Day Three: Daniel__
(This part written by FCOL)
I haven't seen Jack all day. Haven't seen him since yesterday actually. I feel bad that we turned him down about getting something to eat. Normally it wouldn't have been a big deal but I know that sometimes Jack feels a little left out when we aren't out on a mission. Off-world he knows exactly what needs to be done and gets it done. Here on base he tends to feel a little obsolete. We probably should have gotten something with him, I mean, it couldn't have hurt to take a break, considering the fact that Sam and I still haven't figured the device out yet.
"Hey, Daniel, have you seen the Colonel today?" I look up at Sam as she walks back into her office. I woke up early this morning, heading straight back to work on the device.
"I haven't seen him since yesterday. I think he's still a little upset."
"We can make it up to him today. I think I need a little break from trying to figure out this device anyway."
"Alright, why don't we all meet for lunch? I'll go get Jack and you find Teal'c?"
"Sounds like a plan."
I watch Sam head off towards Teal'c's quarters. I guess that means it's time I go look for Jack. Smiling and greeting the passing SGC personnel, I finally reach Jack's quarters. Tentatively knocking, I wait for Jack to answer before entering. Still waiting. Knocking once more, I twist the knob. Maybe Jack isn't even here. Opening the door, I can't help shaking my head at the scene before me.
"Why am I not surprised?"
Jack jumps at my voice, quickly shutting of the TV. Homer Simpson now replaced by blackness.
"What are you doing here, Daniel?"
"I thought perhaps you'd like to join Sam, Teal'c and I for lunch?"
"Maybe later. I've got some things to do today."
"You aren't still upset about yesterday are you?" Of course he is, this is Jack.
"I wasn't upset."
"Yes you were."
"No I wasn't."
"Were."
"Wasn't."
"Were."
"Daniel . . ."
"Jack . . ."
Sighing, Jack runs a hand through his hair and looks at me. "I'm not in the mood right now. I think I'm going to go do a little sparring."
"Jack, look, we said we were sorry." We should have just gone with him.
"Daniel, I'm not a child and I am not holding a grudge against you for not coming to eat yesterday. I'm just not hungry."
"You're always hungry."
"I am not."
"They've got pie," Daniel replies in a familiar sing song voice. Pie, Jack will definitely go for pie.
"I don't want pie, Daniel."
"Are you ok? Do you feel sick?"
"What? What are you talking about? I feel fine."
"Jack, you always want pie. Maybe you should visit Janet."
"Oh haha very funny."
"Come on, Sam went to get Teal'c. It's not like you can spar alone." Uh oh.
Jack gets a gleam in his eyes that makes me wish I hadn't mentioned sparring alone. I know what's coming next. Damn.
"Well, that's very true, Danny boy."
"No."
"What?"
"No."
"I haven't said anything."
"I know what you're thinking."
"You're a mind reader now?"
"I'm not sparring with you, Jack."
"That's a wonderful idea, Daniel! I wish I'd thought of it."
"No. No. No." NoNoNo
"Look, you're the one that wanted to spend some time together today."
"To get something to eat, Jack, not try and beat the crap out of each other."
"So, we'll get something to eat afterwards. I promise I won't hurt you. Please?" People say that I have puppy dog eyes, that they get me whatever I want. That is SO not true. Jack, Jack is the one with the puppy dog eyes.
Damn. That's it, he's got me. Jack is definitely not as dumb as he acts. He knows I feel guilty and is milking it for all it's worth. Sad thing is...
"Alright, fine."
"Great! I'll meet you in the gym."
Jack begins whistling as he heads towards the gym, while I turn myself towards the commissary to tell Sam and Teal'c we won't be having lunch just yet. Dun Dun Dun. Why do I have the feeling this isn't going to be a good day?
"Daniel, are you crazy? Why are you sparring with the Colonel?"
"I do not believe this is a wise activity, Daniel Jackson."
"Look, Jack knows I feel guilty about yesterday. We'll just spar a couple of rounds, he'll feel better, we can come get something to eat and everything will be back to normal."
"I don't know, Daniel."
"I'll be fine, Sam. Jack wouldn't hurt me."
"Of course he wouldn't. It's just . . . well . . . You don't really do much sparring, Daniel."
"What? You think I can't hold my own?"
"I didn't say that."
"Come on, Jack is waiting. The quicker we get this over with the sooner we can come back and get something to eat."
"I hope you know what you're doing, Daniel."
"It'll be fine."
We walk into the gym, to find Jack, geared up and bouncing around the ring like Tigger. I can't stop the smile that crosses my face as I can just hear Jack saying, 'I'm Tigger! T-I-Double Guh-ER.'
"All set, Danny boy?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
"Sir, are you sure about this? Maybe Teal'c would be a better sparring partner."
"I would be glad to spar with you, O'Neill."
"No offense, big guy, but I remember the last time we sparred." Jack unconsciously reaches up to rub his nose.
"Guys, it's fine. I can spar with Jack."
I can't believe I'm trying to talk Sam and Teal'c into letting me do this. Talk me out of it. Talk me out of it. I head for the locker room, quickly changing into something suitable for getting beat up. Honestly, the thought that I'm choosing to do something I spent my days in elementary school avoiding, boggles the mind.
"Let's go, Daniel. We don't have all day."
"Alright, alright, I'm right here."
"OK, now you keep your gloves up, bend your knees . . ."
"You must dance, Daniel Jackson."
"WHAT?!" I turn around to look at Teal'c. He SO did not just say what I thought he said.
"He means move around, Daniel, otherwise you're a target."
"Oh, alright then." Turning a wary eye back to Jack, I have a frightening flash of Teal'c and Jack dancing in the sparring ring. *shudder*
"OK, anytime you're ready, Danny boy."
I force myself not to tell Jack my name is Daniel, not Danny boy. I know it makes him feel better and is just a sign of affection, but seriously, I'm 35 years old ForCryinOutLoud. OK, I didn't think that . . . I've gotta stop hanging around Jack.
Jack is bouncing around the ring, circling me. I refuse to jump up and down like that. He throws the first punch, which I block. I have learned a thing or two from him after all this time. I'm just glad I wore my contacts today so that I can actually see his punches as they come at me.
I hear Sam and Teal'c murmuring outside the ring. I think I might actually have surprised them by having not yet been knocked on my ass. My heart rate is increasing as Jack and I continue to spar. I find myself starting to get into it, and I begin to bob and weave like a pro.
I can see from the corner of my eye that Ferretti has noticed Jack and I sparring and is making his way towards Sam and Teal'c. Ferretti is a good guy. He's got a sense of humor like Jack, but I don't hold that against him.
"That's it, Daniel, you're doing great."
I smile as Sam cheers me on. I think it's beginning to bug Jack though. I have a feeling he thought I was going to be a push over. Maybe after losing to Teal'c all the time his ego needed a little boost. Sorry, Jack, not going to happen. He begins to move faster around the ring, his punches coming quicker and with more force.
"Who's winning?"
"Well, Daniel's holding his own, but I think the Colonel has gotten more punches in."
"Think Daniel can beat him?"
"I'm not sure, maybe. He's been working out a lot more recently, I think he might have a good chance."
"Care to make a wager?"
I can't believe Ferretti is trying to get Sam to gamble, and on base at that. I know Sam will say no though. She'd never do anything like that.
"10 bucks on Daniel." She's betting!
"Alright, I'll take 10 on the Colonel. Teal'c?"
"I would also like to wager 10 dollars on O'Neill."
"I'll take 10 on Daniel." Who was that?
I can't believe they're betting on us! More and more of the personnel in the gym are gathering, Ferretti playing the good little bookie. My concentration is being distracted as more and more gather. Jack seems to have blocked it out.
"Come on, Daniel. You can do it. Get those gloves up!"
Sam is yelling at me as if she were my trainer. I return my attention to Tigger and try and get a few of my own punches in. I've been mostly blocking so far but find myself needing to prove to our spectators that I'm not geeky Doctor Jackson. Besides, I don't want Sam to lose her money.
I pull back my arm, letting it fly back, solidly colliding with Jack's stomach. He doubles over and I'm both amazed I hit him, and worried I hurt him. Dropping my hands I bend to ask Jack if he's ok when I feel his fist connect with my chin. I stumble backwards, tripping on the mat. The next thing I see is the turnbuckle as my face, or more precisely my forehead, smashes into it. Sliding to the ring, I already feel the headache coming.
"Daniel!" Jack is beside me, worrying etching his features. Everything begins to get dark as I hear myself begin to mumble 'The wonderful thing about Tiggers, is Tiggers a wonderful thing. Their tops are made outta rubba, their bottoms are made outta springs.'
I knew this was a bad idea.
