To Love, Honour And Obey 2

The Evil That Men Do

by Rubi

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asr/rubi/willpass02.php
Summary: Some one else has designs on Daniel, and will go to any lengths to get him back
Info: With thanks to Toasted Toad for all her help and patience in making these stories what they are

It took Daniel a couple of days to recover fully from his self-imposed fast, but with Jack's attention and care he was soon back on his feet. Jack had wanted to take the zap bracelet off Daniel's wrist, but Daniel had refused to allow him, saying that to him it signified Jack's love for him. The bracelet stayed on. Jack had sent Teal'c away on vacation to visit his son Rya'c. It would give him and Daniel time to get to know each other properly.

The second day after Jack's return, Daniel had felt strong enough to get out of bed with the idea of exploring Jack's home. The room he had been confined to for the last four weeks was only a tiny part of the house. Jack wanted to take him on the grand tour to show Daniel how normal life could be.

Daniel stood next to Jack as he opened the door into the corridor. Jack became aware of Daniel's breathing becoming shallow and rapid, to the point where he was hardly breathing at all.

"Daniel! Are you alright?"

Daniel turned to face Jack, his face ashen. "I can't... I can't do it Jack. I can't go out there. Please don't make me. I want to stay here, in here with you. Out there, there is nothing for me."

Daniel backed away from the door, stumbling as he was overwhelmed by panic to find a safe place. Jack rushed to his side as Daniel bent forward, his breathing rapidly increasing.

"Jack, what's happening to me? I can't feel my hands. Jack, please help me!"

Jack knew he had to calm Daniel down quickly. He sat next to him on the bed.

"Daniel, look at me" Jack's voice was calm but commanding. "You have to bring your breathing down. If you don't you will pass out, okay? That's just nature's way of stopping you breathing so fast. Now follow me: breathe in, breathe out. Good, now purse your lips."

Daniel did his best to follow Jack's instructions, breathing as Jack told him.

"Jack....what's wron....wrong with me?"

Jack knelt in front of Daniel. His knees hurt, but he didn't care. Placing his hands on either side of Daniel's face, he looked into those beautiful blue eyes.

"Daniel, look at me."

Daniel began to panic again, twisting his head out of Jack's hands. Jack held on to Daniel firmly, willing him to concentrate on him alone, to take his mind off his laboured breathing.

"Daniel, you must look at me."

Daniel's eyes were filled with fear. Eventually, Jack could feel Daniel's body relax. His breathing came down to a normal rate, and his lips turned dusky pink. Jack continued to coach Daniel's breathing.

"There, how does that feel now?" Jack smiled as he felt his own body relax.

Daniel nodded, swallowing what little saliva he had to lubricate his dry throat. "Oh my god, what was that?"

Jack found standing a little painful as his knees popped. Daniel held his head in his hands as sweat beaded on his forehead. Sitting next to him on the bed, Jack nudged his elbow gently into Daniel's arm. Daniel looked down to see Jack holding out a glass of cold water to him.

"Here, drink this. You'll feel better"

Daniel took the glass from Jack. His hands shook, spilling drops of water onto both of them.

"I think this is a two handed job babe," Jack laughed. "You had a panic attack, Daniel. It must have been because of what you have been through over the past few weeks. You panicked is all."

Daniel gulped at the water. "But why now? Why when I can leave this room did it happen? Jack, I don't think I can leave this room. I keep thinking that if I leave it, it will all be a dream and I'll be on my own again and you'll be gone."

Tears welled up and brimmed over his eyes, wetting his long lashes, making them even sexier. "I don't want to be alone again, Jack. Please don't let me be alone again."

As Daniel began to sob uncontrollably, Jack took hold of him, cradling him in his arms. "Danny you're not alone. You will never be alone again, I promise Danny, I promise." Jack held Daniel as his body shook with sobs. He lowered his head onto Jack's lap. Jack stroked Daniel's hair until the tears subsided and Jack knew he had fallen into a deep sleep. Even though his back ached, Jack stayed in the same position, still stroking Daniel's hair, trying to imprint in his brain every pore, every blemish and freckle of Daniel's face, committing it to memory. Eventually Jack had no choice: Nature called - very loudly. Carefully, Jack moved Daniel off his lap and onto the bed. In his dreamy state, Daniel moved and repositioned himself on the pillows without waking. Jack lifted Daniel's feet and pulled the covers from under them, and then up over Daniel's body, tucking them in under his chin. Daniel moaned a little as he moved into a more comfortable position. Turning to leave the room, Jack stopped as Daniel called his name.

"JACK, where are you?"

Jack hurried back to the bed. "I'm here Daniel, I'm not going anywhere. I'll be back soon."

~

Jack lay on the bed next to Daniel, his body up close, spooning against him. Daniel stirred.

"Ssshhh sleep now!" Jack buried his face in Daniel's hair, smelling his scent. God, but this man was sexy. Jack opened his eyes to be met by the melting blue orbs of Daniel's eyes.

"Hi," Daniel whispered. His nose wrinkled as he smiled.

"Hi yourself," Jack whispered back.

"Jack, can you tell me something?"

Jack's heart began to beat faster. He wondered if this would be when Daniel would tell him he had changed his mind and wanted to leave. Daniel whispered into Jack's ear, the warm air making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. "Why are we whispering? I mean, we are the only two people in the house, aren't we?"

Jack nodded as he leant forward and kissed Daniel. Jack yawned and stretched as he tried to iron out the kinks in his old muscles.

Jack made sure the bedroom door was left open at all times so Daniel could leave whenever he wanted, but as time went on, Jack became more concerned at Daniel's reluctance to even venture past the doorway.

When Teal'c returned from his vacation, Jack met him at the door.

"O'Neill, it is good to see you". The two men embraced, slapping each other on the back.

"How was your vacation? And Rya'c how was he? I bet he has grown since the last time you were home...."

Teal'c raised his eyebrow at Jack. "O'Neill, you have not mentioned DanielJackson's welfare."

"Oh, you mean how he is, oh he's fine. It's just... he's... he won't come out of the room, for Christ's sake."

Jack poured himself a drink, then walked out onto the deck overlooking the pool. Teal'c followed.

"What do you mean, O'Neill? When we held him captive, he tried on at least two occasions to escape."

Jack took a gulp of his whiskey, leaning with his hands on the fence rail that edged the decking. He swirled the cut crystal glass around looking deep into the amber fluid as he spoke. "Yeah, go figure. I go to all the trouble of abducting him, building an impenetrable fortress of a home, and all it took to keep him here was me messin' with his mind. Hey, I could have done all that by stalking him. That would have sent him over the edge." Jack wiped his hand across his face and sniffed. He was determined not to let Teal'c see him getting upset.

"It is clear to anyone who knows you O'Neill that you love DanielJackson very much. It was your love that caused you to bring him here, and it was that same love that made you set him free."

Finishing off his whiskey, Jack walked back into the house, "All this..." Jack gestured wildly with the whiskey glass, "... all of this means squat to me if I can't share it with Daniel. He needs help... professional help... and I'm going to get him some."

Teal'c took the glass from Jack's hand "You need to be seated O'Neill or I fear you may harm yourself."

Jack laughed. It was more of a drunken snort, really. "You think I'm drunk, don't you?"

"I think that you have not consumed alcohol for many months and that the volume of whiskey you have just consumed is enough to put you in a self-pitying mood. Is it not DanielJackson who needs your pity at this moment O'Neill?"

Jack fell backwards onto a large leather armchair, his eyes closing in an alcohol induced sleep as he muttered, "Indeed Teal'c, indeed." As Jack began to snore, Teal'c realised that Jack was exhausted from sleepless days and nights watching over Daniel. Now he was back, he would watch over both of them.

~

Jack screwed the fax up into a tight ball and threw it into the trash can. Teal'c was fixing breakfast for the three of them. "You must go O'Neill; many people are relying on you for their livelihood. You have been working on this takeover for many months."

Jack frowned. "I don't care about other people, Teal'c. That man in there is all I care about right now." Jack pointed to Daniel's room. His voice changed to a whisper so as not to disturb Daniel. "Daniel needs me".

Teal'c poked at the eggs scrambling in the pan. "I can look after DanielJackson for you. I will make sure he is safe and well cared for. You can fly out this afternoon - I will have the Jet made ready for you. You could be in Rome by tomorrow morning and back within three days."

Jack knew he had a duty to the people who worked for him, and he never liked to neglect his work. All he had to do now was tell Daniel he was leaving...

The three men sat down to breakfast in Daniel's room. Teal'c motioned with his eyes for Jack to tell Daniel about his trip. Jack made a point of not looking at Teal'c. Daniel felt the tension between the two men.

"Jaaacckk" Jack hastily swallowed his mouthful of eggs. "Jack what's going on?"

Jack threw a warning stare at Teal'c.

"O'Neill has something to tell you, DanielJackson."

Daniel put his knife and fork down on his plate. "Apparently you have something to tell me, Jack"

Jack never normally pouted, but this was as good a time as any to start. "Teal'c is wrong, Daniel." Daniel was the expert on pouting, his lower lip taking on a life of its own - full and luscious. "Oh alright, I have to go away for a short while."

Daniel looked bewildered. "Jack you said you wouldn't..."

Teal'c stood up and began to clear the dishes onto a tray. With a gracious nod of his head he left the two men to their discussion.

"Then come with me, Danny. You said you liked Rome."

"Rome, Jack.... You're going to Rome? No I can't do it, Jack. I can't leave here... this room... I can't.... don't make me".

Jack felt as if his heart would break. "I have a duty, Danny, to the people I employ. They're like family. If I don't go we may lose the contract. Danny, please come with me?"

Daniel tried his best to smile to reassure Jack. "I understand, you have to go. How long will you be away?"

Jack leant back in his chair clasping his hands behind his head "Oh, about three or four days."

Daniel could feel panic taking hold of his very soul. Jack had left him before for that length of time and it had almost killed him.

Steepling his hands together, Jack continued, "Teal'c will stay to take care of you and I've arranged for a friend of mine to come and talk to you."

Daniel cocked his head at the mention of a 'friend'.

"What sort of a friend, Jack?"

"Just a friend. I thought you might want to talk to someone else about your problem."

Daniel laughed mockingly "My problem! Talk about my problem! You mean talk about the fact that I can't leave this fucking room, that I cry like a baby when I even think about it. Shit, Jack, you've got me a god damn shrink, haven't you? You think I'm crazy... go on, say it."

Jack stood up, pushing his chair over as he did. "No Daniel, I don't think you're crazy. What I do think is that I pushed you too hard and too fast and that I am responsible for your... condition."

Daniel shook his head. "Well isn't that a nice word for it - my 'condition'... But of course you should go... please GO!"

Jack didn't say goodbye to Daniel. He waited for the Limousine outside the house, giving Teal'c his last minute instructions.

"He likes those Walnut cookies from that bakers on Maple, and I've ordered some more DVD's for him and, oh, don't let him kid you that he's okay to stay up all night and translate. He isn't, but he will try and kid you."

Teal'c's mouth turned up at the corners. "Shall I also sing him a lullaby O'Neill?" Teal'c opened the Limousine door as it came to a stop. "The Rome office will send a car to meet you when you land. It will take you to the Bella Rosti Hotel."

Jack wound down the window. "You know, you're getting very snarky. Take good care of him for me"

Teal'c nodded. "Indeed."

~~

The plane landed at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport ten hours after take-off. Jack was thankful that the journey had gone smoothly. Having his own jet meant he wasn't disturbed by screaming babies or old ladies trying to tell him their life stories. He was refreshed, but missing Daniel. He vowed to phone him just as soon as he reached the hotel. As the jet taxied to a deserted part of the airport, Jack watched as a black Mercedes drew up next the plane. The cabin door opened and he grabbed his briefcase, heading for the stairs. As he stood at the top of the stairs he took his Ray Ban sunglasses out of his jacket pocket and with a slight flick of his wrist extended the arms of the frames, slipping them on. He looked forward to changing into more suitable clothes at the hotel. The liveried chauffeur opened the rear passenger door and Jack skipped quickly down the stairs and into the car. As the car moved away, Jack turned to see a confused baggage handler holding his suitcases. Turning back, Jack pressed the intercom button to speak to the driver, who he prayed could speak English. "We appear to have left my suitcases behind."

The driver spoke perfect English with an Italian accent "Si, Mr O'Neill, they will be delivered to your hotel a little later. Please sit back and enjoy the scenery."

Jack had always relied on his gut instincts even when it came to business deals. If things didn't feel right then they weren't right. He had been known to pull out of a deal at the eleventh hour on his gut instinct, and now his gut told him something was wrong. Usually he was met at the airport by his European head of business, Marco. Pressing the intercom again, he asked the chauffeur to turn the car around and go back to the airport. The chauffeur did not reply. Jack leant forward and tapped on the blacked-out glass screen "Excuse me, could you open this thing up? I need to talk to you."

At that moment, the car accelerated, the inertia pushing him backwards into the seat. Scrambling back up, he began to hammer on the glass again. "I think there has been a mistake."

From the intercom came a second voice. It wasn't the same man. "Mr O'Neill, please just sit back. We will be at our destination soon, and please do not try to open the car doors, they are locked."

"Of course they are," Jack whispered to himself.

~~

Daniel wanted to prove to Jack and to himself that he could overcome his fear, but the closer he got to leaving the room the more the voices in his head began to torment him with their whispers 'You know you can't do it,' the voices would mock him. 'Go back, you'll be safe in there. He can't find you, no one knows you're there.' Daniel hit his clenched fist against the side of his head, trying to stop the voices tormenting him.

Hearing Teal'c's footsteps, Daniel hurried to sit at the table, drying his eyes on his tee shirt as best he could.

"DanielJackson, I have prepared your favourite meal - macaronicheese. I will join you if that is acceptable."

Daniel nodded. Teal'c sat opposite him, placing a plate in front of Daniel.

As Daniel pushed his food around the plate, Teal'c stopped eating and watched Daniel. "Is it not to your liking DanielJackson?"

Daniel scooped up a fork full of macaroni and put it in his mouth. "No it's fine Teal'c, really it's good, see?" Daniel ate another forkful. "Has Jack called yet?"

"Not as yet, I will call him after dinner. How are you feeling today DanielJackson? Is there anything you need?"

Daniel shook his head in reply "You don't have to baby me Teal'c, I can guess what Jack said to you."

"O'Neill only has your best interests..."

Daniel interrupted him "Teal'c, can we please talk about something else?"

Teal'c was never one for pulling his punches, he had always believed in straight talking. That had not gone down well with his superiors in Special Forces - they had seen him as a loose cannon. It was that same straight talking that had made him and Jack such good friends.

"If you need my help DanielJackson I would be only too happy to help you."

Running his hands through his hair, Daniel held them out towards Teal'c. "Goddamit Teal'c, don't you think I've tried?"

Teal'c's face remained devoid of any emotion. "I have no doubt you may well have attempted to rectify your situation, but I do believe I may have found a simpler solution to your problem. We will begin your therapy tomorrow".

Jack looked at his watch - they had been travelling for over an hour. He could do nothing to draw attention to his predicament. Before he had gotten into the car he had handed his briefcase with his phone in it to the driver. Jack could only sit back and wonder what they wanted with him.

As the car drew to a halt Jack looked out of the window. The tall white-washed walls went on in both directions as far as he could see. He could hear muffled voices speaking Italian. God, how he wished Daniel were here - Daniel could speak six languages fluently, Italian being one of them. Then he admonished himself. No, he was glad Daniel wasn't with him. Instead, he was safe at home with Teal'c.

~~

Teal'c could not hide his concern as he entered Daniel's room. Daniel had waited as patiently as he could for Teal'c to return with news of Jack.

"I am sorry DanielJackson, I am unable to locate the whereabouts of O'Neill. The Rome office has informed me that the car they sent to meet the plane arrived to find O'Neill had already left. The crew informed them that he was picked up by a black Mercedes."

Daniel began to feel sick. "Did he book in to the hotel?"

Teal'c shook his head. "I am sorry DanielJackson, but O'Neill cannot be found"

Daniel paced the floor of his room, wringing his hands in frustration "Dammit Teal'c, there must be something we can do."

Teal'c sat impassively in an armchair "I will fly to Rome myself. The Lear is on its way back as we speak. The police in Rome have commenced investigations into his disappearance. I will assist them."

Daniel's pacing increased as he became more and more agitated. "I should have gone with him. I should have had the guts to walk out the fucking door with him. He would be safe with me now."

Teal'c turned his head to look at Daniel "No, DanielJackson. The same fate that has befallen O'Neill would have befallen you as well."

Daniel stopped suddenly "Then you think that something bad has happened to him?"

But he couldn't know. How could he?

"It is my opinion that O'Neill has been taken, possibly for a ransom. O'Neill is a man of some substance, DanielJackson."

Daniel was tired. He had paced the floor for almost an hour - the most exercise he had done in weeks. "I have to get out of this damn room, Teal'c. I have to find him. I can't lose him, not now. I love him so much."

Daniel halted abruptly. He loved Jack? Where had that come from? He knew that he needed him, but Jack had taken him, imprisoned him, just like.... But no, it was not the same. Jack had not forced him. He had, in the end, let him make his own choices. In the weeks since Jack had opened the door to freedom, he had come to know him – his humour, his tenderness. He didn't know when it had happened, but love had crept up on him unawares.

Teal'c stood up "Then I will help you." Teal'c's take on Daniels problem was simple: if Daniel could not leave the room because he feared what was beyond the door, then he would help him overcome that fear the only way he knew how - by direct action.

~~

The small cellar Jack had been taken to was below ground–level, the only light came from a single bare light bulb hanging from the low ceiling. To Jack it looked like something out of a bad 'B' movie. Tapping the light with his finger set it swinging to and fro casting exaggerated shadows across the room; dark became light and light became dark.

From outside the room came the sound of raised voices. Jack banged on the wooden door with his fist. "Hey guys, could I talk to someone in charge, only I think someone made a big mistake here and I just want to clear things up. Hey, can anyone hear me? Hey, fellers."

The sound of a metal bolt being drawn back made Jack jump. Jack braced himself to fight whoever came through the door first. His fist made contact with someone's jaw as he grappled with the large figure that came towards him. The pain of the heavy blow to the side of his head sent him staggering towards the far wall. Slumping against it he slid down to the floor. "Oww, Jesus that really hurt."

Tentatively, Jack touched the side of his head, inspecting his fingers. He rubbed them together as he felt the sticky wetness of the blood from the wound in his scalp. The figure now towering above him eclipsed the single light. Jack held his hand to the laceration which bled profusely. Footsteps sounded on the concrete floor, and Jack knew he had more visitors.

"Get him to his feet." The voice was male and American - the slight Italian inflection was definitely New York Bronx.

Two men roughly pulled Jack to his feet. "Hey easy...easy, anyone got a Tylenol, because I tell yeh my head is going to explode." Jack knew the sound of a gun being cocked, but the sensation of cold steel against his temple – now, that was new.

"Sit down, Jack." The friendliness of the command took Jack by surprise.

"Do I know you?" Jack replied hesitatingly. In the shadows, Jack could just make out a shape.

Stepping out from the darkness the man repeated, "Sit down, Jack. We need to have a little talk, you and I."

Jack sat on the chair someone had pressed into the back of his knees - a heavy hand on his shoulder made sure he stayed there. The man in front of him was a veritable Adonis: tall, dark and most definitely handsome - but not as handsome as his Daniel. The man pulled up another chair. Taking a pure white cotton handkerchief from the pants pocket of his Armani suit, he flicked it over the wooden seat. Small clouds of dust rose then settled back again.

"My name is Cameron Mitchell, but my friends call me Cam. And to answer your question – no, we haven't met but we do share a common... interest."

Jack looked at the man in front of him. If he didn't have Daniel, this man would definitely be on his 'Would do' list.

"An interest, you say. Is it diving, or... I do like macramé?"

Mitchell laughed. "I can see why he likes you; he always did like them with a sense of humour."

Somewhere deep in his brain, a connection was beginning to form. "Who sees what in me?" Jack asked.

Mitchell smiled and licked his lips "Why, Daniel of course!"

~~

Teal'c had prepared his plan meticulously, packing a bag for both him and Daniel. The Lear was ready and waiting - all that was left was to say goodnight to Daniel. Daniel was sitting on his bed, his knees drawn up close to his body, his arms wrapped tightly around them, rocking slowly back and forth.

"I am leaving soon, DanielJackson. It is not too late to come with me."

Daniel's rocking increased "I want to Teal'c, oh god I really want too but...."

Teal'c held out a glass of red wine to Daniel. "Then please drink with me to the safe return of O'Neill."

Daniel took the wine and clinked glasses with Teal'c. "To the safe return of Jack." Daniel gulped down the full glass of wine, passing the empty glass back to Teal'c.

"That is good, DanielJackson"

Daniel got off the bed "What's good? I only drank a glass of red...Teal'c, you never...not the wine, not again.... shit Teal'c, why?"

Teal'c caught Daniel as he fell. "I am truly sorry DanielJackson, but this is the only way."

Daniel's vision was the first thing to go, and then his muscles lost co-ordination as he tried to free himself from Teal'c's arms. Finally, just before his hearing went, the sound of people talking and the squeak of wheels in need of oil permeated the darkness.

~~

Jack snorted "I don't know any Daniel."

Mitchell rolled his eyes. "Jack...Jack...Jack. I know you have Daniel, and I want him back. You see, there's a little restaurant just off the Piazza della Repubblica. They serve the most delicious Lasagne al Forno with white truffles - which, by the way, is Daniel's favourite dish. We used to eat there often. So when he disappeared I asked the owner to let me know at once if anyone ever ordered that dish. And what do you know, six weeks ago someone not only ordered the dish, but the Chef as well, to be flown to the good old US of A - one Jack O'Neill. Now you may call me cynical, but I just had to find out who Mr J O'Neill was and - guess what - it was you."

Jack felt the bump on his head and grimaced. "That proves nothing."

Mitchell turned his head and laughed. "You have him, Jack, and I want him back. We had a special relationship, he and I."

Jack could feel his hands tighten into fists - there was a twelve month gap in Daniel's life that couldn't be accounted for. Daniel had come to Rome to study, and then disappeared for a year. Perhaps Cam Mitchell was the reason why.

~~

Teal'c made sure Daniel was safely strapped to the stretcher. With the amount of the drug Teal'c had given him, Daniel would not awaken until half way across the Atlantic.

~

The handcuffs cut into Jack's wrists. Mitchell had taken that precaution - the last thing he needed was Jack beating the crap out of him.

Motioning to the other two men to leave the room, he barked his orders, "Wait outside until I call you."

Turning back to Jack, Mitchell slipped off his jacket, hanging it carefully off the back of the chair. "He is a good fuck isn't he...? Daniel, I mean. Those tight abs and that pert round ass just begging to be... oh, but who am I telling... I mean, you must have..."

Jack lowered his eyes. He and Daniel hadn't got to that stage of their relationship yet. He'd wanted to wait until Daniel was ready.

Mitchell threw his head back and laughed mockingly. "Ha... don't tell me you and Daniel haven't... God, that must have nearly killed you, keeping your hands off that body. We used to screw all night long... and I mean all night. We'd start with touching each other..." Mitchell stroked down Jack's face with the back of his hand. Jack moved his head away from his touch. Mitchell retaliated by hitting Jack full force with the back of his hand, splitting Jack's lip. Jack spat the blood that had collected in his mouth onto the floor. It landed close to Mitchell's handmade leather shoes.

"Don't do that, Jack. See, I'm trying to be... nice to you, to share my love for Daniel with you."

Mitchell roughly grabbed Jack's jaw. Jack resisted, pulling his head away, knowing that his reward could be another slap. Wiping his thumb across the still bleeding wound, Mitchell then put his thumb into his own mouth, sucking the fresh blood from it. "You see Jack, Daniel was the same at first; a little standoffish. I like to play rough, and Daniel... well... he's very gentle and sensitive, so we balanced each other out. He was Ying to my Yang... but I digress. Where was I? Oh yes - sometimes Daniel needed a little encouragement to play." Mitchell slid off the chair and knelt in front of Jack, pushing Jack's knees apart. Jack resisted and tried to keep his knees together. Mitchell sat back on his haunches. "Jack, I could call my guys back in to help, but that would mean we wouldn't be alone. And let me tell you, those guys - they're not gentle. You could end up with a broken knee. So what do you say?"

Jack reluctantly relaxed his legs as Mitchell began to unfasten his belt and the buttons on the waistband of his pants. Jack squirmed uneasily as Mitchell slowly unzipped his pants. "You see Jack, I believe in sharing, just like I shared Daniel with some of my more discerning friends."

Jack flinched at the idea of what this psychopath had done to his Daniel, but now to find out he had prostituted him as well... No wonder Daniel was so mixed up. Mitchell began to slide Jack's pants and shorts down over his hips, exposing Jack's cock.

Mitchell continued to slide Jack's pants down. "I can see you have kept yourself fit, Jack." Leaning forward, Mitchell's hot breath ghosted over Jack's cock. Jack felt himself react involuntarily to the stimulation as his cock twitched and blood began to flow into it, engorging it. "Oh Jack, I can see we are going to have a really good time together, you and I."

Mitchell's tongue licked slowly from Jack's balls all the way up the shaft to the head of his cock, lingering to taste the dew drop of pre-cum that waited for him at the readily engorged head. Jack strained to resist pulling on the handcuffs that secured his wrists behind him. Mitchell was an expert, taking his time to lick and suck Jack's balls, giving each his attention in turn. Jack arched his back and gasped as Mitchell enveloped Jack's cock with his soft warm mouth, twisting his tongue expertly around the leaking head.

"Please don't do this...please," Jack gasped as Mitchell increased the rhythm, pumping Jack with his mouth and hand, taking Jack in deeper and deeper. Jack knew this would end only one way though he fought not to come, but as a wave of pleasure surged through his body, he screamed Daniel's name as he came in hot bursts. Mitchell swallowed every last precious drop, lapping up the last of it from around the purple head. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand he pulled Jack's head down to his. At first, Jack resisted, but then gave in and met Mitchell's mouth with his own. As Mitchell forced his tongue between Jack's clenched teeth, Jack could taste himself, taste his own cum... and it tasted good. And Jack hated himself for that very reason.

~~

Teal'c rested back against the leather headrest of the seat. They were halfway across the Atlantic Ocean and Daniel had slept strapped securely onto the stretcher. Daniel groaned as he began to wake from his drug-induced sleep. "Cam... no, please!!"

Teal'c unfastened his lap belt and walked the short distance to the rear of the jet to check on Daniel. Daniel was pulling against the straps that held him safely on the stretcher.

"DanielJackson, you are awake." Daniel opened and closed his eyes, trying to focus on the face above him. Teal'c took Daniel's glasses from his shirt pocket and slipped them carefully on Daniel's face.

Daniel breathed a sigh of relief "Oh it's you, Teal'c."

The sides of Teal'c's mouth turned slightly up. "It is I, DanielJackson. Who is Cam?" Teal'c unbuckled the straps around Daniel's body, helping him to get up and leading him to a seat. "I will get you some refreshment DanielJackson".

Daniel gratefully took the glass of cold water from Teal'c, drinking it down in one go. "I never imagined I would be saying this again so soon, but where I'm I?"

Teal'c took the empty glass from Daniel and refilled it, handing it back to him, "We are in O'Neill's Lear Jet flying at 35,000 feet above the Atlantic Ocean on our way to Italy to find O'Neill."

Daniel took his glasses off and pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. It gave him time to think. "So we're not in Kansas anymore? How did you get me out of my room? Goddamit Teal'c, you tricked me."

"I am sorry DanielJackson, but had I not sedated you then you would never have left your room, and the longer that lasted, the worse it would have been for you and O'Neill. This way I have taken the choice away from you. You have left the room."

Daniel fought hard to stop the fear that rose unabated in his throat. Teal'c could see Daniel was shaking with the effort of keeping control of his emotions.

"Perhaps DanielJackson if you could try to meditate that would help you control your fears. We could concentrate on breathing techniques. I will help you if you wish?"

Daniel nodded his head, his face pale in the harsh light.

"I will first ask the cabin crew to dim the lights." Teal'c nodded his head to Daniel as he walked to the back of the plane. Daniel could hear muffled voices then the lights dimmed to a more comfortable level. Teal'c returned and sat in the chair opposite Daniel. "You must relax, DanielJackson, and let your mind empty."

Daniel opened his eyes again to remonstrate with Teal'c "How do I do that when Jack's missing?"

Teal'c continued "Please close your eyes DanielJackson and listen only to my voice. If you do not then this exercise is futile."

Daniel consided himself well and truly admonished. Closing his eyes, he tried not to think of Jack lost and alone.

~~

Mitchell had left Jack sitting in the chair in the cellar and returned to the comfort of the villa above ground. The villa was large and opulent. He liked nice things and he liked to surround himself with beauty, and what he owned he liked to keep. That's why losing Daniel caused him so much pain, and when he was in pain he made sure everyone else suffered.

Pouring himself a drink he downed it in one. Taking his phone from his pocket he redialled the last number and spoke "Ciao, Marco. Has the jet landed yet? Three more hours... And you have made reservations at the hotel for my Daniel and the other man... what's his name... yeah... Teal'c. I'll send some of my men over to the hotel to keep watch, but I want Daniel back with me by tomorrow afternoon at the latest. Teal'c... I'll dispose of him."

Flicking the phone closed, Mitchell smiled. He would soon have his greatest prize back with him - his beautiful Daniel.

Jack would willingly have killed Cam Mitchell where he stood for what he had done to Daniel, but his greatest guilt of all was his own for what he had put Daniel through. No wonder he had reacted to him the way he had. All he had succeeded in doing was bringing back terrible memories best left buried. Mitchell was one of those thankfully rare people who revelled in others' pain - physical, emotional and mental. Jack had no idea of how long he had been in the cellar but he hoped he had been missed when he failed to make contact with Teal'c, and that Teal'c would be on his way to rescue him soon. Jack hoped Teal'c had kept his disappearance from Daniel, and that either Sam or Vala were looking after him until he got back. Then he would get Daniel the professional help he needed and had promised him. But right now, sitting in the cellar with his trousers around his knees, he felt something he had never felt before: He felt vulnerable. The door squeaked as it opened and two of Mitchell's heavies walked in. Jack flinched as they walked behind him, until he felt the turn of the key that unlocked the handcuffs. His shoulders ached as he brought his hands around in front of him, massaging his wrists, the ring of bruises the only evidence of Mitchell's assault on him. Jack fixed his pants as the two men pulled him to his feet.

"Mr Mitchell wants you kept upstairs at his pleasure." Both of the men looked at each other and grinned. Re-cuffing his hands in front of him, they led Jack up the narrow stairs from the cellar into the main body of the villa. Jack blinked and held his hands up to his eyes shielding them from the bright glare of the sun which flooded through the large open windows. Pushing him forward, the men took him up a large grand staircase. As he approached the top, he looked over into the hallway below. Mitchell was standing watching him. Mitchell held a cut crystal whisky tumbler. Holding it up towards Jack, he nodded. "To my latest acquisition."

Jack felt his blood freeze in his veins. Mitchell had no intention of ransoming him, and he knew if Mitchell ever got his hands on Daniel as well, neither of them would leave the villa alive.

Teal'c's voice was calm and soothing as he helped Daniel to meditate, "Empty your mind of all things, DanielJackson. Let the darkness wash over you, find in it the peace and comfort you desire, for it is only from that which is within that we learn to control that which is without."

Daniel snorted, trying to stifle a giggle.

"You do not find meditation helpful DanielJackson?"

Daniel cleared his throat "Erm...no Teal'c it's not that. It's just...within, without...what's that all about?"

Teal'c inhaled deeply. "Perhaps you are not at a stage where meditation is the route you should follow."

Daniel knew he had succeeded in insulting Teal'c sensibilities "No Teal'c, I do feel better, really I do. I will follow your instructions. Where did you learn to meditate? It's not something I would expect you to do."

Teal'c opened his eyes. "I learnt it when I 'lived' in China for a while. I have found it very useful in stressful situations such as yours."

Daniel cocked his head to one side. "Such as mine?" Daniel queried

"I too have spent time in captivity DanielJackson, as a 'guest' of the Chinese government, my own government having disavowed all knowledge of my existence. I was left for three years in a prison in Henan."

Daniel didn't want to bring up bad memories for Teal'c, but his interest had been stirred. "I'm sorry, Teal'c. How did you escape?"

Teal'c lowered his head. "I did not escape DanielJackson, it was O'Neill. He negotiated my release as part of a major deal he was making with the Chinese government. I have been with him ever since. I owe him my life."

Daniel knew then why he had fallen in love with Jack, and how much Jack must love him - enough to go against everything he believed in just to be with him.

"You are required to fasten your seatbelt now DanielJackson, the plane is about to land."

~~

Jack had been in the shower for half an hour trying to scrub the feel and taste of Mitchell off of him, but no amount of scrubbing could rid him of the guilt he felt betraying Daniel's love. Despite everything, he had come, and enjoyed it, when Mitchell had gone down on him. All the time it was happening, all he could think of was that it was Daniel kissing him, Daniel touching him. He didn't know if this made the act seem better or worse.

~

Mitchell closed his phone. Daniel was back in Rome, and soon to be back with him. He shouted orders at his staff; he wanted fresh flowers in Daniel's room and a delivery of Lasagne from Daniel's favourite restaurant. But first, a representative from a drugs cartel in Colombia had arrived to discuss a business deal for laundering money through his companies. A sixty/forty split would earn him a good profit.

As he walked back into the bedroom, Jack found a suit of clothes laid out on the bed. They weren't his usual casual jeans and tee shirt, but very up-market light beige and linen. Jack baulked at the idea of wearing clothes that Mitchell had chosen for him, but it was either that or the bath towel he had wrapped around his waist: Someone had been in the room while he was showering and taken his old clothes.

When constructing Daniel's room, Jack had gone to great pains to make it escape proof. Mitchell had been just as thorough – the sick bastard.

The windows were hermetically sealed, the door was the only way in and out. Mitchell had taken great care to decorate the room to Jack's taste: Pictures of iconic buildings graced the pale walls - the decoration was typical American male macho.

Daniel stood at the exit door from the jet. The warm moist air smelt familiar. Rome, it smelled of Rome. A voice from behind startled him. It was Teal'c.

"Is something the matter DanielJackson?"

Daniel shook his head. "No...nothings' wrong, just trying to sieve a few memories that's all."

Teal'c pushed past Daniel. "I will go first, DanielJackson."

Daniel followed Teal'c down the steep stairs and onto the tarmac below. Daniel looked up at the sky and suddenly felt very small. His breathing became shallow. Battling to keep from hyperventilating, Daniel closed his eyes as he got into the back seat of the car.

"Are you in need of assistance, DanielJackson?"

Daniel kept his eyes closed, his head relaxed back. He held up his right index finger to silence Teal'c. Daniel was in his happy place. It was a place he had been to many times. He kept people there locked away in his mind safe and secure. His mom and dad were there, as was Jack, holding out his arms to him safe and sound. To Teal'c watching, the young man's face appeared to glow with a passion.

His first time out in the real world for months, and he was finding it very hard not to run away into a corner and disappear. How was he ever to hope to find Jack?

Teal'c and Daniel were taken straight to their suites. Teal'c made sure Daniel's room was secure before bidding him goodnight, with instructions to shout out for him if he needed anything. When Daniel had informed him that he was a big boy now, Teal'c nodded in acceptance, only stopping to acknowledge the fact that Jack would be very upset with him if anything were to happen to Daniel.

Daniel unpacked his bag, then double checked that Teal'c had closed and locked all the windows and doors. Only then did he feel safe enough to sleep in his beloved, hated, city.

~~

Jack had been summoned to dine with Mitchell. The two guards who accompanied him showed him the guns and Tasars they both carried in their jackets - a sort of 'don't mess with us' warning. Jack was hungry, so having dinner with Mitchell was no hardship - so long as he kept his hands to himself, that was. The guards stopped at the door to the dining room. Opening the door, Jack walked in. Mitchell was already sitting at the table, a glass of wine in his hand.

"Come in Jack, please sit" Mitchell motioned to a chair at the end of the elegant table.

Jack liked the finer things in life and so, it seemed, did Mitchell. The 1985 Chateau Petrus Pomerol which Jack also had in his wine cellar was at last count $2,500 a bottle. Mitchell poured Jack a glass. Jack held his glass up to the light of the chandelier above the table. Tilting it slightly, he inspected the wine. Its colour and the depth of the lush red warmth made him want to taste the wine, but caution stopped him.

"Drugged?" he asked Mitchell.

"Jack, would I spoil an expensive bottle of wine by doing something as base as that? No Jack, the wine isn't drugged."

Jack was thankful; he needed a drink right now. He downed the glass in one. Jack wasn't impressed by Cam's expensive tastes.

Mitchell grinned. "We are alike, you and I, Jack".

Jack slammed the glass down on the pristine linen table cloth. "I'm nothing like you, Mitchell. I don't get off on forcing others to have sex with me."

Mitchell sipped on his wine. "Come off it Jack, you're no better than I am. You abducted Daniel, for Christ's sake."

Jack's voice became more insistent. "I did that for Daniel's own good. He was on his own..."

Mitchell put his glass down and leaned across the table. "When I met him he was homeless on the streets of Rome, prey to every pervert. I took him away from all that, gave him a home, helped him get back into university..."

"And what did you ask from him in return?"

Mitchell smiled at the memory. "Not much. The occasional fuck, and for him to meet some very special guests with very special requests."

Jack felt nauseous "You bastard. Do you know what you've done to him?"

"No more than what you were going to do to him." Mitchell walked towards Jack holding the bottle of wine. He poured Jack another glass "Oh yes, let me think. Wasn't it you who took him against his will, wasn't it you who imprisoned him, drugged him and then left him?"

Jack knew Mitchell was trying to get a rise out of him, to make him angry "I have loved Daniel from the first moment I saw him, and it is because of that love for him that I have waited for him to come to me. But knowing what I now know of what you did to him, I would be surprised if he wanted anyone to touch him again, ever."

Mitchell sneered "Oh come on Jack, was I that bad? Wasn't it one of the best blow jobs you've ever had?" The door behind Mitchell opened slowly "Ah, saved by the bell Our first course. I hope you like soup, Jack. I'm particularly proud of my chef - I won him in a card game with an Arab Prince. It really pissed the Prince off, I can tell you! Jack, how can I reassure you that I bear you no malice. Why, I should thank you for bringing Daniel back to me. Without your help, I probably would never have found him again."

Jack picked up the soup spoon and began to eat the soup "And how did I do that?"

"Why, by flying the chef in to prepare the dish. The Chef was from Daniel's favourite restaurant, of course. I've had my people looking for Daniel for nearly three years. The connection to your name was enough for me to trace him to the museum. When you set up his disappearance, you made everyone think he had left the country, It took my men six weeks on a wild goose chase to find out that he had not. God Jack but your plan was so damn good"

Jack wiped his mouth on the linen napkin "So you think I still have Daniel locked up back home? I'm sorry to disappoint you Mitchell, but Daniel left me. I gave him some money to keep quiet and he went."

Mitchell closed his eyes. As he opened them, he brought his fist down heavily on the table. The silverware and glasses clattered in distress. "Don't fuck with me, Jack. I know Daniel is still with you, because he's here in Rome, looking for you. And tomorrow I will bring him here and you will tell him you don't love him any more."

Jack threw his napkin onto the table as he stood up "Fuck you! I'll never say that to Daniel. I couldn't"

Doors around the room opened and Mitchell's men poured into the room. Mitchell held up his hand and the men disappeared again.

"SIT DOWN JACK. We're both men of the world. Maybe we could come to some sort of arrangement - a gentlemen's agreement. You tell Daniel he has to stay with me... and I'll let him live. Whaddaya say?"

Jack took another drink of the wine and slumped back in his chair, defeated – at least for the present. An almost indiscernible nod of his head signalled his acquiescence,

~~

Any other time and Daniel would have been happy to wake up in a beautiful hotel suite in the middle of Rome, hearing Saint Peter's bells ringing - but not this morning. Teal'c was hammering on the door. Daniel hurried to open it.

"DanielJackson, I have just received word of O'Neill's whereabouts."

As Daniel opened the door wider, he saw two men standing behind Teal'c. Both had guns in their hands. Teal'c grimaced, and added "They were very insistent that we go with them."

The ride in the car took two hours, as the car took them out of the city and up into the hills that surround Rome. Wrought iron gates rose up in front of them, the car was waved through and the impressive facade of the villa came into view. When the car drew up in front of the villa, the two men got out and opened the passenger doors. Teal'c and Daniel got out and stood side by side. Both put on sunglasses; the sun was at its highest and the car had tinted windows - the light hurt their eyes. As they walked across the marble floor of the entrance hall, Teal'c was pulled away from Daniel. As he turned to object, a P90 was pushed painfully into his ribs. Daniel shook his head at Teal'c.

"I'll be alright Teal'c, you go with them, please."

Daniel was led through the villa and into a large, ornately decorated room. Taking off his sunglasses, Daniel put on his old wire rimmed ones. Looking at the paintings on the walls made Daniel feel less nervous. One in particular caught his eye: It was painted in Renaissance style and depicted two young naked men wrestling on the ground. A serpent was entwined around one man's legs, the other held a golden sword above his head. Both had a look of deep desire in their eyes. The one who held the sword was looking away into the distance. Daniel failed to notice the resemblance. Daniel couldn't take his eyes off the painting. He was so wrapped up in it that he didn't even hear the door open.

"Hello Daniel!"

Daniel could feel his blood turn to dust as his brain did its best to deny the voice it had just heard. He knew that if he turned around to confirm who the voice belonged to, his world would crash down around him. Closing his eyes against the ensuing reality, he bowed his head. Without turning round, he answered "Cam, it's you - you have Jack."

Mitchell walked into the room and sat on the couch. Daniel turned to look at the man that had brought terror to his life. "Why, Cam?"

Mitchell leaned back onto the heavily brocaded expensive piece of antique furniture. Crossing his legs he relaxed, spreading his arms across the back of the couch. He had what he wanted.

"What have you done to Jack?"

"What? No, 'Hi Cam', 'good to see you again Cam', 'sorry I ran out on you Cam and left you when I know you loved me so very, very much'. Hey Daniel, how about starting with that?"

Daniel flinched as Cam raised his voice almost to a scream at the end. He knew what Mitchell was capable of – he even had a few scars to prove it.

"Cam, I need to know what you have done to Jack."

Mitchell's leg began to shake. Daniel knew he was getting annoyed "JACK, JACK, JACK - that's all you want to know about, all you care about. Well, not for much longer." Mitchell beckoned for Daniel to join him on the couch. Trembling, Daniel willed his legs to walk over. He sat next to Mitchell. Turning his head, Mitchell shouted behind him "Bring him in now."

~

Jack had woken up in his room just as the sun rose. Mitchell had sent orders that he was to dress in the clothes he had chosen for him, 'Mother Fuckin' control freak' Jack thought as he showered and dressed. The guards escorted him down to the terrace for breakfast with Mitchell. After dinner the night before, Jack didn't relish having to eat breakfast with him, listening to him going on and on about 'his' Daniel, but he had no choice.

"I have contacted your Rome office. They will have your Jet standing by for immediate departure... after you have done as we agreed."

Jack nodded his head "As we agreed."

A maid came and poured him a cup of coffee. He refused any breakfast, content with watching his adversary across the table. After breakfast Jack was taken to a smaller room just off the dining room and told to wait there. An armed guard made sure of his compliance. He sat and waited.

~~

Daniel thought he knew how Mitchell's mind worked, how heinous he could be... until Jack walked in. Mitchell stood up and went to greet Jack as the two guards led him in, his hands cuffed in front of him. Daniel ran past Mitchell and threw his arms around Jack's neck, kissing him on the lips again and again, knowing that Mitchell would soon stop him from tasting his lover. Mitchell motioned to the guards to remove Daniel from around Jack's neck. Daniel was ready to fight with Jack for their freedom, but as Daniel landed a well aimed punch at one of the men Jack stood by impassively.

"Jack, come on. We can..." The tears in Jack's eyes stopped Daniel from landing his second punch. As Mitchell grabbed Daniel and pushed him back onto the couch, Jack was shoved into an armchair opposite him. Mitchell stood between them and the guards retreated to a respectful distance.

"Now Jack" Mitchell began, "Tell Daniel what you came here to say."

Jack found it hard to swallow past the lump in his throat "Daniel I need...I have to tell you something..."

"Get on with it." Mitchell was becoming inpatient.

"I have to tell you that I don't love you any more..."

Daniel's vision began to blur as tears filled his eyes "NO, NO... Jack that's not true... I know because you told me you love me and I love you. We can be together forever - you said so Jack, you promised."

Jack swallowed again. "Let me finish, Danny, please let me finish. I have to tell you that I don't love you any more....but I can't, Danny because I love so much so very, very much..."

Mitchell's retribution was swift and exacting. Pulling him to his feet he punched Jack in the stomach. As Jack doubled over in pain, Mitchell finished him off with an upper cut to his jaw. Jack slumped back in the chair, barely conscious. Daniel ran to stop Mitchell hitting Jack any more, throwing his body across Jack's.

"Leave him alone, Cam. Leave him alone and I'll come back to you. I'll stay with you and I'll do whatever you want me to do."

Mitchell laughed "I know you will Daniel, I know you will. Take Mr O'Neill back to his room, gentlemen, and make sure he's safe."

Jack came to his senses as he was dragged across the marble floor. Turning back to look at Daniel he shouted "Daniel, don't you let that fucking psychopath anywhere near you, you hear me? Daniel, no matter what he says do not let him touch you, do you hear me Daniel...? Daniel!" Jack's voice disappeared into a faint sound as he was dragged away.

"Cam, you promise you won't hurt him?"

Mitchell sat back down "Well that depends doesn't it, Daniel, on how cooperative you are."

Daniel sat next to Mitchell. As Mitchell moved his head closer to Daniel, Daniel sat impassively, his worst nightmares about to be realised. Cam had him back. Mitchell pushed his tongue deep into Daniel's mouth, poking and playing with Daniel's tongue. Holding Daniel's head in his hands, he began to take small painful bites from Daniel's lower lip, nipping and sucking at the blood then using his tongue to push it back down deeper into Daniel's mouth and throat so Daniel could taste it himself. Daniel knew this was Mitchell's prelude to long and painful sex with him.

At Cam's command, Daniel stood. He knew he had no option but to let himself be undressed by Mitchell, whose favourite method was to use a six inch hunting knife to slowly cut the clothes off Daniel's body. Occasionally, Mitchell would deliberately misjudge a slash or cut and Daniel would wince at the pain, but never complain. He had long ago learnt never to complain and never to say no to anything Mitchell wanted. In his head, Daniel had made a place to hide until after it was all over - somewhere safe.

Mitchell lay Daniel back onto his emperor-sized bed and climbed on top of him, straddling Daniel across his hips, his cock tight against Daniel's body.

Caressing Daniels nipples, he watched his eyes for any emotion, as he twisted them painfully. He knew how to get Daniel back from his so-called safe place. He wanted Daniel there with him and responsive. Leaning down, he licked Daniel's ear and sucked on the lush sweet fleshy earlobe, then he whispered into Daniel's ear "If you don't start playing along I will have Jack brought in here and made to watch as I fuck you. Hey, I could have his eyelids stapled open like Frankie the pig. You remember Frankie - he's the one that helped you escape from me."

Daniel gasped. Frankie had taken pity on him and helped him escape. He had hoped Cam wouldn't find out it was him. Daniel nodded and lifted his arms up. Circling Mitchell's neck he brought him closer in and kissed him gently on the mouth. Mitchell grabbed Daniel and flipped him over onto his front. Grabbing the manacles from the nightstand he secured Daniel to the bed. Daniel braced himself, this was the thing of nightmares for Daniel. The dark recesses of his mind held the painful memories, he avoided those places, and now here he was awake and about to be part of them once more.

"Cam listen to me please..." Daniel pleaded.

Mitchell was too preoccupied to listen.

"Cam the lube... please use the lube this time...remember last time - the hospital, the questions"

Mitchell nodded to himself and shrugged his shoulders "Okay, if you insist. Spread em Danny boy, oh come to papa."

Mitchell grabbed Daniel around the waist and lifted him up, stuffing a pillow under his hips so Daniel's pert round pink ass was level with his leaking cock.

"Erm...Cam could we take this slowly only it's been a long time since..."

Mitchell stroked Daniel's back from his neck down to his sweet crack "Oh, I have missed you so much. No one else turns me on as much as you, sweet thing."

Daniel willed himself to relax as he felt Mitchell push his cock into the crack of his ass. Mitchell pushed the round cheeks apart and pushed on through the tight ring of muscle. Daniel clenched as he waited for the pain, but none came. Pushing slowly, Mitchell stroked Daniel's back lovingly. "Is that how Jack would have been, do you think? Soft and gentle?" Mitchell laughed mockingly then viciously thrust his cock deep into Daniel.

Jack could hear something. He listened again - it was Daniel screaming.

~

Teal'c had inspected the cellar. The door was wooden - probably oak, the floor was solid concrete. He knew that the walls were solid and he was at least ten foot underground. There was no way out... for anyone other than Teal'c, that is. Listening at the door he could hear two distinct voices, but he couldn't understand Italian. He looked around - he was in the villa's wine cellar - the wooden shelving still lined the walls, although the bottles had been removed. Scattered around the floor were small bundles of packing straw from the crates, and behind an empty crate, a box of matches with two matches apparently still useable inside it. Quickly Teal'c collected together some of the packing straw and twisted it tightly into a long wad, pushing it quietly under the door just far enough so it didn't appear on the other side. As he struck the match the flame flickered brightly, but a gust of air from under the door extinguished the precious flame.

"Damn!" Teal'c cursed quietly. Striking the last match Teal'c held his breath, not daring to breathe in case the flame was lost. His hands shook imperceptibly as he shielded the yellow flame from any hint of air, then carefully put it to the straw. For a second nothing happened, then the flame spread as it began to feed on the straw, drawing on it for energy. Teal'c began to blow gently, adding the other vital ingredient needed for fire: oxygen. Smoke billowed from the burning straw. Teal'c leant down and blew the smoke under the door, then stood back and shouted "FIRE, FIRE, fire help fire!!"

As the two men burst into the room, Teal'c was waiting for them. The guard's neck broke with a gentle crack Teal'c was adept at all forms of combat, but at hand to hand he excelled. Elbowing the second guard in the throat, he held him down on the floor, his large hand covering the guard's mouth until he stopped struggling. Picking up the two P90's, Teal'c made his way up the stairs in search of Jack and Daniel.

~~

Mitchell pulled on his designer jacket, moving it around his shoulders until it felt good on his body. Glancing over at Daniel on the bed, he smiled. He had waited a long time to have Daniel again and he was worth the wait.

Daniel lay spread-eagled face down on the bed, his body covered in bites and dried blood, his hands and feet still manacled to the bed. Barely conscious, he groaned in pain as Mitchell sat on the bed next to him. Moving Daniel's sweat-matted hair from his eyes Mitchell reached for the telephone.

"Send Dr. Franchetti up to my room - Daniel needs a little more attention." Hanging up the phone, he leant down and kissed Daniel lightly on the forehead "There there, beloved. Dr. Franchetti will make it all better. A few days' rest and you'll be good as new for my dinner party. I've told my guests all about you and they're dying to meet you."

Daniel tried to turn his head away from Mitchell, but Mitchell stopped him by grabbing him by his hair, pulling his head up to meet his lips, kissing him hard then letting his head drop back onto the bed with a thud. Daniel's eyes filled with tears... how could he ever face Jack again?

~~

Jack's fists were bloodied from banging on the door to his room. He could hear the guards outside laughing every time his Daniel screamed out in pain. All he could do was put his hands over his ears to try and stop the sounds. Jack swore an oath to find Mitchell and kill him very, very slowly. Sitting with his back to the door, his knees up close, he buried his head in his arms. He had promised to protect Daniel, and all he had succeeded in doing was handing him back to 'that sick bastard Mitchell'. Jack didn't even notice the noises from outside his room - he had tried to cut himself off from everything. Jumping up as the door began to open, Jack was ready to take down the first person who came through the door, Teal'c only just managing to block the punch Jack threw at him.

"It is I, O'Neill."

Jack bear-hugged his friend "Teal'c, thank god you're alright. We have to find Daniel. That psychopath has done something to him. I heard him screaming, Teal'c... I sat here and listened to him screaming and there was nothing I could do."

Teal'c nodded his understand and passed Jack one of the P90's. "We will find DanielJackson, O'Neill...follow me."

Teal'c peered around the door, checking for any other guards. Finding the way free, he motioned to Jack to follow him. Stepping over the two unconscious guards, Jack followed Teal'c. The two men walked slowly along the hallway. Teal'c held his fisted hand up, motioning Jack to stop. Bracing themselves back against the wall, they waited. Mitchell left the room, turning to blow Daniel a kiss, then whistling, he walked away. The two men hurried towards the room Mitchell had just left. Opening the door they encountered a sight that brought tears to both men's eyes. Jack ran to Daniel's side - he wanted to pick Daniel up and hug and kiss him, but he was worried he might cause him further pain. Teal'c checked the room was secure, then he covered Daniel's naked body with a sheet.

"Do not worry DanielJackson, we are here to help you." Teal'c spotted the phone and picked up the handset. Dialling he waited then spoke "Sheppard you must inform the authorities." Continuing he gave directions to the villa.

Teal'c motioned to Jack to unfasten the manacles that held Daniel prisoner. Daniel began to fight them, his words slurred "No please Jack, leave me. You have to go - Mitchell will be back soon. If he finds you here he'll... If I stay with him, he's promised he will let you and Teal'c go. Please go now...."

Teal'c had found a long black silk dressing gown, which he passed to Jack. "You must get him on his feet, O'Neill. We have to go."

Jack nodded, helping Daniel to stand. Daniel grimaced at every movement as his body adjusted to the pain. Memories of the previous night flooded back and his stomach turned. Leaning forward, he retched.

"Sorry Jack."

Jack wrapped the robe around Daniel, tying the belt loosely around him. "What are you sorry for?"

Daniel looked pale. "I could have put up more of a fight."

Jack gently ruffled Daniel's hair "And then what? He might have...well, let's not go there right now. Let's get you home."

Daniel shuffled his feet. The pain in his abdomen was like red hot knives stabbing inside him, but he knew he had to move before anyone came. Teal'c took point, checking for any guards; he knew that the dead men would be found soon.Teal'c and Jack half carried and half dragged Daniel between them to the top of the large sweeping staircase.

"Daniel! Going so soon, beloved?"

Daniel fought the fear that rose in his body. Teal'c aimed his P90 at Mitchell "We are taking DanielJackson and leaving this place. Do not attempt to stop us."

Mitchell held up his hand as four more of his guards moved in behind him. The men stopped. "Is this what you want, Daniel? To go with them? After our little discussion last night I thought we had an understanding"

Jack felt Daniel's heart pounding wildly in his chest as his body slumped in his arms, and said "We are leaving here Mitchell... all of us." Jack wasn't going to leave Daniel with this animal.

"Very well, you are all free to go."

Jack looked at Mitchell in disbelief "Why? After all this, why would you let us go?"

Mitchell buried his hands deep in his pants pockets. "Your friend Teal'c here has alerted the police, and your security force to your predicament, and as we speak they are on their way here. That would not go down well with my new Colombian partners - they are a bit shy about bringing our friendship to the attention of the authorities. There is a car waiting outside to take you back to your plane.I shall inform the police that there has been a misunderstanding".

Jack and Teal'c kept their guns levelled on Mitchell and his men as they managed to get Daniel carefully into the car. Before the car door closed, Mitchell leaned in and winked at Daniel "We will meet again my beloved. Jack may try and protect you with all the resources he has, but remember - I have my own resources as well."

Jack slammed the car door shut. As they pulled away, Daniel laid his head on Jack's shoulder and closed his eyes, listening to Jack's breathing.

~~

One week in hospital and Daniel was beginning to feel well again. Jack had slept in the room with him for the first couple of days, but Teal'c had recruited some Special Forces men he had fought alongside and trusted to protect Daniel. Only then could Jack be persuaded to go home and get some rest.

The day Daniel came home from the hospital Jack had a surprise for him: He had bought Daniel an island.

Next: To Have Loved And Lost