Way #65 -- Heartstrings
Sitting with his back against the tree, Daniel was deeply absorbed in his notebook, scrawling away at a steady pace with his pen. His handwriting was neat and compact, in straight rows across the sheet. The notebook was ring-bound and a nice handheld size, around 7/10 inches, with a heavy green card-board cover and well worn pages, a little more than halfway filled up with notes. He took notebooks everywhere with him during field work, so it was a familiar sight to everyone. He had equipment that was a little more advanced, too, of course-- tape recorders and video cameras and the likes. But there was just something about pen and paper that felt so crucial to Daniel. He was never caught without a notebook or two in his pack. He enjoyed doing sketches of individual objects, and overall maps of entire areas, and even pencil-rubbings of certain impressions. Mostly, though, he enjoyed writing. There was something about the process that simply went hand-in-hand with his thinking. When Dr. Jackson wrote, his notes took on an importance, a useful perspective that he couldn't normally tap into while speaking. Thoughts simply flowed so smoothly from his mind to the paper this way.
Dr. Jackson also had the tendency to become oblivious to the outside world when he was lost in his own internal one. At times it could be a problem-- especially in situations that tended to be conducive to hazards-- but usually it was an asset, owing to his wonderful ability to focus. After all, if he lacked this talent, it would have been extremely difficult to do half of the things he did do, translating texts as Jaffa weapon fire roared above his head, his comrades screaming at him to hurry up, while he calmly explained he was going as fast as was humanly possible. Thus it ended up as mostly a blessing-- and worked out pretty good when he had his military-minded friends to look out for the 'danger' parts of the missions. It was one of the reasons SG-1 worked so well. Everyone did their own job, and they did it well.
A breeze rustled through the trees and set a couple orange leaves spinning down towards the ground, gliding by Daniel's notebook unnoticed. It was beautiful here. He was up on a small hill overlooking the temporary camp-site of his team, fallen leaves and grass among him on the ground. This was their third day on this world, and this particular hill had become a favorite perching spot of Daniel, when he had retired from work for the day to take his notes in a peaceful environment. The work on this world had been particularly enjoyable. There was a large expanse of ruins to study but no signs of current-day sentient life forms anywhere. Truth be told, as exciting as ethnography could be at times, Daniel was an archeologist before anything else-- it was his specialty and he simply did tend to study cultures that were long dead rather than walking around and trying to shoot at him. Or proclaim him a God, or whatever the circumstance. It was what he did best, and it felt good to sink his teeth into a new mystery, unraveling the secrets of yet another world, that had no doubt been transplanted from long ago by the interfering and meddlesome species of the Goa'uld. As evil as those creatures were at heart, as undoubtedly damaging they were to the universe, and as singularly terrible they were to everyone's existence-- at least, at the very least, there occasionally could be some good taken from that existence. Because these cultures discovered, dug up, and transplanted across the galaxy were so . . . awe-inspiring. The Goa'uld seeded dozens of planets, probably far more. True, they were for entirely self-serving reasons, to raise human beings as slave-laborers, as miners, as bodies to infect and infest. But these experiments, despite being performed for malevolent reasons, were nevertheless performed. And the unpredictable results of such experiments sometimes turned out to be pretty surprising, even positive. The cultures the Goa'uld abandoned as failed experiments often would go on to develop thriving societies on whole new worlds. It was simply inevitable that good would often spring from those seeds. And treasured societies that were thought long lost, as entirely dead, had been given a surprise second chance. A second chance that Daniel himself got to explore and experience the end results of.
So, for this, Daniel was thankful. And for this, Daniel was hopeful. It made his efforts worthwhile, at times. In the very least, he knew he was doing some good in the overall picture, despite not knowing whether or not he'd be able to sway the tide of inter-galactic politics. He was doing his part, and he knew he was bringing good to the world-- to worlds-- and that was something to be pleased with. Very pleased with.
A shadow fell over Daniel's notebook and he glanced up, a little startled at being brought out of his rudiments. He blinked up at Sam's friendly expression.
"Hi," Sam greeted.
"Hi," Daniel returned, patting the ground next to him in invitation. Sam gladly took a seat and easily leaned against the large tree trunk along with him.
"The Colonel's packing up. I was helping him, but he kept complaining about every little thing I was doing wrong. He gets so grouchy when the General pulls rank."
Daniel smiled faintly and continued to write at a slower pace in his notebook.
"So I thought it would probably be best if I steered clear of his temper tantrum."
"Probably a wise idea," Daniel agreed. Sam gave a small, voiceless laugh and shook her head, then looked at Daniel.
"Honestly, Daniel. I don't understand him sometimes."
Daniel looked at her and asked, "Sometimes?"
She grinned at him.
"He didn't even want to be here in the first place. Now he's pissed that Hammond's making us leave early."
"Yeah, well, that's Jack for you," Daniel said wisely, looking back to his book to scribble more.
"So he just likes to hear himself complain."
Daniel chuckled. "That's probably part of it, yeah."
Sam folded her arms behind her neck and leaned back, sighing contentedly.
"I don't mind leaving early, seems to me that we have no reason to stay any longer. We've determined this place is totally abandoned. Why not let the anthropology team take over? It is their job."
"Mm-hm."
"It is nice here, though, I've got to admit. One of the more pleasant planets we've been on in . . . well. What seems like forever."
Daniel nodded his assent. He commented, "Should add it to Jack's top ten list of places to retire."
She smiled. "Yeah, just add a lake to this place and he's got it made."
Then she turned suddenly, inquiring of Daniel,
"You really think that's the reason he's mad? Because he'd rather take it easy here for a few more days?"
Daniel looked at her with amusement and observed,
"He is about due for another fishing trip."
"I'll bet he's jealous you get to stay here longer and we have to leave."
Daniel looked thoughtful.
"Well he does get angry every time Hammond breaks SG-1 up, even when it's brief."
Sam nodded. "Yeah. He's afraid somebody will like how you work on a different team. That somebody might try to sneak in and steal you from us."
"Then in that case I guess I'm flattered," Daniel smiled, turning back to his notebook.
A mischievous smile overcame Carter. She leaned forward a little and prodded,
"So what's this I hear about what happened this weekend. The Colonel mentioned something about you guys spending the whole time together?"
"Uh."
"He wouldn't say anything else. Just that it was very educational."
"Educational?" Daniel raised his brows.
"Mm-hmm."
Daniel snorted.
"All we did was tackle a list of chores a mile-long."
"Ah. I see."
"Though I can see how that might be a novel concept to him."
"Mmm?"
Daniel wrinkled his nose at her.
"Why are you smiling at me like that?"
"No reason. Just . . ."
"What?" He looked at her sternly. She grinned a little.
"Teal'c and I left you in a funny position is all. You guys find my note?"
"Ah. Yes . . . Jack says you owe him one living-room clean-up."
"He's always one to carry petty grudges," Sam pouted.
"He just doesn't forget easily."
"I see. Have a memorable weekend then?"
Daniel paused, mulling his lower lip a moment.
"We did," he admitted.
Sam looked surprised her prodding had hit an admission so soon, and flashed Daniel a cheerful smile.
"That's good. I, ah." She laughed, "I think I'll go see if he's calmed down enough for me to help."
Daniel nodded at her.
"Okay. Be careful."
She laughed and got up.
"I will. You coming?"
Daniel shook his head.
"Want to finish this. I won't be much longer."
"All right. Have fun."
She moved as if to take off down the small hill. Turning about she came back the way she came and leaned over Daniel, asking him in a stage-whisper,
"So what did you guys do?"
Daniel rolled his eyes.
"I told you already. We did chores."
"That's it?"
"Goodbye, Sam."
"Aaaw, Daniel . . ."
"Goodbye."
She gave an annoyed sniff and said in mock irritation,
"Goodbye, Dan."
She turned and left but the residual smirk belayed all. Daniel sighed and went back to writing in his notebook, trying to ignore her nosiness as best he could.
It was around 1600 hours when the team finished packing. They were due to return soon, and the planet's pale blue sun was waning in the sky towards late afternoon. Daniel had finished his note-taking but had fallen into a comfortable state and remained in his spot, reluctant to leave, despite knowing it would be temporary. Boot-steps crunched up the hill to Daniel's tree and a shadow once again was cast over the open notebook in Daniel's lap. But the pen was resting beside the notebook, and Daniel's head was slumped against the tree, having dozed off.
Jack leaned down into a crouch. He put a hand gently on Daniel's shoulder and said,
"Hey."
Daniel stirred a little but didn't wake. Jack sighed, reluctant to wake him, knowing he was probably tired after all their labor over the weekend. Something drew his gaze downwards to the notebook in Daniel's lap. He battled a moment between curiosity and morality, but couldn't resist a little snooping-- the archaeologist was always scribbling away furiously in that notebook of his. Jack picked it up delicately and read the page it was open on.
It wasn't that personal, mostly just a series of detailed descriptions and half-finished hypothesizeses, the sort of notes that would make more sense to the author himself, than anyone else. Jack scanned through it and then something caught his attention, in the right-hand margin. It was a small sketch, quite detailed and well-done, of a leaf. Jack recognized it as the orange ones that were falling from the alien trees here. They had been a simple spade-shape, as Jack thought of them, but the sketch oriented the leaf so its stem pointed skywards. The caption etched beneath it read;
Deciduous forests are losing their foliage,
appears to be early autumn here. Sometimes I think it's
a shame when the original names of plants and animals
by the natives are lost . . .No doubt they named everything
as is such a strong instinct in human nature.
Saw these leaves and had strange notion that the natives
named them Phoenixhearts. To transform from green to
bright orange, then turn to dust only to be reborn in the
spring from their ashes. But I do read too much mythology after all.
Or 'fairy-tales', as Jack calls them.
The spade-shaped leaf did in fact resemble a perfect heart when pointed in that direction. Jack hovered uncomfortably over the last line that had referred to him, reminded of their past arguments. He decided he'd done enough snooping and carefully set the notebook back down in Daniel's lap. The man was still dozing softly and peacefully against the tree, glasses slid down the bridge of his nose in an endearing manner. Who could wake a man like that? Jack usually had no trouble doing so and extracted a great deal of pleasure from it. This time it felt wrong, though, as if it would simply be . . . sacrilegious to interrupt such serenity. In any rude way, at least.
Jack sunk down to sit on the ground beside Daniel, having become lost in his thoughts as he watched his friend. He studied his face, the lines and creases each so familiar to him, so well drawn in Jack's memory. He knew he could picture him perfectly if he closed his eyes. The spray of blond hair that trickled down his forehead at an odd angle, dancing in the light alien breeze. Mm, Jack became fixated on this point. It floated so hypnotically, like a little dandelion poof. He reached out and smoothed it back, momentarily surprised at how soft it felt. He ran his fingertips along further to smooth out the bedraggled hairs, and became lost in how nice that was. Delicately, he stroked the hairs each back into place, like petting a shy animal. He hummed low in delight without meaning to,
"Mmm . . ."
Blue eyes fluttered open, though Jack was first oblivious to that. He let his fingertips drag just along the scalp, raking gently through the short blond hair. The sensation was surprisingly fantastic. Jack's eyes drifted to Daniel's gaze, finally becoming aware he was awake by now.
"Hello," Jack said calmly, clearly still in a happy daze.
"If this is one of your waking methods please don't cut things short on my account," Daniel answered, in a slightly drowsy slur, sounding very . . . hmm. Pleased. A new tone for Jack's ears, one he was pretty sure he liked hearing. Jack continued to rake through the blond head with one hand, feathery tresses slipping through his fingers in a slow, delicious pace. Daniel practically purred. Jack leaned in a little, feeling his heart pounding in his chest, and drawled at him,
"Spacemonkey likes that huuh? . . ."
"Yes he does," Daniel replied in a whisper, his eyes sliding shut and forehead tilting forward. Jack responded to the body language and let his forehead tilt forward a little so they both touched. He thrilled gazing at Daniel's eyelids for some reason, just happy in the moment that he'd caused Daniel to shut them. Daniel's tongue twitched out and licked his lips, and he swallowed, Adam's apple bobbing. Jack slid forward a little and nudged his nose against Daniel's affectionately, mashing his against Daniel like he'd done when he hugged him before. Daniel returned the nuzzle, which was enough pleasure for Jack to shut his eyes as well. Daniel nudged little more and Jack felt a small pressure on his lips. Not stopping to think about it at all, he returned the pressure, and felt himself pulling in the most delightfully curved, lovely flesh. He had to feel more and let the tip of his tongue trace them-- they quivered under him at the touch and then parted. Jack dipped in casually, as if only out for an innocent stroll, and happened to run into his partner's tongue along the way. Entirely accidental, it was. Daniel was a shy neighbor though, darting off to stroke the territory of Jack's own lips teasingly. Jack smiled and nudged forward slightly, pulling more of Daniel's lips inside, making open-mouthing a more accessible activity. Daniel appreciated this and shared his appreciation, eagerly darting into Jack. Skipping the small talk about the weather, the two neighbors met in a long, full bodied stroke. Oh, this was good, Jack decided, this was definitely good.
In fact, they decided it was a good idea to continue the exercise, without pause. Yes, they definitely should continue doing that. Jack heard the blood speeding past his ears and just as his hands were reaching up to feel more of his partner, to manipulate, God, to do something, anything-- they both were startled by an ear-splitting sound right on top of them, jolting in shock.
The walkie-talkie attached to Jack's vest was crackling like a fire-breathing demon and out came Sam's garbly voice,
Hey guys, I thought it was time to move out. What's the hold up, Hammond's going to get antsy if we hang around much longer. Let's hustle on back.
Blinking and breathing heavy, they both took a moment to regain their bearings, looking at each other almost as if confused. Daniel was still sitting with his back to the tree, and Jack was on his knees staring back. Finally Carter's harshly-delivered message sunk into their brains. Jack reached jerkily for his walkie and depressed the button.
"Aaah . . . Carter. I read you. Was just waking Danny up. You know how the boy likes to doze off on the job. We're marching right back to camp now, so tell Hammond to hold his horses."
He released the button. His eyes never left Daniel's as they both sat and waited for her response. Around five seconds later,
All right. We'll be waiting for you.
Jack exhaled a breath he didn't know he was holding, sinking down on his knees and then wincing for doing so. He and Daniel both looked at each other's general disheveled demeanor. Jack couldn't help it. He had to laugh.
"That, uh, that-- that wasn't actually part of my original plan. Just so you know."
Daniel smiled faintly at him. He spoke slowly,
"So it doesn't count . . . does that make it eligible for a future wake-up call?"
Jack took a moment to process that and then grinned maniacally.
"You're quick to pick up on the rules. I like that."
"Thank you."
They stared some more, neither one making a move to get up, though both looking with rather raw and and needing gazes.
"Jack," Daniel said in one of his warning tones.
"What?"
"We've got to leave."
"I know."
"…Now."
"I know."
Nobody moved. Jack looked about ready to jump on Daniel when Carter's voice crackled through again,
Colonel, Daniel. SGC just gave us a call. They're getting a little impatient.
"All right!" Jack yelled at Sam, though he hadn't bothered to actually depress the walkie button for it. Jack got to his feet and offered a hand to help Daniel up. Daniel hesitated.
"Uh maybe it would be better if you--"
Jack laughed a little and cut him off,
"Come on, Daniel, you're not going to--"
Jack snapped his jaw shut when he realized what he saying was stupid, because Daniel sure as Hell looked like he was going to. Unless Jack started moving. Now.
He turned around immediately and started walking back to camp, saying shortly,
"Don't forget your notebook."
Daniel looked at the ground in surprise because he had forgotten about his notebook (which he never did). He picked it up, tucking it under an arm, then stood up to follow Jack back to camp.
A/N: Do not fear, loyal readers. I will follow up with the next post very soon. Thanks for all your support. :)