There he stands, like a shy little kid, unsure of himself. Arms wrapped around him as if he tries to comfort himself. I always kinda brooded over this habit. Why is he doing this so often? I mean he's with friends here. No need to feel insecure … right?
Or maybe this is exactly what's causing it. He never feels safe, never feels connected to someone because he lost his parents in a tragic way when he was little.
Well…or maybe he's just cold.
But I doubt that. I mean…look at him.
It could have something to do with trust. Did we betray his trust? Has there ever been a situation where he couldn't rely on us? Hmmm…maybe the incident with that water-monster, when we thought he's gone for sure. We abandoned him, left him all alone with…with..you know…THAT thing was not easy on the eyes!
I know we came back for him, but perhaps he thought we would never ever return to that planet, that we would leave him behind.
Oh boy. Just thinking of that he could have possibly assumed that we would let him go to waste down there…
NO that can't be either, right?
HA! Now I know…he just needs a hug.
That's all!
Maybe if someone gives him a hug every now and then, he'll probably stop doing that self-hugging thing. ….well, if I give some thought to it, I guess I would offer myself to do the work.
"Do you agree, colonel?"
Uh, I was definitely not paying attention here. Damn it!
Everyone in the briefing room is now staring at me, waiting for an answer.
Sam, Teal'c, General Hammond and of course Daniel, who just finished his detailed report about the ruins we found on our last trip.
And now General Hammond wants to know if I agree with…with…uh…
DARN! I have no clue!
"Sure, I do! I totally agree", I say and grin like a Cheshire cat. I hope this was convincing enough.
Actually they did buy it. It kind of looked that way because the General dismissed us with no further comment.
Daniel is walking out into the corridor and I catch up with him.
"Hey", I say, determined to find out what they were talking about back in the briefing room.
Daniel looks confused. "You know, Jack, I never thought that you would agree."
"Ah you know me, I love to cause surprise."
"Jack?"
"Yeah?"
"Were you paying attention at all?"
Uh! He caught me. And before I can think of a good excuse, my mouth betrays me.
"No."
Daniel simply sighs as if he has given up on me.
"Look, I'm sorry Daniel…but I was thinking."
"Oh yeah? Thinking about what?"
Should I tell him the truth? I wasn't exactly sure how he'd react…maybe it would be best not to do so. But…What the heck! I need to know it! Right now!
"Actually, I was thinking about you."
"Me?"
"Yes. You were standing there, arms wrapped around yourself, kinda like you tried to … I don't know…feel secure? Why are you doing this? You do that a lot."
For a split second Daniel got real defensive, like a trapped animal.
I expected him to shout at me but then he slumped somehow, sighed again and even smiled at me when he said:
"It's just…damn cold in here."
Thanks Danny! Now I feel like an idiot.
But I know that there is more behind it. It can't be caused by the air conditioner in this facility.
No way!
For one second, I saw behind his mask. He's hiding something from me but… as a matter of fact he knows now that I know and that's good. I hope that when the time is right he'll come and talk to me.
So for now I'll drop it.
But…I can't help myself I have to hug him. Just once.
It's obvious that I took Daniel by surprise but after a while, he relaxes in the comfort of my embrace.
That just proves me that I did pay attention.
