Part 3

Daniel heard the doorbell go and wondered if it was Blair returning. He'd gotten through the meeting with SG-4 earlier than anticipated and was a little surprised, and disappointed, to find that his guest wasn't at home when he got back. Checking his watch he realised that Blair wouldn't be back for another half hour or so. He trotted up the steps, a part of him hoping that it was Jack calling to see him. As he flung the door open, he realised both guesses were wrong. The guy on the other side swung around and fixed his blue eyes onto the young anthropologist.

"Yes?"

"Are you Doctor Daniel Jackson?"

"Um, yeah.." Daniel titled his head. "And you are?"

"Jim Ellison."

Daniel's jaw dropped and Jim raised his brow slightly. "I take it you've heard of me then?"

"Oh.. only.. err good stuff." He held his hand out and invited Jim into the apartment.

His heart beat quickened as he let the man into his living area. Considering how badly he reacted to the 'Rafe' incident, Daniel wasn't sure he wanted to be alone with this man. Especially as he was a Sentinel and would 'know' by the lingering smell that the two men were intimate the night before. He rubbed his palms on his thighs as he offered his new guest a drink.

Shaking his head, Jim scanned the apartment slowly before fixing his pale blue eyes onto Daniel.

"I was hoping you might know where Blair was?"

Daniel crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. "No, I'm sorry, I don't."

He watched as Jim sniffed and suddenly he flushed as the accusing eyes focused on him once more. "Yes, he did.. . he stayed .. the.. errr.. night." The anthropologist nervously swiped at his lips.

Jim tried to control the tremble within him now. "So I can tell.." he said flatly.

"Sure I can't get you a drink? I'm expecting Blair home any minute, " he said as he side stepped towards his kitchen. Jim shrugged.

"Got any beer?"

Daniel nodded then pointed to his sofa, indicating to the larger man to take a seat. Then he pushed on the kitchen door and grabbed up the extension for the telephone. Deftly he rang Jack's phone number, silently willing his friend to pick it up. He wasn't frightened of Jim, but he was concerned about the reaction the man would have when Blair came back.

"Jack.." he whispered. "No, I can't talk louder. I need you.. here .. now! Please!" He hung up and, as he reached into the fridge for a beer, it hit him. Jack would be curious about all this. Surely he'd have questions regarding the relationship between the men and how that related to Daniel. Cringing at his own mistake, Daniel reached for the phone again, but as he dialled the last digit he hung up again. If Jack had questions, he would do his best to answer them. That, or obfuscate to high heaven!

Daniel stood next to the sitting detective and held out the bottle. Jim looked up at him.

"I'm not going to hurt you," he said, taking the offered beer. Daniel frowned and tilted his head. Jim pointed to the kitchen. "I heard you call someone. I won't hurt you."

Daniel cringed then pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger.

"Of course!" He sighed, flinging his arm out as he sat in his chair. The guy was a Sentinel, for crying out loud, Daniel!

After a few moments of silence, Daniel tapped his fingers against the arm of his chair. "So, Blair tells me you're a police officer."

"Cascade P.D.," He affirmed with a nod.

"And, he's your partner?" Daniel pressed on cautiously.

Jim's eyes grew cold. "At work."

With a quick flick of his eyes, Daniel looked away then back at him. A little insulted by the man's attitude towards the situation with Blair, he retorted, "Actually, that was what I meant."

Jim nodded then took another swig of his beer as he looked around the cluttered apartment. It reminded him of Blair's room, with the books, strange masks and odd shaped vessels everywhere. After making a complete scan of the room, he came back to look squarely into Daniel's eyes.

"Nice place," he muttered off-handedly.

Daniel's arched his brow then tapped his fingers again. "Thanks."

After another uncomfortable silence, Jim titled his head and asked, "How well do you know Blair?" Daniel wet his lips and was about to talk before Jim interrupted, "I mean, more than the biblical sense.."

Clenching his jaw again at what he saw was another dig at his lifestyle, the anthropologist sighed and tugged at his glasses. "We were very close at university."

"So, out of the blue he just popped up for a return visit?"

"I must admit I was a little surprised to hear from him after so long. We kept in touch, but we weren't close."

Jim bit back his next retort about being a lot closer now. He filled his mouth with the bitter amber fluid instead, then swallowed, sighing loudly as he nodded and cast his eyes around the room again.

"Then I can't help but wonder what prompted him to come here? Leaving me in a hospital?" He dropped the end of his sentence as he looked towards the patio doors.

"He thinks you hate him," Daniel told him honestly.

Jim's head jerked back to look at him. "Hate him? Why? Where did the kid get an idea like that?" He muttered exasperatedly as he shook his head.

A little surprised by the reaction, Daniel shrugged. "Um.. from what he told me, you have a friend called Rafe?"

Jim sighed and scrubbed his hand over his face, before taking a large gulp of beer. "Yeah, we do. I had a feeling this was about that! I thought.. you know.. that Blair was...." He shrugged.

Daniel gave a soft cough, stopping him from the next, possibly slanderous, words. "Why don't we stop going around in circles here?" He lifted his slightly squinted blue eyes to the taller man. Jim was relieved for the direct approach. "You're a Sentinel.."

"He told you?" The pale blue eyes grew larger.

Daniel held his hand up, calming the man a little. "When we were together at Rainier, he told me it was going to be his life's work. Proving that Sentinel's actually existed. It's incredible!" He stopped a moment to appreciate the situation then he saw the look on Jim's face and continued, "so I know you have heightened senses. You can see things others can't. You can hear things-" he indicated to his kitchen then looked back at the affirming nod "-that others won't and-" He caught his breath as he lowered his face, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. Tugging at his mouth with his long fingers, he looked up again, "And with your sense of smell, I also know there's no point in pretending that Blair and I didn't.. sleep together last night."

Jim screwed his eyes shut as he bowed his head. He put the bottle down and gripped what little hair he had into his tight fists. The anthropologist frowned.

"Are you alright?" He sat forward, worried that the sentinel was about to 'zone' on him.

"The kid talks all the time, doesn't he?" Jim looked up, suddenly looking lost. Daniel frowned when he saw the look in his eyes. "He talks all the goddamn time! Why the hell didn't he tell me this!"

"I guess he was worried about how you'd react." Daniel blinked and looked away slightly as he muttered sarcastically, "can't imagine why!"

"How I'd react? Christ!" He growled as he stood up quickly, heading to the patio doors. "He's my Guide! The stupid.. kid.." He whispered loud enough for Daniel to hear.

Sizing up the agitated man by the window slowly, Daniel came to a realization. Pushing himself out of his chair he went over to the window with Jim.

"I'm usually a pretty good judge of character, Jim," he said, watching as the taller man looked at him with sorrowful eyes.

The Sentinel shook his head forlornly. Daniel had his answer, there, in the sad, pale blue eyes.

In a soft whisper, Daniel told him, "You know, he thinks you hate him."

"Why would I hate him?" Jim looked at him, the honesty of his emotions plainly on his face. Daniel wet his lips as he shrugged.

"Perhaps it had something to do with the *way* you reacted to Rafe?"

Jim shook his head as he lifted his face to the ceiling, a smile of utter disbelief filled his face. He growled at the back of his throat, frustration filling him as he placed his hands on his hips.

"I remember something Blair once told me about Guides and Sentinels," Daniel offered in a soft voice.

Lowering his face, Jim asked, with a slight nod, "what's that?"

"That the relationship between them is not well defined. That it went beyond the ordinary. It wasn't able to be defined in any text book because each case stood alone; each Guide and each Sentinel creating a unique partnership that wasn't easily understood by any outsider!" The anthropologist spoke passionately now, his nose crinkling and dimples appearing on his flushed cheeks. Closing his hand so that all the tips of his fingers touched his thumb, Daniel said, "that it was somehow spiritualistic! And often, it went beyond love."

The two men stood in a locked stare, until Jim finally broke it with a soft snort and a shake of his head. How come it took this stranger half an hour to see what Blair had missed in all the months of living with him?

"Are you anthropologist's passionate about 'everything'?" He asked lightly, a smile appearing on his face. Daniel adjusted his glasses as he gave a shrug.

"Some things in life are worth being passionate about, Jim!"

The detective met the blue eyes and held the stare once more. Slowly he nodded, squeezing his temples between his thumb and fingers.

"It was stupid getting so upset about the Rafe incident. I know that now!"

"So why did you? I mean, if you feel like *this* for him?" Daniel asked, crossing his arms over his chest and adjusting his footing to lean himself back against the window.

Jim blew out a sharp breath then put his hands on his hips again as he looked out at the rain falling against the window. "I guess I got upset because everyone at the 'pen was thinking I was doing him, when I wasn't!"

Daniel didn't say anything, just raised his brow slightly.

Rolling his eyes, Jim continued, "and *I* must have been the only goddamn person in the place not to see it! So much for having heightened senses! Maybe we don't make such a hot team after all."

"Whoa.. time out here!" Daniel said, tapping his two hands in the letter 'T'. Jim gave a soft laugh.

"You sound like him." He shot the other man a quick look.

"Do I?"

Jim just nodded.

"You do love him.. right?"

"I .." The tall detective chose his words carefully, "I care about him. I want to be with him for the rest of my life. I can't imagine ever going away from him and I've come to regret the day he leaves me."

Daniel nodded then shrugged. "O-kay, well that sounds a *little* like love then." He titled his head back and looked at Jim again. The older man sighed.

"I don't know if it's love. I just.. I.." He gave a frustrated growl. "I've never even thought of 'men' before."

Daniel rolled his eyes slightly.

"I think I'd die without him though," Jim whispered softly. Daniel heard the distress in the older man's voice.

"Then tell him!"

Jim shook his head. "I can't. He'll want a physical relationship.." he mumbled. Daniel dropped his chin to his chest then sighed.

"It's something you two need to work out, I think."

"I can't.. I can't do the physical.." Jim shook his head defiantly.

"Okay, so maybe you're not *in* love with him after all," Daniel conceded. Jim looked back at him and saw the blue eyes wrinkle with a gentle smile.

"Maybe you just love him."

"Maybe I do.. I don't think I'd even know the difference." He sighed, scrubbing his hand down his rough cheek.

"Yes you would," Daniel laughed softly then wet his lips once more. "Blair's a passionate person, Jim. He grabs at life with both hands!"

"Yeah, kinda noticed that."

Daniel laughed again. "Yeah, it's .. er.. pretty noticeable! Anyway, he's an incredible person." He heard Jim snort like he didn't need to tell him that, but continued anyway. "Blair was my first male lover, Jim.."

The older man turned to him slowly, and Daniel couldn't help but take one step back from him. "Your first?"

The anthropologist nodded. "When we were studying together at Rainier he came over one night, kissed me on the cheek and I was ..so totally gone from that moment on."

Jim smiled at the wistful look in Daniel's eyes now.  "He kinda gets to you like that, huh?"

Daniel met his eyes and laughed loudly. "Yes, very much so. What I was trying to say was, I'd never thought about being with another man until *then* either. He just.. he's just.. lovable.. and you can't help but get swept up by him."

Jim rubbed his tired eyes with his hand then sighed.

Rapid pounding on the front door ruined the serene moment between the two men. Daniel hurried over to the steps and opened the door. Jack flew in, putting one hand on Daniel's cheek as he stepped him backwards into the apartment.

"You okay?" He asked repeatedly, unable to take the nodding of the head as a response. His hands touched over Daniel's face and cheeks then neck, as his eyes checked him all over for any signs of roughing up or damage.

"Yeah, Jack. I'm fine!" Daniel finally growled, a little exasperatedly as he was asked for the umpteenth time if he was all right. Completely missing the concern in the soft brown eyes he dipped his face in apology. "Sorry, there's this guy here and he's.." Daniel stopped when he suddenly realised that Blair was standing there beside Jack.

"Oh, I gather you two have met!" Jack muttered before heading into the living room to see this man that had Daniel so concerned.

Blair cringed under Daniel's scrutiny.  "Nothing happened, man! I swear to you, NOTHING happened!"

"What the..?" Daniel frowned as he looked from the living area to Blair quickly, unable to believe what he was seeing.  Tilting his head in utter amazement, he stammered, "What on earth were you thinking?"

"What?!"

*
In the next room Jack eyed the tall, lean, blond haired man closely. "I'm Colonel Jack O'Neill," he said in a cagey voice.

"Jim Ellison. Cascade PD." He shook Jack's offered hand.

"Police?" Jack turned towards where the two others were squabbling on the landing by the door, both men punctuating their argument with flailing arms. Then he looked back at Jim.

"I'm Blair's partner!"

Jack looked him up and down. "Partner?"

Jim felt the hostilities return and he straightened back his shoulders. "POLICE partner!"

Jack nodded then both men turned sharply when they heard Blair yell loudly in frustration.

*
"How the hell was I meant to know who he was! You never told me his *name*! Or anything about him!" Blair hissed between gritted teeth. Daniel was glaring at him as he clenched his jaw repeatedly.

Suddenly Jim appeared behind Daniel's shoulder, staring at the flustered younger anthropologist. Blair stammered then looked from Daniel to Jim then back at Daniel.

"Oh? Did you do this?" The Guide snorted accusingly then pushed his long hair back off his face as he glared at his Sentinel. "Oh, man!"

Daniel's eyes flashed. "NO! I most definitely did not!"

Blair looked up at his silent friend then back at his angry ex-lover. "Right, right! So he just came here out of the blue!" His blue eyes rolled angrily.

"Why not!?" Daniel snapped back, throwing his hands into the air then allowed them to slap against his thighs as they fell down again. "For some reason my place seems to attract Cascade residents 'out of the blue'!"

"Hey, hey!" Jim tried to calm the two quarrelling men.

"Stay out of this!" Daniel said, over his shoulder.

"Yeah, Jim! Keep out of this. It's between me and him."

"Come on! This is stupid," Jim said, a soft laugh in his voice to lighten the moment.

"No! What's stupid is the fact that you two men are in love with each other and you're too damn stubborn to admit to it so you have to drag *me* into it!" Daniel yelled, his face reddening and the veins on his throat popping out. "To hell with both of you!" He stormed down to his bedroom, slamming his door shut behind him.

"Yeah? Well, like YOU can talk!" Blair yelled after him, then caught Jack's eyes before lowering his face. "Sorry, Jack."

Jim looked over his shoulder at the colonel in the living room then back at Blair.

"And what's going on *there*?"

Blair looked up into the accusing blue eyes. "Oh, man! This is way too complicated!" He sighed, holding his hands in the air as he turned from Jim.

"What the hell is that meant to mean, Chief?"

Blair groaned as he shook his head. "Nothing." He pressed the heel of his hand against his forehead, trying to relieve the pressure building up in his frontal lobes.

"Hey?" Jim stepped closer to his friend. "Are you okay?"

Tilting his face up, Blair looked at him through squinted eyes. "I've got a headache," he said with a nonchalant shrug. As if suddenly remembering, he added, "I thought you were in hospital?"

"I was. But, well, you went away. I had to find out where you went to."

"I thought my touching and stroking you was sending you further away, man." He sighed tiredly. Jim shook his head as he stepped closer. He touched his hand to the upturned jaw, cupping the slender throat gently. Blair blinked quickly.

"No, but when you stopped coming to see me, I panicked. I had to come back and find you. The loft was empty.. and I found a note pad by the phone, and saw Daniel's address."

"You turned up your vision to read the imprint, didn't you?" Blair frowned. Jim gave a shy smile.

"I had to find you! I have something I need to tell you..."

*
Jack backed away from the two men in the intimate clinch on the landing by the front door.  Not only did he feel like he was intruding on a personal moment, but he had to talk to Daniel about all this...  He rapped his fingers on Daniel's bedroom door and pushed it open. Daniel was sitting in the window seat. He turned to look over at the man entering his room.

"Are you okay?"

"No!" Daniel sighed and pulled his glasses off his face, grounding his hand into a tired eye. "I've got a headache," he muttered. Jack nodded and shut the door behind him before crossing the room.

"You and I need to talk, Danny-boy." He stopped himself when he saw Daniel roll his eyes. He hesitated around the end of the bed, leaning against the bed end and crossing his arms over his chest. "And, by the way," he added dryly, "why the hell didn't you tell me you hated being called Danny?"

Daniel frowned. "I don't!"

"Blair told me you hated that nickname."

Rolling his eyes again Daniel looked out at the rainy day again. Resting his chin on his bent knees, he muttered, "Yes, I see you've met my friend then."

Jack scratched at his eyebrow as he shifted his footing. "I bumped into him at the bookstore," he confessed.

Daniel's head snapped around. "Our bookstore?"

Jack smiled. He liked that idea!

"Yeah, Space Monkey, *our* bookstore," he said with a grin. Daniel held his gaze a long moment then looked out at the grey day again.

"That wasn't all he told me, either!" The colonel said, waiting for Daniel's reaction. He wasn't disappointed. The younger man's head snapped around quickly and the blue eyes grew wide, but before he could say a word, Jack held his hand out and silenced him.

"Before you try to contradict it, or say it doesn't need to ruin our friendship, I just want to say *one* thing," he said, easing himself onto the large window seat alongside his folded friend. Daniel's mouth opened to say something but Jack pressed his finger against the pink lips. "One thing, Daniel. Will you let me say *one* thing, please?"

Feeling suitably remonstrated, Daniel held his hand out to Jack in a 'go for it' indication.

Jack's hand moved to hold the strong chin in a light pinch, his thumb extending up to brush the soft dry lips.

"Why did it take a complete stranger to tell me how you felt?"

 

*
Blair shrugged. "I guess I was just too worried about damaging what we have, Jim," he said with a soft sigh, still enjoying the soft caress of Jim's fingers on his throat.

"Instead it nearly drove a wedge between us and made you run off and seek an ex-lover."

Cringing slightly, Blair gave a deep, back of the throat type of growl. "Yeah, about that."

* 
"So we got talking and I took him back to my place and.."

"Your place?" Daniel cut Jack off mid-sentence, totally surprised by that revelation. The colonel jutted his chin slightly.

//Honesty here, Jack! That's what Blair told you Daniel needed!//

His stiff demeanor crumbled as he hunched his shoulders over, resting his elbows onto his thighs as he clapped his hands together soundlessly. "Yeah, well! You know that song, Danny. If you can't be with the one you love.."

Daniel considered that a moment then his eyes widened with surprise as he suddenly realised what Jack was confessing to here. His mouth dropped open.

Jack held his hand up to silence any retort from the other man. "Not that it got that far between us. He said he'd feel like he was using me."

Without a word, Daniel just snorted and looked out at the rain again.

Jack gave an awkward shrug then said, cautiously, "And he said he didn't really want that as he was 'already' using someone else."

Daniel turned slowly to meet his friend's gaze. So now Jack knew. He lowered his eyes slightly then looked back up into the soft brown eyes. The colonel's voice was soft and gravely as he went on to say, "And I told him that it was okay, because I would have been using him, too.."

Daniel swallowed, a sound barely audible even in the silent room. Jack moved his hand so that it cupped the jaw now.

"Pretending that he was this incredible guy that I knew. Same colored eyes, same kind of intelligence, the same kind of zest for life.. and anthropology!" He said as he brushed his thumb over Daniel's lower lip. "But it wouldn't have been the same."  His eyes stared at the soft pouted lip then up into Daniel's blue eyes. "Not as good as the real thing."

Without a word Daniel slipped himself out of the window seat and moved to stand between the colonel's knees. Cupping Jack's face in both hands, he held the tilted face, staring down into the honest brown eyes. Jack wasn't sure where to put his hands as he stayed motionless, while Daniel took in every inch of his face. He felt thumbs caress his stubble covered cheek, then held his breath as Daniel moved out of focus and towards him. Lightly, oh so lightly, their lips touched, then Daniel pulled back to take in the soft brown eyes again. Again his thumbs brushed over the high cheek bones, then down the hollow of the face, before he tilted the head and brought their mouths together again, this time the touch was firmer. Dry lips stuck together, peeling apart slowly as the men pulled back from each once more. Jack was suddenly aware that his hands *had* found something to do; they were rubbing the backs of Daniel's thighs and butt, enjoying the feel of the firm, tight rump within the beige pants.

Bringing his hands around to Daniel's hips, he pulled himself to his feet slowly, using Daniel as an anchorage as he straightened up. As Jack rose from the window seat, Daniel's arms dropped around his neck, gripping him enough that as the slightly taller man straightened up, he felt the stretch in his stomach and shoulders.

The colonel threaded his long, tanned fingers through the mop of hair as he pressed Daniel closer once more, this time their mouths opened as they touched and Jack swiped his tongue over Daniel's. The younger man sighed within the kiss, moving to wrap his arms more tightly around the colonel's neck, stretching his whole body up against Jack's as they lost themselves in the all-consuming kiss. Breaking the kiss by tilting his head back, Daniel filled his oxygen starved lungs while Jack nipped and sucked his throat hungrily.

His head was swimming now, especially as he heard Jack's lustfilled whisper: "do you have any idea how long I've waited for this moment?"

Daniel's hands moved to cup Jack's face, and he held it steady as he stared into his eyes. "Can you wait a little while longer?"

Jack swallowed then nodded reluctantly. Daniel kissed him gently then smiled as he ran his finger down the long dimple in Jack's cheek.

"I'll see what these two are up to, and hopefully we can send them on their way," the younger man turned to the door and dragged Jack from the room.

* 
Entering the living room they discovered the others, wrapped tightly around each other and consuming each other in a passionate kiss.

//Not able to do the physical, huh?// Daniel thought to himself as he watched Jim's hands, fingers stretched to the limit, glide up and down Blair's back.

Daniel looked at Jack, smiling when the older man cringed slightly out of awkwardness. Wetting his lips quickly Daniel gave a loud cough and then waited until the kissing couple parted. And waited. Jack sucked on the inside of his cheek as he bounced on his toes. They still waited.

"Ohfercryingoutloud!" The colonel yelled, pulling the two of them apart abruptly.

Blair looked around the wide bodied man and saw Daniel.

"Oh, hey!" He said, wiping the back of his hand across his mouth. Daniel gave him a little wave. Jim turned slowly to look at the two men behind him.

"Sorry," he said, slipping his arm around Blair as he turned around to face Daniel and Jack.

"We were just wondering what you two .. well.. you know," Daniel asked, looking between the two men.

"I guess we should.." Jim pointed to the door. Jack leapt up the steps and slapped the detective on the back lightly.

"Yes! Great idea! Go now and you'll be back in Cascade before you know it!" He checked his watch then dismissed the length of time it was going to take for them to actually get there with a flick of his hand.

Blair stepped into the living room, then headed through to the bedroom with Daniel. Both Jack and Jim exchanged glances, then Jack shrugged as he pushed his free hand into his pants pocket. He wasn't worried - why should he be?

* 
Blair gathered what little belongings he had back into his bag. Daniel sat on his bed and watched his ex-lover. They locked gazes and slowly a smile filled both faces.

"Thanks, man. For helping with Jim.."

Daniel dipped his face then shrugged. "I just told him the truth. Thank you for helping me with Jack."

"So you two are..???" A huge smile filled Blair's face now. "Cool! And besides, all I did was tell him the truth too!"

Daniel gave a soft laugh as he got up off the bed and pulled his friend into a tight cuddle.

"I'm really glad I came to see you," Blair mumbled against Daniel's shoulder. The taller man nodded as he pulled back.

"I'm really glad you came, too."

They hugged again then headed out of the room. "Don't forget to look me up in another ten or so years," Daniel said flippantly as Blair climbed the steps to the front door.

"Well, next time you should come to us." Blair commented, then he looked across to Jack, and swivelled back to look at Daniel. "The *both* of you!"

Jim reached out and shook Jack's hand then Daniel's. "Thanks," he said to the other blue-eyed anthropologist. "I really mean that."

Daniel nodded then held the front door as they headed out.

Jack raised his hand over his head and called out, "take care. Drive carefully!" Then smiled as Daniel shut the door finally, watching as the tired man lent back on the door and sighed heavily.

"Alone, at last," Jack quipped. The younger man smiled at him then pushed up off the door and stepped up to hug him. He checked his watch as he placed his arm around Jack's shoulders.

"You know. This is about the time we're usually back here deciding what to do with the rest of our afternoon," he said, then looked deeply into the dark eyes. A smile burgeoned at his lips as he asked, "So, what do you want to do this afternoon, Jack?"

A sly grin filled the colonel's face also. "Um, I'm not too sure, Daniel. Do you have anything in mind?"

With a little head tilt, Daniel seemed to give that some thought. "I feel like doing something we've never done before.."

Jack jostled the man within his arms as he grinned more. "Oh?"

"Oh! I've got it!" Daniel clicked his fingers. "Why don't we get naked and explore each other's body for the next few hours? I mean you may have other plans, but let me just brain storm a moment here please, Jack.."

The older man chuckled deeply at his partner's wry sense of humor. "Oh, brain storm away! I like where you're going with it!"

Daniel smirked then scratched his thumb nail over his top lip. "Good! Well then .. now, where was I?"

"We were naked and mapping each other." Jack offered helpfully. Daniel nodded.

"Ah that's right. And then perhaps.."

Jack held his hand up this time, stopping him. "I've an idea. Why don't we just go into your room and start this mapping, see where it ends up?"

Daniel's eyes widened playfully. "What a great idea, Jack!" He laughed as he tugged Jack back to the bedroom, making sure he knocked the phone off the hook on his way past. The older man noted that and smiled, tightening his grip on his Daniel's hand.

As they reached the bed, Daniel turned and looked at his new lover. Suddenly all playfulness was gone. Jack stared into the blue eyes, noting the shimmer within them as they started to grow darker.

Cupping his hand up Jack's cheek, Daniel pulled him closer for a kiss.

Their tongues met in an tantalizing dance, tracing over each other, over teeth and lips, jostling for position within the warm, moist caverns. Daniel gripped Jack's hair into tight handfuls, using the grip to manoeuvre his head around, positioning him exactly where he wanted him to be throughout the kiss. Jack's hands ran down the broad back and onto the rise of the rounded butt. He squeezed at the soft globes lustfully as he pulled Daniel closer.

With a harsh jerk, Daniel pulled the faces apart. He sucked back a few deep breaths then moved his hands down to unfasten Jack's shirt. His hands were shaking as he tugged the shirt back off Jack's shoulder's revealing his valley of greying curls. Daniel closed his eyes as he bent and rubbed his slightly opened mouth over Jack's skin, feeling the tickle of the curls against his soft lips. He groaned as he straightened up, running his palm over the awakening nipple now.

"You've no idea how much I've wanted to do that!"

Jack smiled. "Yeah?" Then he frowned. "Why?"

Daniel laughed; a deep, relaxed laugh. "Because it feels so damn good! Being this close to you. Touching you," he licked across Jack's chest, "Tasting you!"

The colonel sighed softly, then started to undress his lover, peeling the blue plaid shirt off his broad shoulders and dropping it to the floor. His work toughened hands slipped over the smooth chest, eliciting a deep guttural groan from Daniel. Stepping backwards, Daniel sunk onto his bed, pulling Jack down on top of him. The colonel seized the opportunity to divest Daniel of his remaining clothes and then helped in the removal of his own attire.

Lying himself over the younger man, Jack's hands continued to explore the soft, smooth skin, discovering what points made Daniel shiver and what points made him groan softly.

In return, Daniel flipped Jack onto his back and tasted every inch of the older man's chest, sides and stomach; relishing in the hairs and trail that led over the soft stomach, around the navel and then down to the thick, curly thatch of hair.

Every time his cheek 'accidentally' bumped Jack's thick shaft he enjoyed the way the colonel dug his heels into the mattress and bucked the air.

Moving his way down to the strong, muscular thighs of his lover, Daniel inhaled the rich aroma of Jack's arousal. Unable to venture past his knees, Daniel was drawn back to the incredible groin.

"You are clean, aren't you?" he asked, then added, "Medically, I mean?" and watched as Jack nodded.

With a smile on his face, Daniel returned his attention to the hard shaft jutting from the dark patch of curls. His hand touched at the thick muscle lightly, making Jack moan deeply. His long finger traced up the blue vein, all the way up to the circumcised head then his fingers danced around the lip of the helmet, earning more pulses and bucks into the air. Jack was arching off the bed, his legs rippling with the effort, his stomach tight with desire. Daniel carefully cupped his hand over Jack's sac, leaving his thumb and two first fingers to wrap around the thick base of the shaft. He squeezed firmly and Jack growled loudly. Swiping his tongue over the purple tip now, the anthropologist tasted his new lover for the first time. He took a moment to savor the taste then he engulfed the shaft, all the way to the base, with his mouth.

"Oh.. GODS! Danny!!!" Jack cried out loudly as the younger man sucked furiously, his tongue teasing the head as it slipped in and out of his wet mouth. Slipping his fingers down between the sweaty cleft, Daniel continued to swallow Jack while he investigated the tight ring with his fingertips.

Jack dug his heels into the bed again, tilting his pelvis so that Daniel had better access to the hot, moist area. The anthropologist lifted his face from the shaft, drawing back a deep breath then he reached down between Jack's thighs, his cheeks pressing against the soft inner thighs as he swiped his tongue over the tight opening. Jack's fist lightly thumped on Daniel's rump, the younger man barely noticing as he continued to rim his lover. Without seeing, he found the hard shaft again, squeezing it once more before rapidly pumping it. Flashes filled Jack's eyes now, he was almost beyond it when the sudden onslaught stopped and Daniel knelt back onto his heels. His remained staring at the groin, seeing the almost clear liquid seep out the small hole while his hand gently glided over Jack's stomach, the fingers tugging at the hairs every now and then.

"Do you always start off in such a mind blowing way?" Jack asked with a slight laugh, his hand reaching out to touch the white shoulder. Daniel smiled then turned his face to look at Jack.

"How close did you come?" The younger man stretched out alongside his lover, his hands fondling the chest hairs again.

"Close? Well, it was intense but, well," the older man said then shrugged. Daniel lent up onto one elbow and smiled down at him.

"Not close then?" He asked hopefully.

Jack shook his head. "I probably should warn you, Danny. I take forever !" He illustrated his words by tossing his hand in the air.

Daniel started chuckling to himself then he reached down and kissed the hairy chest repeatedly. Jack was a little puzzled until he heard, "oh, thank God!" mumbled against his skin.

Reaching his hand down, he tugged at the long hair, pulling Daniel's face from the ravishing it was giving his chest. "Oh?"

The younger man grinned wickedly. "You just get more and more perfect, Jack O'Neill!" He reached down and, with his eyes locked on Jack's, bit the nipples hard then lowered his eyes and smothered the chest in soft, moist kisses.

Jack wrapped his arms around him and threw him onto his back, pinning his wrists against the mattress as he crawled on top of him.

"I can see you're going to be a feisty lover!" He said, then reached down and kissed up the side of Daniel's face, over his ear and down his neck. The younger man gave a low groan of pleasure as the warm, moist tongue squirmed its way into his ear. He hardened considerably again, the weeping tip swiping across Jack's ass as he wriggled beneath his captor.

"Where's your stuff?" Jack asked.

With his wrist still pinned to the bed, Daniel pointed to the side cupboard. Jack reached up and over to pull the drawer open and Daniel took the moment to grab him around the hips, nudging his face against the thatch of dark curls once more.

As he sat back, Jack forced Daniel onto his back once more and then sat on his hips again. He tossed the crumpled tube onto the bed then opened the pack of condoms. He tried hard to ignore that two were missing but Daniel was well aware of it and noted the slight expression change on his lover's face.

He reached up and cupped his hand over Jack's hesitant fingers. That drew Jack's attention, making him look down at him.

"Love the one you're with.." Daniel said softly, but not proudly.

Blinking quickly, Jack held his hand up, stemming any further words from Daniel. "Please, don't.. I have no rights, I know, but I just can't hear any of that!" He also shut his mind to the images of what might have happened on that bed the night before, but his eyes betrayed his thoughts as they sadly scanned across the bed.

Wetting his lips, Daniel pressed up onto his outstretched arms. "We can go back to your place, if you'd prefer?"

Shaking his head, Jack said quietly, "just tell me you've showered, at least."

Realising it was a serious remark, Daniel nodded. "I went to work this morning, Jack. Remember?" Then he added poignantly, "while Blair went to the book store."

The colonel stared at Daniel again, his dull brown eyes slowly scanning the perfect face.

"Point taken, Space Monkey," he said quietly. Daniel nodded.

Suddenly Jack's face screwed up, and he gave a painful groan.

"What is it?" Daniel asked, worried as Jack winced again.

"Cramp!" The older man grimaced as he carefully rolled off Daniel's hips.

"Where?" The younger man asked, sitting up, trying to 'see' where the pain was in his lover.

"Here!" Jack slapped his left thigh joint. Daniel carefully massaged it then helped Jack through the pain. Finally it let up, allowing the colonel to move once more. Daniel continued to rub the hip area firmly then he reached down and placed a kiss onto the recovered area.

Sitting back up, their eyes met again. Slowly Daniel reached down once more and placed soft kisses against the joint, kissing the white skin over and over, then pressing on it with his tongue. Jack moaned softly and Daniel let him roll onto his back, then trailed the kisses over the hip then across the thigh down to the inner thigh. Jack groaned more loudly as his legs shifted apart, allowing Daniel better access.

The explorer's cheek nudged the soft sac gently as he concentrated on the inner thigh, his tongue trailing over the coarse hairs there. Moaning gently himself, he inched closer and closer to Jack's rapidly filling erection, up over the patch of hair then up the trail leading to the navel. He bit the soft skin hard, leaving a little red mark on the white skin, then he made his way back down the trail and rubbed the shaft against the underside of his chin. Jack growled loudly then his hand reached down to cup around the back of Daniel's head.

The younger man looked up at his lover. They exchanged smiles, then Daniel lowered his mouth over the hard shaft once more. Jack sucked back a deep breathy noisily as he arched off the mattress. Kneeling back, Daniel reached across Jack's stomach and lifted a condom from the box. He tore open the pack with his teeth and spat out the corner. Lifting the tacky, thin sheath from the pack, he pressed it against Jack's tip, slowly rolling it down the thick hard shaft, his mouth watering at the thought of what was to come. Reaching across Jack again, he squirted a dollop of gel into his hand and smeared it over the sheath. As Daniel knelt up to position himself, Jack gripped his hips and muttered, "come here," as he dragged the butt over his face.

Daniel's heart leapt into his throat the first time Jack swiped at him. He grappled for Jack's knees, using them to steady himself against the nudges and swipes, and his own weakening knees. Jack moved to carefully suck in one half of the sac, feeling the hard ball inside with his tongue. Daniel groaned loudly, his head tossing back as Jack carefully pushed out the ball again and returned to the tight red ring. With his hands gripping Daniel's thighs hard enough to leave finger imprints on the white skin, he nudged and gnawed at the sensitive ring, turning Daniel to jelly above him.

The younger man gripped the bony knees for dear life as his butt twitched and shivered with the rimming Jack was giving him. Carefully, Jack pressed his finger through the tight opening, watching as Daniel arched his back invitingly. He immediately pressed in another, then another, then tugged against Daniel as he continued to lick the stretched ring. When it grew too much for him, Daniel kicked his own leg from over Jack's face, removing himself from the tantalizing attention, then he smiled as he repositioned himself over Jack's prepared shaft.

With a dollop of gel on his fingers, Jack reached between Daniel's thighs and covered the electrified area in the cold, soothing gel. Wiping his fingers clean on the bed-sheet, he then reached up and laced his fingers with Daniel's as they gripped each other's hands tightly. Daniel slowly eased himself down onto Jack, both men hissing at the incredible sensation. Shaking his hands free, Daniel leant down onto Jack's soft sides to provide himself anchorage for his slow movements.

Jack reached out and grabbed the pillows, tucking them beneath his head and shoulders, which gave him enough leverage to see Daniel completely as he lifted and lowered himself onto the thick, red muscle. Reaching his hands down, he gripped his lover's waist, assisting in the long, hot fuck.

As Jack felt himself grow closer and closer to the edge, he wrapped his hand around Daniel's weeping shaft and pumped him in time to their rhythm. Slowly the hand glided over the silken shaft, slowly and surely. Soon the movement increased, and Jack would squeeze his hand every time Daniel squeezed his ring tightly. He heard the soft hitches of breath every time Daniel struck his own prostrate, feeling the echo of shivers run through the tight-bodied man. He watched as Daniel's head fell back, his long dark mane falling onto his shoulders, shimmering in the afternoon light as the bodies struck then pulled apart again. Time after time. He saw the collar bone shine from the sweat, and tasted the salt as he sat up and licked across the smooth chest.

Daniel groaned now, his head rolling forward to press his forehead against Jack's. The older man squeezed him as they smiled at each other languidly. Jack touched his free hand to the back of Daniel's neck, feeling the damp hair tips as they brushed against the moist skin. He reached up and kissed the sensitive throat, feeling Daniel start to shiver within his touch. He pumped harder and faster and soon he held his lover as he came in a screaming rush, sobbing loudly as he dropped his face against Jack's shoulder. Their stomachs were covered in semen and sweat as Jack pulled back to flop against the pillows once more. Wearily Daniel leant against his chest as he increased his pace once more, noting the jerks and twitches which indicated Jack's rising orgasm.

Jack fisted his hands tightly as he started to tremble then he gave a loud cry out as his hands sprang open, and he curled up into a sort of sitting position, gripping Daniel around the shoulders.

"Yes! .. Oh.. YES!!!!!!" Jack hissed. Daniel felt the twitch buried deep within him as Jack's orgasm filled the sheath then he slowly shuddered and jerked, finally falling -exhausted - to the pillows once more.

Crawling carefully off his lover, Daniel removed the condom, tied it off and reached across the exhausted man to drop it into the bin. He belly flopped across Jack's stomach and chest, unable to move again.

The older man grunted when Daniel crashed down onto him, then he laughed, slapping the white globe displayed before him.

"Hey! Can't sleep there!" He mumbled. Daniel groused, something inaudible to Jack, then he wriggled until he was against his lover's side, his head on his chest and his fingers caressing the skin lightly.

For the next few hours the satiated men laid wrapped together, staring up at the ceiling and listening to the sounds of the other's breathing and the rain on the window outside. They drifted in and out of sleep at leisure.

Reaching behind himself, Daniel switched on the lamp beside his bed, for it had now grown dark outside. He shifted, tucking one hand under the back of his head then he heard the soft groan from Jack and realised that his lover was actually awake. He turned and looked at him, who's eyes slowly shifted to meet the gaze. They smiled together.

"Jack."

"Daniel."

They said together then they both laughed.

"You go first," Daniel said.

"No, you go first," Jack insisted.

"No, really, Jack.."

"I want to hear what you have to say.."

Rolling onto his side, Daniel ran his hand down the rugged cheek and sighed softly. Jack bit the roaming finger lightly, eliciting a chuckle from Daniel.

"Do you think we'll grow out of this 'terribly polite stage' any time soon?" The younger man asked with a loud groan, clearly indicating his thoughts on the matter. Jack laughed and spat the finger from his mouth.

"God, I hope so!"

"Good!" Daniel said, wetting his lips quickly.

Jack indicated to Daniel though. "Go on. Age before beauty, I always say."

Tilting his head Daniel squinted his eyes as he said, "But I'm younger than you, Jack." Almost to prove his point he twirled some of the grey chest hairs within his fingers.

"Hey, no one ever said whether the age had to be younger or older! It's just age before beauty!"

Daniel laughed then shook his head as he tumbled onto his stomach, his arm now under his cheek. Jack shifted to lie on his side, bringing his knee up to rest on the backs of the golden haired thighs, and he traced the curve of Daniel's spine with his fingertips. The younger man shivered as he chuckled.

"Actually Jack, I think it refers to Great Age before Great Beauty."

"Ya think?"

Daniel nodded then smiled as his fingers ran down Jack's side, over his hip then circled the flaccid penis. Then he traced his hand back up the stomach and onto the chest, pressing his palm over the heartbeat.

With a cheeky smile, he said, "So what do you wanna ask me then?"

Jack smirked slightly as he poked his tongue out and toyed with his bottom lip.

Finally, with a nod, he said, "Okay, I'll give you that great beauty crack!"

Daniel chuckled, his shoulders shaking slightly. "Thank you!" He shivered again as Jack's fingers danced along his spine then the hand pressed over the soft butt cheek.

"What were you going to ask me?" Jack asked, his voice low and deep.

"No, you first," Daniel said, rolling onto his back again. He grinned as Jack put his hand back against his body and followed the invisible line down the front of him this time, tracing right down to the softened shaft.

"I was just wondering if you'd ever done it in an observation tower on a house in the suburbs.." The older man shrugged, "or if that kind of thing even appeals to you?"

A slow smile crept over Daniel's face, then his head rolled back as he gave a throaty laugh. Tucking his hand under his head, he said, "I was wondering if you'd ever made it on the roof top of an apartment block in the middle of a rain storm.."

Jack stared at his mate. His grin broadened. Finally he'd found a partner as adventurous as himself! Daniel understood that smile and inched himself back off the bed.

Quickly he dressed, omitting his underwear, then he held his hand out to Jack.

"Come on." He smiled then tossed Jack's pants at his chest. The Colonel scuffled to the edge of the mattress then pulled his pants on.

"Where are we going?"

Daniel's eyes looked up at the ceiling then he lowered them to look at Jack again.

"I hear rain.."

-THE END-