The Long Journey Part 4

Jack carried Danny and Teal'c carried Marcus until Jack was sure they were clear. "I'll walk the boys back to the village," Jack said," Carter, Teal'c you take SG8 and keep watch, make sure there's no one following."

"Yes sir."

Jack put out his hands and took the boys hands." Let's go."

"Jack, I'm sorry," Danny started to say.

"Don't. I'm so angry with your behavior recently. This is the second time in 2 days that you've disobeyed me. You say you're sorry but you don't mean it."

"But I ha….."

"No you didn't. You could have come and asked."

"Oh and you'd have let me," Danny said sarcastically. Jack let go of his hand and swatted him.

"Ow!! That's what I mean, I can't do anything. Youstop me doing anything."

"I stop you doing dangerous things."

"I wanted to see the ruins, it wasn't dangerous."

"AND GOING TO THE MOUNTAIN?"

"Well I suppose that was but it wasn't Marcus's fault, he only came because he didn't want me to go on my own."

"I don't think his father sees it like that."

Danny looked at Marcus. He mouthed I'm sorry. Jack was right, Danny thought, he was saying that a lot.

"Well you're both going to pay the consequences for your actions, come on." They entered the village. Septimus and Cornelia were so glad to see Marcus.

Later on Sam, Teal'c and SG8 came back to the village, they had made sure no one was following them. Jack was looking at the video Danny had made. They all sat down to watch it.

"There is a gate inside the mountain," Teal'c said.

"Yes , they appear to be sending the crystals somewhere else," Jack said. "Have you ever seen people like them before?" he asked Teal'c.

"No, O'Neill."

"They must have hollowed out the mountain, no wonder they needed so many people."

"Are we going to help them?" Carter asked.

"Yes, tomorrow I'm going to ask General Hammond for reinforcements and equipment. I'll be sending Danny back at the same time."

As he said this a small hand touched his shoulder," Can't I stay?" I won't go out the village."

"You promised that before. No, this time you will do as you're told. I'm sure General Hammond has a few things to discuss with you." Danny let out a sigh. He didn't think it was nice of Jack to make him face General Hammond on his own. "It's my job to keep you safe. That's what Dad's do." He was thinking about Charlie when he said this, he hadn't been able to keep him safe but he was d*** sure Danny was going to be. Danny settled himself carefully onto Jack's lap.

"If you're trying to keep me safe, why are you sending me to face General Hammond on my own." Jack laughed. "I'd rather face the Voltans."

"Well I'd rather you didn't. At least you'll be in one piece when I get home." Danny hugged him.

"You hope." Jack ruffled his hair.

"Let's eat." They had a good meal, Marcus asked Danny to play with him. Jack said it was alright as long as he didn't go out of his sight. Danny wondered how long he was going to keep this up.

"Your son is very intelligent," Septimus said.

"Yes, he thinks he can do anything. He forgets he's six."

"The young never see dangers." Neither did the adult Danny Jack thought.

Jack noticed how much Danny seemed to need to play and be with other children. He'd have to find a way to make this possible at home.

"I'm going to ask for more men to help us get rid of the Voltans. I'm sending Danny home, if you'd like your women and children can go too until we know it's safe."

"That would be a good idea. They will be ready to leave in the morning."

Danny, bed," Jack shouted.

"It's early, Jack." God why couldn't that boy just once do as he was told.

"Danny!" He stopped and came over.

"I'm going." He walked off slowly his head and shoulders down.

"Danny, come back." Why did he always give in to him. He just hated to see him sad. "Sit here." Danny climbed onto his knee. It didn't take long for him to go to sleep.

The next morning he carried Danny to the gate. "You go through first. Let them see it's alright. I'll see you soon."

"You will be okay?"

"Of course I will." Danny moved off and then turned and threw himself into Jack's arms. "It's okay buddy, I'll miss you. Love you squirt." He kissed Danny's head.

"Love you too daddy." Danny led the people through the gate.

Once they were through the wormhole closed. Danny escorted the women and children down the ramp and introduced them to General Hammond. They were all sent to the infirmary before being taken to their quarters.

After they were gone he turned to Danny, "As for you young man.." Danny started to cry and General Hammond knelt down and lifted him up.

"I want to be with Jack, I want my daddy." He held him close.

"It's alright, he'll be home soon. SG's 9, 10 and 11 are going through to help him." He carried Danny down to the infirmary. He left him with her until she completed her tests. When he came back up he was fast asleep, his camel tucked under his arm.

"He's just tired sir," Dr. Fraiser said.

"I'll come back later. If he wakes up before that send him to my office."

About two hours later a still sleepy little boy knocked at his door. As Jack always says best to get it over with Danny thought.

Danny walked straight in and over to his desk. "I'm really sorry I went through the gate without permission."

"Are you?" General Hammond asked looking carefully at Danny. Danny couldn't hide what he felt. He put his head down. He couldn't answer that. "Well that answers my question. Sit down."

Danny sat on the front of the seat as if ready to bolt from the room. "Have you heard anything from Jack?"

"Not yet, we aren't really expecting anything until later today. Now let's discuss your behavior over the last few days." Danny sighed.

Jack had organized his troops and the villagers. They had found some more steam vents in the mountain so they could launch an attack from different areas. Hopefully once they overcame the guards in the mountain the people in there could help them. There weren't that many Voltans but they did have things that looked like staff weapons. Jack made sure that groups of villagers were with each of his teams. He didn't want them going in there on their own. They'd be killed before they got very far. He wanted as few injuries as possible on both sides. They wanted to be able to question the Voltans and see where they came from and who they were working for.

He gave the signal to attack. They threw in flares and this blinded the Voltans for a short time. They had very poor eyesight. This gave them an advantage. The Voltans didn't know what hit them. They were not used to the people fighting back. The SG teams overpowered the guards and then secured the area.

At the entrance to the mountain the people who had helped the Voltans ran away without putting up any fight. They managed to disarm the few Voltan guards at the entrance.

Only a few villagers and one SGC soldier were hurt and not too badly. They disabled the Stargate to stop any more Voltans from coming through. Septimus found his son.

Jack left SG10 to look after the villagers and help them back to their village. SG11 and 12 took care of the captured Voltans. SG8 were guarding the Gate just in case they used it to get through.

Jack, Sam and Teal'c went through with Septimus, he was going to bring his people home. Danny and Marcus were waiting at the other side. Jack grabbed Danny, "You okay?"

"Sort of, I'm so glad you're back and okay. General Hammond's been mean. And you weren't here to help me." He looked over Danny's head at General Hammond.

He took Danny with him to the infirmary. While Janet was doing her tests he spoke to Danny. Danny told him about the long discussion he'd had with General Hammond. "Well I'm sorry to say this but……"

"I deserved it."

"Yes, he's in charge of this facility and you disobeyed him."

"I'm a civilian," Danny said.

"You're also six and he doesn't have to let you work here."

"Am not 6."

"Are so."

"Not."

"You're not going to win this one, look in a mirror." Danny pouted.

"Not fair. I've to stay in your office and work from there until he can trust me again. I'm not allowed to go round the base on my own. If you're away I've to work in his office or the briefing room. It'll be like being in prison."

"Do you blame him?" Jack asked.

Danny was honest enough to say no. "He also," Danny's face went red as he whispered in Jack's ear, he didn't want anyone else to know that General Hammond had spanked him. That was just too embarrassing. The indignation on Danny's face almost made Jack laugh but he wouldn't do that to Danny. To a six year old it wasn't funny. He gave Danny a hug.

"It's okay now I'm home."

"I'm glad. Can we go home soon?"

"As soon as the debriefing is over and the Vigeli are sent home." Danny was going to miss Marcus. After Johnny he was his best friend.

"I'll miss Marcus. Will I get to see him again?" he looked hopefully up at Jack.

"Maybe I'll be able to take you through to see him."

"Yes great, "Danny shouted right in Jack's ear.

"Only if you behave."

"I will Jack I promise. Cross my heart." Jack knew Danny couldn't keep that promise but he would take him. He had promised and one thing he always did was keep his promises to Danny. Too many people had let him down when he was younger.

Danny sat at the table working on the translation while Jack was debriefed.

Then they went to the Gateroom to see the Vigeli go home. Danny had already told Marcus he would be coming to visit him soon. Jack saw General Hammond's eyebrows go up at that.

"Come on squirt, let's go home," Jack said carrying Danny to the lift.

For some reason Danny no longer minded people seeing him in Jack's arms. After all he was his daddy.

The End

Next One : New Friends