The Other Side: Cardboard Graduation Caps

"We're going to be late!" Ryan shrieked loudly as Daniel adjusted the four-year old's blue dress shirt. "Hurry up!"

"We still have half and hour before it starts kiddo," Daniel mumbled as he brushed down Ryan's hair which stuck up in every direction. "Everyone is going to meet us there and we'll be as close to the stage as we can get."

Ryan beamed and pulled his paper graduation cap on his head, sprinting for the door. The archeologist sighed and fixed his own tie, grabbing the red robe and his car keys before letting the anxious boy into the hallway.

Ryan grabbed his father's hand and pulled him to the elevator, practically bouncing on his heels. Daniel laughed at his son's eagerness and lightly rapped his knuckles on the cardboard brim of the hat, getting a glare from Ryan.

"You're going to ruin it!" Ryan hissed, adjusting it with great care.

The arrived at the preschool in record time and Ryan cheered happily at the sight of the balloons and the huge sign that read 'Welcome Graduates!'.

Once in the building, Ryan was grinning excitedly at his classmates and other parents.

"Ryan!" And excited shout came from the opposite side of the room and Lucy came sprinting up to them, Eric hot on her heels.

Lucy, normally dressed in jeans and a t-shirt was in a white dress with a yellow band around her waist. Her wild red hair was tamed and pinned back with sparkly clips. Eric was obviously uncomfortable in his dress clothes but was excited to see his friend.

"There you three are!" Ms. Keller, the young preschool teacher said brightly. "We're all meeting in the classroom to set up."

Ryan gave his father a huge grin and hurried after his teacher and friends. Daniel rubbed at the back of his head, suddenly feeling claustrophobic among the huge crowd of parents and grandparents.

"Daniel!" He turned to see Jack dressed in a pair of worn jeans and a leather jacket followed closely by Sam and Teal'c who was wearing a beanie. "Has the little guy already gone back?"

"Yeah," The archeologist fiddled with his glasses for a moment. "Yeah, he's with the teacher."

"Sweet! Let's go get a good seat!" Jack hurried towards the small auditorium.

"Daniel Jackson," Teal'c spoke up as they followed Jack at a much slower pace. "On Chulak the Jaffa celebrate when a student becomes a warrior but it appears as though there are more celebrations of smaller accomplishments on Earth."

"Well, we have mini graduations after each section of schooling; preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, and middle school with the big ones being after high school and college. There is a strong belief that by celebrating these smaller events it encourages children to work harder. They gather a sense of self worth by having a whole celebration of their achievement, no matter how small."

"I am proud to be celebrating this achievement with you Daniel Jackson," Teal'c said after a short silence, getting a smile from Daniel.

"Me too Teal'c," Daniel spotted where Jack was sitting in the third row, saving their seats.

His throat tightened at the pairs of tearful parents taking pictures and talking amongst themselves. Daniel sat down heavily but felt the tension lower when Teal'c pulled out a camera.

"Is it not customary to take many pictures at these events?" He raised an eyebrow at Daniel's smile.

"Yeah, it is," Daniel's grin widened when he heard the classic graduation song begin softly from the speakers and then grow louder when it was suddenly turned up. "Oh look they're coming in!"

A long line of preschoolers marched into the room in multicolored robes and hats. Every so often one child would stop and wave at their parents but they moved on when the child behind them gently pushed them forward.

The sudden movement of Teal'c bringing the camera up and pressing the button repeatedly brought Daniel's attention to Ryan.

The little boy looked around the room with a sad, confused look on his face until he caught his father's eye and broke out into a huge grin. He waved enthusiastically at the group and SG-1 returned the wave excitedly.

The group of preschoolers was lined up on the stage and after finally getting them calmed down, Ms. Keller walked up to the podium.

"Thank you all so much for coming to our graduation," Ms. Keller beamed out at the parents. "Our preschoolers have come so far this year and we're so proud of them. They will be going into kindergarten with a stronger academic and social background that will help them immensely in their elementary school career. I feel beyond blessed to have worked with your children and am proud to officially graduate them from preschool."

The teachers lined up on the stage, holding certificates and plastic medals, and grinned brightly at the obviously excited children.

"Alright kids, when you hear your name please go to Miss Paula and get your medal and certificate."

"Eric Adamson," She called and Eric bounded across the stage. Jenny and Matt took a frantic amount of pictures as she wiped tears from her eyes. The boy took his certificate and grinned as the teacher put the medal around his neck.

"Lucy Adamson," The usually vivacious Lucy slowly stepped forward, smiling shyly. Daniel smiled when he saw Ryan clapping enthusiastically for his friends.

The rest of the children were called out, one girl tripping and getting upset, before they finally got to the J's.

"Ryan Jackson," She called and SG-1 erupted into applause. Ryan grinned brightly at his father and the team before grabbing his certificate and getting his medal.

The repeated click of the camera from Teal'c continued until all the children had crossed the stage.

"Congratulations preschoolers!" Ms. Keller said and a teacher gave the cue for the children to throw their paper hats in the air and cheer. Teal'c finger moved rapidly on the button and he stood like most parents to get a better picture.

"I have taken two-hundred and eighty-four photographs Daniel Jackson," Teal'c announced. "Is that satisfactory?"

"Yes Teal'c," Daniel said with a laugh. "Far more than satisfactory."

Then the children were turned loose to go to their parents and before he knew it, Daniel was almost tackled by his son.

"Look! Look at my medal daddy!" He was waving the plastic medal in one hand and the certificate in the other.

"I see it! It's awesome!" Daniel hugged his son tightly and kissed him on the top of the head. "I am so proud of you. You have no idea how proud I am!"

Ryan simply smiled back and ran his fingers along the smooth surface of the plastic medal.