Jack raged against the fog in his mind as his heart took in every word, and the peaceful expression on Daniel's face. And there, oh god, there it was. Every minute of the love they had shared between them coming through those blue orbs shimmering with tears. He felt his hands shake as he fought the drugs in his system.
No, he couldn't do this! He had promised Daniel that he was safe with him, that Jack would never hurt him. He was breaking that promise. And there was Daniel, face smiling up at him, loving him, forgiving him. It was too much. He dropped the long knife. Daniel loved him! Trusted him! Tears flowed freely from his eyes when he blinked, as finally, the last vestiges of the drug settled away from his mind.
Memory started to come back, and Jack fell to his knees, sobbing. A hand reached for Daniel's bruised cheek, as Jack swallowed, horrified. "Danny, I..."
Daniel's shaking finger on his lips stopped the words. Daniel smiled, his eyes bright with relief as he moved forward and took Jack into his arms, holding onto him tightly despite the pain it caused.
"Shhh, I know, Jack. It doesn't matter. It wasn't you. I got you back. That's all that matters, you hear me? I love you, and I got you back. I knew you wouldn't hurt me, Jack. I knew you'd come back to me, and you did. Nothing else matters. I love you," Daniel whispered, his voice hoarse from all the emotions in him.
Jack squeezed his eyes closed to hold in his own tears as he buried his face in Daniel's neck. "I love you too, Danny. So much. I almost killed you. Oh god, I almost..." he sobbed.
"No, you didn't. It's okay. I'm sorry, Jack, so sorry. I couldn't do it. I couldn't live knowing... I'm sorry," Daniel pleaded, then reached his face up to Jacks, pouring all the pain, confusion, joy, relief, and love into the kiss as he could.
No more words were said as they clung to each other, shaking with emotions ranging from relief to stark terror. All the while, the Iskat stood by, watching, waiting. Shocked at Jack's resistance to the drug.
Arkaya stood proudly, her old heart having never witnessed such a miracle. They would live. They would be welcomed. It was a sign from the spirits that their trespass was forgiven. She watched the two men, fighting her own tears. It meant an end to it all. Lifting her eyes to the sky, she spoke to the Spirits only she knew were there.
"Thank you, Guardians, for letting this old soul see something beautiful once again. We are tired, aren't we, My Friend? Perhaps soon, we will both be able to rest."