Another World Part 4

Part 4

They arrived back at Jack's house. "Are you really going to look after me?" Daniel asked.

"Of course. You're my son and even if you weren't I'd still look after you, I thought you'd know that. We're a family."

"Are you going to tell Sam and Teal'c about us?"

"No," when he saw Daniel's face fall he said," And not for the reasons that are running around in your head. I'm not telling them because it wouldn't be fair. Carter is a serving officer and she could be in trouble if someone found out. And I wouldn't tell Teal'c and not her."

"I get it. Can I decorate your spare room any way I want?"

Jack knew there was a catch somewhere so he said," Within reason. How what do you want to do to it?"

"Well I was thinking I could put a night sky on the ceiling and have motherships on the walls ...."

"Very funny," Jack said. "I want nothing Go'auld on my walls, got it?"

"So as long as it's not Go'auld it's fine?"

"Yes." Jack knew he'd fallen into Daniel's trap but what could he say now.

"I always wanted a room with pyramids on the wall." He looked up at Jack," Daft idea though isn't it?"

"No. If that's what you want that's what you'll get. Pyramids it is. You can draw the pyramids can't you?"

"Yes, I can do that. Do you think Teal'c and Sam will help me?"

"I'm sure they will."

"Can we get the paint on our way home?" Daniel looked really enthusiastic.

"As long as you don't take too long, we have to get food as well."

"And clothes."

They pulled into the huge shopping mall on the way to Jack's house. Daniel jumped out of the truck and was immediately caught by Jack. "Aht! Aht! No wandering off."

"How can I get lost in there Jack?"

"You're not very tall Danny and I don't want you out of my sight." He held up his hand. "No arguments unless you want me to take your hand?"

"You wouldn't?"

"You move from my side and you'll find out." Daniel swore in one of the many languages he knew. "And that could get your mouth washed out with soap."

"You couldn't know what I said."

"I understood it all right. You speak in English at all times unless you're talking to someone off world who doesn't understand it. Anything else and I'll wash your mouth out."

"That is so unfair, I could be saying thank you." He scowled at Jack. Jack thought he was as well to get the rules out of the way right now.

They walked into the mall," Best start with some clothes." They went towards a clothes shop. Daniel looked around at the other children in the shop. He had no idea what he should buy. A woman came over.

"Can I help you?" she asked Jack.

"My son would like some new clothes but we're not sure what to buy." He saw the strange look on her face. "We've been living abroad and Danny isn't sure what to get."

"I'd be delighted to help." She walked over to a counter with lots of pairs of jeans on them. "These are our most popular range. How old are you?"

"Ten." Daniel looked at them. They looked okay. He picked up three pairs. He looked over at a boy who was looking at some black ones. They had skulls on them. He picked up a pair.

"Your dad going to let you buy them, you're lucky. Mine won't. He's Air force, everything's got to be the way he wants them." The man turned round to look at his son.

"Colonel O'Neill," he stood to attention and looked as if he might salute.

"Captain MacLean. There's no need to stand on ceremony. Is this your son?"

"Yes, Cal come and say hello to Colonel O'Neill."

"Hello sir."

"Cal. You've met Danny."

"He's lucky. My dad won't let me buy trousers like that." He pointed to the ones with skulls.

Jack looked at Daniel. "You really want those?"

"Yes Jack they're cool. Can Cal help me pick some more stuff?" He looked at Jack and Cal's father.

"Yes, if it's alright with his dad."

Daniel went off. Jack hated to think what Daniel would buy, he seemed to be shopping to impress Cal more than picking what he would usually buy.

Jack stood beside Captain MacLean, "Is that Dr. Jackson?"

"Yep."

"He does manage to get himself into trouble."

"He's good at it, had lots of practice," Jack said. "Would you mind if I invited Cal over sometimes to spend time with Danny? It'd be good for him to have someone his own age to play with."

"No sir that would be fine. Cal's new to the area and he hasn't made any friends yet. he starts school on Monday and he's not looking forward to it."

"Not like school? I can relate to that."

"He's quite advanced for his age and he doesn't really fit in. At his last school he was bullied because he was put forward a few years and everyone else was much older than him. I'm hoping it will be different here."

Both boys came back. Daniel had lots of things in his arms. "Nothing too outrageous I hope," Jack said. He didn't like the smirk on Daniel's face. There was no way he was going to pay for this lot until he'd looked at it all.

"Why don't you and Cal and your wife come over for dinner, we're having a barbecue, about 7?"

"Thank you, sir. It'll just be me and Cal, my wife doesn't stay with us."

"Sorry."

They walked away. "You liked Cal?"

"Yes, he's very bright for a kid."

"His dad says he's very clever just like you were. He's having a hard time at school."

"I know what that's like. Can we get these clothes now Jack, my arms are falling off."

"I'd like a look at them first."

"Come on Jack, I can pick my own clothes." Jack was quite amused at how Daniel was swopping from child to adult, mind you he'd had plenty of practise on the planet. He had been a child for quite a while. The whine was definitely in his voice.

"Hand them over." Daniel felt like throwing them at Jack but realised that might not be a good idea. If Jack was anything like the Jack on the western planet he would not appreciate him having a tantrum in the shop. Jack could see Daniel struggling to decide what to do. He handed the things to Jack.

"Hope you're happy," Daniel said snarkily.

"Not with the attitude so cut it out. I've got a lovely corner at home you could inspect very carefully."

What next Daniel thought, first it was soap and now a corner. He glared at Jack. Jack looked through the t-shirts and picked out two, one had a skull on it and the other had I'm up and dressed what more do you want?

"Think we'll put these back."

"Why? There's nothing wrong with them."

"You've got to work at the SGC so go pick some plain t-shirts, quick or I'll do it."

Jack had a suspicion that he heard boring old fart but he couldn't be sure luckily for Daniel.

"And pick some plain cargo trousers as well."

"I need some shoes. Can I get trainers?"

Jack looked over at the stand and picked out a pair of shoes as well.

Jack had to carry all the bags, he couldn't believe how much stuff he had. The trip round the supermarket wasn't any better. Daniel had likes and dislikes and he was not going to budge. He wanted particular kinds of food and that was that. Jack now knew why parents just gave in to their children it was so much easier than arguing.

They put all the bags into the truck and set off for the shop that sold paint. He'd never realised before how picky Daniel was. It just had to be the right shade. Thank God the shop had it.

By the time they reached the house Jack was exhausted. All he wanted to do was sit down and relax. "Put your bags away, Danny. There should be plenty of space in the wardrobe and chest of drawers."

"I'm tired," Daniel whined.

"So am I and I've still got to get things ready for tonight. So scoot."

Daniel grabbed some of the bags and came back for the others. He knew he shouldn't be moaning at Jack , it was really good of him to let him stay. He dumped the bags down beside the bed.

As Jack was preparing the food he wondered where Danny was. he went through to the bedroom and there was Danny fast asleep on the bed not one bag unpacked. He picked up the throw and covered him up. He bent down and kissed his forehead. He ought to have remembered Danny would be tired after all he had been through.

He went back through to the kitchen and grabbed a beer. If the kid could take a break so could he.

TBC