The throbbing in Jack's head intensified as he swam into consciousness.
'Ugh, morning.'
His internal clock told him that it was about 06:00 hours and it was time to get ready for work. The dryness in his mouth and the continued pounding in his brain told him it was time for water and Tylenol. Lots of Tylenol. If he felt old yesterday, today he felt that another decade had just passed him by.
After having gone through his morning routine he was on his way back to Cheyenne Mountain. Paperwork still undone.
Jack spent the morning trying to avoid his team. He had been successful so far. Holed up in his office, he had even managed to put a rather large dent in his pile of paperwork. As he was placing another file in his out box there was a knock at his door.
"Come," he stated flatly to whomever was on the other side of the door.
Daniel entered carrying a couple steaming mugs of coffee.
"Hey Jack," he said as he set the cups down on the desk.
"Daniel."
"So, whatcha been doing in here all day?"
"All day? It's only…" Jack looked at his watch, "14:00 hours." He shrugged nonchalantly. "Paperwork."
"Yeah. Made some progress I see. You know you forgot about that thing called lunch?"
"Isn't that supposed to be my line?" Jack leaned over and took his cup of coffee.
"Well, today it's mine. What's wrong Jack?"
"Nothing Daniel. I'm just not feeling so great today. Okay," he said as he scrubbed his hands through his already mussed hair.
Daniel nodded, sighed, and then took a drink of his coffee. "Good brew today."
"What?"
"Good coffee Jack. I'm changing the subject. Ya know, beat you to the punch this time. It's obvious you don't want to talk about whatever's bothering you."
Daniel's irritation was obvious and Jack's guilt and self-loathing was beginning to resurface. He didn't know whether to yell or to spill it all, so silence ruled the moment.
Jack stared into the steaming liquid in his cup.
After what felt like an eternity he caved.
"Okay Daniel, I screwed up. You happy now?"
Surprised, Daniel looked up from his coffee. "Screwed what up?"
"Uh, stuff." Jack began to fidget with his pen.
"Stuff?"
"It's hard to explain. It's kinda personal, and…." Jack let out a frustrated sigh.
Daniel shifted in his seat.
"You know you can talk to me Jack."
"I'm not so sure I can. Not about this."
"Well, you'll never know unless you try."
The weight on Jack's heart was becoming too much to bear. He had to make things right. He had to make things right with Carter.
"I've gotta fix it."
"Jack, maybe you could shed a little light on the situation here. You're talking in circles. It's like a bad translation."
That quip got a little chuckle out of both of them. Then the air of seriousness descended upon the room again.
"I've gotta make things right with Carter."
The look on Daniel's face was priceless. Shock combined with awe, and just a hint of confusion.
'Oh hell. Did I just say that out loud?'
'Great going O'Neill'
"Uh huh. Hmmm…" Daniel was stumped.
"I know things have been hard between the two of you lately. I mean, god knows what you've been through together. But what are you gonna do?"
Jack shook his head. "I don't know. I just don't know."
"Well, I don't know what's going on with you Jack, but since you don't seem to want to elaborate I'd suggest you try talking to her."
"You know I can't do that."
"Of course you can't," Daniel sighed.
"You know what I mean…… No. You don't know what I mean."
Jack stood up and leaned over his desk.
"Daniel, I swear, if you ever, ever tell anyone we had this conversation I'm going to take your rocks and shove them..."
Daniel jumped back in surprise.
"Whoa! Whoa! Hey Jack, I won't tell. Okay? Now talk to me."
"Alright, but you're not getting the colorful version."
"The colorful version?"
"Wipe that smirk off your face."
"Okay, done. This is serious….. and I won't tell anybody."
Jack sat back down and started passing his paperweight from hand to hand. After a moment of silence he began to speak.
"I went out last night. Had a little too much to drink. Ended up with someone."
"Someone we know?"
"No!" The answer came out a bit fast.
"Okay, no one we know."
"So it was a bad decision?," Daniel inquired.
"Yeah. It was a really bad decision. Hell, I don't even know if I consciously made a decision. It just happened…. and it was a mistake."
Jack looked up from his paperweight, expecting some comment to come from Daniel. He said nothing. Well, he was on a roll now. Might as well continue.
"It wasn't her I wanted. And it's not her I'm still thinking about. You can make what you want of that," he said with a nod to Daniel.
"Wow. Uh, Jack, that's… that's quite a load there. So Sam huh?"
"Yeah, Sam," Jack said with a sigh.
Daniel lowered his head. "I don't know what to tell you Jack."
"You don't have to tell me anything. I know I've gotta do something. I just don't know where to start."
"The two of you, you've always depended on the regs and all, kept things professional. What would happen?"
Jack sounded resigned. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see."
"Well, be careful Jack. I don't want to see either of you hurt."
"I know Daniel. And thanks… for being here and all."
"No problem. So…. a late lunch?"
"Why not."
They then set off for the commissary, Jack with a little less on his shoulders and Daniel with much more on his mind.
Jack slid his badge through the elevator scanner then stood waiting for his escape from the mountain. He was exhausted from all the paperwork. If only he could have had a good 'firefight' today instead.
The elevator car arrived and the doors slid open to reveal no one other than Major Samantha Carter.
"Carter," Jack said with a nod as he stepped inside.
"You're working late tonight Sir."
"Agh, finally got at my paperwork. You're leaving early," he said with a smirk.
Sam smiled. "Closer to on time would be more accurate."
They both shared a grin. Too little too soon, the elevator surfaced at the top of the mountain and the doors slid open.
"Well, goodnight Sir."
"Night Carter. Have a good weekend."
"You too," Jack yelled across the parking lot as he climbed into his truck.
He was feeling better already. Now the man was ready for phase one of his mission.