Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Teal'c watched from the control room as Colonel O'Neill kissed Major Carter.  If he hadn't chosen to do it in front of multiple witnesses which would prohibit prolonged sexual activity, not to mention five minutes before the day would reset, Teal'c might have stopped him. 

He did not approve.

Teal'c knew Major Carter had strong feelings for the colonel.  The colonel, on the other hand, was bored.  His actions on each successive loop, as the weeks and then months went by, were growing more inappropriate.  The colonel was not a patient man by nature.

And if he dared to touch Daniel Jackson in a similar fashion on a future loop, Teal'c would dismember him.

Teal'c felt the odd sensation that informed him time was resetting, and knew this day had come to an end.

---

"O'Neill," Teal'c said with a note of warning, having found the man a few days later skulking outside Daniel Jackson's office.  His brow furrowed when O'Neill started guiltily. 

"Oh, hey, Teal'c," O'Neill said casually.

Teal'c frowned.  "You told me earlier you were planning to be off base today."

"Changed my mind," O'Neill responded defensively.

"What is your business with Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c said as formidably as he could.

O'Neill frowned at him.  "Hey, he's my best friend," he griped.  "I can talk to him anytime I want.  What's your business with him?" he asked, turning the question on Teal'c.

"I am ensuring that you do not choose to relieve your boredom with Daniel Jackson as you did with Major Carter," Teal'c informed him, knowing the truth tended to be the most effective weapon against the colonel.

O'Neill's jaw dropped open, although he quickly shut it.  He also, Teal'c noted, did not deny the accusation.  Teal'c was very glad he had chosen this moment to check on his friend.  Both of them.

The colonel scowled.

Teal'c let his lips quirk up in a slight smile. 

Scowling again, O'Neill gestured at Daniel's door.  "I just want to talk to him," he protested weakly.

"I do not believe you."  Teal'c moved nearer the closed office door, assumed a wide stance and crossed his arms over his chest.  "If you wish to speak with him, I will accompany you."

O'Neill let out a sigh and sort of sagged against the wall.  "I'm going out of my fucking mind, Teal'c."

"I suggest you leave the base and find relief elsewhere."  It wasn't really a suggestion. 

"Fuck."  O'Neill pounded his fist against the wall.  With a rueful look he said, "You're right.  This was a stupid idea.  What I did with Carter was stupid.  I just…"

"I share your frustration, O'Neill," Teal'c offered.  "Perhaps we should return to the Latin translation."

O'Neill shook his head.  "No, I want this week off.  I'm sick of Latin; I'm sick of everything."

Teal'c had nothing to say to that. 

"Right," Jack said decisively.  "I'm out of here.  See you at the nine-fucking-thousandth debriefing on corona mass emissions in the next loop."

Teal'c gave him a slight head nod and watched O'Neill stride off.  He turned slightly until he was facing Daniel Jackson's door and wondered if, after forbidding O'Neill access to him, it would be hypocritical of Teal'c to have the conversation he had been contemplating for days.

At least he had no intention of touching Daniel Jackson. 

Hearing some activity within the office, Teal'c quickly chose to act and knocked on the door.

"Come in," a voice called through the door.

Teal'c opened the door to find Daniel waiting for a fresh pot of coffee to brew. 

Daniel smiled briefly at him.  "Teal'c.  Come on in."

Teal'c had never met anyone like Daniel Jackson.  Had never met anyone even remotely like him.  In his many years, Teal'c had known warriors, despots, false gods, scholars, wise men, and idiots, but never someone as forgiving and compassionate as the man in front of him. 

In general, the Tau'ri were a surprising people, but even among them, Daniel Jackson was different.

Teal'c wanted him for his mate.

"I wish to speak with you," Teal'c said formally.

"Of course," Daniel said with a quizzical glance.  He proffered an empty coffee cup in Teal'c's direction.  "Coffee?"

"No, thank you." 

"Do you mind if I…?" Daniel asked, waving his own cup around.

"I do not," Teal'c informed him.  He waited patiently while Daniel watched the last of the coffee drip through.  Daniel then poured a cup, sniffing appreciatively. 

Daniel looked up, saw that Teal'c was still standing, and his eyebrows danced a little.  "Ah…do you want to sit?" he asked tentatively.

"I do not," Teal'c repeated.

The brows danced again.  "Okay.  What, um, what did you want to talk about?"  Daniel stayed standing as well, moving in front of his desk to lean against it.

Teal'c had to remind himself that this conversation was merely to ascertain if the asking of this question would adversely affect his friendship with Daniel.  He was not willing to risk that for anything.  And while he trusted Daniel's tolerance as he trusted no other, Teal'c recognized that asking Daniel to become involved with the man who killed his wife might be too much.

"You have asked me many questions about Chulak," Teal'c began.

Daniel nodded encouragingly.  "Yes, I have.  You've been very forthcoming.  I'm grateful for that."

"I have spoken to you about the warrior caste system, and the taking of warrior mates."

"Yes," Daniel agreed again.  "I found it fascinating."  He watched Teal'c curiously, no doubt wondering where the conversation was leading.

Teal'c did not like how he was feeling.  It was unseemly how fast his heart was beating.  It was not befitting a Jaffa warrior to have sweaty palms.  Teal'c decided there was nothing to gain by postponing.  "I wish for you to become my warrior mate," he declared. 

Daniel's jaw dropped and his eyes opened wide.  "What?"  He almost lost control of his cup of coffee but saved it at the last minute, placing it on the desk behind him. 

Stoically, Teal'c repeated himself.  "I wish for you to become my warrior mate."

"Uh.  Um.  I…" Daniel's eyebrows were as high as Teal'c had ever seen them.

"I do not need to have an answer from you now.  I only wish to know if you are completely unwilling to contemplate the possibility." 

"I think I need to sit down," Daniel said, as he moved to his desk chair and essentially fell into it.  Then he looked up at Teal'c and put his hand on his chest.  "Me?"

"Yes.  I find you most worthy."  That was a bit of an understatement.  Teal'c had never met anyone worthier.

"Wow.  Huh.  Okay.  This, um, you've caught me by surprise," Daniel said shakily.

"If you find the idea repugnant…"

"I don't find the idea repugnant, Teal'c," Daniel interrupted him.  "I'm flattered beyond belief.  I just need a moment to catch up.  It feels like a lot's happened in the last minute."  He flashed a wry smile at Teal'c and reached for his coffee, taking a sip, gathering himself.

A part of Teal'c began to relax.  Daniel had promised him nothing, and it was premature to get his hopes up, but his faith in Daniel's aplomb was renewed.

"May I…may I ask what brought this on?" Daniel inquired softly. 

Teal'c thought about it for a minute, knowing Daniel would wait until he spoke.  "I wish for a companion.  The fight against the Goa'uld will no doubt last many years, and I would choose to not be alone for all that time." 

The affection was bright in Daniel's eyes, and Teal'c basked in it.  "I can understand that," Daniel said.  "But wouldn't it make more sense for you to find a mate on Chulak?  I'm sure General Hammond would allow you to bring a mate here to live with you."

"You are the mate I desire."

Another raising and lowering of Daniel's eyebrows.  Another sip of coffee.  Daniel cleared his throat and said kindly, "It hasn't been that long since Shan'auc died.  You were, um, you were planning to leave us, to leave me, to be with her."

That was a valid point.  Truth was required.  "She was someone I loved long ago and thought lost to me.  I would have gone with her willingly and fought by her side, but even then, I would have chosen you over her.  I did not believe that you would consider me as a mate after I killed Sha're."  

"But you believe it now?" Daniel softly challenged.

Teal'c did not want to explain about the time loop to Daniel, that this conversation held little risk for Teal'c except the private pain of Daniel's possible rejection.  "I have come to trust in your words that you have forgiven me.  I still do not hold much hope that you will accept my offer."

"I have forgiven you," Daniel said earnestly.  "I still miss her," he added honestly.  "I always will, but I know you were saving my life."

"You have suffered much because of my actions, Daniel Jackson."  Teal'c suspected it was a guilt he would take to his grave.

"I have my own share of past actions I would do differently if I were given the opportunity and knew then what I know now," Daniel responded graciously.   

The first time Teal'c had been privy to Daniel's extraordinary forgiveness, was when he had welcomed Teal'c as part of the team, despite the fact that he had handed Daniel's wife over to Apophis.  The second time had been watching from the observation room as Daniel prayed with Apophis' host, promising to return his soul to Egypt.  Since then, Teal'c had lost count.  "You have not answered my question, Daniel Jackson."

Daniel got up to refill his coffee cup.  "I'm, um, assuming that being warrior mates implies an, um, a sexual relationship."  He glanced at Teal'c over the rim of his glasses.  "Right?"

"That is correct."

"So, do you find me, um, attractive that way?"

"I do."

"Huh."  Daniel sat down again.  He chewed the inside of his cheek as he considered Teal'c.

Teal'c was unhappy to realize his palms were sweaty again.  "As I said before," Teal'c said, deciding it bore repeating, "I do not require a decision at this time.  I merely wish to ascertain a willingness on your part to consider it."

Daniel pursed his lips and adjusted his glasses.  He cleared his throat, and adjusted his glasses again.  Then, leaning forward he said quickly, "You have a Goa'uld symbiote in your abdomen.  Knowing that, I find the idea of making love with you, well, disconcerting."

Disappointment swept through Teal'c.  He sternly fought for control.  "So you are not willing to consider my proposition?"

"I didn't say that," Daniel corrected him gently.

Teal'c's eyebrows rose at the unexpected words.  He ruthlessly squashed down the hope that rose in equal measure.  "What are you saying?" he demanded.

Daniel sighed.  "You're a beautiful man, Teal'c."  He waved at Teal'c, a sort of head to toes motion.  "Anyone would be attracted to you."

Teal'c didn't care about anyone.  It only mattered what Daniel thought.  "Do you desire me that way?"

"I've…" Daniel cleared his throat once again.  "I've, um, noticed you."  He looked away.  "A lot."  He scrunched his face up.  "But…" An uncomfortable look appeared.

"My symbiote," Teal'c stated.

Daniel nodded.  "It's a problem for me."

"An insurmountable one?"

"I don't know," Daniel answered honestly.  "It's kept me from thinking of you as a possible partner.  But now that you're asking me, doing me the incredible honor of asking me to be with you, I can't say I wouldn't consider it.  But, I'd need some time.  I'd need to find a way to be with you and…and with…it."  A wincing smile crossed Daniel's face.  "That's the best I can do right now."

For Teal'c it was more than enough.  More than he'd expected.  "You are mistaken about one thing, Daniel Jackson."

"What's that?"

"It would be entirely my honor for you to accept me as your mate."

Daniel's face lightened and he smiled again, this one filled with an easy affection.  "I think we might need to share that distinction."

Teal'c stared at him for a moment, memorizing how Daniel looked right now, smiling softly at him.  He bowed his head.  "Thank you for your honesty.  Now I must go kel-no-reem."

Daniel nodded and pointed at the piles of paper on his desk.  "I'll, um, just get back to work."

With one last look, Teal'c opened the door and walked out.  He heard Daniel expel a loud breath and Teal'c fought against the urge to grin.  The conversation had gone much better than he'd anticipated.  He would need to do some research on Earth courtship rituals. 

---

Daniel watched Jack eat his oatmeal.  "I don't think I've ever seen anyone enjoy oatmeal so much."

Jack took another bite.  "When you've been eating Fruit Loops for who knows how long, a little variety helps."

Daniel smiled.  "Let me ask you something.  In all the time that you were looping, were you ever tempted to do something crazy?  I mean, you could do anything without worrying about the consequences."

"You know, it's funny.  You asked me that before."

"And?" Daniel asked.

Jack smiled at Sam, and went back to eating his oatmeal.

Sam looked at Jack questioningly, but Jack didn't say a word.

Angry at what Jack's look maybe meant, Daniel snapped, "Jack?"

"Daniel?"  Another bite of oatmeal.

"When you're done eating, could you come to my office?"

Jack frowned.  "Am I in trouble with the principal again?"

Daniel stood up.  "My office.  Soon."  He smiled at Sam.  "I'll see you later, Sam."

"I've got to go, too."  She stood, tray in hand.  "Colonel."

He swallowed his current mouthful.  "Carter."

With a last uncertain glance at Jack, Sam walked away.  Jack crooked his finger at Daniel, calling him closer.  "If you're going to yell at me, I'd rather do it in private.  Why don't you come over for dinner; I'll throw some steaks on the grill."

It sounded like a great idea to Daniel.  He'd get to scold Jack and eat steak at the same time.  Perfect.  "I'll be there at six."

"Eighteen hundred hours, Daniel.  Say it right.  Please.  Pretend you work in a military installation.  Make my day."

Daniel sniffed haughtily.  "I'll see you at six."

Jack pushed his oatmeal away.  "Spoil sport."

Grinning, Daniel walked away.

---

He was at Jack's house at six fifteen.  He'd stopped to pick up some dessert and then couldn't make up his mind what to get.

"You're late," Jack sniped at him.

"Don't be an ass, Jack," Daniel sniped back, handing him an ubiquitous pink bakery box.  "I come bearing gifts."

Jack peeked in the box and whistled.  "Hungry?"

"Yes, so feed me."  Daniel sat down at the kitchen table.  "Do we eat soon?"

"If you'd shown up on time," Jack said snidely, "we'd be eating right now.  Seeing as you're late, we'll be eating in fifteen minutes."

"You know I can take my dessert and go home," Daniel threatened.

Jack lunged for the pink box and held it tightly.  "Don't even think about it."

"Then cook."

Jack rolled his eyes, but obeyed.  An hour later, Daniel stared at the table now filled with empty plates, while he trolled for the last few crumbs of dessert on his plate.  "That was great.  Thanks."

Letting out a belch, Jack nodded. 

"So, what was that look about this morning?" Daniel asked.

Jack scowled.  "Don't I even get time to digest my food before you give me a belly ache?"

"No.  Did you touch Sam?"

Jack's eyes looked shiftily anywhere but at Daniel.

Daniel's eyes opened wide.  "Jack!  What the hell did you do?  Do I need to challenge you to a duel or something?"

"Teal'c already read me the riot act.  All I did was kiss her.  Okay?"

"No, it's not okay.  You took advantage of her."

"She didn't exactly mind, you know," Jack answered, thoroughly annoyed.

"That's not the point.  You knew she wouldn't remember.  How is that different from giving someone rohypnol?"

Jack glared at Daniel.  "I didn't rape her, Daniel.  Is that what you think of me?  Do you actually think I'd do something like that?  Jesus."

Daniel backed off.  "No, no.  I don't.  But, it was still wrong."

"Yeah, yeah, I know.  I told Teal'c that, I told him it was stupid.  I was just, you know, bored."

"And that's why it was wrong, Jack.  She's not a video game you can turn on and off.  She has feelings, feelings for you, and you're being unkind to encourage her in any way unless you plan to do something about it."

Jack let out a long beleaguered sigh.  "I know."

"Did you do something stupid with anyone else?"

Jack's eyes grew shifty again.

"You didn't," Daniel said, astonished.  "Tell me you didn't."

"Teal'c wouldn't let me," Jack said with a pout.

Daniel blinked.  "Teal'c wouldn't let you?"

"He stood outside your door and wouldn't let me in."  Jack looked thoroughly disgruntled about it and not the least bit sorry.

Daniel stared at him, dumbfounded, even as he felt a flush of gratitude toward Teal'c.  "Jack.  I don't, um, I don't even know what to say."

"I'm sure you'll recover quickly," Jack said dryly. 

"Did Teal'c try to stop you from kissing Sam?"

Jack shook his head no.  "No, he just told me not to do it again."

"Huh."  That seemed odd.  "Why didn't he stop you from kissing Sam?"

"Probably because I did it five minutes before the loop ended, after I handed my resignation to Hammond, and because I was in a room filled with people so nothing serious could happen."

Daniel blinked again.  "Why did you do it that way?"

"Because half the fun of it was watching the expression on everyone's face," Jack said with a grin.

Daniel shook his head, wondering how Jack had gotten so far in his career when such a large part of him was still thirteen years old.  "What would you have done if the time loop hadn't reset the day?"

"What?"  Jack was preoccupied running a wet finger along the bottom of the pink bakery box looking for more crumbs.

"What would you have done if for some reason the time loop had fixed itself and time moved forward and there you were kissing Sam, with Hammond holding your resignation?  Would you have really resigned?"

"Hell, no.  I'd have grabbed it back and ripped it up."

"So, you don't have any intention of resigning and taking up with Sam?"

Jack shot him an incredulous look.  "Are you nuts?"

"Jack, you have to stop this," Daniel said tightly.  "It's not fair to Sam."

Crossing his arms over his chest, Jack stared mutinously at Daniel.  "I'm not doing anything."

"By doing nothing, you're encouraging her.  And she's the one who'll pay the price.  If you don't intend to pursue a serious relationship with her, you have to take responsibility for putting things back on a professional basis, and stop throwing looks at her like you did in the cafeteria this morning.  It's unkind, and you're better than that."

"I'm glad you think so, Danny-boy.  But I'm really not," Jack corrected him.

"Yes, you are.  Because you care about Sam.  If you continue to act this way, stupid people, and there are a lot of them, will assume any promotions she gets in the future will be because she slept her way into them.  And at some point, she won't have you as a boss, and whoever her new boss is might assume he's entitled to the same privilege."

"Fuck," Jack said, as he stood to start carrying dishes over to the sink.

"Exactly," Daniel said.  "You're her superior officer.  You have to take responsibility."

Jack looked mournfully into the surgically clean pink bakery box.  "I love éclairs," he said mournfully.  "You should have gotten more."  He started to take it apart to throw it away.

"Jack."

"Daniel."

"Jack."

"I can't talk to her about it," Jack stated intractably.  "I hate that touchy-feely shit.  I'm no good at it." 

Daniel sighed.  "It would be kinder if you did talk to her, but at least stop acting like you're interested.  Shut it down.  Sam's not stupid.  She'll get the hint and give up this inexplicable attraction she has for you." 

"Ha, ha," Jack said sharply.  "I'll have you know half the women on base are hot for me."

"And which half would that be?" Daniel inquired sweetly, allowing a note of complete and utter disbelief to flavor his voice. 

Jack began loudly loading the dishwasher.

Daniel grinned and started clearing the rest of the table, putting the butter and salad dressings back into the refrigerator.

"So," Daniel said casually, "what were you planning on doing to me?  Alone.  In my office.  Where there were no witnesses."

Jack shrugged.  "I don't know.  I hadn't gotten that far."

Reaching for a sponge, Daniel wiped the table off.  "Are you interested in me that way?  I thought you were pretty much a ladies' man."

Jack snorted.  "I'm in the military, Daniel.  What do you think?"

"You didn't answer my question."

"I was going out of my mind, Daniel.  Out.  Of.  My.  Mind.  I needed something new.  I lived the same fucking day for months.  So, I thought, I'll go sexually harass Daniel.  That'll be different.  Either I'd get laid and be able to spend a few days on a sexual identity crisis, or you'd punch me out, and I'd get to throw an icepack on my face."

Rolling his eyes, Daniel headed for the living room.

Jack followed him.  "You wouldn't really have minded, would you?  Helping a pal out when he's seconds away from a complete mental meltdown?"

"You're kidding, right?"  Daniel couldn't believe some of the shit that came out of Jack's mouth.

Jack shrugged.  "Yeah.  Maybe."  He flung himself down on the couch.  But then he got up and veered toward the liquor cabinet.  He brought out some scotch and two glasses.  He put the glasses down on the coffee table and filled them with a healthy portion of amber liquid.  "Drink up.  I plan to get all your dirty little secrets out of you tonight."  He sat down next to Daniel on the couch.

Daniel frowned at Jack.  "Why?"

"We're best friends, right?  Best friends should know shit about each other so we can tease each other mercilessly."  He took a large swallow.  "Come on, drink up."

Daniel was secretly delighted by Jack's throwaway line about being best friends.  He was less delighted at the thought of being teased about more subjects than he already was.  But he took a swallow.  "Fine.  You first.  Back to me and Sam.  You think about having sex with us?"

Jack snorted with amusement.  "Yes.  With all three of you.  Preferably all at the same time."

Daniel barked out a laugh, almost choking on his drink.  "Jesus, Jack."

"Hey, I'm only human, all right?  The three of you could be making big bucks in your spare time as underwear models."

This time he did choke.  Coughing, Daniel put the glass down before he spilled it.  Jack started beating him on the back with the palm of his hand.  Daniel swiped his hand away.  "Stop it.  You're leaving bruises."

"Jeez, you try to help out a friend," Jack said with a mock snarl, as he took another swallow.  "Drink more.  We're off tomorrow, so you can sleep in the guest room and be miserable with me all day."

"Be still my heart," Daniel said as sarcastically as he could.  But, obediently, he took another long swallow.  He was starting to feel a buzz.  "Do you really think about having sex with us?"

"Nah.  Well, yeah, but only when I'm alone.  Having actual sex with you guys would screw everything up.  Not to mention getting me thrown out of the service."  

As Jack downed his drink, Daniel joined him.  It seemed only fair.

"So, Daniel, you ever think about fucking guys?" Jack asked.

Daniel peered at him over his glasses.  "You really want to know?"

"Yeah.  With the exception of Sha're, you have abysmal taste in women, so I thought maybe there was a reason for it."

"Me?  I have abysmal taste?"

"Fine, fine," Jack muttered darkly.  "We have abysmal taste."

"Except for Sam," Daniel said loyally.  "She's really great."  He glowered at Jack.  "And unavailable to you."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get it."  Jack poured some more scotch into both their glasses.  "You don't want her, do you?  Is that what this is about?"

"This is about you being a cad," Daniel said primly.

Jack barked out a laugh.  "A cad.  I like that.  A cad.  I don't think anyone's ever called me a cad before."

"I can't imagine why not."

"You didn't answer my question.  Do you want Carter?"  Jack shivered.  "I can just imagine the two of you in bed, talking about the geometrical angle of emissions and the importance of first contact relations."  He snorted again.

Daniel let out a laugh.  Oh, yeah, definitely feeling the effects.  "Nah.  I'm not interested in Sam.  She's like a sister to me."

Jack shot him a look.  "That sort of sounds like you are interested in someone."  His eyebrows went up.  "Hmm?  Who is it?  Who gets the infamous Dr. Jackson all hot and bothered?  And hey, you still didn't answer my question.  Do you go for guys?"

"Yeah, I go for guys.  I went for Sha're, but I go both ways."

"Hmph.  So you've fucked guys before."

Daniel nodded.  "And been fucked."  He glanced up at Jack.  "You got a problem with that?"

"Nope.  Not really surprised.  You sort of struck me as a 'not caring what the outside package looked like' type of guy, you know?" 

Daniel smiled crookedly at his friend.  "Thanks, Jack.  That's a nice thing to say."

"Yeah, I know."  Jack grinned.  "But you ever want to take up with an Unas, I don't want to know about it, okay?"

"I don't see that happening, but Aris Boch sort of asked if I'd be interested, you know," Daniel said, timing it just right so Jack spewed out a sip of scotch.

"He did not, you asshole," Jack said as he wiped the scotch from his face and neck. 

"Actually he did.  Or he sort of intimated.  I think."  Daniel scratched his head.  "I'm pretty sure he groped me."  

"I do not want to hear this," Jack said, a sour look on his face.

"I said no, Jack.  I mean I was flattered, and he's a good-looking guy, but long distance relationships never work."

Jack shot him a suspicious look.  "You are so full of shit."

Daniel laughed.  "You are so easy, Jack."

"Fuck."  Jack finished off his second glass and filled his again, topping off Daniel.  "So, if you're not interested in Sam, who are you interested in?  Me?"  Jack preened a little.

"No, not you."

"Why not?" Jack protested.  "I'm a good-looking guy.  I'm in pretty good shape."

"Because," Daniel said, hesitating, because he'd never actually said these words out loud, claiming Jack this way.  But then the words came tumbling out.  "Because you are my best friend, and I've never had a best friend, ever, in my whole life.  I don't want to fuck it up.  I don't want to lose you.  I want to be best friends with you until we both go out in some blaze of glory, like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."

Jack put his drink down.  "Daniel," he said seriously.  Or as seriously as a few drinks could lend itself to.

"I mean it, Jack," Daniel interrupted in a seemingly unending flurry of words.  "I know you hate this touchy-feely shit, but I'm saying it anyway.  You matter to me.  You matter too much to screw it up with sex.  Because we would screw it up.  We'd argue about everything.  Everything.  And I'd get pissy, and probably act like a girl and make you sleep on the couch, and you'd be twice the asshole on missions, trying to prove you aren't showing any favoritism, and it would suck." 

Jack inched over until he was right next to Daniel, and he flung his arm around Daniel's shoulder.  "Wow.  You've given this some thought, haven't you?"

"You matter to me, Jack," Daniel said emphatically.

Jack squeezed Daniel's shoulder.  "You matter to me, too.  And that's about the best thing anyone's ever said to me."  He leaned his head against Daniel's.  "Think we'll really go out in a blaze of glory?"

"I hope so.  I'd rather die that way than withering away in a nursing home with someone wiping up my drool."

"No shit."

They sat like that for a while, Daniel soaking in Jack's presence, grateful beyond words for his friendship.  "How about you?  If you could snap your fingers and have anyone you wanted, who would it be?"

"Sara.  I'd want Sara back," Jack said with no hesitation.

Daniel pulled away enough to sit sideways facing Jack.  "Why don't you call her, then?  Try.  You've got nothing to lose."

Jack shrugged.  "I was a bastard to her.  If she had any sense, she'd never talk to me again."

"She looked like she'd be glad to talk to you when your double showed up.  Call her, Jack.  Just call her.  Apologize.  Invite her to dinner."

"Maybe."  Jack let out a sigh, and let his head sag back on the couch.  "So, if it isn't me, and it isn't Sam, that leaves Teal'c."

Daniel winced, and took a sip of his drink.

Jack sat up straight.  "Teal'c?  You've got a thing for Teal'c?"

Daniel shrugged.

"For real?"

"I wouldn't call it a thing, exactly.  But, I think about it.  I mean, he's…" Daniel made a vague gesture in the air.

"Yeah, he's built like a brick house."

"He's got beautiful skin.  And I like his eyes.  And he's got that whole…" He made another vague gesture.  It was getting harder to put entire sentences together.

"That whole 'I'm a bad mother-fucker, but I like poetry too' kind of thing?"

Daniel nodded.  "Yeah."  He liked that about Teal'c.  He actually loved that about Teal'c.  He was deadly, but he always treated Daniel with gentleness and respect.  It was a heady combination.  Daniel was beginning to crave it.

"He's got Junior, too," Jack reminded him.

Daniel grimaced.  "I know.  That throws a wrench in the works."  He put his glass down on the coffee table, watching as Jack put his next to it.

"I get that."  Jack grimaced, too.  "Gah."  They both sat there, hunkering further down on the couch.  "Funny how he wouldn't let me in your office.  I think he would have ripped my arms off if I'd tried anything."

"It's just Teal'c's way," Daniel defended his friend.

"Like a Wookie," Jack said with a snort.

Daniel grinned at that. 

Jack grinned back.  "So, you got any other dark secrets to tell?"

Giving it some thought, Daniel finally shook his head from left to right.  "No.  You?"

"No."

"You'll tell me if you think of anything?" Daniel asked, wanting to be the person Jack told.

Jack nodded.  "Sure.  You?"

"Sure."

"Okay."  Jack sighed.  "We probably should go to bed.  We'll be really sorry if we fall asleep here."

"Hmm," Daniel answered, practically asleep already.

"Hmm," Jack said in response.

"Night," Daniel said drowsily.

Jack started to snore.

Daniel smiled and drifted off.

---

Teal'c was unsatisfied with his research.  It was this dissatisfaction that brought him to the doorway of Major Carter's lab.  He needed an ally.  O'Neill might be a more logical choice in that he was a male, except that Teal'c didn't trust him not to give him incorrect advice as a practical joke.  He had a deep distrust of O'Neill's sense of humor.

The major looked up and appeared momentarily startled to find Teal'c standing there.  Then she smiled welcomingly.  "Hey, Teal'c.  What brings you to my door?"  She hit a button on her laptop, tapped a few times following prompts, and swiveled on her stool to face him.

"I require some assistance," he told her.  "And your discretion."

Her eyebrows went up but she nodded.  "Sure."  She looked intrigued.  "What's going on?"

He entered the office, shutting the door behind him.  "I wish to…I believe the expression is to woo a mate."

Major Carter now looked distinctly alarmed.  "Uh, Teal'c…"

"It is not you whom I wish to woo," he assured her.

A look of relief crossed her face, followed by disgruntlement.  "Why not?  What's wrong with me?"

The Tau'ri, Teal'c thought, and not for the first time, have a penchant for taking insult.  "There is nothing wrong with you, Major Carter.  You would be an excellent mate.  I simply desire another."

"Oh."  It took a second for her ruffled feathers to settle.  "Okay."  Then her curiosity came to the fore and she leaned forward.  "So who is it?"  Her eyebrows wiggled.

For a moment, Teal'c questioned the wisdom of asking for her assistance.  Then he pressed on.  "Daniel Jackson."

She almost fell off her stool.  "Wha…" Her mouth opened to speak and then shut.  Blinking, she stared at him.  Finally she squeaked out, "Daniel?"

"Yes.  As I believe you know his likes and dislikes better than I, I hoped you might be of some assistance in how I might win his affections."

Her mouth opened and shut again.  "Wow."

Teal'c waited.

"Wow," she said again.  "I…" She shook her head.  "Holy Hannah."

"Do you disapprove?" 

"No," she said quickly.  "No.  Daniel's great.  You're great.  I just, it was just unexpected.  You were married.  He was married.  I saw you with Shan'auc.  I didn't know you…he…I didn't know."

"I have wished for him to be my mate for some time now, but I did not believe he could return my affections."

"And you do now?"

"I believe it may be possible."

Her brow furrowed.  "So you've already spoken to him about this?"

"I have."

She scrunched her face up.  "If you've spoken to him about it, why do you need my help?"

"He does not recall the conversation," Teal'c said, with little hope that she wouldn't prod for more information.

Major Carter studied him closely and her eyes narrowed.  "You talked to him during the time loops?"

"Yes."

"You told him you wanted him?"

"Yes."

"And he said?" she prompted.

"That he wouldn't necessarily say no, but that my symbiote was a difficult obstacle in his mind to overcome."

"Wow.  He said that?"  She looked impressed.  Teal'c understood.  Daniel Jackson's honesty was indeed to be admired.

"Yes," Teal'c said.  "He did." 

"Wow.  You and Daniel.  Wow."  She gave Teal'c a once-over from his head to his toes and fanned herself.

"Are you hot, Major Carter?" Teal'c inquired.

"Just from thinking about you and Daniel together.  Woof."  She grinned at him, completely unrepentant.

Teal'c was relatively certain that was a compliment.  "Will you assist me?"

She shut her laptop and pushed it to the side.  "So, let me get this straight.  You need me to help you make Daniel fall for you enough that he won't care you have a Goa'uld living in your…?"  She patted her stomach region.

Succinctly put.  "Yes."

She let out a whoop.  "This is going to be so great!"

Her enthusiasm made him nervous.  "You are not worried that a possible relationship between Daniel Jackson and myself will adversely affect the team?"

"Nah.  He's a civilian; he automatically gets preferential treatment.  You know we all already go crazy trying to keep him alive without him knowing it.  Besides Daniel would skin you alive if he thought you were putting his welfare before the safety of the team."

That was indeed true.  "So you will assist me?"

She grinned again.  "I'd be glad to."  Giving him another look, she beat a tattoo on the countertop with her fingers.  "We need to take you shopping."

His eyebrow went up.  "Shopping?"

"For clothes."

"Are not the clothes I have adequate?"

She shook her head, glancing at her watch.  "Nope.  Let's go."

---

Jack had made a list of steakhouses, and they were slowly working their way through it ever since they'd been thrown out of O'Malley's.  They weren't quite halfway through the list, and Jack was optimistic they'd eventually find a good replacement.  He had high hopes for this one. 

He parked the truck, and he and Daniel got out and walked to the entrance.  Carter had been doing her usual "this is fun to me, sir" crap on base on her time off and had offered to bring Teal'c.

Team night.  They tried to get together every Friday night they were on Earth and all in one piece.  It happened often enough to be a regular event.  It helped them get through the bad shit, the awkward stuff, the things that could tear the team apart.  They got buzzed, snarked at each other, and woke up the next day ready to take on the world as a united front.

On Earth.  Jack snickered.  Not something too many people could say.  Wait, I'll have to check my calendar; see if I'm on Earth.  No, that's not a good day for me, I'm not on Earth.  How about next Friday? 

Even four years in, it still blew his mind.

"Something amusing you, Jack?" Daniel asked as he reached the door first and held it open.

Jack shook his head in the negative, deciding it would lose something in the translation.  He did smile at Daniel, though.  Things were good between them at least.  That night of true confessions had tightened things up between them.  Cemented what they were together, and Jack liked it. 

Daniel reached the hostess first and asked for a table for four.  It wasn't too crowded yet, and Jack had a look around.  This place had a pool table like O'Malley's had, as well as a bunch of video games.  There were three television sets around the bar all playing different sports games.  Not too loud; just loud enough to make it feel like a lazy Sunday afternoon, napping on the couch listening to the football game.  It made Jack feel right at home.

He slid into the booth so he was facing the door, Daniel sitting across from him.  They both ordered a beer from the waiter.  Daniel looked around with interested eyes.  "Have you eaten here before?" he asked Jack.

"No.  But Ferretti said it was good."

Daniel nodded his approval, as he started to peruse the menu.

Jack looked up in time to see Carter coming in the door, and when he got a look at who she was with, or rather how he was dressed, he let out a whistle.  "Look what Carter dragged in."  Jack nodded toward the door with his chin.

Daniel turned around, looked, and returned to his menu.  Jack waited a second for it to sink in, and then smirked as Daniel's head turned around again so fast it was like a Linda Blair impression. 

"Put your tongue back in your mouth, Dr. Jackson," he teased.

He turned back to Jack and scowled.  "I am so going to regret saying anything to you, aren't I?"

"You betcha."  Jack grinned at his friend.

Carter and Teal'c were suddenly at the table, and even Jack had a hard time keeping his eyes off Teal'c.  The guy was like an advertisement for sex.  Jesus.  He wore a navy blue T-shirt.  Tight.  The shirt was tucked into blue jeans.  Tight jeans.  Really tight.  If Jack was an insecure kind of guy, he might be feeling a tad insecure right now.  Good thing he wasn't.  Teal'c was big everywhere and his outfit was like a map with neon signs pointing at all the important stuff.

Daniel was following the map carefully.  With focused attention.  Jack kicked him under the table.  Daniel stared up at him, blinking.  Jack rolled his eyes.  "Hey, Teal'c.  What's with the new duds?  Got a hot date?"

Carter slid in next to him, and Teal'c slid in next to Daniel.  Jack was sort of surprised Teal'c could actually sit in that outfit.  It seemed like it would cut off the blood supply to certain vital parts.

"Major Carter decided I needed some new clothing," Teal'c announced.

She grinned.  "I took him shopping."  Jack watched her eyes wander appreciatively over Teal'c's chest, and guessed that Carter had had herself a good time.

He eyed Daniel's brown sweater, the one Jack had tried unsuccessfully to hide.  "Take Daniel next.  His wardrobe could use a little sprucing up."

"Hey," Daniel said, complaining.  "There's nothing wrong with my clothes."

"I made a similar comment to Major Carter," Teal'c said seriously to Daniel.  "Apparently she finds my clothing inadequate."

"I thought your clothes were fine, Teal'c," Daniel said staunchly.  Jack noticed that Daniel seemed to find no fault with this outfit, either, given the way his eyes kept being drawn to it.

Jack hid a grin behind his beer bottle.  Good thing Teal'c was as oblivious to all the heated looks shot his way around the base as Daniel was.  Some days Jack thought he might have to start carrying around a fire extinguisher. 

"Thank you, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c said gravely, nodding his head at Daniel.

Daniel flashed Teal'c his shy smile, the one that always made Jack want to protect him for some weird reason.  The waiter appeared to take Carter and Teal'c's drink order and the four of them buried their noses in their menus.

A few minutes later, dinners ordered, and the noshing of bread having commenced, Jack pointed his beer at Teal'c.  "So really, what's with the outfit?  Hoping to get lucky?"

"Major Carter told me that it is customary to wear 'blue jeans' to casual outings.  Was she incorrect?"

Jack looked down at his own jeans.  "Nope.  Jeans are good." 

Coming to Teal'c's defense again, Daniel said, "You look great, Teal'c.  Just ignore Jack."

"I shall endeavor to do so," Teal'c agreed amiably.

Jack turned to Carter.  "So what else did you get him?  Leather pants?"

Carter just grinned at him, swigging her beer.  Jack decided it was going to be interesting watching Teal'c's outfits over the next few days.  Forget the fire extinguishers.  Jack was going to have to lug around resuscitation equipment.  He'd probably have to use it on Daniel whose eyes were still taking a walk all over Teal'c's physique.  On the rare occasions Jack had actually seen Daniel's sex drive rev up and take notice, he wasn't exactly subtle about it.  Jack figured it was because it didn't get much practice.

Their food arrived and silence reigned while they all stuffed their faces.  Carter finally sat back with a happy sigh.  "I think this place is as good as O'Malley's," she declared.

Jack heard her fumble with her purse and heard a thud on the ground.  "Damn," Carter said, looking under the table.  "Teal'c, I dropped my lipstick.  I think it's over by you.  Would you mind?"

Teal'c shot her a considering look, nodded gravely and started his under-table excavations.

There wasn't a lot of room to maneuver, so Jack watched Daniel's face as Teal'c practically slithered down Daniel's body in order to reach the floor.  His face grew red, and he made that little shifting motion that any guy who's ever gotten a hard-on in the wrong place at the wrong time can recognize. 

As Teal'c continued to futilely search for a lipstick that Jack was suspecting didn't exist, he continued to lean all over Daniel.  Jack glanced at Carter, and saw the sparkle in her eyes as she watched Daniel get all hot and flustered over Teal'c.

Finally Teal'c pulled up, resuming his sitting position.  "I do not see it, Major Carter."

Daniel let out a sigh of relief and Jack was so looking forward to giving Daniel shit about this later.  Carter got up and crouched down by the table.  When she stood, she held a tube of lipstick.  "Here it is," she announced innocently.  "Sorry, Teal'c.  I guess it wasn't on your side of the table after all."

She slid back in next to Jack and demurely took a sip of water.

Jack wondered what the hell she was up to.

Daniel cleared his throat.  "Excuse me, Teal'c, I need to, um, make a pit stop."

Teal'c shifted over and stood, allowing Daniel to get out.

Jack figured Daniel had to be grateful his sweater covered his hips.  Daniel gave them all a wincing smile and headed for the restrooms.  Jack noticed Teal'c watching Daniel's ass.

Maybe he'd better start carrying an extinguisher on missions.

Teal'c sat back down just as the waiter came to clear away their dinner dishes and drop off dessert menus.  Jack opened it up to see what they had.  It made him wish for more of those éclairs Daniel had brought over.

A minute later, he saw Daniel out of the corner of his eye and realized he was standing in front of one of the video games.  Jack squinted to see what game it was and snickered when he saw it was an old Indiana Jones pinball machine.  Figures Daniel would get sucked in.

Daniel turned to the table.  "Teal'c," he called.  "Come look at this."

Teal'c rose and moved to join Daniel.

Jack suddenly realized he was alone with Carter and they were both sitting on the same side of the booth.  He was sure they were painting a very pretty picture.  He gestured with his beer.  "Move over there, Carter."

She moved, but her eyes revealed a flicker of hurt feelings.

Jack realized Daniel was right.  It would be kinder to talk to her.  Kinder to both of them.  Otherwise the weirdness could go on for weeks before she got the message.

"Listen, Carter," Jack began.  "I'm not good at this stuff, so I'll apologize ahead of time."

"Sir?" she responded, clearly having no idea where he was going.

"And if I'm completely off-base here, just tell me and I'll shut the hell up, all right?"

She nodded.

"That stuff we said in that room, with that za'tarc thing, you need to know it applies to all of you.  I'm about as compromised a team leader as there can be.  All of you mean too much to me.  I care about all of you way too much.  I'd rather die than let anything happen to any of you."

Her expression grew a little guarded and Jack figured he was making his point.  He kept going.  "No fairy tales.  No happy-ever-afters.  Nothing's gonna happen here.  You know it.  I know it.  We just need to start acting like it.  All right?"

"Yes, sir," she said, not happy but trying not to show it.

"Carter.  Sam," he said softly, correcting himself.  "The stuff I said in that room, I meant it.  You guys are my family.  Nothing I'm saying here changes that.  When people work together like we do for so long, there's gonna be weird attractions and arguments and explosions.  We work it through.  That's what we do.  This isn't a team like any I've ever worked on.  But it works, and I want it to stay that way."

She squared her shoulders and looked at him.  Jack was relieved to see a determined look in her eyes that had nothing to do with softer feelings, and everything to do with being a part of a team.  "Me, too, sir."  She smiled at him.  "Actually, sir, I think you're pretty good at this."

"So, you all right?"

"Relieved, actually."  She reached for her beer.  "A little embarrassed."

"Don't be.  Daniel ripped me a new one the other day," he said honestly.  "It's all about checks and balances."

Grinning, she took a sip.  "What did he lay into you for?"

Jack rolled his eyes.  "Let me count the ways."  He gestured at the waiter for another beer, non-verbally checked in with Carter and ordered her one, too.  "Failing to live up to his high expectations."

She flashed an empathetic smile at him.  They'd all been on the end of one of Daniel's tongue-lashings.  Even Hammond.

The waiter appeared with the new beers and took the old ones away.  By the time Jack had screwed off the cap and took a swig, he noticed Carter looking at Teal'c and Daniel who were discussing something about the game.  Maybe the pinball machine designers, like those infinite number of monkeys typing on an infinite number of typewriters, had actually written something in Goa'uld.

They looked good together.  Daniel was a tall guy, but Teal'c stood several inches over him.  His dark skin contrasted with Daniel's fairer complexion; his calm expression offset Daniel's obvious excitement.  Jack saw several patrons in the restaurant looking at the two of them with appreciation in their eyes.

Jack ran his eyes over Teal'c's butt, framed quite nicely by his very tight blue jeans, and thought about the lipstick.  He turned to Sam.  "You're yentaing, aren't you?"

"Me?" she asked, the height of innocence.

He snorted at her.  "Yenta Carter.  You should put up a shingle outside your lab."

"They look good together," she commented, echoing Jack's thoughts.

"He's got a snake in his belly," he commented right back.

"I know.  But they look good together."

Jack shook his head at her.  "Don't get your hopes up.  Daniel doesn't hate much, but he hates the Goa'uld.  Can't imagine he's gonna want to get up close and personal to one."

"Yeah, but it's Daniel.  Look at him.  Right now he's chatting with the person who was responsible for his wife's abduction and who then killed her right in front of him.  Daniel doesn't play by most other people's rules."

Letting out a short laugh, Jack had to agree.  Daniel played by a very different set of rules, no doubt about it.  And they did look good together.  Jack still wasn't sure Daniel would be able to get around the symbiote issue; he knew he sure as hell couldn't.  But if anyone could, it would be Daniel.

Of course, he could be completely jumping the gun.  Just because Daniel broke out in a sweat at the sight of Teal'c in tight jeans, didn't mean Teal'c felt the same way.

---

Teal'c could feel a small satisfied smile on his face as he finished lighting the candles in his room.  He had chosen well when he'd asked Major Carter to be his ally.  Daniel Jackson had indeed become aroused by his new attire.

Teal'c's nostrils flared as he recalled the scent of the man he wished to mate with.  Then he pictured his face, and his strong and capable body, his smile, his enthusiasm.  Teal'c imagined that enthusiasm focused on him.

It took him a long time to calm sufficiently to achieve kel-no-reem.

---

When Jack walked into the conference room for the Monday morning debriefing, Carter and Daniel were already there, and things looked pretty normal. 

Carter was blabbing about something and Daniel had his listening look on.  It was the one that made him almost look dopey, his mouth half open, his brow furrowed, but that actually meant his mind was whirring at about a million miles a minute.  The one where he actually got what Carter was talking about and when she was done, he'd say something like, "have you tried it in red?" and she'd slap herself on the forehead, say "why didn't I think of that?" and they'd be off, saving the world.  Again.

His kids were a couple of geniuses, and he thanked his lucky stars they had each other to listen to because they both could put him to sleep faster than a sledgehammer to the back of his head.

Yup.  Things were normal.  No moony looks from Carter, and Teal'c, when he arrived, would be back in fatigues so Daniel wouldn't be breaking out in a sweat. 

General Hammond arrived at the same time Teal'c did.  Teal'c was carrying a large Styrofoam cup.  He walked around the table and handed it to Daniel.  "Daniel Jackson.  I have brought you some coffee."

Daniel stared up at him, dopey look still in place, maybe trying to figure out what the coffee had to do with the relative stellar drifty stuff Carter had been yammering about.  He blinked, and his expression changed from dopey to surprised to pleased.  "Thanks, Teal'c."  He took the cup, lifted the lid carefully and took a sniff.

"I have been informed it is one of your favorites," Teal'c said, as he took his seat.

Jack let out an exaggerated sigh.  "Hey, Teal'c.  Don't you know you're supposed to bring enough for the whole class?" he whined.

Teal'c deigned to glance his way.  "I do not know this custom."

"Yeah, well, now you do," Jack sniped.

Daniel took a sip and it was almost embarrassing to watch the look of ecstasy that crossed his face.  "Frangelico Myst."  He let out a contented hum.  "This is great."  He buried his face in the steam coming from the cup as if it was a eucalyptus head cold treatment. 

Jack glanced at Daniel and then at Teal'c.  This was different.  A Jaffa bearing gifts.  He shot a look Hammond's way to find him watching Daniel establish a lasting relationship with his coffee. 

"All-righty then," Jack said, slapping the table.  "Enough with the coffee bonding.  General?" 

Daniel reluctantly pulled away from his cup, but still held it close enough to admire it.  He flashed Teal'c a smile and then focused on Hammond.

Oh, yeah, Jack thought to himself.  Nice and normal.

---

Teal'c went in search of Daniel later that evening, knowing he would still be in his office.  "Daniel Jackson," he intoned from the doorway.

With a distracted air, Daniel forced his eyes up, a finger holding his place.  "Oh, hey, Teal'c."  He smiled briefly.  "Thanks for the coffee."

"You are welcome."

"Did you, um, did you need something?"

"I thought you might accompany me in kel-no-reem this evening."  Teal'c and Samantha Carter had devised a plan that required several nights of shared meditation between him and Daniel Jackson.  It was Major Carter's idea, but Teal'c thought it had merit. 

Daniel rubbed his eyes.  "Actually that sounds good.  I can't seem to concentrate."  He searched his desk for a bookmark, settled on a napkin and put it in place, closing the book.  "Now?"

"Yes."

Agreeable, Daniel followed him out the door and to his quarters.

Teal'c slowly lit the candles, brushing Daniel's body as often as he could without it appearing purposeful.  While the complicated mating rituals Major Carter insisted on were unfamiliar to him, strategy was not.

When he was done, he sat down cross-legged across from Daniel Jackson, knees almost touching.  It was closer than he would normally sit.  He looked up to find Daniel watching him, but there was no uneasiness in his expression.  Indeed, Daniel smiled gently at him and closed his eyes.

Unlike the other night, Teal'c found it easy to relax knowing Daniel Jackson was nearby.  In seconds he sank deep within himself.

---

When they got back from their latest mission and gathered for a debriefing, Teal'c appeared with more coffee for Daniel.

Jack scowled at him.  "Hey, what did I say about sharing with the class?"

Teal'c handed the coffee to Daniel.  "I chose to disregard your truism.  I do not believe it applies in this situation."

"It always applies," Jack disagreed.

"Does not the Tau'ri military pay you a sufficient salary to afford the purchase of such beverages?"

Jack let out a scoffing noise.  "Well if you're using that as your excuse, Daniel makes more money than I do," he griped.

Carter was trying hard to hide a grin as her head bobbed back and forth following the conversation. 

"I do not wish to buy you a cup of coffee," Teal'c patiently explained, as if Jack were a five-year-old.

Jack tried to plead with the general.  "Don't you think he should bring some for everyone?  It's no fair playing favorites."

Daniel frowned at Jack.  "Jack.  Stop being such an ass.  You'll make Teal'c feel bad."

"He will not, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c assured Daniel.

Hammond cleared his throat.  "Perhaps we could attend to the matter at hand.  Major Carter, what were your findings?"

When Carter opened her mouth and began to babble, Jack took a little nap with his eyes open, a skill he'd been perfecting most of his life.

---

By the time Daniel showed up that night, Teal'c already had most of the candles lit.  Major Carter had chosen his outfit.  The gi pants he wore were lightweight and the fabric molded to his body.  He also wore a black sleeveless low-necked shirt.  The major had whistled approvingly when he had modeled the outfit. 

Teal'c could feel Daniel Jackson's eyes on him as he crossed the room to light the last of the candles.  As per the major's instructions, he bent over to place a candle on the ground, his back to his friend.  He could hear Daniel clear his throat and sit quickly.

Teal'c joined him, sitting closely again, savoring the aroma of Daniel's arousal.  Major Carter appeared to be correct; his choice of apparel did indeed have an effect.  While every step he took was a serious part of an overall campaign to win Daniel Jackson as his mate, he discovered, to his surprise, that he was enjoying himself.

---

Jack slapped Daniel's office door a couple of times.  "Come on, Daniel, I'm hungry.  Let's go."  It was then he realized that Daniel wasn't alone; he was with Teal'c.  Daniel was sitting at his desk looking at a book.  Teal'c was behind him, looking at the same book.

Teal'c looked like he was plastered to Daniel's back.  Like maybe, maybe, Jack could get a piece of paper between the two of them.

Unfortunately for Teal'c, Daniel was clueless.  Whatever translation he was working on obviously held a greater allure for him than Teal'c's charms.  Jack didn't envy Teal'c the never-ending battle of wooing Daniel away from his books.

Daniel also hadn't heard Jack, but Teal'c had.  He shot Jack a look that spoke volumes.  Things like: back off, he's mine, do not interfere, and if we were in Chulak, you would already be dead.

If Jack were a different man, he might have considered it a warning.  But he wasn't a different man.  He was Colonel Jack O'Neill with two Ls and Daniel Jackson was his best friend.  Completely ignoring Teal'c, he called again.  "Daniel."  He moved closer to the desk and knocked on it.  "Hey.  Let's go."

Without looking up, Daniel put up one finger, silently asking Jack to wait a minute.  Jack rolled his eyes heavenward for strength.

"Daniel Jackson and I are working on a translation, O'Neill," Teal'c said, straightening, his voice bristling with challenge.

Jack nodded.  "You can finish it tomorrow."  Come on, Teal'c, he said silently.  Figure this out.  I'm not a threat to you unless you make me one. 

Jack liked Teal'c.  Hell, he loved the guy.  He was family.  And Jack had no issues with whatever the hell designs Teal'c had on Daniel.  Jack had no doubt they were honorable.  In fact, if Teal'c were the sort of guy who needed someone's blessing, Jack would give it to him.  But if Teal'c thought he was going to lock Daniel away, or put him in some sort of Chulakian Burkha, he had another think coming. 

"Daniel Jackson has asked for my assistance," Teal'c insisted, still glaring.

"I got best friend squatter's rights," Jack quipped right back.  "Me and the good doctor have dinner plans."  He leaned down until his face was inches from Daniel's.  "Let's go," he said slowly and clearly.  "My stomach's growling so loudly someone's gonna think it's an unscheduled gate activation."

Daniel finally looked up.  "Oh, hey, Jack."  He looked at his watch.  "Is it that late already?"

"Tick tock, Dannyboy."

Keeping a finger in the book to hold his place, Daniel stood, pushing back against Teal'c.  "Sorry, Teal'c."  Daniel winced an apologetic smile at him.  Glancing at Jack he headed for the door.  "I'm just going to run this to records so they can copy the chapter and blow it up for tomorrow.  I'll be right back and then we can go."

Out the door he went.

Jack and Teal'c stared at each other.  Finally Jack said, "Best friends, Teal'c.  That's not gonna change."  Jack figured he might as well draw that metaphorical line in the sand right now.

Teal'c's jaw muscles jumped, and his hands were fisted.

Jack really didn't want to end up on the wrong end of a staff blast one day on some backwater planet, but he wasn't backing down.  Teal'c was going to have to share.  It was in his best interests to share, because whether Teal'c knew it or not, and Jack suspected he knew it, Jack could torpedo this budding whatever-the-hell-it-was faster than Teal'c could say "Bob's your Uncle"."

All Teal'c had to decide was whether that made Jack a threat or an ally.  Jack tried again.  "Best friends." 

And just like that, Teal'c relaxed.  "Indeed."

More tense than he realized, Jack relaxed as well.  And he remembered to breathe, too.

Daniel chose that moment to return, and quickly shut off his laptop, grabbing his jacket.  "You want to come with us, Teal'c?"

"I believe I shall stay here and finish the book you loaned me," Teal'c said calmly, although his eyes showed his gratitude for the invitation.

"You sure?" Jack added his invitation.  Now that the best friends thing was settled, Teal'c was more than welcome to come along.

"I am."  He gave them both a nod and a small smile, and when they turned left, he turned right.

Jack observed Daniel watch Teal'c walk away.  Jack scrunched his face up and pointed over his shoulder with his thumb.  "You wanna go kel-no-reem or something?"  He was willing to give Daniel a push if Daniel wanted to be pushed.

Daniel shook his head and smiled at Jack.  "No, I want to go eat."

Jack grinned.  "Sweet.  Let's go." 

---

Once they were seated and orders taken, Jack decided to do a little prodding.  "You notice anything different about Teal'c?" he asked nonchalantly.

"What do you mean?" Daniel answered distractedly.  Jack leaned in and saw that Daniel was reading the history of the restaurant that was written on the back of the menu.

He couldn't take Daniel anywhere without him having to learn something, Jack thought with a quiet snort.  "Oh, I don't know.  Bringing you coffee, the clothes, you know, that kind of thing."

Daniel's brow furrowed.  "I don't think I follow."

Jack decided there could not possibly be a more oblivious person alive on the face of the planet.  On the face of several planets.  He hoped Teal'c realized that at some point he was probably just going to have to jump Daniel to get his point across.  That might not even work; Daniel hadn't even known he'd gotten married.

Just then their food arrived.  Jack pushed the conversation to a place of easy banter and enjoyed his dinner.

---

"Close the iris," Jack bellowed as he leaped out of the event horizon and landed with a clatter on the ramp.

He heard Hammond echo his command and the iris sealed shut behind him.  Jack was glad to hear Davis summon a medical team.  Teal'c had an arrow sticking out of his shoulder, and he was dripping blood all over the gateroom. 

Daniel was hovering close, having helped Teal'c scramble the last remaining distance to the wormhole after taking the arrow, Jack covering their six before jumping through himself.

Dr. Fraiser appeared with several orderlies and a stretcher.  When she saw who was wounded and that he was still standing, she ordered them back to the infirmary.  She knew better than to try to get Teal'c on a stretcher. 

Jack snickered to himself.  The only time Teal'c got on a stretcher was when he was unconscious and even then he griped about it. 

"Anyone else hurt?" Fraiser asked, giving them all an anxious look.

Jack shook his head.  They'd gotten off easy, considering.  Even the infamous Doctor Daniel Jackson hadn't been able to sweet-talk these natives.  "Just Teal'c."

"Come on, Teal'c," Daniel said.  "Let's go to the infirmary and get that arrow out of you."

Jack was pretty sure that if anyone else had asked, Teal'c would have given them an inscrutable look, yanked the arrow out of his shoulder and handed it to them.  Instead, he let Daniel grab his arm and coax him away, following Fraiser.

"I take it things didn't go well," Hammond asked dryly.

Jack snorted.  "Nothing we wanted anyway.  Carter had time to get a few samples and they all came up negative."

Carter agreed wearily.  "I wouldn't recommend a return visit, sir."

Hammond nodded briefly.  "Okay, people, go to the infirmary to get checked out.  We'll debrief in an hour."

Jack gestured for Carter to go ahead, and he fell in beside her.  "Oh, joy, needles and penlights."

She grinned at him.  "Two of your favorite things." 

---

Daniel had never met anyone quite as stoic as Teal'c.  Nothing seemed to faze him.  He sat on the stretcher, looking bored, even with an arrow sticking out of him.  Daniel wished Janet would get it out already.

While they waited, a nurse had cut off Teal'c's shirt, and Daniel, of course, couldn't help but enjoy the view, symbiote pouch aside.  Teal'c did, without a doubt, have a beautiful, beautiful body.  Daniel was tempted to touch him.  Just to feel the hard muscle underneath the soft dark skin.

He found himself captivated by a drop of blood that was making its way down the curves of Teal'c's collarbone.  In a few seconds it would reach his nipple.  Which was hard and pebbled.  Daniel swallowed and ordered himself to get it together.  It seemed as if all he did lately was lust after Teal'c and he couldn't help but feel it was disrespectful of his friend.

His eyes were drawn back to Teal'c's nipple.  Nipples.  Pecs.  Arms.  Amazing arms.  Strong arms.  Strong body.  Large hands.  For a fleeting second he imagined those strong hands on him.  Oh, boy.  Time to go. 

Fraiser chose that exact moment to appear, and Daniel hightailed it out of there, sure he was imagining the small smile on Teal'c's face.

---

Teal'c appeared no worse for wear the next morning and he once again had a cup of coffee for Daniel. 

Hammond watched the coffee hand-off then glanced at Teal'c.  "How are you, Teal'c?"

"I am well, General Hammond."

The look Daniel ran all over Teal'c before yanking his eyes back to his coffee with a look of chagrin, amused Jack to no end.  Oh, Danny-boy, Jack thought, laughing to himself, you have got it bad.

The briefing didn't last long, just a review of the MALP findings, which showed a planet that appeared to be non-threatening, with nothing of any great distinction showing up on telemetry.  Hammond declared the mission a go, and it was set for the next morning.

The team dispersed, each to his or her tasks.

---

As Teal'c was getting ready to sit for meditation that evening, Daniel appeared.  "Daniel Jackson," Teal'c greeted him warmly.  "Do you wish to join me?"

Daniel nodded.  "I would.  Thank you."

Teal'c stepped to the side of the entryway so Daniel could move past him.  He had hoped Daniel might show up, and in preparation had foregone wearing a shirt.  He could feel Daniel's eyes on him as he sat down across from him.

"May I…" Daniel started.  "May I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

Daniel made a vague gesture towards Teal'c's abdomen.  "Can you feel it when it's healing you?  I mean, do you communicate with it in any way?"

"I sense its presence," Teal'c explained, "but I do not communicate with it in the same manner as I am speaking with you."

"What does it feel like?"  Daniel put up an apologetic hand.  "If I'm being too nosy, please feel free to tell me to mind my own business."

"I do not mind your questions," Teal'c assured him.  In fact, he welcomed them.  He needed Daniel Jackson to become comfortable with the idea of his symbiote.  "I can feel it within me, when it moves."  He placed his hand over his pouch.  "I feel the power it gives me, the healing and the strength."

Daniel looked fascinated.  And, even more importantly, he did not look repulsed.

Teal'c continued.  "As the symbiote matures, I can sense its need for a host."

"How many symbiotes have you had?"

"This is my tenth symbiote."

"And you've had this one, for, what, is it two years?" Daniel asked.

"That is correct."

"Can you sense its nature?  Can you feel its…" Daniel searched for a word, "its malevolence?"

"The only time I have sensed its evil is when Shan'auc persuaded me to attempt to communicate with it.  It showed me my father's murder; I believe it was taunting me."

Daniel's brow furrowed.  "How would it know about your father's death?  It probably hadn't even been born yet.  Do the Goa'uld have a collective memory?"

Teal'c considered the question.  "All symbiotes are born possessing the racial memory of their family line.  Immediately after taking a host, a Goa'uld is able to assume mastery, and they appear to be skilled in the taking of life.  But as to the sum of their knowledge, this I do not know."

"It doesn't seem too likely, though, does it?  If they did, every new Goa'uld would be a threat to all the established Goa'uld.  I can't imagine they'd be crazy about that idea.  Plus, when Sha're was talking to me in my dreams, she spoke of the Harcesis, a child born with all the knowledge of the Goa'uld, and she sounded as if it was something unprecedented."

"You are correct, Daniel Jackson."  Teal'c had not given this sufficient thought.  How could his symbiote have known of his father's murder?

"Is it possible," Daniel asked, as if reading Teal'c's mind, "that it somehow picked up on your thoughts and simply fed it back to you?"

It was possible.  Teal'c knew how his father died and who was responsible for his death.  His symbiote might have simply shown him what his own mind had already pieced together. 

"Can you tell them apart?"

Teal'c glanced over at Daniel, not sure what he was asking. 

Daniel clarified.  "Can you tell the symbiotes apart?  Are they different?  Do they feel different?  Do they have any sort of personality?  I mean, despite the fact that all the Goa'uld I've met are megalomaniacal tyrants," Daniel flashed him a rueful grin, "they each have their own distinct style."  He leaned forward.  "Do you think that's the host influencing them, or are they that different?"

Teal'c did not have answers for his friend.  He had consistently hated every symbiote placed in his pouch as it was a symbol of his captivity and the captivity of his people.  Even now, he was chained to it, a painful death the price he would pay if it were removed from him.  "I do not know all the answers you seek.  However," Teal'c continued, "during my time serving Apophis, I saw three Goa'uld I knew well take new hosts and each time, even had I not been there to see the transfer, I believe I would have known them instantly.  I do not believe the host has much influence."

Daniel appeared deep in thought.  Finally he asked, "Can you tell if it's male or female?"

"Unless it is a queen, symbiotes do not have gender as we know it."

"Do you know who it is?  Does it have a name?"

"If it does, I do not know it."

Daniel shot him a sheepish look.  "I apologize for all my questions."

"You may ask me whatever you wish, Daniel Jackson."

Shooting Teal'c one of his shy smiles, Daniel shook his head.  "I think I'm done for the time being."  He glanced at Teal'c's abdomen and hesitated.  "Um…"  He scrunched his face up.

"What do you wish to ask?"

"Does it, will it come out?  Does it ever poke its head out to see what's going on?" Daniel asked nervously.

"No," Teal'c reassured him.  "Not unless requested or the pouch is opened or it is time for the symbiote to find a host."

Daniel looked like he was ready to launch into a slew of more questions, but he tightened his lips, finally saying, "Thank you, Teal'c, I appreciate you answering my questions.  We can start meditating now."

"I am willing to answer any of your questions, Daniel Jackson.  You will not offend me."

"Maybe later."

Teal'c nodded and closed his eyes.

"It's just that…" Daniel said in a rush, then stopped.

Teal'c opened his eyes.  "Proceed."

"It's just that it's such an important part of you, your race, your people, your culture, and I want to understand.  I don't like, I'm not comfortable…"  He stopped again, frustrated.

Teal'c waited.

"You have a Goa'uld larva living inside of you."  Daniel let out a soft mirthless laugh.  "I know I'm not telling you anything you don't know.  But, it sets up a dissonance within me that feels like a disservice to you.  How can I hate this part of you when you mean so much to me?  I don't know how to reconcile what I'm feeling."

He gifted Teal'c with a gentle smile and continued.  "It must be difficult for you to live among humans.  Your people accept this symbiotic relationship as a part of life, regardless of how they might resent it.  Here, we cringe at the thought and back away from you, and you get caught in the backlash.  It's hardly fair to you."

Once again, Teal'c found himself astounded by his friend.  He felt inundated by his love and a need to know this man in all ways.

Daniel reached out to put his hand on Teal'c's forearm.  "Maybe this really doesn't matter to you.  Maybe I'm projecting how I might feel in a similar situation.  If it doesn't matter, tell me, because I don't want to push my needs onto you."

It took every ounce of Teal'c's control not to reach for Daniel and pull him into his arms.  His body was almost trembling with the effort.  He covered Daniel's hand with his own.  "It matters," he admitted softly.  "It matters a great deal."  More than Teal'c could say.

They stared at each other for a long while, and then, by unspoken agreement, their hands dropped away.  Daniel cleared his throat, smiled briefly at Teal'c, and closed his eyes.  Teal'c stole a long moment to stare at Daniel, but then he, too, closed his eyes.

---

They were in the gateroom, geared up for their mission when there was an unscheduled gate activation.  A few more seconds revealed it was SG-8, an archeological team studying some temple ruins Daniel had relinquished reluctantly.

They wanted Daniel.  They'd found a new temple with writing they didn't recognize.  Could they send him?

Daniel wanted to go.  Jack didn't like splitting up the team, but he really had no good reason for saying no.  He'd vetted the planet himself, labeling it as safe and uninhabited.

The decision was made for Daniel to go join SG-8, and the rest of SG-1 would complete their already scheduled mission.  If they ended up needing Daniel, they'd check in.

Daniel ran to his office to pick up a few extra supplies and was back in the gateroom in fifteen minutes, cramming stuff in his backpack.  They watched him enter the event horizon without them, and then their destination was dialed up for them.

Teal'c looked thoroughly disgruntled.  "I do not like Daniel Jackson to go on missions without us," he proclaimed.

"You're preaching to the choir, here, buddy," Jack rejoined, right before stepping into the wormhole.

---

SG-1's mission was successful and brief.  The natives were welcoming, showing no fear of Teal'c, letting them know there had been no recent Goa'uld presence on the planet.

Major Carter discovered high readings of trinium, which would no doubt please the Pentagon.  After participating in a feast laid out in their honor, SG-1 returned the next morning.

Daniel Jackson would be at least another day. 

O'Neill expressed his displeasure, but as there was little they could do about it, they all went their separate ways.

Teal'c ran through his exercise program, attempting to quiet his mind as his body ran through the katas.  The stillness kept slipping away with visions of Daniel Jackson: his face, his eyes, his body, his earnestness and passion. 

His need for Daniel seemed endless.  He was worse than Rya'c, thinking that tomorrow would never come.

Focusing with increased diligence, Teal'c attempted to put any thought of his friend from his mind.  He brought all his attention to his body's movement, the smooth transition from one kata to the next, forcing his body to obey him.   He moved until he was nothing but fluid motion, muscle and sinew cutting through the air with surgical precision.

His tranquility was abruptly disturbed when Jack suddenly appeared.  "Gear up, Daniel's gone missing." 

Teal'c was in the gateroom first, chafing at the delay.  Major Carter and O'Neill appeared shortly, armed to the teeth. 

"What is the situation, O'Neill?" Teal'c demanded.

"Daniel checked in at eleven hundred hours, told the team he'd be back for lunch in an hour but didn't show.  He hasn't answered any radio calls, and he's not where they left him.  They're out looking for him now but decided they should let us know right away."

Teal'c saw O'Neill's teeth grind, and knew his own expression was equally forbidding.  If this team had been careless with their team member, there would be a price to pay.

The wormhole engaged and the three of them strode quickly up the ramp, coming out the other side.  Only one member of SG-8 was there to greet them.  Teal'c recalled his name: Partis.  Captain Partis.

"Where's Rovski?" O'Neill snapped out.  "Why the fuck weren't you watching him?"

Partis swallowed.  "They're all out looking for him.  We were checking in with him every hour.  He told us to leave him alone, that he couldn't concentrate with us hovering."

O'Neill opened his mouth, no doubt to engage in what would be a blistering attack regarding his incompetence.

"Captain," Teal'c interrupted before he could begin.  O'Neill could tear SG-8 apart limb by limb later, after Daniel was found.  Teal'c would take great delight in assisting him.  "Take us to Daniel Jackson's last known position."

Pathetically grateful for something to do, Partis scrambled away from O'Neill and led them up over a rise, moving at a steady walk.

Nowhere near fast enough.  Teal'c and O'Neill pushed him until they were all jogging.  Even at that fast pace, it seemed to take an endless amount of time to arrive.  "There," Partis panted out.  "He was in here," he added, as he led them inside a stone structure.  "Studying this wall."  He pointed to a wall.

Teal'c put out a hand to keep them from going any closer.  "Do not disturb any possible tracks," he warned.

Partis swallowed and O'Neill let out an annoyed noise.  "Let me guess.  You've already trampled the area, right?"  He looked at Partis with disgust and gestured at Teal'c.  "See what you can find."

Major Carter pointed to an adjacent wall.  "His backpack's still here."

O'Neill clicked on his radio.  "Rovski?  Find anything?"

There was a pause.  "No, Colonel," an unhappy voice answered.  "Nothing.  I swear, he was right there.  I had someone within shouting distance at all times.  No one heard a thing."

Some of the anger faded from O'Neill's face at this report, even if the worry was still obvious.

Teal'c studied the packed dirt but the area was scuffed by multiple boot prints, leaving no picture behind of what might have happened to Daniel.  He headed outside, looking for any evidence of foul play, of Daniel being dragged away, for any traces of blood.

O'Neill looked up when he reentered the temple.  "Anything?"

Teal'c shook his head.

The rest of SG-8 appeared, looking panicked.

Teal'c had to remind himself that these men liked Daniel Jackson.  And Daniel Jackson would no doubt be displeased if Teal'c were to harm them. 

Rovski immediately began apologizing, and O'Neill put his hand up to stop him.  "Can it, Rovski.  We'll talk about it later."  He turned in a circle, staring at the space, frustration on his face.  "Okay."  O'Neill walked to the wall and crouched down.  "He's here, working."

He pulled Daniel's backpack closer and opened it, finding Daniel's notebook within.  O'Neill withdrew it and flipped it open to the last page of notes, studying it for a minute, eyes squinting at the small writing.  "Looks like he finished." 

O'Neill stood.  "He finished his translation, put his notebook away, with every intention of heading to camp.  So what happened?" 

Major Carter stood next to him and began slowly turning in a circle.  "Something caught his eye."  Her eyes started searching the other walls.

Teal'c saw it first.  "There."  Something was shining on the far wall.  Teal'c approached it carefully, O'Neill keeping SG-8 away from it entirely. 

"Daniel?" Jack yelled out.

Teal'c listened intently but heard nothing but the slight breeze outside and the inadvertent rustle of clothing.

"Can you tell what it is, Teal'c?" Carter asked.

Teal'c shook his head, but moved closer.  "It appears to be a decorative item of some sort."  He got as close as he could without touching it.  "It is not flush to the wall.  It is possible it is some sort of mechanism."

O'Neill crouched down and started brushing at the dirt on the ground.  "Look."

Teal'c stared at the ground and saw the lines on the floor that were now revealed. 

"A trap door?" Major Carter asked unhappily.

"Indeed," Teal'c said grimly.

O'Neill put his face near one of the cracks and yelled again.  "Daniel?"

Nothing.

"Shit."  He motioned everyone away from the square on the floor.  "Teal'c, push the button.  Let's see what happens."

Teal'c, keeping his feet well away from the trap, leaned over and pushed the button.  Almost instantaneously the door opened.  Anyone standing on it would have been unable to stop themselves from falling.

"Daniel?" Major Carter called anxiously.  O'Neill flicked on his flashlight and shone it down the opening. 

Teal'c took the flashlight a member of SG-8 handed him and shone it as well.  Everything inside of him seemed to freeze when he saw a body.  A body that wasn't moving.  "There is someone down there."

"I see him," O'Neill said tightly.  "God damn it."  He glanced up.  "I need a rope.  Now."

Someone had to run back to camp to get one, and Teal'c fought the urge to leap in while they waited.  But it was too far for Teal'c to be sure he would survive the jump without injury.  Too far for him to be sure if Daniel Jackson were still alive.

"Is he breathing?" Major Carter asked.  "Can you tell?"

"I cannot," Teal'c said.  The body was too far away.  Daniel Jackson's body.  Teal'c refused to consider the thought that he was dead.

The major let out a gasp.  "There's something moving down there."

"Daniel?  Is it Daniel?" the colonel asked.

"No.  Something else.  Something big."

Teal'c moved to the edge of the hole.  "I will go down."

"It's too far, Teal'c," O'Neill protested.

Teal'c didn't care.  He wasn't going to stay up here if there was something down there able to do further harm to Daniel Jackson.  "It does not matter," he said.  "Even if I sustain injury, I will still be able to assist Daniel Jackson."  Teal'c knew O'Neill didn't like it, not just because he didn't want Teal'c to be hurt, but because he wanted to be down there with Daniel.  Teal'c suspected Major Carter felt the same.

But Teal'c's symbiote would help him heal if he were hurt.  He was the strongest among them and the most likely to survive the fall without serious injury.

O'Neill turned his head impatiently in the direction of the camp, and Teal'c used the moment to swing his legs down, and lower his body until he was only holding onto the lip with his finger-tips.  "Major Carter, shine the light on Daniel Jackson."  His biggest concern was that he not land on his friend. 

She complied with his request and he started to swing himself.  As he reached the outside arc of his swing, he let go, preparing his body to roll on impact.  He hit the ground hard and, even as he rolled, he heard something snap and suspected it was his clavicle.  No matter. 

He found his feet and moved immediately to Daniel Jackson's side, his fingers searching for a pulse.  "It is indeed he," Teal'c called.  His own heart was beating so loudly, it was difficult to be certain he was truly feeling a pulse.  But there it was again.  And again.  Steady.  Teal'c began to breathe again.  "He is alive."

He saw O'Neill's head drop, then heard the softly muttered, "Thank God." 

"Is he conscious?" Major Carter called down.

"He is not," Teal'c said.  He saw movement out of the corner of his eye.  "I require my staff weapon."

O'Neill tossed it down, and Teal'c caught it in mid air, charging it, whirling to face whatever danger might be approaching.  "They are animals of some kind," he informed his teammates up above.  He could see their gleaming eyes, saw the light reflect off razor sharp fangs.

When one ventured too near, Teal'c shot it, watching with satisfaction as the rest momentarily slunk back.  He turned back to Daniel, needing to assess his injuries.

Teal'c realized he'd come poorly prepared; he'd left his flashlight up above.  He was about to call when a rope materialized next to him, and in a matter of seconds O'Neill was standing next to him, followed closely by Major Carter.  "I sent SG-8 back to the gate to call for medical assistance and a stretcher."

Teal'c nodded and crouched next to the major who was running her hands down Daniel's body.  "He's hurt his head; he's been bleeding."  Her left hand was stained with blood.  She pried open his eyelids and shone a penlight.  "Pupils equal and reactive to light." 

Hearing O'Neill's weapon being lifted, Teal'c stood next to him, and saw that the animals were returning.  "They're ugly fuckers, aren't they?" O'Neill observed.  "Kinda look like hyenas.  But uglier.  With bigger teeth."

"He's been bitten," the major said from behind them.  "Not too badly, but I think we got here just in time or Daniel would have been dinner."  She quickly bound his arm.  "Opening the trap door again probably startled them away."

O'Neill and Teal'c exchanged a quick glance.  Teal'c thought that perhaps instead of a one-way trip to Antarctica for the members of SG-8, O'Neill might be taking them out for dinner for calling so quickly.  Teal'c swallowed acid at the thought of coming here later and finding nothing but the bloody remains of a feast.

"It's amazing.  I don't think any bones are broken, even his ribs feel fine," she continued to report.  "I think he just hit his head really hard and knocked himself out."  She glanced up toward the opening.  "Maybe he hit his head up there so he was already unconscious and loose when he fell."

An animal suddenly lunged and O'Neill shot it.  Then, for good measure, he shot in a wide arc, killing several of them.  Teal'c glanced around.  "They are approaching from all directions, O'Neill."

"Just start taking them down," he ordered.  "Carter, you stay with Daniel."

The major crouched over Daniel, P-90 at the ready.  Teal'c charged his staff weapon and began firing on the right, as O'Neill continued firing on the left. 

O'Neill put his hand up.  "Quiet.  Listen."

Even through the snarls and growls of the animals around them, Teal'c could hear the sound of weapon's fire up above.  O'Neill clicked on his radio.  "Report.  What's going on?"

There was no answer.

O'Neill sent Teal'c another look.  "I'm thinking this isn't a good thing." 

"I agree," Teal'c said.

O'Neill eyed the rope distastefully.  "I'll go up and see if I can find out what happened.  Will you two be all right down here?"

Teal'c nodded.  "Be careful, O'Neill."

Nodding grimly, O'Neill secured his weapon around his neck and began climbing the rope, hand over hand.  Teal'c watched him carefully, even as he kept an eye out for any more animals. 

The massacre had stopped the encroachment for the time being.  Those still alive were gorging on the fresh carcasses.  The growling and the noise of flesh being ripped open and bones snapping filled the air.

Teal'c heard more weapon's fire above and a few minutes later he heard the sound of feet and something being dragged.  "Those fucking animals are all over the place up here, too," O'Neill called down.  "They were trying to chow down on Partis.  I got him away from them but he's bleeding pretty bad.  He said the other three made it through the gate."

Teal'c could hear the sounds of paper and assumed O'Neill was tearing apart packages of bandages to use on Partis.  "I don't think they like the light," O'Neill continued to report.  "They scattered pretty quickly."  He peered down from above.  "How's our boy doing?"

"He remains unconscious," Teal'c said.  He counted up the time in his head.  Too long.

Obviously O'Neill was doing the same math.  "That's almost two hours now."  There was a scrabbling noise and more gunshots.  "Fuck those things are fast," O'Neill complained.  "Why didn't we see any of these things when we were here before?  Why didn't SG-8 see them?"

Teal'c wasn't sure.  "Perhaps they were unaware of the presence of prey until Daniel Jackson fell into their lair."

There was a small groan behind him, and Daniel's feet shifted.  Teal'c felt a surge of relief.  "He is waking up, O'Neill, and his feet are moving."  Teal'c had been afraid that Daniel might have done some damage to his neck or spine by the fall. 

"Oh, shit," Major Carter said.  "Teal'c, look."

Teal'c followed her pointing finger and all he saw were eyes.  Hundreds of them, as far back as he could see.  Apparently the message regarding their presence had been passed along.  "O'Neill, we must leave this place immediately."

With his injury, Teal'c did not think he could hold on to Daniel and pull himself up the rope.  He heard a noise from above and, in seconds, O'Neill was back down the rope.  "You go.  You can pull Daniel up once you get up there.  Go.  They might come for Partis while we're down here."

Teal'c needed no further urging.  He climbed the rope quickly, staff weapon wedged through his vest.  When he reached the top, an animal was approaching Partis, but Teal'c shot it quickly. 

He looked down and saw O'Neill tying the rope around Daniel Jackson, circling his chest, under his armpits.  He looked up at Teal'c.  "Pull him up."  Teal'c pulled hard, lifting Daniel as fast as he could.  He heard both rifles strafing the ground, then heard the sounds of animals crying as they died.

He hauled Daniel Jackson free of the trap door and laid him near Partis, pulling off the rope, letting it drop, calling down to alert O'Neill to its presence.

O'Neill ordered Major Carter up the rope first, and he followed directly behind her, kicking his feet at the few animals that lunged up after them.  Deciding they did not require assistance, Teal'c moved to Daniel as he groaned again. 

"Daniel," he said quietly.  "Do not move; you are injured."

"Teal'c?" Daniel whispered.

"Yes."

"What happened?"

Characteristically, Daniel was ignoring his commands and was trying to sit up.  "Ow.  Ow."  His hand went to the back of his head.  "Ow."

Teal'c shot him an exasperated look.  "Did you not hear me?  You have been unconscious for two hours after falling a significant distance.  You need to lay still."

Daniel's eyes opened wide in alarm.

Teal'c spun around and blasted another of the beasts.  He heard thumps behind him and moved to assist first Major Carter in crawling out of the hole, then O'Neill.

O'Neill sagged to the ground.  "Doing that twice in one day sucks."  He stretched out his neck and shoulders.  He noticed Daniel was awake.  "Hey.  You all right?"

Daniel's brow furrowed.  "I think so.  I don't really remember what happened."

"I'll tell you what happened," O'Neill said snappishly.  "You went somewhere without us and, as usual, you got into trouble.  No more free passes for you."

Daniel frowned at him.

O'Neill glared back.

There was a scuffling at the entrance to the temple and Teal'c looked up to see dozens of animals at the door.  He agreed with O'Neill, the animals looked less sure of themselves in the sunlight.  However, there were still too many of them.

He lifted his staff weapon and flinched, eliciting a scowl from O'Neill.  "Teal'c, for crying out loud, you have a bone sticking out of your chest."

Teal'c looked down at himself and saw that, indeed, his broken right clavicle was jutting through his skin. 

"Why didn't you tell me you were hurt?  I wouldn't have had you pull Daniel up."

"That is why I did not tell you," Teal'c informed him.  "It is of no importance."

O'Neill rolled his eyes.  "Jaffa superman," he muttered under his breath.  "Fine, you stay with Daniel and Partis in as defensible a position as you can.  Carter and I will watch the doors."  He punctuated his words by discharging his weapon at the creatures sniffing outside.  "Fortunately, I don't think they're too bright."

Teal'c checked the corner behind Partis for any possible openings.  When he ascertained that the walls were solid, he dragged Partis to one angled side.  Then he crouched next to Daniel and allowed himself a moment to enjoy the sight of his friend, whole and alive. 

Daniel smiled at him and attempted to move.  He gagged suddenly, and Teal'c rolled him in time for Daniel to vomit on the ground.  He crouched behind Daniel, holding his shoulders.  When the vomiting stopped, Teal'c encouraged Daniel to rest for a moment and he sat down so Daniel could rest against him.  Teal'c could feel the tremors racing through his body. 

He gave Daniel a minute, then asked, "Are you able to move, Daniel Jackson?  We will be safer over there."  Teal'c gestured toward the corner where Partis lay.

Daniel nodded weakly.  "I'm fine."

Teal'c suspected that was a complete and utter lie.  "Allow me to assist you."  Ignoring the sharp bite of pain, Teal'c scooped Daniel up into his arms, carrying him to the corner. 

"Hey," Daniel protested.

"You are not well."

"You have a bone sticking out of you," Daniel observed argumentatively.  "Somehow I don't think you're supposed to be hauling people around when you have bones sticking out of you."  He started to gag, and Teal'c got him to his knees just in time to vomit again.  Teal'c grabbed the first aid kit and dragged it closer, ripping open the last package of gauze and handing Daniel a few squares to wipe his mouth.

Daniel grunted his thanks and heaved again.  Teal'c sat against the wall, near the corner, and waited.  His shoulder felt as if it were on fire.  When Daniel was done, he sat back, and Teal'c maneuvered him between his legs, making Daniel rest back against his chest away from his broken bone.  He knew he was taking shameless advantage of this opportunity to touch his friend, but Teal'c didn't care.

Daniel didn't seem to care either.  He rested his cheek over Teal'c's heart, and wrapped an arm around Teal'c's waist.  "I feel like crap," he honestly admitted.

"Help should arrive shortly, and then we will be able to return to the base so Dr. Fraiser may attend to your medical needs."

"Our medical needs," Daniel countered.  He turned his head slowly and took in Partis.  "Is he all right?"

"He was attacked by wild animals.  He is breathing."

Daniel tried to get up.  "Maybe I should check him out."

"You should stay still," Teal'c argued sternly.  "O'Neill has seen to his injuries."

Daniel rested his head down again and let out a sigh.  Teal'c wrapped his free hand around Daniel's shoulder and held him closely.  He held his staff weapon with his other hand.

He could hear O'Neill cursing, asking Carter how much ammunition she had, angrily wondering where the rescue team was.  Teal'c could hear the frustration in O'Neill's voice, but it did not contain sufficient alarm for Teal'c to get up and go assist.  O'Neill would let him know if it became a necessity.  Meanwhile, he could guard his friend.

Daniel shifted a little, the arm around Teal'c's waist squeezing harder.  "Hmm," he said.  "You feel good."  He sounded half asleep.

The touch of Daniel's hand and the rasp of his sleepy voice filled Teal'c's head with inappropriate thoughts given the situation.  It was hard not to wrap his legs around him, to sink down to the ground until Daniel Jackson lay full on top of him, groin against groin, chest against chest. 

He heard a stirring next to him and turned quickly, afraid an animal had been able to approach without him hearing, but it was only Partis shifting.

Teal'c forced his daydreams to a stop.  Until they were back on base, they were still in danger.  Thoughts of Daniel Jackson were too distracting.  His subtle movements weren't helping either.  There was a small brush against his side, against his groin, his inner thigh, one right below his nipple.  Daniel settling in, making himself comfortable. 

"Teal'c?" Daniel whispered.

"Yes, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c responded.

"You'll stay with me, right?"  Daniel's left hand curled around Teal'c's forearm. 

Teal'c could still feel the tremors in Daniel's body.  "I will not leave you."  His words were a vow.

"'kay." 

Teal'c heard voices and realized help had arrived.  He looked up and saw Dr. Fraiser moving quickly to his side.  "How is he?" she asked.

"He has vomited several times and is sleepy.  Yet he appears oriented despite his lack of memory regarding the events of his fall.  Captain Partis has been sleeping, so I cannot speak of his mental status."

"And you?"  She was frowning at his broken clavicle. 

"My symbiote has dulled the pain.  Once it has been set, I will heal quickly."

Her eyes looked like she didn't quite believe him.  Even after all this time, she didn't trust what his symbiote could do.  He watched as her team got Partis strapped on a stretcher and moved from the temple.  He knew they would take Daniel next and Teal'c already felt his loss.

Pushing it down, he helped as he could when they started to move Daniel.

Daniel started awake, calling, "Teal'c?"  His eyes searched the faces around him.

"I am right beside you, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c reassured him.

Daniel found him and caught his eyes, smiling briefly at him, before his eyes slid shut again.  Then they were carrying him out of the temple.  Teal'c struggled to his feet and followed them out.  Dr. Fraiser frowned at him, no doubt wishing he would also get on a stretcher.

He ignored her frown and caught up with the stretcher bearing Daniel.  O'Neill was already there, checking on his friend.  When he saw Teal'c he checked him out, too.  "You hanging in there, big guy?"

"I am indeed."  Teal'c looked around and saw dead animals everywhere.  He also saw that SG-1, the remaining members of SG-8 who had returned with the rescue team, Partis, and the medical personnel were flanked on both sides by armed Marines keeping a close eye out for any more attacks. 

O'Neill scowled at the carnage.  "I don't know how we missed them when we assessed this planet.  Why didn't their heat signature show up?"  He patted Daniel absently on the arm and went after Major Carter.  "Hey Carter, why didn't these animals show up on any of the scans we did?"

Teal'c half listened to the major's speculations, but he kept most of his attention on Daniel.  Every now and then he would let out a soft groan, and the lines on his forehead would become more pronounced.  It was clear his friend was in considerable pain. 

He was relieved when the Stargate came into view.  Major Carter reached the DHD first and quickly dialed home.  Partis was taken first, quickly followed by Daniel.  Teal'c walked through with Major Carter, O'Neill directly behind them. 

He caught up with Daniel's stretcher again and walked by his side to the infirmary.  Once there, Dr. Fraiser demanded he get into a bed.  Making sure Daniel was within eyesight, Teal'c acquiesced, and sat on a gurney.  Only after his friend was examined and pronounced to be in no danger, did he allow himself to be sedated for surgery.

---

Teal'c was lying in his infirmary bed when he heard quiet footsteps approach Daniel's bed.  He quietly turned, saw it was Major Carter and relaxed.  There had been no reason for him not to return to his quarters earlier, but he was reluctant to let Daniel out of his sight.

He knew the promise Daniel extracted from him to stay with him was one borne of that particular moment.  Daniel had been in pain, had been confused, and had seen Teal'c as a point of safety.  So, in a rare moment of vulnerability, he had asked Teal'c to stay close.

Even though Daniel didn't need Teal'c to stay in the infirmary with him, Teal'c remained, nonetheless.

Through slitted eyes he watched the major sit on the edge of Daniel's bed.  "Hey, Daniel," she said softly.

Daniel smiled at her.  "Hey, Sam."  He reached for her hand and she held it tightly.

"You scared us on that planet.  We thought you were dead."  There was a combination of residual fear, love and annoyance in her voice.

"I'm sorry," Daniel said earnestly.  "I still don't really know what happened."

"You touched something," she said with a laugh in her voice.

Daniel winced.  "Jack's never going to let me hear the end of this, is he?"

She let out a soft laugh.  "No.  I think he's planning on putting a leash on you the next time you're off planet."

Daniel let out a self-pitying moan. 

"It's not working, Daniel.  I don't feel sorry for you in the least."  She leaned forward and rested her forehead against his.  "I thought you were dead.  Don't do that anymore."

"I won't.  I promise."

She pulled back and they stared at each other for a few moments, easy affection shining out of their eyes.  Daniel finally glanced in Teal'c's direction.  "How's Teal'c?"

"Janet says he's fine.  Normally he'd already be out of the infirmary.  I think he's staying so he can keep an eye on you."

Teal'c winced internally at being so transparent.

"Sam?" Daniel asked thoughtfully.

She gave him an encouraging look.

"In some ways, his symbiote, it's sort of a good thing, isn't it?  I mean it protects him, right?"

She didn't say anything, just held his hand, letting him say what he needed to say.

His brow furrowed.  "I know it's a Goa'uld.  I know when it matures it will take over an innocent host and use it against its will, but…"  His voice trailed off.

After a minute, she finally said, "But?"

"I murdered a tank full of Goa'uld larvae, Sam.  Remember?  I turned my gun on them and shot them."

"I remember."

"I don't like being so full of hate."

"Oh, Daniel, I've never met anyone who has less hate in them than you."

"But I hate them all indiscriminately.  Maybe they're not all bad.  I mean look at the Tok'ra.  They're Goa'uld.  Maybe some of those larvae weren't twisted with hate and the need for domination.  Maybe I killed something innocent because of my hatred."

Major Carter brushed the hair off his forehead.  "I don't know what to say to that.  I suppose it's possible.  Somewhere along the way, a Goa'uld had to realize there was a better way or there never would have been any Tok'ra.  Jolinar believed in freedom fiercely.  Believed it was a cause worth dying for.  Even my freedom."

"Do you think the larvae are born evil?" Daniel asked.  "Or are they born much as we are, and it's only the environment they exist in, the evil they're surrounded by that shape them?  Perhaps they end up that way because it's all they've ever known."

"I don't know, Daniel.  I do know that Goa'uld by their nature are parasites, and parasites by definition live off a host organism at its expense."  She shrugged.  "But, as I said, I also know Jolinar died to save my life and was genetically no different than a Goa'uld.  And," she added, "certainly the Tok'ra seem to have a symbiotic relationship with their Goa'uld, not parasitical."  She touched his arm.  "Why are you wondering about this?"

"Because of Teal'c."

When he didn't elaborate, she prodded him.  "What about Teal'c?"

He sighed.  "I remember meeting someone once who had an alligator farm.  He told me that alligators only have two personalities.  Mean and meaner."

Sam smiled at his words. 

Continuing, he said, "I think of the Goa'uld that way.  And I know I have reason--I've yet to meet one that hasn't tried to kill me or someone I love.  Jack would say that the evidence speaks for itself, that he's never met a Goa'uld he likes, and he doesn't expect to, ergo, all Goa'uld are bad."

"And?"

"Well, Teal'c has this Goa'uld larva inside of him, and up until now, I just assumed it was evil.  That it was bad, that it was my enemy.  I don't like what that says about me.  That I've condemned an entire race based on meeting what is really only a very few representatives."

"I don't think you're being fair to yourself.  Even Teal'c hates his symbiote.  I don't believe he'd judge you for feeling the same way."

Daniel's lips tightened and he shook his head in frustration.  "It doesn't matter.  What matters is what I do.  How I act.  How I feel about it.  Because that symbiote is a part of him.  I owe it a debt of gratitude for keeping him alive, for allowing Teal'c the strength to get us out of a dozen bad situations where we all could have been killed."

She looked startled by Daniel's words and Teal'c knew how she felt.  Gratitude.  Never had Teal'c felt an instant's gratitude toward the creature he harbored.  It was an intriguing thought.  He moved his hand until it rested over the pouch and, on a very Daniel Jackson-like whim, sent it a mental thought of gratitude for helping him save Daniel's life today.  He felt nothing in return, hadn't expected to, but he thought Daniel Jackson would approve of his actions.

Daniel looked suddenly apologetic.  "Sorry, Sam. Didn't mean to get so philosophical in the middle of the night.  What are you doing here, anyway?"  He squeezed her hand.  "Not that I'm not glad to see you."

"I got caught up in something I was working on."

Daniel grinned at her.  "Don't let Jack know.  He'll give you the get-a-life speech."

She grinned back.  "Right after you get the don't-touch-anything speech."  They both laughed quietly.  "He'll be in rare form tomorrow," she said, "because I'm sure he has a don't-lift-anything-when-you-have-bones-sticking-out-of-you speech for Teal'c."

"We're lucky we have him."

"The colonel?" she clarified.

"No, well, yes, we're lucky we have him, too, but I was talking about Teal'c.  Just think how unlikely it is that our paths would cross."

She touched his cheek with a light sweep of her finger.  "It was pretty unlikely our paths would cross, either.  But I'm glad they did."

"Me, too, Sam.  Now go home and get some sleep."

"Okay.  See you tomorrow."

"Good night."

"Night."

Sam stood and stretched, then walked in Teal'c's direction.  She didn't say anything, but she reached down and patted his arm on her way out.

---

Daniel stood outside Teal'c's door; it had been a week since he'd seen him.  A week while Daniel recovered under the watchful eye of Jack at his best friend's home.  During the latter part of the week, Teal'c had gone to spend a few days with Rya'c. 

Daniel was feeling much better.  The back of his head was still a little tender, and the stitches weren't out yet from where one of those hyena things had taken a chomp out of his arm, but other than that, he was fine.

Jack had finally deemed him fit to return to his home, and the sermons, thank God, had finally come to an end.  Even Jack could only say "don't touch anything anymore" so many times without eventually boring himself.  Seeing as Daniel still couldn't remember touching anything, the message wasn't as effective as it might have been.

Daniel had spent much of the week at Jack's thinking about Teal'c.  About his symbiote.  About Goa'uld and their ilk.  Not the most restful of mental menus but it kept him occupied seeing as Jack wouldn't let him do anything but watch TV for the first few days.

Sam and Teal'c had come over once, and Daniel had fallen asleep right in the middle of their visit; didn't even hear them leave.  He'd felt badly about that when he'd woken up almost sixteen hours later. 

He knocked on Teal'c's door.  He heard the steady footsteps head his way and the door opened.  "Hey, Teal'c," Daniel said, "How's Rya'c?"

"He is well, Daniel Jackson.  And you?"  Teal'c looked him over with serious scrutiny.  "You are well?"

"I'm fine."  Daniel gave him a quick smile.  "I apologize for falling asleep during your visit."

"There is no need to apologize," he was assured.  Teal'c stepped back from the door.  "Do you wish to enter?"

Daniel nodded.  "Thanks."  He wasn't sure he had the nerve to do what he'd come here for, but he entered anyway.

Teal'c offered him the chair, while he sat down on the edge of the bed. 

Daniel stared at him for a moment, then looked away, clearing his throat.  With every passing second his idea seemed more inane.

"You appear nervous, Daniel Jackson.  Is anything wrong?" Teal'c asked. 

Daniel adjusted his glasses.  "Well, I, uh…"  He stood, putting his hands in his pockets.  "I was wondering…"  He let out a sigh and dropped his head.  "This is a stupid idea."

"Perhaps you could allow me to judge the worth of your request," Teal'c suggested.

Daniel bit the inside of his cheek for a few seconds.  "Okay.  See, the thing is…"  He let out a pained laugh.  "I'm not doing this very well, am I?"  He felt a quick smile form on his face and slip away.

He glanced up to find Teal'c watching him patiently.

He tried again.  "I'd like to…do you remember what we spoke about the last time I was here?"

"We spoke of several things, but I recall them all."

"Right.  Well…" Another quick smile came and went.

"Do you wish to speak of my symbiote?"

"Yes," Daniel grabbed at the lifeline.  "Yes, that's it exactly.  I do.  Want to speak of it."

"What is it you would like to know?"

Daniel sat down again.  "Well, okay, that's not exactly it.  I want to, if you'd be willing, if it isn't too much to ask, I'd like to talk to…well, talk to it."  He winced.

Teal'c showed a rare expression of surprise, eyebrows high on his forehead.  "You wish to speak to my symbiote?"

"Yeah," Daniel said slowly.  "Stupid idea, right?"  He stood, took a few backward steps toward the door.  "Should I go?"

Teal'c's answer was to take his shirt off.

Daniel couldn't keep his eyes from wandering over Teal'c's body.  It made his mouth dry.  Then his eyes latched on to the large X across Teal'c's abdomen, and his heart skipped a beat when he thought of what was inside.

"Are you sure you wish to do this?" Teal'c asked softly. 

His softly worded question made Daniel feel like a coward.  "Yes.  Yes, I do."  He didn't, not really.  Well, he did.  He wanted to do this for Teal'c, for their friendship, but the last thing he wanted to do was commune with a Goa'uld larva.  He moved haltingly closer to Teal'c.

"You do realize that it cannot speak."

Daniel nodded.  "I just…" It was hard to voice what he wanted when he had such mixed feelings about it. 

"Do you wish me to lie down?"

For a second, Daniel thought there was an invitation in Teal'c's voice, but then he decided he'd imagined it.  He just nodded again and moved to sit on the floor next to Teal'c's bed.

As Teal'c lay down on his side, Daniel found his eyes wandering again.  The man was magnificent.  He let out a sigh and forced his gaze up to Teal'c's face.  "Before you…it…before you do anything, I need to ask if…and I know it's safe or you wouldn't agree to this, but is there any risk to me to be this close to it?"

"There is not."

"It's nowhere near mature, right?"

"That is correct."

"And it won't suddenly leap at me or anything, right?"

"It will not."

Daniel nodded and flashed Teal'c a quick grin.  "And Jack wouldn't think I was doing anything incredibly stupid by doing this?"

Teal'c almost smiled.  "I suspect he would think your course of action unwise."

Daniel let out a soft laugh.  He was sure Jack would have plenty to say on the subject of getting this close to a Goa'uld.  Even an immature one.  He took a deep breath.  "Okay."  His hands fisted tightly and he nodded.  "I'm ready."

"Daniel Jackson."

Daniel lifted his eyes from the pouch and met Teal'c's gaze.  "Yes?"

"Do not worry that your reaction will offend me.  You have much reason to hate the Goa'uld.  I will not consider anything you say or do a personal affront."

Forcing back the urge to give his friend a hug, Daniel nodded, not trusting his voice at the moment.  His admiration for Teal'c knew no bounds. 

He saw movement at the pouch and, seconds later, the larva was pushing his way out until a few inches extended in the air.  Daniel had to force himself to stay sitting, not to back away, not to run.

The larva was ugly.  Like a large white worm, a miniature sandworm from the planet Dune.  He waved through the air as if Daniel were a snake charmer.  The black beady eyes were as dull as a shark's and his pincher-edged mouth reminded Daniel of how a Goa'uld burrowed into a host.

Daniel stared at him, letting the myriad of emotions the creature evoked in him flash by, trying not to get lost in any of them.  Yes, a Goa'uld had taken his wife from him, yes, he'd been ribboned and tortured, and even killed by Goa'uld in the past, but the truth of it was that this particular Goa'uld, this one, in his friend's belly, had done nothing egregious to him or anyone he loved.

In fact, it had helped save his life.  He sent a grateful thought toward the larva, feeling too stupid to actually say anything out loud. 

Daniel inched closer to the bed.  Teal'c was lying about a foot toward the center so several inches separated him from the larva.  He folded his arms on the bed and rested his chin on his crossed wrists, staring at the thing.

It looked like it was staring right back at him.

"How old were you when you got your first one?" Daniel asked.

"I received my first symbiote on the celebration of my tenth year of life."

"Wow."  Daniel glanced up at Teal'c and then back at the symbiote.  Amazing to think that his friend had existed this way for over ninety years.  Now that he had gotten past his first initial revulsion, he noticed that the larva, rather than being a sort of slug white, actually had iridescent skin. 

"So you got the pouch at the same time?"  Daniel had gotten very drunk with Jack one night after that whole debacle with Hathor, and they had both shared their experiences of being violated by the Goa'uld queen.  For weeks, Daniel would catch Jack touching his stomach as if to reassure himself he was whole.

"I did."

"Did that hurt?"

"Briefly.  But I was only a child."

Daniel glanced up at his friend.  "It amazes me that you are the way you are, after the life you've lived."

"How is it that you see me?"

"Caring, supportive, loyal, passionate about freedom, the rights of others.  You're a good friend, Teal'c, and I admire you tremendously, especially given the life you were forced to lead."

"I could say the same of you, Daniel Jackson."

Daniel smiled at his friend, caught by the dark eyes filled with something Daniel couldn't name, but that warmed him nonetheless.  Their gaze held for a long moment.

Finally Daniel pulled his attention back to the symbiote, although his eyes took their time moving past Teal'c's chest.  "Have you ever heard of a Goa'uld who chose not to kill?  Besides the Tok'ra?"

"Only once."

"What happened?"

"The host and the Goa'uld were put to death."

Daniel grimaced and resumed staring at the larva.  "Does it feel weird to have it half hanging out of you like that?"

"It does not."

"How long can it be out of you completely before you get sick?"

"I can feel its loss within minutes.  In a matter of hours I would be ill.  A Jaffa cannot exist for long without his symbiote."

"And how long can the symbiote live outside of a Jaffa womb?" Daniel asked.

"Without the womb's nourishing fluids, the symbiote would quickly die."

The larva pulled out a little further, moving a couple inches closer to Daniel.  Daniel couldn't stop his instinctive movement to pull back in dread.  He scrunched his face up.  "Sorry," he told the symbiote.  Slowly, he resettled his chin on his wrists, even though the larva was only three to four inches away from his face when he did. 

He could feel his face redden knowing Teal'c had just watched him apologize to his symbiote.  Daniel felt like an idiot.  He glanced up to find his friend had a small quirk of a smile on his face.  Daniel felt the need to explain.  "I didn't want to hurt its feelings."  He covered his face with his hands.  "God.  Just never mind."

He heard an honest-to-God laugh come from Teal'c and Daniel, while still embarrassed, was delighted at the expression on Teal'c's face.  He was smiling and looking at Daniel with such love…Daniel downgraded it to affection automatically…such affection on his face, Daniel was spellbound.

"I do not believe," Teal'c said, still smiling, "that anyone in the history of my planet has been concerned about hurting the feelings of a Goa'uld symbiote."

The look on Teal'c's face made Daniel's stomach feel like it was full of butterflies.  It almost looked like he…Daniel shook his head at his imaginings.  He smiled ruefully at Teal'c.  "On that note, it's probably time to say good night."  He glanced at his watch.  "It's late."

Still feeling foolish, but unable to stop himself, he addressed the symbiote, telling him good night.  The symbiote seemed to stare at him for another few moments, and then withdrew into his pouch. 

He pulled off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.  "I feel like an idiot," he confessed, not looking at Teal'c.

In a second, Teal'c was kneeling on the floor next to him.  "Do not feel that way, Daniel Jackson.  Your heart and your compassion are what allow you to make allies where others would only find enemies."

Daniel smiled, still embarrassed.  "Just don't tell Jack, all right?"

"You have my word."

Daniel could feel the heat from Teal'c's body and decided it was past time to go.  He stood and put a hand out to help pull Teal'c up.  Their hands stayed connected a heartbeat longer than they needed to.  "Thank you, Teal'c."

Teal'c gave him a grave head nod.

"Can we…would it be all right if we did this again?"

"As often as you wish," Teal'c assured him.

"Okay."  Daniel gave Teal'c one last brief smile, snuck a last look at the man's build, and let himself out of his friend's quarters.

---

Jack grinned at Daniel as he slouched on Jack's couch, nursing the beginning of his third beer.  For whatever reason, beer went right to Daniel's head.  Jack could drink two to his one and still have the clearer mind.  Of course the Benadryl wasn't helping either one of them hold their alcohol. 

But the itching had gotten unbearable. 

It had been a wet and cold two days off planet.  Everything had gotten soaked.  Their tents, their clothes; the rain had been relentless.  Then the bugs had come.  Biting, stinging insects that approached in swarms, leaving reddened, itching welts on their skin.  The Deet insect repellant they always carried had proven useless.

They'd all ended up in the infirmary dotted with hydrocortisone cream making them look as if they had an alien case of the measles, getting yelled at by the nurses whenever they tried to scratch themselves.  After Fraiser was satisfied that there was no alien venom in their blood streams, and nothing looked as if it was getting infected, she kicked them out. 

Jack invited them all over, but only Daniel took him up on the offer.  Teal'c felt the need for kel-no-reem, and Carter had wanted to go home and soak in a bath of oatmeal.

So, here they were, drinking beer, and feeling no pain.  Daniel scratched at his forearm.  "I thought Deet was supposed to work on everything," he complained.

Jack shrugged as he swatted Daniel's hand away.  "Stop it, you're making it bleed."  He rested his cold beer on a welt on his upper arm.  "I guess the memo didn't make it to PQR wherever-the-hell we were."

Daniel followed Jack's lead and put his beer on the welt he'd been scratching.  "Ah," he said with a heartfelt sigh.

Jack had noticed, in spite of the rain and the bugs, that Teal'c and Daniel were, well, noticing each other.  Not that it kept either of them from doing their jobs, but they were standing closer, and staring a little, and had all the signs of an eighth grade romance.  Jack snickered.

Daniel lazily turned his head to face Jack.  "What's so funny?"

"How's Teal'c?" Jack asked, deciding he might as well take advantage of Daniel's Benadryl-and-beer loosened tongue.

"He's good," Daniel responded, his eyes getting a little glazed.

Jack grinned.  "So," he started, getting revved up, "in all your conversations, has he ever talked to you about sex and love, Chulak style?"

Daniel sat up for that question.  "Yes, he has, actually.  It's fascinating, and for all that they've lived lives of slavery for millennium, they're refreshingly tolerant of many expressions of love."

"Like what?"

"Homosexuality, principally.  They have no taboos about same-sex relationships.  Although they do have different terms that apply to same-sex couples."

"Like what?" Jack repeated, interested despite Daniel's lecture tone.

"Like us, a man and a woman are considered husband and wife, but two women are considered clan sisters, and two men are considered warrior mates.  They also tend to have less promiscuity on their planet.  The relationships they form are, at their heart, a way to guarantee added protection, so partners are chosen carefully." 

Jack thought about Teal'c and his now ex-wife, who had cheated on him with one of Teal'c's closest warrior buddies.  He guessed when it came to sex, there were no guarantees.  Hormones tended to come up with their own rationalizations.

"You ever think," Jack began carefully, "that Teal'c will choose another mate?"

"Why?" Daniel answered a little apprehensively.  "Has he talked to you about it?"  His eyebrows did a little dancing.

"No," Jack said.  "Teal'c doesn't tend to tell me any personal stuff until it's biting me on the ass in the middle of a mission and we're all about to die."

"He's a private person," Daniel defended him.

"He's been sort of chummy with you lately," Jack countered, beginning to think that Daniel and Teal'c hadn't had any sort of mating conversation to date.  Definitely eighth grade. 

Daniel shrugged.  "We're friends."  He slouched back down on the couch.  "I talked to his symbiote the other day," he confessed with a quick look at Jack.

"What?" Jack snapped.  "You did what?"  Daniel did the weirdest fucking shit sometimes. 

Looking mulish, Daniel repeated himself.  "I talked to his symbiote.  I wanted to get to know it."

"Daniel."  Jack stopped, having no idea what to say.  "When you say talk, do you mean," his index finger waved back and forth between he and Daniel, "talk?"

Daniel's face started to redden.  "Not exactly."  He slouched down even farther.  "Forget I said anything."

"I don't think so."  Jack took a swig of beer.  "So, what'd you talk about?  The latest Star Wars movie?  Which sucked by the way."

Daniel shot him an affronted look.  "Hey, you were supposed to wait and go with me to see that."

"Yeah, yeah, but Ferretti had to take his kids and his kids' friends and he needed some moral support."

"Where was I?" Daniel asked, not mollified in the least.

"In the infirmary after your swan dive into the hyena pit."

"Oh."  Daniel sighed.  "So it sucked?"

"Big time."

"You don't want to go see it again?"

"Not even if you paid me," Jack avowed.  "Take Teal'c.  He loves that stuff.  Get him off-base for a few hours."

Daniel's eyes brightened.  "That's a good idea."

Jack grinned to himself.  He and Carter, both a couple of yentas.  Then he frowned, "So, what'd you two chat about?"

Daniel made a frustrated noise.  He also started to blush which Jack found amusing.  Finally, Daniel said, "Look, it just sort of came a little too close too fast and I jerked away, so I apologized."  He waved an annoyed hand at Jack.  "I don't even know why I told you."

Jack sat up straight.  "Wait a minute, wait a minute. Just how close were you?"

Daniel gazed at Jack over the rim of his glasses.  "Just pretend I never opened my mouth, okay?"

"How close, Daniel?"

"Teal'c said it was perfectly safe," Daniel wheedled.  "He'd never put me in harm's way."

That was true, but still.  "How close?"

Daniel put up his hand and spread his fingers showing a span of about six inches.  "This close."  He frowned and lessened the distance.  "Maybe this close."

Jack leaned forward and tapped Daniel on the knee.  "Too close.  It's a fucking Goa'uld, Daniel.  In the same room is too close, let alone a few inches from your face."  Jack was not amused.

"Teal'c said it was safe," Daniel protested.  "And I'm doing it again."

"No, you're not."

"Yes, I am."

"No."

"Yes."

"Daniel."

"Jack."  Daniel put his beer down.  "Jack, it's important.  I need to be able to think of this thing inside of Teal'c as something other than an enemy.  I have to."

"Why?" Jack asked.  He hated the damn things.  His hand crept to his stomach, remembering how close he'd come to having one himself.  It still occasionally woke him up nights gagging, racing for the toilet.

"It's just something I need to do.  I don't like hating something about Teal'c.  Besides, this particular larva hasn't done anything to me."

Jack rolled his eyes.  "Yet.  One day it's gonna need a host and if you're there when it happens, you're gonna end up a snake yourself, or its first victim.  You can't trust them, Daniel.  Any of them."  Even the supposed good-guy snakes kept screwing them over.

Daniel shot him a mutinous look.  "If Teal'c says it's safe, it's safe."  He reached for his beer again.  "Anyway, it isn't any weirder than the way you talk to your dick."

"Hey," Jack protested.  "Any conversations I have with my dick are private."

"Then you should talk softer when you're in the shower," Daniel teased with a wicked grin.

Jack threw a pillow at him.  "I may talk to my dick but at least it's not gonna force its way down someone's throat and turn them into a fucking animal," he yelled.

Daniel let out a snort, then a chuckle.  He bit his lips hard but the laughter began to spill out.  Jack thought about what he'd said and after saying, "Fuck," started to laugh as well.  Pretty soon the two of them were holding their stomachs, tears in the corners of their eyes.  They ended up leaning against each other, panting for breath.

"Okay, that didn't come out quite right, but you get where I was going, right?" Jack wheezed.

A few more rifts of laughter escaped Daniel.  "Just the mental imagery alone…" He started laughing again.

Jack threw a second pillow which Daniel weakly fended off.  He grinned at Jack, an ear-to-ear grin that Jack hardly ever got to see.  Jack decided it was worth the embarrassment to watch Daniel let loose like that.  "Just be careful, would you please, Dr. Jackson?" he counseled on a more sober note.

"Of what," Daniel asked gleefully, "your dick or Teal'c's larva?"  Another peal of laughter completely incapacitated him.

Ever the strategist, taking full advantage of Daniel's momentary vulnerability, Jack whacked him with another pillow.

---

When Daniel next visited, Teal'c obliged him once again by taking off his shirt.  The larva worked its way out of the pouch until it hung there for Daniel's perusal.  Daniel tried to keep the wince off his face.  Its presence generated an instinctive gut-churning need to be as far away from it as possible. 

Determined to overcome his conditioning, Daniel resumed his former position, sitting on the ground by the bed, head resting on his crossed arms.  He and the symbiote engaged in a fairly benign staring contest.  He felt no menace coming from the thing; it seemed more curious than anything. 

He was tempted to touch it, to see what the iridescent skin felt like, but he kept his fingers to himself.  Maybe next time. 

Daniel was a little stymied on how to establish any kind of rapport with the larva.  "Did you sense anything from it the last time I was here?" he asked Teal'c.

"I did not."

"Hmm."  Daniel pursed his lips as he thought about it.  "I wonder if it can even understand what I'm saying."  He turned his head to glance at Teal'c.  "Do you know if they can understand spoken language before taking a host?"

"I do not."

"Hmm."  He focused back on the symbiote.

Teal'c drew in a breath as if to prepare for speaking but nothing was forthcoming.  Daniel glanced again at Teal'c.  "What?"

"I feel the need to apologize for my lack of information."

Daniel shook his head.  "You have nothing to apologize for.  I've often been accused of being too curious."

"It is one of your finer qualities, Daniel Jackson.  I have been remiss by not learning more about the Goa'uld symbiotes."

Daniel flashed a consoling grin at Teal'c.  "You were busy surviving, strategizing on how to free your people and keep your family safe."

"They are my enemy.  I should know all there is to know about them," Teal'c said determinedly. 

Daniel's eyes went back to the larva.  "Is he your enemy?  This particular symbiote?"

There was a pause.  "Your words have given me much to think about.  I do not know the answer.  It is true that it gives me strength and heals me when I am wounded.  But it is also true that it is a Goa'uld and, as such, is the enemy I am sworn to fight."

Daniel could understand Teal'c's words.  He felt caught in the same quandary.  How was he to accept this part of Teal'c as something good, when he knew it had such potential for evil?  He didn't have any answers either.  He smiled at Teal'c.  "Maybe you and I can discover some answers together," he suggested.

Teal'c still managed to bow his head gracefully, even while he was lying down.  "That would please me greatly, Daniel Jackson."

Daniel decided it would please him, too.

---

"So how are you and Junior getting along?" Jack sniped as they both headed for the surface to retrieve their cars and go home.

"Fine, Jack, and thanks so much for asking," Daniel answered, hoping the sarcasm was coming through loud and clear.

Jack grinned at him.  "Feeling a little pissy today, Dr. Jackson?"

"I just know you don't approve."

"Damn straight I don't.  This isn't gonna end the way you want it to, you know."

Daniel glowered at Jack.  "And how do I want it to end?"

"You'll want a happy ending and it isn't gonna happen."

"How do you know?" Daniel said with a frown.

Jack shot him an incredulous look.  "Are you seriously asking me that question, Mr. How-many-times-can-I-get-ribboned-and-still-have-a-functioning-brain Jackson?"

"Maybe this one's different."  Daniel winced.  Even he could hear how absurd that sounded.

"Right, and maybe I'm gonna start farting golden eggs," Jack retorted.

"Another image I didn't need, thank you very much," Daniel said with a grimace.

Jack just flashed a crooked grin at him.  "Wanna go get something to eat?"

Daniel nodded.  "Sure.  I could eat." 

---

"Can I touch it?"

Teal'c barely suppressed a moan.  Only decades of self-control kept him from getting an erection.  He had made a strategic error in wearing the soft gi pants when Daniel would be sitting so near his groin.  There was no way he could hide any sexual reaction to his friend's proximity.

Daniel pulled his finger back and frowned at Teal'c.  "Are you all right?  Will it hurt you if I touch it?"

It was a mystery to Teal'c how someone who looked like Daniel Jackson could fail to understand his impact on the people around him.  How could he not know how tempting he was?  How could he not guess the effect he would have as he sat so close to Teal'c, his hand outstretched, his finger ready to touch and caress? 

Reaching deep within for calm, Teal'c reassured his friend.  "It will not hurt me."  Not for the world would he let Daniel see his discomfort, because then he might stop.  And the torture of having him near was infinitely better than being without him.

Daniel stared at him for a moment, as if to mine for the truth, but then he turned his attention back to the larva, which had almost eagerly exited the pouch for another visit.   

Turning back to the symbiote, Daniel extended his hand again, gingerly touching the side of the larva, running his finger down its side.

Teal'c felt a disconcerting moment of jealousy that stunned him.  But then he realized he could actually feel his symbiote's pleasure at the touch. 

Teal'c lifted himself up on his elbow.  "Daniel Jackson."

Daniel looked his way, eyebrows up in question.

"Do that again," he commanded.

"What, touch it?" Daniel asked.

"That is correct."

When Daniel put out his hand again, Teal'c closed his eyes, focusing on his symbiote.  He knew the instant Daniel touched it and the instant that he stopped.  He felt a keen sense of loss from the symbiote.  "It finds pleasure in your touch."

Daniel shot Teal'c a pleased look.  "It does?"

"Indeed."

Daniel seemed willing to oblige and he stroked the larva again.  "It's sad how conditioned we are," Daniel observed.

"Of what do you speak?"

"Of what we, or rather, I consider beautiful.  After all, it's hardly this young one's fault that it doesn't meet my preconceived notions of warm and cuddly."  Daniel stroked it again and let out a soft half-laugh as it moved closer.  "It…" He stopped, "Is it an it, or a he?  Does it matter?"

"Most Goa'uld, other than the queens, refer to themselves in the masculine, even if they take a female host."

Daniel nodded, touching it again.  "He does like it, doesn't he?"

"Indeed," Teal'c said again.  He closed his eyes again.  Watching Daniel stroke the larva, his hand moving up and down, was proving too much for Teal'c's control.

"I guess he sort of looks like a squid, don't you think?  But without the tentacles."

"I have not given the subject much thought."

Daniel flashed a quick grin at him.  "You said before that you thought he was taunting you with images of your father.  Have you felt anything else from him?  Like what he's feeling now?"

"I have not.  And upon further reflection, I do not believe the images came from my symbiote."

Daniel appeared lost in thought for a few moments as he considered the symbiote.  Finally he said, "Teal'c?  Do you believe all Goa'uld are evil?"

"I do.  During my many years as First Prime to Apophis, I met many Goa'uld and with the exception of the one I spoke of previously, they are all much the same."

Daniel touched the larva again.  "So chances are this one is too, right?  That even though he feels pleasure at being touched, and is willing to indulge my curiosity, one day he'll take a host and make it do horrible things?"

"I do believe you are correct."

Daniel sighed.  "I don't want him to."   

"Then perhaps it will not.  I have seen the power of your faith in goodness, Daniel Jackson.  It is indeed a force to be reckoned with."

He got a shy smile for that.  "Thanks, Teal'c."  Daniel withdrew his hand and clasped them both in front of him, leaning on the bed.  The symbiote crawled a little farther out of Teal'c's pouch in search of him.

Daniel succumbed to his need and touched him again.  Teal'c saw a look of sadness on his friend's face.

"You are troubled."

"It's just that…" Daniel's lips tightened.  "It's just that Jack's right.  No matter how you look at it, things aren't going to end well.  Even if, for some reason, he isn't your typical evil Goa'uld, or if it's possible that nurture can win over nature, when he matures, he still needs to take a host or he'll die, right?"

"That is correct.  But the future is always uncertain.  Never could I have foreseen the life I live now."

That got a more genuine smile out of Daniel.  "No, me either."  Suddenly he yawned.  "I'm tired."  He touched the larva one more time, and then stood and stretched.  "I guess I better go."

Teal'c was tempted to ask him to stay, but he did not believe it was yet time.  He quite forcibly had to demand the symbiote's return to the pouch and had the definite sense that the larva was sulking.  As Daniel said good night and left his room, Teal'c completely understood.

---

Jack looked around the briefing room as he entered.  "Where's Daniel?"  Everyone else was there, including General Hammond.

"He approaches," Teal'c said, an odd look on his face.

"And you know that how?" Jack asked skeptically.

Teal'c's hand covered his abdomen.  "My symbiote can sense his presence."

Jack's eyebrows reached for the sky.  "What?" 

Teal'c actually looked confused.  "I cannot explain it, but my symbiote is aware of Daniel Jackson's increasing proximity."

In the silence that followed, even from across the table, Jack could hear Teal'c's symbiote flipping around in its pouch.  It was all he could do to keep the grimace off his face.

Just at that moment, Daniel walked in.  "Sorry I'm late," he announced to the group.  His hands were full of loose papers.  Noticing everyone staring at him, he self-consciously put everything down.  "What?"  He looked at his watch.  "I'm not that late."  He looked at General Hammond.  "Am I that late?"

The general gave him a small smile.  "No, Dr. Jackson, you're not late.  Teal'c was just telling us something about his symbiote," he started to explain.

"Junior's got a thing for you," Jack said dryly, moving the conversation along.

"I beg your pardon," Daniel said, eyebrows dancing.

Ever since Daniel had told Jack that he was getting cozy with Junior, Jack had been uneasy about it.  He didn't like the idea of a Goa'uld paying Daniel any attention, let alone having some sort of GPS thing going on.  "Teal'c's snake is jonesing for you," he snapped, the whole idea of it creeping him out.

He was verbally attacked from all sides.  A "Colonel O'Neill" hit him from his right from Hammond and his left from Carter.  He got a darkly intoned, "O'Neill" from Teal'c, and an annoyed "Jack" from Daniel.  He almost preened.  Having all four of them yelling at him at the same time was a new record.

As they all continued to glare at him, Jack supposed he could have phrased that a little better.  He gave them his best "so-sue-me" look and gestured to all the papers in front of Daniel.  "What's all that?"  Hopefully, Daniel would be off and running and that would be the end of it.

Daniel took the bait and began to present some information about the Goa'uld and fossils and Rothman and SG-11, and Jack's eyes narrowed as he figured out what Daniel was nattering on about.  "Forget it," he said.

Daniel glared at him and then turned to the general for reinforcements.

Hammond turned to Jack.  "Colonel?"

"You saw what happened to him the last time he went off by himself.  He always gets in trouble when we're not with him," Jack said with the voice of righteousness. 

Daniel's eyes shot daggers at him, but Jack didn't care.  "Jack," Daniel said tightly, doing a poor job of containing his annoyance.  "They've been there for a week and nothing's happened.  I'll be fine."

"That's what you said last time," Jack pointed out.

"I don't need a babysitter," Daniel snapped.

"All evidence to the contrary," Jack snapped right back.

"Jack," Daniel bit out, "I can take care of myself.  I've been doing it for years now."

"Do I need to start listing the ways you've almost died, or actually died since we started this program?"  Jack held up his hand, ready to start reciting them.  He knew them all by heart.  Dreamed them way too often.

"Colonel," the general interrupted.  "I'm inclined to agree with Dr. Jackson in this instance.  There's a squad of Marines at the site keeping watch; he shouldn't be in any danger."

"Famous last words," Jack muttered under his breath.  Then, louder, he said, "I'm not saying he shouldn't go, I'm just saying we should go with him."  Jack thought it was a very reasonable compromise.  "We all want to go, right?"  He stared at Teal'c and Carter, daring them to say no.

Teal'c agreed immediately, Carter a second behind but no less enthusiastic.  None of them wanted a repeat of the hyena planet. 

Daniel sighed.  "General?"  His voice was clearly begging Hammond to tell Jack to put a sock in it.

Hammond nodded.  "Dr. Jackson, you'll join SG-11 in the morning."  He stood, "Colonel O'Neill, I'd like to see you in my office.  The rest of you are dismissed."

Jack grimaced to himself.  Oh, boy.  Feeling like he was being sent to bed without his supper, he glanced at his team and saw no pity for him from any of them.  Tough room.  With a sigh he followed the general out.

---

Carter excused herself and after she left, Daniel turned to Teal'c.  "What were you telling them about your symbiote?"

"I was informing Colonel O'Neill that my symbiote can sense your presence."

"Really?"  Daniel was fascinated.  "How can you tell?"

"Listen," Teal'c said.

Daniel closed his eyes and did as instructed.  At first he heard nothing more than the sounds he expected to hear: footsteps, doors opening and closing, the hum of electronics.  But then he could hear the symbiote moving around and making noises. "Is he squeaking?" Daniel asked.  He'd never heard it make any noises before.

Teal'c looked almost embarrassed.  "He is indeed."

Daniel moved to Teal'c's side and tentatively reached out.  "May I?"

Teal'c reached for Daniel's hand and placed it over his pouch.  Immediately the symbiote stilled.  Whispering, Daniel said, "You think he knows it's me?"

"I do."

"Is he going to do that a lot?" Daniel asked anxiously.  "Because it wouldn't really be safe for you on a mission if he starts making noises."

"I do not know.  I have never experienced such a thing before."

Daniel realized he was standing very close to Teal'c, touching him in an intimate fashion, and he pulled his hand away.

Teal'c sent a quelling thought to his symbiote when it grew restless again.  "Will you kel-no-reem with me tonight, Daniel Jackson?"

"I'd like that."  He glanced at his papers still sitting on the table.  "I just need to get organized for tomorrow.  I'll probably sleep on base tonight so I'll stop by later if that's all right."

Teal'c frowned.  "I do not wish for you to go off planet alone."

"I appreciate the fact that you all worry about me, but I'll be fine.  I promise."

Teal'c didn't look mollified in the least but he graciously bowed his head and left the room.

Daniel stared after him for a long time before he moved to get his papers.

---

Jack sat down at General Hammond's invitation and waited for whatever was coming.

When Hammond stayed silent, Jack glanced at him.  "Is it that bad?"

"I'm just not sure where to start, Jack."

Jack winced.  When Hammond used his first name, it always meant he wasn't going to like what came next.  He tried a preemptive strike.  "I guess you'd like an explanation about that Junior crack?"

"That might be a good place to start," Hammond said in a no-nonsense tone.

Jack wasn't sure where to begin.  What to say, what to avoid, what Hammond would accept, what he wouldn't.

Hammond beat him to it.  "I've made some serious exceptions for your team, and I believe it was the right thing to do."

"It was," Jack assured him quickly.  His gut started to churn.  Hammond couldn't be thinking about breaking the team up.  Taking his family away.  "It's a good team.  A great team."  Not the strongest finish, but Jack's mouth was sort of dry and he was having a hard time getting the words out.

"Yes, it is, Jack.  You four have stood between Earth and its certain destruction more times than I want to think about.  And I think the closeness you share is part of what makes the team what it is."

Jack heard the words, and thought maybe he could relax, but he didn't.  This was too important. 

"I need to ask you," Hammond finally said, "as my second-in-command, and as the commander of SG-1, is it time to break up the team?"

"No," Jack said, almost in a panic.  "Absolutely not.  No."  Please, God, no. 

"Then please explain to me what I was listening to in the conference room.  What I thought I heard was you making inappropriate comments about Teal'c's symbiote, and belittling Daniel Jackson's field skills."

Jack's eyebrows went up and his mouth opened and then closed.  "Okay."  He held up his index finger as if to make a point, but then crooked it closed.  He pointed at Hammond with his knuckle.  "I can see where you might think that was what was going on, but underneath all of that, completely different picture."

They stared at each other for a few moments and then Hammond let out a small sigh.  "I'm waiting for an explanation."

Jack let out a bigger sigh.  "Yeah."  He bit his lip for a second.  "See, I guess I thought you'd have heard the rumors.  It might make this easier."

"Rumors are inevitable on a base like this," Hammond said in response, "and I normally ignore them."

"Yeah," Jack said again.  "Maybe this time you might want to listen."

Hammond's eyes grew flinty.  "Are you telling me that you and Major Carter are involved?"

"No, sir," Jack said quickly.  "Hell, no.  Not those rumors.  Don't listen to those.  We are not, have not, will not be going there.  Trust me on that."

A small smile graced Hammond's face.  "All right, Jack.  What rumors should I be listening to?"

"The ones about Daniel and Teal'c."

This time Hammond's eyebrows went up.  "Those rumors are true?"

"Well, not quite."

Hammond frowned at Jack, his patience coming to an end.  "Colonel."

Jack made a noise of frustration.  "Let's just say that they're working their way very, very slowly in that direction.  Junior's stuck in the middle, so to speak."  In more ways than one, Jack thought to himself.

The look on Hammond's face said that he hadn't even begun to provide a sufficient explanation.

"Are you sure you want to hear this?" Jack asked, hoping for a no.  It was like a damn soap opera.  The Days of our Goa'uld.  Or maybe As the Goa'uld Turns.

"I think I do," Hammond said sternly.

"Right."  Jack leaned forward.  "Okay, here's the deal.  Teal'c's sweet on Daniel.  Everyone knows this except Daniel, because he is the most clueless person in the universe."

Jack saw another small smile on Hammond's face and figured he was doing all right so far.

"Now," he continued, "Daniel's sweet on Teal'c, but he doesn't think anyone knows it, because, once again, he is the most clueless person in the universe." 

"I think I catch your drift, Jack.  Where does Teal'c's symbiote enter into this?"

"That's the fun part," Jack said sarcastically.  "As far as Daniel's concerned, to love Teal'c, you gotta love the symbiote, as they're kind of a package deal.  So, against my advice, he's been getting chummy with Junior."

"And now the symbiote can sense Daniel?"

"Yes, which I'm thinking is not a good thing, because Junior is a Goa'uld and I'd just as soon not have any of them ever know where Daniel is."

"Does Teal'c feel Daniel is safe?"

Jack scowled.  "Yeah, but you saw him today.  His symbiote took him by surprise.  So maybe it's safe, maybe it isn't."

"What does Daniel think he's accomplishing by trying to befriend the symbiote?"

"Well, see, he's got this whole nature versus nurture idea thing going on.  You know, is a Goa'uld evil because his environment is evil, because the expectation is that they must be evil?  The philosophical question being do we create our own reality?  Are the Goa'uld stuck in some self-fulfilling prophecy that keeps them from choosing different paths?"  He glanced up at Hammond.  "I could go on and on.  And on and on and on.  Daniel does.  Often."

"I think I've caught the main points," Hammond said dryly.  "Do you think there's any possibility he could be right?"

"No.  That thing is a Goa'uld.  When it matures, it's gonna take a host.  And when that happens, I don't want Daniel anywhere around it.  I see Junior sporting fins and it's going down."  Jack was very clear on that point. 

"And Teal'c and Daniel?"

"Major Carter is yentaing as hard as she can."

Hammond's eyebrows went up.  "So you don't disapprove of a relationship between Teal'c and Daniel?"

"Not at all.  They're," Jack thought about it for a minute, about the quiet friendship between Teal'c and Daniel.  "I think they're good for each other."

"You don't see this changing the dynamics of the team?"

Jack shook his head.  "We all watch out for Daniel as it is.  Teal'c's too good of a soldier to let this affect his concentration out in the field, and Daniel's, well, sir, he's Daniel."

Another small smile flickered across Hammond's face, although he sobered up pretty quickly.  "I've never been one to judge a person on whom he or she chooses to love, but there are those here who will judge and judge harshly."

"I know.  But, I think the fact that Teal'c is an alien will actually help."

"I'd hate for Daniel to pay the price for someone's intolerance if he's engaging in an openly homosexual relationship."

"He won't."

"You sound pretty sure, Jack.  What's your rationale?"

"Because there's not a person on this base who doesn't know what and who they'll be dealing with if they touch Daniel.  We've made that clear from the get-go.  Plus, I don't think anyone will want to incur the wrath of Teal'c.  He's a pretty big deterrent."

Hammond let out a small chuckle.  "He is at that.  Let's hope you're right."  He clasped his hands in front of him on the desk.  "Let's talk about Daniel, then, and his ability to handle himself in the field."

Jack's lips tightened.  "All I know is every time, and I mean every time he goes out there without us, he gets hurt.  Now, I know he gets hurt sometimes when he's with us, but our odds are better.  I don't know why it keeps happening; maybe he thinks he can take extra chances if we're not looking over his shoulder."

"Do you trust him in the field?"

"Absolutely.  I'd have him on my six any time.  He's a damn good soldier, and has an amazing ability to think on his feet even when things are going to hell.  But when he's got toys to play with, he needs someone to keep an eye on him.  It's like all his common sense goes out the window.  You send him on an archeological dig without a babysitter and you're asking for trouble."

"I don't imagine he'd appreciate you saying that."

"No, he'd probably smack me upside the head.  But I'd rather have a pissy live Daniel on my hands than a dead one."

"Point taken, Jack."

Jack scowled.  "But you're still letting him go tomorrow, aren't you?"

"I am."

Jack ran frustrated fingers through his hair but kept silent, hearing the finality in Hammond's voice.  He'd just have to hope Daniel got through this one unscathed.  "So, about that other thing.  Are you all right with it?"  He hoped he wouldn't have to let Teal'c know that if their relationship actually turned into something, one of them might be off the team. 

"The symbiote or Daniel and Teal'c's growing relationship?"

"Both; either."

"I'm willing to adopt a wait and see attitude.  Technically, they're both civilians, so they're not breaking any regulations.  Neither of them report to each other so they won't be in a position where they'd be giving orders to one another, and I find it hard to believe that either of them would put you or Major Carter at risk because of anything that develops between them." 

He continued.  "As far as the symbiote goes, I believe that's between Teal'c and Dr. Jackson.  If Teal'c feels it's safe, I'm inclined to believe him.  If the symbiote continues to exhibit unusual behavior, I suspect Teal'c will take it into account before putting Daniel at further risk."

Jack finally relaxed, letting out a long silent breath.  While Jack wasn't crazy about Daniel and Junior's budding relationship, what was important was that Hammond wasn't going to break up the team, despite all the weirdness Jack had dumped on him today.  Not for the first time, he thanked his lucky stars Hammond had been assigned to the Stargate project.

---

Major Carter joined him in the commissary for lunch.  "Hey, Teal'c," she said, smiling, as she sat across from him.

He nodded at her.  "Major Carter."  He glanced at her tray, noting the usual presence of blue Jell-O.  Teal'c had chosen the banana cream pie for his dessert, having seen Daniel eat it before with great relish.

"Where's Daniel?" she asked.

"He is preparing to go off-world tomorrow," Teal'c said disapprovingly.

The major frowned.  "I thought after Daniel's last accident that we weren't going to split the team up anymore."

"As did I."

"I don't like it."

"Nor do I," Teal'c agreed.

They ate in silence for a few minutes.  Finally, Sam glanced over at him.  "So, how are things going?"

"I am not sure to what you refer."

"You know."  She glanced around to make sure no one was listening.  "You and Daniel.  I was sort of thinking that maybe the two of you had, you know."

"Are you referring to my efforts to procure Daniel Jackson as my mate?" he clarified.

Major Carter nodded, grinning.  "Yup.  I want an update."

Teal'c supposed she was entitled to know.  "I deemed it wise to allow Daniel Jackson the time he requires to become more comfortable with the presence of my symbiote."

She thought that through then gave him a quick look of sympathy.  "Nothing, huh?"

"No," Teal'c responded somewhat glumly.  While Teal'c felt the odds of Daniel agreeing to be his mate were increasing in his favor, he was anxiously looking forward to the next phase of their courtship.

"But," she said, "obviously he and your symbiote are, well, for lack of a better word, bonding."

"They are indeed."  Teal'c was surprised by this outcome.  He had thought only to familiarize Daniel with its presence.  He had not expected the symbiote to react so strongly to another sentient being.  Not that it was overly surprising that Daniel Jackson would elicit that response. 

"Is that normal?" the major asked, as she drank some ice tea.

"It is not.  I have never heard of such a thing.  Even the selection process of a host for a fully mature Goa'uld is over quickly, and there is little interaction between the prospective host and the Goa'uld."

She grinned.  "Well, trust Daniel to go where no man has gone before."

Teal'c returned her grin with a small smile.  "Indeed."

Major Carter patted his arm.  "It will happen, Teal'c.  I'm sure of it.  I've seen the way he looks at you.  Maybe you need to be a little less patient with him.  Or maybe it's time to have that conversation with him again."

"Perhaps I will speak with him when he returns."

She frowned again.  "I still wish he wasn't going."

There was no point in belaboring a point on which they were in accord.  Teal'c directed his attention to finishing his lunch.

---

Teal'c had almost begun to believe that Daniel had forgotten to come by when he sensed his symbiote's excitement.  A few seconds later there was a knock on his door.

"Enter," Teal'c called.

Daniel stuck his head through the now open door.  "Is it too late?  I'm sorry, I lost track of the time."

"It is not too late."

A quick smile, and then Daniel was in the room, shutting the door behind him.  "I'm looking forward to seeing what Robert's dug up.  I think it's possible this might have been a home world for the Goa'uld.  He's found several fossils."

"Once you arrive, if you find evidence to support this claim, perhaps General Hammond would allow me to join you.  I would like to see such a place."  And then he could watch over Daniel. 

Daniel smiled at him in obvious pleasure.  "I'll let you know as soon as I know anything."  His smile grew broader as a squeak sounded.  "Is that him again?  Junior?"

"Yes, he once again has sensed your presence."

Daniel gave Teal'c a shy smile but then looked around the room.  "Wow, there're a lot of candles tonight."

Teal'c followed his gaze and noted that there were, indeed, many candles.  Teal'c had placed them that way on purpose.

"Um, maybe I'll sit on the bed," Daniel suggested.

Teal'c swept the room with another gaze.  "I have, perhaps, miscalculated."

Daniel smiled at him and as he sat down, he patted the bed.  "Plenty of room."

Teal'c felt a moment's guilt at taking such advantage of Daniel's guilelessness but then dismissed it.  He settled on the bed next to Daniel.

The symbiote chose that moment to resume squeaking.  Daniel let out a quiet chuckle.  "May I?"  He held out his hand.

"You do not need to ask for permission to touch me, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c said.  Not that he expected Daniel to hear the double meaning, or if he did hear it, to act on it. 

Daniel carefully extended his hand and placed it over the pouch, barely touching.  Without any encouragement, the symbiote began pushing its way out of the pouch.  Daniel startled at the movement pushing up at the fabric under his hand, but then he flashed Teal'c a brief grin.  "He wants out."

"He does, indeed."  Teal'c pulled off his shirt, then replaced Daniel's hand, once again sternly quelling his body's reaction to Daniel Jackson's proximity. 

As soon as Daniel's hand was back on the pouch, the symbiote pushed out and wrapped itself around his wrist, essentially cuffing him in place.  Teal'c's eyes widened at its behavior, finding it impossible to predict.  After decades of carrying a symbiote, one much like another, slowly maturing until it was taken from him and replaced by another, it was unsettling.

Apparently, to Daniel as well, as even in the candlelight, Teal'c could see him redden.  "I guess, um, I guess you're stuck with me, Teal'c."

Teal'c strove for the correct response, finally saying, "I do not find that a hardship."

He got a soft smile for that.  "Thanks, Teal'c, but I think even you would run out of patience with me hanging off of you like a remora."

"I am unfamiliar with that term."

"They're a marine fish with a, um," Daniel turned his free hand into something that resembled a claw, "head that is mostly an apparatus to attach itself to large fish, like sharks."

"And what is their purpose for doing this?"

"The larger fish takes them to new feeding grounds, and when it feeds, the remora can feed on its scraps."

"I see."  Teal'c supposed he would never know all there was to know about his adopted planet.  He certainly would never know all the knowledge that seemed to reside inside Daniel Jackson's brain. 

"Um." Daniel said again.  "If he's planning to keep me there, do you mind if I sort of turn around?"

Teal'c realized that Daniel could not relax in his current position.  His left hand stretched across Daniel's torso to touch Teal'c.  "Please move as you see fit."

Daniel tried, but no matter how he situated himself, his arm was at an awkward angle.  "Hey," he addressed the symbiote.  "Could I have my hand back?  I'll give it back to you, I promise."

Junior seemed disinclined to obey.

"Perhaps I could lie down," Teal'c suggested.  Putting his words into action, he lay down on his back.  Daniel shifted until he sat cross-legged next to Teal'c, his left thigh pressing against Teal'c's, his left hand now easily resting on Teal'c's abdomen. 

"Thanks, that's much better." 

Teal'c gave him a nod.

"But," Daniel said with a frown.  "He's going to have to let go of me sooner or later.  And," he added, his face growing quite stern as he addressed the symbiote directly, "you can't make noises when we're on a mission.  You could get Teal'c hurt."

Junior squeaked and seemed to tighten his hold on Daniel.

Daniel stared at the symbiote for a minute and then glanced at Teal'c.  "I wonder what he's thinking."

Teal'c wondered the same thing.  "It is behaving most strangely."  Although, Teal'c thought, it was showing excellent taste. 

Shifting a little bit more, Daniel's fingers laying out flat on Teal'c's pouch, he smiled briefly again and shut his eyes.  "Not sure how long I'm going to last."

"If you are too tired, Daniel Jackson, we can kel-no-reem together upon your return."

"No, no, I want to.  I'm just tired."  He blew out a long breath.  "It relaxes me."

Teal'c kept his eyes open, taking the opportunity to feast his eyes upon Daniel in the candlelight.  Suddenly Daniel yawned and opened his eyes, apologizing.  "Sorry.  I should have come earlier."

"You are welcome to rest here," Teal'c said.

Daniel let out a contented sigh.  "It's so peaceful in here."  He closed his eyes again, but in less than a minute, his head was nodding, and Teal'c knew he was falling asleep.

"Daniel," he said softly.  "Lie down.  Rest."

"Hmm," Daniel said in response.  "Maybe I will.  Just for a minute."  He stretched out next to Teal'c, his movements somewhat hampered by Junior's unremitting hold on him.

"Put your head on my shoulder," Teal'c suggested, watching him find a comfortable spot.

"You don't mind?" Daniel said sleepily.

"No." Teal'c didn't mind at all.  He took off Daniel's glasses and placed them on the small bedside table and imagined a life like this, where Daniel lay by his side every night, head on his shoulder, his breath warm against Teal'c's skin. 

Daniel's free hand rested between them, brushing Teal'c's ribcage, his knee snugged up tightly against Teal'c's thigh.  He felt branded everywhere Daniel was touching him.  Sensing that Daniel was near sleep, he dared to reach up with his left hand to touch Daniel's hair.

Daniel gave a contented hum and moved closer.  "That feels nice."

Deciding that was an invitation, Teal'c grew bolder and ran his fingers through the short hair, feeling its softness, resisting the urge to fist his hand there and force Daniel's head back until their lips met.  Soon, he promised himself, soon.

---

When Teal'c woke up, he and Daniel were side-by-side, arms wrapped around each other, Daniel's knee between Teal'c's legs.  At some point during the night, the symbiote must have let go, presumably to immerse itself in the pouch's nutritional fluids. 

If Daniel hadn't been leaving shortly for a mission, Teal'c would have thrown caution to the wind and made love to him.  But there was no time.  Even deep within Cheyenne Mountain, Teal'c could sense dawn approaching.  "Daniel, you must awaken," he said softly, wishing he could keep Daniel here.

Daniel groaned a little and snuggled more deeply into Teal'c.  "Don't wanna," he murmured.  His breath blew across one of Teal'c's nipples and Teal'c barely held back a groan of his own. 

"Daniel Jackson, you must be in the Gateroom shortly."

With another groan, Daniel turned the other way, until his ass was pressing against Teal'c's leg.  "Too early," came another sleepy complaint.

Not able to resist, Teal'c turned as well, spooning behind Daniel, enjoying the few seconds he would have before Daniel remembered where and who he was with.  He buried his nose in Daniel's hair, enjoying the sleepy smell of him, the languid relaxation of his body. 

Finally he pulled back.  "Daniel, it is time for you to prepare for your mission."  He sat up, taking in the vision of Daniel sleeping in his bed.

Daniel turned on to his back and lifted a hand to rub at his eyes.  "Hmmm."  He rubbed some more.  "What time is it?"

His time sense wasn't that specific.  Teal'c glanced at the clock.  "It is six-thirty."

"Crap."  Daniel lay there a few more moments.

Teal'c waited.

Daniel's eyes shot open.  "Teal'c?"

"Yes, Daniel Jackson?"

"Did I sleep here all night?"

"You did, indeed."

"God, I'm sorry." 

Daniel's eyes were squinted and Teal'c reached for his glasses and handed them to him.  "There is no need for an apology.  I slept as well."

Daniel flashed him a quick smile.  "Thanks."  He looked at his wrist.  "I guess he let me go."

"A symbiote cannot survive in the open air for long.  It must continually immerse itself in fluid."

"I guess that's a good thing, or I might be moving in." 

Teal'c thought he saw something in Daniel's eyes, something more than gratitude and humor.  "I believe my symbiote is as reluctant for you to leave as I am."

Daniel stared at him, their gazes locked, their bodies still warm from sleeping wrapped around each other.  Daniel reached out a hand and touched Teal'c's arm, his fingers softly caressing the muscle there.  "Teal'c," Daniel said very softly.

Teal'c also reached out, cupping Daniel's cheek, allowing all his love and affection to show freely.

Daniel drew in a surprised breath, his eyes searching Teal'c's.

The moment seemed to stretch on forever, but it was suddenly interrupted by a squeak. 

Daniel bit his lips to hold back a smile and Teal'c had to smile back.  "I believe you should make your escape now."

Nodding, Daniel drew away.  "Thank you for letting me stay."

Choosing honesty, Teal'c said, "I wished for you to stay."

Daniel reluctantly rose to his feet.  "I should only be gone a few days."

Every day a day too long in Teal'c's opinion.  "I shall look forward to hearing of your findings."

Daniel studied him for a moment, and then with one last smile, let himself out.

Teal'c lay back down on the bed, just as his symbiote pushed out of its pouch.  Staring at it, Teal'c said, "You are too late; he has left."

The squeak the symbiote emitted was almost accusative.  The next one was pitiful.  Teal'c surprised himself by reaching down and gently stroking the creature.  "He will return," he said consolingly.

As if to do his own consoling, the symbiote wrapped itself around Teal'c's fingers before sinking back into its pouch.

---

As the Unas dragged Daniel behind him, he found the same few thoughts whirring through his mind over and over again.  At least he did when he wasn't tripping over his own feet or the logs the Unas yanked him over.  He had no desire to add to the spectacular collection of bruises and scratches he already had.

The first of these thoughts, and the loudest and most annoying, was that Jack was going to kill him.  Of course this was assuming he was still alive, because he was sure whatever was at the end of this enforced march wasn't going to be something Daniel could add to his Ten Favorite Things To Do On Vacation list. 

The second thought that always followed the first thought was his inner five-year-old looking up at Jack whining that it wasn't his fault, that he didn't touch anything.  Daniel suspected Jack wouldn't care.  If he got out of this Jack was going to lock Daniel up in his spare guest room and never let him out again.

Daniel tripped over a large stone and fell, wincing as his bound hands hit the dirt hard, followed by his knees.  He couldn't stop a short cry when the Unas yanked him back up and began to march again. 

The next thought that ran through his mind was the look on Teal'c's face earlier that morning.  Remembering the look warmed him, and buffered him from what was happening to him, up until the moment he tripped hard enough to manage a full body sprawl, taking most of the brunt on his right hip.

He refused to get up, hoping it might get him a few second's respite.  He wished he'd been more circumspect about using his radio.  That had been an act of stupidity on his part.  Daniel knew his team would come looking for him, he just had no idea how they'd find him without a signal to hone in on.

Teal'c's tracking skills would help, but it had been hours, and Daniel wasn't even sure Jack knew yet that he was missing.  Maybe everyone was dead.  Maybe Robert…Daniel didn't want to go there.  He didn't want anyone to be dead. 

And then his thoughts would recycle back to the beginning, and he'd picture Jack yelling at him.  Daniel pushed that thought aside, skipped the second, and focused on Teal'c again. 

Even though he was asleep for most of it, Daniel could remember the warmth of the Jaffa's body, the smoothness of his skin, the sense of utter safety.  And the look in Teal'c's eyes.  Daniel could have stayed there all day, just looking at Teal'c, watching Teal'c watch him.  Not that he should presume it meant anything.  Teal'c was his friend.  He needed to remember that.  Even if he was really wishing Teal'c could be more. 

He tripped again.  He needed to start paying attention or he was going to break his neck.  Deciding to put his linguistics skill to use, he attempted to talk to it.

---

"I don't fucking believe this," Jack yelled as they geared up in the locker room.

"We will find him, O'Neill," Teal'c said imperturbably.

Jack guessed Teal'c wasn't quite as sanguine about the situation as he was letting on.  In fact, he was pretty sure Teal'c was freaking.  Jack knew he for damn sure was freaking.  Fucking Unas.  Shit.  "Let's go."

He felt Teal'c fall in behind him, and they jogged to the Gateroom, Carter getting there only seconds behind them.  Jack shot Hammond a look, but kept his mouth shut, figuring anything he said right now to the man would get him thrown in the brig.

Hammond just gave him a small nod.  "You have a go."

Jack took that nod for a promise.  SG-1 was a team, damn it, and that meant sticking together.  After making sure everyone was ready, Jack headed for the event horizon and walked through.

---

"Daniel," Jack said, keeping Daniel close, both his eyes locked on the Unas tribe, "we are not eating with them."

"But, Jack…"

"I don't want to hear it.  You just told me that you were gonna be the main course, right?"

"Uh, right." Daniel was almost swaying on his feet.

"So I'm not real keen on eating whatever it is they're planning on serving us in place of you.  Okay?"

Daniel looked a little green for a second.  "Right.  Good point." 

Jack turned Daniel a little and pointed him toward the Unas Daniel called Chaka.  "So explain it to him, and then we're out of here."

Daniel almost fell and Teal'c was there, holding him up.  "O'Neill, Daniel Jackson must rest."

"I know that, but there's not much point in resting if we're all gonna end up being breakfast.  I've been hanging around Daniel long enough to know there's ritual shit involved in things like this, and I don't want to start a war if leaving now is the wrong thing to do."

Teal'c held Daniel in front of him, one hand on his chest, holding him steady.  "Daniel Jackson, will we be in danger if we leave?"

Daniel practically sagged in his arms, and Jack could see that his friend really was at the end of his rope.  Not that it mattered.  He moved in front of Daniel and tapped his face.  "Daniel, get with the program and then you can sleep.  Can we leave here?  Do you need to wrap things up with your new buddies?"

Daniel blinked his eyes and stared at Jack, then craned his neck to stare at Teal'c.  Teal'c, Jack noticed, got a smile.  That was okay, Jack was perfectly willing to play the bad guy here if it kept them off the menu.  "Daniel," he said sharply.

"Um."  Daniel blinked again.  "Um.  I think we'll be fine."

"You think we'll be fine?" Jack asked skeptically.

"Let me talk to Chaka."  Daniel pulled away from Teal'c and almost ended up on his knees.  Would have if Teal'c hadn't caught him.  He flashed Jack and Teal'c a wincing apologetic smile.  "Sorry.  I'm a little tired."

For Daniel to even admit to being tired meant he had to be truly exhausted.  "Let's get this over with," Jack urged, "and get the hell out of Dodge so we can set up camp."

Daniel frowned.  "We can't just go home?"

"It took us many hours to find you, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c explained, once again keeping a firm hold on his friend.  "You would not be able to walk that long."

"Okay."  Jack watched Daniel marshal his resolve, the way he always did when something had to get done.  "Chaka?" Daniel called.

The young Unas cautiously approached.  "Dan-ell," he responded in his rough guttural tones.

"We…" Daniel made a gesture encompassing SG-1, "we need to go."  He mimed people moving by walking his fingers across his hand.  "Leave."  He pointed toward the exit of the cave.

"Ka," the Unas said, clearly not happy.  He mimicked the bringing of something to his mouth.  "Naan."

Jack watched as Daniel leaned back onto Teal'c, letting the Jaffa hold him up.  "Ka.  Ka naan.  We can't eat your food.  Um."  He felt his pockets then looked at Jack.  "Do you have a power bar?"

Jack pulled one out and gave it to him.  Daniel held it up, gesturing at the members of SG-1.  "This, naan for humans.  For us," again he gestured at the four of them.  We go," hand pointing to the exit again, "we naan," mimicked eating.  "You," a gesture including all the Unas, "you stay and naan.  Your food."  Daniel grimaced.  "This is hard to do when you only know about five words."

Chaka looked unconvinced.  Daniel tried again, moving to the fire over which something was cooking, Teal'c close behind.  "Look."  He pointed to the slab of meat being roasted.  "Naan, right?"  He looked at Chaka.

"Naan," Chaka agreed.

"Great.  Okay.  Naan for you and you."  Daniel started pointing toward all the Unas.  "Unas naan, um, this."  He pointed again at the meat.  Then he shook his head.  "Humans," he pointed at himself, Teal'c, Jack and Sam, "humans ka naan, er, this," pointing at the meat.  He held up the power bar once more.  "Humans," again pointing them out, "naan this."

A light of understanding shone in Chaka's eyes.  He grunted, but then began to argue.  "Unas naan," he said, pointing at the power bar.

"Yeah, that's true."  Daniel bit his lip.  "Okay.  But," he said, holding up a finger, "humans ka naan that," he pointed at the meat, hoping to God it wasn't something that used to walk around on two legs.

Chaka grunted his understanding.  "Dan-ell."  His eyes looked sad.  "Dan-ell," he said again.  Jack could see that he didn't want Daniel to go.  He liked his new buddy.  Too fucking bad for Mr. Unas.

Daniel smiled gently at him.  "Thank you, Chaka."  He gestured toward the door.  "So, we can go?"

The Unas grunted and with a gesture of his chin that implied consent, he took a step back.

Daniel moved toward him and handed him the power bar.  "Dessert.  Not that you know what that word means, but take it."

The clawed hands took the power bar gently from Daniel.  "Dan-ell," he said again.

"I'll be back," Daniel promised. "I'll be back, and we'll talk.  We'll learn about each other."

"Over my dead body," Jack muttered.

Daniel frowned at him but too tired to argue, leaned back against Teal'c again.

Jack pointed toward the exit.  "Let's go while the getting's good."

Jack took the back position, keeping an eye on the Unas, ready for anything.  But the rest of the Unas couldn't be bothered with them now that they weren't dinner and Chaka just stood there and watched them go.

---

It took tremendous focus for Teal'c to stay calm.  From the moment O'Neill had informed him that Daniel had once again gone missing, that an Unas had most likely taken him, that the planet Daniel was on was filled with Goa'uld, he had striven to stay calm.

When they'd found Daniel's tracks, his blood, seen him in the midst of the Unas tribe, their angry and bloodthirsty cries deafening in the cave, he had striven to stay calm.

Even now, as he watched O'Neill force Daniel to function, as he slapped Daniel's face to keep him awake, as Teal'c held Daniel to keep him from collapsing as he spoke to Chaka, he continued to strive.

He was fast running out of control.

O'Neill was marching them toward the gate too quickly for Daniel to keep up.  He was stumbling, confused with exhaustion, his eyes occasionally opening wide in fear as he looked around, only relaxing when he realized he was surrounded by his teammates.

Finally he tripped and would have fallen flat on his face if Teal'c hadn't lunged for him.  He caught Daniel, only to find that he was no longer conscious.  Teal'c swept him up in his arms, holding him tightly.  "O'Neill, he can go no further.  We must stop."

O'Neill looked frustrated but when he saw Daniel he nodded.  Teal'c was sure if Daniel had been able to manage it, despite the distance, Jack would have marched them back to the gate.  Not that Teal'c could blame him.  Unas and Goa'uld were a bad mix.  But even with the added strength of his symbiote, Teal'c did not think he could carry Daniel the remaining distance.

More than that, though, was the fact that Teal'c needed time to be with Daniel in stillness.  To feel him breathing, to hear his heart beat, to comprehend that somehow he was alive, that once again he'd beaten death.  And beaten it on his own terms by turning an enemy into a friend.  By turning despair into hope. 

He would have this man as his mate.  There was no one worthier.

O'Neill started barking out orders to clear the ground, for Teal'c to get Daniel settled, for Carter to take first watch.  They had minimal supplies for bedding, only the compact emergency blankets stored in their vests.  Teal'c lay Daniel gently down on the ground, pulled his emergency blanket packet out of his vest pocket and ripped it open. 

Major Carter meanwhile, cleared a space large enough underneath a tree, and she helped Teal'c straighten the blanket on the ground, anchoring the corners with some larger stones.  Teal'c moved back to Daniel, picked him up, with the major's help brushed any debris off him, and placed him on the blanket.

It was not cold, but he could feel Daniel shivering.  Before he could even ask, she was opening up her blanket and spreading it over Daniel.  "Get him warm, Teal'c."  She grinned tightly.  "I might be joining you both when my watch is over."

"Me, too," O'Neill said.  "This might be a team cuddle night."  He crouched in front of Daniel and looked at Teal'c as he settled down on the blanket, the tree trunk at his back.  "He needs to eat and drink.  I'm betting he hasn't eaten anything since he was taken."  He pulled out a power bar and handed it to Teal'c.  "You have your canteen?"

"I do," Teal'c informed him. 

"Good."  The colonel stayed crouched by Daniel's side and he put out a hand to touch a bruise on his friend's face.  "Jesus, Daniel," he said softly.

Daniel jerked awake and blinked furiously, trying to rid himself of his grogginess.  "What?  What?"

Teal'c unwrapped the power bar, holding it out.  "You must eat, Daniel Jackson."

Daniel still looked confused.  "I don't…" He glanced up at Teal'c, then at the colonel.  "Is it my turn for watch?"

"No, Danny-boy," O'Neill said.  "The only thing you'll be watching is the backside of your eyelids.  I just want you to eat that power bar and wash it down with some water.  Then it's beddie-bye for you."

Another look through narrowed eyes at the two of them and the confusion started to clear.  "Oh.  Um."  He reached for the power bar and took a bite.  Sitting up, he said, "Ow," and shifted off his right hip. 

"Ow?" O'Neill said angrily.  Teal'c was hoping O'Neill would not feel the need to return to the Unas tribe and avenge his friend.

"Yeah, I…" Daniel gestured at his entire body.  "I fell.  A lot."  He glanced up at O'Neill again.  "I'm okay, Jack.  Just a little black and blue."  Taking a look around, he asked, "How's SG-11?  Where's Robert?"

O'Neill looked away.

Daniel's brow furrowed.  "Jack, where's Robert?"

Teal'c answered.  "He is dead, Daniel.  He was taken by a Goa'uld."

"What?"  Daniel looked at him and then at O'Neill, his eyes anxious, sorrowful.  "What?  He's dead?  You couldn't just capture him?  Why is he dead?"

"I killed him, Daniel," O'Neill admitted.  "He attacked Teal'c, and shot Griff."

Daniel shifted his gaze to Teal'c.  "Are you all right?"

Gratified at Daniel's concern, Teal'c bowed his head.  "I am fine."

Daniel pulled his legs up tight to his chest, wrapping his arms around his shins, his head dropping to his knees. 

O'Neill touched Daniel's shoulder.  "Daniel, I'm sorry."

Daniel lifted his head and his eyes were bright with unshed tears.  "No, Jack.  Don't be.  I know you did what you had to do.  I just need to be sad for a while, okay?"

"Yeah, I get that."  O'Neill patted his shoulder and stood.  He stared down at Daniel, his expression stating clearly that he wished he could do more, offer more, but with a shake of his head, he moved to join Carter.

Teal'c wasn't sure what his friend required.  "Do you wish to be alone?"

Daniel shook his head again.  "Stay with me."

"You may depend on it," he said, determinedly.  He would not allow Daniel Jackson to go into further danger without him.  Leaning back against the tree trunk, he encouraged Daniel to curl up against him, tucking the blanket around Daniel as he lay down on his left side, his head settling into the crook of Teal'c's shoulder.

Daniel occasionally lifted a hand to wipe away tears, but Teal'c did not interfere, choosing instead to hold him closely, one hand on Daniel's back, one on the nape of his neck.  Daniel's hand rested on Teal'c's abdomen. 

Teal'c could sense his symbiote's need but was pleased it had been quiet throughout the search and retrieval, and continued to remain so.  He untucked his T-shirt, allowing the symbiote the freedom it required.  In seconds it was pushing out, searching for Daniel.  When it found his arm, it secured him, much as it had done the last night they were together.

Daniel did nothing to move away, so Teal'c assumed it was acceptable to him.  With O'Neill and Major Carter both on watch, Teal'c allowed himself to relax and lose himself in the presence of his friend, while allowing him what privacy he could to grieve.

It didn't take Daniel long to fall asleep; Teal'c could feel it in the utter relaxation of his body.  Teal'c began to eat the power bar abandoned by Daniel, feeling the need to assuage his hunger.  He would make Daniel eat when he awoke.  He had two power bars in his vest pocket that would serve that purpose.

Teal'c heard footsteps approaching and he looked up to see O'Neill striding in his direction.  His symbiote slithered back into its pouch.

"Was that Junior?" O'Neill demanded.

"It was."

"And you think this is a good idea, to let it touch him?" he demanded again, trying to hide a look of distaste.

Teal'c wished he knew the answer.  "I believe my symbiote means Daniel Jackson no harm."

"It looks to me like it's painting a big old bull's eye on Daniel's back that reads 'Take Me as Your Next Host.'"

"I would not allow that to happen," Teal'c snapped out, angry that O'Neill would say such a thing.

O'Neill backed off a little.  "I'm not saying you'd mean it to happen, big guy, but shit happens.  And it usually happens to Daniel."

Teal'c knew that was true, but he also knew he'd take his own life before he'd let anything hurt Daniel.

O'Neill hunkered down, looking at Daniel, then back up at Teal'c.  "Sorry, Teal'c, I know you care about him."

"I do.  Deeply."

"And I get that you can't really have him," pointing at Daniel," without him being okay with that."  He pointed at Teal'c's pouch.

"No, I cannot."

O'Neill blew out a breath, nodding, his face scrunching up.  "Yeah."  He pointed at Daniel.  "He means more to me than anything."

"I know that, O'Neill."  And Teal'c did.  Nor was he threatened by it.  Best friends.  Teal'c had done some research.

"I guess what I'm saying here is that I'm trusting you with him.  I'm trusting that you won't let that thing hurt him."

Teal'c could see how far Daniel had already influenced him when he had to suppress a surge of defensive anger on behalf of his symbiote.  It wasn't a thing.  Not anymore.  But he kept quiet; defending his symbiote would only serve to make O'Neill more cautious.  "You have my word," he finally said.

O'Neill stared at Teal'c for a long time, before he nodded once and stood.  "Okay, then.  Get some sleep.  You'll take third watch."

"Understood."

O'Neill spread out his own blanket to Teal'c's right and lay down, so he was protecting Daniel's back. 

Teal'c approved and nodded gravely at O'Neill, trying to let him know that there was no one else he would as easily trust to that.

O'Neill, with his usual uncanny ability to read minds, nodded one last time as he lay down.  "You and me, Teal'c.  We'll keep him safe."

"And me," Carter said from across the clearing, indignant at being left out.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, and you, Carter.  The four musketeers."

Teal'c met Major Carter's eyes and he bowed his head to her as well.  Yes, he also trusted his other teammate.  He had been most fortunate to find warriors such as these to fight with.  She grinned back in return and then resumed her quiet pacing.

---

Jack waited for Daniel to appear, having summoned him a short time ago.  He had some news he wasn't looking forward to passing along.  He also wanted to talk to Daniel about Teal'c.  Jack got the impression that Daniel was ignoring the big guy, and Teal'c was looking like his dog just died.

There was a knock on his door and it opened, revealing Daniel.  "Hey, Jack.  You wanted to see me?"

"Yeah, sit down."

Daniel obeyed, cautiously, giving the chair a good look before he actually sat down on it.

Jack bit back a grin.  Daniel still hadn't forgiven him for that whoopee cushion incident.  "What's up?" Daniel asked.

"What's up with you and Teal'c?" Jack asked in return.

Daniel's eyes narrowed.  "What do you mean?"

"Simple enough question.  You and Teal'c.  You looked pretty cuddly out there in Unas Land and lately you sort of run in the other direction whenever you see him."

"I do not," Daniel insisted.

"Yeah, you kind of do."  Jack bit his lip as he considered his best friend.  "So, I figure it's one of three things."

Daniel rolled his eyes and leaned back in the chair.  "Oh, please, enlighten me."

Jack flashed him a crooked grin.  "You betcha.  One: you've got it in your head that everyone you care about ends up dead so you're staying clear.  Although if that's true I guess I should be insulted you're still hanging out with me."

"I'm not quite that morbidly superstitious, Jack," Daniel said dryly.  "Try another one."

Jack smiled smugly to himself, as he watched Daniel be so certain that Jack wouldn't figure it out.  What Daniel continually failed to remember was that Jack knew him better than he knew himself.  "Fine.  Two:  you have no interest in Teal'c and have realized you've been kind of leading him on."

"I have not been leading him on," Daniel vehemently denied.  "I would never do that."

Jack nodded.  "No, you wouldn't."  He clasped his hands and put them on his desk.  "Three: you suddenly freaked that you've been making it a little obvious that you're sweet on Teal'c and have pulled back so you won't embarrass the big guy."

Daniel's jaw opened and then shut.  Opened and shut again.  It made him look like a fish. 

"Yeah," Jack said wryly, "that's sort of what I figured."  He shook his head sadly at Daniel.  "You do know he's sweet on you, right?"

"I…" that was as far as Daniel got before reddening and looking away.

"Maybe I should make that clearer," Jack said.  "The guy's nuts for you.  You're killing him here."

When Daniel looked at him again, his heart was in his eyes, coupled with anxiety.  "Really?  You think so?"

"What, the nuts for you part?"

Daniel nodded.

Jack rolled his eyes heavenwards, looking for strength.  "I've said it before and I'll say it again.  You, Dr. Jackson, are the most clueless person in the galaxy.  The universe," he amended.

Daniel shot him an insulted look.  "I am not."

"You really are." 

"Not."

"Are."

Daniel sighed.  "Is this what you called me down here for?"

Jack decided to let him change the subject; hopefully he'd gotten his point across.  "No."  He picked up a stapled stack of papers from his desk and handled it gingerly.  "It's about Rothman."

"What about him?" Daniel asked, distressed

"He, um, he named you his next of kin."  He put the papers down and shoved the stack across his desk toward Daniel.

"He did what?"  Daniel looked stunned.

"He named you.  It's all in there.  He lived on base, so all his belongings are here.  There's no rush, but I'll need you to go through his personal stuff.  He had a bank account and a car, too."

Daniel stared at him.  "He didn't have any family?"

"Not according to the bio he filled out."  Jack took a long look at Daniel.  "Want me to be with you when you do it?  Or I can have it all packed up and you can look at it later.  I can put it in my garage or get a storage unit."

Still looking dazed, Daniel thought about it but then shook his head.  "Thanks, Jack, I appreciate the offer, but I'll do it.  I guess, um, I guess I'll need his key."

Jack handed it over with an identifying tag on it noting the location.  "You gonna be all right?"

Daniel nodded.  "Yeah.  He was just…he was just the last good thing from my past, you know?"

Jack's eyes prickled, hating that he'd done this to Daniel, made him so sad, taken something important from him, even if he knew he'd had to protect his team when Rothman attacked.  It still made him feel like shit.  "Daniel, I'm really, really sorry."

Shaking his head again, Daniel made a short dismissive wave through the air.  "Don't, Jack.  I meant what I said.  This is a war we're fighting and there're going to be casualties.  We've all lost people we cared about."  He cleared his throat.  "I'm just glad you and Sam, and…and Teal'c are all right."  His eyes were bright when he added, "Don't ever die on me, Jack.  I don't think I could handle it if any of you died.  Okay?"

Jack couldn't resist.  He got up, moved around his desk and pulled Daniel up to give him a hug.  He'd missed out on his Daniel-back-from-the-dead hug this time around.  "That goes double for you, Jackson."  He pulled away.  "So, I'm sure you'll understand when I tell you that I've convinced General Hammond to never, ever let you go off-world without at least one of us."

"Jack," Daniel snapped out, eyes now bright with affectionate aggravation.

"Don't even start with me.  I've heard it all and I don't believe it."  Jack sat down again.  "We are a team.  No solo acts from now on."

Daniel sat back in his chair, defeated, scowling.

Jack let him scowl all he wanted.  He didn't care.  All he cared about was that he wasn't going to be getting any more messages telling him that yet another team had lost Daniel. 

Finally Daniel sat up straight and took the papers from Jack's desk.  "You're a pain in the ass, Jack."

"Yeah, but you love me anyway."

That got him another scowl.

Jack pointed at the papers.  "You sure you don't want some company?"

Daniel shook his head.  "No.  I think I'd rather do this alone."

Jack pursed his lips.  "All right, but there'll be a nice bottle of wine and a couple of steaks at my house for when you're done."

"Maybe tomorrow.  I think tonight I'll be feeling a little too sorry for myself."

"Well, you know where I'll be if you change your mind."

"I know."  He gave Jack a tired smile.  "And thanks."  Another brief smile and then he was gone.

Jack swiveled in his chair a little, back and forth, wondering if he should go with Daniel anyway.  He finally decided he'd trust Daniel on this.  Frowning at the paperwork adorning his desk, he got back to work.

---

Teal'c lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.  He could not identify what had gone wrong, but it was clear Daniel was ignoring him.  It had been three days since they had returned and he had yet to have a conversation of any length with his friend.

He placed his hand over his pouch as his symbiote started to get fussy again.  Junior was also not pleased with the separation.

Teal'c had no intention of giving up his quest, but it would be helpful if he understood what had precipitated Daniel's withdrawal.  Somehow his strategy had gone askew.

Memories of Daniel in his arms intruded again, and Teal'c ruthlessly pushed them away.  He had to think clearly, not get lost in futile daydreams.  He sat up, swinging his legs to the floor.

There was a knock on his door.  "Enter," he called.

Daniel stuck his head in, an apology on his face.  "Hey, Teal'c."  He stayed in the doorway as if unsure of his welcome.

Teal'c stood.  "Daniel Jackson."  He struggled to find the correct words to say.  "I am pleased to see you.  I thought perhaps I had somehow offended you."

"No, Teal'c.  You haven't.  You couldn't."  Daniel leaned against the door frame.

Teal'c tried not to let it bother him that Daniel would not enter the room.

"I've been…" Daniel waved a hand around.  "I've been feeling a little confused.  But I think I'm better now."  He pointed back out the door.  "I need to do something, pack up Robert's things, but I thought maybe later, when I'm done, I could come by and we could, um, we could talk."

"Of course."  Junior flipped within his pouch; Teal'c's hand moved to his abdomen.

Daniel grinned briefly.  "Tell Junior I'll talk to him, too."

"I will convey your message to my symbiote."

Daniel stood there another minute, staring at Teal'c.

Teal'c indulged himself, staring back, feeling the renewal of their connection like a healing balm.  "I shall look forward to your return," he finally said.

A brief nod, followed by a quick smile, and Daniel turned, shutting the door behind him.

---

Hours later, when Daniel had not returned, Teal'c grew concerned.  If Daniel were working in his office, Teal'c could believe he had become distracted.  But given the chore his friend had set out to accomplish, his continued absence seemed a call to arms. 

He rose and, after ascertaining the location, headed toward Robert Rothman's quarters.

When he arrived, he listened intently; all was quiet within.  He knocked softly but there was no answer.  Teal'c tried the doorknob, found it unlocked, and opening it, peered inside.  The room appeared to be empty.  Only the agitation of his symbiote told him to look further.

He entered the room, shutting the door behind him.  It was a room much like his own, one main room with a door leading to a bathroom.  The main room held a bed, a chest of drawers, a small desk with a chair, and a bookshelf.  The bed was neatly made; the blanket army issued.  There were no belongings scattered around the room.  Instead there were three boxes sitting on the floor, two of them taped shut, the other one near to full but not yet closed.

That was when he saw him, in the corner, on the floor, his knees drawn up.  "Daniel Jackson," Teal'c said anxiously, heading that way, dropping to his knees in front of his friend.  "Are you unwell?"  He laid his hand on Daniel's shoulder.

Daniel startled then looked up, a wincing smile crossing his face.  "Teal'c."  His eyes held a misery strong enough to make Teal'c's heart clench.

Teal'c did not want to impose, but he also did not want to leave Daniel alone with that look in his eyes.  There wasn't much room, but he sat down next to his friend, prepared to leave if directed.

But instead of words, Daniel leaned against Teal'c.  Without hesitation, Teal'c wrapped his arms around his friend.  Daniel returned the hug, his cheek resting on Teal'c's shoulder.  Content to simply hold him, Teal'c prepared to settle in. 

Finally Daniel pulled back and gave Teal'c a sad smile.  "You seem to be holding me a lot lately after I've fallen apart for some reason or another."

"Will you tell me what is wrong?" Teal'c asked.  He turned until he sat facing Daniel.

Daniel nodded, reaching for an address book that had been lying by his side.  "I was going through Robert's things, and I found this."  He flipped through it.  "I thought there might be someone in here who would want to know that Robert…that Robert is gone."

He got a faraway look in his eyes, and Teal'c touched his knee, bringing him back.

"Did you know he has a sister?" Daniel asked.

"No, but I did not know him well."  To be truthful, Teal'c had not been impressed by Rothman.  He was a mere shadow compared to Daniel. 

"I knew him better than anyone, I expect, and I didn't even know."  Daniel placed the book once again to his side.  "I found her in there."  He smiled grimly.  "Typical Robert, he had starred her name and written down at the bottom of the page that she was his sister."  He sighed; smiled sadly.  "Robert was very fond of footnotes."

Teal'c watched Daniel as he spoke, staying silent.

"I called her.  Told her who I was, that I'd been a friend of Robert's and that I had some bad news for her.  Then I told her he was dead."  Daniel looked away from Teal'c and his eyes were full of pain.

"What was her response?" 

"She said…"  Daniel swallowed, cleared his throat.  "She said: 'Yeah, whatever.  Did he leave me any money?"  Daniel's voice cracked at the end of the sentence.

Teal'c wanted to kill her for causing Daniel such pain.

Daniel looked up at Teal'c.  "Whatever?  That's his epitaph?"  He glanced around the room.  "What's the point, Teal'c, if a man's life, everything he's worked for, everything he's dreamed of is reduced to three boxes and a family who doesn't even care that he's dead?"

There was no response to that.  Death reduced everything to ashes and sooner or later everyone was forgotten.  Teal'c had seen too much of it over the years.  Been the cause of too much of it. 

Daniel took off his glasses and set them aside, rubbing at his eyes.  "I don't believe in God, I haven't for a long time.  I've always believed you live your life the best you can, that you reach for the truth, that you try to be true to your own path, your own way."

"In this you have succeeded, Daniel Jackson."  It was, indeed, what Teal'c admired so much about his friend.

"But for what, Teal'c?"  He swept a hand in front of him, indicating the empty room.  "I don't know how to feel peaceful about this.  About the fact that there will be no one weeping over Robert's grave.  That his passing will go largely unnoticed by the world.  It feels so…" Daniel swallowed again.  "I don't know."

Teal'c fought the temptation to pull Daniel close again.  But he stayed still and silent. 

Daniel tried again.  "It feels so…wasteful."  His head dropped; his shoulders slumped.  "And I suddenly feel like such a hypocrite."

"I do not understand."

"Because all along I've been so sure that if I lived my life the best I could, that was all that mattered.  That a life led well was its own reward.  But looking around this room, I suddenly feel like Ebenezer Scrooge looking into the face of the Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Come."

"I am not familiar with this reference," Teal'c said softly.

Daniel smiled gently at him.  "It's a lovely story.  We'll read it together.  But in this one part he sees how the life he is currently living will result in an un-mourned death, scavengers picking over his belongings before his body is even cold."  Daniel shivered, as if feeling that coldness.

"What is it you fear?" Teal'c asked.  Surely Daniel did not foresee this future for himself.  The world, the entire galaxy, would be lessened by his death.  And it would be one too many deaths for Teal'c.

He rested his head on Teal'c's shoulder again, and let out a long shaky sigh.  "What do I fear?" he repeated.  There was a pause, then, "That my death will be un-mourned, that my life will be unmemorable when all is said and done."  His eyes bright with unshed tears, he asked, "Who will grieve for me, Teal'c?  Who will weep over my grave?"

"I would," Teal'c said fiercely, putting a hand on Daniel's shoulder, then moving it to his nape, almost shaking him.  "I would grieve for you, Daniel Jackson."  Just the thought of Daniel's death was enough to push Teal'c over that final line.  As he'd dreamed of doing, his hand moved into Daniel's hair, his fingers fisting, pulling Daniel close, finally kissing him, at long last capturing Daniel's mouth with his own.

For one long dark second, Teal'c felt no response but then Daniel was kissing him back, low moans in his throat, his hands clutching at Teal'c's shoulders, pulling them closer together. 

Even though Daniel was a strong man, Teal'c knew he was much stronger, so he allowed Daniel to lead.  In short order, he found himself on his back, Daniel lying full length on top of him, his thighs nestled between Teal'c's, and Daniel's groin hardening against his.

He heard Daniel voice a noise of frustration and Teal'c tried to focus on what was being said.  "Lift up, lift up," Daniel was saying, pulling fruitlessly on his shirt.  "I want to see you.  Touch you."

Teal'c lifted his back off the floor, assisting as he could to get his shirt up and over his head.  It was tossed energetically across the room.  Daniel now straddled him, staring down at him.  Teal'c lay back and watched Daniel admire him, watched as Daniel's passion darkened his eyes.  He arched his hips up, aching to be as close to him as two bodies can be.

Daniel pressed down and rubbed, his eyes closing, a moan escaping his lips.  Teal'c reached for the bottom of Daniel's shirt, working it up and off, throwing it in the same direction as his.  Now his eyes were the ones feasting.

He had seen Daniel naked many times in the locker room, but never like this.  Never looking like this, with his eyes dark and wild, his breath a fevered panting, his nipples hard, the shape of his cock clearly outlined through the fabric of his pants. 

"God, you are so beautiful." Daniel said, leaning down, kissing him again.

Teal'c wanted to disagree.  He wanted to say that Daniel, with his strong body and perfect face, with a heart and soul to match, was the beautiful one.  But then he was lost in the kissing, in Daniel's talented tongue, and the way he sucked at Teal'c's lips, while his fingers plucked at his nipples.

He wanted more.  Using his strength, he surged to his feet, lifted Daniel, and tumbled them both onto the bed.  He undid Daniel's belt, working on the closure to his pants, unzipping him, pulling Daniel's hard cock out, touching it at long last.

Daniel thrust up into his hand, crying out, and Teal'c struggled not to lose himself, not to hurt Daniel in his need for completion. 

Daniel tugged at his pants.  "Off.  Off.  Now," came the peremptory orders.

Eager to obey these commands, Teal'c lifted away from Daniel and pulled the rest of his clothes off, divesting Daniel of his, as well.  He stood there, staring down at his mate and found him faultless.

Daniel reached up a hand for him.  "Come here.  Lie on me."

Teal'c lowered himself on top of Daniel, the sensation of skin on skin leaving him breathless.

"Oh, yeah," Daniel groaned, his legs wrapping around Teal'c's hips, his hands caressing down his back, to his ass, massaging, rubbing.  "You feel so good," Daniel groaned.

It was as if every word Daniel spoke was stolen from his mind, leaving him with nothing to say.  So he touched instead.  He held Daniel's head, holding him captive so he could explore his mouth, suck on his tongue, then moving to his jaw, his neck, his chest.

He laved Daniel's nipples with his tongue, feeling the small buds grow harder, enjoying Daniel's cries when he teased them with his teeth.  Then he let out his own groan when Daniel's hand snuck between their bodies and wrapped around his cock. 

Teal'c dropped his forehead to Daniel's chest, breathing deeply, desperately searching for a measure of restraint, astonished at how easily Daniel stripped away his control.  His vaunted Jaffa self-mastery was dissipating like water through his hands.

As if he were able to sense Teal'c's efforts to restrain himself, Daniel caressed Teal'c's back, calming him, gentling him, like a stallion rearing, hooves flashing.  "Come kiss me," Daniel said softly.  "Come up here, let me kiss you."

Teal'c moved slowly, each new touch as his cock rubbed against Daniel's a thrilling torture.

Daniel ran his fingers over Teal'c's lips.  "You have the most amazing lips."  Daniel's tongue flicked out and licked Teal'c's lips, long strokes, as if tasting some succulent dessert.  Teal'c could only stand it for so long before he followed the teasing tongue back into Daniel's mouth.

When they paused for breath, Daniel touched his lips again.  "I want to see them around my cock," Daniel said with a gasp, as if the words alone turned him on past the point of speaking. 

Teal'c was more than willing to oblige.  He kissed his way down Daniel's body, enjoying his writhing, how his fingers clenched on Teal'c's body.  When he got to Daniel's stomach, he stopped, mapping out every inch of the surface of his abdomen, unmarred by the crisscross of a symbiote's pouch, a free man.  His. 

He ran his tongue across Daniel's appendix scar, remembering how close they'd come to losing him then.  A timely visit to his office, Jack finding him curled up on the floor, his appendix having already burst, flooding his body with its toxins.

But he was here and very much alive, so Teal'c moved down until he reached his goal.  He glanced up only to find Daniel's eyes riveted on him, on his mouth.  Daniel's lips were swollen, his tongue flicking out to wet them over and over again.  Teal'c imagined those lips around his cock, and he had to reach down to grab himself, once again almost losing control.  He had wanted Daniel for so long.

"Touch me," Daniel breathed.  "Please." 

Teal'c could feel Daniel try to resist the urge to thrust.  He ran his hands under Daniel and lifted him a few inches, bringing his lover's cock up so he could suck it into his mouth, taking almost all of him in.  He exulted in the noises that elicited and continued the loving torture, watching Daniel's neck arch, his mouth fall open, his fingers claw at the blanket.

Daniel's ass fit perfectly in his hands, and the sweat from their lovemaking made his fingers slide into his crease.  That got a jerk and another moan out of Daniel and Teal'c teased the entrance to Daniel's body with the tip of his index finger.

Daniel yelped.  "Yes, touch me there, I love that.  More."  He tried to push down on Teal'c's finger and then up into his mouth. 

Letting Daniel's cock slip out of his mouth, he rested Daniel back on the bed.  Daniel let out an unhappy noise, but watched with a riveted gaze as Teal'c wet several of his fingers by putting them in his mouth, making them slick with saliva.

Daniel reached for his knees and pulled them back, exposing himself to Teal'c. 

Teal'c let out a groan of his own, and put his wet index finger to the furled pucker, pushing gently inside Daniel's body.  Daniel pressed back, his noises and gasped words leaving no doubt that he wanted this, needed it, for Teal'c to keep going, not to stop.

Having no intention of stopping, Teal'c lowered his head and sucked again on Daniel's cock, even as he worked a second finger in.

"Make love to me, Teal'c.  I want you in me.  Please."

There was nothing Teal'c wanted more, but letting Daniel's cock slip from his mouth again, he eyed his own sizeable cock with a frown.  He did not want to hurt Daniel.

Daniel let his legs drop and he reached for Teal'c, wrapping his fingers around Teal'c's cock.  "I love that you're big, I want to feel it in me, all of that, all of you.  I want you."

"Daniel…"

With his chin, Daniel pointed to the bathroom door.  "There's stuff in there you can use.  I saw it on the counter."

Teal'c nodded, hating the idea of leaving Daniel, even for a minute.

Daniel squeezed him and then let him go.  "Hurry."

Teal'c reluctantly slipped his fingers out and stood, finding it almost impossible to walk the few steps it would take to reach the bathroom door.  When Daniel's fingers began to tease his own cock, stroking it for Teal'c's benefit, Teal'c let out a growl and started getting back in bed.

Daniel let out a wicked laugh.  "No, stay there."  He spread his legs, and worked a finger down below his balls, following the trail Teal'c had already blazed.  He looked up at Teal'c, his eyes as tempting as sin.  "I want your cock in here," he gasped, as he slid a finger into his own ass.

Teal'c was paralyzed with wanting, especially when Daniel worked a second finger in.  The sight was mesmerizing.  Someday he would watch Daniel do this and bring himself to completion. 

"Go," Daniel said, breaking through his sexual haze.  He reached out a foot and prodded at Teal'c's hips.  "Go.  Hurry or…" he arced up with a gasp, "or I'll finish without you."

That got Teal'c moving.  He ripped open the bathroom door, feeling blind, taking what seemed like forever before finding the lotion Daniel had been speaking of.

Daniel was on his side and had three fingers in him when Teal'c got back, and Teal'c could see the fingers twisting, stretching him.  Daniel's eyes were clouded with desire as he looked up at him.  "Put some lotion on my fingers," he directed in a husky tone that made Teal'c ache to obey.

Teal'c got back on the bed, kissing Daniel's hip, then rested his cheek there so he could watch Daniel's fingers work, preparing the way for him.  As the fingers pulled partway out, Teal'c squirted lotion on them.

Daniel let out a low hum as his fingers moved back in.  "Add one of yours, Teal'c.  Let me feel you in there with me."

Teal'c pushed Daniel's leg up, even as he pressed more kisses on his hip, his butt cheek, biting down, sucking, leaving a mark.  As Daniel made noises that sounded suspiciously like growling, Teal'c put more lotion on his finger and joined Daniel at the entrance to his body.  If he'd had his way, his tongue would join his finger, helping to loosen Daniel even further, but his and Daniel's hands took up too much room.  He would taste his lover another time.   

The muscle was tight on his finger as he worked it in, feeling both the smooth lining of Daniel's body, as well as Daniel's fingers rubbing against his.  He searched for the small gland inside, and stroked it.  Daniel moaned in pleasure; Teal'c touched it again. 

Daniel craned his neck so he could watch the proceedings, every breath ending on a soft moan.  "Is it enough?"  His sentence ended on a louder moan as Teal'c stroked his prostate again.  "Oh, please let it be enough.  I want you."

Teal'c nodded, the ability to speak having deserted him, all his attention on Daniel's writhing body, the slick fingers moving in and out with ease, the reddened mark on Daniel's ass.  Teal'c couldn't resist finding a new spot to suck on, wanting to leave more marks.  If he could, he would claim every inch, then let Daniel do the same to him.

"Where's the lotion?  Get your cock ready," Daniel panted out.

Teal'c obliged, filling the palm of his hand with a pool of the creamy liquid.  He let out a groan of his own as he prepared himself, his cock hard as stone.

Feeling an urgency to complete their connection, Teal'c pulled out his finger, pulling Daniel's out as well.  He rolled Daniel onto his back, pushed his legs up and lifted his ass, sliding him onto his thighs.

Daniel's body was quivering in anticipation. 

Teal'c's cock pressed against Daniel, but then he stopped, gazing down at his friend.  "I would have us be equal in this, in all things."  He needed Daniel to know this wasn't about domination or about submission.

Daniel smiled softly up at him.  "I would have that, too, Teal'c."  A determined look crossed his face.  "Just don't make me wait any longer."

Teal'c flashed him a smug smile, rejoicing that what he had desired for so long was about to be his.  He pushed against Daniel's entrance, felt a moment's resistance and then the head of his cock was in.

He felt Daniel spasm around him, accommodating his bulk.  A flash of pain crossed Daniel's face but was soon gone, so Teal'c pushed again, and more of him slid in. 

Teal'c grabbed Daniel's ass with his hands, pulling him open, and he pushed again, this time sliding all the way in.  Daniel groaned, and then wrapped his legs around Teal'c's hips, holding him captive.

He gave Daniel a few moments to get used to his size, waiting until Daniel started pushing up, demanding more.  Getting a firmer grip on Daniel's hips, Teal'c gave him what he wanted.  He slid out almost all the way, then slammed back home.

Daniel let out an approving cry, hands clutching the muscles of Teal'c's arms.  "More," he demanded.

Still mindful of his strength, knowing he could hurt Daniel if he lost all control, Teal'c, nonetheless, took Daniel's command to heart.  He slammed home again and again, aiming his thrusts to hit Daniel's prostate, his own heart thrumming in time to Daniel's cries of pleasure.  His lover touched himself, stroking quickly, letting out a guttural groan as he began to come, milky-white jets pulsing across his belly.

The pulse of his orgasm caused a rhythmic spasm around Teal'c's cock and with one last thrust his own orgasm hit, and he emptied himself deep inside Daniel Jackson's body.

When he was through, he barely had the presence of mind not to collapse on Daniel, rather rolling them until they were side by side.  He felt Daniel's lips on his, even as everything shifted to a hazy slow motion.

---

Daniel had to admit he ached all over but it was a great ache.  Some of the bruises and aches were left over from his unexpected long-distance hike with Chaka, but there were a whole slew of new aches that Daniel couldn't help smiling over. 

He glanced at Teal'c and grinned.  The mighty Jaffa was down for the count.  And he, Daniel Jackson, was responsible.  A heady feeling indeed. 

A look around the room and at the boxes was a little sobering, but he couldn't help but think that Robert would approve.  Robert Rothman had wholeheartedly approved of sex.  Not that he and Daniel had ever indulged together, but Robert, for all his claims of being bad with people, seemed to always have an unending source of bedmates.

Daniel had found it highly amusing.

So, if the last act that happened in this room, while it was still listed as Robert's, was sex, Daniel was sure Robert would think it was a good thing.  In fact, he'd probably tell Daniel not to bother to clean it up, so everyone would think the sex mess was Robert's.

Daniel felt…he searched for the word.  Giddy.  He felt positively giddy.  Just like Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas morning.  Light as a feather, giddy as a schoolboy. 

He stared at Teal'c some more.  What a beautiful man.  And his body…there weren't enough superlatives in the world.  Daniel wanted to touch him some more, but decided maybe a clean up was in order first.

He rolled out of bed and padded toward the bathroom, where he washed his hands and cleaned off his belly and ass.  Then he soaked several hand towels, soaping a couple of them.  Moving back to the bed, he pushed Teal'c a little until he was resting on his back and began to soap up his big beautiful black cock.  Daniel could still feel it in him, the sense memory powerful.

Teal'c began to stir and he opened his eyes, meeting Daniel's gaze, looking down to watch Daniel clean him. 

"Hey," Daniel said softly, with a smile.

Teal'c smiled back.

They stared at each other for a long time.

Then Daniel blinked and rinsed Teal'c's cock off, finally relinquishing his hold on it, grinning as it made an effort to get hard again.  He reached for Teal'c's hands and began to wash his fingers with a new soapy towel, enjoying how Teal'c simply lay there and let him do this.

Finally he was done.  He got up to throw the towels in the sink, and returned to the bed, sitting by Teal'c's side, looking down at him.  He had no idea what to say.  Suddenly their relationship was different, and that was something they should talk about, but all his brain kept coming up with were words of admiration.  He grinned.  "I know I said it before, but I love your lips."  He reached out his hand and touched them with his fingers.  Leaning down he whispered against them, "Soft."  Kissing them he added, "Like a pillow."

Teal'c looked an interesting mix of vaguely disapproving of the silly love words, and completely besotted.  Daniel decided it was a good look on him.  He sincerely hoped to see that look again, hopefully on a regular basis.  He wasn't sure what he'd do if this had been a one-time deal, Teal'c making love to him to get him through a rough spot.

Suddenly he had a thought and looked down at Teal'c's pouch.  He tapped on it gently.  "Hey, Junior," he encouraged.  "You can come out now, the earthquake's over."

As if he'd been waiting for an invitation, the symbiote poked through the flaps of the pouch.

"Thank you," Daniel said to it in all seriousness, "for not joining in the activities.  That might have been a bit, well, a bit much."  He stroked the larva, smiling when it seemed to stroke him back.

He glanced up to find Teal'c staring at him again.  Apparently Teal'c was at the same loss for words.  Finally he spoke, "Daniel Jackson."

Daniel raised his eyebrows, inviting Teal'c to continue.

"I would like for us to be mates," Teal'c announced.

Still grinning, Daniel stared down at their bodies.  "I think I can say with complete confidence that we definitely have the mating thing down pat."

Teal'c reached for and secured Daniel's free hand.  "There must be true understanding between us.  I wish to claim you as my warrior mate."

Daniel felt his eyes open wide.  "Warrior mate?"  Daniel knew what that was; he'd picked Teal'c's mind over many nights to understand the society of his home world.  "Me?" 

"Indeed you."  He gestured at their naked bodies.  "This was not merely a sexual act for me."

"Me, either, Teal'c.  It was wonderful."  Daniel brought Teal'c's hand up to his chest and, after gently disengaging Junior who slid back into the pouch, held it with both of his.  "I just…you've taken me by surprise."

Teal'c sat up as well.  "I have desired you as my mate for some time," Teal'c said.

Daniel's eyebrows rose.  "Really?"  He thought of Shan'auc.

As if reading his mind, Teal'c said, "Even when I was with Shan'auc, I desired you.  I did not think you would ever assent to being with me."

"Why?"  Daniel looked at Teal'c.  "You're a beautiful man, inside and out.  Anyone with a heartbeat would be flattered by your attentions."  Daniel was.  He was exceedingly flattered.  What Teal'c was asking him was beyond anything he had dared hope for. 

"I would say the same of you," Teal'c assured him.

Daniel looked down at his body, failing once again to see anything special.  "I thought if you ever chose a warrior mate you'd choose someone more like you.  Bigger, stronger.  A, well, um, a warrior."  Daniel's body was serviceable and it did what it needed to do and Daniel appreciated it, but Teal'c's body was a work of art.

"You are a warrior, Daniel Jackson."

Daniel frowned.

Teal'c interrupted him before he could speak.  "Not like me, perhaps, or Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter, although you are adept with the use of weapons."

Daniel waited, having no idea where Teal'c was going with this.

"You are a warrior with the words you speak, with the message you carry in your heart and your soul.  A warrior fights to win a cause, to protect those he loves, to undo the wrongs of an enemy.  I have seen you win battles and never lift a weapon.  I have seen you speak truth in such a way that ears that have been closed off for decades, can hear once again."

Daniel was dumbfounded.  To receive such an accolade from Teal'c took his breath away.  "Teal'c," he said, too touched for any other words.

"If you had done to my wife what I did to yours, you would now be dead.  And it would have been a slow and painful death."

Daniel heard the truth in Teal'c's statement, and he swallowed.

Teal'c continued.  "My entire life has been one of violence--one where only the physically strong survive, and where the need for revenge burns hot.  You are like no one I have ever met."

"I…" Daniel had no idea what to say.  But then he frowned.  "I don't think you're being fair to yourself."

Teal'c's eyebrows went up.

"Think about it.  The minute you joined us, we turned you into a traitor.  A Shol'va.  We made you forfeit everything.  And you've never asked for anything back in return.  You've never made us, made me, feel badly about it.  You saved my life that day.  You've saved my life a hundred times since that day, even though, in many ways, I, we, destroyed your life."

Teal'c looked momentarily startled but then he cupped Daniel's cheek in his hand.  "You are mistaken.  My life was returned to me that day."

Daniel could feel a dopey grin on his face, and he had to work very hard to keep thinking, to make sure Teal'c understood what he was saying.  "But, see, that's what I mean.  You are not all about revenge.  Maybe revenge is a part of it, but you're fighting for essential rights, Teal'c.  For freedom, and love, and fellowship.  Even in the midst of violence, even in the midst of being First Prime for the worst kind of animal, something kept burning bright within you."  Daniel reached out with one hand and touched Teal'c's chest.  "You are the most remarkable person I've ever met.  That you survived with your soul intact amazes me.  And if we hadn't come along, you'd have found another way."

"A way filled with bloodshed."

Daniel winced.  "We've shed more than enough blood, ourselves."

"But you have taught me there are other ways.  This is where your strength lies, Daniel Jackson."  Teal'c took control of the hand Daniel was holding, and fisted it on his own chest, over his heart.  "I would have your strength next to me.  I would offer you my strength."

Daniel felt the sting of tears.  He felt humbled, honored.  "Are you sure?  I mean, won't this, isn't this, won't we be essentially, well, married?  This just seems so…" Daniel stopped himself.  He was going to say sudden, but that seemed so trite.  After all, there was nothing sudden about this.  He'd known Teal'c for over three years, trusted him completely, loved him, admired him, certainly lusted for him. 

And now, as he sat here naked with Teal'c after the most stunningly fabulous sex he'd ever had, he could admit that he'd been jealous as stink about Shan'auc.

"Is this," Daniel began cautiously.  "Is this about love, Teal'c?  I've seen you love and love deeply.  Is that what this is, or is it about sex?  Friendship and sex?"

"It is about all those things, Daniel.  But if you are asking me if I love you, then the answer is yes."

Daniel searched Teal'c's eyes, finally identifying the look he'd been seeing there as love.  Daniel hadn't thought it possible, that someone like Teal'c could love him.

"Does it matter to you if I love you?" Daniel asked, needing to truly understand what this was to Teal'c.  He wasn't trying to be cruel, but he had to know if this was, in Teal'c's eyes a pragmatic love or a romantic love, a 'til death do us part love.  It made a difference to Daniel.

"It does." 

Daniel waited for Teal'c to say something more, but he was silent.  He smiled a little.  "But you won't ask me, will you?"

"Those words are for you to speak."

And, Daniel guessed, words that Teal'c would never beg for.

"Do you need more time?" Teal'c asked solicitously.  "I will understand if you are unable to accept my offer without further thought."

As a mental exercise, Daniel imagined saying no to Teal'c's proposal.  Imagined Teal'c's expression shutting down, Teal'c graciously bowing, granting Daniel the right to say no.  Imagined Teal'c getting up, getting dressed, leaving this room, leaving Daniel alone.  Just the thought of it made Daniel feel sick to his stomach and lonelier than he'd ever been in his life.

He imagined losing the closeness he had with Teal'c, the right to ask for his help at any time, at any hour, to barge into his room and bask in his calm presence and candlelight as they kel-no-reemed together.  Imagined losing the right to ask Teal'c to share his knowledge, his strength, his wisdom.

Not that Teal'c would deny him.  But Daniel knew it would take on a more professional tone.  Gone would be the gentle teasing, the standing too close, staring too long, the flirting that Daniel had been enjoying, even while not consciously recognizing it as such.

Teal'c wanted him.  As a life mate.  Him.  Daniel Jackson.  Even Sha're hadn't offered him that.  She hadn't known him, hadn't spent three years with him, seeing him at his worst, his temper, his pride, his pissiness, as Jack liked to call it.  Teal'c had seen it all.  And still wanted him.

For the first time since his grandfather had rejected him after the death of his parents, something deep inside of Daniel relaxed.  Teal'c wanted him.  And Teal'c was someone he could rely on, like the sun rising in the east.  "Yes," he said.

Teal'c's eyes flickered with disappointment, but he bowed his head.  "I understand.  Perhaps we can speak of this at a later time."

"No, Teal'c, you don't understand.  I'm saying yes.  Yes, I love you.  Yes, I'll be your mate.  Yes, I would also, um, choose to claim you as my warrior mate."

Teal'c stared at him with bewildered eyes, as if he couldn't believe what he'd heard.  "You would do me this honor?" he asked.

Daniel smiled softly at him.  "If you would do me the honor," he answered.  "Is there some sort of, uh, some sort of ritual we need to go through?"

"If we were on Chulak, we would engage in the ritual of del-min-ras."

Daniel's eyebrows went up.  "Delminras?" he echoed.  He tried to translate it, "Something about hunting?"

"Yes, we would state our intention to our clan and then go on a hunt.  For three days and nights we would hunt, finally bringing our kill back to the village.  If the elders deemed the kill sufficient, our claim as warrior mates would be honored."

Daniel let out a laugh.  "Are you serious?"

"I am."

Daniel bit his lower lip.  "You, um, you don't actually expect me to, um, you know, do that, do you?"

Teal'c's lips turned up into a small smile.  "I do not."

Blowing out a breath, Daniel smiled in relief.  "Okay, that's good.  Because," he put a hand on his chest, "I'm not much of a hunter.  I mean, I could go with you, and you could hunt, and we could pretend that I helped.  After all, I wouldn't want to embarrass you in front of your clan."

Teal'c's response was to pull him close and kiss him senseless.  As Daniel's head swam the only thought he could hang onto was that he sure as hell had made the right decision.  Finally Teal'c let him breathe, saying, "You could never embarrass me, Daniel Jackson.  While it is true that Jaffa warriors generally do not take scholars as warrior mates, you would be considered a fine addition to the clan."

Daniel stared at him through narrowed eyes.  "Like a few goats sort of addition?"

Teal'c framed his face with his hands and traced his cheeks with his thumbs.  "No, Daniel Jackson.  Like one hundred chests of the finest gold."

Eyes prickling, Daniel stared at Teal'c, overwhelmed.  For someone who spoke with a word-sparing precision, Teal'c could pack a lot into a short sentence.   

Teal'c reached for him, pulling Daniel on top of him, and his fingers hit a sensitive spot.  "Ow."  Daniel glanced back at his ass.  "I can feel where you bit me."

Teal'c half sat up, rolling Daniel to his side, taking his own look.  His face grew somber.  "I have hurt you."

Daniel craned his neck over his shoulder but couldn't see anything at first.  He got up and walked to the bathroom, turning so he could see his right hip and butt cheek.  His hip was still bruised from his fall, but there was now, on top of it, a rather clear imprint of Teal'c's fingers adorning his hipbone.  He checked out his left hip, and saw the finger bruises there, too.  For some reason it thrilled him to his core.

Teal'c didn't see it the same way.  He had followed Daniel into the bathroom and stood behind him, staring at his hips, looking very unhappy. 

Daniel shot him a look.  "Don't even think about it," he warned Teal'c, just in case Teal'c was thinking something noble that included never touching him again.

"This is not acceptable.  I have hurt you," Teal'c repeated in dismay.

Daniel turned around and kissed him.  "Teal'c, I didn't even feel it.  Trust me.  I was too busy feeling about as wonderful as a body can feel.  I'm fine."

Teal'c didn't look convinced.

Frowning, Daniel walked back into the main room, to the desk, retrieving the pen he'd left in the top drawer.  He pulled and prodded Teal'c until he was lying back on the bed, then straddled him.  He twisted his body until he could clearly see the finger marks and after uncapping the pen, he wrote, amidst the bruises: "Teal'c was here". 

Teal'c looked confused.

Daniel admired his hip for a moment before kissing Teal'c again.  "Don't you see?  I love these marks.  They tell me you were touching me, holding me, loving me.  I want more of them."  He laid his hand on top of Teal'c's cock.  "It turns me on that you're so strong.  It turns me on that you're so hot for me that you lose control."

He could feel Teal'c's cock start to harden.  Daniel kept his hand where it was.  "You didn't hurt me, Teal'c.  You marked me.  Big difference."  He shot Teal'c his, according to Jack, patented pissy look.  "Do you really think if you were hurting me that I'd just lie there and take it?"

It didn't take long for Teal'c to reluctantly answer. "No, I do not."

"There.  See?" 

"I should have been more careful.  You are still not recovered."

"I really don't want you to be careful of me."  Daniel relented, "Well, yes, I suppose you do need to be somewhat careful of me, but I know you will be.  I know you were.  I have no doubt you were holding back, a part of you aware of the difference in our strengths all the time, right?"

Teal'c nodded.

"If it had hurt, I'd have let you know.  I honestly didn't feel it.  And it's a little tender now, but…" Daniel twisted again so he could see first his left, then his right hip, "it's like you're still holding me."  The words brought back the memory of Teal'c holding his hips as he thrust inside Daniel's body.  Daniel closed his eyes, feeling his cock harden, feeling Teal'c's muscular thighs under his.  This body was his now. 

Daniel let out a yelp as he was suddenly lifted, and he found himself flat on his back, Teal'c leaning over him.  This worked for him, too.  He raised his arms and wrapped them around his lover, pulling his face down for a kiss.  "Have I told you how much I love your lips?" Daniel asked.

"You have," Teal'c said.  "I do not have your skill with words, but your body pleases me greatly." 

He followed that with a kiss, which Daniel approved of tremendously.  He was looking forward to years of kissing Teal'c.

But then Teal'c wasn't kissing him.  Daniel let out a noise of disappointment, but the noise changed to one of arousal as Teal'c began to kiss and lick his way down Daniel's body.  Daniel was looking forward to a lot of this, too. 

Then his cock was back in Teal'c's mouth, and even though he knew he was sounding like a broken record in his mind, he couldn't help but be glad that he had a lover, no, a mate, who apparently loved to suck on his cock, because Daniel was definitely looking forward to years of that. 

"I must make a confession," Teal'c suddenly announced.

It took a moment for Daniel to realize that for words to be spoken, it meant his cock wasn't being sucked on anymore.  "What?"  He lifted his head and glanced down at Teal'c who was resting between his legs.  Daniel's cock was, disappointingly, not in Teal'c's mouth.  "Now?" Daniel asked indignantly.  "You need to confess something now?"

"Yes."

"It can't wait?  Like for, say, even five minutes?" Daniel pleaded.

"It cannot," Teal'c said firmly.

Daniel slapped his hands over his face and tried to rally.  This was obviously important.  Either that or Teal'c was the biggest tease this side of the universe, in which case he would make Teal'c pay.  "Okay."  Daniel inched backwards and sat up.  "Go ahead.  Confess." 

Teal'c opened his mouth.

"But," Daniel said as he leaned forward to quickly kiss Teal'c, "just remember you're stuck with me, so if this is some last ditch effort to get rid of me, forget it."

Teal'c looked insulted.  "I do not wish to be rid of you."

Daniel stole another kiss.  "I'm teasing, Teal'c.  I'm also shutting up now.  Go ahead.  Say what you need to say so we can get back to what we were doing."  He leaned back, letting his legs fall open, his hand resting on his semi-hard cock.  "Really.  I'm listening."

Teal'c shot him a look. 

Daniel grinned at him.

"I do not believe," Teal'c informed him darkly, but with an unmistakable twinkle in his eye, "that you are sincere in your willingness to listen to my words."

Daniel also noticed that Teal'c couldn't seem to keep his eyes off his cock.  He decided to help by stroking himself a couple of times.  "No, I am, Teal'c.  Please.  Talk."

Suddenly Teal'c was straddling him and his hands were being held over his head in a vice-like grip.  Daniel thrust up under him, loving the feel of Teal'c's velvet hardness rubbing against his.  It was also turning him on that he couldn't budge Teal'c, that he couldn't get his hands free, that Teal'c held him captive.  Of course, he also knew that Teal'c would let go of him immediately if he asked.  Not that he planned on asking. 

He wrapped his legs around Teal'c.  "Still feel like you need to confess?" he teased.

"I must."

Daniel dropped his legs and sighed deeply.  "Okay.  I give up."  He encouraged Teal'c to move off him until they were lying next to each other.  Daniel grabbed Teal'c's hand.  "Go for it.  I'm all ears."

Teal'c's eyes moved to Daniel's ears.

"That means I'm ready to listen," Daniel explained, not sure if Teal'c knew the idiom or not.  He was pretty sure Teal'c always knew what things meant, but just liked to give Jack a hard time.

"I spoke with you during the time loop," Teal'c announced.

Daniel blinked.  That didn't sound so bad.  Then he frowned.  "You mean the way Jack spoke with Sam?" he asked sternly.

"No.  I did not touch you."

He leaned forward and kissed Teal'c on the lips.  "Thanks.  And thanks for not letting Jack touch me, either."  He rolled his eyes and shook his head at his best friend's questionable ethics.

"He spoke to you of that?" Teal'c asked, surprised.

Daniel nodded.  "Yeah.  Told me you stood in front of my office and wouldn't let him in."  He grinned.  "I can't thank you enough for that.  I trust Jack but he goes a little nuts sometimes.  It's weird enough he was even thinking about it, let alone if he'd done something."

Teal'c frowned.  "Does he desire you?"

"No," Daniel said quickly.  "He was bored.  He thought I might be able to catapult him into an identity crisis to give him something to do."  He grinned.  "Idiot," he said fondly.

"I am surprised he chose to speak of this to you," Teal'c said.

"He tells me almost everything," Daniel said.  "And I do the same with him.  We're best friends."

"So you will speak to him of our mating?"  Teal'c didn't look like he was thrilled by that.

Daniel kissed the palm of Teal'c's hand.  "Well, not the specifics, but yeah, I'll tell him that we're together."  He grinned again.  "He knows anyway.  He knew before I did.  He's the reason I came to see you tonight."

"I do not understand," Teal'c said.

"We'll get back to Jack.  First tell me what was so terrible about talking to me that you feel the need to confess."

"I…"  Teal'c hesitated.

It took Daniel a second or two to realize Teal'c was embarrassed.  It seemed so unlikely somehow that Daniel had to put him out of his misery.  "I'm assuming you asked me how I felt about you?"

Teal'c nodded.  "I did.  I knew there would be little risk if you chose to reject me.  You would have no memory of the conversation and it would, therefore, not affect our friendship."

Daniel leaned over and kissed his new mate.  "Teal'c, you were risking everything."

"I do not agree," Teal'c countered.

"You were," Daniel argued.  "If I'd completely rejected you, I might not have known it, but you would.  And I don't care how much you tried, you would have pulled back, withdrawn from our friendship.  And I wouldn't have understood, and probably thought I'd done something wrong, and so I'd have withdrawn, and sooner or later our friendship would have fallen apart."

The disturbed look on his face told Daniel that Teal'c obviously hadn't thought it through that far. 

Daniel kissed him again.  "I hope you don't mind me kissing you all the time," he digressed.

"I do not," Teal'c assured him, stealing a kiss of his own.

Daniel grinned.  "Good.  But I'm assuming I didn't simply reject you out of hand?"

"You did not.  Indeed, you gave me hope that you might consider it."

"I did?  Good for me.  What did I say?"

"You were surprised at my words," Teal'c said.

Daniel let out a half-laugh.  "I'll bet I was.  I never would have guessed in a million years that you felt that way about me."

"You said you were attracted to me," Teal'c continued.

Daniel could feel his face redden, which was ridiculous seeing as he was lying here naked with Teal'c.  "I was.  I have been for a while."  He let his gaze travel all over Teal'c and let out a hum.  "A long while."

Teal'c gifted Daniel with a small smile.  "I was not sure of this.  Indeed, I had little hope you would accept me.  It is why I chose to take advantage of the time loop."

"What else did I say?" Daniel asked, intrigued, trying to imagine the conversation.

"That my symbiote was a concern for you.  That it had kept you from considering a relationship with me."

"Wow.  I was really honest with you." 

"I expected no less."  Teal'c reached out and, after running his fingers through Daniel's hair, pulled him close, kissing him.  "I find your honesty one of your most admirable traits," he said, in between kisses.

Daniel thought Teal'c's lips were one of his most admirable traits, but he was too busy kissing to say so.  When the kissing paused for a much needed breath, Daniel sighed contentedly.  "I never imagined this," he said, "us lying together, kissing, cuddling."  He sighed again.  "It's nice.  It's really, really nice."

"What did you imagine?" Teal'c asked, his eyes curious.

Daniel scrunched his face up.  "More of the sex stuff.  You, me, the desk in my office, the conference room table, the locker room.  That kind of thing."

"Will you be requiring sex in public places?" Teal'c asked, calmly, as if inquiring about the weather.

Daniel burst out laughing.  "Not necessarily."  He grinned.  "I don't actually see us having sex on the conference room table.  Maybe the locker room.  Definitely my office."  He wiggled his eyebrows.  He lay back, eying Teal'c.  "So," he said, "I said maybe and that was good enough for you?"

"Indeed.  I set out immediately to woo you."

"Woo me?" Daniel asked with a smile, delighted.  "I don't think anyone has ever wooed me."  He thought for a moment.  "Wait a minute, is that what that was?  The…" he waved a hand at Teal'c, "the almost nakedness, the candles so I had to sit on the bed, the jeans?  Oh, my God, those jeans, you almost killed me with those things."  Just thinking about how Teal'c looked that night was enough to get his cock all excited. 

Then his brow furrowed as he began to connect the dots and he sat up straight.  "Sam?  Sam was in on this?"

"She was most helpful."  Teal'c didn't look the least surprised that Daniel had put it together.

"Sam was helping you?" Daniel voice was so high, he almost squeaked.

"Indeed."

Daniel shook his head.  "I never guessed."  He shot Teal'c an apologetic look.  "Jack was right.  I really am the most clueless person in the world.  I just thought I was treating you shamelessly, getting turned on every time I was with you.  I was afraid you'd catch on and…" Daniel sighed.  "I don't know, feel sorry for me, or something."

"Is that why you ceased spending time with me after our return from Chaka's world?"

Another apologetic look.  "Yeah.  Like I said, I was confused.  And I guess it's only fair that Jack helped me out, if Sam was helping you out."

"How did Colonel O'Neill assist you?"

"He told me you were crazy about me, and for me to catch a clue."

"Then I am indebted to him," Teal'c said.

"Yeah, and I owe Sam some flowers."  Daniel grinned wickedly.  "Those jeans.  You were beyond sexy in them.  I mean, you're sexy no matter what you're wearing, but that night…"  Daniel's eyes darkened.  "Wow."

"I was pleased you found my attire arousing."

"I'll bet you were," Daniel said teasingly.  He put a hand over Teal'c's pouch.  "So how did you plan to make me comfortable with your symbiote?"

"You did that on your own.  I had hoped that, over time, your desire for me would overcome your resistance, but…" Teal'c gave Daniel what he could only describe as a look full of love; it gave Daniel butterflies to see an expression like that on Teal'c's normally impassive face.  "Once again," Teal'c said, "your courage and open-mindedness far surpassed my expectations."

"There is something I'm still a little nervous about."  He ran a finger along one side of the crisscross on Teal'c's abdomen.  "May I?"

Teal'c shifted to his back.  "You may do anything to me you desire, Daniel Jackson."

Daniel's eyebrows wiggled at that.  "I'm looking forward to taking you up on that."  He focused in on the pouch.  "Do the flaps push in or out?" he asked, looking at them closely.

"Both."

"Can I damage Junior in any way?  Germs, anything like that?"

"You cannot."

Not sure what he was feeling, a combination of apprehension, queasiness, and a fierce determination to know and be comfortable with Teal'c's body, Daniel pushed a finger through the crisscross.  He'd get his hand in there but one step at a time.

He felt Junior brush against him, letting out an inquisitive squeak.  "I'm coming to visit you this time," Daniel told him.  "Hope you don't mind."  Junior brushed against him again, coiling around his finger.

It gave Daniel the courage to push his hand through.  He did some exploring, working around the symbiote, touching the walls.  They felt soft, like the membrane of a vagina, with a small give at the gentle press of his fingers.  It was also wet.  There wasn't any standing liquid in there, just a feeling of warm condensation.  "Does the womb exude the moisture?" he asked, his previous nervousness giving way to curiosity.

"Yes.  It provides the necessary nutrients and lubrication to keep the symbiote alive."

"Amazing."  Daniel pulled his hand out and smelled his fingers.  "Smells like sea water."  He gazed at Teal'c.  "Is it safe?  For me, I mean?"

"It is."

Daniel flicked out his tongue and tasted the moisture.  "It tastes like sea water."

Teal'c let out a growl, and the next thing Daniel knew he was flat on his back being ravished by a Jaffa.  Daniel guessed the confession portion of their evening was over, as Teal'c began, once again, to kiss and lick and nibble his way down Daniel's body, ending up with a mouthful of Daniel's very happy cock.

Almost instantly nonverbal at Teal'c's astonishing sucking power, Daniel spent his energy on trying not to come in seconds.  He was only nominally successful as he shot inside Teal'c's mouth in less than a minute.  Not that he could really blame himself.  Blow jobs were clearly one more thing at which Teal'c excelled. 

While he tried to force his speech center past its Neanderthal grunting, Teal'c made his way up his body and held him tightly, as if Daniel had done something extraordinary by coming, and must now be rewarded by being surrounded by six feet plus of pure Jaffa teddy bear. 

"I have chosen well," Teal'c whispered in his ear.  "There is no one worthier than you."

Daniel found it hard to believe he was receiving such boundless praise for coming so fast but he was too tired to figure it out.  He managed to press a kiss somewhere on Teal'c's shoulder and closed his eyes, letting the lassitude of his second orgasm drag him into sleep.  Hopefully, Teal'c would let him return the favor when he was conscious again.

---

Jack eyed the clock again and wondered where the hell Daniel and Teal'c were.  Carter almost had the salad put together, and the charcoal had that perfect glow.  They were just missing two main ingredients for team night. 

Finally he heard Daniel's car pull up in the driveway.  "Hey, Carter, they're here.  I'm putting the steaks on."

"Okay," she hollered back.

Jack could hear the commotion of the two of them coming into the house, greeting Carter, dropping stuff off.  Then he looked up as Daniel opened the sliding glass door and joined him by the grill.  "Hey, Jack."

Jack took one look at Daniel's face and he started to laugh.  "Jesus, does Teal'c look as well-fucked as you do?"

Daniel started to redden.  "Jack!" he protested, appalled.

Jack just snickered some more and he yelled, "Teal'c.  Get out here."

The door slid open again and Teal'c stepped out, Carter right behind him, a huge grin on her face.  "Oh, yeah," Jack said, with a laugh.  "You both are gonna need to work on the expressions on your face before you show up on base."

It was a little harder to see on Teal'c, but if you knew what to look for it was written all over his face.  He had on his I'm-the-King-of-the-Jaffa smug look.  And it appeared as if Teal'c had no doubt he'd gotten the pick of the litter.  He was oh-so-very pleased with himself.

Jack couldn't blame him.  If your thing was good-looking archeologists, they didn't come any better than Daniel Jackson.  Actually, no matter what your thing was, they didn't come any better than his best friend.  He felt a completely unjustified surge of pride for the way Daniel had turned out.   

Turning to Daniel, he plucked at the collar of his shirt.  "Got any hickeys?"

Daniel slapped his hand away, an exasperated look on his face.  "Would you cut it out?" he demanded.

Despite his pissy words, Jack couldn't help but notice that Daniel didn't seem to be able to stop smiling.  Oh, yeah.  Totally gaga.  Head over heels.  He started singing.  "Teal'c and Daniel sitting in a tree, K-I-S…"

Daniel smacked him again.

"I am unfamiliar with this song, O'Neill," Teal'c said.

"For which you should be eternally grateful," Daniel told him, shooting Jack a look filled with dire warnings.

Jack ignored him and began singing again.  "Teal'c and Daniel sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G, first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes…" he hesitated, "Okay, I'll admit, it doesn't work so well on a couple of guys."

Daniel rolled his eyes.  "It doesn't work on anyone over the age of six, Jack."

There was a brief pause as Jack flipped the steaks, then Teal'c announced, "Daniel Jackson and I have chosen to become warrior mates."

Jack's eyebrows went up.  "That was fast."  He frowned at Daniel.  "Do I get to be best man at your wedding?"

Daniel grinned at him.  "Actually, we're supposed to go hunting and bring an impressive kill back to the elders of the clan for their approval.  So, I braved Albertsons and, with my trusty Jaffa sidekick, I fought tooth and nail and apprehended several six packs of beer." 

Jack was speechless for a moment but then he rallied.  "Well, don't expect any approval from me until I see what brand of beer you bought.  If it's some sort of weird import, the wedding's off."

"I bought éclairs, too."

"Ah, now you're talking," Jack said.  "Not quite as impressive as wild boar or wooly mammoth, but I can make an exception in your case."  He glanced at Teal'c.  "And your trusty Jaffa sidekick."

Teal'c shot him one of his I'll-let-you-get-away-with-it-once-but-say-it-again-and-you'll-have-to-die looks.

"Thanks, old man, or, um, elder," Daniel teased. 

Jack tried to poke him with the tongs, but Daniel backed out of the way.  Then Jack brandished them at Teal'c.  "You do understand if you do anything to hurt him, I'll have to kill you."  Jack wasn't entirely kidding.

"I would expect no less, O'Neill," Teal'c said.  Jack figured Teal'c wasn't entirely kidding either.

"Hey," Daniel griped.  "How about if I hurt Teal'c?"

"Never happen," Jack said loyally.

"I'd have to kill you," Carter said with a grin.

Daniel grinned back at her.  "Thanks, Sam."

Jack turned back to the steaks.  "We're almost done here," he warned.

Carter grabbed Daniel.  "Come on, help me get everything on the table."

Daniel went with her willingly, and Jack could hear the sound of clinking plates and glasses, Carter asking Daniel where stuff was, his answers.  It made Jack feel good that Daniel knew his way around his home.  He glanced up at the Jaffa.  "You happy?" 

"I am."

Not a smidgen of doubt.  Jack was glad.  He wanted his friends to be happy.  "Junior's not feeling like a third wheel?" he teased.

"My symbiote has become inordinately fond of Daniel Jackson," Teal'c said.

Jack frowned at him.

"I have given you my word, O'Neill," Teal'c reminded him.  "My symbiote will do no harm to him."

Jack noticed that Teal'c seemed to be waiting for something.  He also seemed a little tense.  Jack thought it through.  "Ah," he said.  He lifted his beer up and saluted Teal'c.  "You have my blessing.  Go, be fruitful and multiply."  He scowled.  "See, that one doesn't work either." 

He pulled the steaks off the grill and onto a platter.  "Yum."  He glanced up and saw that Teal'c was still standing there, and Jack got that this was really important.  Maybe he really was some sort of stand-in elder for this crazy little team of theirs, even if Teal'c was a kazillion years older than him.  "Really.  Teal'c, I'm glad.  You're crazy about each other.  This is a good thing.  He deserves to have someone like you."  He mock glared at Teal'c.  "It's not like I'd turn him over to just anyone, you know."

"I do know."

"Not like he's mine to turn over to anyone," Jack amended, with a quick peek to make sure Daniel wasn't within earshot, "and if he heard me say something like that he'd smack me upside the head."

Teal'c actually smiled at him.

Jack smiled wickedly back.  "Daniel's a genius, he's opinionated, clueless, pissy, bossy, a workaholic, and he'll step in front of a gun to protect friggin' anyone, and you, my friend, are in for one hell of a ride."  He barked out a laugh as he drank a swallow of beer.

"I would not have it any other way," Teal'c stated.

"Yeah, neither would I," Jack replied, picking up the platter.  "Let's go eat."

---

Another mission on another planet with too many damn trees, but Jack figured any mission lately where nothing tried to eat any of them was a good thing.  He'd claimed best friend rights once they got home, and he and Daniel were grabbing some dinner.

"So where are you guys gonna live?" Jack asked.

"I don't know," Daniel answered, still buried in his menu.  He snapped it shut.  "I don't really want to live on base, and I don't know if they'll let Teal'c live with me at my apartment."

Jack frowned at that.  They practically had to sign in blood to get Teal'c out just for an evening and even then, they inevitably had a tail.  The tail, according to Hammond, was to get Teal'c out of a compromising situation before he and Junior could be discovered. 

It was a pretty good story, and it might even be true.  Jack knew Hammond believed it.  But that was because Hammond trusted Teal'c.  However, there were a few alienphobes who worked for and against the President who didn't.  "So where have you been holing up the last couple of days?"

"On the base.  It just seemed simpler."

Jack hooted.  "So you've both been walking around base and eating at the commissary, looking the way you look?"

"Yeah," Daniel said slowly with a frown.  "And I think you're imagining things."

"Oh, no, I'm not.  Which means everyone on the base who's seen you already knows you're an item."

Daniel shrugged.  "We weren't planning on hiding it.  If people find out, they find out.  I still think you're imagining things.  It's not like Teal'c and I are engaging in any public displays of affection."

"People will be able to tell just by being in the same room with you two."

"What are you talking about?" Daniel said, confused.

"A bunch of things.  The way you look at each other, the grins on both your faces, the way your bodies are looser and tend to gravitate toward each other, even when you aren't touching."

Daniel stared at him with a scrunched up face, then shrugged again.  "I think that's your covert ops Ranger Rick alter ego talking."

Jack snorted a laugh at Daniel.  "Trust me on this."

Daniel shrugged.  "So they find out.  This sort of relationship isn't hidden on Teal'c's world, and I don't plan to hide it here.  The military can't court-martial me, and I find it hard to believe they'd toss me out on my ear."

"It's not them I'm worried about."

Letting out a short mirthless laugh, Daniel said, "Oh, you mean the homophobes on base?  Is that who you're worried about?"  He patted Jack on the arm.  "Don't be."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I've been dealing with them since the moment I stepped onto the base.  If I could have a dollar for every time someone's called me names, I could, well, I could buy you a few dinners."

Furious, Jack snapped, "Who the fuck is talking to you that way?"

"Relax, Jack.  It's just venting, most of these guys have never been off-world, and have only heard rumors that scare the crap out of them.  Sometimes they need a target."

"Yeah, well, you're not it," Jack bit out, angry that he'd never seen any of it.  Talk about being clueless.

"None of them did anything truly heinous.  They called me a name.  It rarely went further than that.  And you can take credit for that.  You all have me pretty well protected."

Somewhat mollified, Jack asked, "How do you mean?"

"It usually goes like this.  Someone approaches me, almost always in front of their buddies so they can show off, and accuses me of being gay in colorful and generally woefully ignorant terms.  Before I can even open my mouth, his buddies grab him and start whispering furiously to him."  Daniel flashed him a quick grin.

"Not sounding so funny to me, Jackson.  What are they whispering about?"

"Stuff like: "don't touch him, he's General Hammond's fair-haired boy", or "don't touch him, he's O'Neill's fucktoy and the colonel will have you transferred to Antarctica or worse", or they warn him that the rest of SG-1 will arrange it so they never find the body."  Daniel grinned.  "That's my favorite one."

"Daniel," Jack said, not amused.  Fucktoy.  Jesus.  Not that Jack hadn't heard the rumors, but somehow he'd been so sure Daniel would have been his usual clueless self, and it would all have sailed over his brainiac head.

"Every now and then," Daniel continued, "in fact, these days, more often than not, they stop whoever it is by simply telling them I'm a good guy, and one of these days I'll probably save his life, so to leave me the hell alone." 

Jack still wasn't resting easy.  "You said rarely.  What did you mean by that?"

"You can feel justifiably proud of the amount of time the three of you have invested in sparring with me.  Apparently, some of the training sank in.  And if me knocking them senseless doesn't help, and if they refuse to listen to anything I say, I tell Hammond, and they actually do mysteriously disappear, usually before I'm out of his office."

"Why didn't you tell me?"  Jack was hurt. 

"Jack, this is why I didn't tell you.  If you knew, they really wouldn't find the body, and I'm not doing that to you.  Plus, those few really stupid people don't need to be working on a base that interacts with aliens if they can't handle diversity within their own species."

Jack had to agree with that.  "You still should have told me.  Because it's gonna get worse now, Daniel.  Teal'c's an alien, he's black, and he's…" Jack made air quotes, "not one of us."  He thought of his conversation with Hammond and winced, remembering how sure he was of Daniel's safety.  Shit.  He was gonna have a little conversation with his commanding officer about why he'd kept this stuff from him.

"Maybe, but while everyone may jump pretty damn high when you yell at them, people tend to run for cover when Teal'c's around.  I don't think anyone will bother me with Teal'c hovering in the background."

Jack scowled.  "Yeah, I said the same thing to Hammond, but now that it's staring me in the face, I don't like it.  You have enough stuff trying to kill you when you go through the gate, the base should be a safe place for you."

"Jack," Daniel said sincerely.  "It mostly is.  It was much worse at first.  I've dealt with this my whole life.  Not just here.  People don't like other people who don't fit in.  I break too many rules by being the way I am."

"How do you mean?"

"I'm a geek, but I'm…" Daniel waved a hand at his face with a sour expression on his face, "pretty."  He shot Jack a narrow-eyed glare when Jack snickered.

"Go on," Jack encouraged him, actually astonished that Daniel was aware of this stuff.  Maybe he'd have to reconsider Daniel's title of the most clueless person in the universe.

After another narrow-eyed glare as if reading Jack's mind, Daniel said, "I'm a guy, but I get the feelings stuff, I'm a…well, I'm a geek with a gun, and I know how to use a variety of weapons.  In fact, with some of them I have better scores than the military lifers.  I get asked out all the time, by men and women, but I always say no.  I'm bookish but my sparring partners are you and Teal'c and Sam.  I'm considered meek and mild-mannered, but I'm on SG-1, which is infamous for being the toughest team around.  I sort of stick to myself, but everyone, including the President and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, knows my name."  He spread his hands.  "I don't make sense to people."

"You make sense to me," Jack said.

Daniel shot him a lopsided grin.  "No, I don't."  He put up a hand to stop Jack's protests.  "You understand me better than anyone, even Teal'c, and you probably always will.  But, I don't make sense to you.  You feel it, all those opposites, and because of it, you don't know if I'm going to go left or right at any given moment.  I think that's part of why you like me so much.  I keep you guessing.  Despite my long lectures, which I know you sleep through even if no one else does, I don't bore you.  You, my friend, have a very low boredom threshold."

That was true enough.  It got triggered almost every day in their briefings.

"And I think we work," Daniel continued, "because you are so secure about who you are.  I mean look at you, Jack, look at your team.  Sam is one of the most brilliant minds on the planet, I'm not exactly a slacker in that department either, and certainly the foremost linguist.  Teal'c is one of the fiercest warriors, and you treat us all like we're your kids."

Jack looked at Daniel fondly.  "Daniel, your IQ is several, as in many, points above Carter's.  You're definitely not a slacker in that department.  You could have done anything you wanted if you hadn't decided to have a brain meltdown and start believing in aliens."

Daniel threw his roll at Jack.

Jack caught it and took a bite out of it.  "Fortunately for us, you got laughed out of your profession."  He shook his head at Daniel.  "I wonder about that sometimes, if you hadn't been having one of the worst days of your life, if you'd turned Catherine down, what would have happened to this program?  Would they have figured it out?  Found planets to visit without access to the Abydos Cartouche room?" 

"Sam would have figured it out," Daniel said staunchly.

"Maybe," Jack said with a shrug.  "She'd been working on it for two years.  You figured it out in two weeks."  Jack waved a hand through the air.  "I'm not trying to bash Carter, I know she's a damn genius, I'm just trying to make a point about you."  He frowned.  "Although I don't remember why."

Daniel let out an exaggerated sigh.  "I was the one making a point about me.  About being different and being harassed because of it."

Jack frowned again.  "Right.  That's right.  Does Teal'c know you get harassed?"

"No, he doesn't, and you don't need to tell him.  I'm not his little woman that he needs to protect.  And it's not like this happens every day.  It's just every now and then, usually when a new crop rolls in, and it blows over quickly."  He narrowed his eyes at Jack.  "And short of making some sort of announcement to all the new teams, for which I would never forgive you, you can't fix this.  I will take care of it, like I always have."

Jack didn't like it.  He'd have to give the whole situation some thought.

"Jack," Daniel said warningly.  "I can see that you're thinking.  Stop it, please."

A hand to his chest, Jack put on a wounded expression.  "Me?  I never think.  I can't believe you're even accusing me of that."

That got a grin out of Daniel, just in time for their dinners to arrive.  Silence reigned for a few minutes.  Then, after Jack took a swallow of beer, timing it just as Daniel took a swig of his own, he asked, "So is the sex good?"

Daniel spit out his beer.  "What?"

"Hey, come on.  You're the only one here who's having a sex life.  I need to live vicariously through you."

"I am not telling you about my sex life," Daniel said primly.

"Not specifics, just the general, you know, gist of things," Jack insisted.  "All I asked was if the sex was good." 

Daniel considered Jack for a few moments then put his beer down.  "You know how you get better at things the longer you practice?"

"Yeah."

"Well, given how old Teal'c is, he's been practicing for a very long time."  He finished his statement off with a wicked grin.  Then, he sighed happily.  "And he likes to, um, you know, just hold me."

Jack sighed.  "See I miss that.  I mean, I miss the sex, too, but I really miss the cuddling.  Sitting, watching TV, wrapped around someone.  I miss it."

"Jack, call Sara."

Jack shook his head.  "Why, Daniel?  So I can lie to her?  Leave on missions and not be able to tell her where I'm going?  Not be able to tell her how I got this or that bruise, or where Teal'c is from, or how we know each other?  I did it once and it sucked.  I don't want to do it again."

"So tell her."

Jack shot Daniel a look.  A sure-that's-gonna-happen look.

"I mean it.  You break regs every day.  She's never said anything about that whole thing with your double, has she?"

"Nope."  That was true.  Sara never even called.  Just knew weird classified shit was going down and left it at that.  Jack had trained her well.

"So she already knows that strange stuff is a part of your life, right?"

Jack nodded.

"Call her.  Take her out to dinner.  See if you have a chance.  If you do, ask her what she wants to do.  Tell her the risks, what it would mean to your career if anyone finds out you've spoken to her.  And tell her about what happened to that reporter, and the potential risk to her if she decided to go public with any of the information.  She'll make the right decision."

Jack opened his mouth to speak but Daniel spoke right over him, "I certainly won't think less of you.  No matter what you decide," he added loyally.  "And while I can't speak for Teal'c, knowing him, he'll find it difficult to understand why you didn't tell her everything before."  Daniel grinned, and in a passable Teal'c imitation said, "There should be trust between mates, O'Neill."

Jack grinned at Daniel for that, actually for all of it.  And he wanted to call Sara, but he really wasn't sure she'd have anything to do with him.  For all he knew, she was dating someone, maybe serious about him.  It was almost easier not to call than to know she had moved on.

Daniel prodded his arm.  "We can double date."

Jack barked out a laugh.  "It might be worth calling her just to see that."  He drank the last of his beer.

"Jack, all she can do is say no, and you'll be no worse off than you are now, except that you can really move on.  But I bet she says yes."

Jack wasn't so sure.  "I killed her son, Daniel."

Daniel glared furiously at him.  "You did not.  It was bad luck, Jack.  You don't think that any parent in the world who loses a child doesn't play that game?  The what-if game?"

"It was my gun."

"I might be willing to blame you for Charlie's death if you can stare me in the face and tell me that I killed Sha're.  Because you can't have it both ways.  Either we're both responsible for the sequence of decisions we made that ended up in the death of someone we love, or we're not."

"You fight dirty, Jackson."  Jack leaned back in the booth, saluting Daniel wryly with his empty bottle of beer.

"I'm not saying you'll ever get over it, Jack.  I can't imagine a worse loss than that of a child.  But reconnecting with Sara, grieving with her, sharing with her some of the things you've shared with me, might make a difference.  I think Charlie's death is compounded in your mind by the loss of Sara on top of it."

Jack knew that was true.  Of all the crappy things he'd done in his life, the way he'd shut Sara out after Charlie's death was the worst.  It was also why he couldn't imagine she'd forgive him.

As if he'd been reading Jack's mind, Daniel said, "You're a pretty great guy, Jack.  I can't imagine she wouldn't jump at a second chance."

Jack smiled tightly at Daniel.  Maybe he could do this with Daniel as his personal cheering section.  "We'll see," he conceded.  "Maybe after our next mission."  He glanced at Daniel's empty plate.  "You want dessert?"

Daniel patted his stomach.  "No.  I'm stuffed.  Oh, but I did promise to bring something back for Teal'c."  He called the waiter over and ordered a meal to go.

"What's the big guy doing tonight?" Jack asked.

Rolling his eyes, Daniel let out a half-laugh.  "Louis is teaching him how to play Nintendo games.  I think tonight was the Mario Cousins or something like that."

"Mario Brothers," Jack corrected him in a pitying tone.  "Mario Brothers."

---

Teal'c was just finishing up his session of kel-no-reem when he felt his symbiote stir.  He assumed Daniel Jackson would soon be returning.  The distance at which his symbiote could detect his mate seemed to increase daily.

He felt unusually refreshed.  No doubt partly due to Daniel becoming his mate, but Teal'c also sensed a change in his symbiote.  Teal'c was not prone to speaking in metaphors, but it was as if the clouds had parted allowing in the sun's warmth.  He felt lighter.  Less burdened.  He suspected Daniel Jackson's relationship with his symbiote was the cause.

He could hear Daniel approaching.  This would be the first time Daniel would be returning to him after being apart since they had become mates.  He was bemused at how fast his heart was racing.

There was a knock on the door.  "Enter," Teal'c called out.

The door opened and Daniel entered, shutting it behind him.  He smiled at Teal'c, dropped a small duffel bag by the door and placed what Teal'c could smell was his dinner on the small table.  Daniel leaned against the door, staring at him.

Teal'c felt a moment's awkwardness.  While he had learned much of this planet's customs, he was not sure what Daniel's expectations were on a meeting of this nature.  It would be best, perhaps, simply to ask.

But before he could even get his mouth open, Daniel was in his lap, kissing him.  Teal'c could not have chosen a more acceptable greeting and he returned it with great fervor. 

After a while, Daniel pulled back and smiled at Teal'c.  "I love coming home and finding you half naked in a room filled with candles."  He let out a contented hum, his hands stroking up and down Teal'c's back.

"That is most fortuitous, as I believe you will often find me that way."

Daniel let out a soft snicker.  "Lucky me." 

Teal'c found himself being kissed again.

When they parted once again, Daniel sighed.  "Have I told you how much I love your lips?"

"You have," Teal'c informed.  "But I do not mind if you feel the need to repeat yourself."

"Good," Daniel said, kissing him again.  Finally, he rested his head on Teal'c's shoulder.  Teal'c kissed his neck, and took his turn letting his hands roam up and down Daniel's back.

"Teal'c?"

"Yes."

"Where do you get all these candles?"  Daniel sat up and looked around.  "You must go through a ton of them."

"General Hammond obtains them for me.  And a few I have received as gifts."

"Really?" Daniel asked.  "Who gives you candles as gifts?"

Teal'c did not detect any jealousy in Daniel's question, merely curiosity.  "Major Carter often gives me candles, as do several other women on the base."

Daniel narrowed his eyes.

Teal'c smirked a little at what he now suspected was some jealousy.  Not that Daniel had anything to fear.  "I believe they were attempting to engage my participation in courtship rituals."

"Yeah, I'll bet they were."  Daniel said dryly.  "What do you say to them?"

"I find it simplest to act as if I am unaware of their objective.  Few have been willing to actually speak to me of their desires."

The narrow-eyed gaze was back.  "And what do--did--you say to the ones that did?"

"I said no," Teal'c said calmly, not missing the correction to past tense.  "I had no interest in any of them as a mate."

Daniel smiled at him with satisfaction, the love bright in his eyes.  His head went back on Teal'c's shoulder and he enjoyed their quiet closeness.  When a hand started to sneak down between their bodies, Teal'c decided he'd willingly forego his dinner for some lovemaking but when he heard a squeak, he realized Daniel was saying hello to his symbiote.

This was new for Teal'c, completely undiscovered terrain.  Having someone love him and care for his symbiote made him feel more complete than he could ever have imagined.  As he felt his symbiote move in the pouch, no doubt wrapping itself around Daniel's hand or fingers, an unexpected and powerful surge of love for his mate swept through Teal'c. 

Finally Daniel pulled back.  "You need to eat."  To Teal'c's disappointment, Daniel stood up, reaching down a hand to assist Teal'c to rise.  Once up, Teal'c decided he was hungry, so he moved to the table, unpacked the bag, and began to eat.

Between mouthfuls, he motioned toward the duffle bag.  "Did you return to your home?"

Daniel nodded.  "I needed a few things."  He smiled shyly.  "I didn't think you'd mind if I kept some things here."

Teal'c considered this.  Of course he didn't mind, but it did bring up a subject matter he had given some thought to.  "This space is not adequate for two people."

"I know."  Daniel peered around the room, then got up and began blowing out candles.  "Why don't the candles set off the sprinklers?"

"I disconnected them."

"Oh."  He moved his way across the room, blowing the rest of the candles out.  Then he sat opposite Teal'c at the small table.  "Jack asked me about that tonight.  Where we were planning to live."

Teal'c was somewhat anxious about the answer. 

As if sensing his anxiety, Daniel stroked his arm.  "The easy answer is I'll be living wherever you are, but you're right, this isn't big enough."

"I do not believe they will allow me to live off-base as long as I carry a Goa'uld symbiote within me."

"No, I don't either."  Daniel pursed his lips and considered the room again.  "I can ask General Hammond for larger quarters.  I really need a study, and it would be nice to have a room set up for your kel-no-reem."  He grinned.  "It will keep me from tripping over candles.  I don't have your grace."

"I disagree."

"You're only saying that because you love me," Daniel teased.  "I tend to trip a lot."

"I had not noticed."

Daniel let out a laughing snort and kissed Teal'c on the shoulder as he started clearing a path from the bed to the bathroom, shifting candle holders.  "That's gonna get you a blow job tonight."

Teal'c's eyebrow rose.  "I was unaware we were bartering for sexual favors."  Not that he had any intention of not taking his mate up on the offer.  

Daniel wiggled his eyebrows.  "I'm sure if you asked Jack, he'd say life's always about bartering for sexual favors."

No doubt that was true.

"By the way," Daniel continued from the bathroom, as he lay out some toiletries.  "He wanted to know how our sex life was."

It was going to take Teal'c time to grow accustomed to the level of honesty shared between Daniel and Colonel O'Neill.  "What was your reply?"

Daniel grinned.  "I told him you were magnificent."  The grin grew wicked.  "So you have my permission to look very smug next time you see him."

Then again, Teal'c thought, honesty was an important trait.  One he revered in his mate.

Back in the main room, Daniel fluffed pillows, and tugged down the blankets.  Then he pulled the television set out from the corner and arranged it so they could both see it once situated on the bed.  "Do you know," Daniel asked, "how long it's been since I snuggled in bed with someone I love to watch TV?"

"I do not."  Teal'c had never engaged in this activity.

Daniel stared at him for a moment, his lips pursed.  "Actually, I've never done it."

The look on Daniel's face had Teal'c standing and pulling him into bed.  "I will be glad to partake of this ritual with you." 

Daniel grinned up from where he was lying underneath Teal'c.  "You have to turn the TV on first."

"I will consider it after further bargaining for sexual favors."

Daniel burst out laughing, a sound Teal'c thoroughly enjoyed.