The day that changed his life part 6

As Jack and Danny walked towards the base, Danny went over everything that had happened and what he'd done. He couldn't see what was wrong but he knew Jack was really angry. His backside stung from the swats he'd received. Jack was setting a quick pace and he was finding it difficult to keep up.

"Jack, please, I can't keep up."

Jack stopped, reached down and lifted Danny up. He set him on his hip and carried on. "Jack!" He touched Jack's face, "What did I do wrong?"

Jack moved him round to face him, "What did you do wrong? You mean you don't know, "Jack said angrily.

Danny then did what most 6 year olds would do when faced with such an angry parent, he burst into tears. He set his head against Jack's shoulder. Jack could feel the tears soaking through his t-shirt. He stopped and sat down cradling Danny in his arms. He combed his fingers through his hair, "You really don't understand?"

Danny shook his head. "We didn't know where you were. We thought someone had taken you," Jack took a deep breath, "I was so frightened I'd lost you." Danny pulled his head away from Jack's shoulder and looked straight at him.

He could see the worry on Jack's face.

"I'm sorry. I was just trying to show you I could cope. Guess I was wrong."

"Yep, you were."

"I just don't know what to do to prove I'm still me."

"You don't have to prove anything to me," Jack assured him.

"But what about everyone else?" Danny asked.

"They don't matter, Danny. You've got me, Teal'c, Carter, Fraiser and General Hammond on your side. We're going to look after you. Now let's go see General Hammond before he sends someone looking for us."

As Jack stood up Danny asked, "Is he mad with me?"

"Well he was worried, we all were, " Jack answered.

"Am I in trouble?"

"What do you think?" Danny hated it when Jack answered a question with a question.

Danny rubbed his backside, "Yes, think I might be. What do you think he'll do? He won't stop me coming to work will he?"

"You'll need to wait until you see him." He set him back on his hip. "Let's go."

"Do you think tears'll help, Jack. I could do that. If he feels sorry for me he might not be so angry or I could explain why I did it."

"I've got a helpful hint, Danny."

"What Jack? Have you got something on the General I could use? You know blackmail isn't legal. You could get us in trouble."

Jack covered Danny's mouth with his hand. It was amazing how quick his kid's moods changed. Got something on the General, he wished. "Danny, silence is golden."

Danny thought about this, "Is it?" he put his head to one side as if considering it, then said, "But I need to explain. Once I've told him why I did it, he won't be mad will he, Jack?" A hint of worry could be heard in his voice, "I didn't mean to cause trouble."

"I know that but you're going to have to take responsibility for your actions," Jack told him.

"You'll stay with me, though, won't you?"

"Of course, Danny. I'll never leave you to face things on your own."

"Thanks Jack." He snuggled into Jack's shoulder and they continued their journey.

By the time they reached General Hammond's office, Danny was fast asleep. Jack settled him on the couch and covered him with a blanket.

"For someone so small he can cause havoc," General Hammond said looking down at a child that looked like an angel.

"Yes he certainly hasn't changed, wherever he goes he finds trouble." He told Hammond all about what had happened at the Daycare Centre.

"He's going to keep you on your toes."

"Wouldn't have him any other way, sir."

Jack went to collect work from his office so that he could sit and work while Danny slept. After all he had promised him he would be there when he had to face General Hammond and he wasn't going to break a promise to Danny.

An hour later, Danny woke up to find himself on General Hammond's couch. He looked around worryingly until he saw Jack sitting on the chair near him. He gave a sigh of relief.

"Good sleep, Dr. Jackson?" General Hammond asked.

"Yes sir." Being polite was a good idea Danny thought. General Hammond saw him wince as he sat up. Before General Hammond could say anything else Danny said," I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused. I will try to do better, I promise." That sounded good to Danny's ears, contrition that was bound to make him less mad.

"I know you will but this had better not happen again. I know that Jack has dealt with you," Danny reddened, "but I'm going to punish you too." Danny looked across at Jack and then ran to him.

General Hammond said, "Come here, Danny." Jack pushed him towards the General's desk. Danny kept his head down. "Look at me son." Danny reluctantly lifted his head. There were tears in his eyes and some were rolling down his cheek. He looked a picture of misery. "Now, I've decided that you are not to come to the base for the next week. Jack is going to take you away for a week. And when you come back there is to be none of this nonsense, understand?"

"Yes sir. I promise." He went back to Jack.

"I think you should take Dr. Jackson home," General Hammond suggested.

"Yes sir." He picked Danny up and they walked out.

Danny whispered to Jack," Told you tears would work. We didn't need your blackmail material, maybe next time."

Jack thought, Oh God what have I let myself in for.

The End