Author's note: remember to read Chapter 11 first, reviews are much appreciated so please share with me what you like about the story.
Chapter Twelve: Homecoming
Daniel paced the living room, Zada standing next to the couch watching as he wore a path in the floor. Claire and Janet were upstairs with DK and her children. Johnny was curled into the corner of the couch with his thumb tucked into his mouth. Daniel would have stroked a hand across his youngest head except as far as Zada's last contact from Zale, Jack was on his way home and Daniel had no intention of sitting and relaxing until his arms were around Zale and Jack at least for a minute before the inevitable shouting started.
"Daddy, they are coming. Please calm yourself."
Daniel did try to stop, then just started back up again for another few moments when the door opened and Zale walked in, head down and looking properly guilty. Jack followed, looking worn and worried as well. Daniel rushed over and fell to his knees in front of Zale to pull his son close, "Boy you are never to do that to me again, do you hear me?"
Zale nodded into his shoulder, "I'm sorry Daddy, I just wanted to save Papa."
"Tell him why Zale," Jack demanded. Daniel frowned up at his husband who was frowning down at Zale.
"Xylander was telling me that I could do it and that you and Papa were doing everything you could to hold me back from making a magical contribution to the Vannas people. I started to believe him, that you and Papa didn't love me enough to let me be who I am supposed to be."
Daniel fell to land on his butt and continued to hold Zale's hand as he stared into his son's matching blue eyes. "What? I would never keep you from your path; I love you for who you are. Xylander doesn't know what he's talking about."
Zale nodded, "I know Daddy, I'm so sorry." The little boy cried and Daniel pulled him down to sit in his lap and hold Zale as he sobbed out his fear and anguish over whatever was going on inside his head. Jack reached down and rubbed Zale's hair before touching Daniel shoulder. By this time Johnny got up from the bed and ran across the room and reached for his Papa who gladly picked him up in a bear hug, closely followed by Zada who Jack motioned to. She raced over to him and started yammering at him about losing Zale and losing his voice in her head and Daniel couldn't help but smile. He might be pissed at Jack and Zale even but he loved his family.
Claire and Janet came down and ran to their Papa and brother as well and everyone ended up on the floor in a puppy pile full of laughter and relieved tears. There was nothing stopping all the emotion coming from each and every one of them. Daniel let go of the anger for now and just enjoyed the feel of his husband and the happiness in his children.
When DK joined them, Daniella and Neil with her everyone relocated to the couches and chairs in the living room, DK hugging Jack and Zale before she hugged the children and Daniel and walked out the front door, undoubtedly going to make sure that Adrian was just fine as well.
Daniel sat looking at Jack, he didn't know what feelings were on his face but he could see the guilt on Jack's face and Daniel knew they were going to have it out before the end of the day.
Jack and Daniel sat through a chatty supper with the children then as the evening grew late they walked upstairs with everyone in tow, getting Johnny and the twins ready for bed before Zale and Zada, Jack and Daniel all walked back downstairs. Jack knew this was necessary because of what Zale had told him but he knew as soon as their conversation with Zale and Zada was done then his butt chewing would be starting.
Daniel and Jack sat down on a couple chairs as Zale and Zada curled up on opposite sides of the couch. Jack could sense how much Daniel wanted to sit on the couch and pull them into his arms but they both needed to be strong about this even when they didn't want to. Zale and Zada had been little angels since they were babies and this was probably the first time they were in any real trouble. There were of course times of pranks gone wrong and having little rebellions every once in a while but they both lied for weeks this time and were capable of so much more than Jack and Daniel had ever known.
"You lied to us," Jack started, figuring he would get the ball rolling on this disaster in the making.
Each of the two nodded, staring at their laps.
"What can you do?" Daniel asked gently even as he ignored Jack's glare.
"We have been learning a few things that Xylander and Sarafina have been telling us about. We can both move things with our minds, teleport though that is still a new ability," Zada said. Daniel just waited and Jack decided to follow his lead for a minute. "Sarafina has also taught me to create shields and sometimes see into people's hearts."
"I can make things in the forest grow and I can hear the thoughts of animals, including that big creature on the island. He didn't want to hurt us but he was protecting his family."
Jack stared at his son, "You could hear the thoughts after we boxed up Xylander?" he asked.
"I still have some access to my powers, they are not enough for me to do much but I am not powerless," Zale stated and Jack raised his brow at the little boy's attitude that he was starting to understand came from Xylander.
"Sorry," Zale whispered to his Papa.
"That right there is why we boxed up that monster inside our son, Xylander is teaching Zale that we don't love him and that we are trying to deny him his future. He also told Zale that because I am not his biological father, that I don't love him."
"You boxed up Xylander?" Daniel asked Zale, still ignoring Jack in the process. Jack really wanted to walk away from the conversation but they were supposed to be a team even in the middle of a fight.
"Papa helped me to find the focus I needed to do it, I know you are going to have to punish us and I accept that. I know Xylander was wrong and until I am able to see past Xylander's prodding and forcing me to believe things that aren't true then I shouldn't have access to him or the power he offers."
After years of watching the Goa'uld never turning down a glance at power, to watch his beautiful son turn his back on this chance at power and a perfect excuse to abuse it and blame it on Xylander was a revelation. "You are so amazingly your Daddy's son," Jack said in awe.
Daniel turned and finally locked eyes with Jack, who smiled to his younger beautiful Danny. When those blue eyes smiled a little, softened a lot they both turned back to Zale.
"Zada, what about Sarafina? Has she been telling you things that aren't true? Filling your head with lies about us and yourself?" Jack asked his daughter.
Zada shook her head, "She's worried about Zale, that Xylander back in their time was known for his vindictive," she struggled over the word but continued talking. "actions, he was selfish and always finding ways to get more power and more followers. Zafirah wonders if he found his way into Zale to get his power back. She wants to be a team and loves this family much like it was her own."
Jack heaved a sigh of relief, he'd been mostly devastated when Johnny started having problems and now it was happening all over again and what made it so much worse was it was so reminiscent of how Goa'uld acted that Jack had a knee jerk reaction to destroy what was inside Zale but he couldn't without destroying his son at the same time. Thank whatever god was out there that Zada had at least dodged the bullet with her Magis.
"Okay, well now that we know a little more about what is going on, no using the powers without some training with some of the Vannas and you can only use them with your teachers or during training. As for your punishment, pick something to lose."
Jack wanted to chuckle at Daniel's plan. It was so like him; to sweet and gentle of a punishment but Jack would abide whatever they chose unless they were blatantly using Daniel's goodness against them.
"I love to spend time with Taylor and my friend, maybe I shouldn't see them and not spend time away from the house for a while," Zada started. Again Jack was amazed that she understood that what she had done was wrong and she deserved the punishment.
"I love to go to Daddy's classes, maybe I should lose them for some time," Zale responded and Jack nodded.
"Okay, you each lose your chosen thing for two weeks, I want you to be here at home doing your homework and as soon as we set up classes you will attend training with the Vannas of our choosing and that is the only time you will use your extra abilities until you can be honest with us about them, do you understand me?" Daniel stated and each child nodded.
"Its time for bed babies," Jack said with a clap of his hands. Zale and Zada both stood up and took turns hugging each father before walking upstairs, not even chattering with each other like they normally did. When their doors closed above Daniel and Jack turned towards each other and Jack smiled, "You did good Danny."
"You think I would be to weak to actually punish them? They lied and had to know they weren't going to get away with it."
"Daniel, you gonna start this already? I don't think you're weak!" Jack returned and watched as Daniel stood from his chair and walked into the kitchen and through the back door into the back yard, which was gently lit with lamps on the back deck. Daniel stood out there and waited as Jack followed and stood next to Daniel, leaning his butt against the railing and crossing his arms over his chest.
"Jack, how could you go off island without telling me?" Daniel demanded, hurt clear in his gaze. Jack sighed, knowing he deserved to feel the guilt and be the brunt of the hurt in Daniel.
"I didn't realize you didn't know, I am sorry for that Danny. I would never have kept that information for you. Akina hasn't asked me to go in a long time and I couldn't help saying yes, you know how I am."
Daniel frowned out into the darkness, "I do know how you are and who you are. What I don't understand anymore is why you still so desperately need to prove yourself to anyone? Why can't a quiet life with the children and I be enough for you?"
"Daniel, I haven't gone off island for a long time for a reason and its because I don't want to be away from you. There is nothing in this world or any other that I love more than you. There is no one else I would rather be with than you and our children."
"Then what do we do?"
Jack turned on one hip so he could look at Daniel's face in profile. Even after ten years, something in the air here, Daniel was still so beautiful. It seemed like he hadn't aged at all but it wouldn't have matter to Jack how old Daniel was or looked, Jack would always been in love with him. And he would do anything to make sure Daniel knew that.
"I stay here, put it into writing with you or Akina or whoever I need to say it to, that I am not going off island to fight battles or seek out more treaties for Akina. I am here with you and the kids, there is nothing more important to me than that."
Daniel turned towards him, "Are you sure you want to say that Jack? I can't take another promise broken because you miss being in the line of duty."
"Consider me retired Danny, no more hurting you in the process of me proving I am a valued member of this society. I have been valued for a long time and now its time for my family to know they are the more valued people to me. Zale and Zada need us, Johnny needs us and the girls, it seems like their rebellious natures are just getting worse. Now is the time for someone to be here with them, not out gallivanting when the queen has so many others who could be helping her."
Daniel finally turned and rests his hip to face Jack, wrapping his arms over his chest in a self-hug. "I love you Jack and I believe you want to do what you are promising but I will just have to wait and see."
Jack frowned, feeling the lurch in his chest at the pain those words caused him but he nodded. He knew Daniel's inability to believe his promises came from the past ten years of Jack finding more than one excuse to leave the island, including running away from home right after Zale and Zada were born. Jack leaned forward and pressed his forehead against Daniel's whose eyes closed and Daniel shuddered at the contact which Jack could feel as he pulled Daniel close to hug him.
"I promise you I will prove my words to you every day for the rest of our lives and I wish I hadn't given you a reason not to trust me."
Daniel nodded against Jack's forehead, which cause Jack to snort in amusement. Daniel's lips quirked a little so Jack leaned in just a little and their lips met in a chaste kiss. Jack kept the kiss light and allowed Daniel to drive the connection and waited it out. Soon Daniel loosened his arms and reached around Jack and pulled himself in tight to Jack's chest. Only then did Jack deepen to kiss for a moment before he pulled back enough to kiss Daniel's forehead, "Let's get some sleep, its been a crazy day and a half."
Daniel smiled, "Oh, you think you're sleeping with me do you?"
"I was hoping so, I missed you bad last night, my love."
Daniel sighed, "Fine but don't think this lets you off the hook."
"Yes sir," Jack said with a crisp salute. Daniel shook his head and walked back inside with Jack right behind him. It wasn't the yelling match he'd been expecting thankfully but in some ways the quiet pain was so much worse than the anger. Jack knew he would have he work cut out for him for this but as always with Daniel, it was all going to be worth it.
