Chapter 2 – A Time to Reap
Jack knew that he was being a chicken shit. Sure, he had flown all the way from DC to Colorado specifically to go to the SGC and see Daniel. He had even driven half way to the base before he chickened out. So, instead of confronting Daniel, he was sitting with Hank drinking beer, playing chess, and bull-shitting about nothing. Trying desperately to hide his true purpose for the visit.
"So, did you decide to go with the desk at an angle, or flush with the door?" he asked as he moved a piece.
Hank gave him a long look and he winced internally. "Is that what this is about? You come all the way to Colorado Springs to check up on me?"
Now, Jack felt really bad. Hank had been doing a great job at the SGC. He had taken to the weirdness of the place better than most. His main complaint seemed to revolve around not having anyone to yell at. "No. I had to sign the papers to my house, and my car… motorcycle…" This time the wince showed. Okay, so that sounded even lamer out loud.
Hank didn't seem to believe him, but ignored it anyway. "You know, I'll never forget that day, on the front porch of my house, you standing there saying you wanted to tell me something about the Stargate Program." Hank chuckled as he remembered the image. "I thought one of us had surely lost his mind."
Jack remembered that day just as clearly. Hammond had finally allowed him out of his DC townhouse to sign Hank into the program, providing that Jack took it easy. He had been so happy to get away from Janet's haunting specter that he had forgotten to take his pain medication. He must have been quite a sight, pale and shaking with the pain but unwilling to admit defeat until he had convinced Hank to come on board. To this day, he was sure that Hank only agreed so Jack would go away and rest. And of course, Janet had followed him and grilled him soundly for forgetting his meds.
"That may actually be true," Jack replied with a grin, thinking of Janet's ghost. He shook his head softly. He was here for intel on Daniel, not to reminisce. "How are things working out for Mitchell?" he asked, cursing himself once again for dancing around the reason for his visit.
Hank gave him an odd look, "Well, you could've told him that SG-1 had been reassigned. You should have seen his face."
"Yeah," Jack sighed. "I suppose, huh?" He could well imagine the young colonel's disappointment.
"Yeah. He'll uh… he'll get his feet," Hank replied, sensing that he was getting too close to the forbidden topic of SG-1's separation. He moved a chess piece, while watching Jack closely. "Man's a survivor."
Jack moved a piece as he replied, "He's also got the best of the best looking out for him."
"A general's only as good as the people he commands," Hank quoted absently.
"Who said that?" Jack asked, liking the quote, and knowing Hank's penchant for using famous quotes to speak for him.
"I just did," Hank said with a smirk. He moved again and noticed Jack's bemused smile. "I mean, Douglas MacArthur may have said something similar," he added dismissively.
"Didn't he also say, 'there is no substitute for winning'?" Jack asked as he moved his next piece with a smirk.
"Actually, it was, 'in war, there is no substitute for victory'," Hank replied while carefully examining the chess board. Finally, he sighed and knocked over his king with his beer bottle and conceded the match. He should know better than to play chess with Jack. He chuckled and added as he toasted Jack's victory, "You seem to have a knack for it."
"Yeah, well, that just goes back to your first quote," Jack said, quietly. He took another sip of his beer and set it down decisively. "So, how's Daniel doing?"
"Dr. Jackson?" Hank clarified, knowing that he was definitely crossing into forbidden territory. His last seven months interacting with the rest of the SGC had taught him that the break-up of SG-1 and Jack's reassignment were never to be discussed. EVER. Colonel Reynolds had gone as far as refusing a direct order. Hank had only let it go, when General Hammond had told him that it was nothing that would endanger the SGC and to drop it. In the last seven months, Hank had decided that it was just too painful a subject to discuss, even for the SGC members who remained behind.
Jack nodded, unable to say anything past the lump in his throat.
"Ah, he seems to be doing well. He's looking forward to going to find the Atlantis expedition," Hank carefully replied.
"Good…good," Jack replied. "I…ah…I've been worried about him, you know…" Jack picked at the label on his beer, trying to hide his feelings.
Hank's stunned face spoke volumes, "Yeah," he replied absently. "I've been keeping an eye on him. He works too much, but I've been told that is normal for him." Hank examined Jack closely, "Did he always work till all hours?"
Jack smiled in response, "Yeah. Daniel and Carter…" his throat closed briefly. He swallowed the emotion down, "…they would work through the night if I let them."
"Ah, then not much has changed. Dr Jackson still works far later than anyone else." Hanks eyes flicked away from Jack, "I've taken to turning the power off in his office after midnight to roust him out."
Jack chuckled, "I wish I'd have thought of that. Does it work?"
Hank returned the laugh with one of his own, "Not really. He's started using a laptop for his translations and just moves to his quarters to finish up."
Jack let out an honest laugh. "That's the problem when working with genius problem solvers, they can usually out flank you."
"Ain't that the truth," Hank replied and took another sip of beer as he gave Jack a considering look. "So, why are you here, Jack?"
Jack took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "To see Daniel."
Hank's eyes widened in surprise and he sat back in his chair.
Jack nodded at the man's unspoken question. "But, I could fit a talk to Mitchell in if you think he needs it," he said deflecting attention from the painful topic.
Hank finally snapped out of his surprise, "I don't think he needs it, but it couldn't hurt."
"Alright," Jack said as he started for formulate a plan of attack. "If you'll arrange for a 302, I'll give the colonel a pep talk."
"An incentive flight, Jack?" Hank said around a smirk.
"Hey, if I have to talk to the guy, I might as well get in some flight time," Jack replied easily.
"Of course," Hank replied easily, "What time?"
Jack glanced at his watch. It was almost time for lunch. "How about around 1600 hours?"
Hank nodded, "I'll see to it. Good luck, Jack."
"Thanks, Hank," Jack said as he rose to leave. "You've been a good friend."
Hank smiled surprisingly touched by Jack's comment. "A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down," Hank quoted as he shook Jack's hand. At Jack's quizzical look, he added, "Arnold Glasow."
Jack smiled one last time before collecting his hat and heading for the mountain.
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As Jack walked down the hallway to Daniel's office, he had to remind himself repeatedly that Daniel was his friend. His mind truly understood that Daniel had never wanted to hurt him, but the insane part of his mind was still afraid. In all honesty, he never felt like he deserved Daniel's friendship. Sure he muddled his way through and it usually seemed to work out for the best. At least it had right up until the 'Incident'.
His doubt slowed his stride, until he stopped, just outside Daniel's doorway. He could turn around and walk away with no one the wiser…Daniel would never know he was here or why…
A loud tapping interrupted his thoughts of fleeing. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a familiar specter fiercely tapping her heels impatiently. "So help me Jack O'Neill, if you screw this up after coming this far…" Janet's voice cut into him.
Okay, so the insane part of his mind knew that Daniel's friendship was too important to back out of now. He sighed and braced himself before stepping into the door way. He froze on the threshold as he noticed Daniel quietly tapping away at his computer. Jack found it reassuring to find that Daniel hadn't changed much. He took a moment to absorb the scene for future use, just in case this reunion went to hell.
"Hey," Jack interrupted quietly, knowing that Daniel wouldn't notice him without some sort of clue. Hell, Daniel probably wouldn't notice the roof caving in around him if he was truly lost in his translations.
"Hey," Daniel replied absently, as he continued to type.
Jack almost smiled at the familiar exchange. It almost felt like nothing had changed and that give him hope that maybe things could be fixed.
Daniel suddenly froze mid-type, blinked owlishly once, as if to clear the mirage, before he commented, "Wow. What the hell are you doing here?"
Jack's smile slid off his face. That wasn't quite the greeting he had been expecting. Was it too much to ask for a polite 'hello' or a concerned 'how are you doing?'
"Nice to see you, too," Jack finally replied with a snap. Maybe this was a mistake.
Daniel immediately stood up and looked horrified by his words, "No, no, sorry. It's just… I wasn't expecting to see you."
Jack tried to calm his fears. After all, this was Daniel. This was worth it… Jack waved off the offensive words and pushed forward, "Yeah, well, I was in the neighborhood…" He could see Daniel nodding while he was still totally confused. Jack almost smiled again, surprised that he could still confound the man after all these years. "I've…uh…" He stammered for an excuse, anything to take the awkwardness out of this visit. "I've got a little surprise for…um…Mitchell." Jack winced. That was even lamer than the house thing with Hank.
Daniel looked slightly disappointed before wrapping his arms around himself and nodding, "Oh yeah. He loved the last one. The fact that you didn't tell him that we were all moving on to different positions."
"Yeah," Jack replied in a quiet voice. Truth was he had forgotten all about Mitchell after the 'Incident'. It wasn't until he saw the colonel's transfer paperwork cross his desk that he remembered his promise to the young pilot. Perhaps a F-302 incentive flight wasn't such a bad idea after all.
Daniel's face shifted to a pained grimace. It was a face that Jack was very familiar with. Daniel was about to bring up things that were better off unspoken. "Jack, I…I'm…"
"I'm hungry," Jack interrupted. Knowing his friend, Daniel would try to push too far, too soon. Jack wasn't ready for confessions and apologies. Not yet. That would come later, if it was still needed. But right now, Jack just needed to feel normal with his friend. He needed to know that Daniel was willing to be his friend again.
"Me, too," Daniel replied as he quietly studied Jack. Then, almost imperceptibly, he nodded.
Jack's relief was almost palatable. He gestured to the door with his head and said, "Wanna? My treat."
"Sure," Daniel replied with a smile.
They walked slowly through the hallways side by side, neither one talked. But the silence wasn't strained or empty. They entered the crowded chow hall and made their way to the serving line. The other SGC members seemed surprised to see the pair, but Jack couldn't tell if it was just seeing him or seeing him with Daniel. Either way, they cleared away from SG-1's old table long before Jack and Daniel cleared the serving lines.
Once they sit down again, Daniel started talking a mile a minute about all the interesting discoveries that he had made recently. In turn, Jack finally got to bitch and complain about his new job in DC. The normality of the meal was a balm on his injured soul. They talked about nothing and everything for several hours, long after the chow hall emptied out and the food line was cleared away.
As their reunion wound down, Daniel once again put on his 'time for the truth' face. This time, Jack let him. He wouldn't change Daniel if he had the choice, and Daniel, being Daniel, had to say his piece. But this time, Jack felt ready to hear the words and to say them in return.
"Look, Jack," Daniel started as he watched Jack closely. "I just want to say…I'm sorry."
Jack smiled at how predictable his friend could be. "I know. I forgave you all for not returning my calls a long time ago, Daniel. I was hurt. But I got over it. And since you don't have anything else to apologize for…" He gave Daniel a meaningful look. "Me on the other hand. I've been a bit…distant recently, and for that I am sorry, Daniel. I hope you can forgive me." Jack gave Daniel a contrite look. He meant it. He had been distant. He had stopped trying to contact his friends. He should have tried harder.
Daniel looked stunned. "I… um… of course, Jack. But…"
"Good, I told you a long time ago that the foundations were solid. You just have to have a little faith," Jack replied quickly, not wanting to draw this painful conversation on any longer.
Daniel smiled and nodded in agreement. His eyes were glistening just a bit as he replied, "You're right, Jack. I'll do better next time."
Jack felt his own eyes water up. "Yeah, you do that." He checked his watch. Shit, was it really that late. "Um, I've got to go, Daniel." He looked directly at his friend as he stood up, "I've had a good time. We should do this more often."
Daniel returned his gaze, "Yeah, I'll stop by next time I'm in DC."
Jack grinned, "You do that." He hurried out of the room but had to look back once. His friend was back. Daniel smiled and waved at him as he left and Jack felt a piece of his heart fall back into place. One down, two to go…
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TBC