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Jack's Immortal 6

Research

by Admiral Q O 

 

Methos adjusted the waistband of his sweatpants then lowered his tank top back in place and let out a tiny sigh. He so much preferred sleeping in just his boxers, or nothing, but those weren't viable options when he spent the night at Daniel's; neither was having an online chat with Jack. Oh well, he'd see Jack at lunch. He checked the bacon on the stove then poured out another cup of coffee as it sizzled, finishing its last bit of cooking. Why did Daniel's stove seemingly break the laws of physics and take so much longer to cook than Methos' did? If Methos had realized how long it would take ahead of time, he would have had a bowl of cereal.

Normally, Methos wouldn't even be having breakfast here, only coffee, waiting to take his first meal with Daniel in the commissary once they'd reached the base. However, this morning Methos had woken up with the sunrise - hungry, so he'd decided to grace Daniel with a full breakfast before they went off to work. He'd never had a problem with making himself at home in any of his friends' kitchens without asking first or being invited to do so. True, it had annoyed some of them on occasion, Duncan in particular, but they'd all gotten over it and so would Daniel.

Daniel and Methos had been working together long enough now that Methos considered him to be a genuine friend, one who would understand and appreciate Methos' gesture of a home-cooked meal even if it had come from Daniel's own refrigerator. Mind you, Methos still had no intention of telling Daniel about his nature of being an immortal, nor anything remotely related. So far as Daniel was concerned, Methos would remain Doctor Adam Pierson, historian and linguist. Even so, Methos was willing to be more open with the young man, perhaps invite him up to his apartment in Denver one weekend when Jack came to visit. He made a mental note to bounce the idea off Jack then started removing the bacon from the pan.

Daniel stirred in his bed as an unexpected aroma tickled his nose; took a deep breath; and pulled the second pillow over his head in response. Some inconsiderate idiot was grilling something, sending the odor through Daniel's bedroom window and waking him before his alarm sounded - how utterly rude. A moment later it occurred to Daniel that he had closed his window just prior to going to bed the night before.

He squinted across the room, confirming that the window was still shut then he began to sniff in an attempt to identify the odor and its source. He stretched a bit. The smell was definitely coming from inside his apartment. He sat up and yawned. It seemed strangely familiar...not threatening like the building was on fire, or some such thing. By the time Daniel was padding off to the bathroom, he was finally connecting the dots in his mind. The smell was of bacon and coffee. Adam must already be awake and helping himself to the refrigerator. Damn, but he could be so very much like Jack at times...taking charge of things. Oh well, as long as there was coffee...no harm no foul.

Methos was patting the last bit of grease off the bacon strips when he heard the bathroom door close. Good. It was about time Daniel woke up to keep him company. If Methos had been at Jack's house, he would have had his lover up, thoroughly kissed, and in the shower by this hour, but with Daniel he brought along a book to read during the early morning hours then did his best to engage the young man in some half-coherent conversation once he finally rose from his slumber.

Daniel was an oddity for a mortal, often times understanding life and consequences in the realm of the bigger picture rather than constantly focusing on the here and now. That was a trait that drove Jack nuts at times, causing friction on occasion when SG-1 was off on a mission, but as Methos had read through their reports and recognized the dynamic between the two men, he'd been intrigued. It was too bad that Daniel would never become an immortal. He would make a fine and decent one, who Methos would actually consider taking on as an apprentice. Oh well, he'd just have to impart what wisdom he could given the circumstances laid before them.

"Good morning," Daniel said, shuffling into the kitchen wearing nothing more than his pajama bottoms.

"Good morning," Methos said with a tiny smile. Did Daniel have any clue how sexy he looked all disheveled, not to mention half-naked? "Sleep well?"

"Not bad, you?"

"Fine...shoulder's a little stiff." Methos rolled his left shoulder, stretching it, a tiny grimace crossing his face. Even with sleeping on the top-of-the-line futon he'd given Daniel, Methos still had mornings where his body ached in certain spots. It was inevitable, he supposed. Immortals had perfect health, but after 5,000 years, Methos' body was beginning to show signs of age similar to those of the average mortal male entering middle age. Methos could live with it, though; what choice did he have? Just so long as his hair didn't start falling out, he wasn't going to complain. Besides, in a way he was making history. No other immortal had lived long enough to manifest any such signs of aging.

"Want some aspirin?"

"No. I'll be fine," Methos said and moved toward the toaster as the waffles popped up. "Syrup or jam?" he asked as he placed them onto the plates next to the bacon.

"Uh...either," Daniel mumbled and rubbed at the back of his head. Why was he being asked to make decisions so early in the morning? "So, why the big breakfast thing?"

"I was hungry. It's not too much is it?"

"More than I'm used to," Daniel said, stepping to Methos' side, taking in a deep breath. "Smells good."

"Thanks," Methos said and poured out a cup of coffee for Daniel, fixing it just as Daniel liked it. After watching him at the base, pulling long hours together, working on one translation or another, Methos was all too familiar with Daniel's penchant for coffee, and the various ways he took it. For early morning, he preferred it with a lot of sugar, probably to help him jump start his day.

"Thanks." Daniel gazed into his friend's eyes, making contact and lingering there for a long moment, taking in the soft green shade, so tranquil and relaxing. "You're going to spoil me."

"It's only breakfast." Methos turned his eyes away from Daniel's. They were a gorgeous shade of blue this morning, and if Methos didn't know better, he'd swear they were darkening with passion. That couldn't be though; Daniel was straight...and married. It didn't matter that his wife was currently host to a Goa'uld; Daniel remained faithful to his vows and had hopes of one day rescuing her. Methos' imagination was kicking in, nothing more. This is what he got for having a steaming hot dream of Jack the night before.

"I know...uh...I mean...everything...you're such a joy to work with...such a refreshing change." Daniel had never worked with someone, who could relate to him so easily, understanding the scope and ramifications of what there was to learn from alien cultures. "I mean, you get it...most don't...you know?" he stammered, trying to put his feelings into words.

"I suppose," Methos said, not sure he completely understood what Daniel meant. They did have an excellent working relationship, but Methos sensed that Daniel was referring to something more...something deeper....

"You're too modest. You're a great asset to the S.G.C., a brilliant mind...and now I find out you can cook, too," Daniel chuckled.

Methos chuckled slightly in return then the next thing he knew, Daniel was rubbing his shoulders. Damn, he had a wonderful touch...so firm, yet tender, the warmth of his chest radiating onto Methos' upper arm, his scent musky, inviting. Shit...Methos' body was having a dangerous reaction. Sensing a need to stop it before it grew any more, Methos froze, willing his body to stay under control.

"Relax," Daniel whispered. His breath was mint-y fresh and warm, tickling Methos' ear. Did he have any idea what he was doing?

"What are you doing, Daniel?"

"You're too tense, Adam. You need to relax," Daniel whispered, ignoring the question, while intensifying his massage and leaning forward.

As Methos felt Daniel's breath on the front of his neck, his hands working magic on his shoulder, he knew he had to get him to stop, or he was going to have a raging hard-on to explain, and he didn't want that. Not that Methos would be embarrassed about such a thing, he wouldn't. However, in Daniel's mind, he needed to remain strictly heterosexual, at least for now, for the sake of Jack's career.

"You're not trying to flirt with me, are you?" Methos whispered, echoing Daniel's tone of voice and causing Daniel's hands to stop dead in their tracks. Good, now Methos' body could fully settle. "No offense, but you've got the wrong equipment," Methos chuckled. That was true enough; Methos was currently interested in Jack's equipment only, no one else's, either male or female, no matter how alluring.

"What?" Daniel asked innocently.

Methos turned as Daniel let loose his hold and looked into Daniel's eyes, seeing innocence and confusion. He really didn't get it, did he? Methos was going to have to draw him a picture.

"What? You come in here with your breath all mint-y..."

"I brushed my teeth."

"And you're half-naked..." Methos continued, ignoring Daniel's comment.

"I spilled toothpaste on my shirt so I took it off," Daniel explained with an odd expression crossing his face.

"You start complimenting me..." With the look on his face, perhaps Daniel was beginning to catch on.

"Yeah...I really appreciate you, Adam."

"And I you." He was still not getting it. "But the way you were touching me..."

"You said your shoulder was stiff."

"The way you were leaning over me...whispering in my ear..."

"What?"

"It was like you wanted to make another part of me stiff," Methos said and waved his hand in front of his groin to be sure that Daniel understood.

"Oh...uh..." He finally caught on. "Sorry...I didn't mean..."

"I know, but another guy might not. You're very kind and giving of yourself, Daniel, and there's nothing wrong with that, but sometimes the way you touch people...it could be misinterpreted...get you into some serious trouble someday. You're not living on Abydos anymore."

"Right," Daniel said with a nod. He'd always been a touching person and when living on his wife's home world with its relatively open culture Daniel had felt right at home, touching was very common there. Now that he was back on Earth, Daniel felt himself at times lapsing into old habits he'd picked up on Abydos, and usually he checked himself, hoping no one had noticed. This was the first time that someone else had seemed to understand the connection and said something about it. "Abydos...how..."

"You let me read your journal, remember?" Methos asked, arching one eyebrow, ala Teal'c and causing Daniel to laugh in response, just as he'd wanted him to. The air was getting far too serious for such an early hour.

"And you actually read it," Daniel chuckled. "See that's what I mean...you really value what I have to say...so often..."

"You feel as if you're being patronized," Methos said with a nod. So that's the extra that Methos had sensed earlier - acceptance. Daniel was admired, even loved to a degree by those closest to him. Methos could plainly see that, but most of Daniel's friends and associates were career military and, consequently, they had reservations when it came to some of his farther out theories. Methos knew precisely how Daniel felt. "Been there; done that," he offered.

"Ah...want to share?" Daniel asked with a tiny tease in his voice. His curiosity was waking up if no other part of him.

"Not this morning." Or any morning any time soon. The instance Methos had in mind had occurred during The Spanish Inquisition when he'd befriended the astronomer Galileo; and he couldn't very well discuss it with Daniel. Maybe someday he could relate the story as an allegory, or in some similarly anonymous fashion.

"Darn," Daniel said with a playful pout. "So, should I put a fresh shirt on?"

"Only if you want to," Methos said with a tender smile and picked up their plates, handing Daniel's to him. "Let's eat before it gets cold."

"Sure," Daniel said and led the way to the dining table, taking his usual seat. "So...will you be sticking around for Sam's ceremony tomorrow?"

"Wouldn't miss it. She still has no clue?" Methos asked with a grin as he took his seat across from Daniel.

"Nope. As far as she knows the Secretary of Defense is coming out to pat us all on the back...nothing more."

"Good. Oh...before I forget...I'll be staying at Jack's tonight...he said something about wanting to employ my linguistic assistance."

"General Hammond must want him to say a few words," Daniel said with a tiny laugh. "Poor guy, he hates making speeches."

"Ah...well, it should be short then," Methos said, joining in the laughter.

"Very," Daniel agreed and took another sip of coffee before he was drawn into a conversation about the history of oratory in Ancient Greece and its political and social significance. Maybe someday Daniel would figure out how anyone could be so lucid at this hour of the day. In the meantime, he'd enjoy the coffee and listen, utter a courteous sound now and then as appropriate. With any luck he might actually remember half of what was being said.

~ ~ ~

Thor woke with a scowl on his face as his ship entered Earth's orbit. Normally, he wouldn't have been sleeping at all during the trip since he was the only one on board, but the time-sensitive nature of his mission had necessitated that he depart for Earth with no lead time. He'd been just about to enter his sleep cycle, standing next to his rest station, when he'd received his orders, so he'd gotten the ship underway then set the computer to take over and availed himself of what little sleep he could. It would have to suffice. He stretched his tiny neck, feeling a pop at the base of it. His body felt worn all over from a touch of fatigue, but he would have to bear it. His duty was of greater import than his personal comfort.

Suddenly, an impact alarm sounded, prompting Thor to quickly take his place behind the main control console. Another satellite. It hadn't been there during his last visit. The people of Earth had been busily cluttering the immediate space surrounding their planet for years now, when were they going to stop? He manually adjusted his ship's course to avoid the collision then he set the computer to update its mapping of the planet's orbit and turned his focus to the surface of the planet, zeroing in on the mountain called Cheyenne.

His target was inside the complex known as Stargate Command, S.G.C. for short, just as Thor had expected him to be. He pulled up the visual on his main screen and saw him appear as a green blip with a cluster of other green blips in close proximity to him. They were too close. Thor would have to wait until he was far enough away from those surrounding him; his orders were to not allow any human other than Colonel Jack O'Neill on board.

While waiting, Thor took the opportunity to broaden his scan to include the entire gateroom, noting the red blip among the sea of green ones. Those with symbiotes appeared as red and given there were no other ships in orbit; logic dictated that the blip most likely represented the resident Jaffa, Teal'c. As a precaution, Thor locked the computer on the life sign so he could keep it monitored then he noticed a new life form entering the room and his large eyes grew even larger.

There, on his screen, was a yellow blip, an unrecognized life sign. True, the ship he was on wasn't equipped with the very latest in Asgard sensors, but he should have been able to identify any life form within the S.G.C. Instinctively, Thor's inner scientist screamed out to investigate, but this wasn't a scientific mission; it was a diplomatic one. He monitored the yellow blip long enough to see it mingling amongst the green then settling in next to O'Neill. He seemingly didn't perceive this life form as a threat, nor did anyone else. Curious. Thor labeled the new life form Incognitus and set the computer to track and record it so he could study the data at a later time then he resumed his vigil on O'Neill. Certainly, he would break away from the others soon, or so Thor hoped.

~ ~ ~

Jack waited patiently, his dress blues stifling him, while Daniel stood before him, going on and on...and on about whatever it was he was talking about. Damn, but Jack hated the small talk part of these ceremonies...the seemingly endless waiting for those in charge to decide it was time to start the proceedings. On the bright side, at least, he had Methos standing next to him, dressed to kill in his black wool suit with white shirt and green tie that set off his eyes just so...simply gorgeous.

Finally, a few minutes later, the last of the guests from The Academy arrived and Hammond moved toward the podium, motioning for SG-1 to take their assigned places. Jack dutifully followed Sam, enjoying the view of her dress blue skirt hugging her hips just right until she settled in then he passed her to take his place at the top of the ramp. Damn, but she was a temptation...one that Jack couldn't afford. Thankfully, he'd met Methos and fallen in love, otherwise, well...suffice to say that his feelings for Sam had begun to grow beyond those of friendship, and if left unchecked, they could have proven detrimental to both their careers, not just his alone.

The others in the room took Hammond's cue as well and moved to their spots, Methos lining up with the other civilians, who were in attendance. The proceedings then began and were relatively short. First, Hammond said a few words; then the Secretary spoke on behalf of The President, typical stump speech; then came Sam's promotion. Hammond and Jack traded her Captain's bars for Major's clusters, salutes were exchanged, and then it was time for Jack to speak. Methos smiled as he watched his lover casually take his place behind the podium the very picture of calm, knowing that inside Jack was a nervous wreck.

To say that Jack hated making speeches was a grave understatement. He could issue orders, give instructions to cadets or other subordinates with no trouble whatsoever, but when it came to formal oratory such as this he was uncomfortable to say the least. He had his own unique way of expressing his thoughts and feelings, and to be confined to what proper military decorum expected of him left him feeling like a fish out of water.

The evening before, over dinner and a superior bottle of wine, Methos had helped Jack to write a short speech, one that would reflect his personality and sense of humor, yet state the things expected of him as Sam's commanding officer. Then they'd snuggled by the fireplace while Jack had rehearsed the speech, over and over again, until Methos was so sick of hearing it that he'd pinned Jack to the sofa for a deep, exploring kiss to shut him up. Looking back, Jack had probably planned that part all along.

Jack smiled toward Sam then he began his speech, barely, when suddenly, a bright light appeared at the podium and Jack disappeared, right in front of everyone's eyes. Damn aliens. Why couldn't they leave Jack alone? What the hell made him attract them so? As Methos watched the personnel fall into their emergency routine, the ceremony abruptly ended, he wondered just who had taken his Jack and why.

"Adam," Daniel called out and walked toward him, meeting him at that base of the ramp.

"Daniel...any ideas?" Methos asked and looked past him to Teal'c, wondering if he had any clue either.

"I'm not sure...no rings, so I don't think it was the Goa'uld..."

"My thought as well, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c agreed.

"Mine, too," Methos said and rubbed his chin as Sam returned to the room, approaching them.

"The technology looked similar to what the Asgard used on Cimmeria," Sam said as she came to stand between Daniel and Methos.

"Asgard?" Methos asked, turning slightly to face her, and pursed his lips as a sense of relief came over him. "Well...they're good guys, right? They'll send him back eventually..."

"One would think," Daniel said, staring at the podium.

"Indeed," Teal'c intoned, his eyes focusing in on the podium as well.

"Yes...well...I'll wait in the office for word," Methos said and waved toward the door. "That's what I do with a Code Nine declared, correct?"

"Yes. Remain at your workstation...be ready to help if needed," Sam said, citing the standard procedure for most of the civilian personnel as her eyes also drifted to the podium, her mind clearly elsewhere.

"Right," Daniel agreed, but gave no indication of moving to leave. He might be a civilian, but he was a member of SG-1 and with Jack missing, Daniel was going to stay with Sam. What they were going to do exactly, he wasn't quite sure, but Teal'c wasn't making any move to leave either, so it seemed clear that the three of them, whatever they did, they would do together as a team.

"Right...you know where to find me," Methos said then he made his way for the stairwell, planning to stop off and pick up a sandwich. Jack's team would look after him, just as they always did, and with the base on alert, Methos was guaranteed to not have to wait in line for a change, assuming that the commissary wasn't shut down. He didn't think it closed for a Code Nine, but he'd never been on base for one before. He was going to have to brush up on the handbook. In the meantime, he'd go to the commissary and find out for sure, one way or the other, when he got there.

Nearly an hour later, the alarm long silenced, Methos finished eating and settled in at his workstation, reading the latest issue of Mad magazine. Damn Jack for having introduced him to this worthless publication. It had no redeeming value whatsoever...pure rubbish...yet Methos now found himself reading each issue just as soon as Jack was finished with it. Hopefully, Duncan would never find out that he wasted his brain cells on such, or he'd never hear the end of it.

"Hey," Daniel said as he entered the room carrying a pile of folders.

"Any word on Jack?" Methos asked, keeping a casual air, and stowed the magazine in his attaché while Daniel sorted out the files.

"Yes...he's fine...uh, back...the Asgard...uh...Thor, to be specific, wanted to speak with him. He said he'll drop by here later."

"Jack or Thor?"

"Only Jack, so far as I know," Daniel said, his mind obviously on the project he was laying out before them. "We've got three Goa'uld headed this way to represent The System Lords. They'll be arriving in four days, the base is on lockdown for the duration, the Secretary of Defense is staying on..."

"Breathe, Daniel," Methos interrupted. Daniel's speech pattern was rapidly accelerating, and he was liable to omit something if he didn't slow down.

"Huh? Oh...right...thanks," Daniel said with a smile then he resumed his monologue at a more moderate pace. "Thor sent materials for us to be able to prepare, but his information on these Goa'uld is sketchy at best. General Hammond wants me to brief him and the others on them in more detail. Teal'c will come by to give some input...if he has time; right now he's busy with Jack looking into security.

"Right," Methos said and prepared his workspace for drafting a memorandum while Daniel explained that the purpose of this sudden visit was to negotiate with The System Lords to include Earth in the Asgard's Protected Planets Treaty. If the talks failed, Earth would have an armada of Mother Ships closing in on it within a matter of days to quell what the Goa'uld had deemed to be a 'growing threat'.

"And the Asgard chose Jack to speak for the people of Earth?" Methos asked in disbelief.

"Yes. He did try to sway them to choose someone else, but Thor wouldn't hear of it," Daniel said with a tiny sigh.

"Okay...so, what do you want me to do?"

"Background on Cronus...historically, he probably posed as a Greek god on Earth at some point..." Daniel said as he moved to start a fresh pot of coffee.

Daniel's next words were lost as Methos' mind focused on the name Cronus, recalling images of Kronos from centuries before. The blood, the carnage, swept through Methos' mind, horrific memories surfacing...

"Adam?" Daniel said, knocking Methos out of his stupor.

"Huh? Oh...uh...Cronus...background report...got it. Sorry, something just popped into my mind." He hated when he had such unwelcome flashbacks, and ones involving Kronos were among the worst.

"Good. Well, let's get started," Daniel said and took his seat as the aroma of brewing coffee began to filter throughout the room.

~ ~ ~

Methos sat, staring at his computer screen, wondering what sort of sick joke Fate was playing on him. She had been wonderful in giving him his Jack, but now she was sending this wanna-be god his way, stirring up memories that Methos had struggled for centuries to keep buried. Damn her, but she could be a royal bitch when she wanted. The question was why...why couldn't Thor have arrived a day later? If so, Methos would have been back in Denver, locked out of the S.G.C. rather than locked inside with this nightmare.

On the bright side, he would get to observe a Goa'uld in person without having to be captured or actually meeting with one face-to-face. Once the general briefing had ended, Hammond had called him into his office, and at first, Methos had thought from his manner that it was going to be an informal meeting, so he had mirrored Hammond's casual air. He'd been just about to address him as George once the doors were closed, but then Hammond's full 'General' persona had kicked back in, so Methos had held his tongue. Hammond needed someone he could trust, preferably a civilian, who also had a keen eye for observation, thus he had a 'special assignment' for Methos, one that only the two of them, Jack, and Daniel were to know about until the Goa'uld had come and gone.

Methos was to remain on the periphery; assist Daniel with his liaison duties without interacting directly with the Goa'uld; and document his 'unofficial' observations of their 'guests' for inclusion in his 'official' report afterwards. The President wanted a picture of these three that showed them for what they were, not what they would undoubtedly want the people of Earth to see; and he wanted plausible deniability. It was only natural that a historian, on his own initiative, would attempt to satisfy his curiosity when presented with an opportunity such as this unprecedented visit, especially someone who'd been with The Project for such a relatively short time. Or so the story would be told should Methos be found out.

Methos poured a fresh cup of coffee and stretched a bit then settled back at his workstation and finished looking over the materials that Daniel had drawn up on Yu and Nirrti then he switched back to his own brief that he'd written concerning Cronus. The mythology surrounding Cronus on Earth was one of paradoxes, largely because Cronus and Kronos were held by most scholars to be the same person, or god; however Methos knew better. Perhaps The Watchers' records on immortals would become public knowledge someday and provide clarification for Academia, but until then, Methos was going to play along with the conventional wisdom, for the most part anyway.

Despite what was stated in the materials that Daniel had hastily gathered, Methos had written his report based largely on his own knowledge from years of study as well as his own personal experience, omitting certain events that the texts accredited to Cronus, which he knew for a fact had their proper placement with Kronos. In another lifetime, long ago and far away, Methos had ridden with Kronos as one of 'The Four Horsemen', a band of four immortal 'brothers', who had raped, pillaged and committed numerous other atrocities during Methos' misspent 'youth'. It was a time that Methos looked back on with a great sense of regret, so much needless violence...so many killed...

Fog hung thick in the early morning the air, the sun not yet fully risen, visibility poor as a result. Methos took a step forward as he called for his horse, his left foot landing in a pool of blood, splashing some of it onto his ankle. He mentally noted the spot, cataloguing that it was not his blood, but that of some faceless villager. He took another step. Splash. More blood...this time on his right ankle. Damn fog. He could avoid the puddles if only he could see them...and where the hell had his horse gone off to?

"Brother!" Kronos' booming voice cut through the murkiness.

"Kronos?" Methos called back. The voice was off to his left. He took a step in that direction and suddenly a hand landed on his foot. Instinctively, Methos swung his sword severing the hand from its owner, hearing the instant cry of pain from the man lying on the ground. "You should have given us what we wanted," Methos growled and ran the man through quickly, finishing him off, getting the rush of a fresh kill.

"Brother!" Kronos yelled again. "I have your horse!"

"Where are you?" Methos called out, still unable to see either Kronos or his horse in the pea soup.

"Over here," Kronos chuckled, his voice softer, barely audible.

This time the sound was coming from Methos' right. What the hell? First, Kronos had insisted that they hit one more village before the winter then he'd picked one where the men actually had the backbone to put up a resistance, now he was moving around in the fog, staying out of sight and taunting Methos. So help him...if Kronos hadn't been the strongest of them....

"Remain still," Methos ordered and moved toward the spot where he'd last heard the sound of Kronos' voice coming from.

"We have found them!" Kronos shouted then Methos could see flames shoot up into the air, piercing through the fog. It was about damn time...now he could at least see what was ahead of him...just so long as he walked toward the fire.

The men of the village had taken precautions, and, in a way, Methos respected that, but they hadn't been properly trained in how to fight, so their plan had been doomed to fail from its inception. They should have fled...left what Kronos was after behind them...in clear view. Instead, they'd hidden the women and children then mounted a pathetic defense. Methos and his three brothers had been outnumbered eight to one, however, with their wealth of experience the odds had been in their favor, despite the numbers.

Methos made his way toward the fire, taking his time, stepping around the bodies and the pools of blood. It took time to burn people out; you had to wait for them to resign themselves to the fact that no exit remained other than the one provided by the enemy. As he drew closer, smelling the odor of burning flesh, Methos shook his head. Surely the women were not as stubborn as the men of this village? As Methos got near enough to feel the warmth of the flames, he saw that they were. There, in a storage pit, partially underground, the sounds of children screaming and mothers crying could be clearly heard coming forth. The women were killing their own offspring rather than have them be sold into slavery. Stupid...needless.... It wasn't like they couldn't bear more children.

"Get them!" Kronos barked out and Methos saw their two brothers, Caspian and Silas moving into the pit, the intense heat of the flames not bothering them in the least. Within moments they were hurling women and children out onto the cold, muddy ground.

"My horse!" Methos shouted. He might as well check him while he waited for Caspian and Silas to finish their work. He heard Kronos slap the backside of his stead then watched him come through the fog. He wasn't limping. Good. The blood on his legs must have been that of the villagers. Methos reached out with a tender hand as his horse drew near, soothing the side of the animal's head. They had been through many battles together, and Methos trusted his horse far more than any person, either mortal or immortal. Suddenly, Methos felt a hand touch the back of his knee. "Damn insolent bastards," he grumbled and swung around to sever the hand as he'd done with the last one that had dared to touch him.

"No!" The shout was from a woman, who came rushing out of the darkness, throwing herself down onto a small body as it hit the ground. The hand had belonged to a young boy...a toddler. Methos had just taken his head, sending it flying in one direction as the child's body went down with a thud at his feet.

Methos stared at the woman, seeing her cradle the lifeless torso of her son, wailing in agony at the horrific site she had just witnessed. Why had she not controlled the boy? If she was surrendering, why had she let him wander off? The woman then took a deep breath and looked up to Methos, gazing into his eyes. How dare she! Did she have any clue who he was?

"My lord...I beg of you...kill me that I might join my son and my husband," she cried out.

A request? Who was this insignificant female to request anything of Methos? He should run her through for such unabashed impudence, but that would give her what she wanted, and he was hardly about to do that. She and her son could have both survived this, very likely have been sold together since the boy was so young and would require nurturing for at least another year. Stupid woman. Her son's blood was on her own hands. Why should Methos give her any comfort whatsoever?

"Silence!" Kronos bellowed as he pushed past Methos and yanked the woman to her feet, her arms still wrapped around her son, holding him to her breast. Kronos gave her backside a quick perusal and let out a deep belly laugh. "Well done, brother. She will fetch a good price...even more without the troublesome child," he said and led her away by her hair.

"Mercy...mercy...I beg of you...mercy," the woman cried, but to no avail.

Methos then watched as the woman maintained her hold on her son's body, repeating her cry for mercy, over and over until Kronos backhanded her across the face and shoved the boy's body away, leaving it to fall atop the body of one of the men. The woman screamed and looked back, catching Methos' eye, pleading again for mercy. No one had shown Methos any mercy, why should he show it to others? As her gaze continued, her words echoing in his ears, he saw the agony and terror, the pleading...then suddenly, something inside of him snapped and he felt as if her pain was his own. What had he done? He could have granted her request; killed her; spared her the future pain of living her remaining days with the horror of watching her family die, but he hadn't.

"Silence her," Kronos ordered and tossed the woman to Caspian, who then slapped her hard enough to render her unconscious before placing her onto the wagon.

Methos stared at the woman, now silent and motionless, confused by what he was feeling. He'd killed countless scores of people and had overseen many other killings by his brothers; none had bothered him, not in the least, but now, in an instant, everything had changed. He walked in a daze to where the young boy's head had landed and picked it up and cradled it, stroking the brown hair back from the face, wiping the blood and dirt from the tiny cheeks, while staring into the small, panic-stricken eyes before closing them. Then he carried the head and placed it down at the top of the boy's body, as his own body began to shake. If he could have...he would have joined the pieces back together...breathed life back into them...

"Adam?" Jack placed his hand on Methos' right shoulder. "You all right?" His lover was pale, shaking, and breaking out in a sweat. Something was wrong.

Jack's voice was a welcome sound to Methos' ears...like a life preserver, gently guiding him in from rough waters. If only they weren't in the middle of the S.G.C...he could really use a warm, tender embrace just now.

"Feeling a bit worn...talk about it later," Methos said and motioned with his eyes toward the security camera, which was recording everything that happened in the room.

"Let's take a walk," Jack said and moved toward the door without waiting for a response. His lover was shaken and in need of comfort, and Jack wasn't going to make him wait. There were ways to get around the security cameras. He led them into the stairwell then down to Level 25 before Methos reached out and stopped him.

"Where are we going?" Methos whispered.

"My quarters," Jack whispered back. "Act normal...if anyone asks...I'm letting you use them to take a nap...been a long day for you. We need to rotate our sleeping arrangements with all these extra people around anyway."

"Yes, but I was assigned to share with Daniel," Methos protested, but Jack ignored him, heading into the corridor. Once alone in his room with the door locked behind them, Jack quickly checked the camera then drew Methos into a warm embrace, cradling his head to his left shoulder and running his fingers through his soft brown hair.

"Jack?"

"Relax...the camera's off. It usually is unless Janet orders it to be turned on for medical reasons."

"Oh," Methos said and let out a contented sigh as Jack tightened his embrace, giving him his warmth, letting Methos feel his love.

"It's one of the perks of being 2IC...having my own private retreat," Jack whispered as he continued to stroke Methos' hair. "We just can't make a habit of you being in here."

"Of course not," Methos said and broke away from Jack just enough to be able to gently kiss him. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Jack caressed Methos' right cheek, seeing his eyes were settling somewhat, the sweating ceased. "Flashback?" he said, making an educated guess. Hell, he'd had enough of his own; he ought to know one when he saw it.

"Yes...Kronos..."

"Cronus, the snakehead?" Jack asked, a bit surprised. Had Methos met a Goa'uld in the past?

"No...Kro-nos, the immortal...although through the centuries, historians have melded them into being one in the same."

"Tell me," Jack said and pulled Methos back to his shoulder, gently cradling his lover and listening attentively as Methos described the flashback.

"I knew then that I had to get away from him...away from the pain that he inflicted on all those around him," Methos said and gazed into Jack's eyes. "That part of me..."

"Is gone...dead and buried," Jack whispered, running his fingers along Methos' lips to silence him. "Only the memories remain...that's not you anymore."

"But I am still capable of doing those things."

"I know...but you wouldn't...not without a damn good reason," Jack said and let out a tiny chuckle. "Remember what you told me after we got back from Hathor's fortress? How you said you would have tracked me down out there and killed me rather than let a Goa'uld use me for a host?"

"Yes. It's a good thing that Tok'ra operative put you in the deep freeze and killed the symbiote before it completed the blending, or I would have done just that...killed that bitch Hathor too, if you hadn't done so."

"Right...and all for good and justifiable reasons," Jack said and caressed Methos' right cheek. "You don't kill for the rush of it; only as a last resort. That's a huge difference."

"You're right," Methos whispered and leaned into Jack's shoulder once again, his fingers moving of their own accord to touch the tiny scar on the back of Jack's neck where the symbiote had entered. "I love you, Jack."

"I love you, too." Jack gave Methos one more squeeze then he separated them. "This Kronos guy is gone now, right?" he asked, just to be sure.

"Yes, Duncan took his head."

"Right," Jack said with a nod. "Get some sleep. Next rotation use Daniel's quarters. His camera should be off, too...one of the reasons I got you assigned to them."

"Thanks."

"No problem...I'll send someone to wake you if anything happens."

"Okay. Tell Daniel where I am in case he needs my help."

"Will do," Jack said and flashed a patented O'Neill grin at Methos, causing him to smile in return then he turned and slipped into the corridor, leaving his lover alone to rest.

Methos stared at the door, thinking of the risk that Jack had taken in bringing him here, giving him the comfort that he'd needed, then, for some reason, Methos got the feeling that he was being watched. He checked the camera, making sure that Jack had been right, that it was truly off, and let out a tiny sigh. Maybe he really did need a nap after all. He sat down on the bed and paused for a long moment, once again staring at the door and then the camera before lying down on his side and nestling into the pillow. Hopefully, this would all be over soon. He took a deep breath, savoring Jack's scent as he closed his eyes then relaxed, his mind filling with thoughts of his lover and his plans for him, as he drifted off to sleep.

~ ~ ~

Jack strolled down the corridor, willing his mind to start shutting down. With the treaty in place to protect Earth from attack by The System Lords and the Goa'uld representatives gone through the Stargate, their own internal problems to contend with, Jack could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Having the fate of the entire planet resting on his shoulders, albeit only for a few days, had taken its toll. He was exhausted and all he wanted was to get home and have an icy cold beer with Methos nestled in at his side.

Over the past few days, throughout the preparations, the negotiations, the setbacks - everything - Methos had been supportive; his presence on the outer edges of the activities providing Jack with his strength to draw upon. Without him there, Jack was sure that he would have risen to the occasion; but having him there, being able to grab a quick bite with him a couple of times...it had been wonderful.

"Colonel O'Neill," Hammond called out from his office.

"Yes, sir," Jack replied as he doubled back. He knew he should have taken the stairs at the other end of the floor.

"Come in and sit down, Colonel," Hammond ordered from his seat behind his desk.

Jack stepped into the office and, much to his surprise, saw Methos seated in the second seat across from Hammond. He exchanged a courteous nod with Methos and took the seat next to him, looking to Hammond, wondering what was going on.

"Since his arrival at the S.G.C.," Hammond began, "Doctor Pierson has been keeping me advised concerning the possibility of acquiring more rare texts such as the one he shared with Doctor Jackson prior to joining us."

"The one we used with that statue...the story about Ani," Methos added.

"Right," Jack said, pursing his lips slightly. He knew that Methos had been dropping by Hammond's office from time to time, but he'd thought they'd been purely social visits. "No memo, sir?" he asked, raising his eyebrows, a hint of a grin on his face.

"No need, Colonel," Hammond chuckled. "Nothing has been available - until now," he said and looked over to Methos.

"With The System Lords' increased interest in Earth. I took the liberty of checking in with my regular sources. Something's about to come on the market that could be of use, a chronicle that is purported to contain information on known associates of Cronus."

"Oh?" Jack said, raising his eyebrows. The last rare text Methos had produced was one of Methos' own journals, which he'd said at the time had been acquired from an anonymous seller. Surely he wasn't planning to turn over another one to Daniel's scrutiny. His curiosity and enough time could prove to be problematic. "Does your source have a name this time?"

"Yes. Doctor Benjamin Adams."

"Another historian?" Hammond asked.

"No, Doctor of Medicine, but he keeps an eye on all the auction houses, sort of a hobby for him."

"Ah," Jack sighed and avoided making eye contact with either man. Benjamin Adams was one of Methos' other pseudonyms, which meant that most likely the text they were discussing was another of Methos' journals. What the hell did Methos think he was up to and why the hell hadn't he consulted with Jack before going to Hammond?

"The catch is...we need to be in France by the day after tomorrow if we want to get our hands on it before the bidding is opened to the general public," Methos said.

"We?" Jack asked, noting the look in Methos' eye. He was sporting his best poker face; he was definitely up to something.

"You are to accompany Doctor Pierson, take in a change of scenery for a few days," Hammond said.

"Yes, sir," Jack said and sat back in his seat. Hammond was essentially telling him to take a quasi-vacation, forcing him to do so, and even if Jack wanted to protest, he knew from Hammond's tone that to do so would be wasted breath. Was this Hammond's idea on his own or had Methos fed it to him? Either way, Jack wouldn't be able to find out until later once he and Methos were alone, so he relaxed a bit and watched quietly as Methos and Hammond discussed the logistics of arranging their transportation to France.

As Methos leaned forward, speaking with Hammond, he could feel Jack's eyes on him, and knew that his lover's mind must be full of questions. The details would have to wait, but for now, at least he could throw him a bone. A few moments later, Hammond sat back, phone in hand, talking with someone over at Peterson Air Force Base, and Methos sat back as well, taking the small calendar off the desk and laying it to rest on his lap. He discretely tapped the target date with his index finger then, once he was certain that Jack would see, he slowly drew the figure of a small heart over it with his finger.

Jack's eyes opened slightly wider and he felt a shiver of anticipation run down his spine as he began to understand. This assignment would put him and Methos alone together in the south of France on their one-year anniversary - and at government expense. His lover was a genius.

"You're all set," Hammond said as he hung up the phone. "You leave Peterson in two hours."

"Thank you, General," Methos said as he returned the calendar to its place. "You, too, Jack. I know you'd rather have some time off."

"Yes...well...duty first," Jack said, swinging his arms as he rose to his feet. "Besides, it's a long flight and I won't be piloting," he said, rubbing his neck, "...give me a chance to sleep on the plane for a change," he said with a tiny smile.

"Right," Methos said, standing up at Jack's side.

"You two better get moving," Hammond said, shuffling a folder to in front of him and opening it up.

"Yes, sir," Jack said and motioned for Methos to leave the room ahead of him. As they reached the elevator, Jack cleared his throat.

"So...uh...nice timing, Doctor," Jack said with a tiny smile.

"Yes, most fortuitous," Methos said, smiling in return.

"You requested me?"

"Not exactly...I would have, but I didn't need to."

"Right." Hammond must have been planning to get Jack out of the Mountain anyway. This trip gave him the perfect opportunity. "So...you get ready then head up to the surface...I'll arrange for a car to be waiting for us when we land in France...get changed...meet you by the truck in say..." He glanced at his watch. "Twenty minutes?"

"Sounds perfect," Methos said then entered the elevator, while Jack headed back down the corridor.

~ ~ ~

Methos smiled at Jack and gently patted his knee as he parked their loaner car in front of the modest estate, which Methos had owned for many centuries, but not called home for quite some time. He'd had a caretaker looking after it, running the nearby vineyards as if his own, keeping any revenues from them as payment for keeping the house in pristine order and making sure that curious eyes didn't pry where they didn't belong.

Since the caretaker was technically an employee being paid by the trust that Methos had in place, all property and business taxes were taken care of, leaving only personal income tax for the caretaker to pay. That made the earnings good, not great, but enough for someone with a strong work ethic to support a family and build a tidy nest egg for retirement. Inevitably though, over time, the caretakers would leave for one reason or another, and Methos would have to hire another then, periodically, Methos would take over himself and stay on at the house for a few years before hiring a new caretaker, posing as the heir to the last of his aliases. All in all, the arrangement had worked out quite well.

"So, the guy who watches all this...where is he now?" Jack asked as he got out of the car and stretched, taking in the building before him - all three floors of it.

"I sent word to him that I was going to be here this week...he'll stay away until I tell him I've gone. He respects my privacy."

"He respects your money."

"That, too," Methos chuckled, taking their bags from the trunk. "Shall we?" he asked with a wave of his hand, prompting Jack to take up his bag and start walking to the garage.

"We're leaving the car outside?"

"I'll bring it in later," Methos said and took the padlock off the garage door then lifted it, Jack's right hand automatically reaching out, joining in to help.

"This place is a bit big for one person, don't ya think?"

"Not really...the basement is a wine cellar...most of the top floor I converted into a large gymnasium...only three bedrooms..."

"Only," Jack said, rolling his eyes, as Methos made his way up a flight of stone steps and unlocked the door.

"After you, my love."

Jack squeezed past Methos then stepped through the small laundry room and onward inside and felt like he'd walked onto a movie set. The place was immaculate. He went through the state-of-the-art kitchen, noting its granite countertops and rustic oak cabinets then he reached the large room, which was split between the dining area and the living room, and took a deep breath. There was artwork everywhere, leather furniture, tiled floors, and a huge granite fireplace. It was simply breathtaking.

"You like?" Methos asked with a tease in his voice and sat down his overnight bag and the large duffle, which held his sword. Getting it into the country had been a breeze compared to his usual rigors through customs. Traveling by military transport with the convenient phrase 'national security' at their disposal meant that no questions were asked about any weapons they were carrying, just so long as they had them properly stowed while in flight.

"I could get used to it," Jack quipped, staring at the fireplace. There were few things he enjoyed more than snuggling up in front of a roaring fire.

"Good," Methos said then he doubled back to check that the items he'd requested had been delivered.

"Whatcha doin'?" Jack asked, coming to Methos' side, then let out a tiny harrumph as Methos abruptly closed the refrigerator. "Hiding something?"

"Checking our provisions."

"And hiding something."

"I'll show you after dinner."

"Dinner here?"

"No...in town."

"Nap first? Snuggle up in front of the fireplace?" Jack asked, giving Methos 'the look' while running his hands along Methos' hips.

"Once you've seen the rest of the house," Methos said and gave Jack a tiny kiss on the cheek before stepping away. "But just snuggling...we'll satisfy your other urges later...after dinner," he said and took up his bags, heading off toward the bedrooms.

"I'm gonna hold you to that," Jack said and fell into step behind Methos, bag in one hand, and gave a quick squeeze to his lover's ass with the other before he went back to behaving himself.

~ ~ ~

Jack entered the garage; climbed the stairs to the door; and waited while Methos pulled the car inside. If they were going to be coming here with any sense of regularity, he was going to have to get his own key. So far, though, he hadn't brought up the matter. Knowing Methos, he already had Jack's key made, but hadn't given it to him because he knew that Jack would be tempted to peek into the refrigerator. Whatever Methos was hiding in there, it had to be good for him to have prolonged the suspense as he had.

The afternoon had been relaxing with a bit of conversation while they'd snuggled in front of the fire then they'd taken a short nap with Methos nestled into Jack's shoulder before they'd gone out to an early dinner, which had been very nice and terribly romantic. At that point, Jack had expected that they'd be going straight back to the chateau, but instead they'd taken a walk around the quaint town, located roughly four miles away. Finally, more than an hour after they'd polished off dessert, Methos had gotten them back, his poker face nonexistent as he'd grinned at Jack and given him a kiss before ordering him out of the car.

"Here," Methos said climbing the stairs. "Your key."

"I was just wondering about that," Jack chuckled as he took the key and unlocked the door. "Do I get to see what's in the fridge now?"

"Yes, but let me," Methos said and strode past Jack so that he arrived at the refrigerator ahead of him then he reached inside and pulled out a bottle of champagne, holding it so Jack could see the label.

"French champagne in France...who'd a thought?" Jack teased. Methos had chosen a superior brand, one that even Jack in his limited knowledge recognized as being very expensive. "Nice, but I would have been fine with something cheaper."

"Yes, but it's our anniversary," Methos said with a smile then set the bottle on the counter as he reached back into the refrigerator for the glasses. "Nice and chilled," he said as he brought out the flutes and handed them over.

"Very," Jack said as he took hold then he took a deep swallow as he got a closer look at them. "You had these done?"

"Special order...I got it right, didn't I?"

"Yes." Jack was awed. Not only were the glasses made of exquisitely cut crystal; they were each etched with Jack's family crest. "I...Methos...they're..." he stammered then leaned forward and gave his lover a kiss. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

"And all I was planning for our anniversary was to take you to dinner."

"Which you did," Methos said with a smile.

"I didn't get you a present, though...and you give me these..."

"Those aren't your present. One doesn't give crystal the first year."

"What?"

"I got those for our anniversary champagne. Let's take this into the bedroom and I'll give you your present," Methos said with a wink and took off to the master bedroom with Jack trailing along behind him.

Once there, Jack sat down the glasses and took over the duty of opening the champagne, watching as Methos prepared the room, grabbing a towel from the adjoining bathroom, turning down the bed, setting up the ice bucket on the nightstand, then once Jack had the bottle open he walked to Methos' side and cleared his throat.

"Glasses?"

"Here," Methos said and held them while Jack poured.

"So...first anniversary is paper, right?" Jack asked as he put the bottle into the bucket. What could Methos have possibly gotten him - monogrammed stationery, or, maybe, a leather-bound notebook to take with him on missions? Knowing Methos, it had to be something unique, or he wouldn't have bothered.

"Yes...first a toast," Methos said, feeling his nerves start to build as he gazed into Jack's deep brown eyes. "To our love...may all our days be as happy and wonderful as this one. Happy Anniversary."

"Happy Anniversary," Jack said and drank down the bulk of the glass, savoring the taste. Now he understood why it cost so damn much. "Smooth."

"Very," Methos said then he finished off his glass, prompting Jack to do the same. "Present time," he said and took an envelope out of the nightstand.

"Paper," Jack said with a smile and opened the envelope expecting a card, but instead found what looked like some sort of government form. He unfolded it. On the top was the official seal for The Netherlands? He scanned it briefly, not understanding the language, but noticed that the layout seemed oddly familiar.

"It's an application...for a civil union," Methos said and got down on one knee in front of Jack. "Will you marry me?"

Jack licked his lips as his mind raced, thinking through the ramifications of taking such an action. He loved Methos dearly, and when he'd placed the Claddagh ring on his finger one year earlier, he'd meant it as an engagement ring; he'd said so, but now...this was all so sudden...so unexpected.

"Jack?" Methos said as he rose to his feet.

"I want to," Jack began and took hold of Methos right hand with his left, running his thumb along the heart and hands of the ring, leaving it to rest on the crown set above them. "You know I do...but how can we?" he asked, gazing into Methos' eyes.

"I know it's asking a lot...understand that I will still be yours if you say no...but I've looked into this very carefully...I have all the documents that we'll need so that we can be married and you won't have to sacrifice your career," Methos said, knowing his competition all too well. Jack's career had been the driving force behind his entire adult life thus far. Hell, Jack had even admitted that his family had always taken second place to it. That's why Methos was so nervous.

"How exactly?" Jack asked, squeezing Methos' hand. If there really was a way to do this, then he was listening. With all he'd given for his country, hell the whole planet, maybe it was time that Jack told them all to fuck off and did something for himself. Still...he'd worked hard to make it this far in his career...but if he could have both....

Methos smiled and quickly mapped out his plan...how they could take a train to a small town he knew in The Netherlands, have Duncan and Joe serve as witnesses. As he spoke, he saw Jack's eyes start to gleam. He was honestly considering it. That alone was enough to make Methos very happy, now if he would only agree....

As Jack listened, hearing the slight tremor in Methos' voice, seeing the love and desire in his eyes, Jack realized that deep down he wanted this, as much as Methos did - even more than his career.

"We'll have to use aliases, and no one else will know...but in our hearts the commitment will be real...and we'll know the truth," Methos said, still gazing into Jack's eyes. "It doesn't matter what names we put on the paper..."

"Yes," Jack said, cutting him off. His decision was made. He pulled Methos closer to him then let go of his hand, moving his up to run his fingers through his lover's soft brown hair. "Yes," he quietly repeated then he leaned in and gave Methos a passionate kiss that grew more intense with each heartbeat.

When they broke for air, their glasses and the paper went gently to the floor as they began to undo one another's pants then passion overtook them. Shoes were kicked off; clothes discarded, sent in every direction as Jack and Methos continued to kiss, their lips always touching some part of the other. Within moments, Jack had them tumbling down onto the bed.

"I love you, Methos," Jack whispered, tracing Methos' chin with his fingertips. "More than anyone...or any thing."

"I love you, too," Methos whispered back and flipped them so that he could take control. "So very much," he said in a near growl then he dove in for Jack's neck, feasting on it as if it were a prime steak, eliciting a deep moan from Jack as their cocks began to rub together, fully hardening.

Jack sank into the bed, feeling his body course with excitement, both from the thought of getting married and Methos' talented tongue. He stayed still, for the most part, gently running his hands along Methos' torso now and then as his lover laid claim to him afresh, hitting each of his sensitive spots, and eventually finding a spot out of normal view where he left his mark. Usually, they were careful to avoid doing such, but tonight was a very special occasion, so Jack didn't mind it in the least.

"Methos," Jack whispered, his voice raspy, his breathing elevated. His cock was beginning to scream for some relief, so he took hold of Methos' ass and guided him to start rubbing their cocks together with a bit more intention.

"Hmmm," Methos purred then he took hold of Jack's hands, lifting them to rest on the pillow above his lover's head while he got into the tantalizing rhythm that they both relished so.

Jack let out a soft moan of approval then licked his lips and drew Methos in with his eyes, letting out a tiny sigh as he felt their lips touch, then their tongues, while Methos kept rocking, driving them slowly insane. Everything around them seemed to disappear. All they could sense was one another's breathing...their kiss, their cocks pressing and sliding together then after what felt like a short eternity, Methos ended the kiss and looked Jack in the eyes, as he pressed down on Jack's wrists, his movement even faster. They both began to shake. They were getting so very close....

"Damn...Methos," Jack called out then he erupted, his cum spilling out in violent jerks, joined by Methos' cum as he too went over the edge.

Methos slowed the rubbing, still gently moving until they were spent, then he laid flat over Jack, careful to hold up a bit on his weight as the Aftershock hit, causing them both to moan in delight as the welcome sensation ripped through their bodies.

"Wonderful," Methos whispered into Jack's ear then he saw a bright light forming around them. "What?" This had never happened before with an Aftershock.

"No...it can't be," Jack said, noticing the light as well, then suddenly, Jack and Methos found themselves lying on a cold, dark floor. Forget any second round this time. With the abrupt change of scenery, the usual excitement they experienced with an Aftershock was quickly snuffed out. Methos exchanged a dazed look with Jack then he moved off the top of him and started examining his new surroundings.

"Asgard?" Methos whispered, looking at Jack while waving toward the center of the room then he resumed his survey of the room as a whole. So this was what a space ship looked like?

"I think so." Jack sat up and glanced around the room, seeing Thor almost immediately. He was standing behind a console, studying the monitor, or whatever it was he had before him. "Thor?"

"Yes, O'Neill," Thor replied, still watching the screen. The blips had now returned to their previous colors - most curious. He looked at Methos, quickly assessing him; he was male and didn't appear threatening, but Thor kept the ship's internal weapons online and on target, just in case.

"I thought you left," Jack said as he rose to his feet, standing next to Methos and taking in the room. "This isn't where you brought me before. Your bridge?" he asked, trying to grasp what was happening.

"I returned. When I perceived that you were in danger, I transported you directly here."

"Which is?" Methos asked as he began to drift toward the console.

"The main control center," Thor answered. He watched Methos coming toward him, keeping a wary eye on him, but took no evasive action. O'Neill obviously trusted this creature, and the two had been virtually inseparable since they'd left Cheyenne Mountain, perhaps Thor could trust him as well.

"Like I said," Jack sighed and ran his hand along the back of his neck. Thor had an incredibly lousy sense of timing, beaming them up as he had, but if his motivation had been to save them.... "What danger were we in?"

"Your life signs merged," Thor said then noticed the semen drying on Methos' abdomen. He thought of the manner in which Jack and Methos had arrived and began to understand the situation more clearly. "I mistakenly believed that you had been overtaken, O'Neill."

"By me?" Methos asked, his Welsh accent heavy as he slid along side Thor, taking in the display on the screen before them. "Why on Earth would you think that?"

"Uh...Me...Adam," Jack said, his tone of voice a bit harried. Seeing his lover standing next to an alien, whom Jack barely knew was a tad unnerving. True, Thor did seem to have Jack's best interests in mind, but still...the whole situation was rapidly turning from inconvenient to odd to surreal.

"Fascinating," Methos said, his eyes growing wide as he examined the data being recorded. It appeared to be their temperatures, heart rates, and some other things that he couldn't quite figure out. "You've got to see this, Jack."

"Adam," Jack said, his voice now emphatic.

"What?" Methos asked, glancing over to Jack with an annoyed look in his eye.

"We're naked," Jack said, gritting his teeth. He'd been through the Stargate and had seen a lot of strange and unusual things, but he was getting weird-ed out by this current turn of events. How the hell could Methos, who'd never even stepped foot off Earth, be taking things so casually? Maybe he was in shock?

Methos glanced up and down Jack's body, enjoying the view, as always, then he glanced at Thor, noting his gray skin, small stature, huge eyes, lack of outward genitalia. Interesting. Thor was a male, according to what Methos had been told. How exactly did the Asgard reproduce?

"Adam?" Jack said with a nudge in his voice.

"Right...well, so is he," Methos said with a shrug and looked back to the screen. Granted, their current situation was unusual, to say the least, but Methos didn't sense a need for concern. Over the centuries he'd seen so much...done so much...and with working at the S.G.C., meeting some of the Tok'ra, sparring on occasion with Teal'c; he'd gotten used to the idea of being around an alien. For better or for worse, there was very little that fazed him anymore.

Jack stared at both Methos and Thor, his hands moving of their own accord to cover his groin. He would have received a more helpful response from Teal'c than he was getting from either of them. Thor slowly blinked his large eyes at Jack without saying a word then returned his focus to Methos, who was motioning toward the screen. On it, he saw three blips, one green, labeled O'Neill, one blue, unlabeled, and one yellow, to the right of the blue one and labeled Incognitus. A little quick deductive reasoning had Methos pursing his lips.

"Incognitus...is that for me?" Methos asked.

"Yes," Thor replied and continued his silent assessment. This creature was clearly intelligent...definitely worth further study.

"Incog-who?" Jack asked as if on autopilot.

"Incognitus. It's Latin for unknown," Methos said. "You know Latin?" he asked, looking to Thor.

"Yeah, the Asgard know all sorts of languages," Jack said, trying to get control of the conversation.

"Why Incognitus?" Methos asked, raising one finger to Jack, signaling for him to hold off on speaking anymore just then.

"Your life sign is unlike any the Asgard have encountered on Earth before," Thor answered.

"Really," Methos mused. So immortals showed up differently on Asgard sensors. This could be useful, provide the edge he needed to avoid others of his kind without having to hack into The Watchers' database all the bloody time. "Let me be sure I've got this right...I'm the yellow dot, and you're the blue dot?" he asked, catching Thor's eye.

"Yes, and as you can see, O'Neill is represented by the green. All humans show as green," Thor offered, intrigued by Methos' eagerness to have a dialogue. He was quite likeable. No wonder O'Neill found him suitable for intimate contact.

"Ah," Methos said with a nod. Excellent. Now, if only Thor had a small handheld version that he'd be willing to loan them for 'extended study'.

"Excuse me," Jack said, but was completely ignored this time, as Methos and Thor moved more closely together, their conversation getting into full swing.

"And you thought I had overtaken Jack. Why?"

"The dots were touching, vibrating, yours over his, then both turned yellow. They then both turned green as if O'Neill was overtaking you, but I had already initiated the transport sequence and was unable to reverse it."

"And now we're back to normal?"

"Yes."

"Hey!" Jack shouted to get their attention. "You two think you could hold up on the scientist mumbo jumbo long enough to reunite me with my clothes?"

Thor and Methos silenced, looked at each other, then over to Jack.

"As you wish, O'Neill," Thor said and did a quick wide-spectrum sweep of the area where he had retrieved them from, transporting various items up to the ship, causing them to appear on the floor near Jack.

"Thank you," Jack said with a tiny harrumph and grabbed the towel, draping it over his privates as he cleaned the dried semen off his body.

Methos watched Jack for a moment, feeling slightly irritated at the interruption that had occurred, then he realized that he hadn't exactly been the poster boy for manners himself, launching into a discussion with Thor without so much as a courteous hello.

"Suppose I should introduce myself...Doctor Adam Pierson," Methos said, extending his right hand toward Thor.

"Pierson," Thor repeated and began to type the name to replace Incognitus.

"I...E...not E...A...," Methos said, correcting Thor's record. He might as well get it right. "I work with Doctor Jackson, whom I believe you may be familiar with?"

"I am familiar with all the members of SG-1," Thor responded and raised his right hand toward Methos, allowing it to be held for a brief moment before withdrawing it. The human need for frequent touching was not unknown to him, although the purpose of certain touching rituals still puzzled him at times.

"Oh...are you now?" Jack asked as he slipped on his boxers. He glanced around and saw his shirt and one of his socks, but none of his other clothes. He skipped the sock; threw the shirt on over his head; and grabbed what he saw of Methos' clothes, bringing them along as he moved to join them at the console. "Here."

Methos took the towel, his boxers and trousers from Jack then quickly cleaned up before dressing, while Jack went back and forth a bit with Thor. Apparently, ever since SG-1's second visit to Cimmeria, the Asgard had been monitoring the activities of the Tau'ri, who went through the Stargate, focusing primarily on SG-1. That made sense. They were the flagship team, conducted most of the first-contact missions.

"And just when did you start following us around when we're off duty?" Jack asked, the level of his voice rising. "I don't know how it is with the Asgard, but with humans, we expect a degree of privacy away from the office."

"I was not following you, O'Neill," Thor said and looked at Methos. "The Asgard High Council granted my request for a brief study of the new life form."

"So, you were following me?" Methos laughed. "You could have just beamed down to see me. I would have been happy to speak with you."

"That did not seem a viable option," Thor said and moved from behind the console, looking curiously at the items still on the floor. "I had not yet collected enough data to classify your species," he added.

"And now you have?" Methos asked.

"You are a variant of the humans." Thor said

"Oh," Methos said, wondering just how much Thor had figured out about his kind.

"Curious," Thor said and picked up one of the champagne glasses, noting the crest. He hadn't seen such an emblem in many years.

"We were celebrating when you beamed us up," Methos said, stepping forward to explain.

"Celebration," Thor said, blinking his eyes. "From your appearance upon arrival, you appeared to be engaged in a mating ritual."

"Uh...yeah..." Jack drifted off. He'd been wondering if Thor had figured that part out. "About that...no one can find out. It's kinda..."

"Contrary to your regulations," Thor stated. "I am aware of your military's archaic statutes."

"Right," Jack said with a sigh of relief then he saw Thor picking up the application and reached out to snatch it away, but Thor evaded his grasp by walking toward Methos.

"Do humans now allow matrimony between their males?" Thor asked, holding the paper out to Methos. He had been away from Earth for far too long.

"Some do," Methos said, taking the application. "I asked Jack to marry me and he accepted."

"Thus the celebration," Thor stated, tilting his head slightly as he pondered the situation.

"Yes," Jack said quietly as he walked to Methos' side. "We're going to elope, but you can't breathe a word of it. Not to Carter, or Daniel, or Hammond, or anyone," he said, wrapping his arms around Methos' waist.

"Will they not discover on their own?" Thor asked.

"No...at least we hope not," Jack said and explained about going to The Netherlands, and using assumed names.

"Still...you run the risk of detection," Thor said, reconsidering his next words before he spoke them.

"Yes," Jack said and gently caressed Methos' right cheek. "But he's worth it," he whispered, giving Methos a tiny wink, receiving a smile in return.

"If I were to offer you an alternative, one that would eliminate this risk, would you be interested?"

"What?" Jack and Methos asked in unison, taken completely by surprise.

"Is that possible?" Jack asked, taking charge, as usual.

"Yes. You could be married under Asgard Law. It would allow you to use your real names and your union would be untraceable by your government."

"Why would you offer to do this for us?" Methos asked, his cynical nature not believing for a moment that Thor was acting in a purely selfless manner.

"An exchange of information."

"What kind of information?" Jack asked. He wasn't about to commit treason.

"It is the policy of the Asgard that we no longer conduct involuntary experiments on the people of Earth as we have in the past."

"Experiments?"

"Jack," Methos said, rubbing Jack's shoulder. "It was one of the stipulations of The Protected Planets Treaty."

"It was?" Jack didn't remember anything in the treaty about experiments. Maybe he should have read it more carefully.

"Neither the Asgard nor the Goa'uld will engage in experimentation on human life forms residing on any protected planet without the person's knowledge or against the person's will," Methos quoted the treaty. It had been one of the sections that had jumped right out at him.

"That is correct, Doctor Pierson."

"Right...so you'll want to perform experiments on us?" Jack asked, scrunching his nose.

"In exchange for officiating your marriage ceremony, I would require that you both agree to allow me to study you periodically. It would be a non-invasive procedure...a simple body scan every few months, conducted from orbit. You would not even be aware of its occurrence."

"How would you do that?" Methos asked.

"I would enter orbit and monitor your Stargate Command until the opportunity presented itself to conduct the scans."

"And you'll be able to distinguish us from everyone else down there?" Jack asked.

"Yes."

"How?" Methos asked.

"The mechanics are beyond your primitive scientific understandings."

"Primitive again," Jack grumbled. He hated being called that. One of these days an alien was going to call him primitive and Jack was going to show him just how primitive he could be - right upside the head.

"Perhaps we would learn to understand if you had a smaller version of your scanner...that we could borrow...study the technology," Methos suggested, hoping that Thor would agree.

"That is not possible."

"Fine," Jack said, jumping back in. He knew Thor well enough to recognize that tone of voice. They were hitting a brick wall trying to get their hands on Asgard technology, no big surprise. "What would be the purpose of these scans?"

"To collect data," Thor said, blinking his eyes again as Jack and Methos simply stared back at him. "I am not at liberty to reveal details, but I give you my word that the research will not be used against Earth. In time, it may prove to be beneficial for both the Asgard and your people."

"Right," Jack sighed. "Give us a moment to discuss it?"

"Certainly," Thor said and moved back to his place behind the console while Jack took Methos a few steps farther away.

"Whatcha think?" Jack asked.

"We can trust him."

"And you don't mind the idea of being a lab rat?"

"I don't quite see it that way," Methos said with a tiny laugh. "Besides, it'll give me a chance to use Asgard technology in my research on the Aftershocks."

"It will? How? He just refused to give us a scanner...I doubt he's gonna let you have access to any of his equipment."

"You're probably right, but I won't need it if I can get my hands on his data. Let him make all the observations and scans he wants; do all the hard work, then I can analyze his findings," Methos said with a tiny wink.

"Ah, gotcha," Jack said with a tiny smile in return. "You're sure you'll be able to make sense of it?"

"Given enough time...I mean, it's just another language of sorts...and I am a linguist...."

"Yeah," Jack sighed. How could he possibly forget with all the hours that Methos spent hold up with Daniel and some alien text?

"First...though...is this okay with you? I won't force you into it."

"I already said yes, remember?" Jack said, staring into Methos' gentle eyes. "So, the logistics are changed slightly...we go with Plan B instead of Plan A. What else is new? I still get to marry you...that's the important thing," he said then he leaned in for a tender kiss before turning to face Thor. "Okay, Thor. We'll do it, but we need to set a few terms."

"Proceed," Thor said.

"First, I'll want access to your data," Methos said.

"Agreed."

"Good," Jack said, taking over once again. "And, second, I want the ceremony to take place in that meeting room you brought me to before...up on that platform...."

"Agreed."

"Good," Jack said with a nod.

"What about witnesses?" Methos asked. "The ones we had in mind won't be able to come up to the ship."

"There will be no need for them. My word alone will be sufficient," Thor said, "I must leave Earth's orbit in a few hours. We will need to conduct the ceremony as soon as possible."

"Right," Jack said with a nod. "So, if you'll send us back, we can get cleaned up and ready?"

"Agreed. I will retrieve you in one hour," Thor said and initiated the transport, sending Jack and Methos and all their belongings back to whence they came before another word could be spoken. He watched their blips press into one another briefly then separate then he changed the display on his screen as he activated his long-range communications array. He would need to inform The High Council of the agreement he'd made and get their official approval before he could conduct the ceremony. He was certain, though, that they would consent, that this communication was merely a formality.

With the Asgard currently so preoccupied with war in their own Galaxy, they had hardly any time or resources for scientific pursuits, however, given the course of the war, it was becoming more imperative with each passing day that they gain answers to some of their more critical scientific dilemmas. Perhaps by expanding his research to include Pierson as well as O'Neill, Thor would move closer to solving some of their problems, or at the very least figure out how O'Neill had been able to access the Ancient repository on P3R-272 to the extent that he had, and, perhaps garner needed direction from that. If they could make any progress whatsoever, Thor's time and energy would be well spent.

~ ~ ~

Jack checked his watch and took a deep breath as Methos came back from the bathroom dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and that same green tie he'd worn for Sam's ceremony. Now, as then, he was simply magnificent to behold. Jack couldn't have been happier. Thor would be beaming them back to the ship any minute now then they would be married. The 'someday' that Jack had dreamed of had finally arrived, staring him in the face then, as the case for many grooms, his nerves suddenly decided to kick in for no sane reason. He loved Methos. He wanted to make this commitment. He was going to do this - if he didn't faint.

"You all right?" Methos asked as he came to stand next to him. "I didn't do the tie too tight, did I?"

"No."

"Good," Methos said with a smile and ran his hands along the tie, adjusting it slightly and slipping a sterling silver clip onto it. Usually, on the rare occasion that Jack wore a tie, it was one of those hideous clip-on monstrosities that came 'standard issue' with his dress blues. For this occasion though, Methos had loaned him a navy blazer and matching tie, both of which went very handsomely with the off-white trousers and pale blue shirt that Jack had packed for their trip.

"Another gift?" Jack asked, lifting the tie to get a better look at the clip.

"No...another loan...the tie is so plain...I wanted to jazz it up a bit."

"It certainly does that. I've never seen a clip with swans on it."

"Yes...well...it was hand made in Scotland," Methos said, taking the tie in hand once more, pointing to the design on the clip as he described it. "These are the three Nornes. It was believed that they could turn themselves into swans for ease of travel."

"It's very nice," Jack said and kissed Methos tenderly on the forehead just as the light of Thor's transporter encompassed them. As they rematerialized, the expression on Methos' face was positively priceless.

"Oh, my." Methos was in awe as he gazed out the floor-to-ceiling window beside them. There were countless stars in view, so bright he felt he could almost reach out and touch some of them; and below them was Earth, the entire planet in all her wondrous glory.

"You like?" Jack asked with a tease in his voice. He'd hoped for such a reaction from Methos. The view was truly incredible, that's why he'd wanted the ceremony to be performed in this room.

"I could get used to it," Methos said, teasing Jack in return then he leaned forward and gave Jack a tender kiss on the lips as Thor came beaming into the room.

"O'Neill, Doctor Pierson," Thor greeted them as he crossed the room to the edge of the platform.

One quick look and both Jack and Methos felt rather awkward. It was bad enough that Thor was a good foot shorter than either of them, now with the added height of being on a raised platform, the difference was uncomfortable. It almost felt like they had a child about to officiate their ceremony.

"Would you do us the honor?" Methos asked, motioning for Thor to join them. Thor nodded and stepped up on the platform, his small stature still very evident, but at least now they were all on the same level, so to speak.

"Will there be rings?" Thor asked.

"Just his," Jack said and took hold of Methos' right hand, lifting it to show the ring to Thor, who blinked his eyes in response.

"Let us proceed," Thor said and waited until he received a nod from both men then he began reading from a small handheld screen. "The joining of two people in matrimony under Asgard law is most serious. No dissolution is allowed...you will be mates for the remainder of your lives. I would ask you both to confirm that it is truly your desire that this be done," he said and looked at Methos.

"It is," Methos said, giving Jack a tender smile.

"Me, too," Jack said, mirroring the smile with one of his own. How could Methos be so calm when Jack was a nervous wreck? He mentally reviewed once again his hastily prepared vows and willed his body not to shake.

"Colonel Jack O'Neill, Doctor Adam Pierson, you have agreed to come to this place to be joined together in matrimony; to exchange vows of love and devotion with one another. This is a very old tradition, passed down from generation to generation, one, which builds the strength of the society as a whole. By my authority as Supreme Commander of the Asgard Fleet, and with the blessing of The Asgard High Council, I welcome you to join with the Asgard in the spirit of kinship."

"Wow," Jack whispered. He hadn't imagined that The High Council would be involved, and what was this about kinship?

"Do you have your own vows prepared?"

"Yes," Jack and Methos responded in unison and exchanged a tiny smile.

"I will now witness your vows to one other."

Jack looked at Thor then glanced at Methos, wondering who would speak first. Before the next heartbeat, Methos began and Jack felt his nerves disappear, replaced with feelings of love and joy at hearing Methos' calm, soothing voice.

"Fate brought us together, my love, and to her I owe a debt, which I can never repay; but to you...I owe even more. You make me alive...complete me. Without you, I would be nothing more than a shell; hollow and without hope. You are the reason that I wake in the morning with the desire to live...to reach beyond myself to the highest heavens." Methos paused, gently caressing Jack's left cheek as he took a deep swallow. "Our life will not always be the easiest path to walk, but together we will walk it...holding one another along the way. I love you, more than anyone...ever. This day...I am coming home...my soul reuniting with the one to whom I belong. Until our last breath, I will love and cherish you...no matter what life brings our way."

As Methos finished, Jack saw his eyes welling up with tears and felt his own eyes moistening in response. He took hold of Methos' right hand and removed the Claddagh ring he had placed there then took Methos' left hand and slid the ring onto the ring finger of that hand while trading a smile with his beloved. Jack then held both of Methos' hands, gently squeezing them as he let his heart guide his words.

"From the moment our eyes first met...before I even knew your name...I was drawn to be with you. We were meant to be together...to love, protect and nurture one another. I love you, and from this day forward, for as long as I live, I am yours completely...body, mind, and soul."

Thor then slowly blinked his large eyes as he took in the site before him, Jack and Methos staring into each other's eyes, seemingly oblivious to his presence.

"If I recall correctly, it is the Earth custom to seal your union with a kiss," Thor said.

"Yes...it is," Jack said and leaned forward, planting a tender, lingering kiss on Methos' lips, feeling a touch of excitement coursing over his body.

"You're shaking," Methos said with a tiny smile as Jack let him go.

"Goose bumps."

"Ah."

"With your union now complete, I must register your new name," Thor said and stepped down from the platform, over to a small screen on the wall.

"New name?" Jack asked, following Thor with Methos at his side, holding his hand.

"Only one of your surnames can be allowed for the record," Thor explained. "You may choose which one."

"This would only be among the Asgard, though, right?" Methos asked, just to be sure.

"Correct. No mention of your union will be made outside of our people unless you specifically request it."

"Right," Jack said with a nod and looked to Methos, pursing his lips. "Uh..."

"Jack and Methos O'Neill," Methos stated and squeezed Jack's hand. "As long as you don't mind me continuing to use my professional name at the office," he said with a tiny wink.

"No problem," Jack said and placed a tiny kiss on Methos' cheek.

"Professional name?" Thor asked, giving a puzzled look.

"Adam is what I use in most instances, and how you should continue to refer to me other than in this official record. Only a handful of people know my birth name is Methos, and I prefer to keep it that way." Thor blinked at Methos curiously. "It's similar to how Jack is known. On official records, his birth name Jonathan is used, but in daily conversation he is referred to as Jack."

"I see. You will continue to use the name Adam, but wish for your birth name to be registered here," Thor said, looking to Methos.

"Yes."

"And you do not," Thor said, turning his gaze to Jack.

"Correct," Jack said firmly. "That's not a problem is it?"

"No...the Asgard are used to humans' erratic behavior."

"Erratic?" Jack said and felt Methos rubbing his shoulder to silence him.

"No offense is intended," Thor said as an afterthought.

"None taken," Methos said with a smile and squeezed Jack's hand once again.

"Right," Jack said, rolling his eyes. At least he wasn't being referred to as primitive this time.

Thor then typed in: (Colonel) Jack and (Doctor) Methos O'Neill of The House of Thor, and instantly heard Jack clearing his throat.

"House of Thor?" Jack asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Since you are not Asgard, you must align yourselves with a member of Asgard society. As I am the only one, who knows both of you personally..."

"You would be the logical choice, of course," Methos jumped in. "Thank you, Thor. For everything," he said and carefully hugged the small alien, hoping that he didn't hurt him in the process.

"Yeah...thanks," Jack said as Methos stepped back. "Uh...this doesn't mean you've like adopted us, does it?" he asked then he saw a red light flashing on the panel and pointed toward it. "What's that?"

Thor quickly switched the screen's display to show a layout of Methos' chateau. There were two green blips entering the garage.

"Were you expecting visitors?" Thor asked.

"No," Jack said.

"Uh...well not tonight," Methos said, staring at the screen, pursing his lips. The blips were moving toward the door that led into the house. "Joe's coming by...bringing that journal for me...but he's not supposed to be arriving until tomorrow."

"Is someone coming with him?" Jack asked.

"Not that I'm aware of."

"My gun's in the master bedroom."

"So is my sword."

"Thor?" Jack began then a heartbeat later he and Methos were standing in the master bedroom. "He's not one for long good-byes," Jack quietly joked then he saw the look in Methos' eyes and felt a chill run down his spine as Methos made for his sword without hesitation. Instinctively, Jack went for his 9mm, automatically checking and readying it as he rejoined Methos in the middle of the room. "But both dots were green; you're sure it's, you know?" Jack whispered, hoping he was wrong, that Methos wasn't sensing another immortal nearby.

"Yes," Methos whispered and double-checked his sense, honing in a bit more on the location of the other immortal. He was getting closer; Methos could feel him even more strongly now.

"But you showed up yellow, why didn't he?" Jack asked, trying to reason through so many things all at once. That small part of him where his scientific curiosity resided was intrigued by the puzzle. It didn't surface that often, but it was now, damn inconveniently, too.

"Maybe he's a new immortal and it takes a while before we show up as yellow on Asgard sensors?" Methos said, his inner scientist kicking in as well. "Maybe we have to take a certain number of heads first...how the bloody hell should I know?" The other immortal was getting even closer. This was not the time for this discussion - survival first, contemplation later.

Jack and Methos then heard a creak on the staircase and instantly silenced, reigning in their curiosities, their focus returning to the task at hand. Whoever the unexpected guests were, at least one was heading in their direction and from the way Methos' eyes were narrowing, Jack assumed it was the immortal taking the lead. Methos then took charge, sending hand signals to Jack. For a brief second, it felt odd to be the one receiving signals rather than giving them, but Jack shook that off as Methos' sense of urgency spread to him like wildfire. They took up position at the door, Methos on the left, Jack on the right then Methos slowly peered into the hallway. Another quick signal and he was in the hall, flush with the near wall, looking to the left, Jack inching along after him, going flush with the far wall and looking to the right.

"Which way?" Jack whispered then he heard the sound of metal as a sword was drawn. It was coming from the end of the hall, around the corner, just out of sight.

"Adam?" The hushed tone was barely audible. It seemed familiar to Jack, but he couldn't quite place it. There was an accent to it, not from anywhere in The States. It was definitely not Joe.

"I bloody well hope so," Methos called out, relaxing his stance, motioning for Jack to do the same. "This is my house after all."

Jack raised his eyebrows at Methos then saw Duncan's silhouette as he turned the corner and let out a tiny sigh of relief.

"You tryin' to get yourself shot?" Jack scolded him while setting the safety on his gun. "Sneaking up on us in the dark like that is a damn good way to do it."

"I wasn't sneaking...at first...then I got to the base of the stairs and all of a sudden I felt you...hadn't when I came in," Duncan said, looking at Methos. "Thought maybe there was an ambush waiting or something. How'd you get up here without me seeing you? You got a secret entrance I don't know about?" He hadn't been to the chateau in at least a decade, but he was sure he would have remembered an alternate entrance if Methos had told him about it.

"Something like that." Methos glanced at Jack, beginning to appreciate what his husband must have been going through for the past three years since joining the S.G.C. The secrets of that place were ones that simply couldn't be shared, not even with those who were closest to you, whom you trusted with your own dearest secrets, even your very life.

"Hey, guys," Joe said, catching up to Duncan, coming to stand at his right side, leaning on his cane. "Sorry, Methos...this is my fault. I thought I had a reservation in town, was going to visit that sweet little tavern...ends up I didn't, so we came here...town's full up."

"It's alright, Joe," Methos said, moving close enough to rub Joe's shoulder. His door was always open for his dear friend, and he had been invited to join them the next day anyway. Duncan, on the other hand, hadn't been invited yet. Methos had planned to contact him only if Jack had accepted his proposal. "What brings you here, MacLeod?"

"Your anniversary," Duncan said and made a tiny pout. "If you're not nice to me, I'll keep your present and drink it myself."

"You remembered our anniversary?" Jack asked, stepping forward to stand across from Duncan and to Methos' right, completing the circle of friends, as it were. He was genuinely touched.

"Yeah, we got it discretely marked on our calendars," Joe chuckled. "First things first. Here's the journal you asked for." He held it out in the open for Methos to see, but didn't hand it over. "Uh...it's not one of yours...what'd you want it for?" He'd been dying to find out since he'd received the call from Methos two days earlier.

"There's information in there about Metis," Methos said.

"Metis? 'Intelligence personified'? She's just a myth," Duncan scoffed.

"That's what you used to say about me," Methos reminded him and was met with another pout as Duncan's lower lip jutted out. The young always thought they knew for a fact far more than they ever really did.

"He's got you on that one, Mac," Joe chuckled. "Legend says she was Zeus' first wife, mother of Athena, right?"

"See...a myth," Duncan said, sensing vindication. "Immortals cannot have offspring."

"Not exactly," Methos said, answering Joe and ignoring Duncan. "The myth also says that after she gave birth to Athena that Zeus swallowed her up. In reality, Kronos was playing the part of Zeus at the time and the two were breaking up, so Metis became his daughter, Athena," he explained, his voice brimming with authority, and took the book from Joe using his left hand.

"Hold on...just a minute," Duncan said, taking hold of Methos' wrist. "You got married? And we weren't invited?"

"What?" Joe asked and leaned in to get a closer look at Methos' hand. The Claddagh ring had been moved, no doubt about it.

"We were going to tell you," Jack chimed in, "have you be witnesses, but the schedule got pushed forward...kinda unexpectedly...we just barely got back."

"That explains the suits." Joe laughed. "Congratulations," he said and hugged Methos first then Jack, while Duncan voiced his congratulations as well, giving each a handshake. "You won't be able to wear the ring on that hand back in The States though, you know," Joe said, once again the voice of fatherly wisdom.

"He might get away with it," Duncan said. "Most Americans are clueless about how the ring works, what it means."

"True." Joe nodded. "But that cute little Captain Carter is sharp...besides that, she's a woman, and trust me if there's anything that catches a woman's eye, it's a ring on a man's wedding finger."

"Yeah, and she's got more than enough estrogen to make her a volatile force to be reckoned with, add to that her combat experience, and oy..." Jack quipped, the others joining him for a bit of laughter.

"And she's Major Carter now, so that makes her even more dangerous," Methos added.

"Major? Hot damn," Joe said. "Watch out, Jack. Pretty soon she'll be the same rank as you."

"Or even higher," Methos teased.

"Bite your tongue...both of you," Jack said with a tiny harrumph. There was no way he wanted his 2IC to ever outrank him. Even having her at equal rank, given their age difference, would be unacceptable, and it wasn't because she was a woman. It just wouldn't feel right for Jack to not be her superior, he'd gotten so used to it.

"Let's go open your present and toast your happy union," Duncan suggested, pivoting toward the stairs. "I left it on the kitchen counter."

"Splendid idea. Go on ahead. We'll change and be down in a few minutes," Methos said and took Jack by the hand, leading him back to the master bedroom, while Duncan and Joe made their way back downstairs.

Jack and Methos entered the bedroom in silence, each reaching for his tie, loosing it as they began to get comfortable. Next off were their blazers then a bright light shown briefly over Methos' dresser, leaving behind an Asgard communications device. Jack raised his eyebrows and walked over, picking up the small off-white stone, cradling it, flat side down on his palm.

"Thor?"

"Are you in need of assistance, O'Neills?" Thor's voice came back to them.

"No. We're fine. Thanks," Jack responded.

"It was my friend showing up early, bringing along another friend," Methos explained.

"I see. I will be leaving now."

"Wait," Methos said. "What about your data? How will you transmit it?"

"The data must first be reviewed by my peers then I will contact you to make arrangements, Doctor O'Neill."

"Right," Methos sighed. He'd been hoping to get his hands on it far sooner than that.

"I will be in touch," Thor said then he beamed the device out of Jack's hand and prepared to leave orbit.

"Doctor O'Neill," Jack said, smiling at Methos. "I like the sound of that...suits you well."

"Yes," Methos agreed then he pressed into Jack, giving him a warm, tender kiss. "We shouldn't keep them waiting too long."

"Right," Jack sighed and caressed Methos' right cheek before stepping away. "We'll continue this later."

"Absolutely," Methos said with a wink then they finished changing, ditching their shoes and trading their slacks for more comfortable trousers before they went downstairs to join Duncan and Joe.

~ ~ ~

Jack lay in bed, naked and waiting, while Methos made sure that Duncan and Joe were settled in for the night - on the other side of the house and up on the third floor in the other bedroom with an adjoining bath, so that Jack and Methos could have unquestioned privacy. It had been one hell of a whirlwind day. This morning Jack had been single and on a plane, sound asleep, now, he was married, wide-awake, and ready for his husband to join him. Never in his life had he been happier, or more at peace. All his cares and concerns, thoughts of the Goa'uld, everything...they were all pushed aside. This night, his only care was for the man he loved.

"Hey, Handsome," Methos said upon entering the room.

"Hey, Gorgeous," Jack replied and let out a low wolf whistle. "Come here."

Methos shut the door behind him and wasted no time in stripping, arriving at the bed completely naked. He slid in under the sheet and snuggled into Jack's side, relishing the feel of their flesh pressed together. It had always felt wonderful, right from their first night together, but tonight their touch seemed even more exquisite, for now they were partners, committed for life.

"Hmm," Jack purred and held Methos tightly to him, taking in his scent. After a long moment, he cupped Methos' chin, guiding him into a kiss. "Doctor O'Neill," Jack whispered. Damn but he loved the sound of that. He shifted his lips lower, tracing Methos' chin then cheek with his tongue, working his way up and back until he was nibbling his ear.

"Make love to me," Methos said and let out a tiny sigh as Jack guided him onto his back.

"My pleasure," Jack cooed; a kiss to the lips, a tease of tongue then he moved back to Methos' ear. "You are so fucking hot," he whispered and started fingering Methos' nipples, causing him to moan slightly as they hardened. "So hot...and all my mine...your lips..." Jack pressed their lips together again, taking Methos' lower one in his teeth, tugging slightly as he ended their kiss. "Your neck..." He suckled Methos' Adam's apple then traced his way down to his chest and continued downward, naming each place as he claimed it - nipples, ribs, navel and on down.

Methos felt his head begin to spin as Jack finally reached his cock, grazing the tip with his tongue. Jack's words, describing what he was doing as he went about feasting on him - it turned Methos on all the more. He loved Jack in control, taking possession, talking dirty, naughty phrases to him. And he was so damn good at it.

"Lube," Jack whispered and held his hand out while Methos reached over and got the tube then quickly coated his fingers. Jack then guided Methos to raise his knees and probed in with two fingers, while returning his lips to Methos' cock, sucking along it from base to tip then back down. He then slipped in three fingers and felt his own cock twitch in anticipation. Jack was more than ready for Methos, and from his breathing he could tell that Methos was ready, too.

"Let me watch you," Methos whispered then exchanged a smile with Jack as he slicked his own cock and moved into position. Their breathing became shared, inhaling and exhaling together as they braced for the moment then with the next exhale, Jack slid in slowly, lovingly, taking Methos' cock into his hand and cradling it.

Once he was fully sheathed, Jack let out another deep breath then he started rocking and stroking in time together, bringing Methos along with him. He gazed into Methos' tender eyes, darkened to nearly black with passion and licked his lips as he pressed on...in and out, up and down. He wanted this to last, so he tuned into Methos' breathing, knowing him so well, easing off as he heard his excitement mounting then slowly building their fervor again until he was about to lose his control.

"Come with me," Jack growled and increased the intensity of his stroking as he shoved deep inside Methos, starting his release.

"Jack." The sensation of being filled by his lover, his husband, hit home. Methos grabbed Jack's ass and held him still, as deep inside as he could then he erupted all over Jack's hand, feeling Jack's sweat dripping down onto his forehead, blending in with his own. If only they could stay this way forever, it was so wonderful.

The Aftershock then hit with great vigor; it was a big one; seemed that the more intense their emotional state, the greater the sensation became. Both Jack and Methos noticed it and made the connection in their minds then pushed it aside. Now was not the time for analysis - it was the time for love.

"I could do that all night," Jack whispered with a tease in his voice, his fingers moving once more to Methos' nipples, fondling them as his excitement was stirred yet again.

"Your knees would never take it," Methos said teasingly in return.

"Screw my knees."

"I'd rather screw you," Methos said and started tracing Jack's abdomen with his tongue as Jack slid out of him.

"I can go for that," Jack smirked and rolled off Methos onto his back, pulling Methos over top of him. "I love you, Doctor O'Neill."

"And I you," Methos whispered and dove in for Jack's neck to start the next round.

~ ~ ~

Jack came back inside after shutting down the grill and smiled at the sight of Methos in the dining room, surveying the many books he had scattered across the table. He picked up one of them, apparently the one he'd been searching for then blew a kiss in Jack's direction and headed back to the living room. Things had definitely returned to normal.

After their wedding night, they'd had a late brunch with Duncan and Joe then seen them off and stayed on at the chateau for another two days alone for their honeymoon, telling Hammond that they needed the extra time to settle certain details with the seller of the text. When they explained that said time would result in a substantial cost savings, Hammond had been delighted. He would agree to almost anything if it kept the bean counters in Washington at bay.

"So...you'll still be heading back to Denver in the morning?" Jack asked as he took his usual spot at the one end of the sofa, Methos sitting in his place at the other.

"Yes...I need to get some time in at the lab...catch up on my mail," Methos said without looking up, his eyes focused on whatever it was he was reading.

"Yeah...I know all about that." Jack had spent nearly his entire first day back at the S.G.C. weeding through the backlog of emails, voice mails and reports that had piled up during their trip. "You want to come down early Sunday? We could have an early dinner at that new Thai place before you head over to Daniel's."

"We'll see," Methos book marked the one page and doubled-back to one he'd marked earlier.

"Right," Jack sighed then he saw Methos' eyes widening and took a deep breath. Methos had made a connection...the bulb had gone on...something had clicked in his mind. However you put it, Jack could tell he was in for a conversation that could easily go over his head in rapid order. He waited until Methos caught his eye then he raised his eyebrows, acknowledging his husband's growing excitement. "Found something?" He might as well get the ball rolling.

"Possibly...I've been going through some of the material on Cronus that Daniel gave to me...some of the more obscure theories and speculations and I think he might be tied to Ani."

"Ani?" Jack searched his mind for why the name was familiar. "Oh...that statue that you and Daniel have been working on?"

"Yes. Ani's daughter, who was depicted on the statue was an Etruscan goddess."

"Okay."

"Well...according to many, Cronus was the model for the Roman god Saturnus, who, according to this historian," Methos raised the text he was reading, "originated even earlier...with the Etruscans."

"O...kay." Jack was getting lost for sure now.

"What if this scholar is confusing Cronus with Kronos? I know he did in other parts of this god-awful book."

"Don't let Daniel hear you say that about a book that came from his library."

"Of course not, but even Daniel doesn't buy into everything this so-called scholar spews forth. But what if he's right...only has the wrong person? What if Kronos was somehow related to Ani? If Ani was an alien, like we think then perhaps immortals are the result of mating between his race and humans. Perhaps we're half-breeds..." Methos drifted off.

"That's a stretch, don't ya think? I mean, Janet would have caught something in all those tests she ran...you're human...as much as I am."

"Perhaps, perhaps not...I mean Thor's scanner didn't read me as human."

"And it didn't read you as a Goa'uld or Tok'ra or Jaffa or Asgard..."

"I know."

"And Duncan showed up green...just like any other human."

"I know," Methos sighed. "There are still a lot of unanswered questions...this creates even more..."

"But you think it's worth pursuing," Jack said, lifting his bottle of beer to his lips.

"Yes." Methos watched as Jack took a long draught of his beer then he made eye contact and Methos could see the love and acceptance in Jack's eyes...no hesitation...and felt his heart swell with love in return. "You want to help me?"

"Sure...but you'll still have your work at the S.G.C., and you still have your degree to finish...remember?"

"I can incorporate this into both."

"How?"

"First, I'll start by looking for human subjects who are descended from the Etruscans...both on Earth and off..."

Jack settled back on the couch, listening to Methos lay out his initial plan of action, modifying it as he went along. He had a gleam in his eye, a joyful excitement in his tone...he was, as they say, 'in the zone'. Damn but he was positively gorgeous when he got like this, and sexy as hell. Jack adjusted his position to accommodate his slowly building arousal and gave Methos a smile to encourage him to continue his monologue. Jack was going to remain silent and wait patiently until Methos had this initial rush out of his system then he was going to carry him off to the bedroom and make love to him. It had become their normal routine on Methos' last night before heading back to his apartment in Denver, and Jack enjoyed every moment of it.

Methos noticed Jack's eyes darkening and returned his smile, knowing that they'd fallen into their routine once again. He could pour out his heart and soul to Jack, sharing his thoughts and plans, not just tonight, but every night for as long they both lived. These were definitely the best days of Methos' life. All his former lovers had played their parts, and Methos cherished the time he'd spent with each of them, but Jack was by far and away different from them all, and most precious of anyone to him - ever.

Even before they'd met, Jack and Methos had been connected in some sort of eternal cosmic sense that neither of them completely understood; they'd felt it the first time they'd made eye contact; maybe one day they'd figure it out. Perhaps this new vane of research would lead them closer to some answers, but whether it did or not, they would do this together. Their entire lives were now completely devoted to one another. They were as one.

FIN