Reversal of Fortune: Part 2

by Gemsong

Daniel slowly approached the child now standing where his friend had been just moments before. He bent down on one knee, bringing him to eye level with the boy. Before he could speak with him, the child began to struggle in the now-too big clothing. Daniel moved closer, reaching out to help the boy. First the equipment vest, then the heavy jacket. Beneath those Jack had been wearing a wool turtleneck sweater, so Daniel simply rolled up the sleeves of the sweater until the child's hands were free. The bottom of the sweater came down well past his knees, so there was no need for pants at the moment.

Without a word Sam and Teal'c moved forward to help. Daniel snaked an arm around the child's waist, lifting him slightly, leaving behind the pants that had no hope of staying up around the boy's body, along with the boots that were now way too large. Sam removed the excess clothing, handing them to Teal'c, who folded them neatly and placed them in his pack. While Daniel held the boy, she pulled the loose black socks up his legs until they came to his knees.

Now that they had him dressed, sort of, Daniel leaned over to set the child down on the ground. The child made a grunt of protest, twisting in Daniel's grip, his small arms curling around his neck to grip him tightly. As he straightened, the boy's legs encircled his waist in a tight grip. Daniel looked over at Sam and Teal'c helplessly.

"Could this child possibly be O'Neill?" Teal'c asked, voicing the question they were all thinking.

"Only Janet can tell for sure with a DNA test," Sam replied. She glanced at the open doorway and noticed that darkness was starting to fall. With the absence of the colonel, she was now in command.

"We'll return to the gate in the morning," she said, glancing at Daniel and Teal'c.. She didn't have to say why. Trying to make their way in the dark on an unfamiliar path with a child in tow wouldn't be wise. "I think we should set up camp," she continued. Looking around, her eyes caught on the doorway to a building near her. "In one of the other buildings I think."

Daniel found himself carrying the child and following Sam as Teal'c followed with Jack's gear. They wound their way toward the outer edge of the collection of ruins, ending up heading toward on of the small semi-intact buildings on the outskirts. It didn't take long to set up camp and get a fire going within the makeshift shelter.

Daniel was able to get the child settled on the ground, wrapped in the oversized jacket for warmth beside the fire. The boy's eyes never left him as he moved around after, getting himself settled down. While they had no way to be certain that this child was Jack O'Neill, Daniel's gut was telling him otherwise. It was strange how silent boy was. He didn't look afraid, but Daniel couldn't forget the tight grip or the trembling reluctance he'd felt when he finally got him to let go and cuddle up in the blanket.

Dinner was put together quickly from the supplied they'd each packed. Once the simple meal of reconstituted meat and potatoes was done, Daniel took a plate over to the boy, handing it to him as he sat down. The boy ate in silence, never letting his eyes stray far from Daniel. Finally they all sat around the small fire, unsure where to start.

Daniel glanced at Sam and Teal'c, a look of uncertainty on his face. When his gaze returned to the boy he was startled to see him looking at each of them fearlessly, then his eyes locked on Daniel.

"Jack?" Daniel said watching the child brighten at the sound of his name. "Is it you?"

The child frowned slightly. "Daniel.... Quis est nefas?" he asked.

The archeologist's mouth dropped opened as Sam and Teal'c stared in surprise at him.

"What was that?" Sam asked bewildered.

"That... that is the language of the ancients," Daniel replied, his own shock evident. "He asked... what was wrong."

"Can he understand us?" Sam asked. But her question answered itself as the child looked at her blankly.

Daniel took a shaky breath and spoke this time in the ancient Latin that was a variation of the ancient's language. <Jack, can you understand me?> he asked.

The boy nodded. <Yes, Daniel,> he replied. <But you speak most strange.>

<Do you remember what happened?> Daniel asked.

A slight frown marred the childish features. <No... I do not remember,> he said not meeting Daniel's eyes. For the first time Jack looked at anything but Daniel and the others.. <Where are we? How did I get here? What happened to me?> It was enough to make Daniel suspicious, but the child's reaction couldn't be mistaken.

"Easy... easy..." Daniel said automatically, seeing the child start to tremble. He reached to stroke Jack's tousled brown hair. Jack took it as an invitation and quickly climbed onto Daniel's lap to put his face against his chest. Teal'c tucked the jacket around the child's body more securely.

<Do you remember who I am?> he asked carefully. The small head nodded. <Do you know who they are?> he asked. Again the small head nodded against his chest.

"Sam and Teal'c," was the muffled replied.

<And your name is...?>

"Jonathan O'Neill," was the replied. <But you call me 'Jack',>

<What else do you remember,> Daniel encouraged.

<This is a bad place,> Jack said. <People died here. They used it too much. They were not right in the head.>

It was odd hearing the turn of phrase in Latin. Daniel looked up at the two patiently waiting faces of his companions. "He remembers us and his name," he replied. "And he remembers this place. He says people died here because they used it too much."

"Used what too much?" Sam asked.

"Perhaps the device that changed O'Neill," Teal'c said. "Repeated use could have fatal side effects."

"Some sort of fountain of youth?" Sam asked.

"But why did it affect Jack and not me?" Daniel asked. "I couldn't move until he pushed me out of it."

Sam shook her head slightly, a frown drawing her brows together. "Unless...."

"Unless what?" Daniel asked feeling the small body snuggling more comfortably in the warmth of his lap.

"Remember... Colonel has the ATA gene," she said. "It allowed him to use the technology the Ancients left behind. You don't have it. And if the youthening is done on a genetic level..."

Daniel nodded. It made sense. At least that part of it. But it didn't explain the memory issues. He looked down at the child in his arms, but saw no point in questioning further. Jack was sound asleep.

To be continued.