Fic: Hero For A Day (2/2)
Part One is here.
Sam and Teal'c found General Hammond and Janet already waiting in the control room. Janet gave them a knowing look, and Sam felt herself blush a little.
All right. So it was 5 AM and they obviously hadn't gone to bed yet. Like that was any surprise.
General Hammond checked his watch. "Dial it up, Sergeant."
The technician nodded. "Yes sir."
The Gate whooshed open and the General stepped up to the microphone. "Doctor Jackson? Doctor Jackson, do you read? This is Hammond, over."
There was a pause, then a crackle of static. "I'm here, I'm here." He sounded stressed.
"What's your position, Doctor?"
There was a gust of static that sounded suspiciously like a sigh. "We're safe, for now."
General Hammond arched an eyebrow. "'We'?"
There was a pause. "Uh, yeah. Um, Jack's here too," Daniel said, plainly trying to sound like he was as surprised by it as they were. General Hammond frowned but didn't say anything, probably saving it for later. Teal'c just looked smug.
Janet stepped forward. "How are you both physically, Doctor Jackson?"
There was another sigh. "They gave Jack some sort of truth drug. He keeps passing out, his coordination's lousy, and, well..." there was a pause as Daniel evidently struggled with the need to be specific and the need to be diplomatic. "He's basically acting like a drunk six-year-old. I don't think this stuff is supposed to be used on humans."
"Do you think he's in any danger?"
"Only from me," Daniel said shortly, and cleared his throat. "I mean, uh, no. I think he'll be fine. He just needs to, you know, sleep it off. Hopefully."
"And what is your condition?"
"Sore. Dusty. Grumpy. Sneezy. I'm sure the other three dwarves will be along soon to get their revenge too, but other than that I'm okay. Any chance of a little company? You know, the heavily armed GDO-carrying kind?"
Janet and General Hammond exchanged glances. "We estimate another eight hours, Doctor," the General said. "Will you be safe until then?"
"I'm not sure. We have a pretty good hiding place, but I don't know how hidden it will stay once they figure out Jack's gone. You'll have to be careful when you come through."
The General frowned. "Is there any chance of you and Colonel O'Neill being able to make it to the Gate yourselves?"
"I doubt it. It was all I could do to get Jack even this far, and - oh, for crying - he's waking up. I've got to go or he'll shout the whole goddamn forest down."
The General raised an eyebrow. "Very well. We'll come through for you in eight hours. SGC out."
"Bye," Daniel said distractedly, and the radio went dead.
Teal'c shifted next to Sam. "'An inebriated six-year-old'?" he quoted, deadpan.
Sam grinned, relieved despite herself. "Poor Daniel."
* * * * * * * * * *
"Jack, I'm serious. You have to be quiet."
Jack crossed his arms over his chest and gave Daniel a sulky look. "Quiet's boring."
Daniel gave Jack the look his mother had used on him when he was little. "Quiet's going to keep us alive. Why don't you go to sleep? Then you won't be bored."
Jack gave him a suspicious look. "Will you wake me up?"
"Later, yes. I promise."
"Like Sleeping Beauty?"
Daniel clung to his patience by his fingernails and occupied himself with bunching up his vest for Jack to use as a pillow. "Yes, Jack. Just like Sleeping Beauty. Now go to sleep."
Jack squirmed into a comfortable position. "You don't have to kiss me, though. Wait for Carter. Just as long as it's not Janet. She's a bad kisser."
Daniel blinked at him. "How do you - never mind, I don't want to know. Go to sleep."
Jack smiled craftily. "You do want to know. You're curious. You want to know, admit it."
"No, I really don't want to know. Go to sleep."
"It was during the time loop," Jack said, disregarding Daniel completely. "Kissed Carter in front of Hammond. Timed it so the loop would end right then." He grinned at Daniel. "She's a good kisser. And to be fair to Janet, I think I caught her by surprise."
"I'll be sure to let her know when we get back," Daniel muttered.
"I was so mad at her for that stupid penlight thingy," Jack continued, ignoring Daniel's sarcasm. "Always looking at me like I was lying. So I said, If I weren't in a time loop, would I do this? and kissed her. It was priceless. Looked like someone hit her over the head with a plastic flamingo."
Daniel arched one eyebrow. "I can't imagine why."
Jack looked smug. "Yup. Didn't know she knew that many bad words. Which was the problem. Decided I wanted to see Hammond's reaction, so I kissed Carter again and left enough time to see what Hammond did." He winced.
"Not pretty?"
Jack scowled. "Hammond was funny. It was Carter I forgot about. She kneed me in the balls."
Daniel smirked. "Well, I think it's definitely safe to say that truth serum stuff is working. And I think it's probably best if you go to sleep before you tell me anything else you'll have to kill me for later."
"Sleep's boring."
"I'm going to sleep too. You don't want to be awake by yourself, do you?"
Jack gave him a petulant look. "You're boring."
Daniel looked at him sideways. "You want me to talk?"
Jack smiled happily. "Yep."
Daniel smiled wolfishly. "Okay, if you're sure." He settled himself comfortably. "The ritual burial of objects of cult significance is one of the earliest attested indications of cult practice. It occurs as early as the seventh millennium BC in the Levant at sites such as 'Ain Ghazal, where it precedes the appearance of recognizable sanctuaries. Extraordinary statues discovered at this site were made of lime plaster molded over a reed framework and many were decorated with paint. Buried in a pit under the floor of a house, they may represent mythical ancestors. From this analysis..."
He glanced over. Jack was fast asleep. Daniel smiled.
"Archaeologist: one. Colonel: zero. Go me." He said, and went to sleep with one hand on Jack's shoulder in case he woke up disoriented during the night.
* * * * * * * * * *
When it came, there was no warning. It felt like it had only been a few minutes after he'd fallen asleep when Jack's body jerked under his hand as he arched and screamed incoherently, the sound shocking and incredibly loud in the small cave.
Daniel was up and soothing Jack before he'd even woken fully. He grabbed Jack's shoulders to still his thrashing, pressing him to the floor.
"Jack, it's - "
Faster than thought, Jack grabbed Daniel's left arm, twisting it hard behind his back. Before he could react, Daniel found himself pinned face down with one of Jack's hands tight around his throat and a knee in the small of his back.
"Ja - " he choked, but Jack only tightened his grip. Daniel scrabbled uselessly at the ground with his free hand, his head swimming.
"Okay, this is how it's going to happen," Jack growled, his face down near Daniel's. "I'm going to let go, and you are going to answer my questions. You will not shout for help. Is that clear?"
Daniel nodded fractionally, and Jack's grip loosened, his hands remaining close enough to restrain Daniel at a moment's notice.
"Who are you?"
"D-daniel! It's Daniel, Jack!"
Jack's hand loosened a little more. "Danny?"
"Yeah." Daniel squinted at Jack's face in the darkness, trying to gauge his expression. Jack let go completely, reaching out to touch Daniel's cheek.
"Danny, what are you doing here?" He sounded lost.
"I came after you." He sat up, rubbing his shoulder. "Are you okay? Do you know where you are?"
Jack leaned back against the wall of the cave with a bewildered thump. "You're not supposed to be here. I don't understand."
Daniel got to his knees and shuffled awkwardly after Jack, wary of startling him. "What do you remember?"
"I - " he reached up to rub his forehead. "It's - oh, God."
"Jack?" Daniel reached out tentatively and touched Jack's shoulder. The older man didn't seem to notice.
"This isn't right," he moaned. "Oh, God."
"Jack, talk to me. What's wrong?"
"I should be at home. I'm not supposed to be here, I'm supposed to be at home..."
Daniel tightened his hand on Jack's shoulder. "You had a bad dream. It's all over now." He could feel Jack shaking under his hand, and gingerly pulled him close.
"I'm sorry. Oh God, Charlie, I'm so sorry..."
Daniel rocked Jack in his arms, rubbing his quaking shoulders with one anxious hand. "It wasn't your fault, Jack. Come on, it's okay. Shhh. It's okay." He could feel Jack clutching at the material of his jacket and tightened his grip.
"Daniel?"
"Jack?"
"You're not supposed to be here. I don't know you yet."
Daniel kept rocking. "The Jaffa gave you some drugs, Jack. They're making you confused. It's okay, though. You're going to be fine. We're going to get out of here, and we're going to go home and we're going to be fine." He felt Jack's grip begin to loosen and kept talking. "Just fine. You'll see. Janet will lecture us about not getting hurt and Sam and Teal'c will hover in the infirmary until we're released or Janet kicks them out. Just like always."
Jack's hand slipped down into his lap and he leaned heavily against Daniel. Looking down, Daniel could see that his eyes were half-open.
"I don't know how much of this you're going to remember in the morning, Jack," Daniel said after a moment, resting his cheek against the top of Jack's head. "But there's something I've always wanted to tell you, and even if you don't remember this later maybe it'll, I dunno, register subconsciously or something. And I doubt I'd ever be able to tell this to your face, so here goes."
Daniel shifted back against the wall, making himself comfortable. "Charlie's death wasn't your fault. It was one of those things that just happens and you can't prevent it no matter how much you wish you could. You were a really good father to Charlie. You're the only one who blames you for it, and I bet if Charlie were here now, he'd tell you the same thing."
He glanced down at Jack's face, peaceful and still with his forehead pressed against Daniel's neck. "I don't know how much you know about my childhood after my parents died, but it wasn't the greatest. I moved around a lot. I didn't really fit anywhere until Abydos and the SGC. But the thing is, I would never change that if it meant giving up the memory of those first eight years with my parents. Whatever happened later, those eight years were just magical, and that's what I choose to remember."
He sighed and rubbed his forehead with one hand. "I guess what I'm trying to say is... from a son who lost his father to a father who lost his son, you gave Charlie ten years and that's what you should remember. Don't throw those years away just because they ended too soon. It's not worth it. You were a great dad and Charlie would want you to be happy."
He glanced down again. Jack's eyes were closed and his breathing was deep and even.
"That's what I think, anyway," he mumbled, suddenly feeling embarrassed, and rubbed Jack's shoulder until he fell asleep.
* * * * * * * * * *
Daniel awoke to noise and cold. He and Jack had shifted while they slept and he found himself flat on his back with Jack's head on his stomach. From his vantage point, he could see a thin waterfall coming through the entrance to the cave.
He shifted Jack's head carefully to the wet ground and crept over to the entrance. His muscles had stiffened up horrendously while he slept and just making it to the edge of the cave was enough to make him wish for a whole lot of aspirin and some Ben Gay to go with it. He peered out the entrance. It was light out, and raining. In the distance he could hear horns blowing. Jack's escape had been discovered.
He checked his watch. It was nine AM, which meant they had another four hours before General Hammond sent help. He eyed the rain doubtfully and hoped the water level in the cave didn't rise too fast.
* * * * * * * * * *
Two hours later, the water had risen enough that Daniel had to prop Jack up against the wall and hook the collar of his jacket on a convenient root to keep him from drowning or floating away. The Jaffa were still outside, and the underground stream's current was getting strong enough that pretty soon he'd have to tie himself down too. Even worse, it was starting to undercut the foundations of the old dead tree up above. Daniel had already heard several ominous groans and was debating the merits of trying to follow the stream down to the ravine and from there getting to the secret tunnels, or taking his chances in the open woods above.
Several of the Jaffa had passed close enough to the entrance of the cave to make Daniel very nervous. He'd even made himself a slingshot of sorts from strips of his bandanna, filling his vest pockets with pebbles for ammunition. It had been a long time since he'd first learned how to use a sling as a boy in Egypt and he hoped he hadn't lost his touch. He could use his gun, of course, but only had a limited number of bullets and much preferred the idea of a well-aimed slingstone to trying to take down a Jaffa with his knife or bare hands.
"Daniel, I'm wet. Please explain."
"Jack!" Daniel yelped, and immediately berated himself for making so much noise. "Oh, thank God. I thought you were never going to wake up," he continued in a whisper.
Jack frowned. He looked refreshingly aware but still a little groggy. "I thought I was captured." His frown deepened. "And aren't you supposed to be dead?"
"No, no, just knocked out." Daniel sloshed his way over to Jack. "How are you feeling? They gave you some kind of truth drug. You've been pretty out of it."
One of Jack's hands flopped in what Daniel assumed was supposed to be a reassuring gesture. "Kind of like my head's been wrapped in cotton."
Daniel gave him a sideways look. "Who do you think is a better kisser: Sam or Janet?"
Jack's jaw dropped. "What the hell kind of question is that?"
"Just answer it."
"Well, I wouldn't know, would I? I've never kissed either one of them."
Daniel released a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. "Okay, I think it's worn off."
Jack gave him a steady look. "I'm assuming you'll get around to explaining all this eventually, Daniel," he said pointedly.
"Right." Daniel checked out the entrance of the cave again and then resettled himself next to Jack. "Short version: Sam and Teal'c made it back to the SGC. I stayed here because they thought I'd been killed. You got captured. I snuck in and broke you out and we're hiding here until General Hammond can send back-up. SG-9 brought back some kind of virus so the mountain's on lockdown and they won't be here for..." he checked his watch. "...an hour and a half. That would all be fine, but unfortunately it's started raining and our cave is rapidly filling with water, plus the Jaffa have discovered that you've escaped and they're searching the woods for you. And I think the cave is going to collapse soon."
"Well, that's bad."
"Yeah."
"What do we have for weapons?"
"My gun - nine bullets left - my knife, and I made a sling."
Jack gave him a deadpan look. "Oh, good. If they come close enough we can strangle them with it."
Daniel rolled his eyes. "Not that kind of sling, Jack. It's a slingshot. Throws stones. It's actually quite deadly, if you know how to use it."
"And you do?"
"I learned when I was a kid. I'm a little out of practice, though."
"So basically our choices right now are stay here and drown or go out there and get shot?"
Daniel winced. "More or less. See, I don't think they'll actually shoot us - I think they want us alive. They already told Cronos they had you and he's on his way, so I can only imagine what kind of trouble they'll be in when he arrives and finds you've escaped. I do know of somewhere else we can hide, but it'll be pretty tough to get there and kind of depends on how mobile you're feeling."
"You g-"
"No." Daniel said emphatically. "I did not drag myself concussed and allergic through miles of tiny cramped dusty tunnels just to leave you here to drown. I go, you go. It's that simple."
"All right." Jack sighed and rubbed his face, nearly poking his own eye out until he figured out how to use his hand correctly. "In that case, I think we'd better take our chances topside. All we need to do is stay alive and hopefully free until the back-up shows and blows the bad guys to hell. We can do that."
"Sure," Daniel said with forced optimism. "Piece of cake."
"Help me up."
Daniel slung Jack's right arm across his shoulders and helped him to the cave entrance, climbing out first himself to check for Jaffa and then pulling Jack out behind him, which made his already screaming back muscles protest. Jack insisted on carrying Daniel's Berretta, which Daniel knew was more for reassurance than any practical use. The noise of the gun would bring every Jaffa within hearing range down on their position, so until things were completely desperate it would be up to Daniel and his sling to clear the way.
They made their way through the woods, keeping clear of the path. Once or twice they had to duck down in the undergrowth as a Jaffa patrol passed, but they didn't meet any real resistance until they were about halfway to the bridge. To their surprise, the Jaffa who spotted them did not approach or fire - he turned and vanished into the forest. A moment later they heard a horn blow nearby.
"Crap," Jack said succinctly. "Looks like you were right, Daniel - they want us alive."
Daniel shook the rainwater from his eyes and kept going. "Why didn't he zat us, then? There must be something else going on."
"He didn't have a zat," Jack said absently.
"Why wouldn't he have a zat?"
Jack gave him a narrow look. "Like I know? Maybe Cronos cut funding. Anyway, hopefully it'll work to our advantage."
"How?" Daniel said skeptically.
"Somehow," Jack said, at his stubborn best. Daniel rolled his eyes and let it go.
A few minutes later, Daniel became aware of something moving through the bushes to his right. He stopped and looked around, but could see nothing through the rain.
"What's wrong?"
Daniel started walking again. He could hear rustling behind them now, and to the left as well. He glanced at Jack. Jack's eyes were closed and it looked like it was taking all his concentration to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
"I think they're trying to herd us onto the bridge."
"What?" Jack asked thickly, and Daniel felt him stumble.
"Nothing. Just keep walking."
"'Kay."
The rustling all around them increased as they neared the clearing by the bridge. Daniel stepped into the clearing, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. No one followed them. The clearing on the other side of the bridge appeared deserted as well and for one wild moment he contemplated turning and making a break for the woods and the Stargate, but he knew that even without Jack stumbling along barely conscious at his side he wouldn't have had a chance. He stepped onto the slick wet metal of the bridge. He had an awful feeling they were walking straight into a trap, but he couldn't for the life of him figure out any way around it.
His radio crackled to life. "Daniel, this is Sam. Do you read? Over."
Daniel turned as surreptitiously as possible towards his radio, using Jack's body to hopefully screen his actions from the Jaffa he was sure were hidden in the forest. "I read you, Sam. We could use a little help here."
"What is your position?" Teal'c's voice rumbled.
"We're on the bridge to the fortress. The Jaffa have been herding us here. I'm pretty sure they want to take us alive but I don't want to find out."
"We're on our way."
"I'll pay for any speeding tickets," Daniel mumbled as the bushes at the edge of the forest behind him rustled. Several Jaffa stepped out, watching him calmly. He kept going. From where they were at the center of the bridge he could see all the way up the ravine to the temple. So close...
"Jack?"
"Uh-huh."
"Just hang in there, okay? We're almost out."
"Don' feel s'good," Jack slurred, and went limp.
The sudden dead weight pulled Daniel off-balance and he fell awkwardly across Jack, narrowly avoiding cracking his skull on the metal railing of the bridge. "Jack? Come on, don't do this to me. Not now. Come on, Jack!" He shook Jack's shoulder roughly, but Jack stayed unconscious.
Daniel rose to his knees at the sound of a metal Jaffa boot on the far end of the bridge. The bridge was only wide enough for two Jaffa to cross abreast, but he could see several more soldiers behind them. He turned and looked back the way he had come. There were soldiers starting across from that side too.
He got to his feet and unwound his sling, tucking a stone into the center. He whirled it above his head and released the missile, which went wide of the approaching Jaffa. Quickly, he reloaded and fired again. This time the stone found its mark, and one of the Jaffa fell clutching his head. The others closed their helmets and kept coming. Daniel fired again at the other side of the bridge and a glowing helmet eye went dark, but it was painfully obvious that he would never be able to hold them all back.
Daniel took a deep breath, prayed none of the Jaffa had zats, and threw himself down on his knees beside Jack. He snatched the Berretta out of Jack's limp hand and pressed the barrel to the back of Jack's skull.
"Come any closer and I'll shoot us both," he yelled.
The Jaffa stopped their advance. There was a moment of perfect silence, disturbed only by the ping of raindrops on metal.
"You will not kill your friend," one of the Jaffa said. His voice was muffled by his helmet, but Daniel thought he recognized the First Prime.
"You want to find out?" he challenged. His hand was shaking, but he was fairly sure the Jaffa were too far away to notice.
"Your god will revive you. Your deaths will mean nothing." The Jaffa began to move forward cautiously.
"He's not a god," Daniel retorted automatically, hearing Teal'c's voice in his head. False god. Dead false god. "And he's not here yet. How long can a body be dead before the sarcophagus won't revive it?" It was a shot in the dark, but it seemed to work. The First Prime didn't answer, but the soldiers paused in their slow advance.
"You're a soldier," Daniel continued. "Would you allow yourself to be captured?"
That was definitely a hit. The Jaffa stopped, looking uneasily at one another.
"Come on, guys," Daniel murmured under his breath. He stared hard at the barrel of his gun as it brushed Jack's wet silver hair and tried not to think of what he would do if the First Prime called his bluff.
"Get off the bridge," Daniel called out.
"You will be unable to do anything while your friend is unconscious," the First Prime said, but it sounded a little half-hearted.
"Well, then I guess we have a little standoff on our hands, don't we?" Of course, he amended silently, I have lots of heavily armed and very stressed friends on the way, but you don't really need to know that right now.
"We're in position, Daniel," Sam's voice said softly in his ear. "Get ready to take cover."
Daniel wondered briefly what cover she thought he was going to find in the middle of a bridge, and decided it wasn't worth asking.
"On three," she said. "One, two, three, DUCK!"
The woods erupted in a flurry of automatic gunfire and Daniel threw himself flat, covering Jack as best he could. The Berretta skidded across the bridge and disappeared over one side, but Daniel was fairly sure that whatever the outcome of this firefight he wouldn't be needing it again.
A line of bullets pinged next to him and he flinched, curling himself into the smallest ball he could. A staff blast whizzed overhead. He could hear shouting, almost drowned out by the gunfire and mayhem going on above his head.
And, suddenly, silence. A hand touched his shoulder and he rolled onto his back, instinctively bringing his fists up in readiness to lash out at his attacker.
"Hi, Daniel," Sam said, smiling.
* * * * * * * * * *
Sam perched on the end of an unused gurney and grinned at Daniel. He was filthy and bloodstained and trembling with exhaustion and adrenaline but alive. Nurse Clark had her hands full just trying to keep him on the gurney. It was kind of like watching a tennis game.
"...And they gave him some kind of truth drug," Daniel explained, twisting out of Nurse Clark's reach to look over his shoulder at Teal'c. "Ser'cha. Have you ever heard of ser'cha, Teal'c? Anyway, I don't think it was supposed to be used on humans."
Nurse Clark took his chin firmly in hand and turned his head so she could reach the bullet wound above his ear. Daniel kept going. "I mean, it worked, but he was really loopy. He was just as likely to argue with you as give you a true answer. And he had nightmares. Hallucinations, maybe."
Nurse Clark let go and reached for her gauze, and Daniel took the opportunity to bounce to his feet. "I should probably tell Janet that. She should know what all his symptoms were if she wants to treat him."
Teal'c reached out with one hand and pushed Daniel back on the bed. Daniel didn't even notice. "He seemed to be doing pretty well there for a while, but then he passed out again. It might have been because we were moving and his heart rate was elevated, so the drug was redistributed throughout his body."
He hopped to his feet, oblivious to Nurse Clark's attempts to bandage his cut. "I'm just going to go tell Janet what happened."
Teal'c pushed him back down. "Be still, Daniel Jackson."
Daniel got up again. "I should tell Janet not to pay attention to what he says. He was hallucinating and he didn't know where he was. He even tried to strangle me but I talked him out of it."
He took a few steps towards Jack, and then Nurse Clark grabbed his arm and swung him around. He landed back on the gurney with a thump. "Not until I'm done with you, Doctor Jackson."
"Oh, it'll just take a minute," Daniel said brightly, getting to his feet again. "I'll be right back."
"Daniel," Sam hopped off her gurney and took Daniel's face in her hands, holding them there until she was sure he was paying attention to her. She shifted her grip to his shoulders, rubbing soothingly. "Janet knows what to do." She told him gently. "We're taking care of it, okay? Colonel - Jack's fine. You need to let Nurse Clark fix you up now."
"You're sure?" His uncertain blue eyes searched her face.
"I'm positive. It's all under control. You got him back and you took care of him and you did a wonderful job, but now it's our turn to take care of you, okay?"
"Oh." He blinked at her, looking a little deflated. "Right. Okay then. I guess I'll just, you know..." he made a vague gesture with one hand, and passed out.
* * * * * * * * * *
Blink.
Blink.
"Good morning, Daniel," said Jack's amused voice from somewhere around his left ear. He turned his head a little to find Jack regarding him from a chair next to his bed. Daniel smiled.
"Good morning." He started to push himself up into a sitting position, and stopped when his abused muscles twinged angrily. "Ow."
"I would imagine," Jack said, lending a hand. "Your back is one huge bruise. Why didn't you tell me you got shot?"
"Because I didn't get shot, I only got shot at," Daniel pointed out reasonably, settling back against his pillows. "And anyway, you were hardly in a position to pay attention to anything I was saying."
"Right." Jack cleared his throat uncomfortably. "About the truth serum..."
"Don't mention it. I won't." Daniel said reassuringly. "Unless, of course, I need a favor. Or three."
Jack scowled at him. "It's all your fault anyway."
"I'll have to take your word for that. I still can't remember anything before waking up in the field."
"Not that, the time loop. You were the one who pointed out we could do anything without consequences. So it's all your fault."
"Well, then you shouldn't mind me taking advantage of it," Daniel said, smiling beatifically. Never get into an argument with a linguist. That was commandment number eleven in Daniel's book.
Jack rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Anyway, Frasier says you can go as soon as you've had a good meal. No coffee. And she's sending you home with a whole bunch of fun pills to take."
Daniel scowled. "What about you? You were the one dosed with an alien truth drug."
"I slept it off while you were busy being unconscious."
Daniel shot him a sideways look.
"Eleven hours," Jack elaborated.
"Oh." Daniel gave a resigned sigh. "She's sending me home with you, isn't she?"
Jack smiled paternally. "Yep. We're making a team night of it. Apparently Carter and Teal'c missed us."
"What about the debriefing?"
"Tomorrow. Hammond said he didn't want to see us for at least twenty-four hours."
Daniel nodded. That was a very General Hammond thing to do, especially since he was willing to bet Teal'c and Sam hadn't given the General a moment's rest while he and Jack had been stranded. Which reminded him... "Jack, how much do you remember from when you were drugged?"
Jack shrugged and stood up. "Not much. It's pretty hazy. I gather you held a gun to my head and threatened to shoot me if the Jaffa didn't back up?"
Daniel winced. "Something like that."
Jack shook his head mournfully. "You do go to extremes, don't you?" He turned and headed toward the door. "I'm going to let Frasier know you're awake. And Daniel," he stopped and looked back, hesitating for a moment. "As a father without a son to a son without a father, I'm telling you you need a shower in the worst way."
Daniel gaped at Jack's retreating back, and then, slowly, began to smile.
"You're welcome!" He shouted down the hall.
"Just take a shower!" Jack yelled back.
FINIS
Sam and Teal'c found General Hammond and Janet already waiting in the control room. Janet gave them a knowing look, and Sam felt herself blush a little.
All right. So it was 5 AM and they obviously hadn't gone to bed yet. Like that was any surprise.
General Hammond checked his watch. "Dial it up, Sergeant."
The technician nodded. "Yes sir."
The Gate whooshed open and the General stepped up to the microphone. "Doctor Jackson? Doctor Jackson, do you read? This is Hammond, over."
There was a pause, then a crackle of static. "I'm here, I'm here." He sounded stressed.
"What's your position, Doctor?"
There was a gust of static that sounded suspiciously like a sigh. "We're safe, for now."
General Hammond arched an eyebrow. "'We'?"
There was a pause. "Uh, yeah. Um, Jack's here too," Daniel said, plainly trying to sound like he was as surprised by it as they were. General Hammond frowned but didn't say anything, probably saving it for later. Teal'c just looked smug.
Janet stepped forward. "How are you both physically, Doctor Jackson?"
There was another sigh. "They gave Jack some sort of truth drug. He keeps passing out, his coordination's lousy, and, well..." there was a pause as Daniel evidently struggled with the need to be specific and the need to be diplomatic. "He's basically acting like a drunk six-year-old. I don't think this stuff is supposed to be used on humans."
"Do you think he's in any danger?"
"Only from me," Daniel said shortly, and cleared his throat. "I mean, uh, no. I think he'll be fine. He just needs to, you know, sleep it off. Hopefully."
"And what is your condition?"
"Sore. Dusty. Grumpy. Sneezy. I'm sure the other three dwarves will be along soon to get their revenge too, but other than that I'm okay. Any chance of a little company? You know, the heavily armed GDO-carrying kind?"
Janet and General Hammond exchanged glances. "We estimate another eight hours, Doctor," the General said. "Will you be safe until then?"
"I'm not sure. We have a pretty good hiding place, but I don't know how hidden it will stay once they figure out Jack's gone. You'll have to be careful when you come through."
The General frowned. "Is there any chance of you and Colonel O'Neill being able to make it to the Gate yourselves?"
"I doubt it. It was all I could do to get Jack even this far, and - oh, for crying - he's waking up. I've got to go or he'll shout the whole goddamn forest down."
The General raised an eyebrow. "Very well. We'll come through for you in eight hours. SGC out."
"Bye," Daniel said distractedly, and the radio went dead.
Teal'c shifted next to Sam. "'An inebriated six-year-old'?" he quoted, deadpan.
Sam grinned, relieved despite herself. "Poor Daniel."
* * * * * * * * * *
"Jack, I'm serious. You have to be quiet."
Jack crossed his arms over his chest and gave Daniel a sulky look. "Quiet's boring."
Daniel gave Jack the look his mother had used on him when he was little. "Quiet's going to keep us alive. Why don't you go to sleep? Then you won't be bored."
Jack gave him a suspicious look. "Will you wake me up?"
"Later, yes. I promise."
"Like Sleeping Beauty?"
Daniel clung to his patience by his fingernails and occupied himself with bunching up his vest for Jack to use as a pillow. "Yes, Jack. Just like Sleeping Beauty. Now go to sleep."
Jack squirmed into a comfortable position. "You don't have to kiss me, though. Wait for Carter. Just as long as it's not Janet. She's a bad kisser."
Daniel blinked at him. "How do you - never mind, I don't want to know. Go to sleep."
Jack smiled craftily. "You do want to know. You're curious. You want to know, admit it."
"No, I really don't want to know. Go to sleep."
"It was during the time loop," Jack said, disregarding Daniel completely. "Kissed Carter in front of Hammond. Timed it so the loop would end right then." He grinned at Daniel. "She's a good kisser. And to be fair to Janet, I think I caught her by surprise."
"I'll be sure to let her know when we get back," Daniel muttered.
"I was so mad at her for that stupid penlight thingy," Jack continued, ignoring Daniel's sarcasm. "Always looking at me like I was lying. So I said, If I weren't in a time loop, would I do this? and kissed her. It was priceless. Looked like someone hit her over the head with a plastic flamingo."
Daniel arched one eyebrow. "I can't imagine why."
Jack looked smug. "Yup. Didn't know she knew that many bad words. Which was the problem. Decided I wanted to see Hammond's reaction, so I kissed Carter again and left enough time to see what Hammond did." He winced.
"Not pretty?"
Jack scowled. "Hammond was funny. It was Carter I forgot about. She kneed me in the balls."
Daniel smirked. "Well, I think it's definitely safe to say that truth serum stuff is working. And I think it's probably best if you go to sleep before you tell me anything else you'll have to kill me for later."
"Sleep's boring."
"I'm going to sleep too. You don't want to be awake by yourself, do you?"
Jack gave him a petulant look. "You're boring."
Daniel looked at him sideways. "You want me to talk?"
Jack smiled happily. "Yep."
Daniel smiled wolfishly. "Okay, if you're sure." He settled himself comfortably. "The ritual burial of objects of cult significance is one of the earliest attested indications of cult practice. It occurs as early as the seventh millennium BC in the Levant at sites such as 'Ain Ghazal, where it precedes the appearance of recognizable sanctuaries. Extraordinary statues discovered at this site were made of lime plaster molded over a reed framework and many were decorated with paint. Buried in a pit under the floor of a house, they may represent mythical ancestors. From this analysis..."
He glanced over. Jack was fast asleep. Daniel smiled.
"Archaeologist: one. Colonel: zero. Go me." He said, and went to sleep with one hand on Jack's shoulder in case he woke up disoriented during the night.
* * * * * * * * * *
When it came, there was no warning. It felt like it had only been a few minutes after he'd fallen asleep when Jack's body jerked under his hand as he arched and screamed incoherently, the sound shocking and incredibly loud in the small cave.
Daniel was up and soothing Jack before he'd even woken fully. He grabbed Jack's shoulders to still his thrashing, pressing him to the floor.
"Jack, it's - "
Faster than thought, Jack grabbed Daniel's left arm, twisting it hard behind his back. Before he could react, Daniel found himself pinned face down with one of Jack's hands tight around his throat and a knee in the small of his back.
"Ja - " he choked, but Jack only tightened his grip. Daniel scrabbled uselessly at the ground with his free hand, his head swimming.
"Okay, this is how it's going to happen," Jack growled, his face down near Daniel's. "I'm going to let go, and you are going to answer my questions. You will not shout for help. Is that clear?"
Daniel nodded fractionally, and Jack's grip loosened, his hands remaining close enough to restrain Daniel at a moment's notice.
"Who are you?"
"D-daniel! It's Daniel, Jack!"
Jack's hand loosened a little more. "Danny?"
"Yeah." Daniel squinted at Jack's face in the darkness, trying to gauge his expression. Jack let go completely, reaching out to touch Daniel's cheek.
"Danny, what are you doing here?" He sounded lost.
"I came after you." He sat up, rubbing his shoulder. "Are you okay? Do you know where you are?"
Jack leaned back against the wall of the cave with a bewildered thump. "You're not supposed to be here. I don't understand."
Daniel got to his knees and shuffled awkwardly after Jack, wary of startling him. "What do you remember?"
"I - " he reached up to rub his forehead. "It's - oh, God."
"Jack?" Daniel reached out tentatively and touched Jack's shoulder. The older man didn't seem to notice.
"This isn't right," he moaned. "Oh, God."
"Jack, talk to me. What's wrong?"
"I should be at home. I'm not supposed to be here, I'm supposed to be at home..."
Daniel tightened his hand on Jack's shoulder. "You had a bad dream. It's all over now." He could feel Jack shaking under his hand, and gingerly pulled him close.
"I'm sorry. Oh God, Charlie, I'm so sorry..."
Daniel rocked Jack in his arms, rubbing his quaking shoulders with one anxious hand. "It wasn't your fault, Jack. Come on, it's okay. Shhh. It's okay." He could feel Jack clutching at the material of his jacket and tightened his grip.
"Daniel?"
"Jack?"
"You're not supposed to be here. I don't know you yet."
Daniel kept rocking. "The Jaffa gave you some drugs, Jack. They're making you confused. It's okay, though. You're going to be fine. We're going to get out of here, and we're going to go home and we're going to be fine." He felt Jack's grip begin to loosen and kept talking. "Just fine. You'll see. Janet will lecture us about not getting hurt and Sam and Teal'c will hover in the infirmary until we're released or Janet kicks them out. Just like always."
Jack's hand slipped down into his lap and he leaned heavily against Daniel. Looking down, Daniel could see that his eyes were half-open.
"I don't know how much of this you're going to remember in the morning, Jack," Daniel said after a moment, resting his cheek against the top of Jack's head. "But there's something I've always wanted to tell you, and even if you don't remember this later maybe it'll, I dunno, register subconsciously or something. And I doubt I'd ever be able to tell this to your face, so here goes."
Daniel shifted back against the wall, making himself comfortable. "Charlie's death wasn't your fault. It was one of those things that just happens and you can't prevent it no matter how much you wish you could. You were a really good father to Charlie. You're the only one who blames you for it, and I bet if Charlie were here now, he'd tell you the same thing."
He glanced down at Jack's face, peaceful and still with his forehead pressed against Daniel's neck. "I don't know how much you know about my childhood after my parents died, but it wasn't the greatest. I moved around a lot. I didn't really fit anywhere until Abydos and the SGC. But the thing is, I would never change that if it meant giving up the memory of those first eight years with my parents. Whatever happened later, those eight years were just magical, and that's what I choose to remember."
He sighed and rubbed his forehead with one hand. "I guess what I'm trying to say is... from a son who lost his father to a father who lost his son, you gave Charlie ten years and that's what you should remember. Don't throw those years away just because they ended too soon. It's not worth it. You were a great dad and Charlie would want you to be happy."
He glanced down again. Jack's eyes were closed and his breathing was deep and even.
"That's what I think, anyway," he mumbled, suddenly feeling embarrassed, and rubbed Jack's shoulder until he fell asleep.
* * * * * * * * * *
Daniel awoke to noise and cold. He and Jack had shifted while they slept and he found himself flat on his back with Jack's head on his stomach. From his vantage point, he could see a thin waterfall coming through the entrance to the cave.
He shifted Jack's head carefully to the wet ground and crept over to the entrance. His muscles had stiffened up horrendously while he slept and just making it to the edge of the cave was enough to make him wish for a whole lot of aspirin and some Ben Gay to go with it. He peered out the entrance. It was light out, and raining. In the distance he could hear horns blowing. Jack's escape had been discovered.
He checked his watch. It was nine AM, which meant they had another four hours before General Hammond sent help. He eyed the rain doubtfully and hoped the water level in the cave didn't rise too fast.
* * * * * * * * * *
Two hours later, the water had risen enough that Daniel had to prop Jack up against the wall and hook the collar of his jacket on a convenient root to keep him from drowning or floating away. The Jaffa were still outside, and the underground stream's current was getting strong enough that pretty soon he'd have to tie himself down too. Even worse, it was starting to undercut the foundations of the old dead tree up above. Daniel had already heard several ominous groans and was debating the merits of trying to follow the stream down to the ravine and from there getting to the secret tunnels, or taking his chances in the open woods above.
Several of the Jaffa had passed close enough to the entrance of the cave to make Daniel very nervous. He'd even made himself a slingshot of sorts from strips of his bandanna, filling his vest pockets with pebbles for ammunition. It had been a long time since he'd first learned how to use a sling as a boy in Egypt and he hoped he hadn't lost his touch. He could use his gun, of course, but only had a limited number of bullets and much preferred the idea of a well-aimed slingstone to trying to take down a Jaffa with his knife or bare hands.
"Daniel, I'm wet. Please explain."
"Jack!" Daniel yelped, and immediately berated himself for making so much noise. "Oh, thank God. I thought you were never going to wake up," he continued in a whisper.
Jack frowned. He looked refreshingly aware but still a little groggy. "I thought I was captured." His frown deepened. "And aren't you supposed to be dead?"
"No, no, just knocked out." Daniel sloshed his way over to Jack. "How are you feeling? They gave you some kind of truth drug. You've been pretty out of it."
One of Jack's hands flopped in what Daniel assumed was supposed to be a reassuring gesture. "Kind of like my head's been wrapped in cotton."
Daniel gave him a sideways look. "Who do you think is a better kisser: Sam or Janet?"
Jack's jaw dropped. "What the hell kind of question is that?"
"Just answer it."
"Well, I wouldn't know, would I? I've never kissed either one of them."
Daniel released a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. "Okay, I think it's worn off."
Jack gave him a steady look. "I'm assuming you'll get around to explaining all this eventually, Daniel," he said pointedly.
"Right." Daniel checked out the entrance of the cave again and then resettled himself next to Jack. "Short version: Sam and Teal'c made it back to the SGC. I stayed here because they thought I'd been killed. You got captured. I snuck in and broke you out and we're hiding here until General Hammond can send back-up. SG-9 brought back some kind of virus so the mountain's on lockdown and they won't be here for..." he checked his watch. "...an hour and a half. That would all be fine, but unfortunately it's started raining and our cave is rapidly filling with water, plus the Jaffa have discovered that you've escaped and they're searching the woods for you. And I think the cave is going to collapse soon."
"Well, that's bad."
"Yeah."
"What do we have for weapons?"
"My gun - nine bullets left - my knife, and I made a sling."
Jack gave him a deadpan look. "Oh, good. If they come close enough we can strangle them with it."
Daniel rolled his eyes. "Not that kind of sling, Jack. It's a slingshot. Throws stones. It's actually quite deadly, if you know how to use it."
"And you do?"
"I learned when I was a kid. I'm a little out of practice, though."
"So basically our choices right now are stay here and drown or go out there and get shot?"
Daniel winced. "More or less. See, I don't think they'll actually shoot us - I think they want us alive. They already told Cronos they had you and he's on his way, so I can only imagine what kind of trouble they'll be in when he arrives and finds you've escaped. I do know of somewhere else we can hide, but it'll be pretty tough to get there and kind of depends on how mobile you're feeling."
"You g-"
"No." Daniel said emphatically. "I did not drag myself concussed and allergic through miles of tiny cramped dusty tunnels just to leave you here to drown. I go, you go. It's that simple."
"All right." Jack sighed and rubbed his face, nearly poking his own eye out until he figured out how to use his hand correctly. "In that case, I think we'd better take our chances topside. All we need to do is stay alive and hopefully free until the back-up shows and blows the bad guys to hell. We can do that."
"Sure," Daniel said with forced optimism. "Piece of cake."
"Help me up."
Daniel slung Jack's right arm across his shoulders and helped him to the cave entrance, climbing out first himself to check for Jaffa and then pulling Jack out behind him, which made his already screaming back muscles protest. Jack insisted on carrying Daniel's Berretta, which Daniel knew was more for reassurance than any practical use. The noise of the gun would bring every Jaffa within hearing range down on their position, so until things were completely desperate it would be up to Daniel and his sling to clear the way.
They made their way through the woods, keeping clear of the path. Once or twice they had to duck down in the undergrowth as a Jaffa patrol passed, but they didn't meet any real resistance until they were about halfway to the bridge. To their surprise, the Jaffa who spotted them did not approach or fire - he turned and vanished into the forest. A moment later they heard a horn blow nearby.
"Crap," Jack said succinctly. "Looks like you were right, Daniel - they want us alive."
Daniel shook the rainwater from his eyes and kept going. "Why didn't he zat us, then? There must be something else going on."
"He didn't have a zat," Jack said absently.
"Why wouldn't he have a zat?"
Jack gave him a narrow look. "Like I know? Maybe Cronos cut funding. Anyway, hopefully it'll work to our advantage."
"How?" Daniel said skeptically.
"Somehow," Jack said, at his stubborn best. Daniel rolled his eyes and let it go.
A few minutes later, Daniel became aware of something moving through the bushes to his right. He stopped and looked around, but could see nothing through the rain.
"What's wrong?"
Daniel started walking again. He could hear rustling behind them now, and to the left as well. He glanced at Jack. Jack's eyes were closed and it looked like it was taking all his concentration to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
"I think they're trying to herd us onto the bridge."
"What?" Jack asked thickly, and Daniel felt him stumble.
"Nothing. Just keep walking."
"'Kay."
The rustling all around them increased as they neared the clearing by the bridge. Daniel stepped into the clearing, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. No one followed them. The clearing on the other side of the bridge appeared deserted as well and for one wild moment he contemplated turning and making a break for the woods and the Stargate, but he knew that even without Jack stumbling along barely conscious at his side he wouldn't have had a chance. He stepped onto the slick wet metal of the bridge. He had an awful feeling they were walking straight into a trap, but he couldn't for the life of him figure out any way around it.
His radio crackled to life. "Daniel, this is Sam. Do you read? Over."
Daniel turned as surreptitiously as possible towards his radio, using Jack's body to hopefully screen his actions from the Jaffa he was sure were hidden in the forest. "I read you, Sam. We could use a little help here."
"What is your position?" Teal'c's voice rumbled.
"We're on the bridge to the fortress. The Jaffa have been herding us here. I'm pretty sure they want to take us alive but I don't want to find out."
"We're on our way."
"I'll pay for any speeding tickets," Daniel mumbled as the bushes at the edge of the forest behind him rustled. Several Jaffa stepped out, watching him calmly. He kept going. From where they were at the center of the bridge he could see all the way up the ravine to the temple. So close...
"Jack?"
"Uh-huh."
"Just hang in there, okay? We're almost out."
"Don' feel s'good," Jack slurred, and went limp.
The sudden dead weight pulled Daniel off-balance and he fell awkwardly across Jack, narrowly avoiding cracking his skull on the metal railing of the bridge. "Jack? Come on, don't do this to me. Not now. Come on, Jack!" He shook Jack's shoulder roughly, but Jack stayed unconscious.
Daniel rose to his knees at the sound of a metal Jaffa boot on the far end of the bridge. The bridge was only wide enough for two Jaffa to cross abreast, but he could see several more soldiers behind them. He turned and looked back the way he had come. There were soldiers starting across from that side too.
He got to his feet and unwound his sling, tucking a stone into the center. He whirled it above his head and released the missile, which went wide of the approaching Jaffa. Quickly, he reloaded and fired again. This time the stone found its mark, and one of the Jaffa fell clutching his head. The others closed their helmets and kept coming. Daniel fired again at the other side of the bridge and a glowing helmet eye went dark, but it was painfully obvious that he would never be able to hold them all back.
Daniel took a deep breath, prayed none of the Jaffa had zats, and threw himself down on his knees beside Jack. He snatched the Berretta out of Jack's limp hand and pressed the barrel to the back of Jack's skull.
"Come any closer and I'll shoot us both," he yelled.
The Jaffa stopped their advance. There was a moment of perfect silence, disturbed only by the ping of raindrops on metal.
"You will not kill your friend," one of the Jaffa said. His voice was muffled by his helmet, but Daniel thought he recognized the First Prime.
"You want to find out?" he challenged. His hand was shaking, but he was fairly sure the Jaffa were too far away to notice.
"Your god will revive you. Your deaths will mean nothing." The Jaffa began to move forward cautiously.
"He's not a god," Daniel retorted automatically, hearing Teal'c's voice in his head. False god. Dead false god. "And he's not here yet. How long can a body be dead before the sarcophagus won't revive it?" It was a shot in the dark, but it seemed to work. The First Prime didn't answer, but the soldiers paused in their slow advance.
"You're a soldier," Daniel continued. "Would you allow yourself to be captured?"
That was definitely a hit. The Jaffa stopped, looking uneasily at one another.
"Come on, guys," Daniel murmured under his breath. He stared hard at the barrel of his gun as it brushed Jack's wet silver hair and tried not to think of what he would do if the First Prime called his bluff.
"Get off the bridge," Daniel called out.
"You will be unable to do anything while your friend is unconscious," the First Prime said, but it sounded a little half-hearted.
"Well, then I guess we have a little standoff on our hands, don't we?" Of course, he amended silently, I have lots of heavily armed and very stressed friends on the way, but you don't really need to know that right now.
"We're in position, Daniel," Sam's voice said softly in his ear. "Get ready to take cover."
Daniel wondered briefly what cover she thought he was going to find in the middle of a bridge, and decided it wasn't worth asking.
"On three," she said. "One, two, three, DUCK!"
The woods erupted in a flurry of automatic gunfire and Daniel threw himself flat, covering Jack as best he could. The Berretta skidded across the bridge and disappeared over one side, but Daniel was fairly sure that whatever the outcome of this firefight he wouldn't be needing it again.
A line of bullets pinged next to him and he flinched, curling himself into the smallest ball he could. A staff blast whizzed overhead. He could hear shouting, almost drowned out by the gunfire and mayhem going on above his head.
And, suddenly, silence. A hand touched his shoulder and he rolled onto his back, instinctively bringing his fists up in readiness to lash out at his attacker.
"Hi, Daniel," Sam said, smiling.
* * * * * * * * * *
Sam perched on the end of an unused gurney and grinned at Daniel. He was filthy and bloodstained and trembling with exhaustion and adrenaline but alive. Nurse Clark had her hands full just trying to keep him on the gurney. It was kind of like watching a tennis game.
"...And they gave him some kind of truth drug," Daniel explained, twisting out of Nurse Clark's reach to look over his shoulder at Teal'c. "Ser'cha. Have you ever heard of ser'cha, Teal'c? Anyway, I don't think it was supposed to be used on humans."
Nurse Clark took his chin firmly in hand and turned his head so she could reach the bullet wound above his ear. Daniel kept going. "I mean, it worked, but he was really loopy. He was just as likely to argue with you as give you a true answer. And he had nightmares. Hallucinations, maybe."
Nurse Clark let go and reached for her gauze, and Daniel took the opportunity to bounce to his feet. "I should probably tell Janet that. She should know what all his symptoms were if she wants to treat him."
Teal'c reached out with one hand and pushed Daniel back on the bed. Daniel didn't even notice. "He seemed to be doing pretty well there for a while, but then he passed out again. It might have been because we were moving and his heart rate was elevated, so the drug was redistributed throughout his body."
He hopped to his feet, oblivious to Nurse Clark's attempts to bandage his cut. "I'm just going to go tell Janet what happened."
Teal'c pushed him back down. "Be still, Daniel Jackson."
Daniel got up again. "I should tell Janet not to pay attention to what he says. He was hallucinating and he didn't know where he was. He even tried to strangle me but I talked him out of it."
He took a few steps towards Jack, and then Nurse Clark grabbed his arm and swung him around. He landed back on the gurney with a thump. "Not until I'm done with you, Doctor Jackson."
"Oh, it'll just take a minute," Daniel said brightly, getting to his feet again. "I'll be right back."
"Daniel," Sam hopped off her gurney and took Daniel's face in her hands, holding them there until she was sure he was paying attention to her. She shifted her grip to his shoulders, rubbing soothingly. "Janet knows what to do." She told him gently. "We're taking care of it, okay? Colonel - Jack's fine. You need to let Nurse Clark fix you up now."
"You're sure?" His uncertain blue eyes searched her face.
"I'm positive. It's all under control. You got him back and you took care of him and you did a wonderful job, but now it's our turn to take care of you, okay?"
"Oh." He blinked at her, looking a little deflated. "Right. Okay then. I guess I'll just, you know..." he made a vague gesture with one hand, and passed out.
* * * * * * * * * *
Blink.
Blink.
"Good morning, Daniel," said Jack's amused voice from somewhere around his left ear. He turned his head a little to find Jack regarding him from a chair next to his bed. Daniel smiled.
"Good morning." He started to push himself up into a sitting position, and stopped when his abused muscles twinged angrily. "Ow."
"I would imagine," Jack said, lending a hand. "Your back is one huge bruise. Why didn't you tell me you got shot?"
"Because I didn't get shot, I only got shot at," Daniel pointed out reasonably, settling back against his pillows. "And anyway, you were hardly in a position to pay attention to anything I was saying."
"Right." Jack cleared his throat uncomfortably. "About the truth serum..."
"Don't mention it. I won't." Daniel said reassuringly. "Unless, of course, I need a favor. Or three."
Jack scowled at him. "It's all your fault anyway."
"I'll have to take your word for that. I still can't remember anything before waking up in the field."
"Not that, the time loop. You were the one who pointed out we could do anything without consequences. So it's all your fault."
"Well, then you shouldn't mind me taking advantage of it," Daniel said, smiling beatifically. Never get into an argument with a linguist. That was commandment number eleven in Daniel's book.
Jack rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Anyway, Frasier says you can go as soon as you've had a good meal. No coffee. And she's sending you home with a whole bunch of fun pills to take."
Daniel scowled. "What about you? You were the one dosed with an alien truth drug."
"I slept it off while you were busy being unconscious."
Daniel shot him a sideways look.
"Eleven hours," Jack elaborated.
"Oh." Daniel gave a resigned sigh. "She's sending me home with you, isn't she?"
Jack smiled paternally. "Yep. We're making a team night of it. Apparently Carter and Teal'c missed us."
"What about the debriefing?"
"Tomorrow. Hammond said he didn't want to see us for at least twenty-four hours."
Daniel nodded. That was a very General Hammond thing to do, especially since he was willing to bet Teal'c and Sam hadn't given the General a moment's rest while he and Jack had been stranded. Which reminded him... "Jack, how much do you remember from when you were drugged?"
Jack shrugged and stood up. "Not much. It's pretty hazy. I gather you held a gun to my head and threatened to shoot me if the Jaffa didn't back up?"
Daniel winced. "Something like that."
Jack shook his head mournfully. "You do go to extremes, don't you?" He turned and headed toward the door. "I'm going to let Frasier know you're awake. And Daniel," he stopped and looked back, hesitating for a moment. "As a father without a son to a son without a father, I'm telling you you need a shower in the worst way."
Daniel gaped at Jack's retreating back, and then, slowly, began to smile.
"You're welcome!" He shouted down the hall.
"Just take a shower!" Jack yelled back.
FINIS