Fratenerization (Part 2/2)

by Lady Arkin

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asl/larkin/fraten002.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 7 - DAY 4: MAKE IT MUTUAL

They went to Westview for breakfast.

Jack didn't even ask. The moment they were in the car, he drove in that direction. At first he wondered why he'd picked Westview of all places. All the gay people usually made him uncomfortable. It was just1/4so not what he was used to. But that was the 'easiest' place to be at that morning, that moment, that day, today, this, now...

They picked a café at random and went in to sit for breakfast.

"Oh," Daniel said sniffing the air as if he were part bloodhound. "Is that Colombian? No! Wait!" A deep sniff later, he turned to the waiter and asked, "That's Café Cubano."

The smiling waiter raised a pierced eyebrow and said, "Very good. I am impressed. A true coffee coinsure. We actually have both this morning, but I believe that they're brewing the Cuban at the moment. We get our beans fresh from the Java Factory every morning."

"Oh," Daniel said visibly salivating. "I love their shop. I spend half my paycheck there every two weeks." Daniel turned to Jack and quickly said, "This is our new favorite place."

Meekly, Jack said, "Yes, dear." Then he turned the waiter and said, "Please feed me, I'm starving."

They were taken to a table near the coffee bar1/4per Daniel's request.

Jack found the smell so strong that he didn't think that he'd need very much coffee at all.

Jack was surprised that instead of just putting the menu away and waiting so he could order his early morning coffee infusion, he picked it up and actually looked it through.

Jack found what he wanted quickly.

When the waiter came he ordered the lumberjack special, ham steak on the side, with butter toast points, and a coffee with milk.

Daniel looked up at Jack, smiled, and then ordered the same. Except, of course, he wanted an espresso, black.

"Hungry?" Jack asked immediately sorry that he'd asked.

Daniel cocked his head and said, "I could say the same." Daniel smiled a little. "I guess we worked up an appetite."

Jack started playing with his silverware.

"Sorry," Daniel said.

Jack shook his head. "No, we did," he said matter-of-factly. Jack hesitated but finally decided to quietly say, "I don't want to be sorry." He thought about it. "It was nice."

Daniel smiled and moved his face away hiding more joy than Jack was sure he wanted to know about.

"You know what?" Jack said quickly. "You wait on your caffeine; I've got to take a piss. Be back," Jack said as he slid out of the booth.

He walked to the back area and followed the signs to the men's room. He walked in and went straight to a urinal. He zipped down and released himself. They'd left the house so quickly that morning that he hadn't had the time to take his morning pee.

It wasn't that he was ashamed1/4exactly. He just wasn't so sure how he was going to face Carter or Teal'c. He was sure that their facing him would be far easier than the other way around. He just wasn't sure how to do it. There were a lot of orgasms the previous night, on both sides of the wall. Jack had been able to sweat and hump his way through three extremely welcomed reasons why this situation needed to be explored some more. Daniel had been the proverbial Energizer Bunny. He'd gotten hard at the drop of a hat1/4any hat.

He'd managed to do exactly as Butterfly had requested, Daniel had come biting, spiting, and screaming insanely as he called out Jack's name. He'd indeed given a gift, a very precious gift.

He was still thinking it when another man walked in and came to stand next to him. Jack became extremely aware of the sounds emanating from the other urinal. He squeezed out what remained in his bladder. As he went to zip back up, he casually glanced over at the other guy.

Sleek, white, long, and completely uncircumcised. Jack zipped up and turned away. He did his best to wipe the smile off his face as he walked to the sink.

As he washed his hands the man arrived to do the same. Casually, the man asked, "So? What do you think?"

Jack's hands froze. He hadn't purposefully done it in a long time. Even more important, he hadn't been caught by anyone in a really long time.

He grabbed on to the first ounce of protection that he had available. He raised his still soapy hand and showed his ring as he said, "I'm1/4um."

The guy raised his own hand with the gold band covered in the rainbow colored stones. The man smiled, handsomely. "Can't help it, can we?"

Jack simply smiled.

Jack finished rinsing his hands and turned off the taps. He walked to the paper towel dispenser and pulled a few sheets. He turned and looked at the man that was watching him through the mirror.

Jack took a very good look at the guy. He was handsome, not old, and well-built. It went well with what he'd seen not too long ago.

Jack looked away and said, "Seven out of ten. I have extremely high standards."

Jack looked up at the mirrored image a moment before he left only to see the guy smile at him and wink.

He didn't feel completely floored by what he'd said and done until he'd left the bathroom. He walked back to the table almost in a state of shock.

"What?" Daniel asked with a full mouth before Jack had a chance to setting into the padded leather of the seat.

Jack had to think before he finally decided to speak. "Don't get weird on me."

Daniel nodded. But before Jack could say anything, Daniel smiled and asked, "You haven't been enjoying old hobbies, have you?"

Jack couldn't help the lopsided smile that lifted his mouth a moment before he noticed guy from the bathroom walk by. Jack didn't fail to notice that the guy not only smiled at him, he also checked Daniel out before walking back to his table. The guy, apparently, had his husband with him. The moment the man sat down it was to talk. Both men were soon looking over in their direction.

Jack turned to find Daniel watching the two men at the other table. With a smile on his face, Daniel turned to Jack and said, "I can see that I've married a pervert."

Jack couldn't help the laughter the broke out.

~ ~ ~

They went to the supermarket. That early in the morning it was easy to do the shopping in very little time at all. They bought everything that they needed to make breakfast.

Teal'c actually cooked, but he gave her the bowl of eggs to scramble before he allowed her to pour them into the pan. She walked away after looking quite happy with herself. Her job was done.

She was reading at the kitchen island. Stephen Hawking's latest thesis was being cross-referenced with those parts that she felt were relevant of the latest findings from the academic community regarding quantum string theory. She told him about it, not that he understood much. But she seemed happy and her eyes lit up when she talked science.

Meanwhile, he squeezed orange juice for the two of them, finished the huge spinach and cheddar omelet for them to share, and fried a lot of hash browns that he covered in cheese. He doubted that she'd eat much of the hash browns, but he loved them. In fact, he was hungry enough that morning to eat it all by himself. Before serving, he sliced a melon in half and filled each with fresh raspberries.

"They're starting to catch up," Sam said as she reached for the spoon by her honeydew. She sliced into the sweet, soft meat of the melon as she said, "The scientific community is slowly but surely starting to realize that what they think is true in terms of the universe's understanding is not what's actually going on."

She smiled and spooned the melon between her lips. He could see her mind still racing along as she chewed. By the time she'd swallowed the thought had probably changed, evolved, and changed a thousand and one times. She ended up saying, "I think that they'll intuitively start to make the correct assumptions about wormholes, time, and space. It's like a big puzzle that they're still moving the pieces around trying to connect the dots."

He couldn't help but smile back at her. She was like a little girl when she got like this.

They had a long slow breakfast. He watched her eat mostly fruit. She only picked at her omelet. His hunger, however, was almost insatiable. He ate all that was on his plate. Then he finished off her uneaten omelet. He ate his fruit, drank the remaining orange juice, and finally was able to breathe in peace.

"Finally happy?"

"Soon," he said with promise. But first, he said, "Are you sure that this is what you want? I don't understand science and that is a very large part of your life. It divides us."

"No, it just makes you a different part of my life. I start to drown in it after a while. Not that I don't like that, but sometimes it's too much of a good thing. I think that the Colonel, Janet, Cassie, my brother, his wife, my father, and most of my staff are right, I need more in my life." She shook her head and sincerely said, "I've no idea what more could be, might look like, or how it would change my life. But I don't mind it so far."

He looked at her and simply asked, "Are you done reading?" The slightly hesitation, caused him to say, "Bring it," before she could reply.

He took her directly to her bedroom where he began to undress as she watched.

Once naked he walked up to her. He saw her smile. He knew what she expected. He disappointed her when he only took her clothes off and then made the bed ready for them.

He settled in and he next to her. She read her book mumbling out loud from time-to-time. He fell asleep happily. His belly was full. There was no war to fight that day. No work to get ready for. And his woman was at his side.

Two and a half hours later, he awoke from his nap. He got up and walked to the bathroom. He relieved himself, brushed his teeth, and returned to bed.

He slid back next to her and took her book in his hand. He pulled on it gently. She smiled, blushing hotly before she ever let the book go. He leaned over her, pressing his body against hers as he went to place the book face down on the nightstand so she wouldn't lose her place. She was already kissing his neck. He didn't need any more invitation then that.

~ ~ ~

They lay flat on the Oriental rug in the center of Daniel's living room. The ceiling fan turned as fast as it could above them sending cooling breezes of air-conditioned air over their over-heated skin.

Jack pulled away again. He had to. He flipped over onto his back and stretched out next to Daniel. He hated that he could still feel Daniel against him, moving against him, writhing in that way that he often did when wasn't thinking, only reacting.

He swallowed hard a few times and cleared his throat so that his voice would sound properly. When he was sure, he said, "Okay, I think we have natural lip interaction under control."

After a few moments had past the auspicious diplomat of the flagship team of Cheyenne Mountain representing Earth and all of humanity during most intergalactic negotiations eloquently stated, "Ugh, 'up."

Jack stared at the ceiling fan spinning high above them listening to the blades cut the air above the slightly winded pant of Daniel's breathing. It was a mesmerizing combination that seemed to pull his mind sideways. He fought against the sensation and forced his eyes open. He swallowed hard and looked around for something to distract him, anything.

He spotted his jacket not too far away. He didn't remember taking it off. Or, tossing it over there. The contents of his jacket's pocket had spilled out. On the floor near it were his keys, his dark glasses, and a familiar looking envelope.

Jack sat up and leaned across Daniel so he could snatch up the envelope. With it in his hands he smiled and looked down to tell Daniel. The words caught in his throat.

Daniel was looking up at him, big-eyed, curious1/4hopeful. Jack bent his head slightly. He stopped after a few inches as he realized that they had practiced enough. Too little and they could look inexperienced, too much and they could look like they were enjoying it. Not that Jack didn't1/4appreciate Daniel's enthusiasm, but he was a guy. Guys in his line of work don't kiss other guys for pleasure. That was simply a truth and a good rule to live buy.

Unfortunately, as he stared down at Daniel's lips that rule seemed extremely far away. As Daniel came up for his lips, Jack went down. They met as Daniel's arms went back up the length of his back. Jack pressed him down to the floor before Daniel could start arching his back again.

He'd already realized that it was best to contain Daniel quickly and completely. One hand on his shoulder, one on the floor, Jack slid over his friend. He moved his hand from the floor to his waist for better control and rode out the slight rocking motion from Daniel's pelvis as he enjoyed the mindlessness of their interacting tongues.

Daniel pulled away, out of breath. Jack fell in the cove of Daniel's neck only to have his face come down hard on paper. He pulled away still a little light-headed and confused to find the envelope in his hand. He realized at that moment that he'd grabbed hold of Daniel without letting go of the envelope. It was wrinkled, a little sweaty, and bent under his hand.

Without bothering to get off of his best friend, he pulled the envelope up above Daniel's prone head and opened it. He grabbed the letter with one hand and flapped it around until the envelope fell away. He smiled as he felt Daniel stir. Jack was being sniffed along his collarbone and up his neck. He opened the letter and waited as Daniel came in closer.

Daniel arrived at Jack's lips and froze as he saw the look on the man's face.

Jack couldn't speak. Instead, he turned the letter over in his hand and held it up by his own face for Daniel. He saw the reaction on Daniel's face a moment before he tried to roll off.

Daniel grabbed him tightly around the waist and quickly said, "Wait."

"You read it," Jack said almost accusingly.

"Yes." Daniel released his grip on Jack just enough to not threaten the man. He could feel the tension rising up out of Jack. A threat was the last thing that Daniel wanted to be.

Daniel breathed in. "I know that this is blurring the heterosexual line a lot more, but," Daniel grabbed the man before he could escape again. "I trust you."

Daniel let Jack go completely. If Jack chose to move away, he knew that the man needed to do so.

"We always find a way," Jack emphasized. Slightly confused, and a little upset, he looked away.

"I don't know how to get around this, Jack. I don't see it."

Jack stared down at him but said nothing.

"If this has to happen." Daniel chose his words carefully as he said, "Then I'm glad it's with you."

Jack rolled off, careful not to wander so far that he wasn't touching Daniel.

As he looked up at the fan again, Jack said, "I just wish that things didn't have to change."

Daniel stared up at the fan as well. He opened and closed his mouth a few times before shutting his eyes hard and finally saying, "I like what we've done so far."

The last thing that he expected to hear was Jack saying, "Told you I was a good kisser."

Then the tension returned.

Daniel knew that he'd lost Jack when the man sat up. It was evident by the stiff back. As Jack breathed in to speak, Daniel knew that the next words would be the ones that he simply wouldn't be able to stand hearing.

Quickly, Daniel blurted out, "I'll be on the bottom."

Jack stopped all movement completely.

Daniel realized what he'd said and swallowed hard. "You get to remain in authority, and we get through the mission."

Daniel second-guessed himself a moment later. He did trust Jack. He always trusted Jack. But he also loved his life. "Jack," Daniel said shutting his eyes, hating that he felt that he needed to say what he was about to ask. "Worse case scenario, someone finds out1/4the nature of our current mission."

Daniel felt the tension in Jack rise a hundred percent.

Daniel breathed in deeply and attempted to release his own inward tension. He steadied himself so he could calmly say, "If they do find out, please don't make me the scapegoat. I don't think I could take being the1/4I've always felt safe on base. I'd rather leave than be forced out."

Jack responded by turning and facing Daniel. He studied his friend for a good long time. Finally, he held Daniel's face in his hands and kissed him lightly on the lips. Very honestly, Jack told him, "If this gets out, I'll probably retire again, Daniel. You're an anthropologist. You know that any culture is slow to change, and military culture is seeped deeply in homophobia. It's just the way it is."

Jack looked away thinking. "Come on, let's move to the bed. This is going to hurt on the floor."

"I want to take a shower," Daniel stated flatly.

Jack froze a moment as his mind ticked along quickly. He considered the latest instructions from Dancing Butterfly as compared to the shower that he'd forgotten to take that morning. Jack looked right at Daniel and nodded hard.

They rose from the rug and wandered into Daniel's bedroom slowly. They both knew where it was. They both knew where the bathroom was too. And yet they moved extremely unsure and hesitant towards both.

Jack walked in and looked around. Typical Daniel. Though the bedroom was neat enough, there was paper-mess all over the bed, and on the desk in his room. It seemed too have trickled back and forth from the desk to the bed and back. Because the bed was unmade, he just knew that Daniel hadn't gotten any sleep whatever night it was that he'd been up creating this.

"Don't lecture me," Daniel mumbled as he went to his bed together.

"Lecture," Jack said as he walked to the papers littering the floor. Jack bent down and began to gather what he found there as he said, "You don't rest near enough, you live on far too much coffee, you don't eat enough, and you spend every possible moment trying to put yourself in an early grave by working yourself there. Is that maybe the kind of thing you were talking about?"

"Yeah," Daniel bit out, "that would be what I was referring to."

Jack smirked, but he was still upset. He wandered over to Daniel's desk and dropped the papers in his hand on the surface. When Daniel came to stand at his side to drop the load in his arms on the desk, Jack calmly said, "It's too much, Danny. You will end up hurting yourself."

Instead, Daniel said, "You want to shower with me?"

He turned and promptly walked to the bathroom leaving Jack staring after him, with his mouth hanging slightly open.

Daniel left the bathroom door open and began to take his clothes off. The moment his shirt was on the floor he leaned into the shower and turned the hot water tap on. He removed his shoes, socks, and his pants in short order. When he'd slid out of his underwear he decided that Jack wouldn't be coming.

Instead of being upset, he decided that it was just too much too soon. He swallowed the disappointment and stepped into the shower trying to reason with himself that he probably wouldn't have known what to do with the man if he'd decided to join him. This way at least he knew that Jack would get in when he was finished, and that Daniel would have plenty of time to get ready for him in bed. There was something to be said for predictability.

He stepped in under the water of the shower and let it soak his body. He tried to let it relax him as he reread the note in his mind. Kissing hadn't been so bad. Once they got used to each other's rhythms and natural styles, they'd worked it out. They were now in sync with each other. Watching each other orgasm had been beautiful. It felt wonderful, and it looked even better. There was nothing to complain about there. And having Jack rub up against him had been near dizzying.

But now they had to do1/4this.

Daniel grabbed the bar of soap and worked it hard between his hands. He turned his back on the water and began rubbing his chest. He was down to sudsing his stomach when the curtain parted just enough to let Jack step in.

Daniel froze.

Jack stood in front of him perfectly naked, watching him unabashedly. Daniel felt his cock twitch, a moment before his hands continued to work. He soaped his hands up again, this time putting the bar aside on the shelf, before continuing down. He took his cock in his hands and he stroked himself freely. He closed his eyes and showed Jack what he often enjoyed in the mornings when he was alone in the safety of his own shower.

He didn't get far, not even as far as he would have liked.

Inside of ten seconds, Jack stepped forward to take his hands away. Daniel held his eyes closed. To his amazement he felt Jack's hand take him firmly and continue the long, smooth strokes that he enjoyed most.

He groaned deeply before Daniel did.

Daniel grabbed on to Jack's shoulder. He pressed his face into the well-muscled area as he was worked so diligently that his legs went weak. He was hard, pulsing so that he pounded in his flesh and in his heart.

"Turn around," Jack said as he firmly took hold of Daniel and turned him. Daniel was met with the shower wall. The water came down pounding over him hard. He did as Jack's firm, non-verbal insistence, silently told him where he was wanted.

He felt his back washed before Jack's hands went down further. Daniel bent over willingly. He was thoroughly washed and rinsed.

Jack hands fell away when he was finished. Daniel turned and looked at the man. Daniel didn't hesitate to pull Jack towards him, exchanging places so that he could wash Jack too. It was a long and sensual thing, what Daniel did to the man in front of him. A shower is a little thing that he was very familiar with. That's not what he accomplished in those confines. A shower is mundane. Washing is substandard and having to do with the hygiene. They didn't do any of that.

~ ~ ~

Sam had to concentrate hard to keep from gagging. Taking him inside was easier than swallowing him whole. And though she loved the feel and the taste of him, she had to use her hands. It only took a few slides down her throat to feel the familiar tightening at the back of her throat as breathes became near impossible.

She worked half of his length with slippery hands as she smoothly alternated her up and down rhythm with her mouth. She sucked the tip of his beautiful crown before licking gently over the gland. It always set him off, like stroking a live nerve; he often jumped from each feathery touch straining his hard body in response.

She pulled away as she admired her work.

His eyes were tightly screwed shut. His breath was coming fast and hard, but he wasn't yet there. And she didn't want him there yet.

She played with him first. Instead of minding his penis, of giving him more, she slipped her hands down lower and played with the elusive balls inside the soft sack that hung from his body. He always groaned painfully and yet it never failed to make her smile.

She knew they were getting close when he started speaking in Goa'uld. She recognized the word, 'God,' 'fuck,' and 'woman' everything else was either garbled or unknown to her. As the minutes past his words grew more desperate and more unintelligible. They continued until they stopped, quickly and completely.

A second later, Sam felt herself slung forward and onto her back. She was unceremoniously thrown on her back. A fraction of a second later he pierced her with a heavy grunt. She surrendered to him easily with a moan. The first time was usually a shock; she was still getting used to his size.

He began to use her roughly. She responded by yelling out his name and clawing at his back, as she gripped his buttocks pulling, straining, encouraging him to go deeper. To take more.

~ ~ ~

They made it to the bed sometime later, still wet and straining with want. They kissed across the room until all they could do was lean over onto the soft mattress and settle.

"Not yet," Jack said. "I can't do that yet," Jack said apologetically as he urged Daniel down.

Obediently, Daniel lay down as Jack instructed. Jack reached for the condoms that he'd left on the night stand earlier and put his own on first. He tore open the second packet and slid out the little rubber sheath. He placed it on Daniel and rolled it down expertly. And, Jack covered him with his body. Daniel opened himself to Jack settling his legs on either side of the man's lean hips.

"I can't yet," Jack repeated as he leaned in for a kiss. They connected and quickly refused to let go of one another as their mouths gave all the reassurance and security that they each needed.

Their cocks lay next to each other. Every movement, accidental or deliberate, created hot sensations that echoed the length of each of them. After a few seconds, Daniel couldn't stop. His body took over the way it usually did when he was otherwise engaged.

Jack didn't bother to control him. He didn't bother to stop. He didn't bother to slow it down. Instead, he thrust his own hips onto Daniel with a satisfying action and reaction. He realized quickly that it wasn't so bad and that the friction was enough that it could get him off. And that realization only increased when he first heard Daniel yell out his name.

It wasn't faked. He knew that he would have been able to tell the difference. No. That was a true and proper reaction.

Jack pulled back and rammed himself back onto Daniel's body making sure to hold his hips firmly. Jack felt his breath ripped out of his lungs. Daniel's face was twisted in a combination of pain and pleasure. Jack felt as if he was being turned inside out. He dug his toes into the mattress and happily dug into his feast.

He wasn't inside of Daniel. He didn't think that hurting the man was a concern, so he enjoyed with abandon. He enjoyed without worry. He enjoyed.

Daniel was busy throughout. Jack was as physical in bed as he was in the field. He knew his body and his needs and he used both towards his pleasure. It didn't take much for Daniel to realize that Jack minded very little other than his own needs when it came to sex. He became blind very quickly to anything but what it took to orgasm hard.

And Daniel all too happily lay back, gave his body up to this man, and let him take everything that was available to him.

When the time came, Daniel's orgasm came first. He shuddered and grasped at Jack, pulling him in closer as he screamed out, "Jack! Oh, God! Jack!"

His breathing increased alarmingly faster, not that he paid much attention. Daniel's shouts only drove him faster. Soon, Jack was calling out Daniel's name as he went blind and deaf. He pushed against Daniel unaware as his body bucked even harder as his toes dug deeper into the mattress. A moment later he fell limply against Daniel. His sweat poured down onto the other man.

They panted hard.

Jack rolled over onto his back and quickly found it lacking a great deal. He felt bothered by the condom and reached down to remove it. He disposed of it by throwing it into the paper filled wastebasket before reached down and freed Daniel of his.

He rolled Daniel onto his side and spooned in against him. He knew what he wanted and Daniel was almost asleep. Jack pulled the sheets up around them before allowing his hands to wander down. He took firm hold of Daniel. His cock was still slick with come and just a firm enough to be extremely interesting. Jack touched and fondled freely enjoying that he could draw out just a little more interest from both of them.

Jack smiled completely pleased with himself as he allowed himself to settle down as well. His favorite attraction was still firmly held in hand when he closed his eyes.

Moments later they drifted off to sleep with the lulling of their own breathe.

~ ~ ~

He opened his eyes and looked around confused and disoriented. At first he wondered if he were sick. There was very little saliva in his mouth and he felt dizzy. He breathed in a few times and finally realized that he simply needed nourishment.

At his side, she was peacefully asleep.

He smiled down at her and did his best to slip out of bed without disturbing her. He wasn't sure where all the pieces of his attire were. It was dark and he didn't want to risk waking her by turning on a light. He found his pants by walking over them and tangling his foot on them on. He looked around the dark surface of the floor but he didn't find his shirt. He wandered out of the bedroom.

On his way to the kitchen, on the floor, behind the couch, he found his shirt by walking over it too. He picked it up and turned it inside out before slipping it over his head.

He slumped his way into the kitchen still feeling weak. His first stop was for a glass, his second at the refrigerator. He filled the glass at the dispenser and drank a full glass before it occurred to him that his stomach was grumbling. He couldn't remember his last meal and he couldn't stand the idea of waiting for daylight to have his next one.

He refilled the glass with water as he opened the second door. He found the remains of the last meal for which she had invited him over to share. Indian food. So much like his own native Chulakian.

He smiled as he slid out one of the containers and saw the fuzzy, blue-tinged growth on the surface of the beans. He had no illusions that there was anything in the refrigerator that was worth eating. Samantha did have many strong talents and virtues, being a housewife just didn't happen to be one of them.

He threw away everything but the few bottles of condiments before setting the garbage bin back to its usual place. He drank down the glass of water, and then set the glass down noiselessly.

Teal'c stopped off at the small table by the front door. He took her keys and left locking the door behind him.

He'd seen her operate her vehicle many times. He remotely unlocked the car and adjusted the seat before getting in. As he sat down, he quickly realized that Jack's truck was much more comfortable, bigger too. He adjusted his mirrors, started the car, and left.

He realized that he'd been right; driving in the city was easier when there weren't other motorists doing crazy things on the road and to each other. He found the all-night diner on the main road just before the highway and drove into the parking lot. He ordered two breakfasts and two lunches for later.

He drove back a short time later with the windows down as he did his best to ignore the smell of the food. He parked in Samantha's preferred spot and locked up the car once he had the two bags of food in hand. He shifted the keys around in his hands in the low light and fumbled once or twice before he found the right key.

"Teal'c," her unsure voice asked into the dark.

"It is I," he said quickly as he opened the door completely.

He let himself in and locked the door before depositing the keys in their place. He left one of the bags of food in the kitchen and took the second to the bedroom.

"I was hungry," he explained quickly. He left the bag by the bed and crawled in with her. He found her just as warm and soft as he remembered. He cuddled in easily.

"You came very close to getting shot," she purred. "I respond badly to things that go bump in the night."

"This is why no one wants to drink many fluids at dinner when we are off world. You are armed, and we are not suicidal." He kissed her neck. "They had your favorite."

She lifted her head from the pillow and hopefully said, "Chipped beef on toast?"

"I also remembered the fried potatoes," he said sitting up.

By the time she was sitting upright, he had the bag in his hands, and was reaching for the lights.

"What time is it?"

"Three twenty five," he said glancing at the clock.

"Well, we're not going to be able to go back to sleep after this." She reached for the Styrofoam plate that was offered to her. "We'll need to digest for a while before we can get back to sleep. I guess we'll have to think of something to keep us occupied."

He sat back on the bed and looked at her smiling back at him. He couldn't help his own smile.

CHAPTER 8 - DAY 5: ARCHEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION OF THE DEPTHS

Jack woke up to the hot and wet urging of lovingly, gentle pulls. He was drawn from the sleeping world by one small urging at a time that pulled him forward instinctively towards waking. His first swirl of reality came when his eyes opened only to roll back in this head as his hips arched upwards.

He let out a panting breath that emptied him. He drew back in hard and deep trying to fill his failing lungs. His next exhale was a deep moan. He couldn't help it; he was swallowed whole and suckled hard the way he liked.

He cried out because it was too slow. It was just far too slow and he hurt. A combination of sound and his movement urged a faster pace.

Jack reached down and dug his fingers into soft, short-cropped hair. He picked his hips up insisting on deeper penetration. And his demands were instantly obeyed.

It was good. It was so very good.

It didn't take long for him to empty himself between Daniel's lips. It was easy.

Instead of falling back asleep like he would have liked, Jack remained awake. Daniel didn't hesitate to curl up against Jack like a cat and fall instantly asleep. Jack turned his head to one side and looked into Daniel's face. The white smear at his lip, Jack couldn't stop staring. He wiped it away hesitantly, afraid that Daniel might awaken. Then let his head fall back to the pillow beneath him.

Jack lay there thinking. For almost an hour he thought. He thought and he did his best to resist the urges that swept through him. He felt very much like he did when he gave up smoking. It was the same drug-addled need for something that he knew logically wouldn't be good for him.

And so he fought.

He succeeded right until he couldn't stand it any longer. All he wanted was to look. Daniel was asleep anyway. He pulled the sheet back just enough. There it was: beautiful, resting, long, and perfect. He'd always thought that Daniel had been well endowed. There were bigger on base. Whether Jack wanted to admit it or not, he had looked. He did keep track of other soldiers by the important factors: size, shape, circumcision status, girth, and hairiness.

Daniel beat most of them hands down. He was a good size. He was neither scrawny nor in third leg status. He was perfectly rounded and well shaped. He was uncircumcised which gave him a very natural look1/4and so far, Jack was enjoying having the extra skin to play with. He wasn't too thick, though he did have a nice heft to him. But he fit very nicely in Jack's hand, and he appreciated that. Best of all, most gloriously of all, he wasn't hairy. Daniel sported a golden brown nest of hair at the base of his cock that was just lighter than the hair on his head, but his penis was so finely haired that it was barely visible.

Daniel, in Jack's mind, had often fluctuated between a nine or a ten. Depending on Jack's mood, the mission, and what world they were dropping trou on to take a piss. Jack would give a point or take it away. Unless there was someone there to compare him against. Most often that meant Teal'c. Though impressive, large, and uncircumcised, Teal'c was way more than a handful. Jack easily placed the man in the third leg status. All it took was one piss next to the man for Daniel to be assured his ten status for the rest of the mission.

Now, staring down at him, Jack realized that Daniel was definitely a ten. Mostly because he was a grower. In sleep he shrank down to a non-threatening six that Jack felt encouraged him to reach out. He spread out easily in sleep, opening himself to Jack's caresses. The six became a seven almost instantly. Seven to eight happened in a few minutes.

Thought Jack wanted to keep going, he didn't.

It was a new day, and the message from Dancing Butterfly came flashing into his mind. The words:

came back to him.

Technically, Daniel had done that. He hadn't, but Daniel had done it. A day late, but the task was done.

Today was a new day. He could imagine what today's task was. They had two days left to get comfortable, get into it, and make good on the expectations placed on them by the mission.

Jack pulled away slowly and sat up on the other end of the bed. He opened Daniel's nightstand and dug. Apparently, the items under three books, a journal, five pens, and a box of tissue hadn't gotten a great deal of use lately. He dug out a full box of condoms whose seal was intact. Beside it was a fairly large tube of lubricant.

He took both out. He opened the box and looked inside. It didn't take long for him to decide and leave it on the dresser. He opened the tube and smiled when he realized that the foil seal was unbroken. He twisted off the cap and removed the foil. He replaced the cap.

He walked around the bed. Along the way he picked up his shirt. At the other side he found Daniel back at six, eyes still closed, and very peaceful.

Jack moved Daniel's leg so that he could have better access. He settled between Daniel's thighs and sat carefully so as not to disturb the sleeping man. He opened the white tube in his hands and squeezed out a generous portion onto his awaiting fingers.

He carefully warmed the slippery substance up before reaching down and slicking up the dry folds that he found beneath his sleeping six. No, seven. Jack carefully inserted one finger. One finger was nothing, easy. He had no problem with the idea of one single digit.

As he held it there, inside, he realized immediately that he wasn't as intimidated by performing the act as he'd originally thought. And second of all, dear fucking God it was tight! He closed his eyes and felt a shiver travel down his spine as his own cock showed a renewed interest in current matters.

Jack closed his eyes and smiled. He could see why gay guys like this kind of thing so much. He had only one thing to relate this experience too, and he'd never been with a virgin. His only sexual partner to do this with him had been around a few times, which was why he hadn't been shy about asking. He knew that Daniel was. And he was tighter than anything that Jack had ever experienced.

He held his finger for a good long while, unmoving. He didn't want to move or to spoil it. This was something that he wanted to experience fully. He didn't imagine that he'd ever get to experience another man's virginity so blatantly.

It took a long time before he gave up and allowed himself to continue. Slowly, he twisted his finger and gently began to explore the new territory that he now had. Smooth and easy, he began to twist and reach in deeper, spreading the slickness with every movement.

When Jack had noticed he was smoothly advancing and retracting his hand from Daniel. In and out, smoothly. He wasn't just lubing him; Jack was fucking him with his finger.

Jack pulled out and wiped his hand off with his shirt.

This time he slicked up two fingers. Carefully, he made sure that they were fully coated before reaching in. Daniel was at solid eight and a half-proudly standing erect above that nest of dark, slightly golden curls. Jack teased the tightly swirled entrance, oiling it carefully before he pressed in with both fingers.

Slowly, he eased into the tight passage. However tight he may have thought Daniel was before, he felt more so now. Jack was amazed that Daniel could accommodate him at all, but he did.

Jack held it. He had to hold onto the feeling. He breathed out forcing the air from his lungs so that he could take in new air. He had to, his lungs felt as if they weren't working of their own accord.

"Turn over," Jack said.

He looked up and found Daniel still 'asleep.'

"You heard me," Jack said.

Daniel opened his eyes instantly. Before he could move Jack pulled his fingers out and then plunged them back in. He twisted his fingers carefully. When he was satisfied he waited.

Daniel looked unsure, but he did as he was told. They moved together. Jack refused to remove his fingers from where they were. Daniel pulled his leg over Jack's arms and turned over onto his knees. He didn't hesitate to pull pillows beneath him so that he could make himself comfortable.

Jack knelt up onto the bed and took his place. He pushed on one of Daniel's knees forcing him to open wider. Suddenly, Jack found himself there. He was where he'd never thought he'd ever allow himself to wind up. And yet, instead of panic, he settled down comfortably and continued to stretch Daniel out.

As gently as he could, he repeated the same movements that he'd done earlier. He went in deeper, searching. He twisted and stroked in different angles until finally Daniel bucked hard and cried out. Jack went still as he felt Daniel's body tense. Then Jack smiled. He repeated the same movement and angle. On the second stroke, Daniel bucked again.

Jack got comfortable by spreading his knees out just a little wider, forcing Daniel to open even more. He knew that he had what he needed now to keep him entertained for a good while. He sat down, and ignored his own pain and the pounding happening between his own thighs as he went hard. Instead, he concentrated on sending his fingers in and finding the same place inside of Daniel and hitting that small bundle of nerves that was making the man squirm and jump under his attention.

It didn't take much to make Daniel orgasm. In fact it took almost nothing. A few strokes in the right place, at the right angle, and suddenly Daniel was yelling his head off screaming for him and spilling hard.

Jack allowed Daniel to fall limply to the bed. The pillows supported him for the most part, but he still fell enough that Jack's fingers slipped free.

Jack reached for the soiled shirt and wiped his fingers off again. He reached for the lubricant and slicked three fingers. He imagined that entry would be harder for three instead of two or one. But it wasn't. Daniel was relaxed and completely compliant to his demand for entry. Three entered easily enough.

Jack worked quickly finding the right place. He pressed in loosening the channel, preparing his way.

When he pulled his hand free that last time it was to slick himself up. He looked up and found Daniel looking back at him. Daniel pulled himself up adjusting himself for Jack. Jack aligned himself at Daniel's opening and pushed in just a little. He could feel the tight ring of muscle that guarded his lover's body hold him tightly. Jack leaned forward resting himself against Daniel's skin. He leaned in and kissed Daniel's neck before holding his best friend tightly.

"Tell me you trust me," Jack whispered.

"Always," Daniel said quickly.

"Tell me you're not afraid," Jack whispered.

"Not of you," Daniel responded.

Jack pushed in a little deeper so that he could feel the head of his penis buried in warmth, tightness.

"Don't be afraid," Daniel said. "Take what you need. You won't hurt me."

Jack continued to push in. Slowly. Very slowly. He savored every inch as he was consumed by the warmth that was accepting him. No one stopped him to tell him that he: didn't fit, too long, too thick, please stop. He simply slid into place and then held it. He was held.

He looked down to find that he was completely buried inside the other man. He could feel a slight quiver in Daniel's loins, but his body was relaxed and waiting for what came next.

By Daniel's ear, Jack said, "I could hurt you."

"I don't care," Daniel replied breathlessly. Daniel waited another moment, his loins quivered. "Please," he whispered.

It was all Jack needed to melt into his body and abandon his mind.

He moved forward slowly enjoying every second as he slid into the seemingly endless depths of warmth, joy, and mindless pleasure. In and in he went, one fraction of an inch at a time. No one tried to stop him. Best of all, he fit.

When he felt himself fully inside, he had to stop and look down. Daniel was able to take his entire length, a thing that most of his past sexual partners hadn't been able to do. Unbeknownst to Jack, he smiled as he looked down at their union.

"Jack," Daniel moaned.

As if coming back into the moment, he remembered that he still had a task ahead of him. He waited a moment longer to allow Daniel to adjust. Jack closed his eyes as he gathered his fortitude. If nothing else, he wanted to do right by Daniel. Just once, he wanted to give to Daniel one selfless and heartfelt thing.

He swallowed hard and began to move. Gently, he pulled away only a fraction of an inch, moving his hips in smooth circles against Daniel's warm, soft flesh. His instincts told him to pull out and slam back in. He wanted to. He wanted a great deal. But he knew that Daniel wouldn't be able to take it.

He bit down and eased on his rhythm in an effort to keep control over his mind and body as Daniel bucked backwards into him.

"Easy," Jack breathed out.

He wondered if that had been his voice, his sound. The voice had sounded desperate, and faraway. Not at all his.

Jack breathed out.

His eyes closed. When he bothered to open them he found himself lying against Daniel, relying on him to keep him upright.

His rhythm never stopped. He never stopped.

~ ~ ~

Somewhere along the course of the evening, one or both orgasmed. It was impossible to really tell at first.

Jack woke up on his back. The familiar smell of Daniel was all around him. He felt the body that he expected, draped over him. Body-warmed and settled heavily against him, Jack felt his arms circled possessively around Daniel.

He felt drained as he lay awaking to full consciousness for a while staring up at the ceiling.

He knew the signs. His mouth was dry. He was most certainly starving. He was wholly rested. His skin felt a little tight where the sweat had dried on his skin. The sheets stank like the both of them. But at the same time he felt energy coursing through his veins. And, most telling, his cock was slowly getting hard as if it were trying to tell him that it was ready for more.

Daniel stirred a little, just enough to ask, "Regrets?"

"I'm not sure," Jack replied very confused. After a moment or so of Jack's mind ticking away, Daniel sat up to look at him. Jack faced up at Daniel without bothering to sit up and said, "I know I had a good time. I feel content."

"But?" Daniel said waiting for a great deal more than that.

Jack thought. "No but." He sat up and said, "We should hunt down some breakfast and head back to my place. We haven't checked in."

Daniel sat up without another word and got mobile so that he could get to the shower first.

~ ~ ~

Teal'c bent her over the couch and used his advantage of height and position to work that much faster and deeper into her. He could hear their flesh slapping together as he pulled on her hips sending her rounded butt straight into him. He met her hard and set a brutal rhythm that had her shouting in time with the movements of his hips. On the last one, she fell over completely losing the strength in her arms.

He came violently, biting down tightly as he did. His hips continued to move of their own accord. His ears never heard the mewing sounds that came from her.

Sometime later, he returned to awareness and felt instantly weak. He grabbed onto the couches overstuffed back. He held on for a few long moments as he tried to steady himself.

"Samantha," he croaked. He cleared his throat and swallowed a few times trying to draw saliva to wet his parched mouth. He tried again, "Sam?"

He pulled her up from where she was laying upside down. He held her to him when her legs gave out. His arms and his cock still buried inside her were all that kept her from falling. She was red-faced and seemed to be half-asleep. He continued to hold her as he kissed her temples.

When she finally spoke it was to moan slightly.

"Did I hurt you?"

She shook her head absently against his solid chest.

Against her temple, he murmured, "We should attempt to leave again."

She breathed in. "I wasn't the one that said," she did her best to mimic his deep purr as she said, "come here, woman."

He smiled. "You did not have to come."

She smiled as well as she looked back at him. "I thought you said that a good wife obeys her husband?"

"So I did," he said before planting a kiss at the side of her neck.

He pulled away from her just enough to grab hold of the base of his penis. He pulled out slowly, carefully as she bent forward to facilitate. He pulled his jeans up and adjusted his clothes quickly.

She got as far as pulling her jeans up.

She looked back and said, "I'll be out in a minute."

He watched her walking away. The familiar roll and sway of her hips let him know in no uncertain terms that she wasn't hurt. A little sore, perhaps, but she wasn't in pain.

He waited for three minutes watching the door to her bedroom. Then he spent the next five sitting on the couch wondering what it was exactly that she was doing.

When the door finally opened and she came out, she was wearing a completely different outfit. He didn't say anything as she went to her purse. He knew the purse existed because he'd seen it with his own eyes. However, she never used it for anything other than to deposit her things after she'd come into the house. He watched as she pulled out her wallet. Her jacket went on, her wallet went into her pocket, and she picked up the keys.

He didn't bother to stand until he saw that the keys were firmly in her hand. He'd learnt over many outings with her that the 'keys in hand' was the definitive signal to her being ready to actually leave.

~ ~ ~

Unlike what any of them were expecting, Butterfly had very little to say. She had lunch waiting for them on the table when they arrived. It was a very pleasant lunch of salad, some kind of a bean dip and sliced carrots, which were served with some kind of a not-even-close-to-cow kind of milk.

After, she sent them to their rooms. They were ordered to remain there until dinner was called1/4and she didn't want to hear the television or radio being played.

No one complained.

CHAPTER 9 - DAY 6: GIFTING THE IN-LAW ADVENTURE

He kept his composure because it was expected of his uniform, rank, and no other reason. George didn't tell him much. That was either very good or very bad. He still couldn't decide. He wasn't on base to meet him when he came through the wormhole, which was suspicious. He'd only left a note.

He'd asked base personnel if she was injured, recovering, or sick. No one knew of anything significant having happened to SG 1, no missions assigned, no catastrophes averted. The base CMO, Frasier, had nothing. As far as she was concerned SG 1 was in perfect health.

It was his one consolation.

As the driver rounded the corner onto Sam's block he felt better. All he wanted was to see his little girl. Being called from duty deep in Tok'ra service was no small matter. Whatever it was, he knew that it must be big.

He felt better, until the car pulled up to the house and he noticed that the front door was slightly ajar. He didn't see Sam walking out. She wasn't in the yard. He didn't see her at all. That in and of itself was strange. He knew how security conscious his daughter could be. That wasn't like her.

"General?" the driver called distracting Jacob from the sight of that door. "Should I wait?"

Jacob turned his head bothering to notice the man. "No," he replied readily making up his mind. "I'll call if and when I need a ride back."

"Yes, General," the driver replied sharply.

Jacob exited the car and buttoned his jacket as he stared up at that opened door. He didn't like it. And with every passing second that Sam didn't walk out and look surprised at finding her father standing outside of her house, he liked it even less.

"Must you be so paranoid?" Selmac said, intruding on his line of thoughts.

He ignored her and began walking up the walkway expecting to see her at any second.

He was halfway there when he heard the unmistakable sound of his daughter screaming out. He ran hard and fast up walkway, up the three steps to her house, and through the front door. A second was all it took for him to determine that the sounds were coming from one of the rooms down the hall.

His instincts guided him. He burst in hard and fast, ready for anything, searching out an enemy. But what he found was a wide, dark-skinned back moving rhythmically over the white sheets of the bed, over his daughter.

"Calm yourself!"

He stared unbelieving. It took him a few long moments to realize what it was that he was seeing. He turned his eyes away. Instead of finding solace, he found a long, sleek looking white dress that looked suspiciously like a wedding gown hanging off the full-length mirror by the wall.

He left the room feeling sick as the words, "Oh, God! Oh, God! Teal'c! Oh!" filled the air.

He walked down the hallway feeling a little dizzy and very confused. And as he stepped into the living room he saw them on the table. Pictures of his daughter and Teal'c.

He picked up a red-wooden framed picture of the two of them. If he didn't know any better, it looked like they were on a swing set. It reminded him a great deal of the days when he used to take his little girl to the park and push her on the swings until his arms were sore and tired, and she was ready to go home. Though those memories had been few, he held them very dear; they were among the best ones he had of her.

He looked around actually hoping that he was wrong. But it wasn't the only picture littering the living room and there on her computer, calendar, and corkboard were more pictures.

"I'm curious as to what the matter is?"

"Shut up," Jacob said. "I need a drink."

She didn't hesitate to quickly respond, "You know what alcohol would do to us?"

"I just," he said hesitating. He made up his mind and walked into the kitchen saying, "I just need to be doing something."

He found a glass sitting on the counter. He grabbed it and walked it to the refrigerator. He pushed it into the water dispenser. As he looked up there were more pictures staring at him, only this one had a bottle of champagne in it.

"He must be very important to her."

Jacob looked away just long enough to deposit the glass on a nearby surface. He turned back to the picture on the refrigerator and looked hard. It wasn't hard to find the ring on her finger.

"Very important," he said agreeing with her.

"Daddy!" he heard his daughter calling out.

He heard barefoot steps on the wooden floors of the house.

Jacob walked out of the kitchen and met his daughter walking into the living room. Wrapped in a sheet, red-faced, sweaty, disheveled: she looked like a woman that had just been fucked hard. And while he knew that she wasn't a blushing virgin, couldn't possibly be at her age, it still made his stomach tighten up into a big knot.

His eyes narrowed down on the ring on the hand holding the sheet up.

Her eyes followed his.

She looked up, eyes wide to say, "Daddy, I can explain-"

"You don't have to," he said quickly. "I'm sorry."

Teal'c rushed out wearing a sheet of his own around his waist. The X-shaped scar of his abdomen exposed.

Before either of them could say a word he quickly said, "I had no right to come into your home like that and you both have my apologies. But the door was open and I though you were in trouble." He finally felt a shiver of embarrassment hit him. He carefully said, "I didn't mean to embarrass either of you."

A honk outside caught their attention. Jacob took to steps aside so he could see through one of the windows. The minivan was unfamiliar, but he spotted Christy sitting in the passenger's side.

"It's your bother. Quick, go and get dressed," he instructed as he walked towards them. "Teal'c, hat. We need to introduce to you to them slowly."

"But, daddy," she cried.

"Now," he ordered leaving no room for discussion.

As they walked in the other direction, he walked out of the house.

"Daddy!" Christy shouted out the moment she saw him.

"Grampa! Grampa! Grampa!" the kids shouted as the minivan door slid open. They beat their mother to him. He was double-teamed, as usual. Between Amy and Christian, he didn't have a chance. Never did.

"Oh, you've both gotten big," he groaned. "So big," he said as he remembered the little babies that he was once able to hold in at the same time on his chest, without the slightest bit of effort.

He kissed both of them trying to burn the sight, smell, and feel of each of them into his memory.

Christy caught him in a hug the moment he looked up saying, "Oh, wow! General Hammond didn't tell us you'd be here!" Close to his ear she then said, "We've missed you, old man."

He returned the hug with one arm.

His son was waiting for him when he looked up. He didn't hesitate to reach out for him. Something was taken out of Jacob's hand. He didn't even notice as he was able to take his son into his arms.

"What's this, Grampa?"

Jacob all but ignored the child as he held his son for another few seconds. He was able to look into his boy's face and see contentment and happiness there, a happy man.

Christian had to tug on his uniform and ask again before Jacob turned his attention back to the boy. "Who's this man?" Christian asked showing the picture.

"You carried the picture out," Selmac informed him.

"Oh, that," Jacob managed to say. He stopped to swallow the thickness in his throat. "That is Teal'c," Jacob looked up and looked at Mark as he said, "he's your sister's fiancée."

"What?" Mark and Christy both asked at the same time before their jaws hit the floor.

In the lull that followed, before they could get their thoughts together, he said, "I know the man. You could say that we've served together. He's a good guy."

"Military," Mark stated more than asked.

Jacob hesitated before shaking his head, "Not ours. Let's just say that he serves with our guys." Jacob didn't hesitate to add, "He's helped us keep the body count down."

Then he looked down at his grandchildren and said, "You know what? We should have a party or something to celebrate."

"Cool!" Amy said quickly. "Can we have ice cream?"

"Jacob," Christy warned quickly.

"Absolutely," he answered as he gathered each grandchild by the hand so he could walk them inside. "You leave your mother to me. We'll need to do something special. My kids don't get married every day, and who knows when I'll be in town again, and you'll be in town, and your Aunt Sam, and Uncle Teal'c. This definitely calls for a party!"

~ ~ ~

"We're not supposed to have sex," Daniel read before adding the word, "exactly."

"But," Jack asked expectantly as he turned to reach for a glass of water on the nightstand. He drank down most of the glass in one go wanting to hydrate before whatever it was that was coming drained him.

"Penetrate your partner for non-sexual meditation." Daniel breathed in and lazily read to Jack, "Use the same methods that you have already learnt for your nightly meditation sessions."

"That's no fun," Jack replied as he replaced the glass on the nightstand.

Out of the blue, Daniel said, "I have a urination problem."

Jack looked at Daniel and met his eyes but didn't reply.

"Sneezing," Daniel explained. "All the sneezing that I sometimes do has on occasion caused me to wet myself. It's not something I'm particularly happy admitting."

Jack only gave brief nod.

"Frasier had me start exercises to-"

"Kegel exercises," Jack said interrupting him. "I had a1/4thing. I do them too." When Daniel smiled in appreciation, Jack continued to say, "Every time that I'm in a meeting and I'm not doodling, I'm sitting there counting off how many times I can squeeze my privates."

Daniel smiled and said, "I do them when I'm at my desk mostly. Conventions, lectures, speeches, standing in any kind of line."

Jack let his head fall back against the headboard as he said, "I sit in a lot of meetings."

Daniel reached over and kissed Jack on the lips.

They separated enough for Jack to say, "Well, we might as well get this over and done. Then we can do something more interesting."

It was easy enough.

This wasn't like homework. It was anything but homework. But the task was completed rather mechanically, until Jack found himself inside of his best friend. They had bothered to get on all fours. Daniel gave him compete access to his body. Jack wrapped one arm around the man and used it to pull him a little closer. He used the other arm to support his weight a little.

"Is this alright," Jack asked into his ear.

"Yes," Daniel managed to say slightly breathless as the intense sensation began for Jack.

Jack's head shot up as Daniel tightened around him like a vice. Then the rhythmic flow of the yogic pulsing began. Jack closed his eyes and enjoyed the strong muscles grasping and releasing him. He quickly found himself doing the same pulsing, contracting and releasing his muscles that intimately surrounded his prostate.

Like a dance, he instinctively followed, met, and moved with Daniel as he enjoyed the feel of Daniel's skin against his. They weren't having sex. They were practicing. And because of that, he took the opportunity to indulge himself senseless in the soft skin around him. He liked the combination of smooth skin draped over hard muscle and bone. And he wanted to touch and memorize every inch of him.

It didn't take long before Jack got tired. He held Daniel tightly and pulled them both onto their sides. He never released contact between them.

Once there in place, Daniel moaned and began undulating his hips back against Jack, grinding himself into the man. When they moved, it was together. There was no warning, and no need. They moved in perfect unison recognizing each other's unspoken commands and requests.

They moved back and forth between one action and another. Like an erotic dance, they came together perfectly and pulled each other into something different, finding a new experience together.

He was pumping his muscles again. Jack held extremely still and matched the man's actions. He quickly found that pumping his PC muscles while inside Daniel was different than anything he'd ever experienced. As Daniel squeezed tightly around him, Jack pumped his muscles and slowly felt his prostate begin to vibrate.

It was when Jack began to thrust into Daniel and lose himself in the act of sex that Daniel tapped on Jack's hip effectively stopping him. Daniel shook his head and lay back down. He undulated back against Jack as he said, "This isn't sex, remember?"

Jack closed his eyes. He knew that he was about three fourths of the way there. It wouldn't take much to spill his seed and roll over for sleep. But then, this was Daniel.

It was as simple as that.

He closed his eyes and went back to the work at hand.

It was two hours later when he looked over at the clock on the nightstand that he realized that they'd been hanging somewhere in and around orgasmic bliss. Neither of them had managed to ejaculate. They'd small orgasmic peaks, but nothing that stopped them from their continuous movements. The undulating, pulsing continued along with the mutual thrusting.

"Sleep," Jack managed to whisper into Daniel's ear.

Daniel collapsed into the bed weakly. He breathed in deeply a few times and then leveled out in sleep.

Jack watched him as he realized that even if his best friend was asleep; his ass was still twitching in a perfect rhythm. Jack curled in close. He closed his eyes and allowed himself the unmitigated pleasure of sensing nothing else in the world other than Daniel's tight spasms.

~ ~ ~

All he'd said was, 'I'm hungry.'

They ordered a small Chinese food feast and then sat down on the couch to wait. Like some bad movie; he at one side and Jack on the other. In the silence and the unusually loud ticking of the clock on the wall, they managed to do a great deal of nothing for the first four minutes.

Then Jack had asked, "How hungry are you?"

All it took was for one slightly lopsided smile from Jack. Daniel didn't hesitate to slide off the couch and fall onto the Oriental carpet. He looked right into Jack's eyes as he opened his mouth and waited.

Jack quickly rushed to him. But instead of dropping his jeans and forcing Daniel's face into his crotch, Jack fell down to the carpet next to him.

"I have an idea," Jack said just before sliding his tongue deeply into Daniel's mouth. He pulled Daniel to him roughly and held his head in place so he could slant his mouth across Daniel's and explore.

Jack pulled his lips away and tried to soberly say, "I've never1/4I'd like to try this with you, but it if tell you to stop-"

"Yes," Daniel said melting into Jack. He wrapped his arms around the man and breathed in his scent.

Jack unbuttoned Daniel's shirt. Daniel was busy sliding his hands up from Jack's well-rounded butt slowly up the hard planes of ridges formed by the man's lean, work-hardened figure. He didn't stop until his hands were at Jack's shoulders, kneading and digging into the tension that he found there.

Jack pulled his arms away as Daniel's shirt was removed. When he was given his arms back Daniel reached up and effectively ripped Jack's shirt open. He slid it off of Jack's shoulders and began to kiss the man's chest.

Daniel was moved around as his jeans and underwear were pushed down to his knees. He felt Jack's calloused hands gently grab hold of him, and Daniel instantly pushed his hips into the grip.

As he kissed Jack's surprisingly sensitive neck, Daniel reached down to do the same for Jack. He wasn't happy until Jack was in his hands, warm, pulsing softly with the blood that was steadily filling it. He stroked Jack's incredibly generous length.

Immediately, Jack responded by stroking Daniel underneath in that way that he liked.

Both of them moaned as they continued to tease and awaken each other. Slowly, and steadily they built up the heat until they were both hard, and absolutely wanting more.

Jack looked up hard and fast into Daniel's face. It took Daniel a moment to feel it and reciprocate.

They stared into one another breathing heavily.

A moment later, Jack pushed Daniel back onto the floor. Daniel fell back happily, even if his penis bobbed around uncomfortably. Jack took advantage of the man's position, by pulling off his shoes, socks, then jeans, and finally the underwear.

Naked and hard, Daniel's was laying sprawled on the red and white carpet beneath all but asking for more. He didn't have to shout. He was raw beauty. He was raw.

Jack managed to strip himself without losing contact with those incredibly blue eyes. So beautiful.

When he was finally freed, Jack stalked towards Daniel slowly. Like a panther, lean and graceful, he approached. Daniel lay back gratefully succumbing to what was about to happen between them1/4whatever Jack wanted.

This time, unlike any other before, Jack came in close and settled down on the floor. He never actually touched Daniel. He came close. He leaned in purposefully. He almost1/4 He sort of1/4 His warmth1/4 His breath1/4 His scent1/4

Daniel closed his eyes and enjoyed every second.

He opened his eyes, in the next moment, with a start. He looked down in time to see Jack brush his lips against the most sensitive part of his penis again. Daniel leaned back as his eyes closed. However brief, the sensation was enthralling.

He opened his eyes again and looked down at Jack. He was settled on the carpet, in position, waiting. Daniel slid down a little to accommodate him. He put his hand on Jack's lean hip and pushed down a little to expose him. Daniel opened his mouth and swallowed Jack down with a slurp.

He thought that it might be odd to have a man in his mouth, but it wasn't. It felt right to do this.

Jack kissed and kissed and kissed. He covered Daniel's sensitive skin with wet kisses as his breath began to come quicker. Daniel was sucking gently and steadily. It was slowly driving Jack out of his mind. It was hard to concentrate; it was hard to respond the way he wanted to.

When he managed to gain control over his eyes, Jack saw that he had Daniel's butt firmly in one hand and his dick in the other. He had just enough presence of mind to lower his mouth onto Daniel and take him down.

The first taste was musk and arousal that swirled onto his tongue. He easily leaned his mouth forward until his nose was buried in Daniel's soft curls.

Jack held Daniel open with one hand so that he could touch, fondle, and explore as he suckled. It was amazing to him that he could fall into the movement so easily. He not only did it, he enjoyed it. His head was swimming.

Daniel's smell and taste were making his head dizzy. It was too good to stop. And even when Daniel nudged him, even when he hissed, even when Daniel tried to pull away, Jack refused to give up his newest interest.

Daniel wound up having to push Jack away as he pulled on his ear just to get his attention.

"What?" Jack hissed extremely bothered and unhappy as he sat up to face Daniel.

"Listen," Daniel whispered.

They did for a few extremely long seconds. Nothing happened. Nothing was heard.

It didn't take long for Jack to open his mouth. His tongue licked his lips in that exact moment the door was pounded and a voice shrilly called, "Jonathan O'Neill, are you in there! Open this door!"

"Oh, shit," Jack panicked as he pushed away. "It's my mom."

~ ~ ~

"Sorry," Sam said as she walked around the bar.

Teal'c sat down peeling the bright orange silly string off of himself with as much dignity as he could conjure. He didn't say a word.

She took the wad of papery silly string from him and made it disappear behind the bar. She came back to him and brushed him off as she said, "They get a little rambunctious when Daddy gets a hold of them. Since he isn't around as often as he'd like, he spoils them horribly."

Christian ran through the living room screaming with General Carter hot on his trail shouting, "I'm gonna get you! I'm gonna get you!" The General was now the one armed with the can of silly string.

They disappeared into another room. Their footfalls and shouts echoing through the house. From another room, Amy squealed loud and piercing enough for everyone to hear.

Teal'c looked right at her as he said, "I had not noticed."

Sam smiled a little and said, "I just finished a blender full of Margaritas. Are you sure that you don't want some?"

It was Christy that answered, "Oh, God yes! I have two kids and your brother; I'll take a double."

Sam walked around the bar to fill the order.

As she sat down, Christy said, "It's a good thing that I love your father, because right now he's on my list." She checked her phone as she said, "And your idiot brother hasn't called me yet. This is either a very good or a very bad thing."

"Well, if we play the odds," Sam offered.

Christy sighed loudly. "Then right about now my darling husband is buying a twenty pack of toilet paper and bleach when I actually sent him to the store for paper towels and detergent." She looked at Sam, as usual she said, "You really need to go shopping more."

"Why," Sam responded. "I leave. Things rot. And then I come home to a small rain forest budding out of my kitchen." Sam deposited Christy's drink on the bar as she added, "The last time returned from a mission, I came home to the smell of death in the kitchen. Apparently, eggs rot if you accidentally leave them on the counter for two weeks."

Christy lifted the salt-rimmed Margarita and said, "Lord we give thanks and praise for 80 proof grain alcohol, sugar, ice, and lime, lest I suffer the morons of this world."

General Carter ran through the living room and into the kitchen with his grand children after him. The ruckus went out the back door and into the backyard.

Christy didn't hesitate to solemnly and soulfully say, "Amen."

"Amen," Samantha answered as she lifted her own glass.

Christy sipped loudly, smacked her lips, and smiled. "Well, I'm going to leave you love birds to your thing. I'll be hiding in your bedroom, and watching your DVDs until the food gets here. Call me when I have to join reality again."

"Sure," Sam said easily as she watched her sister-in-law walk away carefully minding her drink.

When she was gone Sam slowly leaned over the bar until her breasts were pressed flat on the highly polished surface. She leaned on her forearms and carefully said, "Thank you."

"For what?" he said sincerely as he snuck a look down at her cleavage.

"For dealing with the lunatics that are my family. For not saying anything when I didn't correct their assumptions immediately. For being understanding. For," she shut her eyes and realized that the only usable words were, "just being you."

He leaned in and kissed her lower lip. It was only meant to be a supportive act. He hadn't meant it to be an offer of any sort. But instead of it being a simple token of friendship it turned into an intensely intimate draw that pulled him closer to her taste. Her scent enveloped him quickly, the way it usually did. It took him less than a moment to reach for her shoulder, her neck. The soft skin that he touched never failed to make him want to touch more.

He could only lean forwards so far. The only thing that kept him from pulling her across the bar so he could bend her back over it was the knowledge that her family was there1/4somewhere.

A loud banging brought them both around. They pulled apart only to find Mark standing in the living room with a pot and a big wooden spoon in hand.

Mark cleared his throat loudly and said, "The family has just appointed me the official make-out buster. Dinner is here, we are hungry, and you don't get to round second base with my kids watching. Sorry."

Mark promptly turned and walked back into the kitchen.

Teal'c licked his lips. They felt slightly numb, which made him wonder just how long they'd been kissing. It only seemed like a few moments, but then he hadn't been gauging time well lately.

He stood up carefully and felt the blood rush down to his legs. It had been a while.

Samantha rounded the bar and missed a step. He grabbed her and held her close. He was tempted. He was really very tempted.

She smiled knowingly but thankfully didn't do anything that might make him change his mind and drag her towards her bedroom. Instead, she took his hand and led him towards the table.

General Carter stood and raised a glass, "Ladies and Gentlemen, the bride and groom!"

There were several loud 'woooohooooo's.' It was enough to make Sam blush.

"Daddy!" she complained, "Please don't do that."

"Come on," Jacob countered as he sat down, "I'm just practicing. Someone pass the curried chicken. Grandpa's hungry enough to eat a bear!"

Christy looked up from cutting Amy's food. "Aren't you hungry? Sit down. Sit. Sit. Sit!"

Samantha wound up sitting next to her brother. Teal'c sat down next to her. He turned to his left and found Amy staring up at him. She smiled showing her baby teeth.

"You don't smile," Amy told him.

He thought about it before he said, "When there is cause."

"And you talk funny," she said.

"That's not nice," Christy told her daughter as she set rice on her daughter's plate. "Apologize to Uncle Teal'c."

Before the little girl could apologize, Teal'c said, "I have noticed that I speak differently than most1/4funny."

"It's not polite," Christy stated simply.

Instead of arguing, Teal'c bowed his head slightly to her.

"What's that thing on your face?" Amy asked as she reached up and touched his forehead. Her mother pulled her hand away.

Teal'c looked to the head of the table.

General Carter looked unsettled but quickly said, "Teal'c wasn't born in the United States."

Mark was silent. Eventually he looked across to meet his wife's eyes. They exchanged an unspoken commentary.

Christy looked down at her daughter and gently said, "Eat your dinner."

Amy looked up at her mother and said, "Grandpa's tattoos are different than his."

"Grandpa's are black," Christian informed the table. "Why is Uncle Teal'c's gold?"

Instead of answering her child, Christy looked at Teal'c. That's when she noticed it peaking just under the black cap that he hadn't bothered to remove all day.

Teal'c reached up, felt his forehead, and realized what the boy was talking about. He immediately looked to Samantha.

Gently, she said, "It's your choice. This is a military family, we get told cover stories all the time."

He considered it for a moment and then he realized that he didn't want to lie to the people sitting at the table. He reached up and removed the soft, black cap.

He dropped the cap in his lap as he explained, "I was born a slave. I didn't have a choice; I had to become a soldier. But I was good at it. I rose through the ranks quickly. The day that I took charge of an extremely important position; this symbol was burnt into my forehead. At the time I was told that it meant power, authority, and privilege. But all I see now is oppression, slavery, and death."

There was a heavy silence at the table for a long minute. General Carter broke that silence when he repeated himself by saying, "Will someone pass the curried chicken!"

~ ~ ~

"This is like some awful teenage nightmare. Any minute now I'm going to wake up naked in front of my ninth grade English class on the day that some really big term paper is due, but my dog ate my homework, and I don't know the answers to the test."

"Why is she at my door?" Daniel asked.

"Jack!" his mother screeched in that tone.

"Get dressed," Jack hissed as he dove for his underwear. He had it in his hands when he spotted his jeans.

Jack rolled onto his knees and swept most of his clothes towards him with a wince. His cock hurt. He struggled to his feet. He still wanted to get laid because his cock hurt. He straightened out as best he could and glanced over at Daniel. His beautiful rounded bottom was being eased into a soft pair of cotton underwear. It was a thing of beauty.

"Jack!"

The woman actually made him jump. It was the same kind of fear-induced jump that he'd produced when she'd caught him making out with Jennifer McNamara in the back of her father's car. People with weapons pointed at his head hadn't ever been able to produce that kind of reaction in him. The woman had a bat's sonar when it came to finding him when he was doing something that he wasn't supposed to be doing. Quite frankly, it creeped the hell out of him! Always had!

He stepped into his underwear and then into his jeans. He was putting his shirt on when he realized that he had no buttons.

A shirt hit him in the face. He peeled it off to find Daniel retreating into the bedroom completely shirtless. Jack switched shirts quickly and wound up stuffing his useless shirt behind the cushions of the couch.

"Coming!"

"Oh!" she said from the other side of the door. "The dead do rise from the grave!"

Under his breath, he mumbled, "As a matter of fact."

Jack unlocked the door, and pulled the bolt. He swung the door open only to find his mother and his brother standing on the other side. His mother looked extremely angry. He knew that scowl by heart. His brother just looked tickled pink, as evidenced by the great big smile plastered across his face. The nightmare was complete.

She immediately wiggled her finger at him as she said, "Jonathan Francis O'Neill, what have you been up to?"

"Ma," Jack asked instantly confused, "what are you doing here?"

"I'm asking the questions," she replied a moment before she leaned in and smelled his breath.

He pulled away instantly horrified at what she might actually smell if she got too close.

"You're not supposed to be drinking hard liquor! Do you remember your Uncle Patty! If I have to-"

"Calm down, Ma," Jack demanded. "I remember. Connor remembers. We both remember."

She stepped in and passed him to inspect the apartment.

"What are you doing here?" Jack asked his brother as he turned to him.

Connor dropped two large suitcases just outside the door. He walked away from them as he said, "We went to your place." Connor looked down at the front of his brother's jeans before looking back over his brother's shoulders to check on his mother's exact location. "There was hippie woman at your place."

"Did you see the hair!" their mother shrilled from the bookcase.

"Yeah, ma!" Connor replied as he pulled Jack's shirt out of his jeans and pulled it down over the crotch. Connor smiled knowingly as he said, "Gosh darn it, we came as hard and as fast as we could. We knew you'd be in real need."

Jack smirked. "Nice to know that no matter how much time goes by, things just don't change."

Connor's reply was to blink innocently and rapidly as he smiled widely.

"I'll figure it out," she warned as she walked around. "What's this?"

Jack turned in time to see his mother bend over and pick something up.

She looked around asking, "Why are there buttons all over the floor?"

"Those are mine," Daniel said walking out of the bedroom dressed appropriately and looking far more calm and collected than Jack felt. "I apologize," he said smoothly. "I dropped my sewing box. I haven't had time to clean up."

Daniel looked at her right in the eyes and shook his head as he said, "You have to be Jack's mother. You have the exact same eyes. No. Not exact. Your eyes are more like melted chocolate."

She giggled. Jack couldn't believe it. His mother actually made a giggle sound.

"My name's Maggie O'Neill," she said offering her hand.

"Daniel Jackson," he replied taking her hand and holding it between both of his. "I'm extremely glad to meet you. It's always interesting to meet a person's relatives."

"Yeah, interesting," Jack said dryly. Without turning to see him, he asked Connor again, "Why are you here?"

Despite the wide grin slashed across Connor's face, he somehow managed to say, "Your General called. Get the luggage, Jack." Connor walked in farther and offered his hand to Daniel as he said, "Connor O'Neill. I'm the younger, more talented, and better looking one."

"In your dreams," Jack grumbled as he hauled both suit cases inside.

There she was again, sniffing.

"Maggie?" Daniel asked backing up a little.

She didn't hesitate to ask, "Why do you smell like my son?" She grabbed him and physically pulled him closer. She smelled his neck before inhaling him at the chest. "And why do you smell like sex this early in the day?"

Daniel just stood there blankly hoping that the question could be ignored. But the questions had been uttered. They were just hanging there in front of all of them. It was sound made of fury, tension, and disturbing potential.

The door was knocked again.

Daniel softly said, "That's lunch. Excuse me."

He walked to the table by the door and picked up the money that they'd left there not so long ago. He made himself busy paying for the food.

Jack took a few steps closer to his mother. He knew her well enough to know that she wasn't going to say a single word while the door was open, and some stranger was at the door. Because, my goodness, what would the neighbors think?

He took the opportunity to stop next to her and remind her, "I am an adult, not a sixteen year old boy. I love you. But my life isn't any of your business."

Jack took a few steps away from her absolutely amazed that she didn't start yelling and screaming the moment the door was quietly closed.

Daniel turned to the room, two bags of hot food hanging from his fingers. "You know what? I think that we should all sit down and have a nice lunch. We're all adults. We can discuss this civilly."

~ ~ ~

"I like Star Wars."

Mark leaned back in the couch as he asked, "You're a trekkie?"

Teal'c simply replied, "I like Star Wars."

"And that's the only movie that he likes," her father stated.

Sam shook her head and left the men to discuss the meaning of life.

She wasn't surprised when she walked into the kitchen and found Christy sitting at the kitchen counter flipping through a magazine.

"Quick," Christy hissed, "close the door or you'll let the kids in!"

Sam walked in and deposited the two cups in her hand in the sink. She began to wash the remaining few things in the sink by hand. The dishwasher was humming along on a full load and there was nothing better to do at that moment.

"You know," Christy said. She rested after the statement. A few long seconds later she continued by saying, "I'm sitting here contemplating many, many things including you and your Teal'c."

"I'm fine Christy. Leave it alone."

Sam heard a page turned. Even above the sound of the running water in the sink, she heard it turn.

"I'm fine Christy. Leave it alone," Christy repeated. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you say something like that to me once before. Oh, yes," she said triumphantly. "That would be shortly after that asshole, piece-of-garbage excuse for an ex-fiancée of yours raped you."

Sam turned the water off; she reached for the dishtowel and turned as she dried her hands.

Christy grew very dire as she said, "I've known you longer than I've known my husband. And in that time I've seen you do a lot of things to make damn sure that you don't get happy."

Sam shook her head as she said, "Christy-"

"Professor Lambert," Christy countered.

Sam exhaled loudly before he said, "You're just never going to drop that."

"Married, three kids, and a slime-ball," Christy said ticking off her fingers. "Right after you came up with that lifelong I-will-succeed plan that you've almost completed I might add. Then there was Jonas Hanson."

Christy looked down at the magazine under her fingers without really seeing it as she said, "You like to pick men who are emotionally unavailable to you. They hurt you either directly or by ignoring you. They're unavailable or unobtainable; anything that keeps you waiting and dangling."

Christy took a deep breath and looked at her seriously. "So this guy. Is he real, or...is he just a guy?"

Sam threw the dishtowel on the counter and walked over the kitchen island. She swallowed hard and finally admitted, "I don't know."

Instead of questions, she was given silence in which to think and eventually say, "There's a1/4thing."

Christy nodded encouragingly, still saying nothing.

Sam skipped over all that and said, "I'm enjoying myself. He's fabulous. But he's also very traditional. He takes things very seriously. And I know what you're saying to me1/4again for the thousandth time. But the truth is that this is more of a misunderstanding than a situation."

"How much more?" Christy asked.

Sam had to think. Finally, she said, "Sixty/forty."

"In whose favor?"

Sam shook her head as she said, "I don't know. When he's touching me I feel like I'm losing my mind. And," she looked at the kitchen door and quietly added, "fucking me1/4the house could be burning and I wouldn't give a damn."

Christy smiled. "Is he good to you?"

Sam hesitated. Eventually, she admitted, "He's the most honorable, amazing, and gentle man that I've ever known in my life. He treats me with kindness and respect."

"How is he in bed?" Christy asked quickly.

"Raging bull. Hung like one too."

"Work?"

"Yes. He has a job. He's very brave. And I trust him to guard my back."

Christy twiddled her thumbs for a moment before she looked up and quickly asked, "What about baggage?"

Sam looked at her and responded, "I'm not exactly without a few packed bags myself."

Christy waited.

Sam eventually said, "He was born into slavery. He lost everything to help my team escape from a not-so-great situation. His wife eventually died. His son is growing up apart from him. He's lost everything that he ever loved."

Christy looked at her carefully as she asked, "Does he love you?"

Sam eventually met her eyes. It took a while but when she was able she nodded and then promptly left the kitchen.

~ ~ ~

They sat down at Daniel's small dining table. His mother wouldn't look at him, which was fine since Jack didn't want to look at her either. Connor was being a world-class ass and staring right at Jack with that ever-present jackass grin smeared right across his puss.

Daniel unpacked their dinner. The smell of Chinese food spread out quickly and covered all their senses. It was just as well; Jack could still smell Daniel on his own face. It wasn't helping the pain in his cock.

Jack reached for the disposable plates and spread one out at each setting. Daniel disappeared into the kitchen a moment later. Jack opened the food containers.

Daniel returned with two beers in one hand and a pitcher in the other. As he set them down he asked, "Maggie would you rather have beer or-"

"I don't drink," she said curtly.

"Uncle Patty spoiled it for the rest of us," Jack explained.

Daniel paused to think. "Was that the uncle who drank himself blind?"

Jack nodded and grew quiet.

Daniel felt awkward when Maggie looked up directly at him, eyes wide. It was plainly obvious to him that she didn't like having outsiders knowing family business.

"Excuse me," Daniel said as he walked away.

"Lot's of food," Connor mentioned as he reached for the Styrofoam containers of ribs. "You guys must be starving."

Jack watched Connor pick out a few ribs as he said, "We're not supposed to report to base for a few days. Leftovers are better the second day."

"He's not military," Connor rebutted quickly.

"No," Jack admitted easily. "He's a linguist who happens to be on my team."

Daniel returned and silently put four glasses on the table before disappearing back into the kitchen.

"You serve with him?" Connor asked with a smirk.

Jack looked into his brother's face as he bit down hard. He wanted to swing at him hard and wipe that look right off his face.

And just as he was balling his fist up, his mother said, "These places never give enough soy sauce. How are four people supposed to eat this much Chinese food with only six packets of sauce on the table-"

Daniel set down the bottle of dark soy sauce, duck sauce, and chili oil that he kept in his own refrigerator for Jack-type emergencies.

Daniel noticed Connor smiling brightly at him.

Daniel didn't hesitate to ask, "What?"

Connor opened his mouth. He paused. Then he asked, "Could you please pass the fried rice?"

As Daniel passed the container to him, Connor asked, "So you're a linguist?"

"Archeology and anthropology," Daniel answered.

"Funny that," Connor said. "A linguist, archeologist, anthropologist working under a mountain on deep space radar right next to a career military Colonel."

Daniel momentarily froze and then reached for the egg rolls.

"Connor," Jack said with a puff, "you're dancing on the mine field again."

"A jig with both feet firmly pounding on the ground, big brother," Connor managed with a grin.

Daniel picked up the pitcher and poured Maggie a glass of apple juice before pouring for himself. As he set the pitcher down Daniel had to say, "A world with two nearly identical O'Neills. I know people for whom this would be a nightmare come true."

Maggie shook her head as she blurted out, "You're not gay!" She put her hands on the table as she said, "This is insane! You were married for years! You were happy; I know you were happy! This is insane!"

A stiff tension settled over the table that resulted in deep silence for several long seconds.

"Now I understand why your General wanted us here so fast." Maggie sat up straighter as she said, "We are going to leave and you're going home immediately. This ends now."

Maggie was about to open her mouth again as Jack sharply said, "Ma!" He paused just long enough to calm himself with a cleansing breath. He looked up at her as he said, "Ma, I am not a little boy."

"If you're such an adult, Jackie, why are you behaving like this?" she demanded.

He looked up and met his mother's powerful, brown eyes. Simply, he said, "I haven't been in a relationship since Sara left. And right now1/4I'm enjoying myself."

"If the military finds out," she paused and firmly said, "your General knows!"

Jack nodded. "Do you really think that I'm going to put my position, my team, and my base in danger for a tumble? He does know. So does my team." Jack tried to calm the tension that he felt building. "Right now," he explained, "I'm having fun."

She looked away. Grief was clearly painted on her face. When she looked up it was meet Daniel's eyes and hold them. Much like Jack, she didn't need words to speak to him.

He saw the look for what it was. He felt a knot in his stomach that tangled him.

He accepted the silence for another few moments, and then he silently got up from the table and walked to his bedroom. He closed the door behind him and walked towards the chest sitting at the foot of his bed.

He sat down doing his best to breathe properly. He tried to breathe the way that Dancing Butterfly had instructed him. He tried. But his lungs felt slow and covered with thickness. He didn't need Janet to tell him that he was at the onset of something. He knew that he should have been in his bathroom at that very moment sifting through the different pill bottles looking for the all-purpose little yellow ones that made breathing easier on the smoggy days.

Not more than a minute later, a soft knock on the door roused him from his thoughts. He watched the door as it opened slowly. But instead of Jack it was Connor.

"Don't mean to disturb you," he said coming into the room. Connor closed the door behind himself and came in farther. Within two steps he'd slid his hands into his pockets and assumed the tale-tale O'Neill slouch that spoke of comfort, grace, and ease.

Connor came to sit next to Daniel on the chest.

For a few moments, neither of them said anything.

Connor was the first to speak. "You know a lot about history, right?"

Daniel nodded silently.

"World War II, England, that's where ma grew up. Her brother and her father were both drunks. Uncle Patty did drink himself blind and she had to take care of him. She was only a kid. Doesn't excuse her behavior but it does explain a lot of her paranoia and squabbling."

Daniel looked next to him and said to Connor, "I'm not angry at her. She has every right to be upset." He looked away as he added, "This just isn't my ideal situation to be in."

Daniel felt his nose stuff up. He swallowed hard. He wanted to sniff up the wetness but he refused to sound as if he were about to break down in tears. He did his best to continue to breathe through his nose though he knew that he wouldn't be able to for long. He swallowed again.

"I'll tell you a story," Connor said conversationally. "I don't really believe much of what I see and hear anymore. This is doubly true when it comes to Jack O'Neill. I've been riding the crazy train for a real long time, Daniel. When he was active and running missions I never knew what I'd find when I went to visit him. He was a biker for a spell. Once he even convinced everyone that he'd left the military to become a hippie. He even converted to Judaism at one point. Can I tell you that mama demanded that he go to church after that one was over?"

Connor breathed out and slouched down noticeably as he said, "It's not that I want my brother to be1/4this or that, I just want him to be happy. For his sake, I hope that this isn't part of some screwed up mission. I hope that he's actually getting some joy out of it." Connor fidgeted as he said, "He hasn't been happy in a real long time1/4 And I'd also have enough material here to torture him with for years and years to come."

"Yeah," Daniel said stuffily, "we mustn't forget that."

"It's important," Connor said brightly.

Daniel smiled a little bit. Quietly, he said, "I'm in love with him. He's a good man, my best friend."

Connor looked right at him.

Daniel knew the look. He was being weighed and measured from the inside out.

When he was finished, Connor finally said, "Good." Connor stood up and breathed out loudly. "Let's go back to the table. Jack eats like a horse after he's gotten laid and I haven't put an egg roll on my plate yet. Hope there's enough soy sauce left in that bottle. Oh," Connor said turning. "Do you mind if I call you the little woman from now on?"

"What?" Daniel asked dumbly.

"It's just to torture him with. If I go overboard just tell me to shut up and I will."

"I," Daniel stumbled as he looked into Connor's big and very eager eyes, "um."

"Great," Connor said as he walked out.

Still in the bedroom Daniel heard, Connor say, "Hey, Jack! I like the little woman! He's a real peach!"

"Don't call him that you, ass!"

"Jack!" Maggie half-shouted over Conner's voice, "Do not call your brother names!"

"He said I could!" Connor insisted. "And I like him better than I like you! Mom, he's being mean to me again!"

Maggie looked at both her children and shook her head as she quietly said, "Why did I keep the pair of you?"

CHAPTER 10 - THE MORNING AFTER

The vacuum woke them. It was close by and roaring loudly. Daniel opened his eyes and looked around to find Mama O'Neill vacuuming around his bed.

"Up! Up! You lazy boys! Get out of bed! There's lots to do!" She banged the vacuum against the bed box as if to illustrate her point.

He felt Jack jump out of bed.

Bang! Bang!

Daniel pulled the blanket over his head as he heard, "This place is a sty!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The vacuum's roar died suddenly. Daniel had no doubts that Jack was standing by the wall holding the plug in his hand.

"Ma!" Jack yelled out as she continued to bang the vacuum against the bed box. "For Christ's sake! It's three in the morning!"

"Don't take the Lord's name in vain!" she screeched.

Daniel sat up. He didn't even try to clear his head as he ran for the bathroom. He managed to hit the wall along the way. He grunted and kept right on going. He locked himself in and peed in safety of the small guest bathroom.

Mama O'Neill had complained. As a matter of fact, she had spent most of the night complaining about a great many things1/4a great many things. When it finally came time for bed, she had bitched and hollered better than anything Jack had ever attempted. It began with the curtains in the guest room and ranged all the way to the color on the walls, the mattress, the carpet, the windows, and finally the sheets.

They changed the sheets for her. Switched out the lamps that were too bright. Changed the light bulbs in the ceiling fixtures to 40 watts. Re-hung the curtains, and then finally switched rooms with her. Connor watched most of the drama from his place on the couch with what Jack termed 'a big shit eating grin that needed to be pounded out of him.' Daniel's opinion on the Connor situation was slowly but surely starting to change so that it came into closer agreement with Jack's.

He washed his face trying his best to sober up to the land of the living. He hated having to do that kind of thing before his first, second, or third cup of morning coffee. It was a crime against nature.

Instead of coffee, he opened the tap and lowered his mouth to it. He sucked down cold water, swished it around a few times, and spit it out. He repeated the procedure a few times before drinking down a bit more water and shutting off the tap.

He didn't feel fully awake, but at least he felt that he could start to deal with it.

He breathed in a few times and tried to mentally prepare himself before he opened the door.

Mother O'Neill was saying, "And the paint is all wrong. This room should be blue. Something light and pretty, like cornflower."

Connor was lying across the end of the bed. He sat up just to look at his brother who was back on his side of the bed, and said, "Yeah, Jack, cornflower blue!"

Jack picked up his foot under the sheets and jabbed his brother in the chest.

Connor pushed him back.

"Ah, Buttercup!" Connor exclaimed as Daniel approached the bed.

"Kiss my ass," Daniel muttered on his way to bed.

"Such language," Connor said with a smile on his face. "I thought that you and I agreed that we wouldn't talk like that in front of Jack. He mustn't know, Daniel."

Jack kicked at him again knocking Connor over.

"Thanks, Jack," Daniel said as he lay down.

Jack managed to say, "Any time" before Connor came flying up and onto him. Connor's momentum kept Jack pinned for a few moments before Jack's strength was able to overpower Connor off the bed and onto the floor.

Daniel wanted to be upset but all he managed to do was laugh about it as Connor screeched out, "Owie! Mommy! My butt! I broke my butt!"

Jack laughed along with him until they were both lying back together. Jack looked into Daniel's eyes and simply said, "Any one else here as horny as I am?"

Daniel shyly raised his hand a little.

Jack leaned in and gently kissed Daniel's lips. He pulled away and licked his lips as he watched Daniel.

"Ma, Connor, get out." Jack turned to the night stand sifted through the first drawer. "Oh, come on," Jack griped as he didn't find anything useful.

"Guest room, Jack," Daniel said as he went through the drawers on his side.

"No luck," Jack declared as he gave up and slammed the second drawer in effectively rattling the lamp. "You?"

"No," Daniel said slightly upset.

"Oh," Connor declared. He stood from the floor where he'd still been laying and blushed a little. As he passed his mother he said, "You two deal with this." As he left the room he said, "Good night all!"

"Coward!" Jack yelled out the door.

Jack lay back as his mother repeated, "Cornflower blue."

Jack looked at Daniel and said, "You're the anthropologist. Break it too her."

Quietly, Daniel said, "Who's the coward now?" Before Jack could comment, Daniel said, "Condoms and lubricant."

Maggie O'Neill stopped cold. Her mouth was open. She just stared.

Tired, sleepy, and horny, he easily said, "When two men want to have sex they need lubricant to make things slippery enough. The condoms just make everything much cleaner all around. Skin-on-skin can be fun, but if you try it every time the rubbing can start to hurt."

Daniel looked over at Jack and asked, "So how do you want to do it?"

With a smile and completely without conscience Jack said, "Oral sex is sounding real good right about now."

Daniel smiled and slid down a little so he could lift up the blanket. He hadn't even properly loosened Jack's pajama bottoms when he heard the door slam shut. A moment later Daniel was thrown onto his back.

The blanket was still over his head. Jack unwrapped him slowly. When they were eye-to-eye, Jack said, "Now I get to finish what we were starting earlier. Don't move."

Jack didn't hesitate to pull down on Daniel's sweat pants exposing a proud and welcoming nine to his gaze.

"You're going to shut up and give me what I want," Jack murmured as he watched that nine quickly becoming a ten. He looked up at Daniel's face. "If you need to scream, or bite on a pillow go ahead. I'm going to be busy for a while."

~ ~ ~

She woke up settled against him the way that she loved. He was comfortable and warm. And for some reason he always smelled like camping to her. Woods, fresh dirt, morning air, that crisp feel that only came with being outside away from the confinement of bricks and mortar.

She snuggled in burying her nose into his chest so she could breathe him in deep into her memory. Unlike every other morning, she couldn't detect sweat and sex under that smell because they'd stayed the night in her house1/4with her family. It was just him. Just the smell of comfort.

She looked up and noticed him watching her. He had a pleasant little smile on his face as he watched her.

"Good morning," she said finally.

"Good morning," he replied.

"We didn't have sex last night."

"I am extremely aware of this," he said calmly.

She reached down and found what she'd expected. As usual his skin was very warm to the touch, his flesh firm, silky soft, and waiting.

"Try not to make any noise," she said before disappearing under the sheets. He was too big to swallow down completely, especially with her gag reflex. She worked in parts using her hands to work the base of his cock while her mouth loved, laved, and licked at the top.

It only took a minute or two before his hands had reached down and dug into her hair. Another minute and he was directing her down urging her while his hips met her mouth's actions.

She sucked harder, licked longer until saliva ran down her neck and he was pouring his hot, bitter seed down her throat. She heard him grunt deep and hard. She had to work hard to drink it all down. Still some managed to spill down her face. She had to pull away to swallow before coming back to lick him clean. She carefully took her time. Slowly, his cock descended until it was lying on the thick curls at the apex of his thighs.

His grip finally relaxed and fell away.

She reached up for the sheet and wiped her face and neck before surfacing. She sat up watching him. She liked to watch him calm and content. The moments before he rose to consciousness and took on the many problems that swirled around them were the most pleasurable to watch. She already noticed that those were the moments when he was most apt to smile more, be more at ease. It was always nice to watch.

When he opened his eyes, he met hers for a few seconds. He reached for her cupping her cheek gently. He felt the skin there. It didn't take much before she leaned into the touch as her eyes fluttered shut.

He leaned in closer to her and smelled her hair before he said, "I want you in the shower, woman."

His voice sent shivers down her spine.

She obeyed happily.

~ ~ ~

The first thing that Daniel did when his ass hit the chair was to order the largest Colombian with a double shot of espresso. She looked more than a little shocked. And to his undying surprise, Mother O'Neill asked for the same.

Jack smirked. "He's a java junkie too, ma. And you drink far too much coffee. That statement I give freely to the both of you."

The manager arrived about five seconds later saying, "Jack, Daniel, it's so nice to see the two of you again."

"Mike," Jack said offering the man his hand.

"I hope that everything is to your liking?" the man said quickly.

"Everything will be perfect," Daniel said, "as soon as the coffee gets here."

Daniel yawned a little and looked away as he tried to shake himself awake.

The restaurant manager smiled and then easily said, "Why don't I see what's keeping it from your table. And, while I'm at it I'm going to make sure that a basket of fresh baked bread arrives at your table, compliments of the house."

Jack smiled a little nervously. "Thanks. That's very kind of you."

Mike just smiled brightly in return. "Not at all. Since your proposal, we've gotten ten more couples in here and reservations for five wedding parties. We've become the 'it' place for gay weddings in the area. And I absolutely thank the two of you."

A moment later the manager was gone and a tense silence hovered over the table.

Instead of acknowledging what was said, Maggie asked, "What ever happened that nice girl that you called Carter?"

"Married," Jack said.

"Happily?" Maggie asked with a crinkle in her brow and tears in her eyes.

"We're not married," Daniel explained. "We can't get legally married." Daniel swallowed and said, "We simply exchanged rings as a sign of commitment."

He looked at Mother O'Neill who was staring hard at the table's surface.

Daniel tried to very gently say, "We know that it probably won't last. Our jobs make ever after pretty difficult."

"And dating," Jack offered.

"And meeting new people," Daniel countered.

"And having a normal life."

Daniel nodded he could have kept it going, but it wouldn't have served a purpose. Instead, he said, "For right now we're in a monogamous and loving relationship. At least, in the very, very least, we're not alone."

~ ~ ~

They walked through the door just after seven thirty. As she walked in to the living room she saw her father's eyes glow awake.

"Morning, Selmac. Thank you for keeping him resting. Breakfast is on in a few."

She heard her father's body roll over as Selmac let out an echoing slightly metallic sigh.

As she set her bags on the kitchen island she heard her father grumble, "Can I get up now you nagging worm?" And then for several minutes she could hear her father complaining back and forth in both modes of voice, depending on who was in control.

She and Teal'c ignored it as they emptied the bags on the counter and got to work. Neither of them really had to say much. Teal'c began slicing bagels. Sam slit open the bag of pre-chopped onions, peppers, and celery and dropped them in a big bowl. She pulled out a smaller bowl, like Teal'c had showed her how to do a few days prior and began by cracking an egg into it. When she saw no shell, she poured it into the big bowl. She went through a dozen eggs in that way. When she was done, she handed the big bowl off to Teal'c.

He gave her three bundles of washed herbs to chop while he fetched the casserole dish from the top right-hand cabinet. He washed it quickly and then filled the bottom with shredded potatoes from a bag. He emptied the three cheese bag on top before mixing the bowl of eggs.

As he stirred, Sam dropped in two handfuls of herbs before grabbing a large pinch of salt. She held it out to him and asked, "Is that too much?"

"Perfect," he said. As she turned away he reminded her, "It needs more spices?"

"What?" she asked almost afraid.

He looked at her and smiled. "You choose. At least two more."

She bit her lip but went to the spice cabinet anyway. She hated choosing spices for food. She never did a good job of it. Despite her misgivings she chose the Cayenne, and a bottle of Coriander that she'd never even bothered to open. She was sure that Teal'c would know how much was enough.

She gave them to him and watched him add a little of both before pouring over the large casserole. It was just enough.

She opened the oven. He slid it right in.

~ ~ ~

Jacob stopped arguing with Selmac just long enough to watch the couple kiss. His daughter giggled. And he made up his mind in that moment.

"He makes a good husband," Selmac said longingly.

Jacob turned down to the ground and went down again for another pushup, "Keep counting, you. We're not at two hundred yet."

~ ~ ~

They both heard her crying from the kitchen.

Jack was holding Daniel in his arms. He'd purposefully lifted Daniel up onto the counter so that he could hold him around the waist while his heart was at the same height at Jack's ear. It was calming to simply lean against the man and listen to the steady rhythm of him, it was quite possibly the most calming thing that Jack had ever head or done in his life.

Jack pulled back hoping that it wasn't his turn. Daniel simply shook his head and continued to sip from Jack's beer bottle. Jack laid his head on Daniel's chest for another second. As much as he wanted to remain holding Daniel and ignoring his folks, he knew that he couldn't. He steeled himself and then trudged out to see what was the matter1/4this time.

He found her on the couch crying. He walked to the couch about to say something light, supportive, and extremely caring when he noticed the photo album. "You brought my baby album?" He suddenly tasted bile. "Why may I ask?"

Somewhere between fit and hysteria she cried out, "I had your Aunt Lucille overnight it to me!" She sniffed and sobbed. A box of tissue was pulled closer to her side and a sheet was pulled free. She blew her nose. "I just wanted to remember my beautiful baby boy!"

He turned away cursing under his breath.

Then The Village People suddenly began singing. Connor came out of the guest room from where the music was blaring to the tune of YMCA. He was wearing a pair of tight jeans, Jack's army boots, and a tee shirt that he'd gathered high on the chest and knotted to form a little tank top that exposed his midriff. Apparently, he'd found ma's lipstick, blush, and mascara. Watching his brother sing and dance was definitely one of the worst moments of his life.

His mother began to cry again, this time much more hysterically. More tissues were pulled out of the box next to her so that she could cry in comfort and agony.

Jack turned away only to find Daniel looking through the kitchen window, laughing.

"Don't encourage them!" Jack growled as he walked back to the kitchen.

~ ~ ~

They were sitting in her bedroom. Christy was admiring her wedding dress. And Sam was amazed at how easily just showing it off could make her happy. The pictures of her in her wedding dress, now that was special. They flipped through the album together for a long time slowly looking at the pictures.

Out of the blue she asked, "Isn't it funny how Daddy just hasn't aged a day over the passed few years? It's like he's just stopped aging."

Sam smoothly said, "I hadn't noticed anything."

Christy smiled. "Don't do that with me."

"Don't do what?"

Christy smiled at her and said, "I'm a lot of things, Major, but brain dead isn't one of them. One day your father was dying from a malignant form of cancer, the next day he's fine. I'm a nurse, Sam. Do you really think that I didn't ask him questions? He may be a good soldier but he doesn't know anything about medicine. If what he first told me is true, then he should be dead."

Sam did her best to look blankly at her.

Christy smiled in that way that always told Sam that something was about to be said that shouldn't be voiced at all.

"Did you ever notice the way he flashes his eyes sometimes? Or that weird voice that he does for the kids? He says it's a magic trick, but1/4"

"Christy-"

"Teal'c's nice. Too bad your cover story doesn't make much sense. You might want to work on it."

Sam shifted her stance. "Christy-"

"I spent five years with the Peace Corps, Sam. Remember? I know what an African accent sounds like. If he at least had an English or French twist to his manner of speech, it might work, but1/4 While we're on topic, I guess I might as well say this because we Carters work hard at ignoring things that we shouldn't know anything about."

Christy looked concerned as she slowly said, "Once upon a time you have a plan that involved school, your achievements, and how you were going to climb the ranks, get what you wanted, and eventually get to space. I've seen you do a lot of that, Major." A little hesitantly, she asked, "Are you working on it?"

Sam carefully said, "I'm very happy where I am. I'm not going to leave. This is where I'm needed. Where we are needed."

Christy breathed out and looked more relieved as she nodded.

"Sam," Mark said bursting into the bedroom. "Looks like Dad just got one of those calls. He's leaving."

Mark disappeared.

When Sam and Christy got there, it was to find Amy and Christian cuddled up against their grandfather. Jacob was on the phone with 'the General' look on his face.

"I understand," he eventually said as he stroked his granddaughter's hair. "I'll see you soon, George."

She watched her father hang up and she knew from experience that he was all but gone.

"I love you, Grandpa," Amy mournfully said.

Jacob knelt down so he could face his grandchildren. He covered his eyes with his hands as he usually did for them. His head dropped as he released control of his body to her. A moment later his hands fell away. When his eyes opened it was to flash at the children. Selmac's metallic voice said, "Your grandfather loves you both very much."

Amy giggled the way she usually did when Grandpa made the funny voice and eyes for them.

They held him. He felt his arms wrap around them as Selmac gently but quickly released control back to him. He inhaled their perfect baby scent and for one absolute moment was able to burn the memory of having his prodigy in his arms. All to himself. Glory. His gift to the world.

"When I get back," he said thickly. He managed to get control of himself as he continued to say, "I'm taking you both for pizza, movies, ice cream, and then we're going to go shopping."

"Alright, bribery!" Christian announced brightly.

Jacob had no doubt that those were Christy's words circulating back into the conversation. He was impressed that the boy had used the word correctly.

"Can I have a new bike?" Amy asked with a sniffle.

"Jacob," Christy warned.

"Sure you can," Jacob said as he straightened out so he could take them in hand as he walked out the door, "Absentee Grandpas are the perfect pigeons to hit up for new and expensive toys. I'll get you whatever you want."

Outside, he hugged each grandbaby tightly again as he told them that he loved them.

Sam walked out to instant disappointment. The car from the base was already waiting. She realized that her father had been calling or had been called for an update, not to warn him that the car was on its way. She breathed out and tried to let it go. She knew he'd be back, but it had been nice to have the whole family together1/4even if it had only been for a little while.

"And as for you," her father said as he walked up to her. "I love you," he carefully said. "Take care of yourself, kiddo."

"Yes, sir," she said before coming in for a hug.

As he pulled away he looked to her side and said, "Ah, yes."

"General Carter," Teal'c said even more formerly then usual. He straightened himself out, ramrod erect, and squared his shoulders. His stomach was a mess and he wanted to retch, but he hid his emotions under his training.

The General stood by waiting patiently.

It took Teal'c a few long seconds to make the words reality. But when he was able to do so, he did add, "I wanted to speak with you."

Jacob finally let the stiff façade drop with a smile. "I was wondering when you'd get around to it."

Teal'c looked down as he admitted, "I was hoping that there would be much more time."

Between Selmac and his memories all rattling around in his skull, there was enough regret to go around and then some. Jacob had no trouble saying, "The one thing that there is never enough of is time. No matter how long you are allowed to live. You never get that moment back."

The General then waited. A part of him hoped. Most of that part felt as if it were Selmac. That Teal'c had a team on his side was not lost on Jacob. He knew that most of the tension he currently felt was coming from her.

"Accept, Jacob. You must accept him."

He didn't answer of course. He'd already learnt that holding conversations with himself was a bad idea when he was around other Earthlings. Even the ones who knew about Selmac thought that it was weird and creepy.

He wasn't sure if Samantha would try to stop him from speaking. He looked directly at her as Teal'c said, "General Carter, I will speak with you about my intention to ask for your daughter. If she'll have me, I'll make my desire known."

Her eyes grew big and wet, but she didn't speak.

"Well," Jacob said with a smile.

"Accept," Selmac hissed. "Look how in love they are."

"Samantha," Jacob called.

She turned to look at him frightened, unsure, and very nervous.

Gently, he asked, "Do you know what it means if I accept?"

The tears gathered in her eyes. She managed to nod. He heard the tears in her voice as she said, "If you accept, we're married by Jaffa law."

As seriously as he'd ever said anything in his life, he asked her, "Do you want this?"

She smiled and said, "All we have is this moment. How do I know if the world will exist tomorrow?"

"Yeah, there's that," Jacob answered truthfully. He took her left hand in his and reached for Teal'c's left with his other hand. To his daughter he said, "Asepit hout 'ep shute f'eitem." He joined their hands together and turned to Teal'c to say, "Sed'im hout 'ep shute f'eitem." He could feel the tight grip that the two had on each other's hands. Before he let go, he said to them, "Take care of each other. Marriage is hard. Marriage and your jobs are even harder. Try to be understanding and patient."

Jacob let go and took a step back.

"Well done," Selmac whispered to him.

Teal'c didn't hesitate to fall onto one knee. He dug in his pocket and quickly pulled out the little box that he'd been carrying around with him. He offered the ring up to his wife saying, "I believe that this is customary."

Samantha couldn't believe her eyes. "You bought the wedding band? Teal'c it was so expensive. We agreed that it was too expensive. The engagement ring is enough."

"I agreed to no such thing," Teal'c replied as he took the ring out of the box's black cushion. "And General Hammond has just approved a full fiscal year's worth of back pay." He slid the ring into place and admired it. The engagement ring was a nice stone but it was also very solitary. The wedding band's four additional diamonds and the diamond encrusted band finished it off perfectly.

Jacob didn't even try to stop Selmac as she took control and said, "The ring is very nice! I approve." She let go. Even before his head rose, Jacob said, "Yeah, nice rock."

Sam shook her head. "No, it's too much."

"Keep it," Christy hissed, "they get cheap after the honeymoon is over!"

Sam looked at Christy and Mark. Christy nodded enthusiastically. Mark simply shrugged and said, "She's right. Keep the ring while you can. I know I wouldn't buy a ring for my wife with a stone as big as that, and I know how much I love her."

"See," Christy said triumphantly.

Sam looked down at the ring and then at her husband still on his knee. She smiled.

When the smile broke through his stoic exterior she knew that things were right. He stood sweeping her up into his arms, pulling her close. He held her tightly enjoying her warmth and proximity. Enjoying his wife.

CHAPTER 11 - GRAD NIGHT

As usual they met outside the house. Sam and Teal'c were waiting in her car. Unlike usual, Teal'c was sitting in the driver's side. Both Jack and Daniel noticed but neither said anything.

Instead of commenting, the two men got out of their car and walked to the front door and waited as the other couple joined them. As usual they walked into the house together as a group, and at the same time as per Dancing Butterfly's specific request.

Unlike usual, she wasn't there to meet them so that they could discuss and compare experiences.

Instead they found the television on and set to a blue screen. The DVD's remote was sitting on the coffee table with a note taped to it which said,

Jack picked up the remote and ripped off the note. He turned back and looked at his comrades with an already sour look on his face. Jack sighed dramatically and pressed the play button.

Dancing Butterfly instantly came on screen and enthusiastically said, "Namasté, children!"

She held her hands together in a prayer pose as she said, "Consider this your graduation. Each of you has grown so very much. I'm very proud." With a peaceful smile she added, "I think that you are now ready to impart on the last leg of your journey. You're comfortable with your partners, but now it's time to become comfortable with your friends as well."

Her face went serious.

"As I understand it you will be required to1/4make love in close quarters." Gently she said, "You will all find that watching each other love and love well could be one of the greatest gifts that you ever give your beloved friends."

She bowed her head as she said, "Please consider my words."

Dancing Butterfly lifted her hands up wide in the air as she said, "I welcome you to peace and give the love of the universe to each of you. May the Divinity of creation always follow you." She took a breath and lowered her arms as she said, "And now I can finally repave my driveway like I've been meaning too. Bye."

The film cut off and left only the blue screen again.

Jack didn't hesitate to turn to the others and say, "I wonder what she left for dinner?"

No one else spoke. One-by-one they filed into the dining room.

Dancing Butterfly had left the dinner table set. A basket of bread sat on the table. Jack could smell something good coming from the oven. He went right to the oven mitt on the counter. He slipped it on, turned off the oven, and opened the door. He found two covered dishes inside. One was a potato dish covered in something that might have been a very cheese-like substance, but Jack had already learned the hard way that Butterfly didn't advocate eating anything animal related1/4usually he ate without asking questions. The other dish was something that might have passed for a meatloaf-like dish, but he knew better.

He turned to find Daniel pulling a salad out of the refrigerator.

They set the hot dishes, salad, and condiments on the table without saying a word to each other.

Whatever the un-loaf was, it was peppered with small bits of carrot and had an interesting gravy on it. Jack served himself a heaping plate and was slicing into his entrée when Teal'c said, "I don't share."

Jack slowly set his fork down. He looked up and found Teal'c sitting quite still studying him very closely.

No one moved or dared make a sound.

Despite the thick silence and tension, Jack was the first to speak. "I guess we all should be honest. Not much sense in lying at this point." He looked at his 2IC and his ever-ready strong man. "You're both fucking."

Carter's eyebrow rose. "And you too, sir."

Jack immediately slid his hands off the table and grasped them in his lap. Instead of answering, he said, "Now that the discussion portion of this evening is over..."

Resolutely, Teal'c said, "She is my wife."

Jack was silent as Teal'c's eyes bored into his.

Jack was about to open his mouth and placate the man when Teal'c added, "Among Jaffa, a wife is never shared. She is owned by her husband and does her duty accordingly. Samantha is not Jaffa, but she is my wife."

Teal'c paused. "You love her. And I know that she loves you as well." He breathed in and let it out slowly. Quietly, he said, "I understand this. I can even accept this, but I also know that I do not want her to wonder."

Teal'c turned to his wife and gently said, "If it is your wish1/4then perhaps this festival could be good for us." He looked away as he considered his own words. It didn't take long for him to realize and then say, "I couldn't watch you make love to him, or to any man." He met her eyes as he said, "But sometimes a little taste is enough."

Teal'c turned to Daniel and said, "Nothing would happen without your permission too, of course."

Daniel's eyebrow rose. He opened his mouth, but the words failed him. He looked down at the table's dinner occupied surface and said, "After a relationship has been on firm ground for a good long time, it can withstand anything. But if we're being honest." Daniel looked at Jack sitting next to him and met his eyes as he said, "We're not on firm ground. The sex is fabulous, but I don't really know where we stand and that's scary. The idea of agreeing to let you be with a woman1/4"

Daniel looked away as his thoughts acted themselves out across his features.

"I haven't agreed to anything," Jack commented.

Teal'c quickly asked, "May I ask a very personal question, Daniel Jackson?"

Daniel nodded slowly.

Teal'c looked next to him. In Samantha's face he found trust as she waited for him to speak his mind. He smoothed out the soft skin of her forehead.

"I think that you and I are in the same position, Daniel Jackson. We both want a great deal from our current situation, but we are unsure." Deciding it in his own mind, he simply offered the words, "May I suggest that for this night, you and I take charge of what does and does not happen?" He carefully watched Samantha's face as he spoke. "Like puppets, you and I play them. Tell them what to do as we make love to them."

The table was silent for a few seconds after.

It was Daniel who finally said, "Jack and I haven't done that yet. Not1/4not him, I mean."

"Then it's time he learns," Teal'c said simply.

Daniel shifted in his seat. Jack was far too silent and still.

Awkwardly, Daniel added, "But we all stop that moment anyone says so?"

"This goes without saying."

~ ~ ~

The living room was reconfigured. The furniture was pushed into the dining room. The mattress from the master and guest rooms were brought downstairs and laid out on the floor side-by-side.

Jack stood stiffly, watching Carter and Teal'c undress.

He watched Daniel walk into the living room and set down a warm bowl of water and few towels next to the box of condoms and lubricant.

When Daniel looked up he smiled. He didn't hesitate to walk over and stand next to Jack.

Mournfully, Jack said, "I still haven't agreed to this."

Daniel's reply was to lean into Jack a little.

Without asking, Daniel reached up and began to unbutton Jack's shirt. He gently caressed the dark curls that he exposed with each button. He lazily made his way down from one button to the next swirling his fingers along.

When he reached the last button above Jack's belt, Daniel met Jack's eyes. Slowly, he pulled the shirt up, out of Jack's pants and slid it off the man's well-muscled shoulders and down his strong arms.

Somehow whatever conservative protests which were about to be given just seemed to disappear as Daniel tangled Jack's wrists in his own shirt. As Daniel secured the garment, he leaned into Jack's ear and licked it. Daniel managed to smile as he said, "I think this is the part where you start doing everything that I tell you."

Daniel bent his head down and kissed the hollow at the top of Jack's shoulder as he reached down for the man's belt. He loosened the belt and pulled down the zipper. As he ran his lips carefully along Jack's neck he breathed in loving the slightly salty taste of the man's skin that washed over Daniel's tongue.

Daniel already had Jack's cock securely in his hand when he said, "I won't make love to you if you don't want it."

Jack's eyes were closed and his lips slightly parted. It took Jack a moment to realize that Daniel had spoken and to process the words into something resembling thought.

Jack swallowed and leaned into Daniel a little as his hips pushed forward into the awaiting fist. A slightly calloused thumb rubbed him in that spot just at the side of his penis. Jack sucked in a mouthful of air. His eyes snapped open. He met with a pair of uniquely blue eyes and harrowingly intent on looking all the way inside of him.

Jack smirked a little as he hesitantly asked, "You'll be gentle?"

Daniel smiled and nervously said, "I know you're a virgin." He sobered quickly as he, just as hesitantly as Jack had asked the words, "Will you be gentle with me?"

Jack smiled softly and leaned in to kiss Daniel's lips. They fell together easily, so easily that there was no thought involved as they obeyed the demands of their bodies and the rising lust that swept around them.

Teal'c pressed her down to the mattress as he settled his heavy body half-on her. He enjoyed being able to dominate her before giving her free reign over his body. The act of holding her down and forbidding her movement was more than enough to frustrate her to the point of madness. But this time would be different. He wouldn't let her loose. He wouldn't allow her to take what she wanted and needed. This time he'd command.

He held her hands down while he reached down. He settled his face between her breasts and enjoyed the liberty of just being able to stroke them with his face. The soft mounds of flesh never failed to make a great, big smile spread across his face. It was quickly becoming his favorite act of stress relief. Traditionally, his favorite act of stress relief had always been a good work out or the ability to jerk off before bed time. But her breasts were much more fun.

She was sensitive. Her breasts tightened up into hard, little, rubies after only a few seconds of attention. She lay back completely open arching up for more. He loved it when she parted her lips and sighed softly. He knew to slow down even more when her toes curled up around his thighs and clutched at him as she began to open herself up to him.

And she did open up. Like a flower waking to the new sun, she blossomed for him as he worked tirelessly for her. His reward was the sound of a squeal; she sighed several times, and clawed at his neck and shoulders harshly.

Only when he felt the bed displaced by the other two men did he stop his attentions on her breasts to look up. Jack was laid down and carefully arranged by Daniel so that he was lying side-by-side next to his Samantha. Daniel didn't hesitate to immediately 'swallow the golden sword.'

She pulled her hand away and sat up as if to drag him back down. Her hips were moving more. He grabbed her hand and forced it back down to where he wanted it. She writhed in response. This woman didn't beg and didn't whine. She writhed and arched. She rubbed and teased in ways that made him lose control at times. He wasn't quite sure at times what was better, keeping control or losing it.

O'Neill was gone, out of his mind and elsewhere. He didn't seem to notice anything, let alone Teal'c's wife.

Teal'c smirked and looked down at the woman wanting his attention. She was lovely.

He brought her wrists together and held them under one of his hands. The other he brought down to gently stroke her thighs. She parted them quickly with a pant. Her hips were already being offered to him. She rocked them gently as she arched up to him.

With his index finger he just barely traced the neatly trimmed growth of hair. Careful not to actually touch her skin, he just barely skimmed along the surface of her over sensitized flesh, teasing her skin by the barest of touches.

Her mouth opened as she gulped in air.

He carefully parted her thighs and settled between them without letting go of her hands. He already knew from experience that her first instincts where to reach down and begin masturbating. She didn't even seem to be conscious of the act. After a certain point, she just seemed to follow along her instincts seeking out pleasure where she could get it.

He knew that she was already at that place. If he wasn't careful she'd try to get away from him and take care of herself before he could have his own fun. And once that started, he was often hesitant to stop her. It was captivating to watch her pleasure herself. It was both an erotic and intense experience that left him weak and hurting.

Her leg rose up and landed on his shoulder.

He looked down and smiled.

There she was: beautiful, slick, and darkly engorged with blood. He teased her by reaching in with his fingers. He'd found out already that she did like pain at first. She did become highly sensitive very quickly. After a few minutes, he released his pressure on her and gently stroked her. By the time she was sweaty and shouting his name out every time he gently touched her, he knew that she was ready.

Ordinarily he could just part her tights and spend a minute or so blowing gently across her dewy blossom. It never ceased to cause her to scream and shout. She'd orgasm hard. It was easy to keep her going like that. After five or six times, he'd be in such need himself that the satisfaction of his own orgasm would simply amaze even him. And she seemed to welcome him all the more. Thankful, content, tired, and very pleased: they'd both drift off to sleep together happily unaware of everything except the warm body snuggled against the other. But that night, he didn't do any of those things.

Instead of what he usually did to ensure a good night's rest for the two of them, he sat up. She screamed. She actually screamed when he pulled away from her.

In a very real way it made him warm inside. His lust rose as well as the power that he felt at that moment.

He reached down and grabbed her up. He turned her over and moved her repositioning her where he wanted. On her knees, face down over her commanding officer.

She reached down between her legs and began to masturbate as she watched her Colonel arch up and shout out Daniel's name.

A pain-filled look erupted across his face as his orgasm hit. The sweaty tension eased until only a soft, little-boy look was left. A sleepy look that she immediately loved crossed his face.

She had just enough time to smile before she felt Teal'c enter her. She instinctively lowered her face and stopped stroking herself as she braced herself and arched back towards him. He was big and always a shock when he entered her without stretching her open first. Even when he took his time about mounting her, she found that breathing through it as he relaxed her was the easiest way to take all of him at once.

This night wasn't about comfort though. She had no doubt that she'd be sore tomorrow. Teal'c was staking a claim and she knew that he'd make the point over and over again as he pounded out her orgasms throughout the night, one after the next.

She released as much of her own pent up tension as she could and let him have her body. He pulled out and she took a deep breath to calm herself. As he pushed back into her she felt the immediate discomfort and satisfaction of having him inside her body. She didn't hesitate to reach down so she could take control of her clitoris so she could match his strokes with her own.

Daniel caught him completely off guard; it wasn't at all fair. But then, that was probably the point. The intrusion of Daniel's finger was startling to say the least, but after a few tense moments he realized what the attraction was. His body tensed as that cleaver digit found the exact position of his prostate and it sent a shock of pleasure through him like a bolt of lightening.

Jack watched from his back on the mattress as his 2IC masturbated. From his vantage he could see everything that she was doing. He could see Teal'c's large erection push its way into her waiting and eager honey pot. He was relentless and beautiful in his exertions. He could see her swollen and wet folds when her hand wasn't in the way. And she was wet. Her fingers were glistening with slickness.

She gave up masturbating after a while. His only sight was then watching Teal'c fuck her lust-darkened pussy with his massive cock.

High above, Teal'c was driving his point forward. This was his and he was dutifully making damn sure that Jack saw what he could do. Judging by the look on his Major, Teal'c was more than meeting her expectations.

Daniel slid in a second slippery finger to join the first. He felt the definite sensation of fullness, of being stretched just to the point of discomfort before Daniel's amazingly skillful fingers retreated before attacking again.

Despite the recent orgasm and the slight sleepiness that took him right after, Jack was making a dramatic comeback. He was finding Carter's highly vocal performance and Teal'c's extremely satisfying grunts an amazing compliment to Daniel's diligent efforts.

Despite the fact that his age had a limiting effect on his ability to perform several times in a row, Daniel didn't seem to be giving up hope. He continued to suckle on him long after all evidence of Jack's erection was gone. And the gentle pulls and licks were having a definite affect on him.

"Oh, God!" Carter yelled out a moment before she orgasmed hard enough collapse facedown.

Teal'c stopped his movements and held his place inside her as he held her hips firmly. He smiled down at his wife's back happily before meeting Jack's eyes. Instead of regret, loss, he felt a spark of interest peak his senses.

Jack looked down between his thighs only to find a very satisfied looking Daniel slowly slurping his erect cock free.

He felt the dramatic loss of his lover's fingers and for a moment he was at a loss. Daniel licked his lips before wiping his face with the back of his hand. Jack suddenly found himself panting at the sight.

Instead of further discussion or negotiations, Daniel simply said, "Turn over." Said with such intensity were the words that Jack felt a flush of heat spread across his body. He looked down and saw Daniel's proud ten glistening with pre-cum against his hard and straining body.

Jack couldn't have explained it if he'd tried. He did as he was told. He compromised himself in the worst possible way after having promised himself that he wouldn't.

"Turn this way more," Daniel said repositioning Jack so that he was facing Samantha. Daniel wanted his lover to have the opportunity to watch her get properly fucked. What's more, he wanted her to watch him get the same.

He began by pumping a little more lubricant onto his fingers before reaching down. He slid his fingers in carefully, lubricating Jack as he went. After a few more strokes he began scissoring his fingers in the tight folds of flesh. He felt the difference almost immediately. He could sense the tension and discomfort. He concentrated hard on what he was feeling inside of his lover so that he could carefully take Jack to the edge of what he could1/4and then a little more.

His reward for his patience and narrow-minded pursuit was the insertion of all three of his right hand's fingers. He opened his eyes and looked down only to be confronted with the sight of his own fingers ending inside of Jack's body. He moaned painfully at the sight as he felt his mouth go completely dry.

He moved his fingers, his hand, feeling for that small bundle of nerves. Jack bucked his hips back once, twice, and then three times. It was all Daniel could take.

He pulled his fingers free of Jack and reached for the lubricant. He pumped more out onto his hand so he could coat himself with the cool slip. It served only to take a little of the edge off1/4but not much.

He positioned himself between Jack's thighs and exhaled as he pushed in gently gritting his teeth at the heaven and hell hitting him at once.

It wasn't until he saw Daniel begin to enjoy O'Neill that Teal'c finally felt at ease. Judging by the looks on both their faces, it was not unwelcomed by either of the men.

Slowly, Teal'c began moving against his wife again. This time he wasn't as careful. He knew that she'd be sufficiently wet and accustomed to him to take whatever he gave to her. And he attempted to give to her everything that his natural abilities and stamina could offer.

He slammed in and held her tightness, enjoying the heat.

"Kiss her," Teal'c panted. "You may kiss her now."

Slowly and methodically he began using her at his favorite pace. He could hear her already. He could hear her gasping and panting in time with his actions.

He opened his eyes to see Daniel fucking their commanding officer, pushing against the other man with true intent. O'Neill reached out and grabbed her. He pulled her towards him and kissed, truly kissed for the first time the woman who would never belong to him.

Teal'c used the additional surge of lust and slammed his body against her that much harder. His hips drove forward at their own desire until he was unaware of anything except the pounding blood in his ears and the ripping burst that tore through him and into her.

A few moments later, she looked up at Jack O'Neill through the watery haze of tears and sweat. Teal'c was lying heavily on top of her. She knew from experience that she wasn't going anywhere until he was conscious again. Instead of reaching down and finishing herself off, she watched.

She watched two of the world's most beautiful men fucking in front of her. Deep, hard, and full of purpose. She knew one thing for sure; everything about what she was watching had to do with lust and desire. The two men in front of her were definitely enjoying what they were doing. And the heat emanating from them went deep into her body.

When Teal'c recovered enough to reach down and find her clitoris, he found her very ready. Ready and willing were two things that they didn't have a problem with at the moment.

CHAPTER 12- DAY 8: THE MISSION

E'ken arrived at the Citadel with dread fluttering in the pit of his stomach.

Jessin was being witty, the shining star at the center of their entourage. E'ken knew that he'd chosen right in when he'd asked him as an escort for the Utumati Festival. His comrades were dazzled by the young man's beauty and easy manner. Not only was he well-spoken and friendly, he was beautiful, and held every attribute of youth that could be thought of. And yet E'ken dreaded their arrival.

The closer they got to the Citadel the more anxious he became. His hands were sweaty. No matter how many times he wiped them, his hands remained perpetually moist. Even amid the frigid gales that they were braving to arrive at their expected hour, his hands still remained wet.

He could feel his heart beat increase with each passing moment. He would have liked to imagine that it was Jessin, but the truth was that he didn't particularly care for the man. After only a week he tired of it. There was no challenge with him. Jessin was content to lie with whoever came his way.

And had.

While many would see it as a virtue, the truth was that E'ken no longer felt the drive to seek out as many partners as possible. His curiosity had been sated long ago.

He thought he'd found the right person. The right partner who fit against him in every way. But it hadn't worked out that way.

E'ken sat back in the contoured seat of the transport and looked out the window. He didn't see anything of the city that he loved. His birth place; the home where he'd wanted to settle, grow his career, and excel. But things hadn't worked out that way.

The Capital didn't want him. His lover spurned him. And his inner reality had fallen apart. He held still and swallowed the pain that swelled up in his chest.

The others caught his attention. Someone had said something funny. E'ken turned his face to them and laughed along with the others before turning back to the window and staring out again.

His face slackened.

He didn't want to face it again1/4couldn't face it again. They'd already had that argument too many times to count. He hoped dearly that the moment he arrived with Jessin on his arm, that he could avoid that situation entirely. But instead of relief, all he felt was fear.

He knew himself well enough to know that he could very well be walking into the Citadel for the very last time. He knew his temper. He knew his ability to say precisely the wrong thing at the very worst moment possible.

E'ken leaned into the glass and said a silent prayer to the gods of wisdom, tact, and sobriety. That he might make it through the Utumati Festival with the grace and gifts of each so that he wouldn't do or say anything so monumentally stupid that it wasn't repairable.

He closed his eyes and wondered why it wasn't that his abilities as a politician never seemed to follow him when it came to matters of the heart.

Soon, far sooner than it seemed possible, the transport came to a stop and the Citadel's exchange was called out. E'ken squeezed his eyes tightly for a second and then gave up. He swallowed hard and rose from his seat.

Like the others he pulled his things down from the overheads. Unlike them, he'd packed lightly. A change of clothes for the festivities, a blanket, and his good shoes were in his overnight bag. He didn't see the point to hauling a great many heavy things from one end of the continent to the other for a festival where everyone ran around naked most of the time. Besides, he knew there was little chance that he'd stay long. He knew that the odds were already against him and he preferred to retreat with his tail tucked tightly between his legs while leaving behind as few things as possible.

He stepped off the transport and looked around. The heaviness in his heart was offset slightly by the gladness of being home. Though the Citadel lay in the better part of town, it still felt like home to him.

He tightened his coat around him and walked blindly. Even without ever having been invited there by any of his betters, he knew exactly where it was.

"Sir," one of his acolytes called.

E'ken turned to find the younger man holding up a map as he said, "I think-"

"This way," E'ken said confidently and he turned in the other direction. "That way will take us through the main street that runs parallel to the Main Hall. There will be a great many people there. The festivities began yesterday." He had to breathe in to muster enough oxygen to be able to say, "This way is better."

He led the others down the station to the end and out into the city. It was about as cold as he remembered the winters being. Cold and unforgiving. He hadn't been away long enough to have forgotten, but his companions looked as if they were already taxed by the frigid wind sheer that tore through them every once in a while.

Instead of taking them through the busy streets, he cut through a side street and then into the farthest access to the Citadel.

The guard standing at the gate amid the ice and snow came to immediate attention.

E'ken pulled out his credentials and presented himself saying, "I am Vice Ambassador E'ken Timaldi. These are my colleagues." E'ken pulled out his invitation and handed it over saying, "We are expected."

E'ken waited as the others were carefully checked. When the guard was satisfied he saluted them and bid them enter.

"We should go in through the front, E'ken," Barta said haughtily. "Sneaking in through the back is for low-lifes and thieves."

"Don't worry, my friend," E'ken replied without turning his head. "Your reputation will remain pristine."

E'ken climbed up the steps to the wide portico that surrounded the building. He took the others on a walk of the length of it effectively avoiding the traffic, noise, and congestion of the streets that they could look down upon the city that seemed to be covered in a blanket of white snow instead of the grayish sludge that it actually was.

"I see," Estos said with a huff as he hauled his heavy luggage behind him, "that would have been a difficult din to trespass through. Those people, that snow. Well done, E'ken! You've successfully led us through the wilderness!"

The others seemed to be far too cold to answer.

E'ken turned the corner and caught sight of the grand entrance. Unlike what he expected, there was no one there to either meet them or block their entrance. He wasn't sure if he was glad or not. Either experience might have in the least let him know that he was being thought of in some form or fashion.

Instead he adjusted the bag over his shoulder and proceeded to walk up the tall flight of the steps to the very pinnacle of the city. He knew that he should have been ecstatic, but all he really felt was the nauseating sensation of an impending horror.

He climbed to the top of the steps and waited for the others as he looked around. The building was still as impressive as the first time that he'd walked by and laid eyes on it. Overdone, oversized, and over-the-top, but impressive none-the-less. He knew how cold and still the building seemed when the city was under a winter's chill.

Though logically he knew that he was there as a guest, he couldn't help but think back to those times when he had been standing against the gate with his face pressed against the cold bars and his bare feet in the snow.

A slight movement caught his attention. He turned and saw a figure sitting on the floor sixty feet or so away. The figure was familiar to him. He knew that his first thought had to have been wrong. The man was sitting on the bare, cold floor and he wasn't wearing so much as a coat.

He was about to take a few steps closer when Barta reached the top step hyperventilating.

"I almost died!" Barta exclaimed. "I slipped! My foot went one way, my bag that way, and my torso in the other!"

Jessin arrived next and set his bags down saying, "There must be servants! I won't drag this any farther!"

Estos and his acolyte, Teba, walked up next.

E'ken broke the news to them saying, "I don't think that there are any servants out here. Go in and bring someone out. That man needs help."

E'ken left them without saying another word. He walked towards the man. After five steps in his direction, E'ken knew who it was. He rushed forward dropping his bag in the process. It was the cut of the man's figure. Even in the dreary light that the fading sun gave, E'ken knew who it was.

"Batt'um!" E'ken screamed out but the man didn't move. He ran to Batt'um and fell next to him taking off his coat to throw around the still figure.

His skin was pale, and his lips slightly blue, the only sign of life that Batt'um gave was when he half-mumbled out, "I don't understand."

E'ken pulled the man closer to his body as he wrapped his coat around Batt'um. He was cold to the touch; always a bad sign. Barta and Teba arrived a few steps behind him. Both looked hesitant and weary.

"Help me!" E'ken demanded. When they didn't move, he told them, "He's the off-world Ambassador, you fools! Now, help me!"

Batt'um was stiff and either unwilling or unable to move under his own power. It took all three of them to get him inside.

Servants met them at the door.

The others seemed perfectly willing to leave it to the servants. But, E'ken refused to let go of Batt'um.

He looked around to the faces around him and was thankful when he recognized the face of Tretza. His personal philosophy was to "make friends with all of the servants and wait staff first, and then get to know the people in power. The servants know the gossip and how things work, while the powerful only think that they know how things happen." Tretza was a prime example; as first servant to Councilman E'tar, he was in the perfect position to know and be useful in a great many things.

"Tretza!" E'ken called, "Thank God, a known face!"

"Eken," Tretza replied surprised as he rushed to help him with Batt'um, "what's happened?"

"I don't know. We arrived late. I found him outside. Tell me that there is an empty bed for him?"

"Here," Tretza said motioning to a bench near the fire. "No," Tretza said removing his cloak and pulling it around Batt'um. "You know what Utumati is like, E'ken."

"I need to warm him up," E'ken could hear his voice rising with the panic.

Tretza nodded. "Better than a bed," he said. "We'll set furs here in front of the fire, build it up. He'll be good as new in minutes. Sit with him. I'll take care of it."

E'ken didn't have time to respond. Tretza was already gone from him and issuing orders before disappearing into another room.

E'ken sunk into the bench next to Batt'um and pulled him close. He tightened the cloak and the coat around the man as he held him close to his body.

"I don't understand," Batt'um mumbled again before floating off to sleep in his arms.

The next person to approach brought firewood, and so did the other one. The two young men fed the fire and stoked it to life.

The next man set down two thick pads, the kind that were often used to create the mass beds that were often enjoyed during the endless days of pleasure, but that was at the back of his thoughts.

Tretza was back with furs. Two others helped him spread warm furs over the pads as E'ken struggled up with his former lover's limp body.

"Help me," E'ken called. The others rushed to help. Together they picked up the unconscious man and set him down in the middle of the makeshift bed. E'ken didn't hesitate to remove a layer of his clothes and climb in next to Batt'um. He pulled the cold body to him and held him.

"Rub his chest, back, and legs," Tretza advised. "He'll be fine soon. I'll make sure to bring a stout tea. It'll keep his bones from icing over."

"Thank you," E'ken mumbled as he studied Batt'um's worrisome profile.

~ ~ ~

It was several hours before E'ken saw any one of his comrades. They'd left with servants to be shown their lodgings for the duration and never came back. He didn't expect them to. So it was a surprise when he saw Jessin poke his head into the entry hall.

Seeing him wide wake, watching over Batt'um, Jessin walked in farther and approached.

"Is he better?" Jessin asked quietly.

E'ken smiled but did ask, "Do you care?"

"Not really," Jessin replied easily, "but it is polite to ask."

E'ken nodded. "He's warmer. He's stopped mumbling and has slept for a few good hours. I'm not worried anymore."

Jessin nodded twice and replied, "Estos has offered to be my escort. He doesn't have your title, but his family is well placed."

E'ken easily said, "I'm glad you've found a suitable suitor. He's a bit of a coward, but he's a good escort to any party."

Jessin smiled and nodded as he looked down at the sleeping man. "I hope you're both happy." With that Jessin walked away.

As he left the room, E'ken shook his head and said, "It's a good thing that Jessin doesn't think much. If he did, he'd probably realize what an ass he really is." E'ken looked down and asked, "Are you awake yet?"

"No," Batt'um replied with his eyes still closed. "If I was awake I'd be asking you who that little bit of fluff was."

E'ken smiled. He knew that Jessin had the desired effect; not that he wanted it anymore. E'ken stroked Batt'um's thick, black hair back as he said, "A bad idea to make you jealous, lover."

Instead of the usual argument or expected reply, Batt'um blew out a deep breath as he opened his eyes and admitted, "Mine is inside with his husband." Batt'um looked away as he added, "I was sure that they weren't married. I was ready to prove it and steal him to my side so that when you walked in you saw me with him." He looked away devilishly to say, "He's absolutely as beautiful as he is intelligent."

E'ken stroked Batt'um's hair again as he asked, "It sounds like a wonderful idea. What happened to foil your evil plot?"

Batt'um turned his head to look up at E'ken's soft smile. He ignored the sarcasm and said, "They spent most of the day fighting. It was all that I needed. I pointed it out to Councilman E'tar. He was overseeing the ceremonies today, but he just laughed at me and told me that I was seeing things."

Batt'um's eyes filled with tears as he said, "I waited. I knew that Daniel would go to sleep alone. After all the fighting, how could he not? I was going to join him and show him how good I can be."

E'ken had to smile. He knew. He knew damn well just how good.

"But there came Jack." The first of the tears fell back and into Batt'um's hair.

E'ken reached out and stroked the tears away with his fingers.

"They never spoke," Batt'um choked out. "Jack arrived, and Daniel accepted him into his bed."

E'ken reached down and scooped Batt'um to him in a tight hug as Batt'um said, "I don't understand."

"Did they fight like we do?" E'ken asked with a little bit of a sad smirk.

"Worse," Batt'um replied. "Much worse." He sniffed before saying, "But when they fought, Jack didn't leave Daniel all alone. He didn't go to the other end of the world without a single contact."

E'ken held on tighter. He wanted to let go, shake Batt'um, and yell at him for picking at the same wound1/4again. But he didn't. To do so would have meant leaving him and he couldn't do it again.

When he pulled away, Batt'um asked, "Why? Please tell me?"

E'ken thought about it. He'd given Batt'um the same answer several times. He wasn't even sure if he believed the words that he'd spouted at the time. He had been passed over for yet another position when he was last with Batt'um and the resulting fight between them drove him to accept his current position. The ambassadorship that he'd taken was contingent on a great many things, but it had been a step up. Even if it was in a backwater place of little importance.

E'ken breathed in and finally said, "Do you know why I left? Why I had to leave? Because I'm not that cold, dirty, little boy standing out in the snow any more."

"What?" Batt'um asked dumbly.

Without repeating himself, E'ken said, "I won't ever be that again. But inside I sometimes still feel like that. You have your family name, wealth, and tittles to protect you, but I feel like I've had to work twice as hard, had to be twice as good, twice as smart, and had to fight twice as fiercely just to get half as far."

A part of E'ken was amazed that Batt'um had let him finish the words. Usually, he'd have cut him off in order to correct him or voice an opinion. But this time, Batt'um was quiet as he listened.

E'ken looked up and met his lover's eyes.

Batt'um smiled a little and said, "It always looked easy for you. It isn't for me. Everyone expects me to be my father. You're driven just like he was. But I always feel as if everyone else is passing me by and that I'm just a little dumber than everyone else, just barely getting by."

"You're not," E'ken countered.

"Neither are you," Batt'um replied.

They both smiled a little as they fell together. Their foreheads met a moment before their arms embraced.

"I've missed you," Batt'um said into E'ken's shoulder as he enjoyed the feel and smell of his skin.

~ ~ ~

They both considered themselves very lucky when they found a place near the guests, but then E'ken always made friends. Since Councilman E'tar was the Presiding Host for the duration of the festival, Tretza was able to make important decisions that affected the people who he wanted to be nice to. It was as they were being led to their place that E'ken was glad that he'd made those few calls and had helped with the acceptance of Tretza's daughter to the University.

They hadn't even sat down and Batt'um had already started on him. It was wonderful to lay back with his lover's mouth on his neck. It had been far too long. Too long and far too long awaited; he'd both dreamed and craved. The reality, as usual, was exactly what he'd been missing.

E'ken opened his eyes and looked up at the dazzling ceiling of hundreds of illusions that mirrored back. In a kaleidoscope of pleasure, the holographs of the people around them passed over them so that everyone could see and enjoy.

"There they are," Batt'um said hotly against his skin.

E'ken bothered to pay attention. He followed Batt'um's eyes to where they were focused on the image on the ceiling. He found a handsome couple. The younger one was bottoming, and his face was aglow in beauty. The older was handsome, rugged. He wasn't a pretty man; he was a real man that looked as if he had a few scars to show.

The younger one opened his eyes and moaned out long and approvingly.

"See," Batt'um whispered into E'ken's ear. "Wouldn't that have simply made you jealous beyond words?"

E'ken looked right into his lover's eyes and said, "I'd have pulled him away from you and reminded you solidly of what you were giving up."

"Remind me now," Batt'um asked as he leaned in for a kiss.

CHAPTER 13 - TRUE PLEASURE OF AIMING FOR THE SWEET SPOT

He wasn't sure what time or day it was, and he didn't care. All that mattered was gently rocking his hips against Jack, changing the rhythm with him, improvising by pulsing or undulating as the situation demanded. There were no spoken words between them, there really didn't have to be. They knew.

They simply knew.

"That was quick and uneventful," Jack said rousing Daniel from his happy daze.

Daniel had to look up because he really had no idea what Jack was referring to at that moment. He saw Batt'um with his new friend. For a day or two, or so, they'd lain near them. They were close enough to touch, but neither couple had tried to share the love. Although many couples were sharing, these two seemed to want to spend time only with each other.

Now, the two men simply seemed to be lying together. Sweaty, and gazing into each other, it wasn't hard to tell that they were spent for a while.

For whatever reason, Daniel felt compelled to say, "Thank you for inviting us to Utumati, Batt'um." He stopped speaking as he relaxed his body even more; he felt Jack shift from undulating to pulsing. He loved it when they simply pulsed building up the energy again.

While he still could, Daniel said, "We're all very glad that we came."

It was Batt'um's friend who said, "I don't want to be rude, but what exactly is your secret?"

"He doesn't speak your language," Daniel said letting his head fall back against Jack. His lover was wrapped around him completely. They tightened together in time raising the energy up slowly to where they both preferred it to be before they began again.

Undeterred Batt'um's friend said, "I've been watching the pair of you. Men his age don't usually go that long without taking something extra."

Daniel shook his head. "No. None of that. The both of you simply have a different goal than we do."

"And what would that be?" Batt'um asked incredibly interested.

"You want to orgasm," Daniel began undulating back into Jack. The first change in movement was immediately met with the man's hips and a low growl in his throat. Daniel moaned as they began building the energy again. He had to concentrate hard to be able to spit out the words, "We don't."

"How can you not want pleasure?" Batt'um asked incredulously.

"Jack," Daniel whispered.

"Daniel," Batt'um said reaching for his shoulder.

Daniel opened his, at times, hard to control eyes and made the effort to concentrate on Batt'um.

Again Batt'um repeated, "How can you not want pleasure?"

"Why would we want pleasure to ever end?" Daniel smiled softly. "Orgasm ends. I'd rather keep going forever."

As the evening wore on Daniel realized that perhaps they'd been the wrong words to say. Instead of going back to enjoying the many varies of pleasure that Utumati had to offer, Batt'um and his friend simply sat up near them, wrapped in a blanket, and watched he and Jack. At first it was flattering, but later it was clear that they were being studied rather intensely. Everything that they did was talked about in hushed tones.

Finally, after a long and happily creative session, Jack stopped thrusting a moment before Daniel did. They looked at each other and leaned in for a long, comforting kiss.

Their foreheads were still pressed against one another as they contemplated parting, when Jack said, "These two little freaks are starting to get to me."

"I've got it." Daniel pushed Jack down onto the mattress saying, "Rest. I'll handle the voyeurs."

Daniel turned to the two men. Before he could say a word, Batt'um said, "He doesn't like us watching."

"Perhaps because you watched me with too much interest at one point," Daniel replied.

"No," Batt'um's friend said. "He just doesn't like us watching."

Daniel simply nodded.

Batt'um's friend held his hand out to him saying, "I'm E'ken Timaldi. Batt'um and I are." The man grew silent and looked to his mate for confirmation. He got a smile and soft set of fingertips trailing up his spine that brought a smile to his own face. "We are paired to one another."

"I'm very pleased to meet you E'ken. My name is Daniel Jackson. My mate is known as Colonel Jack O'Neil."

E'ken bowed his head gracefully to Daniel and then to his sleepy but well-earned mate.

"May we ask questions?" Batt'um asked. Before Daniel could respond he asked, "What is that thing that you do? When you stop," Batt'um shook his head with a knowing smile saying, "You were tightening your butt weren't you? Squeezing him."

"No," Daniel said. "We were both tightening everything. It builds up our pleasure until we can keep1/4riding the wave."

Both men, at the same time, said, "I don't understand."

They looked at each other and smiled.

"Ugh," Jack said scrubbing his fingers through his hair, "is that what we look like when we do that? How can Hammond stand us?"

Jack didn't like the pair of them staring, but he didn't seem to mind them nearby. Batt'um and E'ken were beautiful, sensual, and fucked like rabbits. The sounds in the room were dizzying. The holographic images of actual sex acts happening around the room were enough to render a person lust drunk in minutes. But having another couple to focus on was truly appetizing to a new level.

So they took the two boys under their wing1/4so to speak.

They started by teaching them a few things that Dancing Butterfly had shared with them. The act of sacred sex wasn't so much an act of lust as much as it was an act of sharing of one's self. Sex takes. Love gives.

It was nice to watch the two boys figure it out, and even nicer to watch when they didn't quite get it and came all over each other. Jack watched happily as he undulated back into Daniel's gentle, constant trusts.

Daniel watched the two men over Jack's shoulder. It was his turn on top and he happily took full advantage of that fact as he occasionally directed the two men in what they needed to do. And the more he guided them, the more he realized what a gift he was giving to Jack who was fascinated beyond words at watching the two men.

~ ~ ~

The wave of breath, sounds, and energy began somewhere else but carried itself around the great hall in which the many hundreds of people lay pleasuring each other. It grew from soft moans into a living thing that was felt as it rolled over the people.

Daniel felt it before it ever arrived. Sounds carried well in that environment, but it was the feel of it that struck him the most. The sound of the orgy, though thrilling at first, was something that he was able to get used to and then later almost completely block out until he wanted it for his own selfish purposes.

The hair on his arms stood on end a second before every single strand on his body stood and his skin prickled. It felt as if something were passing over them as the people around them began panting and moaning out in tune with one another. He had to close his eyes.

The sound passed towards another part of the room as the energy traveled.

Daniel opened his eyes to find himself face-to-face with Jack's beautiful chocolate eyes. Jack smiled a little which instinctively made Daniel smile as well.

"That was nasty," Jack breathed out.

"This place is never-ending," Daniel said not-so-thrilled anymore.

A moment later, Jack's hand found itself in Daniel's hair. He stroked the short strands for a few moments before smoothing his face.

"Do you need a break from here?" Jack asked carefully. He sat up and came nose-to-nose with his man. "Do you?"

Daniel thought about it before finally nodding. "I think it would be nice to have a little more privacy than this." Then he smiled. "Do you know what would be really nice?"

Together they both said, "Meditating."

Jack nudged his head towards their left where the rest of their team lay curled up together. "Should I bring reinforcements?"

"We should ask," Daniel said as he sat up completely and began gathering blankets.

He knew that it had been cold outside. They'd need at least a few blankets. Their clothes were outside somewhere. The servants had taken their gear; they had no idea where any of it was. More importantly, Daniel didn't want to ask for any of it back yet. Clothes would be far too restricting, and almost symbolic end to what they'd had so far.

"Daniel," E'ken asked sleepily as he roused. "What are you doing? There's much more yet to experience."

"We're not leaving, friends," Daniel said as he folded a blanket. He saw Teal'c and Samantha rousing from their warm place and picking up a few things. "It's just that, you can only take so much of others. We need a little privacy. We'll probably be back in a few hours."

"What will you do?" E'ken asked.

"Where will you go?" Batt'um asked.

"Our teacher taught us meditations that bring us closer to one another. We'll probably be just outside. We'll be back soon."

"Then we shall come as well." Batt'um turned to his mate and said, "They are my personal guests. It would be rude to leave them without comfort or company."

E'ken must have agreed, because both men got up and walked out with all of them.

E'ken found faithful Tretza in the hall with a few other servants. He arranged for a few thin mattresses that they were able to take with them. Most of them were wrapped in the thin blankets that they used indoors; but in the absence of hundreds of bodies heating the air, it was quite cold. The stone floors and grass under their feet were wet and ice cold.

They hustled along to a good place on the far side of the grounds. The sun was out and weak. It was morning-ish on some day and it was nice out. Under a large tree they set their mattresses down near each other.

As usual, Jack sat down first cross-legged. He let Daniel come to him. Facing each other Daniel came in slowly. But unlike usual, Daniel clearly began to open himself to Jack and offered himself saying, "You know it's where she was going with this."

Jack only nodded. He held himself steady and helped Daniel guide himself down.

Once inside his lover, Jack wrapped himself around the man indulging in the embrace as Daniel settled the blankets around them.

Daniel made sure that they were encased in a tight little blanket cocoon before he leaned into Jack's embrace.

"Daniel," Batt'um asked, "Is this sex? Or is there more?"

He had to look away from Jack's eyes and then had to actually think. "This isn't about sex. You can build the energy up the way I taught you, but it's really a good way simply to be with your lover."

"Be?" E'ken asked completely confused.

Daniel smiled. "Haven't you ever just gazed into your lover's eyes for minutes or hours? Or kissed? Or, caressed? Or nurtured, simply to build your relationship up and make it stronger? Don't take, give. Be in unity and balance. Give what you are and take care of him."

Jack licked the base of his throat gently drawing his attention back to him. Daniel complied by returning his attention to where it belonged the most. A moment later, Jack began swaying the two of them. Daniel reached around and began playing with the bony knobs of Jack's spine before wandering to the wonderful sinews of his torso.

Daniel danced on Jack's lap for what seemed like all day. Jack had to stretch several times. They even switched positions now and again. But it was always just the two of them being there in the moment.

A small gong roused them from their slight stupor.

Tretza, Councilman E'tar's servant, quieted the gong and announced to their small group, "Councilman E'tar wishes conference with his guests from afar, Vice Ambassador E'ken Timaldi, and Ambassador Batt'um Meeks will also attend."

"When, Tretza?" E'ken asked as he sat up from Batt'um's lap. He felt his lover slide out of his body with a slight groan.

"Immediately," Tretza replied seriously.

The answer was enough to catch both men's attention. They turned to each other and exchanged a look. A moment later they both went about standing and draping what they could find over their bodies.

"We need to dress," Batt'um said to Tretza.

Tretza simply replied, "The Council has decided to allow you to enter chambers as you are."

"Chambers?" Batt'um gasped.

"The Council?" E'ken gasped.

The servant simply walked away, back towards the building.

"What is it?" Daniel asked.

"The Council never meets during Utumati," E'ken informed him.

"Never in my memory," Batt'um confirmed. "If they're meeting then there is serious cause."

"Very serious," E'ken agreed. He turned to the guests saying, "We must hurry. We'll only anger them if they are kept waiting."

"Daniel?" Jack asked in that tone.

"We're wanted in chambers by the ruling Council."

"Why?" Sam asked sleepily, her head resting on Teal'c's solid shoulder.

"Not sure," Daniel said quickly. "But they look spooked. We should go."

"Daniel," Jack said very calmly. "I'm butt-ass naked and we didn't come armed. Please defined spooked?"

Daniel looked at the two men hastily picking up after themselves and said, "Like if they're about to get fired from their jobs."

Daniel reluctantly sat up and let Jack slide wetly out of him. It was a loss felt sharply by both of them after so many hours of settling in just so.

"No," Jack said mournfully as he pressed his face against Daniel's belly.

"Come on," Daniel said before bending down to kiss Jack's hair. "We've been summoned."

SG 1 was known for being able to move fast when they wanted to; this wasn't one of those times. Grudgingly, they picked up their things and moved out after the two men who led the way back.

Starkly, pain of reality hit them the moment that they walked into the big, stone building. Servants met them and took things from them. Robes were held out for them to slip into. Slippers were set down for their feet. It was terrible.

They were led beyond the large double doors that led to the great hall where the never-ending expanses of beds spread out. They were taken to another part of the building. Less lush in appearance and more business like, they were led to an office setting. Beyond a small sitting area, two servants opened a not-so-grand, dark-paneled set of double doors.

Inside was a small meeting room. Sitting in chairs that created a semi-circle that faced the audience chairs that had been set up to accommodate them, the Council waited. Most of them were in robes and didn't look very happy.

There were just enough seats for all of them. Batt'um and E'ken rushed up and bowed deeply before the elder members of the Council before taking a seat.

Daniel walked up to the Council as the two had, and bowed to them. The rest of SG 1 knew enough to do the same before taking their own seats.

"Thank you for coming so quickly," an elderly man said. "I am Councilman E'tar and your host for the duration of Utumati. I welcome my guests to our world."

"We thank you," Daniel said quickly. "Your hospitality has been generous and our time here quite pleasurable."

As a matter of course and with very little humor the Councilman replied, "Then we are most pleased and gratified." He watched Daniel for a moment before turning to Batt'um and saying, "I have received a disturbing report about you."

Batt'um lowered his head but said nothing.

The Councilman went on to say, "Utumati is for the young to enjoy. You know this. It's a time for you all to play, why anyone would willingly defy the laws1/4" The Councilman shook his head and looked at a loss for words.

A Council woman spoke up saying, "You will recount to us your experiences over the passed few days."

"Danny?" Jack whispered.

"Shh," Daniel replied as he concentrated on what was being said.

The Council was grilling Batt'um quite extensively regarding his relationship with E'ken. Whatever else, the man wasn't leaving anything out. He was literally taking his heart and dumping it on the table in front the people who were doing the dissecting. The entire time E'ken watched his lover quietly and with big, wet eyes.

After, E'ken was questioned. He was asked the same kinds of questions. Their relationship, their latest career choices, and all that had led them to the festival was up for discussion.

Finally after a lot of foreplay, the Council asked about what had happened during the festival. It was clear to Daniel that was the actual topic that the Council wanted to talk about. They didn't exactly want a play-by-play, but seemed extremely interested in why the two men hadn't 'played' like the others. Why they left the main hall in the middle of something called 'the breath of god.' Why they didn't go forth and sample the varied menu instead of remaining together the entire time.

The best answer that E'ken seemed to be able to give was, "It was nice." He turned to meet Batt'um's eyes. "I hadn't seen him in so long. And suddenly, he was living in my heart again." The man paused. "That's when I realized that he'd been there the entire time."

The Council went quiet for a while after those words. In their eyes, Daniel saw a lot going on. He realized in that moment that some kind of trial was happening. A very serious one.

Finally, after a very long and uncomfortable silence happened, one of the Council members turned and said, "I pose a comment and question to our guests."

"Yes, of course," Daniel replied as evenly as he could.

"You are all still rather young. Even your mate, scholar. How did you come to this knowledge?"

Daniel wasn't sure what the man was talking about.

Councilman E'tar clarified, "The skill for joining without orgasm, of worship without altar."

Daniel managed to smile as Dancing Butterfly came right out of his mouth as he said, "Of finding a1/4god-conscience in another person and feeling the power of heaven in a breath?"

Councilman E'tar looked shocked. Carefully, he worked the look off his face and calmly said, "Yes. How do you know this?"

Daniel didn't have to think much. "We have a very wise teacher. Butterfly teaches that energy is a river that flows through you. That all the love that you need is inside of you, all you need to do is reach for it. She's taught us how to be more at ease with each other, to enjoy our mates fully, and to be more aware. He swallowed. "Our work is very dangerous, therefore these matters are important."

Again the Council fell into silence.

Another Council member opened her mouth to speak, but before she was able to make a sound, Councilman E'tar quickly said, "The Council will meditate on what has been said. The young may leave these chambers."

In silence Batt'um and E'ken left. SG 1 followed behind them.

They walked out to the sitting area just outside the doors.

"What just happened?" Jack asked the moment they were out.

"No sure," Daniel replied. "They asked them all kinds of strange questions about their relationship and about the stuff we taught them. They tried to make a big deal about their breaking some sort of rules, but I don't think so."

Daniel tried to speak to Batt'um and E'ken, but neither man was willing to speak. It was clear that they weren't allowed. So they all simply sat around and waited.

They waited a long time.

By the time the doors opened Daniel was half-asleep on Jack's chest. Jack was asleep, and his feet were up on the low table in front of them. Teal'c was snoring about as loudly as Samantha was. Only Batt'um and E'ken had their weary heads up, holding hands tightly, with their eyes directly on the person who walked out and called them back inside.

Daniel woke everyone before getting up and stretching. They followed the two men back inside.

He was sitting in his previous chair trying to wake up without coffee when he heard Councilman E'tar say, "The Council has deliberated greatly on the matter. We've decided that the knowledge that our guests have shared with you is sacred and should have been beyond your reach for years yet. You'll have a choice of being separated permanently or being kept in proximity but apart. Either way you'll never be allowed to speak to one another or anyone else ever again."

"What?" Daniel asked unsure if he'd heard what he'd heard. "You can't be serious?" Remembering himself, he said, "Sirs, if there's been some transgression then send us away. These two men have done nothing but indulge in the spirit of Utumati. They didn't know that what we were showing them violated your laws; neither did we!"

Councilman E'tar raised his hand saying, "We understand this. But the matter is that they now have knowledge that they can never give to another. The young don't understand the seriousness of what the godhood means. It can not be freely given."

"My dear Council members," Daniel began.

Councilman E'tar held up a hand strictly saying, "These matters have been carefully deliberated. We do and say nothing that has not been carefully weighed. Your words are compassionate, scholar. We hear them. We understand. But they change nothing."

Daniel fell silent only to think, but in that lull E'ken stood and said, "Together."

Batt'um stood. There were tears in his voice as he also said, "Together."

The Councilman said, "Never seeing or speaking is the decision." The man reached for a rope that hung just behind his seat and to one side. He pulled on it a few times.

"They've just been sentenced," Daniel said shocked.

"To what?" Jack demanded.

"Life," Daniel gasped. "I think."

"As for our guests," Councilman E'tar went on to say. "In the name of fostering relations with your world, your sentence is rescinded. We will await the arrival of your comrades. They will be told what has transpired and a formal written complaint will follow you back to your world."

"Crap," Daniel mumbled.

Jack didn't even have to ask.

Daniel quickly said, "They're going to wait for SG 2 to come and fetch us back, tell them what we've done, and send a letter back to Hammond."

"No," Jack said quickly.

"How much of what's happened?" Samantha asked quickly.

"Everything. These people are really thorough."

At the exact same time, both Jack and Sam spoke. "Like hell!"

"This is my career!" Sam added.

Teal'c was the only one to remain silent.

"May I speak?" Daniel asked.

"There is no reason," Councilman E'tar responded.

And yet Daniel still said, "I understand that we need to be punished."

Before one of the Council members could interrupt he blurted out the words, "Let me take the punishment for all of us!"

"Daniel," Jack said not loving Daniel's tone or body language.

"Our relationship isn't allowed," before he could be questioned on it, he said, "We are married in every way that counts. But if my husband's men find out that I'm not simply a toy to use, they could hurt him.

"This is not our concern," E'tar said as he stood. "The decision is rendered."

When Tretza returned it was with another man. Each of them carried a tied bundle that looked like blankets, a pillow, and a small case of some sort.

All of the Council members stood.

"Daniel?" Sam asked.

"No way around it. I tried."

"I'll bet," Jack said suspiciously as he studied Daniel's face.

"I had to try, Jack."

As Batt'um and E'ken were led outside, Daniel asked, "Where will they be taken?"

"The bodshi," one of the women Council members replied. "We haven't had need in a great time."

"Will they suffer?" Daniel asked.

The woman shook her head once and then said, "They will remain there for the rest of their lives. They will not be heard or speak with anyone."

"May we," Daniel said a bit lost, "at least say our goodbyes?"

The woman nodded.

Daniel tore out of the council room and followed the two men who had left only moments ago. Once he had caught up with them, Daniel was at a loss. Nothing felt right, so he said nothing.

The two servants walked the two men outside leading them all to an isolated section of the property behind a thick line of trees. A series of connected shacks stood surrounded by the thick trees. There were six doors. The first two were closed, bolted, and the handles had been removed. The next four were simply closed.

Tretza walked up to the third door and opened it. He turned a light on inside. There was a cot, a small backless bench and nothing else. The man checked the room carefully before exiting and saying, "I leave it to the both of you. Which takes this room?"

E'ken walked up to Tretza. Quietly, he asked, "Where will Batt'um be?"

Tretza answered by nodding to the other servant who immediately opened the next door.

Just as quietly, E'ken said, "Thank you." He entered the room without another word and the door was closed.

Batt'um watched helplessly as the door was bolted. A pin was removed from the door's handle and then the handle itself was removed.

"I'm so sorry," Daniel said for lack of anything better to say. "This is our fault. We deserve more done to us than a letter of complaint."

Batt'um didn't hesitate to turn and face Daniel. "You're wrong. We're grateful to you, friend Daniel1/4teacher. The tears that Batt'um had been holding on to for so long finally spilled down his face as he said, "I almost died inside when I though that he had stopped loving me. I don't care if we broke sacred law. I'm sure now. I have him and always will."

Batt'um leaned in and kissed Daniel on the cheek before turning and walking into the small shack.

As before Tretza bolted the door securely. The pin and then the handle were removed. Then Tretza and the other man left with the handles.

The others didn't speak; they simply stared at the bolted doors.

"I'll try again," Daniel said determined.

Daniel marched away from the bodshi determined to get his friends out. He formulated arguments that he hadn't thought of. Searched his mind for anything that might help. He struggled with wording and worked himself up into argument mode.

That's why it was so inconvenient when he walked into the building and was called over to one side by Tretza. Daniel had wanted to keep walking back towards the chambers, but Tretza was insistent. Several other servants bowed to Daniel as he approached but said nothing.

Tretza stood and formally said, "Your companions have come, scholar." He motioned towards the double doors saying, "Would you like to-"

"No," Daniel said quickly. "My companions and I need to speak first."

Daniel backed away from the double doors and the people attending it as if they were all part of a death sentence.

"SG 2's early," Daniel said staring at the men at the doors.

"I've known that bastard ten years. And this is when Ferretti decides that he needs to be early?" Jack shook his head saying, "I'm gonna kick his ass later."

"Sir," Samantha said unsure. A moment later, she corrected herself by softly saying, "Jack. I have an idea." She looked carefully at her own mate as she suggested, "Maybe if we explain that it was gang bang. That the three of you just wanted-"

"No," Daniel said quickly.

Jack simply looked at her and said, "I think we all know how much you struggle to keep that respect that you've earned1/4repeatedly. You're reputation would never survive."

Carter tried to open her mouth to speak.

Jack cut her and her argument off by saying, "Those assholes may keep their mouths shut about me and Daniel, they won't if they've got something as juicy to tell. Because if you ask nice enough, Carter will take any guy that comes along."

She looked away and leaned into Teal'c a little.

Gently, Teal'c put his arm around her as he said, "I do not approve, wife."

A few moments later, she mournfully said, "Then what? He and I can ride this out. But if the two of you come waltzing out of the closet you're going to lose a lot more than just respect." She lowered her voice as she said, "We both know what happens to queers in the military."

Jack nodded. He'd been in since he was a kid. He'd heard stories of events that he would never have wanted to see. And, he'd seen more than he'd ever wanted to. He knew.

Jack turned to Daniel and grasped his shoulders forcing Daniel to look at him and only at him.

"I love you," Jack said. "I never thought I'd ever give my heart to anyone ever again."

Daniel felt the tears in his eyes.

Jack smiled a little and said, "I know I love you1/4without hesitation."

Daniel was about to speak when Jack said, "I've retired before."

"You love this job," Daniel replied.

"I love you more." Jack thought about the statement. He nodded once and solemnly repeated, "I love you more." A moment later, he said, "I'll ask them to keep it quiet. I'll tell them I'm retiring." Jack shook his head saying, "The powers that be know how valuable you are, they'll never let you go. If it gets dangerous I'll ask them to give you an outside consulting gig; I don't want some asswipe thinking that he can hurt you just because."

"I'm not afraid," Daniel said stubbornly.

"You should be," Jack said quietly. "Don't worry, I'll be paranoid enough for the both of us."

"Oh," Daniel said with a bad taste already forming in his mouth, "could you? Should I do the happy dance now?"

Jack just looked at him. "Where do you get this sarcastic streak from?"

True to his straight-man soul, Teal'c said, "It seems to be a great mystery of the universe, O'Neill."

"Everyone's a comedian," Jack gripped. He grabbed Daniel's hand and tugged. "Let's get these jack asses sorted out, and then you go argue your head off at those old farts so we can get our friends out of those sweat boxes."

Daniel nodded.

As a group they marched with great resolve towards the doors. They were so determined in their steps that they didn't immediately stop when they didn't find what they expected on the other side.

The Council members were all sitting in a semi-circle just ahead of them. Several younger persons sat around and consoles monitoring several things at once. They could see several angles of Batt'um and E'ken in their cells, as well as several angles of the hallway that they had just been in.

"As with Dancing Butterfly, I smell a con," Teal'c calmly said.

"Con!" Jack barked. "A lot more than that! Daniel!"

Daniel was already walking towards the Council members. He bowed respectfully.

The Council members whispered among themselves. They all seemed to be nodding in agreement.

Finally, Councilman E'tar smiled and said, "Congratulations. We don't often see Hedoin as young as you, but you obviously are. We had to be sure. The title can not simply be handed out to just anyone."

"You speak our language," Daniel said cautiously. Just as cautiously, he said, "How wonderful."

The Councilman simply smiled again. "We are responsible for the good of many. Deception isn't a thing that we pride ourselves in, but if it must be used to determine truth than it will be used." The man sat back and added, "You have impressed us. As such you will be allowed on our world and to negotiate your people's needs to us."

"What are Hedoin?" Daniel asked a bit emotionally spent.

"Life mates that seek each other out one lifetime after another. The body passes quickly. What remains goes forward and tries again always seeking the other out."

"Soul mates," Daniel responded. "This makes us acceptable?"

E'tar stood saying, "If you were Mekkaki, you'd no doubt be asked to join this council."

E'tar looked beyond them and held his hand out beckoning someone forward.

Daniel turned only to find Batt'um and E'ken coming farther into the room. Both men looked a bit shocked, but very relieved. They held each other's hands so tightly that their knuckles were white.

Councilman E'tar bowed his head to the two men saying, "I stand before two who have proven themselves true. As the presiding head in honorary standing for the duration of Utumati I formally convey this Council's invitation to Vice Ambassador E'ken Timaldi and Ambassador Batt'um Meeks to come into our ranks. Hedoin are rare and their wisdom needed."

E'ken and Batt'um stood dumbstruck.

~ ~ ~

Councilman Batt'um and his mate Councilman E'ken both personally escorted SG 1 to the 'gate.

"It's strange," Batt'um said with the wide, bright, and deliriously happy smile that he'd been sporting all day, "what a difference a matter of a few days can make."

Daniel made a sound that sounded more like he was choking rather than agreeing. "You have no idea." Instead of following that train of thought, Daniel quickly asked, "Will the two of you be alright?"

"Yes," Batt'um said quickly. He looked at his mate and smiled even harder.

"We shall be just fine," E'ken said reassuringly as he looked into Batt'um's eyes.

"I'm glad to hear it," Daniel said despite the fact that he was sure that no one was listening to him. "Well," he said a bit unsure, "Goodbye, Councilmen. Enjoy your new positions. We'll be back in a few weeks for the rest of the negotiations."

Daniel received two remote and weakly said goodbyes that practically ignored him in and of themselves.

"They just can't wait to get to the nearest bed," Jack said with his own smile. Then he turned to Daniel and said, "Speaking of which?"

"You didn't get enough?" Daniel asked as he bent over to pick up his backpack. "We've been here for six days!"

"But technically we were only fucking for five," Jack corrected.

Daniel managed a little smile but decided against continuing the argument.

He walked to the DHD and began to punch in the sequence home.

As he did, Sam quickly asked, "So are we celebrating a mission well done when we get back home, or what? I'm trying to plan out my evening."

Jack shifted noticeably from one foot to the other as he deliberated with himself.

"We really haven't eaten much," Sam added. "Whether you two want to or not," she looked right at Teal'c and informed him, "I want to go out and eat until I turn green. Then we can go home."

Teal'c's face softened considerably. He gave her a single nod.

Jack was staring at Daniel as he said, "Good idea."

EPILOGUE

Sam took care of dinner for everyone. It was a very simple recipe. All she needed was one menu from DiGiorgio's, one phone, and five minutes to whip dinner right up. After she walked over to what passed as a bar in the Colonel's home. She opened the liquor cabinet and shook her head for the thousandth time.

"Knock it off you little booze hound!" the Colonel called from his favorite chair. "I'll have you know that there's plenty in there!"

She looked at him just to make absolutely sure that the man was serious. A moment later she pulled out a bottle in each hand. "Bacardi and Jack Daniel does not a bar make!"

She set the opened bottle of JD on the table still shaking her head.

As she set the rum back into the cabinet, the Colonel clearly said, "I'll have you know that everything a man needs is right there. A little something for tension, and another for stress."

"Ugh," she said dismissing the idiotic logic.

"Jack," Daniel said calmly a moment later. "You know I'd do anything for you, but Sam is usually right about this kind of thing. And," he sucked his lip for a moment before releasing it and admitting, "I'm not about to piss off anyone that can make cocktails as well as she can."

"You're selling me out?" Jack asked shocked.

"Yeah," Daniel said a second later.

Jack tightened his arms around Daniel and pulled him closer.

"I hate you sometimes," Jack whispered into his ear.

Daniel closed his eyes and snuggled in deeper into his Colonel with a big smile on his face.

The Major brought a glass holding two fingers of whiskey and two ice cubes directly to her Colonel. He took it happily and without complaint immediately taking a sip from his drink.

She stroked Daniel's hair back the moment the glass was out of her hands. She set her own drink down and bothered to pull up the blanket that had fallen away. The two men were tangled around each other on the couch. And she tucked them in.

She smiled as she turned away and picked her drink back up. "Call us when the food gets here," she called back. She sipped as she made her way outside.

She found her husband standing by the railing staring up at the stars above in the dark sky above. She walked up and set her drink on the wooden rail so she could lean into him and laid her head against his solid shoulder. She smiled as he immediately pulled his arm around her and drew her in close.

"Do you mind if I get serious for a moment?"

He brushed her hair back with his hand before saying, "As you wish."

She fell silent for a moment but then found enough of her courage to say, "I think you should move in."

It was his turn to fall silent. She truly became concerned when he looked away into the dark of the night around them. But when his eyes returned to meet hers it was to say, "We should keep my quarters on base. You often work late. It would be best if we could stay together."

Her smile mirrored his in relief, uncertainty, and delight.

"Is so!" the Colonel called out from inside the house.

"Is not!" Daniel countered.

"Is!"

"Is not!" a second later Daniel yelled to the other two, "Dinner's here!"

As the heard the two men carrying on their usual discourse Sam sighed heavily as she leaned against her own mate.

"There very sweet together," she said absently.

He pulled her just a little closer as he said, "They'll take very good care of one another. I have no doubts."

Teal'c held his wife's hand and led her inside towards dinner to the continuing sounds of their friends and teammate's argument. It was calming in a way. Their family was simply doing what it was accustomed to doing. The world was safe, there was pizza on the table, and after dinner he and his wife would go home and share their bed.

The little things in life were worth living, worth looking for. That night was one of those times.

FIN

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