, Jack. You're the best thing that ever happened to me. In my WHOLE fucking life. The. Fucking. BEST."

Jack could just imagine him flinging his arm wildly around, and grinned.

"I love you SO much Jonathan Fitzpatrick O'Neill. SOOOOOOO much. You really sure you won't come over? Come on, Jack. I wanna give you a big, wet, sloppy kiss and then fuck you til you can't stand it."

"DANIEL!" Sam and Blair chorused.

"So stop listening."

"So stop shouting!" Sam...shouted.

"Nah, I'll be okay," Jack reassured him. "You have fun. You're way too far gone to get it up now, babe. Love you too, by the way."

"I could so get it up," Daniel replied indignantly. "I think...Maybe not. You're right. I couldn't," he giggled. "Okay, babe. See you at the altar. You'll just have to have a sloppy kiss down the phone. Bye. Mmmmwwwah!"

Jack placed the receiver back on the hook and laughed. "Man, he is so wasted."

Sam put on her best schoolma'am face and pouted, "I don't think I've ever seen you this drunk before, Daniel Jackson. Who knew you were such a pottymouth? And so crude!"

"Fuck you," Daniel retorted, grinning at her and took another long swig from the bottle of Cote Du Rhone in his hand.

Part Six

"Aw fuck!"

A bleary Sandburg opened his eyes to the morning sunlight flooding into Daniel's living room. He closed them again quickly as the burning sensation registered in his alcohol addled nervous system, and then he tried to move. Not a good idea. The pygmy warrior inside his head upped the frenetic pace of his war dance, periodically spearing the left frontal lobe of Blair's brain, just above the eye.

Opening the other eye very gingerly, he noticed that the room looked a little different than he remembered from the previous night. He'd never really looked at Daniel's ceiling before, it was...white. His legs appeared to be resting over the back of the couch - what he could feel of them - and his head was resting on the floor.

As he tentatively explored his body, his hands drifted towards his lap, which was on the couch but pointing up instead of down, and appeared to have a round, heavy lump on it. His fingers caught in hair which was short, but not spiky. Not Daniel. Thank God Daniel hadn't blown him while he slept. It wouldn't have been the first time, but in fairness, he did usually wake up while it was going on. The guy had a talented tongue.

He looked up, as much as his protesting neck would allow, and saw a blonde head resting comfortably in his lap, with snorting, snuffling sounds emanating from it, and a slim body with a pair of very long legs stretched out along the rest of the couch. Sam was sleeping noisily, but peacefully and although Blair was loath to wake her, he really needed to pee, which was actually a distinct advantage, since even hung-over it was nice to have an attractive head on one's lap and could lead to all sorts of embarrassment.

"Sam."

"Nnnghghh"

"Sam!"

"Ugh...wha...wher..."

"Honey, if you don't move soon, your ear is going to get very damp."

Sam squinted at him. "Blair? Wha..."

"I need to pee, sweetheart."

"Oh, sorry."

Sam pushed herself up into a sitting position and ran her hands through her unruly hair.

"Oh. Ow. God. Even my hair hurts."

Blair smiled sympathetically as he extricated himself from the couch and padded off to the bathroom, one shoe off and one shoe on. He looked down at his feet and 'Diddle diddle dumpling, my son John' began to play in his mind. He kicked off the other shoe and paused as he passed Daniel's bedroom. The door was open, the light was on, but no-one was home.

He shrugged, mentally, and opened the bathroom door. He unzipped and began to pee, sighing softly with relief.

"Don't take all day," a voice came from out of nowhere.

Blair was lucky he didn't end up peeing all over the floor as his upper body snapped around.

"Daniel?"

"Yeah... I think. Although at this point I wouldn't put money on it."

"Where the hell are you?"

The shower curtain around the bathtub moved.

"How the fuck do I get out of this thing? Ah, there you are." Daniel finally managed to pull the curtain back and peered out.

Blair laughed and instantly regretted it.

"Ow! Jesus! You're...you're in the bathtub, man."

Daniel squinted at him and frowned. "Why, Blair, such powers of observation so early in the morning. Help me out, will you?"

"At least let me finish peeing, D.J." Blair flushed the toilet and held out his hand. Daniel clumsily pulled himself out of the tub and Blair sat on the edge while Daniel took care of business.

"Oh...ow...shit. I feel like I've been zatted," Daniel groaned, running his free hand through his hair.

"Been whatted?"

"Oh, nothing. Just an expression. How's Sam?"

"'bout the same."

"Mm."

"You guys done in there? There's a line forming here y'know."

Daniel looked at Blair. "Sam," they chorused.

"Sorry, Sam. We're done." Daniel answered.

Sam raised her eyebrows as they came out of the bathroom and passed her in the hallway.

"I thought it was only women who had to pee in twos? Whatcha been doing in there?" She raised her hands. "Second thought, I don't want to know."

"I was..." Daniel began.

"...asleep in the tub." Blair finished.