Content warning – these parts are written with Jack in mind and the character's possible behavior under such circumstances and is it not my intent to cause any offense whatsoever or to put labels on anyone. - Jackie
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Supporting Rumors - Part 29
"Are you coming or going, Daniel?"
Daniel jumped with a guilty start. He was so lost in his thoughts he hadn't noticed the man on the bed waking. Jack's voice was heavy with sleep and still a little breathy.
"Erm, coming?" Daniel moved into the room, approaching the bed slowly.
"You don't sound too sure."
Daniel gave a knee-jerk smile and pulled at the chair next to the bed to re-position it so he could see Jack better.
"Uh, okay. I'm sitting here ... so we'll assume I was coming."
"Okaaay."
Daniel looked intently at the older man, studying his features, silently.
"Did they forget to tell me something?"
"Pardon?"
"So that's it ... they told me about being useless, but forgot to mention the part where I grew another head."
Daniel's eyes widened in alarm. "Oh, God, no, Jack, um sorry. I guess ... I'm …" He cleared his throat and fumbled for something to excuse his behavior. "Sorry. I am so glad to see you, that's all."
Jack gave him a look of disbelief. "You drew straws?" he quipped.
Daniel smiled. "No, doctor's instructions – one at a time. Teal'c's next. General Hammond offered to come in last."
"Oh joy."
"Yes."
"What?"
Daniel shook his head. He couldn't help that his gaze that drifted down the bed.
"You checkin' me out?" groused Jack.
Daniel's mouth dropped open then closed again. He blushed furiously. "No – um, well …" He decided to drop the bullshit. "Yes. Argh, no. Christ Jack, you ... you know what I mean. I'm sorry about …" He flapped his hand in the general direction of his friend's legs and floundered.
"Yeah, well so am I."
"Sam seems to be holding up pretty well."
Jack's expression softened at the mention of her name, and his eyes flickered down to something he held tightly in his hand. Daniel caught a glimpse of something painted bright yellow, before he looked back up at his friend in time to see his face crumple. The thought that Jack was going to actually cry flashed for a split second through Daniel's mind, before Jack regained his composure.
Daniel's hand shot out to grasp his friend's forearm and he squeezed it comfortingly.
"She deserves so much better." Jack's voice was hollow.
"Yes, yes she does."
Jack registered Daniel's words, his eyes darkened and they held onto Daniel's.
"We don't always get what we deserve, Jack. You certainly didn't deserve this, but there is nothing clearer to me than that you two deserve each other. Sam didn't ask for this, neither did you, but for God's sake, don't let her lose you."
"I don't know if I can do that." Jack's voice was sad, almost resigned. "She's talking about leaving the Air Force."
"What?"
Jack nodded. "She resigns and we stay in Washington and I'll be a good little boy, go to rehab, then back to my old job, minus the rank."
"If that is what she wants …"
"No, it ... God damn, Daniel, it shouldn't be. I taught her to be the best that she can be and hiding away as Mrs O'Neill isn't for her. I wouldn't have married her if I thought that for one moment …" Jack's voice tailed off.
He was angry, Daniel knew that. Jack O'Neill didn't do helpless. Jack was the one people depended on, and now for the first time in his life, other than childhood, Jack O'Neill was going to be dependant on other people – at least for the foreseeable future.
"Have you told her this?"
"Oh yeah, but she pats my hand and says 'yes dear'."
Daniel couldn't help the snort of surprised laughter. "All those Goa'uld you've faced down and you can't tell Sam what the hell you want. She's still a couple of ranks below you, you know," he added as the thought occurred to him.
"And you think that gives me anything?" Jack snorted. "Besides, once the press interest and the investigation is over, they'll have my papers through pretty quick."
Daniel bit his tongue. He cursed himself for mentioning ranks. It was like rubbing salt into Jack's wounds.
"I want to go back to Colorado. Sam can have her career."
"It's early days Jack yet," offered Daniel soothingly. "Perhaps you can move back and as you get ... get sorted you can then decide." 'And you'll be near to the mountain in case we can get some help,' he added silently.
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Daniel left the room, barely acknowledging Teal'c moving past him. He was feeling depressed and upset, with Jack's mood wearing on his patience. He was so raw himself that he just couldn't get outside his own hurt and help Jack and he felt ashamed. Jack had always been there for him.
Regardless of what had been happening in Jack's own life, he had always made time for Daniel when he had needed him the most and it cut into Daniel that he felt so helpless. He supposed that not seeing Jack for a few months hadn't helped their friendship and before then Jack was always stretched for time in his role of the SGC commander. He knew that it was going to be hard work recovering the friendship they once had, but he also knew that it was worth the effort, and not just for Jack's sake.
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TBC
