Reversal of Fortune: Part 13
By
Gemsong

Daniel curled up under the blankets, relaxing in their warmth. It was a cold October morning. Although there was a lot he had to get done today he decided to take a few extra minutes to relax before he started. That was his plan. Like all plans, it fell victim to the actions of the six-year-old resident of the house.

He didn't hear the door open or the soft pad of bare feet over the carpet. But he did feel the insistent tug on his blanket-covered hand. Daniel opened his eyes with a smile, pushing down the blanket to look at Jack.

The little boy stood next to the bed, looking very serious. He was wearing the pajamas that were covered with bright yellow moons and stars on a navy blue background. Daniel didn't know what possessed Sam to buy them, but Jack loved them. His two fingers were firmly in his mouth and 'Homer' hung by his leg from his free hand. Without a word, Daniel lifted the blanket invitingly and Jack climbed up to nestle into the warmth with him.

He gently pulled Jack's fingers from his mouth. The habit began to taper off. Normally he only sucked on his fingers when he was asleep or feeling stressed or upset. "You look very serious this morning, gaydono," Daniel said. With Jack help, he was making inroads into the Ol'vananti language. The word gaydono literally translated into 'son'. Jack liked it when Daniel called him that. He would instantly respond by calling Daniel, haldono which meant 'father'.

"How old am I?" Jack asked in a whisper.

Daniel looked down at him, surprised by the dark sadness in his brown eyes. "You are six years old," he replied.

"How old am I?" Jack asked again.

Daniel sighed softly, pulling the small body into the circle of his arm. "Fifty three," he replied.

Jack cuddled against his chest. "I have lost... many things," he said.

Daniel had no answer for that. Jack had lost more than just years and a few feet of height. He had lost his independence. He had lost the life he had worked so hard for. He let his fingers smooth through the soft brown hair. "You still have me," Daniel said. "You will always have me."

"Truth?" Jack asked, his voice muffled against Daniel's chest.

"No one gets left behind," Daniel said, his lips against Jack's temple. "You taught me that. And we take care of each other, no matter what."

Jack was silent for so long, Daniel wondered if he had gone to sleep. Then his soft voice spoke finally. "I love you Daniel," Jack said. "I always did."

Daniel smiled slightly. Well maybe not always, but at least for a long time. "I love you too, Jack," he said. He was rewarded with Jack snuggling closer. Daniel kissed his temple and rubbed his back a little. "Now it's time to get dressed," he said. "We have to go to the Mountain to take care of some things."

Jack sighed against him. "Do we have to?" he asked in a small voice.

Daniel nodded tickled his side making Jack squirm and a giggle escaped. "Yes we do," he said. "I have a meeting I can't miss."

Jack cuddled up to Daniel for another moment and then climbed out of the warmth of the blankets. He walked out of the bedroom, Homer's head dragging on the floor as he padded silently out of the room. Daniel watched him leave before getting himself out of bed. There were times when Jack was just too cute. Fortunately he was smart enough not to say that aloud.

After a shower and getting dressed, Daniel made breakfast. Jack had dressed himself, but not in his usual BDUs, which he always wore to the mountain. Today he wore his jeans, a sweater and his sneakers. During breakfast Jack didn't eat much and Daniel noticed he was still subdued.

As Daniel cleaned up after breakfast and got his things together, he kept half an eye on Jack, watching him walk dejectedly around the house. Jack would pause and touch something that had been his as an adult. He picked up a picture of his son Charlie. He put it down and walked away touching other things.

Daniel watched him for a long moment. Much of his own things were now in Jack's house, sharing wall and shelf space. The effect was surprisingly comfortable for the both of him. At least that was what he thought. Now he wasn't so sure. Before there had only been glimpses of the adult Jack. This was more a glimpse. It almost felt like Colonel Jack O'Neill was attending a wake.

Daniel approached him. "Jack?" he asked, concerned. The boy had picked up a Purple Heart Jack had earned as a result of his incarceration in Iraq.

Slowly Jack looked up at Daniel hand held up the Purple Heart. "I remember," he said. "But I don't feel it."

Daniel took the box and sat down on the couch, pulling Jack to stand between his knees so they could be close to eye level. "I don't think that's completely true," he said. "You're still having nightmares."

Jack frowned at him and then nodded reluctantly. "Mommy helps...." He said.

"I know she does," Daniel said, taking the small hands in his own. He was glad Shau're could be there for him. It was no small thing she was doing. "So it's still in there," he continued tapping a finger against Jack's forehead. "And you have so much in there, you're still trying to get it sorted out."

Jack shifted, leaning against Daniel's leg. "It is why I sleep so much," he said.

"To give your mind a chance to rest," Daniel said.

Jack nodded his understanding but he was still subdued. This was not something he was going to bounce back quickly from. "Go get your coat so we can leave," Daniel said. "And don't forget your hat. Put it on your head this time.

Jack grunted noncommittally as he went to get his coat off the hook. His hat and gloves had been stuffed in his pockets. Daniel reached over him for his own coat and slipped it on. He let Jack precede him out of the house and locked the door.

As Daniel drove to the mountain he glanced in the rear view mirror to see Jack strapped into his booster seat. Even after a month it was still strange to see. Jack held 'Homer' on his lap as he stared out the window. There were few places Jack would go without his 'space monkey'. One such place was the bathtub. Daniel drew the line there. 'Homer' would have to tough it out with alternate methods of getting clean. Such as the washing machine on the delicate cycle.

Daniel understood why Jack was so subdued today. It was October 20th. It was Jack's birthday. As a rule, Jack never celebrated it, preferring to just stay home and watch TV. Then somehow Daniel, Sam and Teal'c would show up with DVDs, pizza and beer. For Jack that had been more than enough for his birthday, being surrounded by those he considered family.

But this year was different. Beer and pizza in front of the TV wouldn't be the same. He wouldn't even be allowed to drink beer. Jack slouched down in his seat. He knew Daniel was watching him. It was if his grown up memories were coming to haunt him, now that he was in no position to do anything about it.

The transition from the parking lot to the interior of the Mountain was as slow and tedious as it always was with the multiple checkpoints they had to pass through. Jack couldn't even manage his usual bright smiles for the airmen behind the desks.

"Hey, we have time to get something to drink first," Daniel said as they stood in the elevator that took them deeper into the mountain. "Hot chocolate?"

Jack shrugged, his hand clinging to Daniel's fingers. Daniel squeezed his hand slightly as he looked down at the dark head beside him. Jack was subdued and clingy. Usually Daniel would wish for a leash whenever they came to the SGC. Jack was usually full of energy, and would happily go barreling down the halls at full speed, leaving Daniel behind. But not today. Today Jack was glued to Daniel's side.

Daniel looked down at Jack as they made their way to the commissary. Jack was staring at the floor, dragging his feet as if they were suddenly heavy. With one hand Daniel pushed the door to the commissary door open as he used his other hand to push Jack ahead of him into the room.

"SURPRISE!!!!"

Jack's head jerked up, a little squeak escaping him as he jumped backward into Daniel's legs. His eyes widened in shock. The room was full of balloons and streamers hanging from the ceiling. There was a large banner across one wall.

'Happy Birthday Jack' it said.

The room was crowded with everyone he knew, Sam and Teal'c standing in the forefront grinning broadly at him. Jack turned his head and looked up at Daniel. The older man looked down at his son and smiled. "Surprise," he said.

Jack threw his arms around Daniel's legs in a tight hug and then ran across the room to be swung up in Sam's arms. Jack was so happy, the only light they really needed in the room could come from his smile alone.