SPOILER WARNING FOR ENTIRE NINTH SEASON!

Avalon Missing Scene

Pulling on his flight jacket, Daniel didn't have to turn around to know who just slipped through the infirmary curtain.

"How'd you find out?" he asked softly, fingering the bracelet that was condemning him to hell for the next God only knew how many hours.

"Oh…I have my ways."

Smiling, Daniel turned around and saw Jack, hands in his pockets, rocking back on his heels.

The archaeologist's smile, however, turned into a cringe when, "Come on, sweetcheeks! Let's go find the treasure so we can get on with the honeymoon!" was hollered from the other side of the curtain.

Shoulder slumping, Daniel whined, "Jaaa'aaa'aack" as he held out his arm. "cut it off."

"Oooh, I don't know, Daniel," His old friend spoke casually as he walked passed the extended hand, hopped up on the cot and crossed his arms. "I think you two will be happy together."

Daniel petulantly dropped the condemned appendage and glared at his former C.O.

Jack raised his eyebrow defensively. "What! Help you!" he cried, then looked down to pick at the blanket he sat on and mumbled. "I wasn't even invited to the wedding."

"That is true!" was bellowed helpfully from behind them.

Daniel ran his fingers through his hair with both hands…then eyes huge, started pulling. "Aargh!"

Jack instantly jumped up and grabbed them, pulling them back down. After making sure they were going to stay at his friend's side, he let go and straightened Daniel's collar.

"I don't know what's worse," he started hoarsely, as he leaned back on the cot, one arm draped over his knee. "not being with you guys and having to wait here. Or not being with you guys and not being able to wait here."

Jack's moment of candor left Daniel floundering. "Jack…"

Standing up and cutting his friend off, Jack studied his feet. "Be careful out there, Daniel. Mitchell is good, but…" for a moment, the old soldier's words caught and Daniel felt his heart plummet. He opened his mouth to say something, but Jack was already looking up at him with a grin plastered to his face. Nodding, Jack placed a hand over Daniel's shoulder and squeezed, taking a deep breath. Daniel thought he was about to open himself up even more, but he was wrong.

"First born, Danny, better be named after me." he forced out with a sigh.

Daniel let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding and ducked his head, shaking it. "I'll name my prosthetic limb after you, Jack, before I have anything to do with that vile woman."

Jack cocked his head and dropped his hand, studying the younger man. "Kinky."

Giggling, Daniel wiped a hand down his face and looked back up at his old friend, who was still observing him.

"I'll see you when you get back?" Jack tried so hard to force his question into a statement.

"Yeah." Daniel answered softly, face turning serious. "You'll see me when I get back."

Jack narrowed his eyes, searching for truth. When he found some, or replaced it with hope, he nodded and vanished to the other side of the curtain… but to Daniel, the other side might as well of been light years away.

The end…for now.