Darts of Eros

By

CJ

Col. Jack OπNeill sat on the bed and waited for the man he loved to come back into the room. After a long day of training and learning new protocols, all Jack really wanted was to sleep, but instead heπd cleaned himself up and sat down to wait.

He knew it wouldnπt be long, but it seemed like forever, because the longer he waited the more time he had to think. After all, this wasnπt just a change in his life, this was a frigginπ earthquake.

Had he ever thought of a man like this before?

Not sure. Maybe.

Better not to go there.

Not that it made any difference. Nope. Cause he was sure as hell thinkinπ that way now, wasnπt he? This was just about as fucked up a situation as Jack OπNeill had ever managed to get himself into. If the brass ever found out, his career would be toast. Even without ≥Donπt ask, donπt tell≤, there would be plenty of doubts about his ability to commandãand that was the least of it. Brass doubting him was one thingãdoubting himself was a hell of a lot more worrying.

Was he fit to command?

If he had to choose between his lover and anyone else, hell, between his lover and the whole goddamn planet, would he be able to make the correct choice? Could he be trusted to even know what the correct choice was?

Jack scrubbed his face with both hands and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees.

Damn.

At that moment the door opened.

≥Youπre slouching, Jack.≤ his lover sighed with exasperation and shook his head.

≥Sorry, long day.≤ Jack sat up straight and tried maintain his train of thought as his throat went dry and cock jumped at the sight of the man. Tall, slim, golden hair and blue eyes.

Damn.

Canπt live without this, he thought. Donπt want to.

His lover walked up and brushed the back of his hand against Jackπs cheek. Jack leaned into it as if the touch alone was sucking all his strength away.

≥I suppose we will just have to punish you again until you can remember the correct posture for awaiting me, and the correct language to address me with,≤ his lover was smiling now, and Jack could see the anticipation and smell his arousal. Jackπs body answered in kind, while his mind shut down most higher processes.

Without thinking, Jack leaned in, rubbing his face in the crotch of his loverπs robes, pressing his cheek against the clear evidence of the other manπs lust. ≥Yes, please, my Lord,≤ he said, falling immediately into his so recently, and painfully, learned responses.

There was an unearthly chuckle from above. ≥So sweet, Jack. Youπve learned to ask so sweetly.≤ Hearing the depth of the voice Jack knew that if he looked up he would see his loverπs glowing eyes, so he simply buried his face further in his Lordπs robes, nodded and said, ≥Anything for you, my Lord Eros.≤

n ß n ß n

≥Eros? As in Cupid?≤ Sam echoed Jacob, obviously puzzled at her fatherπs reluctance to give more details on what had happened to her commanding officer and friend, Jack OπNeill.

Daniel understood her feelings; he wanted details. He wanted a plan for getting Jack back. ≥Why in the world would Apophis give him to another Goaπuld? Is Eros a more powerful System Lord or something?≤

The briefing room was a little crowded with General Hammond, Sam, and Tealπc and both Jacob and Anise representing the Tokπra. Even so, it felt empty to Daniel. Jack was gone. Had been gone. For ten fucking DAYS his best friend and CO had been missing and now they find out that heπs been given toã

≥Some tubby cherub with heart-shaped arrows?≤ Samπs sarcasm sounded so much like Jack himself that it made Danielπs heart hurt. When the Colonel was around, Sam balanced him as a good second in command should. But when she was in charge, Daniel often saw her putting on many of Jackπs mannerisms the same way she put on the mantle of command.

≥Major.≤ General Hammond shot her the same quelling look he used on Jack.

Daniel had his own habits, of course. He admitted this to himself as he mentally picked up the gauntlet and launched into a lecture on the Greek god of love. ≥Eros was actually a fairly powerful god with sway over mortal hearts. In traditional myths he is portrayed as a handsome young man with strong passions and a keen sense of irony. He often used love as a tool for punishment: forcing mortals to fall in love with someone or something inappropriate. But I agree with Sam, it seems an odd persona for a System Lord to choose.≤ Daniel raised his eyebrows in an implied question and waited for Jacob to elaborate.

≥More importantly, what happened to the Colonelπs back-up? You said your agents would be able to assist in getting him out!≤ Sam leaned in across the table, the accusing look in her eyes another echo of Jack.

≥We thought if Apophis was alive, and this new fleet being put together did belong to him, then he would want to keep Jack close, but our agent had no time to set up an extraction. Apophis sent Jack to Eros almost immediately. As for his persona, Eros is not a System Lord at all,≤ Jacob stated, and Daniel expected him to go on and explain exactly what this Goaπuld was; but the older man simply sat and studied the top of the table intently.

Tealπc spoke up, ≥Is OπNeill going through the usual training process? I have never heard of Eros training one that was not sold or presented as a temple offering. Do you know which of these fates is planned for OπNeill?≤

≥Sold?≤ Sam asked, shooting a glance first at Tealπc and then at her father.

≥What training?≤ Daniel asked almost at the same time.

There was silence.

≥Jacob, Anise, I thought you came here to give us your report.≤ General Hammond prodded them, ≥We need to know what is happening to Colonel OπNeill.≤

Jacob looked over at Anise; Daniel would swear the old soldier was blushing. Anise pursed her lips and, with a sigh, stepped in to answer the teamπs questions.

≥We believe that Colonel OπNeill was given to Eros for two reasons: because Apophis believes Eros may be able to get the most information out of him, and because of a gifting ceremony that is going to occur in the near future. It is Erosπs task to prepare Colonel OπNeill for the ceremony,≤ Anise started.

≥So heπs some kind of torture master?≤ Daniel interrupted, trying not to visualize Jack tied out on a rack. ≥Not the job I would have picked for the god of love.≤

≥I think if you saw him at work, you might indeed call it torture, Daniel Jackson,≤ Tealπc said softly, ≥But those in the thrall of Eros, those trained by his hand, say it is the most intense of all pleasures. They say that they cannot live without it.≤

Danielπs eyes widened, and he and Sam traded a look of desperation.

≥Dad?≤ Sam said, looking to her father to deny the idea that was forming in her mind.

≥Iπm sorry, but all the evidence our sources can find indicates that Colonel OπNeill was given to Eros in order to be trained as a courtesan for Apophis.≤ Jacob confirmed, ≥There is evidence that Apophis intends to barter Jackπsä favors among the System Lords at the gifting ceremony.≤

Anise nodded. ≥It would be a great coup for Apophis to provide the leader of SG-1 as entertainment for his fellow lords. He would gain an immense boost to his reputation, which has suffered greatly due to the defeats handed him by the Tauπri, especially SG-1. To have Colonel OπNeill broken to the point of being a willing participant in the entertainmentã≤ She broke off, jumping a bit as Jacob kicked her under the table.

≥Oh Jesus!≤ Daniel couldnπt stop the images.

Jack spread-eagle on a bed being whipped. Jack hanging from the ceiling while some faceless Goaπuld tortured his cock and balls. Jack getting fucked up the ass by a snake.

Loving it.

Wanting it.

Begging for it.

≥NO!≤

The word might have been ripped from his own gut, but Daniel knew that he was beyond making any articulate utterances. He looked up and saw Tealπc standing, towering over the meeting.

≥Tealπc!≤ the General barked, ≥Sit down!≤

Tealπc ignored the order.

≥OπNeill is a warrior. I will not allow him to live out his days as a temple whore for the false gods.≤ Tealπcπs voice was a stone that Daniel allowed himself to build hope on. Of course. They would get Jack out. Tealπc would know about Eros and his habits. They would get Jack out.

≥So you understand what must be done?≤ Anise said, speaking straight to the Jaffa.

Daniel saw his friend the Jaffa nod slowly, and hopeπs foundation trembled.

Sam was flicking her gaze back and forth from Tealπc to the two Tokπra. It was obvious that she didnπt like the implications here either. ≥What do you mean? The only thing we can do is rescue the Colonel. That is our only option!≤ She looked desperately at the head of the table. ≥General?≤

≥We need to have the best understanding of the situation that we can, Major, before making a decision.≤ Hammond looked pointedly at Tealπc, who was still standing at the side of the table. ≥I want this briefing to continue until I feel we have all the information we need, and that isnπt yet! Tealπc, you will sit down and tell me what it is you and the Tokπra feel needs to be done, or you will leave this briefing and be placed on stand down for the duration. Is that clear?≤

≥My apologies, General Hammond.≤ Tealπc nodded his head to the general as he sat down.

≥Accepted,≤ the general snapped. ≥Now explain.≤

≥There can be no rescue from Eros this side of death.≤ Tealπc spoke softly, gently, and Danielπs hope shattered. ≥Those trained by Eros love their lord with a fanaticism I have never seen equaled anywhere else. They will do anything for him. They kill for him, die for him. They do not willingly leave him; in fact, being sent away is considered by his slaves to be the most grievous punishment. We cannot rescue OπNeill because he will not wish it.≤

≥We canπt condemn the Colonel for whatπs being done to him,≤ Sam argued, looking to Daniel for support. ≥If we have to get him out of there against his will, then fine, we do it and find a way to reverse the process when he gets back.≤

≥Jack might be resistant anyway,≤ Daniel offered. ≥Heπs had training against interrogations. Couldnπt that be why Apophis decided to give him up in the first place? Jack wouldnπt break?≤

Jacob nodded, but didnπt look hopeful. ≥Our sources tell us that Jack held out against every torture that Apophis tried on him, but what Eros does is different, Daniel. I donπt think Jack will be able to resist it.≤

≥No human could,≤ Anise said with glowing eyes that meant her symbiote was speaking, ≥Eros has studied the chemistry of the brain of many species, most especially Tauπri. He injects his subjects with a mixture of neurotransmitters that cause the subject to love their master with a completely obsessive devotion. It is not simulated or faked. It is REAL. Using that, and behavior modification, reward and punishment, he soon has any subject at his mercy.≤

≥So your main concern in all of this is what the Colonel will tell them?≤ Sam asked not bothering to keep the disgust out of her voice.

≥We knew, as he did, that there was always the possibility he would be caught while trying to locate Apophis; plans were set up in advance. As soon as Jack went missing, we started changing all our procedures; all our operations that he was aware of have been scrubbed or their target changed.≤ Jacob told them. ≥We donπt think there is anything he can tell them now that would hurt us.≤

≥Then why donπt we just let him go.≤ Danielπs whispered statement silenced everyone.

≥Danielã≤ Sam started, but her teammate cut her off.

≥Tealπc and the Tokπra seem to think heπsã≤ Daniel choked for a moment, ≥happy. Hell, according to Anise, here, heπs in LOVE. Weπve taken every precaution against any of our precious secrets getting out. So why donπt we just leave him if you all think heπs so content to be there!≤ Daniel slammed his hands against the table and glared at everyone equally. He knew the moment the anger left him he would cry. Cry for Jack. But it wouldnπt be here.

≥Precisely because of this sort of feeling we must kill OπNeill!≤ Anise hissed back at Daniel. ≥As long as they have him, they can use him against you emotionally. Eros feels nothing for your colonel; he will turn him over to Apophis after instructing OπNeill to obey his new master. Then Apophis will present him at the gifting ceremony, parade him before the other lords and trade his body for political advantage. What will that do to you, his friends? To others here in the SGC? Think of the leverage it will give Apophis to send you images of the Colonel doing his bidding. And what if you got him back? How would you prove he was cured of his infatuation with Eros? I tell you, none taken from Eros has EVER recovered. They kill themselves or they escape back to him. OπNeill is a fine man, but he cannot resist the hold Eros will undoubtedly place on him.≤

≥You donπt know Colonel OπNeill.≤ The generalπs voice was low and steady. ≥We will give him the chance, as much as we can. SG- 1, you and SG-3 will prepare to move out. Jacob, I need anything you have on the compound where they are holding the Colonel. Major, you, Tealπc and Jacob work out a retrieval plan.≤

Anise started to protest, but General Hammond just held up his hand for silence. ≥Should Aniseπs worst case scenario be true, we need a back-up solution. Tealπc?≤

The Jaffa nodded, ≥It will be done, General Hammond.≤

≥Good. Dismissed.≤ The general gathered his papers and left.

Daniel sat at the table, unable to move.

Jack.

They were going to kill Jack.

Oh God.

n ß n ß n

≥What am I to do with you, Jack?≤ Eros asked, tipping Jackπs chin up with the handle of his whip.

≥Iπm guessing letting me go is not an option, my Lord?≤ Jack let a bit of his old sarcasm show through. God knows what he would do if Eros took him up on it. Jack didnπt think he could even imagine life without his lover, but something in him made him ask.

≥You ask to be let go?≤ Erosπs eyes narrowed dangerously. ≥Shall I send you to Apophis now?≤

He knew he walked a fine line with Eros when he didnπt just suck it up and play obedient servant. But what the heck, it had been a couple of days since his last reprimand, and the ache in his nipples and the sting across his ass-cheeks had almost completely faded. Obviously he needed a refresher course, right?

Right. Youπre an idiot, OπNeill. Your ass stops hurting for a minute and you want to heat it up again immediately?

His knees, though, didnπt need any help. They were killing him as he knelt on the stone floor of his bed chamber. Jack wondered briefly if that was why there were no carpets or rugs in the room, but it didnπt matter. If his love told him to kneel here, naked, hands clasped behind his back, then he would. You betcha.

Exactly how he had gotten to this point was something Jackπs mind skittered around the edges of, like a pit in his psyche that he only just avoided falling into.

Eros had bade him wait here after the evening meal. Jack hadnπt eaten much. That was trouble. Since getting his collar and shackles yesterday, he just hadnπt been able to eat. He could see they were a perfect fit, but the leather-lined gold bands felt constricting. Especially the collar. Like he couldnπt swallow past it. Heπd hate it, except Eros had put it on him.

Eros was staring at him through slit eyes, still awaiting his answer.

≥Whatever you want, my Lord.≤ Jack knew better than to get smart with that answer. No, no, no, no. Not doing this with Apophis. No way in hell. What he did for Eros out of love, Apophis would have to beat out of him, and Apophis would enjoy it.

God, why couldnπt that asshole just stay dead?

≥Tell me why you did not eat your evening meal,≤ Eros demanded.

≥I wasnπt hungry, my Lord.≤ Jack answered.

The ache in his back was picking up now to match his throbbing knees. Jack thought longingly of the bed covered in blue silk, but resisted the urge to glance that way. The room was dim, but Eros knew every flick of an eyelash in his lovers. Glancing at the bed would probably only get Jack more time on the floor.

The color of the silk sheets reminded him of Danielπs eyes.

≥And your midday meal?≤

≥The same, my Lord,≤ Jack answered with a little shrug.

≥You barely eat enough to keep yourself healthy!≤ Eros snapped, and grabbed Jack roughly by the hair and pulled his head back to look into his eyes. ≥When will you learn that this body is not yours anymore?≤

≥Habit of a lifetime, my Lord; hard to break.≤

≥Insolence!≤

Eros pulled Jack to his feet and Jackπs arms instinctively went around his loverπs waist as his mouth was taken in a bruising kiss. In the next beat of his heart the wonder of it all bloomed fresh in his mind.

Love.

He loved Eros. Man or Goaπuld, it didnπt matter to Jack. How could he even joke with Eros about leaving? That this was the one person he would spend the rest of his life with, the only one that could ease the aching need pulsing from Jackπs chest straight to his cock; this understanding was a gift. A gift from the only god he acknowledged now. The god of Love.

The kiss became a duel of tongues and teeth. Darting, sliding, nipping, along. Jackπs hands roamed the eternally youthful body: so beautiful! He could feel his own sides stroked and massaged, two cocks bumping, rubbing together through Erosπs linen kilt in jolts of the sweetest friction.

That someone like this could want him at all was just amazing to Jack.

Jackπs hands were up around Erosπs shoulders and the Goaπuld was holding him tight around the waist when there was suddenly a twitch of muscle, a scrape of metal-shaping nanites, and they were flying. Jack clutched his lover more tightly, willing himself not to look down. The twelve-foot wings that had sprouted from Erosπs back were fully functional and could be spread or retracted at will.

Without a word Eros flew with Jack out the opened skylight and into the vaulted cavern that housed the training centre.

As they settled on a football-field-sized platform that was suspended high above the living quarters, Jack tried frantically to think of a way off.

Eros chuckled as he retracted his wings. ≥You thought you could make me forget, Jack? It was a fine attempt, but I think punishment is indeed what is called for today.≤

Jack swallowed. ≥Yes, my lord.≤ He looked around the training platform nervously. He was now intimately familiar with every one of the staging areas and devices. The different swings and hammocks, the simple over-the-head manacles, the rack, the cage, the horse, the wheel; Eros had used them all on Jack more than once. And the longest moment of any session was always when waiting to be told which ones would be used.

Eros pinned him with steel blue eyes and smiled as he said, ≥Choose.≤

≥My lord?≤

≥Choose, Jack,≤ Eros repeated, still smiling. He went on to explain, ≥You want this, or you wouldnπt be trying to bait me and you would have eaten as instructed. So I give you the choice: Tell me which instruments you wish to use, or we can simply forgo the punishment entirely, glide back to my chamber and make love.≤

Jack started to shake. From relief, of course. No punishment. Jack OπNeill beats the system again. And gets hot sex with the man of his dreams. Perfect.

≥Jack?≤ Eros reminded him, ≥Iπm waiting. Choose or we leave now.≤ He leaned in, licked Jackπs ear and whispered, ≥I want you, Sweetness, whichever way I get to have you tonight. And I wonπt wait much longer for your decision.≤

Jack nodded and took a deep breath. Time to go. He should count himself lucky and enjoy an uncomplicated evening with his lover.

Then heard himself say, ≥The horse.≤

Oh shit, what was that?

Eros saw the shock in Jackπs face and chuckled as he reached out to ruffle the humanπs hair gently. ≥You really donπt know yourself yet, do you, Sweetness?≤

Jack couldnπt answer. Somewhere his mind had just switched off and he couldnπt make his mouth work even if he knew what words to use.

Punishment.

Christ on a crutch, what was he thinking?

Distantly he felt Erosπs hand on his back as the Goaπuld guided him over to the horse. It was like a vaulting horse, but a bit narrower with hooks and grips on the legs. Eros took him up to the side and stood behind him with his hands placed on Jackπs hips.

≥Get in the mount position,≤ Eros instructed Jack in a low voice.

Jack put one hand on either end of the horse and pushed up, leaning slightly forward until he was up on his toes, with his hips firmly against the side of the horse, and all his weight supported by his arms. His cock rubbed into the leather, already hard and trembling with desire. Deftly, Eros reached around him and repositioned it so that it pointed down, held in place by the pressure of leaning against the horse.

Jack moaned.

≥Hold your position, Jack.≤ Eros warned him and moved off to the rack at the left on which were hung various implements.

Jackπs arms were beginning to tremble with strain when Eros returned carrying several sizes of whips, a cat, three different paddles and a cane. He led them up in front of Jack.

≥Choose.≤

The trembling wasnπt just in his arms now and it wasnπt just from the strain. Jack took several short, shallow breaths and then leaned forward, kissing first Erosπs hand and then the short, broad, leather paddle.

≥Excellent.≤

Oh god, what was he doing? A single tear rolled down Jackπs cheek.

≥Beautiful.≤ Eros reached up and stroked the tear away. ≥Now complete the position and weπll begin.≤

Jack shuddered as he bent the rest of the way down over the horse, grabbing the handholds to steady himself. Eros touched the ring on his left hand to Jackπs wrist and ankle shackles causing them to mold themselves to the hooks on the horse and then stood back to admire the effect. Then he adjusted the hooks for the ankles, drawing them in a bit, framing Jackπs erection closely between his thighs.

Jack was breathing hard now and trying not to give in to full blown panic. It wasnπt the punishment itself; heπd been through that several times now and knew that Eros wouldnπt do anything to cause permanent damage. His lover could even make some punishments pure pleasure, but Jack had never been here by choice before. Heπd never asked for punishment.

Eros started with his hand, as Jack had requested. First one cheek then the other. Stopping now and then to pinch or stroke his slaveπs ass. Jack didnπt make a noise at first. He wouldnπt. As each blow fell, he became angrier that he had gotten himself into this situation. Not just the punishment today, but surviving this far. He had hoped during his brief stay with Apophis that heπd just die there, but the old Goaπuld knew a thing or two about keeping Tauπri alive.

Or had Jack wanted it? Like provoking the punishment today, asking for it even after being given the choice to run away.

In any case, here he was: Colonel Jack OπNeill in love with Love and getting his butt well and truly warmed. It was stinging now, both cheeks, and his breathing was speeding up, becoming shallower. Jack fought for control. Deepened his breathing. OK. Gonna ride this out.

≥You are thinking too much, Sweetness,≤ Eros growled just as he paused to pick up the paddle. Without waiting for Jack to answer, the Goaπuld unleashed a hail of blows with the broad leather implement.

No stinging now. It hurt. It fucking HURT.

There was a low keening noise rising from his chest that Jack couldnπt stop, and realized he didnπt want to stop. His cock was throbbing, his ass was on fire. He started bucking against the horse.

Yes!

Then the blows slowed.

Jack wailed, ≥Donπt stop, donπt stop, donπtstopdonπtstopã≤

≥Why are we here, Jack?≤ Eros asked him, so softly that Jack had to hold his breath to hear the words. Held it until another crack from the paddle forced the air out of his lungs and left him gasping

≥M-my Lord?≤

≥You refuse to follow simple instructions.≤

Whack!

≥Sorry! Sorrysorrysorryã≤

≥You continue to forget your place when speaking with me.≤

Whack!

≥Iπll stop! Promise! Justã Please!≤

≥Please what? Tell me, Jack.≤

Whack!

≥Donπt you stop! Please, donπt stop! Need it, dammit! Need this!≤

≥Tell me, Jack. Tell me why.≤

The blows sped up again, each one a lightening bolt going from Jackπs crotch to the top of his head. His cock was practically vibrating against the leather side of the horse, slick with sweat and pre-cum. And as the blows increased in numbers and ferocity, words spilled from Jackπs lips in a river that he couldnπt block.

≥Need it! Left them! Hurt them! God, hurt Sam and Daniel, especially. Supposed to protect them, make sure nothing bad happens to them! My KIDS, dammit! Just like Charlie! Not supposed to leave them! Not supposed to betray them! Tealπc will think I sold out! He gave up everything to help us, and I betrayed him! Samπll never understand! And Daniel, oh God, another hur, another loss! Iπm sorry, Daniel! Sorry! Betrayed them all, God dammit!≤

≥How, Jack?≤ Without slowing down the rhythm of blows, Eros shouted his last question over the slap of the paddle and Jackπs sobs, ≥How did you betray them?≤

≥I FELL IN LOVE WITH YOU, YOU GODDAMN SNAKE!≤

Sobs ripped through Jack as he bucked up against the horse seeking release and oblivion, but he stayed balanced on the edge. The frustration made him scream louder than any blow from the paddle had.

The paddling stopped, and Jack felt his loverπs hands stroking his back gently as Eros crooned in his ear, ≥Yes, Sweetness. You love me.≤

Then the hands were sliding down his tender ass, and for a moment Jack thought that Eros would take the final step in his training.

≥Yesyesyesyesãin me, god, yes, pleaseã≤

≥Ah, no, Sweetness, you havenπt earned that yet,≤ Eros said.

Jack wailed in frustration.

≥Want it, do you?≤

≥Oh yes, pleaseãwant it, need it, please!≤

≥Show me now, Jack. Come for me.≤ Eros cupped Jackπs aching balls and stroked his shaft as he urged him on. ≥Spill for me. Let me see how much you love me.≤

It was enough. He finally came. Hot semen shot down his legs as his whole body contracted around the horse, and for a moment he couldnπt breathe as sobs and screams and words he no longer understood poured from his lips while his lordπs hands kept moving over his cock and balls and gentle words were whispered across his back.

Then Eros was touching his ring to Jackπs shackles and collar to disconnect them from the hooks. The sobs didnπt stop; if anything, they got worse as he felt himself lifted off the leather horse and carried into the recovery area on the training platform.

≥Hush, Sweetness, hush. Not your fault. Who can resist the God of Love?≤ Erosπs soft words wrapped around Jack as he felt himself being lowered into a pool of warm water, Eros going with him, still cradling him and speaking softly. ≥We have the root of it now, you can let it go. You are under the will of your God here and cannot be blamed for leaving your old life behind.≤

He felt Erosπs hand on his cheek, forcing him to face the Goaπuld. His lover looked at him through the shining eyes of the beautiful body he inhabited and spoke in a deep resonant voice, ≥You love me. You are mine. Your prior attachments are as nothing now, Sweetness. It is good that we have purged this from you.≤

Jack felt the strong urge to grin at his lover and tell him to get over himself. He was talking to Colonel Jack OπNeill, slayer of Ra, who may have come down in the world a bit, but still knew a snake was a snakeãeven if said snake could push every button an old Colonel didnπt even know he had.

But once again what came out of his mouth was something entirely different from what he had planned.

≥Yes, my Lord.≤ The pleasure slave called Sweetness nodded and then fell asleep in the warm waters of the tub, curled up safe in the arms of his God.

ã

Eros personally carried his unconscious slave back to his own room after the bath and tucked him into bed. He gazed fondly at his newest work and knew that this one would be special, perhaps his greatest piece. He would have to arrange the Gifting to show Sweetness to best advantage somehow. It was no good leaving it to Apophis; he had no subtlety.

Thinking of the impatient System Lord made Eros frown. That one had no appreciation for the work Eros did. How many thousands of years had Apophis lived, and still he thought only of his own advancement in the political games and warring that passed for Goaπuld government. Eros knew there was more, and he saw it in his Sweetness lying there before him. His work. His art.

A soft voice came from the bedroom doorway, ≥My Lord?≤

Eros turned to find Ariste, his factor, standing at the door awaiting his attention.

Eros turned and went to the door, not wanting to wake Sweetness just yet.

≥What is it, Ariste?≤

≥The Lord Apophis has arrived and is requesting an audience.≤ The young man answered, his head bowed and his voice low. He was beautiful, with black hair and olive skin which gleamed with oil.

≥Donπt you mean he demands my presence?≤ Eros chuckled.

Ariste bowed his head even lower, not knowing how best to answer that. Apophis had been demanding and angry, had spoken as if the Lord Eros were no more than a minion. Ariste did not like it, but knew better than to be rude to his lordπs guest.

≥It is all right, Ariste, I know the Lord Apophis has inflated ideas of his importance here. Unlike most of our guests, he brings the outside in with him.≤ Eros petted the young manπs hair soothingly. ≥It canπt be helped. You were polite?≤

≥Of course, my Lord.≤ Ariste looked up startled. Surely Eros did not doubt his ability?

≥And where did you leave him waiting?≤ Eros asked as he moved his hands down to Aristeπs shoulders. The factor was wearing the belted white linen tunic that all Erosπs personal servants wore. At his masterπs touch, Aristeπs tunic began to tent at the crotch.

≥In the eyrie chamber, my Lord.≤ Ariste got the sentence out in a reasonably controlled voice, but couldnπt stop himself from leaning slightly into his masterπs touch. It had been several days since he had had his Lordπs personal attention.

Eros chuckled, ≥Well done, Ariste!≤

The eyrie chamber was grand enough for any System Lord; built as it was into the side of the mountain it had a commanding view of the valley, and was opulently appointed with silk cushions, gold fittings and crystal ornaments. It was also just about as far from the training area as possible.

The young factor smiled slightly at his lordπs pleasure. To Eros, Ariste was a perfect study of devotion. He was simple and charming, not like the complex Tauπri that was fast becoming Erosπs most challenging work.

Eros traced patterns down the front of the young manπs tunic, paused to pinch a nipple, then went lower and gave a sharp tug at what he found there. The gasps elicited were sweetly gratifying.

≥Come, Ariste, attend me while we give Apophis time to enjoy the view.≤

≥Yes, my Lord. Thank you, my Lord!≤

Eros chuckled again. There was something to be said for simple pleasures.

n ß n ß n

It had taken a full day for the Tokπra to return to the SGC with enough information for a battle plan to be put together. Daniel had spent the day reading up on Eros and his myths, looking for anything that might help in freeing Jack. Heπd also taken time to talk to Janet about ways to bring the colonel back to himself.

It wouldnπt be enough to bring the manπs body home if he his soul couldnπt be recovered.

On the table spread out between them was a map of Erosπs compound showing the settlement at the foot of the mountain and the entrance to the cavern that housed the training facility and Erosπs own residence.

≥Our source tells us that the Gifting is taking place in three nights. There is a supply shipment going into the training facility that afternoon. We can arrange to have you hidden in containers to be included in the shipment that morning. That gives you two days to formulate your attack plans and memorize this model,≤ Anise told the three remaining members of SG-1 as they sat in the briefing room. ≥But once you are inside, we will have no way of assisting you.≤

≥It will be sufficient,≤ Tealπc told her nodding.

≥More than sufficient,≤ Sam agreed with narrowed eyes, ≥I donπt see why we need to wait that long. I thought one of the reasons you agreed to help us with this was to avoid having the Colonel used in the Gifting ceremony. Why are we waiting until the last minute?≤

≥It will be easier to for you to infiltrate the complex with the increased gate traffic caused by the guests and supplies arriving for the ceremony,≤ Jacob answered, but didnπt meet his daughterπs eyes.

≥OK, I guess I can see how that would make it easier.≤ Sam nodded, but Daniel could see that she was not fully convinced. Neither was he.

≥The ceremonial gate is here,≤ Jacob pointed to the village square on the map and then to another spot at the centre of the cavern, ≥but for supplies and private transactions, Eros uses a gate here inside his complex. By coming in with the supplies you should be able to get past most of his defenses.≤

≥How does he manage the two gates so close together?≤ Sam asked frowning, ≥Can you be sure weπll arrive at the right one?≤

≥Eros schedules the use of the gates,≤ Anise explained. ≥The ceremonial gate is used during the day and shut down at night when the supply gate is in use.≤

≥What has your intelligence revealed concerning the number of guards we are likely to encounter?≤ Tealπc asked.

≥And where are they keeping Jack?≤ Daniel said breaking in with the one question that had been playing over and over in his head since theyπd started the briefing.

Anise answered Sam first. ≥Eros is not a System Lord. He has few Jaffa, but makes up for it with his own people from the village and from among his slaves. They will be easier to kill than the Jaffa, but they are very loyal to Eros. There will also be the Jaffa of the visiting System Lords, but Eros only allows them two each.≤ Then pursing her lips in disapproval, she pointed to another location on the map, well inside the cavern. ≥We think OπNeill is here. His quarters are next to Erosπs so that he may respond to his master more quickly and so that Eros may keep a close eye on him for training and correction.≤

Daniel kept his mind carefully blank as he listened to Anise. He knew that if he allowed himself to latch on to the image of Jack serving Eros, he would start shaking and he didnπt know if he could stop.

≥How many lords are going to be there?≤ Sam asked, ≥If they each have two Jaffa, then we could be looking at quite a force.≤

≥When SG-3 attacks the main gate, the visiting System Lords will leave through the private gate,≤ Tealπc stated with confidence. ≥They will not wish to stay for a conflict that is not theirs.≤

≥What about Apophis? What if he leaves and takes Jack with him?≤ Daniel asked.

≥He cannot,≤ Tealπc answered, ≥The other System Lords will leave because the fight is not theirs, but they will know this is a direct assault on Apophis. Since these are the very lords among whom he is seeking allies, he will have to go to the gate and face SG-3. To run would ruin any hopes he has of gaining support.≤

≥And if he runs, in spite of that,≤ Jacob added, ≥our agent with Apophis should be able to arrange for the colonelπs extraction.≤

≥Either way,≤ Anise said, ≥Apophisπs reputation will be ruined. None of these lords will associate with him after this.≤

≥Thatπs why youπre waiting.≤ Danielπs words burst out in a gasp as realization made his heart sink. ≥Itπs not the gate traffic or anything else: you just want to use this rescue to best advantage so youπre going to time the assault for greatest visibility, thus ruining Apophisπs chances for making any new alliances.≤

≥Damaging Apophisπs ability to regain his position of power was central to Colonel OπNeillπs mission brief,≤ Anise said in an oblique confirmation of Danielπs worst fears.

≥Well, getting whipped for somebodyπs pleasure wasnπt!≤ Daniel yelled, slamming his hands on the tabletop so hard the model shook. He had to get out of there; he couldnπt stand looking at Jacob and Anise for one more second.

≥Daniel!≤

Sam grabbed his arm and Daniel froze. Slowly, he lowered himself back into his seat.

≥Dad,≤ Samπs voice was low and ragged-edged as she tried to keep hold of her temper, ≥Is there any way to move up this time-table? The truth, Dad.≤

Jacob sighed and shook his head, ≥Not if you want Tokπra support and intelligence. Using the extraction to weaken Apophisπs position was the only reason the council approved the mission.≤

Sam nodded and then looked at her team, ≥So we do it. We go with what weπve got.≤

Tealπc nodded solemnly, Daniel too, even as he shook with anger.

≥You do understand that you will not be able to get him to leave Eros?≤ Anise asked again.

≥Youπve made your opinion of our chances clear, Anise,≤ Sam answered in a hard voice. ≥It doesnπt matter. We are going after Colonel OπNeill.≤

You tell her, Sam, Daniel thought to himself. ≥Itπs not like weπre going to give him a choice,≤ Daniel added. ≥I donπt care how Eros has warped his brain chemistry, Jack OπNeill would want to come home if he could.≤

He and Sam both steadfastly ignored the look exchanged by Tealπc and Anise.

n ß n ß n

Apophis was angry.

His Jaffa guards knew it; they kept their eyes forward and stood still as monoliths.

The cringing servants that had brought him drinks and exotic dishes also knew it; they knelt on the floor as close to the door as they could get without being accused of having left their illustrious guest.

The only one that did not seem to know it was the arrogant panderer that swept into the room, threw himself down on a convenient pile of cushions, grinned up at the System Lord and said, ≥My apologies, Lord Apophis. I was unavoidably detained.≤

The stink of sweat and sex that accompanied this statement left Apophis in no doubt as to what activity had rated a higher priority than meeting one of the most powerful System Lords in the quadrant. Apophis turned a freezing glare on his host. It had no affect.

≥I want to know how OπNeill progresses,≤ Apophis demanded. ≥Will he be ready for the Gifting?≤

Eros looked up from the cushions with an expression that bordered on disrespectful and replied, ≥He will be more than ready. He will be the most magnificent thing ever brought out for the pleasure of the System Lords. But it will be a waste.≤

≥What do you mean?≤

≥A waste,≤ Eros said again. ≥All you see is a chance to humiliate an enemy. You will not see the art that imbues his responses.≤

≥ART!≤ The derision Apophis laced through that one word confirmed for Eros how different their goals were in the training of the Tauπri captive.

≥Do not be so quick to deride that which you, yourself, have requested,≤ Eros told him, keeping his voice cool as he reached out a hand for a goblet that was immediately presented by one of his slaves. ≥Is it not your intent to improve your standing with the other lords through the exhibit of this Tauπri? Have you not explicitly requested that he be made over to your specifications?≤

≥I have no use for art,≤ Apophis sneered. ≥I want to show them power. The power to bring my foes to their knees, groveling before me.≤ Apophis smiled and turned as if to look out the window, but what he saw was not the valley below, but a vision of Jack OπNeill spread out, humiliated, aroused and hating himself for it as Apophis took him and then granted his pleasures to the whichever System Lords would be most advantageous.

≥They will all see.≤ He was speaking to himself more than to Eros, as if he had forgotten the other Goaπuld was still in the room.

≥Indeed,≤ Eros said dryly. ≥What they will see is a System Lord holding a prize he does not know how to display.≤

≥You dareã!≤

≥Think, Lord Apophis!≤ Eros leaned forward, his eyes narrowed and his mouth just resisting the urge to sneer. ≥This is not the first Gifting you have attended. I know that in the past you came to be catered to by those who sought your favor, but now it is you who are seeking allies and you must realize that it is not simply the gift that will gain you merit in the eyes of the other lords. It is the display of your power through that gift.≤

Eros sat back again, slipping again into the role of dilettante. He almost laughed as he said, ≥And that is Art, my lord.≤

Apophis simmered with anger, his eyes glowing. The Jaffa and the slaves all held their breaths. There was not a more dangerous place on the planet at this moment and they all knew it.

Then the System Lord smiled.

≥Very well,≤ Apophis said. ≥Then you shall arrange it.≤

≥Arrange it, my lord?≤

≥You shall advise me. Choreograph this display that you feel is so critical. I do not care what it takes, but it must be more magnificent than any previous Gifting.≤

Eros chuckled, ≥I think I can promise you that, my lord. Just allow me to arrange matters, and this will be a Gifting they will never forget.≤

Apophis nodded and started to move to the door, gesturing to his Jaffa that he was leaving.

Eros called to the System Lord as he was about to pass between the kowtowing slaves on either side of the doorway, ≥Will you be keeping him after the Gifting? I would be happy to take him back as payment for the training.≤ Eros did not look directly at his guest. He kept his voice casual and twirled his goblet, as if contemplating the quality of the wine within.

Apophis snapped his head around to give Eros a sharp look. ≥He is mine. You will be paid for his training. I will keep him, and after the Gifting I will break him.≤

Eros froze, then slowly turned to look at Apophis with narrowed eyes. ≥There will be no need to break him. When he leaves here, he will be just as you specified: pliant and needy, but hating you and all Goaπuld as much as ever. He will be perfect,≤ he said.

≥He will be mine.≤ Apophis said with bared teeth, ≥and he will bring me the others. All of them: the Shovπla Tealπc, Samantha Carter, and most especially Daniel Jackson; and when they are all broken at my feet, then I will release them to Death and they will thank me.≤

Apophis was jerked out of his reverie by a snort from Eros, ≥I do not know these others that you name, and their fates mean nothing to me. OπNeill, however, is my work. I do not often have access to such challenging raw material. Generally, I create my art with those who come to me as offerings already in love with their god. OπNeill is unique in both his hatred of our kind and his love for the individual. Kill the others if you will, but return to me OπNeill.≤

≥Just see that he is trained; beyond that he is not your concern,≤ Apophis snarled and then strode out of the room, his Jaffa falling in behind him.

n ß n ß n

He stood at the door to the fun house in full battle gear. His P90 hung from his shoulder and he felt the extra clips in his belt.

The fun house itself was dim and lit with randomly placed strobes. There was a figure painted over the entranceãit could have been a laughing woman or a crying man. He wasnπt sure.

≥Go on, Colonel,≤ Carterπs voice came from behind and to his left, ≥Youπre covered.≤

He glanced back at her and nodded sharply, taking in her camouflage, make-up and high-heels. It seemed appropriate.

≥Go on, Jack,≤ Saraπs voice chimed in from his right. He turned and saw her standing in a flannel nightgown holding an infant Charlie. ≥You know no one ever gets past us. Go on.≤

Nodding again, but feeling a little guilty about using them for cover on this mission, Jack entered the fun house.

He was in a brightly lit hall of mirrors seeing his reflection over and over again: camo, P90, boots, sunglasses. He moved slowly, feeling his way along the walls. Suddenly he remembered why he was here.

Extraction.

Bring the target back or kill him.

Donπt get caught, and donπt leave anything for the enemy.

As he moved there was a sharp bend in the hall. The images in the mirror began to reflect someone else. Jack could see a figure kneeling, naked, with a collar and wrist cuffs. It was a man. No matter which reflection he looked at, the manπs back was to him, but that was OK. He was sure this was the target.

Jack moved with great confidence through the hall. He wondered about the physics that bounced the image of the naked man all over the mirrors. By now there were as many mirrors showing the kneeling man as there were showing OπNeill himself, and yet Jack was sure he was not that close to the end of the hallway.

Another bend in the mirror hall, and now a third male figure started to appear in the reflections. He stood over the kneeling man, stroking his hair gently, features heavily shadowed.

Damn.

There was no way Jack could get the target out of there without being seen.

Nothing else to do now, Jack thought to himself, gonna have to kill the guy. Damn, I hate missions like this.

There was no avoiding it, though. The man would have to die. Jack picked up the pace, feeling his way around the mirrored hall, so intent on finding the man in the reflections that at first he didnπt notice the change.

The kneeling man had been still at first, but now that his captor was standing over him, he had started to move. Every line of his body seemed to incline towards the one standing over him. Even with his hands tied behind his back, as Jack could now see they were, the kneeling man seemed to be reaching out.

Am I looking at captor and captive, or a man and his lover? Jack asked himself.

It didnπt matter. Orders were orders. He saw the man ahead, reached out and felt no glass, no mirror. He raised his P90 and took aim, gently squeezing the trigger.

The features of the standing man suddenly became clear; he looked up at Jack over the head of the kneeling man, his blue eyes pinning Jack where he stood. He was honey-blond, slim but muscled, smooth shaven and smiling.

≥Youπre not allowed to shoot, Sweetness,≤ Daniel said. ≥Not until I tell you.≤

≥Daniel?≤

The world spun and the mirrors closed in again. Jack spun around trying to go back the way he came, but he couldnπt find the path. All around him were echoing images of the kneeling man and Daniel. There were no images of Jack holding his gun or wearing camouflage. Jack looked down and realized why.

He was kneeling, naked. He could feel the shackles on his wrists behind his back and the collar around his throat, and when he looked up there was a stiff cock in front of his face waiting to be serviced. Tilting his head even further back, he looked up into Danielπs brilliant blue eyes, glowing from the Goaπuld within, and he heard Erosπs voice caressing him.

≥Take it, Sweetness, you know you want it. You know you love me.≤

The joy he felt at those words rode over him in waves. He whispered a short, ≥Yes, my Lord.≤ and then did as he was told.

n ß n ß n

The world came back slowly, sore limbs cushioned on down-filled satin and a warm body stretched out beside him. Jackπs eyes blinked open and he found himself staring at the crystal filigree chandelier that hung from the ceiling of Erosπs room. It was a collection of perfectly balanced ropes of glass surrounding a fiery light source. Although it gave off no noticeable heat, it flickered like natural flame and suffused the Lordπs room in shifting light and rainbows.

Erosπs room?

Shit.

≥My Lord?≤ Jack spoke cautiously and tried to arrange his limbs in the proper pose for serving his lover. The punishments for not presenting oneπs ass or mouth as Lord Eros expected were many and varied.

≥Hush, Sweetness,≤ Eros gently swatted at Jackπs behind and then pulled him close, ≥You are exactly where and how I want you.≤

≥Butã≤

≥Do not presume too much!≤ Eros spoke sharply, but he was smiling and Jack knew that he was still in his Lordπs good graces.

It was strange to wake up with Eros. His Goaπuld lover had done many things with him, but they had never slept in the same bed before.

≥Okay, okay,≤ Jack snuggled down into the covers and laid his head back on Erosπs shoulder. ≥Train me one way, and then say you want something else, sheesh!≤

Jack was surprised to hear Eros break out in a loud laugh. Not one of his normal proprietary chuckles, but a deep belly laugh.

≥Oh Jack, this is why you are my greatest work!≤ Eros pulled himself up on elbow and turned Jack onto his back. Looking at him intensely, he traced the lines of the humanπs face with his fingertips and smiled. ≥Today you chose your own punishment. You acknowledged your needs. That tells me your training is almost complete. Yet still you have this will, this fearlessness in you. Our guests will be most impressed.≤

≥Guests?≤ Jack asked cautiously.

≥Yes, Iπm having a banquet in two days. Many Lords will come and present their works for each other. Sampling the pleasures of each othersπ creations and reveling in the sensations our hosts provide us.≤ Eros let his fingertips trail down to tease Jackπs nipples, going from one to the other.

≥And this meansä what, for me exactly?≤ Jack asked, trying to stay focused through his loverπs expert distractions.

≥You will be tested, but it will only bring out your best qualities. You will be magnificent.≤

≥Great,≤ Jack said between gritted teeth, ≥Iπm gonna be test driven by a bunch of horny snakes!≤

Eros shook his head and smiled. He had no idea what Jackπs English colloquialism meant, and he didnπt care. He leaned in for a kiss, which lead to another, and another. This went on for several minutes.

Fear was trying to take hold of Jackπs stomach, but it couldnπt compete with the lust that had him by the balls. Sensation rather than thought once again took over Jackπs world, but for once he was able to move, hold and explore on his own. Tentatively at first, and then with aggressive need, he ran his hands over his loverπs body and face. Eros, too, was moving with an urgency that was unlike his usual measured pleasure. The Goaπuldπs hands stroked Jackπs back and finally settled on his ass, gripping and massaging it as their hips ground together.

The touch nearly sent Jack over the edge. The one thing he had feared the most when heπd been brought here was now the one thing his lover denied him. In all the time he had been here, Eros had never penetrated him.

Jack couldnπt decide anymore whether this was a good thing or not. He felt an almost physical sense of disorientation, as if he had stepped back from the reality of Erosπs hands on his body, and something full of want and need had taken his place.

≥Please.≤ The kiss was broken to whisper the one word against his loverπs lips.

≥Ah, Sweetness, I wish we could,≤ Eros whispered back, ≥But you belong to Apophis, and he has ordered that the first time be his.≤

Jack froze.

The lust that had kept him from thinking about the future evaporated. It took all of his will power not to throw himself from the bed, to run out into the complex and just keep going. Apophis. Heπd forgotten. He would be sent back. Eventually. He would be sent away from Eros to be used by the snake that he hated most in the universe.

No.

Please no.

Canπt. Wonπt. Wonπt. Woã

≥Hush, hush, Sweetness, it will be all right. It will be your final test.≤

Jack heard his loverπs words and was disconcerted to realize that he was curled up, shivering against Erosπs chest. He couldnπt stop.

Under his breath the words continued in a chant of denial, ≥No. Canπt. WONπT. Donπt wantãDonπt! No no no no no.≤ Not even the continued stroking and reassurance from Eros could stop the words that bled from Jackπs mouth.

≥Sweetness, you must calm yourself!≤ Eros commanded, ≥You know I think of you as my most profound work. I will not let you go to Apophis permanently if I can help it, but he will test you at the Gifting, and you will perform.≤

He asked without looking up, ≥Why?≤

≥Because it is what I ask of you. Because you wish to please me,≤ Eros spoke in a low soothing tone and stroked Jackπs back like he was a spooked horse, ≥and most of all, because you will want it, Sweetness.≤

≥I hate him and everything about him. I donπt want him touching me. Iπll never want it.≤

≥But of course you will, because you will get the same pleasure out of this that you have gotten out of everything we have done here. You will please me. And you know how much you want to do that.≤

Jack flashed on an image of his first training session: held down by two slaves, spread-eagle, flat on his back, and trussed up in a cockring, heπd squirmed with humiliation. Eros had swept down on his nanite-built wings like some angel cast out of heaven: Slim with flowing golden hair, olive skin and blazing blue eyes. On his left hand had been a Goaπuld gauntlet.

Cupping that hand, Eros had smiled at Jack as the air above the gauntlet started to glow. It formed a sphere and when it got so bright that Jack couldn't look at it anymore, the slaves holding him had backed away, and Eros had thrown it at him.

Jack had tried to get up, to raise his head, anything, but had found he couldnπt move. Across his skin had run a faint tingle and heπd realized that the energy from the sphere had wrapped around him like spider silk around a fly, holding him as the winged Goaπuld looked him over.

Jack had steeled himself, closed his eyes, and waited for the skull ripping pain and impossible questions that heπd known were coming.

Nothing.

Instead a low voice like velvet had said, ≥See me.≤

When Jack had opened his eyes, the Goaπuld had stretched out his gauntlet hand, fingers spread. The moment their eyes had met, the gauntlet had released a sliver of light, hitting Jack right between the eyes.

There had been no pain, just a rolling warmth and trembling.

Eros had smiled and Jackπs gut had tightened with desire.

Eros had ordered two other slaves to pleasure Jack. One had sucked his cock and massaged his balls, the other had nibbled and sucked on his nipples.

Humiliation.

Lust.

Degradation.

Adoration.

Jack had screamed.

All the while Eros had stood there stroking himself and urging Jack on. ≥Yes, Sweetness, writhe for me, show me how much you want this. You burn for me, you beg for release, but you will not come until I order it. Only ever if I order it, Sweetness.≤

It had gone on for longer than Jack thought possible, until he was crazy for it, begging his lover to let him come.

Eros had finally dismissed the slaves and straddled Jack himself to take both their cocks together in his hands. Jack had cursed and bucked in frustration. Eros had leaned forward as he pumped their shafts with both hands, then heπd released the cockring and commanded, ≥Now, Jack! Come now, my Sweetness!≤

It had been the most gut-wrenching, backbreaking, amazing orgasm of his life. It was also the first time Eros had called him Sweetness.

From then on, Jack had never come with anyone but Eros, and only with his express permission. Now he was being ordered to not only perform with another person, but to enjoy having his worst enemy take him up the ass. Like hell. Colonel OπNeill wasnπt anybodyπs whore.

≥I wonπt do it,≤ Jack snarled. ≥If he ever got his prick in my hole, Iπd snap it off.≤

≥You will do it, and not for his satisfaction, but for mine.≤

≥He isnπt you, My Lord.≤

≥Of course not! Apophis has no appreciation for art,≤ Eros said scornfully. ≥The beautiful balance I have crafted in you, between my Jack and my Sweetness, he will only seek to over turn, but you are stronger than that, Jack.≤

The shivers faded and Jack was back in control.

≥Balance?≤ He frowned, not sure of Erosπs meaning. He looked up now into the deep blue eyes that were so completely focused on him and flashed on a dream and another pair of blue eyes, but it was gone before he could remember much about it.

Eros ran a finger down along Jackπs jaw and smiled at the tremor of desire it inspired in his pet Tauπri.

≥Look up at the chandelier,≤ Eros commanded. ≥You are like that. Hung perfectly between ecstasy and anguish, between my Jack and my Sweetness, between love for me and hatred for my race. You are a gemstone perfectly cut and polished to show every facet of feeling.≤

Erosπs voice hardened and he added, ≥And you will show it. I will be there watching as he takes you. Watching as you struggle with your hatred and your need. So desperate for a cock to ease your longings; but whether he is hung like an elephant or a flea, it wonπt matter because I will be there and you will come when I order it and not before.≤

Eros leaned down again and claimed Jackπs mouth with a fierceness that drove away all fears. Jack responded with desperation of his own, but some small part of his mind sat back and thought about need and hate, balanceãand the chandelier.

n ß n ß n

Sam and Daniel were standing in Jackπs bedroom, having let themselves into the house with Danielπs spare key.

≥Are you sure this is a good idea?≤ Sam asked him as she stood watching him rifle through Jackπs closet.

≥You heard what Janet said about reminding him of home and his life.≤ Daniel didnπt look at her as he spoke, just continued tossing sneakers and dress shoes out of the closet as he searched for a pair of boots for Jack. ≥The most central element of Jackπs recent life has been the Air Force, SG-1 and his command. Ah! Here we go!≤

With two heavy thunks he tossed the boots out of the closet and crawled out himself.

≥Daniel.≤

≥Is there a special kind of T-shirt to wear under BDUs, Sam?≤ Daniel continued without a pause as he started pulling open dresser drawers and digging through socks and underwear.

≥Daniel, he wonπt be given back his command, you know that, right?≤ Sam laid her hand on his arm and tried to break it to him gently.

Daniel went still, staring down stupidly at his hand stuck in Jackπs underwear drawer.

≥Why not?≤ he asked.

Instead of looking at Sam, he fingered a pair of white cotton briefs, frowning at this violation of Jackπs privacy, but unable to stop himself.

≥The Colonelπs been compromised,≤ Sam said gently. ≥The Air Force will give him all the support they can to help him recover from beingä held prisoner, but that alone would be enough to disqualify him for command. If he hasä given inä to Erosπs training, and fallen for a Goaπuldã Well, come on Daniel, what do you expect them to do?≤

Daniel felt Samπs hand tremble and heard the hitch in her voice, but her acceptance of the situation was beyond his understanding.

≥What do I expect?≤ He shrugged off Samπs hand and spun around to face her. ≥I expect the military to honor their obligations to a man who has given them everything! I expect them to not take away what is likely his only goddamn reason to live! Why would they do that, Sam? Why would they pull the rug out from under him?≤

≥Because the Goaπuld have gotten to him, Daniel! Because whether we like it or not, theyπve turned him into someone else!≤

≥You donπt know that!≤

≥You heard Tealπc and Anise!≤ Sam had practically screamed, and the tears that were behind her eyes since theyπd arrived at the house flowed down her cheeks. ≥Heπs being trained to be some kind of, ofã≤

≥ åTemple whoreπ was the phrase Tealπc used, I believe.≤ Daniel finished with the words Sam wasnπt able to say, and then gripped her by the shoulders, ≥But we know better, Sam. We can bring him back, whether the Air Force wants him or not. Weπll deal with that issue later.≤

≥Yeah, okay.≤ Sam agreed and wiped her eyes hard before helping him find the rest of the Colonelπs battle dress uniform to take with them on the rescue mission.

As they finished stuffing the uniform into a pack that Daniel had brought, he looked at Sam one more time. ≥Weπll bring him back, Sam.≤

≥I know,≤ she agreed quietly.

We have to bring him back, Daniel thought, because the alternative is life without Jack. And that is no alternative at all.

n ß n ß n

Silk robes rustled; cutlery and glassware chimed softly, and the murmur of conversation glided through the air. Jack felt as if he could distinguish each vibration as it touched his skin. He flexed his arms a little to fight off the loss of circulation to his hands and then heard the guy next to him do the same, and so on down the line.

Kinda like yawning in a crowded room, he thought. Once one person whoπs hanging spread-eagle on display flexes his arms, all the others in the line feel the same urge.

A universal imperative.

Daniel would be impressed.

He wanted to chuckle with the thought, but knew that there was no worse breach of discipline short of coming without permission, especially while hanging on public display. None of them wanted to be punished, and even more than that, none of them wanted to disappoint Lord Eros. After all, this was the big night.

Preparations for the Gifting banquet had been meticulous. Jack had been bathed, massaged, and oiled to within an inch of oblivion. He was immaculately clean, inside and out, and completely shaven from his beard down.

Funny.

Having his ass flushed with water hadnπt freaked him out nearly as much as having his legs shaved. Looking down at his smooth calves, all he had been able to think about was Tim Curry in The Rocky Horror Picture Show demonstrating on straight-as-a-board Brad the joy of getting blown by another guy.

That was when Jack had started to shake.

Quickly then the handlers had hustled him out to stand with the six others that were being put on display tonight. Lord Eros had come and done a final inspection.

Jackπs heart almost stopped at the sight of his lover. Damn, he was fine. The golden hair, long lean muscles, blue eyes that burned like ice, all shown off by a white toga casually revealing one exquisitely bare shoulder.

This was the man he was meant to give himself to, Jack knew, not Apophis and his cronies. Only and always Eros.

≥My Lordä≤ Jack had whispered, not sure even what to ask for since he knew that there was no avoiding this.

≥Shhhhh, Sweetness.≤ Eros took his face in his hands and kissed him gently, ≥You will be wonderful tonight. I have every faith in you. Apophis will ride you as if he owns you, but you know that you are mine.≤

≥Yes, My Lord,≤ and with those words Jack once again felt himself moving aside, taking refuge in some back corner of his mind while he felt his head bow, and his cock became impossibly harder than it had ever been. ≥At your command, My Lord.≤

≥Exactly,≤ Erosπs hot breath in his ear made Jackπs skin tighten and his cock jump. Then Eros was gone and an attendant was slipping a blindfold over his eyes, helping him into the shackles that he would hang from for the evening.

There were seven of them arranged in a line along the left side of the courtyard where the banquet would be staged. Thick wooden poles ran the length of the courtyard and between each pair of them, suspended with arms and legs spread wide, was a sleek, well oiled product of the God of Loveπs own special boot camp. Theyπd all been blindfolded, but Jack knew the set up even without being able to see. All were fully aroused: the men fully hard and the women wet, and woe be to the one that didnπt stay that way for the course of the evening. There was little chance of a problem, of course; Eros never put one of his protÈgÈs on display until he thought they were ready. So there they hung, three men, three women, and Jack: all hot, slick, and aching.

When Jack had first started training with Eros, staying hard had been difficult. He loved Eros, but heπd never allowed himself to feel a physical attraction to a man before. Heπd had to think about Sara, about Laira, about Sam even, to try and stay hard enough to satisfy Eros. That wasnπt a problem now. The image of Eros alone was enough to make him hard, and the memories of what his lord had done to him, with him, the pleasures and the punishmentsãwell those could have made him come in his pants, if heπd had any on.

If there was another face, another body that kept him hard on occasion, well, there was no one to ask or tell anymore, now was there?

The rustle of silk increased and the murmur of conversation grew closer and clearer. The banquet had ended and the guests were headed for the entertainment now.

Showtime, Jack.

He could hear them walking up and down the line, skin brushing skin, provoking the occasional whimper from those on display. It took only a few seconds for the first of them to reach him. They were speaking Goaπuld.

≥äRaäOπNeillä sweetä≤ Words Jack knew jumped out of the tumble of sounds as hands brushed his nipples, fondled his ass, and cupped his balls. The smell of myrrh and cinnamon was so strong it made his eyes sting behind the blindfold, ≥Apophisä Jacksonä≤

Daniel? What about Daniel? He strained to hear any further mention of the famous Dr. Jackson, but the words were all Goaπuld now.

Jack felt himself beginning to sweat. His muscles twitched as he controlled the impulse to thrust into the hand that was now holding his cock or lean into the one just barely touching his right nipple.

What would Daniel say if he could see him now? Would he be disgusted? Would he walk away?

Or would he reach out and touch.

From far away, somewhere in the middle of the room, he heard, ≥My loves, you may come now if you feel the urge.≤ The same words again in a few other languages so that all of those on display understood that they now had their Lordπs permission for release. Jackπs cock surged in ecstatic response.

No.

He shouldnπt want this. He couldnπt.

These were just a bunch of snakes he didnπt know, and couldnπt even see at the moment. They could not make him feel this way. It wasnπt right. He didnπt love them.

Jack started to breathe faster. He didnπt love them, but it did feel good.

He heard the man next to him start to moan and rattle his chains, giving in to the pleasure at last, and again there was a cascade down the line as each slaveπs pleasure was increased by the cries of the others.

It sounded so tempting.

More hands were touching him now. He tried to distract himself by figuring out how many pairs. Five? Six? Not sure.

It was so intense. As good as being teased by Eros, maybe even better in a way because no part of him was left without stimulus: rubbing, pinching, strokingãAH!ãLICKING!

His hips gave an abortive jerk, and he had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep himself from shooting into the anonymous mouth that covered his dick. It was so good, so good, so good.

Jack felt himself sliding away.

No.

Want to!

Wonπt.

Please, please, pleaseã

NO!

Fingernails ran along his cock now as the saliva-soaked skin cooled in the air. Someone pinched his sac, while a manπs fingers pushed for entrance to his mouth and explored his tongue. Jack suckled the intruders eagerly, without thinking.

≥äbeautifulä exquisiteä responsiveä Apophisä Art.≤

The words didnπt make any sense, but he had heard them over and over again during his training with Eros. Those words combined with the sensations almost made him lose it, but he held back. Not for the sake of Eros and his reputation, but because he was still Colonel Jack OπNeill and he would be damned if he was going to come for a bunch of snakes.

Yeah, right, Jack.

The hands fell away.

Jack moaned at the loss of sensation, dropping his head forward and feeling tears gathering under his blindfold. Then he felt the heat of someone standing only inches from him, and heard a familiar chuckle.

Jack felt his blindfold being removed and then blinked in the glittering light of the banquet courtyard until the glitter resolved itself into the gold and lapis glory of Apophis in full deity-drag. Funny how the costume failed to impress after a while.

≥Ahhh, OπNeill. You are truly a fit offering for the gods,≤ Apophis said, smiling as he ran his glowing eyes up and down Jackπs body. Unlike Jack, the System Lord seemed pretty satisfied with what he saw. Of course the naked-and-needy look was a new one for Jack.

Apophis took a step close, so that his robes brushed the tip of Jackπs cock, and ran a fingertip along the inside of Jackπs thigh, around the base of his sac and cock, and up the mid-line of his now smooth and hairless chest.

Jack shuddered and Apophis smiled.

≥Beg for me, OπNeill. Beg for me to take you.≤

Jack hated.

He was hate.

It consumed him, defined him. He opened his moth to tell the arrogant snake to go fuck himself.

≥Please, My Lord,≤ came out of his mouth instead in a husky needy voice, ≥please take me.≤

Jackπs stomach clenched; he wanted to vomit. He wanted to die.

But Sweetness? Sweetness just wanted to get fucked.

n ß n ß n

Daniel shifted his legs again and tried not to focus on how much he wanted to stretch. The utter darkness inside the urn combined with the oxygen mask over his face made him feel as if he had been buried alive. He wished theyπd been able to figure out a way for all three of them, Sam, Tealπc and himself, to ride together in one large container, but it would have been too obvious. This way, they had been slipped in with the normal food shipment. The large clay pots they rode in were supposed to be full of grain, but here he was, playing Trojan horseman.

He hoped Sam and Tealπc were all right.

He checked his glowing watch one more time. It had been two hours already. Tealπc should be giving the signal soon.

Then they would bring Jack home.

Of course he knew it would not be that easy. There would be fighting and death, and maybe Jack wouldnπt want to come home at first, but they would bring him home and once there he would recover and he would be glad to be back, to be home.

Even though, as Sam had pointed out, it wasnπt as if Jack could just pick up where heπd left off.

Daniel shook his head and brought his thoughts back to the present. Back to the very small space in which he waited and weighed the possibilities. The bring-him-back-or-kill-him clause was firmly in place on this assignment. Daniel thought it sucked, but he feared even Sam had accepted it on some level. Daniel didnπt tell her or anyone else that he would die himself before he would allow Jack to be killed just for the sake of covering the Tokπraπs ass.

No need for anyone to know.

Because they werenπt going to fail.

Jack was coming home whether he liked it or not.

Daniel glanced at the glow of his watch one more time and tried not to mutter in his frustration.

Finally the three taps he had been waiting for sounded against the sides of the urn, and the false top was pulled up to reveal Tealπc silhouetted against the light outside. He helped Daniel out, and then they moved to release Sam.

They were in a loading area near the supply gate just as the Tokπra had said. The cavern arched above them into blackness. All the lighting here came from the lamps mounted on the building walls. It was like a whole underground village. The architecture was vaguely Minoan with some later Greek elements. So far things looked just as they had expected from the model supplied by the Tokπra.

They did a quick visual check and then Sam nodded to Tealπc to take point, Daniel to follow him, while she took up the rear. They worked silently, knowing that the key to getting Jack out would lie in not revealing themselves until SG-3 had started their attack and drawn as many resources as possible out to the ceremonial gate.

They hugged the walls as they made their way through the servantsπ passages to the banquet hall. That had been the other advantage to waiting until the Gifting ceremony: there was no doubt where they would find Jack.

Tealπc stopped at a corner and held up a hand. Daniel and Sam waited, Sam scanning behind them. Thy were close now; Daniel could smell roast meat and baked goods coming from the kitchen. This was the most dangerous point of the infiltration. There would be a lot of people working on the banquet, and all they could do was try to time their entrance to the hall when there was a break in the foot traffic.

A group of servants hurried by carrying what looked to Daniel like tack for a riding animal, or perhaps some kind of harness.

Oh.

Daniel shut his eyes tightly, even though it couldnπt stop the images in his head. He was suddenly very aware of his own heartbeat, and his skin felt like it was a size too small. He jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder, then shrugged an apology to Sam looking at him in concern.

Tealπc gave a sharp hand signal to follow him, and they were on the move again. Daniel narrowed his focus down to the task. Nothing mattered more than getting Jack out. Everything else would eventually fall into place once they had Jack.

They moved silently down the passageway that they had seen the servants go down. Daniel started to pick up the murmur of voices ahead of them. It sounded like Goaπuld, but he couldnπt make out the words.

The passageway ended abruptly at a short set of steps going up through an archway. There was another passage off to the left that led to another arch and set of steps. Sam pointed at Tealπc and indicated he should scout out the far side, while she and Daniel took up positions on either side of the arch in front of them.

Looking cautiously up the steps, Daniel could see they came out at the corner of a raised floor. He was surprised to see that there was no roof over the platform: rather than a hall, the banquet was being held in more of a courtyard open to the vault of the cavern. He could tell that the archway Tealπc was positioned at would come out at the opposite corner, but he couldnπt see much of what was actually going on out on the platform.

Sticking his head up to see would only lead to premature discovery by the Goaπuld or their Jaffa, so Daniel reined in the impulse and tried to piece together what was happening from what he could hear. The sound of voices carried across the courtyard in a loud but indistinct hum. He tried to pick out words, but all he could be sure of was that they were speaking various dialects of Goaπuld. He heard chains rattling and then the murmuring voices stilled.

Daniel glanced at Sam. She raised her eyebrows, questioning; he shrugged in response. It didnπt matter what was happening really; they couldnπt move until the Marines had drawn off the guards.

Then came the voice of Apophis, bellowing in standard Goaπuld, ≥I bring to you a gift to share, Lords. A gift worthy of Gods such as ourselves. This gift is freely given by one who called us enemy, but in the end could not resist our will. This gift of mind and heart demonstrated by the gift of his body. I bring you the Tauπri OπNeill. Once my greatest enemy. Now, simply MINE.≤

The murmur of appreciation from the crowd covered Danielπs gasped, ≥No!≤

Sam reached across and yanked at his arm, her eyes huge and worried. Daniel just looked at her and nodded his head.

They had to wait. Going in early would mean none of them got out.

n ß n ß n

The System Lords were standing in a half circle around Jack and Apophis, nodding and murmuring to each other. There were five or six of them, Jack estimated, in outfits that competed with each other for gaud and glitter. Each Lord was accompanied by a consort and a body servant. Jack didnπt spot anyone that looked like a guard or Jaffa.

Although the threat assessment was automatic for the colonel, it wasnπt the reason Jack was searching the crowd with brief stabbing glances. Somewhere in this crowd, his lover was watching him. He had to be.

Jack felt his world tilt as attendants rotated the frame that supported him until he hung like a human hammock from his wrists and ankles. A leather sling was placed under him and stirrups belted around his thighs; then all were adjusted until a nod from Apophis indicated that Jackπs ass had achieved the perfect position for both maximum exposure to the audience of Lords and the deepest penetration.

≥Ariste! Kree!≤ Apophis bellowed, bringing Jackπs attention back to centre stage. Without taking his eyes off Jack, Apophis held out his left hand. Ariste glided in from behind Jack carrying a shallow but wide gold bowl filled with some viscous white liquid that shimmered and flashed colors in the torch light.

Apophis continued, ≥Tonight you will be one of the anointed of the gods, OπNeill. Tonight you will find both paradise and the pits of hell reside in your own body, waiting only for your God to reveal them to you.≤

With those words, Apophis scooped up a handful of the liquid from the bowl, and holding it high over Jackπs crotch, allowed it to dribble out between his fingers and hit Jackπs cock and balls, and then drip down between his ass cheeks. It was cool and satiny and made Jack throw back his head and whimper.

That was when Jack saw Eros.

His lover was standing behind him, away from the System Lords, where Jack could see him if he just tilted his head far enough back. Knowing he was there, something in Jack relaxed. It would be all right. Eros might push him to the edge, but he would always catch him. Jack knew this, believed it, loved his Lord for it, and love was what this was all about. Wasnπt it?

Seeing his lordπs upside down smile deepen, Jack knew the floorshow was about to begin in earnest. Eros had the fire in his eyes that always meant Jack was in for something that would push him further than heπd ever gone. He shook a little and his cock began to leak heavy drops of pre-cum onto his stomach, mixing with the liquid coating his crotch and belly.

≥Slave! Kree!≤

The grip that enveloped the base of his cock would have sent him over the edge if it hadnπt been so tight that it was impossible to come. Jack looked between his legs as Apophis held his dick like a joy-stick and saw the glowing eyes of the Goaπuld.

Jackπs body couldnπt decide whether to come or to puke, so he did neither. He just lay there panting.

God, the bastard was playing him, Jack realized, and when he heard himself moan and felt his hips trying to rock into Apophisπs hand, he knew that the side of him that Eros had worked so hard to bring out was loving it. Jack could control this, though. He had to.

≥Tell the lords what you want, Sweetness!≤

Sweetness.

Only Eros knew that name, knew what it meant, knew who it was. Only Eros could have told Apophis to use it.

At the sound of it, all the words of submission were there, the postures, the techniques, bubbling to the surface. Everything Jack had learned in the last two weeks at the hands of his lover broke through like a new skin while the tattered husk that had been Colonel OπNeill seemed to fall away, only a scrap here or there hanging on.

The colonel wouldnπt speak. Jack didnπt want to. Sweetness had no problem with it.

≥Please!≤ The breathless whisper escaped lips Jack had no control over.

≥Tell the Lords what you need!≤

Need? He needed Eros. He needed to know that the god of love would catch him when he came down from this. He needed his lover, and he knew what he had to do to keep him. He let Sweetness drive.

≥I need to please my Lord.≤ The words gusted out between pants, just Eros would want to hear.

≥And I do find you pleasing, Sweetness,≤ Apophis gloated with another squeeze to Jackπs cock, ≥You deserve a reward. Tell the Lords what you want!≤

He wanted not to think. He wanted far away from Apophis. He wanted to forget who he was.

≥To be fucked. I want to be fucked.≤

≥So you shall be.≤

Jack felt the sling rock and heard the leather of creak as Apophis pulled him by his cock onto waiting fingers. Two fingers. Immediately. Straight up his ass.

He howled as finally, finally, he was filled. He threw his head back as he moaned and writhed and looked for his lover.

Eros hadnπt moved. He was standing just a few feet away, smiling and stroking himself in time with Apophisπs thrusts.

Jack felt a charge crawl up his spine from his balls. This was what Eros wanted. This was pleasing his Lord, his lover. Seeing Apophis play as if he had power over Jack, over Sweetness, when it was all about Eros: his commands, his desires, his power.

Apophis was an idiot.

But then, what was Jack?

The thought floated away on a wave of sensation before Jack had a chance to analyze it much. The burning thrust of Apophisπs fingers, the aching pull of the Goaπuldπs hand on his dick, the teasing drips of lubricant flowing in thin trails down his sides and his ass: God, why didnπt the bastard just fuck him already?

Come on, come on, need that thick cock now, dammit!

Please, please, please!

The sound of Apophis laughing brought Jack back to himself enough to realize that he must have said at least part of that out loud.

≥You beg so well, Sweetness. Beg a little more and perhaps I shall grant you the honor of my cock sooner rather than later.≤

And Sweetness begged. Up down and sideways, every way he knew, he begged. And Apophis laughed. And the Lords moved in closer, touching Sweetness, stroking him, discussing how they would take him as Apophis continued to tease his hole. All this while Eros watched.

So when the two Jaffa burst into the courtyard and threw themselves to their knees uttering dire warnings of an attack at the stargate in the village, the only reaction of the human laying in the sling was a wail of frustration at the sudden loss of sensation when Apophis and the Lords turned away from him to deal with the crisis.

n ß n ß n

The Lords and their consorts drew back to the banquet tables, buzzing among themselves, calling in their Jaffa escorts and discussing the news of the attack on the gate. The eveningπs entertainment was forgotten as they prepared to withdraw from the planet for the duration of the conflict.

Eros was livid.

≥You cannot simply stop in the middle of the Gifting!≤ he hissed at Apophis, striding up to the System Lord as he conferred with his Jaffa who had come from the gate just moments before, ≥What about your display of power for the Lords? By stopping now we lose everything we have worked for up to this moment!≤

Apophis turned and sneered at Erosπs words, ≥Your little Art show was a means to an end, Eros, but now you will see true power. These people affront us with their attack to regain OπNeill. We shall crush them and you shall see the true meaning of power.≤ His laughter caught the attention of the other Lords and silence settled as Apophis turned to them and announced, ≥My lords, do not depart yet. I invite you to observe my triumph over these invaders from the vantage of my ship, after which we may return here with who knows what other entertainment to celebrate my victory over the Tauπri.≤

There were nods and comments and general agreement among the guests. Eros clenched his jaw and said nothing as everyone moved to the transportation rings at the far entrance of the courtyard.

Apophis turned to Eros, anticipation of the battle clear on his face, ≥You and OπNeill shall remain here awaiting my return.≤

≥Of course, my Lord Apophis,≤ Eros managed to get the words out without spitting. Apophis was striding out of the room with his Jaffa before Eros had even finished the sentence.

Ruined.

The night was ruined.

He hoped that Apophis and the damned Tauπri killed each other off. At least then he would be able to keep Jack.

Jack.

Eros turned and assessed the state of his work. Jack was in the sling, as he had been left, trembling visibly, although the moaning had stopped. In spite of the disruption he was holding his form well; he had not shamed his lord with panic or struggle.

Rage rose again in the god of love at the thought of such a finely crafted slave going to one as unrefined as Apophis.

≥Ariste!≤ Eros called his factor to his side.

≥My Lord?≤

≥Organize the slaves to the defense of the cavern. My lord Apophis does not have the best record with these Tauπri. I do not rely upon his confidence.≤

≥Of course, my Lord. At once.≤ Ariste moved to go.

≥And release Sweetness from his bonds. Have him wait in my room.≤

≥At once, my Lord.≤

Ariste gave orders to the several slaves in attendance, sending them scurrying out the main courtyard entrance to rouse the others. Eros walked over to Jack, now beginning to struggle slightly.

≥Shhh, Sweetness.≤ Eros petted his favorite slaveπs silver hair; the brown eyes that turned towards him were empty of anything but need at first, but they were soon flooded with desperation.

≥My Lord, you must go. Go with the others up to Apophisπs ship!≤

Eros shook his head as he watched Ariste touch the hidden catch that directed the nanites to reform the shackles on each of Jackπs wrists.

≥It is of no concern, Jack,≤ Eros told him, as Ariste moved to an ankle shackle. ≥Apophis and his Jaffa are good for something, I suppose, and any invaders they miss, our own people will handle.≤

As Ariste released his legs, Jack surged up to grab Erosπs arm, saying in a hoarse voice, ≥Donπt you know who I was?≤

Eros looked at his slaveπs hand on his arm with narrowed eyes. Ariste tried to restrain Jack, but was shaken him off as Jack stared into Erosπs eyes and continued, ≥I was a member of SG-1. My team and I have killed more System Lords than you had at your little picnic here tonight. Theyπre coming for me and they will kill you if you get in the way, Eros. You have to go!≤

It was always a disappointment to realize that oneπs work was not so perfect as one had believed, Eros reflected. That Jackπs personality could come out again so strongly was a clear indication that the balance with Sweetness was not as even as he had hoped. Still, at least he would have time to make corrections since the ceremony had been postponed. Best to start immediately, he though as he twisted his arm out of Jackπs hold.

≥You forget yourself, Sweetness!≤ He backhanded his Tauπri slave with his gauntleted hand, smiling slightly as a little blood tricked from a new cut on Jackπs cheek.

And then the god of loveπs world exploded.

n ß n ß n

Theyπd had to wait. That had been a given. åWait or dieπ was the choice; and when you factored in åWait or lose Jack forever to that brainwashing bastard of a pimp in godπs clothingπ, well, åWaitπ definitely came out on top.

But it had been so hard.

The guest System Lords had hung around all trying to decide who should do what. Apophis took forever to get his armor together and his Jaffa where he wanted them, and Eros just seemed to get pissy.

Daniel couldnπt believe how long it took the Goaπuld to react and evacuate, but it finally quieted down.

They were ready. Sam sent the signal to Tealπcπs radio.

No more waiting.

As they burst up the stairs firing, Daniel saw Eros strike Jack across the face, and his vision went red. Jack went to his knees in front of Eros. Seeing the reality of it made Daniel realize that he had been imaging this for days. Imagining Jack kneeling, submissive, andã

Hard.

Daniel went for the head shot. Kill the host and the parasite in one shot. The only thing that saved the Goaπuld was that Danielπs shot only grazed Erosπs temple because Jack pulled him down to cover.

And the cover was Jack.

As if the sound on a movie had gone from åoffπ to åonπ, Daniel was suddenly aware of Tealπc and Samπs firing, of the servants runningãnot away, but towards their lord, trying to get between Eros and those who would surely kill him. Tealπc handled most of these.

More servants were pouring in from the entrances and were mowed down by Sam as she kept shouting, ≥Get the Colonel, Daniel! Thereπs no more time!≤

True, there wasnπt any more time, because Daniel was there, standing over Jack, who was still on top of Eros trying to shield the unconscious Goauπld from fire.

Anise had said it would be impossible to convince Jack to leave. Anise just didnπt get it.

Daniel aimed his zat at Erosπs head.

≥NO! Please, donπt.≤ Jack sat up, eyes locked on his teammate, ≥I love him. Donπt kill him.≤

≥Jackã≤ There were a thousand things Daniel wanted to ask, starting with åAre you all right?π and ending with åWhat was it like?π

His aim wavered.

≥Daniel Jackson!≤ Tealπc called as he took out another three servants coming through the main door, ≥I do not believe this is the time for discussion!≤

That was okay because Jackπs eyes told him everything. Daniel realized that even though the love Jack felt now had been stimulated artificially, it was still love. Jack would feel the loss of Eros as strongly as heπd felt the loss of his son, Charlie, and Daniel knew he couldnπt be the cause of that desolation.

But that didnπt mean he would leave Jack with a Goaπuld.

≥You come with us now. Your word, Jack! You come with us and he lives.≤

Danielπs lungs couldnπt get any air for a moment as he watched the familiar blank-faced, wide-eyed nod that had always meant åthe colonel is going along with the crazy aliens just until he can figure a way out of thisπ. More than anything that made him realize that at this moment he was Jackπs enemy.

≥Right! Letπs go!≤ Daniel grabbed Jackπs arm, instinctively avoiding the shackles on his wrists, and they all ran like hell for the supply stargate.

Sam took point, Tealπc took rear guard, and Daniel pulled their reluctant CO towards home. Jack was struggling to keep his balance. His circulationπs not back to normal yet, Daniel thought to himself as they took another hairpin turn at a dead run and Daniel had to catch Jack to keep him upright and moving.

And God, Daniel wished heπd had time to get Jack dressed before going flying through the corridors and alleys with the naked colonel on his arm. It wasä distracting.

Pausing for a moment to check for enemies at the crossing of a larger alley, Sam wondered aloud, ≥Where is everyone? Not that Iπm complaining.≤

≥Remember, this is a settlement, not a System Lordπs ship, Major,≤ Tealπc answered quietly. ≥Few of these people will be soldiers in the first place, and most of those should have been drawn into the battle to assist Apophis and his forces.≤

≥Letπs just hope our luck holds,≤ Daniel said. ≥Any suggestions, Jack, on getting back to the gate?≤

≥None,≤ Jack shook his head absently as he looked up between the buildings at the cavern ceiling, ≥except hurry.≤

Easier said than done as Jack began to tire, but they were almost there.

They entered the gate room at a run. Like other rooms in the complex it was enclosed on all sides but open to the cavern vault.

Just as the four of them entered the storage area that housed the secondary stargate, Daniel felt a drop of some liquid land on his head, followed by a strong breeze. A rain storm blowing in? But weπre in a cavern, he reminded himself, so what was that?

He brushed at his hair and looked at his hand. Oh god, it looked like blood.

That was when he heard Jack whisper, ≥My Lord.≤

≥Jack?≤ but it wasnπt Jack, or at least not Jack as Daniel had ever seen him before. There was a hunger in the eyes searching the cavern vault that Daniel didnπt recognize.

≥Daniel! Dial us home!≤ Sam shouted as she and Tealπc split the coverage of the multiple entrances to the room. Daniel was heading for the DHD when he felt the wind pick up again, and heard a strange scrape of metal on metal.

The balls of light that came down on them didnπt flash or, thank god, explode. The first one hit Tealπc and expanded into a rather pretty spherical matrix of energy that immediately contracted to hold the huge Jaffa as easily as if he were a fish in a net. Sam was looking up trying to get a fix on their enemy when she was hit as well. Where the hell was it coming from? It was only as he was shoved to the ground by Jack, that Daniel remembered the fact that even when the myth of Eros had been emasculated into a baby boy with pink archery gear and a diaper, heπd always been able to fly.

n ß n ß n

Your timing was a little off, Colonel, Jack thought to himself as he covered Danielπs head and watched Eros glide in to land in front of the stargate holding a staff weapon.

Heπd meant for Daniel to have enough time to get the connection to Earth dialed up, and then Jack would have made a run for it, knowing the team would not have had time to come after him, knowing that Eros would have recovered quickly enough from the bullet graze to fly in and give the team a reason for leaving on time.

Heπd never meant for them to be caught.

≥Sweetness!≤

Jack jerked his head up at the sound of the name, and he was on his hands and knees before he knew what he was doing.

"No," Daniel reached for him, gripping his arms, "Stay, Jack, stay with me."

Jack wanted to. He did.

Then he glanced up towards the gate.

Eros stood on the stargate platform, his golden wings spread wide, and blood dripping from his temple. His toga was flecked with crimson drops and his hair was wild. Just looking at him got Jack hard.

"Come kneel before me, Sweetness."

The hollow quality of the voice and his lord's glowing eyes warned Jack that this would be no punishment of pleasurable pain; this would be pain and terror that he might not survive if he couldnπt distract Eros from his killing rage. But of course Eros had been training him for the last couple of weeks to be just that sort of distraction.

Jack moved forward on his hands and knees. He kept his eyes down, his neck exposed as he lowered his head.

"No!" Daniel shouted as he grabbed Jackπs leg, ≥Don't go!≤

Eros roared his anger and raised his gauntlet. Another golden ball of light, this one caught Daniel in its grip and pinned him to the ground. Jack froze for a moment, then continued to make his way up the steps to stop on the platform in front of his lover.

Daniel was okay, the colonel thought. Daniel would remain okay as long as Jack could hold his loverπs focus. Keeping his head low he was able to check on Tealπc and Sam: both were conscious, Sam and Tealπc were both immobilized. Tealπcπs staff weapon was lying a few feet away, Samπs P90 was still in her hands, for all the good it would do her. Daniel still had his Barretta in its holster, and the colonel was betting that Eros had no idea what a handgun looked like.

None of it would work as long as the gauntlet maintained the immobilizer fields. Eros could keep them like this for days if he chose to.

≥You disappoint me, Jack.≤ Eros was still using his snake voice, which Jack hated, but there was nothing he could do about it now.

Jack stopped in front of Eros. ≥I am sorry, my Lord.≤ he said and lowered his forehead to the ground at his loverπs feet, arching his back slightly to emphasize his ass.

Eros held his staff weapon with his right hand while he reached down and grabbed Jackπs hair with his left, then pulled him up onto his knees, and forced him to face SG-1. Jerked off balance, Jackπs chest thrust out, his cock immediately became more than half hard, and he could feel himself blushing from his toes up.

≥You are about to learn sorrow, as shall they.≤ Eros leaned down and hissed in Jackπs ear, ≥When Apophis returns, I shall offer them to him in exchange for you. You will remain with me forever, and they shall have the pleasure of accompanying Apophis for as long as they live. Which may not be very long, knowing his mood.≤

The colonel looked at his team, lying there under the watchful eye of the god of love. He saw Sam flinch and then stuff her fear down to deal with the matter at hand. He saw Tealπcπs eyes narrow and knew that Apophis would not get the Jaffa alive. And he saw Daniel: still lying on his stomach on the ground, head up staring back at Jack, not giving a damn about Apophis or anything else Eros threatened.

Jack saw what the colonel saw: love.

Of course, Jack knew that he sucked at love. Death and mayhem were where he excelled, not relationships. How could Eros ask him make this kind of choice?

Daniel hadnπt. Jack had been up front with him and he had left Eros alive to spare Jack this decision.

≥My Lord, Iπve given you everything I have, everything I am,≤ Jack whispered roughly, ≥Please. Iπm begging you not to sell them to Apophis. Iπll do anything to keep them safe.≤

≥I am appalled at how your training has slipped tonight, Sweetness. We shall have to remedy that immediately after we have finished our bargain with Apophis, but now there is only one thing I want. Do you know what that is Sweetness?≤

Jack couldnπt say the words he knew Eros wanted to hear. Again, he allowed himself to step aside and give Sweetness a clear path.

Sweetness pressed his body against Erosπs legs, ≥You want to show me, and show them, who I belong to. I want it too, my Lord.≤

≥You would have me take you, here, in front of them? Is that what you want, Sweetness?≤

≥Make them understand, my Lord,≤ Sweetness purred, ≥Show them how you own me.≤

≥Very well.≤ Eros threw Jack back onto his hands and knees and set aside the staff weapon. He knelt behind Jack, grabbed his hips hard and entered him in one stroke.

Jack screamed.

n ß n ß n

Daniel was used to nightmares: losing parents, friends, a career, his beloved Shaπuri, all that had given him plenty of experience in how the mind replays the most traumatic events of oneπs life. Heπd learned many years ago how to wake himself up from any dream he didnπt want to see through to the end.

So why couldnπt he wake up from this? Why couldnπt he look away from the sight of Jack, naked and hard, crawling across the floor towards Eros?

He was still Jack.

Daniel had more than once seen his friend go after sex while under alien influence, so why this fascination with Jack kneeling at this Goaπuldπs feet?

He was still Jack.

He was Danielπs best friend, the one with whom he routinely traded last minute rescues and insults; so why did seeing him beg and present his ass for fucking give Daniel an erection that rivaled the one heπd had the first time Shaπuri had dropped her robes for him.

He was still Jack.

So why, instead of being angry or horrified, why was Daniel jealous?

Oh God.

He needed to wake up. He needed for this to be a dream. He neededã

Jack.

n ß n ß n

It felt amazing, the pain and the pleasure mixed to a buzz that blended with the words Eros hissed in Jackπs ear, ≥My Sweetness, my Jack. Only mine! Beg, Sweetness, beg me to move in you, to pound you into submission.≤

≥Please, my Lord, yes!≤

Sweetness gasped and arched and reveled in the feelings of being fucked for the first time. The first stroke had burned, but the preparation by Apophis meant that the pain soon resolved into pleasure. Every thrust created a memory of complete surrender, a record of giving in to the inevitable.

Jack, on the other hand was watching. He watched Sam looking at him with silent tears flowing down her face, desperately trying to move her hand even one inch closer to her weapon. He watched Tealπc lying still under the energy field, bearing witness through slitted eyes as Sweetness took Erosπs cock. He watched Daniel straining against the invisible bonds Eros had placed on him, head up, staring, not giving a damn about Apophis or anything else Eros threatened. He obviously just wanted Jack.

Thatπs when it got to be almost too much. The feel of the cock in his ass behind him, the look of desire and jealousy in front of him, the knowledge that this was changing everything: they all converged low in his belly and forced a moan that went on and on and pulsed in time with Erosπs thrusts.

Jack as well as Sweetness were caught up in it now, but the colonel knew what had to be done.

Sweetness reared up onto his knees and rammed back onto Erosπs cock. Eros held him close; with Jackπs back to his chest, playing with Sweetnessπ nipples, as the slave pushed back and drove himself closer and closer to the edge. Eros was moaning as well now and pumping raggedly into Sweetness as the slave reached back and wrapped his arms around the Goaπuldπs neck, holding him close as they came together.

Then Colonel Jack OπNeill jerked his arms forward and snapped his loverπs neck.

n ß n ß n

Which was louder: Jackπs cry as he orgasmed? Or the sound of Erosπs neck snapping? They were both ringing in Danielπs ears as he rolled to his feet once the invisible bonds that had held him disappeared.

He was glad then for the target practice and drills that Jack had insisted on since Daniel had joined SG-1. Years of every Friday morning on the target range and every Wednesday evening on the obstacle course meant that when he got to his feet and saw the Goaπuld parasite emerge from the dead body that still lay on top of Jack, Daniel didnπt hesitate.

His 9mm Barretta was in his hand, his feet found their stance, his eyes spotted their target, and his fingers smoothly squeezed off round after round into the slimy silver body of the snake that had taken Danielπs Jack.

Even when the first bullet knocked the Goaπuld across the room, Daniel tracked it and didnπt stop pumping bullets into it until it was a smear of red and the gun was clicking on an empty chamber.

≥Daniel, itπs ok,≤ Samπs voice buzzed at him, a slow careful hand came into his view and took his gun. ≥You did it. Itπs dead.≤ She patted him on the arm. ≥Get the colonel. Iπll dial us home and send the pullback signal to SG-6.≤

Yes, it was dead. The parasite that Jack loved more than anything in the world was dead. Never mind that the golden haired youth had been the one to fuck Jack, it had been that thing that had used him.

≥Daniel Jackson,≤ Tealπcπs voice, hoarse and strained, snapped Daniel back into the reality of their situation, ≥Get OπNeill. Jaffa could arrive at any moment; there is no way of knowing if Erosπs servants have alerted Apophis to our presence.≤

Tealπc had retrieved his staff weapon and was covering the entrances to the gate room. Sam was at the DHD.

Jack hadnπt moved.

In two steps Daniel was beside him hauling off the corpse that pinned him down, itπs head at an angle that Daniel just didnπt want to think about.

≥Jack?≤

Daniel looked at the man who was more important to him than anything in the world as he lay there spread out, panting like heπd just run a race.

≥Iπm here,≤ Jack said, and looked up at Daniel with desolate eyes, ≥He didnπt love me.≤

≥I know. Iπm sorry.≤

≥I loved him, but he never loved me. Not like you.≤

Oh no, Jack, donπt go there. Not here. Not in front of Sam. Not when itπs all probably just a hiccup in your heterosexual software.

≥Iπm your friend, Jack. Always. You know that.≤

Then Daniel watched a strange thing. The soft brown eyes so full of pain congealed into something as hard as glass as Jack said in dry rasping voice, ≥My friend. Exactly. Youπre my best friend, Daniel.≤

Hard as glass and just as brittle.

He hauled Jack up to his feet, holding him with an arm around his waist, and joined the rest of the team at the DHD.

≥Daniel, I need the GDO.≤ Her eyes were flat with deferred emotion, but her voice was still one of command.

Daniel had never had any qualms about going against commands. ≥We donπt need it, we arenπt going back to Earth just yet.≤

≥What!? I just gave you an order, Daniel!≤

≥Do you want them to see him like this?≤ he shouted back, ≥Itπs all arranged. Weπre going to Edora!≤

≥The idea has merit, Major Carter,≤ Tealπc agreed.

She threw up her hands. ≥Fine. If they ask, the GDO was damaged in the fight. Iπll fix it on Edora!≤

Daniel dialed with one hand as he continued to prop Jack up.

≥Nice to see Iπm not the only one you do that to,≤ Jack snorted.

≥Thanks for the support, Sir.≤ Sam commented with a faint grin as she shouldered her P-90 and took point.

≥Anytime.≤

Tealπc raised an eyebrow, which was practically a belly laugh in Jaffa warrior terms, and Daniel smiled.

As long as Jack could complain, there was hope.

The gate activated and the team walked into the wormhole together.

n ß n ß n

General Hammond stood at the observation window and looked out over the gate room as SG-6 arrived home. They emerged from the wormholeπs event horizon in good order and filed down the ramp, unaware that their general counted each of them as they appeared.

Heπd been doing that a lot recently. Over the last several days heπd found an excuse to be in the gate room for every team arrival and departure. It didnπt make a damn bit of difference, of course. He knew that.

It hadnπt helped SG-1.

Still, he came and watched. Counted. Hoped.

The last man was walking down the ramp when the event horizon evaporated. That was it. SG-6 was home.

General Hammond waited for a moment for the bustle to die down. Technicians worked through their post-arrival checklists: had there been any anomalies, any transmissions that had slipped in, any indication of problems with the stargate system? Checks and double-checks: General Hammond envied the techs their safety protocols.

It was better than counting out safety a man at a time.

At the sound of footsteps on the stairs, the general turned and saw that he was not the only one who had found an excuse to be at the gate room for the arrival.

≥Everything looks normal for SG-6, Sir,≤ Dr. Frasier said when she realized the general was watching her as she came up the into the command room. ≥Iπve sent them down to the infirmary for their regular scans.≤

≥Thank you, Doctor.≤ He nodded and then faced out the window again.

He had never thought before about the lack of colour in the SGC. Everything was in shades of gray, which actually was rather appropriate for their operation. And shouldnπt it be somber when you were sending people out on missions they might never return from?

≥General?≤ Dr. Frasier was standing next to him at the window now, both of them staring at the empty stargate, ≥Has there been any further news from the Tokπra?≤

≥No, Iπm afraid not, Doctor.≤ He didnπt turn, didnπt look at her as he spoke the formal sentence. ≥As of twelve noon yesterday, SG-1 are considered missing in action, assumed dead.≤

≥I didnπt know.≤ Her voice was low, almost musical in its grief. The general could see a faint reflection of her face in the glass of the observation window. The dark circles under her eyes were just visible if you knew to look for them.

≥Itπs been eleven days and the Tokπra feel that if they havenπt heard anything by now, then they wonπt. I didnπt want to make a formal announcement until the families had been notified. Iπve been trying to write the letters since yesterday.≤ He frowned, ≥The first one is to Colonel OπNeillπs mother. Then Major Carterπs family. Of course Jacob already knows, but I need to inform her brother. Tealπcπs wife will be informed in person, as well as Dr. Jacksonπs in-laws on Abydos. He doesnπt have anyone on Earth to notify.≤

≥No, I suppose none of them had that many contacts outside of the mountain,≤ the doctor put her hand on the generalπs arm and squeezed, ≥but they had us, and they had each other. They did what they felt they had to.≤

≥Yes, youπre right.≤ General Hammond gave a short sharp nod, and finally looked directly into Dr. Janet Frasierπs eyes, ≥Iπll make the announcement today so we can arrange the memorial service.≤

≥Want to join me in the cafeteria for a cup of coffee?≤

≥No, thank you. Iπm going to say here for a while longer.≤

≥Very well, Sir. Iπll see you later.≤

The doctor walked down the stairs as General Hammond turned back to the window to think. The tech sergeant on duty was running through a routine inventory of the system. There were two other airmen in the control room doing various jobs. The general allowed himself a small sigh and contemplated going back to his office to face those unfinished letters.

Just as he turned to leave, alarms started and the gate-room guards poured in below him, weapons ready and trained on the gate.

≥We have an off-world activation, Sir!≤ the Tech Sargent confirmed. ≥No teams out at this time.≤

Except.

But you couldnπt count on that.

Procedure kept the iris closed, but the general could see the Tech Sergeantπs hand hovering over the control panel.

Then it came.

≥We have a signal! Itπs SG-1, Sir!≤

≥Open the iris and get a medical team up here,≤ he ordered as he headed down the stairs himself, thinking that it had to be four. All four or none.

They emerged in a tight group. Major Carter in front, Tealπc on the left and Dr. Jackson on the right. In the center walked Colonel Jack OπNeill.

SG-1 was home.

n ß n ß n

The conference room looking out over the stargate had a heavy atmosphere as General Hammond, Jacob and Anise entered and sat at the far end of the table. The joy of SG-1πs return was real, but tempered with worry on the part of the general and outright disbelief on the part of the Tokπra. No human had ever resisted Erosπs training. The Tokπra were unconvinced that OπNeill had succeeded.

Each team member would be debriefed individually, each story examined for inconsistency, and each one asked to justify their opinion that Jack OπNeill should remain with SG-1.

ã

≥Major Carter, Eros had immobilized you all. Why not OπNeill?≤

≥I believe the colonel had convinced Eros that he was no threat, that he was totally within the Goaπuldπs control.≤

≥How did you escape?≤

≥Once the colonel got close enough to Eros, he was able to eliminate the threat, which neutralized the force field that was holding down Daniel, Tealπc and myself. We then attempted to dial home, only to discover that the GDO was damaged. We knew that we had to get to another gate, and Edora was one that Daniel remembered the coordinates for. We knew it was friendly, and since we donπt have a base there, it doesnπt require a GDO.≤

≥Exactly how did the GDO become damaged, Major?≤

≥I think that the force field that Eros used on us may have had something to do with it. Luckily all the parts that were affected were replaceable from my emergency repair kit. The fried wiring took a bit longer.≤

ã

≥Tealπc, you went into this mission thinking that you were going to have to kill Colonel OπNeill to get him out of the hands of the Goaπuld. What happened to change your mind?≤

≥Once we located Colonel OπNeill, the Gifting had started. It became apparent that Eros had not used his normal training techniques. Colonel OπNeill did not display the normal behaviors of one of Erosπs slaves. We later learned that this was due to Apophis requesting that the colonelπs hate for the Goaπuld remain intact. He felt that this would make the humiliation of his enemy more complete.≤

≥So what is your estimation of Colonel OπNeillπs state of mind at the time of the rescue?≤

≥He was under great strain, but was still willing to do anything to undermine Apophisπs return to power. I felt then, as I do now: with some time to recover, I believe OπNeill will be ready to return to command.≤

ã

≥Dr. Jackson, what exactly do you think allowed Colonel OπNeill to overcome Erosπs conditioning?≤

≥Well, for one thing, it appears that Eros didnπt follow his standard conditioning practice. Apophis seems to have wanted to maximize the impact of the Gifting ceremony by demonstrating his power over an unwilling slave. Secondly, as far as I have been able to establish from discussing with Jack and from the limited amount I was able to observe in the complex, all of the other salves Eros trained came from religious backgrounds that included being given to Eros as a tribute or sacrifice. Sometimes even a punishment. But the key factor is that they loved him as their god, not simply as a person. Jack knows the Goaπuld arenπt gods and nothing in the training was able to shake that disbelief. Even if Eros had used his normal training methods, Jackπs feelings for Eros would have been based on a completely different kind of love from the religious fanaticism that must have been prevalent with the other slaves.≤

≥What do you think are the chances that Colonel OπNeill might be operating under some kind of brainwashing that could eventually endanger the SGC?≤

≥None. Eros is dead. He has no hold on Jack anymore.≤

ã

≥Colonel OπNeill, were you in love with Eros?≤

≥I felt a lot of things for Eros: hate, fear, dependence. We all know about the Stockholm syndrome, and I canπt say that I was completely immune. But in the end I knew where my loyalties lay, and that was with SG-1.≤

ã

Col. Jack OπNeill sat on his bed and waited for the man he loved to come back into the room. After a long day of medical scans, debriefings and testing by suspicious Tokπra, all Jack really wanted was to sleep, but instead heπd cleaned himself up and sat down to wait.

He knew it wouldnπt be long, but it seemed like forever, because the longer he waited the more time he had to think.

He felt like a jigsaw puzzle that someone had dumped out on the table. All the pieces were there, but they didnπt make a picture anymore. The brass and the doctors were still debating whether heπd have the chance to return to active duty or not. Their opinion wasnπt what mattered most now, however.

Did he feel fit to command?

Here he was: a man who killed everyone he loved. Was that the sort of person that you wanted to be giving a gun? Next thing you know, heπd be walking into some fast food place and blowing it to hell.

But his opinion didnπt matter either, not in the long run. He scrubbed his face with both hands and tried to stop his brain from running in circles.

At that moment the door opened.

≥You look tired, Jack.≤ Daniel said with a frown as he set the tray of sandwiches he had brought with him on Jackπs bedroom dresser.

≥Sorry, long day.≤ Jack sat up straight and stopped himself from dropping to his knees. His body vibrated with the effort.

≥Itπll get better, Jack. Just give it some time,≤ Daniel told him, and put a hand on Jackπs shoulder. That really didnπt help things in the self control department, but then the touch was gone. ≥Get some sleep, Jack. The sandwiches can wait.≤

Right.

Sleep.

Sure.

He was so hard he could pound nails with his dick, but heπd better get some sleep.

≥Yeah, I am kinda tired. I think Iπll just turn in.≤

≥Iπll wrap the sandwiches and put them in the fridge. You can have them whenever you want.≤

Jack nodded and was rewarded with another touch on his shoulder; then Daniel turned and went back down to the kitchen.

As soon as the door was shut, Jack gave in and let Sweetness slide off the bed to their knees. They stayed there, rocking slightly, but not touching themselves. Sweetness knew better, and Jack was ashamed.

Daniel said it would get better. Daniel believed that Jack could come back to the SGC, to SG-1. About the only thing Jack and Sweetness agreed on was that they were going to do their damnedest to give Daniel what he wanted.

So if it took fooling the doctors, fine. Lying to the general, sure. Not like he hadnπt done it before. Going against the Tokπra expectations? Hell, that was fun.

Fooling the perceptive Dr. Jackson, himself? If thatπs what it took, then yeah. He could do that.

He could.

He would be with Daniel, whatever it took.

The End