Caribbean Love

by Livia

URL: http://area52hkh.net/asl/livia/caribbean.php
Summary: Jack and Daniel meet on vacation

"Oh, sorry." Daniel looked up from the journal he'd been reading. The man, who'd accidentally brushed his upper arm while walking through the nearly empty restaurant, had apologized instantly and now grinned wryly.

"No harm done." With an answering smile Daniel leaned back in his chair, his journal forgotten. The sight unfolding in front of him was one to behold. Tall and lean, the man radiated an air of self-confidence and physical strength. He was handsome in a slightly ragged way. His silvery-gray hair made him a role model for the cliché of men to become more interesting when getting older and gray. Daniel couldn't help but intensify his smile. To his widest and most predatory smile. Bingo! The man was caught - hook, line and sinker. Mesmerized he stared at Daniel without noticing the curious glances and grins of the few guests and waiters currently sitting or working in the restaurant of this comfortable hotel near the beach on a small Caribbean island. Before the silence got too awkward Daniel slowly pushed the chair next to him away from the table and waved in an inviting manner.

"Wanna join me for lunch?" he asked in a husky voice and didn't fail to notice the slight shiver running through the man. No more trace of self-confidence he looked more like a deer caught in the headlights. After a few seconds he managed some kind of answer.

"I ... uh ... I ..."

"Take a seat." Daniels order saved him from further embarrassment because it was exactly what the man needed in his current state. Following orders he could.

"I'm Daniel by the way." Another smile, not as dangerous but definitely smug.

"Um. Jack." his new acquaintance replied while settling into a comfortable position.

"Hi Jack."

"Hi Daniel."

Before one of them could say anything more, the waiter approached them with the menus. Daniel ordered another Daiquiri and some snacks for both of them. Jack wanted beer. He used the time until they were alone again to get back his composure.

"So, you arrived yesterday?" Daniel started the conversation.

"Yeah, how do you know?" Jack frowned suspiciously.

"Oh, you're still pale and I think I've seen you this morning at breakfast for the first time."

"Oh, I see." Jack paused and watched Daniel closer, obviously liking what he saw. The short brown-blond hair. The most beautiful blue eyes he'd ever seen under long dark lashes. The mouth with the luscious lower lip. And his tan was a nice tone of café-au-lait.

"Looks like you've been here a while longer."

"Five days. I'll stay for another ten. – You?"

"Coupla weeks." Jack pointed at Daniels abandoned archaeological journal. "Work or hobby?" Daniel shrugged non-committal.

"Both actually. Just trying to catch up on some reading I've had no time for recently."

"So, you're what? An archaeologist?" The smile Jack received was modest – and in his opinion extremely sexy.

"Yeah. And linguist and anthropologist."

"Wow. Genius here." Jack said in genuine admiration.

"Not bad for a geek, huh?" Daniel couldn't keep from baiting, but Jack wasn't that easy.

"Did you ever find anything ... exiting on your digs?" Jack was back on track and had no intention of loosing this little game, even with the scores so high, Daniel being a linguist and all.

"If you refer to something like the tomb of Tut-anch-amun. No." Playing with his napkin he lounged into his first lecture of the day. "But maybe some day I'll be able to prove my theory. And that could turn upside down some of the old ways of thinking within the archaeological academia – especially the field of Egyptology. They still think the first writing system was Babylonian. But I know that there are precursors of Egyptian hieroglyphs that are much older, perhaps over ten thousand years." Daniels face was blushed in excitement. "All I need is the evidence, hard and irrefutable evidence. If I'd present it now, they'd eat me alive before I can say 'Valley of the Kings'."

Jack was fascinated at the passion of this man. Even if he wasn't an expert in the things Daniel was talking about, he wasn't as dumb as he sometimes pretended to be. Somehow he knew this highly intelligent and determined man was right. And he just hoped he would find the evidence he so desperately needed.

"So, that would be a case of wolfs beneath sheepskins, huh?" Jack said with a quirk.

"Or the geeks being not so geeky?" Daniel countered. They both grinned at each other while their drinks and snacks were served. After a few minutes of eating in companionable silence, Daniel started the conversation anew.

"And what are you doing, when not on vacation? If you don't mind me asking."

Jack took his time chewing and swallowing his bite. Then he took a long swig from his cold beer.

"I'm military. Air Force. Colonel." He resumed eating his sandwich. Daniel looked slightly put out by this answer.

"That's all? I knew you military types weren't big with talking, but that's ... that's ..." Daniel stopped. He wasn't even sure, why he was so disappointed.

"Look." Jack at least had the decency to look guilty. "The project I'm working for is classified. I'd really like to tell you more about it, but I can't. I'm sorry."

Daniel thought for a while.

"Is there something you can tell me about you? Or is that too classified?" He flinched at his own biting tone. "Sorry. I didn't mean to ..."

"No, it's okay." Jack drained the remnants of his beer. "That happens always. Been there, done that. Got used to it." He moved to get up. Daniels hand on his forearm stopped him.

"Stay! Please." He looked at him through batted eyelashes. "I'm really sorry. It's none of my business. I just really like to know more about you. But ..." He raised his other hand to forestall Jacks reply. "I understand. Honest." A tentative smile and Jack was on his hook again. He mumbled something under his breath but stayed anyway. A few moments later Daniel made another attempt.

"I've heard about this small restaurant a couple of miles down the coast. There is a boat on the pier that brings guests there on schedule. I've wanted to go there for dinner tonight and I'd like to invite you. Kinda apology. What do you think?" Daniels face radiated almost childlike hope and softened Jacks first instinctive rejection.

"You don't have to do this, Daniel. I can pay for my food." Daniel exhaled an inaudible sigh.

"I know that. But I'd really like to. And ... I'd feel better."

'That pout should come with a health warning.' Jack thought and nodded in defeat.

"Great. Then we'll meet at the pier say ... at seven?"

"Seven's fine."

At 6.30 Jack stood at the foot of his bed and seriously considered going down to the boutique in the foyer of the hotel to buy complete new clothes.

"Oh, for crying out loud." he cursed. "You behave like a teenager on his first date, O'Neill." That thought suddenly brought the reality to him of what he was about to do. A date. With a man. Granted, a very handsome, intelligent, sexy ... "Oh crap!"

Now he had to will down the stirring heat in his groin. He really didn't want to go to that date with a bulge in his pants. And to make things worse he ran out of time. Finally, with an air of fatalism he slid into light gray slacks and a silky silver-gray shirt. With some determined strokes he tamed the savage hair that had spiked in every direction after he'd taken a shower.

Jack could see Daniel already from a distance when he headed for the pier at 6.59 sharp. He wore dark blue pants that hugged his beautiful ass nicely and a tight white sleeveless top that perfectly contrasted with his tan. The sight was breathtaking. Jack had to think of scary Sister Mary Jane, who'd caught him when he was thirteen and necking with Judith Andrews in a supplies closet in the basement of the school. The embarrassed feeling he had then was a proven method to kill his libido. This time it worked too, at least at the moment. When he came closer Daniel recognized him and a thousand megawatt smile lit up his face. And suddenly Jack wasn't sure that Sister Mary Jane would be enough to keep him in check the whole evening. Unfortunately Jack wasn't the only one who was affected by this incredible man. More people around them eyed him with appreciation and even lust, shown more or less open. And not only women. Apparently Daniel was completely oblivious to them. His eyes never left Jacks while he came closer. A sudden bolt of possessiveness struck Jack. 'Hands off! He's taken!' was what he wanted to shout at the people. He didn't, of course. But he couldn't keep himself from laying his hand on the small of Daniels back when they went aboard. Very satisfied he noticed that the message was received immediately.

Dinner was nice. The restaurant was small, with simple but originally interior and exceptional good food for moderate prices. Despite the little incident at lunch they talked animatedly over nearly everything – except Jacks work. He couldn't remember the last time he felt that comfortable and content. Daniels company was soothing and exiting at the same time. A bunch of contradictions as the man himself. The warm Caribbean air, the low sound of steel-drum music and the friendly sparkling of the stars made the night perfect.

It was late, almost midnight, when they were back at the hotel, standing in front of Daniels apartment door.

"I've got some rum and coke in my fridge. We could have a last drink." Daniels voice was low and seductive. They both knew, that the suggestion was about more than a last drink.

"Yeah, sounds great." Jack answered softly after a long look into Daniels eyes. They entered the room. While Daniel was busy making the drinks Jack stood at the window and looked into the velvety night. He felt the heat of the other mans body, when Daniel walked up close behind him and reached around him, a glass in his hand. Jack turned until he could see Daniels face, then took the glass from him. Their fingers touched slightly and both took deep breaths at the sensation. The drinks were enjoyed in silence.

"That was the best evening I've had in ages." Jack committed.

"To me too." Daniel replied. "I'm wondering if it can get better." He took their empty glasses and set them on the closet next to them. Then he slid his hands around Jacks waist and moved close enough to feel his breath on his face. Jack laid his hand on Daniels shoulders.

"I have to tell you something first." Daniel froze.

"What?" he asked clearly anxious.

"It's been a while. To be honest it's been nearly thirty years. And then ... I ... we ... it never went really far." A deep frown creased Daniels forehead.

"How far?" Determined he ignored Jacks flush.

"Um. Mutual hand jobs, friction ..."

"Blow jobs?"

"Couple."

"Given or taken?"

"Um. Both. Two given. Two taken." Meanwhile Jacks face was crimson red and his voice nearly inaudible. Daniel gently touched his cheek.

"Was it bad?"

"No! No, it was good, actually." He shook his head to emphasize it.

"Then why did you stop it?" Jack looked at him as if it was self-evident. But Daniel needed to hear it.

"I wanted to join the Air Force, wanted to fly, be a pilot. I really wanted it. That time I wanted it more than the ... sex. It wasn't too hard. You learn to push inappropriate feelings away, bury desire deep inside your mind, where no one can find it. Sometimes you even forget it was there. Until ... until it hits you again. But then you know how to deal with it. What to do not to betray yourself. It's simply too dangerous. 'Don't ask, don't tell' is complete crap, never worked. It was never worth the risk."

"Why now?"

"I dunno." Jack shook his head again. "Or maybe I do. It's been harder, lately. I'll retire soon and I can't stop thinking maybe I was wrong. So much shit happened to me within all these years. I lost track how many times I nearly died. And I keep thinking that I never really lived, was never really me. The real Jack O'Neill who is that? I can't answer that question."

While Jack spoke Daniel draw soothing circles over his back with light careful movements.

"You sure, you want this?" Daniel asked, concern evident in his eyes.

"Yeah. I'm sure." When Daniel didn't look convinced, Jack cradled his hand around his neck and mirrored the touch at his cheek.

"I trust you, Daniel. You wont hurt me. Am I stupid to do this?"

"No. You're not." Daniel smiled sadly.

"Than what's wrong? Don't you want me anymore? Do you want an experienced lover?"

"NO! Jack. How can you ...? No." He took a deep breath. "I'm just a bit overwhelmed here. Today, you seemed so self-confident. I didn't expect you to be ..."

"A virgin?" A long moment they stared at each other. Then slowly they started to giggle.

"Colonel-hard-ass-Jack-O'Neill a virgin." Jack shortly laughed out loud then got serious again. "Will you show me, what it could be like?"

"Yeah, Jack. I'll show you."

The world around them went to non-existent when their lips finally met.