*Single quotes indicate dialogue from the episode*
Daniel parked down the street and stared at the house.
It had been almost a week since his parting with Jack and everytime he thought about what Jack had said it hurt all over again.
He hadn't eaten well since that day and sleep? Forget that!
The multiple PhD had wracked his brain trying to figure out how he could have been so wrong in his assessment of their relationship.
With a heavy sigh he started his car and looked at the house one last time. His blue eyes grew wide with shock at the scene before him.
"What the hell?" He whispered seeing Jack get into a truck with Colonel Harry Maybourne... willingly.
Daniel watched them drive away feeling numb.
He sat there for a long time trying to decide what to do then finally drove home and locked himself in his apartment where he paced well into the night.
The early morning sunrise found him writing on the notepad he kept with his books.
1. Maybourne was NID. Absolutely irrefutable.
2. The NID were behind the theft of the 'Touchstone' and undoubtedly more!
3. SG-1 shut down their gate. Didn't we?
4. Jack detests Maybourne and what the NID did!
So why did he steal from the Tollan's? And tell me he would rather be alive and a thief than dead because of a Goa'uld attack where we had no tech to protect us?
Daniel frowned and looked over his contradictory notes then his eyes grew wide.
Could this be a Black Ops mission?!? It has to be! Jack is setting them up!
But why wouldn't he tell us?
Because above all else he protects his team!
So how do we help you Jack? Or are we doing it? For Jack to sell his act to Maybourne he had to sell it to us first.
And we bought it hook, line and sinker.
But was it all an act? Jack and I are like night and day, do we really have a friendship or was I reading too much into it? Maybe I just wanted so bad to have a connection that I allowed myself to see something that wasn't really there.
He removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes tiredly, a glance at the clock made him sigh. He had to be back at the base at 0730. Well Jack that's something military I've finally learned. Daniel rose to make coffee.
If I'm right, what can we do to help you Jack? Nothing.
Even I realize if the NID's suspicions are aroused Jack is dead.
He turned his thoughts to the rogue organization.
With the last run-in the thieves escaped so how were they getting information? Maybourne? Precautions were being taken for their reports not to fall into the wrong hands but just how far did the NID extend? Operatives in the SGC itself?
"That's a truly frightening thought." He murmured pouring his coffee.
He drank it quickly, showered and headed to work getting a page on the way to report to the briefing room. Sam was already there and wondered what was going on. Probably getting our fourth, Daniel had answered none too pleased. Once Teal'c arrived they only had to wait a few moments before Hammond appeared with Colonel Makepeace saying he was their new CO. Daniel asked why Sam wasn't put in charge, because he was the only one who could question the decision being a civilian.
He could tell Sam was embarrassed but he pressed on until Hammond put his foot down.
'I hope you can learn to trust my command as much as you did Colonel O'Neill's.'
'Well, I never trusted Jack's command... but I'm open.' Just keep believing it Colonel! Have to put the nail in the friendship coffin in case he's involved. Teal'c isn't happy about this either. Good, two of us to jump his ass! Sam just gave me a look, she's not thrilled with this turn of events any more than we are. Don't worry Sam, we'll burn Makepeace, you just follow orders. Jack you ass, you'd better appreciate this or so help me....!
Daniel realized he was alone and headed back to his office where he sat at his desk and let his mind work on things.
Who would be most likely to get information to Maybourne and the NID on off-world tech we'd found? Another SG team? That's over forty people plus Hammond, no, Hammond wouldn't be in bed with them.
God I've been hanging around Jack too long! He poured a cup of coffee and began compiling a list of names.
The next several days saw them going on missions with Makepeace and he and Teal'c making the CO's job hell. He repeatedly butted heads with the man who was undoubtedly telling the General all about it right now since they were in a meeting.
He looked up at a knock, not too surprised to see the General.
"I thought you'd want to know, Colonel O'Neill is leaving earth, to settle on Edora, he'll be going in an hour."
"Why do I care?" Daniel turned to the translation in front of him.
"Your friend--"
"He's not my friend, he was very clear on that. Jack can do whatever the hell he wants, he always does."
He could feel Hammond's frown at his back and refused to meet his look for fear of telling him his suspicions and putting Jack in even more danger in case the General wasn't privy to the mission.
"Alright."
"Anything else? I'm really busy."
"No." Hammond sighed then left him to work.
God Jack, please watch you six.
Sam, Teal'c, Janet and the General saw Jack off and even saluted but he only wavered for a second without turning then was gone to Edora.
"This is wrong!"
"Major Carter?"
Sam turned to Teal'c as they reached the end of corridor.
"He just... left! No good-bye, didn't even try to talk to Daniel! And Daniel didn't even come to see him off! What happened between them when Daniel went to see him?"
"DanielJackson would not divulge that to me but he was upset."
"Promise that you, Daniel and I will never end up as strangers."
"I cannot."
Trust Teal'c to pick now to be totally honest, she sighed.
"I'll see you later." She said.
Teal'c nodded and headed to his quarters.
Sam started for her lab but soon found herself at Daniel's door and found him staring at a piece of pottery.
"He's gone."
"I heard the klaxons." I was also there Sam.
"What happened to us Daniel? We were something special."
"There was us and there was Jack, it's always been that way."
"No it wasn't! Why didn't you say good-bye to him? He was your friend!"
"No he wasn't."
"Daniel--"
"Sam!" He turned a glare on her.
She gave him one back and stalked out angrily.
Daniel slumped back in his chair feeling awful and wondering how to fix this.
Sam dug into her bowl of ice cream without enthusiasm when her doorbell rang. She opened it to find her teammates.
"Peace offering." Daniel held up a Chinese take out bag.
Sam smiled, she never could stay mad at him.
They ate, keeping the conversation light then Daniel helped clear the table after giving a nod to Teal'c.
"All is well DanielJackson." He reported.
"What's up?" Sam asked seeing the look pass between them.
"It's a scam." Daniel answered.
"What?" She asked clueless.
"Jack. He's working with, and I use that term very loosely, Maybourne."
"Are you sure?!?" She gaped at him.
"I saw them leave together Sam."
"It would indeed explain O'Neill's recent behavioral change." Teal'c added.
"That would mean everything he did on Tollana..."
"Planned." Daniel nodded.
"The outburst at the briefing?" Her eyes grew wide.
"Undoubtedly for Colonel Maybourne's benefit." Teal'c nodded.
"Daniel are you sure?" She wanted to believe her CO wasn't this horrible person who'd been there the last few days in the guise of Jack o'Neill.
"Yeah, sure as I can be anyway. It all makes sense Sam."
"How can we help him?"
"We cannot." Teal'c replied.
"But--"
"Sam, anything we tried to do would only put him at risk. We can't let anyone know we know what's going on, not even the General."
"Daniel--"
"Sam, we don't know how high the NID goes."
Sam looked from one to the other then gave a resigned sigh.
"Do you think we'll ever see him again?" She asked.
"Yeah. He won't leave us indefinitely, that I am certain of. We're his kids after all." Daniel smiled.
"O'Neill is a warrior, he will complete this battle and return to us."
"I hope so Teal'c." Sam nodded.
I really hate that guy, Daniel thought as he and Sam carried a sample case down the stairs and toward the Naqahdah readings the M.A.L.P. picked up. I used to enjoy, for the most part anyway, going off-world.
At least when Jack was here I could usually wheedle some extra time for looking around. Makepeace is all get it done and get home!
He and Sam worked in silence, what was there to say anyway and headed back to the gate after she set up some equipment for experimenting, they'd check on the results in a few days.
"SG-1 report to the Infirmary." Hammond called getting the boring report from Makepeace.
The stargate started to activate and Hammond looked toward the control room and saw Airman Davis nod. There was a swoosh and Jack came through.
"General, prepare for guests."
"Understood." Hammond nodded to the SF's who stepped forward.
"Go along with me guys." Daniel said quietly to Sam and Teal'c who nodded.
Daniel and Sam filled in the blanks after the NID operatives were taken into custody, he hid a smirk as the General and Jack exchanged looks at how fast they had deduced things. Daniel couldn't resist a dig at Jack about not trusting his team to help and the General jumped in to help the regretful looking man with saying the Asgaard insisted he work alone. Daniel wasn't going to let Jack off the hook so easy.
What he said had hurt damn it! And Daniel didn't think there had been a need to devalue their friendship to get Maybourne to buy the act.
'It's good to have you back sir.'
'Indeed.'
Daniel remained silent looking at Jack.
'Um, Daniel...' He motioned him over.
'Hm?'
They started out of the gateroom with Teal'c and Sam following.
'That stuff that I was talking about at my house...'
'Um...'
'The place was bugged, I had to keep up the act.'
'It's... it's... yeah... I understand.'
'Obviously the whole friendship thing, the foundation, it's all solid.'
'Obviously. You don't have to--'
'Nothing to worry about--'
'Don't have to say--'
'No, no, no. I feel kind of... I do appreciate you were the one who came to see if I was okay. That means something.'
'Uh, actually...no it doesn't.'
'Huh?'
'Um... we, uh... we drew straws. I lost.'
Never saw that one coming did you Jack?!? And Sam and Teal'c score!
Thanks guys.
"You wanted to see me sir?"
"Come in Jack. How are things going? Settling down?"
"They're okay sir." Jack said uneasily.
"And your team?"
"They seem to be okay."
"Colonel Makepeace has told us something--"
"Makepeace is full of--"
"Take a look at his statement Jack."
Jack read it and his eyes fell.
"I don't want to lose my best team Colonel."
"You know how he gets when there's a mystery. I had to..."
"This needs cleared up now Jack." Hammond sympathized.
Jack nodded and left the office.
Hammond sighed and cursed the alien races that had put them in that position. Had the relationship of SG-1 been irreparably damaged?
He fervently hoped not more so for the lost friendships than the unit itself. These people were special damn it! A family in the truest sense of the word and now that may have been destroyed... with no way to fix it. This time words might not be enough but he prayed they were.
"Enter."
"Hey T... doing that kel-no-reem thingy huh?" Jack had intended to go to Daniel's office but had to work up the courage.
"My symbiote has been agitated these last few days."
"Yeah... sorry. Sorry junior."
"Perhaps you should join me."
"Will it help make up with Daniel?" He sighed.
"Many things have been said... not all of them meant."
"He tell you what was said when he came to see me?"
"He did not."
"I played on the one thing that matters to him, our friendship. I had to keep him away Teal'c,to keep all of you away to protect you. NID would have killed you if I hadn't been so convincing."
Jack implored him to understand.
"I believe DanielJackson is aware of that."
"Now he is." Jack said glumly.
"DanielJackson was aware of that several days ago O'Neill."
"Huh?"
"He saw you leave with Colonel Maybourne and deduced you were undercover. He informed MajorCarter and myself two days ago."
"I told him he was bright." Jack smiled softly.
"He has insecurities as well." Teal'c gave him a meaningful look.
"Yeah." Jack turned toward the door.
"DanielJackson is in storage room 28C."
"Thanks T."
"Where is it?!? AHA!" Daniel beamed finding what he was hunting for.
"Did you really not trust my command?"
"I see Colonel Makepeace has been talking. Privy to everything else I said around here?"
"There's more?" Jack said softly.
"Didn't know who was on NID's payroll... had to be as convincing as you."
"Touche. Guess that's why you didn't see me off."
"I was there." Daniel turned to him.
Jack walked over and hugged him.
"I'm sorry." He said in his ear.
"The rhyme is wrong."
"Rhyme?" Jack released him.
"Sticks and stones..."
"Will break your bones but words will never hurt you." Jack finished.
"Words do hurt... especially cutting ones from your best friend."
"I know and I hated Maybourne, the NID... and most of all myself for having to do that to you." Jack dropped his gaze.
"I forgive you."
Jack looked up relieved.
"But if you ever--" Daniel narrowed his eyes at him.
"Never again, no matter what my orders are." Jack promised.
Daniel nodded.
"Team dinner at my place... you all look like you need it." Jack noticed he looked a little leaner than a few weeks ago but that wasn't the only reason he offered.
"We do need it." Daniel nodded reading him.
"I'll let you get back to work." Jack squeezed his shoulder and made for the door.
"No straws."
"What?"
"There were no straws." Daniel met his eyes.
He had come to see me because he wanted to, because he cared.
"Human revenge thing?" Jack smirked.
"Paybacks are hell."
So are nearly lost friendships, Jack thought.
"See you at seven?" He asked aloud.
"I'll be there."
Jack smiled and left him, feeling everything would be okay.
Come Maybourne or NID or Kinsey, nothing would take his team, he vowed it on his own life.
The End