• SPOILERS: Touch of this, touch of that. Mostly Evolution Pt. One.
• SUMMARY: Daniel’s alive, but can Jack keep him that way as they race for their lives?
• PG-13 [A] [D] [M] [AU] [Hu] [Hc]

***
"As it is not proper to cure the eyes without the head, nor the head without the body, so neither is it proper to cure the body without the soul."
- Loomis
***

The wind had died down as quickly as it had raged, swallowing the light in its retreat. And the silence in the hut was just as deafening as the single shot that rang out from Jack’s 9Millimeter.

Handez lay slumped against the wall, the now silent artifact still loosely grasped within his hand. The only mourners of his death were the crimson tears that slid down his face.

Jack wasted no time reaching Daniel, his mask thrown to the merciless floor on the way. "Daniel?" He wanted to cradle him, lift him up in his arms and carry him out of this hell, but he was afraid to touch him. Not an inch of him looked spared and the last thing he wanted was to cause his friend more pain. "I’m here Daniel. I’m here." He whispered, lightly cupping his feverish cheek.

But Daniel just starred on.

Jack’s heart plummeted when he saw the absence of Daniel in his best friend’s eyes. "It’s okay. It’s safe to come out now. Come on Danny… please. Look at me." He begged; it was what he had feared. Daniel’s mind had resorted to seeking comfort within itself…and Jack was left holding its broken armor.

Of all the things Janet thought to pack, there was nothing in her care package that could fix this.

"Damnit Daniel" Jack whispered dejectedly, gently pulling his friend up and cradling him to his cheek. Something he’d done with Charlie after…

Daniel lay limp against him; his only reaction was the slight rise and fall of his chest. Oblivious to the fact that tears soaked his face, tears that were not his own.

Handez’s words echoed in Jack’s mind. You are too late. His soul is already lost to him. "No" he cried, as he began to rock him. No. He couldn’t be too late. He couldn’t.

No longer concerned about his broken body, Jack held the limp form in his arms tighter, as if sheer will could bring the gentle soul back to him. He had pretended too long. Had sought comfort behind the mask for far too long. And Daniel would never know. His body would absorb the words, but they would never reach his heart.

When the radiation poisoned Daniel’s body, Jack told him he "admired" him. Though it was the truth, it was only a fraction of it. He closed up as quickly and as pathetically as he had opened up. And when Daniel died…ascended…whatever, he left…Jack held onto his belief that man could survive anything in this world, as long as there was a world in which to survive on.

It was this belief that pushed him through the abrupt mission that followed Daniel’s death. It was this belief that refused to let him mourn. It was this belief that left him cradling the husk of a man he regarded as a friend…a brother…maybe even a son-who would never know. Because ultimately, it was this belief that prevented him from admitting the truth to himself, and to Daniel.

The truth… that the world he fought for, sought comfort on, and even hid behind in the shadows of his beliefs, was not nearly as precious as the one he held in his arms. Let the universe claim the world, he thought. He didn’t care. Just as long as they left him his.

It’s hard to say when Daniel wiggled his way into Jack’s heart. It’s hard to say why it frightened Jack so much. All he knew was that, when Daniel descended, Daniel wasn’t the only one given yet another chance and damnit Jack wasn’t going to let either of them give up on it just yet.

He could here Cornelius yelling for him, but he ignored it as he rested Daniel against his chest. Tucking his head in the crook of his neck, he took his battered hand in his. He’d gotten Daniel’s soul back after his addiction to the sarcophagus…and he was going to get it back again. He was going to get it back now.

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***
‘Til the storms fill my eyes
and we touch the last time
I will love you, love you…"
-Fisher
***

He awoke in the dream, screaming Jack’s name and clutching reality to his heart. Looking up at Sha’uri he noticed tears, silent in their descent to the desert floor. He barely got out her name, before she turned away from him and covered her face.

"Please stay." She cried.

Getting up he wanted to run to her, pull her into his embrace and tell her everything would be okay. Instead, he just stood there, a breath behind her. "Sha’uri, I don’t understand this. I don’t know what this is…but I know it’s not real." It couldn’t be. He thought, trying to swallow the lump in his throat. I watched you die. I held you broken body. I…I buried you. Tears filled his eyes now and threatened release. They all died, because of him.

"Yes it is my husband." She sobbed, turning around to face him and raising her voice to be heard over the approaching sand storm. "It is in here." Gently she rested her hand on the side of his head. "You brought us here my Danyel."

He didn’t know what brought him here. Didn’t know what happened to Jack, Sam or Teal’c either but he had to find out. Something was terribly wrong. Nothing good could have brought him here. But he couldn’t remember what had happened. Did they get captured by a Goa’uld? Was he given the Blood of Sokar? Did they stumble upon another Game Keeper?

Was he in a coma? Was he dead? Oh God…not again. Jack was gonna be pissed. He thought. But no, that couldn’t be it. He’s been dead and dead has never felt so… good...free. Pushing aside the disgust that he would, yet again, need to unpack all his stuff and, yet again, need to find a new place to live after, yet again, coming back from the dead, Daniel took in a shaky breath and tried to clear his mind.

Suddenly he could hear Jack calling for him, but as he look down at Sha’uri to see if she heard it too, he realized that he didn’t so much hear it, as he did felt it. He could sense the desperation in his voice as he begged Daniel to come back…to remember and it gave him the strength he needed.

Cupping her face, his mind knew what he had to do. The hard part was convincing his heart to say it. When he first woke up and saw her standing over him crying, he toyed with the idea of staying. This was after all, all he ever wanted. But watching her now, as he gently wiped away her tears, a painful realization hit him. It was all he ever wanted…but he needed more. He needed it to be real.

And as much as he wanted to give up and live out the rest of his life in this dream…this beautiful dream, he couldn’t. He couldn’t leave his friends again, and he couldn’t stand by and let the world pass again without being able to touch it. After all these years, he finally knew where he belonged, with his friend…with his family, fighting the good fight.

Even if it meant trading a life time of happiness in, for a universe of pain. Daniel solemnly thought, as he prepared to say goodbye to forever…again.

Stroking the cheek Daniel would never again feel the warmth of, he sobbed. "I’m sorry Sha’uri…but I have to go."

"No my Danyel, please." She pleaded, grabbing his robe.

The words caught in his throat, but he choked them out. "…and I’m sorry Sha’uri. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you. I’m sorry I was never able to give you the life we dreamed.

"But Danyel, you can." She cried. "Just stay with me, please my husband…stay with me." She begged, burying her head in his chest.

He cursed the truth that now plagued his heart and cursed it again for making her cry.

"I can’t." he whispered, pulling her away from his body and cupping her face again in his hands. "It wouldn’t be real. This isn’t real…" He could barely see her through his own, now flowing tears, so he just pulled her back into his arms and held on tight. "…it’s just a memory Sha’uri. A memory dancing with hope." Even as he said it, he clutched the memory tighter…breathing in her scent; he tried to memorize the feeling of her pressed against him. "I love you Sha’uri….I love you." He cried, as he desperately tasted her lips for what he knew would be the last time.

Salty tears soaked through the passion of their final kiss…already leaving them mourning in each other’s embrace.

Suddenly, he was torn from her grip by the raging sand storm and tossed into the merciless winds. Below, he watched as she stood there; unmoving. No longer protected by the tent, yet untouched by the winds, whispering goodbye, as she faded from his sight.

Memories were assaulting him now…and he remembered everything, including the pain. Pain…so much pain. "Jack! Jack! Help me!" He screamed into the raging winds, but was only rewarded with a mouthful of sand. Sand that hit him with such a force, he feared there would soon be nothing left of him, that he’d end up just another grain in the blinding storm.

There was nothing for him to grab onto, nothing to ground him. He was at the storm’s mercy.

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Jack didn’t know how long he’d been holding onto Daniel, begging him to wake up, reminding him of the good times they had and how Carter would never forgive him if he didn’t come back to them, but it seemed like an eternity.

If the world could see him now…hard ass military colonel lying in a heap on the floor, cradling an archeologist with his gun forgotten by his side in a middle of a mission. Years ago he would have shrugged it off as a moment of weakness. Today, however, he would say that it was his strongest moment ever. He would tell whoever saw that a certain archeologist taught him that compassion was a gift, and the most priceless and greatest strength any human begin could possess.

He was about to reach up and close Daniel’s eyes, although he hadn’t gotten his soul back yet, he could at least protect those beautiful windows to it, when Daniel squeezed them shut and started bucking wildly in his arms.

Surprised, Jack jerked his hand back.

"Jack! Jack!" He screamed from a throat that was hoarse from dehydration and pain, as he grabbed blindly with his hands.

Jack grabbed his flailing arms with one hand and pulled him closer with the other, grounding him. "Ssh. Its okay, I’m here Daniel. I’m here." He soothed while rocking him.

Still, he struggled and gasped for air in the midst of desperate pleas for Jack to help him. His entire body vibrated in Jack’s arms and the only thing Jack could do was hope his presence was enough to comfort him.

Finally, Daniel stopped screaming and slowly focused on Jack. His eyes were wide with terror, but gradually he began to relax into him, grabbing onto Jack’s shirt like it was the only thing that kept him from slipping away again. His breath still came in quick short gasps, but at least he was calming down…at least he was back.

"Ssshh Daniel. You’re safe…your safe. Just breathe. That-a-boy easy breaths." He whispered, stroking his sweat and blood stained hair back. Daniel just starred at him, unable to look away and unwilling to let go, as he trembled in his arms.

"You c-caught me." He managed to croak out. "You caught me."

Jack didn’t know what he meant, but his reply was instant. "I’ll always catch you Daniel." At that, Daniel closed his eyes and welcomed the peace that was being in his surrogate father’s arms, never letting go of the iron grip he had on Jack, never noticing as Jack gently wiped the single tear that slipped from the "windows to his soul"; carrying the memory, of what might have been.

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As the fallen star slipped from consciousness, Jack tried to ignore the little voice in his head that reminded him of how many times he hadn’t been there to "catch" him. How many times he wasn’t there to prevent the younger man from getting hurt and how many times he had been there, but could do nothing more than watch.

Hell, he hadn’t even been there for the biggest one of all…his fall from grace. He should have been there. He should have been the one to catch Daniel, not some strange village people. Okay, so yes, everyone was strange to Daniel because he couldn’t remember anything. And, okay, so yes, how was Jack supposed to know that his friend was being tossed back into the corporeal plan like a slab of unwanted meat?

Still, he felt he was severely lacking in the "Never Let Your Best Friend Down" category. God Daniel, he thought as he survey the damage done to his friend. Welts covered his body where gashes and bruises did not and all of him was coated in a thick layer of blood. Jack couldn’t even imagine what the bastard used. A belt? A two-by-four? Both?

Easing his hand around Daniel’s side, Jack cringed at the feel of ribs giving way, eliciting a heartbreaking moan from his friend. Thankfully though, he didn’t wake up. Jack knew he’d be carrying him, at least part of the way, and thought it would be best for the both of them if he remained unconscious. That way, neither one would have to feel the pain Jack would unintentionally be inflicting, while marching them home.

"Colonel!"

Jack looked up and saw an out of breath guide leaning in the doorway.

"We must go Colonel. No doubt the Beta Camp heard the shot you fired and are on their way now."

"Beta camp?" Jack raised his eyebrows.

"Yes, a camp used as reinforce…"

"I know what the camp is used for!" Jack snapped. "What I don’t know is why you never thought to mention it before?"

"I thought Colonel, that we’d be out of here by now." He replied, gesturing to the figure still cradled to Jack.

Looking down at his arms, Jack swore to himself and to the man he held in them, that never again would he be so far out of reach, that he wouldn’t be able to catch him again.

"There’s a bag in my pack get it out and put that thing in it." He commanded, tossing a glance towards the artifact. "Oh! And don’t touch it! Or…touch it as little as possible… I guess." He finished, at the horrified and confused look he got from Cornelius.

Now that the artifact was silent and secured in a thick sack around Cornelius’ shoulder, Jack tried to pry Daniel’s hand off of him. Not such an easy task when, said hand is slick with blood and you’re trying to spare the man it belonged to from more pain. Jack wished he could bandage Daniel up and wrap him in bubble paper here, but they just didn’t have the luxury of time on their side.

Finally, Jack succeeded and received a tiny whimper for his achievement. Careful of his ribs, Jack placed Daniel in a fireman’s carry. He wished he could just carry him in his arms with his head secure against his chest, but speed and agility would suffer severely for comfort.

Making their way back under the cover of the forest, Jack knew of one person that would be able to cradle Daniel to his chest and run for dear life through a jungle…Teal’c…

// After prying himself away from Carter, he considered for a moment, showing his sweet side more often. Then, maybe the ladies wouldn’t be holding onto him like he was the last piece of chocolate in the galaxy…not that the male part of him minded. It was the Colonel part that worried about his image being smudged by affection.

Stumbling, but miraculously never losing the grip he had on his precious package, Jack wished he had let the big guy come.

Behind him he could hear shouting and knew the second camp found the remains of the first one. Luckily his little "Forget Me Nots" should be going off any second and hopefully they’ll greatly reduce the number on their hides.

Hopefully, he could get Daniel home with the pieces that remained of him.

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***
"The road is long, with many a winding turn
that leads us to who knows where, who knows where.
But I’m strong, strong enough to carry him
He ain’t heavy- he’s my brother."
- Glen Campbell
***

The jungle was not built to accommodate a speedy escape, Jack decided. However, it did offer great cover. In their retreat, they heard the echoes of explosions bounce through the jungle walls. Jack silently prayed that it helped even their odds, but he feared it only succeeded in pissing off a bunch of already really pissed off guerillas. They had been running and ducking detection by the hair of their chinney-chin-chins for nearly three hours now, coming so close that Jack swore he could smell their hunters’ sweat on a number of occasions.

Daniel had woke a few times, but barely, and only long enough to latch onto Jack and realize he was finally safe. Only long enough for Jack to calm him, give him more medication, apply more bandages and throw him back over his shoulders- mindful, of course, of the ever increasing number of wounds Jack had been noticing during their desperately needed breaks.

Cornelius wanted to help by taking turns carrying the battered archeologist, but Jack wouldn’t hear of it. He kept shrugging off his assistance, saying he wasn’t heavy. Besides, Daniel was his responsibility. Even though his knees ached to be released of the extra weight and his back threatened collapsing in on itself. It didn’t matter. If he had to, he’d carry him all the way back into Frasier’s open arms. It was what friends did for each other…it was what brothers did.

Resting again gave Jack another chance to check Daniel’s vitals, (or suffer the wrath of the Napoleonic power monger). It also gave Cornelius a chance to check the map. God only knew where they were.

"J’ck?" It was barely whispered, but the trust it voiced, broke Jack’s heart.

Smiling at the sight of seeing those big blues for the first time, really, since Daniel came back to him, Jack gently placed his hand over Daniel’s cheek. "Hey sleepy head."

"Where…?" he asked, seeking out Jack with his still trembling hands and grabbing a handful of material around Jack’s waist.

The confusion on Daniel’s face scared Jack. "Remember Daniel, we’re in Central America. You decided to play "Beat the Tourist" with the native rebels."

"Oh…yeah." Daniel said, bringing up his other hand to pinch the bridge of his nose.

Jack pulled away from Daniel’s cheek and he missed the security of it. So he held on tighter; tightening the grip he had on Jack’s shirt gave him comfort, despite the screaming protests of his fingers.

"How many fingers am I holding up?" Jack asked, holding up two.

Daniel studied the object in question for what seemed like an eternity. "On which hand?" He finally responded, dropping the hand that had been resting on his nose.

Jack looked back at the only hand he held up. "Well, I guess that answers that question."

After accepting the water, with forced slowness, but sweet blessed bliss, and pills Jack handed him, Daniel cleared his throat and tried to ignore the childlike need to crawl into Jack’s lap and cry. "How bad is it?"

Jack studied his friend. "How bad is what? The fact that we’ve been given the highly respectable, yet dangerously dramatic roles of "mouse" in a cat’s playground, or, the fact that, from what I can tell so far, for I am no doctor, your suffering from one hell of a concussion, a few broken fingers …um?…oh, broken ribs, which by the way, mixed with this environment, makes for excellent pneumonia conditions."

"Infection from burns, cuts and gashes…and did I mention your left knee looks really, really swelled and…well, gross? This assessment, of course, is solely based on what I can see. God only knows what that "tell-a-chick" thing did to ya." Pausing to take a breath and to see if Daniel would correct his mangled pronunciation of the device. Jack noticed Daniel’s expression. The one he gave when he’s just been given a shit load of information and is trying to find a way to catalogue it in that brain of his. He probably didn’t even hear half of what he said. "Does that answer your question Danny?" His tone was not harsh, accusing or irritated for that matter, just… informative.

"Umm…yeah. That…that pretty much brings me up to speed. Thank you." Daniel blinked. "Um…except…um…where’s the device?"

"It’s off…from what we can tell and Wallas has it tucked safely away."

Raising his eyebrows in question of the name, Jack explained. "Wallas helped me find you, Cornelius Wallas." He said, gesturing to the man behind him, studying something in his hand. Cornelius half waved, never taking his eyes off the map.

"Oh…good…Thanks" Daniel mumbled, his eyes already starting to droop.

Jack watched as, what he hoped was a peaceful slumber, called to his friend again. His hand lightly stroked his fevered cheek urging him to answer its call. "Rest Daniel, we’ll be home before you know it."

After removing the iron grip Daniel, once again had on Jack, he gently placed the precious bundle back over his shoulder. Only half hearing Cornelius apprising him of their current location, while listening to the gentle beat of his best friend’s heart against his back, as he continued their escape to the comforting rhythm of it.

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He could hear Jack’s breathing as he marched them to safety, with Daniel as his burden. Slightly rocking back and forth on his shoulders, Jack’s presence was as comforting as a strong but gentle sea. Daniel knew he would come, knew that he’d be the hand that would reach out and take him home.

He didn’t know what Jack had been giving him, but he felt a lot better…well, compared to what he’d been feeling like the past few days. The pain that had been circulating endlessly through his body from the artifact had died down to a bearable level and he found that he could also breathe easier. Woo-hoo he thought, in a pitiful attempt at enthusiasm.

His tremors had subsided for the most part, but every lingering stab of pain brought a rush of nightmares along with it, shaking Daniel to the core. At first, he’d grab onto the back of Jack’s vest, but he felt silly… that simple material could make him feel safe, so he stopped and instead clenched his teeth until his jaw threatened to snap.

Somehow though, Jack still sensed, still felt the tremors; even while he raced for their lives he was still so receptive to Daniel’s needs. So every time a wave assaulted him, he could feel Jack’s grip comfortably tighten. As if saying, "I’m here Daniel. Nobody’s gonna hurt you anymore."

He didn’t want to break Jack’s stride, but he also didn’t want to be a burden any longer. He didn’t want to sleep anymore…didn’t want to think about what he gave up…didn’t want to think about Bill. He just wanted to concentrate on the moment. He could only imagine how much farther they had to go and he wanted to help. He was about to say something, when he felt Jack tighten his grip and bring him around to ease on the ground.

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***
"Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly and they will
show themselves great."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
***

Cornelius frantically searched his map. "I…I don’t understand." He stammered.

Jack gently lowered Daniel to the ground and patted his cheek in reassurance. "We’re just gonna take a little pit stop. You holding up okay?"

Daniel nodded, as he sought a more comfortable position and Jack turned around and put his hands on his hips.

"Colonel…I don’t understand how this could have happened."

Frustrated, tired and sick with worry, this was the last straw for Jack. "Well," he said whipping his hand out to encompass their newest problem. "isn’t it obvious?"

Cornelius studied Jack, thinking the only thing that was obvious, was that they were in deep shit.

"Somebody has clearly seen "Speed" and thought it would be a laughing riot to put a honkin huge hole in our escape route!" Jack finished through clenched teeth, as he knew it wouldn’t do any good to scream and give their exact location away.

Blowing out a breath, Jack scratched his head as he took in the vast ravine, it was at least a half a mile wide and a hundred feet to the river that ran through it, below. They stood on the edge near a waterfall. Its mist felt refreshing to Jack but he knew it couldn’t be good for Daniel with his broken ribs and weakened state.

"Think we can jump it?" he asked, trying to shake Cornelius out of his shock induced stare.

It worked.

"Colonel, even if we did have a bus, hydraulics, and movie magic on our side…no, I do not believe we would make it." He simply stated before desperately searching his map again.

"Pessimist."

Turning back around and crouching beside Daniel, he saw Cornelius put the artifact down and tell him he was going to scout for another way.

Daniel didn’t miss the suspicion in Jack’s eyes as he watched Cornelius leave.

"What’s wrong?" he cursed the weakness that still claimed his voice.

"Let’s just say he has more to loose by sticking it out with us, than he does if he skedaddles right now." Jack replied, never looking up from checking Daniel’s bandages.

Jack tried not to think about the shit his best friend had been through the past few days, or the shit he has yet to go through, just to put former shit behind him. Nor did he want to let the pain in Daniel’s eyes register in his heart, or he’d be forced to just hold the kid until either death or help found them.

He wanted to ignore the slight tremors that danced under his fingertips during his ministrations. He wanted to curse, scream, damn the universe and everyone in it, including himself, for letting more pain find, probably the most important person in his life. But he couldn’t. He knew that. Not here. Not now. Probably not ever. So he was thankful when Daniel’s good old curiosity started to peek.

"Why are you always so paranoid Jack?"

"Hey! I think I have the right to be! Shall I whip out the list of people who have totally screwed us, in one way or another…time and time… and time again in some cases?"

"Um…no, no that won’t be necessary."

"Cause I can." Jack said, looking up at Daniel and continuing as if he hadn’t heard him. "Let’s see, there’s the Tok’ra…"

"Jack."

"The Tollans…"

"Jack."

"The Aschen…or they would have …anyway…"

"Jack!"

"Did I mention the Tok’ra?"

"JACK!"

"And I have it on good authority that Humpty Dumpty was pushed."

"Ja…WHAT?!"

Whatever Jack’s explanation would have been was cut off and replaced with "Oi!" when an automatic weapon was shoved in his face.

Looking up, Jack’s saw the feral grin behind the gun at the same time he felt Daniel tug on his arm. Realizing that Daniel couldn’t see the big nasty standing behind him, Jack filled him in. "Nothing to worry about Daniel. Just looks like one of the cats have caught up with the mice."

Just then the irate guerrilla walked around and faced Daniel.

Daniel’s breath caught in his throat. He tried to keep a straight face…tried not to show his fear, even as searing pain shot through his fingers and up his arm, as he tightened the grip he had on Jack’s sleeve.

He recognized this man. He was one of Handez’s happy little helpers and suddenly he was back in that hut. Wondering which would be lost to him first…his life or his sanity. Finding it hard to breath, Daniel’s vision swam. Damnit! He cursed himself. He had survived worst than this, suffered more severely from the hands of Goa’ulds…so why couldn’t he swallow the fear that was trying to consume him?

Maybe he’d just blame it on side affects from the artifact.

He could feel Jack squeeze his shoulder in reassurance, feel his calm demeanor through his fear and it helped him focus.

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"Mama said there’d be days like this." Jack muttered. His eyes never leaving the renegades’, as he waited for the right second to make his move. Daniel’s trembling had violently increased a few notches and Jack couldn’t wait to take the bastard out. Unfortunately, said bastard was trying to take both of them out with his arrogant ramblings.

Jack was beginning to wonder if all bad guys took a course on how to act superior while simultaneously dishing out a crock of shit. He was also beginning to wonder what the hell happened to Cornelius. He knew he shouldn’t have trusted him. Now he was going to have to figure a way out of this, with a damaged archeologist, a babbling mad man, his bad knees and a gun he didn’t think he could pull fast enough. Who’d they think he was? Macgyver?

A few agonizingly intense moments passed and Jack couldn’t take it anymore. If he had to listen to another second of, "…my power, this…my power, that…your insolence, this…your insolence, that…" he was going too spontaneously combust and end up taking them all out. Which would be a shame, especially since a knife through the heart would just as easily work and spare both him and Daniel.

Luckily, that’s exactly what happened when Cornelius decided to make a fashionably late appearance. Jack watched as their, would be captor slumped lifelessly to the ground.

"Well, there’s another minute of my life I’ll never get back." Jack complained, before asking Cornelius what the hell took him so long and checking on Daniel.

Daniel’s eyes were wide with fear and disbelief, his breathing, quick and shallow as he tried to convince himself that they were safe again. "Hey." Jack whispered, tilting his chin so he’d look him in the eyes. "Hey, its okay. It’s okay now, your safe." He soothed.

Daniel nodded and pulled on Jack’s sleeve, a desperately needed reminder that he still wasn’t in that God forsaken shack.

As Cornelius helped Jack move Daniel behind a fallen tree for more cover, Jack couldn’t help but ask him what happened to his precious bow. "I didn’t feel like digging it back out of my pack, okay."

The smart ass remark on the tip of Jack’s tongue was swallowed when he heard movement in the bushes.

"They’ve found us." Cornelius whispered.

"Ya think?" Was the remark he got in unison, from both Jack and Daniel.

Suddenly a spray of bullets, way to close for comfort dusted them with debris. Jack threw himself over Daniel, a desperate attempt to protect the younger man from more harm.

"What now?" he screamed to the man huddled beside him, as he returned fire.

"We jump."

Jack stopped firing and stared incredulously at his guide. "Are you CRACKED? That’s ATLEAST a hundred feet…INTO a raging river. If the fall doesn’t kill us the river will!"

"Pessimist."

If looks could kill…

"Listen Colonel, I figure we have two choices. (A).We jump and maybe survive. Or (B). We stay here and die."

"What about (C)?"

"There is no (C)."

"There’s always a (C)!"

"Not this time Colonel."

Jack looked back down at Daniel. He was still shaking wildly from their uninvited guest but was desperately trying to reign in his emotions. Jack had seen many faces on Daniel. Happy, sad, scared, ecstatic, confused, hurt, even pissed; all of which he sought comfort in knowing he could identify each in a heartbeat, even predict them, regardless of how hard Daniel tried to hide his emotions. Jack could always see through the mask. The one face Jack had never gotten used to, however, never been able to understand, was the one that bore trust. Trust in him…even with all they’ve been through, even with all he’s put him through since they met.

He saw this face now. Pushing through the pain, to let Jack know that whatever he chose to do, Daniel would accept it as the best choice…even if Jack wasn’t so sure himself.

…even if the best choice would probably end up killing him.

Daniel could barely stand on his own, let alone swim a few lapses in a rampant river. If the fall didn’t kill Daniel and the river didn’t kill Daniel…then the water would eventually. Jack could hear Janet now, screaming about begging for pneumonia.

"Daniel…"

"Jack…" Daniel cut him off, he knew what he was going to say and there was no point in saying it, especially since it wouldn’t change anything. "…I’ll be fine. Just…just don’t let go. And if you do…"

"I’ll catch you." Jack finished, patting the younger man on his fevered cheek and letting his hand linger there when he noticed Daniel seeking the warmth.

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It seemed like he’d been falling forever. He could feel Jack’s grip tighten around his waist and his heart speed up at the thought of the inevitable. He could see a rainbow in every drop of mist they passed and hear them as they collided with their bodies; spreading their colorful delight all over them. He counted three birds that flew by, singing a tune that sounded suspiciously to Daniel like laughter and countless bullets wiz by not even aware they missed their target.

People always talked about your life flashing before your eyes the moment before you die…or think you’re going to die. But as many times as Daniel had experienced this… unpleasant reoccurrence, never could he remember his life flashing before his eyes. What he did remember was pain, agonizing and all encompassing pain. He remembered the world slowing down and nearly coming to a complete stop right in front of him; disturbingly clear, as if asking, "Are you sure you want to get off this ride? Look what you’ll miss".

And what was it with the "flashing of the life" thing? Was it your soul’s final and desperate attempt, to catalogue all the monumental things in your life before it’s forced to leave your body? Or was it only adrenaline; pushing through your veins, eliciting memories that would keep you fighting until the last possible second?

Either way, Daniel figured it didn’t really matter, as the world suddenly rushed up to meet them.

Pain! Blinding freezing pain enveloped his fevered body and stole the protective warmth of Jack’s grip. He was tumbling…tumbling with no anchor. Grabbing frantically for something, anything that could give him a clue as to which way would offer him release for his burning lungs. He had to get out. He had to hold on, Jack trusted him to. All he had to do was hold on and Jack would pull him out.

Finally, breaking the surface, he could hear Jack calling his name, but the need for air and his waning strength prevented him from calling out.

"Daniel!" Was the last thing he heard before the fierce river swallowed him whole again.

He was falling again, churning madly down its esophagus to where it awaited eagerly to devour him. Closer and closer he got, until he could see the opening at the end of the tunnel, where its acidic juices bubbled up in anticipation.

Suddenly, he wasn’t falling anymore, but remained dangling above the pool like a fresh piece of meat over a lion’s den. Someone or something had caught him, but it was too late he thought, as he watched a hand come out of the river’s stomach and cloak him in darkness.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

***
"How long after you are gone will the ripples
remain as evidence that you were cast into the pool of life?"
-Grant M. Bright
***

"He’s not breathing!"

Several miles down stream, Cornelius helped Jack pull Daniel onto the bank.

"He’s not breathing."

"I heard you the first time Wallas!" Jack snapped, as he gently laid his lifeless friend to the ground. Steam eerily rolled off the archeologist’s body, produced by the cool river water and Daniel’s raging fever.

This isn’t happening. This isn’t happening. Became Jack’s mantra, as he desperately tried to breathe life back into Daniel.

"No pulse!" Cornelius screamed from Jack’s side and began to do compressions.

"Damnit! Come on Daniel! Breathe!" He begged, as he and Cornelius fought the greatest battle in life…the one against death.

Daniel’s lips were cracked, and his cheeks were sunken in from nearly a week without food or water. Blood was caked through his fine hair despite its assault from the river. And cuts and bruises marred his entire face, clashing with those intense blue eyes Jack feared he’d never see again.

He seemed so small, so fragile on that bank side, where life threatened to escape him. But there was also something else…something more, that Jack had rarely seen grace the archeologists face…peace. Somehow the raging river had brought him what life had been so adamant about denying him his entire life.

"One and two and three…"

Listening to Cornelius count the number of times he forced blood through Daniel’s heart, Jack wondered if they were being heroes; saving his best friend’s life, or just selfish. Would he be the one to deny Daniel peace, even if it meant losing him again…letting go?

HELL YES!

It was unquestionable. "Cold dead hands" remember?

Cornelius finished counting to fifteen and it was Jack’s turn to fight the reaper. "Come on Daniel, I just got you back."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

***
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep."
-Robert Frost
***

He was so cold, he burned, and his lungs refused to expand. The agonizing pressure on his chest didn’t help any either. He just wanted to go home. Hell, even the infirmary was looking good to him now. Ahh, the infirmary, where he’d be all nice and warm in his very own bed.

He couldn’t think of a reason why he should be so cold, then he remembered the river and Jack wrapping an arm around him, catching him…again. He couldn’t feel Jack now though and it scared him. All he could feel was an intense pressure on his chest that threatened to snap his already battered body in half.

He was so tired. He just wanted to rest, give into the need to sleep for a week and pray his dreams had mercy on him. But he knew he couldn’t. Not so far from home. Not with this drumming on his chest.

Despite the fact that Daniel couldn’t feel Jack right now, he knew what he had to do. All he had to do was reach out. Reach out and Jack would find him and take him the rest of the way home.

Just reach out Daniel. He told himself. Just reach out…

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If fear could make a man piss his pants, then Jack guessed it was a good thing he was already soaked. Could this be it? Could this really be it? No Goa’uld, no higher beings, or big stink’in overgrown sushi…just a river. A fuck’in river was gonna do what nobody in all the universes and all the worlds could do. Kill Daniel…and keep him dead.

If Jack hadn’t already pissed his pants, he probably did when Daniel suddenly reached out, grabbed his hand and sucked in the most painfully beautiful breath Jack had ever heard.

Jack’s surprise, however, didn’t stop him from tightening the grip instantly. "I’ve got you. I’ve got you." He soothed, as Daniel coughed and sucked in greedy breaths. "I’ve got you."

Daniel opened his eyes and searched Jack’s face. "C-c-cold…cold." He whispered though teeth, Jack feared, would shatter from the force of his quaking body.

Jack looked down at his shivering friend with mixed emotions. "I know Daniel. I know." He comforted, stroking his brow.

Daniel was breathing. Daniel was breathing. Daniel was breathing. Jack preferred this mantra to the latter. Once again, Daniel had beaten the odds, come back from the dead and scared him shitless.

Jack had tossed his plans of gracefully growing old to the wind, practically the second he met Daniel. And now, hunched over and holding his best friend after yet another heart stopping episode…for both, he was forced to accept the fact, that since he already had a full head of gray hair, thanks to Daniel, it was now going to start falling out.

They had better find a way to get Daniel off Murphy’s Hit list, before he had to start shopping for a military standard toupee`.

"If I may say so myself Colonel, that is one stubborn kid you got there." Cornelius laughed as he patted Daniel on the shoulder and went to retrieve the packs they dropped on the shoreline.

"Tell me about it… one pain in the ass too." Jack teased as he eased Daniel onto his lap, never letting go of his hand and wincing at the heat radiating off him.

Daniel’s fever induced body didn’t burn Jack nearly as badly though, as the pained expression on the younger man’s face. He hated feeling helpless, but even worse was feeling helpless when it came to Daniel. "How ‘bout I give you some more of Janet’s magic juice? That should make you feel better; help bring your fever down even."

"It hurts, Jack…It hurts." Daniel swallowed.

"Where Daniel?" Jack urged. If Daniel was admitting to pain it was bad.

The only strength that remained in Daniel’s body was in the hand that squeezed Jack’s. The rest of him lay limp; moving only by the force of his tremors. "Everything." He said, as he started to laugh and cry at the same time, wincing as the action pulled at his broken body. "God Jack, I’m really weak aren’t I?" He asked, trying desperately to control his emotions.

Jack had been torn between slapping Daniel for scaring him so badly, or laughing. But his face suddenly went serious as he forced Daniel to look at him. "Daniel. You…" Jack had to swallow the overwhelming pride he held for the younger man before continuing.

"Daniel, you have strength in you that warriors seek, but would never be strong enough to carry. A truth that believers seek, but would never be able to comprehend. You Daniel, have lived and even died with so much conviction, that it would bring the heroes the world actually knew about to their knees."

"Hell, Daniel I’ve seen you inspire greatness in the most desolate situations and people, including myself, by just being you. So don’t talk to me about weakness Daniel, because the person I’m looking at now is stronger than I, or any Jaffa will ever be." Jack suddenly felt awkward and looked around to see where Cornelius was. Did he just say that out loud?

"Jack?"

Looking back down at Daniel, he was relieved to see that he was breathing easier, but a little confused when he saw concern in the archeologist’s eyes. "What is it Daniel?"

"Jack...." Daniel’s voice caught and Jack was gonna have a stroke.

"Daniel. What is it?" He urged more forcefully with fear.

"D…did you hit your head on the way down? Cause that…that was really…"

"DANIEL! For cryin out…!" Relief washed over him. "What are you trying to do to me?!" He yelled, lightly cuffing him on the head. "I’d kill ya, if I weren’t afraid you just used up your last, "Get out of Dead Free" card."

Daniel managed a smile. "Sorry it’s just…"

"Hey! I can be…nice, even profound…though it’s usually when nobody’s looking…or listening." Jack made a face that looked like he was pondering his own words.

"Anyway," He said, snapping back to the moment. "I meant every word. Just…just promise you won’t tell anyone I’m turning into a softy, or I’ll be forced to leave you here."

This time it was one of those rare, full blown smiles. "Promise."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

***
"We are not now that strength which in old days
moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
- Alfred, Lord Tennyson
***

"Good news" Cornelius said, returning with the miraculously salvaged artifact and packs. "I figured out where we are and we’re on the correct side of the river."

Jack grabbed his pack and started digging through it with one hand. "Hear that Danny? No more impromptu dips."

"Yippee." Daniel mumbled weakly as he tried to nonchalantly bury himself further into Jack’s chest, seeking warmth.

"Easy on the enthusiasm there, Daniel. I don’t want you to hurt yourself." Jack admonished as he finished laying out dry bandages and medication.

"Colonel, five more minutes and we should really head out. I’m estimating that we are just over an hour away from the rendezvous point."

"Okay, Wallas why don’t you do a perimeter." Jack ordered, not even looking up from his ministrations.

Finally noticing all the pills and syringes, Daniel raised an eyebrow. "What have you been giving me?"

Jack studied the portable pharmacy. "I don’t know." He said simply, and reached out to grab a syringe and inject Daniel with it.

"W-w-wait! You don’t know?" He asked, holding up a shaky hand in a feeble attempt to fend off the happy-go-lucky injector.

"Well, yes…and no." Jack defended. "Frasier just kind of started pointing to all this stuff saying ‘If Daniel has these symptoms, give him this. If Daniel suffers from this, give him this. If Daniel experiences this…’ I mean, Daniel, she went on like that for at least five minutes and as far as I can tell, your experiencing just about everything she covered."

"So you’ve just been giving me…?"

"Well, everything pretty much. A little bit of this, a little bit of that. I like to call it ‘Daniel’s Oil’."

"Uh-huh…" Daniel studied his friend and decided that Jack wouldn’t risk giving him something if he thought it would do him more harm than good. "I’m confident." Besides he had been feeling better before the polar plunge.

"Good!" Jack smile and continued in his task, barely receiving a wince when the needle bit into Daniel. "Besides, what’s the worse that could happen? You overdose on antihistamines and ‘Kleenex’ goes bankrupt?"

"Ha-ha."

Jack could tell he was fighting to stay awake, fighting to remain in control of, not only his body, but his emotions as well. He knew reality hadn’t completely caught up with his archeologist yet- that parts of him were still huddled and terrified in that God forsaken shack. That no matter how hard he tried, he would never get that part of him back. And that one day, Jack was going to have to help him say goodbye to it and fill that part of his life up with something else.

But he figured that at least for now, he could help him focus on something else. "You know Daniel, you should have seen Frasier. Would you believe me if I told you that she actually tried to fit a portable AED in my pack?"

He realized Daniel knew what he was trying to do, but luckily decided to play along. "Really?" He asked, trying to raise an interested eyebrow.

"Yup! And I have to admit that a few minutes ago I was cursing myself for not letting her strap it to my pack."

"She wanted to strap it to your pack?" Daniel asked incredulously.

"Oh yeah, actually if I didn’t know better, I’d swear she spent a good five minutes trying to figure out how to tie herself to it."

Jack was rewarded with a full blown giggle, followed by a wince, a curse and a hand reaching up to grab his vest. Guilt racked Jack, as vessel popping coughs racked Daniel. "Sshh, sorry buddy." Jack held the younger man, who had somehow, not filled, but lessened the void his son’s death left behind, tighter.

After the debilitating coughs subsided, Daniel lay limp in Jack’s arms. His tired and pain filled eyes held Jack’s concerned ones, but a smile touched his lips. "What…?" he croaked. "…worried you’ll be charged with ‘Involuntary Laugh-Slaughter’ or something?"

Shaking his head seriously, Jack patted his linguist on the cheek. "Of course not Daniel…the charges would be dropped before the first click of the cuffs. The President and I are like this, remember?" Jack finished, crossing his fingers and ducking a weak swat to his head.

Daniel grinned but started coughing again. "Here, drink some of this. Easy, take it slow." Jack cajoled putting his canteen to Daniel’s mouth and steadying it in the archeologist’s trembling hands.

Taking in Daniel’s labored breaths and exhausted body, Jack could tell that pneumonia was trying to get a hold of his archeologist, but prayed the antibiotics would be able to hold it at bay, at least until he got him into Doc. Frasier’s more capable hands, "You sure you’re up for this?"

Daniel let the hand drop that had been weakly holding the canteen and Jack put it away. "Piece of cake, right?" he answered breathlessly.

"Yeahsureyoubetchya." Jack smile, patting Daniel on the cheek. He wanted nothing more than to let his friend rest, but they just couldn’t risk staying in one place any longer. They had no way of knowing the position of their hunters. They could be moving in on them right now, or the river could have given them a decent head start…either way, Jack wasn’t about to wait around and see.

Helping Daniel stand, Jack bore most of the weight, steadying him when Daniel’s legs refused to hold him at first. Placing Daniel’s arm around his shoulder and grabbing him around the waist, Jack waited a moment for Daniel to get his balance.

Confidently, Daniel looked up at him, wincing as he attempted to straighten himself. "Let’s hit the road…Jack."

"And don’t you come back no more, no more, no more, no more." Cornelius nonchalantly sang as he passed the two up and took the lead.

Jack and Daniel watched as Cornelius trekked ahead, then they look at each other, and then back at Cornelius. Finally, looking back at each other, raising their eyebrows they simultaneously shrugged and followed in his wake, Daniel still being supported by Jack.

Their voices could faintly be heard over the sounds of the jungle.

"Jack?"

"Yeah Daniel?"

"You’re a bad influence on him."

"Am not!"

"Are too."

"Am not!"

"Are too."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

His mind was swimming, and demanding colossal amounts of energy, energy he didn’t have, just to concentrate. His muscles ached and shook with fatigue and abuse and sweat poured off him, despite the chills that racked his body. When they first started out, Janet’s drugs were already taking affect, making him confident that he would eventually be walking unassisted. However, now, not forty minutes into their hike, it took all he had just to put one foot in front of the other.

Jack’s grip had already tightened to keep him standing and so had Daniel’s. And somewhere along the line, Daniel’s head had ended up on Jack’s shoulder, not that he knew how he could still walk that way, body vertical, head horizontal.

He was still walking, wasn’t he? Yep! Because he just stumbled and would have taken them both down, if not for Jack’s killer reflexes.

He knew Jack wanted to carry him. And if he thought it would get them out of there any quicker, he might even consider it. But Jack was just as exhausted as he was; Daniel could see it in his eyes, though Jack would never admit it.

He just had to keep concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other, reminding himself that each step brought him closer to stiff white sheets, prying nurses, bright lights, needles and an overwhelming odor of antiseptics. Aaahh… Daniel sighed as he stumble again. I can’t wait.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After pulling Daniel upright again, Jack decided it was time to take a break. Daniel’s head was already lying limp against his shoulder and he doubted the scientist even had his eyes open, of course that didn’t stop his feet from moving. Jack had seen Daniel on auto pilot before, where all of his energy and concentration was diverted to only the most essential areas. His mind and tongue, while translating for their lives. His heart and soul, while trying to save a civilization. And now, his two feet, to walk him home.

Stopping and pulling Daniel back when his feet were about to walk out from underneath him, Jack signaled for Cornelius to scout ahead. "Dannyboy and I are gonna take a little breather."

Jack eased himself onto the ground, taking Daniel with him, becoming concerned when it looked like Daniel didn’t even notice. Tilting the younger man’s chin up so he could get a better look at him, he cursed at the sight of his flushed face. "Awe shit Daniel. Look at you. You’re fever’s up again."

Daniel looked up at him with confused and fever glazed eyes, finally becoming aware that he wasn’t moving anymore.

"Daniel, why didn’t you tell me you were feeling worse?" Jack asked gently, smoothing back his sweaty bangs.

"I’m fine Jack." He lied as he lay listlessly against him.

"The hell you are!" Jack snapped, damning these helpless moments. He already gave Daniel more than the prescribed amount of medication, just to keep him on his feet…hell, just to keep him breathing.

He knew how important it was for Daniel to be able to walk out of there…to be given some kind of control, after having every ounce stripped away while laying in that hut. But looking at him now, racked with fever and labored breaths, barely able to keep his head up, let alone his eyes open; he just didn’t think it was going to be possible.

"Really Jack…" Daniel didn’t sound convincing. "…just hit me with 10ccs of coffee and I’ll be good to go."

"Now, I know it’s bad. You’re attempting humor."

"Hey!" Daniel feigned hurt, but didn’t bother opening his eyes. "Actually, double ‘Hey!’, because I was serious. Where’s the coffee?"

"See, now Daniel you must be delusional if you think Janet would actually prescribe, let alone, allow you within a hundred feet of caffeine in your condition." He hoped Daniel didn’t argue that out of all the drugs Jack had been giving him, there was bound to be at least one, with some sort of stimuli in it. So he quickly changed the subject.

Digging out his canteen, he placed it against his friend’s mouth, causing him to jump and lazily open his eyes. "Here, I need you to sip on this until the mummy gets back, slowly." He added, when Daniel started to suck it down. "Janet will kick my ass if I show up in her infirmary with a dehydrated archeologist."

"Jack, I think that’s the least she’ll be concerned about. Besides, I’m already dehydrated."

"Yeah, but I promised I’d return the archeologist with at least a 1/3 of a tank, and thanks to your fever, I doubt I’ll be aloud to take you out of the mountain for at least a week."

"I’m touched." Daniel whispered as Jack insisted he take another sip.

"As you should be."

They sat there in silence for a few moments, Jack cringing every time Daniel’s breath would hitch and Daniel slowly losing the battle to stay conscious. Jack had thought the younger man had finally fallen asleep until he heard the faintest of words spoken into his chest. "The mummy?"

"What?"

"You said, ‘until the mummy gets back’."

It took Jack a second. "Oh. Wallas…Cornelius…whatever, doesn’t he remind you of that mummy guy from …well, ‘The Mummy’?"

"Imhotep?" Daniel asked, trying to remember what Cornelius looked like. He really hadn’t been paying much attention.

"Imo…um, sure, yeah, that sounds about right." Jack marveled at Daniel’s ability to still think circles around him while half unconscious.

"Yeah…I guess your right, he does…hmm."

"Hmmm..."

"Hmmm…"

The resounding sound of crickets was finally silenced when Cornelius returned. "Its all clear Colonel, at least for about another mile."

"Good to hear."

"How’s the kid?"

Looking down, Jack took in, said kid’s sleeping features and they cried pain. They screamed of nightmares to come and endless bouts of uncertainty. They begged for reassurance and safety in a friends embrace. And prayed for mercy from the merciless life he lived.

Hugging Daniel against him, Jack absorbed the tremors that ran throughout the younger man’s body and they reverberated through his soul, leaving it aching for a way to ease them.

He cursed the answers he wouldn’t have, and the chance that would never come so he could trade places with him. He damned the bastards that did this and the pain he wouldn’t be allowed to bare for him…

"Colonel?"

"He’ll be fine Wallas." There wasn’t any other option. Daniel’s stubbornness just wouldn’t allow it…and neither would Jack’s.

"Dannyboy will be just fine."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

***
"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within
what you are trying to defend from without."
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
***

Jack decided he wasn’t going to wake Daniel. He’d just place him over his shoulder and let him sleep the rest of the way, if it came to it.

Reaching over to take his pulse, Jack was startled when Daniel started screaming and whipping his head back and forth as if trying to escape a memory.

"No! You Bastards! Bill! Bill!" Daniel was struggling now in Jack’s arms, oblivious of his attempts to soothe.

Worried that Daniel would cause himself more harm, Jack was about to order Cornelius to get a sedative out of his pack, when Daniel suddenly snapped out of it with such a force, that Jack could hear the gunfire echoing from his nightmare.

"Jack?" He sounded so small, so lost.

"I’m here."

"Jack?"

The nightmare left him more exhausted and breathless than ever, but his hand still managed to reach out to find Jack.

"Sshh…its okay buddy."

"I’m so tired Jack…I’m so tired." He cried, as salty tears slipped to the ground in the wake of his mask.

"I know Daniel. I know." Jack lightly stroked his cheek, in what he hoped was a consoling way. He knew Daniel wasn’t talking body tired, he was talking soul tired. Because…at times, Jack felt the same way.

Because, as much as they believed in what they were doing; defending the world. Sometimes…sometimes one couldn’t help but wonder when it would end. When the macabre dance between battles and wars would finally seize. When pain would have time to heal, hearts have time to mourn, before the next call.

Sure, they’ve won their share of battles. They’ve been to the other side and found, that yes, the grass is greener. But never have they gotten the chance to smell it, to take their shoes off and smoosh it between their toes, before the other side’s demands forced them to return.

It was demands like these that left you waking up in the morning, wondering if you had the strength to make it another day. It was the constant pressure and worry that left you crying over a bottle of scotch when nobody was around… or, in Daniel’s case, coffee.

And finally, when the ache of exhaustion weakened you to a point, beyond the pain…it left you lying in the jungle, hanging onto your best friend, while you wept everything you’ve been harboring, away.

Reigning in his emotions, Daniel wiped his face with a shaky hand. "I’m sorry."

"For what?" Leave it to Daniel to apologize for the sky being blue.

"For being such a head case."

Jack’s breath caught at the choice of his words. It wasn’t a pleasant memory, for either of them. But, perhaps, in this case, he could use it to his advantage. "Anybody else here, getting a sense of deja`vu`?"

Daniel furrowed his brow, and Jack watched as he sorted through that mind of his. He figured he probably stored that memory in one of his many, ‘Do not, under any circumstances, open this!’ boxes. So he was a little surprised and relieve when Daniel giggled. "Yeah." Although, he doubted it was at the memory.

"Well, it wasn’t your fault then Daniel, and it sure as hell isn’t your fault now."

"Jack…"

"Daniel."

"Jac…"

"Daniel, I’m serious!" When his archeologist was forced to look away, or risk shedding more tears, Jack knew he won that battle…at least for now.

"You think you can walk?"

He could visibly see Daniel shoving the nightmare into one of those boxes, readying himself and forcing himself into the moment.

"Um…no. But I’m going to anyway."

It was then that Cornelius decided to make his presence known. He’d been standing on the sidelines the whole time, watching their backs. He didn’t even say a word. Perhaps Jack had underestimated him. He’d have to find a way to help him and his wife when they got back.

"It is not much farther, Colonel. Only a few more miles."

"Only a few more…you know, that…that just doesn’t comfort me like it should." Daniel admitted, as Jack handed him back the water.

"Don’t worry about it Daniel. If you get too tired, I’ll just hide you in some bushes and send Teal’c back for you." Jack grinned mischievously.

"Wow Jack, you’re just full of ‘Knee Slappers’ today aren’t you?"

"What can I say? When you got it, you got it."

"Which you obviously don’t."

"Oooh, blood loss and dehydration makes for one grabby archeologist." Jack teased back, enjoying the return of their banter, more than he would ever admit. He realized Daniel’s little siesta couldn’t have been that helpful…especially when plagued with nightmares, but he was relieved to see Daniel being Daniel again, his good ‘ole witty, if not, sarcastic self.

Carter says Daniel’s been hanging around him too long. This brought a smile to Jack’s face.

After taking a few more guarded sips, Daniel handed the canteen back to Jack. "Well, if we’re going, we’d better go now, before I come to my senses and let you knock me out. Not a word Jack." He added at the opening of Jack’s mouth.

"What?" Jack feigned innocence and was rewarded with a knowing glare from both, Daniel and their precious guide.

"What?"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HomeHome. Those "Meow Mix" kitties had nothing on Daniel.

He couldn’t wait. They were so close.

He could already taste the mountain’s recycled air. Imagine the Klaxons abruptly yanking him out of sound sleep and hear Jack complaining about Hospital chairs not being so hospitable.

He ached to sleep. He already decided that he was going to, for at least three days…make that a week. He thought he was exhausted when Chakka took him on a little cross country hike, but being supported almost completely now by Jack, he realized that it didn’t even compare.

At this point, not even a hot shower could curb him from belly flopping onto the first bed he sees. Oooh, and coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Just smelling it would probably give him a caffeine high right about now.

And just beyond those trees lay the ticket to them all. Just a few more feet and they’ll be in the clearing. Just a few more seconds and Cornelius will return with the all clear.

Just a few more…

"Colonel!"

He could feel Jack let up and tighten his grip so Daniel wouldn’t lose his balance after stopping their memento.

"What is it Wallas?"

"The aircraft isn’t at the rendezvous point and I can’t reach anybody on the radio. I also detected movement on the other side of the clearing."

"Oi."

Authors Note: This is my first fanfic, so I would love feedback. Let me know if I should find another hobby. *grin*

© March 2004 The characters mentioned in this story are the property of Showtime and Gekko Film Corp. The Stargate, SG-I, the Goa'uld and all other characters who have appeared in the series STARGATE SG-1 together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of MGM-UA Worldwide Television, Gekko Film Corp, Glassner/Wright Double Secret Productions and Stargate SG-I Prod. Ltd. Partnership. This fanfic is not intended as an infringement upon those rights and solely meant for entertainment. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author.