AN: So I guess I lied when I posted Holding On, I thought it was just going to be that one shot. But I give you a second installment, and I'm working on a third. I hope you enjoy!

Many thanks to The Cleric 007 for editing.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from Stargate SG-1

Letting Go

Daniel stared listlessly out the passenger's window. He hadn't said a word to Jack since leaving his apartment. The brief moment of 'clear' thinking he'd experienced was fast fading to be replaced by pain; it gnawed at his mind, tore through his chest and made breathing difficult.

He shut his eyes tightly against reality, it hurt to much to be real and he prayed to simply slip away in the desperate hope that when he came back too things would be better. Daniel didn't think things could ever be 'better' again. He tried not to think about it, he tried not to think at all; it only made the pain worse.

Jack spoke to him infrequently; Daniel couldn't bring himself to pay attention to the words but managed to catch the tone. He thought Jack was just as uncomfortable speaking as he was with the silence.

Opening watering eyes the young archeologist again focused on the passing road. The white line blurred and appeared to weave like a living snake. -I could just open the door... - he thought darkly -jump out, end it all- The thoughts came to him out of the depth, a flash realization that his body wasn't about to act on, at least he didn't think it would.

Daniel was shook out of his stupor when he felt his hand close around the handle.

"Daniel!" Jack's voice barked, the sound of his name punctuated by the door lock engaging.

"Hurts..." he mumbled, shifting futility on his seat to try and alleviate the pain.

Jack's hand came to rest heavily on Daniel's shoulder, he stiffened under the contact but the Colonel didn't withdraw his hand. When it did finally disappear Daniel shivered and pulled in tighter on himself.

A knock on his window brought Daniel's hollow blue eyes up. He was confused for a long minute as to how Jack had got outside of the truck; not to mention why they'd stopped.

"C'mon Daniel," Jack said pulling opened the door, his left hand moving to support the archeologist as his support disappeared.

"You can't do anything," he told his friend darkly pushing weakly against Jack's chest.

Jack bodily hauled Daniel from the truck arms remaining around the younger man to keep him on his feet. "Doesn't mean I'm not going to try," the Colonel's voice was firm.

Daniel stumbled forward trying to shrug off Jack's hands. He didn't want to be near to people, didn't want to feel that connection; to think about the void that filled him. It was more pronounced now as the pain gnawed at his reserves. He could hear himself breathing hard as he leaned heavily against the elevator wall. He had no memory of making it in there.

Blinking rapidly Daniel saw Jack standing in front of him; could see his lips moving, the intensity in his brown eyes but none of it sunk in. He was desperate for relief in whatever form it would come. The light was gone and he was loosing his tenuous hold on; his breathing becoming too rapid and he began to feel light headed.

"Daniel," a new voice spoke his name and the worry he heard there managed to break through.

Glancing up Daniel found Janet standing in front of him; her expression was greatly concerned as she rested a hand on his shoulder. He took one look at her and shut his eyes again, it didn't matter, she couldn't help, nothing could.

"Daniel," she said his name again he voice carrying threw the pain. "I need you to calm down, I'm going to help you."

He jumped when he felt a needle prick the inside of his arm; shooting a distrustful look at the doctor and Jack.

"Just relax Daniel," she smiled though he didn't see it in her eyes. "We'll figure this out."

Slowly Daniel felt the pain ease as a rush swept over his head, making him feel disconnected from his body. His rapid breathing began to slow and he felt his muscles relax. Jack stepped forward to support him as he was laid back on the hospital bed.

Daniel could still feel the deep chasm in his core, as he let go and fell in.

Thanks for Reading!

Morganeth Taren'drel