Into the Fire: Moving On

Author's Note: I'm so sorry about the long delay. I've been incredibly busy with band and college applications but since I've been accepted into University of Texas I have more time on my hands 

~*~

"He looks like a hobo," Sam announced making Daniel raise both of his eyebrows. "You kind of do too."

"Hey!" The archeologist frowned and ran his hand through his shorter hair. The team had come over to his apartment for breakfast and they had instantly begun teasing him about his hair.

"The kid needs a haircut," Jack looked down at Ryan who smiled up at him through unruly hair. "He does look homeless."

"And you can get a haircut at the same time!" Sam's eyes lit up.

"No way!" Daniel snapped back. "I'm growing it back out."

"It would look so much better short," Jack agreed with Sam. "You don't want to wear Hathor's haircut any longer than you have to."

Daniel lowered his eyes to Ryan and ran his fingers through his son's shaggy hair.

"Fine," He muttered and Sam rushed off to go get an appointment.

~*~

"When was the last time you got a haircut?" Jack asked the sulking archeologist who glared at him from the passenger side. After Sam had gotten an appointment they had practically shoved the resisting Daniel into the car and driven them down to the barber.

"I don't remember. It's always been long," Daniel shrugged. Jack raised his eyebrows and pulled into the parking lot.

"Let's go kiddo," Daniel grinned and undid Ryan's seatbelt. He had to admit, the boy did need a haircut. Shaggy brown hair fell into his eyes and no matter how hard he tried it stuck up every which way.

"Jack!" The barber exclaimed as soon as they had stepped in. "Good to see you!"

"Hey Harvey," Jack shook the large man's hand.

"So, what can I do you for? It seems like I just gave you a cut," Harvey raised his eyebrows, confused.

"No, not for me. My friend Daniel here is convinced he wants his son to look like a sheepdog so he desperately needs a cut and we all think he needs a cut as well," Jack grinned and patted Daniel on the back.

"No problem," Harvey smiled down at Ryan who looked up at him through long bangs. "How about we do dad first and that way junior can watch?"

"Sure," Daniel responded, trying not to smile at Jack's wince when the barber called Ryan junior. He followed the larger man, already agreeing to his fate.

After a quick shampoo Daniel walked back into the main room, smiling when he saw Jack showing Ryan different things in a magazine.

"So, how do you want it cut?" Harvey asked.

"Just a bit of a trim," Daniel responded and winced when Jack laughed.

"Cut it all off," Jack cut in, grinning at his friend. "He needs a change."

The colonel was convinced that Daniel was going to argue back but when the archeologist just sighed he felt slightly guilty. He sat there quietly and played with Ryan, making the toddler giggle.

"Daddy's hair!" Ryan exclaimed suddenly and Jack looked up to see Harvey brushing off Daniel's shoulders. His hair had been cut extremely short and was spiked up slightly.

"It looks great Daniel!" Sam gasped after a moment of silence.

"Really?" Daniel frowned and leaned forward to look at himself in the mirror. He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed.

"I like it," Jack nodded, earning a glare from the archeologist.

"You're only saying that because it looks just like yours," Daniel groaned and Jack simply shrugged.

Daniel sighed again and looked at himself in the mirror. He had to admit it did not look terrible but the memories of Sha're running her fingers through his long hair moved to the front of his mind. It did not just feel like a haircut but like he was moving on.

Suddenly feeling nauseous he stood to let Ryan get his haircut.