DESCENT INTO DARKNESS
PART 3
By: Stacy L.
Jack listened to Daniel depart and turned to focus on Mehtar who said, “He is correct. There is no other choice. You believe that he will not harm you, but when he has transformed he will lose himself and become the demon that hunts and feeds. He has little choice in the matter.”
“And you’re saying that damned…collar can help him?”
“Yes.”
Jack gazed at it briefly feeling greatly disturbed by its presence. He jerked his gaze upwards as he questioned, “It is a slave collar, right?”
Mehtar lowered his gaze and Jack continued, “I’m right about that. It’s a slave collar.”
“Yes it is.”
“And you want me to put that on my my friend? You want me to put something on him that will control him and give me power over him? No.”
“He trusts you this much know. He would not be angry with you for placing this on him.”
“Right… And what does that…thing say about him?”
“That he is a slave who is mastered and controlled by another. He has free will, but once this collar is placed around his neck he will no longer have complete control of himself. Whoever places this collar on him can control him. They can make him do things he would not otherwise comply with.”
“And if he becomes stubborn and refuses what then? Does the damned thing delve out a punishment?”
“That is part of being in control of another.”
“No. N-O. Daniel is stubborn. He is one stubborn son of a bitch. You’re telling me that if he decides to defy whoever controls that device it will harm him?”
“Possibly.”
“That’s crazy…no, that’s insane.”
“It is the only way…unless you are willing to place the manacles on him at night when his hunger is strongest. I have suggested the collar because you will not have to restrain him every night. You will not have to worry for the collar remains on him until you deem it time to be removed.”
“So if I place it on him then I can take it off whenever I choose?”
Mehtar lowered his gaze as guilt swamped him. He knew that he wasn’t being completely truthful and now he had to supply an answer he didn’t feel confident enough to share, “Not exactly…”
“Not exactly? What the hell? What are you really saying?”
“Once the collar is placed on his neck it will register that
he is vamperic and will remain on him as long as he remains
a vampire.”
“So even if I do place it on him I might not have the ability to remove it?”
“As long as he is a vampire no one can remove the collar. It is binding…”
“Eternally binding?”
“Yes that is why it is called a slave collar.”
“Who the hell invented these damned things anyway?”
“The vampire…it is how they control the one they have marked as their own.”
“WHAT?”
“I understand that this is a very hard decision for one to make, but let me remind you that the vampire will seek him. They seek him even now and the one who is responsible for beginning the changes within him is no doubt already speaking to him, attempting to seduce him and to lure him to her. She has marked him as hers. She has the ability to fuse one of these collars around his neck if she so chooses. If she captures him and he resists her…”
“Which he will…”
“Then she will place one of these collars on him because even if he refuses to obey her the collar will make him somewhat susceptible to her…the collar will give her some control over him.”
“And since he would be a vampire the collar would never be removed unless he’s cured, and if he isn’t and she has him collared then…”
“He remains her slave for all eternity. If however you place the collar on his neck and are unable to find a cure he will remain indentured to you for as long as you live. Once you die then he will be set free.”
“Not if he’s still a vampire. You said the collar doesn’t just…fall off.”
“It may in such circumstances as I have just described.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
“He will still wear the slave collar but will no longer be controlled by another…and no other will be able to possess or control him.”
“You’re sure about this?”
“Yes.”
He jerked his gaze up as Daniel entered the room followed by Teal’c and Sam. He approached Mehtar and said, “Teal’c has agreed to do as I have asked…unless you changed your mind, Jack…”
Jack could hear the hopefulness in Daniel’s voice and knew that he would feel much better with him. It wasn’t that Daniel didn’t trust Teal’c, for he knew that Teal’c would protect and defend him. He knew that Teal’c would never harm him or use his control over him to betray him, but he didn’t want Teal’c to have that much power over him he wanted Jack to. Damn!
He paused before saying, “Daniel, are you sure about this?”
“Yes.”
There it was…yes…said without any hesitation whatsoever. Daniel was determined to accept the damned slave collar whether it was the right thing to do or not. Jack shook his head as he said, “Daniel this is crazy…”
“Then Teal’c will do it for me. Jack, if it keeps me from hurting others then I’m damned well going to try it.”
“Daniel um before you… Well there’s something else you need to know. Something Mehtar just told me about.”
“What?”
“The collar it’s a…it’s a slave collar, Daniel.”
“I know that. Mehtar already said that whoever places it on me has some power over me. Whoever places it on me can persuade me to do…things. I know this already Jack, but I have no choice here.”
“Well, if you’re going to do this then there’s something else you should know.”
“Which is?”
“If that collar is placed on you it won’t be removable, unless you’re human.”
“What?”
“Mehtar said they took the collar from the vampires. It’s how they…control those unwilling to cooperate with them. It’s how they would control you if they got their hands on you.”
“Okay and?”
Jack stared at him in shock wondering why Daniel wasn’t having second thoughts. He shook his head before continuing, “Daniel, the collar won’t come off if you’re still a vampire. The only way it can be removed is if you’re cured…turned completely human again, which means if we fail to find a cure for you on this planet, if we fail to find that stone then you’ll remain a slave to whoever locks it on you for the rest of your life. They’ll hold power over you until they die. Once they die you’ll be freed, but the collar will remain.”
Daniel seemed to take a moment to consider his words but remained determined as he replied, “I understand Jack and I know it’s a big risk, but I’m willing to take it. I don’t want to become one of them. I don’t want to hurt any of you. I don’t want to…I don’t, but I can fight for only so long. My body is still changing Jack. The transformation is nearing its end and when that happens…when that happens there’s no telling what will be left behind. There’s no way to know whether any of me remains or if I will lose my soul along with my goodness when the evil within consumes me. Jack, if that happens I want to know that I’m controllable. I want to know that I’ll be controlled by someone I love…someone who won’t let me hurt others. I need to know that if I lose myself, if I become a creature of nightmares that someone out there can stop me, someone out there can persuade me not to kill and not to attack anyone who accidentally dials this planet. I need to know that if I become one of them that one of you will control me and if that means I remain a slave for all eternity to one of you then so be it as long as I don’t hurt others. Jack I couldn’t handle that. I couldn’t stand it if I knew that I was left unleashed and uncontrolled out there to wreak havoc and destruction on people…and Jack you know that I can control the Stargate. I know how the damned thing works. If I become a vampire and no one controls me…if I’m not indentured to someone then I can easily dial out of here and travel to other planets where I could kill, maim and torture. Jack, I can’t live with that. I can’t live with what I may become if someone refuses to master me. Please Jack, you have to understand why I need to do this.”
Jack hung his head understanding all too clearly what he was saying. He sighed before suggesting, “Teal’c, Sam why don’t the two of you wait for us outside. We’ll be out shortly. There’s something Daniel and I need to do.”
Teal’c bowed respectfully and Sam smiled. They both turned to leave the room. Once they were out of sight Daniel focused on him asking, “So what’s it going to be, Jack? Am I going to be your slave or Teal’c’s?”
“Who do you want as your master, Daniel? Who do you want to be controlled by?”
Daniel smiled shyly before confessing, “Isn’t it obvious, Jack? You…I trust you. I want it to be you. Teal’c is wonderful. I know he wouldn’t harm me. I know that he’d control me and that he would make sure that I don’t harm others, but Jack it’s you that I want to give that power and control to not him, you.”
“Are you sure? I mean…”
“I have no other choice.”
Mehtar smiled as he extended the collar towards Jack instructing, “All you must do is fit it around his neck. The collar will fuse together on its own.”
Jack examined the collar closely before commenting, “It looks like a bracelet.”
“It is not.”
“Yeah, I see that.”
Jack accepted the collar gazing at it before focusing on Daniel again asking, “Are you sure Daniel? Once I do this it’ll be…I’ll be… You’ll be my…”
“Slave Jack…your servant and slave… I know and you’ll be my master. I know, Jack. Just do it.”
“Daniel…”
“If you really don’t want to…”
“I don’t but I would rather it be me who…instead of Teal’c and since you’re certain there’s no other way…”
“Just do it…now before you lose your nerve Jack.”
“Oh…okay, Daniel. Ready?”
“Yes.”
With those words Jack raised the collar and carefully eased the open ends around Daniel’s neck. As he slipped it the rest of the way on he waited tensing when the collar suddenly hummed to life seeming to press tighter against Daniel’s skin. He stared intently into Daniel’s eyes watching as Daniel grabbed his arm and closed his eyes when the collar started to glow brightly. Jack felt suddenly afraid but Mehtar reassured him, “Do not worry it is how the collar works. It is merely fusing the two loose ends together…creating an unbreakable link in the collar.”
Jack nodded and watched as the collar stopped glowing. Daniel opened his eyes and reached up to his throat running his hand carefully across the collar now affixed to his neck. He traced the object with his fingers realizing that it wrapped the whole way around his neck and there were no marks on it even indicating that it had been fused. It fit as if he had been born with it. As he gazed at Jack he saw fear and worry there as well as concern. Jack spoke first as he asked, “Are you all right, Daniel?”
Daniel flicked his gaze upwards commenting, “Uh, yeah this just feels…weird.”
He again ran his fingers across the silver now marking him and felt a strange thrill along with a sudden fear fill him. He was now collared, a slave owned and controlled. He was a slave to Jack. He thought that he would feel different but this just felt so…right. He gazed at Jack as he softly questioned, “It doesn’t hurt, does it? It’s not too tight?”
“No it just feels…”
“Weird?”
“Yes Master…weird.”
“Master? Daniel…?”
“Jack…”
“You just called me master, Daniel.”
Daniel chuckled nervously as he answered, “I know.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know, Master…Jack…it just…”
Mehtar interrupted, “The collar has fused to his neck and in so doing has reinforced who his master now is. It sends a soft surge or pulse throughout the body of the one who wears it…almost like a quick program. They know instantly who their master is and will feel odd if they do not address their master as such. It’s a reinforcer…it reinforces that…”
Daniel continued, “I’m now a slave and he my master?”
“Yes. It has programmed your mind, your body to recognize your master even when you do not remember who you yourself are.”
“So if I become a vampire and lose myself some part of me will always know that Jack is my master and I’m his slave? Some part of me will recognize him and automatically obey him?”
“Yes.”
“Well that’s good to hear. At least I know if I lose myself I can still find my master, even if I can’t remember him.”
“Daniel?”
“Yes Jack?”
“Will you please stop calling me master?”
Daniel arched his eyebrows perfecting a look of sheer innocence as he prodded, “Why Master? Does it bother you, Master?”
“YES!”
Batting his eyelashes Daniel continued in a soft teasing tone, “I’m sorry Master, I shall try harder not to upset you…Master.”
When Daniel started laughing Jack cursed and whacked him on the arm before releasing a rather loud complaint, “Okay can I influence him to stop calling me his master? Damn that’s so annoying.”
“Ah, come on Jack. I was only teasing you.”
“Right.”
“Right…Master.”
Daniel snickered again as Jack rolled his eyes in response. He then decided to do a little bit of his own vexing as he innocently questioned, “So Daniel if it’s all right for you to call me master then can I call you slave? My precious slave?”
“Well…”
“Technically you are my…slave now Daniel sooo…”
“Hmm you know on second thought are you sure I can’t cut this damned thing off because if I have to put up with Jack’s sarcasm for the rest of my life…”
Jack’s grin split into a broad smile as he taunted, “What would my precious slave do?”
Daniel directed a serious gaze Mehtar’s way as he questioned, “Hmm does this collar prevent me from killing my master, Mehtar?”
Mehtar smiled warmly as he answered, “Yes it does.”
“Damn. Well that settles it then Jack. I might just have to…shoot myself.”
Jack was quick to remind, “Ah but you’re immortal at the moment Danny boy.”
“Damn, you’re right. Have to do something about that too…Master.”
“DANIEL!”
“Yes?”
As Daniel batted his eyes innocently his way a second time Jack cursed before grabbing him and hugging him. The instant Daniel was against Jack he froze licking his lips and swallowing hard as he informed, “Uh Jack, I can still…I can smell your blood and I want… God, doesn’t this thing keep me from…?”
Jack tensed tightening his grip around Daniel refusing to release him from the hug as he firmly commanded, “You’re not permitted to drink from your master unless I command it.”
Daniel jerked his gaze up to focus on Jack staring at him in wide-eyed fascination as he said, “I…I…it worked. Damn, Jack…I’m still…I still crave blood…can smell yours and know it probably tastes wonderful, that it will satisfy my hunger but…but I can’t feed off of you. I… Shit, the damned collar really works. Thank God. Thank you, Jack. You don’t realize how much this means to me.”
Jack relaxed smiling in relief as he answered, “Yes I do, Daniel, yes I do. Now we need to search for this infamous moonstone. I’m determined to get you completely back even if I have to search every inch of this damned planet to do it.”
* * * * * *
Early the following morning they set out on their long
journey in search of the
He drew to a halt calling a break to their procession and not failing to miss the obvious glare Daniel directed his way. He shrugged it off knowing that Daniel was feeling guilty for being such a burden. He approached his friend regardless quietly inquiring, “How are you doing, Daniel?”
“I’m fine, Jack. Really.”
“Okay. Drink?”
“Yes.”
He arched his eyebrows up when that response slid so readily from Daniel’s lips then gently offered, “Here. Water. Drink.”
Daniel nodded accepting the water. He drank thirstily and struggled to keep it down moaning softly as yet another hunger pang filled him, disappointed that the water didn’t help to ease his appetite any.
Jack smiled as Daniel drank then questioned, “Hungry?”
“Ravenous but… I’m fine.”
“Daniel…”
“I’m fine Jack.”
“Are you? Really?”
Daniel flicked a nervous gaze upon Jack’s face before averting his eyes and mumbling, “Really, I’m fine.”
He was about to inquire further when Mehtar stopped beside Daniel casting Jack a gaze that clearly said ‘leave him be.’
He continued to observe his friend noting how he gripped his arms across his chest while kicking at an invisible rock with the toe of his shoe refusing to say anything else. He wanted to press the issue further but thought better of it choosing instead to offer Daniel more water. Daniel graciously accepted it softly groaning as pain flared in his gut.
Jack moved closer to his friend prepared to catch Daniel if needed. He offered Daniel an encouraging smile before tenderly urging, “Why don’t you sit down, Daniel?”
“No Jack. I’m fine.”
“Sit down. Take a break.”
“Jack I…”
“Please Daniel?”
Daniel glared at his friend for several long minutes determined not to sit but feeling bone weary. He hesitantly nodded in agreement not even realizing it when Jack helped him to sit down at the base of a tree. He watched his friend a few moments longer before easing his head back against the tree. He then closed his eyes releasing a choked gasp as pain continued to surmount within. He only opened his eyes when he felt a cool hand press against his forehead again mumbling, “I’m fine Jack,” before allowing his eyes to slide shut once more.
Jack watched him for several long moments very concerned and worried for his friend. As Daniel closed his eyes again he turned to Mehtar.
Mehtar nodded as he spoke softly, “It is the transformation. It drains his energy, his strength…”
Jack glanced at Daniel again knowing he probably wouldn’t want his present weakness spoken aloud. Mehtar touched his shoulder drawing his attention back as he shook his head quietly informing, “He is asleep.”
“WHAT? Daniel never…”
“He grows weaker the longer he resists the need to feed.”
“But…”
“We will give him a few moments, but then we must continue on, for it is not safe here. Perhaps you or your friend could carry him some of the way?”
“Yes.”
Jack turned his attention back to his friend noticing that Daniel did appear to be fast asleep. He also noticed that the trembling was back and knew that Daniel was in a lot of pain due to the soft utterances he unknowingly released in rest.
Mehtar could see the concern, the worry and the fear in Jack’s eyes. He was very worried about his friend as well he should be, for the battle he was waging was not an easy one to win. He again found himself admiring the young man who still fought so bravely against the evil trying to consume him. He hoped that the young man would succeed in conquering the demon, the curse that even now continued to encompass him and gazed at the older man offering reassurances, “He will be well. Do not give up on him. He needs all of you now more than ever. The battle he is waging is not an easy one. He is suffering much and will continue to suffer. The longer he delays feeding the weaker he will grow. He will continue to tremble with weakness and will sleep more often. You must watch him. Allot him time to rest and support him in any way that you can.”
“And if we can’t locate this cave what then?”
“He will not be able to resist his hunger indefinitely. He will feed and he will give the demon what it craves to fester and grow. It will consume him. We must not fail and we must not give up on the journey or your friend will lose himself.”
Jack inhaled sharply continuing to watch Daniel, studying his boyish face and praying that somewhere on this planet was a cure that could save Daniel and bring him completely back to them.
After several more minutes Mehtar announced that they must
continue on, so Teal’c volunteered to carry Daniel allowing him to sleep deeply
while they traveled towards the mysterious
* * * *
Later…
Mehtar drew the small group to a halt making the suggestion that they should stop and rest for the night before continuing on. Jack glanced at Daniel before focusing on Mehtar and inquiring, “How much further is this cave?”
“I told you that we would not come upon it for several
nights. We will reach it, but you must be patient. Your journey has just begun.
The
Jack nodded before glancing at Daniel who was lowering to the ground against a nearby tree hunger and lust burning in the blue depths of his eyes. Jack shivered as Daniel raked a predatory gaze across him. He swallowed hard when the man slipped his tongue out stroking his bottom lip before withdrawing it from sight. He became suddenly aware that he was now damned hard and it was all due to the lascivious gazes his friend was casting his way.
Mehtar watched the exchange remaining silent until the Daniel abruptly jerked his gaze away from them and curled inward on himself as another violent tremor encompassed him. The young man was strong, for he was resisting the beast even now, but the beast was lurking within waiting to take control.
Mehtar turned to focus on Jack deciding a warning was in order, “A wild beast does not wish to be controlled by another. They will try to maintain complete control over themselves… He is resisting the curse that continues to try to steal him away, but it still remains. Beware of trickery…a vampire is a master at seduction. They can seduce and lure even the strongest of men to them with a mere look. This is one way they will attempt to lure prey to them. They have the ability to manipulate one’s mind and one’s thoughts. They can lure a food source to them and will try almost anything to do so when they are as ravenous as that one now is. He desires to drink from you, to taste your life blood, to drink you dry…”
“He can’t. I forbid him to drink from his master unless I permit.”
“I see…still you must be careful for he not only wants your blood, he burns for you.”
Jack jerked his gaze towards Mehtar shocked at what he had just said and tried not to think of what those words implied, choosing instead to focus on Daniel. As another tremor wracked his body he immediately mumbled, “God Daniel,” quickly forgetting Mehtar’s comment as concern for his friend consumed him.
Daniel responded by jerking his head upright and instantly rising to his feet. He approached Jack before stopping and lowering his gaze as he said one word, “Master?”
Jack stared at Daniel in surprise and worry before glancing at Mehtar then back again questioning, “Daniel, what are you doing? You’re in too much pain to be up. My God…”
Daniel held his gaze submissively lowered to the ground as he answered, “You called, My Master, and I must obey.”
“WHAT? Daniel…”
Daniel raised his head slightly in response still keeping his eyes trained on his feet, “I have upset you, My Master?”
“No, no. Daniel…”
Mehtar placed a gentle restraining hand on Jack drawing the older man’s attention. When Jack focused on him he shook his head before saying, “You called to him, and he has no choice but to obey his master’s call.”
“What?”
“The collar keeps him compliant and somewhat susceptible to your will. You called his name and he responded because instinctively he knows that is expected of him. The collar makes him…”
“Obey?”
“Yes.”
He turned back to his young friend saying, “Daniel, you need to rest. Please Daniel…”
Daniel glanced up momentarily confused before recognizing who he was with, “Jack?”
“I want you to rest Daniel, please. Rest and regain your strength.”
Daniel tried to make sense of why he felt so strange but as Jack made another command he automatically lowered his gaze feeling his heart pounding erratically as he felt as if he had caused a grave insult by looking directly into Jack’s eyes. Licking his lips nervously he quickly answered, “Yes Master,” before returning to his original place at the base of the tree he had been resting against. He instantly curled inward on himself moaning softly as another tremor wracked his body. He closed his eyes then prepared to sleep like he was ordered to do by his master, no not his master Jack, by Jack. What the hell was going on? He shook his head trying to make sense of his sudden convoluted thoughts when sleep descended upon him.
Mehtar watched Daniel as he did as he was told commenting, “He now sleeps.”
Jack gazed at Daniel still trying to make sense of what had just happened but was unsuccessful so he turned to Mehtar asking, “What the hell was that?”
“He did as you commanded him.”
“What?”
“He did as his master bid.”
“Wait, you told me that I could influence his actions, but you never said anything about him… What the hell was that?”
“I fear that the more his body transforms the more the collar influences him to comply with you. As the demon takes control he is losing himself but intuitively and instinctively he knows that to you he must always submit, to you he must always yield. You are his master now. As the demon fights to take root within your friend he is becoming more your servant. When the demon has full control he will not remember anything of who he is. All he will remember is that you control him, and you are his master.”
“Are you sure about that? I mean I’m not exactly up on my vampire lore, but I’m pretty postive that they retain all memories of their former life. They know who they are but have overwhelming compulsions to kill and drink blood, roaming for an eternity and all that crap.”
Mehtar remained silent as if contemplating something he had never thought of before. He then continued, “Perhaps you are correct. This could explain why many were selective in who they chose to drink from before we abandoned the surface city to move underground. If what you say is true then…”
“I hope it is because then we won’t lose Daniel to them. He’ll still remember us.”
“He may remember your other two teammates as his friends, but you he will always remember as his master. He will serve you for all eternity unless he is freed from his enslavement by returning to normal again.”
“So what…what are you trying to say? That the collar…he’s…”
“He is your slave now, and he will obey without question. He will also address you as master.”
Jack turned to gaze at his friend noticing that he was awake yet again and watching them as if assessing them. He wondered just how long Daniel had been listening and just what he was thinking. He could see Daniel in that azure gaze trained intently on him, but he could also see the creature that he was becoming. He shook his head as he quietly muttered, “Ah Daniel…” gasping when his friend again drew to his feet and approached him lowering his gaze to the ground as he repeated a word that Jack was learning to despise, “Master?”
“Oh God no!”
Daniel immediately responded by flinching before lowering his head further and scrambling to his knees, dropping heavily on them as he prepared to plead for his master’s forgiveness, “I have upset you again, My Master. Please forgive your servant for upsetting you so. Please Master.”
Jack felt the tears beginning to collect at the edges of his eyes feeling his heart breaking for his friend as the man looked so meek and so submissive kneeling before him head bowed pleading for forgiveness. God, if he had to spend an eternity with Daniel serving as his personal slave he’d rather kill them both and save them both the pain and suffering. Their relationship was not one of dominance and submission, and he sure as hell didn’t want it to turn into one. This was NOT Daniel Jackson. Daniel wouldn’t bow to any man. He’d stand proudly and challenge any one who dared to control him. As his gaze fell to the back of Daniel’s neck he swallowed hard feeling his throat closing up in response to seeing the shiny silver metal glinting there mocking him and reminding him that he had placed a slave collar on his best friend. How could he be so cruel? How could he? He knew that there was nothing he could do to change what was now happening to his friend. His friend was turning into a monster, a creature of nightmares and the closer he drew to that final transformation the more submissive he became to his master. Shit!
He immediately lowered before Daniel cupping his face in his hands and turning his head up so they were looking at one another. He noticed that Daniel still kept his gaze averted and felt the tension in his throat only cinching tighter. He quickly spoke, “Oh God Daniel, no. There’s nothing to forgive. Come on. Get up. You have to get up. Daniel, please get up. Please.”
“Yes Master.”
Daniel slowly arose to his feet still keeping his head bowed and his eyes downcast as he did so. Jack shook his head in frustration casting a helpless glance towards Mehtar before again focusing his full attention on his young friend, “First, I don’t want you approaching me every time I say your name, Daniel. Do you hear me? I don’t want you to get up because you believe I’m summoning you, especially when you’re in so much pain. God, you’re going to kill yourself if you race to jump at my every command. I want you to come to me only when you desire to, when YOU desire to Daniel not when I tell you to.”
“Master?” asked Daniel in confusion.
Mehtar shook his head sadly as he said, “No, he does not understand what you are granting him, Colonel O’Neill. He knows that he is a slave, your slave, and he knows that his duty is to obey you and only you. He can do nothing unless you grant him permission. To tell him that he can choose to come to you when he desires is confusing to him because a slave has no free will of his own. His only duty is to obey his master without question.”
Jack shook his head growing angrier as Mehtar reminded him what a slave was, “Why the hell is he…? I don’t like this! He’s not my damned slave he’s my best friend! I don’t…no!”
Mehtar could see the confusion and sadness in the Colonel and tried to explain again what was happening to his friend, “As long as he wears that collar he is your slave and you are his master. He has entrusted you with taking care of him when he can no longer remember who he is. He requested you for his master because he trusts you to keep him safe and to keep him controlled. Daniel Jackson is still within this creature before you. He is probably aware of everything right now. His mind is telling him that he must obey you…”
Daniel’s eyes suddenly focused again. He glanced around nervously noticing that he was again on his feet before Jack. What the hell was going on? He noticed that Jack seemed tense and quickly asked, “Jack, why am I…? I was sleeping. How the hell…?”
Jack sighed in relief as he choked out, “Daniel. God, Daniel…”
He immediately embraced the younger man in relief. Daniel tensed at first but relaxed as Jack held him close. He closed his eyes as he asked, “Jack, what’s happening to me?”
“Mehtar says it’s partly the collars’ doing and partly the transformations’ doing.”
“What is?”
“You seem to go into these kind of…trances in which you act and behave as a slave. I don’t understand it either.”
“Is that what’s happening? I knew that something was. It’s like I’m here but…not. I see myself doing these things and saying these things, but I can’t comprehend. I wonder if I’ll be able to now that I know what’s happening to me.”
Mehtar nodded as he said, “You may be able to, but we will not know until it happens again.”
Daniel nodded then suddenly tensed whimpering as the smell of Jack’s living blood began to taunt his nose. He could feel his teeth growing and traced them with his tongue shuddering when he could feel the sharpness of the two he was certain were used to draw forth blood from a live victim. He felt ill as he opened his mouth wanting desperately to sink his teeth into that nice warm flesh and drink from Jack but knowing that to do so would condemn him. He could sense Mehtar beside him, could hear the man’s heart beat racing and his blood pounding furiously in his veins as he witnessed what was about to occur and that was enough to stop him. He shoved Jack away with such violent force that Jack flew backwards crashing hard to the ground. He winced feeling ashamed and guilty at the same time. He glanced at Mehtar who nodded as if he understood and quickly approached Jack to help him to his feet. Once Jack was on his feet Daniel began to apologize, “God Jack, I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry I didn’t mean to…are you hurt? Are you all right? I didn’t hurt you, did I? Please tell me I didn’t hurt you, Jack.”
Jack was confused as one minute he was holding Daniel in his arms and the next he was flat on his ass. It took him a few moments to comprehend that he was on the ground and that was because Daniel had shoved him. He jerked his gaze up grasping Mehtar’s extended hand thankful for the help but quickly his eyes sought out Daniel when he began to speak in that panicky rushed tone of voice that he’d often adopted when he became afraid or very worried. He was about to yell at Daniel for shoving him when he noticed that Daniel wasn’t by his side. Daniel hadn’t even helped him back to his feet. Mehtar was the one who had while Daniel stood by and watched, stood by and watched? Why would Daniel…? Then he noticed the terror and fear that marred that handsome face and suddenly it all made sense. Daniel shoved him away to protect him. As he heard three words he was before Daniel in less than three steps, “God not again.”
“What? What Daniel?”
“Your blood, his blood… God, Jack I almost…I wanted to, I
did. I even… God, Jack I…I’m a monster.”
“No, no Daniel you’re not a monster you’re…”
But Daniel didn’t hear him as he continued to recall just how close he had come to…God no. He shook his head as he muttered desperately, “Your blood, his blood I can…I can smell it and… I’m so hungry Jack. Please, God, please don’t let me drink, please Jack. Don’t let me drink.”
“Daniel?”
He watched as his friend wrapped his arms tightly around himself and immediately stepped backwards keeping his eyes trained on Jack as he continued, “I’m so hungry, Jack, so hungry. All I want to do is…and it makes me sick. Please Jack don’t let me, don’t allow me to feed from anyone or any creature. Please Jack! I don’t want…I don’t want to become one of them. I don’t!”
“You won’t, Daniel, you won’t. I promise you that you won’t. I’ll stop you. I won’t let you do it.”
Daniel lifted his gaze seeing Jack’s promise burning in his eyes knowing that he would do whatever he could to fulfill that promise but what if…what if, “What if you can’t stop me Jack?”
“I can stop you, Daniel. I can stop you because I’m your master so you obey me. You do what I say, what I command. You have to trust me Daniel. I’ll help you with this. I will. I won’t let you drink. I won’t.”
Daniel nodded as he slowly lowered by the tree again. Once against the tree he curled up groaning as the shudders found him. Jack moved without thought grabbing his rucksack and removing a blanket; he quickly approached Daniel and kneeled beside him carefully draping the blanket across his friend and tucking it around him. When he glanced up he noticed that Daniel was watching his every move. He smiled warmly as he said, “There Daniel. Get some rest. This should keep you warm. You just get some rest.”
“Jack…”
“What?”
“Thank…thank you.”
“Sure. Now go to sleep okay. Go to sleep.”
He reached up gently brushing several stray strands of Daniel’s hair off of his forehead watching him as he returned the smile before closing his eyes. He then whispered softer, “That’s it Daniel go to sleep. Go to sleep. We’ll continue in the morning and we will cure you of this. I promise you we will.”
“Hmm, Jack…”
“Shh, shh…go to sleep Daniel, go to sleep.”
He nodded as he began his rapid descent into deep sleep. Jack’s smile broadened further as he noticed that Daniel’s breathing evened out and that he fell asleep with a smile on his lips. Thank God.
He continued to stare into the youthful face of his friend again feeling that overwhelming wave of protectiveness flow through him, as well as the heat spiraling in his belly and sending all kinds of messages to the area of his groin that was yet again hard as a rock. Shit, he wanted Daniel badly but he couldn’t let his friend know that. His friend would think he was crazy if he knew that his feelings for him were a bit more than friendship. He wanted to love Daniel as his very own. He wanted to fall asleep with the man in his arms every night and wake up with an armload of Daniel every morning. Unfortunately he’d never have Daniel in that way. Daniel was as straight as a damned jaybird; he sure as hell wouldn’t be considering shacking up with another man, but he could look and he could wish and he could hope. He smiled softly as he wondered again how Daniel would react if he ever found out that his CO wanted him desperately and wanted to spend the rest of his life with him. He shook his head as he continued to gently stroke Daniel’s hair noticing that the man seemed to be relaxing further by the minute.
He was so caught up in admiring Daniel’s soft features: the way his eyelashes rested so peacefully against his cheeks and the way his lips, those luscious full lips remained slightly parted looking so goddamned kissable…the way his hair though short still managed to find its way onto his face brushing lightly against his temple, his ears so perfect for suckling and that neck so perfect so…
He jumped nearly screaming aloud when Mehtar touched him. He jerked his gaze up relaxing the moment he recognized who was now touching him. He then glanced nervously at Daniel hoping that he hadn’t woken the quietly dozing man with his sudden outcry. When he was certain that Daniel still rested he turned his focus towards Mehtar who offered a sincere apologetic smile before quietly asking, “You love him very much, do you not?”
“What? Yes, yes I do. He’s my friend and…”
“Oh no, no. You love him much more than that, Colonel O’Neill.”
“I do not.”
Mehtar smiled broader before continuing, “This is good, for he needs love in his life. I have sensed from the moment I first laid eyes on him that he has been very alone in the world. You can change that for him. You can be the one who saves him in more ways than one. You should tell him how you feel.”
“Tell him? Are you crazy? He’d…”
As Mehtar widened his eyes in question Jack suddenly realized that he had revealed way too much and quickly tried to cover it but Mehtar stopped him as he added, “He loves you deeply and trusts you above all others. This I already know and I have only known the two of you for a very short time. I know that you love each other. You both have something special, yet you are both too afraid to reach out and grasp what lays right before your eyes…”
“Are you telling me that Daniel…that he? No, no. Daniel’s not…no.”
Mehtar nodded as he continued, “Hmm, perhaps I was wrong, but I do not think so. You will never know unless you tell him. What harm is there in speaking the truth? If you cannot speak it now what will you do if it is the only way that you can save him?”
“What?”
Mehtar turned from him heading towards the other two members of his team who were just now returning to camp after scouting the area. He watched as Mehtar left him alone with Daniel refusing to answer his question and sensing that there was something that the man had not yet told him. Something very important that could help them or destroy them, but what could it be and why would their discussion lead him to believe that there was something else they would have to face before this was all over?
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