Author's Notes: This chapter and the next are pretty heavy in Daniel drama. Not much humor – sorry.
It was coming – Daniel knew it was coming, and there was nothing he could do about it. As a matter of fact, he was a little surprised it hadn't come earlier.
More or less all of Daniel's time had been spent in the temple storeroom as he tried to figure out what significance certain artifacts had and as he made more attempts to translate the tablets that Bailey seemed to have a great feel for. This particular day, Kurt Pendry had chosen to accompany Daniel into the storeroom. Throughout the morning and afternoon, as the two men worked side by side, Daniel knew the confrontation was rapidly approaching: there was an awkwardness between himself and Kurt that had never been there before – it was so thick it was almost palpable. As the evening hours approached, Kurt couldn't contain his question any longer.
"Daniel, who are these people?"
Daniel sighed, closing his eyes, knowing exactly what Kurt was talking about. "They're friends of mine."
"Yes, friends." Pendry affirmed. "You've told us that. You've told us you work with them. You haven't told us what it is that you do or why it is that they're here." The frustration was building in his voice, and Daniel turned to face him. "Is there something in this temple that you know about that you haven't told us? Samantha and O'Neill: they're both military. Your 'Murray' doesn't have a rank, but he's a soldier. Anyone can see that."
"Kurt –" Daniel rubbed a hand across his eyes and leaned back against one of the storeroom walls.
Pendry took a step toward him, voice raised and now filled with concern. "My god, look at you! When's the last time you've had a decent night's sleep?"
Daniel dropped his head resignedly and crossed one arm over his chest, his other hand rubbing his chin. "Kurt, please –"
"What have you gotten yourself involved in, Daniel?" Pendry ducked a little in an attempt to meet the younger man's eyes.
"I'm sorry that I can't tell you about my work. I know it must look like –" Daniel paused, raising his eyebrows. "-truth be told, I don't know what it looks like, but, but, but – look, I just... I need you to trust me." It was the best he could come up with.
Kurt's face was covered with something like sadness and maybe a little bit of betrayal. "Of course I trust you, Daniel." He replied. "But I'm troubled – you're not sleeping well, and Harrison – well, I know he's not been exactly amiable..." he paused and looked straight at Daniel again. "You're letting this place consume you, Daniel." he told the younger man honestly. "I know you've always been ambitious and curious, but this is different. What's going on?"
"I don't know." Daniel answered, just as honestly.
Kurt waited, as if expecting more. When Daniel didn't expound, he simply nodded. "We'd better see you at dinner tonight, else Elena will be after my blood." He instructed, making an attempt at humor, but his voice still heavy with concern.
Kurt nodded again, pursing his lips, as if wanting to say more, but instead turned and left.