Chapter 14. Divide and Conquer
Daniel wandered into the base's gym with his hands in his pockets. He was looking for Sam, but he spotted Jack on the benchpress and decided that he would do.
"Hey, have you, uh, seen Sam lately? She seemed pretty upset about Martouf, last time I saw her."
Jack only shook his head, releasing a quick breath as he pushed the barbell up again.
"Or maybe it was the, uh, other thing." Daniel hinted, trailing off as if he was talking to himself.
Jack merely grunted in response. Alright, less subtlety then.
"So… You and Sam, huh? I know it's none of my business but," Yes, actually, it was entirely his business, "but, how long have you two been…you know."
Jack grunted again, dropping the barbell back onto the rack above him and sat up. "For cryin' out loud, Daniel, there is no me and Carter!"
Daniel did not let the relief show on his face, but it certainly flooded through his whole body, and maybe he sagged, just a little.
"But I thought you…what you said earlier at the Za'tarc thing…"
"I said I care about her, Daniel. See that word? Care."
"So then, you don't love her?"
He was clearly pushing the right buttons, for the Colonel stood, striding menacingly over to Daniel and getting in his face. "What are you trying to prove here, Daniel, huh? What's with the third degree?"
Daniel was not so easily distracted by Jack's avoidance of the question, so he supposed he had his answer. He ducked his head, but not quickly enough.
"Wait. Wait a minute. Why are you asking me these questions? Do you love her?"
Daniel narrowed his eyes and prayed that the Colonel couldn't hear just how loudly his heart was beating. "I'm not the one who just admitted that he'd die for her."
"But you would." Jack said quietly, shocking Daniel into silence. "Teal'c told me you refused to leave. You defied a direct order to get to safety."
"Well, Teal'c wasn't leaving either! And since when have I ever followed your orders!" Daniel found himself shouting. His emotions were swirling in his chest like a hurricane, gathering on the horizon and ready to rip some roofs off.
Jack stood with his hands on his hips, dark eyes staring him down. "Exactly. So don't tell me you don't feel anything when you were ready to do the exact same thing." He snapped, then spun on his heel and marched out of the room, leaving Daniel to seethe quietly.