icarus | FICLET: The Walls of Jericho, Jack/Daniel. Partlet

This is getting long, so the previous part is here.

The Walls of Jericho - 27 (from part 1 here)
by Icarus

Daniel stirred muggily and blinked awake, his head throbbing and muscles sore. Probably dehydrated.

He pressed his fist into his forehead, turning it slowly, drilling between his eyes as he licked his lips and tried to decide whether or not he had water in the tent, and if was worth the effort to move.

He felt as though he'd spent the night drinking. Only more… he fumbled for the word… surreal. Disconnected, like the universe had shifted overnight and he didn't have a map. What had happened lingered with the heavy scent in the tent, and the fact he still felt sticky and his sides were cold; his sleeping bag was still unzipped, folded around him tenderly like a blanket. There was also the smooth, slick feeling in a place where, admittedly, it wasn't a new sensation, but the implications here were a little more… extreme. Daniel frowned in confusion.

He glanced over. The sleeping bag next to his was unzipped and empty, and he felt a momentary surge of alarm... until he remembered Jack had this watch.

He knew he should think about this. Grapple with the implications. Instead, he rolled onto his back, sighed, and shut his eyes.

~*~*~

About an hour later, a soft rustling sound came from Daniel's tent… the shifting of sleeping bags, a muffled cough – Daniel's wake up sounds, echoing across the rocks of their little campsite.

Jack tried not to glance in his direction as the tent zipper pulled and Daniel staggered out. His hair was a little more mussed than usual, but nothing anyone would notice. Their eyes met: an intense blue-eyed stare, raw and uncomprehending. Then Daniel shifted from one foot to the other, right, left, looking at the dirt.

Jack tried to wipe the smug look off his face as he took a sip of coffee.

Daniel sat down next to him with a rich sigh. He kept his eyes to the ground as he reached for the hot water, the tip of his tongue moistening his lip… oh shit. Jack willed down his reaction and cleared his throat.

He studied the perimeter. Rocks, moss… yep, still there.

"You're up early," he observed, noncommittal. Not looking at Daniel.

"Coffee," Daniel said, toasting with his cup. His voice was a little hoarse.

"Ah."

Jack noted the way Daniel settled on his rock uncomfortably, with raised eyebrows and a surge of pride. Fucked you bow-legged, did I?

Their eyes met, and Jack tried not to smile. Really tried. Daniel folded his lips over his teeth and flushed, shifting again. Eyelashes fluttered up at Jack, and Daniel heaved another sigh.

Ah, geeze. Flirting over coffee. Jack wiped his nose and looked away, pissed at himself.

"You're gonna have to fake this better," Jack said, staring down into his cup of now too-cold coffee.

Daniel cleared his throat.

"This can't happen again," he continued calmly, studying the surroundings. Should never have happened in the first place.

Daniel nodded slowly, as if he'd been expecting this. He studied the same moss as Jack. "This is because of Don't Ask, Don't Tell?"

"No. Much worse," Jack sighed, ran his hand through his hair and pulled, finally turning to Daniel, "You're under my command."

"In more ways than one it seems." And Daniel's gaze heated.

He winced. "I'm your C.O., Daniel."

"Supervisor, actually," Daniel pointed out, finger waving in that overly cheerful way he had after a few beers. Always had to argue. "There's a distinction."

"It's called 'chain of command.'"

"Well… I can see why no one wants the boss diddling the secretary –"

"Diddling?"

"— but I'm not really under your command." He made a waving gesture with his fingers. "More like across."

"Is that what you think?"

"I'm not in the military, Jack."

Jack rubbed his temples. "Fuck. No wonder you never follow orders."

"Well I do in a battle situation of course, but that's because you know what you're doing…."

"You're in a field unit, Daniel," Jack snapped with a quick slicing gesture. "That means it's my command."

"If you say so," Daniel said casually, humoring him. He swallowed a sip of coffee. "But I do understand, really," he continued in an abstracted tone of voice. "It's not a good idea. I mean, for one thing it could conceivably damage our friendship."

"No. I don't think you get it," Jack cut him off. Daniel's eyebrows raised at him. "If it becomes a problem, I'm transferring you off the team."

"What? You can't do that."

"Oh yes I can. And I will. Part of that command thing you don't seem to get." Jack scowled at his hands. "I'm not sacrificing the functionality of the team."

"That's ridiculous."

"That's how it is."

"Define 'problem," Daniel peered at him.

A muffled voice complained from Teal'c and Sam's tent, "Are you two fighting already? It's six am…."

Jack leaned backwards and called over his shoulder, "Sorry!"

Then he turned back to Daniel, whispering emphatically, "That's what I mean by problem. Messing up the team."

"If irritating Sam is a problem then we've had one for a very long time."

"Not up for a vote, Daniel. This isn't a democracy."

Next part is already here!

Current Mood: working
Current Music: Yes, I know it's not fair.