The Holiday Adventure Part 4
The next morning the two boys were up early again and this time Johnny phoned for room service. "This is great," he said, "There's no one to moan about all the chocolate we're eating."
"I'm looking forward to going to the museum," Danny said. "We'll get to see Tutankhamen's treasure and there's mummies to see as well."
"Great, do you think one might come alive and chase Uncle Jack round the museum. I like that film where it chases them all over the world and steals bit s of their bodies to get whole again."
"And the beetles eat the bodies of the men who fall down," Danny added.
"There aren't any of them are there?" Johnny asked.
"No, it's just exhibits. Any way they wouldn't want to eat Jack, he'd be too tough for them to eat." They both started to giggle and when John asked them what was so funny they couldn't stop laughing.
"Must be the heat," he said to Rose.
After breakfast they set off for the Museum. Danny wanted to see everything he told Jack. He kept dragging Johnny behind him and telling him stories about the pieces they saw.
"Boys, sit down for a minute, let us have a rest," John said to them.
Danny spotted an artifact that his parents had found and he wandered over to look at it, Jack was still in sight so he wasn't breaking any of his rules, not really. Then he moved on to the next exhibit. He looked back, there was no sign of Jack, his parents or Johnny, Whoops he thought. Well if he was in trouble any way he might as well just have a wander round. Jack could moan at him when he got back.
The displays fascinated him, now that he could read Goa'uld he could understand a lot more that was written on some of the pieces. The last time he'd been here he couldn't make any sense out of them. He took his notebook out and started writing things down.
Then he came to the jar. It was still sealed. The God's name was written on the front. Ptah, god of craftsmen. Usually depicted wrapped in a tight white cloak carrying a staff.
A hand landed on his shoulder and he was turned around, "Look Jack, it's the jar General Hammond wanted me to look at. It's the God Ptah, there's a very interesting story about him…" Then he looked at Jack's face. He was not happy.
"We've been looking everywhere for you, you've been gone for ¾ of an hour."
"That long, it didn't feel that long. It's been really interesting though, I've been translating ….." Jack turned him round and delivered 3 hard smacks to his backside.
" Ow! That hurt Jack, there was no need for that." He looked around to make sure no one was watching.
"No need, I've been worried sick, your grandparents have been frantic. Remember they think you're really 6."
"But I was fine, I didn't leave the Museum." Danny just couldn't see why Jack was so angry.
"The Museum staff have been searching for you. Did I not tell you not to wander off?"
"But I wasn't far, I was just translating.."
"Enough. Let's find Mom, dad and Johnny." Jack grabbed hold of his hand and started towards the entrance.
Rose got up and ran over," Thank goodness you're alright."
"I was just looking at some of the exhibits Grandma, I was okay," he assured her.
"Didn't your dad tell you not to wander off," John said.
"Jack worries too much," Danny replied.
"I can see why," John said.
"You stay here with Johnny," he said to John, "I'm taking Danny back to the hotel."
"No, Jack, I want to…"
"This is not up for discussion." Danny was furious. He'd been in no danger, Jack was spoiling a good day out. Why would the man not listen to him. He pulled his hand away from Jack.
"Nothing is ever up for discussion with you. I don't want to go back. I'm enjoying myself. I'll stay with Grandma."
Jack lifted him up and made for the exit. "Nooo! I want to stay." He tightened his grip on the wriggling child and got in a taxi.
"Stop it right now." Danny was not happy, he scowled at Jack
When he arrived at the hotel he picked him up and went to their suite. He set Danny down," Go to your room."
"At least listen to me," Danny shouted. "All you do now is tell me what to do, it's not fair. I wasn't in any danger."
"Go to your room, I'll be in, in a moment."
"What? No, Jack, I don't want…"
"You knew the consequences."
"I hate you," Danny screamed. "I'm not a kid."
"Well your behavior today proves otherwise. Go now." He pointed to his room.
By the time John, Rose and Johnny came back, Jack was sitting on the couch reading a paper.
"Where's Danny?" Johnny asked.
"In his room," Jack answered. Johnny moved towards it," No leave him just now."
"Are we still going to Professor Marek's tonight?" Rose asked.
"Yes, he's sending a car at 7."
"I'll just go speak to Danny," she said.
She knocked on the door and went in. Danny was curled up on his side facing the wall. "Go way, Jack."
"It's Grandma." She sat on the bed.
"He's mean. I didn't wander off deliberately."
"But you didn't try and find us when you realized you had, did you?"
Danny couldn't lie. "No! I was just so excited. But dad wouldn't listen to me, he should listen to me. Now I won't get to see it." She could see tears in his eyes. She gathered him up and set him on her lap. He winced.
"Jack was really worried about you, Danny. When he couldn't find you he thought someone had taken you. I've never seen him so worried." Danny began to feel guilty. He knew Jack worried about the NID finding him and taking him. He hadn't given a thought about that.
"I didn't mean to worry everyone," he said in a small voice.
"Maybe not, but you did." She let him think about this for a minute then said," You knew the rules?"
"Yes. I'll try not to wander again." Rose noticed he said try, not that he wouldn't. "I would love to see the exhibits though."
"And you will. We didn't get to see everything today so we're going to go back another day."
"Jack won't let me go. I told him I hated him."
"Did you mean it?"
"No, I was just angry."
"Then off you go and say you're sorry. He's in the living room. Then we'll get ready to go to Professor Marek's for dinner.
Danny slowly went out, he stood beside Jack. Rose and John took Johnny away for a bath. Jack put his paper down.
"I don't hate you, I'm sorry I said that."
"You sure, squirt you sounded pretty positive earlier on."
"I don't daddy honest, I was angry, I wanted to stay at the Museum. I'm really sorry." Tears dripped down his face.
"Oh Danny," Jack picked him up and set him on his knee. "It's alright. I know you didn't mean it." He kissed his forehead. "Sh. It's alright. I just need to know you're safe. I couldn't bear it if I lost you. You've got to be more careful."
"I love you daddy." Jack's heart beat fast.
"I love you too." Danny yawned.
When Rose came out to check on them they were both asleep. What a pair, so alike, so stubborn, she thought. She dropped a kiss on both their heads.
By 6.45 they were in the foyer waiting for the car, the boys were looking at some of the gifts in the shop window.
"Boys time to go," Rose said.
Professor Marek lived in a lovely big white house in the suburbs of Cairo. He came to the door to greet them. He introduced his wife and sons to them.
"I remember playing with your father," Abdul said. "The fun we used to have."
"The mischief you mean," his mother said. They all laughed.
Jack looked at Danny," His son is just like him. Trouble follows him around." Danny glared at him.
"He's not the only one like that, Jack O'Neill," Rose said. "I could tell a few stories."
Then Abdul started to tell some stories about Claire and Melbourne and some of the things him and Danny used to do. Danny loved hearing the stories, he'd forgotten some of the things he'd done. Some of them made him sad, it made him miss them in a way he hadn't for years. He saw Jack looking at him. Jack changed the subject by asking Professor Marek what he was working on now.
They had a lovely meal and afterwards sat talking about where they were going to visit. Danny was quiet for the rest of the night.
In the car going back to the hotel Jack asked," Are you alright?"
"Yes, it just feels funny listening to all those stories."
"It must good getting to hear about your grandparents. I bet your dad spoke about them." Danny looked sad again. Jack lifted him up and set him on his lap. He held him close. He could feel the front of his shirt getting wet as Danny cried silently. It was at times like this that Danny was glad Jack was his dad, he seemed to know when Danny needed comfort.
By the time they reached the hotel he was fast asleep and Jack carried him in and put him to bed. Johnny was put to bed as well although he kept saying he wasn't tired.
John, Rose and Jack ordered coffee. "He seemed very upset," John said. "He didn't know his grandparents did he?"
"I think he was just remembering what he'd lost."
A scream came from the bedroom," Mummy! Daddy!"
Jack ran into the room, he grabbed Danny. "It's alright, everything's okay." Danny put his arms around Jack's neck. "It's okay, daddy's here." He spoke softly to him until he calmed down. He kissed his head and tried to put him back to bed but Danny clung onto him. He carried him through to his room and lay down on the bed with him. Danny settled and went back to sleep. Jack went back to the living room. "He's had these nightmares before. It's best if he sleeps with me tonight. I'll just go to bed just now."
"Night son," they both said.
When Jack got into bed Danny snuggled up to him. They both slept well.
TBC