Standing at the front door, Philip looked at his friend then his lover. Blair got to his feet first, and quickly Jack stood beside him, towering the shorter man. Philip looked from one to the other then grinned. Jack and Blair exchanged looks then focused on the young man by the front door once more. In answer to Phil's 'You've met then', they both answered at the same time:

"Kinda," Jack muttered.

"Sure," Blair said.

Philip nodded then jostled the bags in his arms. Jack stepped over to him immediately, grabbing one of the bags from him and together they went into the kitchen. As they walked by, Philip threw a quick glance over Jack's shoulder to Blair. The other man knew that meant for him to stay where he was, so he sat down once more and picked up his cup of tea.

*

Once in the kitchen, with the louver doors closed for a little privacy, Philip stood by Jack's side as they unpacked the bags of groceries. Despite the fact that he and Blair had shopped the day before, Philip needed to get some other items in, like condoms, lube and gloves, while restocking the depleted level of beer from their drinking session the night before. He was not surprised to discover his head thumped badly that morning when he woke up, considering the amount of alcohol he'd consumed, however he'd had a fist full of aspirin and a few of his heavy-duty pain killers, and now he was feeling fine.

He leaned towards Jack, nudging him playfully with his shoulder as he whispered, "Sorry, hun."

"You might have warned me you had company last night," Jack whispered back through gritted teeth as he hoisted the pack of beer from the bottom of his bag. As he turned to go to the fridge Phil reached out and grabbed the front of his t-shirt, gripping it in a vice-like clasp. Jack bounced back to face him and the younger man tilted his face to him, whispering lasciviously, "And *when* did I get the chance to do that?"

The colonel looked over the clean shaven face then at the moist, pink lips. The breath puffing out between them was minty-fresh. "A note, perhaps?" He said, swallowing the sudden and over-whelming temptation to have that mouth wrapped around his cock once more. With a wanton smile, Philip seemed to read his thoughts.

In a voice, laced with sexuality, Philip recited what the note 'might' have contained: "Dear Jack, don't walk around naked in the morning, I have a friend in the next room'?"

The colonel stared at the dark eyes, his whole body charged with desire. In a voice more level than he thought possible at that moment, he quipped, "That would have worked."

Philip laughed lightly as he released his lover then grabbed the bread from the bag beside him before reaching up to put it in an overhead cupboard. Jack growled gutturally as his hands snaked around the narrow waist, sliding over the front of the stretched man as he moved in behind him, his semi-erect groin pressing into the tight, denim clad butt before it. Phil moaned as he wriggled himself against the crotch while Jack chewed lightly on his ear. Arching his throat, he dropped his head back onto Jack's shoulder as the colonel began to nip and kiss his soft throat.

"Why?" Phil asked breathlessly, his hands going behind him to run up the backs of Jack's parted thighs. "Did you walk around naked this morning?"

"Actually, no.." Jack murmured against the warm flesh.

"What was the problem then?" Phil's voice was deep and thick.

"He came into the room-" Jack kissed the pulse point. "And I was lying there-" He kissed the Adam's Apple as Phil begun to turn to face him. Their eyes met. "And I was butt-naked..." Jack told him plainly.

The dark eyes went wide as a salacious smile filled his face. "Erect?"

"No."

"Oh."

"You sound disappointed."

Phil jutted his chin as he arched back over the edge of the counter slightly, rubbing his groin against Jack's. "I am. For Blair's sake. You're worth seeing..." he said, then he gripped the back of Jack's head and kissed him deeply. The colonel gave into the more dominant tongue, allowing Philip to lead the kiss, to explore the moist cavern until he had his fill. Pulling back slowly they focussed on each other's eyes again.

"So now that your good friend has seen me in all my glory, you mind telling me why he's here and why he's wearing your t-shirt?"

Philip grinned, seeing the jealousy in Jack's eyes. "Well, you're wearing my t-shirt.."

"I also happen to have had sex with you last night. I take it _he _didn't..."

Phil's eyes crinkled as he grinned widely. "Oh, Jack. You're not seriously jealous..."

The colonel's hand cupped the upturned face as he stepped right against the smaller body, jamming it between himself and the counter behind Phil. "Does that bother you?"

Biting his bottom lip between his white teeth, Philip shook his head. "I find it sexy - sometimes," he confessed in a soft whisper as he tugged the dog tags out from beneath the blue t-shirt.

"Yeah?" Jack arched a brow as his thumb pressed on the malleable bottom lip. Phil sucked the thumb into his wet mouth and twirled his tongue around it as he rolled the dog tags around his hand and used them to tug Jack even closer.

He spat out the digit then, as he closed his hungry mouth over Jack's once more, he whispered, "Oh, yeah!" This time the tongues tumbled together, butting and jousting within the wet caverns. Phil tugged Jack even closer using the tags, the ball-chain biting into the back of the colonel's neck but he didn't mind as he pressed against the body and devoured the younger man's mouth fully.

Pulling back amidst gasps noisy enough to have been heard in the other room, Philip licked his lips, dragging in every morsel of Jack from their surface. He swallowed then smiled broadly. "God, you are so damn *good* at that..."

Jack merely grinned as he arched his brow, his hands slipping to cup the younger man's upturned face. His thumbs brushed over the bone necklace around Phil's arched throat.

"He gave you this dog collar, didn't he..?" He rubbed his thumb across the loose necklace. The bone beads were cold to the touch even though they were against the warm skin. Some of the leather strap used to tie it up at the back was flopped around Philip's shoulder, the tanned leather a stark contract to the young man's white t-shirt.

"It's a tribal necklace, not a dog collar..."

A smile twitched on Jack's lips. "Bet I could still tie you to the headboard with it, though..."

Phil's smile broadened at that image of himself against the headboard, sitting on a pile of pillows, while Jack crawled up the bed towards him slowly. His hands reached around and gripped Jack's thighs, just on the rise of his butt, as he growled softly, "You could try..."

Both men grinned licentiously now. "Well, I have to go to work for a few hours.."

"Why?" Disappointment filled the cimmerian eyes now.

"We have to debrief from the mission. It should only take a few hours-" Jack said in a deep rasp as his eyes drank in every inch of the younger man's face. He looked into the dark eyes as he said, "but there's always tonight!"

Phil winked at him. "Cool. I'll debrief you, too-" He reached up and bit Jack's chin lightly, making the older man growl softly. "Though I'm not sure I can make it last a few 'hours'..."

Jack grinned, deep lines forming on his face as a wicked image raced through his thoughts. "Well, that's one debriefing I'm definitely looking forward to.."

With a lewd chuckle, Philip said, "Me, too."

Cupping the small face in his hands Jack brushed his thumbs over Philip's ears, all the while he was just looking at his lover, a smile on his face.

Phil enjoyed the loving scrutiny a few moments then smiled self-consciously as he touched his finger to the dog-tags against Jack's chest. "When do you think you might come home?" He asked, blinking as he looked back up into Jack's eyes.

"Mid afternoon.. tops."

The younger man nodded, cupped the tags in his hands before pressing a light kiss onto their cool surface. Tucking them back into Jack's top, he said, "I'll be waiting.." He pressed his palm over the covered tags now, feeling Jack's heartbeat against his fingertips.

The colonel smiled then his eyes crinkled slightly as he asked, "Will Blane be here?"

"Blair." Phil whispered with a soft laugh.

"Huh?"

"Blair."

"Blair?"

"Yeah.."

With a snort, Jack said, "Figures!"

"If you don't mind. I kinda promised him he could stay a few days..."

Jack didn't like the idea but shrugged. He was, after all, the uninvited guest here. He had no right to expect Philip to stop everything just because he'd turned up. "So long as he keeps his hands off you, especially while I'm gone..."

Philip's eyes went wide, wondering if Jack knew about the kiss last night. He blushed and gave a soft laugh, that somehow managed to sound guilty. "What an odd thing to say, Jack."

"Why?"

Phil felt the heat creep up to the tips of his ears, and prickle across his back as he looked into Jack's eyes. Was he trying to tell him something here? Did he and Blair talk about the events of the previous night in his absence, and Jack wanted to discuss it, or at least lay the seeds to discuss it on his return? For Philip, it was hard to tell. Sometimes he didn't pick up Jack's subtleties, which annoyed the older man on the occasion, and other times he read too much into Jack's mannerisms and words which, much to Philip's bewilderment, also bothered Jack. He decided to himself that he just didn't fully understand his complicated lover.. but he was trying to.

This was one of those moments when he wished he understood Jack more. Trying to ignore the sudden guilt he felt (he was annoyed when he heard a slight quiver in his voice) he said, as casually as he could, "What makes you think Blair's even remotely interested in me?"

"He's gay.. you're gay.. You're both men.." the colonel said with a casual shrug like that should explain everything. And perhaps it should - perhaps it shouldn't be anything more 'deep' than that, but the notion unsettled the slightly guilty partner. Was Jack really that casual in his attitude to a homosexual relationship? That it was just two men 'getting it off'? He thought what they shared was more than that.. or at least, it was to him! Phil's scars ripped open again, images of John filled his mind, and remembrances of the dinner at Jack's house came flooding, painfully, into his thoughts. So much so that Phil frowned slightly then pulled himself back a bit from the entanglement. He looked into Jack's eyes.

"What are you saying here?" he asked, growing serious.

With a roll of his eyes, for he really didn't mean *anything* by it, Jack said flippantly, "Hey, all I'm saying is..."

"Christ!" Philip shook his head, backing away even more.

"Hang on!  A minute ago I was sexy ..?"

"That was when you were jealous. Now you're accusing me of infidelity..?" The final word hung between them, Jack didn't dispute it. Perhaps he didn't realize he needed to.

Philip sighed heavily. When was he going to find someone who truly understood how important monogamy was to him. "I love you, Jack. I mean.. what the hell..?" He frowned, unable to believe that Jack had implied he'd be unfaithful to him, considering the temptation he had last night and the fact that he'd passed on it out of blind faith to Jack.

The raised voice from the kitchen caught Blair's attention and he turned slightly to the sound, then he saw Philip burst through the kitchen doors and stomp to his room, followed by a confused and bewildered Jack. The bedroom door slammed shut, hard, and a sculpture on the shelves against the adjoining wall toppled over. Jack threw his hands in the air, unable to comprehend what he'd said that was so wrong. He looked at Blair then shook his head. The anthropologist got to his feet slowly.

"Should I go...?"

"No," Jack said, shrugging his shoulders. "I've no idea ..."

"Well, something upset him..."

"We were talking.. about nothing really. He asked if I minded if you stayed..."

"And do you?" Blair interjected quickly.

"No!" Jack shrugged, because he really didn't. "I jokingly told him that you had to keep your hands to yourself..."

Jack was saying it in a way that clearly implied it was meant as a joke but Blair nodded and said, "oh."

"Oh?" Jack tilted his head, seeing that, for some reason, Blair seemed to understand Philip's reaction. "Well, maybe you can shed some light on this for me. I've got to admit, I'm completely lost here..." He indicated to the closed bedroom door with his hand. Blair crinkled up his face then sighed. Jack's eyes narrowed slightly as he turned to look at him more.

Daniel roused from his deep slumber slowly. He blinked then became aware of being watched. He turned his face and saw Teal'c beside him. Smiling lazily, he reached his hand up to touch his lover's cheek.

"G'morning," he mumbled, shifting in the bed to lay closer to the warm body against him.

"Good morning, my love," Teal'c said, his hand gliding up the smooth, hairless plain of Daniel's upper stomach and chest. His palm paused over an already erect nipple and he smiled. "How do you feel this morning?"

"Horny." Daniel's sweet smile belied the statement he'd just made.   Twisting so that his other hand could run up Teal'c's arm and onto his shoulder,  he cupped the small dark ear while his finger-tips played lightly over the smooth, bald head.

The Jaffa’s perfect brow arched high. Daniel had been right when he told him, at the start of their relationship, that he’d certainly let him know when he *wasn’t* in the mood - for more often than not, he was! Daniel Jackson, much to Teal’c’s surprise and utter delight, was a ravenous lover, often hungry. Daniel had jokingly called himself a ‘Chinese-food’ lover. The alien thought he was referring to actual food but Daniel had laughed when he said that it was more the case that - after sex - he was satiated, full and satisfied, but quickly became ‘hungry’ again for more - much like he was after partaking in Chinese food.

And the archaeologist’s intrigue with exploration did not just exist for other worlds and civilizations; Teal’c’s body had been mapped more often than he could recall. Daniel’s fingers, lips, nose-tip and tongue had traced over every inch of his skin and into every nook and cranny that existed on his body. Never before had he been so desired, himself so hungry for sex… but with Daniel, things were never as they had been before. Boldly the dark man asked, in a voice ripe with desire, "How can I be of assistance then?"

"A kiss-" Daniel paused as he tucked his other hand under his head, revealing the silky smooth, white underside of his upper arm. The skin bulged with muscle as he folded his arm behind his head. Blinking rapidly he continued, as if butter would not melt in his mouth: "A kiss.. might be a good.. ah ... 'start'..."

A smile burgeoned at the full lips as Teal’c reached down to grant his wish. Their lips met tenderly, Teal'c's thicker ones gently prising open Daniel's mouth until his slick tongue could enter the small, moist cavern.

Muttering against the rich fullness, Daniel said, "Yeah. We can work up from there..."

Teal'c's hand slipped down the partially naked body again as he rolled himself onto the smaller man, dropping one thigh between Daniel's parted legs and feeling the erection against his hip. Slipping his own hand between the two bodies, his palm wrapped around the cloth-covered shaft as he mumbled, into the gasp the anthropologist gave at the touch, "I believe you are worked up already..."

"You.. ah.. you noticed that, huh?" Daniel gasped when the hand slipped enough to tug the skin on the shaft enticingly. With mouths still pressed together he grinned against the full lips then he slapped his hands onto the bare chest and pushed Teal'c onto his back. Climbing on top of him triumphantly he straddled Teal’c’s thighs while he leaned forward, letting their covered groins brush together.

"Feels good, huh?" He grinned as he watched the thick lips quiver as Teal’c’s eyes lolled shut. Deliberately he moved his hips to strike across Teal’c’s engorged rod again and again. Slowly the dark eyes opened and the Jaffa nodded.

"You have my Pek’tar straining for release.."

A wicked grin lit Daniel’s eyes and flushed his cheeks. "I know…."

Teal’c smiled as his hands roamed the body above him, tucking in along his side causing Daniel to squirm and pull away from the touch with a throaty chuckle.  The younger man reached forward and resumed his rubbing while Teal’c’s hand traveled up over his arm and onto his shoulder. The large hand gripped the well-formed shoulder easily and Daniel tilted his head to stroke his cheek on the back of Teal’c’s hand.

With a sigh, heavier than he thought possible at that moment, Daniel stared at the luminescent face below him. Suddenly his thoughts darkened and his heart thudded within his chest. Teal’c saw all, as each thought, each fear, scurried across the surface of Daniel’s face now.

Touching his hand to the younger man’s face, Teal’c whispered, "You are safe now, my Daniel.."

Biting his lips together, for it over-whelmed him that Teal’c could read him so easily and so correctly, Daniel waited until he had control of the wave of emotion rolling through him at that moment before speaking. With a soft cough to clear his throat Daniel turned towards the hand and kissed it lightly.

"I want to apologize.." he said, closing his eyes and sighing as Teal'c's fingertips gently fondled his bare shoulder.

"You have no need to apologize."

"Yes, I do," he said quickly then his tongue darted out to lick his lips as he bowed his face slightly. "For crashing ..on ...you.. last night...."

"You did not crash on me, Daniel." Teal’c took the sentence in it’s literal sense.

With a dart of a humorless smile Daniel corrected himself. "On the sofa then. I’m sorry I fell asleep before we had a chance to talk."

"It was alright, Daniel..."

"No, we needed to talk.. *I* needed to talk..." He said in a hushed, anguished whisper that revealed his depth of pain.

Teal'c's hand stopped squeezing and slipped down to gently caress the bare chest instead. "I do not blame you for needing to sleep..."

Daniel rolled his eyes as he continued to apologize, "I was just.. so.."

Their eyes met and for a breathless moment, neither said or did anything. Both men stopped their ministrations and stared into each other's eyes.

Teal'c broke the unease with one word. "Tired?"

With a roll of his eyes, Daniel muttered, "I was going to say 'dead -tired'"

The event which, up to that point, had not been discussed between them came crashing down like a heavy veil, falling on their shoulders and weighing them down.

Tilting his head slightly, Daniel's mouth moved again but this time no words came out as he stared down at his lover. His blue eyes shimmered as he rubbed his hands across the hairless chest.

Teal'c's own lips parted slightly as his hands slipped slowly up Daniel's arms until they cupped around the anthropologist's head. Gradually and carefully, he guided his lost love down towards him, until the younger man was lying on his chest, and their lips met in a tender but rapacious kiss.

Daniel's hands blindly slipped up to Teal'c's throat where the long fingers cupped the square jaw as he devoured the mouth passionately. Soft whimpers escaped him as he grounded himself onto the solid body - the tight tourniquet across Teal'c's stomach - designed to keep the larvae from leaving the pouch when Teal’c was not dressed - rubbed the soft, bare flesh of Daniel's stomach.

The large, black hands moved down the smooth white back, trailing down the long spine until it reached the flattened rump where it spread open wide to cup the rounded cheeks. Daniel moaned lasciviously into Teal’c’s mouth, his whole body silently screaming for the Jaffa to take him, to make him feel whole and *alive* again.

Teal’c did not disappoint him as he carefully rolled Daniel onto his back then knelt beside him. Rising up, he held the azure gaze as his hands found the top elastic of the boxers Daniel was wearing. Slowly he peeled the pants down the long limbs until they were gathered around Daniel’s ankles, then the anthropologist kicked them off.

Teal’c chanted a mantra from his world; "Kel trahum, kel hopif, mik Daniel."

The words were so soft, so light that they barely left the luscious lips held a breath away from the white skin, but Daniel heard them - even over the hard thudding of his heart. Teal’c moved over his tingling flesh, placing a kiss on each nipple then kissing a trail along the indentation of the chest and down onto the smooth, soft stomach, all the while he recited his words of love, ‘ my heart, my soul, dearest Daniel,’ over and over until he had made his way along the golden trail and to the prize awaiting him.

Daniel gasped loudly as the chin brushed his sensitized tip, then he murmured words of his own - not quite English, not quite Goa’uld - while Teal’c’s tongue swirled across the red, weeping tip. The Jaffa lifted his face and grinned at Daniel.

"I do not believe you are speaking English," Teal’c teased, a deep laugh rumbled in the back of his throat. The blue eyes merely rolled open, wide, then closed once more but Daniel said nothing. Teal’c tilted his head then parted his lips as he lowered his face. Daniel gasped loudly.

Daniel was well endowed. Of that there was no question, however Teal’c’s large mouth managed to swallow the whole shaft to the base easily. Daniel could feel the heat of the throat close around his tip now then it was lost as the shaft was dragged over the rough tongue to the spongy opening where Teal’c’s lips parted as he inhaled before growling as he inserted the shaft before dragging it out - again, and again, and again. Lights began to flash behind Daniel’s eyes and he moaned, his head thrashing as Teal’c consumed him.

Teal’c’s hand cupped the tight balls now, and his little finger found it’s way to the tight pucker. Daniel’s heels dug into the mattress as he involuntarily arched up, making his butt even tighter. Teal’c didn’t cease his oral actions but he did bring both hands down to Daniel’s knees, gently tugging them so that the younger man lowered himself to the bed once more. Once he was flat on his back again Teal’c shifted one hand to the opening, and fluttered it across the crinkled skin. He felt the groan vibrate through Daniel’s body and shudder down the shaft now buried deep within his mouth. With a jerk of his head he’d released the hot, red rod, leaving it to bounce in the cool air while Daniel sighed at the loss. Teal’c placed his hand onto one hip, carefully rolling Daniel onto his side away from him. The younger man obeyed without question and then Teal’c dipped his head and laved at the trembling hole.

"Please.. Teal’c.." Daniel murmured, as he clutched a pillow to his face. His body was aching for more physical contact. His ring twitched with each swipe of the rough tongue, then Teal’c took a moment to enjoy the soft mounds either side, ravishing them in kisses and lustful bites until Daniel was humping the mattress and crying out into the pillow in complete arousal.

"Oh.... Please.. Teal’c…"

The larger man ran his hands between Daniel’s chest and the bed and then he gripped the shoulders, tugging him backwards and impaling him, none too gently, onto his thick cock. "And _you _shall.." He grunted.

The scientist gasped, a mixture of pleasure and pain coursed through his body as Teal’c humped until his shaft was buried deep into the hot chasm.

Daniel pressed himself up onto outstretched arms, forcing himself onto his knees at the same time and spearing the thick rod into himself further. Another gasp rang through the apartment as utter abandonment riled through Daniel. This was all he wanted. Here and now. To be with Teal’c, this way, to have Teal’c ram himself against him, so hard that his teeth shook and his eyes could not focus.

Which is exactly what happened. The man behind slammed into the smaller body, occasionally so roughly that Daniel’s knees lost purchase on the bed covers and all that kept him from slamming face first onto the bed was his arms. Hands gripped up fistfuls of quilt cover as Daniel struggled to remain upright, when his whole body fought to remain strong for Teal’c’s sake. Soon Daniel felt the Jaffa grapple for a hold of his body, the black arms reaching around the white body, gripping him under the arms and hurling him back onto his lap. Daniel came down with a hard thump, both men groaning as the shaft trapped inside was butted roughly. Daniel’s head lolled back and rested on Teal’c’s shining shoulder.

"Are you alright, my Daniel?" Teal’c whispered and received a faint ‘yes’ in response. Rolling his head forward now, Daniel found his knees again, pressing himself up then lowering himself onto Teal’c’s thickness. The Jaffa growled lustfully as Daniel began to impale himself slowly. He ran his hands across the sturdy back before him then he reached forward and kissed the smooth flesh.

Daniel moaned at the gentleness then he turned his face and whispered, "harder," into Teal’c’s ear.

Large hands gripped the hips in front of him as Teal’c lifted Daniel off his lap and started to slam himself into the willing body.

Daniel was crying out, his body shimmering from arousal while his anus ached from the thrashing. Teal’c’s hand reached around and gripped the firm rod, and after a few hard pumps, Daniel came - amidst outcries of pleasure and exhaustion. He went limp, like a rag doll, and Teal’c held him up as he reached his own apex.

"Dan_iel…" He cried out in a loud, booming voice as he came, long and hard, his shaft twitching against the raw opening now. Gently he held the limp body in front of him as he milked himself slowly. Once he was satiated he eased himself from Daniel’s body and assisted the man to the bed.

He cuddled in behind his lover, his larger body fitting the shape of the smaller one perfectly. He threaded his arm under the one Daniel had down the side of his body, and he reached up to lightly grasp Daniel’s chest. The younger man shifted his hand up to hold the back of Teal’c’s hand. Lifting it to his lips now, Daniel kissed the palm, tasting himself on the skin. He looked back over his shoulder at the dark eyes watching him intently. Rolling onto his back, Daniel’s bent leg rested against the thick thighs.

"I needed that," he said in a hoarse whisper.

"As did I," Teal’c murmured, his lips brushing the hand Daniel swept across his face now. "I did not hurt you?"

A smile twitched on the pink lips. "You know I enjoy it like that…"

The thicker lips curled with a smile. "Indeed. As do I."

Daniel shifted even more so he was fully flat on his back, while Teal’c large body cradled around him. He ran his hand over the round pate, then shimmied his fingers down the side of the wide face until Teal’c turned to capture them in his mouth. Focussed intently, time ticked by as they caressed each other silently; hands smoothed over hairless plains, legs idly rubbed together unnoticed while feet entwined, toes stretched to the touch. Black on white on black. Long, languid explorations - not a word spoken - but so much being conveyed. Teal’c’s hand slithered down Daniel’s arm, which the younger man held out for the exploration, until hands collided and fingers laced. Joined hands now pressed together signifying strength and togetherness before unthreading and dropping back to glistening skin to explore further.

"I thought I would never touch you again," Teal’c confessed quietly as he brushed his mouth over Daniel’s slightly parted lips. The pink tongue came out too late, only in time to taste the edges of the large mouth before it pulled away completely and Teal’c moved back to look down upon him again. Daniel saw that his partner wanted to discuss this so he tried to find the words he needed to say.

"For me, the end came so fast…. I didn’t even know what happened until I woke up in the sarcophagus," he told him truthfully then watched as the dark eyes grew red and watery.

"You did not suffer?" That had been Teal’c’s greatest fear.

"No," Daniel said softly, then cupped the broad face. "There was no pain…"

There was, if he wanted to recall, a sharp prick of a pain, nothing intense though, and certainly nothing Daniel would have thought could signify the moment of his death. Perhaps it was, though, and that small prickle of pain he felt was all the blood vessels in his head exploding and killing him instantly, as was the case it seemed. Daniel just couldn’t equate the pain he’d felt with the devastation it had caused.

Watching the emotions and thoughts flit across Daniel’s face again, Teal’c knew he was withholding something. He wasn’t sure what it was but he believed Daniel to be telling the truth, and accepted that what ever it was was either non-essential or something that Daniel would rather keep to himself. Perhaps it was merely his own shock at accepting that he’d died…..

In the silence to follow Teal’c didn’t flinch as the first tear dripped from his black lash, splashing onto Daniel’s chest. The young face lit with a soft smile as Daniel cupped his hand over the strong jaw. Teal’c nudged against the hand as he closed his eyes.

"I did not want to let you go..." He whispered harshly, then added, as he opened his eyes again, "I failed you, my love."

Daniel's own eyes watered then he blinked away his tears as he tried to smile. "You didn’t fail me, Teal’c. God, saying ‘good-bye’ to you was.. was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to face…." His own voice trembled now then, through a teary, pain-filled whisper, he choked, "We had *no* choice!"

Teal'c hand caressed the gentle curve of cheek, wiping away the wetness from the corner of one brilliant-blue eye. "I do not think I can be so strong the next time."

Daniel rolled his eyes. "Teal'c..."

"Daniel, I cannot help how I feel. My realization of feelings for you came as quite a surprise to me. When O'Neill confessed his feelings for you...."

"You... You know about that?" Daniel stammered, lifting his face slightly to shift from the intimate embrace. The dark head bowed slightly. "Oh." Daniel swallowed. Teal'c's fingers continued to caress the smooth cheek.

"I felt a rise of emotion within me that I have never felt for anyone other than Drey'ak."

Daniel rolled his eyes at the sound of Teal'c's wife's name.

"Kel pakh, Daniel." The Jaffa confessed softly, his thick lips quivering slightly. Daniel blinked and looked into his eyes. It was as near a confession of love that the Jaffa could ever give him.

"I know.." he said, finally. His hand rubbed the dark cheek, brushing the dry lips then he pressed the mouth open as he reached up, licking his tongue over Teal'c's full bottom lip. "I love you too.." he said breathlessly. Teal'c's shuddered as he gripped Daniel tightly, rolling onto his back and pulling Daniel on top of him.

Bombshells TNS Za

Philip was sitting at his desk when Jack entered the room. The artist turned from his work briefly then sighed and rested his elbows onto the picture he was sketching, the heel of his palm pressed into his eye. The older man moved in behind him, wrapping his arms around the smaller body and resting his chin on the top of Philip's head. He looked at the picture then lowered his face so that his lips brushed the exposed ear.

"That looks great," he whispered. Philip tossed his piece of charcoal into the box at the top of the desk then picked up his rag and wiped his hands clean. With a heavy sigh he stared at his work without emotion.

"Thanks," he said, ducking out of Jack's hold and going over to the window seat.

"Baby.." Jack said, staying where he was.

Shaking his head, Philip stared out the window as he said, "I'll never be unfaithful to you, Jack.."

"I know."

"I don't know what more I can say, or do...?" His voice shook slightly. Jack cringed and went over to him, slipping his hand onto the shoulder then cupped the back of Philip's head, tilting it so that he faced him. The stubborn man kept his cimmerian eyes diverted however.

"Phil, I'm sorry. I only meant it as a joke, but, in light of what you've been through... I should have been more sensitive.."

The younger man rolled his eyes as he sighed, still staring out the window.

"Baby, look at me.. *Look* at me.." Jack said, softly but demandingly. The eyes finally shifted to look at him. "Thank you," he said sincerely and Phil blinked. Jack jerked his head towards the bed, inviting Phil out of the tight window seat he was in. Reluctantly, the artist allowed him to guide him over to the bed and they sat, side-by-side, on the edge of it. They sat in silence until Jack finally snorted, "I really suck at this..."

"At trust?" Phil asked, looking down at his hands laced together in his lap.

"No, trust I can do... I *will* do... you have to believe me on that one.." Jack said, with a little shrug.

Phil nodded then tilted his head to look at the man beside him. "You have no idea how much I love you, do you?"

Blinking then looking down, Jack confessed, "No, I don't think I do..." Or more to the point for Jack, he couldn't understand *why* Philip would love him.

But the young artist didn't know this. He took Jack's answer to mean that he'd failed him somehow - in his demonstrations of love, in his shows of affections. With a heavy sigh he shook his head then looked up to stare straight ahead out of the window. "A month ago I met this man. He was in love with someone else but I thought he seemed like a nice guy, you know.. and I wanted to help..."

"And you did..."

"Did I? Or did I just confuse him?"

Jack shook his head and twisted to face Philip. He dropped his hands over the ones laced in the black denim lap. Looking up into the ebon eyes, Jack whispered fervently, "You showed him what it was like to be important to someone. What it might be like to be loved and be in love again..."

"Might be?" Philip swallowed hard then bit his lips together. "See, now I thought we had an agreement here Jack. You weren't meant to come back into my life without sorting out your head.."

"I have. I'm not in love with Daniel..."

"Then why can't you love me?" Phil asked, his voice shaking slightly.

With a frustrated growl Jack said, "I *do* love you..."

Shaking his head, Philip looked away, biting his lips together as a tingle rose in the back of his nose.

Jack went on to say, "So it might not be the hearts and flowers kind of love, and maybe that's what you need, but it's not me and ... well.. what can I say?"

The younger man swallowed but didn't look at him.

Jack continued, "I'm an Air Force Colonel, for crying out loud. I've been raised to be cagey about my thoughts and affections. I've always had every move I made scrutinized and held up for question by some higher authority. I've seen things and done things that.. well, you couldn't even imagine, Phil. And I've had to do some pretty distasteful things in my life that have left me a little.. jaded."

"I'm hard, I'm bull-headed, I'm pretty set in my ways-" He barely noticed the snort of a reaction that comment earned him as he went on, in a lowered voice, "And, perhaps because of that I lost my son and my wife walked out on me."

He sighed heavily as he watched Phil's turned face bow slightly. "Basically, I'm not always a nice person-"

Philip raised his brow slightly at this comment. Jack didn't notice it as he shook himself from his morose state and flung his hand around near his face as he went on saying, " You know, I've got to level with you here, I can't fathom what the hell a good looking, talented, wonderful guy like yourself, sees in someone *old* like me..."

With a very soft snort, Philip finally commented; "You're not old, Jack.."

"Yes, I am..." He countered, sounding weary. "When you were five years old.. *five*... I was the age you are 'now'.. I have a lot of miles under my belt .." He raised his brow to punch that point home as Philip focussed on him. "So, no, I'm not the kind of man who will shower you in chocolates and flowers but that doesn't mean I don't care about you, don't want to be with you or don't love you."

The artist nodded but said nothing.

"Do you have nothing to say?"

Shaking his head, Phil said, "What can I say? You're doing a pretty good job of telling me why I 'shouldn't' be in love with you.. but, I'm sorry Jack, I am.. still .. and I'm pretty set in my ways, too. Once I make up my mind about something.. I pretty much stick to it. I'm sorry if the thought of life-partners or monogamy seems premature to you but..."

"That's just the point," Jack said, sounding defeated.

Phil tilted his head as he asked, "What do you mean?"

With a heavy sigh, Jack tucked his hands under his own thighs as he bowed his head. Philip watched him intently.

"I don't think it's too premature," Jack admitted softly. Raising his face, he said, with a slight shake of his head, "and that scares the crap out of me..."

Philip nodded slowly, understanding him for the first time. Jack sighed again then scratched at his brow with his finger. Philip waited for that hand to drop to the bed once more and he covered it in his own hand, his thumb brushing over Jack's knuckles. The older man looked up at him and saw a small smile of encouragement on the artist's face.

"I have to admit, baby, there's a part of me that's been scared to get too deep..."

Philip fully appreciated the turmoil that his health must have caused Jack.

"Because of the HIV.." he now said, nodding slightly as he looked down at his hand rubbing Jack's now. " But, we're being so *very* careful..."

There was a long silence, then out of it came a quiet voice. "That's not my problem..."

Philip looked up when he heard the quiver in Jack's voice. He was surprised to see the red eyes now and he cringed as he realized the truth behind Jack's words.

The colonel said, in a strained voice, tight with control, "I don't care about me. Don't you understand that?" His hand squeezed Philip's tightly. All of a sudden, the younger man did. He saw the pain in Jack's eyes for the first time and nodded.

"I've got to be brutal here. I tried telling myself not to get too involved... That night you left my place and in the days to follow.... I told myself not to think about you again. That all of this would just be too _damn _hard...."

Philip felt the honesty like a slap across his face but he bore it well. The only indication he gave that he was listening was a few well placed nods of his head as he sat there, stunned while a few unguarded tears dripped from his lower lashes and onto his hot cheek.

"But I can't," Jack confessed in a soulful whisper. Philip sniffed harshly as he focussed onto Jack's watery eyes. The pain he saw there and the raw emotion that was laid bare to him, forced him to bite his lips together. He sniffed again as his vision blurred with more tears. Jack's thumb swiped across the black lashes, squeezing out droplets then Philip opened his eyes again and stared straight into Jack's. "I love you, baby... I love you and I want to be with you..."

Philip caught his breath then he lowered his chin to his chest. He cried softly as he realized how selfish he'd been. All along he thought Jack had been scared for his own health but in reality, Jack was more scared of loving him then having to stand by and watch him die slowly. Rubbing the heels of his palm into his eye, he got up and went over to the window.

Jack remained on the bed a few moments then he got up and went to stand behind him, wrapping him in his arms. He drew the younger man back to him and kissed his temple. "We're gonna make this, okay?"

Philip nodded mutely as he gripped the strong arms surrounding him. Jack cuddled him closer as he kissed his temple again, his lips brushing he surface lovingly.

"But you’ve got to do something, too," he told him. Phil twisted to look at him. "you’ve got to go and see Doc Frasier. She’s concerned about your test results…"

Jack watched as the mouth dropped open and the dark eyes looked at him pleadingly. With a nod, the colonel told him, "I’ll be there, baby, all the way."

Philip gave a visible sigh as he settled into the cuddle once more.

Jack kissed his temple again and said, "So let’s make it sooner rather than later.."

Philip nodded, not saying a word.

They stood in silence for a long while then finally Jack checked his watch. He had to leave for the debrief now or he'd be late. Philip sighed softly as their warm cocoon was destroyed. As he turned to face his lover he smiled as Jack cupped his face.

"I'll come right back.."

Philip nodded then he wiped his hands on his own rump as he asked, "Should I ask Blair to go?"

Jack shook his head, reaching forward and kissing Phil's furrowed brow. "He's your friend. He can stay. We've .. well-" He smiled now. "We're gonna have a lot of time together..."

Philip smiled, a little nervously then as Jack held him again, smiling down at the tear stained face. "You okay now?"

Mutely, Philip nodded.

"I have to go now, but we can discuss this later, if you still want to."

With a sniff, Philip said, "haven't we basically covered it all now?"

Jack shrugged as he dropped his arms around the narrow shoulders and drew the body closer. "I think so, but I know how you like to talk..."

"And sometimes actions speak louder than words..." The artist tilted his chin up, grinning at his gentle lover. Jack brushed the tips of his forefingers over the damp cheeks then onto the tip of his nose and down onto his mouth.

"I pride myself on being a man of action," Jack quipped, making Philip chuckle softly.

The younger man wrapped his arms around Jack's waist and squeezed him. "Well, I know I love it when you get physical with me..."

The colonel grinned wantonly then looked over Phil's shoulder to check his watch. "I could probably leave in five minutes time..." he said as he walked Philip backwards to the bed. The artist knew where he was being lead and for what, if the awakening groin pressing into his stomach was any indication. They fell onto the bed together, neither letting go then Philip crawled onto Jack's lap, deliberately brushing his groin against the growing one. He reached down. Gripping the shaft in both hands as he continued to lap dance over his lover. With a soft growl he dropped his head back, feeling Jack tugging at the hair-band to release his hair. He shook his head, shimmering out the waves down his back then he squeezed the rigid shaft in his hand once more. Jack moaned softly then his hands reached out to grasp Phil's thighs.

"God, what I'd give to call in this debrief..." the colonel muttered miserably. Phil smiled, deliberately leaning forward, his taunt groin brushing Jack's, as he held himself above him on out-stretched arms.

"What makes you think I'd leave you alone long enough for that?" He whispered as he wriggled his butt over Jack's crotch.

"Wouldn't you?" the prone man asked with a smile. Phil shook his head.

"Uh uh," he whispered lustfully as he crawled back far enough so that he could lie over Jack's legs, his face against his groin. He nudged at the cloth-covered rod with his nose. "I'd be right here," he said lewdly before lightly biting Jack, making him moan again. "And I'd pull your pants down..." Phil demonstrated by gripping the elastic waist and tugging it down to reveal Jack's briefs. "Then I'd bite.." He nipped the shaft through the thin cotton underwear.

Jack's hands clasped into Phil's long hair, his nails digging into the scalp as he gasped, loudly, "Oh, god.. baby..!"

Philip laughed. "5.. 4.. 3.. 2... 1..."

They both heard the front door slam shut then Phil chuckled as he looked down at his rueful lover. They both laughed, though Jack's was more of a strained one.

"He'll be back. He's just going for a walk..."

"And you know this how?" Jack asked as Phil traced the bump in his pants with the tip of his tongue.

"I used to do that with him and Graham. Walk out if I ever heard them. We considered it an act of respect.."

Jack merely nodded then watched, carefully, as Philip lowered his face - his eyes still holding Jack's in an intense stare - then his tongue came out to trace the bump once more. The colonel's eyes clamped shut tightly then he almost whimpered when he felt the hands prise the brief from him, leaving him exposed to the cool room, and warm breath of his lover. With a gentle kiss to the tip, Philip got up and left the room. Jack tucked his hands under his head, a frown appeared on his face as he waited. Momentarily Philip returned. He tossed the three items onto the bed then crawled back onto Jack's legs, his hand automatically gripping the leaning shaft.

"Jack," Philip began in a soft whisper, his eyes concentrating on the slow pumping action of his hand. Jack gave a distracted response to show he was listening. "I'm sorry I went off the deep end.."

"Hey-" The chocolate-brown eyes opened with some degree of difficulty, but Jack still focussed on Philip easily. "I was joking around and I wasn't being careful of what I implied. Of course you're going to be sensitive about things like that. It's me who should be apologizing, baby.."

Philip swallowed then shook his head. "No, I'm just screwed up in the head.."

"Philip.."

Screwing his nose up as he gave a soft laugh, Philip looked down into Jack's eyes, all the while his hand still pumped the firm shaft. "It's true.."

Jack sat himself up, at the same time he shifted the hand off his cock and pressed a kiss to it's palm instead. "You are not screwed up. You've had probably the worst thing that could happen to you, happen to you.."

/HIV/ Philip thought as he rolled his eyes.

"Someone you trusted abused you, abused your trust and your love. T hat's not something you get over, especially when it left such... such a ..."

"Mess?"

With a sharp shrug Jack nodded. "Mess. Yeah, that will do. But I'm messy too. I'm screwed up over so many things in my life... No one is perfect. But I really think, for the sake of society, that we, as fellow screwed up persons, should stay together.. for .. oh a few years at least.. just to spare the rest of the world.."

By the end of the unexpected speil Philip was laughing. He shook his head as he looked up and together they both said, "I can't believe you love me.."

That brought them both to a halt and they were frozen momentarily, locked together in suspended time. Jack smiled and broke the moment as he lifted his face to brush the backs of his fingers over the straight jaw line. "But I'm glad you do.."

Philip smiled. "Me too."

They pulled together for a tender kiss, both allowing it to build slowly into a passionate embrace as Philip's hand snaked down the soft body and gripped the wilting shaft firmly. Almost immediately it sprang back, growing thicker and firmer in Philip's fist until it was ready once more.

Tongues abutted and tousled, moans filled the room as Philip brought Jack closer and closer to the edge of his abyss, his tongue salaciously devouring Jack's mouth, rubbing across his lips then delving deep into the warm moisture once more. As the colonel grew nearer and nearer his breaths grew harsh and ragged against Philip's mouth. The younger man swallowed all of his gasps, devouring them like they were some kind of trophy and on the first shudder from his lover, he dipped his face, letting the pearly white seed splash his mouth, cheeks and chin. He parted his lips to allow it to splash into his mouth, then he lowered his face and sucked the shaft to the back of his throat, so deafened by his own thudding heartbeat and blood coursing through his veins that he didn't hear Jack's cries as the older man shuddered beneath him, writhing in ultimate pleasure as he was slowly drained of all life juices by a brilliant mouth.

Phil took his time in cleaning Jack with his mouth then he sat up, brushing the back of his hand across his cheek to ensure he didn't leave any anywhere. Through heavy eyes Jack looked up at him.

"*You*," he said with a satisfied growl, "are so damn good at that.."

Philip smiled proudly. "I know.."

With a slight arch of his brow Jack acknowledged that then laughed when Philip did.

"Come on," he slapped the bare legs as he crawled back off the bed. "You need to shower now."

"I don't have time." Jack protested as Philip dragged him, by the hands, off the bed. They stumbled to the bathroom together.

"Well, make the time.. or you'll reek of sex!" Phil adjusted the water then undressed the weary man before shoving him under the spray. The water was short of tempid and Jack sprung to full awakeness. With a grin, Phil said, as he folded his arms over his chest, "I'll leave you to it, or I might be tempted to join you!"

Jack nodded then ran his face under the water, while Philip left the room with Jack's clothes in his hands. He took then and ironed them, making them fresh for the meeting.

*

They walked to the front door together, arms wrapped around each other, Jack's lips resting against Philip's temple. Jack reached down and kissed his young lover's lips before murmuring, "I'll be back as soon as I can."

Philip nodded then tried to smile but failed. Jack was about to ask him what was up when the artist said, "I have to be honest with you Jack."

"What about?" the colonel asked,

After a nervous swallow, Philip confessed, "Blair and I kissed.. last night..."

Jack stared at him a long moment, all the time Philip held his breath. Finally the older man looked down at their feet. "I know."

"How?"

"He told me right before I came in to see you."

Philip's eyes went wide. "Oh?"

Jack shrugged but said nothing.

Feeling guilty now, Philip asked, "What did you say to him?"

The colonel seemed to think about it a moment, then he crinkled his eyes slightly as he told him, "I told him I didn't blame him."

Phil released the breath he didn't know he was holding then smiled hesitantly. "You .. You did?"

Jack grinned as he gave a slight shrug. "Sure."

"Why didn't you say anything when we were fighting about infidelity.."

Looking down, Jack chewed his bottom lip as he thought of the best way to put it. He looked up once more then said, in a soft voice, "If you'd returned the kiss..." He gave a sharp shrug. Philip's breath stalled in the back of his throat. Blair had told him he didn't return the kiss?

"Or if you'd taken him up on his offer of.. more.."

Philip felt his skin burn as he looked up into Jack's eyes, but he saw nothing there but love - and trust. "But you didn't, and we weren't even together.. technically. That was when I knew.. really knew.. that you loved me.."

"Why?" Philip asked, surprised.

"Because it's exactly the same way I'd have reacted.. and I know how I feel about you.."

Philip stared at him a long moment then a smile crept across his face. "Cool."

Jack smiled then winked as he leaned towards him. "I'll see you tonight, baby.."

"Hurry home, Jack.."

The colonel looked around the apartment then back down at Philip. With a burgeoning smile, that made long dimples appear in his cheeks, he said, "I will."

They kissed tenderly then Philip opened the door and Jack stepped through it. As he closed the door, Philip sighed happily to himself and realized that whatever happened from here on in he was assured of one thing. He and Jack were definitely 'life partners'.

THE END of series 2 ...  Please stay tuned for Series 3 ... Much later...  If you have enjoyed this series, please take a moment to let me know at slida-qb (at) usa.net

  ~Slida