Daniel jerked awake, startled to see daylight. Oh God, he hadn't meant to sleep that long. In fact he didn't remember falling asleep. Jack was still alive! Weaker, his breathing shallow, his face ashen but at least he was alive. Kneeling by the stream, Daniel cupped his hands quenching his thirst, splashing water over his head and face letting the ice cold liguid run down his neck soaking the collar of Johnson's shirt before filling the canteen. Fighting the nausea that washed over him in waves, he lifted the shirt as carefully as possible and washed the area where the bullet had grazed his side, the cold cloth bringing some relief of pain. Thankful that it no longer bled, he ignored the angry red streaks spreading out from the wound.

"Da-nny?" He jumped turning at the sound of Jack's weak rasp quiltily dropping the shirt to hide his missing flesh.

"Sleep well?" Daniel supported his head, holding the canteen to his lips. "Ready for some breakfast?"

"Hurt..."

"I know it hurts but we'll be home soon."

"No..." Daniel tried not to flinch as Jack raised a weak hand, brushing his side, "you."

"It's just a scratch." He quietly assured his friend gently wiping his face with the cool cloth. "Nothing to worry about."

"That's not a scratch...Danny." Another fit of coughing worse than the previous night cut off his words.

"Easy Jack...Take slow deep breaths...You're gonna be fine...Dr. Fraiser will have you patched up and back on duty before you can think of any new jokes. If you're a good boy, maybe she'll let you have the bed she usually keeps reserved for me." He was rambling. "It's actually kinda comfortable. Better-"

"Look at me Daniel!" Jack gripped his hand. "Go home Daniel...you're hurt and..." His eyes closed for a moment against the pain before he forced them open again. True his vision wasn't exactly in focus but he'd watched as Daniel attempted to wash the wound in his side, and he would plead, conjole or manipulate if it would save his friend. "You have to go...home."

"I told you last night NO! NO! NO!" Jack couldn't help but think how much Daniel suddenly resembled a stubborn child about to throw a temper tantrum. "

"Listen to me...D-Danny...please...I want-"

"I don't care what you want right now!" The tears were suddenly flowing unchecked down Daniel's face. "I can't do this! I can't fail again."

"Wha-"

"I-I can't lose you too. I...failed Shar're...couldn't save her...Kasuf...told him I'd find her, bring her back...failed everybody...I won't fail this time. I WON'T!" He knew he sounded hysterical but couldn't stop himself, the visions of Shar're laying dead beside him, of Kasuf at the burial ritual running through his head.

"Da..nny...didn't...fail"

"You promised me once I would never be alone again-"

"You won't Danny." Panic flashed across Daniel's face as Jack suddenly clutched his chest, crying out in agony as pain seared through him stealing away his breath.

"Jack!...Easy Jack...I'm sorry...I'm sorry...breath Jack...slow and easy." He soothed, relieved to see O'Neill slowly relax as the pain receded. "I'm sorry..."

"Okay...Dan-ny...it's...okay."

"Promise me now! Promise you won't leave me Jack!" The anguish in his young friend's voice, the despair and gut wrenching pain in Daniel's eyes, every bit as agonizing as the bullet in his chest, tore at Jack's soul. He trusted Jack unconditionally. It seemed to have always been that way since the first time they met. Trusted him to watch his back. Trusted him to protect him. Trusted him to keep his word but this time Daniel wanted a promise he didn't think he could follow through on.

"Pro-promise...you...won't be alone." That much he could gaurantee. Daniel would always have Sam and Teal'c and if it was possible on some level Jack himself would always be there watching over his best friend.

"Then let's go home." Relief showing plainly on his young face, he tucked Jack's hand back under the sleeping bag and placing their supplies on the stretcher around him, Daniel slipped into the straps, and gripped the poles, beginning the next part of their long trek home.

One foot in front of the other. One foot in front of the other. The words kept running through his head as if Daniel were chanting a meditation mantra. His uniform was drenched with his sweat and it seemed as every muscle in his exhausted body was screaming in agony. He stumbled and fell to his knees for what must be the hundredth time, tightening his grip on the tent poles, to keep the travois from hitting the ground.

Laying the poles down gently, to tired to stand, he crawled over to kneel beside Jack and uncapping the canteen let some of the water dribble between Jack's lips before taking a drink. He'd meant what he said this morning. He wouldn't fail! All morning he'd seen Shar're laying beside him, telling him she loved him as the last breath left her body. It felt as if his whole life the people he cared for, sought acceptance from, had left him, until Shar're and Jack. Shar're and her people had welcomed him as one of their own, teaching him what he needed to survive on Abydos just as he taught them the long forgotten language of their written word. Then Shar're and Skarra had been taken.