Category: Romance/ some angst
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Season Three, Shades of Grey, Touchstone
Has Jack betrayed Daniel?
Sequel to Marmalade
As Doctor Daniel Jackson drove away from Cheyenne Mountain, the sun was setting over the Rookies. The modern saloon car was a far cry from the gas guzzling wreck he had driven from LA to Colorado when he came to join the Stargate Programme. That piece of Junk had been towed and scrapped while he was on Abydos. He had lived in that for car for four days, unable to afford motel rooms, just enough cash for food. For someone whose everyday job involved travelling halfway across the galaxy, he still wasn’t over keen on getting in an aeroplane. He didn’t often dwell on the days before he came to the SGC. However, today’s events had reminded him of the frustration he used to feel when addressing a room full of sceptical academics.
SG-1 mission’s to the Tollan home world did not end the way Daniel had expected. Jack had become frustrated by the attitude of Travell and left the negotiations. He stole a weapon-disabling device on the way out, despite Daniel’s protest. After the tense briefing that followed, Jack was offered early retirement instead of a court-martial.
Afterwards the remaining members of SG-1 met in Daniel’s office trying figure to out what had gone wrong. Apparently, Jack was ticked off because the Pentagon had pulled the plug on a project for a secondary off-world SGC base that he would have commanded. Reluctantly Daniel agreed to pay him a visit to see if he could find out what was going on.
He was approaching an intersection, turning left would take him to Jack’s, to the right Antonia’s. He knew he should call on Jack and try to find out what had happened, but Toni was at home. It was lovely when their schedules coincided. She had been given a few days leave after her last mission and the thought of a relaxing evening with her was much more appealing. He turned right, Jack could wait.
Doctor Antonia Richards was a British Archaeologist that Daniel had met the previous summer. He had invited her to work at the SGC and she became a member of SG4. They had become close friends and after being stranded together on Edora, that friendship had changed to love. Daniel knew he was very lucky to have found her. She shared the same passion for the past that he did although their specialities were in different fields.
He pulled up outside her apartment and rang the doorbell. There was no answer so he let himself in with his key. He noticed that her car keys were still hanging up by the door, so she had probably just popped to the local store for something. She liked to walk anywhere that was only a few blocks away. He was just about to head to the kitchen to make a coffee, when she came out of the bedroom, dressed only in a robe.
"Oh Daniel, I wasn’t expecting you." She blushed, clearly agitated.
As he moved to take her in his arms, he noticed something behind her in the bedroom. No someone. Jack O’Neill was lying in her bed a big smirk on his face.
"Toni, no, no." He shook his head in disbelief; he couldn’t deal with this after the events of the morning. He fled to the safety of his car.
Daniel fumbled around for his cellphone; he punched in Sam’s number.
"Hey Daniel." she answered.
"Sam, you busy, I em, can I come over?"
"What’s up? Is it to do with the Colonel?"
"Yes."
"Daniel you Ok?" even over the distortion of the ‘phone she could sense something was wrong.
"No, not really, look I’m on my way."
"OK see you soon, I’ll get pizza."
There was no reply.
Sam was shocked at Daniel’s appearance when she opened her front door. His face was pale and his eyes were red rimmed as if he had been crying. She wondered if the Colonel had been as unpleasant to him as he had been to her.
Daniel slumped down on her couch and took off his glasses.
Sam sat next to him. "What is it? What’s wrong?" She asked.
He was crying again, "It’s Toni, oh Sam, I just found them together. Her and Jack."
"What?" she wasn’t sure if she’d heard him correctly, "you don’t mean in bed?"
"Yes, Oh Sam please help me, I don’t know what to do. I, I thought she loved me. We, I’ve been so happy. You know I wanted to…And Jack, my best friend." He put hands over his face unable to continue.
Sam put her arms around him and held him, she was close to tears herself. Damn that man, she wanted to get hold of Jack O’Neill and personally show him some of her hand to hand combat skills.
************
The next morning SG-1 was assigned their new commanding officer, Colonel Makepeace. Daniel hoped General Hammond would place Sam in charge but he did not consider her senior enough. He retreated to the sanctuary of his office; he needed to work on something to take his mind off Antonia. There was one particularly tricky piece of translation that he had been wrestling with for a while. He decided to concentrate all his energy on that. However it wasn’t easy to forget Antonia, many of the files on his desk were hers. They often worked together. Moving a pile of folders to his shelf, he spotted an old edition of a journal he subscribed to.
A little Post-it note was attached to it. "Check out page 23, XX Toni" was scribbled across it.
He flicked through the pages. The article was about an exhibition of everyday Roman life at The Museum of London and featured archaeologists who had contributed. There was a photo of Antonia at one of the digs. He had been so proud of her when that was published, now all he felt was anger. He scrunched up the magazine and hurled into the waste paper bin. So much for forgetting all about her.
He tried to think back to what had gone wrong between them. With one thing and another, it had been over a week since they had spent any time together. Although she had been on leave, he had been working on the diplomatic mission to Tollana. Did she think he was taking her for granted? Why hadn’t she talked to him if there was a problem? Instead, she’d fallen into the arms of other man. Was it the first time, or had it been going on for awhile? Now he really was torturing himself, remembering times when he been stuck on the base. Had she been with Jack then?
He tried to focus on the translation in front of him, but he couldn’t concentrate. He knew he had to go and see her. He needed an explanation; she owed him that much.
************
Major Samantha Carter and Teal’c were at the weapons range. They had to report there for regular training but Sam had arranged an additional session. As she fired accurate shot after accurate shot into the dummy, she imagined Jack O’Neill’s face. What had happened? The man she thought she knew would never act the way he had. Poor Daniel, he was heartbroken. She liked Antonia they had become friends. It had been lovely to see Daniel so happy. Obviously, she had misjudged Antonia too. She reloaded and another target was pulverised.
************
Daniel drove over to Antonia’s apartment.
"Daniel come in, " she said as answered the door. " Coffee?"
"No, I just wanted to talk."
He studied her, trying to see if there was anything different about her. No she still looked the same. Her wonderful brown hair that was always so soft in his hands, although as usual it was full of clips and assorted bits and pieces. It was an extension of her personality; she always seemed to have little fun objects around her. Mickey Mouse on the end of her pen, furry bugs on her computer monitor, Simpsons’ coffee mugs and Star Wars candy bars. That was why Jack seemed to tolerate her more than the other "geeks" around the base. Even so, he'd never imagined them together; there must be something he could say or do to win her back.
"Daniel I am sorry you had to find out that way, I was going to tell you." She said.
"I thought you and I had something special."
"In the beginning, I guess, but lately, I dunno, it’s not been working for me."
"So instead of talking to me you slept with Jack."
"There wasn’t much sleeping", she smiled as if remembering, "Listen we had fun, but things change. I seem to have a lot more in common with Jack these days. He doesn’t seem to take that high moral stance that you do all the time."
"You agree with him! You think we should steal from our allies" He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
"Yes, the threat to Earth is too great, we should be doing whatever it takes. It was only luck last time that you succeeded because you fell into that alternate reality thing."
Daniel wished the last few days had been an alternate reality.
"So you and me er what happens now?" He had to ask although he dreaded hearing the answer.
"It’s over, I’m with Jack now."
He had to try, there was too much to lose. "I, er I never thought it would end like this between us. I still love you."
For a moment, he thought he saw something in her hazel eyes but her words shattered the last of his hope. "Life sucks eh Daniel?"
He felt an icy hand grab his heart, "Well I guess I’ll see you around." His only thought now was to get out. He headed for the door.
"Oh Daniel just one thing, my key, you won’t need that anymore." She said coldly.
He removed the key from his keying, his impulse was to throw it at her, but he calmly placed it on the table and left.
************
Jack O’Neill also had a visitor that afternoon. Colonel Maybourne showed up at his apartment with a proposition.
************
The next morning Antonia returned to the SGC after her leave. As she was preparing her notes for that morning’s briefing. Major Barker popped his head around the door of her office.
Ken Barker was the commanding officer of SG4, affectionately known as Ginger because of his carrot coloured hair. He often sneaked into her office to pinch her coffee and tell her the latest news of his three-year-old daughter. He always seemed to have a new photo of her in his pocket.
"Hey Ken what’s up?" She asked.
"The General wants to see us in his office before the briefing."
"Any idea why?"
"No I was just asked to come and get you." So no photos this morning.
Antonia followed him to Hammond’s office; she soon knew the reason for the meeting.
"Doctor Richards, I’m sorry to inform you that your employment with the SGC had been terminated by the Pentagon." Hammond began.
"I’m sorry sir, I don’t understand. Why?"
"This administration does not want a British Subject working on this programme."
Antonia was shaking her head, "That’s it, just like that after working here for nearly a year I’m just getting dumped".
Ken leapt to her defence "With respect Sir, surely you could speak to someone in the State Department, Antonia has special skills we need."
"I wish I could son, but the fact is Doctor Richards is not an American citizen and The Powers That Be have made their decision."
"General if I’m not employed here my visa won’t be valid, I’ll have to go back to England."
"Yes that’s correct, effective immediately you are off the active duty roster. Major, Doctor McDonald will accompany you on all future missions. Doctor Richards I have been asked to insist that you leave the country within the next seven days. Please ensure Doctor Jackson is up to date with all your files before you leave."
Antonia tried to protest again, but the General cut across her "I’m sorry Doctor but this one’s out of my hands. Dismissed."
"What are you going to do?" Ken asked her as they returned to her office.
"Start packing my bags I guess."
"What about you and Daniel?" He didn’t wait for answer as an idea occurred to him," Why don’t you get married? Problem solved."
"Daniel and I spilt up."
"Whoa, that’s news." She seemed surprisingly calm, he thought that relationship was very solid.
"It happens, I’ve moved on."
"Moved on? There’s someone else?"
She was smiling "Yeah Jack."
"Jack O’Neill? You left Daniel for Jack?"
She nodded.
Ken stared at the woman who had been his friend and colleague for the last year and wondered if he had ever really known her at all. What sort of woman goes off with a guy’s best friend? He struggled for something to say remembering they had been discussing her visa.
"So I guess, Jack’s the one to solve your visa problem then."
"Maybe, but frankly Ken I don’t really care. I think I will go back to England and forget all about the SGC. Because when those Goa’uld ships do attack, you will still be as powerless as ever, so I might as well die at home blissfully unaware." She said vehemently.
Ken was shocked by her outburst. "Hey I know you’re ticked off with the General but surely you don’t agree with Jack."
"Actually I think on the whole I do."
They had arrived back at Antonia’s office. Ken saw his chance to escape, "Well I guess I’d better go and see Graham, can I have your notes please." He didn’t know what else to say to her and retreat was the best option.
She handed him the folder. Ken took it and went off to find Doctor Graham McDonald, wondering if the day could get any worse.
************
Close to Antonia’s apartment was a park, which was one of the reasons she had chosen to live in this part of town. When she got the chance she went for a run around the small lake; it was much more satisfying then pounding the running machine at the base gym. As she completed her penultimate lap, she saw a familiar figure siting on a bench.
He stood up and walked towards her. "Doctor Richards how fortuitous to bump into you."
"Colonel Maybourne isn’t it?"
He nodded his eyes checking out her legs. He got straight to his point. "I hear you have a problem with your visa."
"News travels fast." She took a step back, aware that Maybourne was very much in her personal space.
"I also hear a rumour that you have a new boyfriend."
"My personal life is none of your business."
"Fair enough, Doctor. However, there may be a way I can help you with your situation."
"How can you when the General can’t? "
"Let’s just say that I know some people who are specifically looking for someone with your background."
"I’ve arranged to fly back to London in three days. Now if you’ll excuse I’d like to finish my run." She began jogging on the spot.
"Well if you change your mind, you know where to contact me." He gave her his card.
Antonia ran home, before hitting the shower she sent a text message to Jack’s cellphone. "We’re off to see the Wizard."
************
Jack and Antonia were sitting in the cafeteria of a small airport. Through the window, they could see a party of parachute enthusiasts boarding their plane.
Antonia swilled the last of the disgusting coffee around the bottom of her Styrofoam cup, then reluctantly swallowed it.
They were waiting for a private jet sent by Maybourne they had contacted him to say that they were interested in his offer. Jack considered what lay head for them; he hoped Antonia was up to it. Up to now she had been coping with the deception, but after today there would be no going back. She hadn’t said much about Daniel but he knew she had been pretty cruel to him.
"Ah looks like our ride’s here." He announced, recognising the plane taxiing up the runway.
Maybourne was grinning like the Cheshire cat, delighted with his two new recruits. Once airborne he produced a Goa’uld communication device to contact his rogue unit. This unit had been set up to acquire technology by any means possible. Jack recognised Neumann as one of the men he had seen disappearing through the second Stargate in Utah. Maybourne offered Jack a chance to command this outfit; he needed Antonia for translation work. They both accepted his offer.
Afterwards Jack went back to the SGC to see General Hammond and as planned arranged to retire off world to Edora with Antonia.
************
Jack and Antonia Stood in the gate room ready to depart. The Stargate began to turn as the duty technician fed the co-ordinates in the computer. Only the General and Ken Barker came down to see them off. Antonia hugged the two men, Jack shook their hands and then without looking back they entered the wormhole.
From the briefing room Daniel watched them leave. A part of him had still not fully come to terms with Toni’s betrayal, but as she walked through the gate with Jack, he knew she was finally gone from him. Why couldn’t he have a nice normal relationship, every time he touched happiness it was snatched away from him? This time he didn’t even have an evil alien race to blame just the vagaries of human nature. A hand touched his arm, Sam; she had come to find him.
"You OK Daniel?" she asked.
He shook his head. Taking off his glasses, he rubbed his eyes. He was tired, so weary the last few days had taken him almost to the edge. Doctor Frasier had already quizzed him that morning.
"Colonel Makepeace is waiting for us." She reminded him.
"Yeah right OK." Maybe that was just what he needed a new mission to take his mind off things. He followed Sam to Makepeace’s office.
************
Immediately Antonia and Jack arrived on Edora, Jack was at the DHD dialling the new address that Maybourne had given him.
Antonia looked around the familiar landscape. The area around the Stargate was still a bit bare where the meteor had done it’s damage, but the greenery was returning. In the distance, she could just make out the village. The gate was far enough away that they would not attract any attention and they were not expected. She remembered the last time she was here, she and Daniel had returned for Naytha and Garan’s wedding. After the celebrations they had gone to Daniel’s favourite spot by the lake, and made love under the stars. Darn it she didn’t have time to be sentimental, she could feel tears stinging her eyes. She rubbed them away quickly before Jack could notice, now wasn’t the time. The gate had activated again so she followed Jack through to their new destination.
************
The rogue unit was based in a building that housed the Stargate. The building was probably some kind of temple that they had commandeered. Antonia automatically began looking around for clues to the civilisation that had built it. She noticed with disgust that the unit didn’t have much respect for the structure. Basic airforce utility shelving was fixed to the walls facing the Stargate. They both noticed that most of the shelves contained stolen technology.
Neumann came forward to meet them eyeing Antonia up and down; "The scenery around here just improved".
Jack glared at him. "Neumann this is Doctor Richards, she is much smarter than you so show some respect. Why don't you show her those inscriptions you need translating?
Jack was given a tour of the base and introduced to the other members of the team, while Antonia began work. Later that day he went off through the gate to retrieve an invisibility device from another planet.
************
Keeping up the pretence that they were a couple Jack and Antonia had insisted on a private room. Antonia was waiting for Jack there when he returned from his mission.
"Howya doing?" He signalled that it was okay to talk freely.
"Just peachy Jack," She retorted
"It’ll all be over soon." He reassured her, he did not want her going to pieces now.
"Yeah right, I just hope Daniel will forgive me."
"I’d imagine that he’s kinda pissed off with me too remember. He’ll get over it. You’ve got to hold it together Toni, there’s a lot at stake."
"Yes Jack I do know." She replied angrily.
He changed tack. "So what did you find out about the inscription?"
"From what I can gather its part of a larger piece which they have split up. They have been using some old reference books that Daniel and I would only use to prop up a wobbly table. So of course, I didn’t put them straight. In fact, I encouraged them to carry on the same. Most of the translation is gibberish."
"Now that’s why I like you, I just get the Reader’s Digest version, Daniel always gives me way too much information." He was pleased with her and tried to lighten the mood.
"Well I guess I know when I’m wasting my time." She was unimpressed by his attempt at humour.
"Whoa there no need to get all uppity." This wasn’t good she was becoming stressed.
"Sorry Jack I guess all this getting to me. It’s all for real now we’re here."
"I think you better get some rest we’ve got a big day tomorrow. Personally I’m looking forward to kicking some butt."
"Do you know who the mole is?"
"Hammond and I have an idea but we need to prove it, I’ll find out for certain tomorrow when they collect their little present."
"Then we can go home." She looked up at him like a small child asking for candy. Half expecting the answer to be no.
"Yes," he said softly, "now get some sleep."
"OK, ‘night Jack."
Antonia crawled into her sleeping bag and shut her eyes she was so tired. There had been too many sleepless nights lately with Daniel’s face haunting her dreams. Oh Daniel, I hope you can forgive me, I miss you so much.
************
Jack gated to the drop off planet and planted the stolen device near the DHD. He didn’t have to wait long before the new SG-1 team came through the gate. He hid and watched his colleagues just before they left Makepeace retrieved the object. Yes gotcha! Jack had the proof he needed. He dialled the glyphs to return to the rogue base.
As soon as Jack stepped through the Stargate, he shouted. "Antonia now."
She was ready; she immediately began to punch in the sequence of glyphs for earth into the DHD.
Neumann realised what she was doing and tried to stop her, "Step away from the DHD Doctor."
She ignored him and continued, just the point or origin left. Suddenly she felt something slam into her leg. He’d shot her! She looked down; blood was gushing from her thigh. She tried to stop it with her hand but there was too much. She was finding it hard to stand, she felt dizzy. What? Why was Jack shouting? Something else was happening yes the Asgard. Must focus where was the point of origin. She located the last symbol and then pushed the centre button. The Stargate burst into life. She tried to walk towards it, had to get back before… she stumbled and hit the floor. It’s okay I can just stay here, have a little sleep, yeah sleep. No go away; want to sleep, but someone, yes Jack was pulling her to her feet then she was flying. The Stargate she was in the wormhole, moments later she hit the cold steel ramp of the SGC, Then everything went dark.
************
SG-1 returned on schedule to the SGC, Sam was just about to head off to the lab to test her soil samples when the gate activated again. Suddenly a full security team appeared baring their exit.
Daniel looked around for the General to see what was happening but before he could find him, Antonia flew through the gate. She was injured and unconscious. He ran back to the ramp and dropped to his knees beside her, it didn’t look good she was very pale. "Help somebody help." he shouted.
The control room had already called the medics. He was aware of more people coming through the gate but he only had eyes for Antonia. He was unsure what to do; there was a lot of blood, where was it coming from? Then Janet was beside him with her team, "It’s alright Daniel we’ve got her." He let them take over. As he got to his feet, he saw Jack with his hand in the event horizon of the Stargate, keeping the wormhole open. The gate room was full of soldiers, who were being promptly arrested.
As the wormhole shutdown Jack grabbed Makepeace and arrested him too
Daniel was extremely confused, what the hell was going on? He heard Jack giving Makepeace an earful.
"We don’t need their stuff, Makepeace, we do need them."
That was the Jack he knew. It must have been a scam, a scheme to flush out this rogue unit. Of course, he recognised Neumann as the man who had escaped through the second Stargate. That meant Toni, had been part of it too. It had all been an act; the cold ice that surrounded his heart for the last few days began to thaw. Jack and the General were explaining things to an equally bewildered Sam and Teal’c but Daniel didn’t wait, he headed straight for the infirmary.
Antonia was in the OR, he couldn’t see much through the glass as the team worked on her. He grabbed hold of Janet.
"What’s happening how is she."
"She’s in good hands Daniel, she sustained a GSW to her leg, but they are removing the bullet now."
He struggled to remember what the medical acronym stood for. "She was shot, oh Janet, there was so much blood."
"We’re dealing with it Daniel come on let’s go and wait in the infirmary."
************
Daniel sat by Antonia’s bed; she was still unconscious; Janet had told him the operation had been a success and she was going to be fine. She looked so small lying there, a unit of blood trickled into one arm, saline into the other. He stroked her hair, which spread out on the pillow, willing her to wake up.
Jack came into the infirmary to check on Antonia, he had just finished personally throwing Makepeace in the brig. Seeing Daniel at her bedside he hesitated for a moment, he had some bridge building to do there. "How’s she doing?" he asked.
Daniel turned to face him anger flaring in his eyes.
Jack involuntarily took a step backwards, he knew Daniel was naturally mild mannered but he had seen his rage surface, even been on the receiving end. This time he was like a wild animal protecting his mate.
"Janet reckons she’ll be fine." Daniel said tersely
"Good, I’m pleased to hear that. Listen you know all this." He made a sweeping motion with his hands, "was all a plan to catch those slimeballs."
"Yes Jack." He replied flatly he did know but he was still a bit shell shocked by it all.
Jack felt he needed to make it completely clear to Daniel. "I had my pants on the whole time, there was never anything... She loves you Daniel."
Daniel just nodded, he believed him but the hurt was still there in his eyes, the memory of betrayed trust.
"Well I need to update the General on a few things, so I’ll catch you later." Jack left.
************
When Antonia awoke later in the infirmary the first thing she saw was a pair or soft blue eyes, Daniel. Seeing that she was stirring called Doctor Frasier.
He squeezed her hand, "Welcome back, I’ve missed you."
"Daniel I’m so sorry, please forgive me."
"It’s okay, I understand, please just get better. I love you."
"I love you too." Her eyes closed again, she was so tired. However, it was going to be alright he still loved her.
She heard Janet say, "That’s good let her get some sleep, she gonna be fine."
************
A few days later, Antonia was well enough to be discharged to quarters on the base.
Jack came to visit her, "Jeez, this place looks like a flower shop."
"That’s Daniel."
"Yeah I figured that, I should’ve brought fruit."
"What’s up Jack?"
"I just wanted to thank you, I know Hammond has already but you know." He gestured towards her bandaged leg.
"Jack it wasn’t your fault, I knew what I was getting into."
"Well hopefully they will lock Neumann and the rest up and throw away the key."
"So have you talked to Daniel?"
"Yeah Dannyboy and I talk all the time. Well he talks I usually sleep."
"Jack!" She scolded him.
"Yeah, alright, I guess I could drag him away from your company for one evening, grab a few beers."
"I am supposed to be resting and I think you’ll find he has something to ask you."
"That would be?"
"Oh I’ll let him tell you himself." She said smugly crossing her arms.
Jack looked at the pile of women’s magazines; Janet had left on the table. "This is not your usual stuff."
"No Janet wants me to relax, so no work stuff."
"Cosmopolitan? Hey look at this the World’s Top Ten Sexiest Men and they left me out!" He showed her a picture of Leonardo DiCaprio.
"I’m sure you’re number 11 Jack." She smiled as Daniel entered the room "But of course here’s my number one man."
Daniel didn’t bother to ask what they were talking about; Toni usually managed much better than him to match Jack in any conversation. He kissed her warmly.
"Oh please!" exclaimed Jack, "if you two are going to start eating each other I’m outa here."
"Eh Jack, actually, I thought you and I could go get a beer. Toni needs her rest."
"Okay, I guess." Now was as good time as any to renew their friendship.
Daniel kissed Antonia again promising to see her in the morning, and then he and Jack headed off.
Antonia limping slightly got up and went over to the closet to pull out the journals Daniel had smuggled in earlier. Returning slowly to the chair, she settled down happily to read about the latest archaeological digs.
************
Jack and Daniel sat in Jack’s apartment playing chess, neither man had said much about the events of the last few days. Daniel knew from what Toni had told him that it all been concocted up between Jack and the Asgard to stop the technology thefts.
Jack remembered something. "Toni said you had something to ask me."
"Ah yes." Daniel paused enjoying the moment knowing the effect his question would have. "Jack will you be my best man?"
"Excuse me, best man as in getting married?"
"Yes of course." Daniel replied.
"You do know that whole green card thing was all part of the scam?"
"Yes I realised that, so?"
"Yeah Dannyboy I would be honoured." He smiled at his younger friend, delighted for him; he deserved to be happy after all that he had been through.
"There’s just one thing, Toni would like us to wear kilts."
"Excuse me? " Jack’s mouth fell open in surprise, "kilts, as in skirts?"
"Oh yeah, apparently it’s a big tradition in her family, goes way, way back." He pointed over his shoulder with his thumb.
"This could be a good time to start a nice new American tradition."
"Oh no I think we should respect, the old ones. I’ve been looking up your tartan; I’ve got this fascinating book, at home. Did you know that during the Jacobite rebellion they were banned after the battle of Culloden? Actually, the history of the Stuarts is really fascinating. " He started to change gear into full lecture mode.
Jack was just about to resign himself to a history lesson when he saw Daniel was trying very hard not to laugh.
"Oh for crying out loud, Daniel." He protested but he was smiling. Yes he was back!
©Katana 2000