Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 is the property of MGM, Gekko, etc. No infringement in intended. This story was written purely for my own amusement and not for financial gain. If anybody else enjoys it, then all the better.

Rating: PG, for mild language.

Spoilers: None that I can think of.

Summary: It turned out Jack could work a yo-yo; he just couldn't work a yo-yo and talk
at the same time. S/J friendship fluff, with a bit of Daniel thrown in. Any season.

Daniel found Jack in his office, playing with his yo-yo. He was surprised when his entrance did not create the usual hide-the-toy-and-appear-to-have-been-doing-paperwork ruse. Instead, he was barely acknowledged by a nod of the head, as Jack continued to toss the yo-yo.

Daniel had mistakenly believed that Jack didn't really know how to work a yo-yo—at the moment he was adroitly hurling and yanking it back with considerable vigor.

"Doesn't that hurt your hand?"

Two more throws, then Jack stopped and looked at him. "What?"

"Bringing it back that hard. Doesn't that hurt?"

"Your point?"

"Uh, nothing."

They continued then in silence for some time, Daniel watching Jack play with his yo-yo. Surprisingly, it was Jack who broke the silence.

"So, have you talked to Carter?"

"Yeah, I have."

It turned out Jack could work a yo-yo; he just couldn't work a yo-yo and talk at the same time. Fumbling with the now tangled string, Jack continued without looking up.

"She seem okay to you?"

"Yeah, she does. She's a little banged up I guess."

Jack's head snapped up, the yo-yo forgotten, anger flashing in his eyes. "Banged up? Not exactly the best choice of words."

Daniel frowned. "Jack, have you talked to her?"

"Briefly." He looked down at his hands, which, for once were still.

"Jack, she wasn't raped."

Jack's head came back up. "She wasn't?"

"No."

"How do you know? The doc wouldn't tell me anything. And that son of a bitch said…"

"I asked her."

"Oh."

"Yeah, so I think you should go talk to her. I'm sure she's wondering why you're being all weird around her."

"Yeah. Okay." He was playing with the yo-yo again, but was back to his usual fumbling attempt at "walk the dog." Or something.

"Okay." Daniel turned to leave.

"Oh, Danny."

"Yeah?"

"Why'd you come in here?"

"To tell you to talk to Sam."

"Oh."

Jack found Carter in her office, disassembling some alien doohickey. She was frowning in concentration, but she looked up as he entered and smiled at him. There was a bruise on her cheekbone, but otherwise, she looked none the worse for wear.

"Hey."

"Hey, sir."

"How ya doing? Heard you got a little banged up."

"I'm a little sore. Scrapes and bruises. You know."

"Sure."

When he said nothing further, she went back to her alien object. Jack picked up a piece of it she had laid aside and began turning it in his hands. Then he suddenly put it down and came around the worktable so he was next to her. He put his hand on her shoulder.

She looked up at him, puzzled.

"Sir?"

"You're okay though."

"Yes, sir."

"A little bit of a scare there, hmm?"

She scrutinized his expression, and realized what he was getting at.

"Yeah, a little. But you know me. I saw my chance and I kicked some ass."

He smiled broadly. "Oh yeah."

The smile faded into a contemplative look. He didn't remove his hand. She waited.

"So, that Merlin guy didn't…"

"Morilan. No, sir. I got my break before…"

"Good, that's good."

"Yes, sir."

"Well, then." He gave her shoulder an awkward pat before turning to walk back around the workbench and to the door. In the doorway, he stopped and turned back toward her. "Lunch?"