By RPonda
Parts 33-45
The museum trip took them all day. They only took a break to eat
lunch in the museum cafeteria. Before they were ready to head back to the
hotel, Danny got to shop in the gift shop. He was very careful in making his
selections. He chose a t-shirt with pyramids on it (one for him and a matching
one for Rhonda), a journal with pyramids on the cover, and pyramid pencils.
Back at the hotel, Danny once more wrote in his journal before dinner.
While Daniel was giving Danny his bath, Jack got curious. He
wanted to know what a five year old would write in a journal. He picked up
Danny’s journal and sat down on the chair. He was surprised when he opened it.
The writing looked like scribbles. Jack was confused. He knew Danny could write
because he’d seen his school papers. Not realizing how long he’d sat turning
the pages, he heard, “Daddy, what are you doing?” Startled, Jack dropped the
book in his lap. “Um,” Jack stammered.
Danny had finished his bath and wanted to say good night to his
dad. “Were you trying to read my journal, Daddy?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Jack admitted. “I was wondering what you were writing
about.”
Danny walked over and sat on Jack’s lap. “So, what did I write
about?” he asked, with a knowing grin.
“I don’t know what you wrote about,” Jack answered, letting Danny
have his fun. “I couldn’t read it.”
“You could’ve asked me to read it to you,” Danny scolded, as only
a child can. “I would’ve, you know.”
Jack noticed Daniel leaning against the door jam. “You going to
help me out here?” he pleaded.
“Nope,” Daniel replied chuckling. “You got yourself into it, you
get yourself out.”
“Thanks a lot, Daniel.” Jack asked Danny, “Would you read it to
me?”
“Sure,” Danny answered. “I’m not trying to hide anything. I just
decided I liked languages so much, I wrote my own.” Danny looked over his
shoulder at Daniel. “Baba knows it. It’s how he writes in his journals.”
Surprised, Jack asked Daniel, “You do? Why haven’t I ever
noticed?”
Daniel looked smug. “First, you never read anything I write.
Second, I only write that way in my personal journals. Keeps them more secure.”
Jack was indignant. “I do to read what you write.” Daniel raised
his eyebrows. “Okay, I skim your mission reports,” Jack admitted. He was once
more amazed at how brilliant Daniel was. “You really developed your own
language when you were five?”
“No,” Daniel answered, “I was four. It’s developed a lot since
then. I’ve had to add a lot more words.”
Danny’s eyes lit up at this. “Will you teach me, Baba?” he asked.
“Of course.” Daniel gave Danny a conspiratorial wink. “We’ll have
to do it when Jack’s not around though.” Danny winked back in agreement.
“Hey!” Jack said, in mock indignation. “That’s not fair.”
“You can always develop your own language, Jack,” Daniel said
teasingly.
“Yeahsureyebetcha,” Jack responded. To Danny, he said, “Time for
bed.” He held Danny’s hand as he stood up.
“Aw, Daddy,” Danny whined. “Five more minutes? I’ll read you my
journal.”
“Not tonight, Bug.” Jack walked by Daniel. “Say good night to
Baba.”
Danny reached up and hugged Daniel. “Night, Baba. I love you.
Sleep well.”
“Good night, Danny,” Daniel said, hugging him back. “I love you,
too. Happy dreams.”
“You, too,” Danny said, releasing him.
Jack tucked Danny into bed, placing a kiss on his forehead. “Love
you, Bug.”
“Love you, too.” Danny curled up around his camel, popped his
thumb in his mouth and fell asleep.
The next day Jack took them to the Empire State building.
Unfortunately, Jack didn’t know both Daniel and Danny were afraid of heights.
Staying well away from the windows, Daniel buried his fears as best he could.
Danny buried his head in Jack’s shoulder, only lifting his head once to see the
view.
“Sorry, guys,” Jack apologized. “I didn’t realize you’d be
afraid.”
“That’s okay, Jack,” Daniel responded. “I didn’t say anything
because I was hoping Danny wasn’t afraid yet. I guess I was wrong.”
Jack rubbed Danny’s back. “You ready to go back down now, Bug?”
“Yes, Sir,” Danny answered. “It is beautiful, even if I don’t like
being up here.”
Jack chuckled. “Okay, let’s head back down.” He passed Danny off
to Daniel because he had to use his crutches. Everyone breathed a sigh of
relief when they reached the lobby.
“Where to now?” Danny asked, once everyone was back in the car.
“Now,” Jack said, messing Danny’s hair, “we go back to the hotel
and you take a nap.”
“A nap!” Danny complained. “I’m not tired. Why do I have to take a
nap?”
“No complaining, young man,” Jack scolded. “I’ve got a surprise
for you tonight and you need to get some rest if you want to go with us.”
Danny pouted. “Is it a good surprise or a bad surprise?”
“It’s a good surprise,” Daniel answered.
Danny glared at his baba. “You know what it is, too?”
“Yes, I do,” Daniel replied, “and I think you’ll like it.”
“You’re sure?” Danny didn’t want to take a nap without good
reason.
“Yes, he’s sure,” Jack butted in, tired of the conversation. “So,
when we get back to the hotel, you’re taking a nap without a fight.
Understood?”
“Yes, Sir,” Danny grumbled. Catching Jack’s glare at his tone of
voice, Danny added respectfully, “No arguing.”
“Good,” Jack said. “That’s settled then.”
Danny couldn’t resist one last try. “Can I at least write in my
journal first?”
“Danny!”
“Before I forget what I saw today,” Danny pleaded.
“Jack, come on,” Daniel said, in Danny’s defense. “Twenty minutes
couldn’t hurt.”
“For crying out loud.” Jack wasn’t one to give in, but they both
had a point. “Twenty minutes, not one minute more.”
“Yes, Sir,” Danny and Daniel said together, sharing a look. They
didn’t win against Jack often.
“You two are going to make me gray before my time,” Jack grumbled.
Danny wrote in his journal and took his nap. Not remembering
actually falling asleep, he was surprised when Jack woke him up and said it was
time to get ready to go. They still wouldn’t tell him where he was going, which
frustrated him to no end. Of course, Jack was enjoying every minute of the
suspense.
Once in the car, Jack handed the driver a slip of paper telling
him where to take them. Danny pestered both Jack and Daniel the whole way
trying to find out where he was going. Soon they pulled up at Madison Square
Gardens. When the driver stopped at the entrance and they’d exited the car,
Danny asked, “Now will you tell me why we’re here?”
Jack smiled. “I have a friend who got us tickets to a Rangers’
game?”
“Rangers?” Danny said, confused. “What are Rangers?”
Jack sighed. “New York Rangers. The hockey team.” Danny still
looked confused. “Never mind, you’ll see when we get inside.” Before they went
to their seats, they stopped at the team shop. Jack bought Danny a jersey, a
small hockey stick, and a souvenir puck. Daniel bought the snacks and then they
all found their seats.
Daniel was a bit surprised. He knew Jack’s friend had given him
the tickets, but he hadn’t expected rink side seats. “Nice seats, Jack,” he
commented.
“Thanks,” Jack replied.
Danny didn’t sit in his own seat much. Most of the time Jack held
Danny on his lap and pointed out the important aspects of the game. Danny did
his best to keep up with the action, but even with his nap, he couldn’t stay
awake. He finally crashed during the third period and Jack passed him over to
Daniel, so he could pay attention to the game. Daniel was more the happy to
hold Danny. It gave him an excuse to not pay attention. When the game ended,
they all went back to the hotel and got a good night’s sleep.
The next morning, Jack wasn’t sure what they should do. He decided
to ask the driver if he had any ideas when they got in the car.
“I know the perfect place,” the driver said. “Leave it to me.”
The next thing they knew, the car had pulled up in front of FAO
Swartz. “You guys will have a great time here,” the driver assured them.
Danny got out of the car, overwhelmed by the music, crowds and
noise. “What is this place, Daddy?”
“This is a toy store, Bug. A really, really, big toy store,” Jack
answered. He’d never been to one, but had heard about them.
Danny grabbed Daniel’s hand and held tight. He was afraid of
getting lost in the crowd. They walked past the stuffed animals, went up the
escalator to the next floor, and found dolls. Not interested in those, they
rode the escalator up to the third floor. Oh boy, construction toys. Jack
crutched his way over to the Lego’s™ immediately. Daniel and Danny caught each
other’s eyes. ‘Oh no!’ they were both thinking.
“Come here, guys. I didn’t know they had all these cool kits,”
Jack said, picking up two at once. “Look, these cars have little engines with
pistons that go up and down.”
“Those are nice, Jack, but I think Danny’s more interested in the
desert Lego™ sets,” Daniel pointed out, showing Jack where Danny was carefully
looking through the boxes.
“Oh,” Jack said, sounding disappointed. “Maybe we’ll get some of
the Techic™ sets, too. He’d get into them if they were around.”
“Whatever you say, Jack.” Daniel went over to Danny to help him
pick out what he wanted. Jack kept looking at the Techic’s™.
“So, Danny,” Daniel asked, “Which one do you like best?” Daniel
could tell he was really interested in the larger kit, but Danny pointed to one
of the smaller ones. “You’re sure you only want this little one?” Daniel picked
up the big box, holding it out. “This one looks a lot more interesting.”
Danny shook his head. “It’s too expensive,” he said quietly. “You’ve bought me too much already.”
“Danny,” Daniel said reassuringly, “if I didn’t want to get the
bigger kit for you, I wouldn’t have asked.”
“Oh,” Danny replied, hanging his head and rubbing his thumb. “I
didn’t want to be any trouble.”
Daniel pulled him into a hug. He thought Danny had gotten past worrying
about that. “Stop worrying so much about being trouble. We love you. You may
get in trouble, but you are not trouble.”
Danny held on tight. “Yeah. When I get in trouble, Daddy
gets that look on his face,” he whispered in Daniel’s ear.
“Yes, he does,” Daniel agreed, chuckling. “So, the big kit?” Danny
nodded. “Good. Think we’ll ever get Jack out of here?”
“Nope,” Danny replied, looking over at Jack. He had piled about
ten kits on the table next to him, and was still looking at more. “Not without a
truck.”
“Ya think,” Daniel quipped. “Let’s go get him.” Daniel put Danny’s
box under his arm. Taking Danny’s hand, they walked over to Jack. Jack didn’t
even notice them. “Jack, Danny picked out what he wants. It’s time to go.”
“Sure, Daniel,” Jack said. “Just help me with these boxes.”
“Daddy,” Danny said, “I think you have too many.”
“Nonsense, you’ll love these. I found the kit that has the motor
to make the cars run.” Jack was too involved in what he was doing to notice
Daniel step in front of him.
“Jack, leave the Lego’s™ alone, and back away slowly,” Daniel said
firmly.
Jack finally looked up and noticed Daniel’s face, firm, but with a
twinkle in his eye. “Daniel!”
“Jack.”
“Daniel.”
“Jack,” Daniel said one last time, “If you get all those, we’re
going to need another suitcase.”
“But,” Jack started to say.
Daniel interrupted him. “Danny picked one kit, you can pick one
kit. We can always buy more later.”
“Yeah, Daddy,” Danny pitched in. Then he backed behind his baba,
afraid he’d said the wrong thing.
Jack didn’t even notice Danny’s comment. “Two kits?” Jack pleaded.
Daniel pulled Danny out from behind him. Then asked, “Do you think
Jack should get two kits, Danny?” Danny nodded. “Okay, Jack. Two kits.”
Jack spent another ten minutes trying to decide which ones he
wanted. Finally making his selection, with another push from Daniel, they paid
for their items and left.
The rest of the day was spent in the car, getting a guided tour of
the city from the driver.
Wednesday was the last day they had to spend in New York. They
flew out that afternoon. While eating breakfast, Jack asked, “Is there one last
thing you guys want to do before we leave?”
Danny looked at Daniel, and Daniel looked at Danny. An unspoken
message passed between the two of them. Jack picked up on it. “The cemetery,”
he stated. Danny and Daniel nodded in agreement. They didn’t know when they’d
get to New York again. “Fine by me,” Jack said. “After breakfast we’ll pack up
and then go to the cemetery. That way we can go straight to the airport from
there.”
“Sounds good to me, Jack,” Daniel replied. “Thanks.”
An hour and a half later, they were back at their parents’
cemetery. The three of them walked back to the gravesite, remembering the
route. Danny once again knelt in front of the headstone. “Do you think they
know I didn’t want to leave them?” he asked no one in particular, as he traced
the names again.
Daniel knelt down next to him. “They know, Danny. They know.” He
put his hand on Danny’s shoulder.
Danny shrugged it off, turning to look at him. “How do they know,
Baba? I just disappeared. Maybe they thought I ran away or Abdul came back and
took me,” he said sadly.
“Danny,” Daniel responded, “you remember when you told me they
were sorry for leaving me.” Danny nodded. “Well I know, they knew, you didn’t
want to leave them. You have to trust me on this.”
Danny started to cry. He wrapped his arms around Daniel’s neck. “I
love you, Baba, but I still want them back.” He put his head on Daniel’s
shoulder, crying hard.
“I know, baby. I know,” Daniel comforted. “There’s nothing wrong
with wanting them back. I still do, too. I always will.” He stood up, holding
Danny in his arms. His own tears falling.
Jack came and stood by them. “Danny,” he said, rubbing Danny’s
head, “We never stop missing the people we love. It’s okay.”
Daniel held Danny until the tears subsided, for both of them.
“Ready to go now?” he asked Danny.
“Yes,” Danny answered. Then he asked, “Can we visit again another
time?”
Jack answered, “We’ll come back again. Don’t worry.” He looked at
his watch. “We need to head to the airport now.”
“Sure, Jack,” Daniel said. He carried Danny back to the car. They
drove to the airport and flew back to Colorado Springs.
Back in Colorado Springs life got back to normal. Daniel went back
to work and Jack watched Danny until he started at his new school on Monday.
Thursday and Friday though, Jack began physical therapy so he could be cleared
for active duty. Instead of taking Danny to daycare or finding a babysitter,
Jack got clearance to bring him along. The first day went fine. Danny sat in
the back and read a book. He was just happy to not be stuck in daycare. On
Friday however, Danny became bored. He was tired of reading and wanted to go
work with Daniel. His baba had been teaching him Goa’uld, and he wanted to work
on it some more. He hoped he could help with translations soon.
His dad was in the middle of some intensive work, so Danny decided
to find Daniel’s office on his own. He knew Daniel’s office was on a lower
level. Since he didn’t have an elevator card, he took the stairs. When he got
off on the level he thought the office was on, it didn’t look familiar. Rather
than go back or ask for help, he made the choice to look around on his own. He
passed a few airmen who took no notice of him. He’d been on base before,
although he was always accompanied by one of his dads. At some point he turned
the corner, went through a door and ended up in the gate room. SG-3 was
preparing to depart, and the Stargate kawooshed, startling him.
Next thing he heard was General Hammond’s voice through the loud
speaker, “Danny Jackson O’Neill! What are you doing in the gate room? Airman,
bring that child to my office immediately!”
The airman didn’t think twice about following the order. He picked
up Danny around the waist like he was a sack of potatoes. Then he carried him
to General Hammond’s office and deposited him in front of the desk. Danny was
too shocked by the method of transport to say anything.
Hammond wasn’t. He dismissed the airman with instructions to find
and bring back Colonel O’Neill. Danny’s heart sunk. “Young man, why were you in
the gate room, alone no less? Aren’t you supposed to be with Colonel O’Neill?”
Hammond asked, irritation evident in his tone and on his face.
“Y-yes, S-sir,” Danny stammered, rather nervously. He’d never been
in this much trouble with the General before. “I-I was looking for B-baba and I
got l-lost.”
“And why were you looking for Dr. Jackson on your own?” Hammond
questioned, eyes boring holes into Danny. “Does your father know you left the
therapy room?”
“N-no, S-sir.” Danny was having a hard time keeping his tears from
falling. “I-I didn’t tell him. I’m sorry, Sir. I d-didn’t mean to be any
trouble.” His tears won the battle and began falling down his face. He quickly
wiped them away, continuing to stand at attention.
Hammond’s resolve to be stern with young Danny was beginning to
waver, until he realized what could have happened to Danny, if there had been
an emergency in the gate room when he’d walked in. “Do you know how dangerous
it is to roam around this base without an adult?”
“I didn’t think of that, Sir,” Danny admitted. “I won’t do it
again. I just wanted to find Baba.”
“It certainly won’t happen again, young man,” Hammond stated. “I’m
beginning to regret ever allowing you on base in the first place.”
Danny thought he’d collapse. He had to be allowed on base. He
wanted to work on translations with his baba. He knew he’d really blown it.
“Please, Sir,” he pleaded. “Please don’t ban me from the base. I’ll never
wander around again. I promise. I want to work with Baba on translations.”
Now Hammond was confused. “What are you talking about, Danny?”
Danny wondered if he’d be in even more trouble if he told the
General Daniel had been teaching him Goa’uld. However, he knew he’d be in worse
trouble if he lied about it. “Baba’s been teaching me Goa’uld, Sir,” Danny
answered quietly, staring at the floor.
“Danny, look at me when you’re talking to me,” Hammond scolded.
Danny lifted his head immediately. “Yes, Sir. S-sorry, Sir.”
“How long has Dr. Jackson been teaching you?” Hammond asked. He
didn’t remember giving permission for this. Picking up his phone he asked his
secretary to send Dr. Jackson to his office.
“A couple of weeks, Sir.” Danny tried to protect his baba. “I
asked him to when I saw the language one day.”
At that point Jack knocked on the door, stopping the conversation.
“Enter,” Hammond ordered.
Jack walked into the office in his sweats. He’d come directly from therapy, not having noticed Danny had left the room until the airman told him why he was wanted. The doctor had removed the cast and he was walking with a cane, making him more mobile. When he realized Danny had left without permission, he was angry with him, but he also knew there’d be trouble with the General for letting Danny get away. Deciding to let Hammond take the lead, Jack stated respectfully, “You wanted to see me, Sir.”
“Have you been informed of our current trouble, Colonel?” Hammond
asked.
“I was told Danny had been found in the gate room, General,” Jack
replied.
Hammond questioned, “Were you aware he’d left the therapy room,
Colonel?”
“No, Sir,” Jack answered honestly. He looked down at Danny for the
first time. He saw how nervous Danny was, but was unsure whether he was afraid
of being punished or of the General. At this point he was a little afraid of
the General himself.
Danny just wished he could crawl into a hole. However, he remained
at attention like his father and tried to be brave, even though he couldn’t
stop his tears. He was starting to understand he’d not only gotten himself in
trouble, but also both of his fathers.
“When I allowed you to bring him with you to physical therapy, it was
with the understanding he would be watched, was it not?” the General asked,
steel in his voice.
“Yes, Sir. It was,” Jack answered. Taking full responsibility for
his part in the problem, Jack added, “I apologize for leaving him
unsupervised.”
“You know better than anyone how dangerous this base can be.”
Hammond scolded him.
“Yes, Sir.” Jack couldn’t do anything but agree.
“Danny,” the General said, addressing him. Danny jumped, surprised
at being included in the conversation again. “How did you manage to get as far
as the gate room without being stopped?”
“I don’t know, Sir,” Danny admitted. “I wasn’t sneaking around.”
“Did you see anyone while you were walking around?” Hammond asked.
“Yes, Sir.”
“And no one stopped you or asked you where you were going?”
“No, Sir.”
“Colonel,” Hammond began, “we will be talking about this incident
again privately. In the meantime, I want you to write a memo to all base
personnel about proper procedure to follow regarding unaccompanied minors on
the base.”
“Yes, Sir,” Jack said. “I will do that as soon as I deal with
Danny’s behavior. If that is alright with you, Sir.”
“Have it ready for me to review on Monday, Colonel. Dismissed.”
The General returned to the papers on the desk.
Danny looked at Jack to see what to do. Jack indicted he should
follow him out the door, so he did. On their way out, they saw Daniel coming
in.
“What’s up, Jack?” Daniel asked, wondering at Jack’s state of
dress. “I was told the General wanted to see me.”
“Danny here managed to be in the gate room when SG-3 was
departing,” Jack answered, tapping Danny on the head. “I don’t know why he
wants to see you.”
Danny hugged Daniel. While looking up at him, he cried, “I told
General Hammond about your teaching me Goa’uld. I didn’t mean to get you in
trouble. I’m sorry.”
Daniel rubbed Danny’s head. “Calm down, Danny. I’m sure it’s not
that bad.”
“Come on, Danny,” Jack said. “We’ve got a few things we need to
talk about in my office. We’ll meet you in your office when we’re done,
Daniel.”
“Okay, Jack,” he said, giving Danny one last pat.
Danny followed Jack to his office, dread written all over his
face.
As soon as they entered the office and Jack closed the door, Danny
burst out crying, “I’m sorry, Daddy. I know I shouldn’t have left the room. I
wanted to find Baba. I was bored and you were busy. I didn’t mean to get you
and Baba in trouble. It’s all my fault.”
Jack took the crying child into his arms and sat down on his
chair. He knew he had to deal with Danny feeling guilty for everything that had
happened, before he dealt with the rules Danny had broken. “Danny,” he said,
trying to get his attention. “Danny, look at me.” Danny looked at his dad,
wiping the tears from his eyes. “You are only responsible for yourself. Do you
understand what I’m talking about?” Danny shook his head. Jack tried to
explain. “What rules did you break?”
“I left the room and wandered off,” Danny answered between hitched
breaths.
“That’s right. You will be held responsible for breaking those
rules.” Jack went on, “But I have rules I have to live by, too. One of those
rules is I’m responsible for watching you, whether or not you follow my rules.”
Danny looked confused. “But if I didn’t leave, you wouldn’t be in
trouble with General Hammond. That makes it my fault.”
“No, it doesn’t.” Jack tried again. “I’m in trouble with General
Hammond because I broke the rules I agreed to when he allowed you to come on
base. It was my responsibility to make sure you followed those rules.”
“But you told me to stay and I didn’t.” Danny still didn’t
understand.
“I was to preoccupied with what I was doing to keep an eye on you.
If I couldn’t watch you, I shouldn’t have brought you,” Jack insisted. “That
makes it my fault.”
“But you trusted me,” Danny said.
“Yes, I did,” Jack agreed. “However, you’re five years old and I’m
the grown up, that makes it my responsibility to watch you.”
“So, does that mean I’m not in trouble?” Danny asked hopefully.
“Not on your life, young man,” Jack answered sternly. “You’re in a
whole lot of trouble, but only for what you did, not for my being in trouble
with the General.”
“Oh,” Danny replied. His stomach was tying itself in knots. “I’m
getting a spanking, right?”
“Ya think,” Jack answered. Not giving Danny any more time to worry
about his spanking, Jack flipped him over on his lap and lowered his pants and
boxers. Danny stiffened. He hated waiting for the first swat. However, Jack
wasn’t one to break tradition. “What are you being spanked for, Danny?”
“For not staying where I was supposed to,” Danny cried out. “For
wandering off. I’m sorry. I won’t do it again,” he promised.
“You’ve said that before, Danny,” Jack reminded him. “Therefore,
this spanking will be worse than the last one. If you make the mistake of
wandering off again, the next spanking will be even worse,” Jack stated
sternly. He knew how much trouble the adult Daniel could get into when he
wandered off. He hoped he could break Danny of this habit, before he got
himself into more trouble than he could handle.
Danny cringed. The last spanking had been bad enough. Even though
he knew he deserved it, he pleaded, “Please, Daddy. Don’t spank me. I’m sorry.”
“I know you’re sorry, but you also know the family’s rules and
what happens when you break them.” Jack landed his first swat, not giving Danny
a chance to plead anymore. This time he didn’t stop when the heavy crying
started. He landed a few more swats to make his point and palm felt. Pulling up
Danny’s pants and holding him tight to his chest, Jack began comforting him.
“It’s over, Bug. All over. Shh. I love you, and I want to keep you safe,” he
soothed, rubbing his back.
Danny’s cries lessened and his breathing eased. “I k-know,
D-daddy. I l-love you, too. I w-won’t do it again.”
“I know, Bug. I know.” Jack knew he would try not to do it again,
but knowing the adult Daniel, this wouldn’t be the last time he’d deal with
this behavior. “Let’s go wash your face and then go find Daniel.”
Danny looked up at Jack. “Daddy,” he asked shyly.
“Yes, Danny.”
Danny wasn’t sure if he should ask his question, but he had to
know. “If you spank me for breaking our rules,” he said, hesitating, “does
General Hammond spank you for breaking his rules?”
Jack couldn’t help smiling at the idea. “No, Danny. General Hammond
doesn’t spank me for breaking his rules.” ‘Although he probably wants to,’ Jack
thought. Instead of voicing his thought, he said, “He does something much
worse.”
Danny couldn’t think of anything worse than a spanking. “What does
he do?” Danny asked, afraid for his dad.
“He assigns me extra paperwork,” Jack told him. Jack noticed Danny
was confused, and said, “Never mind, Danny. Just trust me, it’s pretty bad.”
“Yes, Sir,” Danny said, carefully getting off Jack’s lap. “Let’s
go find Baba.” He took Jack’s hand and walked with him to wash his face and
then find Daniel.
When they got to
Daniel's office it was empty, so Jack and Danny decided to wait. Every time
Jack picked up something Danny knew he shouldn't, he took it away from his dad
and put it away. Frustrated, Danny finally grabbed something he knew Daniel
wouldn't worry about and gave it to his dad to play with.
After about a
fifteen-minute wait, Daniel walked in the door. “Hi, guys,” he said.
“Hey, Daniel,”
Jack replied. “How did your talk with Hammond go?”
“Are you in
trouble, too?” Danny asked, worried for his baba.
Daniel messed up
Danny's hair. “A little bit, Danny. The General was upset I didn't ask him
about teaching you Goa'uld first,” he admitted. “However, he says as long as
you know you can't ever speak it or write it outside of the base, I can keep
teaching you.”
“You already
told me that, Baba,” Danny said, confused. “You know I know what I'm allowed to
talk about.”
“I know, Danny,”
Daniel assured him, “but I should have talked to the General first. That was my
responsibility.”
“Is General
Hammond going to make you do more paperwork?” Danny asked innocently.
Daniel,
confused, looked over to Jack for help. Jack gave him an 'I'll explain it
later' look. “Sure,” Daniel answered, making it a point to remember to ask Jack
what he’d agreed to.
“I'm sorry,
Baba,” Danny said sincerely.
“Don't worry so
much, Danny. Everything's all right. Okay?” Danny nodded.
The phone rang,
and Daniel answered it. When he hung up, he said, “Jack, Hammond wants to see
you now. I'll watch Danny.”
“Okay,” Jack
replied. “Be good, Danny.”
“I
will, Daddy.” Danny wished he hadn’t gotten everyone in trouble. After Jack
left, Daniel began to work with him on Goa’uld again. He was definitely a fast
learner.
Part 39:
Hammond’s Proposal
Hammond’s office door was open when he arrived. Jack poked
his head in, and Hammond, talking on the phone, waved him in. Jack stood at
attention until the General motioned for him to sit down.
Hammond hung up the phone, and then began the conversation. “Colonel, you do
realize Danny cannot wander around the base on his own,” he said, getting right
to the point.
“Yes, Sir,” Jack replied. “I am sorry I didn’t supervise
him completely.”
“Putting that aside, Jack,” Hammond said, switching to the
use of Jack’s first name, indicating the conversation was now personal, “just
how smart is Danny?”
“He’s extremely smart, George,” Jack answered. “But I’m
not sure what you’re getting at.”
“What I’m wondering about is,” George said carefully,
“will he be able to learn Goa’uld well enough, so that he actually could help
with translations?”
“Yeahsureyebetcha,” Jack answered. “There’s no doubt about
it.”
“Is it something he would want to do?”
“Of course,” Jack responded. “Are you wanting to hire him
to work here?” he asked, incredulous.
“Not exactly,” Hammond said. “But you know how
short-handed we are with people who can do translations.”
“I know that. I see how much overtime Daniel puts in.”
Jack thought for a moment. “But George, he’s five years old.”
“I understand, Jack,” George insisted. “And I’m leaving
the matter entirely up to the three of you. However, if you decide to let him
help out, I’ll clear it for him to be on base, supervised of course.”
“I’ll consider it and I’ll talk to Daniel and Danny,” Jack
conceded. “Is there anything else?”
“Actually, there is one more thing.” Hammond looked
serious. “I’m worried I scared Danny too much.”
“I don’t think so,” Jack said.
“I don’t want him to be afraid of me, Jack,” George admitted.
“He’s not afraid of you,” Jack said. Then he amended, “He
has a healthy respect for your authority, as do I, Sir.”
“Fine then,” Hammond said. “Let me know what the three of
you decide. Oh, and have that memo to me by Monday, Colonel,” the General added,
changing back to professional mode.
“Yes, Sir,” Jack responded appropriately.
“Dismissed.”
Part 40:
Talking to Teal’c
As Jack was returning to Daniel's office, he ran into Teal'c.
Remembering he wanted to talk to him about teaching Danny to fight, he asked
Teal'c to come with him to his office for a minute. Teal’c followed close
behind.
“Teal’c,” Jack said, not knowing how to start the conversation.
“Is there a problem, O’Neill?” Teal’c asked.
“Um, yes,” Jack answered. “Did you know Danny got in trouble for
fighting at school?”
“I did not know this,” Teal’c answered.
Jack rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, and when I asked him how
he learned to fight, he said you taught him.”
“Is this a problem, O’Neill?” Teal’c inquired.
“Yes, Teal’c, it is a problem,” Jack stated. “Did Danny tell you
why he wanted you to teach him to fight?”
“I believe he said there was a bully bothering him.” Teal’c didn’t
look at all bothered by the conversation.
Jack groaned. “Did he happen to tell you the bully was a girl?”
“Why would the bully being male or female be an issue, O’Neill?”
Teal’c responded.
“Little boys aren’t supposed to fight little girls, Teal’c,” Jack
said, assuming it would be obvious.
“If the girl is instigating the fight, why should the boy not
defend himself?” Fighting was fighting as far as Teal’c was concerned.
“For crying out loud, Teal’c!” Jack grumbled. “You and Daniel…”
Jack started, but didn’t finish.
“Daniel and I, what, O’Neill?”
“Never mind, Teal’c, never mind,” Jack said, shaking his head.
“Just, if Danny asks you to teach him to fight anymore, tell Daniel or me
first. Okay?”
“Certainly,” Teal’c said. Then he added, “I had assumed you or
Daniel Jackson would have already instructed him if you’d had the time, or I
would not have done so.”
“I don’t think Daniel or I thought he needed to know how to fight
at his age,” Jack admitted.
“Age is not a factor in protecting yourself, as you should know,
O’Neill.”
“I suppose not,” Jack answered unwillingly. “Listen, we’ll talk
later. I have to go meet Daniel.”
“Very well. We’ll continue this discussion at another time,”
Teal’c said, and left the room.
Jack went back to Daniel’s office after his discussion with
Teal’c, only to find Daniel and Danny deep into a dialogue in Goa’uld. “For
crying out loud, guys. Don’t you ever take a break,” Jack said good-naturedly.
“Oh, hi Jack,” Daniel greeted him. “How’d your meeting with
Hammond go?”
“Fine, Daniel,” Jack answered, while indicating they’d talk later.
“I think it’s time for Danny and me to head home.”
“Aww, Daddy,” Danny whined, “can’t Baba and I keep working?”
“Danny,” Jack scolded. “No whining. It’s time to go.”
“Yes, Sir,” Danny said, getting off the cushioned chair Daniel had
let him use. “Are you coming home now, too,” he asked Daniel.
“Not yet, Squirt,” Daniel said, giving him a hug good bye. “I have
some more work to finish. I’ll be home soon though.”
“Bye, Baba,” Danny replied. “I love you.”
“Love you, too,” Daniel said. “Bye, Jack. I’ll get something to
eat before I leave, so don’t wait on dinner.”
“What? You’re making me cook?” Jack asked mockingly. “Don’t worry
about it, we’ll get take out. Bye, Daniel.”
Part 41:
The Decision and The Haircut
Daniel didn’t get home until late that night, which made Jack
realize how much they needed more translators at the SGC, even if it wasn’t
Danny. Not having had time to talk to Daniel about what Hammond had asked, he
brought it up the next day while they were watching Danny play outside.
“He’s five years old, Jack,” Daniel said. “Do you really want him
working on the base?”
“I didn’t say that, Daniel,” Jack answered. “I said Hammond was
interested in it. You said yourself, he loves learning the language.”
“Playing with a language is a whole lot different than having to
work with it.” Daniel wasn’t entirely sure how he felt about the General’s
proposal.
“Answer this question for me then,” Jack replied. “When you were
five years old, what was the one thing you wanted to do most?”
“That’s not fair, Jack,” Daniel insisted, knowing Jack already
knew the answer.
“Just answer the question, Daniel,” Jack insisted.
“Fine,” Daniel stated with resignation. “I wanted to work on the
digs with my parents. Happy now?”
“So, why don’t we talk with Danny and see what he wants?” Jack
suggested.
“We’re the parents, Jack.” Daniel didn’t think Danny should be
making a decision like this. “It’s not his decision to make.”
“You’re the one always insisting he has some say in his life,”
Jack said. “Why are you changing your mind now?”
“I’m not changing my mind. Not really,” Daniel denied. “Okay, we
ask him if he wants to, but,” he said, holding up one finger, “we control how
often he gets to be on base.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Jack agreed. “I don’t want to
burn him out either. If he’s not enjoying himself, he doesn’t have to come.
Agreed?”
“Agreed,” Daniel conceded.
“Good,” Jack said. “Danny can you come here for a minute?”
Danny looked up from his dig site. He’d noticed his dads talking
quietly, which could only mean they were talking about him. He got up, wiped
his hands on his pants and then ran over to his dads. “Yes, Daddy?”
Jack picked him up and sat him on his lap. “Do like learning that
new language?” he asked, not saying Goa’uld outside of the base.
“Sure I do,” Danny answered. “It’s fun.”
“When you get better at it, would you like to help Daniel
translate it on base?”
Danny’s eyes grew wide with excitement. “Really!?” he said,
looking from Daniel to Jack. “When can I start?”
“Whoa, Danny, slow down there,” Daniel said. “You’ve still got a
lot to learn before you’re ready.” Danny looked crestfallen. “But since General
Hammond would prefer me not to teach you off base, you’ll still get to come
work with me.” Danny jumped off Jack’s lap and ran over to hug Danny. “Only
twice a week after school,” Daniel insisted.
“That’s okay,” Danny replied. He figured after he started, he
could get his baba to let him come more often. “Do I get to wear BDU’s?” He
loved the look of everyone on base in uniform, and wanted to fit in.
Jack and Daniel laughed. “I’m not sure they make them your size,”
Jack answered. When he saw the disappointed look on Danny’s face, he added,
“But we’ll see if we can find something for you.” The smile he received was
worth whatever it would take to get Danny some BDU’s.
Danny thought of one more question. “Do I get my own locker, too?”
“Danny!” Jack said in exasperation, shaking his head.
Daniel stepped in. “You can share my locker, Danny. Okay?”
“Okay,” Danny said happily.
“Now,” Jack said, “let’s move on to a more important topic.”
“Huh?” was the dual reply.
“You need to get a haircut today.”
“Baba or me?” Danny asked. He liked his hair the way it was.
“Both of you really,” Jack suggested. “But today, you get one,
Bug.” Danny groaned. “I can give you a haircut myself, or Daniel can take you
to get one.”
“I’ll take him to get one, Jack,” Daniel insisted. “Don’t worry.”
“I don’t want a haircut,” Danny whined. “Danny!!” he got from both
fathers at once. He knew he didn’t have a chance. “Yes, Sirs.”
“Go wash up,” Daniel said. “We’ll get it over with quick.”
Danny glared at him, but didn’t dare say anything more. Daniel
gave him a look saying, ‘don’t push your luck’, and Danny retreated into the
house. “Change your pants, too,” Daniel called after him.
A short time later, Danny and Daniel were in the car heading to
the haircutters. “I don’t see why I have to get a haircut,” Danny
grumbled from the back seat, “You have long hair.”
“Not as long as yours,” Daniel argued. “Besides, you’re the one
complaining about how often you have to wash it.”
“What if I don’t complain any more?” Danny rebutted, still trying
to get out of it.
“Danny, enough!” Daniel said firmly. “You’re getting a haircut and
that’s it. You’re just lucky I didn’t let Jack give you a haircut.”
“I don’t feel lucky,” Danny muttered.
“Do you have any idea how short Jack would have cut it?” He could
see Danny’s questioning gaze in the rearview mirror. He held up his fingers
about a half-inch apart. “This short,” he said.
“Oh,” Danny said in surprise. “How short will you make me
cut it?” he asked with concern.
“Not as short as Jack would,” Daniel answered. “We’ll decide when
we get there.”
“So, I get some say,” Danny responded.
“Yes, I will take your opinion into account,” Daniel agreed.
Finally, they arrived.
There was a half hour wait, so Daniel and Danny looked through
some magazines showing different haircuts. “I like that one,” Danny said,
pointing to a picture.
“Danny,” Daniel scolded, “his hair is longer than yours.”
“So?”
“Danny!”
“Okay,” Danny conceded, “I’ll keep looking.”
Twenty minutes later Danny pointed to another picture. This
haircut had short sides and back, with the top portion about an inch and a half
long. “You’re sure?” Daniel asked. “It’s a big difference.”
“I like it,” Danny insisted. “Better than anything else I’ve seen
so far. Besides, if I get it cut this short, maybe Daddy won’t bug me to have
another one too soon.”
“That’s probably true,” Daniel agreed.
“Danny?” They heard his name called.
“I guess it’s your turn, Squirt,” Daniel said, ruffling his long
hair one last time.
“You could get your hair cut instead of me, you know,” Danny
teased.
Daniel cuffed him playfully across the head. “Get a move on.”
Both of them went to the chair to get Danny settled. Daniel showed
the hairdresser the picture of the cut Danny wanted. She agreed his hair would
look good with that style. “You know, sir,” the hairdresser stated, “we are
running a father/son discount this week. If you get a haircut too, you save
five dollars.”
Danny’s eyes lit up. “Come on, Baba. Don’t make me go through this
alone,” he pleaded.
Daniel considered the offer. He looked at Danny’s hopeful eyes and
gave in. “Fine. I’ll get a haircut, too. Happy now?”
“Very,” Danny answered smiling.
Thirty minutes later, both of them were finished with their
haircuts. Danny kept running his fingers across his head. “It feels funny,
Baba,” Danny said, not quite complaining.
“I know, Danny,” Daniel agreed, running his fingers through his
own hair. “You’ve never had it this short before. You’ll get used to it.”
“If you say so, Baba,” replied Danny. “Have you ever had your hair
as short as mine?”
“Oh yeah,” Danny answered. “One of my foster fathers couldn’t
stand boys with long hair. He brought out his clippers once a month and gave
all the boys crew cuts.”
“Crew cuts?” Danny questioned.
“You know the Marines on base.”
“Yeah.”
“Their haircuts are crew cuts,” Daniel explained.
Danny looked at Daniel curiously. “You’d look funny with your hair
like that.”
“Don’t I know it,” Daniel agreed.
When they arrived home, Daniel sent Danny in first to show Jack
his haircut. Jack ran his hands through Danny’s hair. “It looks good, Bug,”
Jack insisted. “It’ll be a lot easier to take care of.”
“Yes, Sir,” Danny agreed.
Daniel walked into the room. Jack gasped in shock. He opened and
closed his mouth, but no words came out.
Danny said, “He looks good, doesn’t he Daddy?”
“Ya think,” Jack exclaimed, finally finding his voice. “Daniel, I
nag you for months to get your hair cut, and this little bug gets you to cut it
in one trip?”
Daniel had his hair cut to about two inches all over in a more
mature style. “What can I say, Jack,” Daniel answered. “They were running a
father/son discount. I couldn’t resist.”
Part 42: A
New School
Monday morning came quickly. Jack had been cleared for driving and
light duty, meaning he was stuck doing paperwork. Danny was nervous. Today was
the day he would start at his new school. Jack and Daniel had met with the
principal of Rhonda’s public school. Since it was not their home school, Danny
would be attending on a variance. That meant the school would do their best to
meet Danny’s needs, but if Danny caused problems, or they weren’t satisfied,
the variance would be pulled.
“Daddy?” Danny asked, sitting at the kitchen table picking at his
food. “You’re taking me to school, right?”
“Yes, Danny,” Jack assured him.
“I wanted Baba to come, too,” Danny insisted.
“Daniel had an early meeting,” Jack said, exasperated. “You knew
that.”
“I know,” Danny said sadly. “Why can’t I come to work today,
though?”
“Danny!” Jack said sternly. Danny cringed and his head dropped.
Knowing Danny was nervous about attending school again, he said more gently,
“We agreed that you could come to work on Tuesday and Thursday whenever we’re
on base. The other days you go to daycare. Now finish your breakfast so we
won’t be late.”
Danny pushed his plate away. “I’m finished.” He’d barely touched
the food.
Jack chose not to argue the point. “Drink your milk then, and put
your dishes in the sink. Then get your backpack.”
Danny chugged his milk down leaving a huge milk mustache. He put
his dishes in the sink. As he was going to get his backpack, Jack nabbed him.
He pulled Danny into a backwards hug. “It’s going to be okay, kiddo,” Jack
assured him, kissing the back of his head. Then he wiped off Danny’s mustache
with his napkin. “Hurry up and meet me at the back door.”
“Yes, Sir,” Danny replied. He was still nervous, but he felt
better.
When they arrived at the new school, Jack walked with Danny to his
new classroom. Danny held his hand tightly. They’d agreed to place him in a
first grade class instead of kindergarten, and he would attend the honors
classes with the other first and second graders. At least Rhonda would be in
those classes with him. Jack opened the door and walked in with Danny. They
rest of the students were on the playground until the bell rang.
Miss King, his new teacher, greeted them. “Good morning,” she
said, bending down to Danny’s level. “You must be Danny Jackson O’Neill, my new
student.” She was a pretty young woman in her late twenties, with short brown
hair and glasses.
Danny looked up at Jack in surprise. “I get to use my whole name?”
he asked excitedly.
Jack had kept this as a surprise. He’d had to enroll Danny under
his legal name, but arranged for the teachers to use the name Danny wanted to
go by. “Yeahsureyebetcha,” Jack quipped. “Baba and I are still working on
making it legal, but you get to use it at school.” Danny gave him a big hug.
“Would you like me to show you your desk and cubby, now?” Miss
King asked.
“Yes, Ma’am,” Danny said politely.
“Just a minute, Danny,” Jack said. “Give me a hug good bye. I have
to go now.”
Danny hugged his dad hard. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, too, Bug,” Jack replied. “Remember, you’re riding the
van to daycare today.”
“With Rhonda, right?” Danny asked, making sure.
“Yes, with Rhonda,” Jack assured him. “Daniel or I will pick you
up. Be good.”
“I will, Daddy,” Danny said. “I promise.” Jack rubbed Danny’s new
short hair and left.
Part 43:
What’s Halloween?
Danny enjoyed his new school. He was assigned a buddy to show him
around. Before lunch he had his honors classes. Rhonda told him she’d missed
him and liked his new haircut. The work was easy, but he didn’t care, he
enjoyed it all the same. In the afternoon he had science, social studies, and
art. He kept his mouth shut, unless he was asked a question because he didn’t
want to seem like a know-it-all on the first day. By the time he got home, he
was worn out.
At dinner, Danny asked, “What’s Halloween?”
Daniel told him the whole history of Halloween. From the fifth
century celebration of the Celtic New year, through the Roman celebration of
Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit
and trees. Ending with the Irish immigrants playing of pranks on this day.
“Oh,” was Danny’s reply.
Jack looked at him. He could see the confusion on his face. “Was
that what you wanted to know, Danny?”
“Uhm, not really,” Danny answered. “I really wanted to know why
all the kids were talking about dressing up.” Daniel groaned. “It was really
interesting what you told me though, Baba,” he added, not wanting him to feel
bad.
Rather than let Daniel tell the history of costumes, Jack said,
“On Halloween night kids dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating.”
“Trick-or-Treating?”
“Yes,” Jack replied. “You walk from house to house, knocking on
doors. When someone answers, you say, ‘trick-or-treat’ and they give you
candy.”
“Am I going to go trick-or-treating?” Danny asked.
“Do you want too?” Daniel asked.
“I guess so,” Danny answered. “Rhonda wanted me to go with her. I
didn’t know what she was talking about, but I didn’t want to tell her that. So,
I said I had to ask the two of you first.”
“I’ll talk with Siler and see what he says,” Jack responded. “Now
it’s time for your bath, and then bed time.”
Now it was Danny’s turn to groan. “Bed time?! It’s too early,” he
complained.
“You’ve had a busy day,” Jack said firmly. “Besides, you want to
come to work tomorrow, right?” Jack was using his ace-in-the-hole.
“Yes, Sir,” Danny agreed. He put his dishes in the sink and then
went to take his bath. As Daniel was washing his hair, he asked, “How am I
going to get to the base tomorrow?”
“First you go to daycare. Then as soon as I can, I’ll come pick
you up,” Daniel answered. “You’ll get to stay until either Jack or I go home.
Okay?”
“Okay,” Danny agreed, “but don’t be late, please?”
“I’ll do my best,” Daniel promised. Daniel dried Danny off and
then tucked him in bed.
Part 44:
First Day at Work
Danny had another good day at school. He was getting used to the
routine and enjoyed having classes with Rhonda. When he arrived at daycare
though, all he could think about was how soon Daniel would come to pick him up.
At the daycare whoever had homework would stay in the study room until they
were done. Even though Danny had finished all his work at school, he told them
he had some so he could stay inside until his baba showed. Finally, about a
half hour after he’d arrived, Daniel showed up. Danny heard him talking in the
office and quickly packed up his stuff. Then he went to meet Daniel.
Daniel picked him up and hugged him right away. “How ya doing,
Squirt?”
“Good,” Danny answered leaning back. “You’re late,” he accused.
Daniel looked at him sternly. “I told you I would pick you up as
soon as I could. If you can’t handle that, you can stay here.”
Danny laid his head on Daniel’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Baba. I was
just anxious. Don’t make me stay, please.”
“Danny.” Daniel sighed. He hated to make Danny unhappy. “I’m not
going to leave you here, but I don’t want to go through this every time I pick
you up.” He rubbed Danny’s back.
“I won’t say anything about your being late any more. I promise,”
Danny assured him quietly.
“Okay,” Daniel agreed. “You’re all signed out, so let’s get
going.” Daniel buckled Danny in his booster seat and then drove to the
mountain.
When they arrived at the mountain, Daniel gave Danny his badge and
they descended to the lower levels. Danny was surprised to find they weren’t
heading directly to Daniel’s office. “Where are we going, Baba?” Daniel just
smiled at him, and didn’t answer, making Danny even more curious.
Turning the corner, Danny realized they were in front of the
locker room. Daniel opened the door for him. Walking in, Daniel led Danny over
to a locker. Written on the nameplate was ‘Danny Jackson O’Neill’. “I get my
own locker!” Danny exclaimed. Jumping up, he tried to touch his name, but
couldn’t reach that high.
“General Hammond insisted,” Daniel told him.
“Cool, but I don’t have anything to put in it,” Danny said sadly.
“Open it up,” Jack said, coming out from behind a row of lockers.
“Daddy!” Danny yelled, giving him a hug.
Jack hugged him back. “Come on, open it,” he said again.
Danny opened up the locker to reveal three sets of BDU’s; blue,
green and tan. “I get my own uniform!” he screamed. “Thank you,” he said,
turning around to his dads. “Is blue the color of the day?” he asked, noticing
Jack and Daniel were both wearing blue.
Jack messed his hair. “Ya think?” Then he said, “You go ahead and
get changed. I’ve got to go to a meeting. I love you.” When Danny had expressed
an interest in wanting a uniform, Jack had logged onto the net to see if he
could find some. He’d located a clothing shop that specialized in military wear
for children in Denver and had the uniforms sent. The excitement on Danny’s
face was all the thanks he needed.
“I love you, too, Daddy,” Danny answered. Then he turned around
and immediately began changing.
“Baba?” Danny asked, after he was done changing. “Can I see
General Hammond today?”
“I don’t see why not,” Daniel answered. “Is there a specific
reason you want to?”
“I want to thank him for
giving me my own locker,” Danny answered. Then he added sheepishly, “And to
promise I won’t wander around anymore.”
“Ahh,” Daniel replied. “Let’s go to my office and I’ll call to
find out what time we can see him. Okay?”
“Okay,” Danny agreed, taking his baba by the hand. “Let’s get to
work.”
Daniel called and arranged to meet with the General at 1630 hours.
Exactly on time, Daniel and Danny showed up at his office. “Enter,” General
Hammond ordered.
Danny walked in and stood in front of the desk. Then he stood
ramrod straight and saluted. “Sir, thank you for giving me the locker, Sir,” he
stated, imitating what he’d seen others do.
General Hammond smothered the huge grin growing on his face.
“You’re welcome, young man,” he said seriously, returning the salute.
Danny finished off the salute. “Um, General Hammond, Sir,” Danny
stammered.
“Yes, son,” the General prompted.
Danny stared at the floor and crossed his arms. Then he said
quickly but clearly, “I’m sorry for wandering around the base, and I promise it
will never happen again.”
“Danny,” General Hammond said gently. Danny still had his head
down. Hammond stood up and came around to the front of the desk. He put his
hand under Danny’s chin to lift it. Danny’s eyes were watery. The General got a
lump in his throat. He carefully knelt down next to him and said, “Danny, it’s
over and done with, all forgiven. I know it won’t happen again.”
Danny leaned over and wrapped his arms around Hammond’s neck,
hugging tight. “Thank you, Sir,” he whispered in his ear.
Hammond wrapped his arms around his young friend and hugged back
just as tight. “You’re welcome, Danny,” he whispered back. Ending the hug, he
stood back up and asked, “How is your first day at work going?”
“Great, Sir,” Danny answered. “Baba and I have been working on the
Goa’uld language. I can read most of it already. I just need to learn the
grammar in order to speak it on my own.”
The General looked over Danny’s head to Dr. Jackson. ‘Really?’ he
mouthed.
Daniel nodded his head. Then he said proudly, “Danny’s a very
quick study, Sir.”
Hammond rubbed the top of Danny’s head. “I’m happy to hear that.
I’m sure he’ll be a big help to you.”
Danny beamed at hearing Hammond’s words. He was glad he was doing
something right.
“Is there anything else, gentlemen?” the General asked.
“No, Sir,” they answered together.
“Dismissed.”
Part 45:
Halloween
At dinner that night, Danny again asked about Halloween. “Daddy,
did you talk to Sgt. Siler about the Halloween party today?”
“Yes, Danny. I did,” Jack answered, purposely returning to his
dinner without continuing, to tease Danny.
“Weeelllll?” Danny cried in frustration.
“Well,” Jack answered, “you didn’t tell us the party was for the
adults too.”
Daniel looked up in interest at this. He hadn’t had a chance to
talk to Jack on base. “Oh,” he said.
“Yeah,” Jack replied. “Costumes required for everyone.”
“Oh!” Daniel said, understanding Jack’s hesitancy. “What are you
going to dress up as, Jack?”
“Me?” Jack exclaimed. “Who said I was going? I think I’ll stay
here and pass out candy.”
“Daddy!” Danny whined. “You have to go. It won’t be any fun if you
don’t both go.”
“Yeah, Jack,” Daniel agreed. “It’ll be fun to see you dress up.”
“Ya think?” Jack responded sarcastically. Then he gave in. “Fine,
I’ll go as an Air Force officer.”
“Daaaddddy,” Danny argued seriously, “that’s not dressing up.
You’d have to go as a Marine for it to be dress up.”
“For crying out loud, Danny,” Jack replied in indignation. “A
Marine? Not on your life.”
Danny looked heartbroken. “If you don’t dress up that means you
can’t go to the party,” he said sadly.
“Danny.” Jack sighed. “I’m just teasing you. I’ll figure out
something to dress up as, and I am going. Daniel and I wouldn’t miss it.”
Danny felt a lot better then. “So, what are you dressing up as?”
Jack looked to Daniel. “You have any ideas, Daniel?”
“Hmm, let’s see, Superman?” Daniel suggested with a twinkle in his
eye.
“And wear tights,” Jack cried. “No way!”
Daniel thought for a minute. “I could be Indiana Jones and you
could be my father,” he teased.
“Daniel!”
“Okay, okay,” Daniel laughed. “You like the 007 movies, right?”
“Yeah,” Jack agreed.
“What about James Bond?”
“Yeahsureyebetcha,” Jack answered. “The young Sean Connery. That
would be good. Hey, you and Danny could be Indiana Jones and the young Indiana
Jones.”
“Huh,” Danny asked confused.
“I don’t think he knows what you’re talking about, Jack,” Daniel
said.
“It’s a character in a movie,” Jack told him. Danny still looked
confused. “I know. I have it on tape. We can watch it tonight after dinner and
then decide. How does that sound?”
“Okay,” Danny agreed. He shoved the last forkful of mashed
potatoes in his mouth. “I’m finished,” he mumbled with his mouth full. “Can we
watch it now?”
“Danny!” Jack reprimanded. “Don’t talk with your mouth full.”
Danny finished what he was chewing. “Sorry, Sir,” he apologized.
“Now?”
“After we clean up the dishes,” Daniel answered, picking up his
own and taking them to the kitchen.
Danny took his own in and then helped clear the table. Once
everything was clean, they sat down to watch the movie. Danny didn’t understand
it all, but he liked the idea of Indiana Jones and the young Indiana Jones, so
agreed to dress that way with Daniel. Costumes decided on, Danny was tucked in
bed for the night.
On Saturday Danny was anxiously awaiting Siler’s party. He’d
already dressed in the khaki shirt and brown pants. His raider hat, brown
leather jacket, and belt with a child size bullwhip were waiting by the garage
door. Daniel had found similar items. However, for some reason he owned his own
bullwhip. A fact Jack had decided to find out the reason for. Jack had managed
to find all the things he needed to dress as James Bond 007.
Finally, four o’clock arrived and it was time to leave for the
party. The kids were going to trick-or-treat from four-thirty to six, and then
everyone would return to the house for games. Danny was the first child to
arrive. Rhonda answered the door in her cowgirl costume. “Hi, Danny. You’re
costume looks great. Your dad even let you have the bullwhip,” she said.
“Yeah, but I’m not allowed to take it off the belt,” Danny said as
he looked up at Jack. “Your costume is good too, Rhonda.”
“Thanks,”
she said. “Come on in, Col. O’Neill, Dr. Jackson. You’re the first ones here.
My parents are in the backyard getting ready. They said to go on out.”
“Okay,
Rhonda,” Jack said. They went through the house and into the backyard, finding
Dave and Sandy Siler setting out last minute decorations. “Yeehaw, Siler,” Jack
said teasingly, noticing his cowboy costume. “Round up any cattle lately?”
“Very
funny, Colonel.” Siler groaned. “You manage to capture any bad guys?”
“Every
week,” Jack said. “Every week. Need any help?”
“Sure,”
Siler said, handing him a bag of apples. “Pull all the stems from these and put
them in the bucket of water over there.”
“Kids
going to play bobbing for apples tonight?” Daniel asked.
“Ya
think,” Jack said sarcastically. “Get over here and help out, Indy.”
“Actually,
Jack,” Daniel replied, “I think I’m safer helping Sandy out with the decorations.
I’ll be over on the other side of the yard.”
“Chicken!”
Jack yelled, throwing an apple at him.
Daniel
easily caught it and bit into it. “Yep. Thanks for the apple, Jack.”
The
next guests to arrive were Cassie, Janet, Sam and Teal’c. Cassie was dressed as
Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, with Janet as the Tin Man, Sam as the Scarecrow,
and Teal’c as the Cowardly Lion.
“Great
costumes guys,” Jack said, as he welcomed them to the party. “If I’d known I
could have dressed as the Wizard.”
“Are
you sure you have the smarts for the part,” Sam teased.
“Hey,
what is this,” Jack said pitifully, “pick on Jack O’Neill night?”
“Yep,”
Daniel answered, “and it’s about time.”
“Funny,
funny. Just wait until it’s bobbing for apples time,” Jack warned.
Right
then Hammond and his daughter and granddaughters entered the back yard.
Everyone had to stifle their laughter. They were dressed up as a mummy family,
General George Hammond included.
“Sir,”
Sam said, chuckling, “your costumes are great.”
“Thanks,
Captain,” Hammond responded, patting the girls head. “Tessa and Kayla chose the
theme.”
Danny
poked Daniel to get his attention. Daniel kneeled down to his level. “Mummies
don’t really look like that,” Danny whispered seriously.
“I
know, Danny,” Daniel whispered back. “It’s the way movies portray them. Don’t
say anything, okay?”
“I
won’t, Baba,” Danny agreed.
Siler
spoke up, “Well now that everyone’s here, I say the adults go trick-or-treating
and the children stay home.”
“Daaaddddy,”
Rhonda groaned, “stop teasing.”
“Oh,
right,” Siler corrected. “The kids go trick-or treating. Who’s brave enough to
supervise them?”
No
one spoke, they just all looked at each other, with the children looking at
them. Finally Daniel answered, “I’m up to it. Anybody joining me?”
“I’ll
come,” replied Sam. “You coming with us Murray?”
“O’Neill
has informed me I would be better off staying here,” Teal’c insisted.
“I’ll
come, too,” Bonnie said.
“Can
we just go now,” Cassie complained. “It’s getting late.” This was her first
time trick-or-treating, too.
“Sure,
let’s go,” Daniel agreed. “Does everyone have bags?”
“Yes!”
all the children replied excitedly.
Finally,
they all left the house to head up the street to the first house. Danny was
excited, but nervous also. He held on tight to his baba’s hand. “Are you sure
people aren’t going to be mad we’re asking them for candy?” Danny asked.
“I’m
sure,” Daniel answered, pushing Danny ahead of him. “Go stand with the rest of
the kids and say trick-or-treat when the door is answered.”
Danny’s
voice could barely be heard when all the kids yelled trick-or-treat, but his
thank you could be heard clearly. By the third house, Danny had lost his
apprehension. He was running with the rest of the group, no longer needing his
baba’s reassuring hand.
After
they’d gone down the street and back along the other side, they stopped back at
Siler’s house to exchange the chaperones. This time Jack, Siler, and Janet took
the kids down the other side of the neighborhood.
Trick-or-treating
over, the party began. First up was bobbing for apples. Danny couldn’t get his
mouth open big enough to bite one, so after getting his head completely wet, he
reached in and grabbed one. After all the kids had had a turn the adults egged
each other on. Jack’s big mouth nabbed one easily, a fact everyone commented
on. While Daniel was bobbing, Jack took his revenge by pushing Daniel’s head
all the way under. Daniel came up spluttering. He shook his head quickly,
splattering Jack before he could get away.
When
the games were over, the children sat around to inspect their loot and trade
each other for favorites. The adults all sat around a fire pit to talk.
“So,
Daniel,” Siler asked. “You actually know how to use that bullwhip?”
Daniel
smiled, but didn’t answer.
“Come
on, Siler,” Jack replied. “You don’t really think Daniel could handle a whip,
do you?”
“I
wouldn’t be so certain, Sir,” Sam put in. “Daniel’s an enigma. I think there’s
a whole lot of things we don’t know about him yet.”
“Right,
Carter,” Jack teased. “If he really knows how to use that thing, I’ll cook all
the meals on the next mission.”
With
that statement, Daniel stood up. “Get ready to cook, Jack,” he said smugly.
Siler’s
backyard was large. Daniel found an empty spot where he could stretch out the
bullwhip. Everybody else quickly followed to watch Daniel, including the
children. “You sure about this?” General Hammond asked, with concern. He didn’t
want to see anyone hurt.
“Don’t
worry, Sir,” Daniel insisted. “I know what I’m doing.” Daniel shook out the
whip and then snapped it with a loud crack. Some of the kids jumped and covered
their ears at the sound. He did it three more times to warm up. Then he spied a
stick on the ground. He took two steps forward, cracked the whip and split the
stick cleanly in two.
Everyone
clapped. “Beginner’s luck,” Jack muttered.
Next,
Daniel spotted a branch above him. He cracked the whip, wrapping the end around
the branch. He gave it a few tugs to shake it, and then he snapped the whip
again to release it.
Jack
groaned. He knew he’d be cooking.
“Hey,
Jack,” Daniel asked. “You want to grab that stick and stand at the other end?
I’ll break it in half while you’re holding it.”
“I
may have to cook, Daniel,” Jack conceded, “but I’m not crazy.”
“I
trust your skills with the bullwhip, Daniel Jackson,” Teal’c said. “I would be
happy to hold the stick.” Teal’c picked up the stick, walked over to the other
end, and held it out to his side.
Daniel
focused himself, and cracked the whip. The stick snapped in two, one half still
residing in Teal’c’s hand. Everyone cheered, including Jack. Then Daniel
recoiled his whip.
When
everyone sat down again, Sandy asked, “Where’d you learn to handle a bullwhip
like that?”
Daniel
answered, “I was on a dig in South America. The dig leader would show off with
his whip in the evenings. I asked him to teach me.”
“Can
I see your whip, Daniel?” Siler asked.
“Sure.”
Daniel handed it to him. “He gave it to me when I snapped a stick he was
holding in his mouth.”
Siler
examined the whip. He noticed Daniel’s name was carved in the handle. “Nice,”
he said, handing it back.
Daniel
then steered the conversation on to something else, embarrassed by the
attention, but happy Jack would have to cook.
Meanwhile,
the children had gathered on the other side of the yard. “You’re dad was sure
good with the whip,” Tessa commented. “Do you think you could do it?”
“I’m
not supposed to play with it,” Danny told her. He did want to try though,
thinking it would be cool to be able to do what his baba did.
Rhonda
pushed. “Just try it once, Danny. No one will know. They’re too busy talking.”
Danny
looked over at the adults. They did look busy, and Danny really wanted to try
it. “Okay,” he agreed, taking the whip off his belt. He shook it out like he
saw Daniel do. He lifted the whip, snapped it, and screamed.
Hearing
the scream, the adults ran over to the children. Jack got to Danny first. Danny
was sitting on the ground, holding his right arm to his chest, trying not to
cry. Jack knelt down in front of him. He saw the whip on the ground. “Danny,
what happened?” Jack asked.
Danny
didn’t say anything, so Rhonda spoke up. “He was trying to use the whip because
we asked him to. I think it hit him on the arm.”
“Is
that what happened, Danny?” Jack asked. Danny nodded. “I need to see your arm.”
Jack took Danny’s right hand so he could stretch out the arm. Danny yelped.
“Shh, it’s okay, Danny. I know it hurts.”
Realizing
her services might be needed, Janet sent Cassie to her car to get her bag. Then
she sat down next to Danny. Very carefully they took off Danny’s coat and
pushed up his shirtsleeve. There was an angry red welt across his forearm.
Cassie handed her mom the medical bag. “Danny,” Janet said. Danny looked up at
her with tear filled eyes. “We need to get you inside so I can examine your arm
better. Okay?” Danny nodded. Jack carefully picked him up and carried him
inside, trying not to jar his arm. Daniel also followed them in, picking up the
whip on his way. Everyone else stayed outside, so as not to crowd them.
The
welt looked even worse in the light. Danny’s tears started falling. “It’s okay,
Honey,” Janet comforted. “I’ll put some cream on this, and it’ll probably still
hurt, but it will feel a whole lot better.” Janet grabbed some
antiseptic-numbing cream from her bag. She spread it over the welt and wrapped
it in gauze. “There you go, Danny. Does it feel any better yet?”
Danny
nodded his head and said quietly, “Yes, Ma’am. Thank you.”
“You’re
very welcome,” Janet replied. “I’m going to give your dads some of the cream so
they can put it on when it hurts.” She turned to Jack. “You can use this every
four to six hours for as long as it hurts. You can also give him some
children’s acetaminophen if he seems to need it. Keep it wrapped for a few days
for protection and cushioning. He’ll be fine, but it will take awhile for the
welt to go away.”
“Thanks,
Doc,” Jack said. “We appreciate the help.”
“Thanks,
Janet,” Daniel added.
“You’re
welcome. Glad I could be of help,” Janet said. “I’ll head back outside and leave
you guys alone.”
Jack
picked up Danny and sat him on his lap. Danny looked nervous. “I’m sorry,
Daddy,” he said quietly.
“What
are you sorry for, Danny?” Jack asked.
“For
playing with the whip when you said I couldn’t,” Danny answered, not meeting Jack’s
eyes.
“Why
didn’t I want you playing with the whip?” Jack questioned, lifting Danny head.
“You
thought someone might get hurt,” Danny replied.
“That’s
right,” Jack said, “and someone did get hurt, didn’t he?”
“Yes,
Sir.” Danny answered quietly, the tension clear in his voice, “I am I going to
get a spanking?”
Jack
seemed to think about it. Then he answered, “I think this time, you kind of
spanked yourself, didn’t you?”
“Yes,
Sir,” Danny agreed, grateful he wouldn’t also be getting a spanking in addition
to getting hurt.
Daniel
commented, “I think it’s time to head on home. It’s getting late.”
Jack
agreed and carried Danny back outside to get his candy and say their goodbyes
and thanks yous. Then they went home to bed.
The
next day as Daniel was reapplying the cream on his welt, Danny asked, “I know I
wasn’t supposed to play with the whip last night, but…” Then he trailed off.
“But,
what?” Daniel asked, wrapping the gauze.
“But,”
Danny asked hesitantly, “could you teach me how to use one for real? Someday?”
Daniel
placed the tape on the gauze and rolled up his sleeve. He showed Danny a
three-inch scar on the underside of his upper arm. “I got that scar while I was
practicing,” Daniel explained. “Are you sure you really want to learn?”
Danny
felt the scar and thought of his own welt. “Is my arm going to have a scar like
that, Baba?” he asked worriedly.
“I
don’t think so,” Daniel assured him. “This scar formed because I cut myself
pretty deep. It happened the same way you hurt your arm though.”
“Okay,”
Danny said. “I think I’ll wait awhile before I learn.”
“That
sounds like a plan, Squirt,” Daniel replied, messing his hair. “Have you
cleaned your room yet?”
Danny
groaned. “No, Sir,” he answered. He hated cleaning his room.
“You’d
better get a move on then, Danny,” Daniel told him. “Jack will be home soon.
After I vacuum I’ll come in and see how you’re doing.”
“Yes,
Sir,” Danny grumbled, as he got of the chair and trudged to his room.