EPILOGUE

With a groan I open my eyes as I start to lift myself up from the bed. My arms though are weak and shaky; unwilling to support me I find myself collapsing against a firm shoulder covering in chest hair that's matted with dried sweat. There's a shake and a laugh somewhere that I barely register as I feel a couple of arms pull me closer to the warm body I'm leaning against.

It takes some more time as I fully come to my senses with a contented sigh. I feel Jack kiss the top of my head before asking "You with me?"

"Hmmm…"

"That was… beyond amazing… God, I love you."

I can feel my cheeks heat up and a smile creeps across my lips as I bury my face in his shoulder. The memory of how we came to this situation starts to flood in. I'm not sure how we got to the living room to the bedroom, but we had somehow managed to crawl into bed naked. The intent was to simply sleep but damn it, I hadn't had some action in a while and was horny! I'll been damned if he kept what was mine away from me any longer, especially after all we've been through. This time had been the most forceful yet, resulting in my body being sore in places I didn't think possible. The high though didn't last long as panic started to sink in. Jack must have sense this because he was leaning up and nudging me down so he could look at me.

"What's wrong?"

"I… I didn't hurt you did I?" Oh god… If I'm feeling this sore and stiff, he had to be worse off. I quickly struggle to turn Jack around and make sure. I sighed and sank back down in relief. He was fine. In fact, during all this, he was chuckling in amusement. I give him a shove and with a raised voice I tell him "It's not funny!"

He sobers up quickly and apologies. We spend another good ten minutes just enjoying the bliss of being in each other's arms when I decide now's a good time as any to let him know.

"What? Danny, you're fine just the way you are."

"I know… but..."

We go on bantering about this. I want to start working out, and learn things that are more in league with Jack's training. Jack, obviously, is against it. A thought suddenly strikes me that will allow me to win this one.

"Fine, if you won't help me, I'll go to Sam, Lou, or Teal'c." I pause and stutter a bit before saying each name, as if thinking before each is said. Inside I can't help but smile as I see the flash of jealousy go through Jack's eyes. We both get jealous fairly easily, but Jack is more sensitive to outbursts, especially when the competition hits close enough that they're a threat.

"To hell they will!" He's suddenly enveloping himself around me, locking me in position leaving only one of my arms free. I simply run my fingers through the back of his head, massaging his scalp and neck, as he rests it in the crook of my neck. He then mumbles into it what sounds like the word "Mine!" in a possessive tone with a hint of childish innocence to it.

I feel myself be filled with the joy and love of this man. I kiss his hair, and bring him as closer (if possible) with my free arm. "Not going anywhere. I love you, too much." I feel his expression change into a happy smile, which just makes my world lighter.

Soon, Jack shifts and looks up at me. "Why do you need to do all this anyways?"

I shift and start to play with the stubble on Jack's chin. He tips his head slightly so he can kiss my palm. "I figure it'll help keep the trouble at bay…"

Jack just chuckles as he goes back to curling up against me. "No such thing. You and trouble just can't stay away from each other. It wouldn't last, trying to keep you two apart."

Gotcha, "Care to raise the stakes on that?"

There's a playful grin of excitement on Jack's face as he looks up me. "What you got for me?"

"I bet I can stay away from trouble a lot longer than you can stay away from me."

I don't know how but I manage to keep myself from bursting out in laughter at Jack's torn expression. A part of him wants to win, so he glances around the room trying to decide. We both know that's a lost cause as his need to be with me as much as possible pretty much is what fuels his way of living these days. With a resigned groan, he says "You win."

"Good. Than you can start by…"

AN: Thanks for reading, especially for those who have had the patience enough to wait for this story's end since I've started and first uploaded this onto FF.

I wanted to add a detailed sex scene somewhere in the last chapter or here, but I couldn't get the wording right, especially in first person. Sorry if you wanted one.

Again, thanks for reading, the feedback, and adding this story/my account to your alerts and favorites.