This story is SLASH. Do not read if you are offended by homoerotic content.
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Promise Me...
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Silence.
Time stopped for but an instant, its passengers frozen in a horrible
tableau. Then with his fingers losing hold of the gun, the wheel
lurched into movement. The weapon hit the bright carpet, an acid
stain spoiling its beauty. Pain exploded brightly in Daniel as
Sha're's soul fell free of Ammonet.
Sha're glanced back as she fell, sorrow filled the sad space, hoping
she had done enough. She could feel the life leaching slowly out of
her body, yet the pain was all emotional. It was all she could do to
reach toward her Daniel. It was her last act alive, adding only a few
simple words.
'I love you' hung in the air not really expecting any response, but
the hope that lay embedded in those words ripped at Daniel's heart.
Reaching over to close the dark eyes that once were so full of life,
full of love, Daniel sent his wife to the other world with the words
she had longed to hear.
Jack turned, and walked out. Daniel had never seen him enter.
"I am sorry, DanielJackson." Daniel heard the words, but at the
moment all he could feel were the twin pains of two beginnings ending
at the same time; Sha're, his wife, the first serious relationship of
his life and his hopes for a future...with Jack.
A brief flash of hurt had crossed Jack's face before he closed himself
off and that was the image embedded in Daniel's mind. He rolled over
onto his back. He wanted desperately to take back those last few
words. Wanted to make Jack understand 'why'. But that was the rub,
wasn't it? Jack didn't know Daniel wanted him. Didn't know Daniel
needed him. Know that Daniel was 'in love' with him.
On autopilot Daniel responded to those surrounding him, not really
sure what he said. Whatever it was, it seemed to satisfy his
team-mates. Just not the cold emptiness invading his heart.
Listlessly, he arrived back at the base and filled out the endless
forms that always seemed to follow a mission. Then he headed off to
the showers when he was sure everyone else was gone.
Numb.
Scared.
Alone.
'Promise me...', she had said.
Daniel turned the water on and stepped into the scalding heat. What
had he done? Why had Sha're chosen those exact words? In the blink
of an eye his world had ended. Teal'c had had no choice, but that
didn't stop the pain. Yet Sha're taught him in that split second how
to feel the pain without letting his anger take control. Necessary
closure.
'Oh god, she knew!' Daniel fell to the floor of the shower stall,
weeping bitterly. He'd never wanted her to know. Never wanted Sha're
to know that his feelings were never stronger than fondness.
A harsh, angered cry echoed throughout the locker room. In her last
moments, Sha're had given him something precious, something he could
never repay, the full force of her love. Healed a wound before it
could fester and given Daniel a reason to live in the process.
'Promise me...' Sha're had implored, because without Jack, Daniel
didn't *want* to live. And Daniel always kept his promises, even
those made without his knowledge or consent.
Laughing cruelly, his last thought as Jack and Teal'c rushed in
was...'obligations, what a bitch.'
~~~