Barscape

by Pie & Berty

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asp/pie/barscape.php
Summary: Daniel was only expecting a tie...or socks, but Jack wanted to make Daniel's birthday really uplifting. The sky's the limit for a birthday he'll never forget...if he survives it

"I would have been happy with a tie,"; Daniel mumbled as Jack drove the drowsy younger man through the dark, quiet Nevada streets. Peeking under his blindfold had given Daniel no clues to their final destination.

"Daniel, I'm not buying you a tie for your birthday – not now, not ever,"; Jack told him with some finality.

"Can I uncover my eyes now?"; Daniel pleaded; although Jack had promised the ride would be mercifully short, having to keep his eyes covered had made him feel a little nauseous.

"A few more minutes,"; Jack told him patiently, easily navigating the roads towards a horizon edging from black to blue.

***

When Jack had kissed him awake that morning before the sky had even begun to brighten, Daniel had assumed his birthday was going to start with a bang. But instead he had been dragged from his enormous, cosy, soft bed and forced to get ready. In fact Jack had stood over him, chivvying him along when he was too slow, steering him into the bathroom to brush his teeth and shave.

"Shave?"; Daniel had groaned, "We're on vacation, do I have to?";

"Come on, Danny. We're somewhere no one knows us; we can be as open as we want about being together. How often does that happen?"; Daniel had frowned at Jack, knowing there was more to come, but his sleep-addled wits would not provide a sensible answer for him without being more caffeinated.

"I wanna show you off a bit,"; Jack had mumbled finally, when Daniel's grimaces had become too much to bear. Daniel had felt a sappy grin slide across his stubbly face and he had kissed his lover, deliberately scratching his rough jaw against Jack's already smooth cheek.

When Daniel had insisted that his eyes were not open enough to shave himself yet, Jack had gently massaged the foam into his linguist's face and lovingly done it for him. He'd stood behind the sleepy younger man, turning his jaw this way and that to complete his delicate task, all the while being watched through Daniel's half closed eyes in the mirror. Jack knew that Daniel loved the sensation of intimacy that came with this simple action, they spent so much time hiding in plain sight that this little gesture of domesticity was a pleasure that they were unable to indulge very often.

Daniel had laid his head back on Jack's shoulder and fully given himself over to the soft, confident touch of Jack's hands on his face, something which Jack always marvelled at, as his up-tight friend rarely seemed comfortable with anyone else touching him.

Daniel had felt the beginnings of desire flicker low in his belly as he'd sighed contentedly into Jack's ministrations. A subtle tilt of his hips confirmed that Jack too, was not unaffected by this act of trust.

"Forget it,"; Jack had growled in his ear and Daniel hadn't needed to see the knowing smile on the older man's face.

"Jaaaacccckkkkk."; Daniel had sing songed very softy making another exploratory swing of his hips. Jack had chuckled in Daniel's ear and began to wipe his now smooth jaw with a cloth, before stepping back to admire his handy work.

"Come on, buddy, we'll be late,"; Jack grinned into the mirror as his thwarted archaeologist shrugged in defeat. <All in good time> Jack had thought to himself as he'd bundled Daniel into the clothes he had already chosen for him.

Before Daniel had known it, he was being ushered through the quiet corridors of the still sleeping hotel.

***

Only Jack could have got away with taking Daniel to the Luxor in Vegas. Jack's face as he had checked them in had been a vision of naughtiness, the sparkle Daniel loved to see in his eyes, made even more brilliant by knowing that Daniel was speechless. In fact he had not uttered a word from the second the valet parking had whisked away their rental car and Jack had taken his elbow guiding him into the echoing marble Lobby.

Jack had dealt efficiently and charmingly with the desk staff while Daniel had gazed open mouthed at the pseudo New Kingdom decor. He had remained silent in the "inclinator"; ride up to their room, despite Jack's obvious enthusiasm for their mode of transport. Only when the porter had been tipped and had left, and Jack's expectant gaze had started to look a little manic had Daniel spoken.

"Jack, I LOVE it!"; Daniel had breathed. He launched himself into his lover's arms kissing him soundly before spinning away to look at all the wonders of the Nile that had been mangled into something a weary tourist could appreciate. The lamps had Djed pillar bases and even the headboard of the bed had hieroglyphics on it. Daniel's eyes had finally come to rest on the whirlpool bath that lay by the huge panoramic window.

Following Daniel's gaze, Jack grinned the smile of a man who was SO getting some tonight. "You unpack, I'll order us some dinner,"; Jack had invited, reaching for the phone.

Some quick footwork by a supposedly arthritic Colonel and fifteen minutes later, Daniel had been sat in warm, chest deep, gently bubbling water, watching the Nevada sky put on a sunset to rival the myriad colours of the Strip.

Jack had dealt with the room service trolley; parking it within arms reach of the spa bath and double-checked his evenings preparations before disrobing and slipping into the tub beside Daniel with a blissful sigh. Daniel had scooched up beside Jack and nudged, until Jack had complied and put his arm around the younger man. Daniel had laid back his head into the crook of Jack's neck, closed his eyes and echoed the sentiment.

With his spare hand, Jack had reached over to the trolley and pulled a platter of crostini closer to the edge of the bath. Selecting a crab delicacy from the assortment, Jack held it against Daniel's lips and watched as the tip of a pink tongue sneaked out to taste the offering before the archaeologists mouth accepted the morsel in, greedily licking Jack's fingers clean of the tasty treat. Jack squirmed slightly and took a crostini for himself before opting for Gravadlax for Daniel's next surprise. Jack had continued his one for you, one for me strategy until Daniel's vocal enjoyment of the finger foods made it more fun to watch him eat them, than eat them himself.

"Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,"; Daniel had growled low in his chest, the finger buffet finished, washed down with perfectly chilled champagne and the last of the fresh fruit platter still sweet on his tongue.

"Had enough?"; Jack had asked quietly, mesmerised by the play of the reflected neon light on his lover's wet skin.

Daniel cracked an eye open to peer at Jack. "What else is on offer?"; he had asked, smiling enigmatically.

"Well, you are the birthday boy, so whatever your heart desires,"; Jack had told him throatily, his own heart really beginning to pound now his favourite linguist was fed, happy, relaxed and naked. Jack had particularly liked the naked part. He still could not quite equate the scrawny, floppy haired academic he'd snickered at five years ago, with this gorgeous, toned, vital man beside him. It was amazing what tweed and plaid could hide.

"Oooh, in that case, I'd really love one of those t-shirts with my name spelled out in hieroglyphs...ooooofff!";

Jack had ignored the slosh of water that flooded over the edge of the bath as he had abruptly turned to face Daniel and straddle his hips in a move that was so much more graceful on dry land. Daniel's eyes were both open now as he'd grinned into Jack's grumpy face. Jack had found himself reflecting the smile back after a moment, because this is what he lived for now, to have Daniel make exactly that face.

It had taken Jack an age to realise that the smiles he had seen Daniel give out in his daily working life, were not all the guy had to give. Daniel's shy half smiles when anyone paid him some attention and his open, friendly "Peaceful explorer, please don't shoot me"; grins were all a front, all guarded and socially acceptable camouflage. When Daniel REALLY smiled, he smiled with his whole damn body.

Jack remembered the first time he had seen it, on his deck one summer afternoon when Daniel had been invited round to watch a game he didn't understand, but had come to see anyway. They had been chatting about something or other and Daniel had made a comment about never staying in one place for very long. Unthinkingly Jack had told him that he wasn't going anywhere anymore and that he belonged here.

When Daniel had been silent for a shade too long, Jack had looked at him closely and had watched the young man's expression slide from wide-eyed surprise into a smile that hit Jack like a punch in the gut. Daniel's eyes had crinkled, his nose had screwed up, his chest had puffed up and he'd stood straighter, emphasising how tall he actually was behind the slouch he habitually wore.

Jack had sworn there and then, that Daniel needed more things to smile about and had resolved that he would be one of those things.

"You have something in mind better than the t-shirt?"; Daniel had teased, sliding his hands up Jack's thighs beneath the lazily bubbling water.

"Maybe,"; Jack had smiled reaching between Daniel's legs and caressing his lover's balls with an experienced hand. Daniel closed his eyes again, laid his arms along the rim of the bath and let his head drop back.

Letting is fingers explore, Jack had found Daniel's cock was already rigid with desire and the pulse Jack could feel beating through the hot smooth skin was strong and fast. Jack had leaned forward and grabbed a bottle of thick, liquid soap, the kind that you had to really rub to get off your hands and kissed Daniel deeply as he'd coated his fingers with the gloopy mixture.

Daniel flexed as Jack's hand had dropped out of sight into the water expecting to feel the touch of his lover's fingers on him. He'd opened his eyes in surprise as Jack lifted himself onto his knees and instead reached around to prepare himself quickly with the soap. "Oh!"; Daniel had smiled lazily, leaning forward to press kisses to Jack's wet belly. He'd reached a hand to card his fingers through the greying hair at Jack's groin, ghosting a touch over his rampant cock, which had been waving slightly as Jack readied himself for Daniel.

"It must be my birthday,"; Daniel had muttered as he'd looked up into Jack's eyes before delicately swiping his tongue over the head of the older man's cock. Jack had groaned and dived for the soap, emptying a generous handful into his waiting palm and reached for Daniel's dick. Daniel had slouched himself down further into the rippling water and gasped at Jack's touch. Quickly, so the soap had no time to dissolve, Jack had poised himself over Daniel's straining cock, and then with a contented sigh lowered himself onto Daniel's waiting hardness with one long, slow, smooth glide.

Daniel's eyes had closed and his head rolled gently form side to side as the sensation of Jack accepting him had washed over him. The muscles of Jack's ass had sweetly welcomed his lover, gripping him and caressing him into the enveloping heat.

Finally Jack's weight had been squarely on Daniel's hips and the younger man tensed his thighs, seeking to gain maximum skin contact where they were joined.

Daniel had felt the muscles in Jacks' legs and back tighten as he'd begun to lift and lower himself onto Daniel in small maddening pulses. Daniel had braced himself on the bottom of the bath and begun to thrust back at Jack. "Your knees...."; he'd muttered between gritted teeth, knowing that Jack wouldn't be able to walk tomorrow if this took long.

"The water is...bearing some weight...I'm fine,"; Jack panted. "Just lay back...like a good boy... and let me...ughhhh...let me...fuck myself with your...gorgeous cock.";

Daniel loved it when Jack spoke to him while they made love. He would scrape together his own wits and ask Jack risqué questions while they were in flagrante, to hear Jack's panted, candid responses become more monosyllabic as his climax neared. It made his own completion even more rewarding.

With Daniel's arms bracing their thrusts against the side of the bath, he'd been unable to lend an assist when Jack's face scrunched up as he'd strained for release. Daniel had known that Jack's orgasm would trigger his own and was relieved when the colonel had removed one hand from Daniel's shoulders and taken a firm grip on his own erection.

Jack had begun to pump his cock, sending splashes of water wildly around the bath. His pace had become frenzied, stilled suddenly and then one long, impossibly slow stroke had ripped a guttural moan from Jack's lips and an explosion of come from his iron hard cock, which had hit Daniel's chin and chest and sent white ribbons out into the roiling water to be quickly dissipated by the bubbles. Daniel had powered one last, agonizing thrust up into Jack's body, lifting the colonel off his knees and howled as Jack's contracting muscles had dragged his orgasm from him in a flood of perfect ecstasy.

"You only brought us here so you could cross another line off your 'Kinky places to do Daniel' list, didn't you?"; Daniel sniggered as he had snuggled up to Jack on the ridiculously large and comfortable bed. They had both still been a little damp from the bath, but hadn't been bothered to dry off thoroughly before the lure of the bed had got the better of them.

"I resent that remark', Jack had rumbled sleepily and twined his arms closer around his archaeologist.

Daniel had remained silent, waiting for the inevitable.

"No.42 – Spa bath,"; Jack had obliged a few seconds later.

"You're a sick man,"; Daniel had sighed settling down to sleep with an affectionate pat on Jack's belly. "Just how long is this list?"; he had asked suspiciously, stifling a yawn.

"S'not complete yet... I'm hoping to cross off at least twenty though, the next time the mountain has a power failure and the security cameras are down." Jack had been sleepily smug.

"What's next?";

"You'll see,"; Jack had whispered with a smile into the darkness.

***

The night porter had given Daniel a sympathetic smile as he had wished them a good day after Jack had countermanded his requests for coffee with a brisk "No time";. A few die-hards had still been milling around on their way back from the Blackjack tables as Jack had taken Daniel's arm and led him out into the neon lit darkness.

Daniel had almost snapped when Jack had requested that he cover his eyes when he got in the car and refused point blank to put on the blindfold Jack had optimistically brought with him. But one look at Jack's excited face had stilled his protests and he had grudgingly complied, allowing Jack to tie the soft material over his eyes. He hoped no-one was up yet to see a grown man playing hide and seek with his companion in a car small enough to qualify as a two seater in Daniel's view, despite the presence of two tiny ledges in the back, that Jack insisted didn't count.

Jack had not been happy at the airport when they had been shown to their rental car. He had shot Daniel a look that assured the younger man that he would not be trusted with even this smallest of travel arrangements ever again.

Daniel was dozing against the window as the car drew to a halt. Jack looked over at his blindfolded, oblivious lover and suppressed a chuckle. Open mouthed and drooling should not be sexy, but damn it! On Daniel it was.

"C'mon birthday boy, time for your surprise." Jack shook him, not particularly gently. Experience had taught him it paid to be brisk in the mornings with sleepy archaeologists.

Daniel yawned hugely. "Where are we?" he asked blearily. "What time is it? Is it still dark?"

"Enough with the questions, already. We are here, it's early and yes it's still dark." Jack got out the car and went round to the passenger door assist his drowsy significant other. Sensing Daniel was going to fall flat on his face, he grabbed him under the arms and yanked.

"Jaaaaack," Daniel protested. "If it's dark, why am I wearing a blindfold?"

Jack chuckled meanly, "Hey, it might be your birthday but why should you get all the presents? I was hoping to gag and handcuff you too, but the state of Nevada has some very strong laws about kidnapping. Sucked the fun right outta it." Jack tried his best plaintive, wheedling tone, "I still have em' in my trunk, just in case you're interested."

Daniel shook his head helplessly; he could feel the suppressed waves of excitement emanating from the older man. Really, his lover was the biggest kid and Daniel would not have him any other way. Jack's natural joie de vivre had expressed itself in a million diverse ways since they had got together and all Daniel could do was hold on tight and enjoy the ride. The bumpiest wormhole had nothing on Jack.

Jack led Daniel over soft earth. The early morning chill made Daniel shiver after the cosy warmth of the car and Jack leaned in closer, sharing his body heat generously.

Daniel smiled gratefully in his general direction and felt a soft, fleeting kiss whisper over his lips, which he parted to allow deeper access from Jack‚s questing, beloved mouth. A swat across his butt was his only reward. "That's all you're getting," Jack growled. "Start anything here and you won't get your surprise. Stop with the pout too, 'cos it's so not working."

There was a definite waver in Jack's voice, so Daniel decided the moral victory was his and grinned in delight. "Where are we, Jack?"

"We're just a few miles outside Las Vegas. Apart from telling you that, can we leave the rest as a surprise?"

"Sure," replied Daniel easily.

"I'm gonna remove your blindfold, work with me here and keep your eyes shut, mmmm?"

"Okay," Daniel agreed, equably. He obediently closed his eyes as he felt Jack step close to his back. The bandana that had served as a blindfold was deftly removed and then Jack's hands slid up his chest and over his face to cover his eyes. With an unsubtle nudge, Jack propelled Daniel forward.

Daniel had a major problem with motion of any kind with Jack's hot body clamped to his back. Something was poking him hard in the butt.

"Jack!" he hissed, "It's kinda hard not to start something when you have a hard-on poking me in the ass."

"No I haven't." Jack's voice was high with surprise.

"Yes, you have. I can feel it."

"Daniel, trust me. I would know if I had a boner. Hang on."

Jack dropped one of his hands from Daniel's face for the purpose of verification. Something indeed was prodding Daniel in the ass.

"Uh, Daniel, it's not my dick... it's my sidearm."

"Your sidearm?" Scepticism laced Daniels voice.

Jack began to laugh. "It's my sidearm I swear, look... I mean feel." He thrust the offending gun into the younger mans hands.

Daniel sniffed in disdain.

From over the horizon, Daniel heard a dull roaring noise. He whipped his head around to look but before he could focus two large, capable hands were clapped over his eyes once more.

"Hey, no peeking! And stop with the fluttering eyelashes thing against my palms."

Daniel grinned and led the way, which was quite difficult with a six foot two inch USAF Colonel attached to him like a limpet.

The roaring noise sounded again, much louder. Daniel could not make it out, but the inky blackness, which had been all he could see behind Jack's hands, was replaced by a muted orange glow. His nose twitched as he strove to place the gas-like smell that enveloped them.

"You can look now," whispered Jack, making a big production job of removing his hands from Daniel's face.

"Ta daaaaaaa." Jack was practically bouncing with delight as Daniel's vision adjusted and he saw what had had the colonel so excited in the weeks leading up to the 8th July. He gazed up, his blue eyes widening in wonder as he drank in the sight before him.

A huge hot air balloon illuminated the dark morning sky. It's gaudy royal blue, red and yellow panels billowing gently as the powerful burner heated the air inside, making the balloon glow like a beacon.

Daniel looked a question at the grinning Jack.

"Happy Birthday Daniel," he said simply, smiling as he caught sight of the flames reflected in his lover's glasses and yet the blue fire behind them sparkled even more brightly.

"Are we...?"

"We sure are." Jack suddenly looked concerned. "Are you okay with it?" He tried not to sound too hopeful.

"Oh, I sure am, " breathed Daniel in delight. "I've always wanted to fly in one."

"Cool," crowed Jack in relief.

"You know the ancient Greeks believed flight................."

Jack stuck up a finger. "Ack....It's your birthday. No teaching me crap I so don't need in my head, today."

Daniel subsided with good-natured grace, he would slip it in later, he was sure he could distract Jack somehow.

Jack grabbed his arm again and double-timed him to the balloon. A group of men detached themselves from the tethers and waving casually at Jack, made their way to a waiting truck.

This left a blonde woman in a dashing green and beige flying suit standing by the wicker basket. Jack greeted her like an old friend as he leaned in and kissed her soundly on the cheek.

"I phoned the weather service Jack," she said without preamble, "the wind conditions will be ideal for the planned route, not too strong, just balmy in fact. No storms are forecast. It should be a perfect flight."

"Great! Thanks, BJ, you're a real pal."

"De nada." BJ was eyeing up Daniel with unashamed inquisitiveness.

"This is Daniel," announced Jack, resting a proud arm around the younger man's shoulders.

BJ gave a long whistle. "Ooooh! You lucky dog, Jack." Her vibrant green eyes twinkled in evident admiration. "No wonder you've gone to all this trouble, hon. He's a total babe!"

Daniel blushed at the palpable sincerity in the soft, barely discernible southern drawl and mumbled a greeting.

"You've embarrassed him now, Beej," laughed Jack.

BJ stepped up to Daniel and hugged him; usually he was very protective of his personal space but somehow this warm and vivacious woman had slipped under his defences. He could tell that she was a real people person and her sunny temperament forced the chill from the air

"Hello and welcome, Daniel. I feel like I know you already. This guy..." she winked at Jack. "...just never stops talking about you."

A dark stain flashed across Jack's face. "Ummm, Beej pilots these things."

"I do and if you ever decide to leave this reprobate, then come fly with me. I'll definitely feel no pain, hon. Think about it. You, me and the open sky."

"Hey," yelled Jack. "Spoken for, get your own total babe."

Daniel was speechless as Jack and BJ playfully tussled over him, trading good-natured insults. Jack had a natural charm that made him friends all over the universe; unfortunately he also had a sarcastic wit that made him enemies all over the universe too. BJ was good people, she saw Jack as very few people got to see him - the Jack that Daniel loved.

"Honey, much as I'd like to stay here and drool over Daniel, if you don't get going you will miss sunrise and it's to die for. I've seen it hundreds of times up there," BJ gestured to the sky. "It just never gets old."

Daniel began to clamber into the basket. Jack tried to lend an assist but got growled at for his pains; Woo hoo! Daniel was so hot when he was pissy. He jumped lightly in himself. The men came out of the truck and began to untie the tethers.

"Are you all set?" asked BJ. "No last minute change of plans?"

"No," replied Jack confidently.

"Damn," she laughed. "I was hoping you'd need me, then I could have thrown you overboard, made Daniel take off his clothes to gain altitude and then come up with some great ways to keep him warm."

"Wait," cried Daniel in alarm. "Aren't you coming?"

"No, more's the pity. You are quite safe, I've taught Jack everything I know. And if the burner packs in, Jack is so full of hot air, he could inflate the balloon himself." BJ gave a delightful giggle. "Oh before I forget...here." She thrust something into Daniel's cold hands. "Right, boys. Right, Jack."

Jack opened the valve on the propane tank and the burner roared, heating the air rapidly. After thirty seconds or so, the balloon began to lift, the sensation of being buoyant in the air without an engine or wings feeling very strange.

Daniel grabbed a rope to steady himself as the basket rocked from side to side as the balloon gained altitude.

"Jack," BJ shouted up, "we'll follow in the truck and keep an eye on your landing."

"Thanks, Beej," Jack hollered.

"You're welcome, hon."

The balloon sailed smoothly up.

"Jack?"

"Daniel?"

"You really know how to pilot this thing?"

"Yes I've been taking lessons, passed my FAA exam and got my licence. Remember all those Pentagon thingies? Well, actually I was here, taking lessons from BJ; and let me tell you I wish she was in the Air Force, she scared the crap outta me. The marines have nothing on her. I am now a fully qualified Balloon pilot. I know things about air pressure and gravity that would make Carter's hair curl."

"Wow! You did all that just for my birthday."

"No....just for you, Daniel." Jack did not often speak words of love but he showed Daniel in hundreds of different ways each day, how much he was cared for.

Daniel looked down, to distract himself from the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. He realised he was still clutching the thing BJ had handed him. It was a silver thermos type flask. "Am I going to need alcohol?"

Jack was busy checking his instruments, BJ had stressed that inexperienced balloon pilots often went too high at first and he was determined not to make that mistake.

"It's not alcohol, it's your addiction of choice."

"What kind?" asked Daniel dubiously.

Jack grinned teasingly, "It's Cafe Chon."

"That's really expensive, Jack." Daniel secretly smiled to himself. The odds of Jack buying coffee that had first passed through the digestive tract of weasels were very, very long. He thought he could have a little fun at Jack's expense. "I've always wanted to try it. The Vietnamese swear by it. Thanks, Jack, it was so thoughtful of you."

Daniel unscrewed the lid and inhaled the steamy aroma. "Mmmmmm," he groaned in appreciation, "that smells sooooooooo good."

Jack watched fascinated and yet slightly appalled, as Daniel practically had an orgasm over the flask. Surely even a coffee connoisseur like Daniel could not drink something he thought had been regurgitated by rodents.

He saw Daniel lick his lips, then sip the rich, dark brew beatifically. As he savoured the taste, a look of stunned pleasure came over his features that Jack usually only saw when his lover came. It was a little unnerving to see it a few hundred feet up in the air. The balloon was left to it's own devices as Jack became a bit jealous. Daniel was cheating on him with a cup of coffee and now he had a confession to make too.

"Oh Jack...Oh God.... Oh yes...It's so goooooood."

"Ahem...umm, Daniel?"

Blue eyes twinkled back through the lightening gloom. "Yes, Jack," he replied demurely.

"I was just kidding - it's not the weasely coffee."

Daniel laughed and kept laughing.

"Daniel Jackson! Were you faking me out?"

"Me, Jack?" he chortled, batting his eyelashes vigorously, "get the better of a Special Ops Colonel? Why I do declare." Daniel tried out his best Scarlett O' Hara impression on the susceptible Jonathon O' Neill.

"Do you know what it is?"

"Well, at first sniff, I thought it was Jamaican Blue Mountain and the first taste confirmed it. Thank you, Jack." Sincere gratitude poured from Daniel's eyes and it was all Jack could do to keep the balloon gaining altitude and not take his lover in his arms.

Jack grinned at Daniel, who was in ecstasy as he sipped the hot liquid reverently. "You could not function without coffee," he laughed.

"Tell me," replied Daniel mournfully, his eyes dancing. "That was the real torture when I was kidnapped in South America. In the home of great coffee and not even offered a cup. No wonder I went nuts."

Burnished violet and crimson streaks daubed the sky heralding the onset of sunrise. On the horizon, the first glimmering rays of the rising sun spread their fingers over the land. The men in the balloon watched entranced as the sky was filled with myriad colours, each more vibrant than the last, until the blazing, golden ball was completely visible.

"When I see such beauty, I really wish I could paint," sighed Daniel, his voice made a mere whisper by the emotions that welled up inside him.

"I'm glad to be alive too," replied Jack quietly as they shared a look of perfect understanding and empathy. Daniel moved tentatively over to Jack and kissed him gently, a benediction of shared love and promise. Then, side-by-side they looked once again at the stunning celestial canvas.

"We've travelled all over the universe and yet that still must be the most beautiful sight I've ever seen." Daniel eyes were filled with awe.

"Breathtakingly beautiful," agreed Jack, his voice deepened by emotion, staring not at the view but at Daniel and not seemingly able to look away. Daniel reached out and traced Jack's cheekbone in a tender, loving caress.

Returning to the flask, Daniel poured some of the strong brew into the cup and offered sips to Jack, whose hands were otherwise occupied. They shared some sweet, coffee flavoured kisses as the balloon sailed on, buoyed by the perfect crosswind that Jack had steered into.

It was fully light now and Jack bade Daniel to look down. He was rewarded by a loud gasp of amazement.

"Jack! Where are we?" The wicker basket creaked and swayed as Daniel bounced with excitement.

"Red Rock Canyon. "

"Wow! The geology is spectacular. The reds are so intense."

"It's part of the Mojave Desert. The main feature is the Keystone Thrust Fault where the Earth's crust fractured thousands of years ago. Beej knows all about it, get her to spill later and there's a visitors centre too, if you need to know more." Jack rolled his eyes; Daniel always needed to know more.

Daniel craned his neck to see as much as possible of the wondrous vista; the intense colours of the earth combined with the perfect blue of the clear sky and the benevolent, golden presence of the sun had Daniel feeling lighter than the balloon; at lest Jack was here to anchor him.

Jack had turned down the burner as they did not need more altitude and now they were floating in near silence.

"This is magical, Jack. Motion without noise, I've never experienced a sensation like it." Jack did not answer; Daniel noticed he was clinging rather more tightly to the tethers. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," choked out Jack, "it takes me a little getting used to, not having an engine or propulsion or anything except a bagful of hot air and the wind. I'll be good in a minute. The silence unnerves me a little."

"Can I do anything to help?"

"You could hum 'Row, row, row your boat'. That might help."

"Errrr nope. Once was enough."

"Actually Danny-boy, BJ has given me an idea, you could fling all your clothes overboard and distract me that way."

"Jack, if it's a choice between my clothes and you, I hope you have a nice trip back down to earth."

"That's really harsh. If you dump me who would pilot the balloon?"

"I'm sure it would get back to terra firma eventually and anyway BJ may come to the rescue and offer to keep me warm tonight."

Jack growled at the mischievous pain in the ass in the basket with him, then his expression swiftly changed. He leered at the suspicious Daniel comically. "Oh Daniel," he sing-songed. "How would you like to join the not quite a mile high club?"

"W..what?

"C'mon, everyone does the mile high, lets be different."

Daniel spluttered ineffectually...but if Jack was serious, he supposed he could be persuaded. "You mean the 333 yards high club? Won't it be dangerous?"

"No this breeze is taking us along nicely and I'll be real quick." Jack made with the big brown spaniel eyes.

Daniel tried to stiffen his spine but he really wanted Jack - right now.

Jack positioned Daniel in the middle of the basket by the instruments, pulling up his arms over his head to hold on to the tethers. He stooped in and kissed Daniel hard, looking into the uncertain blue eyes.

"Don't let go," he murmured throatily, watching in satisfaction as Daniel gulped and nodded in bewildered agreement.

Jack began biting and licking his way down Daniel's clothed body. He pushed the heel of his hand into Daniel's crotch, massaging his dick firmly through the thick denim. Daniel groaned as he began to swell and throb against the firm pressure of Jack's kneading hand.

Jack knelt between Daniel's open legs, he flicked open the zipper and yanked down the jeans, laughing as they puddled around his lover's feet. Jack trailed his fingers up from Daniel's ankles, caressing the silken skin in maddening circles. He leaned forward to lick a path up the inside of Daniel's lithe thighs, one by one; allowing his tongue to meander this way and that, making Daniel growl with frustrated desire.

The gentle bob of the balloon as it flew in the breeze, the first rays of heat from the rising sun and the rasp of Jack's talented tongue on his sensitised flesh made Daniel writhe uncontrollably. He was panting with need; his burgeoning cock, beneath the thin material of his boxer shorts, was begging for any kind of contact with Jack, whose mouth was finally reaching the destination it craved.

Jack hastily pulled down the last barrier to his goal and buried his nose ecstatically in the hair at Daniel's groin, inhaling the intoxicating aroma of an aroused male. Jack sat back on his heels and glanced up at his lover.

What a fucking perfect sight!

Daniel's head was thrown back, his glasses were skewed across his face and his eyes screwed shut. That perfect, pouty mouth was agape as his arms pulled at the taut tethers. Daniel opened imploring eyes and looked down at Jack in desperation, bucking his hips in silent command.

"Yes, Sir," saluted Jack; a good soldier always followed orders.

Jack pressed tiny kisses to the very tip of the straining shaft, only allowing the head to slip between his strong lips. He flicked at the rigid flesh repeatedly, faster and faster, lashing it with his strong, capable tongue. Then soothing the frenzy with luxuriously sloppy kisses over the burning, rampant dick as he sipped at the beading liquid with delighted relish.

Jack unzipped his own pants and reached down to cup his straining cock as he began to nibble Daniel's supra sensitised shaft, nipping a route from head to balls and back again, causing his passionate lover to shout out in astonished fervour.

Daniel managed to wrench open his eyes and see two birds gliding past the balloon, adding to the surrealism of the moment.

Jack was going down on him, in a hot air balloon, at 7.00am on his birthday!

His lover now swallowed Daniel to the root, causing him to buck his hips involuntarily. Daniel let go of one of the ropes and threaded his hand in Jack's hair convulsively, in tacit apology. Jack let go of Daniel's hip and strongly grasped the hand fondling his follicles and squeezed it tight. His ministrations on his own shaft were reaching fever pitch, he let go of Daniel's hand and re-gripped his hip and sucked strongly on his lover's weeping cock.

Daniel felt himself sliding into Jack's tightly gripping throat, the sheer sensation made him shudder in response. He yelled out a warning as Jack proceeded to turn him inside out. Daniel could not prevent himself giving into the clamouring needs of his body and he began to pulse in orgasmic waves, again and again, as he poured himself into Jack's willing mouth.

As Jack tasted Daniel, he came in blazing relief, spurting over his hand. His lips were still wrapped around Daniel as he groaned his release, causing Daniel to buck again with the stunning sensation of wet heat vibrating around his sensitised flesh.

Jack rested his head against Daniel's belly as they struggled to catch their breaths. Daniel caressed Jack's hot, damp face in gratitude for the glorious fulfilment they had just shared. "Think," he wheezed, "we could do that again sometime?"

"Yep," panted Jack, "I declare the first meeting of the 333 Yards High club a success. Only two members permitted and now I can tick off number 44 too." Jack was achieving some very satisfactory personal goals.

Daniel was still caught up in post-coital bliss and the last remark washed straight over him.

They allowed themselves a couple of minutes to recover, then righted each other's dishevelled clothing, teasing and tickling as they did so, their carefree laughter carried by the wind.

Jack could see the proposed landing site in the distance, the truck with BJ's team already parked up with the protective tarpaulin spread in readiness. He began making preparations to lose altitude.

Daniel made 360-degree turns around the basket, trying to drink in as much of the breathtaking scenery as possible. He would never forget this flight with Jack. For a time it seemed like he and Jack had been the only two people in the world, but then Jack had this way of focusing on Daniel like no-one ever had previously, it made him feel...necessary.

"We'll be landing soon, Daniel. It can be a little...rough."

Daniel smiled softly at his lover, "I've always liked it a little...rough."

"What have I told you about starting stuff when I can't do anything about it," Jack groused genially.

The balloon began losing altitude as Jack opened the envelope at the top to allow the hot air to escape.

Daniel went close to his pilot. "Thank you, Jack, that was the best birthday ever."

Jack kissed his birthday boy tenderly, "Not even close to being over, Daniel."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Jack was suddenly brisk, "I'm gonna bounce the balloon along the ground a bit to minimise the impact. You hold on."

Daniel held on to a rope and the basket as Jack reduced height more rapidly, then came a series of bumps along the ground, slow at first then faster. BJ's team came running over to catch hold of the tethers and pull the balloon to a stop near the tarp. Daniel grinned at the pleased look on Jack's face.

The basket creaked alarmingly as Daniel clambered, rather less gracefully than Jack, onto terra firma. Immediately BJ's team moved in to deflate and pack away the balloon in a well-coordinated, speedy manner.

"Nice landing, Jack, " BJ said, with a touch of pride in her voice.

"Learned it from the best,"; Jack acknowledged with a bow of his head. "It's beautiful up there this morning.";

"Yeah?"; B.J asked, squinting into the cloudless blue sky.

"Perfect," Jack grinned wickedly at Daniel, "except there was a little turbulence, but I soon cooled things down."

Daniel rolled his eyes at his irrepressible lover, as BJ addressed him.

"Did you enjoy it, Daniel?"

Daniel smiled warmly at the dynamic woman. "Very much so, it was breathtaking. Could you tell me some more about the canyon?"

"I sure can, honey."

"Later," announced Jack.

"Later?"

Jack sent an unsubtle wink in BJ's direction. She grinned ruefully in understanding. "You have a nice birthday, Daniel,"; B.J. said with a nod of farewell, as she turned to join her crew.

"Ummm, BJ?"; Jack called after her.

"Oh, yeah,"; she laughed. "Just behind the ridge,"; she nodded towards a spur of rock, blood red in the morning sunshine.

"Thanks,"; Jack sighed. He gestured with his head and together, he and Daniel stepped away from the deflating balloon. When they reached the rock outcrop, they turned to see the balloon and basket being expertly packed into the waiting truck, the figure which was obviously BJ dashing from one thing to the next. Finally, and with a cheery wave, she jumped into the truck and they followed it with their eyes until it was dust on the horizon.

Daniel turned in a slow circle, drinking in the beauty and solitude of their spot before placing a kiss on the older man's cheek.

"That was amazing, Jack,"; he said quietly, somehow it didn't seem right to talk in a normal voice with only the birdsong for company. Jack enfolded Daniel in his arms and pressed a kiss on his forehead.

"Errrrrrrrrr..."; Daniel began after a few minutes of quiet appreciation of the scenery and the company. Jack looked at him expectantly. "How do we get home?";

Right on cue, Daniel heard the soft whinny of a horse from behind the ridge BJ had indicated. Jack grinned smugly, as if he had choreographed the whole exchange. Taking his lover's hand, Jack led Daniel, picking his way through the shrubby undergrowth until they rounded the spur of rock.

Spread out on the ground and under the watchful eye of two rather disgruntled looking horses was a blanket with a wicker basket and an ice bucket to one side.

"Breakfast?"; Jack enquired, slipping his arms around Daniel's waist.

Jack settled the speechless archaeologist on the rug with his back propped against a handy boulder and proceeded to set out breakfast from the cavernous hamper in a cheerful manner he somehow lacked when dishing up MRE breakfasts on chilly, damp, off world mornings.

Daniel found himself cuddling a fresh supply of the coffee and appreciating the feel of the warm sun on his face as the sounds of the desert whispered all around him. He closed his eyes and let the good sensations wash over him.

"Happy?"; Jack's quiet voice came, startlingly close to him.

Daniel opened one eye to see Jack's head surrounded by the corona of the morning sun. "You need to teach me that stalking thing...and yes. Blissful,"; Daniel sighed, taking another sip of his drug of choice.

"Hungry?"; Jack asked. Daniel opened both eyes and attempted to peer around his significant other to see what had been laid out.

"Depends, " Daniel said warily. "If you are going to crack eggs onto the stones and wait for them to fry, no thanks.";

Jack gave him his patented 'Smart ass' look before moving aside and indicating the feast spread at Daniel's feet. Without waiting for Daniel's choice, Jack passed the younger man a buttered brioche and settled back against the rock, their shoulders touching companionably.

A sweetness filled Daniel's mouth as he bit into the bread. "Yum!"; he announced. "What is it?";

"Raspberry conserve,"; Jack nodded, greedily munching on his. "BJ makes her own. If you're lucky, she'll have packed us some blackcurrant too.";

"You did all this for me?"; Daniel smiled, realising again the hours Jack must have put into his birthday treat. He was deeply touched and never failed to be amazed by his lover's ability make him feel significant.

"Yeah. " Jack cast an indulgent smile at Daniel and passed him another brioche. "Well, you...and No. 44 of course.";

Daniel frowned at Jack, pausing in mid-chew. "No. 44?";

"Yeah, No.44 – In a Hot Air Balloon,"; Jack breathed, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. Daniel sniggered and flicked a corner of bread at the man. Jack grinned back at him unrepentantly.

"Hang on, what happened to No. 43?"; Daniel asked a moment later. "If 42 was in a Jacuzzi and 44 was in a hot air balloon...what's no 43?";

"Ah...No. 43,"; Jack sighed contentedly. Daniel raised his eyebrows knowing Jack was playing him. "No. 43, Daniel,"; said Jack, leaning back and putting his hands behind his head, "Is in a desert...by a rock...after breakfast...on a..."; he looked down, "...red and blue checked, wool picnic blanket.";

Daniel smiled, reached across to the bucket and pulled out the bottle of champagne from the rapidly melting ice. Jack picked up two plastic cups and watched as Daniel expertly opened the bottle and poured the fizzy, sweet scented wine into them. Getting up onto his knees, the birthday boy turned to face Jack and took one of the cups. "Thank you, Jack,"; he said simply, gazing at this wonderful man who had given him another chance at happiness.

Jack smiled, understanding that Daniel meant more than the drink, more than the picnic or balloon and that he was being thanked for something that he himself had given thanks for every day since Daniel had entered his life. He lifted his cup in a toast. "To you, my love. Happy Birthday,"; he said, suspiciously roughly.

Daniel sipped his champagne and his eyes smiled at Jack over the top of his cup. Taking a mouthful of the wine, Daniel set it aside and cupped the back of Jack's head, bringing their mouths together, chilled from the cool champagne. Parting his lips to allow Jack's tongue access, Daniel felt Jack's smile against his mouth as the bubbles fizzed between them. They kissed lazily and unhurriedly, their tongues twining and stroking.

Daniel breathed deeply, enjoying the sensation of desire that began to burn, low and sullen in his belly, but growing stronger with each touch of Jack's lips on his. He stretched out on the blanket, propped on his elbow, idly unbuttoning Jack's shirt, one handed.

Jack scooted down to lie beside his lover and with gentle hands he traced the contours of his beloved's face, pausing on a cheekbone or the bow of his lips, drinking in the sight of him as if to imprint it there forever.

"You know that I love you, right?"; Jack murmured as Daniel's hands slipped beneath the fabric of his shirt.

"I was getting that impression,"; Daniel smiled gently.

"I mean, all the stuff we do...all the making out and...stuff."; Daniel hid a grin as Jack floundered for clarity. His uninhibited, adventurous lover just couldn't bring himself to say the words out loud unless they were involved in the act itself, when his vocabulary became quite extensive, not to say downright dirty. Daniel contented himself with a small nod, concentrating on the smooth skin of Jack's sides and back.

"Well, it's not...all you are to me, you know?"; Jack huffed, arching his back as Daniel's clever, long fingers traced ticklish patterns along his spine and ribs. "I mean...I don't just love you for...stuff, I love you for...other things too,"; Jack nodded seriously at his own sentiment.

"Like?"; Daniel queried as he leaned in to take an experimental swipe at Jack's chest. The older man groaned quietly as Daniel latched onto the dark pink bud of his nipple and peppered it with tiny bites and soothing kisses, firing the nerve endings from his toes to his brain.

"Umm...intelligence...courage...oh yeah...um...generosity...uhhhhhhhh!"; Jack ventured, his words becoming more and more forced as Daniel's lips worked their way down his belly and his quick hands unbuttoned his fly. Daniel paused and made encouraging noises, inviting Jack to continue.

"Sense of humour?"; Jack squeaked as Daniel released his swollen dick from his pants and the breeze ghosted across him.

"And?"; Daniel prompted again.

"Presentation?"; Jack gulped as Daniel brought his lips ever closer to the head of his cock. ";And...FUCK you're good at that!"; he shouted as Daniel opened his mouth and swallowed Jack whole.

For a few minutes the only sounds were satisfied sighs and eager suction, before Daniel kissed a path back up his dazed looking Colonel. He kissed Jack soundly on the mouth before becoming still. Jack opened his eyes to see Daniel with a slightly haunted expression on his face.

"Jack, the horses are watching me,"; Daniel said quietly and intently.

"Don't be ridiculous, Daniel. They're not interested in us, "Jack replied dismissively, wanting to keep Daniel's wandering mind on him.

"I'm telling you, they were watching me go down on you, " Daniel insisted, casting black looks at the horses, tethered to a sturdy shrubby plant. Jack craned his head back to look at the bored livestock and sighed. He sat up and rolled over, forcing his archaeologist down onto his back.

"Let 'em look,"; Jack growled, claiming Daniel's mouth in a passionate and mind emptying kiss. Daniel soon found his place again as Jack's hands roamed over him, discarding his glasses, clothes and boots in an efficient manner. Daniel watched as Jack rolled off and just as effectively shucked his own clothes so fast, that Daniel didn't even have time to miss his heated skin against him.

Jack reclaimed his place beside Daniel and began to knead the muscles of the younger man's thighs and ass. Daniel was surprised to feel the unmistakable sensation of a lubed finger broach him. He opened wide eyes to Jack's smiling apology. The question in Daniel's eyes was unavoidable.

"Cargo pants...pockets, " Jack admitted sheepishly, stroking his partner softly and leaning in for a kiss. The amusement in Daniel's eyes ceded to lust as Jack replaced his one finger with two and turned his palm face up to stroke deep inside his lover. Daniel forced his head back into the ground, his mouth softly open as Jack's hands drew such pleasure from him. The young man's hands held fistful of the woolen blanket as he responded wantonly to Jack's touch.

Jack spread is lover's legs further still and knelt between them, withdrawing his hand and quickly slicking up his own straining dick. He shuffled closer to Daniel and lifted the flushed man's hips so they rested on his knees. Grasping Daniel's ass cheeks firmly, Jack lined up his needy cock and forcing the younger man as wide as he dare, he slid deep inside his body.

Daniel shuddered, adjusting to Jack's girth and welcoming the sharp sting of his lover's claim on him. With a whimpered sigh Daniel hooked his leg around Jack's back, drawing him in still further. Jack lifted Daniel's other leg to rest on his shoulder and strained to reach as far inside Daniel as he could. Daniel tensed his muscles, making the older man hiss as he began to move, gently, incrementally pushing into Daniel's ass.

But Daniel was in no mood to be gentle. With a grunt he pushed back against Jack's next thrust, making Jack shiver. Jack complied with Daniel's unspoken demand and began an insistent pace, pounding into Daniel's body, jerking him up the blanket with each thrust. Sweat poured from both men, making their skin glisten in the clear sunlight.

Jack felt the waves of his orgasm begin to magnify, building deep within him. A glance at his lover's screwed up face told Jack that Daniel was as close as he was, and with a fierce joy he let himself go.

Daniel could feel each rough glide of Jack's cock over his prostate; the heat of each connection sending sparks of white fire into his brain. Suddenly Jack's rhythm became even more frenzied and when the burn of Jack's climax exploded inside him, Daniel came too, hard and long and screaming Jack's name.

Soft kisses on his eyelids brought Daniel back to the here and now. Jack was smiling smugly into his face.

"With horses watching,"; Jack sniggered.

"Whaaaaa...?"; Daniel frowned.

"Number 43 – in the desert, by a rock, after breakfast, on a red and blue picnic blanket... with horses watching,"; Jack beamed. Daniel groaned and tried to hide his face in his lover's chest. Sure enough, both horses were curiously peering at the sweaty, naked men, idly flicking their tails and twitching their ears.

Jack kissed Daniel's head and gave him a bone cracking and exuberant hug, before swatting his ass and climbing back into his clothes and advising Daniel to do the same before he got sunburned.

They sat, snuggled together in the shade of the ridge despite the growing heat of the day and finished some more of BJ's spread.

"I do know that I'm more to you than a tumble, Jack,"; Daniel told the older man, who was attacking his fourth breakfast roll with renewed relish.

Jack stopped chewing and swallowed, taken aback by Daniel's return to their earlier conversation. "Good, because I'm probably piss poor at showing it, " he smiled wryly.

Daniel ran his fingers through Jack's silver hair. "You're just fine, Jack, "he told him gently.

They finished up the coffee and watched the colours of the rocks change and shift as the sun climbed higher into the sky.

"What's number 45?"; Daniel asked suddenly, breaking the quiet, contemplative pause.

Jack smirked and whispered in Daniel's ear. Daniel's eyebrows shot up into his hairline and he huffed in surprise.

"You know you really should see someone about your exhibitionist tendencies, Jack,"; the surprised young man muttered as Jack relaxed back on the blanket with a mile wide grin.

Daniel sniffed the dregs at the bottom of the flask morosely. The remnants of breakfast had been finished and the last of the raspberry stickiness had been sucked from each other's fingers. With a sigh, Jack stood up, popping his muscles before reaching down and reluctantly hauling his archaeologist to his feet. "We need to skedaddle before it gets too hot, " Jack apologised to Daniel's pouty expression.

"Too late for that,"; Daniel smirked, sotto voce.

The sun was becoming warmer by the minute and the droning buzz of the insects seemed to become louder with each passing moment. With an ease born of breaking camp on a hundred different planets, the two men moved around each other, clearing up without ever getting in each other's way.

"What's this?' Daniel asked, pulling a folded piece of notepaper from the picnic basket as he loaded the plates and cups. Jack shrugged and Daniel opened the note to find a small, tidy script.

One of the boys will be back later to pick up the basket and blanket. Hope everything met with your satisfaction!

The palomino is Kippi. She's the boss and she knows her way home, in case you've forgotten, Jack.

LJ is a sweet natured SOB, who does as Kippi says.

See you later.

BJ

P.S. If he doesn't answer to LJ, try calling him Jack. LJ is short for Little Jack and being a bit slow appears to go with the name.

Daniel grinned broadly at him as he finished reading the note aloud. Jack piled the ice bucket and the blanket on top of the basket with a testy thump. He muttered something under his breath as Daniel turned to eye the horses balefully and winced reflexively. "You know it's been a while since I've ridden, " he said thoughtfully.

"Come on, Daniel, I know you can ride a camel, a horse has to be easier. Less stinky too.";

"I didn't say I couldn't, I said it had been a while,"; Daniel corrected the older man waspishly. "You know, I think I'll walk for a way, I've had enough Jacks to ride for one day."; He grinned cheekily at Jack and took the reins of the bored horse.

Untying Kippi, Jack decided to let that one slide. It was Daniel's birthday, after all.

Turning their heads towards the sun, the two men began walking, their shoulders brushing and their hands entwined.

"You know, Daniel, I'm not saying we have to do it now...but No.61 is on horseback, " Jack began. Daniel gave Jack a look, which needed no explanation, and the colonel subsided with a smug grin. "Never mind, " Jack said airily and shrugged his shoulders.

" You're never going to be able to top this birthday, "Daniel observed after a few moments. He smiled warmly into his lover's eyes, a look of affection mixed with satisfaction written on his happy face.

"Get back to me on that next year,"; Jack smirked, never a man to ignore a challenge.

The rich smells of the dessert and the now constant noise of crickets and the horses' hooves lulled the two men and they soon relented, gently lowering themselves into their saddles, wearily.

"Hey, Jack, we're riding off into the sunset together. "

"Don't be ridiculous, Daniel. It's barely 11 am.";

"It's the principle of the thing and anyway we've been up for hours, it feels like it should be sunset.";

"It's a cliché and we both know how I feel about those.";

"But it's my birthday...can we just have one?";

"Okay, one, " Jack relented, "last one to the Visitor Centre gets gagged and blindfolded."

"That is so not a cliché."

"Is too."

"Is not."

"Daniellll...";

"Jaaaaaack...";

Fin

Author's Note: (Pie) Thanks for reading:-)