CHAPTER ELEVEN

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Jack stood quietly peeking around the privacy curtain and shook his head at what he was overhearing.

"Janet, I'm fine."

"Another day, Daniel," replied the doctor then she held up one hand halting Daniel's next words. "I insist."

The archeologist looked to the ceiling then dropped his chin to his chest apparently conceding his loss. He lifted one hand to pinch at the bridge of his nose, displacing his glasses, and closed his eyes.

"Headache?" asked Janet.

Reluctantly, Daniel nodded. "Yes."

Jack could tell his friend was bracing himself for an I-told-you-so, but even Jack was surprised when Daniel received a comforting pat on the arm. He knew if it had been him sitting on that bed, the scenario would have played out much differently.

"I'll be right back," said Janet. She turned and nearly ran into Jack then side-stepped as she glanced up at him. "Colonel," she greeted with a slight nod.

Jack smiled at his sometime-nemesis then turned to look around the curtain again. "Your doctor knows best, you know," he advised his friend as he shoved his hands deep into his pants pockets.

Daniel shook his head and stared up at Jack in wonderment. "Oh, that's rich coming from you," he retorted good-naturedly.

Jack looked offended. "Me?" he replied, a hand rising from a pocket to touch his chest in a gesture of innocence. He strolled around to the side of the bed on which Daniel sat and looked around nonchalantly. "So, off duty for another day, huh?"

"Yep."

"Hey, at least she's letting you out of here. That's something, right?"

"Jack, I'm confined to the base, not allowed to even walk into my office---I can't read, I can't have my laptop-----."

"Easy there, big fella," interrupted Jack raising a hand to halt his friend's tirade. He frowned. "That bad?"

Daniel sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose again. "That bad."

"Here we are," said Janet as she bounded around the curtain holding a glass of water and a paper cup in which Jack knew were some nice little pills. She handed both to the archeologist.

Daniel looked into the paper cup then up at Janet suspiciously. "These aren't going to knock me out, are they?"

Janet placed her hands on her hips and pursed her lips. "Dr. Jackson, you haven't been sleeping well for weeks now. Please just do me the honor of taking your medicine and going to bed like a good little boy."

Jack couldn't help but snicker when his young friend actually pouted.

"Don't give me that, Daniel," admonished Janet. "It might have worked on your mother, but----." She stopped and her eyes widened. "I'm sorry, I—I--."

Daniel waved her off with an understanding quirk of his lips. "Its okay, Janet, it didn't exactly work on her either."

Janet looked up at Jack still obviously floundering from her slip-up. "Okay, listen. It's better if you don't take these on an empty stomach and knowing you like I do, I doubt you've eaten dinner yet, so why don't you go grab something from the commissary with Colonel O'Neill? Then you can go back to your quarters, take the pills and get a good night's sleep. Sound good to you?"

"Oh, just swell."

"Daniel?" admonished Jack lightly.

"Jack?"

"Be nice."

"I'm always nice---especially to Janet."

"No you're not."

"Yes I am."

"No."

"Yes."

"Okay, stop it you two," interrupted the doctor.

"At least I didn't say she was old."

Jack froze. He looked up from Daniel to meet wide brown eyes and he knew he was doomed. Even though he outranked Janet, she could still put the fear of God into him.

Daniel cleared his throat. "To be fair to Jack, Janet, he did say 'good old'."

"I see."

Jack glared at the younger man who looked up at him with his blue eyes blinking in mock innocence.

"Okay, well then," began the doctor. "I expect to see you back here in the morning, Daniel."

The archeologist set the glass of water on the side table then clutching the paper cup of meds, slid off the bed. "Thanks, Janet," he said hurriedly already on his way to the door.

"And Daniel? I'll be by your quarters in one hour to make sure you're there!"

"I'll be there!" yelled Daniel from the corridor.

"And don't forget you've got an appointment tomorrow with Dr. Laurel!" Janet added quickly.

"Appointment tomorrow, got it!"

Janet turned her gaze back to Jack. "Colonel?" she prompted.

"I did say 'good old', Doc---'good old'," clarified the colonel carefully then he quickly followed on Daniel's heels and scrambled out of the room.

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Sam sat back in her chair and looked across the table at Teal'c.

"Was your meal acceptable, Major Carter?" rumbled the big Jaffa. He wiped his mouth with his napkin then laid it neatly next to his plate.

"It was acceptable, Teal'c," replied Sam with a smile. "Was yours?"

"Indeed it was."

Sam looked beyond Teal'c to see the colonel and Daniel entering through the swinging door in mid-conversation.

"So he said you were emotionally immature?"

Daniel glowered at the back of his friend's head as he followed O'Neill to the counter. "No," he drawled out. "He said my emotions were young."

O'Neill shrugged. "Sounds like the same thing to me, Daniel."

Sam saw the archeologist's jaw twitch as he picked up his tray. "Not the same thing at all, Jack."

Teal'c shared a look of amusement with Sam then turned his head to observe their other teammates.

"Emotionally immature would mean that I whine, pout, and throw tantrums when I don't get my way," continued Daniel pointedly.

O'Neill just turned and regarded his younger friend with raised brows.

"I do not throw tantrums," grumbled the archeologist.

O'Neill turned back to look over the counter at Millie, the commissary chef. "I'll have turkey with Swiss on rye---no, make that wheat," he requested.

"You're a little late for the dinner rush, Colonel, but it's still fresh."

The CO nodded his thanks as Millie tossed a pre-wrapped sandwich on his tray. "No problem, Millie, thanks," he responded.

"Dr. Jackson!" greeted the older woman with a lop-sided grin. Her face immediately softened into concern. "How are you feeling, honey?"

Daniel quickly flashed the short plumpish woman a shy smile. "I'm doing better, Millie, thanks."

"Good to hear. You're still looking awfully tired and far too thin in my opinion," continued Millie with a sideways look. "What'll it be today?"

"I'll have tuna on wheat."

"Coming right up!" the woman chirped cheerfully. She stepped away from the counter and busied herself making Daniel's sandwich.

Sam saw O'Neill frown down at his own sandwich wrapped tightly in plastic wrap then look up as Millie delivered a freshly made sandwich for Daniel.

"Here you go, honey, with extra pickles just like you like it," announced Millie proudly.

"Thank you."

"Do Millie a favor and eat it all, okay?"

Daniel gave an obedient smile then made to move further down the counter, finding himself blocked by the unmoving colonel. "Jack?"

"Is everyone on this base wrapped around your finger?"

Daniel's lips twitched. "Pretty much," he replied smugly and Sam chortled.

O'Neill scowled dramatically.

"Oh, come on, Jack," sighed Daniel. "It's a tuna sandwich. You can't very well pre-wrap a tuna sandwich; the bread would get all soggy."

O'Neill stuck his tongue in the side of his mouth and grunted indignantly. "Extra pickles, just like you like it," he muttered snidely. He grudgingly continued down the counter sliding his tray ahead then strolling to catch up with it. When both men seemed satisfied with their meals, they turned around to evaluate the available seating.

Sam waved them over. "You two can join us, sir," she invited.

"Carter, Teal'c, my man," greeted O'Neill as he sat down.

Teal'c canted his head. "O'Neill, Daniel Jackson."

"Hey guys."

The two men sat across from each other and the colonel immediately dove into his meal with gusto. Sam watched as Daniel picked tentatively at his tossed salad.

"Are you well, Daniel Jackson?" asked Teal'c.

"He has a headache," replied O'Neill around a bite of his sandwich.

"Yeah, and its name is Jack O'Neill---with two 'Ls'," retorted the archeologist under his breath.

Sam snorted at the colonel's scathing glare.

"He's just upset that Kaatzál called him emotionally immature," presumed the colonel defiantly

"I find inaccuracy with that assessment," stated Teal'c with a speculative lift of one brow. "I have never found Daniel Jackson to be—emotionally immature. He is unassuming, sometimes introverted, rather gullible---."

The archeologist raised a halting hand. "Thank you, Teal'c---I think."

The big Jaffa simply canted his head acknowledging his friend proudly.

"He really said that, Daniel?" asked Sam. She pushed her empty plate aside and leaned forward on the table bracing herself on her elbows.

"What he said," replied the younger man with a pointed glance at O'Neill. "Was that they found my emotions to be young."

"Oh, so that's why they always called you 'young one'."

Daniel shifted uncomfortably in his chair then dropped his eyes back to his plate.

O'Neill regarded his friend for a moment then cleared his throat. "Frasier will have your ass in a sling if you don't eat that," he said gently. "And so will Millie."

Sam saw her younger friend's cheeks flush as he stabbed a forkful of salad and took a bite. He kept his eyes downcast as he chewed. She could clearly see why Kaatzál and Tezca had thought Daniel to be emotionally young. He did have an almost childlike innocence in the way he viewed the world, or worlds, she clarified. She loved that about him, treasured it, and hoped like hell he could hang on to it.

"So who's Dr. Laurel?" asked the colonel.

"Oh, um---she's a psychiatrist Janet wants me to see," Daniel replied with a dismissive wave of his broken hand. "She thinks I have some---issues with what happened."

"It can only help, Daniel."

The archeologist looked at Sam and nodded. "I know," he conceded with a sigh.

Sam exchanged a worried look with her other two teammates.

O'Neill pushed back his chair. "So, let's say we gather up our food, grab some pie and coffee, and head to Daniel's quarters for a little TV."

Daniel lifted his head, his eyes wide. "Oh, there is a special on The Hist----."

"Ah," interrupted the colonel with his index finger raised. "You're not supposed to be thinking, Daniel. Watching The History Channel can only lead to you thinking. Nope, I think a good baseball game is in order."

"Jack."

"Daniel?"

"You are so----."

"Supportive, thoughtful, caring?" guessed O'Neill.

"More like annoying, suffocating----did I say annoying?"

O'Neill chuckled then rose to his feet. "Come on, smart guy. Grab your freshly-prepared sandwich and let's go watch some good old-fashioned sports." He gathered up what remained of his sandwich, his unopened can of soda, his apple, and his bag of chips then looked across the table to Daniel. "You'll nod off during the first five minutes anyway," he added. "You do still have Frasier's meds, right?"

Daniel groaned in response then patted his breast pocket. "Yes, Jack."

"Yep, lights out early for you, Dannyboy," teased O'Neill good-naturedly then he headed for the door, nearly dropping his apple. "Hey, Carter, Teal'c," he called back over his shoulder. "Don't forget the pie and coffee!"

Daniel met Sam's eyes, his twinkling with affectionate amusement. She realized suddenly how much she'd missed that look and just how long that look had been missing. She rounded the table and gave her friend a quick hug.

"What was that for?" asked a surprised Daniel.

"Just because," replied Sam. She reached up to touch the archeologist's cheek then she turned to Teal'c and grinned. "So what do you think---apple or pumpkin?"

"I think it would be prudent to obtain both," replied the Jaffa simply.

"Sweet!" chimed in O'Neill from where he stood holding the door. "Good call, big guy!"

Sam gave Daniel's arm a gentle pat then she brushed by him moving toward the counter.

"I will assist Daniel Jackson with gathering what remains of his meal."

"Thanks, Teal'c," said the archeologist gratefully.

To Sam's surprise, Millie already had a tray prepared on which sat two pies, a knife, plates, forks, paper cups, and a carafe of coffee. "Now don't you let Dr. Jackson have any of this, Major," whispered the older woman, her eyes dropping to the silver carafe. "I know how that boy can be, but you be firm with him, child."

Sam nodded obediently. "Yes, ma'am," she whispered in reply.

"All right then, " grinned the older woman. "Have a nice evening, Major."

"Thanks, Millie," replied Sam. She picked up the tray then turned to see Daniel taking a bite of his sandwich while Teal'c picked up the archeologist's tray still laden with a bowl of salad, an orange, and a small carton of milk. Both men headed to the door where O'Neill still stood bracing it open.

"Sometime tonight would be nice, guys," moaned the colonel in a much-put-upon tone that made Sam snort.

Daniel surreptitiously bumped O'Neill's hand sending the older man juggling his apple again. Teal'c glanced down his nose at his fumbling friend then followed Daniel out into the corridor.

"Hey!" barked O'Neill as he finally gathered in all his errant food, cradling it protectively in his arms. "That SO wasn't nice!"

The major shook her head and wondered briefly about maturity then happily joined her teammates.

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"I've been thinking," began Daniel. He rolled onto his back and tucked his good hand beneath his head, staring at the ceiling of his quarters.

"Ah---no thinking, Daniel," replied Jack firmly.

The archeologist glared at his friend who sat propped up against a pillow next to him, his long legs extended and crossed at the ankles. The colonel cursed under his breath, apparently unhappy at what was happening on the TV. Sam and Teal'c had left earlier after Janet had followed through on her threat and had stopped by to check on him, but Jack had remained stating clearly that he was only staying to watch the game. Daniel had to smile at his friend's concern.

"Oh for crying out loud," muttered Jack as he looked expectantly down at Daniel. "What?"

"Nothing, Jack. Finish watching the game."

"Daniel."

"Jack?"

The older man scowled. "Spill."

"I was just thinking that the whole story Kaatzál wove about being knocked into the river might very well have been true."

Jack's face screwed up in confusion. "What?"

"They didn't get along?" encouraged Daniel.

The colonel shook his head. "So you're thinking that Tezca knocked his brother into the river to keep you for himself?"

"Well, that's not exactly how I'd put it, but---yeah. He would have---kept you, Teal'c, and Sam for himself, too."

Jack mulled over Daniel's theory with furrowed brows. "I don't know, Daniel. You really think Tezca would try to kill his own brother?"

Daniel shrugged then yawned. "Maybe deep down he knew Kaatzál would get out." He yawned again. "There might have been some truth in their story about their childhood, too."

"Only their parents separated them because what---they were too much to handle together?"

"It's just a thought."

Jack grunted then turned his attention back to the baseball game.

Daniel decided his eyes were feeling incredibly heavy so he let them slide shut, his headache finally fading in response to the drugs he'd taken.

"I guess brotherly love won out in the end, though, eh, Daniel?"

"Huh?"

"Brotherly love----Kaatzál did try to save Tezca in the end."

Daniel's brows puckered; Jack was right, thinking really wasn't such a good idea.

"Daniel?"

"Huh?"

"How's the headache?"

"Um---," managed the archeologist and he heard the warm snort of amusement from his friend's direction.

"Feeling no pain?"

Daniel shook his head. "Uh-uh."

"Daniel?"

"Hmmm?"

"You want to go to sleep now?"

"Okay."

"Do you want me to go?"

Daniel was drifting away, but he felt a twinge of unease; he wasn't really ready to be alone with his dreams yet. "Um---you can finish watching the game---if you want."

A warm hand patted his shoulder. "I'll stick around."

The archeologist rolled onto his side. "Okay," he replied contentedly. He burrowed his head further into his pillow then let out a relaxed sigh. The last thing he felt before slipping completely away was the blanket being pulled gently up over his shoulder.

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THE END

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