Don't own 'em,don't make no money from 'em,don't wanna be sued.
Daniel too another pain pill and swallowed some coffee, cold coffee, making a face he dumped it out and poured a fresh cup and returned to his letter.
Dear Miss Vaselov,
My name is Daniel, I want to extend my personal condolences to you on the loss of your brother. I only recently met Alexei but I wanted to tell you how proud you can be of him, he saved many lives with his sacrifice...including my best friend. I wish I had known Alexei better, had time given us the opportunity I think we might have become good friends. If...or when....you feel up to it perhaps you could write me back and tell me about him.
Sincerely,
Daniel Jackson
Daniel read it over a few times making sure his Russian was correct and the content didn't give the program away, he decided it would have to do since he couldn't give her any details. He folded the paper and put it, along with Alexei's own letter, into a larger envelope which he sealed then addressed. He finished his coffee then went to pour another cup, grimacing at the ache in his shoulder.
"DanielJackson, you must go home and rest."
"I'm fine."
"Dr.Brightman has ordered this course of treatment."
"Teal'c--"
"And O'Neill has requested I see you to a car."
"So actually Jack sent you down here." Daniel frowned.
Teal'c merely looked at him.
"He's in mother hen mode again." Daniel complained.
"O'Neill is concerned for your health, as are we all."
"I'm fine."
"Nevertheless, I have been instructed to see you home, you must change now."
Daniel rolled his eyes and turned back to the coffee.
"Sir, General O'Neill sent us to see that Dr. Jackson gets to the locker room okay."
"Give me a break!" Daniel muttered seeing the four SF's. "Jack is so gonna pay for this!" He grumbled heading for the door after grabbing his mail.
"I believe he already is, DanielJackson." Teal'c replied and followed him.
"Okay, I can dress on my own, thanks for the escort." Daniel said sarcastically once they reached the locker room.
"We're also supposed to see you to a staff car."
Daniel glared at them then pushed the door open, he walked to his locker and removed the sling, wincing at the pain that movement caused. He changed into his civies and put his boots on and began to tie them when he flashed back to Jack shooting him. I believe he already is. Daniel knew Teal'c was right, that Jack was paying for shooting him, he felt guilty and was overdoing the General routine because of it.
"DanielJackson?"
"Almost ready." Daniel replied and tied his boots then stood.
Teal'c held the sling out.
"You are to wear this until Dr.Brightman informs you otherwise."
"Yes Jack." Daniel rolled his eyes and put it back on.
Teal'c and the SF's escorted him to a car.
"Have a pleasant evening."
"Sure Jack."
The car drove off and Teal'c nodded, task completed.
"Daniel gone?"
"Indeed."
"Put up much of a fight?"
"He did not."
"Good. He shouldn't be on his feet. I told him that you know!"
"I do not believe he was pleased to be sent home."
"Great, he's gonna give me hell tomorrow, I just know it!"
"You feel guilty for injuring DanielJackson."
"Ya think?!? I shot him for cryin' out loud!"
"As did I and would have been forced to do so again had you not used your weapon. We would not now be concerned about his health had that occured."
"Put that way...thanks."
Teal'c bowed slightly and left Jack's office.
Jack walked to the briefing room window and looked down at the gate, his mind insisted on replaying the moment he shot Daniel and he closed his eyes forcing it away. There were times he'd hated the stargate and this week had been one of them. A chill went down his spine when he realized how close Anubis had come to escaping with Daniel's body. What would have happened to Daniel? Would he be a prisoner? Dead? He'd been in Vaselov for a while and the man was dying. Anubis would have abandoned Daniel to a painful death somewhere out there. Jack rubbed his forehead to ward of the headache building. He turned and headed for the door.
Daniel tossed the magazine onto the coffee table and rose, he started for the kitchen when the doorbell rang.
"Hang on."
He turned the porchlight on and looked through the peephole then opened the door.
"Hey Jack, what a pleasant surprise." Daniel laced it with sarcasm.
"I was in the neighborhood..."
"You live a couple of miles back that way." Daniel jerked his left thumb over his shoulder then grimaced.
"Where's your sling?!?" Jack entered.
"Jack--"
"Put it on and wear it until Brightman says otherwise!"
"Yes mother hen from hell." Daniel said under his breath as he headed to the bedroom.
"What?"
"I said...so...all's well?"
Jack looked at his back as he disappeared into the bedroom, not believing for one second that's what he'd said. He looked around and walked over to the kitchen table.
"It's for Alexei's sister."
Jack loooked up guiltily for having been caught checking out the envelope.
"Had a lot to say?"
"He wrote her a letter while in the Infirmary, asked me to send it to her. I added my own note. He saved us from Anubis." Daniel fingered it.
"He came close to getting away with you."
"Close only counts in horseshoes and handgrenades."
Jack studied him a long moment.
"Got any beer?"
"Why?" Daniel nodded.
"Figured we owed a toast to Colonel Vaselov."
Daniel brought back two beers from the fridge and Jack opened them then held his up.
"To Vaselov, for taking Anubis away."
"To Alexei, he would have made a great addition to the SGC." Daniel added, touched his glass bottle to Jack's then spoke in Russian and both men took a healthy swallow.
"So what was that you said?"
"In the kingdom of hope, there is no winter."
"Nice. So you really liked the guy huh?"
"Yeah." Daniel sighed putting the beer down.
"You hungry? I could call for pizza, we could watch t.v. or something..."
"Sounds good."
Jack smiled and grabbed the phone while Daniel turned on the the t.v.
"Can you beielve he just--!" Jack railed at the hockey game then looked over to see Daniel asleep on the couch. He turned the t.v. off, removed Daniel's glasses and covered him with an afghan. The lines of pain weren't on his younger friends face and that relieved Jack greatly. "Night Daniel." He whispered and headed for the door.
"Night Jack...and thanks...for everything."
"Including shooting you?" Jack snorted as he opened the front door.
"Yes."
Jack looked back and saw Daniel was serious."If you hadn't taken that action Jack, Teal'c would have been forced to zat me a second time. I'm alive because of you. Thank you."
"Go to bed Daniel. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes mother hen from hell." Daniel retorted and stood.
"Watch it or no coffee and pastries for breakfast when I stop by to give you a ride."
"Starbucks?"
"Yeah."
"Then I am very, very sorry." Daniel smirked.
"Only to get coffee." Jack scoffed and stepped outside. "See you in the morning."
"Bye." Daniel smiled.
Jack shut the door and Daniel chuckled softly seeing the man not leave until he heard it lock with the deadbolt.
Thanks for being you Jack.
Daniel turned, saw the pizza box and glasses, tossed his good hand at it, turned out the lights and went to bed.
THE END