Chapter 9

Jack smiled, passing the receptionist with a wave of his hand. Without incident, he headed down to Daniel's room, adjusting the strap of the duffel bag that he had slung over his shoulder.

Today would be a good day.

He frowned, noting that Herman was standing right outside the door.

"Hey, Herm," he called out, trying to hide his annoyance. "Isn't it your day off?"

"Colonel Carter thought you might feel more comfortable if I stayed with you and Daniel today."

Jack forced a smile. Herman had left him and Daniel alone before, so he wasn't quite sure what happened to make the happy-go-lucky man a little more possessive today. Though, he had the sneaking suspicion the so-called event from last week and a little encouragement by Carter hadn't helped any.

"Carter said Daniel and I could spend today alone," he said flatly. "Not that you're bad company, or anything. I just don't come here to see you."

He chuckled. "Good to see you, too."

This man was not getting it. Though, would Jack leave a supposed mental patient that needs anger management with a guy that couldn't take care of himself?

He guessed he should be happy that Herman was doing his job.

"Alright," Jack said at last. "I'll go in and grab Daniel. Why don't you meet us outside?"

"Outside?" Herman eyed Jack carefully. "Got something planned?"

"Oh yeah," he said with a smirk. "Big plans."


Whistling to himself, and with a spring to his step, he entered Daniel's room, greeting his friend with a cheerful hello. He wasn't halfway through the door, though, when Daniel hopped off the bed, wearing a grin of his own, and thrust the chessboard into Jack's stomach.

"Ah, no. How about later?" Jack asked, taking the chessboard from Daniel and placing it on the bed. He watched Daniel's gaze follow the movement, his hands reaching for the chessboard to once again give it to Jack. The older man shook his head and grabbed Daniel by the wrist. "I have something better planned today."

Releasing his grip, Jack turned to his duffel bag and unzipped it, quickly shoving the chessboard inside. He heard Daniel gasp, and start to fidget, moaning as his arms reached for his precious board. Jack immediately shushed him, pointing around the room to distract him.

"Pick stuff that's important to you." When Daniel showed a lack of comprehension, Jack tried again, this time with a broad, sweeping gesture. "Stuff. Your stuff. Grab your stuff."

Daniel continued to stare at him, his fingers twitching as he kept eyeing the bag. Jack was sure that if he couldn't get Daniel to focus soon that he was going to start making a fuss.

His doctors were still convinced Daniel couldn't interact with his environment? Did they ever spend time with him?

"Daniel," he said, moving to the bookshelf. "This book? You like this book?"

Noiselessly, Daniel stumbled over to Jack, his gaze canvassing the bookcase. He stuck out his tongue, his face deep in thought as he mulled over his choices. Satisfied, Jack patted him on the shoulder, and began his hunt.

He grabbed whatever he could, referring to knowledge he had concerning the old Daniel. He figured that some of his tastes had to still be the same, and would use that to his advantage. Therefore, he nabbed some little objects that littered a table in the room, took some of his clothes from the drawers, remembered a spare set of glasses from his nightstand, confiscated a couple of weird looking figurines, and then rushed over to meet Daniel back at the bookcase.

"Find anything you like?" Jack asked. He stole a glance over to the door, relieved that he was still in the clear.

Daniel moaned softly and fumbled at Jack's duffle bag. Jack gently rebuked him.

"No, not the chess set. Books." Jack ran his hand down the spine of one of the books. "This one?"

Daniel didn't even watch his hand. He was too busy staring at Jack's face, his eyes searching him, almost as if he was looking for something specific. That unsettled Jack a bit, so he reached over and turned Daniel's chin toward the bookcase in order for his eyes to remain where they belonged.

"Books," he enunciated. "Hurry. I don't have all day, Daniel."

Still no move from Daniel. He just stood there, taking up space.

Jack sighed, sliding a few books out from the bookcase, and roughly tossing them into the duffel. He heard another quiet gasp from Daniel, but ignored it. He didn't have time for Daniel to dawdle.

Next, he bypassed Daniel completely, walking over to the closet and snatching a jacket. It looked warm and worn, something that Daniel could find relaxing and comforting. Nodding with approval, Jack moved back to Daniel and started to slip his arms into the sleeves. He didn't even bother to ask. He knew that it would take an hour for Daniel to get the point.

Jack stepped back to look at him. Daniel looked out of place, much too thin to fit into the jacket, but it was his vapid expression that made him look like a lost soul. It would have to do.

Tugging lightly at his friend's jacket sleeve, he guided him to the door. "Come on, Daniel. Walk time."


Jack walked as brusquely as he could, gently nudging Daniel to move a little faster as they walked over the lawn outside of the USAF Hospital. As they moved through the grass, they received more than a few curious looks from some patients and some hospital workers. Jack found in those situations, he'd just give them a short wave, explaining they were having a picnic today.

That answer was usually greeted with a nod and a wave of its own, or a cheerful joke. Which for Jack was perfect.

Until Herman reappeared.

"Going somewhere, Jack?" he asked, pointing to his bag.

Jack glanced down at the bag, and then to Daniel. The younger man was already eyeing the zipper. He didn't want Mr. Itchy Fingers to start grabbing at it again, so he settled for a distracting arm around the shoulder.

"Daniel and I," he said giving Daniel a squeeze, ignoring the disdain on his friend's face, "are going to have ourselves a little picnic."

"Picnic?"

"Yeah, right here on the lawn. Carter took me out here yesterday and it gave me an idea." He patted Daniel's shoulder, nonchalantly slapping his hands away from the duffel bag. "I thought Daniel could use some fresh air."

"It's a nice idea," Herman said, his brightness returning. "This will give Daniel some time outside with good company."

Jack smirked at him, putting on his best face. He liked Herman, and thought of him as someone who really cared for people and his job. That made what he was about to do even more difficult.

"Damn," Jack blurted out, the smile disappearing from his face.

Herman frowned, taking a step closer. "What?"

"I forgot to bring some plates. Of all the—"

Herman clapped Jack on the shoulder. "I'll get them. You settle down on the grass and get started. Where are you going to be?"

Jack quickly scanned the landscape, finding a nice little neat corner to his far left. "Right over there looks good. Behind that big tree."

Herman nodded, smiling again in that boisterous way of his. Jack watched him go, and urged Daniel forward, steering him towards the tree in the far distance.

When he saw that Herman was out of sight, Jack veered right. Moving as quickly as he could, he kept pushing Daniel forward, trying to get him to concentrate on his walking instead of the duffel bag. It wasn't until they had left the lawn, passed a grouping of trees, and were on the street in front of Jack's car did Daniel start to become more aware of his environment.

He had to pick now.

After Jack had opened the passenger side door and thrown the duffel bag into the back, he turned back to Daniel and beckoned to him with a wave of his hand while keeping his voice as gentle as possible.

"Come on," he said.

Daniel stiffened, jerking back, his eyes widening as he looked around the street. Jack knew any second now he was going to start to hyperventilate, and though Daniel had never shown any signs of fight or flight, Jack didn't want to put it past him.

"It's my car," he said, pointing to the truck that had become the object of Daniel's panic. "We're going for a little ride."

Jack reached out to grab Daniel's arm to pull him closer to the truck, but Daniel wouldn't have any part of it. Whimpering softly, he pulled his arm back and let out a shrill cry, his body shaking as he blew into a full panic.

He started to make for the hospital.

"Dammit," Jack muttered, quickly catching up to him. He seized Daniel by the shoulders, pulling him close so he wouldn't struggle. Keeping the squirming man under control, he easily backtracked to the truck. "Come on, Daniel, get in the car."

When Daniel continued to resist, Jack knew he'd have to try something new. Sighing, he reached into his jacket, and withdrew a candy bar.

"Here," he said, placing the candy firmly in Daniel's hands. "Eat that."

Whatever had been going through the other man's mind must have vanished since the candy bar instantly fascinated Daniel. Jack swore he even heard a short laugh as Daniel tried to rip open the packaging.

The distraction was enough for Jack. Quickly, after glancing over his shoulder to make sure he was in the clear, Jack gently pushed Daniel's head down as he slid him into the passenger seat. He shut the door, and hurried to the driver's side, getting into the truck before locking the doors.

"You ready?" Jack asked, buckling Daniel into place.

Daniel grunted, still fumbling with the candy bar, the only acknowledgement Jack knew he would get. Watching Daniel become more and more frustrated, Jack grabbed the candy bar before he did too much damage with his stomping feet.

With one quick jerk, Jack bit down on the top of the wrapper and peeled it off to expose the chocolate. Then, he handed it back to Daniel, and let him "ooh" and "aah" all over the thing.

Pleased that Daniel was now occupied with munching on the bar, Jack turned on the ignition and pulled into the street, leaving the hospital and all its empty promises behind him.