Voyages Of Discovery (Part 2/3)

by Euphrosyne

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/ase/euphrosyne/voyages012.php
Summary: Sometimes you have to travel to find yourself. A solo mission may lead to change or perhaps just a bigger, more comfortable closet. Love comes in spurts

Chapter 13 : The solution to a problem changes the problem

Daniel started to make Jack's bed and tidy the bathroom. As he adjusted the pillows at the head of the bed his foot came into contact with the briefcase shoved under the bed. He pulled it out and began to look at it. The first thing he noticed were the business cards sticking out of the cardholder on the outside. There was one for Colonel G. Howard Meade, MD, F.A.C.S. it had, as promised, all of Howard's phone numbers on it. The other card was for Michael J. Kegel, MD, F.A.C.S. Urology and also had handwritten phone numbers on it. Daniel slipped them both back into the pouch. The briefcase was unlatched but closed and Daniel thought briefly of Pandora and her situation, then took a deep breath and opened it anyway.

He smiled at the assortment of magazines inside, until he saw the envelope with Jack's name on it. He pulled the tickets and information out and looked them over, nearly laughing out loud when he saw another cruise brochure, until he saw the boarding passes and airline tickets for Barcelona.

"Oh my god, he's going to do it." He whispered out loud to no one. Something was niggling at his mind. Howard had said that Jack was going with him and his family on vacation, Howard's FAMILY was taking a GAY CRUISE? Daniel sorted through the papers further and saw that two suites were reserved one for Howard Meade and Michael Kegel and the other for Jack O'Neill. Did that mean that Howard was gay? Daniel wondered briefly and then shook his head, OF COURSE that meant that Howard was gay. How could he be so naïve? Daniel examined the dates and information on the tickets. It looked like Jack was going to do the Pre-Cruise Program as well, which meant that he'd be leaving a full three days before the cruise actually began.

You could almost SEE the synapses in Daniel's brain firing. He carefully returned everything to its envelope and the briefcase and then put the case back where he had found it.

Maybe he could stand a vacation too.

Daniel returned to the deck with Jack's second beer, as promised, which Jack accepted with a grin.

"Look Jack, I have to go out for a couple of hours to do a little shopping. Any idea what you would like for dinner?"

"I dunno, Daniel. I'm still full from lunch. Whatever you want will be okay."

Daniel patted Jack on the arm and handed him the cordless phone.

"If you're gonna be out here, at least have the phone, okay? Call me if you think of anything; I won't be long."

Daniel stood and left. Jack thought something was different but couldn't put a finger on it. It was like Daniel was on a mission; "Nah!" he shook his head and closed his eyes, allowing the warmth of the sun to seep into him.

Daniel wasted no time when he left Jack's. He returned to his apartment and called Gary at the Hardrive. Gary was a little surprised to hear from him, but thrilled to help him in his romantic conquest of one of his favorite customers. He was going on the same cruise and although he wasn't doing the pre-cruise program this time, he had done it before and enjoyed it. He knew the cruise was booked solid, but he could add a second person to his stateroom if Daniel wanted. He would call his travel agent and get right back to Daniel.

Daniel set out on his errands, cell phone at the ready and a spring in his step. Dammit, if Jack was gonna come out of the closet, he wanted to be there to hold the door for him!

A mere three hours later, Daniel was all set. The airline tickets and cruise tickets would be messengered to Gary the same afternoon. He and Daniel would leave two days later than Jack and still be on board before Doctors Meade, Kegel and company.

Daniel was having difficulty containing his excitement. He knew that it was possible that Jack and he may never be able to consummate their relationship, and it just didn't matter anymore.

He just wanted to be with Jack, even if there was NO sexual relationship whatsoever. He was now sure it was the right thing...for him...and Jack.

A brighter, more ebullient Daniel came back with groceries only to find Jack asleep on the deck.

He decided against waking him and started dinner instead.

During dinner, Jack was sure there was something going on. Daniel just didn't have a poker face and Jack was schooled at reading through the attempted distractions.

After dinner, they moved back into the living room to watch a little television. Jack was completely thrilled to find a favorite movie of his, the black and white 'In Harm's Way' just starting on one of the movie channels, and settled in immediately. The movie, a John Wayne and Patricia Neal epic, was so loved by Jack that he never made a sound and sat riveted. Daniel got up and made some popcorn and brought him another beer, and Jack was a happy camper.

After the lengthy film, Jack headed for bed and Daniel locked up and moved towards his old bedroom. He followed Jack up the steps and stopped in the hallway.

"Want me to come tuck you in and read you a story, Jack?"

"Nah, I think I can get by without a story tonight, but thanks anyway."

"Uh, okay, well if you need anything..." Daniel motioned to the spare room door, "...you know where I'll be, just holler."

"Yeah, well, that's something I'd like to get through an entire night WITHOUT doing, thanks!" Jack smiled and Daniel nodded and patted Jack on the shoulder.

"Good night, Jack."

"Thanks, Daniel, good night."

Daniel left his door slightly opened and noticed that Jack did too. The out of character action was not lost on Daniel who was now more determined than ever to help Jack exorcise his demons. Instead of working on his laptop as he had planned, he sat and read, in order to pay closer attention to any noises coming from Jack's room.

He only needed to make one trip to Jack's room during the night but whatever demon had surfaced was extinguished by Jack before Daniel had to wake him. In the morning, Jack was up at zero five thirty as usual and felt good enough to make coffee and breakfast for his favorite nurse.

At zero eight hundred Jack tiptoed into Daniel's room with a mug of hot coffee. He stood next to the bed and watched Daniel sleeping, resisting the urge to touch, he caressed his friend with his eyes.

Daniel could smell the coffee and heard Jack come into the room, then laid still and kept his eyes closed to see exactly what Jack would do next. Jack stood silently staring for a while and then unconsciously started to take a sip of the coffee he was holding. As he took a sip he grimaced and realized that this was NOT the way HE preferred his coffee.

The spell broken, he stepped to the bed and put his hand on a bare shoulder.

"Uh, Daniel, it's time to get up now. I have coffee for you." The last done in a sing song voice, trying to bribe Daniel awake.

Daniel fluttered his closed eyelids a bit then opened them, blinking.

"Jack? What time is it?"

"A little after eight, I think. See, I brought you coffee." Jack approached the bed and as Daniel shifted over slightly, sat down. Daniel pushed up on an elbow and accepted the mug, then sniffed the contents and took a sip.

"Umm, good, thanks. How are you feeling?"

"Okay, I guess. Look if you wanna get up I have French toast in the oven."

"Umm, sounds good, I'll just catch a shower..."

"Okay, I just put it in so you've got about thirty minutes. Better hustle your butt because it's no good cold and doesn't nuke well."

"Yes, mom, I'm getting up now." Daniel took another sip of his coffee as Jack left the room with a grin on his face.

Daniel saw that same grin in his mind, while in the shower and coming to terms with his own morning erection, and as always, it worked like a charm.

They spent the better part of the day outside listening to music and playing chess. Jack was taking a nap on one of the chaises after lunch while Daniel read. When Meade called to check on Jack, Daniel spoke to him briefly, and promised to have Jack phone him when he woke.

He sat at a table in the courtyard and waited, hoping that Boch's would be the first face he saw, and somehow knowing that it wouldn't be. He heard the voices and laughing long before he saw the faces.

They moved into the square and stood talking and laughing and Jack knew he had to follow the instructions he had been given. He got up and approached the group addressing the leader as he had been ordered.

Jack swallowed hard, "Nek ni, please."

The leader smiled and the men with him all had surprised looks on their faces. The leader reached to his belt and removed a purse and handed it to Jack, who accepted it and bowed from the waist.

"Fuck you? Oh, well now, sharmuta, I'll have to think about it while you suck me." The man pointed and Jack knelt and waited. The man accepted the congratulations of his companions, who watched as he pulled his hard cock from his britches and presented it to Jack.

Jack mouthed the organ expertly while other hands groped and fondled him, removing his clothing. Before long he was naked and still on his knees attending to every organ shoved into his face as the crowd gathered to watch.

Finally, they bent him over a bale of straw and began to take turns. When he protested they began to beat him until he lost consciousness and then tied him to the bale.

The cold water thrown over him was a relief and he tried to lick as much as his tongue could reach from his face. He hadn't had water for what felt like days, his mouth and lips parched and cracking. Someone took advantage of the water to go over him with a soapy mop, removing as much of the dried blood, feces, dirt and semen as they could with minimal effort, then there was another bucket of water poured over him. Then the man in the beret with the glasses moved up and lifted his head by a handful of hair.

"He is awake now, I think. Aren't you American pig?"

"Yes, sir." Jack said quickly.

"Good! See how quickly the American pig has learned to respond? He knows what happens if he doesn't. Don't you, mamhoon?"

"Yes, sir."

"Smarter than he looks, this American mamhoon." Murmurs of agreement could be heard from those gathered to watch the commander's favorite American prisoner.

"There is someone here to see you, sharmuta. I have told him how enjoyable it has been to have you here and he wishes a taste of what you offer."

"Ask for it, American mamhoon; ask for me to bury my zib in you." The new player was obviously familiar with the beret's methods.

"Nek ni, please."

Out of swollen eyes Jack looked up enough to see the Republican Guard insignia on the new player's uniform, just before the electric cattle prod was again inserted into his anus.

The scream shattered the peaceful afternoon like a brick through a plate glass window.

Daniel had been cutting melon for fruit salad and nearly lost a toe when he dropped the knife. He was on the deck in the blink of an eye.

"JACK! JACK! WAKE UP! OH GOD! JACK, WAKE UP, PLEASE!"

The thrashing threatened to overturn the chaise lounge that Jack was laying on and deposit him on the deck. Worse than that, Daniel was sure that the screaming was loud enough to be heard by Jack's neighbors who were very likely to call the police. He just managed to duck out of the way of a wildly swinging arm when Jack finally woke, panting and shaking. Jack's hands flew to cover his face in shame at the shuddering that was running through his body, and Daniel perched precariously on the edge of the chaise and pulled his friend towards him. Jack was so rattled he went without removing his hands from his face. Daniel held on to him and rubbed his back while Jack attempted to calm himself, and get his breathing and emotions back under control. When Jack's body finally relaxed and the shuddering stopped he still didn't pull away and Daniel basked in the sensation of having the person he loved most in the world in his arms, albeit under false pretenses.

Finally, Jack started to pull back and Daniel was forced to relinquish his hold, allowing him to sag back against the chaise.

Now, Daniel got a better look as Jack wiped his damp palms on his pants trying to remove what he thought was all evidence of tears. He failed miserably as his wet clumped eyelashes and tear streaked face betrayed him. Daniel sat with one hand on Jack's thigh and with the other he pushed damp fringes off Jack's sweaty forehead.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, thanks."

"Wanna talk about it." Daniel asked even though he knew what the answer would be.

"No!, Uh, thanks."

"You know, it might be better if you did."

"Oh, somehow I really doubt it." Jack said remembering that he had to wake Daniel from a night demon of his own recently. "Let's just say that my new demons have made friends with some of my old demons and now they're having a party in my head... I'll work through it, Daniel, I've done it before, and I can do it again."

"Yeah but will I live through it?"

"Who, you? The rubber archeologist? Sure you will!" Jack said with a grin. "Look, Daniel, I'm quite capable of looking after myself. You don't have to hang around here."

Daniel shook his head and grinned, "GOOD TRY, O'Neill! But it won't work, I'm afraid you're stuck with me until you go on vacation with Howard. Don't EVEN try it again."

"Fine. Just...fine."

"By the way, Howard called. I told him that I'd have you call him when you woke up."

"Okay, I'll call him." Jack reached for the phone as Daniel moved back towards the kitchen. Daniel was a little surprised to hear Jack arguing with Howard on the phone, and then Jack moved off to his room in a snit. Daniel assumed that Jack had been given instructions to attempt another erection and was balking, unwilling to submit himself without a fight.

Jack pulled the briefcase out from under the bed and sat it next to him, he had closed his bedroom door and was really only going to attempt this because Howard had ordered him. He slid out of his clothes and lay back on the bed.

Daniel sat quietly in the living room trying hard NOT to stare at the steps that led to the second level and the bedrooms. He was sipping his coffee and praying. Daniel knew Jack claimed to have stopped believing in God, but he hoped that God hadn't stopped believing in Jack. He found himself aching, knowing exactly what Jack was doing in his bedroom right then. He felt a little ashamed of himself that he could be so shallow and adolescent in the face of his friend's problem. He refused to pick up his book because he knew if he started to read, he would become so engrossed he might miss a call for help if one came, likewise working on his laptop. So, instead, he sat on the edge of the sofa hands on his knees and listened.

Jack had difficulty even achieving an erection this time, and he knew why. It was going to hurt, and then it wouldn't go away when it was supposed to AND he would get sick, again. It was tough to get past all that baggage, in spite of the inspirational reading materials he had at hand.

Eventually he had managed the erection, but it wasn't some profound revelation, or any psychological breakthrough that precipitated it, and the inspirational pictures supplied very little assistance. His mental images of Daniel finally won out over his aversion to the discomfort that would accompany the erection and its aftermath. Daniel's face, Daniel's body, the sensation he had earlier in the day when he woke from the nightmare on the deck and Daniel held him. Then Daniel's strong arms were wrapping him up safely in their warmth and with his head against Daniel's chest, even through his own hands covering his face, he could smell Daniel, almost taste Daniel. Even before that, lying in bed with Daniel wrapped against his chest, his hand playing across his ribs, soft, warm gusts of breath caressing his chest and its returning crop of hair. Those memories were the fuel that finally broke through and had Jack aching and arching into his own hand.

He came, with Daniel's face in his mind and name on his lips. He came in great, painful bursts into the towel he had folded over himself in preparation. Each eruption was like a hammer blow to his testicles, bringing tears to his eyes again even as he felt his stomach twisting. He rolled to his side and grabbed the trash can just in time as his stomach finally revolted and deposited what was left of its contents into the can. He put the can down and dropped the towel on the floor and waited. His testicles ached from their workout and his stomach still churned but he tried desperately to relax and calm his breathing. He chilled as the sweat covering his body evaporated and now the shivering began in earnest. He grabbed at the soft blanket across the bottom of the bed and covered himself, hoping that if he dozed off, when he woke the erection would finally be gone.

As he relaxed another bout of heaves struck him and he leaned into the small can again then fell back into the pillows. After an hour he gave up and picked up the phone.

Howard was disappointed, but on his way, and Jack needed to just hold on until he got there. Meade had no idea why this continued to happen and chalked it up to nerve damage, he hoped it would eventually resolve but now, wasn't so sure. He may just have to reconsider Jack's request for assistance in not having any further erections. He would hold off as long as possible, but if Jack asked again, he may just have to do something to help.

Daniel saw the PT Cruiser pull up and knew immediately who it was, he was hoping the timing was just coincidental but somehow just knew it wasn't. He opened the door before Meade reached the porch. The man did not look happy.

"Where is he?"

"Bedroom. What's going on?"

"He called me."

"And?"

"It's not good, Daniel. Lemme go see him first."

Meade was past him and up the stairs in a flash.

Daniel went back to the couch and waited.

A few minutes later, Howard again came down the steps and looked in Daniel's direction.

"I need to get something from my car. Can you make me a couple of bags of ice?"

"Sure, Howard, why?"

"Not now, Daniel. I'll explain later." Meade was out the door and back in moments, this time with a large traditional looking Doctor's bag. He met Daniel as he came from the kitchen with the bagged ice and took them with him.

A long time and many circuits of the living room later; Daniel's pacing was halted when Howard called his name from the hallway. He was upstairs in a flash. Meade laid a hand on his shoulder and addressed him.

"Look, Daniel, it happened again. But this time I had to give him something to help him relax so we could resolve it. But it had been so long that the blood had clotted and the clot needed to be removed."

"How?" Daniel paled at the thought.

"Like I said, I sedated him and then removed the clot with a large bore needle and syringe. It was just lucky that I could do it here; otherwise we'd be looking at another trip to the OR."

Daniel swallowed hard and looked anxiously past Meade towards Jack's bedroom.

"He's sleeping now. I had to hit him with the big guns in order to be able to do that, so he'll probably be out all evening and most of the night. He's gonna be very sore and probably swollen too, so make him stay in bed for tonight and tomorrow. I'll come by tomorrow to see him and then since we leave so early Thursday morning, I'll pick him up on Wednesday and he'll stay at my place overnight."

"He's not packed." Daniel felt a little silly pointing that out at this point.

"He won't need much, but make sure all the supporters get packed. They are the only thing we won't be able to get easily. I'll need to make sure that I have some supplies in case we run into trouble, but I'll take care of that at the office tomorrow." Howard looked Daniel in the eye now. "I want you to keep ice on him tonight, which will help with the swelling. I'm leaving the medlock in until tomorrow. I taped it pretty good, it won't be a problem and it'll be there for me to give him another dose of antibiotics when I come back."

"He didn't need this." Daniel shook his head and grimaced.

"No, he didn't. But it's up to us to make him more comfortable. Christ!..." Meade ran his hand through his hair. "...Every time something like this happens it just reinforces his fear of having another erection. I was hoping that getting away would help, but now I'm not so sure." Meade shook his head slowly. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see."

Meade looked up again, and saw Daniel standing with his mouth open.

"Are YOU okay with this, Daniel? Because I can call and have him taken to Academy General or even back to the SGC, but I think he'd prefer to stay here."

Daniel came back from wherever his mind had taken him.

"I'm fine, Howard. I'm just worried about him."

Meade moved back into the bedroom and picked up his bag. "I've gotta go, are you SURE you can deal with this?"

"Yes, Howard, I'll be fine." They moved down the steps and towards the door.

"You have my number? I'm going right home so I'll be there all night."

"Got it, thanks. I'll call if there's a problem, I promise."

Meade patted Daniel on the arm. "Jack's lucky to have a friend like you, Daniel. Really lucky." Just then, Meade's beeper went off and he looked at it to see who was paging him. "Shit! I gotta go!"

"Your better half?" Daniel was very careful to use gender neutral terms.

"Yeah." Meade laughed. "I'm gonna get skinned. Goodnight, Daniel. Call me if you need me."

"I will, Howard, goodnight." Daniel watched Meade get back into his car and pulled away then realized how late it really was. He closed the door and moved to the kitchen. Thinking ahead he bagged some ice and put it back in the freezer. Put away the things he had started to work on that could be salvaged and tossed those that couldn't. He made a pot of coffee and filled a thermos then made a sandwich and grabbing his book and laptop; he locked up downstairs and moved into Jack's bedroom.

He rearranged the upholstered chair in one corner of the bedroom and moved a lamp closer for his ease. Then he grabbed a blanket and draped it over the back of the chair. He wasn't going to leave the room if he could help it. He moved towards the bed and turned the bedside lamp down low. Careful not to disturb Jack, he lifted the edge of the bedclothes to check the ice packs. He got his first look at Howard's handiwork. Jack was swollen and discolored, some of which he knew was from the iodine solution that Howard used, the rest, he assumed was bruising. Jack was gonna be really sore in the morning. He put the bedclothes back and smoothed them, then brushed the fringes of hair back from Jack's forehead and went back to the chair and settled in for the evening. He sipped coffee from the thermos and worked on a few translations on his laptop. He got up a couple of times, to replace the ice packs, refill the thermos and empty his bladder, and another time to add a blanket to Jack's covers when he saw him shivering after replacing the ice pack. The heavy sedation, fortunately, allowed Jack to have a dreamless and pain free rest. Daniel, however, would be worse for the wear of sleeping in the chair all night.

Jack awoke to bags of warm water in his bed and an archeologist sleeping in the chair in his room. It took him a few minutes to remember what had happened, that quickly became apparent when he went to sit up. He moved the covers and looked down. He vaguely remembered Howard's visit and the resulting need for intervention. He saw the medlock in his wrist and the bruising and Band-Aids and the prior days events became a little clearer. He removed the baggies and got up cautiously. Jack moved to the bathroom and washed up and brushed his teeth then went back and lay down. He ached pretty bad and didn't want to push his luck just yet. He put a supporter on and sat up watching Daniel sleep. He'd done this a hundred times on this planet and others and he was always amazed by just how innocent and peaceful the man looked. He dozed back off while appreciating the view.

A while later all the coffee that Daniel had consumed the night before was hammering at his kidneys, demanding to be set free. Daniel woke stiff and in urgent need, but still managed to get to the bathroom. On the way back, he noticed that Jack was sitting somewhat upright against the headboard and the former ice bags were on the floor. He moved to the bed and sat down.

"Jack?" He said softly.

Jack took a deep breath and turned his head toward the sound before he opened his eyes.

"Danny?"

"Yeah. How are you feeling?" Daniel smiled.

"Kinda achy, everything from the waist down hurts. Feels like someone's been shoving needles in my dick."

"Yeah, well, there's a really good reason for that." Daniel smiled. "Do you need help getting up?"

"Been up, came back to bed."

"Well, this is where Howard wants you for the day, so stay put. I'll go make some coffee if you're interested?"Jack pointed to the little arrangement in the corner, "You slept there?"

Daniel turned, "I slept there."

"Why?"

Daniel took a deep breath, "So I could look after you, be handy in case you needed me."

"Thanks, Daniel."

"No problem, Jack, you're welcome." Daniel was a little surprised he had expected an argument from Jack and getting none, didn't know what to say next. "Uh, I'll just go make some breakfast, okay. Howard said he'd be over today to check on you then tomorrow he'll take you to his house for the night."

"Why?"

"You're going on vacation with his family, remember? You leave early Thursday morning and he figured it would be easier if you stayed at his place on Wednesday night."

"Ah, I forgot. He told you all this when?"

"Last night before he left. I'm gonna go make some fresh coffee, are you feeling up for breakfast or do you want to wait?"

"I'm kinda hungry actually."

"Yeah, I guess you would be, you haven't had anything to eat since lunch yesterday. I'll go make breakfast and bring you some more ice, Howard said it'll keep the bruising and swelling to a minimum." Daniel got up and headed for the door.

"Yeah, but I'm getting really sick of frozen balls."

Daniel turned around.

"Come on Jack, many are cold; but few are frozen."

Jack stared at Daniel's slowly erupting half smile and said flatly.

"You've waited a lifetime to use that line, haven't you, Daniel?"

"Yes... Did you like it?"

"Not especially, but then as they say, a good pun is its own re-word."

Now Jack was smiling as Daniel dropped his chin to his chest in defeat, then groaned and left the room.

Jack spent the morning in bed, much of it iced and shivering. He was too uncomfortable to play chess or cards, but did watch a couple of favorite movies from his small collection, allowing Daniel to pull the cart with the TV and DVD player in from the guest room, he stayed in the room as much as possible to keep Jack from using boredom as an excuse to get up. So, when Jack finally went back to sleep, around eleven am, he was only too happy to move back into the living room to work for a while.

Meade arrived around one pm and sat talking with Daniel for a few minutes before heading off to the master bedroom to give Jack another dose of antibiotics and check on his work.

"Jack?"

"Howard."

"How are you feeling?"

"Sore...and you?"

"Uh, fine, thanks."

"Soo, I suppose you wanna have a look?"

"If it's not too much trouble?"

"And if it is?"

"I STILL need to look." Howard came to the side of the bed and looked down at O'Neill. Jack shifted sideways to allow him to sit and pulled the covers back. "Have you been up today?"

"Just long enough to use the latrine. What you aren't seeing is the ankle manacle that's attached to Daniel. Every time I set foot out of this bed, he's here in a flash, like a watchdog."

"Good! At least he's not being difficult." Meade inserted the needle on the large syringe containing the antibiotic solution, into the medlock port in Jack's vein and slowly injected the solution.

"Oh, not with you maybe, but believe me, that boy is as stubborn as they come."

"Oh, I'm sure he is; he's learned from the master!" Howard chuckled as he examined Jack. "This doesn't look too bad."

"Yeah, well, it FEELS like hell!"

"I know, sorry. But look at it this way, you COULD currently be an inpatient at the Academy Hospital or the SGC Infirmary right now, at least you're in your OWN bed, with a private duty nurse that you can intimidate."

Jack laughed. "You DON'T KNOW Daniel very well then, if that's what you think! He doesn't intimidate easily at all, scarier guys than me have tried."

"He's a master of disguises then, because I could swear he's a pushover for you."

Jack looked up at Howard, "Ya think?"

"Oh, definitely..." Howard pulled the covers back across Jack's groin. "...as a matter of fact, you two kinda act like, uh..."

"WHAT?" Jack prompted urgently when Meade balked at finishing his observation. Meade sat back and looked at Jack's face there was fear and something else hidden deep in the sable eyes. "Act like what, Howard?"

Meade took a deep breath.

"You two act kinda like Mike and I did, before we admitted how we felt about each other."

Jack raised an eyebrow ala Teal'c and shook his head. "Perhaps you should consider getting your eyes examined before you ETS, Howard. I understand that glasses can be expensive if you have to pay for them. You don't get the wide selection of designer frames, but what the hell! If they'll help you see better, isn't that all that matters?"

"I'm serious, Jack. I think you need to take a better look at your 'best friend' cause I think you're missing something."

"Please, Howard, I've known that man for five years, he's straight as an arrow, trust me, I'm an expert on Daniel Jackson."

Just then the body in question came tapping on the door.

"Howard, is he okay?"

"Come on in, Daniel. He's fine, just a little dense that's all." Meade smirked at Jack.

"Oh well, then, he's back to normal for him!" Daniel smiled as he came in. "I was wondering if you'd like to stay for lunch?""Nah, thanks. I have to go back to the hospital; and finish up a few things and sign a couple of patients over to my relief." Meade started to remove the tape around the medlock. "Lemme just pull this, and I'm outta here. I got stuff to finish before tomorrow so I'll be on my pager, then at home..." He looked up at Jack, "...I'll pick you up at fifteen hundred tomorrow. Is that all right?"

Jack rolled his eyes ands inhaled sharply as the small, plastic catheter was pulled from his vein. "Like I even HAVE a choice?"

"Nope, none." Howard dropped the catheter into the orange box in his bag, removed his thumb from the wound and applied a Band-Aid. He closed the bag and got up. "Okay, stay IN the bed, continue the ice..." He pulled a small bottle of capsules from his pocket and tossed them to Daniel.

"...He can have one of those every four hours for the pain." Then he turned to Jack, "Take the pain meds, Jack. You'd be surprised how much better you'll feel."

"Yeah, whatever. Don't you have sick people to see?"

"Yep, sure do. Call me if you need me, and uh, stay off that thing today, okay?"

Jack waved a hand, "Oh, you don't have to worry about that!"

Daniel followed Mead from the room and down the steps, just inside the front door Howard turned and addressed him.

"I'd give him two of those tonight. You can open them up and put them in hot chocolate or a strong flavored drink. He's really sore but won't admit it, and it'll be worse tonight. That's the ONLY way either of you will get any sleep."

"Thanks, Howard."

"You really care for him, don't you, Daniel?"

"More than you know."

"Maybe you should tell him?"

Daniel patted Meade on the arm, "I'll consider it, Howard. I'll consider it."

At that, Meade was gone.

Chapter 14: If your attack is going really well, it's an ambush.

The remainder of Tuesday was, thankfully, uneventful. Jack dozed and watched TV, helped considerably by the pain meds that Howard had left. Daniel managed to twice conceal the meds in treats he brought to Jack, that were devoured without question. The third time O'Neill specifically asked for one which Daniel quickly handed over with a smile. As instructed Daniel slipped two into Jack's hot chocolate, and they both managed to sleep through the night.

Wednesday afternoon, as promised Howard came and collected his patient.

Daniel left shortly afterwards to go to his place and pick up his bags, and then headed for the Hardrive.

Gary was, of course, delighted to see Daniel and installed him immediately in one of the guestrooms.

During the entire drive to his home, Howard talked about Mike and how, in order to keep him happy, Howard allowed extreme lassitude and indulgences.

Mike was thrilled to meet Jack.

Jack finally discovered why Howard was so in love, Mike was a god. He was six feet, had black hair, bright green eyes and a luscious looking mouth. His skin was like milk and his voice was throaty and sensuous-sounding even during normal conversation.

Oh, yes, Jack could see just why Howard stayed at his beck and call, ate tofu, and the hundred other things that he did for love of this man. Who wouldn't?

"You know Howard talks about you all the time, don't you?" Jack said trying for small talk as he and Mike sat in the living room. Howard had gone to the deck to start the grill for dinner.

"Really?" Mike laughed.

"Now that I've met you I can see why." Jack could not stop his eyes roving over the man on the couch. The wife beater and short shorts revealed major expanses of skin that Jack almost ached to touch.

"You know, Howard said you were hot. But he didn't say just how hot. I'm just really glad you aren't my patient."

Jack was puzzled by Mike's last statement. Howard had said that HE was hot? He had to know what Mike meant.

"Why is that?" Jack asked perhaps a little too naively.

Mike got up and crossed the room, then knelt in front of Jack and took his face into his hands. He leaned forward and brushed Jack's lips with his then pulled back slightly, "So I can do this." He dove in with his mouth open this time and Jack opened in return, sucking and nibbling at lips that looked oh, so familiar in shape. Jack pulled back first.

"We shouldn't be doing this."

"Why not?"

"What about Howard?" Jack's hands stayed against the well developed pecs, under the thin shirt.

"Oh, well. He can't indulge this time you see, because you're still HIS patient. That's a rule neither of us will break. But you AREN'T MY patient, so he'll just have to be content to watch." Mike pulled Jack's shirt up and headed, mouth open, for the brown nipples. Jack groaned and closed his eyes rolling his head back when the lips connected with their target.

"JESUS! MIKE! He hasn't been here an hour and already you're all over him!" Meade stood at the doorway, watching Mike sucking and teasing Jack's nipples. Jack looked like he had just been electrocuted, eyes wide and staring, frozen in place.

"Howard, uh..." Jack started to push Mike away.

"No, Jack! Its okay! It's fine really." Howard reassured him from the door. "I think I pointed out to you that Mike is a little, shall we say, kinky? Well, he kinda enjoys me watching him with other people. We both do, actually, but like he says, you're still my patient. So I can't... indulge. Is it a problem, Jack?"

"Uh, no, I guess not. He knows I can't...you know?" Jack motioned to his own crotch.

"Mike knows all about your problem, if that's what you mean. And as your doctor I think I should tell you, that you can do anything you want to do, or feel like doing. But I will warn you..." Meade motioned towards Mike feasting on Jack's chest. "...he's insatiable when he gets like this." Howard chuckled as Mike pulled Jack's shirt up and over his head, tossing it to the side before removing his own. Then Mike dove back in and devoured Jack's mouth, as Jack ran his hands all over the chest and back. Jack's hand straying to one of Mike's nipples and giving a little pinch elicited the most sensuous moan Jack had ever heard. When he looked up again Howard had dropped his own shirt and was moving up behind Mike.

Mike moaned again when Howard knelt behind him and opened Mike's shorts pulling them down. Mike always went commando at home so when the large erection bobbed free, Howard wasn't a bit surprised, but Jack was and hesitated. Howard and Mike both saw the emotions flashing across Jack's face and Howard pulled back.

But Mike wasn't so easily dissuaded. He leaned forward and began to open Jack's jeans, gently and carefully, all the time staring into Jack's face to watch his response. He slid his hands around the waistband towards the back of the jeans and Jack lifted to allow their removal along with his shorts and the supporter. Mike stripped the clothing down Jack's legs and slipped off the athletic shoes without untying them, then pushed the bundle of clothing to the side.

Howard's hands rubbed up and down along Mike's chest and belly, as he kissed along his neck and shoulders. Jack watched them, and how well they fit together and felt the warmth spreading low in his belly. Mike leaned in and kissed Jack, his tongue exploring the hot cavern while his hands drifted, teasing, all over.

Mike broke the kiss and his mouth drifted, nibbling an earlobe, sucking at a ridge of tendon on the side of the long throat, mouthing Jack's entire Adam's apple and caressing it gently with his tongue. His moist lips moved expertly and efficiently over Jack's neck and shoulders. He paused when he came to the hollow by the breastbone, so he could lap invisible dew from Jack's body, Jack's fingers wove through the thick black hair, not directing, just caressing.

Mike kissed his way back to Jack's chest rubbing one nipple with his fingers as he teased the other with his tongue. He began to kiss Jack's ribs, while his hands drifted to Jack's sides, then paused and looked up. Jack had been sitting with his eyes closed and mouth open as if to say something. When the incredible sensation machine that was Mike's mouth stopped, it only took a moment for Jack to notice and he opened his eyes and looked down, Mike looked up, eyes asking permission to proceed.

Jack swallowed and nodded, once, and Mike's head dipped, tongue darting out to swipe a battered and bruised cock. Mike buried his face in the wiry hair of Jack's crotch and slowly began to kiss and mouth the soft organ there.

Howard watched carefully, while still stroking Mike's chest and cock. He was relieved when Jack nodded allowing Mike to proceed but continued to observe Jack carefully for any signs of discomfort or trouble.

Howard had thought that this was a very bad idea, considering Jack's track record in the last forty eight hours. But Mike had insisted that all Jack needed was a little bit of tender loving care, putting the emphasis on the tender loving part. Howard felt that Mike had some kind of sixth sense about these things and didn't argue and Mike agreed to stop instantly if Jack pulled back.

So far, as usual, Mike was right. Meade glanced down to see his lover's face buried in another man's crotch licking and tasting and began to ache. He leaned back long enough to open and pull his own pants down and moved back in sliding his hard cock in the cleft of Mike's ass a couple of times before he got up and removed his pants completely. Meade disappeared for a short time then came back, put down a small pile of items next to the chair and knelt behind his lover; he parted the taut buttocks and dove in between them, tongue first. The sensation nearly had Mike falling into Jack's lap. Jack looked up and saw what Howard was doing and felt Mike's mouth on him and began to respond. The response only encouraged Mike further and he growled low in his chest as Jack hardened in his mouth.

The second time Mike growled Howard stopped his rimming and look up to see Mike licking and sucking a very hard cock, while Jack sat with his head back, mouth open and sighing audibly.

"Jack?" Mike said softly. "I want you inside me, please?"

Jack looked at Howard as if for approval so Meade nodded encouragement.

"How?" Jack asked.

Howard got up and spread out the thick blanket he had gotten from the bedroom and moved out of the way so Mike could arrange Jack as he wanted him. "Lay down here. Let me do the work."

Jack lay on his back on the blanket and Mike grabbed a condom from the box on the floor next to the chair and rolled it deftly onto Jack's hard cock. He leaned forward while Howard lubed his opening and then slid up over Jack's cock allowing Howard to guide it home. He sat a little and gasped, as did Jack, Howard helped to steady him as he took the battered warrior home.

When he was fully sheathed, Jack groaned again and Mike spoke to him.

"You tell me what you want. If you don't like it, I'll stop. You want more or harder, tell me, YOU'RE in control here, Jack. YOU call the shots."

Then he leaned in and kissed him slowly and deeply. Howard never felt prouder or more aroused by his mate than he did right now and moved to sit in the chair that Jack had vacated, stroking himself.

Mike pulled himself up with powerful thigh muscles and sat slowly back down, an almost maddeningly slow fuck, the kind that Howard liked. He had no trouble seeing the similarities between the two men, in spite of their differing appearances. They were the same height and coloring but Howard was balding and Jack had the most magnificent silver hair. Howard was bulkier at the chest and biceps; weight training had given him a sculpted chest and arms, where Jack was built more like a runner, leaner, sleeker, power without mass.

But their minds were oh so alike. Howard preferred the gentle, tender, mind melting slowness of what Mike called one of his 'hundred year fucks'. Mike suspected that Jack was the same way and moved slowly up and down on the turgid length.

In spite of what Howard thought, Mike was afraid of causing Jack discomfort, so he was prepared to endure. Mike looked down and saw Jack breathing in rhythm with his ride and began adding a little speed, Jack reached up and began to rub at one of Mike's nipples and Mike shifted his hands around a bit so both palms were flat on Jack's chest. Jack reached down and began to stroke Mike's length as Mike moved and then looked up and simply said, "Faster." Mike was happy to accommodate him and increased his speed.

Then, much to Mike's and Howard's surprise, a couple of minutes later Jack requested that Mike lay across Howard's lap in the chair and Mike got up with a smile. He put his hand out and assisted Jack to his feet then lay over the arm of the chair and into Howard's lap, with his mouth open and ready. Jack moved behind him and quickly re entered Mike then began to push into him a little more urgently.

Howard became so oblivious watching Jack's face while Mike sucked his cock that when Jack swooped in and kissed him on the mouth, he was surprised and hesitated at first. Then he opened to him and the two soldiers explored each others mouths briefly until Mike wiggled his butt.

"Sorry." Jack said and began an even further increase of his tempo.

A few moments later Mike came into Jack's hand, then Howard grabbed Jack's hand and licked it clean, as he shot his load down Mike's throat.

When Jack began to come they all knew it. He fell across Mike's back, while uttering the most heart rending sounds that Howard had ever heard.

For Jack, it was like each ejaculation was wrenching his balls from his body; Howard rubbed at his back as his whole body suffered through every spasm until he was spent. Mike reached back and was gently stroking his thighs and buttocks, to help soothe him. Jack knew he was heavy on Mike's back and pulled out carefully, holding the condom, then stood and tied it off, and handed it to Howard when he put his hand out for it. Mike stood and they both were appalled when they saw the blood drain from Jack's face as he started to crumple. Mike lowered him to the blanket and gave a couple of instructions to Howard, who moved quickly to the kitchen and back, handing a garbage bag to Mike. Mike managed to get it into position just in time as Jack's blood pressure bottomed out and his vagal nerve retaliated, Jack heaved into the bag as Mike rubbed his back. Then he fell back, where Howard had moved a sofa pillow under his head and produced another blanket to cover him.

"Oh, god, just let me die, I can't stand this anymore."

"Howard, why don't you get Jack something to drink and then go turn the grill down, we'll wait a while yet, I don't think Jack's interested in food just now."

Fortunately, Jack had his eyes closed and couldn't see the hand gestures that Mike was using to shoo Howard off. When Howard was gone Mike moved in and kissed Jack on the forehead, then lay down next to him and pulled him close.

"You're gonna be fine, Jack. You really are, it just takes time, Guns told me how bad you were hurt, and you've come a long way already. Give it more time, don't give up yet." Mike slid under the blanket and gathered Jack close, Jack put his head on Mike's chest and tried to calm himself listening to the other man's heartbeat. Mike rubbed his hands up and down, in an attempt to soothe him; he could feel Jack's still hard length against his thigh and hoped that Howard would not need to do another intervention to relieve the erection. A few minutes later, Jack was asleep and his cock was becoming soft, Mike sent up a silent prayer of thanks. He didn't want to have to face Howard if he wound up having to de clot Jack again.

When Jack was completely soft against his leg, Mike slid out from under the blanket and pulled his shorts back on, then pulled his shirt over his head and went in search of Howard.

"Well?" Meade was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a beer, reading a magazine. He sat up when Mike came into the kitchen.

Mike moved to the fridge and got a beer for himself then twisted off the lid and moved over to where Howard was sitting. Meade turned in the chair and allowed Mike to slide into his lap, then kissed him.

"Well, what?"

"Don't play, Mike. Is he okay?"

"He's sleeping."

"Yeah, and?"

"I was worried because he was still so hard, I thought sure you would have to do another needle aspiration. But I slid under the blanket with him and held him until he fell asleep and the erection resolved itself."

"OH, thank God! I was worried. I was wondering what you were going to do."

"Well, it's only a little victory because if having an orgasm continues to hurt him that much and he goes vagal every time, it won't matter that his erections resolve spontaneously. He won't allow himself to have anymore if he can help it. It must hurt like a bitch; I can't imagine THAT man making a sound like that otherwise."

Howard nodded and kissed a shoulder, "Yeah, I wish I could do something about that for him, but I still think it will get better."

"You KNOW what that article in the journal said..."

"Yeah, I know. I just still think it will resolve."

"I'm kinda surprised he even HAS any function, from what you said about the injuries."

"If you talked to the people he works with, or read his medical history, you wouldn't be."

"So you've said. I just prefer to think that it was your superior surgical skills that did it." Mike said with a smile and then leaned in and collected his reward.

"Keep it up; I'll be bending you over this table in a minute, Dribble boy!"

"Ewwwww, promises, promises... I'm gonna check on your patient." Mike got up managing to avoid a swat at his butt, on his way back to the living room.

Howard panicked momentarily and moved to follow, so he could warn Mike about waking O'Neill.

He needn't have worried.

Mike slipped down and under the blanket then took Jack's head in his hands and began to kiss him awake.

Jack groaned and shifted then moved closer and draped himself over the doctor then started to kiss back.

Meade stood at the doorway, unbelieving his own eyes. The man who had such a reputation that no one would approach him while he slept was a snuggler.

Jack woke up to kisses and soft words in his ear.

"Daniel?"

"Uh, no, Jack. It's Mike."

O'Neill opened his eyes, "Oh god, I'm sorry, Mike."

"Its okay, really, I've been called worse. Do you feel like sitting up?"

"Uh, yeah, I think so." Mike assisted him into a sitting position, then handed him his supporter and shorts Jack pulled both on and lay back down to adjust them. Mike stood and took his hand to help him up then made him sit down in the chair to put his pants and shirt back on. Howard came in and began to fold up the blankets setting them to one side. Let me take you to your room, Jack, you can lie down and get a little shut eye before dinner.

Jack went willingly.

Howard showed Jack to the guestroom and he stretched out on the big four poster bed. The room was airy and tastefully decorated and there was a suspicious looking set of luggage sitting by the door. Jack fell asleep, while debating whether or not to get up and look at the contents of the suitcases.

Chapter 15: Yield to temptation; it may not pass your way again.

Daniel spent the afternoon enjoying some of the amenities of the Hardrive, fully prepared to spend the next three days there until they left for the cruise. When Gary invited him to dinner, he was thrilled.

They went to a nice restaurant in the area and Daniel dumbfounded Gary when he ordered their meal in fluent Greek, reading from the foreign menu without the server's assistance. This, of course, captivated the owner and chef and he produced plate after plate of 'special goodies' for the handsome young man who spoke Greek with an Athens accent.

The Retsina flowed freely as did the Ouzo and Gary and Daniel were still there in the wee hours after closing the place, sitting and drinking with the owner and servers and sharing in their late repast. They laughed and joked with the servers, all of them male, some faces familiar to Gary from around the neighborhood. The owner was a delight and obviously gay as well, he spent the entire time with one of the younger looking servers on his lap, snatching the occasional kiss.

When reckoning time finally came, the owner refused all payment extracting from them their promise to return for dinner again that same night. The restaurant would, technically, be closed, but there was a large gathering planned and Daniel and Gary would be honored guests. They agreed with a handshake and many thanks.

They stumbled and wove arm in arm the few blocks back to the Hardrive. Half supporting each other, laughing and giggling at their own drunkenness, they fumbled back into Daniel's room, stripping on their way towards the bed and collapsed in a tangled heap.

"OH GOD! I'm pistshed." Daniel wiped his face with his hands.

"Pissed." Gary tried to correct.

"Wha?""I said, you're pissed."

"YES I AM! Dint I say tha." Daniel's eyes crossed.

Gary giggled and pulled Daniel closer, "Nah, but you did try."

Daniel laughed again and started toying with Gary's nipple ring.

"Sooooo, when you and Jack, ya know, did it, wass he on top or bottom?"

Gary pulled back, stunned.

"Whoa! Where did that come from?"

"Mmm, juss wondered."

"Who tole you we did it?"

"Umm, nobody, I juss figured."

"Well, we dint."

"Yes, you did."

"Dint."

"Did."

"Dint."

"Did."

"Alright, say we did..."

"AH HA! I juss KNEW it!" Daniel thrust an arm into the air in victory.

"...What difference would it make?"

Daniel became slightly subdued, "I've never done... it, you know?"

"What? Oh sure you have. We did it in this very room." Gary looked around to be sure.

"Not it... IT." Daniel did vague better than most people.

Gary finally figured it out even through all the Retsina and Ouzo.

"OH!... 'IT'. You've never done...'IT' before?"

Daniel grinned, "Yeah, I was wondering if we could... you know?"

"Do...'IT'?"

"Yeah."Gary leaned up on an elbow and pushed Daniel flat, then leaned in and began to kiss him.

"I'm kinda pistshed myself, but we can try."

Daniel was set alight quickly and was impatient for Gary to be ready. He grabbed the lube from the drawer and opened it, squirting some on Gary's fingers, then got on his hands and knees in front of him.

"No, not like that. I need to see your face the first time, Daniel."

"Why?"

"Trust me; it'll be better for both of us if I can see how you're doing. I've popped a few cherries in my time; it should be memorable for the right reasons."

Daniel lay on his back and allowed Gary to pull a pillow under him, elevating his butt. Then Gary used a lubed finger to tease and circle Daniel's tight anus and stroked his own cock with his other hand. Daniel kept trying to thrust onto the finger every time it teased his asshole, but couldn't manage it.

Finally, Gary pushed the finger inside and Daniel felt that burning and pain he'd felt when he was experimenting with Jack's vibrator. Gary wiggled the finger inside and leaning forward, kissed Daniel. Daniel relaxed long enough for the second finger to breach him and now the burning began in earnest. Daniel felt like he was being split and was just about to ask Gary to stop when Gary leaned down and started to lick at Daniel's softening cock where it lay on his belly. Then a finger crooked inside him and struck his prostate sending a surge of voltage through Daniel's body, when it passed he shuddered and relaxed. When the third finger slipped in, Daniel was barely aware of it; he was too busy thrusting his pelvis downward trying to aim the magic fingers to that electric switch deep inside him.

Daniel moaned when Gary removed all of his fingers and watched, impatiently as Gary rolled a condom over his cock and lubed it. He knelt up close and looked Daniel in the eye.

"Are you ready?"

"Do it, please?"

"Do WHAT, Daniel? Tell me."

"IT, Gary. Fuck me!"

"Relax, Daniel. Take a deep breath and blow it out through your mouth, go ahead." Gary encouraged.

As Daniel forcibly exhaled, Gary placed his hand behind the head of his cock and tried to push into Daniel. Daniel's eyes widened even as he continued to blow, but Gary was unable to breach the tight sphincter.

When Daniel stopped blowing, Gary decided to try a new tactic and dropped down low, licking at the base of Daniel's cock and scrotum. Daniel was unprepared for what happened next.

Gary's hot tongue flicked and darted at Daniel's sphincter, licking all around it, Daniel moved right from shock to wantonness in mere seconds as he began to wriggle under the talented tongue. By the time Gary was done, Daniel was unable to even string together a coherent sentence, and Gary re lubed his cock and pushed inside in one move.

Daniel was gibbering, and thrashing. His ass burned like Gary had set his cock on fire before pushing in. Daniel wanted to ask if he was bleeding but was afraid to for fear that Gary would pull out. Gary looked down at him and saw how much his cock had softened with the penetration and decided to wait. He leaned forward and kissed Daniel, and then nipped and nibbled his way down to the nearly flaccid cock. He licked at it then blew air across it, then took it in hand and began to pump. He pushed further in and pumped Daniel's cock more. In a couple of minutes Daniel was canting his pelvis to help angle Gary's strokes and Gary had Daniel's legs over his shoulders as he gave in to both of their urges.

When he found the precise angle to nudge Daniel's prostate he aimed for it each time and soon Daniel was blowing his load all over his own belly and chest. Gary held on just a little longer, but lost it when Daniel began wiping the cum off his belly with his fingers and while staring wantonly at Gary began licking it off his own hand.

The last few thrusts were hard and fast the Gary collapsed against Daniel's thighs and looked at Daniel shaking his head, as Daniel smiled and brought another cum coated finger up, this time to Gary's mouth. Gary took the finger and sucked it clean then did the same to its hand mates. Gary pulled out carefully holding the condom then disposed of it and began to lick Daniel's belly and cock, removing all evidence of cum.

They snuggled close and began to sleep, just as the sun started to rise.

Mike, Jack, and Howard were on the plane flying towards the sunrise.

Jack had never flown first class and was enjoying himself immensely, especially since he could stretch out his legs. Denver to New York was one thing, but then they had New York to London and London to Barcelona. The last two legs were on an airline renowned for their first class hospitality, Jack was in heaven.

If it wasn't for all the sitting and the discomfort involved, the flights would have been perfect. Fortunately after the layover in New York and all the sitting that had entailed Mike charmed a hostess on the Trans Atlantic flight to give them bags of ice and a blanket and once Jack had reclined his seat, he spent the passage more comfortable, and dozed.

The next day, when they finally arrived in Barcelona, Howard made sure Jack was iced and slipped him a couple of pain pills. Then they all settled in for a long rest before the pre-cruise program began.

Daniel and Gary spent the day enjoying each other's company while Gary went about his business of running the Hardrive. Daniel stayed for the traditional meeting that Gary had with his managers, outlining their duties and coverage while he was away. Daniel then walked to the bank with Gary, to make deposits and arrange for the payroll.

It was a different life than Daniel was used to, so the first time Gary stopped and kissed him right out on the street while waiting for the traffic to pass, Daniel was hesitant.

"Its okay, Daniel, really."

Daniel had been in the closet for a long time, especially the last five or so years and definitely since losing Shau'ri and coming back from Abydos.

But, it didn't take him long. The area where the Hardrive was located was a very upscale version of the Village and everywhere Daniel looked men were kissing and walking hand in hand. By the time they were around the corner Daniel pushed Gary up against a lamppost and kissed him deeply, enjoying the ambience completely.

"WELL! I get the feeling there was an epiphany there somewhere that I missed." Gary was surprised, but reluctant to remove his arm from around Daniel's waist.

"Yeah, didn't you read about it? It was in all the papers." Then he leaned in and kissed him again.

"Yeah, well, keep it up and we'll get arrested, 'cause I'll bend over right here." Gary laughed and they walked on, now with Gary's arm around Daniel's shoulders.

Jack was enjoying Barcelona, and brushing up his Spanish language skills along the way. The program was touristy and would hit all the historical and scenic areas of the city, Jack hoped NOT all in one day. They stopped for meals and snacks at some of the more colorful outdoor establishments, and both Howard and Mike took more pictures than Jack could even imagine.

"You know, it's gonna cost a fortune to get those developed, don't you?"

Mike laughed, "Well, it would if we sent them out for that. But Howard is a whiz in the darkroom..."

"Yeah, I'll just bet he is!" Jack smiled.

"Yeah well and he's been known to develop a picture or two while in there too!" Now they both started to laugh prompting Howard to snap a few candid shots of the two of them, when they weren't looking.

They returned to the hotel with time to nap and refresh before the dinner and nightlife portion of the tour. Howard and Mike both appeared in Jack's room at the same time, Mike pulled Jack's pants down his legs then climbed up the bed and started to kiss Jack while Howard checked him over.

"How are you?" Howard asked, and then when he received no response, "You know, Dribbles, it would be easier for him to answer if you'd take your tongue out of his mouth!"

"Oh, sorry." Mike said as he pulled away, still caressing Jack's bare chest.

Jack laughed, "Dribbles?"

Mike rolled his eyes, "Don't ask, okay?"

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it!" Jack laughed again, "I'll assume it's related to you calling him Guns?"

Howard looked stunned and stared at Mike who shrugged.

"Where did you hear that?" Meade asked.

"At your house on Wednesday. Hey! I thought it was cute!" Jack commented.

"I got your 'cute' swinging, O'Neill!" Howard, smiling, grabbed at his own crotch with the epithet.

"Boys, boys!" Mike shook his head then leaned in from the side and began to lick at one of Jack's nipples, as he slid out of his own pants. Jack groaned and petted the black hair as Mike's head slid down his body tasting, licking the saltiness and grit of Barcelona from Jack's skin.

"I'm a little tired, Mike." Jack said gently.

"S'okay, Jack, you don't have to do anything but enjoy." He rubbed his stubbled face in Jack's pubic hair then licked at the soft occupant.

Jack groaned and so did Howard who was now sitting in the chair in the corner watching.

As Jack hardened he lifted his head and saw Howard rubbing his hard cock through his open pants. Jack pushed at Mike.

"Wait." Then he shifted so he was under Mike and able to suck his cock at the same time. Howard groaned again.

Mike swallowed Jack deep and wiggled his butt as he knelt up on all fours. Howard took the hint, came over and leaning down, began to rim Mike even as Jack worked on attempting to suck Mike's testicles through his cock. When Mike was nice and wet, Howard replaced his tongue with his cock and leaned in penetrating him in one stroke. Mike gasped and dove deep on Jack, who gasped and lost track of what, and who, he was doing. He began licking and sucking anything he could reach, as Howard thrust in, Jack reached up and licked at Howard's balls with a pointed tongue and as he pulled back, the tongue dragged the length of Howard's cock, tasting Howard and Mike both.

Jack slipped his arms out from under Mike and squeezed and groped Howard's buttocks even as he drilled Mike. Then when Jack slipped a finger into his mouth and after wetting it, breached Howard with it, Howard called out and pushed hard into Mike, filling him with his seed. Jack's mouth moved back to Mike's cock even as Howard spasmed inside Mike. Then, Mike began shooting into Jack's mouth, finishing just in time as Jack's balls drew up and he groaned with the first awful contractions of his orgasm. Mike swallowed everything, coming back around to kneel at Jack's side while Howard prepared for the worst.

The gut wrenching sounds of Jack's orgasm nearly moved both men to tears. Then Mike quickly rolled Jack to his side and Howard produced the trash can from the bathroom. Jack noticed Howard kissing Mike's chin and erasing the dribble of semen at the corner of Mike's mouth just before he dove for the trash can and lost what was left of his lunch.

Mike crawled into the bed beside Jack and pulled him back to lay snuggled against his chest while Howard covered them both with the blanket. Then Howard left the room, turning out the lights as Mike spoke soft reassurances into Jack's ear while he relaxed in his arms.

Sometime later, Mike left Jack sleeping soundly, his cock now soft. The reduction of the hard cock, he told Howard, by 'natural methods' had taken a little longer to achieve this time but was successful. He joined Howard in the shower after a little more mutual sucking and then they too, took a nap.

Daniel and Gary arrived at the restaurant as instructed at eight pm. They were joyfully greeted by the manager/owner and ushered into the bustling dining room. Gus, the owner, introduced them to everyone and of course they were all smitten with the beautiful young men especially the one who spoke Greek so well.

Gary did his best to keep up and picked up a few words here and there, with Daniel's help but never strayed too far from Daniel's side. Although he suspected that everyone present spoke English he couldn't be sure.

There was no sit down meal; it was more like a cocktail party with lots of food. Young men carried trays piled high with food around the room and everyone helped themselves. There were bottles of Retsina and Grappa and Ouzo everywhere. Everyone was likely to top off your glass so it was best to either empty it before it was refilled or keep your hand over the top. You could never be sure what was being poured into it otherwise and Ouzo and Grappa together were disgusting.

Daniel and Gary grazed and drank and schmoozed; well, Daniel schmoozed, and Gary was his assistant, and they enjoyed themselves tremendously.

Sometime later, the voices quieted and then shushed as Gus stood on a chair by the bar and began to speak to the crowd. Gary tried to look interested, but since he couldn't understand a word Gus was saying, just looked around the room at the faces as the smiles got bigger and people nodded and commented on what Gus what saying. He had decided that Daniel would give him the Cliff's notes version.

When his eyes finally came back to Daniel, Gary was stunned; Daniel was standing with his mouth open and eyes wide.

"Daniel? What's wrong?"

"Uh, Gary?"

"God, Daniel, what is wrong, have we fallen in with Greek Mafiosi, or drug dealers or what?"

"Uh, not exactly, Gary. They're a social club."

"Well, that's nice...right?" Gary was getting worried.

"Yeah, sorta, kinda.""Sorta, kinda? What the hell does THAT mean?" Gary watched around them as Daniel gathered himself up to answer and saw most of the men stripping. They folded their clothes and placed them in neat piles on one of the long tables at the front of the dining room.

"Uh, Daniel? Is this what I think it is?"

Daniel looked at him, "It's an orgy, Gary."

"Oh my! I've never been to an orgy before, Daniel. Have you?"

"Not in THIS lifetime." Daniel replied.

Gary smiled and looked around.

Daniel was aghast. "We're STAYING?"

Gary replied, "Only if they have... yep there's a whole bowl full." Gary pointed at the giant bowl of condoms now sitting on the bar. "Sure, we can stay. This is a 'first time' that we can share." Gary smiled and leaning in covered Daniel's open mouth with his own. Just then Gus moved up and whispered something into Daniel's ear startling him; he jumped forward into Gary's arms.

"You'll have to excuse him, Gus, he's a little shy, and you didn't tell us what kind of party you were having." Gary explained.

"Ooh, Daniel, I am so sorry. I had hoped you both would like to join us. Our little club does not like to publicize our meetings, but we choose to occasionally invite others and when you both were here last night the staff voted to ask you to attend.

"Well, you COULD have warned us!" Daniel blurted out, as he watched one of the servers circulating with the big bowl of condoms and tubes of lube.

"That is NOT our way. We prefer the guests of honor to be surprised."

"Guests of honor?" Daniel said and then noticed that Gary was being touched from all angles by many hands and had a look on his face of pure joy.

"You needn't worry, Daniel. No one will force you into anything. Stay! Enjoy! I see that Gary is." Daniel turned to see Gary handing the last of his clothes to a young man who folded them and placed them on the table. His body covered with the hands of many stroking and touching.

Daniel moved to a table where the old men sat dressed and watched, throwing comments and lewd suggestions to the bodies moving around the room. He noticed a few stroking themselves, then they would get up and move to another area and a young man would quickly come and attend them. The blow or hand job lasted until the old man was satisfied and then he would come back to the observer's tables and regale his peers with the story.

Daniel sat and listened to their tales of the wild parties of their youth in the old country. He drank Retsina and Ouzo with the elders and didn't pull away when a couple of the old men moved up beside him and started to grope him through his clothes.

He closed his eyes as a shriveled hand unzipped his pants and released the button, then felt cool bony hands touching and stroking his cock. He moved to look down, but was distracted by someone holding a glass to his lips. As Daniel started to drink he realized that whatever was in the glass was NOT the Retsina he had been drinking since he came in. The high alcohol Grappa seared its way down his throat, until the glass was empty, and was quickly replaced with another and another.

Now the elders had his shirt open and were removing it, passing it around until it was folded and piled with the other clothes. Daniel was overwhelmed with the sights, sounds and smells around him. The sounds of groaning, intercourse and skin slapping skin mixed with the smell of alcohol and sex was intense and it was almost impossible to avoid becoming aroused. One of the elders pulled him to his feet and his pants, shoes and socks disappeared, magically reappearing on the other side of the room folded and neatly piled. He refused to allow them to remove his glasses, insisting in perfectly accented Greek that he could NOT do without them. They sat him back down, another glass appeared and was ingested and then the glasses were gone too. Cold, bony hands touched him intimately and he responded with a groan.

Then, finally, one of the elders motioned for Gus who came and collected the now, more pliant Daniel, and guided him towards the center of the room.

Gary was busy; he was being sucked by one man, while being fucked by another and sucking off a third. He didn't notice Daniel going down on one of the servers from the night before while being groped and fingered by Gus. If Gary had understood Greek he would have heard Gus remarking how very tight this one was and pulled another server up behind Daniel, giving him instructions.

Daniel had only ever been rimmed once, by Gary, earlier in the morning after their last visit here and when the young man dropped behind him and started to bathe his anus, Daniel was a goner. Too distracted to continue the blow job he was giving, the man moved out from under him and was replaced by several cushions, elevating his buttocks for everyone. Gary finished who he was doing and moved up behind Daniel one of many who took turns licking and teasing with their tongues.

When he realized it was Daniel, Gary took Gus to the side and spoke quietly to him, informing him of Daniel's inexperience and advising much caution. Gus listened and agreed, then directed one of the young men to carefully stretch and prepare the drunken man for penetration. It became a community project, with the old men making suggestions from the corner tables and offering instructions for Daniel's proper preparation. Several discussions broke out among the elders as for the best methods of preparation and Gary wanted to laugh as the arguments that he didn't understand became heated and graphic with a great deal of gesturing.

Then the hopefuls lined up, and Gary became more concerned. He needn't have been. He moved around to talk to Daniel, who seemed to know exactly what was happening and had no problem with it.

Gary knew better.

Daniel was not exactly in control and would probably regret the entire incident in the morning. He slid under Daniel and held him as the chosen candidates, screened by Gus were allowed to select a condom from the bowl and penetrate Daniel. After the third man, Daniel went to stand and had to be helped by Gary, halting the proceedings. Daniel lay down on the pillows and pulled Gary on top of him raising his legs. Gary grabbed a condom and thrust into the very pliant and loose Daniel, who was now sucking at one offered cock while stroking another, a sight that drove Gary over the edge.

As Gary withdrew, Daniel took charge. He pointed to one man after another, directing who he would suck and who he would stroke and who would fuck him.

The music became louder and the smell of smoke, not all of it tobacco, permeated the large room. People draped themselves all over Daniel, some sucking his toes while others attended nipples and his cock. The latter changed mouths six or seven times as Daniel came, because everyone wanted a taste.

Gary was passed from one to another, bent over one lap, a hard cock pushed into his mouth as he was fucked over and over. He extracted himself and returned the favor with one or two of the men, then found himself laying next to Daniel in a row of eight or nine men all with their legs in the air as most of the fifty or so men present took them. The ones too old to achieve enough of an erection for penetrative sex were allowed the use of a large dildo with a handle that appeared from somewhere, with one of the servers changing the condom between uses. A couple of times people changed places, once even Daniel got up and had a turn at a few of the participants, including Gary, but as the night wore on the crowd thinned until finally Gary found Daniel dozing during penetration and decided that they had both had enough.

Gus and his young man helped Gary clean Daniel up and dress him. Then Gus had them wait a few minutes until the limousine had returned from delivering another club member home and showed them out the back door and into the limo which took them back to the Hardrive.

Gary waved to the night manager and managed to get Daniel back into his room, undressed and into bed before six am, then pulled the curtains, called the desk to check his messages and fell into bed beside him.

They would be suffering from more than jet lag on their journey, the next day.

Chapter 16: Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?

When Jack awoke it was evening. He wasn't terribly upset because he knew that in Spain the nightlife didn't really start till after eleven pm. Hell, you didn't even eat dinner here till ten or so, which accounted for the popularity of the Tappas bars. He got up, showered and dressed and then decided to go looking for Guns and Dribbles, he found them just coming out of their room, on their way to wake him, and they all headed to the lobby.

Jack just loved the nicknames that Howard and Mike had for each other and wondered if he would ever again have the opportunity to assign a nickname like that. Sara had always been Sara, or the unoriginal and generic 'Hon' or 'Honey'.

The last time he had assigned an endearment, other than 'Sport', his nickname for Charlie, had been a male lover early in his career, when fear of discovery and natural male bravado had combined to produce two names, one public and one private.

Publicly, he had talked about his lover as a woman, referring to 'her' as Gloria, hoping to disguise his bisexuality while still bragging about the conquest with his peers. Privately, he called Greg, 'Kentucky' or 'K-Y' because he tended to use lubricant prolifically, unwilling to hurt Jack during penetration. Jack smiled and then saddened remembering the beautiful face and body, the evil laugh, and devilish grin, gone now, lost to a sniper during a Middle Eastern operation.

It seemed that with the exception of Charlie's death, everything bad that ever happened to him revolved around the use of the Arabic language. Jack thought it amazing that he could even manage to bring himself to speak the tongue anymore. Surprised that he hadn't completely suppressed that ability.

Howard and Mike both watched the smiling man turn suddenly stoic and Howard just knew that some memory was responsible. He figured the best way around it was a diversion.

"So, Jack, Mike has our evening all planned out. He figures you're not much for dancing, so there's this great Drag Flamenco Club on the tour. He'd rather stay there than traipse around. Is that okay with you?"

"Actually, guys, I thought I'd go with you to eat and come back here. I'm not big on nightlife..." Jack turned then to Mike, "...and I DO dance! I just prefer slow dances, and the ballroom stuff to the disco stuff. My waltz is to die for!" Jack said with a very straight face and both Mike and Howard cracked up.

"I just don't think I'm up for it yet..." He leaned in closer and lowered his voice, "...my balls are pounding. So, I think I'll have a dance or two with 'Senora hielo' instead if that's okay? You guys go ahead and have fun."

Mike frowned and looked to Howard and then back to Jack.

"Aw, come on, Jack? And who is Senora hielo?"

"Mike..." Howard cautioned, "...Jack has sort of been overdoing it and I want him to be able to enjoy the cruise. Do you need anything for pain, Jack?"

"No, not since I bought those bottles of vintage port in the duty free shop this afternoon. Between that and Senora hielo, the ice lady, I'll be JUST FINE!" Jack smiled and winked.

Howard looked at Mike with a smirk, "Try NOT to overdue it with the Port, Flyboy. We leave for the cruise ship at noon tomorrow you know? It wouldn't due for you to go onboard hung-over."

"Yeah, you don't want to embark hanging over the rail, puking, do you?" Mike added.

Jack was snide, "Ohh, I'll probably be in better shape than either of you two!"

Howard looked at Mike and then back to Jack and said, "You have a point there!"

Mike grabbed Jack and planted a searing kiss, heavy on the tongue, which Jack returned, also heavy on the tongue. When Mike pulled back, Jack licked his lips. "Ya know? A guy could get used to all this openness." He smiled and leaned around Mike, kissing Howard, who hesitantly returned the gesture.

"Come on, guys, I'm starving. I want the Paella you promised, but I want Gazpacho first." Jack draped his arm around Howard and Tres Amigos headed for the streets of Barcelona.

The combination of a wonderful meal, good company and lots of Olorosa wine caused Jack to change his mind after getting Mike to agree to an early night. They sat at the small table in the Flamenco Bar and Jack thought that every drop of the dancer's foot on the polished floor echoed through his balls, he was flabbergasted when the tour guide reminded them that this was a DRAG bar, and all of the 'lady dancers' weren't ladies at all.

Mike and Howard were thrilled and impressed when Jack began to relay their comments to one of the dancers in fluent Spanish with only slight hesitation. Mike's language was French and Howard spoke German and Arabic, to reach the rank of Colonel in the Air Force you needed at least one other language. Jack spoke four: Spanish, Russian, Arabic, and his favorite, Italian. Three of the four had been demanded by his 'special operations' status, the fourth, was out of love...for Opera. The Spanish had come in handy during Central American operations; in fact they had been the reason for his learning the language. He never did have much use for the Russian, except that time when they worked with that Russian team and then Jack hadn't wanted to admit that they were once enough of an enemy that he had become fluent. Why give them that satisfaction? He never uttered a word in Russian; preferring to let everyone including Daniel, think he didn't understand what they were saying. Daniel had faithfully translated every word for Jack unaware that Jack understood, as well as he, what was being said.

He had been doing really well until then; the unbidden thoughts of Daniel now loomed large in his mind, nearly obliterating everything else.

Mike was the first to notice the change, sitting between his 'flyboys' in the Flamenco bar. He leaned over and his hand strayed to Jack's thigh, "Jack? You still with us? Everything alright?"

Jack jumped at first and then came back to where he was. "Uh, yeah, Mike, I'm sorry. I sort of zoned on you there."

"Who were you thinking about?""Daniel." Jack answered before he thought about it and then tried to backpedal. "Uh, sorry? No one actually." Jack looked at him and smiled. Mike leaned in and kissed him, softer than his earlier 'Tonsil Interceptor'.

"You sure? You looked kind of ...wistful, there for a moment."

"I'm sure....wistful?" Jack asked.

"Positively."

"What's that look like? Wistful?" Trying to deflect any further inquiries.

"Well, next time you look like that, I'll get you a mirror, okay?"

"Yasureyabetcha."

When Jack moved off to the bar for another round, Mike turned to Howard.

"Who's Daniel?"

"Daniel? Why?"

"Because when I asked Jack who he was thinking about, he said Daniel, before he caught himself, then he tried to change the subject. And, come to think of it, before we left home, that first time, on the living room floor, when I called his name to wake him, he called me Daniel."

"He's one of Jack's team members. I wouldn't try to read more into it than that."

"Yeah, but you didn't SEE his face when he said it." Mike shook his head. "No, there's something more there, I'm sure of it."

"Mike, butt out. I told you, Daniel is one of his team, that's all. Let it drop, you're making assumptions." Howard scolded.

"Oh, yeah like the ASSUMPTION YOU made about ME being just a colleague, right up until I dropped to my knees and opened your pants. My mouth around your dick sure changed your mind, didn't it?" Mike was indignant. Howard tried to pacify him.

"Okay, yeah, I'll admit I was a little thick until then. Man! You blew the top of my head off with that blow job! I'll never forget it, or the way you looked with that dribble of cum down your chin." Howard shivered.

Mike slid his hand along Howard's hardening length. "YOU! I'll never forget the look on YOUR face. Like you had been hit with a truck, I thought you would asphyxiate on the spot."

"Well, Sherlock, just what IS it you THINK you're seeing?" Howard asked.

Before Mike could answer, Jack came back to the table with their drinks, ending the conversation.

They all finally gave in around three thirty or four am and walked back to the hotel. They stumbled to their rooms and then Howard decided to go check on Jack, taking plastic bags of ice with him. Jack opened the door after Howard announced himself, looking tired and a little pained.

"Here's your ice delivery, mister." Howard chuckled.

"Thanks, Howard."

Meade took out the small prescription bottle and shook a pill into Jack's hand. "Please, Jack. Take this; you'll sleep much more comfortably. It'll take the edge off without zonking you."

Jack gratefully swallowed the pill and chased it with water. Then Howard turned and left.

Gary and Daniel spent a very uncomfortable flight, business class from Denver to Washington, then after a long layover they flew first class from Washington to Barcelona. They were both glad of the first class accommodations. It afforded a couple of aching butts softer, wider seats and the leg room necessary for the frequent position changes they both needed after the social at the restaurant. The bus sent by the cruise line to shuttle passengers was crowded and uncomfortable, and after they were shown to Gary's stateroom on the Mariner Deck. They took care of business and then collapsed into the queen sized bed and slept.

They were in room 6550 which was located amidships on the starboard side; it was called a Large Ocean View Stateroom and really was fairly roomy. Gary explained that he never bothered with upgrading his accommodations any further as he usually spent so little time in the stateroom as to make it almost unnecessary. Daniel believed him, with Gary's looks and personality he was probably invited regularly to the suites and private parties that abounded on the more choice levels. Gary admitted his fondness for the view though, which is why he bothered with an outside stateroom at all. The large picture window would provide a sweeping view of the ocean once they left port; now it only provided a nice view of the harbor.

The one regret that both Gary and Daniel both had was that the Large Ocean View Staterooms had only showers; they were both aching for a tub soak.

They decided that they would go in search of the hot tubs as soon as they left port. They got a chart of the ship from the steward and Daniel ascertained the location of Doctors Meade, Kegel and Company's suites. Then, they sat down to plan the logistics of Daniel's ambush, deciding to wait until after departure, figuring the rabbit was less likely to bolt that way.

Gary argued for the direct approach, saying that Daniel should bribe the steward to let him into Jack's cabin and be sprawled naked with a rose in his teeth on the bed when Jack returned from dinner.

Daniel liked the moonlight-stroll-on-the-deck-and-coming-up-to-ask-for-a-light approach.

They admitted both methods were a little too fanciful, requiring: bribe-a-ble stewards, floral availability, a guarantee of moonlight, Jack strolling the deck in said moonlight, and Daniel taking up smoking.

So, they worked together on a third plan, holding the other two in reserve.

Daniel stayed in the stateroom, departure wasn't until seven pm and he didn't want to chance running into Jack accidentally and spoiling the fun. They ordered room service and then Gary set out to scout the ship and look for likely scenarios while Daniel took a nap.

So, naturally, on an eight hundred seventy-six foot vessel with two thousand and seventy-six passengers, it took less than an hour for Gary to run into Jack.

"Gary? Geez, I never expected to see you here."

"JACK! What a surprise!" Gary came up and kissed him on the mouth, a kiss returned with enthusiasm by Jack, who was liking the whole 'openness' thing more and more.

Jack had been sitting by the pool, sunning while Howard and Mike swam, and never expected to see anyone he knew. Gary sat down and took the bottle of sunscreen out of Jack's hand and without hesitation began applying it over the broad, scar-peppered chest. Gary never commented about all the new scarring, remembering that Daniel had spoken of Jack being involved in a training accident. It was, evidently, one that involved lots of shrapnel, he thought as he spread the lotion to protect the new skin.

Howard and Mike climbed out of the pool and Jack introduced them to Gary and they sat and drank iced tea and talked.

Gary was thrilled to discover that both Howard and Mike were urologists and thought that perhaps playing with cocks all day was THE dream job for a gay man. When Howard innocently said that it wasn't all that it was cut out to be, the puns began to fly. Mike and Jack were declared the winners of the free for all, having obtained the majority of the groans at their puns. Gary remarked that he probably should be going back to his stateroom, where his companion was napping, and agreed to meet them all later for dinner and drinks.

When Gary returned to his cabin, the room was dark. The curtains were pulled across the picture window at the head of the bed. He turned on the lamp, then turned and saw that Daniel was asleep, sprawled naked on the bed.

Without a second thought, Gary stripped and settled quietly down next to him, his head near Daniel's hip his feet on the headboard. He leaned up on an elbow and played his fingertips across the firm chest, teasing a nipple here and there, and then lightly stroked one of the firm thighs.

Daniel groaned and turned into the touch as Gary's fingertips whispered across his belly and groin. Gary watched with a smile as Daniel's cock filled before his eyes. He wet a finger in his mouth and stroked it across the exposed area of Daniel's balls then blew air across the same area.

The sleeping man groaned again and changed position slightly, and Gary became more daring, he leaned down carefully and swiped the thickening cock with his tongue. Then he looked quickly up to see a still sleeping Daniel drag his bottom lip through his teeth, and was a goner. He swooped in and began flicking his tongue across the crown, then pursed his lips and sucked at the dewed eye. Daniel's mouth opened and he made a purring kind of sound as his dream probably now began to account for the sensations. He awoke when Gary finally took the length into his mouth, and his hands began to stroke along Gary's hip until he moved enough to allow Daniel to turn to his side as well and return the favor.

They lay like that for a while leisurely sucking each other's cock, backing off enough when necessary to prevent ending their pleasure prematurely. Then, Daniel upped the ante with a teasing exploring finger, a desperate Gary straddled him, leaning on all fours over him and Daniel's tongue replaced his finger, while he gently fondled the soft balls. Daniel teased at Gary's hole seeking entry while he fondled and stoked. When Daniel's tongue slid inside him, Gary stilled and came, hard. Daniel was enjoying the sensation of Gary shooting all over his chest and belly and added a finger to the tongue-dilated muscle, crooking it inside. Gary pulled away and fell to the side, pulling his legs up.

"JESUS! Daniel, if you don't fuck me now, I'm going out into the passageway and grab the first cock that walks by! YOU, have a KILLER tongue!"

Daniel chuckled and turned, grabbing a condom from the box on the nightstand. He quickly sheathed himself in latex and then, in one stroke, in Gary. After their 'Greek Dinner' neither of them would need much preparation time for a few days. He pulled Gary's legs over his shoulders and began the fuck in earnest.

"Like that? Want me to talk to you in Greek now?" Daniel panted out as he stroked, finally diving at the right angle to hit Gary's sweet spot, he was rewarded with an, "OH, YESSS!" He hammered Gary until he spent himself, twitching, inside the hot confines of Gary's body, then pulled out and removed the condom.

They fell over each other, sweaty and sticky, finally determining the shower order, since the stall was too small to accommodate them both at the same time. They wanted to be sure to get on deck for the departure from Barcelona and its accompanying festivities, so they showered and dressed quickly, and then hurried to the rail on the port side of the Mariner deck.

They accepted the confetti and streamers from the stewards and fell into the party atmosphere, decorating the folks on the lower deck rails and the occasional person around them with paper. With the music and noise makers blaring Gary leaned in close to Daniel to speak.

"Did I mention that I ran into Jack and his friends?" He said nonchalantly.

Daniel froze in place and stared at him.

"No? When was that?"

"When I went scouting for the hot tubs. He was at the pool, sunning."

Daniel swallowed hard. "God! I hope he was using sun block, all that new skin needs protection. He'll hate himself if he burns."

"Don't worry, Daniel, he was. I put some on him myself." Gary said while patting him on the back.

Daniel stiffened and turned to face him, tilting his head to the side.

"You DID? What ELSE did you do while you were out?"

Gary pulled back, then saw the crinkle at the corner of Daniel's eye and relaxed.

"JESUS, Daniel, DON'T yank my chain like that. You'll get my hopes up thinking that I'll get to keep you. It'll be hard enough as it is..."

With an evil, bordering on lewd, grin, Daniel grabbed Gary's soft package.

"Doesn't feel that hard to me!" Daniel quipped.

"...To let you go, smartass." Gary finished.

Daniel turned to the side and stroked his own butt, "NICE ass, not smartass. You must be thinking of someone else."

"Not possible with you around." Gary smiled in reply.

Daniel leaned in and rewarded him with a kiss, wondering if he should be reading anything into that comment.

Jack stood with Howard and Mike on their balcony and tossed streamers and confetti down on the people below them. He was having an internal debate about whether or not he should take advantage of the situation and invite Gary to his suite when Mike noticed his distance.

"Jack?"

"Huh?"

"What's going on?"

"Just thinking."

"About?"

Jack turned slightly to face Mike. "I was wondering if I should invite Gary to my cabin."

"What's to think about? Just do it. If you want your second key back just let me know!" Mike smiled, "But seriously, have you ever had sex with him?"

"Uh, yeah, just before... just before I got hurt. I've been going to his spa for a while. The last time I went, it just...happened."

"So, if you want him, just ask him."

"I dunno, THINGS aren't the same now. I'M not the same now. It's different with you and Howard. You know and understand the problem. I don't know if someone else would."

Mike turned to face Jack, moving between Jack and the railing and laid his hand flat on the warm skin beneath the open shirt. He pushed Jack back into the suite and through the sitting area until he sat on the bed. Then, Mike dropped to his knees and leaning in, kissed Jack while he opened the buttons on Jack's cotton shorts.

"Mike, please, you don't have to..."

"Shh, I know I don't have to, but I want to." He peppered Jack's chest with kisses, sucking hard on a nipple, tasting the coconut in the sun block Jack had applied earlier. Jack looked down, and watched the dark head bobbing up and down in his lap and moaned as Mike's hot mouth swallowed him totally.

Mike licked and sucked at the flaccid member for a few minutes, then figuring there was mental baggage in the way, looked up into Jack's face.

"Relax, Jack, give it to me. Take a deep breath."

Howard watched them from the balcony door, stroking himself, a little concerned when Jack didn't say anything and moved towards the bed. He stood a little ways from the pair and watched until Jack stretched out his arm, offering his hand. Howard slipped his hand in Jack's and stepped closer as Jack pulled him in.

When he got close enough, Jack's left arm went around his waist while his right hand reached up into the loose leg of the baggy shorts and began to stroke him. Howard tried to pull back, at first, but Jack wouldn't release his hold around his waist and Howard succumbed quickly. Jack reached up with both hands now and pulled the elastic waist shorts down, and leaning forward, buried his face in the wiry pubic hair, inhaling Howard's scent deeply.

When Jack licked up his hard cock, Howard lost it, and pulled Jack's face in closer. Mike looked up, saw Jack with his thumb and forefinger circling Howard's cock as he dived down and back, and couldn't contain himself. Mike reached down and freeing his own cock, began to stroke as he watched Jack sucking his lover. Then he dove deep on Jack's, now hard, cock and dragged his teeth carefully along the hard member, trying to avoid areas where the bruising hadn't completely faded.

Howard's hands were busy; fingers wove through hair on two heads. Jack's silky soft silver with one hand and the other through Mike's thicker, darker strands, as all his rules fell by the wayside. Looking down, Howard found the sight of Mike sucking Jack who was sucking him so arousing that he came quickly, giving in to the urge to hold Jack's head in place and thrust deeply.

Jack took it without gagging and swallowed all that Howard fed him without hesitation. Mike was tiring and pulled Howard down to take his place, and Jack pulled Mike up and dove onto his cock mouth open.

All inhibitions set aside, Howard went about his task with the energy provided by a desire fulfilled. He plunged deep, over and over, causing Jack to frequently forget what he was doing. That required Mike to have to recapture his attention to bring him back on task.

Howard felt Jack's body tense as his balls drew up and knew what was about to happen. He slid both his hands to Jack's hips and held himself in place. Jack thrust upward a couple of times and then stilled as the orgasm ripped its way out of his balls and into Howard's waiting throat. Mike pulled Jack's head against his belly and held him soothing and reassuring as the pain threatened to reduce him to tears.

Howard gently pulled away from Jack's still hard cock. Jack groaned and turned his face back against Mike's belly, as if by ignoring the stubborn erection, he could cause it to resolve spontaneously. Howard stood and kissed Mike deeply then climbed onto the bed behind Jack and drew the tightly wound man back toward him. As Jack leaned back into Howard, Mike reached down and pulled Jack's shorts completely off, then picked up Jack's legs and placed them on the bed. He stripped off his own shorts and climbed in next to Jack on the other side.

Mike and Howard cradled Jack between them, kissing him, caressing him softly and lulling him into the relaxation that would, hopefully, relieve the recalcitrant erection.

When Jack finally fell asleep, cradled against Howard's chest Mike was disappointed that the erection didn't automatically begin to resolve. He patted the dozing Howard on his face to get his attention and focus on Jack's priapsis. Howard's face fell when he saw another replay of what he had hoped was over and he began to watch the clock, unwilling to allow Jack's condition to remain untreated for long. Mike pulled Jack away from Howard, toward his chest and wrapped his arms around Jack allowing Howard to slide out and gather his supplies, if needed, to inject Jack with enough sedation that he could reduce the erection. When Jack began to retch, Howard grabbed the bathroom trashcan as Mike consoled the heaving man and wiped his face. Jack didn't have much in his stomach to lose and was wracked with dry gags as his body fought itself. Jack fell spent into Mike's arms and slept.

As the minutes ticked by the need for Howard's intervention looked more and more likely. Mike cuddled the sleeping man, like a child and Jack wrapped himself around Mike's body, muttering in his sleep. After nearly an hour of waiting Mike called Howard's attention to Jack's groin, and smiled as the rock hard cock began to finally soften. Howard took a deep breath and closed his eyes, relieved that invasive techniques would not be required this time. Mike sighed and closed his eyes, his unfinished erection long since dissipated.

Howard moved to the shower, while Mike dozed with Jack draped over him. Then, when Howard emerged from the shower, Mike kissed Jack awake. "Hey, sleepyhead. You need to go shower, if we're going to do dinner."

Jack opened and closed his eyes a few time to assess his surroundings, then stretched and kissed Mike and sat up. Howard picked up Jack's shorts from the other side of the bed and handed them to him.

"I know it's a short walk, but you might want to put these on anyway for the trip home."

"Oh duh!" Jack rolled his eyes, and pulled the shorts up and buttoned them. Mike got up and picking up the supporter that had been Jack's only undergarment, let it dangle from his finger.

"Uh, don't forget this." Jack got up and walked around the bed and took the supporter, then kissed Mike and Howard both on his way to the door. He looked at the clock on his way, then back at the surgeons.

"Christ! It's THAT late? Why did you guys let me sleep so long?"

"It was...um, necessary." Howard said.

Jack thought for a moment, and then when what Howard wasn't saying hit him, he opened the door.

"Right,Thanks." Jack said nodding as he left.

Chapter 17: Don't just tempt fate, give it the finger.

Gary and Daniel had managed to make the first seating for dinner. Daniel didn't want to miss his chance to see Jack even if he was still undecided about how and when to approach him. They arrived early and chose as secluded a table as they could and settled in. Daniel was disappointed when Jack and Howard didn't appear and was worried that perhaps they had gone to one of the cafes or even gotten room service. They had to leave the dining room so the second dinner seating could begin, and a very anxious Daniel had to nearly be dragged out onto the deck by Gary.

When Howard, Mike and Jack entered the dining room, Gary knew it even without looking; he heard Daniel's breathing change dramatically.

They were seated at a table near the center of the busy dining room and Daniel's view was constantly obstructed by waiters and other passengers walking about. The table where they were sitting would seat six and Mike and Howard sat on one side with Mike in the middle chair and Jack sat directly across from him. Daniel decided that now was the best time. Gary would go in first and sit on Jack's right, the side that had him looking away from the entry area, and then Daniel would follow and slip into the seat on the left as Gary distracted Jack.

They waited until the group was into dessert, while Daniel twitched with excitement like a small child on Christmas Eve. Then Gary was sent off with a full script to divert Jack's attention and prepare for Daniel's big entry.

Gary moved to the table and slid into the chair at Jack's right, directly across from Howard. Jack kissed him on the cheek and the four men began to talk and laugh. Daniel waited; long impossible seconds ticked by, then he gathered himself, took a deep breath, and headed for the table.

Gary was doing a great job; he had the three men at the table completely engrossed in whatever he was saying, as Daniel approached. Howard was slightly turned toward Mike and oblivious, Mike glanced up briefly but didn't look at Daniel until he started to pull the chair out. Daniel slid into the chair from the side placing his right arm along the back and his left hand flat on the table, sitting on one buttock at the edge of the seat and turned slightly to Jack.

"Is this seat taken?"

Mike was nonplussed. He had no idea who this man was or what was going on. Howard's mouth dropped open, Gary stopped talking... and Jack froze, like stone.

Gary, Howard and Mike would swear later that they could SEE Jack's heartbeat change when he recognized the voice, and then his breathing hitched. Jack swallowed and turned only his head into the direction of the familiar voice. Daniel said nothing else, waiting for a response from Jack.

Mike just looked confused and Gary was finding it hard to keep a straight face. Only Howard gave in.

"Jesus H. Christ! What the fuck!?" Howard looked at Jack and then back to Daniel and MAY have been about to say something when Daniel's left hand motioned for a moment's pause.

Jack slowly closed his eyes and sighed as if about to face his executioner, then removed his arm from the back of Gary's chair and turned to face his doom. The face that had been so animated and sported such a huge grin only moments before suddenly was expressionless, eyes that had been so vibrant, abruptly became shaded and flat.

"Daniel... why are you here?"

Daniel had seen Jack close off like this before, and wasn't fooled. He knew the man was using every bit of his military experience to school his features into this ice man guise.

"I need to talk to you, Jack."

Jack, although expressionless outwardly, inside was a storm of emotions. He ran the gamut from wanting to grab Daniel and attempt a tonsillectomy, to grabbing him and strangling him. He fought hard to try to find an acceptable middle response. He did, although it was a patently Jack-like one.

"Oh...well, of course."

Mike looked from Gary to Howard to Jack to Daniel trying to figure out what was going on.

Jack stood and pushed his chair back.

"If you'll excuse me, guys." Then turned to Daniel and held his hand out for Daniel to lead the way. "Daniel, after you."

Daniel got up, confused, and started off with Jack following. Once they were in the Atrium, Jack led the way onto the darkened deck. He walked to the rail and turned to look as Daniel strolled up next to him, then leaned his elbows on the rail and looked out at the sea ahead and the sparkling lights of the Port of Barcelona behind them and sighed.

"Soo, Daniel?"

"Jack?"

"What brings you on my medical leave?"

"You."

Jack stood straighter and gripped the rail with both hands.

"I don't recall inviting you?"

"Uh, I'm crashing it."

"Yes, well. I'll say! You've certainly done that... to my privacy."

"I'm sorry, Jack. We NEED to talk."

"About?"

"Us."

"Us? Daniel? There IS no US."

"There COULD be an us, Jack. If you're willing?"

Jack was deeply moved. Either this was all a horrible, horrible joke that life was playing on him, or the only person who graced his erotic dreams anymore was offering him something. He needed to be very clear on precisely what that was.

Daniel watched his words sinking in, and saw Jack's stunned look turn inward. He could see that O'Neill was having some kind of inner conversation by the way his head moved in tiny increments, to the side, down and up. Long fingers gripped the rail almost as if to crush it, hands pale in the low lights of the promenade. He covered the nearest hand with his own, his thumb slightly wrapping the wrist and the death grip eased.

"What are you saying, Daniel?"

The linguist, the man whose very livelihood revolved around the spoken and written word, decided that the words that had been his life before would not be enough for the man who was now the very center of his universe.

He removed the cold fingers from the crushed areas he was sure would be in the wood, picked up the hand, brought it to his lips and turning it over, kissed the palm. Jack closed his eyes, but was silent.

"Look at me, Jack." Daniel refused to release his hand and Jack felt the warmth from its prison spreading up his arm. Jack refused to turn his head, he knew that one look from Daniel would reduce him to a mindless mass of emotion and right now he needed all of his well practiced control. He didn't like feeling this off balance, but his ability to concentrate was being impaired by Daniel's continuing imprisonment of his hand. He gently tugged it away and returned it to the cool rail.

"No, Daniel, we need to talk, you said that yourself. What is it you want from me?"

"I want you to... I'd like us to..." Daniel swallowed hard, Jack was not going to make this easy on him and he knew it, he would have to be very, very clear. "Please, let me in, Jack... I want you to let me love you."

Jack's eyes closed again and he stood very still, all fidgeting suspended indefinitely, and sighed.

"What brought this on?"

"What?"

"I mean, why now, after nearly six years? Why not six months ago? I know you know about what happened on Desarta and I don't want your pity, Daniel."

"Pity? You think this is about pity? I'm standing here with my SOUL hanging out in the open, Jack. I never thought there was ANY hope...for us. I mean, I never knew that there was even a possibility of there BEING an US. When I discovered there was a chance...I had to ask."

"How did you, by the way?"

"How did I what? Find out?"

"Yeah, well, I try not to advertise. I never bought the 'kiss me, I'm gay' tee shirt"

"Paying your bills."

"Excuse me?"

"When you were in the infirmary, you asked me if I had paid your bills, as a joke. I went to your house to do that and found the cruise brochure with Gary's number on it."

"Wait, you went through all of this ...BECAUSE OF JUNK MAIL?"

NOW, Jack turned to face him.

"That's a little far-fetched, even for you, Daniel."

Daniel scowled.

"So, I called the number you had written on the back."

"AND?"

"AND...lost my nerve."

"Ahh." Jack nodded and looked back out at the water.

"So, I drove to Denver."

Jack turned back to face him.

"You lost your nerve to CALL, so you DROVE to DENVER? Please, Daniel, it's been a long day, could I get the abridged version?"

Daniel sighed.

"I drove to Denver to investigate the address and discovered The Hardrive. I wanted to know who Gary was, so I went in."

"And Gary told you?"

"No, not exactly."

Jack scrubbed a hand across his face in frustration.

"Gary wouldn't tell me anything. We talked for a long while; he said that you had mentioned me?"

"And if I did?"

"Jack, why are you making this so difficult?"

"You thought that this would be easy, Daniel? This is my life we're talking about here, my entire adulthood has been spent guarding this secret...building this illusion. I'm sorry if you think I should just jump out from behind the cammo, it doesn't work that way, I don't work that way. I never planned to leave the closet...so I'm not exactly joyous that I've been outed."

Now Daniel was uncertain if he had done the right thing at all. His brain said to stop now while there was still a chance to repair any damage to their friendship. His heart however, was NOT ready to give up.

"What would you like, Jack? Do you want me to apologize for invading your privacy?"

Suddenly it occurred to Daniel that by raising such a fuss, Jack was deflecting some of the issues. He turned and leaned his hip against the rail his shoulder twisting around slightly in order to see Jack's face more clearly.

"Which really upsets you more, Jack? That I discovered you're gay or that I discovered how you feel about me?"

Now O'Neill was well and truly gutted, the only option left to him was to finish the disembowelment himself.

"I know this will sound like a cliché but I didn't mean for it to happen. I tried to stop it, to hate you...make you hate me."

"I know, Jack. I felt it... I really did. I thought it was something I had done or said. I didn't know why it was happening, but it didn't make me love you less...it just made it hurt more."

"No, it was me, my feelings were running too close to the surface and I had to do something. I was afraid someone would find out my secret, I thought pushing you away was the right thing, that putting distance between us would work. I'm sorry."

"It doesn't matter now, Jack. None of that matters."

"That's where you're wrong, Daniel. It DOES matter, it matters a lot. The world isn't going to change out of deference for our feelings."

"We don't need the world to change, Jack. You aren't the only one who has been concealing things for a long time..."

"Since when, Daniel?"

"The Repository of the Ancients. When that thing grabbed you and you lost consciousness, I thought I'd lost you. It was like my heart stopped. Then, when the changes started..."

"That's why you wouldn't leave me?"

"Yeah. When you went through the wormhole to Asgaard world, I was afraid I'd never see you again... What about you?"

"Abydos, the first time, but I thought it was just my libido trying to trick me out of suicide, distract me with attraction. I didn't realize what it was until after I came home."

"Please, Jack, look at me?" Daniel tried to insinuate himself between Jack's eyes and whatever it was that his gaze was fixed on in the distance. His resolve to keep Daniel at a distance waning, Jack took a deep breath and figured that he better say the rest now.

"I'm not sure I can be who you need Daniel, not anymore. So much has changed; I'm not the same man I was then..."

Daniel saw him swallow hard, and when he spoke again, Jack's voice was husky and cracking with emotion.

"...if at all. You can have your pick of a couple of thousand guys on this ship, Daniel. I suggest you take the opportunity to make a selection."

"I already have, that would be WHY I am here."

Now, Jack finally turned to face him.

"Daniel, don't you get it? I was NEVER a bargain, but I have more baggage now than I ever did before. I don't know any other way to say this than to be blunt, Daniel. Because, I gotta tell you, sometimes for a smart guy you can be pretty dense. I have a few...problems... with erections, as you may have heard?"

"I remember." Daniel listened intently trying to keep his voice level and his face calm.

"They...aren't, um, particularly pleasant for me and don't seem to be getting any better. Then there's the whole priapism thingy, uh...also not pleasant."

"I don't care, Jack." It didn't escape Daniel that Jack HADN'T mangled the word priapism.

"THAT'S where you're wrong again, Daniel. Because the first time you want to have sex and I can't get it up, or you have to rush me to the hospital so they can stick big needles in my dick to bring it down or I throw up all over you...YOU WILL. You'll care plenty."

"You just need more time to heal, Jack. Let me help you? I, uh, I love you, Jack." Now Daniel's voice was shaky.

"Please, Jack? I need you."

Daniel could feel the sheet of ice between them softening. Jack turned to face him and the hand closest to Daniel that had been gripping the rail dropped to Jack's side, then came up and cool fingers touched Daniel's face.

Daniel breathed air for the first time, replacing the acid that had been moving in and out of his lungs for the entirety of their conversation. He sighed and moved a step closer, into Jack's personal space. Jack just stood with one hand on his cheek and gazed into his face. Daniel tried to put everything he had into his face for Jack to read.

It must have worked.

Jack's hand slid behind Daniel head as he leaned in and slightly downward and met Daniel lips for the first time. The tiniest touch of closed dry lips on closed dry lips charged the air around them and their body heat seemed to merge and expand into an envelope around them. Daniel reached up and slipped his hand behind Jack's neck, bringing him back for another kiss.

This time, when lips touched, heads turned and mouths opened slightly. Daniel pulled Jack's bottom lip with his as this kiss ended, and Jack pulled back to look Daniel in the face.

"Are you very sure, Daniel? It won't be easy, any of it. I'm no prize and I may never be able to come out of the closet. Are you prepared for all the hiding and lying that this will require? Can you handle that too?"

"Not alone. But with your help...I can handle anything. I won't like it, but it seems a small price to pay to be with you. I LOVE you, Jack, closet, baggage and all."

Jack's eyes closed as Daniel leaned in and, when their lips met this time, they opened to each other for the first time. Emotions sparked at the first touch of tongues and they stepped into each other's embrace. Jack always knew their bodies would fit together like this; he'd dreamt it enough, rehearsing this very scene a thousand times in his mind. Still hesitant in their explorations they pulled back frequently to look in each other's face, tugging at lips with teeth and other lips, then diving back into each other. Hands readjusted and repositioned on bodies, faces and necks in an attempt to get even closer.

When Daniel felt the wetness on his face and tasted salt he thought at first that it was sweat, until he pulled back and saw Jack's eyes brightly reflecting the lights from the dining room.

"Jack?"

"Do you know how many times I've done this scene in my mind?" Jack looked up and around. "There should be moonlight and a string quartet playing back there..." Jack waved to a distant part of the deck. "...and the smell of jasmine drifting in from somewhere."

"I never knew you were such a romantic, Jack."

"There's a lot you don't know about me, Daniel. Are you sure you want to?"

"Are you trying to scare me off, Jack? Because that won't work you know, you've been WAAY scarier than that in the past and it didn't work then. Give up now, while you can do it gracefully." Daniel held Jack's face in both hands and stared into his eyes, leaning in he brushed his lips over each of Jack's eyelids, then pulled back and tasted the salt.

Jack's eyes stayed closed and he sighed deeply, Daniel felt him leaning somewhat more into him and decided to take the lead.

"Come on, Jack, you're tired, let's go to your cabin to continue this."

O'Neill didn't say anything; just nodded and slipped his hand into Daniel's and headed for the elevator lobby.

Howard and Mike had just finished hearing the entire explanation from Gary. Mike turned to Howard and said simply, "Pay the winner."

Chapter 18: Love is chemistry, sex is physics

The entire walk and elevator ride to the Bridge deck Jack couldn't take his eyes off their hands. Fingers woven through each other, they walked, Jack reveled in the feeling. He was holding Daniel's hand in public and the world had not come to a screeching halt. In fact, no one really seemed to notice at all. Everywhere he looked men were holding hands and kissing in public, there was even a little groping going on here and there in dimly lit corners.

When they arrived at Jack's cabin Suite 8012, he unlocked the door and held it, allowing Daniel to enter. Daniel walked in expecting the compact and efficient accommodations of Gary's cabin. Jack walked past him and switched on one of the lamps in the sitting area and Daniel's eyes grew large.

"Wow, Jack, I had no idea...this is...wow, this is HUGE!"

"Yeah, well, it's all they had left when Mike booked it for me. Howard and he are right next door in 8010." Jack tossed his card key on the desk and walked through to open the doors to the balcony, leaving the room dimly lit. He came back and turned the sound system on and set the volume low.

"You have a balcony?"

"Yeah, kinda nice too."

Daniel moved up behind Jack, sliding his arms around his waist, kissed him on the neck.

"Would you like something to drink, Daniel?" When Daniel nodded, Jack walked to the phone and picked it up, dialing room service. He ordered beer, soda and liquor before Daniel took the phone from his hand and added a specific bottle of wine.

After he hung up the phone Jack looked at him and smirked, "Anything else, Daniel?"

"Yeah, but it can wait until later." He watched Jack move towards the refrigerator and take out a bottle of water. He stood and opened the bottle, draining it by half, before coming up for air.

"I have water, do you want some?" Jack opened the door to the fridge and showed Daniel that there was plenty.

"No, I'll wait for the wine. Why don't you come here, Jack? I'd like for you to hold me again." Daniel moved to the sofa and sat down, then patted the cushion next to him. Jack slipped off the athletic shoes he was wearing and moved to the sofa where Daniel was sitting in the corner, one arm across the back, one leg along the seat and the other foot on the floor. He sat down and was pulled back against Daniel's chest, Daniel's arms quickly draping him. He leaned his head back and listened.

He could hear the ocean, of course, and the music. Then the sound of Daniel's heartbeat swelled into his ears and all the other sounds faded to distant. He could hear Daniel breathing, soft snuffling breaths that tickled the hairs on his neck. He could feel soft lips ghosting over him. His body still so stiffly held, fell back a little, his head tilting to one side.

"Relax, Jack. Nothing will happen that you don't want to; I just want to hold you...kiss you. I've wanted this for so long."

They just sat in the dim light and listened to the music, the occasional sigh serving as the only commentary. When the knock came at the door, Daniel reluctantly allowed Jack to leave his embrace and felt an instant chill.

Neither of them expected the large room service cart that entered and began off-loading.

"But I didn't order..."

The steward produced a folded piece of paper and handed it to Jack, he opened it and smiled as he read.

"Evidently you've been evicted, Daniel." Daniel got up to look, Jack handed him the paper.

The steward finished placing things in the refrigerator and on the table, then handed the small tray with the tab to Jack for his signature. Jack added a hefty tip and signed, then took the receipt and held the door for the waiter, as he brought in the suitcases from the passageway and deposited them just inside the door. The steward left and Jack began to move the suitcases to the stand by the closet.

"Leave them, Jack. We'll take care of them later." Daniel moved to the wine sitting on the table and opened the bottle. Then he took the bottle and two glasses to the sofa. He poured into both glasses and turned slightly as Jack sat down and picked up his glass. They sipped and Jack relaxed again.

"I guess I've been set up."

"We BOTH have, Jack. Plus, I've been evicted. Seems like you always have to take me in"

Suddenly Jack looked nervous. "Daniel, I don't know if..."

"Jack, we don't have to DO anything."

"Please, Daniel, I'm NOT stupid, I'm human." Jack tossed the rest of the wine from his glass back and moved back to the small bar by the fridge. He poured three fingers of bourbon into a squat glass and tossed that in after the wine. Then he poured a little more and came back to the couch and motioned toward Daniel with his glass.

"You're hard now, just sitting there..." Jack used his free hand to grab himself in what would be considered an obscene gesture by polite company. "...Me? Nada. You've fueled every erotic dream I've had for years. You'd think there would be something? There isn't. Its not that I don't love you Daniel, I just don't think I can LOVE you."

Daniel was tensing visibly, until he finally had enough.

"Stop it Jack, just stop it! Do you think I'm THAT shallow? So what? We have to make some adjustments, that's all."

"MORE than that, Daniel. That's just the beginning of it."

"Please, Jack." Daniel put his glass down and motioned for Jack to sit back down. Jack just shook his head and moved to a chair and sat. Daniel kicked his shoes under the table and poured another full glass of wine, gulping it down. Jack just stared at him, watching every move as if trying to memorize it all.

Daniel stood and began to walk towards him and Jack took another drink. When Daniel was halfway, Jack lowered his glass.

"Stop, right there."

Daniel did without speaking.

"Take your clothes off." Jack took another sip from his glass.

Silently Daniel slipped out of the cotton shirt and khaki pants he was wearing, standing in his boxers before Jack. Jack raked him with his eyes, and then he motioned again towards Daniel's boxers.

"Them too."

Daniel pulled the pale green silk over his erection and down off his hips, letting them fall before stepping out of the puddle they made around his ankles.

"See, you're hard already." Jack sneered into his glass as he took another drink.

"I knew that, Jack, even before you told me to take off my clothes." Daniel moved to the chair and knelt in front of Jack. He took the glass from his hand and placed it on the table, then placed Jack's hands on the arms of the chair. He knelt between Jack's open legs and reaching up began to unbutton Jack's shirt. When the buttons were undone, he placed his hands flat on the warm scarred chest and stroked from the nipples up and over the broad shoulders, pushing the shirt as wide as possible. His hands strayed down over the wiry chest hair following the fuzzy line his hands moved to the button on Jacks pants. He slipped it open and unzipped the fly. He looked up into Jack's eyes and his hands strayed around the waistband of the pants and the supporter. He began to pull them down and Jack lifted to allow him better access. He pulled them down the long legs and sat back on his heels to pull them completely off the long legs. Daniel moved back in between Jack's open legs now and buried his face in the soft package and wiry hair, breathing deeply in and out.

Jack closed his eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry, Daniel. God, I'm so sorry." His hand went to Daniel's head and stroked it twice before he began to move. Daniel shifted to allow him up.

Jack moved across the room and back to the bottle of bourbon. He took off the shirt and let it drop then stood sipping from his glass as he stared at Daniel.

Daniel sat back on his heels turned slightly in his direction, his hard cock standing straight up and pointing slightly outward.

"Look at you... you... you're beautiful." Jack looked sadder if that were possible. Then he motioned towards himself.

"I'm...well, I'm out of order, Daniel. It's as much here..." Jack pointed to his head. "...as it is here." He motioned to his flaccid cock. "Oh, god! I want you so bad." Jack turned away and put his glass down on the bar, so he could hold on with both hands.

Daniel got up quickly and moved up behind Jack, slipping his arms around him and pulling him close to his chest.

Standing spooned, Daniel's erection lay in the cleft between Jack's buttocks, and Jack groaned when Daniel moved and his cock slid a little. He pressed his body back against Daniel's warm body and one of Daniel's hands moved to Jack's belly, the other to his chest as he planted soft kisses all along the broad shoulders.

"Come to bed, Jack, and let me hold you." Daniel whispered in his ear then kissed him and turning to the bed, pulled the covers down. Jack tossed back the rest of his drink then moved to the bed and into Daniel's waiting arms.

Daniel's hands danced over Jack's body leaving burnt and scorched areas in their wake, like a forest fire. His hard cock dripped lava on Jack's hip and his lips kissed away all of the tension from Jack's face.

As he relaxed, Jack's body awoke, his cock filled slowly as Daniel grazed a nipple with his lips, setting it to flame. When Jack groaned and moved his hand to feel what he had done, Daniel smiled, and slid down to greet his triumph with a kiss. His tongue moved lazily over the spongy head, and he gently caressed each testicle placing soft licks and kisses all over them. Jack groaned again and arched in response, and Daniel moved between his legs. Jack grabbed the sheets in a death grip as Daniel's hot mouth surrounded his cock and began to lick and suck.

Then that amazing mouth disappeared and reappeared all over the inside of the long thighs, at the junction of buttock and thigh, in the sensitive groin where torso joined hip, everywhere leaving spots of pure fire to burn as the lips moved on. Whenever they came near, Jack's pelvis would arch at them, seeking further contact, until Daniel finally gave in and swallowed the aching cock deep.

Long fingers moved nervously around, they wanted to hold, but didn't dare, until Daniel moved them to the back of his head allowing them to hold him there. He bobbed up and down sucking hard as he came up and flicking his tongue all over delicately, like tasting an ice cream cone for the first time.

Jack grabbed at him urgently, pulling him up and away from the now dripping organ.

"Please, Daniel? I have to taste you." Jack pushed Daniel on his back and sliding down swallowed him deep in a smooth stroke. Daniel arched up off the bed.

"OH, JESUS, JACK!"

"Come for me, Danny. I want to taste you, give it to me."

And Daniel did, in long pulses that Jack swallowed without hesitation. Then, Jack lapped at the softening cock, till Daniel was spent and boneless under him.

He lay with his face cradled in Daniel's groin, his hair tickling around the appendix scar and just breathed in Daniel's scent. Earthy and musky with the smell of semen, Jack was content with the satisfied Daniel smell heavy in his nostrils. Then Daniel grabbed at his shoulders and pulled him up pushing him flat on his back again, trailing his tongue all over Jack's belly and chest until he arrived back at his target.

Jack hadn't softened; at first Daniel was happy about that, until he remembered that this had been the problem all along. He slid between Jack's legs, pushing them wide to allow him access to as much of Jack as he wanted.

Jack lay with knees splayed wide, his feet stroking along the outside of Daniel's thighs and hips as Daniel's mouth rekindled the fire burning him alive. Daniel pushed one leg up, lifting it behind the knee, permitting him to nuzzle around Jack's balls. When his tongue ventured further back, he felt the change begin.

Jack began to tense noticeably as orgasm approached, the throbbing in his balls knotting his gut tight.

"OH, GOD!" One of Jack's hands tightened on Daniel's shoulder, the other scrubbed his face and then went to his own mouth. Daniel glanced up briefly until the first drops hit the back of his throat.

Jack's entire body jerked with each ejaculation, and Daniel swallowed it all as he rubbed circles on Jack's belly and chest with one hand. Jack's body finally relaxed when he was spent, except his cock, still lying hard against his belly.

Daniel didn't know what to do now. So he moved up the bed and tried to gather Jack into his arms. Jack curled onto his side and groaned, drawing his knees up.

"Tell me what to do, Jack, please?"

"Can't, don't know, nothing helps. Just hold me please."

Daniel spooned up behind Jack and pulled him back close; sliding one arm under him he took a hand in each of his.

He felt the wet slippery area on Jack's left hand and mistook it for tears until the wet didn't go away. Daniel brought his hand up and he squinted to focus on the fingertips in the dim light. But when he rubbed his fingers together, he knew instantly what it was.

"Jack? Where's this blood from? Jack?"

O'Neill just curled tighter, oblivious. Daniel quickly extracted himself from around Jack and reached back to turn one of the bedside lamps on. He leaned up and saw the blood smeared on the sheets and pillows. Unable to find any wound from his scan, he tried to pull Jack onto his back. Jack tried to shrug him away, then slapped at the hands that tried to uncurl him with a bloody hand.

"Oh, Jesus, Jack, what did you do?" Daniel captured the bloody left hand in his and looked at the bite. He scrambled out of the bed and to the bathroom wetting a cloth and returning. Daniel wrapped the hand with the terry, then climbed back into the bed pulling Jack close, wrapping his body around him.

"Jack, talk to me...tell me what to do. How can I help? Come on Jack, you need to tell me what to do."

"Call...better call...Howard. In 8010, Daniel, next door. This one...hurts."

Daniel tried to stay calm, he got out of bed and pulled on his boxers, then headed for the door, grabbing Jack's key card on his way. He opened the door and looked around in the passageway then stepped out and knocked loudly on the door of Suite 8010.

"Howard, its Daniel. Jack's in trouble!" Just about the time that Daniel realized his body was smeared in places with Jack's blood, the door was opened by a very buff, Howard, dressed only in boxers.

Meade took one look at Daniel, white as a sheet and smeared with blood in spots and looked back.

"Mike, grab my bag and come next door."

Daniel fumbled the card but somehow managed to run it through the slide and open the door. Howard moved right to the bed and looked up at Daniel.

"Where's all the blood coming from?"

"It looks like he's bitten his hand." Daniel moved back quickly when the tap came at the door. Mike came in wearing only shorts and handed Howard his bag, then dropped his shorts and climbed on the bed sliding up behind Jack spooning him as Daniel had been doing.

"Daniel! Get over here, on the other side." Mike ordered. Daniel dropped his shorts and slid in front of Jack, allowing Jack to drape his arms around him and pull him close. That allowed Howard to swab Jack's arm with an alcohol pad and slip a needle into a fat vein in Jack's right arm. Jack looked up as Howard pushed the drug slowly into the vein. As the tension drained from the body in his arms Daniel heard the sound of tape being pulled and ripped.

"Careful Daniel, I just put an access in that arm. Can you slide out and go take Mike's place?"

Daniel moved around the bed as Mike pulled the relaxing Jack onto his back, to lay more flat, allowing Howard to examine him. Mike got up and slid back into his shorts, then came around and started to check Jack's hand.

"Christ, Jack, this is a mess!" Mike moved to the bathroom and started the water then came back with the ice bucket full of water and began to bathe the bites on Jack's hand. He picked up a roll of gauze from Howard's bag and once the bleeding had stopped, wrapped the hand in gauze.

Daniel was still in a panic, mentally. He looked frantically from Mike to Howard and back. Mike grabbed the trashcan from the bathroom and the half finished bottle of water from the bar. Howard pushed in a little more medication from the syringe still taped to Jack's arm and Mike sat on the side of the bed and brushed at the wet fringes of hair that stuck to Jack's forehead.

"He needs to relax, Daniel. You have to help him. Talk to him, touch him..."

At that Daniel's eyes darted to Mike's face in a glare. Mike looked at him gently.

"Hopefully the medication will relax him Daniel, but it couldn't hurt for you to help it along." Howard stood next to Mike and leaning down, kissed him on top of his head. Then Howard reached a hand around his lover and took Jack's erect cock into his hand, as Mike looked up into his face.

"At least it's not cold. How long has it been Daniel?"

"Daniel looked horrified, he had no idea. Even worse he didn't know he was supposed to have an idea. He bit his lip.

"I...I don't know."

"Well, how long since he came then?"

"About twenty minutes or so I guess."

Howard looked at the bedside clock. Then pushed the remainder of the syringe contents into Jack's vein, muttering.

"Come on Jack... I don't want to have to do this again...please relax."

"You might not have a choice, Guns."

Howard stood and stared down at Jack, his face was more relaxed now, and his body looked a bit more as well.

"Mike, maybe if you and Daniel held him he'd relax more. Would you, you seem to have the magic touch with him?"

Mike stood and kissed Howard on the lips then dropped his shorts again and climbed onto the bed. Now Jack was surrounded.

Mike reached up and laid his hand on Daniel's face.

"It'll be okay, Daniel. You'll see." Then he bent over Jack and kissed Daniel on the cheek before snuggling down close to Jack. Howard lowered the lights and pulled the armchair into the area of the bed and sat down to watch the clock.

Soft snuffling noises came from the middle of the bed and Howard knew that Jack was asleep. Mike moved off the bed and slipped back into his shorts. Then he sat on the floor at Howard's feet leaning back against his legs and having his neck rubbed and squeezed by his lover. Two of the three men knew instantly that the meds had worked when Jack woke up wild eyed and made for the side of the bed. Mike shoved the trashcan closer and got up to sit back down on the bed as Jack began to retch violently into the small can. After Jack had emptied his stomach of its contents he accepted the bottle of water from Mike and rinsed his mouth, then drank a few sips and fell back on the bed. Howard moved up and checked that Jack's erection had indeed abated and then removed the syringe and needle from Jack's right arm. Mike moved in and unwrapped Jack's left hand.

"I'm assuming that this bite was self-inflicted, am I right?"

Jack nodded and looked a little puzzled, "You would think that I'd remember doing something like that, wouldn't you?"

"Trust me, there was no one else in this bed when it happened, Jack." Daniel said quietly.

Mike used antiseptic swabs from Howard's bag to clean the bite wound.

"I can't stitch this, Jack, it'll get infected. You'll have to keep it clean and dry; I'll get some more antibiotic ointment from the infirmary here in the morning. You'll also have to take a few days of oral antibiotics to keep this in check. Human bites can be nasty, especially on hands, so we need to watch it." Mike applied sterile gauze and then rewrapped the hand. He shook his head and looked up into O'Neill's drugged eyes, brushing back fringes of silver hair.

"You need a doctor AND a keeper, Jack!" Mike smiled at him.

Howard moved to the bathroom to wash his hands and motioned for Daniel, who slipped out of the bed, then picked up and slipped on his boxers He followed Howard. Howard closed the door when he came in and motioned for Daniel to sit on the bath bench.

"Are YOU okay, Daniel? You still look a little shell shocked."

Daniel took a deep breath and sighed.

"I... I got scared, Howard. I was okay. I thought I could handle it. Hell, I WAS handling it, just fine. Then when I found the blood, and realized just how much it must have hurt when he came for him to do that to himself, I lost it." Daniel shook his head sadly.

"Look, Daniel, these last few times, we've been lucky, HE'S been lucky. The erections have subsided after he relaxes completely. Mike has managed to lull him into relaxation, just by holding and stroking him. If you want to make this work, and I suspect that you love him as much as he loves you, then YOU need to be able to do that too. Going into a panic only makes things worse for him." Howard ran his hand back across his head.

"Right now, Jack might be his own worst enemy. His body is reluctant to allow him to become erect because of the discomfort involved." Howard took a deep breath and sighed. "When he DOES get hard and come the ejaculations are extremely painful, THAT, I suspect is from the nerve damage. Then, the erections don't subside naturally. I'm not completely sure why, but I suspect the same nerve damage. When the erections last too long, the blood clots and we get vascular impairment, WHICH if we don't reduce immediately could result in tissue necrosis and gangrene." Howard looked at Daniel and asked, "Are you sure you're ready for this, Daniel? Cause there's some deep shit here, and you don't want to be stepping into it without boots."

Daniel reflected quietly for a moment.

"I love him, Howard. I have for a long time. I just never knew that he would be receptive. I thought he was straight. Then to find out, not only ISN'T he straight...but he LOVES ME! ... I'm not prepared to give up."

"Yeah, but are you prepared to go on?"

"Yes... I'm scared and I know he is, but I also know he loves me, and I love him, whatever happens, so, YES, I'm prepared."

"Then don't let him push you away, and he WILL try, if he hasn't already. Maybe when he's convinced you aren't going to be revolted by him or afraid of his responses, he will let you help him. But you have to be steadfast, Daniel, unwavering. You have to be his anchor, comforting, reassuring, otherwise his demons will take over. And, trust me, that man has more of them than any human being should."

"What about the medicine you gave him? Doesn't that help?"

"That's basically just an emergency measure, Daniel. It's a strong muscle relaxer, his increased adrenalin levels keep him tense and the tension, along with increased Nitrogen levels... I won't go into that now. Basically, I'm sedating him and hoping that will relax him enough that it will subside on it's own before the blood clots."

"I think I understand, but the nitrogen thing?"

"Look Daniel, if you want, when we get back, I can give you all kinds of literature on ED..."

"ED?"

"...Erectile Dysfunction."

"I thought impotence was a psychological thing?"

"No, not always, and impotence is just one possible manifestation of erectile dysfunction, but no where NEAR the only one. Jack definitely has some psychological issues, but they seem to mostly be fueled by his physiological problems."

"Do you think they can be resolved?"

"I'm trying, HE'S trying...I just hope he doesn't give up first and shut down."

"I won't let that happen, Howard, not if I can help it. I've SEEN and still managed to SURVIVE Jack O'Neill's LAST shutdown. I won't let it happen again. I love him too much."

"That's good, Daniel, cause it'll take all of it and more to get past this." Howard rubbed his head again and sighed. "Do you have combat first aid training?"

Daniel looked puzzled but nodded. "All active team members have combat medic training."

Howard's head bobbed slightly. "Good, then you know how to give a needle, right? An intravenous injection?"

"Well, yeah, but, I've never done it."

"Then you'll get practice the next time Jack needs help. Then, I can supply the sedative and you can have it on hand if and when you need it. I'm not going to be conveniently located forever. I get out of the Air Force in December, then Mike and I will be moving to Denver permanently. He has a practice there and I'll be joining him. So, you'll have to be somewhat self sufficient unless and until he gets over this."

"If there's no other way, then I will."

"This is all we have. I don't like having to do it, but this is all I can come up with for now." Howard stood and walked over to Daniel. As Daniel stood Howard kissed him on the lips.

"Mike and I will help all we can, Daniel. But, ultimately, it's going to be up to you. Come on; let's go see how Jack's doing."

When they came out of the bathroom, Jack was still asleep. Mike was sitting in the chair sipping wine and stroking Jack's hand. Howard moved to the chair and sat down on the arm. Taking the glass of wine from Mike's hand, he drained it.

"Hey, that's good. Is there any more or did you guzzle it all?" Howard leaned down and kissed Mike.

"Nope that's it, I'm afraid. Besides, you promised me we'd take a stroll on the deck so I could grope you in public."

Howard chuckled, "Yeah, I did."

Daniel had a puzzled look on his face. "Mike's a little kinky, he likes to be watched. It's okay, I love him anyway."

Daniel smiled and nodded, "Ahh, okay."

Mike stood and moved to the bed and bent down to kiss Jack on the forehead. Then came around the bed and kissed Daniel deep and long with lots of tongue, slipping his hand back to squeeze Daniel's buttock with one hand as his hard length jabbed him in the belly.

"Not now, Dribbles, you randy thing, Daniel's tired. Down boy." Howard said slipping his arm around Mike and guiding him towards the door. Howard leaned over and kissed Daniel again as he picked up his bag and headed for the door.

"Call us if you need to Daniel. When he gets like this, I won't be sleeping much anyway." Howard smiled and they were gone.

Daniel put the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the outside handle, then began to clean up around the room a little. When he was done he yawned and turned off the lights then climbed onto the bed spooning up behind Jack. He pulled the covers up and fell asleep with his face half buried in Jack's hair.

Chapter 19: Is that a skeleton in your closet, or are you just glad to see me?

As always, Jack woke at zero five thirty. It took him a second to remember where he was, than another to remember what had happened last night. The sea breeze came through the still open balcony door and the chill with it. He started to pull up the blanket and snuggled down a little more against Daniel.

He opened his eyes wide.

Daniel was in his bed.

In spite of everything.

Daniel had said he loved him.

Jack closed his eyes and breathed deeply inhaling all that he could of Daniel and the sea, just in case this was a dream. Jack slid his head down onto the broad hairless chest where he could hear and feel Daniel's heartbeat and the sleeping man shifted slightly to the side. Jack slipped his arm around his waist and pulled him closer.

His heart flipped in his chest when Daniel's morning tumescence flopped onto his hip, but Daniel didn't wake.

Jack performed a detailed topographical study of the strong body beside and half underneath him. He already knew it all intimately, from hundreds of stolen peeks in the shower that fueled a thousand wet dreams. But the real thing was so much warmer than even the hottest wet dream and Jack's resistance was limited. Of its own volition, his tongue snuck out to taste and moistened a dark nipple and his hands drifted over the flat and angular planes that were hips and belly and chest, fingers touching delicately.

Daniel groaned and stirred, but still didn't wake and Jack's fingers moved along the outside of the far hip and down onto the powerful thigh, stroking through brown-blond fur to the knee and back up.

He became bolder now. As his fingers and the morning, thickened Daniel further, his head dipped onto the flat belly and he tasted more. Looking down a single drop glistened on the tip of the red glans, begging his tongue to taste it too. So again, his tongue flicked out, and like a salamander drinking dew, he captured the drop. He spread the flavor in his mouth and breathed in, like they teach in wine tasting, allowing the inhaled air to carry Daniel's flavor directly to his brain.

Another drop gathered and Jack held back from wanting to swallow Daniel's length. This vintage was best savored one drop at a time; he gathered that drop with his finger and carried it to his mouth. Finally, he had to have more. He pursed his lips and his head slid down the flat belly until his lips could feel the warmth emanating in waves from the blunt glans. He sucked gently and that drop too, was his to savor. He laid there for a long time, vacuuming drop after drop of the sustenance that Daniel unconsciously offered him. When Jack's lips delicately surrounded the head of his cock and teased off yet another drop, Daniel's eyes opened.

"Jack, are you sure?" Daniel's voice was muzzy with sleep but Jack's answer was clear. He opened his mouth and swallowed him to the root. Jack scrambled around to lay between Daniel's open thighs, pushing them far apart with his hands and lifting one slightly to taste more, as much as he could, of Daniel.

"Oh god, Jack. Please." Daniel thrashed under his mouth's assault and he paused to look up. A fine sheen of perspiration glistened across Daniel's face and chest and the formerly flat nipples stood seeking attention. Jack's mouth dipped low again and teased behind Daniel's balls. Daniel began to move frantically, grasping at Jack and the bed, until Jack grabbed both of his hands and planted them on either side of his head. Daniel grabbed Jack's ears and hair and held him close as he thrust over and over into his mouth. Then he stilled and shot deep into Jack's throat, Jack's tongue pressed hard against Daniel's cock as he fought to swallow around it.

When he was spent, he dropped his hands, and Jack climbed back up his body, gathering him into his arms. When Jack sighed, Daniel turned into the embrace and draped himself along the long angular lines of Jack's body. As his errant knee nudged Jack's soft package, Daniel realized that Jack had gotten nothing from the exchange.

"Jack?"

"Hmmm?"

"I love you."

Jack kissed the top of his head and pulled him closer. "I love you too, Daniel, now sleep for a while, its still early."

Two hours later, Jack woke then got out of bed and showered. When he came back from the bathroom, Daniel was sprawled on his stomach across the bed. Jack ran his hand across the broad shoulder and tapped lightly, there was no response.

Feeling devilish and just a little daring Jack leaned down and parted the smooth buttocks and dipped his tongue at Daniel's center. The resulting groan was so lush-sounding, Jack couldn't resist and did it again, pointing his tongue this time. When the buttocks moved into his touch he crawled back onto the bed and pushed the broad thighs up and apart. Daniel woke and drew his knees up under his chest and groaned, as Jack painted his very center with that amazing tongue of fire.

"Mmm, need you, Jack."

Jack hesitated, thrust his pointed tongue into the muscle, and then replaced the tongue with a long finger, pistoning it inside and searching for Daniel's button. Daniel shivered when Jack found it, and then slid another finger inside to rub a larger area. Daniel rocked back and forth on Jack's fingers, then realized that he was being selfish, pulled away and turned over.

"Jack?" Daniel reached out and Jack stood and headed for the sitting room. Daniel followed unwilling to let him go, and spun him around. Jack came to face him with alarm in his eyes and the beginnings of his own erection, between his legs. Daniel stood, his own hard cock betraying him.

"Please Jack, come back. Let me try..."

"For what, Daniel? This?..." he gestured at his awakening organ. "...nah, this is fairly useless. Just a useless piece of meat. I'd have been better off if they had cut it off. At least then I could get on with my life, instead of this, this figment of sexuality. I'm not good for anything now..."

Daniel slapped him across the face.

"DON'T YOU DARE! DON'T YOU GODAMN DARE!"

Jack's face closed off and suddenly Daniel recognized what Howard had warned him of, Jack was trying to push him away, again. Jack looked in Daniel's eyes.

"I'm dead from the waist down, Daniel. Or, I might as well be, for as much use as it is. There's nothing for you here, except a couple of convenient holes to use." Jack's grin was a mocking one now. "There's one at either end; take your pick, that's all I'm good for at this point. If you want more you'll have to look elsewhere, cause I can't help you there. But if it's a hole you want, well, then, I'm your girl!"

Daniel slapped him again, and Jack's eyes narrowed in anger. "You getting off here, Daniel? Cause I gotta tell you, us girls don't like that slapping shit!"

"YEAH, is that right? And exactly what is it that you girls DO LIKE, Jack?"

Daniel grabbed at his shoulder as Jack tried to walk away and Jack tried to shrug the hand off. Daniel was in a rage, and pushed him and Jack fell onto the carpet. Taking advantage of the situation Daniel sat on him, straddling his chest. Jack's face closed off again.

"NO! Godamn it, you will NOT shut me out!" Daniel shouted into his face. Jack lifted his head and stared directly at Daniel's dripping cock riding between his nipples and licked at the glans.

"Is this what you want, Daniel? Service I can do, just don't look for reciprocation." When Jack licked up again, Daniel went wild. He climbed off and pushed Jack to his side, then his belly. Jack shut completely down now and allowed Daniel to do whatever he needed to do, he had won, he was dead, at least inside.

An angry Daniel kicked Jack's legs open and dropped between them. "NO, THIS IS IT! THIS IS WHAT I WANT, NOW. YOU GONNA GIVE ME WHAT I WANT?"

Jack went away, far away, another planet, another time, other people and abuses. The voices from his past mocked him and he was forced to answer. His surroundings faded, the colors muted and morphed; the acrid smells of filthy bodies, death, blood and sex choked him; and the sounds of pain rang in his ears.

Now he was naked, filthy, injured and hiding in the horror-filled dark, just trying to stay alive and maybe, if he was lucky...sane.

"DAMN YOU!" Daniel fumed, "YOU SON OF A BITCH!"

"Nek ni." Jack began muttering.

Daniel spit on his hand and shoved two fingers deep, slapping Jack hard on the buttocks.

"FUCK YOU? GODAMN RIGHT I WILL! YOU'LL TAKE IT TOO! GODAMN YOU, I'M GONNA FUCK YOU TILL YOU SCREAM!"

Jack pulled his knees up under his chest and muttered again.

"Just a mamhoon... with a dead zib... a sharmuta... nek ni... American mamhoon...nek ni...please?"

As Daniel rammed his spit and pre-cum-lubed cock deep, his arms wrapped around Jack, his brain finally woke up and he fell to the side and pulled out. Jack stayed as he was, panting, rocking and muttering in a low voice.

When Daniel tearfully draped himself around him apologizing, he could hear the words clearer. Jack was no longer with Daniel, he was somewhere else. The pleas he used, the words of submission, the begging...all of it was in Arabic, a language that Daniel didn't know Jack could even speak.

Daniel pulled the blanket from the bed and covered Jack with it, and managed to pull him into his arms with some difficulty. He sat on the floor and rocked. Jack responded to unseen torturers, begging alternately to be fucked and killed and responded to unheard prompts promising submission in exchange for water or sexual favors for food. Daniel cried and rocked, trying to soothe and bring Jack back from wherever he had gone. He sat that way for a long time, as Jack's demons surfaced and surged, in languages he never knew that Jack spoke. The Arabic segued into Spanish and Jack cried, talking to someone named Greg and telling him that they would be safe soon, that help was coming. Then, without warning, the demon changed again and Jack was again screaming in Arabic, and still Daniel rocked.

There was more Arabic muttering going on when the loud knock came at the door, followed by Meade's urgent sounding voice.

Then Howard, finally resorted to the key that Jack had given him opened the door and came in followed closely by Mike, and rushed to where Daniel sat, still rocking.

"Daniel? What happened?" Howard's fingers slid to Jack's neck to check his pulse and with that touch the muttering in Arabic got louder again.

"Oh, shit! What the hell? Mike, better get my bag." Mike left the room as Howard and Daniel carried Jack back to the bed.

"I got angry... he baited me and I... I went for it. It was like he wanted me to ...we argued and I hit him, he MADE me hit him...LET me hit him. Told me he was only good for two things and I threw him down and shoved ...Oh, god, Howard, I...I raped him."

"DANIEL!...You need to calm down, it wasn't you. This has been coming, don't you see? It was only a matter of time before this happened."

Mike came back with Howard's bag and began to swab a likely looking site for IV access on the back of Jack's left hand. He slid the IV catheter home and taped it while Howard drew up some medication then injected it.

Mike gathered Daniel and held him while Howard situated Jack in the bed.

Jack lay in the bed rocking and staring at things only he could see, quieter now, but still in a different place. Mike sat with him, speaking in low tones, stroking face and arms and rubbing soothing circles on his back.

Howard took Daniel into the sitting room and waited for him to calm before speaking.

"Daniel, it wasn't you. I've seen this before, more than once. I had to take care of some guys who had been prisoners during the gulf war. Their keepers were big on humiliation, and they thought that the best way to dehumanize and humiliate was rape. They did it all the time. The recent stuff has just reopened his old wounds. Now he's not sure where he is. It's all ganging up on him and it's compounded by the stress he's having over his injury. You were just the trigger, if it hadn't been you it could have been anything...couscous, or Camel cigarettes, or a kid's sandbox...don't you see? Its post traumatic stress disorder. It's happened to him before, a long time ago, this just dug that skeleton out.""I thought that I had..."

"No, Daniel...you didn't. Don't think like that, he NEEDS you. YOU have to help him; the ONLY thing that will bring him back and keep him back is love. Love in spite of the demons. You've got to expose them...then let him know that they DON'T matter. Bad things happened to him, things no man should have to deal with, he's dealt with them. Right now, well...they just have the upper hand. Don't let this drive you away."

Daniel ran both hands straight back through his hair. "Oh, God! I don't know if I'm strong enough for this."

"You need to decide, Daniel. Because he can't do this alone, and I'll tell you, breaks like this have the Mental Health guys coming in their pants. They get their claws in him...you won't get him back, even remotely resembling the Jack O'Neill you know. THIS is why I made him come on vacation with me and Fraiser agreed."

"Wait! Janet KNOWS about this trip?" Daniel's eyes were wide.

"Yeah, she even supplied most of the injectables out of the infirmary medicine cabinet, with Hammond's consent of course."

"Hammond too? Christ! Does Jack know about this?"

"Do I LOOK stupid to you, Daniel? This little adventure would never have gotten off the ground if he did. No, trust me; Jack is clueless on this one."

"But what about 'Don't ask, Don't tell'?"

"They would never ask, but neither one of them is stupid, and Jack, well, Jack has a medical history thicker than the DOD budget. He has forgotten WAY more than he's repressed. I think we only need to get him past this critical time and he'll dig his way back out. He has a great track record at that."

Daniel's gaze narrowed now, as he looked at Meade through different eyes.

"You know an awful lot about this, Howard and don't try to tell me it's a hobby either."

"No, Daniel, its no hobby. It's my specialty; I specialize in Erectile Dysfunction, especially the erectile dysfunction associated with sexual assault and PTSD. So, I guess I've had more psych training than any sane person would want."

"I KNEW you were a shrink."

"Well, actually... 'shrink' is hardly the term of choice for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, but we'll let that slide for now. Look, Daniel, basically, you, me and Mike are Jack's best bets for coming out of this thing intact. I can work without you, but I can't go through you, so either you help, or go away. Wavering will only make it tougher for him to heal." Meade sat back now and looked out of the balcony door at the sky, while Daniel stewed.

Daniel examined his hands in detail, the nail of his left middle finger was sore from being bitten and he resisted the urge to bring it back into his mouth to inflict more damage. Instead he picked at his right thumb.

"I love him..."

"Well, I guessed that, and as it has been pointed out to me, I'm NOT terribly observant when it comes to these things. I heard a 'but' there, I think?"

Daniel nodded, "...but will that make a difference?"

"Love always makes a difference, Daniel..." Mike said as he slid onto the arm of the chair that Howard was sitting in, "...He's asleep." Howard stretched up and Mike leaned down, the kiss was short but tender, a confirmation of Mike's statement about love.

"I think he was a little more oriented just before he went to sleep. He looked at me like he recognized me."

"That's good. Okay..." Howard rubbed his hands together. "...so, Daniel, what will it be? Because there's work to do, and a few of us are tired and hungry."

Daniel looked out the balcony door now, as if for divine inspiration.

"I can't...I'm no longer prepared to be without him, I can't go back to the way we were, not knowing what I know."

Howard looked up at Mike and then over to Daniel.

"Okay, well then, I'm starved. Daniel, why don't you shower and I'll order room service. Drib... uh, Mike, why don't you go back to our room and get some sleep?"

Mike shook his head.

"If it's all the same to you, I'll just crash here. Remember, I'm a snuggler and since Jack is too...?"

"Yeah, that's such bullshit and you know it. Tell the truth, it's the hair isn't it?" Howard ran his hand along his own shiny pate and looked up at Mike with a smile.

"Yep! Well, since my secret is out!" Mike smiling, leaned down, kissed Meade on the top of his head, and then got up and went to the bed. He climbed in, spooning up behind Jack, who immediately turned into the embrace; Mike sighed and closed his eyes.

Jack slept for another five hours, finally awaking when his bladder demanded it. Daniel had changed places with Mike and was asleep draped over Jack, his soft huffing breaths tickling Jack's chest. Jack started to stroke through the short hair on Daniel's head and felt the tugging of the tape on the back of his hand. When he looked down and saw the taped IV port in his left hand he started to remember what had happened and the petting stopped, as his life and sanity once again crashed onto rocks around him.

"Oh, god, Danny, I'm so sorry." His whisper was barely audible, but his sigh woke Daniel instantly.

"Jack? Are you awake?" Daniel's head turned to look Jack in the face, his chin on Jack's chest.

"Hey." Jack said softly and stroked light brown fringes back off Daniel's forehead.

"Hey, yourself." Daniel's hand moved slightly and he rubbed a small circle on Jack's chest. "How do you feel?"

"Like I've been hit in the head with a brick... and as much as I'd love to lay here and just stare at you, I REALLY gotta pee."

Daniel smiled and rolled onto his side and off Jack. Jack gave him a peck on the cheek and swung his legs over the side of the bed, pausing before he stood and then moved to the bathroom. After he relieved himself and washed his hands he came back into the room and stood staring at the expanse of skin that Daniel had not bothered to cover while he was in the bathroom. Daniel looked up at him and patted the spot on the bed that he had just vacated.

"Come back to bed, Jack."

Jack looked around and saw that it was dark outside, but what time it was he couldn't tell and the clock from the bedside was suspiciously absent.

"What time is it, Daniel?"

"It's late, Jack. Come back to bed."

Jack moved reluctantly back to the bed and sat down. Daniel pushed himself up and draped over the scar peppered back, kissing Jack on the neck. "Please, can you just lay here and hold me for a while?"

Jack turned slightly and swung his legs up onto the bed, while he reached out and pulled Daniel back against him. Daniel snuggled down and placed a kiss on Jack's collarbone, and Jack brought his other arm around to encircle Daniel's torso.

"So...you wanna tell me what happened, or do I have to beat it out of you?" Jack placed a kiss in Daniel's hair and waited for an answer.

"We had an argument, it got out of hand, you kinda...you withdrew for a while."

"Please, Daniel. I don't wake up with a needle in my vein every time we argue. Now what REALLY happened?"

"Jack...what happened when you were on Desarta, I know it was bad, but you have to know, it doesn't change how I feel about you. It could never change how I feel about you. I know the timing sucks, but I'd like to help. I think we CAN have a life together..."

"Daniel, two months ago, I would have agreed with you, but now..."

"NO, Jack...don't. You know, I've lived this long without the physical...it's not a requirement... yeah, you are shit hot. But if it's the only way that we can be together...I can do without the sex."

"Daniel, it's hardly THAT easy!"

"Like hell it isn't! Being WITH you means more than the sex ever could, just being like this...you holding me. I can't do without this, AND, I think that as you heal..."

"Please, Danny, don't. You deserve somebody...somebody who doesn't have a walk in closet full of skeletons waiting to jump out. You can't pin your hopes on me ever being...completely functional..."

"I don't care!"

"YOU WILL! Sooner or later, you WILL care. You'll need more, more than I can give, then what?"

"THEN, we will deal with it...right now; it's a non-issue, Jack." Daniel rose up on an elbow and stared Jack in the face. "There is more to life than sex; you just have to trust me on this one. We NEED each other. Besides, I think I can make a difference."

"A difference in what, Daniel?" Jack couldn't help the frustration that seeped into his voice. "Because I don't think I have the strength for more amateur psychoanalysis."

Daniel sat up and looked into the worn expression, the sable eyes had lost their hard edge replacing it with fatigue and fear and need.

"I want to take care of you Jack. You've cared for me for long enough, it's my turn now."

"You haven't won anything, Daniel. I'm no prize, there's too much baggage and too much damage."

"I'm willing to take that chance."

"And if I'm NOT?"

"What do you have to lose, Jack? Like you said, there's already damage and the only person here with anything to lose is me, and the gains so outweigh the possible losses it's no contest."

"You'll regret it, Daniel. But I want you to know...if you need to walk away, then I won't fault you. I don't want you to be afraid to walk away if it comes to it and if you need, er...well if you need more than I can give, then I won't be hurt if you get it somewhere else."

"WHAT?" Daniel's eyes narrowed at the realization of what Jack was saying. "So, what you are saying is?..."

"When you decide that you need what I can't provide, and then you can...you know?" Jack was suddenly reluctant to finish his statement. "No argument, Daniel. This will be on MY terms or not at all."

"OH, how noble of you! You listen to me O'Neill, we are partners in this, there will be NO unilateral decisions. If you have a problem with it, we discuss it...you don't want to discuss it? Well then ...that's tough!"

Daniel leaned in and kissed Jack softly on the mouth, the resulting sigh was taken by him as a signal of Jack's capitulation. When he leaned in again to kiss him, O'Neill opened to him and the kiss was slow, tender and full of love.

Jack turned to his side facing Daniel, and they explored each other's mouth further. This was something that Jack had so longed to do that after they broke for air the first time Jack came back for the subsequent kisses with his eyes open. Daniel's glasses rested on the table at the side of the bed so he felt at a disadvantage that Jack wasn't closing his eyes.

"Jack?" Daniel pulled away from Jack's mouth releasing the thin bottom lip reluctantly. Jack continued to lay kisses along Daniel's cheek and nose, at his jaw line, and on his forehead.

"Jack?" Daniel held him at bay.

"Hmmm?"

"Umm, I know this is a little petty but why aren't you closing your eyes?" Daniel finally put a hand out onto Jack's chest as he tried to move in for another kiss.

"Whaa?"

"You aren't closing your eyes. Why?"

"Don't want to, wanna see you, need to know it's really you."

"Well, that's just silly. Of course it's me. Who else would it be? It's unnerving. You're supposed to close your eyes."

"NOPE!"

"Why not?"

"Well, why is it important to you?"

"Because it's not fair. You can see me but I can't see you..."

"Oh for cry..."

Daniel dove in mouth open and swallowed the rest of Jack's sentence in a kiss so tender that Jack's lids slid closed of their own accord, and stayed that way even after Daniel finally released his mouth. Daniel dove in twice more, relieving Jack of more brain cells each time, stubble rasping on stubble until when he came away finally, it was Jack's lips that were swollen and puffy from the intensity. Daniel's burgeoning erection, lying like a firebrand against Jack's leg, went unmentioned until Jack pushed him flat and began to lay kisses all over the smooth chest and belly.

"Jack, you don't..."

"Shut up, Daniel." And the puffy lips sucked at a small nipple until it too was swollen.

"Jack we agreed..."

"I didn't agree to anything, Daniel. Now shut up." Jack sucked at the flat planes around Daniel's navel, leaving more than one mark in his passing as his stubbled chin set the skin afire.

Daniel writhed under the feeling of a tongue dragging the crease of his thigh. Jack's lips tasted the pulse so close to the surface there and teased between thigh and belly with his tongue.

Daniel moaned, and grabbed at the short gray hair that tickled across his groin. Jack stopped and looked up.

"I want you to make love to me, Daniel. I want you to take away all the bad memories, replace them. Fill me completely and remind me what its like to be taken with love..."

"Jack?..."

"Please, Daniel. No one has...it's been a very long time. Since then...it's all been...nasty, dirty. Remind me, please."

"I'm not so sure that's such a good idea, Jack, after last time."

Jack could see Daniel's fear and understood his hesitation.

"Please, Daniel...I need you to take me there. I need to get past this. We need to get past this. You are the only person I know with enough control, with enough love, to see this through. If you can take away the demons, drive them away, they won't be lying between us and if you can't...well, at least we tried." Jack smiled up at Daniel then came in for another soul stealing kiss.

"Are you sure, Jack? You don't have to do this for me."

"I'm not, Daniel. My motives are purely selfish. I want you to remind me that sex isn't about pain. I want you to make me feel the way I used to feel when, um... uh, sorry."

"Please, Jack, it's okay. We both know that neither of us are exactly blushing virgins, here."

"The way Greg used to make me feel, Daniel. He could make me feel like I was the center of his universe, like he was my skin. We were two halves, until he joined us; it's been a long time since I felt that way. It's been a long time since I've WANTED to feel like that. I know I haven't cared about anybody like I did him...until you. Can you do that, Daniel? Can we try?"

Daniel smiled and pulled Jack back up to his eye level.

"Then we need to set a few ground rules, Jack. If it starts to get to you, overwhelm you, we stop. I don't want to go through what happened before again. You need a safe word; you say it and I stop."

"What about, uh...stop?"

"Come on you know the old joke about 'don't...stop...don't stop' as well as I do. It has to be something that you would never ever say during sex."

Jack smiled. "Yeah I guess you're right. Okay, what about..." The puzzled look on his face broke into a huge grin. "Carter."

Daniel's eyes closed, and with a deep sigh his chin dropped to his chest in surrender. "I should have seen that one..."

"Well? I would never, EVER say THAT during sex..." Jack smiled and then muttered under his breath, "...not a snowball's chance in hell."

"Well, in that case, what about Hammond?" Daniel grinned now, going for the shock factor.

"Eww." Jack's face screwed up like he had sucked a lemon.

"Or in that case even, oh...say, Maybourne?" Daniel was into this little diversion now and decided to go for squick value. The lemon sucking look dropped from Jack's face.

"Ya know, maybe that one wouldn't work after all, Harry's kinda hot." Now Jack's face was serious as he went for shock value.

It worked, Daniel was pole axed.

"Eww,... Jack, please don't tell me... The man's a CRIMINAL, for god's sake!"

"Don't I know it!"

"I think I've had enough of this conversation. You can use Carter

"Do you still love me?"

"Yes... But you realize the first time you call ME Harry, you'll be sleeping in the bathtub."

The conversation ended abruptly when Jack came in for another heart stopping kiss. Daniel pushed O'Neill onto his back and began to softly kiss along his neck and face. Jack allowed Daniel's mouth to explore his neck and face for a minute then pulled the soft mouth back to his for another taste.

Daniel was determined to kiss Jack senseless and he was doing a good job.

Chapter 20: It is better to copulate than never

Daniel had ached just to kiss Jack for so long that now that the opportunity was at hand he made full use of it. Jack was making an effort not to open his eyes, but did, every now and then, sneak a peak. Daniel worked his way around Jack's head and neck just kissing...tasting and Jack was perfectly contented to be tasted.

But the feeling of Daniel's mouth on his nipple was enough to send Jack into a frenzy of arousal, his cock filling as Daniel's hot mouth laid waste to his senses. He tried to keep the panic at bay, but Daniel was observant and toned back his efforts until Jack's body relaxed more, using words and touch to reassure him that he was in control. Daniel explored, looking for those hidden places that would further reduce Jack to a quivering mass, and he found some that were truly curious. The outside of either hip near the waist, the small of his back, the sides of his chest between the ribs; the merest touch of his lips on these areas had Jack moaning and shivering and Daniel catalogued all of them. Daniel rose up and pushed Jack to his belly so he could better assess the small of his back. Then he lay flat out against it spooned on top of him and Jack groaned with the weight that pressed him into the firm mattress.

"Are you okay?" He whispered into Jack's ear while kissing behind it.

"Mmmm hhmmmm." Jack nodded.

"Am I too heavy?"

"Mmmm, no."

With that Daniel knew what it was that Jack liked, he wanted to be wrapped up in someone, their body covering him, protecting HIM. Daniel draped his arms down Jack's and his legs along the slightly longer ones beneath him, trying to match him skin for skin. Daniel was contented to lie with his cock nestled in the hot cleft of Jack's buttocks until Jack started to grind back against him. Then after kissing the side of Jack's face, Daniel slid lower, burying his face in the small of Jack's back just above the cleft and rubbing his slightly bristly chin and cheeks against it. Jack went into hyperspace. Daniel's hands lay flat against his sides, caressing and his warm body draped Jack from the waist down, his chest against Jack's buttocks. Daniel decided to venture further, slipping his tongue into the cleft without parting the buttocks, he dragged it down then pushing up onto his knees for better access he finally parted the taut buttocks and moved downwards again.

"Ahhhh." Jack was writhing under his mouth and Daniel wasn't sure if it was good or bad until he stopped and the loss of contact had Jack pushing back. Daniel realized that they could not realistically go any further without lubricant and leaned in placing a quick kiss to the small of Jack's back.

"Don't move, I'll be right back."

Daniel grabbed his suitcase and removed the tube of lubricant from his kit, then climbed back onto the bed, his eyes feasting on the sight in front of them.

"Do you have any idea how gorgeous you are?"

Daniel wasn't surprised when Jack didn't respond, and crawled all the way back up the bed to drape himself over Jack again.

"I asked you if you have any idea how gorgeous you are... did you fall asleep on me, O'Neill."

"Mmmm." Jack moaned at the weight and the sensation of Daniel's hard cock sliding in the cleft of his butt.

"What was that? I didn't quite hear what you said."

"What do YOU know? You aren't wearing your glasses." Jack mumbled into the pillow and shifted a little under Daniel's weight. The movement resulted in Daniel's cock sliding between Jack's buttocks and they both groaned at the sensation.

"Ooh, yes, you like that too, hmm?" Daniel pushed himself up on his arms and slid his cock up and back in the cleft. They were a perfect fit, of course Daniel always knew that they would be and began his sliding in earnest now. Jack pushed back and up, slightly separating his knees, opening the cleft between the fuzzy globes to more of Daniel's length.

Daniel leaned down and sucked in a mouthful of muscle where that incredibly sensate lower back met one buttock. He sucked hard; marking the skin in strawberry, then moved to the other side and repeated the performance. Jack shivered both times, then gasped as the finger that had been efficiently lubed while his attention was diverted, slid into him. Jack pressed back into the hand, as Daniel mumbled soft words into his ear. Daniel pushed in and out with agonizing slowness; he was determined to take this slow enough to be able to observe O'Neill for any signs of trouble. Daniel stroked gently inside, speaking soft and low the entire time then carefully added a second finger.

"Ahhh" Jack gasped softer this time and forced himself to relax as the second finger breached him. Daniel sat back on his heels and placed small kisses all over both buttocks as Jack tried to rock back on his hand.

"Please, Daniel."

"No, not yet, Jack." Daniel leaned up and began kissing along Jack's back and side as the man moaned under him. Then, he slipped his hand around taking hold of Jack's erection and gently stroking the length. Then Daniel slid a third finger into Jack and reached for the hidden gland, just brushing it slightly. Jack jumped nearly the length of the bed, his body tensing noticeably.

"Easy..."

"No." Jack pulled away and crawled away to sit sideways against the head of the bed.

"I'm sorry, Jack. We don't have to..."

"Not like that, please, Daniel. I still want... but not like that." Jack pulled his leg away as Daniel reached out to touch him.

"How, Jack, tell me how?"

"Hold me, need to see you."

Daniel scrambled up the bed and wrapped his arms around Jack, planting a kiss on the gray temple.

"Show me how, Jack..." Daniel kissed all along the side of Jack's face and jaw. "...Show me what you need." Jack kissed back, the urge to touch Daniel and have Daniel touch him was overwhelming. Daniel pulled him back down the bed and Jack lay on his back and pulled Daniel down on top of him.

"Like this..." Jack whispered as he spread his legs wide and grabbed Daniel's buttocks pulling his groin into hard contact with Daniel's erection with a groan. "...please?"

Daniel smiled and kissed Jack deeply, he licked his way down the broad chest, nuzzling in the returning chest hair allowing his bristled chin to rasp over first one and then the other nipple. Jack practically undulated under him in an attempt to feel more, have Daniel touch more of him. Daniel tried to keep one eye on Jack's face as he kissed his way around the scarred ribs, he lost track as he buried his face in the soft skin of Jack's belly. He licked each scar and made more marks as he sucked on the tender flesh and felt Jack's cock hardening as it lay trapped between Jack's belly and his own chest. Daniel slid up and down against it a couple of times. When Jack groaned, Daniel decided it was time and he sat back between Jack's legs.

He pushed one leg up and slid two fingers into the hot cleft, breaching Jack again. Jack's eyes flew open at the first touch and he relaxed into Daniel's hand with a sigh as the fingers stretched and stroked inside him.

As those fingers worked him Jack sighed and arched closing his eyes only to open them again as if to check that it was still Daniel's hand inside him, and now, Daniel's mouth on his cock.

At first, Daniel just swiped the hard organ with his tongue, afraid to take it entirely into his mouth. He kissed and nuzzled his face against it, the abrasion of the tender skin by Daniel's stubble making Jack gasp and groan, then as Daniel slid a third finger into Jack, he swallowed him to the root and slid back up his lips soft and teeth well covered. His fingers struck the nub within and Jack began to pant and sweat while grabbing at the sheets.

"Ohh god, Daniel... now, please."

"Shhh, easy, just a moment." Daniel withdrew his fingers and Jack deflated with the loss. Daniel lubed his cock and looked up to see Jack watching him, then pushed up behind one knee and moved closer. Daniel leaned down and placed kisses everywhere he could reach on Jack's thigh, groin and belly, then he placed the tip of his cock against the entry.

"Jack?" Daniel looked up from Jack's dripping cock to Jack's face and knew the answer before it was given.

"Do it." Jack's eyes closed until the nudging started and then shot open and fixed on Daniel's.

"I love you. I would never hurt you. If you want me to stop I will, remember your safe word, Jack...." He kept repeating the same thing over and over like a mantra as he slowly slid inside.

As he was breached Jack began to pant, trying hard to stay focused. The one time he closed his eyes, the demons moved in so he kept them opened after that staring into the bottomless blue of Daniel's eyes. Daniel worked hard to keep his eyes on Jack's, he wanted to close them and fall into the sensation but needed to remain grounded and focused for Jack.

"For you Jack, all for you, whatever you need, whatever you want, I love you, oh god, I love you so much. Do you see me? Can you see how much I love you? How much I need you. No demons, Jack, just love, all love." Daniel sighed, his mantra finished as he finished sheathing himself in Jack. He stilled and waited.

Jack was panting, his face and body glistened with sweat and shivers ran the length of his body and still his eyes didn't waver, Daniel wasn't even sure that he blinked.

"Tell me, Jack. Talk to me."

"Love me, Daniel, please."

Daniel started to move, pulling out slightly and sliding home gently over and over in tiny increments. He only lost eye contact with Jack when he turned to kiss a scarred knee as he pulled it further up his chest and felt Jack's immediate tensing at the loss of eye contact. This was going to be tougher than he thought. He liked to close his eyes during sex but Jack needed the reassurance of seeing his eyes, so he would deal with it.

Now he was sliding out to the head before driving in and Jack groaned when Daniel caressed his prostate for the first time.

"Ohh,god, Daniel! Again."

Daniel adjusted the long leg over his shoulder and his angle of entry to strike the same spot with each pass watching Jack's eyes bulge when he repeatedly hit the target.

Daniel felt the storm gathering in his balls and squeezed hard at the base of his cock, taking the edge off. It would not do for him to come before providing for Jack's needs, he took Jack's weeping organ in hand and began to stroke in time to his thrusts. He noticed that Jack's breathing now took the same timing and hoped he was close.

"More, Daniel, please?"

Daniel increased his tempo and the angle once again and now instead of strokes he was pushing into Jack's prostate with each stroke. He felt Jack tense again under him but could not look away from the sable eyes that were burning into his soul and wasn't aware that Jack was coming until the first anguished moans hit his ears just as the hot semen exploded through his hand. He increased his tempo again to finish himself before Jack's anguished cries melted him, lifting Jack's other leg he pounded inwards three times and then poured into Jack like lava. His eyes, although unfocused now, were still connected to the sable ones below him.

As he finished Jack reached up for him and he carefully put the battered legs down without pulling out and lay right down on top of Jack, slippery with sweat and semen. When Daniel took his mouth, Jack's eyes finally closed with a sigh and his arms tightly wrapped around Daniel. After the first kiss broke, Jack began to kiss Daniel's face repeatedly, eye lids, nose, forehead, cheek, drinking the sweat away. When Daniel pulled back slightly he saw Jack's sweat slicked face smiling, eyes bright with tears.

"Jack?"

"I love you."

"I know Jack. I love you too."

"Thank you, Daniel?"

"For what?"

"For not giving up on me."

"Ain't gonna happen, O'Neill. Not ever." Daniel kissed him again and then laid his head on Jack's chest, just enjoying the feel of the warm body under him, praying that they had driven the demons away.

"Mmmm, Daniel?"

"Yes, Jack?"

"Uh, could you check something for me?"

Daniel lifted his head and looked into Jack's face the puzzled expression, alarmed him and he tried to swallow his panic.

"What's wrong, Jack?"

"It's... gone...I think."

"What's gone? OH!...Really?" Daniel lifted up slightly and slid a hand between them, nestled quietly in a smear of semen between their slick bodies was Jack's soft cock. He pulled his hand carefully away as if afraid to jinx the moment.

"How do you feel?"

"Umm, tired, sticky, sweaty, and full of archeologist, but otherwise...okay I think... Uh...how about you?"

"I love you, you know?"

"Um, I had heard that somewhere... And it's a damn good thing too, cause I adore you." Jack sighed and pushed Daniel's wet hair away from his forehead then kissed the top of the wet head.

Daniel started to raise his head and upper body.

"No...please don't Daniel. I like the way you feel inside me and your weight on top of me."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"As much as I'd love to, Jack, neither of us has eaten, nor bathed, in a while and if we stay in this room much longer they'll have a search and rescue team in after us. It would be tough to explain the smell."

"Oh please, it's a gay cruise I think they could figure it out."

"And then there's the fact that we are being welded together by drying cum."

"Okay, THAT might be a problem."

"Besides, we have to find Howard and tell him the good news."

"Not yet."

"Why not?"

"I don't want to jinx it."

Daniel chuckled against Jack's chest and trapping the hand that stroked his hair, kissed the palm.

"Come on, we need a bath and then we can go get some food while I have the hazmat guys come in and change these linens, or this place will get too ripe to be habitable." As Daniel pulled out the groan that came from Jack was enough to stop him dead.

"Jack? Are you okay?"

"Empty, so empty. I wanted to keep you there."

"Impractical at best, O'Neill."

"I know...it's a shame."

Daniel stood by, supervising, as Jack moved into first a sitting and then a standing position, gratified when there was no dizziness or nausea. They moved to the bathroom and Daniel ran water into the tub while Jack shaved, then shaved while Jack got a head start in the tub.

When they came back into the bedroom area of the suite to dress, Jack wrinkled his nose up at the smell.

"See! What did I tell you, a bit...ripe, eh?"

"Smells like love to me!" Jack's wrinkled nose segued into a full grin.

"We need to have Howard look at your nose, I'm sure there's something wrong with it." Daniel smiled back and moved across the room to kiss the nose in question.

Jack pulled a pair of natural colored linen pants, dark brown woven sandals and a pale olive colored linen shirt from the closet and slipped into them after slipping on another supporter.

"Jack, where did you get those clothes? I don't remember seeing anything in your closet that looked like that."

"You didn't. I've had a surgical wardrobe revision performed by Doctor Kegel, at his insistence. He made me leave most of my clothes in Colorado, he said there was too much flannel, denim and leather for a Med cruise."

"It looks like a million bucks on you." Daniel smiled.

Jack stepped back and smoothed his hands down the front of the linen shirt, looking down at himself.

"Ya think?"

"Oh, most definitely. Mike has good taste."

"Well Howard seems to think so anyway." Jack quipped.

"Which reminds me..." Daniel went to the phone on the bar and dialed a number. "...Hi, yeah, he's okay, WE'RE okay... need food though...sure...okay, we'll meet you there. If I try to keep him here any longer he'll gnaw his leg off. Yeah I'm just gonna call for the steward to send the maid in...okay, bye."

"And that was?"

"Howard. They've been virtual prisoners in their suite; they didn't want to be too far off if you needed them. They'll catch a shower and meet us in the restaurant...Lemme just call the steward first." Daniel turned back to the phone and Jack came up and wrapped his arms around him from behind, separating his legs slightly for a more stable stance, he pulled Daniel back against him and began to kiss his neck.

Daniel put the phone down after he finished speaking with the steward and turned in the arms that held him.

"Perhaps we should leave before the maid gets a surprise. I'm too weak from hunger to be responsive anyway."

"I love you, Daniel. Thank you."

"For what, Jack?...I love you too, by the way."

"For not giving up on me."

"Never happen, come on let's go eat and then I wanna walk on the deck, maybe watch the sun come up."

"Ohh, I don't think so. I have plans for you, clean sheets, some fine old Porto...hey do you think they have any cigars in the shop?"

"Oh, god! You aren't thinking of taking up smoking again, are you?"

"No, but I thought I'd like to give one each to Mike and Howard in celebration."

"Ahh, well...they will both probably remind you it's not all over yet. We don't know that there won't be more problems down the road, Jack. And then, there's still the little matter of the pain..."

"BUT! IT went away without help and I didn't puke this time...I'd settle for two of three."

"Well, like I told you, I'd settle for zero of three, so everything is a gift at this point...." Daniel broke the embrace and picked up the key, heading for the door. Jack followed smiling.

By the time Howard and Mike joined them in the restaurant, Jack and Daniel had already shared two appetizers and Jack was debating ordering a third. The change in Jack's demeanor was obvious and dramatic to them; to Daniel, it was like having the old Jack back, only better.

"I don't recall hearing any smugness alarms go off." Mike smiled as he sat down.

Jack beamed back at him; Daniel tried to suppress his own smile, allowing Jack the time to bask. Howard leaned forward.

"Fags don't glow, Jack. You are glowing, so either you spill or I'm gonna see if they have pregnancy tests in the store here."

Jack laughed so hard that Daniel pulled back a little to look at him then over at Howard.

"It went away, Howard, on its own and I DIDN'T PUKE!" The last was said loud enough that heads turned towards them in the café.

"Shhhh, Jack, please?" Daniel put his hand on Jack's arm. Howard and Mike smiled, and then Howard leaned in to speak softly to Jack.

"You know that doesn't mean that it's over, don't you? I don't want you to get your hopes up that it won't happen again, Jack."

"I won't, Howard. Daniel said the same thing, but geez, its gotta be good, right?"

"Well, good for YOU maybe." Mike chimed in.

Three heads turned in his direction, all with puzzled faces.

"Hey! I kinda liked all the cuddling and snuggling he required."

Howard shook his head and Jack leaned across the table to kiss Mike softly.

"Uh, gentleman...I'm sure the server would like to take our order now." Daniel tapped Jack on the shoulder and dinner was finally ordered.

Jack felt good, better than he had in a while now and he loved the freedom and openness that the all gay cruise allowed. He frequently punctuated sentences with kisses and touches and Daniel was in heaven. As they strolled the deck after dinner with large numbers of other couples Jack draped his arms around Daniel, sometimes just stopping to look in his face and touch his cheek.

"God! I love this, I love you." Jack kissed Daniel softly and rocked back and forth with his arms wrapped around him.

"It IS kind of a far cry from where we were, isn't it?"

"I don't know if I will WANT to go back into the closet, Daniel. I don't know if I'll be able to handle not being able to just grab you and kiss you when I want to."

"We don't have to go all the way back into the closet, Jack. We just have to be creative that's all. I don't think the SGC cares what my sexual orientation is and as for you ...well, there's 'don't ask, don't tell'..."

"Which is bullshit, and we BOTH know that."

"I suppose so, but as long as we don't have sex in the control room?"

"It doesn't matter, Daniel. I've been hiding all my adult life, I'm sick of it. And frankly, retirement is looking better and better."

"You'd leave the Air Force?"

"Yeah, in a heartbeat."

"What about the SGC and the ... uh, bad guys?"

"What? You HONESTLY think that my retirement will make any damn difference to ... the bad guys?"

"NO, but it MIGHT make a difference in how we FIGHT ... the bad guys..."

"Oh, yeah, like that LAST mission made a big fuckin difference!" Jack started to mumble then.

"Well, it must have been important, Jack."

"Oh please...do you KNOW what I got for all that trouble, for the price I paid?"

"Uh, noo, it was on a need to know basis, remember?"

"Roshna."

"Roshna? Isn't that, uh the stuff that...

"Aris Boch was addicted to... yes." Jack finished the sentence.

"But I thought, I mean I thought the mission was a ...that you were injured before you met your contact?"

"Well, I met the contact once but he had no time to pass the information to me." Jack sighed. "So, I guess when he found me all he could do was wrap it up and shove me through the wormhole with it."

"All we found on you was a couple of purses of coins and a scarf, Jack. There was nothing else." Daniel leaned into Jack who was leaning against the rail.

"He shoved it inside me, Daniel. Like a fucking drug mule, they found it during the surgery, up inside." Jack sighed and buried his face in Daniel's neck breathing in his scent, rubbing his face along the curve under Daniel's ear.

"Jesus, Jack...After all that you went through...for, for Roshna?"

"Yeah, well one of the vials they think was an antidote for Roshna. I never got the chance to get any information from Boch."

"Boch was the contact? He was working for the Tok'ra?"

"Yeah, I guess. He was one of that snake's henchmen."

"HE did that to you?"

"No, it was his pals; I think he was probably the one who rescued me."

"THAT was why YOU needed to go?"

"So Boch would know I was from the Tok'ra, it had to be someone he knew."

"But he knows some of the Tok'ra."

"But they didn't speak enough Arabic to get by, Daniel. And Boch would not have any doubt who I was working for...AND I'm military."

"I didn't know until yesterday that you spoke anything other than English." Daniel added softly.

"You need at least one language for a field grade commission, Daniel. I have four."

Daniel leaned back, stunned.

"FOUR!? FOUR! Wait..., which four?"

"Arabic, Italian, Spanish and... Russian." Jack said the last softer.

"UH, excuse me? Did you say Russian?" Now Daniel was livid.

"You PRICK! You put me through all that crap with those Russians when all the time you KNEW exactly what they were saying!"

"Yeah, sorry. It was an ego thing. Can we change the subject, please?"

"WE WILL be discussing this at another time; don't think you're off the hook." Daniel leaned in and conquered Jack's mood change with his lips.

The overhead clouds began to dissipate revealing stars in great quantity and a bright nearly full moon. They strolled towards the stern of the big ship and heard music drifting from the piano bar by the restaurant. Jack stopped and leaned on the rail again.

"Would you like to dance, Daniel?" He gave him a funny sort of half grin, kind of a sheepish smile.

"Uh, I'm not much of a dancer, Jack."

"Good, I'll teach you."

Jack pulled him close and began to sway, not much of a dance, technically, but just feeling the music. Daniel moved woodenly in his arms.

"Relax Daniel, close your eyes and let the music move you."

Daniel sighed and relaxed in Jack's embrace, his arms circling his waist. Then one moved up and one slid low covering a shoulder blade and a buttock as Jack captured his mouth. It was easier to feel the music when Jack's tongue was inside his mouth and with Jack's hands on his buttock and head. It wasn't a waltz or anything, but it was more dancing than Daniel had ever done and when the song ended, they kept dancing, their heartbeats supplying the tune until a nearby giggle distracted them.

Daniel pulled away, embarrassed, and looked into Jack's face.

"Oh, my." He half whispered.

"Daniel, what is it? What's wrong?" Jack's face went from contented to concerned in less than a second.

"Nothing, Jack...nothing's wrong... I've just never seen, uh... you like this...the moonlight...it, uh... you're beautiful you know."

"Huh?"

"And articulate too...although I don't think the moonlight has helped that any." Daniel smiled and lifted a hand to run through the moonlit silver of Jack's hair. "You should always be viewed in moonlight, Jack."

"I would only want to if you were with me." Jack raised his hands to Daniel's face, his hands carefully framing it as he moved in for a small soft kiss.

"Good answer! I take it back; you can be articulate when you want to be, and romantic too. Who knew?"

"Don't let it get out, it'll ruin my reputation." Jack smiled.

They walked on the deck for a long time just enjoying the summer and the ocean and each other. Jack's favorite part was being able to hold Daniel's hand or put his arms around him. He stopped Daniel and turned him into his arms for a kiss so many times that, at one point, Daniel complained that he was getting dizzy and maybe they should just go back to the room. Eventually, and well after moon set they returned to the suite.

The maid had been in and thankfully the room was a little less oppressive than it had been when they left. Daniel headed for the bathroom and Jack removed his shirt and shoes and walked to the balcony to open the doors. He stood, bare-chested with his hands on the rail looking out over the ocean until a very naked Daniel dropped the towels he was carrying off on the nightstand and moving up from behind, wrapped his arms around him.

"Hello."

"Hi."

"You come here often?"

"I will now. And you are?"

"Daniel Jackson, peace..."

"Peaceful explorer from earth, yes I know. And what kinds of explorations do you have in mind for me, Doctor Jackson?" Jack covered the hands that roamed his chest with his own hands.

"Hmmm, to see how many kisses it takes to actually cover your body with them." Daniel leaned in and began to place soft kisses all over the side and back of Jack's neck.

"I'm sorry, Doctor Jackson that just will not be possible." Jack said flatly and turned in Daniel's arms to face him.

"And why is that?"

"Because there's already no one here with enough brain cells left to count them, unless you want to bring in an outside auditor."

"Oh, I think we'll forgo the audit. The sheets were just changed and the pencil shavings would make a mess. Besides, I'm not feeling like I want to share you just yet. Now come back in here, and let me see how far I can get before we lose count." Daniel smiled.

They moved back into the room and in the middle of the sitting room Daniel dropped to his knees and unfastened Jack's belt and pants, pulling them and the supporter down in the same move. Jack allowed them to drop around his ankles and then stepped forward out of them. Jack reached down and pulled Daniel up and into his arms, and began to dance. Daniel chuckled.

"What are we doing Jack?"

"We're dancing, Daniel. I like the way you feel against me, especially like this."

"Shouldn't we have music for this?"

"It would be nice, but we don't really need it."

"I think it's time for bed, Jack."

They moved to the bed and moved into each other's arms. They explored each others bodies with hands and mouths, slowly and reverently, a low simmer not meant to boil. Finally, when the need became more urgent than touch could quench, Daniel asked for more.

Jack turned him over and moved up behind him, kissing down his back. Then he parted the firm buttocks and ran his tongue along the cleft, sending Daniel into orbit.

"Ooo, ummm"

Jack chuckled from his position with his tongue in that beautiful ass, then couldn't resist coming up with a comment.

"Well, Doctor Jackson, NOW who's articulate?" He chuckled again.

"Hmm? Oh, uh, why are you talking?" Daniel tried to sound indignant. Jack just chuckled and went back to what he was doing, once again reducing the usually glib linguist to monosyllabic.

Unable to withstand the exquisite torture anymore, Daniel fell to his side, grabbing at Jack. The expression on Daniel's face started Jack laughing. The laughing stopped quickly when Daniel slid down the long body and began to gently kiss and mouth Jack's awakening package, while keeping an eye on Jack's face. Jack caught him, deflating the mood only slightly.

"You aren't hurting me, Daniel, if that's your concern."

"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry Jack, I was just...I didn't want to, push you."

Jack sighed and grabbed Daniel's shoulder pulling him back up into his arms.

"Listen to me, Danny. I WANT this, you aren't pushing me. If I feel like I'm getting out of control, I'll use the "C" word."

"Promise?"

"Yes, Daniel, I promise." Jack reached around and pulled the hesitant Daniel closer, slipping a hand around to grasp a buttock and groaning when their groins were brought together. Daniel's hands drifted lower too now and they ground erection against awakening erection until they were both aching and dripping. Jack pushed Daniel to his back and grabbed the lubricant from the bed side table slicking two fingers and sliding them into the moaning Daniel. He scissored and thrust until he found what he was seeking and Daniel gasped, and then went for that spot again and again. He leaned forward and took Daniel's cock into his mouth sucking hard as he nudged the gland repeatedly, and prepared himself as he felt Daniel's balls draw up against his chin. Daniel's hands scrambled for purchase everywhere, the pillow, the bed under him and Jack's shoulder as the world finally exploded and he pulsed into Jack's throat. As the orgasm ripped through his body and that amazing mouth continued to suck, the fingers inside lightly touched the trigger again causing Daniel to shudder and collapse in a puddle under Jack.

"Mmm more, please?" Daniel mumbled, pulling his legs up.

"Wow, I must be losing my touch, you can still talk." Jack was smug; he slicked his cock with lube and nudged Daniel's entry.

"Yesss, now." He thrust his pelvis at Jack leaving no doubt what he wanted, inarticulate or not.

The glans popped through and Jack gasped at the sensation as Daniel's sphincter, although looser, still clamped down around the invader and squeezed. Jack was waiting for Daniel to relax and Daniel was waiting for Jack to move, Daniel's patience was limited and he began to bear down seeking more, then pushed his bottom down and onto the hard length.

"Jesus, Daniel! Take it easy will you?"

"Then move your ass, O'Neill." Jackson growled.

"Your wish is my command." Jack chuckled and adjusting his position began to move. Daniel smiled when he slid all the way home and closed his eyes as Jack began to thrust. Daniel lifted his legs and wrapped Jack's waist pulling him closer, and arched his pelvis into each of Jack's thrusts. Jack's eyes never left Daniel's face as if to reassure himself of what was happening and Daniel could easily see the effort and concentration in Jack's face. His own cock began to again thicken and ache with the stimulation and as he reached down and began to stroke himself Jack's eyes followed. He watched Daniel moving into his own hand and his pace became more frantic, the strokes shortening. Daniel saw Jack's breathing change and increased his own tempo as Jack jabbed his trigger with increasing force. The sweat poured off Jack now, running into his eyes, Daniel reached up with his free hand and wiped the sweat from Jack's forehead and brought the fingers to his lips to taste the salt.

Seeing Daniel like that, one hand on his cock and the fingers of the other in his mouth pushed all of Jack's buttons, he stilled and fell forward against Daniel trying to choke back an anguished cry as the pain from his orgasm shredded his control. Daniel could see Jack's body tense and jerk with every hot pulse he felt within, but there were no further sounds except painful grunting. Daniel was concerned he didn't know if Jack's orgasms were getting less painful or he was just getting better at hiding the pain and tried to tilt the sweaty face up where he could see Jack's eyes. When his hand came away from Jack's face with blood on it, he had his answer.

Jack had bitten through his lip.

"Jesus, Jack! Not again!"

When the last pulses of orgasm twitched through him, Jack sunk down onto Daniel, his head resting on his belly. Daniel grabbed for one of the towels from the nightstand and tried to hold it to Jack's mouth.

"Stop." Jack slapped the towel away.

Then Daniel realized that he still felt full very, very full, Jack's erection had not faded this time as it had the last.

"It's alright, Jack. You'll be okay, just relax, please?" Daniel gave up trying to attend to Jack's mouth and began to stroke the head laying on his belly, Jack's body so curled over onto Daniel that he wondered how it was the man was breathing.

"Come on Jack, relax. Come here." Daniel tried to pull Jack up where he could hold him, as Jack moved so did his cock inside Daniel who groaned involuntarily.

"God, I'm sorry, Daniel." Jack knelt back and slowly withdrew his still hard cock from Daniel allowing him to put his legs back down. Jack curled up on his side facing away from Daniel and obviously contemplating the worst, as Daniel spooned up behind him.

"Jack, come on look at me, please?"

Jack turned stiffly to his back, and Daniel got a look at the lip, split lengthwise and still bleeding, he pushed the towel to Jack's face and began to rub his hands all over the long body, while speaking in soothing tones. He moved between Jack's legs for better access to his body and his own hard cock nudged at Jack's balls. When Jack gasped with the contact, Daniel decided to try another approach.

His hands stroked lower and ran the flat planes and soft skin of Jack's belly; one slipped down a fuzzy thigh and stroked the long way back up the sides, all the time murmuring how much he loved touching him. Every time his fingers or his own hard cock touched near Jack's aching cock, Jack squirmed and groaned. Finally, it was too much for Daniel, who was again becoming so aroused that his cock twitched when it touched Jack.

"Please, Jack, tell me what to do. What do you need? Are you in pain?"

"I dunno... aches...just...hold me." Jack mumbled through the towel. Daniel wasted no time in moving in to hold Jack, pulling him to his side and moved closer. They were stretched out facing each other on their sides now, hard cocks clashing between them. Jack groaned again and threw his leg over Daniel's bringing his groin into direct contact with Daniel's cock. Daniel closed his eyes briefly and when he opened them, saw Jack's face, the brown eyes closed briefly every time contact was made.

Daniel was praying, hard. They didn't need this, Jack didn't need this. There was nothing he could do except hold him and pray, he found himself rocking them side to side, and watching the clock. As the minutes passed Jack got tenser anticipating the worst, and Daniel became more and more distraught. He knew Jack could feel his tension and that it wasn't helping, but he was unable to control the fear that ran through him. After fifteen minutes he tried to get Jack's attention to suggest that they call Howard.

"Jack, I think we should call Howard, okay?"

There was no response.

"Jack?"

"Jack, are you okay?" Daniel pushed Jack back to look at his face. The unfocused eyes stared right past him.

"Oh please god, not again."

The lips now thinned and white were moving but without sound for the moment, from the look on Jack's face Daniel suspected it would not remain that way for much longer. He lunged across the tense body and grabbed the telephone. Whispering a silent prayer he dialed Howard's number and waited the four rings for an answer as Jack's body tensed even more and his breathing became shallow and hitched with pain.

"Howard..." Daniel tried to stay calm, "...Jack's in trouble. Use your key, door's locked." He hung up the phone and tried to calm himself before Howard arrived. Less than two minutes later, Howard let himself and Mike in, Mike carrying the ominous black bag.

"How long, Daniel?" Howard asked as he moved towards the bed.

"Where's all the blood from, Daniel?" Mike asked.

"He's bitten through his lip, I think it will need stitches."

"Why?"

"When he came, I just didn't...Oh god, Howard... please tell me this will end?"

"Easy Daniel, you need to keep it together here." Mike moved up and put his hand on Daniel's shoulder.

"Nooo, please. No more... please." Jack's voice drew them all back. Howard closed in to examine him, his hands open and held out in front in a non threatening gesture. Jack tried to pull away from his approach and scooted further back against Daniel. When Daniel put his hand on Jack's shoulder to reassure him, Jack glared at him and tried to escape from the bed, hands in a defensive position, trying to make his body as small as possible, mumbling almost incoherently in English and Arabic.

"Easy, Jack. Its okay you're safe. Come on Jack, relax." Howard's tone was even and soothing. "You aren't there anymore, Jack. You're back now, with friends, you're safe." Howard approached steadily from the front as Mike, coming up from the back, injected Jack's left hip. The sable eyes widened in fear as the medicine burned its way into the muscle. Howard stopped where he was, still talking and trying to reassure Jack that he was safe.

It didn't take long, Jack's eyes that had been shifting in fear from one face to another slowed and unfocused, and then began to stare at a single spot on the bed. His body began to drift sideways, and the tensed muscles began to visibly relax, he mostly just drifted back into Daniel's side and his eyes slid shut. As the tight body went limp, Mike and Howard moved in and laid him flat on the bed. Mike moved to the bathroom and came back with a couple of wet washcloths. One he handed to Howard who used it to clean Jack's hard cock so he could examine him. The other he used to clean Jack's face to get a better look at the split lip.

"This is gonna need some suturing, Guns. He's done a good job; the lac is about a half inch long and fairly deep."

"Best to do it now while he's out of it, there's some 4-0 chromic in my bag, can you do it?"

"Yeah, no problem." Mike was already removing the suture and instrument set from Howard's bag and sat back down on the bed with Jack's head between his knees and began to sew the lip closed.

"Daniel, he's gonna be okay, don't worry." Mike looked up as he tied and cut the first suture. Daniel sat and stared, his arms wrapped around himself. Howard had finished cleaning Jack up and was waiting for Mike to finish the delicate suturing before he manipulated Jack any further.

It only took about fifteen minutes for Mike to complete his repair of the lip laceration and as he finished and applied some antibiotic ointment to Jack's lip to protect the suture line he nodded to Howard who began his exam in earnest.

As Howard manipulated the scrotum and hard penis he frowned then froze as his fingers found what he and Mike had been discussing as a possibility the day before.

"Christ, Mike...I think you were right." Howard looked at his partner.

"He has one, doesn't he?""Certainly feels like it could be, it's in the right spot for one."

"Pay the winner...again." Mike smiled.

"What are you talking about? He has what?" Daniel looked from one doctor to the other.

"Mike thought Jack might have developed a traumatic neuroma, and I suspect he may be correct. There's a tiny lump right here." Howard showed Daniel the area high up on Jack's scrotum near the base of his penis. He took Daniel's finger and put it directly on the tiny thickening and rubbed it back and forth allowing Daniel to feel the small node in the tissue.

Jack groaned in his sleep as the small bundle of errant nerve tissue was stimulated by rubbing.

Mike moved back towards the bed after getting up to wash his hands and the three instruments he had used and replacing them in Howard's bag, dropping the small curved suture needle in the sharps box inside.

"I'm not sure all that stimulation is such a good idea, Guns." He said as Jack groaned again.

Jack's eyes fluttered open, still unfocused and nearly crossed. He groaned again as his engorged cock began to deflate with the stimulation of the small bundle of overgrown nerve. As the erection subsided Mike saw the sweat break out all over Jack.

"Better grab the trashcan, he's going vagal again." Mike pushed Jack to his side near the edge of the bed as Howard moved the small can into position. Jack began heaving what was left in his stomach into the can; Howard went for another cloth and handed it to Daniel who began mopping Jack's face with the cool cloth as the retching ended.

As Jack relaxed and his eyes slid shut again, Howard moved to the sofa and sat down. Mike covered Jack with the sheet and took Daniel's arm to steer him from the bed.

"He'll sleep now. We need to talk." Mike said to Daniel then went and sat next to Howard. Daniel slipped into a pair of shorts and followed them into the sitting room.

"Well, what can you do about it?"

"There's not a lot I CAN do about it, Daniel. He needs surgery, to remove it in order to hopefully restore normal function, but its VERY delicate surgery that can sometimes make things worse instead of better."

"What do you mean." Daniel looked confused.

Mike took over, "A neuroma is an overgrowth of nerve tissue at the site of damage, it happens sometimes after trauma. It can produce pain, along with altered function and sensation along that nerve. THAT'S what we think has happened to Jack. Sometimes trying to reduce the neuroma can actually increase the nerve scarring resulting in a worse problem or if you reduce it too much you get impaired function and sensation. That's what Howard is talking about."

Daniel sighed and nodded. "Isn't there ANYTHING that can be done?"

Mike turned to Howard, "What about the journal article?"

Howard frowned and shook his head, "Where do we find someone to do it?"

"That guy was in Germany, why not take him there? If anybody could do it he could."

"Do what? Will you guys please..."

"Laser surgery, Daniel. There was a journal article about the use of the YAG laser to reduce neuromas. It was written by a neurosurgeon in Berlin."

"Can we take him to Berlin?" Daniel brightened a little.

"We MAY not have to. Let me make a few phone calls, the first one to Hammond, see if he can clear a little red tape. Mike, do you still know anybody at Landstuhl?"

"Yeah, I think Bryon Carsten is still there. Let me get my PDA. His phone number is in there." Mike got up and headed for the door, Howard headed for the desk and the telephone there, Daniel got up and went back to the bed and sitting down, began to stroke the silver hair.

"Always in moonlight, Jack." He muttered softly to the sleeping man.

Chapter 21: What matters is not the length of the wand, but the magic in the stick

"Jack, you need to wake up for a little bit."

Jack battled through the thick familiar fog. He wasn't sure what had happened, he just knew that this wasn't a normal sleep state. He lifted his heavy lids and turned toward the voice.

"Daanl?"

"Yes Jack, I'm here. How do you feel?"

"Sleepy."

"I know, Jack. Is there any pain?"

"Hmmm? Sleepy."

"That's fine, you go back to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

"Mmm, 'kay" Then the fog wrapped him in its velvet arms again.

"Jack, are you going to wake up now?"

The same voice dragged him back, away from the fog and oblivion.

"Hmmm."

"Come on Jack, you've milked this long enough, its time to wake up now." A new, but equally familiar voice parted the fog. Jack pushed his eyes to open, but they still wouldn't focus.

"Wha?"

"That's my boy, come on, time to wake up." Howard tapped on a shoulder, not getting too close to a semi unconscious O'Neill.

The haze cleared and Jack saw Daniel and Howard on either side of his bed through the metal rails. He could taste the anesthetic now and knew he was in a hospital.

"Where?"

Howard and Daniel looked at each other, and then back down at him.

"We're in Germany, Jack."

"Huh? Why?"

"I'll explain it all later when you are more awake. How are you feeling?"

"Balls ache." You could almost see the realization dawning on his face.

"Oh no, not again." He said wearily.

Daniel rushed in to reassure him.

"No, Jack. It wasn't like that. Howard and Mike figured out what the problem was and then brought you here to fix it."

"Well, I hate to admit it but it WAS Mike who figured it out." Howard said grudgingly. "But don't make too much of it or it will go straight to his head, and trust me he does NOT need more of an ego." Howard grinned now, as Mike approached from the nurse's station.

"Is he awake?" Mike looked at Howard and then down at Jack.

"Oh, hey! There you are! We were wondering if you were ever gonna wake up. Daniel's been climbing the walls."

"I have not." Daniel snarked from the opposite side of the bed.

"Yes he has." Mike smiled down at Jack and patted the arm above the IV site. "We thought we were going to have to sedate him." Mike smiled at Daniel who frowned and looked back down at Jack.

"Will somebody please tell me what the hell's going on?" Jack snarled from the bed.

"Ewww! You guys didn't tell me he wakes up grumpy." Mike whined.

Howard patted Mike on the shoulder and said, "You're lucky, at least he didn't break your nose."

"Howard."

"Yes, Jack?"

"What the fuck is going on?" Jack's voice croaked.

"Well, we're at Landstuhl Medical Center in Heidelberg, and as soon as you wake up a little better and we get the okay, we'll take an ambo back to Ramstein. Then we will be airlifted back to Aviano and get a chopper back to Florence where we can rejoin the cruise."

Jack frowned, a deep crease forming between his eyebrows as he tried to make sense of what Howard had said.

"Wha-at? Why are we in Germany?" Jack lifted a hand to his head.

"You had a neuroma, Jack. That's like a scar on a nerve; it's just an overgrowth of nerve fibers at the site of an injury. We think that was what was causing all the problems. We came here so that this hotshot laser specialist from Berlin could zap it."

"And?"

"And, what?"

"And did he?"

Mike stepped into the conversation now.

"Yeah, Howard pulled some strings and I still have a few connections here. We got the guy to meet us here and he brought his ray gun and...poof! No more neuroma."

"Excuse me gentleman, I have to check the Colonel's dressing and need to pull his IV before you leave. So, if you could pardon us for a moment?" The burly looking lieutenant came up behind the group and pulled the curtains around the bed.

"Certainly, lieutenant, Jack we'll be back in a few minutes and then we can leave. I'm just going to go say our goodbyes." Howard moved off with Mike and Daniel as the lieutenant pulled back Jack's covers and removed the ever present ice pack.

He managed to stay awake until he was loaded into the ambulance for the fifteen minute ride back to Ramstein Air Base. Then he woke again briefly when off loaded from the ambulance and into the C-130 bound for Aviano Air Base in Italy and again when being transferred from the C-130 to the helicopter that took them back to Livorno and the cruise ship.

The next time he woke, he could smell the sea air and hear the soft huffing sounds so familiar from all the times he listened to Daniel sleeping when they shared a tent off world. He opened his eyes and blinked to clear and focus them. The room was in shadow, but not too dark. He was lying on his left side and could see a room service cart across the room, it looked disheveled, obviously plundered of whatever booty it had held. Jack's stomach rumbled at the thought and he groaned and moved his right hand as if to quiet it from outside.

"Jack?..." Daniel's sleep thickened voice came from behind him, the breath warm on his neck.

"...Jack, you awake?"

"Danny? I was dreaming?"

"What were you dreaming, Jack?"

"We went to Germany..."

Daniel kissed Jack's ear and pushed up on an elbow.

"That was no dream, Jack. We DID go to Germany. You had some surgery and now we're back on the ship."

"Oh."

"How do you feel?"

"Hungry and thirsty."

At that, Daniel practically sprang from the bed and towards the small fridge under the bar. He returned with a cold bottle of water and sat it on the night stand as he helped Jack to sit up. He pulled a multitude of pillows behind Jack for support and arranged them to make him more comfortable. He cracked the seal on the bottle and handed it to Jack who took it and drained it immediately with a sigh of relief. Daniel smiled and got up and brought another bottle from the fridge and put it on the nightstand.

"Better?"

"Yeah, but I'm still hungry."

"Lemme get the room service menu and we'll order."

"What's that then?" Jack pointed to the room service cart.

"THAT is from lunch. Which was early because I didn't feel like breakfast when we got back from our little side trip to Germany. It's NOW almost eight pm local time and I could stand to eat too. Watching you sleep gives me an appetite." Daniel leaned in and kissed Jack softly on the lips, being careful of the lower lip still swollen and sporting sutures.

"Oww!" Jack reached for his mouth.

"Sorry. I did try to be careful."

"What happened?"

"Well, let's see. You managed to bite through your own lip the last time we had sex and Mike had to suture it."

"Christ, how the hell did I manage to miss all this stuff?" Jack ran his hand through his hair.

"It's okay Jack." Daniel leaned in and kissed him on the nose this time, avoiding the tender lip.

"Lemme up, Danny. I gotta take a leak."

Daniel got up and stood close by while Jack got to his feet, unsteady at first, groaning as the bulky dressing pulled at his scrotum, and then watched as Jack moved to the bathroom and closed the door. He waited, listening for any signs of trouble until the toilet flushed, the water in the sink ran and finally Jack opened the door and leaned on the frame.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah just a little dizzy. Why am I dizzy?"

Daniel was at his side in an instant.

"Probably because you haven't eaten in more than twenty four hours, AND you've been anesthetized and mostly flat on your back for the better part of two days." Daniel smiled and with his arm around Jack's waist guided him back to the bed.

"Yeah, I guess." Jack settled back against the pillows and Daniel went for the menu.

Jack ordered so much food from the menu that Daniel joked that the stewards would think they had a family of stowaways hiding in the room. An hour later, Jack was safely tucked up behind a table laden with food and was trying hard not to eat like a starving man.

With the edge off his appetite, Jack slowed down and began to play; teasing Daniel with tastes of his dinner intermingled with kisses and touches.

"Soo..." Jack asked with a mouthful of food.

"So what?" Daniel looked up from his linguini with pesto. He was trying not to stare at Jack who had been shoveling the food in with both hands, to keep from laughing.

"So, where's the Hardy Boys?"

"They went ashore for the evening. They'll be back soon; the ship leaves for Civitavecchia at eleven."

"Damn!" Jack said half under his breath.

"What? What is it, Jack?"

"I would have really liked to see Florence. I've never been there."

"Ahh, well, maybe we can come back to Italy on vacation."

"Are you kidding me? With all THIS trip is costing me, I won't be able to get a bus to the poor house, let alone come back to Italy."

"Ohh, well, maybe I'll bring you back as a treat then." Daniel smiled as he dipped another piece of bread in the small dish of fragrant olive oil.

"Ohh, man!"

"Now what, Jack?"

"I didn't order dessert."

"Well, it's a good thing I did then, isn't it?"

"You did? What did you order?" Jack looked up with a smile.

"Strawberries with balsamic vinegar."

"Oh ick, Daniel, fruit is supposed to be sweet. You're not supposed to put vinegar on it."

"The balsamic vinegar in question is twenty-five years old Jack and costs about seventy five dollars a bottle."

"Now THAT'S ridiculous! It's VINEGAR, for crying out loud!"

"You'll see." Daniel smiled. "You don't believe it now, but you'll love this, trust me." Daniel lifted a large covered platter off the room service cart and sat it on the table between them. When he removed the lid there was a platter of huge deep red strawberries, a small shallow bowl and a small bottle. The smell of the ripe berries was nearly overwhelming, overpowering even the garlic that had been present in their meals.

Daniel removed the lead foil cover from around the neck of the vinegar bottle and reached back for the corkscrew.

"You need a corkscrew to open VINEGAR?" Jack was incredulous.

"Just wait, wait for it." Daniel smiled. He pulled the cork from the bottle and poured a small amount of the thick black liquid into the shallow dish.

"That's awfully thick, Daniel. Are you sure it's alright, it's not off or anything?" Jack was serious and Daniel just chuckled.

"No, it's fine, really. That's the way it's supposed to be."

"I've seen balsamic vinegar before. Daniel and it wasn't thick."

"This is vintage balsamic. They age this stuff in wooden casks like wine, Jack. It gets thicker as it ages. Trust me."

"Yeah, whatever."

Watching Jack's face Daniel picked up a large berry and dipped the end in the vinegar, the rough texture of the berry allowing the thick vinegar to cling. Daniel guided the berry into his widely open mouth and bit the end off, his eyes never left Jack's face, until the strawberry and balsamic flavor exploded in his mouth, then they slid shut almost orgasmically. He sighed as he chewed with his eyes closed.

"JESUS, Daniel! Is it THAT good?"

Daniel got up and pulled his chair next to Jack's then re-dipped the strawberry in the dish and brought it to Jack's lips, opening his own mouth as if to demonstrate. Jack looked skeptical but opened his lips. Daniel inserted the berry taking care to avoid the still plump area of lip where the sutures were. Jack took a large bite enveloping the balsamic coated area and pulled back allowing Daniel to re-dip and now finish the giant berry himself.

Jack's head tilted and eyes widened as he chewed and then swallowed the luscious combination.

"Wow! That's...that's wild!" Jack smiled and leaned over to steal a balsamic-strawberry flavored kiss from Daniel, licking the last drop of the sweet vinegar off Daniel's lower lip before Daniel could get at it himself.

Jack sat there patiently and allowed Daniel to feed him bites of balsamic dipped strawberry over and over, and rewarded him with soft kisses and licks at his lips.

As the berries were eliminated, Jack became more adventurous with his kisses and the balsamic vinegar. The first thing he did was to dip a finger in the dish and bring a solitary finger to his own mouth. Daniel watched the threat assessment done and passed by Jack who brought the next finger full to Daniel's lips. Daniel opened his mouth and sucked in the digit bearing the drop of excuse disguised as balsamic vinegar, and then closed his lips around the invader taking it prisoner. He ran his tongue around and over the long finger and sucked and nibbled any trace of the sweet condiment away. Then he continued to suck the length waiting for its owner to ask for it back.

Jack would have...if he could have. His brain felt like so much cream of wheat, his breathing deepened and assumed the same pattern as Daniel's and his eyes were hopelessly fixed to that mouth, speared by his finger. Daniel took his wrist and held it in position while his mouth slid up and down on the trigger finger between his lips. His eyes never left Jack's and when Jack sighed deeply he went down taking the finger to the knuckle over his tongue.

The resulting groan was sorrowful.

Daniel had fully intended to continue deep throating Jack's index finger but the ringing phone, took the edge off, for both of them.

Daniel answered.

"Hello... hi, yes he's awake...no, he's fine...did you guys have a good time? Great, Jack's kinda disappointed that he didn't get to see Florence... no, I told him that... we're just eating dessert actually... I don't know, he doesn't look sleepy to me... you sure?..."

Jack became impatient at listening to the one-sided conversation and as Daniel's eyes stayed riveted on his every move, he dipped the same index finger back into the balsamic and touched the drop of thick liquid to Daniel's left nipple. His head dipped down as his mouth swooped in to retrieve the thick drop before it could run down the smooth chest.

Daniel hissed into the phone when Jack's tongue made contact.

"...UH...oh... he's...uh, he's ...ahhhh, ohhhh!"

Jack chuckled as Daniel came unhinged and could no longer make appropriate enough responses to maintain the conversation.

"...uhh, okay, you're sure?...oh good... okay...night." As Daniel ended the call, Jack touched another drop to the other nipple and swooped in, to prevent the scolding he knew he would be getting otherwise. Daniel dropped the phone to the table and clamped a hand to the back of the silver head, as teeth pinched his nipple, followed by a strong suck.

"Oh god, Jack."

Jack came up smiling.

"How much of that stuff do you have Danny?"

"Why?" Daniel looked at him suspiciously.

"Cause I want to drizzle it all over your cock and then, a little between your cheeks, and lick it all off."

Now Daniel groaned.

"I don't think there's enough for that. But I'd be willing to spring for more if you think it's absolutely necessary." Daniel leaned in and licked the small dribble of dark vinegar from under Jack's lower lip.

"Come on, I'm supposed to check your incision." Daniel stood and took Jack's hand and led him back to the bed, grabbing the small bottle of vinegar and the dish they had used for the strawberries and taking it with him.

Daniel sat the dish and bottle on the night stand and pushed Jack flat then pulled down the silk boxers and jock strap as Jack lifted his hips. Daniel turned the bedside lamp on and leaned down to remove the bulky dressing that had been used to reduce the swelling. Even though he found the sight of Daniel's head dipping down near his cock to be extremely erotic, Jack swallowed the arousal and fisted his hands in the bedcovers.

As the last wad of dressing was dropped into the trash, Daniel laid his cool hands on Jack's cock and lifted it to examine the small incision in the scrotum near the base of the penis.

"Well, it doesn't look bruised or anything. Howard said if it looked anything but clean, dry and un-bruised to call him. So I guess its okay. How does it feel?"

Daniel's fingers were wrapped around his cock, cool against too much heat and Jack began to respond physically before he answered verbally.

"Umm, okay. Doesn't hurt or anything."

"I can see that." Daniel looked down as Jack hardened in his hand.

"Your hand feels good." Jack mumbled, as Daniel removed his hand from the area and sat down on the bed.

"We really should not be doing anything, you know?"

"What did Howard say?"

"He said you could do anything that you were up for."

"Well, obviously, I'm up for something. Soo?" He waggled his eyebrows at Daniel suggestively.

As Daniel pondered, Jack reached to the small dish of vinegar and dipped his finger in it, and then he stroked the finger softly down the middle of Daniel's chest to his navel.

"Umm, looks like dessert to me." Jack mumbled. He pushed up on an elbow and his tongue followed the trail that his finger had just blazed. Daniel hissed his approval as Jack ended the trail just above his navel.

"Remind me to get more of this before we go home." Daniel said as he dipped a finger into the shallow dish and placed a drop on Jack's left nipple, following it up with his lips.

"Ahh, perhaps a case will hold us for a while." Jack gasped as Daniel's lips closed around the hard nub sucking it stiff, then nipped gently with his teeth.

Daniel came up for air and poured another small measure of the expensive condiment into the dish. Then he began to paint a thin dark trail around Jack's chest and torso, from nipples to navel and down. Jack's eyes closed as the cool liquid tingled on his heated skin. Daniel stood and removed the shorts he was wearing and climbed back on the bed forcing Jack to move towards the center. Daniel placed a soft kiss on the battered lips and started downward; removing the slick trail he had painted. Jack's fingers ruffled through the soft brown strands on the back of Daniel's head, as that talented mouth traced paths of lava down his body.

Jack's cock was hard before Daniel ever came close to it; it stared longingly upwards, crying to be touched, a single tear glistening in the blind eye. Daniel looked up at Jack's face and dipped his finger back in the vinegar. He reached down with a smile and mixed the teardrop in the eye of the glans with the drop of dark vinegar on his finger then swirled it all over the spongy head of Jack's yearning cock. Jack groaned as Daniel's head dipped to taste his concoction and came up smacking his lips. Daniel held the tasty prize between his thumb and forefinger and licked at it like it was the last strawberry. Jack pulled his right leg up in offering as Daniel's other hand delved below the injured scrotum and teased at the sensitive perineum.

"Ohhh."

Daniel lifted his head and looked at Jack.

"Are you sure, Jack?"

"Yes, Daniel please? I'll use my word if I need it."

Daniel reached for the lube on the nightstand and coated two fingers, then teased at the small pucker in the fuzzy cleft. Jack groaned as the first finger breached him and gasped as the second followed almost immediately. Daniel was impatient and aching and Jack reached for his hard cock but Daniel pulled back.

"No, don't. If you touch me I'll blow. Let me do this." Daniel moved between Jack's long legs and shoved a pillow under his butt to raise his hips. He pulled his fingers out and leaned down to tease at the opening with his tongue.

"Oh God... Daniel please... don't... tease me." Jack groaned out, as his hands clenched the bedclothes in a death grip.

"Shhh, be patient." Daniel lifted his head and smiled as Jack's head moved side to side. He applied more lube, this time to his cock and moved closer, bending slightly at the waist for a better angle.

"Relax, baby." Daniel cooed as he directed the blunt head of his cock into the lubed pucker. He held it behind the glans, determined to control the entry, while watching Jack for any problems.

Jack gasped and sighed as Daniel pushed through the ring and then stilled. Daniel waited for a sign that it was okay to proceed.

He didn't have to wait long.

Jack looked over and dipped a finger into the shallow dish and then brought it to his lips and began to suck.

Daniel shuddered and pushed in further, again stilling until Jack repeated the performance. When Daniel was finally snugged up tight against Jack's body and fully sheathed, Jack dipped two fingers in the bowl and brought them to Daniel's mouth. Daniel licked the long fingers clean and as Jack withdrew the fingers back to his own mouth, Daniel began to move.

He pulled almost all the way out and then glided back in, with Jack's eyes fixed on him, he remembered to focus on the face below him, and the sable eyes burned holes through his chest and into his soul even now.

He shortened the strokes and changed the angle and Jack's eyes closed briefly then opened and looked at him more unfocused than not.

"Like that?"

"Mmmm."

"If you want more... you'll have to talk to me, Jack...tell me what you want."

"Mmmm."

"Tell me, Jack."

"Love me...Oh God!, Daniel... More!"

"Ahh, as you command." Daniel shifted slightly on the bed and lifted Jack's right leg high over his shoulder then increased the thrusting again. Jack blinked and gave a soft grunt with every one of Daniel's caresses of his prostate. When his breathing shortened to panting Daniel knew he was close, but was still afraid to touch him for fear of hurting him. Jack had no such qualms. As his balls drew up, he wrapped his hand around his own length and pumped four times blowing ropes of cum up onto his own chest and belly. He pulled the softening cock another couple of times to milk it and then allowed the now soft member to drop while he fed Daniel semen covered fingers to lick.

That was all it took and Daniel shortened his strokes more, stilling a moment later to launch his load deep into Jack. As he twitched to completion inside, it occurred to Daniel that Jack hadn't uttered a sound during his orgasm. In fact he came with a sort of silly transfigured grin on his face, and then his cock went soft immediately. Daniel pulled his spent weapon from its holster and fell to the side next to Jack and was immediately enveloped in a back breaking, rib crushing hug.

"Did you notice something?" Jack grinned.

"Ugh...breathing...is good." Daniel gasped out.

"Oh sorry." Jack eased the enthusiastic embrace, allowing Daniel to cough now.

"If you mean the silly look on your face when you came, yes... I noticed."

"It didn't hurt, Daniel." The grin got broader and broader. "All the stars I saw this time were good stars. I don't know what the hell they did, but it worked." Jack kissed everywhere he could reach on Daniel, until they both, finally fell asleep wrapped in each other.

Chapter 22: A man is only a man, but a good bicycle is a ride

Jack was up early. That in itself was not a surprise, he was always up early, the surprising part was, so was Daniel, and without argument. They walked the decks before sunrise, laughing as they ran into folks here and there that were just heading off to bed, and the occasional dead to the world drunk sleeping it off in a deck chair.

They had made love once more, when they woke, before hitting the showers, and Jack had told Daniel that he wanted to watch the sun rise. Instead of crawling back into the bed, Daniel slid into clothing, surprising Jack who had figured himself to be doing a solo observation of the event.

"Danny, you don't have to...you can go back to sleep...you're on vacation too."

"No way am I allowing you out without me...or, a chastity belt, O'Neill. This boat is full of fags!"

"Ahh, the keen observer as always, Doctor Jackson. And which glyph told you that?" Jack slid into the surprisingly comfortable woven sandals that Mike had forced on him in Barcelona and stood. Daniel moved into his personal space and blocked any forward progress with his body.

"You know how I am with my precious artifacts, Jack. I prefer no one handle them but me, and this ship's probably full of archeologists."

"More likely to be dentists, doctors, and lawyers than archeologists, but like I always say, never go unarmed..." He pulled Daniel close and kissed him then turned him around and pushed him in the direction of the door.

They walked to the bow of the bridge deck high above the rest of the ship. They were not the only ones who had sought the affirmation and inspirational beauty of a sunrise at sea; there were several other couples and a few hardy singles there just to enjoy the event. Although it would be another hot late summer day, the morning air was slightly chilly and Daniel shivered.

Jack found the perfect spot and sat in a deck lounger pulling Daniel to sit between his spread legs and pulled him back against him, draping his arms around his chest. Daniel sighed as the warmth from Jack's body seeped into him. Jack spotted the steward carrying the thermal throws and managed enough of a signal to get the man's attention. The steward was the recipient of a relieved thank you from a suddenly cozy Daniel as he melted back into Jack's body. Jack was the only one that actually witnessed the sunrise; the intimate comfort of Jack lulled Daniel back to sleep in minutes, with Jack kissing his head occasionally.

Daniel woke to the rich smell of coffee as the steward delivered the double roasted Italian coffee that his clever flyboy had ordered to lull him awake. Jack reached over and poured another mug full from the carafe as Daniel stirred.

Daniel watched as Jack opened the server next to the carafe and spooned two huge dollops of thick whipped cream on top of the coffee and then lifted it to drink.

"Is that for me, Jack?"

"Hey you're awake."

"There had better be more coffee in that carafe, Jack. I'd hate to have to kill you this early in our relationship."

"Easy big fella, there's plenty." Jack poured into another mug and turned the handle for Daniel to grasp.

"Mit schlag." Daniel didn't move.

"What?"

"I said mit schlag. Uh That IS sweetened whipped cream, isn't it?"

"Well it ain't yak butter."

"Well then, give!" Daniel pushed the mug a little and Jack spooned a miserly dollop onto the surface of the coffee. Daniel twisted in his arms to look at Jack's face.

"Uh, is there a shortage?"

"No, why?"

"Well either there's a shortage or you're saving the rest of that so I can lick it off your body. But either way...I WANT MORE!"

"OKAY! GEEZ, Jackson, I get the message. You are SO mean without coffee!" Jack remedied his miserly portion and Daniel sipped and sighed.

"You keep going on like that and people will think we're having sex right here." Jack quipped.

"Sex...good coffee...not much difference as far as I'm concerned." Daniel chuckled.

"You missed the sunrise." Jack kissed the top of Daniel's head.

"I didn't come here for the sunrise, Jack." Daniel put the cup down and turned to his side, his forehead fitting into the curve of Jack's neck.

As the sun rose further the air around them warmed and Daniel was relieved of the throw by one of the ever present stewards that seemed to abound around the Bridge deck suites.

"Come on Jack, I'm hungry, let's got to the café for breakfast."

"No, I'd rather hit the dining room, they have a breakfast buffet and I have my heart set on giant Belgian waffles." Jack smiled and Daniel finished his coffee then grabbed the spoon from the 'schlag' and began to polish it off too.

"Daniel?" Jack was bemused at the suddenly greedy Daniel.

"Can't let this stuff sit out, it will turn." Daniel had whipped cream squeezing out from the corners of his mouth and Jack wiped the traces away with a finger and brought it to his own lips.

"How old are you...really?" Jack smiled and shook his head, as Daniel scraped the last of the cream from the container and licked the spoon.

Then Daniel leaned in and kissed Jack and as Jack opened to him, slipped some of the last of the sweetened cream into Jack's mouth with his tongue.

When the kiss broke, Jack came away licking his lips and Daniel sat back like the cat, post canary ingestion and dabbed at his lips with a napkin.

"Very clever, what else can you do with that mouth, Doctor Jackson?"

"Well, Colonel, I'd be happy to show you but I'm so hungry I can't guarantee I would have the strength to finish what I start." Daniel gave a coy smile. Jack pushed him off the lounger and got stiffly to his own feet, a little achy from sitting so long.

"Come on, I don't want you wasting away on me. I have PLANS for Rome."

The found Mike and Howard sitting with Gary at a table in the dining room and moved into two of the other open seats. Gary's eyes never left the couple and when Daniel stole a kiss from Jack, he positively beamed. Jack tucked into his double stack of Belgian waffles with syrup and Mike shook his head.

"You know that stuff is no good for you Jack? I can see your arteries hardening from here."

"MIKE! Let the man eat his breakfast, will you?" Howard scolded.

Mike watched Daniel eating a vegetable stuffed omelet with wheat toast.

"See, Daniel has the right idea. That's MUCH healthier than all that butter, fat and processed sugar that you're eating."

Jack nearly choked when Daniel nodded in agreement.

"OH PLEASE! What you aren't seeing is Daniel, not ten minutes ago, polishing off all the whipping cream left from the coffee that we had on deck." Jack sputtered. Howard laughed juice through his nose at the incredulous look that Mike gave Daniel.

"I'm SO disappointed in you, Daniel!" Mike admonished, handing Howard another napkin.

"Don't let the innocent face fool you, beneath that quiet exterior beats the heart of a sybarite." Gary chimed in and now, all eyes were on Daniel who was blushing furiously.

"BOY! You aren't kidding there!" Jack concurred, taking another slice of waffle into his mouth. "So, what are you guys up to today?" Jack asked as he lifted the glass of milk to his lips.

"Well, when you are finished I need to see you privately for a few minutes. Then after we dock Mike and I are going into Rome."

"Ooo, when do we dock? I can't wait to see Rome again."

"Uh, Jack?" Howard said softly

"Huh?"

"Uh uh, no way, bud. I'm sorry." Howard frowned and shook his head.

"Oh for crying..."

Daniel jumped in quickly to try to divert Jack's attention.

"That's okay there's plenty to do onboard ship. I can order some more strawberries, Jack."

"But I want to see Rome...can't I go for a little while?"

"Stop whining, Jack. No, actually Doctor Bernd didn't even want you out of bed. I'm stretching the rules even letting you out of your suite."

"I'm beginning to feel like a prisoner."

"I know and I'm sorry."

When breakfast was finished, the five men left the dining room. Gary headed off to his cabin to change and get ready to go ashore and Mike, Daniel, Howard and Jack returned to Jack's suite. Daniel and Mike spoke quietly in the sitting room. Howard examined Jack, checking up on Doctor Bernd's work, he needed to phone the man and advise him of Jack's progress and it looked like the report would be a glowing one. There was a little swelling but that was to be expected since Jack had been up and on his feet most of the morning. But the best part was that Jack had already experienced relief of his symptoms and that alone was worth all the trouble they had gone to not only to get Jack on the cruise, but make the side trip to Landstuhl.

Howard sat down on the bed next to Jack.

"So, you still need to take it easy, Jack. But I see no reason why you can't enjoy some of the amenities of the ship. Just go easy on the walking and put your feet up as often as possible. I KNOW I don't have to remind you about the supporter." Howard chuckled. "Is there anything I can get you while we're in Rome?"

Jack frowned and then thought about the prior evening's events.

"Yeah, balsamic vinegar."

"What?"

"Daniel can tell you what to ask for...but it has to be at LEAST twenty-five years old. Get the biggest bottle you can find."

"Ooo-kay, I don't suppose you want to explain?"

"On second thought, if I have to explain, get two. And you can show Mike a thing or two." Jack smiled a slightly evil smile and Howard knew that he would love it.

"Two it is! Twenty-five years old..."

"Or older."

"...or older, two one gallon bottles coming up."

"Well I doubt it...the stuff is mucho expensive. But it's well worth it. I promise."

"Okay, I believe you." Howard smiled "I'm gonna call Dr Bernd from here in case he wants to talk to you, okay?" Howard stood and moved towards the phone on the bar, while Jack got up and went onto the sitting area with Mike and Daniel. Mike motioned for Jack to sit next to him, and Jack sat down on the other end of the sofa and Mike pulled Jack's bare feet up into his lap. Daniel got up from his chair and rearranged the cushions behind Jack so his head could be lower than his bottom, then knelt next to the sofa for his reward kiss.

As Jack kissed Daniel he moaned softly and Daniel cocked an eye open to see Mike massaging Jack's feet with a sly smile. Daniel took the opening and kissed deeper and allowed his hands to roam over Jack's chest. He unbuttoned the linen shirt and slid his hand across the warm expanse of chest, allowing his fingers to play between the ribs on Jack's side. When Jack groaned Daniel looked up at Mike and raised his sly smile with a self satisfied smirk.

What Daniel didn't know is that Mike was no amateur at this kind of game. As if to prove that very point, Mike's hand lightly skimmed the length of Jack's leg, sliding to the inside of the thigh and drifting upward. Daniel searched for Jack's tonsils with his tongue and kept one eye open and watching Mike. Daniel's hand skimmed back towards Jack's chest and started to rub circles on the dusky nipple furthest from him.

Jack groaned again, but made no attempt to remove himself from the contest that was being fought with his body. Daniel's hand skimmed south to the plane of Jack's belly, flat and hot against his palm. Mike's hand moved under the loose shorts leg and further north, fingertips ghosting over super sensitized areas.

They both watched as Jack hardened in response, and Daniel slipped the button at the waistband of the linen shorts and pushed the zipper down while Mike's fingers played delicately over the supporter covered package. Daniel pushed at the waistband of the supporter and Mike carefully lifted it over Jack's thickening cock.

Once it was over the obstacle that was Jack's erection, Mike removed his hand and reaching across his own body grabbed the shorts by the legs and dragged them and the supporter down, as Daniel slid his hand around Jack's waist to push the back of the shorts down. Mike slid them all the way down and off; and as he turned slightly to drop them out of the way he stole a glance at Howard. He was still on the phone but watching every move and starting to stroke his own hard cock through his shorts. Mike smile at him and licked his lips, something that he tortured Howard with endlessly, then turned back to his contest with Daniel.

Jack attempted to come up for air but Daniel continued to ravish his mouth relentlessly. Mike shifted to his side and leaned over, kissing long fuzzy thighs on his way to the prize. Daniel sneaked a peak and began his descent, nipping and sucking on his way.

The final battle was joined.

Jack gasped as two mouths took him, one high and one low. They worked towards each other and whenever they got close they licked at each other's lips as readily as the hard cock that stood guard between them.

Howard was finally off the phone and he moved back into the sitting room, dropping his shorts and shirt on the way. He moved up behind Daniel and began to unbutton and remove first his shirt and then his shorts, all the while kissing along the broad back. Howard pushed Daniel forward against Jack to pull the shorts down under the knees and then off Daniel's legs. Naked now, Daniel pushed his buttocks back against Howard's groin, moving up and down against the boner that the surgeon was sporting.

Howard's right hand reached for Mike's waistband and he quickly released the buttons, without any hesitation or trouble. Years of tying surgical knots with one hand made for great single-handed dexterity with buttons and snaps. Mike managed to get his own shirt unbuttoned and Howard pulled at the collar and tossed the garment across the room. Then Mike pushed his own shorts down until Howard could relieve him of them as well. Howard moved back behind Daniel, his hands reaching around and fondling everywhere he could reach. Mike licked carefully at the tortured scrotum while Daniel teased at the blunt glans with his tongue.

Jack's eyes opened and shifted from one participant to the other. Mike lifted Jack's left leg and draped it along the back of the sofa, allowing better access. As Mike's tongue delved under the scrotum and towards the perineum, Jack's eyes slid shut again and his hand went to the back of Daniel's head. Howard was trying to keep an eye on Jack's responses to all this sensation and he shook his to Mike when he was about to slide two wet fingers into Jack. Mike got his wits about him and sat up, placing Daniel's hand where his was about to go and slid off the sofa and next to Howard on the floor. He grabbed his shorts and slid back into them, then kissed the bald top of Howard's head and made a sideways head gesture to withdraw.

Howard got to his feet and slid back into his shorts and shirt and they quietly withdrew, allowing Daniel sole custody of the aroused Jack.

Daniel saw the two physicians withdraw and once the door was closed he took Jack's hand and guided him to the bed.

"Tell me what you want, Jack?"

"I want you inside me, Danny."

"You sure?"

"Abso-fucking-lutely."

Daniel's mouth went for Jack's tonsils anew, as he positioned his prize on the bed. Jack raised his hips and allowed Daniel to place the pillows before he pulled his own knees back and held them. Daniel quickly lubed two fingers and gently inserted one as Jack's gaze fixed on him in that grounding stare. Jack pushed himself down on the single finger and groaned again when Daniel grazed his prostate.

"I love you." Jack half gasped when the single finger was replaced with two then groaned again when the hand was removed completely.

Daniel lubed his cock then positioned himself to enter then pushed slowly inside. Jack's eyes slid shut briefly during the initial penetration but opened and returned to fix on Daniel's eyes.

Daniel wanted it hard and fast but knew in his heart that would be a mistake and probably push Jack over the edge. He was becoming used to having Jack watch him, the sable eyes alone more expressive than Jack himself had ever been. He was beginning to become accustomed to the wordless signals they gave, the slow blinks that happened when he grazed Jack's prostate; the way the unfocused and nearly crossed with Jack's orgasm. Right now, those eyes toyed with him, the evil glint told him something was about to force his hand.

He was right.

Jack lifted Daniel's right hand and brought it to his lips, then rolled all the fingers except the index finger into a fist and inserted the index finger into his mouth, his hot tongue stroking it at a leisurely pace. Daniel groaned and the pace changed, Jack pistoned the finger over his tongue at a pace that Daniel soon found himself matching for the brief time it took before Daniel fell off the edge.

Daniel spasmed and then stilled as he staked his claim deep inside Jack. He hunched slightly forward over the long body and looked up into a rakish grin.

"Works every time."

"Hmm, that was mean." Daniel mumbled.

Jack rolled them to the side as Daniel pulled out spent and limp. Then Jack began to kiss and suck areas of Daniel's neck and chest as he slowly worked hi way down the hard body. He paused briefly to worship the soft cock laying spent against Daniel's thigh, licking it and the soft fuzzy balls clean, before pushing up on Daniel's knee to gain access to his perineum. Jack looked up into Daniel's face, his voice low and thick.

"I want you."

Daniel thought he would have come on the spot if he hadn't already spent himself, as it was he began to harden in response to Jack's request. Too focused for words, Daniel lifted his other leg and pulled up behind both knees, opening himself to Jack's tender mercies.

Jack spread the firm cheeks and dipped his head, first kissing then licking at Daniel's opening. Daniel gasped and writhed under him, trying to pull his legs up even further. Jack looked up and saw the dreamy look on Daniel's face and went back to his task with renewed vigor. He prodded the muscle with his pointed tongue until it was admitted and then pistoned it in and out, while rubbing his thumb around the glans of Daniel's now hard cock.

When his own need began to ache in his balls he slid in two lubed fingers and scissored them while reaching for the button that would pulverize Daniel's brain. Daniel jumped when Jack found that trigger as he sucked and mouthed first the right and then the left of Daniel's testicles and groaned again when both fingers and mouth were removed.

Jack leaned up, placing the lubed glans of his hard cock against the loosened muscle. He held it and leaned in watching Daniel's face as he pushed through the muscular ring, stilling as it popped through. He adjusted his position and pushed a little further inside. Daniel's body gripped him like a glove, and the heat surrounding his cock was intense, but he managed to resist the urge to sink balls deep in one stroke. He adjusted his position again and pressed further in until finally, his much abused balls rested hotly against Daniel's buttocks.

He closed his eyes to just savor the sensation of being inside Daniel, his cock wrapped in so much heat the rest of him chilled and he shivered. Daniel's eyes sprang open in fear.

"Jack?"

He shivered again and his wits returned enough to speak.

"I'm okay. You're just so...hot. It's like putting my cock...into a furnace." Jack's face, showed the strain of holding back.

"It feels wonderful to me... but it would feel much better for both of us if you could move a little." Daniel smiled patiently, and moved his hips a little.

Jack's stare was intense as he pulled back and stroked in again; like he was reading the directions off Daniel's face.

Daniel pulled him forward, putting Jack into a more accessible position for kissing. Jack was so intent on the sensation he was feeling that at first he didn't even respond to Daniel's kisses. Daniel took hold of his face, stared right into his eyes and called his name.

"Jack!"

The sable eyes refocused on the blue ones below him.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Huh?"

"I said are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, why?"

"Because if you don't start moving soon and keep moving, I'm gonna beat the crap out of you. That's why!" Daniel wiggled his butt a little and then kissed the end of Jack's nose. Jack smiled.

"Oh, sorry. It's just... well, you feel...so...sorry."

Daniel's smile was enough to fuel Jack's fire, and he began to glide in and out. He angled for Daniel's prostate and the resulting arch of Daniel's back seemed to suck his cock even deeper.

"Tell me how you want it, Daniel." Jack angled for that spot again with the same results.

"Oh god...more...harder!"

Jack grunted with the effort of giving Daniel what he wanted. Sweat ran down his face and dripped into Daniel's. Their skin was slippery and a good grip now was nearly impossible but Daniel kept hold, and continued to kiss. With his strength waning, Jack sacrificed speed for power and he began to hammer Daniel into the mattress.

Daniel gasped and came a second time, his cock lying untouched between them. That was enough to finish Jack who thrust twice more and came with a primal roar, his cock twitching deep inside Daniel, filling him with liquid fire.

Jack's face dropped into the puddle where Daniel's neck met his collarbone, as Daniel's hands glided up and down the wet back, kissing salty drops from Jack's temple and ear. Jack lifted his head and kissed Daniel's chin, and he started to pull away.

"I'm too heavy."

Daniel held him, unwilling to let go.

"No, you aren't. I'm not going to break, Jack. I like your weight on me... Are you okay?"

"Oh for...will you stop asking me that!"

"Sorry."

"It's alright, I just don't want to look back anymore; I don't need the reminder, that's all."

"I was worried for a minute, you got all, um...spacey on me. I thought there was a problem."

"Well, we WILL have one in a minute...you have to let me up. Even if your hips aren't dislocating, my back has had it." Jack's sated smile turned into a grimace.

Daniel rolled them to the side and as Jack's cock slipped free, he rolled to his back with a groan and Daniel leaned up on an elbow and brushed his fingers across Jack's lips.

"You know, we could have lunch and then you could get a massage?"

"From?" Jack looked over.

"From?" Daniel didn't get it.

"From a stranger, or are you offering?" Jack smirked.

"Well, they have professional masseurs in the spa, but I might know where you could find a talented amateur."

"That sounds especially nice; I'm a firm believer in supporting the amateur athlete." Jack grinned and Daniel cracked up laughing and fell onto the salt-traced chest.

"Hey! What's so funny?"

Daniel's body shook with quiet laughter now as he tried to gather himself for a response.

"You just said that you're a great... athletic supporter, Jack!"

Jack looked puzzled and tried to replay the conversation in his mind.

"Yes, you did." Daniel still chuckled, as he patted Jack's face.

"Semantics." Jack groused.

Daniel kissed him deeply and pulled back.

"Come on I'll run a bath for you, and you can soak while I shower."

"Umm, sounds good to me."

Next: Part 3