by ALF
When they finally arrived in New York several hours later, Jack decided they could risk taking a cab to the hotel they had chosen. It was the middle of the day, and the airport was busy. Plus, they were expected to be in New York at this time, so the risk was minimal.
At check in they once again pre-paid for a week. The room was very similar to ones they had been living out of for the past few weeks. Daniel sprawled tiredly on a bed. Although the meds he was on these days held his allergies at bay, he still didn't enjoy travelling much. He fell asleep almost instantly, too tired to shower or eat. Jack pulled the quilt over him, stroking back the hair from Daniel's forehead gently and removing his glasses carefully. He wished that he could just take Daniel away from all of this, perhaps to his cabin in Minnesota. He sighed internally, knowing that Daniel would be less than impressed with Jack's desire to mother hen him. But he couldn't help it, that was the effect that Daniel had on Jack, despite the number of years they had known each other and the fact that Daniel was perfectly capable of taking care of himself, as he had proved countless times in the field on trips through the Stargate.
Jack left a note on the bedside locker, telling Daniel he had gone out for some supplies. Even though he was sure he would be back before the other man woke up, he wasn't taking any chances on worrying Daniel unnecessarily.
When Jack returned to the room an hour or so later, after a boring lunch in the hotel's cafe, Daniel was in fact still asleep. Jack went to take a shower, then slid on to the bed next to Daniel. He smiled to himself as Daniel immediately snuggled up to him, sighing in his sleep. Jack put an arm around Daniel, then allowed himself to doze off.
Daniel was the first to awaken, surprised to find that the room was nearly in darkness. He peered at his watch and found that it was 5 o'clock in the afternoon. He heard his stomach rumble loudly in the quiet room.
"Is that your subtle way of telling me you're hungry?" Daniel turned to see Jack smiling at him.
"Well I do appear to have slept through lunch," Daniel said, smiling back. Jack pulled him in close for a lingering kiss.
"You shower, I'll order from room service," Jack said, reaching for the menu. Daniel merely nodded in agreement and rolled off the bed.
Daniel showered quickly, then returned to the bedroom in his robe. He found Jack engrossed in the news on TV.
"Anything we should know about happening?" he asked, resting a hand on Jack's shoulder as he stood next to his lover. Jack was perched on the edge of the bed, chin in hands, elbows on his knees.
Jack grunted and turned the set off. "No, nothing," he said. He put an arm around Daniel's waist and pulled him down on to the bed, leaning over to kiss him hungrily.
Daniel responded instantly, opening to the kiss, letting Jack's tongue probe his mouth. The kiss seemed to last forever, until a loud knocking at the door startled them apart.
"Who is it?" Jack called out, hoping he didn't sound as breathless as he felt.
"Room service," a voice called back. Daniel dived into the bathroom, shutting the door and locking it behind him. Jack stood up and smoothed his hair and clothes quickly. He pulled his sweater down hard, hoping it concealed his erection. He went to the door and opened it on the chain. Seeing that it was, in fact, room service, he quickly opened the door to allow the waiter to bring in the trolley.
"Anything else I can get for you sir?" the waiter asked, looking bored.
"No thanks," Jack said, giving him a tip and waiting by the door. The waiter nodded and left. Jack bolted the door behind him, making sure to put the Do Not Disturb sign in place at the same time. He banged on the bathroom door. "You can come out now Danny, he's gone," he called.
He heard the door unlock and Daniel emerged, a sheepish look on his face. "Sorry, Jack," he said. "I panicked there for a minute."
Jack pulled him into a hug. "Don't worry," he said. "Just a bit of bad timing." Daniel's stomach chose that moment to protest its emptiness again. Jack chuckled. "Let's go eat," he said.
Daniel nodded agreement, heading over to see what Jack had ordered. He really was starving.
They ate the food in companionable silence, deliberately not discussing their situation or what they were going to do next. The evenings together were spent like this, an interlude when they could pretend everything was ok, they were just an ordinary couple of guys on vacation together, rather than the truth. Which was that they were trying to uncover some sort of conspiracy which had threatened the lives of them, the people they cared about and their allies on other planets.
Jack had one beer with his dinner, the only indulgence he allowed himself on this trip. It was part of the unwinding process, helping him deal with the stress that their secret mission was providing at every turn. That and the lovemaking with Daniel, of course. Daniel drank orange juice, as he always did when he wasn't drinking his beloved Colombian Dark Roast.
Once the food had been consumed, Daniel wheeled the room service trolley outside, whilst Jack started to undress. He had barely started to remove his shirt when Daniel was all over him like a force of nature, kissing, licking, squeezing, nibbling as he removed the rest of Jack's clothes for him. Finally, Daniel was on his knees before Jack, who was sitting on the edge of the bed. He looked up into Jack's eyes, seeing the love and passion in the dark brown eyes. The two men looked at each other, smiling and then Daniel bent his head to his task, swallowing the hard, erect cock he loved so much. Jack moaned softly as he was engulfed in the wet warmth of Daniel's mouth. Mindful of their situation, Jack worked hard to swallow the cries and moans that he made as his lover skilfully brought him to orgasm. As he reached climax, Jack was vaguely aware of Daniel's fingers pressing inside him, stroking purposefully across his prostate, heightening the intensity and pleasure for him. He fell backwards onto the bed, greying out from the strength of feelings Daniel brought from him as he sucked him dry, giving Jack the most pleasure he could, as always.
When Jack finally regained his senses, Daniel, who was stroking his fingers gently across Jack's chest and toying with his chest hair, was cuddling him in close.
"Better?" Daniel asked, when he realised Jack was watching him.
"Died and gone to heaven," Jack confirmed, lazily running a hand down Daniel's back.
"Ready to be ravished?" Daniel asked, a leering grin on his face.
"Ravish away," Jack grinned back, enjoying the light teasing. He allowed Daniel to settle him back on the bed, using the pillows from the other bed to support his back and hips. Daniel settled himself in between Jack's legs and took up the lube ready to prepare Jack.
Daniel prepared Jack slowly and lovingly, taking his time, both of them enjoying the build-up almost as much as the act itself. When he finally moved into Jack, Daniel slid in with one slow, exquisite thrust, both of them moaning quietly as he settled himself into place. Daniel paused, head hanging forward, breathing hard. Jack reached up and entwined his left hand with Daniel's. Daniel bent forward and they exchanged a long, passionate kiss. Finally Daniel started to move inside Jack, thrusting slowly and regularly, adjusting his angle until he was grazing the head of his cock across Jack's prostate with each stroke inside him.
Jack was starting to get hard again from the stimulation. He watched Daniel reach out and take his cock in hand, stroking him in time to his thrusts. Gradually the two of them thrust harder and harder together, until they both shuddered to a climax, stifling their cries of each other's name. Daniel collapsed exhausted across Jack's body, passion finally spent.
They stayed lying like that for a few minutes, harsh panting breaths finally giving way to more normal breathing as they recovered. Finally, Daniel withdrew from Jack and collapsed again by his side. Jack stroked his hand through Daniel's hair.
"Ok love?" he asked tenderly.
"Yeah," Daniel said, trying not to yawn, but failing. "Just tired," he admitted sheepishly.
"You've already slept most of the day," Jack said softly.
"I know," Daniel said through another yawn. "I'm sorry, Jack."
"Hey, nothing to apologise for," Jack said, pulling Daniel into him. "If you need to sleep, you go right ahead, I'll be here."
Daniel nodded sleepily, eyes already half-closed. "Ok," he said, resting his head against Jack's chest. Seconds later, Jack could hear his breathing deepen into sleep. He settled himself more comfortably, then lay there thinking about the video and what their next steps needed to be. Eventually, he too fell asleep.
As was his habit, Jack was awake early the next morning. He lay there watching Daniel sleep, one of his favourite pastimes. He liked to see Daniel relaxed, the lines caused by tension and worry smoothed out, making him look a lot younger than his 30-odd years.
Unfortunately, given their current situation, Daniel was bound to end up with a few new lines to add to his collection, as would Jack himself. Jack sighed and looked down at Daniel again. He wished he had not had to involve his lover in this business, but ever since that time with Maybourne's merry men, he had been unable to keep a secret from Daniel. Especially not now they were in a relationship. Daniel had ways of making Jack talk, even when Jack didn't want to, he usually ended up confiding in Daniel. Therefore when the General had told Jack about this new threat to the SGC and its off-world allies, Jack had insisted that there was no way SG1 could be kept in the dark again.
The General had agreed. Especially as there was a direct threat to both Carter and Teal'c this time, not just technology theft as it had been last time.
Jack slid carefully away from Daniel, who sighed and mumbled in his sleep, but settled again when Jack brushed a hand across his shoulder. Jack went to the bathroom, then put a pot of coffee on. He opened the door and picked up the complimentary newspaper. It was the Daily News, rather than the Times, but Jack wasn't bothered. As far as he was concerned, news was news. He scanned the headlines and sports page as he drank a cup of coffee.
As he rose to pour a second cup, he noticed Daniel watching him.
"Morning," he smiled at Daniel, pouring a coffee for the other man and handing it to him before pouring his own second cup.
The two men went through their morning routine quickly, then headed down to breakfast in the hotel's cafe.
"What are we doing today?" Daniel asked as the waiter left with their order.
"Going to the Intrepid to try and set up a meeting with a contact," Jack replied.
"The Intrepid?" Daniel asked.
"The Sea-Air-Space Museum," Jack replied. Daniel rolled his eyes. "Don't give me that look Daniel, it's where my contact works," Jack said.
Daniel just looked at Jack and said nothing. He picked up his coffee and sipped at it whilst looking around the room. The hotel was pretty uninspiring, looking not that different to the last three hotels he and Jack had stayed in during their cross-country jaunt.
"I hope Sam and Teal'c are ok," was all he said when he finally turned back to Jack.
Jack nodded. "I'm sure they're fine," he said. "They both know how to look after themselves and you know the General said that he'd send them off-world as soon as he safely could. They're probably sunning themselves in the Land of Light as we speak."
"I know," Daniel agreed. "It's just hard not knowing, not being able to have contact with anyone back there. I actually miss the Base, not to mention the amount of work that's probably piling up in my absence. Nyan can only do so much you know."
The waiter returned just then with their breakfast, so both men stayed silent until he left again.
"I know you're worried, Daniel. But Nyan's a good kid, he'll do his best. The General will keep an eye on him, and so will Doc Fraiser. If necessary, he'll send him off-world too."
Daniel toyed with his toast. "Yea, I know, but we can hardly send the whole base off-world can we, Jack? The General has to draw the line somewhere. And you know he was willing to turn Cassie over to Nirrti, so how is this situation any different?"
Jack glanced around the room quickly. They were sat in a far corner of the cafe, with no one nearby. He took one of Daniel's hands in his and squeezed gently.
"We'll get Cassie back, Daniel, I promise," he said, gazing into his lover's eyes. "They won't hurt her."
"After seeing that video yesterday, Jack, I find that very hard to believe," Daniel said. However, he didn't move his hand from Jack's, instead he enjoyed the warmth of the touch. Seeing the look in Jack's eye, he frowned.
"They won't hurt her," Jack repeated. "Cassie is far too valuable to them intact and unharmed for them to take that risk."
"I hope you're right," was all Daniel said. He finally moved his hand from Jack's grip and picked up his coffee cup. He cradled the mug in both hands, savouring the warmth and inhaling the smell, eyes half-closed. He knew that the sooner they got Cassie home and shut down the organisation that was holding her, the better for everyone at the SGC. However, he couldn't help but wonder how long they would be safe for, how long it would be before some other organisation decided to try and get hold of Cassie, or Teal'c or Sam, or even Jack for that matter.
Jack went on with his breakfast, watching Daniel closely without seeming to at the same time. He had a pretty good idea what was going through Daniel's brain at the moment.
"Are you going to eat something?" he finally asked as Daniel poured his fifth cup of coffee of the morning. It was still only 0830 too.
Daniel looked up in surprise. "What?" he said.
"Breakfast, food," Jack said, pointing to the plate in front of Daniel which was virtually untouched.
"Oh, I guess so," Daniel said, picking up his toast and taking a mouthful. He chewed for a while, eating the scrambled egg he had also chosen, whilst Jack finished his breakfast and called for more coffee.
Breakfast finished, the two men headed out into the city.
"You're quiet," Jack said to Daniel as they rode a bus towards the Pier where the Intrepid Museum was located.
"Just thinking, remembering," Daniel said.
"Do you want to visit their graves?" Jack asked gently.
"Huh?" Daniel looked at the other man in surprise.
"It was obvious Danny," Jack said, using the nickname deliberately. It was the same one Daniel's parents had used, and Jack was the only other person, to his knowledge, who called Daniel by that name. It was something special between them, reserved for times when he knew Daniel needed reassurance and comfort, a bit of extra TLC.
"Oh," Daniel said. "Yes I would. Do you mind?" he asked Jack anxiously. "Do we have the time?"
"Yes, we have the time and of course I don't mind," Jack said, surprised Daniel would even ask him that.
"Well, it's hardly high priority when we're on a mission, me running off to visit my parents' graves," Daniel said.
"Daniel," Jack started to say impatiently. Then he stopped, took a breath and started again. "We may be on a mission, Daniel," he said, "but that mission isn't going to go away in a hurry. As we're here in New York, you should take the time. After all, the mission doesn't fill every second of every day. And knowing you, I don't suppose you've been to New York for years, let alone to their graves. I know you Daniel and I know what it's like. I don't visit Charlie's grave very often either."
Daniel nodded agreement. In the time he had known Jack, he knew of only one visit to Charlie's grave, not long after the incident with the Crystal Unity that had duplicated first Jack and then Charlie. "Ok, if you put it like that, then yes I would like to go, Jack," he said.
"After the museum then," Jack said. "Is that ok?"
"Yeah, that's fine," Daniel said. "Thanks Jack."
The two men rode the rest of the way to the museum in silence. When Daniel got off the bus with Jack on 12th Avenue, he looked around in surprise.
"Where's the museum, Jack?" he asked curiously.
"Just up here, Danny," Jack replied, heading towards the river.
"On the river?" Daniel asked reluctantly as he started to follow Jack.
"Have you never heard of this museum?" Jack asked in surprise.
"Actually, no," Daniel replied. "I was never interested in anything other than archaeology as a child."
"Well, the Intrepid has been a museum since 1982," Jack began. Daniel started to laugh as they reached the pier where the ship was located. "What's so funny?" Jack looked suspiciously at Daniel.
"I never thought you'd be lecturing me on museums," Daniel replied, still laughing. "Talk about role reversal."
Jack started to laugh too. "It is a bit of a turn-around," Jack agreed. Although it was still only 9.30, there was already a queue for entrance to the museum, which didn't open until 10 am.
Daniel cast a practised eye down the length of the queue. "Tourists," he said. Jack nodded agreement. "Where does your contact work?" Daniel asked.
"He's a guide," Jack replied. "He'll probably be on the hangar deck."
The queue formed behind the two men as they waited, in silence, for 10 am. It was a chilly morning and both men huddled into their overcoats, hands stuffed in pockets to keep them warm. Finally, the queue started to move slowly forward.
Daniel was surprised to see that Jack paid the $13 entrance fee, as the board indicated that he could get in for free as an Active Duty member of the military. He waited until they were wandering along a hallway to ask.
"Don't want to draw unnecessary attention to myself," Jack explained. "I'd have to show my ID to get in free, which someone could always remember. A lot of these people are ex-service Daniel, they're trained to be observant."
Daniel nodded understanding and agreement with Jack's reasoning.
It was over an hour later before they finally left the ship. They headed for the nearby McDonalds for coffee. The restaurant was crowded with people, so they went outside to find a quiet spot to talk whilst they drank the coffee. Daniel pulled a face as he took a sip of the liquid.
"This is revolting," he muttered. Jack merely grinned. He was actually in agreement with Daniel's assessment, but he would never tell Daniel that. He enjoyed teasing Daniel about his taste in coffee too much to admit that he too preferred Daniel's favourite Colombian coffee to this sort of instant stuff.
"So what's next?" Daniel finally gave up and emptied the contents of the cup on the ground. He would wait for a Starbucks. With any luck, Jack could be persuaded to have lunch there as well.
"We're meeting Phillip at 1400," Jack slipped into military terminology unconsciously. "He said he'd meet us in Central Park, as he usually goes there for a late lunch. No-one will be suspicious."
"I'm not waiting till then for lunch," Daniel said determinedly, "we can go to Starbucks. There's bound to be one nearby."
Jack sighed. He decided it was pointless to argue. Daniel could get pissy very quickly when he didn't get decent coffee and he was in no mood to deal with a pissy Daniel. He guessed it was partly because Daniel was starting to look ahead to visiting his parents' graves, as much as his continued unhappiness with their whole situation.
"Let's go find a Starbucks then," was all the comment he made. Daniel got to his feet quickly, surprised with how easily Jack had agreed with him, but glad to be spared an argument. He was starting to think about later this afternoon and that trip to the cemetery. He almost wished he hadn't agreed to go, but knew that it was the right thing to do in the circumstances.
They found a Starbucks quite quickly, then Jack had to endure Daniel's discussion with the clerk about how he liked his beans ground. Jack quickly added that he'd have his the same way as Daniel. It was a lot less hassle and saved quite a bit of time. Then there was the decision about what to actually eat. Eventually, they were seated side by side on one of the comfy couches, with sandwiches, cakes and coffee.
The two men ate in silence, apart from Daniel's sighs of approval and appreciation as he sipped at his coffee. Jack flicked through the sports pages of the New York Times as he ate, whilst Daniel filled in the crossword.
"Finished," Daniel dropped the pen onto the paper. He swallowed his last mouthful of coffee.
"Let's go then," Jack replied, neatly folding the pages of the paper he was holding back together.
The two of them headed for Central Park, where they wandered around enjoying the afternoon sun whilst they waited for the time of their meeting with Phillip. As they walked they talked casually about things unrelated to the reason for their presence in New York. Jack was careful to avoid discussing their upcoming trip to Daniel's parents' graves as well.
At last, it was 2 o'clock and they could see Phillip seated on a bench, sandwich in hand. Jack strolled over and sat down next to him, whilst Daniel wandered on past to study a statue of King Wladyslaw Jagiello, a Polish King who had united Lithuania and Poland and Christianised the two countries late in the so-called Middle Ages of Europe. He kept half an eye turned to Jack and his friend as he studied the statue. At the same time he could sense the looming presence of the Museum of Metropolitan Art in the near distance. He had not once set foot inside the Museum since his parents had died, but still it cast a shadow over his life and probably always would.
Daniel was glad when he saw Jack stand up and start up the path towards him. With a swift look around, to check no one seemed to be observing them he moved back on to the path. When Jack reached him, Daniel fell into step at his side.
"Well?" he asked quietly. Jack threw him a sidelong glance.
"Phillip says that the people that we want are in Utah," Jack replied. He could see Daniel's eyebrows fly upwards in reaction to that statement. He was probably remembering the last time that they had visited Utah, when SG1 had been trying to find the Medronan Touchstone device. And knowing Daniel, he was probably also remembering the consequences of those 4 people disappearing through the second Stargate.
However, none of that was visible in his face. He merely asked "NID?"
Jack shrugged, "still too early to be sure. Can't imagine who else it would be though." He cast another glance over at Daniel, who was studying his feet as he walked. Jack took a deep breath. "It's not too late to change your mind, Daniel," he said gently.
Daniel looked up at him abruptly, startled. He flushed red. "I'm going to pretend you didn't say that," he said, turning away from Jack, back rigid. He marched along the path quickly, ignoring Jack's stifled curse and the hurried steps after him.
"Daniel," Jack said urgently, trying not to shout.
"No, Jack," Daniel replied. "We're not going to discuss it. Why don't you arrange for the safekeeping of the disc and I'll meet you back at the hotel later."
A hand grabbed Daniel's elbow hard. "You bastard," Jack hissed. "I'm doing my best to be supportive. I'm not going to leave you to face this alone. I just wanted you to know that I wouldn't think any less of you if you decided not to do this, if it was too painful."
"Well, you could have expressed yourself a lot better, Jack," Daniel replied. The two men stood glaring at each other, toe to toe, in the centre of the path.
"Is everything ok here?" The stranger's voice made both men jerk their heads around in surprise. A policeman stood a couple of feet away, watching them closely.
"Fine," Daniel said. He swung around and began to walk back the way they had come down the path.
Jack muttered under his breath. "It's fine, officer," Jack said. "Just a difference of opinion." The officer gave Jack a careful look, but could see nothing untoward.
"All right, then," he said, nodding at Jack. Jack nodded back and took off at a fast pace after Daniel. He muttered curses about hotheaded archaeologists all the way.
He finally caught up with Daniel near to where they had met Phillip. He was sitting on a bench, obviously waiting for Jack.
"I'm sorry," both men spoke at the same time. Jack gestured for Daniel to go on as he sat down next to him.
"I over-reacted, Jack, I'm sorry," he said. "And then I got us noticed by a cop."
"Daniel, it's all right," Jack interrupted him quickly. "I convinced him there was nothing going on and he was happy to leave it at that."
"But still," Daniel protested.
"Forget it, Daniel," Jack said. "I'm sorry I upset you. I didn't mean to."
"I shouldn't be so sensitive," Daniel muttered, more to himself than to Jack.
"Your sensitivity, your empathy Daniel, is one of the things I love about you. It is part of what makes you, you. That's not something I want to see change," Jack touched Daniel's shoulder, squeezing the muscle briefly. He wanted to hug Daniel, kiss him even, but was self-conscious about doing so in such a public place, even though the chances of there being anyone in the vicinity who knew them were remote.
Daniel looked up, a small smile on his lips. "Thanks Jack," he said.
The rest of the day mostly passed in a blur for Daniel. He could never really remember leaving the park and going to the cemetery. He did, however, remember crying in Jack's arms beside his parents' graves, which someone had kept neat and tidy. He left a small plant there. They had then gone back into the city, to a bank, where Daniel had sat in the lobby whilst Jack set up a safety deposit box to safeguard the CD. They had then gone to an attorney, where Daniel again waited whilst Jack made arrangements for the CD to be released in certain circumstances. Jack had also made a new will, which also dealt with the release of the CD. He didn't tell Daniel that part however, not wanting to upset Daniel any more than he already had been today.
Finally, they got back to their hotel, where they could at last relax, and let their guard down. Jack locked the door, do not disturb sign once again firmly in place. Daniel had gone straight to the couch and settled himself in a corner, curled in on himself.
Jack went to the mini bar and poured them both a shot of whisky. After today, they both needed it.
"Here, drink this," Jack held out a glass to Daniel. Daniel looked up, showing Jack the dark circles under his eyes, took the glass obediently and swallowed the contents quickly. He was tired, but the alcohol was warming and comforting. Jack settled in next to him on the couch, arm around Daniel's shoulders. Jack sipped more slowly at his drink, waiting for Daniel to lose some of his tension and relax against him. It didn't take long for Daniel's head to sink onto Jack's shoulder.
A few minutes later, Jack put his glass down on the small coffee table carefully, trying not to disturb Daniel. It didn't work, Daniel startled upright, realising he had started to fall asleep.
"Sorry, Jack," he started to say. Jack placed a finger on his lips.
"S'okay," he said. "Why don't we stretch out on the bed instead, it'll be more comfortable." Daniel nodded in agreement, so they stood up together. Daniel sat on the end of the bed, bending over to remove his shoes.
"Here," Jack held something out to Daniel, who looked up in surprise.
"Jammies?" he said, a small smile on his face.
"Warm fuzzies are good for cuddling," Jack said. "Trust me on this."
Daniel laughed at that. "Sure," he replied, taking the clothes and standing to undress.
"Let me," Jack said. He moved Daniel's hands from the buttons of his shirt and Daniel let him. Jack quickly and expertly undressed Daniel, then helped him into the pyjamas. Daniel was happy to let Jack do this for him. One of the things he had learned quite early on in his relationship with Jack, was that Jack needed someone to take care of, to look after. It was his frustrated paternal instincts, Daniel decided, and whilst sometimes he was annoyed that Jack "mothered" him so much, at times like these, he was happy to go with the flow and enjoy it.
Daniel's analytical brain had decided that he liked it because he had lost his parents so early, and had never really found anyone to take care of him in the same way until he spent that year with Sha'uri on Abydos. And if it made Jack happy, then Daniel was happy too.
Once Jack had Daniel undressed and then clothed in the jammies, which were gray pinstripe, he helped Daniel into bed, settling him under the covers. Then he quickly stripped himself, pulled on his own dark blue pyjamas and slid into bed next to Daniel. Daniel immediately moved into Jack, settling himself by the other man's side and allowing Jack to draw him into his arms.
Jack rubbed one hand soothingly across Daniel's back. "Do you want to talk?" he asked softly.
Daniel shook his head, face hidden against Jack's chest. "Let's just cuddle," he requested.
"Cuddling it is," Jack replied cheerfully.
The two men lay in silence for several hours, as the day outside drifted into nighttime. Jack could tell Daniel wasn't asleep, but he was happy to allow Daniel to come to him when he was ready to talk.
Eventually, Daniel stirred in Jack's arms as his stomach grumbled loudly. Jack laughed at Daniel's embarrassed grimace.
"Time for dinner?" Jack asked with a grin. Daniel nodded agreement. "Room service?" Jack asked again and got another nod of agreement.
"Something simple, though, please Jack," Daniel said, sliding out of bed to go to the bathroom.
"Okey dokey," Jack replied, picking up the menu and the phone. Daniel re-emerged from the bathroom a few minutes later and wandered over to the couch, where he sat cross-legged, listening to Jack order them steak, baked potato and salad. Comfort food, Daniel thought to himself. Instead of ordering the usual beer and juice though, Jack asked for a bottle of wine.
"Wine?" Daniel asked as Jack put the phone down.
Jack looked round at Daniel, peering at him over the top of his reading glasses. "Thought you needed a treat," he commented, taking in Daniel's damp hair and the fact that he looked a lot better than he had when they had got back to their room that afternoon.
"Uh huh," Daniel said. "You know you don't need to get me drunk to allow me to have my wicked way with you," he said in a prim voice. It was what Jack privately thought of as his professor voice. He gave Daniel his best innocent look, which was ruined by the lustful glint to his eyes.
"I've no idea what you're talking about Dr Jackson," his voice had a sultry edge and he slid smoothly from the bed to walk towards Daniel, who still sat bare foot and cross legged on the couch, like a reclining Buddha.
"Not before dinner, Jack," Daniel said, his own voice taking on a velvety tone.
"Worried you won't keep up with me?" Jack asked, smouldering glance directed right at Daniel's crotch.
"Oh I can keep up with you all right," Daniel said defiantly, emphasising the word up. Just as Jack reached the couch, Daniel suddenly straightened his legs out so that he was lying full length along the couch.
Jack merely growled "good," and lifted Daniel's lower legs, settling them into his lap as he sat down. He immediately began to massage the left foot, rubbing small circles on the skin, grinning ferally at Daniel as he moaned in appreciation, head falling back against the cushion he had set between the arm and back of the couch.
Jack kept up the slow, steady foot massage for the next half-hour whilst they waited for the food to arrive. Both men exchanged constant slow burning glances at each other, enjoying the foreplay immensely, passion simmering as they allowed the sexual tension to build.
When the knock at the door came, signalling the arrival of the food, Daniel growled in disappointment. Jack gave his feet one last quick caress, then slid Daniel's feet off his lap to allow him to go and collect the food. Jack thought it was just as well his jammies were so loose, otherwise the waiter would have had an eyeful as he wheeled the trolley into the room.
Daniel had sat upright on the couch, legs crossed, whilst he watched the food brought into the room. The waiter was dismissed with a tip and Jack wheeled the trolley over to the coffee table. He handed a plate to Daniel, then passed over cutlery. The wine was already uncorked, to allow it to breathe, so after a brief sniff to take in the aroma, Jack poured two glasses, setting them down on the coffee table and leaving the bottle within easy reach. Then he picked up his own plate and utensils and sat down next to Daniel, who was already cutting into his steak enthusiastically.
The meal was eaten in a relaxed atmosphere, the two men discussing music casually as they ate, allowing the earlier sexual tension to dissipate slightly. Once the food was eaten and the wine finished, Jack cleared the debris away and moved the trolley outside.
When he came back, Daniel was again stretched full length on the couch, eyes closed. He allowed Jack to settle his feet in his lap again. Then he started to speak, without opening his eyes.
He talked about his parents, how it had felt seeing the accident that killed him, the hurt that his grandfather, Nick, wouldn't take him in, the constantly changing foster homes and how relieved he had been when he had finally got to UCLA and started his degree. Jack sat silently during the recitation, allowing Daniel the catharsis of speaking, his hands on Daniel's ankles, stroking lightly, a touch intended to comfort rather than arouse.
When Daniel eventually ran out of words, Jack leaned down and kissed Daniel softly.
"Thank you," he said simply.
Daniel opened his eyes in surprise, tears visible in his eyes, although none had fallen whilst he had been speaking.
"For finally sharing that with me," Jack clarified, seeing the question in Daniel's eyes. "I've waited a long time for you to tell me about that stuff, Daniel, and I'm glad you felt able to do so at last. It means a lot to me."
Daniel pulled himself slightly more upright on the couch. "It wasn't that I didn't want to share it, Jack," he said earnestly, "I just wasn't ready to before. Going to see their graves today was the catalyst, it suddenly made me realise how important you are to me, how much I love you. And that meant I could share this, all of this, with you." Daniel gestured vaguely as he spoke, indicating the fact that he was sharing his world with Jack. "And Jack," he said. "The reverse is true too, you can share things with me, anything, you do know that don't you?"
"I know Daniel, and maybe one day I'll be able to share stuff like Iraq with you, but not yet, ok?" Jack looked down as he spoke, feeling guilty that he couldn't reciprocate Daniel's recently shared confidences.
Daniel leaned forward, tilting Jack's face towards him, so that he could look his lover in the eyes.
"I understand Jack," he said, a smile lighting his face. "Now, let's go to bed ok?"
"Sure," Jack go to his feet, needing no further encouragement. He took Daniel's hand and pulled him upright as well.
Their love-making that night was slow and intense, seeming to last for ever as the passion burned between them, reinforced by all that they had shared that day. It was into the early hours of the morning before the two men finally fell asleep, sated and satisfied by what they had shared.