Everyone at the SGC knew that General George Hammond had a daughter and that he doted on his two grandchildren. A handful more knew that he had also had a son, Robert, who had followed his father into the Air Force and been killed in action many years previously. But only one person here knew about Kyle, his youngest and least talked about son.

George was proud of all his children. Bobbie had been the apple of his mother's eye and had died a hero. Lizzy was the image of her mother and had a successful career, which she balanced gracefully with being a wonderful mom. Kyle was the most generous, sensitive and intelligent of people with two degrees and a business of his own.

He reminded George a little of Dr. Jackson and perhaps that was why the general held a soft spot in his heart for the SGC's resident archaeologist. Thank god Kyle had waited until after his mother was gone to reveal to his father that he was gay.

It hadn't come as a surprise to George, who had been silently waiting for the day that his son would find the courage to tell him. Not that the boy had been that obvious, or particularly effeminate, but on his trips back home from the University, he would often bring a male friend with him. His mother had thought it was nice to see him making friends. George had thought something entirely different and, as it had later turned out, entirely justified.

George wasn't ashamed of his son, however, he knew that there were people who could use this knowledge against him, so he kept quiet about his youngest boy. There was one person at the SGC however, that knew about Kyle and that person was Jack O'Neill.

Jack had served briefly with Bobbie Hammond, and had met Kyle at Bobbie's funeral. He hadn't made the connection to 'General' Hammond until the day he was reactivated and went to meet his new CO. After they had become acquainted, Jack had finally remembered where he had seen the man before. He had asked about Kyle. They had reached an understanding and Jack had promised not to disclose Kyle's existence to any one at the SCG. Then a few months into the first year of their mission, Jack had received an invite to Hammond's house for a beer. Jack had accepted and enjoyed a pleasant evening of old war stories and shared memories.

Then Hammond had sighed and tossed a small, silver framed picture to Jack.

"That's a recent photo of Kyle" he offered by way of an explanation. Jack had held the picture up to catch the light and a slight frown had creased his brow. The boy looked familiar somehow. He tilted it one way then the other. Kyle had only been 17 the last time Jack met him.

"Kinda looks a little like Daniel."

"Acts like him too."

Jack had smiled and carefully handed the picture back to his CO. Hammond had run his thumb over the image of his son's face and smiled fondly.

"His mother was so proud when he was accepted to Oxford. It meant he had to go to the other side of the world, and she was so worried about him, but I knew he would be okay. The Hammonds are a tough lot."

It must be hard for him, Jack had thought sadly. He has no one to talk with about his son. Then he had realized what tonight's invitation was really about. George was subtly asking Jack if he could talk to HIM. Jack had smiled and relaxed back onto the sofa.

"That they are Sir. That they are."

"Jack - we're off duty - its George."

"George," Jack had rolled the name around his mouth as if testing out the sound of it. Hammond had laughed and leaned back in his own chair, silently waiting for Jack to agree to become his sounding board. Jack had been a little proud of himself that the general would choose to confide in him like this. He had smiled and shifted forward in his seat. "Okay then - George - tell me more about this amazing son of yours?"

And George had sighed in relief as he proudly boasted to his 2IC about the son he couldn't openly acknowledge. It was the first of many such evenings between the two men.

It was one of those evenings tonight. The team had been through the mill recently and Hammond was showing the strain himself. 'They also serve who only stand and wait' was the hardest thing to accept about being in charge of a project like this one. Every time he sent a team through the gate, he couldn't really relax until they came back through. When things calmed down again, he often invited Jack over for a beer.

Tonight, though, Hammond couldn't relax. Jack watched him pace his living room and decided to take the bull by the horns.

"George, is everything okay with Kyle?"

The General stopped pacing and glanced at his 2IC, marveling at how Jack O'Neill could always cut right to the chase. He picked up the photo on the side table and took another gulp of beer from the tall schooner glass. Hammond never drank right from the bottle.

"He opened another gallery in Los Angeles."

Jack let his eyebrow rise. Kyle was a talented artist in his own right but he had made a success out of showcasing other people's work, and at last count, had galleries in New York, Chicago, Miami and now LA. Very impressive for one so young. Jack could see the obvious pride shining out of George's eyes, but there was something more.

"So - why the worried look? He's doin' great, he's successful and well adjusted with a father that adores him. What's the problem?"

"His partner of the last 10 years has just died."

Jack sat bolt upright. Obviously he knew that Kyle was gay, but George had never mentioned that he had been in a relationship. And for 10 years? God, he must be devastated. Hammond wiped his hand across his brow wearily.

"The funeral is on Friday. Kyle has asked if Lewis could be buried in our family plot because he has no family of his own to object. Its gonna be tough Jack."

"You don't want him buried there?"

Hammond got up and began pacing the room. Jack had never seen him do that before.

"No, it isn't that. I liked Lew. He made my son happy and as far as I was concerned, that was all that mattered. He was part of my family. Jack - I can't bear the thought of burying another one of my family."

Jack sighed. General Hammond was truly a remarkable man. He had absolutely no qualms about inviting a gay man into his family and accepting him as his son's partner. He had no trouble being proud of that son for his achievements without letting the faintest trace of disappointment at how that son had 'turned out' enter his thoughts. His only problem was in handling his grief.

Jack wondered if, dealt the same hand, he could play it with such understanding and acceptance. He took the liberty of fetching another couple of beers from the kitchen and politely poured the general's into his glass.

"I've seen too many god damned funerals myself. It never gets easier. I don't think it should. When you stop feeling the grief, that's when its time to give up on life. Would you like me to be there, sir?"

Hammond took the glass and smiled his thanks.

"I would appreciate that, Jack. There can't be too many people there, for obvious reasons. And would you bring Dr. Jackson with you?"

Jack choked on his beer. Now why in the world would he do that? As far as he knew Daniel didn't even know about Kyle.

"If you like." He managed to wheeze out between the thumping Hammond was doing on his back. Breath restored, he stole a glance at his CO as the general began talking again.

"Yes, I would like to see him there, too. You should probably tell him about Kyle. I think he would understand."

Jack cleared his throat and took another gulp of his beer. "Err George - do you think it's wise to let Daniel in on the whole 'Kyle' thing? I mean, the less people who know, the less chance of it biting you in the ass one day, so to speak."

George snorted and sat back down in his chair. "Actually, I'm hoping they can become friends. They are so much alike and have so much in common that I guess I just want..."

Hammond trailed off at the look of shock washing over Jack's face.

"You're matchmaking!!!!?"

"Honestly Jack, they are so alike.."

"George - Daniel's straight!"

Hammond frowned and looked at Jack strangely. Jack stared back, daring the general to refute it.

"I thought.you have READ Dr. Jackson's file right, Jack?"

Jack gulped down the last of his beer and placed the empty bottle onto the side table before leaning forward. Reading reports and personnel files was definitely not one of Jack's fortes. He had gone over Carter's service record a little more carefully because she was military, and he was genuinely interested in her achievements, but apart form a quick flick through the next of kin area, he had never really looked at Daniel's file.

"What are you trying to tell me, George?"

Hammond rubbed the back of his neck and looked up at Jack through hooded brows. "Over and above the usual personnel files, we run background checks on all our non-military staff. There's a form that asks about sexual orientation. It's purely optional, but Dr. Jackson filled it in. He put down 'Bisexual'. I thought you knew."

"No - I didn't notice that. And frankly sir, I don't care. That's his business, not mine."

The sound of a taxi's horn interrupted Jack's stampeding train of thought. Hammond nodded and drained his own glass. Jack never took any risks when it came to drinking and driving. He had left his truck at home.

"You okay with this, Jack?"

"Of course," Jack said a little too brightly as he got to his feet. "I'll ask Danny if he wants to come and if he agrees, I'll fill him in on the details. I'm sure he will get along with Kyle just great."

Hammond stood and the two men walked in silence to the front door. It was dark outside and the stars glittered like sequins on a cloak of black velvet. The air was sharp and cool, reminding Jack that Fall was just around the corner. He turned and patted the general on the arm.

"Thanks for inviting me around this evening sir. I enjoyed it."

Hammond nodded and returned the affectionate pat. "I'll give you directions to the Garden of Rest tomorrow after the morning briefing. Bye Jack."

Jack threw him a mock salute and headed off down the drive to the waiting taxi.

Daniel fiddled nervously with his pen. Something was wrong. Jack had been staring at him intently for the last hour. The look in his eyes was worrying in the extreme. Finally, the meeting was over and everyone was excused. No new missions for SG1. Sam was going to be helping Siler with some weird experiment, Teal'c was going to be visiting his son and Jack and Daniel had been told to take the next three days off.

Daniel was idly making plans in his head when someone clearing their throat brought him back to reality with a bump. He glanced around at the almost empty conference room, and then up at the man leaning against the table at his side.

"Been somewhere nice?" Jack drawled sarcastically. Daniel dropped his pen onto the pile of paperwork in front of him and began to collect it all up.

"Not yet," he said distractedly as some of the files got away from him and the pile began to slip from his arms, "but I have some ideas."

Jack reached across and straightened the teetering pile. "Well, before you make any travel plans, there's something I need to talk to you about. I'll meet you topside in 20 minutes."

Daniel watched as Jack strode out of the meeting room without a backwards glance and frowned. What the hell had that been about? Jack spends the meeting staring at him, and then he wants to talk about something. It wasn't SGC related, because that they could have talked about right here. Daniel shook his head and gave up trying to second-guess Jack. He would find out soon enough.

It was a glorious day. The sun was bright, taking the edge off the chill factor in the slight breeze. Daniel felt like a child playing 'hooky' from school as they sat on the park bench watching the first few copper leaves of Autumn fall gently to the ground. He tracked one right from the moment it left the tree until it landed at his feet. Reaching down, he picked it up, admiring the subtle shades of copper, gold and faint green.

They had driven here in Jack's truck in silence, with Daniel casting furtive looks at his friend from the corner of his eye. Even when Jack had parked and hopped out of the truck, he said nothing to Daniel. The younger man had trotted in his wake until they reached the park bench and sat down, patiently waiting for his friend to enlighten him.

Jack was leaning back on the bench, long legs stretched out in front of him, hands clasped behind his neck, the picture of relaxation. He took a huge lung-full of air and let it out slowly.

"God, we don't get out of that mountain enough!"

Daniel spotted a squirrel digging at the base of a tree and smiled indulgently, wishing he had some nuts to feed it.

"Actually Jack, most of the planets we visit are a lot like this," He gestured around at the scenery in general, "we get more than our share of fresh air."

"But this air is different. It's OUR air!"

Daniel laughed and let the fallen leaf drop. He turned slightly so that he was facing Jack, hitching one knee up onto the bench.

"So - what did you want to talk about?"

Jack sighed and dropped his hands into his lap. Straight to the point, that was Daniel for you. "We've been invited to a funeral on Friday."

Suddenly all humor left Daniel's face. No one liked funerals but Daniel was still raw after his wife's.

"Whose?" he said through tight lips. Jack turned to face him, mirroring his posture, their knees touching.

"It's no one you know, Danny. Actually it's no-one I know either"

"Then."

"Hammond's request. Before I explain, there's something I have to tell you. It's not exactly general knowledge around these parts, but George has a son as well as a daughter."

"You mean HAD - his son was killed in action."

Jack was impressed. He wasn't sure that Daniel had been one of the few that knew about Robert Hammond. He smiled and shook his head slightly. Of course Daniel would know. Daniel knew just about everything.

"Actually, I'm not referring to Bobbie Hammond. He has another son, Daniel. His name is Kyle."

"Oh?"

Daniel looked faintly dubious. The General would surely have mentioned that. Jack steepled his fingers and tapped them contemplatively against his lips for a moment before continuing.

"Kyle is gay. It's his partner's funeral we will be attending"

"What?"

"Lewis was killed by a hit and run driver. He was DOA at the hospital. There was nothing that could be done. They had been together for 10 years. George is devastated, but can't let it show. If people knew about his son... they could make trouble for him."

"Oh my God!"

Daniel stood up and walked across the grass towards the lake. Jack remained where he was, giving the younger man time to take it in. A moment later, Daniel turned and walked back, startling the squirrel who darted up the tree in fright.

"The poor man. All this time and he hasn't been able to tell anyone about his son. It must have been so hard for him."

"He had me to talk to."

Daniel sat down beside Jack and really looked at his friend for the first time.

"How long did you know?"

"I met Kyle at Robert's funeral"

"I thought you'd never heard of Hammond before they re-upped you?"

"I didn't remember the name at the time. I had only known Robert briefly. My whole platoon was at his funeral. I had slipped away to have a quiet smoke and spotted Kyle and Lewis comforting each other. Nothing weird, just kissing and holding each other but George Hammond saw too. He took me aside and asked if I could keep it quiet about his son. He told me that he wasn't ashamed but it could cause him some problems later and it was up to me. I had no trouble agreeing. It was really none of my business."

"And when you were recalled to active duty..?"

"That was the first time I had seen Hammond since his son's funeral. I hadn't made the connection until I saw him and it took him a few days to recognize me. He thanked me for not talking and asked for my continued silence, which I was happy to give. Eventually, he began to trust me enough to talk to me about Kyle and I guess he was glad he had someone he could boast to."

"Well, that explains your invitation. What about mine?"

Now this was the bit Jack had been dreading. Ever since Hammond had suggested it, Jack could think of no plausible reason for Daniel's invitation other than the truth. And in telling the truth, Jack would be admitting to Daniel that he knew. Knew about Daniel. He shifted uncomfortably on the bench, mentally trying out the lies he had been practicing.

"There will be less than a handful of people there. I guess he didn't want me to feel awkward and he trusts you to be discreet, Danny."

"You think you would feel awkward?"

"I guess. Hammond will be busy with his son. His daughter will have her husband there. The others are friends of the family and of Kyle. I wouldn't know what to say to them."

Daniel turned right around on the bench and drew his knees up, hugging them tightly with both arms, he let his head drop onto them.

"Everyone there knows about their relationship, I take it?"

"Lewis had no family. Hammond only invited those that knew. He said he wanted it to be honest."

"That's good. I know how it feels to be standing in the shadows at a loved one's funeral, because you can't admit how close you were. It hurts - a lot."

"I know."

Daniel raised his head and looked enquiringly at Jack.

"Before I met Sarah, I got 'involved' with someone I shouldn't have. She died, and although I was invited to the funeral, it was assumed that I had been an acquaintance, not a lover. Besides, she was married. I had to bite back my grief and respect the rights of the legitimately bereaved to be at the graveside. I waited until everyone had gone to say my good-byes. It hurt like fucking hell. You?"

"Same thing. Except that I wasn't even invited to the funeral. No-one realized that I even knew him."

Jack saw his opening and took it. Now was as good a time as any.

"Him?"

Daniel let his head drop back onto his knees and laughed a bitter laugh.

"Yeah, him. So now you know."

"I am required to become familiar with the service records and personal files of all members of my team. It's right there in black and white Daniel."

"You've known all along?" Daniel's tone bordered on the incredulous.

"Well, I had a bit of a backlog to get caught up on. And Carter's file reads like Gone with the Wind... But like you said, I know *now.*"

Daniel stood and began walking again, glancing backwards to make sure that Jack was with him this time. Jack got up and stretched his long legs before catching up with his friend. Daniel walked in silence for a moment before glancing surreptitiously to the side.

"So it doesn't bother you?"

"What?"

"Me being... you know?"

"Annoying?"

"No..."

"Intelligent?"

"Jack...!"

"Undisciplined?"

"BISEXUAL!"

"Oh that! No, not at all. It's your business."

"Fine, yes, yes it is. Thank you. That's - Fine."

"So - this other funeral you mentioned - long ago was it?"

Daniel stopped at the lakeside and absently kicked at a pebble. It flew loose and splashed into the water. Daniel bent and scooped up a handful. He began skimming the stones across the lake's smooth surface.

"University. He was the head librarian. He was a few years older than me, but he had a very young soul."

Jack watched silently as Daniel's movement became angrier. The pebbles no longer skimmed the surface but impacted on it making large splashes. Whatever had happened, it had hurt Daniel deeply. Jack laid a gentling hand on his friend's arm and sighed.

"Daniel, I'm sorry."

Immediately the younger man turned and gazed into Jack's compassionate eyes. The words seemed to be saying so much more than the obvious comfort and sympathy they implied. Daniel was angry, sad, confused and relieved, all at the same time and didn't know which to deal with first. His chest was heaving. His brain was demanding more oxygen to process all the stuff flying about in there. Jack had no idea what he was supposed to say.

His hitherto straight friend was suddenly not the person he had thought he was, and was happily telling him about a homosexual relationship with an old professor, like it was the most natural thing in the world. But for Jack everything had changed. He could no longer pull Daniel into his arms and offer comfort. He couldn't squeeze the nape of his neck or ruffle his hair. Damn it, he couldn't touch him at all, for fear of it being taken the wrong way! He needed a lot more time to process the new data, and to finally acknowledge the things his subconscious had hidden from him for years. He was in love with this man.

And right now, he desperately wanted to comfort his friend. But he let his hand drop from its perch on Daniel's arm and scooped up a handful of pebbles himself. As he concentrated on getting the best throwing angle, he glanced to the side.

"Will you come with me? To the funeral. I would appreciate it."

"Sure," was all Daniel said.

"Thank you for coming, Jack. It was nice to see you. My father talks about you all the time."

Kyle Hammond was a tall and slender man that seemed to take after his mother's side of the family. His hair was a sandy blonde color, and the wide rimmed glasses perched on the end of his nose made him look a little older than his 31 years.

"Ditto kid. How are you doing?"

"Oh, you know. Fine one minute..."

"Yeah."

Jack stuffed his hands deep into his pockets and glanced over his shoulder at Daniel, who was hovering there. After the ceremony at the Garden of Rest, the friends and family had come back to General Hammond's house for the wake. Jack had been impressed with the young man's composure, and his heart really went out to him for his loss. Lewis and he had been together since Kyle was in his early twenties. They had even been 'married' in one of those New Age ceremonies that involved a lot of candles, flowers and overly sentimental exchanges of vows.

All this, Jack had learned only today at the Garden of Rest. He smiled warmly at the young man and hitched his thumb in Daniel's direction.

"Kyle, this here is Dr. Daniel Jackson. He's a member of my team, an archaeologist and a linguist."

Daniel blushed at the obvious touch of pride that seemed to creep into Jack's words. He stepped shyly forward and extended his hand. Kyle smiled back and returned the handshake firmly.

"Nice to meet you too, Dr. Jackson."

"Call me Daniel, please."

"Danny?" Kyle inquired politely.

"No - Daniel is fine."

When he heard that, Jack frowned. He called Daniel 'Danny' all the time and had never been admonished for it. Strange that he had known the man all this time, and hadn't known he disliked being called 'Danny'. Of course he hadn't known about his sexual preferences either! Speaking of which, it was time to do what Hammond had instructed him. Jack cleared his throat. "Kyle speaks five languages Daniel."

"Six - I just got back from Korea." The younger man smiled lopsidedly. When Daniel began inquiries in various languages, Jack saw his window of opportunity. Quietly, he stepped back and watched as the two men began the process of 'getting to know each other', seemingly oblivious to the other people in the room. Jack took another step backwards and turned to walk away but was immediately halted by Daniel's clear voice.

"Jack. Get back here right now! We'll speak English I promise."

He turned and looked into the fathomless blue eyes. God, he'd noticed! He'd actually noticed Jack trying to sneak away. Somehow, that made Jack feel wonderful. He smiled, but didn't come back.

"Gotta go to the little boy's room Dann... Daniel" he amended quickly. "Be right back."

Daniel shook his head and turned back to Kyle.

"I'll hold you to that, Colonel."

Jack took the stairs two at a time and nearly flew into the open arms of General Hammond, who was waiting at the top. The general staggered backwards and steadied Jack before he could fall back down the way he had come.

"Easy son - where's the fire?"

"I was looking for you, Sir. Kyle and Danny are getting along great, just like you thought. Yakking away to each other in several languages like there was no one else in the room."

"Good job, Jack."

Jack tried to smile but it came out as a grimace. The General laughed and gestured with his thumb.

"Bathroom's right there, son."

Jack hurried past and threw himself gratefully into the room's cool blue interior. The lock slid quietly into place and Jack slid quietly down the tiled wall. Crap! Crap, crap, crap! He'd done a great many difficult things in his life. He'd faced numerous challenges and trials, but this had to be the worst yet. Today he had introduced Daniel Jackson, the man he was secretly and desperately in love with, to a potential partner, in a sad attempt to deny his feelings. Feelings, which he had recently come to realize, Daniel had always been in a position to return if he had just been brave enough to push a little harder.

If only he'd read that dammed file at the beginning he would have known that he at least stood a chance with Daniel. But he hadn't and they had stayed friends for five long years. Daniel had never hinted that he was interested, so obviously he wasn't interested. Jack was able to live with that. He had his fantasies. But once he admitted that he was in love - well that changed things. He was no longer content to live with only his dreams.

He knew it was too late for him and Daniel. Maybe at the beginning, he could have persuaded the younger man to give him a chance, but Daniel needed someone nearer his own age and, the colonel thought morosely, nearer his intellectual equal. Someone like Kyle.

Jack hauled himself up and ran the cold water tap. Splashing the water over his face, he groped for a towel and tidied himself up a little. There was no one to blame here but himself. He's screwed up and now it was too late. He either accepted that Daniel was going to be with someone else or he faced retirement again. The bathroom door rattled as someone knocked loudly.

"Okay, keep your shirt on."

Jack pulled back the bolt and threw the door open, trying to fix a smile on his cold lips. Daniel leaned against the door jam, blocking his exit.

"Hi." Jack croaked. Daniel had his arms wrapped tightly around himself and was frowning at Jack.

"You said you'd be back. You left me with Kyle."

"I thought you might like some time."

"What the hell for?"

"You know - to get to know him."

Daniel pushed Jack roughly back into the bathroom and slammed the door shut behind him. As an afterthought, he slid the bolt back and advanced angrily on his friend.

"Oh my God, Jack - the man has just lost his partner of 10 years and you were trying to fix us UP?"

"I... it wasn't my idea."

Daniel stopped and stared at Jack, who in self-defence had backed himself right up against the vanity unit.

"Shit Jack. Not Hammond?"

"He wants his son to be happy. He wants that for you too, Danny."

"And he thinks I could be happy with his son?"

Jack pressed himself farther back against the unit as Daniel began to advance again.

"Danny... sorry, I mean... Daniel..."

"You get to call me Danny. No one else, just you."

Jack wasn't sure what to say to that. He got the impression that it was important, that it was some sort of message but his brain was refusing to cooperate, choosing instead to fixate of the rapidly advancing and dazzlingly beautiful blue eyes.

"Oh - I - th...thanks! You're very like each other."

There was a light in Daniel's eyes now that he was so close that burned like the sun. Jack felt a shiver go down his spine, but not one of fear. It was anticipation that made his breath hitch in his chest as Daniel stopped inches from him. Daniel was absolutely drop dead gorgeous when he was angry.

"I don't need to be with someone that's like me, Jack. There would be no excitement, no fun." The last word was whispered breathlessly into his ear, "no... passion."

Jack felt his knees begin to grow weak. Daniel stood absolutely motionless, less than an inch away, but it might just as well have been a mile that separated them. Jack reached out and captured Daniel's hips in a bruising grip. He wasn't sure if he wanted to pull him closer or push him away. He gave an experimental little tug and suddenly Daniel was pressed against him, their lips meeting hungrily as desire ripped through them both. Jack hissed in shock as Daniel's erection ground into his stomach and the younger man moaned into Jack's parted lips.

It was too much, too scary, too soon. But neither was it enough. Jack buried his fingers in Daniel's hair and hung on for his life.

The knocking noise seemed to come from a long way away. Jack tried to ignore it and lose himself in Daniel, but the knocking became more insistent and was accompanied by a distressed voice from the hallway outside.

"Hello in there, I wonder if I could hurry you along a bit? Too much of the old fruit punch, I'm afraid."

Daniel dragged his mouth from Jack's and braced his hands flat against the wall on either side of Jack's face. His breathing was ragged and unsteady, sweat glistened on his brow.

"This isn't finished Jack. You're staying at my place tonight. No arguments."

Jack used the vanity unit to push himself upright and stared at Daniel's retreating back as he flung open the bathroom door. The man in the hall sidestepped quickly as the angry archaeologist swept past. The desperate man stepped into the bathroom while undoing his fly, before he noticed Jack.

"Shit! Sorry... I..."

Jack flushed crimson as he saw the man's eyes drop to the level of his crotch, obviously noticing the Colonel's state of arousal. Quickly, he strode past the gaping man and hurried out into the hall, mumbling apologies as he went.

Daniel was nowhere in sight, so he headed for Hammond's spare bedroom, hoping to have some time to let the painful erection subside, and also to find peace to think about what had just happened. Daniel had come on to him. Daniel wanted him. It was almost too impossible to believe after all this time. Why had he waited so long to let his feelings show?

Jack closed the bedroom door quietly behind him and tried to find a piece of bed that wasn't covered in coats. It wasn't fair of him to be angry with Daniel. After all, he hadn't shown his feelings either, believing that he would be, at best, politely and kindly told to get lost or, at worst, laughed at. Of course, he knew now that Daniel would never have laughed at him, but back then, when he had first met him? He hadn't been sure enough of Daniel to trust him with his secret desire.

Daniel must have had his own reasons for keeping quiet. In all likelihood he had been trying to protect his friend. After all, Jack was, and always had been, straight. He may have fallen in love with Daniel, but he had never before been even remotely attracted to men. And even if he had, that kind of relationship was completely out of the question to a man in his position, an Air Force Colonel with enough black marks on his record to get him actual jail time if such a thing became public knowledge.

Then there was the fact that Daniel was a member of Jack's team, another very good reason to hold back. Jack was supposed to be his commanding officer; although he never did a damned thing Jack told him to anyway! The point was that, in a tight situation, Jack was supposed to be impartial, able to put Daniel's life on the line as easily as any other member of the team. Could he do that if he was having sex with him?

The truth was that he was already less than impartial when it came to Daniel. Whether they were having a sexual relationship or not, he was still in love with the man. That fact alone compromised the rest of the team. He should have retired the moment he knew for certain how he felt, but somehow he had never found the strength to do so, to walk away and never see Daniel again. So he had continued to limp along, putting them all at risk, in order to remain close.

And in all that time, he had never dreamed that Daniel felt the same way. In a way, it had been easier when he thought Daniel wasn't interested. At least then he never had to make the choice, face the consequences, admit his feelings out loud. Now he was standing on the edge of a precipice looking down into a very long drop. He stood to lose everything he had been, everything he had had.

And suddenly it didn't matter. He had behind him a failed marriage, a dead son, a patchy military career and some nasty Special Ops shit that he would rather forget about. Ahead of him, he had the chance to make a new life with someone he understood and who understood him. What was so hard about that?

He was about to get up when the door opened slowly and Daniel peered around, looking a little sheepish. He stepped hesitantly into the room and closed the door quietly behind him. Gone was the angry, pushy alpha Daniel of a few minutes ago. Clearing his throat, Daniel tried to make the save.

"I had a little too much fruit punch and got a bit silly. I'm really sorry I came onto you like that, Jack. You must think I'm completely nuts. Are we still Okay - can you forgive me?"

Jack patted the quilt next to him and waited until Daniel was sitting down.

"First of all - you haven't touched the fruit punch because you're driving tonight. Secondly, I don't think you've gone nuts, in fact I think we both might have actually come to our senses, and thirdly, I won't forgive you for coming on to me and kissing my face off because I think I might be about to do the same to you."

Daniel frowned and cast his friend a disbelieving look. "I take it back - it's YOU who's had too much fruit punch."

Before Daniel could say anything else, Jack leaned forward and kissed him. He made no attempt to touch the younger man, didn't try to pull him closer. But Daniel was trapped by the warm lips moving sensuously against his own, just as surely as if Jack's arms were encircling him. It wasn't until Jack's tongue trailed across his lower lip, that Daniel let his eyes drift close, losing himself in the moment. He angled his head slightly and it was all the invitation Jack needed to push his tongue inside.

It traced his teeth slowly and then ran across his own tongue suggestively. Daniel gasped and clutched the sheets under his flexing fingers. Reality reasserted itself with the sudden rush of adrenaline shooting from his heart to all his extremities. Oh God, Jack was kissing him!

The incident in the bathroom had been the result of a combination of frustration and anger. He had been pushed to his limits tonight by his friend's collusion with the General and he had finally snapped. When he had allowed himself to fantasize about kissing Jack, it had always happened after a romantic candle lit dinner, or in a cornfield under the stars. Never in a restroom!

It had been a spur of the moment decision, a no-brainer! He hadn't even thought about what would happen beyond that moment. When the knock came to the door, Daniel had wanted to run away, but bravado made him issue a challenge. There was no way, he had thought, that Jack would come anywhere near him now, let alone spend the night at his apartment! This reaction from his best friend was not what he had expected but god, it felt incredible to be kissed back.

But this kiss was different from the one they had shared earlier. That had been passionate and full of barely controlled lust. This was the kiss of a lover, gentle, slow and exploratory and it was blowing the top of Daniel's head right off!

Jack pulled back a fraction, their lips still touching, but now he waited, searching Daniel's half closed eyes. Daniel took a deep breath and licked his lips, brushing against Jack's in the process.

The colonel's sharp intake of breath told Daniel that this was no dream... no fantasy. This was as real as it gets. He suddenly realized that Jack was speaking to him and fought to concentrate on his words.

"I'm sorry, Danny. I should have told Hammond to go to hell. I knew this was a bad idea, but I didn't know what to say to him. At the time, I was still reeling in shock. God, Danny, if only I'd known sooner, I would have... well I would have think I might have taken the chance."

"It's in my records Jack. I never tried to hide it."

Jack sat up a little straighter, putting a little distance between himself and Daniel's oh so tempting mouth. "I never read that crap."

Daniel got shakily to his feet, pulling Jack up with him. "Your house, NOW!"

Jack smiled and began rooting through the pile of coats heaped on the bed for his jacket as Daniel began to do the same. A few moments later they were hurrying down the stairs.

Hammond intercepted them at the door and Jack felt an irrational surge of annoyance at being stopped in his tracks.

"You boys leavin' already?" The General asked in an amused tone. Daniel threw his jacket haphazardly over his shoulder and sighed.

"General Hammond."

"George, son. We're off duty"

"George." Daniel tried the unfamiliar name, frowning at the sound of it. "I know what you tried to do, sir and quite frankly I'm shocked and appalled. Your son has just lost the man he loved for the past 10 years."

Jack could see that Daniel was working himself up into an indignant rage and quickly took a hold of his elbow.

"Daniel, time to go."

"Jack - I have every right to be unhappy about this situation."

Daniel saw Kyle break away from a group of people in the living room and head their way so he lowered his voice.

"Gener... George... I can't believe you attempted to fix me up at your son's partner's funeral!"

Daniel grabbed the door handle and stormed outside. Jack turned and offered his CO an apologetic smile as Kyle joined them. Then he quickly hurried after his soon to be lover, so he missed the general's softly spoken answer to Daniel's accusation.

"Yup - and it looks like I succeeded, too."

Kyle laid his hand on his father's shoulder as they watched the two SGC men get into Jack's truck, still arguing as they did so.

"So - it worked?"

"Like a charm."

The green truck reversed down the drive and disappeared down the road. Hammond turned to his son and squeezed his shoulders.

"How are you doing, son?"

"Okay Pa. I'm going to be okay. And so are they." He nodded his head in the direction the truck had taken and smiled lovingly at his father. Hammond closed the door and led his son back into the house.

"Yeah - I think you're right."