By Kalmalinga
As/N: We're so, so sorry for the long wait and for this short chapter, but we promise you, you won't have to wait too long for part 11.
We want to thank Lisabell for offering to beta for us and that she beta'ed this part. You are a pal. We also want to thank our readers who'd given us reviews for this story.
It felt like an eternity to Jack before the Furlings were finally able to repair the gate and for them to arrive at the SGC. As if the long wait wasn't bad enough, Hammond demanded for all of them, including Jack, to have their check-ups before they went to Daniel. To Jack's relief the Furlings were allowed to follow him to the infirmary, with an Airmen as a precaution. On the way the leader of the Furlings was able to explain to Jack what was wrong with Daniel and how to help him.
"Your new son has to be very close to you. He needs you to take care of him and his needs. You have to make sure he eats and sleeps. You need to help him with things he cannot do by himself as you would an infant; which he kind of is. You see, the wishing veil is malfunctioning. Your son should have been turned into a child. Something like that happened to our own people. We found out that they have to be near their new fathers. Sadly a lot of them died before we figured that out. We tried to destroy it but we were not able to, so we put out a warning sign outside the cave. Unfortunately your new son must not have seen it," the leader said on their way to the infirmary.
"You mean I can never leave his side? I have to be near him all the time?" Jack asked, worried for Daniel's future.
"No not forever," the leader of the Furlings explained. "For twelve seasons you will need to be near him. Especially the first three seasons he has to be very close to you. Gradually, after the first three seasons, he can be apart from you longer. On our world a child becomes a full adult after twelve seasons."
"Good that it isn't forever. I guess we can manage twelve seasons." Jack stated with obvious relief.
"We first need to find out how long twelve seasons are on their planet, Sir. Their seasons may be longer," Carter said.
The hope that had shown on Jack's face faded and the worried look was back. "Yeah, you're right Carter, but first we need to get the check-ups done as fast as possible so I can save Daniel before it's too late."
With that they all hurried to the infirmary.
Jack was happy when they were finally finished so he could go to his son. He was smiling as he entered the room but he went pale when he saw Janet with the defibrillator trying to get Daniel's heart to start beating again. He went even paler when he heard Janet say the time of death.
Jack hurried to the bed and pushed Janet away and got his boy in his arms. "Daniel… Danny. Please son, come back to me. I love you. I can't lose you. Not now that we're finally true father and son. Danny, please…" Jack said while hugging Daniel for dear life, tears running freely down his cheeks.
Janet laid a gentle hand on Jack's shoulder. "Sorry Colonel… Jack. Daniel is gone."
"No! He cannot be dead!" Jack cried out. "Daniel, please. Come back to me."
"Jack. He's gone. He won't come back. There isn't any more we can do or that Daniel can do. I'm really sorry."
"No! Daniel has died before and came back to us and I'll be damned if he doesn't this time too!"
Janet shook her head sadly and then gave a sign to Teal'c. Teal'c walked over to Jack and softly grasped Jack's arm. "O'Neill. I am saddened that we did not get to DanielJackson in time. But we have to accept that he is gone. I am sorry. We need to go and let our friend rest in peace," Teal'c said while trying to get Jack to follow him. Jack pushed Teal'c's hand away. "No! I can't accept that. He has to come back to us… to me. He just has too!"
Jack's was crying openly but he bent forward when a sob threatened to escape. As he leaned over his son one of Jack's tears landed on Daniel's chest just above his heart.
TBC