Masks of Protection: Part 2

By: Stacy L.

She hesitantly approached the newest servant Daniel had acquired, intrigued by him. On one hand he seemed to hate Daniel, but on the other hand he’d stare at him for hours.

She was certain that she saw interest and curiosity in that gaze, so she gently prodded, “You watch him. Why?”

Jack jerked around to face her, ducking his head and blushing as he realized that she had caught him quite obviously ogling her master. Attempting to allay her suspicions he cleared his throat before asking, “What…what do you mean?”

Determined not to let him slip away without at least attempting to answer her inquiry she continued, “I see you watching him when his back is turned. When you look at him you respect him, but when he looks at you… You gaze at him with only hatred. Do you fear him?”

“What? No.”

Not believing him she quietly informed, “He will not hurt you. Daniel is very kind.”

Jack laughed sarcastically as he said, “Yeah kind. He’s a slave master. He owns people. He possesses them.”

“He possesses no one here. We are all free to go wherever we choose.”

“Yeah right. Free to leave only to be captured again and punished for daring to flee.”

“No. Daniel is not a cruel man.”

“Not cruel? He’d punish you in a heartbeat if you so much as dared step foot out of his house without his permission.”

Grinning slightly at the obvious inaccuracy of the statement Layla continued, “You know that’s not true. Why do you persist in painting such a horrid picture of him?”

“Because anyone who owns slaves is evil, cruel and twisted.”

Layla shook her head as she replied sadly, “No, I already told you that Daniel doesn’t own any one here.”

“Then why do you call him master?”

Smiling mischeiviously Layla responded, “Oh that. I do that with fondness. I’m not required to call him master. None of us are.”

“Yeah right. I’m sure he’ll beat you if you don’t.”

“Have you ever seen Daniel beat anyone? He’s not a cruel man. He would never raise a hand against another, unless one of us becomes threatened or endangered BY another. He is not evil as you insist on believing. He is a very kind and generous man…”

“Oh please spare me! You’re making him out to be some sort of saint when he’s really just a pretty boy with a lot of money and power.”

Aware of his true source of bitterness she chose to respond with, “I know why you say such things.”

“Oh really? Care to enlighten me then?”

“You say them because you desire him more than you should.”

“WHAT? Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I am not, but you are.”

“Know me that well now do you?”

Choosing not to respond to that remark Layla simply informed, “I believe he desires you as well, Jack, but he is too afraid to risk his heart.”

“To risk his…? I can’t believe we’re having this conversation!”

“He has suffered much in his young life, Jack, and you do him a grave injustice by persisting to treat him so badly. He doesn’t deserve your scorn. He deserves your thanks, your gratitude…”

“Gratitude? Bullshit! He wants me to lie down and kiss his feet, does he? Be all lovey-dovey with him because he purchased me? I should be grateful to him because he made me a slave? Hell no!”

Layla again shook her head before softly informing, “The only one who has made you a slave Jack, is yourself. I wish you would see that, and do something to change it.”

With that said she turned abruptly from him and left the room feeling angry and saddened by Jack O’Neill’s stubborn nature and persistence in hating Daniel. Why couldn’t he see Daniel for who he really was? Why did he persist on spouting cruel things about a man who would willingly die for him without a second thought? Why?

Feeling angry and enraged by their discussion Jack watched as Daniel left the house then spun abruptly on his heels and decided to head into the fields to work off some steam. Damn, why did he feel so fuckin’ angry about a few simple comments said to him? Why?

As he headed towards the barn behind the house Jack caught sight of two men already working in the fields. He shrugged his shoulders deciding to join them in hopes that he could get rid of some of his anger.

He purposely strode towards the two drawing to a halt as a familiar voice said, “Here Jacob let me do that for you.”

Certain he was hearing things wrong he jerked his head abruptly upwards staring in disbelief as several feet from him stood Jacob and…Daniel Jackson. Though he tried not to stare he found himself doing so.

The man was beautiful, trim, fit, muscular… He watched in awe as one powerful arm worked the hoe into the ground, muscles rippled bulging under the exertion. Daniel Jackson was buff, an unexpected revelation indeed. A man didn’t get like that unless they worked…hard. Did Daniel work? Had he been wrong in the assumption that the man was just a pretty boy whose only exertion was to lift a finger and order a slave to work? Had he misjudged the man? Could there be any truth in Layla’s words?

He halted his thoughts as the one occupying them lifted his gaze pinning him in place like a deer caught in headlights. Jack had no doubts in his mind that Daniel was focusing, looking directly at HIM and the message traveling to him from those hypnotic blue eyes was enough to sear the air. Daniel Jackson wanted him, desired him and he wanted Daniel.

As he confessed that in his mind he tore his gaze quickly away but not before seeing the beginning of disappointment enter those magnetic blue orbs. He bolted then taking off needing to distance himself from the man who made him afraid, afraid not of his physical strength but of his prowess, of the effect he instilled upon him.

Daniel felt a heated gaze settle on him as he continued to work the ground beneath his feet. He paused long enough to glance up finding his breath hitch as he noticed who was watching him. As he gazed at Jack O’Neill he knew he wanted the man and tried desperately to conceal the truth of it in his eyes. For a moment everything seemed to halt, to freeze in place as he saw that same yearning reflecting in the powerful brown gaze centered on him. The moment stretched shattering only when the owner of those chocolate brown eyes ended the gaze abruptly before darting away.

He tried to conceal his disappointment but obviously failed miserably as he released a soft sigh to the air. He managed a soft sad smile as he felt Jacob’s comforting hand touch his shoulder and heard his encouraging words, “Give him time Daniel. He’ll come to you when he’s ready.”

Daniel only nodded before releasing a soft whisper to the air, “Will he?” before turning his attention back to his work allowing the unannounced question to hover in the empty air.

Jack ran until he was out of breath then halted. What he had seen in those eyes, what he had felt as he had gazed at Daniel Jackson scared him shitless. He couldn’t be attracted to the man. He couldn’t. The man was evil, sadistic and cruel. He couldn’t be attracted to a monster. Or could he…?

* *

He tried to avoid Daniel Jackson at all costs. He tried to stop watching him from the shadows and when he saw the man he tried walking the other direction. He tried but his attempts were all in vain for again he found himself watching the man as he moved about his home, as he worked in the fields, as he ate, as he checked on those under his care… He tried desperately to push all thoughts of the man from his mind but discovered he just couldn’t.

Daniel Jackson drew him like no other. He desired to know the man better and to understand him. To him the man was a complicated puzzle that was far from being completed. Every time he thought he figured out where a piece fit Daniel Jackson did something else unexpected, intriguing or fascinating. The man was so complex and so different from what he thought the man should be. He was a slave master. He owned slaves. He purchased them and then? He fed them, clothed them, sheltered them, protected them, gave them hope, gave them laughter, gave them love…gave them life. Why? How? How did he become so very different from others who bore his title? A slave master was not supposed to do as Daniel did, a slave master was not supposed to be… And yet…

As he gazed at Daniel watching him Layla’s words came back to him “you desire him more than you should.” Bullshit! Total bullshit! He didn’t desire Daniel. He despised the man. The man was a bastard who purchased slaves and…and what? What did he do with the slaves he purchased? What?

Growling in frustration as he pictured his room, recalled how lenient Daniel Jackson was, how he treated his supposide servants as equals made him feel disgusted and why? Why did that disgust him? Because Daniel Jackson was actually a decent man, he was nothing like a slave master should be. He was decent, giving, caring…shit, how could he hate a man like that? Shaking his head he admitted the truth: he couldn’t. He couldn’t hate the man no matter how badly he wanted to, so how could he convince himself that there was no attraction, no yearning, no anything developing between them or within? How? How could he create distance where there should be some but was none? How?

Shaking his head he realized that he would have to put that distance between them. He’d have to place it there AND maintain it because if he didn’t, if he didn’t then he’d have to risk admitting the truth of his feelings for the man and he just couldn’t do that.

* * * * * *

Several Weeks Later…

Feeling frustrated and angry with his newest resident Daniel approached him determined to straighten a few things out. He allowed Jack to do what he wanted, when he wanted and didn’t interfere but he couldn’t stand by as Jack’s continued outbursts upset the others in his household. He had to put a stop to it somehow and hoped that by having a talk with his most defiant, disrespectful resident it would help.

Jack glanced up as Daniel entered the room wondering what he was here for and cursing as he realized he was here to speak with him. Feeling aggravated by the unannounced visit he snapped, “Why are you here? What do you want?”

“We need to talk Jack.”

“Oh really? Why’s that?”

“Your persistent bad attitude and negative comments are upsetting the others.”

“So what’s the problem? They can walk away if they don’t like to be around me. No one’s making them work with me or anything.”

Deciding that directness would be the best route to take Daniel began, “Jack you’re entitled to your opinions and I know you don’t much care for me but please try not to take it out on the others…”

“Why? Afraid they’ll start realizing that you’re not the saint they all believe you to be?”

Ignoring the obvious barb directed his way Daniel replied, “No Jack. I want you to stop because you’re upsetting them, and I don’t like to see anyone upset.”

“Pity.”

Feeling his anger threatening to surge Daniel tempered it forcing himself to remain calm as he continued, “Jack those who come to me and those I bring here are here for solace. Some are here for safety, some to learn and others to recover from horrible circumstances. Your bickering and complaining upsets them, and I don’t like those who come to me to be upset.”

“Oh you don’t like whiners?”

Daniel glared at Jack before continuing, “No. I don’t like their peace to be shattered by some ignorant, rude person who cares for no one but himself!”

“Right. You’re talking about yourself, aren’t you Danny?”

Daniel tensed upon hearing the nickname suppressing the sudden bile he felt rising in his throat in response and quickly snapped, “You may address me as Daniel or Master Daniel…”

“Uh, why’s that? Does it upset you? I rather like the name Dan…”

“DON’T!”

Jack felt a sudden thrill as he realized he hit a sensitive spot in his master, but as he noticed the odd pallor of his master’s face he suddenly felt the laughter he wanted to release choking him. The nickname bothered Daniel, and not just a little. What was the real reason he didn’t want to be referred to as Danny?

Jack shook his head mentally cursing as he realized he was actually feeling guilty for the usage of the nickname. What the fuck? Why was he feeling guilty for that? Determined to hurt Daniel more he opened his mouth prepared to release the nickname again, but found that he couldn’t do it. Something about it really upset the man and though he wanted so much to make Daniel hurt, he found he couldn’t be that cruel. Damn!

Daniel interrupted his thoughts as he spoke, “Jack all I’m asking is that you please watch how you treat the others. They’re not your enemies Jack. They didn’t do anything to you. If you want to be angry then be angry with me, but please don’t go off venting to others or treating them like shit because I’m not in the vicinity. Please be courteous to the others you live with. No one here wants to hurt you, and they all try so hard to befriend you but you shove them away and treat them like dirt. Don’t do that Jack, please.”

He wanted to be angry and lash out but realized what Daniel was trying to say. As he looked back on how he’s treated the others since his arrival he realized that he had been a bastard to everyone, not just to Daniel and he felt ashamed of the behavior. He shook his head disappointed with his self and softly replied, “Okay Daniel. I’ll try.”

“Thank you.”

As Daniel turned and exited the room he found that he wanted to call the man back, but remained silent again finding himself contemplating the man who now owned him. He sighed in frustration aware that in his attempts to keep distance between he and Daniel Jackson he had also created a rift between he and the others he lived with. His intention was never to push others away it was merely to keep Daniel Jackson at a safe distance because truthfully he felt a hell of a lot more for the man then he should and that alone scared him shitless. Now? Now he had to attempt to correct the mistakes he had made while still maintaining a safe distance from the one man he wanted above all others.

* *

Later that night…

He jolted awake, startled by a noise he supposed. As he lay in bed he gazed at the ceiling presently veiled in darkness before turning to look at the clock noting that it was 2 am. Feeling thirsty he decided to get up and quietly made his way towards the kitchen drawing to a halt in the hallway as he swore he heard something. He tensed listening but heard nothing so he continued on again halting as the noise repeated followed by a loud ‘no’. The cry pushed him into movement. He followed it to the source pausing before a door and hesitating as indecision filled him. Hearing the cry again he decided on opening the door to make sure the inhabitant was all right.

As he entered the room he noticed the occupant in bed illuminated by moonlight and tossing restlessly. As the man proceeded to lash out at invisible ghosts he released a soft choked plea of, “Don’t do this, please…” that sent Jack’s heart racing.

Hesitating but unable to remain still Jack approached the bed halting as his eyes fell to the youthful face of his master. He tensed, shocked by the sight before him. The last person he expected to see was his master. He turned abruptly determined to exit the room quickly but found himself rooted in place as the man upon the bed continued to cry out and moan releasing a soft mantra of ‘no’ before settling once again into peaceful slumber. Jack continued to watch him leaving only when he was certain that Daniel was once again resting peacefully.

As he left the room continuing on his trek to the kitchen he found his mind tossing about questions, surprised that the master had nightmares and knowing beyond a doubt that nightmares usually came to those who suffered in their lifetime, especially when those nightmares had one mumbling no repeatedly and thrashing upon the bed in the dead of night.

As he dwelled on the discovery he suddenly recalled the first day he had been brought here and the villagers who had whispered about the scarred one as they had passed. He also recalled Daniel’s cryptic referral to scars and the multiple comments Layla put voice to about the man having a difficult childhood and having suffered much for one so young. Had something happened to Daniel when he was younger? If so what? Had the master actually suffered some form of mistreatment or abuse when he was but a child, and if so why did he feel rage that any harm could have possibly come to a man he vowed to hate and despise? Why did he feel as he did about Daniel Jackson? Why did he watch the man and desire to know him better? Why did he find himself even daring to think of what he could have with a man whom he vowed to hate?

The next night he was awake when it happened again, those soft desperate pleas that carried to him from his master’s bedroom. Why were they so easy to hear? Was it because the house was so still and quiet in the night or was it because he had been waiting, expecting those desperate pleas to fill the still night air yet again?

He stood gazing out the window deciding he had better check on Daniel. As he slowly approached the room he caught sight of another preparing to open the door. Surprised he spoke aloud, “Layla?”

She glanced up noticing the questioning glance now directed her way and lowered her gaze swallowing hard before saying, “The nights are always hardest for him. He dreams and he remembers.”

“Remembers what?”

“Things, many things long forgotten.”

He nodded noting she was slowly opening the door to the room but not entering. As she leaned her ear closer towards the open door he realized that she was listening. A smile touched her lips as she quietly informed, “He’s asleep again.”

“You…you come to him…?”

“I watch over him yes. I’m here for him when he needs me.”

“I don’t understand.”

Her smile broadened slightly as she gently cupped his cheek before softly replying, “I know Jack,” then turned and walked away.

He watched her go wondering what she was to Daniel. She was more than just a friend, their connection went deeper but he didn’t understand it. She acted more like a concerned parent than… He shook his head casting his questions aside, listening once more for any sounds beyond the door. When he heard none he headed to his room prepared to go to bed and get some much needed rest.

The following day was much the same for Jack. He found his mind constantly drifting to thoughts of his master, filling with questions that had no answers. Determined to put the man and his many questions to rest Jack decided to do some work. He hoped that in doing so his mind would become too distracted to think about Daniel…no, not Daniel his master. He had to keep that straight in his head. The man was master not Daniel. If he used the man’s name it would make it too hard to keep his distance. He had to maintain distance. He wasn’t attracted to the man. He wasn’t!

As Daniel exited the house and focused on him Jack sighed. Who the hell was he trying to kid here? He was attracted to Daniel Jackson and… He halted his thoughts as he became aware that Daniel was quickly approaching him. No, no. He couldn’t speak to Daniel now, not after what he had learned, what he now knew. He couldn’t!

“Jack is something wrong?”

Turning abruptly from Daniel he focused solely on what he was doing answering, “Uh no, no. Why do you ask?”

“Because you’ve been acting different, not like usual.”

“Like usual?”

“You know sarcastic and snippy. You’re quieter. What happened?”

Not looking at Daniel he continued working questioning, “Why do you ask?”

“Because I know something’s bothering you. Something that has happened in the last day or two and I want to help.”

“You can’t.”

“So something did happen. What? Tell me.”

Jack shook his head continuing to work in silence. Daniel waited growing frustrated and sighed before turning to leave halting only when Jack asked, “What are they about?”

As Daniel turned to face him with questions in his eyes Jack continued, “The dreams. What are they about?”

“Wha…what dreams?”

“Now who’s acting different?”

“I… Jack that’s really low.”

“Is it? Tell me what it is you dream of at night.”

“Well lots of things Jack. Everybody dreams.”

“Yes but not everyone tosses and turns begging another not to touch them.”

Daniel flushed making Jack feel like an ass. He quickly uttered an apology to which Daniel emphatically replied, “It’s okay.”

“No it isn’t. I’ve upset you.”

Daniel pinned him then with a direct searing gaze as he replied, “Since when has that ever stopped you?”

Feeling the jab Jack almost snatched the bait before realizing what Daniel was trying to do. He shook his head saying, “They’re nightmares aren’t they?”

Staring in surprise at Jack aware that his jab wasn’t instilling anger like he had hoped Daniel broke eye contact choosing to answer by slightly nodding his head.

Jack inhaled shakily as he continued, “Bad?”

“Yes Jack, very.”

“So tell me about them.”

“I… I… No, no. I can’t.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“Can’t, won’t what difference does it make? I just, not yet…”

“You need to. They’ll eat you up if you don’t. Take it from someone who knows.”

That drew his head up fast and Jack saw the questions Daniel wanted to ask, holding his breath and only releasing it when Daniel continued, “I… Thanks Jack,” before turning and walking away.

Expecting Daniel to return to the fields to work Jack was a bit surprised when the man opted to return to the house. He wondered what the man was thinking and considered going after him but thought better of it. Not yet. He’d speak to Daniel Jackson further on the issue of his nightmares but not yet.

* *

She watched as the young boy was led to the barn knowing what was about to happen beyond those walls. She wondered who he was and where he had come from. Why was he here?

She watched the barn entrance closing her eyes in silent despair as the young boy’s scream filled the air. No doubt he was now unconscious having succumbed to the shock of having his skin burned and charred. She prayed the branding iron wasn’t applied to his face, for those were the most horrid of brands. She shuddered praying for the boy before returning to her duties.

It was several hours before she saw him again and this time she found him huddled in a corner of her home. She approached and lowered before the shivering boy noting his state of undress. He was no doubt in shock. She reached out to touch him noticing how he cringed from her and softened her voice to a crooning motherly pitch as she asked, “Are you cold, little one?”

He only looked at her not saying a word, staring at her as if assessing her, so she chose another approach, “I have no desire to hurt you, little one. I only wish to help you…”

“Hel…help?”

She saw a spark of hope flare in the depths of his sky blue eyes and felt her heart melting further. She smiled nodding as she answered, “Yes help.”

Mistrust entered his eyes as he drew further away from her before managing, “Why…why help me?”

“Because I want to. Do you have a name, little one?”

“Dan…Daniel…name’s Dan…Daniel.”

“Daniel? Well now that’s a fine name. I’m Layla.”

“Lay…Layla…”

“Yes that’s right. Layla.”

As he shifted he released a soft whimper. She immediately became concerned asking, “Are you in pain Daniel?”

Again he studied her as if assessing if he should dare to trust her. After several long moments of silence he answered, “Yes.”

“May I ask where?”

He blushed before saying, “They…they burned me.”

“I…I know they did honey and I’m so sorry they hurt you. They shouldn’t have.”

She watched as his cold façade crumbled and tears slowly began to trickle down his cheeks. He wrapped his arms tighter around himself drawing his knees closer as he curled into as tight a ball as he could form. He then began to rock slowly back and forth. Without thought or hesitation she reached for him wrapping her arms around him and holding him close. At first he stiffened but soon his attempts to resist also crumpled and he turned his face burying it against her. She could feel the dampness of tears and the shaking of small shoulders as the young boy gave in to his fears…

She shook her head as she became aware that she was in the living room cleaning. As the door opened she looked up and smiled as she focused on Daniel. He was a grown man now and very brave. She was proud of him and loved him dearly. He had come a long way from the frightened boy in her memories.

She noted the dirt on his face and gently scolded, “Didn’t I tell you to rest, Daniel?”

He blushed and lowered his head before answering in that little boy voice, “Yes ma’me.”

Daniel shuffled from foot to foot feeling like he had done something wrong. He waited in the tense silence smiling when she approached and pulled him into a hug before releasing him and softly chiding, “You push yourself much too hard, Daniel. You need to learn to take breaks.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re exhausted. We’ve talked about this Daniel. You may take care of those under your protection but you must also take care of yourself.”

“I…I know. I just…”

“Need to be there. I know. I understand, but please remember to take breaks too. I don’t want you to get sick or hurt…”

Daniel grinned wickedly as he answered, “Yes mother.”

She playfully smacked his arm before saying, “Go get yourself something to eat. You’re too skinny.”

Daniel grumbled before saying, “Are you sure you never knew my real mother, Layla?”

She laughed nodding before sending him on his way. As she watched him exit the room her mind flashed back to the young boy he had been and the first night she had met him. She had held him for several hours until in his exhaustion he had fallen asleep in her arms. She continued to rock him throughout the night urging him to lie down when she too grew weary. As she had settled and he pushed in against her accepting the haven she was providing for him in her arms she gazed down the length of him paling as she spotted the mark she knew had been applied. She had felt such anger and rage upon seeing it initially: their master’s initials burned forever into the flesh of the boy’s left hip. Why he had been branded there and not on the arm was beyond her. As she thought about it now she was certain it had been applied there because that was where Daniel’s skin had possibly been the thickest. Had it been applied elsewhere on the small petite child it would have been extremely painful and dangerous.

Shaking her head she closed the door on her memories and returned her focus to her work. She lost track of time only glancing up when Daniel reappeared fully robed. She frowned as she asked, “Are you going to town?”

“Yes to the market and to pick up a few supplies.”

“But today isn’t your normal…are you all right Daniel?”

“Yes, yes fine.”

That drew her attention. She immediately stopped what she was doing and approached him gently gripping his upper arms as she softly prodded, “Daniel what is wrong? And don’t tell me nothing.”

He glanced briefly at her offering the faintest glint of a smile before answering, “It’s just Jack and…and other things. I’m…I’m… I’ll, how about we talk about this later?”

“Daniel…”

“Please? I just, I need… Please Layla?”

She gazed intently at him for several intense moments before nodding and saying, “Okay Daniel but we will talk later.”

Pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead Daniel pulled back softly saying, “Thank you Layla.”

She smiled and nodded before tugging the hood of his robe up over his head and saying, “You be careful, Daniel.”

Daniel smiled and nodded answering, “You know I will.”

She watched him leave again sending a silent prayer to the heavens for his safe return knowing that it was much too dangerous for him to be entering town but that he had to. She watched him until she could see him no more then returned to her work hoping that Daniel would once again return safely to her.

PART 3

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