Burning Embers Part 11
By: Stacy L.
ONCE LOST
Rebirth
Life fell into a pattern after that night. Jack continued to read the journal entries, and they would discuss them. More often than not Jack would turn to Daniel now to ask the majority of his questions, and Daniel was usually able to answer them. He no longer exhibited extreme shame or guilt when certain topics would arise, and when he did Jack was always there to counter them, to encourage him, to talk him through and to praise him. Once they discussed the issues between each other they’d all sit down and talk of them together.
As Daniel became more confident in himself he started to become his own person. When he faltered they were always there to counter. Finally Daniel was on the official road to recovery. Admittedly the road ahead was still long and winding, but he knew that they would all make it through.
As he watched Jack and Daniel, watched their interactions with each other, watched them grow closer and saw Daniel change before his very eyes he knew that it was time. It was time for him to reveal his biggest secret. He only hoped that the child of his heart would be accepting of it.
* *
A knock at the door drew Daniel’s attention, tensing he focused on it and debated. He didn’t like to answer doors. He felt odd doing it, and it greatly bothered him not knowing just who could be on the other side. He avoided it as much as possible but looking around now he didn’t see Jack anywhere so, drawing in a calming breath, he approached it. Slowly opening the door he gasped when his gaze fell upon a very familiar face. Without thought he quickly bowed his head softly greeting, “My…My Lord…”
“Ah did I not tell you to dispense with the formal address?”
Lifting his head he was met with a warm smile that had him returning it before managing, “Yes My… Nick. How…how did you find me?”
“May I come in Daniel? We have a lot to talk about.”
Glancing nervously behind him Nick saw him relax as a familiar voice asked, “Daniel, are you all right?”
He then heard feet softly pat across the floor and knew on the other side of that door he would see the one Daniel loved. Daniel responded with a, “Yes, Jack. I’m fine. We have company,” as he turned towards the source of the new voice. As Jack settled beside Daniel he further inquired, “Well who…?”
Daniel opened the door wider revealing the older man and informing, “Jack this is Nick. Do you remember me telling you…?”
Jack tensed, immediately scanning the area for anyone else, his hand settling around Daniel as he responded, “Yes. What do you…?”
Jack turned when another entered. Nick caught a brief glimpse of Narayana before he approached quietly informing, “He is alone. I assure you both. You may allow him to enter.”
Relieved Nick could only smile as Jack also seemed to relax before saying, “Oh…okay then come…come in Nick,” before turning to Daniel and softly inquiring, “Are you all right?”
“Yes. Yes Jack.”
Nodding he stepped aside as Nick entered their home. Once Daniel closed the door he turned to their guest asking, “How did…how did you find me?”
Nick focused on Narayana who stepped forward and revealed, “I told him where you were and to please come.”
“But… Why Narayana? He…”
“Has much to talk about with you. I shall leave you to it. Jack?”
“What? Oh, oh you want me to come…”
He turned back to Daniel placing a protective hand on his shoulder before softly questioning, “Will you be okay, Daniel?”
“Yes. Yes…”
“I’ll be close by so scream if you need me.”
Daniel smiled as he reassured, “Jack I’ll be fine.”
“Well I’ll still be nearby just in case.”
Daniel leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to Jack’s lips before pulling back to say, “I know you will. Now go.”
Jack nodded before leaving the room prompting Nick to say, “Ah he does love you very much. I am happy for you. I approve of him Daniel.”
Taken slightly aback by that comment Daniel questioned, “What…what brings you here? Why track me here where even Mara can’t find me, and why would Narayana reveal my whereabouts? He wouldn’t do so lightly.”
“Yes, you are correct. Narayana is very protective of you and for that I am extremely grateful.”
He fell silent again for several moments before continuing, “Narayana has known of me, about me, since the first day I arrived at your doorstep. He sought me out after that first meeting. It would seem you told him of what had occurred between us, and he became curious.”
“That still doesn’t answer why you’re here or why Narayana would tell you where I am.”
Nick nodded in agreement before continuing, “I have searched for you for a very long time Daniel.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I worked very hard to be accepted into Mara’s ‘elite’. I…my goal was to get as close to you as I was able. When I gained his approval it was a relief to me. After that I began to visit you daily and each time learned a little bit more about you.”
Daniel stiffened feeling suddenly very anxious as he questioned, “But what… Why would you? Why?”
Softening his voice further Nick responded with, “As I have said I searched for you for many years. After you were taken and sold I lost you. It took me some time to locate you again. Once I did I merely watched you, observed you from a distance. You move like her, do you know that?”
Caught off guard by the last question Daniel managed a
strained, “What?”
Nick smiled fondly adding, “I can see her in you so much now.”
“Her? Who…?”
Unsure of how to respond Nick abruptly changed the subject, “Not so long ago I gave you a gift do you remember what it was?”
Watching Daniel he noticed the man reach up and subconsciously wrap his fingers around a slight gap in the t-shirt he wore. It was then he noticed the gold chain around Daniel’s neck that dipped beneath the shirt. Nodding he smiled as he said, “I see you do remember. Is that it?”
“What?”
“You have your hand wrapped around something. Is that it?”
Unable to speak or answer the question Daniel was unprepared for Nick’s gentle tug as he pulled on the delicate chain. Daniel lowered his head and carefully pulled the item out, holding it so tightly in his hand keeping his gaze down, focused intently on his closed fist before softly revealing, “It’s like my mother’s. I… When I look at it I think of her. I remember her. You don’t… Do you want it back?”
“Oh no, no Daniel, I just wanted to see if you remembered it.”
The smallest smile lit Daniel’s lips as he carefully unwrapped his fist revealing the necklace Nick was talking about. He then answered, “When I wear it I feel closer to her. I remember her.”
“And you have held onto it.”
“Yes I have… Some people would think it silly, a man wearing a gold necklace. What they don’t know is why I wear it. I keep it hidden mainly, out of sight but close to my heart. She, my mother, loved that necklace. It was one of her most cherished and prized possessions. She never took it off.”
“Yes you have mentioned this before.”
“Yes I suppose I have. But getting back to you and the reason you’re here. Why have you come? Why have you apparently spent a better part of your life seeking me out?”
“When I found you at Mara’s palace I worked hard to get into his “elite” so that I could spend time with the one servant that was desired more than all others…”
Daniel blushed, somewhat embarrassed to be again referred to as “desired”. Nick ignored the reaction choosing instead to continue with what he wanted to say, what he needed to say, “I was uncertain of you. I had only suspicions and tiny clues to go on, but I felt…connected to you. I felt like you were the one I had been seeking for so very long. I wanted to confirm or disprove my suspicions so that I could either continue my search or end it. I watched you for many years, Daniel.”
“You came to me every week for so many years and asked so little of me. You confused me. I never understood any of it, but I appreciated what you did for me, what you tried to do for me. I just never understood the why of any of it.”
“Yes I did, and I had many reasons for doing as I had. I searched for you for many years far and wide, when I found you I started to simply watch you from a distance. As I watched you I could see her in you, traits of hers you exhibited. You…you have that special air about you that she always did when she was alive. I was certain I had found the one I had been searching so long for. I worked hard to get into Mara’s good graces and as I began to visit you I would spend each time watching you catching the slightest little actions and gestures, the slightest little glimpses of things that reminded me so much of her. My suspicions began to grow into certainties. After speaking with Narayana several times my questions increased and I was more certain than ever, but I wanted a confirmation. When Narayana spoke of you being in love I retrieved that necklace. You see it belonged to someone very special to me. Someone who had died way before her time, someone who when she had died left behind her a lone child, one lonely little boy who became lost. I searched for that boy far and wide. I tracked him to the man who had stolen him away. I wanted to free him but the man who stole him guarded him fiercely and kept him on a leash much like an errant puppy. The boy…? He was a fighter, much like his mother.”
Daniel gasped and paled, unconsciously clenching the necklace in his hand as he listened to Nick continue his story and feeling suddenly very anxious, “You see that boy? He fought his captor always and though he did his captor still held onto him. I was so close to getting him back but was too late for within a day he disappeared again. When I investigated trying to relocate him it was then that I had realized he had been sold to another. Who that other was? I had no idea. I had lost the boy just as quickly as I had located him, and I had waited too long to get him back. I have always blamed myself for the path his life took after that day, for if I had only acted a little bit sooner he would have been spared so much pain and suffering…” lifting his hand to Daniel’s face he gently cupped his left cheek as he softly stated, “You would have been spared so much pain and suffering.”
Daniel opened his mouth then closed it again unsure of what to say, afraid and terrified of what to do, his mind already putting pieces together to reveal to him that which Nick was trying to tell him. Unable to speak or reply in any way he simply closed his mouth permitting Nick to continue, “I had lost all trace of you after that Daniel. I was devastated. I had failed your mother. I had been unable to locate her lost child. I had been unable to save you from the one you had called master for so many years.”
Shaking his head, ignoring the lone tear that now ran down over his cheek Nick continued his tale, “It took me years, Daniel, years to find you again and then it took even more years to confirm that you were that missing boy I had lost so very long ago. When I lost you I was devastated. I had no idea where to even begin searching. I spoke with the one who had sold you, even threatened him but he would tell me nothing. The bastard died not long after you vanished. He was killed, murdered. I never knew why and I took it as a sign, a sign that if I were to proceed in my search I would have to recreate myself, my identity because should the one who had you discover my real identity, should they have discovered I was actively searching for you I might have lost you forever.”
Swallowing hard managing to finally speak Daniel choked out, “How…how did you find me?”
“It wasn’t easy I assure you. I followed a lot of leads that lead to dead ends even got to the point where the search felt hopeless, but I swore to never give up my search. I spent several years hitting one dead end after another before one day I stumbled across a clue. I had heard about Mara and a servant of his that was highly prized by many…”
Confused by that comment Daniel shook his head questioning, “And that led you to me? How?”
“I was curious so I inquired about this particular servant. You see I was certain you were sold into indentured servitude, that you were a slave to someone who had to have a lot of money, a lot of power, a lot of influence, a lot of ‘help’ at his disposal. He had to be powerful to conceal your location for so long. It wasn’t until I asked for the description of this particular servant that I decided to follow the lead. I had hit nothing but dead ends, this was most likely another but I had to try. The men they raved about this particular servant having the bluest of eyes...that could have been one of thousands, but I was determined to at least check into it. I asked about this particular servant and was told that the one who owned him had purchased him on a whim. He had purchased a slave many swore was untamable, but he bought him just the same. They also said that the servant had been with this particular man since he was a boy. You had been taken when you were only eight. You had been sold within weeks of having been taken. I had no other leads but this one I followed certain I was setting myself up for disappointment yet again. When I arrived on Mara’s world I found him, and I found the prized slave. I watched that slave for several years and as I watched him I saw little nuances of her in him. I tried to convince myself I was only seeing what I wanted, that I was on a fool’s quest, that while I was pursuing this slave the boy who had been lost was still out there somewhere, but I stayed. I was drawn to you even back then. Every time I had decided to leave Mara’s world, every time I decided to give up on pursuing that highly valued slave something stopped me.”
“Were you ever certain that I was the one you were searching for?”
“Not until I gave you that necklace and you told me of your mother. The necklace…? It was your mother’s. After your parents were killed I was contacted as next of kin. I was given what remained of their belongings including the necklace she wore…”
Shaking his head Daniel said, “No, no she had it on when she was killed. How could it have possibly ended up in your possession after that? She was most likely buried with it.”
“She was not. I made the arrangements to have them buried side by side and though I felt awkward removing that necklace from around her neck I sensed that it would be the one thing that could lead me straight to you, and it did.”
“So this…this is my mother’s?”
“Yes, Daniel.”
Nick saw several tears tumble down over Daniel’s cheeks as he gazed at the necklace he still held in his hand. Swallowing past the lump now formed in his throat Daniel choked out, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was still unsure, Daniel. I wanted to be a hundred percent certain. You see that necklace? I had given it to Claire on her wedding day…”
“And when you realized I was in love you said…you told me it was time that I received a special gift just between you and I…”
“The necklace I bought specifically for Claire for her wedding. It was to protect her and her family…that’s what the amulet is. Its purpose is to protect the wearer and their family. I felt it the perfect gift to give her on the eve of her wedding day, and the perfect gift to give my grandson when he was finally blessed with the gift of loving another and being loved in return despite the fact that he was still under the control of a man who owned him. You found love despite the odds, Daniel.”
“When were you certain I was the one you sought? When were all your doubts eliminated?”
“On the day you told me the name of your mother that combined with the story of how your parents died and the story about the necklace was enough to cement the final brick of your identity. You are Daniel Jackson, the son of my daughter Claire that makes you my grandson.”
Daniel gasped releasing a raspy, “
Shaking his head he found he wanted to believe the man but was also fearful that he would be lying. He hated the doubt that filled him and further inquired, “Are you sure I’m the one you sought, or are you simply hoping?”
Nick lowered his gaze as he reached into his shirt pocket. He hesitated only a moment more before drawing what looked to be a crumpled piece of paper out of it. Daniel gazed at him in question waiting for him to continue. Nick lifted his gaze to Daniel’s holding it as he softly said, “I have but one other thing I have always carried close to my heart. I have never parted with it.”
“What…what is it?”
Daniel watched as Nick extended the paper, his hand
noticeably shaking. He cocked his head swallowing hard before asking, “What’s
wrong?”
Nick offered the paper again, but Daniel still didn’t reach for it waiting for Nick to answer his question.
Nick was scared. He was certain, positive he had found his grandson and this was the final piece of proof. If Daniel didn’t react to it he knew his journey, his search would continue. He didn’t want to be wrong so he softly answered, “This is my final proof, the final evidence that will confirm or… Take it, please.”
Daniel reached for the item then gently grasped it and drew it to him. As he turned the paper over tears began to fall unbidden down over his cheeks as he softly ran his fingers over it.
Nick released the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding the instant he saw Daniel’s reaction. He managed in a thick voice, “You recognize it. Don’t you Daniel?”
Daniel could only manage a nod and instantly Nick was drawing him into his arms pulling him tightly into his embrace. Daniel didn’t fight, didn’t resist, but instead went willingly against him releasing a shaky breath as Nick said, “I’ve found you. I’ve finally found you.”
No longer able to fight back his own tears he allowed them to come, and they stood holding each other tightly.
That’s how Jack found them, unable to remain away from Daniel any longer, extremely worried about him. When he saw the two together his heart felt as if it had stopped beating, and he could only manage a cough that drew Daniel’s gaze. Seeing Daniel upset, he quickly approached asking, “Daniel, are you…?”
Nodding he managed, “Yes I’m fine, Jack. I’m fine.”
Breaking away from Nick he turned to gaze at Jack brushing a hand haphazardly across his face before managing, “I haven’t cried in a long time. It’s strange.”
“Daniel, what… Care to explain?”
“Jack, he… Nick, he’s…”
Narayana entered then as he interrupted answering for Daniel, “His grandfather, Jack. Nick is Daniel’s grandfather.”
“WHAT?”
Daniel turned to gaze at Narayana in shock before saying, “You…you knew?”
“For some time, yes…”
“Why didn’t you say so?”
“I was unsure. Then I saw that,” indicating the paper with a gaze Jack noticed it for the first time and asked, “Daniel, what’s that?”
“It’s Nick’s. He’s…he’s been carrying it for years.”
“Can I see it?”
Daniel offered it to Jack his hand shaking ever so slightly.
As Jack took the paper and turned it over his eyes bulged in shock. It was an
old black and white photograph the edges warn, and the picture creased from
years of handling and years of being carried. The photo was one Jack was all
too familiar with, for he had seen it only once before in the pages of Daniel’s
very first journal secured lovingly in the center of the page labeled in
Narayana’s own handwriting as Daniel with
his parents.
Jack recalled the conversation he and Daniel had had after he had seen that photo and apparently Daniel did too, for as he spoke the memory returned full force:
“It’s the only thing I managed to hold onto after they were killed. I kept it hidden, guarded it so closely. No one knew of its existence.”
Jack gazed at Daniel seeing the shaky smile there. He asked, “Are you sure this is…?”
“It’s exactly the same, Jack, though mine isn’t as worn.”
“Are you sure this isn’t yours?”
Daniel nodded aware that Nick was now looking at him in question. Narayana approached and handed Daniel a book. Nick opened his mouth then closed it again as Daniel turned completely towards him. He waited watching as Daniel drew the book close waiting for him to speak. After several long moments Daniel finally found his voice again, “I’ve kept journals all my life…or rather from the moment Narayana first gave me a journal. They were among those things he always kept safe for me.”
“I know he kept things for you, but journals?”
“Yes, Nick. When I was very young he gave me my first journal as a gift and vowed it would always remain safe in his room, hidden away so that Mara would never find it. Each time I finished a journal he would give me a new one and he would keep them all safe for me. This…this is the very first journal he ever gave me. Go ahead and open it. Look at the first three pages.”
“Daniel, I could not.”
“Please.”
Daniel handed him the journal and he carefully opened it aware that the journal was quite old. He gazed at the first page and read what was written there in the scrawl of a child:
My name is Daniel, Daniel
Jackson.
Gazing at the second page and reading the entry there Nick carefully traced the name of his daughter and her husband. Surrounding their names were hearts and drawings only a young boy could have made. Glancing up he smiled as he said, “You are my grandson.”
Jack swallowed hard half fearful as he encouraged, “Turn the page, Nick.”
Nick glanced up realizing suddenly that Jack knew what was next in the journal. Smiling he said, “You allowed him to read them.”
A bit surprised by the comment Daniel answered, “Yes. Yes I did. Actually he’s still reading them…”
“You love him very much.”
“Yes I do.”
Nodding Nick turned the page and as his eyes fell to the picture fastened there all words left his mouth. He was unaware that Jack and Daniel were also now gazing at that page. There in the center of the page was the same photo that Jack now held in his hand. Daniel’s was less ragged and didn’t contain as many creases loving hands had placed into the picture from years of handling only because his had been in the journal for so long, but they were the exact same pictures, nonetheless.
Daniel smiled as Nick gazed at him in shock and answered his unvoiced question, “I kept it hidden. Neither of them ever found it. The one person that did…? I begged and pleaded with him not to destroy it. He knew what it was. I was terrified he’d destroy my last link to my parents. I was so young when I was taken, and I held onto that photo with a death grip. It’s the only picture I ever had of my parents. It was taken...”
“Days before they were killed,” continued Nick.
“Yes… I cherish that photo. It’s…”
Narayana continued, “His most prized possession next to those journals…”
Jack added, “And that necklace he wears.”
All Daniel could manage was a soft ‘yes’ in agreement.
Nick looked at Daniel then and asked, “Narayana was the one you pleaded with not to destroy it, wasn’t he?”
Daniel only nodded. Narayana spoke again, “It was the first time I had ever seen him cry. It was instrumental in bringing Daniel and I close. He was so afraid, so scared. I could not do anything to further harm him. From the moment I first saw him I vowed to protect him at the cost of my own life. He was a child brought into Mara’s palace as a servant and slave. He would not speak, but he would fight. He was so very young, one of the youngest to ever be purchased. I knew what Mara had planned for him, but I could do nothing to stop it. So I vowed to become Daniel’s guardian, to raise him as my own. He did not know that at the time, had in fact feared me more than Mara I believe, but I made a vow, a promise to Daniel from that moment on that I would do everything in my power to keep him safe, to raise him, to protect him, to care for him. The day I had found that little boy, who had already stole my heart, gazing longingly at that photo I had made the decision to ensure that he would lose nothing further. On that day I began to keep things for him, and Mara never knew. When faced with that terrified boy who begged and pleaded to keep a photograph after remaining so silent when being hurt by the master…all I could do was react. I drew him into my arms and held him tightly, rocking him, assuring him that his precious photo would always be safe. After that day he no longer feared me.”
Jack interrupted then, “He became the father Daniel had lost and has been with him ever since. He even refused to remain behind the day I took Daniel away from Mara. He wouldn’t let me leave without him. Thank heavens. I’m glad he came along. Daniel needs him so much.”
Daniel interrupted then having managed to recover his voice, “I need you all very much, Jack, including you…Grandpa.”
Nick’s smile became wider and without further hesitation he again drew Daniel into his arms. They had much to talk about and sort through, but now they were together. His search was at its end. He had found his grandson, and while he held Daniel tightly in his embrace he cast his eyes heavenward softly whispering, “I found him, Claire. I finally found him.”
As if she were looking down upon them he felt the tightness in his chest give and was finally able to relax. He had found his grandson, and he would never lose him again.
* *
It wasn’t until later that night Jack could ask the question that had been bothering him since Nick’s arrival. It continued to burrow into his mind even as he watched Daniel and his grandfather connect. He had planned to ask it several times throughout the day, but didn’t want to interrupt their reunion.
As afternoon became evening Nick asked if he could stay the night and Daniel, with Narayana’s help, immediately set about preparing a room for him. Once Nick was settled in he watched as Daniel said good night to his grandfather and Narayana feeling anxious as they turned to head for their own room.
Once inside Daniel immediately settled into bed and Jack slid in beside him drawing him quickly into his arms. After several moments Daniel asked, “What is it, Jack?”
“What?”
“You’ve been holding back all night. What’s bothering you?”
“Nothing it’s just…”
“Be honest, Jack. We swore to be…”
“Yes we did.”
“So…what has you upset?”
Jack drew him closer and Daniel sighed as he settled in his arms automatically placing his head directly over Jack’s heart before draping an arm across him. Jack smiled beginning to trace small circles across Daniel’s shoulder with the tip of his finger managing, “He said you wouldn’t talk.”
Daniel relaxed settling further as he confirmed, “Yes he’s right.”
“Why?”
Turning his head to look up at Jack he offered a warm smile before again settling. As the thrum of Jack’s heartbeat echoed softly in his ear Daniel continued, “Jack, I saw my parents murdered before me, immediately afterwards I was taken, stolen away. While the one who took me wasn’t overly cruel to me he kept me leashed to him. I didn’t ask for anything. I didn’t want anything other than my parents to come back. I was in shock. I don’t recall a whole lot other than fighting him. I’d lash out at him, try to claw his face, kick him, bite him… I didn’t want to be alive when my parents were gone. I wanted to join them, Jack, and I thought if I fought him enough eventually he would end it all for me. He would get so angry with me, but he never really hurt me, not as much as Mara did. When Mara took me, purchased me I continued the same pattern of behavior. He vowed to tame me. I spent some time locked in a room. I tore it apart. He eventually just had everything removed from it. He would visit me each day, and would have a servant bring me food. At first I wouldn’t eat, then he began to bring it, it soon became a battle with him, eventually Narayana started bringing food to me. He would try to engage me in conversation. I’d refuse to speak to him. In fact, I went out of my way to avoid him.”
“What made you talk again, Daniel?”
He smiled at Jack as he said, “I think you know.”
Nodding Jack supplied the answer, “Narayana, the day he discovered the photograph.”
Daniel only nodded before adding, “I was never sure if he reacted because I was so upset, because I pleaded or because it was the first time he had heard me actually speak.”
“When were you placed in the dungeon then?”
“Shortly after that day…”
“Why?”
“Because I refused Mara...”
“And that’s why Narayana started bringing you food?”
“At first he didn’t. At the time I didn’t realize if he had I would have been hurt far worse. I just didn’t expect it from anyone. I didn’t expect anything. I was alone, and I was certain no one really cared. Eventually hunger won out and I started to plead with the guards for food. They laughed at me, Jack. They taunted me and I decided to run… My plan was to run away and never come back, but each time I ran he found me again. Mara had a lot of connections. Before he would lock me away again he’d make his request. I would deny him again and face long hours in that dank, dark cell being slowly starved to death as punishment. After my third escape he didn’t ask me again until after I survived the gauntlet. They brought me before him, and he immediately sentenced me to death by the gauntlet. He ordered his men to show no mercy. Their orders were simple: make sure I didn’t survive. I was scared, Jack, scared to death. I remember seeing Narayana there but unlike the others he stayed beside Mara to bear witness to my execution. It was horrible, Jack. I remember feeling so much pain, so much agony. I wanted to cry but refused. I vowed to survive and…I did, much to Mara’s surprise. I spent several weeks being tended to by Narayana. Mara visited daily, even sat with me as I mended. Once I was strong enough to move on my own he made his proposition again. I could serve him or be cast into the dungeons where this time I would be kept chained and silenced. I would remain there until starvation or thirst destroyed me. I had no choice, Jack, and by that time I no longer desired to end my life. I had fought and fought hard. I was determined to keep on fighting him because every day I drew breath would be like a slap in the face to Mara who had wanted me dead, had tried to kill me and had failed. I knew then that none of his men would try to harm me after that day. None would dare raise a hand against me…”
“Because by surviving the gauntlet you had earned their respect…”
“Yes. After that they all became so protective of me. Several would step in when Mara attempted to punish or discipline me. He stopped that by making me suffer more when they dared to interfere.”
“‘Do not interfere, O’Neill’,” muttered Jack. Daniel asked, “What?”
“Narayana warned me several times to not interfere or you would suffer more. At the time I didn’t believe him and would get so angry when I’d see no one step in to defend or help you. They would all show you such reverence, such respect, but when Mara would lash out at you none of them would do a damned thing. Even Narayana would remain observing never moving to assist you until either permitted directly by Mara or Mara left the room. I never knew why.”
“Because Mara gained their compliance by hurting me more severely anytime anyone dared to speak or make the move to stop him. It was sadistic really, but in the end he gained more control over his men that way and they learned quickly not to interfere…ever.”
“That’s very cruel…”
“And calculating, yes…that was Mara, Jack, cruel and calculating.”
Pressing a kiss to the top of Daniel’s head Jack said, “You lived a very hard life, Daniel. I’m sorry you had to suffer through all of that.”
“Yeah me too, me too, but I wouldn’t change it you know.”
“Why?”
“Because if my life had been different Jack, I might’ve never met you…”
“Ah Daniel I love you so much.”
“And I love you too.”
Silence fell between them after that and Daniel soon drifted asleep. Jack remained awake a little while longer thinking of their lives, of where they had been and where they now were, of what their future would hold. Everything was finally falling into place. Their lives were starting to get easier now, but there was one more thing that remained unresolved and after seeing Daniel and Nick reunited Jack knew that it was time. He had one more thing that he needed to resolve before their lives would be perfect. He only hoped that Daniel would willingly come along and support him the entire way.
As he gazed down upon the relaxed face of his lover he knew beyond a doubt that Daniel would be there for him. Now all that he needed was to find the strength, the courage within himself to do it.
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