Part 10

Jack and Daniel walked along to the Museum. The police put the robber into an ambulance. "I shouldn't be taking you to the Museum after that little stunt," Jack said. "Are you listening to me?" He stopped and made Daniel turn to face him.

"I saved everyone," he said it so easily, as if a 6 year old having a gun was natural.

"That is not the point. You are not supposed to have a gun. I should take you back to the SGC for that."

"But you promised," Daniel looked up at him with his big blue eyes. He knew Jack couldn't resist that look. Damn, Jack thought. Why do I always give in?

"Alright but we can only stay until 4.30. General Hammond wants me back for a meeting at 1700 hours. I don't know how I'm going to explain all this to him."

"Then don't."

"Sorry buddy but that's not a good idea."

"Blame me then Jack. I'm a civilian."

"Don't worry he's going to know exactly who to blame."

Daniel looked up at him again. "Do we have to go back so early. I won't be able to see everything."

"Daniel, you've been round this Museum many times. You've seen everything many times. And yes I have to be back. Now do you remember what I said?"

"God Jack, you've repeated it often enough. I'm not stupid. I may look 6 but I'm not inside," he answered.

"And that's the only thing that stopped me smacking your backside. If you'd been Ch..." He stopped. The whole incident with the gun had brought back unpleasant memories.

"I'm sorry Jack. I remember what you said."

"Good."

They walked in.

AT exactly 4.30 Jack was searching the Museum for his lost archaeologist. He'd had to phone General Hammond and cancel the meeting. He was not a happy man. Jack had alerted security when he couldn't find him. They were searching the whole Museum.

Meanwhile Daniel was having a great time. He was wandering around the Egyptian section, happily reading all the inscriptions and dodging behind pillars or into open rooms when he saw security men searching. It paid to have been trained by a black ops Colonel. There was no way he was going to miss out on his day at the Museum, not for anyone. It was Jack's fault they'd had to go to the bank and ended up in the middle of a robbery which he'd managed to resolve. He darted behind a chest and hid as he saw two uniformed men coming towards him. "How the hell can a 6 year old be missing for so long?" one of them said.

"Little brat," the other one said," I was supposed to be home ½ an hour ago." He heard their voices disappear along the corridor.

Little brat they'd called him. He'd show them. He stood up. He made his way to the Roman exhibits. He'd stay even longer now just to annoy them. Serves them right. he didn't know where all these childish thoughts kept coming from. He tried to think like a grown up but those thoughts kept getting pushed to the back of his mind. He was really enjoying himself.

In one section they had a dressing up box and he found he really liked dressing as a Roman legionary and then he'd had a shot of the jigsaw. This was fun. Before he knew it an hour had gone past. He started to feel hungry and a bit tired. He wanted to go home now. He supposed he'd better head for the exit.

Just as he saw the reception desk he felt himself being scooped up. "Thank God," Jack said hugging him. "What happened to you?" Daniel decided to play the lost child routine and be very contrite. Jack was just so glad to get him back that he didn't even question some of the things Daniel said.

"Okay, buddy. Let's go collect Freya."

By the time they reached the base Daniel was asleep. Jack lifted him out of the truck and carried him down to his office. He laid him on the settee and asked one of the Marines to keep an eye on him while he went to report to General Hammond.

"Jack, come in." He sat down. "Where's Dr. Jackson?"

"Asleep in my office."

"That boy still manages to cause havoc wherever he goes."

"He's just a kid sir. He got lost." General Hammond raised his eyebrows. The little devil had Jack exactly where he wanted him, wrapped around his little finger.

"He's 32, Jack."

"There are times he acts 32 but he's beginning to act more like kid as this goes on. He was very tired at the Museum."

"Did he tell you how he got lost?"

"No. He found his way back to reception and that's where I got him."

"How long was he missing?"

"About an hour and a half."

"Don't get me wrong here Jack but don't you think it's unusual that he got lost in a Museum he knows so well."

"I suppose it is. But Daniel wouldn't do it deliberately. he knows how worried I get."

"I'm sorry Jack," a small voice said from behind him. "I didn't think. I just wanted more time at the Museum." A small tear ran down his face.

Jack's look made him even more upset. " I'm really disappointed in you, Daniel. I never thought you'd lie to me like that." He turned to General Hammond. "Permission to leave sir."

"Granted. But I'd like to speak to Daniel for a minute." Daniel looked up pleadingly at Jack but this time it didn't work.

Jack left. "Sit," General Hammond barked. That was an order he didn't disobey. "Not another word, young man. You and I are going to have a serious discussion about obedience and telling the truth."

Jack made his way to Sam's office. Freya got up to greet him. "Where's Daniel?" Sam asked.

"With the General," and he proceeded to tell her what had happened.

"The little monkey," she said. "I think when he was this age before he probably got off with murder. He's such a cute kid and he's so clever. I bet he ran rings round his parents and anyone else who looked after him. It must have been very easy to let him have his own way."

"Yes I suppose. I just never expected him to do it to me. He pulled out all his tricks, big eyes, looking sorry, even tears."

"Well he would. If it worked on his parents, he's bound to try it on you. You know he does try it on when he's an adult too."

"I know. I let him get away with too much. But...."

"He's like your own son?"

"I suppose he's the closest thing I have to one and now he's little it's easier to think of him like that."

Jack and Sam heard the crying before they saw Daniel. Freya ran out to him. General Hammond let go of his hand and he ran to Jack throwing his arms around his neck as he bent down.

"I won't do it again, I promise. I'm so sorry." Jack rubbed his back and kissed his head. He sat down and set him on his lap. He noticed Daniel winced.

"We've had our discussion and it won't happen again, will it Daniel?"

"No sir. It won't," Daniel answered quickly. No way was it going to happen again. "Can we go home?"

"Sure buddy." Sam picked Freya up and carried her out to the truck. Daniel wouldn't let go of Jack.

TBC