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Stargate Command, Colorado Springs, roughly two years later

Colonel Jack O'Neill rapped on the ajar doorframe to Daniel's office, curiously watching the archaeologist shuffle papers left and right, obviously in search of something.

It took him a few moments to look up, vaguely startled, and then muttered, "Hey, Jack," before striding across the room to search another tabletop, also scattered with papers, papyri scraps, and tablet fragments. His leather strap bag that acted as his briefcase remained open and waiting.

"Going someplace?" Jack asked, raising one eyebrow and leaning in the doorway.

"Hmm? Oh, yeah. Eventually. Apparently someone insisted to the general that I take 48 hour leave so I'm," he gestured vaguely with one hand, the other continuing its search through the layers atop the desk, "going home."

"Ah, yes. Where the heart is," Jack intoned solemnly, giving Daniel a dubious look as the archaeologist continued his circuit of the room. "It's your own fault, you know. All work and no play makes"

"Jack a dull boy?"

"Makes Daniel a snarky, unbalanced, caffeine-crazed workaholic! And what you said too. So. Any big plans other than laundry duty? Because me and Carter were, uh"

"You're gonna go tonight?" Daniel's head flew upwards, his voice indignant. "Sam's victory beer?"

"First things first- it is NOT a 'victory beer'-- for it to be a victory beer would be to concede that there was a"

"Victory? What would you prefer we call it- the Ass-Kicking Goblet Sweepstakes?"

"Dumb Luck. Sheer, utter, total a 'Dumb Luck' beer, if you will" the colonel enunciated spitefully.

"I like my name better."

"Mine's more accurate. And simpler. I am deeply wounded that you would consider it anything else." He held a hand to his chest in affected indignation.

Daniel rolled his eyes articulately. "Jack, she beat you fair and square"

"Whatever. Look," Jack hastily interrupted, becoming irritated at Daniel's wide grin at his defeat and subsequent penance. "We're going. O'Malley's, tonight, 8 o'clock. Thought you'd want to come and lend a guy some support but apparently," he paused for a second to give the archaeologist a withering glare and to complete an elegant sniff, "I was mistaken."

"Sorry," Daniel grimaced at an empty coffee mug whose dregs appeared to have mutated through long time exposure to dust.

"Yes. Yes you will be. For I shall exact retribution " he trailed off, frustrated that Daniel did not seem to be paying appropriate attention to his vague threats.

"What the hell are you looking for?" Jack asked exasperatedly as Daniel moved back to the desk he had started at. "You can't take any translations home with you, you know that." He pointed an accusatory finger at the archaeologist. "Not so much as a sentence"

"I'm not looking for a translation, Jack," came a muffled, slightly irritated reply from under a stack of papers.

"Then what are you looking for?" No response. "Hello?? Earth to Daniel? What are you looking for?"

"Hmm? Oh an address Might as well do something useful with my time off... I have a meeting-- of sorts."

"The plot thickens," the colonel said, steepling his fingers, a la Mr. Burns and leaning back against a cluttered countertop. "Elaborate."

Daniel eyed him over the upper rim of his glasses and shook his head. "An old colleague well, not even a colleague, really looked me up. Now that I know I'm available for the next two days, I'm, uh, going to help them out, starting with dinner tonight Ha!" Daniel said triumphantly, holding up a crumpled slip of paper. "Found it." His grin slowly dissipated as he read its contents. "Jack, you ever been to Maison de la Fleur?"

Jack whistled at the name, knowing the restaurant's pricey and exclusive reputation. " 'Fraid I've never had the pleasure- but then I always liked eating things I could pronounce."

"I suppose a tie would be necessary?" Daniel said chagrined, looking down at his green military cargo pants and black t-shirt.

"I think places like that require a jacket too. Keeps out the riff-raff," Jack quipped disdainfully. Quirking an eyebrow, he watched as Daniel began to quickly shrug into his jacket while shutting down his computer.

"Let me guess- is this fellow scholar-- female?" Jack smirked, folding his arms across his chest self-satisfactorily.

"Nope."

The colonel's eyebrows raised slightly. "I see. Guess he's got expensive taste. Or wants to date you." When Daniel didn't appear to be interested enough to be embarrassed, the colonel changed tack, fiddling with a small stone tablet. "I thought none of your colleagues knew how to reach you here."

"Yeah. So did I," he said, straightening his glasses with a faraway look that Jack usually considered indicative of deep thought. "Huh."

"So you're leaving me at Carter's mercy for this little get-together?"

"You promised Sam a round," he said matter-of-factly, turning to zip up his briefcase. "You never know," Daniel said, slinging the bag onto his shoulder, a smirk mirroring Jack's appearing on his face, "You might just enjoy it."

Jack did not seem to be able to come up with a pithy reply to that remark. Daniel grinned to himself as he swept his coat up into his arms. "And it's a professional meeting."

"Professional pro-schmesional. Who is this again?" he prodded following at Daniel's heels as he left his office.

"I'm not entirely certain- I only know his reputation. Doctor P.M. Effington, author of numerous books including the definitive translation of the Book of Gates, the Akkadian tablets with Hanneman "

"Please- don't list them all. I'll have Amazon do that for me when I get home."

"He's one of the most respected individuals in a very small field, Jack. This is very exciting for me."

"Er. Well, then, good for you. I'm excited that you're excited." As they waited for the elevator, Jack eyed his friend's nervous expression and jittery hand movements. "You sure? Really, really sure?"

Daniel's glare in response sent his last hopes out the door. "Don't be such a big baby. It's just Sam."

"Just trying to help out, geez. See ya," the colonel said dispiritedly, walking off to find Carter. His only consolation was that his friend would not be having a better evening than he was anticipating, the Major's triumph in a recent footrace to the Stargate on PX3- 955 still rankling— and a night devoted to her victory over her superior unpalatable, however well-deserved.

He sighed again, grateful at least he didn't have to prod Daniel away from his office with pointy sticks. The archaeologist had taken the order in stride, after the initial indignation; a good sign, the Colonel thought, that their descended Daniel was finally returning to his old non-ascended, work-a-holic self. And the night wouldn't be that bad, he supposed, reflecting upon his friend's last words before the elevator doors closed. It was a weekend off, Friday night. His VCR was in good working order, he wouldn't be missing anything there. As long as she didn't call him "old man" again, maybe, then it would be okay. Steak, beer, Teal'c, Carter in her civilian clothes (he had been hearing rumors of a leather jacket but had yet to see its appearance) yeah, it could be in the realm of fun.

But only if he won at pool. He had a rep to maintain, after all.

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To be continued