By Laura and Rosenquist
See header from part 1
Here it is guys! The alternative ending that we promised you all! We hope you like it. We've been talking about writing a sequel for that one someday.
Thank you all so much for your great reviews!
It was one of the best moments for Jack when Daniel finally opened the biggest blue eyes he'd ever seen.
"Daniel. Thank God you're alive. I can't believe I almost lost you again. You know you're going to be the death of me, cheating death all the time. You must have more lives than a cat. How are you feeling, Danny?"
"'m fine, I think," Daniel looked at Jack and then around the room, "What happened, Jack? Where am I?"
"You were hit by a car, because you had your head buried in a book while you crossed the street," Jack told him. "You're in the Air Force Academy Hospital and as soon as you're out of here we're going to have a talk about road safety. That officer wanted me to talk to you this morning and I'm mad now that I didn't listen to him sooner. Oh, yeah, and we're also going to have to have a talk about you going out when you're grounded. I don't make those rules for fun you know."
Daniel rolled his eyes at Jack's rambling, and then suddenly remembered what had happened immediately before and after the accident. He clearly remembered talking to his parents, and crying all over them. With the help of Andrew and God…Wow, he never thought he'd be grateful to a God. Ever since he'd lost his parents and then met the Goa'ulds for the first time, he'd lost faith in God - if he even existed and now he had no doubts that indeed he did and that the real God wasn't evil like the false gods were.
Suddenly Daniel remembered that when he saw his parents his physical form and emotions had changed into those of a child - to the child he was when his parents had died. Daniel frantically looked down at his body, unsure if he was now an adult or a child.
Jack was starting to get worried, "Daniel what's wrong. You've got to calm down. You hit your head badly on the pavement and you've got a real bad concussion."
"Jack, I need a mirror…please" Daniel added when he noticed Jack's rejected look.
"Okay Daniel if it'll help you calm down." Jack went to ask a nurse for a mirror and soon returned and handed it to Daniel.
Daniel looked in the mirror.
"So Daniel. What do you see? A SpaceMonkey?" Jack said with a smile.
Daniel didn't return the smile. "No…no this can't be true." Daniel said with tears rolling down his face.
Jack quickly moved to Daniel's side and gave him a hug. "Hey, hey, Danny. What's wrong? Why are you crying?"
"When I met my parents after the accident, something happened to me and I saw myself like an eight year old again. I had all the emotions that come with being eight years old, and being a child that has lost his parents at that. I'm awake now and back here with you but I'm still that eight year old and apparently I've still got the stupid childish emotions."
"So you can finally recognise that you look like a child now?" Jack asked.
"I wasn't a child before the accident, Jack. I didn't get downsized off-world. I was downsized after the car hit me, when I met Andrew and saw my parents."
"Your parents? You do remember they're dead right?" Jack asked sceptically.
"Of course I do, Jack. Andrew, the Angel of Death, helped me to meet my parents and they convinced me that I wanted to live and not to follow them to heaven. They think I still have a lot to live for."
Jack looked worriedly at Daniel, "Angel of Death? Heaven? I'd better get the Doc, Daniel. I'll be right back."
"No Jack I don't need a doctor I'm fine except for a headache. Please believe me for once. I'm telling the truth. I met Andrew the Angel of Death and my parents."
"Sorry Daniel but you're not making sense and since you've got a concussion I'd better get the Doctor." Jack stood up but when he saw how sad Daniel looked he scooped him up into his lap and cuddled him close. Getting Janet would have to wait until Daniel had calmed down.
In the end Jack didn't have to go and get Janet. As if she knew she was needed she entered Daniel's room and looked over at the pair sitting on the bed. She looked worried when she saw that Daniel was crying.
Jack explained to Janet why Daniel was upset and mentioned that he was extremely worried about the boy's state of mind.
oOo
Doctor Fraiser gave Daniel some pain medication for the headache that she could tell he had, even though he was claiming that he was fine and told Jack not to worry about what Daniel had told him. It was normal for someone with a head injury to be disoriented and confused. She supposed it would also be normal that Daniel would be sad if he'd finally been confronted by the massive truth that he had been transformed into a small child.
Daniel fell fast asleep within a few minutes of getting the medication.
Jack sat by his bedside and stroked his tiny hand. Sam came in quietly so she wouldn't disturb Daniel's rest but she had important information for Jack.
"Sorry Colonel, I know that only one person at a time is allowed to visit Daniel. I just wanted to see for myself that he's OK before I go back to the SGC."
"It's okay Major, I understand. Has something happened at the SGC that I should know about?"
"Yes Sir. The linguist department has finally got some answers and we were able to get in contact with the people of the planet where Daniel was turned to a kid. Some of the people there know the history behind the tomb. Don't worry Colonel, I'll take care of it. You just stay here and take care of Daniel, Sir."
"Thanks Major. That's good news. Please let me know as soon as you know more."
"Of course, sir. You'll be the first to be informed, after the General, of course."
Sam stood for a moment, watching Daniel sleep before she left the room.
oOo
Sam couldn't believe what she'd just heard. "Are you sure you understood the native correctly, Doctor Ferguson?"
"Yes Major. I'm sure of it."
"Hmmm, Okay Doctor. That will be all."
'The Colonel and Janet will be so upset when they hear this. How are we going to set things right for Daniel?' Sam thought. 'Oh, poor Daniel'
Sam picked up the reports and went to the General's office, to inform him of the news.
oOo
After Sam had informed the General, he gave her permission to go back the Academy Hospital to inform the Colonel.
Sam, Jack and Janet all trooped into Doctor Fraiser's office at the Academy hospital and sat down.
"Doctor Ferguson was able to translate what the natives told about the tomb with the light. You're not going to believe what he translated."
"Major just tell us. I need to get back to Daniel." Jack said.
"We were right all along, Sir. Daniel was downsized to a child. He is an eight year old boy, both physically and emotionally."
"The natives said that long ago many of their people were kidnapped and taken to another part of the planet. These people were childless and had researched a way of turning adults into children. Obviously they didn't want to downsize their own people so they kidnapped strangers from other continents and 'kiddified' them instead. The natives managed to get some of their people back and stole the downsizer and all the research that went with it. They sabotaged the laboratory so no-one would be able to use it again, and destroyed the research so another machine couldn't be created. They kept the downsizer hidden in the tomb that Daniel found, so they could study it in an attempt to find a way to un-shrink their people. It turned out they couldn't find a way but that's not all…" Sam stopped for a minute, breathing heavily as she tried to compose herself, she failed and her tears started to fall.
"Major, is there a way to un-shrink him?"
Sam looked sadly at the Colonel. "I'm sorry. It can't be done, it's permanent a-and h-he won't…he won't age, Sir." Sam said and let her tears fall unhindered down her cheeks.
"What? That can't be right. Doctor Ferguson can't have translated it properly. Daniel can't be a child forever."
"Sorry Colonel. Th-there's no doubt in the translation. Hopefully our allies can help him, the Asgard or maybe the Tollan?"
"I better go and see Daniel and break the news to him," Jack said with a deep sigh.
oOo
Daniel was awake when Jack, Janet and Sam went into his room. He noticed their sad expressions and immediately started to get worried.
"Hey guys, what's wrong? You're scaring me," he said with tears in his eyes. He hated the childish emotions that he seemed to get now.
Jack sat down in the hard plastic chair next to Daniel's bed and as gently as he could he told his friend the news.
Silently he made a sign for Janet and Sam to leave the room, so that he could be able to be alone with Daniel to comfort him. Daniel was sobbing so Jack scooped him onto his lap and did everything he could to comfort him.
Very suddenly Daniel stopped crying and sat up in Jack's lap. "Andrew. Andrew must be able to help turn me back into an adult! Why didn't I think of it before?" Daniel said and clambered out of Jacks lap and back onto his bed.
"Sorry, Daniel I know you think that Andrew's real, but I'm pretty sure you only dreamt him."
"Jack, you got to believe me this time! Andrew is real…and he may be able to help!"
Jack thought for a while and let out a sigh, "I don't know Daniel. I really want to believe you, but…"
"Believe Jonathon, for I am real."
Jack sprang out of his chair and spun round to face the man that had spoken.
Jack was surprised to see a blonde man and also two women. Where'd they come from? I didn't hear them come in,' Jack thought.
"Andrew!" Daniel said brightly.
"Hello, Daniel. I heard my name mentioned and that you might need some help from the angels and your heavenly father."
Forgetting all about his sadness Daniel said, "See Jack, I told you Andrew was real. Sorry Jack but I can't introduce the other two angels to you, because I've never spoken to them, well not that I can remember anyway."
Jack just stood there, speechless. Andrew pointed at the Afro-American and said, "This wonderful angel here is Tess."
Tess walked over to Daniel and gave him a gentle hug, "Nice to meet you Daniel. I've only heard nice things about you."
"Thank you Tess. I'm glad to meet you too."
Andrew then pointed at the other woman, "And this nice angel here is Monica."
Monica also walked up to Daniel but this time he received a kiss on his forehead. "Nice to meet you, Daniel. And I also only heard nice things about you." Daniel blushed at hearing both their praises.
"Can I ask you something," Daniel asked suddenly.
"Of course Daniel," replied Andrew.
"Can you help me get back to being an adult?"
Jack finally came to his senses. "Daniel. You've never been an adult," he said trying not to let the strangers know about Daniel's true identity.
"It's okay Jonathon. We know that you go off-world through the Stargate." Andrew said, with a stress on the word Stargate."…and that Daniel aka Dr. Daniel Bartholomew Jackson was downsized to a child off-world."
Jack looked shocked at Andrew, how the heck did these three strangers know about the Stargate?
"How did you get that information? Did Daniel tell you? It's classified, so be prepared to fill in a non-disclosure agreement." Jack said firmly, glaring from one angel to another and then finally settling his gaze on Daniel who wriggled under the scrutiny.
"That won't be necessary Jonathon. We won't tell a soul about it. We are angels and we know how, and when to keep quiet."
"How can I believe you that you're angels and not some kind of frauds or aliens?"
Jack was alarmed when he saw the three 'angels' glowing. Not just their eyes, but their whole bodies.
"I'm glad that it's not only your eyes that glow, but I'm still not convinced."
"Please Jack, believe me for once. I trust them Jack. They are who they claim to be." Daniel said.
When Jack noticed the seriousness in Daniel's eyes he sighed and said, "Maybe it's time that I give you the benefit of the doubt. Okay if you believe all this then I believe it too."
"Thank you Jack. That means a lot to me."
"Andrew can I ask you a favour?" Daniel asked.
"Of course. If I'm able to grant it then I will." Andrew strode over to Daniel and Daniel whispered something in his ear. Andrew nodded, closed his eyes and a few seconds later a child appeared.
Jack mouth almost dropped to the floor when he recognised the boy. "C-Charlie?"
The boy ran towards Jack and yelled, "Daddy, Daddy," and threw his arms around Jack.
Through instinct Jack returned the hug.
"Charlie, that really you?" Jack said while he examined the boy in disbelief.
"Yes Daddy, it's me."
Jack gave the boy a big hug and he knew that this boy was his dead son Charlie. He remembered the crystalline alien that had taken on the appearance of his Charlie, but he had without a doubt that this was no alien - this was truly his son.
"Charlie, I'm so sorry about what happened. I should have had my gun locked away safely," Jack said with tears in his eyes.
"I don't blame you Daddy, I never did."
"How are you. Are they treating you okay?"
"Of course they are Daddy. And the Jacksons are extra nice to me; they treat me like their own son." Charlie said and then looked at Daniel. "I'm sorry Daniel. I know how much you miss them."
"I'm not jealous. I'm happy that they're there for you like your dad is here for me," Daniel said truthfully. All the angels smiled at Daniel, 'that Jackson boy is really special' they thought.
Charlie ran up to Daniel and gave him a hug which Daniel returned. Jack then stood up, leant over the pair of them and gave both his 'kids' a hug.
"Thank you Andrew for letting Jack see Charlie again, and allowing them to have a proper goodbye. I only wish that Sara could have been allowed the chance too."
Jack hugged Daniel. "You asked for me to be able to see Charlie again?"
"Yes Jack. I wanted you to have the same chance that I had with my parents." Jack gave Daniel another hug for that.
Andrew, Tess, Monica and Charlie smiled and then Charlie gave both Jack and Daniel a hug the same time. "Thank you Daniel. For letting me see my dad." Daniel just smiled and enjoyed the hug.
"Sara will have the opportunity too, very soon. So don't worry."
Daniel smiled, but suddenly the smile faded when he had analysed what Andrew just had said. Andrew noticed and said, "Don't worry Daniel, Sara isn't on my list." Daniel let out the breath he was holding and sighed with relief.
"So can you help me get back to an adult?"
The three angels' smile faded.
"Sorry we can't Daniel. We're here to give you a message from God, that you have been granted a second chance for a happy childhood."
Daniel's smile faded and tears were starting to fall down again. "How can I have a happy childhood when I'll never grow up again? I don't want to be a child forever and who will take care of me and adopt me? No one would adopt me the first time around and who would want a child who will never grow up?" Daniel gasped out between sobs.
"Don't worry Daniel. God will help you deal with your being the size of a child and will arrange for you to grow up normally like any other child. Oh, and there's already a very good man who loves you and wants to adopt you," Andrew said while looking at Jack.
Daniel looked hopefully at Jack. "Do you really want to adopt me, Jack?"
Jack gave Daniel a hug and said, "In a heartbeat…wait a minute Bartholomew? Bart? Can I call you Bart?" Jack said with a childish grin."
"No way, Jack! You're not going to call me after a cartoon character. Why do you think I never told you about my stupid middle name?"
Jack pretended to look hurt at this but that just made Daniel chuckle.
He looked at the angels and said, "Thanks a lot for rattling on me." The three angels couldn't help but smile at the cute pout that Daniel was now wearing on his face.
"Bart."
"JACK!"
"Bart."
"Jack-as…" Daniel didn't finish the line remembering that angels were there.
"Enough you two! Daniel needs rest Jonathon, so stop teasing the boy," Tess scolded and then walked over to Daniel. "After your nap baby, you'll feel much better."
"Not you too. I'm not tired, I don't need a nap." Daniel said with a pout.
"Daniel." Jack warned.
"Sorry Tess." Daniel said blushing. "But I just had a nap, I don't need another one."
Tess sat herself on the side of Daniel bed and stroked his cheek with her hand. "I know baby, but you have experienced a huge upheaval today so you need a lot of rest. Don't worry though, when you wake up your childish joy will start to grow bigger and bigger every day." Tess said. Daniel was surprised that he didn't mind Tess calling him baby, but she was certainly the only one allowed to call him that. Jack had better not think he could get away with that one; he had enough silly names for Daniel already!
Tess stayed at Daniel's bedside and started to sing in a beautifully musical voice. In a matter of minutes Daniel was sound asleep.
"Thank you Tess, for calming my kid down." When Jack thought about what he'd just said he looked over at Charlie. Before Jack was able to say something Charlie said, "It's okay Daddy I don't mind having Daniel as my little brother. I just wished that I could stay with you two and mommy as a proper family. Don't look so sad Daddy. It's okay; we'll all be together one day, I promise." With tears in his eyes, Jack wrapped Charlie in a hug.
After a long emotion filled time, Andrew was sad when he once again had to separate a family.
Both Charlie and Jack had tears in their eyes when they had to say goodbye.
"Remember Charlie. I'll always love you and you'll always be my son no matter what. Tell Daniel's parents that I'm very grateful they're taking such good care of you."
"They know Daddy. And they want me to tell you that they are happy to. They're grateful that you take good care of their son, Daniel, while they take care of me."
Charlie gave his dad a final hug. "I'll see you Daddy, when it's your time to join us." Jack returned the hug with tears rolling silently down his cheeks.
"Take good care of my baby. Oh, and make sure he doesn't drink too much coffee; it's not good for him. We'll be watching over you," Tess said and gave Jack a kiss on his forehead.
Charlie took Andrew's hand and they disappeared along with Tess and Monica.
oOo
When Daniel finally woke up from his nap, he felt at peace, like everything was just right with his universe. For the first time, all his previous worries and troubles didn't seem to matter. He was just…happy.
He raised his head, and there was Jack, slumped on a chair at his bedside, holding his tiny hand in his own bigger, stronger one. Daniel smiled and squeezed Jack's hand. Jack would adopt him, he'd said he would. Daniel would no longer be alone, there would be no more foster homes full of uncaring families and he would never again be shuffled about like some discarded toy. He had a home now…a family.
Jack stirred; his eyes fluttering open a slit. "Hey, SpaceMonkey," he said, smiling warmly down at the little boy.
Daniel's smile broadened, "Hi, Jack."
"You look happier after your nap."
"I feel better," Daniel answered softly. "My head doesn't hurt so much any more."
"Well, that's good. I'd better go get Janet so she can check you out anyway." Before Jack could get up to leave Daniel grabbed his hand, Jack turned to look at him questioningly.
Big blue eyes stared up at him earnestly. "Jack?"
Jack leaned over the bed, holding Daniel's smaller hand tightly in both of his. "What is it Danny?"
"Did you mean it, Jack?"
Jack stared back into those wide, innocent gazes. "What Danny?"
"Are you really going to adopt me, Jack?" Daniel whispered, eyes growing impossible large on his round, plump face.
Hope shone from Daniel's child-like eyes, just like two laser beams running straight into the Colonel's chest and Jack's heart melted. He realised at that moment, just how deep his love for Daniel really was and as he stared into those beseeching blue orbs he knew that he'd truly meant what he'd said earlier. "As I said Danny. In a heartbeat."
Danny sat upright slowly, his gaze never wavering from Jack's. His face grew serious all of a sudden and Jack noted to his horror that Daniel's lip begin to tremble and his eyes glazed over with unshed tears.
"Hey, hey, it's okay kiddo." Jack reached out to caress the side of Daniel's face tenderly. "You'll never be alone again, I promise."
In that moment, Daniel threw himself into Jack's arms, crashing onto his chest and wrapping both tiny arms around his neck in a death grip, crying hysterically. In between the sobs and floods of tears Jack heard distinctively the two choked out words, repeated over and over again. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
Jack returned the hug in earnest, squeezing the stuffing out of his kid. Yes, he liked the sound of that - his kid.
"Hey, hey. It's okay kiddo." Jack could feel tears of his own sliding down his face, "I love you, SpaceMonkey. Do you hear that? I love you, Daniel. You're my kid now."
"Thank you, thank you. I love you too, Jack."
After few minutes of comfort Jack couldn't help himself, "Bart O'Neill. I like the sound of that." Jack said with a grin.
"Jaaack."
"Bart."
"Jack ass."
"Bart, Bart, Bart."
"You're really childish sometimes Jack."
"Bart O'Neill."
"Jaaaack."
Childish giggles could be heard, but the question was; from whom?
The End