Epilogue

 

10 Days later: SGC

 

“Hey, you okay?  We’ve been looking for you, you disappeared after the briefing.”  Jack O’Neill asks approaching Daniel Jackson who is standing looking through the blast window at the Stargate.

 

“Guess I’m not in the mood for company right now.”

 

“Daniel, we’ve been through this…”

 

Daniel fidgets slightly, his reply barely above a whisper.  “I know, feel weird is all, always knew I was a little unbalanced, but didn’t realise how truly screwed up I AM.”

 

“Well believe it.”  Jack smirks, then continues on a serious note, “You’re going to have to face those commitment fears of yours one day.”

 

“You going to let me out on my balcony any time soon?”  Daniel refutes, not even bothering to correct Jack on his assessment.

 

“Hell no.”  When that gem doesn’t get even a quirked lip Jack tries a different approach.  “Oh, come on Daniel, what could possibly be troubling you after the three weeks we’ve just had?”  Jack’s expression changes from one of mild confusion to utter disbelief.  “…That’s it isn’t it?”

 

“What?”

 

“We’re back, everything’s back to business as usual and you’re in denial.”

 

Daniel ducks his head.   A sure indication Jack has it in one.

 

“Daniel I’m talking to you, look at me.  How do you feel?”

 

Daniel looks and smiles.  Jack interprets this as a positive answer.

 

“Good.  So where’s the problem?”

 

“I don’t think I have one.”  The wonder in his voice suggests that’s something Daniel’s not been sure about for a long time.

 

“Good, now, you ready?  Teal’c’s waiting.”

 

“Ready?  Oh right, yeah, I forgot.  One sec, I left something in the control room.”

 

“I’ll wait.”  Jack drawls as he watches the young man disappear down the stairs.  Once Daniel’s out of sight Jack redirects his focus to the Stargate.

 

“That’s a nice thing you did there Jack.”

 

I finally make my presence known.  Jack starts slightly at my entrance.  It’s a great feeling knowing I can still take someone by surprise at my age.

 

“General?  Didn’t see you there.”

 

“I have a feeling there’s going to be a few pieces missing from the mission reports?”

 

“Well, General, for the most part-” Jack looks uncomfortable for a second, realising I over-heard their conversation.

 

I put him out of his misery quickly since I hate to see him squirm.  “Jack, its okay, Teal’c already filled me in on most of your escapades as they occurred.”

 

“That little snitch.” 

 

I’m going to ignore that comment.

 

“I’ve heard enough to know what happened is personal.  It has no place in an official report.”

 

“Thank you, Sir.”

 

“You’re welcome.”  Now I expected Jack to be out of the room in a flash as per usual after a conversation like this, instead he turns back to continue staring out at the Stargate, a smile on his lips.  “Is there something else on your mind, Colonel?”

 

“No, Sir.”  I’m about to return to my office when he starts talking again.  “It’s just, he’s grown up a lot in the last four years, started to think he didn’t need me anymore.”

 

“We all need someone Jack, no matter how old we get.”

 

“Yes, Sir.”

 

It wasn’t a subordinate’s reply - it was said in understanding.

 

Daniel

 

“Jack I got it, we can go now.”  I stumble on the top step when I see the General, oops hope I haven’t interrupted anything important.  I still feel weird about yelling at him and throwing a tantrum in his office.  “Sorry, Sir.”

 

“Night, Sir.”  The General and Jack exchange odd grins, I don’t think I want to know what that’s about.

 

“Night, General.” I say walking up beside Jack.

 

“Goodnight son.”  The General says to me before he turns and heads into his office, Jack hurries me along back down the stairs.

 

We make our way fairly quickly through the corridors of the SGC.  Things are, as Jack stated, very much back to normal.  So far nobody’s treated me like fragile china, and I think the three weeks we’ve been gone was enough time for everyone to get the ‘Dr Jackson’s gone wacko again’ gossip out of their systems.  The main topics of discussion have reverted back to the more mundane and recurring, like the latest stories surrounding Siler and his absurdly large wrench.

 

Neither Jack nor I have discussed what was said between us after I tried to chuck myself off a balcony for a second time.  I’m embarrassed enough about the whole break down thing, but it’s nothing Jack hasn’t seen before so I’m going to do as he tells me for once and not obsess about it. The nightmares I’d been experiencing while off world stopped the same night.  That didn’t stop Jack from fretting however and even though ‘Daniel watch’ was officially called off, he resigned himself to spending the remaining seven nights sleeping in my room with me.  I put up the expected protest of course, but as usual, Jack took no notice.  I’m not complaining.

 

“Where do you think Teal’c’s going to take us tonight?”  Jack asks, pressing the elevator call button.

 

I dread to think actually.  Teal’c has some strange ideas about what constitutes entertainment.  Hammond should never have agreed to let him have cable.

 

“I don’t know,” I wince, my imagination running wild.   “Let’s just hope it won’t involve any gelatine substances.”

 

I entered the elevator with Jack trailing close behind.

 

“Amen to that.  You really should try to broaden his horizon’s more.”

 

I choke.  “Me?  You’re the one exposing him to the delights of National enquirer and Sports Illustrated.”

 

“Hey, those are excellent resources!”

 

Jack presses the button for level 26 where we are due to meet Teal’c.  As the door closes Jack deftly changes the subject.

 

Teal’c

 

“O’Neill, Daniel Jackson.”  I greet my friends by the elevator doors.  They appear to be engaged in conversation.

 

“Teal’c, tell Jack I am not ‘cute’.”  I look first at Daniel Jackson’s very serious expression, then turn to see O’Neill’s grin.

 

“I’m afraid I cannot lie Daniel Jackson.”

 

“Give it up Danny-boy, even Teal’c agrees with me.” O’Neill claps Daniel Jackson on the shoulder before walking on ahead.

 

“He didn’t actually answer.”  Daniel Jackson calls after him.

 

“Ah sorry, yes he did.”

 

“Didn’t.”

 

“Did.”

 

“Didn’t.”

 

“Did.”

 

I walk beside them, letting their inane words fade into mere background noise.  By nature I am a silent individual, only speaking when I feel it to be appropriate and worthwhile to do so.  O’Neill and Daniel Jackson do not share this philosophy.  A room is rarely silent when both are present.

 

Fin.

 

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