"None of your damn business." Jack snapped bitterly.

"If this was just about a nightmare Jack I would walk away right now and not say another word-"

"No you wouldn't. You'd be the same damn irritating little pest, sticking your nose where it doesn't belong! Always thinking conversation will solve everything. Well let me tell you something Dr. Jackson...it doesn't!" O'Neill whirled on him.

The hurt in Daniel's eyes didn't stop Jack's angry words. "When the hell are you going to get it through that thick skull of yours...The universe is not some big beautiful playground where all the little kiddies get along! It can be an ugly, cruel, hateful place full of evil and all the talking in the world isn't going to change that. There are times when talking is nothing but a waste of breath!"

"We're two totally different people Daniel. You're a diplomat and I'm a soldier. While diplomats are talking, soldiers are dying! How many times have one of us had to pull your sorry ass out of the fire because you wanted to talk to some asshole who's main goal in life was to blow your fool head off. Hell if it hadn't been for Teal'c you wouldn't be here now, because talking to Shau're sure as hell didn't stop Amonet from damn near killing you!"

Suddenly blinking in stunned amazement at the bitterness which had poured out of him, a horrified, Jack met Daniel's angry glare. Had he suddenly gone deaf? He knew his mouth was moving but the words of apology that surged through him, stuck in his throat, refusing to emerge. What was happening to him? What in the hell would possess him to say such hateful things to his best friend? He had hurt the one person who had been there when he needed someone the most, but it had been true what he'd said about Daniel being dead if not for Teal'c. However it was also true if not for the man standing in front of him, his crystalline blue eyes full of anger and misery, Jack more than likely would have been dead years ago, if not during the Abydos mission than by his own hand.

In his usual self effacing manner, Daniel probably figured he was to blame for the repugnant words that had spewed from Jack like an erupting volcano. The colonel wished they hadn't left the tent without their weapons because right now he'd gladly cut out his tongue with his own knife.

His own emotions in turmoil, Jackson stood facing his friend, the hands shoved deep into his pockets clenched into fists, his lips pursed into a tight line. In the past few years Daniel had gotten used to Jack's sudden outbursts of temper; had even grown accustomed to bearing the brunt of that temper. Often he surrendered to Jack's point of view, but this time O'Neill had crossed the line.

The despicable words had cut deeper than any butcher knife and hurt worse than a ribbon device. Daniel was well aware it upset the colonel when he often walked into a situation without weighing the consequences. As a civilian he hadn't been trained to consider the military ramification of any given scenerio but until this moment he hadn't realized just how much of a hindrance to the team Jack considered him. He trusted Jack completely and unconditionally and thought Jack trusted him. Evidently he'd been wrong.

NO! He wasn't wrong! On more than one occasion Jack had proven how much he respected and trusted Daniel. Those loathesome words may have been spoken by Jack O'Neill but they hadn't come from his friend. He had to believe that! People lashed out saying things they didn't mean when they were upset or hurting and his friend was definately hurting! Something was severely wrong and Daniel was sure it had to do with whatever had happened in Meelay's tent that afternoon.