Square Peg in a Round Pentagon

Summary: Inducting a new member of staff makes Paul think just that bit too hard.
Usual thanks to Joy for the beta :-)

"So, now we get to SG-1. Leaving the best till last, were you, Major?"

Paul Davis grinned as he looked over the table to the captain that sat across it. He'd spent absolutely ages bringing the man up to speed on the goings-on at the SGC. Every single team had been explained, with quick descriptions of each and every member. Who they were, what their specialities were, why the SGC needed them and so on. The SGC generated so much paperwork that he was having to get more help at his end of things. The captain would aid him with budgetary things, briefings and so on. He'd also be able to stand in for Paul as liaison on the odd occasion Paul was away from work. So, he needed to know who was who and what was what.

"You could say that, Captain. Now, let me see. Colonel O'Neill..."

"Do you really need to explain about him?" laughed Captain McCormack. "Surely his reputation precedes him?"

"Possibly," Paul conceded, "but if you look closer, you'll see that there's more to him than meets the eye."

At the captain's raised eyebrow, he continued. "He's not the gung-ho action hero he would appear to be when you read the reports," he said thoughtfully. "He never, but never acts without thinking. And you can be sure that when he has thought his actions through, his motives are always for the best. He doesn't have to lead his team. They willingly walk by his side into every sort of danger, because they know he wouldn't take them into it unless it was necessary. If it is necessary, they'll literally go to hell and back for him. Just read the report on their mission to Netu, if you don't believe me."

Without letting the younger man reply, he dug through a pile of folders until he found the one he wanted. Placing it down on the table in front of the captain, he stood up and poured himself another coffee. He didn't ask the captain if he wanted one, he just poured one for him anyway. After a few days of working with him, Paul had noticed that he had a caffeine tolerance equal to that of Doctor Jackson's.

He sat back at his desk and looked over the personnel files in front of him as the captain skimmed the details of the mission to Hell. Biting down a smile or two whenever he heard a sharp intake of breath or a low whistle, he opened Daniel's file and stared at the picture of him. Taken when he had first joined the SGC - he was skinny, long-haired, and his eyes told Paul that he'd wanted to be anywhere other than in front of that camera.

"Something amusing you, Major?"

Paul looked up and saw that the captain was staring at him.

"Uh, why?"

"Oh, you were smiling as if you were remembering something funny, that's all."

"Ah, I see. No, not really. Just thinking about... well, it doesn't matter. Did that file give you an insight to them as a team?" he asked, quickly changing the subject.

"A bit. But I would like to know more about the individual members. I take it Colonel O'Neill is devoted to his team?"

Paul smiled broadly. "You could say that. They're a family. It's why they work so well together, and don't work as well with other teams. They do work with other teams," he added hastily. "They just work better together. They know each other's minds - they can react to each other instantly. It's the sort of relationship that develops over many missions. The Colonel is obsessed with their protection. In this case, that's a very good thing as they all have their unique talents. Losing any one of them would be a disaster."

"I should imagine that Teal'c's knowledge is the most valuable?"

"Hmm," Paul shook his head slowly. "Not exactly. It is invaluable. No question. But even he doesn't know everything about the Goa'uld. Without Major Carter's scientific expertise or Doctor Jackson's encyclopaedic mind, the team would miss a similarly vital component. Teal'c's strength isn't just his knowledge of the Goa'uld and their tactics. His loyalty to the others is legendary. His physical strength is amazing. But his mental strength is even greater. When he pledged his life to General Hammond and Colonel O'Neill, he literally meant his life. He's also a brilliant pilot, a master tactician and a brave warrior."

"Sounds like one hell of a man," McCormack said in an awed voice.

"He is. He's also not someone you want to hack off."

"Oh? Dangerous?"

"Doctor Jackson calls it a 'Jaffa revenge thing'," Paul said with a grin. He left it at that.

"What about Major Carter? She's got a rep for being brilliant, too."

"That woman can look at some alien tech and have it figured out in no time," Paul replied warmly. "She's also not to be messed with, by the way. She's a pilot, a Gulf War veteran. She's got level three hand to hand, she's an expert markswoman and as tough as they come. Don't let the brains and the beauty lull you into a false sense of security. She's just as likely to tear you apart as Teal'c is."

"Wow. Remind me not to piss her off, then, Sir."

Paul chuckled quietly, agreeing that he would. He liked Sam a lot. They came from a similar background. Military brats, high-ranking fathers - both of them struggling to make their own mark on the Air Force and not rely on 'daddy's' good name. He knew why she was such a good fighter - understood better than most.

"What about Doctor Jackson? He seems to be the odd one out."

Paul looked quizzically at the captain and shook his head.

"Um, no. They're all the 'odd one out'. Colonel O'Neill is a bit of a maverick. He's earned his rank through actions rather than words. He's got the scars, both physical and mental to prove it. Teal'c's different because he's an alien, pure and simple. Sam, er, Major Carter is a female scientist and warrior. Dan... Doctor Jackson's not so different from them. Different from us, maybe, but not his team."

McCormack paused before replying.

"You keep using their given names. I take it you know them well?"

"I've known them for a few years," Paul agreed, not giving too much away.

"So, tell me about Doctor Jackson. To be honest, I'm most intrigued by him. I mean, I've read the reports. I've read his file. I know about his family, his wife... but what about him? How well do you know him?"

Paul sat up with a grin on his face. He knew every inch of the delectable body that lay shivering underneath him. He'd used that knowledge to send Daniel insane with kisses and licks, bites and sucks, over every single inch of his body. Inside and out. He only had to finish what he started. Some lube on his cock and the pissy Doctor Jackson would turn into a screaming slut bottom boy, begging him to fuck him harder, faster - to hurt him.

"Oh, you could say I know him pretty well. We get on like a house on fire."

"Is he as sweet-natured as he would appear to be?"

"PAUL! Dammit, if you don't finish me I'm going to finish you! OFF, that is. Please babe, I need to come."

"Just a little while longer, Dan."

"Fuck you!"

"Uh, no, it's me fucking you, if you hadn't noticed."

"I hate you!"

"Not really. He has a bit of a temper," Paul answered with a grin, sliding his hand surreptitiously under the desk to adjust his hard-on.

"Is he as brilliant as they say?"

"So you see, Paul. By transposing the letters, I finally cracked that code! I couldn't believe it. It was so damned simple and yet it had me stuck for days."

"Dan, honey, you cracked it in a couple of days. After everyone else in your department had tried for six months."

"I guess."

Paul shook his head in exasperation. "C'mere," he whispered, pulling his naked lover back under the covers where he belonged. "Why don't you tell me how much you love me in a different language?"

"Oh? Which one?" Daniel's eyes lit up. He knew what game they were going to play now and he loved it.

"Anyone you want. All of them. Then you can show me."

Daniel grinned. He could so do that.

"Absolutely. His mind goes places that nobody else's ever goes." Making sure his mouth was shut first, his mind added, 'And his tongue'. "That explains his odd sense of humour, I guess."

Paul screamed. It was an involuntary reaction he got whenever Daniel fucked his ass with his tongue. His body shot off the bed and he came hard. He couldn't help it, it always happened. He wouldn't mind except Daniel fell about laughing - just as he always did.

"Gah. I hate you! Why do you keep laughing at me?"

"Because you're funny," Daniel replied, looking up over Paul's stomach and to his face.

Paul propped himself up on his elbows and tilted his head so he could look down. The boyish grin aimed at him softened him immediately, and he couldn't help but smile. The mouthed 'love you' from Daniel had him smiling wider.

"Come up here," he ordered softly. "I think I need to take revenge."

"You seem to know him very well. I guess he doesn't surprise you anymore?"

Paul entered Daniel's apartment with trepidation. He should have been there, waiting for him. But there was no sound. No sense that Daniel was there. Where was he? Was he all right? His heart beating wildly, he searched each room, but there was no sign of his presence. Afraid that something was wrong, he cautiously opened the bedroom door.

There was little light in there. The curtains were shut, and only a single candle on the bedside table gave any illumination at all. There he was - on the bed. Naked. His hands secured to the headboard with a pair of leather handcuffs that Paul had bought him as a joke present for his birthday a few months before and which hadn't been used yet. His cock was standing erect, and as Paul's eyes adjusted to the light, he saw that it was also secured, a ribbon was tied in a neat bow at the base, twisted over his balls, separating them and holding them out.

"Dan?"

"Happy birthday, babe," came the lascivious reply. "Hope you like your surprise present."

Paul grinned wickedly and shut the bedroom door behind him, cutting out any ambient light from the living room. Slowly, he stalked towards the bed, stripping as he went and dropping his clothes where he stood.

"Oh yeah. I love surprises. Now, what am I going to do with it?"

Despite the darkness, Daniel managed to fix his gaze directly into Paul's eyes.

"Absolutely anything you want, Paul. It's your birthday after all."

"I wouldn't say that," Paul managed to get out, hoping above hope that his voice didn't sound too much like a squeak. "He's full of surprises. Do yourself a favour and never assume anything about him. You can pretty much guarantee that he'll surprise the hell out of you."

McCormack shrugged as he digested the information. Then he said, "The picture on his personnel file makes him look, well, unfit. How does he keep up with the others?"

"You have to realise that pictures don't always tell the whole story," Paul answered. "This was taken years ago. And yes, he was skinny and he hadn't been working out, but he is an archaeologist. Part of his job meant that he had to dig tons of sand and earth. You don't do that without building up strong arm, back and leg muscles. He's a fast runner, too. And a strong swimmer, apparently. Since then, he's worked out a lot. He doesn't look much like that picture anymore."

"Oh? What does he look like now?"

Paul screwed his face up and then grinned. "Hang on, I've got a picture here. It was taken at Colonel O'Neill's birthday party this year. It's the four of them."

"You were there?" McCormack asked as Paul opened his desk drawer.

"Hmm, yeah. I was down there for something or other - you know the way it goes around here - and when it was all over, the Colonel invited me along."

"Nice guy," the captain commented, taking the photograph from Paul's hand.

"Yeah. He can be a royal pain in the ass, but he's a good guy. He doesn't usually have time for bureaucrats, but he's gotten to know me better. He knows I'm on their side."

The picture showed a happy team, sitting on the grass together and posing for the camera. They were obviously sharing a joke with someone as they were all laughing, even Teal'c. The captain's eyes opened wide as he saw Jack lazing around, wearing a tight black T-shirt and faded jeans. His hair was a lot greyer than his original photograph but his eyes were a lot less haunted. Teal'c's clothing was of Earth origin and with a bandana covering his tattoo, he looked more human. Sam was wearing a dress and was made up, the laugh making her face light up. Daniel was right next to her, his arm protectively over her shoulder, his head tilted next to hers. He wasn't wearing his glasses, and dressed similarly to the Colonel, the change in his body was well-highlighted. The much shorter hair made him look like a completely different person altogether. Captain McCormack couldn't help but stare at him and for once, the cool head he possessed let him down.

"Damn," he muttered. "I'll bet he's straight."

Paul looked over the table at that, and realising that he'd spoken out loud, the captain froze, the colour draining from his face rapidly. Paul immediately felt both sorry for him and annoyed with him for jeopardising his career in such a silly way.

"Sorry? What was that, Captain?" he said icily. "My hearing seems to be on the fritz this afternoon."

"Um, nothing, Sir," came the guilty reply, relief obvious on the younger man's face.

Paul knew now that he wasn't sure if Paul hadn't heard or was prepared to keep quiet. Given that he was a political animal, and knowing that there may well be a time when he'd need back-up of his own, he got up, rounded the table and stood by the captain's side. Ducking his head, he whispered, "What Doctor Jackson is or isn't is none of your business. You should know that that subject is not up for discussion, especially here of all places."

"Yes, Sir. I'm..."

But Paul wouldn't let him finish. A squeeze to the man's shoulder told him to drop the subject - permanently. A nod of understanding, and gratitude, told Paul that the message had been received.

Carrying on as if nothing had happened, Paul finished off his description of the SGC, hoping that he'd managed to get the younger man on the SGC's side. The more allies they had in the Pentagon, the safer SG-1 would be. It was a selfish thing, and he knew it. He also knew that there was a less selfish side to it. The safer SG-1 was, the safer Earth was. But he wanted Daniel to stay safe above all.

Before they'd finished clearing away the folders and locking them up in the high-security cabinets, a knock came on the door. Paul's secretary stuck her head around it.

"Major, Doctor Jackson's here to see you."

Paul schooled himself strictly, and allowed himself only to smile a little.

"Thank you, Lisa. Send him in, please."

Paul was secretly relieved to see Daniel in his 'oblivious' clothes. A nondescript suit, his glasses on, his hair only just brushed. None of it emphasised how good-looking he was, something that helped at moments like this.

"Doctor Jackson. What brings you to this neck of the woods?" he said, crossing the room, his hand out in greeting.

Daniel took his hand and shook it, just as a friend would.

"Oh, you know. The usual. Have to go yell at a few people. Can you believe they're trying to block my request that a couple of scientists join my department just because they're not American? I mean, I'm trying to save the planet for God's sake!"

"Tell me about them," Paul soothed. "I'll see what I can do to help."

"I knew you would. It's why I've come over," Daniel lied smoothly, his eyes flicking over to the captain who was watching him closely.

Paul thought for a moment, his eyes catching the clock on the wall.

"My duty shift is nearly over," he said thoughtfully. "Why don't you come over to my place for dinner and you can tell me about them there. No point in hanging around here when you can tell me the same thing in comfort." He turned to look at McCormack and said, "Oh, by the way, this is Captain Niall McCormack. He's going to be helping me out around here. Sometimes he'll stand in for me at the SGC if I'm elsewhere and there's an emergency."

"Pleased to meet you, Captain," Daniel greeted, shaking the man's hand.

"The pleasure's mine, Doctor Jackson. I've been hearing a lot about you and your team."

"Oh?" Daniel looked at Paul and Paul noticed a dangerous twinkle in his eye. "You haven't been telling him of our more... embarrassing exploits, have you?"

"Not yet. He's still got to read all of the mission reports. I've been saving the best till last," Paul answered slyly.

"Damn. I hope you don't have the one from P2R-9ZX."

"I had that one framed. Especially stills from the gateroom footage when you returned."

Daniel burst out laughing, Paul joining in, leaving McCormack bewildered.

"Sir?"

"Sorry, Captain. It's a long running in-joke. There are a lot of them."

"Ah. I see. Well, I'll see you tomorrow morning?"

"Of course. Go home, Captain. Let your brain rest. You've got a lot of work to do tomorrow."

"Gee, thanks Major. I can't wait," came the drawled reply. "Goodnight, Sirs."

Paul watched as he left the room and waited until he'd shut the door behind him. He quickly finished putting the files away before saying, "Come on, Daniel. Let's go. We've got a lot to talk about."

At Paul's place and over dinner, Paul explained about the captain and his mouth running away from him.

"Poor guy. It's ridiculous that he can't say it out loud."

"I know. Hopefully that will be the last time he puts himself at risk like that. Anyway, don't be surprised if he comes on to you."

"I won't pay any attention to him if he does," Daniel shrugged. "I never do." Looking up from his pasta, he grinned, "You didn't sound too surprised that he's gay."

"Well duh. As soon as he walked into my room he set the old gaydar pinging."

"Good old gaydar," Daniel laughed. "Mine isn't as good as yours as a rule."

"Must be because you're batting for both teams," Paul teased. Daniel laughed and shrugged in reply. "So, I take it, it worked when we met?"

"Worked? Forget pinging, Paul, it was more 'Aruga, aruga! Dive! Dive! Incoming!'."

Paul looked at him in shock and then cracked up, laughing louder than Daniel had heard in a while.

"Oh please, if that was the case, I wouldn't have had to work so hard on you."

Daniel waved his head from one side to the other in a 'thinking' manner. "It was more that I had to make sure you were coming on to me, Paul. We both had too much to lose if I'd got it wrong."

They let a silence descend as they both remembered that night. They'd gone out to dinner - Paul almost certain that Daniel wanted him, Daniel feeling the same about Paul. To be sure, Daniel had made Paul work really hard, flirting with him one moment, then acting more oblivious the next to force Paul to up the ante. They made little comments that could be taken either way, but when added up, they were a total come-on. At the end of the meal, Daniel had invited Paul back to his place 'for a coffee'. They both knew that he didn't mean that, that if Paul accepted it would be the start of something big. All through the evening, Daniel had given Paul the chance to back off, with no threat to their friendship. Paul finally got what Daniel had been doing and accepted.

The door to the apartment shut and Daniel deliberately locked it, showing Paul that he would be safe. A quick glance at the answerphone told Daniel that no messages from the SGC were waiting for him. He didn't switch it off, telling Paul that he wouldn't be answering it anytime soon, either. Then they stood and looked at each other, not moving for a moment, just letting the already heightened tension build.

Eventually, Paul moved. He had to or he'd burst. With two steps, he was directly in front of Daniel, breathing harshly, echoing Daniel's own panting breaths. Daniel raised his hands, one of them slipping his glasses off and putting them on a nearby shelf, the other simultaneously going to Paul's head and gently running the fingers through his hair.

"Are you sure?" Daniel whispered.

Paul answered him with a kiss.

Dinner was over in moments, both men feeling turned on by the memories of their first night and bound and determined to relive it. Leaving the plates on the table, they stood up and without words, walked directly to the bedroom. Their clothes were off in moments and soon they were on the bed, kissing passionately, their hands touching every inch that they could reach. Tossing and turning, first Paul lay on top of Daniel, then the other way around. Eventually, they reached the point of no return and Paul flipped Daniel onto his back, lay over him and started to thrust his hips. Trapped between the two stomachs, their cocks lay hard and together, rubbing against each other as Paul moved.

Daniel raised his legs and wrapped them over Paul's, thrusting up in time to Paul's movements, urging him on. The kissing ended, they were panting hard as they got closer and closer to the edge. Daniel's head tipped back, pushing the pillow flat, his eyes screwed shut, his mouth open, his arms opened wide and his fingers white-knuckled as he grasped the bed. With a final, hard push, Paul brought Daniel over the edge, the feel of the hot semen on his own cock and stomach taking him too. With a loud grunt, he came, pumping what seemed like half his body fluids out and over Daniel.

They lay there for a few minutes, not speaking, just trying to regain some sort of equilibrium. Eventually, Paul rolled off him and reached for some wipes on the bedside table. Matter-of-factly, they cleaned up, then Paul rested his head on Daniel's chest, loving it when he felt the strong arms wrap around him and hold him close.

"Love you," he whispered to Daniel's nipple.

Daniel giggled.

"Is it only my left nipple you love? Or does the rest of me get a look-in?"

Paul looked up at him, a little bewildered. "You know, I told McCormack that you had a weird sense of humour."

With a grin, Daniel asked, "What else did you tell him?"

Paul thought for a moment. "That you and your team were a bunch of misfits. But you fit together."

"We're a square peg," Daniel agreed. "We know that. It's why we work. But you know what?"

"What's that?"

"I think that you and I fit rather nicely together, too."

"I'd have to agree with that," Paul sighed. "Come on, let's get ready for bed. You can tell me about those scientists and then you can show me just how well you fit me."

"Do I have to talk about them?" Daniel whined.

"If you want me to help, then yeah. Besides, we're getting old. It'll give us some recovery time."

With a chuckle, Daniel pushed Paul to help him off the bed and then rolled off it himself. Following Paul into the bathroom, he stopped behind him when Paul got to the sink. Before Paul got as far as picking up his toothbrush, Daniel wrapped his arms around Paul's waist and rested his head on his shoulder.

"Yeah, I was right," he said quietly, hugging him close. "We fit together just right."