DISCLAIMER: The characters mentioned in this story are the property of Showtime and Gekko Film Corp. The Stargate, SG-1, the goa'uld and all other characters who have appeared in the series STARGATE SG-1 together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of the people who made them up. This fanfic is not intended as an infringement upon those rights and solely meant for entertainment. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author.

SPOILERS: Takes place at the end of 'The Gamekeeper.'

Living With The Past

Part one

Daniel had been quiet all the way back to the 'gate. His silence continued as they made their way to the infirmary to get themselves checked out and he had been unusually taciturn in the de-briefing.

'So we just walked through the exit and the machines let us go,' Jack finished up his report, his attention never far from Daniel throughout.

'Thank you SG1. Dismissed.' General Hammond stood to leave, Jack and Sam also standing until he'd gone.

'Well, I don't know about you guys but I'm going to hit the shower and get out of here. See you all tomorrow.' Sam left, closely followed by Teal'c who said something about kel'noreem while Jack settled himself down across the table from where Daniel was still sitting.

After a couple of minutes sitting in silence Jack cleared his throat, catching Daniel's attention at last.

'Jack!' Daniel sounded surprised to find himself alone with Jack. 'Have we finished?'

'Yes,' Jack said in that patient tone of voice which showed he knew something was up. For once, however, Daniel seemed oblivious to Jack's concern, merely standing up and ambling out of the room without a word.

Jack followed him, walking beside him, his sensors on full alert as he realised Daniel had no idea he had company. 'Daniel?'

'Jack?' Daniel looked puzzled, not sure what Jack wanted.

'What's up?'

'Nothing, why would anything be up?' Daniel spoke defensively. Jack could almost see the barriers going up as he tried to figure out what he could do to help his friend.

'Well, let's see,' Jack said, 'you've hardly said a word since we got back, you said nothing in the de-briefing and you didn't even notice when it finished. I think that's a little abnormal even for you.' The sarcasm was lost on Daniel who forced a smile on his face.

'I'm fine Jack, just a bit tired. I'll see you tomorrow.' With that, Daniel hurried off to the locker room to change before heading off home. Jack stood where he was for a few moments, hands shoved into his pockets whistling soundlessly to himself before he headed to the elevator to follow Daniel home, not sure he was in any fit state to drive but not wanting to intrude just yet.

XOXOXOX

By the time Jack made it to the parking lot Daniel's car was already gone and Jack cursed to himself, wondering if Daniel had bothered changing at all. Jumping into his own car, Jack put his foot down and sped off down the road leading away from the mountain, realising with a sinking feeling in his stomach that he'd found Daniel.

Daniel's car had left the road, the front wheels hanging over a steep drop. There was no sign of Daniel. Jack got out, directing his car so his headlights illuminated the side of the road, casting a shadow into the front of Daniel's car, making it look almost as though…

…Jack was at the driver side door in an instant as he realised it wasn't just a shadow, that Daniel was sitting there staring straight ahead as though he didn't realise what had just happened. Jack wrenched the door open and spoke more sharply than he intended.

'Daniel? What the hell is going on? You've managed to run your car off the road and you're sitting there like everything's just fine.' Jack instantly regretted the words as Daniel turned dazed eyes to him and Jack saw the trickle of blood working its way down the side of Daniel's face from a gash on his head. 'Daniel? Stay with me now,' Jack's tone changed, trying to reassure him now, the sharpness replaced by concern. 'Are you hurt anywhere else?' Daniel looked at him numbly for a moment and Jack thought he would receive no response.

'I…uh…Jack?' Daniel sounded puzzled as he tried to figure out what he was doing there and why Jack was trying to pull him out of his car. 'I'm fine, Jack. What happened to my car?'

'Looks like you had an accident,' Jack spoke clearly, recognising the signs of shock Daniel was clearly exhibiting: pale skin, shallow breathing, eyes not focussing properly. 'Can you get out of the car?' Daniel nodded but remained where he was, not sure about how to comply with Jack's request. Gently but firmly, Jack gave Daniel instructions on what to do. 'Ok, first you need to move your legs outside the car, yes, that's it, now the other one,' Jack's words were accompanied by Daniel slowly doing what he was told. 'Ok, now, grab my hands and I'll help you the rest of the way.' A moment later, Daniel was standing next to Jack, one of Jack's arms around him to stop him from keeling over.

Jack walked Daniel to his own car, helped him in and turned around, heading back to the mountain to get Daniel the help he needed. By the time they reached the first check point Daniel was able to take note of his surroundings and began to protest strongly.

'Jack - I want to go home, now,' Daniel said as forcefully as he could. 'If you want to go back to work, that's fine, I'll walk home. I've had enough of the place to last a lifetime. I want to go home. Now.'

'Daniel, you're in shock, you've probably got a concussion,' Jack spoke with authority, every bit the CO now. 'Dr Fraiser needs to check you over before you go home.'

'If you don't turn around right now I'll just get out. I am not going back there.' Daniel released his seat belt and turned to open the door. Jack sighed deeply. He could just as easily call Dr Fraiser out on a home visit, sure she would make an exception for Daniel's benefit, seeing that Daniel was verging on hysteria and didn't appear to be that badly injured.

'Ok, ok, have it your way,' Jack began turning the car. 'Back to your place then, but I am going to call Dr Fraiser the minute we get there.'

Daniel, relieved at having got his way, sank back into his seat and remained silent for the rest of the journey.

XOXOXOX

As Daniel turned to open the car door once they'd arrived at his apartment an overwhelming feeling of nausea swept over him. Fumbling desperately with the door with shaking hands he barely made it out of the car before throwing up, feeling a comforting pressure on his shoulder as Jack moved to stand beside him. After a few minutes, Daniel straightened himself up.

'You ok?' Jack asked softly.

'Yeah, feeling just great, Jack. Thanks for the ride,' Daniel snapped at his friend, unable to stop himself from lashing out and feeling remarkably unconcerned at the way he was behaving. He turned to make his way into his apartment, vaguely aware Jack was following him but ignoring his presence. At his door, he fumbled in his pocket for his keys, pulling out an assortment of items and dropping them all on the floor. Cursing under his breath, he moved carefully to pick it all up, only to find Jack had got there before him and was now holding the collection from his pockets and was opening up his apartment door.

Daniel entered, tempted to push the door closed behind himself but decided he just didn't have the energy for the fight that would probably follow on from this. Instead, he made his way to his couch and slumped down on it, his eyes closed and his whole demeanour shouting out that something was very wrong.

Jack was relieved he didn't need to push his friend into allowing him in and he stood and watched Daniel as he gave in to whatever was eating him up. Seeing Daniel's pallor abruptly change to an interesting shade of green, he grabbed a bowl and had it ready for Daniel when he began throwing up again. It seemed much more painful this time, and when he'd finished Daniel lay back again looking even whiter than before. That decided Jack on his first move.

Pulling out his cell-phone, Jack dialled the SGC infirmary and was put through to Dr Fraiser. After a brief conversation, Jack hung up and moved into the bathroom where he cleaned up and returned with a damp flannel to freshen Daniel up, along with a glass of water to rinse his mouth out.

'Daniel?' Jack said softly, trying not to alarm him. Daniel half-opened his eyes, then closed them again as the action caused a wave of nausea accompanied by a thumping headache. 'D'you think you can make it to bed?'

Daniel remained stationary for a few moments before responding. 'No.' Uncompromising. Uncooperative.

'Well, that's a pity, because that's where you need to be, and I'm going to get you there one way or another.' Jack spoke firmly, getting through to Daniel. 'If you won't walk I'll just have to carry you, and believe me, with the headache you must have that won't be a nice experience.'

Daniel sighed heavily and made an attempt to stand up, only getting half way before he was overwhelmed by dizziness, but instead of falling over as he expected he found himself supported by one strong arm around his back, the other grasping his upper arm, holding him steady until the room stopped spinning. After a few moments, Daniel indicated he was ready and Jack walked with him to the bedroom, going at Daniel's pace, finally sitting him on the bed.

Jack turned around to rummage in Daniel's drawers, coming up with a t-shirt and sweat pants which he tossed on to the bed beside Daniel, hoping he'd be able to change himself. He managed ok with removing his shirt and pulling the t-shirt on, but had problem with taking his pants off, getting them down to his knees but being unable to bend down to take his shoes off or get the pants right off. Jack moved forward to help, glad that Daniel didn't resist him this time, pulling his pants off and helping him get the sweat pants on. By the time this was done, Daniel was shaking with the effort and began to withdraw again. Fortunately they were interrupted before either could say anything.

'Ah!' Jack exclaimed. 'Saved by the bell. I'll be right back.'