Because You Loved Me
Author: Orrymain
Category: Slash, Drama, Romance, Established Relationship
Pairing: Jack/Daniel ... and it's all J/D
Rating: PG-13
Season: 7 - December 3-6, 2003
Spoilers: None
Size: 45kb
Written: October 25-27, November 1,3,8, 2003 Revised:
January 31, 2005, April 18, September 8,19-20, October 2-3,7,11, 2006
Summary: Just back from their honeymoon, Jack and Daniel face
their first separation, and neither is happy about it.
Disclaimer: Usual disclaimers -- not mine, wish they were,
especially Daniel, and Jack, too, but they aren't. A gal can
dream though!
Notes:
1) Hanky warning, so I've been told!
2) Silent, unspoken thoughts by various characters are indicated with ~
in front and behind them, such as ~Where am I?~
3) This fic stands alone, but it does reference my other fic(s), “Wish
Upon a Star,” “Falling Star,” and “Heart and Soul”
4) Thanks to my betas who always make my fics better: Mama Beast,
Tina, Starshadow, Claudia, QuinGem, Linda!
Because You Loved Me
by Orrymain
====
--December 3, 2003 6:12 a.m.
====
“Be back in four days.”
“I wish ...” Daniel began, then sighed as he nestled his head against
Jack's right shoulder, his heart saddened because his lover was leaving.
Jack had no choice in the decision, but that wasn't making it any
easier on the newlyweds.
This would be their first separation since their November wedding, and
it was hitting both of them hard. They had only been back to work
at the SGC for two days when Jack had received his orders to fly to
Washington, D.C.
“I know, Love. I wish ... too,” Jack sighed, his arms holding his
husband close. “What timing,” he lamented.
Being their first Christmas together as a married couple, Jack and
Daniel wanted all of December to be full of holiday merriment.
They'd wanted the festivities to begin with a jaunt to the woods to get
a tree, taking their beagles, Bijou and Katie, with them for the
outing. They'd then spend the weekend decorating the tree and
house, both inside and outside.
Now, unfortunately, Jack wouldn't be home until early Sunday morning,
and General George Hammond had insisted on getting a report as soon as
Jack returned. Their plans had been totally squashed.
“I tried, Danny,” Jack sighed again.
“I know you did, Babe. It could be worse,” Daniel commented,
knowing that oftentimes his lover's trips out of town sometimes lasted
up to a week.
Jack had tried every argument he could think of, but lost every single
one. His expertise in covert activities made him an essential
participant in a Pentagon operations meeting. Besides, he had
just returned from several weeks off and didn't have much of a leg to
stand on when it came to trying to get out of the orders.
Thus, the newlyweds had spent the night before cuddling in front of the
fire, holding each other. They had anticipated making passionate
love, but, instead, the two found themselves simply holding onto each
other, not wanting to let go.
Jack and Daniel had kissed and touched the night away as they had
remained nestled together as one, cooing their love into the other's
ear, speaking words of love that most people at the SGC would think was
pure fiction. The Goa'uld could never imagine the feared Colonel
O'Neill and the snarky genius Daniel Jackson whispering sweet nothings
as they held hands and hugged each other close.
“We'll make up for it,” Jack promised, placing a kiss on his spouse's
head. ~But it won't be the same as what we had planned.~
“I know we will,” Daniel replied as steadily as he could. ~But
it's still not the same as spending this weekend together, doing what
we had planned.~
Each silently bemoaning their fate while thinking similar thoughts
about their impending separation and how they felt about it, the
husbands continued to caress each other as the morning broke.
====
The dark of the night still looming overhead, an airman took Jack's
bags in hand at the front door and was handily dismissed by the Air
Force colonel, who wanted a few more minutes to say goodbye to his
husband.
“I'll be out in a few minutes,” Jack barked. Closing the door, he
held his Heart tugged close against him, hating what he had to do
next. After a minute, with a kiss to Daniel's forehead, he
uttered the fateful words, “I have to go now, Danny.”
“I know,” the linguist replied, though he didn't move. ~I hate
this.~
Jack caught his lover's hand that was caressing the warm material of
his dress blues, brought it up to his mouth, and kissed it. He
shifted to face Daniel, although he hated ending their closeness.
With a final kiss, a touch on his cheek, a sorrowful look into Daniel's
alluring blue eyes, Jack backed out of the house. The door
remained open as Daniel slowly walked towards it. His arms were
crossed, and a single tear was falling down his right cheek.
“Sometimes I hate the Air Force,” Jack stated just loud enough so that
Daniel could hear.
“Me, too.”
Out of time and options, Jack turned and quickly walked to the staff
car.
Daniel watched, not closing the door until two minutes after the
vehicle had disappeared from his sight. With a heavy heart, he
went back to their bedroom and got ready to go to the SGC, where he
planned to lose himself in artifact after artifact for the next four
days.
====
--December 5, 2003 6:55 p.m.
====
Daniel had worked late the night before, not coming home until 10 p.m.,
and the only reason he had done so then was because of Bijou and
Katie. He would not let his need to lose himself in work because
of Jack's absence impede the love and care for the precious
beagles that Jack and Daniel called their children. So, on this
night, he made sure he was home by seven to attend to the two canines.
“Hi, Girls. How about a walk to the park?” the archaeologist
asked upon greeting the dogs.
The answer was two excited beagles running to the cabinet where their
harnesses were kept. Daniel smiled, put on their dog sweaters and
harnesses, and headed outside. It was cool out, with small
snowflakes floating through the night sky.
“Can't stay out here too long, Girls,” Daniel spoke as they ventured to
the nearby park.
====
When Daniel and the beagles returned home, the lonesome linguist fixed
himself some hot chocolate and sat down in Jack's roomy armchair.
He quickly found himself surrounded by Bijou and Katie, who nuzzled in
as close to Daniel as they could get.
“Well, let me tell you about my day,” Daniel began to ramble. “I
made an interesting discovery about the writings on PR9-220. They
are like those we found on Micila, and once I figured that out, I was
able to begin translating them, only then I realized the words didn't
make any sense; but then I realized the words were names of people and
places, so I think it's like a parable or something. They
communicate by associating people with events or places. Of
course, I don't know what the people did, and the places don't really
mean much at this point, but, uh, well, it's progress.”
Daniel chuckled at his long-winded chatter, and then he sighed, missing
his husband to the depths of despair. He took a sip of his hot
chocolate and let it warm his body, wishing the entire time that the
warmth was coming from his lover.
When he finished his drink, Daniel moved to the sofa and lay down,
staring up at the ceiling. Moments later, the beagles jumped up,
each finding a warm spot to snuggle with their owner. Katie's
choice was atop his abdomen, while Bijou chose to squish herself
between the cushions and his chest.
“So how was your day?” the lonely man asked the girls as he looked down
at them.
====
It was almost 9 p.m. when Bijou went into protective mode, standing
with her tail pointed, her ears pricked and her face serious. She
jumped over Daniel and ran to the door, arriving there just as the door
knocker began to bang against the wood structure. Katie was on
her six, sniffing the bottom of the door.
“Friend or foe?” Daniel asked as he approached the entranceway of the
house.
Bijou woofed lightly, her tail wagging. Katie agreed, backing up
a few steps and sitting.
“Cool,” Daniel said, trusting his beagle's instincts totally and
opening the door.
“Hey, Daniel,” Sam greeted with a smile, kneeling down to acknowledge
Bijou and Katie for a moment. “Hi, Bij. Hey there, Katie.”
“Wow!” Daniel exclaimed without realizing it. While he had seen
his friend dressed up before, he couldn't recall seeing her look quite
like this. She was wearing a tight-fitting black-sequined,
low-cut dress that accentuated her 'curves' nicely. “Hot,” he
observed, again without realizing it.
Sam blushed, shyly saying, “Um, thanks ... I guess.”
“Oh, sorry, Sam, I mean ... oh, you know what I mean. You look
great!” Daniel exclaimed with a cute, dimply smile.
“Thanks.”
“Come in,” Daniel said invitingly and then scooted aside.
“Actually, I can't. I, ah ...” Sam stuttered as she motioned
towards the street and the waiting car.
“Your boyfriend?” the archaeologist asked wryly, a sly smile on his
face as he began to try and look around Sam to get a better look at the
mysterious man.
Sam replied, “Yes, and don't start, Daniel.” Putting her hand out
against his chest, she sternly warned, “And you just *stay* right
there.”
“You're no fun, Sam.”
Nodding, the female replied, “Yeah, well, I'm trying to keep this one
alive for a while.”
“Sam,” Daniel lightly chastised.
“I know,” Sam responded. “The reason I'm here is that I promised
the colonel I'd bring this by at precisely 2100 hours.”
Sam extended her hand, a small, thin package, roughly five-by-five
inches, clasped between her fingers. Daniel took the package,
flipping it around in his hands as he examined it.
“What is it?”
Sam shrugged, answering, “I'm only the messenger, and now that I've
done my duty, I gotta go!”
“Thanks, Sam,” Daniel called out to his friend's fleeing back.
“Lucky guy,” he thought as he watched to make sure Sam safely entered
the car and drove away with her mystery boyfriend. ~But I'm even
luckier. I have Jack.~
After shutting the door and locking it, with Bijou and Katie on his
heels, Daniel walked to the sofa and opened the package. He
didn't sit down, but simply stood at the edge of it, leaning against
the arm of the couch.
“Hmmm,” Daniel expressed curiously. He tossed the blue paper the
package had been wrapped in aside and realized he was holding a single
CD. ~What's this?~
Attached to the item was a note with instructions. It read:
La Mio Bello Stella Cadente,
I love you so much, and I hate that I'm not with you tonight.
Even though I'm not there, holding you, I want you to do something for
me.
Right now, I want you to go upstairs and put on your blue silk pajamas
and bring the blue quilt downstairs with you. Then, get the girls
comfy on their beanbag, and serve yourself a glass of the St. Julien's
-- the good stuff: the 1959, and then I want you to make sure there's a
fire in the fireplace. When the fire takes hold, turn the lights
down low. Then, and only then, put the CD in the player.
After that, My Love, sit in our favorite spot in front of the fire and
listen, and know that what you'll hear comes from deep within my soul.
I love you, my beautiful falling star.
J.
Daniel traced the words with his fingers and lamented, “Gawd, Jack, I
miss you.” He began to do as Jack asked, but hesitated for a
moment, tempted to put the CD on right away. “No, I have to
wait,” he said to the beagles.
Jack had gone to such trouble, having Sam deliver the recording at a
certain time. There had to be a reason, so Daniel decided that
he'd wait and do as directed.
====
“Funny, isn't it, Babe? I'm finally following your orders, and
you're not here to see it,” Daniel mused aloud a couple of minutes
later as he changed into the silky pajamas that they had purchased two
years ago.
Jack had gotten a burgundy pair and Daniel the blue. They both
had a thing about the feel of flannel on the other and had several
pairs of the flannel nightwear. By accident, though, the lovers
had also discovered that silk seemed to do it for them, the soft
delicacy of the fabric sending shivers through their spines and souls.
Barefoot, Daniel carried the blue quilt downstairs, placing it on the
floor. Next, he retrieved the St. Julien's and filled his goblet
with the smooth red wine he loved.
Jack always made sure Daniel had the exclusive wine that they had
discovered once at a wine tasting event in Denver. Daniel had
loved it, and since then, Jack had made sure there was always some in
the house. It wasn't always the best year's, but often, Jack had
been able to get the better vintages from the late-fifties and
early-sixties for his lover.
“You girls need anything? Wanna go outside first?” The two
beagles answered by snuggling further into their beanbag. “Okay,
let's see what that sexy husband of mine has been up to.”
As he sat down in the spot where he and Jack so often cuddled in front
of the fire, Daniel pressed 'play' on the remote control, not knowing
what to expect from the CD he'd previously inserted into the
player. He listened intently to the spoken words, the sound of
his lover's voice both soothing and painful as it made him miss Jack
all the more.
La Mio Bello Stella Cadente,
I love you so much, so very much, and, geez, I miss you. I know
it's only been two days, but I swear, Angel, they've been the longest
two days of my life.
I'm used to you being my warm blanket at night, to waking up to your
blue eyes, to hearing you say my name. Gawd, I miss that ...
touching you, feeling you, hearing you.
My Precious Angel: how I cherish you and our life together.
You've made me so happy. My lover: my forever and always lover.
Our wedding day was perfect because you were there. You were so
beautiful. When you walked down the aisle, you took my breath
away. It's like I opened my eyes for the first time, and, when I
did, you were there.
Being away from you now is breaking my heart, and, for crying out loud,
it's for ... geez, the stuff they ... no, forget that. I only
want to think about you, and how lucky I am to have you.
You've filled up my life with love and happiness. You took a
snarly old bear and turned him into a teddy bear, who only wants to
spend every second of every day snuggling with you. I want ...
What I'm trying to say is ... Ah, Angel, you know I'm bad with
words. I just love you so much. I sound like a broken
record, don't I? Or should I say a broken CD? Do CDs break?
Anyway, since our wedding, the one thing you've nagged, nagged, and
nagged me even more about is ... well, you know ... the one thing I had
never done until our wedding, and the one thing I swore I'd never do
again, but I want you to have all of me, just as you've given me all of
yourself, so you can stop nagging me now.
This is for you, La Mio Bello Stella Cadente. To the moon and the
stars and back again, I love you with all that I am and all I can ever
be.
By the way, you owe me big time for this, and I intend to
collect. You have *no* idea what I had to go through to arrange
this little session. No, wait, scratch that. You don't owe
me; *I* owe you, forever and always, no matter how many miles, or
stars, separate us.
--
There was a second of silence, and then music began to play. It
was a Karaoke version of their wedding song, “Because You Loved Me,”
the song Jack and Daniel had danced to during their reception. At
the celebration, Celine Dion's voice had filled the air over the
speaker system, but then Daniel had been totally floored when Jack also
began singing softly into his ear as they danced. The older man
was a surprisingly good singer, but it was a talent he had kept hidden,
even from the younger man, until that special day in November.
Since their wedding, Daniel had longed to have his husband sing to him
again; however, all of his attempts had failed miserably. He had
to admit that part of that was his fault for being too easily
distracted by his lover's Irish charm and seductive ways.
Daniel's heart fluttered as he heard his husband’s voice singing their
wedding song. He could hear Jack’s love for him in every word.
~I am definitely luckier than Sam’s boyfriend,~ Daniel thought as tears
of love fell from his eyes.
The archaeologist's heart was full of such love, and, at the same time,
it ached from missing Jack. He wanted him, to feel him against
his body, so much. He couldn't stop the tears that flowed as he
listened to the words of love and devotion in their wedding song.
When the song faded to its conclusion, he was about to replay it when
he heard Jack's voice again.
La Mio Bello Stella Cadente,
Don't touch that remote! Not yet.
Angel, take a sip of your wine, a full sip, let it go down smoothly,
slowly, the way it's meant to be tasted. Do it for me,
Love. I'll wait.
Tears of love still running down his face, Daniel did as his husband
asked as the music of their wedding song played softly in the
background. With perfect timing, Jack continued just as the
proper savoring of the wine was completed.
Now, put the goblet down, and, for a moment, let the quilt fall to the
floor. Close your eyes, Love. I want you to close your eyes
and imagine I'm there with you, because I am, Angel. I'm right
there, beside you.
You are my heart and my soul, and where you are, is exactly where I am,
so feel me, Angel. My right arm is around your shoulder,
caressing your back, making soft motions as I touch you with my
essence. My hand goes to your nape and massages it for a few
moments as I lean over and kiss your beautiful, beautiful head.
My fingers never stop their movement.
Following his lover's instructions, Daniel concentrated on that
wonderful voice and built up the feel and scent of his husband, finally
managing to reach the place where Jack had led him, where they were
together. He could swear his soulmate was right beside him, just
as close as the voice on the CD was as it continued to speak.
Then I pull you close, so close to me, Angel. I want you so close
that we are joined together. Your head is snuggled into my
shoulder: safe, loved, and warm. I'll always protect you.
You'll always, *always* be safe with me. No one hurts you and
gets away with it.
I'm holding you, my arm dropping to your waist, tugging you even closer
to me. I want to touch you, Angel, so I'm lifting up your pajama
top, and my fingers are massaging your skin, right there, at the base
of your back. My hand slips down for a moment to give you a
tender tap on your six. Then I rub and caress your smooth skin,
pushing us as close together as I can. Gawd, you feel so
good. I love you so friggin' much.
Lost in the words he was listening to, Daniel didn't even notice when
he gasped and moaned his husband's name, although Bijou and Katie
did. The two beagles simply exchanged doggy grins and buried
their noses back under their paws.
Feel me, Angel. Feel my fingers on your body, my arm warm against
your back. Feel your head leaning against me, my face leaning
into your silky hair. Feel my left hand holding yours, our
fingers entwined, our love flowing through them, electrifying us with
sensations that we can't even describe. Feel our wedding rings
commingling, like we are doing.
We're warm in front of the fire. We hear the crackling of the
wood and watch the flames burn. The girls are sound asleep,
content, peaceful. Our family is happy and together.
Now, Angel, take the quilt and lift it over us, so that as we nestle
together, the quilt will keep us even warmer, protecting us from the
chill of the night. Keep your eyes closed, don't lose me.
Feel me, Love; let the quilt keep us warm.
La Mio Bello Stella Cadente, my beautiful falling star, always, my
Angel, My Love, My Heart, My Soul, My Everything -- I love you, and I'm
always with you. You know I'm there. Feel me; feel me so
close that you're tingling, inside and out. Hear my voice, listen
to my song of love. It's my heart and my soul, and both belong to
you, only to you, forever to you ... La Mio Bello Stella Cadente.
I love you.
--
Though tears flowed down Daniel's cheeks, he could feel his soulmate
just as surely as if Jack were there. He played the CD over and
over, never opening his eyes, feeling Jack, letting himself get lost in
the sensations of his lover's voice and the memories of his
touches. He shivered from the imaginary connections of their
bodies. He obeyed every request, willingly succumbing to the lull
of each loving commandment made on the recording.
“Love you so much, Jack,” Daniel choked out each and every time Jack
sang their special song.
When the young man finally opened his eyes to find himself alone after
all, his heart seemed to break a little bit. He sank down to the
floor, half asleep as the fire roared; yet, his tears were still
falling. He hated himself for crying, but he was happy, truly
happy for the first time in his life, and the reason for that was on
the other side of the country. He wanted him back. He
needed him, and that was the truth of it. Being separated was
causing him mental and physical pain.
A noise disturbed the reverent ache of Daniel's distress.
~Jack?~ Daniel immediately thought upon realizing that the noise was
the ringing of the telephone. He blinked as he gathered his wits
from his partial slumber. Glancing at the clock, he saw that it
was only 10:05 p.m. As fast as he could, he threw off the quilt
and jumped up to reach the phone. “Jack?” he asked anxiously.
“Hey!” Jack exclaimed. “You know, it could have been anyone.”
“No, I ... I knew it was you.”
“You sound ...” Jack began, frowning as he deciphered the tone of his
husband's voice and became aware of the truth. “Angel, you've
been crying.”
There was silence as Daniel returned to the fireplace and sat back
down, reaching over to pull the quilt back over his shoulders.
Bijou and Katie looked up for a moment, just to make sure everything
was okay. Within seconds, Katie put her head back down to return
to her slumber, but Bijou had gone into alert mode. She was still
in her beanbag, but she was listening, watching, for any danger that
might be present.
“Danny, I love you.”
“I love you, too. Thank you for the ... for ...” Daniel
could barely speak. “Gawd, I'm a linguist, for crying out loud,”
he choked out, his body shivering from the emotions that were filling
him.
“It's okay. Did you do everything I asked?” Jack questioned.
Daniel nodded, a small sniffle escaping from his throat, but he said
nothing.
With a slight chuckle, Jack reminded, “Danny, I can't see you.”
“Oh ... sorry ... yes.”
Jack remarked, “I love those silk jammies, almost as much as the
flannel ones.”
“Me, too,” the younger man agreed, then sighing unhappily. ~Wish
you were here.~
“You're beautiful, Danny. Did you drink your wine?” the older man
asked, hearing the sadness and wishing he could fix it.
“Yes, three glasses,” Daniel answered. Hearing his husband
chuckle, he asked, “What’s so funny?”
“I finally get you to follow my orders, and I’m not there to see it,”
Jack replied, still chuckling slightly.
“I was thinking the same thing earlier,” Daniel admitted, laughter in
his tone as well.
“Did you really drink three glasses of wine?” the military man inquired.
“Yes,” the archaeologist admitted.
Jack made a sound as he pondered the fact and muttered, “Oh, you aren't
...”
“Jack, I'm too sad to be drunk,” Daniel tried to muse softly.
“I don't want you to be sad,” the colonel responded. ~That's the
last thing I ever want.~
“I know. I'm sorry, Jack. I just ... miss you so
much. But ...” Daniel hesitated, finally letting out his
emotion, sniffling, “Gawd, Jack, it was so beautiful ...”
“Angel, don't, please don't,” Jack pleaded. “Hey, what would you
do if I were there, right now?”
Daniel smiled as he answered, “I'd kiss you; I'd kiss you until you
couldn't breathe.”
“I don't know. Sounds like an empty promise to me.”
“I'd do it. I would,” the younger man vowed.
With a smirk his husband couldn't see, Jack asked, “Then why I am
standing out here in the friggin' cold?”
Daniel's eyes opened wide. His face turned towards the
entranceway, and, in an instant, he had dropped the phone, stumbling
over it as he stood up. He tripped over the quilt he had flipped
off his back, swearing as he picked himself up. Bijou ran past
him to the door, smiling, tail wagging, as if she had been in on the
plan from the start.
The married man's heart was pounding, the beat and rhythm thundering as
rapidly as his tears were flowing. He flung open the door and saw
his lover, grinning the Irish smile that melted him like butter on a
hot stove.
“Well?” Jack asked, his arms outstretched.
Daniel jumped on him, his lips connecting with Jack's instantly, his
tongue slipping into Jack's mouth, rubbing against his lover's.
True to his words, the kiss went on ... and on ... and on ... until,
finally, Jack gasped, pulling back just slightly.
“Wow, Danny,” Jack spoke breathlessly.
Yet, the younger man didn't stop, starting a new round of kissing, his
arms keeping Jack close to him as they draped around his neck.
Daniel's right hand gently massaged the back of Jack's head, playing
with his silver-gray hair and bringing tingles to the older man's body.
Finally, Daniel's head leaned forward against Jack's. Their
foreheads were united, a symbol of their love and foreverness.
“My Silver Fox,” was all Daniel could say as he took in the magic of
the unexpected moment.
The couple were still on the front porch, their hands now on each
other's waist. Seconds later, they slipped into their favorite
hold, Jack's arms wrapping around Daniel, caressing his back while
Daniel's head rested against the older man's shoulder with Jack's chin
snug to his lover's hair.
Neither spoke for a couple of minutes, needing the touch, the tactile
sensation of the other, but then Jack felt Daniel shiver. He
looked down.
“Danny, no slippers!”
“You were keeping me warm ... remember?” Daniel asked, a shy smile on
his face as he recalled the sensations the CD had brought forth within
him.
“Come on,” Jack said, leading his shivering spouse into the house and
back to the fireplace. He spent a couple of minutes greeting
Bijou and Katie, exchanging kisses and licks, and then he returned to
Daniel, scooping him up into his arms. With his fingertips, he
tried to dry the tears, saying, “I hate it when you cry.”
“Being silly ... sorry,” Daniel sniffled.
“No, it's not the least bit silly. I love you, Danny, and, heaven
help me, I love that you love me so much that you cry when I'm gone;
makes me pretty selfish,” Jack confided.
“Na-huh,” Daniel croaked, his body so close to Jack that the older man
thought for a minute Daniel had literally found a way to get under his
skin. “How? Four days ... you said ...”
Jack smiled, once again happy with himself for being the one and only
expert in understanding the language of 'Daniel'.
“Yeah, well, short reprieve,” Jack spoke, his words not as enthusiastic
as Daniel would have liked it to be.
“Short?” Daniel asked. ~I'm not going to like this.~
Hesitantly, the colonel admitted, “Yeah, uh, I have to go back.”
“Jack.” Daniel pulled away to look into his love's eyes.
“How long, Jack?” he asked sadly.
“Six hours; then the airman comes back, and I have to go again.”
When Jack saw the depths of his husband's love through Daniel's eyes
upon hearing his words, he thought he might just dissolve on the
spot. The soulful eyes were speaking of such love that it was
almost overwhelming.
“You came home ... just for six hours?” Daniel asked incredulously.
“I needed you,” Jack whispered. “I've never needed anyone the way
I need you, Danny. I had to come.”
Daniel blinked, desperately trying not to be some stereotypical overly
emotional spouse, but he knew Jack had managed a minor miracle.
The meeting in D.C. was at the request of the President of the United
States, and, in fact, the President had been scheduled to sit in on
part of it. That's as much as Daniel knew, except that his Jack
must have used up a lot of IOU's to get out of D.C. during the summit.
“I love you, love you so much. Make love to me. I don't
want to waste a minute, not one,” Daniel pleaded.
“I love you, too, La Mio Bello Stella Cadente.”
“Caro Mio, My Silver Fox,” Daniel whispered in their language of love.
Jack had learned Italian years ago, right after they had become a
couple, wanting to be able to speak with Daniel in another language, if
others were around. The first phrase he had learned, and the one
that had become one of the symbols of their love, was the phrase that
meant “my beautiful falling star.” It referred to their first
night together, when Jack had wished on a falling star that Daniel
would love him, and Daniel had, changing both of their lives forever.
With their arms around each other's waist, the newlyweds headed
upstairs to celebrate their brief reunion.
====
The next six hours were rich with love, passion, and tenderness as the
Jackson-O'Neills blended their bodies together, over and over, pleasing
each other in a variety of ways. Afterwards, they shared a
shower, one full of kisses and massaging touches as they washed each
other.
Daniel fixed his lover spaghetti, a simple version, which they shared
over a glass of wine. They glanced sparingly at the clock, hating
the passage of each second as it ticked towards 4 a.m. when Jack would
have to leave.
The newlyweds returned upstairs, cuddling for a few brief minutes
before Jack had to dress.
“I like this,” Daniel sighed as the two simply lay snuggled into each
other.
“Such a simple thing, Danny,” Jack replied as he gazed into his lover's
eyes. “Touching and being touched.”
“We both spent a lot of time avoiding it,” Daniel commented.
“Never again, Space Monkey,” Jack promised with a smile.
All-too-soon for both of them, Jack and Daniel walked down the stairs,
holding hands. Jack was again dressed in his blue uniform, the
one that made Daniel's heart flutter, and Daniel was back in his blue
silk pajamas.
Near the fireplace in the living room, Jack said goodbye to Bijou and
Katie, saying, “You two take care of him for me. He needs
you!” Two little woofs answered, making Jack smile. He
stood and walked over to his self-hugging lover and again embraced
him. “Those girls of ours have your brains.”
Daniel smiled as his hands caressed the blue Air Force jacket, loving
the feel of the material and the way his husband looked in the formal
uniform.
“Careful, Love. No time,” the colonel spoke with regret.
“You can tear it off of me when I get home.”
“Promise?”
“On my honor,” Jack smirked lightly, wanting to break the tension of
the goodbye a little.
Daniel sighed, “Jack, did you know you'd get to come home?”
“Nope,” Jack answered. “I had to call in some favors. Why?”
“Bij ... just the way she acted.”
Amazement in his eyes as he looked at the mama beagle, Jack confided,
“Well, I admit that I told her that I was going to try.”
“It's crazy, Jack. They can't possibly ...”
Daniel stopped, looking at their beagles as well. He smiled,
remembering the sometimes telepathic-like discussions he and Jack had
shared from the beginning of their relationship. He also
remembered their dream, that crazy dream that he and Jack had shared
once about ascending to another plane of existence. He shrugged,
suddenly aware that there was still a lot in the world that they didn't
understand.
“Maybe ... maybe it's not so crazy, Jack. The Nox said we were
very young, and they're right. We are, and maybe ... maybe they
do know.”
Both Jack and Daniel were still looking at their beloved beagles, who
seemed to have knowing smiles on their tiny faces.
“You might be right, Love,” Jack agreed, kissing Daniel's forehead and
then taking a deep breath.
“I know; you have to go,” Daniel said in a small voice.
“Yes, but ...”
“But you'll be back.”
“Yes, and ...” Jack began.
“And, in the meantime, I'll listen to you sing to me, and I'll feel
your hands, see your eyes,” Daniel's hands cupped Jack's face, “and
I'll ... I'll feel you Jack, loving me, keeping me safe, and you'll
feel me, because I'm part of you, too.”
“The best part of me, Danny.”
The lovers held each other close, shared a kiss, and then walked to the
door.
“The airman is here,” Jack sighed as he looked out and saw the vehicle
waiting in the driveway, the airman rubbing his forearms as he stood in
wait by the car. “He'll freeze to death if I don't get out there.”
“Caro Mio, My Love,” Daniel intoned, hating that the moment of
separation had arrived.
“Love you, La Mio Bello Stella Cadente,” Jack replied. He kissed
Daniel's ring finger and then tasted his lips one more time.
“Feel me,” Jack requested as he slowly let go of his soulmate.
With another flash of the smile that filled Daniel's stomach with
beautiful butterflies, Jack walked out the door.
Daniel went back to the fireplace. He was both warm, from the
last six hours and cold. from the absence that was so deafening.
He sank down into the sofa, wanting to feel happy. He replayed
the CD once, but the sadness of the separation was overwhelming
him. He felt thankful his husband had pulled off his miracle, but
he wanted more, especially since Jack had another temporary duty
assignment scheduled in a few days that would take him away again.
“It's not fair,” Daniel said to the air, not caring whether or not he
sounded rational.
Suddenly, Bijou barked, drawing Daniel out of his self-imposed misery,
and he heard the door open as Bijou flew past him, but then calmed.
“Jack?”
Daniel shot up as Jack reappeared in the house.
“Hurry up, Danny. Get dressed,” the colonel ordered.
“Wha...what?”
“Angel, no way in Netu am I leaving you. I don't friggin' give a
... I just don't. So, get dressed. You're coming with me.”
Daniel's mouth was open, his eyes bright with love and hope at the
words his lover was expressing.
“Danny, we don't have all day. Give the girls a kiss, and go get
dressed. While you're doing that, I'll get Bij and Katie settled
in their doghouse and make sure everything is okay. MOVE!” Jack
ordered with a huge smile on his face, jarring Daniel out of his
stunned state.
“I love you,” the archaeologist told the canines, giving them hugs and
kisses before running upstairs to dress. “Jack, what do I ...?”
“Blue shirt, black pants, socks, Danny; don't forget socks!” Jack
laughed. He continued to chuckle at his wonderful genius as he
attended to the girls, making sure their doghouse was secure and
insulated. He checked the dog feeder as well, ensuring there was
plenty of food available. As he patted them playfully, he asked,
“You girls don't mind, do you? I know it's cold out here, but you
saw him. Okay, okay, we don't need to tell him that I was doing
the same sulking, moping thing, do we? We'll be home in two
days. I'll call Cassie or Carter so you won't be alone all the
time. You two behave. We love you.”
Jack patted the beagles one final time before going inside the house,
securing the doors and windows and then making sure the fire was
completely out.
“Danny, we have to go,” Jack shouted up the stairs when he had
completed his tasks.
Daniel flew down the stairs, landing in Jack's arms ... literally.
“Whoa, Space Monkey,” Jack chuckled just before devouring his lover's
mouth.
Another kiss and contented sigh later, Daniel questioned, “Won't they
wonder, Jack?”
“Do you care?”
Daniel shook his head. The two men had done their time, and, if
someone wanted to make something of it, tough. He might ... no,
he knew he'd regret it later, but right now, he didn't care. He
also knew that while a part of him might later regret their
recklessness, a larger part of him would never and could never regret
any time he spent with his husband, whatever the cost. They
kissed as they walked to the door.
Jack grabbed Daniel's coat, but didn't put it on him. His eyes
seemed to ask Daniel not to question it, so the young man didn't.
They got into the back seat of the car, and, taking care to appear
perfectly natural, Jack lay out the coat so that it overlapped a part
of both he and Daniel. With a covert smile at his husband, Jack's
hand took hold of his lover's, totally concealed by the coat.
Daniel smiled, looking out the window, the driver totally unaware that
the two men were holding hands in the back seat. Verbally, they
didn't speak much during the ride to the military air base where they'd
catch their flight to the nation's capitol, but their hands were saying
volumes.
====
The airman put down the phone as he pulled up near the transport and
spoke, “The plane's ready, Colonel.”
“Thank you, Airman,” Jack replied as he and Daniel got out of the
car. As they walked towards the plane, he whispered, “Forever and
always, Angel.”
Daniel's smile lit up Jack's soul. The older man knew he'd have
to come up with a cover story for Daniel's presence by the time they
arrived. They'd also have to call General Hammond in the morning
to explain Daniel's absence from the SGC, especially since the
archaeologist had volunteered to work Saturday. It was something
he had done in an effort to keep himself busy while Jack would be gone.
Still, Jack knew he was doing the right thing, for Daniel, and for
himself. Every fiber of his being told him that he and Daniel
should be together. No assignment was more important than that
one fact.
Just as the newlyweds reached the plane, Daniel hesitated, asking, “Are
you sure?”
“What are they going to do, make me retire?” Jack chuckled. More
seriously, he replied, “They need us, and, Danny, I need you with
me. I know I'm supposed to be the tough one. I know you
probably think I came back because of the tears, but the truth is I
couldn't concentrate without you there. I thought of you every
second. Crap, Daniel, it hurt. It friggin' hurt. I
mean my chest hurt, I just ... I thought I was having a heart attack or
a stroke or ... or something. I know it sounds odd, but ...”
“I know exactly what you mean, Jack, and it's not odd at all,” Daniel
refuted.
Jack smiled and opined, “It's just too soon for us to be
separated. I need you there with me. I love you so much.”
~Yep, I am definitely the luckiest man in the world,~ Daniel thought as
he looked at his sexy Silver Fox.
Jack had never seen Daniel's smile so bright. It confirmed that
what he was doing was the right thing. His physical pain had been
real, and it had ended the moment he had held his spouse in his
arms. It had also started up again the very moment he had gotten
into the Air Force vehicle after leaving Daniel behind at the house
earlier in the evening. The colonel didn't care whether anyone
believed him or not, but he knew he was connected to his lover on so
many levels that they might never fully understand their bonds.
The fact was that it was simply too soon for the newlyweds to be
separated like this. Unlike most of their trips apart, they
hadn't been able to plan and adjust to the separation in advance.
They needed time, that's all; but, for now, Jack returned Daniel's
blissful look.
They'd go to D.C., and somehow, Jack would explain Daniel's presence,
which he knew wouldn't be too hard to do. They'd make a weekend
of it and maybe go to the Smithsonian. He smiled, visualizing
cuddling with his husband in the elephant barn at the National Zoo.
~Oh, yeah, Danny. We're going to have a great time,~ Jack
determined just as he heard someone shouting for them to hurry.
~Hold your horses,~ he thought. “This may not be the weekend we
originally planned, Danny, but ...”
“We'll be together,” both men spoke with happy voices and sparkling
eyes.
Their hearts and souls sharing more than they could express verbally or
physically at the moment, the two boarded the plane and headed for
Washington, D.C., with no regrets or fear of what anyone might think,
say, or do. Their own personal nation of two was united, and no
one would ever change that!
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