Dead Man Walking

It felt strange, Jack decided, to attend a memorial service where one of the honored dead wasn't really dead. Not anymore, anyway.

When he'd seen Jackson take a hit from that energy blast, he'd known right away that the man had been instantly killed. The geeky scientist, the only one who could speak the native language, the man he'd belittled and shouted at, had sacrificed himself for a total asshole without a second thought. It had been a complete shock to see him walk down that ramp in the blinding sun the next day.

In Jack's experience, when men died, they stayed that way. He'd always imagined that those that had died under his command would blame him for their deaths, yet Jackson's sole concern was the fate of the planet and the people thereof. The only accusing looks had been about the nuclear bomb, rather than blame for his death.

After Ra had been defeated, the natives had a huge party to send their saviors off. And Jackson had decided to stay behind. It was his suggestion that he be reported as killed in action, since it was true after all.

Jack saluted the empty casket that represented his own personal redeemer. I'll keep your secret, Daniel. You deserve nothing less.