Daniel.

He smiled as he recalled the memories of Daniel bringing him a cup of coffee every morning. He claimed that it was the nectar of the Gods and he was right.

Jack sighed and clicked on the evening news as he turned back to the dinning room table and the files that were scattered across the table top. Taking another sip of his coffee he sat down to study the files for the next day’s proceedings. Jack half heartedly listened to the news broadcast that flickered across the giant screen TV as he continued to study the files.

Hours went by as he continued to study the files, finalizing an outline for his opening statements. He quickly glanced up at the TV as a familiar face stared back at him. He felt a chill run down his spine and he froze as he recognized the soft innocent eyes. “Shari,” he lamented as he gazed at the beautiful young woman that flickered in front of his eyes. When he broke out of his trance he leaned over and turned up the volume, his heart aching as a few key words echoed in his ear; found dead, murderer at large, mutilated, raped.

He dropped the remote with shock. "It can't be." He gasped as the news commentary of continued to repeat.

"Danny," he gasped, the soft word flowed from his lips as he thought of his friend, the man he kept near to his heart, the man he had fallen in love with. He had accepted the wedding of Daniel and Shari, knowing that Daniel needed a new start, a chance to love. They had only been married a few weeks and now she was gone.

Jack’s thoughts continued to race as he grabbed his car keys and headed back to the office. He was forced to park further away from the building due to the police cars and the press loitering around after hours. Everything felt unreal; nothing publicly had personally affected the law firm since Charlie’s death.

He pushed pass the press and was relieved to see Jonas Quinn approach him. "Jack, I was just about to call you-"

"Where's Dann- Daniel?" Jack questioned as Jonas paled slightly and looked away. "Jonas?"

"We don't know." He sighed, crossing his arms over his chest and then tugging his ear. "No one's been able to find him since the news broke. He wouldn't- I mean, would he?"

"Yes," Jack sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly knowing where he might be- the old tower. "Call me if you hear anything," he stated firmly. "And I mean anything."

"Yes, sir." Jonas nodded, realization dawning in his eyes. "You know where he is."

"Maybe," He replied quickly. "And there's only one way to find out." Jack glanced around the crowded room and frantic coworkers. "Keep the fort together and gather all the information you can find on the case."

"Yes, Jack." He stated firmly. "Anything I can do to help."

"Good." Jack nodded, offering a small tight smile. "I'll check back." He added as he turned to leave.

~*~*~

The silence was deafening, and the solitude wasn't what he was searching for, but he didn't know where else to go or what else to do. He felt lost, empty. Daniel sighed as he looked up at the stars, wrapping his arms tighter around himself. "Shari," he moaned as he felt the hot prickle of tears once more.

"Daniel."

Daniel stiffened, not bothering to look toward Jack as he repeated his name. “Go away,” he whispered as he closed his eyes.

"Danny," Jack soothed as he crossed over to him and reached out, touching his back with a light caress. "I thought I'd find you here."

Daniel leaned back into the offered touch, taking a deep breath as he looked up at the stars. "She's gone," Daniel began his voice tight, wavering with tears. "Someone took her from me."

"I know." Jack stated softly as he rubbed small circles into his back.

"Why does everyone always leave me?" He managed to question, his voice even softer then before. "My parents, Shari-"

Jack sucked in a quick breath, not knowing how to answer him. "I'm still here." He replied as he wrapped his arms around him. "I'm still here."

"Jack," he cried turning to him, letting the older man comfort him. "I loved her, and now she’s gone. He raped her, mutilated her body! Gawd Jack, I could barely recognize her."

Jack held him close, tightening his arms around him. "We'll find out who did this." Jack promised. "We will put him away, a life sentence."

"That may not be enough," Daniel replied harshly as he pulled away, wiping away the few stray tears that managed to escape.

"For now, it has to be." He whispered as he trailed his fingers over his face. "Let me take you home."

"I can't go back there." He hissed, "not without Shari. It's too soon."

"Then come home with me," Jack offered.

Daniel nodded and let Jack lead him away from the edge. "Okay," he agreed and followed him back to the car.

~*~*~

Jack drove back to his place, the silence slightly comforting. Jack glanced over at Daniel and watched his forlorn expression, his heart aching at the thought that there was nothing he could do or say to make it better. "Danny," he began as his friend turned to him. Jack sucked in a quick breath at the sorrow expressed in his eyes.

"Yes?" He questioned as he pretended to take interest at the passing scenery.

Jacks mouth went dry as he tried to search for something to say, "you hungry?"

"Not really, I’m fine." Daniel answered dryly as he turned his attention away from the scenery and glanced down at he clenched his hands.

"Need something to drink?" Jack offered, not knowing what else to say.

"Perhaps," He replied with a slight shrug. "I just want to forget that this night ever happened."

"Danny," He sighed as he turned the block and made his way back home. "I have a nice bottle of red wine that would be nice."

"Just for me I hope?" Daniel chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

"As much as you want," Jack smiled as he pulled into the driveway and parked into the garage. Thankful that only a handful of reporters where milling around the front lawn of his estate.

"Seems they heard the news too," Daniel groaned as he turned to Jack. "It really happened, didn't it? Shari is gone."

Jack exhaled slowly as he looked over at his friend. "I'm afraid so, buddy."

Daniel nodded and quickly dashed out of the car. Jack followed closely as Daniel made his way into the house and stopped in his tracks as he noted the TV displaying the news.

"Damn it," Jack cursed as he reached over to turn it off, hating the fact that he forgot that he left it on in the first place. He jerked in response to Daniel's hand encircling his wrist.

"No," He insisted as he tightened his grip on Jack. "I want to see, I need to know if there's-" his voice trailed off as they flashed another picture of Shari.

"Any new details?" Jack finished for him as Daniel nodded in response.

They stood in silence as they replayed the same news footage that Jack saw earlier; there was no additional news to speak of.

Daniel sighed as he plopped down on the couch, burying his face into his hands. "What am I to do? How can I go back to work?" He questioned as he sniffed and glanced up at Jack. "How can I live without her?"

"One day at a time," Jack whispered as he sat down beside him, rubbing the back of his neck.

"That seems so clichéd," Daniel huffed as he rubbed his eyes, trying to force his tears away. "Oh, god." He whimpered as he turned to Jack.

"I'm here," Jack reminded him as he opened his arms to the man before him. "I'm still here, Danny."

"Jack," He whimpered, his voice breaking with his unshed tears. He leaned into Jack as he wrapped his arms around him, seeking out the comfort that only he could give.

"I'm here," Jack repeated once more, holding onto him. He rubbed Daniel's back, letting him cry the tears that he needed to.

Time passed slowly as Jack held onto Daniel, letting him grieve the loss of his young wife. As Daniel's sobs lessened, Jack relaxed his hold and rubbed his back. "Thank you," Daniel murmured into Jack chest.

"Stay," Jack smiled as Daniel looked up at him. "Stay tonight."

"Okay," Daniel sighed as he buried his head back into the crook of Jack's neck, leaning onto him for the support he lacked.

~*~*~

Jack stood in the doorway, watching as Daniel slept in the guest bedroom. “Sleep well, my friend,” he whispered as he took one more glance at him, trying to push back the desire to hold him as only a lover could. He sighed as he took a step back and headed to his room.

He showered and started to dress for bed, when he heard a muffled shout. He paused, turning his attention toward the door.

“Shari!” Daniel cried, his voice echoing in the stillness. Jack dropped what he was doing and ran back to the guest bedroom. “Shari, no!”

“Daniel!” Jack called out to him as he reached over and touched his shoulder. “Wake up, Danny, it’s only a dream.”

"No," he drawled as his eyes snapped open. "Shari?" He gasped, blinking as he reached out to Jack.

"Danny," Jack sighed as he sat down beside him. "It's just me, Danny."

“Jack?” Daniel mumbled as he rubbed his eyes and looked at him with haunted eyes.

“You okay?” He asked as he rubbed Daniel’s arm.

“I’m fine.” He replied dryly.

Jack studied him briefly. “You sure?”

“Yes,” Daniel drawled as he laid back down and stared up at the ceiling. “It was just a dream.”

“Just a dream?” he repeated, eyeing Daniel carefully.

“I’m fine,” he shrugged and Jack rolled his eyes in response.

“Sure you are, don’t start pretending now,” Jack groaned as he rubbed Daniel’s chest in soft soothing motions.

“I’m fine.” He insisted, raising his hand and placing it over Jack's.

"If you say so," Jack shrugged as he stilled his hand and gazed into his blue eyes. "Daniel," he whispered his fingers trailing over Daniel's.

Silence overcame them for only a moment, the air around them changing slightly. Daniel closed his eyes and licked his lips, and Jack merrily groaned in response.

"Make me forget," Daniel whispered harshly, pulling Jack closer to him. "I want to remember us."

"Us?" Jack gasped as he leaned his face closer to Daniel's, breathing in his scent. "It was such a brief affair, so long ago."

"I remember," he sighed softly, closing his eyes briefly. "Please, I need to feel-"

"Oh, Daniel," he groaned as he brushed his lips against Daniel's.

"Jack," Daniel moaned, pressing his lips against Jack's. "Need to feel- so empty."

"Shhh-" Jack soothed as he deepened the kiss, leading to much more.

They made love, Jack giving comfort and solace to his friend in need, his lover. Words of love were never spoken, and were not needed. Jack and Daniel were back together in each other's arms, where they would fight for Shari and bring her killer to justice.

The end