Thank You

by Annie

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asa/annie/thankyou.php
Summary: Jack thinks about Daniel's death and fish sticks

Jack entered the dark house, closed the door behind him and threw his keys next to the phone. He made his way into the kitchen, light flooding the room as he opened the fridge. He took out a bottle of Bud and closed the fridge door, plunging the room into darkness. Making his way out the back, Jack climbed the ladder that led up to the deck where his telescope was. Sitting down, he took a sip of his drink, looked out at the stars and thought about what had happened.

For a short time he'd been truly happy. The loneliness had been banished after Jack had finally got together with the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Sometimes in the months since they had been together, Jack had found it amazing how easy getting together had been.

He had gone to Daniel's apartment after yet another close call, and in the midst of an argument Jack had shouted, "Because I love you, you idiot. That's why." Jack had made to leave when Daniel had fallen silent, but the younger man had stunned him by not only coming after him, but pushing him against the wall saying, "Don't you dare walk out on me after a confession like that, you bastard." Then he had proceeded to give Jack the most passionate kiss he had ever known. As Daniel led Jack to his bedroom, they never once lost contact with each other. During the intense night of lovemaking which followed, Jack had been further stunned to hear that Daniel loved him too.

Jack looked at stars and remembered the overwhelming sorrow and emptiness that had invaded his life in the time after Daniel died. It was an emptiness that was every bit as pervasive as the one he had felt after Charlie's death. Letting out a small sigh, Jack climbed back down the ladder, made his way inside dropping his leather jacket over a chair in the dining room. Leaving the bottle on the table, he walked quietly up to his bedroom, not disturbing the peace in the house. When he got there, he once again left the room in darkness as he stripped to his boxers and went to the bathroom.

Jack brushed his teeth and headed back into the bedroom. Leaning against the door frame, he looked at the large bed. In the pale moonlight, Jack could see Daniel lying there, could see the rise and fall of Daniel's chest as he slept. He smiled as remembered his last words to Daniel. Crossing over to the large bed, he left his clothes where they had fallen. Climbing in, Jack lay on his side and looked at the other half of the bed.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Daniel. Go back to sleep babe."

Daniel snuggled into Jack's side, wrapped his arm round his lover's waist and kissed him.

As Jack lay watching Daniel drift further into sleep, he thanked the angel who watched over them that his memory wasn't real, that his happiness was still intact. As he closed his eyes, Jack silently swore to himself the next time they met, he really would turn Nem into sushi.