Being True To Myself

Pt. 1: "Stop Lying to Yourself"

Author's Note: A missing scene from "Double Jeopardy". Slash. Jack/Daniel. Spoiler heavy

Disclaimer: Stargate is not mine

***

Jack O'Neill leaned against the doorway to the hut, nervously chewing the inside of his cheek. Finally, before he could turn chickenshit and run, he pushed himself away from the door and strode toward the table and it's one occupant.

"What did you mean 'it wouldn't be the first time you've lied to yourself'?"He demanded.

His twin turned and regarded him with half amusement, half exasperation in it's identical eyes."Oh, please. Like you really don't know what I'm talking about,"

Hearing his voice come out of a, well, reflection, sent a shiver down Jack's spine, but he hid it. "No, I don't," He stated firmly.

"Oh, for christ's sake, will you stop? I'm talking about Daniel, you dumbass," Not really mad, just annoyed.

Jack blinked and his expression changed from annoyance, like his clone, to confusion. "Daniel? What does he have to do with this?"

Jack 2 sighed. "He's what you've been lying to yourself about,"

Pause. "Huh?"

Exasperated groan; roll of the eyes. "Jesus, do you always need everything spelled out for you? Look, put yourself in my place. You're in disguise and sitting among Darian's people. The guards bring in Teal'c, Carter and Daniel and shove them to their knees. Then, Cronus comes in. He gives Darian a staff weapon, then has the guards bring Daniel forward. When they push him down to his knees again, he looks over...and sees you," As Jack watched, the android's face changed. It softened, and his eyes became distant as he watched it play out. Jack was also alarmed to see tears in his twin's eyes. "You two stare at each other for what seems like only a second before Cronus orders Darian to...to kill Daniel to prove his loyalty to his god," The last word is spat, like a curse. "When Darian hesitates, Cronus' guards point their weapons at you and Darian's people. Daniel looks over at you, and..." He trails off, searching for the right words. "He...knows what you are thinking. He knows that you are trying to figure out some way to save him, even if it costs you your own life, and..." As he spoke, Jack 2's voice had become almost frantic, as had his hand gestures, but during this pause his hands simply dropped to his lap. "And he shakes his head, telling you through his expressive blue eyes that he is willing to die, but he is not willing to let you die for him. Then, he turns, stares the staff weapon down, a hint of a smile on his face, and just closes his eyes when Darian activates the weapon," The twin looked down at his hands and swallowed the painful lump in his throat, not wanting to cry in front of the other. He doesn't see the tears in Jack's own eyes. "He took it so calmly...he will always be the bravest person I ever met,"

"Yeah," Jack said quietly after a moment.

"Ya know, your lucky. You still have your Daniel. Mine is gone forever," The human Jack suddenly seemed fascinated by the wood of the table. "Jack, stop lying to yourself," Both looked up at each other. "I did, and I was the happiest I've ever been,"

Realization dawned in the human's eyes. "You two were...?"

The android looked up, a faint smile on his face at Jack's expression. "Yes," Jack's eyes fell back to the table. The other Jack, the android, stood up and set a hand on his twin's shoulder. "Please, stop lying to yourself. If not for me, or for Daniel, either one of them, then for yourself,"