Chapter 5
The early morning birds had gone, hiding in their nests to await the cooler breezes of evening. Their companions, the Nile fishermen, soon followed in ones and twos, many raising a hand in silent greeting to Daniel's companion. The heat rose and Daniel closed his eyes, lifting his face to the sun, for once not damning the thick black bands that narrowed his vision. Perhaps, one day, they'd swallow the worst of the things he'd seen in his life – his parents' death, his wife's rape and murder, and Jack, eyes empty of life as he fell.
He heard the thin fishing pole whip back and forth, the line swishing in the water with tiny ripples. He imagined long-fingered hands gesturing about a fish 'this big,' or painting the beauty of Minnesota in the air. He smiled as he wondered if they could share an afterlife – after all, it must be big enough to include great fishing and great libraries.
"So, you still mad at him?"
The question reached into that thick black place in the center of Daniel's being and let in one ray of light. "I'm – I'm learning to let it go." Learning slowly. The meditation techniques that Khefti had taught him helped.
"That's good," O'Neill replied, his voice suspiciously even. "I was mad for a long time – a very long time – after Charlie died."
I know, Daniel added silently.
The colonel blew out a loud breath. "For what it's worth," he began.
"Don't." Daniel stood and looked down into bright brown eyes. "It's too soon for me to believe it."
"Sure, I get it." The older man rose laboriously and gathered his fishing pole and line in his left hand. "Look – I don't know where you're going, but like your friend, I trust you. Trust you to do the right thing." He stuck out his right hand.
Daniel stared at it, frowning, before meeting the man halfway. The callused grip was almost identical. Almost. "You do?"
"I do," O'Neill smiled. "Just sorry it took me this long to figure it out. And, hey, if you ever want to stop by, grab a beer, whatever, the door's always open."
"Thank you." Daniel smiled back. "Thank you, Jack."
"The honor's all mine, Daniel.
A few hours later, Khefti held the time ship aloft over a certain low house near the river and three travelers looked down on a man and a woman raising their hands in farewell.
"Where shall we go, Daniel?" Teal'c asked as Khefti steered the ship towards the Antarctic Stargate.
"I was thinking of Atlantis," Daniel replied.
End