It had been three days since SG-1 had sent Griff back through the 'gate to the SGC for medical attention. Casey had accompanied him, and the moment the wormhole closed behind them the tension they'd all been feeling scattered to the wind. Daniel and Carter had made a significant dent in cataloguing the remaining doo-dads and gizmos left by the Goa'uld, and Jack had managed to squeeze the story of what happened in the antechamber out of Daniel without having to resort to torture.
Daniel thought it was strange that he was reluctant to leave the temple behind, despite what had happened to him there. Or, maybe that was precisely why he was reluctant to leave. Because, despite the pain and humiliation he had suffered after encountering that odd, gold-speckled statue, Daniel and Jack would never have become 'Daniel and Jack' if it hadn't been for the temple.
It was still difficult for him, sometimes, to believe that Jack wanted to be with him, and even harder to believe that he desperately wanted to be with Jack in return. He'd long since resigned himself to the fact that he would never be able to have a real relationship with anyone—not even the woman he married—so this latest development between him and Jack was a real revelation. And he couldn't wait to get back home so they could have some private time together. His skin ached to feel the other man's touch, but it was a good ache—one he would suffer gladly for the rest of his life, if he should be so lucky.
As night fell on their last day off-world, Daniel sat across the fire from Jack and Sam, Teal'c sitting next to him, providing a welcome barrier to the slightly chilled evening wind. It was peaceful and relaxed with just the four of them and no immediate threats hanging over their heads. Daniel didn't think he'd ever been happier.
Jack cleared his throat, squinting into the light of the fire, and Daniel knew he was about to say something that would ruin the magic of the moment. "So…" Jack said, his eyebrows knitting together as he looked around at his team. "I guess it's back to business as usual tomorrow, eh?"
Daniel's heart lurched and he thought he might start choking. Teal'c gave him a helping pat on his back as he blinked away the sudden moisture in his eyes. This was exactly what Daniel had feared might happen, but despite his attempts to prepare himself for the worst it still felt like a slap in the face. He was so shocked he almost missed what Jack said next.
"You know…I don't think we should even wait until tomorrow," Jack was saying, pointedly not looking Daniel's way. "I don't care about rumours and gossip—Daniel and I have always shared a tent off-world, and there's no reason for that to change just because we're together now. I mean, it's not like we're going to go at it like teenagers the second we're alone together—at least, not when we're on missions—so why should we do things any differently than we did before?"
Daniel was aware that his mouth was hanging open in an undignified way, but he couldn't help it; Jack had well and truly outed them to the rest of the team, subtlety be damned! Across from him, Sam had flushed a hot pink and was staring pointedly at the ground in front of her…but there was a hint of a smile on her face, which he found reassuring. Looking up at the hulking Jaffa next to him, Daniel was surprised to see a smug, satisfied smile on the man's face.
"I agree, Colonel O'Neill," said Teal'c, his smooth tones acting like a soothing balm over the jagged wound Jack had just inflicted on their peaceful evening. "There is no need for anything to change now that you and Daniel Jackson are one."
All eyes turned on Captain Carter, waiting for the last of their team mates to voice her opinion and put the matter to rest. Her large blue eyes lifted from the spot on the ground they had fixed on and she looked directly at Daniel. "Absolutely," she said, her smile tickling at her face. "Business as usual."
Jack gave a stupendously dramatic yawn and stretch and got to his feet. "That said, I think it's bedtime. Carter, you've got first watch. Daniel…?"
Daniel looked up in confusion, waiting for the rest of the question to come out before he realised it wasn't a question—it was an invitation. Blushing hotly, Daniel ducked his head and got up, brushing the dirt from his pants and avoiding everyone's eyes. "Yeah…long hike tomorrow," he said. "I think I'll call it a night, too." Okay, he wasn't being so subtle, himself, Daniel admitted as he followed Jack into his tent.
As soon as he'd zipped the tent shut and turned around in the cramped space he found himself in Jack's arms, a hot and needy mouth pressed to his, demanding entrance. Daniel groaned softly and let Jack in, luxuriating in the silky sweep of the other man's tongue against his own. Strong fingers splayed in his hair, mussing it, stroking it, and Daniel's breath hitched in his throat.
Jack's lips abandoned Daniel's and placed a gentle kiss on the tip of his nose. They rested together, foreheads touching, as heat and need boiled up between them. "I saw the look on your face tonight," Jack muttered. "You thought I was ending this, didn't you?"
Daniel's throat was too tight with emotion to answer, so he simply nodded against Jack's forehead, moving both their heads with the movement.
"I would never toy with you that way," Jack said with a touch of hurt in his voice. "I know people have hurt you before, Daniel, and I would do anything to be able to go back into your past and change that. But believe me when I say that I will never be one of those people."
Daniel tried to pull back, feeling uncomfortable with so much raw emotion on display, but Jack's hands held him in place, their faces inches apart.
"Look at me, Daniel," Jack demanded, his eyes burning into him with their need to convey his earnestness. "You've proven that you can defend yourself; that you can stand alone and fight back, and that's good. That's great, even. But you're not alone anymore. You've got me, now, and I've got you. That's how this works. I need you like I need air to breathe, and I'm not going anywhere. You got that? I'm not going anywhere, Daniel. I love you."
Daniel felt a molten tear escape and roll down his cheek, pooling against Jack's thumb where it cupped his jaw. The bottled-up air in his lungs burned to get out, and it finally did come out it was in a sobbing gasp. He crumpled gracelessly to his knees on the carpet of sleeping bags strewn across the tent floor. Jack was there, his arms encircling him, hands stroking his back gently as he rocked him back and forth.
It was safety and acceptance and a future without loneliness. It was home, and Daniel embraced it with everything he had.