Prisoners

By RPonda

 

 

Jack was frustrated. He’d just had Daniel come back from certain death on Apophis’ mothership, only to have him almost die on Hadante. Something Daniel could have avoided if he’d only listened to him. That damn prison planet. They shouldn’t have been there in the first place. He should have protected Daniel better. He knew firsthand what prisons could do to the young and innocent. Deciding he needed to talk to Daniel, Jack entered the locker room. “Daniel?” He waited until he had Daniel’s attention this time.

 

“Yes, Jack,” Daniel responded, meeting Jack’s eyes, hoping he wasn’t in trouble with him.

 

“My place, 1900 hours,” Jack stated, indicating he wanted to talk to Daniel.

 

Daniel hung his head. “Sure, Jack.” Damn, he was in trouble. Might as well get it over with. “I’ll bring dinner though.”

 

“Okay,” said Jack, a little surprised. He hadn’t been sure Daniel wouldn’t fight him like the last time.

 

Daniel showed up at Jack’s right on time. He wasn’t entirely sure he knew what he’d done wrong. However, he was sure Jack would tell him, whether he wanted to know or not. After he knocked and entered, Daniel walked into the kitchen where Jack was. He placed the food he’d brought on the counter. He couldn’t stand the wait. Leaning on the counter, facing away from Jack, he asked, “So, what am I in trouble for this time?”

 

“Can’t wait until after dinner?” Jack asked.

 

“No, I’d rather not,” Daniel answered. “Waiting only makes it worse.”

 

“What do you think you’re in trouble for?” Jack questioned, shifting responsibility back to Daniel.

 

Daniel finally turned around. “I don’t know, Jack,” Daniel replied sarcastically. “You’re the one who ordered me here.”

 

“Daniel,” Jack warned, “don’t start the attitude with me again. I don’t deserve it.”

 

“Sorry, Jack,” Daniel apologized, taking off his glasses and squeezing the bridge of his nose. “You’re right, you don’t. I think Hadante is still getting to me.”

 

“Not a vacation paradise, was it?”

 

“No, it wasn’t,” Daniel agreed. “Honestly though, my brain is fried. So many things happened there, I’m not sure what you’re angry about.”

 

“Then I’ll give you a hint,” Jack said. “Does ‘Daniel, get out of there.’ sound familiar?”

 

Daniel hugged himself and hung his head. Everything clicked into place. He’d ignored Jack, thereby inciting the attack on him and the team. “I couldn’t let them kill themselves without trying to stop them,” he said quietly.

 

“Yes, you could’ve, Daniel,” Jack insisted. “Prison does not support compassion. You should have left well enough alone.”

 

“I can’t live that way, Jack. No matter the circumstances.” It wasn’t in Daniel’s nature to disregard human life.

 

“Then you’ll continue to risk your life and everyone else’s.” Jack didn’t want to break Daniel; he only wanted him to realize the consequences of his actions. Both the immediate ones, and the ones they’d both agreed to.

 

“That’s not what I intended to do, Jack,” Daniel said, defending himself.

 

“It’s what does happen, Daniel,” Jack pointed out, “every time you consider someone else’s life more important than your own.”

 

“I don’t do that,” Daniel denied.

 

“Yes, you do. As much as I admire your compassion and respect for life, I don’t want that to be what kills you.” Jack had already thought his friend dead too many times.

 

“It won’t,” insisted Daniel, although he knew Jack had a point. “So, what do we do now?”

 

“Do you want to eat first?” Jack asked, even though he knew the answer.

 

“Not really,” Daniel replied. “I’d rather get it over with.”

 

“So you agree you risked your life by not following orders,” Jack stated, wanting to be sure they both had the same understanding.

 

“Yes,” Daniel agreed, “although I’m not sure I would have done anything differently.”

 

“Daniel.” Jack sighed in frustration.

 

“I’m sorry, Jack, it’s who I am.” Daniel stopped Jack before he could say anything. “However, I do accept the consequences based on our agreement, and I’ll consider what you’ve said. It’s the most I can give you right now.”

 

“I’ll take it.” Jack put his hand on Daniel’s shoulder. “Let’s move this into the living room.” Jack followed Daniel out of the kitchen.

 

Daniel stopped in front of the armchair and asked, “Who’s in control, Jack?”

 

“You are, Daniel. You tell me when to stop.” Jack rubbed his neck. “Just, don’t let it go on too long. I can’t take it.”

 

“I won’t.” Daniel unbuckled his belt and undid his pants. “Let’s just get it over with.” He lowered his pants and boxers and then bent over the back of the armchair, grabbing the armrests.

 

Jack removed his belt. Even though they’d already discussed the matter, Jack asked, “What are you being punished for, Daniel?”

 

“For disobeying you and endangering all our lives,” Daniel stated automatically.

 

Jack didn’t like the tone of Daniel’s voice. He placed his hand on Daniel’s back. “Daniel, are you okay with this, or not?” If Daniel weren’t in the right state of mind, Jack wouldn’t strap him yet.

 

“I’m okay with it,” Daniel answered. “I’m still working it through in my mind, but I’m ready.”

 

“If we get this over with now, you’ll talk about it in the morning?” Jack asked.

 

“Yes, Jack,” Daniel agreed.

 

Jack knew Daniel well enough to know he would keep thinking about it until he made sense of whatever was still bothering him. Accepting he’d have to wait until morning to understand one more piece of Daniel Jackson, Jack began the strapping. Raising his arm, Jack brought down the first stroke across Daniel’s backside. Daniel yelped; that would probably be the only sound he’d make. Jack continued the strapping. Soon, Daniel’s tears began. “Enough!” Daniel yelled, shortly after. Jack stopped immediately.

 

Daniel stood up and adjusted his clothes, while Jack replaced his belt. Jack hugged Daniel, offering comfort. This time Daniel accepted it immediately. When his breathing calmed, pulled away from Jack. “I’m fine now, Jack. Just tired,” Daniel said, rubbing his eyes.

 

“You know where your room is, Daniel.”

 

“Yeah, that I do. Good night, Jack.”

 

“Good night, Daniel.” Jack went back into the kitchen to find out what Daniel had brought for dinner. Italian, good choice he thought. Even if Daniel wasn’t hungry, he was. Fixing up a plate for himself, he put the rest in the refrigerator. The food would taste good reheated, if Daniel woke up hungry.

 

Daniel slept through the night. The next morning, he wasn’t sure how he felt. He’d agreed with the rules they’d set up. He knew Jack was upset with him for almost dying again due to what Jack considered recklessness. Until he’d seen the ligature marks around Jack’s neck, he hadn’t realized how close Jack had come to dying. He did feel guilty for that, and the knife wound Teal’c had suffered. Maybe he shouldn’t have tried to stop those men. It hadn’t helped, they’d died anyway. He just couldn’t stand to see someone throw his life away, but wasn’t that what Jack was worried he was doing. Trading his life to save another. Not sure how to deal with his revelation, Daniel finished his morning rituals. Finding Jack in the living room, he carefully sat on the chair.

 

“Morning, Daniel. Are you hungry?” Jack asked, putting down the newspaper he was reading.

 

“Morning, Jack. Yeah, I am. Guess I forgot to eat last night.”

 

“You had other things on your mind,” Jack stated. “Do you want leftover Italian, or pancakes? The Italian you brought was delicious.”

 

“Italian sounds good to me. I’ll go fix up a plate,” Daniel said, standing up. “Did you already eat?”

 

“Yeah,” Jack answered, “I’ve been up for awhile. There’s coffee ready, too.”

 

“Good, I need it.” Daniel got his food ready and then sat at the table to eat. Jack poured himself another cup of coffee and sat down to keep Daniel company. “I’ve been thinking about what you said last night,” Daniel said quietly.

 

“Which part?” Jack asked.

 

“The part about thinking other people’s lives are more important than mine,” he answered.

 

“Oh, that part. What were you thinking about it?”

 

“I can understand why you think I think that, I think,” Daniel said, not sure he was making any sense. “It’s not that I think other people’s lives are more important, it’s that I think all life is important.”

 

“It’s not that I disagree with you, Daniel,” Jack said. “However, if I have to choose between your life and someone else’s, I’ll choose you.”

 

“I’ve lived a long time not having anyone care if I lived or died,” Daniel admitted, studying his coffee rather than looking at Jack.

 

“Daniel,” Jack said. “Daniel, look at me.” Daniel lifted his head. “You’re not living that way now. I care if you live. So do a lot of other people, including Sam and Teal’c.”

 

“All anybody ever wanted from me,” Daniel stated, “is what I knew.”

 

‘God,’ Jack thought, ‘how could someone be as compassionate as Daniel, and live the life he’d lived.’ “You are what we care about. Even if you weren’t the genius you are, we would still care about you.”

 

“Are you so sure about that, Jack,” Daniel said, though there was no accusation in his voice. “The only reason you wanted me on the first trip to Abydos, was so I could work the Stargate.”

 

“I didn’t know you well enough then,” Jack informed him. “If I remember right, you cared more about life than I did back then.”

 

“I still care about life,” Daniel insisted. “I care about everyone’s life.”

 

Jack became frustrated. “Daniel, I’m trying to understand you. I really am. I’m confused as to your point though.”

 

“I’m not sure what my point is either.” Daniel pinched between his eyes. “I think I’m trying to convince you I don’t have a death wish,” Daniel replied.

 

Jack was shocked. He didn’t think Daniel had a death wish, did he? Maybe he did, maybe that was what he was worried about. “I’m glad to hear it, Daniel. I don’t want to lose you. I admit, I didn’t realize until you said it, what was bothering me.”

 

“It took me awhile to figure it out, too.” Daniel paused for a moment. “I can’t promise nothing will happen to me. I can only promise it won’t be on purpose.”

 

“Just be careful, Daniel. That’s all I ask.” Jack didn’t want to lose his best friend for any reason.

 

Daniel questioned, “And if I’m not careful…”

 

“we deal with it the way we have been,” Jack finished.

 

“Okay,” Daniel replied.