Stargate SG-1 - Last Mission

[gsdx]

Thanks guys. The chapters will be posted one at a time now. I'm currently finishing up Chapter 13 and am half-way through Chapter 14. I will finish the story with Chapter 15.

I kind of wish there was more I could do with this story without it becoming repetative. I'm having a lot of fun writing Daniel. He's an easy character to write for. The hard part is writing it in the way Michael Shanks performs him.

 

[cockman1701]

I'd love to see this on the Sci fi channel.

 

[gsdx]

Chapter 11
DECISIONS​

Daniel Jackson woke up the next morning still lying on his back, his left arm tossed casually behind his head. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he recalled the evening before and the unexpected pleasure Jonas Quinn had given him during the most phenomenal blowjob he had ever had in his life. Granted, he didn't have much with which to compare since he'd had only one other blowjob before, and it hadn't even been taken to the point of orgasm. Sarah had done little more than hold the head of his cock in her mouth and lick the tip with her tongue. She clearly did not enjoy it and it was never offered again. Sha're wouldn't even consider doing such an objectionable thing.

He opened his eyes and turned his head to the left where Jonas lay. Jonas wasn't there.

For a long, horrifying moment, Daniel imagined that he had dreamt the entire evening - that his mind had caused a dream of unimaginable realism and satisfaction. Anxiety rushed through him as he rolled onto his side, his right hand seeking any clue that Jonas had shared his bed. The sheets were cool to the touch. A subtle scent reached his nostrils and he inhaled deeply. His mind and body relaxed as he detected the faint, clean, fresh, unmistakable smell of Jonas Quinn and he rolled onto his back again. The smile returned. He hadn't imagined it. Still, he was more than just a little bit surprised that he could recognize Jonas' natural scent so quickly and easily.

An urgent need to urinate coaxed Daniel out of the warm comfort of the bed. Without thinking, he grabbed his blue terrycloth bathrobe and pulled it on as he padded barefoot to the en suite bathroom where he and Jonas had shared a bath the night before. The room was spotless. All the clothes were gone, new towels adorned the towel rods, and the floor and tub showed no sign of having been used. Jonas had been a busy boy.

Daniel pissed and flushed, washed his hands, then checked himself in the mirror to see that all was well. His hair was tousled and he needed a shave. He smoothed his hair with practiced sweeps of his hand as he brushed his teeth, then headed out in search of Jonas. His nose led him toward the kitchen where the aroma of freshly-brewed coffee wafted into the livingroom. As he drew nearer, a sizzling sound reached his ears. He found Jonas standing in front of the stove flipping strips of bacon and tending the eggs frying there. He wore only a pair of black bikini briefs, a style he appeared to favour. The soft material strained to contain the muscular ass cheeks. Daniel walked up behind him, opening the robe as he moved closer. When he was pressed against him, Daniel wrapped the robe around both of them, holding the robe closed at Jonas' stomach.

"You really shouldn't be frying bacon like that," he said. "You can get some nasty burns."

Jonas set the fork on the counter and twisted around to face Daniel. "Good morning," he said with a huge smile.

"Morning," Daniel replied. He pulled Jonas close into a warm hug and kiss.

When they parted, Jonas turned serious. "I have an important question to ask which may jeopardize entire our future together."

Daniel said, "Shoot." He held his breath, waiting.

"Do you like your egg yolks hard or soft?"

Daniel released his breath and smiled. "Surprise me," he said.

Jonas grinned wickedly. "I believe, Doctor Jackson, that I can feel your answer. No soft yolks for you."

"Damn! There goes my surprise!"

Following another kiss, Jonas pushed him away and ordered Daniel to sit down. Breakfast would be ready in a few minutes. He reluctantly extracted himself from Daniel's robe and turned to tend the bacon and eggs. With all the competence of a short-order cook, Jonas popped bread into the toaster, poured and prepared a coffee for Daniel, and served it to him. Minutes later, breakfast was ready and served.

"Have you got a pair of shorts I can pull on?" Jonas asked.

"Yes," Daniel said, "but you don't need them. You look fine as you are."

"You sure?"

"Of course I'm sure," Daniel said with a wink. "I like looking at you like this. Now sit down and eat."

As they ate, they talked about all the shopping they had to do that day. Daniel found a small pad of paper and pen and handed them to Jonas, who made a list of their necessities. Clothes, shoes, socks, underwear, toiletries, a new dresser and wardrobe. Jonas also made a quick grocery list. It had been Daniel's habit to dine out, keeping only bare necessities in the apartment for emergencies. He was never fond of his own cooking, and he hated doing it in the first place. Jonas enjoyed cooking and was going to change that. Daniel would be getting more home-cooked meals.

It was going to be another busy day.

* * * * *

It was growing dark when Daniel and Jonas returned home, laden with shopping bags and packages. It took two trips to the car to bring in everything. Jonas busied himself in the bedroom sorting through his new clothes, removing wrappings and tags, and putting the clothes into piles. Daniel had helped pick out his wardrobe and Jonas was particularly careful to buy only the items he liked which Daniel seemed to like as well. A new dresser and armoire had been purchased and would be delivered Tuesday afternoon. Until then, he would make do the best he could.

Daniel, meanwhile, had the boring task of putting the groceries away in the kitchen.

When he was finished, Daniel carried a bottle of wine and two glasses to the bathroom to prepare what would become a ritual he and Jonas would share whenever they were home together. He began running the bath, adding the requisite oils, and lit the candles. He stripped off his clothes and, when the bath was full enough, he turned off the faucets and the overhead lights and stepped into the tub. He poured two glasses of wine and waited patiently for Jonas.

Fifteen minutes later, Jonas entered and began to remove his clothes. Daniel watched with unabashed interest. Jonas didn't seem to mind the attention. With his eyes locked on Daniel's eyes, Jonas slowly pulled his T-shirt up his body and over his head. Daniel watched with interest as the flesh was exposed - first the stomach, then the chest. It still surprised him that he would find a man's body sexy and erotic. He was less surprised, though, when he felt his cock begin to rise in excitement when he looked at the body standing in front of him.

Jonas toed the shoes off his feet, then bent to remove his socks. Standing straight again, he unhooked the buttons of his slacks and slid the zipper down its track. He used his thumbs to push the material off his hips and down his legs, stepping out of his pants when they reached the floor. He did the same with his underwear and stood naked in front of Daniel, his cock beginning to swell slightly, his balls pulled tightly up against his groin.

After a moment or two, he turned his back to Daniel in order to piss in the toilet. Daniel's eyes traveled from the broad back to the smooth, rounded mounds of Jonas' ass. They were so different from a woman - strong, solid, untapered - and he found it strangely exciting and enticing. He also envied Jonas for it. Daniel had always considered his own ass to be one of his best qualities, though he kept it hidden with baggy clothes, but his could not compete with the ass he was admiring at the moment. The cheeks clenched as Jonas squeezed out the final drops of urine before he flushed the toilet, turned and climbed into the tub. Without invitation, he settled comfortably between Daniel's legs as he had the night before.

The bath was long and relaxing, made even more enjoyable with the chilled wine they sipped. Between the occasional kiss, they talked about themselves, their childhoods, their lives as orphans, and their future together. Half-way through the bottle of wine, Jonas added more hot water to the bath and cuddled himself back into the comfort of Daniel's powerful body. They sat in silence then, Daniel caressing Jonas' hair with the tips of his fingers.

Suddenly, Jonas began to hum a soft, gentle, haunting melody. His voice echoed off the tiled walls, giving it a depth and resonance which bore into Daniel's brain. Daniel stopped his caressing and listened intently, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. He was carried off to an unknown place where nothing existed except the song and Jonas' voice - a place where there were no worries or fears. He lost himself there until the melody ended and the reverberating voice faded away into silence.

Daniel opened his eyes. "My God," he said. "That was the most beautiful song I've ever heard!"

"Thank you," said Jonas quietly, turning his head toward Daniel.

"What's it called?"

"‘Out of the Wind'. It's an old Kelownan tune. I can pick up a copy when I'm there next time."

"I'd rather listen to you singing it."

"The instrumental version is much better."

"I'd still rather listen to you sing. You have a beautiful voice."

"You're just saying that, but thank you."

Daniel kissed Jonas in appreciation. "Would you sing it again for me?"

Jonas did.

* * * * *

They lay in bed, arms wrapped tightly around each other, their naked bodies pressed closely together. Their lips and tongues explored each other's mouths with a gentle urgency that each shared. Daniel clasped one hand behind Jonas' head, pulling his mouth harder onto his own, his tongue searching the inner spaces of Jonas' mouth - the mouth which had given him so much pleasure the night before. He ground his cock into Jonas' cock, his balls dancing with Jonas' balls. No-one had ever made him feel so fulfilled, and Daniel was determined that this would be the night when he would return the favour. He was eager to taste Jonas, to hold that secret part of him in his mouth, to give him pleasure and, if his jaw didn't give out on him first, to bring him to orgasm. If all went as planned, Jonas would no longer be a virgin after tonight.

Daniel moved his right arm from behind Jonas' head into his armpit where he locked his thumb into Jonas' shoulder and urged him gently onto his back. He broke this kiss, staring down into the handsome face of the young man beside him. City lights filtered through the windows, casting a soft glow over them. Daniel smiled as his eyes searched Jonas' eyes, now dark and colourless in the darkness of the room. His hand slid down Jonas' side, coming to rest finally on the hard cock standing straight and proud from his groin. His fingers wrapped around the flesh.

Sudden realization washed over Jonas' face, settling as a dim twinkle in his eyes. "Daniel?" he said anxiously.

Daniel released the cock he held and brought it to Jonas' mouth, pressing his index finger against Jonas' lips. "Shhhh," he said softly. "Unless you're going to tell me you love me, don't speak."

Jonas removed the hand and said, "I do love you, Daniel, but you don't have to do this."

"I know I don't have to," Daniel said with a smile. "I want to. Now, hush." To end the conversation, Daniel engaged Jonas in another kiss, his hand moving to come to rest on Jonas' chest, his fingers and thumb forming a cup on Jonas' left breast, his index finger tracing circles around the brown nipple there. The nipple hardened into a nub, encouraging Daniel to abandon the kiss in order to move his lips over Jonas' chin, onto his neck, and, from there, onto the chest where he captured the small button of flesh, nipping it gently and sucking at the nipple. Jonas' chest heaved upward and he sucked air into his lungs before allowing it to escape as a long, breathy sigh of pleasure.

Encouraged by the reaction, Daniel moved to the other nipple, giving it the same treatment as its counterpart. Jonas' breaths came in sharp gasps, his back arching when Daniel touched a particularly sensitive area with his tongue. Had he been watching, Daniel would have noticed Jonas' rock-hard cock jumping in anticipation, a large drop of clear liquid dangling from the tip, suspended by a liquid thread which stretched longer and longer until the droplet formed a small puddle on Jonas' belly, separated, and lodged itself in the fine hairs there.

Daniel centered his attention between the two pectorals, kissing that spot and teasing the tiny hairs with his tongue. His hand moved down again, wrapping itself once more around the solid tube of flesh, and his mouth began a tantalizingly-slow journey down the middle of Jonas' trembling body, his tongue trailing and teasing its way to the navel, stopping momentarily at the belly button before continuing the trip. He lifted Jonas' cock straight out from his body to make way for his approach. Daniel had planned to start at the base and work his way to the tip.

Suddenly, his tongue encountered the small pool of fluid lost in the soft hairs of Jonas' abdomen. He froze, and momentary panic rushed over him as he pulled his tongue into his mouth. He waited for the nausea which he was certain would come, but it didn't. He found himself concentrating on the texture, the taste, of the liquid which had taken him so much by surprise. Instead of being repulsed by it, he found the flavour, though slightly bitter, was not the least bit unpleasant.

He quickly returned to the spot, lapping up the remaining fluid and savouring it as he would a fine wine. It tasted even better the second time. Turning his head to rest his cheek on Jonas' stomach, he looked at the cock he held in his hand, faintly outlined in the dim light of the room. He drew his hand toward the tip and watched as another droplet of fluid formed there. Without hesitation and without even thinking about what he was doing, Daniel slid forward, tongue slightly extended, and licked up the drop before it escaped. It was like a nectar to his taste buds, made sweeter by the sweetness of the young man he held in his grasp.

Daniel rested his head on Jonas' stomach once more, feeling the youthful body moving with life. He could hear the sounds of his beating heart and he could smell the now-familiar ‘Jonas' smells. He breathed them in and closed his eyes as if to hold onto the delights the scents brought to him. He concentrated his mind on the cock he held in his hand, using his fingers to trace it and to create a visual outline of it in his memory. With tender care, he moved his fingertips to the testicles lying loosely below. He memorized the size and shape of each and he delighted in the quivers his manipulations caused.

For several minutes, he caressed Jonas, going through his mind all the things he had dreamt of doing to him and for him. He knew what he was about to do, and he knew what it would make him. For a moment, his brain locked on the consternation and prejudice he would probably face, and he wasn't at all certain he could deal with it. For another brief moment, he considered abandoning his love altogether and simply asking Jonas to leave. But then, he opened his eyes and turned his head to look at Jonas' face. Jonas had raised his head slightly, his own eyes wide open and looking intently at Daniel. Even in the darkness of the room, Daniel could see the desperate anticipation in the youthful face. He could also see the concern Jonas held for him - the concern that he may not be ready to do something that he didn't really want to do. Most of all, though, he could see the love Jonas felt for him. He suddenly realized that the same look must be on his face as well.

To hell with prejudice. To hell with the teasing and the jokes. To hell with everyone and everything. Nothing mattered now except the pleasure he was about to give to the man he loved.

Daniel smiled at Jonas and he could see Jonas' eyes widen even more, and his lips parted as if he were about to speak. Instead, Jonas sucked in a huge breath and held it. Daniel turned his head back and took the pulsating cock into his hand. His mouth opened slightly, his eyes closed, and his head advanced. His lips met the smooth, soft skin of the cockhead. Extending his lips over his teeth, he moved further until his lips slid over the corona. He had Jonas' cock in his mouth.

Jonas exhaled in a long, anxious breath. His cock swelled against Daniel's tongue. In the shadows of the room, he could see Daniel's head nestled unmoving in his crotch. He could feel the heat of Daniel's mouth surrounding him and he could feel the rough texture of his tongue as it rubbed against him.

After a long moment, Jonas could feel Daniel's head moving once more. His cock slid further into Daniel's mouth. He could feel it as it scraped against the soft pallet at the roof of Daniel's mouth, and then it met the entrance to his throat. He felt Daniel tense up, his throat closing impulsively, and Daniel pulled away immediately, letting the cock slip free. He waited, watching, listening. He could hear Daniel swallowing, sucking air into his nose. He was about to speak when Daniel turned to look at him.

"Oops," Daniel said with a smile and a wink. "You should have shared those bananas."

"You don't have to do this, Daniel," Jonas said sincerely. "I don't mind, really."

"Are you kidding?" Daniel asked. "I don't need bananas when I've got you to practice on. Now shut up and enjoy it."

A huge grin broke across Jonas' face. "Yes, Sir," he said.

Daniel returned his attention to the business of giving Jonas the first blowjob of his life. He knew his limits now and would make do with what he could do instead of wasting time trying to do something he couldn't do. He attacked the cock again, taking it into his mouth only as far as he felt comfortable, and then he began an in and out stroke with his lips. Another huge sigh of pleasure escaped Jonas' lips.

The sucking went on for several minutes as Daniel became more and more adept at his task. He began experimenting with his tongue and his fingers, using both to tickle whichever parts of Jonas they could reach. Jonas began to squirm beneath him, his sighs becoming moans which drowned out even the slurping, sucking sounds Daniel was making.

Daniel became aware that Jonas was moving, twisting his body and rotating on the bed. He could feel a hand on his hip, pushing it up and away. Daniel suddenly realized what Jonas was doing and rolled his hips. A hand grasped his cock and, moments later, his cock was sucked deeply into Jonas' eager mouth. They began to suck each other at the same time, and Daniel shivered with excitement. He could feel Jonas' cock pulsing, expanding and contracting with a steady rhythm which grew in intensity with each pulse. It traveled through his body and into his own cock, which also began to pulsate. A familiar tingle rose in his balls as they pulled themselves tighter in their sack. He couldn't believe he was about to cum so quickly.

Jonas, for his part, held out longer than he had ever thought he would, but the moment he took Daniel's cock into his mouth, the intense feelings of approaching orgasm swept over him. Moments later, he was cumming, and Daniel was accepting it without pulling away. And suddenly, he was filled with Daniel's own orgasm. Their groans of pleasure and the pungent scent of sex filled the room. Together, they thrashed about the bed, holding tightly to each other and taking as much pleasure as they were giving.

The orgasms seemed to go on for hours, but only minutes later they were lying in each other's arms, slowly recovering from their exertions. Their bodies still tingled in the aftermath and their sweat mixed together on their skin.

Daniel held Jonas in his arms, Jonas lying on his side, his head nestled into Daniel's left shoulder, his arm across Daniel's chest. When their breathing calmed and their bodies began to relax, Jonas raised his head and looked at Daniel, who turned to face him.

"Thank you, Daniel. Are you okay?"

Daniel smiled his ‘Daniel' smile. "I'm better than okay, Jonas," he said tenderly. "I've decided. I want this. I want you. Please, don't ever go away."

"I won't," Jonas replied. "I promise."

They kissed then, long and slow. Finally, Jonas lay his head back onto the familiar pillow of Daniel's powerful shoulder. Daniel rested his cheek against Jonas' head. Then they slept.

 

[bianchi_andreas]

Really a great bit of writing you've got going here.

I have not seen the show before, but I may have to check it out!

Thanks for sharing this,
Andy

 

[gsdx]

Damn Neil!

This keeps getting better and better.

Can't wait for what you've got in store next.

Phoenix x x

I'm just proofreading Chapter 12 and will post it nearer to the weekend. I'm on a roll with Chapter 14 at the moment, but I still have to finish Chapter 13. Unless I get truly inspired and come up with something new (which I doubt will happen), Chapter 15 will complete the story.

 

[yuechan]

Aw, you got me reading a lot of Jonas/Daniel slash =/


they're so awesome together.

 

[gsdx]

Chapter 12
ENCOUNTER​

"Good morning, campers!" That was Colonel Jack O'Neill, of course, dressed in his Air Force Blues and looking cheerier than any man should on a Monday morning. Teal'c walked beside him, his hands clasped behind his back as was his custom in his casual moments.

"Hi, Jack, Teal'c" Daniel said somberly.

"Daniel," Jack acknowledged. Teal'c nodded his greeting with a small smile.

Jack turned his attention to the young man standing beside Daniel. "Jonas!" he exclaimed with a huge smile.

"Colonel," said Jonas.

"So, what brings you to Earth?"

"The Stargate, actually," Jonas joked. "Hitchhiking is a bitch this time of the year. People hate pulling over on the Milky Way to give you a ride."

"Very funny," Jack said, taking Jonas' hand in a firm, welcoming handshake. "I've missed you, Kid," he said sincerely.

"Hi, Teal'c," Jonas said, turning his attention to his big Jaffa friend. "It's good to see you again."

Teal'c bowed a second time as he said, "It is good to see you also, Jonas Quinn."

"So," said Jack, clasping his hands in front of him. "General Hammond says you wanted to see me?"

"Yes," Daniel replied.

"Well, Teal'c and I are on our way to the canteen for a coffee and a doughnut. We can talk there."

"No, Jack," Daniel said quietly. "It's rather personal and important. Can we talk in my office?"

Colonel O'Neill raised his eyebrows in question, still holding his hands together. Something was bothering Daniel. That was clear. His head tilted slightly to one side as he said, "Yeah. Sure." Unclasping his hands, he clapped them together once and added, "Okay. Lead on, Danny Boy."

Teal'c's deep, voluminous voice filled the metal hallway. "I shall await your arrival in the canteen, O'Neill."

"Wait, Teal'c," Daniel said. "We need to talk to you, too. You're part of this."

Teal'c bowed. "As you wish," he said.

Daniel turned, leading the way to his office, his mind obviously preoccupied. Jack placed a friendly hand on Jonas' shoulder as they walked side-by-side, chatting about Jonas' life outside the SGC. Jonas kept up a good front and made happy conversation, but he knew that Daniel would be melodramatic about the whole thing, that he would, undoubtedly, lose himself in his thoughts and journey off onto tangents which would leave the Colonel and Teal'c lost and bewildered. He was prepared to be the strong one, ready to jump in at any time and take over. Until then, though, he had to let Daniel do this on his own if he could.

Soon, they were gathered in Daniel's office, door closed, Daniel and Jonas standing side-by-side, backs to the large desk, facing Colonel O'Neill and Teal'c. Both Daniel and Jack were dressed in their Air Force blues. Teal'c, as usual, wore his green pants and black T-shirt. Jonas dressed casually in a new, white short-sleeved shirt and a new pair of snug blue jeans and sneakers.

Jack broke the silence. "Is this going to take long?" he asked encouragingly. "You know how Teal'c gets when someone else beats him to the jelly doughnuts."

Teal'c gave Jack a sideways glance, eyebrow raised.

"No, Jack," Daniel said. "It won't take long."

"Good," Jack replied. "What's up?"

Daniel stood for a moment gathering his thoughts, eyes glancing down to the floor. He leaned backward slightly and sat on the edge of the desk. He began to speak.

"Sometimes, life takes you down a path that you think is the right one for you. You don't even look at other paths because you would never think to take them. Then, suddenly, you find yourself on one of those paths and you discover that it's a path you should have taken long ago."

Jack broke in. "You're losing me already, Danny Boy," he said. "You know I don't do well with philosophy." As an afterthought, he added, "I don't do well with spaghetti, either, but that's beside the point."

"Okay," Daniel continued. "Look at Teal'c."

Teal'c raised his eyebrow in interest at the mention of his name.

"Throughout his whole life, Teal'c knew only that he was a Jaffa in service to Apophis. There was nothing else for him except that. People were nothing but potential slaves to him. . . possible Jaffa and hosts to the Goa'uld. That's what he was taught. It became his goal to become First Prime to Apophis. He succeeded, but then he began to question himself. . . was Apophis really the God he had thought him to be? But Teal'c had no way out. There were no other paths for him to take. And then we came along and we opened a door for him. He saw a way to start fighting back against the Goa'uld. He risked everything. . . his life, his family, his people. . . to help us free the prisoners, and if we hadn't brought him back with us, he'd probably be dead now. He found a new path and he followed it. He could never have imagined it, but now it's the right path for him to take."

"Indeed," Teal'c said softly.

"And look at Jonas," Daniel continued urgently. "The only path he knew lead him to the point where we met him on Kelowna and he discovered that there was a universe of new paths available to him, paths that he may have dreamt about, but never thought could exist. The first path brought him to Earth."

"Is this going anywhere, Daniel?" Jack asked impatiently.

"Yes, Jack," Daniel assured him, "it is. Look at yourself."

Jack's eyebrows raised in curiosity. Daniel continued. "After Charlie. . . well. . . you know. . . after Charlie. . . died. . . and Sara left you, you retired from the Air Force and lived alone at your cabin fishing for fish that weren't there."

The pain of memory flashed through Colonel O'Neill's eyes. He remained silent.

"Then the Stargate brought you back again. You never thought you'd ever go through it again, but you did so you could find me. I'm sure you weren't very happy about finding me again, but you came looking for me because you needed my help. And now there's nothing else you would rather be doing."

"Okay," Jack admitted. "I understand about the ‘paths' thing, but what does that have to do with. . . this?" Jack spread his hands, indicating his presence in the room.

"Everything, Jack," Daniel added quickly, hoping to maintain his interest and understanding. "When you left me on Abydos after we killed Ra, I never expected to get married. I just wanted to live the rest of my life on Abydos and learn about my history first-hand. I never thought I would fall in love with anyone let alone get married. It wasn't something I wanted or even considered. . . until Sha're."

"What about Sarah?" Jack asked.

"Sarah was different," Daniel explained. "She wanted more out of the relationship and I wasn't ready or willing to give it. All I wanted to do was to learn. I didn't want to fall in love and get married with anyone. . . until Sha're came along."

"Sha're was a gift, Daniel," Jack reminded him.

"Okay, she was a gift," Daniel admitted. "But I had a long time to fall in love with her. The point is, I never wanted to take that path, but I did, and it was the right path for me at the time. After she died, I didn't want to fall in love with anyone else ever again. I went back to my old path where I was comfortable. I stopped looking for love. I didn't want it. I didn't need it."

Daniel looked down to the floor. "Granted, there was Shyla, but I fell in love with the sarcophagus and not her."

"I believe, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c interrupted quietly, "that you enjoyed the company of Ke'ra as well."

"Yes, I did, Teal'c," Daniel said, looking up to his friend's kind, caring face. "But that changed when I discovered she was really Linea, remember?"

"And don't forget Hathor," Jack added with a smirk.

Daniel shivered in recollection. "I won't be able to if you keep reminding me." With a visible shudder, he glanced at Jonas and said, "Don't ask."

"So," Jack said impatiently, "I repeat: What does all that have to do with this?"

"Everything, Jack," Daniel said suddenly, impatient anger entering his voice. "If you'd shut up, I'll tell you!"

"Come on, Daniel," Jack said, trying to keep the mood light, "chill out. It's just that Teal'c's jelly doughnut isn't getting any fresher."

Daniel's face flamed red in exasperation and anger. "Jack!" he shouted as he rose to his feet.

Jonas immediately placed a restraining hand on Daniel's shoulder. Daniel looked into the deep blue of Jonas' eyes and found solace there. "Calm down," the young man said softly. "Sit down and take it easy." Daniel drew comfort from Jonas' touch. He relaxed, gathered himself, and sat back on the desk. Closing his eyes, he lowered his head, taking a deep, calming breath. Jonas squeezed his shoulder, not so much to encourage him, but to remind him that he wasn't alone.

"Daniel," Jonas said calmly, "I'll handle this, okay?"

Daniel thought for a moment. He should have let Jonas handle it from the very beginning. Nothing ever phased him. He knew what had to be said and he knew how to say it. He looked once more into the deep, sapphire blue eyes. He nodded.

Jonas turned to face Colonel O'Neill and Teal'c. "Colonel, Teal'c," he began, "something happened to Daniel. . . and to me. Something that we never expected would ever happen." He looked at each of his friends briefly, making sure that he had their full attention. "We fell in love with each other. I'm living on Earth now, and I'm living with Daniel. We need - or, more importantly, Daniel needs to know how you feel about it."

Teal'c's eyebrow raised considerably, his head tilting to the side as he examined the meaning of the words Jonas displayed in his face.

Jack remained silent, eyebrows raised and lips puckered slightly. Suddenly, he clasped his hands together in a loud clap and said, "I'm hungry. Can we go get that doughnut now?"

Daniel exploded, rising to his feet. "Forget the damned doughnuts, Jack! Didn't you hear what Jonas just said!? We're in love with each other! He's living with me now! He sleeps with me in my bed! We're lovers, damn it!"

Jack rocked back on his heals, his face calm, his eyes locked on Daniel's. "Yes, Daniel," he said quietly, "I heard him. And I hear you. And I might have been surprised if you hadn't told me something I didn't already know."

Stunned, a look of confusion washed over Daniel's handsome face. "What do you mean you already know? Who told you?" he asked accusingly. "Who have you been talking to?"

"No-one, Daniel. I figured it out a long time ago."

"How?" Jonas asked. "When?"

"Look," Jack explained, "I may be dense sometimes. . . . Okay, most of the time. . . . but I'm not dense when it comes to seeing the way you look at each other."

"How do we look at each other?" asked Daniel curiously.

"The same way Sara used to look at me," Jack said softly, remembering. "The same way you used to look at Sha're. The way Teal'c and Drey'auc looked at each other." Jack paused a moment. "The way you look at Jonas now, and the way he looks at you. It's the same look, Daniel. No-one can hide it. I saw that look in both of you on Kelowna before you died, and I saw it again on Vissy Dabby Doo. . ."

"Vis Uban," Daniel corrected.

"Whatever," Jack said. "The point is, you had that same look when you saw Jonas there. The look of love. You may have lost all your memory, but somewhere in the deepest corner of your mind, something clicked when you looked at him. The look was still there, Danny. I saw it." Jack's smile was comforting and sincere, his voice soft and reassuring. "And I saw it in Jonas, too."

"You're not surprised, then?" Jonas asked.

"The only thing that surprises me," Jack added, "is that it took you two this long to figure it out for yourselves."

Daniel's eyebrows raised behind his glasses, then scrunched in confusion. "So, you're okay with this?"

"Sure, why not?" Jack said. "It's your life. If this is what you want. It's none of my business anyway."

"But what about my still being on SG-1?"

"What about it?" Jack asked. "As long as you watch my back and not my ass, I don't care one way or the other."

"No fear of that, Jack," Daniel said with an embarrassed smile. "I wouldn't think of watching anything but your back."

"Why, what's wrong with my ass?"

"Nothing's wrong with your ass, Jack," Daniel said quickly. "It just doesn't interest me, that's all."

"You like his ass, don't you?" the Colonel asked, indicating Jonas.

"Jack!"

"Granted, his ass is a lot bigger than mine. . ."

"Ja-a-a-a-ck?" Daniel said warningly.

Colonel O'Neill turned toward Teal'c and asked, "What's wrong with my ass?" When all he got in response was a raised eyebrow, he turned to Jonas and asked, "You like my ass, don't you?"

Jonas grinned a wide grin, his dimples deeply indenting his cheeks. "You have a very nice ass, Colonel," he said.

"Thank you!" Jack said, extending his arms in appreciation. "As least one of you knows when someone is fishing for a compliment!"

Daniel heaved a sigh of exasperation and turned his attention to Teal'c, who, since he had entered the room, still stood there with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Teal'c," he said finally, "do you have a problem with me still being on the team?"

Teal'c thought for a moment, examining both faces of the friends before him. "I do not completely understand the term ‘lovers'," he said quietly. "Is this similar to being ‘mates'?"

"Yes, Teal'c," Jonas said. "It's very much the same thing."

Teal'c lowered his head. The room fell silent, waiting. The moments ticked by with agonizing slowness.

At last, Teal'c raised his head and began to speak. "I do not understand this desire for two men to be mated. The concept is foreign to me. Such desires are abhorred by the Jaffa and the System Lords. Those who engage in such activity are greatly ostracized and are banished or put to death. Many kill themselves before they are punished by removing their symbiote, dying a slow, excruciating death. It is not acceptable behaviour in the Jaffa culture."

Daniel gritted his teeth, his fingers digging into the desk. His heart pounded within his chest as he stared anxiously at Teal'c. He barely noticed when Jonas lay his hand over Daniel's, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Teal'c continued. "Daniel Jackson. I value your friendship greatly, as I do yours, Jonas Quinn." He paused for an agonizingly long moment. "However, I must ask one more question if I may."

"Of course," Daniel said.

"Please," Jonas added.

Teal'c squared his shoulders and raised his head slightly. "Daniel Jackson. Does this mating with Jonas Quinn please you?"

"Yes, Teal'c, it does," Daniel replied honestly and quietly. "I love him very much."

Teal'c nodded. "And you, Jonas Quinn? Does it please you to be mated with Daniel Jackson?"

Jonas stole a quick glance at Daniel, giving Daniel's hand another reassuring squeeze. Daniel turned his head to meet his gaze for a brief moment. Looking back at Teal'c, Jonas responded, "Daniel makes me very happy, Teal'c."

Teal'c nodded slowly. "I see now the ‘look' of which Colonel O'Neill speaks. I do not understand it entirely, but I believe your feelings for each other to be true and sincere. It is not my place to impose myself into your chosen lives. I welcome your continued friendship and I would be greatly honoured if Daniel Jackson were to remain with SG-1."

Daniel's body sagged visibly in relief, his clenched muscles finally relaxing. "Thank you, Teal'c," he said.

Teal'c nodded.

"Yes," added Jonas. "Thank you, both."

Jack simply smiled at both young men and gave them a wink.

Daniel stood up from the desk and exclaimed, "Okay. Let's go get those doughnuts. My treat." As he passed the Colonel on his way out of the room, Daniel reached a hand back, grabbed hold of Jack's left ass cheek and gave it a healthy squeeze. "Nice ass, Jack," he said jokingly without looking at him.

Colonel O'Neill jumped out of Daniel's clutches with a resounding, "Whoa!" Daniel released him and continued out the door without even a glance back.

Jonas smiled and winked at Jack as he followed Daniel out of the room with Teal'c close behind him. Teal'c stopped when he reached O'Neill, who still stood there with a surprised and bewildered look on his face. "I am beginning to understand, O'Neill," he said, and nodded his head slightly, one corner of his broad mouth curling up into a mischievous grin.

Then he left the room.

* * * * *

"When will you be back?" They had left Jack and Teal'c in the canteen and had gone to see General Hammond in order to let him know that no-one objected to Daniel remaining on the team. Now, they sat together on the bed in Jonas' assigned room.

"Tonight," Jonas answered. "I promise."

Daniel, who sat with one arm wrapped around Jonas shoulder, took his friend's hand in his free hand, resting it comfortably in Jonas' lap.

"I have to go," Jonas said softly.

"I know."

"I'll make arrangements with the Council. I should be able to get away with being there only a couple of days each month. And I want to bring back a few things with me. If you'll go back with me for a few days later on, I want to clean out my apartment. I'll get rid of what I don't want or need anymore and bring back the rest. I won't be living there anymore."

"Sure," Daniel assured him. "We can go on my next stand-down if you like."

Jonas turned his head, his gaze capturing Daniel's gaze. He stared into the pale, blue eyes for a long time, losing himself in them, Daniel's eyes shifting back and forth. He never grew tired of the beautiful, loving man he found in them. They kissed briefly.

Their gazes locked onto each other once more. Concern showed itself on Jonas' face. Quietly, he asked, "Are you absolutely sure about us, Daniel? Are you absolutely sure you want me?"

"I don't ‘want' you, Jonas," Daniel replied just as quietly. "I need you. I'm missing you already and you haven't even left yet. I don't like missing you. It leaves a great big hole in my life. I need you to be here to fill it."

Tears flooded Jonas' eyes, but he managed a smile.

"You promised me last night," Daniel continued, "that you'd never go away. It's a promise I expect you to keep. It would kill me if you broke it."

Tears escaped Jonas' eyes and left a moist trail as they rolled down his cheeks. Daniel leaned forward and licked them away before taking Jonas firmly into his arms, locking him in a long, going-away kiss.

* * * * *

Daniel stood alone at the base of the metal ramp in the Gate Room leading upward to the shimmering, watery ring before him, waiting impatiently for Jonas' arrival. Above and behind him, beyond the thick glass windows of the Control Room, stood Colonel Jack O'Neill and General Hammond. The blond, bespeckled technician, Sgt. Walter Harriman, sat before the computer console. Other technicians wandered about on small errands important only to them.

Jack O'Neill watched with intent, hands stuffed into his pants pockets. He was happy for Daniel. As much as he hated to admit it, he cared for Daniel and it made him happy to see Daniel so happy. Since their chat earlier that day, Daniel had become a bouncing ball of energy, zipping around and talking up a storm, a huge grin plastered indelibly on his face. He stretched O'Neill's nerves to their limit, but that was the ‘Daniel' Jack remembered and the ‘Daniel' Jack was happy to see again. . . finally.

O'Neill watched as the rippling horizon broke suddenly and Jonas Quinn stepped through, pulling a small, 2-wheeled cart laden with boxes behind him. Daniel hurried up the ramp to meet him as the Stargate shut down, wrapping his arms around Jonas in a quick embrace before taking the cart from him and leading him back down the ramp toward the door. Their smiles lit the room as they shared the events of the day with each other. A smile broke across the Colonel's face, and he nodded slightly.

"General Hammond," he said, "I believe we finally have the old Daniel Jackson back with us."

"I believe you're right, Colonel."

"Should I talk to him about the hugging, Sir?"

"I don't think that's necessary, Colonel," the General said. "Dr. Jackson and Mr. Quinn are as entitled to hug each other as anyone else. Just as long as they don't carry it any further, I don't see a problem."

Jack O'Neill turned to face the General. "Daniel would never do that, Sir."

"I know he wouldn't, Jack," General Hammond admitted quietly. "Now, if you will excuse me. . . ."

The General turned away, returning to his office and leaving Colonel Jack O'Neill alone with his thoughts.

Jack lowered his head, the smile still spread upon his face. He shook his head slightly and the smile turned into a grin. "Space Monkey," he said to himself.

"Sir?" That was Sgt. Harriman.

"Nothing, Sergeant," Jack said as he turned and strolled casually out of the room.

* * * * *

Jonas lay against Daniel's recovering body, the bedroom dark except for the city lights filtering through the windows and the large candle burning on the bedside table. With the assurance of Daniel's place on the SG-1 team behind them now, Jonas had made it a special night for his lover, and Daniel had participated with equal enthusiasm.

Following their usual bath, Jonas had lead Daniel by the hand to the bed where they fell quickly and comfortably into a sixty-nine position, easily and eagerly pleasing each other throughout the long session of love-making. Now, it was over and they lay in each other's arms, the afterglow of powerful, mutual orgasms still warm in their bodies, perspiration glinting on their skin, the taste of each other still fresh on their tongues.

They lay there quietly for a long time, Jonas comfortably nestled into the pillow of Daniel's shoulder. The fingers of his left hand traced invisible patterns on Daniel's chest, caressingly, teasingly. His fingers tickled the skin between Daniel's pectoral muscles, moving slowly downward to trace around the indented belly button for a short time, then lower where they encountered Daniel's cock, stiffened once more under Jonas' manipulations.

The fingers wrapped themselves around the solid tube of flesh, massaging it with gentle strokes. A sigh escaped Daniel's lips and Jonas looked into his handsome face. Daniel opened his eyes and met Jonas' gaze. He rested his forehead against Jonas' forehead and gave him a quick ‘Daniel' smile.

"I have a surprise for you," Jonas whispered, his breath washing over Daniel's face, and Daniel welcomed it.

"So do I," Daniel responded with a smile. "I think you found it already."

"Not that," Jonas said, releasing the cock he held so tenderly. "Something else."

Confused, Daniel lay back and watched as Jonas raised himself onto his knees, leaned across Daniel's body, and searched for something under the pillow on the other side of the bed. A moment later, he lay beside Daniel once more in his favourite position. He set a small box, neatly wrapped and tied with ribbon, upon Daniel's chest.

"What's that?" Daniel asked.

"Open it and see."

Daniel retrieved his left arm as Jonas raised himself on his elbow, cradling his head in his hand. He picked up the box and pulled the ends of the ribbon, untying the bow and pulling the ribbon free and tossing it on the bed beside him. Unable to see without his glasses, he felt around with his thumb until he found a spot under which to slide his thumbnail and ripped the paper loose. Setting the paper aside, he opened the box, reaching carefully inside. He found two items and removed them before setting the box beside the paper and ribbon.

"A condom?" he asked, feeling the square packet he now held.

"Yes," Jonas whispered.

"What's this?" he asked, squinting to see. "I can't read it. What is it?"

Jonas twisted around and snatched Daniel's glasses off the table top. Opening the arms, he slipped them carefully into place on Daniel's face. Daniel held up the tube, turning it so he could see it in the candlelight.

"Lubrication?" he asked, surprised and somewhat confused. "What's this for?"

Jonas giggled. "It's for you, dummy," he said. "I want you to use it."

Daniel thought for a moment, brow furrowed in concentration. Sudden understanding crossed is face. "You mean. . . ?" He left the question unfinished.

"Yes," Jonas replied. "I mean. . . ."

Daniel rolled onto his side and onto his elbow, holding the items in front of him. "Oh, Jonas," he whispered. "I couldn't do that."

"I'm sorry," Jonas said, disappointment clear in his voice. "I thought you might want to, that's all."

"It's not that I don't want to, Jonas." Daniel glanced down at the small gifts, then back into Jonas' eyes, deeply shadowed by the candlelight behind him. "I could never do anything to hurt you."

"You won't hurt me, Daniel. You can't hurt me. You don't have it in you."

"But, it has to hurt."

"It might be painful, but it won't hurt."

Daniel fell silent, staring at the items he held in his fingers. Jonas left him to his thoughts for a short time before saying, "Daniel, I want you to make love to me. I want to feel you inside me."

Still, Daniel remained silent, his brow furrowed, his lips pressed tight in concentration. Finally, he looked at Jonas. "I don't think I can do the same for you."

Jonas smiled. "I'm not asking you to," he said. "I don't expect you to."

Daniel turned his attention back to the small packet and the plastic tube he held in his fingers. He stared at them for a long moment in silence. Without looking up, he said softly, "I would be lying if I said that the thought hadn't crossed my mind."

"I would be lying, too," Jonas replied.

Daniel returned his gaze to Jonas' eyes. "You're sure about this?"

"Yes, Daniel. I'm very sure."

Another pause, and Daniel said, "Okay."

Holding up the packet, he said, "I feel stupid, but I've never put one of these on before."

"Neither have I," Jonas said, taking the packet from Daniel. "We don't even have these on Kelowna. But the lady at the store yesterday told me how to do it and gave me a pamphlet. It showed me how. . ."

"You asked someone in the store?"

"Sure," Jonas answered.

"When?"

"While you were getting the soap and shampoo and stuff. I went looking for razors, remember?"

Daniel nodded.

"I knew I wanted you to make love to me," Jonas continued, "but I didn't know what I needed or where to find it, so I asked. The lady was really nice and helpful. I told her that it was for me and my boyfriend and she took me right to it and explained everything for me."

"You weren't embarrassed?"

"No. Should I have been?"

"You've got bigger balls than me," Daniel said, still staring at the tube in his hands.

"Thanks for the compliment," Jonas replied, "but your balls are a lot bigger than mine."

Daniel looked up, smiling. "No," he said, "it's an expression. It means you have more courage than I do."

"It wasn't courage," Jonas stated as a matter of fact. "It was common sense."

"You never cease to amaze me." Daniel shook his head, smiling. "So, what do I do with this stuff?"

"Here," Jonas said, reaching out his hand. "Give it to me.."

Taking the tube of lubrication gel, Jonas set the lube on the bed and ripped open the condom packet. Picking up the condom, he maneuvered himself to his knees and leaned over Daniel's lower body. He took Daniel's cock in his hand, stroking it to stiffness.

"You make sure the little nipple thing is pointing up and you set it in place," Jonas explained. "Then, you just roll it down, like this." Jonas placed the condom over the head of Daniel's cock and, using his fingers, rolled it carefully and tightly down the shaft." Picking up the tube, he lay back down on his back and said, "I'll do this part, too." Squeezing an amount of gel on his finger, Jonas reached between his legs and prepared himself for what he considered his true loss of virginity.

When Jonas was finished, Daniel asked, "Shouldn't you be on your knees or something?"

Jonas replied, "I want to see your face. I'll lift my legs and you get between them."

Daniel reached for his glasses. Jonas stopped him and asked, "Can you see me without your glasses?"

"Sort of," Daniel replied. "I can tell it's you, but you're more or less a blur."

"Leave them on."

"I'll look stupid."

"You'll look beautiful," Jonas said emphatically. "Leave them on."

Daniel did and rose to his knees, taking his place between Jonas' legs. His cock stood hard and ready. Jonas raised his legs, placing them against Daniel's shoulders.

"Promise me you'll stop me if it hurts too much?"

"I promise," Jonas said, already knowing that it would be one promise he would break if necessary.

Daniel crawled forward slightly, reaching down to grasp his excited cock in his fingers. His heart pounded in his chest. "Ready?"

Jonas nodded.

Daniel pushed his hips forward until the tip of his cock met flesh. Jonas felt the contact as well and quickly realized that Daniel was having problems finding ‘the spot'. He reached between his legs and pushed Daniel's fingers away, replacing them with his own. A moment later, Daniel's cockhead pressed against his asshole and Jonas shivered with excitement. He looked into Daniel's face, his gaze locking on Daniel's eyes, glinting now in the candlelight. Jonas nodded slightly.

Daniel pushed forward slowly and gently. He could feel Jonas' asshole opening for him and he could feel the head of his cock entering his lover for the first time. He pushed harder until he could feel the ridge of his cockhead pressing against the opening, and he saw Jonas wince.

"Sorry!" he said quickly as he pulled back.

"No, it's alright," Jonas hastened to explain. "It didn't hurt. I promise. I feels different, that's all"

"Are you lying?"

"No, I'm not." And he wasn't. "I need you to do this for me, Daniel. Please?"

Daniel smiled and nodded. "I'll go slow and easy."

"I'll tell you when to stop. Just don't pull out again, okay?"

"Okay." Once more, Daniel pushed forward as Jonas reached between his legs to guide him in.

It was slightly easier for Jonas this time, and he was better prepared. He could feel the cockhead entering him again, stopping when the ridge once again pressed against the ring of his asshole. Daniel hesitated, but Jonas encouraged him by placing his hands on Daniel's hips and guiding him forward. His asshole stretched open around the invading organ. Jonas clenched his teeth and closed his eyes, still pulling Daniel forward. Daniel didn't seem to be making any progress. He couldn't seem to get past that barrier.

"Push, Daniel," he urged. He could feel Daniel pushing gently but unsuccessfully. "Harder. Push harder, Daniel!"

Jonas could feel Daniel's hips pressing forward. He took a deep breath, holding it, and relaxed his ass muscles. Suddenly, Daniel's cockhead slipped forward, passing through the anal ring, and lodging itself firmly in Jonas' clenching ass. A moan of pleasure escaped Jonas' open mouth as his hands indicated that Daniel should stop for a moment. His ass squeezed around Daniel's cock, quickly becoming used to the intrusion. The pain lasted for only a moment and was replaced by a feeling of fullness and satisfaction. He opened his eyes and closed his mouth as the corners of his lips pulled up into a large smile. He moved his hands from Daniel's hips, grabbing his own legs behind the knees and pulling them to his chest. Daniel followed them until their faces were close enough to feel each other's breath.

Jonas, still smiling, said softly, "Fuck me, Daniel."

Daniel pushed his hips forward, his cock entering with ease now. He could hear Jonas sighing with pleasure, and when he couldn't push any further, the sigh became a moan. Daniel closed his eyes for a moment, concentrating on the magnificent feelings he was discovering in the heat of Jonas' body and the feelings which the tightness gave him. His own moan of pleasure joined Jonas in chorus.

Opening his eyes and looking down to find Jonas looking up at him, Daniel began to fuck him. He pulled out until only the head of his cock remained inside his lover, then pushed in again. The pumping began, slowly at first, then faster with each successive stroke. He could hear a slight slapping sound each time his balls collided with the cheeks of Jonas' ass and the sound urged him on. Faster and faster he pumped his hips, sucking air through his teeth. Jonas' mouth hung open in ecstasy, his eyelids half closed, his nostrils vibrating with urgent breaths of air. The smile was gone and his face was awash with pure pleasure. Jonas was looking directly into Daniel's eyes.

Jonas had expected his decision to let Daniel fuck him would have pleased his partner, but he could never have anticipated the extreme pleasure he, himself, would receive. Every stroke of Daniel's steel-hard cock sent blood pumping into his own cock and he could feel it jump each time Daniel's balls pressed into his ass cheeks.

He stared at Daniel's beautiful face. Daniel's eyes and his teeth were clenched in effort. Sweat beaded his brow and rolled down his face, falling as droplets from his nose and chin. The sweat landed on Jonas' face with little splashes, some of them dripping directly into his open mouth. He could taste the salt from Daniel's body and he eagerly welcomed it into his own. He could hear Daniel grunting each time he rammed his cock in Jonas' ass, and Jonas could feel himself shifting on the bed with each stroke, his back scraping against the soft sheets beneath him. His cock swelled in rhythm and he knew he would cum soon without ever touching himself.

Daniel pounded harder, faster. His balls retracted in their sack and he knew it wouldn't be long before he emptied them. His grunts became desperate warnings of impending orgasm and he slammed into Jonas with all the strength he could muster. His cock grew even larger as he let out one final moan of release. His cock pumped its semen into the tip of the condom. His voice filled the room with a long, extended groan of ecstasy.

Jonas had known that Daniel was about to cum. He could feel it in his ass. He watched as Daniel's face scrunched up with effort and orgasm, the sweat now flowing freely down his face, off his chin and nose, and dripping on Jonas' face and chest. His own orgasm began, the first shot splashing up his body and onto his face where it mixed with Daniel's perspiration. His own groans of ecstasy joined with Daniel's. He could feel his whole body quivering and he could see Daniel's body doing the same.

Their orgasms seemed to go on forever. Jonas shook with excitement, his cum splattering on his chest and stomach in amounts he could never have imagined. For Daniel, no other orgasm, even the one resulting from Jonas' first blowjob, compared to the one he was having now. It was like every orgasm he'd ever had were only rehearsals, and this was the Grand Performance.

Slowly, sadly, the spasms subsided and the orgasms finished. Daniel pulled his softening cock from Jonas' eager ass and collapsed onto his lover. Jonas felt the sudden emptiness within himself. He wrapped his arms around Daniel, hugging him warmly and feeling him panting for breath. The cum which had splashed on his face began to travel down his cheek. He wiped it away with his fingers, licking them clean.

For several minutes, they lay there as they were, waiting for their bodies to return to normal. Eventually, Daniel raised his head from Jonas' chest, leaned forward, and kissed him. If he noticed the pool of cum in which he lay, he didn't mention it.

When the kiss ended, he looked deeply into Jonas' eyes and said softly, "Thank you, Jonas."

"I love you, Daniel," Jonas replied.

"And I love you." Daniel lay back down and Jonas held him for a long, long time.

To Be Continued​

 

[theatreboi]

^AAAH!!! Soooo good!!! I can't ever seem to get enough of this story, it's just so well constructed. I mean, forget the sex, it's a true love story. the sex is just a natural part of it. The characters are written so true to themselves, it's remarkable.

 

[gsdx]

^AAAH!!! Soooo good!!! I can't ever seem to get enough of this story, it's just so well constructed. I mean, forget the sex, it's a true love story. the sex is just a natural part of it. The characters are written so true to themselves, it's remarkable.

Thanks. They're wonderful characters and they're pretty easy to write. The hardest part has been remembering an episode, event, or a name, and then trying to find the information I need to make sure it's true to the series. I've tried to keep everything, including spellings and names, correct. That was the hardest part. Trying to remember an episode in which the person or event appeared and then going through the series until I found it. I'm pretty sure all names are true to the original and official Stargate website.

I'm only a few paragraphs from finishing Chapter 15. It will, indeed, and unfortunately, be the last chapter. There's no-where else for me to take the. I think I'm going to miss it. It's been fun to write it.

Here's a little bonus for you all:

Preview of Chapter 13​

Jack O'Neill's voice suddenly rang throughout the room. "Oh, for crying out loud!" he said, slamming his empty beer bottle onto the coffee table, causing everyone to jump. He rose to his feet and moved to stand at the other end of the coffee table near Jonas and Daniel.

Daniel watched him carefully, his face full of wariness. "Ja-a-a-a-ck? What are you doi-i-i-i-ng?"

Jack gave him a stern look and said, "Shut up, Daniel!" Then, to Jonas, he said, "Jonas, move over."

"Jack. . .?" Daniel repeated, concern filling his voice.

Jack pointed a warning finger at him, the look on his face clearly showing that he meant business. Daniel fell silent. To Jonas, he repeated, "Move!"

 

[gsdx]

P.S. Keep this fantastic story going!

I'm not making any promises, but this morning I began working on a sequel. It's in my brain at the moment, but I'll see where it takes me.

PS. Each chapter from now to the end will have a preview of the next chapter. Don't forget, Chapter 15 is the end.

 

[gsdx]

Chapter 13
NEW BEGINNINGS​

Days passed, turning into weeks, then months. Jonas quickly adjusted to life outside the SGC and his relationship with Daniel grew easily and painlessly. Each morning, they woke up loving each other more than they did the night before. Daniel insisted on retaining his housekeeper even though Jonas now did all the cooking and regular tidying up. He just could not bring himself to dismiss Mrs. McCreary, a sweet, older widow who treated Daniel like her own son. Moreover, she appreciated his artifact collection as much as he did, caring for it with the attention a museum curator would give a King Tut exhibit.

It made Daniel smile to recall his reintroduction to her when he returned to Earth following his death. He had remembered her as he was setting up his new apartment. Although many of his things had been disposed of, Colonel Jack O'Neill had had the foresight to pack and store many of Daniel's most prized possessions and personal items. O'Neill simply hadn't been able to throw Daniel's life into the trash. Daniel had found his address book and his housekeeper's name had brought back the memories of her. He had picked up the phone and called her.

"Hello, Mrs. McCreary?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied.

"It's me. Daniel Jackson."

He was met with deathly silence.

"Hello? Are you there?"

"I'm here," she said. "But you're not. You're dead. They told me so and your apartment is gone."

"No, I'm not, Mrs. McCreary," Daniel assured her. "It's really me, Daniel. Can I come see you?"

A short time later, he was standing inside the door of Mrs. McCreary's small apartment. She was a tiny lady, but strong and energetic and very opinionated for her age - and one who was not easily pushed around. She stared up at Daniel for a time, measuring him carefully with her keen eyes. With a nod of her head and a quick ‘hmmph', she jabbed his stomach several times with her index finger, then reached up and poked his chest with the fingertips of both hands as Daniel smiled down at her in amusement. She spun him around and pulled Daniel's shirt out of his pants and pulled it up until she saw the tiny scar on his back. She ran an appraising finger along the scar, then pulled down his shirt and tucked it neatly back into his pants. She spun him around again, grabbed his biceps and squeezed, then calmly reached up with one hand and slapped his cheek hard enough to jar Daniel's glasses loose.

"Ow!" Daniel shouted, placing his palm against his cheek.

"You're no ghost," she said. "Ghosts don't say ‘ow'." And then she wrapped her tiny arms around his waist and hugged him. Daniel reached down to return the hug. She was lost against his body, the top of her head barely reaching his chest.

When she had released him, she looked up at him with her hands on her hips and said sternly, "Now, get your face down here so I can kiss it!"

Daniel bent down, his eyes sparkling and his smile bright and friendly. Mrs. McCreary wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him tenderly on the cheek. Her voice was sincere as she said in his ear, "I missed you, Daniel. It's good to see you back again."

She broke the hug and ordered, "Now, sit down. I'll make tea and get you some cookies and you can tell me why you're not dead."

Daniel explained to her that he had been working on an excavation in South America. There had been a massive cave-in at an ancient temple and he had managed to escape, but he had lost his memory when falling rocks had hit him on the head. Everyone else on the expedition had died and it was assumed that he had died as well. He had been found wandering the jungles by a nomadic tribe of natives and he had lived with them until he had been discovered by another team of archaeologists and brought home. His memory was just returning.

Mrs. McCreary seemed to accept his explanation and had spent the next few days helping Daniel unpack and set up his new apartment while he was at work. Things returned to normal very quickly. It was like he'd never been away.

Mrs. McCreary had fallen in love with Jonas the moment she met him, complimenting him often on his ‘Canadian' accent, which always made Daniel smile. She accepted their relationship without question, always referring to them as ‘you boys'. She spent many long hours in the kitchen with Jonas, sharing her favourite recipes and teaching him all she could about cooking and baking. Daniel enjoyed watching them standing at the counter or stove, preparing this or that or learning how to make the other. Whenever Jonas did something correctly, she would give him a polite pat on the bum. If Jonas made a mistake, he received a resounding smack that would set his cheeks quivering - all four of them! The first time he got smacked, Jonas had yelped in surprise. She just said, "With all that padding you've got back there, I'm surprised you could even feel it. Now, shut up and stir!" But, Jonas loved her, too. He quickly became her ‘second son'.

She had awakened them one morning as she was dusting the bedside table, accidentally dropping and smashing the large candle (which she later replaced at her own insistence). As usual, Jonas was sleeping with his head resting comfortably on Daniel's chest. Their arms were wrapped around each other, the blankets gathered loosely at their waists. At the sound of the loud ‘thump', Jonas twisted around to look at her as Daniel hastened to grab the blankets and cover themselves. Mrs. McCreary simply looked at them, one hand on her hip, and said, "You boys need to lighten up. You know that? Especially you, Daniel. Do you think you've got something I haven't seen before?" Daniel smiled in spite of his embarrassment. "Mind you, I haven't seen quite so much of it all in one room, but I'm a crazy, lonely old lady. What are you gonna do?" She shrugged her shoulders. "I'll go make myself a coffee while you boys do what you need to do," she added. "When you're done, I'll come in and finish cleaning here and in the bathroom. And Jonas?" she said with a warning wag of her finger, "don't you even dare think about changing those sheets! That's my job."

Then she casually leaned over, gave each a kiss and a pat on the forehead, and left the room.

Jonas began his job at Stargate Command while still devoting every other Monday and Tuesday to his responsibilities on Kelowna. Daniel had returned with him for a few days during his first stand-down to help close up the apartment and to help bring back Jonas' most prized possessions. His collection of books and historical items had been first to be packed, of course, along with a few treasured photo albums and a number of little trinkets from his childhood. He brought back no furniture and only the Kelownan clothing he would need for his duties there. The rest he donated to a local orphanage to do with as they would. The orphanage in which he had grown up had closed long ago.

Jonas quickly became swept up with life on Earth. During his time with SG-1, his experiences on the ‘outside' had been severely limited. Now, he could go where he pleased and do what he pleased. By December, he'd received his driver's license and Daniel rewarded him with a new, blue car which matched the colour of his eyes.

Holidays became an obsession for him. Hallowe'en came first, and Jonas bought enough candy to stock a small candy store. The apartment had been decorated in typical haunted house style with paper skeletons and ghosts hanging everywhere and artificial spider webs covering just about everything. Only seven Trick or Treaters from the apartment complex showed up at the door, but Jonas, dressed as a zombie, and Daniel, dressed in camouflage, cheerfully handed out handfuls of candy to each child. Daniel took the remaining candy to a local homeless shelter a few days later, but only after Jonas had sorted through the pile to take out the candy he liked best.

Thanksgiving was a turning point of sorts for them, and it all came about as a result of a visit by a delightful and surprisingly wise young lady.

Jonas had planned Thanksgiving dinner weeks in advance. He had issued invitations to Sam and Jack, of course, as well as to Teal'c, Janet Fraiser and her adopted daughter, Cassandra, and General Hammond. Only the General declined due to his annual Thanksgiving dinner with his granddaughters.

The group arrived promptly at 2 PM, chauffeured by a driver from SGC, allowing them to drink without having to worry about driving home. Daniel had bought a case of Jack's favourite beer and had a well-stocked bar for the others. For Teal'c, he had plenty of milk and juice in the refrigerator and, for Cassandra, there were plenty of soft drinks from which she could choose. Bowls and candy dishes were spread around the livingroom, filled with various potato chips, pretzels, nuts, and a number of other treats, including some candy bars left over from Jonas' Hallowe'en stash.

Sam was seated at one end of the sofa and Jonas sat at the other end while Daniel sat between them. Janet and Cassandra sat on the love seat across from them, separated by a large coffee table. Jack sat on a matching chair set at one end of the table and Teal'c sat beside him on a wooden chair. The mouth-watering smell of roasting turkey filled the apartment.

Jonas played bartender, refilling everyone's glasses when necessary and topping up the treats as needed. They sat there, talking for almost an hour, laughing and joking. Cassandra remained silent most of the time, simply enjoying the company and taking in everything that was going on around her, but her gaze returned often to Daniel and Jonas. She watched them carefully as she sat there listening to the various tidbits of conversation. No-one paid her much attention.

Suddenly, she asked in a very serious voice, "Daniel, do you love Jonas?"

"Cassie!" Janet said loudly.

Daniel held up his hand and said, "It's okay, Janet. I don't mind." Turning his attention to the young lady sitting across from him, he found her eyes staring directly into his own as if she were looking into his mind. "Yes, Cassandra, I do."

She held the stare for another long moment, deep in concentration. The room was deathly silent. Her gaze shifted to find Jonas' eyes. Without blinking, she asked, "Do you love Daniel?"

"Yes, I do," Jonas replied.

She held his gaze, searching for something which no-one else could see.

"Why don't you show it?" she asked quietly.

Janet Fraiser sat forward and turned toward her adopted daughter. "Cassie! Don't be rude!"

"I'm not being rude, Mom," Cassie objected. "It's not right and it's not fair. I want to know why they don't show it."

Janet began to speak, her face creased with anger, but Daniel held up his hand again and spoke her name, stopping her. Leaning forward, elbows on his knees, hands clasped together in front of him, Daniel asked carefully, "What isn't right or fair, Cassie."

"Look at you," she said, indicating them with a sweep of her hand. "You've been sitting there for almost an hour and you haven't even touched each other. I haven't seen you hug each other or even hold hands."

Daniel glanced at Janet, who merely shrugged. "We don't do that when other people are around, Cassie," Daniel explained.

"Why not? You love each other, right? This is your home, right? You hugged Mom and Sam and me when we came in. You even hugged Colonel O'Neill. Why are you afraid to hug Jonas?"

"It wouldn't be appropriate for me to do that."

"Why not?"

Daniel looked to Jonas for an answer. Jonas had nothing to offer.

"Well, it's just not appropriate," Daniel said desperately.

Teal'c's deep, commanding voice broke the sudden silence. All eyes turned to him as he said softly, "Cassandra Fraiser sees with the eyes of a child, but she speaks with the wisdom of the Ancients." He gave Cassandra a nod of congratulation. Then, to Daniel and Jonas, he said, "I, too, am now wondering why you fear to display even the most simple acts of affection. Is it, perhaps, that you are ashamed?"

Daniel shrugged and said, "We're not ashamed, Teal'c. It's just not acceptable behaviour."

Teal'c raised his eyebrow, the fingers of his hands touching each other. He continued. "But it is acceptable for you to display your friendship and affection to O'Neill?"

"Well," Daniel said, "yes."

"Teal'c knows what I'm talking about," Cassandra said firmly. "He understands what I mean."

Teal'c again bowed his head to Cassandra.

"They're right, Daniel," Sam said. "I haven't noticed it before, but now that they mention it. . ."

Cassandra repeated her earlier question. "So, why don't you show it?"

Daniel's mind raced, searching for answers he couldn't find. "It's hard to explain, Cassie. It's not something two men should do together in front of other people."

"But we're not ‘other people'," Cassie announced. "We're your friends."

Daniel looked desperately to Janet for help.

Jack O'Neill's voice suddenly rang throughout the room. "Oh, for crying out loud!" he said, slamming his empty beer bottle onto the coffee table, causing everyone to jump. He rose to his feet and moved to stand at the other end of the coffee table near Jonas and Daniel.

Daniel watched him carefully, his face full of wariness. "Ja-a-a-a-ck? What are you doi-i-i-i-ng?"

Jack gave him a stern look and said, "Shut up, Daniel!" Then, to Jonas, he said, "Jonas, move over."

"Jack. . .?" Daniel repeated, concern filling his voice.

Jack pointed a warning finger at him, the look on his face clearly showing that he meant business. Daniel fell silent. To Jonas, he repeated, "Move!"

A wary Jonas slid closer to Daniel.

"More," Jack ordered. Jonas slid over until his side was pressed against Daniel, who immediately began to pull away. Again, Jack's stern and commanding voice filled the room. "Daniel, stand down!" Daniel settled back against Jonas, his eyes locked on Jack's face. He watched, surprised, as the ‘Colonel' in Jack's face suddenly faded away to be replaced by a look of accomplishment and satisfaction. A small smile appeared.

"There," he said, clasping his hands together. "We're getting somewhere. Now, Daniel, put your arm around Jonas."

Daniel looked at Jonas.

"Come on, Danny," Jack said. "I'm not getting any younger."

Daniel glanced quickly at the others. When he looked at Cassandra, he was met with a tiny, happy smile. Her eyes twinkled. She nodded encouragement to him. With a sigh of defeat, Daniel lifted his left arm, placed it loosely behind Jonas' neck.

"Well," Jack said, "That's a start at least. Can't you do any better? Hold onto him like I'm about to take him away from you."

Daniel's arm pulled Jonas tighter to him, his forearm hanging over his shoulder, the palm of his hand now resting on Jonas' upper arm, fingers splayed over the bicept.

"Good," Jack said. "Now, Jonas? Hold Daniel's hand."

Jonas reached out and took Daniel's hand in his own, their fingers interlocking, their hands settling into Daniel's lap.

"Perfecto!" Jack announced with a flair. "Now," he continued, "look around you."

They did, their gaze moving slowly from one person to another until they returned to Jack.

"You will notice that none of us have tossed our cookies," he said as he leaned forward. "We are all still here and none of us are running out of the room in disgust." He leaned back again, his voice becoming calm and sincere. "Look. We may not understand the love you two have for each other, but we understand what love is You should never, ever be ashamed of it, especially when you're with friends who care about you."

Jack paused and took a deep, relaxing breath. "Now, I can't speak for the rest of the group, but I like this picture," he said with a sweep of his hand. "You two deserve each other. You look happy and you deserve to be happy. You look scared, too, but you look happy. And, I have to admit, you look damned cute together."

Jonas laughed, but Daniel's eyes were wet with tears. Jack could be stubborn and ornery sometimes, but he could still be a damned good friend. He subconsciously pulled his arm tighter, drawing Jonas closer to him.

"Look, guys," Jack continued quietly, "you're surrounded by your friends here. There are five people here who care very much for both of you. We're not dummies. . . . Well, not all of us, anyway. But we all know how you feel about each other. We'd have to be blind not to. There is no reason for you to think you have to hide yourselves from us."

Daniel released Jonas and stood up, moving to stand in front of Jack and taking him into his arms in a warm, grateful hug. Jack's arms wrapped around Daniel and held him as well.

"Thank you, Jack," Daniel said, his voice slightly muffled by Jack's shoulder.

"You're welcome, Daniel." Jack broke the hug. When Daniel leaned back, Jack had a huge grin on his face. He reached up and messed Daniel's hair in a friendly way. "Space Monkey," he added.

Daniel laughed. Then, walking over to Cassandra, he took her by the hand and brought her to her feet, wrapping his arms around her in a long, warm, grateful hug. "You are one very special young lady, Cassie," he said sincerely. "Thank you so much."

When he ended the hug, Jonas was right beside him, ready to take his place.

* * * * *

Christmas came, and, once again, Jonas took things into his own hands and decorated every part of the apartment which could be decorated. Garland and tinsel and silver snowflakes and twinkling lights were everywhere. A huge pine tree, decorated to the nines, reached to the ceiling.

Jonas and Daniel had already opened their own gifts after a rather intense Christmas-morning love session and bath. They sat side-by-side on the sofa, their naked bodies pressed together as they shared the moment.

Daniel had bought Jonas a new watch, a gold chain necklace with a heart medallion on which had been engraved "To Jonas with Love. Daniel" and a hand-held video game with a number of game cartridges. It had taken Daniel a long time to gather the courage to have the heart engraved, but he truly wanted it done for Jonas. He eventually swallowed his pride and dictated the words he wished engraved. Instead of the expected snickers and snide looks and remarks, the young man behind the counter simply checked the spellings of the names, smiled, and announced that it would be ready for pick-up on Thursday. Jonas left the watch and the game in their boxes, but he asked Daniel to put the chain on him immediately. When Daniel had done so, Jonas held the heart in his fingers, reading the inscription once again. He kissed it, and then he kissed Daniel.

Jonas thought Daniel was a bit embarrassed by the pile of gifts waiting to be opened, but he watched eagerly as Daniel began to open them. His smiles were blinding and his excitement could not be disguised. He loved the holiday, and he loved the looks on Daniel's handsome face as he opened each gift. Daniel laughed out loud when he opened one small box and found a large supply of condoms and lubrication gel. They would never have to go shopping again, he thought. Jonas beamed as he kissed Daniel on the cheek and made him promise that he would use every bit of it. Daniel knew it would be an easy promise to keep. He truly enjoyed making love to the beautiful young man beside him.

By noon, their guests began arriving. Jonas had cleared away the morning's festivities and arranged a new mountain of gifts under the tree. The turkey was roasting in the oven and the potatoes were all peeled and sliced, ready to be cooked and mashed. The refrigerator was filled with various salads, pickles, and cheese, waiting to be set out. There were several home-baked pies and two large trays of cookies and cakes on the coffee table. A special tray was piled high with jelly doughnuts.

Jonas greeted each guest with the excitement of a five-year-old boy. Daniel was more subdued. Sam was first to arrive and Jonas almost crushed her in his bear-like clutches. After greeting her, Daniel took her coat and her shopping bag of gifts. He set the bag beside the tree and took her coat to the bedroom where he lay it on the bed. Jack and Teal'c arrived next. Neither were immune to Jonas' enthusiastic greeting. Even Teal'c relented when Jonas eagerly wrapped his arms around the huge man in a friendly hug. Janet and Cassie arrived shortly afterward. The pile of gifts under the tree grew even higher.

General Hammond arrived late. He would not be joining them for dinner, but he could stay for an hour or so. With all his guests around him, Jonas quickly recruited Daniel to help him hand out all the gifts. Daniel sat beside Jonas, hand-in-hand, watching Jonas' face as his eyes moved swiftly from person to person, not wanting to miss any of the excitement. Daniel had thought Jonas had gone way overboard in the Christmas celebration and he had been a bit embarrassed by it, but then he began to hear all the ‘ooos' and ‘ahhhs' and all the ‘thank yous' and gasps around him. He had never seen Jonas happier or with bigger smiles. He glanced around at all his friends and he saw more joy and excitement and friendship in one room than he had ever seen before. He couldn't help but be swept up in the moment, in the excitement and happiness his lover had caused.

Daniel placed his fingers tenderly on Jonas' chin and turned his face toward his own. Their gazes locked and he stared into the deep, cobalt blue of Jonas' eyes as his palm moved to rest upon Jonas' cheek. He didn't hear Cassandra's urgent ‘shhh'. He didn't notice the silence falling about the room. He didn't notice as everyone turned their attention to both himself and Jonas.

Daniel's eyes, moist with tears, flitted back and forth between Jonas' eyes for a long moment. He spoke in a hushed voice. "Do you have any idea what you have done here today? Do you have any idea how happy you've made me for the happiness you've given to our friends?" Daniel paused, watching as Jonas' eyes grew moist, matching his own eyes which were quickly filling up with tears. "I love you so much, Jonas Quinn." And then he leaned into a loving and tender kiss followed by a powerful and prolonged hug.

When they finally separated and noticed the silence in the room, they looked up to see Cassandra standing in front of them. "You have just given me the best present you could ever give," she said. "I love you guys." Cassie bent over slightly, wrapping one arm around each of their necks and pulling them into a warm hug as she smothered their cheeks with kisses.

* * * * *

The festivities were over and everyone had gone home. General Hammond had left soon after the gifts were opened. Everyone else had helped to clean up the mess left by the discarded wrapping paper while Jonas, at his own insistence, had set about preparing Christmas dinner. Sam, Janet and Cassandra had insisted that they clean up after dinner, helped briefly by Teal'c. It soon became very apparent, though, that his bulk left very little room in the kitchen for anyone else. He was quickly retired to the livingroom with ‘the guys'.

As afternoon turned into evening, the friends gathered their belongings and, one by one, left for home. Daniel and Jonas were finally alone.

Daniel ordered Jonas to sit on the sofa, threatening him with his life if he moved from the spot until he was told to do otherwise. He grabbed the wine and glasses and disappeared into the bedroom and on into the en suite where he began to prepare their bath. As water flowed, he lit the candles, poured the wine, turned out the lights, then stripped himself of all his clothes.

Sex between Daniel and Jonas had not lost any of its excitement although the novelty had worn off quite some time ago. Several days could pass with no sexual activity whatsoever. That didn't bother Daniel and, apparently, didn't bother Jonas, either. They were content simply to be with each other. Merely holding each other in silence was equally pleasurable and satisfying. Their love for each other was much deeper than the sex.

Mind you, Daniel enjoyed the sex. He was always surprised and impressed that Jonas could find new ways to please him. Whereas Daniel still had emotional barriers when it came to what he would consider doing to and for Jonas, it appeared that Jonas had no such barriers. He had proven time and time again that he wasn't afraid of a single part of Daniel's body. Daniel couldn't think of a single part of his body which didn't know the touch of Jonas' lips or tongue, except, perhaps, for the soles of his feet. He had been momentarily repulsed by the idea when Jonas first slipped his tongue between the cheeks of his ass and tickled the asshole hidden between them, but the extreme pleasure he received from it quickly removed any thoughts he might have had about asking Jonas to stop. Still, Daniel had not been able to bring himself to do the same for Jonas. Things were changing in his mind, though. Barriers were slowly coming down, and he had one more special Christmas gift to give to Jonas that night.

When the tub was full, he turned off the faucets and called out to Jonas, who appeared moments later.

Daniel began with a long kiss and powerful embrace, enjoying the feeling of his nakedness being pressed against the still-clothed body of his lover. He could feel the mound of Jonas' crotch growing against his own as blood flowed into it. Soon, it was pressing with unbridled lust into his balls.

He stripped Jonas very slowly, taking his time and interrupting often with more kisses. When Jonas was finally and totally naked, Daniel stepped into the tub and reached out his hand. Jonas took it and Daniel helped him in. Following one more kiss, the two were soon settled in their usual places with Jonas comfortably settled against Daniel's solid body.

They sat is silence, simply enjoying the calm relaxation following the very busy day. The only words Daniel spoke were to ask Jonas to sing Out of the Wind for him again. Jonas happily obliged.

A half-hour later, the bathroom was a mess. Daniel had blown out the candles, but clothes and wet towels still littered the tile floor. The bathtub hadn't even been drained. Daniel had simply taken Jonas by the hand and lead him to bed.

Jonas lay on his back this time, Daniel lying on top of him, chest to chest, smothering his face with kisses. Their hard cocks lay beside each other, trapped securely between their stomachs. Daniel's heavy, loose balls rested comfortably against Jonas' balls.

Daniel's kisses were tender and full of love. He discovered one spot on Jonas' neck which sent Jonas' cock into a heated rampage, swelling and pumping against his skin. He could feel Jonas quivering beneath him, his breath coming in short, rapid gasps, his arms holding onto Daniel and his fingers digging into Daniel's back. Jonas' excitement caused his own cock to jump in response.

The agonizingly slow journey down Jonas' body began. Daniel repositioned himself slightly, the head of Jonas' cock now trapped against Daniel's navel. He spent some time teasing Jonas' shoulders and pecs with gentle kisses before surprising Jonas by pushing his face into Jonas' armpits. Jonas moaned in delight as Daniel kissed and nipped at the soft hairs he found there. He spent considerable time teasing Jonas' nipples, nipping and chewing gently at the tiny nubs, his fingers tweaking the other, before continuing down his body. He paused at the belly button, circling it with the tip of his tongue and digging into it, before suctioning the hard cock past his lips and eagerly into his mouth. Daniel no-longer gagged when the cockhead pressed against his throat, but he was still unable to take the cock any deeper than that. He never stopped trying, though. Much to his dismay, this would not be the night when he would succeed.

After a few minutes of sucking the tube of flesh he loved so dearly, Daniel moved further down to tongue and kiss Jonas' balls, slipping his arms under Jonas' knees as he rested on his elbows. With gentle and tender care, he sucked the loose eggs into the warm comfort of his mouth - first one, then the other. Jonas writhed beneath him, his moans and groans becoming more frequent.

Daniel returned to the cock for a minute or two, then, with determination, he began to kiss his way down the shaft, over the balls, and onto the secret spot beneath them. Jonas' balls rested against Daniel's nose as he tongued and teased the sensitive skin, hips rising and falling in excitement. In a sudden, determined move, Daniel pushed up with his arms. He could feel Jonas' legs lifting and he moved his hands into position at the back of Jonas' knees. With very little encouragement, Jonas' legs lifted and a long sigh of anticipation escaped his lips. His ass opened itself to Daniel as he grabbed his legs with anxious hands and pulled his knees to his chest. Daniel's face slid into the valley opened before him. His lips quickly found the forbidden circle, announced by a sudden loud groan and a heave of Jonas' hips.

Daniel's tongue emerged from his lips and warily tickled the wrinkled skin. This was followed quickly by more eager licks and kisses until, only moments later, his tongue began to attack the clenched hole. Jonas' moans increased significantly in volume and his hand moved on its own to wrap around his throbbing cock to begin urgent and furious stroking. There was no shame in his masturbation as his balls bounced against Daniel's forehead. Daniel, encouraged by the pleasure he knew he was giving to the love of his life, pushed harder with his tongue, pressing into Jonas with a desire which surprised even himself.

Jonas' groans became louder still, and Daniel could feel his stroking becoming faster and faster. Jonas' asshole began to clench and unclench in a regular and desperate rhythm. Daniel moved quickly to his knees, squatting between Jonas' legs and allowing them to drop to the bed. With a loving touch, he cradled Jonas' balls in the fingers of one hand while the fingers and thumb of the other moved to the bouncing pectorals to pinch the erected nubs of his nipples. Jonas' voice rose almost to a subdued scream as his hips began to pump. With his knees bent and his feet flattened on the bed, Jonas' hips rose, the bubble-butt cheeks of his rounded ass suspended in mid air. With a final stroke, his cock exploded. Semen shot out in a thick, long stream, firing onto his face and past his head to splatter against the wall behind him .

Daniel watched in amazement as Jonas pumped stream after stream of milky-white fluid from his balls, spattering against his stomach and chest, onto his face and into his hair. Daniel's right hand abandoned Jonas' heaving chest and moved quickly to his own cock, stroking quickly in his need to cum. Jonas looked up in time to see Daniel rising up on his knees. Daniel's fist was a blurred piston, his fingers flying over his cock. His other hand dropped between his legs to cradle his balls in his fingers. The strokes suddenly slowed as Daniel grimaced and squeezed. Cum torpedoed out of the slit at the tip of his cockhead and splashed onto Jonas' face, blending and mixing with the cum already there. Another shot blasted out leaving a trail of cum from Jonas' chin to his cock. Daniel's orgasm continued as more and more juice pumped out onto Jonas' body.

When it was finished, Daniel collapsed in exhaustion onto his lover. Together, they gasped air into their lungs, their hearts pounding inside their chests, beating against each other. Slowly, their bodies calmed themselves and Daniel pressed his lips to Jonas' lips. They kissed for a long time, the cum splattered on Jonas' face transferring itself to Daniel's. If Daniel even noticed, he didn't seem to mind.

Finally lifting his head, Daniel stared into Jonas' beautiful eyes for a long moment. "Merry Christmas, Jonas," he said raggedly. "I love you."

Jonas gave him a quick hug and whispered, "I love you, too, Daniel."

Daniel rolled to his side, his arm still tossed over Jonas' chest. Jonas rolled to face his lover. Daniel's arm slid to his side and came to rest on his back. Jonas did the same with his own arm. And they fell asleep that way.

* * * * *

Mrs. McCreary had expected the apartment to be a disaster area following previous day's festivities. She had hoped to surprise her boys by cleaning it all up for them and was, herself, surprised to find almost everything cleaned up and all the dishes washed and put away. She put on a pot of coffee and set about doing what tidying up remained. When there was nothing left to be done, she prepared a cup of coffee for herself and sat at the table, sipping it slowly.

She finished her coffee and washed the mug, then she moved to the bedroom door and opened it quietly. Her boys lay naked and sleeping atop the dark blankets of the bed in the dimly-lit room, Daniel now on his back and Jonas nestled on his chest. She saw a new chain around Jonas' neck and the attached heart lying on Daniel's chest. The large candle still burned on the table beside them. She would have to reprimand them for that, but she would do it later.

Mrs. McCreary was an odd sort. Whereas most people would have run from the room in embarrassment, Mrs. McCreary did not seem to even notice their nakedness. Instead, she saw only the vision of two young men - two men whom she loved dearly - deeply and enchantingly in love with each other. She had once enjoyed a love such as that - a love which had lasted for 43 years. And now, at 66 years of age, she could see the same love in her two boys, and it made her smile.

She noticed their morning erections, of course. It was difficult not to notice them. But, if she noticed the dried semen plastered over their bodies, she made no indication of it. She thought for a moment to get a another sheet to cover them, if only for Daniel's sake, but they looked so peaceful and content in their sleep and she was afraid she would wake them up. Instead, she tiptoed over to the candle and blew it out. She went, then, to the bathroom and smiled to herself. Her boys had, she thought to herself, enjoyed a night they would remember for a long, long time.

Mrs. McCreary gently closed the door behind her and set to work emptying and cleaning the tub. She picked up all the clothes and towels scattered about the floor and put them into the laundry hamper. She would come back tomorrow to wash them. She didn't mind. She loved her boys. It made her happy to see them so happy together. And they were perfect for each other. Their deep love for each other was obvious, and she envied them for it. She knew that Daniel would be upset and embarrassed when he realized that she had seen him the way she had, but, she thought with a small snicker, Daniel needed to take a few chill pills. His body was just as handsome as his face, and he should be proud of it instead of shamed by it and covering it up the way he always did. Jonas, of course, wouldn't be bothered at all. Jonas didn't seem to be bothered by anything. He always dressed to compliment himself rather than to hide it. Of course, she thought with a toothy grin, he would have to wear a tent in order to hide that backside of his. His only fault was that he seemed to be acutely unaware of how handsome he actually was. "Those crazy Canadians," she thought, shaking her head.

When the bathroom finally met her approval, she returned to the bedroom where she stood beside the bed for a moment. Kissing her fingers and pressing them gently to each forehead, she whispered softly, "Merry Christmas, boys," and then she left the room, carefully closing the door behind her.

She took one more look around her. The rest could wait until the next morning. She left the apartment, checking twice to be sure the door was securely locked, and walked quietly down the hall.

To Be Continued

Preview of Chapter 14​

Sam paused, her eyes moist with tears. She diverted her gaze downward. Her voice was barely above a whisper as he continued. "I cried for days when you died. It was one of the saddest days of my life." She looked back into Daniel's eyes. "If I could have traded places with you, I would have."

"I know," Daniel said gently.

Turning to Jonas, she said, her voice taking on a serious and surprisingly angry tone. "I hated you for that, Jonas. I hated you because Daniel was dead and you weren't. I hated you for thinking you could take his place on SG-1. I tolerated you because I had to - not because I wanted to."

 

[blake16]

Where's the sex?? . . . . An explanation

As I mentioned above, there will be the obligatory sex.

However, I would like to explain why it's taking so long to get there. You can find countless gay stories involving characters from TV shows, including Stargate, but they usually take the characters, drop them into a situation, and suddenly they're gay.

I don't like those stories, especially when the characters are considered 'straight' by the majority of fans. In this case, with Daniel and Jonas, I decided to drop them into a plausible situation, making their relationship real and, thus, explaining why the relationship exists in the first place. I've had a lot of fun creating that situation and writing it.

I totally and completely agree. As seemingly errotic as it may be to have characters like Daniel and Jonas thrown into a situation where they are suddenly attracted to each other, its all just glamour because we know in the back of our minds that they aren't, in fact, attracted to each other. Your process, while thorough, makes things AMAZINGLY more effective in the end for the "sexual" portion. Don't for a second assume that you need to turn that way to make a fulfilling story in the future. Well done though .

Cheers,

Blake

 

[gsdx]

A note about Mrs. McCreary

Before anyone begins to think, "Hey! I don't remember Daniel having a housekeeper."

Well, he doesn't (at least he has never mentioned having one), but I also think that must have one. No-one who can have such a messy office as Daniel's could possibly have such a neat and tidy home. I figured she was a behind-the-scenes character who was never seen.

I decided to create someone I could have fun with, and someone who could have fun with Daniel and Jonas. Personally, I kind of like her and wish I had written her into more of the scenes.

Anyway, thanks for allowing me to take such liberties. I didn't think you would mind too much.

PS - Thanks to Blake for your comments. Writing about sex is pretty easy. Writing about 2 guys trying to figure out what to do isn't. I had to go back a whole lot of decades in my memory to recall what it was like.

 

[gsdx]

First of all, I will post Chapter 14 on Friday for you, and then the final chapter early next week.

But for now, I have a question about the previews. Do you like them or do they annoy you? Would you like them to continue? Do you wish I hadn't started adding them?

Finally, if you want the previews, would you like to see a preview of the first chapter of the sequel?

If you could respond either by posting here or by PMing me, I would appreciate your input. I will abide by the wishes of the majority.

Thanks for your input.

 

[theatreboi]

i'm kinda noncommital about the previews. the one was fine because it ended up being nothing like what i expected. i don't really know though. i guess to be safe, i'd have to say stop them, just so people don't get confused when they read and it's nothing like what they thought it would be.

 

[gsdx]

i'd have to say stop them, just so people don't get confused when they read and it's nothing like what they thought it would be.

That's really the idea behind previews, especially on television. Nothing ever ends up being what you thought it would be. But, I see your point about being confused.

Thanks for the input.

 

[gsdx]

Chapter 14
CEREMONY​

April 26 was swiftly approaching. That day would mark the 6-month anniversary of the day Jonas had moved into Daniel's home, the day when they had, officially, become a couple. Jonas had begun preparations early in March, imploring General Hammond, Colonel O'Neill, Major Carter, Dr. Fraiser, and Teal'c to leave April 25th open. He would say no more and reminded them often of the date as it drew nearer. Daniel, who had been sworn to secrecy, would simply answer "Talk to Jonas" when he was asked what was going on. General Hammond was the only questionable guest. The others had promised not to make other plans, and Hammond had promised that the others would be available, but he could not commit to anything until the day arrived. If all was as it should be at SGC, he would be available as well.

For weeks, each time Jonas returned to Kelowna for his meetings with the Council, he came back carrying boxes and packages which he carefully guarded from the curious eyes of his friends. On the first day of April, he personally handed out the invitations to General Hammond, Jack, Sam, Janet, and Teal'c.

The invitations, on embossed card, decorated and trimmed in silver and written in gold, read:

You are cordially invited to attend
The Ceremony of Joining
of Daniel Jackson and Jonas Quinn
April 25- 7 PM
(No Gifts, Please)​

No-one could drag any more information out of either Jonas or Daniel except to be told to dress ‘informally formal', meaning they were to wear their best every-day clothes. They were to dress comfortably.

April 25th arrived. General Hammond stood before the door of Daniel's and Jonas' apartment, looking at the envelope taped to the door. Written beneath his name were the words: "Please wait here until Jack, Sam, Janet and Teal'c are with you. Then read the enclosed note to them. Thanks." It was signed ‘Jonas'.

"Well," he said, glancing at the group around him, "we're all here." Janet wore a black skirt and white blouse with a jacket which matched the skirt. Sam wore a dark blue pant suit with matching jacket and a crisp, white blouse. The men were dressed in casual slacks and shirts. Teal'c wore a baseball cap to hide his tatoo.

Hammond tore the envelope from the door and opened it. He pulled out the sheet of paper contained inside and began to read: "Hi, Gang. Welcome to our Ceremony of Joining. Thank you for coming. We're waiting for you inside. When you enter, you will see chairs set out in front of us. Please take your seats according to your names on the gifts we have set on the chairs. Hold the gifts in your laps, but do not open them. Please do not speak to us or to each other. The beginning of the ceremony must be done in silence, but I will break tradition to explain the ceremony when you are seated. You may enter when ready. There is no need to knock. The door is open. Jonas."

General Hammond folded the note and returned it to the envelope before tucking it into his back pocket. "Well," he said with a smile. "Are we ready?"

"Indeed," said Teal'c, nodding.

"We're ready, Sir," said O'Neill, "and, as you can see, Teal'c can barely contain his enthusiasm."

Teal'c raised his eyebrow and gave Jack a sideways glance.

"Colonel!" warned Hammond.

"Sorry, Sir. I'll be good."

"I hope so, Colonel. This is very important to both Dr. Jackson and Mr. Quinn."

"I know, Sir," Jack admitted with a smile. "I haven't seen Daniel so excited since he found that ‘meaning-of-life' stuff on Ernest's planet."

"Very well. Let's go in."

Hammond opened the door and they stepped inside. Teal'c immediately removed his ball cap and dropped it near the door. Colonel O'Neill, last to enter, closed the door quietly behind him and looked around, remembering the warning to remain silent. There were no lights in the apartment, but dozens of burning candles lit the room with a soft glow. Most of the furniture had been removed, the larger pieces pushed up against the walls. In the middle of the room, facing them, Daniel Jackson stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the slightly shorter Jonas Quinn, who stood on Daniel's right side. Their legs were spread slightly and their hands were clasped politely before them. Both were dressed similarly in sparkling white shoes, slacks, shirt, square- cut jacket, and a scarf. Each outfit was trimmed and cuffed with a shiny, metallic material that glinted in the candlelight. A thin band of the shiny material ran down the outside of each pant leg. Daniel was trimmed in gold - Jonas in silver. Their outfits seemed to shimmer as if they were being seen in a mirage. The effect was strangely hypnotizing.

Jack had to admit: the effect was absolutely stunning. He had always considered both Daniel and Jonas to be very handsome men, but seeing them standing there, side-by-side, he couldn't help thinking that he was looking at a beautiful piece of art hanging in some museum with a long, fancy name he couldn't pronounce. Both Daniel and Jonas, he admitted to himself, looked beautiful. A strange, warm feeling swept through him, and Jack had the sudden impression that he was about to witness something that no-one else on Earth would ever see.

He could see a narrow table behind the pair, running lengthwise back to the wall, but he could not see what was on it except a shiny, white cloth matching the suits the two young men wore. He could see, however, the 5 chairs set in a semi-circle a short distance away from his two friends and teammates, and he followed the small group as they quietly made their way to the seats. They quickly sorted out the seating arrangements and sat down with Teal'c sitting in the left-hand chair, then Janet Fraiser, General Hammond in the middle, Major Carter, and, finally, Colonel O'Neill to the right. Each held their gifts in their laps, except for Colonel O'Neill, who held the box to his ear and gingerly shook it.

The only sound in the room was sweet, gentle music coming from speakers which Jack O'Neill could not see. The music had a haunting quality, played on instruments which he had never heard before. He assumed correctly that Jonas had brought the music from Kelowna.

Jonas smiled a large, tooth-filled smile, the deep dimples on his cheeks clearly displayed in the flickering candlelight. He spoke very softly. "On Kelowna, it is tradition that a couple become married exactly six months following their commitment to each other, or what you would call their ‘engagement' here on Earth. On the evening before their marriage, couples hold what we call a ‘Ceremony of Joining'. It is a special ceremony which reaffirms their commitments to each other before the marriage and is shared only with the couple's most dear friends. Tonight is the eve of the anniversary of Daniel and I committing ourselves to each other - the day Daniel allowed me into his home and the day we began to share our lives together. Although the ceremony was never intended for an occasion such as this, or for a couple such as Daniel and me, its significance is still appropriate to both of us and it's very important to me."

"And to me," Daniel interjected.

"We invite you now to share our Ceremony of Joining with us." With another smile and a slight nod, Jonas fell silent.

After a short pause, Daniel and Jonas turned to face each other, nodded once for a short moment, and stepped to either side of the table.

Colonel O'Neill could now see the previously-hidden contents on the table. At the end nearest to him, where Daniel and Jonas now stood, was a large, ornate, gold, wine goblet trimmed and decorated in embossed silver. On either side sat an open bottle of wine. Jack recognized the bottle in front of Daniel as Daniel's favourite wine. He didn't recognize the other at all and guessed it was Jonas' favourite wine from Kelowna. Two wine glasses sat on the table directly in front of the bottles.

Behind the goblet and wine, Jack could see a large candle sitting on a gold pedestal. Both the candle and pedestal were decorated like the wine goblet. A gold, mounded cap, from which the wick protruded, topped the candle. Four decorative ‘arms', each the length of a pencil, stood out from the compass points of the large candle stand - two facing Daniel's side of the table, the other two facing Jonas' side. Set in a semicircle in front of the large candle were five smaller candle stands; two smaller candles sat behind the large candle, one on either side of the table. They were miniaturized versions of the large candle. Behind the candles, a small sheet of the same white material as the table cloth covered something, but it was too much in shadow for Jack to see what it might be.

The ceremony began within moments.

In unison, Daniel and Jonas picked up their bottles of wine and carefully poured a splash into the glasses in front of them. Setting their bottles on the table, they picked up their respective glasses, held them up in a silent salute to each other, and drank the contents.

After setting the glasses back on the table, Jonas once again picked up his bottle of wine and, reaching across the table, poured a splash into Daniel's glass. After setting his bottle down, Daniel picked up his own bottle and poured some of the wine into Jonas' glass. The act of sharing was not lost on Colonel O'Neill. Once again, Jonas and Daniel picked up their glasses, saluted each other, and drank the wine.

Jonas picked up his bottle once more and poured another splash into his own glass. After setting the bottle on the table, he picked up the glass and offered it to Daniel who took it in both hands, saluted Jonas, and drank the wine. Handing back the glass, Daniel repeated Jonas' actions, using his own glass and offering it to Jonas.

They nodded once more to each other before picking up the bottles and pouring a splash into the large, golden goblet. Jonas then picked up the goblet and sipped the combined wines. He handed the goblet to Daniel who accepted it and sipped his share before returning the goblet to its original place on the table.

Clasping their hands in front of themselves, they bowed their heads in respect to each other for several long moments. O'Neill took the opportunity to glance at his companions seated to his right. As usual, Sam looked as if she were about to burst into tears. She was rather sentimental that way. General Hammond was his usual composed self. Janet was watching with interest, but Teal'c was totally entranced. His society was based on ritual and ceremony, and he knew better than anyone else the value and sincerity of the ceremony being performed here.

Jack turned his gaze back to the two young men in time to see them lifting their heads to look at each other once more. Daniel smiled, but Jonas remained serious. They took a small step further along the table, now facing the large candle. With a barely noticeable nod from Jonas, Daniel raised his hands to remove the scarf from around his neck. He paused a moment, pressed the scarf to his lips, and gently placed it around the candle, draping it over the two opposite arms of the pedestal and carefully smoothing out the ends now facing him into a big ‘U', the tips dangling over the edge of the table. Jonas copied Daniel's actions, laying his scarf over Daniel's, draping it over the opposite arms, and carefully arranging the tips over his side of the table.

Jonas turned, smiling, to face his five friends. "You may now open your gifts."

Boxes were opened and beautiful, ornately-embossed pillar candles were removed. Empty boxes were dropped gently to the floor. The candles were identical to each other, miniatures of the large candle standing on the table. Three oval, wax disks, set in a column, adorned one side of each candle. The top and largest disk was embossed in wax with the names ‘Daniel and Jonas'. Beneath that, a smaller disk contained, on two lines, ‘Ceremony of Joining' and ‘April 25'. The bottom disk displayed the name of the guest.

Sam, running her fingers over the surface of the candle, said quietly, "It's beautiful," followed closely by an admonishing ‘shhh' from Janet. The Major quickly looked at Jonas, smiling her apologies. Jonas simply nodded and smiled back at her. Jack seemed intrigued by the golden top of his candle and began to tinker with it when he heard Jonas clear his throat. He turned his attention back to the ceremony, the candle forgotten for the time being.

Jonas turned back to face Daniel. Each man then picked up a long, thin, wooden match topped with a small, metal cap. They grasped the cap and pulled. The matches sparked into flame. They lit their respective candles before inverting and extinguishing the matches in a hidden container behind the large candle.

Jonas gently picked up his candle, holding it out before him. He said softly, "This flame represents my life. If it is your wish to share it with me, it is my wish to share it with you."

Daniel picked up what looked to be a long, metallic stick from the table and placed the tip in the flame of the candle which Jonas held out to him. When he moved the metal rod away, a small flame burned at the tip. As Daniel stuck the rod into the same sand-filled container into which they had snuffed the matches, Jonas replaced his candle on the table.

Daniel carefully picked up his own candle and spoke just as softly, "This flame represents my life. If it is your wish to share it with me, it is my wish to share it with you."

Jonas lit his own metal rod with Daniel's burning candle and stuck the rod in the container beside the other. Daniel set his candle on the table and watched Jonas until he saw the slight nod, then spoke his line: "Separately, our lives can light a room."

Removing their respective rods from the sand, they placed them together, the two flames joining into one. Jonas said, "Together, they can light the world."

Holding the metal sticks together, they ignited the large candle. The large flame from the candle was surprisingly bright and significantly raised the illumination level in the room. The white material of both Daniel's and Jonas' clothes began to sparkle in prismatic colours which shimmered and waved with each subtle movement. Dr. Frasier couldn't help but gasp in amazement at the rainbow display. Major Carter sniffled politely and wiped away the tears now traveling down each cheek. Colonel O'Neill felt a lump growing in his throat.

Daniel and Jonas snuffed the flames of the burning rods. In a carefully orchestrated maneuver, Jonas reached out with his left hand, placing it on Daniel's side of the large candle. Daniel reached over Jonas' arm, placing his right hand on Jonas' side of the candle while placing his left hand firmly over Jonas' left hand. Jonas, in turn, placed his right hand over Daniel's. Together, they lifted the candle out of its cradle and moved to the end of the table, holding the candle in front of them.

Jonas turned toward his friends. "Please stand," he said. When they had done so, he continued. "It is time now to honour our friends," said Jonas, "who have honoured us with their presence during our time of celebration. Dr. Frasier, would you approach, please?"

Janet stepped forward, holding her candle firmly in her hands, until she stood directly in front of Daniel and Jonas. Daniel smiled at her and then spoke in a soft voice: "Janet. You give to us your skill and your dedication as a physician. You give us our health and our well-being. When we are broken, you fix us. And when you can't fix us, you suffer more than anyone else because you feel that you have failed us. But your only failure is in not being able to do what you have committed your life to doing." Daniel smiled again before continuing. "I know it tore you up inside when you couldn't help me. It's hard to explain, but I wasn't in my body when I died. I was standing there in the room with you. Jack knows. I talked to him." Janet turned her head quickly. Jack simply smiled and nodded. She looked back at Daniel. "I should have told you then not to blame yourself. I'm sorry I didn't. I had other things on my mind." Dr. Frasier choked back the tears that threatened to erupt. Daniel took a deep breath and continued. "You give us comfort in your determination to find answers to questions which should never be asked, and you give us your unspoken promise that you will never stop looking until there is nowhere else for you to look. You give us our very lives."

Daniel fell silent. Janet timidly wiped away the tears which had escaped her eyes.

Jonas Quinn gave her a moment before speaking. "Janet?" he said, gaining her attention. "We give to you our thanks for everything you have done for us in the past, and we give you our continued trust and appreciation in everything you continue to do for us. Daniel said that you give us our very lives. Well, we give them back to you now. We place our lives in your hands because there are no safer hands we could put them in." He paused. "We now offer you the opportunity to share our lives." In a quiet whisper, he added, "Please light your candle."

With shaking hands and through bleary eyes, Janet managed to light her candle. She swallowed, choking back her emotions, but managed to say, with a great deal of effort, "Thank you." In a ragged whisper, she asked, "Can I say something now?"

Jonas responded, "Very soon. Could you return to your place now, please."

Janet smiled and whispered "Okay" before returning to her chair.

"Teal'c," Jonas said, "would you approach, please?"

Teal'c nodded and stepped forward.

"Teal'c," said Daniel. "You give to us your enormous strength, not only of body, but of mind and character and conviction as well. You give us your unquestioned loyalty and friendship, your knowledge, your courage, and your wisdom. . . . You give us security just knowing that you are with us, watching out for us and protecting us, and we feel safe knowing that you will continue to do so without question. You give everything that is good about you, everything that is good about the world and the universe, and you give it to everyone who you feel deserves it. You look out for the little people, those who are lost, alone, or helpless against the evil that threatens them. It doesn't matter who they are or how insignificant their lives may be, you feel they are worthy of your help, and you refuse to let them down, even if it means sacrificing yourself for them. . . .Your sense of justice is a valuable lesson to all of us, and we would be wise to learn it. Where there is injustice, there is no better warrior for righteousness than you, my friend."

Daniel bowed his head in salute. Teal'c did the same in return.

"Teal'c?" Jonas said. "We give to you our absolute trust and our faith in you. We give you our promise that we will stand with you whenever you need us, to do whatever you ask of us. We give to you our continued appreciation and friendship. You mean more to us than you will ever know. For myself, I would like to give to you my most sincere thanks for watching out for Daniel and bringing him back home to me. I rest a lot easier knowing you are always there to take care of him." Jonas bowed his head in thanks and respect. Teal'c returned the bow. "We now offer you the opportunity to share our lives."

Teal'c bowed in salute, lit his candle, and silently returned to his spot.

"Sam," Jonas said, "would you approach, please?"

Sam glanced at Jack, raising her eyebrows and drawing back her mouth in a wide ‘this is it' smile. She stepped forward.

"Sam," Daniel said with deepest respect. His smile was bright as he shook his head slightly and repeated softly, "Dear Sam. . . . You give us so much, it is difficult to know where to begin. . . . You give us everything that is within you, and just when we think there is nothing else you could possibly give, you dig deeper inside yourself and find even more to give. You give us your knowledge of the scientific world. You also give us a lot of big words that we don't understand and can't even pronounce, but, at the same time, you give us comfort in knowing that you understand them and will use that understanding to help keep us safe. You give to us your ability to, as you once put it the very first time we met, ‘MacGyver' a few wires and crystals and pieces of metal together in order to do what must be done. You find answers to impossible questions." Daniel paused and swallowed, blinking his eyes in an effort to stem the tears which were gathering in them. "We don't deserve you, Sam. We don't deserve everything you give to us when you ask for very little in return. It just doesn't seem fair somehow. The day you walked into my life was the second-best day of my life. . . . I love you very much, Sam and I cherish you even more."

Sam grimaced in an attempt to fight back the tears that welled in her eyes, but it was no use. They overflowed, moistening her cheeks in tiny rivulets. Somehow, she smiled and managed a polite nod of thanks.

"Sam?" Jonas spoke quietly. "There is very little we can give to you in return for everything you give to us except all the love and friendship you can handle, and those we give to you freely, abundantly, and without question. We now offer you the opportunity to share our lives."

Sam nervously lit her candle and offered an embarrassed smile. She nodded once, turned, and stepped back to her place between the Colonel and the General.

"Jack," Jonas said, "would you approach, please?"

Jack sauntered forward in his inimitable, nonchalant way.

"Jack," Daniel said. "You give to us your leadership, your selflessness, your courage, and your dedication. You put everyone in your charge before yourself, which you have done more times than we could possibly count. You give us security in knowing that you will never let anything stand in your way to protect us and to keep us safe from harm. When we stumble, you give us your support. When we fall, you pick us up. When we are lost, you find a way to get us back. You give us your strength to keep going when we can't continue. . . . You have so much faith in us, misguided as it might be at times, and you refuse to give up on us, even when we give you every reason to do so. You give us a strong arm to carry us, and you give us a soft shoulder to cry on when we need it. . . . You are one of the best people I know, and it has been an honour for me to be able to call you my friend."

Jack's smile was broad and sincere. He winked and turned toward Jonas, eyebrows raised, waiting.

"Jack? What can we give you except our promise not to piss you off more than one hundred times a day. We give you our promise to try to follow your orders and we promise to agree with you when you tell us that fishing is the greatest recreational sport in the universe. Seriously, though, we give you our trust and confidence in your command and leadership, that you will do everything you can to keep us all safe. And, personally, I want you to know that I sleep a lot better at night knowing that you are there with Daniel, to watch over him for me when he's off- world. For that alone, I am eternally grateful. We now offer you the opportunity to share our lives."

The stalwart Jack O'Neill looked at Jonas, a smile still on his face. With a simple wink and nod, he told Jonas that he had nothing to worry about. He would take good care of Daniel. He lit his candle and stepped back.

Jonas said, "General Hammond, would you approach, please?"

The General stepped forward, taking his position in front of the two men before him, standing square-shouldered, serious, and erect.

"General," Daniel said, his voice full of respect, "You give to us the benefits of your command and your determination and compassion and integrity with which you perform your duties. You place yourself as a buffer between ourselves and the people to whom you must answer for our mistakes. You do whatever you can to protect us from them and you stand by us, even when we go against your orders and do what we think is right, but only because you believe it is the right thing to do as well. You give us your patience even when we give you no reason to expect it from you. You care so much for everyone under your command. You make everyone feel important. Outside the SGC, you become our friend, and you make time for us as you are doing tonight. People in your position rarely do that. Many can't. It's difficult to be both a commanding officer and a friend at the same time, but you have the ability to set one aside for the other, and you make it very easy for us to know which one you're being at any given moment. That is something I have admired about you since the day we met. I would personally like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking a chance on me by allowing me to join SG-1 so long ago. Most of all, though, I would like to thank you for giving Jonas to me. Without your help, I'm not sure it would ever have happened at all."

The General's smile warmed Daniel, and Daniel smiled back before bowing his head in respect to the great man standing before him.

"General?" This was from Jonas. "We give to you our continued loyalty and allegiance to both you and to the SGC. We give to you our deepest respect and humility. We are proud to stand in the shadow of someone as great and wonderful as you. We are also very proud to be able to consider you our friend." For the last time, Jonas repeated, "We now offer you the opportunity to share our lives."

General Hammond lit his candle before returning to his place in the middle of the group of friends.

When all five guests were facing them, Daniel and Jonas stepped back, the table between them, and replaced the large candle to its position on the pedestal. They moved once more to the front of the table, standing shoulder to shoulder, their hands clasped before them. They bowed their heads in respect to the group still standing before them, their five candles burning brightly.

After raising their heads, Jonas turned and picked up the second smaller candle holder from the right side. Turning back to the group, he held the holder before him and said gently, "Janet?"

Dr. Fraiser approached, placing her candle on the holder. As Jonas turned to replace the candle to its place in front of the large pedestal, Janet began to turn as well and was about to walk back when Daniel reached out hurriedly and touched her arm. "Wait," he whispered. Janet stopped and turned back as Daniel returned to his stance.

Jonas greeted her with a smile. "You can speak now," he said. "The floor is yours."

"Thank you," she said. Taking a deep breath to compose herself, Janet began speaking. "I adore both of you. I have always looked at you as the ‘babies' of SG-1. Maybe that was wrong, but you were like my children. . . my little boys. I always felt that you needed a little extra looking-after. A little extra TLC. Now, I look at you and you're all grown up. You both have turned into fine young men. You don't need me to take care of you anymore. You each have the other to do that now." Turning to Daniel, she said, "I was so happy when you came back to us, Daniel, but I was also very frightened that you would hate me for not having done enough to keep you alive in the first place." Daniel smiled his reassurance, and Janet smiled her thanks. "I love both of you so much. I'm so proud of you, and I'm so happy for you. I'm sure that, if your mothers were alive today, they would be just as proud of you and as happy for you as I am."

Janet paused, leaning toward Jonas and whispering, "Am I allowed to hug you?"

Jonas' smile beamed back at her. "Like I said," he replied, "the floor is yours."

Janet took Jonas in her arms as Jonas wrapped her in a warm embrace. "You watch out for Daniel, you hear?" she said as she looked up at Jonas. "He tends to get distracted sometimes."

Jonas smiled down at her. "I've heard rumours," he said with a wink. "I'll watch out for him. You can count on that."

She released Jonas and turned to Daniel. She was lost in the embrace of the larger man, her cheek buried against his chest as he hugged her closely. She held him for a long time before releasing him. "If anything happens to Jonas," she said, a hint of warning in her voice, "I'll hold you personally responsible."

Daniel smiled. "I'll take good care of him."

Janet lay her palm tenderly against Daniel's cheek, staring deeply into his eyes. "I know you will, Daniel," she said softly, then spun around to return quickly to her chair.

Jonas then reached for Teal'c's candle stand and held it out. "Teal'c?"

Teal'c approached and set his candle on the stand and waited until Jonas had set it back in place. Placing his closed fist against his chest, he said in his deep, resonating voice, "Tal mal'tiak mal we'ia, Daniel Jackson." Turning to Jonas, he repeated, "Tal mal'tiak mal we'ia, Jonas Quinn."

Daniel recognized the phrase. "We, too, are honoured, Teal'c," he said. "Thank you."

"Yes," Jonas added. "Thank you."

Teal'c bowed once more before returning to stand beside Dr. Fraiser.

Sam was next, of course. She approached and set her candle on its holder. When Jonas turned back to face her, she looked from face to face before speaking to Daniel first. She stared into his kind face for a long time, gazing deeply into his eyes. Daniel met her gaze and held it. His gentle smile warmed her, giving her courage.

"Do you have any idea what you mean to me, Daniel?"

"I have a pretty good idea."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that if I were you," she said with a wink. "Can you remember the first time we met?"

Daniel chuckled. "Sure. You probably thought I was some sort of geek."

"Oh, I knew you were a geek," she said. "I thought you were some sort of goofball."

Daniel's eyebrows raised high, wrinkling his forehead in surprise. "Goofball?"

Sam whispered a quick "Yeah" and shrugged her shoulders.

After a moment, Daniel's eyebrows dropped in deep thought. "Oh," he said.

"When you said you wanted to join SG-1, I couldn't believe it. I thought. . ."

Daniel cut her off. "You thought you'd be stuck changing my diapers. . . so to speak."

"Yeah," Sam repeated. "I couldn't believe I had joined the military just to become a babysitter to some impulsive, bumbling, know-it-all historian. But then I saw how you handled those priests on Chulak. You found a way to talk to them and you got us in the door. Most importantly, though, I watched you when we were in the prison and Apophis walked in with Sha're. You looked like you'd never been in a fight in your life, but you were ready to take on those Jaffa with your bare hands. That took guts - more guts than I have - and I knew I wanted you on my team. I started looking out for you, not because I had to, but because I wanted to. You were more like my big ‘little brother' than you were my friend, and I came to love and respect you that way."

Sam paused, her eyes moist with tears. She diverted her gaze downward. Her voice was barely above a whisper as he continued. "I cried for days when you died. It was one of the saddest days of my life." She looked back into Daniel's eyes. "If I could have traded places with you, I would have."

"I know," Daniel said gently.

Turning to Jonas, her voice taking on a serious and surprisingly angry tone, she said, "I hated you for that, Jonas. I hated you because Daniel was dead and you weren't. I hated you for thinking you could take his place on SG-1. I tolerated you because I had to - not because I wanted to."

She paused and her body relaxed. When she spoke again, her voice was calm. "But then, when Anubis was attacking our Stargate with his energy beam, I looked out from the Control Room and saw you standing in front of the gate. You weren't doing anything. Just standing there and drinking your coffee, staring at the gate. I didn't want to admit it, but I knew you were very smart and even more clever. I had to find out what you were thinking. You didn't even look at me when I was standing beside you. You just stared at the gate and mentioned how big it was, and how it was too big to fit through the door. I told you we lowered it through the missile shaft. You had given me the solution and no-one knew it except me. And all you did was sip your coffee, look at me and smile. And then you said something like, ‘I knew you'd think of it sooner or later.' You didn't want any of the credit. You just wanted to help us. That's when I stopped hating you."

Sam's smile was huge as she reached out and pinched Jonas' cheek. "Besides, your dimples are just too damned cute to hate for very long!"

She stepped back a bit and looked from one to the other, her face becoming serious once more. "I love both of you more than you can know, and no-one could be happier for you than I am. I feel like I have two little brothers now." She wrapped an arm around each strong neck and pulled them both into a hug. Two arms came around her back, holding her close, as two pairs of lips pressed kisses into both tear-stained cheeks.

With a final pat on each back, Sam stepped away, turned, and went back to her place between Hammond and O'Neill.

Daniel removed his glasses, wiping the tears from his eyes as Jonas looked on. Jonas reached out one hand and tenderly wiped away a tear which Daniel had missed. Daniel replaced his glasses and drew in a deep breath as Jonas asked, "Okay?"

Daniel nodded, tugging on his jacket hem and returning to his stance with his hands clasped before him. He inhaled deeply again and let it out slowly.

Jonas picked up the left-hand candlestick and looked toward Jack O'Neill, nodding slightly. Jack sauntered over, placed his candle on the stand and waited as Jonas set it in place.

Jack was silent for a time, looking down, around, up, and everywhere else except where he should be looking. Finally, clapping his hands and holding them together, he leaned back slightly on one leg and said, "Well. What can I say? Everyone else has already said all the good stuff, and there's no way I could possibly compete with Teal'c's amazing speech."

He fell silent again, looking around as he had moments before. His eyebrows raised. "I'm hungry," he said suddenly. "Got anything to eat?"

Daniel grinned. "You'll be fed, Jack."

Hands still clasped together, Jack leaned his upper body forward. "Good!" he said anxiously. Indicating the group behind him with a sweep of his hand, he said, "I'll. . . um. . . I'll just wait over there."

He began his stroll back to his chair, stopped suddenly, and spun on his heels. "Oh, what the Hell!" he said loudly and marched quickly back to Daniel. Before Daniel knew what was happening, Jack had grabbed Daniel's face firmly in the grips of his hands and pressed his lips forcefully against Daniel's lips, giving him an extremely hard and very noisy kiss.

Jack ended the kiss with a loud smack and turned his attention to Jonas, who had his hands raised in defense. Instead of grabbing Jonas by the cheeks, Jack wrapped his left arm around Jonas' neck and back, his right arm wrapping securely around Jonas' waist. With a slight twist of his body, Jonas was set off balance and soon found himself bent backwards over Jack's left knee. The last thing he saw before closing his eyes was Jack's face approaching at light speed.

The kiss was very long - much longer than the kiss Daniel had received - and Jack made a great performance of it. When it became obvious that the kiss wasn't going to end, Daniel said, "Jack?" Still, the kiss continued. Thumping Jack on the back with his fingertips, Daniel said much more loudly and urgently, "Jack!"

Jack snapped his head around to look at Daniel. "Wha-a-a--at!?" he shouted in mock anger.

Daniel said simply, "That's my job."

"I know that!" Jack said just as loudly. "I'm submitting my résumé in case Jonas decides to fire you!"

The room burst into laughter. Even Teal'c joined in, his deep, rarely-heard laugh a refreshing addition. Jack looked at Jonas, a big grin on his face. Jonas was laughing as well. "Daniel?" Jack's voice broke through the laughter.

Still chuckling, Daniel asked, "What?"

"Help me up. Your boyfriend's heavy!"

Daniel wrapped one arm around Jonas' back, the other around Jack's waist, and helped them to their feet. When they were all standing again, Jack grabbed them each into a powerful, friendly hug, one arm wrapped around each neck. "Space Monkeys," he said.

Releasing them, Jack stepped back, the huge grin on his face. "You two take care of each other, you hear me? That's an order!"

"Yes, Sir, Colonel," they said in tandem.

He turned and started back to his chair when Daniel's voice stopped him. "Jack?" Daniel said quietly.

Jack stopped and spun his head around. "You do have a pretty nice ass."

With a wink at Daniel, Jack turned to Teal'c and said, "You see, T? I knew he'd come around sooner or later." With mock pride and a swish of his hips, Jack returned to his chair. Janet looked at Sam, who simply shrugged her confusion.

"Private joke," Jack said.

The couple composed themselves, straightening their jackets, before Jonas picked up the final and central candlestick. General Hammond approached and repeated the actions of those who preceded him.

When Jonas was once again ready, the General spoke in his great, commanding voice. "Your relationship goes against everything I have been taught throughout my entire life. But I look at you now and I see the devotion you have for each other. You refused to let society stand in the way of your happiness, and you continue to do so. Love comes in many forms, and the love you share with each other is just one more. No-one should ever have the right to deny it from you or from anyone else." Hammond paused a moment. "If there is anything I can do for you boys, you be sure to let me know."

"We will, Sir," Daniel promised.

The General nodded and began to turn.

"General?" Jonas said.

Daniel and Jonas dropped their arms to their sides, hands fisted, and came to attention. With a practiced sweep of their hands, they saluted the man standing in front of them. General Hammond came to attention and immediately returned the salute.

When General Hammond had returned to his chair, Jonas said, "You may now be seated."

When all were settled comfortably, Daniel and Jonas turned to face each other once more. Daniel took a deep, relaxing breath. Jonas stepped to the large candle and retrieved his scarf, draping it over his extended hands. Returning to face Daniel, he paused a moment, raised the scarf to his lips, and then arranged it carefully and neatly around Daniel's neck.

Taking Daniel's hands in his own, he began to speak. "Daniel. Before I met you, I thought I had everything I could want. I had a good job, a nice home, good friends. . . . You opened the entire universe to me, and you gave me something that I had rarely experienced. . . . Love. . . . I'm not exactly sure when I fell in love with you, but when you died saving my life, I was so sad for you and angry at you for taking away that love as fast as you had given it. . . and I felt very empty and alone. It helped a bit when I had to escape from Kelowna and came to live on Earth. I found all your journals and notes and diaries and it was like having you with me again. As I read them, I could hear you speaking to me, and that helped me get through being alone. I can't even begin to tell you how I felt when I found you alive. I didn't know it at the time, but I started loving you all over again. I wasn't alone anymore. And when you asked me to move in with you. . . well. . . that was the happiest day of my life. I loved you so much then, and I love you more now. And I will love you more tomorrow. You are the most beautiful, the most kind, the most gentle person I know. I can't imagine my life now without you being part of it."

Jonas paused for a moment. "All that I have and all that I am, I give to you."

"Thank you," Daniel said.

Releasing his hands, Daniel retrieved his own scarf, pressed it to his lips, and placed it over Jonas' neck and shoulders. Taking Jonas' hands, he spoke softly. "Jo. . ." Daniel's voice broke with emotion. He cleared his throat and started again. "Jonas. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. As much as you think you love me, it doesn't even come close to how much I love you. You make me. . . so happy. You have such a big heart inside you, and you hold so much love in it. There is nothing but kindness and goodness and caring inside you, and you just keep giving more of it to me every day. You make it impossible for me not to love you. . . . These past few months have been the happiest months of my life. I promise you that I will always protect you and take care of you. I will love you and hold you and keep you safe. I don't want to live without you. I died for you once. . . . but I would gladly do it again. Without hesitation. Dying would be easier for me because living without you would be worse than death. . . . You mean everything to me, Jonas. You are my life."

Daniel paused, his face breaking momentarily into a quick ‘Daniel' smile. Then he closed his eyes for a moment, opened them, and whispered, "I forget the line."

Jonas whispered back, "All that I have. . ."

Daniel nodded and said, "Right." He squeezed Jonas' hands in thanks.

"All that I have and all that I am, I give to you."

They released their hands, pulled each other close, and kissed. Still holding each other when the kiss was finished, Jonas reached up and tenderly wiped away a tear which had escaped Daniel's eye. He quickly kissed Daniel once more before stepping back. Together, they walked to the far end of the table, each on their own side, where Jonas lifted the material there, unveiling a tray of glasses and an uncorked bottle set in ice. Daniel picked up the bottle of champagne and poured. He returned the bottle to the ice bucket as Jonas picked up the tray. Together, they walked toward their friends. They stopped at the end of the table.

"Please stand for the toast," Jonas said.

When they had risen to their feet, Jonas went first to Teal'c, angling the tray slightly. "That one is apple juice, Teal'c."

"Thank you, Jonas Quinn," Teal'c said as he accepted the glass. Jonas went down the line, each guest taking a glass. With two glasses remaining, Jonas set the tray on the table, picked up the glasses, and handed one to Daniel.

"General Hammond," Jonas said. "At this point in the ceremony, a toast is offered by the fathers of the couple. Since you are the nearest thing to a father that either Daniel or I have, would you honour us with your words?"

The General smiled and said, "It would be my pleasure, Son." He stepped off to one side, standing next to Colonel O'Neill, and turned to face the entire group. "Over the past few years as Commander of SGC, I have watched both of you grow from strangers and outsiders to important and integral members of SG-1. I have watched you grow into the fine young men you are today. Your value to the team cannot be measured. Tonight, I am here not as your Commander, but as your friend, and as your friend, I wish both of you all the happiness and best wishes and long life that you deserve." Looking at the others, General Hammond raised his glass. "Ladies and gentlemen," he continued, "I invite you to join me in a toast to Daniel Jackson and Jonas Quinn. May their Joining be long and prosperous."

"Here! Here!" Jack shouted. Daniel and Jonas watched as their friends drank their toast.

Daniel waited a moment after they finished before speaking, looking at each person as he spoke their names, his voice full of emotion. "General. Jack. Sam. Janet. Teal'c. Jonas and I would like to thank all of you for being our dearest friends, for helping us to get to this point in our lives. . . . You could have turned your backs on us, but you didn't." Daniel paused to clear his throat. "You stuck by us all the way and. . . made us feel. . . ."

Daniel could not find the word he was searching for in his mind. He left the sentence unfinished as his eyes began to overflow. In a ragged, rough voice, he said, "I cherish each and every. . . ."

His voice broke. He couldn't speak anymore. He gasped a deep breath and exhaled noisily, tears flowing freely down his cheeks. A quick look at Jonas and a shake of his head told Jonas everything he needed to know. He immediately took over.

"Daniel cherishes each and every one of you," he finished. "And so do I. Friends like you come along once in a lifetime. Daniel and I are so lucky to have each other, but we truly have been blessed to have been given friends as kind and caring and wonderful as you."

Raising his glass, and noticing out of the corner of his eye that Daniel, too, had raised his, Jonas said, "We salute you."

They drank their toast and the ceremony was finished.

To Be Continued​

(NOTE - The final chapter will be posted on Monday. I have removed the previews and won't post any more of them.)

 

[gsdx]

Thanks for the Jonas link. I haven't seen that one yet.

I have Pepe's Place bookmarked already. I found it quite some time ago. Here's another I have bookmarked:

http://www.entropic-cascade.popullus.net/sg1.htm

And, just for fun (in case you missed it in the Celebrity forum - 'Campaign for More Naked Daniel Jackson:

http://stripdaniel.com/

You can find pictures there, too, and other Stargate stories, but they all seem to involve Jack and Daniel. Somehow, I just never pictured those two together. Daniel and Jonas made much more sense to me.

Actually, the Ceremony of Joining chapter was the first chapter I began writing. The inspiration hit me one night and I developed the ceremony and what would happen even before I figured out how I was going to get them there.

The new story is going well, but it's much more difficult to write than the first one. You'll see why, soon. I'm into Chapter 6 now. After a few more re-writes, I'll begin posting the first chapters, probably within a week or two.

 

[gsdx]

Chapter 15
THE LAST MISSION​

Daniel hated his apartment. He hated everything about it. He hated coming home to it and he hated being there. It was dark. It was cold. It was silent. And it was very empty. He stepped inside the door and flipped the nearby switch, flooding the room with light. He stood there for a long time, looking around at nothing in particular, seeing only the emptiness. He closed his eyes to the loneliness, to the silence, to the empty feeling within him.

He had spent the first few days at Stargate Command, preferring to eat and sleep there instead of having to face coming home, but almost a week of the depressing metal walls preyed on his mind and nerves, and he decided that, perhaps, it would be better for him to go home after all. The few days he had spent off-world were almost therapeutic. He could leave his life behind him and forget about it for a little while, but he always returned and was met each time with the isolation which greeted him.

As it was greeting him now.

He didn't know how long those feelings would last, but he was having a great deal of trouble dealing with them. He wished he didn't have to feel them, but that option had been taken from him weeks earlier.

Turning off the light and plunging the room into darkness, he carefully walked to the bedroom. Without turning on a light there, he stripped himself of his clothes and climbed under the blankets. The bed felt so big - so empty and lonely - without Jonas in it with him. As he had done for so many nights, Daniel reached for the other pillow, wrapping his arms around it, hugging it closely against his chest, and nuzzling his face into it. It wasn't Jonas, but it was something he could hold onto.

Hours passed. It was just after midnight that Daniel forced himself out of bed and walked into the bathroom. He opened the faucets to fill the bath and lit the candles sitting on the vanity. As he waited for the tub to fill, he pissed and flushed. Minutes later, he sat, alone, in the hot, soothing water. He closed his eyes, remembering the sound of Jonas' voice as he sang his favourite song. He knew it by heart now, and remembering it helped to bring Jonas closer to him. He wished that he had asked Jonas to pick him up a copy on Kelowna.

He felt better when he got out and emptied the tub. Grabbing a large, fluffy towel, he patted himself dry as he blew out the candles and padded barefoot and naked to the bedroom. He sat on the side of the bed for several minutes, towel over his shoulders, his eyes looking down at the floor. He stared into the darkness, alone with his thoughts and his memories.

He suddenly reached a hand to turn on the bedside lamp. Rising to his feet, the towel dropping neglected to the floor, he strode to the chest of drawers, pulled open the bottom drawer, and gently pulled out a large, clear, plastic storage bag he kept there. He returned to the bed and sat, running his hand tenderly over the package he held before opening it. He reached in and pulled out the contents. Setting the T-shirt on the bed beside him, Daniel returned the pair of jeans and black bikini underwear to the bag and sealed it once more before returning it to its place in the dresser.

Back on the bed, Daniel picked up the T-shirt and spread it out on his lap, running his fingers lovingly over the soft material. It was the last T-shirt he had seen Jonas wearing. He had retrieved them, unwashed, from the laundry hamper. He picked it up again and, closing his eyes, pressed his face into it. He could still smell Jonas there, though the scent was fading quickly. Soon it would be gone entirely. He leaned over as he sat, resting his elbows on his knees, holding the shirt to his face for a long time.

Daniel carefully arranged the T-shirt over his pillow and opened the small drawer in the bedside table, reaching in and pulling out a photograph. Jonas smiled up at him, his beautiful face bringing a welcomed smile to his own. Daniel's fingers traced the outline of the face, caressing the lips and the cheeks with great tenderness. He looked into his eyes, so beautiful and so blue. He was drawn into them, deeper and deeper, but there was no-one to greet him when he got there. A single tear fell from one eye, splashing onto Jonas' cheek.

Clutching the photo close to his chest, Daniel closed his eyes tightly and said in a loud, long, drawn-out whisper, "I miss you so much!"

He sat there for a long time, rocking himself slowly, gently, eyes clenched shut, trying desperately to remember the feel and the taste and the smell and the sound of Jonas Quinn. Finally, after many long, lonely minutes, he opened his eyes, brought the picture to his lips, and lovingly kissed Jonas ‘goodnight'. He turned off the lamp, lay down as he pulled the blankets over himself, and settled his head onto the T-shirt and pillow. He clutched the photo once more to his chest, protectively and lovingly, and finally he fell asleep.

* * * * *

"Daniel?"

He sat behind his desk in SGC, a pile of scrolls and books spread out in front of him. He looked up at the sound of his name. "Oh, hi, Janet," he said. "Hi, Jack."

Dr. Janet Fraiser and Colonel Jack O'Neill approached the desk. "We just came to see how you're holding up," Janet said.

"I'm fine, really," Daniel said.

"Like Hell, Daniel," Jack replied.

Janet gave Jack a poke in the ribs with her elbow.

Turning back to Daniel, she asked, "You've been having trouble sleeping, haven't you?"

"I've been sleeping okay," Daniel lied. He was silent a moment before dropping his head. "Well, not really so ‘okay'."

"We know what it's like, Daniel," Jack said.

"No. . . you don't, Jack."

"We all miss him. I, for one, would kill for one of his chocolate chip cookies."

"Please don't try to be funny, Jack," Daniel frowned. "I'm not in the mood."

"Look," Janet broke in as she reached into the pocket of her white smock. Setting a small prescription bottle on the desk, she said, "I want you to go home and take one of these and get some sleep."

"I will," Daniel promised. "As soon as I finish this."

"Now, Daniel! That was not a request. It was an order!"

Daniel looked around at the scrolls for a moment and, then rose slowly to his feet. "Maybe you're right. I'm feeling pretty tired. I guess I could use some sleep."

"Would you like me to come with?" Jack asked, concerned for his friend. "I don't mind sleeping on the sofa. You know, in case you want to talk or something."

"Thanks anyway, Jack," Daniel replied, "but no. I'll be okay. Really."

"You know I'm only as far away as a phone call," Jack said with an encouraging and friendly smile.

"I know, Jack. Thanks. If I need you. . . ."

"We'll see you tomorrow, okay?" Janet said.

"Sure," Daniel said..

* * * * *

"What do we have, Sergeant?" General Hammond asked Sgt. Harriman, who sat at the computer console overlooking the Stargate beyond the large, thick windows.

"SG-1's IDC, Sir."

"Open the iris."

Harriman pressed his palm against a pad near the keyboard. A light scanned his palm and, a moment later, the large, metal iris shielding the Stargate opened, revealing the shimmering, watery event horizon behind it.

"You know what to do?" Hammond asked as he headed toward the stairs leading down to the Gate Room.

"Yes, Sir," the technician said.

General Hammond was walking through the huge sliding door as SG-1 stepped out of the wormhole and onto the ramp. He met them at the bottom.

"General!" Jack O'Neill said with a grin as the Stargate closed down behind him. "How nice of you to greet us. What, no flowers?"

"Colonel!" Hammond's commanding voice and serious look put a quick end to the jokes. Reaching into his shirt pocket, he pulled out a piece of paper. "Dr. Jackson," he said, holding the paper out to Daniel, "you have a message."

Daniel grabbed the paper and quickly read the message. "Permission to. . !"

Hammond did not allow him to finish the request."Granted," he said, and turned to look at the technician behind and above him. The Stargate began to spin immediately.

Daniel quickly pulled off his flat, brimmed hat. "Sam," he said urgently, "do you mind?"

"Of course not," Sam replied, taking hold of the hat as the Sergeant's voice came over the speakers.

"Chevron 1, engaged."

Daniel unhooked his shoulder harness and belt as the big wheel spun behind him. Sam took them from his hands.

"Chevron 2, engaged."

Sam took the jacket after Daniel removed it, draping it over her arm.

"Chevron 3, engaged."

Daniel turned toward the gate, watching, waiting, his right hand impatiently patting his thigh.

"Do you wish me to accompany you, Daniel Jackson?"

"Chevron 4, engaged."

"No thanks, Teal'c," Daniel said. "I'll be okay."

Teal'c nodded his understanding as the voice spoke.

"Chevron 5, engaged."

"I'll be back as soon as I can, General," Daniel said over the roar of the spinning, metallic wheel. He did not take his eyes off the Gate.

"No hurry, Son."

"Chevron 6, engaged."

"Good luck."

"Thank you, Sir," Daniel said.

"Chevron 7. . . . Locked!"

A huge splash blew horizontally out of the metal ring, quickly retracting to become a vertical pond of light. Daniel ran up the ramp and into the pool without a glance back.

* * * * *

He stepped out of the watery ring into a large warehouse. He headed immediately for the door across the floor ahead of him. Stepping out onto the street, he turned right and began running. The hard, leather soles of his boots slammed into the concrete, echoing off the brick walls with each step. Fortunately, he had only three blocks to run. There was no-one wandering the street. Few civilians ever got to see this part of the city.

He soon found the building he sought, yanked open the big door, and entered. Turning right, he passed through another door and headed up the zigzag staircase, exiting through the second-floor door into a long, white, sterile hallway running to his right. He began running again. A few people walked the halls on their way to somewhere and Daniel easily avoided them. He ran through the first cross intersection and turned left at the second. Down the hall a short way, he turned right at yet another intersection and stopped at the second door he came to. He turned the knob. It was locked.

Closing his eyes and leaning against the door, panting for breath, Daniel used his index finger to draw a map in the air before him, tracing out the route in his mind. Finally satisfied, he set out running once more, returning to the staircase he knew best. He climbed two more floors, taking the steps two at a time, and exited into a wider corridor. He sprinted down the hall, colliding shoulders with a man who had stepped out of a doorway, spinning him around and making him drop the papers he held in his hand. "Sorry!" Daniel gasped as he continued running. He came to another intersection and skidded to a halt, looking down both hallways. Selecting the right, he slowed his pace to a quick walk, anxiously checking the words printed on each door he passed. He reached the end without finding the door he was looking for, turned, and ran back through the intersection. Four doors later, he found what he was looking for. Grabbing the handle, he pulled. The door opened.

The young man standing at the laboratory counter across the room looked up as Daniel entered the room. The book he was holding slid out of his grasp and fell to the counter.

"Daniel!" he shouted.

"Jonas!"

They met in the middle of the laboratory and fell immediately into each other's arms. Daniel gasped for breath as he held Jonas tightly. Jonas' arms clung to Daniel's back, his fingers clutching the back of his T-shirt, his face buried into Daniel's heaving chest. Daniel placed one hand onto Jonas' head, pulling him close. He leaned down and kissed Jonas' hair.

Eventually, Daniel pulled back enough to look into Jonas' face. It was full of worry and concern and fear. He asked, "What's wrong? What happened?"

"Don't talk," Jonas begged. "Please, just hold me. I need you to hold me."

Daniel wrapped his arms around Jonas again and held him close. Jonas buried his face into Daniel's chest again and stayed there for a long time. Daniel breathed in his smell as his heart rate and his breathing slowed to more normal levels, and all the past weeks of emptiness and loneliness drifted away. It had been over almost two months since Jonas had returned to Kelowna when he became aware of a serious problem and had forbade Daniel from visiting him until he finished his research. It had been the most difficult seven weeks of Daniel's life. He could never have anticipated how miserable his life would be when Jonas wasn't there share it with him.

Reluctantly, Jonas finally broke the embrace, tilting his head back in order to kiss Daniel.

"Can you tell me what's wrong now?" Daniel asked when the kiss ended, still holding Jonas close to his body. He did not want to let go of him.

Concern filled Jonas' face. "I'm not sure, Daniel," he replied, "but I think Langara is in very big trouble."

"Not just Kelowna?"

"No. The entire planet."

"Whoa," Daniel muttered. "Are you sure about this?"

Jonas lowered his head a moment before looking back into the pale blue eyes he had missed looking into for more weeks than he wished to remember. "I won't know for sure until I finish all the calculations, but it doesn't look good."

"I'm so sorry, Jonas. What can I do?"

"Nothing," Jonas replied. "Just hold me."

Daniel pulled Jonas into a loving embrace once again. It felt so good to hold Jonas in his arms. The heat of their bodies traveled through the material of their clothes and they could even feel each other's heartbeats. Daniel's hold on Jonas was so strong, it would have been an effort even for Teal'c to have pried his arms loose.

It was many minutes later when Daniel loosened his clutch and took Jonas by the hand, leading him to a metal bench set against the wall. They sat side-by-side, Daniel's arm around Jonas' back with Jonas settled comfortably into his shoulder.

"How long can you stay?" Jonas asked after several minutes of silence.

"As long as you need me."

"I only need you for awhile, Daniel," Jonas said sadly. "As much as I would like you to stay with me, I can't have you here. I can't have you distracting me. This is too important."

"I know," Daniel said, just as sadly. "But I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you, too." Jonas turned toward Daniel and they kissed. "I love you, but I need you not to be here. I can't do this with you here. I just needed you to hold me for awhile. I needed to know you still loved me."

Daniel smiled tenderly and kissed Jonas once more. "I will never stop loving you, Jonas. Never. I understand why I have to go back," he said softly. "I hate not being with you, but I understand. I'll go when you tell me to."

Jonas settled back into his lover's strong, warm body. "But not just yet," he said.

Another long silence followed, broken suddenly by Jonas' whisper. "I'm scared, Daniel. What if I'm right about what's happening What if I can't stop it?"

"We'll deal with it. You'll have lots of help. Between you and Sam, I'm sure you'll find a way."

"What if we can't?"

Daniel hugged Jonas tighter and kissed his hair tenderly. Then he relaxed and lay his cheek against Jonas' head. He held Jonas for a very long time.

* * * * *

It was two more weeks before Jonas returned to Earth to see Daniel and to talk to Sam. His original assessment had been correct. Not only did it appear that Kelowna was doomed to destruction, but so was the entire planet of Langara.

His research had proven that Naquadria was not an element native to the planet. It was, in fact, the result of a chain reaction begun by the Goa'uld Thanos over 3,000 years earlier. Thanos had transformed Naquadah into Naquadria, and it was continuing to that day. The expanding vein was heading toward a huge deposit of Naquadah. If a way wasn't found to stop it, the massive conversion of the Naquadah to the less-stable Naquadria would explode with enough power to obliterate most of Kelowna. The rest of the planet, if it even survived the catastrophe, would be plunged into a deadly nuclear winter. Langara would become a dead planet and the lives of all its people would be extinguished.

Daniel Jackson remained behind to meet with the three continental delegates from Langara while Samantha Carter returned to Kelowna with Jonas Quinn. If she were to be of any help, she needed to know what she was up against.

To her surprise, Sam discovered that, by testing a Naquadria bomb a year or so earlier, Kelowna had unintentionally caused the very disaster which was threatening them now. By setting off the explosion, they had set off an unstoppable chain of events, converting massive amounts of Naquadah into Naquadria, and now the rate of transformation was incrementally greater. Kelowna had, unwittingly, turned the entire planet into a gigantic Naquadria bomb.

But, she had also discovered a solution - if they could somehow manage to pull it off.

* * * * *

"Do you really have to go?" Daniel asked softly. He sat beside Jonas in his assigned room far beneath Cheyenne Mountain. He held Jonas tightly in his arms, afraid to release him.

"Yes, Daniel," Jonas said quietly. "I have to do this. There's no-one else. And I can't trust those idiots on Kelowna to do it right."

"It's dangerous. Let me go with you."

Jonas pulled himself away from Daniel's grip and turned to face him. "I need you here, Daniel," he said. "I'm depending on you to organize the evacuation. I need you to keep those stupid delegates on a straight track. They have to stop their bickering and laying blame on each other and they need to start thinking about saving people. I need you to do that for me."

Jonas was silent for a few moments, examining Daniel's face for clues. "Please," he said finally, "Do this for my people if not for me."

Daniel remained silent, clenching his eyes to push back the pain and the fear. "If anything happens to you. . . ."

Jonas placed his palm tenderly on Daniel's cheek. Daniel opened his eyes and met Jonas' hypnotic gaze. He grabbed Jonas' wrist, holding the hand in place, burning the touch deeply into his memory.

"Promise me, Daniel," Jonas whispered. "Promise me you'll do as I ask."

Daniel's eyes were moist with tears that threatened to burst free.

"Promise me."

Daniel returned the stare for a long moment. He said softly, "I promise."

"I love you," Jonas said.

"Me, too," Daniel added. He tried to smile and discovered that he could not.

* * * * *

Daniel stood just down the hall from the Gate Room, waiting patiently as he looked down the hallway. Teal'c appeared and Daniel quickly stepped forward to meet him.

"Teal'c," he said.

Teal'c nodded his greeting.

"Look, I. . . um. . . Come here."

Grabbing Teal'c by the elbow, Daniel pulled him into a quiet corner. With a glance around him to ensure their privacy, he said, "I want you to promise you'll bring Jonas back safe."

Teal'c face remained emotionless. "I am very sorry, Daniel Jackson. I cannot make such a promise. Our survival in this endeavour is not assured."

Daniel nodded. "Then promise to take care of him for me?" he pleaded.

"Of that you may be certain, Daniel Jackson. I will return with Jonas Quinn or I will not return at all." Then he bowed.

Together they entered the Gate Room.

Jonas was standing there with Samantha Carter. Their plan was simple, but dangerous. Using a new, manned, drilling machine intended to be used to dig through the rock in order to mine the Naquadria, Jonas, Sam, Teal'c, and Jonas' assistant, would drill their way to a gigantic fault line near the expanding Naquadria twenty kilometres beneath the ground. There they would plant a nuclear charge supplied by the SGC and escape back up through the tunnel. The resulting explosion would, effectively, shift the plates and separate the Naquadah deposit from the highly- dangerous Naquadria. The disaster would be averted with very little residual damage from the resulting earthquakes.

The plan was simple. Carrying it out would be extremely dangerous.

Daniel walked directly up to Jonas and placed his hands on Jonas' shoulders. If he was aware of those around him, including the Langaran delegates standing with General Hammond in the Control Room, he paid no attention.

"You come back to me, you hear?" Daniel said, his voice almost a whisper. "I need you."

"I will," Jonas replied, his lips curling into a reassuring smile.

Daniel pulled him into a hug. He whispered softly into Jonas' ear. "Love you."

"Me, too," Jonas whispered back.

Breaking the hug, Jonas glanced up, looking through the window. The Langaran delegates did not look pleased by his actions. He didn't care. When this was all finished and he had saved his home planet from the destruction they had brought upon themselves, he had every intention of leaving Kelowna behind him forever. His home was here with Daniel now, and he intended to make it permanent.

"Leave a light on for me," Jonas smiled. With a wink, he turned away and walked up the ramp beside Sam and Teal'c into the Stargate.

Daniel crossed his arms and watched them go. He kept watching long after the Stargate shut down.

* * * * *

It was mid-September. The weather was unusually warm and the skies were unusually clear outside Cheyenne Mountain. Dr. Daniel Jackson was unaware. The outside world never reached him in his office in Stargate Command. He sat in his chair, flipping pages in one of the many books piled upon his over-crowded desk. The translation was going particularly slowly. He carefully scanned the pages, eventually finding the symbols he was searching for and bent his head down, writing frantically on a pad of paper. He didn't hear the footsteps as they entered his office.

"Hi, Daniel," Jonas said.

Daniel looked up and smiled. He rose from his chair and went to greet the handsome young man with the dimples. He gave Jonas a quick hug and kiss, then leaned back and asked, "What are you doing here? I told you I'd be home at six. . ." He glanced at his wristwatch. It was 9:37 PM. "Oops," he said.

Jonas smiled. He knew Daniel well enough not to be angry. "Look," he said instead, "I brought supper with me. It's really nice outside. I thought we could go out for a picnic under the stars and then we could come back here to sleep instead of driving all the way home. I made the chicken you like so much and I made a salad out of the potatoes. And there's chocolate cake and apple pie for dessert."

"Mmmmm. Sounds yummy," Daniel said, smacking his lips. "But I wanted to finish this translation tonight."

"Is General Hammond expecting it tonight?"

"Well, no," Daniel admitted, "but. . ."

"But nothing. You're done for the night," Jonas smiled. "Besides, I'm lonely and I'm hungry and I want to have supper with my sweetheart."

"Oh, is he joining us, too?"

Jonas laughed and punched Daniel's arm.

"Ow!" Daniel exclaimed.

"Don't be such a wimp," Jonas joked. "Now, come on. I left supper in the car."

* * * * *

Daniel and Jonas walked out of the arched entrance of the Cheyenne Mountain Complex and into the night. Powerful lights lit their way as they walked down the paved road toward the main gate, beyond which lay the parking lot, Jonas' car, and their picnic supper. Guards wandered slowly back and forth, making certain that those who were not supposed to be inside the fence remained on the other side of it.

They passed near a young guard, standing there with his rifle held ready in his hands. As they passed, they heard a voice saying softly, "Fags."

Daniel stopped, staring ahead of him. Jonas stopped, too. "Daniel?," he said quietly. "Just ignore him."

Daniel ignored Jonas instead and turned on his heels, hands stuffed in his pants pockets, walking slowly toward the young man. Jonas followed close behind. He stopped when he stood directly in front of the Private, whose head barely reached Daniel's chin.

"Did you say something, Private?" Daniel asked, head tilted back, looking down at the soldier through the bottom of his glasses.

"No, Sir," replied the young man.

"Oh, I think you did, Private." His voice was quiet, but menacing. He looked at the soldier closely. He could sense Jonas standing right behind him. "What's your name, Private?"

"Quincy, Sir,"

"Well, Private Quincy," Daniel continued, his voice still menacing. "I don't appreciate being called a fag."

"No, Sir! It wasn't me, Sir!"

Daniel grew angry. "And I don't appreciate it when some pissant Private lies to me!"

"Yes, Sir! Sorry, Sir!"

"Being sorry does not change your attitude, Private!" Daniel's voice turned to a threatening growl. "Don't let the glasses fool you," he said as he pulled them off, handing them back to Jonas, who quickly took them. "I only need them to see, and I can see you just fine!" Daniel's eyes never released the soldier's gaze. He quickly pulled off his jacket, tossing that to Jonas as well.

The young soldier's face was full of surprise as Daniel suddenly changed from a geek to a furious powerhouse who looked like he could easily rip the Private's head off. "I'm very sorry, Sir! It will never happen again, Sir!"

"Is there a problem here?" another voice interrupted.

Daniel glanced to his right and saw a Major standing there. He turned his gaze back to the very nervous Private. "No, Major," he said as he retrieved his glasses from Jonas and put them back on. "Everything's just fine." His gaze burrowed deep into the young Private. "Isn't it, Private Quincy?"

"Yes, Sir!" the Private shouted. He was visibly relieved. "Thank you, Sir!"

With a final nod, Daniel turned back toward the gate. "Come on, Jonas," he said. "Let's go eat supper."

As they waked away, playful smiles on both faces, Daniel with his hands once again stuffed in his pockets and Jonas still carrying his jacket, Daniel mumbled, "Wimp indeed."

Without so much as a glance at each other, their voices barely above a hush, Jonas asked a question and Daniel responded:

"You were ready to run, weren't you?"

"Y-y-y-y-yup."

* * * * *

Daniel lay on his side on the blanket Jonas had brought with him, munching his second piece of cake. Jonas sat cross-legged beside him, eating a piece of apple pie. His blue jacket lay beside the food cooler where Jonas had dropped it. The quarter moon was just bright enough for he and Jonas to see each other. It was like dining by candlelight in the small clearing in the trees outside Cheyenne. Above them, the clear skies opened before them. Stars twinkled everywhere. The Milky Way was a ribbon of white.

"It's nice here," Jonas commented as he glanced into the sky above.

"Omoc brought me here when he signaled the Nox," Daniel explained.

Jonas searched his memory briefly. "I remember reading about him. He was the leader of the Tollans. You rescued them when Tollan was being destroyed by the volcanoes."

"That's him," Daniel said quietly, remembering. "You would have liked him. He was very strange and aloof, but once you got to know him and he started trusting you. . . ." Daniel sat up. "I mentioned to him that it would take years for his signal to reach the Nox on their planet, even at the speed of light. He picked up a branch, held it out, and explained that it was a long distance from one end of the branch to the other. Then he bent the stick into a circle and touched the ends together and said, ‘Until you do this.' I thought he was talking about bending space, but he just smiled and said, ‘No.' I still don't know what he meant by that. Sam doesn't, either." Daniel smiled to himself, his eyebrows raised. "They're wa-a-a-a-y smarter than we are."

Later, with supper finished and packed away in the thermos cooler, Daniel lay on his back, his legs crossed at the ankles, his right arm tucked behind his head as a pillow, his left arm holding Jonas tight. Jonas lay on his side, pressed against Daniel as usual, resting his head on Daniel's shoulder. The fingers of his left hand traced the outline of Daniel's chest beneath the black T- shirt he wore.

Suddenly, Jonas rolled on top of Daniel and stared into his eyes. They stayed like that for what seemed like minutes simply enjoying the heat and strength of their bodies against each other. Jonas' mouth pulled into a huge smile and he said quietly, "Do you have any idea how much I love you, Daniel?"

Daniel smiled back and said, "Well, unless you broke into the armoury and smuggled a pistol out in your pants, I think I have a pretty good idea."

Jonas giggled. "Look who's talking," he said. "It feels like you've got a Zat stuck in your pants!"

"At least my Zat doesn't kill you on the second shot."

"Maybe not, but it's just as electrifying."

"Jonas?"

"Yeah?"

"Shut up and kiss me."

He did.

After several enjoyable minutes of passionate kisses, Jonas sat up, resting his butt against Daniel's thighs, and pulled his T-shirt over his head. He pulled Daniel's T-shirt out of his blue pants and pushed them up his chest. Coaxing Daniel into a sitting position, he tugged the shirt off and tossed it to the side to fall on his own discarded shirt.

"Should we be doing this here?" Daniel asked warily.

"Yes," Jonas replied excitedly, reaching for the waistband of Daniel's pants. He unbuttoned the pants and pulled down the zipper, then grabbed the waistband in his grasp. Sliding down Daniel's legs, Jonas pulled the pants off his hips, past his thighs, and to a bundle at his feet. He worked quickly, untying the boots and pulling them off. The socks followed, and then the pants.

Daniel lay panting in his briefs as Jonas stood to pull off the rest of his own clothes. When he was naked, he dropped to his knees beside Daniel and carefully pulled off his underwear. He crawled onto Daniel, pressing his naked body against his lover's nakedness and they kissed passionately once more. Their excited breathing turned to gasps. Jonas rolled to his side, turned himself around to face Daniel's feet, and suctioned Daniel's pulsating hardness into his mouth. Daniel quickly followed suit.

Perhaps it was the excitement of making love in the outdoors. Perhaps it was the excitement of Jonas' spontaneity and urgency. Perhaps it was simply his love for Jonas. Whatever the reason, as Daniel took Jonas' cock into his mouth, sucking it deeper into himself until it touched the entrance to his throat, suddenly it was inside him. The cock slid into his throat before he realized it. A moment later, he felt the curly, blond pubic hairs tickling his lips and his chin. His nose nudged itself against Jonas' balls. Without even trying, he had accomplished what he had tried to do for many, many months.

Daniel would have shouted out his victory, but Jonas beat him to it. Vocal vibrations flowed from Jonas' throat into his cock and down it into his groin before spreading out to touch every part of his body. They began a mutual rhythm, pulling away until just the cockhead was lodged in their mouths, then down again until the head was lodged deeply within them. Daniel found it surprisingly easy now and eagerly gave Jonas the pleasure which Jonas was giving him.

It didn't take long for the excitement to build to orgasm. All too soon, their cocks began to swell in readiness. Daniel could feel it growing in his throat. Jonas began to pump his hips, driving his cock as far into Daniel as he could and Daniel welcomed it. He felt Jonas' hips begin to quiver, and then the rest of his body. Moments later, he felt the first blast of cum shoot down his throat. He pulled back to the head as his own cock began to unload itself inside Jonas' eager mouth. Together, they came, sharing themselves with each other. Daniel savoured the fluid momentarily before swallowing it, ready to accept the next offering.

Slowly, the orgasms finished and began to subside. They lay as they were, cocks still held gently and lovingly in their mouths. When they had softened completely, Jonas pulled away and turned around again to fall into Daniel's waiting arms. They lay in silence for a long time, the warm night breezes blowing gently over them and cooling their heated bodies. If Daniel was disappointed that their orgasms had come far too quickly, he took solace in the fact that there would be many, many blowjobs to follow. He could live with that.

He lay there in silence. He could smell Jonas beside him and he could feel Jonas against him where Jonas lay with his head resting on Daniel's chest, his arm dropped casually on his stomach, his elbow resting against Daniel's now-soft cock. Daniel remembered the excitement, the accomplishment, he had felt when Jonas slipped into his throat. It had been so easy, and he could still feel it there. He could taste Jonas on his tongue. He could smell Jonas' sex. It brought an unseen smile to his face.

Above him, beyond the trees, a shooting star crossed the sky. Daniel did not make a wish. He had no need for wishes. He had everything he wanted with him right now. He had Jonas. He didn't want anything else. He didn't need anything else.

He tried to remember his life before Jonas and he couldn't. Even Sha're was little more than a vague memory. . . someone he had once known but had never truly loved. He loved the man he held in his arms. He loved everything about him. His cobalt eyes could make him melt. His name could cause his balls to tingle with excitement. The very smell of him could send blood pumping into his cock, as it was doing now. His life had started the day he met Jonas.

He looked down at his lover as Jonas lay on him. The mere sight of seeing Jonas resting against his chest sent a new flood of blood into his cock and it jumped into hardness as it pushed against Jonas' arm. He suddenly realized that Jonas had not moved for a long time.

"Jonas?" he whispered softly. "Are you asleep?"

"No," Jonas replied. "I'm just very content and relaxed."

Jonas lifted his head to kiss Daniel and Daniel held him there for a long time. When Daniel finally released him, Jonas pulled his head back to stare into his eyes, barely visible in the darkness of the night.

Daniel stared up at him and smiled his ‘Daniel' smile. "I love you so damned much, Jonas Quinn.

Jonas returned the smile. "And I love you so damned much, Daniel Jackson."

Daniel reached up to run his fingertips gently through Jonas' hair. "Did you bring our toys with you?"

Jonas grinned, his dimpled digging deeply into his cheeks. "I never leave home without them," he said and sat up so he could retrieve the condom and lubrication from a small plastic bag packed into the corner of the cooler. His cock began to rise quickly in anticipation.

He handed the condom to Daniel, but Daniel said, "You put it on."

Jonas certainly didn't object. He enjoyed preparing Daniel for the lovemaking. He ripped open the package and took out the latex. Holding it gingerly in his fingers, he reached toward Daniel's stiff cock, but Daniel's hand stopped him. Jonas looked at him, questioning.

"Put it on you," Daniel said quietly. "Not me."

Jonas' eyes grew wider. "You mean. . .?" he said.

Daniel simply smiled broadly and said, "I mean. . ."

Jonas fell onto Daniel, smothering him with kisses.

Daniel accepted Jonas into himself without hesitation, without objection. He refused to allow his eyes to close. He desperately wanted to see Jonas' face as he entered. He was not disappointed. Jonas' beautiful face lit up the night like a firework. His eyes sparkled, even in the darkness. He clenched his teeth against the pain and let it happen. He refused to let Jonas see it. He would not stop it from happening. It was what he wanted Jonas to do to him, and it was what he wanted to do for Jonas. There were no more barriers. The last one had fallen.

Jonas was as passionate in his lovemaking as he was in everything else. He devoted himself to making it a pleasurable experience not only for himself, but for Daniel as well. He was gentle and careful and loving, yet he was strong and powerful and exciting.

Daniel loved watching Jonas make love to him. He loved seeing Jonas' face as he approached his orgasm. He loved it even more seeing his face in the throes of ecstacy. His orgasm had been powerful indeed. Daniel could feel it deep inside himself. He was so happy that he could now make Jonas feel as good as Jonas had unselfishly made him feel so many times.

When Jonas had finished and pulled out of Daniel's ass, he leaned down to give Daniel a huge ‘thank you' kiss before moving to suction Daniel's still-hard cock into his mouth and lovingly sucking him to his own orgasm.

Later, they lay together as always, with Jonas lying in Daniel's protective arms. Daniel knew then that they would share each other equally from that point on. He knew he would take care of Jonas forever - and beyond forever if necessary. Nothing or no-one would ever stand in his way.

For Jonas, there was nowhere he would rather be than in Daniel's arms. Where Daniel went, he would follow. Daniel was his life. Without Daniel, he had nothing. He would do everything in his power to keep it that way.

Jonas shifted to lean on his elbow. He stared down into Daniel's handsome face. His left hand reached out and gently smoothed Daniel's tousled hair, then moved lower to run a finger ever so tenderly over his lips. He leaned down to kiss him before settling back into Daniel's arms.

They both lay there for a long time in silence.

"Daniel?" Jonas said softly, ending the tranquility.

"Hm?"

"I love you, Daniel."

"And I love you, Jonas."

Above them, the stars in the night sky twinkled brightly. The moonlight cast a warm glow onto Jonas' cherished neck chain and heart pendent which bound Daniel Jackson and Jonas Quinn together. The chain rested securely around Jonas' neck while the engraved medallion rested over Daniel's heart. ‘To Jonas with Love. Daniel.' The universe unfolded before them. . . and so did their futures.

The End​

 

[theatreboi]

that was such an amazing story! i truly cannot wait for the next one from you. wow and thank you.