Title: Too Late 3/3

Characters: Jack/Daniel Jack/Female

Word Count: 1637

Rating: PG15

Summary: 'Yes I miss him. You got a problem with that. I miss him like crazy Carter.'

Too Late

Daniel was gone. Jack left the gate room quickly, ignoring the sympathetic glances he received from personnel. He made his way back to Daniel's office; his office seemed too 'alien' for him at the moment. He needed to be close to Daniel, and his office was the best place.

He cautiously moved into Daniel's office and hesitantly fingered a few objects. He ran his hand over one of Daniel's priceless personal journals and smiled.

Daniel's green BDU jacket sat on the back of his chair, obviously forgotten. Jack carefully picked it up and rubbed the material against his cheek. It smelt like Daniel. He tightened his grip around the jacket, Daniel's jacket, and sank into the chair.

He was gone and there was nothing Jack could do about it.

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Two Weeks Later.

'Sir, may I speak off the record?'

Hammond motioned to close the door.

'Go ahead Major.'

'I'm worried about Colonel O'Neill.'

'You too?'

Sam looked at Hammond, surprised.

'He hasn't been the same since Daniel left, and Jane told me that they've been arguing.' Sam began, 'He's been drinking as well.'

'Daniel and Jack seem good friends.' Hammond added.

'They're the best of friends. I know they were arguing before Daniel left, about what I don't know.'

'Well, maybe you could talk to Colonel O'Neill.'

Sam nodded and left the room.

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'Sir?'

'Go away.'

Sam ignored his response and walked up to him.

'I'm worried about you.'

'Well don't be I'm fine.'

'Clearly you're not.'

Jack was sitting in his office, in darkness. Sam could barely see his outline and felt that she was talking to nothing but she persisted.

'Sir, it's about Daniel isn't it?'

'How did you guess?' He said, sarcastically.

'I think you should talk to someone.'

'What if I don't want to? The only person that I'm even remotely interested in talking to isn't here. He's in other goddamn galaxy. Apparently he needed time to think. And the Pegasus galaxy seemed perfect.' Jack spat.

'You miss him?'

'Yes I miss him. You got a problem with that. I miss him like crazy Carter. I need him back here… with me.'

Sam looked at him, confused. 'Is there something I'm missing?'

'Excuse me?'

'You love him don't you?' She laughed, 'I knew it.'

She turned and snapped her fingers.

'Carter. You know nothing. I'm with Jane remember?'

'Yes but are you happy with Jane?'

'Carter just shut the hell up. I love Daniel okay? I was having an affair with Daniel and it seemed he couldn't share and he ended it. Told me to go be happy with Jane. And I miss him so much I can't stand it. I need him back.'

Sam's tone softened. 'Jack.'

He looked up at her and moved closer. She pulled him into a hug and whispered in his ear.

'We're going to get him back sir. It'll be okay.' She soothed and he, finally, let the tears fall.

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A Month after Daniel left for Atlantis…

Sam had contacted the Odyssey and had received news that their hyper drive was down and that it'd be at least a month before anything was working again. Jack hadn't taken the news too well but Sam had comforted him and told him that Daniel was probably stuck in Atlantis, wishing he'd never left and that everything would be fine once he returned. Jack had been cautious whether to believe her but eventually he had perked up and was counting the days until Daniel's return.

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Two Months after Daniel left…

'The hyper drive is working and they are on their way home. It should be about 12 days before they reach Earth.' Sam stated.

'And Daniel?'

'On Board and coming home.' She said, grinning.

Jack's face broke into a grin and he punched the air.

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11 Days Later…

'They're back ahead of schedule and should be beaming down into the gate room within the next few minutes.' Sam stated.

Jack waited anxiously in the control room for Daniel's return. Although they hadn't spoken in two months Jack was certain that Daniel would have reconsidered their situation and come to his senses. He unconsciously paced until Sam gently laid her hand on his arm to stop him.

'Sorry. I'm just a little…'

'Impatient?'

'Yeah… no!'

She nodded and returned to one of the control panels. She sighed and leant her head against the panel. She couldn't stand to see Jack so disorientated and vulnerable. This wasn't the Jack she knew. He changed when Daniel left. Daniel always brought out the best in him. When she saw Jack, those many weeks ago, so vulnerable and lost, her heart broke. Sam loved him, yes, but it was never going to be mutual. And when she had comforted him after Daniel's departure she finally let him go. She saw the love Jack had for Daniel and she had seen the risks he had taken for them to be together. He had risked his relationship with Jane for Daniel and Sam knew that Jack would do everything all over again.

There was, however, one thing that bothered Sam and that was Jack's relationship with Jane. He had told Daniel countless times that he would tell her that he didn't love her anymore, or rather that he loved Daniel more, but he still hadn't ended it.

A tiny part of Sam hoped that Daniel would want nothing to do with Jack so she could play the loving friend and look after him, but she did truly want Jack to be happy. And if Jack is happy with Daniel then who is she to try and ruin things?

'This is Colonel Caldwell, is everything clear for beaming?'

'Go ahead.' Sam radioed back.

Jack turned to face the gate and waited. The team appeared with a flash of white light and Jack's face formed a grin. Daniel was home. He ran down into the gate room and walked over to Daniel.

'Hey Jack,' Daniel said, smiling.

'Hey honey.'

Daniel's smile faded. 'Well I'm glad you're still talking to me, but I meant what I said. I was your lover back then but I'm not now.'

'What?'

'How's Jane? Are you still with her?' He asked, trying to avoid what he knew was coming.

'What do you mean, 'I'm your friend' Daniel?'

'Its pretty self-explanatory. I'm sorry if you got the wrong idea and that I'd have had time to reconsider and just magically say that I'm happy being your 'secret lover'.'

'But- But, I thought-'

'Don't Jack… So… you still with Jane.'

'Yes,' Jack admitted quietly.

'You see Jack; I knew it would be exactly the same. I'm sorry, I really am but I can't do it anymore. These past two months have given me a chance to think things through and I, I-I've let you go.'

Daniel reached out and grabbed Jack's arm. 'Be happy with Jane.'

Daniel let go of Jack's arm and walked out of the gate room.

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The next day…

Daniel had been given a few days downtime before he officially started back at work, with the rest of SG1. Daniel had avoided both Jack and Sam, as they were the only ones who were going to argue with him about his decision. Other than Sam, no one else on base knew of their relationship and Daniel hoped it would stay that way.

Now, sitting in his apartment, a cup of very expensive coffee held tightly in his hands, Daniel remembered. He remembered what he missed most when he was in Atlantis; his friends, his family, his home. He was glad he had finally freed himself from the binds that were Jack O'Neill but he had his regrets too. He missed the company of Jack, his humour, his sarcastic remarks, the way he made everything okay; Daniel missed the way Jack made him feel safe.

But Daniel could hold his own, sure with his bare hands he wasn't sure that he could kill someone, but with a gun, he was as good as Jack was. He knew that he didn't need Jack to protect him. He could do that by himself and that made Daniel feel ten times better.

A loud knock brought Daniel from his thoughts. He stood and headed for the door.

He stood behind the door and opened it slightly. He peered around and out into the corridor. Jack. He opened the door more and leant against the frame.

'Jack.'

'Hey Daniel.' Jack said calmly, not wanting to start another argument.

'What brings you here, to my apartment, at 2am.' Daniel asked, eyeing the black holdall that Jack had tried, unsuccessfully, to hide behind his legs.

'I've left her.'

'You did WHAT?'

'I went home, walked through the front door, casually told Jane that I was in love with you, packed a bag and left.'

'Oh.' Daniel said, still in shock, 'What did she say.'

'Not much.'

'Oh.'

'So… you just gonna let me stand out here in the hall all night?' Jack asked with a lopsided grin.

Daniel hesitantly opened the door fully and leant against the wall, giving Jack room to get past him.

Jack glided into Daniel's apartment and threw his bag onto a chair.

Daniel quietly shut the door and walked towards Jack. He wrapped his arms around himself and sighed.

'So…'

'So…' Jack repeated, 'did you miss me?'

'Do you honestly want me to answer that?'

'No…' Jack said quietly. His and Daniel's eyes locked and he smiled. 'C'mere.'

Daniel, almost hesitantly, walked towards Jack whose arms enveloped him.

'God, I've miss you.' Jack mumbled into Daniel's shoulder.

'Me too.' Daniel whispered back. 'Just let's not let it be another three months.'

Jack chuckled and moved his mouth over Daniel's, capturing his lips in a kiss that was long overdue.

-Fin-