Title: Where Did Daniel Go

Author: red rooster dawn

Pairing: Sam and Daniel

Disclaimer: Don't own them, make no money on them.

Summary: Daniel feels disrespected and left out. He leaves SGC for better opportunities.

part four

16 Sep 2002

Babylonia

Archeological site

After a three hour trip by jeep Jack and Samantha arrived at the archeological site Daniel was working at. Jack decided to have a talk with Daniel while Samantha was still sleeping in jeep. He looked around before spotting someone.

He went over to an older gentleman and asked if Daniel Jackson was around and if he could see him. The gentleman directed Jack to a tent Daniel was working in. Jack walked slowly over to the tent stretching his back and legs.

He was dreading this encounter. He didn't know what to expect. He walked into the tent. Daniel was busy as usual examining some artifact that had been discovered at the site.

"Find anything interesting?" asked Jack solemnly.

Daniel turned to looked in the direction of Jack's voice. He wasn't expecting to see Jack standing there, but then again he knew that eventually Jack would probably track him down if he so desired. He wondered why Jack was here.

"Hello Jack, what are you doing here?" asked Daniel trying to ignore the pain he was feeling in his chest.

Seeing Jack standing there reminded him of why he was there in the first place. That Jack and Samantha were together and he could no longer stay at SGC and deal with that. He wished that Jack would just go away and leave him alone.

"I've come to see you Daniel. I've come to ask you why you left. I've come to ask why you left the SGC while Sam and I were away for a week. I was wondering why you couldn't have waited to say goodbye to Sam and me." responded Jack as his voice began to rise.

Now that was a question Daniel didn't want to answer. He didn't want to tell Jack that he couldn't stand to see him and Samantha happy together. That he wanted Samantha all to himself to love and be with for all time.

"I can understand that you were angry with me. My conduct towards you the last few months was highly unprofessional. I was your CO. I'm suppose to take care of my people. You deserved better from me, Daniel. For which I'm truly sorry." continued Jack.

"You have to know that I have the greatest respect for you and the work you do Daniel. I just like getting on your case once and awhile. You have the tendency to respond. I would rather do it to Teal'c, but he doesn't understand the humor in it. It's not fun when he doesn't respond. " Jack rambled on hoping that Daniel would jump into this conversation soon.

"You don't have to apologized to me Jack, you're not the reason why I left SGC Jack. If I let those who bully and taunt me determine how I lived my life, then I probably wouldn't have had a life. I recognized that it was a sign of immaturity and jealous behavior early on in my life. That those persons were intimidated by me." replied Daniel.

"Now I think I'm the one who's been insulted." moaned Jack.

"Don't be Jack, you are who you are, an alpha male. You like to be in charge. Whenever Sam or I discover something interesting, you feel out of the loop and upset that you're not in charge anymore." replied Daniel.

"You could be right about that. I usually feel useless because I don't understand everything that's happening." agreed Jack.

"Neither do Sam and I. There are times we both feel the same way. But we are a team. We all offer something different and unique. That's why we were so good." explained Daniel.

"Huh, huh." mused Jack. No wonder why Daniel is the genius here. He was even able to explain it to me so that I could understand.

"So why are you really here Jack? I know it's not because you miss me." asked Daniel. He wished Jack would get to the point of his visit and leave.

"Come on Daniel, of course I've missed you. You're my best friend. You helped me at a time I needed a friend the most, but you're right. I figured sooner or later when you were tired of playing archeologist, you would be back." smiled Jack hoping to get a response from Daniel, but didn't.

"The real reason I'm here is because you didn't stay to say goodbye to Carter or me. Carter was totally devastated that you left the SGC. I think more so because you didn't say goodbye." answered Jack. He noticed for the first time since he arrived that Daniel was now interested in what he had to say.

"Sam was devastated? Why? She had you. Why would she even miss me?" queried Daniel.

"I don't really know Daniel. I think it's a female thing. All I know is she hasn't talked to me since the day she found out that you left." replied Jack.

"Why?" asked Daniel curiously. Jack and Sam were supposed to be in love.

"She blames me Daniel for you leaving the SGC. She's shut herself off from everyone at the SGC before she finally went home. Doc Fraiser is the only one she sees. She hasn't seen or talk to anyone else from the SGC in three months." explained Jack.

"I don't understand why Jack? I was only a friend. It's not unusual for military people to move around every few years. Friends come and go all the time in the military." pondered Daniel shaking his head.

"I don't understand everything myself Daniel. From what little information Doc Fraiser will give me, I think it's the way you left. The two of you have gotten pretty close the last few years. I don't think she ever thought you would leave. Maybe she didn't realize how important you are and how she felt about you either." Jack tried to reasoned.

"You think she loves me Jack?" asked Daniel a bit stunned. He was more confused then ever. But a glimmer of hope started to warm his heart.

"I don't know anything Daniel. Like I said earlier, she hasn't talked to me since you left." replied Jack.

Daniel was about to ask Jack where Samantha was when he saw Jack turned around to look over to the jeep where Samantha had been sleeping. Daniel turned to look where Jack was looking. He saw Samantha slowly getting out of the jeep and stretching her long slender body like a cat waking from its nap.

Daniel felt something stir deep inside him. God she was beautiful. But before he had a chance to walk over to her and greet her some of the expedition team had come into the tent and over to Daniel.

They were all very excited about something. Jack grinned when he noticed that many of them were quite young and very beautiful ladies. This ought to be interesting he thought. He was surprised how they reacted around Daniel.

Sam had finally woken up. The trip from SGC headquarters had been long and tiring. The lack of activity the last three months had greatly affected her stamina and endurance. She had fallen asleep on the drive to the archeological site.

She saw Daniel surrounded by other members of his expedition team. Most of them were young and very beautiful women craving his attention. They look like groupies to her. Jack was talking to Daniel. They appeared to be talking calmly.

Samantha smiled. It was the first real smile in a long time. She knew Daniel couldn't help getting all that attention from the women. She understood. She was attracted to him too. Daniel was a hunk even if he didn't think he was.

And if she could help it, he would be her hunk before she left here. Sam got out of the jeep and walked over to Daniel. She said "Hello Daniel" before wrapping her arms around Daniel's waist and pulling him closer to her.

She didn't want to let him go. He felt so good. Daniel's groupies stood there opened mouth as Samantha then pulled Daniel's head down and gave him a hot, passionate, and hungry kiss. She wanted them to know that Daniel belonged to her and wasn't available for their pleasure.

Daniel was stunned too. Jack had just gotten through telling him that Samantha might be in love with him, but he had a tough time believing Jack. Now he wondered if maybe Jack was right. When Samantha was through kissing him she looked up into his deep blue eyes.

"Why did you leave without saying goodbye Daniel?" whispered Samantha softly.

"I was beginning to feel left out. I didn't want to get in the way Sam." replied Daniel with apprehension.

"In the way of what Daniel?" she asked softly as she tried to draw him out.

"Between you and Jack. I know he loves you and wants to be with you. I thought he was jealous of our close friendship. That he was belittling me to drive me away." replied Daniel.

"But I don't love him, Daniel. He's my CO and it's against military regulations. Besides which he too old for me." cooed Samantha in his ear.

"Why are you here then Sam?" asked Daniel hoping against hope that Samantha was in love with him.

"Because you didn't say goodbye. I love you Daniel Jackson. I have been in love with you since the day I met you, but you were married to Sha'uri. I couldn't tell you then, but I can now." she whispered into his ear.

"What's that Samantha?" he asked.

"I love you Daniel Jackson and I don't ever want you to leave me ever again." she replied as she kissed him passionately again.

The End