Rating: R/NC-17 for implied sexual situations. Jack/Daniel, Daniel/OMC. AU, drama, angst, romance, first time

Chapter Eight: Desperate Measures

Ari rose smoothly from his seat when he spied the arrival of a familiar figure.

"Ari!" Albert Samuels called out, a smarmy grin stretching across his face as he moved closer and shook Ari's hand. "It's good to see you. What are you doing here?"

"I just happened to be in the neighborhood and I thought I would stop by and say hello. This is not a bad time, I hope?"

Samuels shook his head. "No, no, not at all. I'm always happy to spare a few minutes for you. Come into my office," he offered and gestured towards an open door with a sweep of his arm. "Cathy," he said, turning to look back over his shoulder at the bespectacled secretary. "Hold all calls, will you?"

"Yes, Mr. Samuels."

Once inside, Samuels closed and locked the door and turned to glare at his unexpected visitor. "Dammit, Ari! What the hell are you doing here?" he hissed urgently. "You know you're never supposed to come to my office. If you need to talk, send me an email so we can set up a proper meeting."

Ari shook his head. "There wasn't any time for that. We have a situation."

Samuels dropped heavily into the leather chair behind his desk. "What do you mean?"

Ari sat down in the chair facing Samuels and leaned in, keeping his voice low. "Last night at the party, someone broke into my desk."

What little color he had in his pasty complexion drained from Samuel's face at that pronouncement. "The book?" he asked, his concern apparent in the tone of his voice and in every line of his body.

Ari shook his head. "It's still there. Nothing was taken. In fact, the perpetrator took great pains to insure that everything was returned to its proper place so that I wouldn't suspect."

"Who?"

Ari folded his hands tightly in his lap. The words cost him dearly - cost him his pride, and his heart. "I believe it was Daniel."

"What?" Samuels asked, numbly.

"I believe Daniel Jackson is spying on me," Ari repeated heavily.

Samuels bolted out of his chair and began to pace. "Oh, this is perfect! I should have known something like this would happen. This is just typical, Ari," he snarled. "Always thinking with your dick."

"At least I have one," Ari shot back.

Samuels whirled on him, glaring. "What the hell do you mean by that?"

Ari snorted. "Just that there are castrati with more balls than you, Albert."

Samuels flushed at the jibe. "Well, just remember, Ari, it's your weakness for pretty young things that's caused this mess." He ran his hands through his thinning hair, his fingers clenching in the strands. "Shit! How did this happen?"

"I do not know," Ari answered truthfully. "Someone must have recruited him to spy on me. The FBI? The CIA? I do not know," he repeated.

Samuels began to pace once more. "This is not good. Not good at all. What are we going to do?" He moved back and forth. He froze suddenly and turned horrified eyes on the other man. "Kinsey! Christ, Ari, what are we going to do when Kinsey finds out?"

"Kinsey will not find out," Ari stated flatly. He tried to sound more confident than he felt.

"Don't be so sure. Kinsey didn't get to where he is by being stupid or soft. If he finds out, we are both dead men," Samuels hissed, wringing his hands anxiously. "And don't mistake that Bible thumping for a sign of compassion. Kinsey is a viper, Ari, as vicious and ruthless as they come. He wouldn't think twice about getting rid of us both."

"Then we must make sure he never finds out."

Samuels nodded in agreement. "We have to get rid of Jackson. Do you still have your gun?"

Ari stared at him in shock. "Do not be an imbecile, Albert. Shooting Daniel will not resolve anything, it will merely attract the attention of the police and whoever sent him to me in the first place."

Samuels nodded absently as he returned to his pacing. "Perhaps an accident? I have a friend in the NID who knows how to arrange a hit and run to make it look like a simple traffic accident."

"No," Ari replied, shaking his head. "It will be too suspicious. If Daniel is watching me, then surely there is someone watching him, at least in public. Such an accident is too great a risk." Ari paused. "Perhaps if we discredited him further..."

"What are you talking about?"

"Daniel has had some difficulties in the recent past. He was foolish enough to voice some rather unconventional theories and as a result he has become ostracized from the field. No reputable institution will hire him and most of his old colleagues already believe that he is quite mad. It would not be difficult to play upon that disgrace. I could say that he had stolen some valuable artifacts from my home. People would believe me. I could have him arrested, sent away..."

Ari knew his desperation was obvious. He was still angry that Daniel would deceive him, but the thought of killing Daniel, of losing what he had coveted for so long ate into his gut like acid. Ari still believed-or at least hoped--that it wasn't entirely Daniel's fault. Daniel was naïve, after all. He could be led astray so easily. Surely Daniel had been duped into spying on Ari. He would never have done this of his own free will. Perhaps there was a way out of this that didn't lead to Daniel's death.

Samuels shook his head. "Now who's being a fool? If Jackson was sent to spy on you, then whoever recruited him knows about his past. Hell, they were probably figured it would be an asset. You certainly fell for his sob story, didn't you, Ari? Christ, they played you but good."

Ari glared at the other man and flushed as the barb hit home. "All these recriminations are pointless, Albert, and they don't resolve anything. What are we going to do?"

Samuels began to gnaw nervously on a thumbnail as he walked back and forth across the small room. Suddenly he stopped and gazed over at Ari. "What about something slower?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well," Samuels began, looking thoughtful. "What if Daniel were to fall ill? After all, people get sick every day. Flu, allergies, stomach viruses. Some of them can be quite insidious."

Samuels paused and Ari motioned for him to continue.

"You can't let Daniel know you're on to him. Allow him to come and go as he pleases, but from now on, you say nothing. Don't let him hear and see anything. And if Daniel should fall ill in the meantime and his health began to deteriorate, well these things happen. People get sick. Sometimes they even die." Samuels concluded, his eyes suddenly fever bright.

Ari stared at him as the implications of Samuels words sunk in. They were plotting Daniel's murder. Ruthlessly and in cold blood. It was horrific and Ari was stunned by the enormity of what they were contemplating. Ari knew he was not a perfect man, but he was hardly immoral. To agree to pass along some information in exchange for the continuing support of a powerful man such as Kinsey was a small thing, barely worth noting. After all, his motives were honorable. He was doing what was necessary to insure his family's future. As a dutiful son it was his responsibility to protect his family's interests. There was nothing wrong in that.

Murder, however, was another matter entirely and Ari wasn't sure he could countenance that. A recent image suddenly rose up in his mind's eye: Daniel's young body sprawled across Ari's bed, sleek and smooth and powerful, his bare skin fairly glowing in the early morning sunlight. Ari could still see Daniel's face, peaceful in repose as he drew breath through parted lips. Other images assaulted his mind: Daniel enraptured, as he surrendered himself to desire or to the seductive pursuit of knowledge; Daniel as he smiled sweetly at Ari over the brim of his coffee cup; Daniel as he talked animatedly about some bit of insight into the past he had gleaned. A host of intimate and inconsequential moments that they had shared and from which they had begun to forge a life together. Or so Ari had believed.

Ari didn't want to do this. Even after everything that had happened, Ari would spare Daniel if he could, but he could see no other option. Ari had heard enough whispered rumors about Kinsey, about the men with whom he dealt, to know that Albert was not exaggerating. Kinsey would kill all of them-Albert, Daniel and himself-without the slightest qualm. Albert was right. They didn't have any choice. It was them or Daniel. In betraying Ari, Daniel had made one bad decision too many, and there was nothing Ari could do to prevent the unfortunate consequences that followed.

"Are you in, Ari?"

"I am in," Ari said flatly.

The two men returned to their seats and huddled together to quietly and carefully plan the demise of one Daniel Jackson, archeologist, linguist, spy.

* * *

Ari walked into his study to find the now familiar sight of Daniel hunched over the large oak table, utterly absorbed in his work. There were at least a half dozen books spread out on the table before him. Daniel shifted his attention from one to another, chewing thoughtfully on the lid of his pen, then suddenly turned to scribble notes on the yellow legal pad at his elbow before once again immersing himself in one of the texts.

This had become one of Ari's favorite pastimes since Daniel had moved into his house. He loved to watch Daniel work, loved to watch him lose himself in the study of a past long gone. He'd watch enraptured as Daniel would trail a finger across the page of a book, his lips moving silently as he read a dead language, sounding out the words, feeling them, breathing life into them once more. Ari would stand in the doorway for endless minutes and simply soak up the image of Daniel giving full rein to his fierce passion, feeling a swell of pride at the knowledge that that passion was now his. Daniel, of course, remained oblivious to Ari's scrutiny, completely unself-conscious and engrossed in study.

But now everything had changed. Ari frowned at the previously innocuous tableau, keenly aware that it was nothing more than a sham, and that Daniel was here--in his house, in his study, in his life--under false pretenses. Daniel had cleverly played him, had manipulated him for his own ulterior motives and Ari felt the sadness welling up within once again at having been so easily taken in. But as tempting as it might be to lash out and punish Daniel for his duplicity, Ari knew he could not. There was simply too much at stake. He would play along with Daniel's game, but he was about to change the rules.

He watched for a few moments longer before he moved farther the room and called out Daniel's name.

Daniel's head jerked up at the sound and he turned towards Ari to give him a brief smile. "Oh, hello, Ari."

"You have been busy, I see."

"Just doing some research. I was rereading Von Holstein's account of the life of Senmut, Hapshepsut's vizier. It's quite interesting really."

"Yes, yes it is," Ari agreed amiably as he picked up one of the unopened books nearby. He was vaguely amused to see that it was one of his own early books on the Amarna Period. A rapping at the door caught both men's attention.

"Come in, Joseph," Ari beckoned to the man hovering in the doorway. The butler complied and entered the room. He placed a tray laden with a coffee service on one corner of the worktable and then departed as silently as he had come.

"I thought you would be busily working, Daniel, so I asked Joseph to send up some coffee for us both. Would you like a cup?"

Daniel flashed him a grateful smile and a nod. He had a terrible weakness for coffee, Ari knew, and often drank cup after cup when he was immersed in a project as he was now. In fact, Daniel had already turned back to the book he was reading, obviously having reached a crucial juncture in his examination of the text. Ari poured them each a cup

Ari placed a cup and saucer at Daniel's elbow and watched intently as the younger man absently took a sip of coffee before he returned his attention to the book once more.

They were still playing a game of cat and mouse, of course, only now the roles had been reversed. And by the time Daniel realized that he was no longer the cat, it would too late.

* * *

Daniel turned the page of the book he was trying to read. Emphasis on the "trying." He felt distracted and strangely lethargic though he wasn't sure why. Faint tension was beginning to build behind his eyes, the first sign of an impending headache and he couldn't help but wonder if that were the cause or a side effect of his current bemusement.

"Good afternoon, Dr. Jackson."

Daniel looked to his right, startled by General Bauer who sat down on the bench next to him. It was jarring to see him dressed in a cardigan and gray wool trousers, his casual clothing distinctly at odds with his neatly cropped hair and stiff carriage. He looked, Daniel thought, very much like a military man playing at being a civilian. It was a role that Jack carried off with ease but to which Bauer apparently was ill suited.

"Good afternoon, sir. I was expecting Colonel O'Neill."

"I'm afraid Colonel O'Neill had a previous engagement that he was unable to break. I agreed to come in his stead."

"Of course," Daniel agreed amenably, though he couldn't quite stop the sudden stab of disappointment that he felt at those words. Daniel chastised himself inwardly for that foolish sentiment.

Bauer turned more fully in Daniel's direction and frowned. "Dr. Jackson? Are you alright? You look rather pale." he asked solicitously.

Daniel rubbed vaguely at his forehead. "I'm fine, really. It's just a bit of a headache," he explained as he squinted slightly against the sunlight. He fumbled in his pocket for his darkened clip-on lenses and sighed softly as they snapped into place.

"Well," Bauer began, all business once more. "It turns out you were correct about the contents of the book you found in Dr. Stephanopoulus' desk. Our translators have confirmed that the pages you indicated did indeed contain top-secret information. We also compared the dates in the notebook you found with all previous known transfers and found a clear correlation."

"That's good news," Daniel replied.

"Yes, it is," Bauer agreed. "We're a good deal closer to tightening the net around Stephanopoulus and Samuels. But we still need something to tie Kinsey directly to the leaks in security. That's what we need you to concentrate on now."

"Yes sir."

"But that isn't the real reason I needed to speak with you today," Bauer explained.

"Oh?"

"No. I wanted to let you know that Colonel O'Neill will not be your contact for very much longer."

"What?" Daniel asked, stunned by Bauer's announcement. "Why?"

"Colonel O'Neill has requested a transfer."

"But..." he began, then stopped, suddenly robbed of words, his mind racing. "A transfer? Did he say why?"

A faint smile crossed Bauer's lips. "Colonel O'Neill indicated that he wanted to return to active military duty, and I can understand his feelings on the matter. He has been working in intelligence for the past nine years and I believe he is tired of 'flying a desk,' as it were. He expressed interest in an assignment in the Balkans. I think he's looking for something a bit more challenging."

"Oh, of course," Daniel replied, his surprise beginning to give way to anger, shaded with hurt. "This is probably terribly boring for him now," he concluded, unable to hide the edge of bitterness that crept into his voice.

"Well, this particular operation should be winding down soon. We will let you know as soon as we have a new contact in place. Until then, report to Colonel O'Neill, but if you have any problems, contact either Colonel Simmons or myself. We will be your primary contacts henceforward in order to insure that the transition is a smooth one."

"Yes, of course. Smooth." Daniel replied absently. He rose to his feet. "Well, if that is everything, I should be going before Ari starts to wonder where I've gone off to."

Bauer nodded. "Yes, yes, of course. I just wanted to apprise you of this new development and also let you know how very grateful we all are. You've been doing an excellent job, Dr. Jackson. You've served your country well."

"Thank you, sir," Daniel replied as he straightened his shoulders and lifted his chin. He turned away from the other man, his back ramrod straight.

"Be careful, Dr. Jackson. And look after that headache."

 "I will," he promised before he walked away. He didn't look back.

Transferred. Jack was being transferred. That thought echoed through Daniel's brain, as if repetition could somehow make it seem less unreal.

Jack was being transferred. No, Daniel reminded himself, Jack had requested a transfer. That was entirely different, wasn't it? Jack had asked for it. He wanted to go. He was probably relieved by the prospect of escape. Jack could leave DC, with its sultry weather and potholed streets and sordid politics, behind. He could leave Daniel behind.

The dull ache in his head began to pound in earnest. Daniel stopped for a moment to rest against the trunk of a nearby tree. He rubbed his temple in a vain attempt to alleviate the pain in his skull.

Jack was leaving him. Daniel felt his heart clench at the very thought. He knew it was ludicrous to think of it in those terms, but Daniel couldn't help it. He felt strangely abandoned as if Jack's departure was a personal slight. Logically, he knew that Jack's decision probably had absolutely nothing to do with him or this mission, but the childish, petty part of himself refused to believe it. The timing was too coincidental to be dismissed so easily.

Daniel was keenly aware of the rough bark digging into his back. It suddenly reminded Daniel of Jack as he had pressed Daniel forcefully against the wall near Ari's bedroom. Daniel could almost feel the brief flare of pain as his shoulder blades collided sharply against the wall before Jack's mouth had taken possession of his own and all thought was swamped beneath a scalding wave of lust.

Daniel traced his lips with gentle fingers, unconsciously trying to catch some echo of the inexorable pressure of Jack's mouth on his. Jack had had him from that first touch. Daniel had wanted nothing more than to drown in that kiss, reckless in his desire. He'd wanted Jack, had imagined what it would be like to seduce Jack, to push and goad him until his control snapped like so much dry kindling. Daniel had never doubted that fierce passion burned beneath that cool façade, vigilantly held in check, but even his most erotic dreams hadn't prepared him for the reality. For a brief moment he'd had Jack, but the moment had passed. Jack was leaving, leaving him, and Daniel had no choice but to muddle through without him.

His skull ached fiercely. Daniel sighed and berated himself for his childishness. Jack had made his decision and Daniel knew that he should respect it even though it ripped him apart. Jack wanted to move on, do something else with his life, something more fulfilling. Daniel could hardly fault him for that. Daniel had made his own decision as well and with or without Jack, he was going to see it through.

Daniel returned to Ari's home to find the house quiet and dim. He shrugged out of his jacket and hung it in the closet near the door, then walked further into the house. His footfalls echoed through the empty foyer. "Ari?" he called out, inquiringly. Both of Ari's cars were in the garage, so he knew he must be at home.

"Out here."

Daniel followed the sound of the voice to find Ari seated out on the terrace having afternoon tea.

"I see you got your hair cut," Ari observed over the tops of his sunglasses. "It looks very nice."

"Thank you," Daniel said, as he dropped heavily into the chair next to Ari. He felt unaccountably tired. The earlier tension behind his eyes had graduated to a full-blown pounding in his temples, fuelled by his resentment towards Jack that had morphed into anger once again. The bastard. If he wanted out, the least he could have done was to tell Daniel to his face. He owed Daniel that much.

"Would you like some tea?" Ari asked.

Daniel turned towards Ari and offered him what he hoped was a charming smile. "Yes, that would be nice."

"Sit, sit," Ari commanded. He picked up a small bell and rang it, the tinkling sound unexpectedly loud in Daniel's ears. The sound made him wince. "Joseph," Ari asked the butler who had appeared at the French doors leading to the house, "could you bring another cup for Daniel?"

"Of course, sir," the man replied with a stiff nod before he vanished into the dim interior once more.

Daniel leaned back into the chair cushions and shut his eyes. He tried to block out the rhythmic pounding in his head and the steel bands that seemed to be wrapping tighter and tighter about his chest.

"Here you are, Daniel," a voice spoke near his ear.

Startled, Daniel opened his eyes to see Ari holding a china cup and saucer towards him. Daniel gave the other man a faint smile, mildly embarrassed at having apparently dozed off if only for a few minutes. Obviously he was more tired than he realized.

"Thank you, Ari," he murmured as he took the proffered cup. He saw that Ari, knowing his preferences, had already added a splash of milk. He took a long sip of the tea. It soothed his irritated throat. Daniel nestled more deeply into the chair and let the tea and the warmth of the sun relax him.

"I was not sure when you would return Daniel, or I would have asked Joseph to wait to serve the tea until after your return," Ari remarked conversationally.

Daniel grimaced in mild embarrassment. "I'm sorry, Ari. I hadn't expected to be gone so long. It was more crowded than I'd anticipated for the middle of the week."

Ari waved his hand in dismissal. "You do not need to apologize, Daniel. You are, after all, a grown man, free to come and go as you please."

"I know, Ari. I just didn't want you to worry."

The other man smiled at him and reached out to cradle his cheek in the palm of his large hand. "That is very thoughtful of you, Daniel," Ari remarked, as his thumb brushed gently along Daniel's cheekbone. "I have been studying aerial maps of region surrounding Deir el Bahari all morning, trying to decide precisely where to begin our dig. Perhaps after you have finished your tea, I can show them to you."

Daniel perked up at once. "Yes, yes, I'd like that very much," he replied before he quickly downed the remnants of his tea. "I'm ready whenever you are."

"Well then, let us go," Ari declared with a nod. He rose from his chair.

Daniel had begun to stand when a sudden wave of vertigo washed over him. He closed his eyes tightly and swayed on his feet like a drunk. He reached out to find something to keep him upright. Suddenly, Ari was there, wrapping an arm around his waist to steady him, his voice buzzing in Daniel's ear. Daniel squeezed his eyes more tightly shut and breathed deeply, in and out until he regained at least a semblance of equilibrium. With it, the buzzing sound resolved itself into individual words.

"Daniel! Are you all right? Daniel?"

"Ari?" he croaked, feeling oddly lightheaded.

"Yes, Daniel. Are you unwell? You looked as if you were about to collapse."

Daniel shook his head. "No, no. I'm...I'm fine. Really, Ari. I'm just tired is all."

Ari frowned at his pronouncement, his suspicion evident. "Perhaps you should rest."

Daniel pressed a hand to his forehead. A hint of perspiration sheened his skin. "Yeah, maybe I should."

"Joseph!" Ari called to summon the butler who appeared suddenly at his side. "Daniel is not feeling well. Help me take him upstairs."

"Of course, sir."

The two men led Daniel upstairs and lent him support as he shambled between them. Once upstairs, Ari settled Daniel on the bed while Joseph closed the drapes to shroud the room in darkness. Ari sat on the edge of the bed and tenderly stroked the hair from Daniel's forehead in a soothing gesture.

"Sleep, Daniel," he directed. "You'll feel better once you've rested."

Daniel gave a tiny nod of acknowledgement. His eyes fluttered closed as he surrendered himself to deep, dreamless sleep.

* * *

Jack O'Neill flipped the page of the newspaper he was reading before flicking a quick glance at his watch. He frowned at the display, wondering if it was accurate, but knowing perfectly well that it was. Daniel was now twenty minutes late for their meeting. It wasn't like Daniel to be so overdue; usually he arrived well in advance of Jack. His frown deepened as worry began to gnaw away at him.

He returned his gaze to the newspaper in his hands, but his mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with thoughts better left alone. What if something had happened to Daniel? What if Stephanopoulus was on to them? They had been very careful about covering their tracks, but Stephanopoulus was not a stupid man. There was always the possibility that Daniel had somehow let something slip or that despite all their careful precautions, they had left behind some clue.

He shook his head, annoyed. It was foolish to borrow trouble. In all likelihood, Daniel had just had trouble getting away from the overly possessive Stephanopoulus, or maybe he'd had to stop to get some gas or something. Jack was sure he was worrying over nothing and that when Daniel did arrive he'd have some perfectly mundane excuse.

As if that thought was sufficient to summon the object of his musings, Daniel suddenly appeared in the distance. A minute later Daniel sat down on the bench next to Jack

"Morning, Jack." Daniel greeted, though his tone was anything but warm. Far from it, in fact. Jack frowned.

"You're late," Jack remarked neutrally.

Daniel shrugged. "I overslept."

That was all he said. No further explanation, no apologies, nothing. Jack's eyes narrowed as he got a closer look at Daniel. Beyond the thin-lipped disapproval, Daniel looked...terrible. He was surprisingly wan even in the bright sunlight, his features haggard, and there were dark circles beneath his eyes.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine."

He didn't look fine and he said as much to Daniel.

"I said I'm fine."

Jack sighed. He didn't want to get into an argument with Daniel. Things had been tense enough between them recently as it was. He let Daniel's assertion pass without further comment.

"So, anything new?" Jack asked, trying to keep the conversation professional.

"No, nothing. How about you?" Daniel queried flippantly, his gaze suddenly intense.

"Nothing in particular."

Daniel harrumphed at that and wrapped his arms across his chest.
 
"Anything going on at Stephanopoulus' place?"

"No."

"Have you found any further evidence to link Kinsey to the transfer of Intel?"

"No."

Short and sweet. Jack's anxiety rose a notch. "So this is just a social call, then?"

"I'm supposed to give you regular updates, Jack. This is a regular update. Don't blame me because there's nothing to report at the moment," Daniel snapped. His eyes flashed with sullen resentment.

Well, that was the most he'd managed to get out of Daniel since he'd arrived. It was, he supposed, a step in the right direction.

"Any domestic fallout from the party?"

"No," was all Daniel said. His eyes skittered away from Jack's face to drift over the water. Jack's unease rose another notch.
 
"Are you sure you're all right, Daniel? You look like hell." Jack kept his tone as neutral as possible but he couldn't completely hide his growing concern.

Another noncommittal shrug.

"Sick?"

Daniel turned a piercing gaze on him, making Jack feel distinctly uncomfortable. "Hangover," Daniel supplied.

Jack's eyes narrowed at that pronouncement. "Fell off the wagon, huh?" Jack winced as soon as the words left his mouth. So much for his plan to not antagonize Daniel further.

Daniel glared at him. "That's none of your business now, is it?"

"I suppose not."

"At least we agree on something."

"Well, I hope you had fun." Jack wanted to kick himself. Why did they keep doing this? He knew why, of course. They were both too damned stubborn and Daniel was far too adept at pushing Jack's buttons. Despite his best intentions, Jack kept finding himself saying and doing things he had never intended, so instead of alleviating the tension he just managed to exacerbate the situation.

"I had a wonderful time, Jack. I always do." Daniel was studying him again, his eyes bright and fierce. "Tell me, Jack. Do you have fun? Surely this must be rather boring. I'd hardly think sitting on park benches waiting for reports from amateur spooks is terribly exciting."

"It can't compare with fishing in Minnesota."

Daniel's face became shuttered. "Of course."

They sat in silence for a moment.

"I have something of yours that I've been meaning to return," Daniel said as he reached his hand into the breast pocket of his jacket to retrieve something.

"What is it?" Jack asked as Daniel handed him the small object.

"It's the silver tie pin that you lent me."

Jack's fingertips grazed Daniel's as he took the pin. Daniel flinched at the touch. Jack pulled his hand away and stuffed the pin in his own jacket pocket.

"Cleaning house?"

Daniel shrugged once again. It was becoming an annoying habit, Jack decided. "Something like that."

Jack realized that he really didn't have anything to say to that. Another moment of awkward silence stretched between them before Daniel suddenly lurched to his feet. "I should be going."

Jack reached a steadying hand towards him. "Daniel, you look like hell. Sit down before you fall down, for crying out loud."

 "I'm fine," Daniel hissed and pulled away, out of Jack's reach.

"You don't look fine."

"Well, that just shows how much you know, Jack," Daniel replied as he began to walk slowly away from Jack.

"Where are you going?" Jack asked, though, of course, he already knew the answer.

"Home," Daniel said, his voice soft. "To Ari."

Daniel continued on his path without another word or a glance back. Jack sat there on the bench, his newspaper forgotten at his side, as he watched Daniel slowly disappear from view.

* * *

Daniel relaxed more deeply into the wingback chair. The faint sound of creaking leather was oddly comforting amidst the buzz of conversation. Ari had invited the Hovings to dinner, and Daniel infinitely preferred these intimate meals to the extravagant parties or to dining alone with Ari.

Reginald, of course, was his usual dour self, stiff and thin-lipped, a walking stereotype of British reserve, but Anna was as ebullient as ever. She chattered constantly throughout dinner and her bright peals of laughter rang through the room. As always, Daniel found himself smiling at her exuberance. Ari was right; Anna Hoving was very charming indeed.

After dinner, they had retired to Ari's sitting room to take their coffee. Daniel had nearly collapsed into the wingback chair near the fireplace, inexplicably drained of all energy as was increasingly common these days. He'd felt marginally better during dinner, buoyed by Anna's warm presence and vibrant conversation and by the long nap he'd had that afternoon. But now he found his energy was flagging once more.

He couldn't explain the strange fatigue that had crept over him of late. Daniel had always suffered from an excess of energy. As a child he'd been somewhat hyper, and even into adulthood he'd always been so driven and fired by his passions that he found it difficult to relax. His occasional bouts of insomnia were one of the consequences. But this strange lethargy was something new entirely. It was a little disconcerting. Hr thought maybe he'd caught some bug, some kind of flu, though he didn't have any of the normal symptoms. Or maybe, he reflected, it was just the stress from the last several months catching up with him at last. He'd been under constant pressure for too long and perhaps his body was simply demanding a timeout. All he needed was a little rest.

Joseph placed the coffee service on the table in front of Ari who waved him away and began to pour for his guests himself.

Anna was chattering again as she admired the painting of Adam and Eve that was given pride of place in the room.

"Have you ever decided who painted this, Ari?" she asked.

"No, I am afraid not. I have asked a number of my colleagues. Dr. Evans, who teaches art history at Georgetown, believes it could be by Lorenzo Lotto, but my friend David, who is a curator at the National Gallery doubts it. He believes it is perhaps a piece from the studio of Tintoretto or perhaps by the hand of some follower.

Anna pursed her lips, as she studied the painting. "It reminds me of a lovely Titian I saw at the Uffizi," she remarked. "Or was it that museum in Vienna?" She turned her attention to her husband. "Reginald, you remember, don't you? That museum in Vienna. What's it called?"

"The Kunsthistoriche," Reginald replied gruffly between sips of coffee.

"That's it!" That's where I saw it!" she said triumphantly.

"No, Anna. The Titian is in the Prado, in Madrid."

She frowned at that. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm quite sure."

"Oh well." She paused and her frown deepened. "You know, that's very odd."

"What is?" Ari asked as he stirred his coffee.

"The serpent. Its eyes follow me about the room."

Daniel hid his smile behind his bone china cup, as he downed the last of the coffee. He thought he heard a sound suspiciously like choked laughter coming from Ari.

Reginald sighed somewhat impatiently. "That's portraits, Anna. The eyes of portraits follow you around the room, not...snakes."

Anna glared at her husband in disapproval. "I know what I saw. Besides, snakes have eyes, don't they? There's nothing to stop them from following me about. Snakes are supposed to be very clever creatures, after all."

"Well," Ari smoothly broke in. "Stranger things have been known to happen, no?" He glanced at Daniel. "Would you like some more coffee?"

Daniel nodded and watched as Ari poured him a fresh cup.

"Well, it doesn't matter who painted it. It is lovely and much nicer than those beastly modern paintings Reginald insists on buying for our house." Anna observed.

"Anna..." Reginald began, but Anna interrupted him.

"It's true, Reginald. Everyone says so. That Richter you bought is positively ghastly and that Hodgkin is just so grim..."

Daniel tuned out the familiar sound of the Hovings' domestic squabbles. No evening with them would be complete without one, he mused wryly.

Daniel could feel pressure building up behind his eyes. Headaches were another all too common infliction of late. While he'd had an occasional migraine triggered by his allergies, he'd never experienced anything like this. Like his exhaustion, the dull ache in his skull was now an almost constant companion.

Daniel was sure that it was all due to the stress of the mission and the charade that he was forced to maintain. It hadn't been as hard to keep up appearances at first, but now that he was living with Ari, he had to remain on his guard constantly. He felt like Ari was always watching him, and perhaps he was. Ari had been extremely possessive from the very beginning and after that incident with Jack at the party, well Daniel couldn't really blame Ari if he didn't trust Daniel as much as he had before. So Daniel played his part as best he could, but it was exhausting. So many masks to maintain; for Ari, for the Hovings, for Jack. So many expectations to meet. All things considered, it was hardly surprising that he felt worn down by it all.

"Daniel, darling, you don't look well at all."

Daniel's eyes shot open to see Anna's concerned face hovering before his own. He flushed slightly, wondering when his eyes had closed in the first place. Anna placed a slender hand upon his brow to test for fever.

"You're not taking proper care of yourself," she proclaimed before she turned her attention towards Ari. "Honestly Ari, what are you doing to this poor boy? I bet you've been locking him up in that dreary study of yours, making him read all sorts of boring books. Obviously he's not getting enough rest," She concluded. She framed Daniel's face in her delicate hands and gave him a sympathetic smile.

"Anna's right," Reginald, chimed in. "You don't look well at all. Perhaps you should go see a doctor."

Daniel shook his head. "Don't like doctors," he replied. His voice sounded petulant even to his own ears.

Anna perched on the arm of Daniel's chair and stroked the hair away from his forehead. "Still, you don't look good. Perhaps a vacation. Someplace restful." She paused, her brow creased in thought before she brightened once more. "Tuscany is nice this time of year. Fresh air, sunshine, good food and lots of rest. It would do you a world of good."

"We will be going to Egypt in a few weeks, Anna," Ari cut in. "Daniel is like me. We are both desert rats. I am quite certain that all he needs is a bit of rest. Once he is back in Egypt he will be fine."

Daniel nodded. "Yes," he agreed with a shade more enthusiasm than he felt. "I'm just tired, is all."

Anna was studying him carefully. "If you're sure..."

"I am."

"Well, you should still see a doctor," she persisted.

"I will." Daniel promised.

"All right," she said. Anna placed a soft kiss on his forehead then looked about for her coffee cup that was across the room. With a sigh, she picked up the cup closest to her and raised it to her lips...

"Anna," Ari said, as he reached up and placed his hand on hers, arresting its movement, "it might not be a good idea to drink from Daniel's cup, Germs, you know."

"Oh, yes, of course," she replied as she put Daniel's cup down with an apologetic smile. Ari handed her her own cup, which she accepted with a murmur of gratitude.

Daniel retrieved his cup and drank deeply from its contents. When he looked up across the rim, Daniel saw Ari who watched him intently, his brow furrowed deeply. Daniel blinked, surprised by the apprehension he read in the other man's expression in that brief moment before Ari regained control and smiled warmly at Daniel. Daniel smiled back, a hint of disquiet beginning to coil in his gut. He took another drink of his coffee and leaned farther into his chair's embrace as the sound of conversation buzzed around him and Ari's concerned gaze tracked his every move.

A wave of vertigo slammed into Daniel with a suddenness that took his breath away. He heard the sound of glass breaking as if from far away and Daniel dimly realized that it must have been his coffee cup dropping to the floor. Daniel's hands clutched the armrests in a white-knuckled grip as he tried to hold steady against the dizziness and the pounding in his skull. He suddenly felt terribly hot as if he were being smothered beneath a heavy blanket. He couldn't think, couldn't breath. He was going to suffocate.

Daniel squeezed his eyes shut and concentrated on just trying to breath. This wasn't simple exhaustion, Daniel knew, no matter how much he might pretend it was. He was sick, very sick. Daniel opened his eyes again and saw Ari studying him silently, his expression regretful and Daniel fancied that he could read the apology in the other man's eyes. Ari made no move towards and it was then that Daniel understood completely.

He had to get away. That was the one thought that seemed to penetrate the fog that was roiling about in Daniel's brain. Daniel levered himself up on trembling arms. He stood in front of his chair and swayed slightly, as his vision grayed and nausea clutched at his gut. He thought he might pass out.

"Daniel?" a voice called from very far away. Ari? Anna? He wasn't sure.

"I'm all right," he replied. His voice sounded thick in his ears, as dizziness assaulted his senses. "I'm all right."

He took a step. His body felt unwieldy, as if he was moving through honey, but at least he was making progress of a sort. He could do this. He just had to focus.

He only had one option left. He had to tell Jack, warn him.

That was Daniel's last thought before the room went dark.

***

Daniel returned to consciousness by slow degrees. There was a strange buzzing sound in his ears and a heaviness in his arms and legs. He became aware of hands grasping him, holding him upright before they let him tumble back on a soft surface. He opened his eyes with some difficulty; his eyelids felt as if they were formed of granite. His vision blurred and he closed his eyes tightly for another moment and tried to regain control. When he opened them again, he could almost make out shapes swimming in his line of vision. He thought he saw Anna's worried face, but he wasn't completely sure, and behind her fuzzy silhouettes that moved in the dim interior, like puppets in a shadow play.

At last the buzzing noise began to resolve itself into individual words, though their exact meaning remained elusive.

"....should...call...doctor..."

"...no...take care...it..."

"...you sure?"

"...s...trust me."

And now the sounds became clearer, alarmingly so. He tried to move, but his treacherous, uncooperative body betrayed him.

"He needs to rest." Ari's voice.

"Are you sure about the doctor?" A softer voice, obviously Anna's.

"Yes. Do not worry." Ari's voice once again. "Joseph, remove the phone. He shouldn't be disturbed."

Daniel turned his head to the side, squinting.

"No," he slurred and tried to rise on one elbow, but lacked both the strength and coordination to carry it off.

"Rest, Daniel," a voice soothed, as a cool hand lightly caressed his forehead. "Ari will take care of you."

And with that terrifying thought washing over him, Daniel succumbed to a dark wave of unconsciousness.

* * *

Jack turned the page of the Sports section more sharply than intended and cursed silently at the now considerable tear that appeared through the middle of American League standings. He tossed the paper down on the bench beside him. It was just as well he couldn't read the stats; he didn't need confirmation that the Orioles were dropping like a stone.

He glanced down at his watch again for the third time in as many minutes. Daniel was over two hours late to their meeting and he had now officially upgraded the situation from bad to worse.

He frowned as his mind conjured up a mental image of Daniel from their last encounter. He could see the stiff posture and frowning countenance, the way Daniel's arms were wrapped about his torso making Daniel appear aloof and tense. But Jack could also see the pallor and the weariness that wasn't quite camouflaged by the flush of anger, could hear their hurtful exchange echoing through his mind.

Jack scrubbed his hands across his face. Shit. He knew damned well that something had been wrong with Daniel at that meeting and it wasn't just a hangover. He'd been so taken aback by Daniel's unexpected-though not necessarily unwarranted-hostility that Jack had clamped down on the instinct that warned him that there was something seriously awry. He'd been hurt by Daniel's coolness, he could admit that now, so instead of forcing Daniel to talk, he'd played along even though every warning bell was telling him that Daniel needed him. This was exactly why it was such an incredibly bad idea to allow yourself to emotionally involved with an operative in your care, even if Jack had never intended for it to happen. It screwed up your judgment and the mission. And if you weren't careful, it might even get someone killed.

Jack's blood froze at that thought. The truth was, it was a very real possibility. Daniel was in over his head in a very dangerous situation. Stephanopoulus might be completely enamored of Daniel, but Jack had no illusions that that would save him if Stephanopoulus found him out.

Daniel was in danger. He knew it with an iron-clad certainty that brooked no argument and this time he was going to listen to his instincts no matter what.

Jack stood abruptly. It was time to get some answers.

* * *

Jack knocked on the door with a touch more force than necessary.

"Come," the voice called from the other side of the door.

He entered the office to find its occupant scribbling notes in the margins of a mission report.

"Colonel O'Neill," Bauer greeted him as he entered the room. "Come in. Have a seat."

"Thank you, sir," he replied with a nod.

"Any word from Doctor Jackson?"

"Doctor Jackson didn't show for our meeting."

"Oh?" Bauer said as he raised a brow in surprise.

"I think something is wrong."

"Yes?"

"I think he might be seriously ill," Jack clarified.

"And what gives you that impression, colonel?" Bauer asked. He put his pen down and folded his hands neatly on the desk in front of him.

"Well, the last time I saw him he didn't look well."

Bauer frowned. "I thought he told you he was suffering from a hangover."

"That's what he said, but now I'm not so sure."

"Why would he lie, colonel?"

Jack grimaced, unable, and perhaps even a bit unwilling, to explain that he was acting on his gut instinct. Bauer, ever dogmatic and hidebound, tended to dismiss such things as hunches and intuition in favor of quantitative, factual evidence.

"I don't know, General. I just think he did. How was he when you met with him?"

"He was fine," Bauer replied shortly.

Jack felt a sudden chill lodge in his spine. Bauer was lying to him. He knew it just as surely as he knew that Daniel was in trouble, even though he didn't know the reason for it. Bauer knew more than he was letting on, of that he had no doubt, and it could only bode ill for Daniel.

Jack gave Bauer his cockiest grin and shrugged his shoulders. He winced inwardly as the unconscious gesture once again called to mind his last emotionally charged meeting with Daniel.

"I suppose you're right. Hell, given the social life that Stephanopoulus leads, regular hangovers are probably an occupational hazard."

Bauer smiled blandly at him. "Absolutely. In any case, I'm sure Dr. Jackson will be in touch soon. I'm sure something unexpected distracted him."

"Of course."

"If that's all, Colonel?" Bauer asked as he gestured vaguely towards the stack of reports on his desk.

"Yes, sir."

"Dismissed."

Jack rose from his chair and left Bauer's office and closed the door firmly behind him. Instead of leaving the building, however, he made his way to his own office.

"Afternoon, Leigh," he said, and smiled at the young receptionist.

She looked up, a smile spreading across her flushed features. "Good afternoon, Colonel," she greeted warmly, before she delivered a sound kick to the side of the filing cabinet, producing a loud metallic clang.

"That drawer stuck again, huh?"

She sighed, more in resignation than in frustration. "Maintenance has already come by twice to fix it. You can see how well that worked."

"Yeah," he agreed and gave her his most winning smile.

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What do you need, Colonel?"

Jack gave her a wounded expression. "What makes you think I need something?"

She chuckled. "I know that smile. The only time I see it is when you want something."

He opened his mouth to protest, but decided to save his breath. She knew him far too well. "Busted," he confessed. "OK, I need a telephone number. Probably unlisted. Can you get it for me?"

"Of course. Piece of cake." She frowned. "Why is this a big deal?"

"I don't want Bauer or Simmons to find out."

She eyed him suspiciously. "Colonel..." she began, the warning apparent in her tone.

He held his hands up, soothingly. "There's nothing shady. I'm just following a hunch."

She frowned for a moment longer before she walked past him and settled herself in front of her computer.

"Name?"

He told her. "Oh, and get me an address, too."

She cast a wry glance over her shoulder. "Anything else?"

"Well," he drawled. "A couple of tickets to the Stanley Cup wouldn't hurt."

Leigh snorted. "I'll keep that in mind."

He hovered over her shoulder as her fingers danced across the keys. Another minute and she handed him a print-out containing the information he needed. He scanned it quickly, then flashed her a rakish smile.

"You're a doll, Leigh."

"Sure, whatever. Just remember, I'm allergic to roses, I prefer milk chocolate to dark and Chanel No. 9 smells much nicer than No. 5."

"Gotcha," he replied as he walked to the door.

"Colonel," she called softly. Jack stopped, his hand on the doorknob.

"Be careful."

"I always am."

Jack waited until he was out of the building and seated in his car before pulling out his portable phone and punching in the number Leigh had just located for him. It rang three times before a male voice responded.

"Hello. This is Jack O'Neill calling. I need to speak with Mrs. Hoving. It's an emergency."

* * *

Jack followed the maid past the French doors into the garden beyond. It was, Jack thought, both tasteful and a bit outrageous-a bit like Anna herself--with brightly colored flowers overflowing marble planters and vines winding up the trellis like an army of snakes. He skirted the edges of a small pool filled with koi, their scales shimmering in the sunlight as they slipped through the water, and walked to the far end of the garden.

Anna was ensconced in a wrought iron chair with a book in her lap. She glanced up at his arrival and flashed him a bright smile before she rose to greet him.

"Jack!" she called out, her delight apparent, as she moved forward out of the shade from the awning into the sunlight. She took both his hands in hers and kissed his cheek lightly. "I am so glad you've come to visit."

"Well, I'm glad you let me come on such short notice."

She gave him a warm smile. "I'm always happy to oblige a charming man, especially if he's a friend of Daniel's," she said. "What can I do for you Jack?" she asked as she poured him a glass of iced tea.

Jack took the glass and placed it on the table next to him. "It's about, Daniel."

She nodded. "I thought as much."

"Daniel was supposed to meet me this morning, but he never showed up. I would have called but..." His voice trailed off.

"But Ari has forbidden you and Daniel to have any contact with one another," she stated without hesitation, easily filling in the blanks for herself.

"Yes."

Anna sighed, her gaze sympathetic. "Daniel's been very ill."

Jack paled. Given Daniel's physical appearance at their last meeting, Anna's revelation was hardly unexpected, but still her words felt like a blow as the guilt over his inaction took hold. Jack hadn't realized until that moment just how much he'd wanted his instincts to be wrong this time, how much he'd hoped that Daniel's absence had been due to nothing more than anger over Jack's less than sterling behavior.

Jack chastised himself. He didn't have time to wallow in guilt, not when Daniel was ill and needed him.

"How long?" Jack asked, his voice sharper than he'd intended.

"I'm not sure," she replied with a shake of the head. "Four days ago, Ari invited us for dinner. Daniel didn't look well. Then after dinner, we were having coffee in Ari's living room and Daniel got up, I suppose to go lay down upstairs, but he never made it--he collapsed in the foyer."

"Then what happened?" Jack encouraged.

She bit her lower lip before she continued. "Reginald and Joseph--that's Ari's butler--carried Daniel upstairs. He was...in and out of consciousness."

"Have you seen him?"

"No," she said mournfully. "I've called and even visited twice, but Ari just told me that Daniel was sleeping and that he needed his rest."

Jack studied her face. "There's more, isn't there?"

Anna nodded. "I asked Joseph what the doctor had said about Daniel's condition and Joseph told me that to his knowledge no doctor had ever come around." She turned pleading eyes on him. "Jack, why wouldn't Ari call a doctor? He's always doted on Daniel and now when he's so clearly ill, he abandons him. I don't understand."

"Anna..." Jack began, uncertain of what he could say, how far he could trust her. Everything was at risk, Daniel's life most of all. Before he could make a decision, Anna spoke once more.

"It's Ari, isn't it? He's done this to Daniel."

Jack hesitated a moment before he replied. "Possibly."

"Why?"

Jack shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't tell you that, Anna. All I can say is that I believe Daniel isn't safe there anymore."

Anna gazed down at the hands folded in her lap for a long moment before looking Jack directly in the eye. "It doesn't matter. I don't care why it's happening," she replied. "I just want to help Daniel."

He looked into her earnest, pleading eyes. He could see the determination in her face. For the third time that day, Jack took a gamble and followed his gut. "I need your help, Anna."

Anna raised her chin and gave him a brave smile. "What do you need me to do?"

"I have to find a way into Stephanopoulus' house so I can find Daniel and get him out of there."

Her smile suddenly widened. "I know just the way to do it."

"Good," he acknowledged. "There's more, though. There's something there, hidden in that house. It's the reason Daniel is there in the first place. I have to try to get it out as well, but my first priority is Daniel. I don't know if I can do both."

"Joseph," Anna said.

"What?"

"Ari's butler. I think he would help us."

Jack shook his head. "I don't know, Anna," he began, his voice wary. "How can you be sure Ari's own butler would be willing to turn against him and help us out?"

"I'm not sure. Woman's intuition? Maybe it was the look on Joseph's face when he told me that Ari hadn't called a doctor for Daniel. He'll help us," she declared resolutely.

Jack slowly nodded his agreement. "All right. Joseph it is." Jack took a short sip of his tea then gazed intently at the woman seated across from him. "So Anna, tell me how you plan to sneak a wolf into the fold."