What Fate Decrees - Part Twenty-two

Jack stood a little while longer, just watching Sam as she made her way down the block with the others, the slight sway of her hips reeking havoc on him. It was bad enough when she was in fatigues, but in a dress it was devastating.

"We going home or what?" asked Daniel, watching him, clicking his fingers in front of Jack's face for attention. He hadn't missed where the man's gaze was directed.

"Uh sorry Daniel, I was miles away." Jack wrenched his eyes away from Sam's disappearing back and turned his attention to Daniel.

Daniel yawned. "Come, let's get home. I'm bushed."

"Sure," agreed Jack. Stuffing his hands into his trouser pockets, he turned and walked with Daniel to his car.

"You're quiet," commented Daniel, after around thirty minutes of driving.

"I thought you were tired?"

Daniel laughed. "Thought I'd gone deaf."

"Ho, now you're a comedian." retorted Jack "I was just thinking."

"I thought I'd heard a strange noise."

"Ha, you're so not funny, Daniel."

"Never said I was."

"Good, you'd better believe it."

"Sam?" asked Daniel, changing tact suddenly.

Jack almost jumped. "Sam what?"

"You said you were thinking. Was it about Sam?"

"Should it be?"

"Well, you do enough looking at her. I thought you might be thinking of her as well."

Jack gave him a glare "Do not."

"Do."

"Do not."

"Do so."

"No way, your sooo wrong Danny-boy."

"Now I know I'm right."

"How so?"

"When you say that, I know you're lying to me."

"Am not."

"Are so. Shut up Jack. Don't be an idiot. You can admit your feelings to me. I am your friend."

"Okay, I didn't want to tell you this, but I like you."

"ASS," glared Daniel "Not to me. Sam. You know feelings?"

"Feelings?"

"Yes, f-e-e-l-i-n-g-s!" cried Daniel, spelling it out.

"You don't know anything about my feelings," said Jack, suddenly no longer joking.

Daniel snorted, going back to concentrating on the road.

"God, Jack. You get that goofy grin on your face when you look at Sam, and you're always watching her."

"Christ Daniel, you make me sound like a dirty old man."

"No Jack, that's not what I mean. I mean it's obvious you have feelings for her."

"I like Carter a lot - she's a good 2IC, in fact one of the best." defended Jack, thankful they were pulling into his drive.

"If you say so, but I don't believe you."

Jack turned to face Daniel, glaring at the younger man in the dim light. "You believe what you like Daniel, but don't go adding up two and two and getting five instead of four. People could get hurt."

"The regs you mean?"

"Yeah the regs, and that would be if there's any truth in it. Carter and I are not having a relationship."

"I didn't say you were."

"Did."

"Didn't."

"Did."

"Jack I didn't, but I do say you should be."

Jack glared at Daniel and then got out, slamming the car door hard. He heard Daniel scrambling out after him and the beep as he activated the car alarm. He caught up with Jack as he entered the house.

Jack decided to cut the conversation short before his friend could start it up again. "Just leave it Daniel."

"Why?"

"Cause I said so."

"Come on Jack, that isn't a reason."

"It is unless you want me to make you shut up," growled Jack "See you in the morning." and he made his way upstairs, leaving Daniel to lock up.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Daniel went round turning off the lights, shaking his head. "You haven't won Jack, there's always tomorrow," he murmured, as he made his way upstairs.

xoxoxoxoxoxo