Lost

by Kiva

URL: http://area52hkh.net/ask/kiva/lost.php
Summary: Daniel and Jack have their 'moment'
Info: I just had to do it. Originally, I was just going to rewrite the whole ending of the episode -- have Daniel be affected by what was happening to Jack, instead of the embarrassing, sickly shippy version that was shown. But... this popped in to my head instead. I still may do it. I don't know. Anyone who *hasn't* seen The Lost City, I suggest waiting until after you *have* to read this fic. It will make more sense. I hope. Oh, and if anything similar to this has been written, either for this episode, or the first one with the Ancient's knowledge download -- I didn't rip you off, promise. I just haven't read it.

Daniel leaned against the bulkhead, arms folded casually as he watched Jack work. The other man was oblivious to his presence -- completely fixated on his task, on getting the job done. So Daniel watched.

Soon, though, he got tired of simply witnessing. Pushing off the wall with his shoulder, he slowly entered the cargo bay, giving Jack time to look up and register his approach.

He didn't bother saying Jack's name, or trying to get his attention. He knew from seeing Teal'c's visit, that Jack probably wouldn't understand him, anyway. The Ancient's knowledge had too firm a grip on his brain, had already changed so much. He simply crouched down next to him, taking in the wires and gadgets that Jack was using and tweaking as if he'd been born doing so. Following instructions left by a bunch of shady aliens, who-knew how many years ago.

He sighed, knowing that Jack was out of reach now. Mentally, at least. He'd fallen in to the maze of his own thoughts, compulsions and solutions that the Ancients had planted in the device he'd used. It felt a little like the last time this had happened. Like watching him step through the gate to the Asgard ship again, hoping that he'd come back. Wondering if he was lost to them for good, whether his body was returned or not.

A touch on his wrist brought Daniel back, and he frowned as he followed the fingers resting lightly on his skin, all the way up to their owner. Jack knelt there next to him, gazing at him, as if trying to figure him out.

Daniel tried to smile. Tried to convey without words that it would be alright. Yes, there was an armada of Goa'uld ships headed straight to Earth. Yes, Anubis wanted to kick their asses in the worst way. Yes, it was quite possible that if the Ancient's knowledge didn't kill Jack, this mission might.

But it was all going to be okay.

Jack raised one eyebrow, as if asking how Daniel could believe such bullshit.

So Daniel just shrugged, playing along with an act so long established, that not even alien brain re-wiring could screw it up. He allowed his gaze to pan over the room he was in, the objects that were in there, and finally the only other occupant -- Jack. He could admit that he didn't know what to do. That he also knew, that for once, there was nothing to say.

He tried to keep his own knowledge from showing on his face.

What happened next shouldn't have surprised Daniel. Jack was forever doing the unexpected, and doing it well, truth be told. But he was still a little startled as, eyes narrowed and lips slightly parted, Jack leaned forward, and kissed him.

It was clumsy, and it was dry. It was both the wrong *and* right time. It was communication, though what Jack was saying, Daniel couldn't be sure.

They held that pose for a long, long moment, before Jack slowly pulled back, his lips clinging to Daniel's even as they separated. Daniel watched Jack blink, rapidly, as if considering what he'd just done. He licked his lips, once, then again. Jack mirrored the action, his eyes fixed firmly on Daniel's mouth, even as he straightened, moving back to the task he'd been interrupted from.

Daniel looked on, knowing he'd lost Jack once more.

The End.