"Sticks and Stones", from June 2005; Jack/Daniel; rated R

[sid]

Many of you will have read this story before, but for those who haven't, or those who would enjoy it in a slightly different format:

When I originally wrote this, I posted it as I went along, at The Cartouche, and I have always enjoyed it in chapter format, with painful little cliffhangers.

"Sticks and Stones", J/D, rated R
Warnings: sexual assault
Summary:  Jack says something he shouldn't, and Daniel pays the price.  Tons of angst.

STICKS AND STONES

Lately Jack O’Neill just didn’t like himself very much. And he was pretty sure that Daniel would agree with him. Not that he could ask Daniel’s opinion, since the other man wasn’t speaking to him at the moment. Jack sipped at his overly-sweet punch, and tried to focus on what the Revered Councilor was saying. Carter was nodding agreement, and when she began to speak Jack let his eyes wander around the State Hall, until they landed on Daniel.

Daniel was listening intently to the small group of men and one woman that surrounded him. He smiled, and answered one of them. Jack wasn’t close enough to hear the ensuing laughter. He turned his attention back to the Councilor, irritated. That seemed to be the effect that Daniel had on him lately. He had snapped at Daniel this morning over something minor, and gotten instantly offended by Daniel’s careful lack of response.

"Don’t you ignore me when I talk to you!" Jack had said loudly. Daniel had flushed angrily, and turned to walk away, but Jack had grabbed him by the arm. The look that Daniel gave him had caused him to release his grip immediately. Daniel had been studiously avoiding Jack ever since.

Which only served to increase Jack’s sense of irritation. The memory of the incident still left a bitter taste in his mouth, which was clashing badly with the ceremonial punch’s fruitiness. He stopped trying to sip the stuff, and simply drained his cup to get it over with. Carter stopped in the middle of a sentence, and smiled at him uncertainly. "Are you going to get more, sir?" She was well aware of the undercurrents, without knowing the cause.

"Did you want some?" Jack asked. Carter nodded and he reached out to take her empty cup. "Anyone else?" he asked the Councilor and his companions.

"No, thank you, Colonel," the Councilor answered, beaming.

"Be back in a minute or two, then," Jack said, and turned away thankfully. He intended to take his sweet time rejoining them. Not that talking to anyone else would be any better. He moved in the general direction of the refreshment table, nodding at the smiling faces in the throng as he pushed through. He made it to the wall area at the back of the room, and, setting the two empty cups down on a nearby stand, leaned back against the wall, eyeing the crowd. Nobody seemed to be watching him. He was safe for the moment.

Jack flipped up the cover of his watch. Nowhere near time to get the hell out of here, and back through the Stargate yet. He didn’t understand why they had to stay. The goddamned treaty had been signed hours ago, for cryin’ out loud. The dinner last evening had been good, and the sleeping accommodations were more than adequate. But all this ceremonial time-wasting went completely against his nature. And after this morning’s argument with Daniel, if it could be called an argument, he just wanted to go home, and wipe the dust of this planet off his feet.

His gaze was drawn to Daniel’s small group again. Actually, the group had grown. Sure, Daniel was probably charming the socks off of them. No charm to spare for Jack O’Neill, though. Oh, no. He got the silent treatment. He shook his head with growing bitterness. He’d tried to talk to Daniel afterwards, wanting to make things right. Or better, anyhow. Daniel would have none of it, though. Jack received the cold shoulder, with frosty blue eyes to match. He sighed in disgust.

"He is quite exquisite."

Startled, Jack turned towards the man who had joined him, unobserved. "Excuse me?" he asked in confusion.

"Your Dr. Jackson," the man replied with a tight smile, nodding in Daniel’s direction.

Jack frowned, and turned back to the man at his side. "I wouldn’t exactly call him mine." He vaguely remembered this guy. One of the local geeks. Historian, maybe?

His companion stared towards Daniel. "I don’t know how you get any work done."

"We manage," Jack said shortly, hardly believing that this conversation was taking place.

The man’s intense blue eyes met his. "I only know that if he were mine, I would never be able to concentrate on anything else."

"Yeah," Jack said uneasily, "well, like I said, he’s not exactly mine. What was your name again?"

"Petr." The other man nodded knowingly. "You two have quarreled. I could tell that you both were different than you were yesterday." Jack stared at him in astonishment. What the hell was up with this guy? "You would be wise to treat him in a better manner, if you wish to keep him."

Jack blinked, and shook his head in disbelief. "Hey, you want him? You can have him."

Petr’s eyes were fixed on Daniel. "You only say that because the two of you have quarreled."

"No, no," Jack replied, starting to see a potentially happy outcome to this bizarre conversation. "I mean it. He’s all yours."

There was a flush on Petr’s cheeks. "It would be cruel of you to say such a thing in jest."

Jack shot a look towards a completely unaware Daniel. "No joking," Jack said with as much sincerity as he could muster. "Of course, you’ll have to ask Daniel first," he cautioned. And Jack wished he could be close enough to hear that little conversation. He’d have to settle for seeing the look on Daniel’s face. Jack quickly hid a smirk as Petr turned towards him again.

"I have your permission?" Petr asked tensely.

"Knock yourself out," Jack answered. Petr looked at him blankly, and Jack assumed that the colloquial phrase had confused him. But when he opened his mouth to explain, he was stopped cold by the look in the other man’s eyes. Triumph. Arousal. He wasn’t going to have to interpret. Petr had gotten the message, and now Daniel was going to get it.

Jack felt a moment’s uneasiness. This was playing dirty, and he knew it. Daniel was going to be majorly embarrassed, and Pete here would be none too pleased if he ever realized how Jack had set him up. But the other man had already left his side, in pursuit of his quarry. Too late now for second thoughts.

Ah, shit!

Also too late now to avoid the Revered Councilor, who was approaching him fast. Complete with the Temple High Priest, and a gaggle of politician’s wives. And no Carter to help him shoulder the burden of the conversation. Where had she gotten to? The High Priest was now standing directly in front of Jack, and the man’s ornate headdress blocked his view of just about everything in the room. Shit!

~~~~

Daniel kept his false smile plastered firmly on his face as he talked to the men and women who were gathered around him. These were nice people, and their conversation was interesting enough, but his mind couldn’t stay focused. He kept remembering the way Jack had behaved towards him that morning, and he felt a little sick inside. He had been trying to figure out for several weeks what had changed between the two of them. He still had no idea, and no intention of trying to ask Jack about it. He’d tried that once, thank you.

Jack had become distant, and Daniel decided that he needed to do the same. He was tired of the roller-coaster ride. Jack would behave badly, and then sidle back cautiously, expecting forgiveness. Well, Daniel was through with that, through with trying to hang on to the remnants of what had until recently been the best friendship he could ever remember having with anyone. If Jack wanted his forgiveness, he would have to explain himself to Daniel’s satisfaction.

A hand touched his arm. Daniel turned and saw a man he had spoken to several times. "Hi, Petr," he said with a smile.

Petr spoke to the others around Daniel. "Friends, would you excuse us? I need to speak to Daniel privately." Daniel raised his eyebrows questioningly, and said hasty goodbyes to the others as Petr steered him away from the group.

"What’s going on?" Daniel asked, in some confusion.

Petr stopped, and smiled at him warmly. "I spoke to your Colonel first, Daniel. He gave me his permission to speak to you."

"He did? Well, I don’t actually need his permission to speak to anyone." Daniel’s mouth twitched in a humorless smile.

Petr resumed walking, his hand grasping Daniel’s elbow lightly. They exited the State Hall, and walked down a short corridor that led to the basement stairs. "Something in the archives that you want me to see?" Daniel asked, as they started down.

Petr smiled at him happily. Funny, Daniel had never noticed before what an intense shade of blue the other man’s eyes were. "We can be private down here," he told Daniel. "Everyone will be upstairs at the reception." He led Daniel into a room he hadn’t entered when he toured the building the previous afternoon. Petr closed the door behind them, and turned the key in the lock, then removed it and placed it one of his pockets.

"Petr?" Daniel looked around the room. Something wasn’t right here. "What’s this all about?"

Petr came towards him, saying, "I asked permission first." Daniel stared at the other man, noting, with increasing alarm, his flushed and eager appearance. Petr reached out for Daniel. "Your Colonel said I could have you."

Daniel took a quick step backwards, evading the other man’s arms. "What?" he squeaked. His hip smacked against the edge of a table, and he stumbled. And Petr was right there, catching him in his arms, and bending him back over the table. Panting in his face. "Stop!" Daniel shouted, shocked.

"I’ll be very sweet to you, Daniel," Petr whispered rapidly. "I’ll be everything you could want."

Daniel shook his head. "No," he said as forcefully as he could, "I don’t want…" Petr’s mouth on his silenced him. Daniel could feel his heart thudding in his chest. Petr was pushing him, lifting his leg. Daniel was soon on his back on the table, and Petr was on top of him. Daniel felt the other man’s erection pressing against his thigh. How could this be happening?

How could Jack be letting this happen?

Daniel began to struggle in earnest.

Petr was bigger and heavier than Daniel, but ultimately he managed to push hard enough to roll the other man off the edge of the table. But Petr never released his grip on Daniel, and both men crashed heavily to the floor, side by side. Petr recovered from the fall first, straddling Daniel’s body, pinning his limbs to the floor. "Why are you fighting me?" Petr gasped. "All you have to do is submit, and we can both be happy!"

"No!" Daniel shouted. He struggled to raise his head, only to have his attacker backhand him across the mouth. His head struck the floor, hard. As he lay stunned, Petr removed his belt, and bound Daniel’s hands together. Petr grabbed Daniel by the hair and tugged. Daniel stared up at him with wild eyes. Blood trickled from the side of his mouth, which was already beginning to swell.

"You’re going to ruin everything!" Petr accused. "I just want to be good to you, and you reject my love!" He lowered his head and kissed Daniel hungrily. Daniel held himself rigidly still. Petr raised his head. His eyes were not quite sane. Daniel shivered, as Petr said, "I did it right, I asked for permission. You can’t say that I didn’t do it right."

"You don’t have my permission," Daniel said, trying to keep his voice steady. "You can’t do this, I know you don’t want to do this. Not this way." His expression pleaded with the man on top of him.

Petr’s eyes darkened. "Any way it takes," he said harshly. "You’re not doing it right. You’re going to make me hurt you." He shifted his weight and reached for his pocket with one hand. Daniel bucked hard, and pushed up with his bound hands. The other man’s forearm pressed crushingly against Daniel’s throat. "Stop fighting, Daniel," Petr warned. As Daniel struggled to breathe, Petr’s face softened.

"Let me be good to you," he begged sweetly. "Let me show you what you do to me." He brought his hand up from his pocket, and let Daniel see what he held. Daniel’s eyes widened in terror.

Petr removed his weight from Daniel’s throat, and as the man beneath him gasped for air, he began to stroke his face with the tip of the knife blade.

~~~~

Jack was finally able to escape. Probably not more than fifteen minutes had elapsed while he was playing diplomat. He looked around the room for Daniel, but didn’t spot him. Teal’c stood out in the crowd, as always, however. Jack hurried across the room, and pulled Teal’c aside from the people with whom he was chatting. "Where’s Daniel?" Jack asked.

"I have not seen Danieljackson for some time, O’Neill," Teal’c answered, scanning the room. Jack, doing likewise, caught Carter’s eye and beckoned her over. "Has something transpired?" Teal’c wanted to know.

"I don’t know," Jack answered testily. "Carter, have you seen Daniel?"

"He left, sir," Sam replied, eyebrows raised.

"What the hell do you mean, he left?" Jack growled.

"He left with one of the local historians, I’m not sure of his name. You were talking to him earlier. You know, while you weren’t getting me any punch?" Sam answered awkwardly.

 Fuck!  Jack’s face whitened.

"Sir, what’s wrong?" Sam asked anxiously.

"I don’t know. Maybe nothing," Jack responded, but he had a sinking feeling. "We have to find him. Now!"

Jack wasted no time. He headed straight for the Revered Councilor, and took him forcefully by the arm, dragging him to the side of the room. "We have a problem," Jack said icily. "One of my people is missing, and I want him found immediately."

The Councilor looked shocked. "Of course, Colonel, I will do everything I can to help you. But I am sure that nothing is wrong." He looked at Jack uncertainly. "Or do you have some knowledge that I do not?"

Jack clenched and unclenched his fists. "It’s Dr. Jackson. He’s with a man called….Peter." One of the Councilor’s assistants had joined them, worried about the tense atmosphere developing around the two men. The assistant shook his head.

"Petr. You must mean Petr?" he asked.

"Yes," Jack said thankfully. "We need to find them. Now!"

"Petr’s home is not far." Jack motioned towards the doorway, but the man shook his head. "Let me send the Sheriff there, while we ask questions here."

Jack turned to Teal’c. "You go with the Sheriff. Carter and I will work from here. Radio in when you know something." Teal’c nodded, and left with the Councilor’s assistant. Jack turned to the Councilor. "Where else would he take Daniel? What do you know about this man?"

"Nothing, unfortunately," the Councilor responded. "But I can help, just the same." He motioned towards the dais in the center of one wall. The three hurried towards it. The Councilor climbed up onto the platform, and struck the bell that hung suspended from the ceiling. The crowd stopped their chattering, and turned towards the Councilor expectantly.

"Citizens, I ask your help," the Councilor began. "We are trying to locate one of our visitors, Dr. Daniel Jackson. It is believed that he left this Hall with Petr Grunst. Come forward, please, if you have any knowledge about Dr. Jackson’s or Petr’s whereabouts."

Several people pushed to the front of the crowd. "You all saw them leave together?" the Councilor asked. All of them nodded, but one man raised his hand. "Yes?"

"I was out in the hallway, your Reverence. I saw the visitor and Petr going downstairs to the basement."

~~~~

Jack, Sam, and the Councilor and his assistant, along with two other men had begun to search the basement of the building. They soon reached a door that was locked. Jack began banging on it. "Daniel!" he shouted. Did he hear voices inside? "Daniel?" he called again.

"I’m here, Jack!" A voice answered him, but it sounded completely unlike Daniel.

"Open the door," Jack ordered. He strained to hear what the voices inside were saying. He pounded again, forcefully "Unlock the door, now!"

"Jack, stand down!" came the frantic cry from within. Jack froze. His eyes met Carter’s. He took a deep breath.

"What do you want me to do, Daniel?"

"Just…wait, please, wait, Jack!"

Jack laid his open hand on the door, and leaned his forehead against it. He opened his mouth, seeking oxygen. "All right," he called. Carter stood at his shoulder, staring at the door anxiously. He could hear the voices inside again. Jack wiped sweat from his face. "Still waiting, here," he called after a while.

"Jack?"

"Yes, Daniel?"

"I need your word that Petr won’t be hurt." Daniel’s voice was high-pitched and tense.

A wave of rage washed over Jack. "Whatever!" he shouted.

"Jack!" Daniel sounded desperate. "I need to know that you’re listening to me! Are you hearing what I’m saying?"

Carter gripped Jack’s arm. He shook her off. "Yes, Daniel, I hear you perfectly. And I give you my word."

~~~

Inside the room, Daniel turned his eyes towards the man who held the knife at his throat. "Jack has never broken his word to me. We can trust him." He held up his bound hands.

~~~

Jack heard footsteps approaching the other side of the door. "Daniel?" he questioned.

"I’m going to open the door now," came the reply. Jack heard the key in the lock, and the click of the tumblers. He resisted the impulse to raise his weapon. The door swung open, revealing a disheveled Daniel. Carter quickly pushed past them both, and pointed her gun at the man who sat huddled in the corner of the room, head buried on his knees.

Daniel slowly raised his eyes to meet Jack’s with a blank stare. He lifted one hand towards the other man. The hand held a knife. Jack took it from him carefully, noting with a sensation of nausea that there was blood on the tip. He looked at Daniel’s face. There was bruising, a split and swollen lip, with a trickle of blood. Bruising and shallow cuts on his neck. Dazed blue eyes looked away from his, as Jack surveyed the rips in Daniel‘s clothing.

Daniel took a few steps until he reached the wall, and sank slowly down to sit with his back against it. He lowered his head, until he eerily mirrored the position of the man huddled in the corner. Jack’s feeling of nausea increased. He handed the knife to the hovering Councilor’s assistant. "Carter," he said, and motioned with his head towards Daniel. Sam lowered her weapon, and with a parting glare at the man in the corner, went to her teammate’s assistance.

The Councilor, who had been talking to one of the other men, came over to Jack. "I have sent for medical attendants. Petr must be hospitalized as soon as possible."

"Hospitalized?" Jack said, incensed. "Do you understand what he’s done?"

"He is obviously ill, Colonel. We will take care of this, you may rest assured. He will receive the treatment he needs."

Jack opened his mouth, hot and angry words ready to burst forth. But Daniel raised his head slightly, and said, "Let it go, Jack." Jack was stunned into silence. He looked at his friend, but Daniel’s head was turned away. As Jack stood and watched Carter trying to assess the extent of Daniel’s injuries, he felt the pounding in his chest fading away, to be replaced by a steady ache. He swung his eyes over to the man in the corner, but he felt only numbness as he looked at him.

Carter was standing beside him. "Sir?" As Jack raised his eyes to hers, she was shocked at the deadness she saw in them. "Sir, I advise that we ‘gate home as quickly as possible, and get Daniel to the infirmary." And not just Daniel, she thought to herself grimly.

Jack nodded. "Radio Teal’c to meet us there," he replied. As Carter turned aside to keep an eye on Daniel as she radioed to their teammate, the Councilor stepped up to Jack nervously, babbling something about regrets, and the treaty. Fuck the treaty! Jack wanted to scream. But he held onto his composure by a thread, and responded to the other man with a gruff, "The treaty stands. You’ll hear from our people soon."

The Councilor look at Daniel with sorrow. "Thank you, Colonel. I’ll arrange for your belongings to be brought to the gateway at once." Jack nodded curtly.

The Councilor left the room quickly, and Jack walked over to where Daniel still sat on the floor. "We’re going home, Daniel," Jack told him quietly, and held out a hand to help him to his feet. Daniel stared at it for a second, then ignored it, and pushed against the wall to help himself rise. The ache in Jack’s chest intensified. "Stay with him, Carter," he ordered.

As Daniel and Carter slowly moved through the doorway, Jack took one last look around the room before he followed them. His dead eyes took in the overturned table, the drops of blood on the floor, the knotted belt that had been sliced open. The thing in the corner that had done all this.

With his permission.

~~~~~~
Chapter Two sid.dreamwidth.org/10542.html

Comments

[msbeata.livejournal.com]

Ouch. Painful but a great set-up, I'm looking forward to reading more.

[sid]

I just love this in chapter format! See you at the end of Chapter Two!