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Jack tapped lightly on the door of Daniel’s quarters, not really expecting an answer. Daniel had just been used the same way he was, past traumas recounted for some kind of twisted game. Daniel sat on his bed on the other side, flipping through pictures of his parents from his childhood.
“Who-” He began, his voice failing him. He cleared his throat, speaking again. “Who is it?”
“Just me.” Jack called from outside. “I can come back.”
“No, come in.” Daniel sighed.
Jack opened up, finding Daniel still sitting with his knees up, setting the photos aside, Jack getting a look at what he’d been looking at.
“I talked to Carter.” He said timidly.
Daniel nodded slowly. “What did she tell you?”
“Not a whole ton, but it wasn’t her place. I just wanted to check in.”
“It was like I was right there again.” Daniel looked down, curling further in on himself.
“You don’t have to talk about it.” Jack said softly, squeezing his shoulder. “I know you’ve already talked to Sam. I know it’s all been hard.”
“I was too young.” Daniel continued, looking Jack in the eyes. “But even if it happened yesterday.”
“You wouldn’t be able to change it.”
“Exactly. But now I can’t stop thinking about it.”
“They were your parents, Daniel, you love them.”
Daniel nodded. “I know, but, reliving it, everything’s coming back. Why would he make me relive it?”
“You shouldn’t have had to live through it at all, Daniel, but it’s history. No child should lose their parents that young, but all things considered, you’re doing alright. They’d be proud.”
“I know.” Daniel smiled weakly. “No parent should have to lose their child, either.”
Jack nodded. “But it happens.”
“Is that not what he put you through?”
Jack shook his head.
“What happened? If you’re comfortable I mean.”
“It was an old mission, back in the 80s.”
“You lost someone?”
“Yeah.” Jack confirmed. “Was one of my most failed ops.”
“You don’t have to tell me.”
“Wasn’t planning on it. Not right now, anyway.”
Daniel looked at him curiously.
“Daniel, you were the first to know my darkest moment, it’s not that I have a problem with you knowing, but I didn’t come here to talk about me. I was just worried about you.”
“And I can’t worry about you?”
“Well, sure you can, and I appreciate you doing so, but I’d rather you get some rest right now. You need it. We both do.”
Daniel nodded slowly. “Ok. You’re right. I will.”
“Good. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Daniel nodded with a smile. “Good night.”
“Night.” Jack replied, making his way to the door.
“Jack.”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you… for worrying about me.”
“Of course.” Jack smiled. “That’s what friends are for, right?”