By Rosenquist
A/N: Set in season 3. Alternative story to the episode Legacy. A slight crossover with the TV show, JAG. I wrote this story about 6 years ago and I first got to me that I haven't posted it here. Sorry about that. The story was written for a Zine and since it's been way over a year I'm allowed to post it. There's also a finished sequel. I'm in Stargate SG-1 mood again so I hope I can get my muse to cooperate with me fully again, so I can finish some unfinished stories of mine, that has been waiting way too long to be finished.
Thank you Sarah W for the first prompt line, for the Challenge: "Three doctorates, and I still have to take naps," the boy muttered crossly.
I want to give my thanks to Annie and Lyn for betaing my story. Your help is greatly appreciated. Should there still be errors in this story, they are all mine and no one else is to be blamed.
Summary: Machello's goa'uld killing bugs have an unfortunate side effect aside from symptoms of schizophrenia, to those who don't have a snake in them. This side effect causes Daniel to need a guardian, but sadly Jack isn't the only one who wants custody of him.
Chapter 1: "Nap time""Three doctorates, and I still have to take naps," the boy muttered crossly. Daniel stood defiantly in front of Jack. His arms were crossed around himself, not in the self-hug way, that he usually did, but in a protest way, of Jack's demand that he should take a nap, and he was so not looking like he was a happy camper at all.
"Well, Daniel, your body isn't what it was only a few days ago. After your downsizing to a four year old, your body needs more rest than it did when you were a grownup," a very determined Colonel said.
"But, Jack, why do I have to take a nap in your office? Why can't I take it in my own?" Daniel whined.
"Because, Daniel, I know you too well. As soon as I'll turn my back on you, you'll get up and go back to your work and that is not acceptable."
"But why does it have to be in your office? I think I could sleep better in a VIP room," Daniel said.
Jack looked at Daniel suspiciously. Daniel looked like he was planning something that he didn't want Jack to know about and Jack had an idea what it was.
"I heard that!"
"What? What did I say?" Daniel said and raised his shoulders and arms interrogatively.
"That you will sneak out and go back to your office."
"I didn't say that, Jack," Daniel said, rolling his eyes.
"No, you didn't, but you thought about it," Jack said, pointing a finger at Daniel.
"No, I didn't," Daniel said, and Jack noticed that he tried to look as innocent as he could, though he failed miserably.
"Oh, you sure did, Daniel. As I just said, I know you too well."
"So, since when did you become telepathic?" Daniel asked with a pout.
"Since I met you, Daniel, since I met you. Besides, if I did let you sleep in a VIP room, I'd have an airman outside the door, but because of the nightmares you've been suffering about you being locked up in a giant, padded cell, with giant needles, I think it's better that you take a nap near me. So that I can be there for you, if you have one," Jack said, hiding the shudder he felt when he remembered the previous few nights, when he'd had to calm down a crying, frightened Danny.
"But I'm not tired. Please, Jack, let me go to my office and finish the translation I'm working on."
Jack noticed that Daniel wouldn't say any more about his nightmares and he didn't blame him.
'Yeah, you're not tired, all right,' Jack thought sarcastically, as he noticed Daniel's red eyes and the yawn he was trying his best to hide. "Sorry, kiddo. End of discussion. Bed now!" Jack said while he firmly pointed Daniel toward the portable cot that was kept ready for Daniel's naps.
"That's so unfair. Cassie wasn't forced to take naps when she came here and she was really a kid. I'm not really a kid, you know that, Jack."
"No, not intellectually, but physically and emotionally you are. Cassie was older than you are now and she played with toys and allowed herself to be a kid and didn't try to work 24/7 like a certain mini-archaeologist."
"But, but—"
"No buts, Daniel," Jack said firmly and he helped Daniel get his pants off and tucked him in.
"Since when have you become my Dad? You're too bossy for my liking." Daniel pouted again.
"Since you joined SG-1, Daniel. You could have gotten one that was far worse than me." 'Like Dr. McKenzie, and there is a big risk that is going to happen, if he gets his way, in the upcoming custody battle, but not if I can help it.' Jack pushed his dark worry away to be dealt with later. Getting Daniel to rest was more important right now.
It took only few minutes before Daniel fell asleep. Jack stayed by Daniel's side for a while, enjoying the sight of the sleeping kid, who looked so cute, innocent, and vulnerable. He took Daniel's right hand in his and rubbed it gently with his thumb. He couldn't believe that this so small child's hand has been a big adult hand, not so long ago.
"I promise you, Daniel. I'll protect you the best I can and be there for you. I'm sorry that I wasn't there for your adult self and that I didn't stop them from locking you up," he whispered to the sleeping boy.
Later, he went to his desk and dialled a number in Washington DC.
"Harm. Jack here. I need your help as a JAG officer, but before you say yes, you'll have to sign a non-disclosure agreement. If you're going to become my lawyer, you'll get to know some major top secrets… No, I didn't murder anyone. No, I'm not being court-martialled, because of disobedience. It's about the custody of a very important and special four year old boy…"
There was silence from the phone for a few seconds. "Harm, are you still there? Yes, you understood me right. I want custody of the kid. He's very important to me. I was just told today that someone I don't like, well, someone I despise, to tell you the truth, is going to sue for custody as well, and believe me, he hasn't the boy's best interests at heart. He wants to study the kid. The kid is a boy genius among other things. I can't tell you more till you've signed the agreements. Are you able to get to Colorado Springs tomorrow? Great, thanks, Harm. See you tomorrow. Bye."
Jack placed the phone back on the desk and buried his head in his hands. He couldn't believe that almost a week ago, he had Daniel, then still an adult, committed to mental health and just now he had forced the child Daniel to take a nap. And soon he was going to court to fight for custody of him. A battle he hoped he would win, for his own sake, and especially for Daniel's, because he knew what Daniel's first childhood had been like after his parents' deaths. He dreaded the day when he had to tell Danny about the upcoming custody battle. He was so not looking forward to that. He was sure that Daniel wouldn't be at all happy at the prospect of becoming Doctor and Mrs. McKenzie's foster child.