Day Six: Jack___

(This part written by FCOL)

It's Daniel's fault. I never would have been distracted if he hadn't shouted to me. I wouldn't be surprised if he and Teal'c planned the whole thing. He's lucky that I had things to do after the sparring match last night. Today though, well, today I have plenty of time to 'speak' to Danny boy, away from his Jaffa protector.

I reach his lab, opening the door without knocking. There he is, as usual, with his nose buried in some dusty old book. Is it any wonder the man has allergies? He hasn't noticed me, again. I walk up quietly behind him, glancing over his shoulder to see what he's working on.

"Whatcha doin'?" He almost falls off his chair as he jumps at my question.

"Jack! What the hell are you trying to do, give me a heart attack?" Ouch. That bruise looks nasty.

"Again I say, whatcha doin'?"

"Counting, what does it look like?" I don't know where he gets his sarcasm.

"Nice little chunk of change there, Danny boy, rob a bank?"

"Uh, no. Teal'c gave it to me."

"Teal'c? Why would Teal'c give you money? Where did Teal'c get the money?" I'm definitely curious now. I slide onto the stool beside Daniel, waiting for an explanation. The smug look on his face tells me I don't really want to know.

"It's the money he won from the bet."

"What?"

"He felt guilty, gave me the money he won betting on you."

"I didn't get any money." Note to self: pay a visit to Ferretti.

"You didn't bet, Jack."

"Neither did you."

"Yes, but I'm the one that ended up with the concussion."

"That wasn't my fault." Technically.

"I didn't say it was."

"You implied it."

"I did not."

"Yes, you did."

"Didn't."

"Did." You so did bindi boy.

"Didn't."

"I think I should get half of that money, I did win after all."

"Not a chance, Jack."

I glare at Daniel, he rolls his eyes, pocketing the money. This is definitely not fair. How is it that he manages to not only get everyone's sympathy for tripping on his own feet, as well as get the money that Teal'c got from me winning? The boy must have a horse shoe shoved up his . . .

"Something else I can do for you, Jack?"

"Besides giving me my share of the winnings?"

"I've got some work to do, Jack, maybe Sam would be better company?"

I can take a hint. I get up, moving towards the door. I hear Daniel mumbled more to himself than to me, "Ta Ta For Now." Maybe he did hit his head a little too hard. I make my way through the halls intent on finding the resident SGC bookie.

"Hello, Ferretti." I grin in satisfaction at the jump he makes hearing my voice. It's nice to know that I can still intimidate people, since it doesn't seem to work with my team anymore.

"Jack! What can I do for you?" He seems a little nervous.

"Oh, nothing much. I was in the mood for a little gambling and your name came to mind. Wonder why that is?"

"Uh, how's Daniel doin' Colonel?"

"Oh, Danny boy is just peachy. He's sitting in his office at the moment counting."

"Counting?"

"Money."

"Oh?" He looks confused. No Ferretti, you didn't give Daniel any money.

"Teal'c felt guilty."

I see the light go off, he understands now. "Ah."

"Yeah, so I was just thinking, it seems a little unfair that Daniel lost and gets something, while I win and get nothing, besides grief from everyone for hurting Daniel, which I didn't do. Technically."

"That does seem a little unfair." His phone rings, and he dives for it, desperate for anything to get him out of this conversation.

"Yes Sir, I'll be right there." Damn.

"I'm sorry, Colonel, I have to see the General." *Sigh* There goes my fun.

"Go ahead, Lou."

"See you later, Jack," he calls as he quickly disappears down the hall. Yes, I believe you will.

Heading out of Ferretti's office, I make my way towards Carter's lab. As I turn the corner I almost collide with our assertive, 5 foot nothing, CMO.

"Colonel," she briskly addresses me.

"Doctor."

"Have you checked on Doctor Jackson this morning?" She asks me accusingly, as if I were a child that forgot to feed my puppy. Why do people always assume it's my job to take care of Daniel?

"As a matter of fact I have."

"Is he getting rest and eating?"

"Doc, I'm not Daniel's keeper."

"With all due respect, Colonel, you are the reason Daniel needs to be checked on. I seem to recall treating him for a concussion 2 days ago that resulted from him sparring with you." She gives me that 'don't mess with me, I've got needles' look.

"That wasn't my fault!"

"Whose idea was it to spar?"

"OK, technically it was NOT my idea."

"Right. Have you checked on Daniel?"

"Yes, Doc. He's fine, counting his ill gotten gains."

"His what?!"

"Nothing . . . I'm just on my way to see Carter. He's fine, Doc, promise. I'll even go back and make sure he's eating something other than chocolate." I smile sweetly hoping it's enough to get the Doc to stop staring at me like I'm the devil incarnate.

She gives me an appraising look and then nods her head, turning and clicking off down the hall. She can be pretty scary when she's pissed. Note to self: Stay away from Doc for a few days.

I continue on my way to Carter's lab hoping that she's in a better mood than everyone else has been so far this morning. I walk in, without knocking, and see she's deep in concentration on some doohickey.

"Hey, Carter!" She jumps and drops her doohickey. I'm horrified as I watch it crash to the floor in slow motion, erupting into a million pieces. Aw crap. She turns accusing eyes on me. Oops.

"Oh man, I'm sorry, Carter. Here let me help you." I bend to pick up the pieces of what I hope was not some life altering doohickey. Maybe it was just some leggo or something. No wait, there's no leggo here, it's all in my office.

"Colonel! Stop, please!" I look up at her, she looks even more upset than before. I realize a little too late that I'm now kneeling on, and crushing part of whatever she dropped. Why do I even bother getting up in the morning? I get up quickly, taking a step back and away from all her toys.

"I'm sorry, Carter, I didn't mean to startle you, or you know . . ." I gesture to the mess on the floor.

Sighing she bends to pick up the pieces. "It's alright, Colonel. I'm sure I can try and put it back together."

"I could help. "

"NO! I mean, no thank you, Sir."

"If you're sure . . . have you had any luck figuring out that device you and Daniel were working on?"

"Not yet, Sir, we kind of got behind when Daniel ended up in the infirmary." She looks at me as she says this and I get the distinct impression she's placing the blame on me. It wasn't my fault!

"Ah."

"How's Daniel this morning, Sir?"

"Why does everyone ask ME that?"

"You haven't gone to see him?" She's got that accusing tone again.

"Yes, Carter, I have. Daniel is fine. I'm alright too by the way, thanks for asking. Daniel is currently counting the money that he got from Teal'c."

"For what?"

"The money Teal'c got from Ferretti when I won." She frowns. I have a feeling that I really should have just stayed in my quarters today.

"Well, Daniel WAS the one that ended up in the infirmary, Sir."

"How many times do I have to say that wasn't my fault?!"

"You knew Daniel wasn't as experienced at sparring . . . Sir." I don't fail to notice the pause before she says Sir. I really let them get away with too much.

"Look, Carter, technically it's not my fault that Daniel dropped his guard."

"Yes, Sir." She's got that dismissive tone now. This is all Daniel's fault. "I should probably get back to work on this, Sir." She turns her back and begins trying to put her doohickey back together. I shake my head, turning from the room. Daniel has everyone on this base under some kind of spell. He's got them all thinking he's this sweet, innocent, angel. Pfffph! I hope his halo doesn't choke him.

Making my way quickly through the winding hallways, I find myself back at Daniel's office. Walking in once again without knocking, I march over to his side, glaring at him. He's reading squiggles on some tablet in front of him, he hasn't even looked up yet.

"Ahem."

"Just place it on the desk, thanks. Oh and could you close the door on your way out?"

"No, Daniel, I can't."

"Jack! What are you doing, trying to give me a heart attack?"

"You've already asked me that once today, Daniel. It was established that I'm not trying to give you a heart attack, although I'm not opposed to choking you, if your halo doesn't beat me to it."

"What are you talking about?" He looks at me as if I'm crazy. I'm not crazy, I'm the only sane one on this base.

"You've got everyone fooled by your act, Danny boy, but not me. I see right through it."

"What act?"

"This angel boy act you've got going on."

"Ok, you've lost me."

"I wish."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"It means that thanks to you and your hurt little puppy routine, not only do I have the Doc pissed off at me but Carter and Teal'c. I'm sure you've gotten to others on the base but luckily I haven't seen anyone other than them and Ferretti, and Ferretti has the good grace to still be intimidated by me. I'm just glad I didn't run into Hammond, you've got him under this spell too haven't you? With my luck I'd be scrubbing floors by supper."

"Jack, were you sparring with Teal'c again today?"

"And that's another thing! I wouldn't put it past you to have set yesterday's events up with Teal'c beforehand. I never would have been distracted if you hadn't snuck up on me shouting something about a tiger."

"That's Tigger."

"Whatever . . . wait . . . what??"

"What?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I could be and have been asking you the same question. Are you feeling alright, Jack?"

"Don't play nice with me, Daniel."

"*Sigh* Fine, Jack, I won't be nice."

"You're damn right you won't be, I mean you aren't . . . I . . ."

"Yes?"

"Shut up, Daniel!" I storm from his office, intent on locking myself in my quarters for the rest of the day. I never should have left them.

Walking into my room, I slam the door shut behind me locking it. They can't blame me if they can't find me. I flop on the bed, reaching for my gameboy. Good ole' gameboy, you won't desert me. I flip the power button only to get a blank screen. The batteries are dead. Et Tu, Mario?

I bury my head in my pillow, this day just keeps getting better and better. OK, Jack, calm down, go to your happy place. I grin as I picture the wicked witch of the west melting. Funny, she looks decidedly like bindi boy. My grin grows wider.

I must have dosed off as the next thing I know I hear someone banging on my door. Enough already, ForCryinOutLoud. I'm awake. Groaning I sit up in bed, swinging my legs to the floor. I hear voices outside my door that sound a lot like Daniel telling Teal'c something . . . no . . . they wouldn't.

I jump from my bed, hurrying towards the door. Dammit, I wasn't THAT asleep. Just as I reach for the knob, the door is flung open wildly, Teal'c crashing into my room. I promptly land on my ass, cracking my head off the side of the bed, as both the door and Teal'c decide to use my body for target practice. I groan as Teal'c and Daniel's faces come swimming into view. I swear I can see black and orange cats bouncing around Daniel's head.

"Jack! Jack, are you alright? Quick, Teal'c, call Janet."

I feel like I'm falling, and can't stop myself from mumbling as the room grows dark, "What a world! What a world!"

Groaning I reach up to rub away the tension headache I have. Daniel should come with a bottle of pain meds. As I touch the back of my head, I yank my hand away quickly, hissing from the pain. Cracking my eyes open, I promptly shut them again. OK, this is wrong. Trying again, I'm forced to face facts. I'm in the infirmary. Damn.

"Nice of you to join us, Colonel." Fraiser is swaying in front of me and I'm tempted to ask her if it's that good a song, when I realize there is no music. That can't be good.

"You know me, always aim to please."

"Do you remember what happened, Sir?" Good question. Hmmm let's see. I remember Mario leaving me high and dry . . . Daniel melting . . . yelling . . . Ah yes! Note to self: Start an SGC football league. Recruit Teal'c.

"Unfortunately yes."

"You took a nasty hit. How are you feeling?"

"Like I got tackled by Teal'c." She smiles. Well, maybe this isn't too bad after all. At least Janet isn't looking at me like a pin cushion anymore.

I hear a commotion in the hallway and watch as Janet once again walks away from me. In moments my team walks in, all looking a little repentant. Finally. Teal'c looks thoroughly sorry for having almost tackled me through the wall, Carter doesn't look as upset over her doohickey anymore, and Daniel . . . well . . . at least his bruise is starting to fade.

"How are you feeling, O'Neill."

"Not bad, considering."

"I apologize for injuring you."

"Hey, it's alright, T. Although, I wouldn't mind knowing why you broke down my door."

"We had been calling for you and knocking on the door, Jack. You weren't answering. We'd looked everywhere on base so knew you had to be in your quarters. We thought something had happened to you."

"Yes . . . something." I absently rub the lump forming on the back of my head. At least I didn't get a contusion.

"Well, Sir, you're all set. As long as you take it easy, you're free to go."

"What?!"

"Sir?"

"I get hit by a door, tackled by a Jaffa, crack my head off of the base of my bed, and you're letting me go?! Daniel gets a little bump on his forehead and you keep him in overnight for observation!"

"Sir, Daniel had a concussion."

"And me?!"

"I'm afraid all you have, Colonel, is a few bruises and a bump on the head."

"OhForCryinOutLoud!" I throw my legs over the side of the bed, sliding to my feet. Steadying myself, I brush off their hands of assistance. If they aren't worried about me enough to keep me here for observation, I definitely don't need them holding me up.

"Jack, here let me help you."

"Don't touch me, bindi boy!" I walk, albeit a little wobbly, out of the infirmary and back towards my quarters. This has been a day for the record books. Score another one for angel boy, as long as he's alright who cares about anyone else.

Reaching my quarters, I see just how much damage Teal'c managed to inflict on my poor door. Grabbing a few items from my room, I head towards the nearest VIP suite. No way I'm staying in there now.

It took a little bullying, but being the 2IC of this base I have a little drag. I open the door and sigh in satisfaction. My very own VIP suite. TV, VCR, fridge, shower/bath, queen sized bed. Oh yeah, this is the life. All I need now is a little pizza, beer and a hockey game and I could almost forget this day ever happened . . . almost. Flipping the TV on, I pop my tape into the VCR. Crawling into the middle of the bed I settle in for an evening of chips, pop and Homer.

Halfway through the first tape I hear a knock on the door. Quickly hitting mute, I hold my breath hoping whoever it is will go away.

"Come on, Jack, I know you're in there, I heard Homer yelling." Crap.

"Go away, Daniel, I'm sleeping."

"Right, then why are you talking?"

"I'm talking in my sleep, now go away."

"I'm not going anywhere until you open the door."

Groaning, I roll off the bed. I've resigned myself to the fact that Daniel will camp outside the door drawing attention to himself and giving me an even worse headache if I don't let him in. Whipping the door open, I end up with a bundle of archeologist in my arms, knocking me once again to the floor.

"Dammit, Daniel, what the hell are you doing?"

"I was trying to hear if you were coming to open the door. I guess you were." He smiles, a little embarrassed.

"Yes, I was. Do you think maybe you could get off me?"

"Sorry. Here let me help you up?"

"I'm fine. What do you want, Daniel?" I manage to get to my feet without swaying, and walk over shutting the door.

"I wanted to see if you were alright."

"I'm fine, Daniel, didn'tcha hear Fraiser?" I walk back to the bed, resuming my high caloric intake. I'm tempted to turn my Simpsons marathon back on but know the humor would be lost on Daniel. He'd probably try and explain to me how the episode was a metaphor for some world issue. I don't like mixing my cartoons with my politics.

"That's not what I meant, Jack." Oh no, please not a talk about my feelings. Someone kill me now . . . or better yet . . . Thor? buddy??

"Daniel, I don't want to have to hurt you."

"Again?"

"That was NOT my fault!!"

"I know, TECHNICALLY it wasn't your fault."

"Thank you!! Try telling that to everyone else on base."

"I was being sarcastic, Jack."

"What?"

"It was completely your fault!"

I glare at him. I'm hurt, have a goose egg on the back of my head the size of my fist, have Teal'c's shoulder imprinted onto my stomach, and he's standing here, actually standing here, blaming me for what happened 2 days ago!?!?! I will not kill him. I will not kill him.

"You do know this all could have been avoided if you had just come and eaten pie with Sam, Teal'c and I."

I refuse to listen anymore. I can't kill Daniel. They'd probably lynch me right there in the 'gateroom if I tried. I hit play and grin as Homer choking Bart drowns out Daniel's rant. I know Hammond would have me washing the gate with a toothbrush for the rest of my life if I tried that.

Daniel makes some noise of resignation as he crawls onto the bed beside me. We don't say anything else. He grabs the bag of chips and a chocolate bar. Looks like he's planning on staying. I'm about to comment on him having work to do when my favorite episode starts. All thoughts of Daniel are pushed to the back of my mind.

As the last of the credits begin to roll, I turn my eyes to Daniel, about to tell him he should go back to his quarters. It's almost 1:30 a.m. My words die before they pass my lips. There beside me, curled into a ball, glasses askew, is Doctor Daniel Jackson, sound asleep.

Rolling my eyes and sighing, I remove the junk food from the bed, Daniel's glasses from his face and throw a blanket over him. I quickly change and climb into bed, only one more day until things get back to normal. One more day! I don't know if I can wait that long.

TBC---