Jack and Daniel left the dwelling and found Sam and Teal’c anxiously waiting for them around the fire. Sam tried to read Daniel’s face to find out how he was, but she was confused. They’d heard the paddle strikes and Daniel’s groans. It looked like he was still in pain, but he also looked more relaxed. “Did you find out what was wrong, Sir?” she asked.
“Yes, we did, Carter,” Jack informed her. “Hopefully things can get back to normal now.”
Jack wasn’t going to explain any further, but Daniel knew they’d both been worried about him and he chose to explain what they’d found out. “So Hasma says once I talk to the General, I should be fine,” he said, finishing off the explanation.
“It’s that simple?” Sam questioned in disbelief.
“I wouldn’t say it was simple, Sam,” Daniel answered. “Nor will it be easy,” he muttered to himself.
“Come on, kids,” Jack said, patting Daniel on the shoulder. “It’s time to head back.”
“Wait a minute, Jack,” Daniel protested. “We just got here. Give Sam a chance to collect those other samples she needs. There’s also time to check out the writings they told me about last time. There’s no reason to leave so quickly, Jack.”
“We’ll come back another time, Daniel.” Jack assured him. “You can’t avoid talking to the General forever.”
Daniel blushed. “Who says that’s what I was trying to do?”
Jack gave Daniel a swift SWAT on the butt and Daniel yelped. “That’s what says you’re avoiding.”
“Okay, Jack. Okay.” Daniel quickly got far enough away from Jack’s reach. “It’s time to go back.” He then noticed Hasma give Jack an approving nod and Jack giving a small salute back. This was not going to be good. He reattached his pack and looked to Jack as if to say ‘come on’.
Jack chuckled. “Carter, take point and Teal’c watch our six. Daniel and I will take the middle.”
Daniel groaned. He did not want to be walking within reach of Jack’s hand, but it didn’t seem like there was much of a choice. The team traveled back to the ‘gate with no more problems.
They stepped on the ramp in the gateroom to face General Hammond.
“Welcome back, SG-1. I hope you had a successful mission,” Hammond said in greeting.
“Very successful, Sir,” Jack replied. “Daniel and I would like to tell you about it after the post-mission physical.”
“Certainly, Colonel. Report to my office in one hour.” With that, the General turned around and walked back up to the control room.
SG-1 turned over their weapons to security and went straight to the infirmary.
Janet was there to meet them. “That was a quick turn around, Colonel. Is everything taken care of already?”
“We hope so, Doc. However, why don’t you check Daniel over first and make sure.” Jack looked over to find Daniel glaring at him.
“Come with me, Dr. Jackson,” Janet ordered, ignoring the look. Daniel followed less than willingly. Once they were settled on the far bed with a privacy screen around them, Janet said, “Drop the pants and bend over the bed, Dr. Jackson. I’ll check your rash out first.”
Daniel inwardly groaned but did as he was told.
Janet donned her gloves and examined Daniel’s buttocks. They were still a fiery red. “I thought the Colonel said the problem was taken care of?”
“It is,” Daniel insisted. “What’s wrong?”
“Your buttocks look worse than when you left,” Janet explained.
Daniel blushed from head to toe, which only made the problem seem worse. “Janet, they may look worse, but honestly, it barely hurts anymore.” Janet gave him a disbelieving stare. “Honest.” Daniel sighed. Here was one more person he had to explain the situation to. “May I get dressed at least while I explain.”
Janet nodded and waited until he had pulled up his pants before she told him to remove his shirt so she could finish the exam. She noticed he wasn’t too uncomfortable sitting on the table.
Daniel quietly explained as best he could what had occurred on the planet. “And that’s all there is to it, Janet. So you see, once I talk to the General, I’ll be fine.”
“Then I expect to see you back in here this afternoon at 1600 hours so I can make sure,” Janet ordered.
“That isn’t necessary. If it’s still a problem I’ll come back in. I promise,” Daniel pleaded.
“Like you came back in last time?” Janet reminded him.
Daniel stared at his hands. “I thought I could handle it, Janet.” He lifted his eyes for a moment to see if he was still in trouble. Apparently he still was. He gave in. “I’ll see you at 1600 hours, ma’am.”
“That’s what I like to hear, Dr. Jackson,” Janet said, as though she were talking to a child.
Daniel felt like he was about seven years old and had gotten in trouble with his parents. He was finished with his ‘mom’ and now he had to go deal with his ‘dad’. “Does that mean I can leave now?” he asked as he buttoned up his shirt.
“Yes, you may, young man,” Janet replied, making Daniel feel even younger. “I believe the colonel has also finished his exam and is waiting for you.”
“Fine,” Daniel replied, as he hopped off the table. “Might as well get this over with.” His stomach was doing flip-flops already.
Meeting Daniel at the doorway, Jack clapped him on the shoulder. “Ready to talk to the General, Daniel?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” he responded.
They walked in silence until they reached the office where General Hammond ushered them in and asked them to sit down. “So, Gentlemen,” he began. “Is the situation resolved?”
“Yes and no, General,” Jack answered. “I think Daniel should be the one to explain though.”
Hammond looked to Daniel. “Dr. Jackson?”
Daniel looked up from where he’d been worrying at his thumb. “General. Sir. Um. Well.”
Hammond was surprised at Daniel’s loss for words. He’d never had trouble before. “Spit it out, young man.”
Daniel looked at his hands again. The pain in his backside was intensifying. There was that ‘young man’ phrase again. Why was that making him feel so much like a child? “The problem, Sir,” he started, “ was essentially guilt.”
“Guilt?”
“My guilt, Sir. Apparently since I was still feeling guilty, the pain wouldn’t go away,” Daniel tried to explain.
The General was confused. “Colonel O’Neill didn’t seem to think you had anything to feel guilty about during the debriefing,” he commented.
Daniel blushed. “Um, that’s what I was feeling guilty about, Sir. I know Jack felt like what had happened wasn’t that big of a deal, but I felt differently. So when I didn’t speak up during the debriefing, I started feeling guilty.”
“I think you’d better explain what you mean by that, Dr. Jackson,” Hammond ordered, leaning forward on the desk.
Taking a deep breath, Daniel began. “I know Jack didn’t feel like what had happened on the planet was my fault, but I did.”
“How was it your fault, young man?”
Daniel cringed. He didn’t think the General meant anything by it, but he wished he’d stop saying ‘young man’. “I became so involved in what Hasma and I were talking about, I forgot to continue translating for Jack. The elder noticed. Then later I was ready to go see some writings one of the young men had mentioned and I forgot to let Jack know what I was going to do.” He looked up and saw the disapproval on the General’s face. The only reason he was able to continue was he could feel the pain lessening. “That’s why I was paddled, Sir. For not doing what I was supposed to,” he finished off quietly.
General Hammond leaned back in his chair. He did not look happy. “Dr. Jackson, please waiting in the briefing room while I speak to Col. O’Neill.”
“Sir?” Daniel wasn’t expecting this. He hadn’t thought Jack would get in trouble.
“You heard me, young man,” the General told him.
Daniel stood up and gave Jack a confused look on the way out. He quietly shut the door behind him and started pacing the briefing room.
“Colonel O’Neill,” Hammond questioned, “why did you feel the need to cover for Dr. Jackson during the debriefing?”
“Sir,” Jack answered, “I didn’t feel like I was covering for him. Daniel is Daniel, Sir. When he gets involved in something, he doesn’t pay a lot of attention to his surroundings.”
“I take it what occurred on that planet has occurred before?”
“Not to this extent, but Daniel does tend to forget procedures,” Jack explained. “His focus is part of what makes him so good at his job.”
“It’s also what could get him killed on the next mission, Colonel,” Hammond reprimanded.
“Yes, Sir,” Jack agreed. Sometimes he forgot that fact because Daniel always seemed to come out fine in the end.
“I’m not sure I feel comfortable allowing him on a field team if this is common behavior for him,” Hammond informed Jack.
Jack was somewhat stunned. He hadn’t thought the General would react this way. “I understand your reluctance, Sir, but I don’t want to lose Daniel from my team. He’s a very important part of it.”
“Then you’d better figure out a way to get him to pay more attention, or I’ll hold you responsible for anything that happens to him.” Hammond had grown to like Daniel Jackson. “Is that understood, Colonel?”
“Yes, Sir. Understood, Sir,” Jack replied. “I’ll figure out a way to make him pay more attention, Sir.” He already thought he might know a way, but he didn’t think Daniel would like it.
“Bring Dr. Jackson back in, Colonel,” Hammond ordered.
Jack stood up and opened the door, indicating to Daniel he should return.
Once Daniel entered the office he noticed the grim look on Hammond’s face. He stood next to the chair.
“Sit down, young man,” the General ordered.
Daniel immediately sat, wincing when he came down too hard. “Sir?”
“Colonel O’Neill and I have been talking. Apparently you have a tendency to become so involved in what you’re doing that you lose track of what’s going on around you,” Hammond stated.
“I can become very focused, Sir,” Daniel admitted, wondering what was going to happen to him.
“Do you feel this is a problem on a mission?” the General asked.
“Sometimes, Sir,” Daniel admitted, “but sometimes it’s also the reason a mission is successful.”
Hammond sighed. This was going to be harder than he thought. “If this behavior continues, I will be forced to remove you from field teams, Dr. Jackson.”
“General Hammond, I’m sorry my behavior seems to be a problem, but please allow me to stay on SG-1,” Daniel pleaded. “I can make it work, Sir.”
“You’d better, young man, because I will be keeping a closer eye on you and if I ever feel your behavior is endangering your life or a member of your team, it will be the last time you go through the ‘gate,” Hammond forcefully informed him. “Is that understood?”
“Yes, Sir,” Daniel answered, going pale. “I understand, and I am sorry.”
“I accept your apology, Dr. Jackson,” the General told him. “Just make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
“Yes, Sir,” Daniel said quietly.
“Dismissed.” General Hammond started sorting through papers on his desk.
Daniel looked at Jack who had stood up to leave. He followed Jack out into the briefing room. Once the door to the office was closed, he said, “Jack?”
“My office, Daniel,” Jack said curtly, “not here.”
Daniel followed Jack to his office trying to figure out what had happened in the General’s office. He understood Hammond’s disappointment in him and a bit of the anger, but no one on his team had suffered any consequences for his behavior. He’d been the only one punished. Why was it such a big deal?
Finally they reached Jack’s seldom used office. Jack let Daniel in first and then closed the door after he entered. Daniel seemed pretty agitated to him. He sat down behind his desk. Daniel continued to pace. “Daniel, will you please sit down?” Jack requested.
Daniel ignored him. “I don’t see what’s the problem with my being focused when I work, Jack. It’s why I’m so good at what I do. Doesn’t anybody understand that?”
Jack had had enough. “I said, ‘SIT DOWN’ Dr. Jackson,” he ordered.
Daniel looked up startled. Jack hadn’t spoken to him like that before. It had always been ‘Daniel’ since he’d come back from Abydos. Reluctantly, he sat down.
“First,” Jack pointed out, “your ability to focus is not the issue here. It’s what happens when you over-focus that’s the problem. You’re not alone in your own lab or on a secluded dig anymore. There are other people who depend on you and who you can depend on yourself.”
“I understand that, Jack. I’m not a child. I was never alone on the digs either,” he replied in irritation.
“Daniel,” Jack said in frustration. “Do you have any clue why people are upset?”
“Because I got myself in trouble,” Daniel answered quickly.
Jack shook his head. Did Daniel really not get it?
Daniel started to become frustrated himself. “Then why is everyone so upset? I’m the one that was paddled. Nothing happened to the rest of the team.”
“Nothing happened to the rest of the team!” Jack repeated incredulously. “A lot happened to the rest of the team, Daniel. I’m sorry you can’t see that. Carter’s been worried sick about you and Teal’c feels guilty because he didn’t protect you.”
Daniel had the good sense to apologize. “I’m sorry. I guess I was just thinking of myself.”
“Not to mention how I felt about it,” Jack added.
“I said I was sorry,” Daniel replied curtly.
Jack ignored the comment. “At first I felt rotten for paddling you.” He stopped there hoping to get a reaction from Daniel. It didn’t take long.
“At first? Does that mean you don’t now?”
“Correct,” Jack agreed. “I’m starting to realize you deserved it. I’m also thinking it might be a way of correcting some of your more reckless behaviors.”
Daniel stood up when he realized what Jack was implying. “No, Jack. Twice was enough. I’m not a child,” he insisted.
“When I paddled you on the planet, I paddled an adult. It’s not only children who need correction, Daniel,” Jack tried to explain.
Daniel shook his head and started pacing again.
“You accepted Kasuf’s correction on Abydos,” Jack reminded him.
“That was different,” Daniel insisted, not looking at Jack.
“How was it different?”
“It was their culture. Everyone accepted it,” Daniel explained, waving his arms about. “Besides, he was my father-in-law.”
“How does that make a difference, Daniel?” Jack questioned.
“It just does,” Daniel said. He finally looked at Jack and realized he wasn’t going to get out of it that easily. “It was a parent figure doing the discipline. You’re not my father, Jack.”
“No, I’m not, Daniel. That doesn’t mean I don’t feel like a father to you at times. It seemed to me like you’ve felt it yourself at times.” Jack had a hard time admitting that. Daniel didn’t respond. “Well?” Jack prompted.
“Fine! Yes!” Daniel said too loudly. “Sometimes I look to you like a son does to a father. Doesn’t mean I’m going to let you paddle me again.”
Jack finally stood up and walked over to Daniel. “Daniel.” He put his hand on Daniel’s shoulder to turn him around. Daniel was hugging himself tightly. “Daniel, I don’t want to lose you from my team and I don’t want to lose you from my life. What you’re doing isn’t safe for yourself or the team. Give me a reason not to discipline you if it’ll save your life.”
“I’m an adult, Jack,” Daniel insisted again. “I shouldn’t need you to discipline me.” Then very quietly he added, “I don’t need a father either.”
With that Jack pulled him into a hug and held on tight. “Everyone needs a father, Daniel. Especially you.”
Daniel pushed off of Jack. “Why especially me? Am I that childlike to you, Jack?”
“In some ways, yes, Daniel. But I was referring to the fact you grew up without a father.” Jack knew he was opening up a sore spot with his friend.
“I had a father, Jack,” Daniel said angrily. “He was a great father, too.”
“He was the best, Daniel. I’m not trying to replace him. Everyone finds someone to fill that role for them though. I did it myself when my father died. I may have been an adult, but I still needed that guidance.” Jack had looked to his first commanding officer like a father. He may never have told him that, but he knew it inside.
Daniel still looked dubious, but he didn’t say anything.
Jack went to sit behind his desk again. “We don’t need to make a decision about this right now, Daniel. Take some time to think it through and come over to my house tomorrow night and we’ll talk about it again.” He thought for a minute and then noticed Daniel was already thinking too much. “Scratch that,” he said, correcting himself, “stop thinking about it so much and relax, but you’re still coming to my house tomorrow night to talk about it.” Daniel was about to say something when Jack cut him off. “Later, Daniel. Tomorrow night.” Jack waved him out the door. “Oh, and don’t forget your doctor’s appointment at 1600 hours,” he reminded his friend.
“Of course, I can’t forget that,” Daniel mumbled as he walked out the door. “Can’t disobey orders.”
Jack shook his head and ignored Daniel’s comment. Then he started sorting through the papers he had to deal with.
Daniel went back to his office, but he couldn’t concentrate on his work. What right did anyone have to treat him like a misbehaving child? Being focused was how he did his job. It had never been a problem in the past. There also hadn’t been Jaffa with staff weapons hiding in the desert on his digs. Although there was that one time… Daniel stopped his thought before he brought back some bad memories. Maybe he did need to do things differently now. He was still deep in thought when the ringing of the phone disturbed him. “Hello,” he said into the receiver.
“Daniel, do you know what time it is?” Jack asked.
“Why do you care what time it is?” Daniel said rudely. “Don’t you have a clock in your office?”
“Dr. Jackson!” Jack said sternly.
Daniel jumped almost losing his hold on the phone. He really didn’t like Jack calling him that. “Sorry, Jack. My mind was on other things.” He looked at his watch and reported, “It’s five till four.”
“And where are you supposed to be at 1600 hours, Daniel?” Jack asked as a reminder.
Daniel hung his head even though he knew Jack couldn’t see him. “In the infirmary, Jack. I just lost track of the time. I’m leaving now.” He hung up the phone without even saying goodbye. Once he realized what he’d done he figured he’d apologize to Jack for it later. If he didn’t move fast, Janet would have his hide.
He arrived in the infirmary two minutes late and ran right into Dr. Fraiser who was giving him the evil eye and tapping her foot. Instead of apologizing he just went to the back exam table and waited for Janet with his arms crossed.
Janet came over and pulled the curtain. “I’m glad you could show up, Dr. Jackson,” she said a little sarcastically.
Daniel shrugged. He wasn’t in the mood to apologize for being only two minutes late. “I’m fine by the way,” he snapped, before he turned around and dropped his pants and boxers. Then he bent over the table.
“I’ll be the judge of that,” Dr. Fraiser said sternly. She examined his buttocks and had to admit they did look a whole lot better. There was barely any redness at all. She pulled off her gloves and said, “This time I have to agree with you. You do look a whole lot better. Your attitude could do with some improvement though.”
Daniel flushed with guilt as he redressed. It wasn’t Janet’s fault he was in this mess. “I’m sorry, Janet,” he finally said in apology. “It’s been a rough couple of days for me. I’m sorry I took it out on you.”
“Apology accepted, Dr. Jackson.” She turned her back on him and wrote something in his file. “I do understand the stress you’ve been under.”
“Thanks,” Daniel said. “May I go now?”
“Yes, you may,” Janet answered. “But I’d like to examine you myself before your next off-world mission. Just to make sure everything is fine.”
Daniel groaned. If Janet were going to examine his backside before every mission, she’d be another person who would end up knowing if he agreed with Jack’s arrangement. “Fine,” he said curtly. Then he walked out of the infirmary without even saying goodbye.
Finding the locker room empty, he quickly changed and left the base early. He couldn’t concentrate on his work anyway. All he could think about was the suggestion Jack had made. When he finally arrived at his apartment, he pulled out a pad of paper and sat down at his desk. He knew he could think better when he wrote things down. He began by drawing a line down the center of the paper. At the top of the left column he wrote ‘CONS’. At the top of the other column he wrote ‘PROS’.
He stood up and made himself some coffee and then returned to begin his list. Con number one: It hurt, a lot. Number two: It was embarrassing. Number three: It might change how Jack and I interact. After thinking about number three for a moment he also added it to the pro side of the list. He wasn’t sure whether it would be a change for the better or worse. Since he had just written something on the pro side, he decided to continue there. Pro number two: It might keep me from getting kicked off field teams. Pro number three: It does relieve some of the guilt I feel. Pro number four: Maybe it will get me to be more careful. Pro number five: It means someone cares what I do. He stood up and paced for a minute. Writing someone cares about what I do was not something he thought would come up. Yet, it was a big part of why he wasn’t refusing Jack outright. At first he thought Jack might have enjoyed paddling him, but then he remembered how worried Jack had been the first time. It wasn’t how a man who was enjoying it would react. If Jack decided he needed to be disciplined, it’d be because he deserved it. Shaking his head to try to clear his mind, he decided to try and take a break from his thoughts. He threw on a coat and went for a walk.
Smelling the cooking coming from a nearby diner, he suddenly realized he was very hungry. The change in temperature assaulted him when he opened the door. He shrugged out of his coat and sat down at the counter.
A middle-aged waitress arrived to take his order. “What’ll you have, cutie?” she asked in a mock flirt.
Daniel blushed, never getting used to the attention he attracted. “I’ll just have a cheeseburger and fries with a cola, ma’am,” he answered politely.
“Ma’am?” she said in surprise. “I’m not that old, young ‘un.” She turned around, hanging the order on the turnstile. “I’ll get your drink and then your food will be right up, honey,” she said as she walked away.
‘Young ‘un’ Daniel thought. Did he really look that young to other people. He hadn’t really thought about how others perceived him for most of his life. He just always did his own thing and didn’t care about what others thought. And that’s why everyone’s so upset with me right now, he finally realized. The waitress came back with his drink and he held the glass in his hands, feeling the coldness coming through. Then he finally drank some. He pretended to be looking at the advertisements on the menu so no one would bother him while he was thinking. Finally his plate of food was set in front of him.
“Enjoy your food, young man,” she said as she put the bill down next to the food.
As she turned to take the next customer’s order, Daniel called out, “Ma’am?”
“My name’s Linda, sweetie pie. Ma’am was my mama,” she replied with a grin.
“Sorry, Linda,” Daniel apologized, blushing slightly again. “I wanted to ask you a question.”
Linda leaned down on the counter to be at eye level. “Shoot, honey bunch.”
Now Daniel was almost too embarrassed to ask. “Um, just how old do I look to you?” he asked quietly.
Laughing gently, Linda asked, “Why are you asking, sweetie? Going through a mid-life crisis already?”
“Never mind,” Daniel muttered, picking up a fry and eating it, hoping she’d go away.
“I’m sorry, hon. I shouldn’t have been so flip,” Linda apologized, patting his arm. “Has it been a long day?”
“Sort of,” Daniel agreed and then admitted, “I was in a bit of trouble at work.” He couldn’t figure out why he was telling this woman about his life.
“That can be rough,” Linda commiserated. “Why are you worried about how old you look though?”
Daniel shrugged but didn’t answer.
Linda gave him a thoughtful look. Then she finally said, “I’d say you look about twenty-four. Is that about right, hon?”
Daniel groaned.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized again. “Did I say you were older than you are?”
Daniel dropped his head. “Not exactly,” he answered. “Actually, I’m thirty-one.”
“Then you should be happy to be so young looking.” She patted his arm again and stood back up. “If you need anything else, let me know, okay?”
“I will,” Daniel answered. He picked up his cheeseburger and took a bite once she walked away. Twenty-four! No way could he look that young. Mulling over everything that had occurred the past few days, he finished eating, paid the bill, and walked back to the apartment.
He sat back down at the desk and looked at his list again. Then he tore off the sheet, turned it over and wrote ‘QUESTIONS’ at the top. Number one: What will I be disciplined with? He was going to list some implements and then decided not to give Jack any ideas. Number two: Will I be disciplined in private? That would make a big difference to him. It’d be bad enough without other people knowing it was happening. Number three: Will I be disciplined only for behavior on missions or at the SGC also? Number four: Will I have any say about whether I deserve to be disciplined? Although he didn’t think Jack would do anything without there being a reason, he also knew he and Jack had different views on almost everything. Number five: Will I be disciplined off-world? He wasn’t sure he wouldn’t be so worried about getting in trouble that he could even do his job. Number six: Can I still be kept from going off-world if I agree to this and still get in trouble? What would be the point of agreeing if the next time he was in trouble, Hammond grounded him? Number seven: Will there be set rules I can follow? How could he avoid getting in trouble, if he didn’t know what would get him in trouble? Number eight: What experience does Jack have with doing this? Daniel was starting to feel a little set up.
He put down his pen and looked at his watch. It was only eight-thirty. Jack didn’t want him to come over until tomorrow night. Daniel wasn’t sure he could wait that long. He needed some answers now. Picking up the phone he hit the speed dial for Jack’s number.
Jack was watching a hockey game when the phone rung. “Hello,” he said answering it on the first ring.
“Hi, Jack,” Daniel said hesitantly. “It’s me, Daniel.”
Jack grinned to himself. He hadn’t thought Daniel would be able to wait till tomorrow. “I recognized your voice, Daniel. Can I help you?”
“Um, yeah. Could I come over tonight to talk about this thing?” Daniel was fidgeting just talking on the phone.
“I thought we were going to discuss the arrangement tomorrow,” Jack replied, hearing Daniel sigh over the phone. “But why don’t you come over now. I’d like to deal with it as soon as possible, too.”
“Thanks, Jack,” Daniel said. “I’ll be right over. Bye.” He hung up the phone, not even waiting for Jack to say goodbye. Grabbing his coat and car keys, he headed out the door. Getting ready to lock his door, he opened it up again, walked over to his desk, folded the piece of paper and tucked it in his pocket. He wasn’t sure if he was going to let Jack know about the list, but he wanted it just in case.
It took about twenty minutes before he pulled into Jack’s drive. Once he had parked, he wondered why he hadn’t waited until tomorrow. Finally he got out of his car and walked to the front door then rang the bell.
Jack had been waiting for him and opened the door quickly. “Come on in, Daniel.”
Daniel walked in, hung up his coat and just stood there.
Jack put his hand on Daniel’s shoulder and steered him into the living room. Daniel sat down on the couch and Jack handed him a glass of water. He thought they both needed a clear head tonight. Then he sat down on the chair across the room. “I take it you’ve been thinking about what we discussed on base.”
Daniel nodded. “Yeah, quite a bit.” He didn’t continue.
“Have you come to a decision?” Jack asked, wondering why Daniel was being so quiet about it.
“Not yet,” Daniel answered. “Um, I have some questions I need to have answered before I decide.”
When Daniel went quiet again, Jack prompted, “I’ll answer any questions you have, Daniel. You have to ask them first though.”
Daniel shook his head to clear his mind. This was harder to do than he thought it would be. He couldn’t remember the questions he had so he reached into his back pocket and pulled out his list. Jack raised his eyebrows, but didn’t comment, so Daniel asked his first question. “What are you going to discipline me with?”
Jack leaned back in the chair. He figured Daniel would’ve thought this out. “If a paddle is available, I’ll use that. Otherwise, probably my hand,” he answered. Daniel looked unsure about the answer, so Jack asked, “Is there a problem with that?”
Daniel blushed. “Using your hand seems kind of,” he hesitated, “intimate?”
Jack grinned and Daniel turned a further shade of red. “I’m sorry, Daniel. I know this isn’t funny and I understand what you’re talking about. However, if I use my hand for discipline, there won’t be anything intimate about it. Have you used spanking as foreplay before?”
“Jack!” This wasn’t where Daniel wanted to go with this, but he answered anyway. “No, but I do know it’s used that way for some people and I just wanted to make sure, okay?”
“Not a problem, Daniel,” Jack replied. “What’s your next question?”
Daniel looked at his list. “Um, will the discipline be private?” he asked quickly.
“I don’t see any reason it shouldn’t be, Daniel,” Jack assured him. “However, I can’t guarantee it. If I feel it’s absolutely necessary, I won’t worry about an audience.”
Daniel cringed. That wasn’t what he wanted to hear. He decided to move on. “Okay,” he said. “Will I be disciplined only for my actions off-world, or also for what happens at the SGC?”
“How do you think it should be, Daniel?” Jack asked, throwing the question back at him.
“I’m not entirely sure,” Daniel admitted. “This kind of ties into another question I have.”
“Go ahead and ask, Daniel,” Jack prompted. He leaned back. Daniel had some good questions for him, questions he would’ve asked himself.
“I’m worried about being worried about being disciplined on missions,” Daniel stated.
“I’m not sure what you mean,” Jack replied.
“If I’m worried about you tanning me on a mission,” Daniel said, taking a breath, “I’m not sure I can concentrate on my job.”
“Ah,” Jack said. “Thing is, part of the problem is you concentrate too much, isn’t it?”
“I guess,” Daniel responded, not relaxing at all.
“So I’m thinking a little worried is a good thing,” Jack explained.
“Would I at least get a warning?” Daniel asked.
“How do you think I’m planning on disciplining you, Daniel?” Jack asked. “Do you think I’m just going to haul off and smack you whenever I feel like it?”
Daniel shrugged his shoulders.
“Talk to me, Daniel. Tell me what you’ve experienced in the way of discipline before. I know you’ve told me about how Kasuf handled it, but how did other people handle it?” Jack was starting to feel just how worried Daniel was becoming.
“The thing I remember most,” Daniel explained, “was that I never knew when it would happen. I never got any warnings. I walked on eggshells most of the time.”
“I can see why you’d be worried about this idea if that’s what you’ve experienced.” Jack was beginning to piece things together. “My plan is that I would either warn you you’re about to get in trouble, or discuss with you what the problem is before I did anything. Does that sound fair to you?”
“Yeah,” Daniel agreed. “It’s still hard to accept though.” Jack nodded and he continued. “Speaking of discussing what the problem is, will I have any say in whether I deserve a paddling?”
“That’s a fair question,” Jack replied, needing some time to think about it. “I don’t plan on ever taking it that far without good reason, Daniel. However, I am always willing to listen to you.” Daniel gave him a disbelieving look. “I know, I know, I don’t always listen to you. In this case, I promise to listen. If after we discuss it, I’m not convinced you don’t deserve it, you’ll have to accept the consequences whether you agree with them or not.”
“No choice?”
“No choice, Daniel,” Jack agreed. “Do you think you can handle that?”
Daniel shrugged. He hadn’t committed to accepting Jack’s discipline yet. Instead of answering, he asked another question. “What happens if I agree to this and I get in trouble? Will General Hammond still remove me from field teams? I mean, what’s the point of agreeing to this if he kicks me off anyway?” He was getting agitated and stood up to pace.
“If you agree to my disciplining you, I will arrange with Hammond to not make any decisions about your being on field teams for at least six months,” Jack replied, hoping Daniel could calm down. “That should give all of us enough time to see if this will make any difference.”
Stopping in front of the fireplace, Daniel leaned against it. “Six months?”
“If you agree to this, you agree to it for six months.” Jack was watching Daniel’s body posture. It didn’t seem like he was relaxing at all. “Does that seem like too long to you?” he questioned.
Daniel shook his head. “Actually it doesn’t seem like long enough,” he admitted.
Jack walked up Daniel and gently placed his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Daniel, it’d help if you’d tell me what you‘re thinking,” he encouraged.
“I’m not sure what I’m thinking, Jack,” Daniel replied. “All of this is very confusing to me. Why do you even want to do this? What do you get out of it?”
“I get to keep my friend on my team,” Jack answered with great conviction. “I also get to keep my friend alive.”
“Sometimes I wonder why you want me on your team if I’m such a liability,” Daniel mumbled.
Jack turned Daniel to face him. “You are not a liability, Daniel. You’re just green. You’re learning and I’m just trying to jump start that learning,” he insisted.
“Have you done this before, Jack? You seem to know all the answers.” Daniel was pretty sure he knew whether or not he’d agree to Jack’s arrangement at this point.
“Yes, Daniel,” Jack answered. “I was in this position when I was teaching at the academy.”
“You taught at the academy?” Daniel asked in surprise.
Jack walked over to his chair and sat down, as did Daniel. “It was an assignment, Daniel. I was in charge of teaching military strategy.”
“That makes sense,” Daniel said. “So how come you’ve had to do this before?”
“While I was teaching a young cadet was sent to me. He had a problem with mouthing off to his superiors and they thought I could help him.” Daniel smirked. “Hey, I learned. They figured I might help the kid learn. Anyway, when he came to see me we talked about why he couldn’t control his mouth. He had an interesting story to tell.”
When Jack stopped and didn’t continue, Daniel pushed. “Come on, Jack. What was his story?”
“Well,” Jack said, continuing his story, “he told me the only time he hadn’t had a problem with mouthing off, was when his father was alive. He knew if he mouthed off then, his dad would take a belt to him.”
“So why did he bother telling you that?” Daniel asked.
“He wanted me to discipline him like his father had. He didn’t want to be kicked out of the academy, but he knew he couldn’t control himself on his own. He’d been trying and it hadn’t worked,” Jack explained.
“I take it you agreed,” Daniel responded.
“I agreed. I arranged for him to be sent to me any time there was a problem with his attitude. The commander also agreed to give him six months of probation before they made a decision on whether or not he would be discharged from the academy.” At the time six months hadn’t seemed long enough to Jack either.
“Did it work?” Daniel wanted to know.
“He’s a Major now, if that tells you anything.” Jack knew Daniel would feel better knowing it had worked at least once. “The first month was very hard on him. I probably had to discipline him four or five times a week. As time went on, his attitude improved and he needed discipline less often. Eventually, he took over for himself and didn’t need to know I would discipline him if he got out of line. So yes, it did work. Better than I thought it would actually. Part of why I thought of trying it with you.”
“Oh,” Daniel said quietly. Knowing Jack had done this before and that it had worked did help. There was one more question he really needed answered though. “Are there going to be specific rules I’ll know to follow? I mean, how will I know if I’m doing something wrong if I don’t know the rules?”
“If you agree to my suggestion, we’ll devise a list a rules together. I won’t expect you to read my mind.” Daniel started to comment on Jack’s statement, but Jack interrupted him. “Okay, you won’t have to read my mind about this. Other things, yes, you’re still going to have to read my mind.” Jack smiled to lighten the mood and was happy when Daniel smiled back. “So have you come to a decision?”
“Yes,” Daniel answered, although he didn’t elaborate.
“And that decision is?” Jack prompted.
“I’m willing to accept your discipline if it means I won’t be removed from field teams,” Daniel said quietly.
“Is that the only reason you’re willing to do it?” Jack understood Daniel’s need to find his wife, but he hoped Daniel had other reasons for agreeing.
“I also don’t want something I do to get anyone killed on a mission. If this works I think there will be less chance of that.” Daniel looked up at Jack to try and read his face. Jack seemed to want more from him, but he couldn’t figure out what it was.
“Anything else?” Jack tried again. Daniel gave him a blank look so he decided to help out. “What about your own life, Daniel?”
“Right. Of course, Jack. I just didn’t think of that,” Daniel admitted sheepishly.
Jack groaned. Daniel rarely put his own life first. That would be something else he’d try to work on. “Okay then,” he replied. “Is there something you want to do to make this official, or will our verbal agreement work for you?”
“A verbal agreement is fine with me if it’s fine with you,” Daniel answered.
“It’s fine with me,” Jack replied.
“So. Um. What do we do now?” Daniel asked, somewhat unsure of himself.
“I think for now we both need to get some sleep,” Jack told him. “Tomorrow we can decide on the rules.”
“Okay,” Daniel said, standing up. “I’ll come back tomorrow then.”
“You can stay here if you want,” Jack responded. “The guest room’s still ready for you. It’s pretty late already. No need to drive.”
“Are you sure?” Daniel asked, not wanting to intrude.
“I wouldn’t offer it if I wasn’t. I’ll even make pancakes in the morning,” Jack answered, offering a bribe.
“Sounds good,” Daniel replied. After spending a few months in Jack’s house when he first came back from Abydos, it still felt more of a home than his apartment did. “I’ll see you in the morning then.”
“Yeahsureyabetcha,” Jack quipped. “I make some mean pancakes.”