Work Text:
Uninformed
by nancy
Daniel scowled at the book he'd been attempting to translate for over an hour without success. It had been a while since he'd been able to work on something that was purely academic. He'd spent far too much time running around with SG1 lately and as much as he loved his team, it was even better to be home. The only thing that would make it perfect, was if Jack was home, too, and not in DC.
"Hey, Jackson. You want to come out for a beer?"
Daniel looked up at Cam's offer and found the man lounging against the doorway. Shaking his head, he said, "I'm going to work on this, but thanks."
"Dusty old book or a beer with the team. I know what I'd pick," Cam joked.
Vala popped up behind Cam and said, "Me too!"
Daniel grinned at her and said, "That's because you don't like to read anything, let alone a two thousand year old book in an unknown language."
She made a face at him and pointed out, "If it's unknown, you can hardly be reading it."
Daniel repeated, "Thank you for the offer, but no. I'll see you all tomorrow."
Vala rolled her eyes. "Your loss, Daniel," and skipped away. Literally.
Daniel gave Cam a look.
Cam winked at him and said, "Sam'll keep her in line, don't worry. Enjoy the academics."
Daniel had no sooner gone back to puzzling over the page he'd been stuck on for an hour when his phone rang. Gritting his teeth, he picked it up and answered, "I don't want a beer, Vala."
"Sorry to hear that?" Jack answered.
Pleasure ran through Daniel at his lover's voice and he smiled as he said, "Sorry, Jack. I thought Vala was being persistent. Why didn't you call me on my cell?"
"Oh, just felt like using a big, clunky thing for a change. You know. Something almost as old as I am."
Daniel grinned. "I see. And how's DC?"
Jack made a rude noise and said, "Just peachy. Finished a meeting with two senators and their aides a few minutes ago and thought I should call you before I reached for my sidearm to shoot them in the back."
Chuckling, Daniel said, "You would not."
"No, I wouldn't. But I wanted to," Jack sighed. "So look. I've got an inspection or something to do at Cheyenne next week and I made sure SG1 was on stand down. You, me, and some quality fishing time, how's that sound?"
Daniel softened at the stress in his lover's voice and wished he could be there to help. He just said, "Sounds perfect. We've been going nonstop for a while. You inviting the others? I think Cam almost didn't want to shoot himself last time."
Jack chuckled and said, "It's growing on him. Oh joy. My assistant is giving me The Look."
"Which one?" Daniel teased.
"The get-off-the-phone-and-work one," Jack groused. "You know somewhere around here, I've got like four or five stars on a uniform."
Daniel laughed. "Yeah, but she has the key to the coffee pot."
Jack sighed. "True. It's a fearsome power."
Daniel smiled fondly and said, "Try and get some sleep tonight. Last time you came by, you slept the first forty-eight hours, just about."
"You know I never sleep well without you next to me."
Shock rendered Daniel mute. The phone was bugged. The phone was always bugged. Even though Jack was a powerful man, he wasn't immune to the rules. He managed a strangled, "Jack, I...what..."
"I love you, Daniel Jackson, and I can't wait to see you again. One of these days you'll transfer to DC like I keep begging you to and we can shack up properly."
Someone must have drugged him. That was the only explanation. Daniel exclaimed, "Not another word, Jack! Shut up! Someone must've slipped you something!"
Unbelievably, Jack chuckled. "That's my Danny-boy. You never watch the news."
Jack sounded way too relaxed and Daniel squinted suspiciously at the phone base. "What are you talking about?"
"Danny, they repealed Don't Ask, Don't Tell," Jack told him. "I can talk all I want about how I can't wait to get your ass back in my bed and there's nothing anyone can do about it. You hear that you eavesdropping sons of bitches? Not a God damned thing. I love you, Daniel Jackson. I'll see you next week."
Still stunned, Daniel managed to reply, "I love you too, Jack," before Jack hung up.
He listened to the dial tone for a few seconds before gingerly replacing the receiver. And then it struck him. They were free. Really and truly free. Their relationship had been an open-secret for years, but now they could do whatever they wanted, wherever they wanted, and Jack was safe. No one could take away his rank and pension and honor as a soldier.
Daniel sagged in delayed happiness and a grin spread over his face. He closed the book he'd been trying to translate and pulled out his cell to call Cam and see if they were all still on base. All of a sudden, a beer with the team sounded like a perfect way to celebrate.
end