HOLE IN THE HEAD

 

As the hot shower cascaded over Jack's lean toned body, he closed his eyes and sighed. Life was okay but lacked something, and he knew exactly what it was. He needed something or someone interesting in his life, and maybe tonight would be the night. As he soaped the washcloth and rubbed it over his skin in a slow and leisurely manner he wondered whether he might get lucky, in more ways than one.

 

Jack was a small time record producer, well, a music producer. His language was still stuck in the pre-compact disc era and for many in his line of business, he was seen as just a little old, quaint and cranky. He didn't really care about that; he knew he was damned good at what he did, but he had to admit that just recently, his business fortunes had taken a bit of a dive. Luckily, he was still getting an income from renting out the recording studio in his basement to other producers so money wasn't a big deal; besides he still had his Air Force pension to fall back on if need be. He was always on the lookout for new talent though, for a band that he could produce and promote, perhaps even manage to the number one spot in the music charts, but that seemed a long way off. The bands he'd seen over the last few months were crap and he had almost given up ever finding any real musicians with the ability to write their own songs and perform them with even a modicum of ability.

 

The other thing that really bothered him was that he was alone, on his own with no one in his life. Since his son had died and his marriage had ended he wondered if he would ever find real happiness again. Throughout his military career in the American Air Force he'd developed the ability to be emotionally self-sufficient even though he had a wife and son. In recent years he'd been glad of that ability but now he was just tired of it. He wanted the roller coaster ride of an emotional and physical relationship and lately, he'd found himself consciously looking for the right opportunity to fulfil that, but still he lived his life in the shadow of his past instead of the bright light of his future.

 

Maybe he shouldn't have left the States and moved to England. After what happened to Charlie and with Sarah going, he just wanted out. Out of his house, his home and out of his old life. He thought by relocating to a completely different country he could start to live again and he did for a while, setting up his studio and going about establishing his new business but it hadn't been easy.

Depressed at his thoughts, he felt empty and unproductive, useless almost, as though his life had no meaning and he was just treading water until something spectacular happened. Of course there was the old adage that said if he wanted something to happen he shouldn't wait for it, but go to meet it, or even make it happen himself.

 

As his hand travelled over his slick skin he knew what he could make happen, right now. Taking the pliant thick flesh of his cock in his hand he started to pull on it, working it to full hardness as his mind floated in a fantasy world of lust and longing. However, he'd presented himself with a dilemma; should he bring himself to completion now or save it in the hope he might meet someone worth climaxing for? The thought of climaxing made the decision for him and he continued to stroke himself, his grip becoming firmer as he increased his movements.

 

Redirecting the showerhead away from him, he grabbed the bottle of conditioner and coating his fingers, reached behind and rubbed his anus, stimulating his body's responses even more, teasing himself as his desire built and his breathing became ragged and laboured. Pushing a finger past the ring of muscle he groaned as he satisfied the need to be filled. This wasn't the same as a fully erect penis penetrating his ass, but it would do for the time being and giving himself up to the pleasure of his own attentions, Jack could feel his orgasm swirling and gathering in his balls as his intensified his actions and to arouse himself further, he chanted a commentary alongside the attention of his imaginary lover.

 

"Fuck me. C'mon bring me off, make me come. Fuckohfuckohfuck!"

 

Feeling his balls tighten he knew his orgasm was very near and he pushed up into his ass harder and faster, his long fingers brushing against his prostate and making himself howl his pleasure. As he came his semen splattered over the tiles in a long pulsing arc and gasping, he let go of his rapidly softening cock to pull the showerhead back over him, allowing the warming water to envelope his body and wash the evidence of his longing away from the wall.

 

-o-

 

It was Monday and Jack was heading for the open mike night at the Cooperage. When he'd parked his truck by the old Martyn's Gate building, he crossed Exeter Street and strolled down Tin Lane, a little side alley, to a pair of black painted double doors. Beside the doors was a small poster announcing 'The Cooperage, live rock bands'. The tall silver haired American yanked open one of the doors and disappeared inside his long black leather coat billowing behind him.

 

As he approached the top of the stairs he could hear music, in reality not much more than a loud cacophony to his ears. Grimacing he wondered if the evening was likely to offer nothing more than soft-skinned, talentless youngsters twanging away on guitars without a clue as to how bad they really sounded. Giving a quick nod to the bartender, Jack looked around while he waited for his drink to appear in front of him. He was a regular Monday night visitor and the barkeep knew his order without the American having to ask for it. Sipping his beer from the bottle, Jack's eyes took a more leisurely gaze around his environment. The place had the unimaginative, but almost universal coat of black paint just about everywhere and to one side in front of the bar was a long line of seating against the wall. Immediately in front of him were a few low circular tables and some stools. There was a floor to ceiling room divider made of brick part way up and topped with a cheap wooden open lattice fence style separator beyond which was a small dance floor and on the other side was a podium, at this moment covered with amplifiers, cables and several young men jumping up and down to their own ear splitting so-called music. Groaning, Jack turned his back and leaned on the bar counter. The Cooperage was still quite empty but knowing it would soon fill, Jack decided to stay exactly where he was, close to the bar and the means to block his impending headache.

 

Noticing just one other person drinking, Jack shifted his body sideways slightly to get a good look. The man he saw was sitting at the bar on a high stool, his shoulders hunched as he stared into his glass. He had long black tousled hair and at least four days of dark beard growth. He looked morose and Jack wondered why. Idly thinking this man might make an interesting distraction from the teen-torture, Jack took a step sideways towards him and then a tall slim blonde woman joined him so Jack stayed where he was and looked away quickly. The appearance of the woman answered his question... damn.

Nevertheless, when the blonde spoke to her companion, Jack couldn't help but eavesdrop.

 

"What's up?" Sam asked as she helped herself to a mouthful of the dark-haired man's drink.

 

"Nothing, why?"

 

"You look a little...well, pissed off," she said, giving him a small sympathetic smile.

 

"I'm okay," Aragorn snarled as he claimed back his drink.

 

"Right, of course you are," Sam replied sarcastically.

 

The two sat in silence.

 

-o-

 

"Come on, Daniel, you know you want to," Legolas breathed in his lover's ear. "Just a quickie, please?"

 

"Not now," Daniel growled, "I'm trying to concentrate. I need to get this thing restrung before we play."

 

"That won't take long. You break enough every performance to be able to do that in your sleep."

 

As Daniel shifted on his stool trying to tighten up the A string on his Fender, the slim willowy man with long blond hair stood behind him and continued to kiss his neck making it hard for him to finish his task.

 

 

"We've got at least twenty minutes," the drummer murmured leaning on Daniel's shoulders and pressing his groin into the other man's back.

 

A little irritated, Daniel finally completed his repair job and leaning his guitar up against the tiny dressing room wall he placed his hands over those of his lover's. He could feel the trembling need of Legolas and wished he felt as much for the drummer as the drummer obviously felt for him, but he didn't. He knew he should end their affair, but when Legolas touched him, caressed his body to follow its inevitable response and climax he found it too difficult; he was a coward and he knew it...

 

-o-

 

Eventually, the jumping screamers finished their set and Jack breathed a sigh of relief. Sure, he understood the principle of the open mike session. It was there to enable new bands to show off their art and skills, gain exposure and build confidence. It was practising in public, though for Jack it was more like torturing the public. Shaking his head slowly he knew he was being overly critical; he couldn't help it, his crankiness was in overdrive tonight. That little session in the shower earlier had satisfied his immediate physical need for release, but it did nothing to fill his emotional void.

 

As the previous band moved off the low podium, Jack noticed the dark haired man and the blonde woman had vacated their bar stools and were now plugging their instruments into the large black Marshall amplifiers via the effects unit. Behind them a slim lithe looking man with incredibly long blond hair tied back at the nape of his neck was taking his place at an array of drums and cymbals. As the two guitarists took the opportunity to make last minute adjustments to their tuning, Jack watched with interest.

 

They were quite a bit older than the previous kindergarten band and he wondered whether he might be in for less of an ear bashing and more of a decent performance. Frowning, the American realised the three musicians seemed to be waiting as the woman glanced nervously towards the door to the dressing room. Jack also noted that the whispered conversation between the bass player and the drummer looked less than friendly; he couldn't help wonder what they were talking about.

 

"This is crazy, I can't think why Daniel would want to play a gig here and without getting paid for it," hissed Aragorn.

 

"He says this place attracts some of the better music producers," Legolas hissed back, letting his foot drop on the bass drum pedal and producing a kind of exclamation mark to his comment. "He also says we need the exposure."

 

"I can guess what kind of exposure he means, Legolas," the dark haired man muttered pointedly, glaring at the flushed skin of the drummer.

 

The drummer pursed his lips, what on earth was wrong with Aragorn? Unless he was jealous and wanted Daniel for himself…

 

-o-

 

Putting down his empty beer bottle, Jack decided he'd had enough; they were just another bunch of hopeful amateurs who couldn't even get their act together to be onstage at the same time as one another. He was leaving. The bar was quite busy now and Jack had to weave his way through the crowd to get to the exit. As he made his way to leave he took one more glance at the musicians and stopped dead in his tracks.

 

The lights had dimmed in the club, leaving a couple of washed out spots over the lurid green lighting of the stage area, and he narrowed his eyes against the brilliant white of the t-shirt worn by the band's fourth…and what a fourth!

 

Jack could feel his mouth fall open, staring as the final member of the band took the stage. He was at least six feet tall, broad and muscled. His sleeveless, deep-necked tee was tightly stretched across his torso and as he slipped the guitar strap over his shoulder, Jack could make out the movement of his muscles. Swallowing hard, he pushed through the bar crowd towards the dance floor and leaning against the wall, he waited in anticipation, hoping the guitarist would sound as good as he looked.

 

The musician strummed his guitar gently and after a very short introduction he stood very close to the microphone and began singing.

 

Every nerve in Jack's body tingled as he listened, the hairs on the back of his neck bristling as he knew he'd stumbled across something and someone so spectacular he thought he would never breath again.

 

The band was playing a cover of a Daniel Bedingfield song; 'I can't read you'. Jack listened intently, noting the vocals, the musicianship and the way the individual band members played together. His razor-sharp brain made mental bullet points as the song unfolded.

 

Quiet guitar strumming, just a few chords

I'm never shy but this is different
I can't explain the way I'm feelin' tonight
I'm losing control of my heart

 

Breathy quality to the voice

 

Drums come in with an upbeat tempo

 

Tell me what I can do to make you happy
Nothing I ever say seems to come out right
I'm losing control of my heart - yeah

I wish that I could be another better part of me
Can't hear what you're thinkin'
Maybe if I just let go, you'll open up your heart.

 

Backing vocals join in

 

Lead singer getting louder

 

But I can't read you!
I wish I knew what's going through your mind
Can't touch you
Your heart's defending
I get left behind

 

Vocals build including that of drummer

 

Can't reach you!
I wish I knew what's going through your mind
Can't touch you
Your heart's protecting
I get left behind

 

Instrumental lead break

 

Like you so much I'm acting stupid
I can't play the game
I'm all intense and alive
Losing control of my heart

 

Just female backing vocal

 

I'm not supposed to be this nervous
I should play my hand
All cool and calm I can't breath
I'm losing control of my heart - heart yeah, yeah, yeah

I wish that I could see another better part of me
Feel this fire I'm feelin'
Let me see me in control
And maybe then you'd know

 

Crescendo

 

All band members singing

 

That I can't read you
I wish I knew what's going through your mind
Can't touch you
Your heart's protecting
I get left behind

Can't reach you
I wish I knew what's going through your mind
Can't touch you
Your heart's defending
I get left behind…

 

Quiet, slow, breathy

 

Wish that you could see
The better part of me
Feel this fire I'm feelin'
If you see me in control
Maybe then you'd know

 

One chord and a pause, just the voice

 

That I can't read you
I wish I knew what's going through your mind

 

Breathy, louder, crescendo building

 

Can't touch you!
Your heart's protecting
I get left behind

 

Vocals

 

Full instruments

 

I can't read you!
I wish I knew what's going through your mind
Can't touch you
Your heart's defending
I get left behind

Can't read you!
I wish I knew what's going through your mind
Can't touch you
Your heart's protecting
I get left behind

 

Bass guitar riff

 

I can't read you!
I wish I knew what's going through your mind
Can't touch you
Your heart's defending
I get left behind
Can't read you
I wish I knew what's going through your mind…

 

Quiet, long pause, only a few strummed notes of one chord

 

Breathy and gentle voice, solo voice and no instruments

 

Can't touch you
Your heart's protecting…
I get left behind…

 

The audience erupted, cheering and clapping with a few whistles thrown in. Jack was stunned; at last he'd found what he'd been looking for, in more ways than one.

 

The band played another five songs, mainly rock including a track by Nickelback and one by Neil Young. All the songs were covers of well-known pieces, and Jack was just a little disappointed that the band didn't play any original material; nevertheless, they were good, very good with the potential of playing much better venues than the Cooperage. Jack couldn't understand why they were there and playing for no financial gain. After they'd finished their set, Jack sidled across the dance floor and approached the lead guitarist.

 

"Hi, I'm Jack O'Neill, and I'd like to talk business," he smiled, trying not to show just how keen he was as he held out a small business card.

 

Daniel was a little distracted as he tried to unravel some cabling between himself and the amps behind him. Not really paying too much attention, he took the card and placing it between his teeth, wrapped the now loosened wire around his arm, looping it through his thumb and fingers. When he'd done that and dropped it into a large plastic container, the guitarist shifted it with his foot and grabbed yet another cable.

 

"If you've got a few minutes now, I'd really like to speak with you," Jack continued, following him across the podium.

 

"Sure," Daniel replied, mumbling through the card still in his mouth and removing it, stared at his own teeth marks pressed into the top line of words, Sound Gypsy Company. "When we've packed up the gear, got a drink and had a chance to recover." He swung his head around to look at the tall American, accidentally flicking him with beads of perspiration from his now wet hair.

Glancing at the small droplets resting on his coat sleeve, Jack frowned for a moment and when he looked up he saw the four band members hauling their gear towards the rear exit of the club.

 

"Hey! Wait up," Jack called, frightened he was going to lose them.

 

"Yeah, yeah, we'll be back in a minute," Daniel shouted over his shoulder as he disappeared out of the door and into the night.

 

Planting his hands on his hips, Jack dropped his head and stared at his boots. Should he follow them and make sure they didn't get away or be patient and wait for them to return? He needed to play it cool, he didn't want to scare them off by his unseemly haste and excitement, but inside he was screaming to grab them before someone else did.

 

"Greetings, O'Neill," came a deep reverberating voice just behind him.

 

Looking up, Jack smiled. It was his friend, Teal'c; the big black man from somewhere out of Africa.

 

"Hey, buddy, how ya doin'?" Jack laughed, patting the huge bald man on his shoulder.

 

"I am well, O'Neill and you?"

 

"Didja hear that last band?" Jack watched Teal'c's face for an affirmative sign.

 

"I did indeed. They are skilled musicians."

 

"They certainly are and I wanna sign 'em up to make some demos. Whaddya think, T?"

 

"This sounds like one of your better ideas, O'Neill," the African said with just the slightest movement at the corner of his mouth in what was otherwise his usual passive expression.

 

"Yeah, well, anyway...I might need you to do some roadie work. Think you're up to it?"

 

"I am if you are, old friend," the big man rumbled, smiling.

 

The men watched as the band members returned and made their way towards the dressing room. Slapping Teal'c's arm as confirmation of a decision made, Jack headed in the same direction, rubbing his hands and trying to suppress a broad grin. As Teal'c observed Jack's expression he turned to leave the club, he would expect an excited telephone call in the next day or so.

 

Tapping on the door, Jack opened it expecting to find the band members changed and ready to get a drink. Instead he saw two semi-naked musicians, a woman brushing her hair and the bass player looking ready to punch somebody.

 

"A drink, anyone?"

 

-o-

 

Retreating from the embarrassment of the dressing room, Jack loitered just outside, his mind full of possibilities and mainly those to do with seeing the lead guitarist partially nude. When Jack had opened the door his eyes had come face to face with Daniel's bare chest as he was dragging his damp t-shirt over his head and he'd noted the man's dark pink nipples. He tried to process his impressions of whatever else had been going on in that tiny room. The woman playing rhythm guitar seemed to be out of the loop with her attention firmly on her looks. The drummer was in a similar state of undress as the lead guitarist and was he touching the other guy? The bassist was dressed and ready and staring at the drummer with a fire in his eyes that Jack had not seen in a long time, and where had he seen that look before? Oh yeah, when he'd seen an airman watching a couple talking together and knowing that he wanted the woman but she didn't know he existed; there was a mix of jealousy, anger, sadness and longing all rolled into one. Grimacing Jack knew what that could lead to; it was an explosive recipe for disaster if it got out of hand.

 

Eventually the dressing room door opened and as the four musicians filed out, Jack hitched up with the lead guitarist, walking alongside him.

 

"Remember me? Jack O'Neill?"

 

"What?"

 

"You ate my business card earlier."

 

"Oh, sorry, yeah," Daniel murmured, his eyes on Legolas who walked in front of them.

 

"Look, I really wanna talk to you, all of you. Can we go somewhere a little quieter?"

 

"What do you want to talk to us about?" demanded Aragorn, elbowing his way in between the two men.

 

"Well, I'm a music producer and I want to record you, it's as simple as that really," Jack said shrugging his shoulders.

 

"You do?" Sam butted in excitedly.

 

"Yeah, I do. Whaddya say?"

 

"What do you think, Daniel?" Legolas asked not failing to notice the look that Aragorn shot him.

 

"I...um...I guess there's no harm in talking about it. Okay, Jack, where do you suggest we go?"

 

"How about we meet tomorrow at the Café Rouge. You know it?"

 

"The one on Royal Parade?" Sam asked, even more excited now.

 

"That's it, say eleven?"

 

Daniel nodded thoughtfully, could this mean the band might actually be getting somewhere at long last? Jack watched the tall good-looking guitarist as he and his band made for the bar for a well-earned drink. Smiling with a great deal of satisfaction Jack headed for Martyn's Gate and his truck. He just hoped the slightly loopy Daniel would remember to turn up for their business meeting.

 

-o-

 

"Can't you make a decision for yourself? Why do you always have to look to Daniel to take the lead?" Aragorn spoke quickly to Legolas while Daniel was at the bar.

 

The drummer shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I know I should, but I trust Daniel's judgement."

 

"Like playing a gig with no payment. What kind of judgement is that?"

 

"Well, it worked didn't it? We've got a producer interested in the band."

 

"Okay, but we were lucky that's all," the dark haired bassist conceded but he returned to his original topic. "Can't you see how reliant you are on him?"

 

"I'm not, Aragorn. We're in love and we like to make decisions together," Legolas said emphatically.

 

"You're not in love!" Aragorn snorted. "He's just using you, can't you see that? He just wants you for your body while I...I think it's wrong." His voice faltered. If only Legolas could see what was already in front of him and understand it.

 

Sighing, Aragorn turned his face away to look at Sam as she was on her way back from the Ladies washroom.

 

-o-

 

The next day dawned bright and clear, but it was very cold. An easterly wind was howling down from the moorland at the edge of the city; it was biting and chilled the most well dressed person. Jack shivered, at least in his home state of Minnesota, when the weather was this cold, there would be snow and the smell of apple wood burning in the hearth. His breath hitched as he pushed down the feelings of his past. As he headed for the Café Rouge he pulled his long black leather coat around him. He was glad he'd decided to wear a turtleneck sweater and thick black denim jeans. It was sunny enough that he needed to wear sunglasses. He struck quite a figure as he strode along Royal Parade towards the coffee house and restaurant, his all-black outfit contrasting with the silver grey of his short hair. It was only ten o'clock and he was early because he wanted time to check over the recording contract and he needed to let his nerves calm. This morning's meeting with the band was important to him, in more ways than one.

 

-o-

Stretched out on the bed with his hands behind his head, Daniel watched as Legolas reappeared from the bathroom of their cheap digs just off North Hill. Daniel loved to gaze on Legolas' pale smooth body, his slim features and that loose and flowing long blond hair. He knew it was just lust that attracted him to the drummer, he didn't really feel anymore than friendship for him, but his body betrayed his morals and it made the guitarist feel as guilty as hell. He had to finish it and soon; then he would have to turn his mind to his other source of guilt and deal with that too.

 

"Daniel? Are you in there?"

 

It was Sam's muffled voice through the door.

 

Glancing at Legolas and then at the door, Daniel sat up on the bed. "Hurry up and get dressed," Daniel hissed. Legolas did as he was asked and hurriedly pulled on a dark green sweater and brown leggings.

 

Daniel got off the bed and opened the door just wide enough to slide his body sideways through the gap.

 

"I guessed you'd be here," Sam smiled. "I missed you last night," she continued, running her fingertips down his arm seductively.

 

"Yeah, I missed you too, but we agreed we would keep this secret, for the sake of the band, remember?"

 

"I know, I know, it's just that you seem to be spending an awful lot of time with Legolas."

 

"He's...he needs me to be around right now, especially with Aragorn behaving like a prick. If Legolas decides to walk we'll find it hard to replace him. We need him, I'm sorry Sam, but can you be patient just a little longer? I promise we'll spend some quality time together the first chance we get."

 

"Tonight? Make it tonight, Daniel," Sam whispered, her voice quivering.

 

"I can't promise, but I'll try," replied her lover as he kissed her full red lips, eliciting a low moan from the woman.

 

They broke quickly as Legolas opened the door.

 

Further down the hallway and out of sight, Aragorn watched and his heart both soared and shattered when he saw Legolas peer out from Daniel’s room, looking slightly confused as the drummer saw Daniel and Sam standing just a little too close together.

 

-o-

 

The four musicians left their lodgings and walked down North Hill towards their rendezvous with Jack. On the way they passed the university where Daniel and Legolas first met nearly a year before. They had both been part time students, Daniel studying archaeology and Legolas flight dynamics. Daniel loved ancient ruins and Legolas, archery. Even then Aragorn was in the background, looking out for Legolas and the drummer had encouraged him. Frowning, Daniel wondered if Aragorn's terseness towards him was born out of jealousy and not dislike as he'd always assumed. Certainly Aragorn had never shown any outward signs of physical attachment or yearning for the drummer, but Daniel had never really looked for it...until now.

 

Sam was first through the door of the coffee house, and spotting Jack at a large corner table by the window, she headed straight for him, wearing her broadest smile. As the five settled and exchanged introductions, Jack ordered coffee and croissants all round. As the discussion got underway, Jack sat back and let the band members debate what they wanted from the deal, the kind of music they liked and played, and what they'd learned from their experiences of touring over the past eight months. Jack learned a lot from this. His years as a colonel in the USAF Special Operations branch had made him a practiced observer, and a pretty good judge of character.

 

Aragorn had a superficial edginess to him, but underneath Jack reckoned he was probably loyal, steadfast and strong. He had a quiet fortitude, something that Jack recognised as a really valuable quality; he'd seen it in some of the men under his command in the past, and he knew the man he was assessing now could prove to be an influential strand in the fabric of the band.

 

Legolas had an ethereal quality about him, exuding both strength and vulnerability. He was an interesting mix, but Jack wondered if there was more to him than that, maybe to the point of being clever and not a little devious, perhaps manipulative even. The drummer gave the impression of being reliant on Daniel and yet somehow Jack felt that it was the other way around.

Sam, on the other hand, was pretty open. She was enthusiastic, intelligent and at times, a little too trusting, too naïve. A good talker might be able to convince her black was white, even with all that intelligence.

 

Then there was Daniel. Jack found him the most intriguing of all of them. He had intensity about him and a streak of passion a mile wide that took Jack's breath away. The man was physically attractive and yet Jack had to peer through layers of insecurity and uncertainty to see it. Somehow, Daniel's bearing covered up his strong firm physique and belied his six feet broad and muscled frame.

 

"So, why don't you write your own material?" Jack asked, training his dark brown eyes around the table.

 

"We've tried, but it's hard to find the time where we're on the road so much," Sam offered, knowing what a weak excuse it was in the cold light of day.

 

"If you want to get anywhere in this business, you can't rely on just doing covers y'know."

 

"Westlife does," Sam snorted.

 

"Hey! No swearing, please," quipped Daniel. Legolas giggled and Aragorn smiled.

 

"Seriously, guys and gal," Jack went on, you've gotta build your own portfolio and develop your own style."

 

"So what do we do next?" Daniel asked quietly, his eyelashes fluttering slightly.

Jack found he was lost for words for a second and then mentally slapped himself for the question that pierced his skull, threatening to lead him by his dick. Do his eyes look like that just before he comes? Fuck!

 

"Ah...well...you...ah..." stammered Jack, confused by the games his groin was playing with his brain or was that vice versa? "We need to cut some demos, hawk them around the record labels and get you known but," he emphasised, "you have to write your own stuff."

 

"We can't afford to stop working though," Aragorn put in, "we need to eat."

 

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Jack added dismissively. "Look, for this you can stay at my place."

 

The others looked at each other.

 

"I've got plenty of room and with the Christmas holidays coming up you'll have a chance to concentrate on writing and playing. Whaddya say?"

 

Aragorn wanted this opportunity to stay close to Legolas. Legolas wanted this to stay by Daniel's side and in his bed. Sam just hoped Jack had plenty of hot water and some decent food.

 

Daniel suddenly felt very nervous. He would be at very close living quarters with people whom he cared about, but where each had a complicated set of circumstances, and he knew he was probably the cause for much of that...then there was Jack. God, he was handsome, attractive and sometimes abrasive and whether Daniel liked it or not he was probably their future. Damn, he was falling into yet another set of complicated circumstances.

 

"Daniel?" Jack asked as he rose from the table. "You think about it while I take a leak, okay?"

 

When Jack was out of earshot, Aragorn leaned forward and stared at Daniel who was sitting opposite. "Daniel? You're not hesitating are you?"

 

"Well, I'm not..."

 

"I don't believe this!" the bassist exclaimed, throwing his hands up and leaning back in his chair. "This is not just about you, Daniel," he said, glancing at Legolas.

 

"Hey, be fair," Legolas frowned as he leapt to Daniel's defence. "This is a big step, Daniel's right to think about it."

 

"What's there to think about?" Sam interjected, looking between them. "We've got someone who wants to invest in us, help us on our way and he's got a recording studio as well. Not only that but he's offering to put us up. I mean it's not like we've got a gig at Madison Square Garden next week is it?"

 

"You're right, Sam, I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me, of course we should do this." He forced a smile, god, if only his life was more simple and straight forward than it was right now, then he made a resolution. He would clear out his mind and emotions and concentrate on the career of the band instead of allowing his brains to be hijacked by his libido.

 

From now on he was going to do as Jack suggested and focus on the music, that's what he was going to do, yep, no distractions, just do it...when he'd extricated himself from those sweet caresses. Looking between Legolas and Sam he knew he was in big trouble.

 

"So," said Jack as he returned to his seat. "What's the verdict?"

 

Looking uncomfortable but straightening up and taking a deep breath, Daniel smiled a devastating smile at Jack. "We do it!"

 

-o-

 

A few hours later, Jack was standing at his front door and watching alarmed, as a beaten up old van smoked its way into his drive.

 

"What the hell is this?" he demanded with a look of disgust clearly written into his expression.

 

"Hey, don't knock it till you've tried it, Jack," Daniel announced through the open window of the driver's door.

 

"Not sure I want to," the music producer muttered.

 

"I'm with you on that," Sam coughed as she leaped from the back of the vehicle.

"Not exactly tour bus material," Jack continued as he gazed at the rusting hulk. "Are you sure this thing is legal?"

 

"It gets us where we need to go," Aragorn said sourly. He was fed up with everyone complaining about the band's transport when it was him that kept it and them on the road.

 

As they offloaded their gear, Jack drew Daniel aside. "Daniel? Is there something going on I should know about?"

 

"What?"

 

"Look, I sense there's an undertow, some kind of tension."

 

"Aragorn's always like that, Jack. Don't worry about it."

 

"Now, see, that's just what I do worry about. I don't like surprises, Daniel. We're going to be living in each other's pockets for the next few months and I need a happy productive team here. None of us can afford to let personal issues get in the way. Do you understand?"

 

The music producer held Daniel's gaze for a long moment. Blinking, Daniel nodded. He knew what Jack was hinting and he had to get it sorted without upsetting everyone or worse still, splitting loyalties and breaking up the band. Sighing, he turned to pick up his suitcase; maybe he should have studied psychology instead of archaeology.

 

Legolas and Sam stood together; staring up at Jack's place, number three, Osborne Villas. It was a big house, a Regency villa in fact, set in its own small grounds. It was an impressive property. With only Jack living there, it must be a lonely existence for him, Legolas thought, unless there was someone and Jack just hadn't said.

 

The house was big enough to accommodate everyone and they all had a bedroom each. Sam chose the room next to the bathroom, she was desperate for a girlie evening soaking in the tub surrounded by candles and perfumed soap. The problem with spending her life surrounded by men was that she never got the chance to indulge herself. What an indulgence it would be to share the bath with Daniel, god yeah.

 

After everyone had unpacked their stuff, they wandered the house trying to orientate themselves to the hallways, landings and various rooms. It was like the house was originally a lot smaller and over the decades bits had been added on, making the building more like a maze.

 

Eventually, everyone found their way to the large warm kitchen for an evening meal. Sitting around the big wooden table, Jack produced four bottles of wine and as he set them down they clinked together, raising smiles and cheers from the band members. Just as they were pouring the wine there was a rap at the back door and a large dark shadow hovered through the patterned glass. Opening the door, Jack smiled broadly.

 

"Everyone, this is my friend and roadie extraordinaire, Teal'c."

 

"Greetings," the big man said as with one stride, he was inside.

 

Smiling with satisfaction, Jack surveyed the people in his kitchen. His team was now complete and it was time to set them to work.

 

-o-

 

Over the next week or so, Jack managed to impose some routine to their lives that included regular meals, more than three or four hours sleep each night, but to his dismay there was no reduction in the tension between the band members. Odd.

 

After the first week of hard work writing, composing and learning about recording techniques, Jack figured it was time for some R and R, so cracking open his booze cabinet, the band members, himself and Teal'c settled for a party. The big African didn't drink, which was okay, he would be in charge of getting everyone else to bed when they were too drunk to manage under their own steam.

 

Jack was also hoping that those underlying tensions might melt away as everyone relaxed. That was his first mistake. The second was trying to talk to Daniel one-to-one in the hallway, only to be joined by the other band members as they wondered where the two had gone.

 

By the end of the evening, Daniel had passed out on the sofa in the living room, Legolas had just managed to crawl up the stairs to his room and then passed out. Sam, Aragorn, Teal'c and Jack were still awake, playing cards and still drinking as they sat around the kitchen table.

 

"Let'shh play stwip poker," Sam slurred, a gleam in her eyes.

 

"Well, I dunno," mumbled Jack, swaying gently in his seat.

 

"Wassa matter, J'ck, shhkared?" Sam goaded.

 

"Nope! Bring it on!" he said loudly, slapping the flat of his hand on the table.

 

"O'Neill, have you considered the possibility that Samantha Carter might win?"

"Wot? I don't think so," grinned Jack as he swatted and imaginary fly away from his ear.

 

Meanwhile, Aragorn said nothing but actually sniggered quite loudly and as the others trained their gazes on him, the snigger developed into a guffaw.

 

Twenty minutes later all four players were in various states of undress except for Sam who sat rather smugly sans shoes and one sock. Aragorn gave her a sly look and decided that she deserved taking down a peg or two, and in the following ten minutes he had her sitting in just her panties and tee. Smiling, he knew it would only take two more hands and she would be naked, it was obvious by her erect nipples showing through the fabric that she wasn't wearing a bra. Jack and Teal'c had noticed this fact as well, and while Jack could appreciate a good-looking female, his dick was definitely in male ass territory, it always had been. Teal'c on the other hand was entirely attracted to the female form and Sam's in particular, but he was too much of a gentleman to make that obvious. Aragorn however, had other ideas and couldn't help staring at her as he waited for her to play her next card. Jack noticed that she looked rather flushed but put that down to the alcohol although it could be due to Aragorn's attentions. S'funny, I thought Aragorn was after Daniel? Odd.

 

"C'mon Carter, play your damned card, at least sometime soon like before the next millennium," grouched Jack.

 

"Oh phhhttttt!" she replied sucking back the surplus drool from her lips.

 

"Take your time, Sam," Aragorn said quietly not wishing to appear too keen for her to lose either of her last two items of clothing. What he wanted to add was, you are soooo mine.

 

Jack won the next hand and Teal'c, Aragorn and Sam had to strip yet again. The big African roadie took off his tee and the remaining players each sucked in a breath, boy was that man built! Aragorn took off his jeans and sat down in just his boxers. Jack was still wearing his jeans but was bare-chested now. All three men turned their heads slowly and grinned at Sam.

 

"Bottom or top, Sam?" smiled Jack, just knowing he was going to win the game. They'd agreed that they would stop when the first player was completely naked.

Sam rose unsteadily from her seat and staggered out of the kitchen.

 

"Hey, where ya goin'?" Jack called after her. He really wanted his pound of flesh and was not prepared to let anyone leave the table until the game was finished.

 

"Do you need assistance, Samantha Carter?" Teal'c asked with as much chivalry in his voice as he could manage. Jack nudged him in the side with his elbow and both he and Aragorn sniggered.

 

"I'll be back," she replied as the three men sat and waited impatiently, expecting her to return bare-breasted or bare-assed and two of them couldn't wait.

 

A few minutes later she wafted back to her seat, still dressed in her tee and panties.

 

"Hey," Jack exclaimed, "You haven't taken anything off."

 

"I have," she said indignantly.

 

"I still see tee and panties, Sam," Aragorn confirmed.

 

"Yeah, well, I did take sshomething off, you guyssh are just not observant enough to have notisshed, so ha!"

 

"I do believe Samantha Carter is correct, O'Neill," Teal'c said, shaking his head.

"Well what then?" Jack continued, slightly frustrated. He was still waiting for his pound of flesh.

 

Pointing a wavering finger at her face, Sam gave a lopsided grin. "Shee?"

 

"WHAT!" yelled Jack, really frustrated and not a little irritated now.

 

"I took off my make-up!"

 

At this everyone laughed and Sam slumped across the table spreading the cards all over the place.

 

"I think it's time we called it a night don't you?" Jack mumbled staggering to his feet. "I guess we'd better get her to bed first," he said, sticking his thumb over his shoulder to indicate the almost comatose woman.

 

"It's okay, I'll see to her," Aragorn offered. "I've done this before, several times. She'll be all right and at least I won't have to undress her."

 

"Are you sure you do not need my assistance, Aragorn?" Teal'c asked slightly concerned at the possibilities running through Aragorn's head.

 

"No, man, I'm good." With that the dark haired bassist grabbed Sam by her waist and hauled her upright, draping her arm over his shoulder and holding her hand. She stumbled and muttered under her breath as Aragorn zigzagged her out of the kitchen and dragged her up the stairs to her bedroom.

 

"They'll be fine, T ole buddy."

 

"That is what I am afraid of, O'Neill.

 

-o-

 

"You okay, Sam?" Aragorn asked soothingly as he laid the drunken woman on her bed and pulled the covers over her.

 

"I'm fine," she crooned, opening her huge blue eyes and smiling at him.

"That's...that's good," Aragorn smiled.

 

"Don't go," she asked, catching his arm as he went to leave.

 

"Why don't you get into bed and keep my company?"

 

"Sam?"

 

"Oh come on, we're friends aren't we? Do you think I'm going to seduce you or something?"

 

"You sound different, like you've suddenly sobered up," Aragorn said incredulously as he looked at her closely.

 

"Who said I was drunk? Huh? Did I say I'd had too much to drink? No," she said emphatically not waiting for Aragorn to answer. "You all assumed I was, but I wasn't really," she grinned. "Serves you all right for thinking I was just going to get my kit off, so there!"

 

"I'm sorry, you're right, we were all expecting to see you naked," Aragorn laughed as he slumped down on the edge of the bed, a lot drunker than her it seemed.

 

"Well, seeing as I'm in complete control of my faculties, you won't need to feel guilty about sharing my bed. I give you permission without having my decision being influenced by an excess of alcohol."

 

"I don't think I should, Sam," Aragorn muttered.

 

"Oh come on, you'd be doing me a favour," Sam breathed as she reached up and pushing her hand up underneath Aragorn's shirt; she caressed his back with gentle fingertips.

 

Closing his eyes involuntarily, the bassist leaned back against her touch, the solace of being in someone else's arms other than those of Legolas, tempting Aragorn to stay exactly where he was.

 

"Please, Aragorn. I really need your company tonight. Think you could see your way to...giving me some satisfaction?" Sam's touch was becoming more insistent and Aragorn was finding her invitation more and more difficult to resist.

 

"I've been so lonely lately," she continued. "I'm not asking you for a commitment, just one night of pure lust," she purred, moving her hand around to feel his chest. Getting up and covering his back with her body, she kissed his neck. "You're not the consolation prize you know. Daniel and I hardly ever spend any time together now. I think he's gone off me and anyway, you're available, I'm available so why not?" she stated, a hard edge creeping into her voice.

 

"You and Daniel?" Aragorn asked, shocked by Sam's admission.

 

"Sure, we've been together for months now, well, we were together. He's good in bed but his head seems to be somewhere else."

 

"Like up Legolas' ass," Aragorn spat, angry that Daniel was screwing both Sam and Legolas at the same time and with neither of his lovers being aware of the other.

 

It took a few seconds for Aragorn's words to sink into Sam's consciousness.

"What? What did you say?" the blonde demanded as her hand froze against Aragorn's abdomen.

 

"I said, Daniel is fucking Legolas on a regular basis. I'm sorry, Sam. You shouldn't have found out like this. Daniel should have damn well told you."

 

Stunned, Sam sat behind the dark haired man, hot tears pricking her eyes.

"You mean Daniel has been two timing both of us?"

 

"'Fraid so," Aragorn confirmed, his voice quiet. He was sorry for the likely effect on Sam, but he was far more sorry for the impact on Legolas; he would be distraught once he knew the true situation and he'd probably blame Aragorn for spilling the beans to Sam.

 

Sam struggled to fight back her tears. She was not going to allow anyone to see just how upset she was. Angry, she took a deep breath and dropped her hand to rest on Aragorn's soft cock. Rubbing it, she pulled him close, her arm around his neck.

 

"Fuck me, Aragorn, fuck me better than he ever could!"

 

Placing his hand gently on her arm, he moved it away and turning, removed her shaking hand from his dick.

 

"You know this isn't the answer, Sam. You need to confront him and get it sorted. Using me won't deal with your feelings for Daniel. It wouldn't be fair on me or you."

 

Pulling her into a close embrace, Aragorn could feel the woman's body tremble.

 

"What are you going to do, Sam?"

 

"I don't know yet, besides kill him," she laughed between small quiet sobs.

 

"Well you'd be wasting your time right now. Daniel's out cold on Jack's sofa at the moment."

 

"They say revenge is a dish best served cold. I'll think about it," she sniffed.

 

-o-

 

Jack watched Aragorn help Sam up the stairs and glanced at his friend. "Well old buddy, if ya wanna stake your claim, you'd better do it soon."

 

"My intentions are honourable, O'Neill," replied Teal'c imperiously. "Samantha Carter is a beautiful woman who deserves love and respect."

 

Smiling, Jack patted the big man on the back and went into the living room to check on the unconscious Daniel.

 

The musician lay prone along the length of the sofa, his head turned toward the back of the couch. Jack's eyes roamed over Daniel's muscular body and exposed limbs; he was wearing only a t-shirt and boxers. Jack wanted to run his fingers over the smooth skin of his biceps and map the contours of his pectoral muscles. Daniel's nipples were erect and straining against the shirt fabric, making the music producer lick his lips, his imagination taking the small hard nubs into his mouth and sucking.

 

Leaning towards him, Jack pulled down the thick tartan throw from the back of the sofa and covered Daniel's sleeping body. Jack knew he was fascinated by the musician, and also knew if he were ever going to make the band successful, he couldn't afford to get emotionally involved with its lead guitarist. Sex would cloud his judgement and muddy the waters of a professional relationship with the group. Sighing, he felt disappointment and loneliness squeeze at his heart and his gut once again.

 

-o-

 

The next morning, Jack and Daniel were seated at the kitchen table, Jack was reading the paper and Daniel was nursing a coffee cup and a headache. Later, Teal'c, Aragorn and Legolas joined them but Sam was nowhere to be seen. The drummer chose to sit next to Daniel with Aragorn opposite him. Teal'c leaned against the kitchen counter; glancing through a National Inquirer magazine at the headline Snake eating aliens visit Colorado Springs.

 

As they sat together, Daniel rested his hand on Legolas' thigh, his movement hidden by the table. Almost immediately, the drummer's cock started to react, thickening and growing hard within moments. All the while, Daniel kept his eyes not on Legolas, but on Jack. Aragorn observed quietly, guessing at what was happening and his anger mounted inside him. Legolas was making puppy dog eyes at Daniel and Aragorn wanted to slap him for being so blindly naïve. He remembered Legolas as feisty, strong and sometimes argumentative, but now he seemed to be nothing more than Daniel's lapdog, and Aragorn hated the guitarist for the way he allowed Legolas to change and worse still, that he made no attempt to put things right.

 

Shifting uncomfortably in his seat, Legolas wanted Daniel to take him to bed and fuck the sense out of him. In doing so, he hoped Aragorn would react and show his hand, show the drummer how much he was wanted by the bassist.

At that point, Sam appeared in the doorway, looking dressed ready to go out.

"Hey," Daniel smiled and twitched as Legolas ghosted his hand over Daniel's groin, making his semi-erect cock respond by showing through the material of his sweats.

 

"Daniel? We need to talk," Sam announced.

 

"Well...um...sure, later?"

 

"No, not later. Now," she said, her voice calm and controlled. "You know when you and I got together and you said I should keep quiet about you fucking me?"

 

Daniel's mouth dropped open in surprise and confusion.

 

"Well, I've decided I'm not going to keep quiet any longer."

 

Jack had stopped looking at his paper as Teal'c stared over the top of his magazine. Aragorn did his best to suppress a smile; at last Daniel's dishonesty was exposed. All attention was focused on the tall slim blonde.

 

"Legolas? When Daniel wasn't screwing you, he was fucking me."

 

Legolas moved his eyes from Sam to Daniel, incredulous at Sam's statement.

"It's not like that," Daniel put in. "Legolas listen to me."

 

"Why? Why would I listen to a liar?" Legolas choked out, jumping to his feet and backing away from his lover.

 

"I...I couldn't help it. I like you both...I didn't want to hurt either of you, don't you see that?"

 

"I see someone who wants it all, Daniel!" Sam exclaimed.

 

"I care for both of you, I just wanted to make the two of you happy," the guitarist said, glancing rapidly between his lovers.

 

"Yeah, well it didn't work!" yelled Sam. "In fact, it so didn't work I'm leaving."

 

"What? You can't, you belong here with me, with us," Daniel pleaded. "Don't go, please."

 

At Sam's declaration, Jack saw that this was more than a tiff between people who lived and worked closely together. This was serious and he couldn't afford to let the band fall apart, he needed it, needed them.

 

"Hey, kids, wait up. Let's just think this through."

 

“There's nothing to think through, Jack," Legolas added. "Daniel's screwed us all."

 

"Not me," Aragorn put in and then wished he hadn't.

 

"Sam, please stay? I'll make it up to you, I promise," Daniel offered.

 

"Fuck off and die, Daniel," Sam said, her voice now flat and monotone.

 

With that, she put on her coat and left the kitchen.

 

Everyone was stunned and speechless until Jack took command of the situation.

 

"Teal'c? Go after her and bring her back."

 

Teal'c nodded and headed through the doorway, quickly and gracefully, his footsteps silent as he moved.

 

"You know something, Daniel? You're a bastard!" Legolas yelled and drawing back his arm, his hand tensed into a fist and in one swift move, he punched Daniel hard on the jaw, sending the guitarist flying backwards and sprawling across the floor.

 

"Mind the hands, Legolas," Jack growled, "you can't afford any injuries."

 

"Fuck off, Jack," the drummer growled back as he headed for the stairs.

 

Aragorn frowned as he looked at Jack.

 

"Go on, stay with him. Take care of him, Aragorn, it's what you want isn't it?"

Raising his eyebrows, the bassist stared at Jack for a moment and acknowledging the producer's analysis, the dark haired man turned to follow Legolas to his room.

 

Jack and Daniel were now alone in the kitchen, looking at each other around the silent debris that was the band.

 

"Well, Dannyboy, now you can see how messing with people's heads just comes back to bite you in the ass," Jack drawled as he folded his arms across his chest.

 

"What do you know, Jack?"

 

"I know enough to recognise a mess when I see one."

 

Jack's comment stung Daniel for a moment. He had never meant for any of this to happen. He liked Sam and Legolas equally though he also knew he wasn't in love with either of them. He'd kept quiet because he didn't want to upset anyone, somehow Sam had found out and now everything was unravelling.

 

"Whaddya gonna do about it, Daniel?"

 

Jack's question catapulted Daniel's thoughts back to the present and the reality of his situation.

 

"I...I'm not sure," Daniel muttered as he moved his lower jaw, the ache in it becoming more obvious. He rubbed the spot where Legolas had made contact with him and winced as he felt acute pain shoot through his flesh.

 

"That guy can throw a punch when he wants," Jack continued, driving home Daniel's vulnerability. "I'll bet he could fuck your ass pretty good as well."

 

"That was uncalled for, Jack."

 

"Was it? Seems to me this whole thing is because of lust not love. Its cos you want it both ways, Danny," Jack grinned.

 

"What? Are you saying I don't know the difference?" Daniel snapped, squaring himself up to stare Jack straight in the eye.

 

"No. I'm just sayin' sometimes it's hard to tell the difference when it matters."

 

"Really?"

 

"Yeah, really."

 

"You're out of line, Jack. This doesn't concern you. I'll deal with it."

 

"Oh it does concern me. I've invested resources in your band, Daniel, and I don't want to lose what I've all ready put in. Oh and I think you've done enough dealing," Jack stated, using his long elegant fingers to emulate inverted commas in the air for the word 'dealing'.

 

By now Daniel's mind was in turmoil, racing through a gamut of emotions and now he was really angry. Jack had definitely hit a raw nerve and the musician lashed out. Raising his hand to block Daniel's incoming fist, Jack spun him around and pinned him against the wall, gripping both wrists with one hand above his head. The musician struggled but Jack held firm.

 

"What is it with you guys? Don't damage the hands for cryin' out loud!"

 

"Let me go, Jack!"

 

"Not until you understand what's going on here. Your libido has been far too busy Daniel, and you're letting your dick rule your brain. Lust is an art it's not something to practice without due care and attention. It's something where you don't mix emotion with instinct."

 

Daniel tried to struggle against Jack's grip again but he was still pinned.

"Remember, lust will get you horny and satisfied, love just makes it messy. Know what I mean?" Jack breathed, his voice low and dangerous. His brought his face close to Daniel's and the musician stared into Jack's dark brown eyes.

 

"There's no emotional investment with lust, Daniel. It's safe and it won't split the band as long as everyone knows where they stand. Stop playing and try and see the benefit of a little lust and tequila in your life instead of all this mushy angst-ridden stuff."

 

Daniel relaxed under Jack's hold for a moment then jumped when he felt his cock stiffen at the producer's contact with it. Jack was rubbing Daniel's penis seductively and making him hard.

 

"Feels good huh? And look, no emotion. Enjoy, Danny, you know where to come if you want more."

 

With that, Jack released the guitarist and walked away.

 

Daniel remained leaning against the wall, blinking as he watched the producer saunter out of the kitchen. Looking down he could still see his erection tenting his sweats and was now not only angry but frustrated as well. Jack had offered him a way of getting sexual satisfaction without all the energy-sapping fall out of having to establish an emotional connection. On one hand, it seemed quite an attractive offer given the circumstances of Sam's departure and Legolas' blow on his jaw, but on the other hand, Daniel liked emotional connections.

 

-o-

 

Jack went into the recording studio in his basement and switched on the small lamp over the mixing desk. Slumping into a chair he still couldn't believe what he'd done to Daniel a few minutes earlier. Lust and tequila? He groaned as he thought about it. He felt lust for Daniel, he couldn't deny that, but he also felt something deeper, something that filled his heart, as well as fuelled his libido. He knew he could fall for Daniel big time given the right opportunity, but that would spell disaster for the band and all that Jack wanted to achieve. He would have to try and keep a professional distance from the lead guitarist and concentrate on the job in hand, the one their legal contract was based on. His mission was to make a demo CD, hawk it around the big music companies and get the band signed so that its music could be distributed and sold. He needed to find them a decent agent, someone with terrier-like qualities, plenty of energy, ambition and Napoleonic stamina who could negotiate a good deal and he knew exactly who to contact.

 

Reaching for the phone with one hand, he searched in his pocket for his phone book.

 

"Janet? I've got a job for you."

 

-o-

 

"Legolas? Please don't be too upset."

 

"I'm not."

 

"You're not? Why not?"

 

"It doesn't matter."

 

"Yes, it does. If I were in your shoes I'd want to deck the guy...again," Aragorn smiled as he placed his hand carefully on the other man's arm.

 

"Look, I knew Daniel was about to finish it, he just hadn't come out and said it."

 

"So what was all that for back there?"

 

"I was angry to start with, but by the time I'd hit him, I was feeling better."

 

"Why? I don't understand."

 

"It was you who told Sam about us wasn't it?"

 

Aragorn moved away, guilt stabbing at his gut.

 

"You don't have to answer, I guessed right didn't I?"

 

The bassist nodded his head slowly, avoiding eye contact with the drummer.

"Why did you tell her?"

 

"It slipped out, I wasn't planning on saying anything. To be perfectly frank, I was jealous of Daniel."

 

"You were?"

 

"Yes, I'm sorry."

 

"Why sorry?"

 

"It makes me seem like a coward that I never said anything before. You seemed so wrapped up in him, I didn't have the heart to upset you or him come to that."

 

"Couldn't you see what I was trying to do?"

 

Aragorn shook his head; he had no idea what Legolas was getting at.

"I was trying to make you jealous and it worked."

 

"I don't understand. Why would you do that unless...?"

 

Legolas smiled as he watched Aragorn's expression change from confusion to enlightenment.

 

"You mean...?"

 

"Yes, I've always wanted you, Aragorn but you never showed any hint of interest. You've always been the quiet one, introspective and shy somehow."

 

"So it wasn't Daniel manipulating you, it was you manipulating Daniel," Aragorn murmured.

 

"Yes and now I feel guilty," Legolas laughed gently. "I think I'm going to have to make some apologies."

 

"Now?"

 

"Well, not right now. Perhaps later, after..."

 

"This?" Aragorn said as he leaned closer to the drummer and brushed his lips against Legolas.

 

Quickly, all memories, all actions and all recriminations faded and the men embraced; within moments they were naked and sprawled across Legolas' bed.

 

-o-

 

"Don't follow me, Teal'c. I'm not going back!"

 

"O'Neill wishes it, Samantha Carter, as do I," Teal'c said as he moved in front of her to bar her way.

 

"What's the point? Daniel will still be there and I don't want to see him."

 

"I understand, but you must return with me now, for the good of the band. It would be much the poorer without your beauty and your talent, as would I."

 

Sam looked up at the African, surprised and confused by his words.

 

"What are you trying to say?" she asked.

 

"That you should not leave, and that you should stay."

 

"I got that, but there's more to it. Come on, out with it," Sam smiled. She couldn't help it.

 

Over the previous few weeks she had began to feel a rapport with the man and though she was upset about Daniel's behaviour, somehow it didn't really matter anymore.

 

"The band is destined to become successful under O'Neill's leadership. Therefore, it would seem imprudent to leave at this time."

 

"And?"

 

"And I wish for your company, Samantha Carter."

 

-o-

 

By late evening everyone was gathered in Jack's kitchen. There was still a level of tension in the air, but at least no one was threatening to walk. Daniel had instigated a heart to heart discussion about their various situations, relationships and feelings. It was Jack who moved them on to talk about the band and its future.

 

"The band needs a decent name," Jack declared. "The Artefacts of Ra just doesn't do it."

 

"But, Jack," Daniel interjected, put out by Jack's criticism. He'd spent a long time choosing that name, mainly during the most boring of his archaeology lectures. "There are lots of unusually named bands. Take Three Inches of Blood, Nine Inch Nails, Cooper Temple Clause or Melt Banana. What about the Black Eyed Peas?"

 

"Yeah, well, Birds Eye Peas sounds okay, but the rest? I don't think so. Those names deserve to be in the weird name pot. Look, just think of a decent name by tomorrow okay? I'm going to bed; I've got a headache. I don't know why the hell I'm in this business," Jack muttered as he got up from the table. "Sometimes I think I'd rather have a hole in the head."

 

All discussion stopped instantly and everyone's eyes trained on Jack.

 

"What?" he barked, the pounding in his head becoming even more apparent now.

 

"That's it!" grinned Daniel, checking with the other band members. "Hole in the Head, that's our new name." There were nods of agreement from the other musicians.

 

"You're kidding me right?"

 

"No, Jack. You've just given us our new name."

 

"Jeeze," Jack ground out as he left them laughing in his wake.

 

-o-

 

Over the ensuing weeks, the band spent nearly twelve hours a day in the recording studio. Jack wanted them to record at least twenty tracks, of which they would choose twelve for a potential first album. The instrumental version of each song was recorded first with the band playing together. When Jack and the band were satisfied, the vocal tracks were laid on top. Contrary to popular belief, it was very hard and often frustrating work.

 

Jack fought and argued with Daniel over his lead breaks, accusing him of lacking the ability for a disciplined performance.

 

"The twiddly bits are just too damned twiddly, Daniel. Just keep it simple will ya!"

 

"This is rock music, Jack. The lead breaks are supposed to be twiddly. Just listen to Steve Vai or Brian May!"

 

"Who's the producer here? Trust me, you need to simplify."

 

These kinds of arguments peppered their work almost every day, and to Aragorn, the quiet observer, Jack and Daniel's sparring seemed more like verbal foreplay. Their spats would often end in compromise, with Jack touching Daniel on the arm or patting his shoulder. The bass player noticed that O'Neill was a very tactile man with everyone, and most especially with Daniel.

Smiling, the bassist wondered just how long it would be before the sky lit up and the bed springs broke. The men were passionate about their causes and seemingly not prepared to back down, but somehow they always managed to finish the day's recording with something they both liked.

 

It was an exhausting time for all concerned. Teal'c was on hand the whole time to help smooth furrowed brows and to give his opinion on the work produced. He also acted as housekeeper and nanny, soothing ruffled feathers and making sure everyone ate regularly. He became a permanent fixture and Sam spent every free moment with him. She liked him. A lot.

 

Aragorn and Legolas became an item, retreating to their now mutual bedroom when they could. Jack thought they seemed a very self-contained pair. They didn't show a lot of outward sentiment towards each other except the quiet strength they drew from one another.

 

At the end of the project, three months later, the group decided to go out and celebrate at the Wah Tin Chinese restaurant. Teal'c drove the band's battered old van. He would get them back safely; he never touched alcohol, ever.

From the initial tension and resultant difficulties, the band's relationships calmed and settled. They became a tight-knit group, working towards a single shared goal. The only strain was one of sexual tension between Jack and Daniel. They shared no further physical contact with each other, even though secretly, they both desired it more than anything.

 

During the time they had worked together, they were developing feelings for each other that went well beyond lust, but neither of them was prepared to let down their emotional guard for the sake of a romp in the sack.

 

The group had a good evening together, finally able to relax now that the recording work was over. Jack was already planning the next part of his strategy to promote the band. This was Saturday night and he wanted them to perform a set of their new songs at the Cooperage the following Monday evening. He insisted that during the intervening day, Sunday, they would relax and chill, no more work, just a day of play, and rumbling around in his mind was a day of lustful play with Daniel, but that would be down to the guitarist, it would have to be his choice. Jack felt confident that he could bury his feelings whilst burying his cock in Daniel's ass. He just had one more thing to do and he would make a phone call the next day to settle it.

 

On Sunday morning, the weather was cold and bright. Teal'c and Sam went out for the day, Legolas went to an archery club and Aragorn watched while his lover shot arrow after arrow into various targets.

 

Daniel spent most of the morning asleep while Jack organised the next step in the band's schedule. He'd already persuaded Janet Fraiser to manage them and with their short tour of gigs already arranged before Jack had seen the band for the first time, he asked the diminutive rotweiller to meet them in Birmingham the following week. Teal'c would go with the band, drive them to their venues, act as roadie and generally look after them.

 

Jack would stay behind and put the finishing touches to the tracks they'd recorded. He didn't want the band doing this tour, the venues were second rate and it would be tiring for them with gigs hundreds of miles apart and performances with little time to rest in between. Daniel argued that they were committed to do it and that it would be a good opportunity try out their new songs.

 

The producer's mother hen tendencies were kicking in and he really wanted to go with them to make sure they didn't get into to any trouble, but he knew he could trust Teal'c to deal with any problems. If the truth were known, Jack didn't want to be apart from Daniel, not that he would admit that to himself or to the guitarist. Shaking his head he reached for the phone.

 

Needing to arrange a video shoot for their demo CD in order to promote their favourite track he wanted something cheap and quick. If the music companies liked it, they would invest in the band's promotion including making a new video to go with whatever track they wanted to use. All of that was in the uncertain future; right now Jack's only concern was to get the video made in time for the tour. They might be able to sell some CDs and posters to help get the message across to the music buying public.

 

"Hey, George!" Jack said, genuine warmth in his voice. "How ya doin'?"

 

-o-

 

When Jack had finished organising the date for the shoot to be completed in one day, he headed for the kitchen, detecting the aroma of freshly brewed coffee; Daniel must be up and the producer's gut clenched with the excitement of seeing him. Recognising his body's responses, he shook his head. He could not afford any emotional complications with Daniel right now; there was too much at stake, the most important being the protection of his own sanity. Falling for Daniel now would be too difficult; especially after the love/lust lecture he'd given him.

 

"Jack, hi," Daniel greeted him with a broad smile. "Coffee?"

 

"Yeah, thanks," Jack replied eyeing the musician carefully. Suddenly, his body and mind were on alert. The man looked so good in those tight jeans and t-shirt moulded to his well-muscled form.

 

Blinking, Daniel handed Jack his coffee and cocked his head. "What's the matter?"

 

"Huh? Oh, nuthin'," Jack responded nonchalantly. Was Daniel a mind reader?

"It's just that you seem...pensive."

 

"Oh, that. Well, I've got a lot on my mind, what with the album, the tour and I've arranged for you to make a video to go with whatever track you want to use."

 

"Great! That's great," Daniel said, his voice trailing off.

 

"And?"

 

"And what?" Daniel asked as he dropped his head and looked at Jack expectantly through long dark lashes.

 

Jack saw the signal and averted his eyes quickly. That lust thing was going to come back and bite him in the ass one day. Damn! Ass. Shoot! He so didn't need this. Trouble was, he did. Jack really wanted to get down and dirty with the musician but he couldn't. If he did, he would lose control of his mind, his body and his faculties. He would fall so fast his feet wouldn't touch the ground. Crap! His feet not touching the ground would mean they were up in the air, resting over Daniel's shoulders while the guitarist pounded his asshole. Fuck! Oh god fuck, yeah that was it, fucking with every nerve of his body and every ounce of his strength. Jeeze! His mind was in overdrive quickly followed by his body.

 

"There's nothing else on my mind, Daniel," Jack croaked, acutely aware of how dry his mouth felt.

 

Drinking the coffee quickly, Jack grabbed a magazine and leafed through the pages; Daniel noting how they quivered in the producer's hands. Daniel sensed that Jack would not take the lead to instigate a closer, physical relationship; after all, it was Jack who said if Daniel wanted more he would have to take the first step. Though Daniel could use the language of the diplomat, he figured, with Jack, he would have to be much more direct.

 

"Um, Jack? Got any plans for the rest of the day?"

 

"No, not really. I might watch TV, take a nap and then cook dinner. You?"

 

"No, I haven't got any plans at all, err...except one."

 

"Oh?"

 

The men knew what was going on, Jack wasn't stupid and he picked up on Daniel's changing tone of voice.

 

"Yeah, I thought, considering the house is empty and there's just you and me here, we might do something...together." As Daniel delivered his words, his eyes locked onto Jack's as he drew his fingertips idly up his arm and across his throat. Jack's breath hitched as he followed Daniel's movements.

 

"Something together?" the producer echoed. "Like what?" he asked, drawing the tip of his tongue over his lips.

 

Taking two steps towards Jack, Daniel closed the distance between them. He was now standing very close to the producer and tentatively reaching out, and placed his hand against Jack's burgeoning erection. Taking a deep breath he looked at Jack, his blue eyes turning black.

 

"How about a massage?" Daniel whispered and Jack could feel warm breath caress his face knowing exactly what it was that the younger man wanted to massage.

 

Closing his eyes, Jack centred his focus on the pleasure generated by Daniel's touch. As he hardened further, Jack flushed with lust and desire. His eyes flashed as he opened them to look into Daniel's dark blue ones.

 

"Sure, why not?" he replied, after all this was just sex, something that would be mutually satisfying without the complication of emotions. How wrong he was...

"My room," Jack ordered and led the way upstairs. As Daniel followed him along the hallway, he ducked into his own room and grabbed a small container, arriving at Jack's doorway to see him unbuttoning his shirt.

 

"Hey, not so fast. I want to do that," Daniel announced as he stepped through and closed the door behind him.

 

"Whatever," Jack smiled, stretching his arms sideways in a gesture of invitation.

Daniel felt comfortable with what they were about to do, he'd listened to Jack's lecture and accepted that he could do this without guilt or tangled emotions. This would be a straightforward exchange of need and desire and he was more than ready for it. If this was what Jack wanted he was happy to oblige; there was no point in investing feelings where they weren't wanted. Though it went against Daniel's normal way of thinking and acting, he was prepared to try anything once and with any luck, more than once. He never said no to anything before trying it, despite the fact that now he tried hard to justify his actions even to himself.

 

As Daniel unfastened Jack's shirt he studied the well developed pectoral muscles and the smattering of grey chest hair as he touched the dark nipples and elicited a low moan from his partner. Looking up, Daniel saw Jack's slightly parted lips and wanted them pressing against his own. Gripping his jaw with one hand, Daniel moved in to kiss Jack for the first time and to his surprise, the producer pulled away from him.

 

"No kissing on the lips, Daniel. It's too personal and we're not here to get personal are we? We're here for mutual satisfaction, right?"

 

Hesitating, Daniel realised that Jack was quite clear about what he wanted and what he expected from him, and for some reason, the musician felt his stomach clench. Why he wasn't sure. Was it disappointment that some deeper desire would go unmet or was it that he just liked kissing and Jack was denying him that sensation?

 

Nodding, Daniel fastened his mouth on one of Jack's nipples and sucked hard, substituting his disappointment with payback.

 

"Whoa!" Jack breathed, excited by the pain and pleasure that Daniel was generating, following his exclamation with a groan.

 

Smiling against Jack's chest, Daniel continued his ministrations, sucking on the other nub as he released the other man's waistband, pushing his jeans and boxers down over his hips. Stepping aside, Daniel moved behind Jack and pushed him up against the door, his hands travelling over his buttocks in hard rough strokes, spreading them to expose his asshole with each action. Widening his stance, Jack trapped himself, unable to move as his jeans tied his thighs. He wanted this, needed this feeling of vulnerability and seeming loss of control, the result of which shot straight to his groin. Placing his hands above his shoulders against the door, Jack leaned in, arching his back to push his hips out towards Daniel and to him, it felt invasive and he was desperate for it, to give himself up to whatever Daniel wanted to do.

 

Daniel sensed what Jack wanted and continued to touch and feel him. They said nothing to each other at all, the only sound in the room being rasping and erratic breathing. Pulling the small container from his back pocket, Daniel pumped the fine spray of lubricating oil across his fingers to probe between Jack's cleft. Jack moaned and growled as Daniel found the puckered ring of his ass and without warning, pushed a finger up inside him. Tensing his thigh muscles, Jack strained against the tightness of his jeans, wanting to feel himself struggle against Daniel's onslaught, while at the same time, enjoying it. Keeping his finger firmly in Jack's ass, Daniel used his free hand to unzip and pull his own jeans down far enough to liberate his throbbing cock from the constraints of the denim fabric.

 

Pressing his mouth close to Jack's ear, Daniel checked that Jack wanted the obvious. "Do you want this, Jack?" he asked, his voice no more than a hoarse whisper and to make sure there was no misunderstanding, he withdrew his finger and jabbed his cockhead against the slackened rim. At this, Jack could do nothing except nod his permission. Returning to his mission, Daniel added a second finger and worked Jack's ass, stretching him further, preparing him to take his hard full erection.

 

By now Jack wanted to let his jeans drop to his ankles, lever off his shoes and step out of them so that he could enable Daniel easier access but the other man stopped him. "No! I want you tight and I want you screaming," he rasped and in response, Jack reached for his own cock, stroking and pulling at it with growing need. Jack hadn't felt like this for a long time - if he ever did that is. Daniel had ignited something in him that he'd only ever been vaguely aware of, but had never acted on, not in this way and not with this level of desperation. He wanted to be fucked harder than he'd ever been before.

 

Daniel continued to finger Jack, making sure that he was well prepared and pumping the spray over his cock, he slicked it ready to breach his partner. Pulling out his fingers, Daniel paused, teasing Jack and building his anticipation. Growling, Jack signified his growing frustration as he pushed back his hips even more, begging Daniel to fill him and then he felt it, the burn of penetration. Letting out a choked and ragged sigh, he relaxed onto Daniel's cock as he pushed into him. He didn't move for a few moments, wanting to give Jack the chance to adjust to his size, but the producer didn't want to wait so he rocked his hips drawing Daniel further into him.

 

The musician took the hint and began a series of long slow thrusts, circling his hips to brush against Jack's prostate. Uttering short harsh groans, Jack shuddered with heated pleasure and each time, Daniel made contact with his sweet spot. His lover snaked his arms around Jack's waist and set up close, deeply penetrating strokes. Jack moved his arms to lean his forehead against one as he increased the speed of his other hand.

 

"I'm close, I'm gonna come...ahhh...soon, soon," Daniel grunted, his voice quivering as he dragged in a lungful of air.

 

"Harder, don't hold back, fucking do it!" Jack yelled, feeling his own climax gathering in his balls.

 

Daniel planted his hands on Jack's hips and adjusting his angle and speed, pounded hard into the other man's ass, his voice and breathing reflecting the additional effort of satisfying his partner.

 

"Can't hold it, I'm coming...coming now. Fuck...ahhhhhhhh!"

 

As Daniel jerked his orgasm high up inside him, Jack's climax raced to join his lover's and they came together, his semen spurting against the wooden door.

Resting against Jack, Daniel panted as his body shook and as he calmed, he slowly withdrew his softening cock. O'Neill sighed loudly, feeling the loss of contact and of being so filled.

 

Feeling a surge of emotion, Daniel pulled away quickly and stuffing himself back into his jeans he needed to get out of the Jack's bedroom. He suddenly realised he couldn't do this lust thing without the emotional connection he needed. Jack pulled up his jeans far enough to enable him to walk, and moving away from the door he detected the turmoil showing on Daniel's face. Before he could say or do anything, his partner smiled weakly at him and left, unable to say a word.

At the quiet snick of the door as it closed in the lock, Jack put his hands on his hips and dropped his head. He guessed what Daniel was feeling and he was feeling the same thing. Instantly he regretted what had just happened and berated himself for giving in to his baser instincts when he should have kept that distance between them. Flinging himself on the bed, he lay on his side, waiting for the throbbing in his ass to subside. Squeezing back a tear he slipped into a dreamless sleep.

 

-o-

 

Having put a pot roast in the oven, Jack went into the living room. It was dark outside now, so he drew the curtains and switched on the gas fire. With just a sidelight on, Jack slumped onto the sofa, wrapped up in his thoughts. He liked Daniel a lot and given time he knew he could fall in love with him, and that this man could be the centre of his universe. He had to pull back now before it was too late, before he completely lost his heart and his sanity. Jack did something he only ever did very occasionally. Getting up he went to a small table set against the far wall and pulled opened a small compartment. Reaching into the little drawer he pulled out a slim pack of Black Russian cigarettes and rooted around at the back to find a lighter. Sitting down again he fingered the smooth black tube of tobacco and pursed his lips to feel the gold filter tip against them. Lighting it, he inhaled a deep breath and let it escape his mouth in thin languorous curls of smoke. He was convinced he'd found and lost a very special man, all in the space of a lustful coupling meant to bring satisfaction to both of them; it had given them the opposite and now Jack felt like crap.

 

As he sat in the gloom with only the low roar of the gas flames and the creaking of the fire surround heating up as company, Jack wondered how Daniel was fairing. He hadn't seen him for a couple of hours now, and guessed he was probably in the sanctuary of his room feeling as equally bad as Jack did. Just as he considered dragging his body off the sofa to go look for him, the door opened and Daniel stood in the doorway.

 

"Jack?"

 

"It's okay, Daniel. Come on in and take a seat," Jack said quietly, waving his arm to indicate Daniel should take the armchair opposite.

 

"I won't stay long, I don't want to disturb you."

 

"You're not. What's on your mind?"

 

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry for what happened. Are you all right, I didn't hurt you did I?"

 

"Don't feel sorry, yes I'm okay and no you didn't hurt me," Jack replied, sitting forward on the edge of the couch and resting his arms on his thighs.

 

"I think I made a mistake and…"

 

"We both did, Daniel, so let's make our apologies and move on," Jack said emphatically, making it quite clear he didn't want to talk about it.

 

Taking a long look at Jack, Daniel figured there was no point in trying to talk further. Jack had closed down the possibility but not to be beaten, he would bide his time and wait for another opportunity.

 

After a long silence, Jack started to talk about his thoughts for the band's next move and they discussed the options and possibilities. Jack had managed to steer them away from personal feelings and into the practical issues of work. For the meantime, Daniel would have to be satisfied with the situation and any contact he could have with Jack. The producer felt the same and hoped that they could move to a more professional and distanced relationship. They had given full reign to their lust and that was fine. The unspoken, unfinished and unfulfilled part of their intercourse would have to be set aside and buried. The aching emptiness that Jack had felt in his gut just before he'd met Daniel re-emerged. It would drive him to seek success for the band and would harden his defences against his growing feelings for the man sitting opposite.

 

-o-

 

The next week or so was frantic for all concerned. The band had to complete their music video before leaving to tour. They worked for nineteen hours straight to finish it and with only a day in between to gather themselves, everyone was on edge.

 

Jack spent some time briefing Teal'c before Hole in the Head hit the road. After they'd gone, the producer retreated to his kitchen and surveyed the debris of their last meal together. The place felt so empty now and so quiet. Slipping the silvery rainbow-reflecting piece of plastic into his CD player, Jack cranked up the volume and listened to their first demo album. He genuinely liked it, but grimaced once or twice when he heard the complicated licks played by the lead guitarist. Smiling, he knew Daniel was good, damned good and if he could discipline his talent he would be hailed as one of the greatest rock guitarists of the last thirty years.

 

When Hole in the Head hit the big time, Jack would be pleased and disappointed; pleased that the band would get the recognition it deserved, and disappointed that he would no longer be able to produce their music. His studio wasn't sophisticated enough for most of the big music companies and given the chance, he would suggest they record at the Stargate Studios in Sweden; it would be their best chance to do well. Stargate had produced artists like Cher, so they would be in good hands.

 

The tour started well enough and the band was tight, playing well together. As the days progressed though, things started to fall apart. Daniel was always a nervy performer, pacing the wings before the band went on stage to play. Instead of the occasional drink before he performed he was drinking more and more and halfway through the tour, he'd collapsed before they were due onstage. The band reorganised itself and played as a trio but the gig bombed. The other members tried to figure out what was wrong with Daniel; he was spiralling out of control and becoming self-destructive.

 

Teal'c contacted Jack everyday to give him a report on the band's progress. When the African described Daniel's erratic and unpredictable behaviour, Jack became angry and concerned.

 

"Why d'ya think he's doing this, T?"

 

"I am uncertain, O'Neill. He is unhappy, that is obvious but why, I do not know."

 

"I think I do," muttered Jack, scrubbing his hand through his hair. "What about Janet? What's she saying?"

 

"She is unsure of what to do. She has tried to find out what is in Daniel Jackson's mind, but he only says he has made a mistake."

 

"Y'mean he's saying he’s fucked up?"

 

"I believe that may have been his words, O'Neill," Teal'c replied, his stoicism clearly audible.

 

"Okay, there are three more gigs, I'd better join you and see what I can do. I'll meet you at the next venue, and Teal'c?"

 

"O'Neill?"

 

"Tie him down if you have to, just stop him doing anything else we'll all regret, okay?"

 

"As you wish, O'Neill."

 

Jack virtually threw the phone receiver back into its cradle. He knew their sex episode would come back to haunt him and Daniel, he just didn't expect it quite so soon.

 

Later that day, Jack drove the four hours to London and he drew up outside the Brixton Academy two hours before the band was due to perform. Making his way to the dressing room, he could hear a heated argument in progress and pushing the door wide open, he was greeted by Sam, Legolas and Aragorn on one side of the room, facing Daniel on the other. They were hurling abuse at each other and Jack was dumbfounded when he took a good look at the lead guitarist. The guy was a mess, his hair was wild and unkempt and his clothes awry, and he had a wild expression on his face. His eyes were red and his mouth twisted into a sarcastic grin.

 

"You don't know anything!" he yelled. "You and Legolas, you've got each other," Daniel ranted, waving his arms unsteadily. "You get to fuck and it's okay and so do you, Sam, but me? Ooooh nooooo, not me! I just get a fuck without even a kiss. What does that make me? Huh?"

 

"Someone who's very upset," Jack intervened, his voice strong and yet gentle at the same time.

 

"Wha...what?" Daniel said, confused by the addition of another voice to the clamour.

 

"Get lost, guys," Jack ordered without even looking at the other members of the band. "Give him some space, will ya?"

 

Glancing nervously at each other, the three disappeared through the open doorway, followed by Teal'c who pulled it shut.

 

"What's goin' on, Daniel?" Jack asked, looking around the room.

 

"Nothing," Daniel ground out, panting as he tried to recover from his latest outburst.

 

"Really? Doesn't look like it."

 

"What the fuck do you care? I'm just a convenience right?"

 

"Hey! You started it, Daniel. You were the one who made the first move."

 

"That's not true and you know it. You came on to me first remember? You were the one who told me where to come if I wanted more. Don't forget that."

 

"Look, we were both wrong, okay? It was a stupid thing to do and I regret it as much as you obviously do, but you've got a job to do right now and you shouldn't be giving in to a fit of pique."

 

"What?" Daniel spat back. "You think what I'm feeling is a juvenile fit of pique? Only you could reduce real feelings to a kid stamping his foot."

 

"I didn't mean it like that, I meant..."

 

"It doesn't matter, Jack. I've had enough...of everything!"

 

As a wave of frustration and anger roiled in his gut, Daniel grabbed his guitar by the neck and swung it over his head, quickly intercepted by Jack who wrestled the instrument from the musician's grip.

 

"Oh no you don't! You're not gonna break the fucking thing just to prove a point. You need this, y'know," Jack replied, shaken by Daniel's sudden action.

 

Carefully setting down the guitar, Jack gripped Daniel's shoulders. "Look at me, Danny. I'm sorry things didn't work out but there's a bigger picture here. What about the band, Daniel? Doesn't that count for anything?"

 

"What about us, Jack, doesn't that count for anything?"

 

"That's not the point. What matters is the band."

 

"You're wrong, you know you are! The band won't last forever. It can't, but us? We could, if you want that. Do you?"

 

Jack looked into Daniel's eyes that were so full of passion, emotion and pain. Jack felt like crap yet again, he'd put it there.

 

"Whaddya want me to say? That you're everything to me, that I want you above all else, that I want you in my life forever? Is that what you want, Daniel, because if you do, there's a price to pay. Long periods of not seeing each other, of not being together, sometimes not even being on the same damned continent. You think the music business is easy, that it nurtures happy and harmonious relationships? As liberal as the industry likes to think it is, a gay front man to a rock group doesn't go down well and doesn't sell records, no matter how much you think it shouldn't matter. Look, you play the guitar like a god and that kind of talent needs to be heard and appreciated. Hooking up with me would mean you'd have an audience of one."

 

"I could quit, Jack, then it wouldn't matter," Daniel offered as he realised two things. Firstly, that Jack wanted him and secondly that the producer believed he had genuine talent.

 

"You can't do that. Why don'tcha get cleaned up, do the gig and we'll talk later?"

"No, we talk now, I'm not waiting any longer," insisted the musician.

 

"I've said all I want to say, Daniel."

 

"So, let me get this straight. You're saying you don't want me, that we have no future together and that I should just carry on as if nothing ever happened between us, is that it?"

 

"I guess so, yeah."

 

"So, you don't want me?"

 

"Of course I fucking want you but I shouldn't and therefore I can't! You need to go and do what you were destined to do. I'm just a passing distraction, Daniel and when you're on top of the world, this will all seem like a bad dream."

 

As the words left Jack's mouth he knew he would never fully recover from this, but it didn't matter. What really mattered was Daniel fulfilling his own dream and satisfying his primal need to express himself in the best way he could. What Jack missed was the fact that the only expression Daniel wanted to make was about his feelings for the Jack.

 

"Well, that's all very convenient isn't it? You make the great sacrifice and I move on to conquer the world as your protégé. Sorry, Jack, that's not going to happen. I want you and you want me, and we should find a way to be together. It's not impossible, but I accept it wouldn't be easy. That can't stop us and I think you're being a coward if you do."

 

Jack threw his hands up and turned his back on Daniel. What the musician had just said was what he needed to hear. The other man was right; he'd been stuck in the rut of denial.

 

Seeing Jack turn away from him, Daniel fell into despair. The producer was bent on denying his own feelings as well as Daniel's.

 

"I'm outta here, Jack. I'll do the gig then I'm gone," Daniel stated, resigned to the producer's rejection of him.

 

"No, you're not goin' anywhere, not just yet anyway," breathed Jack as he grabbed Daniel's arm.

 

Jack held Daniel close and burned his lips with a searing kiss.

 

"You're right, we need to find another way."

 

-o-

 

Ten months later, Hole in the Head had secured the number one chart spot in Britain and twelve in the States. The tight-knit group consisting of the four band members, Jack, Teal'c and Janet worked as hard as they could to gain recognition and with it, the spoils of becoming the latest and most popular currency of the music industry. Their schedule was punishing, with live performances, interviews, photo calls and the like.

 

As the band piled into the limousine provided by their music company, Jack sat quietly in the corner, listening to the others retell their latest interview. He was proud of what they'd achieved and wondered if Daniel might tire of him one day and leave him for someone else. That thought was always in the back of his mind and it gnawed at him, most often when he and Daniel were apart, which was pretty much all the time. Maybe this was the time to split, the band didn't really need him now and they had a corporate entourage to look after them. Daniel was in top form, playing and composing like the virtuoso Jack always knew him to be. It would kill him to leave and he would feel like crap all over again.

 

As the limo make its way back to their hotel, Daniel leaned forward and said something to the driver. Jack couldn't hear what he'd said and wasn't too bothered either, his preoccupation about the inevitable separation with Daniel took all his concentration. A few minutes later, the vehicle pulled up outside a three-storey town house.

 

"Come on, Jack," Daniel said brightly as he stepped out of the car.

 

"Huh?"

 

"Just haul your ass and follow me," the musician called over his shoulder, laughing softly as he did so.

 

"Well go on," Sam chimed, sandwiched between a nodding Legolas and a smiling Aragorn.

 

"Indeed, O'Neill. I suggest you do as Daniel Jackson bids."

 

Shaking his head, Jack got out of the car and shut the door, spinning around to watch the limousine draw away, leaving a perplexed music producer on the sidewalk.

 

"Jack! Come on!" Daniel called again, this time from the doorway of the house. "I want to show you something."

 

Jack did as he was asked and followed the guitarist inside. Closing the door behind them, Daniel could barely suppress his grin.

 

"What's goin' on, Danny?" Jack asked suspiciously.

 

"We've got five whole days before the next gig and I thought we could take a little vacation, you know, do something...together."

 

Jack's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open as he looked around. The house was elegantly furnished and decorated and it was very, very quiet.

 

"What's this all about?"

 

"It's ours, Jack. I bought it a few weeks ago, I wanted somewhere we could both go when things got too much. We haven't had any time together for months and months and I just wanted to make sure you weren't feeling left out. So I thought we could spend some time...together."

 

"Together," the producer echoed, a lop-sided smile forming. "So, we get to do stuff?"

 

"Like what?"

 

"Sucking face?"

 

"Oh yeah."

 

Then Jack's expression became serious. "Daniel? You don't have to do this. I can back away right now..."

 

"Oh no you don't, Jack O'Neill," Daniel breathed, stopping his words with his mouth. "I want you and I need you and you're not going anywhere, at least not for the next five days, even if I have to tie you down."

 

"Promise?"

 

"I want you in our bed, Jack, as soon as we can get there."

 

Laughing the men crossed the large reception hall and took the stairs two at a time. Moments later they stood on the threshold of the large and sparsely furnished bedroom. By now, Daniel was laughing, his eyes sparkling as he enjoyed the variation of expressions playing across Jack's face.

 

"You mean this place is yours don'tcha?" Jack asked, still confused.

 

"No, Jack, the house is ours. The deeds are in both our names. You have equal ownership. I know I should have checked with you, but I wanted it to be a surprise. Was I wrong?"

 

Jack surveyed the room and his gaze came to rest on Daniel. Slowly his dark brown eyes slid across the musician's form and finally Jack came to realise that their relationship could indeed be something worth investing in because he knew the reward would be a life time riding the roller coaster and at last, Jack knew this was what he wanted and that Daniel wanted it too.

 

Living his life with a young attractive rock star was not the future he'd imagined or planned for, but it didn't matter now. This was Daniel standing in front of him, the passionate man he'd first recognised all those months ago and only he, Jack, would see the younger man stripped of his public persona. Only he would ever have access to the real essence of this man, and Jack's emotions welled up inside him.

 

"You're not wrong, Daniel. C'mere and let me show you just how right you are," Jack said, his voice trembling.

 

For the first time in many months, Jack and Daniel were on their own and desperate to be together. Kissing, their bodies responded rapidly and within moments they had struggled out of their clothes, the bedroom floor looking like an explosion in a laundry.

 

Two strong, handsome and sexed up men faced each other, their masculinity sending powerful messages to one another. Jack reached out and drew his fingertips across Daniel's smooth and hairless chest, leaving a trail of fire that he could not fail to notice, though he remained immobile, content to allow his lover free reign over his body.

 

Sensing the situation, Jack smiled as he bent to rub his lips over Daniel's nipples, feeling the musician's body tense in response to his contact. Daniel fought his instincts and tried not to give any outward sign of his mounting excitement; he wanted Jack to take him in whatever way the older man chose and as Jack took a nipple into his mouth, Daniel shuddered against his hot moist touch.

 

"Lay down with me," Jack murmured, his voice deep, his tone quiet and seductive.

 

Wetting his lips, Daniel poured his body onto the bed and Jack gathered him up into his arms embracing and relaxing into each other under the covers. Their bodies calmed a little as they lay together, skin on skin and limbs entwined, but as they touched and explored each other their excitement climbed again and very soon the temperature increased and Jack had to throw back the bed linen, wrapping himself around his lover and revelling in the contrast of hard muscles and soft flesh. Resting between his legs, Jack kissed Daniel's face and neck as the musician ran his hands down Jack's spine, pressing his fingers into firm muscular buttocks and kneading, working his way into the cleft.

 

Jack still wondered at the way Daniel felt about him, how he could mould his body to his own and feel the same driving attraction for Jack as the producer felt for him. Spurred on by these strong emotions and physical need, Jack rolled off Daniel and stared at him.

 

"What is it, Jack?"

 

"Lie back, I want to suck you dry," Jack whispered, his voice hoarse with desire.

Doing as he was asked, Daniel closed his eyes as he felt Jack's mouth imprint a moist trail across his skin.

 

"Wait, Jack, what about a sixty-nine?"

 

Jack stopped for a moment and turning his body, he straddled Daniel's chest and presented his backside to his lover. As Jack took Daniel's hard cock into his mouth, the guitarist massaged Jack's buttocks, spreading them to expose his ass and plunging his fingers into his mouth, moistened them to glide across the puckered rim, teasing Jack with his relentless attention.

 

Cupping Daniel's balls in one hand, Jack held his lover's dick and gently pulled back the foreskin, dragging his tongue greedily across the head. In response, Daniel reached forward between Jack's thighs and stroked his cock, making him groan with pleasure, the vibration from the sound as Jack engulfed his dick, stimulating Daniel to squeeze and pull faster.

 

"My balls, Danny, pull on 'em," Jack rasped, wanting the pleasure/pain that only his lover could give him.

 

Circling his thumb and forefinger around the lose skin above his testes, Daniel let the weight of his hand rest on Jack's balls, making him growl with pleasure. Stretching his arm out to the side, Daniel groped for the lubrication, pumping the fine spray over his fingers then he set about concentrating his mind and actions on exploring Jack's ass.

 

As the older man felt Daniel's fingers push into him, he wanted to do the same, but couldn't get the access he needed. Instead, he sucked and laved his lover's dick for a while. After a few minutes, Jack came up for air and wondered if he could take Daniel's searching fingers any longer before he exploded. Pulling away from the musician's touch, Jack turned around.

 

"Move to the top of the bed, for me. Hold on to the head board and squat," Jack breathed, his ass tingling from Daniel's ministrations.

 

Without a word, Daniel scooted up the bed, pushing the pillows out of his way and positioned himself as Jack had requested. Jack moved to place his legs in between Daniel's and leaning against his back, spread his fingers to touch and feel his spine and in swirling motions, worked his way down to his lover's ass.

Daniel was blown away by the sensations coalescing around his anus as Jack pushed just a fingertip against him. In this position he was completely open to whatever Jack wanted to do and somehow his body felt closer to the older man's touch. Dragging the lube across the bed, Jack covered his fingers and began to fuck Daniel with them, one by one, stretching him and he moved his weight, bearing down onto Jack's hand. When the producer gauged that Daniel was ready he prepared his cock.

 

"Sit on me, Daniel," he said as he held his dick against his lover's slackened hole.

 

Feeling Jack's cockhead pressing into him, Daniel lowered himself onto the thick hard shaft, sinking slowly to envelope it. At this, Jack lay back on the mattress with just his hands on Daniel's hips to guide and support him. He began to pump his thigh muscles, lifting and dropping his hips to fuck himself on Jack's cock. Jack closed his eyes and gave himself up to his lover's strength and stamina. Daniel released one hand and reached for his own cock, stroking the shaft.

 

"Don't let yourself come just yet, Danny, I want you inside me," gasped Jack, his breath hitching and trembling. "God, I need you to fuck me."

 

Daniel stood up and quickly they rearranged their positions, with Jack lying on the bed and Daniel above him. Sliding a pillow under his hips, Jack bent his knees and Daniel lifted his legs one at a time to rest on his shoulders. As he leaned forward on his hands, he pushed into Jack, slowly at first and then as his lover's ass yielded to his erection, Daniel began to move, stroking and thrusting in long slow movements, Jack matching his lover's rhythm with his hand on his cock.

 

Daniel loved Jack with his body, moving to caress the soft hot flesh with his penis, penetrating deeply, reaching high up inside him. They spent many minutes in this slow and intense act, each drawing the other towards climax. As Jack's body climbed to reach orgasm his fingers latched onto Daniel's nipples, squeezing and twisting as Daniel edged towards his own climax.

 

"Danny, I want to come, I want to jerk off and cover you," chanted Jack.

 

"Do it, let me see you," panted the musician as he increased his strokes, pushing into Jack's body harder and faster, his short jabbing thrusts catapulting him closer and closer.

 

Rubbing his thumb roughly against the head of his cock and spiralling his hand around his shaft, Jack could feel his balls tighten as the heated handful of flesh began to throb. Suddenly, the spasms of pleasure accelerated through him and he came, painting a stream of semen over Daniel's abdomen. His ass contracted, squeezing his lover's cock and Daniel threw back his head and roared as he climaxed, the sound reverberating around the bedroom.

Moments later, they collapsed beside each other, panting and gasping.

 

"I love you, Jack," Daniel smiled, his hand resting over his chest.

 

"I love you too, Danny, more than I can say. Always know that I love you."

 

"I know and I'm glad. Hey! I think that might be the title for a song."

 

"Whatever," Jack murmured, happy that the musician could play his body like a finely tuned instrument extracting from it, everything that he was and everything he could ever be.

 

-o-

 

The End