Bloodlust

by Feather Autant

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asf/fautant/bloodlus.php
Summary: Jack returns from exile to find a predator ravaging his inheritance

Daniel stood in the middle of the dark, windswept field and pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders. It was a movement of habit. He didn't suffer from the cold anymore, hadn't in a very long time. He gazed at the lights of the village with longing. The hunger was building again. He felt his mouth water. They were all there, ripe for the picking. He just had to choose. Which one would it be this time? He tore his hungry gaze away from the candle-lit windows and turned away sharply. No! Not yet. He could hold out a little longer. But why should I? It would be so sweet . . .

~~~

Jack rode up to the front of the stronghold, weary from traveling. He'd been away for many years, tending to the business interests of his father in London. Now that his father was dead, it was his duty and right to return home at last. He grinned broadly when his squire rushed out to greet him.

"Welcome home, my lord!"

"Walter! Thank you. It's good to be home."

"We had started to worry," Walter said and grabbed the bridle of Jack's horse to steady him while Jack dismounted.

Jack groaned when his feet hit the hard-packed earth of the courtyard. He had been in the saddle all day, and his muscles were screaming in protest. "The bridge washed away. I had to backtrack to get home."

"I'll have a bath drawn right away," Walter said. He grabbed Jack's saddlebags, grunting under their weight, and followed him inside.

Jack looked around him in satisfaction. The hall was well lit, candles burning brightly in wall scones. A fire blazed merrily, radiating a penetrating warmth. "I think I'll take my meal in my bedchamber," Jack announced and started up the grand staircase.

"Yes, my lord," Walter said, hurrying toward the kitchen.

Jack entered his room with a weary sigh, sat on his bed and struggled with his boots. He would rest tonight then go to the village tomorrow. He needed to see how his people were doing, how well they had prepared for the coming winter. He felt the weight of leadership fall easily on his shoulders. He's been preparing for this his whole life and was ready. He heard a discreet knock on his door. "Enter!"

Walter came bustling in followed by several women lugging heavy pails of steaming water. "Dinner will be served shortly," he said as he scrambled around, preparing the small table with a wooden plate, a pewter goblet, and a fresh loaf of bread. He made a quick sweep of the room, made sure the bath temperature was appropriate, then followed the women out, closing the door behind him.

Jack stripped and sank into the small bath with a grateful sigh. It was good to be home.

~~~

Jack rode to the village in the crisp, fall morning. The air had a definite bite to it, although the afternoons were still warm. He passed the mill and noticed a woman working on the water wheel and he struggled to hide his grin. He urged his horse closer, then called out. "Mistress Carter!"

Sam jumped and whirled around, looking guilty. "My lord!" she exclaimed and wiped her grimy hands on her skirt. "Welcome home!"

"What are you doing?" Jack knew very well what she was doing, but couldn't resist the temptation to tease. Women didn't work on mechanical things, but Sam was the exception, and both he and his late father had turned a blind eye toward her inclinations.

Sam blushed a deep red. "I was helping my father," she said a little defensively.

Jack laughed. "Carry on. I wouldn't dream of insisting that you keep your hands clean."

Sam's face broke into a broad grin. "It's good to have you home, my lord."

Jack grinned back and he urged his horse onward. His next stop was to see his reeve, Kinsey. Jack had never liked the man, but his father had insisted that he did a good job, kept the peace and the village running smoothly. Jack wasn't inclined to change that, just yet, but there was something decidedly oily about Kinsey, a look in his eye that Jack didn't trust. Jack was sure that Kinsey had his own agenda, not what was best for Jack and his people, but was best for Kinsey himself.

Kinsey looked up with a startled glance when Jack walked into his office. He shoved a document into his desk and stood up hastily. "My lord! Welcome home." It was said in an obsequious manner, his smile not reaching his eyes.

Jack felt a shiver of distrust crawl down his spine. Yes, he'd have to make some changes. He forced a smile to his lips. "Kinsey," he nodded cordially. "How's the village faring?"

"We've done well this year," Kinsey said, motioning for Jack to sit. He settled at his desk again. "Our crops were bountiful and the cattle herd increased."

Jack nodded. "So we've enough stored for the winter?"

"Yes, and extra to be sold at market."

Jack's eyes narrowed slightly. Why did he get the feeling that the document Kinsey had hidden had to do with the market, and the goods sold there? "Anything else to report?"

"We've had some trouble, a predator going after . . . the sheep and cattle," Kinsey said. "I've been working on that."

"Oh?" Jack noticed the slight pause in Kinsey's speech and his eyes narrowed.

"Yes. I've sent men into the forest. Hopefully we'll catch the culprit and put an end to it."

Kinsey was shifting slightly, uncomfortable but trying to hide it.

"What kind of predator? A wolf?"

Kinsey refused to meet his eyes. He started shuffling papers. "No. I don't think it's a wolf."

Jack waited expectantly for a few moments. "Well?" he finally prompted gruffly. "What then?"

Kinsey gave a short, uncomfortable laugh. "It's a man."

Jack raised his eyebrows. "A man? How long has this been going on?"

"Months," Kinsey confessed. "But he's a very unusual man. We've actually caught him a few times."

"And you let him go?" Something wasn't right, here.

"No. Not exactly." Jack gestured impatiently for him to continue. "We hanged him and buried him, but he came back. Twice."

Jack's eyes opened wide in disbelief. "You must have botched it."

"No!" Kinsey cried defensively, then took a calming breath. "No, it was done properly. He didn't have a heartbeat, and his breath didn't fog a mirror."

"Then how do you explain it?"

Kinsey gave a short laugh. "He's not human."

Jack scoffed at that. "Monsters and fairies?"

Kinsey looked at him with barely disguised dislike. "You've been away. You haven't seen him. Ask Teal'c, if you don't believe me."

"I think I will," Jack said, climbing to his feet. He walked to the door, then paused with his hand on the latch. "I'd like a complete report on the market transactions."

"Yes, my lord," Kinsey said, unable to hide his contempt.

Jack smiled to himself as he walked out. Kinsey thought he was a pushover. He was in for a big surprise.

Jack's walked through the village, greeting his people, and keeping an eye out for one in particular. Daniel, the young scholar, had been the main reason he'd been banished to London, far from home. He and Daniel had been in the middle of an intense, passionate affair when Jack's father had found out. Jack's reassignment had been immediate and permanent. It had been many years, but Jack had never forgotten. He felt his heartbeat increase at the thought of his ex-lover. Many things had changed, but Jack hoped their feelings hadn't. He desperately needed to find Daniel and see if that thing, that undeniable hunger was still between them. Memories of what they'd shared still haunted his dreams, still had him waking up hard and wanting.

"My lord Jack!"

Jack shook himself out of his reverie. His face broke into a wide grin when he saw who had called to him. "Mistress Janet!"

The village midwife hurried up to him. "It's good to have you home," she said, her eyes sparkling.
"It's good to be home," he said with a laugh. "The soot and filth of London is deep in my pores. It will take a month to wash it out!"

Janet laughed. "I may have something that will help with that." She turned and walked toward her house, expecting Jack to follow.

Jack shook his head slightly and did, as she knew he would. Jack may be Lord, but Janet held her own power in the village. He entered her tidy house and sat in the proffered chair. Janet moved unerringly to one of the numerous shelves, chose a bottle containing a thick white substance, and handed it to Jack. "Pour a bit of this in your bath. It'll help wash away the grime."

Jack worked the cork out of the top and sniffed suspiciously. His eyebrows rose in surprise. "That doesn't smell too bad."

Janet rolled her eyes. "No, my lord. It doesn't smell too bad."

Jack laughed. "Maybe you could be of further assistance. I'm looking for someone . . . " He hesitated and felt his face flush. It was unseemly for him to be seeking out Daniel, but Janet has suspected them before, and hadn't shown disapproval, in fact she had provided an 'ointment', saying it was for a nonexistent rash, which had proven to be a highly suitable lubricant. Jack's eyes narrowed when he saw Janet tense. Maybe he'd misread her before. Maybe she hadn't approved after all. He opened his mouth and took a breath to reprimand her. It wasn't her place to judge him, but stopped before he spoke. There was something in her eyes, a kind of sadness that made his heart plummet. "Daniel?" he whispered in a stricken voice.

Janet pulled a simple wooden chair close and sat facing him. She reached to take his hands, hesitated, then did so anyway, feeling that they were ice-cold. "My lord," she said gently. "Daniel . . . " Janet hesitated. How did she say something like this?

Jack felt her flounder and met her eyes. "He's dead," he stated, feeling his heart seize up.

"No. . . . "

"Daniel's not dead?" Jack felt his heart soar. "Where is he? Is he well? Has he found another?" The thought that Daniel had found someone else to share his life with had haunted Jack, but he'd been unable to ask his father, and had been forbidden contact with any of the villagers, most especially Daniel.

"Yes. No." Janet took a deep breath and sighed. "It's very complicated."

"Then enlighten me," Jack stated firmly, striving to keep the gruffness and impatience from his voice. His emotions were all over the place and he was getting frightened again.

Janet let go of his hands, stood up, walked to the small window and gazed outside. "I'm not sure where to begin," she said quietly. "We usually don't speak of such things."

Jack surged to his feet, angry now. "I don't give a damn about propriety, and you know that, Janet. Out with it."

Janet looked at him intently for a moment then nodded. "All right, but you may want to sit down." She moved back to her chair and sat, waiting expectantly.

Jack sighed with irritation and sat back down.

Janet took a moment to collect her thoughts. "Daniel is still here," she began.

Jack stood swiftly. "He is? Where?" He started striding for the door.

"Jack!" Janet said with a note of command in her voice. "Sit down and listen."

Jack gave her a startled look and sat back down. He searched her face, unable to read her expression. He swallowed a lump in his throat. "Continue," he said.

"Daniel is still here, after a fashion." Janet started. "But he's changed."

"Of course he has," Jack scoffed. "It's been many years."

Janet shook her head. "No, not changed like that." She looked Jack in the eye and he felt his heart lurch at the pity he saw there. "Let me start at the beginning. Do you remember how beautiful Daniel was?"

Jack nodded. Was? He unconsciously held his breath, waiting for her next words.
"It seems that Kinsey also noticed." Janet gave a short laugh. "Kinsey has a penchant for pretty boys, and Daniel is very pretty."

Jack nodded shortly for her to continue, feeling an icy rage threaten to consume him.

"Daniel refused," Janet assured him. "Kept him at bay for many years. But Kinsey didn't give up, kept asking, kept trying to find a way to get Daniel to submit."

Jack nodded again tensely.

"Daniel's refusal seemed to inflame Kinsey," Janet continued. "His passion grew more blatant with every rejection." Janet got up and walked to the window again. "Kinsey finally used a last resort, he did something unthinkable."

"Tell me." Jack said shortly. Rage no longer threatened to consume him. Instead, an unyielding calm claimed him. Whatever Kinsey had done, whatever harm he'd caused Daniel, would be visited upon his body threefold.

"He went to Linnea." Janet said turning back to him. "He went to her and asked if she could make Daniel's passion unquenchable, make Daniel want him."

"Did she?" Jack asked stonily.

"In a way, yes." She paused and took a deep breath. "She . . . turned him, cursed him somehow."

"Excuse me?" Jack asked, eyebrows raised. "Turned him?"

Janet nodded. "He's become something not human. He craves blood. It appears that animals' blood will suffice for a while, but eventually it's human blood he needs."

"How do you know this?" Jack asked skeptically.

Janet shifted uncomfortably. "I've spoken to him."

"He's still here?"

Janet nodded. "Not in the village, though. He's been driven out. But he still stays. I'm not sure why. He lives in the forest."

Jack thought for a minute. "Okay," he said slowly, trying to digest everything and not really believing it. "But how is the blood tied in with passion? You said that Kinsey wanted his passion to be unquenchable."

Janet looked uncomfortable again and refused to meet his eyes. "Daniel said that he needs the blood of . . . " she took a deep breath before continuing. ". . .orgasm."
Jack looked at her in disbelief. Surely he'd heard wrong. "What?"

Janet squared her shoulders and met his gaze. "He craves the blood that surges during climax. He says it's sweeter, richer, more fulfilling."

Jack stood up and walked swiftly to her, took her startled body by the upper arms and shook her slightly. "Lies," he hissed, then looked deeply into her eyes and saw no deceit. He released her then reeled back to the chair and sat for a moment, stunned. "Why did he tell you this? Why haven't I heard of it?"

"We haven't said anything because he's never forced anyone."

"I don't understand."

Janet blushed deeply. "He . . . he doesn't force. He seduces."

Jack let out a whoosh of breath. He had been on the receiving end of Daniel's seductions, and knew how persuasive he could be, and how good sex could be with him. Suddenly, he knew. "You've been with him, haven't you?"

Janet nodded guiltily. "Yes," she whispered.

Jack stood up and paced around the small room, trying to suppress the sudden surge of jealousy. "Kinsey said he'd killed a poacher, twice." He stopped and looked at Janet.

"Yes, he did."

"I don't understand." Jack pinched between his eyes, trying to stave off an impending headache.

Janet looked at him compassionately. "This is all very difficult. They did capture Daniel, and hang him, but he clawed his way out of the grave. The last time I spoke with him he said that he couldn't die, that he'd tried to do himself in because he loathed what he had become . . . " She took a deep breath. "He hates what he is, Jack, says he can feel his humanity slipping away."

"Okay, let me see if I've got this straight," Jack said firmly. "Kinsey wanted Daniel, was rejected by him, so went to the crone Linnea, procured a curse, and now Daniel stalks around seeking blood?"

Janet nodded. "Yes, that sums it up nicely."

Jack snorted. "This is impossible."

"Yes, but it's also true."

If it had been anyone other than Janet telling him this, he would have dismissed it immediately. But Janet had a level head on her shoulders, and the weight of her belief swayed Jack. "How do we reverse the curse?" he asked shortly.

"I don't know."

Jack paced across the small room several times, trying to assimilate it all, come up with a plan. One burning need filled him. "I must go find him." Jack started for the door.

"You won't find him during the day." She watched as Jack stopped short of the door, his back tense. "He sleeps during the day, now, out in the forest somewhere. He . . . he says the sunlight burns."

"Fine," Jack said shortly. "I'll go speak with Linnea." He wrenched the door open and stormed out.

"Jack!" she called. "Teal'c may be able to help. He and Daniel were--are-- friends."

Jack stopped short and turned to face her. "Kinsey said that Teal'c helped with the hanging."

"No, he refused, but he did confirm that Daniel was dead . . . after. Daniel is his friend. He may know something more."

Jack didn't take the time to collect his horse. Instead, he strode toward the small house set back far from the village. Neither the villagers, nor Linnea herself wanted to live in close proximity. He pounded on her door. "Linnea! You old crone! Open up!" The door opened and Jack scowled into the serene face of the old woman.

"My lord Jack," she said calmly. "Welcome home."

Jack curled his hands into fists, struggling to keep from striking her. She was, after all, an old woman. "What have you done to Daniel?"

She smiled serenely and turned to walk into her cottage. "I did what Kinsey asked."

"He asked you to curse him?"

"No. That's an unfortunate side effect."

"An unfortunate side effect?" Jack shouted. "You've destroyed him!"

"You're wrong," she said. "I gave him eternal life. He should be grateful."

Jack eyes bulged with rage. "Grateful? He's cursed to walk at night and drink blood."

"Well, yes," she admitted. "But he'll get to do it for eternity."
"Not everyone wants to live forever, Linnea. Especially not a life like that."

Linea shrugged non-committally. "Kinsey paid the price, and I did what he asked."

"Reverse it."

Linnea laughed. "Daniel has demanded that as well. He knows my price."

"So, it can be done?"

She nodded. "Yes."

Jack fought the urge to throttle her. He needed her alive for the moment. But after the curse was lifted . . . then things would be different. "What's the price?" he asked with barely contained fury. He'd pay it, whatever it was.

Linnea smirked. "It's a trifling little thing. Daniel knows what I want," she said mysteriously. "Maybe he'll tell you and you can persuade him to pay it."

"I'll pay it," Jack snarled.

Linnea looked at him speculatively, then smiled. "It's beyond your ability to pay my price."

Jack took a few calming breaths. "What did Kinsey pay?" Because whatever it was, Jack would add it to the list of debts to be taken out of the man's hide.

"That doesn't matter," Linnea said, turning to her mass of bottles and a gently bubbling cauldron. "He paid what I asked." She started mixing substances, clearly dismissing Jack. He reached out and grabbed her slender wrist, closing his hand in a bone-crushing grip. Linnea didn't react, but merely met his furious gaze with a steady one of her own. She pointedly looked at her captured wrist. "I won't be able to cure him if I can't do my work."

Jack released her wrist. "Once this is done, you're to leave, at once."

Linnea smiled again, a smug sort of smile that made Jack's stomach tighten up. "Agreed," she said simply, and turned back to her potion.

Jack strode out of the cottage, not bothering to slam the door shut, and made his way back to the village, barely contained fury rolling through him. He stopped at the outskirts, his fists clenching and unclenching, and tried to regain some control over his emotions, tried to wrap his mind around what had happened to Daniel. Part of him refused to believe it, but he trusted Janet, and he knew that Kinsey and Linnea each had their own agendas.

What he needed to do was find Daniel.

Would Teal'c know where Daniel slept? Jack stalked toward the smithy, a thunderous scowl on his face. Heat assaulted him when he entered, the air almost too hot to breathe, and he struggled to expand his lungs, tension and fear making it more difficult. He saw the huge bulk of the smith, skin shining with sweat as he worked the bellows of the forge. "Teal'c," he snarled without preamble. "What the hell is going on with Daniel?"

Teal'c calmly looked up, assessed the situation, and told him. Everything. About Kinsey, and Linnea, and how Daniel has died, twice, but still lived. He told of how Daniel needed blood, but craved the blood he found sweetest. Jack asked why Daniel was still here, why he hadn't left. Teal'c looked at him kindly. "I believe he is waiting for you, my lord Jack," was his answer.

Jack sat, stunned. He didn't know of anyone with more integrity than Teal'c. He thought quietly for a few moments. "I need to find him, Teal'c. Do you know where he is?"

"I do not," Teal'c admitted. "He sleeps in secrecy during the day. I've never found where, and he's never told me. But I often see him at night."

Jack felt a surge of jealousy wash over him. "You see him at night?" he asked sharply.

"My lord Jack," Teal'c said gently. "Daniel has been in need of a friend in your absence. I have tried to be that for him."

Jack rubbed his eyes and scrubbed his hands through his hair. His emotions were a jumbled mess, all over the place. He felt relief that Daniel was still here, horror at what had been done to him, disbelief that it was true. It was a nightmare, one he wished desperately that he'd wake up from. He looked up into Teal'c's kind eyes. "Will you help me find him?"

Teal'c bowed his head. "Yes, tonight. I often meet him at the edge of the forest."

Jack nodded curtly, not really wanting to know what those meetings consisted of. He rose and moved toward the door. "Come to the stronghold after dark. We'll search together."

Teal'c bowed his head in agreement, and turned back to his work.
~~~~~~~~~~

Daniel stood in the just darkened field again, looking at the lights in the village winking in the growing night. It was time. He couldn't hold out any longer. Who would it be? He let his eyes drift over the cottages, making a mental note of each of the inhabitants. His eyes drifted to the barn next to Kinsey's house. Kinsey's son, Phillip, had taken to sleeping out there, exerting his independence, no doubt.

Which was rather foolish, given the fact that the entire village knew that Daniel chose his victims with care, always choosing one that was alone. Many of the villagers had taken to sleeping in groups, not wanting to risk a visit from him.

Some slept alone hoping for a visit.

Phillip was sleeping alone.

Was it foolishness, or an invitation?

Daniel's mind fixed on Phillip. The lad had grown in the last year, progressing from an awkward adolescent to a young man. His hair had darkened from a sun-kissed blonde to a rich honey shade. He had started to fill out, losing some of the leanness of youth, replacing it with hard, wiry muscle. He wasn't quite as tall as Daniel, but almost. Daniel remembered that his eyes were blue, a shade or two lighter than his own, but they held laughter-and speculation? And the thought of taking Kinsey's son-Oh yes, the revenge of that would be doubly sweet.

Daniel unconsciously leaned toward the soft light leaking out from the cracks in the barn walls. "Phillip," he whispered, his voice thick with longing.

He had chosen.

He moved toward the barn, gliding over the ground like the predator he was, sleek and smooth, his muscles rippling beneath his skin like tightly coiled springs. The barn door was cracked open, not barred like it should have been. Another invitation? Daniel took it as such, not that it mattered, and pushed it open far enough to squeeze in, before closing it silently behind him. He paused for a moment, taking in the sight of the young man.

Phillip's back was to him, his loose shirt hiding the slim shoulders and rib cage, but the snug breeches showing off his backside to perfection as he leaned forward, rearranging some items that Daniel couldn't see on a small crate. Daniel fought the urge to just take him, took a deep breath, and said very softly, "Phillip."

Phillip whirled around with a gasp, clearly startled. "Daniel!" he choked, then drew himself up, trying to look unconcerned and in control. "Daniel," he tried again, this time his voice holding steady. "What are you doing here?"

Daniel smiled. "I think you know what I'm doing here," he said, and prowled forward.

"No, I don't know what you're doing here, but you should leave at once," Phillip's voice wavered slightly.

"You don't really want me to go, do you Phillip?"

Phillip swallowed, hard, and Daniel watched his adam's apple bob. He moved to within a foot of the lad and locked eyes with him, seeing the fear, the tension, the uncertainty.

The anticipation.

"You want this," Daniel stated.

Phillip ripped his eyes away and shook his head. "No, I don't."

Daniel smiled and reached up to brush his knuckles against Phillip's cheek, noting with satisfaction that he was freshly shaven. "Yes, you do."

Phillip looked at him again, his eyes stricken.

"It's all right, these urges you have," Daniel continued in a soothing voice. "I had-have them too." Daniel cupped his hand behind Phillip's skull, holding him lightly, and waited.

Phillip looked into Daniel's eyes for the longest moment, then his gaze flickered to the lush, parted lips, then back again. He licked his own lips, and thought furiously. It was one thing to fantasize about this, and quite another to be here doing it. Daniel had a reputation for seduction, for making it good. Would Daniel leave if he asked him to? Did he want Daniel to leave? Phillip looked at Daniel's handsome face, felt the nearness of his body. He looked back at the full lips and felt arousal wash through him. Yes, he did want this. He leaned close, brushed his lips with Daniel's and breathed, "Yesssss."

Daniel chuckled deep in his throat and fit his lips easily over Phillip's. They all gave in so readily. He parted his lips and flicked his tongue over Phillip's mouth, seeking entrance.

Phillip opened up with a sigh, capitulating completely. He cautiously moved his tongue to meet Daniel's, then moaned when they rubbed seductively together, caressing, increasing the need between them. He leaned into Daniel fully and curled his arms around Daniel's back, striving to get closer. The first feel of Daniel's erection had him gasping and ripping his mouth away in panic, the reality of what was happening crashing in on him.

Daniel took the opportunity to nuzzle Phillip's neck, fighting the urge to sink his teeth in and start feeding, his mouth watering at the erratic pulse stuttering under his lips.

Notyetnotyetnotyet.

He licked up to Phillip's ear, took the lobe between his teeth in a delicate bite, and curved his arm around Phillip's back, holding him still. "Nervous?"

Phillips shook his head. "No," hoping that Daniel wouldn't notice that his body was trembling.

"Good," Daniel said with a smile. There was something very erotic about taking a virgin's blood. A small part of his mind screamed at him, trying to tell him that this was wrong, but his bloodlust drowned out that tiny voice, smothering it with the urgent demand to just do it. He caught Phillips lips again and plundered his mouth, sucking on his tongue, mapping his teeth, licking his palate, until Phillip was flushed and panting with arousal. He ground their groins together again, letting Phillip get used to the feel and size of him.

He pulled back and grasped the hem of Phillip's shirt, inching it up, letting his knuckles drag over Phillip's heated skin until he could pull it off and toss it aside, then did the same with his own. He watched Phillip's eyes travel over his torso, letting him take some time to savor the sight before pulling him back into an embrace, and smiled when he felt the shiver the contact elicited.

"There's nothing quite like skin-on-skin, is there, Phillip?" he purred before lowering his head to kiss Phillip's neck again then move lower to take a nipple into his mouth.

Phillip groaned, his nub becoming hard and tight. His knees started to buckle and Daniel let him sink to the waiting straw, then stretched out next to him. Daniel's gaze flicked over to the crate and he saw a jar of something thick and white. It seemed that Phillip had been thinking about this quite a lot, because that was a balm for udders, and it would work very well as a lube. Daniel looked at Phillip again with what he hoped was a warm smile before kissing him, letting their tongues play until they were both straining and panting with need. He maintained the kiss while his hand traveled down, to the top of Phillip's breeches and he let his fingers dip inside to caress the quivering flesh of Phillip's lower stomach, not touching his cock, not yet, but feeling it try to leap into his hand.

Phillip's hips bucked, trying to force contact, and Daniel felt a surge of lust charge through him. He mustered every ounce of control he could, fighting to contain the beast, not let it take over and rip Phillip to shreds, drink his fill, bathe in the lad's blood.

Notyetnotyetnotyet.

Daniel finally broke the kiss and moved down to Phillip's chest again, taking the other nipple in his mouth, and worried it to full arousal before moving lower, over the quivering muscles in Phillip's belly to the waistband of the breeches. He deftly undid the laces and let the flap fall open, revealing Phillip's sweet cock. He took a moment to look, letting his gaze roam over the pink head, the generous length, the pale, smooth, silky flesh, then he reached out with his tongue and licked.

Phillip shouted, his back arching, his hips surging up, his body straining toward Daniel.

Daniel buried his nose in Phillip's pubic hair and inhaled, relishing the rich scent of the young man, then opened the breeches fully and started easing the rough cloth down Phillip's slim hips, and gave an encouraging groan when Phillip raised his ass up to help.

Once Phillip was naked, Daniel shoved the remainder of his own clothing off and tossed it aside, forgotten. He stretched out again, this time half on top of the willing body in the straw, letting Phillip feel his weight, absorbing the heat from Phillip's body, letting the younger man's sweat fuse their skin together, and kissed him again, slow and deep, until Phillip was writhing beneath him, seeking friction, seeking release. "Oh no, my sweet," he murmured against Phillip's mouth. "Not yet."

The blood was sweeter the more heightened the lust before release, and Daniel wanted it to be very sweet tonight. He slithered down, past the taut nipples, past the quivering belly, past the rearing cock, and down to the soft balls, the wrinkled skin pulled tight, snugging the organs up close, preparing Phillip's body for release. Daniel gripped the base of the pale cock and gave it a hard squeeze, backing Phillip from the edge, smiling at the moan of disapproval that rumbled through the man's chest. "It will be worth the wait, I promise," he said, fighting to keep from smirking in delight.

When Phillip had regained some of his fragile control, Daniel leaned forward, nosed under the heavy testicles, and licked, over the perineum, up over the balls, along the length of the twitching cock, and around the head, letting his tongue brush the sensitive underside, just once, before laving down again to the perineum. He pushed Phillip's legs up, urging him to grab behind his knees and hold himself open to Daniel's ministrations.

Phillip did, wantonly grasping behind his thighs, and pushed his groin toward Daniel's captivating tongue, his body writhing in the straw. "Daniel, please!" he gasped.

"Please?" Daniel asked, unable to help toying a bit with his prey. "Please what?"

"Your mouth! Again! Please!"

Daniel chuckled wickedly and caught one of the heavy balls, using his tongue to manipulate it and pull it into his mouth. He was expecting it, so when Phillip moaned and arched sharply, he went with it, keeping the testicle inside his moist lips. When Phillip settled a bit he started mouthing, rolling the ball over his tongue, exerting the slightest pressure. Then he pressed his tongue firmly against the testicle and hummed, letting the vibration travel from his throat to his tongue and transmit onto Phillip.

Phillip let out a muffled shriek, undone by the sensation, and it was only because of a lightening fast grab to his cock that Daniel could keep him from coming.

Maybe he'd done enough teasing.

It had been a while since he'd been with one so young, and he'd forgotten how volatile they could be. He released the ball and kneeled up, shuffling closer to Phillip's body, and reached for the balm.

Phillip's eyes flew open at the first cold, slick touch of Daniel's fingers and a tremor of fear passed through him.

Daniel leaned forward, keeping his fingers at Phillip's entrance, and kissed him again. "Shhhhh," he whispered. "This is going to be so good you'll ache for more."

Daniel waited until Phillip relaxed, then teased the hole, stroking around the outside, stimulating the nerves, until he felt it try to clench hungrily at his fingers. He pushed in to the first knuckle and tugged outward, smiling when the strong muscle clamped down. "Do you feel that?" he asked.

"Yes," Phillip choked, his body flushing.

"I want you to clench, feel what it's like to squeeze and relax around my finger."

Phillip did, a dawning realization showing in his eyes when he realized he had some control over the pleasure being given him.

"Do you feel it, Phillip? Feel how the pleasure increases when you clamp down?"

Phillip clenched again, then gasped when Daniel tugged against him. "Yessss," he hissed, nodding that he understood.

"Now I want you to open, push out. Will you do that?"

Phillip did as instructed and gasped when he felt Daniel's palm push against his hole.

"I'm all the way in now," Daniel said softly. "It's up to you, you know. How much pleasure or pain you take from this." When Phillip looked at him in confusion, Daniel continued. "When you push back, it opens you. It'll burn, but you won't really feel pain." Daniel wiggled his finger, making Phillip clamp down on him again. "If you like the pain, and it can be very addictive, you can control that as well." Daniel slid his finger along the soft flesh inside until he felt a lump. He stroked it, smiling as shocks of pleasure jerked through his lover. "That's one of the reasons you'll let me in. That pleasure deep inside." He continued to caress Phillip's prostate until glistening drops of pre-come started dripping from the pink head. Then he pressed in with two fingers. "Push out again."

Phillip did, his hole opening and letting Daniel glide his fingers in with relative ease. Daniel twisted and stroked a few more times, then withdrew his fingers and scooped up a generous dollop of balm and coated his cock.

"Put your legs here," Daniel instructed, lifting one firm calf and placing it over his shoulder. Phillip lifted his other leg eagerly, and Daniel fought for control, because it was so very close now. He'd be able to feed and sate the terrible hunger threatening to rend his senses from his body and turn him into a ravaging animal. Daniel took his cock in one hand, and Phillip's cock in the other, positioned himself at the tight entrance and breached the first ring of muscle.

Phillip hissed and his anus clamped down, making Daniel grit his teeth against the feel of it. "It hurts," he whimpered.

"It doesn't have to," Daniel reminded him, his voice tense. "Remember the fingers? Push out again." Daniel gave Phillip's cock a firm stroke, reminding him of the promised reward for cooperation.
Phillip pushed out and Daniel slid in another couple of inches and groaned. He could feel every muscle tremor, every twitch, every shiver that wracked Phillip's body. He rolled his hips, angling it so that his cock glided over Phillip's prostate, and smiled when Phillip shuddered. "I want you to play a bit, Phillip," Daniel said. "Tighten and release, get used to the feel of me, see which way you like it."

Daniel gritted his teeth and fought the need to thrust, giving Phillip some time to analyze which sensations he liked best. He couldn't help the deep groan that escaped him when the tension released and he snugged his groin into Phillip's backside. He buried his head into Phillip's neck, drawing harsh, rasping breaths, bending the man in half, fighting desperately against the overwhelming need to feed. Once he'd regained a semblance of control, he raised his head and smiled, hoping that the expression didn't look as feral as it felt. "Try to hold me in," he whispered and slowly pulled out, hissing at the tightness. Phillip was locked around him, holding him so tightly he could feel his foreskin drag.

"Daniel!" Phillip groaned deeply, his eyes glazing over with pleasure. "Yesssssss, like that."

Daniel pumped, trying to keep it slow and easy, but soon lost himself in the pleasure and anticipation of the feeding to come. He felt the beast within him writhing beneath his skin, joyously singing, gleeful that it would at last get its most desperate wish. One last, insistent roll of his hips pushed Phillip over the edge. Daniel felt it begin and eagerly reached for Phillip's neck, his hand going to Phillip's mouth at the same time to stifle the inevitable scream. His lips found the surging pulse and his teeth sank into the raging heat.

Daniel fed.

He drank deeply, oblivious to the man shuddering beneath him, indifferent to the quaking orgasm roaring through his young lover. Not caring how his feeding doubled, then tripled the pleasure ripping through Phillip's body. Ignorant of the ribbons of come spurting between their bodies. Not noticing that Phillip raked his nails across Daniel's back, trying to draw him closer, leaving torturous welts and ripped flesh in their wake,

The acute sweetness of Phillip's blood flooded his mouth, the surging of blood over his tongue propelling him toward his own release faster than mere friction ever could. His own orgasm erupted through him, his teeth sinking deeper, his throat swallowing convulsively until he became aware of Phillip's pulse starting to stutter. Daniel ripped his mouth away, stopped feeding even though he ached to drink more.

If he kept on, Phillip would perish.

He sank his forehead against the wound, drawing ragged breaths, and removed his quieting hand from Phillip's mouth to run his fingers through the long, honey hair. When he finally raised his head and looked into Phillip's eyes he saw a very pale, shaky, stunned man looking back at him.

"God! Daniel! That was . . . "
Daniel stopped him with a kiss, self loathing crashing through him. They always looked like this, wrung out and sated, and they always tried to say how good it had been, which only increased Daniel's feeling of intense guilt. Every time he did this, seduced and fed, he felt a bit of his humanity slip away and the beast take a firmer hold of him.

He hated himself.

"I love you," Phillip murmured against Daniel's lips.

Daniel groaned in his head. Most of them said that, too. "Hmmmmm," he answered, with another licking kiss to Phillip's mouth. What had just happened wasn't love, far from it. It was stunning in its intensity, the crush of emotions, exquisite, but it wasn't love. He'd been in love, knew how it felt, and this wasn't it. He just wanted to get away, get the hell out of this damned barn, go to his cave, wash off, try to forget, even though he knew he wouldn't. His softened cock slipped out of Phillip's hot body and he rolled to the side.

"Please stay," Phillip breathed.

Daniel tried to not look at Phillip, boneless and sated on the straw. It was not use. He couldn't leave when the man was looking at him so intently, his eyes so pleading. There were a few advantages to feeding off of men, and one was that they tended to fall asleep faster. Daniel gathered Phillip in his arms, held him until he fell asleep, then got up, dressed, grabbed the balm, loathing himself for planning for the next time already, and left the barn as silently as he'd entered it.

Daniel made his way slowly through the forest, toward his cave. His skin was sticky, covered with Phillip's sweat and semen and blood. All he wanted was a bath and then to curl up and sleep. It was still several hours until dawn, but the encounter had left him shaken. His body felt revitalized but his soul was distraught. It was getting worse, this hunger. It came upon him more frequently, and with a greater force. He had just fed and was already planning the next, no longer able to pretend he'd be able to hold off for any length of time. The urge had come on him about every fortnight, at first. Now it took every ounce of control to last four days.

He entered the cave and retrieved the bucket he stored there, made his way to a nearby stream, filled the bucket with crisp, cold water and reentered the cave, pausing to light the few candles he had before stripping. He grabbed a rag, dipped it into the water, and started to bathe.
~~~~~~~~~~

Teal'c knocked on the door of the stronghold and was surprised when Jack opened it, stepped out quickly, and shut it firmly behind him. "My lord?" he asked, his eyebrow raised in question.

Jack gave a quick grin. "My squire is being protective, insisting that I bring along some form of guard. I sent him to fetch water for bathing. He should be busy for a few minutes. Great timing, by the way, knocking when you did."

Teal'c nodded his head in acknowledgment of the compliment. "May I suggest we enter the forest before he discovers you are missing?"

Jack tossed a worried glance over his shoulder before heading out. "Yes, that's a good idea."

They quickly made their way across the fields to the edge of the trees. Teal'c stopped and looked around for a moment.

"What?" Jack asked with concern as he looked around cautiously. His nerves were strung tight, positively thrumming with tension. He would get to see Daniel soon.

"Daniel often meets me here at the edge of the forest," Teal'c said.

"Well, he doesn't seem to be here tonight." Jack fought to keep the disappointment from his voice. "Do you meet him every time you seek him out?"

"No," Teal'c admitted. "But we do meet more times than not."

"Okay," Jack said with barely contained excitement. "What now?"

"Now," Teal'c said, starting forward. "We search."

Teal'c lead the way through the dark woods, seeking out the places they were likely to find Daniel. They passed a spring he frequented, visited a downed tree he often lay on, his eyes seeking the stars, passed through a meadow containing a small deer herd, which Jack assumed, with a shudder, that Daniel fed on. As they walked, Jack was struck by the loneliness of the forest, by the pressing isolation that must be surrounding Daniel, having to live here in solitude, so close to people but unable to be with them, laugh with them, break bread with them, not able to enjoy the simple comforts of someone to talk to, be with. Jack swallowed a lump in his throat. He hated to think of Daniel living like this. "I'm glad you are his friend, Teal'c," he said quietly, not willing to disturb the quietness of the wood. Any feelings of jealousy fled him to be replaced by a deep gratitude that Teal'c had been there for Daniel.

Teal'c merely bowed his head and pressed on, going from one place to the next, trying to find Daniel for Jack. Finally, they came upon a cave, the light of candles making the mouth glow in the darkness. Teal'c breathed a sigh of relief. Finally! He had started toward the cave when he felt a restraining hand on him shoulder.

"Let me go alone," Jack requested. "Please, Teal'c. It's been so long, and I want to meet him again, just the two of us."

Teal'c heard the longing in Jack's voice, felt the tension in his grip. He nodded. "You must realize, though. He is not the same man you left."

Jack snorted a soft laugh. Of course Daniel was different. It had been many years, and so much had happened, to both of them but most especially to Daniel. He refused to believe that his lover had changed all that much, however. Surely Daniel was still the warm, gentle soul he'd always been? Sure, he'd be different, but he was still Daniel. Jack felt his heart race, felt a tingling in his belly. Finally, after all these years.

Daniel was near.

"I know he's not the same. It'll be fine," Jack assured Teal'c and strode to the cave.

Jack entered the flickering light quietly. A part of him wanted to shout out, let Daniel know he was finally home, back where he belonged, back with Daniel. But another part of him kept him quiet. He wanted to see Daniel's face, watch the reaction when he realized Jack was back, see if there was still that thing between them.

He needed to know if Daniel still wanted him.

The soft sand on the floor of the cave muffled his footsteps. He followed the passage around a slight curve then stopped dead, unable to think or talk or breathe.

Daniel.

Daniel was bathing, naked, by candlelight. His back was to the entrance of the cave, his skin glowing golden in the flickering light. Jack watched as his muscles rippled beneath the skin, noticed that Daniel had bulked up, filled out, was no longer the slender youth he'd been involved with so many years ago. His eyes were drawn to the torturous scars running the length of Daniel's back and Jack felt a murderous flood of anger wash over him. Kinsey had said nothing about flogging. Jack mentally added this latest atrocity to the list of Kinsey's faults, promising himself that he would make the man pay for every single one. He swallowed, took a deep breath, and said softly, "Daniel."

Daniel felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as he whirled around. He knew that voice. He stared at Jack in shock. This was why he hadn't left. This was what he'd waited for. He wanted, no, needed to see Jack, at least once more. See if there was still something between them. That one thing that helped him hold onto his humanity above all else. "Jack," he breathed, the damp rag dropping from nerveless fingers. Their eyes met, and yes, it was still there. Somehow, after all this time, it was still there, plain to see.

They started toward each other, one naked, the other clothed and met in the middle. They stopped scant inches from each other and looked, eyes searching, then, finding what they were both looking for, they crashed together, limbs entwining, bodies grinding, lips meeting in a hard, desperate kiss.

"I was looking for you," Jack said.

"I was waiting for you," Daniel answered, and they kissed again, deep and soul wrenching, their bodies grinding together until Daniel felt his toes curl into the sand beneath his feet and his knees start to buckle.

They sank down to their knees, lips glued, Daniel's hands fumbling with the laces of Jack's breeches. Finally, he got the ties undone and pushed the offending garment down, trying to keep his arms and hands out of Jack's way, because Jack was touching, fondling, stroking him in all the right places, with the perfect pressure and speed, and oh yeah, it was good, better than he'd remembered, almost like his skin trailed fire after Jack's touch.

Their hardened cocks clashed, stroking right up next to each other, and that was even better, because the rasp of pubic hair caused extra friction to overheated flesh, and the way they bumped together made Jack's cock tingle with anticipation and a deep burn coil in the pit of his stomach. Jack pressed forward and Daniel collapsed slowly underneath him, uncurling his legs, not wanting to break contact, until they were stretched out, Jack's pants around his knees and his shirt rucked up, but the important parts touching.

Daniel grasped Jack's hips, urging him to grind while he thrust up. Both were leaking pre-come, and that helped the slip and slide of flesh, helped to ease the friction of their frantic rubbing, making it good, even better than good. Daniel groaned when Jack rolled his hips, squashing their heated cocks between their bodies. "God, Jack," he whispered, gliding his hands up under the shirt, over the strong back surging over him.

Jack buried his face in Daniel's neck then licked his way up to a delicate earlobe, taking it in his teeth, his body shivering under Daniel's touch. "I've missed you, wanted you," he breathed.

Daniel turned his head toward Jack's and caught his mouth again, licking against the firm lips, then inside, lapping up the taste of Jack, a taste he remembered well. He moved his hands back down to Jack's straining hips, hooked his hands into claws, and dragged his nails up the length of Jack's back.

Jack arched sharply, breaking the kiss and groaned deeply, a gut wrenching sound. He felt his balls snug up tight and fought off the impending orgasm, because he wasn't ready to end this yet. He finally had Daniel writhing beneath him and he didn't want it to be over this quickly. "Christ, Daniel," he ground out, trying to slow the insistent thrusting of his hips.

Daniel hooked his feet around Jack's calves and pushed up, feeling his own balls get ready for release. A distant part of him was surprised at his response. He'd come a scant hour ago, but it had always been like this between them, hard, needy, too intense to last. "Let it go, Jack," he coaxed, then moaned deeply when he felt Jack respond, grind harder.

Jack held Daniel's hips firmly in both hands, keeping him still and went for it, barreling them both toward climax.

Rubbing, clashing, grinding, up and up, then they were there, at the edge. Both sought the other's mouth at the same time and they latched on, holding the kiss through the shuddering climax.
Daniel came back to himself when he heard Jack chuckle ruefully. He looked up into Jack's amused eyes. "What?"

"Didn't plan on saying hello to you in quite this way," Jack grinned.

Daniel pulled Jack down into a hug. "I don't know, worked for me," he snickered.

They kissed and stroked, basking in the warm afterglow. Daniel rolled them so that Jack was underneath and kissed him deeply. "I always knew you'd be back," he murmured.

"I came back as soon as I could," Jack said, looking into his eyes. "I never wanted to leave in the first place."

"I know," Daniel acknowledged. "When did you get here?"

"Last night."

Daniel struggled to his feet, his legs still wobbly, then helped Jack up. He bent down to pick up the washcloth and heard a sharp intake of breath behind him. "Like what you see?" he teased.

Jack swallowed hard and bent to place a kiss on each pale cheek. "I missed this," he sighed. "It's good to be home." He wrapped his arms around Daniel's waist, snuggling up to his back. "It's still there, isn't it, between us? I don't know what it is, but it's still there."

"Yes," Daniel said softly. "It's still there." He turned in Jack's arms and kissed him, then pulled back and rinsed the cloth in fresh water, He started cleaning Jack up, wiping away the sweat and semen. When he'd finished, Jack took the cloth and returned the favor, still in a daze from their coupling. He turned Daniel to brush the sand from his back and froze.

The scars were gone.

He looked closely and ran his fingers over the flawless skin, feeling Daniel tense up under his touch. "Daniel?"

"What?" Daniel asked, not able to help sounding defensive . . . and wary. "What is it?"

Jack turned Daniel so that the candlelight more fully fell onto his back. He snorted a laugh. "I could have sworn I saw scars on your back earlier."

Daniel shrugged away from him like he'd been burned. He quickly strode to his clothing and started roughly pulling them on, his body tense, his expression unreadable.

"What?" Jack asked in confusion.

"Nothing," Daniel answered shortly.
Jack started toward him. That nothing was definitely something. "What is it, Daniel?"

"Forget it, Jack," Daniel said, and strode for the cave entrance.

Jack caught his arm and whirled him around so that they faced each other. "You're leaving? Just like that?"

Daniel scrubbed his hands over his face. He didn't want to do this, not now, not with the afterglow still buzzing through him. He looked at Jack. "It's all very complicated," he sighed.

Jack searched Daniel's face. What he saw there wrenched at his heart. Despair, guilt, hopelessness, resignation, and a bone-numbing weariness marked Daniel's face. "Christ," he whispered. "What the hell has been going on here?" Jack looked deeper and knew. "Kinsey," he gritted out. "It's all true, isn't it? What Kinsey and that crone, Linnea did?"

Daniel flinched away from him as if struck, then swallowed hard. "You know?"

"I went looking for you. People talked. I didn't believe it, not really. It's all true?"

Daniel leaned wearily against the cave wall. "I guess that all depends on what you heard."

So Jack told him.

Daniel listened and nodded in agreement with the pertinent points. Jack felt himself grow angrier at Kinsey and Linnea with each nod. He finished telling what he knew then asked, "Is that it? Is that the whole thing?"

"You got a very succinct story," Daniel agreed with a final nod. He watched Jack pace the length of the cave, thinking things over.

Jack stopped in front of Daniel. "Why," he asked. "Why didn't you feed from me?"

Daniel met his gaze briefly then looked away guiltily. "Because I already fed tonight."

"What?" Jack's head was still reeling from his orgasm, the joy of finding Daniel again, and the happiness of knowing that they still had something special together. His brain couldn't assimilate what Daniel said. "What?" he demanded again.

"I. . .," Daniel swallowed hard. "I couldn't wait any longer, Jack. I had to . . . " He tried to turn away, self-loathing crashing through him, but Jack grabbed his arm and held him still. Daniel couldn't meet his eyes. "The hunger . . . it's overwhelming, Jack."

"Who?" Jack snarled, then held his hand up. "No, don't tell me." He staked toward the cave entrance, not sure if he was leaving or not but needing a bit of distance. He turned back to face Daniel. "You have more self-control than anyone I know, Daniel."

"Not over this." Daniel answered miserably. "I can't fight it, Jack. I've tried."

Jack's mind raced. "There's got to be a way out of this. A way to undo it." He watched Daniel sadly shake his head. "Wait! Linnea said there was a way, a way she could undo it."

Daniel snorted a laugh. "Her price is too steep."

"What? What does she want?"

"Doesn't matter. I'll never pay it."

Jack strode over and grasped Daniel's upper arms, wanting to shake him. "Fine, then I'll pay it."

Daniel laughed, not a pleasant sound. "You can't," and easily shrugged out of Jack's grasp.

A part of Jack realized that Daniel was much stronger now, he'd shrugged Jack off far too easily, but Jack's mind was focused on the more immediate problem. "I'll get the money somehow; sell off some land . . . something."

"Her price isn't named in money," Daniel answered bitterly. "You can't buy her off."

"She wants land? A holding of her own? Cattle? What?"

Daniel snorted a laugh. "Nothing that mundane."

"Well tell me, dammit," Jack said in exasperation. "I'm tired of playing guessing games."

Daniel glanced at the cave entrance. Dawn was drawing closer. "I've got to go, Jack."

Panic flared through Jack. "Go? After that?" He gestured to the indentation their bodies had made in the sand. "Go where?"

"I just," Daniel started, then drew a shaky breath. "I need to go."

Jack saw the despair in his body language, the deadness in his eyes, and walked up to Daniel, reaching out to cup his jaw. "You aren't alone anymore," he reminded Daniel gently, his thumb caressing Daniel's bottom lip. "You don't need to hide any more. Come stay with me. Let me help you, protect you . . ."

Daniel briefly leaned into Jack's touch then pulled away. "And who will protect you from me, Jack?" he asked sadly, then stepped out of Jack's grasp, turned to the cave entrance, and walked out into the coming dawn.
~~~~~~~~~~

Daniel woke with a start, the settling birds and the rustle of leaves in the evening wind soothing him with familiar sounds.

Jack.

Jack was back.

Daniel groaned and scrubbed his hands over his face. Everything seemed so complicated now. How could he keep existing like this? And worse yet, what choice did he have? He lay quietly, thinking about the events of the previous night. That thing between him and Jack- love, if he was honest- instead of being true and simple, was an impossibility for him because of what he'd become. Or was it? Daniel tried to squash the tiny flare of hope that sparked in his chest. It would never work, never be okay, never be the same again. But maybe, with Jack's help, he could find a way?

He'd tried to find a cure on his own: gone to the libraries in London. He'd researched what had happened to him, checked every reference, followed up every lead, contacted people who he thought could help him, people involved with the shadier side of London, all to no avail. The only one who could help him was Linnea.

Daniel groaned and rolled to his side, deep in memory. London had been alive, frantic, his hunger intensely awakened by the decadence of the city. He had fought it, the desire to feed, but the crush of humanity, the ease of feeding, had overwhelmed him, and he found himself caring less about finding a cure with each passing night.

It had only taken a few scant weeks for him to start to embrace the beast within him. The realization had hit him in a moment of clarity when he was poised over his third victim in as many nights. He'd left her unscathed, if a little indignant, and decided to leave London. Where would he go? He didn't really have any formed plan, just the need to escape the wicked city, but not before one final stop. He had to find Jack, had to remind himself what he was resisting for.

Jack had been at a party, one of those boorish events with mundane chitchat and vapid socialites. Daniel had watched through the window-always the outsider. The torchlight had made Jack's silver hair shimmer, his skin glow, and Daniel had felt an intense longing, and a bit of jealousy, as he watched Jack chat charmingly with a pretty brunette. Then Jack had left her and walked toward the window. Daniel had melted into the shadows so he wouldn't be seen. What he saw gave him hope. Jack gazed out the window, not bothering to hide his loathing of his surroundings. His eyes became unfocused as he gazed into the distance, in the general direction of home, and an unspoken longing covered his features.

Daniel headed for the Stronghold, to wait for Jack.

Daniel shook himself back to the present. He looked at his pathetic surroundings, a low shanty built out of scraps of wood and blankets, one of his many hiding places. Jack had offered him shelter, protection, help, and more importantly, acceptance. What was he doing here, all alone? He crawled out of the half-buried shelter and headed to the Stronghold, to Jack.

Walter opened the small peeping window at Daniel's insistent knock. His face turned wary when he saw who it was. "Hello, Daniel," he said, his free hand making sure the door was barred.

"I need to see Jack," Daniel said with a touch of sadness. Walter had at one time considered him a friend.

"My lord Jack has returned to London," Walter said firmly, them more gently, "I'm sorry, Daniel."
~~~~~~~~~~

Jack entered London trembling with exhaustion. He'd been awake since the morning before, and it was now twilight. He briefly thought about heading toward his city home, then decided against it. He had much to do, people to seek, and the best time to do that was during the dark hours, for he was here on dark business. He guided his horse toward the seedy side of London, a little shop that was whispered about among the upper classes. The shopkeeper, a chemist by trade, was rumored to dabble in the occult.

The outside of the shop was drab, as were all the buildings in this part of the city, so Jack was surprised when he stepped inside, accompanied by the tinkling of a bell on the door, and took in the row upon row of neat jars and bottles, all scrupulously clean of dust and carefully labeled in a neat script. A row of bottles containing a deep, rich red liquid glowed in the lamplight. Another display showed a popular tonic. Yet another boasted pale liquids and creamy ointments, all purported to cure certain ailments. Jack's quick glance took in jars of finely ground powder, bottles of herbs, vials of potent liquid. Several shabbily dressed patrons looked at him with a startled expressions and inched toward the door. Jack strode past the displays to the counter at the back of the shop. A short, chubby, balding man with a humorous expression and keen, perceptive eyes greeted him as the bell over the door jangled repeatedly, announcing that all the other patrons had left in haste.

"Good evening, my lord. How may I serve you?"

Jack smiled wryly. "I'm sorry I've frightened your other customers away." He leaned forward conspiratorially. "Do I look that bad?"

The proprietor looked him over shrewdly. "To be frank, you look like you've ridden through hell to get here." He waved his hand dismissively. "Don't be concerned. They'll return. My name is Edmund. What do you require? A tonic, perhaps?"

Jack swallowed. He'd come this far not really thinking about how he'd explain what he needed. His one thought had been to find help, find some way of curing Daniel. Now that he was here, it seemed insane to blurt out his request. He didn't know where to start. "I need . . . I have a very unusual . . . " He wiped his hand wearily over his eyes, then looked up with a start when he heard Edmund chuckle.

"My lord. Please know that my discretion is part of the price of my potions."

"Yes," Jack acknowledged. "I've heard. That's one of the reasons I've chosen you." He took a deep breath. "I have this friend . . ."

Edmund nodded knowingly. "Of course, my lord. Does your friend perhaps have some kind of illness? A pox? Perhaps a chancre?"

"No!" Jack snapped, then lowered his voice. "No, nothing like that. I wish it were that simple." He looked up and met Edmund's steady gaze. "He's . . . he's been cursed." Jack was relieved that Edmund hadn't pulled away from him, wasn't looking at him like he was crazy, was still regarding him with that steady gaze.

"Go on," Edmund encouraged. "What kind of curse? What are his symptoms?"

Jack rubbed his eyes again and snorted a laugh, fighting desperately to keep the hysterical laughter he could feel bubbling beneath the surface from breaking through. "He sleeps during the day and rouses at night," he started, trying to ignore how crazy it all sounded. "He's strong, much stronger than he used to be. He feeds on human blood. He can't die . . ." Edmund's sharp intake of breath stopped him. "You know this disease?" Jack demanded. "You know a cure?"

Edmund paused to consider for a moment. "A few questions, my lord." He looked Jack in the eye. "How did he become like this? Was he fed upon? Drained of all blood?"

"No. I don't think . . . I'm not sure," Jack admitted. "I just assumed it was a potion of some sort. Is there more than one way for this to happen?"

"Yes, there is." Edmund considered for a moment. "One way is to be drained of blood, to the point of death, then fed blood from another cursed one, usually the one feeding. It's one way they propagate."

"They?"

"Yes, the undead, the cursed. Another way, much more rare, is to ingest a specific potion." Edmund held up his hand to stop Jack from speaking. "But there are very few who have the knowledge and skill to make such a potion."

"There is a crone who lives on my land," Jack said bitterly. "Her name is Linnea. She did this to him."

"Linnea?" Edmund looked startled. "I know of her. She's very powerful and skilled. She would have the necessary knowledge to do this."

"Very well. Let's assume it was done with a potion. Is there a cure?"

"Yes," Edmund said slowly. "But," he continued when he saw Jack's relieved expression. "I can't give it to you."

Jack leaned menacingly over the counter. "You will give it to me, Master Edmund," he said in a soft, soft voice.

Edmund gazed at him steadily, not shrinking away. "I can't concoct a cure without knowing the exact ingredients, and their exact proportions."

Jack's anger deflated. "If I bring you a sample . . . " He had a vague idea of ransacking Linnea's shack and bringing every damned bottle and vial the old woman possessed.

Edmund shook his head regretfully. "No, my lord. I can't derive a cure from an existing potion. I need to know the separate ingredients. Once they're combined, they change in such a way that I can't separate them."

Jack wanted to pull his hair in frustration. Or punch Edmund in the face. Or better yet, drag Linnea screaming to the center of the village and burn her at the stake. "So," he gritted out. "The only one who can change my friend back is Linnea herself"

"I'm afraid so," Edmund said regretfully. "Unless, of course, he was turned the other way. In that case, you must hunt down the one who changed your friend. Hunt him and kill him, burn him in the light of day. Then your friend will return to the way he was before."

The tinkling of the bell announced the arrival of another customer. Edmund leaned closer to Jack. "I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help."

Jack tossed several coins on the counter wearily. "You have been a great help. Thank you for your time, Master Edmund." He turned to leave.

"Wait!" Edmund called. "I may have something in the back." He turned and hustled through a door behind the counter. Jack heard him rummaging around, then he returned with a small vial filled with a strange green liquid. "If you do manage to save him, give him this during the change."

"Change?" Jack asked, examining to slightly phosphorescent fluid.

"His body will come back to life," Edmund explained. "It's like being reborn. This will help ease the transition."

Jack nodded his thanks before turning on his heel.
~~~~~~~~~~

Daniel awoke, restless and hungry, the beast within him demanding that he feed again. He groaned. It had only been two days. He made his way to a nearby stream and splashed water on his face, then looked up at the blanket of stars overhead. "Not yet," he whispered futilely, and his shoulders slumped, because it was going to win. He would feed tonight. What did it matter, anyway? Why fight it? Jack was gone, and that had been his one link to his humanity, his one reason to keep fighting. He stood up, squared his shoulders, and headed through the forest to the village. Oh yes, he'd feed tonight. And maybe, just maybe, he'd feed until he was sated.

He stood at the edge of the forest just outside the village, watching as candles and lamps were lit, their winking light keeping the dark at bay. Who would it be? His eyes drifted over the cottages and buildings, stopping for a considering moment on Kinsey's barn. And inviting, soft light leaked from between the boards. No, not this soon. Young Phillip would have to wait for another visit from Daniel. He needed time to replenish his blood. Daniel considered each cottage and its inhabitants carefully. Mistress Janet? Siler? Reynolds? Samantha? He made his choice and shifted his weight, preparing to take his first step when he heard a soft, "Daniel." He whirled around and his hand struck out, catching the intruder by the throat.

Jack.

Jack held himself stiffly, stunned by the lightening-fast speed of the attack. "Daniel," he choked again.

Daniel snapped back his hand as if burned. "Jack?"

Jack's hand went to his throat, rubbing the finger marks embedded in his flesh. "That's going to leave a bruise," he noted wryly.

Daniel snorted a laugh and turned longingly back toward the village. "What are you doing here?"

"I . . . I came to find you."

"Well, you did," Daniel said shortly. "Now, if you'll excuse me . . ." His next feeding was so close he could smell it. His mind focused on that, and that solely. A small part of him wondered what Jack was doing back, why he was here, but the instinct to feed was paramount.

A dawning realization, and a crush of jealousy rushed over Jack. "You're going to feed, aren't you?" he accused.

"Go away, Jack," Daniel said, taking his first step-his first true step away from Jack and toward damnation.

"Wait!" Jack said desperately. "Daniel, wait."

Daniel stopped but didn't turn around. He stood silently, his muscles tight.

"Feed from me," Jack offered, stepping in front of him, his eyes imploring. "Take me tonight." The offer was partly to save his people from Daniel, partly curiosity, and partly jealousy. He didn't want Daniel feeding--having sex--with anyone but himself.

"No," Daniel said sharply, and moved to step around Jack. He had already chosen someone else, someone he just might be able to retain control with.

Jack grasped his upper arm and held it tightly. "Why not? I'm willing, offering myself to you. Why use someone who doesn't want it when I'm right here?"

Daniel gave a humorless snort. "There are plenty willing in the village."

"Sure," Jack said bitterly. "Willing because you seduce them into it."

Daniel flinched and pulled easily out of Jack's grip. He stepped around Jack and started striding toward the village.

"I know I'm not young and virile," Jack called after him. "I know I don't have the appeal of some of the others . . ." and suddenly found himself shoved face first against a large tree, his wrists pinned over his head, easily held captive, his cheek scraping the bark, his hips pushed into the unyielding wood, his heart pounding with fear and arousal, Daniel pressing firmly into his back.

"Don't have the appeal?" Daniel growled in his ear. "Is that what you think?" He rolled his hips, letting Jack feel his rampant erection. "You think I don't want you?" He dipped his head to Jack's armpit and sniffed, a long, slow inhale, up the back of Jack's neck to just below Jack's ear. He let one of his hands run freely over Jack's body, stroking down his side, up his back, down again to cup between Jack's legs, back up to caress his cheek. "You don't get it, do you?" He felt his mouth water and took the muscle joining neck and shoulder in his teeth, biting down hard but not breaking skin, feeling Jack shiver under his touch, tasting sweat and fear and arousal. "You're the only one who can make me lose control, Jack." He ground his hips forward. "I want to drain you dry," he whispered silkily, cupping Jack's erection again and giving it a healthy squeeze. "Give you so much pleasure." His thumb traced the outline of Jack's cock through the fabric of his breeches. "Drink from you until you have nothing left to give." The beast inside Daniel was surging, writhing, singing in delight.

"Daniel," Jack groaned, and tried to push back, tried to turn around and face Daniel, but Daniel chuckled wickedly and held him easily, his heavy weight keeping Jack pinned, his hand worming its way down the front of Jack's trousers.

"Hmmmmmm," Daniel purred, feeling Jack's hard cock. "I want to feel you coming around me, Jack. Feel you squeezing against me." Every touch, word, movement was carefully designed to increase Jack's arousal.

Jack's pelvic muscles clenched, his hole spasmed, and his dick jumped into Daniel's hand. "Do it," he gasped, while still struggling to turn around. Goddamn, it was good, using his strength like this, fighting, yet being held so easily, lust spiking through him.

"Don't move," Daniel commanded softly, waited for Jack's brief nod of agreement, then released his wrists and shifted his weight to step back, give himself room to work. Jack's hands involuntarily lowered, meaning to open his breeches. Daniel crushed against him, pinning his wrists again. "You agreed not to move."

Jack swallowed hard, nodded again, and rested his cheek against the rough bark of the tree, his breath leaving him in harsh gasps.

Daniel's hands traveled over his body, brushed a nipple, slid down his ribs, caressed his hips, ass, cock. Daniel pulled Jack's shirt up and teased Jack's bare flesh before dipping his hand down and undoing the ties to Jack's breeches, the laces slowly loosening, Daniel's fingers settling in with every additional inch of access, brushing the tender head. Finally, Daniel had enough room to cup Jack's balls, feel the wrinkled flesh, feel the warm, heavy weight in his hand, and his own dick surged. "Missed this," he murmured, almost to himself. "Dreamed of this for so long."

"I . . . please, Daniel . . . just . . ." Jack babbled, his hips pushing back toward Daniel, his skin slick with sweat, balls drawing up tight, unable to focus on anything but the throbbing need in the pit of his belly.

Daniel pushed Jack's breeches down past his hips took the jar of balm he'd taken from Phillip out of his pocket, opened it, and coated several fingers. "Are you ready for me, Jack?"

"Only if you are," Jack ground out, despite the fact that his hips were moving, restless.

Daniel chuckles wickedly and spread his cheeks, ringing the tight pucker with one finger until he felt it spasm. "Feels like you're ready."

"Dammit, Daniel," Jack gasped and pushed back, trying to force Daniel's finger inside.

"Hmmmmm, pushy," Daniel said, and breached the muscle, pushing in slowly.

Jack's body shuddered. "Yeeeesssssss," he groaned, his body easily swallowing Daniel's finger, then he shuddered again when two corkscrewed in. He felt Daniel's fingers leave him and involuntarily started to moan a protest, but it immediately changed to a groan of pleasure, because Daniel's cock was pushing into him, slow and unrelenting. Jack's knees became weak, and he would have sunk down, but Daniel curled an arm over his chest, snugged the other around his waist, and pulled him back tight.

"Hang on," Daniel warned, then pulled almost all the way out, paused, and moved back in, hard and deep.

Jack gasped at the intensity of it, at the feeling of fullness and connection. "Christ, Daniel, I . . ." But his words got lost, because Daniel thrust again, too damned slowly, and it was breaking Jack apart. "Please," he begged. "Faster, please."

"Oh no, my Jack," Daniel whispered. "I want to savor this." He kept moving, so controlled, not letting himself be caught up, not yet, at least, wanting this to be exquisite.

It was driving Jack past sanity, this slow stimulation. The pleasure built, but never enough to push him over the edge. It just kept going, each thrust adding just a little bit of pleasure, each glide over his prostate making him more desperate to come, his balls painfully tight, hard against his body, his cock stiff and pulsing . "God! Daniel!" he choked, writhing desperately but unable to force Daniel to give him what he needed. His hand flew to his dick. One, maybe two hard jerks and he'd be there, but Daniel seized his wrists before he could touch himself and held them easily against Jack's chest in one hand, and wrapped his other around Jack's waist again. "Not yet. Let it build," Daniel breathed.

Jack's body convulsed, every muscle tightening, trying but unable to come yet, precariously balanced on that knife's edge between pleasure and pain, his balls screaming at him, his dick begging, his hole clenching.

Daniel was finally ready. He let go of Jack's wrists and grabbed his hair, pulling his head back, exposing his throat. His other hand dropped to Jack's cock and grasped it firmly. His hips gave one powerful roll, his fist swept down over the hot shaft, and there, finally, Jack's body was shoved over the edge. Daniel granted himself a brief moment to revel in it, to revel in the power of it all, then sank his teeth into Jack's neck and drank the sweet, sweet blood.

He felt his own orgasm build swiftly.

Jack.

He was feeding from Jack.

One more thrust, one more swallow, and he'd succumb. Fear crashed through him, because this was Jack, dammit. And he knew that he wouldn't stop feeding. Not until the last drop of blood left Jack's body.

Daniel tore his mouth away, savagely pulled out, let go, and let Jack drop to the ground. He staggered back, clutched his hair, smearing Jack's come in the strands, bent his shoulders and screamed, "NOOOOO!"

The beast within him howled with rage at having been denied. Daniel struggled to contain it. Slowly, he fought it back, regained control. His eyes were closed, his chest was heaving, his whole body trembled from the struggle. He sank to his knees.

"Daniel?" Jack asked uncertainly.

"Leave. Now," Daniel snarled.

"Never," Jack promised, but didn't come closer, didn't touch and comfort like he wanted to. He pulled his pants back up, and watched the mammoth struggle going on in his lover's body. When Daniel finally quieted a bit he moved closer. "Daniel?" Jack's heart constricted when he saw the haunted eyes that looked at him. "Aw, shit, Daniel."

"I almost . . ." Daniel choked.

"You should have. I wanted you to."

"You still don't get it, do you?" Daniel said sadly, his body still shaking. "I want to lose myself in you, let It take over. And if I do that, if I kill you, it'll be the end of me and the beginning of Him."

Jack sat down very close, still not touching, though. "Daniel," he asked quietly. "Tell me exactly what happened to you."

"Why? It doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does." Jack paused a moment. "I went to London."

"I know. I went to see you."

Jack considered that for a minute. "Is that why you were . . ." he waved his hand around, indicating the forest and village, "here?"

"I need to feed, Jack."

"I know that," Jack said more sharply than he intended, then gentled his voice. "Why did you come to see me?"

"I thought that maybe I wasn't alone anymore, didn't have to fight be myself."

"And then you found that I'd gone."

Daniel looked at him with hard eyes. "A very small part of me wants to keep fighting. The rest wants to give in. When I found that you'd gone . . ."

"You decided to give in." It wasn't exactly a question.

"Yes," Daniel snapped. "I didn't see a reason to keep fighting it. You have no idea, Jack. No idea what it's like."

Jack let him regain some control before saying, "I went to London to find a cure."

Daniel's head jerked toward him. "A cure? Did you find one?"

"No. Maybe. I don't know."

"What the hell does that mean?" Daniel growled. "I've been looking for years and haven't found anything. If you have, tell me."

"It depends on how you got this way."

Daniel gave a humorless laugh. "All right, I'll tell you. Linnea gave me something to eat. I thought she was being kind, taking pity on a poor, single man. Turns out she wasn't."

"Damn," Jack whispered, then said more firmly, "so killing the one who did this to you isn't an option."

"No, it isn't. More's the pity," Daniel agreed, his voice laced with contempt.

"Daniel, what's her price?"

"I told you Jack. I won't pay it."

"Maybe we can come up with a way to pay her together."

Daniel stood up and brushed his pants off, the beast under tight control, for the moment. "No," he shook his head. "I can't do that to the world."

"Do what?" Jack asked, standing up as well.

Daniel turned and looked at him fully. "She wants me to change her."

Jack looked startled. "Change her? How?"

"She wants to become like me."

Jack looked dumbfounded. "Why would she want that?"

"She says it'll make her young and beautiful again. Let her live forever."

"Why didn't she take the potion herself, then," Jack demanded. "Why put you through this?"

"There's some limitation to the curse," Daniel explained bitterly. "It seems to be concocted so that the person who creates the potion can't take it themselves."

"So, do it," Jack urged. "So there is one more young, beautiful woman in the world. So what?"

"No, no," Daniel said. "You still don't understand. It's not about feeding on blood. This thing takes your soul. It makes you want . . . everything. And it becomes so hard to resist, Jack, because it would be so easy to take, whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted it." He took a few strides away, then turned back. "The worst part is that there are no repercussions. None at all. I can't be killed. I have incredible strength. Linnea told me that once I make my first kill, embrace what I am fully, I won't feel guilt any more. I won't care who I hurt, what I do, who's life I destroy. It's . . . it's like being a wrathful God, or a demon." Daniel swallowed, hard. "I can't unleash that on the world, Jack. I can't let her become like that, not knowing how she is already. Can you imagine the devastation she can cause? She'd become the destroyer of worlds, and I couldn't live with myself if I knew I let her loose."

Jack strode to Daniel and grasped his arms. "It wouldn't have to be like that," he promised. "We would stop her."

"How? We wouldn't be able to kill her."

"I don't know, but there has to be a way!" Jack thought furiously. "We can wrap her in chains and sink her to the bottom of the ocean. Or bury her beneath a ton of rock. Find her and burn her in the daylight. Something! Sam is very inventive, she may be able to think of something. And she and Teal'c can build whatever she designs. There's a way, Daniel. There has to be." Jack shivered. A chill wind had blown up, although Daniel didn't seemed to have noticed. "Look. It's dark and cold here. Come back to the house with me. We'll work on it, figure something out together."

For the first time since his return, Jack saw a glimmer of hope in Daniel's eyes. "Okay, Jack," he agreed with a nod. "Let's see if we can come up with a solution."

They made their way to the house, settled comfortably in large chairs in front of a blazing fire and talked, hashing out plans, pointing out errors in the other's logic, trying to fill any holes. Jack fought his exhaustion, but finally, the stresses of the past week caught up with him and he fell asleep.

Jack awoke with a start, a stream of clear morning light shining on his face. "Daniel?" He lurched out of his chair in panic, groaning at his stiff muscles. "Daniel?"

Daniel was nowhere to be found. Jack was about to shout for Walter, the vague idea of searching the house and surrounding forest filling his brain when he spied a sheet of paper on a table.

Jack,
I've gone to Linnea. I'll try to turn her just as it gets light. She shouldn't be
able to leave while the sun is shining. We may be able to stop her here and now.

Come get me.

Love,
Daniel

"Walter!" Jack roared. "My horse! NOW!"

Jack crashed through the door to Linnea's cottage, Walter right behind him. What he saw made him stop short. There, on Linnea's bed, lay Daniel, ghostly pale and not moving. "Daniel," Jack choked, a crushing grief enveloping him. "Daniel!" He rushed to Daniel's side and smoothed back Daniel's hair with a trembling hand.

Daniel's eyelid twitched.

Relief flooded through Jack. "Go get Janet!" he yelled at Walter. He didn't wait to see if Walter obeyed, just climbed onto the bed and cradled Daniel in his arms. "It's okay. I've got you now. I'm here," he murmured, rocking.

Suddenly Janet was there, briskly efficient. "What happened?" She listened while Jack explained what Linnea had demanded, and that Daniel had given it to her, in exchange for a cure. But he didn't trust Linnea, not one bit. "I need to examine him, Jack."

It took every ounce of willpower Jack possessed to uncurl his arms and release Daniel. He hovered until Janet finished then climbed on the bed again. No matter what, Daniel wouldn't be alone anymore, not if he lived, not if he died.

Janet looked at Jack with gentle eyes. "I just don't know," she admitted. "I've never seen this before."

"What do we do?"

"We wait," Janet answered. "Do you want to move him to the house?"

Jack looked around the neat cottage with distaste. "Yes, if you think it'll be safe."

"I don't know how the sun will affect him." She turned to Walter. "Would you please go get Master Teal'c? Ask him to bring a covered wagon."

After they had Daniel comfortably situated and shielded in the cart, Jack turned to Teal'c. "Find Linnea for me," he ordered. "She's been turned to be like Daniel was, so she can't have gone far in the sun. Find her and bring her to me."

Teal'c nodded his assent and went back into the cottage. The last thing Jack heard as he, Janet, and Walter led the wagon to the house was Teal'c overturning furniture, smashing shelves, ripping up floor boards, searching every nook and cranny of the cottage.

They ensconced Daniel in Jack's room, in his bed, and closed the heavy drapes tightly against the sun. Jack and Janet pulled up comfortable chairs and settled in to watch over him. A few hours later Daniel moaned softly. Jack immediately went to his side. "Daniel?"

Daniel didn't answer, but moaned again and began to writhe softly, his face grimacing in pain. "What's happening?" he demanded of Janet.

"I don't know, Jack," Janet admitted. "But this is the first sign of life we've had from him, so I take it as a good sign."

"Life!" Jack exclaimed, remembering. "A chemist in London gave me a potion!"

"What chemist? What potion?" Janet asked suspiciously.

"Edmund," Jack answered hurriedly, climbing on the bed to hold Daniel again. "His name is Edmund. I told him about Daniel and he said the potion would help ease this transition."

Janet looked at him speculatively. "I know Edmund by reputation," she said slowly. "I don't believe he'd do any harm. Where is the potion?"

Jack motioned to a bookshelf. "It's in the small vial on the top shelf. The liquid is green."

Janet retrieved the vial, unstoppered it, and sniffed suspiciously. She shrugged and handed it to Jack. "Your choice," she said gently.

Daniel was writhing more strongly now, his breath coming in painful gasps. Jack smoothed back his sweaty hair and kissed him on the forehead. "I hope I'm doing the right thing," he murmured, then pried open Daniel's mouth and poured the glowing green liquid inside.

Daniel's body shook intensely, then convulsed. Jack held him tightly, telling him that he was loved and wanted, apologizing for how wrong it had all gone, promised a happier future, babbled about everything and nothing, so that Daniel could hear his voice, have something to latch onto. After a few minutes Daniel's body calmed, the lines in his face evened out, and he slept.

There was a respectful knock and Teal'c entered the room. "My lord," he bowed. "I haven't been able to find Linnea. And I must also report that Kinsey is gone as well."

"Well, now, " Jack said. "Isn't that cozy? I guess we'll need to go find them, won't we?"

"Indeed," Teal'c said. "When do we leave?"

"As soon as Daniel is ready," Jack said, already turning his attention back to his lover.

Just as dusk fell Daniel opened his eyes. "Jack?" he asked through gritted teeth.

"Right here."

Daniel felt a rumble as well as heard the words, because Jack was holding him tightly, back to chest.
"Am I alive?"

Jack kissed him on the temple. "I certainly hope so."

"Hurts," Daniel ground out.

"It'll get better," Jack promised, and rocked him.

Becoming alive again was excruciating. It was like every single cell in his body was warming up after being frozen. It felt like pins and needles were stabbing deep inside him, like he was being devoured by ants, like his skin was trying to crawl off. Jack held him through it all, bathed his body clean of sweat, gently cupped his neck to feed him water.

Finally, in the middle of the night, Daniel fell into a deep, healing sleep.

Janet got up wearily. "I think he'll be all right now."

Jack took in her bruised eyes and slumped shoulders and nodded. "Thank you for staying, Janet."

She smiled at him. "I'm a healer, Jack. It's what I do."

Jack settled back into bed, intending on keeping watch throughout the night, and was mortified to awaken with sunlight streaming in and Daniel smiling down at him.

"Hey," Daniel said, and brushed his lips over Jack's.

Jack groaned and pulled Daniel down into a deep, warm kiss. "Are you okay?"

Daniel considered carefully. "Yes," he said slowly, then grinned. "I think I am."

Later, after Daniel had successfully ingested broth, something he'd been unable to do while changed, Janet declared him well on the road to recovery.

"Thank god," Daniel grumbled. "I'm starving! Can I eat now?"

Janet laughed. "Depends on what you want."

"Beef," Daniel said promptly. "Well done," he concluded with a shiver. "I've tasted enough blood to last the rest of my life."

"Tell you what," Janet said cheerfully, plumping his pillow. "Why don't you stick with broth and bread tonight, and give the meat a try tomorrow?"

"Do I have a choice?" Daniel asked snippily.

"Not really, no." Janet said.

"Fine," Daniel grumbled. "Bring me the damned broth."

Janet leaned over and gave his forehead a warm kiss. "I'm glad you're back with us, Daniel."

Daniel smiled warmly over at Jack. "I'm glad to be back."

Daniel's recovery was complete by the next evening. Jack, in hopeful anticipation, had ordered a special meal prepared. Steak, well done, fresh bread, honey glazed carrots-one of Daniel's favorites-and treacle tarts for dessert. He told the servants to prepare an intimate table by the fireplace in his bedchamber. He ordered a bath be drawn for Daniel, and had them set the table while Daniel was cleaning away the stench of his ordeal.

"Jack," Daniel called, entering the room, rubbing a towel over his hair, another wrapped around his waist. "You in here?" He stopped dead when he smelled food and lowered his hand slowly, almost reverently. "Is that for me?" he asked hopefully when he saw the meal.

Jack laughed loudly, delighted to get such a good reaction. "Come here, Daniel," he pulled out a chair. "You're looking at this food like you haven't eaten in months!"

The both stood stock-still when they realized what Jack had said. It had been months. "Daniel," Jack started to apologize.

"Jack," Daniel said, moving forward to the table. "It's okay." He kissed Jack lightly. "Should I dress?"

"Not on my account," Jack smirked. "Let's eat."

Daniel devoured the meal and they moved to the fire, sitting in the overstuffed chairs again. Jack had broken open an old bottle of brandy, and they both sat with their feet up, taking sips, and talked. There was so much they didn't know about each other anymore. So many years had passed. They told stories, laughed at the inevitable embarrassments of life, grinned at the successes. Daniel sighed. "It's good to be here, Jack. I'm glad I didn't give up."

"Daniel," Jack started uncertainly. "When I found you, you were in Linnea's bed. Did you . . . " he left the question hanging.

Daniel gave him a questioning look. "Did I do what?" Then realization dawned on him. "Have sex with her? No!" He shuddered. "No, believe me, I got no pleasure from that particular act."

Jack tried not to look relieved. "Sorry I brought it up."

"You should be," Daniel said, smiling into his brandy.

Jack took in the sight of Daniel, white towel slung low on his hips, broad chest gleaming in the flickering firelight, the flush of health surrounding him. "God, you're beautiful," he murmured.

Daniel tore his dreamy gaze from the fire. "What?"

"Daniel, I'm so sorry about everything."

"I know," Daniel said softly, got up, and kneeled over Jack's lap. He took Jack's face in his hands and kissed him deeply, the towel getting lost in the shuffle. "It's okay now. You're here."

"And I'm never leaving again, not without you, anyway," Jack promised.

They moved to the bed, discarding Jack's clothes along the way, kissing and stroking, caressing each other's bodies. They fell to the bed in a tangle of limbs, pressing as much flesh together as they could.

"Hmmmm, it's nice to be in a bed again," Daniel noted.

"It's nice to have you in my bed again," Jack countered.

Daniel laughed and rolled them until Jack was on top. "Yes," he teased. "That part is nice, too."

They kissed deeply, tongues caressing, hands pressing, learning each other's secrets again. Fingers elicited shuddering gasps, tongues aroused sensitive nerves, spoken endearments sealed their bond to each other.

Jack knelt up between Daniel's legs and reached for the convenient jar of ointment that Janet had left them. He gave a startled look when Daniel lifted one of his legs and draped a hard calf over Jack's shoulder.

"Like this, Jack," Daniel said, his eyes glowing. "I want to see you."

Jack groaned and swallowed hard. His hands shook when he undid the lid to the jar and dipped out a few fingers full of the balm. He reached behind Daniel's balls, his fingers sliding along the silky skin there until he found the tight little hole. He flicked his finger over the opening several times before sliding the tip inside.

Daniel arched his back and moaned when he felt the breach. "Yes, Jack. Just like that."

Jack worked his finger in deeper, coating Daniel liberally inside, then tried two.

"Oh!" Daniel gasped in surprise.

Jack stopped moving. "Is this okay?" Christ, Daniel was tight.

Daniel took a deep breath and relaxed. "It's fine, keep going."

Jack opened Daniel as carefully as he could, then greased his cock up. "You sure . . . ?" He was scared, scared that it was too soon, that Daniel might get sick again, that it wouldn't be good. But his cock was screaming at him, telling him to get on with it, and he was trembling from holding back.

Daniel wriggled under him. "Very sure. I want it, Jack. Want you."

Jack positioned himself and pushed in carefully. "Jesus you're tight," he ground out. "Does being reborn include being revirginized?"

"Haven't had anyone but you, Jack," Daniel gasped, sweat beading on his lip and forehead.

Jack stilled, only buried half way in. "What?" he asked, stunned. "You haven't . . . "

"Not since you," Daniel confirmed, panting. "I wouldn't let anyone."

Jack groaned and buried his face in Daniel's neck. "God, Daniel. That's . . . " then he lost his ability to speak because he slid home, balls deep.

They moved restlessly, wanting to make it last, yet not able to wait any longer. Daniel bent his knee so that his one foot was flat on the bed, and it changed the slant of his hips just enough. His cock twitched desperately and leaked pre-come on Jack's next thrust and he groaned deeply, his belly trembling. "God, Jack. Just like that."

The heat in Daniel's voice undid Jack. "Wait, Daniel. I want. I need . . . " he said desperately, his hands roving over Daniel's arms and legs. "Christ!" He drove his hips forward and caught Daniel's lips in an urgent kiss.

"Jack!" Just one more like that. One more. "Jack!" He arched back sharply and came, his body quaking around Jack's cock, pushing him into orgasm as well.

Jack collapsed, letting Daniel's come glue their bodies together. He drew in gasping breaths, trying to stay conscious. Finally, when his heartbeat calmed, he lifted his head and met Daniel's laughing eyes. He tenderly brushed back his hair. "I love you," he whispered.

Daniel swallowed. "I love you too, Jack. You're what got me through this."

Jack shook his head remorsefully. "I didn't. I wasn't here."

"You're here now," Daniel reminded him gently, squeezing around Jack's softening cock, snickering at Jack's yelp of disapproval. "That's all that matters."
~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning Daniel walked down the stairs to meet Jack and Teal'c. They had decided to leave immediately, not wanting to let Linnea and Kinsey get too far ahead. He was leafing through a book he'd gone back upstairs to retrieve when he heard arguing.

"I'm going, My Lord," said a female voice. "You can't stop me."

"I sure as hell can!" Jack yelled. "You're not going, and that's final."

Daniel reached the front hall and found a very determined Samantha Carter and an irate Jack toe-to-toe.

"If you won't let me in your party, I'll just follow behind," Sam said. "Wouldn't it be much more civilized if you let me travel with you?"

Jack wiped a weary hand across his brow. "Teal'c, back me up on this."

Teal'c prudently took in both stubborn expressions and lifted one of the heavy saddle bags. "I must attend to the horses, my lord," he bowed on his way out.

Daniel bit his lip to keep from smiling.

"I saw that!" Jack snapped at him.

Daniel ignored him and smiled at Sam. "Hello, Sam. You want to leave all this and see the world?"

"You need me," she said confidently. "You never know what will happen out there. I'll be able to help, build things, figure things out."

Daniel looked at Jack's scowling face and shrugged.

Jack sighed in defeat. "Okay, fine. Come with us. But you get no special treatment," he warned with a wag of his finger.

Sam grinned. "I'm already packed! Let's go." She dashed outside to load her horse.

Jack looked ruefully at Daniel. "This is turning into quite an expedition."

Daniel shrugged happily. "We have a better chance of finding her if we have a good team."

"It is a good team, isn't it? Jack noted as they made their way outside.

"I think so," Daniel said. "But I thought you didn't want Sam coming along?"

Jack grinned at him conspiratorially. "I think we have a much better chance if she's with us. She's brilliant and brave."

Daniel looked surprised. "Then why all the fuss?"

"Well, I needed to be sure she really wanted to do this," Jack explained. "She's not going to have much of a life, living on horseback, sleeping on the ground. Most women wouldn't want that."

They walked out to their horses together, their teammates already mounted and impatiently waiting for them, ready to begin this new chapter in their lives.

Jack hauled himself up on his horse and took one last look around. It might take a while, but he would be back. They'd be back. This was home. He caught Daniel's eye and smiled at him. "All right, kids," he announced. "Let's head out."

They moved as a team as they rode through the gate.