By
RPonda
Part 91: Mission?
Danny continued to have trouble sleeping through the night. Either Jack or Daniel would sleep with him so they could calm him back down. Things were better during the day, however Danny refused to go back to school and neither Jack nor Daniel was too eager to make him. Arrangements were being made to have more security at the school and day care, but it was taking time. Instead, Danny went to work with his dads.
The biggest problem was missions
could not be put off forever. SG-1 had left the negotiations when they’d had to
come home early to save Danny. The people of P3X-447, the Hendrons, were still
refusing to negotiate with any other team. They’d been told about the issue
involving Col. O’Neill and Dr. Jackson and understood. However, they were eager
to continue the talks about medical knowledge in exchange for mining naguada.
General Hammond sent for Col.
O’Neill. Once Jack arrived and sat down, Hammond got right to business. “Col.
O’Neill, we need to get SG-1 back to P3X-447. How soon do you believe this will
happen?”
“I’m not sure, Sir,” Jack answered
honestly. “Danny still won’t let us out of his sight unless he’s with either
Teal’c or Carter. I just can’t see leaving him with anyone else right now. It’s
too soon.”
“I understand the issue Colonel,
but we can’t have SG-1 on stand-down forever.” Jack started to protest, but was
cut off by the General’s raised hand. “What would you think of taking Danny
with you on this mission?”
“What?” Jack exclaimed. “You want
us to take Danny with us to P3X-whatever?”
“We told the Hendrons of your
problem and they invited Danny to join you. Dr. Jackson said himself they were
very family oriented,” Hammond pointed out.
“They are, Sir,” Jack agreed.
“And Danny has already been
through the gate before.”
“Yes, Sir.” Jack wasn’t sure
whether he wanted Danny on the mission or not. He didn’t like to take chances.
However, the people were very open and pleasant all the times they’d already
been there. “Are you sure about this, General?”
“It’s not the perfect option, I
know,” Hammond agreed, “but the brass is breathing down my back to get SG-1
back into action. It’s the only reasonable solution I could come up with. What
do you say?”
Jack was quiet for a moment. None
of the options were ideal and he couldn’t make the decision himself. “I need to
discuss it with Daniel and Danny first, Sir. However, I believe we could make
it work.”
“Go talk to them, Colonel.
Dismissed.” Hammond flipped through some papers and allowed Jack to leave;
hoping things would work out.
Jack found Daniel working in his
lab. He explained what Hammond had told him about the mission.
Daniel mulled it over. “The
Hendrons are very nice people. I don’t have an issue about safety, but is it right
for us to be taking Danny on missions?”
“It doesn’t seem like we have a
lot of options this time,” Jack pointed out, “unless you want to leave Danny
with someone here.”
“I’d prefer it, but I don’t think
Danny would accept it right now,” Daniel commented.
“Ya think,” Jack quipped. “So, do
we talk to Danny?”
“I guess so,” Daniel agreed. “He’s
working out with Teal’c, but he should be back any time.”
Jack waited in Daniel’s office,
fiddling with the ‘rocks’.
A short time later Danny arrived
at Daniel’s office with Teal’c in tow. “Danny Jackson O’Neill is becoming a
formidable warrior,” Teal’c intoned.
Danny beamed. He ran over to Jack
and hugged him. “What are you doing here?” he asked.
“I came to talk to Daniel and find
you,” Jack answered.
“You found me,” Danny replied.
“Yes, I did, and now we need to
talk to you.” Danny got silent and dropped his head. “Relax, Bug,” Jack
comforted. “It’s just that SG-1 needs to finish negotiations with the Hendrons.
You remember us talking about them.” Danny nodded, still silent and gripping
Jack. Jack sat down on the couch with Danny on his lap. He could tell Danny was
getting upset. “What’s the problem, Bug?” he said gently.
“I don’t want you to leave,” Danny
said quietly, starting to cry.
“Not even if you got to come with
us?” Daniel asked.
Danny startled and looked up at
Daniel. “Through the Stargate?” he questioned.
“Yes,” Daniel answered, “but only
this one time. We’ve been to this planet a couple of times already and we know
it’s safe. The next mission you’ll have to stay here.”
Danny decided not to worry about
next time. “Do I get to wear my BDU’s?”
“Yes,” Jack agreed.
“And a backpack and vest?”
Jack laughed. “We’ll see if we can
find one to fit you.”
“Can Camel come?”
“Yes, Camel can come,” Daniel
assured him. “Anything else?
“When do we leave?” Danny asked
with enthusiasm.
“Tomorrow morning,” Jack told him.
“We’ll be gone about four days.”
“Okay,” Danny agreed. He thought
about something for a moment then asked, “I can’t tell anybody about this, can
I?”
“Nope,” Jack replied. “You can’t
ever tell anyone about our jobs. Is that a problem?”
“No, Sir,” Danny answered. “Just
wondering.”
Daniel watched Danny turn inward
again. He rubbed Danny’s head and asked, “What else is bothering you, Squirt?”
Danny looked up at his baba. “Can
the bad guys get me on this planet?” he asked hesitantly.
“No, Danny,” Jack assured him.
“You’ll be safe.”
After another restless night of
Danny’s nightmares, everyone arrived on base ready to embark. The quartermaster
had managed to secure an undersized pack just for Danny. He didn’t get a vest,
but at least the pack looked like his dads. What was contained in the pack was
vastly different though. Tucked into Danny’s pack were his camel, his journal,
and some snacks. Jack and Daniel had split up the other necessary items between
themselves.
Danny saluted General Hammond when
they entered the gateroom. “Morning, Sir,” he said.
“Morning, Son,” the General
replied saluting back, wondering if Col. O’Neill would ever pick up his son’s
good habits. “Ready for your mission?”
“Yes, Sir,” Danny said
confidently. He stared up at the Stargate. It’d been awhile since he’d been in
this room. Stepping between his dads, he grabbed each of their hands. “At least
I think so,” he said more quietly.
“You’ll be fine,” Hammond assured
him, patting him on the shoulder.
Daniel squeezed Danny’s hand as
the gate began to spin. “Chevron one, encoded,” Sgt. Davis called out.
Danny’s hand gripped tighter as
each chevron engaged. As the seventh chevron locked and the Stargate kawooshed,
Danny pulled back still holding his dads’ hands. “I forgot what it was like,”
he said to himself.
Jack and Daniel just held his
hands tightly as they let Sam and Teal’c walk up the ramp and go through the
gate first. Safe planet or not, they didn’t want Danny to be the first one
through. “Ready,” Jack asked, looking down at his son. Danny looked up and
nodded, too nervous to talk. Keeping Danny between them, the three of them
walked up the ramp and entered the wormhole.
Danny exited the wormhole held up
by the arms of his dads so he wouldn’t tumble over. “Whoa!” he exclaimed. “That
was scary, but fun. I forgot what it was like.”
“I’m glad you liked it,” Daniel
replied. “However, we need to get to the town now.”
“Okay.” Danny headed off after
Teal’c who had taken point, with Sam in the rear.
“Danny!” Jack called out, giving
him a stern look.
‘Oops,’ Danny thought. ‘Just
through the gate and already in trouble.’ He walked back to Jack and took his
hand. “Sorry, Daddy. I’ll stay with you.”
“You’d better,” Jack ordered. “I
brought the wrist leash if you don’t.” He wasn’t taking any chances off-world.
Danny shuddered. He’d only been
made to wear the wrist leash once and he’d hated not getting to choose where he
went. “Yes, Sir,” he replied quickly.
Daniel looked at Jack, not knowing
he’d brought the tether, but understanding why. He held Danny’s other hand and
walked towards the town.
It wasn’t very far before they
reached the town. On the way they passed small farms and ranches. Everyone was
outside either working or playing. Some of the kids waved as Danny passed by.
Danny politely waved back as he walked along wondering about meeting people on
a new planet.
A short time later, they arrived
at the town hall where they would meet the representative they were negotiating
with. Aaron met them at the entrance. “Welcome, welcome. We are so happy to see
your return.” He knelt down to Danny. “And is this the child for which you
needed to return so quickly?” He tapped Danny on the chin.
Danny had no idea what to say so
he just looked up at Jack who answered, “Yes, it is. Aaron, this is Danny
Jackson O’Neill. Danny, this is Aaron. He’s in charge of the town.”
Danny held out his hand. Aaron had
become used to the visitors method of greeting and shook Danny’s hand. “My
pleasure to meet you, Danny.”
“Nice to meet you, too, sir,”
Danny said in greeting.
Aaron then addressed Col. O’Neill.
“We have arranged to have you stay with a family this time. If that is suitable
to you? They have a boy similar in size to this one.”
Jack and Daniel looked at each
other, not seeing a problem with the arrangements. “Certainly, Aaron,” Jack
agreed. “That would be nice.”
“Let me lead the way then,” Aaron
said as he stepped from the entry into the streets. “It is not far.”
They walked and talked and a short
time later arrived at a pleasant looking one-story house. A man, woman and
young boy stood on the porch waiting to greet the visitors. They wore simple,
clean clothes. The man’s face was rugged and tanned from outdoor labor. He wore
a brown jacket with suspenders underneath to hold up his pants. The woman wore
an apron to protect her clothes and a smile on her face, her arm across her
son’s shoulders. The young boy wore overalls and moccasin type shoes. He
appeared friendly, but nervous.
“Kerwin, these are the people who
will be staying with you for awhile,” Aaron said. Then he introduced each
member of SG-1 in turn and they shook hands. When he got to Danny he introduced
him to the young boy. “Jared, this is Danny. He’s about your age.”
Jared waved at Danny and Danny
waved back.
“Please come in,” Kerwin suggested
as he opened the door for them. The team followed him inside the tidy house.
“I’m sorry, but we only have two extra rooms. Will that be enough, or should we
find more rooms for your group?”
Jack looked at Carter and Teal’c.
“You two are fine sharing a room, right?”
“No problem, Sir,” Sam answered.
Teal’c nodded his consent.
“We’ll be fine, Kerwin. Thank
you,” Jack replied.
Problem solved, Jack, Daniel and
Danny were shown to their room and Sam and Teal’c to the room next to theirs.
Each room had two beds in it and a small dresser between the beds. Jack pulled
off his vest and pack and laid it on the bed, as did the others. “What happens
now?” Jack asked Daniel.
“It’s still early enough to start
the talks. We should go back to the town hall,” Daniel answered.
Danny climbed on his lap when he
heard talk of leaving. “Am I going with you?”
“No, Danny,” Daniel replied. “The
talks are going to be boring for you. You’ll stay here with Sam and Teal’c.
Maybe you can find something to do with Jared.”
Danny didn’t look like he wanted
to be left behind, but they had already told him he’d be staying with Teal’c
back on base and he didn’t want to chance arguing it. “Yes, Sir,” he said
sticking his thumb in his mouth.
Daniel cuddled him for a moment
before they all stood up and went to find the others. Sam and Teal’c had
settled in and were ready to look around the area. Kerwin led Jack and Daniel
back to the town hall, while Sam, Teal’c and Danny were left with Jared and his
mom, Beth.
Sam started talking to Beth about
the local plants. Danny and Jared stood and stared at each other. Finally Beth
called out, “Jared, you need to get your chores done. Why don’t you take Danny
with you?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Jared answered.
“Come on, Danny. I have to feed the horses.” He went out the back door and
Danny and Teal’c followed.
“You have horses?” Danny asked
with interest.
“Yeah, we have two,” Jared
answered, leading them to the barn, “but they’re work horses, not riding
horses. We also have a cow and chickens. I have to take care of those, too.”
“If you tell me what to do, I’ll
help you,” Danny offered.
“Okay.” Jared handed him a bag of
oats. “You have to put the oats in the tray by the stall door.” He looked
behind them at Teal’c who was following them. He whispered, “Does he always
follow you?”
“When my dads aren’t around,”
Danny whispered back. “He makes sure I’m safe. He’s a nice person though. I
like him.”
Jared didn’t look too sure of
that. “Do you think he’ll help with the chores?”
“I can ask,” Danny responded.
“Teal’c, will you help with the chores so we can finish quickly.”
“Yeah,” Jared answered. “When we
finish with the chores we can go to the Town Square and play.”
“Certainly, Danny Jackson
O’Neill,” Teal’c answered. “What should I help with?”
Danny looked at Jared for ideas.
“You could feed the chickens,” Jared suggested. He handed Teal’c a tray of
feed. “You spread the corn on the ground and say ‘here chickie, chickie. Here
chickie, chickie.’”
Teal’c raised his eyebrow at
Jared, but accepted the tray. Then he went outside and began spreading the
feed, saying in a very low voice, “Here chickie, chickie. Here chickie,
chickie.”
Danny and Jared watched from the
barn trying to hold back their laughter. Seeing a man as big as Teal’c feeding
chickens just wasn’t natural. Finally they turned back into the barn to finish
the chores after Teal’c gave them a warning look. Their friendship however was
sealed.
Chores done, Sam stayed with Beth
and Teal’c accompanied the boys to the Town Square. It was a gathering place
for kids who had time to play. It wasn’t a playground by any means. Just a
large grassy area where kids played the games their parents had played. Danny
and Jared joined in the fun while Teal’c watched from the sidelines.
As the skies grew dark, Jared knew
they had to return home. A short time after they arrived, Jack, Daniel and
Kerwin also came home. After a pleasant dinner everyone retired to their rooms
to get ready for sleep. Jack and Daniel enjoyed listening to Danny tell all
about his day with his new friend, glad things were going so well.
Danny shared Daniel’s bed the
first night. The house became quiet, at least for a few hours. Then Danny’s
screams began. Even though Daniel was right next to him, he had a hard time
waking Danny from his nightmare.
Sam and Teal’c understood what was
going on and left their friends to take care of things. However, they did need
to explain the nightmares to the family they were staying with when they came
into the hallway to find out what was going on. Accepting the explanation, but
worried about the young boy, they returned to their rooms after convincing
Jared his friend was all right.
Meanwhile, Daniel was holding
Danny and rubbing his back as he calmed down from the reoccurring nightmare.
“Danny, do you want to tell me what the nightmare was about?” he asked, while
Jack sat on the floor beside them.
Danny shook his head hard.
“It’ll help,” Jack said in
encouragement.
“No,” Danny insisted, tiredly.
“Don’t wanna.” He stuck his thumb in his mouth and held Daniel and his camel
tight. He closed his eyes and soon his breathing evened out as he fell asleep
again.
Jack shook his head as he returned
to his bed. No matter what they’d tried, Danny still wouldn’t talk about what
had happened. He knew if things didn’t change soon, they’d have to seek
professional help.
The next morning everyone had
breakfast together. No one brought up Danny’s nightmares, although there were
worried looks. With Danny and Teal’c helping Jared, chores were again quickly
finished and the boys went to play.
The second night didn’t go any
better. Danny again woke the house with his screams of terror before he settled
back to sleep, still refusing to talk about it.
While Danny was helping Jared in
the barn, Jared asked, “How come you scream every night?”
Danny didn’t really want to
answer, but Jared was his friend. “I have bad dreams. They scare me. Sorry if I
wake you up.” He went back to feeding the horses.
“Don’t worry about waking me up,”
Jared insisted. “I’m just sorry you have bad dreams.” Danny didn’t say anything
else so he continued. “I know of a way to get rid of bad dreams.”
Danny stopped working and looked
at his friend. “How?”
Jared walked over to where Danny
was working and said quietly, “There’s a cave not too far away. There’s a
special wall in the cave that takes away bad dreams when you touch it.”
Skeptical, but interested, Danny
said, “I can ask my dads if I can go when they come back.”
“You can’t ask them,” Jared
whispered. “It doesn’t work around adults. Only kids know about it.”
“I’m not supposed to go anywhere
without someone,” Danny insisted, afraid of getting in trouble.
Jared patted him on the shoulder.
“You will be with someone, me.”
In Danny’s five-year old thinking
that made sense. “When do we go?”
“We should go now while Teal’c is
busy with the chickens,” Jared suggested.
Danny agreed and the boys snuck
out the back of the barn, avoiding Teal’c.
After Teal’c finished feeding the
chickens, he went into the barn to put the feeding tray away and check on the
boys. It was much too quiet for his liking. The boys weren’t in the barn. He
tracked them out of the back of the barn and noticed their tracks led into the
foothills. Deciding O’Neill and Daniel Jackson would want to know about Danny
leaving, he quickly let Captain Carter know what was going on and then began
following the boys’ trail after she left to go get the rest of the team.
After Sam quickly retrieved
Daniel, Jack and Kerwin, they took off after Teal’c. No one was very happy to
have to find a missing Danny again, but they were also worried about something
happening to him. Once he and Jared were found safe and sound, who knew what
the consequences would be. Since Teal’c had left an easier trail for them to
follow, it didn’t take long to catch up to him.
Jared and Danny took off running as
soon as they thought no one would hear them. It didn’t take long before they
reached the cave’s entrance. “The wall’s right inside,” Jared told Danny as he
entered the cave.
The entrance was small, barely big
enough for a small adult to enter. Danny wondered what he would find inside. He
didn’t want to let Jared think he was chicken so he followed his friend in. The
only light entering the cave was from the hole they’d entered. Danny moved away
from the entrance to let in the light and allow his eyes to adjust to the
darkness. “What do I have to do now?” he asked hesitantly.
Jared walked over to one wall.
“You just think about your dream and touch the wall,” he explained. “That’s
all.”
Danny still wasn’t so sure about
any of this, but if he wouldn’t have any more nightmares it was worth a shot.
He walked over and stood beside Jared. He closed his eyes and reached out his
hands, slowly touching the wall. A small tingle ran from his fingertips and up
his arm. It didn’t hurt. It felt more like when he’d put his hand on one of
those electric crystal balls. When he opened his eyes the cave seemed brighter
for a moment.
“Did it work?” Jared asked
eagerly.
“I don’t know,” Danny admitted. “I
don’t really feel any different.”
“You’ll find out tonight when you don’t
have any nightmares,” Jared assured his friend. “Come on. We’d better get back
before we get in trouble.”
Danny nodded, still trying to
figure out what had happened. Finally understanding what Jared had told him, he
rushed to the entrance so he could get back before getting in trouble.
He crawled out of the hole only to
be pulled out by two very strong hands. He looked up to meet Teal’c’s eyes. He
thought he’d see anger in them. Instead he found disappointment. Then he was
placed in front of his dads, too scared to look up and see what he would find
on their faces.
Jared was handed over to his
father a moment later. Kerwin took him by the hand and then spoke to Jack and
Daniel. “I’ll take Jared home and deal with him there,” he told them, noticing
the shiver, which ran through his son. “You may stay here if you want some
privacy to deal with Danny.”
“Thank you, Kerwin,” Jack replied.
“I think we’ll take you up on that offer.” He turned to Sam and Teal’c. “We’ll
meet you back at the house, okay?”
“Yes, Sir,” Sam answered.
“Certainly, O’Neill,” replied
Teal’c. Then they left with Kerwin and Jared.
Danny never lifted his head. Jack
picked him up and sat on log, placing him on his lap. Daniel sat down beside
them.
Danny hadn’t responded to Jack
picking him up. His arms were still at his side with his chin on his chest.
Jack lifted his chin with a finger, trying to get Danny to look at him. When
Danny didn’t, he ordered, “Danny, look at me.”
Danny slowly lifted his eyes,
tears already forming. He hated the worry he saw in his dad’s eyes. “I’m
sorry,” he whispered.
“What are you sorry for?” Jack
asked, wondering just what Danny was thinking.
“That I made you worry,” Danny
answered quietly. He dropped his eyes again. “I didn’t mean to.”
“What did you mean to do?” Daniel
asked.
“I wanted to get rid of the
nightmares,” Danny replied honestly.
“How is wandering off going to get
rid of your nightmares?” Jack questioned in disbelief.
Danny looked up at him in shock.
“I didn’t wander off, Daddy,” he insisted.
Jack wasn’t happy with this
statement. He was too tired of worrying about his son when he wandered off.
“Yes you did wander off, young man. Stop trying to deny it. You know you’re not
allowed to do that.”
Danny shook his head. “I didn’t
wander off,” he stated again, realizing his dad was getting angry. “I knew
where I was going. At least Jared knew where we were going. And I wasn’t alone,
I was with Jared.”
Daniel looked at Jack as if to say
Danny had a point. Jack had to agree, but it didn’t make things any better for
Danny. “Fine. You didn’t wander off. However, you still left the house without
permission and without an adult. Correct?”
“Yes, Sir,” Danny agreed.
“Why?” Jack finally asked.
“To get rid of the nightmares like
I told you before,” Danny explained. Then he told his dads about what Jared had
explained about the cave and what had happened inside it.
Jack groaned. He’d forgotten how
easily children believed in magic, not that he hadn’t seen some magical things
happen in his time. The reason Danny left wasn’t going to get him out of
trouble though. “Danny, I know you think you did the right thing, but you
didn’t. When we heard you weren’t at the house, we were so worried about you.
You know you’re not allowed to leave the house without someone.”
“I was with someone,” Danny
insisted. “I was with Jared.”
“Danny!” Jack said raising his
voice. “You know we meant an adult, not another child. Right?”
Danny shrugged his shoulders and
Jack lifted his chin again, glaring at him. “It made sense at the time,” he
tried to say in his defense. When Jack continued to glare at him, he admitted
quietly, “Yes, Sir. Seemed worth it at the time though.”
“Does it seem worth it now?”
Daniel asked.
“Not really,” Danny replied. “I
still hope it got rid of my nightmares, but I never wanted to make you worry.
Is Teal’c mad at me?”
“You’ll have to ask Teal’c that
yourself,” Jack told him. “You know you’re getting a spanking for wandering off
again.”
“I didn’t wander off,” Danny
insisted again, wanting to be technically correct, “but I know I’m getting
spanked for leaving without permission.”
“Yes, you are,” Jack agreed, not
fighting the point. He flipped Danny face down across his lap and pulled down
his pants and boxers. Danny’s tears started before the first swat even landed.
He was too worn out to fight them. It didn’t take long before Danny was crying
hard, harder even than the spanking warranted. All the stress of the past week
was being released through his tears. Jack stopped, pulled up his pants and
cradled Danny on his lap. “It’s okay, Bug,” Jack comforted. “You’ll be okay.”
Danny hiccupped as his crying
slowed. He clung to Jack with one hand, while reaching out for Daniel who
rubbed his back. “I was so scared,” he mumbled. “It was my fault I went with
them.”
Daniel was shocked. He hadn’t
realized Danny blamed himself for the kidnapping. “You didn’t have any choice,
Danny,” he tried to assure his son. “It wasn’t your fault.”
Danny wiped at his tears with his
hand, shaking his head. “I should’ve fought them. Maybe they would’ve let me
go.”
Jack hugged Danny close. “You only
would’ve gotten yourself hurt,” he insisted.
“Got hurt anyway,” Danny argued,
still having trouble breathing. “I did what he told me to do and he still hurt me.”
“He was a bad man, Danny. There’s
was nothing you could do.” Jack tried not to let his anger at the kidnapper be
felt by his son.
Danny whispered, barely loud
enough for them to hear, “I gave up. I thought you wouldn’t find me. I shut
down even though you told me not to.”
“Oh, Danny,” Jack said rocking
him. No wonder Danny hadn’t wanted to talk about what had happened. “You were
only protecting yourself. You did the right thing this time.”
Danny looked to Daniel to see if
he agreed. Daniel pulled him onto his own lap and hugged him. “I would’ve done
the same thing, Danny. You handled yourself very well. We’re proud of you.”
“I gave up,” Danny said once more.
“I believed the Bad Guy.”
“It’s okay,” Daniel comforted.
“You couldn’t have known any different.”
Danny wrapped his arms around
Daniel’s neck. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” How could he
not love his son?
“I love you, too, Bug,” Jack said,
cradling Danny’s neck in his palm.
Danny reached out for Jack to hold
him. “I love you, too,” he said as Jack held him close. He stuck his thumb in
his mouth and laid his head on his dad’s shoulder. “I’m tired,” he muttered.
“Let’s go back to the house,” Jack
suggested. Danny nodded and closed his eyes, falling asleep on the way back.
When they reached the house, Jack
laid Danny down on the bed in his room. He made sure Danny was still fast
asleep before he went into the living area to talk with the others.
Kerwin, Beth, and Daniel were
sitting down talking quietly. Kerwin was the first to speak to Jack. “Is your
boy all right, Jack?”
“He’s fine,” Jack replied. “Scared
us a bit, but that’s not unusual for him. How’s Jared?”
“Sore, but fine,” Kerwin
explained. “He’s finishing his chores right now. I’m sorry he convinced Danny
to run off with him.”
“Danny didn’t have to go,” Daniel
insisted. “Don’t blame Jared for that.” He looked at Jack and said, “I really
should get back to the negotiations, Jack, but I don’t want to leave Danny.”
“I know,” Jack responded. “Why
don’t you take Carter with you and I’ll stay here with Danny. You won’t be more
than a couple more hours today, right?”
“That sounds about right,” Daniel
agreed. “It should only take about two more days to finish up. Then we can head
home. Unless you think we need to take Danny back now.”
Jack thought for a moment. Danny
hadn’t been in any danger, as far as he knew. He’d only broken the rules. He
didn’t think Danny would try taking off again, but even if he did, he wouldn’t
be left alone long enough to try it. “I don’t think it’ll be a problem to stay.
We’ll see how things go.”
Daniel agreed, found Sam and then
returned to the town square.
Jack decided to stay in the
bedroom and rest with Danny incase he had another nightmare.
About an hour later, Danny woke up
and looked around. He saw his dad sitting on the other bed and remembered where
he was and what he’d done. “I didn’t have a nightmare, Daddy,” he said quietly.
“I noticed,” Jack commented,
sitting up on the bed.
Danny sat up and winced when his
tender bottom touched the bed. “Do you think the cave worked?” he asked
hesitantly, not wanting to bring up what he’d done, but needing Jack’s opinion.
“It’s possible,” Jack agreed. He
stood up and sat down next to Danny. “I think it’s more likely that you didn’t
have a nightmare because you finally talked about what happened when you were
kidnapped.”
“Maybe,” Danny muttered. He stuck
his thumb in his mouth and leaned against his dad for a minute before he said,
“I need to apologize to Teal’c, don’t I?”
“Ya think,” Jack answered. “I
think he’s outside watching Jared finish his chores.”
“Oh,” Danny sighed, not really
wanting to move.
Jack gave him a nudge. “Better get
it over with, Bug.”
Danny got off the bed and walked
to the door. He slowly turned around before he walked through. His puppy dog
eyes looked balefully at his dad.
Jack held out his arms and Danny
ran into them, hugging tight. “Everything will be fine, Bug,” he assured him.
“You’re safe and we love you, even when you wander off.”
“I didn’t…” Danny began in
protest. Then he closed his mouth when he saw Jack smiling at him. “I love
you,” he said before he let go and went outside and talk to Teal’c.
Danny walked slowly outside and
found Teal’c watching Jared do his chores. He stood still for a moment wishing
he could just be invisible. Unfortunately for him, Teal’c noticed him and
walked over.
“Is there something I can do for
you, Danny Jackson O’Neill?” Teal’c intoned, aware of the boy’s discomfort.
Danny looked up at Teal’c and then
at the ground, making marks in the dirt with the toe of his boot. “I’m sorry,
Teal’c,” he said very quietly.
“Apology accepted,” Teal’c
replied.
Danny stared at Teal’c in
surprise. “That’s it? You’re not mad at me?”
Teal’c picked his young friend up.
“Should I be angry with you?” he asked, holding Danny at eye level.
“I snuck out on you,” Danny tried
to explain.
“Yes, you did.”
“That wasn’t nice of me.”
“No, it wasn’t.”
“I should’ve told you what we
wanted to do.”
“Yes, you should have,” Teal’c
agreed.
“Then why aren’t you mad at me?”
Danny asked, not understanding.
“Were you punished for your
disobedience?” Teal’c asked. Danny blushed and nodded. “And did you apologize
for your actions?” Danny nodded again. “Then the issue has been dealt with.
There is nothing more to say.”
“You’re still my friend?” Danny
questioned, still unsure.
“I will always be your friend,
Danny Jackson O’Neill,” Teal’c assured him.
Danny hugged Teal’c hard. “I won’t
do it again. I promise.”
“I would think not,” Teal’c
agreed, hugging him back. Then he placed Danny back on the ground.
“I should probably help Jared with
the chores now,” Danny replied, wiping his eyes. He’d been so worried Teal’c
wouldn’t want to be his friend anymore.
“I believe he would appreciate it.
His chores have been greatly increased this afternoon,” Teal’c informed him.
“Oh,” Danny said quietly,
understanding why Jared would have more to do. Then he went to help his friend.
The two boys were given plenty to
do until dinnertime. After they washed up, both of them sat down carefully on
their chairs. Neither one any too comfortable, but not wanting anyone else to
notice. They kept quiet during dinner and let the adults talk until they heard,
“What should we do with the boys tomorrow?” This they listened to.
“We could have Danny come with us
to the negotiations,” Daniel mentioned. Danny’s shoulders drooped; negotiations
didn’t sound very fun. Jack gave Daniel a ‘not on your life’ stare. “Or not.”
“I would be pleased to continue
watching the boys,” Teal’c commented. “That is if you trust me to do so.” Danny
felt even worse than he had before. He was happy Teal’c seemed to still want
him around. However, he didn’t want to be the one to make his dad not trust
Teal’c.
“You’re not tired of them yet?”
Jack asked, eating another forkful of the dinner Beth had cooked. He thought
the food here was worth the stay.
“Not at all, O’Neill,” Teal’c
replied. “In fact I have some things I wish for them to do for me tomorrow.”
‘Oh, no,’ Danny thought, ‘that
sounded ominous.’
“If you’re sure about that,
Teal’c, I think it’d be the best solution.” Jack looked to Daniel. “Does that
work for you, Daniel?”
“Sounds good to me, Jack,” Daniel
agreed. “We should be done tomorrow and then we can head home.”
Danny had stopped eating and
started picking at his food. He thought he should be happy about going home
soon, but he liked it here. He didn’t have to worry about bad guys taking him
and he didn’t have to face General Hammond as long as they stayed on the
planet.
“Carter, will you inform the
General of the plan in the morning?” Jack asked, finally noticing Danny was no
longer eating.
“Yes, Sir,” Sam replied.
“Danny?” Jack asked, trying to get
his attention. Danny looked up at Jack. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Danny answered quietly,
shifting on his chair.
“Are you going to stay with Teal’c
and do whatever he says tomorrow?” Jack questioned.
“Yes, Sir,” Danny replied firmly
while straightening up, trying to let his dad know he’d behave without actually
saying it.
“And you, Jared?” Kerwin asked his
son. “Are you going to behave tomorrow?”
“Yes, Sir,” Jared said a little
more quietly. He couldn’t help blushing at being reminded that he hadn’t
behaved today.
“That’s settled then,” Jack
proclaimed. “Are you done eating, Danny?”
“Yes, Sir,” he answered, putting
down his fork.
“Why don’t you go get ready for
bed then?” Jack suggested, although everyone knew it wasn’t a suggestion.
Danny was about to argue that it
was too early to go bed, then thought better of it. “Thank you for the dinner,”
he politely told Beth. Then he went into his bedroom to put on his pajamas.
He’d changed and was sitting on
the bed when Daniel came in. He sat down beside him and put his arm around
Danny. “You okay, Squirt?” he asked with concern. “You were pretty quiet at
dinner.”
“Didn’t want to cause any more
problems,” Danny replied.
“Are you sure that’s all that’s
bothering you? You looked pretty upset when Jack mentioned going home.”
Danny shrugged his shoulders. “I
like it here.”
“Feels safe here, doesn’t it?”
Daniel pulled Danny onto his lap. “No bad guys to worry about, are there?”
Danny nodded, snuggling in close.
“I’m going to have to go back to school when we get back, aren’t I?”
“Yeah,” Daniel agreed. “Does that
bother you?”
“I don’t want to ride the van
anymore,” Danny insisted.
“You won’t be,” Daniel told him.
“We’ve already arranged for Air Force personnel to take you to day care. You’ll
be safe.”
“Doesn’t feel safe on earth. I was
so scared,” he admitted again.
“I know,” Daniel comforted,
holding him close. “I could feel how scared you were and I couldn’t do anything
about it.”
Danny looked up in surprise. “You
could feel me, like I feel Daddy sometimes?”
“I did then,” Daniel admitted. “I
knew you were hurt and scared, but I couldn’t figure out where you were. I’m
sorry it took so long to find you.”
“You were trying to find
me, right?” Danny asked, wanting to make sure he hadn’t been abandoned.
“The whole time,” Daniel assured
him. “The whole time.”
Danny snuggled on Daniel’s lap for
a while, enjoying the contact. “I don’t want to go to bed this early,” he
finally complained. “I’m not sleepy.”
“I think it for the best, Danny.
You’ve had a busy day today.” He felt Danny tense in his arms. “What’s wrong?”
he asked in concern.
“Don’t want to be alone,” Danny
whispered.
“I’ve had a busy day, too,” Daniel
mentioned.
“So?” Danny questioned, not
understanding.
“I’m pretty tired, too,” Daniel
added.
“Oh.” Danny was beginning to
understand. “Are you going to bed, too?”
“If you don’t mind the company,”
Daniel replied.
“I don’t mind,” Danny agreed. “Can
I go say good night to everybody?”
“You do that, Squirt,” Daniel
answered. “I’ll join you.”
Jack wasn’t surprised to hear
Daniel was going to bed early, too. If Daniel hadn’t, he was planning to.
The next morning Danny woke up
first and immediately pushed Daniel awake. “Baba, wake up!” Daniel opened up
his eyes to find Danny straddled across his mid-section, bouncing somewhat
uncomfortably. “No nightmares, Baba. I slept through the night!” he exclaimed.
“That’s great, Danny,” Daniel
agreed, picking him up off his stomach and sitting up to get more comfortable.
“Talking about it must have helped.”
“It was the cave that helped,”
Danny insisted, shaking his head. “Not talking.”
Daniel groaned. He doubted he
could convince Danny otherwise, and then again, with everything he’d
experienced, who knew, maybe it was the cave that worked. He decided not to
argue the point. “Will you at least admit talking about it helped some?”
“Maybe,” Danny agreed reluctantly,
“but the cave helped more. I won’t sneak away again though. I already promised
Teal’c I wouldn’t.”
“That’s good.” Daniel rubbed
Danny’s head affectionately.
By this time Jack was sitting up
on his bed ready to start the day. “What do you think Teal’c has planned for
you today, Bug?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye.
Danny looked nervous for a moment
and then relaxed. Teal’c was still his friend. It didn’t matter what he had to
do as long as that never changed. “Doesn’t matter,” he replied. “I’ll stay with
him and do what he tells me to.”
“That’s a good decision,” Jack
commented, standing up. “First though, you need to get dressed and eat a good
breakfast. I’m pretty sure there are still chores to do before anything else.”
“Yes, Sir,” Danny replied,
vaulting off the bed into his dad’s arms for a hug. “What’s the color of the
day?”
“How about green today,” Jack
answered laughing, considering they hadn’t brought any other colors. He hugged
Danny and set him down, shooing him into the bathroom. He sat down on the bed
next to Daniel and leaned against the wall. “No nightmares at all then?” he
questioned, since Danny had shared Daniel’s bed.
“None that I noticed, Jack. Danny
thinks the cave worked.” Daniel was quiet for a moment. “I know the fact he
talked about what happened to him had to have helped, but do you think there’s
any real power in that cave to take away bad dreams?”
“I have no idea, Daniel,” Jack
replied. “It wouldn’t hurt to have Carter check it out though. I’ll talk to her
before we leave for the negotiations.” He rose from the bed and held out his
hand to Daniel. “Come on. Let’s go make sure he doesn’t eat everything before
we get there.”
Daniel accepted the hand up. “I
think Teal’c is more of a problem in that area. What do you think Teal’c has
planned for them?”
“Don’t know, didn’t ask. That’s up
to him. He’ll need whatever tricks he can think of to keep up with those two.”
“True,” Daniel agreed.
Breakfast was eaten quickly. Then
Danny and Jared did the morning chores under the watchful eyes of Teal’c. This
time Danny fed the chickens. As soon as the chores were done, Teal’c had Danny
get his pack and then he filled both his and Danny’s full of sandwiches and
drinks. Finally set, he instructed the boys to follow and set off.
After a few minutes of silence,
Danny couldn’t stand it any longer. “Where are we going, Teal’c?” he asked.
“Does it matter, Danny Jackson
O’Neill?” Teal’c replied, continuing to walk.
“I guess not,” Danny answered.
After another few minutes Jared
poked Danny and whispered, “Is he always this quiet?”
Danny nodded. “He doesn’t talk
unless he has something to say, but when he does talk you’d better listen.” The
boys continued to follow Teal’c wherever he was leading them.
Teal’c could hear the boys hiking
behind him and noticed their breathing was becoming strained. He wanted to tire
them, but not make their lives miserable. “I believe we shall rest here,” he
told them, stopping in a meadow of wild flowers.
Danny and Jared immediately
flopped on the ground and sighed. “I thought we’d never stop,” Jared declared.
“Me either,” Danny agreed. He
looked up at Teal’c’s raised eyebrow. “It was a great walk though,” he added,
quickly.
Teal’c removed his pack and spread
a blanket on the ground. Then he put out some of the sandwiches and drinks. The
boys clambered onto the blanket and dug in until they were full. Satisfied,
they lay on the blanket and looked at the clouds in the sky for a while. Teal’c
sat quietly with his eyes closed.
“What are you doing, Teal’c?”
Danny asked when he noticed how quiet his friend was.
“I am Kel-no-reeming, Danny
Jackson O’Neill.” Teal’c never opened his eyes as he replied.
“Huh?” Jared piped in.
“It is a form of meditation allowing
my body to relax and heal itself,” Teal’c informed them.
Danny sat up and arranged himself
in the same position Teal’c was in and closed his eyes. Jared followed suit,
but had a harder time not fidgeting.
Teal’c notice Danny trying to
emulate him and smiled to himself, not that anyone else would have known it.
When he thought Danny and Jared had settled; he tried to instruct them on
Kel-no-reem. “You must imagine the center of your mind and focus. Allow it to
take you into a waking sleep. There you will dream,” he explained.
Jared tried, but just couldn’t
settle his mind enough.
Danny however, became totally
engrossed in the process. His breathing evened out and his heart slowed. A few
minutes later he opened his eyes to find Jared staring at him. “That was cool,”
he exclaimed. “Did you like it, Jared?”
“Sure,” Jared agreed, although he
didn’t really get it at all. “I want to do something else now though.”
“Would you boys desire to learn
some tracking skills my father taught me?” Teal’c questioned.
That got their attention. “Ya
think,” Danny agreed.
“Then we must first clean up from
our meal before we begin.”
Danny and Jared quickly put away
the leftover food and refilled their canteens while Teal’c folded and stored
the blanket in his pack. Once the area was clear of everything except the
flattened area they’d laid in, they began a new hike. This time though, instead
of hiking silently, Teal’c pointed out tracks animals and people had made in
the area to his young charges. After a time, he had them walk in the front and
try to find signs of life for themselves.
Always a quick learner, Danny
excelled at this skill. Jared did extremely well too. Having lived in the area
for so long, he could name a lot of the plants and animal tracks they found.
The rest of the afternoon passed
more quickly than the morning had. All too soon the boys realized Teal’c had
led them home without their even realizing it.
“Can’t we keep tracking, Teal’c?”
Danny requested in a voice just short of a whine.
“Not today, young friend. I
believe your parents would like some time with you also.”
Danny beamed at the young friend
remark and hugged Teal’c hard. “Thanks for today, Teal’c. I had a good time.”
Teal’c hugged him back. “I am glad
it was enjoyable for you. I too enjoyed yours and Jared’s company today.”
“Thanks, Sir,” Jared said, still
formal around this big man.
“You are welcome,” Teal’c intoned,
bowing at the waist.
Jack, Daniel and Sam had already
returned to the house before they did, and Jack came out to see what was going
on. Danny noticed and ran over to get picked up by his dad. Jack happily
obliged. “Did you have fun today, Bug?” he asked after spinning Danny around.
“I had a great time. Teal’c taught
me to Kel-no-reem and I dreamed a good dream. It was nice.”
Jack hugged his son and then put
him on the ground, rubbing Danny’s head. “Sweet. Why don’t you go inside and
have Daniel help you with your bath before dinner?”
Danny groaned, ready to ask if he
had to, when he caught Jack’s eye and thought better of it. “Yes, Sir,” he
agreed. Then he ran in to tell his baba about everything he’d done that day.
That night at dinner Daniel
explained that the negotiations were finished. “Aaron has planned a celebration
during the day,” he told them.
“Cool,” Jack replied. “I’m
assuming there’ll be some more of this wonderful food we’ve been eating.” He
held up his forkful of food to Beth before putting it in his mouth.
Beth blushed, but smiled back at
him. “I’m sure there will be, Jack. Aaron has asked us to prepare a feast.”
“Sweet.”
“Are kids allowed,” Danny asked
hopefully.
“Of course kids are allowed,”
Jared replied. “Right?” he asked his dad.
“Yes, Jared. Kids are allowed,”
Kerwin answered. “We have even planned some contests for the kids.”
“Cool,” Danny responded, hoping he
could win some.
“After the celebration we’ll go
back to earth,” Daniel told everyone.
All of Danny’s enthusiasm vanished
as he finished his dinner. Jack noticed, but decided not to ask him about it until
later.
Once dinner was completed the boys
did the evening chores and then played a version of checkers Jared had taught
him.
Jack saw Danny start yawning more
and more. “Danny, it’s time for bed,” he told him.
“I’m not sleepy,” Danny insisted,
trying to stifle another yawn.
“Well I am,” Jack told him as he
picked him up. “And I want some company.”
“That’s different, Daddy,” Danny
replied graciously. “I’ll go to bed if you need company.”
“Good,” Jack said, carrying his
son into the bedroom. He helped Danny change into his pajamas. As he was pulled
the top over Danny’s head, he commented, “You got quiet when Daniel said we’d
be going home after the celebration.”
Once Danny’s head popped out of
the neck opening, he replied, “Don’t wanna go home. I wanna stay here.” His
thumb popped into his mouth.
“All by yourself?” Jack
questioned.
Danny looked up in alarm. “You’d
leave me here alone?” he asked, backing away.
Jack reached out and picked Danny
up, holding him close. “I would never leave you here alone.” He kissed Danny’s
forehead. “I’m sorry I said that. I love you, Danny, but my place is on earth,
with you and Daniel.”
“The Bad Guys are on earth. I
don’t like it there anymore,” Danny explained.
“The good guys are on earth, too.”
“Like who?” Danny asked.
“Sergeant Siler, Rhonda, Aunt
Bonnie, Kayla, and Tessa.” Danny nodded. “And General Hammond,” Jack added.
Danny’s eyes dropped. “Danny, what’s wrong?”
“He’s going to be mad,” Danny said
quietly.
“General Hammond?” Jack inquired.
Danny nodded. “Cause I got in
trouble. He won’t let me go on any more missions.”
“Do you think you should go on
more missions?”
“I want to,” Danny answered. “I
really do, but I doubt I’ll be allowed.”
“Then you’ll have to talk to him
about it,” Jack replied
Danny’s eyes got big. He shook his
head. “You talk to him. Please?”
“It’s your responsibility,” Jack
told him.
“Like I had to talk to Teal’c?”
“Just like that,” Jack answered.
“He wasn’t angry, was he?”
“No,” Danny answered. “He said
that since you’d already spanked me and I’d apologized, it was taken care of.
But he’s Teal’c, not the General.”
“What’s the difference?”
“I’ve already been in trouble with
General Hammond for not being where I was supposed to be.” Danny shuddered. “It
was scary when I had to talk to him.”
“Was he fair about it?” Danny
nodded. “Were you allowed back on base?”
Danny nodded again and added,
“Yeah, he’s even letting me work now.”
“Then I think the General will
forgive you like Teal’c did,” Jack assured him.
“Will you at least come with me?”
Danny pleaded.
“In a heartbeat,” Jack told him.
“I’ll be right there with you.”
“Okay,” Danny agreed. “I still
really like it here. I’ll miss Jared.”
“I’m sure he’ll miss you, too.
We’ll be coming to this planet a lot when we start mining. I might be able to
get SG-1 assigned once in a while and you could visit.”
“I’d like that,” Danny replied
yawning. “Are we going to say good night to everyone before we go to sleep?”
“Sure,” Jack answered. “You go say
good night and I’ll be right out.”
“I love you, Daddy,” Danny said,
kissing him on the cheek.
“I love you too, Bug,” Jack
replied, hugging him hard before setting him on the floor.
The next everyone woke up bright
and early to pack up and then get ready for the celebration. Danny packed his
camel, journals, and a present Jared had given him into his backpack. Daniel
and Jack packed everything else, including a copy of the treaty that was
prepared and ready to be signed.
The celebration was a success with
everyone stuffed from all the food they ate. Danny won a race he ran in and was
proudly wearing his ribbon. Finally it was time for them to head home through
the Stargate. Good byes were said and hugs given and received and then Daniel
dialed out for earth and sent his ID. Jack and Daniel held Danny’s hands
between like they had when they arrived. They stepped through wormhole swinging
Danny between them.
General Hammond was waiting for
them at the bottom of the ramp.
Danny held onto Jack’s hand
tighter.
“Congratulations on a successful
negotiation, SG-1,” Hammond told his premier team.
“Thank you, Sir,” Jack replied.
“Danny and I were wondering if we could have a moment of your time before the
debriefing, Sir.”
The General looked questioningly
at the Colonel. “Report to my office as soon as your post-mission physicals are
over. Dismissed.”
“Thank you, Sir.” Jack led his
team to the infirmary with Danny in tow.
Knowing Jack and Danny were going
to see the General, the rest of SG-1 let them have their physicals first. Danny
wasn’t too thrilled with having to be poked and prodded so soon, but he knew it
was part of getting to go through the gate and didn’t complain too much, at
least no more than Jack did. When they got the all clear, they walked together
to Hammond’s office.
“Please won’t you talk to him for
me, Daddy?” Danny asked again.
“Danny, we’ve been over this,”
Jack reminded him.
“Yes, Sir,” Danny said unhappily.
“You’ll stay the whole time though, right?”
“Unless the General tells me to
leave, yes, I’ll stay with you,” Jack assured him.
Danny stopped in his tracks and
looked at his dad. “Do you think he’ll tell you to leave?”
“No, I don’t think he’ll want me
to leave.” Jack picked Danny up. “Just relax for a moment. This isn’t going to
be that bad.”
Danny nodded into Jack’s shoulder.
Jack rubbed Danny’s back as he carried him to the office. He put him down when
they got to the door and knocked.
“Enter,” the General said.
Jack opened the door and ushered
Danny in ahead of him.
Hammond put down the paper he was
looking at and gave his full attention to people in front of him. “Please sit
down.” Jack sat down while Danny stood beside him at attention. “How may I help
you gentlemen?”
Jack nudged Danny, who didn’t
speak up, so he started. “Danny wanted to talk to you about something that
happened on the planet.”
The General gave Danny his full
attention. “Yes, young man?”
Danny crumpled when the General
called him ‘young man’ and said very quickly. “I was tired of the nightmares
and Jared knew of a way to get rid of them and I left Teal’c and went with
Jared by myself and I broke the rules and I got in trouble and I’m really sorry
and I’ll never do it again and I really want to be allowed to go on missions
again but I’ll understand if you never let me go again.” He finally took a deep
breath and dropped his head.
Hammond looked over at Jack in
shock and confusion.
Jack tried to explain what had
occurred. “He went on adventure with his new friend without permission and we
had to find him. I felt it was best that he told you himself. He’s already been
disciplined for it on the planet.”
Hammond clasped his hands in front
of him and looked at Danny again. “Danny, I want you to look at me.” Danny
looked up warily. “I’m not happy to hear that you have the same propensity for
wandering off as Dr. Jackson does.” Danny looked at him in confusion. “You
don’t stay where you’re supposed to,” he explained.
“Oh,” Danny said, trying not to
look away. “I won’t do it again. I promise.”
“I believe you’ve promised me that
once before, young man,” General Hammond reprimanded.
Danny couldn’t hold Hammond’s gaze
any longer and dropped his head. “I’m sorry, Sir,” he said quietly. Jack nudged
him and Danny looked up at the General again.
“I’d like you to wait in the conference
room while I talk to your father for a moment, Danny.”
“Yes, Sir.” Danny glanced at his
dad who gave him an encouraging look before he opened the door and then closed
it again before sitting down at the conference table putting his head on his
arms.
The General gave Jack his
attention. “Just how serious was this, Colonel?”
“He gave us a scare, but we found
him quickly,” Jack explained. “It also got him to finally talk to us about the
kidnapping and that he thought it was his fault that he didn’t fight back.”
“He’s five years old, Jack. How
could he have fought back?” Hammond said incredulously, not realizing that
Danny blamed himself.
“It’s the way he thinks. How often
has Daniel blamed himself for things he had no control over,” Jack pointed out.
Hammond sighed. “Why does he seem
so scared right now?”
“He’s afraid you won’t ever let
him go through the Stargate again. He made a good friend on the planet, plus he
likes the adventure.”
“He likes being with you and Dr.
Jackson.”
“That too,” Jack agreed.
“I think I have an idea of what
his consequence should be,” the General explained. “Call him back in, please.”
Jack opened the door and motioned
for Danny to come back into the office. General Hammond asked him to come to
his side of the desk and put his hands on Danny’s shoulders. “You do understand
that following the rules and not wandering off are very important on off-world
mission, correct?”
“Yes, Sir,” Danny answered.
“I could court-martial an airman
who didn’t follow orders,” Hammond pointed out.
Danny nodded, unable to speak.
“However, due to you coming to me
with your disobedience yourself, and apologizing” the General paused for a
moment to make sure Danny understood, then continued, “I’m only going to deny
you access to the base for one week.” Danny looked at the General uncertainly.
“You can’t come to work next week, but after the week is over you can work like
normal.”
“Oh,” Danny said. “Not forever?”
“No, not forever. Just one week.
Can you handle that?”
“Yes, Sir,” Danny replied.
“And as for missions.” Danny tried
to drop his head again, but the General put his hand under his chin. “We’ll
decide those on an as needed basis. I’m not saying you’ll be going on another
one, but I’m not saying you won’t be either. Understand?”
“Understood, Sir,” Danny said
saluting. “Sir?”
“Yes, Danny?”
“I really am sorry, but I’m glad I
don’t have nightmares anymore. I don’t like them.”
“I’m glad you don’t have
nightmares anymore either, son,” he agreed. “And the kidnapping wasn’t your
fault.”
“That’s what Daddy and Baba say,
too.” Danny cocked his head and looked at the General shyly. “Are you mad at me
for breaking the rules?”
Hammond couldn’t resist and pulled
Danny onto his lap. “I’m not happy you broke the rules, young man. But you’ve apologized
and accepted the consequences. I appreciate that. You’re forgiven.” He gave
Danny a hug, which Danny returned wholeheartedly.
“Your medals scratch,” Danny
commented after he pulled away.
“That’s what my granddaughters
tell me.”
“Do I have to go home now?” Danny
asked.
“I want you to stay with the
airman I assign you until SG-1 finishes debriefing. Then your dads can take you
home,” General Hammond explained.
“Yes, Sir,” Danny said, getting
off his lap.
The General called in an airman
and asked him to take Danny to the commissary until Col. O’Neill came to get
him.
Jack stood and said, “Thank you,
General for your understanding.”
“You’re welcome, Colonel,” Hammond
replied. “We’ll debrief in fifteen minutes. Dismissed.”
“Yes, Sir,” Jack replied with a
smart salute before he walked out of the office.
Once Jack was out of view, George
grinned to himself. Maybe Danny was rubbing off on Jack after all.