Un Ballo In Maschera

by Euphrosyne

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/ase/euphrosyne/maschera.php
Summary: The things we do for entertainment and sanity
Info: Un Ballo In Maschera is an opera in three acts by Verdi. The title translates as The Masked Ball. My muse seems to have returned, heaven help us all. Although she seems a little timid at the moment hopefully she’ll soon be back to her kinky self!! As always, thanks to Katsugo for the beta and emotional support.

Preludio

Late fall in Colorado Springs was a lot like early fall in Minnesota, the cold and crisp weather always reminded Jack of his childhood. The falling leaves inevitably produced a streak of melancholy in him and that was why he had a lawn service. Well, that and the fact that he was never certain how long he'd be gone when he went off world. Hell, the grass was liable to have overgrown the entire neighborhood during some of his missions, so that was what actually brought about the lawn service. Then the lawn service begat the landscape architect, who begat the designed plantings and color schemed beds which begat the hedge sculpting and all of that begat the huge bill for the automatic sprinkler system and the never ending seasonal services. The spring plantings of annuals, pruning and trimming of perennials and trees, fertilizing, aerating, leaf removal, mulching, snow removal, driveway plowing all begat the monthly electronic deduction from his bank account.

Nowadays, Jack just passed through his own yard on the way into or out of his house. He felt like a visitor, as if he should pay admission. Then he would remind himself that he DID pay admission and paid admission on a regular basis. His yard and garden was the shining star of the neighborhood, green and alive, blooming and growing and oh so unlike its owner. Jack did take satisfaction in the fact that he had insisted the landscape architect sit with him for hours on the roof deck during different times of day and evening for another perspective on the property before planning the design. Still, it was more like a museum than a yard, which followed the right theme since he felt his house was more a mausoleum than a home.

Today, he forced himself to walk across the lush green grass to his door instead of his usual habit of keeping to the paved path. The grass sprung back behind him releasing the fragrance usually associated with summer Saturday mornings and the sound of lawnmowers. He turned to watch the insulted blades resume their conformity with their companions and waxed poetic. He was so much like his lawn; his spirit crushed on a regular basis only to spring back by sheer force of will to again conform to expectations. He was sick of it; the conformity, and longed to be himself again, something he'd not wished for a long time.

His whole life, he had conformed, suppressing everything he was along the way. He did exactly as he was supposed to do to achieve what he was told he was supposed to and now that he had gotten there he wondered if any of it was worth it. Well, certainly Charlie and Sara had been worth it; but he'd screwed that up big time. Once, when he had believed in God, he would have supposed it was divine retribution for living the lie that was his life. Now, in his current philosophy, he figured that he was just one of those people destined to be eternally unfulfilled. He was suppressed, repressed and sometimes depressed...like today.

Once this would have been dangerous, this depression, fatal even; but older now and occasionally wiser, he discovered the best way to rid himself of this emotional miasma was to give in to something. Venting his depression had always been a problem, not the venting itself but the direction of the vent. The last time he was this depressed was when Daniel had died, ascended, whatever. The time before that well, that was when Charlie died, both times he nearly destroyed himself. Minor depressions accounted for some of his stranger hobbies, which eventually as the depression waned, took up residence in the garage with other diversions.

Oddly, the older he got the more physical and daring these releases became. Jack attributed that to what most people called 'tempting fate' He had cheated death so many times in the past that the only time he felt really alive was when he was basking in adrenalin. At work, that was deadly if not fatal, in the day to day world it was more likely to be threatening to his reputation and job than it would be to his life.

He stood in one place looking back at the resilient grass then jumped up and down in place for a couple of times before stepping on to the sidewalk and up the two steps to his front door. He watched the traumatized patch of lawn try to recover and figured it would give the landscapers something to work on the next time they were there. Satisfied, he turned to the door and unlocked both locks, then entered. He turned the alarm off at the box just inside the door and tossed his keys, cell phone and Bluetooth onto the small table.

He stepped down into the living room, looked back through the dining room and towards the kitchen. Then he spun and looked down the back hall towards his bedroom and decided that he'd better get a move on and shower now if he was going to be able to beat the traffic.

Jack stripped off his shirt on the way to his bedroom, dropping it into the pile of discarded clothes behind the door, he'd make sure they all got into the hamper later. The lady from the maid service would take care of the lot of that in the morning as she did three times weekly along with the vacuuming, dusting, linen changes, bed making, kitchen cleaning, window washing and all the other sundry household chores that Jack could never bring himself to get to these days. In return, Jack had another monthly electronic deduction from his bank account. That had been another way to vent that he'd assumed a couple of years ago. After being Mister Fastidious as he had for his entire life, thrust upon him after so many years in the military, in a moment of sheer rebellion he had made a conscious decision to become a slob. It was one hobby that he hadn't discarded or remanded to the garage. Of course he hadn't fully embraced the concept either; he'd pick up after himself and do his own dishes whenever he could. But washing windows and cleaning the bathroom, he had neither the time nor the back and knees for that anymore. So the rebellion was tempered with concessions to his own increasing decrepitude.

He kicked off his shoes as he undid his belt. A nice hot shower would feel great and help relax him. He rarely showered at the Mountain anymore; he didn't need to see the reminders of his ever increasing physical decline reflected in the faces of the young, hard bodied male personnel. Besides, these days he didn't need the temptation either. He took the change from his pocket and dropped it into the giant beer stein on the top of the dresser, unfastened the small ankle holster and laid it and the Berretta it contained on the dresser then kicked off his pants and shorts and headed for the bathroom.

He grabbed a towel and slung it on the hook next to the door and stepped into the shower, he rarely looked into the mirror these days either, unless to shave. He lathered, shampooed and rinsed then leaned forward against the tiles and allowed the water to pound down his back. The tension eased some and he finally started to think a little more clearly. He needed a release, more than he ever had; but what was he going to do about it? He'd worry about that tomorrow; right now he had to get moving. He stepped from the shower and wrapped the towel around his waist, then headed for the basin and his razor.

Shower and shave complete he dropped the towel and headed for his closet. He grabbed the suit bag and overnighter he had packed yesterday checked the contents for completeness and laid both on the bed. He put on the black silk boxers and slid into jeans, pulling on the black dress socks and his Sauconys. He slipped into a white tee and then light blue Henley shirt and shoved the black leather dress shoes into the shoe area of the garment bag. He put his foot up on the bench and re-strapped the ankle holster; checking the Beretta's clip and safety before replacing the weapon.

Jack zipped up the garment bag closed the satchel and looked around the bedroom to see if he'd forgotten anything before heading for his office. He grabbed two extra clips for the Berretta and an envelope from the right hand desk drawer. He moved to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge checked to see if there were any messages on his home phone and then headed for the front door. After re-setting the alarm he picked up his keys, cell phone, Bluetooth, satchel and garment bag and went out the door locking both locks again. He hung the garment bag in the back seat of the truck and sat the bag on the seat then climbed in and started the truck wiggling the Bluetooth into position around his left ear. He had some time, but traffic on Fridays headed out of the Springs towards Denver could be iffy and he didn't want to chance being late.

Daniel pulled the rental car into the space in the garage grabbed his bag and got out. He locked the car and headed for the front desk.

"May I help you, sir?"

"I have a reservation, my name is Daniel Jackson."

The clerk nodded and checked his computer. "Yes, sir, I have your reservation for an Aspen Suite for two nights, is that correct?"

"Yes, thank you." Daniel handed over his credit card as the clerk slipped the registration card and a pen in his direction. "Do you have a car, sir?"

"Yes a rental, in the garage."

"I'll need the tag number, make and model on the reverse of the card, please."

Daniel pulled the copy of the rental registration from his jacket pocket and entered the information as asked then took his credit card and the room key card back from the clerk.

"You are in Aspen Suite, number 14 on the 5th floor, sir. I'll have a porter take your bags up."

"No need, I only have one and I know the way."

"Of course, thank you Mister Jackson and enjoy your stay."

"Thank you." Daniel turned and headed for the elevators. He'd have time for a shower, dinner and perhaps even a nap.

Atto Primo

After waking from his nap Daniel showered, shaved and then decided to take advantage of the view from the Altitude Restaurant in the hotel before heading out. He'd only been there once before and remembered the view was spectacular. These excursions of his rarely resulted in fine dining so eating before setting out was always wise, especially since he'd be likely to be drinking. Daniel always got a chuckle out of that; drinking wasn't something he did well but to seem social it was necessary.

He took a table that seated two next to the floor to ceiling window with the view overlooking downtown Denver and towards the Rockies He liked to be up high when he was able; he supposed that was to make up for so much time underground. He ordered his appetizer and declined the wine list, opting for a soft drink and water. It was very early in the evening there were plenty of open tables so the choice of seating was pretty much up to him.

He'd have a leisurely dinner and then head back to his room to change before going out for the evening. He took his time dining enjoying both the food and the ambiance as the place started to fill up with the early dinner rush. He signed the check and then headed back to his room to change.

Jack checked in at the desk and went up to his room. He'd change and head directly out maybe stopping in the Strata Bar for a drink on the way. He'd picked up drive through fast food on his way here; because as predicted the traffic had been a bear and he would not have time to hit a restaurant. He kicked off the Sauconys and slipped on the black tuxedo pants and then the leather shoes, carefully pulling the pant's cuff over the holstered Berretta. He slipped into the white Mandarin collar shirt buttoned it and tucked it in before putting on the belt and the silver vest. He checked his look in the full length mirror before slipping the ticket envelope into his inside jacket pocket. He checked his cell phone to make sure it was set to vibrate and not ring and put it into his vest pocket. He put on the signet ring that used to belong to his dad on his right ring finger, slid the gold dress watch onto his wrist and fastened it securely. After checking his billfold he slid that into the inside pocket of his jacket then slipped the shawl collared tuxedo jacket on and checked his look again in the mirror smoothing the silver hair along his temples down with his fingers. He checked his pocket for his room key card, turned off the light and headed out.

Jack pressed the down elevator button and waited, he'd have plenty of time for a drink in the bar.

Daniel put in his contacts and slipped his glasses into a case. He kept the charcoal gray colored pants and slate blue shirt he'd worn to dinner but took off the tie and replaced the suit jacket with a black leather jacket. He placed his billfold, key card and glasses case into the inside pocket of the jacket and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. He checked his pants pocket for his contact case and the small bottle of saline drops he always carried when he bothered with the lenses. He locked the door, walked casually to the elevator and pressed the down button.

Jack ambled into the Strata Lounge and ordered a Bushmill's neat then took a seat by the window and sipped as he watched the evening traffic. He'd take a cab both to and from so he could drink what and when he wanted. With any luck at all maybe he'd find a reason not to come directly back to the hotel afterwards but he tried not to think about that too much. The kind of folks who frequented the Opera rarely went looking for a date. He'd enjoy the evening anyway, because Verdi was his favorite and Un Ballo In Maschera was not widely performed. He'd seen it once before at La Scala but that was a lifetime ago. He swished his whiskey around in the glass and glanced out the window on occasion people watching and fantasizing. He checked his watch and figured he'd better get moving it was nearly 6:30 and he still needed to catch a cab. He drained his glass and left the bar then walked through the hotel door and motioned for the first cab at the stand. He climbed into the back and gave the destination to the driver.

Daniel walked through the hotel lobby and the main entrance toward the first cab in line. He opened the door and got into the back seat then instructed the driver as they pulled away from the curb.

The opera was wonderful and worth every bit of the $175 dollar ticket, Jack tried not to hum some of the more familiar portions of the score to keep from annoying other patrons. At the first Intermission he chatted with the husband and wife who had been seated on his right and sipped champagne in the lobby. He was terrible at small talk but the woman carried the burden of the conversation once she discovered he was from Colorado Springs. She seemed to feel it important to point out all the cultural diversions available in Denver. Jack smiled and nodded as she spoke and her husband smiled apologetically until Jack finally excused himself to the men's rest room before the next act began. He finished his champagne on the way and placed the empty glass on a side table as he went inside. He moved through the seating area with sofas and armchairs and through another door into the lavatory area of the rest room. He headed straight to the line of urinals and relieved himself then zipped up and walked to the basins to wash his hands. Most of the current occupants of the men's room were older than he, which was both good and bad. Good because that meant he didn't feel so old for once and bad because that meant that there was unlikely to be anyone in there to be remotely interesting. When he lifted a towel from the small pile next to the basin he reflexively looked into the mirror and scanned the traffic heading in all directions in the large area. He made eye contact with another man who was also washing his hands and glanced away. Jack took his time drying his hands and glanced up again, the same man was still looking at him down the line of sinks. This time Jack smiled and the man nodded and smiled in return. Jack dropped the towel into the small hamper and headed towards the door. He scanned the occupants of the lounge area and took a seat on one of the couches. The room was nearly empty now as the majority of men moved back into the lobby. The man from the lavatory came through the door and took a seat on the couch next to Jack and smiled then spoke.

"Hello, are you enjoying the performance."

Jack smiled back.

"Oh yeah, I haven't seen Un Ballo in years. It's not done very frequently by the smaller Opera companies."

"True, the last time I saw it was at the Met a couple of years ago."

Jack's eyes widened "I'll bet they did it up big."

"Yes, I think it was a Zefferrelli production, so you know it was flashy."

"I saw it about 8 maybe 10 years ago at La Scala." Jack shrugged.

The other man's eyes brightened up and he looked Jack in the face now.

"Wow, how was that?"

"Well, you know, with La Scala, it was very good but the production was very traditional, kind of stodgy. They think they are the guardians of Verdi, they never take any chances."

The other man laughed and stuck out his hand.

"I'm Franco, Franco Gladner."

Jack shook the offered hand. "Jack O'Neill."

"Good to finally meet you Jack O'Neill."

"Finally?"

"Well, I've seen you here for other performances..."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, I've just never actually run into you before, to speak I mean. You always come alone; your wife doesn't like opera?"

Jack laughed.

"I'm not married."

"Girlfriend then?"

"No, no girlfriend either, how about you?"

"No, I'm not attached either..." Franco's smile got a little broader as the lights blinked twice in the room. "...Looks like they are ready to start. Would you like to join me in my box for the next act?"

Jack turned to face the man fully, taking in the green eyes and neatly trimmed light brown hair. "I think I'd like that, if you have the room."

"It's my family's box, and none of them come anymore usually, there's lots of room. Come on I'll show you."

They both stood and headed towards the grand staircase that led to the private parterre boxes. Franco opened the door to one just to the right of center and waved Jack inside then closed the door and took a seat in the second row from the rail of the dim box. Franco moved the small glasses and program from the seat next to him and motioned for Jack to sit.

"I don't like to sit up against the rail, I have a thing about heights but you are welcome to if you'd like."

"No, thanks, this is great. This is your family's box?"

"Yeah, it's a legacy thing. Great grandparents originally bought it, then passed it down. They were some of the original benefactors of the Opera so it's a perpetuity kind of thing."

"Your parents don't come anymore?"

"No, Mom and Dad are dead now and one sister is an artist. She and her husband moved to New York; my brother lives in England with his wife and kids and the sister that lives locally has 3 kids with another due in a couple of months so they aren't getting out too much."

"What about you?" Jack asked.

"Me? Single."

"Yeah, I got that. Seeing anybody?"

"Not currently, but I'm hopeful..." He looked directly into Jack's eyes and smiled. "...How about you?"

"Used to be married but not for a long time now." Jack watched as the curtain rose and the orchestra swelled with the prelude.

Franco waited for another moment and whispered.

"That's it? Used to be married but not now for a long time?"

"Born in Chicago, an only child, raised in Minnesota been living in the Springs for awhile now." When Jack stopped talking this time, Franco sighed and whispered again.

"I'm gonna be really blunt here, Jack so please forgive me. I was wondering if you'd like to join me for drinks and maybe dinner afterwards?"

Jack smiled and nodded. "Yeah, Franco, I'd like that, thank you."

They listened to the second act, occasionally passing the small binoculars back and forth. When the second intermission came Franco got up and opening the box door waved a waiter and placed an order. Then he closed the door and sat back down.

"The nice thing about these private boxes is that you get room service. I ordered a bottle of champagne; I hope that's all right?"

"That's great, thanks."

There was a small light that flashed under the rail of the box.

"There's our champagne now."

Franco got up and opened the door. The waiter placed the champagne bucket and glasses on the small table near the door and opened the champagne. Franco handed the waiter a palmed bill and closed the door. He poured two glasses of champagne and handed one to Jack as he approached.

"I usually don't go to the lobby, there are so many people and I'm not real good at schmoozing; that's my sister's forte. But I saw you come in this evening and thought I would take a chance this time."

Jack cringed inwardly wondering if he should dare read between the lines.

"I'm glad you did."

They sipped champagne for a moment each regarding the other, tension heavy in the air.

"I'm going to come right out and ask... I think you're incredibly good looking and I'm hoping that you won't deck me or walk out."

"You do? Really? Me? ...Well...Thank you...and no, I'm not going to deck you OR walk out."

With that one line the tension eased immediately. Franco grinned broadly and Jack took a good look at the man in the dim light.

He knew his eyes were green he'd seen that in the rest room. But the tanned face, light brown hair and high cheekbones were now highlighted by a broad smile with perfect white teeth. Jack figured he couldn't be more than an inch or two shorter than himself and was well proportioned, slim waisted and Jack was certain from the look of him that there would be a well developed six pack under that tux. He looked to be in his late thirties to mid forties although Jack was a terrible judge of age.

Franco blew out the breath he'd been holding and sat down on one of the chairs near the door.

"Wow! I can't believe I asked... You have to pardon me, Jack... I don't get out much so my 'social skills'.." he made air brackets, still balancing the long stemmed glass in his right hand. "...are less than clever."

"Sometimes, blunt is the best way to be. It doesn't leave room for false interpretations." Jack smiled as he drained his glass and held it out as Franco poured another round.

"You were taking quite a risk. I think you were pretty damned brave just to even ask. I'm usually afraid to even make eye contact with other guys these days."

"My sisters say I need to get out more and they keep trying to set me up with blind dates."

"They don't know you're gay?" Jack motioned towards Franco as he spoke.

"Oh they know; and they keep trying to set me up with pansies. My sister Vicky, she's the artist that lives in New York, is trying to get me to move there and fix me up with her faggy artist friends. Birgs, that's my sister Birgit, she's the pregnant one that lives here, keeps finding me hairdressers, raging queens the lot... What do you do, Jack?"

"I'm a hairdresser and artist on the side." Jack said nonchalantly waving his unoccupied hand as he spoke.

Franco's eyes got wide for just a second, then he started to laugh. Jack chuckled and pointed.

"Got ya."

"I'll say. I thought I'd stuck my foot in my mouth again... So what DO you do?"

"I work for the government."

"State or Fed."

"Fed."

"Well, let's see if you work for the Feds and you live in the Springs than you must be either DOD or military."

"Is it important? Because I really can't..."

"No, Jack, it's not important. It just helps me understand why you are so closed mouth about yourself. My guess is that you're active duty or maybe retired military working for the DOD; Air Force? Army?"

Jack sighed. "I really can't talk about my job, I'm sorry."

"That's okay Jack, I won't pester you. I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable."

"No, it's okay. That's already more than I would have normally told anyone."

"So, your social skills aren't..."

"Even as good as yours? No, I can't say they are. I don't get out much either." Jack shook his head.

"Been to any of the bars around here?"

"No, usually the bar fare is a little rare for my tastes."

"Not into twinks?"

"No, well they aren't into me anyway. The ones who are want to be boy toys or me to be daddy and I'm not into that."

"The whole bar scene kind of creeps me out too... sometimes it feels like walking into a brothel..."

"Or a meat market." Jack laughed

"Exactly!" Franco re-filled their glasses with a smile.

"So, I hope you are staying in town tonight, because I'd hate to be plying you with alcohol if you are driving."

"I always stay in town after the opera, too tired and it's too late to drive back. I usually wind up coming from work. So I leave my truck in the hotel garage and cab it both ways."

"Where are you staying?"

"The Hyatt."

"Nice place, I like their restaurant."

"Altitude?"

"Yeah, been there?"

"Not for a year or so; the last few times I've barely made it in time for the performances let alone trying to dine before. I usually just wind up with room service afterwards."

"Well not tonight. When this is over we'll go for a drink and then I'll take you to dinner. There are a couple of decent bars around here that DON'T cater to the twinks."

"You mean that our hearing might still be intact when we leave?"

"What did you say?" Franco cupped his ear and Jack laughed.

"Lead on, Macduff!" Jack raised his glass in salute as the lights dimmed and came back twice.

"Ahh, the final act." Franco headed back towards his seat motioning for Jack to sit down.

"Only for the opera, I hope." Jack said gently.

Franco just grinned.

Daniel sat at the bar and people watched. He'd been here before a couple of times the music was good and there were certainly a lot of gorgeous young things out on the dance floor. The problem was they all looked a little too young for his tastes. He swiveled on his stool to get a better look at one of the dancers and nearly poured his drink onto someone coming to the bar.

"Oh, sorry." The kid looked about 15 to Daniel and he could not imagine that he would actually be allowed into the bar let alone served. Daniel watched as he ordered a beer and then walked away. Daniel turned back towards the bartender.

"Wow he doesn't even look old enough to be out alone."

"That's Cody, he's one of the regulars. He's 23."

"Oh come on, there's no way."

"Oh yeah, I actually know his older brother from my college days. Brian doesn't look his age either."

"Yeah, but none of them look old enough to be here."

"Yeah, they do look younger every year. I guess that means we're getting old." The bartender stopped his methodical polishing of the bar and looked towards the dance floor. Daniel looked in the same direction and nodded.

"Don't they ever stop dancing?"

"Are you kidding me? They aren't even getting started yet...it's early. Wait until about midnight and this place is hopping. That dance floor will be so full you won't even be able to get as far as the end of the bar without a struggle." The bartender looked at his watch and laughed.

"Hell, I got 6 more bartenders coming in to work in an hour and that still won't be enough. Then when they amp up the volume and bass the top shelf bottles will be rattling. We had to move the expensive stuff under the counted we've lost too many bottle of Chevas and Cuervo 1800. They just walk themselves right off the shelves."

"Really? It's not bad now."

"Oh they amp it up big time as the crowd starts to pile in... and trust me, it's Friday...they WILL be piling in."

Well, maybe I should get while the getting is good then." Daniel tilted his glass and drained it then sat it on the bar. He slid a couple of bills across to the bartender and smiled.

"Thanks a lot maybe you'll find something more to your tastes over at Charlie's or the Compound."

"I've bee to Charlie's before but not the Compound. Where is that?"

"Over on Broadway."

"I thought that was the Triangle?"

"Triangle's on the other end of Broadway, here." The bartender wrote a few of addresses on the back of a order check and slid it over to Daniel.

"There are 3 addresses here. What's the Fox Hole?"

"It's over behind the performing arts center. Sometimes it's on the quiet side but they have a great volleyball court out back."

Daniel smiled and slid the addresses into his jacket pocket.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome and good hunting!" The bartender waved with his bar rag as Daniel headed for the door.

This early on a Friday there were plenty of cabs to be found and Daniel had no problems hailing one to get him to his next destination.

He slid out of the cab in front of the Compound. At least the building wasn't vibrating at this one. He always hated it when the music was too loud. Daniel stood inside the door and scanned the crowd, then moved towards the bar. He ordered a vodka and tonic then leaned back against the bar and watched the dance floor.

It wasn't long before a guy who looked about 25 slid onto the stool next to him and started to look him over.

"Hi I'm Brad."

"I'm Daniel."

"Want to dance?"

"I'm not very much of a dancer, I'm afraid."

"That's okay."

"Well, it's just...I wouldn't want to embarrass you."

"Oh I doubt you could do that."

Daniel smiled slyly and shrugged. "You've never seen me dance."

"I'd like to."

Daniel gulped down the rest of his drink and smiled as he stood.

"Well, in that case, I'll give it a try."

Brad moved behind Daniel as he strode to the dance floor. The occupants of the dance floor didn't seem all that good at dancing themselves but Daniel still felt a little out of his league. The music never stopped for more than a second or two so they just started to move as soon as they got there. Brad was pretty good, at least he didn't look as uncomfortable as Daniel felt. They moved through the song and as the music segued to a different beat Daniel patted Brad on the arm and motioned towards the bar.

"Sorry, I'm just not a dancer."

"That's okay. How about a drink?"

"Now that I can do."

"What will you have?"

"Vodka and tonic."

Brad motioned for the bartender and ordered a vodka tonic for Daniel and a rum and coke for himself. They sat down and leaned in to speak.

"Sorry." Daniel apologized again.

"Don't be; it's no big deal. Besides when I walked up to you I wasn't really looking for dancing skills anyway."

They drank and chatted easily.

When the opera was over, and after a quick call using some of his connections Franco and Jack headed to the Hyatt for dinner. They ordered and settled down with appetizers and drinks while waiting for their entrée. Dinner was excellent; dessert was something decadent and as promised Franco paid the tab. They strolled through the lobby on their way to catch a cab.

"I'll show you some of Denver's gay night life." Franco whispered as Jack opened the cab door for them both. Franco gave the driver their destination and Jack was impressed when the cab driver didn't flinch away or even looked repulsed. They pulled up in front of the Atrium and again Jack paid the driver as they exited.

"We're a little overdressed for this place, I think."

"Nah, it's a great place. You'll see!"

They got a few looks as they entered and took a small table near the bar. The music was at a fairly comfortable level for talking and there were a few couples on the dance floor.

"Do you dance, Jack?"

"Uh, not really, I mean, I don't really like to dance. I can if I HAVE to. What about you?"

"I like to; but I'm terrible at it. I dance better sitting in a chair than I do when I get on the dance floor. Too self conscious I guess."

"Yep, I know how that is too."

The dance floor got fuller and the music louder as they drank.

After a little while they decided that the music was becoming too loud.

"Why don't we just get the hell out of here? We can go back to the hotel and have a couple of drinks in the bar."

"Then what?"

"Well since you plied me with fine dining, you might just get lucky." Jack joked.

"I think I already got lucky. But that works for me."

"Sweet!"

They finished their drinks and left looking for another cab.

"What exactly ARE you looking for Brad?"

"I think the same thing you are, Daniel, or am I mistaken in thinking that you are looking to get laid?"

Daniel hesitated.

"You're very blunt."

"I believe in the direct approach. Why pussy foot around, it just wastes time."

"True. I guess you are right. So, where would you like to go?"

"Where do you live, Daniel?"

"Colorado Springs..."

"Well, that's way too far."

"...but I'm staying at the Hyatt."

"Okay, that works for me."

Daniel finished his drink with a smile

"Well, let's go then."

Brad drained his glass and they headed for the door.

A few minutes later they were in a cab and headed for the hotel.

Jack and Franco sat in a couple of lounge chairs in the Strata drinking. Jack was enjoying himself but years of ops work still had him scanning the faces in the bar on occasion. Daniel and Brad got out of the cab in front of the hotel and headed into the lobby.

"Drink first?" Brad asked.

"No, I've had enough for a while, unless you want to watch me fall asleep on you."

"No, that wouldn't be any fun at all."

"Didn't think so, let's go."

They headed for the elevators.

Jack and Franco were having a good time. Jack got up to use the men's room and glanced down at his watch. It was almost 1 am and he knew that after working the whole day, driving to Denver, the opera and the alcohol he didn't have much more conscious time left in him. He'd have to broach the subject of going up to his room and soon or risk falling asleep on Franco. He came back to the lounge, took his seat and leaned in close.

"What's say we take this up to my room?"

"You sure that's not the alcohol talking?"

"Very."

"I just don't want you to regret this in the morning, and write me off as a side effect of the alcohol."

Jack laughed and finished his drink.

"I don't think that's gonna happen. But if you are concerned about it I have to tell you that you would be one of the best hangovers I've ever experienced."

"Oh, now you're trying to flatter me to get your way."

"Exactly."

Franco finished his drink and stood.

"After you."

Atto Secondo

As soon as the door closed Daniel and Brad began stripping, any feigned modesty set aside. Brad stumbled out of his shoes and nearly fell gaining a laugh from Daniel.

"What's your hurry, do you have a curfew?"

Brad laughed. "No, I just wanted to make sure you don't get time to fall asleep on me."

Daniel draped his jacket over the back of the chair and tossed his shirt onto the desk. He unfastened his belt and removed his pants and then they joined the jacket. Brad already had his shirt and pants off had stooped to remove his socks and was standing there in the smallest underwear Daniel had ever seen. He stopped his own clothing removal to look quizzically at Brad.

"Is that a THONG?"

Brad froze and looked down.

"Um...yeah. Why?"

"Is it comfortable?"

"More comfortable than those..." Brad pointed at Daniel's boxers.

"...don't get me wrong I know a lot of guys wear boxers. I just can't get past the bunching up part, and I hate the stupid Y fronts."

"Turn around." Daniel said quietly.

"Why?"

"I just want to look."

Brad turned in place. Daniel felt himself getting even more aroused as he looked at Brad and saw the black strip of cloth disappear between two very well tanned buttocks. Brad turned back to face Daniel and stuck his thumbs in the side straps.

"Wait! Leave them on for now. I want to take them off." Daniel dropped his shorts and sat down on the bed. Brad stepped in front of him and stood still as Daniel palpated the goods crowded into the pouch of the thong. Things were getting even more crowded by the moment.

"Doesn't give you much room in there, does it?"

"It stretches."

"I can see that." Daniel stroked the length of cock that was fast bulging the front of the thong. He slipped his fingers in the top of the triangle and slipped it down the side. Brad shivered under his touch.

"Your hands are cold, Daniel."

"Oh, sorry." He rubbed his hands together for a moment and returned his attention to the pouch. He fondled Brad for a moment and then slipped his finger under the string following it up and around to where it disappeared between the buttocks. Daniel's own cock was dripping and he was unsure how much more he could play without exploding himself.

"Wait a second." He got up and went to his satchel and opened the small shaving kit. He took out the condoms and lube he had there and went back to the bed.

"Well, you answered my next question right there." Brad was matter of fact. He took one of the condoms from Daniel's hand and ripped the package open. He leaned forward and rolled the supple latex down over Daniel's length. Daniel groaned in response.

"I think play time is over." He practically hissed and then tugged the thong down from Brad's hips a little roughly.

"Easy on the material, please."

"Sorry." Daniel exposed the uncut cock in front of him. He selected a condom without Nonoxynol 9 and rolled it down Brad's length then followed that with his mouth.

"Glad to see you came prepared." Brad managed as Daniel went down practically swallowing him entirely in one move.

Daniel was no novice and Brad was quickly threading his fingers through the soft brown strands that fell over Daniel's forehead. His hips started to move almost involuntarily and he began to have trouble standing. Daniel slid sideways and pulled Brad over onto the bed, pushing himself back farther. Brad scooted towards the head of the bed and Daniel followed grabbing the lube. He opened the flip top of the tube and squeezed some onto his right first two fingers and slipped them behind Brad's sack stroking back towards his anus. Brad lifted his knees and spread his legs allowing Daniel to find what he was seeking easier, groaning deeply when Daniel finally found the right spot and started to push his index finger into the tight opening. Once Daniel's index finger slipped in Brad bore down to allow the second finger in as well. Daniel continued to suck at the covered length of Brad and moved his fingers a little more deeply inside. He felt Brad tense under him and stop moving. He felt the rush of hot semen fill the tip of the condom and used his hand to encircle the end of Brad's cock to keep the semen from running down and out. Daniel longed to have a mouthful of come again but these days did not feel comfortable enough with anyone to explore that option. Maybe one day again he would but not until he found someone who would and could be satisfied being monogamous with a partner who couldn't be full time. These days it was mostly a single date or two and then the man would get fed up with Daniel's secrecy about what he did and who he was and call it quits or just not return phone calls. When he felt the spasms of Brad's cock end, he removed the condom with his left hand and dropped it onto the floor then squeezed more lube onto his right hand and slathered it on his covered cock.

Brad lifted his right leg as Daniel slid his left arm under and guided it onto his shoulder then lined up his cock and gently pushed inside. Brad gasped and stilled and Daniel waited for a sign that he was ready before moving any further. When Brad nodded he sheathed himself more and then pulled out a little before sliding all the way inside. Daniel crawled more forward and lifted both of Brad's buttocks onto his thighs pressing inward as far as he could. Then the movement started in earnest Brad bearing down and pushing down to meets Daniel's up thrusting movements. Daniel was on the edge and knew he wouldn't last very long so he powered forward meeting Brad's buttocks. He angled as deeply as he could glancing over Brad's prostate each time, producing shivers in the young man. His own urge to thrust now more intense his motions became short and stabbing and finally he pushed inward as hard as he could and emptied his own load into the condom he was wearing. He gripped his cock hard around the base and contained the eruption before dropping out and off to the side with a sigh. He removed the condom and dropped that one onto the floor as well. Then he rolled onto his side and started to play his fingers across Brad's sweaty chest.

"Sorry, it's been a while."

"That's okay, I'll let you make it up to me later. Its times like these that I wished I still smoked."

Daniel laughed "I've never smoked and its times like these that make me wish I did."

Jack opened the door to his room and motioned Franco inside. He closed the door and removed his tuxedo jacket.

"I gotta get out of this monkey suit. I hope you don't mind?"

"Well, I'll tell you, you may not be comfortable in it but it looks great on you... is it Perry Ellis or Armani."

"This old thing?" Jack laughed as he took off the silver vest and hung it inside the garment bag on its own hanger. "It's Perry Ellis, got it on sale. I like the shawl collar."

"Yeah, it looks really good on you..." Franco started to take off his own jacket and Jack extended his hand for it and hung it in the closet.

"This is nice." Jack ran his hand down the lapel.

"It's Ralph Lauren... also on sale."

Jack took the vest and folded it across another hanger.

"Shirt? Pants?..." He said jokingly, extending another hanger "...I wouldn't want you to leave all rumpled in the morning. I mean that is, if you want to stay."

"I think I'll wait a bit, I don't want to be the only one naked here." Franco laughed and motioned towards Jack still wearing the Mandarin collar shirt and black slacks with the gross grain stripe along the leg.

"Okay...I get it." Why don't you make a selection from the minibar there for us while I get some ice?" Jack picked up the ice bucket and opened the door. "I'll be right back."

"I'll wait here." Franco searched through the minibar.

When Jack got to the ice machine he ducked slightly into the alcove and removed the ankle holster slipping it and the Berretta into his pants pocket. It might be tough to explain why he carried a concealed weapon to an opera and he didn't want to scare Franco off. He filled the ice bucket and headed back to his room rapping once. Franco opened the door and took the ice bucket then placed a few cubes in each of two glasses and stood staring into his face before raising his glass.

"To a night at the opera."

"Ahh, great flick. I LOVE the Marx Brothers." Jack grinned and lifted his glass to meet Franco's.

"Me too!"

They each took a sip and Franco moved slightly towards Jack. Jack hesitated only a moment and then brushed Franco's lips with his own. Jack pulled back and grinned and Franco finally leaned back in and took Jack's bottom lip with his own.

The kisses deepened over the next several minutes until finally Jack pulled back.

"Now I think we're both over dressed."

Franco put his glass down and started to unbutton his own shirt as Jack did the same. Franco slipped out of his shoes and sat down to remove his socks. Jack kicked off his shoes and still standing removed his socks one at a time by standing on the toe with his other foot and pulling his foot backwards from the sock. He removed his pants carefully so the Berretta would not fall out and slipped them over the hanger in the garment bag secreting the handgun into the bottom of the bag while Franco was not watching. He moved to the bed and sat down next to Franco in his shorts.

"We have to think about this for as minute; do you have any protection?" Franco got up to hang his own pants over the back of the chair by the desk then removed his shirt and draped that over his pants.

Jack paused only a second before going back to his garment bag and removing a small kit.

"Condoms AND lube." Jack said proudly.

"So you're a Boy Scout too?"

"Never leave home without them... ya know...just in case."

"Do this a lot, do you?"

"I ...uh, I carry them...I've just never had the opportunity to use them before tonight. The opera isn't exactly a hotbed of available dates...or at least it wasn't."

Franco shook his head. "I should have done this last season. I just never got the nerve up to approach you until tonight."

"Last season? Just how long have you been..." Jack paused looking for the right word.

"Oogling you?" Franco offered.

"Um, yeah, okay." Jack shrugged it was as good a word as any.

"Since last season."

Jack shook his head. "I had no idea."

"That was the point."

Jack took the small leather bag back to the bed and sat it on the nightstand then sat down.

Franco came back to the bed and sat down next to Jack in his shorts and tee shirt. Jack reached over and cupped Franco's face with his hand then kissed him. Franco reached down and lifted the edge of Jack's tee shirt, Jack took the edge of his shirt from Franco's hands and finished the job himself tossing the tee aside before reaching for Franco's tee.

Now down to shorts they became slightly more timid and Jack framed Franco's face in both his hands and kissed him. Franco kissed back with no hesitation and his hands began to wander across Jack's back and sides. When they came to the waistband of the silk shorts, Franco leaned back and looked into Jack's face.

Jack lifted briefly allowing Franco to slip the silk down over his hips before reaching for Franco's shorts and helping him out of them. They drifted back onto the bed kissing and caressing each other. Jack swooped down and licked at Franco's right nipple and Franco pushed Jack flat on his back in response. He reached down and stroked along the length of Jack's cock and Jack came back up and moved in on Franco's mouth, sucking at his lips. He groped around the bed stand with out looking until he found the leather bag and laid the open bag beside him. He removed two condoms and handed one to Franco. Franco opened the condom and slipped it down over the head of Jack's cock, carefully unrolling it. The slow steady caress had Jack holding his breath for a moment. He released a sigh when Franco's fingers continued lower fondling the base of Jack's cock and teasing at his balls. Without asking Jack grabbed the small bottle of Astroglide and flipped the top open. Franco looked up at Jack.

"You sure?"

"Oh, yeah."

Franco held out his hand and Jack poured a little Astroglide onto his fingers. Jack raised his knees and Franco sat back then slipped his fingers along Jack's perineum. Jack threw his head back and groaned when Franco reached his target. Franco pushed the tip of one finger inside and Jack exhaled forcibly in an effort to relax. When the finger was all the way in, Franco pulled it almost completely out and then added the second finger to the next pass. Jack's eyes were closed and he sighed as Franco brushed his prostate.

"You okay, Jack?"

"Oh yeah...ohh...yeah." Jack sighed again as Franco touched the same spot again. He leaned down and opened his mouth to go down on Jack.

"Uh you might not want to do that. Wrong kinda condom."

Franco stopped and looked at the wrapper. "Oh."

Jack fished in his bag briefly and pulled out another condom and tore the package open. Franco pulled the condom off he had put on Jack and with Jack's help managed to slide the replacement down and then followed with his mouth.

Jack lifted his hips while Franco's fingers sawed into his rear and hot mouth encased his cock. Franco added a third finger and Jack pushed back.

"Enough already." Jack gasped as he felt his orgasm approaching.

Franco pulled his fingers out and sat back on his heels. Jack grabbed another condom and sat up swiftly encasing Franco's now weeping cock in latex. He handed Franco the bottle of Astroglide and turned onto his hands and knees in front of him.

Franco slicked the condom and leaned up behind Jack.

O'Neill felt the blunt head of Franco's cock nudge his opening and he pushed back to aid his entry entry. Once he breached the ringed muscle Franco grabbed Jack's hips and leaned forward. He eased out and pushed back this time sheathing himself completely in the slick heat. As Franco thrust in, Jack dropped down to his elbows changing the angle and Franco began grazing his prostate with every pass. Franco knee walked closer until Jack was practically sitting on his thighs and began lifting as he thrust. The pace was slow and steady at first, each powerful movement from Franco's hips stimulating Jack more and more.

"Oh, god!...harder." Jack moaned out. Franco acquiesced to Jack's request and increased the power lifting Jack slightly with every thrust. His speed increased and Jack shifted his hips on occasion to alter the angle. Franco reached around and gripped Jack's cock and began stroking and Jack was a goner. He stilled, then shivered and came into the condom. Franco was nearing his own limit and increased his pace, gripping Jack's hips tightly as sweat slicked both of them. With one final deep thrust he stilled and came and Jack collapsed flat onto the bed with Franco still inside. They both panted heavily for a moment before Jack spoke.

"Wow! It's been a while since I've felt this good."

"I know what you mean." Franco agreed, he gripped his softening cock tightly and then pulled out and removed the condom. Jack turned to his back and leaned over Franco, kissing him deeply.

"Thank you."

Franco laughed. "It was my pleasure."

"Mine too" Jack added with a grin. He kissed him again and hauled himself off the bed and went to the bathroom. He wet a washcloth and went back to the bed first wiping Franco's sweaty face and then cleaning his softened cock of residual semen. He went back to the bathroom and with another washcloth wiped his own face and package clean. He stumbled back into the bedroom and dropped down beside Franco. They lay like that for a while kissing and stroking as they cooled down.

After some heated foreplay Daniel and Brad had moved into round two with Daniel as bottom this time. Daniel preferred to top and was never entirely comfortable with being on the bottom, but understood that reciprocity was part of the date game. Brad seemed to realize that this was not Daniel's favorite part and took extra care to make sure that his entry was as painless as possible and then brought Daniel back to arousal before he gave in to his own needs. Afterwards they lay side by side on the bed touching and kissing.

"How about a shower?" Daniel asked as he scratched at a drying salt track on Brad's chest.

"That sounds good, are you going to join me?"

"If you'd like."

"Yeah, I would."

They got up and headed for the shower.

Jack removed a bottle of water from the minibar then dropped ice into their glasses and filled them. He waited for Franco to sit up and then handed him a glass and sat down beside him.

Franco gulped his water as Jack spoke.

"See, when you get old it takes a little while longer to get to round two."

"Is that right? Maybe you just haven't had the right inspiration so far." Franco sucked an ice cube into his mouth and placed his glass on the nightstand. He took the glass from Jack's hand and put it on the table as well then pushed him back on the bed and swooped down to tease Jack's left nipple with his cold tongue. Jack startled at the cold contact and then reached down and held Franco's head in place as he worried the puckered teat. Franco dragged the cube with his teeth across Jack's chest to the other nipple and repeated the performance then stopped and stared into Jack's face with the cube in his teeth.

Jack looked up and saw the glint in his eyes.

"Ohh no; that won't help you know... it will only slow things down more."

"We'll see." Franco spoke and smirked through clenched teeth then reached for another condom from the bag and stuffed Jack's soft member into it as best he could. He dropped down to drag the ice cube first down Jack's flat belly and down one thigh carefully avoiding all contact with the cock that was starting to stir inside the latex glove. His quickly diminishing torture device was then dragged across the soft sack below gaining a jump and startled sound from their owner. He placed a flat palm on Jack's belly to still him and then took the latex gloved cock into his mouth, sucking hard. Reaching down he started to massage the scrotum lifting and rolling its contents in his hand. Jack had always been a sucker for ball play and although Franco didn't know it initially, the way Jack's cock was responding encouraged him further. The ice cube now gone he dropped the semi erect member and sucked a ball into his cold mouth massaging it with his tongue and pressing it against his hard palate while Jack clutched at the bedspread and squirmed under the intense stimulation. Before Franco was even done with the first testicle Jack's cock was hard and ready. Franco reached up and started to stroke Jack through the condom. Jack groaned deep in his chest and pushed Franco to the side and then to his back on the bed. Without the benefit of an ice cube Jack returned Franco's treatment to him, sucking and licking is way down Franco's body. He was about to grab another condom when Franco found the Astroglide and held it out to Jack.

"Here you start, I'll get the condom."

Jack nodded and held out his hand. Franco poured a small amount of Astroglide across Jack's first two fingers then gasped as Jack stroked across his hole with the cold lube. Jack pressed one finger in and then a second preparing Franco as quickly as possible.

"Don't mess around Jack, come on."

"Easy there big fella. We got time."

"Maybe you do but I'm gonna blow any second." Franco was fast becoming impatient and bore down on Jack's fingers squeezing tightly. Jack grabbed the lube and poured some more on his hand and then reached down to slick his cock as Franco lifted his knees. Jack's pace was slower and more leisurely than Franco's had been and he kept Franco on edge a long time before they both succumbed. Afterwards, Franco got up and got them both drinks from the minibar and Jack put the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the outside of the door. Then they crawled under the covers and slept in each other's arms.

After their shower, Brad and Daniel went for another round that began as heavy petting and segued into mutual blow jobs before Daniel again topped Brad at a much easier pace then the last time. Daniel couldn't remember the last time he'd had this much sex in one night. Brad seemed insatiable and game for anything so as long as he didn't say stop; Daniel was going for it. By dawn they were both exhausted and again sweaty they crawled back into the bathroom for another shower. Then just as Daniel was about to propose they get some sleep the sun started to stream in the suite window, Brad suggested they go for breakfast. Daniel dragged himself from the bed and started to put his clothes on, reminding himself that he had all day to sleep.

When the sun woke him, Jack was surprised. He hadn't slept that well in a long time and waking up in someone's arms was a sensation that he had missed for quite a while. His bladder was demanding he get up; but he tried to ignore it and watch Franco sleeping instead. He glanced at the clock and was surprised to see that it was 7:30 am, he'd slept very late. His left arm felt dead under Franco's weight and he knew he was going to have that painful 'pins and needles' sensation when his circulation was finally restored, but he was enjoying it none the less. When his bladder started to warn him that there would be serious consequences for ignoring it, Jack dragged his arm from under Franco and headed for the bathroom. Fortunately, being right handed the lack of circulation that had rendered his left arm useless did not hamper him as he emptied his bladder and he looked up into the mirror as he washed his hands. For all the alcohol and activity; he felt and looked surprisingly good for a change. He splashed cold water on his face and dried it.

"Jack?"

He leaned around the bathroom door to see a sleepy Franco leaning up on one elbow.

"Sorry, I didn't man to wake you. I had to go."

"Come back to bed."

"Be right there." He practically bounded from the bathroom and onto the bed sweeping Franco again into his embrace. Franco tried to bury his face in Jack's neck but Jack dodged that and swept down to take Franco's lips and then started to kiss his way down Franco's chest towards his belly.

"Good morning, wood." Jack addressed Franco's cock as he kissed his way down his belly. Franco laughed and pushed Jack flat on his back.

"You're pretty darned perky this early."

"If you've been getting up at 5 am for as long as I have, sleeping until 7:30 is like a gift from heaven."

"Well, Mister Perky...you wait right there and I'll be back in a moment. It's my turn." Franco pushed Jack away and got up and headed for the bathroom. He strolled back to bed and crawled up from the bottom licking and nipping along Jack's legs as he did.

"Better be careful or I'll put you back to work." Jack said with a grin.

"You are hardly what I would call work... you're much more enjoyable than that. But I warn you, you'll have to feed me afterwards."

"It would be my pleasure." Jack grinned as he reached for the condoms and handed Franco the lube.

Daniel and Brad got onto the elevator and headed for the restaurant.

"I hear they have an awesome breakfast buffet." Brad was practically drooling.

"As long as there's coffee..." Daniel rubbed at his eyes. He'd taken the contacts out before they left the room but they had been in for a lot longer than usual and Daniel's eyes were feeling very gritty. They were seated immediately and Daniel looked up at the waitress pathetically.

"Coffee, please and lots of it." The waitress smiled and poured them each a cup then sat the pot down as Daniel picked up his cup in two hands and inhaled.

After a playful shower, Jack made good on his promise and he and Franco headed for the restaurant. Jack had slipped into his jeans and Henley while Franco was still in his tuxedo shirt and slacks. They were laughing and talking as they were seated and Jack ordered a coffee while Franco asked for a cappuccino and headed immediately for the buffet. Jack followed and they began to fill their plates.

Atto Terzo

Daniel rubbed his eyes again and squinted. He was sure that he had left the contacts in too long and they had done some damage to his vision. He stared past Brad at the two men at the buffet and rubbed his eyes again. Brad continued to talk but Daniel was no longer listening.

"It can't be..." Daniel whispered out loud.

"Daniel? Daniel are you okay?" Brad turned to try to see what Daniel was staring at and all he saw was a couple of guys at the buffet and people sitting and eating their meals, nothing notable and certainly nothing that should be distressing for anyone.

Daniel took off his glasses and wiped the lenses with the edge of the tablecloth before putting them back on and leaning across the table to stare at the two men who were now taking their seats to eat breakfast. The waitress returned with Franco's cappuccino and both Jack and Franco looked up as she approached. Daniel saw the broad, familiar grin and gasped "It IS."

Brad was confused. "Daniel who are you talking to? What's going on? Do you know those guys?" Brad turned in his chair to look back over his shoulder.

"I'm not sure, I might." Daniel watched Jack and Franco and saw them lean across the table toward each other to speak and his eyes widened as he saw Jack reach across and tenderly stroke Franco's hand.

Daniel was stunned. He was surprised enough to even see Jack in Denver...at the same restaurant...at the same time. But seeing him being so...intimate with someone...and seeing that the someone was a man was almost too much for Daniel's only partially caffeinated brain to handle. He picked up his coffee cup and gulped the contents then refilled it and drank some more. Brad wasn't sure what was going on only that it had Daniel completely mesmerized and he didn't think anything short of a pinch could get the other man's attention back. Daniel stared as Jack and Franco started to eat their breakfast.

"Daniel, I'm going to the buffet. Daniel, did you hear me? Daniel!"

Daniel refocused back at Brad

"What?"

"I'm going to the buffet are you going to eat or not?"

"Umm, yeah, I'm coming." Daniel stood and walked next to Brad towards the buffet, absently starting to fill a plate as he watched Jack and Franco. When they started to laugh and leaned towards each other to speak quietly it had Daniel completely flummoxed. Jack had his hand over the other man's again and a spark of something that tasted a lot like jealousy shot through Daniel. He put his plate down and as Brad watched he walked towards the table where Jack and Franco were sitting.

Daniel was running all the possible permutations through his head about who this man was to Jack and why they were here but he kept coming up short of any answer except the most obvious. It was Occam's razor again. The touches were way too intimate for them to be old friends; Daniel was Jack's best friend and he didn't touch him like that. He doubted they were old comrades again due to the intimacy of the contact. In his experience soldiers try to avoid touching each other and when they do it doesn't ever look like that. Male relatives don't touch like that; at least Daniel didn't think they did. He didn't have anything except Nick in the way of male relatives but he felt fairly confident in that assumption. That left only one other kind of relationship he could think of and that rocked him to his very core.

Jack O'Neill and this man were lovers. He had no doubt. He'd seen this very look on Jack's face before...twice. Once when the crystal entity has assumed Jack's persona to try to find Charlie and fix Jack. That time it was between Jack and Sara in the parking lot outside of the emergency room. The other time was when they had managed to finally rescue Jack from Edora and he and Laira were parting company. Then Daniel had been too embarrassed to watch and as he turned away he told Sam that he thought that Jack didn't think he'd ever be going home. This was that same look. He swallowed hard and walked up to the table.

At first Jack and Franco didn't look up; thinking it was the waitress there to refill Jack's coffee cup. Not until he cleared his throat did he get their attention and then the look on Jack's face was nothing short of shock. Daniel was sure that this was the look that cattle had just as they were being slaughtered and almost laughed out loud.

"Morning, Jack."

"Daniel?" Jack sputtered and his hand withdrew back across the table ever so slightly to put some distance between he and the other man.

"Fancy seeing you here."

"What are you doing here?"

"Having breakfast. How about you?"

"Umm... eating breakfast."

"Funny that, huh?"

"Quite a coincidence."

Jack's stunned look was quickly being replaced by a mask of nonchalance but Daniel wasn't falling for it. He could almost see Jack's mind wheeling to devise an excuse to explain away his compromise.

It never occurred to Daniel that he was going to have to explain his own presence as well.

"Daniel Jackson this is Franco Gladner. Daniel and I work together in the Springs." Franco stood and shook Daniel's hand and sat back down.

"Would you care to join us, Daniel?" Franco asked in spite of the scowl he got from Jack.

"Uh..no, thanks...I'm, I'm having breakfast with a... a friend... a colleague over there." He waved towards the table where Brad sat not eating and watching.

"Well invite him over."

Jack stepped in. "No I'm sure they have lots of egghead stuff to talk about."

It suddenly dawned on Daniel that it would be a bad idea. He could not possibly introduce Brad properly because he didn't know his last name.

Jack's was doing his best to cover his obvious discomfort.

"Oh, Daniel? May I speak with you a moment? Will you excuse us, Franco?"

"Sure."

Jack got up and took Daniel's arm leading him away from the table and towards the front of the restaurant. Then his tone changed completely.

"What the hell are you doing here, Daniel?"

"I might ask you the same question Jack. At least I'm not sitting in a restaurant in broad daylight holding another man's hand."

Jack pulled back slightly.

"What! Just what the hell do you THINK you saw, Daniel?"

Daniel pinched the bridge of his nose under his glasses.

"Please, Jack...don't patronize me. I know what I saw."

"And so?"

"I didn't know...that... that you were seeing someone... I mean. I've known you a long time; Jack O'Neill and I've never seen you touch anyone except Sara and Laira that way."

Daniel's observations startled Jack. He couldn't possibly be THAT easy to read, could he?

"So what are you saying, Daniel?"

"That I didn't know you were gay."

Anger flashed across Jack's features for a second followed by a look of resignation.

"I'm not, actually..."

"Oh, puh-lease... don't even try to ..."

"I'm Bi."

Jack's frankness hit Daniel like a hammer and all he could muster in return was... "Oh."

Jack looked up at Brad who smiled and waved in response.

"He's not actually a colleague, is he? He doesn't look old enough to be out of high school yet."

Daniel turned to look at the still smiling Brad and wiggled his fingers in response to Brad's wave.

"Uh...no, not actually."

"So you're Bi as well?"

"Uh, no, I'm gay. I've always been gay."

"But Sha're?"

"It didn't matter to her, the sex that is."

"Oh-kay...so what do we do now?"

As they stood talking Franco slipped out of his chair and passed behind Jack placing his hand on the small of his back and whispering.

"I'm going to the men's room, Jack. I'll be right back."

"Sure thing, I'll wait here."

Daniel nodded and smiled at Franco as Jack spoke.

As Franco continued to walk away, Daniel watched him.

"He's wearing a tux?"

"All right Mister Nosy. If you must know we met at the opera,"

"You pick up guys at the OPERA?" Daniel was really surprised. There was nothing like finding out you were shopping in the wrong store.

"I'll have you know he picked ME up at the opera. He's been watching me from afar since last season." Now Jack was being smug.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"So just like that he picks you up and you what? Sleep with him... on the first date?"

"And just how long have you been seeing..."

"Brad."

"Brad? Just Brad? Brad what?"

"Umm..."

"OH my god!..." Jack placed his hands flat against his face in surprise "...you don't even KNOW his last name, do you?"

"Actually, I..."

"Don't try to lie to me Daniel. You're terrible at it."

"Umm, no I don't know his last name."

"And where did you pick him up?"

"At a bar."

"So...you pick up a guy at a bar... a guy whose last name you don't even know and you have the gall to stand there and chastise ME for sleeping with someone on the first date? How much of a hypocrite does that make YOU?"

"But..."

"No buts, Daniel. We are not having this discussion here. Now you are going back over to...to the toddler over there, and I am going to go back over here and eat my breakfast." Jack was in full colonel mode.

"Oh we will definitely be discussing this. And just how long do you plan on being in Denver?" Two could play at this game. Daniel folded his arms across his chest.

Jack was now back on the hot seat and didn't like it at all.

"Uh... I'm not sure, yet."

"Jack?"

Jack watched as Franco returned to the table and sat down then spoke.

"Probably just for a few more hours."

"Probably?"

"Look, Daniel...what the hell business is it of yours anyway?"

"I'll be at your place at 8, Jack. Be there." Daniel turned on his heel and walked back to his table.

Jack stood unbelieving for a moment and then spun and rejoined Franco at their table.

"Problem, Jack?" Franco looked up over his cup.

"Uh...no, no problem. I just never expected to run into someone I know."

"Be discovered, you mean?"

"Huh?"

"Well that looked pretty uncomfortable from here. Is there going to be a problem?"

"No, I don't think so...at least no more than usual."

"Well that sounds ominous. Better eat your breakfast before it gets any colder." Franco picked up a piece of toast and started to eat. Jack glanced back across the room at Brad and Daniel and picked at his hash browns. He was not looking forward to his upcoming confrontation with Daniel.

Brad and Daniel exchanged telephone numbers and names and parted ways right after breakfast. Daniel went back to his room and took yet another shower trying to clear his head from everything that had happened.

Franco and Jack returned to Jack's room. Jack was trying to act casual; but Franco could see that he was shaken and figured it had to be because of what had happened in the restaurant.

"Do you want to talk about it, Jack?"

"About?"

"What happened downstairs."

"Thanks, Franco, but no. It seems that I already have a reservation to discuss that little scene this evening."

"Ahh... Is he going to make trouble for you, Jack?"

Jack laughed once.

"Daniel makes trouble for me every day just by being Daniel. If you mean is he going to out me at work...no, I don't think so. That's not in his nature to deliberately hurt someone..."

"But?"

"But?"

"I thought I heard a but on the end of that sentence."

"BUT...it will make for an interesting conversation."

"Well, then what's the matter?"

"The matter is... that I thought I knew everything there was to know about Daniel and evidently, I was wrong."

"Ahh!"

Jack and Franco chatted for a while and then exchanged telephone numbers. Jack offered to take Franco home before driving back to Colorado Springs but Franco declined and caught a cab telling Jack that he figured Jack's drive home would be distracting enough without dragging him half way across Denver as well. Jack promised he would call Franco when he got back to the Springs to let him know he'd arrived safely. They made a second date for the next time Jack was in town for the opera. Franco was right, Jack's drive home was very distracted.

Daniel checked out got into the rental and headed back as well, trying to keep the upcoming confrontation with Jack out of his mind while he drove. He made it to Colorado Springs without incident then turned in the rental, picked up his own car and went home. Since he hadn't had any sleep the night before Daniel decided to take a nap. He made sure to set his alarm before he lay down, just to be sure he didn't sleep through his appointment. He needed the sleep, Jack could argue with the best and he didn't want to be at a disadvantage in the upcoming game of wits.

Jack stopped at the store on his way home and bought a case of beer. He figured pizza would be a good distraction so he also stopped to place an order at his favorite place. He paid for the order in advance and asked for the order to be delivered at 9, that way he'd only have to worry about a tip for the driver later.

Daniel didn't sleep as well as he thought he would, the events of the morning kept waking him. Every time he closed his eyes he saw Jack's hand covering Franco's in the restaurant, he did finally manage to get just enough to remind him just how exhausted he really felt. He figured he'd be sleeping all day Sunday just to try to make up some of his sleep deficit. He turned off the alarm and gave up. He got into the shower and took his time washing, if he'd only had as much sleep as he'd had showers in the past 24 hours he'd have been in pretty good shape. Daniel deliberately took his time getting dressed after his shower; but still wound up pacing around his living room at 7pm, waiting for the clock to move so he could leave. It would not do at all for him to show up at Jack's too early.

At 8pm exactly Daniel was on Jack's doorstep and just about to lift his hand to ring the bell when the door opened in front of him.

"Not like you to be on time, Daniel."

Daniel struggled for a quick come back and couldn't come up with one.

"I've been pacing my living room for the past hour and finally gave up." He admitted with a shrug. Jack opened the door wider and motioned for him to come in.

"Have a seat, I'll get you a beer."

"Uh...no, no thanks. Do you have any coffee?"

"Yeah, I'll put some on. Be right back, have a seat." Jack waved towards the living room as he headed for the kitchen, silently berating himself for not really being prepared for Daniel. He should have thought of coffee earlier and had some ready but had been preoccupied trying to prepare all his arguments in advance. He set up the machine and flipped the switch then got out a mug and waited as the coffee brewed. He carried a full mug of coffee in one hand and his beer in the other and went back to the living room.

Daniel was sitting there rubbing his eyes under his glasses but looked up and smiled when Jack handed him the mug.

"Thanks."

"You look terrible, Daniel. Have you gotten any sleep since we left the mountain?"

"Uhh, not very much."

"Yeah, you look it too."

Daniel sipped carefully at his coffee and spoke again.

"So...Jack..."

"Daniel?"

"I thought we were friends."

"We are, Daniel."

"But you didn't tell me you were gay..."

"Bi." Jack corrected.

"Okay, Bi...whatever... you never told me."

"I wasn't aware that full disclosure was a requirement for friendship. There are lots of things you don't know and will never know about me, Daniel. I don't see why that lack of knowledge should change our relationship."

"It doesn't... except to prove that you don't trust me, Jack."

"I DO trust you, Daniel. But I still don't see why my sexual preferences should affect our friendship."

Daniel pinched his nose again and took a deep breath.

"It ISN'T going to affect our friendship...at least I don't think it will, not in bad way anyhow."

"Ohh?" Jack sipped at his beer. He was kind of enjoying Daniel's awkwardness, it took the pressure off him but he knew that if Daniel had been better rested he would be paying hell right about now instead of being in the catbird's seat.

Daniel was having trouble lining up his brain cells and was aware that he was at a disadvantage. It would only get worse if they started to argue so he decided to nip that possibility in the bud.

"Didn't you ever think that we might have had something more?..."

Daniel's statement hit Jack squarely in the forehead. Daniel saw the same 'deer in the headlights' look that Jack had when he first walked up to his table in the restaurant.

"Umm... I'm not sure I know what you mean by that, Daniel. "

Daniel looked him in the face now and laid all his cards on the table at once.

"Surely you HAD to know that I find you very attractive, Jack? I always have."

"Uhh, no... I didn't know."

"You never sensed that?"

"I don't have 'gay-dar', Daniel. If that's what you mean. No, I didn't know."

"What I don't understand is why you don't seem too surprised to discover that I'm gay."

"Well, I figured it goes part and parcel with the geeky, egghead thing. Besides, I've become used to all kinds of life altering revelations from you."

"Would it have made a difference?"

"I don't know, Daniel. Would it have made a difference in your decision on Kelowna? Would it have stopped you sacrificing your life? Would it have kept you here with me instead of running off with Oma?"

Jack had obviously recovered from his earlier setback and was again in control of the conversation. Daniel struggled for an answer and came up with none, time for honesty then.

"I don't know, Jack. I honestly cannot tell you."

"I can tell you, Daniel...it probably wouldn't have stopped you. You would have still done those things and I would have been left..." Jack's voice trailed off suddenly when he realized he'd revealed too much.

"You would have been left where, Jack? Alone?"

Jack sighed and gave up. "Yes, I would still have been left alone...and in even MORE pain. It was hard enough as it was, I'd have lost it for sure.... If, if we... I thought about it, you know...more than once... I thought I should just eat my own gun and end it all...that the pain was too much."

"Why didn't you?"

"Because I figured it was my punishment."

"Punishment? For what?"

"For the things I've done, for the things that I didn't do, for living a lie, for not telling you how I felt...pick one."

"So to punish yourself you didn't kill yourself?..."

"Don't make fun of me, Daniel."

"I'm not making fun of you. I'm trying to understand."

"That single thread was the only thing that kept me from blowing my brains out. It would have been much worse if we'd had a relationship, I wouldn't have survived."

"For not telling me how you felt? So if I asked you right now, how you feel about me?"

"I'm not sure I know what my answer would be. I care about you, Daniel, love you even. But I'm not so sure that it's safe for me to feel that way."

"No, it probably isn't wise or safe. But when has that ever stopped us from doing anything before now?"

The sound of the doorbell gave them both a momentary reprieve.

"I ordered pizza this afternoon. It must be 9 o'clock."

Daniel looked down at his watch. "On the nose."

"I'll get the pizza you get the napkins and plates." Jack got up and headed for the door as Daniel got up and headed for the kitchen. Jack tipped the driver and put the pizzas on the coffee table as Daniel came back with the plates and napkins.

"Here, sit and eat. I'm going to get another beer, do you need more coffee?"

Daniel drained his mug and handed it up to Jack.

"Yes, please."

They sat quietly for about a half hour as they ate, finishing all of one pizza and a good portion of the other.

"I'm going to get another beer. Do you want anymore pizza right now?"

"No, I'm stuffed."

As Jack leaned down to gather the pizza boxes, plates and napkins, Daniel jumped up to help and they moved the clutter to the kitchen working efficiently together as they had always done. Daniel put the unfinished pizza in the refrigerator as Jack put the empty box in the trash and the plates in the dishwasher. Daniel got another beer for Jack and poured himself some more coffee then headed back to the living room.

When Jack came back he handed him the beer and then Jack sat back down.

"So?"

"So... where were we?" Jack settled in the chair as Daniel leaned back into the corner of the sofa.

"I think we were considering what to do next."

"Or even if we should do anything."

"Don't you want to know, Jack?"

"About?"

"If we could have anything?"

"Any THING?"

"Any kind of relationship..."

"We already have a relationship."

"... okay, MORE of a relationship...a DIFFERENT relationship."

"What's wrong with what we have now. Friendship isn't good enough for you?"

"That's NOT what I'm asking and you know it, Jack. Stop trying to words in my mouth."

"Well, what would you LIKE me to put into your mouth?"

He did it again, just like that. He stopped Daniel dead in his tracks with one sentence. But Daniel refused to fall for it and thought he'd return the favor.

"Your dick."

There, that did it...now Jack O'Neill was the one on the hot seat again. Just that quick and with little or no effort on Daniel's own part the tables were turned again.

"Are you offering me a blow job, Daniel?"

"I am asking if we can try."

"A blowjob, sure..."

"Cut it out, Jack."

"Hey! YOUR words, Daniel, not mine."

"What I am trying to say...if you'd let me... is that I would like to have a more intimate relationship with you. I've wanted one for a long time and never thought it could happen."

"And you don't think this could be a problem?"

"Why would it?"

"Because we work together... it could compromise our work relationship."

"Oh I highly doubt that, Jack."

"That's why there are rules about fraternization, Daniel."

"Oh, please. Rules have never stopped you before. Why would they now... unless you're afraid."

"You don't scare me, Daniel... hell; you can barely even surprise me anymore. I have a lot to lose if something should happen. I could go to prison, wind up losing my command and my pension. It's a big risk."

"Yes, yes it is. But you've always been a risk taker, why stop now. And you might actually be better off for this risk. We could BOTH be better off."

"Or NOT."

"Well, there is that possibility...but I doubt it... I love you..."

Gotcha! Now Jack was back on defense again. He sat very still for a moment as Daniel's words sank in.

"...and I don't understand why you are putting up such a struggle, Jack. It's obvious to me that you love me as well."

Boom! Game, set and match to Jackson.

"That's a pretty big assumption on your part, Daniel. Deductive reasoning?"

"No, and stop arguing with me, Jack."

"Or what?"

Daniel sighed, got up and walked across the room. He leaned down when he got next to Jack's chair and lifted Jack's face with one finger under the chin then leaned down and kissed him. When the kiss ended he stood up.

"See!"

"See what?"

"If you didn't want me to kiss you, you would have stopped me. Christ, Jack, you can kill me with your bare hands without breaking a sweat. If you didn't want it to happen it wouldn't have."

"Maybe I was waiting for something."

"Waiting for something? What the hell are you talking about, Jack? What are you waiting for?"

"You never asked me."

"Asked you? Asked you what?"

"Asked me how I feel about you."

"And how DO you feel about me, Jack?"

Jack stood and put his hand along the side of Daniel's face.

"I think I've loved you for a long time, Daniel. I'm just not sure you know what you are getting yourself into with me."

"Oh, please..."

"No, I'm serious, Daniel. I'm no prize."

"You are to me."

"I'm old, used up, and probably psychotic. I have bad knees, a bad back, and an acerbic sense of humor. I can be bullheaded, opinionated, and mouthy..."

"Don't forget bossy."

"You aren't helping. I'm trying to be realistic here."

"Do you think that I am not aware of all of this?"

"I'm just saying...you could do better."

"Not in my opinion. What are you afraid of?"

"That you won't like what you get and it will damage our friendship."

"Jack, you've seen me crazy, more than once, dead a couple of times, suicidal AND homicidal...and that hasn't changed how you feel about me. So why do you think that us becoming intimate will change anything?"

"I'm just warning you...that's all. I don't want to lose our friendship, I can't chance it, I wouldn't survive it."

"I think you're worrying too much. I've seen most of your warts, Jack, and I'm not worried about them."

"You're sure?"

"Very."

"Well, okay then. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Jack reached out and Daniel stepped into his arms and kissed him.

"Does this mean you won't be picking up guys in the bars in Denver anymore?"

"If you stop getting picked up at the opera."

"That means you'll have to come to the opera with me to keep me out of trouble."

"Well, I guess I can make that sacrifice."

"One thing though."

"What's that?"

"You'll have to buy your own tickets. I can't afford to buy 2 every time."

"Oh what a lie! I've been around long enough to know that isn't true. You're just cheap."

"Yeah like you haven't been wearing the same stupid green flannel shirt for the past 10 years."

"I know it's ugly but that's the shirt YOU gave me when I got back from Abydos. I'll never give it up."

"Oh... I forgot."

"Yeah."

The kissing that followed lasted about 20 minutes before Jack finally took Daniel's hand and led him to the bedroom.

"I think we'll be more comfortable in here." Jack kicked off his shoes and climbed onto the bed fully clothed watching as Daniel removed his shoes and socks then started to take his shirt and pants off. Then Daniel glanced over and saw that Jack was still fully clothed.

"Uh, what's wrong Jack? And don't try to tell me you're shy." Daniel removed his pants and dropped them on the floor and tossed his shirt into the chair.

"No, just enjoying the view."

"Well, I suggest that you get out of those clothes before I'm forced to rip them off of you."

Jack scrambled off the bed and his jeans and shorts at the same time his shirt was also on the floor in record time. He tossed his tee shirt aside and climbed back onto the bed naked, just as Daniel climbed in on the other side. Daniel moved up next to him and they started to kiss again. This time there was lots of petting to go with it and things heated up quickly. Jack started to kiss his way down Daniel's chest and came to his cock and without any hesitation whatsoever, took the hard cock into his mouth and started to suck him. Daniel was undone. He started to grab at Jack to pull him back up and quickly kissed him.

"You can't do that... I won't last."

"Well, in that case..." Jack reached into the night table drawer and took out a bottle of Astroglide "...here."

Jack poured some lube over Daniel's fingers and pushed his hand downwards.

"Whoa, Jack, are you sure?"

"Absolutely... I've been dreaming about this for a long time. How do you feel about unprotected sex, Daniel?"

"Uh, well, I've never had unprotected sex, Jack. Well, not for a very long time, anyway. I've never found anyone that I could trust to be monogamous...until now."

He slipped his fingers behind Jack's balls and stroked across his hole. Jack gasped and stilled waiting for the burn that would accompany the entry of Daniel's fingers. What he felt was Daniel going down on his cock and pushing one knee back so he could get at Jack's anus. Jack squirmed in place, moaning and lifting his hips to thrust into Daniel's mouth. Daniel pushed a single finger inside and Jack nearly took off. Daniel pressed a second finger into service and Jack stilled and came.

Daniel swallowed everything greedily. Then grabbed the lube and slicked his own cock and pulled one of Jack's long legs up over his shoulder. Easing inside gently, Daniel relished the sensation of wet, heat and skin; something that he'd not felt since he was a kid which was the last time he had unprotected intercourse.

Jack lay beneath him, his tight, hot channel engulfed Daniel and he was worried that he wouldn't last long enough to make it good for Jack. He angled his first thrust and aimed where he hoped Jack's sweet spot was. If he couldn't give him a nice long fuck, he'd at least give him an intense short ride. Jack quivered under him and he knew he'd found it. He aimed for the same spot every time and by the fifth thrust Jack was already hard again and pushing up to meet him. Jack reached down and began stroking himself and Daniel found the sight so erotic he almost came just watching him.

"Jesus, Jack, you're trying to kill, me already, aren't you?"

"Shut up and fuck me, Daniel."

Daniel revved it into a higher gear and his rhythm fell apart. The short stabbing strokes heralded his impending orgasm. Jack came a second time, a small amount of semen spilling down across his fingers. He stared at Daniel and brought the fingers to his own mouth and Daniel was finished. He came with a groan and Jack felt the surge of warmth as semen filled him for the first time in years, before Daniel collapsed down on the bed next to him.

Jack rolled to his side and gathered Daniel into his arms and kissed him deeply.

Daniel was asleep in minutes, snoring softly.

Jack smiled; they'd have lots of time to talk later.

Fin