Thank you for all the feedback, I got some great ideas. There's a general consensus for more JackDaniel friendship and a little more support from Sam. I think I can manage. But first…more Teal'c and finally some good times.

Warning: mild language


Chapter 7

In his dreams he was at his cabin in Minnesota, propped up in a chair on the dock with a fishing pole in hand, a beer within reach and an Australian Sheppard curled up at his feet. There was no Stargate, there was no sarcophagus, and there were no Goa'uld. Just a fishless pond, cheap alcohol, and man's best friend. No future, no past, just the moment.

And he was happy.

Reality came crashing down around him as he opened his eyes to a plain white ceiling.

"O'Neill."

He redirected his gaze to the warm eyes of his Jaffa brother, and thought perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. "Hey Teal'c." He greeted in a raspy voice, followed by a small cough. A cup with a straw appeared in front of his face and he greedily took a drink of the tepid water.

"Do you recall what happened, O'Neill?"

He closed his eyes as his memories flashed back. "Took Charlie fishing. He was all grown up. Good-looking man. Insightful. He was always a smart kid. Got it from his mother."

"And from you as well, O'Neill."

"Yeah. Me too. How's Rya'c?"

"He is becoming a great warrior, and a great man. He is helping Bratac in converting the Jaffa to our cause. Our numbers grow strong."

"Do you get to see him often?"

"Not as often as I would like. That is the sacrifice we must pay for our freedom. I take comfort knowing that he is alive and well, fighting a worthy battle. He is happy. That is all I need to know."

"Charlie was happy. He loved to laugh."

"He had a great role model, I am sure."

Jack couldn't help the small laugh and smile that came out by reflex, especially when he saw the large smile on Teal'c's face. "Sara always called us her boys." His smile faded as quickly as it had arrived when he thought about Sara. "How's her father? Is he okay?"

"Doctor Fraiser informed us that he suffered a mild heart attack and will make a complete recovery in time."

"That's good. He's a good man. He was always there for her, even when I…" He trailed off, closing his eyes. "I never should have let her go," he said quietly.

Teal'c hesitated a moment, then reached over and took O'Neill's hand in his. O'Neill looked up at him, his eyes expressing the pain that was otherwise hidden from his face. "I have never stopped loving Drey'auc, yet we had both moved on, even before her death. I desired only her happiness and well-being, whether it was I who could provide it or not."

"Yeah. Me too. I think she's been happy. She was smiling again. You know, she always stuck by me, no matter how hard I pushed her away until Charlie died. When I got back from Iraq I was horrible to her and she took it all, suffered because of me, and I hated that I was the one doing that to her but I couldn't stop." He focused on the feel of Teal'c's warm, strong hand on his, absorbing comfort from the simple touch like a sponge soaking up water.

"What was the turning point of your recovery? What helped you to move on?" Teal'c inquired, gathering information in his non-subtle way.

O'Neill smiled cheekily at the memory. "She made love to me." His smile became more nostalgic at the memory. "I'd been sleeping on the couch, I didn't want to hurt her. She came down one night, told me she was having nightmares about what happened to me. I felt so guilty I couldn't say no and she crawled into my arms. I thought we were going to sleep, then she turned and kissed me, and it just progressed from there."

Teal'c looked down at their hands thoughtfully. "While I would like to assist you in your recovery, O'Neill, I believe I will have to draw the line at love-making. However, I have no aversion to holding your hand."

O'Neill looked at him for a full three seconds before belting out a laugh that erupted from his very core. He curled onto his side to control his muscle spasms as his laughter continued unabated.

Teal'c smiled at the response, glad that he had brought laughter back to his friend.

"Oh God, Teal'c, you haven't changed." He pulled his hand from Teal'c's to wipe the tears of laughter from his eyes.

At that moment Daniel Jackson entered the room and rushed forward when he saw the tears on his face. "What happened?"

He was nearly blind-sided by the huge grin on Jack's face. "Teal'c won't make love to me," he pouted.

Daniel's mouth opened and closed helplessly. "Huh?"

Jack was chuckling again, so Teal'c said, "O'Neill was informing me of his recovery from his imprisonment in Iraq. Though I consider myself a brother to O'Neill, there are some lengths to which even family will not go."

"Cheeky bastard," O'Neill mumbled.

Daniel watched them helplessly. "He wants you to make love to him?"

"NO!" The Colonel shouted, obviously horrified by the idea. "For crying out loud, Daniel, it was a joke. Jaffa humor." He saw the grin on Daniel's face. "Oh for crying out loud," he repeated, sinking down into the bed and pillow as far as he could. "Leave me alone," he grumbled, but it was clear he didn't really want them to leave.

Carter came in then, and saw the huge smiles on both Daniel's and Teal'c's faces. "What happened?"

"Not you too, Carter." The Colonel exclaimed.

"Jack wants Teal'c to make love to him." Daniel told her innocently.

"Daniel!" Jack exclaimed. "I am so going to kick your ass when I'm better. Teal'c, remind me to kick his ass. No, actually, you kick his ass for me. Since you won't make love to me, you owe me."

Daniel glanced at Teal'c with mock horror. "Oh crap, you wouldn't."

Teal'c raised his right eyebrow. "I have promised O'Neill that I would assist him in his recovery. I have denied him once, I can not in good conscience deny him again."

"What the hell is going on?" Carter asked, looking between all three men, clearly frustrated at being out of the loop.

"Does it matter?" Daniel asked, looking down at the broad smile on Jack's face.

Carter glanced down at the Colonel again, and could almost ignore the effects of the last two years on his presence. He seemed more relaxed, more comfortable, and his eyes mirrored only the slightest bit of pain in his soul. She knew that he still had a long way to go, but this was definitely a step in the right direction. "I guess not."

"So when can I get a beer?"

"Colonel, considering your body mass you'll get drunk on a single sip of beer."

"Sometimes you're too practical for my own good, Carter."

"Sorry, sir."

"I'd expect nothing less of you, Carter. How about a steak?"

They all flinched at the hope in his eyes, knowing that it would be some time before his stomach could handle anything that strong. "Sorry sir."

"Jell-o?"

"I think we can manage that." Carter agreed quickly with a smile, anxious to give him anything she could. To her great relief he smiled gratefully, accepting the small concession for what it was: progress.

He didn't even bother asking for cake.

TBC


Author's Note: I know, short chapter, but I wanted to get it out as soon as possible. Again, thanks for the reviews and keep them coming please.

Bixata