Loss Of Memory

by Belladonna

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asb/belladonna/memory.php
Summary: Jack finds out terrible news about his mother
Info: In Memory of my mom-in-law who died 2/27/2004 of Alzheimer related complications

Jack was laughing at what Daniel had said as they walked inside the house. The phone had been ringing but they'd ignored it, knowing the answering machine would pick up. What they heard was,

"Jack, it's Liam. Mom's gone 'round the bend. Mick Michaels called me, he's sheriff now. Pat can't go and I'm in China if you can fucking believe it. Ivy is, well, Ivy and she won't go, so it's gotta be you. I'm sorry man." The message continued with a cell number that Daniel wrote down, his eyes fixed on his best friend's face.

"Jack?"

"It's my brother." Jack said unnecessarily. He picked up the phone and dialed a number from memory, "Mom? It's Jack." He stood there and Daniel could hear a voice say something then Jack spoke, "Mom?" He turned to look at Daniel, "She said Hello then laid the phone down and walked away." He waited and asked for her a couple of more times before hanging up.

"When is the last time you talked to your mom?" Daniel asked quietly.

Jack gave a bitter laugh, "1974."

Daniel's face was shocked but Jack shook his head, "I need to call Hammond." He reached for the phone but Daniel stopped him, "Let me, and I'll come with you."

Jack's face was stone cold, then it crumpled and he swept Daniel in a hug and shook, emotions overwhelming him. Daniel stood there, rubbing Jack's back soothingly, murmuring how much he loved him and would be there for him. After Jack calmed down he pulled back, his face more at peace.

"I love you Danny." He curved a hand over Daniel's' face, rubbing the whiskered cheek gently, his coffee colored eyes soft in his face.

"I know, let me call Hammond."

"Ok, I'll go pack for us." And Jack turned walking towards the bedroom, his shoulders slumped like the weight of the world was on top of them. Daniel shook his head, he'd call the General, but then Jack was going to tell him what the hell was going on.

The flight in the plane that Jack flew from Colorado Springs to Bemidji, Minnesota was relatively silent except for Jack talking to the towers at either end. The drive to Blackforest from the Bemidji wouldn't take very long so Daniel finally pounced, "Ok Jack, spill. What happened in 1974? Where's your Dad and why don't you talk anymore to your parents?"

Jack's hands tightened on the steering wheel, "I was a freshman in college, taking Engineering. I met a guy," His eyes flicked to Daniel, "Phil, and we fell in love." He slowed down and turned onto highway 89, "I came home and told my folks that I was gay, and in love."

Daniel winced, "Catholic, right?"

A nod, "I was screamed at, money was cut off and I was tossed out on my ear. My brothers Liam and Pat were in shock and Ivy was in tears. Luckily I had good enough grades that I applied to the Air Force and through an uncle, who died soon after but who knew a Congressman, I got into the Academy, and I left Blackforest, my family and my homosexuality behind."

"God Jack, what about your dad?"

Jack snorted, "Good old dad, church leader and wasn't going to a have a faggot for a son. Cut me out of his will and his life." He sighed, "He died while you were ascended, I wasn't invited to the funeral. Ivy called me to let me know."

"I don't know what to say." Daniel said, visibly shocked. "What about Sara and Charlie?"

"I sent an invitation and a birth announcement, they were returned. Sara tried but honestly, I think I was grateful they didn't reply, hard to explain to your wife that you were gay once upon a time."

Daniel nodded, "I'd guess so. So, what's wrong with your Mom?"

Exhaling audibly Jack shook his head, "We're about to find out, there's her car." He pointed to a battered cherry red Caddie with a white top. They followed it as it slowly made its way through town, the driver either drunk or stoned.

"Um, is she driving?" Daniel asked in alarm.

"I wouldn't call that driving but yeah, I think she's at the wheel." Jack said, his eyes narrowed suspiciously. A garage door opened at a large white house and the car ahead pulled in, Jack following in the rental. They got out just as Jack's mom got out of her car, after bashing the front into the lawn mower.

"Hi Mom." Jack said quietly.

The older woman with freshly done artificially red hair smiled, "Oh good, Liam, Pat, you boys are just in time for dinner. Come in, wash your hands and set the table." And she picked up her purse and walked to the door of the house. Jack was frozen, just staring at her as she turned around, "Well? Get the groceries!" and she walked inside.

"She, she..." Jack babbled and Daniel was alarmed. He walked over and wrapped his arms around his lover taking one hand to cup Jack's face and make him look him in the eyes, "What is it Jack?"

"She didn't recognize me! She thought we were Liam and Pat!" Daniel nodded, caressed Jack's face and stepped back. He was pretty sure he knew what was happening with Jack's mom but left it for later. "Let's get the groceries Pat."

Jack focused and snorted, "I'd be Liam, we look a lot alike, you'll have to be Pat."

As they walked inside they were struck by the smell of garbage, and other things. Now Jack was in shock as he blankly looked around what was formerly the 'Queen of Housekeeping's' domain. Daniel nudged him and Jack got with the program, robotically putting stuff away, noting the rotting food and open cans etcetera, all over the place.

Jack's mom walked back into the kitchen and the men got a good look at her. Her clothes were dirty and she was pale, very thin and it looked like she hadn't had a bath in a few days. Her freshly done hair was incongruous with the rest of her appearance, and served only to highlight how unkempt she looked.

That night Jack helped her to bed, after finally finding a set of clean sheets. He came out and sat beside Daniel with a heavy sigh, "I'm gonna take first watch." Daniel wrapped a comforting arm around him, "I'll sit up with you." The two men sat in the dark of the disheveled living room, listening to the elderly woman sigh and mutter in her sleep. It was a quarter to four when Daniel heard her get up and head to the bathroom. He checked on Jack who was still asleep and waited quietly. The sound of water running and then the door opening had him looking up, to meet her eyes. She looked at them for a moment, her eye soft and Daniel gently shook Jack awake.

Immediately he opened his eyes, "Mom?"

"Well Liam, what do you want for dinner?" Her cheeks were flushed and Jack got up off of the couch and stepped up to her to lay his hand on her forehead, "How long have you been sick Mom?" It's four in the morning and she's talking about dinner, Jack thought, freaking out quietly.

"Don't be silly, I'm not sick. I'll make ham salad, how does that sound?" she asked cheerfully and stepped around Jack to go into the kitchen. Jack turned his stricken eyes to Daniel, then headed for the phone. It was obvious to both of them that Jack's mom was a very sick woman.

Jack was quietly talking on the phone while Daniel went to the kitchen and made small talk with Jack's mom.

"Who are you?" She asked, her eyes curious as she fruitlessly looked for something. She turned on the gas stove and left it lit while something else caught her attention.

"You called me Pat." Daniel said gently.

"Oh, you can't be Pat, you must be Mick from Jack's school." She insisted, then sat down as if she was tired to the bone. Daniel went and got her a glass of water and handed it to her, seating himself across from her while she drank.

Jack came into the room, "Jack, the stove." Daniel said quietly and he nodded and turned it off.

"Hey Mom, Doc Andrews is coming over for a visit."

"He's nothing but a shyster, took your father's pennies and now your father is missing." She spat and Daniel watched as Jack paled even further. She didn't remember that her husband had died the previous year.

The small town saved them as a knock sounded on the door. Jack swayed and Daniel stood, "I'll get it Jack." He helped Jack to the table and the man stared at the mother who was nothing like the mother he remembered.

Daniel sighed and opened the door, "Dr. Andrews?"

The other man looked taken aback for a minute, "Yes, and you are?" his eyes sighted on Jack and he smiled, "Jack, you old bear."

Jack stood and the two men embraced, then the Doctor looked around slowly, and with growing dismay, "I'd heard that she wasn't well but she wouldn't come and see me. God Jack, I'm so sorry."

Daniel moved up to Jack's side and Jack wrapped an arm around his friend, "Ben, this is my partner Daniel, Daniel, Ben and I use to regularly beat the crap out of each other as 9 year olds."

The two men shook hands, and Ben sighed, "I'm glad that you're back Jack, let me go check your Mom."

It took the three men to calm her down enough for the doctor to do a basic checkup, then get her settled down with a cup of tea. He took Jack's arm and dragged him into the living room, Daniel on their heels.

"She needs to go to the hospital Jack. She's malnourished, dehydrated and I think she may be anemic and all of the bruising shows that she's low in potassium. I'm going to call an ambulance."

Daniel took Jack over to the couch and sat him down, running a soothing hand over his back. It troubled him to see his strong, staunch, sometimes pissy as hell defender rocked like this. "It'll be ok Jack." He said and Jack looked at him with wounded eyes, "How in the hell can you say that? She doesn't even know who I am! I'm her oldest child, her oldest son and she doesn't remember me at all." His voice was a husky whisper and Daniel pulled him close, "It looks like Alzheimer's to me Jack."

The doctor got off the phone and nodded at them, "I agree with Daniel. From everything I've heard about town, Mary is showing all of the classic symptoms."

Jack slumped forward, his head in his hands, "Jeezus." Was all he said. A knock at the door and Ben let the E.M.T. into the house and Mary promptly had a hissy fit, with language you'd usually only hear from a sailor.

"Mom!" Jack roared and she looked at him open mouthed, "Liam Francis O'Neill, do not yell at me! You're grounded!" Her voice was prim and Daniel covered a snicker. Ben chuckled and Jack's Mom went docilely into the ambulance. As Jack was about to climb in, he turned to look at Daniel, "Um,.." he began but Daniel shook his head, "I'll follow in the car."

At the small hospital on the outskirts of town she was instantly admitted and Jack was directed to wait in the waiting room. He sat there, shivering slightly as belated emotions hit him. God he wanted Daniel. As if his wish were suddenly granted a frantic Daniel burst into the waiting room, his eyes dark with relief as he spotted Jack. Quick strides brought him over to Jack and he knelt in front of him, taking his hands gently, "How is she?"

"I don't know yet. I..." and a woman that he recognized instantly from high school walked in, lighting up as she saw him, "Jack!"

"Marci." Jack stood gracefully, Daniel moving to the side, and gave the small brunette a hug. "How are you?"

"I couldn't believe it was really you when I got the paperwork on your mom. Your hair is so cool." She said admiringly, running her fingers through it with familiarity, causing Daniel to scowl. Jack smothered a smile and pulled his lover up, "Daniel, this is Marci Hendriks, we went to homecoming together our junior year, Marci, this is Daniel." The pride in Jack's voice would have been obvious to a deaf man and Marci was pretty quick.

"I'm pleased to meet you Daniel. Jack, let's sit down, we need to talk."

"Why?" Jack asked bluntly.

She sighed, "I'm the social worker for the hospital. Ben called me and told me what was going on with your Mom. First you are going to need to get an emergency power of attorney and become your Mom's legal guardian. This will help you get the estate settled, which means you and Liam, Pat and Ivy keep what you want, sell everything else and put the money in a trust for your mom. As soon as she's released she'll need to go into a nursing home, preferably one that takes Alzheimer patients. I recommend Ravenwood, it's about 6 blocks away. They have an alarm system, an excellent nursing staff and it's very clean."

"Alarm system?" Jack asked bewildered by the flood of information, while Daniel was writing quickly in his notebook,

"Alzheimer patients are notorious for wandering off. Your mom will be fitted with an ankle alarm so that they know if she's trying to leave."

"She just an old woman, she's no danger!"

Marci took his hands, her eyes soft with sympathy, "She's an old woman who is a danger to herself. Nursing homes lose more healthy patients to Alzheimer walk aways. They wander off and die of exposure, or worse."

"God." Daniel said softly. Marci looked at his horrified face, "Ravenwood hasn't lost a single patient that way." She turned back to Jack, "So, tomorrow go see a lawyer in town. Look in the phone book, you'll laugh at who'll you find, then get busy. It's April already and people will be buying up homes really soon." She patted Jack's hand quickly, gave Daniel a smile and trotted off.

"Wow." Daniel said in awe.

"She was the same in High School." Jack said darkly.

"Terrifyingly efficient?" Daniel asked with a raised eyebrow.

Jack laughed and pulled him into a quick hug, "I'm going to check on Mom, then let's get a hotel room. I can't face the house tonight."

Daniel nodded, "Sounds like a plan."

At the small motel Daniel undressed Jack, his mouth moving over his lovers collarbone, nipping and sucking, making Jack lean his head back and moan. Daniel moved his mouth down to Jack's nipples, laving them with his tongue until they were hard, then he nipped one, making his lover jerk and whisper quietly, "Daniel, I need you to give me oblivion."

Daniel lifted his head with a wicked smile, "I can do that." He finished undressing them both, then indulged his need to fondle Jack, taking the heavy balls in his hands and pressing himself the length of Jack's body, watching his lover's eyes darken with lust and love. "Get on your hands and knees flyboy." Watching as Jack stepped back and then climbed on the bed, presenting his tantalizing ass to him. With a moan of want Daniel moved up behind him and nipped one softly furred cheek, then rubbed his cheek against it, loving the purr he heard. He not so gently pulled Jack's ass apart and then used his tongue and licked Jack's tight ring, making him muffle a howl into the pillow. Daniel stiffened his tongue and eased inside, then tongue fucked Jack until he was writhing like crazy, moaning and cursing and shuddering. Pulling back he took the leaking precum off of his own dick and rubbed the ring, before taking his cock and placing at Jack's entrance, "I love you Jack." And he shoved inside in one long, smooth motion, the heat and feel of Jack curling his toes.

Jack grunted at the feeling of Daniel's large cock invading him, but he loved it, loved the pain, then the pleasure that rode right over the pain. He shoved back, tightening the muscles and was rewarded by Daniel's gasp of outrage, "Stop it you bastard!" he yelped. Jack grinned and looked over his shoulder, "Then fuck me good Danny, I'm tired of waiting."

Daniel thrust hard, his hands griping Jack's hips so tight that he knew that he'd leave bruises. He threw his head back and moaned long and loud, pumping his hips rapidly, pushing so hard that he could hear Jack grunt with each thrust. The tightness, the heat was overwhelming him and he leaned over Jack's back and whispered harshly in his ear, "You won't be able to sit tomorrow flyboy." And thrust so hard that Jack howled and came. The rippling muscles clutched Daniel's cock and pulled his own orgasm out of him, making him bite his lip as he thrust quickly, pulling out all of the sensation that he could for both of them.

"God." Jack said on the end of a moan, then collapsed onto the bed, pulling Daniel with him. He loved this part almost as much as the sex, the 190 pounds of sweaty, gorgeous archeologist plastered to his back, breathing harshly, trying to get his heart to stop beating out of his chest.

Daniel snuggled closer, his cock still embedded in his lover, his lips brushing the silver hair on the nape of Jack's neck. "Hey." He murmured.

"Uhm." Was Jack's intelligent reply, making Daniel snort with laughter. They lay like that for a bit until Daniel moved off, and out of Jack, then snuggled beside him, one leg and an arm thrown over him like he could protect him from the world. They didn't speak, but quietly slipped into a restful sleep.

In the morning Daniel awoke to Jack laughing quietly, sitting at the small table and shaking his head at the phone book. "Jack?"

His lover's face lit up, "Hey sleeping booty, how are you?"

Daniel made a face, "I need coffee, and you to not call me that ever again. How about you?"

"I called the hospital and mom is responding to treatment. I've found a lawyer I think, I was about to call." He chuckled again.

Daniel yawned and nodded, "I'm gonna take a shower, see about getting me some coffee, pretty please?"

"Yeahsureyabetcha."

While Daniel was in the shower Jack got out his phone and dialed, "Big Jim please. Yeah, I mean Jim Weston, thank you." He grinned to himself. Big Jim Weston was a hockey buddy, so named 'Big' for obvious reasons. He hadn't seen the man in almost 30 years, they had a lot of catching up to do.

"Jim Weston." A cautious voice said.

"So that goalie in Bemidji never knew what hit him did he?" Jack asked cheerfully and the voice on the other end shouted, "Oh my God, Jack O'Neill. Where are you, you bastard!"

Jack laughed again, "I'm in town. I need a lawyer bud, can I see you this morning?"

"Meet me at Clara's at 8:30, Patsy, you remember Patsy Svenson? We married after college, anyway, she's got me on a diet so I'm dyin' for some real food."

"You got it, see you in a bit." And the men hung up.

Daniel came out with nothing on, toweling his hair dry.

"Oh jeez." Jack moaned, his mouth drooling at the sight before him. Daniel was a far cry from the hesitant young geek that Jack had met the first time. He'd filled out, his shoulders were broad, his chest and arms were well muscled, his abs were flat with a hint of washboard, his legs were long and muscular as well, the whole package a mouthwatering treat, especially naked and beaded with water.

With a grin Daniel shook his head, "No way Jose, I heard you arrange breakfast. I need coffee first." He began to back up as Jack stood and prowled towards him. "Jack!"

"Me thinks you're protesting too much." Jack said, his voice husky.

Daniel's cock was standing at attention and his eyes were dilated, "So I lied." Jack took Daniel's arms and maneuvered him to the bed and pushed him so that he was seated, the kneeled before him and closed his mouth over the head of the rosy cock.

"Nnngh." Daniel gasped, his head thrown back.

Jack pulled back and laughed, "it's a good thing that you're a linguist."

"Don't stop!" His linguist protested weakly and pulled Jack back down. Jack's tongue swirled around the head of Daniel's cock, then down the vein to the balls before traveling back up to lap up the copious precum. "Mmmm." Jack smacked his lips and Daniel laughed softly. Jack suddenly deep throated him and that was all she wrote, Daniel arched back and moaned loudly, then came.

Jack moved over Daniel and kissed the insensate man's nose, "Hey, I thought you wanted coffee?"

"Let me lay here for a minute." Daniel croaked in a harsh whisper. He met Jack's amused brown eyes with a grimace, "I think that you actually sucked my brain out."

"Nah." Jack shook his head, his eyes mischievous.

The men made it to the diner on time, but only just. A bear of a man stood and exclaimed, "Jack?"

Jack grinned, "What, the gray hair throw ya?" and the two men gave each other a bear hug.

"My god Jack, 30 years, you look great!" Jim said happily. Jack regarded his friend, at 6'4" he was about 270 but he carried it with grace, however his friend was completely bald. Stretching slightly Jack rubbed his head, "And what happened here?"

The other man grinned, "Genetics old man, I look like Grandpa Nils." He looked at Daniel curiously, "And who is this?"

"Jim, this is Dr. Daniel Jackson. Daniel, this is Big Jim Weston, former all star hockey player and slayer of young women's hearts."

The two men shook hands amiably, and Jim smiled, "Any friend of Jacky's."

Daniel raised an eyebrow at Jack, "Jacky?"

With a growl Jack grabbed Daniel's collar, "Call me that and I'll break your legs kid."

With a laugh Daniel tweaked Jack's hair and moved around him to sit down, then snagged a waitress and begged a new pot of coffee off of her. Jack ran his knuckles over Daniel's cheek and sat beside him. Jim watched all of this with interest, "So, what do you call yourselves, partners, lovers, "friends"," he made quotation marks with his fingers.

The men shrugged, "Yep." Jack said with his grin.

Jim smiled, "So it was true. I heard your parents were in a righteous snit and disowned you, what are you doing back?"

Jack took his coffee, taking a bracing sip, "I need to hire you. My mom is in the hospital, with Alzheimer's, and a host of other medical problems."

Jim nodded knowledgeably, "Emergency power of Attorney and guardianship papers, I can file them today."

Jack pulled out his checkbook but Jim stopped him, "It'll get paid out of your mother's estate. Why aren't Jim or Pat, or even Ivy doing this? They've come around before."

"I was the only one available, and I don't think anyone knew how bad it had gotten. She doesn't recognize me, and thought Daniel was Pat."

"I am so sorry Jack." His friend said softly, "Unfortunately I've done about 300 of these."

Daniel whistled, "That many? This isn't a very populated area, that seems way over the national average."

"Not really, Alzheimer's is the fastest growing threat for the elderly in the United States. One in ten adults over the age of 65 will get it, half of those 85 and over have it. Half, and I mean half of all patients in nursing homes today have it. Rare it is not."

Jack and Daniel exchanged a look, "That's terrible."

Jim shrugged, "So, let me have all of the information you've got, including your brothers and sisters addresses. I'll get Helena to type it up and we'll get it sent in today. Are you going to be at your Mom's house?"

Jack made a face, "Yeah, I guess we'd better get to it."

Jim pulled out his wallet and handed him a card, "Here's a cleaning service. They're very good."

"Thanks Jim. Tell your poor wife that I said hi."

"Tell her yourself. Come for dinner." He looked at Daniel, "And I mean both of you."

Jack shook his head, "We'll see how it goes but I doubt we can do it today."

"Ok, I'll drop by so you can sign everything then I'll take it to court."

Daniel opened the door to the house and looked back at his visibly reluctant friend, "Jack?"

Jack shook himself and met Daniel's eyes, "I'm afraid."

"I know." Daniel said simply. That one sentence gave Jack the courage to go up the rest of the stairs and follow his lover into the house. Daniel began to open all of the curtains, then the windows so that they could air the place out. Jack walked into the kitchen and grabbed a trash bag from under the counter and began to throw all of the rotten food, containers and stuff into it. Daniel checked the bedrooms and then the laundry room, "Jack, I'm going to do laundry."

"Ok Danny." Jack called back, filling the sink with hot soapy water, then he began to fill the dishwasher. After about 4 solid hours of work the men migrated to the swing on the front porch and sat down with some soda that Jack had found in the fridge.

"I feel like I need to be decontaminated." Jack grimaced. Daniel laughed and stretched slightly, "Yeah, it's been awhile since the house has been cleaned."

"From the looks of the basement and the spare bedroom we're going to need a dumpster tomorrow, I'll call and have one delivered. Then we can head down to the barn and see what's in there."

Daniel's head swiveled around, "Barn?"

Jack pointed and past the next two houses, right beside the railroad tracks was an old and battered barn, part of the roof caved in. It was enormous and Daniel couldn't imagine what was inside.

"You had animals?"

Jack laughed, "Yeah, we had chickens, chukars and rabbits. Plus Dad kept his old cars in there."

"Let's go check it out." Daniel said quickly and Jack drained his drink and stood up, "Let me call on the dumpster and then we'll head on down there." He went inside and Daniel went to lean on the porch post, taking in the small town atmosphere. Most of the homes were at least 100 years old, painted all different colors, neatly kept up with the occasional wooden cow in the yard. The occasional CSX train hauling cars or coal went through and the traffic on the streets was pretty light. A sheriff's car pulled up and a handsome man about Jack's age stepped out, "Hi, I'm Mick Michaels." His light eyes were suspicious.

Daniel smiled and went down the steps to shake the mans' hand, "Jack's friend, Daniel Jackson."

"Jack?" The man was surprised, then his eyes went up to the door that opened, "Jack?"

"Hey Mick!" Jack laughed and trotted down the stairs to shake his old friend's hand.

"I called Liam, I'm surprised as all get out that you're here!"

Jack shrugged, "Liam's in China, and neither Pat or Ivy could make it. Thanks for calling though, Mom was in a pretty bad way."

Mick sighed, "She almost died last week, left her car on the tracks and got out, wandering down the tracks looking for a 'baby'. My heart was pounding and I had to call CSX to stop incoming trains for about an hour while I got her home."

Daniel wrapped an arm around Jack and felt his friend lean into him, "I didn't know Mick, you know why."

"Yeah." His eyes went to Daniel, eyebrows raised. "So what are you doing now Jack?"

"I'm a Colonel in the Air Force. Fly planes, deep space telemetry, stuff like that."

His friend grinned, "No, really."

Jack pulled out his i.d. card and the other mans' eyebrows raised, "Holy shit! You did it, you always said that you were gonna fly."

"Yep. Listen, anything I need to know? Big Jim is getting me emergency power of attorney etcetera." He stopped because Mick had began to laugh uncontrollably, "Oh god, I'd forgotten we'd called Jim that!"

The two men grinned at each other as childhood memories washed over them. "No, though you might not want to see Mamie Chambers, she felt the same way as your folks."

"I never liked her anyway so that's no hardship." Another car pulled up and Jim got out, "Big Jim." Mick and Jack chorused.

Jim rolled his eyes and groaned, "Bite me." He brought up the papers and Jack used Daniel's back for the signatures while the men chatted amiably. Jim gestured to the house, "How bad is it?"

"Bad." Jack said shortly and the men were surprised. Jack's mom always had one of the cleanest houses, even with 4 children. With a flourish Jack signed the last paper and Jim checked them out, "Let me run up to the store and make copies then I'll notarize them and you can start to get everything done. Court will probably be on Thursday."

Mick looked at the house, "Let's get lunch, you guys look like you could use a break." Jack looked at Daniel who nodded, "Let us get washed up and we'll meet you at the Burger Barn?"

The sheriff nodded, "10 minutes." He got into his car and drove off. Jim walked uptown and Jack and Daniel went inside to wash up.

"Jack, everyone we've met has been so non-judgmental." He looked at Jack who sighed, "I know, I've been weirded out too."

They sat with Jack's friends, eating their lunches and chatting quietly when Jack sipped his drink and asked, "Ok, so, when did our fair town become so tolerant of gays?"

Mick and Jim exchanged a long look, then Jim nodded, "Go ahead."

Mick took a bracing sip of his drink, "It was in 1987. Two of our boys, Jesse Doyle, son of Peter and Missy Graber, and Ryan Kilpatrick, son of Ryan and Miranda Willet," He paused and looked at Jack to see if he remembered.

Jack nodded, "Pete Doyle was a star track runner a year behind us, Missy a year behind him and Ry was one of our team mates in hockey, Miranda a cheerleader." He explained to Daniel who nodded.

"Well, the two boys were in their junior year, and fell in love." There was silence at the table and Jack sighed, "I'm not gonna like this, am I?"

Jim shook his head, "They told a friend and some of the older folks found out."

Jack closed his eyes, releasing a harsh breath, "Lemme guess, my dad?"

"Yeah, he was among them. As a small town we don't have a full time priest so your dad rounded up the like minded bigoted people and they met at the church. Other people found out and eventually everyone was there, including the boys parents. It was loud and it was ugly, but there was a point that someone, not your dad Jack, but someone else stood and said that the boys should be separated and sent to military school, it would 'beat those feelings right out of them'." Jim paused and Mick patted his back.

"Unfortunately the boys and some other students were listening outside. The next morning they found the boys curled together in Ryan's car, dead from carbon monoxide poisoning. The note read something like, 'you can't separate us now'." Mick wiped an eye, "I was the first on the scene."

"Jesus, Mary and Joseph." Jack sighed, and Daniel closed his eyes in pain.

"There was a joint funeral, students, teachers and townsfolk stood up and talked about the boys. Then Christy Masters stood up."

Jack jerked, "Chris?"

"Yeah."

"Christy was my last girlfriend here, and the only person I told about being gay before I left." Jack said to Daniel who nodded.

Jim laughed, "Oh my god, but she was on fire. She stood and said, 'This can't ever happen again. These were good boys, whose only mistake was falling in love. I don't care what you think but gay or not, these boys needed our support and we failed them. If any of you kids need to talk, come to me anytime, or Jim or Mick,' she looked at us and we all nodded, 'and if your parents can't cope then you can live with one of us, but as God is my witness, what happened to Jack O'Neill, or worse, what happened to Ryan and Jesse will never happen again in this town!'. She moved to sit down, and there was clapping when your dad stood, 'They were sinners!' he said and she moved back to the podium, 'They were our children, and now they're dead because of the bigoted people in this town! I know what you did to Jack, and he left this town, and everyone and everything behind. Ryan and Jesse didn't have that chance, and now they're dead. I can only hope that Jack is happier away from here.' And she went and sat down."

Mick laughed, "That was the best speech. Then the priest got up, 'I have nothing to add but to pray for this community, and the families and friends of these young men.' He gave a dramatic pause and looked right at your dad and said, 'He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone.' Then he told the organist to play."

"Wow!" Jack said, "That must have made my dad happy."

"Your dad was asked to step down from every office he held, and he stopped attending." Mick shrugged, "I don't know if he understood the enormity of what happened or not."

"He was a hard man." Was all that Jack said.

Mick sighed, "So, now you know. By they way, Christy works at the florist, you should stop in and see her."

After the meal Jack walked in silence up the street, Daniel beside him, letting him absorb what had happened so far. At the entrance to the florist Jack walked in, holding the door for Daniel. A pretty woman with short red hair looked up, "Can I help you?" and Jack walked up to her and wrapped her in a bear hug, "You are the best, Christy." He said, his voice rough with emotion.

"Jack?" She gasped and pulled back, then burst into tears and hugged him back. Daniel wiped his own suddenly teary eyes and went to look at some of the fresh flowers so he could get a hold of himself.

Finally Jack pulled back and handed her his handkerchief and she laughed, wiping her eyes and blowing her nose. "Keep it." He said gravely and she giggled and stuck it in her pocket.

"What are you doing here?" she asked in delight.

"Well, Mick called Liam, who called me about my mom."

She made a face, "Oh yeah. I called Ivy but she didn't want to have anything to do with her."

Jack rubbed his face, "She's got Alzheimer's and is in the hospital. I'll probably put her in Ravenwood tomorrow. I'm here to close the house and all that stuff." She gently rubbed his arm, then noticed Daniel.

"Can I help you Sir?"

Jack laughed, "Nah, he's beyond help."

Daniel glared, "I'm with you aren't I?" and Jack nodded, "See, beyond help." He walked over and took Daniel's hand and dragged him over, "Danny, this is Christy. Chris, this is my best friend and lover, Dr. Daniel Jackson."

The woman looked at the handsome man in front of her. He was masculine, gorgeous with those blue eyes and shot all of her assumptions of the gay man that Jack would pick all to hell. "I'm pleased to meet you Daniel. You're a doctor? What do you see in Jack?"

Jack smacked her gently on the head and Daniel smiled, he liked her. "My doctorates are in Linguistics and Archeology. And Jack?" he grinned at his best friend and Jack knew he was about to be had, "As an archeologist I like to work with old things."

"Dannnyyyy!" Jack groaned in protest and Christy laughed 'til tears ran down her face.

"Oh good grief." She finally caught her breath and the phone rang, "Hang on."

Jack wrapped his arms around Daniel and kissed him senseless before letting him go. Christy watched and was breathless as well, that had been one hot kiss. She finished the order on the phone and smiled at the two men, "Listen, I have to work. I'll see you before you leave?"

Jack nodded, "We'll get the whole gang together and pig out."

"It's a date." She said and waved them out. She watched the door pensively for a bit, she still loved the man who'd left her behind. Seeing him again, even with Daniel just reinforced those feelings. He was so handsome, they were both so handsome. The phone rang again and she concentrated on work.

Jack leaned in the barn door and switched on the light. The inside of the barn was a disaster, bags of trash, most ripped apart by cats or raccoons, broken furniture, and old broken down cars. Daniel walked over to the cages that hung on the wall and sighed, "Oh Jack." He felt his lover come up beside him and shake his head. Inside the cages were the skeletal remains of neglected animals. It was a sorry sight.

With an audible sniff Jack turned resolutely away, "I know someone who's interested in the land. I'll call them and let them have it as is." And he walked back out into the sunshine. Daniel took one last look around and followed him.

Back at the house Daniel walked over to the dusty grand piano in the living room, "Do you play Jack?" He eyed the pictures of a young Jack and his siblings.

Jack made a negative grunt, "I took two years of lessons but then dropped them to play Little League."

Daniel nodded and ran his fingers over the keys in a complicated arpeggio. He winced, the piano needed to be tuned. Jack looked at him in surprise, "You play?"

With a self conscious shrug Daniel nodded, "Some, it's been a few years though. It's a lovely piano." He said wistfully.

Jack looked around, they'd finished the kitchen and the laundry room, plus all of the upstairs bedrooms. Now they had to do his parent's room, the living room and dining room. "Yeesh."

Daniel smiled, "Let's tackle the living room." They worked steadily until Jack opened the antique desk and groaned.

"Jack?" Daniel was up like a shot and kneeling beside Jack, "What is it?" Jack picked up the stack of cards, still in envelopes with canceled stamps on them. They were cards from him.

"I sent these over the years. Sometimes they'd come back, sometimes they wouldn't." he opened the top one and saw the note his mother penned at the bottom, 'Dear Jacky, you probably won't see this until I'm dead, but I want you to know that I love you.' And Jack broke down and cried in Daniel's arms.

Jack finally pulled back and went into the bathroom to wash his face and blow his nose. He came back out and sat beside his lover, "I'm just going to put these in a box and take them home. I'm not ready for this yet."

Daniel nodded, "That's a good idea." They scrounged up a box and Jack began to place things inside that he wanted to keep. He found some more boxes and wrote each sibling's name on them and began to sort out the small items in the house. Their grandfather's pocket watch went to his namesake Pat, the old coin collection went to Ivy for her son, the old tractors they played with as kids went to Liam, and on and on it went. After it got dark Jack sat back on his haunches and sighed, "How am I supposed to make decisions like this?"

Daniel pulled off his glasses and his stomach rumbled, "I don't know, let's worry about it tomorrow. Why don't we..." and there was a knock at the door. Daniel jumped to his feet to help Jack up, knowing his lover's knees would've locked up. Jack gave him a grateful smile and opened the front door, switching on the porch light.

"Mrs. Meyers." Jack said respectfully to the ancient old woman with the casserole.

"How are you dear? I heard that your mama was in the hospital and thought I'd bring this over for you boys." Her bright eyes moved curiously to Daniel and Jack smothered a smile, "Danny, this is Mrs. Meyer, my piano teacher. Mrs. Meyer, this is Daniel, who plays the piano a lot better than I do." He took the casserole.

She smiled sweetly, "What a pleasure dear. And Jack, if you had played less baseball you would have been a very good pianist."

Daniel crossed his arms, enjoying his lovers discomfort, "Invite her in Jack. I want to hear about what an incorrigible child you were."

"Oh, he was a good enough boy. Liked his hockey and baseball more that he did the piano." She marched over and planted herself on the couch.

Jack grinned, "So ha!"

Daniel snickered, "This lasagna looks marvelous, do you mind if we heat it up?"

Mrs. Meyers smiled, "Of course dear. I need to be going anyway, my weekly poker game is about to start." She got up and patted Jack on the cheek and walked out the door, "Be good boys."

Daniel laughed and went into the kitchen to heat the lasagna and Jack followed, pressing his body up against Daniel's back, nibbling his ear.

"Ja-ack." Daniel complained, arching slightly into Jack's touch, his actions way belying his complaint.

"Hey, she told me to be good." His tongue stroked down the side of Daniel's neck, followed by a light nip that made Daniel jerk, then moan. The microwave beeped and Jack stepped back, "Ah, saved by the lasagna!"

"Bastard." Daniel grumbled good-naturedly, then served them up on some paper plates he'd unearthed. They ate in front of the t.v. in the living room, then snuggled on the couch, mindlessly watching CNN. After a bit Jack sighed, "Let's go back to the hotel, 'kay?"

"All right love." Daniel agreed.

The next morning Jack got up early and went for a run. He absently catalogued all of the differences that his old town had made, hotels, new high school and elementary schools, nursing home, library. As he started back he slowed down by the nursing home. It was called Happy Acres. Ewww. 'Like out to pasture?' He wondered. Giving into his curiosity he walked in and looked around in dismay. There were old people in wheelchairs, the smell of urine in the air, and not a staff person to be found. He quickly backed out and started to run again. He was driving over to Ravenwood, he wanted to make sure that it wasn't like Happy Acres in any way, shape or form. Please god.

Daniel jerked around as the motel door burst open, "Jack?"

"Boy, Ravenwood better be a good place because I'll bring mom back to the Springs instead." He barked, tearing off his clothes and flinging them to the floor. He stood there in the nude, his strong body gleaming with health and sweat and Daniel's cock jumped to attention.

"What's the matter Jack?" he asked after swallowing his lust so he could listen to Jack.

Jack rummaged through his suitcase, oblivious to Daniel for the moment. "I stopped in to see a nursing home on the route of my run. It smelled like the Iraqi prison in there!" his tone was indignant. He looked up at his friend and noticed that Daniel was staring, his eyes dilated. He grinned, "Daniel?"

Daniel swallowed, "I'm about to jump your bones. I hope that's ok." He asked politely. Then he pounced. His arms pinning Jack's as he captured the other man's mouth in a heated, wet kiss. Jack struggled for a half second before falling into the kiss, a broken moan coming from him. Daniel deepened the kiss, his hands letting got of Jack's arms and moving down to cup his erection, feeling it jerk, "Love ya Jack." They made love, fast and furious, lying on the bed afterwards, gasping like landed fish.

"God." Jack gasped out, slapping his naked lover on the butt, making him jump.

"S'tp it." Came the muffled protest.

Jack laughed and looked at his watch, "I have to be in court in an hour." Daniel flopped over onto his back, then rolled over halfway to drape himself onto Jack, "I'll go to the house and keep working, 'kay?"

Running a hand down Daniel's spine, Jack nodded, "Ok." He lay there for a moment, "Thanks for coming with me."

"My pleasure." Daniel purred and Jack chuckled, "To Blackforest you pervert, though the sex was nice too."

"Nice? Only nice?" Daniel's word of mock outrage made Jack pin his lover to the bed, "Very nice? Spectacular? Earth shattering, wait I know, 'fucking awesome'?"

Daniel's blue eyes shone with laughter, "Fucking awesome will be acceptable."

"Only a linguist." Jack said with affection.

Jack walked to the courthouse and Daniel drove back to the house, letting himself in. It definitely smelled better, and looked neater too. He looked around and decided to write down the items that were in each room, then he and Jack could sit down and figure out what to do next. A knock at the door made him look up and he walked over and opened it. An elderly woman with carefully dyed blond hair looked at him in confusion, "I'm sorry dear, do I know you?"

Daniel smiled, "No, I'm Jack's friend, Daniel."

The woman smiled excitedly, "Jack's here?"

"No ma'am, he's at the courthouse, but he'll be back soon."

She looked up at him, sizing him up carefully before nodding, "I'm his Aunt Grace. Can I come in?"

"Oh, of course, please." He stepped aside and decided she must have been a Queen in a previous life, she held herself like royalty.

She looked around, "My, it looks much better in here. You boys have done a nice job. I guess Jack didn't think to call me about his mother?" Her voice was sharp.

Daniel felt like he was 6, "I'm sorry Ma'am, we've only been here for two days, this had been a little rough for Jack."

Her eyes softened, "I'll bet it has." She noticed the notebook in his hands, "Making an inventory dear?"

"Yes Ma'am." He said respectfully.

"Call me Grace dear." She commanded. She took the list, "Very nice handwriting." She pointed to an item, "This was built by our Grandfather O'Malley. He learned wood working from his father, and their father before him in Ireland." He listened in fascination as she detailed the history of a lot of the antiques that had been passed down in the O'Neill and O'Malley families. She in turn was tickled by the intelligence of Jack's young man, and found that she really liked him, despite what his sexual orientation might be.

Jack let Jim drive him to Ravenwood after Jack had told him about Happy Acres. "I know Jack, they're trying to get more Medicaid funding but until they do they can't hire good people. Without good people they can't get back up to standards and can't get Medicaid funding.." He stopped when Jack held up a hand, "Aht! I get it." They toured Ravenwood and Jack signed all of the papers before having Jim drop him off at the house.

"How about we get together tomorrow night?" Jim asked, eyeing the half full dumpster in the front yard.

"That'd be great. If you could call everyone?" Jack asked and the other man nodded. "You betcha."

Jack trotted up the steps and opened the door, "Danny?"

"Upstairs Jack." Came Daniel's voice.

He went up the steps and heard a voice, "Ok Daniel, this bed is just a Danish modern, no sentimental value whatsoever."

"Got it." Came Daniel's distracted voice. Jack walked into his old bedroom and was surprised, "Aunt Grace?"

The woman turned and smiled, "Jacky!" and they hugged each other. "You look just like Grandfather Patrick, such a distinguished man."

Jack grinned, "How are Gracey?"

"I'm doing very well thank you. Though I didn't appreciate Justine Meyers telling me you were back in town while I was playing poker."

With a grimace he hugged her again, "I didn't know if you wanted to see me." He said truthfully.

"Oh Jacky. Surely you knew me better than that?" She asked reproachfully, her dark eyes looking up at him.

"Come on Gracey, give a kid a break. I was 19 and my parents kicked me out of their lives. I wasn't exactly thinking straight."

She looked at him for a moment, "Very well, you're forgiven."

Jack looked at Daniel, "Hey."

"Hey back, how was court and the nursing home?" Daniel asked. He put down the notebook and walked over to give Jack a hug, then a gentle kiss.

"Mm. Thank you, court was fine, and Ravenwood is a lot better than Happy Acres."

He shuddered, and his Aunt snorted, "They're going to close that hellhole, don't you worry."

"So, whatcha doin' up here?" Jack asked, sliding his hands into his pockets as he looked around.

Daniel held up the notebook, "I was doing a inventory and your Aunt was telling me the history of the furniture here. That way you can tell Ivy and your brothers and you all can decide what you want."

Jack looked at Daniel with love in his eyes, "And that's why they pay ya' the big bucks."

His lover blushed, "It seemed like a good idea at the time."

"It was, I'm glad you thought of it, the whole thing was about to overwhelm me." Jack said sincerely. The three of them worked together and made a comprehensive list, then Jack called a moving truck and arranged for storage. While Daniel was upstairs Jack arranged for the piano to be sent to Colorado to his house as a surprise for his lover. He dialed the phone again.

"Major Carter speaking."

"Carter."

"Sir, how are you? How's your mother?"

"I'm hangin' in there, but my Mom has Alzheimer's."

"Oh, I'm so sorry Sir."

"Well, whatcha gonna do." He replied, then sighed, "Can you do me a favor?"

"Anything Sir."

"I'm having a grand piano delivered to the house on Friday. Can you arrange it somewhere in the living room and get it tuned? It's for Danny. "

"Yes Sir, piece of cake."

"Thanks Carter."

"How's Daniel?"

Jack laughed, "He's upstairs listening to stories of what a wild child I was."

"Excellent, then he and I will have a lot's of blackmail material, won't we?" Sam teased and laughed as her CO growled at her.

"We'll be back next Monday, let Hammond know would ya'? And tell Teal'c we said hi."

"Yes Sir. See you Monday." And they hung up.

"Was that Sam?" Daniel asked as he came down the stairs.

"Um yeah, I was filling her in on when we get home."

Daniel's luscious mouth pouted, "I wanted to talk to her."

"So call her." Jack grinned.

The week passed too quickly, but they finally got everything that was going to be kept into storage, then Jack and Daniel dropped off everything else off to Goodwill. They had the house cleaned thoroughly from top to bottom, fixed what needed fixing and put the old house on the market.

Jack and Daniel visited Jack's mom in the nursing home several times. She was still in bed and drugged to keep her calm until her infection was cleared from her blood stream. The last time Jack walked outside and sighed mightily. Daniel wrapped a comforting arm around his shoulder and they stood like that, watching the daffodils sway in the light breeze.

That Friday they drove over to Jim Weston's house, Jack surprised by the amount of cars that were parked all over the place. They got out and walked up to the house and knocked. The door was flung open and there was a young girl, about 4 with blond pigtails.

"Yeth?" she asked, grinning and showing that both of her front teeth were missing.

The two men smirked at each other, then Jack knelt until he was face to face with her, "Hey munchkin, can you tell your Dad that Jack and Daniel are here?"

She turned, "Daddy!" she shrieked and Jack had to shake his head to clear the ringing out of his ears.

"Wow, you've a got a voice on you." He said admiringly and she nodded, "That's what my Daddy said." Big Jim came up and swept up the little girl, "Hey, watcha doin'?" he growled, giving her tummy a zerbert before he let the giggling girl go.

"Welcome, welcome!" he said exuberantly and dragged them into the house. Jack was inundated with exclamations and hugs from the people he went to high school with. He introduced Daniel around, then sat back and tried to get caught up with the group. Ryan Kilpatrick and his wife Miranda showed up and Jack stood to say hi. Ryan wrapped Jack in a hug, and then Jack wrapped Miranda in one.

"I was so sorry to hear about Ryan." He said sincerely. He wiped some tears from Miranda's face and she laughed self consciously, "Hey, I still cry when I think of my son, don't sweat it." He said seriously, forgetting that they never knew he'd gotten married nor had a son.

"You have a son?" She asked and Jack shuddered a sigh, "I did. He died when he was 10, his name was Charlie."

The three of them stood and talked softly until Jack looked around for Daniel, "There's someone I want you to meet." Jack said, then when he found his lover beckoned him over.

Daniel smiled and unfolded himself from the chair he was in and walked over to say hello.

"Ry, Amanda, this is the love of my life, Dr. Daniel Jackson. Daniel, this is Ryan and Miranda Kilpatrick."

Daniel nodded, "We were so sorry to hear about your son." He said and the couple nodded.

"So what kind of Doctor are you?" Ryan asked curiously.

Jack grinned, "He's a double doctor, Archeology and Linguistics, plus a master's in Anthropology."

Daniel rolled his eyes, "Thank you for answering the question Jack."

Miranda laughed, "I understand that you're in the Air Force Jack?"

Now Daniel pounced, "Yes, he can fly any type of fighter aircraft, and has his own degrees in Military History and Astronomy."

Jack's friends turned to him with knowing smiles, "Not the dumb jock are you Jack?" Ryan said and Daniel laughed, "Don't tell me that Jack used to pull that 'I'm dumber than a box of rocks, please underestimate me' crap here too?"

Ryan laughed, "Yeah, and it was believable until at the end of the school year and he'd end up with straight A's."

"Hey, why stop using something if it continues to work?" Jack asked, then laughed as Daniel shoved him gently with his shoulder.

The night was relaxing and fun, though both Jack and Daniel were aware that people watched to see if they would act 'gay'. Afterwards they walked back to their car and Jack stopped and looked up at the stars, "I'm kinda glad I left here Danny." He looked at his friend, "I wouldn't have met you."

A gentle smile graced Daniel's face, "I would have found you Jack. Somehow."

The next day Jack and Daniel were in the nursing home, sitting with Jack's Mom, when she opened her eyes.

"Hey Mom, just wanted to see you before we head back." Jack said, taking her hand gently. Her eyes were alert and she smiled, "You have a safe trip Jack."

Jack looked at her in shock, "I will Mom."

She nodded and looked over at Daniel, "Take care of him for me." And her eyes closed and she fell asleep.

Daniel looked at Jack in surprise, "She knew you."

And a delighted smile crossed Jack's face, "She knew me!"

The flight back was a different as night from day for the men. Jack regaled Daniel with stories of his childhood and Daniel listened in contentment. Later they pulled into their driveway and got out of the car, both men stretching wearily. It was just sunset, and Pike's Peak was glowing red in the waning light. One of Jack's neighbors called out hello as they walked by with their dog and they both waved.

Jack walked up, unlocked the door and turned on the light inside, smiling as he saw the piano in the far corner by the window, all polished and gleaming. Sam had done an excellent job. He turned so that he could see Daniel when he walked inside.

"I know my shoes were in the bag but I..." then Daniel trailed off as he took in the grand piano that was now in the room. His face lit up, and he smiled, "Jack, how did you do this?" He walked over and ran a finger over the shiny top that was up slightly.

Jack buffed his nails on his imaginary lapel, "I am a United States Colonel Danny. Without the government interference I can actually get things done if I put my mind to it." He watched his lover move to the piano and open the cover to the keys gently. He played a scale and the piano sounded perfect. "Thank you Jack."

The Colonel left the bags at the door and went to sit down in his favorite chair, "Don't make a liar out of me to Mrs. Meyers, play me something?"

Daniel shook his head, then pulled out the piano bench and sat down. He stared at the keys for a moment, then with a shy smile he began to play Aaron Copeland's 'Appalachian Spring'.

With deep satisfaction Jack listened to the man that he loved as he played the piano beautifully. It did something to Jack, made him see another part of Daniel that opened up his heart a little more. As the song finished, the sound vibrated into the air and Daniel put his hands down oh his lap. He looked over at Jack, his eyes glowing, "How is it that you know me so well?"

"You're in my heart."

Jack and Daniel would periodically call the nursing home and check on Jack's mom. Once Jack's siblings got over their shock about the Alzheimer's they'd visit their mom since they all lived closer. The flurry of phone calls between the siblings as they struggled to understand the disease brought the four of them closer together, along with promises for the four of them, and their families to get together sometime during the summer.

It was after a series of rough missions that they got the dreaded phone call. Jack was still on base finishing up mission reports. Daniel had just poured himself some coffee and was about to work on a translation when the phone rang.

"Dr. Jackson."

"Daniel, it's Marcie."

"Oh shit." Daniel said and she sighed, "She passed away 15 minutes ago. It was complications from the infection that she had."

"I'll let Jack know."

"Do you know if he planned anything for the funeral?"

Daniel shook his head, "I don't think so. I'll call Jim Weston and see if he knows anything."

"Do you want me to?" she asked.

"No, that's all right. Thanks for the call Marcie, I guess we'll see you soon."

"Good night Daniel."

Daniel went over to Jack's desk and pulled out the small brown address book and began to make phone calls. He had just finished talking to Sam when Jack came it, his weariness very noticeable.

"Hey." He said and he put his arms around his lover. Jack relaxed and buried his nose into Daniel's neck, his arms tightly around him. They stood that way for a while until Jack noticed the tense set of Daniel's shoulders. His head came up and he cocked his head, "Daniel?"

Daniel met his eyes, "Your mom passed away about an hour ago."

"Ah geez." His head went back down to Daniel's shoulder. Daniel rubbed his back, holding him, reassuring him silently.

~~~

They were back in Blackforest, Jack in his uniform, sunglasses in place while Daniel was in his tailored black suit with a french blue shirt, and tie. Beside them were all of Jack's family, his brother Liam and his wife, his brother Patrick, his wife and 4 teenager daughters, and Ivy with her college aged son. The ceremony was thankfully brief and the graveside service the same.

Afterwards Jack stood and stared at the joint stone that had his parents names already carved on it. He was aware of Daniel's reassuring presence and was grateful.

He slid off his sunglasses, standing at attention without realizing, "Well Mom, Dad. What you did was wrong, but if you hadn't been so narrow minded I might never have met Daniel. So for that, I'm grateful." And he turned to gaze at the man he loved, the man who returned his gaze with such naked love.

"Let's go home Jack."

"Yeahsureyabetcha."

The End.