FIC: Are You all blind: I'm not a kid, I'm not
FIC: Are You all blind: I'm not a kid, I'm not!
Authors: Laura and Rosenquist.
Rating: General
Category: kinda Kidfic.
Feedback: Yes please.
Disclaimer: We don't own any Stargate sg-1 characters I just borrowing them.
A/N: Thank you Emma for betaing for us.
Hi all we hope you'll like our little kinda Twilight Zone Stargate SG-1 story, well Daniel for sure thinks that he's in the Twilight Zone in this story.
Happy reading.
#
"Hey Doc how is he?" Jack asked.
"His life signs are good, Colonel. He's simply sleeping at the moment." Doctor Fraiser answered.
"That's good to hear. Do you think that he'll have retained his memories? Will he remember us?"
"Truthfully I just don't know. We'll have to wait until he wakes up, hopefully we'll know more once he's awake." Doctor Fraiser looked at the worried Colonel, she knew what Jack was like where his 'kids' were concerned. After a moment she patted him on the shoulder and said sternly, "Oh, and Colonel, don't you be getting any ideas about waking him up. You try to wake him up before he's good and ready and you'll be in big trouble!"
"But Doc, he's already slept for hours. The waiting's the hardest part. I want to know if he still remembers us and also if he can remember how this happened to him."
"I know Colonel, you're not the only one. We have to be patient though, I want him to wake up on his own. I believe that this transformation has completely drained him and that he needs his rest to recharge his batteries - so to speak."
"Okay Doc. I can only hope that he wakes up soon. Can I stay with him? I don't want him waking up alone, he'll be scared enough as it is once he works out what's happened to him."
"You can stay, Colonel. But only if you promise me that you won't try to wake him up." Janet put on her sternest look, "I mean it, Colonel."
"Thanks Janet. I promise I'll behave like the good little Colonel that I am."
It was hard for Jack to keep his promise though, but he kept it all the same. He didn't want to face the wrath of Janet and the long needles he knew the Doc wouldn't hesitate to use on him if he woke Daniel up.
#
Thirty minutes later Daniel started showing signs of waking. Jack immediately jumped up and yelled for Janet.
"Hi Jack, Janet. What happened to me this time? Why am I in the infirmary again?" Daniel asked in a tired little voice.
"Danny, you remember us." Jack cried before Janet was able to ask the question.
"Yes, Jack, of course I do." Daniel's face crumpled into a frown as he spoke. "Why the hell wouldn't I?"
"Hey hey, Dannyboy, don't worry it's a good thing." Jack said placatingly. "It's just we were a little worried for a while. Do you remember what happened?"
"No, Jack, I can't." Daniel said, with frustration evident in his tone. "Why do you think I just asked you what happened?"
Janet could see the conversation going downhill so she quickly interrupted. "Daniel, can you tell us the last thing you remember before you woke up in here?"
Daniel thought for a moment before answering. "The last thing I remember is visiting P7T-959 and the leader showing me their tomb. After I'd studied the writing a few minutes there was a bright light but I don't know what it was or where it came from."
"Can you remember more after the bright light happened?" Janet asked carefully.
Daniel shook his head, "No, Janet, I can't. Why? I take it something happened after that? Something to do with me?"
"You were found unconscious on the floor of the tomb, only a few minutes after that flash. We think the light did something to you," Jack said.
"What did it do to me, Jack? I feel fine now. Really fine, I'm not just saying that - I'm fine. Saying that, Janet can I go home?"
"No, I'm sorry Daniel. First we have to carry out some tests to find out exactly what happened to you. Then we need to work out if it's possible to safely undo what's been done." Doctor Fraiser said.
"What are you talking about? What's happened to me? What needs to be undone?" Daniel asked, looking frantically at the two people standing by his infirmary bed.
He caught a look passing between Jack and Janet that said both of them were hoping the other would explain to Daniel about his condition. The young man immediately picked up on the tension in the room and this only escalated his worry.
"You're scaring me here. Please, will somebody tell me what's wrong?" Daniel said, his voice rising in pitch as panic started to set in.
Jack looked at Janet again and realised it was up to him to break the news to Daniel.
"Well, Danny, as I said, it seems the light did something to you, something that's obviously clearer to Janet and myself than it is to you. Think about it, haven't you noticed anything strange about yourself? Take a moment to think about things - your voice, for example, and your hands as well."
"What? Oh, Ok then. My voice sounds normal and…no…I can't see anything wrong with my hands either. What am I'm supposed to be seeing? Why are you looking at me like that? You're looking at me like you did when you thought I was schizophrenic. I'm not crazy, you have to believe me this time - I can't go through that again. I'm as sane as ever and, as far as I know, I'm not seeing any hallucinations."
Janet leaned closer to Daniel. "We don't think you're crazy Daniel. In denial, maybe, but certainly not crazy."
"In denial? In denial of what?"
"Well Danny the thing is...the light…well it kinda transformed you into…into a child." Jack said.
Daniel looked at his friend in disbelief. "Jack, have you gone nuts? Do you seriously expect me to believe this nonsense? Jack, I am thirty-two years old, I haven't been a child for a very long time, l know you like to think I need treating like one sometimes but, even for you, actually calling me a child is taking things a too far. And you, Janet, I'd expect better from you. Jack's leading you astray. In fact I'd go as far as saying that maybe it's you two who have gone crazy. I'm getting out of here - now."
Daniel shifted and tried to get out of the bed but Jack held him down. Jack and Janet tried for a long time to calm Daniel down but he wouldn't listen and eventually Janet was forced to sedate him.
"Janet, don't do that. I don't need sedating, I just need to go ho..." Daniel found he couldn't continue speaking as the drug started to take effect.
"That didn't go well…" Jack said, scrubbing his hands through his short hair.
"No, Colonel, it didn't. We can only hope that he's better the next time he wakes up. Someone must stay with Daniel 24/7. It's too dangerous for him to be wandering around alone on the base, especially as he seems unable to accept the fact that he's no longer in an adult body. If he still refuses to acknowledge his transformation then I'll have to set up a meeting for him with a psychiatrist. Someone who can help him to face the fact that he has, equivalently, been forced into a second childhood."
"I'm afraid you are right, Doc. He's just not even accepting the possibility that he's a child. Although about the psychiatrist - I hope it won't be necessary."
"I'm afraid it will be Colonel. Even if Daniel comes to reason it will be hard for him to accept that he is a minor again, that he needs someone to be his caretaker and that he'll be set strict boundaries and limitations."
"I can't see him being happy about that, Doc."
"I know Colonel, but truthfully he has no choice. I want you to come with me to tell the General about this, I'll get a nurse to sit with Daniel but he'll not wake up for a fair while yet."
Doctor Fraiser and Colonel O'Neill told a stunned General Hammond about what happened in the infirmary. Jack told the General that he wanted to take care of Daniel and that he wanted to become Daniel's guardian if they couldn't find away to un-shrink him. The General promised to start making arrangements for Daniel's care. He was very fond of Daniel and felt sorry for the young man - he'd been through enough in his life and now this.
The General shook his head, it was hard enough for the old man to believe that Daniel was now a child, but, he thought, it must be even harder for the boy himself. The fact that Daniel didn't believe he was a child and still believed that he was physically and mentally an adult just made it all the harder to accept.
As soon as Jack was dismissed by the General he returned to Daniel's bedside. Not long afterwards, Teal'c and Sam came and the Colonel told them how Daniel had reacted to the news. He also recounted what had been agreed in the meeting with Hammond.
#
Five hours later Daniel woke up.
"Hi Jack. I had the strangest dream, well more of a nightmare really. I dreamt that you all thought I had been transformed into a child." Daniel chuckled, "I sure am glad it was only a nightmare, I'm not sure I could handle the reality."
"I'm sorry kiddo but I'm afraid it wasn't a dream, it was real. Physically, at least, you are a child."
"No Jack, don't say that. It can't be true, I must still be dreaming."
"Danny, I'm really sorry but you aren't dreaming." Jack noticed that Daniel starting to panic again. "You have to calm down Danny or else ole' Doc Fraiser will sedate you again."
Daniel shook his head, "No Jack, I don't want any more sedatives. Don't let her do that to me. I need to be able to think clearly without loads of drugs in my system."
Janet could hear the commotion and walked up to Daniel's bedside. "Hi Daniel how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, except from the fact that you all seem to think that I'm a child."
"So Daniel. You still believe that you are an adult? You can't see that your body had undergone a pretty radical transformation?"
"No, Janet, of course not. I don't only believe I am an adult, I know I am. I'm still physically and mentally an adult and no one and nothing will convince me otherwise."
"Daniel, I've arranged a meeting for you with a psychiatrist, the appointment's booked for a few days from now. I've given you the opportunity to prove you can cope with your situation on your own before you have to see him. Please don't make me think I've done the wrong thing by not forcing you to see him sooner."
"It's not Mackenzie I hope but even if it's not him I won't talk. If I do talk to someone then it's because I'm gonna want him treat you lot, you are the crazy people - not me."
Jack squeezed his eyes shut in frustration. "Danny, it's you that's the odd one out. You're the only one who can't see that you are definitely now a child. Everyone else can see it except you, it's not just me and Janet, Teal'c and Carter have both seen you as well. Really Danny, you've got to believe me."
Daniel pondered this statement and Jack could almost see the cogs turning in his mind as Daniel tried to puzzle things out in his head. "If I'm a child then can you explain how come these standard-issue hospital scrubs fit me? If I was a child they would be burying me. How old do you think I am, anyway?"
"Danny…" Jack sighed. "The scrubs don't fit you Danny they're far too big for your tiny body. You telling me you really can't see that? Oh, and the Doc seems to think you're about eight years old."
"No Jack, I can't see. I'm beginning to feel like I'm in the twilight zone."
"Well I can assure you that you aren't." Jack said gently. "Doc, do you have a mirror?"
Janet gave Jack a mirror, he smiled briefly and handed it to Daniel.
"So Daniel? Take a look and tell me what you see."
"I see…I see that…"
"Spit it out Daniel, what do you see? Can you finally see that you are a child?"
"No Jack. I see that I need a shave, and badly too."
"What? You don't need a shave…" Jack said, leaning over while he stroked Daniels cheek "...really Danny, you don't. Your skin is as smooth and soft as a baby's bottom. You won't need to shave for at least another eight years."
"No Jack, it's not smooth. It's just the same as always and I most definitely do need a shave."
Jack shook his head again, "Get some rest, Daniel. Maybe things will look clearer after a nap."
"The Colonel's right Daniel, you should get some more rest," Janet agreed.
"I think I've rested enough, I've been in bed for hours. Oh déjà vu, I think I've said that line before."
Daniel was about to get out of bed but Jack grabbed hold of him by the shoulders.
"Just where do you think you are going, young man?" the Colonel questioned.
"Well, 'old man', I am going to the bathroom. I sure am glad that you don't see me as a baby otherwise I'd be in real deep sh..."
"Hey watch your language, bucko. It doesn't sound right from that mouth of yours when you're big, let alone now. Oh, and don't be respectful to me, don't call me 'old man' again or your butt will be very sorry!"
"Then stop calling me 'young man' and stop talking to me like I'm a kid. However I really do have to go to the bathroom. I don't want to wet my bed but I'll have no choice if you don't let me up soon."
Jack let him loose but followed him.
"Jack where do you think you're going? You're not coming with me. I'm perfectly capable of using the toilet without your help, so just let me have some privacy."
"Are you sure? You're shrunk remember?"
"I am sure Jack, and I'm not shrunk. Even if I were eight years old I would be able to go to the toilet by myself.," Daniel walked into the bathroom, slammed the door and then locked it so Jack couldn't follow him.
"Daniel unlock the door. We need to be able to come in if something happens to you." Jack called.
"The Colonel's right Daniel," Janet's voice travelled through the wooden door. "Please unlock it, just in case."
"No. Nothing will happen to me in here and I'll unlock it when I'm good and ready."
Jack and Janet waited - none too patiently - for Daniel to come out of the bathroom.
"Hey Danny, what's takin' ya? Did you fall down in there or something?"
"No Jack, I'm fine. Stop fussing."
"Come on out then."
"No. Jack, I need to be alone right now. If I come out do you promise me that you'll let me go to my office - alone."
"No way, Danny. You need to stay in the infirmary. Come out this instant."
"No. I'm not coming out until you all stop treating me like a child and let me go to my office."
"Daniel unlock the door. If you don't then I'll get Siler to open it and you'll be sorry when I get my hands on you."
"NO. You can't make me…and…and I'm not afraid of you Jack."
"Okay, Daniel, you asked for it."
Jack called Siler and it didn't take him long to get the door open. Daniel tried keep as large a distance between him and Jack as he could but Jack was faster and managed to grab him by one arm. He was all set to swat Daniel's butt when Teal'c came into the room.
"O'Neill! If you harm DanielJackson in any way then you will have to answer to me," Teal'c said.
"It's OK T, I wouldn't actually hurt him…much," Jack said.
Jack leaned close to Daniels ear and whispered, "I promise you though, Danny - if you don't start to behave then I will be forced to swat your butt." He then dragged the young man back to his bed and dumped him unceremoniously on top of the covers.
"Now stay put and I mean it, Danny!"
Daniel simply crossed his arms and sulked, scowling at the 'big people' in the room.
oOo
A week later Daniel still saw himself as an adult and, no matter what anyone else said or did, no-one could convince him otherwise.
He had been forced to talk with a child psychiatrist, who hadn't much any more luck in convincing Daniel of his transformation than anyone else. He then turned round and told Doctor Fraiser that he wanted to see Daniel three times a week for the foreseeable future.
#
"Janet is it true, Am I really released from here?"
"Yes Daniel, the Colonel will pick you up in a few minutes."
"What? I'm not going with him. I'll get an airman to drive me home to my apartment."
"Daniel you know we can't allow that."
"But Janet, please, I can take care of myself. I've been doing it for years."
"Don't be silly, Daniel. You're a minor now and as a minor you need someone to look after you and keep you out of trouble."
"And even if he weren't a minor he'd need someone to keep him out of trouble, because Doctor Jackson, big or small, is a trouble magnet," Jack said as he walked into the infirmary.
"How long have you been there Jack?" Daniel asked.
"Long enough Danny, long enough. The Doc's right, Hammond won't allow it, so you're stuck with me kiddo. I've got some clothes here for you, so get dressed and we can go home - to my home, that is."
"Jack they're children's clothes. They're way too small for me. I'm not wearing them…I want my own clothes."
"Daniel how many times do we have to tell you, you are a kid and your adult clothes won't fit you any more. Get dressed now or do I have to dress you myself?"
"Are you all blind? I am not a kid, I am not, I am not."
"Daniel pack that in. Stop it - right now - and get dressed."
"No, Jack. Let me go to my locker, pick up my clothes and put them on. Please Jack, please."
"Oh Danny. OK but only because you said please. I'm going with you though, to make sure you don't run away. I have a feeling that you would be more than capable of doing so, if we were to leave you alone."
"Oh fine Jack. Have it your way. I'm just glad that you didn't try to force me into those children clothes."
#
Jack and Daniel went to the locker rooms.
"Danny, you look strange in adult clothes, they're hanging off you and the shoes - they're like boats. You sure you're gonna be able to walk in them?"
"Jack, they fit me just fine. Stop fussing."
"Whatever you say Danny. But if anyone ask us why you're wearing adult clothes, that are way too big for you, I'm gonna tell them it's not my fault and that you're allowed to choose your own clothing. That I've tried time and time again to convince you to wear clothes in your own size but that you refuse to do so."
"Fair enough, Jack. No-one will ask though."
"We'll see. Now, let's go home."
"Jack, I need some of my things from my office and my apartment first."
"Daniel, we are going to my place now."
"Exactly, where all my stuff…isn't. But Jack, I need some books and my laptop from my office, and some clothes, a toothbrush and shaving gear from my apartment. Please Jack, I need my things. How do you expect me to survive in your house without any of my stuff?"
"Shaving gear, Daniel? I told you, you aren't going to need that for a very long time. You are only eight years old for crying out loud!"
"How many times do I have to tell you…I am not a child and I really do need a shave. I have no intention of growing a beard - they itch."
"OK, I admit defeat. Daniel, if you think you need shaving gear so be it, shaving gear you shall have. You're only allowed to bring three books with you though."
"But Jack…"
"Three books or no books, it's your choice. I don't want you overdoing things. When you're better, you can have more books but until then..."
"Okay, you win. Three books is better than no books, I suppose."
"Good. Let's go then."