Daniel watched the stargate open and the M.A.L.P. was sent through.
Everyone waited with bated breath as the image of a large room came back to them.
"Dr. Weir, you have a go." Jack smiled.
The men watched the soldiers and Dr. Weir head into the gate.
"Jack, it's not too late for me--"
"No."
"I could just grab my gear--"
"No."
Jack knew this would be a dream for Daniel but the possibility of never seeing him again was not an option.
The General stepped to the mic and told the rest of Weir's team to move out. A glance at Daniel told him the PhD longed to go with them but his shoulders held resignation and Jack swallowed the smile he so wanted to wear at the victory.
As the last "Atlantean" departed Jack removed a bottle of champagne, attached a small card then walked up the ramp to the open gate and sent it through.
"Shut it down." He ordered turning to the control booth, he didn't miss the fact Daniel was no longer there.
So I'll make it up to him, Starbucks for a week.
"General, the Joint Chief of Staff is on the phone."
"Thanks Walter." He nodded and headed to his office.
Jack stretched as he walked, he never realized just how much went into running the SGC and internally gave Major-General Hammond a long salute.
"Hey Daniel want to grab..." Jack trailed off seeing the man's office empty.
"Dr. Jackson left twenty minutes ago sir."
"Say where he was going Major?"
"No sir, but he did have his hands full of papers."
"No surprise there." Jack sighed.
"I suppose not sir."
"Thanks." Jack nodded and left the office.
He waited half an hour then called Daniel at home but got the machine and left a brief message to call him on his cell then tried Daniel's cell but got voice mail so he left the same message.
The klaxons sounded and he hurried to the control room to see SG-3 stumble through, clearly injured. He followed them to the Infirmary and got the basics from them and a report from Dr. Brightman on their condition. Thankfully it wasn't too serious and he returned to his office telling them to debrief him at 0900 the next morning.
His phone rang and he answered it absently.
"O'Neill. Who? WHAT? I'm on my way!"
Jack drove quickly to the hospital and stopped at the nurses' desk then proceeded to the room number she gave him.
"Hey."
Blue orbs opened and frowned at him.
"Call you?"
"Yeah."
"Had a bit of a concusssion." Daniel nodded and readjusted the ice pack on his arm.
"Can I see?"
Daniel lifted the bag and Jack winced at the swollen arm.
"What happened?"
"Guy ran a light."
"Well Mr. Jackson, your X-rays look clean, it's not broken just a bad contusion." The doctor said entering.
"Can he go?"
"Yes, just remember to keep ice on it the next few hours. If you experience any dizziness--"
"I know." Daniel nodded and got off the bed as the doctor left.
"Need a lift?"
"Yeah."
"SGC or--"
"Home."
"Okay." Jack nodded.
"My stuff was in the car, it got towed." Daniel sighed.
"I'll get someone on it."
"Thanks."
Jack drove the unusually silent Daniel home and the man made his way to the couch and removed his glasses.
"I know you need to get back..."
"You gonna be okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Alright... if you need anything,call."
"Thanks."
Jack watched him a moment longer then left.
There was a knock on the General's door and he called for entry.
"I have Daniel's things."
"Thanks Ferretti."
"Tell him I hope he feels better."
"I will." Jack nodded and turned off his light then accepted the items and headed out.
Daniel opened the door not surprised to find Jack there.
"Come to check up on me?"
"Yes and I brought your stuff."
"Thanks." Daniel motioned him to put the papers on the table.
" 'Atlantis-The Lost Continent Finally Found'; 'Pyramid Texts of Saqqara'; 'Atlantis Index'..." Jack looked at him.
"I really wanted to go Jack."
"I know but we need you... I.... need..."
Daniel nodded saving him the embarrassement.
They sat in silence for several moments.
"Atlantis is the brass ring for an archeologist... but it was personal for me. I thought maybe I could recover the memories from when I was ascended."
"It meant that much to you?"
"What if there are other memories that could help me help others like Teal'c's family? I don't have any recollection of them and I don't want to wonder if someone else is dead because I can't remember."
Jack nodded dropping his eyes.
Daniel saw the guilt in the other man and cursed himself.
"I'm sorry, I should have realized..." Jack mumbled.
"No. I'm sorry. It's not fair of me to do this to you. I need to be here with Sam and Teal'c... and with you."
Jack looked up gratefully.
"You're my best friend. I didn't know if you were still alive for three months and that was hell for me. I don't want you to wonder the same thing. This is where I belong... sometimes I just need to be reminded of that." Daniel smiled at him.
"Don't worry about that." Jack smiled back.
"Wanna stay for dinner?"
"Yeah."
"Can I ask a favor?"
"I already know, no mushrooms." Jack chuckled and reached for the phone.
"Not about that."
Jack turned at the seriousness of his voice and nodded.
"I was wondering..."
"What?"
"Well..."
"Daniel."
"Can I get a chair like yours?" Daniel grinned.
"Daniel!"
"It's so comfortable Jack!"
Jack laughed and mussed his friend's hair, not that it mattered since Daniel's hair was nearly as short as his own nowadays.
God he had missed this with Daniel that year he was gone.
"So?"
"I'll see what I can do." Jack shook his head.
"Great and I'll see if I can find a hockey game." Daniel grabbed the remote with his good arm and started channel surfing.
Jack picked up the phone and hesitated then looked up.
"Thanks for giving him back to us Oma." He whispered then dialed.