Colorado

Daniel unlocked his empty house and walked inside. He was right back where he started, three months ago, restless, unfocused and unhappy. At least he hadn't been bored for three months. He had never had a moment of boredom with AJ around. Everything about her fascinated him. She was more interesting to him than the city they hadn't been able to explore. Now he faced two weeks with nothing to do.

He went into the kitchen and dug out a beer. Ten o'clock in the morning. Good way to start vacation, Jackson - drunk. He wandered around his house, sipping occasionally at the bottle in his hand. It was too quiet. He wanted people and noise. That made him think about AJ's family. He shoved his hand into his pocket and found the camera he'd taken with him.

He'd taken it, as he always did, to take pictures of the ruins. He'd forgotten all about the city. He wondered if anyone else had been sent to explore Madalena. He moved into his study and turned on his computer. Thank you, Jack, for paying the electricity. He plugged the camera into his computer and brought up the first pictures.

The first few were of the city. He really had to go back there and explore. The place was incredible.

The next group was of the oasis before he'd done any building. Just virgin desert.

AJ. A picture of her sleeping under a tree down in the wadi. A picture of her sleeping in the hut. Hobbling toward him just after she'd started moving. Eating by the fire. Helping him skin a rabbit. Writing in her journal. Carving a piece for their chess board. His finger reached out to trace the curve of her cheek on the monitor screen.

He shut down the computer. He couldn't look any more. He had to get out of the house.

He had just left his study when he heard the doorbell ring. Please, don't let it be Jack. I just can't deal with him right now.

It was Teal'c. Daniel stepped aside and let his friend enter.

"I was concerned for your well-being, DanielJackson." Teal'c's slight smile and cocked head brought a smile to Daniel's face. He had missed this man the past three months.

"I'm fine, Teal'c. The doctor said I'm fine." Daniel led him into the living room and gestured toward the couch.

Taking a seat, Teal'c continued, "I was not concerned about the state of your physical health, but your emotional health."

"What are you talking about, Teal'c?" Daniel had no idea what brought this on, but he knew his friend had insights that most people overlooked. People were so intimidated by his size that they forgot the man had over a hundred years of life experience.

"I saw the looks that passed between you and Dr. Jago on the Tok'ra base and in the tel'tak. I believe something has transpired to cause you pain. I offer my services. I would like to listen to anything you would care to share. It has been my observation that you often feel better after you talk, DanielJackson."

Daniel sat and thought for a minute. He knew Teal'c was right; he would feel better if he talked about it. "Come with me."

Daniel led Teal'c back to his study, turned the computer screen back on and let Teal'c see every picture he had taken at the oasis. Daniel had used three cards with 65 pictures on each card. Almost every one had been of Arwen.

Daniel left the room while Teal'c was looking at the pictures. He couldn't face her yet.

Teal'c came back into the living room. "I see the love you have for this woman. Is she worthy of you, DanielJackson?"

"I'm not worthy of her. She gets so much pleasure out of life. She gave so much to me. I don't know what I would have done without her. I think I would have given up and died."

"Does she not return your love?"

"While we were there, I thought she did, but as soon as you guys showed up, she shut down and became like a stranger to me. When we said good-bye on the base, she called me Dr. Jackson." Daniel stood up and began pacing, running his hands through his hair.

"She called me DJ at the oasis. She went from calling me DJ to Dr. Jackson. Teal'c, what do I do?" Daniel slumped back down in a chair, head in hands, tears threatening to spill from beneath his glasses.

"She has left to spend time with her family, has she not?"

"Yes."

"Then, it appears that there is nothing you can do at this time. Take advantage of this time. SG1 is on stand down for the next two weeks. Come with me to Chulak while I visit my son."

"Thanks, Teal'c. I would love that, but I need to be alone. I need to be alone with a bunch of people. I think I'll go to London for a week. It's been a long time since I've been there."

Teal'c nodded and wondered what planet this place called London was on.

"Teal'c, don't tell Jack where I've gone. He won't understand. I'll call you and let you know where I am." Daniel and Teal'c stood. Teal'c reached over to Daniel and pulled him into a smothering hug.

"Take care of yourself, DanielJackson. Call me every day. Colonel O'Neill will be most unhappy, but I will manage him." With a final pat on the shoulder, Teal'c left.

Daniel sat down at his computer and made travel plans for tens days in London. He could play tourist and do whatever he wanted for that time. As he stood, he noticed the camera sitting near the computer. He removed the used card and put the camera into his pocket.

An hour later, Daniel was packed and in his car headed for Denver and a flight to London.