Healing the Wounds
Anunnaki Part 6
By Michele
Rating: NC-17 (Jack/Sam/Daniel)
Summary: It's a race against time trying to get the base cleared of all aliens before the President comes looking for a photo-op, Jack resigns –again- and surprises the base by doing something completely unexpected, and after a strange conversation, Jack pays Daniel a middle of the night visit for a little therapy.

The Alpha Site was contacted and assured that all was well. Those off-world began to come home. Katie was holding T'Keet, stroking the russet fur with wide-eyed wonder.

"Uncle Jack, she's an alien," Katie breathed. At least she wasn't freaking out about it.

"Yes, she is, honey." He gave the furred ears a scratch and got a loud, happy purr.

Nate stuck his head close to Jack's. "I gave her the long-lost son story," he whispered. "Told her I was her cousin."

"Katie and I have been getting the kids settled," Nate said out loud, putting an arm around her shoulders. "Kinda tough when we don't speak each other's languages, but it's happening."

Jack nodded and touched his niece's hair. He hugged Daniel, wishing he could do more; they'd all have a nice, long love-fest when they got home.

"Sir, welcome back," Davis said. "The 302 pilots have reported in and are on their way home. Colonel Markham said he's going hunting and he'll get back to you with a trophy."

Jack held out his hand and Davis took it.

"You held the fort, major, I won't forget that. I don't suppose you'd like to be stolen away from General Vidrine?"

Davis smiled and shook his head. "I'm honored, sir, but I'm a geek at heart and working on the ships makes me happy." Jack understood but made a mental a few mental notes.

"Let me know if you change your mind; I'll put you on SG-1, and you, Daniel, and Carter can geek-away at the entire SGC as much as you'd like." Jack offered. He felt no threat from Davis having been Daniel's lover, he could honestly admit he liked the man. He knew Davis was probably going to find out about them, ex-lovers tended to sense those kinds of things but upon examining himself, Jack found he was ok with it.

The base was in a state of celebration, and Jack did nothing to set things in proper order. This WAS proper order, as far as he was concerned.

"Jack, what's happening with the Heaven's Bow?" Daniel asked, arms crossing his chest in his usual thinking position.

"SGC has it under heavy guard," Jack said. "We will offer help in repairs so that its owners can take it home. We're already getting flack from above; certain people feel it's ours and we should be studying it. I told them it belongs to a sovereign people, and its Queen should be treated as any visiting dignitary should be treated, including their property. Major, would you like to play with a sick ship?"

Davis held back the wide grin and practically danced in place. "Yes, sir, I would."

Jack chuckled. "Go, son, report to Inanna and let her know how talented you are. I'll let your general know which playground you're at." Davis saluted and almost ran down the hall. Daniel chuckled.

"He'll be flying high for months," he said. Jack agreed. "And maybe he'll be taking notes to use on our own ships?"

Jack put a finger to his lips. "Shhhh."

"Uncle Jack, can I keep her?" Katie nuzzled the ears and received more purrs and snuggles.

Jack groaned. "Not you, too," he whined. "No, you may not, she has a family. Actually, she has three fathers and a mother and three siblings, if their homeworld is still alright."

Daniel glanced at the teen before responding. "Their gate was destroyed, we think," he said quietly. "We've been trying it for hours but there's been no connection. We called out and the Tok'ra responded. Said they'd check it out and get back to us."

Jack nodded thoughtfully. "Where's Cass?" he looked around, noticing that she wasn't in the area.

"In the infirmary," Nate said. "She's helping with the wounded. Doing candy-striper stuff."

"I'll pay a visit," Jack said. He winced. "Ooooh."

"What?" Daniel asked.

"I need to call Katie's parents. And mine. I am not looking forward to this." Katie wrinkled her nose.

Nate chuckled. "Yeah, I think the entire satellited world has been glued to their TV's for the past twelve hours. You got some 'splainin' to do, Lucy."

Jack smirked at him. "Yeah, Ricky? You got a family to meet, after Katie tells them about you."

Nate stopped smiling. He hadn't thought about that.

"Why is that a problem?" she asked, listening.

"Because Nate wasn't sure he was ready for a family," Jack said. "He's only just met us, and now he gets to meet all the O'Neills. And Carmichaels. I'd be afraid, too, if I were him. Hmmm…" he turned and looked at Daniel.

"Whatever it is, the answer is no, Jack."

"Danny, Danny, Danny, where's the trust?" he gave Daniel a pat. "I was only going to ask you if you have your world-premier presentation ready. You know this changes everything and people are not going to fluff it away as a government conspiracy. No X-Files and Roswell. We can invite Thor to tell the real Roswell story. You can give the history lessons and Davis can give a who's-who and what's-what. He's done it before, so he already has his presentation ready. I'm not doing interviews all by myself, Dr. I-Can-Translate-the-Cartouche-and-Let's-Call-It-A-Stargate."

Daniel threw his head back and groaned in pain as he shuffled down the hall to his office.

"You're evil, Jack," Nate informed him with a wicked grin.

"It's good for him," Jack chuckled. "Having a bored Daniel around is asking for trouble." He took Katie's hand and took her with him to the infirmary. He'll make the calls later.

"Uncle Jack?"

"Yes, my love."

"Some of the people around here were talking about Daniel and Major Davis."

Jack sighed; he was going to have to do something about that. Maybe he should just dip Daniel at the top of the gate ramp; that should take care of things……

"I know," he said. "And yes, they were together for a while, they aren't anymore. They're just friends now."

"Oh, ok," she nodded. "I know a couple of gay guys at school. Some girls, too. Mom and Dad don't know, they'd never let me go back. You know, the military gossips more than teenage girls."

Jack chuckled. "I know that, too, honey."

"School?" Jack looked down to see her face. She was serious. Nate chuckled.

"It's been a while since you were in high school," he reminded his older self. "The one Cass and I went to holds a Gay Pride dance every spring. It's better attended than the Spring Formal. Everyone is welcome, even those who are only there to show their support. Just about every classroom has a pink triangle on the door to inform those entering that intolerance will not be tolerated. Even the various religions are getting in on the act: Christmas is no longer Christmas, it's the Winter Holidays, Easter is no longer Easter, it's the Spring Holidays. Jews and Muslims were objecting to the Christian-only point of view. The Pagans were, too, so the student council declared a change in the holiday format. The Buddhists didn't really care. Tolerance is in, Jack."

"Tell that to the Joint Chief's," Jack muttered.

"That's too bad about Daniel," Katie whispered to Nate.

"What is?"

"That he's gay," she said. "He's so cute. What a waste."

Nate snickered. "Actually, he's bi, not gay, and I have it on good authority that nothing is currently being wasted."

Katie turned red when the meaning hit. "She is 16, do you mind?" Jack protested. "I'm already in trouble with her parents, I don't need her going home with gossip from the Military Gay Times."

Nate held an innocent hand to his chest. "Gossip? Moi? Jack, I'm hurt. I'm giving my new cousin facts, not gossip. I know exactly who he's sleeping with, he confirmed it when I asked him so it isn't gossip, it's a fact. And Daniel isn't military, remember? Besides, she knows what guys do together, so it isn't like I'm introducing a whole new subject to her delicate ears."

"Let me at least pretend for a while longer that she's just a baby, would you please? It's bad enough I'm probably going to live to see a great-great niece in my lifetime, I don't need reminders that my great niece is a big girl."

The two bickered all the way to the infirmary. Katie found it interesting how identical they looked, even their voices. Her brother Matthew looked a little like their father but not as much as Uncle Jack and Nate looked alike.

The infirmary was crowded with wounded to the point where those who were not critical, were sent to quarters and checked in on regularly. Jack gave Cassandra a hug and sent her back to her duties; he was proud of her pitching in. He saw a couple of warriors sitting bedside at another and went over. Ninurta was covered in bruises and stitches, several broken bones had been set. An older woman stood nearby, frowning in disapproval at all the tubing that was attached to him.

"This is our healer, Gula," Shara said to Jack. Shara kept a hand on Ninurta's arm and another warrior was on the other side of the bed holding the other hand. "And this is Gibil," he indicated the other warrior.

"She doesn't understand all the equipment," Enki said, coming up to them. "She hasn't learned your language yet, so it's been difficult for your people to explain what everything is." He gave Ninurta's black hair a touch, and Jack remembered Daniel saying that they were father and son.

Jack understood. "Please tell her that our doctors, our healers, are among the best on the planet, and he's being well taken care of."

Enki relayed the message to the old lady. "Your man Khalid was been helpful," Enki said, indicating a nearby Sergeant. Gaafar from their off-world excursion. "He knows a little of our language, so he has been translating what he can."

"Good," Jack nodded in approval. "As far as I am aware, he and Daniel are the only two in this area who do know some of your language. No one has spoken it for thousands of years here." He crooked a finger at the Sergeant.

"Sergeant, our guests say you've been very helpful. Unless something else comes up, I'm putting you on Anunnaki patrol. Be my liaison, let me know, or let Daniel know, if they need something."

"Yes, sir," Gaafar acknowledged.

"Enki, where is Inanna?" Jack asked, not seeing her in the room.

"Checking in on our other people."

"Ok. I'd like to schedule a meeting for later in the day so that we can discuss your future," Jack said as gently as he could. He told Enki about the gate problem with the Sua world.

"I'd like to be part of that meeting," Enki said.

"Yes, of course."

Jack saw M'Net nearby; Katie had taken T'Keet to see him. The cub was cooing gently over her wounded parent, touching him worriedly on the face.

"The doctors say he's been very hurt," Katie told him, her eyes sparkling with tears as she watched the cub trying to communicate with her unresponsive father.

"I know, honey," Jack said, rubbing her back. "You just think good thoughts for him and give T'Keet lots of love. She's very confused, right now, she's just a baby and she doesn't understand."

Jack needed to find the other Sua, those not in critical care; someone more proper than a human teenager needed to adopt the cub.

"Nate." Jack told him what needed to be done. Nate looked at the cub and nodded.

"General," someone called to him. Jack looked up and the phone was being held out. He went over and took it.

"O'Neill. Good morning, sir. Yes, sir, it's barely breaking dawn here. A new dawn, yes, sir." Jack rolled his eyes. "Sir, that isn't a good idea, not today. Because we are wall-to-wall with wounded, sir. Sir, there's nothing to delegate, no one else knows how to take care of these types of wounds and I'm not sending these kids to a civilian hospital only to have them dissected by undercover agent doctors who think they know more than my people do. No, sir. One week. We are closed for business for one week while my medical staff gets these kids on their feet."

He looked around. Military and medical looked at him as he sent the president packing.

"You heard me," Jack said. "You have one week to get these people on their feet and out of here before our government comes knocking." He hit the intercom button on the wall.

"This is O'Neill. I want to see in my conference room: Dr. Jackson, Colonel Reynolds, Teal'c, Bre'tac, Major Davis, and Colonel Carter, if she's checked in yet. Immediately."

The last person wasn't yet seated when Jack strode into the conference room.

"People, we have one week to clear out this base of all alien peoples," he informed them. "The snowball has begun rolling. Davis, get out to that ship directly after this meeting and start working on it. Do we know where Carter is?"

"She was having a problem getting to us, sir," Reynolds said. "Apparently our front door is jammed with civilians. One side of the road wants to convert the aliens to the true religion and the other side wants to return to a galaxy far, far away. I sent SF up to escort her and the other pilots in."

"Ok," Jack rubbed his eyes. "Davis, I need ammo; how do I keep the higher-ups away from here for as long as possible?"

The Major pursed his lips, thinking. "Well, sir, I would not recommend quarantine, if that's what you're thinking, it would cause more of a panic than is already beginning. General Vidrine is already working on the alien ship problem and there are teams heading out there now from Area 51. I would recommend calling General Maynard and see if he is able to stall the President and Joint Chiefs. Other than a full-out mutiny, I don't see any other way. Sir."

"Well, it wouldn't be the first time Thor threatened to shut down our gate."

Everyone looked at Daniel. He shrugged. "Lie to the man," he suggested. "If anyone comes barging in here trying to take over, the Asgard will put a permanent lock on our gate. Have a talk with Thor, if you need to."

"Indeed," Bre'tac agreed, nodding. "I cannot speak for all Jaffa rebels, but I do not wish to be allied with the Tau'ri if they are under the control of such as the NID and I certainly would not trust any who come from here under the control of such."

"Agreed," Teal'c quietly resonated. "They have no honor."

"Jack, you can't let them take over," Daniel implored him. "And please don't talk to me about military and chain of command, I really don't give a crap at this moment. You know as well as I do that if they come in, it will be with the express purpose of not only dominating all the other countries on this planet but also playing Rambo with other worlds. We've seen the havoc that one stolen artifact can do to an innocent world. Most of our leadership are nothing more than Goa'ulds without symbiotes and I'll say this; if they get their hands on this Stargate, I want off this world because I don't want to be here when the System Lords start fighting over us."

Reynolds was nodding. "Having been on both sides of the coin, I can tell you, sir, one oversight committee is no better than the other. I understand the need for a military presence or I wouldn't be here, general, but at the same time, the mission of this base should be one of a more altruistic motive. It is right for us to be making friends and allies, it is right for us to be looking for technology, it is right for us to be looking for weapons of defense and not to be used against our neighbors but against threats from space. It is NOT right for anyone to come in here and TAKE what they want from other worlds. That makes us no better than the Goa'ulds, it makes us no better than the Europeans coming over here and taking from the locals."

Sam came flying in the door, helmet still tucked under her arm.

"Sorry I'm late," she said, trying to catch her breath. She found a seat at the table. Jack looked at her, stopping himself from jumping up and holding her. Daniel quickly updated her since Jack was temporarily unable to speak. After a few moments of silence, Jack cleared his throat.

"Suggestions, colonel?" he asked, looking at Reynolds.

"Well, sir, we do have all that medical research that's been going on at Area 51," he said. "I'd say have a few reports press-ready and discuss anything except military applications."

"I think he's right, sir," Sam jumped in. "Have you seen the crowd building outside the mountain? Not only the kooks, but also just regular people looking for miracles. A relative that needs a cure for something. If we can get the populace on our side, those in the government who want to use the gate for more nefarious purposes, will find themselves up against a human tidal wave."

A small furry entered the room on silent paws and climbed up onto Daniel's lap. He cuddled her close, comforting her. He got a strange look on his face. They could all hear the wheels grinding. Jack covered his ears and stood up, "La la la la la……" he hummed to himself as he left the room.

Sam grinned, knowing whatever Daniel was coming up with, it was good. He stood up, swung T'Keet to his back, and held his arms out.

"Get over here," he ordered. Sam jumped up and went into his hug, holding him hard. "Good job, airman," he whispered huskily to her. Sam hugged Teal'c, too, and even surprised Bre'tac.

"Ma'am," Davis interrupted them. "I know you just got here, but the general wants us on ship repairs immediately. One week, he said."

Sam stretched a kink out and groaned. "Can I eat first?"

Jack went to his office and looked at his phone. He picked it up with a wince, dialed and waited. At least Sam was back safely; he'd have to wait for a private moment to express his pleasure of her safe return.

"It's Uncle Jack, Meg," he said when it was answered. He held the phone away from his ear. "Megan…. Megan….. Meg…… Honey…… Megs……." He waited some more. When her crying began to abate, he tried again. "She's fine, Megan," he quietly assured her. "She's helping babysit some alien children. Megan, I'm serious, I wouldn't kid you about this. Well, I didn't exactly plan on two warring alien factions landing on our doorstep and dooking it out, believe me; we were heading out for dinner when they came buzzing in and I'm a little upset for missing my steak. She was safe here at the base. No, I don't have time right now, things are a little busy. Well, you can call whomever you'd like about it but after last night's little display, I cannot leave the base just to bring her home. She's safe here, she's making friends, she's getting the experience of a lifetime. You told me I could have her for the month, so take the time to chill out and let the dust start to settle. I will have her call you."

He hung up and redialed as he caught his breath, praying that neither of his 80-something parents had a heart-attack or stroke.

"Hi, Dad, are you and Mom alright? Yeah, I gave 'em hell, fightin' in my airspace. No, Sam was there, she was in one of those small fighter jets. Yeah, those are ours, cool huh? Sam helped to create them. Yeah, she's a smarty. Listen, Dad, Megs is wigging out. No, Dad, Katie's fine. She was here on base, so she was safe. I had to leave her here, I wasn't about to leave her home, and with alien ships flyin' around, I certainly wasn't going to put her on a plane. Try and calm Megan down, would you? No, she said I can have Katie for a month, so I'm keeping her for the month. She's having fun, Dad, making friends, babysitting alien children. There were families on the smaller ship. Yes, it is incredible. The other guy was extremely bad; we would have been in a lot of trouble if he had lived. Lots of dead, lots of wounded. No, here at our base infirmary. We're going to help them and then send them home. Sam is helping to fix their ship. Yeah, she knows how to do that. Well, Dad, I still can't really talk about it, but there will probably be some sort of public announcement shortly. I promise, after everything is pubic, I will sit down with you guys and tell you everything. Ok. I love you. Kiss Mom for me."

Jack rested for a moment after hanging up. He looked up at the knock on his door and waved Reynolds in.

"With your permission, I have a preliminary schedule for sending people off-world, sir," he said, holding out a piece of paper. Jack took it and scanned it.

"Why Chulak instead of the Alpha Site?" he asked.

"Because the Alpha Site belongs to us and is technically under the president's command," Reynolds said. "Anyone there can be ordered back here. If people are sent to Chulak, they can't be ordered back. Bre'tac has already said he'd make sure all guests are welcomed and made at home. He said that after seeing them fight, he'd build homes for anyone who will help defeat the Goa'uld. If all else fails for the Sua homeworld, Chulak has an unexplored continent."

Jack nodded. "This is fine, colonel," he said, handing the paper back. "Start the evac." Thankfully, it hadn't occurred to anyone from higher-up to pass on an order to keep the aliens earth-bound, and Jack was going to take full advantage of that fact.

Reynolds acknowledged and turned to go. He paused.

"Sir, are you alright?"

"Fine, colonel, thank you. Just tired."

"Yes, sir."

Jack found Daniel in the commissary digging into a pile of pasta. Daniel was straddling the chair instead of sitting properly. Jack picked a meatball from Daniel's plate and tried to enjoy it. He had to admit it, he was exhausted. Many of their ambulatory guests were also sitting and exploring new foods. The jello was of extreme interest, and the cakes and pies were going fast. Jack noticed a furry lump on Daniel's back; soft snores could be heard.

"I thought you left her with her own people?" Jack asked.

"I did," Daniel said. "She keeps finding me. I asked someone and he said cubs are raised communally, so it doesn't matter who is taking care of her, and that my scent reminds her of M'Net. Just coincidence."

"Oh." He took another meatball. Daniel took a clean fork from another table and handed it to Jack, pushing the plate toward the center of the table. "How is M'Net doing?"

"Starting to respond," Daniel was pleased to inform him. "And Ninurta is sitting up and talking. They're the worse of the wounded."

"Are either of them up enough to get off-world?" Jack told him about the coming evacuation. Daniel thought about it.

"I don't know, I'm not medical; Ninurta might, but I wouldn't think so."

Jack nodded and shoved a loaded fork into his mouth before standing.

"'ank u."

"You're welcome," Daniel chuckled, taking his plate back.

Jack went to the control room just as Reynolds led in the first group, the children with adults to oversee them, and then the ambulatory wounded. The wormhole to Chulak was established and they were sent through. Group by group they came in from the hallway and were sent through. Jack made a head count as they went through, and came up with 127 by the time the last group was sent through. They were short 8 from the initial head-count. He called down to Reynolds.

"M'Net and T'Keet are the only Sua left here, sir, the other six are Anunnaki. The leaders, sir. They're in the infirmary."

Jack acknowledged and shut the horizon down. The evacuation took an hour, which wasn't bad considering over a hundred went through. He went to the infirmary to check up on things. The base was surprisingly quiet, now that all the extra people were gone. There was room to walk in the hallways.

Jack's three kids were in the infirmary. He paused and picked up the wall phone.

"Sergeant, is the escape hatch clear?" he asked. "Thank you." Good, none of the freaks at the gate had discovered the hatch.

"You two," Jack pointed at Nate and Cassandra, technically two more aliens. "I want you out of here, too." Jack motioned to two SF in the hall. "Get these two suited up for a hike and kick them out the hatch. Radios and a gun, nothing fancy."

"Yes, sir," they saluted. Cassandra smiled sweetly and pecked Jack's cheek.

"I'm not kissing your cheek," Nate warned him.

"Thank you, I appreciate it," Jack said. "You two call in right away, if there's any problems," he warned them. They agreed.

"You don't want us to take Katie?" Nate asked. Katie watched them.

Jack shook his head. "No, I talked with Megan and already informed her that I was keeping her here. Besides, I want her in my sight." He saw the question on Nate's face and shook his head[No, Megan was NOT happy.

"Ok," Nate said. He gave Katie a light punch on the arm. "Later, kiddo," he said. "And remember you promised me a date. I want to know all the family gossip before I get involved."

Katie smiled and gave her new cousin a hug and then hugged Cassie. Jack was glad they were making friends, Katie needed someone as out-spoken as Cassie.

"At least you don't have to deal with Uncle Jack going around telling people how he changed YOUR diapers," Katie cheerfully complained to Nate. He shuddered and patted her shoulder in sympathy before going with the SF.

"Hey, I enjoyed patting your cute little tushie," Jack told her. "Other things, though…." He waved a hand under his nose and made a face. Katie flushed and swiped a hand in his direction.

"Uncle Jack, really!" she protested.

"Don't worry, Katie," Daniel said, coming into the room. "I have dirt on your uncle."

Katie grinned and took his arm, sticking her tongue out at Jack.

"Don't you even think about it," Jack warned him. Daniel started to sing about rowing a boat and Jack threw a paper cup at him. Their audience chuckled at them. Daniel handed the cub off to Katie and sent her to occupy the child.

"How are you, Ninurta?" Jack asked as they approached the bed. There was a warrior present that he hadn't met. He held his hands at his lower back, relaxed but with an air of being on guard.

"Much better, thank you," Ninurta replied. "It is nice to see family play at such serious times."

"Keeps us sane," Jack responded. The others nodded. "Who's this?" he asked, indicating the warrior on guard.

"This is Erra," Inanna said, introducing them. "He is my sister Ereshkigal's consort, but he requested to remain with us while we are still in potential danger."

"Did your sister get through the gate alright?" Jack asked, remembering that the lady was blind.

"Yes," Inanna nodded. "Our people will look after her. She isn't as defenseless as she seems, Jack, don't let her physical blindness fool you."

"If no one has told you, everyone else has been sent off-world to Chulak," Jack said. "The homeworld of the Jaffa rebels. For safety purposes. I cannot guarantee safety if certain parties in my government take over this base. You and M'Net are the last of the wounded," he told Ninurta.

"We do understand," Inanna said. "What about our ship?"

"Except for the style of clothing, you are human," he pointed out. "Or at least some kind of human origin. I was thinking of putting you in modern clothing, sending you out the hatch and have a couple SF take you to your ship. Once the repairs are made, you can leave. No one will know you're not from around here except a few of my people who are helping with repairs; Colonel Carter and Major Davis."

"And Colonel Carter is Jack's wife, so you'd have a direct line to him, if something comes up," Daniel put in.

"Menzen erish?" Shara asked him quietly with a small smile. Daniel just smiled back at him. Shara murmured something else, glancing at Jack. Daniel murmured something back at Shara, chuckling.

"Boys behave," Inanna said to them. "That is agreeable," she told Jack. The others echoed her.

"Alright, let me get a few arrangements made and we'll get you out of here and to your ship," Jack told them. "I'm going to assign Sergeant Gaafar to you for the time being. He can tutor you in our culture and hopefully keep the eyes of the public away from you."

"I look forward to this," Inanna said with a thoughtful nod. "I would very much like to see how our old home has progressed and being with the people as one of them would be a good way to see this."

"What was he saying?" Jack asked, pulling Daniel aside in the hallway.

Daniel looked around and leaned in. "He asked if Sam was our queen and then commented that you have a great butt, a munchable mouth, incredible legs, and wanted to know if you were as good a lover as you looked because you certainly looked good enough to keep your queen and your consort happy. I told him you are and he can look but no touching. He called me selfish." Jack flushed and sent Daniel on his way.

On his way to his office, thinking to pull a Sumero-English dictionary for the group to take with them, a true sacrifice since it was an extremely difficult thing to find; Daniel stopped and swore under his breath. He went back to the infirmary, caught Gaafar's eye, and motioned him away.

"Khalid, I….we forgot…what was said…" Daniel could feel the panic starting.

Gaafar stopped him. "I admit to being completely stunned but I see nothing, I hear nothing," he promised. "It certainly explains a few things. I'm beginning to learn not to be surprised at anything that happens around here, though. Daniel? I thought you and the major…?" he leaned in to whisper.

In no time at all, the Anunnaki were dressed in modern clothing and looking like one of the crowd. Except for the long hair. The men refused to cut their hair, taking Nate as an example for men with long hair in their society. They did agree to a trim and style but nothing else. They also requested private time in the shower.

"Why?" Jack asked. He knew they had no problem striping down in front of others for a bath.

"Ninurta was raped by Enlil," Enki explained, having followed Jack to his office for a private conversation. "It is a power transfer and an attempt to humiliate both Inanna and myself, the spreading of his filth upon my son. This isn't the first time one of them has been captured and so greatly injured. After so many generations together, Shara, Gibil, and Ninurta have created a ritual for each other. Shara and Gibil will cleanse their brother and love him, bringing him back to himself. When his internal injuries are healed, they will complete the reclaiming by taking back what belongs to them, his body."

"I'm not sure of your meaning," Jack said. Something in him bottomed out. "What do you mean, taking back his body?"

Enki shrugged. "They will make love to him. Enlil took by force what was not rightfully his. They will reclaim Ninurta as belonging to them. When they are done, when Ninurta is once more himself, when he has cried out his pain and is free of Enlil's taint, they will present him to his Queen and she will do her own reclaiming, taking her consort back to her bed. At the moment, he is still too injured to be made love to, but they would like to at least cleanse him, and for that privacy is preferred. They wish to do this before leaving here, instead of taking such ugliness into the world."

Jack nodded slowly. "Alright," he said. "I shouldn't be agreeing to this because this is a military base and sexual contact isn't allowed here, especially between men, but I will station guards outside the showers and allow the door to be locked. The guards are not to know what is happening inside. They can be told it is a ritual thing for your people. Religious privacy is respected here. Your boys get one hour."

Enki thanked him and left his office. Jack knew the blood had left him, despite the pounding of his heart. He pushed his thoughts aside for the time being and left his office to walk around and check on the sweeping of the base. They couldn't very well hide their gate, but before the president insisted on a tour, he wanted to make sure there were no surprises around the corner. What actually worried him more was the fact that there was an excellent possibility that the SGC was going to be handed over to someone else, someone who had weapons on their mind. And after last night's little romp in Northern Colorado, someone was definitely going to be wanting weapons, no matter how positive Sam and Daniel tried to be. He was hoping Davis had updated that particular file; it may not be as quick as people wanted them, but there were weapons that the SGC were using on a regular basis that the general military was not. Jack began to compose his argument starting with the fact that there wasn't enough naquadah to build the amount of weapons they wanted and no, they couldn't just melt down the alien ship for metals. Jack was feeling better, having listened to himself.

He considered tossing all alien weapons through the gate but reminded himself that the Pentagon had an inventory sheet on them. Jack was beginning to understand why rebels came to be.

The gate alarm came on and Jack hustled to the command room.

"It's the Tok'ra IDC, sir," Walter informed him. Jack had him open the gate and went down to meet with whoever was coming through.

"Malek," Jack greeted the man upon entering the gateroom.

"O'Neill," he was greeted. The autocratic attitude of the Tok'ra still grated on Jack's nerves but he knew this particular Tok'ra was at least trying. "The chaapa'i on the Sua homeworld is indeed destroyed," he reported. "Their main continent was untouched. If they wish, we will return them to their home."

"That's good news, thank you," Jack said. "Most of them from the ships are staying on Chulak. We have one still here that has been in critical condition. Can you try zapping him? I like him but we really need him out."

It took Malek a moment before understanding what Jack was asking. He agreed and Jack ushered him out of the room while telling Walter to page Daniel to the infirmary. Katie was still sitting with M'Net; she had been trying to get a comb through his thick russet mane. Jack noticed a red spot in the corner of the room. There was a large bird sitting on an IV pole, much to the displeasure of the staff.

"Zu, where have you been?" Jack asked the bird. All he got was a chuckle that sounded suspiciously nefarious. It hadn't occurred to him that the bird wasn't around until he spotted it sitting there. Jack sent Katie from the room and let Malek do his thing with the do-hicky he took from a pocket and put on his hand. Those toys were thankfully something he could assure the military that they could NOT use. Unless they wanted to volunteer to become hosts. The thought made Jack shudder. Baby-Goa'ulds in the making….

Daniel came in just as M'Net's eyes were fluttering open.

"Daniel, as soon as he's coherent, update him," Jack said. "We need to get him out of here." Daniel understood and sat by the Sua as he came to.

The Anunnaki were getting a feel for their new clothing and last minute instruction for moving around in the modern world. It had been about 3000 years since they were last on Earth. Ninurta, Shara, and Gibil were still wet-headed from their shower. Jack thought Ninurta seemed a little more relaxed. Inanna paid close attention to him, murmuring in their own language. At one point, Ninurta nodded and she pecked his mouth with hers. It was decided that Enki would accompany M'Net to Chulak and be in attendance to Ereshkigal until her consort was returned to her. Inanna assured Jack that their people were more in need of Enki's leadership than they were.

"All praise, Aba," she respectfully turned to the older man. Enki patted her face, not taking insult.

"Go, child," he said, gesturing to the escape ladder in the wall.

Just before Enki and M'Net walked through the gate, the old man turned to Jack, his eyes thoughtful.

"When we have faith in those we love and trust, cliffs become a platform from which we soar to great heights; when we are able to fly, our soul is free from all earthly bonds. I wish you a joyous flight to your wings, Jack."

The base was cleared of all aliens. Jack breathed a sigh of relief and went to find sugar in the commissary. He wasn't quite sure what to think about Enki's parting commentary but it was creating a small anxiety attack. He went to his quarters for a moment of quiet and found his bed occupied by an exhausted and sound asleep teenager. He smiled, wiggled her sneakers off, and pulled a light blanket over her. He put a light kiss on her hair and she mumbled in her sleep, snuggling into the blanket. Jack saw a five-year old and couldn't believe she had gone and gotten herself pregnant. At least she had the common sense to make a mature decision. A sixteen year old child should not be having a child of her own.

Jack let her sleep and went to Sam's quarters, collapsing on her bed after letting the watch know where he was. Sam's scent on the pillow filled him and he closed his eyes. He couldn't sleep. He got up, went to Daniel's quarters and found Daniel also in the process of falling asleep. Daniel watched through one opened, blurry eye as Jack made a silent search. He dug out a black t-shirt from the laundry and tossed it over the camera. He knelt on the side of the bed and bent down, taking a long, satisfying kiss from the amused man, and stood up. He took the t-shirt off the camera and took it with him. He heard a quiet chuckle as he shut the door and went back down the hall to Sam's quarters. He took his outer shirt off, dragged his t-shirt off, put Daniel's on, and lay back down. Jack fell asleep.

The president wasn't happy. There were no aliens for him to get his picture taken with. General Maynard pulled Jack aside and informed him, with barely concealed hostility (for others, not Jack) that a more cooperative general would be taking over the SGC. Jack handed in his resignation and went to pack up what few personal belongings he kept on the base. Daniel took one look and began to pack, also. Jack's last order was to several SF to please take their stuff to his truck.

"Jack, please don't be like this," the President asked. Unfortunately, the president's voice had a condescending tone that came naturally and tended to grate on Jack's nerves.

"When you get tired of the assholes in that chair fucking up, let me know," Jack informed him.

Just before heading into the elevator, Jack took a detour and went into the gate room one last time. Katie did a quick about-face and followed. She wasn't sure what was going on, but if Uncle Jack was mad at the president, then so was she. The control booth was crowded with Blues trying to figure out why the gate wasn't turning on. Walter was pushed from his chair and someone who had never even seen the system before tried to make it work. Walter leaned against a wall, watching everyone with a look that dared them to succeed. They did ask Jack, but he knew nothing about it and he was sorry, but the repair team wasn't on base at the moment. To Daniel's surprise, he found his hand grabbed and pulled. Jack dragged him up the ramp, turned to face him, took his face between his hands, and planted a long, wet one on Daniel's mouth.

There was dead silence when Jack pulled his mouth away. Daniel had a flamboozeled look on his face and had to shake himself out of it. Jack was proud of himself: the last time Daniel looked like that was when he went back to Abydos to bring Daniel home. Sha're kissed Daniel, marking her territory, and the man almost fell over when she was done.

"Colonel Reynolds!" Jack called out.

"Sir!"

"You owe General Hammond a refund, colonel," Jack informed him.

"Yes, sir!" Reynolds held in the grin as he saluted.

Arms were at full salute on their way to the elevator. Several of Daniel's civilian geeks snuck in with them, all carrying duffle bags filled with personal affects. If SG-1 wasn't SG-1, they weren't staying, either.

"Do you have any idea what you just did?" Daniel asked when the elevator was on its way up.

"I kissed you," Jack said. He thought about it and touched his mouth. "Yes, the mouth is tingling so I'm pretty sure that's what it was."

"Yeah, and about freakin' time," one of the geeks spouted. Jack glared at him.

Katie was staring at Jack and Daniel. Jack noticed and winced.

"Am I in trouble?" he asked her.

"Not with me," she said, a grin starting to form. "But once Pope Grandpa figures out what's going on, you are SOOOO in deep doo-doo."

Jack called Sam after squeezing through the crowds at the gate and making their way to Daniel's car. He confessed.

"Well, Jack, I guess the only thing you can do now is ask Daniel if he'll move in. After you build an extension onto the house." Sam wasn't sure to feel anger at the military or if she should be jumping for joy at getting things 'out of the closet.'

Jack held the phone away from his mouth and looked at Daniel. "If I build an extension onto the house, you wanna move in?"

Daniel looked at him, back at the road, and back at him. "My own room and office space?"

"Sure," Jack shrugged and nodded. He certainly had nothing better to do with his near future.

"I get a workspace, too," he heard Sam shout.

Jack put the phone back to his mouth. "Yes, dear, but only if you promise not to blow up the neighborhood."

"No hogging the sheets, Jack," Daniel warned him. "I won't hesitate to kick your butt out of bed, if you do."

"Ditto," Jack heard on the phone.

"I'm being ganged up on, here," he complained to both. Katie was in the back seat giggling.

They got to the cabin to find a couple of cars in the driveway and the name on the mailbox changed. The Webers from next door came over after spotting them.

"Carl, what's this?" Jack asked, motioning a finger around his place.

"People started coming around wanting to know where you lived," the man said. "We figured it was none of their business, so we changed the name on the mailbox and parked our cars here. It's kept the lookie-loos from trampling through your stuff. General Solo, Sir."

They smiled at him and held out hands. Jack smiled and shook hands.

"I'm Luke, not Han," he informed them. "Daniel is Han."

"No, I'm not," Han protested. "Sam is Han, she's the one who's flying everywhere."

"What's that make you –the Princess?"

"Don't go there, Jack. No, Katie is the Princess, I'm going to be Chewie after my hair grows out," Daniel informed him.

Jack wasn't going there, either. "What's the temperature out here, Carl?" he asked his neighbor. He gave the house key to Katie and sent her in, telling her to call her mother. The man shrugged.

"Locally, it's pretty good," he said. "We're all damned proud of you, Jack. Overall, a few ripples are starting to cross the pond. Lots of religious talk on the TV and in the newspapers. Suicide is up, as are reports of stockpiling weapons and non-perishables. There's been a raid on telescopes. Yours is in my garage, by the way. Things are good around here, we all know you and we know you've dealt with whatever you had to deal with. NASA is apparently pissed; seems they're feeling a little humiliated at being strung along all these years, struggling for what they have, and here you are on a first-name basis with aliens. They're wondering what else you guys haven't told them. Speculations are rampant."

"They can keep wondering," Jack said. His cell phone rang and he looked at the ID before answering it. "Hi, honey," he said, excusing himself and walking away. Daniel introduced himself and the Webers, Carl and Rhonda, offered to help carry stuff into the house.

Jack came into the house a short time later. "Sam will be home soon," he told Daniel and Katie. "The car is fixed and ready to go."

"Great," Daniel said. "Dinner?"

Jack thought about it. "We did miss those steaks, didn't we?"

Carl offered to grill. "Can we take a rain-check?" Jack begged. "I have heard nothing except loud voices for the past…how long has it been? Almost ten days? I'd just like to sit in my house and sleep for a year."

The Webers were good-natured in their understanding and wished him a peaceful sleep before leaving. Katie was on the house phone and Daniel was on his cell when Jack went in. Katie was trying to calm her mother down, holding the phone away from her ear as she searched through the refrigerator for anything that hadn't gone bad in the ten days they were gone. The garbage basket was piling up. Jack called out for a pizza delivery. Daniel hung up his phone.

"Checking in with my own neighbors," he told Jack. "My house is ok. Not that anyone knows what I do except work at the Mountain. Or I did." Daniel leaned against the counter and looked at Jack over crossed arms.

"Jack, are you absolutely sure you know what you're doing?"

"Yes, I do," he said, letting out a deep breath. "It feels right, Danny. I know exactly what they're going to do with that program, and I cannot hold my tongue while they do it. So it's better that I leave. Sooner or later all this will come out, and then I will be free to speak my mind."

Daniel slowly nodded. "I'm going to write," he said. "I have the time to do it, so I'll do it. I suggest you start writing, too. The moment the news of the gate hits the public airwaves, the world is going to come looking for us for answers. In the meantime, I have plenty of money saved up so I don't have to think about working anytime soon…."

"What money?" Jack asked. "You're always broke. You keep getting your utilities shut off, your house payments are always behind, you still owe me $50 bucks."

Daniel smiled. "That isn't a lack of money, Jack, that's absent-mindedness. Sam kept telling me to set up auto-payments with everyone, and I never got around to doing it. All my paychecks are automatically deposited, I usually don't have to pay my own airfare, I eat most of my meals on the base. The only things I spend money on are books and a few new clothes whenever Sam gets tired of looking at stuff that's twenty years old. She gets a little nuts with my clothes, Jack. And once I move in here, I'll rent my house out instead of selling it."

He dug around in his backpack and pulled out a handful of mail he had stuffed in there before leaving his house a couple weeks prior. He handed the bank statement to Jack who sat down before he fell down after he looked at it.

"Daniel, there's….." his jaw dropped. "Danny, this is almost quarter of a million dollars."

Daniel shrugged. "I've spent the past 8 years collecting very large paychecks and spending less than a quarter of each check. They add up. And I figured that once the program is out in the open, the money market is going to get a little crazy for a while, so I have another quarter in precious gems, art, gold and silver. Things like that."

Jack stared at him as though he'd grown a second head.

"Well, Jack, just because I don't like it doesn't mean I don't know what to do with it. I'm absent-minded, not dumb." Daniel pushed his glasses up and returned the stare.

Jack looked at the statement again, swallowing hard.

"You're paying for the pizza."

Jack convinced Sam to stay in the military. She was all prepared to leave along with the men, but Jack knew one of them needed to be on the inside to keep an eye on things. She reluctantly agreed but only if she could get transferred back to the Pentagon and to General Vidrine, one of the few SGC-friendly generals. Daniel called Davis for a little friendly chat and the word soon came down that Vidrine was requesting the transfer of Colonel Carter to his command. She was to be stationed in Nevada, overseeing their airport maintenance crew. Major Davis would be her 2IC. No gate travel for her, they didn't trust her not to STAY off-world, but she could play with ships. The higher-ups weren't very happy with her at the moment, seeing as she fixed the alien ship and let it escape, but the main point was –she fixed an alien ship and it flew. Sam informed Jack of alien gratitude.

Daniel begged leave from spending the night with them; he was in the middle of a chapter and it was killing him to finish it. He really needed to finish the chapter. He got tempting kisses but they dropped him off at his house anyway.

Jack opened his eyes and looked at the clock. 1:37 Am. He slid quietly out of bed, dressed, and left the house. He wasn't aware of the time it took to Daniel's house, he only knew he was there when he opened the door and let himself in. He locked the door behind him and made his way to Daniel's room. He smiled quietly, noticing the much larger, new bed. He sat on the edge and began to take his shoes off.

"Whass wrong?" Daniel mumbled, touching Jack's back.

"Nothing," Jack said. He took his shirt off and dropped it to a chair. The pants went next. He slid into the bed and looked at the sleepy man. "I couldn't sleep."

Daniel was waking up. He scrubbed his face and stretched.

"Why not?" he asked, yawning.

"Because I needed to talk to you and I couldn't wait until morning." Jack lay down on his stomach, shoving his arms under a pillow as he looked at Daniel. "I know I'm being a jerk, waking you up, I'm sorry."

Daniel knew Jack wouldn't have woken him up if it wasn't serious, not after how tired they all were.

"Come here," he said, patting his chest. Jack moved over and wrapped an arm around Daniel's stomach. It worked well that Jack was a belly sleeper and Daniel a back sleeper. "What's on your mind?"

"Us." Jack wasn't sure where to begin so he told Daniel about his conversation with Enki. About Ninurta and what he allowed the boys to do in the shower. Daniel nodded.

"I know about it," he said. "They were talking it about before you came into the infirmary. Jack, I know what you're thinking, and I have to warn you that kind of action is extreme and it isn't for everyone. Hell, it isn't for most people. It works for them because they've been together for so long that they practically finish each other's sentences."

"I want this, Danny," Jack said quietly. "I want you. I want to make love with you without flinching away from you. It doesn't have to be now, I'm not expecting it now, I just needed to talk about it. I know it'll be rough, I know I may flip out on you. It isn't you I'm afraid of, it's me. I didn't realize that I had only been burying my past, not fixing it, until we started this and had it thrown in my face. I don't like feeling fear in me, Danny, I want it out. I love you, I trust you, and I know you can handle me if anything happens. I'll leave you my shrink's phone number, if there's a breakdown."

Daniel turned onto his side to look Jack in the face. "Do you remember how upset you were when I Topped Sam? It'll be a hundred times worse, Jack. The only way we can do what you are asking, is if I Top you. That means taking you, Jack. I will hold you down if I have to, I won't stop even if you are screaming out NO at the top of your lungs. I will insist on safe words; do you know what that is? Green means good, yellow means slow down we may need to talk, and red means stop. Red is the only word that will make me stop once we start, and if you call it, we stop, talk, we may need to call your doctor. Do you understand that?"

Jack swallowed hard as he listened and looked into Daniel's face. "Enki said that Ninurta would spend time yelling and raging before he was returned to himself. I need this, Danny."

Daniel put his forehead against Jack's, thinking. "Do you tell Sam you were doing this?"

"No."

"Do you want to call her?"

"No."

"Ok."

Daniel rolled out of bed.

"Come on."

Jack looked at him.

"Where are we going?"

"Shower."

Jack was slow to follow Daniel into the bathroom. Daniel had started the shower, testing the temperature as he undressed. He got in and pulled Jack in. Jack started to speak and was shushed.

"You're mine, Jack," Daniel informed him. "I'm taking back what's mine and that starts with the outside before working my way in."

He dunked Jack under the water, soaking him, before starting with shampoo. Jack remained silent, letting Daniel bathe him. He heard soft muttering and realized Daniel was whispering something as he worked. Whatever it was, Jack realized that he wasn't panicking. Until a soapy hand got to his ass. Daniel held him still.

"Whose ass is this?" he asked. Jack took a deep breath.

"Yours?"

"No," Daniel said. "It's yours. No one can claim what is yours, only you can choose share it. So whose ass is it?"

"Mine," Jack whispered. "To be shared with you. And Sam."

Daniel slid a hand between the tight cheeks and caressed him. Jack shivered and forced himself to arch into Daniel. Daniel resumed his mutterings as he continued the bath. The touch had only been for cleansing purposes. Daniel rinsed him off, turned the water off, and got out of the shower. He stopped Jack, toweled himself dry, and then allowed Jack out of the shower. He dried Jack off and led him back into the bedroom.

"Lay on your stomach," Daniel said. Jack made another hard swallow and lay down. Daniel reached into the side table and pulled out a bottle. Jack had begun to grip the sheets, threatening to tear them, but all Daniel did was spread oil on his back and start to work on his tight muscles, resuming his mutterings. Now that the water was off, Jack could hear that it wasn't in English. It almost sounded like the Sumerian he had heard spoken quite often in the recent past.

Jack was actually quite relaxed by the time Daniel started to move his hands below the waist. He skimmed the outside cheeks and continued down Jack's legs and to his feet. Hard, firm hands went slowly back up the legs, over the cheeks, and up his back. Jack couldn't remember when he had ever had such a great massage. A finger made its way between the cheeks but didn't go inside; Daniel just rubbed gently, firmly, against the outside, a few strokes before the hands continued their journey around his back and his legs. After a few more times across Jack's ass, Daniel slid his hand between the cheeks, rubbing with his entire hand, pressing the heel of his palm against Jack. Jack heard a moan and realized it came from him. He didn't know he was so relaxed until a felt a finger slide in and realized that it was actually three fingers. Daniel only massaged in and out, pulling gently at the circled muscle, digging his palm in to loosen more before sliding fingers in again. Jack didn't tense again until he felt Daniel straddle the backs of his legs.

"Shhhh," Daniel whispered behind him. "Lift your hips and slid this pillow under," he said, pushing a pillow at Jack. "Get it comfortable. Pull your knees to the sides a little. No, you said I could have your ass, Jack, so share nice."

He didn't want Daniel to see so much of him, didn't want to be so opened before him. Sam's face suddenly came to him, her fear when Daniel forced her to open herself, to trust in her husband to see her and accept her. Jack forced himself to relax his hips and spine, arching his ass open to Daniel.

"Good boy," Daniel whispered. He ran a caressing finger down the middle of the cheeks and cradled Jack's balls, caressing and gently pulling with one hand while caressing the backs of Jack's thighs with the other hand. The loving caresses soothed Jack and he once more relaxed into Daniel's hands.

Jack started when he felt a tongue touch him. He grabbed the sheets as Daniel slid his tongue in and out. Between fingers and tongue, Jack was soon arching into Daniel, part of him wanting more and the other part crying into the bed. Something larger than fingers or a tongue pressed against him and Jack pulled away.

"No, mine, Jack," Daniel warned him and quickly leaned on Jack, holding him down, putting his face near Jack's and waiting until he was sure Jack wasn't about to jump off the bed. He held Jack in place and pushed in, laying on top of him to keep him down. He was heavier than Jack and had the muscles to hold him. Jack yelled into the bed. Daniel knew it wasn't physically painful, he had Jack loose enough to take almost a hand. He slid into Jack, caressing the quivering back and hips. It practically killed him to hear Jack crying out old memories; he knew that it wasn't him Jack was swearing at, protesting the invasion.

"Who's with you, Jack?" Daniel called out over the muffled yelling. It took all his strength to keep Jack from jumping away and beating the shit out of him. "Say it, Jack, who am I? Come on, say my name."

Between gulping breaths, Daniel heard his name.

"Good, Jack, keep saying my name, tell yourself, it's just Daniel, Daniel isn't hurting, he's loving. Tell yourself, Jack."

He heard his name more and more often between the yelling and swearing until DannyDannyDanny became a low mantra and the noise was reduced to gulps and shuddering breaths and sniffling. He waited, not moving, waiting for Jack to get used to having him inside.

"Good, Jack," Daniel whispered. "Let yourself enjoy this, Jack, it's just me inside of you and it feels so good from here. I want this from you, too, Jack, so don't be afraid of it. I love you, I trust you to do this with me, trust me to make this good for you." He poured a little more oil on his hand and made sure there was plenty to slide with. He continued to murmur to Jack, caressing where he could reach, pressing kisses against Jack's back, reaching below to stroke Jack's cock. The familiar hands, voice, and scent of Daniel began to penetrate through to Jack and he tried pushing back, trusting that it was truly Daniel back there to catch him. Jack realized that there was no pain, that Daniel kept his promise of no pain. He tried to push away the memories of dank cells, smells of rusting steel, the sound of gunfire in the courtyard, coming to fear the night and welcoming the morphine addiction. This was Daniel holding him, making love to him, not hurting him.

He gasped when Daniel's cock stroked against his prostate. Daniel murmured encouragement and Jack met his stroke once more. Jack moaned and spread his knees more, ignoring the one that was beginning to question his actions. At least the position felt good on his back. And was beginning to feel good other places, once his panic attack began to settle. A finger felt great against that magic button and he was beginning to discover that something longer and thicker felt even better. He reached below and took over his hardening cock from Daniel. Daniel picked up the pace, holding Jack's hips, allowing himself to enjoy it now that Jack's panic had begun to subside. The more familiar sounds of Jack enjoying a sexual encounter rang beautifully in Daniel's ears. He had enjoyed watching Jack and Sam together, and now he was the one pleasuring Jack.

Daniel couldn't hold back anymore and let loose in the tight heat. He almost laughed when he heard Jack muttering to himself, "No, not yet," in a disappointed whine. Daniel slid his finger back into the sticky mess and stroked him. Jack hissed and arched back, wiggling his butt in his enjoyment as he stroked himself into completion. His next yell was one of pleasure as he came against the pillow and sheets.

Daniel slid the pillow out, tossed it to the floor, and lay on top of Jack, taking Jack's hands and lacing their messy fingers together as he listened to Jack softly shuddering into the bedding. He held Jack, saying nothing, hoping Jack could sense his open heart sending all the loving energy inside him.

After a while, Jack stopped his shivering and wallowed in the cocoon Daniel had made of himself.

"Did you shut the curtains?" Jack finally asked, sniffling and husky voiced. Daniel smiled and buried his face in Jack's neck.