Fic: Here & Now, Part V
Jack was jolted awake at oh-dark-thirty by the phone ringing. The landline, which was odd because if there was a middle-of-the-night crisis SGC called his cell phone. “O’Neill,” he muttered, trying to sound conscious.
“Jack.” Woah, hadn’t been expecting that. Sara sounded afraid. “Is there any reason why someone would steal Charlie’s baby teeth?”
“I’m gonna kill the bastards!” he growled. Next to him, Daniel jumped into a sitting position.
“That’s a yes, then.”
The Trust fuckers (who else could it be but them?) were going to rue the day they’d decided on this. He would see to it personally. He didn’t care if he had to call Thor - hey, he was pretty sure Thor still owed him a few favors. But first he had to assess the immediate damage. “Are you okay?” he asked Sara.
“We’re fine. Alan… he had a feeling. He had a new alarm system installed two days ago. The police are here. They caught the guys. And Charlie’s teeth.” Two days. Must’ve been between when the bastards scoped the place and did the deed; they weren’t counting on the new security. Sara had herself a husband with great instincts.
“I’m on my way.” He jumped out of bed, glad the phone was cordless as he pulled on pants. Daniel was up and dressing without even knowing what was going on. “Along with SFs. Tell the officers this is a matter of national security, and the Air Force is going to handle it. Don’t worry, they’ll get their official orders.”
“Okay.”
“I’m sorry, Sara.” Sorry that even after all this time, he still caused her pain. As if she hadn’t suffered enough because of him.
He didn’t know if the Trust had picked Sara because she was an easier target, because she had more of Charlie’s things, or both. He suspected both, though. It would be easier to get DNA from baby teeth than a baseball mitt, but SGC had also fitted his and Daniel’s house out with top-of-the-line, a-little-help-from-Thor security.
“Not your fault.” Sara calmly gave him her address before they hung up.
“Jack?” asked Daniel.
“Sara’s husband has damn good instincts. He just had a new alarm system installed. Caught the bastards trying to steal Charlie’s baby teeth. Gotta make some calls now.”
Daniel drove so Jack could spend the ride on the phone, first with the SGC, then with the highest-ranking police officer he could get a hold of, then with the SGC again because the Trust was going down and he needed every scrap of information he could get. They were almost at Sara’s house before he got off the phone.
“Presuming this was the Trust,” said Daniel, “and they want technology, I can only think of one thing they wanted.”
“They want the Ancient gene. And since they couldn’t get to me...” he swallowed hard. It was good that the Trust wasn’t in a position to get his DNA, he knew, but at that moment he was having a hard time keeping that in his mind.
“I think it’s safe to assume a certain level of personal animosity as well,” added Daniel.
“There sure as hell is now,” he growled. “I’m gonna tear the fucking Trust apart for this.”
There was a line, and they’d crossed it. They were not getting away with dragging Charlie into their treason. Not as long as Jack was still breathing.
*****
Jack was raging inside, Daniel knew. Oh, he was handling this professionally, directing the SFs, following protocol for taking over a civilian arrest. He was, in short, doing his job. The anger was just delayed.
If there was anything or anyone approaching sacred to Jack, it was Charlie. To draw his son into the sordid dealings of the Trust was the ultimate worst that despicable organization could do. And it would be their downfall, Daniel was certain. Jack wouldn’t rest until the Trust ceased to exist. (Along with most of its members, if Jack had his preference.)
At last, the police and SFs were gone. Jack handed the little box with Charlie’s baby teeth back to Sara. “They’ll pay for this,” he informed her.
“What the hell was this about?” demanded Alan. He’d been quietly stewing for some time.
Jack replied, “It’s a matter of national security.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“I can’t answer that,” said Jack.
“My house gets broken into, my kids are freaked out, someone is deliberately hurting my wife and I don’t get the courtesy of a straight answer?”
Daniel had to admit that he saw Alan’s point. It wasn’t fair. But life rarely was.
Jack shook his head. “All I can say is, you’ve got a good gut instinct.”
“That’s well and good, but-”
Sara said quietly, “Jack, a word?”
He nodded, but then his phone rang. “I…” he checked the phone, “hell, the Pentagon already?”
Daniel touched his shoulder briefly, offering. Jack nodded and went outside to deal with the Pentagon.
Turning to Alan, Daniel said, “I’m sorry, but I have to ask you to leave.”
The man was understandably annoyed, but relented. “As long as Sara is satisfied with your answers,” he muttered.
Daniel nodded and followed Sara through the house. There were a few chairs on the back porch, but she didn’t sit so he made no move to. “How much did Jack tell you before?” he asked.
“He travels to other planets. And that creature… whatever it was, wasn’t from Earth. But it wasn’t bad, just… confused.” She sighed. “He wasn’t really supposed to say, was he?”
“No,” admitted Daniel. “But you had a right to know. General Hammond probably gave some sort of approval. Or at least didn’t ask.”
“Were these aliens?”
“No. They’re human, at least, we’re pretty sure they are.” He leaned against the railing, gathering his thoughts. “There are a lot of amazing things out there. Technologies you can’t even imagine. There’s an organization that wants to profit from the technologies.” That sounded much more innocuous than the Trust really was, because the group was a weird fusion of cutthroat businessmen and fanatical warmongers who evidently wanted to control the known universe, but he couldn’t get into that.
“But why me? Why Charlie?”
“DNA,” he said, wondering how much he should say. “They wanted Charlie’s DNA, because it’s half Jack’s, but they can’t get to him. Which is actually a very good thing; it means they’re already less powerful. Of course, Jack won’t rest until they’re all in jail. Not after this.”
“It’s personal,” ventured Sara. “But it’s more than that.”
“Yes,” he admitted. “Jack has a rare gene, and they want access to it.”
“And this is where the explanation stops, isn’t it?” Clearly, Sara had experience with this kind of conversation.
“I’m afraid so.”
She nodded slowly. “I can live with that.”
Daniel allowed himself a second to savor the relief that she wasn’t going to push him. She should’ve heard this from Jack, really. But he had to make sure the Trust was history. Not just because it was his job, but because they had tried to use Charlie to further their evildoing.
As for Daniel, he could help professionally, researching and trying to make connections. But what Jack was really going to need him for was moral support, because once Jack let this incident really sink in, it was going to hit him hard.
*****
Jack had been planning on a more active role in bringing down the Trust. That process was coming along alright. The thugs who broke into Sara’s house were hired muscle and only too eager to cough up their contact to save their own sorry necks. Their contact, a scum-sucking Silicon Valley executive assistant, was currently being grilled by the Air Force and the CIA. Regrettably, without Jack’s personal involvement. On this assistant’s information, three Trust members had already been rounded up, with more to follow.
It was a couple of hours early to leave, but he’d been on duty for twelve hours, so calling it a day was more than fair. Anyway, he was about to lose it and it was best all around if he did that off base.
They’d gone straight to the mountain from Sara’s place, so he only hoped Daniel was as ready to leave as he was. Daniel had spent the morning putting his research skills to work looking into the Trust, spending several hours before reluctantly conceding he still had translations needing his attention.
“Daniel?” asked Jack, strolling into his lover’s office.
Daniel, bless him, stopped his translation and started packing up his laptop then and there. “Home?”
“That’s the idea.”
They made it as far as Daniel’s car before the strained edges of Jack’s control snapped. He’d been working, focusing on his job and bringing down the Trust. Now he could just be Jack - not the general, or director, the man who was supposed to have the answers and keep everything under control.
“The first tooth he lost,” he began, “Charlie spent most of the day wiggling it. It was a rainy Saturday, and he built a Lego house with one hand and wiggled his tooth with the other.”
Jack had been home for that, and he was grateful. There were moments he had missed, like any other military parent. He had been away for his son’s first steps, first Happy Meal, and first day of school. But he treasured every memory of Charlie, and everything he had been there for, from his birth to school plays to his first Little League game. And the last Little League game. Charlie had hit a home run into the woods and nobody could find the ball. Two days after he died, Jack spent three hours in the rain finding that baseball. He still had it, and kept it in Charlie’s mitt.
“He was so excited for the Tooth Fairy, it took him forever to fall asleep.” He swallowed hard, remembering Charlie smiling even in his sleep, remembering sliding a fifty-cent piece under the pillow while Sara carefully put the baby tooth in a little wooden box.
For the Trust to take that, trying to pervert it - Jack was so angry he didn’t have words. “It’s probably best I’m not there,” he growled. “I’d kill them, Daniel.”
Daniel didn’t flinch at the statement, which was why Jack could say it in the first place. “No, you wouldn’t. You’d want to, but you wouldn’t.”
Jack wasn’t entirely convinced.
“It’s only a matter of time, anyway,” continued his lover. “Treason is a capital offence.”
“They aren’t all American.” His biggest concern was that some of the Trust members would make it to Brazil. Damn the Brazilians and their lack of extradition treaty. On the other hand, Thor might be able to help with that.
“True,” agreed Daniel. “But I don’t think that’s going to be a problem with some.”
“Not the Chinese guy, no.” Jack had no love for the Chinese government. He did grudgingly have to admit to himself, though, that they were very efficient about rounding up the Chinese businessman named by the Silicon Valley informant. Lately the Chinese had been sucking up, desperately hoping to be given blueprints for the new zat guns. Which wasn’t gonna happen, but it had already gotten the Chinese Trust member arrested for treason. This would probably result in Davis handing over at least a little sensitive information about the Trust to the Chinese, but Jack decided he could live with that.
“Just offer them exile,” suggested Daniel.
“And unleash them on the galaxy?”
Daniel shook his head. “No, no. They’re far too dangerous for that.”
“So what’s your plan?”
“There are a couple of options. P7Y-258.”
He couldn’t think which planet that was. “Refresh my memory.”
“The planet with the gate that won’t dial out.”
Right. Some two years before, they’d had to send Prometheus to pick up SG-2. “It was uninhabited, right?”
“Yes. Or Vilel’hu.”
Vilel’hu was planet with about a thousand taboos. SG-27 had accidentally broken five laws within three minutes of their arrival and all four were promptly sentenced to work on a version of a chain gang. It had taken all of Davis and Daniel’s combined negotiation skills, as well as a peace offering of naquadah, to get SG-27 released. Jack hadn’t planned to ever send anyone to Vilel’hu ever again, but SG-27 had reported that escaping the chain gang hadn’t been possible.
“Not bad ideas,” he said, “but do you really think they’ll fall for it. These are bastards, not idiots.”
“You’ve heard of prison resorts, right?”
“Of course.”
“That’s what these men will imagine as a worse-case scenario. You present them with a long sentence in a maximum-security prison, probably solitary confinement so they can’t talk about the stargate, and I think they’ll jump at exile.”
“P7Y-258 has potential,” he said. “I can suggest it, anyway.”
Daniel nodded and started the car.
“Thanks,” Jack said quietly. It helped his rage a little bit to know they had options to punish the Trust.
*****
This was the second evening in a row they spent at the driving range. Jack being such a physical person, it helped him to have an outlet for his anger. Daniel had never even been to the driving range because his interest in golf was nonexistent. (Well, regular golf. He didn’t mind mini golf, which was particularly entertaining with Teal’c.) The driving range had been his idea, though, after Jack yanked up every weed he could find on their property. He came now just to be there, supporting Jack with his presence.
They were alone at the far end; Jack was so obviously working out anger that nobody took the slots next to them. On the other hand, Daniel had seen some admiring looks when Jack’s balls went flying; clearly some of the other patrons were impressed with the distance his partner was consistently managing.
“Damn,” muttered Jack. “Last ball already.”
Daniel’s own basket was more than half full, so he handed it over. He wasn’t really interested in the driving range anyway.
“Thanks,” said Jack.
Over the years Daniel had learned what Jack needed when faced with a difficult situation. Talking was very low on the list. His partner pretended that he was fine being alone, but in reality Jack needed someone there for him. The key was that he needed someone who knew not to push him to talk. Jack would speak on a touchy subject when he was good and ready, and not a moment before. When Daniel suggested the driving range, he’d gotten a grateful nod. There was no doubt in Daniel’s mind that Jack was envisioning the face of a Trust member on each golf ball he swung at so ferociously.
They were making real progress against the Trust, and Jack was making progress at working through his anger. Cassie had brought Praxa for a visit earlier that evening; Praxa and Zelda got along well, so the three of them took the two dogs for a walk. It was the first time since the Trust break-in that Jack had actually relaxed a bit.
Once Jack sent the last ball sailing out, Daniel stepped in and placed a hand on his partner’s shoulder. “Hungry?”
“I could go for a steak.”
Jack could almost always go for a steak, but Daniel opted not to mention that. He just gave a little smile, grabbed the extra club he’d been using, and put it back in Jack’s golf bag. Apparently not in the right spot, because Jack took it out and moved it to the other side.
“This is even better than the weeds,” admitted Jack.
Daniel gave him a quick kiss. The nearest golfer saw them and scowled, but Daniel didn’t give a damn what anyone else thought. It was his responsibility and his privilege to be there for Jack, offering what comfort he could, and Jack was most comforted by tactile gestures. “Come on, cariad. Let’s go get that steak.”
“Do you think O’Malley’s would let us back now?”
“No,” replied Daniel without hesitation. “We were pretty unforgettable.”
“Damn.”
*****
General O’Neill left Paul’s office pleased with the progress being made in the case of the Russian Trust operative. This man, unfortunately, was a Russian Army general and not easy to arrest. On the other hand, his suspicious desire for an impromptu vacation just as fellow Trust members were being arrested had convinced the Russian government to detain him, and Paul had been hard at work making sure he wasn’t released. The Russians didn’t want a trial, but had agreed, if the Air Force provided them with enough proof of their general’s involvement with the Trust, to hand him over for exile on P7Y-258. That agreement had meant O’Neill left in a reasonably good mood. He never expected cooperation from Russians.
Paul had been exceptionally busy working with allied governments to apprehend Trust members. It was nothing short of astounding how O’Neill drove the investigation. Paul knew there was a complex interplay of factors at work, from the structure of the Trust to the evidence already gathered, but to an outsider it would’ve seemed as if the Trust simply collapsed like the proverbial house of cards in the face of Jack O’Neill’s wrath.
And the general was very obviously angry; nobody even approached him without a good reason. He wasn’t less than professional, just giving off a sort of vibe that didn’t encourage any even vaguely personal interaction. The only people who were unbothered by this were, unsurprisingly, the other members of SG-1. Carter, Teal’c, and of course Jackson could be more obvious in their support.
Paul showed his own support in the way which he and O’Neill both understood: by doing his utmost to ensure smooth and coordinated international efforts to find and arrest Trust members. He had been putting in long hours, but not without rewards. The Trust was a threat to the stargate program, the planet, and at their height even the galaxy. His own work helped prevent them from doing any more damage, which was eminently satisfying.
Everyone knew about the attempt to steal O’Neill’s son’s DNA. Word traveled fast in top-secret facilities, and everyone involved in bringing down the Trust was giving it their all. In fact, SGC had a surplus of volunteers for the project. SG-3 had been sent to Greece with a CIA liaison to apprehend a businessman integral to the European Trust, and Paul had never seen Marines so gleefully receive an assignment.
On a private level, Paul was relieved that his relationship with Ray had survived this. Understandably, a lot of men didn’t handle it well when their boyfriend had to work late and cancel a date but couldn’t say a word about why. Ray understood that classified meant he didn’t get to know much about what Paul did. For his part, Paul had learned through experience to say what he could. Even small statements, such as explaining a random French sentence with, “I was dealing with French diplomats most of today,” were helpful. But most of all, Ray was one of those all-too-rare agreeable men who could put up with someone in Paul’s line of work.
In fact, Paul was so pleased with the state of his romantic life, he was willing to forgive O’Neill’s apparent tendency to meddle in the personal affairs of his officers.
There was a knock on his half-open door. “Come in.”
Airman Lewiski entered, holding out a box. “Package for you, Colonel.”
Paul accepted the package. “Thank you, Airman.”
“Sir.”
Lewiski went on his way and Paul cut the tape sealing his box. Excellent. It was a hard-to-find new book on international perceptions of the U.S. military. Paul found that understanding the other person was half the battle in diplomacy, whether he was dealing with allies, hostiles, or those awkward countries that someone at the Pentagon had once called ‘frenemies.’ This new book could give him some valuable insight, and he was a great believer in the power of information.
The book would have to wait until after the business with the Trust, though. Right then he had to hurry up and call the Canadian attaché before the work day ended in Ottawa. Time differences were always complicating Paul’s job.
It occurred to him that maybe not having the Ancient gene was good after all, as he didn’t prefer being the target of treasonous organizations. But then, SG-1 had always excelled at ending up as targets.
*****
Jack had gone to tell Sara that they’d broken the back of the Trust, a task he preferred to do alone. Daniel was working on giving him something nice to come home to. Jack had been relentless for the last week. He might not have been personally involved in reprehending Trust members as he would have liked, but it was Jack’s determination driving the operation and everyone knew it.
All this had brought out the harder parts of Jack. There were only a few Trust members from countries whose governments didn’t know about the stargate, but of course they were the most troublesome. Naturally, they were less than enthusiastic about gating out to P7Y-258, and nobody even mentioned that the gate didn’t dial out. These men - and one woman - were not stupid, and they knew there was going to be some kind of catch. But Jack had been calm. Too calm, to those who knew him well. “You are endangering our operations and the lives of United States military personnel. Your organization abducted Air Force officers. That makes you enemy combatants. And we all know what happens to enemy combatants, right?” He turned, leaving the room before saying over his shoulder, “I’m sure they can make room for you in Guantanamo.”
It was nothing short of astounding how well the Trust members had been rounded up. Paul Davis had outdone himself working with allied governments aware of the stargate, ensuring their cooperation in prosecuting Trust members. A couple of lower-ranking men and women remained at large, but the major players were in custody. Those who weren’t in prison on Earth were trapped on P7Y-258. Jack had even contacted the Tok’ra and left a message for Thor (though when the Asgard would be in range to receive it was anyone’s guess), explaining that the exiled humans were dangerous to galactic stability and not to be rescued.
Daniel knew and accepted Jack’s cold rage. But after all this business with the Trust, he decided they needed a break. Jack was overworked and emotionally wrung out. So Daniel made a nice pasta cabonara, dusted off a bottle of good wine, and got ready to spring a change of plans on his partner.
“How did it go?” he asked when Jack arrived and followed his nose to the kitchen.
“She’s glad we’re bringing down the Trust, and had several choice phrases to describe them.” Jack, predictably, swiped one of the cherry tomatoes from the pile Daniel had halved and was about to add to the pasta. “You don’t like tomatoes,” he informed Zelda, who had been hoping he might share his prize.
The next thing Daniel knew he’d been spun around and was receiving a tomatoey kiss. “Thank you,” said Jack after a minute, resting his forehead against Daniel’s. “I know I haven’t been the easiest person to live with this week.”
“With good reason. Anyway, what kind of partner would I be if I didn’t make a bad week a little easier?”
Jack smiled. “Love you, cariad.”
“I love you too, Jack, but you’re going to have to let me go so we can eat.”
Evidently Jack was hungry, because he let go and went to the cupboard for plates.
“I know we were going to paint the house on leave,” Daniel said without preamble, “but that can wait a couple more months, or we could hire someone. We should go up to the cabin next week.”
Jack nodded. “A break would be good. I could try out those new lures I picked up.” He looked down at Zelda. “Did you feed her yet?”
“No.”
“Come on, girl.” The dog didn’t need to be told twice, and in fact arrived at the closet where her food was stored before Jack did. “I bet you’ll like Minnesota. See, ideas like this are why he’s the brains in the family.”
Daniel rolled his eyes at the last part of Jack’s narration and asked, “Grab the forks?”
“Sure. Wanna leave Saturday morning?”
“Let’s. We need a vacation.”
“Speaking of which,” said Jack while he took forks out of the drawer, “you’re still gonna show me Egypt this fall, aren’t you?”
“Of course.”
Jack’s enthusiasm for that trip was heartwarming. He’d never had any real interest in seeing Egypt until Daniel explained that he wanted to show his partner places from his childhood. Jack wasn’t particularly interested in Egyptology unless it directly related to defeating the Goa’uld, but he was eager to learn more about Daniel’s early years.
“Great. Let’s eat.”
Daniel thought it would be a long few days before Saturday rolled around. Then, remembering the unfortunate abundance of mosquitoes from the last summer, it occurred to him that he’d want to make sure they brought Off along this time.
*****
Kelly liked mornings, and unlike most of her friends she didn’t sleep until noon on the weekends. She was sprawled out on a blanket on the back lawn, enjoying the summer morning and reading. Lately she’d been enjoying Arthurian books, and the librarian had recommended The Mists of Avalon, calling it a ‘modern classic.’
Two and a half pages in, she was startled by a banging noise. She stuck her bookmark in place and headed out front to see what was going on.
The neighbors were loading up their truck, and she guessed the banging noise was from the cab being put on. “Hi Jack, Dr. Jackson,” she said.
“Sorry about the noise,” said Jack.
“You might as well call me Daniel,” offered Dr. Jackson.
Jack slid a large duffel bag onto the truck bed. “We’ll be away until next Sunday.”
“We’re bringing Zelda,” added Daniel. Since her dog bed was in the truck Kelly had figured as much.
“Have fun.”
“We always do,” said Jack. “Ever been to Minnesota?”
“No.”
“You should.”
“Jack thinks everyone should visit Minnesota at least once,” explained Daniel as he packed half a bag of dog food into the truck.
“Absolutely.”
“Well, I’d rather go to Paris,” Kelly replied.
“Paris,” said Jack, “is overrated.”
“You’ve been?” She wanted to visit Paris more than anywhere else in the world. She thought she might need a month to take it all in once she finally got there.
“Years ago. I’ll take my cabin in Minnesota any day.”
Kelly found this impossible to imagine.
“How’s the driving?” asked Jack.
“I’m getting better. I drove to the mall yesterday without Mom’s knuckles turning white.” She’d considered that a positive sign for both of them.
“When we get back I’ll take you out on the highway.”
“Really?” She hadn’t even mention highway driving to her mom, mostly out of concern for possible fainting. Honestly, though, the prospect made Kelly a little nervous as well as excited.
“Important driving skills. Besides, if you wait too long, it becomes this big thing in your head and you work yourself up.”
“I think highway driving is easier,” said Daniel. “Jack, did you remember the Off?”
“It’s in my bag.”
“Good. I don’t want a repeat of last time.”
“Why do you think highway driving is easier?” Kelly asked when it seemed they were done discussing bug spray.
“There are less things to look out for,” answered Daniel. “No intersections, stop signs, kids’ balls rolling out, et cetera.”
She had mainly been considering the high speeds when thinking about highway driving, but now that Daniel mentioned it, he had a point. “I hadn’t really thought of it that way.”
Jack picked up another bag and groaned. “Daniel! How many books are you bringing, anyway?”
“Enough.”
“Enough to give me a hernia.” Despite his grumbling, Jack got the bag in just fine.
They’d packed everything which had been on the driveway, so Kelly supposed she’d excuse herself and not hold them up. “Well, I’m going to enjoy the morning before it gets too hot. Enjoy your vacation.”
“Thanks,” said Jack.
Daniel nodded. “Thank you. Good luck with the driving.”
She headed back to her book, flip-flops living up to their name as they hit the heels of her feet. Jack and Daniel had been busy lately; twice in the last week they’d called and asked if she or her mom could feed Zelda and make sure she had enough water. Kelly, who was enjoying what she figured would be her last summer without a job, walked the black lab also. Anyway, the neighbors seemed happy enough to be getting a break from their jobs.
It took several minutes for Kelly to get back to The Mists of Avalon, time she spent imagining (for about the tenth time) what Jack and Daniel might do that was so secretive.
*****
Their week at the cabin, Jack decided, was off to a great start. It was a hot day, just perfect for doing nothing. The pond was warm, but refreshing compared to the hot air. He’d given up fishing that morning. Zelda’s enthusiastic jump off the dock would’ve scared the fish away (though Daniel liked to point out a lack of fish never stopped him fishing.) So he was lazing around, floating on his back in the water. Daniel, not as strong a swimmer, had a gizmo that made a little chair out of netting and a couple of those pool noodles. He said it was easier to relax and was happily suspended in the water for the time being. Sooner rather than later he’d be back on the dock reading, but for now they were both bobbing around in the pond. Zelda was enjoying herself investigating the reedy edges. She seemed to be developing a fascination with frogs.
“I did mention that this was a great idea, right?” he called out.
“Three times,” replied Daniel. “Four, now.”
“Good.”
Daniel had been absolutely right - they needed this vacation, Jack especially. Sara had been right, too; when Jack went to tell her they’d taken down almost all of the Trust, she’d said, “Don’t let your anger rob you of life, Jack.” Jack had always known he was attracted to intelligence, so if both Daniel and Sara thought he needed to step back and enjoy his life, he was inclined to give the idea a shot.
The Trust wasn’t completely eliminated. In time, the members who’d eluded capture (mainly by hiding their identities) could rebuild the organization. Over the years, Jack had learned that there would always be people to fight, and he’d gotten better at accepting the inevitable. Still, both justice and his need for revenge had been served pretty well, and he was actively putting the Trust behind him.
A slight breeze set the leaves rustling, a noise Jack had always found soothing. This was interrupted by a bark from Zelda and Daniel’s immediate laughter. Jack rolled out of his back float and looked from the dog to his boyfriend, trying to figure out what happened.
“A frog jumped up and hit her nose,” explained Daniel, still chuckling.
“They don’t bite,” Jack told Zelda. She turned her attention back to the reeds, wary but curious.
“You’ve been that desperate to catch something, Jack?”
“Very funny, Daniel.”
“I thought so.”
They went back to doing nothing. A family of ducks was swimming across the pond; Zelda was too busy looking for frogs to harass to go harass the ducks. Jack had been thinking of a nice afternoon hike, but the day was only getting hotter so he scratched that idea. Maybe an afternoon nap would be in order instead. And a campfire later, because he wanted some good old-fashioned campfire hot dogs and marshmallows.
“Jack?”
“Hmm?”
“What do you think about getting a canoe?”
He backstroked over to where Daniel had floated. The water was chest-deep there, so he stood and looked at his partner. “You want a canoe?”
Daniel shrugged slightly. “You know I haven’t spent a lot of time around - or in - water. I thought it might be nice. You could fish, I could read. Maybe I’d finally get to see a moose.”
“This pond is a bit small for canoeing,” said Jack, thinking the idea over, “but there are plenty of good places nearby. Sure, we can get a canoe.”
Daniel smiled. “Thanks.”
“Any time, Daniel.”
Jack was not prepared for his lover to lunge up, and they both fell backwards into the water. “That wasn’t what I meant to do,” admitted Daniel once they resurfaced.
“Which was what, exactly?”
When they were both standing, it was much easier for Daniel to lean in and take Jack’s mouth in a kiss. Jack’s arms seemed to settled around Daniel’s waist of their own accord. He loved it when he had all of Daniel’s considerable attention and focus, loved times like this where his lover kissed with everything he had. Whatever else was screwed up in his life, Jack was a happy man so long as he had Daniel to put his whole heart into long kisses and share in the insanity of their lives.
“Jack.” Woah, hadn’t been expecting that. Sara sounded afraid. “Is there any reason why someone would steal Charlie’s baby teeth?”
“I’m gonna kill the bastards!” he growled. Next to him, Daniel jumped into a sitting position.
“That’s a yes, then.”
The Trust fuckers (who else could it be but them?) were going to rue the day they’d decided on this. He would see to it personally. He didn’t care if he had to call Thor - hey, he was pretty sure Thor still owed him a few favors. But first he had to assess the immediate damage. “Are you okay?” he asked Sara.
“We’re fine. Alan… he had a feeling. He had a new alarm system installed two days ago. The police are here. They caught the guys. And Charlie’s teeth.” Two days. Must’ve been between when the bastards scoped the place and did the deed; they weren’t counting on the new security. Sara had herself a husband with great instincts.
“I’m on my way.” He jumped out of bed, glad the phone was cordless as he pulled on pants. Daniel was up and dressing without even knowing what was going on. “Along with SFs. Tell the officers this is a matter of national security, and the Air Force is going to handle it. Don’t worry, they’ll get their official orders.”
“Okay.”
“I’m sorry, Sara.” Sorry that even after all this time, he still caused her pain. As if she hadn’t suffered enough because of him.
He didn’t know if the Trust had picked Sara because she was an easier target, because she had more of Charlie’s things, or both. He suspected both, though. It would be easier to get DNA from baby teeth than a baseball mitt, but SGC had also fitted his and Daniel’s house out with top-of-the-line, a-little-help-from-Thor security.
“Not your fault.” Sara calmly gave him her address before they hung up.
“Jack?” asked Daniel.
“Sara’s husband has damn good instincts. He just had a new alarm system installed. Caught the bastards trying to steal Charlie’s baby teeth. Gotta make some calls now.”
Daniel drove so Jack could spend the ride on the phone, first with the SGC, then with the highest-ranking police officer he could get a hold of, then with the SGC again because the Trust was going down and he needed every scrap of information he could get. They were almost at Sara’s house before he got off the phone.
“Presuming this was the Trust,” said Daniel, “and they want technology, I can only think of one thing they wanted.”
“They want the Ancient gene. And since they couldn’t get to me...” he swallowed hard. It was good that the Trust wasn’t in a position to get his DNA, he knew, but at that moment he was having a hard time keeping that in his mind.
“I think it’s safe to assume a certain level of personal animosity as well,” added Daniel.
“There sure as hell is now,” he growled. “I’m gonna tear the fucking Trust apart for this.”
There was a line, and they’d crossed it. They were not getting away with dragging Charlie into their treason. Not as long as Jack was still breathing.
*****
Jack was raging inside, Daniel knew. Oh, he was handling this professionally, directing the SFs, following protocol for taking over a civilian arrest. He was, in short, doing his job. The anger was just delayed.
If there was anything or anyone approaching sacred to Jack, it was Charlie. To draw his son into the sordid dealings of the Trust was the ultimate worst that despicable organization could do. And it would be their downfall, Daniel was certain. Jack wouldn’t rest until the Trust ceased to exist. (Along with most of its members, if Jack had his preference.)
At last, the police and SFs were gone. Jack handed the little box with Charlie’s baby teeth back to Sara. “They’ll pay for this,” he informed her.
“What the hell was this about?” demanded Alan. He’d been quietly stewing for some time.
Jack replied, “It’s a matter of national security.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“I can’t answer that,” said Jack.
“My house gets broken into, my kids are freaked out, someone is deliberately hurting my wife and I don’t get the courtesy of a straight answer?”
Daniel had to admit that he saw Alan’s point. It wasn’t fair. But life rarely was.
Jack shook his head. “All I can say is, you’ve got a good gut instinct.”
“That’s well and good, but-”
Sara said quietly, “Jack, a word?”
He nodded, but then his phone rang. “I…” he checked the phone, “hell, the Pentagon already?”
Daniel touched his shoulder briefly, offering. Jack nodded and went outside to deal with the Pentagon.
Turning to Alan, Daniel said, “I’m sorry, but I have to ask you to leave.”
The man was understandably annoyed, but relented. “As long as Sara is satisfied with your answers,” he muttered.
Daniel nodded and followed Sara through the house. There were a few chairs on the back porch, but she didn’t sit so he made no move to. “How much did Jack tell you before?” he asked.
“He travels to other planets. And that creature… whatever it was, wasn’t from Earth. But it wasn’t bad, just… confused.” She sighed. “He wasn’t really supposed to say, was he?”
“No,” admitted Daniel. “But you had a right to know. General Hammond probably gave some sort of approval. Or at least didn’t ask.”
“Were these aliens?”
“No. They’re human, at least, we’re pretty sure they are.” He leaned against the railing, gathering his thoughts. “There are a lot of amazing things out there. Technologies you can’t even imagine. There’s an organization that wants to profit from the technologies.” That sounded much more innocuous than the Trust really was, because the group was a weird fusion of cutthroat businessmen and fanatical warmongers who evidently wanted to control the known universe, but he couldn’t get into that.
“But why me? Why Charlie?”
“DNA,” he said, wondering how much he should say. “They wanted Charlie’s DNA, because it’s half Jack’s, but they can’t get to him. Which is actually a very good thing; it means they’re already less powerful. Of course, Jack won’t rest until they’re all in jail. Not after this.”
“It’s personal,” ventured Sara. “But it’s more than that.”
“Yes,” he admitted. “Jack has a rare gene, and they want access to it.”
“And this is where the explanation stops, isn’t it?” Clearly, Sara had experience with this kind of conversation.
“I’m afraid so.”
She nodded slowly. “I can live with that.”
Daniel allowed himself a second to savor the relief that she wasn’t going to push him. She should’ve heard this from Jack, really. But he had to make sure the Trust was history. Not just because it was his job, but because they had tried to use Charlie to further their evildoing.
As for Daniel, he could help professionally, researching and trying to make connections. But what Jack was really going to need him for was moral support, because once Jack let this incident really sink in, it was going to hit him hard.
*****
Jack had been planning on a more active role in bringing down the Trust. That process was coming along alright. The thugs who broke into Sara’s house were hired muscle and only too eager to cough up their contact to save their own sorry necks. Their contact, a scum-sucking Silicon Valley executive assistant, was currently being grilled by the Air Force and the CIA. Regrettably, without Jack’s personal involvement. On this assistant’s information, three Trust members had already been rounded up, with more to follow.
It was a couple of hours early to leave, but he’d been on duty for twelve hours, so calling it a day was more than fair. Anyway, he was about to lose it and it was best all around if he did that off base.
They’d gone straight to the mountain from Sara’s place, so he only hoped Daniel was as ready to leave as he was. Daniel had spent the morning putting his research skills to work looking into the Trust, spending several hours before reluctantly conceding he still had translations needing his attention.
“Daniel?” asked Jack, strolling into his lover’s office.
Daniel, bless him, stopped his translation and started packing up his laptop then and there. “Home?”
“That’s the idea.”
They made it as far as Daniel’s car before the strained edges of Jack’s control snapped. He’d been working, focusing on his job and bringing down the Trust. Now he could just be Jack - not the general, or director, the man who was supposed to have the answers and keep everything under control.
“The first tooth he lost,” he began, “Charlie spent most of the day wiggling it. It was a rainy Saturday, and he built a Lego house with one hand and wiggled his tooth with the other.”
Jack had been home for that, and he was grateful. There were moments he had missed, like any other military parent. He had been away for his son’s first steps, first Happy Meal, and first day of school. But he treasured every memory of Charlie, and everything he had been there for, from his birth to school plays to his first Little League game. And the last Little League game. Charlie had hit a home run into the woods and nobody could find the ball. Two days after he died, Jack spent three hours in the rain finding that baseball. He still had it, and kept it in Charlie’s mitt.
“He was so excited for the Tooth Fairy, it took him forever to fall asleep.” He swallowed hard, remembering Charlie smiling even in his sleep, remembering sliding a fifty-cent piece under the pillow while Sara carefully put the baby tooth in a little wooden box.
For the Trust to take that, trying to pervert it - Jack was so angry he didn’t have words. “It’s probably best I’m not there,” he growled. “I’d kill them, Daniel.”
Daniel didn’t flinch at the statement, which was why Jack could say it in the first place. “No, you wouldn’t. You’d want to, but you wouldn’t.”
Jack wasn’t entirely convinced.
“It’s only a matter of time, anyway,” continued his lover. “Treason is a capital offence.”
“They aren’t all American.” His biggest concern was that some of the Trust members would make it to Brazil. Damn the Brazilians and their lack of extradition treaty. On the other hand, Thor might be able to help with that.
“True,” agreed Daniel. “But I don’t think that’s going to be a problem with some.”
“Not the Chinese guy, no.” Jack had no love for the Chinese government. He did grudgingly have to admit to himself, though, that they were very efficient about rounding up the Chinese businessman named by the Silicon Valley informant. Lately the Chinese had been sucking up, desperately hoping to be given blueprints for the new zat guns. Which wasn’t gonna happen, but it had already gotten the Chinese Trust member arrested for treason. This would probably result in Davis handing over at least a little sensitive information about the Trust to the Chinese, but Jack decided he could live with that.
“Just offer them exile,” suggested Daniel.
“And unleash them on the galaxy?”
Daniel shook his head. “No, no. They’re far too dangerous for that.”
“So what’s your plan?”
“There are a couple of options. P7Y-258.”
He couldn’t think which planet that was. “Refresh my memory.”
“The planet with the gate that won’t dial out.”
Right. Some two years before, they’d had to send Prometheus to pick up SG-2. “It was uninhabited, right?”
“Yes. Or Vilel’hu.”
Vilel’hu was planet with about a thousand taboos. SG-27 had accidentally broken five laws within three minutes of their arrival and all four were promptly sentenced to work on a version of a chain gang. It had taken all of Davis and Daniel’s combined negotiation skills, as well as a peace offering of naquadah, to get SG-27 released. Jack hadn’t planned to ever send anyone to Vilel’hu ever again, but SG-27 had reported that escaping the chain gang hadn’t been possible.
“Not bad ideas,” he said, “but do you really think they’ll fall for it. These are bastards, not idiots.”
“You’ve heard of prison resorts, right?”
“Of course.”
“That’s what these men will imagine as a worse-case scenario. You present them with a long sentence in a maximum-security prison, probably solitary confinement so they can’t talk about the stargate, and I think they’ll jump at exile.”
“P7Y-258 has potential,” he said. “I can suggest it, anyway.”
Daniel nodded and started the car.
“Thanks,” Jack said quietly. It helped his rage a little bit to know they had options to punish the Trust.
*****
This was the second evening in a row they spent at the driving range. Jack being such a physical person, it helped him to have an outlet for his anger. Daniel had never even been to the driving range because his interest in golf was nonexistent. (Well, regular golf. He didn’t mind mini golf, which was particularly entertaining with Teal’c.) The driving range had been his idea, though, after Jack yanked up every weed he could find on their property. He came now just to be there, supporting Jack with his presence.
They were alone at the far end; Jack was so obviously working out anger that nobody took the slots next to them. On the other hand, Daniel had seen some admiring looks when Jack’s balls went flying; clearly some of the other patrons were impressed with the distance his partner was consistently managing.
“Damn,” muttered Jack. “Last ball already.”
Daniel’s own basket was more than half full, so he handed it over. He wasn’t really interested in the driving range anyway.
“Thanks,” said Jack.
Over the years Daniel had learned what Jack needed when faced with a difficult situation. Talking was very low on the list. His partner pretended that he was fine being alone, but in reality Jack needed someone there for him. The key was that he needed someone who knew not to push him to talk. Jack would speak on a touchy subject when he was good and ready, and not a moment before. When Daniel suggested the driving range, he’d gotten a grateful nod. There was no doubt in Daniel’s mind that Jack was envisioning the face of a Trust member on each golf ball he swung at so ferociously.
They were making real progress against the Trust, and Jack was making progress at working through his anger. Cassie had brought Praxa for a visit earlier that evening; Praxa and Zelda got along well, so the three of them took the two dogs for a walk. It was the first time since the Trust break-in that Jack had actually relaxed a bit.
Once Jack sent the last ball sailing out, Daniel stepped in and placed a hand on his partner’s shoulder. “Hungry?”
“I could go for a steak.”
Jack could almost always go for a steak, but Daniel opted not to mention that. He just gave a little smile, grabbed the extra club he’d been using, and put it back in Jack’s golf bag. Apparently not in the right spot, because Jack took it out and moved it to the other side.
“This is even better than the weeds,” admitted Jack.
Daniel gave him a quick kiss. The nearest golfer saw them and scowled, but Daniel didn’t give a damn what anyone else thought. It was his responsibility and his privilege to be there for Jack, offering what comfort he could, and Jack was most comforted by tactile gestures. “Come on, cariad. Let’s go get that steak.”
“Do you think O’Malley’s would let us back now?”
“No,” replied Daniel without hesitation. “We were pretty unforgettable.”
“Damn.”
*****
General O’Neill left Paul’s office pleased with the progress being made in the case of the Russian Trust operative. This man, unfortunately, was a Russian Army general and not easy to arrest. On the other hand, his suspicious desire for an impromptu vacation just as fellow Trust members were being arrested had convinced the Russian government to detain him, and Paul had been hard at work making sure he wasn’t released. The Russians didn’t want a trial, but had agreed, if the Air Force provided them with enough proof of their general’s involvement with the Trust, to hand him over for exile on P7Y-258. That agreement had meant O’Neill left in a reasonably good mood. He never expected cooperation from Russians.
Paul had been exceptionally busy working with allied governments to apprehend Trust members. It was nothing short of astounding how O’Neill drove the investigation. Paul knew there was a complex interplay of factors at work, from the structure of the Trust to the evidence already gathered, but to an outsider it would’ve seemed as if the Trust simply collapsed like the proverbial house of cards in the face of Jack O’Neill’s wrath.
And the general was very obviously angry; nobody even approached him without a good reason. He wasn’t less than professional, just giving off a sort of vibe that didn’t encourage any even vaguely personal interaction. The only people who were unbothered by this were, unsurprisingly, the other members of SG-1. Carter, Teal’c, and of course Jackson could be more obvious in their support.
Paul showed his own support in the way which he and O’Neill both understood: by doing his utmost to ensure smooth and coordinated international efforts to find and arrest Trust members. He had been putting in long hours, but not without rewards. The Trust was a threat to the stargate program, the planet, and at their height even the galaxy. His own work helped prevent them from doing any more damage, which was eminently satisfying.
Everyone knew about the attempt to steal O’Neill’s son’s DNA. Word traveled fast in top-secret facilities, and everyone involved in bringing down the Trust was giving it their all. In fact, SGC had a surplus of volunteers for the project. SG-3 had been sent to Greece with a CIA liaison to apprehend a businessman integral to the European Trust, and Paul had never seen Marines so gleefully receive an assignment.
On a private level, Paul was relieved that his relationship with Ray had survived this. Understandably, a lot of men didn’t handle it well when their boyfriend had to work late and cancel a date but couldn’t say a word about why. Ray understood that classified meant he didn’t get to know much about what Paul did. For his part, Paul had learned through experience to say what he could. Even small statements, such as explaining a random French sentence with, “I was dealing with French diplomats most of today,” were helpful. But most of all, Ray was one of those all-too-rare agreeable men who could put up with someone in Paul’s line of work.
In fact, Paul was so pleased with the state of his romantic life, he was willing to forgive O’Neill’s apparent tendency to meddle in the personal affairs of his officers.
There was a knock on his half-open door. “Come in.”
Airman Lewiski entered, holding out a box. “Package for you, Colonel.”
Paul accepted the package. “Thank you, Airman.”
“Sir.”
Lewiski went on his way and Paul cut the tape sealing his box. Excellent. It was a hard-to-find new book on international perceptions of the U.S. military. Paul found that understanding the other person was half the battle in diplomacy, whether he was dealing with allies, hostiles, or those awkward countries that someone at the Pentagon had once called ‘frenemies.’ This new book could give him some valuable insight, and he was a great believer in the power of information.
The book would have to wait until after the business with the Trust, though. Right then he had to hurry up and call the Canadian attaché before the work day ended in Ottawa. Time differences were always complicating Paul’s job.
It occurred to him that maybe not having the Ancient gene was good after all, as he didn’t prefer being the target of treasonous organizations. But then, SG-1 had always excelled at ending up as targets.
*****
Jack had gone to tell Sara that they’d broken the back of the Trust, a task he preferred to do alone. Daniel was working on giving him something nice to come home to. Jack had been relentless for the last week. He might not have been personally involved in reprehending Trust members as he would have liked, but it was Jack’s determination driving the operation and everyone knew it.
All this had brought out the harder parts of Jack. There were only a few Trust members from countries whose governments didn’t know about the stargate, but of course they were the most troublesome. Naturally, they were less than enthusiastic about gating out to P7Y-258, and nobody even mentioned that the gate didn’t dial out. These men - and one woman - were not stupid, and they knew there was going to be some kind of catch. But Jack had been calm. Too calm, to those who knew him well. “You are endangering our operations and the lives of United States military personnel. Your organization abducted Air Force officers. That makes you enemy combatants. And we all know what happens to enemy combatants, right?” He turned, leaving the room before saying over his shoulder, “I’m sure they can make room for you in Guantanamo.”
It was nothing short of astounding how well the Trust members had been rounded up. Paul Davis had outdone himself working with allied governments aware of the stargate, ensuring their cooperation in prosecuting Trust members. A couple of lower-ranking men and women remained at large, but the major players were in custody. Those who weren’t in prison on Earth were trapped on P7Y-258. Jack had even contacted the Tok’ra and left a message for Thor (though when the Asgard would be in range to receive it was anyone’s guess), explaining that the exiled humans were dangerous to galactic stability and not to be rescued.
Daniel knew and accepted Jack’s cold rage. But after all this business with the Trust, he decided they needed a break. Jack was overworked and emotionally wrung out. So Daniel made a nice pasta cabonara, dusted off a bottle of good wine, and got ready to spring a change of plans on his partner.
“How did it go?” he asked when Jack arrived and followed his nose to the kitchen.
“She’s glad we’re bringing down the Trust, and had several choice phrases to describe them.” Jack, predictably, swiped one of the cherry tomatoes from the pile Daniel had halved and was about to add to the pasta. “You don’t like tomatoes,” he informed Zelda, who had been hoping he might share his prize.
The next thing Daniel knew he’d been spun around and was receiving a tomatoey kiss. “Thank you,” said Jack after a minute, resting his forehead against Daniel’s. “I know I haven’t been the easiest person to live with this week.”
“With good reason. Anyway, what kind of partner would I be if I didn’t make a bad week a little easier?”
Jack smiled. “Love you, cariad.”
“I love you too, Jack, but you’re going to have to let me go so we can eat.”
Evidently Jack was hungry, because he let go and went to the cupboard for plates.
“I know we were going to paint the house on leave,” Daniel said without preamble, “but that can wait a couple more months, or we could hire someone. We should go up to the cabin next week.”
Jack nodded. “A break would be good. I could try out those new lures I picked up.” He looked down at Zelda. “Did you feed her yet?”
“No.”
“Come on, girl.” The dog didn’t need to be told twice, and in fact arrived at the closet where her food was stored before Jack did. “I bet you’ll like Minnesota. See, ideas like this are why he’s the brains in the family.”
Daniel rolled his eyes at the last part of Jack’s narration and asked, “Grab the forks?”
“Sure. Wanna leave Saturday morning?”
“Let’s. We need a vacation.”
“Speaking of which,” said Jack while he took forks out of the drawer, “you’re still gonna show me Egypt this fall, aren’t you?”
“Of course.”
Jack’s enthusiasm for that trip was heartwarming. He’d never had any real interest in seeing Egypt until Daniel explained that he wanted to show his partner places from his childhood. Jack wasn’t particularly interested in Egyptology unless it directly related to defeating the Goa’uld, but he was eager to learn more about Daniel’s early years.
“Great. Let’s eat.”
Daniel thought it would be a long few days before Saturday rolled around. Then, remembering the unfortunate abundance of mosquitoes from the last summer, it occurred to him that he’d want to make sure they brought Off along this time.
*****
Kelly liked mornings, and unlike most of her friends she didn’t sleep until noon on the weekends. She was sprawled out on a blanket on the back lawn, enjoying the summer morning and reading. Lately she’d been enjoying Arthurian books, and the librarian had recommended The Mists of Avalon, calling it a ‘modern classic.’
Two and a half pages in, she was startled by a banging noise. She stuck her bookmark in place and headed out front to see what was going on.
The neighbors were loading up their truck, and she guessed the banging noise was from the cab being put on. “Hi Jack, Dr. Jackson,” she said.
“Sorry about the noise,” said Jack.
“You might as well call me Daniel,” offered Dr. Jackson.
Jack slid a large duffel bag onto the truck bed. “We’ll be away until next Sunday.”
“We’re bringing Zelda,” added Daniel. Since her dog bed was in the truck Kelly had figured as much.
“Have fun.”
“We always do,” said Jack. “Ever been to Minnesota?”
“No.”
“You should.”
“Jack thinks everyone should visit Minnesota at least once,” explained Daniel as he packed half a bag of dog food into the truck.
“Absolutely.”
“Well, I’d rather go to Paris,” Kelly replied.
“Paris,” said Jack, “is overrated.”
“You’ve been?” She wanted to visit Paris more than anywhere else in the world. She thought she might need a month to take it all in once she finally got there.
“Years ago. I’ll take my cabin in Minnesota any day.”
Kelly found this impossible to imagine.
“How’s the driving?” asked Jack.
“I’m getting better. I drove to the mall yesterday without Mom’s knuckles turning white.” She’d considered that a positive sign for both of them.
“When we get back I’ll take you out on the highway.”
“Really?” She hadn’t even mention highway driving to her mom, mostly out of concern for possible fainting. Honestly, though, the prospect made Kelly a little nervous as well as excited.
“Important driving skills. Besides, if you wait too long, it becomes this big thing in your head and you work yourself up.”
“I think highway driving is easier,” said Daniel. “Jack, did you remember the Off?”
“It’s in my bag.”
“Good. I don’t want a repeat of last time.”
“Why do you think highway driving is easier?” Kelly asked when it seemed they were done discussing bug spray.
“There are less things to look out for,” answered Daniel. “No intersections, stop signs, kids’ balls rolling out, et cetera.”
She had mainly been considering the high speeds when thinking about highway driving, but now that Daniel mentioned it, he had a point. “I hadn’t really thought of it that way.”
Jack picked up another bag and groaned. “Daniel! How many books are you bringing, anyway?”
“Enough.”
“Enough to give me a hernia.” Despite his grumbling, Jack got the bag in just fine.
They’d packed everything which had been on the driveway, so Kelly supposed she’d excuse herself and not hold them up. “Well, I’m going to enjoy the morning before it gets too hot. Enjoy your vacation.”
“Thanks,” said Jack.
Daniel nodded. “Thank you. Good luck with the driving.”
She headed back to her book, flip-flops living up to their name as they hit the heels of her feet. Jack and Daniel had been busy lately; twice in the last week they’d called and asked if she or her mom could feed Zelda and make sure she had enough water. Kelly, who was enjoying what she figured would be her last summer without a job, walked the black lab also. Anyway, the neighbors seemed happy enough to be getting a break from their jobs.
It took several minutes for Kelly to get back to The Mists of Avalon, time she spent imagining (for about the tenth time) what Jack and Daniel might do that was so secretive.
*****
Their week at the cabin, Jack decided, was off to a great start. It was a hot day, just perfect for doing nothing. The pond was warm, but refreshing compared to the hot air. He’d given up fishing that morning. Zelda’s enthusiastic jump off the dock would’ve scared the fish away (though Daniel liked to point out a lack of fish never stopped him fishing.) So he was lazing around, floating on his back in the water. Daniel, not as strong a swimmer, had a gizmo that made a little chair out of netting and a couple of those pool noodles. He said it was easier to relax and was happily suspended in the water for the time being. Sooner rather than later he’d be back on the dock reading, but for now they were both bobbing around in the pond. Zelda was enjoying herself investigating the reedy edges. She seemed to be developing a fascination with frogs.
“I did mention that this was a great idea, right?” he called out.
“Three times,” replied Daniel. “Four, now.”
“Good.”
Daniel had been absolutely right - they needed this vacation, Jack especially. Sara had been right, too; when Jack went to tell her they’d taken down almost all of the Trust, she’d said, “Don’t let your anger rob you of life, Jack.” Jack had always known he was attracted to intelligence, so if both Daniel and Sara thought he needed to step back and enjoy his life, he was inclined to give the idea a shot.
The Trust wasn’t completely eliminated. In time, the members who’d eluded capture (mainly by hiding their identities) could rebuild the organization. Over the years, Jack had learned that there would always be people to fight, and he’d gotten better at accepting the inevitable. Still, both justice and his need for revenge had been served pretty well, and he was actively putting the Trust behind him.
A slight breeze set the leaves rustling, a noise Jack had always found soothing. This was interrupted by a bark from Zelda and Daniel’s immediate laughter. Jack rolled out of his back float and looked from the dog to his boyfriend, trying to figure out what happened.
“A frog jumped up and hit her nose,” explained Daniel, still chuckling.
“They don’t bite,” Jack told Zelda. She turned her attention back to the reeds, wary but curious.
“You’ve been that desperate to catch something, Jack?”
“Very funny, Daniel.”
“I thought so.”
They went back to doing nothing. A family of ducks was swimming across the pond; Zelda was too busy looking for frogs to harass to go harass the ducks. Jack had been thinking of a nice afternoon hike, but the day was only getting hotter so he scratched that idea. Maybe an afternoon nap would be in order instead. And a campfire later, because he wanted some good old-fashioned campfire hot dogs and marshmallows.
“Jack?”
“Hmm?”
“What do you think about getting a canoe?”
He backstroked over to where Daniel had floated. The water was chest-deep there, so he stood and looked at his partner. “You want a canoe?”
Daniel shrugged slightly. “You know I haven’t spent a lot of time around - or in - water. I thought it might be nice. You could fish, I could read. Maybe I’d finally get to see a moose.”
“This pond is a bit small for canoeing,” said Jack, thinking the idea over, “but there are plenty of good places nearby. Sure, we can get a canoe.”
Daniel smiled. “Thanks.”
“Any time, Daniel.”
Jack was not prepared for his lover to lunge up, and they both fell backwards into the water. “That wasn’t what I meant to do,” admitted Daniel once they resurfaced.
“Which was what, exactly?”
When they were both standing, it was much easier for Daniel to lean in and take Jack’s mouth in a kiss. Jack’s arms seemed to settled around Daniel’s waist of their own accord. He loved it when he had all of Daniel’s considerable attention and focus, loved times like this where his lover kissed with everything he had. Whatever else was screwed up in his life, Jack was a happy man so long as he had Daniel to put his whole heart into long kisses and share in the insanity of their lives.