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It was time for a romantic dinner out and for the first time in years, Daniel had worried over what to wear. But he'd decided and when he met Jason at the door in a white shirt and beige trousers, he believed he was outmatched. Jason wore a dark blue shirt and black trousers that seemed to accentuate his muscular build. It wasn't quite fair but Daniel didn't mind one bit. What he did mind was going to the restaurant in separate vehicles.

"Let's take my truck," Jason had offered.

"Or my Jeep?"

In the end, Daniel had flipped a quarter; heads would be his Jeep, tails would be Jason's truck. It had turned up tails and Jason had driven to the restaurant on the edge of town with a very smug grin on his face. Daniel hadn't minded that, either. All throughout dinner, he'd gotten his own back, teasing him with innuendo designed to make Jason hard by the time it was over. Jason, however, had decided it was foreplay and so had done the same thing in return.

Now, with a full belly and slightly giddy feeling from the glass of wine, Daniel was half-hard and very much looking forward to getting home. He looked at his watch for the second time--it was half past eight--and heard Jason snort as he did it. "What?" he asked unnecessarily.

"Why do you need to know what time it is? It's not like we're going anywhere in the morning."

"Old habits, Jason."

Jason shook his head and grinned as he pulled into the driveway next to Daniel's vehicle. Getting out of the truck, he moved around and felt disgustingly happy that Daniel waited for him on the front walkway. Jason touched his arm, giving him a smile, took a step toward the door... and froze. Hand on Daniel's arm, he held him back too. "Hang on." His smile was gone and hairs were rising on the back of his neck. Even from the far end of the walkway, he could see that the front door was ajar.

"You locked it, I know you did," Jason said in a hushed tone.

Daniel nodded slowly. "I did."

Jason took a step back, intending to return to his truck, when the cold, hard feel of a gun barrel pressed against the back of his neck. He glanced to his right and saw Daniel stiffen as the same thing happened to him. Immediately, Jason began to mentally kick himself for letting his guard down. If he'd been more watchful, he would have seen clues beforehand. There were always clues.

"Inside," said the male voice behind Daniel. They were nudged forward and grudgingly, they complied. The gunman behind Jason pushed the door open and after entering the house, the door was shut and locked.

Absurdly, Daniel thought that ironic. Gunmen locking a door that wasn't double-locked. Who were they trying to lock out? A noise from the kitchen abruptly halted his momentary amusement.

"We have them," said the man behind Daniel.

"Excellent. You were careful?" asked the voice from the kitchen.

"As instructed."

"Good."

When Daniel groaned, Jason glanced over. Did he recognize the voice of the man the kitchen? Jason didn't. That only made him feel worse. If Daniel was reacting like that, then whoever had broken in had a personal motive. But just who the fuck besides the Goa'uld wanted to hurt Daniel?

As they were held there in the foyer, Jason quickly ran a threat assessment. He may not recognize the voice of the man in the kitchen, or the men holding them, but he knew from their actions that they were former military. Men still in the service wouldn't be risking their careers for revenge or robbery which is what Jason figured they were after. That they'd gotten the drop on both of them meant that they'd been covert-ops trained. There weren't many people who could do that and get away with it. Although Jason was fairly certain that no matter what, they wouldn't be getting away with it. Hell, by the end of the night, they'd be lucky if they were breathing, because Jason was fairly sure he could take them down the moment he had the opportunity.

He considered and dismissed the idea that any neighbors had noticed what was going on, so they wouldn't be able to help. Besides, police officers were the last thing Jason wanted. The cops had to stay out of it. This was now a military affair, rogues or not.

"Get their phones," said the man in the kitchen.

The man who covered Jason quickly patted him down, removing his cell phone from his inside jacket, clicking it off, and tossing it on the bureau behind the couch. The man covering Daniel repeated the movements, tossing his cell phone next to Jason's.

"Done," called out the man guarding Daniel.

Jason looked at Daniel again and saw him clenching his jaw. That made him worry because the jaw-clenching meant Daniel was pissed. Of course, Jason couldn't blame him, but a pissed-off Daniel was a reckless Daniel, which was why he tended to keep his cool most of the time.

"You know that man?" he asked, nodding toward the kitchen.

Daniel sighed. "If I'm not mistaken, and unfortunately, I wish I was."

"Who is it?" Jason asked.

The man in the kitchen finally came out and revealed himself, looking very smug and dangerous as he kept his eyes trained on Daniel. Jason recognized him, but only from mission photos. It was former-Colonel Robert Makepeace, who was supposed to be on death row for treason.

"Aren't you supposed to be locked up?" Daniel asked.

"Had to be elsewhere, but I couldn't leave without paying you a little visit."

Daniel stared back at him. "You shouldn't have, really. My feelings wouldn't have been hurt."

Makepeace narrowed his eyes. "They will be, just like the rest of you."

Jason silently groaned to himself, knowing for certain that this was now very personal. Makepeace was here through some sort of misguided, irrational sense of revenge. Why? What the hell had happened between them? When he looked at Daniel again, and saw the coldness in his eyes, Jason's stomach clenched. He'd never seen that particular look on Daniel's face, but he'd seen hints of it whenever Daniel talked about Apophis. It was hate.

Daniel stared at Makepeace, wishing that this sonofabitch would just go away. He didn't hate many people, but this man was one of them. If it came to it, he knew he could kill the man, and only because he knew Makepeace was quite capable of driving him to it. Jason's presence gave him mixed feelings. He was glad he was there, acting as a temper to his feelings, but at the same time, Daniel wished he was elsewhere. Makepeace was going to reveal some things that Daniel didn't want known. Hell, his presence was enough to arouse Jason's curiosity. Daniel had to try to do something to mitigate whatever nastiness Makepeace had in mind. "What do you want?"

Makepeace gave a soft, derisive snort as he moved in front of them, eyeing both Daniel and Jason. "Settling accounts, Daniel, before I disappear."

"I suppose moving on never occurred to you."

Makepeace had been giving Jason the onceover, but at Daniel's words, he looked over sharply. He narrowed his eyes again, adopting a superior stance as he stepped in front of him. Lifting his chin, he said, "We have unfinished business."

"No, we don't," Daniel answered, placing emphasis on each word.

Jason was looking for an opening, any opening, where he could disarm these men without risking injury to Daniel, but he was suddenly brought up short by the look on Makepeace's face. He was actually leering at Daniel. Leering. This visit was some sort of twisted sexual dominance game. This man thought Daniel was his. Why? What the hell had happened back during that NID sting operation? Jason had read Daniel's report on Makepeace after the incident and remembered thinking it was a bit too brief. Teal'c had had more to say about the man. So what the hell was going on?

A coldness settled within Jason as he thought of one logical reason for Makepeace's presence. Something had happened during the time Makepeace had been leader of SG-1. "What the hell do you want, Makepeace?" he asked the man, avoiding Daniel's glance.

"Nice monkey," Makepeace said, his eyes on Daniel.

Proud that Jason didn't rise to that bait, Daniel folded his arms and sneered. "That's rich coming from you. Could you be more clichéd, bringing goons with you? You couldn't face me on your own?"

Makepeace backhanded him across the face and Jason flinched, even though he knew it would happen. Daniel was baiting him, just like he did everyone else he despised. Jason wasn't used to seeing it, and though he knew this attitude would only bring Daniel harm, he couldn't help but love him more. "He knew I was with you, Daniel. He needed to increase the bully ratio."

Makepeace took a step sideways, facing him. When the man threw a punch at his head, Jason ducked quickly and hit back, catching Makepeace across the jaw. He stumbled backward, shaking his head and holding his chin. There was a cold fire in his eyes that Daniel recognized and before Makepeace could do anything, Daniel stepped in front of Jason, arms out. Jason tried to get around him, but Daniel wouldn't let him. The guards behind him were unwittingly helpful.

"Don't, Makepeace. He's doing what he's supposed to do. Don't punish him for it."

Makepeace stared at him and suddenly laughed. "Are you trying your diplomacy on me, Doctor Jackson?"

"Is it working?" Daniel asked with heavy sarcasm. "Or have you lost what little honor you had left?"

Makepeace gave Daniel an oily, disgusting smile that had Jason wondering if there really wasn't a snake in there somewhere. "Same old Daniel. It's so refreshing to know that some things never change," he said and dragged the point of his gun down Daniel's chest with seductive emphasis. "Tell me, are you ready to carry on where we left off?"

"We didn't leave off anywhere, Makepeace," Daniel said coldly as he pushed the gun away from him. The goon guarding Daniel made a move to hit him but Makepeace waved him off.

"Back off. Won't do any good anyway. Despite his looks, he's no pussy." He abruptly grabbed Daniel by the front of his shirt and shoved him against the outer kitchen wall.

Daniel attempted to push him away just as Jason made a move toward him, but both of Makepeace's goons were ready for that. They grabbed Jason's arms and pressed their gun muzzles on either side of his head. Daniel immediately stopped struggling against Makepeace's arm across his chest.

"Just like I said. You're no pussy. You're a fighter. Especially in bed, remember?"

"I had no choice," Daniel answered, unable to think of something else, and he knew it was a mistake the moment he said it.

"Just like now," Makepeace answered. He gestured at his goons to take Jason into the kitchen. "Cuff him to a chair." He pulled out a gun from behind his back and aimed it at Daniel's jaw as he pressed his body against him. "It's time to get this show on the road, but I think I'll have some fun with your boyfriend first." Daniel ground his jaw and did nothing to encourage the man. He'd do whatever he wanted anyway, that much Daniel knew. He was shoved into the kitchen and Daniel caught Jason's gaze as he was being handcuffed to one of the dining room chairs.

"It'll be fine," Jason told him, slightly lifting his chin. It was an old combat signal Jason used that meant 'be ready.' Daniel lifted his chin in return, knowing that to Makepeace, all they'd done was look at each other.

Jason steeled himself as Makepeace stared at him, looking like he was readying himself for a good game of taunting. Jason could only stare back at him with contempt. The man had stupidly left his feet unrestrained.

"You're certainly a looker," Makepeace said, eyeing appreciatively. "Better than O'Neill. Glad you finally found someone decent to fuck, Daniel." He glanced at Daniel before tilting his head with assessment. "He a member of security?"

Jason made no effort to correct him or to say who he was, and neither did Daniel. Instead, he used his peripheral vision to keep an eye on the goons, adjusting his threat-assessment constantly. He knew things were about to heat up. It was just a matter of finding the opening before Makepeace set about confusing sex with rape. Although it was quite likely that he knew the difference.

"Well?" Makepeace prompted, and when neither Jason nor Daniel answered, he set his boot on the chair edge between Jason's legs. "Answer the question or your future will be sexless."

Jason sneered back. He had no intention of letting this man know who he was. If he told him he was the leader of SG-2, Makepeace would have an idea what he was capable of. SG-2 was a front line team, like SG-1. Certain skills were required. Better to force the man into underestimating him. "Security officer, yes. Give the man a gold star."

"Thought so," Makepeace answered, shooting another leer Daniel's way. "Couldn't very well risk another liaison with a team member, could you?"

"What happened between us was hardly what I'd call a liaison," Daniel answered.

Makepeace glared back coldly. "True enough." He was quiet for a few long moments, staring at them both before he suddenly pushed against Jason's chair, nearly toppling him over, and grabbed Daniel once more by the front of his shirt. "Enough. It's time to get down to business, wonder boy." Daniel resisted, causing Makepeace to rip his shirt, and so he jerked his head at one of his goons. "Get a hold of him, Sarge."

"Fuck off and die," Daniel answered as he fought with the man, but Sarge was bigger, quicker, and in a moment, had his arm up his back with a gun pointed at the back of his head.

Makepeace looked over at Jason. "He get rough with you in bed?" When he was met with a blank, stupid look from Jason, he shrugged it off. "I know Daniel likes it rough. I'm guessing you do too," and he ran the barrel of his gun down Jason's chest, dropping it lower, rubbing it up and down over his crotch. "Has he left bruises yet?" he asked in a lustful tone.

Jason didn't react as he watched the excitement grow in Makepeace's eyes. He just kept telling himself that one way or another, this man wasn't leaving the house alive.

Makepeace sighed and drew his gun barrel across Jason's cheek. "I should've brought more men. I'd love to watch you fight as I plow your ass. My friends here would too."

"We still can," Sarge said, looking at Jason. Then to Makepeace he suggested, "We can tie your pet up in the bedroom, and while you have your fun, we can have ours too."

The man standing behind Jason's chair chuckled. "That would be nice."

Makepeace nodded. "Sounds fair to me. After we get this one secured, do whatever you want with that one." He went around Daniel and reached into a black canvas bag on the counter, pulling out a cloth and a brown bottle.

Both Daniel and Jason stared with dread. It wasn't chloroform or ether but it smelled similar. "I thought you liked it when I fought?" Daniel asked, trying to head off being drugged.

"Oh, I do, but I need to get you secured first," Makepeace said as he gave the cloth a quick dab of the solution. "Afterward, you can recover and then wiggle and squirm all you like." He looked over at Jason for a moment and suddenly clamped the cloth over Daniel's mouth and nose, pressing hard. Daniel tried to shake his head but the gunman behind him had a hold of it. When he tried to hold his breath, Makepeace raised his knee and caught Daniel in the balls. He gasped and inhaled, and that was all it took.

The solution in the cloth acted quickly, making him extremely disoriented before he sagged into Sarge's arms. "No, Jason help..." he mumbled.

"Your boyfriend can't help you," said the man behind Jason as he placed a hand on Jason's shoulder and dug his fingers in.

Jason took a deep, steadying breath, ordering himself to wait, but it was very difficult to watch Makepeace and Sarge drag Daniel, who was half-conscious, out of the kitchen. There came a thud at the end of the hall as a door was kicked open and soon after, Jason heard the nasty sound of vicious laughter and the creaking of Daniel's bed. There was murmuring and he tried to focus on what was said, but suddenly there was swearing and the unmistakable sound of a hand slapping skin. It was followed by two more, and when he heard the sound of ripping fabric, a deep coldness settled into his heart.

He'd get Daniel free, but first things first. With all that he had, Jason focused his anger on the man behind him, gauging just when to act. He was caught off-guard when he heard the sound of a zipper being pulled down and the fumbling whispers of a man taking his dick out. Jason had to resist the urge to laugh because despite how it looked, this was actually good news.

"I'm going to love fucking you," the guard said.

"I don't think so," Jason answered, grimacing as the guard grabbed him by the hair and pulled his head to the side. The familiar feel of soft, warm cock touched him as the man began to rub the head of his erection against Jason's cheek and neck. Despite the hold on his hair, Jason tried to pull away, making the man laugh and roughly let him go. Soon after came the sound of clothes being shed, and not long after that, the man resumed jerking off, rubbing his cock over the back of Jason's neck. "I think I'll blow my load all over your neck."

"Will you now," Jason said, rolling his eyes.

The man grabbed his hair again and pulled Jason's head far back, rubbing his dick over his face--but careful to stay away from his mouth. "Think I'll dose you too."

"No, don't drug me, please," Jason forced himself to say, grinding his teeth against the guard's laughter. Thankfully his head was let go; he immediately tucked his chin against his chest as if in abject submission. "Please don't," he said, knowing it would goad the man the way he wanted.

"That's right," the guard said, his breathing growing short. "Beg me."

Jason said nothing else as he waited, patiently, for the tell-tale sounds. They didn't take long. When the guard began to quickly rub himself against the back of Jason's head, whispering, "God yeah," over and over, it was time.

When the guard gasped loudly, Jason rapidly got to his feet and used his strong legs to propel himself backward with great force, slamming the guard into the wall, cutting off any sound he'd have made as the breath was knocked from him. The impact pulled his cuff chain against the chair slat, breaking it loose.

Free of his encumbrance, Jason quickly found his balance, pivoted on one foot, and swung his other leg up to connect the inside of his foot with the head of his guard. There was an audible bone snap and the guard crumpled to the floor. He knew the crashing sound would have the others running in and he braced himself for a fight. But all that happened was Makepeace yelling from the bedroom, "You get your ass hurt playing with him and I'll leave your ass here!"

Jason laughed quietly, incredulous, but decided he'd take no chances on Makepeace changing his mind and coming out to check. He sat down and eased his hands under his ass, eventually transferring them to the front of his body. Once that was done, he searched the guard for the handcuff key and freed himself, then stuck the cuffs into one back pocket and their key into another. Picking up the guard's gun, he checked its ammo clip out of habit, made sure the safety was off, and paused to listen again for signs he'd have company.

There was nothing, but he could hear movement in the bedroom. Listening for another few seconds, he was intensely relieved to find that the sounds had nothing to do with fucking. Makepeace wanted to take his time, apparently, which was fine with Jason. He retrieved Daniel's phone off the bureau and moved to the couch, holding the phone under a pillow to mask the sound as he hit the speed number stored for Jack. Once the beeps were finished, Jason moved silently back into the kitchen, phone at his ear. He started to worry when no one answered but on the seventh ring, Jack picked up.

"O'Neill."

Thankfully, he sounded awake. "It's Coburn. Makepeace is at Daniel's. Get here soon." Jason hung up and set the phone on the table just as he heard Makepeace order Sarge to fetch kitchen oil. Jason smiled slightly. This was going to be much easier than he'd thought, as he didn't relish the idea of facing two men in Daniel's bedroom, but his satisfaction was short-lived the moment he heard Makepeace's sickening laugh and another rip of clothing. Jason placed the gun into the back waistband of his jeans and crept to the edge of the edge of the kitchen wall. When Sarge came around the corner, Jason moved with skill and alacrity, placing his hands on the chin and the back of the head. He twisted sharply and another body slumped to the floor.

Jason moved down the hall as carefully as he could and took a careful peek around the edge of the bedroom doorway. Makepeace stood at the end of the bed, looking down on Daniel as he masturbated. Jason flicked his gaze around the room, looking for the gun, and found it on the nightstand. When he allowed himself to take in the whole scene, the pit of his stomach became an abyss. Daniel was on his stomach, tied to the four posts of the bed. His shirt had been ripped and used to tie his hands; his feet were bound with the ties Daniel had in his closet. He took in the rest of Daniel's body and he breathed an internal sigh of relief that Daniel's trousers hadn't been touched. He was conscious, groggily pulling at his bonds.

Makepeace suddenly called out, causing Jason to jump slightly. "Sarge, stop fucking around with that bitch and bring me that oil!"

Jason stifled a snort, thinking neither of Makepeace's goons was fucking anything except their afterlife, but very quickly, his dark amusement abandoned him when Makepeace decided not to wait.

"Fuck it. I'm past ready for you."

He jumped on top of him and grabbed at Daniel's waistband and Jason didn't waste time. Removing the gun silently from his own waistband, Jason moved in behind, held the gun to the back of Makepeace's head. "Time's up," he said, grabbing Makepeace by his collar and slowly pulling him off Daniel. When Makepeace stopped halfway, Jason pushed the gun harder against his skull. "Try me. You might just be worth having to clean up the mess."

Makepeace sighed as he was guided around the bed and forced to his knees. Reaching over quickly, he grabbed Makepeace's weapon and threw it on the bed, out of Makepeace's reach, as he tried to think of a way to get Daniel freed.

"Where are my men?" Makepeace asked.

"Dead."

"Obviously not security."

Jason snorted. "Nope."

"Who are you then?" Makepeace asked.

Jason knew the man was trying to buy time, hoping for an opportunity to turn the tables. It would serve him right to have his answer. And then some. "Major Coburn, leader of SG-2. And you'll soon be reacquainted with a friend of yours."

Makepeace growled. "You called for help."

Jason snorted at him. "Of course I did. I think you know him. Colonel Jack O'Neill?" Jason risked a glance at Daniel and found him turning his head, trying to see him. Them. He thought about talking to him but didn't risk it.

"As long as we're sharing, I bet you're wondering why I'm here," Makepeace said, his voice thick with venom.

"Nope, but go ahead, say what you want. It won't distract me, but it may just get you dead a lot sooner."

Makepeace was silent for a moment before blurting out, "He's a good fuck, isn't he?"

Jason sighed. "Here we go. Blah, blah, blah."

"How do you like the way he screams cuss words at you when you make him come?"

Jason sighed and didn't answer, but his jaw was starting to grind.

"Or when he pretends to hate it when you bring others in?"

"Shut up," Daniel mumbled, taking Jason by surprise.

"Don't listen to him, Daniel," Jason told him.

"How about when he sucks you off?" Makepeace continued. "That's the best thing I've missed about him. Holding his head and ramming my cock down there, watching his face turn red as I choke him with my load. I bet you like that too, don't you?"

"Shut! Up!" Daniel said, voice louder. His words still slurred, but he was able to enunciate. That told Jason the drug was wearing off.

"Daniel, calm down. I'll get you free in a minute and then we can get rid of this cocksucker."

"Jace?" Daniel asked, blinking and trying to focus. "What are you doing?"

"Protecting you," Jason replied. "Just hang on. I'll get you loose as soon as help gets here."

At his words, Daniel remembered the bonds he was held by and squirmed viciously, trying to rip himself free. Because of that, Jason's attention was distracted and it was all Makepeace needed. He turned on his knees and made a grab for the gun and Daniel inhaled sharply as the two men fell to the floor, struggling for possession. Daniel tried all the harder to get free and help and he was making progress as the material continued to rip. Then suddenly the weapon went off twice and Daniel heard one of them hit the back of his closet. Eyes wide, he was about to ask what happened when Jason wrested control of the gun and hit Makepeace across his temple, knocking him out.

Daniel ripped his hands free right at that moment and stared as Jason got to his feet. "Jason, you're bleeding."

Jason winced. "Yeah, bullet grazed me but I'm fine. You okay?"

"Head's clearing," Daniel answered, placing exaggerated emphasis on the sibilants. He held up his wrists and joked, "Guess bondage is out for a while."

"So not funny," Jason said, shaking his head. He was amazed at the comment, but it was still expected. Daniel always found some way to lighten a tragic event with his pragmatic humor.

The sound of a truck could be heard through Daniel's open window and Jason looked up, hoping it was Jack.

"What?" Daniel asked.

"Just hoping that's Jack," Jason said as he retrieved the handcuffs from his back pocket and turned Makepeace over, securing his wrists.

"You called Jack?" Daniel asked, eyes wide. He moved off the bed and grabbed a t-shirt and a pair of jeans from his closet.

"Yeah, I called Jack," Jason said, watching him. "What're you doing?"

"Nothing, I'm just changing," Daniel answered as he slipped on the clothes. He had to do it partly because Makepeace had touched him and ruined the clothes he'd worn, and partly because Daniel didn't want Jack to see him... compromised. It was bad enough that Jason had seen, although that couldn't really be helped.

"Hey," Jason said, starting to reach up for him, but there came a noise from down the hall and in a flash, he grabbed the gun off the floor, pivoted on one knee, and aimed. "Identify yourself!"

"O'Neill," Jack answered, appearing in the doorway, his own gun in his right hand with his left supporting it underneath. "You guys okay?"

"We are now," Daniel said.

"Nice to see you," Jason said, still kneeling.

Jack looked down at Makepeace, then thumbed behind him. "Nice job."

"Thanks."

"Are you really okay, Daniel?" Jack asked again.

"I'm fine, Jack, thanks," Daniel told him as he rubbed the red marks on his wrists.

"I wish we had a zat," Jason commented as he got up slowly, wondering why the hell he was feeling so zapped of energy.

"Makes body disposal so much easier," Jack quipped.

As Jason turned around to look down at Makepeace, Daniel froze, staring at Jason's back. "Jason."

"What?" Jason asked, turning. And at that moment, he winced and touched his back, wondering if he'd wrenched it somehow. What he didn't expect was the wetness, or the realization that it was blood. Jack's hands were on him suddenly, turning him, and when Jason resisted, it was then that he was hit with a bolt of pain. Swallowing, he fought off the ensuing wave of nausea. "I just need a bandage, that's all."

Jack recognized the masked pain on Jason's face. "Are you insane?"

"What?" Jason asked, growing annoyed. "It's a graze, nothing more."

"Shit," Daniel said, heading for the bathroom.

"It's no graze, dammit," Jack said, examining him and the long stain of blood that spread down the right cheek of Jason's trousers. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Janet. "Doc, we got a situation here. Are there any treatment rooms available? Major Coburn's been shot."

Daniel removed Jason's shirt and bandaged him as snugly as he could while Jack gave Janet a brief run down of the injury. He listened, nodded, and hung up. As he dialed the infirmary, he quickly said, "She'll see you in the morning but right now, we have to get you to the Wing A infirmary, since they've left that open for emergencies." After informing the base they had a patient coming in, Jack hung up and looked over at Daniel. "Am I glad you live closer to the mountain than the rest of us."

Daniel gave him a wry grin. "For once, me too."

To Jason's embarrassment, they escorted him to Daniel's Jeep and Jack put a hand on Daniel's shoulder. "Get in, I'll be right back," and went back inside. As they waited, Jason had to fight off the urge to snap. It wasn't serious, dammit. Just a little lost blood.

"I know that look," Daniel said as he got into the driver's seat.

"Daniel, goddamn it," Jason began just as a huge wave of nausea overtook him and he groaned, hand over his stomach.

"Please don't puke in my Jeep," Daniel said, trying to make light of his own worry. Jason was getting paler.

Inside the house, Jack made another phone call. When he was through, he came back outside and handed Daniel his wallet, shoes, and jacket.

"Aren't you coming?" Daniel asked.

"This mess needs to be cleaned up, Daniel. Take Coburn to the infirmary."

Jason dropped his head back, wishing the nausea would go. "Colonel, we can't go. You have to drive."

"Why?"

"Daniel can't drive. He was drugged."

"Drugged?" Jack asked, his eyes immediately filled with worry.

"It's clearing out of my system. I can see and my reflexes are fine."

Jason had to admit he was right. Daniel's voice sounded fine now. He wondered if that's what Makepeace had wanted. A drug that had a short life. It would have been perfect for a sadist's drug.

"Where's this drug?" Jack growled at Daniel.

"On the kitchen counter."

Jack sighed and looked intently at him. "Well, you seem fine." He paused, then added, "Don't get killed."

Daniel couldn't help but smile at him. "I won't."

Jack then bent down to look at Jason and growled at him as well. "Don't you dare die on him, Major."

"No worries," Jason replied softly, smiling through a grimace as the pain of the wound began to hit him full force now. The shock was setting in.

Daniel got out of the Jeep and toed on his shoes and pulled on his jacket, pausing a moment as he regarded Jack with gratitude. "Thanks. I'm glad Jason called you."

"One very smart guy," Jack said, thumping the top of the car. "Go."

Daniel left Jack at his house and tried not to speed too badly as he raced for the mountain. He wondered exactly what Jack was doing staying behind at his house but decided he probably didn't want to know.

. . .

It was just a little before five a.m. when Dr. Janet Fraiser finally arrived at her Infirmary. It was Friday, and she normally looked forward to duty-free weekends. Unfortunately, because of the renovations, she was on call until they were finished, so a day off or two wasn't in the future. Still, she didn't mind so much when it came to the health and welfare of the people under her charge. And this time, it was someone she knew quite well.

She stood leaning against the open doorway of the recovery ward, watching Daniel sleep in the chair next to Jason's bed. She worried about him, although not just because she knew he'd been up all night. It was his close friendship with Jason and she had a feeling that Jason was the man Daniel was seeing. She knew they'd be careful, that they weren't innocent or naíve, but it was a big risk. No matter what, she'd protect them both as much as she could. They weren't just patients, they were her friends.

Janet felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see the concerned light blue eyes of General Hammond. A nod of her head indicated to General Hammond that they'd talk in her office so they made their way there. Once inside, Hammond closed the door.

"How's Major Coburn, Doctor?" he asked, taking a seat. Janet sat down and folded her hands on her desk.

"He'll be fine, sir. Dr. Warner was on call last night and he operated just shortly before 11 pm. The bullet passed through the muscle tissue cleanly and was well away from any nearby organs, namely the appendix."

"How long till he's cleared for duty?"

"With physical therapy, no more than two weeks, but he can return to work in a limited capacity next week. We can monitor him here, make sure no infection sets in. I've got him on meds now and I'll be sending him home later today."

"So soon?"

"If the infirmary were 100%, sir, I'd keep him here another day, but as it is..."

"Understood," Hammond sighed, realizing he'd have to assign a temporary field leader for SG-2. "Any damage to Dr. Jackson?"

"No, sir, other than a bruise to his right cheek and thigh."

"Caused by what, Doctor?"

"I believe they were caused by assault with the butt of a gun."

"Makepeace or one of the men he had with him?"

"I don't have all the details, sir. Colonel O'Neill only explained Major Coburn's injury. I haven't spoken to Daniel yet, though I have a feeling he won't be very forthcoming."

"He knows that he has to report this, Doctor," Hammond replied gravely.

Just then, a knock came at the door. "Come in," she called out. Jack stepped inside and closed the door as Hammond and Janet rose to their feet.

"Doctor, General."

"Colonel," both Hammond and Janet replied.

"I understand you were there?" Hammond asked.

"Yes, sir, but only after Major Coburn phoned me and after he'd already subdued the assailants, all three of them."

Hammond's demeanor softened a bit when he noticed how tired Jack looked. "Have you gotten any sleep, Jack?"

"No, sir."

"Then let's keep this brief. Do you have any idea why Makepeace was there?"

Jack had an idea but it was speculation at this point. "Nothing concrete, General, but I think it has something to do with what happened between him and Daniel when he was leader of SG-1. I can't find any other reason."

"So you're not certain?"

"No, sir, and I doubt Daniel will be very talkative."

Hammond gave Janet a grim look. "So Doctor Fraiser informs me."

Janet, however, had no idea that something had happened previously with Makepeace. "Colonel, are you saying that Makepeace hurt Daniel two years ago?"

Jack bit both lips as he hesitated. He didn't want to reveal anything, especially since Daniel wasn't willing to talk. "Daniel's never said. All I know is that after I retook command of SG-1 and we were getting cleaned up in the locker room, I noticed a couple of minor bruises on his back." The bruises, however, weren't minor and they weren't on his back. "He said he'd fallen off a ladder at home."

Hammond sighed. "Did you believe him?"

Jack shook his head, but he said, "I'd rather not speculate, sir. The one thing I know for certain is that he doesn't cover up crimes and he's not the type to submit to coercion, blackmail, or domestic violence. If he's... omitting the truth... then he has a damn good reason."

"Doctor, do you remember anything out of the ordinary?"

Janet couldn't recall anything but the usual bumps and bruises the teams collected on their missions. "No, sir, but if there was something out of the ordinary, I'd have noted it in my log."

"Check it, please."

Janet hesitated. "Sir, I can't check it till next week. Patient histories are locked up till the database computers have been reinstalled."

Again, Hammond sighed. "Very well. Report to me if you find anything."

"Yes, sir." This was one thing Janet hated about the military; the conflict between her profession and her career. Regulations violated patient confidentiality and it wasn't legal or fair when it came to civilian personnel, which was why most doctors tended to edit their logs and reports.

"Sir," Jack began reluctantly, "I'd rather not push him to talk about something that he'd prefer to keep silent about. I never pushed it in the past because despite the fact that he never gave me a satisfactory explanation, whatever happened hadn't interfered with his job. There wasn't anything I could do."

"I understand, Jack," Hammond nodded. "But I want a report on what happened at his house and he has no choice." He agreed with the grimace on Jack's face. "I know it's hard for him, Colonel. Just have him give us a run-down and why he thought the man was there."

"Yes, sir." Jack looked over at Janet. "So how's Major Coburn doing?" After Janet told him, he jerked his head in the direction of the recovery ward. "I noticed that Daniel's sitting next to his bed. Has he been there all night?" Janet nodded. "Can't you send him home? If you don't, Daniel will sit there until he's kicked out. You know how he is with his friends."

"Yes, sir, I know. Major Coburn can go home later today with strict instructions that he rest."

Jack nodded, relieved. "That's good."

"Colonel," Hammond said carefully, "Dr. Jackson has asked to go on leave. Does it have anything to do with this?"

"Probably, sir. When Carter was wounded, he wouldn't leave her side for a minute. I think that's what this is." Jack paused before adding, "If we run across an emergency where he's needed, we can call him back, but I'd okay the leave, sir."

Hammond nodded with grimace. "I'd rather not, but if he's going to be obsessing about his friend's health, it's just as well he stay home."

"Thank you, sir."

"I just wish I could find a suitable replacement for him."

"There really isn't, sir," Jack said. "Couldn't SG-1 serve on base for two weeks? Carter has projects to finish, and me and Teal'c can head to the training site."

Hammond considered the suggestion. "Very well. But if SG-1 is needed, he comes off leave and you go, understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"Okay. I believe we're done here for the time being," Hammond stated.

Janet nodded. "I've got some installation oversight to look over, but I'll be checking on Major Coburn in a little while."

"Mind if I..." Jack began, thumbing in Daniel and Jason's direction.

"As long as you're quiet."

"Thanks, Doc."

She nodded as she excused herself to the General and left the office.

When Jack started to leave, Hammond held him up. "Jack, did you call the SFs and the prison authorities?"

"Yes, sir," Jack stated matter-of-factly. "They hauled Makepeace off a little while ago."

Hammond thought so. "What happened to the men who accompanied him?"

Jack didn't hesitate. "OSI, sir."

"Office of Special Investigations?" Hammond asked doubtfully, and after a moment, carefully said, "What really happened to them?"

Jack gave him a very meaningful, level stare. "I don't know what you mean, sir. They've been taken care of."

Hammond stared at him for a few seconds, digesting that. "I see. Are you sure that's your answer?"

Jack sighed. "It is if you're asking me as my C.O., sir."

Hammond continued to stare at him, and asked one more question. "If you're placed under oath, what would you say was Makepeace's purpose for visiting Doctor Jackson?"

"To kill him, sir."

Hammond looked astonished. "Why on Earth would he do that?"

Jack inclined his head. "Probably to make me pay for turning him in, since he knows that Daniel and I are friends."

Hammond gave Jack a wry grin, tinged with a bit of sadness. "Except your friendship has been on the rocks in the last year, if I'm not mistaken, Colonel."

Jack eyed him back as he pulled an envelope out of his pocket and handed it to the General. "Makepeace wouldn't know that, sir."

"What's this?"

"My report."

Hammond assessed Jack's expression before waggling the envelope. "I think I've got an interesting read ahead of me, but I'll let this go until Monday. I'll see you in my office at 0900, understood?"

"Yes, sir," Jack said before leaving for the ward, thankful for the reprieve.

. . .

Jack stood at the entrance to the ward, unknowingly in the same place Janet had been, and watched Daniel sleep in the chair next to Coburn's bed. He wondered at the generosity of his friend, allowing him back into his life after all the damage Jack had inflicted, and could only feel grateful that fate had forced him to wake up.

He looked at Coburn and felt a twinge of jealousy, but it was mostly out of an annoyance that he'd missed his opportunity. It didn't have anything to do with Coburn himself. Likeable enough, handsome, and if Jack was honest, hot. But he knew that he'd feel jealous no matter who Daniel dated. One thing Jack knew for certain that despite his feelings, he'd never interfere. It was Daniel's choice and Jack valued the friendship far more than any idiotic measure of jealousy. He'd do anything for him.

Which was why Jack had taken care of the mess at Daniel's house. His time with Special Services had awarded him all kinds of contacts, not the least of which was a group of people that some government agencies would call a cleaning crew. And so Jack had called them, cashing in the favor they owed him. Now almost all evidence of Makepeace and his friends were gone. The only reminders of what had happened were a missing chair, scratches on the kitchen floor, and... the new carpeting in Daniel's bedroom. It was beige and didn't match the light gold in the rest of the house, but Jack hoped that Daniel would like it anyway. Or at least not hate it. Jack suspected he wouldn't, just like he wouldn't mind the fact that the torn shirt was gone, too.

Daniel's movement brought Jack out of his thoughts and he grinned as he watched him sit up and stretch, not knowing he was there. But the grin faded when Daniel winced and rubbed his back. It wasn't from sleeping in a bad chair. When Daniel looked around, and pulled a double-take when he saw him, Jack put his grin back on.

"Hey," Daniel said quietly.

"Hey."

Daniel looked at Jason as he stood up and grabbed his glasses off the medical stand by the bed. He walked toward Jack, taking another look at Jason over his shoulder. "How, uh, long have you been standing there?"

"Not long," Jack answered as he jerked his chin in Jason's direction. "Got the news from Fraiser. She says he'll be fine, but he's on downtime for a couple of weeks."

Daniel nodded as he looked back at Jason, still asleep. An ache tugged inside his belly. "The bullet passed through nothing but side muscle." He sighed and shook his head. "A graze, my ass."

Jack reached out and gripped his shoulder comfortingly, but when Daniel looked startled by the contact, he dropped his hand. "He did what I probably would have done."

"He was playing the idiot hero," Daniel said, brows knotting. "Just like you. Where the hell is it written that men must be at death's door before they acknowledge they're hurt?"

"The Bible," Jack answered, his grin returning.

"Figures," Daniel said with disgust, but his sour expression altered to one of apology as he reached out to mimic Jack's comfort touch. "Sorry for being startled. I'm... still a little freaked, I guess."

Jack wondered what the pause was for and decided to brave the front and ask. He had an idea what Daniel would say but needed to know. "That's not the only reason."

Daniel took a deep breath, not meeting his gaze. "And... well, maybe I'm not used to it anymore."

Jack grimaced. "I figured that was it. Well you can relax. I'm returning to old habits."

Daniel gave him a tired smile and nodded as he looked back over at Jason. "Why didn't he know he'd been shot?"

Jack inclined his head and looked over at Jason's sleeping form. "I think he did, but combat training and adrenaline have a habit of making you ignore certain conditions. And he did." He then reached out, again, and squeezed Daniel's shoulder. When he looked at him, Jack added, "I'm glad you've never had the chance to know that first hand."

Daniel gave a small snort. "I've been under those conditions, Jack."

Jack raised a brow. "Yes, you have, but not under the same kind of training that we've had. But what I meant was that I'm glad you've never been shot."

"Oh, right. Well, me too."

Jack gave him a wry grin. "I suspect he is too. Probably would have taken the bullet for you." Daniel rolled his eyes and Jack decided not to tease him about it--given that he would have taken a bullet, too. "Speaking of the bullet, it hit the other side of your closet door. That and the other one that lodged in there have been removed, but you'll have to patch the holes. I didn't have time to do that."

Daniel blinked rapidly in surprise. "You didn't have to do anything, Jack."

Jack stared back at him and it took all his self-control not to hug him. "Yes, I did."

Daniel sighed. "Well, thanks. Oh, wait a second. What happened with Makepeace--"

"Everything's been taken care of."

"But those men--"

"Everything's taken care of."

Daniel gave him a careful look. "What's that mean? Everything?"

"Everything," Jack said slowly, not wanting to explain. Not now, anyway. He was glad when Daniel, for once, didn't press. "By the way, Coburn handled himself well."

"Jason knows how to handle himself pretty well. He even spars with Teal'c."

"I know. Took those men down easily."

It suddenly occurred to Daniel what he thought were unconscious bodies might not have been. "Jack, are those men dead?"

Jack lifted his chin, as if bracing himself for a rant. "Yes, Daniel, they are."

"And Makepeace?"

Jack pursed his lips, pausing for a moment before he nodded.

"But I didn't think Jason hit him hard enough." When Jack simply gave him a look that said otherwise, Daniel actually felt pity for those men. The moment didn't last as he felt the bruises twinge on him and he remembered the looks on their faces. He probably wouldn't have died that night, but there was no telling what would have happened to Jason. He shaded his eyes, fingers rubbing at his temples. "Shit."

"Don't you dare give Coburn a hard time about it, Daniel. He did what he had to do."

"It's not that," Daniel answered, shaking his head. "I wouldn't get on Jason's case for saving my life. I'm not an ungrateful asshole."

"No, you're not. So what'd you say 'dammit' for?"

"I was just thinking about what happened. If Jason hadn't gotten loose, he might very well be dead."

"Probably," Jack agreed. "And for the record, Daniel, he did what I would have done."

Daniel touched Jack's arm again. "I know. I just wish it weren't necessary."

"A lot of killing isn't necessary, but I have to say that this time, it was. In Makepeace's case, it only came a lot earlier than planned."

Daniel sighed and turned away, wishing that the previous night had never happened. "Capital punishment is stupid, Jack, even for treason. People don't learn their lessons by getting executed."

"They rarely learn their lessons staying alive, but I take your point."

Daniel crossed his arms, yawning. "I'm just gonna..." he said, returning to his chair and adjusted the pillows before he sat back down. He could feel Jack behind him, and felt a tingle of warm security when Jack patted his arm. He was soon dozing.

At the door, Jack looked back over his shoulder before heading for his quarters to get his own much-needed sleep.

. . .

Jason felt Janet's fingers taking his pulse and opened his eyes slowly. She smiled down at him, put a finger to her lips, and looked to his left. He turned his head to find Daniel asleep in a chair. He smiled and tried to adjust his position but was stopped by the nasty pain in his side.

"Let that be a lesson to be more careful," Janet told him. "You have sub-sutures."

He cringed and asked, "It was that serious?" She nodded grimly as she took his blood pressure and temperature, then handed him a cup of ice chips for his throat. "Thanks," he said, crunching on a mouthful as he looked down at what he was wearing. Blue scrubs. Plucking at his top, he said, "Thanks for this. I really hate that drafty gown."

"You're welcome. And now it's time for you to roll over so I can check," she said, motioning for him to get on his left side.

"Check for what?" Jason asked with a mouthful of ice. "Oil? Air pressure? Termites?"

She smiled at him and put on gloves before removing the bandage. Jason remained still, comforted by her touch. He was also comforted by Daniel's presence beside his bed. It was, Jason realized, the first time he'd been there as his lover, and it made Jason see him differently. Before, he'd have noticed Daniel's rumpled look and found it amusing. Now he found it adorable, although he'd never in a million years tell him that. So for now, he could just watch and admire and Daniel would never see the sappy, idiot look of love on his face.

Janet cleared her throat.

However, Jason thought with a wince, Janet could see the look on his face just fine. "What?" he asked, trying for ignorance.

"It's cute the way you care for each other."

Jason rolled his eyes. "People care for each other all the time, Janet."

She continued to smile as she rebandaged his wound and pulled his shirt back down. "Done."

Jason rolled onto his back, his eyes never leaving her face. She suspected something. "What's on your mind?"

She paused, losing half her smile. "Are you sure you want to violate the DADT?"

Jason closed his eyes for a few seconds before leveling her with a serious look. "If you're asking as my doctor, don't say another word. If you're asking as my friend, then ask it."

She looked over at Daniel, trying to gauge if he was awake or not. Deciding he wasn't, she dropped her voice to just above a whisper and asked Jason, "Are you together?"

Jason sighed heavily and gestured at Daniel. "I can't answer that, Janet, without his input."

She winced a little, having forgotten the simple protocol on such matters. "You're right, I'm sorry."

Jason relented a little bit and reached up, offering his hand. She took it and he squeezed affectionately. "If you want to know if I love him, you already know that answer." At that moment, Daniel stirred, shifting position. When he opened his eyes, he looked right at him. And smiled.

"Hey," he said lovingly before he noticed Janet was standing there too. He cleared his throat hastily. "Uh, hi, Janet."

"Hey sleepyhead," she said with a smile.

Jason cleared his throat deliberately. "Janet just asked me something, Daniel. Something I couldn't answer without you."

Daniel frowned in confusion and sat forward. "What?"

Jason looked around the room and Janet said confidentially, "We're alone."

With a sigh, he said to Daniel, "She asked if we're together."

"Together," Daniel repeated. It took a moment for his sleepiness to lift enough to get what Jason meant. He looked at Janet and asked, "As in..." and he gestured between himself and Jason.

"You don't have to answer," Janet said reassuringly.

Daniel exchanged a long look with Jason, wishing he could read his mind. However, Daniel knew him well enough to know that the expression on his face said it was okay to tell her. "You're sure?" he asked. When Jason nodded, he said, "Yes." Janet's response was unexpected. She took a deep breath and gave them both a wan sort of smile. "You're not thrilled with the idea," he said simply, unable to hide the disappointment in his tone. What did he expect, he asked himself.

"I'm happy for you," she said, but the concern on her face was evident. "I just hope it's serious."

That surprised them both. "I'm sorry?" Daniel asked.

"I just don't want you risking your careers over something casual."

"Daniel isn't risking his career," Jason argued.

"No, but he's risking his job. You, on the other hand..." and she left the sentence unfinished.

Daniel and Jason exchanged another long look before telling in unison, "It's serious."

It was so perfectly in unison that she couldn't help but smile at them. "You really are cute together."

Daniel groaned and dropped his head on the bed. Jason chuckled and ran his fingers through his hair. When he glanced at Janet and saw the puzzled look on her face, he explained, "He hates the word 'cute' when it's directed at him for any reason."

She held up her hands in mock-surrender. "My bad. I'll never say that again." Even if she'd think it every time she saw them together. She wouldn't be able to help it. When Jason continued to thread his fingers through Daniel's hair, Janet looked around, knowing that one of her nurses could come in at any moment. Or Dr. Warner for that matter. She cleared her throat and Jason removed his hand.

"Moving on," she said with emphasis. "You can go home at noon. Your next set of labs will be back before then and I'll know whether you have an infection or not. You have no temperature yet, so signs are good you won't."

Daniel looked up, taking Jason's caressing hand in his own. "And his recuperating orders are?"

Janet put on her 'doctor' face. "No strenuous activity outside of physical therapy, which starts Monday here at the base, but I want you doing some exercises at home."

Jason groaned and dropped his head back on his pillow. This meant he was off the mission list, which he knew would happen, but physical therapy meant it'd last for more than a week. "Tell me it's not more than two weeks?"

She leaned over and adjusted his pillows. "It's not more than two weeks. But you'll have to do your part to make sure it stays that way."

"Preaching to the choir, Janet. Preaching to the choir."

She pretty much meant no martial art activity, but she suddenly thought about his and Daniel's relationship, which meant... sex. The thought of them having it made her feel strangely warm and at the moment, she couldn't tell if it was embarrassing warmth or aroused warmth. "Just make sure you take it easy," she said, wishing she didn't have to say it but she was a stickler for details. Jason and Daniel looked embarrassed at that moment, and to give them an out, as well as herself, she reached into her coat pocket and pulled out two bottles of medicine and handed them to him. "Follow the directions precisely."

Jason looked at the labels. One was an antibiotic, the other a painkiller, and he held the latter up for her to take. "I won't need this."

She snorted at him and didn't take the bottle. "Doctor's orders." She knew by the look on his face that he'd leave it sitting unused so she looked at Daniel for back-up. "Make sure he takes those."

"I will," Daniel nodded and gave Jason his own stern look. "Don't look at me like that. If you think I'm going to let you walk around in pain, you're mistaken. Besides, you'll need these after physical therapy."

Jason knew when to give in. Fighting both Daniel and Janet was a battle he wasn't going to win. "Yes sir, yes ma'am," he said sarcastically, and annoyingly proved them both right when he tried to push himself up and was hit with a blast of pain. Janet pointed to the controls by Daniel's feet and he adjusted the bed so Jason could sit up without help.

"What did I tell you?" she said to Jason with a lift of her brow.

Jason grumbled and tried to change the subject. "Am I going to be fed in this joint or do I have to send Daniel out?"

Janet threw him another stern look. "After the post-operative drugs are gone from your system, then you can eat something solid, but Daniel can run down to the mess hall and get you some pudding." When he groaned again, she knew it wasn't because of what she'd said. She withdrew a hypodermic needle from her other pocket and began to inject it into his I.V. when he reached up, intending to stop her, but withdrew his arm when the motion caused another jolt of pain. Janet rolled her eyes in sympathy as she injected the medicine. "You're just out of surgery, Jason. You need the medicine."

Jason groaned again, this time in consternation. "No more, Janet. I'll deal with it. I don't need pain meds for something as lame as this."

She threw him a sterner look and held up her index and thumb, half an inch apart. "This much to the left and you'd have had your appendix removed, too."

Daniel groaned this time. "Trust me. You don't want that kind of pain."

Jason sighed with annoyance. "I've handled worse things, trust me."

Daniel looked at him thoughtfully before turning to Janet. "What about Jell-O?"

"No," Jason objected. "I hate Jell-O. May as well feed me oysters which, incidentally, I also can't stand."

"Scrambled Eggs?" Daniel asked with a grin.

"No, but yogurt is fine. It actually benefits when you're on antibiotics."

Jason made a face. "God, shoot me now."

Daniel chuckled just as his own stomach made a growling noise. He rubbed it and smirked at Jason and Janet. "Seems I need to grab something to eat."

"You've been through a lot, Daniel. Have something along with the coffee," Janet told him and earned an eye roll.

"Yes, ma'am."

Jason perked up. "Coffee?"

"Sorry," she said, patting his arm. "Not until tomorrow."

He suddenly felt very exhausted and blamed it on the painkiller. "Go, Daniel. Get something to eat." He yawned mightily and added, "I'll just nap for awhile."

"You're sure?" Daniel asked.

"Yes, go. Don't make me feel guilty."

Daniel stretched as he stood up. "I'll bring back something."

"As long as it's not yogurt," Jason said, adding another yawn. "Take your time."

Daniel hesitated, wanting to lean over and kiss him, but instead, he affectionately rubbed his arm. "Be back soon."

Jason watched him till he left, then looked up at Janet. She was giving him a reproachful look. "What?"

"You're an awfully good liar. You're not that sleepy."

"Exhausted is more like," Jason said as he stared back at her, "but you're half-right. I was serious. It's just that I don't want him hovering." Janet nodded with understanding. "So," he began as she walked to the end of the bed and picked up his chart. Before he could say another word, Jack walked in. Despite himself, Jason felt a pull of attraction, and making it worse was Jack running his hand through his hair, as if he'd just woken up.

"Major. Doc."

Janet nodded at him. "Colonel."

"Colonel," Jason answered, and before Jack could say anything else, he said, "Thanks."

Jack nodded soberly. "You're welcome. And everything's been taken care of."

Jason had an idea what he meant but didn't ask, not in front of Janet. "Good. Thanks."

"Aren't you supposed to be getting some sleep?" Janet asked Jack.

"Four hours seems to be enough. I couldn't get more." He frowned and looked around. "Where's Daniel?"

"Mess hall," Jason answered.

Jack looked at his watch. It was just after nine a.m. "Coffee?" Jason nodded, grinning. Jack nodded back as he gave Jason an assessing look, then added, "Nice work, by the way. You did good."

Jason could only nod, surprised by how much it meant to hear Jack say that. He thought that Daniel might not appreciate what both of them had had to do and wondered if Daniel had realized it yet. "Does Daniel know?"

Jack sat down in Daniel's chair. "Yes. But don't worry about what he'll think. He knows it was necessary."

"You talked to him already?" Jason asked, trying not to feel surprised.

"Yeah, and he's fine," Jack assured him.

Jason was curious. "How'd you know he'd have a problem with it at all?"

Jack stared at him, brows rising in surprise. "I've known him a lot longer than you have, Coburn. And you know Daniel's not the sort of guy who keeps his opinions to himself."

Jason snorted. "No, he's not."

Janet watched the two of them, wondering what they were talking about. "I'd ask what you two are talking about, but I probably don't want to know, do I?"

"Um, no, not really," Jack said, standing. He stared down at Jason and grinned when he frowned at him. "It's nothing, Coburn. I'm just glad you're okay."

Jason looked at Janet hopefully. "Could you give us a minute, Janet?"

She nodded. "I was just about to leave anyway. I'll check on you in a little while."

As soon as she left, Jason said, "Given everything you've witnessed, never mind helped out on, I think you could call me Jason, don't you?"

Jack gave him one of his sarcastic, lop-sided grins. "Jason." It sounded odd to him, but he liked it anyway. Still, he was curious. "That wasn't all you wanted to say, was it?"

Jason shook his head slowly. "Daniel and Makepeace."

Jack winced. "Yeah." He sighed, adding, "He's not gonna want to talk about it, you know that."

"Except some shit was said and done, Jack, and there's no going back and pretending it never happened. No matter how much Daniel wishes it." Jack looked like he was struggling to ask, so Jason said it for him. "You want to know what happened?"

Jack nodded. "As his friend, I think I should know but I don't really have the right. He's entitled to his secrets. But as his team leader, I have a right to know what the hell happened two years ago that he felt he couldn't put in a report." He paused for a couple of long minutes, appreciating that Jason could tell that there was more he wanted to say and waited for him to finish. "About a week after that sting operation and we were in the locker room, getting cleaned up after a mission, I was worried about him."

"Was he acting weird?"

"No, other than he was still pissed at me."

Jason nodded. "He was still mad about it after we became friends."

Jack sighed. "I kept trying to tell him I was sorry, that I could have confided but..."

Jason held up a hand. "It's fine, Jack. I get it, but I also understand Daniel's point of view, too. Being left out of the loop on something like that is a major violation of trust. It's not your fault, it's Hammond's. The Tollan and Asgard aren't your superiors, he is. He was wrong to make you lie to your teammates. They could have acted their parts and no one would have been the wiser, especially someone like Makepeace."

Jack ground his jaw. "Something happened there." He paused for another long minute, then lowered his voice and said with a grimace, as if saying the words were painful, "He had bruises... on his ass."

Jason stared at him, thinking back, then closed his eyes. "Shit. I saw the faded marks when we were showering one day. I thought it was just something that happened during a mission." They were both quiet at that point, but then Jason remembered the things that Makepeace had said and suddenly slammed his fist into the bed. His body didn't like the force of it and the short jolt of pain made him wince.

Jack winced with him but said nothing about it; it wasn't necessary. "What happened?"

Jason took a deep breath and relayed everything that had happened until Jack had shown up. As he spoke, he was grateful in a way that Jack reacted with appropriate disgust and anger. It wasn't because he wanted him to feel that way, he was just grateful that Jack felt it, that he was no longer behaving like the asshole he'd been. Jason hoped that one day Jack would feel trusting enough to talk to him about that.

"No wonder Daniel..." Jack began, briefly touching his forehead. "Why the fuck didn't he..."

"Stop him?" Jason asked, nodding.

"It makes no sense."

"I know. Anyone who'd try that on him would have a fight on their hands. Either one would end up in the hospital."

Jack agreed. "Which means there's more to it and he willingly..."

Jason rubbed his face and threaded his fingers through his hair. "I've been thinking about that. I think he was blackmailed with something."

"That's the only answer," Jack said with a wave of his hand. "Question is, what the hell kind of blackmail would make Daniel capitulate like that?"

They both groaned as it came to them. "When someone else's life is involved," Jason said.

They were quiet for a minute, then Jack said, "Mess hall?" Jason nodded. "Time we had a talk then."

"Alone," Jason told him as Jack started to leave.

"I know."

"And go easy, Colonel."

Jack stopped at the door, hesitating, then said, "Jack," before he left.

Jason sighed as he dropped his head back and stared at the far wall. Why did it have to take a tragic event to get him to let go of his anger toward Jack? Or for Jack to let him call him by his name?

. . .

Daniel sipped at his coffee as wove his way to a seat in the corner. He set his tray on the table and sat down, but preferred to just sit and drink his coffee. The cooks were done serving breakfast so he'd chosen salad from the display case, and a package of chocolate pudding for Jason, but he wasn't all that hungry. Despite what his stomach said, he could feel butterflies zooming around in there and coffee was the only thing he knew wouldn't upset him. He was used to experiencing the after-effects of the adrenaline rush, especially after a trauma, so he knew better than to eat. If Jason had been with him, he'd have been eating. That man could eat no matter what.

In that way, in a lot of ways actually, Jason was like Jack. And it was annoying. One particular similarity was something Daniel wasn't looking forward to experiencing: the need for explanations. In this case, about Makepeace. Granted, he figured they had a right to know after everything that had happened, but just thinking about confiding in them and imagining their reactions... no, Daniel hoped he could convince them to back off.

He warmed his hands around his mug, trying not to think of the past, but after last night, it was damn near impossible. He was shaking slightly, though only enough for him to notice, but he'd have to keep an eye on that so that it didn't get more pronounced. Janet was likely going to have a talk with him later about talking to the base psychologist and Daniel dreaded that. He didn't want to talk about it. He wanted it to be forgotten, just as he'd managed to do, even if it had taken over a year to do it. Mission work helped and the first thing Daniel planned on doing after this downtime was over was to throw himself back into his work. If he was lucky, there'd be no modern civilizations or Goa'uld firefights and he could just immerse himself in unraveling some ancient artifact's mysteries.

His stomach growled again, and after a minute, Daniel sighed and picked up his fork, absently stabbing at small pieces and eating them. The cherry tomatoes excited his mouth and he ate a little more, but a minute later, he pushed the plate away. His mouth and his stomach weren't agreeing.

Movement to his left had Daniel looking up and he was met by a smile in those gorgeous brown eyes. "Hey, Jack."

"Mind if I join you?" Jack asked, then sat down anyway.

Daniel easily contained the grin he'd normally have shown. Jack was in his bossy mood and right now, that was not a mood Daniel wanted to put up with. He stared into his coffee as he said, "I don't want to talk about him."

Jack folded his own fingers around his mug and stared back at him, trying not to let his anger show. Much. "I let that slide two years ago, Daniel. It's not gonna fly this time."

Daniel sighed heavily as he shaded his eyes. "I can't. Just let it drop."

"Tell me why I should do that?" Jack asked sharply, making Daniel drop his hand and look at him. "Tell me why I should ignore when you're in pain? I saw it two years ago and I let that shit go because I knew you were mad at me and I probably couldn't have helped, but that's not the case here."

Daniel's brows knotted into a scowl. "Jack, don't. It's none of your--"

"The hell it isn't. As your friend, as your team leader, I can't stand by and pretend you're fine. You know that as well as I."

"Don't get pissed at me," Daniel warned. "You have no right."

"I have every right, especially as your friend. You're shutting us out and it's not fair to us or to yourself."

"Us?" Daniel asked, wondering why Sam and Teal'c needed to know.

Jack stared back, incredulous. "Me and Jason, Daniel."

Daniel didn't know which to be surprised at more. That Jack had called him Jason instead of Coburn or that he'd included him in an 'Us.' He started to say something but didn't quite know what so he remained silent instead.

Annoyed, Jack sat back, grinding his jaw, reminding himself that if this had happened to him, he'd be feeling the same way. But he didn't like guessing, didn't like not knowing what to expect. "I had a little talk with Jason about what happened before I showed up." Daniel scowled at him and Jack threw it right back. "What? I'm not supposed to know?"

Daniel knew that Jack had a right to know, but he didn't like Jason telling him. It was irrational but there it was. "You should have asked me," he said evasively. "Jason's been through enough."

"Oh, and that's working well so far," Jack snapped.

They were both silent for several minutes. Daniel was wishing he could just leave and Jack was wishing a good smack upside the head would do the trick.

Finally, Daniel admitted that he had to explain whether he liked it or not. Unfortunately, all his leftover anger at Jack's previous behavior toward him wasn't helping, including the lying during the sting operation. "I..." he began, then hesitated, trying to find the right words. "This is hard to talk about, Jack."

"I get that."

"But it's not just... what I don't want to talk about. This stuff happened two years ago and it's hard to distinguish my anger at you for what happened between us and my anger at... him."

"Makepeace."

"Yes," Daniel ground out. He sighed and didn't say anything else for a moment as he fought to explain. Thankfully, Jack was letting him do that without interjecting. "It wasn't... rape." Jack gave him a disbelieving look and he quickly added, "It wasn't. Not the usual kind, anyway, and not at first. It was just sex, and then coerced sex. I ended it not long after that. Now, just accept that answer and leave it alone, please. It happened to me, not you."

Jack shook his head. "Except that you took it out on me."

"And you took your own issues out on me," Daniel snapped back, then added in a softer voice, "Neither of us can claim righteous indignation here."

Jack couldn't help feeling guilty, but his worry and concern was greater. "Okay, fair enough, but can I ask you why?"

"Why?" Daniel asked, confused. "Out of hatred, I suppose."

"No, why did you sleep with him in the first place?"

Daniel was slightly taken aback, then felt the old shame filter in and color his cheeks. "Because I was angry at you." He closed his eyes and sighed heavily, not wanting to see the look on Jack's face. Not right away.

"When?" Jack asked, feeling guiltier than before. He knew he shouldn't. He wasn't responsible for Daniel's actions, but he couldn't help it nonetheless.

Daniel sighed, remembering that day all too easily and hating that he could, even after two years. Sometimes his memory recall was a curse. He looked up and stared into Jack's eyes. "The day you left to supposedly be with Laira."

Jack was a bit confused, mostly because he didn't want to believe Daniel had actually been jealous. Justifiably hurt and angry over his dismissal of their friendship, sure, but jealous over Laira? He didn't want to admit it, but he actually liked the idea. But then he had to focus on what Daniel had done afterward. "So you went out and had angry sex? With Makepeace?"

Daniel felt defensive and his scowl returned. "Yes, I did, so the fuck what?"

"Nothing, I get that. Kinda flattered by it, truth be told--"

"Jack," Daniel said angrily.

"I know, and I'm sorry, but... Makepeace? By all accounts, that bastard was straight."

Daniel shook his head. "The worst kind of gay man there is, Jack. A self-loathing closet case who wanted to dip into that pool with someone he thought he could intimidate."

"But that's the thing I don't get, that Jason doesn't get. We figured what happened was pretty much what you just said--"

"What?"

"About the coercion. What we don't get is how. No one bullies you, Daniel. How the hell did he get over on you?"

"He... didn't. Exactly." Daniel cringed, hating the way that sounded.

"Come again?"

Daniel suddenly wondered how he'd ended up talking about all of this when he clearly didn't want to. The answer was, obviously, Jack. Damn him. With another heavy sigh, he said, "I ended it after a week and he told me he'd set me up on a rape charge if I didn't keep having sex with him."

"You believed that?"

Daniel stared back at him. "You remember how serious he was? Makepeace rarely said or did anything he didn't mean."

Jack scowled. "Maybe, but how the hell would he frame you for a rape? Everyone who knows you knows that's not possible."

Daniel gave him a wan smile. "Because he was the Colonel put in charge of SG-1. He'd make the charge somehow and just by saying it, some would believe and there'd be doubt. I didn't want to tarnish the reputation of SG-1 so I agreed to keep seeing him. It wasn't that big a hardship, Jack, because I'd only slept with him twice after that. A week later, you arrested him for treason."

Jack nodded, but he had one more question. "Daniel, if it wasn't rape then what was that bruising about? That was voluntary?"

Daniel shook his head. "Technically, it was rape, since the abuse of authority is rape. I could have stopped him but I chose not to." He remembered the moment he'd gotten the bruises; tied to his bed, getting hit with a belt between fucks. It had been the only time he hadn't come. It was embarrassing and shaming that he'd even come at all, but Makepeace had known how to push his buttons. Daniel still hadn't come to terms with the conflicting emotions of pleasure and pain, enjoyment and revulsion. He wondered if he ever would.

"Doesn't mean you wanted it," Jack said softly.

Daniel reddened and shook his head. "No, it doesn't."

"I'm sorry," Jack said, worrying about him and whether or not his sex life was screwed up because of that sonofabitch. "Are you okay now? I mean, you're with Jason, so you must be, but..." He made a face when Daniel looked at him in surprise. "Okay, shutting up now."

Daniel snorted with exasperation. "Now you shut up?" Even so, Daniel was more surprised by the fact that he was actually feeling better. Not by much, but a little. He really hated secrets and hated carrying that one around, having no one to share the burden with, but it was so hard to talk about. Now that was over. Except he still had to talk to Jason. With a groan, he laid his head on the table.

Jack reached over and tenderly ruffled his hair. "What's the matter?"

"I still have to talk to Jason about it," came his muffled reply.

Their moment was broken when Sam and Teal'c came walking swiftly into the cafeteria, both wearing civilian clothing. Teal'c was staying at Sam's house during the infirmary's renovations, mostly because he enjoyed going off-base and doing something different. They stopped and stared at him and Daniel winced at their worried expressions.

Sam came over and hugged him, then sat down next to him while Teal'c sat down next to Jack. "Are you okay? Why the hell didn't you call us?"

"I'm sorry. I was going to later on." At the look on her face, he added, "Sam, it's only been twelve hours."

"How'd you find out?" Jack asked.

Sam shot him a look that clearly said he too was in trouble. "Janet called us." She looked back at Daniel and took his hand as she sighed heavily. She knew Makepeace had had problems with Daniel and there'd been something suspicious about the way he'd hovered over him at times. She'd never had the courage to bring it up because it would have been hard to talk about it herself if the roles had been reversed. "Are you okay?"

He nodded. "I'm fine. No damage done."

"Doctor Fraiser informed us that Major Coburn was shot," Teal's stated before Sam could ask. "She did mention that the wound was not severe and that he would recover soon."

Daniel nodded. "He's fine, too, though a little more sore than I am."

"Why did Makepeace come for you when he should have been far away?" Teal'c asked.

"Um," Daniel hesitated, not wanting to explain anything to him or Sam. Jack and Jason was enough. If he told Sam and Teal'c, it would feel like he was broadcasting his own stupidity, never mind his sex life. However, there was one thing Sam and Teal'c had a right to know but he wasn't quite sure how to tell them.

"That's okay, Daniel," Sam said, giving Teal'c a scolding look. "You don't have to talk about it now."

"I'm not gonna want to talk about it later, Sam." He took a breath, then said, "I don't know why Makepeace decided to come after me." It wasn't exactly a lie.

"I believe it had something to do with his sexual interest in you," Teal'c said flatly, and Daniel jerked his head up in shock.

"Teal'c, I never said--"

"It is nothing to be ashamed of, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c went on in a lower tone. "I do not judge. I have seen many relationships fail badly."

"That wasn't even remotely a relationship, Teal'c," Daniel told him.

"Then what would you call it?"

Daniel opened his mouth to try and answer, but gave up because he couldn't explain. If push came to shove, Daniel would admit to being teammates and maybe fuck buddies, but 'buddy' was a stretch. It implied something friendly and their fucking had rarely been friendly. Accommodating, at most. They'd used each other and when Daniel hadn't wanted him anymore, he'd tried to end it. Even then, he still couldn't say no when Makepeace had wanted to continue, mostly because the truth was darker than he wanted to admit to himself. He could still feel the stings of that belt. He may not have come but he'd gotten hard and that was simply not something he could explain to himself, never mind Jack or Jason, and he sure as hell wasn't going to share that with Sam and Teal'c. What he did, or didn't do, wasn't any of their business.

"Can we not talk about that, please?" he asked. "I'd just as soon forget that ever happened. As for last night, let's just say he wanted to hurt me and leave it at that."

"Agreed," Jack said, giving Sam and Teal'c a look.

Daniel cleared his throat. "But there is something I should probably tell you. About Jason."

"What?" Sam asked, eyes wide. "Janet said he was okay--"

"No, he is, I meant about Jason and me."

Sam stared at him, looking confused for a moment before she realized what he meant. "You mean the two of you...?"

"We're seeing each other," Daniel said, expecting her to act pretty much the way Janet had acted. Instead, Sam punched him in the arm. "Sam!" he scolded while Teal'c grinned and Jack quietly laughed.

She abruptly lowered her voice. "For how long? And why didn't you say anything?"

"We've been seeing each other for only a week and I haven't thought about telling anyone." He looked at Jack and deliberately said, "Although if I'd had my way, I would have waited a lot longer."

Sam frowned in confusion. "But being with Jason means you're gay, doesn't it?"

"I'm bi, Sam. If I considered myself gay, that would imply my feelings for Shau're weren't real. And they were." He cleared his throat again and added, "The only reason I'm telling you now is because Jason's very important to me. Plus being bi is part of who I am. As my friends, not my teammates, you should know that."

"Is it not true that your military considers such unions illegal?" Teal'c asked.

Daniel and Jack sighed with disgust. "Yeah," Jack said. "They're a little behind the times."

"To put it mildly," Daniel added.

"Then you may rely on my discretion, Daniel Jackson."

Daniel smiled at him. "Thank you, Teal'c."

Sam chewed at her lip and when Daniel looked at her worriedly, she briefly put an arm around his shoulders and hugged him. "Well, I'm happy for you. It's about time you found someone." She then looked at Jack and Teal'c. "You guys aren't involved with anyone, are you?"

"Are you?" Jack shot back.

Sam cleared her throat and turned her attention back to Daniel. "So what happened last night?"

"Better get something to drink," Daniel advised, and after Sam got herself some coffee and Teal'c poured himself some juice, he gave them a button-down version of the night's events, grateful that Sam didn't ask why Makepeace had separated him and Jason. All the while, Jack's expression, and presence, was reassuring.

"What happened to Makepeace and the dickheads he brought with him?" Sam asked, looking from Daniel to Jack.

Jack paused, taking a long sip from his mug. "I called some friends." By that, he meant his friends at the OSI.

"Is that what your spy movies call a cleaning crew?" Teal'c asked.

Jack had been taking a sip from his mug and coughed at Teal'c's words. "Yes, Teal'c," he chuckled, pleased that Teal'c merely regarded him with approval.

"If you had not," Teal'c said, "I would have gladly done it. Prison is not a place for him to await execution for his crimes. It should have been swift and immediate."

"Treason is no reason to kill someone," Daniel said, getting an eye roll from Jack.

"I was not referring to his treason," Teal'c said.

Daniel didn't dare ask what that meant.

"I agree," Sam said, surprising everyone, especially Daniel. Her views on capital punishment matched his own.

"Why do you say that?" he had to ask.

"Because," she said carefully, "I shudder to think what would have happened if Jason hadn't been with you."

Daniel's mouth dropped open as he realized he hadn't even gone there.

Before he even had a chance to think about an answer, Jack said, "Thanks for that uplifting thought, Carter."

"Well, c'mon, sir, I know you were thinking it."

"Yeah, but you didn't need to say it."

"I'd have been a dead man," Daniel said rather quickly as heat spread through his cheeks.

The team sat quietly for a while, finishing their coffee and juice, then Daniel stood up and stretched.

"I gotta get back. Jason will think I've deserted him."

"Not likely," Sam said, standing. "And thanks for confiding." He smiled at her and she couldn't help but give him another hug. She suddenly had an idea and gave Teal'c a conspiratorial look. "I think we should thank Jason, too."

"Indeed," Teal'c said as he smiled back and bowed his head. "And give him our blessing as well."

Daniel shaded his eyes and groaned. "Don't embarrass him, please."

Jack put his arm around Daniel's shoulder as he steered him toward the exit. "It'll be practically painless."

. . .

Jason heard footsteps and opened his eyes to see Jack, Sam, and Teal'c standing at the foot of his bed. Daniel was standing a few feet away from them, arms crossed. He looked tense. "Colonel, Major Carter, Master Teal'c. What's goin' on?"

"How are you, Major Coburn?" Teal'c asked, pleased to hear Major Coburn greet him with 'Master.' He was the only one who ever did that.

"Good," Jason replied warily, wondering what the visitation was for. "Just waiting to get sprung." He looked at his lover and asked, "Daniel, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," Daniel said, eyeing his teammates.

"Then why are you standing over there?" Jason asked, looking at the odd smiles of Daniel's teammates. He had the feeling he'd missed the in-joke.

Daniel walked over to stand next to him... then slowly took his hand. Jason looked at it, as if it were the first time Daniel had held his hand. Sam and Teal'c didn't seem to mind. In fact, they looked pleased. Jason looked around the room, waiting for the jokes to begin. "Someone wanna clue me in?" he asked as he extricated his hand from Daniel's. Daniel cleared his throat and he did it nervously, which only made Jason nervous. "What?"

"Sam and Teal'c came see if I was okay, and they wanted to thank you for saving my life."

"Not necessary," Jason said. It was getting a little surreal, he thought, Daniel holding his hand in front of them. He didn't mind, exactly, but when he tried to pull his hand away, Daniel tightened his grip.

"It's okay," Daniel told him.

"And if a nurse walks in?"

"Then they will see a friend holding another's hand, nothing more," Teal'c said. "And I believe we do owe you a debt of thanks."

"No, really, it's not necessary," Jason said.

"Yes it is," Sam said. "We owe you."

"Indeed."

"No, you don't," Jason said more emphatically. "He's my best friend."

"More than that," Sam said with a jog of her brows.

Jason's eyes widened and he tried to pull his hand away again, but again, Daniel wouldn't let him. Looking at him, he said, "What did you do?"

"I told them, Jace," Daniel confided softly.

Jason eyed his teammates before asking, "Told them what exactly?"

"It is alright, Major Coburn," Teal'c said. "We give you our blessing. Daniel Jackson is very particular about those he shares his life with."

"Obviously not that picky," Daniel said with self-reproach and Jack smacked him in the shoulder.

"With one exception," Jack scolded. "Don't interrupt."

"We are grateful that you are in his life," Teal'c said pointedly. "For if you were not, then Daniel Jackson might not be in ours. We do owe you a debt."

"Okay," Jason said, swallowing. "Then why do I get the feeling that I'm in trouble?"

"Only because they're probably going to do something to embarrass you," Daniel said, throwing his teammates a dirty look.

Jason laughed and shook his head. "Bring it on. I haven't been hazed since the Academy."

"Hazed?" Teal'c asked.

"A kind of initiation," Daniel told him.

"That's exactly what we should do," Sam said, exchanging looks with Teal'c.

"What do you have in mind, Major Carter?" Teal'c asked, playing along.

She looked around, then held up a finger and walked out of the ward.

"This really isn't necessary," Jason started.

"Quiet," Jack told him, crossing his arms, waiting for Carter. "They don't do this much."

"They did this to Ferretti, too," Daniel informed him.

"They," Jason began, then looked at Jack and Teal'c. "What'd you do?"

"We made him an honorary member of SG-1," Teal'c said.

Jason felt rather honored, but if they were going to embarrass him with some sort of ritual roast or something, then they deserved to get some back. Knotting his brows with pretended confusion, he said, "I'm honored, Master Teal'c, Major Carter..." He gave Jack a sarcastic look. "But I'm already the Alpha member of Sigma Gamma Two."

Jack grinned at him. "What makes you think you're taking my place?"

Jason couldn't help but grin wider. "Well, no offense, Colonel, but there's little room for two Alphas."

"Please," Daniel snorted and Sam started laughing.

"With those three?" she said, pointing at Daniel, Jack, and Teal'c. "They're always vying for top dog. Adding you isn't exactly a party."

Jason burst out laughing and grabbed his side as a pain shot through him. Daniel and Sam immediately started to fuss but he waved them off, still chuckling. "No, I'm fine. It's a good pain."

Teal'c gave him a respectful smile and bowed his head. "Indeed."

Jason felt a bit embarrassed just then and cleared his throat. "Okay," he said, gesturing with his hand. "Give it to me. I can take it."

Jack snickered. "I doubt it."

Jason widened his eyes in surprise. "Oh, Colonel, them's fightin' words."

"You're not exactly in shape for any fighting," Jack countered.

"Give me a couple of weeks, sir."

Jack's smile turned a bit serious. "Jack," he reminded.

Sam glanced at him in surprise and when Jack shot her a queried look she looked back at Jason. "Feel privileged. I can't even call him that."

"Unless we're shit-faced on hooch on some backwater planet," Jack teased.

Sam reddened slightly but quickly shook it off. "Touché, sir."

"So, what's the initiation?" Jason asked. "C'mon, let's get it over with."

"You just had it," Jack said.

"Pfft!" Jason scoffed. "That was nothing. Bring it on."

Sam looked at Teal'c, then pulled at his sleeve, indicating he follow her as she left the ward. Jack looked after them, puzzled, but when he looked back at Jason's curious, he simply shrugged. "Don't look at me. It's her party."

"Yeah right," Jason said, clearly not believing him.

"No, seriously, I have no idea."

A moment later, Sam returned with a white sack used for medicines. Looking inside, she grinned and handed it to him. "Welcome to the club."

"Asylum is more like," Daniel said relinquishing Jason's hand as he took the sack.

Looking inside, Jason barked out a laugh and stared up at her. "You're kidding."

"It's all I could find on short notice. Next time we have a team night, you're invited. I'll be prepared then."

Daniel started to reach for the sack but Jason pulled it away and in a sad attempt at mimicking Eliza Doolittle, he said, "'Ere, 'e gave it to me, not to you."

Jack covered his eyes with one hand as Daniel started laughing. "Someone's a fan of My Fair Lady." Then he dropped his hand and said, "Do me a favor and don't be a cliché."

"If it's good enough for you, it's good enough for me."

Sam covered her mouth, stifling a laugh, and when Jack gave her a mock-scowl, she dropped her hand and bit her lips together. "Sorry, sir, but it was funny."

"Ha ha," Jack replied, then threw Jason a dirty look. "As Carter said before, touché."

Jason peered into the bag again, snickering, then gave Sam an appreciative smile. "Thanks."

"What it in the bag, Major Coburn?" Teal'c asked.

Jason eyed Daniel, then the others, and cleared his throat as he upended the contents on his lap. There were five condoms, two pairs of latex gloves, and a tube of KY jelly.

Daniel immediately shaded his eyes and groaned. "You didn't." Sam bit her lips again, trying--and failing spectacularly--not to smile. Jack started to chuckle while Teal'c picked up the gloves, then gave Jason an arched brow.

"I am not sure I should ask."

"Don't," Jason said, chuckling.

Daniel dropped his hand from his eyes and stared at Sam. "Wait till Valentine's Day, Sam."

Sam put on a girly smile and shrugged. "I can't wait."

Daniel only snorted, getting some ideas in his head. One of which involved a glow-in-the-dark dildo. "You say that now."

Jason's laughter subsided and he touched his side again. "Thanks," he said, looking from Teal'c to Sam to Jack. "Appreciated."

"You're welcome," Sam said.

"Indeed," Teal'c stated. "However, I believe that a sparring match in the gym, when you are fit, would be a better gift from me."

Jason smiled and nodded as he put his 'party favors' back into the sack. "Only if it's something different, Teal'c, since we normally spar."

"Agreed."

"So," Jason said, hesitating for a moment when Daniel retook his hand. "You guys found Daniel in the mess hall?"

Sam nodded, losing her smile. "Had a talk about what happened."

Jason cringed. "Not a pleasant conversation, I'll bet."

"Especially when we found out what happened two years ago," Sam said.

"Right," Jason replied slowly as he looked from her to Teal'c, then Jack. They knew what she was talking about, but he didn't. Daniel looked uncomfortable, not meeting his eyes, and Jason suddenly felt once more like a fifth wheel. For a while there, he'd been part of the group, but now he was back to being outside of it. They knew something he didn't and maybe they had a right to know, but that also implied that he didn't. Perhaps Daniel planned to tell him later, but what if he didn't?

Jason pulled his hand from Daniel's as he groaned and pushed himself forward, swinging his legs over the side. Daniel was there, hands on him, trying to help.

"What's the matter, Jace?" Daniel asked worriedly as he helped him to his feet.

"Nothing, Daniel, relax," Jason told him, wincing. He smiled reassuringly at him, then glanced at the others. "Sorry to interrupt the moment here, but nature calls." He reached for his I.V. bag but Daniel plucked it off the stand for him. "Thanks," Jason said, taking it.

"Let me help," Daniel said, hating how pale Jason suddenly looked.

"Thanks, Daniel, but I got it," Jason said as he walked carefully to the bathroom, which was thankfully only a few yards to the left of the bed.

"Where're you gonna put the I.V. bag?" Daniel asked, walking with him and opening the door.

Jason rolled his eyes and pointed at the hooks in the wall over the toilet. "That's what those are for, Daniel." Hand on the door handle, he smiled wanly at him before he shut the door.

Daniel frowned, staring at the door, then crossed his arms and turned away, toward this teammates. Something was wrong but Daniel couldn't pinpoint what. Maybe he was just being overprotective.

Jack glanced at Sam and Teal'c, then back at Daniel. "What was that about?"

Daniel walked back over to the bed, shrugging. "It's probably the pain medicine wearing off."

Sam looked worried. "He looked sad, Daniel."

Daniel nodded. "I know, and I have no idea why. That's why I think it's the medicine. You know how we feel when we come down off that shit."

Sam looked dubious and shook her head. "I don't know. His attitude changed the moment I said we'd been talking about Makepeace."

Daniel suddenly grimaced and turned away. "Fuck," he said, mostly at himself.

"What?" Sam asked.

Jack, however, had an idea. "I think it's because Daniel hasn't told him about why Makepeace showed up yesterday."

Sam frowned. "But you haven't had the chance, have you?"

"No, but he might not see it that way," Daniel said, feeling horrible. "He's feeling left out."

Sam rounded the bed. "Then I think we should leave so you can talk to him alone." She hugged him tightly. "I'm glad you're okay, Daniel. Jason, too."

"Indeed," Teal'c said and to Daniel's surprise, he hugged him too.

"Thanks, Teal'c," Daniel said. With a backward glance, they left and Daniel sighed, looking at Jack. "Guess you should..."

Jack nodded. "It's time for me to get home and catch a few more z's. I'll definitely be getting to bed tonight, that's for certain."

Daniel nodded, wanting to hug him, but he wasn't too sure how Jack would feel about that. The answer came, however, when Jack pulled him into his arms and hugged him. Daniel closed his eyes, then pulled away when he began to feel just a bit more than he should.

At that moment, the bathroom door opened. Jack felt an irrational loss as Daniel stepped away from him and went to Jason, taking his I.V. bag. The loss was somewhat lessened as he watched them together. His eyes traveled over Jason's well-muscled body and not for the first time, he imagined them in bed. Feeling flushed, he slipped out of the ward before they could notice and headed for the elevator, thinking about adding Jason to his jerk off fantasies.

. . .

As Jason got back into bed, Daniel hung up his I.V. "We need to have a talk," Daniel told him before Jason had the chance to get comfortable.

Jason froze for a moment, staring at him, and tried not to jump to the wrong conclusion. "About?" he asked, sinking back into his pillows.

"Makepeace," Daniel said, sitting down next to him. "And I need to apologize. I didn't mean to make you feel left out."

Jason reddened with embarrassment. "What makes you think I--"

"The way you suddenly got up to take a piss after Sam said what she said."

Jason frowned, suddenly realizing they were alone. "Where'd they go? Jack was just here, wasn't he?"

"They took off," Daniel answered, taking Jason's hand in both of his and placing it on his lap. "Partly because they'd had their say." He smiled. "And they were done teasing you. But mostly because they knew we needed to be alone."

Daniel looked around, then got up and pulled the curtain around the bed.

"What're you doing?" Jason asked.

"Ensuring that I can hold your hand without you yanking it away if someone happens to pass by the open door."

Jason felt pleased by that, but oddly guilty. "You were holding my hand earlier without the curtain."

"Because they were here and so it was okay. But alone, I don't want anyone to see."

"And get the right idea?" Jason asked, growing annoyed.

"Don't get mad," Daniel said gently. "It's your system."

"I've dealt with it for nearly twenty years," Jason reminded him, "and someday, the phobic regs will change. But, the frat regs never will." He tightened his grip. "So this would still be a no-no."

Daniel smiled lovingly at him and leaned over. "I can kiss you now," he whispered.

"Such a risk-taker," Jason whispered back. Then their lips met and he let out a breathy sigh as he opened his mouth, wanting more.

"Thrill-seeker," Daniel teased, then kissed him more deeply, meeting Jason's tongue with his own.

Jason could feel his dick stiffen and he groaned and broke off the kiss. "That's enough, I think, or you'll get me hard." Daniel suddenly smiled mischievously and Jason shook his head. "Don't you dare do whatever you're thinking."

"What am I thinking?" Daniel asked as he slid his hand down over the blanket.

Jason stopped him before he got to his groin, wincing as the sudden action tweaked the sore wound. "Remember Janet's orders," he said, heart beating faster.

Daniel sighed and bit off the erotic words he'd been about to spill. "I'll wait till we get home."

"And just whose home?" Jason asked.

Daniel blinked at him, having forgotten for the moment. "Um, mine?" Jason nodded at him and Daniel dropped his head down onto his chest. "I want you to live with me."

Jason blinked in shock. "What?"

Lifting his head, Daniel looked him in the eye this time. "I want you to live with me."

Jason sighed, thinking quickly about how to work that out. "I can't give up my apartment."

"You'd need it anyway," Daniel told him. "To have your own place, your private time, to use it as a cover."

"All those," Jason nodded, "but I doubt I'd need much time away from you."

Daniel smiled. "You will, but there's another reason to keep your apartment."

"What's that?"

Daniel leaned in and kissed him softly. "We need to christen it."

Jason smiled against the kisses. "I like that idea."

"Thought you might," Daniel said as he pulled away, clearing his throat.

Jason stared at him and sighed. "I'm sorry for behaving like an ass."

"You weren't. You felt a little threatened. It's understandable."

"It wasn't that," Jason said.

"Then what?"

"I felt... like I didn't belong." When Daniel rolled his eyes at him, he blushed again. "Okay, so I have abandonment issues."

"Well stop it," Daniel admonished. "Don't ever think you don't belong, Jason. Got it?"

"Yes, sir," Jason replied with a sigh, hoping he could Daniel's advice.

"Now, about Makepeace..." Daniel began, and opened the curtain again to make sure they could see if they were being overheard. He began to tell Jason everything he'd told Jack and Jason listened attentively, showing exactly the kind of emotional response that Daniel had seen in Jack. At the end, after telling him about the last time he'd been with Makepeace, he paused and took a deep breath. "Jace, there are a few things I didn't tell Jack. Maybe it's because we were in the mess hall or maybe it's because it was Jack, I don't know."

Jason didn't want to guess why, didn't want to speculate. Assumption had gotten him trouble today so it was better not to assume squat. "You know I won't judge. Tell me."

Daniel hesitated, clearing his throat. "Um, are you gonna be mad if I ask you to wait till we get home?"

Jason sighed, feeling a little relieved. "No, it's probably better there anyway."

"You two staying out of trouble?" Janet asked as she came in with a wheelchair. Daniel and Jason looked guiltily at her and she grinned knowingly at them. "I'm here with good news. You're out of here." As she removed his I.V. and placed a small bandage on his hand, she added, "Just remember to take it easy."

"Yes, ma'am," Jason sighed gratefully. As Daniel moved out of the way so he could get out of bed, she rolled the wheelchair over. "Do I have to use that?"

She nodded, then handed him a metal cane. "'Fraid so. Use this at home, and I mean it. For the next few days, especially. On Monday, you'll get a better one when you start physical therapy."

Jason nodded absently as he sat gingerly into the chair. "Okay, let's get to the locker room so I can change."

"You have spare clothes there?" Daniel asked, only remembering Jason's uniforms.

"Always be prepared," Jason said, winking at him. Janet snorted and handed him the medicines that were left on the medicine table and he looked at her sheepishly. "Thanks, Janet."

"Stay out of trouble," she said, petting his hair, and at the look on his face, she added, "At least till you're better."

"I promise," he said, wondering if he could actually keep it.

. . .

The minute Daniel shut the door, Jason dropped his cane and gathered him in his arms, kissing the life out of him. Surprised but cautious of his injury, Daniel kissed him back.

"I love you," Jason whispered.

"Backatcha," Daniel replied.

"And you can hold me tighter than that. I won't break."

"Forget it. Unless you wanna go back to the infirmary."

Jason cleared his throat and stepped away. "Good point. Let's get to bed."

Daniel laughed and headed down the hall to drop Jason's things off in his bedroom. "Not now."

"But you're heading there," Jason teased as he slowly squatted and picked up his cane. Goddamn but that hurt. Holding onto his side, he carefully got back up, but not quick enough for Daniel to miss.

"Jason, what the fuck are you doing?" Daniel said, coming back down the hall.

"Getting my cane," Jason said, frowning back. "And don't nag, or I'll go home."

Daniel sighed and took his hand. "You are home."

Jason couldn't love him more than at that moment, though that was likely to change the longer he was with him. "In that case, I need a shower."

Laughing, Daniel gestured down the hall. "Mi baña es su baña."

Jason couldn't help but grin as he started down the hall. "That go for the banana?"

Daniel groaned, walking after him. "Bad, Jason."

"I know," Jason replied, and paused at the bathroom door. He held up a hand, indicating he didn't want him coming inside. "You know I love your company, particularly in the shower." That earned him a broad smile. "But it's not a good idea right now."

"You might need help," Daniel offered, knowing it probably wasn't true.

Jason sighed as he hooked his cane on a towel rack and took off his shirt. "I won't need help, but thanks. No, the problem is that you'll get me hard."

"I promise I won't," Daniel said, smirking as he helped Jason out of the rest of his clothes.

Jason gave him a dirty look. "Nice try, but every time you get naked and wet, my dick sits up and takes notice." For emphasis, he took hold of his cock and lifted it up.

Daniel raised his brows. "Every time?"

"Yes, every time."

"Even when we were just friends?"

Jason threw him another dirty look. "Even then." He turned away and started up the shower, adding, "Why do you think I took my showers before or after you did?"

"Ah huh," Daniel said as he started to leave. "And just what do you think happens to my dick when I see you naked and wet?"

Jason turned to respond but his lover had left, shutting the door quietly behind him. With a pleased groan, he got into the shower and indulged in the soothing hot water. His stitches stung a bit, but it was a healing sting, like the sore muscles. It had taken him about ten days to heal the last time he'd been shot, but he'd also been twenty-five, not nearly forty. Still, he was in good shape and figured he'd heal almost as quickly.

Ten minutes later, as he was drying off, Daniel knocked on the door and said, "I didn't even notice, but Jack had the carpet in my room replaced."

"What?" Jason frowned, opening the door. It was true. The carpet didn't match the hallway. "I'll be a sonofabitch," he said, rubbing the towel up and down his body.

Daniel stared at him, eyes moving with the towel, and sighed at him when he caught Jason watching him with a deadly smile on his face. "Hypocrite." Jason laughed. "Here," he said, handing him a set of fresh scrubs, mauve in color. "They'll fit, they're oversized. I always have a few sets on hand for whenever I'm stuck at home recuperating."

Jason took the scrubs, dropping the towel. "That's a good idea. You get injured more often than I do."

Daniel turned away with a groan, heading back down the hall.

"You're not going to help me dress?" Jason asked as he pulled on the pants.

"No. You hungry?" Daniel called out as he disappeared into the kitchen.

"I am, actually," Jason called back, grinning his head off. "What's for lunch?"

"The worst possible thing, probably," Daniel replied. "I'm hungry for Chinese, but because it's lunch time, it'd take an hour. So I figured we'd wait till after lunch?"

"Fine by me," Jason called out as he grabbed the med kit from the bathroom cabinet. When he entered the kitchen, he handed it to Daniel, who was sitting at the table. "Here, boyfriend, patch me up."

Daniel's mouth dropped open and he stared up at Jason, speechless.

Jason knew that word would sound strange but he hoped it was a good strange. It certainly was for him. "What?" he asked, pretending ignorance.

"I like the sound of that," Daniel said, taking the kit. "It surprised me though. I haven't been a boyfriend for a long time." Jason only smiled in answer and Daniel smiled back as he lifted a corner of the wet bandage. "Are you sure you were supposed to take a shower?"

"If I wasn't, it's too late now."

"Jason," Daniel said, pushing at his hip.

"Okay, okay, yes, I can shower. Janet would have mentioned if I wasn't allowed."

"What if she forgot?" Daniel asked as he peeled the old bandage off.

"I have medical training, remember?"

Daniel jogged his brows as he concentrated on applying the new bandage. "Okay, fine, but if I find out tomorrow, when Janet calls to check on you, that you weren't supposed to take a shower..."

Jason waited till Daniel was finished, then leaned over and kissed him. "Would you punish me?"

"No, you'd like it."

Jason chuckled. "You're getting to know me fairly well."

"Likewise," Daniel replied, then suddenly cleared his throat, reminded of the talk they were supposed to have. "Which reminds me. About Makepeace."

Jason pulled on the scrub top and gestured at the living room. "C'mon, the couch is more comfortable."

Daniel grabbed them both a Coke before settling at one end of the cozy sofa. Jason sat in the middle and turned toward him, propping his head in his hand. It made Daniel nervous because he didn't quite know how to proceed.

"What's wrong?" Jason asked. "If you'd rather not talk about it..."

"No, I need to," Daniel said, shaking his head. "I think you're the one who'd be able to understand, or at least help me figure it out. Maybe it's because I know a few of your kinks."

"Everyone has their kinks, big and small," Jason encouraged.

Daniel took another deep breath. "When I said I'd had angry sex with Makepeace, I left out the details because I didn't want Jack to know what they were."

"You don't have to tell me, either, Daniel," Jason said.

"Yeah, I do," Daniel said, blushing a bit. "And it's because that angry sex wasn't the first time we'd had sex."

Jason stared at him, confused. "Didn't you say that's when you'd had sex?" Daniel nodded. "So you're saying now that you... fudged the truth a bit?" Daniel nodded again. "Do you plan on ever telling Jack this?"

Daniel grimaced. "Later, after I've gotten to know him a bit better."

"You know him enough to tell him everything else," Jason scolded mildly.

"I don't know his kinks, Jason. What he likes, what he doesn't. He could be completely vanilla for all I know."

Jason had to consider that and he nodded. "Okay, I get that, but eventually, he's gonna find out because you'll end up telling him. As you say, he has a way of getting information out of you. So when that happens, he's gonna be mad that you lied."

"I didn't lie. I just implied."

Jason laughed and shook his head. "Don't do that. It's not a distinction he'll get."

Daniel sighed again. "I know." He gave Jason an assessing look and said, "You know, you're a lot more comfortable with him than you used to be."

"That's because I used to be extremely pissed off at him. After he'd stopped behaving like a monstrous fuck, I chilled." He gave Daniel a flirtatious smile. "I'm rather glad, since it was conflicting being attracted to someone I couldn't stand."

Daniel made a face. "Which is nearly the situation I was in with Makepeace."

Jason sighed deeply. "When did it really start?"

"Right after he was given leadership of SG-1." Jason's brows lifted in mild surprise, but nothing major. Daniel was relieved. "Anyway, he'd invited me over to his house, asked me to fill him in on the way to handle 'the Jaffa.'"

"You're kidding."

Daniel shook his head. "He really didn't like Teal'c and the feeling was mutual. Of course, Sam didn't much like Makepeace, either. Me, I was... well, confused and pissed off at Jack. And I figured the best way to get my mind off him, at least for a little while, was to do something that would have my full attention. Being around Makepeace is like that. I was on guard most of the time."

Jason gave him a small grin. "Except when you had sex. And sorry, Daniel, but me seeing you and him... not happening."

"I didn't exactly see it either, till I was standing in the foyer of his house, putting on my jacket, and he just up and kissed me." He paused, thinking about it, and shook his head and sighed. "There was something about him that I was attracted to. Maybe it was because he was so completely opposite. Maybe it was because he was a Marine and built like a brick shithouse. Maybe it was..." Daniel swallowed and cleared his throat. "The way he approached sex."

"Which was?" Jason asked.

"Robert Makepeace was a man who came from a very homophobic background. He had a weird form of self-loathing. To him, the only way to be a proper gay man was to act macho. No flaming 'pansy' attitudes, no feminine behavior. It's misogynistic if you think about it. Anyway, he thought that the only sex gay men should have and retain any self-respect was to have it be rough and macho. He was rarely gentle with me, which made me return the favor." Daniel cleared his throat again. "That first time was rough but not overly so. It was almost shameful because he wouldn't kiss me while we fucked. Only before, and never after."

Jason sighed, nodding with understanding. "Been there."

Daniel softly smiled at him, mostly out of relief. He just knew Jason would understand. "Anyway, for a week, this was how it went. We'd go out on a single day mission, come home, and he'd come over or he'd invite me over. We did nothing but fuck. There was nothing else. That next Saturday afternoon, I went over to Jack's to talk some sense into him and he ended our friendship." Jason winced. "Yeah, my thoughts exactly when I left his house, but by the time I got home I was mad as hell. Robert showed up that night and I couldn't help but think about Jack while he fucked me and I eventually gave in and pretended he was Jack."

Daniel paused at that moment, taking a deep breath. Jason didn't say a word but he had an understanding look on his face. "Anyway, the next day, Jack came to the SGC to ask Hammond if he might live out his retirement on Edora. Of course, I had no idea why he was there. I thought he was abandoning us. Abandoning me. Everyone went to the gateroom to see him off but I stayed and watched from the control room. I'd have hit him if I hadn't."

Daniel got up and began to pace and though Jason wanted him to sit down, he didn't ask. This was obviously something Daniel really needed to talk about and it was no longer just about Makepeace. He'd never really talked about the sting; he'd only ever mentioned how mad he'd been.

"So there I was in my office, fuming, trying to concentrate on my work and completely failing." He turned and faced Jason, grinding his jaw. "In walks Robert. And the sonofabitch is goading me. He shuts both doors and proceeds to twist the knife."

Daniel gestured with each action he mentioned and Jason couldn't help but be both concerned with the story and fascinated with the way he talked with his hands. "Goading? Meaning he came in there to bad-mouth Jack?"

Daniel sighed. "I never said a word to him about my visit with Jack but he somehow equated my being angry at Jack with jealousy."

"Oh boy."

Daniel flashed a sick smile. "Yeah. Well, I asked him politely to leave and when he wouldn't, I left. After I'd gone home, he came over and he continued his sniping. Saying things like 'Don't sweat it, Jackson. You're better off. While he's fucking his off-world whore, you and I get a chance to plow the fields he never had the balls to go for.'"

Jason raised his brows.

"Oh yeah," Daniel nodded. "And that was the mild stuff. Then..." He took a deep breath and crossed his arms. "He said something that made me so mad." Jason waited and Daniel said, "He looked me up and down and said, 'O'Neill will never know what he's missing, getting a chance at this tasty piece of ass. You're my on-world whore, aren't you, Jackson?'" Jason groaned and Daniel came back over and sat down, hands clenched in tight fists. "I lost it. We were in the bedroom at the time and, well, getting ready to fuck. I told him to shut the hell up, shoved him face down over the foot of the bed and fucked the living shit out of him."

Jason didn't say a word, but he made sure there was no dismay or revulsion in his expression. Truth was, he couldn't help but be a bit turned on, despite Daniel's apparent disgust.

Daniel eyed him. "You're probably turned on by this, aren't you?"

Jason cringed. "I hate to say it, but I think you knew I would be. It was hardcore, consensual sex, Daniel, and no man alive has a problem with that, even if it's just in his fantasies."

"This went past fantasy," Daniel said, taking another deep breath. "I didn't force him, Jason, but... this is precisely where he got the idea that it was okay to reciprocate. I'd done it to him so it was only fair that he did it to me. Except I didn't want him after I'd done that and I said it was over. That was when he tried to blackmail me."

Jason nodded as he watched him, trying to assess what Daniel's real point about this was. Talking about the past wasn't what he'd wanted to do. It was talking about his feelings about it, something he wasn't comfortable doing with Jack. "Okay, so, you cut him off because what you did disgusted you?" When Daniel nodded, Jason asked, "And what you felt bothers you? Even during the coerced sex?"

"Yes!" Daniel said emphatically. "Aren't I supposed to be bothered? You're the psychology major, Jason. How do I get over being bothered by this?"

Jason wanted to hug him, then smack him upside the head. Instead he scooted closer and took his hands. "By remembering that it's okay to feel what you feel."

Daniel blinked at him. "What?"

"It's okay to feel what you feel. There's no such thing as column A, column B, here's what you're supposed to feel and what you're not supposed to feel, not in normal sexual behavior, and kinks are normal sexual behavior. Only uptight, repressed dickheads tell people otherwise. You liking what you did is normal and it's not wrong to get off on rough, dominating, sadistic sex. The problem here is your unlearning what society has deemed unacceptable. We know about sadomasochistic kinks only through killers and butchers. We don't know about the consensual forms so when we come across the leather bars or the professional dominant or dominatrix, society makes fun of them and looks down on the submissives, thinking they're the weak ones, which is horseshit. According to the repressed fucks of this world, we're all supposed to be vanilla, and when we aren't, we're made to feel bad." He pulled Daniel forward and kissed him. "You feel what you feel and it's not wrong." He then gave him a mischievous smile. "If you start murdering women, then come back and we'll have a different talk."

Daniel shoved at him but he didn't pull away. "Smart ass." He sighed again, tilting his head as he thought about what his lover had just said. After a minute, he shook his head.

"What?"

"Sadistic sex sounds wrong though. I mean, that's not what I was doing with him."

Jason cringed. "Sorry, that was just an example, Daniel, and that's not what you were doing, in my opinion. You weren't getting off on pain and pleasure or watching your partner get off on pain and pleasure. That's part of the definition for a BDSM sadist, by the way. What you were doing was dominating him. Rough sex and power plays are part of that. If Makepeace hadn't enjoyed himself, you wouldn't have either. That is why what you felt was okay. What he did afterward was not okay and it soured everything else that came before." Squeezing Daniel's hands, he added, "Are you feeling a little better about it?"

Daniel sighed. "A little, yeah. But please don't tell me time will help me understand more."

"No, it won't. Only actively facing it will. Not through therapy, which I don't think you need. A willing partner is what you need, someone who'll help you explore those things." He cleared his throat and added, "Whether that's me or someone else is up to you."

Daniel pulled at his hands, bringing Jason close for a kiss. "You. I don't know that I'd be comfortable with anyone else."

"You never know. Always keep your mind open."

Daniel jogged his brows, knowing Jason had a point. "Mind if I ask you a question?"

"Anything, you know that."

"How do you know so much about this?"

"I've had to go through my own sort of private therapy, only part of that was professional."

"What? When?"

"When I was a POW, in Indonesia. Twelve years ago."

Daniel stared at him in horror. "Like Jack."

Jason shrugged. "It wasn't nearly as long as Jack's. Only two weeks. The biggest victim was my sex life. My love of bondage and rough sex were seriously torpedoed for a while. It took me a while to sort it out."

"Can you tell me what happened?"

Jason "I was on a mission in Indonesia when I was caught by local... police, if you can call them that. Lawless motherfuckers is more like. I was shipped off to a small prison, run by a fuckhead who loved watching men get raped. After a couple of days of torture, I was given a choice. More torture, or be a drugged-up sex toy. In their minds, sex and rape were the same thing and so rape wasn't torture. I refused, so the torture went on." He paused for a moment and cleared his throat.

"You can stop talking about it, Jason. Letting me know this much is enough."

"No, I'm fine," Jason disagreed. "I just haven't talked about this in a very long time." He smiled and said, "Maybe it's my turn to vent." Daniel gave him a soft smile back. "One day, I found out that the choice between fuck toy and torture wasn't really a choice. Instead of the usual infliction of pain, I was tied up and injected with drugs. After I was sufficiently high, they ordered me to fuck three men or they'd skin them alive in front of me. I did as they asked.

"I don't know what the drug was, but it amped up my aggressiveness and my sexual desire so I can only assume it had testosterone in it. Whatever else it had made it so that I didn't care. Two weeks later, something happened and they left us prisoners alone for a day and a half. When I was off the drug long enough to gather my wits, I found a way to escape. When I managed to get to some place safe and contact my unit, I had to wait a year before I was able to get some therapy and get my head back on straight."

"What kind of therapy?" Daniel asked, feeling heartsick that Jason had endured something like that.

"A British shrink I met. He was also my lover. Very open-minded." Jason paused, looking down at their hands as he remembered him. When he looked up, he said, "If you ever want to try out the methods he taught me, let me know."

Daniel nodded slowly, thinking he'd like to try them now, except for one thing. "When you're healed."

Jason leaned in and kissed him slowly as he reached down to his groin to caress the outline in Daniel's jeans. "We don't have to wait two weeks."

"You can't have sex right now," Daniel said, but he didn't pull his lover's hand away.

"This is sex," Jason corrected as kissed his way down Daniel's throat and pulled his shirt up. Looking up into Daniel's eyes, he smiled and slid off the couch, kneeling between his knees. Dipping his head, he latched onto a nipple and sucked, loving that Daniel's hands were now in his head, encouraging him. Mouthing across to the other nipple, teasing it between his teeth, Jason unbuttoned Daniel's jeans and grabbed both them and the waistband of Daniel's briefs. Pulling the slowly off, he kissed and licked down the center of his body, stopping to indulge himself in the line of hair under his navel. Daniel's cock was only half-hard but Jason was about to take care of that. "Blow jobs are also sex," he said before quickly taking his dick into his mouth.

Daniel sucked in a breath as the pleasure swarmed over him and toed off his shoes so that Jason could remove his jeans and briefs. His t-shirt came next and the only thing wrong with his being naked was that Jason wasn't. Tugging at the back of his shirt, Daniel eventually pulled it over Jason's head, interrupting his busy mouth for only a moment.

Jason's cock was already hard, tenting the fabric of his scrub pants, and Daniel wanted to get at him, to reciprocate. He gently pulled Jason away from his cock and got up from the couch. "Bedroom, sixty-nine," he said by way of explanation, taking Jason's hand.

When Daniel crawled onto the bed, Jason paused at the side and slowly removed his pants. Daniel smiled and kneed across the mattress to take his erection in hand. "I think this is for me."

As he stroked him, Jason closed his eyes and felt his knees go weak. "Always has been," he said, reaching out to caress Daniel's hair, his shoulders, his chest, his hands. Covering Daniel's hand with one of his own, Jason guided him as he gazed into his eyes. "If you feel at any time that you want to play the dominant, go right ahead. I'm not in any pain so if you want to fuck me, just have me lay face down."

Daniel eyed the bandage and leaned over, kissing around it, then with a need to shock and surprise and pleasure, he slid his legs around till he was sitting, grabbed Jason's hips, and took control of his cock. "Mine," he said, mouthing up and down the shaft.

"Yes," Jason said as he closed his eyes and dropped his head back, hands busily mussing Daniel's hair. As Daniel took him into his mouth again and again, Jason spread his feet apart, trying for stability. The backs of his knees were weakening and he wanted to lie down before he was forced to, but he couldn't bear to interrupt his lover. In fact, Daniel was making it a challenge.

Daniel knew what he wanted to do and this was only going to be part of it. He stopped sucking and mouthed around the head of his lover's cock, asking, "Are you mine, Jason?" as he slid a finger between Jason's ass cheeks and caressed his hole.

"Yes," Jason said, eyes half-lidded. "God, yes."

Daniel pulled away and looked up, loving the flush in Jason's face. "I didn't just love being dominant, you know."

"I know," Jason replied with a smile, then groaned when Daniel slid a finger inside him. His mouth was on him again and it was hard not to thrust. Pretty soon, however, the movement began to put a strain on his right side and the wound began to hurt. It wasn't a lot, but it was enough for Jason to pay attention and not to do more than he should. He had to be careful though because his lust was trying to override common sense. He wanted Daniel to fuck him, but that wasn't a good idea. "Where's that vibrator of yours?" he asked huskily.

Daniel smiled around his cock as he looked up at him, then reached to his right, fumbling open the bedside table's top drawer. He closed his eyes and sucked a few times before he paid attention to feeling inside the drawer. Soon, he had the smooth and slender vibrator that he only turned on inside him when he was about to come. He'd never used it on Jason so this should be fun. "You want to come now or shall I torture you for a while?"

"Not now," Jason whispered. "Fuck me."

Looking into his eyes, Daniel deliberately pulled off his cock and began to suck on the vibrator instead, getting it wet. Jason only stared back at him, watching, breathing heavily, and when Daniel was ready--more like impatient to begin--he reached between Jason's legs and began to rub the slick device over his hole. Jason groaned softly and Daniel wanted it louder. He turned on the dildo and Jason jerked, pre-cum spilling from his cock. "Yes," Daniel whispered and hungrily took his cock back into his mouth.

A few seconds later, he'd turned off the vibrator and worked it into Jason's ass, moving slowly and loving how he was driving Jason insane with the tortured pace. "Like that?" he asked, mouthing down the shaft and taking his balls into his mouth.

"Yes," Jason gasped, and from the sound, Daniel knew he'd come soon.

"How long do I keep torturing you?" he asked as he wrapped his hand around Jason's cock and began to jerk him off. Tilting the vibrator, he angled over Jason's prostate and loved that his legs began to shake.

"Oh god, fuck me, make me come," Jason begged.

Daniel sucked the head of his cock into his mouth and turned on the vibrator. "FUCK!" Jason cried out and came profusely. Daniel removed the dildo as he swallowed some of his come, then spit the rest into his hand and covered his own cock with it.

"Christ," Jason said, watching him, and pushed him back on the bed and kissed him passionately. Quickly moving down Daniel's body, he jerked him off a few times before taking his cock into his mouth. He grinned around him when he felt Daniel place the vibrator in his hand.

Jason copied nearly everything that Daniel had done to him and groaned around his balls when Daniel's breathing became rapid and shallow. He knew it was time but he wanted something unexpected, something to get Daniel off even more. Pulling the vibrator out of his ass, he turned it on and ran it over his balls. The effect was immediately rewarding when Daniel cussed as his body bucked and jerked underneath him, awfully close to coming.

"Bastard!" Daniel said, hands clenched in Jason's hair. He stared up into his eyes, his own blue nearly swallowed by black. "Fuck me. Now."

Jason smiled as he slowly moved the vibrator--still turned on--back into his ass. Daniel actually whimpered and closed his eyes and needing more, Jason thrust fast and shallow, keeping away from his prostate until the last minute.

"Fuck!" Daniel cried out, his balls aching. He grabbed behind his knees and lifted his legs, watching Jason fuck him with that wonderful little toy. "Do it, now!" he ordered, and when Jason tilted the vibrator and plunged it further inside, Daniel felt the rapid heat and intense pleasure engulf him as come erupted from his cock. Jason watched him from above, an odd smile on his face, and Daniel yanked him down on top of him and kissed desperately, body jerking as Jason removed the vibrator and ran it over his anal muscle.

Keeping him close, Daniel waited as the afterglow spread through him, easing his body down, and continued to give Jason deep, soul-searching kisses. Finally, his heart rate slowed and he pulled away to look at him. They were laying side-by-side now, with Jason on his back, Daniel facing him.

"That was... educational," Daniel murmured, running his hands over Jason's chest. He couldn't help but think about what he'd do when Jason was completely healed.

Jason took Daniel's hand and nibbled along the index finger before gently biting the knuckle. "Educational, huh? I like that. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"A few things."

Jason jogged his brows. "Do tell."

"I'd like them to be a surprise. I know you don't like them but..."

"It's surprise parties I don't like, Daniel, not sex play surprises. I give you permission to surprise me."

"Good," Daniel said, snuggling up against him.

"Wanna give me a hint?"

"All I'm gonna say is that you won't see me coming."

"Oh, that's no fun. I love to watch you come."

Daniel nipped at his chin. "I'll have to deny you that since you'll be blindfolded."

Jason closed his eyes and groaned. "Take me now, I'm yours."

"I know," Daniel smiled.

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