The corridors were dimmed as Jack made his way to the infirmary. He paused outside Daniel's room, inhaling deeply before quietly pushing the door open.

Teal'c looked up from the chair as he entered, his somber expression puzzled.

"How's he doing?" Jack questioned, moving closer.

"There is a marked improvement."

"Has he regained consciousness again?"

Teal'c nodded. "Four times. Each time he asked for you." The Jaffa tilted his head, looking at the soldier. "You could not be found."

"Well I'm here now!" Jack smiled hoping to take the sting out of the sharp words. "Why don't you turn in. I'll stay with him."

Teal'c stood and looked down at him. "You are certain of this O'Neill?" The Jaffa didn't want Daniel to awaken and find himself alone because Jack had disappeared again.

O'Neill nodded, waving him to the door. Teal'c complied, leaving the soldier and scientist alone in the room. Jack stepped closer to the bed. The low light shone on a peaceful expression on the scientist's gentle face. "Awww Danny..." he murmured slowly, his fingers moving to lightly touch the young man's tangled hair. Turning to pull the chair closer, he froze as he heard the one word.

"Ja-ack?"

He turned back to find the long lashes had lifted revealing dull blue eyes gazing drowsily at him. Jack smiled, bending closer. "Hey.."

The scientist licked dry lips and slowly forced the raspy words, "ack...s-s-sorry..."

O'Neill's shoulders sagged as he realized what Daniel was saying. The kid wanted him to apologize. Instead of speaking, he reached for the glass of water on the side table and held the straw to Daniel's lips as he took several swallows.

Slowly placing the glass back, Jack nodded. "You know I'm sorry Danny. For cryin' out loud, if I hadn't..." He broke off, swallowing his tears of guilt before continuing. "If I'd done my job, this never would have happened to you...God, yes I'm sorry!"

Frown lines furrowed Daniel's forehead as he weakly shook his head from side to side. "N-n-nooo, Ja-ack..." he slurred.

"I'm sorry I was such an ass and nearly cost you your life," he admitted, feeling a great weight lift off him with the admission.

The young man continued to shake his head in frustration, his long hair falling across his eyes. "N-no, no, n-nooo..." Jack felt the wind rush from him. Daniel was refusing his apology.

His shoulders sagged even further as his eyes begged forgiveness. "I'm so sorry Danny...so sorry..."

Daniel licked his lips. "N-no...J-Jak...'m...s-sorry..."

Startled Jack's eyes widened. "YOU!You?" he snorted. "What the hell have you got to be sorry for?"

The blue eyes softened and shimmered as the one word hung between them, "C-Charlie..."

Jack sighed. Closing his eyes, he turned his face to the ceiling. Then with an deep breath, he looked down at the young man, laying a hand on his shoulder, the anguished look in the blue eyes tearing at his heart. "Aww, Danny don't..."

A tiny ghost of a smile played on the trembling lips, a note of happiness filling his voice as Daniel whispered, "C-called....m-me...Danny..."

"Well yah, that's your name ain't it?" Jack teased. "What should I call you?"

The tiny smile was replaced by an expression so painfully hurting Jack had to look away as Daniel softly whispered, "F-friend?"

The heartbreakingly anxious expression on Daniel's face, his lower lip quivering as he stared at Jack waiting for the older man to say something, afraid Jack would only confirm his fears that the friendship he treasured was gone forever, almost ripped what was left of Jack's heart from his chest. The colonel ruffled the long hair, his expression tender. "You'll always be my friend..."

The joy he saw settle on the young man's face with that admission nearly overwhelmed him. The colonel gruffly cleared his throat adding, "There's no one else I'd rather hold onto."

Jack shook his head as Daniel's brow furrowed in confusion. "Ahh, it's just something I read once." He rubbed his forehead in embarressment. "Well, it said we are all angels with one wing and to fly we have to hold onto each other." Looking the young man in the face, he smiled. "Thanks for helping me fly, Danny."

Daniel's smile lit his entire face and his blue eyes shone brightly, staring at Jack until his lids grew heavy. Jack couldn't keep the smile from his own face, hearing the softly uttered words as Daniel drifted to sleep. "Jack's angel..."

O'Neill brushed his hand lightly over the sleeping man's cheek and moved to settle in the chair, still smiling. It wasn't clear if Daniel meant Jack was an angel or he was Jack's. It didn't matter. Everything was going to be okay between them. Something clicked in his mind, making his own face glow. Charlie was in heaven but some angels were earthbound. The one Jack knew best had blue eyes and a very forgiving heart.