Title: Across the Abyss
Rating: PG-13
Words: 639
Spoilers: "Abyss", "The Changling" and "Full Circle"
Summary: Daniel remembers the events of "Abyss"
Notes: Have been wanting to do this for so long the bunny came after me with its patented Screwdriver of Doom. So, naturally, I had to write it.

The knock on his door was unexpected, and at the time of night, rather unwanted as well. But when the large, heavy dark-wood door revealed Daniel Jackson's tear-streaked, red-rimmed eyes, Jack suddenly forgot all of his qualms. Daniel was one late-night visitor Jack would never, ever turn away.

Jack ushered him in, seated him on the couch and returned with a cup of water. While in the kitchen, he set a cup of coffee to brew.

The first words out of the archeologist's mouth surprised and confused him. "God, Jack, I'm so sorry."

Jack frowned at him, "What for?"

Daniel stared into his cup, squeezing the glass till his knuckles were white in an effort not to cry. Jack was now beyond just surprised and confused, and deep in the territory of worry. "Daniel?"

"For leaving you." The words were so soft and gravelly he almost missed them.

"You've never left me anywhere out of your own free will," Jack tried to reassure the other, coming over to sit next to Daniel instead of opposite him.

"I did, Jack," Daniel said, turning to look straight into Jack's chocolate eyes. They were full of sorrow, regret, and self-hate. "I left you with Baal."

Realization came crashing down like a tsunami over Jack's head. He was quick to assure, "Daniel, you saved me."

Daniel shook his head vehemently, biting his lower lip, tears gathering at the corners of his eyes. "I didn't even-didn't even try."

"You kept me sane," Jack said, tilting his friend's head up, though the eyes remained fixed on the untouched drink. "You offered me ascension."

Daniel gave a bark of humorless, almost-painful laughter. "I knew you wouldn't agree."

"You tried, Daniel," Jack told him. "Look at me."

Daniel kept his eyes on his hands.

"Daniel, look at me."

Slowly, Daniel lifted his too-blue eyes and met Jack's.

"You saved me, Danny. You kept me sane long enough for Carter, Teal'c and Jonas to come up with a plan for my escape. You did everything you could," Jack said earnestly, willing his friend to believe him.

But Daniel was already shaking his head, eyes closed. "I could have busted you out, or gotten you a zat, or at the very least done 'a little recon'. You begged me, Jack! I remember that - you begged me to help you and I didn't!"

"There were rules-"

"Fuck the rules! When have they ever stopped me before? I should have helped you, Jack! There are no excuses for that!"

"And then what? The Others would have descended you sooner and then what? You wouldn't have been able to help us find the Eye of Ra or delay Anubis, that's what."

Daniel looked at him blankly.

"You didn't remember that, did you?"

Slowly, Daniel shook his head.

"And when Teal'c and Bra'tac were dying, you helped Teal'c get through it. Do you remember that?"

Daniel furrowed his brow, thinking deeply. "Vaguely. Something about firemen and kidneys."

"Well, then. Teal'c said you were a big part of that; you helped him as much as you helped me," Jack said. When Daniel opened his mouth, Jack raised a finger and with an "Ah!" quieted the doctor. "You helped me, Daniel. If you hadn't been there to talk to me, then I wouldn't be here. I'd been a room with padded white walls - trust me, I know what that kind of torture does to a man."

Daniel sat, staring at his hands again. Then, finally, he nodded. "Alright. I don't think I'll ever forgive myself, but at least I know you don't blame me."

Jack nodded, smelling the coffee. He smiled; "Coffee?"

Daniel looked up, and the ever-present darkness was back in its little black box. "You have to ask?"

Jack chuckled, and went to get a mug for Daniel. It was enough.