Title:  Costa Brava

Author:  Joolz

Feedback:  Let me know what you think  [email protected]

Rating:  NC17

Pairing:  Jack/Daniel

Category:  Slash, Challenge, Alternate Universe, Drama/ANGST, Established Relationship

Challenge:  “Something Completely Different”:  Write the characters as we know them in a totally different context, nothing to do with Stargate

Season/spoilers:  None/None

Summary:  Turn of the century Central America and four people facing ‘meaning of life’ questions.

Notes:  While the setting and events portrayed herein have a basis in historical fact, much poetic license was used for the sake of the story, and many of the place names have been changed.  Thanks to Catspaw, Sharon G., Debi C and babs for their honest opinions.

Warnings:  Graphic m\m sex, VERY AU

Disclaimer:  Not my lovely characters, just playing with them.

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

Costa Brava

By Joolz

 

 

Doctor Jackson clutched his notebooks to his chest as he followed the path up to the main house.  His mind was so full of everything he had learned that day that he barely noticed the deepening shadows.  It wasn’t just the new words and phrases scribbled as fast as his hand could manage, it was how much he was learning about an new paradigm; a different way of thinking as expressed through the native language structure.  His colleagues at the University of Chicago might think it a waste of his talent to be out here in the middle of nowhere, but to Daniel it was a dream come true to study an unassimilated indigenous group.

 

He bounded up the steps and flung open the screen door, dropping it to slam behind him.  The room he walked into was of rough painted wood with large screened windows bordered by heavy shutters.  On one side of the door was a mildewed sofa and two overstuffed chairs.  On the other a massive wooden desk covered with neatly arranged folders and papers.  The other person in the room looked up from his desk at the interruption.

 

“Hi, Jack!  I had a great day today!  Kuchué finally took me to see the chief.  That was a real honor; he hardly ever agrees to meet with outsiders.  He told me that…”

 

The older man interrupted him, “Daniel!  Daniel, that’s great.  I’m glad for you.  But Rosa’s been holding dinner, and you know how she gets.”

 

The scientist turned his big blue eyes on the short brown woman standing in another doorway, arms folded over her ample chest.

 

She chided him affectionately, “Danielito, otra vez has llegado tarde.  Sabés que me está enfriando la comida.”

 

“Mil disculpas, Doña Rosa.”  He shot a wry glance at Jack.  “I was caught up in what I was doing and lost track of time.”

 

The woman softened.  “Is okay.  You eat now.”

 

“En seguido.”  Daniel dropped his notebooks into one of the chairs and joined Jack on the way through the door into the kitchen/dining area.  The plain wooden table was set for the two of them, and Daniel pulled the bench back with his calf and dropped into his place.  Soon steaming bowls of rice, black beans in coconut milk, cabbage salad and sea bass sautéed in butter were placed before them.  Jack watched in amusement as Daniel spooned large portions onto his plate.

 

“So, injun-boy had a big day, did he?  What, didn’t they feed you lunch over there?”

 

Daniel grinned.  “Did they ever!  And it would have been rude to turn them down.  But it was a long walk back and this is great.”  He turned to the woman at the sink, which was no more than a basin with a drain pipe out the window.  “Riquísima, Doña Rosa.  Muchísimas grácias.” 

 

The older woman frowned and shoved a glass of lemonade in front of his plate.  “Tómetela.”

 

Daniel winked at her and she hurried away, blushing.

 

Jack teased, “Some day, Daniel, you’re going to have to teach me that way you have with women.”

 

Daniel couldn’t stop himself.  “Well, learning to speak the language would help.”

 

Bristling, Jack replied, “I speak enough.  I make myself understood.”

 

Daniel grimaced.  “Yes, bwanna.”

 

“Daniel…” Jack warned.

 

“Sorry.  So, what have you been doing today?”

 

“Oh, the usual.”  The back screen door opened and a large black man stepped into the kitchen.  “Hello, Teal.”  As he went on Doña Rosa handed the man a plate of food that he stood by the sink to eat.  “Planting, tending, harvesting, packing, shipping.  You know, production and sale of goods for pay.  The way most of the world lives.  You probably read about that in anthropology school.”

 

 Daniel lifted his eyebrows in mock amazement.  “My, Jack, you did all that all by yourself?  Sounds like it’s banana-boy who had a big day.”

 

“You are the pedant tonight.  What’s with you?”

 

Daniel put his fork down and sighed.  “Oh, I don’t know.  I guess it’s seeing how simply the Bribri live;  makes this place look like a palace.  And yet they seem content enough.  I can’t help thinking that I’m not getting something.”

 

Jack snorted.  “Not getting malaria, if you’re lucky.”

 

“Jack, ever the optimist.”

 

Grinning, “Yup.  Optimist is my middle name.”

 

The plantation owner turned to his foreman.   “Teal, is everything set for tomorrow?”

 

“Ya, mon.  The men they be ready.  The tools they be ready.  The forest, she not be ready, but she don’t have no say.”

 

Daniel cleaned the last of the food off his plate.  “What’s happening tomorrow?”

 

“If you listened to me with half the attention you give to those savages, you would know.  We’re starting to clear the new field tomorrow.” 

 

Suddenly very serious, Daniel asked, “Is that the area south of the estuary?”

 

“You know it is.  I’ve been planning this for months.  There it is in black and white on the map over my desk.”  He looked warningly at Daniel.  “Don’t start.”

 

“But…”

 

“Ah!  We’ve been all over this.  It’s my land.”

 

“But the Bribri have been living there for generations.”

 

“It’s my land, Daniel.  I bought it outright from the Costa Bravan government.  If they haven’t informed the prior occupants, it isn’t my fault.”

 

“But…”

 

“Ah!”

 

Daniel looked down at the table and pushed his plate away.  After sitting in silence for a moment he stood up.  “Good night, Jack.”

 

As the younger man went through to collect his notebooks from the armchair, Teal offered, “You friend, he worry too much.  The little people be all right.”

 

Jack frowned sourly.  “Not my concern.”

 

Teal set down his plate and headed for the door.  “You da boss, mon.”

 

“Yeah.  I’m the boss.”

 

++++++++++++++++

 

 

Jack walked carefully along the path leading to Daniel’s crude cabin.  He wore tall leather boots because you just never knew when you were going to step on a snake and he believed in being prepared.  On the ground before him crabs glowed pale in the moonlight, their eye stalks following his progress.  As he approached each one scuttled sideways into the bushes.

 

When the cabin came into view it was already dark inside.  This structure was built on stilts in order to better withstand the occasional hurricane. There were no screens, and in fact they would have been useless since the walls themselves didn’t extend all the way to the thatched roof or wooden floor, allowing cool breezes to ventilate the interior.

 

Jack walked up the stairs and stepped inside.  The kerosene lamp on the table was still smoking, so it hadn’t been long since Daniel had blown it out.  The man he was looking for was lying in the hammock wearing only his shorts.

 

Without speaking Jack slipped out of his boots and then out of his clothing, draping them over the back of the single chair to discourage scorpions from taking up residence.  As he approached the hammock Daniel stretched his arm out, extending the net so that Jack could join him.  Jack climbed in and lay pressing the length of their bodies together. 

 

Jack said quietly, “I didn’t know if I would be welcome tonight.”

 

The response was a whisper, “You’re welcome.”

 

The older man inspected the face next to his, the way the skin seemed to glow in the moonlight and disappear into shadows.  Daniel looked much younger and softer without his round wire-rimmed glasses, but no less formidable.  Jack hadn’t thought much of the scholar who showed up on his doorstep asking to stay and study the local culture.  Jack had laughed.  What culture?  He let the harmless academic move into this cabin and then found himself inexplicably drawn to the man and increasingly impressed with his character.  Now there was no one he cared for more.

 

Jack tilted his head and let his lips and the tip of his tongue brush his lover’s cheek.  The contrast of soft skin and rough stubble excited him, as did the taste of salt and Daniel.  He let his palm explore across Daniel’s smooth chest, rubbing sensually down his belly.  Daniel brought their lips together and Jack savored the new texture, firm and pliant at the same time.  His hand moved lower, pushing down the waistband of the cotton shorts, and found that Daniel was already very much aroused.  Another firm and pliant texture filled his hand. 

 

Daniel deepened the kiss, but Jack had to gasp when a palm and long fingers wrapped themselves around his straining organ.  They lay side by side, tilted slightly towards each other by the edges of the hammock, and lost themselves in sensation.  They stroked each other with an identical rhythm, so that as the erotic tension grew Jack was no longer consciously aware of who was pleasuring whom.  The hammock swung slowly as their bodies sought more stimulation.  Jack felt the fiery pressure grow in him until one of them, he wasn’t sure which, twitched to completion, sending a spray of hot liquid over both their chests.  The other followed suit immediately. 

 

They slumped together, hands covering each other’s groins, and let their breathing slow.  It was always so intense when they were together.  They both needed something they could only find in the other and the myriad of differences between them seemed to evaporate in those moments of shared compulsion.

 

As they recovered they shifted position so that Daniel was lying with his head on Jack’s chest, the older man’s arm around his shoulders. Daniel lightly fingered the hair on Jack’s torso and snuggled in closer.

 

As much as Jack wanted to let the moment last, there was something else that he had forgotten to tell his friend earlier.  He thought that he’d better do it now so that there wouldn’t be any unpleasant surprises.

 

“Hey Danny, there’s something else happening tomorrow that you should know about.”  The other man looked up at him warily.  “It’s nothing bad.  At least I hope not.  There’s this guy, Jacob Carter, who’s had business dealings with my father; I’ve known him for years.  One of his businesses is mining; gold, copper, whatever.  Anyhow, he thinks this area has mineral potential and asked if he could send someone to check it out.  Turns out this someone is his daughter and she’s arriving tomorrow.”

 

Daniel’s eyebrows jumped in surprise.  “His daughter?”

 

Jack grimaced. “Yeah.  Seems she’s some kind of genius with the whole mining thing, totally dedicated to the family business.  So I have to take care of her, let her stay in my extra room and everything.”

 

Jack watched Daniel’s face closely.  He could almost read the thoughts passing through his lover’s mind.  The thick eyebrows pulled together furrowing his forehead, and the full lips protruded in a slight pout.  That would be Daniel thinking that in 1906 the only women dedicated to family businesses rather than their husbands and children were women who were not the marrying type, so to speak.  He was probably slightly put out that his haven was to be invaded by some battleaxe spinster, and that he would be expected to make polite conversation.  Then he shook his head slightly and for a moment the frown deepened.  That would be Daniel scolding himself for being selfish and ungenerous.  Then the face relaxed and cleared.  There, Daniel was reconciled to the idea and ready to make the best of it.

 

Daniel asked,  “She’s going to look for ore deposits on your land?”

 

“The whole area, I guess.  If she finds something on my land so much the better.  If it’s outside, then maybe I can still get in on it.  It could be a windfall but I’m not counting on anything just yet.”

 

“Will we have to stop… this?”

 

Jack sighed.  “I don’t know.  I hope not.”  He tightened his arm around Daniel.

 

A firefly blinked and looped over the hammock.

 

There was a lot they no longer talked about, like wishing they could spend the entire night together instead of hidden hours.  Like wishing they could be together openly.  They both were aware that that was never going to happen. 

 

It was something Jack knew instinctively and Daniel was able to put into proper sociological terminology.  Everybody knew that they slept together.  You could easily find out what anyone within a two hundred mile radius had for breakfast.  The fact that there were so few people seemed to make news travel faster.  But as long as they were discreet, and the fact of their relationship was not pushed into anyone’s face, no one felt the need to do anything about it.  If they got caught, or behaved too obviously, then the Catholic Costa Bravan residents might decide to teach them a lesson.  Since Jack and Daniel were powerful white foreigners they could not be approached directly, but the indirect lessons were the ones to worry about.  Their foreignness gave them a lot of leeway, but there were limits.

 

They felt a rush of air and the firefly was gone. Daniel’s shack was a favorite hunting ground for the bats.

 

“Maybe she’ll be an early-to-bed heavy sleeper.”

 

Daniel suggested an alternative.  “Or maybe I’ll come to your room next time and we can shock her into having a coronary.”

 

Jack grinned.  “You evil imp.”

 

They let the subject drop and settled in to a long session of kissing and petting, which escalated to a climax rather more athletic than the first.  Then, as Daniel snored in the oblivion of sleep, Jack eased himself out of the hammock and quietly dressed.  He took one last appreciative look at his beautiful lover and then headed for home, his mind turned to tomorrow.

 

 

++++++++++++++

 

The next morning Daniel stayed in his cabin writing up notes.  He had no desire to be there when the others were clearing the land.  He had already seen the process of cutting down the mangrove and hardwood trees and using teams of oxen to wrench the stumps and roots from the soil.  He knew the muddy, desolate waste that they left behind, and how the peones preyed on the animals that weren’t fast enough to get away from the destruction of their homes, like the sloths and the peccaries.

 

He did go to the big house to share a quiet lunch of rice, beans and fried beefsteak with Jack.  Afterwards they joined Teal outside to lounge in the shade of the porch during the long siesta break.  Just as Jack and Teal were getting ready to head back out to the work site they heard the sound of horses approaching.  They stood for a better look and two human figures and three horses appeared on the track. 

 

The riders approached and one of them swung easily off the saddle to stand in front of them.  Daniel didn’t quite believe his eyes, because this was a tall, slim woman with beautiful blue eyes and tufts of blond hair sticking out from under her floppy sun hat.  Then she smiled at them and the fact that she was wearing trousers suddenly seemed inconsequential.  She was lovely, not what he had been expecting at all.

 

“Hi, I’m Samantha Carter.  Is one of you Jack O’Neill?”

 

Jack cleared his throat and Daniel glanced at him to find his lover staring blatantly at this exquisite white woman, too. 

 

“I’m Jack O’Neill.  Welcome to my home…”  He trailed off uncomfortably as he remembered that he was talking about a very primitive cabin.

 

The woman wasn’t fazed at all.  “It’s wonderful Mr. O’Neill.  I so appreciate you being willing to put us up.  My father sends his regards.”

 

“So how is old Jake, anyway?”

 

“You know him, always doing things his way.”  There was a slight edge to her voice suggesting more to the story.

 

“Where are my manners?  Samantha Carter, this is Dr. Daniel Jackson.  He’s a scientist.”

 

Her eyes lit up very attractively.  “A scientist?”

 

Daniel corrected, “A social scientist.  I’m an anthropologist doing a linguistic and cultural study of the indigenous people on this part of the Atlantic Coast.”

 

“How fascinating!”

 

Jack seemed determined to draw her attention away from Daniel.  “And this is Teal, my foreman.”

 

The quiet black man nodded his head regally in greeting and she returned the gesture.

 

Samantha Carter took her turn and introduced the assistant she had hired in the capitol city of Santa Marta.  José was a thin, pasty looking young man of about 18 years old, sitting uneasily on the horse.  The third animal was loaded down with oddly shaped packs and bags.

 

Jack directed, “Teal, show José to the bunk house.  I’ll meet you later in the field.”

 

“Ya, mon.  Come ‘long young fella.  We see you fine.”

 

Jack and Daniel accompanied the woman into the house where Doña Rosa immediately produced another plate of food for her.  As she ate, Daniel asked, “So, Miss Carter, what is it you hope to find here?”

 

“Call me Samantha, please, Doctor Jackson.  I’m hoping to find no less than gold.  Just from the preliminary data which I have been able to obtain from the University of Costa Brava I’d say this area could literally be a gold mine.”

 

Jack whistled.  “Gold, huh?  Hot damn.  Oh, sorry, Samantha.”

 

“Don’t worry about it, Mr. O’Neill.  I’ve been around.”

 

Daniel saw him bite off the, ‘I’m sure you have,’ before he said it out loud.

 

“Call me Jack.  And this is Daniel.”

 

“If you don’t mind my asking, I noticed that your foreman speaks English, albeit an odd dialect.”

 

Jack groaned.  He hated it when Daniel got the opportunity to talk language, but since it happened so rarely Daniel ignored him.

 

He explained, “Yes, most of the Negroes on the Atlantic coast speak English.  You see, in 1870 the Costa Bravan government contracted an American entrepreneur to build a railroad line from the main Atlantic port town of Limoncito to Santa Marta.  You probably traveled over on that train.”  Samantha nodded.  “Since there were no slaves in Costa Brava, he had trouble finding enough men willing to work under those conditions – we can hardly imagine what it was like building a railway through the jungle and mountains.  Anyway, this American brought in men from Jamaica to do the job.  When they finished some of them returned home and others decided to stay.  That was Teal’s parents and uncles.  When the Negroes stayed on, the Costa Bravan government didn’t want them mixing with what they considered to be the ‘white’ people in the central plateau, so they made it illegal for the black people to travel more than twenty miles from the sea.  All those English speaking Jamaicans settled in here along the Caribbean coast.”

 

Samantha seemed very interested, and prompted him.   “You said that there are also Indians here?”  Jack sunk lower in his chair.

 

“Yes, there are three distinct cultural groups living together in a fairly small area.  Four if you count us.  There are the Negroes, several small indigenous tribes which speak their own languages, and the Costa Bravans, who speak Spanish.  They are descendents of the Spanish colonizers and there were a lot of other European immigrants as well, but they are more mixed with the Indians than they like to admit.  Still, you probably noticed that for Latin Americans, they are generally lighter skinned than most.”

 

“Wow!  I can see why an anthropologist would be interested in this place.  Are you studying all three groups?”

 

“Mainly the Indians, but the overall cultural context can’t be ignored.  Some individuals in each of the groups learn the other languages, but most of the time they have to work things out without understanding the words.”

 

Jack broke in with unmistakable pride in his voice.   “As near as I can tell, Daniel is about the only person who can talk to everyone.”

 

Daniel blushed.  “I’m really still just learning Bribri.  It’s a fascinating language.  And then there are the Cabecar further down the coast.  I’ve just touched the tip of the iceberg in the year that I’ve been here.”

 

Her eyes widened.  “You’ve been here a year?  And you, Jack?”

 

“Three years, more or less.  Got a nice little banana plantation going in that time.  I export to New York and Europe.”

 

The woman opened her mouth to ask yet another question, but at that moment the back door flew open, and a small man rushed in pouring forth a stream of Spanish.  Daniel went immediately to try to calm him and find out the trouble.

 

Frowning, he turned to Jack.  “He says there’s a problem in the forest and you’re needed.  It sounds like I’m needed too, as it has something to do with the Bribri.”

 

Jack scowled as he jumped up and strode out of the house calling for horses to be brought.  Without a word Samantha mounted too, and rode along with the two men. 

 

When they reached the section of land being cleared, a startling sight met them.  Closer to the estuary the group of ladino and black peones stood clumped together, holding their saws and hammers like weapons.  In the center of the newly stripped clearing stood Teal, alone and proud with his hands on his hips.  He faced a group of Indian men; short, barrel-chested, wearing nothing but strings around their waists to support the strips of cloth between their legs.   The men were arrayed to block access to the jungle behind them, holding long spears resolutely. 

 

Daniel swore under his breath.  This was awful.  He knew all these men and couldn’t bear the thought of bloodshed. 

 

The three new arrivals dismounted and Jack nodded Daniel forward to find out what the Indians wanted.  Daniel approached, passing the severe figure of Teal, and noticed that one of the Indian men was the Bribri chief himself.

 

Daniel moved forward and bowed his head respectfully to the ancient man whose head didn’t even reach Daniel’s shoulder.  He asked their purpose then listened to the formal response from the tribal leader.  Daniel then explained that he must relay the message to the white chief. 

 

Returning to the waiting group Daniel demonstrated equal respect for Jack by addressing him in the same humble manner.  “Chief Mekuna, whom I only met for the first time yesterday by the way, wishes to inform you that the activities of the newcomers have now intruded into the land upon which his people depend for their survival.  The forest gives food and shelter to them, and they in turn care for her as they would their mother.  Recognizing that the foreigners, that’s you and everybody else not Indian, need to survive, they have allowed you to pursue your strange practices, but now you encroach too far into their domain.  This they cannot allow.”

 

O’Neill eyed the group of Indians silently for a moment, then spoke to Daniel.  “Tell them that all the land between the estuary and the Río Negro is mine and they must leave it.  If they move farther inland, up onto the mountain, they will be allowed to go peacefully.  If not, I will force them out.”

 

Daniel’s jaws were painfully tight, but he kept his eyes lowered.

 

Jack barked harshly, “Daniel,”  and he looked up.  The grave expression on Jack’s face communicated the seriousness of the situation.  “Daniel, make them understand that they don’t have a choice.  If they aren’t fully clear on this, explain to them about guns.   They will go, Daniel.  I’d be just as happy if they went alive.  It’s up to them.”

 

Daniel held Jack’s gaze, memorizing he depths of the brown eyes that revealed so much more than the words did.  He saw reluctance, but also the resolve that if forced he would follow through on his threat.  Jack truly believed that he was in the right.  Daniel nodded almost imperceptibly and turned back to the Indians.

 

As Daniel repeated Jack’s words he kept his head bowed, but could see that the wizened old chief was staring at Jack, not at him.  Glancing briefly behind him, Daniel saw Jack match the challenging, measured look with his own.

 

After he finished speaking, the leader replied, “This cannot be.  The land is sacred.  She is the source of life.  She cannot be destroyed.”

 

Now Daniel looked directly at Mekuna, drawing his attention away from Jack.  “Honored grandfather, it cannot be but it is.  If you do not take your people from here not only the land will be destroyed, but they will as well.   Surely the land farther up the mountain will provide for you, and will be grateful for your care.  Please, grandfather, the white man is a fearsome warrior and cannot be stopped.”

 

The old man observed him for a moment, then returned his gaze to Jack.  Eventually he murmured, “We will ask that the spirit guides show us the correct way.”  He turned abruptly and disappeared back into the jungle, followed by the others. 

 

Daniel stood looking after them and was soon joined by Teal, Jack and Samantha.  Jack placed his hand on Daniel’s shoulder.  “I’m sorry.  This was bound to happen.  If it wasn’t me, it would be someone else.”

 

The anthropologist couldn’t bring himself to look at his closest friend at that moment, but said levelly, “I know.”

 

 

+++++++++++++++++++++

 

 

Life returned to a semblance of normality over the next few days.  Teal and his men continued clearing the land, and the Indians silently dismantled their homes and moved inland.  Amazingly, the spirit guides had declared that Daniel Jackson was not to be held responsible for the tragedy that had befallen the Bribri and the forest, so he was called ‘friend’ and allowed to visit whenever he liked.  Daniel found himself relaxing his academic perspective and helping to construct the new dwellings higher on the mountain.

 

Most days Samantha Carter would disappear with her assistant at first light and return in the evening.  The new addition to the household fit in surprisingly easily, and the three of them would sit together in the evenings under a kerosene lamp as the insects and frogs clicked and shrilled outside.

 

One night Jack asked Samantha about her assistant, the pallid José, who didn’t seem to be flourishing in his new job.

 

Samantha grimaced as she answered. “Well, he’s smart and efficient enough, but no, he isn’t doing very well.  He worries all day and doesn’t sleep at night.  I just hope he holds out until I get the preliminary survey done.”

 

Daniel asked, “What’s the matter with him? Is he ill?  Should we take him to the doctor in Limoncito?”

 

“No, it isn’t that.  He’s afraid of the Indians.”

 

Daniel raised his eyebrows.

 

“You see, he’s lived his whole life in Santa Marta and has never been anywhere near Indians before.  All he knows about them is what he has read in western adventure novels from the United States.  He’s convinced that the redskins are going to carry him away, scalp him and leave him to be eaten by crows.”

 

Daniel laughed in disbelief.  “These aren’t that kind of Indian.”

 

“I know that, but try telling him.  I wonder how people can stay so set in their ideas even when confronted with a completely different reality?”

 

They fell into a contemplative silence, broken only by the sound of hard-shelled beetles impacting on the glass of the lamp and crashing to the wooden floor.

 

After a while Daniel began to tell a story, his melodious voice hypnotizing his listeners and creating vivid images before their eyes.

 

“Many ages ago, near the beginning of time when the world was like a new leaf uncurling from a bud, there were several great spirits learning to live together on the earth.  The Great Creator Sibu wished to please and honor the spirit Thunder.  He gave to the wife of Thunder, Sea, a fine wooden walking stick, and asked her to carry the gift to her husband.  The woman complied, but when she presented the stick to the spirit Thunder he was incensed.  What need had he of a walking stick?  Thunder ordered Sea to return the gift to Sibu.”

 

Brown and blue eyes sparkled in the lamplight as the vision unfolded.

 

“Sea started to do as she was told, but then began to wonder.  Why was she being made to fetch and carry for the men?  Who was she to be sent on such pointless errands?  The wise ones say, ‘Oh, how the world is changed when a woman begins to wonder.’ 

 

“Sea decided not to do as Sibu ordered, and threw the walking stick to the ground.  The wood transformed into a snake, which rose up and bit the woman.  Sea fell mortally wounded and a tree began to grow from her body, growing tall and fat until it split open and all the waters of the earth gushed forth to cleanse and nourish all life.  Now neither Thunder nor Sibu could control the Sea.”

 

After he finished, Samantha grinned.  “I think I like these people.”

 

Jack interjected, “Sound like real revolutionaries to me.  So Queen Samantha, shall we take a walk down to the beach and see if the waters of the earth have washed ashore anything interesting?”

 

She dipped her head shyly and then looked Jack in the face.  “Sure, why not.”  She and Jack stood.  “Daniel?  Are you coming?”

 

Daniel felt tired and sad.  He shook his head and watched the other two head out into the dark night.  Daniel sat for a while, then went to get a broom.  He swept the beetle carcasses out the door and extinguished the lamp.  Then he went home alone.

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

 

When Daniel didn’t show up for lunch the next day, Jack left his work early and headed for the cabin.  Maybe Daniel was up on the mountain with his buddies, but somehow Jack didn’t think so.

 

Sure enough, he found his young companion scribbling in his journal, deep lines bisecting the high forehead.

 

Jack stepped into the room.  “Hey, Daniel.  What’cha doin’?”

 

Daniel looked up, but the frown didn’t lessen.  “Oh, just wondering.  Trying to figure out where I stand.  Just trying to work out what the hell is going on and what I’m going to do about it.”

 

Jack didn’t at all like the sound of that, but wasn’t sure what it meant.  “What?”

 

The younger man put down the journal and stood, walking around the table to face him.  “I mean, if I’m just here for entertainment when you get bored I’d rather live somewhere else.”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“I’m talking about your sudden interest in late night ocean gazing.”

 

Jack was flabbergasted.  “You think that I… that we…”  He laughed softly, which may not have been the best response.

 

“I think that you’ve just remembered what you’re missing, Jack.  Female anatomy.”

 

“Daniel…”

 

“And that’s fine.  If you’re interested in Samantha then I’ll just leave you two alone.  All I do here is annoy you about things you don’t want to think about anyway.  I’ll find a room in Cahuita and get out of your life.”

 

Jack needed to take action.  He walked over, grabbed Daniel by the arms and held him firmly.  “Daniel, don’t you remember the last time we went down to the beach?”

 

“Yes, I do.  Precisely my point.”

 

He leaned in and purred sensually, “When we went down to the beach we stripped each other slowly and felt the cool ocean air brush our skin.  You led me by the hand to the shore and pulled me down.  The stars were shining overhead and in the water around us.”

 

Daniel was visibly softening already.  “That was the phosphorescent algae being activated by the action of the waves.”

 

“Whatever.  We made love with the water lapping over our legs and then we laughed and rolled in the sand like children.”

 

“Jack, now is not the time to…”

 

“Daniel.  When Samantha and I went down to the beach last night we watched the ocean.  Get it?  She’s a nice kid, and attractive.  You’ve noticed that yourself.”

 

“I haven’t…”

 

“Excuse me, but hasn’t it been you and Carter constantly huddled with your heads together whispering about god knows what?  That doesn’t matter.”

 

Jack slid his hands down Daniel’s arms to cup the firm buttocks and pull Daniel’s pelvis to his own.

 

“Daniel, if I wanted a woman I could have a different one each day of the week.  You know that’s true.”

 

“Yeah.  I’ve seen how the girls look at you.”

 

“But I want you, Daniel.”  He rubbed against him in a very unambiguous way.  “Samantha doesn’t know anyone else here.  I’m just trying to make her feel at home.  It’s you I want.  It’s you I…”  He stopped himself before making the full commitment, but Daniel didn’t seem to notice.  His face was flushed and he was breathing quickly.

 

“Jack,” he panted urgently, “I want you.”

 

They mashed their lips together violently, and scrambled to pull each other’s shirts off at the same time.   Bare chest to bare chest they clasped their arms around each other and groped frantically.  Jack was just working Daniel’s trousers down around his hips when a footstep sounded at the door.

 

“Daniel, I wanted to ask…”  Samantha stopped mid step and her mouth dropped open.  Jack knew that there was no way that she could misconstrue what she was seeing.  Both he and Daniel stared at her mutely.  They didn’t seem to have enough blood in their brains to form any kind of response.

 

Within a few seconds Samantha paled then blushed.  She managed to choke out, “Sorry,” then turned and fled.

 

Jack said simply, “Damn.”

 

Arms still wrapped around his lover, Daniel dropped his forehead onto Jack’s shoulder and sighed.

 

Jack reassured him, “It’s okay.  I’ll talk to her.  It’ll be alright.”

 

Daniel lifted his head slightly and looked at Jack from under his eyelashes.  “Did you see the look on her face?”

 

Jack grinned, “Yeah.  Like she’d never seen two guys making love before.”

 

“Maybe she should have stayed.  Broadened her education.”

 

“Why, Professor Jackson.  Are you in the mood to teach a lesson today?”

 

“I’m going to give you a deep and thorough examination Mr. O’Neill.  I hope you’re prepared.”

 

“Sir, will I get a better mark if I demonstrate enduring respect for the Master?”

 

“That will depend on presentation as well as content.”

 

“Well, then.”  Jack slid out of his pants and lowered himself to his knees in front of Daniel.  “May I begin now?”

 

“Whenever you’re ready.”

 

With steady hands Jack finished undressing Daniel and was gratified to see that the other man was as aroused as he was.  Daniel’s long organ was standing straight out from his body and Jack could almost feel the heat radiating from it.

 

“You know, Professor Jackson…”  He leaned forward and ran his tongue along the bottom on Daniel’s cock.  “You’re my very favorite subject.”  He closed his lips around the head and slathered it wetly.

 

Standing with his head tilted back, Daniel didn’t respond.  He was already breathing heavily.  Jack grabbed his hips and pulled Daniel forward, taking as much of him in as possible.  He worked the member diligently, sucking and scraping it with his teeth until he could hear Daniel groaning above him. 

 

His lover pushed him away suddenly and Jack looked up to see those blue eyes burning with lust, and something more.  Daniel grabbed Jack’s arms, pulled him to his feet, and turned him around so that he was facing the work table.  Daniel pushed him forward, bending him so that he was supporting his weight on his arms, and kicked his legs apart.  Jack felt a rush of excitement, almost fear, at being handled so roughly by Daniel, but found himself getting harder.

 

Daniel moistened his fingers with spit and began to work two of them into Jack’s body; he was impatient today.  There was a perfectly good bottle of coconut oil on the shelf, but sometimes the two of them liked to go au natural. 

 

As the long digits opened him, Jack could feel them stroking his prostate again and again, sending shocks of pleasure through his body.  By the time the fingers withdrew he was sweating and gasping with need. 

 

Strong hands gripped his hips and he felt Daniel pushing into him.  He was too big.  Daniel was too big and hard for the space available, but he rammed forward anyway; slowly but implacably.  Jack grimaced at the pain of being stretched so forcefully, but hoped that Daniel wouldn’t stop.  He wanted more.  He wanted it all.

 

He got it.  Daniel filled him until his thighs pressed Jack into the table edge, then wrapped his arm around Jack’s waist and pulled him closer, impossibly entering him even farther.

 

Jack moaned at the rawness of it when Daniel began to pull back slowly, bracing himself for the return thrust.  Daniel moved in him languidly, penetrating and withdrawing so slowly that they could both feel the full length of each transit.  Jack gripped the edges of the table and watched a bead of sweat drop from his nose onto the papers below, his own cock straining against his belly. 

 

Then Daniel pushed all the way in and stopped.  He leaned his chest onto Jack’s back, one arm still gripping him around the waist, and stood still.  The late afternoon sunlight bathed the two men in its golden glow and the only sounds were of tropical birds, monkeys screeching in the forest canopy,  and heavy, passionate breathing. 

 

They stood together as deeply connected as it was physically possible to be, and Jack understood the lesson the teacher was imparting.  Without ceasing to be the two individuals that they were, they had also become one.   This intimacy transcended the physical.  He gave himself over to the union body and soul, heart and mind.  It was a pledge made and answered.  He belonged to Daniel.

 

Daniel’s free hand brushed over his hip bone and Jack swallowed in anticipation.  But the warm fingers caressed down his belly into his pubic hair and then traced around the curve of his penis, coming to rest encircling his testicles.  Daniel cupped his balls, rubbed them, rolled them, until they became hot and tight in his hand.  Jack thought he was going to collapse.  It was too much sensation all at once; there was no way he could take it.

 

Then Daniel began to thrust again, not releasing Jack’s balls.  The rhythm became harder and faster, rocking Jack into the table, forcing him to put all his effort into keeping his arms braced.  Daniel took him roughly, better lubricated now, his hand grasping Jack’s balls but never brushing the straining erection. 

 

Jack had thought that he could take no more, but he did.  He felt Daniel pounding into him, stimulating him from inside, felt his balls held in the gentle but viselike grip, and he wanted even more.  A loud wordless cry tore from his throat and he began to buck into Daniel, increasing the wild urgency of their coupling.  The pressure grew, centering in his penis, until the world went dark and he crossed the peak.

 

His body felt light and weak, and he was barely aware that Daniel was still thrusting into him. Then with a sense of completion he recognized the heat of Daniel’s seed filling him.  Daniel and him.  They’d done this together, created this miraculous moment.

 

Daniel was leaning heavily on him now, and Jack really didn’t think he could hold them up.  Some part of his mind wondered why his jism wasn’t splattered all over the notebooks and papers in front of him, then noticed that Daniel’s hand was cupped around his now limp organ.  He smiled; clever boy.  Yes, he was definitely in the hands of a great master.

 

Jack straightened up and turned to catch Daniel in his arms.  Their sweat-slick bodies stuck together in the humidity, but they leaned into each other anyway, Daniel murmuring unintelligibly in Jack’s ear.  He replied with a sated grin,  “Yup, my sentiments exactly.”

 

After a minute Jack backed Daniel toward the hammock and eased him into it sideways, so that his legs hung over the edge.  Then Jack stood and looked down at the gorgeous man sprawled before him.  He drank in the smooth skin of the chest, the flat belly, the sex lying over the firm, lightly haired thigh.  And the face:  dreamy, glowing, happy.   Because of him.

 

Jack knelt again between the open knees and wrapped his arms around those legs.  He kissed the salt from the soft inner thighs with total reverence.  Daniel said something and Jack looked up.  “What?”

 

Daniel cleared his throat and said clearly if weakly, “You passed.  The exam.  You passed.  Highest marks.”

 

Jack released  him and climbed into the hammock so that they could touch lips.  He was sore, and Jack knew that he was going to feel it more later, but it didn’t matter.  Right now he was enjoying the best moment of his life.

 

+++++++++++++++++++++

 

 

When she rushed back to the main house Samantha’s mind was so filled with what she had seen that she almost stumbled over the long legs stretched out on the porch.  Teal caught her arm to steady her and looked at her flushed face. 

 

“Miz Samantha Carter, you be troubled?  Did that Daniel Jackson not answer you question?”

 

She stared at him with wide eyes.  “No…I…he…they…”  She gulped and fell silent.

 

The black man looked at her shrewdly.  “Miz Samantha, did you happen to find the boss and his friend together?”

 

She nodded mutely.

 

“Now don’ you worry ‘bout that.  They be men, is all.  They be doin’ what men do.  Is all good, lady, is all life.”

 

Somehow his words took the shock out of the situation for her.  Samantha’s tense shoulders dropped and she laughed nervously.  “Yeah.  They’re men.  What can you expect?”  She dropped to sit on the porch steps.

 

Teal’s large form loomed next to her.  “Say, I know just the thing fix you right up.  I happen to know where the boss keep a nice old bottle of brandy.  What you say?”

 

She looked at him speculatively.  “I say that we should definitely drink the boss’s nice old bottle of brandy.  Is there only one?”

 

Teal smiled in collusion.  “Wait right here.  I go see what I can find.”

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

It was dark by the time Jack made his way back to the house.  He found Samantha with her head down, asleep on the kitchen table.  Teal sat with her, upright but with glazed eyes.  The reason for it was clear to see; two glasses and an empty bottle sat between them. 

 

Jack raised his eyebrows questioningly at his foreman.

 

“Now mon, you done give this lady an eyeful, you an dat fella of yours.  I was just helpin’ to lubricate the woman’s thought processes.  I say we had complete success.”

 

Jack couldn’t help but laugh.  “Well, that remains to be seen.  I guess I’d better get ‘the lady’ into bed.”

 

A loud snort sounded from under Samantha’s crossed arms.  Her head lifted and the messy laughter continued.  “He’s going to get me into bed.  Ha!  I doubt that very much.”

 

“We can talk about this tomorrow, but now it’s time to sleep it off.”

 

She reached up and patted Jack on the cheek, probably a little harder than she would have if she had had full control of her hand.  She said with exaggerated precision, “I think that’s a fine idea.”

 

He pulled her arm over his shoulder and looped his around her waist, lifting her to her feet.   They headed for the door, but Samantha suddenly leaned back and waved her free hand at Teal. 

 

“’Night, T..Teal…” 

 

Jack looked back too and added seriously,  “And thank you.”

 

As he maneuvered the woman through the door Jack heard Teal say to no one, “These white folks do make a fuss.”

 

Wasn’t that the truth.

 

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

 

The next day Daniel could tell that, in addition to having a monstrous hangover, Samantha was a bit uncomfortable around Jack and him.  But as time passed they were able to relax back into their familiar routine.  He knew that she and Jack had had some kind of talk, but she hadn’t said a word to him about what happened.  Happily though, it didn’t seem like it was going to be a problem. 

 

In fact, Samantha was acting very happy these days.  He didn’t understand exactly what she was talking about when she explained about the soil tests she was running, but he did understand that she seemed to be having success. 

 

One afternoon he came into the main house and found them both leaning over a map on Jack’s desk.  His lover was saying, “Samantha, that’s great news.”

 

She continued with what had clearly been a long explanation, “So you see that the results indicate that there is a small vein here,” pointing to the map, “and that it grows in width and depth as it continues up here.”

 

Daniel joined them.  “What did you find?”

 

Jack beamed at him.  “Gold, Daniel.  She found gold.  Some of it is even on my land.”

 

The woman crinkled her nose apologetically.  “Only the tail end of it.”

 

Daniel squinted at the map.  “Show me.”

 

“See, here is where it starts.”  She indicated an area clearly inside the boundary of Jack’s plantation.  “But the richer deposit is farther up here.” 

 

He followed her finger and pictured the landscape in his mind.  The gold mine would be… on the mountain.  His mouth went dry.  “But…but that’s where the Bribri are living now.” 

 

Jack held his face carefully neutral, but Samantha looked guilty.  “I know.  But their houses are easy to move, aren’t they?  They’ll find somewhere else. 

 

“Daniel,” she tried to convince him, “if we can get mineral rights from the government or whoever owns that mountain we will be millionaires.  My father and I, Jack, and you if you want to be in on it.  It’s gold, Daniel.  A lot of it.” 

 

He stared at them in disbelief.  Jack was watching him, waiting, and Samantha’s face was pleading for his blessing.  He felt something snap and close down inside him. 

 

“You can’t do this.  They’re people.  They have the right to live, too.”

 

Jack began gently, “Daniel…”

 

“No.  I’ve heard it before.  When will it stop Jack?  When?” 

 

His friend didn’t have an answer. 

 

Daniel had to get away.  He walked out of the house, not hearing the others calling after him.  He followed a path away from the house, away from the banana fields, away from the beach, into the jungle.  After a while he entered a small clearing and sat down on a fallen tree. 

 

He dropped his head into his hands and tried to think.  God knew he loved Jack, but this was wrong.  What should he do?  Jack and Samantha were his friends, they were from the same culture, they understood each other.  But the Bribri had welcomed him. They trusted him.  They were good people.  But were they his people? Who were his people?  How far could things go before he had to take a side?  He would have to decide soon. 

 

There was a rustling sound and he looked up to see a peccary break through the undergrowth at the edge of the clearing.  The small hoofed animal stopped and regarded Daniel with beady black eyes.  It seemed to be saying, ‘This is my home.  What are you doing here?’

 

Daniel spoke out loud, “I don’t know.”

 

The animal observed him for another moment, then turned its back and disappeared into the brush.

 

He said again, “I don’t know.”  But he did.

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++

 

 

Jack was sitting on the porch brooding when Daniel walked around the corner of the house leading a horse.  The animal was loaded with Daniel’s few possessions and books.  Jack’s stomach dropped.  This was exactly what he was afraid of.

 

He stood and walked down to meet his lover.  “Daniel?  Where ya going?”

 

Daniel stopped and looked at the ground.  He took a deep breath and, meeting Jack’s eyes, began what was clearly a prepared speech.

 

“I’m leaving, Jack.  I’m going back to Chicago.  It’s the only thing I can do.  I came here to study a living culture, not to document its destruction.  I can’t stay and watch it happen.  It would destroy me, too.”

 

Jack bit his tongue as soon as he said, “But what about us?”  That was so feeble.  Not a question a man would ask.

 

Daniel blinked at him miserably.  He shook his head and couldn’t find words to answer.  He looked at the ground again and pulled the horse toward the track.

 

Jack’s heart was pounding.  He called, “Daniel!”

 

The other man stopped and turned to him.

 

“Daniel, don’t give up.  Fight for what you believe in.  If you think I’m wrong, fight me.  Fight the Carters.  Fight the whole world, but don’t give up.”

 

Daniel considered his words.  “I’m an anthropologist, Jack.  Not a warrior.”

 

“You’re a man first.  A strong man.  You can decide what’s important enough to fight for.”

 

Jack watched Daniel’s face and saw something shift within him.  Daniel was weighing Jack’s words and finding truth in them.  Finding strength and depth in himself. 

 

Daniel nodded thoughtfully.  Then he stuck his hand out to Jack, who clasped it in his own.  It was more than a handshake, more than a goodbye, more than a challenge.  It was a pledge; made and answered.

 

Daniel clicked encouragingly to his horse, then turned and led it to the track.  He was going, but Jack knew that he would be back, one way or another.  There was a lot to fight for here.

 

 

The end

 

 

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