Reversal of Fortune: Part 8
By
Gemsong

It was still early afternoon when Jack woke up from his nap. He rose from the couch where he'd been sleeping, wandering into the den where he found Daniel working on his laptop. He walked over to him and leaned on Daniel's leg, tilting his head until he could see what was on the laptop screen.

<What are you doing?> he asked in the language of the Ancients, which was the language that he seemed to use most often when he wasn't thinking about it.

"I am reviewing the video of the buildings we found," Daniel answered, one hand coming to rest on Jack's back as he used his other hand on the mouse to control the video software.

<Why?>

"To see if there are any clues about the people who were there," Daniel said.

<Dead,> Jack said in a flat voice.

"I know Jack, but it's not that simple," Daniel said.

<Why not?>

Daniel looked down at the dark head, which was now looking up at him. "Because why they chose this course of action is just as important as what became of them."

<Why?>

"It allows me to understand them better," Daniel replied.

"Why must you understand?" Jack asked, now switching to English.

Daniel smiled and ruffled Jack's hair a little. "Because that's just the way I am," he said. "Maybe understanding them will help me understand you."

Jack pushed his way onto Daniel's lap so he could sit with his back against Daniel's chest. "I am easy," he replied, shifting around to make himself more comfortable.

Daniel chuckled slightly at the squirming child. "Jack, you have never been easy," he said. "No matter what size you are."

"That is bad?" Jack asked, looking up at him.

Daniel hugged him a little. "No," he said. "That is just the way you are."

Jack sat quietly as Daniel returned to reviewing the video. More precisely, he sat quietly for a little while. While Daniel tried to focus on his work, Jack started to squirm restlessly on his lap. He soon picked up a pen to fiddle with. Daniel paused. The quiet, cooperative, child that appeared in their midst a few days ago had finally vanished. As an adult, Jack tended to be restless, often playing with pens during meetings. Or picking up the odd object when he hung out in either his or Sam's lab. It seemed that part of his personality was making its way back to the surface.

Daniel took the pen from Jack's hands with one hand, and then reached around him to shut down the laptop. He smiled as Jack smiled innocently up at him. "Bored?" he asked.

Jack shook his head. "No... it of much interest," he said without a single sincere note in his voice.

"Oh you think so?" Daniel asked. His fingers danced along Jack's ribs, making the child giggle and squirm harder in his lap.

Jack closed his laptop as Jack slid off his lap. It was a Saturday. As Jack had often said, you shouldn't work on Saturday. Weekends were for rest and relaxation. Normally Daniel would ignore that particular O'Neill rule to keep up on his work, for to him delving into his books and projects was relaxing!. As he watched the five-year-old bouncing around the room with energy to spare, he saw that maybe he should give the O'Neill rule some serious consideration.

Jack was his responsibility. His 'son'. As a child Daniel had been shuttled through numerous foster homes before he finally moved out on his own. His salvation was books, and the worlds they took him to. Did he really expect Jack to do the same? Did he want that for him? Skar'ra's words came back to him. It was his responsibility to protect and guide Jack. But it was more than that. He had to do more than that. The good man that Jack O'Neill had been was still in this child. His best friend.

"Jack?" Daniel said.

Jack bounced quickly back to Daniel, a smile on his face. He stood between Daniel's knees as the older man took his hands. Daniel looked down at the hands. They were so small in his own. Jack's smile faded a little as he watched the expression on Daniel's face.

"I have done something wrong?" he asked slowly.

The smile returned to Daniel's face. "No Jack, you didn't," he said. "I was just thinking about a conversation I had with a friend last night."

"Skar'ra," Jack said.

Daniel looked at him startled. "How did you know that?" he asked.

Jack shrugged his shoulders carelessly. "I dreamed him," he said. "But not a dream." He looked at Daniel's face, relieved to see the acceptance in his eyes.

"He said you were special," Daniel said. "Do you remember anything else that you dreamed?"

Jack shrugged again and moved closer to Daniel, slipping into the circle of his arms. "I dream bad things sometimes," he said. "Then... I see her and she makes the bad things go away."

"Who makes the bad things go away?" Daniel asked.

Jack was silent, tucking himself closer to Daniel for reassurance. "You will not believe me," he said.

Daniel pulled back a little and made Jack look him in the eyes. "I will believe you," he said very seriously.

Jack looked down. "Shau're," he said in a whisper. "She said Teal'c's idea was best and I could call her.... Mommy."

Daniel was stunned. It was the last thing he had expected, but gave weight to what Skar'ra had said last night. He closed his eyes for a moment, holding back the burning of tears in his eyes. "I bet she liked that, didn't she?" he said, his voice barely more than a whisper.

Jack nodded against his chest. "I remember my first mommy and daddy," he said. "They died a long time ago. I do not think they would mind if I called you and Shau're Mommy and Daddy now, since I have to grow up again."

Daniel pulled Jack close to his heart, nuzzling the soft dark hair. "I don't think they would mind," he said quietly. "I don't mind either. I think it would be an honor to be your father."

"I can call you daddy now?" Jack asked looking up at him.

Daniel smiled and nodded, this time not trying to hold back the tears that dampened his eyes. Jack's face lit up as he wound his small arms around Daniel's neck. "Love you, Daddy," he said, his voice muffled against Daniel's neck.

"I love you too, son," Daniel said. He brushed a hand over his eyes. "Why don't you get your coat and shoes and we'll go down to the park." He suggested. He saw pleased grin fill the child's face. "And perhaps after that.... ice cream?"

Jack's smile went megawatt. He kissed Daniel's cheek, then zoomed out of the den, cheering at the afternoon plans.

Daniel leaned back as he listened to the sound of Jack thumping around in his room in search of shoes and socks. The sound made him smile. He would have to talk to General Hammond on Monday. It looked like they would need to make their living arrangements more permanent. As well as the paperwork that would list Jack as his son. The thumping took on the air of urgency, causing Daniel to forget about the future for a moment. He pushed himself out of the chair to go rescue the abused shoes.

Jack was finally ready, dressed in jeans and a light jacket, and they were heading for the door when the phone rang. Daniel picked up the extension in the kitchen while Jack bounced in place, annoyed at the interruption.

"Hi Daniel. Its Sam," the feminine voice over the phone said.

"Hi Sam," Daniel said, a smile coming to his face. It hadn't been a day yet and she was already calling.

"How's our bundle of energy?" she asked. Daniel could hear the smile in her voice.

"Wearing me out," Daniel said as he watched Jack, who was now bouncing around in a circle. "There's a park a few blocks away. I thought I would walk him down there. Maybe burn off some of this energy."

"That bad?" Sam asked.

"You have no idea," Daniel said. He looked down as he felt a tug on his leg and saw Jack standing there.

"I want to speak to Sam," Jack announced, holding up his hand.

"Someone is demanding to speak to you," Daniel said with a chuckle, then handed the phone to Jack.

"Hi Jack," Sam said, clearly amused.

"Hi Aunt Sam," Jack replied with enthusiasm. "Daddy is going to take me to the park and then we shall have ice cream. Do you think that if I ask politely we could have pizza for dinner? But I do not want anchovies. They taste like slime with salt."

Daniel covered his mouth to hide the smile as Jack babbled to 'Aunt Sam'. A few moments later he was done, saying his good-byes to Sam before handing the phone back to Daniel.

"Daddy?" came Sam's confused voice over the phone.

"It's a long story, Sam," Daniel explained. "But I think we need to have a talk. Some strange things happened last night."

"Sounds serious," Sam replied. "How about I call Teal'c? We'll spring for dinner tomorrow night."

"Sounds good," Daniel replied. "Would you also include Janet and General Hammond? They need to be there too."

"I'll take care of it," Sam said. "See you tomorrow."

"Bye Sam," Daniel said as he hung up the phone.

"May we leave now?" Jack asked impatiently.

"Yes we may," Daniel replied and reached for his own coat. They made their way out, Daniel making sure the door was securely locked.

Jack led the way down the street, tugging on Daniel's hand. He knew where the park was and he regaled Daniel with tales of what play equipment was available. Daniel smiled. It looked like there was a good chance Jack would wear him self out this afternoon.