“General,” Jack snarled through gritted teeth.
“I know, Colonel, I know,” George soothed. “Just a little longer.”
“My ass is black and blue,” Jack grated. “I’d knock the old reprobate
on HIS ass if he didn’t look like a stiff breeze would do the trick.”
He’d never been so embarrassed in his life. The senator was literally
chasing him around the room. Not particularly quickly, it was true, the
guy had these bad hips and all, but he was quite definitely in hot
pursuit of Jack while everyone who wasn’t Jack, Carter, Teal’c or Janet
seemed to be in hot pursuit of Daniel for various reasons. Some wanted
Daniel’s mind, some wanted his opinion, some wanted his body and one or
two seemed to want everything including the kitchen sink. Jack didn’t
want Daniel thinking the best Jack could do was a horny octogenarian
while Daniel had to beat off the best and the brightest in the galaxy
with a stick.
Jack glared at said stick. Major Davis. A nice, helpful guy who Jack
had always thought deserved better than the Pentagon until he’d seen
with his own eyes that Daniel liked Davis just as much as Davis liked
Daniel. Jack saw sparkage. Smiles. Warm looks. Animated conversation.
Soft chuckles. The occasional brush of doctor against major. Jack had a
gloomy conviction Davis wasn’t working up to giving Daniel his phone
number so much as dropping to one knee and offering Daniel his hand in
marriage. He wasn’t sure Daniel would refuse.
He was utterly depressed, thinking that a little tie straightening
between consenting friends was one thing; one of the friends having a
fat, saggy butt, grey hair, boring brown eyes, an attitude problem and
the home straight to retirement was another. Daniel really liked Davis.
Really, truly.
Jack should be happy Daniel had a nice, attentive and from the looks of
things, protective friend outside of his immediate SGC family. He
shouldn’t want to drag the friend off somewhere quiet and shoot him,
particularly as Davis seemed to be more than holding his own against
Anise and that rubberised frock she was spilling out of in every
direction. It was backless, side-less and very nearly front-less too.
Jack sipped his OJ and gazed absently at the Tok’ra contingent. They’d
arrived early to talk over a few suggestions for further exploiting
their special relationship. Anise alone had three separate suggestions,
all of them requiring Daniel’s presence at her side on Vorash. Jack
felt sorry for Jacob. Every time he caught Anise’s frock out the corner
of his eye he shuddered and hitched a little closer to Carter. Selmak
butted in from time to time, and then Jacob’s eyes would wander over to
the Danny ‘n’ Paul floorshow. Jack paused and looked a little closer.
As a matter of fact, all the Tok’ra contingent seemed to be spending a
lot of time glancing at Daniel. And Davis. None of them seemed
particularly thrilled by the obvious sparkage either.
Jack was going whacko. Nuts. Seriously. It was jealousy. He was seeing
rivals slithering out from under every rock, including the damn snakes.
No way the entire Tok’ra contingent had the hots for Daniel. No way.
Just because High Councillor Per’sus had been gooey over Dr Jackson’s
inspirational Earth-Tok’ra Alliance treaty didn’t mean he was gooey
over Dr Jackson too. No matter how anxiously he was hovering, waiting
for an opening.
All in all, Jack was grateful for the familiar klaxon sounding and the
chance for the senators to ooh and aah over the wormhole as the Tollan
arrived. Admittedly, they’d have to endure a lecture from Carter on
wormhole physics, which always took the shine right off in Jack’s
opinion. Still, if it got the major away from the doctor and the
colonel with the doctor instead, Jack was prepared to holler ‘encore’
every time Carter paused for breath. The thing that had always bothered
him most about his loser alternates was what in the hell they found to
talk about with Carter. Carter was interested in physics. And to be
fair, she played the occasional game of pool. Hours of fun, right there.
Daniel was interested in everything, which meant Jack got to tease
Daniel and argue with Daniel over everything under this and every other
sun. Life with Daniel was never boring, and in his opinion, Daniel was
way prettier than Carter, too. And smarter. Smarter than Carter, Anise
and – well, okay, maybe not the Tollan. Or the Nox, or the Asgard.
Danny still knew shit they didn’t and he was a terrifyingly quick
study.
Jack was pissed off to find himself and Davis flanking Daniel as the
group wandered down to the gateroom, a few harried SFs trying to keep
the VIPs from wandering into areas that could get them shot if they
didn’t wander right back out again.
“Davis,” Jack said abruptly. “You understand this physics stuff, right?”
“Yes, Sir,” Davis smiled.
“Good. Get in there and help those people out,” Jack ordered briskly.
He ignored the little exchange of shy, sympathetic looks between Daniel
and Davis. “Physics is one language Daniel doesn’t translate.” He
glanced up. Carter was in full flow. Jack heard the fatal phrase,
‘change the face of physics’ and cringed. “Better show some hustle,
Davis, we’re starting to lose ‘em,” he advised. Davis cringed too and
hauled ass to do his duty, only occasionally glancing longingly over
his shoulder as Jack neatly cut Daniel out of the party-herd and,
without faltering a step, right out of the gateroom.
“Well?” Jack demanded the moment they were out of earshot.
“I already had Paul’s number,” Daniel confessed. Things hadn’t gone
according to plan. Now Daniel had Paul’s work and home numbers, his
cell phone, his pager and his email addresses. All three of them.
Jack scowled at Daniel. “And you’re telling me this now? I never
suspected you would try to play with a stacked deck.”
“I was merely attempting to prove to you that the alleged batting of
eyes had nothing to do with the getting of phone numbers.” Although,
apparently, it could lead to getting, um, other things.
“So why are you looking so shifty?” Jack asked pleasantly. “Dan-iel?”
“It’s nothing,” Daniel snapped.
“It doesn’t look like nothing. Spill,” Jack insisted. This got him
nothing but a mulish pout. “We have a deal, Daniel. Full disclosure or
the experiment is a bust owing to the fact the subject is a wuss.”
“Paul asked me out,” Daniel said coldly.
“Out? Like on a date, out?” Jack asked, heart sinking. He knew it. He
goddamn knew it. Sparkage.
Daniel nodded reluctantly. Jack looked disconcertingly depressed, not
angry.
“You said yes,” Jack said quietly.
Daniel nodded even more reluctantly. He had rushed in where angels
feared to tread yet again, happily agreeing to dinner and a play he’d
wanted to see for ages without stopping to check on the fine detail.
“Dinner, and a play,” he said gloomily. Fine detail such as where the
play was running. “In Denver,” he added. “Jack, I – “
“Dr Jackson? Colonel O’Neill? The general requires your attendance in
the gateroom ASAP.”
Jack acknowledged the SF and stalked off after him without another word.
Daniel sighed. He liked Paul, they got along great, had a ton of common
interests. He just didn’t have the urge to strangle Paul with his own
tie. Or straighten it. Jack was the only man he’d ever wanted to – um –
straighten, and now he’d have to wait until the bitter end of this
reception to let Jack know it too.
Jack stalked into the gateroom, the crowds wisely scattering before
him, took in the touching reunion playing out on the ramp between
Tollan and Tau’ri and sternly suppressed his usual urge to barf. As
usual, all Narim needed was a bluebird on his shoulder. Jeez. Jack
nodded coolly at Chancellor Travell, who only warmed up when she caught
sight of Daniel. Then she lightened the hell up, cracked a genuine
smile and strolled down the ramp to take both of Daniel's hands. With
Narim snuggling Carter and Travell schmoozing her dear Dr Jackson, that
left Jack and Hammond with Tollan number three, as pleased to see them
as he’d been pleased to leave them.
“Aw, for cryin’ out loud,” Jack bitched as Omoc stalked past them as if
they weren’t there, closing in purposefully on Daniel and Travell.
Hammond gritted his teeth and followed, covering for the slight by
leading Travell away.
Daniel smiled tentatively at Omoc. “You said I might see you again,” he
prompted.
Omoc’s chilly expression didn’t falter as he looked Daniel over
assessingly, his gaze lingering on Daniel's cropped hair, but he did
reach out his hand and set it firmly on Daniel’s shoulder. “You look
more like the rest of them now. I hope that’s the extent of the bad
influence he has been having on you,” he said disapprovingly.
“Hail fellow well met,” Jack muttered. He scowled ferociously at
Daniel, then nodded significantly at Omoc. Enter the phone number
alien, stage left. That should keep Daniel out of mischief while Jack
worked out the logistics of getting Davis and a zat gun into a quiet
storeroom, well off the beaten track. He couldn't help thinking that if
he hurt Davis now, he got to comfort Daniel later.
Daniel had agreed to a date. Not just going out – going away. With
Davis. An overnight stay. Nice hotel. All alone. The two of them. The
two of them all alone with a Nice. Big. Bed. Jack ground his teeth and
stalked over to the punch bowl and the misery of the like-minded. Jacob
and Janet looked like he felt, but obviously not for the same reason.
Jack sighed. So much for hope and the little thing with the ties, which
apparently had been as erotic for Daniel as – well – straightening his
best friend’s tie.
“Shoot me now,” Jack greeted his fellows grimly.
“Get in line,” Janet snapped.
Jacob tore his eyes from Narim and Carter. He looked nauseated. “Who
the hell is this guy?”
Janet turned on her heel, snatched up one of the tall juice glasses and
grabbed the punch ladle. “I’m off duty,” she said curtly when Jack
lounged over to join her.
“Did I say anything?” Jack said mildly. “Hit me.” Jack processed
Janet’s response. “Ow,” he said crisply. “Don’t hit me again, just pour
me a drink. I’ll tell you when to stop.” He waited until Janet had the
glass brimming then nodded curtly. “Leave the glass and hand me the
bowl and ladle.” Janet glanced up at him. “I’m off too,” he said
defiantly.
“Gimme that,” Jacob snapped. “My need is greater than yours. Get
yourself an OJ.” He twitched the glass from Jack’s grip and tossed it
down. “When did Sam start dating Peter Perfect? Was she too embarrassed
to tell me?” he asked gloomily.
Janet ground her teeth. Sam was drooling all over the smug prick and
unless she stopped PDQ she could kiss the bike and Janet goodbye.
“Could be worse,” Jack began, breaking off abruptly as Janet and Jacob
scowled at him. “It could,” he insisted. “I bet neither of you won’t be
able to sit down for a week because your ass is black and blue.” He
left out the part about being molested by the senator.
“I could make it two,” Janet offered brightly. If the colonel’s cat did
turn out to be blacker than her cat, well then, he could tell her all
about how black it was over blood work and his overdue annual physical.
She shot him an assessing ‘treadmill’ kind of look, the kind of look he
knew well.
Daniel wasn’t able to find out much from Omoc about where he’d been or
what he’d been doing. Nothing unusual about that. Omoc had never been
the chatty type. Daniel struggled gamely on, trying to come up with
something that might engage Omoc’s interest without giving him the
opportunity to comment forcefully on their primitive ways. Daniel was
slightly embarrassed by just how many missions that ruled out. He’d
finished up telling Omoc about Jack’s brush with the knowledge of the
Ancients and their ongoing contacts with the Asgard. He’d tried to
gloss over the whole Thor asking for their help because they were
stupid thing.
“O’Neill had the knowledge of the Ancients downloaded into his brain?”
Omoc finally commented, eyes dwelling thoughtfully on Jack.
Daniel followed Omoc’s assessing gaze to Jack, skulking by the punch
bowl with Janet and General Carter. They all looked depressed. Anise
peeled away from the crowd surrounding Chancellor Travell and High
Councillor Per’sus and made a beeline for Jack. Jack’s visible alarm
and rapid retreat suggested that Freya was very much with them. Daniel
sighed. At least it gave Paul a break. He’d been stuck with Anise for
the past twenty minutes and looked a little punchy.
“The perfect choice,” Omoc said surprisingly.
Daniel turned back to him, surprised. “Excuse me?”
Omoc’s face softened slightly. “There is no need,” he said with
surprising gentleness. He nodded brusquely at Jack's rapidly retreating
back. “He possessed no unique knowledge to displace, nor is his order
of intelligence such that the people of this world could have exploited
what he knew. Had the information been placed in your mind, the case
would have been very different. You have the skills, the expertise and
the will to have unlocked the knowledge you were granted. The danger to
your world would have been grave.”
“I happen to believe that knowledge should be earned or you don’t take
sufficient responsibility for its application,” Daniel said stiffly. “I
prefer to learn what I know, not take it.”
“Tritely phrased, but I accept you mean well.”
“Thank you,” Daniel said witheringly.
Omoc inclined his head. “His influence. You were not always so.” He
looked around distastefully. “I grow weary of the company.”
“Thank you,” Daniel managed the exact same tone.
“I did not mean you."
"Omoc?" Travell called.
Omoc walked away from Daniel without a backward glance.
"Always leave 'em wanting more," Daniel muttered. He glanced around,
noticing a surprising number of SFs presumably on guard in the
gateroom, though most of them seemed to be following his every move and
he wasn't any kind of security risk. Whatever. Daniel sidled between
the chattering groups, angling for the exit in pursuit of Jack. He
glanced back and felt his heart sink as Paul excused himself from the
group he was schmoozing and followed.
Daniel didn't want to let Paul down, but he was going to have to, as
gently as possible, and without mentioning any consensual tie
straightening with his colonel. He had misunderstood Paul's intentions,
and now he was faced with his own attraction to Jack, it wasn't fair on
either of them for him to encourage Paul in any way. He let Paul catch
him up.
"Daniel," Paul smiled at him.
"Hey."
"Colonel O'Neill has an impressive turn of speed," Paul observed. "Not
that I blame him. If Freya was after me, I'd run too."
"I've heard that Anise is interested in me," Daniel pointed out. "On an
intellectual level."
Paul looked horrified. "What does that mean?"
"I have no idea and I don't plan to stay in one spot long enough to
find out," Daniel said emphatically.
"Use the Colonel as a decoy," Paul suggested, "By the time those two
fight it out over which of you to chase, you'll both be long gone."
Daniel was uneasily aware of surreptitious glances in his direction as
he and Paul walked through the hallways. "It is my imagination or are
people watching me?"
"You're just noticing now?" Paul asked, surprised.
"Yes." Daniel leaned in. "How long has it been going on?" Was he some
kind of security risk? Or worse - was his fly undone?
"Since you got here."
"This morning?" Surely he would have noticed all these people watching
before now?
"Since you came back from Abydos," Paul said unthinkingly.
"What?"
"Er - Daniel," Paul hesitated, eyeing Daniel cautiously. He took a deep
breath. "I've never been in a command yet that wasn't a hotbed of
simmering homoeroticism, salacious gossip and innuendo. There's nothing
else to do out in the sticks but shoot stuff and have, think and talk
about sex."
"We're in Colorado Springs! There's a zoo just up the road!" Daniel
protested.
"What's your point, Dannyboy?" Jack interposed himself firmly between
Daniel and Davis.
"I don't know!" Daniel turned appealingly to Jack.
"Davis?" Jack snapped.
"Sir?"
"If you want to talk about the sexual customs and mores of
predominantly masculine closed militaristic societies, take it to
Rothman," Jack ordered fluently, looking intently at Daniel, who seemed
gratifyingly impressed by his grasp of socio-cultural stuff. "That's
allegedly what we pay him for."
"He's an archaeologist, not an anthro - " Daniel forgot what he was
saying, he was so busy looking at Jack looking at him. "What was my
point?" he said blankly.
"Throw Rothman a bone, Davis, he'll love you for it."
"Sir," Paul acknowledged gloomily, trailing slowly away, glancing
mournfully back at Daniel.
"Don't mention ashtrays!" Jack hollered after him. "He gets testy."
"Only because you - " Daniel swallowed hard as Jack looked at him in a
deeply significant tie straightening sort of way and allowed his
colonel to gallantly escort him to the elevator. "People are watching
me?" Daniel complained sotto voce to Jack, necessitating him walking
quite closely. So he could hear.
"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard, Jack! It's that hokey old
myth about glasses. You only have to whip some geek's glasses off to
reveal a total hottie? Please!" Daniel whispered derisively, managing
to get his voce just a tad more sotto. Jack obligingly edged closer. To
hear. "If anyone whipped my glasses off, all they'd find is a guy who
can't see properly and gets a headache."
"What if the geek was a total hottie with the glasses?" Jack asked
interestedly as he punched nineteen.
"Doesn't happen," Daniel commented authoritatively.
"No?" Jack murmured softly.
He was still - looking - at Daniel. Daniel couldn't help but - look -
back. Not that there was anything else to look at, apart from the
walls, the floor, the ceiling and the SFs but - er - Jack was really
looking. Daniel was furious to find himself blushing when Jack's hand
lightly touched the small of his back and urged him onto the elevator.
He stalked over to one side of the car, Jack slouched at the other,
both of them still looking at one another until the doors began to
close and a groan rose up from the assembled SFs.
"Goddamned Fraiser!" someone snarled.
Jack and Daniel peered around.
"Annual medicals?" Jack asked, wincing reflexively.
"Must be." Several things happened at once as soon as the elevator
began to move. Jack hit the emergency stop button, Daniel stopped
breathing, started blushing and completely failed to resist when Jack
sauntered over and pulled him into his arms, reaching confidently up to
pluck off Daniel's glasses.
"No," Jack said in a tone Daniel had never heard from him before,
staring intently at Daniel's face. "No difference."
Daniel smiled shyly at Jack, tentatively resting his hand on Jack's
shoulder. Transfixed by the tenderness in Jack's eyes, Daniel slowly
leaned in, reaching up to cup Jack's face. He froze a few inches from
Jack's mouth, flinching away as Jack closed the distance. Jack stilled
too, looking at him searchingly.
"Daniel?" he asked gently.
He closed in again and Daniel met him halfway, gasping as Jack's mouth
settled softly on his, one gentle kiss flowing into another. Jack's
lips were firm and mobile, exploring the taste and texture of his own
mouth. Daniel clasped his arms around Jack's neck, Jack's tightening
around his waist in turn to hug him fiercely.
When the pressure on his lips increased, Daniel parted them, allowing
Jack to deepen the kiss. He flickered the tip of his tongue against
Jack's probing one, stroking and rasping over his with increasing
passion. Jack was a great kisser and Daniel was grateful he seemed to
have no complaints about Daniel's technique, which was rusty to say the
least.
Jack practically had to peel himself away from Daniel's luscious mouth,
and the warmest, sweetest kiss he could remember in way too long. "Come
home with me tonight?" he asked gravely. "We have a lot to talk about."
Daniel's smile was slow to come, but it was there, as real and inviting
as his luminous eyes. "Yes, please," he agreed equally gravely,
nervously smoothing his fingers over Jack's shoulder.
Jack was dying to tell Daniel he wanted to make love but he could tell
that was moving WAY too fast. Daniel was certainly willing, but he was
clearly also confused as hell. "I'd really like to kiss you some more,"
he smiled, hoping he could persuade Daniel to stay the night, share his
bed at least.
"Me too," Daniel sighed. "But I have to tell Paul - I tried but - "
"Leave Davis to me," Jack ordered.
"No," Daniel refused at once. It was bizarre to say the least to have
Jack scowling at him while they were wrapped together in this intimate
embrace, but when he tried to step away, Jack tightened his grip. "I
can't argue while you're hugging me," he protested, unable to fight the
urge to slip his fingers into Jack's hair. "I could let go any time,"
he said defensively when Jack winked at him.
"Keep telling yourself that." Jack leaned in to breathe against
Daniel's lips. "You can't argue when I kiss you, either," he said
complacently. He was delighted when Daniel stretched up to kiss him
softly, persuasively.
"Mmm," Jack approved, happily giving way to the gently insistent
pressure, enthusiastically encouraging Daniel's extraordinarily erotic
exploration of his mouth.
Unfortunately, he was even more enthusiastic when Daniel opened to him
in turn, so enthusiastic he didn't hear the trapdoor in the roof of the
elevator being forced. He did however hear the unmistakeable thud of a
very large Marine sergeant dropping down into the elevator with them.
Jack found himself in a difficult situation. He had his beautiful,
brilliant and above all shy archaeologist plastered to him in a
blatantly erotic embrace and his archaeologist was playing with his
hair and sighing into his mouth as they kissed passionately. If he
could make the fact he was the only thing keeping Daniel upright look
like a struggle, the odds were good he could climb out of here with
nothing worse than a sexual harassment charge and a jail sentence to
keep he and Daniel apart.
The Marine's thoughtful face lightened into a huge smile. "Colonel
O'Neill is giving Dr Jackson CPR!" he bellowed up at the rescue party.
A chorus of anxious enquiries and assorted medical advice were bellowed
back down.
Jack had to fight to hang onto Daniel as he reared back in total shock
and after about a nanosecond, utter mortification.
Abandoning the undignified struggle as Jack refused to let him go,
Daniel swallowed convulsively and attempted some damage control. "It
was my - "
"Allergies," the Marine said sympathetically. "I suggest you take Dr
Jackson somewhere quiet to rest for a while, Sir. Which rules out the
Infirmary."
Jack knew perfectly well the Marine wasn't doing this for his sake, but
for Daniel's. He wasn't proud. He'd been given a break he didn't
deserve and he fully intended to make the most of it.
Daniel sighed heavily. "Do I have 'victim' tattooed across my
forehead?" he muttered.
"Survivor," Jack and the Marine corrected him as one.
"I'm feeling strong enough to walk," the patient insisted, backing away
in alarm when the colonel and the Marine closed in on him purposefully.
"If the colonel was to assist you?" the Marine coaxed.
Jack caught him before he could get away and Daniel had no choice but
to look faint and lean heavily on him, trying not to show his
indignation at the decidedly possessive way Jack was holding him. When
the Marine hollered up that he was restarting the elevator and the
rescuers should stand clear, Jack reached for Daniel's hand. Daniel
tugged it away; Jack smacked it hard and snatched it back.
Daniel was escorted tenderly from the elevator and was slightly taken
aback to find the rescue party couldn't have been more jubilant if
they'd actually rescued them. Jack led him through another crowd of
SFs, managing to look annoyingly composed yet nobly concerned for
Daniel's health and well-being. Putting aside the fact that Jack was a
stupendous kisser for a moment, Daniel kicked him smartly on the shin
the instant they were safely out of sight because he was also a smug
bastard who never knew when to stop pushing his luck.
Like now. Daniel balked when he realised Jack was steering him to the
VIP quarters, the ones that came with the big bed. He was struggling
with the stupendous kisser part. He wasn't ready for anything that
involved them horizontal and adjacent.
"You're supposed to rest, remember?" Jack explained patiently. "That
hurt by the way," he added reproachfully. "I'm not wussy enough to limp
but it hurts. I could limp if I wanted to. It hurts like crap."
"Good."
"It does not however hurt so much I can't toss you over my shoulder and
carry you the rest of the way," he said smoothly. "Something I would
thoroughly enjoy, so, please - just keep right on pushing."
"Why didn't that Marine report you for - for what?" Daniel asked.
"Sexual misconduct," Jack said grimly. "For which I apologise. We
lucked out this time. I swear I won't compromise you like that again,"
he promised. "No sex on base."
"Sex."
Jack used Daniel's momentary stupefaction to get him into the VIP
quarters and slammed the door behind them. Then he hugged Daniel hard,
ruffled his hair and shoved him on the bed before sitting himself
virtuously in the chair he put where he could watch Daniel and still be
out of kicking distance.
"Sex?" Daniel asked, hoping not. As easily as they confided in one
another on pretty much everything, Jack was the last person on the
planet he would choose to discuss his sex life or lack thereof with,
but it looked like he had no choice if Jack was determined to be his
sex life. The lack thereof part would be immediately apparent, because
his vast experience of sex with a man was only applicable if Jack was
into tie straightening in a really big way.
Daniel found it impossible to quantify just how embarrassing it was to
have to admit to his putative - well, no avoiding it - lover that he
was only the latest in a long line of two thanks to Daniel's penchant
for long-term relationships. He just couldn't find the words to tell
Jack he'd hardly been to bed with anybody, and hadn't been with anyone
since Sha'uri.
He gazed up at Jack, biting his lip. Jack gazed back. Daniel nervously
licked his lips. Jack unfolded from his chair and stalked towards the
bed, looking distinctly glazed and - and needy. Daniel sensed he was
about to be thoroughly kissed and once again completely embarrassed
himself by utterly failing to discourage Jack in any way. He jumped up
from the bed, but that didn't count, not when he timed it so he could
walk straight into Jack's waiting arms.
"Daniel," Jack sighed, kissing him like it was the most natural thing
in the world.
They both reached a mutual decision that they were wearing too many
clothes for men trying to get to know one another a little better and
each rushed to assist the other to remove several of the worst barriers
to effective communication, which was quite difficult because neither
of them would break off the giddy kiss.
Daniel had been hugged by Jack so often he'd amended his concept of
personal space to incorporate Jack, but being clasped fervently to his
enticingly bared chest was a new experience. Daniel eased the shirt
further back, baring Jack's collar bone, which he stroked.
Jack approved wholeheartedly, pushing Daniel's shirt off his shoulders
as he leaned in to kiss the smooth, creamy skin at Daniel's throat.
Daniel shivered and wrapped his arms tight round Jack, slipping curious
fingers beneath Jack's shirt to explore the broad expanse of Jack's
back.
Gravity got pro-active. At least, neither of them could remember
pushing the other down to the bed, though they both applauded a damn
fine idea and got comfortable. Jack's idea of comfortable was to enfold
Daniel in a vast, full-body embrace.
"Oh, Jack," Daniel sighed, deciding his masculinity was secure enough
to survive some snuggling if Jack's was. He reached up and drew Jack
into another slow, passionate kiss, shaking as Jack's hands stroked
over his thigh to cup his ass, gliding up to slip beneath the shirt and
curve possessively over his waist. Daniel's hands were entwined in
Jack's hair so he returned the embrace by hooking his leg over Jack's
back.
Daniel shuddered as he felt Jack emphatically harden against him.
Daniel was attracted to Jack, but he was deeply shaken by the power of
this amazing kiss they were sharing, was too nervous to be fully
aroused. He was grateful that Jack seemed content to focus on relaxing
him rather than turning him on. The kiss - being held so intimately -
it was enough for Daniel to have to cope with right now.
Jack's touch heated his skin, but Jack was exploring him gently, as
much comforting as caressing, soothing Daniel's tension away until he
melted into Jack's body, into the kiss. He felt Jack smile against his
mouth and pulled him closer, smoothing his fingers over the hot skin at
Jack's nape, unconsciously mirroring the way their tongues stroked.
Jack held Daniel as close and as tight as he dared, profoundly grateful
for the trusting way Daniel was leaning into him, aware of his desire
and accepting, for all his shyness. After waiting for so long, Jack
could hardly believe this was happening. He eased back from the kiss as
Daniel fought to snatch a breath, but couldn't resist the urge to
explore his beautiful face.
He realised that Daniel wanted to tell him something, but wasn't sure
how. Jack wanted to tell him it was okay, he knew Daniel was
inexperienced, but he couldn't figure out a way to tell Daniel not to
worry about it without hurting his feelings. The mere thought of being
Daniel's first made his gut clench with need and anticipation,
something he felt strongly his sensitive lover didn’t need to know.
"I don't think we should rush into having sex," Jack said softly,
biting back a grin at the flush of relief tiding over Daniel's face. He
was touched when Daniel instinctively tightened his hold. "But I'd like
you to come over tonight and stay with me."
"Sleep with you?" Daniel asked doubtfully, clinging even closer.
"We have a lot to talk about."
Daniel nodded, looking a little regretful.
"We'd better get back to the reception," Jack suggested
unenthusiastically.
Daniel kissed him again.
Every single attempt to speak to Paul alone had
been ruthlessly thwarted by Jack. Daniel was slightly annoyed with Jack
over his possessiveness, and absolutely furious with himself that he
found it such a turn on. Every time Jack loomed up menacingly, Daniel
felt oddly breathless and his libido plummeted straight between the
sheets.
He was finding it impossible to circulate diplomatically and fantasise
about going to bed with Jack, mostly because Jack insisted on
circulating with him, standing so close Daniel could feel the heat of
his body. He couldn't believe no one could tell just by looking at them
that Jack's tongue had been sensuously stroking his or that Jack's
hands had been cupped over his ass and as soon as they could blow this
joint, he was going to bed with Jack.
Daniel wished Jack wouldn't stand so close. He needed to catch his
breath, find some balance instead of feeling this exquisite fear and
desire shivering through him. Everything had changed and he didn't know
what the hell to do about it, apart from going to bed with Jack. Gawd,
he was obsessing.
Right now he didn't know which would be worse, sleeping with Jack or -
or sleeping with Jack. It was lose, lose. With his sinuses, he snored,
and he was bad at sex, especially sex he hadn't had before. He got
better - way better, but he'd never hit the ground running. No one did.
It took time to know another person, especially one you'd known for
four years. For instance, Daniel didn't know if Jack slept nude. He
couldn’t ask, because even if Jack didn't, he would. He could however
quietly panic over it. At least, he could if Jack would just stop
smiling at him like that.
It was a tad unfair that all of Jack being entirely happy was aimed
right at Daniel and the rest of the crowd was keeping a discrete as
well as discreet distance because Jack was being an absolute bastard to
everybody else. Daniel sighed. Particularly poor Paul, who looked like
he was breathing without Colonel O'Neill's written permission or
something.
Everyone appeared to be watching Jack watching Daniel, except for Sam,
who was watching Janet watching Jacob; Narim, who was watching Sam;
Paul, who was watching his own shoes when he wasn't watching Daniel,
and Robert, who was watching Anise.
"Those are magnificent," Robert toasted Anise's breasts. He wandered
over. "May I?"
"You are a student of physiology?" Anise asked.
"Archaeologist," Robert said vaguely, leaning in to take a closer look.
"Your clavicular definition is stunning."
Jack stood open-mouthed at Daniel's side, watching the surreal
unfolding drama.
"I am also an expert on ancient cultures," Anise informed Robert. "I am
Anise. My name means noble strength."
"Robert. Bright fame," Robert muttered, still peering intently at
Anise's breasts.
"Don't tell me that line works!" Jack hissed to Daniel.
"It's the beard," Daniel hissed back. "It mesmerises people."
"I am Freya," Freya beamed.
"Lady of high birth," Robert said cursorily, losing interest.
"You are hirsute," Freya sighed. "I am reminded of the men of my
homeworld."
"Hirsute?" Jack parroted incredulously. "My welcome mat is softer than
that beard."
"Welcome?" Daniel sniffed. "Your mat actually says 'If you're standing
here it's because I haven’t shot you yet'. Where exactly is the
subliminal 'welcome' message in that?"
"'Yet'."
"Oh."
"How old are you?" Robert asked Anise directly.
"I was spawned by the great queen Egregia," Anise said proudly.
"Really? You look older," Robert said casually, turning away. "'Great'
queen?" he called disparagingly over his shoulder as he strolled over
to the exit. "A minor deity in the Roman pantheon," he sniffed.
"Minor deity?" Anise stiffened.
"At best."
"Egregia did battle against Ra - " Anise snapped.
"She lost."
Anise drew herself to her full height and glared haughtily at Robert.
"She fought and died nobly to save your kind!"
"Like I said," Robert drawled, using his inhaler in a manner strongly
suggestive of mild contempt. "She got her ass kicked and she lost." He
did pause at the door and glance back. "Goddess of childbirth, huh? I
guess that explains the dress code."
"What do you mean?" Anise asked stiffly.
"I've always had this theory the followers of Egregia were high class
hookers. The original call girls," Robert said pleasantly. "Daniel
talked me out of submitting a research application because Frosty was
giving him hell."
"Frosty?" Jack hissed, elbowing Daniel.
"She was a bitch. You'd have liked her," Robert assured Anise.
"Tell it!" Janet called cheerfully. "Ask him what a hooker is," she
urged.
"I am curious," Anise admitted.
"Follow me. I think I've got a mirror someplace."
Nobody knew quite why Anise followed Robert out of the gateroom, least
of all Anise, but follow she did, plainly mesmerised by the beard that
sneered.
Daniel took advantage of Jack's astonishment to sneak over to Paul. He
noticed several deeply pitying looks from the SFs to Paul. Paul noticed
too and had no hesitation in neatly extracting Daniel from the
gateroom.
"There's something I need to tell you - " Daniel began apologetically
as they walked down the hallway. "About the date." He realised he'd
made a mistake when Paul's face lit up. Before he could utter a protest
Paul yanked him through the nearest open door, which turned out to be
the men's room. Déjà vu, Daniel thought as Paul pulled
him into an ardent embrace. Daniel resisted, stepping rapidly back,
accidentally slamming the door shut behind him. A pained yelp from the
hallway made Paul freeze; unfortunately with his hands clamped to
Daniel's ass and his mouth a breath away.
The door handle vigorously rattled.
"Daniel?"
A fist struck the door.
"Daniel!"
A solid kick made the door reverberate.
"Davis," Jack snarled. "Open the goddamn door! Now!"
Daniel leaned hard against the door, nodding briskly to Paul. "On
three," he whispered. "Three."
"Davis!"
"Crap!" Paul hauled ass for the stalls with more haste than dignity.
Good reflexes, Daniel thought admiringly, fighting to keep the door
shut until he heard the stall bolt slam home. That would give Paul a
couple of seconds.
"Jeez," Paul groaned, snatching the stall door closed. "Do whatever it
takes!"
Daniel shot him a helplessly apologetic look and slammed his ass off
the door, which Jack kicked viciously.
Daniel heard the bolt hit home and let his body relax. Jack violently
shoved the door open and sent Daniel staggering. He decided Jack's
reflexes were way better than Paul's, because Jack caught him around
the waist before he'd stumbled more than a few steps and
enthusiastically checked him for injuries, which bought Paul several
minutes of precious breathing space.
He rapidly discovered that reproachful silence made Jack edgy, and a
sorrowful look directed up from under his lashes made Jack pounce and
kiss him, growling something about not being able to stand it. This
kept them both fully occupied. Daniel tried to keep his eyes open, but
Jack started nibbling his tongue as he insinuated his thigh between
Daniel's and rubbed. Daniel gasped and hooked his leg around Jack's.
Jack went nuts, lifting Daniel clean off his feet. He couldn't take the
weight and staggered, dropping Daniel into the nearest of the row of
washbasins, deepening the kiss as Daniel promptly wrapped his legs
around Jack's back and used him as leverage to lift his ass out of the
damp basin.
Paul cautiously stuck his head out the stall door and watched the
mirror image of the two men ecstatically kissing. He eased the stall
door closed and balanced himself on the can again. After the third time
Colonel O'Neill tenderly sighed Daniel's name, he sorrowfully realised
it was true love or the scary sonovabitch wouldn't be that sappy.
"Let's go home, Jack," Daniel pleaded as Jack nibbled his ear.
"As soon as I've flushed Davis," Jack promised.
"You can kill him later," Daniel promised fondly.
Prudently bracing his feet against the stall door just in case the
enthusiastic osculation was a feint on the colonel's part, Paul sadly
guessed he wouldn't be going on that date with Daniel.
"We've got to get back to the reception," Jack claimed unconvincingly.
"Now, Jack," Daniel insisted, one coaxing hand caressing Jack's cheek.
"I'm not going near the reception. I look like I peed my pants and my
ass won't fit under the hand dryer."
By the time he got to Jack's house, Daniel was
wondering what the hell he was doing. What the hell he was going to be
doing. With Jack. Jack. Who was waiting for him, opening the front door
as Daniel slowly walked up the path. Jack had had time to change into
jeans and a figure-hugging black T-shirt. Daniel was disconcerted to
realise for the first time just how much figure there was to hug. Jack
was really - um - built. He tried to analyse how that made him feel,
and came up with shit-scared.
Naturally that was enough to goad him into practically running into
Jack's arms. Jack went 'oof!' and staggered back, clutching Daniel
desperately. He slammed into the wall and one of his pictures fell off
and clattered down the stairs.
"Hi," Jack choked.
"Hi," Daniel whispered, stretching up to kiss Jack. Jack eagerly met
him half way and they staggered back the way they came, lip locked, so
Jack could kick his front door shut. As Jack seduced Daniel's tongue
into his mouth, Daniel closed his eyes and wrapped his arms tight
around Jack's neck again. When Jack moved, he moved, kissing deeply,
passionately, plunging into Jack's mouth, moaning embarrassingly as
Jack nibbled his tongue and sucked on it. It was like a tango with
tongues, everything in constant gliding motion.
Daniel finally opened his eyes, surfaced from the kiss and wheezed,
totally disconcerted to find himself in Jack's bedroom. Jack had neatly
extracted him from his jacket and was working on his tie before Daniel
managed to get a word out. "You want to go to bed with me," he said
stupidly, making it all the way from dazed to shit-scared in ten
seconds flat. He reached out shakily to stop Jack from unbuttoning his
shirt.
"I'm not trying to seduce you, Daniel," Jack said reassuringly.
"Why not?" Daniel asked, forgetting his original objection in a rush of
damp-assed rejection.
"I'm not going to rush you into sex, Daniel, into anything you're not
ready for, but I would like to kiss you, hold you." He stepped closer
to Daniel and put his hands on Daniel's hips. "Touch you," he said
softly, brushing his lips over Daniel's. When the slight pressure was
returned, Jack kissed him fully on the lips, coaxing him to open again.
Daniel sighed and when Jack turned him and backed him towards the bed,
he moved with Jack, allowing himself to be lowered.
Jack stretched out at Daniel's side, pulling him into an embrace and
they lay that way, kissing and holding one another until the tension
tightening Daniel's body eased and he relaxed into Jack. When Daniel
began to stroke his back with gentle curiosity, Jack returned the
favour, exulting over the slim, firm body clasped so close to him. He
couldn't resist sliding his hands down to cup the lush curve of
Daniel's ass, where the fabric clung distractingly.
Daniel squirmed involuntarily when Jack started stroking his butt,
which gave him another problem right in front of him as Jack groaned
and got hard. Very hard. Very. Jack also kissed him very passionately.
Very. Jack rolled on top of Daniel, the weight of his body pinning him
to the bed. Daniel kept thinking about things that began with very,
like some bizarre game of I Spy. Jack was very big. Very heavy. Very -
Daniel delicately fingered a bulging bicep - hard.
His mind was skittering away from the other bulge.
He trusted Jack, even if he was wildly aroused by Daniel and kissing
him desperately, growling low in his throat and chewing on Daniel's
tongue. Maybe if Daniel wasn't enjoying being kissed so damn much his
heart was practically in his mouth he could calm Jack down. Maybe if he
knew what he was ready for - he was sure Jack would stop at a word from
him. Unfortunately the only word he could come up with was 'Mmmmmm',
which wasn't helping either of them calm down, although he was happy it
made Jack so happy.
Daniel was getting hot. He could make Jack stop or he could make Jack
undress him. Jack's hips rocked slowly against his. Daniel gasped and
shuddered at the incredible, unsuspected sensuality of Jack's penis
sliding over his and went with Plan B, ordering Jack to undress him.
"Now."
"Daniel? I promised not to seduce you. Do you have any idea what you're
getting us into?" Jack asked, rapidly unbuttoning.
"Haven't a goddamn clue," Daniel admitted honestly, deciding to be
proactive and reaching for Jack's T-shirt. "I just want to see you
naked."
Jack picked up speed, practically tearing Daniel's pants off and
shucking his jeans at breakneck speed.
Daniel got a lot hotter when he propped himself up on his elbows and
saw Jack's proudly jutting erection. For once in his life he was
speechless. He just lay there staring wide eyed at Jack's magnificent
body, long and lean, hardened by a coupled of decades of action; the
powerful musculature, the flat, toned stomach and taut ass and thighs.
Daniel looked down at himself and sighed. He looked at Jack
deprecatingly. "You want to - um - " he trailed off, eyes dropping
again to Jack's erection.
"Yes," Jack said calmly. "Very much."
Daniel compared and contrasted again. "Why?" he asked, bewildered.
Jack looked him up and down incredulously.
Daniel wished he hadn't been so quick to undress and scrambled under
the quilt, which he pulled up to his chin.
"Can I see you naked?" Jack asked hopefully.
Daniel wriggled, pushed, shoved and finally kicked his boxers onto the
floor.
"Magnificent," Jack said solemnly as Daniel yanked the quilt back up
his chin. He had accidentally bared a few inches of chest during the
struggle. Jack had a flash of collar bone there for a few moments.
"I've always liked that quilt." He walked slowly up to his own bed and
trailed his fingers along the edge of the quilt. "I'm getting in now,
and just so we're clear, even though I want to, I won't." Daniel
scooted over to the extreme opposite edge of the bed as Jack lifted the
quilt and slid in. He pillowed his head on his hands and waited with
interest to see what Daniel would do next.
Jack had to admit he was having the time of his life. Daniel was so far
out of his depth he'd have a steep climb ahead of him before he could
drown. He was doing his best to think it through and make a rational,
considered choice about having sex with Jack, but his own body was
ambushing him. Daniel wanted to make love, in fact he needed to make
love, needed it so badly it made Jack's heart ache to think of how
lonely he was, but nerves and shyness were getting in the way.
He'd made a promise he intended to keep and he happened to be deeply in
love with Daniel, so there would be no cheap shots, no pressure.
Whatever Daniel wanted, Jack would gladly give. He lay still, letting
Daniel get used to his presence in the bed, waiting patiently for
Daniel's breathing to even out, and finally, he got what he needed.
Daniel, sidling cautiously over to curl up at Jack's side. After a
moment, Daniel draped an arm across Jack, stretched up to kiss his
chin, and shyly laid his head on Jack's shoulder. Jack unfolded his
arms and held Daniel tight.
"You do know I'm in love with you, don't you?" he asked his love
gently. Daniel nodded jerkily, his arm tightening protectively over
Jack. Jack stroked his hair soothingly.
"You wouldn't want to make love to me if you didn't. You wouldn't take
the risk," Daniel corrected himself. "The team, our friendship --"
"And you?" Jack asked slowly, hoping against hope.
"Neither would I." Daniel surged up and kissed Jack fiercely. "I've
never been with anyone I didn't love."
Yes! Jack hugged Daniel so hard he wheezed. "Thank God!" Now he had
exactly what he wanted, Jack pushed his luck just a little further. "Do
you want to be with me?"
"Yes, but it's too soon, Jack," Daniel said regretfully. "I do love
you, but it's too soon for - for that."
"I'm not proud," Jack teased, stifling his regret. "I'll take you
anyway I can get you. We can cuddle up and try to keep it platonic."
"Ja-ack," Daniel protested, looking up at him, blinking hard.
"Now you bat your eyes at me?" Jack smouldered dangerously. "While
you're naked and sprawling all over me and I can't do a goddamn thing
about it? You're killing me."
Daniel decided to kill him a little more and reached out cautiously to
skim his fingers lightly over Jack's chest. The resultant stream of
profanity would have done the Marine Corps proud, let alone the Air
Force. Encouraged, Daniel kissed Jack's shoulder, fascinated by the
warm, smooth skin tight over the flexing muscles. He kissed a trail
down, thoughtfully flickering his tongue over a nipple. Jack groaned
heart-rendingly and pushed him away, gently but firmly. Daniel curled
up obediently at his side for all of thirty seconds, then explored the
hard, unfamiliar planes of Jack's abdomen with curious fingers.
"Daniel? I can't have sex with you so stop having sex with me!" Jack
snarled.
Daniel shook his head and mischievously curved his hand over Jack's
hip. He wasn't surprised when Jack's hand clenched over his
involuntarily and guided it down. Daniel had never before held another
man's penis, finding the sensation at once reassuringly familiar and
exotically alien. He was mesmerised by the weight and heat, the eager
throb and pulse of blood in the velvety flesh still swelling against
his palm, arousal spiking through him in turn. "Jack?" he asked
uncertainly.
Jack pulled Daniel into his arms, a little embarrassed at the way his
hands were shaking. Maybe Daniel wasn't ready for the full meal deal,
but he definitely needed to relax. Jack figured nothing was more
relaxing than good sex. He rested his hands over Daniel's slim hips and
pushed subtly into him. Daniel gasped and clung to him, his hands
mirroring Jack's. When Jack rocked again, Daniel met him halfway,
gasping and shuddering gratifyingly as their dicks ground together.
Lying on their sides, it was hard to get the kind of friction that
could make the sex really good, but it had been so goddamn long since
Daniel had been with anyone, the way he was biting down those tiny
moans as his slick, slippery erection slid over and over Jack's told
him Daniel wasn't going to last long.
Jack went eagerly as Daniel pulled him into another profound kiss,
tightening his hold to stroke every inch of Daniel's body he could
reach as he rocked their bodies easily together, blithely ignoring the
tension slowly melting from Daniel's body and growing in his own. He
exulted as Daniel clung ever closer, hooking his leg once again over
Jack's waist as his hands scrabbled for a hold on Jack's sweaty
shoulders.
He went with the flow, rolling Daniel beneath him, desperately kissing
his eyes, lips, face and throat as he thrust gently into the elegantly
sleek, supple body he'd coveted for so long. He loved the contrasts in
Daniel, slender and yet so strong, his smooth skin warm and soft over
firm muscles. Daniel met every thrust, his head shifting restlessly on
the pillow as they moved together. Jack knew he was getting it so right
when Daniel's neck began to arch and he wrapped those long, long legs
around Jack's, wanting and needing more pressure, more friction. When
Daniel surged up, Jack was with him, allowing himself to be tumbled
onto his back.
Daniel was giddy with desire and possibility, propped up on his elbows
to kiss and kiss and kiss as he pounded into Jack's willing, jolting
body, both of them slipping and sliding over sweat soaked skin, kissing
and laughing and kissing some more. Touching. Hands getting everywhere,
in fact. Jack was hot, hard and delectably hairy, groping Daniel's ass,
grunting and purple with effort as he heaved up, his body shaking with
the same tension wracking Daniel with waves of hot, surging pleasure.
Daniel's back arched and he came, crying out Jack's name as his orgasm
exhausted him. He collapsed shaking on Jack's chest, fighting for
breath as Jack's hands clenched bruisingly over his ass and he too
came, hot semen pulsing against Daniel's groin, mingling with his own.
"I promised not to seduce you," Jack wheezed in a thread of a voice,
still battling a blinding orgasm.
"It's not your fault," Daniel soothed him, nuzzling his face against
Jack's, wincing as the stubble rasped against his cheek. "Well, it is,"
he amended conscientiously, "But only in the sense you're so damned hot
and - and fascinating."
"Fascinating?" Jack sensed a compliment.
"Mmm." Daniel slithered off and sprawled happily - and stickily -
against Jack's side. He settled his cheek against Jack's shoulder,
sighing happily as Jack's arms came around him. "Love you, Jack."
"Love you too, Daniel. In fact I - oh," Jack said weakly as Daniel
contentedly curled his fingers around Jack's dick, kissed his chin and
drowsily snuggled in to sleep. "How am I supposed to sleep like that?"
"If I hold onto this - " Daniel tightened his grip possessively, "I get
the rest of you, and you're not supposed to sleep, you're supposed to
wake up," he explained a tad smugly. "I may start off slow, but I get
better," he confided sleepily, yawning.
"Better?"
"At sex."
"Better?"
"I just need practice. Lotttttts of practiiiiiiice."
"Shy virgin," Jack gloated as Daniel drifted off.
"Uh-uh," Daniel frowned. "Try sex-crazed Energiser bunny. Why'd you
think they called Sarah Ole Frosty Pants?" He chuckled malevolently.
"You never heard of irony?"
FINIS
Back to Part One
Feedback makes the difference between writing
and posting; please contact me at biblio@jd-divas.com
|
Download a printer-friendly PDF version of the story