Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate SG-1

A/N: Its been a while and I am sorry for the wait for this chapter. I want to say a big thank you to Madders Ahatter who kind of kick started me to do this chapter and of course to everyone who reviews. I hope you like this chapter and please do R&R and let me know what you think.

Jack found himself in front of his computer researching what was happening to Daniel.

He typed in Self Injury into Google, glancing at the results, he flinched at images of videos in YouTube, however he found websites galore, some promising areas dedicated to friends and family. Taking in a deep breath he clicked on one of the links.

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There was a message board that was for friends and family, it seemed friendly enough so he registered. As he waited for the email with the link for him to confirm his registration he had enough time to wonder what he was going to say.

'Hi, I'm new here and my friend self injures, it all seemed to start after a mission to another planet'

There was no way he could be truthful, but he had registered now, and this was for Daniel. He wanted to understand, to help and if this might work, then it was worth it.

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He started a new thread but found himself at a loss as to what to say. Closing his eyes he decided to go for it.

Username: EmeraldOZ

I'm new here. My friend is self injuring and I don't know what to do. He was attacked and it was really bad, he thought me and his friends were killed in the attack, by the time we had got him back from his attackers he was convinced we had all died, and nothing I can do can make him see otherwise, we are all a figment of his imagination and he is 'punishing' himself for not saving us or at least I think he is, I really don't know what he is thinking. He is on medication now, he has just started and I don't know if I should let him have the medication. I'm worried he might do something. I'm at a loss really, I want him to open up, but in reality I'm not sure if I want to hear what he has to say.

He looked at what he had typed and contemplated deleting his post, but he hesitated for a moment, looking over what he had written again he sighed and clicked enter to post the thread. He hadn't said anything too revealing and perhaps someone would be able to give him some advice. He hated being so open and honest, and physically cringed when he read what he wrote. This amount of openness wasn't normal for him, but somehow it felt easier on the internet to talk about how this whole thing with Daniel was affecting him.

Leaning back in his chair he tilted his head as he looked at the website. It did seem harmless enough; in fact there was a section for people with personal experience of self injury. An idea occurred to him, but he quickly decided to wait to see what the response to his post was first. Daniel had always had his six in the field and now he would have his six on the internet.

Logging off the website he turned off the computer and stood up glancing up the stairs to where he knew Daniel was. Things would get better, they had to.

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The morning light crept into Jacks bedroom illuminating everything in its site with a truthful glare and Jack sighed as he rubbed at his eyes and looked at the mess his bed had become. It seemed worrying for his friend was affecting his trademark sleeping habits.

Getting out of bed he walked towards the bathroom next door grabbing a shirt lying on a chair nearby to cover his bare torso ignoring the fact that it clashed with his pyjamas trousers.

Staring at himself in the reflection he couldn't help but notice the lines that creased his face as he completed his morning routine; Face, Hands and Teeth. His hair could wait.

Creeping down his corridor he pushed open the door to Daniels room and was pleased to see his friend was fast asleep, and it appeared somewhat restful.

Closing the door he continued his way downstairs, his curiosity level raised wondering if his post to this website had yielded any results.

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As soon as the door closed, Daniel opened his eyes and let out the breath he was holding in.

He hadn't meant to deceive Jack, or at least the Jack his mind had created, but he couldn't face him. He had admitted that he wanted to stop, but that idea seemed impossible. When Janet had talked to him and given his actions a name it had struck a chord. The words had sort of fitted, and yet they hadn't. Self Injury, Self Harm, he tried each description out, letting the words roll off his tongue but making sure he was quiet enough not to alert Jack to him.

He knew that this was what he was doing, but although now having something to call it made it less scary, it also made it seem less personal. It wasn't truly his, and besides he wasn't that bad surely?

A scratch, a burn... they didn't really deserve the label of self injury, it seemed so rough, so course.

Moving so that his back was the Headboard he pulled the blankets around him closer and looked down at his arms. Slowly allowing his fingers to trace over the recent injuries he closed his eyes and allowed his head to fall back against the headboard.

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Jack was letting his computer load when there was a knock at the door. Looking up from where he sat he wracked his brains as to who it could be. The he remembered what Janet had said, she was going to be coming over today. He should have known she would be here this early; she had to go to the base and work after all.

Rising and going to the door, he glanced down at himself and resigned himself to his current state of attire, Janet had after all seen him at his worst after all the missions the team had been on, his pyjamas weren't going to shock her.

Opening the door he nodded at Janet and swung the door open to allow her entry.

'I brought that booklet'

Jack looked puzzled for a minute and Janet opened her mouth to respond but Jack was quicker.

'Yeah, that booklet, I found a website last night, I think it might help Daniel'

Janet arched an eyebrow at this in a way that reminded Jack of Teal'c.

'Now come on Janet! I'm not as technologically impaired as you guys all think I am'

'That may be the case Colonel, however are you sure the internet is a good idea, there are websites...'

'Way ahead of you, I've scoped it out and found a good website; so far everything seems to be rosy in Oz'

There was a creaking sound and Jack and Janet looked up to see Daniel standing on the staircase.

'Good to see you up Danny!'

Daniel simply nodded, seeing Janet made him blanche a little, she expected him now to stop his self injury, but it couldn't just be that simple.

'I brought you a booklet for you to have a look at Daniel. None of us will look at it' she said glancing quickly at Jack, 'it's yours to do with as you will, but I'd appreciate it if you had a look at it. I'll be coming back after work today for a quick check up.'

Daniel continued on down the stairs and took the booklet from Janet's proffered hand and then moved over to the sofa in Jacks living room and sat down opening the booklet to the first page.

Janet turned to face Jack, 'I'll be back after work today, the booklet might upset him, but it is for the best in the long run'

'A lot like your infamous tetanus injections!' joked Jack

'Colonel, I am offended, you'd just better hope it's not me who give you your next one. Bye Daniel, Jack' she said as she turned and left the house.

Jack waved her off and looked over at where Daniel was sitting, he was unnervingly quiet.

'Danny?'

'mmm... Yes Jack?'

'Breakfast?'

'I guess' Daniel replied lowering the booklet to the coffee table in front of him and rising to follow Jack into the Kitchen.

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Jack tried not to look at the injuries that he could see on Daniels arms as he poured out Orange Juice. From what he had read online the previous night, self injury was a private thing that was usually done in secret and covered up, and yet Daniels was on display so to speak. Looking away quickly he tried to understand it. All the websites had said it wasn't attention seeking and yet Daniels was clearly visible, granted Daniel didn't have much in the way of clothes to choose from during his stay at Jacks. He still wasn't really hiding his injuries. Or was he?

The Injuries on Daniels arms seemed old enough, perhaps Daniel had simply moved onto another part of his body. Jack suddenly was thankful that all the clothes Daniel had with him were short sleeved, at least it gave Jack some sense of control over the situation as he could a part of what was happening.

As the toast popped, he turned and grabbed at it, burning his fingers somewhat on the bare metal of the toasters insides. The sudden pain that occurred and then disappeared made him realise something. Daniel wasn't hiding his self injury as he thought Jack wasn't real. Perhaps this apparent move to hide it signalled a change in the waters.

A/N: Please review as reviews are love.