The Sailor And The Archeologist 5

by Belladonna

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asb/belladonna/sailor05.php
Summary: Daniel is in trouble, can Jack find him in time?

Ara, beloved wife of Mustafa, was a great admirer of Queen Noor of Jordan. The American born queen had improved the lives of the women of Jordan greatly, implementing educational and medical advances so that the woman in Jordan were among the healthiest and most educated in the Arab world. Ara's goal in life had been to be a good wife, a good mother, but with Mustafa's death her goal had changed. She decided to change the world her way.

As she moved away from the tent and went to feed the men she thought again of how her life had changed, from pampered daughter, to wife, to assassin. She'd infiltrated the Al-Qaeda camp months ago; it was her third such camp. It wasn't without danger; she'd been raped four times, but felt the cost was worth her goal, her personal fatwa against the terrorists that had cost her beloved Mustafa.

Her last camp had been disbanded because the men kept dying mysteriously. She smiled slyly to herself, she had poisoned some, put a poisonous adder in the bed of one of the men who had raped her, a scorpion in the shoes of another. After a while the rumors of a curse on the camp, started by her over the evening meal, made men start to disappear. She'd followed some of the men to this camp and was quietly and systematically destroying this one from the inside as well. No one suspected her, for she was a lowly woman.

Her thoughts returned to Dan'yel. She had been terribly surprised to see him in the camp, but had vowed that if her husband could save him, then she could do no less. Her daughter was safe in Sweden, her parents would raise her if she didn't go back. All was well.

~~~

The four men, Jack, his old Seal friend Snake and two British SAS guys he'd known in his past landed in Morocco. They paid the usual bribes and got their ordinance past customs and into their waiting rental vehicles. Jack pulled out the map and pushed his sunglasses onto his head and eyed Ian, "What do you think?"

"This is your three ring circus mate, we do whatever you need." Ian's green eyes twinkled and Jack laughed.

"Ok, we'll make camp at this site." Jack pointed, "Then we do some recon and see what we can see."

"You got it."

~~~

Ara fed the men and heard them speak about a group of Americans that had driven into the area and made camp. There was speculation on what they wanted, but strangely enough no one connected them with their hostage. No one but Ara.

Daniel had been beaten again, not too severely, just enough to make his ribs and his head ache. The woman came inside the tent again and bathed his face, gave him some water. Then she held up a cell phone. Daniel sucked in a breath and she whispered, "Call?"

He shook his head no, "Text?" He whispered even more quietly, a thin whisper of sound so that no one passing by would hear them.

She nodded and moved closer, "Number."

Daniel thought quickly and gave her Jack's number, then the message 'Jk stl hr R u? Dn.' and she sent it. Daniel's nerves were twanging, sure that at any minute they'd be caught and executed. Her head turned to him, her eyes covered by the mesh that proved she was a virtuous Muslim woman, "Be easy, they are at weapons training." She spoke quietly.

Jack's phone rang and he looked at it, then stared at the message. "It's from Daniel!"

Ian glanced over at him in surprise, "What?"

Shaking his head Jack sent a message in reply, 'Dnl, I hr. Whr r u? Jk.'
"Shit, I was never good at text messaging." He complained, then sent it off.

The woman sat quietly beside Daniel, who was still tied to the chair, when the phone vibrated quietly. She held up the message to Daniel, who smiled. "He's here."

"Who?" She asked quietly.

"He's my best friend, I met him 3 years ago."

Ara nodded and took the phone back and entered map coordinates for the camp then sent if off. She stood, took the phone and hid it inside her burkha, briskly shook out the sand out of her skirts and left the tent. Daniel wriggled slightly, got more comfortable and settled down to wait. He now had hope.

Jack smiled, "I have a set of coordinates."

"It could be a trap." Ian replied, keeping his eyes on the dusty track that was their road.

"My instincts say go on this." Jack said quietly.

Ian looked over at his friend, eyes hidden by sunglasses, "He's more than just a friend, isn't he?"

There was a soft laugh, almost lost in the noise of the jeep's motor. "He's my forever."

It was full dark and Daniel was asleep when the woman burst back into the tent, an Ak-47 held at the ready in her arms. She grimly faced the tent flap and suddenly there was the sound a barking dog and of automatic weapons fire. Daniel shook himself awake, heart pounding and said, "Untie me!"

The woman hesitated, then hurried behind him and lay the gun on the ground, then used a knife and cut the ropes. There was yelling and she grabbed the weapon again, staying in a kneeling position while Daniel rubbed his legs to get circulation back. One of the men burst in and the woman cut him down with the rifle, the sound in the enclosed tent making his head pound.

Jack and the others had quietly taken out the sentries, but they hadn't counted on a yappy dog. It had started barking and the men had began to roll out of their tents, and Jack and his team, full night gear on, began to pick them off as quickly as they could. Ian pointed out a tent where no one had come out of and Jack nodded. They fought their way closer, when one of the terrorists used his weapon and began to shoot the shit out of the tent. The man was quickly shot down but now Jack was filled with fear.

The sound of weapons fire hitting the tent impelled Ara to throw herself on Dan'yel, ignoring his protests as the bullets whizzed over their heads.

Daniel tried to move the woman off, fighting the voluminous material when the weapons fire ceased. He heard a frantic 'Danny!' and he grinned. He rolled the woman off and shouted, "Jack! In here!"

Jack shouted "Danny!" trotting towards the tent when he heard his lover answer. He moved around to the entrance and shoved the flap aside. There he saw Daniel, with a woman he was trying to help.

"There you are." Jack said and Daniel looked up, "She helped me, but I think she's wounded." Jack nodded and took the woman's veil off of her, making Daniel moan, "Ara, no."

The woman's eyes fluttered open and upon seeing Jack and Daniel her smile rivaled the dawn, "You are safe now Dan'yel."

"Ara, why, what are you doing here?" Daniel asked brokenly, tears streaming down his face.

"I have declared a fatwa against Al-Qaeda." She swallowed and her eyes went a little hazy, "Praise be to Allah, I have won." And she went limp, the light dying out in her eyes.

Ian stepped into the tent, "Yo Jacko, we need to move out."

Jack nodded, "We're taking her body. Gather everyone up, leave nothing behind."

"Already on it." And Ian disappeared.

Daniel stood shakily and tried to lift the woman in his arms but was too weak. Jack moved him gently aside but not before giving him a harsh kiss, then he lifted the limp weight up with a grunt and headed out, "Come on Danny, let's go home." He gripped Daniel's hand in his, his dark eyes saying everything and Daniel nodded wearily.

Ara's body was buried according to Islamic custom beside her husband's in Alexandria, Daniel and Jack the only ones at the funeral. Jack's team had left to continue their 'vacations'. They'd talked to an agent with the Moroccan secret police and he had spoken of the Al-Qaeda camps that had been thriving one month, then abandoned the next, leaving only dead bodies behind. They figured that Ara must have been fighting them from the inside, and winning.

~~~

In their hotel that night Daniel was the aggressor, making passionate love to Jack, taking total control. Jack was patient and let him, it was actually kinda hot and it was life affirming for Daniel. He was free and in Jack's arms again. As Jack lay in Daniel's arms he heard and felt his lover jerk, then a low sob. He moved slightly and looked up to see Daniel's eyes closed tightly, tears beginning to seep from under his eyes.

"Oh babe." Jack whispered and crawled up to wrap his beloved up in his own arms, letting the younger man cry out his pain and guilt. He held Daniel through the tears, until he went limp in his arms and drifted into a fretful sleep. Rubbing his rough cheek against the silky hair Jack tightened his arms and thanked God that Daniel was alive.

~~~

Jack and Daniel then headed to Kuwait, Daniel to talk to the King, and to organize the advance team of his next dig in the country and Jack to share everything that he and his team had found on Al-Qaeda with the American Military Command. It was an unexpected windfall for the command, and the General called Jack into his office to 'chat'.

"So Admiral," the General began, "What were you doing over in our neck of the woods?"

Jack grinned, "Well General, it's like this. I have some leave to blow, gonna retire in a few months and had the itch to see Morocco."

"Uh huh. And you just happened to stumble across an Al-Qaeda camp in the middle of the desert." The disbelief was plain in his voice.

"You bet." Jack said with a sunny smile.

"And it has nothing to do with that rescued archeologist, what was his name?" The General looked up thoughtfully, "Oh yes, the renowned Dr. Daniel Jackson. The man that I received about 600 hundred phone calls for."

"Just lucky co-incidence."

The General snorted, "We're grateful for the intel Admiral. Have a nice vacation and don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out."

Jack laughed, "Nice meeting you General. You have a fine day." And with a cocky wave left the command center.

Daniel finished his meeting with the King. He thanked the monarch for his willingness to pay any ransom, but the King was grateful that Daniel was all right.

"It's like this Dr. Jackson. You have the full confidence of our leading scholars. They know you are no graverobber, but a principled man and that you know and revere our history and customs." The King smiled, "It is not often we have a Westerner, even one born in Egypt who honestly cares. We tend to take care of them when we find them."

Daniel laughed, "My parents taught me well your Highness." He said sincerely. A motion from the door made the King look up, "Yes?"

"There is an Admiral O'Neill for Dr. Jackson."

The King waved and the man nodded and stepped back, letting Jack in. Jack slid his sunglasses off and surveyed Daniel before looking at the King. He bowed his head and spoke, "Your Highness. I was just going to pick up Daniel, I didn't expect to see you as well."

"I am pleased to finally meet you Admiral. Come, sit." He commanded and Jack walked to the chair he indicated and sat down. The King and Jack chatted quietly for a moment about mutual acquaintances, then Jack looked at Daniel, eyebrow raised. "Hey Danny."

Daniel grinned, he liked seeing his lover so diplomatic. "Hey Jack. How did the General seem?"

Jack smiled back, "He seemed like he was grateful, then he kicked me out. You know, landlubbers don't like us sailors treading on their turf."

The King laughed, "As it has been since the beginning of history." He stood and the men stood as well, "Thank you your Highness. I expect to be in country in January." He looked back at Jack, "Jack will join me as soon as he retires."

Looking between the two men curiously, the King nodded. His security had long ago informed him of Daniel's sexual preferences. It wasn't a problem as long as the archeologist didn't flaunt it, and he never did. "We'll look forward to seeing you Admiral." Was all he said.

Jack blinked in surprise, then nodded, "I'm looking for to it your Highness."

At the airport Daniel gazed solemnly at Jack, "I won't see you before you retire." His hands itched to take Jack's, but in a public place like the busy airport someone might see them.

"You know that April 28th is the day." Jack replied.

With a wide smile Daniel nodded, "Together forever." The flight was announced and before Jack broke down and hugged the stuffing out of Daniel, he nodded sharply, picked up his bag and walked to the gate. He could feel Daniel's gaze on him and after he passed through the security gate he turned his head back, and saw Daniel mouth 'I love you'. He smiled and left on the airplane with a light heart.

~~~

Daniel straightened his tie nervously, then knocked on the door of the little house on the side street in Malmö, Sweden. He'd been courteously treated in the predominantly Arabic neighborhood, his fluency in the language making it easier to find out where Ara's parents lived. The door opened and an older woman looked at him, "Yes?"

About to speak he was interrupted by an excited squeal, "Dan'yel!" And he found his arms full of a tall, beautiful 17-year-old.

"Farah." He said fondly and hugged her before holding her at arm length, "You have grown so beautiful."

She grinned and turned to her grandmother, "Nana, this is Dr. Daniel Jackson, he's a friend of the King of Kuwait!" she turned back, "Did you see Omma? (mother)"

He squirmed a little underneath the older woman's intense regard, "Ara spoke well of you Dr. Jackson, you are welcome into our home."

Abruptly remembering why he was there he stepped inside and shut the door, "Is your husband home?" He asked and knew that his face had given it away. She shook her head, her eyes dark with sorrow, "He won't be back for an hour. Come, I will serve you some tea." She led him into the small dining room and had him sit, then turned to her granddaughter, "Do not pester him with questions, tell him about your schoolwork." And she walked into the kitchen to shed some private tears.

Farah was enthusiastically bending his ear when her grandfather came home. The elderly professor of Muslim studies eyed the young man curiously, then held up his hand to stop the babbling flow from his granddaughter, "Be still Farah, I cannot hear!" his words were stern but his eyes twinkled and Daniel liked him immediately.

"I'm Dr. Daniel Jackson, I was, am," he paused, "was," he corrected, "a friend of your daughter and son in law."

The old man bowed his head for a moment then sighed, "Let us sit and you can tell us all of it."

Farah was confused, she realized that something was terribly wrong. They all sat around the table, quietly sipping tea and Daniel sighed, "I'm sorry to tell you this, but Ara has died."

The younger girl began to cry and Daniel felt terrible. "She was buried next to Mustafa according to Islamic law."

"Can you tell us what happened?" Ara's mother asked quietly.

Daniel winced, "She declared a personal fatwa on Al-Qaeda."

"What?" Her parents exclaimed.

"She blamed them for the loss of Mustafa. According to the Moroccan secret police she was responsible for bringing down three camps before she died."

Farah's eyes shone, "She was a hero, like father when he saved you!"

Daniel nodded, was about to speak and warn her when her grandfather took one of her hands, "You must not speak of this to anyone Farah. For your safety and ours, do you understand?" His voice was firm.

"No, I don't understand." She protested.

Daniel spoke, "Farah, Al-Qaeda has supporters everywhere. They get their money from people that you think are friends and neighbors. Telling anyone about your mother would lead to your death, or maybe your grandparents deaths." He grimaced, "I have your father's death on my hands, believe me, you do not want that burden."

Farah pulled away from her grandfather and went to Daniel, "I do not blame you for papa's death. Mama explained it all to me."

Daniel smiled, "Thank you Farah, but do you understand why you can't tell anyone?"

She sighed, "I hear things. I know not everyone likes American's." she looked into Daniel's eyes, "I will not betray Omma." She tapped her heart, "But I will know what she has done and will be proud of her always."

Daniel kissed her cheek, "Your parents will watch over you from the stars Farah. Make them proud."

~~~

Jack had sold his apartment, he was living in his office. All of his stuff was already up at the house at Little Deer Isle, Maine and all he was doing was playing the 'Short-timer' game. He looked up with a smile as Carter bustled into his office.

"Carter?" Something was wrong, his young friend was white faced and agitated.

"Sir, I have bad news." Jack stood, visions of Daniel swirling through his head. "Go ahead, give it to me." He said harshly.

"I'm sorry sir. The President was just assassinated."

Not what he was expecting, nonetheless he was struck dumb and collapsed back into his chair. "What happened?" Carter went over to the t.v. and turned it on, and there it was, live in and in color. A white supremacist had gotten past the Secret Service and one bullet to the head had ended the first black American Presidency.

"Oh god, Sissy." Jack whispered and grabbed for his phone. "Yes this is Admiral Jack O'Neill. Please tell Mrs. Jackson that I called and if she needs me to call anytime, day or night. Yes, we're old friends, I went to Annapolis with the President. Yes, that's right. Two l's." Jack listened for a moment, gave his cell phone number, then hung up.

"Sir, are you ok?" Jack started in surprise, then looked up at the younger man, "No, I'm not all right at all." The phone rang and Jack jumped then grabbed it before Carter could answer it. "O'Neill."

"Admiral, this is Jack Ryan."

Jack sighed, "Hello Sir. What a sucky day."

In his own office Jack Ryan looked out the window, "You could say that. Listen, Cathy and I are going to see Sissy. How about we pick you up on the way."

"Yes Sir. I'm at my office in Masterman Hall. I'll be waiting out front."

"We'll be there in 40 minutes." And the former President hung up the phone.

Cecelia Jackson was sitting in a private waiting room at the hospital, her world shattered around her. Her Secret Service agents were outside, after she had screamed at them to let her be alone with her grief. A noise made her look up and her chief agent stepped inside, "Ma'am, President and Mrs. Ryan and Admiral O'Neill are here." When she nodded he let them in.

"Oh Sissy." Cathy said and wrapped her arms around her friend. Sissy stiffened for a moment, then looked at the two Jacks and saw the genuine loss in their own eyes, and broke down for the first time since her husband had died.

Both men winced as the woman began to sob heartbrokenly. Cathy was crooning nonsense, rocking her friend slightly, just letting her cry it out. Jack cocked his head at the former President and they both walked out into the hall to give Sissy her privacy. The former President's own agents were there, speaking quietly to their fellow agents.

"I saw that they caught the guy right away?" Jack asked and there were several bobbing heads. Ryan rubbed his eyes, "Thousands of witnesses, they guy will probably get the chair."

"Too good for him." Jack mumbled back, sliding his hands into his pockets. His phone chose to ring at that moment and he answered, "O'Neill."

"Jack, god, I just heard. I am so sorry." Came Daniel's voice.

"Hi Danny. Thanks for calling." Jack replied, his feelings for this wonderful sensitive man growing stronger all of the time.

"How is Cecelia?"

"About as well as you might expect." Jack looked back at the door where he could hear her dwindling sobs.

"Tell her that if she needs anything to call me, and that I'm thinking about her."

Jack smiled, "Thanks Daniel. Listen, this is costing you a fortune and I need to check on her."

"Love ya Jack."

"Same goes." He hung the phone up, a thoughtful look on his face.

Jack Ryan looked at him, "Everything all right?"

"Oh yeah, my best friend is on a dig in Kuwait and just heard. He knew that Rob and I were friends, he'd met Sissy and him at the Inaugural Ball and wanted to let her know that he was thinking about her."

"That was nice." Came a voice and he saw Cathy Ryan standing in the doorway, her arm around Sissy.

"Was that Daniel?" Sissy asked and Jack smiled, "Yeah, your cousin wanted to let you know that he was thinking about you." He walked up to her and wrapped her in a bear hug, feeling Cathy step away. He stood there, feeling Sissy's desperate arms around him and just let her hold onto him. After a few minutes, they both pulled back and she gently wiped the tears off of his cheek, "I'm glad you're here Jack."

"As if I'd be anywhere else."

He stayed with Sissy for the entire ordeal, along with the Ryan's, including their kids. The Secret Service agents were grateful; Jack kept the First Lady on an even keel, even making her laugh over the good memories that he'd had with the President.

The funeral was hard but Jack stayed with her, a striking figure in his dress whites against her somber black dress. He even spoke a few words about his friend, nothing he remembered but he'd gotten a gentle hand squeeze from Sissy and a smile from the Ryan's so he guessed he didn't embarrass himself.

At Arlington Cemetery he'd realized that Sissy was close to collapse and he and Cathy stood on each side of her as the 21 guns salute was fired, then as the honor guard folded the American flag and handed it to her. Her eyes had met the young Navy officer's, Jack had a jolt, it was his aide LCDR Carter. Sissy smiled tremulously, said thank you, and fainted. He and Marc quickly grabbed her and sat her back onto the chair while Cathy had pulled something out of her purse and waved it under her nose, making her jolt awake.

"Cath?"

"You're ok Sissy, you passed out for a minute." Jack said, holding onto her trembling hand, not realizing that his was shaking as well. He nodded gratefully at Marc who moved back into his position and the Secret Service settled back into their places as well.

"Well I'm embarrassed." She said in a whisper. Jack leaned down, "I told you, you shoulda eaten the damn bacon." Sissy shot him a smile, then let him and Cathy help her stand so she could greet the mourners. She didn't want to leave until the casket was lowered, so Jack, Jack Ryan and the Secret Agents stayed and watched as the cemetery workers moved the flowers and began the machine that would lower the casket into it's final resting place. With a final heavy sigh, she clutched the flag to her for a moment, then looked up at Jack, "What now?"

"You can stay with me." He said then grimaced, "Well shit, I'm living in my office. I forgot."

At his profanity Sissy laughed, then started to cry, not sobs, just tears running down her face. Jack cupped her pretty face, using his thumbs to wipe away some of the tears, "I will do anything for you, what do you want?"

Jack Ryan was impressed in spite of himself, he and Cathy loved Sissy as well, but the depth of devotion that Jack O'Neill showed had really helped Sissy though this terrible time and they were grateful to the man.

Sissy smiled, "I want you to retire and be with Danny and be happy Jack."

He snorted a laugh and pulled her into a quick hug, then shook his head, "Shut up Sissy. Only a coupla months more and I'll be doing all of that and more. Want to come with?" he asked and she laughed again and shook her head, "Not bloody likely, me and sand do not mix."

Jack Ryan laughed outright at this, he remembered a dark and stormy night where she, a Prince, terrorists and sand had mixed it up. "Stay with us Sis, Cathy and the gang would love to have you." He smiled, "We have a grand piano." He wheedled and the other Jack laughed softly. "Do it Sissy, it'll put my mind at rest," he paused, "and Rob would want it too."

"Bastard. Bringing out the big guns." She said fondly and nodded over at the former President, "Ok, I'll do it, thank you."

Jack laughed, he couldn't believe the party they'd thrown for him. He looked at the plaque in the box on his desk and laughed again. The middies were terrific kids and he could see them doing great things in the Navy and Marine Corp. He sighed and looked around at the paneled office walls. He'd thought he'd miss this, but knowing that Danny was waiting for him? No way.

His aide smiled at his boss from the doorway. He recognized the look on the older man's face, he was thinking of Dr. Jackson. "Sir?"

Jack's eyes napped into focus, "Hey Carter. S'up?"

"I'm about to ship out Sir. Wanted to say good by and good luck." Marc stepped forward and extended his hand, and was surprised to be caught into a bearhug, "You've been the best damn aide an Admiral could ask for." He pulled back, "You tell your sister that I said you did a damn fine job."

Marc laughed, "Sam will be suspicious Sir."

Jack gave a loud laugh, "And so she should, but have her call me anyway."

"Give Dr. Jackson my best sir."

"I will." Jack promised.

The phone rang and Carter picked up, "Admiral O'Neill's office." He listened for a moment, then a smile broke out on his face. "I'll be right down." And he hung up.

"Who was that?" Jack asked curiously.

"A package arrived for you Sir. I'm going to go and get it."

Jack nodded, "all right." He continued to pack when a noise at the door made him lift his head.

"Daniel." Jack whispered.

Daniel smiled at the man he loved, "Hi Jack. Ready to start the first day of the rest of our lives?" His blue eyes shone with happiness and it was all that Jack could do to stop himself from leaping over the desk and planting a liplock on his lover.

He swallowed hard and couldn't stop the tears that threatened to fall, "Oh yeah." He said huskily.

"Then lets go home." Daniel picked up a box, then cocked his head at his lover, "Come on Jack, I'm hungry."

Jack gave the younger man a wolfish smile, "So am I." And he watched as Daniel blushed.

Epilogue

A shower of sand descending on Daniel's bare shoulders made him look up in annoyance, "Hey, working down here!" he called out in both English and Arabic.

Jack's face peered over the edge, "Don't blame me! Blame the fucking sand!"

Delight filled Daniel, "Jack, you're back!"

"Yup. Miss me?" he asked, then laughed as one of the students said something pithy to the effect of, 'Archeologist with a sore head' and 'pain in the ass'.

The Archeologist in question made his way quickly up the ladder and wrapped Jack in a bear hug, "More than anything." The two men stood like that for a moment then pulled back to smile at each other.

"Poppa, poppa!" a tiny girl shrieked and Daniel stepped back to catch her in his arms, "Claire!" he said with pleasure, growling into her neck and making her giggle.

"Did Dad take care of you?" He asked the giggling brown haired, brown eyed and pig tailed little girl.

Claire looked over at Jack who was grinning to Daniel and shrugged, "He made me eat my wegabales." She pouted, then giggled. Daniel looked at his lover, "French fries?" he asked in resignation.

"French fries!" Jack and Claire chorused together, and burst into laughter.

Daniel shook his head, "So how was Aunt Sissy?" He asked the little girl and he listened with interest as she babbled about everything and everyone she'd seen while in the States.

Jack stood back and watched with awe. This family was his, and he was so incredibly blessed. They'd found Claire by accident at the dig in Kuwait where she'd been left in a basket by the tents. She was only a day or 2 old but both Jack and Daniel had fallen in love with her immediately. The mother wasn't found, it was assumed that she was young, as the baby girl was only 5 pounds. The King had allowed the two men to adopt her legally and now Claire Danielle Jackson-O'Neill was their happy and healthy 5-year-old.

A pair of blue eyes caught his attention, "Huh?" Jack shook his head, obviously missing what had been said, he been so absorbed in his family.

Daniel laughed, "I love you, you know that right?"

Claire's laugh rang through the camp, "Of course he does Poppa! He told me so on the airpwane!"

The two men looked over her head at each other, helpless to suppress the love on their faces. They were blessed, the old retired Sailor and the Archeologist.