SquidgeWorld Archive

"You're just being pig-headed!" Daniel accused, his arms folded tightly across his chest.

"Oink!" Jack barked, his facial features cold and cruel to match the sarcastic comeback.

Even though they were in the archaeologist's office at the SGC, Jack and Daniel were in the middle of an argument, but that wasn't unusual. They'd been arguing almost non-stop for two weeks, with slight pauses for missions and a few civil conversations as they unsuccessfully attempted to make-up, either at Jack's house or Daniel's apartment.

"Learn that at Old McDonald's farm, Jack?" Daniel angrily snapped.

"At least I know he had a farm!" the colonel replied, not thinking out his retort fully; that is, not until he saw the brief expression of deep hurt and sadness that enveloped his lover. "Danny, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that," he said quietly and sincerely.

"I know," Daniel acknowledged, turning around and walking a few feet away. "Just ... go read a ... a memo or something."

"Danny ..." Jack reached out, wanting to touch his lover, but he knew Daniel's wall was up, stronger and thicker than ever, so he let him arms fall back to his side. ~You're a blasted idiot, O'Neill,~ he chastised inwardly. "Daniel, we need to talk."

"You hate talking," Daniel replied a bit flippantly, his tone hiding the hurt he felt.

"Well, I do, but not with you," Jack responded, moving a bit closer to the younger man. He decided to follow his instincts, placing his hands atop his lover's shoulders and rubbing gently across them. "Danny, what's going on? We've been arguing for two weeks, and I'm not sure why."

Daniel blinked, licking his lips at the same time, and then swallowed hard. He was glad he wasn't facing his life partner, because he had just turned to mush. If Jack could see him, their war would be over; and, even though he didn't know why, Daniel wasn't ready for that.

~No,~ the younger man told himself firmly. "I have work to do."

"Okay, Daniel, but we *are* going to talk," Jack asserted, reluctantly removing his hands from his soulmate's body. "Mission briefing at 1300."

"I don't need reminders, Jack. I'm not a child," Daniel replied harshly, glancing back over his shoulder at the older man.

"We'll talk about that later, too," Jack responded dryly as he left the office.

Daniel took a deep breath as he turned around and slowly walked to his desk. He stared at the files and books were beckoning him to focus on his job. What he wanted and what he was doing were two vastly different things, yet he couldn't seem to stop himself. Though he knew it was wrong, the distressed man was helpless as to how to get things back on track.

"Work. Yes, I have work to do," the archaeologist spoke softly, about to succumb to the refuge of translations and research.

The scientist closed his eyes, recalling his words to General Hammond only a few weeks earlier when he'd spoken to the man about reducing his workload. He had said:

"If something demands my attention after hours, naturally, I'll be here. I'm not talking about emergencies, General, but treaties, research and reports ... well, uh, there's only so many hours in the work day, and from now on, I'm ... I'm choosing my life. I'm sorry."

~My life. So, why aren't I following through?~ Daniel lamented, confused by his recent actions. ~I made a choice, so why I ignoring that decision?~

====

It was after ten that evening when Daniel finally walked into the cozy home he shared with Jack. Their day at the Mountain had been busy. The mission briefing for tomorrow's recon had gone smoothly, though Jack had glared a lot at his lover, who had been the last to arrive in the conference room and had taken a seat not only across the table from him, but at the other end of it.

In the cabinesque home, Daniel didn't even turn on the lights, preferring to remain in the darkness of his current emotions. He walked to the kitchen, uncharacteristically pulled out a beer, and then sank down onto the sofa in the living room.

"Finally decide to come home?" Jack asked softly, a hint of frustration coming through in his tone.

The archaeologist's heart startled upon hearing the older man's voice. He'd been so within himself that he hadn't heard Jack coming down the stairs.

"I should have gone to the apartment," Daniel spoke.

"*The* apartment," Jack echoed thoughtfully, still standing at the base of the stairs.

"What?" Daniel asked, not sure why Jack had repeated the words.

Walking to the sofa and sitting down next to the other man, Jack explained, "You used to say '*my* apartment' all the time. Lately, you're calling it '*the* apartment'."

"I ... I don't understand what you're saying," Daniel replied quietly as he fidgeted with the unopened beer bottle.

"I'm saying you believe in us, Danny, but something's got you uptight lately. Was it that crap with that Ryan imbecile?" the colonel asked about the idiot who had recently attempted to rape the older man.

"No, that wasn't your fault, Jack. You made mistakes, but ... so did I," the younger man admitted.

"Everything was okay once we sorted that out," Jack added. "At least, I thought it was okay. You even talked to Hammond about your work load." He paused, shaking his head as he observed, "For the first couple of weeks, we were doing great, but the last two ... Danny, I swear you're picking fights with me. I'm not excusing my part in our arguments, like that stupid thing I said this morning, but I'm not the one starting them, and I think you know that. Talk to me, Angel."

Daniel stared down at the cold bottle of Heineken in his hands. He twisted it around nervously as he sought the words to explain how he felt. He wasn't sure if he could find them or not, basically because he wasn't sure he really knew how he felt, or maybe it was just that he wasn't sure he was ready to deal with the truth. He was just so confused. He didn't even understand why he'd grabbed a beer instead of pouring himself a glass of wine, which he far preferred.

Patiently, Jack waited. They'd been here before, facing moments of decision and truth. He knew full well his lover was debating with himself, trying to decide whether or not to bare his soul.

~Do it, Love,~ Jack urged silently. ~Our souls are already one. I know you're hurting. You just need to tell me why. Let me help you.~

In the darkness of the room, Daniel turned to look into his Love's chocolate brown eyes. It was as if he had heard Jack's words. Though the lights were out, Jack hadn't pulled the drapes, and some light from the full moon shone through. Their eyes had also adjusted to the room's subdued light, and Daniel could see the concerned look on the older man's face.

With a sigh, Daniel responded, "We've been through so much, but it feels like you're always having to ... to be patient with me, to coach me, to ... rescue me."

"Daniel, may I remind you that it was *you* who rescued me from that Ryan creep? It was all your idea," Jack spoke about the incident he'd just as soon forget.

"One time out of a hundred?" Daniel asked.

"Not true, Love," Jack denied quickly, reaching over with his right hand to gently caress the younger man's cheek. His hand slowly glided to his soulmate's neck, and, there, he continued to make soothing, supportive motions. "We've both had our moments."

"Maybe, but ..."

"And it goes beyond the simple explanation here. Your faith in me and the love you give me fuel me in ways you can't imagine. I feel anything is possible, all because you believe in me."

"Jack, I ..." Daniel began, but he stopped and just shook his head, a rush of emotion flooding over him. His heart was so full, yet he couldn't find the words to explain the chaos he was feeling. He just gazed into the beautiful eyes before him, a mute plea he knew would be answered. His lover seemed to know what he needed, even if he himself didn't, or couldn't articulate. ~Help me.~

"You're scared," Jack surmised. "That's what this is about. You made a decision, told Hammond you had a life and were going to live it, and ..." He paused, seeing Daniel turn away. "Now, you're afraid that because you believed in us that we'll disappear or something crazy like that."

"Everything goes away," the younger man whispered. "Everyone goes away, eventually. Sooner or later, Jack, you'll figure out that I'm just not ... worth it. You'll get tired of ... gawd, this ... this conflict that I'm doing now. It'll happen."

"And since when are you a fortune teller?" Jack responded. "It's a good thing you're not, Daniel, because, if you are, your ball is broken." Happy that Daniel had turned to face him again, he continued, "You are worth everything to me, Danny. If it weren't for you, I'd have been dead years ago, and so would a bunch of innocent Abydonians."

"Jack, that's not ..."

"Yes, it is, exactly," Jack insisted as he cut off the younger man's words. "One of these days, you might figure out exactly what you're worth. What I'm afraid of, is that when you do, you'll be the one to know how much better you can do."

"No!" Daniel interjected sharply. "No one is better for me than you."

"Tell me that when I get jealous of some innocent airman, or when I accuse you of prattling."

"You don't accuse, Jack," Daniel replied. "You tease."

Jack smiled and leaned in for a very soft, quick kiss. His smile returned when he felt Daniel's left hand come up to touch his cheek.

"We're forever, Danny. The sooner you accept that, the happier we'll both be."

"Jack, let's ... go to bed," Daniel suggested.

"You didn't even open your beer," Jack mused carefully, glancing down at the brew that was between Daniel's legs.

"I'm not that fond of beer, anyway," Daniel replied softly about the concoction that he really didn't like, but often drank.

Their problem not really solved, but their love and their libidos soaring, Jack and Daniel escaped to the warmth of their bed and eagerly sought the connection their bodies craved, one that words couldn't achieve.

====

"Are you sure you can get it?" Jack asked over the phone. "No, I'm not giving you the details, just get it as soon as you can."

Jack hung up the phone and clasped his hands together on his desk. He stared at the computer on his desk, knowing he should be working on his report regarding SG-1's recently completed mission, but he'd gotten an idea while trekking back to the Stargate, and he just had to act on it.

Flipping on the computer screen, the colonel began to type, but once he'd formed the name 'Daniel Jackson', he stopped, sitting back in his chair.

~You're worth a thousand of me, Danny, and I'm going to show you just how much I need you. Soon, very soon, My Love.~

With a mischievous smile on his face, the colonel proceeded with his task.

====

"Yes!" Jack exclaimed, seeing the package he'd been expecting for several days now arrive in the mail that had just been delivered to his office at the SGC. He ripped it opened, smiling at the note that was attached. He read it to himself, mumbling in a whisper, "Dana was curious, as am I, but here it is." The colonel laughed, "Stay curious, but thanks."

====

Daniel was puttering around the house, having just finished dinner. Jack was still at the Mountain, but once his duty there was fulfilled, SG-1 was on seventy-two hours downtime. The archaeologist was looking forward to just lounging for a few days and trying to make sure that things got back on track with his lover. He felt guilty for having been so ornery over the recent days. He still wasn't over his feeling of worthlessness or that he caused Jack more problems than the older man should have to deal with, but he didn't want to lose the man who had made him laugh and smile more than he had ever thought was possible. He was torn between giving in to what he believed was a doomed reality, or hanging on and fighting with all that he had. Sadly, it was the former that seemed to be winning.

~I'm ... stuck in my past. I know we're good. Gawd, I love him, but ... you can't deny history. I'm always causing him problems. There's ... there's always something to make him unhappy. He needs someone ... special, not ... me.~

The young man's puttering ceased as he stopped to stare out the patio doors. He put his hands in his pockets and bowed his head in despair. If he were smart, he'd end it before he hurt Jack once again.

Just then, Jack walked into the house, his eyes smiling as he whistled a happy tune.

"Dannyboy, we're going on a mission," the older man announced.

"Wha...what?" Daniel questioned incredulously. "Jack, can't you tell the general ..."

"This isn't that kind of mission. It's not for work, it's for us," Jack chirped as he began up the stairs. He yelled down, "Daniel, get it in gear. We have to go!"

"Go? Go where?" Daniel shouted in reply, looking up the stairs just as Jack disappeared into the bedroom. "What's he up to now?" He hurried up the stairs, surprised when he reached the top and could see his lover packing. "What's going on?"

"Get your shaving kit, Love," Jack ordered, not bothering to answer the question.

"Jack ..."

"And don't forget socks," the older man chuckled, adding, "Unless you want to go barefoot like you did when we went to Bangor."

"Jack, it's almost nine o'clock."

"No magazines or anything related to rocks, Daniel!" Jack instructed sternly.

"Are you kidnapping me again?" the younger man inquired, a slight smile fighting to come through. ~Gawd, I love it when he does that, but I shouldn't. But I do.~

Jack grinned in response to the scientist's question, then stated playfully, "It's only kidnapping if it's against your will, Dannyboy."

Nodding his head in happy resignation, though he still had no clue where they were going, Daniel began to pack.

====

Hours later, as they merged eastbound onto I-70, Daniel looked up at the stars from his spot in the passenger seat of Jack's Ford truck.

"Are you going to tell me yet?"

"Nope," Jack answered.

"Not even a hint?" Daniel asked, looking at his mischievous lover.

Jack smiled and answered, "Taste buds."

"Taste buds?" Daniel echoed. "That helps -- not."

--

"Missouri? St. Louis? You want to see the Arch?" Daniel questioned just minutes later as the couple crossed the state line.

"What would that have to do with taste buds?" Jack challenged, referring back to his clue.

"Hmmm. Arch ... McDonalds?" Daniel smirked.

Jack glanced at his lover and shook his head, saying, "Not even close."

"But we are going somewhere in Missouri."

"We're in Missouri," Jack responded.

"I can see that by the road signs," Daniel retaliated. "I want another hint."

"Love," Jack answered simply, keeping his eyes on the road. He was glad he'd managed to sneak in a nap while he was at the SGC. ~It's a long drive.~

"Love?" Daniel echoed, nodding. "Okay ... love," he repeated, not having a clue.

--

"Jackson Street?" Daniel mused as their roughly thirteen-hour journey was coming to an end.

It was noontime, and the couple were in Augusta, Missouri. Jack had just turned onto Jackson Street as he headed toward their destination.

"Still no ..." Daniel began, only then he stopped, the light bulb finally going off in his head. "The winery!"

"The winery," Jack acknowledged.

Daniel smiled. He and Jack loved going on wine tours, and they'd gone on several since becoming a couple. He knew they'd have a great time.

"My taste buds are *so* ready," Daniel replied, his smile growing when Jack reached over and took his hand, squeezing it for just a moment.

====

After checking in under the guise of just being two friends wanting to relax for a weekend, the lovers relaxed for a few hours, then went for a walk. Their cabin was one of several, but it was isolated, giving them lots of privacy.

"It feels so historic," Daniel commented as they returned from their walk.

"The clerk said this was a log cabin from the 1870's," Jack responded. "If these logs could talk!"

"Oh, gawd, I hope they can't," Daniel teased, a leer in his eyes.

"I'll burn 'em if they try," Jack joked as the lovers kissed.

"River Witch," the younger man mused. "It's, uh, an interesting name."

"Adds to the lure," Jack spoke.

"It's not fancy, that's for sure."

"We could get a regular hotel," Jack responded, thinking Daniel didn't like the choice of staying at the historic, but relatively primitive cabin.

"No, Babe, I love it here. This area is beautiful, and all we need are each other," Daniel refuted.

"Don't you forget that, Danny," Jack spoke, kissing his Heart.

One kiss led to another, and the couple enjoyed a night that would set the cabin logs on fire without the aid of matches.

====

The next day, Jack and Daniel enjoyed a tour of the wineries located along the Missouri River. It began with the Augusta Brewing Company, where they tasted not only wines but several beers and ales. Jack's favorite was the Hyde Park Stout.

"Jack, you've already had three samples," Daniel whispered as his lover headed back for a fourth round.

"Can't beat a good Irish stout, Danny," Jack quipped as he finagled a fourth sample to enjoy.

The tour then shifted to the Mount Pleasant Winery, which was also located in Augusta. From there, they went to the small town of Dutzow to visit the Blumenhof Vineyards and Winery.

Scattered throughout their day were visits to some gift shops, and, after the last winery visit, they went on a bike ride along the Katy Trail.

Daniel's head was buzzing from all the alcohol, having consumed more in a single afternoon than he normally would in a month. Had it not been for the constant activity of walking to burn off some of the alcohol in his bloodstream, he would have long since passed out. For a brief second, he questioned the wisdom of attempting to ride bicycles in their inebriated state, but since Jack was in charge of their 'mission', and he didn't want to be a spoilsport, he had agreed, or rather, he hadn't disagreed.

"Danny, watch out!"

"Me? You're the one who almost hit the tree," Daniel responded as his bike wobbled.

"You know darn well that tree jumped right out in the middle of the road. By the way, where *is* that road?" Jack asked.

"Forget the road," Daniel spoke. "I want to know where the pedals are!" he exclaimed, realizing his feet were no longer on the pedals.

"Daniel, watch ... out!" Jack yelled out as his lover's bike went off the trail, hit a bump, and then lost traction. ~Ole Jack to the rescuuuuuuuuuuuuuue. Crap!~ he thought as he hit a rock, was dislodged from his mount, and spun in the air underneath it.

"Jack?" Daniel called out, scurrying out from beneath the bicycle to get to his lover, who was now the pillow to a piece of metal.

"Daniel, get this thing off of me!" Jack requested.

Chuckling, Daniel pushed the bike off, then asked, "Are you okay?"

"Nothing's hurt but my pride," Jack responded. "What about you?"

"Same," Daniel answered as he lay down next to his lover.

Their heads were touching as they laughed.

"Too much sippy-do for me," the younger man teased.

"Sippy-do?" Jack asked. "Yeah, that's it for sure," he agreed.

"And too much stouty for you," the archaeologist laughed.

"No such thing," Jack refuted lightheartedly.

The two men caught a glimpse of each other's faces with the slightly puffy eyes and goofy grin that is the only smile possible when one is tipsy-silly-giddy drunk.

~We're gone,~ Jack thought. He moved his arm so that the younger man could lean against his shoulder. When they were settled, he suggested, "How about we sleep off the wine, the beer, and whatever else we drank today?"

"I think it's safer than trying to ride the bikes," Daniel agreed. "Gawd, that stuff must be potent."

"Maybe it's just that we drank too much," Jack suggested.

"It hasn't affected our speech," Daniel put forth.

"We can talk, but we sure can't drive," the older man chuckled. "I love you."

"I love you, too," Daniel sighed contently as he closed his eyes. Sleep didn't grab hold of him, though, as he was the first to giggle, "You should see your face, Jack."

"No, you should see *yours*, Dannyboy!" came the reply from the other man just before he let out an unplanned chuckle.

Helpless to stop it, the couple became undone, giggling and laughing, unable to bring themselves under control. The powerful wave of laughter overtook them, making them unable to focus on anything but the funny sounds escaping from them and the pain their guts felt from the endless jocularity. They were no sooner on the verge of settling down than one of them would let out a snort, and it would start all over again. The laughter drained away the tension that had built between them over the last two weeks, leaving them satiated in a way not totally unlike the afterglow of making love.

Finally, with spouts of laughter still occasionally bubbling forth, the lovers relaxed in each other's arms, letting their overly abundant intake of spirits settle. After their nap, they continued their bike ride and looked forward to a romantic night together.

====

As evening approached, the lovers enjoyed a bottle of The Norton, Missouri's official State Wine, that they'd purchased before returning to their cabin.

"It's not St. Julien's," Daniel retorted, adding, "But it's good."

"It reminds me of a California cabernet," Jack observed as he swished the red wine in his glass before taking another sip.

"I was surprised when the tour guide said it's a hybrid from Europe, including the cabernet," Daniel replied. "You just never know."

"Grapes, they breed everywhere," Jack cackled evilly, as if accusing the grapes of having committed sin.

After sharing a kiss, Daniel looked out the front window and noted, "It's a beautiful night out."

"Danny, I have a little surprise," Jack announced, giving his soulmate a kiss and then putting his glass down and disappearing into the bedroom for a minute.

The archaeologist took another drink as he walked over to where Jack had left his glass. He placed his glass next to it and stared at the two partially full glasses.

~Half full, never half empty,~ Daniel told himself, determined to pull himself out of the uncertain rut he'd been in. He hadn't thought about his inadequacies since being 'kidnapped' by his lover, and he wished he hadn't thought about it just now. ~Don't spoil this trip. Jack's trying to make me forget how ...~

"Here we are," Jack spoke, interrupting his lover's lament.

"What?"

"This," the older man explained, holding up a portable CD player. "It's nice out. Let's go outside and listen to it under the stars."

"Okay," Daniel agreed, putting his arm around Jack's waist as the two headed out into the warm night air.

"Wait," Jack said, stopping his lover from sitting down on the old porch steps. He returned inside the cabin for a couple of minutes, then rejoined Daniel outside. He laid out a large blanket, a tray of some cheese and crackers, and The Norton wine with their glasses. "Now you can sit down," he spoke with a smile. A moment later, he joined his lover, placing the CD player nearby. "Ready?"

"Ready," Daniel answered, not having a clue what was going to happen.

"Lay back, Love," Jack requested.

Soon, the lovers were on their backs, looking up at the starry night. Daniel's head was nestled snugly against Jack's left shoulder.

The music began to play, but instead of a band, it was just a couple of guitars, making the song more intimate.

Then a sensuous male voice spoke, saying, "This is a special request, from Silver Fox to Angel, with love."

"Jack?" Daniel asked as he shot upwards, crooking his legs and looking back at the older man.

"Come here, Angel," the older man beckoned as the words began to air. "Listen to the words. They're important, and every word is the truth."

The stars are set like diamonds in the sky

"You're my diamond, Love -- a brilliant, flawless, clear, diamond," Jack spoke, his fingers carding through the silky strands of Daniel's hair as they gazed into each other's eyes.

But you're the only jewel I see tonight
Like this river rolling through the dark
Your love courses deep inside my heart

"It keeps my blood flowing and my heart beating," Jack interjected, leaning forward to share a brief kiss with his Love.

Strong as any force of nature
I need you with every breath of my life

I'd move Heaven and Earth for you

"Heaven, Earth, and every System Lord out there that gets between us," the older man intoned, his right thumb rubbing gently against the edge of Daniel's nose.

I'd steal the tides right from the moon
I'd lift the street to the Angel's feet
If you'd say the word

I'd fight for you
I'd die for you

"Without hesitating, Danny."

With my last breath I'd cry for you
Baby that's what your love is worth
I'd move Heaven and Earth

"That's the truth, Danny. Everything is for you, and I'd do anything for you," Jack spoke as the song continued to play.

Every time you're holding me I swear
For you there's not a cross I would not bear
And baby when we kiss my heart has wings
Love can do some supernatural things

"My soul soars when we're together like this. It's what keeps me going," Jack pointed out as his hand clasped his soulmate's, holding it tightly.

And if a mountain stood between us
I'd roll up my sleeves and tear it down

"Even Cheyenne Mountain," Jack noted, bringing Daniel's hand to his mouth and kissing it. He rubbed his cheek against the hand for a moment, saying, "I'd resign before I'd let anyone keep us from being together."

I'd move Heaven and Earth for you
I'd steal the tides right from the moon
I'd lift the street to the Angel's feet
If you'd say the word

"Anything for you. All you have to do is tell me what you want; that's all," Jack insisted.

The song continued, Jack reinforcing the song's words as it played. Their hands were still joined up until the end, when the younger man could no longer hold back his tears, and Jack released the strong hand held within his own in order to wipe away the moisture streaming down Daniel's cheeks.

Oh, there's no secret to this power
I draw all my strength from your sweet love

"All my strength, Danny. You don't realize how important you are to me, how much you make me the person I am. It's all you," Jack intoned and then leaned forward for another kiss.

This time, Daniel's left hand went up to his lover's back, stroking it gently. Then he moved it to the back of his Love's head, pushing it forward slowly until their foreheads leaned against each other in a sign of unity and togetherness.

I'd move Heaven and Earth for you

"Heaven, Earth, and any force of nature," Jack promised.

I'd steal the tides right from the moon
I'd lift the street to the Angel's feet
If you'd say the word

"Just say the word, Angel, and I'll do whatever you ask," Jack vowed.

I'd fight for you
I'd die for you
With my last breath I'd cry for you
Baby that's what your love is worth

"*Your* love, Angel. Your love is what I live for."

I'd move Heaven and Earth

The song ended, and the male voice said, "I hope you enjoyed it, Angel. Silver Fox donated some big money to my favorite charity to make this CD happen in a hurry. I hope you enjoyed it."

Then, all the lovers could hear were the beating of their hearts.

"Big money, huh?" Daniel whispered, swallowing from his emotion.

"Yeah, it helps the kids, and us."

"Jack ..."

"Daniel, listen to me. I know you're going through one of your doubt things," Jack began.

"A doubt thing?" Daniel questioned lightheartedly, his voice clearly displaying how emotional he was feeling.

The couple's faces were still close, within inches of each other, and Daniel's hand was caressing the back of his lover's neck, occasionally sliding up to run through the fine silver-gray strands of Jack's hair.

Jack smiled, saying, "Yeah, where you mistakenly think you aren't as good as me or anyone else. What you should be thinking is that you're thinking too much."

"That makes a lot of sense," Daniel spoke, trying to tease his Love a little.

Chuckling, the older man continued, "Danny, we've both made our shares of bad decisions, but what we have together is stronger than anything."

"I ... it's just I make you work so hard to ... to keep us going and .. well, someday ..."

"Someday, Love, is the someday when we're going to live together openly. Someday, the military isn't going to control our lives. Someday, we'll walk down our block holding hands and acting like two school kids in love, because we can. That's the 'someday' I want you thinking about, not pointless concerns about us ending, because we just won't end," Jack maintained.

"There's always something, Jack," Daniel asserted. "I'm no good at this. I do ... dumb things."

"Daniel, trust me on this, you're very good at this. Boy, are you good at this!" Jack exclaimed emphatically, a smile on his face. He kissed his lover again, a deep, passionate kiss that lasted quite a while. "See!"

"That's not what I meant," Daniel sighed with a little smile of his own. "Some of the things I do ... like ... Ke'ra ..."

Jack pursed his lips and cocked his head, countering with, "Laira."

"Nothing happened between you and her, Jack," Daniel intoned.

"Nothing happened between you and ole destroyer breath, either," Jack reminded.

"That's not the point."

"Isn't it? Danny, you want to play the you-me blame game? Okay, you're on. Ready? 'Shut up'," Jack spoke, referring to when he had humiliated his lover on the planet of Euronda.

Daniel blinked, then came back with, "Shyla."

"Our first vacation, acting like a jerk, ignoring you for old buddies who mean squat."

"Yeah, that was bad," Daniel agreed, quickly adding, "But you weren't the one who was going to leave. I always leave, just like after that foothold incident."

"I'll always come after you," Jack promised. "But I earned the ultimate stupid prize when I let the Doc lock you up in the looney bin when we all know you're saner than all of us."

"Yeah, that was bad," the younger man agreed again.

"The game and going too far with it," Jack spoke with regret even before the younger man could get in another one of his own negative experiences.

"We have to play the game, even if we hate it," Daniel acknowledged, disallowing Jack's point.

"Danny, do you really want us to sit here and go back and forth with all the ways we've messed up over the years? Or, would you rather think about the good times, like our trip to Disneyland?"

"Gawd, Goofy," Daniel recalled with a mock shiver as he thought about their brief contact with the Disney character at the theme park.

"Sometimes, when we get all mushy, what do we talk about?" Jack asked rhetorically. "I'll tell ya," he said quickly. "We talk about how much we love each other, how we're forever, how nothing will ever tear us apart. Nothing's perfect in life, Danny, but when we look at those glasses over there," he said, nodding at their partially full wine glasses, "we see it's half full."

"It's never half empty," Daniel replied, amazed that Jack had made that same connection with the glasses and their lives, just like he had before coming outside. "Never."

"Let the doubts go, Angel. I know you get scared. I do, too, but we're a team, and, together, we're unbeatable. We're ..."

"Synergy," Daniel offered, as if he'd just had an epiphany.

"There's that," Jack chuckled. "Two peas in a pod that make the best pea soup in the universe."

"Jack, we're talking seriously here, and you compare us to vegetables?" the younger man asked incredulously.

Jack cocked his head, saying, "See! Look what you have to deal with."

Smiling, Daniel replied, "My grizzly Silver Fox."

"Not perfect, far from it even," Jack responded. "But with you, I'm a better ... grizzly," he chuckled.

"Ah, thanks, I think," the archaeologist chuckled. Then he sighed, "I'm ... thinking too much."

"Yes," Jack agreed.

"I'm ... trying to cause us problems when we ... really don't have any, right now, anyway," Daniel surmised.

"I think so," Jack agreed again. "Angel, any relationship takes work, and we're different people, but we love each other, and that's what counts. Don't make trouble for us when there is none."

Daniel slid his hand to caress Jack's cheek as he nodded against the blanket. He sighed, blinking a few times as he processed their discussion.

"I wish I didn't keep having them, Jack, these doubts, but ..."

Jack smiled, leaned in for a kiss, and asked, "But what?"

"Um, I think too much."

"No argument from me," Jack responded.

"Do you, uh, know a ... cure for thinking too much?"

"Oh, yeah," Jack affirmed.

With love filling their hearts, the couple continued to kiss for a while under the stars, then went inside and made passionate love, without any thoughts at all, save pleasing each other.

====

"Danny," Jack called out, shaking his sleeping lover.

Several days had passed, and the lovers were back home in Colorado Springs. It was four in the morning, and Jack had an early start at the Mountain, though Daniel wasn't scheduled to report in until 9 a.m.

The older man was already dressed and ready to go, but, remembering Daniel's repeated requests to be awakened whenever Jack left him alone in their bed, he reluctantly was trying to rouse the younger man.

"Daniel, I have to go!" Jack exclaimed.

"Sleeeeee..." Daniel mumbled, fighting off his lover's arms.

Jack laughed, shaking his head as he replied, "Daniel, I'm leaving now. I love you very much, and when you finally wake up, I hope you remember that I tried to wake you up."

"Sleep," Daniel muttered, smacking his lips as he snuggled in closer to his pillow.

"I love you, Angel," Jack said, getting up and bending over to kiss the younger man on the side of his forehead. "I'd move Heaven and Earth for you every second of every day. I'd be a lonely, miserable S.O.B. if you hadn't come into my world. Be angry with me, Love, but I can't work any harder to wake you up because I know you're tired. Okay, they're rocks to me, but I know the last two days you've had to work extra hard at the SGC. I'm protective, Danny, and you need your sleep. I love you," he concluded, pressing his lips against his lover's skin one more time, letting them linger there again.

With a smile and a last look, Jack began to leave. When he was at the doorway, a loving noise stopped him.

"I love you, too, Jack, so much."

Jack turned around to see his soulmate smiling at him. Daniel was arched upwards slightly, his weight against his right arm that rested atop his pillow.

"I thought you were asleep," Jack spoke.

"I am. I mean, I was, but ... how could I sleep through those beautiful word?" the younger man intoned.

The colonel walked over to his side of the bed and sat down. The two men leaned forward, sharing a tender kiss.

"Thank you," Daniel spoke quietly.

"For what?"

"Loving me so much that you'd risk me getting mad at you," Daniel chuckled.

"Anytime," Jack teased in reply. "I'm late, Love."

"I'll see you at the Mountain," Daniel said just before the two shared another kiss.

"Get some more sleep," the older man requested.

Jack rose and headed for the door when he once again heard the voice that he treasured so much.

"Jack?"

Turning, Jack asked, "What?"

"I'd move Heaven and Earth for you, too, and those doubts I had? They were just ... dumb. I don't really have any, not anymore. I mean, I ... I try not to because ... I do believe in us."

"Me, too, Angel. Me, too," Jack responded. Then he added, "And, uh, don't feel bad about having doubts, Danny. It's what you do about them that matters. Faith only grows if it's tested."

"Who'd ever think such a philosopher lurked behind those gorgeous brown eyes," Daniel replied with a loving smirk.

Their eyes speaking of their joy, the two gazed at each other for several seconds until Jack finally headed downstairs and out the front door to begin his drive to Cheyenne Mountain.

Daniel lay back down, getting comfortable once again. With a smile on his face, he fell back into a peaceful slumber.

Jack and Daniel's nation of two had grown stronger once again as both pledged what they both already knew, that they'd move Heaven and Earth to protect each other and that together, nothing nor no one could prevent them from keeping their cup forever full of love.