Author's Note: Make sure you read chapter twelve before you read this chapter. Hope you all like and please review, I could use some extra loving.

Chapter Thirteen: Jumping Ship

Jack refused to go home, not when the spell was wrapping itself around his thoughts, making him wish to return to the spell caster, Winter had indeed infected him but in a moment that would at least be much harder to accomplish, leaving the Island of the Vannas would mean that his 'master' and him were separated as well as he would be far enough away from Zarkina and the Vannas, not to mention Daniel and their children.

He had spent much of the last seven days since being infected trying not to think of his beautiful Danny or the twins. When he thought of them, all he wanted was to return to them and beg forgiveness.

"Are you sure you do not wish to say goodbye to your Daniel?" Damnation asked, he had come at Jack request. It had taken him several days to find someone willing to contact the leader of the Infidels for Jack, but finally his young friend had answered.

"I can't see him otherwise I will lose my nerve to leave, I can feel the damn desire to return to her!"

"You do realize you are walking away from the only person to ever fight the control of this curse you are under. Zarkina survived it and undoubtedly she could unburden you from it."

Jack nodded, "If I come into contact with Zarkina, undoubtedly Winter will find a way to utilize my closeness. I need distance and training to deal with this world and that has only been magnified in me since she cursed me."

Damnation nodded his understand, the hair at the front of his face which still obscured the view of his face shifted with his movement. Then before Jack could even contemplate bracing himself they were off the island with a snap and just outside the barrier of the Infidel camp. Jack nodded his thanks and turned away from the other man.

"Now where are you going?" Damnation demanded, chasing after Jack who was moving quickly into the dark green depths of the forest.

"I cannot live among the people that Zarkina care deeply for, she will only find a way to used the information. I have lived on my own without provisions before, I can do it again. Maybe I can even learn how to combat the crazy of this world."

Damnation growled in frustration and walked over to a large tree with a deep hole in the base of the stump. From the hole he pulled a deep brown leather pack with a sword attached to it. "This is an emergency kit, there is a dagger inside as well as a spare set of clothing and some dried meats and a pouch that you can feel with water but be aware sometimes the water can have a strange effect on people."

Jack saluted smartly, "Thank you for doing more than you needed to."

"So when can I tell Zarkina?" Damnation asked, crossing his arms in a supposedly menacingly stance which no longer worked on Jack because he'd met Damnation's half sister the queen who was much scarier.

"I'd rather you didn't but I understand that Zarkina is undoubtedly getting plenty of flack from Daniel," Jack couldn't help but smile a little about that. Danny could be a pit bull especially about anyone messing with his family. "Just don't tell her for seven days."

"You are lucky I would be willing to give you a day," he said with a snort.

"Four days," Jack counter offered.

"Three and that's my only choice for you," Damnation said and Jack nodded, reaching out to grasp his opposite arm around the forearm to give a shake before he started moving again. He slung the pack over his shoulders and strapped the sword to his waist tightly and actually felt a little better when it kept moving with him, which forced Jack to place a palm over the hilt of the weapon to still the rubbing.

This was going to be a trial by fire, and hopefully it would give him enough heat to burn the curse from his heart.

There was no other way to explain it, the twins were unhappy with Jack's absence. The first two days they seemed to not realize something else was going on, then day three they were crying, screaming or sleeping. And they didn't want anyone but Daniel to hold them. He had basically locked himself in his bedroom with enough milk and diapers so they wouldn't have to leave for a while. He did it partially out of hope that they wouldn't bother the other family in the apartment as Samantha and Jacob still needed rest and recuperation time from Jacob's early birth.

The other reason was when the babies were asleep, Daniel was curled in his bed shocked that once again Jack was gone. This time it seemed that Jack left of his own violation and then was injured but after that they had heard nothing from him or about him. Mostly he kept Zada and Zale in the bed with him, gently rubbing their back or belly depending on how they were sleeping, other times while they were whimpering or screaming he would cuddle them and tell them that Jack would be home soon. He hoped the words weren't false hope for all of them but his voice calmed them most of the time and when it didn't then he would just slip them into their bassinets and walk out into the living area for a little bit of separation. He didn't want to let his frustration out on the children so he took breaks when he needed to. Sam and Teal'c would frequently stand in the room, watching over the children as he took walks and ate every once in a while but Daniel couldn't seem to care about food or anything besides the twins while Jack was gone. He worried about them and worried about Jack and didn't really think about himself in the days that followed Jack's disappearance.

As he laid down in bed, the twins both next to him with their kicking feet against his side and stomach gently. Daniel watched them and touched them gently, a brush across the stomach or the soft downy of the other's hair when the door opened. He looked over to see Zarkina walk in and she climbed into the bed beside his feet and touched his leg gently. Daniel turned back to watching the babies, completely ignoring her. As per usual, Zarkina took no offense at his behavior of course she dealt with Jack on a daily basis anything Daniel did would still be polite compared to his husband.

"I know you are once again suffering his absence but I have been speaking to Vane and he told me that Jack has traveled to the mainland. I have a couple people leaving to see if they can jump on his trail. I need you to see them and give them something to search for. If you share something of your bond then they can use it to track him. They wish to be on their way as soon as possible so can Samantha come and sit with the twins?"

Daniel nodded silently before he stood and called out for Sam at the door. His friend immediately came and he turned back when Zada started to whimper in her sleep. Zarkina set a hand on each baby and she whispered to it gently as she closed her eyes. Daniel crossed his arms and just watched the woman in curiosity. Zarkina heaved a gentle sigh and traded places with Sam before gesturing for Daniel to leave the bedroom. He could not, first leaning down to kiss each child on the forehead and then did as Zarkina requested. "What were you doing with them?"

"Checking on their Magis, who seem to be content with the status quo."

Daniel nodded, thankful that their children were going to be okay and he could focus for a few minutes on Jack. They walked out into the hallway and there stood Kirkan Greer and a few other men, most of which Daniel knew were training with Teal'c and Jack but did not take his classes so he didn't personally know them. He looked into Kirkan's dark brown eyes, so like Jack's that it made Daniel want to weep, "Bring him home please?" he pleaded.

Kirkan reached out and pressed his hand to Daniel's neck and cheek. He could feel the other man reaching into his mind and heart and Daniel did what he could to think about Jack and the love they shared. It brightened in his mind and Kirkan made an exclamation of success before he pulled away from the gentle but firm contact, "I will find him Daniel, I promise."