Part Eleven
"Where are you going, Jack?"
Jack spun around at the unexpected sound of Daniel's voice.
"I didn't hear a knock."
"That's because I didn't. I've been leaving messages for two days now and haven't gotten a reply, so I thought I'd come over."
The Colonel turned back to the open suitcase on his bed, placing a carefully folded shirt into a corner of the case. "I gave you the spare key so you could look after the place when I'm not here, not to come in uninvited."
"Jack, where are you going?"
The Colonel picked up a pile of socks and began tucking them into spare corners of the case.
"On vacation."
"And when were you planning on telling us?"
Jack put the remaining socks down with a sigh, facing the other man. "I was about to call. Look, Daniel, I'm an adult. I do not need to explain every action to you, nor do I need to be "He raised his fingers and waggled them in the air, "'looked after'. I'm quite capable of looking after myself. I'm on sick leave. I'm going away for a few days. I don't have any definite plans. I don't know when I'm coming back."
"If ever."
The words fell into the silence.
Jack's face hardened. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Do you think Sam and I are stupid? We know what was going on. Janet must have known. And if Janet knew, General Hammond knew. Then one minute you're in the infirmary with bandages all over fresh wounds, and no one talking about it, the next you're gone and unable to be contacted. Like I said, Jack, we're not stupid." He moved over and sat on the bed, gesturing at the case. "I came here not knowing what to expect. Maybe to find you drunk, or lying dead in a pool of your own blood. But not this. Not packing. Not when you're still barely capable of walking across a room by yourself. So, what's going on, Jack?"
For a minute Jack just stood there, looking at Daniel. Then he turned on his heels and walked out of the room. Daniel heard the question "Coffee?" shouted from the kitchen. He sat for a minute or so, then got up and followed, finding a mug of steaming black coffee on the counter top waiting for him, Jack sitting at the table, a cup of what seemed to be tea in his hand.
"Tea?"
Jack grimaced. "Yeah. I can't drink coffee yet. The stomach's still a little delicate."
The two men drank in silence. Daniel took the opportunity to have a proper look at his friend. Jack still appeared pale and was obviously well under his normal weight, the gauntness showing in his face. Bandages poked out from under his shirt, and he was breathing deeply as if recovering from a long run. All in all, he looked like he should be in bed, not packing to go on vacation.
"I'm sorry I worried you."
"Pardon?" The soft words had been almost too quiet for Daniel to hear. He looked up from his cup to find Jack standing, going over to the sink.
"I said, I'm sorry if I worried you. You can tell Carter I'm okay now." Jack turned on the water, running his cup under it.
"You don't look okay, Jack."
"Gee, thanks for your vote of confidence, Daniel." Jack frowned over at the table "You finished with that?" Without waiting for a reply he picked up Daniel's mug and turned back to the sink.
"For god's sake, Jack, will you just stop for a second and talk to me?" The younger man thumped his hand down on the surface of the table, making the salt and pepper shakers in the middle bounce across the polished wood.
The Colonel gave a resigned sigh, putting the mug down and turning off the water before walking back to the table. He pulled out a chair and sat, resting his elbows on the top. Before he began speaking he rubbed one hand through his short grey hair.
"Daniel, you've got to understand that I'm probably never going to talk to you about what happened on our last mission." He held his hand out, stopping the other man from speaking. "I won't deny that I had some problems after we got back." He looked ruefully down at the bandages extending from one sleeve and across his hand. "But they're sorted, done." He looked back up, his dark eyes holding Daniel's blue ones. "I've talked, Daniel. I've talked to Hammond, I've talked to Fraiser. Hell, I've even talked to McKenzie. More importantly, I've talked to Teal'c, and now I'm done talking. I'm talked out."
At the hurt look on Daniel's face, he continued. "You have to accept that sometimes you aren't the best person for me to talk to, Daniel. Sometimes things happen that are totally outside your or Carter's experience, and, to be honest, I'm thankful that they are." He smiled a little at the slight nod of the other man's head. "I know I'm not one hundred percent fit. You can't expect me to be. But I'm going to go somewhere for a few days, maybe a week or so, relax, take it easy, get some fresh air, think things over. As to what happens after that, Daniel, we'll have to see. I'm not going to promise anything, but whatever happens, I need you to know that it'll be the right decision."
He pushed back his chair and stood. "Now I've got some packing to finish."
Daniel followed him up. "So, should I be saying goodbye, Jack?"
Jack shook his head. "No, Daniel, whatever happens it won't be a goodbye. How about a 'see you soon'?"
Daniel clasped the older man's hand in his. "See you soon, Jack."
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
The tiger paced restlessly across the short grass, passing by the glass of the window without giving it a second glance. Its muscles rippled under the fur, its movements tight and controlled. As it turned back towards the rear of the enclosure, it cocked its head slightly, staring at the small door in the wall, waiting for feeding time.
It stopped, turned around and dropped, to sprawl lengthwise on the ground. Keeping its eyes firmly on the keeper's entrance door, it opened its mouth in a huge yawn, long white teeth gleaming. The yawn seemed to last for minutes, the tiger closing its mouth only when movement was seen in the bamboo to its left. The big cat swivelled its head to watch as another, smaller tiger approached. It too sat, alert and watchful. Both heads turned back to watch the small metal door.
Jack O'Neill sat on the bench, his whole attention focused on the animals in the enclosure. He watched as they were fed, watched as they tore the flesh from the large hunks of meat, watched as they lapped from the small stream running through their territory – the blood running from their massive jaws and into the water. He watched as they washed themselves, licking each other with long, red tongues.
Finally he left, smiling.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Jack unwound the bandages around his arms and hand, dropping them to the floor of his hotel room. He buttoned his shirt, placing it on the bed, and, twisting to reach the beginning, unhooked the larger bandage across his chest. Soon it too was on the floor. He examined himself in the long mirror, noting the lines scoring his skin. He turned sideways, holding his stomach firmly in and studied his reflection. Then with a self-deprecating laugh, he picked the shirt off the bed again and dressed.
He left the room, grinning.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
The sunset wasn't the best he had ever seen, but it was certainly one of the most memorable. Jack lay back, resting his head on his arms, and stared up at the sky. All around him the trees tossed gently in the breeze, reaching far up, almost seeming to touch the red, pink and orange of the clouds. Soft sounds disturbed the silence, the rustling of birds settling for the night, the occasional beep and squeak of territorial disputes over the best branch. If he listened carefully he could hear the hum of cars on the distant road, but he preferred not to listen that closely. He just lay back and let the peace waft over him.
After a while the temperature began to drop, the night air fast becoming cold. Jack pushed himself up, moving a little stiffly, and brushed the dried leaves from his clothes. With one last look around him, he left the forest.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
"Hey there, kids. Miss me?"
Colonel O'Neill's voice echoed through the Control Room, making everyone turn.
"Good to see you back, Colonel."
"Thanks, Sergeant Davis. I thought it was about time I came back. I hear you and Siler have been getting into all sorts of trouble while I've been gone."
He left the Sergeant spluttering with indignation, the concealed giggles of the other Control Room staff following him down the corridor.
"Sir! You're back!"
"Your powers of observation never fail to amaze me, Carter." He smiled at his teammate. "I was just coming to find you. General Hammond has scheduled us for an off world mission on Tuesday. Briefing at 0900 tomorrow. I've left the details on your desk. Have you seen Teal'c and Daniel around?"
"They were heading for the Mess Hall last I heard."
Jack grinned. "I should have guessed. Okay, I'll go find them and let them know." He turned, then spun back. "Want to go get something to eat tonight? I though I'd ask Ferretti and his team too. That's if you, Teal'c and Daniel can make it."
"Sounds great, sir." Sam nodded enthusiastically. She watched as the Colonel started for the elevator, a spring in his step that she hadn't seen for weeks. Just as he got to the door, she called out to him. "It's great to have you back, sir."
He turned, smiling broadly. "It's good to be back, Major. It's good to be back."
The End