Jack had a problem. He'd had this problem for a great many months. He'd resisted it. He'd fought against it - hard. But it still wouldn't go away.

In fact, if anything, it was growing more intense with every day that passed. He was going to have to talk to someone about it - and soon. Before it ended up consuming him entirely— Given that it wasn't something that a U.S.A.F. colonel could casually slip into a conversation, it was not going to be easy...

Luckily, he didn't have too much longer to wait. A suitable opportunity presented itself some three days later. S.G.-1 was on a recon. mission to Lindisse, P3Z 228. The Stargate there was on the top of a low ridge giving a clear view across a broad plain and out to the sea. It appeared to be a peaceful, rustic world though it was possible that it had some mineral resources which could be exploited for the benefit of both the local people and Earth.

There were two fair-sized settlements visible to the east, the nearer being some five or six miles away, the other about three miles further beyond. The first place was a small market town called Thurstein. Daniel's eyes widened when he heard the name.

"Thurstein— ," he said excitedly, "if I'm right, it means 'stone of Thor'. This world could be a protected planet!"

"That would indeed explain why there are no signs of Goa'uld activity on this world," Teal'c commented.

The natives were very friendly and in need of some equipment which Colonel O'Neill knew he would be able to requisition back at S.G.C. It was an easy gesture of friendship to make to the people of Lindisse - a promise of a future alliance which was well received.

"I'll go back to the S.G.C. - have a word with Hammond. Daniel see what you can find out about the place. Carter, Teal'c, check out Langholm whatever. Make nice with the natives," Jack ordered.

"Ah, actually, I'm going to need a coupla reference books, so I may as well keep you company - if that's O.K. with you?" Daniel offered.

"Tell me what you want and I'll bring 'em back with me."

Daniel thought about it or, more to the point, thought about the fact that his lab. was long overdue for a re-organization...

Jack followed his archaologist's train of thought.

"Yeah, might be better if you come with," he agreed.

It was a pleasant morning for a walk. A gentle sun warmed their backs as O'Neill and Jackson returned along the dirt road to the Stargate. It ran between neatly hedged fields interspersed with clumps of trees that provided shelter for the animals. Idyllic. Soothing to a troubled soul. Now was as good an opportunity as Jack was ever likely to get.

"So, Daniel, read any good books lately?," he began.

"Ah, well, yes actually," Daniel replied, "I've just been re-reading 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol'."

"Oh."

"You?"

"Yes. I've - er - been reading a biography of Oscar Wilde," O'Neill said boldly.

Daniel looked a little surprised. He'd never noticed his colonel show any interest in literature before - or even pulp fiction come to that.

"Did you know he was— gay?" Jack went on casually.

"Well yes," Daniel responded. "That's why he was in Reading jail. Homosexuality was a criminal offence back then."

"Oh. He wrote the Ballad of Reading Gaol?"

"Well yes. I thought you said you were reading his biography?"

"Obviously I haven't got up to that bit yet. Don't spoil it for me."

Jack indulged in a little silent introspection for a while, enjoying the walk and the easy companionship. It would be a shame to put an end to any further comfortable closeness, but he had to go on now that he'd started.

"Have you ever known anyone who was... you know... gay?" he asked, still aiming for casual.

"Well given that about one in ten people are, that would be difficult to avoid."

"How do you feel about gay relationships, Daniel?" Jack went on, feeling a little reckless.

"So long as both partners are happy about what they do, I don't have a problem with it."

So far, so good. Daniel didn't seem overtly repulsed by the idea. He'd try just one more question, then give it a rest for a while before Daniel noticed the effect that the conversation was beginning to have in the region of his groin.

"Um, Daniel, have you ever had any... homosexual experiences?"

He tried to sound nonchalant about it, and was consequently taken aback when Daniel said, "Why? Have you?"

Jack choked and tried to turn it into a cough. What was he thinking? What ever happened to 'don't ask, don't tell'? Talk about being hoist by one's own petard! He stopped momentarily, letting Daniel get a step or two ahead. Definitely have to stay behind until the bulge in his trousers subsided a little.

Daniel glanced back over his shoulder and asked,

"Are you O.K., Jack?"

"Yeah, fine," he coughed, "just a— tickle at the back of my throat."

Daniel carried on walking and was looking ahead again, much to Jack's relief. The archaeologist couldn't have noticed anything untoward with that quick backward glance. However, he himself had not seen the knowing little smile that played around Daniel's lips. Walking a little behind did not exactly help matters either. Daniel presented such a magnificent rear view...

He walked along in silent admiration of the sight for some minutes until Daniel suddenly stopped and turned round. Unbeknownst to either of them, they had slipped through an interdimensional porthole into the Land of Harlequin...

Taken by surprise, he was too slow to react as Daniel's hands snaked forward towards his face. Grasping Jack's head in his hands, he pulled it sharply towards him until their faces were only inches apart. Jack stared into his eyes, only just able to focus on them. A narrow ring of blue encircled the pupils which were large and dark with desire. He felt himself being drawn into those deep pools, drowning...

Then Daniel's lips fastened on his and he knew he was lost. Long the kiss lasted. Time held no sway as the two men remained lip-locked. Tongues met and caressed, wandering over new and fascinating territory. If the world ended now, it would be well lost. He had known bliss.

Minutes, hours, centuries later, Daniel broke contact. Jack felt a desperate sense of loss. Something wonderful had happened, and now it had gone. He was seriously hyperventilating and knew he must control his rapid breathing. He must focus on the fact that he was just a U.S.A.F. colonel on a strange new world, looking into the eyes of an archaeologist...

"Wha— ?" he began, though no sound came. He cleared his throat and tried again. "What possessed you to do that, Daniel," he asked, his brain still in free-fall.

A smile lit Daniel's eyes, eyes that seemed filled with all the knowledge of the universe.

"It was what you wanted, Jack," he said softly.

"H-how did you know?" he breathed.

For reply, Daniel's hand slid down to Jack's groin and grasped the firm and vital shaft that was fighting for release from its confining clothing.

"Your body was crying out for mine," he said. "It has been for months. I could sense it."

"So why the Hell didn't you say something...? Do something?" Jack demanded.

"Because you needed to find out for yourself where your heart lies," Daniel replied patiently. "I didn't want to put any pressure on you. If I had, you would never have been sure. It's been Hell for me too, you know, watching you, waiting for you... but I just kept telling myself that if it's worth having, it's worth waiting for. And you are, Jack, you are."

"Oh Daniel, I so love you!" Jack murmured, wrapping his arms around the centre of his universe. He laid his head on Daniel's shoulder, his body racked by mute sobs. The object of his love cradled him gently in his arms, rhythmically rubbing his back, soothing away the tension. Slowly Jack relaxed, melting perfectly into Daniel's embrace. He turned his head at last, letting his lips meet Daniel's again. The second kiss began as sweetly as the first, each savouring the flavour of the other. Then the after-effects of months of self-imposed restraint kicked in.

A fiery passion surged through Daniel. Without breaking lip contact, he swept Jack backwards, unresisting, into a copse that bordered the road. He didn't stop until he'd backed Jack up against the smooth grey bark of a beech-like tree. There, he wrenched off Jack's combat jacket and, hardly bothering to unfasten his shirt buttons, he ripped open his shirt. Somehow, he had Jack's arms pinioned behind him, and was covering his face, neck and chest with kisses and delicate nibbles. Jack was entranced.

Daniel returned his attention to Jack's mouth, bruising his lips with the intensity of his kisses. Meanwhile, his hands were feverishly working first on his own belt and trouser fastenings, then on Jack's. Soon, his cock was in intimate contact with Jack's. Jack's skin tingled at that first touch as if he'd just hit a high voltage cable. He groaned in exquisite agony. These new sensations were almost too much to bear. Daniel grasped his hips, pulling him closer, pressing harder, thrusting his cock against Jack's, moving them both rapidly closer to the desired climax. Shock waves thundered through them as their flesh could hold out no longer. Each called the other's name as orgasm took them. Breath came in heaving gasps and moans. Their seed mingled between them in hot, vigorous pulses. Finally, too drained to stand, they let gravity take them.

Beneath the spreading branches, they lay in each other's arms in perfect peace, wishing that the moment could last forever. But they were just beginning. There was time enough for many more such moments.

"I love you, Jack," Daniel murmured at last, "my heart, my joy!"

"As I love you, Daniel. You are my soul - today and forever. I think you always have been, from the very first moment I met you."

"The consciousness of loving and being loved
brings a warmth and richness to life that
nothing else can bring."

Oscar Wilde, in conversation.