Fratenerization (Part 1/2)

by Lady Arkin

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asl/larkin/fraten001.php
Summary: Sometimes you turn around and things have just changed on you. The people who you rely on the most are usually the ones who you need to always be what you need them to be. But when everything changes, how do you cope? What happens when you can't tell where that friendship line is anymore? Where do you turn to when everyone, including you, start to believe that you're more than just friends?
Info: I really do know Dancing Butterfly. But the woman that I used in this particular story, I made her as a composite from several of my hippie friends. But Butterfly was the original inspiration for this character. I've been wanting to use sacred sexuality for a while now, this was a great place to put it; I feel that this is a nice little introduction into the topic for the general audience. Thank you Connor

CHAPTER 1 - STARTING PLACES EVERYONE

It had started out as a heartfelt act between friends but it quickly deteriorated into something disgusting and awful that made them both want to gag hard. The high-pitched alarm went off sending everything into chaos as the billowing smoke spewed forth, hiding the world from view, as a nasty stench enveloped all.

Samantha was near hysterics as the flames lapped up and then died down moments later. The overwhelming smoke stung her eyes as she flailed her arms into the space around them trying to clear it.

Teal'c moved quickly around her. He knew what to do. He had to know what to do.

"It can't be saved," Teal'c declared in a choke a few moments later.

"Are you sure?" she asked, refusing to believe that all hope was so completely lost.

Instead of speaking, he dropped what he was doing and grabbed her. He led them to safety through to the back door. He left it open as he walked her out farther onto the patio. In the moonlight, he wiped at his still-stinging eyes and realized just how miserable she looked. Shoulders slumped with a potholder in one hand and a kitchen towel in the other, she looked about as low as he'd ever seen her.

Without hesitating, he said, "You have many fine qualities1/4cooking just isn't one of them."

He gently took the kitchen towel out of her hand and returned to the back door. He swatted at the smoke still billowing out as he asked, "Why do we not order a pizza? That is a fine and time-honored SG 1 tradition."

She managed a pout as she said, "I wanted to cook for you."

"And I appreciate it greatly," he said quickly. "Pepperoni with extra cheese."

She took a few steps towards the back door. The house was fully lit. Her beautiful Mediterranean inspired kitchen, which she seldom used, was completely shadowed by the smoke still pouring out. She had no doubts that somewhere beneath all of it were the place settings at the elegant table that she'd set just before the 'Dante's Inferno' re-enactment began.

"I guess it's for the best," she said completely defeated. "The spaghetti looked all wrong." As she thought about it, she realized that she was right. "Spaghetti isn't supposed to sit in the bottom of the pot in one big clump." She faced Teal'c and added, "A moment later the sauce went up in a billow of smoke."

He smiled. "DiGiorgio's?"

"I'll get the take-out menu."

She marched back into the tomato sauce-scented smoke and opened a window or two on her way to the dinner menu drawer. When she opened the drawer, she heard the fire alarm in the kitchen finally shrill out loudly. She wondered about it. The last time she'd hit it so hard that she'd been sure it would never go off again.

She made a mental note to take it down and throw it on the floor a few more times, just to be sure. The kitchen really didn't need a smoke detector until she decided to move. She was sure that the one in the hall way was more than enough to keep her alive should anything actually happen while she was sleeping.

A moment later she heard several pounding sounds and the fire alarm died.

She sifted through the open menu drawer. "The neighborhood watch gets up in arms when I start cooking. They even put out a flyer. Hopefully they won't start calling 9111/4again."

She found the right menu and picked up the phone. She already knew what Teal'c's favorite was. She ordered an extra large, half jalapeno and half pepperoni and cheese. She decided to splurge and order the garlic rolls and an order of spaghetti.

By the time she arrived at the kitchen the smoke was mostly gone and Teal'c was coming in from outside with the empty pots in his hand.

"It had to be done," he said solemnly. "What was to be our dinner is now lying in a shallow, unmarked grave."

She smiled a little. "I see. You're going to be the comic genius tonight."

Without missing a beat, he answered, "I work with what I am given."

Teal'c walked the empty pots to the sink. He set the burnt one under the faucet and set it to fill. Tentatively, he poked the burnt crust on the interior with a wooden spoon.

"It may or may not come off," he said after a moment.

"All I wanted," she said in a sigh, "was to make you a thank you dinner. Then I burn the sauce and the spaghetti and the meatballs." She wrinkled her face. "Wait. No. What? Oh, God!"

She ran for the oven and grabbed the handle with her hand before she realized that she had the pot holder in her other hand. The hot metal hurt her hand a little, but she snatched it away quickly enough that she didn't burn it. She flung the door open and more smoke poured out.

She grabbed the pan of meatballs with the potholder and pulled them out quickly so that the pan was sitting on the open oven's door.

Teal'c quickly turned off the oven and reached for another potholder.

"Perhaps, they're not that bad," he offered as he watched her lift the pan of meatballs onto the stovetop.

"Well," she said tentatively. "They don't look burnt on top, just deeply well done."

She opened the utensil drawer and pulled out a knife and fork. She tried to pull one out and quickly found it to be burnt to the bottom of the pan. But when she cut into it, it seemed fine. She cut off a little piece and brought it up to her nose. Luckily, it didn't smell burnt. She tasted it and quickly found it to be good. She smiled grateful that she'd managed to talk Janet into premixing the meat and forming the meatballs for her.

"Now I'm glad that I ordered some spaghetti." She forked another bit and offered it to Teal'c.

He took it gladly and then smiled. "I always enjoy it when Doctor Frasier decides to cater."

Sam nodded. "Least she knows what she's doing." She turned away as she said, "Come on. I'll offer you a nice cold juice spritzer while we wait for the pizza. I may not be much of a cook, but I know how to bartend."

She walked out of the kitchen and into the living room to her bar. She walked around and pulled up the shaker. She opened the mini fridge and pulled out what she needed. As she mixed a little juice, some sparkling water, a little grenadine, she said, "I love my job. But if I could have chosen any other career it would have been this."

She sliced a lime and gave the drink a squeeze. "Most girls at the Academy wanted to go out on the weekends and get wasted. They wanted to strip, dance on the bar, and have a wild time. Me? I wanted to get in good with the bartender and slip back there with him."

She mixed the concoction before pulling out a tall, pale blue glass that she knew he'd like. It poured out a beautiful reddish blush into the glass and stained the glass purple where it sat in the container.

He picked it up and stared at the glass for a moment admiring the colors before trying it. The smile came slowly, but she knew that it was genuine when he bowed his head to her ever so slightly.

For herself, she whipped up a mojito. She poured it over ice in her favorite goblet and gave herself a straw. She didn't even have to think about it. She reached down and pulled out a straw for him as well and dropped it into his drink before walking away.

They sat on the couch with their drinks and sipped slowly. There was a comfortable silence, but Sam felt bothered.

"It smells like burnt tomatoes in here."

His shoulder gave a slight shrug.

"You know what?" she said as she put her drink on the coffee table and got up. "I know."

She left quickly. She put the box on the bed in the guest room. She hadn't even unwrapped it completely. She pulled off the ribbon and remaining Christmas paper and left them on the bed before walking the box back to the living room.

"Janet gave me this," she said as she walked back to the couch. She set the box down and opened it. Inside she found the same ceramic ring that she'd seen little value in the first time around. She lifted the individual bottles out until she found one that caught her eyes.

"Lavender is nice," she said as he pulled out the ceramic ring and walked it to the nearest lamp.

"I hope it's not too girly," she said as she set the ring on the lamp bulb. She opened the bottle of aromatherapy oil and poured a little of the oil onto the ring before turning on the lamp.

She sat as she said, "At least it'll be nicer than burnt tomatoes. Maybe the smell will even be gone by the time the food arrives."

~ ~ ~

He didn't wake again until morning. Warm and safe, he felt very at peace. Without thinking, he knew that he was in his bed. But it was Daniel's scent, the feel of another human body that told him to be very cautious.

He didn't move.

Jack was groggy, very groggy. It was that 'just out of the infirmary' feeling that let him know through a sensation of dehydration and stickiness that he'd just been released long before the memory returned to him. He didn't have to be fully aware to know. He began by wiggling his toes and testing his body.

As he remembered the last mission and the bad fall that he'd taken, he felt the bruises and strained muscles along his back and behind his legs. Dragging. He'd been dragged. Jack wanted to roll over as the memory came to him, but he could feel a prickle on his back that told him that the flesh there was hurt somehow.

"Jack," Daniel said as he stirred.

As Daniel sat up, Jack slurred, "Was I dragged?"

"The last twenty feet to the 'gate." Daniel became quiet. A few moments later, he added, "Sorry." Daniel sat up a turned to face Jack. "You fell. I knew that you were hurt. Teal'c was busy getting Sam through. I went back for you."

"Jaffa," Jack said suddenly remembering the distinctive sound and sights of staff blasts all around.

"There wasn't a lot of time. I had to get you though. The ground was rough. It tore up your uniform." Solemnly, Daniel said, "I was dragging you on skin by the time I stepped on the ramp."

"Ah," Jack said suddenly remembering. "That explains the pain."

Jack closed his eyes. When he opened them again Daniel was offering him the glass of water that he usually kept on the nightstand. He tried to take it but Daniel didn't let go as Jack drank. The water was at room temperature but his mouth tasted like rug and readily absorbed every drop rather easily.

He drank down the entire glassful in one go and found that he felt more human after.

"Come on," Daniel said taking the glass away. "Let's get you into a bath and wash the infirmary off of you."

~ ~ ~

She'd always loved the smell of Patchouli. There was just something very appealing to her about the deep, musky smell that made her a perk up and notice it.

She did, however, consider the bottle in her hand very carefully. She didn't want to give him the wrong impression. Patchouli was rather sensuous. Mysterious. That was it. It was mysterious and deep. She set the bottle back into the aromatherapy box and pulled out another bottle. She wanted something that would insure less sensuality and invite much more relaxation. That's what they were doing after all, they were relaxing.

She reached for two bottles. She'd always liked jasmine. Jasmine was pretty, if a little feminine. To balance it out, she grabbed another bottle. She'd never really smelled ylang-ylang but the bottle said that it was light and elegant. He hoped that the ylang-ylang would dilute the strong, pretty smell.

She added the two oils to the scent ring in the living room and then set about sorting out the take-out for lunch.

She'd stopped for Indian food because she knew just how much Teal'c liked the Indian flat breads. He'd often commented on just how much the cuisine reminded him of the kind of traditional Jaffa food that was made on Chulak.

She pulled out the containers and emptied each into a different serving dish. The one thing that she absolutely knew about the oven was how to keep things warm with it. So without hesitation she set the bowls inside, covering the rice with a wet paper towel to keep it moist, and closed the door. Then she set the table.

By the time there was a knock on the door she was laying on the couch. She'd only managed to drink half of her mojito. She was smiling before she ever got to the door.

Teal'c was standing at the door; the unmarked base car was pulling away from the curb behind him. He was wearing the leather jacket that the Colonel had gotten for Teal'c on one of their outings and a matching leather cap on his head to cover his tattoo.

"Hey," Sam said with a big smile. "You're absolutely on time."

Teal'c smiled instantly. "I am glad," he said offering her a brown, paper covered bottle. "I noticed that you like to use rum in many of your cocktails. I thought I would bring this offering."

Samantha took the bottle happily and walked away as she slipped it out of the paper bag. "Nice," she said as she walked the bottle to the bar. "You can buy my liquor any time you like, Teal'c."

By the time she'd finished putting the bottle in its new place and turned, Teal'c had closed the door. His cap and leather jacket were laying on the arm of the overstuffed chair in the living room.

"Dinner's all ready," Sam said directing them both towards the kitchen. She quickly found that he didn't need much of an invitation. It was familiar and comfortable to have him there.

Without discussion, Sam emptied out the oven while Teal'c set the warmed bowls on the table. Four bowls of different foods, two bowls of chutney, two cloth wrapped bundles of flat breads set in baskets, a pitcher of mango lassi's, and another of lime flavored water were put on the table for their dinner. They didn't even speak as they made their selections and served their meal onto their plates.

Sam reached for a chapatti and tore a piece off. She dipped it in the lamb stew, scooping up a little piece of meat.

"Thank you," Teal'c said quietly.

"It's nothing," she said quickly. She scooped the chapatti into her mouth and chewed.

"You don't like eating chutney," Teal'c said undaunted. "And anything with too much spice makes you unhappy." Teal'c reached for the rice bowl as he said, "I also have come to believe that curry has an adverse affect on your digestive system. You usually will avoid it when we go out to dinner and I suggest Indian food."

Teal'c served himself a good portion of rice before reaching for the lentils. "I think that you enjoy eating off of the plates of others more than your own. But when we are eating Indian you won't even taste Daniel Jackson's dinner."

Gently, she said, "He always opts for the curried goat." She shrugged. "He also likes to mix the sauce into everything."

Seriously, he again said, "Thank you."

She dipped the chapatti lazily into the sauce on her plate as she quietly said, "You're worth it."

~ ~ ~

Jack lay on his side as Daniel's greasy hands swept up along his back again. Carefully, and with infinite patience, those hands worked his muscles without setting off the majority of the available pain receptors. Strong, hard fingers dug in at certain places eliciting a mild pain, making his back arch in response. Then gently over the abused places the slick fingers eased and soothed him back down into calm.

From his back, Daniel slowly traveled down towards Jack's hip. The worst of it was at the hip bone, but light scratches had made it down as far as Jack's butt cheek. Daniel carefully rubbed around Jack's hip, carefully drawing the blood back to where it would do the most good. He pressed down in places where rubbing would tear at the still-healing wound and circled the tissue where it was appropriate.

Farther down Daniel's hands worked in downward strokes at the back of Jack's thigh. His thumbs dug in. Jack pulled away from his touch a few times. Though the dragging had hurt Jack's hip, the fall had happened there at the thigh. The bruises were spectacularly bright purples and blues.

Down to the man's knee, his flesh quivered under Daniel's hands. Stroking and kneading was how he worked the pain away. Slowly, with great care and a great deal of reassurance through touch, Daniel managed to work Jack's body calm.

The pain translated to Daniel by the time he felt that he was finished. His back hurt from bending over Jack. His fingers were sore and his shoulders stiff. But Jack wasn't. He could feel the difference. He could even see the difference in the way the muscles lay over the bone.

Daniel stretched out and stood from the little stool that he'd been using. His butt felt numb. He wiped his hands of the greasy ointment that Frasier had given him for Jack before reaching back and rubbing his own backside.

Daniel felt his stomach grumble. He checked first, wanting to ask Jack if he wanted lunch. He was glad he hadn't made a sound; Jack was sound asleep. Daniel walked out closing the door behind him.

He made his way to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. He found a small, budding rainforest growing in one of the produce bins, a carton of solid milk, and a several cartons of seemingly innocent white paper containers sitting on the shelf. He didn't imagine anything other than pure penicillin to be inside those containers. Daniel didn't hesitate to pull the garbage can closer. He emptied the fridge leaving only the white, crust-riddled, thousand-year-old box of baking soda and the condiments behind.

He picked up the phone, dialed off of one of the menus secured on the freezer's surface with a magnet shaped like a big smiling bass. He ordered enough for lunch and dinner as he reached for a sponge and wiped the refrigerator down to get the smell out.

When he was finished on the phone, he wrung out the sponge, took out the garbage, and made out a shopping list. The cupboards were mostly empty. There was canned food, but nothing terribly exciting. There was no fresh fruit. There wasn't even any meat in the freezer, which told Daniel that Jack had been putting off his shopping even before the last mission.

He waited for lunch to arrive so he could eat quietly and alone at the dining table.

Daniel wrote Jack a short note and taped it to the top of a Styrofoam plate that held his fried rice, ribs, and egg roll combo. He left the plate, a fork, and a tall glass of water and all of soy and duck sauce packets that he could find on the night stand where Jack would see it.

Daniel left quietly again. This time he checked the doors and locked up behind himself. He'd brought Jack home in his truck. Daniel knew that his own car was still sitting in the SGC parking lot, and would be for some time. He didn't mind driving Jack's truck; it just felt a little1/4big for him.

He sat in the truck for a few minutes trying to get comfortable. He adjusted all the mirrors. And even though he'd been the last driver, he still felt compelled to adjust the seat at least twice before he was satisfied. He knew exactly where the closest supermarket was. He knew exactly how to get there. The problem wasn't the journey so much as the fact that Jack loved his truck. Daniel always felt uneasy about possibly being the one that got it scratched, dented, or banged up.

When he finally arrived at the market, he parked as far as he could from any other cars. He even gathered a few stray shopping carts and drove them away from the truck so that no one would accidentally send one careening into the paint job.

He did his shopping relatively quickly. He'd been to that particular market with Jack several times, so he knew where everything was located. He got a good selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, everything in season. He knew Jack would want a few choice cuts of meat, and a few odds and ends that he'd noticed were running low in the house. Daniel even remembered to pick up a big container of Epson salts for Jack to soak in later. He could think of nothing better for those sore muscles.

He arrived home with as much care was when he'd left. He brought the shopping in and left everything sitting on the counter and on the kitchen floor so he could go upstairs and check on Jack before doing anything else. Daniel found him still asleep. Quietly, Daniel took the food and note away and left Jack in peace.

Normally, he would have tried to wake Jack by now. But Daniel also knew what it was like to recover from Janet's tender mercies when it came to physical injuries. Jack needed the rest. Sleep would help heal his body and work the drugs out of his body that caused that disgustingly sluggish and dreary feeling.

He busied himself with other things. The groceries needed to be put away. There was a pile of laundry by the machine. He even found that the living room needed a little tiding up. When he wandered out onto the deck in the back he found that the oak tree had been busy; the entire deck needed a good sweeping and the yard raking.

To his surprise it was almost four when he was finished. He put the rake away and hurried back to Jack.

Daniel walked in slowly and carefully sat at Jack's bedside.

"Jack," Daniel said clearly. "It's time for you to wake up. I know you want to keep sleeping, but you'll never sleep tonight if you don't wake up. Come on, I have spare ribs and fried rice for you to nosh on."

Jack stirred a little but didn't bother to open his eyes.

"Okay," Daniel said happily, "then why don't I just sit here and I'll thrill you with a rendition of my master's thesis. You'll get a real kick out of it. Sure it was a thousand pages more than the Archeology Department actually demanded but then I had a lot to say."

Daniel smiled.

A moment later, Jack rolled over and looked Daniel right in the eyes saying, "You're a sick bastard."

"Yup," Daniel said, utterly content. He stood and turned. As he walked to bathroom he said, "Try to wake up. I'm going to run a bath for you."

Daniel walked into the bathroom and immediately pulled the curtain aside. He locked the tub stopper in place and turned the hot water on. He picked up the box of Epson salts and poured a heaping two cups into the running water before returning to the bedroom.

He found Jack sitting up, leaning heavily on his left side.

"How badly are you hurting?"

"Manageable," Jack said holding out his hand.

Daniel didn't hesitate to take hold of Jack's hand and help him up. Mindful of Jack's back and side, Daniel carefully took Jack's arm over his shoulder. Together they made it to the bathroom, one limp and shuffle at a time.

"Pit stop," Daniel said a moment after they walked through the threshold.

He urged Jack towards the toilet and helped him pull the hospital gown aside. It took him a moment but Jack was eventually able to answer the call, even with Daniel standing behind him.

After, Daniel stripped Jack naked and helped him down into the steaming water. He then placed a folded towel at Jack's upper back to cushion him.

"Soak for a while," Daniel said turning the tap off. "The salts will help with the soreness. I'll be back."

Daniel gathered Jack's discarded hospital gown before dumping it on the bed. He quickly pulled the pillows out of the cases and loosened the sheets. He gathered them all in a big bundle and threw them to one side.

"Jack," Daniel called as he walked to the linen closet, "tell me you're still awake?"

"Unfortunately," Jack grumbled. "Didn't you say something about greasy food?"

Daniel smiled as he fetched clean sheets and pillowcases. "I ordered Ling Foo's. Yes, I did get your favorites. And I also did a little bit of shopping. Did you know that you were farming your own penicillin in the crisper?"

"Hey that was going to be my new pet! He liked to be petted behind the ears."

"I didn't see ears, Jack."

"Near the carrots."

"Didn't see carrots either, Jack."

Daniel changed the bed with clean linen and made the bed ready for Jack's return before returning to the tub.

Daniel took a washcloth and a bar of soap as he knelt down. "Try to roll over," Daniel said as he wet the washcloth and sudsed it up.

"I'm going to hate this," Jack mumbled as he obeyed. "First you drag me over broken glass and then you get to torture me with the result. Isn't this cruel and unusual?"

"Yes," Daniel replied as he began at Jack's calf and cleaned out each scrape, bruise, and cut. Most of the damage was too small for stitches. His skin was completely covered in orange antiseptics. In total there were only about fifteen stitches on the upper part of Jack's back where something had cut him rather deeply, but the potential for infection was very real. Janet had given Daniel all the usual warnings. He'd been giving Jack all the usual medications, creams, ointments, and care.

Now came the ugly part. Daniel had to clean out the parts that hurt. He did it as carefully as he could, but he hated every part of it. He knew just how much superficial wounds could hurt. And scrubbing them with a washcloth was akin to torture as exposed nerves were excited repeatedly.

When he was finished Daniel left Jack alone just long enough to pick out a soft pair of jogging pants and a well-laundered tee shirt. He decided to forgo the underwear until Jack's hip at least had scabbed a bit more. As it was, Daniel wasn't crazy about a waistband rubbing on him.

He was second-guessing the idea of clothes when he heard the distinct sounds of someone getting out of the tub. Daniel rushed back to the bathroom in time to grab hold of a dizzy-looking Jack. Daniel pulled him close and held on as Jack's legs went rubbery and most of his weight fell onto Daniel.

He wanted to be angry, but a low moan from Jack told him that his friend was hurting and in no need for chastising.

"Just hold on," Daniel said softly.

When he was able, Jack said, "Everything just started to go black."

"You'll feel better after some food."

"Water," Jack said with a slight nod. Jack managed to shamefully say, "I know I'm dehydrated."

"We'll get you right," Daniel said adjusting Jack's weight against him. "I was considering the underwear question a moment ago."

Jack looked up and brushed his hand over his face stopping just long enough to rub his eyes. "There's an underwear question?"

"Imagine the sensation of underwear rubbing against you in all the wrong and very raw places."

"I see, there's an underwear question," Jack said starting the walk out dripping wet from the bath1/4with Daniel's help.

Daniel helped Jack back to the bed as he said, "Maybe you can wear your robe for now. I can wash the hospital gown for later."

"I prefer the robe," Jack gripped.

"Your skin needs to breathe. I'll put the ointment on you and then we can go downstairs and get you fed."

"Mmm," Jack growled in his throat. "Greasy food."

Daniel helped him down and gathered what he'd need to disinfect the area. From Jack's calf to just above his hip, Daniel disinfected and applied the prescribed ointment. He removed the bandage taped over the stitches of Jack's upper back and cleaned the area before applying a new bandage.

Daniel fetched Jack's robe and helped him into it before taking him downstairs to lie on the couch.

"Be right back," Daniel said happily.

First, he got Jack a big glass of water and ice. He set the glass on the counter and pulled a knife out. He picked one of the lemons that he'd bought earlier and cut a small wedge. He squeezed it into the water before taking it to Jack.

Daniel returned to the kitchen and fetched a large plate. He pulled the platter with Jack's uneaten lunch out, as well as the second bag of unopened food.

"You want soup or-"

"Greasy food!" Jack corrected.

Daniel smiled.

He fixed Jack a plate of all the things that just weren't good for him and set it in the microwave with a wet napkin on top to help reconstitute the rice.

He opened the quart of sweet and sour soup for himself and poured out a good-sized portion into a bowl. Then he portioned out some white rice and chop suey for himself and left the plate on the side.

By the time the microwave had chimed, Daniel had a cutlery, a bag of crispy noodles, and the fancy bottle of soy sauce, the bottle of duck sauce, and the chili oil that Jack kept in the refrigerator sitting on a TV tray. Jack's plate was set in the center of tray and taken to him. The smile on the man's face when he saw Daniel coming was worth the bother.

~ ~ ~

He felt slightly drunk, or at least what he'd imagine being drunk felt like. And he was quite sure that Samantha did as well. She hadn't drunk very much. In fact he'd only seen her have the one Cosmopolitan between their lunch and their dinner of many leftovers. They'd gone to a movie after lunch, returned and then talked for the rest of the afternoon in her living room. He knew that he hadn't ingested any alcohol, and Samantha knew better than to give him any without his knowledge.

He turned his head to see her face better. He couldn't help but think that she looked like a little girl in sleep. She looked very happy and at peace. The smile curling her lips was genuine and unworried. It looked very good on her.

Teal'c felt the big smile splitting his face. A wave of dizziness passed over his eyes and he was sure that something was affecting him. His first instinct was to get up off the couch and search out the cause but he really didn't want to. He felt safe and warm with her in his arms. She was good company, always was.

He turned his head to one side and his head fell with limpness. He saw the lamp where she'd only a while ago added more of the sweet smelling oils before walking towards him and stumbling onto him. She'd made no effort to get up, and he'd only pulled her closer onto himself. As usual when off world, once comfortable Samantha immediately fell asleep.

Some part of his mind wanted to warn him about something. He paid it no mind and turned his face back to her. Her hair smelled of flowers: clean, and sweet. He adjusted his arms around her and held her. He was comfortable and ready for a good rest.

CHAPTER 2 - THE ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE

Sam woke up still dreaming that she'd fallen asleep on the hammock again at her father's side after he'd finished the yard work. She dreamt that she was very safe lying in the afternoon sun on that old hammock. The wind rocking them gently was the only intrusion in that image of perfection from long ago.

She cuddled in smiling hard and happy. Her first lucid thought was that it had been a long time since she'd had that particular dream. She knew that stress, worry, and overwork quickly stole the good dreams from her. She wasn't sure why she'd gotten that image back until she breathed in and became fully aware of the warm body that she was draped over.

She looked up quickly only to find Teal'c looking back at her. Her first instinct was to let go of a deep and fearful breath.

"Are you alright, Major Carter?"

She nodded with her eyes closed, but she didn't answer.

"Sorry," she said when she was able. "I haven't woken up next to anyone in a very long time." She sat up and hoped that she didn't sound as big a loser as she thought she had.

Teal'c sat up slowly and slid his body back away from her giving them both some space.

She did her best to smooth her hair back. She knew exactly what it often looked like when she woke up. And that boy-cut pressed and cemented into freaky directions flattered no one.

She stood up and looked around. It was still dark out. She'd left the lamp on all night. And the dinner dishes were on the table where they'd left them.

She remembered all too clearly how she'd 'accidentally' tripped and cuddled onto Teal'c. She had no idea what she had been thinking or if. All she knew for sure was the rancid stupidity that was flowing through her at the moment. And it really didn't make her want to turn around at that moment and face him.

She bit her nail as she debated with herself.

"I will leave if you wish it," he said quietly behind her.

She knew without turning that he was still sitting on the couch. Perfect calm and contemplation.

She breathed in deeply and then let it out as she said, "You know what? I don't think I want to feel weird about this." She turned around and put her hands on her hips. "Daniel stays over at the Colonel's place all the time. Why would it be any different for you and me? We're friends and teammates. We've been through everything together."

She walked around to the back of the couch and put her hands on its spine. "I don't have anything for you to change into, but I can offer you a new toothbrush and a hot breakfast."

He faltered and became quiet. He began by saying, "You have many talents1/4"

She smiled and said, "I know a great all night diner that makes fabulous pancakes." She checked her watch. "Hey, I don't have to be in to work for another two hours. What do you say to a long, leisurely breakfast?"

Teal'c smiled and stood from where he sat. "I will say that is a fine idea."

~ ~ ~

Daniel awoke knowing something wasn't right. He sat up and quickly checked on Jack. Even in the low light he could make out Jack's features in sleep. He first studied the man for signs of a nightmare, struggle, or pain but found nothing.

Wondering what had awoken him he held still and studied his surroundings. It actually took him a few long moments to realize that the room was warmer than it should be. Jack liked his house at a constant sixty-six degrees. It felt more like eighty.

Daniel leaned over and flipped the switch on the lamp on his nightstand. He got up and went to the bathroom. The lights there weren't turning on either. At the window he saw that the neighborhood was dark and that the only light coming in came from the full moon above.

He drew the curtain and was opening the first window when he heard Jack breathe in sharply.

"Daniel?"

"Right here," he said calmly. "The power's out. I'm just letting some fresh air in before you start complaining."

Jack mumbled something unintelligible and settled back into the bed.

Daniel walked over to the other window and drew its curtain. He opened its two latches and slid the window up so that the cool, night air could fill the room. He leaned forward and quickly realized that the jasmine bushes on the side of the house were in bloom. The smell was sweet and pleasant.

Daniel wandered back to bed and slipped in, trying to disturb Jack as little as possible in the process. He lay there for a long time before he gave up. He knew he wasn't going back to sleep. Experience had taught him that there was only one thing that would get him back to sleep any time soon.

Daniel got up and tiptoed out of the bedroom. He wandered down the hall, down the stairs, and into the kitchen. He found a flashlight in one of the utility drawers and Jack's barbeque lighter. Daniel peaked in the pantry closet and rifled around for a few minutes until he found a pillar candle.

Ideally, he knew that meditating in the living room was the better idea but he couldn't see his way passed leaving Jack alone in the middle of the night. So he took the items in his hands up to the bedroom and sat back down on the bed.

Daniel lit the candle and set it on the nightstand. He faced it diagonally so that his back was to Jack's feet. He could turn his head slightly and see Jack. The hazy yellow light was perfect, not too bright, and not too harsh. It was just big enough to focus his mind on while not so intrusive that it could keep Jack up.

He closed his eyes breathed in, taking the tender scent of jasmine deep into his lungs as he attempted to center himself. It didn't take long to realize that his mind was far too busy to allow him to focus very much. He did try to let it all go and sweep his mind clean, but it just didn't work.

He opened his eyes and stared at the bright point in front of him. When he closed his eyes it was to ask God for guidance. Not the God demanded by religious dogma and fanatics, but something else. His own personal idea of universal guidance and balance.

Instead of Providence speaking to him as to calm his mind, he heard Jack ask, "What are you doing?"

"Lights are out."

"You said."

Daniel opened his eyes and looked to his side. Jack was curled up a little more than usual. The shadows played heavily across his face.

"Can't sleep," Daniel admitted. "I was trying to meditate, but I guess I'm praying."

Jack sniffed and settled in. His hand wound up sitting on Daniel's knee.

"If you're going to pray, pray for something useful like air conditioning," Jack said a slightly muffled.

A heartbeat later, Daniel said, "Yes, Lord in heaven, because your children need air conditioning! Oh maker of heaven earth and all engineering feats great and small! Grant us your holy and cooling breath so that we may sleep without discomfort on this very night! Can I hear an amen?"

"Amen!" Jack said with a laugh. "See, I told you that you were useful."

Jack patted Daniel's knee as he drifted off to sleep.

Daniel covered Jack's hand with his as he quietly said, "Amen." He promptly directed his prayers to Jack and the healing of his hurt. It was the only thing the he wanted.

~ ~ ~

When he was able to do so with the dignity and grace required by his rank, Jack went into work and walked in without assistance. He came in late in the day. He'd woken up tired and sore. They'd both had a leisurely breakfast leaning against the kitchen counter. Daniel arranged a large platter of sliced fruit, fresh juice, and coffee. They'd gone for a long walk and talked ceaselessly as Jack walked it off. After, he and Daniel had partaken of a beautiful salad and grilled steaks out on his deck. And then they bothered to go in to work.

Jack was still on desk jockey-duty and he knew that he still couldn't take a chair for very long. Hell! Daniel had chopped both their steaks. They'd eaten lying on their stomachs on the patio recliners because even the thought of the patio recliners had hurt.

He wasn't dizzy and hadn't been since he'd first awoken. His hunger had returned to normal. His skin wasn't as tight. The muscles were still sore and the bruising bad enough to warrant pillows so that he sat lopsided with the majority of his weight still on the left, but he was better.

Daniel walked him in and made him go right to the infirmary. Frasier wanted to see him. She made him strip and bend over. He did so under the usual protests.

"Well, overall not bad, Colonel."

"Thanks," Jack said as he reached down for his pants, "I try to keep in shape."

"The big one on the back of your thigh looks like it's still painful?"

"Yeah," Jack admitted reluctantly. "It gets interesting."

"No driving until you can sit down for more than thirty consecutive minutes. You're still on the inactive list until I'm satisfied. And I also want to see you in about four more days to take those stitches out."

Jack zipped up and gave her a nod.

He got away from her as soon as he could and made his rounds. There was next to nothing going on. The 'gate room was pretty quiet. The rotation reports stated that there were two teams off world, both of them mineralogical in nature. The next team heading out was an archeological team that Daniel would not be on. The planet was a low threat level, but SG 2 would be going along for back up just the same.

Jack wandered away from the 'gate room. Hands secured in his pockets, he wandered slowly towards Daniel's office and away from his own. He had no desire to reacquaint himself with the paperwork currently sitting on his desk.

Enroute, he found Teal'c and Carter talking in the hallway. There was nothing particularly odd about it, but something stopped him in his tracks. There was just something about the way that the two were standing. Carter had a legal pad held against her bosom, arms tightly crossed. Jack realized that Teal'c actually had his hands stuffed into his pockets, something that he'd never actually seen from the man before. There was something very 'high school' about the whole thing.

It only took a few seconds for the smiling and talking to end. Carter turned and managed to bump her elbow into a bulkhead before proceeding away. Teal'c turned and found Jack watching him, he seemed to freeze for a second.

The big man seemed to square himself as he inhaled.

"O'Neill," Teal'c said formerly.

Jack couldn't help the smile. He felt as if someone was playing a joke on him. In the least, he knew something was up.

"T," Jack managed to say just as formerly. "Everything okay?"

"Quite," Teal'c said with a slight bow of his head. "I must go," he said as he quickly began his retreat.

Jack merely turned and watched his friend as he walked away and then disappeared around a corner. Jack continued to watch for a moment or two before he hurried away.

A few minutes later he burst into Daniel's office. Daniel didn't even stir. He seemed highly engrossed in whatever it was that he was translating from the rubbing lying next to his array of books. Jack walked over, bent over Daniel's desk opposite him, and rested his forearms across two of the books in question.

"I'm just going to assume that you want attention," Daniel said without ceasing his work.

"I have a question," Jack responded. "Why are Carter and T acting weird?"

As if it hadn't been the question, comment, statement, or barb that he'd been expecting, Daniel sat back and looked up at Jack. After a moment, Daniel removed his glasses and wiped at his face. As he checked his lenses for cleanliness, Daniel said, "Define weird?"

"Weird; not Carter-like, and hardly Teal'c-like."

Daniel replaced his glasses and leaned back in his chair he said, "Well that really wasn't at all helpful."

"There isn't anything going on that I should know about, is there?"

Daniel caught the inflection in Jack voice and looked hard at him. "Why are you asking me these questions?"

"Because you're the weak link."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Am not!"

"Are too!" Jack retorted. "You're always the first nut that I'm able to crack. Last year I got you to spill about that surprise party."

"Jack, first of all there's no party. And second, you got me totally ass stinkin' drunk."

"You cracked," Jack said with a shrug.

Incredulously, Daniel defended himself by saying, "We drank three fifths of a bottle of whiskey in less than ten minutes. I was passed out on your living room floor mumbling."

"And had I been a Goa'uld looking for big secrets, you would have handed them right over." With a blatant smile, Jack added, "Good thing the snake-heads don't know about your mortal weakness."

Daniel picked up his pencil as he said, "Go away, Jack. I'm busy."

When Jack didn't go away, Daniel tried hard to keep his eyes down on the notebook where he was slowly but surely deciphering the rubbing the SG 4 had brought back from their latest mission.

He pretended to check a fact as he added, "If you're bored, why don't you go bug Sam."

"She's acting weird."

Daniel looked up and snapped, "And you're what? The very picture of normalcy?"

"Fine," Jack spat out as he turned on his heel.

He marched out of Daniel's office determined to find something better to do with his time. Unfortunately, he didn't find anything better and wound up back at his desk in less than twenty minutes pawing through reports, budget statements, and requisitions requests.

~ ~ ~

Daniel wasn't shocked when his phone rang not more than twenty minutes or so later.

He heard an almost timid voice ask, "You still pissed?"

Daniel set his pencil down and thought about it before he said, "Not really. You're simply1/4 quite1/4 exasperating."

"Thank you," Jack said quite happily and very much himself again. "So? Beer? Pizza? Or maybe something deep fried and dipped in chocolate?"

Daniel's lips curved upward slightly but he still managed to say, "I'm still working."

"Fine. Work. But meet me outside of Carter's office in thirty minutes."

Daniel checked his watch as he said, "Jack that doesn't give me enough time to finish-"

"It's perfect timing, Daniel. You know that the Major runs like a Swiss watch. Sometimes I think she's part machine herself. She's always on her way back from the John at six fifteen. We can ambush her and swing by and pick T up on our way to fun and beer."

Daniel's shoulders slumped.

"See," Jack said, "I win."

"I didn't say anything. You haven't won anything."

"Your shoulders just slumped in defeat," Jack was forced to explain.

Daniel sat up as he practically shouted, "They did not!"

"Oh, yeah. They did."

"Not!"

"Did! Now get cracking; I want beer," Jack quickly added, "You know, for the pain."

"You big ass," Daniel managed get in while he was sure Jack was still able to hear. A moment later the line went dead.

Despite the workload on his desk, Daniel was waiting outside of Samantha's office at six fifteen. As he thought about it, he realized Jack was right. Not that he enjoyed agreeing with Jack, but he was right. It was a creepy habit of hers to use the bathroom at the exact same intervals on a daily basis. Hell or high water, prison or forest, jungle or war zone, Sam had to take a piss at ten fifteen and six fifteen every single day.

He felt Jack behind him before he ever saw him.

The moment he did see the big smile on Jack's face Daniel said, "Shut it."

"You shut it," Jack countered. "I love being right."

Both their eyes were on the end of the hall as they waited for Sam to round it on her way back from the head.

"You're such a damn pain in the ass. Why is it that I hang out with you again?"

"Easy," Jack said simply, "you're a geek who spends too much time with your books. You don't have many friends, and I'm the best you can do for entertainment purposes."

"Thanks for explaining it so concisely."

"What are friends for," Jack said nudging Daniel with his shoulder. He knew that it had been taken the right way when that little smile perked up Daniel's lips again.

What neither of them expected was for Sam to walk around the corner smiling and talking to Teal'c. Both Teal'c and Sam managed to look a bit stunned for a moment. Their smiles faded the moment they saw Jack and Daniel.

Sam slid her hands into her pockets. She walked towards them noticeably farther away from Teal'c than she'd been previously and said, "Is something wrong?"

"No," Daniel said quickly. "I'm glad we caught you both together. We were wondering if you guys wanted to do some pizza and beer? Jack's injury needs a little medication."

Daniel noticed that Sam wasn't looking at him when she said, "I wish I could, but I already agreed to go to dinner with Teal'c."

A little quicker than he later wished, Daniel blurted out, "What's the difference?'

Sam looked from Jack to Daniel and a bit awkwardly said, "Alone."

Daniel soundlessly said, "oh" so that his lips pursed. He turned away a little, embarrassed. Unconsciously, he looked back up at the two people that he was trying not to look at as his lips pursed just slight enough to make him look as if he were thinking as hard as he actually was.

Samantha turned to Teal'c and said, "Just let me get my things."

Teal'c bowed his head to her slightly and waited patiently as she disappeared into her office. Once she was gone, he turned to Jack and waited.

There was an uncomfortable period of silence between them1/4for Daniel. Jack and Teal'c didn't seem to mind the tension as they looked at each other waiting for the other to say or do something.

Finally, Jack said, "You should pay. You got enough cash on you?"

Teal'c's brow twitched slightly. "I am aware. I believe I have enough."

Jack swallowed visibly before adding, "Tomorrow I'll talk to Hammond. You should have a steady wage in your pocket from now on."

Teal'c nodded.

"Here," Jack said pulling a twenty out of his pocket, "just in case."

"I shall pay you once I have my wages," Teal'c said accepting the money.

Jack nodded jerkily.

Sam came out of her office with her computer bag in one hand and a book in the other. Her office's lights went out behind her. She pulled the door shut.

Before things could get more awkward, Daniel quickly said, "Since there will be no one that detests anchovies there, I'm going to go fish crazy on the pizza. This will be followed by a slice of cheesecake that will more than likely make my nose run like crazy tomorrow morning. It'll match the anchovy scented farts extremely well."

Sam smiled before reaching over to him and kissing Daniel's cheek.

"Thanks," Sam said.

"Have fun," Daniel replied. "I know we will."

They smiled at each other for a moment before Sam turned away and fell into step with Teal'c.

Together, he and Jack stood there for a long while after. Jack was very quiet and Daniel didn't bother him1/4at first. He knew that Jack didn't want to move on from that moment yet. But it quickly became uncomfortable to just stand there.

Daniel turned his head and studied Jack's profile.

Daniel didn't have a problem with admitting, "If it was anyone else, from this world or any other, I'd probably have a problem with what just happened. But out of everyone that I've ever met, I trust him the most. At least I know he's a descent and sincere man."

Jack's face softened. He turned and looked back at Daniel.

Daniel smiled and nudged his shoulder against Jack's.

"Pizza," Daniel said as he took a step. "Watery, tasteless, American beer," he said on the next step.

Rather predictably, Jack replied, "Don't you dare start blaspheming against the great American standard-"

"Piss water," Daniel murmured knowing full well that he had Jack's attention.

"And I'll be damned if you're going to put some stinking fish all over my pizza. Stench lingers. You get it all over your hands and then you think you're going to get into my truck...hell no!"

CHAPTER 3 - THEM ALIENS ARE MAKING US DO IT1/4IT!

"It's a mistake," Jack said adamantly, calmly but adamantly.

"No," Daniel said looking the document over again, "it looks-"

"It's," Jack said extremely firmly. He paused to compose himself, and then much more calmly, he added, "A mistake."

Daniel set the document down and folded his hands. He knew better than to challenge Jack when he was in such a far gone mood that he was actually trying to calm himself.

"Doctor," General Hammond said as he leaned in on his forearms over the conference table's surface, "are you absolutely sure about this?"

Daniel paused only long enough to second-guess himself. He breathed out slowly and explained, "The Mekkaki language isn't that difficult to decipher, sir. But the first time I read it I was sure that I'd done translated wrong, so I went back and rechecked every word for accuracy."

Daniel waited a moment as he looked the document over. As he scanned the thick paper that curled up into itself every time he removed his hands from it, he tried hard to remember what he might have said or done while on the Mekkaki world that would have created such a situation.

"Well," Jack said simply, "we're just going to have to explain to these nice folks that they're wrong and that we aren't interested."

Quickly, Daniel responded, "And I can't think of a single way to say that in a polite enough way, Jack. They'll reject our bid for negotiation on every level."

"You're the diplomat-"

"Their language and culture are very decided on this-"

"Daniel!"

"Jack!"

"Gentlemen," The General growled. The General waited until both men had settled back into their chairs before continuing to say, "Doctor Jackson are you absolutely sure that there is no way to correct this misunderstanding?"

Before Daniel could open his mouth, the General added, "Absolutely and utterly, no way."

"Sir," Daniel responded. "These people place a great deal of emphasis on honor and truth. When we first arrived on their world they told us as much. They emphasized it. We were questioned."

"Some questions," Jack griped.

"Daniel," Sam interjected, "those questions weren't exactly the most in-depth. How can they draw all of these conclusions from asking about someone's favorite food or how they sleep?"

Daniel considered the question before he finally said, "I think that this is all my fault."

"N-n-n-o-o-o-o!" Jack said grasping his chest. "Pshaw, you say!"

Daniel simply turned his eyes up and glared at the Colonel.

"Enough," Hammond said turning his attention to Daniel.

Daniel chose to ignore Jack as he turned to the General. "When we arrived on the Mekkaki world," Daniel began, "I realized very quickly that unlike their decendancy on our world these people have really embraced the tantric sex ideas. There is a great deal of open sex. I realized this when our host propositioned me."

"You didn't mention that," Jack said.

Daniel ignored the man. "I made it clear that off world sex is forbidden to us. They would have been lax in their hosting duties if he hadn't accepted my answer. I guess that without being able to watch us1/4engaging with our favorite partner or partners they had to ask questions."

"You mean the kind of questions that only a significant other could answer," the General added.

"Yes, sir." Daniel took his hands off the thick document. It curled up quickly into a scroll. He offered the roll to the General saying, "This is the Mekkaki way of asking for your permission to send us back to their world with the 'no sex' rule lifted so that we can partake of their1/4"

"Orgy," Jack supplied.

Daniel thought about the word and even though it fit all too well, he decided to override it and corrected, "Festival."

"And if we refuse?" the General asked.

"Yeah," Jack said turning his chair towards Daniel. "What happens when we say no?"

Daniel was suddenly very aware of the Mekkaki party still waiting in the 'gate room. Daniel bit his lip as he picked his words carefully. "Right about now they're starting to wonder what the problem is. This is a straightforward invitation. I was very clear that gaining permission might be difficult, but to them there isn't much of a question. If," Daniel said carefully, "we say no they will most likely discontinue relations immediately. It's an outright insult. They're offering to share one of their most important festivals with us. To actually let us participate, not just watch."

The room was very quiet for a few long seconds.

Jack was the one who finally let out a stiff breath that ended in a hint of growl from his throat. A few moments later, Jack said, "It's an orgy, Daniel."

"And we would be expected to join in, as mated pairs and/or as singles."

"What's the difference?" the General asked quickly.

Daniel leaned forward. "I discussed the matter with Batt'um when he gave me the invitation. Basically, single people are free to partake of any activity. There are no restrictions on their movements. They're actually expected to1/4"

As Daniel drew a blank Jack didn't hesitate to add, "Go forward and sample the menu?"

"All of the menu," Daniel emphasized.

"And couples?" the General asked.

Daniel shrugged. "There's no real mention. I guess that since we didn't introduce ourselves to them as married couples they assumed we were free." Daniel thought about it for a moment before he said, "But I suppose that if we were to clear up the misunderstanding and let them know that we were taken and had cultural taboos about sharing our mates1/4maybe, we might be able to get away with it."

The General blew out a long audible breath as he leaned back in his chair. His fingers drummed on the table a few times as he thought silently. When he was ready, the General asked, "How sure are you that you can sell this married and taken idea?"

Daniel considered it. "Won't know until I try, sir."

"These people are sitting on the biggest naquadah mine that we've ever found. If we screw this up, we could wind up setting back production of a viable Earth defense fleet for years."

Daniel nodded quietly.

The General thought a few moments longer and then finally said, "I won't order anyone here to do this. This is clearly a decision that each of you should make on your own. If you go you will be put into a situation where you will most definitely see sexual acts, and more than likely be asked to participate with the same sex or the opposite sex. Whether you each decide to go or not, this conversation stays in this room. This is my order."

Everyone in the room quietly said, "Sir" or "Yes, sir."

"Well," Daniel said quickly before a silence could overtake the room again. "Since this is my mess, I think I should go. They know that I'm the anthropologist; I need to go, if only to keep up appearances. And I can probably cover for the others."

Jack didn't hesitate to say, "And somehow get yourself into deeper trouble." A bit reluctantly, Jack said, "Every time Daniel goes some where alone, sir, he gets himself dead, shot, or captured." Tentatively, Jack said, "I'm in."

"Wow," Carter said, "I can't believe that I'm about to say this and how much I hate the situation, but, I'm in too."

Teal'c turned to look at Carter for a moment before turning to the General and saying, "Then I shall go as well."

The General nodded. "Well then, we have to come up with a damn good line of shit to feed these people."

"I think marriage is the best alternative, General." Daniel bit his lip for a moment as he mulled it over yet again. "If we can offer the 'my mate, my religion, and/or my culture doesn't allow me to do this because I'm married,' we might be able to escape some of the more unwanted activities."

Jack felt a prickle on the back of his neck. He looked up and found Teal'c watching him. The man's face was utterly devoid of any emotion whatsoever, but his eyes weren't. Jack knew that in many situations he was pretty hopeless. He didn't often have a hope in the world of catching those small, subtle hints that were often dropped his way1/4or he didn't care to. He usually put his foot squarely in his mouth, even when he didn't want to. But no one had to tell him what he was seeing in Teal'c eyes.

It only lasted a few seconds, Teal'c looked away first. Jack's eyes joined Teal'c's in staring at the conference table's surface. After a few more seconds, Jack bothered to reconnect with the conversation.

"1/4don't have any taboos regarding sexual preference, so in that sense we're safe. We have enough people on the team to form two monogamous couples that can go to this festival to observe."

Jack inhaled and said, "I choose Daniel as my husband" before he had a chance to really think about it.

The room went quiet. Slowly, his General and team members turned and looked at him.

Daniel was the only one to utter an intelligible sound as he said, "Huh?"

Undaunted, Jack said, "As the General is fully aware, marriage is about friendship and not sex. Carter and I have a working relationship. I don't believe that she's ever actually used my Christian name." Quite sure he said, "It would get awkward." As he thought about it he added, "And although T and I are close, Daniel and I have a much more fluid relationship. We fight all the time. Now that's a believable marriage!"

Jack shrugged and said, "He and I have been married for years that's why we fight constantly, argue, make up, and argue again, but at the end of the day we always sleep next to each other. Sexless, but devoted1/4just like my parents did for fifty-three years. Now that was real marriage!"

Jack smiled quite proud of his perfect logic.

The General was silent for a moment. He turned to Daniel and asked, "Is this alright with you?"

"He's an ass, sir."

The General nodded satisfied and turned to Carter. "Major, do you have any objections against being married to Teal'c."

"No, sir," Carter said calmly.

"Teal'c?" the General asked, "Do you have a problem with being Major Carter's husband?"

"I do not, General."

General Hammond nodded and then said, "Fine. Daniel I want you to go down and rejoin the Mekkaki and tell them that although you and your husband are willing to go that," the General stopped speaking for a moment. When he resumed, he said, "There are still questions in my mind as to whether or not I'm willing to allow Major Carter and her mate to go."

"Ugh," Daniel babbled, "why, sir?"

The General looked at Daniel and said, "Pregnancy issues. She's a valuable officer. Her husband understands that she has opted not to become pregnant while in service. This can't be guaranteed while off world unless she's on birth control and this is an issue that she hasn't explored in this particular type of context. We need some time1/4to sort that out with her doctor and also to get you four special permissions from the office of the President."

"Nice," Jack said impressed. He turned to Daniel and asked, "You think they'll buy it?"

Jack saw his answer work its way across Daniel's face before he ever said, "It sounds good. One way to find out. With your permission, General?"

The General nodded and Daniel stood to leave for his latest encounter with Batt'um and the rest of the members of the Mekkaki ambassadorial team waiting at the base of the ramp.

Daniel was gone two seconds before Jack said, "I'm going to make sure the little woman doesn't screw up."

"Jack," Hammond said dourly.

"I know, sir," Jack said getting up slowly. "Knock it off1/4or he'll make me sleep in the tub."

Jack was smirking when he slid his hands into his pockets and made his way out of the conference room. He walked down the hall and into the Control Room. He stopped just long enough to see the Mekkaki delegation standing in front of Daniel, whose hands were busy speaking quite animatedly for him. Jack smiled and turned. He took the stairs down into the hall and then walked into the 'gate room.

He found Daniel standing in front of the Mekkaki, but the animation had fled. Daniel turned looking quite perplexed.

"What?" Jack asked quite seriously.

"I don't suppose if you know1/4um," Daniel paused. "What kind of birth control Sam's currently using?"

Jack felt his face screw up.

"Right," Daniel said, "neither do I." A moment later he happily said, "Speak of devil!"

Jack turned and found Carter and Teal'c walking in together.

"Batt'um has asked a very interesting question. Exactly what kind of birth control are you and your husband currently employing?"

Sam smiled a little. She turned to Teal'c and said, "Don't move." She didn't hesitate to go through his pockets as he stood by awkwardly allowing her to rifle at will. She pulled away from him a moment later with his wallet in her hands. She opened it and pulled out a small shiny red packet that she tossed up at Daniel.

He caught it with a big smile.

"T, you dog, you," Jack didn't hesitate to say.

Daniel felt himself blush but didn't add anything to the situation. He held up the item and said, "This is a way to prevent pregnancy without using medicines in the body." He tore the little packet open and pulled out the rolled up rubber sheath. "It requires that both partners stop before engaging in pleasure and ensure that it is on."

Daniel inserted his index finger in the condoms tip and rolled it down. "See. It's simple but effective. The man's seed can't impregnate a woman in this way. It's also greasy, the fluid on it kills the seed that it comes into contact with."

Batt'um reached out and touched the condom looking a bit perplexed. Daniel removed the condom and offered it to the man. Batt'um played with the piece of rubber, stretching and twisting it. It wasn't long before he was rubbing his fingers together feeling the residue that it left behind.

"I don't understand," Batt'um said, "Do you mean that every time that they want to engage in intercourse, they have to stop and put one of these on?"

"Yes, each time. And it must be changed after use. This is why it's impractical to believe that at the Utumati Festival, such a method could be adhered too."

Batt'um held the rubber thing up for inspection before finally declaring, "Well, I'm glad that you and your mate have no such restrictions."

A bit awkwardly, Daniel managed to say, "I wouldn't say that." He turned to Jack and in English said, "Give me your wallet."

"Hell, no," Jack replied.

"You want that awesome sexless marriage that you were fabricating a few minutes ago?"

As Jack reached for his wallet, he said, "Keep it up, love chops, and you're the one who's going to be on the couch."

Daniel opened Jack's wallet and found a condom neatly tucked away about where he'd expect too. Then he pulled out his own wallet and pulled out the emergency condom that he was pretty sure was expired. He kept forgetting to buy a new box. As he handled the blue packet he couldn't feel the tale-tale air bubble that should have been there. He was sure that it had been punctured.

Undaunted, Sam didn't hesitate to say, "Men live and breathe in hope."

"I don't understand," Batt'um said as he saw the two additional condoms in Daniel's hand.

"In our society, these are not only used for preventing unwanted pregnancies, they are also used for the prevention of disease, and for cleaner sex. You can't always take a shower after. They make the process much smoother." Daniel held up the condoms and said, "One of these, a little lubricant, and you're done a few minutes later. The mess is in here, and then you can go back to work. And no one can smell your mate on you."

Batt'um smiled wickedly. "Ah, I hear experience in those words."

Daniel blushed again. "I've been with him many years. And there are a great many experiences between us."

Batt'um looked unsure but he smiled just the same. "What news may I take back to the Council of Elders regarding the invitation?"

Carefully, Daniel said, "You may say that we four have requested permission to go. Our medical doctor and Major Carter have to make arrangements for her protection. She's too valuable to be taken off of duty for procreation at this time. As soon as the General secures final permission for us all we will be allowed to attend the Utumati."

Batt'um smiled and bowed. "We look forward to having you with us." The wattage on his smile increased as the seconds ticked by. Shamelessly, Batt'um then said, "I know that it isn't fair to step in quite so blatantly, but my current position of ambassador does have its advantages. I hope that you will allow me first grace at your side, Daniel."

Daniel wasn't sure if he trusted the smile on Batt'um's face.

"That's a filthy look," Jack warned.

"Shut up, Jack," Daniel said quickly. "I don't understand, Batt'um. What does first grace mean?"

"I thought you understood that the Utumati is an opportunity for all of the young to come together and enjoy the pleasures of the Creator."

Daniel nodded.

Batt'um smiled and went on to say, "Well, you can't just stand during Utumati and watch. There are so many things to do, and so many to do them with. Gently, Batt'um added, "I hope you will consider-"

"First grace. Yes, I think I understand now." Daniel felt much better when he felt Jack's hands settle on his shoulders. He was sure that Batt'um was at that moment learning all about that glare that Jack was able to generate when dealing with someone that he didn't like, or want to like. "However kind your offer, I am married. Our culture sees marriage in a very confined way. We do not see sexual relations as a method of meeting new friends. Instead it is an intimate way to deepen already committed and longstanding relationship."

Batt'um looked disappointed, but he nodded. "Then I hope that Utumati brings you great joy in whichever manner you and your mate choose to enjoy it. There are a great many on my world that are very anxious to watch you. Many don't even believe that you are like us." Batt'um smiled brightly managing to find something pleasant in the conversation, as he said, "It will be a true event. I will greatly look forward to welcoming you both."

Despite the cold prickle rising up his neck, Daniel managed to smile as he inwardly chanted the same word over and over and over again. He realized quickly that you could only say 'shit' so many times before the look of horror starts to saturate from your mind outward onto your features. He swallowed hard and said, "We hope to prove worthy of your invitation."

There were a few pleasantries as the 'gate was activated. And yet as the Mekkaki party left, Batt'um still managed to throw Daniel a look that made it clear what he wanted.

The moment that the 'gate was powered down Daniel let out a deep breath of air.

"Oh, shit," Daniel said as he covered his face.

"Daniel," Jack said as he let go of Daniel's shoulders.

"Oh, shit," Daniel reiterated.

Jack licked his lips and then carefully said, "There are just certain words that you don't want to hear from certain people, like when your surgeon says, 'whoops.' Not words I want to hear. Like right now, I really don't want to hear you say, 'oh, shit.'"

Daniel turned and looked at Jack half-horrified and very much uncertain. Despite his best effort to come up with something better, the only response that he was able to come up with was, "Oh, shit."

Daniel walked out of the 'gate room. He walked across the hall and up the stairs to the Control Room.

The General turned and said, "Doctor, is everything alright?"

Short of giving the General the same response that he'd given the Colonel, Daniel bit his lip and walked out of the Control Room. He didn't stop until he'd reached the conference room. Daniel sat at his usual place and waited until everyone was in his or her seats, and the door was very much closed.

"We're waiting," Jack said tensely.

"I screwed up," Daniel replied to the man.

"Oh, I know that part already, buddy. I'm just waiting to find out just how big of an ass whoppin' you just earned."

Daniel felt very tired as he said, "I'm not going to mince any words here. We're headed to an orgy. Apparently it's one of those life-affirming fertility rituals that are religious in nature. Kind of like Thanksgiving with lots of sex instead of turkey."

"You're stalling," Samantha quickly said unhappily.

Daniel knew that she was right. So he sucked it up and said, "Batt'um wanted first dibs with me."

"No kidding," Jack responded, "so that's what that was?"

Daniel was already annoyed. He tried to ignore Jack as he explained, "I explained that we were all monogamous and happy about it, that our culture doesn't encourage ménage-a-many. He said he understood. And then he said that he couldn't wait to see us in action. Apparently, even if you don't sample the many appetizers you can still be the main course."

Jack opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

Sam's eyes concentrated on the tabletop.

Teal'c sat quietly with a definite air of unhappiness about him.

It was the General who finally broke the silence and said, "Okay." He stood from his chair and straightened out his uniform. They watched the General walk around his chair.

"Here's the situation," the man said clearly. "I am not willing to loose out on this opportunity. I want access to those mines. You've all effectively managed to step into this shit pile and now you're gonna to deal with it. You're all on leave for the next week. I expect you all to be at1/4Jack's house later tonight. I'm sending a cultural expert to you. She 'ought to help you through it."

The General turned and walked out as he said, "End of story."

~ ~ ~

"What kind of cultural expert's going to help in something like this?" Jack asked as he picked his feet up and set them on his coffee table. He unscrewed the top from his long neck and tilted it back. As he swallowed he allowed the tension that he was feeling to evaporate.

"Don't look at me," Daniel said still unnerved.

"No, I don't want to look at you! Don't want to ask you anything either!" Jack sat up again for the umpteenth time and asked, "How could you let this happen? You're supposed to be our expert!"

No one was coming to his defense and he didn't expect anyone too. Teal'c was looking at him accusingly. Sam was joining in on the Daniel-battery from time-to-time. And he couldn't blame them.

Daniel simply looked back at Jack and stated truthfully, "I didn't let anything happen. Remember? We agreed to be married, sweet cheeks. How the hell was I supposed to know that we were expected to perform a live sex act?"

"Food's, here," Sam said the moment she heard a knock at the door. She got up, took the money on the coffee table, and went to the door.

"Thank, God," Jack said standing. "At least I can drown my sorrows in chow mein and fried rice."

Without speaking, Jack fetched four disposable plates for the table from the pantry. By the time the plates were handed out, Daniel had brought four glasses and utensils from the kitchen.

Daniel left as Sam was opening the two large brown paper bags sitting in a cardboard box. He walked back to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. As usual, Jack had a few stale boxes of take-out and a thousand condiments. He moved things around until he found the large bottle of soy sauce, the chili flavored oil, and the bottle of duck sauce.

As he walked into the dining area, Jack was already lamenting, "Don't these places ever put enough soy sauce packets in the bags!"

Daniel set the three bottles down and proceeded to choose one of the soups. As usual, Jack didn't have the soup that came with his dinner. Though he liked the usual place's chow mein and rice, he didn't care for their soup. Usually, Daniel had both soups and then noshed lightly on the other stuff, but not tonight. He wasn't in the mood for the feel of soup expanding his belly. He actually wanted something deep fried to land solidly at the pit of his stomach, but he didn't do anything about it.

He picked up Jack's soup and held it up saying, "Sam?"

"No," she snapped. "I want some of those egg rolls, preferably one that's been fried in fourteen-day-old lard."

"Amen," Jack said pulling out one of the aforementioned egg rolls and setting it on his plate before passing the egg roll container to his 2IC.

Daniel didn't even ask. He set the extra soup near Teal'c's plate and opened his soup's container. He got as far as dipping his spoon in the soup and swirling it around. He effectively gave up as his thoughts, guilt, and self-denial filled him.

He stared down at the dining room light reflecting off the soup broth when something hit him on the head and landed in the soup. Daniel spooned the small object out of the broth. A deep-fried shrimp tail. Daniel looked up and found Sam still chewing.

"Couldn't help it," she said, "I'm angry."

Daniel deposited the soggy shrimp tail on his disposable plate and just stared at it. He felt sick. Sad. Small1/4worthless.

He heard a chair being pushed away. He didn't notice Sam until she was standing over him embracing him as she pushed his face between her breasts as she said, "Sorry. I'm sorry."

He closed his eyes. He refused to cry or become emotional. He'd rather go to the Mekkaki's orgy festival on his own to spare his friends than cry in front of them.

"I was just being a bitch," Sam cooed as she smoothed his hair back. A moment later she pushed him away a little and said, "You know what?" She put the lid on his soup and set it aside. "You need comfort food."

She picked up the shrimp tail off his plate and threw it aside as she picked up a container with her other hand. As she forked out two egg rolls onto his plate she said, "You need to eat something substantial."

She set the egg roll container down and picked up another one. She tilted the container and guided five large, deep fried, battered shrimp onto his plate. "If your cholesterol levels don't double by the end of this meal, then you did something wrong."

"Mmm," Jack said in agreement with a mouth full of chow mein.

Sam reached for the rice and began spooning it onto Daniel's plate. Before she could finish, she leaned in and kissed his cheek. He looked up and met her big, blue eyes. He leaned into her slightly to let her know that they were okay. She smiled and finished serving up a huge un-Daniel-like portion for his personal consumption.

~ ~ ~

"I think I'm going to puke," Jack declared. His body lay limp and useless across his usual chair.

Teal'c belched loudly and then closed his eyes as if meditating upon the action.

"Wow, that was," Jack said a moment before Carter let an even scarier sounding belch rip out. Jack managed to lift his head and looked at her as he said, "Nothing compared to what she can do!"

"Sam," Daniel said seriously as he watched her turn slightly pink, "I don't suppose you can do that to a tune?"

"Do you take requests?" Jack quickly added.

The Major turned a few shades darker but silently refused to dignify their quips.

Smoothly, Teal'c broke in by saying, "Perhaps we should watch a movie?"

"We never agree on anything," Daniel replied.

"Action, lots of blood," Jack said.

"Star Wars," Teal'c suggested.

"Fried Green Tomatoes," Sam said.

"See," Daniel said quickly. "We never agree on anything."

"Well," Sam offered, "what about-"

A knock at the door brought them all to silence.

A moment later, Sam leaned back and said, "Door."

"Yeah," Daniel added, "door, Jack."

"I'm not getting up," Jack gripped, "I just had enough Chinese to choke a horse. My ass doesn't leave this chair if I can help it."

"Well, it's not my house," Daniel said as he rubbed his belly. "And those deep fried shrimp are still moving around. I need time to settle."

"Don't look at the girl," Carter said quickly. No sooner had the words left her mouth, when Teal'c stood and left the room. "I'm no one's maid."

"See," Daniel said quickly as he watched Teal'c, "now that's the makings of a great boyfriend."

"Aren't you jumping the gun kind of quickly?" Jack asked.

Daniel turned his head and looked at Jack as he pondered the question. Finally, he said, "No. I just don't see him as the casual and frivolous type. And Sam needs someone to really ground her who she can have some fun with. She just doesn't have enough fun."

"Says the king of 'whoo hoo' the part-y animal!"

"I have plenty of fun," Daniel said extremely seriously.

Jack smiled pleasantly, as he said, "Yes, dear. Spending the evening on your couch, feeding your fish, and reading 'The World History of the Shoe' is a great way to spend the evening."

Daniel sat up, "That was a fabulous book! It crossed dozens of cultures and their different uses of and the evolution of the shoe. The references were impeccable, and the footnotes were very well done. In the entire six hundred pages I only found two mistakes."

Jack laughed. "And I bet you were looking for them too! Face it, without me to drag your sorry ass out of those books you'd never have a fun night out in your life!"

"Well!" an unrecognized, female voice said from the doorway. "You two must be Jack and Daniel."

The three sitting in the living room sat up and turned to see the interloper.

Teal'c quietly walked around her and they noticed that he was wearing the skullcap that he'd left hanging on the coat rack earlier. He returned to his seat without a word or gesture.

The woman was standing quietly by two large bags at her feet. Her hair was long, threaded in gray, and hung in long, heavy dreadlocks around her small frame. Her dress was simple cotton, and hung down to her ankles. She immediately stepped out of her clogs and proceeded barefoot onto the living room area rug.

She pulled her glasses off, set them on her head, and looked them over. "You're Samantha, and of course you're Teal'c. Did I pronounce that correctly?"

Teal'c nodded his head to her once.

She smiled and announced, "I'm Dancing Butterfly."

There was a pause as the woman turned and picked up one of her bags.

As she carried the heavy-looking bag farther into the living room, Jack asked, "Excuse me. But who are you? And why are you in my house?"

"Well, George called and said you needed my help," she said as she set the bag near the couch and bent over to fetch something from it.

Daniel immediately turned his face away as he realized that the moment she bent over, he could see down her dress. He found Jack looking away too. Dancing Butterfly didn't seem to be wearing underwear.

Any! At all!

Carter quickly sat up as she asked, "You're the cultural expert that we've been waiting for?"

Dancing Butterfly stood up with a clipboard in one hand and a handful of pens in the other. She didn't hesitate to laugh at Carter's statement. "Cultural expert," she mused. "Oh, God! That's George for you. He's good at turning phrases, I'll give him that." Dancing Butterfly pulled on her flowing cotton dress and made herself comfortable on the couch next to Carter and Teal'c.

She seemed to think about the next words rather carefully, before she finally said, "George and I are old friends. We've known each other forever." She paused and carefully said, "Over the years, he's called on me a few times to give1/4 special instruction, you might say.

Dancing Butterfly smiled at Carter and said, "You understand that I can't go into many details. And I won't ask you many either. All George had to say was that he needed me." Good naturedly, she added, "I love my work and he pays very handsomely. You four are going to repave my driveway!"

"Okay," Jack said carefully, "and we should believe you because1/4"

Dancing Butterfly's smile didn't waiver. "You're the Colonel, regular military. Daniel's some kind of a historian. Carter's the technical whiz, and Teal'c does something with tactics-"

Jack quickly interrupted saying, "Anyone could have-"

"George said that you four have got to pass as a couple of couple's." The moment the words were said the house seemed very quiet. And they all definitely had her attention as she said, "And I'm here to make sure you can do that."

For a while no one was sure how to respond. And they didn't.

Dancing Butterfly took the opportunity to open the clip on her clipboard and hand out a sheet of paper to each of them as she said, "Now, let's consider this a pre-test. I want you each to fill these out as best as you possibly can. This is a really good exercise so that you can gauge your own success."

"I'm good at tests," Daniel said happily as he took the sheet of paper from her.

Carter snickered and looked up. "I can't wait to see your score," she said to Daniel.

Daniel glanced down at the sheet of paper as Jack bolted straight up in his chair and declared, "Woman! Are you out of your mind?"

Daniel couldn't help the smile as he read, "What is the length of your partner's penis?"

Jack quickly asked, "We can't possibly answer these questions!" He looked at Carter and Teal'c and quickly decided, "None of us."

Daniel again read, "What is your partner's preferred stimulation on the genitals? Oral, lips, manual, or genital-to-genital contact."

"That's enough, Danny-boy," Jack said unhappily.

Undaunted, Daniel continued to read, "What kind of penetration does your partner prefer? Oral, anal, vaginal (if applicable), or other."

"Daniel," Jack said in that warning tone that made Daniel notice just enough to realize that Jack wasn't pleased.

Daniel looked up and simply said, "I'm not even going to read question thirteen. You should probably read it to yourselves."

Staring at the page, Carter simply said, "I've never done that. I bet it would hurt1/4a lot."

"No," Dancing Butterfly assured. "You'd be surprised what the human body is capable of. All you really need is the right lubricant to provide just enough slip and a patient partner to work you just relaxed enough."

The four of them slowly turned to stare at the strange woman that had invaded their space.

"So you're," Daniel said slowly picking his way through the thoughts, images, and invocations swirling through his mind. Eventually, he picked the words, "A sexual therapist?" hoping beyond hope that he was right.

"No," she supplied.

"So you're a psychologist," Daniel offered.

"No, dear," Dancing Butterfly said quickly. "I'm just a1/4"

"Friend of George's," Jack said finishing for her. "What kind of friend? Not that I want to know if it gets really personal, but are you the kind of friend that his wife knew about or-"

"Jack," Dancing Butterfly chastised. "For Pete's sake, I knew Evelyn for years. She and I were very good friends before she died. She knew perfectly well that there wasn't anything between George and me."

"Sorry," Jack mumbled just a little bit sheepishly.

Dancing Butterfly continued to say, "Every time that George and I had sex, it was strictly lust. There was no emotion involved at all." Dancing Butterfly handed Carter a pen before passing one down to Teal'c. "Jack," she said offering a pen across to him. "Do you need one?"

Jack simply stared at her. Daniel reached for the pen and slid it under the man's hand before reaching for one of his own with a quiet 'thanks.'

"Now, I want each of you to do your best and fill in as much information as your can about your partner. You don't have to sign your names on the test."

Jack leaned over and reached for the phone on the small table next to him. He didn't notice the pen until he had picked up the handset. He dialed the base.

The base operator picked up on the second ring.

"This is Colonel Jack O'Neill. I need to be connected with General Hammond's office."

"Yes, sir," the operator responded.

After a few seconds of quiet there was a tone.

"General Hammond's office," the General's aide answered.

"This is O'Neill," Jack said still watching Dancing Butterfly. "I need to speak to the General, please."

"Of course. One moment, sir," the aide replied.

The line went silent for a few seconds before the General picked up saying, "Colonel?"

"General, I'm sorry to bother you this late."

"It's alright. Did Butterfly find you alright?"

Jack looked up and saw the small smile on the woman's face.

"Yes, sir. About that-"

"She's good at what she does. You are to give her your undivided attention and learn everything that you possibly can. You have seven days to get this right." Strictly, the General said, "May I suggest that you get it right, Colonel."

Jack swallowed the thick lump in his throat and somehow managed to croak out a quick, "Yes, sir."

As he set down the handset, Dancing Butterfly said, "I'm sorry, baby. But I am on the level." She sighed and then said to herself, "I hate it when I catch them by surprise." She sat quietly for a few long seconds and thought to herself. "Oh," she said suddenly, "I know."

Dancing Butterfly stood and walked around the coffee table. She stood in front of the fireplace announced, "Allow me to give all of you a crash course in a better understanding of who I am and what I'm going to do for you. I'll tell you what I think you need to know about me and then you can tell me what you need to know in order to get you through whatever it is that you need to do."

Dancing Butterfly smiled. "I was given the name Sharon at birth, but my spiritual name is Dancing Butterfly. I'm a shamaness in the old sense. As Daniel could probably tell you that the Priestesses of the ancient world were a conduit to the gods and goddesses."

"Sex rites," Daniel offered.

"Yes," Butterfly said happily.

Daniel, being himself, couldn't pass up the opportunity to say, "Sex rites of the ancient world allowed everyday people to make direct contact with their gods. Priestesses, or temple whores, would often have sex with the faithful in the name of their god."

Dancing Butterfly didn't hesitate to put her hands on her hips as she stated plainly, "If you're any kind of a scholar, you know perfectly well that it was the Christian marauders who took the holy institution of the Priestess and slandered it. And the slur 'temple whore' or 'temple prostitute' is a bastardization of what the original words actually meant.

"My place in life is as a teacher and a healer. I take my job very seriously. And right now, helping the four of you is my job." Butterfly flung one of her thick dreadlocks back out of her way before reaching up and adjusting her glasses. "Sex rites are something that I do specialize in. I do eternally believe that sex is a gift. Unfortunately, our society makes people ashamed of their desires and discourages healthy sexual expression. This," she said carefully, "is one of the reasons that George and I met." She smiled. "And this is how I've helped him in his work on occasion." She beamed as she squealed, "like now.

"I know that you are all a part of a unit. I know that you have a week to prepare. And I know that George said that you were headed for an orgy."

"Yes, and no," Daniel said quickly. Carefully, he said, "The people who will be hosting the party think that we're committed couples. We aren't supposed to interact with the other people."

"But they expect to see the committed couples together," she said responded. She looked at each of them in turn. As she looked at Teal'c and Sam she easily stated, "You're both in a relationship."

Sam didn't respond. And Teal'c would have had to have been shaken to see if he was breathing.

"This is a good thing. It can be. Or you can turn it into a bad thing," Butterfly said. "What are your thoughts?"

Sam looked everywhere except at Butterfly as she fidgeted.

It was Teal'c who said, "We have discussed nothing."

Butterfly's smile faded as she looked right at Sam and said, "It's someone else, isn't it?"

When Sam didn't respond, Dancing Butterfly looked at the other boys in the room. Daniel didn't hesitate to finger Jack out.

Jack sighed heavily and looked away.

The tension in the room escalated. Daniel found it uncomfortable. He felt the need to say, "We're a close team. Been through a lot together. But what holds us together also has a tendency to keep us apart. I don't think that you can go through all the emotional tsunami that we go through everyday without reaching out with both hands for someone close."

Butterfly smiled gently so that her eyes glittered. "I can see why George called you the soul of the team."

Daniel looked away from her and studied a spot on the carpet.

After a moment she looked around behind her and sat down on the spacious hearth. She carefully arranged her flowing cotton skirt around her.

"What happens here," she said sincerely, "stays here. If the four of you can decide to do this and then forget it. Or do it and then remain together. I can help you now and forever, or never again."

Before she could complete the next thought that was quickly developing across her face, Jack said, "I've never had sex with a man and I have no plans on it."

Butterfly instantly focused on Jack. She nodded as she said, "I believe you. May I ask you a question?"

Jack shrugged.

"Do you trust Daniel?"

Jack looked away from her already weary of her working logic. But he still grudgingly said, "Yes."

"Do you think he'd force you to do something you wouldn't want to do?"

Jack looked up at her and said, "Okay, I get where you're going with this. But I still don't want to...go where no man has gone before."

Daniel broke out in nervous laughter.

Butterfly smiled brightly. "I can see why George likes you so much. And I'm not asking you to have sex. Today, right now, we're just talking. I want to talk to you1/4to all of you about your willingness to be married."

"I already said I would," Jack said tensely.

"For a moment, just try to consider the fact that you should say 'I do' with love and friendship, not sourness."

Jack looked away from her uncomfortably. He didn't like her directness or her foresight. It made his skin prickle.

"Out of curiosity, Jack," Butterfly went on to ask, "how did you propose?"

When Jack didn't respond she immediately asked, "Okay, so how long have you all been married?"

"Ah, eight years," Daniel mumbled. He thought about it as he reviewed their history and associations together through the years. As the little movie played out in his mind he slowly said, "Jack and I met at work. He hated me on sight. We were on a mission together and slowly began to trust one another. Then we didn't see each other for a year. When we met again, on the job, Sam was with him. We were all together when we met Teal'c."

As Daniel went through the logic of their revised existence together he added, "I guess you could say that Sam and Teal'c just fell together instinctively. Mutual attraction and respect, warrior-to-warrior. Jack and I argued and fought for a long time but1/4that was also very conducive to the start of something1/4deep."

Butterfly's smile glittered as she looked at Daniel. She said nothing that contradicted his version of history, instead she said, "So you and Jack have known each other eight years, got engaged about six years ago, and been married for what five or six?"

Daniel nodded. Jack squirmed in his seat trying to find a halfway comfortable place to settle.

Butterfly turned to Sam and Teal'c. "And you two have been married or involved for six. It was a whirlwind romance, and quick marriage?"

Both of them sat quietly not saying a word.

Butterfly clapped her hands together as she said, "Okay, we have great place to start. Now let's make some memories to draw from."

She stood up and quickly said, "Let's clear the living room. I need the furniture pushed back, and the coffee table gone from this area.

It was amazing to Butterfly just how quickly her new charges could move when they had something physical to do. The area in front of the fireplace was cleared before she could drag her suitcase to the fireplace. By the time she'd opened it, all four were sitting quietly on the floor in approximately the same area where they had been when there had been furniture sitting over the indentions of the carpet.

"Step one," she said as she dug through her things, "you will always strive to sit next to the person that you are completely in love with and devoted to. Make a conscious effort."

She found her notebook and flipped through it as they figured out the seating arrangements.

She turned and found Jack and Daniel sitting cross-legged on the carpet across from Teal'c and Sam who were also sitting side-by-side.

Butterfly flipped a page as she said, "Going with as much of the truth as possible is always a good idea, that way you don't have to keep track of your lies. I also prefer this particular method because it doesn't damage the chakras."

Butterfly sat and carefully arranged her skirt around her. When she was happy with it, she said, "I find that military people respond best when they have little missions to accomplish. Every night we are going to discuss your tasks for the next day. This is for tomorrow."

Butterfly revised something on a page before tearing out the notebook page and folding the paper in half. She carefully tore the page in half again and folded the halves into quarters. She pulled out four small envelopes that had been tucked between her notebook's pages. Two envelopes were red and two were blue. She folded each piece of paper and placed them in the envelopes. All of the envelopes were sealed and then two of each were given to Jack and Teal'c who were closest to Butterfly.

"Tomorrow morning you will all leave this house. I want you to consciously go on a date for breakfast with your lover. You will open the red envelope over your meal and then accomplish each of the tasks that are on your list. You will be finished by noon or so. When you are done you may then open your blue envelope. We will be dining here promptly at six thirty. I expect you all to meet outside of this house and walk in together.

Butterfly smiled pleasantly. "Now we're going to talk about the little things. You all have working relationships; this is a good thing because you know each other's habits, foibles, tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses. This is bad because you have very definite lines that you don't cross habitually. We need to blur those lines and erase them where we can.

"First thing, intimate touching."

Jack let out a hiss of a breath and looked away.

Butterfly looked at the man as she added, "Intimate touching means those little occasional touches that you can't help and don't want to help. When you're in love with someone you want to touch their skin." She smiled brightly as she squealed, "We can't help it. We want to feel that person's warm skin against ours. Now I want you to face your partner and touch their face. For right now, that's it. One of you receives and the other takes."

As the two couples slowly turned toward each other Butterfly said, "You know this person's face, but I want you to really know it. I want you to feel that you have the permission to touch their face whenever you want. This person belongs to you. They are a part of you, and you should know your spouse's face."

Jack turned to Daniel and said, "Call it."

"Give," Daniel said.

"No," Jack said.

"Take," Daniel said on an exhale.

"No," Jack grumbled.

"Take," Daniel said not wanting to play. He closed his eyes and waited.

Butterfly quickly swooped in very quickly into their space. She didn't hesitate to grab one of Daniel's booted feet. She pulled on his shoe lace as she said, "Wow, you're a bigger boy than you look." She pulled his shoe off and threw it away. As she pulled his sock off, she added, "That's a good thing too."

She pulled Jack's foot out next and pulled on his laces before Jack growled, "Okay, I get it!"

She watched the two men finish removing their footwear before they sat back down.

"Now come in close," she said. "Jack open your legs so Daniel can sit. Legs around each other."

Slowly, the two men complied.

When they were done, Butterfly came close again and placed her hands against the small of their backs. She pushed them towards one another urging them forward as she said, "This is your mate, your intended, your lover. You have nothing to hide or be afraid of."

When she was satisfied with their proximity she said, "Now you're ready to touch."

Butterfly turned and found that Teal'c and Sam had already removed their footwear and were still getting settled. Sam was sitting between the man's legs with hers draped over his well-muscled thighs.

"Good," she said as she picked up her skirts and crawled on her knees to them. She placed her hands between their shoulder blades and drew them closer. Then she pressed again until she was sure that Samantha's breasts were pressed against her lover. "This is your everything, your reason for living. This is the last person that you see when you sleep and the first person that you smile at when you wake up. Touch what is yours."

~ ~ ~

When they were done touching, they were instructed to lie down next to each other.

"Mini orgasm time!" she announced happily.

Everyone tried hard to remain silent as they ignored Jack's audible reaction to Dancing Butterfly's words.

"Yawn!" Butterfly declared. "Stretch out and yawn! Really," she said. "When you yawn out hard it's like a mini orgasm. Roll around, stretch, make faces, and contort like you would in the morning after you wake up. Ever seen a cat do it?"

Slowly, they each started the exercise and lived up to it.

"Good," she said happily as she reached out and tickled a little bit of Daniel's bare stomach where his shirt rode up.

He laughed and pulled away quickly.

"Sacred Sex isn't common sex. You're not going to build fast energy to waste it and then roll over and sleep. Sacred Sex is about a long slow build, and then you maintain it as long as possible. The never ending orgasm is not only possible, it's fun."

She sat down on the carpet between where the two couples were laying. Looked at Jack and Daniel she said, "This is about seeking out the sweet spot that balances out the extremes in sexual energy. Once you're able to find it, you can actually get quite good at holding it."

She looked at Teal'c and Sam as she said, "This isn't work. Common sex is work. In Sacred Sex there is no work. You build up the energy and you let it do all the work for you, all you do is guide the energy and enjoy it. This is actually the art of letting go, not taking control."

She then turned over onto her knees and carefully stood up from the floor. She stretched out her back and said, "Okay, let's talk about our love muscles." She walked to the fireplace and took her usual place.

"The root charka, the pelvic floor, the pubococcygeus muscle, the PC: It's shaped like two U's joined at their closed ends. The front facing U surrounds your sex and elimination organs before they attach to the pubic bone. Squeezing the love muscle closes off the passages to these organs. They are responsible for you being able to hold it when you have to go to the bathroom. The health of these muscles is utterly important to your life and to your ability to pump up sexual energy, life energy. And you need to exercise and get to know this area of your body."

CHAPTER 4 - DAY 1: WHEN WE FIRST KNEW

Jack woke up, instantly alert. The warmth of another person asleep next to him wasn't unusual but his instincts were instantly telling him that something was off. He opened his eyes, ready for anything, listening for danger, and ready to defend himself. The firm mattress beneath him, the feel of his favorite pillow, and the sight of his bedroom only served to inform him of where he was.

It did little to calm him.

The soft snores behind his head, the feel of a strong body, and the erection pressed against his thigh only served to escalate his panic. Carefully, Jack lifted his upper body. The sheet fell away. An unknown arm was holding his waist. He turned slowly and found Daniel in his bed.

He fell slowly to bed utterly somewhat relieved and mostly pissed.

It was that hippie woman's doing!

The previous evening she'd burst into his room pretty as she pleased and instantly pulled on the bed sheets.

"Hey!" Jack had screamed as he had pulled them back. "Naked here!" Jack had demanded.

"Just checking," she had replied.

She had actually stood at the foot of his bed watching them be naked, embarrassed, and together1/4just what she'd asked of them. "I expect you to sleep naked tonight. Get comfortable with the feel of your lover's body."

Never mind that she had them take their shirts off and touch from the waist up, even Sam. They'd all seen each other naked before. That wasn't the point. The point was that Jack and Daniel had been put in a situation where they had to touch each other, and it had felt uncomfortably intimate.

No genital contact was made. Nothing that could have been construed as sexual had taken place, but it felt1/4odd. Having Daniel massage his feet had been awesome. More than awesome, it had been the highlight of his evening. But the point was that he didn't want Daniel rubbing his feet to begin with.

It just wasn't something that friends were supposed to do to each other. Not something guys did1/4ever!

And in his room the woman had actually stood there and instructed them on tantric meditation. She actually said, "Okay boys, just like before. Sit together, facing each other."

"We're naked!" Jack hollered.

"Um," Daniel said uncomfortably. "We are naked, Butterfly. Don't you think that's a bit intrusive?"

Without missing a beat, she said, "Do you plan on fucking?" When there was no response, she added, "Oh, good. So there's no problem. Now sit close together." As she sat on the bed she said, "I want you looking into each other's eyes. I'm going to teach you a meditation technique that I want you to practice tonight. It's very simple, once you get into position. Ignore the other person, concentrate on you. I want you to concentrate pulsing your pubococcygeus muscles."

"Kegel exercises?" Daniel had asked.

She'd only smiled in that too calm, slightly crazy way and had said, "Squeeze and let go. Squeeze and let go. In short spurts, I want you to pulse. Play a game with yourself and see just how long you can keep it up."

They'd done it.

Jack felt a knot squeeze his stomach tightly as he recalled the hour and a half that naked Daniel had - for all intents and purposes - sat on his thighs and pressed against him. Eyes locked, they'd gone through the exercises.

Jack closed his eyes and did his best to block it out of his mind. Daniel's morning erection, however, was making it difficult for him to concentrate on anything but the discomfort that was building inside. He didn't want to wake Daniel. He didn't want anything except to flee.

"Sorry," he heard Daniel say as he moved away.

Jack didn't respond. Instead, he sat up on his side of the bed and did his best to clear his mind.

"Can't help it," Daniel said as he moved somewhere on his side of creation. "Since you're my husband," Daniel continued to speak despite Jack's best mental efforts to get him to shut up, "you should probably know that this happens every morning, just like clockwork."

"Off world," Jack asked a bit confused.

"Clockwork," Daniel confirmed. "Why do you think that I don't like sharing sleeping bags with anyone?'

Jack left the subject alone.

A few moments later, Daniel walked by naked on his way to the bathroom. Jack had seen the man naked before. The nature of their team, work, and environment demanded close contact living. But as Daniel's naked, erect cock walked passed him; Jack realized that this mission was going to blur lines for them.

~ ~ ~

Sam ordered a big breakfast for herself. Usually, she just had a simple fruit salad, maybe some oatmeal. If she was really hungry, she had an egg white omelet with spinach, maybe some toast. Today she had the lumberjack special: three eggs over easy, two sausage, two bacon, corned beef hash, fried potatoes and a biscuit.

Teal'c had the same. But then, that was Teal'c's usual. He also ordered a bowl of gravy on the side that they were sharing.

Breakfast was on the table and they were already eating when Teal'c reached into his jacket and placed the first red envelope on the table.

Sam stopped just long enough to stare at it for a moment. Then she scooped up a large forkful of greasy corned beef hash and shoveled it into her mouth as she looked away.

"We can not ignore it," Teal'c said gently.

She picked up her lightly buttered biscuit, and dipped it in the bowl of gravy before biting into it.

Teal'c breathed out, released his fork, and picked up the envelope. He turned it over in his hands, looking over the seemingly innocuous envelope before finally opening it. He pulled out the half of a page that he'd seen the butterfly woman tear and place in the envelope the night before. He opened and read it. Emotionlessly, he read the list of tasks that they had to accomplish.

Quietly, he folded the paper back in half.

"There are times, when I'm not sure if I'm reading your language correctly. Symbols are much easier to interpret." He slid the paper to her. "Tell me if I've misinterpreted the words."

She picked it up and stared at the ruled white paper before she unfolded it. On it she found the words:

Sam suddenly discovered that there was food in her mouth. She finished chewing and swallowed before she said, "This woman doesn't mess around."

She looked up at Teal'c and said, "I believe we need to talk."

He nodded curtly but added nothing more to the conversation. He scarcely breathed.

She stared down at the cholesterol-rich meal on her plate and suddenly hated the smell of it. She leaned back away from it and looked up at her faux-lover.

"This isn't how I imagined that this would go1/4between us." She sighed as she said, "I'm sorry if this gets awkward." It wasn't long before she said, "Will get awkward."

"I've done many things in service," Teal'c said. He picked through his thoughts and attempted to say the mildest thing possible when he stated, "I can think of worse."

Somehow it had sounded better in his mind. As the statement hung between them, he realized that it was the wrong thing to say.

He realized that it had definitely been the wrong thing to say when she smiled an amazingly fake grin and said, "Well then I guess it's settled. We finish our tasks for today, go through this mission, and then everything goes back to normal."

She looked away to her plate and concentrated on eating.

They finished their breakfast without another word said between them.

~ ~ ~

They had breakfast at the strip mall that had the bakery that Jack liked. Daniel didn't mind because the place had decent coffee. He had a tall, black, Colombian with a shot of espresso. Jack had a bacon and egg omelet on a fresh baked, herb crusted, sourdough roll.

"So what do we do?" Daniel said still slightly sleepy as he eyed Jack attacking his breakfast.

The paper holding the first part of their homework for today sat on the table between them.

Jack breathed out loudly without stopping the chewing that was providing him with his favorite breakfast. A small comfort that he felt he needed badly. When he swallowed, he said, "Back story. We're creating back story. I guess the best thing we can do is come up with a realistic way to carry out our tasks."

Daniel sipped his coffee enjoying the strong taste sliding down his throat. He said the first thing that popped into his mind, "So I guess we go jewelry shopping."

As Jack was about to bite down on his bacon, butter, and sourdough sandwich again he stopped in mid-air. He pulled away long enough to say, "There's a jewelry store two or three doors down. We can pick something up and then swing by the pharmacy on the end and pick up a disposable camera."

Daniel nodded. "We should go someplace appropriate for the pictures. There's a predominantly gay neighborhood on Westview."

"You want to go to Fagview?" Jack asked. After a moment of thought, he nodded. "Good thinking. No one we know would be there. And we won't get jumped when we do items two, three, or five."

Daniel went quiet.

Jack contemplated his sandwich as he said, "With any luck we can have everything done long before lunch."

As Jack bit into his breakfast again, Daniel swirled his coffee around in its enclosed cup. "Somehow, Jack, I don't think that's what Butterfly had in mind."

When their breakfast was finished they walked down a few doors to the jewelry store and pressed the button at the door that announced them. A loud buzz accompanied by a mechanical click of the door reciprocated.

The first person that they saw was a young woman nearby diligently cleaning a glass case on her knees. With a bottle of glass cleaner in one hand and a paper towel in the other she greeted them with a smile.

They went to a young man standing behind one of the many cases.

Jack didn't hesitate to say, "We'd like to look at some wedding bands, please."

The young man smiled as he said, "Do you have anything particular in mind? A price range, or a style?"

Jack and Daniel turned and looked at one another before replying together, "Something simple."

The smile on the young man's face faded in time with the light in his eyes. The look that replaced the smile made Jack's stomach tighten.

"Is there a problem?" Jack challenged the man in front of him.

"Of course not," the man replied insincerely. "I'm just used to the soon-to-be couple coming in together. The little woman usually likes to pick out her own ring."

Daniel good-naturedly said, "Well, I guess that would be me."

"I see," the men said simply as he stared at them with an ugly look in his eyes that made the muscle in Jack's jaw twitch.

"Jeremy," the young woman said as she approached quickly, "maybe you should finish doing the inventory?" She turned as smoothly as she could to the two men and said, "I'd be very happy to show you something appropriate. We have several new lines this season. I'm sure that one of them will be a perfect fit."

Jack's eyes never left the man as he disappeared into the back. A moment before he left, 'Jeremy' turned and smirked a disgusted sneer at them. As soon as the man was gone, Jack turned and walked out.

"Thank you," Daniel said to the woman. "But I think we're going to go with your competitor."

He followed Jack out.

Jack stomped straight to his car. Daniel didn't say a word. He simply got into the passenger's side and let Jack drive.

Westview consisted of a new fashionable strip, populated by small trendy boutiques. The restaurants that were popping up in-between the boutiques were all small, as unique in their look and feel from every other restaurant on the strip, and highly regarded by the diner's guides.

They lucked out and found a parking space right on the busy street.

Daniel turned his head and found that they'd parked in front of a small health store. He turned his head towards Jack and found him closed mouth and looking rather unhappy. Daniel didn't say a word; he simply exited the car and entered the health food store.

He walked out a few moments later with a disposable camera. He stopped at a trash bin out side of the store so he could throw away the receipt and unnecessary packaging. He walked back to the car already running the film forward.

He opened the car door and sat inside. Jack was still in his seat staring off.

Daniel held the camera up and snapped a close up shot of Jack in a pensive mood. The flash caught Jack off guard.

Daniel didn't hesitate to say, "Looks like we're back on schedule."

A moment later, Jack said, "This is real."

Daniel looked up at Jack. Gently, he said, "Yeah. Sorry. This is our first day as a gay couple. We should find a place to get our rings. And then we should take some more pictures."

"And touch intimately," Jack added sourly.

Daniel shrugged a little as he said, "I don't think anyone will give a damn around here. Look around. There are rainbow flags hanging in front of every place on this strip. We're very safe here."

Sourly, Jack then said, "Can't wait to find out what's in the blue envelope?"

~ ~ ~

Samantha walked towards the swing set and sat down. As her jean-clad bottom hit the leather seat she realized that she'd grown well beyond her memories of the swing set. The metal, chain, and leather had always been so big for her. There had actually been a time when she wouldn't go near the swing sets without her father next to her. He was safety and love. Someone to lift her up on the seat. Someone to give her a push.

Now her butt felt too big for the seat. She could feel the metal clamps that held the seat in place digging into her butt cheeks.

"Is something the matter?" Teal'c asked holding her digital camera in hand.

"I'm either a lot bigger, or the seat is a lot smaller." She smiled despite the odd sense of embarrassment. "My family and I lived in this city once. Daddy was stationed here for about five minutes, but I remember this park. It feels bigger in my memory."

She began to swing back and forth as Teal'c began to take a few pictures.

"My father used to bring me here. He was such a giant of a man to me," she said as the memories washed over her. She let him take a few pictures of her while she altered her poses and looks for the pictures. But she got tired of it quickly. They needed pictures together and at that time of the day there weren't any other people around.

"Come here," Sam asked as she set her feet down into the white sand under the swing. "Sit down," she said as she stood. She took the camera from him as he obeyed. "Sit back a little," she said as she flipped the display on her camera so that its LCD screen was displaying a picture of her own face.

She sat down carefully on his lap and tried hard to ignore the fact that none of his civilian clothes seemed to actually fit. The man just seemed to be wedged tightly into whatever it was that he was wearing. Not that it didn't look good on him, but it just seemed1/4a little much.

She leaned back against him and held the camera up. On the LCD she could see him looking at her, and she straight into the camera. It was a good picture.

"Don't move," she said as she snapped the picture.

Looking at the display she instructed him to 'smile.' Only this time she turned to look into his eyes before she took the picture. He had a nice smile. A smile that he didn't use very often. It was a shame.

She stood up and walked to the duffle bag that they'd brought as she asked, "Are you hungry yet?"

"Perhaps a little," he responded quietly. She picked up the duffle and said, "Under those trees would be good."

He didn't ask what they would be good for as he picked up the basket that they had recently purchased.

"Since we're creating back story you should know that I came here with Jonas Hanson. Butterfly is right; we should stick with as much of reality as possible. And I have at least one good memory of this place with him. We had a picnic."

"What is a picnic?" Teal'c asked as he tired to look interested in the trees and plants around them.

"That's when you take your food outside and eat it in nature. Traditionally, it's a very romantic thing to do. More modernly, it's combined with a barbeque and turned into a family event. But," she said unable to keep the annoyance out of her voice, "I've only ever had the one1/4with him."

Teal'c stopped walking. He turned to her and said, "We have eaten many times outside."

"Those were missions."

"At O'Neill's home."

Sam smiled. "Those were barbeques, not picnics. A picnic is deliberate." She managed to blush a little as she said, "I hope you will indulge me. I get to plan and have a proper, romantic picnic, and I want to do it."

Quietly, he said, "If you want to do so, then I want to do so."

Neither of them said anything more as they proceeded forward. They walked until Samantha stopped, looked around, and declared, "This is it."

She set the duffle bag down and opened it. She pulled out the big, soft blanket and spread it out after checking for rocks. She stepped onto the blanket and said, "Sit."

Sam didn't hesitate to pull off her blouse. It was warm out and the undershirt that she had under her blouse was more than enough. She pulled out the jewelry box that she'd remembered to pack. She opened it and pulled out the jade earrings that she'd picked out for the day. She put them on as Teal'c watched. Then she put on the matching jade necklace.

Next came out her makeup case. She had purposefully put on nothing but foundation when they had arrived at her home that morning after breakfast. Now, she bothered to put it all on. As usual she kept her look on the natural side. Regulations forbade excessive makeup, and she wasn't used to dealing with a lot of stuff on her face.

She opened the duffle and replaced the makeup case. She pulled out a plastic bag and gave it to Teal'c saying, "I bought this for you a few days ago. I don't want to offend you, but I don't always agree with what you're wearing. And, these pictures should look like a different day."

Teal'c took the bag and pulled out its contents. Inside, he found a different shirt. A nice looking shirt and a baseball cap whose colors matched well.

When he looked up at her, she said, "It should be light enough for the weather today."

He smiled and bowed his head to her slightly. He changed quickly only exposing the still fading X-shaped scar on his abdomen briefly.

They'd purchased the basket at a restaurant and though he'd been curious, he hadn't asked.

"Caroline's Bistro specializes in catered picnic baskets," she explained as she pulled out their meal from the basket.

She kept her eyes down trying to avoid looking at the man. She'd seen him naked. Hell! There had even been certain missions when she'd bathed next to him in the same rivers. It was the nature of the job; you get to know who you served with.

Only now, it felt different. Having to sit naked between his legs last night had been hard. He'd been hard. Staring into each other's eyes, as her bare breasts pressed against him1/4 It wasn't exactly what she'd expected when she'd recently began masturbating to the thoughts of what their first time might be like in bed.

As she pulled out the non-alcoholic sparkling wine and the two champagne glasses, she realized that whatever chance they might have had was more than likely gone. This was all business. That attempt to try and keep those two parts of their lives separate just wasn't going to work. Just like with the Colonel, it was better not to look too deeply into the situation and just let it be. The less she thought about it, the less she could hope that it would hurt in those moments when she had to face the reality of what might have been.

When he was finished she handed him the bottle and the bottle opener. She managed to get a few pictures of him fighting with the bottle.

She got pictures of the full glasses, bubbling with pink sparkling wine. She even set the camera on the picnic basket so they could take romantic pictures. She got to pretend and he was compliant to her requests. He never complained. Not when they got a picture kissing. Not when they took pictures lying side-by-side cuddling, or laughing, or when she laid back against him and closed her eyes.

~ ~ ~

Daniel was already annoyed when Jack returned. Twenty minutes. It had taken Jack twenty minutes just to check on the jeweler's progress next door. And Daniel didn't even have a book in his hand to distract himself. If he'd at least had something to read, he wouldn't have minded. So Daniel had picked up his phone.

Jack sat down before he could say anything Daniel said, "So Butterfly just told me that we're both uncreative losers." Daniel waved his phone at Jack. "It seems that Sam and T went to a park and had an extremely romantic picnic. Took pictures of Teal'c proposing on one knee under a tree. They had champagne glasses. We have until two o'clock to call her back and give her our report on our activities. She's calling the General at two fifteen to report her progress."

Jack looked annoyed. "Be right back," he said.

And then Jack disappeared into the back towards the bathrooms for another ten minutes.

When he came back he passed by Daniel. It only took Daniel half a second to smell it.

As Jack sat down, Daniel quickly checked his watch. "For Christ's sake, Jack! It isn't even noon yet! How much1/4" Daniel calmed himself down as he noticed that he'd attracted unwanted attention. "How much did you just drink?" Before Jack could answer, Daniel reminded the man, "You know damn well that Frasier got you on your last evaluation about your drinking."

Jack nodded stiffly and said, "It was just the one."

Daniel reached for a fistful of Jack's shirt and pulled him forward. He inhaled strongly. As he let Jack go he challenged the man with a look to repeat himself

Jack opened his mouth and said, "It was only the three drinks." Jack looked away and said, "I'm under a little bit of stress, Daniel. Please just let it go."

Daniel breathed out as he reconsidered. The memory of waking up with his cock pressed up against Jack's warm thigh was a fine point of reconsideration. Instead of saying any of the things that he knew he could have said, he briefly reminded Jack, "You came real close to alcoholism once. Please don't let something this frivolous drop you into those behaviors again."

Jack nodded once.

"Well," Daniel said letting the matter go, "maybe now the waiter will show up and we can order. I've only been waiting forty minutes."

"Really?"

"This place might live up to its reputation if someone actually bothered to bring me a menu."

"You must be hungry," Jack stated flatly, "you're as pissed as can be."

As he fingered his fork, Daniel glumly asked, "What do we do? What the hell are we supposed to do now, Jack? It's taken all morning just to find a jeweler that can have the rings ready after lunch."

"Yeah, we're on a time crunch," Jack said agreeing.

Daniel moved back in his seat as a covered ceramic cake stand was placed in front of him on his plate.

"What's this?" Daniel asked quickly before the waiter could leave.

"Your order, sir," the waiter responded simply.

"No," Daniel said trying to keep his temper in check. "I haven't even seen a menu yet. I haven't ordered a single thing. And if I had, I wouldn't have ordered a cake."

"Are you sure, sir?" the waiter asked seriously.

"Of course!" Daniel retorted angrily.

"I ordered it," Jack said quietly now at Daniel's side.

Daniel opened his mouth to continue along his already pissed tirade when he felt Jack's hand on his knee. He turned and felt his anger melt away.

Jack was on both knees next to him. Looking up into his eyes, Jack repeated, "I ordered it."

The ceramic cover was lifted off the cake stand and Daniel saw one of the rings that they had picked out not more than an hour before. A ring that was supposedly being resized for him, was sitting in a little, black, cushioned box in the center of the creamy, white cake stand.

"Daniel," Jack said seriously, "I'd like to ask you a question?"

Daniel turned back to Jack and looked into his face scarcely believing what he was seeing and hearing.

"You are my best friend," Jack stated. "I'm not the same man that you met that first day because you saved my life. You've been the one person that I've turned to over and over again in my life since that day. I can't imagine life without you. I want everyone to know exactly how I feel about you."

Jack turned and picked up the ring from the little, black box. He picked up Daniel's left hand with his own right. Jack brought Celtic knot wrapped ring to his lips and kissed it before meeting Daniel's eyes and saying, "Will you marry me and be my friend, my lover, and my mate for the rest of our lives?"

Whether the emotion or the utter sincerity that he heard, Daniel couldn't hold the few tears that escaped his eyes as he nodded dumbly.

Jack smiled and slid the ring onto Daniel's finger.

A moment later the restaurant went crazy with cheers and whistles. Several people, including their waiter urged them by saying, "Kiss him! Kiss him!"

Daniel grabbed Jack and pulled him into a close hug. Jack reciprocated by holding on tightly to Daniel's mid-section.

Daniel stroked Jack's baby soft, silver as he held the man close. He didn't say anything, or look at anyone. He simply held Jack as he waited for the people around them to calm down and go back to their meals.

When they let go, Daniel wiped his face and tried to smoothly say, "So this is why you were drinking?"

"You should have seen the coordination that it took to do this," Jack said settling back into his chair.

Two waiters arrived a moment later with two hot entrees, a basket of warm bread, and the two disposable cameras that they had been using to document the proposal.

Daniel nodded as he looked at the roasted thyme chicken and vegetables carefully arranged over a plate of pasta glistening with butter. "This is exactly what I would have ordered."

"Yeah, well," Jack said offhandedly, "you know me. Romantic to the end."

The manager came by their table and asked, "I hope that everything is satisfactory?"

"Yeah, Mike," Jack said quickly.

"Perfect," Daniel said agreeing happily.

"Good," the man replied. Looking at Daniel, he asked, "Would a bottle of champagne be in order?"

Daniel swallowed the lump in his throat as he said, "Two glasses would be better."

"Yeah," Jack said agreeing. "Two glasses of your best would be great. Please thank everyone for me."

The manager nodded and walked away.

~ ~ ~

Sam tightened the screw on the frame one last time before throwing the screwdriver back into her toolbox.

"That's it," she said happily. She turned the picture over and decided that it was her favorite one yet. The ones on the coffee table were nice. But the one of the two of them holding the champagne flutes and leaning against one another was1/4special. It wasn't staged. They'd just been relaxing when the camera had gone off.

"I'm going to put this one on my night stand," she said as she got up and went to her bedroom.

She removed the picture of her niece and nephew and replaced it with the one in her hands. She walked around her bed and put Amy and Christian's picture on the other nightstand, with the rest of the pictures of the family.

She turned and started walking out. She stopped at the door and looked back. She sighed and returned the living room where the arts and crafts project was still underway.

Teal'c was still cutting some of the pictures that she'd printed out for him, down to wallet size. She arrived and sat back down on the couch. She picked up her drink and took a sip.

Teal'c picked up his wallet and took a last look at it before he handed it to her and asked, "Is this correct?"

Normally, she wouldn't have looked through it, but she was curious. She took it and opened it. Behind the plastic slip in the main compartment where his driver's license aught to have been was a picture of her smiling. It was one of the pictures from the swing set. It was a tight picture that showed down to her shoulders, and one of the swing's chains.

In the flip out plastic display where many of the other pictures that they'd taken today. At the end was a group picture, all of SG1 together at one of the many barbeques at Jack's house.

Sam looked up and smiled at Teal'c. "It's perfect."

She handed the wallet back.

She moved a few pictures around and quickly decided that there were too many pictures in the room. She didn't want to think of them as clutter, but it was hard not to.

"Maybe you should take a few pictures with you back to the base? This is a little too much."

She wandered back to the coffee table and picked up the remaining pictures and all the leftover scrapes and took them to her desk. She had a large corkboard. Usually she kept it meticulously neat and organized. Her desk was usually for work and paying bills. Clutter and mess were usually a good way to forget to schedule a bill payment, or to lose mail. She threw out the useless scraps of pictures and posted the rest on the corkboard. She used them to decorate her calendar, around her desk, and even taped one up on the edge of her monitor.

She looked down and still had a few pictures to use up. She took the tape dispenser and the pictures with her to the kitchen. She'd always liked her kitchen. But she'd always felt that it was just so un-lived-in and empty. She gave it a little personality. She put up all the pictures on the fridge next to the picture of her father's last visit, and the last visit that she'd paid to her brother, Mark and Christy.

Teal'c came into the room and offered her drink back to her. Sam took it as she looked at the fridge. Teal'c pushed his empty glass into the water dispenser and filled it. He stood back with her and looked at it with her.

"I meant to tell you the last time I was in this room; your family seems very nice."

"I don't get to see them enough," she said as she swirled her orange juice. "I think you'd like my brother though. He's a very good man. He may not have fallen in love with the military because it took dad away from us so much, but he absorbed every single virtue that it tries to instill. Honor, pride, dedication, valor, courage, strength," Sam smiled. "He's a walking recruitment poster."

Teal'c smiled back at her. It was nice to see her happy.

~ ~ ~

It was exiting the restaurant that Jack remembered the blue envelope, part two of their homework. Halfway to the car, he stopped. Jack patted his pockets until he found the little, blue envelope and pulled it out.

Daniel stopped and was about to open his mouth to ask a question when Jack held up the envelope.

Daniel just stared at it.

Jack actually stood on the sidewalk and looked around as if weighing his options before finally digging his finger under the envelope's sealed flap and tearing it open. He dug his fingers into the open envelope but waited a few seconds before being able to summon the courage to actually look at what was inside.

This note held a much shorter and much more ominous message. Jack silently handed the note to Daniel and walked towards the car. Jack never made it inside the car. Instead, he leaned back on it as he tried desperately to calm himself down so that he wouldn't say the first few things that were popping into his mind.

Daniel walked up and came to stand a few feet away, just close enough that they would be able to speak at a decent tone without invading each other's space.

Daniel looked down at the note again before opening his mouth. Nothing came out.

For several long moments neither of them said anything.

It was Jack who spoke. "I really hate this woman."

Daniel opened his mouth and then closed it just as quickly.

Jack met Daniel's eyes and sincerely said, "She's Satan in disguise. I think I should shoot her."

Daniel opened his mouth again. He made no sound. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Finally, he said, "I guess we should do this." He shrugged and added, "At least we'll have privacy."

Jack clenched his jaw. "You're right, she won't be able to walk in so she can make frickin' suggestions."

Daniel breathed out. "So, how do we handle this?"

Jack looked around their immediate area. His eyes zeroed in on the hotel across the road. "I found the hotel," Jack said. "You get the room."

"How's that fair?" Daniel inquired.

Jack pulled out his wallet and offered his credit card to Daniel as he said, "I'm the one leaving the paper trail."

Daniel ignored the card and said, "I'll pay. You come with me."

A chuckle broke passed Jack's lips before he realized that Daniel was serious. He was about to start the impending argument, when Daniel said, "Either you come or I squeal."

"Daniel," Jack managed to say.

"Like a stuck pig," Daniel added as he passed Jack and his credit card.

Jack didn't argue as he watched Daniel's back slowly walking away. He shoved his card back into his wallet and put it away. A moment later his hands went deep into his pockets as he followed the back of Daniel's shoes all the way to the hotel in the gay neighborhood so they could rent a room for a few hours.

Nothing weird or unusual there!

Despite the weird feeling in the pit of both their stomachs, they did it. They walked into the office together. Daniel set his card down and booked the room. A single key was handed over. Then they both walked out of the office and walked side-by-side to the room in question.

Daniel unlocked the door and walked in. He went directly to the small table with the two chairs and sat down. His head fell down to the table and he let out a long breath.

Jack came in after him and secured the door.

He was actually glad that Daniel was sitting at the table since it gave them a good amount of space in which to calm the situation down. He went to the table too and sat down opposite Daniel.

"I can't believe that we just did that," Daniel mused.

Jack remained silent.

Daniel sat up and looked around the room while Jack focused on the man in front of him.

Finally, Jack said, "Daniel, I trust you. I do, but there's no way that I can go through with the rest of this."

Daniel actually had to think about the situation that they were in before he asked, "Why?"

"Why?" Jack repeated incredulously. "Why?" he heard himself repeat again.

"Yeah," Daniel said slowly. "Why?"

"Daniel, for Pete's sake! We're sitting in a gay hotel room. She wants us to strip naked, and do1/4that! Again! Here!"

Daniel melded back into his chair a little more deeply as he studied the man in front of him. "First, I think I have to state that there is no such thing as a gay hotel room. Second, we've already striped naked and done the meditative exercises. This would just be another session."

"Daniel-"

"Like you said, she can't walk in on us. No one knows that we're here. No one is going pop out at an inopportune moment and surprise us. And1/4quite frankly, it's kind of relaxing."

Jack looked at him, but didn't comment.

Daniel then added, "I don't know about you, but I slept very well after we were done."

Jack sat quietly as he looked around the room trying desperately to not look at the bed.

After a few minutes of silence had passed between them, Jack finally said, "I can't believe that I'm considering this."

"You know as well as I do where we're headed. We have to be comfortable with each other, or I should go alone."

Jack snorted but didn't make the usual comments. He spent several moments thinking. He thought a lot actually. And many things came into his mind. Instead of sharing those things, in the end, he simply said, "Fine."

He stood and Daniel matched his movements.

Almost at the same time they began to undress.

As he unbuckled his belt and reached for his zipper, Jack said, "I can't believe that I'm doing this."

"Not one of my personal highlights either, Jack." Daniel struggled out of his too tight jeans. When he was finished he said, "I'm going to make it a point not to include any of this in my memoirs."

"You do that," Jack said as he pulled his underwear down and took a step forward towards the bed. He looked at it and said, "This feels so...."

"Illicit?"

"Yeah, that's it exactly," Jack said with a nod.

Daniel stood next to Jack as they surveyed the king sized problem that they were facing.

"So," Daniel said.

"So," Jack replied.

They both fell into silence.

It was Jack who broke it by saying, "You're on top again."

~ ~ ~

"Well," Dancing Butterfly squealed yet again as she flipped through the engagement album that Jack and Daniel had thrown together at that last minute.

In the parking lot of the CVS where they'd printed out the photos, they'd bought their supplies, and then arranged the pictures together on the hood of the car. They wrote quick captions for each picture on the black album paper with gold and silver ink markers that accented the album's black pages beautifully. Daniel had even bought little wedding type stickers to paste on a few pages. And they had names for all of the wait staff thanks to Jack's behind the scenes interactions with them.

They smiled hard at Sam and Teal'c who'd only been able to bring in a few pictures1/4the one's that Teal'c was going to be taking with him back to base. He'd also shown the pictures that he'd arranged in his wallet. But when Dancing Butterfly had asked to see the pictures from her wallet or purse, Carter had quietly declined.

Daniel didn't hesitate to hand over his wallet. He had pictures of Jack there as a matter of course. They weren't romantic or related to their marriage, but they were there. To his surprise, Jack handed his wallet over too. The pictures were there. They scored heavy points with the hippie.

Dancing Butterfly closed the album with a pleased look on her face. She turned to Teal'c and Sam and said, "The picnic was a nice idea, but when you put a little extra effort into these things you'll start to make the kind of memories that will actually show on your face when someone asks you all about how you met, your wedding, or when you first knew that this was the person that you were meant to spend the rest of your life with.

"And," Dancing Butterfly said, as she pulled out two envelopes from her pocket. "These are tomorrow's assignments. Again, you may read them over breakfast. And again, please be home by six. And try to be a couple."

She paused a moment and then said, "Now that we've had dinner I've given you feedback on your day, we're going to start on the uncomfortable stuff."

Jack quickly asked, "You mean getting down on both knees and declaring undying love wasn't enough?"

Daniel backed Jack up by saying, "I cried and held him in public!"

Butterfly smiled serenely. "You're both so cute," she informed them. Undaunted she continued. "Last night I had each of you start the process of connecting. Tonight we're going a step further."

Everyone in the room went very silent.

She opened her notebook and cleared her throat. "Please count off," she said.

Hesitantly, Jack said, "One."

Daniel looked around and eventually said, "Two."

Teal'c bravely said, "Three."

"Four," Sam said grudgingly.

"Then that's the order in which you will answer these questions," Butterfly stated as she turned the pages of her notebook and found the right list of questions. She reached up and pulled her glasses down. "Have you ever had anal sex? Was this a positive experience?"

Jack shook his head. "Giving or taking," he asked.

"Either," she replied.

"Yeah," Jack stated tensely. Then he shrugged, "Sex is sex. Even when it's bad it's still good."

Butterfly waited.

"Um, no," Daniel said.

"No," Teal'c replied.

Sam was slow to answer. She steeled herself and eventually said the word 'yes' as flatly and unemotionally as possible. A moment later, she added, "No, it wasn't."

"I have to stop here. Sam I really do have to ask you, dear. Why wasn't it?"

She looked around at the others and hesitatingly answered, "I was engaged once. He was unbalanced. One night we got into a fight. He managed to get the upper hand. When I woke up I was face down on the carpet and he was inside me." Sam swallowed hard. "He didn't hurt me, but he made me mad enough to break his jaw."

Butterfly was quiet for a few long moments as she considered Samantha's words. Eventually, she continued, "Have you ever had sex with more than one other person? Was this a positive experience?"

"Yeah," Jack said. "But I was way too drunk to really remember."

"I," Daniel said. He stopped speaking and then admitted, "Yes, sort of."

"Sort of," Butterfly repeated.

Daniel breathed out harshly. "I had a room mate who had a crush on me in college. There was a lot of drinking that night." Daniel looked away. "I know that1/4things happened, but I don't remember all of it."

"No," Teal'c said.

Sam said, "No."

"Have you had sex with a partner or partners while another person or persons watched? And, was that a positive experience?"

"Yes," Jack said despite himself. "I guess that it was positive. I drank a lot when I was a pilot. I know what happened but it gets blurry in a lot of places."

"Yes," Daniel replied. "There wasn't a lot of privacy in my wife's village. It was weird at first, but I got used to it."

"Yes," Teal'c said. "There is no privacy in the former living quarters where I resided."

"No," Samantha answered.

Butterfly then asked, "Have you ever been naked in front of these people? And are you comfortable enough with them to do so right now?"

Jack just stared at the woman. He swallowed hard. "Yeah, we've all seen each other naked at one point or another." He paused as he tried to put his thoughts together. Eventually, he said, "I don't see being nude as something I aspire to do."

"Sure," Daniel said. "I guess."

"What are you planning?" Teal'c asked.

"Please answer the question, Teal'c?" Butterfly responded.

Teal'c hesitated wearily, but finally said, "Yes."

Sam stared down at the carpet and quietly said, "Yes."

"You know I'm going to ask you to strip now. But if it makes it easier for all of you, I'm more than willing to-"

"No," Jack said quickly before she could pull her dress over her head. "I think I speak for everyone here when I say, please don't do that."

"Up we go," Butterfly said as she stood with them.

As they stripped she went to her second suitcase that was still by the entrance. She pulled down onto its side and pulled out the a few props. She stopped to take up the two blankets that she'd left over the back of the couch. She picked up the blankets with her free hand and threw a blanket up at Jack and the other to Teal'c saying, "Set them down, gentlemen."

She kept the box of condoms, lubricant, and the feathers in her hands as she waited.

"Let's talk about all this trust that you all have for each other," she said as her students stood around nervously watching her she set a few condoms down on Jack and Daniel's blanket. She gave them a tube of lubricant, and a nice fluffy feather.

She walked to Teal'c and Samantha's blanket and set down the same things for them.

She stood and walked to the fireplace and sat down. "None of us get through our lives without a few battle scars. If at any point, any of you needs to stop. Simply say stop. This is the safety word. Everything stops, all action, all talking, everything. I need to know that everyone understands and will comply."

There was agreement all around.

"I don't force people to do things, and I never advocate hurting anyone. If any of you really don't want to do this, or to be here then you're free to go." Butterfly then said, "Sam and Daniel, I'd love for the two of you to be on the bottom for now. If you're willing, please lay down on the blankets."

Slowly, they both went down to the floor and turned over onto their backs. Then they waited.

"Good," Butterfly said. "Now the first thing that we need to do is get past the fear of it. Jack, Teal'c please lay down on top of your partner. No penetration, no sex. Just lie on top."

The two standing men looked at one another. They were slow to comply.

"This is an exercise that's to do with proximity and body awareness. Become aware of the other person's body. How do they feel against you? Feel their weight. Do you like it? Is it too much? Do you have to ask him to adjust himself? Figure these issues out now. Do they have cold feet? Do they need to trim their toe nails?"

Butterfly stood up and walked around to Jack. She pushed his head down gently saying, "Put your head down and close your eyes." He bent over and picked up Daniel's hands. She put one on Jack's head and the other on the small of Jack's back. "Don't be afraid to touch your partner. This is yours."

Butterfly walked to Sam and Teal'c. He was adjusting. He moved to one side saying, "I am too big. I would hurt her."

She didn't fail to notice that he was already hard. "Roll over on your sides and face each other."

As they did as she asked, she helped them entangle themselves, arms and legs. "Hold your lover close. You have ten minutes of this exercise. The point, for those of you who require a point, is for you to become comfortable with the idea of being in a sexual position with this other person. I expect you to touch1/4a lot."

Butterfly didn't hesitate to walk to the light switch before heading out of the room. She went directly to the kitchen leaving the dark room behind her. In one of her raids to the refrigerator she'd found a box of cornstarch. It was waiting exactly where she'd last seen it. She pulled out the box and set it on the counter for later.

Despite the beautiful bodies and the obvious amount of attraction in that room, she doubted that anything of note would happen tonight. Butterfly pulled out a bowl of cherries and began to snack happily. She pulled out a bottle of sparkling water and drank.

Some people were just born to be slow. It didn't matter how many degrees they had or how high their rank. Seeing what was in front of them was just made so complicated and convoluted that they just couldn't get past themselves.

When she'd had her fill of the water and cherries she replaced them. She took her box of cornstarch and went back.

She stepped into the room and checked. She wasn't disappointed. A lot of nothing was happening.

Butterfly turned the lights on, because she knew she wouldn't be able to see a thing otherwise.

"Step two," she said as she walked to stand between the two prone sets of bodies. "Sense and sensation. Yesterday we touched from face to waist. Today we touch the whole body. As you touch, I want you to feel the tension in your partner's body. Take your cue from them as where they want to be touched, and how they want to be touched."

Butterfly picked her bare foot up and nudged Jack off of Daniel as she said, "Off we go, cowboy."

Butterfly opened the box of cornstarch and opened the white bag inside. "This is the fun part," she said as she pulled out a good pinch of the white powder and sprinkled it across Daniel's body. "Rubbing the cornstarch into the skin feels like powdered silk, it's just so sensual."

She walked over to Sam and Teal'c. He was still hard, and she looked extremely turned on. "I love being the sprinkle fairy," she said as she reached in and dusted Samantha's body with a good helping of starch.

"Now I want Jack and Teal'c to rub the powder in. Glide it across your lover's body. Feel it. Doesn't it feel like your lover's body has been wrapped in silk just for you?" She turned and left as she said, "I'll be back later so we can switch."

CHAPTER 5 - DAY 2: PREPARING THE WEDDING

Sam sat in the car breathing in and out for almost five minutes before she ever acknowledged Teal'c's presence. And when she did acknowledge it, she merely said, "I hate that woman."

"You are unhappy about this," Teal'c finally said. "Perhaps we should go and find mine first."

"No," she said as she tightened her grip on the steering wheel. "We're here. We might as well do this." She closed her eyes as she said, "God, I hate this!"

"You look nice in a dress," he said gently.

Despite herself, she snapped, "I haven't worked all my life to look nice in a dress!" She breathed in and added, "I'm sorry." Sam looked up at the store's sign and the mural that graced it. "I guess I just feel very intimidated by all this. When I was growing up this kind of stuff was for other girls, not for me."

"Why?"

She shrugged. She knew the answer, but she wasn't sure if she could say it.

Despite the tension in the car, Teal'c once again said, "I think you look nice in a dress."

Quietly, she said, "I look like a girl in a dress."

"You are a girl," he reminded her.

"But I hate being treated like one."

"Why?"

She turned to look at him and simply said, "I guess because I want to be taken seriously by people."

He easily retorted, "I know of no person who has met you who does not see you as the brilliant woman that you are. These fears are unfounded."

She managed a small smile.

She pulled the keys out of the ignition as she said, "Hurry up before I lose my nerve."

She stepped out and slammed the door to her car before dragging her feet towards the store. She stopped ten feet from the door and stared at it. She had to suck it up hard and deep in order to make it through the door.

It didn't get any better inside. The entire showroom smelled soft and willowy, like a bedroom. There were fresh flowers strategically placed around the room. And the damn dresses were everywhere.

A beautifully attired, and very feminine woman walked up to them saying, "Hello, welcome to Today's Bride. Can I help you find something?"

Sam stared at her. Her mind felt blank.

"She is a size six. Please find a dress that is not too short. We were thinking of something that wasn't puffy or lacy. It should be well-fitting, but not1/4"

"Not too overdone," the woman said nodding. She looked at Sam and said, "Are you thinking of something no frills or-"

"I don't want to look like a puffed and pregnant meringue," she said simply.

"I think, I know just the dress," the woman said walking to a rack near the register. A moment later she pulled a dress off the rack and showed it to Sam saying, "This hasn't got a drop of taffeta, lace, or puff to it. It's French, all silk, and handmade."

Sam was impressed the moment she saw it she reached out for it. The thin-strapped dress was nice. It was cut beautifully and hung well. It didn't have a lot of decoration. And best of all it was a straight dress that lacked the flared skirts that had been forced on her through her childhood.

She walked the dress to one of the large mirrors and held it in front of her.

"This is nice," was the most fitting thing that she could think of to say.

"The dressing room is this way," the woman said to her.

Sam picked up the dress so that it wouldn't drag and carried it into the dressing rooms at the back. She walked in and smiled. The dressing room was a dark green. There was a rich looking brocade chair in one corner. A very large mirror hung inside the well-lit room, and on the other end sat a wide, cushioned bench that ran the width of the room.

She hung the dress up and began to take her clothes off. She removed her shoes, jeans, and shirt. As she looked up at the image of herself standing in boy underwear, and a sport bra she became very aware of the fact that she wasn't the most feminine person in the world. She wished that it were easier for her, but the truth was that it wasn't. She had extremely mixed feelings when it came to her own femininity. She always had.

The pretty girls were the other ones. They were the ones who weren't hated because they set the grade curve. They were the ones who got to play stupid to get the guys. They were the ones who got the dates. They were the ones who weren't ignored by everyone but the teacher. But she understood. It had all only served to drive her harder. It had been, at one point, only further proof to her that she was meant to succeed. She had succeeded. She'd managed to accomplish every goal that she'd set for herself.

She'd graduated at the top of every class she ever sat in. She had her Ph.D. She had her wings. She'd flown in combat during wartime. She'd made Major before forty. And although she didn't make it to NASA, she'd had made it into space. She loved her job. She was in a dream assignment that was sure to advance her career ahead of schedule. She knew that if she kept going, she'd definitely make Colonel before forty-five. And the last one; even she wasn't sure if she'd ever make General, but it was nice to know that the possibility wasn't closed to her.

She knew in her heart that she could accomplish anything that she attempted. Her record proved that.

But now she had to step into a dress that she felt very unsure about. She hadn't even gotten to try on a white dress when she was with Jonas Hanson. They'd broken up long before. She felt only relief about that situation.

She pulled the thin straps off the hanger, and brought the dress close to her. It was cool to the touch and very soft. Despite her misgivings she unzipped the dress and stepped into it. She slid it up over her hips and lifted the bodice into place so she could slide her arms into the straps.

A knock on the door distracted her from the sight of it on her.

"Come," she said.

As the sales woman opened the door, Sam quietly said, "Can you zip me up?"

"Of course," the woman said kindly as she came in.

Sam breathed in deep and pulled the dress tightly back so it would zip up without problems. It did. When she breathed out she wasn't sure what to say.

"The mirrors outside are much better," the sales woman said with a smile.

Sam felt herself blush. She left and walked out slowly. But when she did walk out, she found only the second sales woman waiting in the storefront.

"He said he'd be right back," the second lady informed her.

Sam hesitated but then said, "It's for the best."

She promptly turned and walked to the surround panel of mirrors. She stepped up onto the dais and turned to check her rear end. She always worried that white made it look huge. The dress was a little snug over the rear, but a well constructed Lycra underwear would take care of any size issue1/4should she be willing to ever actually purchase something like it.

She turned and found that it was more than beautiful, it was darn near perfect. It felt perfect. She couldn't help the smile. If she were getting married, she knew that this was the kind of dress that she would wear.

And her moment of daydreaming came to a crashing halt as the first sales woman asked, "Have you given any thought's to your veil?"

Sam stopped everything and turned to look at the woman. Then she turned away and said, "I, um, no." She wiped her face and tried to dispose of the awkwardness before announcing, "No, veil."

She'd told Teal'c that she wanted at least one picture in a dress to prove that she'd worn it, but he wasn't there and she wasn't going to stand around in it until he returned.

She was about to thank the ladies and excuse herself so she could leave when the bells on the front door rung. She looked up relieved to find Teal'c walking towards her with a bag cradled flat in his hands. He stopped completely a few feet into the store. She noticed his eyes scan her from her bare feet up to her top and then back down before he started walking again.

He stepped up on the dais and reached into the bag. He carefully slid out a small wreath of flowers. In Jaffa proper, he said, "Jaffa emtar upsilani kuram e t'uplit."

She smiled and replied, "I'm not a Jaffa woman but I think it's a beautiful tradition."

She bent her head a little so he could place the wreath on her head.

~ ~ ~

The blue envelope said to repeat what they'd done the day before with one change. The first part was easy. As before, she and Teal'c walked in and got the room. They went straight there and settled in.

Sam never hesitated to rip the sheets off the bed and kicked them aside with utter distaste. Together they made the bed with the sheets that she'd remembered to bring. Soft flannel sheets and thick cottony duvet went on the bed. She threw him a pillow and a freshly laundered pillowcase. Then she dealt with her own pillow.

When they were done, she sat down on the bed and took off her shoes. She removed her clothes and massaged the places where her underwear had bitten into her skin. She felt better naked, freer.

Then she turned. As usual it was a little bit of a shock. He was beautiful, but intimidating at times.

He did his best to control his body's natural responses to her scent and the feel of her as she settled on top of him. He adjusted her as usual. The woman had a talent for grinding down onto his lap as she got comfortable for the meditations in the most sensuous ways that made his mind spin.

No. It wasn't meditation. Meditation cleared the mind and cleansed the spirit. All these exercises did was to confuse him as they created a disturbing amount of sexual energy that rose inside of him.

She tried hard not to think about it, any of it, as she did what she was supposed to do. And like the previous night and afternoon, she climbed into his lap and made herself comfortable. He adjusted her and she allowed him.

Once in place she had to close her eyes. Flexing her muscles was easy. It was the easiest part.

"With your partner, not against them," Butterfly advocated over and over again.

She understood. She really did. But it was also hypnotic to sit on him and flex the muscles of her genitals continuously as they rocked together. She was amazed that she could actually feel the tension in his thighs as he flexed his own PC muscles beneath her.

Unfortunately, they were becoming more and more attuned to one another. She knew that he felt her, as much as she did him. The question remained, was this a good thing?

~ ~ ~

"Samantha," Butterfly said admiring the pictures. "My Goddess, did you ever find the absolutely perfect dress." Butterfly flipped the page and continued to admire. "Teal'c did you take these?"

He nodded to her once.

"These are good. It's like you took pictures of her in her bedroom while she was getting ready for her wedding day. I'm extremely impressed."

"It's not fair," Jack declared. "There's only so much that you can do when you're doing a two-guy wedding. She gets the pretty dress, and the fancy flowers, and the 'awe' factor."

"Well, Jack," Butterfly responded, "I can honestly say that there is no hard and fast rule that says you can't wear a dress, if you want to. That is your choice. You and Daniel brought back pictures, but there's nothing special. You tried on a few tuxes and snapped pictures." Dancing Butterfly held up the open album showing the page-sized pictures to the two men saying, "Teal'c bought flowers and made her a wreath."

"We actually bought the dress," Sam said with a smile. "Those pictures really are from my bedroom. I had to squeeze into the scary 'I-can-barely-breathe' underwear that my sister-in-law bought me that I never wear. It took all morning and most of the afternoon just to get the pictures right."

Dancing Butterfly closed the album and set it down. "Jack, Daniel, please try a little harder. We're making memories here."

Carter smiled like the approval-starved nerd that she'd been all her life.

Then Butterfly slapped her hands together and said, "Okay, time for everyone to get naked."

She left them to it. They already had their blankets spread out.

Butterfly walked to the suitcase with all the props. This time she when she pulled out the condoms and lubricant; she made sure to pull out the right condoms for the right lubricant.

She set a box of condoms, a pump-sized bottle of lubricant, and a box of tissue on each blanket. She also placed a small waste basket nearby saying, "Tonight, I want you to put a condom on your partner. The goal of this evening is for each of you to masturbate in front of your lover."

"Excuse me?" Jack asked quickly.

"You have to be very specific with me, Jack. What part bothers you?"

He went to open his mouth when she said, "Everyone masturbates at some point. Everyone does it. No one is going to help you to accomplish this task tonight. You will either get there or not, but you will hopefully be able to show Daniel what your usual looks like."

Though Jack was silent, he emanated a bad vibe that screamed unhappiness.

Dancing Butterfly nodded, "Sam would you mind starting this session off?"

"What?" Sam replied dumbly.

"Well, let's face it, sister; women don't need to wait for anything to perk up. We're always ready to go at a moment's notice."

Sam looked around at the men in her life and felt nauseous. "I don't think this is a matter of trust, just comfort."

Butterfly, anticipating such a reaction, grabbed one of the flat sheets that she'd brought with her just in case. She threw one at Sam and waited.

Sam spread it out over her body and stretched out. She knew that despite the afternoon of posing in sexy lingerie and having Teal'c looking at her, posing her, moving her around, she was probably dry. The sexual tension that had filled her had left the moment that masturbating in front of her team had come up. Her hands shook as she reached for the lubricant and pumped a little into her hand.

As she held it in her hand to warm it up, she said, "Somehow, I never envisioned this when I applied to the Air Force Academy."

She lay back and breathed in a few times. She knew from experience that if she wasn't at ease and concentrating, nothing would happen. Safety was a big issue for her. She knew that she needed to feel safe or her body would shut down long before her urges. She reminded herself that she trusted these men. She loved them. And more importantly, they weren't about to see anything that she wouldn't see in return before the night was out.

A few moments later, she slid her hand under the sheet and parted her thighs. She breathed in and rubbed the slip between her legs the way she liked. She'd meticulously manicured the area to her satisfaction. The 'naked yoga' that Butterfly had them do every night demanded it. She was glad.

She tried to direct her thoughts to the right places but mostly she kept wondering if she looked funny while she was 'performing.' And she did feel as if she was performing.

"You're faking it," Butterfly said unimpressed. "All you're missing is a soundtrack and a good porn star moan. We both know you're not going to accomplish anything without the right thoughts in your head. Find something that will work and use it."

With her finger still in place on her clitoris, moving slowly the way she liked she opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling for a moment. The image of Teal'c in her bedroom came to mind. She smiled and closed her eyes. She went back to what she'd wanted him to do to her.

She'd started off by wearing her dress for him. The pictures were nice but they made her want more. She took off the dress very quickly. She'd loved the pictures of her sitting on her vanity with her hair curling around the wreath of white flowers that he'd bought, and braided together for her1/4it was perfect. The hazy light around her. She'd tried to look inviting, hoping.

It had been his idea for her to lie down on the bed. They'd only taken a picture or two but in her imagination it didn't end there. Her back tightened and arched as she imagined what it would have been like if he had ripped her panties off the way she'd wanted. The way she still wanted. That's why she'd worn the garter and stocking combination. It would have facilitated a hard, fast, and very satisfying fuck if he'd thrown her down and removed that one small scrap of satin. No thinking. No doubts. No time for doubts. Just animal lust taking them both to a fast and brutal orgasm.

She pushed and rocked her hips in time with her hand. She bit down as she imagined what it would be like to feel him inside. She knew exactly what he looked like. The man was extremely well endowed. He certainly looked like he could please a woman with very little effort. And it seemed as if he was hard all of the time. Every morning without fail she woke up to the feeling of his erection against her butt, or her stomach. Every evening when she crawled naked to sit on his thighs, there it was1/4teasing her.

She wanted that long, thick, uncircumcised beauty to fill her up and take her mind away. To erase the constant flurry of thought that she didn't need when he was around.

She felt a familiar pull as her hips rose rhythmically. She stuffed the sheet's edge into her mouth and bit down on it. She honestly didn't know if she would scream out anyone's name and she didn't want to. It didn't matter what she shouted out at that moment. Any name would cause some problem for her. She breathed hard, deep, and fast as the shutters began to sweep through her. Her mind blanked out just before. It always did.

Her orgasm hit hard. It ripped through her and blinded her senses leaving her open, vulnerable, and completely sated.

Sometime later she opened her eyes and saw Teal'c at her side staring down at her. He was smiling gently, happily. She smiled at him. She turned onto her side a little and pulled her hand up. She didn't hesitate to spit out the sheet and sleepily pull her fingers into her mouth so she could suck them clean.

A moment later, she opened her eyes completely shocked. She tore her fingers out of her mouth and sat up.

Butterfly was standing nearby. She bent over and said, "Sweetheart, I like the way I taste too. Besides, you have successfully brought every man here to attention. Consider it your standing ovation."

Dancing Butterfly turned and went back to her seat saying, "Jack, Daniel, one puts on the rubber, the other uses it."

There was a long moment of awkwardness1/4for the two men. They both went quiet and still for a while.

"Fine," Daniel said finally as he snatched up the box. He pulled out a condom and handed it to Jack. "Just pretend you're putting it on yourself." Daniel said while holding and offering himself to Jack.

Jack ripped open the little packet and pulled out the little rolled sheath. He held and handled it as if he was about it put it on himself and then set it on Daniel's cock like a little hat before rolling it right down.

Daniel pulled away and sat back against the couch. Sam's performance had definitely 'peaked' his interest. He was hard and he hurt. He pumped a little lubricant into his hand and quickly started his work. He didn't think much. He didn't want too. He wanted it to be a quickie and nothing more.

"You're supposed to be showing your partner what you like."

"I'm not under a sheet, am I?"

"No, but you're going to leave burn marks if you don't slow down."

Daniel tried hard to slow down.

"I'm1/4very sensitive," he admitted. "At the sides." He sucked air in as he added, "and underneath."

He stroked himself long and gentle, with a twist at the end. That movement never failed him.

~ ~ ~

Sam snuggled down as she watched Daniel work his perfectly erect member. She always thought that he was good looking. Now she simply thought that he was one of the most beautiful men that she'd ever seen. His face was perfectly at peace and tranquilly in love as he experienced pleasure. It was a joy to watch.

The air conditioning kicked in and she felt a chill on her skin and pulled the sheet up over her shoulder. She quickly decided that she didn't like lying down without a pillow. It was uncomfortable for her neck. Teal'c was still lying next to her. She pulled away so she could sit up. She leaned across and over him so she could reach for one of the pillows on the couch behind him. The moment her hand touched the pillow, she realized what was poking her in the stomach.

She looked down and then up meeting his eyes. He looked like he hurt.

She grabbed as many pillows as she could and dropped them near by.

Her hands were trembling as she grabbed the box of condoms. She scanned the box quickly. The green ones were the extra-extra large. She tore the box open and sifted around until she found green. She tore open the packet with her teeth and spit out the little piece of cellophane that remained in her mouth.

She pulled the little rubber out and settled back in next to Teal'c. He allowed her to take him in her hands. She held him still and rolled the condom down. He moaned painfully but spread his legs apart farther offering himself to her all the more.

She leaned back and pumped lubricant into her hand. She rubbed her fingers together briefly before gently sliding the oily substance up and down his generous length. He felt good: solid, hot to the touch, and very real. She enjoyed the feel of him a great deal and was sorry when his hand found what she'd been touching with such greed. She let him take over as she watched.

As with all things, he was graceful, confident, and very good at his chore. His body was tight, every muscle straining with effort and will.

She watched him carefully as he stroked his elegant length freely. By the time her eyes reached his face she was smiling hard and her breathing could only be called a pant.

He reached up and caught her mouth in a kiss. She pushed him back down to the floor without releasing his mouth. She melted down against him, tasting him, exploring him. The moment she released him, he moaned out and called her name. It sounded more like a prayer.

She stroked his chest as she leaned in close and kissed along his neck.

~ ~ ~

As much as he didn't want to, Jack couldn't hold out for long. Daniel seemed to snore like a log when he slept, mumbled like crazy when he read Greek, and moaned like a lunatic when he jerked off. Carter's girlie show had definitely been worth the bother. Watching her lick her fingers had absolutely been hotter then hell. But watching her jerk Teal'c off before she attacked him was definitely sending him over the edge.

He felt like he was surrounded by sex and being seduced by it. He was either going to get a little relief or he was going to die. He did his best to reach down for the damn box of condoms. It hurt, but he managed it. He rolled his own condom down and quickly began to work himself. The rubber was pre-lubed enough to give a little slip.

He held himself tightly and worked the head of his cock the way he liked and eased back to enjoy it. The sounds around him were enough to spur him forward and onward. He was ready.

~ ~ ~

Daniel finished soon enough. He felt better when he was finished.

He opened his eyes and saw Sam and Teal'c busy. He turned his eyes away, giving them some semblance of privacy. Sam was turned away from them and she was still partially covered by the sheet, but still1/4

He turned towards Jack.

Daniel looked down and felt his erection fading fast. He removed the condom and reached out to drop it in the basket before reaching for tissue paper. When he was finished with it, he threw the tissue paper in the direction of the wastebasket before grabbing the pump bottle. He held it over Jack's erection and squeezed out a little extra help for the man.

It was completely interesting for him to watch another man. Daniel had never seen another man masturbate. All of his pornography was women-centered. The only men that he had on film or print were the ones fucking the women to orgasm. And even then, the camera was never really on them.

He was curious if it was the same for him. Perhaps he stared a little harder than he should have. Perhaps he shouldn't have thought about it so much or wondered so much.

Jack was finishing. Daniel was pretty sure that he was, so he waited. The older man's body seemed to tighten up. His breathing increased. And his color seemed to change. It was very subtle but Daniel knew that he saw it. He went slightly pale. And he realized a second before Jack orgasmed that his scrotum tightened noticeably up into his body.

Jack came hard and fast. And for a few seconds, he looked at peace. His face smoothed out, clear of all worry and responsibility. He looked much younger. But in a heartbeat it was back.

Jack opened his eyes and found Daniel staring at him.

Daniel did the only thing that he could think of to do. He asked, "Can I ask you a few questions?"

Jack silently sat up rigidly and removed his condom and pitched it.

Daniel reached for the tissue box and offered it as he asked, "Are you more sensitive at the underside or the head?"

Jack looked around and found Butterfly watching. Despite that fact he quietly and self-consciously responded, "Head, mostly."

The sounds of Teal'c coming filled the area.

"Well," Jack said with a smirk, "I guess that's everyone. May we be dismissed now head mistress?"

CHAPTER 6 - DAY 3: FINDING HOME

They hadn't been up for more than a few minutes when Dancing Butterfly opened the door to their room and walked up to the bed so she could promptly say, "Are you up?"

Sam pulled the blanket over her head. She felt Teal'c cuddle in deeper into her. His erection was pressed noticeably into her thigh.

"Oh, good," Butterfly declared happily.

"Don't you ever sleep?" Sam whined.

"Not really. I get about three hours a night and it's all I need to be functional and joyful!" She paused. "Now up! Up! Up! Up! Today is a new day and we are alive in it!"

"I'd rather be asleep in it."

Sam squirreled down extremely annoyed.

"But we have so much to do," Butterfly whined.

"Look," Sam said as civilly as she could. "Sleep isn't something that I get a lot of in my job so I like it when I can get it. And after coming in the living room, coming back here and doing it two more times on your advice, I find that I'm tired." Sam leaned up enough to catch a glimpse of Teal'c. "And he looks like he's in a coma. Please leave us alone."

"Alright," she said as she began to walk out, "I just thought that you would want to get a head start on Jack and Daniel."

Sam reached over for Teal'c and shook him once.

He let out a long deep, exhausted breath.

"Are you as torn as I am?"

"Extremely," he said as a yawn took him at the tail end of the word.

They both got out of bed at the same time. As usual Teal'c waited while she got the bathroom. She took her usual two-minute shower, while brushing her teeth, and washing her face. After her morning pee, she brushed her hair back out of the way, put on deodorant, and walked out of the bathroom with a towel in her hands.

She dressed at her usual slow pace. If no one was hurrying her or chasing her, and while she was on her own planet she was going to enjoy the privilege of choosing something to wear that wasn't assigned or in line with regulations. She pawed through the bag that she'd packed and set out a clean shirt for Teal'c. She'd bought several, though she had yet to tell him exactly how many she'd bought for him. And he hadn't asked yet, which was probably for the best.

She found a clean pair of underwear for herself. They were the lacy ones, which she hadn't wanted to wear. But after last night, provoking the man was starting to sound like a very good idea. Instead of her usual sports bra, she pulled out the lacy ones that her sister-in-law, Christy, had given her for Christmas. They matched the panties nicely even if they weren't a set.

She found the shirt and the jeans that she wanted to wear and then waited. She stalled until the door opened and Teal'c came out. Then, she got dressed.

He didn't say anything. Not when they dressed together. Not when they walked out together.

And then they both walked into the living room and stood by watching the Colonel and Daniel moving the couch back to its usual place.

~ ~ ~

"I told you," Jack said to Daniel.

Daniel gave the Colonel one of those looks that said they were communicating beyond the realm of mere mortals.

"Namasté!" Dancing Butterfly declared to all present. "The blessings of the goddess upon all of you! Let us welcome the new day together my wonderful students!"

"You mean suckers, right," O'Neill asked as he walked by her to his usual chair.

"Jack and Daniel on the chairs," she said before he could sit. She pointed at the couch as she said, "Teal'c and Samantha on the couch."

"Firstly," she said seriously, "I want to apologize for the deception, but I felt that it would do more good than harm. If we are to remain on schedule I had to have you here for further instruction."

"I said it once, I'll say it again. Do you know how many times I jerked off last night, woman? I'm old, I need my sleep."

"Yes," Butterfly said with a smile. "The Major said just about the same thing to me." She looked around as she said, "You all need more sex. If a little masturbation is all it takes to bring the Air Force to its knees, then this country is in serious trouble."

Jack sat back and shut up. Daniel smirked. Sam and Teal'c remained silent.

"Because yesterday's lesson was one of those hurtles that we had to overcome, I decided to split the lesson into two for your benefit."

Daniel raised his hand like the teacher's pet that he excelled to be during his life.

"Yes, baby," Butterfly said.

"Where exactly do these lessons come from? Just curious."

Butterfly smiled. "I teach several seminars in human sexuality. Swinging, alternative lifestyles, foot fetishes as well as other fetishes. For George I've compiled lessons from every class that I felt was appropriate so that you can get to where you need to go."

Jack didn't hesitate to say, "Ask a stupid question1/4"

"If we may proceed," Butterfly said a bit tensely.

"Lady, I barely had time to pee. I haven't had my coffee. I know Daniel's still half-asleep. And I want to be in bed."

Butterfly promptly walked out of the room.

Daniel turned a glared at Jack.

He shrugged and said, "Well I am and I do. Tell me you're not tired. You came four times last night!"

"I was inspired," Daniel said sleepily. "You still need to apologize to her."

Jack growled under this breath.

Dancing Butterfly reappeared in the room with a cardboard tray of coffee cups saying, "I thought you urban heathens and your caffeine addictions would need an early morning fix in order to hear me."

"Butterfly," Daniel said happily as he reached for a cup, "you're a beautiful creature. Don't ever change."

Jack reached for a cup.

Sam managed to say a sleepy thank you.

Jack took a sip and the bitterness of black coffee instantly hit him. He held the cup out to Daniel as he handed him his own cup with an 'ew' look on his face. They switched. Jack sipped and tasted a nice sweet, creamy cappuccino. He sat back and savored it.

"Now the lesson. It begins with the foundation of all lovemaking. After all, it's always in his kiss."

"Shit," Jack whispered against his cup.

"You can always tell how someone feels about you by the way they kiss your mouth. It's the most intimate touch that will open the gateway to our hearts. We can share our bodies over and over again without feeling a thing. But the kiss1/4that's extremely personal. That is intimate."

She picked up the little tray that she'd prepared and brought it to the coffee table. She set out the little Asian condiment bowls that she'd assembled for her pupils. First she placed two bowls each containing orange wedges and then two bowls each containing spearmint candies.

"First," she said turning to Jack and Daniel. "I want to know that you're capable of it." Before Jack could say anything, she said, "Naturally, without hesitation, fluidly. Like a married couple should. Without reservation. This requires practice. It has to look as if you've done it a thousand times before. And you have to move beyond your own hesitations and homophobia."

Instead of speaking, Jack brought his cup up to his lips and drank a good healthy swing of cappuccino. When he was done, he said, "I think this needs whiskey."

"You move towards that cabinet," Daniel said crisply, "and my first call this morning is to Frasier."

Jack turned to look at Daniel. "You realize that you're only pretending to be my wife, right?"

Daniel didn't take the bait. Instead of sparking off a fight, he sipped his grande, black Colombian coffee.

"Sam, Teal'c," Butterfly said calmly. "Why don't you start? I'm sure that it's been a while since you've been on a couch to make out, but it's a skill you never lose."

Sam stared blankly at her. "I never did that," she said slightly annoyed as the high school years came crashing down around her.

"Shut up," Daniel said to his coffee before Jack could make a geek, nerd, or wallflower joke that he knew would be hurtful at that moment. He could feel the tension in Jack, but something about Sam's face just told him that she just didn't need it.

~ ~ ~

Sam didn't quite know what to do with her long limbs at first. She wasn't sure if she should reposition herself or if she should be on the other side of the couch. Teal'c's hands were warm and steady; not sweaty like hers. She looked into his face before she leaned in to kiss him that first time on purpose and of her volition. He was so calm and collected that it unnerved her all the more.

He was a 118 year-old man, she realized. He was three and a half times older than her. A man of his age and experience didn't need a little girl playing games with him.

She leaned in and kissed him. She decided then and there to stop the games, get through the mission, and try to do what she could to repair the damage that she'd already done to their relationship. Losing him was the last thing that she wanted.

~ ~ ~

Daniel watched, quite interested as the couple in front of them progressed easily. The kissing was awkward for about five seconds. But he really had to admit that Sam and Teal'c had a definite sexual connection that came out naturally between them. They just worked when it came to the physical. Melding together, into one another, they spoke the same physical language.

He envied that.

Butterfly was sitting on the carpet leaning on the coffee table watching quite happily.

"Oranges," Butterfly said offering Sam and Teal'c a little dish with wedges. They each took one and bit into the oranges.

They returned to the kissing with a renewed interest.

"The natural taste of certain foods makes certain activities much more interesting," Butterfly said before turning towards Daniel and Jack. She folded her hands on the coffee table and said, "Now the two of you."

Before either of them could say a word, she said, "You have all day to practice. And then this evening we'll see where we are. Please, for right now just try it."

"Okay," Daniel said releasing his coffee cup on the table in front of him. He breathed in and out a few times as he closed his eyes tightly. He did his best to come to terms with the fact that he was about to be kissing Jack O'Neill on the lips. Once he felt centered enough to proceed he said, "Ready."

"I'm not," Jack responded.

Daniel turned to look at him. He knew the look. Daniel sighed. "You know, I could go alone."

"And become fair game. You saw how that guy was looking at you, and I was standing right next to you for Pete's sake!"

"I have been known to talk my way out of certain things."

"And into worse trouble." Jack turned his face away from Daniel and reluctantly set his own coffee cup down. "You realize," Jack said slowly, "that we'll never be the same people again. Everything will change. You won't just be my buddy anymore."

Hesitantly, Daniel said, "Jack we're not that close right now." When Jack looked at him questioningly, Daniel added, "You're always pulling away from people. I noticed that a long time ago. I get it. But we're not close anymore. You're not losing a buddy. We haven't been best buddies in a long time."

Jack looked away.

Daniel could feel the tension.

"Daniel?" Butterfly asked hesitantly. "Breaking up your relationship isn't something that I'd ever intend."

"You're not," Daniel replied easily. "There was a time when we were good friends. We went out every chance we got. It was nice. Then it ended."

"Why?" she asked carefully.

Daniel shrugged. He looked away as he realized that taking about this hurt worse then he'd realized it would.

"Carter!" Jack said suddenly sitting up. Sam sat up quickly coming to attention in her seat as she wiped at her mouth. "Why don't you and Teal'c take those spearmints and experiment in the car? I'm sure you're rearing to get that jump start on the day."

Butterfly reached into a pocket and gave them an envelope before they left as she said, "Many blessings!"

Daniel didn't wait for Jack to speak. The moment that Teal'c and Sam were gone and the door was closed, he turned to Jack and said, "I'm sorry I chastised you like that in front of your team. I shouldn't have challenged your authority like that."

Jack was quiet for a moment. Finally, he said, "While I know that certain miracles have been known to happen, and I'm amazed that you would say something like that to me, I was about to agree with you. I have pulled away." Then even more seriously, Jack said, "But this, this will alter our relationship forever."

"Can't get worse," Daniel muttered.

"Yes, it can." Jack sighed. "When things get truly uncomfortable, I could simply decide that it's not worth it and bail. This is not just toeing the queer-line, Danny. This is tap dancing all over it."

Butterfly stared at Jack and clearly asked, "Where exactly is the end?"

"Pardon," Jack asked.

"Where is the end?" she asked repeating herself. "All I know is that in a few days you're going to put in an appearance at an orgy. How far are you going to go? You don't seem to want to send him in alone. So what are you going to do?"

Before Jack could open his mouth and comment, Butterfly said, "Most of the guys that I've dealt with in the past, for George's sake, are men that haven't got a problem with shooting, killing, or doing something physical. But when you ask them to do something of the heart, they're suddenly squeamish. So, I usually make it as physical a thing as possible." She seriously said to him, "Don't think. This is sex. Feel the pleasure and take it. It's not love. It's not commitment. You have no obligation here."

Jack continued to look at her.

"There's no one here, gentlemen. This is the two of you. And if you want, I'll leave-"

"Please," Jack said quickly.

As she stood she said, "I want you both to remember that no one will judge you. This is prep work for your next mission, nothing more."

She promptly walked to the light switch and turned the lights off on her way out.

~ ~ ~

"Subtle," Jack said into the dark.

The streetlights outside were still on and the dawning sun not up yet. There were no streetlights near the large windows of the living room, so they were very much in the dark.

"Did you ever make out on the couch when you were-"

"Yeah, of course. Why did you stop me from-"

"She didn't need the goading. Kind of like I don't need the goading right now. I think that those two are having a hard time of it."

Jack laughed a fake, dry noise that fooled no one that heard it.

"They want to just come together, but something's holding them back." Daniel looked straight ahead still seeing the two people that he'd seen sitting there not more than a few moments prior. "We both think that it's harder because we weren't in a relationship, but they were only at the beginning of starting one. I'm afraid for them, Jack. Maybe they can't reconcile how fast they have to jump into this." Daniel shook his head. "I really want them to work out."

Jack was quiet. After a moment of thought, he finally said, "Me too."

Jack became silent again. As he thought about it, he said, "I've only ever kissed girls, Daniel. I don't know what to do with a man."

"Me too."

A little perplexed, he said, "I don't know if I want to treat you like a girl."

Daniel raised his eyebrows as he considered it. "I don't think I want to be treated like a girl, Jack. I'm not a girl."

Despite the darkness, Daniel could sense Jack nodding at him.

"Let's just try it and figure it out as we go," Daniel said shifting in his seat towards Jack.

Jack found his hand to Daniel's shoulder in the dark. "No tongue first time out."

"Good," Daniel said nervously. "Baby steps."

"Exactly," Jack said.

Jack leaned in close purposefully keeping his face to one side away from the man. When he could feel Daniel's breathe on his cheek, he closed his eyes.

This was real.

"No tongue," Jack reminded himself as he tried to take solace in the words. He turned his face towards Daniel and brushed his lips against the man. A little dry, but not awful. He pulled away and then leaned back towards Daniel's blank face. He pressed making sure that their lips touched for a few seconds.

Jack pulled away and sat back on the couch.

He realized that he felt nervous. Nervous enough to want to talk. Jack asked, "Are you a good kisser?"

"I don't know. I guess."

Jack's brow wrinkled as he asked, "What do you mean, you guess?"

"Kissing's just never been on my top ten list of things to think about on a daily basis."

When the silence began again, Jack said, "Well, I'm a good kisser. I was always pretty good. It's not a skill you lose."

"Good."

They tried it again. They didn't talk about it. They didn't even see each other coming. They simply leaned in at the same time and managed to catch each other's lips.

It went smoothly, at first. Warm lips, firm, not too bad. But then the scratchy feeling of a little section of not so well shaved face scratched at a lip as the other tasted soap on the other man's face. They both pulled away and wiped at their faces.

"One more and you can have your daily chores list!" Butterfly yelled from another part of the house.

"Crap," Jack groaned.

"She can really be-"

"Yeah."

~ ~ ~

The spearmint candy was cool and strong. She had to spit it out after a while, but she licked her fingers clean. Teal'c deposited his candy into his awaiting fingers and then leaned in.

She kissed him briefly and then pulled away to giggle as the cool sensation from his mouth tickled at her tongue. She calmed herself down and then reached for his lips again. She quickly wrapped her arms around his neck and indulged in his taste.

He smelled good. He felt good. And he tasted even better. The candy went unnoticed for the most part but the cool sensation of it tempted the both of them for more.

It was nice.

They kissed for a long time and then just held each other. It was a little awkward in the small space allotted by her sports car, but they managed it. It was nice just to lean against him again. She knew that if she wasn't careful she could get used to it very quickly.

"I believe that they are opening," Teal'c said so that the words rumbled in his chest, dead center were her ear was pressed against him.

She pulled away reluctantly and flipped down the visor. She made sure that it wasn't too obvious that she'd just made out with her quasi-husband in her car.

"I used this place when I was helping Daniel to find a place to live the last time. A couple of the guys that work here are ex-military, and two of them were even stationed under the mountain. They don't ask a lot of questions after you identify yourself. I figured we could fulfill today's task and maybe find you a place to live."

He turned and just looked at her.

"I know," she said. "I know that you've lived under worse circumstances."

"I don't mind the base. It is1/4suitable."

"And stifling," she said she said carefully. "And twenty six floors under the grass, dirt, and sunshine. I'm not telling you that you need to do this. All I'm saying is that you might want to think about the possibility of living someplace that removes you from the constancy of our work1/4it's just a thought."

She looked ahead at the agency and added, "We're getting married soon." She felt the ring on her ring finger. She didn't bother to take it off anymore. "We're looking for our first place together. One bedroom, one bath within a reasonable distance of work?"

He turned his face away from her and straight ahead at the agency. "I do not swim."

"No pool," she said suddenly remembering, "But a gym? And a nice kitchen; I know you cook." As if remembering, she also added, "Privacy. Lot's of privacy and good security."

There was an awkward pause of a few seconds between them before he hesitantly said, "It can do no harm to look."

~ ~ ~

"Go house hunting," Daniel read incredulously. "We don't have time for this! Whenever I've had to do this it usually takes me three or four days just to find a realtor and then a few weeks to find a place to live! And, then you feel the need to inspect the place and point out all its faults!"

"You know what we need?" Jack asked as he reached for the salt.

"An act of God," Daniel offered as he picked up his fork and set about mashing his omelet into small manageable pieces.

"Why do you do that? Every time we come here for lunch you demand the perfect omelet every time and then you destroy the sucker the moment you get it."

Daniel looked up. "And every time we come here you always get the bratwurst and drown the damn thing in ketchup."

Jack slicked off a slice of his sausage and held it up. "Sara was German, and I'm an extremely patriotic American. Live with it."

"Sounds like good advice, Jack. I suggest you take it too."

The act of submerging his sausage in the puddle of ketchup next to his sauerkraut was somehow soured as he realized that he'd just been outsmarted by Daniel again.

"Anyway," Jack said quickly. "What we need is a little creativity." Jack popped the sausage slice into his mouth and licked a dribble of ketchup off his lip. He chewed a few times before he pushed his food into a cheek so he could say, "I was getting a divorce when we met, but when you came back from Abydos1/4" Jack started chewing again.

The light when on. "You had already bought your house." Daniel nodded and said, "And I was homeless. You took me home with you."

Jack smirked. "And that statement now takes on an entirely new meaning. So you moved in."

"But a house isn't a home, Jack." Daniel waived his fork around as he pointed out. "You've lived in that place for six years and aside from a neat yard and an interesting office space, you've done nothing with it. It doesn't even feel like you live there."

Instead of commenting, or worse yet, expanding further on Daniel's thoughts, Jack said, "Interior decorator."

Daniel had just put a forkful of omelet into his mouth when he looked up surprised.

Jack smiled. "I'll even let you talk to the person and make all those suggestions that I know are popping up all over at the moment."

~ ~ ~

They were in the hotel room again. Only this time the blue envelope was thicker, much thicker. They hadn't had the nerve to open it, so they didn't until they were sitting at the table in the same room that they had occupied before.

The envelope in question lay unassumingly on the flat of the table's space between them.

Jack carefully picked up the envelope that they had both been staring at and finally opened it. Daniel breathed in audibly as Jack pulled out the contents. Two condoms fell out of the envelope and onto the table. Jack slowly unfolded the notepaper and read.

Daniel watched the man carefully trying to read every subtle nuance. Jack's face betrayed very little in that moment.

"Well," Daniel asked after too much time had past.

Jack opened his mouth and Daniel quickly said, "Never mind. I don't want to know."

Jack slid the note back into the envelope and let it fall from his fingers. Carefully, almost with a dread-filled appreciation, he picked up the two condoms on the table. The two rubbers sat folded in clear cellophane wrappers; one was blue, the other was green. Jack held them and watched the two little objects with a blank face.

"Alright," Daniel said giving up, "what does that lunatic expect from us?"

Jack held up a condom. With the calm that only live battle and firefight could create, Jack said, "Basically, she wants us to play a game. Get on the bed. Lube each other up. Put on the condom for the other. Get on all fours on top of your partner and pretend to rut. We don't have to penetrate each other, but we have to make the people in the rooms around us think that we're fucking each other senseless."

Daniel just stared at Jack.

Jack stacked the two condoms in his hand and played with them as he said, "After, we do our meditations as per usual."

"Wait," Daniel said with a hint of a smile. "We don't have any lubricant. We can't-"

Jack deposited the tube on the tabletop as Daniel watched.

"The note said, 'Jack, check your pocket'. She must have dropped it in."

"Lucky us," Daniel commented. He was quiet for a while. Finally, he managed to say, "So how do we1/4"

Calmly, Jack said, "The note's pretty clear."

"Not what I meant," Daniel replied sternly.

Jack looked away and remained silent.

"At least," Daniel said slowly, "she's not asking us to have sex yet."

Jack turned to look at Daniel.

Daniel looked down at his hands as he said, "We did the masturbation thing, didn't we? This isn't much different." He thought quietly for a moment before saying, "She wants to bring us one step closer."

Daniel reached out for one of the condoms. Jack opened his hands so Daniel could pick one. Daniel removed one of the packets without touching Jack's skin.

Emotionlessly, Jack said, "You realize that the next step is some sort of intrusive penetration?"

Daniel ignored him and quickly asked, "So what are your nooners usually like? I haven't done anything like this with anyone1/4on this planet. If I was really infatuated with someone, just besotted, and dripping in lust, I guess one of these encounters would be as loud as I could make it. I think that I'd want to chip the paint, and crack the plaster."

Jack smirked. "Yeah, that's what a good afternoon session is like1/4 Loud, pounding, wild, caveman sex that makes your knees weak and your eyes blind."

"So I guess," Daniel ducked his eyes back to the thing that he was playing with in his hands, "that's what we should do today?"

Daniel stood up first.

Jack stood up from the table once Daniel had started to undress. With the condom in one hand and the tube of lubricant in the other, he walked to the bed. He threw both onto the bedspread before beginning the process of removing his clothes.

Once Daniel was naked, he sat on the bed. A moment later, he stood and walked to the windows. They were curtained heavily in a heavy white sheer, which wasn't nearly enough. Daniel pulled the heavy light-blocking drapery over the light fabric, blotting out the light. Half the room went instantly dark. He went to the second window and quickly sent the entire room into darkness.

Before he was able to turn, the yellow light of one of the bedside lamps went on.

Daniel walked back to the bed and picked up Jack's condom. Daniel's condom was still in his hand. He set both objects on the nightstand. He placed the lubricant next to them and pulled down the bedclothes before getting in.

Daniel was staring at the ceiling when he felt Jack's weight dip the bed towards his side.

Daniel managed to say, "I'd prefer," when the lights went off. He smiled into the dark and then said, "Thanks, Jack."

Jack slid in under the cold sheets as he said, "We'll we've accomplished the first half of this game." He heard his voice change in tone and pitch as he heard himself say, "I've never had my finger inside another man."

"That's makes two of us," Daniel said.

He rolled over and picked up the lube. He held it out into the dark but wasn't surprised when Jack found it by instinct alone.

Jack blamed Butterfly for everything that happened in that dark room. The familiarity of touching each other was there because she'd put it there. It was her fault that he'd rubbed Daniel's shoulders first. When his hands swept down Daniel's back smoothing out the tension, it was because he was confused. Lubricating his finger and finding his way into another man was far too easy. He blamed her entirely when he leaned in and smelled Daniel's hair as he lubricated the man's anal cavity. There was no reason to smell his hair as Daniel moaned. Not a single reason that he could logically come up with anyway.

He hated it when Daniel had to tell him to stop. He hated it that he hadn't known enough to pull away. But he did. He handed off the lubricant and rolled over.

Daniel didn't rub his shoulders; he went right for that place right between his shoulder blades. The knots were in the usual place and Daniel found them. It took all of two seconds for Jack to drop his heavy head to his pillow and melt into the strong fingers that were easing him quickly into comfort. He never heard himself utter a sound; wasn't even aware.

The comfort stopped abruptly when the first hand nudged between the cheeks of his ass so a cold, slip-covered finger could breach his body. Unlike Frasier's examinations, this digit was extremely careful in its entry and exploration. It went in slowly exploring as it went, diligently lubricating every inch that it could reach.

All Jack had to do was tense up. The finger was gone by the time his head picked up off the pillow. The second step was finished.

He heard the crackle of a condom before his was pressed into his hand in the dark. Jack tore open the packet and released the condom with ease. Just as he was going to put it on himself, he remembered. He reached over and found Daniel's warm stomach. He followed the hard planes down to the nest of soft curls at the base of his penis.

He'd already noticed that Daniel had a tendency to flop if he wasn't restrained. Jack held him just firmly enough and rolled the condom onto the man.

A moment later, Daniel reached over for Jack. He was hard. Daniel tried not to touch the man at all as he rolled the condom on him.

"How?" Daniel heard Jack ask him.

"Well, we're having anal sex." He didn't want to suggest that he be the bottoming partner. He remained very silent; frightened almost.

"Since it's pretend, and neither of us is going to penetrate."

"Right," Daniel said quickly.

"I'll1/4you know."

"And," Daniel added, "panting, grunting, howling."

"Screaming, praising, shouting," Jack said in complete agreement.

It was the last thing either of them said to each other that afternoon in a civil and calm tone.

An hour later the two men got up, got dressed, and walked out of the hotel room. Neither man wanted to look at the other. Jack walked out of the room and went directly to the car. He started the engine and drove around to pick up Daniel in front of the hotel's office where he'd walked to drop off the key.

Daniel kept his hands in his jacket's pockets. His skin was still sensitive. He skin was still goose-fleshed and began to tingle if he thought too hard about what they'd done together. He'd somehow managed to orgasm four times in a row. He wasn't sure how, but he had. He hadn't been trying, but he had. He hadn't meant to get into it as much as he did, but he had. He hadn't meant to do any of it, but he had.

He opened the car's door and sat down in the passenger's side. Jack didn't even look at him, which was for the best.

Jack actually felt a little sore in that spot just above his hole where Daniel had rubbed, and rubbed, and then rubbed some more. He could feel the bruises where Daniel's fingers hand dug into his hips as the younger man had come repeatedly. Although Jack hadn't been able to repeatedly come the way Daniel seemed to be able to do, he was able to enjoy two very long and extremely unexpected orgasms that had knocked him stupid.

In the dark they had groaned and moaned loudly. He'd screamed out for his lover the way that he imagined was right to do as Daniel's face had gone through the complex and unseen beauty of one orgasm after another. Minding their breath and riding the rhythm that they set together they were able to maintain a heavy atmosphere that fueled a constant need in both of them while maintaining the heavy musk of sex in hanging in the air.

~ ~ ~

"Tonight," Dancing Butterfly said happily, "we're going to do some guided imagery."

The tension in the room was felt as it dissipated in one long steady sigh of relief.

Then Butterfly added, "But first I'd like each of you to briefly describe your favorite sexual position."

"And there's the con," Jack said flatly.

He was ignored.

Butterfly simply said, "Sound off, Jack."

He sighed heavily. After a moment of thought he said, "Missionary."

She looked as if she didn't believe him as she said, "But there are so many-"

"Until or unless I start to trust you the only thing that you get is the word missionary."

She nodded and looked at Daniel.

He looked a little put out but eventually he said, "My wife was my longest sexual partner, but we really didn't have a lot of privacy. I guess you could say that our most reliable, private, and constantly used position was on our sides with a blanket over us."

"No wild monkey sex?" she asked tenderly.

He smiled. "Only when we went out into the desert exploring together and we could be alone. But there's only so much you can do in the sand under the burning sun."

"Yeah, sand gets into places and chafes," she concurred.

Teal'c was silent for a long time. He seemed ready to speak a few times but then stopped on opening his mouth each time.

"You're safe here," Butterfly said, "and no one here will judge you."

A muscle in his jaw twitched. "Unlike my comrades I don't know what you call these things here."

"Describe it," she said helpfully.

Only for Daniel he said, "Te'tu hu kep'itumf esebarek, nom're. E' tupkimf, tupkimf erfum."

Daniel nodded and said, "Oral."

Butterfly became confused. "I this taboo in your country? It isn't in ours."

Teal'c looked very guilty as he said, "In the barracks men get lonely. Sometimes we were away from our wives for months or years. Women were kept for such purposes." He looked away and quietly added, "It was another life."

The room went very quiet for a few, long seconds which Butterfly broke by quickly saying, "Sam?"

Sam had a hard time thinking about it. Not only after what Teal'c had just said and the many questions that his comment raised, but also because there were several possibilities. Finally, she said, "My favorite depends on the purpose?"

Butterfly smiled and replied, "Sex with a man is the purpose, please explain."

She shrugged. "If I want to get off real fast then I'm on top. I can control my orgasms much better that way. If I just want a long slow1/4then it's a missionary situation. If I want something quick and dirty, then I want to be on my knees when he's pounding hard into me."

The men present squirmed a little.

Butterfly smiled and said, "It's nice to meet a woman that knows what she needs from sex." Butterfly clapped her hands lightly as she said, "Bravo."

"Now, I want Daniel and Sam to assume their favorite sexual position. You're going to give your mate the gift of watching you orgasm with their name on your lips." She breathed in deeply as if preparing for mediation and said on the exhale, "You will pretend that you are in the midst of the most amazing sexual encounter of your life." She breathed in deeply again and exhaled, "You'll pant, scream, bite, clutch, and demand of your partner." Butterfly breathed in and then exhaled, "And your partners will receive your gift, watch you, and learn from your reactions."

There was a long silence where no one, not even Butterfly, spoke. She remained in her meditative-like position. The four simply stared at her.

It was Jack that first spoke. When he did it was simply to say, "Okay."

Butterfly's eyes snapped open. She turned to look at him in utter surprise.

Quickly, he added, "But, not here. In our bedrooms."

Butterfly smiled transcendentally. "Of course, but I retain the right to come in at a later point in time to see how you did and to guide you if it's needed. Please begin first with your yogic meditation and then proceed to the exercise."

The four didn't remain long. They awkwardly stood up. Jack and Daniel walked quickly to Jack's bedroom and Sam and Teal'c to the guest room. Once the doors closed the real awkwardness began.

~ ~ ~

Sam stripped down to her underwear and sat on the bed mindlessly staring at the wall in front of her. The guest room was pretty blank. The Colonel had done very little with most of his house. In a very real way she was glad that he and Daniel had gone to see that decorator1/4and hired her. The Colonel's house needed a little something extra.

At one point she'd thought that what he needed was a woman's touch. But the truth was that he just needed something, anything that would give him a reason to claim the house as his. Everywhere she looked there was a big gapping hole. The man needed that emptiness filled. In him and in the house.

She felt the bed shift heavy and she fell towards Teal'c. She fell heavily, not even bothering to stop herself from crashing into his shoulder.

"Are you well," he asked gently.

"Fine," she said lazily as she leaned her cheek against him, "I was just thinking about the Colonel. He and Daniel are such good friends. I wonder if the Colonel was right when he said that marriage is more about friendship than about anything else?"

"He is," Teal'c replied. "I was married for many years," he said looking away from her. "Friendship is necessary."

When she didn't speak again, he asked, "I have a question."

She sat up a little straighter, though still leaning into him, and waited.

Hesitantly, he said, "By now we both know that my body sometimes thinks for itself. I can only assume that we will be in close contact for this. Do you prefer that I remain fully clothed?"

"I prefer that you remain as comfortable as possible," she responded. Then she asked, "How are you doing?"

For the first time that she could ever recall, she saw him respond by shrugging.

~ ~ ~

Jack walked into the room, closed the door, and just about froze down to the bone. He had no idea what to do.

Daniel apparently did. He walked right in and began stripping of his shirt.

Jack swallowed the lump in his throat as he watched Daniel pull his jeans down and step out of them. He threw his denim over the back of a chair and pulled his underwear down. Daniel kicked them aside before walking to bed.

The knock on the door came with a gush from Jack's lungs. He opened the door and found Butterfly standing there.

She took one look at his face and said, "I'd like a private moment with Daniel."

He didn't hesitate to skedaddle.

~ ~ ~

Teal'c sat in the center of the bed, like he did every night, and then he waited. Unlike usual, he wasn't naked. His erection was contained tightly within the confines of his jeans. Usually he liked the skin-tight fabric, but this night the inside seam was torturing him without end.

The sight of Samantha walking around freely in the lacy, semi-transparent undergarments wasn't helping the matter. His mouth watered at the sight of her walking towards him. Her breasts swayed firmly under the thin fabric. They were as attractive as the golden nest of honey colored hair below that was barely hidden by the matching lace undergarment.

He accepted her as he did every night, and called on every moment of training that he'd ever had over the course of his long life to contain himself. He'd never had something that he wanted so much, so close, and yet so infinitely far out of grasp.

When he'd first realized his feelings, he knew that it could get awkward. Not just because she wasn't Jaffa. Not just because they were on the same fighting unit. Not just because she was a good friend. Not just because her father was Tok'ra. But because, he didn't want to risk losing her1/4in every possible sense of the word.

Even after all the years that he'd seen come and go, he still felt unschooled when it came to women. His interactions with the women that he'd loved had only proven to him that his sense of duty was somehow twisted inappropriately when love was combined. Fate had shown him time and time again just how stupidly he'd dealt with matters.

And now he was risking this young, brilliant woman, who for all intents had yet to live.

He found it difficult to keep those thoughts in his mind as she straddled his thighs and sat with her legs wrapped securely around his waist. He was glad that he had no need to reach Kel-no-reem. That state of serenity and peace would have been impossible to reach with her arms wrapped around his shoulders. Or, her breasts pressed against his chest so that he could feel her hardened nipples. Or, the scent of her soft hair that reached his nostrils when she leaned her forehead against his.

They began their 'meditative' chant, touching lightly, feeling each other's bodies.

It was an insult to every meditation known. No one could certainly find either enlightenment or peace in such a way. Not certainly when feeling such an incredible agony and hunger.

~ ~ ~

"What's this?" Butterfly asked as she sat down and touched Daniel's wrinkled forehead.

"What?" Daniel asked absently noticing her for the first time.

"What are these weird worry lines on your forehead?"

He didn't even hesitate to respond. "Thoughts, memories, experiences." He turned and found that Jack wasn't in the room. Daniel sighed. He slumped back and heavily said, "When he comes back, he's going to climb on top and do whatever. Eventually, he'll hold me down and fuck me and I hate that I'm going to let him."

Butterfly turned her head as she continued to listen to all that wasn't being said. When she was ready she asked, "Why do I hear all this negativity and pain? Where is that coming from?"

"Where isn't it?" Daniel replied almost happily. He became serious a moment later and added, "I've always loved school, but there were always people who hurt me there too. All the way through to college."

He shrugged. "I was really one of the poorest college students you ever saw. I was always studying, always alone. I didn't have time for girls. I got called a queer a lot." Daniel stopped so he could catch his mental breath. When he was able to, he said, "Jack would never compromise himself. I'm not even going to get a choice."

Daniel felt almost sick when he realized, "And if anyone else on base ever finds out, it's going to start all over again."

Dancing Butterfly stroked Daniel's hair back once with both hands. The second time she covered his eyes with her hands and then stroked back slowly through his hair.

"You think too much," Butterfly said. "I want you to do something for me, try to have some fun."

Daniel couldn't help the laugh. "Jack tells me the same thing."

"Jack is right," she said softly. "Sex shouldn't be scary, evil, or forbidding. It's a gift. Accept it and love where you can. I know that you and Jack care very deeply for one another. This makes you both very fortunate because you get to share this amazing experience with someone that you already love. Simply accept. That's all you have to do."

"What if-"

She covered his mouth with her hand.

When she'd pulled it away, he was silent.

~ ~ ~

Dancing Butterfly walked out of the bedroom and found Jack sitting on the hallway floor almost twenty feet away. She walked towards him and slid down the wall so she could sit next to him.

She then asked, "If you have a choice, would you rather be happy or free?"

"Free," Jack responded so quickly that he surprised her. "You can always find happiness somewhere down the line. If you're not free, you can never really be happy."

Just as easily, she said, "If freedom is that important to you, why keep someone else imprisoned by circumstances?"

He looked away annoyed. "Philosophical discussion has never been my strong suit."

"That's fine," she said easily. "Just ponder one quick thought. People who know you the best usually try to make things easier for you. Sometimes, even if it hurts them."

Butterfly flipped over and used the wall to stand with a grunt. She stretched her back saying, "Oh, man! I'm getting too old for all this floor work." She walked down the hall just as barefoot as the first moment that she set foot into his home and stepped out of her clogs. "Good night, Jack."

Eventually, he stopped staring at his bedroom door at the end and got up off the floor with a crick to his knee. He slumped towards his door and listened for a while at the wood. He didn't hear anything, which surprisingly didn't make him feel better.

He stood by shifting from one foot to another. When he'd had enough he exhaled deeply and walked into his own bedroom feeling intimidated and out of place.

Daniel was waiting in bed naked from the waist up. Jack didn't have to ask. He knew that the rest of Daniel was naked too. He'd been coming to bed naked since this debacle began. They both had. Jack knew that Daniel was simply waiting for Jack to strip down and join him in bed so that they could mediate.

He shuddered inwardly.

Meditation was not the right word. Having Daniel wrap nakedly around him, press tightly against him so that they could look each other in the eyes before pressing their foreheads together and chant resembled no meditative technique that Jack had ever heard about. And the later part in the rumination where he was supposed to slowly touch Daniel's naked flesh matching Daniel's every pressure, stroke, and position as they touched1/4

He sat down on the bed and wondered what he'd done to deserve1/4

Alright, perhaps he wasn't the good, tight-ass, Catholic boy that Nanna O'Neill had wanted when she'd first suggested that he might become a priest. The best laid plans. Then again, if he'd actually done what he'd been expected to do, perhaps he wouldn't at that very moment have been sitting on his bed trying to prepare himself for the show that he was about to get1/4

He'd done things in multiple partner situations, but never so he could get it on with a guy. A girl willing to take him and whatever buddy he was with wasn't a situation for getting friendly with said buddy.

Even as sexually adventurous as he'd once considered himself to be, he felt nervous. Fear. Fear was a good word for it. He didn't know how watching Daniel present him with 'the gift of watching him orgasm with his name on Daniel's lips' was going to make any of that better. In his mind it could only get worse, much, much worse.

In his mind he kept hearing Butterfly say, "pant, scream, bite, clutch, and demand of your partner". What was that? How was that supposed to play out?

This couldn't end well for anyone involved. It couldn't end well for him.

Oh, God!

"Jack?"

Why hadn't he become a priest?

"Yeah," Jack managed after a few long moments of trying to calm his heart beat down before he suffered a stroke.

"I think we should talk."

Jack nodded stiffly. His neck just didn't want to cooperate with him. He'd wanted to say that it was a good idea. Talking was good. But he wasn't able to work either his jaw or his tongue.

"I need to know what you're thinking?" Daniel asked quietly.

Jack really thought about it as he stared at his closet door. His conclusion was that the left door was hanging wrong and that was the most likely reason why it had been sticking.

"Nothing," Jack finally said. "I," he added. He swallowed hard and then ventured, "I'm too scared to really think."

"I need you to tell me something very honestly. Your answer will stay between us. It'll die with me, Jack."

He knew Daniel well enough to know that the man's word was as good as gold. He was one of the few non-military people that Jack had ever met that really understood the meaning of words like honor and integrity. That always went pretty far with him.

Jack nodded.

After a few seconds, Daniel asked, "I just need to know if1/4if you've ever had any1/4thoughts. Any kind of those thoughts, I don't care how casual or here one minute and gone the next."

Jack thought carefully as he went through his memories.

He started by saying, "Military culture has a lot of rules. You learn quick and you keep to them."

Jack could feel Daniel's immediate response behind him. He didn't have to see Daniel, to know that the man had just looked away to hide the look on his face. Even if Jack's back was to him.

"Once upon a time, in a land of a thousand lakes there lived this guy. He was young and real curious about a lot of things. He could always handle himself real well. He had height on him. He loved being out in the woods so he was very physically fit even if he wasn't real bulky. He was a scrapper though; finished every fight he ever got into, so people stayed out of his way.

"But he had a real dubious place in life. He made people uncomfortable even if he didn't always try to. He never meant to scare anyone; it just sort of started happening over time. As he got older he realized that he really liked1/4

Jack hung his head and shut his eyes.

"It dies with me," Daniel repeated quietly.

Jack felt a bit sick. He'd never actually said it before. He'd never uttered anything like this aloud in his life. He told himself that he'd say it and then forget that he ever had, then deny, deny, deny, deny.

He was good at that.

He braced himself and said, "That he liked going to the bathroom1/4so he could make comparisons. He didn't even realize that he did that kind of thing until one day when someone at school walked away still wetting the floor and called him an ugly name. He found the guy that day after school and beat the shit out of him so that he'd never tell anyone and have to admit that he got beaten up by a1/4"

Jack felt tears gathering under his tightly squeezed eyes. He didn't want to shed a single one, but he knew that it was only a matter of time.

"You don't have to answer my questions." Daniel paused, and then gently asked, "What was the fascination?"

"I don't know," Jack murmured. "You're the anthropologist. Why don't you tell me? Bathrooms are taboo, aren't they1/4well, men's bathrooms. Women hold freaking conventions in theirs."

Jack could feel Daniel's smile.

"True," Daniel said with that smile in his voice. "Men do have very clearly delineated rules about what can and can not happen in a bathroom. If you look, you're gay. If you don't, you're not. But if you're curious about other men, and everyone is, then how are you supposed to see another man in a non-sexual manner?"

Jack smiled. "I knew you'd explain it to me."

"You still haven't answered my question. Have you ever had thoughts of any kind?"

This time Jack had to turn. He sat up on the bed and stretched his long legs out in front of him as he propped his pillows up so he could lean back. He looked at Daniel as he said, "I just told you-"

"Sexual thoughts," Daniel emphasized. "Have you ever looked at a guy and thought, 'what would it be like? If I was another person, in another place.' Or met someone that just made a weird surge of lust just pour out of you? Or maybe, some guy came up and offered to suck you off and maybe you were tempted for a moment to agree."

"I," Jack said. Despite his usual answer biting at his tongue, he quashed the impulse so he could think about it. "Chenoweth," Jack eventually said. He flinched on hearing the name out loud after such a long time. "Oh, man," he groaned.

Daniel was silent as he waited.

Jack didn't turn away this time. He faced Daniel.

"We were on a long-term1/4project. It was someplace isolated, and cold. A couple of times the generator gave out and we had to double up. We were in that shit hold for eight months." Jack shook his head at the memory. He looked at Daniel and said, "To this day I still won't touch baked beans. We lived on that crap. If I hadn't been able go out and cut a hole in the ice we probably would have tried to eat one another just to get the taste of meat in our mouths."

Jack realized what he'd just said. Quickly, he corrected himself by saying, "I didn't mean-"

"It's okay," Daniel said with a nod. "I got it."

Jack looked away. After a moment he said, "Chenoweth never said anything to me. Never hinted, never implied, never anything, but his eyes said it all. And it wasn't that he was leering at me. It was just that sometimes he got this look in his eyes1/4like he was in love with me or promising me something. I always ignored it, but there were more than a few times when I was tempted to find out."

Daniel gently asked, "Why didn't you? It's not like anyone would have found out."

Jack looked right at Daniel and said, "Two words." He held up one finger and said, "Sara." He held up the other finger and said, "O'Neill." Jack looked away from Daniel again, "We'd been married for an entire month when I had to leave. I was very in love with her and I promised that I'd never cheat on her1/4 without a rubber on." Jack shifted uncomfortably. "After we finally left, he and I never talked about it. He died a year later. Training accident."

"What about now, if it had happened today?"

Jack shook his head as he quickly said, "Not a question I can answer. I'm a different man."

Daniel didn't speak. He simply watched Jack.

Jack turned his head away from Daniel. It took him a while but eventually he said, "I don't know what I would do."

He shifted around. It took him a while to realize that he was fidgeting. He tried to stop but that only made him more upset than he already was. Eventually, he gave up and met Daniel eye-to-eye.

"What do you want to hear?" Jack asked. "That I wanted to fuck him? That I'd do it now if I had the chance?" Jack paused. "I don't know and that's the truth."

Daniel finally turned away and stared straight ahead.

Jack joined his friend in staring at the wall opposite them.

It was a few minutes before Daniel finally said, "I've never been with a guy. But quite honestly, there have been occasional stray thoughts that made me wonder just how hetero-"

"One to ten," Jack asked about as fast as Frasier ever had.

"With one being ramrod straight and ten being a prancing fag? I guess somewhere between five and six. Sometimes, I think seven. Sometimes, I'm just not sure. I notice things that I don't think straight men should notice. I do look on occasion." Daniel breathed out audibly. "I get weird dreams all the time."

"We all get them," Jack said quickly.

"How often do you dream that you're being fucked by a man and there's a line of guys waiting for their turns that goes out the door?"

Jack went silent.

"As I get older, these thoughts have gotten worse." True to Daniel's nature, he didn't stop talking. He just kept digging at the hole that he was standing in. "I'm not sure if it's the taboo nature of it, or just curiosity. And I'm not talking about it in the homophobic sense. I find the entire gay culture to be absolutely fascinating. Like that bathroom thing that you mentioned. Why should the men's bathroom be such a scary place to socialize in? Why don't American men kiss the way European men do?"

Somehow, Daniel caught on. Carefully, he asked, "I could keep going?"

Jack shook his head a little as he said, "Please don't."

They slipped into another silence. Only this time Jack knew that Daniel was feeling the strain of it quite deeply. Daniel only began picking at his fingernails while he was doing the lip-biting thing when he was really uncomfortable.

The burden of the man's thoughts spilled out a few moments later when he said, "You realize that we're going to have sex?"

Jack had to breathe in and calm himself before he was able to squeeze out the word, "Yeah."

Jack really wanted to call Butterfly an entire flurry of names from the list of personal descriptions that he'd been dreaming up, but he didn't have the heart. She was trying to help them. Hell! She'd baby-stepped him to naked yoga, and kissing another man. There were moments when his machoness got the better of him and he wanted to wring her neck, but the truth was that they were stuck. They had to buckle down and plow through1/4or else.

Jack swallowed. "You're my best friend, Daniel." He lost his nerve and didn't say the words that he actually wanted to say. Instead, he added, "I would blow it if we weren't."

It was Daniel's turn to say, "Yeah." Tentatively, he asked, "Tell me what you're willing to allow?"

Jack wanted to pretend that he didn't understand the question, but he did understand. He understood very well.

"What are you willing to1/4do?"

Daniel paused and then said, "Everything you want." Daniel swallowed so hard that Jack heard it. A moment later, he added, "I've decided that I've been curious long enough. I have to try this and while I'm working for the military this is probably going to be my safest shot. I know you won't hurt me, or tell anyone. This is safe."

"Daniel," Jack said hearing that warning tone to his voice. He stopped and made a conscious effort to normalize his voice as he added, "You don't have to worry about me telling anyone, but there's something you need to know. I mean, how could you know?"

Jack stopped speaking.

"What?"

Jack opened his mouth.

"Jack?"

He breathed in a few times and eventually said, "You might not be that safe with me, Danny?" He could hear the curiosity in Daniel's silence, but Jack was still given the room in which to speak. "I like rough sex. And when I'm really enjoying myself, I get careless."

Jack heard the silence and hoped that the conversation would simply end. But God doesn't grant favors everyday.

"How rough?"

"I've hurt a couple of women, Daniel. Sara was a good sport, and she liked a little pain. I guess that's why we worked so well together."

"Does that mean that you like to hear your partner's scream?"

"No!" Jack snapped. Then he lost his gust. "You've seen my equipment; put a little muscle and speed behind it and suddenly you get complaints." Jack instantly hesitated to say what he was thinking.

"Say it," Daniel encouraged. "I won't get mad."

"Daniel, if you are a virgin and I fuck you. I'll," Jack had to stop speaking for a moment. He had to catch his nerve and say, "I'll probably make you bleed."

Just like at any negotiation that he'd been to, Daniel thought quickly and said, "Then we'll make the no penetration rule until we both decide on it. And just so we're clear, being in the heat of the moment isn't the opportunity that can lead to a smart decision."

Jack faced Daniel and nodded.

"Now take your clothes off so we can meditate," Daniel said with a little smile.

"You think we could skip that tonight?" Jack asked a little self-consciously.

"Sure, we can go straight to pretending to orgasm while calling out each other's names."

"Naked yoga will be just fine," he said as he got off the bed and headed towards his bureau to deposit his watch before heading to the bathroom.

As usual, he was quick. He stepped out of his clothes and threw them into the hamper a moment before getting into the shower. He didn't wash as quickly as he usually did. He spent a few extra moments washing the important places before stepping out and toweling off.

He stopped at the sink and brushed well before gargling and rinsing.

When he was finished he looked directly into his own eyes. Somehow he'd expected himself to look different. Mostly, he just thought that he looked about as afraid as he felt inside.

Jack closed his eyes and did his best to let it go.

He turned off the lights and walked out without bothering to look at his image in the mirror again.

Like before, Daniel was in bed calmly waiting on his return. Unlike before, it was plainly and visibly obvious that Daniel was hard and ready for whatever was about to happen. It was plainly obvious that he'd been hard at work.

Daniel didn't speak.

Jack played crazy and blind as he made his way to bed without looking directly at the small tent pitched on Daniel's side of the bed. He slid in and calmly said, "So naked yoga?"

"Change of plans," Daniel whispered hoarsely.

"You said, um." Jack forced himself to calm down and breathe. "That on your side."

"Yeah," Daniel said rolling over towards Jack, slowly.

Jack hesitated but eventually moved a few inches closer to close the gap between them. He turned towards Daniel and waited.

As he studied the man, he realized that Daniel was panting slightly and seemed to be half way there already.

"What ever you're using, it's working," Jack said impressed and slightly relieved. This didn't look like it would take long.

He felt Daniel reach out and grasp his waist. "I have to tell you something," Daniel with a huff. "I really don't think that I can do this without actually coming. Is that okay?"

"That depends," Jack said unsure.

"On?"

"What do I have to do?"

Daniel simply said, "Watch. I'll keep the1/4busy work under the sheet."

Jack only nodded.

Daniel settled down onto his pillow. Jack watched his face closely. By his face alone Jack was able to tell when Daniel had first put his hand on himself and began stroking. It was absolutely amazing to Jack that he could see it all in Daniel's face without even trying.

His eyes were completely open and looking right into Jack's. It was almost like being directly tapped into Daniel's consciousness. He thought he knew Daniel's thoughts and it scared him a little. The man's eyes were too open, too direct. It was extremely intimate.

He shuddered as he realized that those naked eyes staring were looking right into him. Down, down deep into places where they could have, but had never gone before. But now he was reaching out and going inside, under his skin and into the depths where he'd never allowed anyone before.

Jack felt a surge of tears fill his eyes as the first guttural mention of his name escaped Daniel's lips. And a part of him lurched. He knew instinctively that he was causing Daniel to do this. There was no acting happening in front of his eyes. This was real. This was his doing. This was also happening very apart from him. And he felt the loss of it. Almost as if there was a wall of glass keeping them apart, watching one another but never actually touching the way they should have.

And Daniel didn't touch. Jack saw the need and the want, but the man kept his body to himself as he strained and reacted to the maelstrom raging behind those deep blue eyes.

"Oh God, Jack!" Daniel bucked up as he fell back even deeper into the mattress. "Oh," he grunted. A moment later Jack watched fascinated as Daniel licked his lips and opened his mouth to pant.

Sex.

This was sex with Daniel, he realized. This was what Daniel's eyes looked like when lit by passion. The flush on his skin is what happened when he was getting what he needed. His lip curled1/4just like that.

It was amazing to him that he was neither frightened nor repelled.

~ ~ ~

Sam held on tightly. She was glad that the meditative process was finished. She hated having to sit so close every night. She successfully managed to get worked up again. Only this night she couldn't excuse herself so she could jump in the shower and masturbate under a hot stream of water.

She was glad that he was fully clothed. She only wished that she was. She didn't imagine that the thin lace material of her panties was absorbing much of the wetness that she was feeling.

She pulled away from him fully aware of her over sensitized body. As usual his gentle strokes along her body only made her want more. And touching him, stroking him, feeling every dip and curve of his hard planes only made her want him to do more.

She looked into his eyes.

"What should I do now?" he asked. "You did not specify how you like to be on top."

She was dumbfounded for a moment. Then she felt embarrassed as her slow mind caught up with her. "Yeah," she said as she slipped her legs from around his waist and tucked them under. The immediate feel of wetness along the inside of her thighs was embarrassing.

She stood up and said, "I should change."

"Why?" he asked quickly.

She struggled to think on her way to her overnight bag. Finally, he said, "These panties chafe."

She pulled the bag open and rifled through. All she found was dirty underwear and clothes just this side of smelly. She rolled her eyes and made a mental note to stop by her place and pick up clean things to wear.

"You should probably sit back on some pillows and get comfortable," she said as she reached back to undo her bra. She didn't hesitate to rub around her chest where it had dug in.

"That looks painful."

"The joys of womanhood," she said as she reached around and massaged her breasts back to their original shape.

She found one of his shirts draped over the only chair in the room. She walked to it and picked it up. She slipped into the big thing and buttoned it up. She hated that she didn't have access to any of Daniel's clothes at that moment; he was actually the only one that wasn't so extra-large that she could wear his clothes in a pinch without having to roll everything up twice. But she didn't roll, or tuck, or cinch. Hiding was good.

She didn't want to take her underwear off, but she knew that she didn't have anything clean to wear. And the pair that she was wearing was already sodden. She turned away from Teal'c and slipped them off. She threw them into the bag and tucked them deeply inside.

Nervously, she said, "I don't have anything clean." Then she reasoned, "But then we've been doing this stuff all week with less on."

She walked to the bed hating that he looked so calm.

She knelt on the bed and straddled him. Usually she loved the saddle imagery, but with Teal'c it was extremely uncomfortable. He was sitting up with his back against the pillows as requested. He was also straining in his jeans. By that time at night she was already in the bathroom, so he could be alone to 'take care' of himself. Another activity that had to be foregone for the evening.

She settled down half her weight and felt his erection straining towards her core.

"Am I too heavy?" she asked breathlessly. "I don't want to hurt you if I rub1/4"

He looked away as if considering. His eyes rolled for a moment and then he grabbed her hips and lifted her. She saw him unbuckle and unzip quickly and she was transfixed. He reached his hand down. Through the cloth she felt his hand moving against her blood-swollen genitals.

The momentary pleasure was broken when his hand moved away and the sound of the zipper going back up disturbed the moment of escape.

She suppressed the disappointment and tentatively settled down over him again. She lowered a quarter, then half her weight watching him all the while. He only looked encouraging, so she sat her whole weight down onto him.

"Is that alright?"

He nodded silently, his eyes always watching her.

"An orgasm for you to watch." She swallowed hard trying to force saliva back into her mouth. "Calling out your name." Awkwardly, she said, "I haven't done this with anyone in a while."

She swallowed hard.

Slowly, she leaned in for a kiss. She was received and kissed back. Deep, slow, wet kisses: the kind that reminded her of what it was like to have a lover in her bed again.

She closed her eyes and began by moving her hips in small circles. She always liked starting out that way. She liked getting in close and working her clitoris as hard as possible. The more pressure she started out with, the more sensitive it would be later.

She leaned into him and quietly said, "I'm not going to do this for very long. I'm not good at pretense. I always move hard and fast at first. I like it to hurt just enough."

She emphasized the words by starting a little bounce that dropped her straight down on top of his bulge. She hit the tight stretched fabric with a gasp. She bounced a few times and felt her eyes roll back. The denim of his jeans worked her just right. Too right.

"Gets me ready1/4sensitive. After I've orgasmed the first time," she whispered. "You can just blow on me and make me come again. Over and over."

She shivered.

Instead of just enjoying the ride she leaned back hard so that her clit wasn't touching him any longer as her hips easily changed their rhythm wildly searching for the right contact she began to feel the pain of it. She sobbed and grabbed at his shirt with one hand while the other went back to support her.

He slid his hands up her torso pulling the overly large shirt of his that she wore upward. He stopped when he was able to grasp both of her rounded breasts in his hands. He squeezed and massaged them taking the liberty to roll her nipples between his fingers. They felt firm and perfect.

But however wonderful a distraction they might have proven, it was no challenge for what he'd uncovered. Leaning back that way, rhythmically rolling her hips in time with his pulse, he could completely see her sex open to him.

She moaned harshly and he could see why. She was engorged with blood, erect, open, and so wet that he could feel the wetness through his clothes on his own hurt.

Another moan prompted him to action. He firmly grabbed her hips and slammed her back down onto himself.

He instantly regretted it.

She sucked her breath in hard and moaned out long and thick, "Teal'c."

It was a cross between a prayer and a curse. She didn't know which. All she felt was the strike of pain and pleasure running up along the core of her body, strangling her with need.

She grabbed at him and drew him even closer as she ground herself down harder.

"Teal'c," she groaned desperately just before another sob escaped her lips.

She closed her eyes and stopped fighting. She let it happen. She let her body find what it needed.

Taking the shirt off of her was easy. It was too easy. She didn't have mind enough to think and that was trying for him. He took one of her breasts into his mouth and suckled it gently, loving the taste and the feel. He let his hands wander downward as he enjoyed the feel of his face between and against her soft breasts.

Her thighs were as solid and well muscled as her calling demanded. She held his waist tightly with those legs as he appreciated the thin layer of feminine fat right at her hips that wrapped around to a firm set of buttocks. He grasped them in his hands and drove himself up as he brought her down.

He realized when he heard her shout out his name that he hadn't meant to do it, shouldn't have done it, and hadn't been invited. As he brought her back down the second time, he knew that he should stop. The third time, he simply wished that he hadn't taken his clothes off. On the fourth, he stopped caring.

Sam allowed herself to be moved, pushed, and pulled like a rag doll. She moaned and shouted on every impact. Her words made just as much sense as the starbursts behind her eyes.

But just as amazing as it felt, that was just how quickly it ended.

She was pushed away and abandoned on the mattress without his body heat to keep her. She screamed in that moment clutching out for him again.

"Stop! Stop!" he demanded. He pulled away farther to the edge of the bed. Naked, skin shining with sweat.

She held perfectly still. Her body overheated. Her mind racing. Her body shaking. Her heart breaking.

A moment later, he sobbed so hard that his shoulders heaved.

The sheet was just at her knee. She pulled it over her head burrowing herself inside. She felt cold and needed its warmth.

She watched him get control over his emotions. The sobbing ended.

"I'm sorry," she cried. "I'm so sorry."

His frame was stiff and wired to spring into action at any second.

"I didn't mean to hurt you," she sobbed grabbed some of the sheet, stuffing it between her legs, and drawing her knees up tightly to her body. "I'm sorry."

Slowly, he said, "I can not do it."

She sniffed hard but said nothing.

He turned so that she could see his profile. "I can not," he emphasized, "pretend. I will not pretend to be your husband. I do not wish this any longer." Disgusted he spat out, "Playing when I want to be taking and having!"

She swallowed and said, "Then do it. Take what you want."

For a moment he looked interested. Then a worry seemed to take his face, and he turned away from her saying, "You do not know what you are saying, woman." He hesitated but finally said, "I am not interested in your courting rituals. I do not want to be your friend."

She wasn't sure what part of her body was thinking as she said, "Then be my husband."

"Samantha," he said warning.

She wiped her face with one available hand as she said, "Not all Jaffa marriages are arranged. Not all brides are given by a Goa'uld as gifts for service. Sometimes you go out and win them in battle. You keep what you claim." She shook her head as she said, "I've never made a good decision when it comes to men. If you let me choose, I will do something stupid to drive you off."

It was his turn to swallow hard.

He turned to her and simply said, "I won't give you back."

"Then don't," she replied as she pulled herself free of the sheet cocoon that she'd made for herself.

There was a moment when neither of them did anything at all. They simply stared at one another.

She moved to the center of the bed as he mounted the bed again, stalking over her. He seemed impossibly large, towering over her. She didn't hesitate to spread herself open for him as she lay down. Instead of coming to her, he grasped her hips and dragged her down eliciting a squeal of surprise from her that quickly turned into a moan as he began to enter her. Slowly, steadily, and inch-by-delicious-inch, he entered her body stretching her out painfully. He stopped often allowing her to become accustomed but the steady pressure never stopped.

She closed her eyes and sensed all of him with her body.

"Open yourself more," he ordered. "A good wife obeys."

She slid her toes up the smooth outside of his long legs until she could pull on the backs of her knees. It was only then that she felt that last bit of him enter her. He felt a groan escape her. She was completely filled with him. She felt stretched by his girth so that she could feel every pump of blood into his appendage. She was beyond sex.

He kissed her lightly on the lips so that she only felt it when he had withdrawn.

She opened her eyes wanting that brief kiss only to be assaulted by his first withdraw and charge back into her. She never heard herself scream out his name. It happened of its own accord.

~ ~ ~

Jack held Daniel around the waist. His erection was pressed into Daniel. He couldn't explain why he was hard, and he didn't try.

He looked away at the right wall of his bedroom, just in front of them. The pictures hanging there vibrated slightly in time with the moaning, groaning, and Carter's inspiring vocalizations. The Jaffa was obviously doing something very right.

"He loves her," Daniel said gently.

"I know," Jack replied. "She loves him too."

He kept staring at the wall a little while longer before daring to turn back to Daniel. The man was still cuddled up against him smiling contentedly. Daniel had come violently crying out for him, grabbing at him hard.

He'd never seen anything like it. Oh, he'd watched porn. He'd always especially liked watching the porn that showed the men in full view so he could see everything that was happening, the whole picture. So, despite himself, he'd seen a man come before.

And yet when he'd gotten to watch Daniel it was like standing near an open flame and feeling the breath from a bellows blow its heat right at him. Not shock, but rather a feeling of grandeur and privilege at having seen something so amazing.

Daniel's thumb slowly swirled in circles on the back of Jack's hand, lazily tracing some unknown path.

He opened his sleepy, blue eyes and said, "That looks like it might hurt." Daniel smiled as he said, "What do you need?"

Jack opened his mouth. His mind failed him immediately.

Instead of speaking, he leaned in even closer causing a little friction against Daniel so that Jack's eyes closed, breath hitched, and lust rose. He looked for permission from Daniel. What he got was both of Daniel's hands on his shoulders and a pair of encouraging eyes staring into him again.

Jack moved close and hooked a leg over his friend as he leaned in for a kiss. They hadn't done it very often and never out of the encouraging darkness that hid them from each other. This time Jack watched his face until he was there and closed his eyes. He tasted and took what he needed in that moment as his hips moved forward finding a rhythm and the friction that he craved.

He found both extremely easily. And like before, Daniel said his name. Daniel slowly moaned out his name as Jack felt the need to say Daniel's. Over and over, Daniel whispered the name 'Jack' into his ear. Over and over, Daniel ran his hands over Jack's back, kissing his neck, and putting him there in the moment that they were working towards.

When he came it was holding Daniel's hips against his own. When he came it was with Daniel's name on his own lips. When he came1/4it was real.

Next: Part 2