Chapter Eight: Always Weary

Daniel slid gratefully into his big bed, after saying goodnight to the children who were saying goodnight to Jack now. Daniel knew that the pain was normal part of the latter end of the healing process, his ribs had been shattered in a few places and Claire and Zale's healing probably saved his life but everything was still sore.

He listened as Jack's rumbling voice stopped speaking in the boys' room then the General walked into their bedroom, moving to the chest for some sleep pants and a t-shirt before he started stripping. As much as Daniel wanted to enjoy the show, again he was too tired to turn and watch Jack's movements. Instead he listened to the shuffle and the ripple of clothing then Jack stepped around to his side of the bed and slipped under the covers to slide close to Daniel. The younger man pulled himself close to Jack's side, pressing gently in close to the warm body of his husband. Jack immediately curled his fingers into Daniel's hair and across the back of his neck.

Daniel sighed into Jack's neck, "We're going to be okay right?"

"Its still you and me against whatever right?" Jack asked, pressing a soft kiss to Daniel's head.

Daniel nodded into Jack, bumping the older man's chin in the process, "Always."

"Then we are going to make it through this," Jack returned. It was funny to switch places sometimes, Daniel remembered so many time in the Vannas world that Daniel was constantly convincing Jack that they would make it through whatever was going on and now the shoe was well and truly on the other foot. They could always be each other's strength in times like this and it was just one of the many reasons Daniel not only loved his husband more and more through each struggle and triumph but also the relationship they continued to build upon. Daniel pulled back enough to press his lips against Jack's mouth for a gentle kiss that Jack allowed to go on for a few minutes before he pulled away and held Daniel close.

"I love you Jack," Daniel whispered into his throat as he resettled.

"I love you too Danny but seriously, you have got to stop trying to give me a heart attack because one of these days its gonna happen."

Daniel huffed a laugh, "I don't want to go anywhere and I don't think I could survive you going anywhere so we'll just have to keep trying not to kill each other."

"Daniel, we have the kids to think about. Some day we might lose each other but who ever is left behind must be there for them."

The scientist nodded again, feeling the exhaustion dragging at his eyes and muscles. He didn't even want to speak so he mumbled his reply and held close to Jack and allowed his body to grow heavy and sleep settled into him. Comforted by Jack's hand in his hair and pressed close to his back, there was nothing else to do but let go of the lingering pain and be with Jack.

When he woke up in what seemed like minutes later, Daniel didn't hear Jack moving around the room or feel him close in bed. He blinked away the tiredness and rubbed his eyes to find himself alone in bed and the upstairs was quiet. He grabbed at the clock on the bedside and realized he'd not only slept through the night but late into the morning, he thanked God that Hammond gave him the next couple days off from work to heal the rest of the way. Hammond still didn't really know what was happening, so he thought Daniel was on bed rest staying home with Jack and the kids.

Only Janet knew the whole truth and Daniel hoped it would stay that way.

Daniel sat up in bed and took a deep sigh when he realized his body just had a last little tension from pain and he rolled out his stiff shoulders before turned and put his feet on the floor. He got out of bed and reached out to grab the robe that was sitting there. He smiled, thinking of Jack laying it out for him after he woke up and walked down with the children. He wrapped it around his shoulders and stood, stretching slowly before he walked out of his bedroom and downstairs to find a very subdued Jackson-O'Neill clan. Jack was sitting at the table, eating eggs and toast with all six of the kids and no one was speaking.

"Good morning," he husked. Jack, just realizing that he was standing there at the door stood and walked over to him. Daniel reached out took Jack's outstretched hand and smiled up at his husband.

"What are you doing out of bed?" Jack asked as he pressed up against Daniel's side, his lips caressing Daniel's temple gently in a well-loved gesture.

"I was healed Jack, I just needed some rest. What's going on down here, why is everyone so quiet?" Daniel asked, looking to the children who were picking at their food and not speaking

"Yesterday was just sinking in, Sam and Teal'c were supposed to come over with the kids today and I called to cancel first thing this morning. I think that our kids think that we weren't serious and now they're pouting."

Daniel looked to the kids again, "You think your safety is a joking matter then?" he asked them seriously.

"No Daddy," they chorused forlornly.

"Are you taking it out on Papa?"

"Yes," they said again.

"And should you?" he asked.

"No," all of them whispered.

"Then stop it," Daniel commanded and they all nodded quietly. Daniel slipped into one of the chairs at the island table and Jack placed a warm plate in front of him. Daniel smiled at his caring husband and started eating slowly, speaking to the children in Latin and starting them on their lessons for the morning. Jack took empty dishes from the kids as they completed their breakfast and Daniel leaned down and kissed each of them before they walked into the living room while they still spoke in Latin and the twins switched to Spanish. They had not had a chance to really continue learning Arabic but Daniel planned to as soon as he could, for now it was just learning word-to-word translating. Daniel finished his breakfast and watched as Jack watched him. "What?"

"You amaze me all the time, every day of our lives. Did you know that?" he asked.

Daniel smiled, "I am not such an amazing person, I am only husband and father."

Jack sat down next to Daniel, pressing his forehead to Daniel's before they shared a short kiss. Daniel smiled into the touch and waited for Jack to speak since his General seemed to have words to speak. "You, Daniel Jackson, continue to save my life every day. You allowed me to talk you into marriage so long ago, and then again when we first came here. You became a fantastic dad and you helped to remind me constantly that no matter what was going on, what they are going through but the only thing that mattered was that we were together and we loved each other. You remind me of that every day."

Daniel leaned forward, gentle palm against Jack's stubbly cheek, "I only answer the love reflected in your eyes. If you think that you love me and our kids any less than I feel for you, I call bull because I know what I feel when I am in your arms. I know what I see when you hold the kids, teaching each of them your amazing talents or when you look at Johnny and smile at him."

Jack grinned, "How can I not love our children, they are a part of you. All of them."

The words were whispered across Daniel's lips and their mouths met in a gentle kiss. Daniel breathed in Jack's scent, pulling air from his mouth through contact and there was nothing more intimate than shared silence and sweet kisses. Daniel pulled back, "Just as they are all yours, my Colonel Jack."

He grinned at Daniel, "That's General."

Daniel laughed at the response, it was expected as was their common joke on more than one occasion since the second wedding a few months before. Daniel was about to lean in close once more when the phone rang and Jack groaned while Daniel pushed his husband towards the cordless phone on the kitchen counter with gentle palm against Jack's heartbeat. He answered and smiled a little. "Hey Pop, what are you calling about? Decided that you and mom are choosing to see your grandchildren and not playing games again?"

Daniel rolled his eyes at Jack's words and was about to walk into the living room but Jack put a hand on his arm, shaking his head. Daniel nodded and found himself waiting, unsure of what Ben was saying on the other end of the line.

"Okay Pop, I will talk to Daniel and make some plans."

When Jack hung up, Daniel waited though he was a little shocked that Ben did not want to talk to Daniel. "What was that about?"

"Dad and Mom would like to come for a visit, do you think you can get a little time off while they're here?" Jack asked.

Daniel nodded, "Probably. There are documents calling my immediate attention but much of it can be done here at home and this is going to be the best time to see them before school starts and all of us find our days much busier than before."

"I will have tickets drawn up in their name within the next two days, they said probably ten days to two week visit."

Daniel nodded, "Sounds good. Are they going to stay here? We are already bursting at the seams."

"Nearby hotel will be fine for when they wish for some separation."

"See it done then, I would love to see Ben as you well know. Lauren it seems is still unwilling to let the past lie."

Jack shrugged and reached for the phone as Daniel walked to the living room to share the news with the children.