Author's Note: Trying to get caught up on chapters for y'all and I am hoping someone is still reading this story, if not then I will just keep writing for me.
Chapter Fourteen: Plan B
Kirkan and his brothers were still in the office with Daniel when Akina came knocking on the door. Zale rushed over to the door and invited the queen in with a flourish of his arm and a bow. Akina passed him, rubbing a hand over his hair as she walked in. Jack waved her towards the kitchen but she turned and caught sight of little Greer and Jack saw something in her mind click with an almost audible sound.
Jack rushed forward and caught her hand gently as Akina faltered, "Are you okay? Lady Akina, what's wrong?"
Akina shook off whatever realization she just had but she didn't speak to Jack, she had that glazed look that Jack was starting to think of the 'phone face'. Within seconds William ran through the front door and took Akina into his arms, crooning into her throat and calming whatever freak out she was still having. Daniel walked out into the living room with a little knowing look on his face, though Jack didn't understand what was going off. Then again, Daniel always seemed to know more about things then he ever let on.
"What happened, my love?" William asked gently.
"We need to talk to your mother, Cassie is probably the only one who knows the truth anymore."
"What truth?" Jack asked, still unsure about the drama unfolding in front of them. He wondered what had happened here that was keeping them from moving forward with schooling and what their children needed.
"That Greer is her son," Daniel whispered to Jack. Kirkan and his brothers were standing at the door with Greer behind them. They didn't need to upset the boy before someone was able to tell them the truth.
"What?" Jack demanded and then looked at the little boy who looked at them in surprise of the sudden attention he was getting. Jack suddenly wondered how he'd never seen it. The little boy was the spitting image of William and had his mother's eyes.
Jack watched as Akina shuddered into William's arms and they both watched the Greer brothers protect the little charge they'd been given over ten years ago. "I don't want to make this about me right now but should you really spring this sort of thing on the boy without some planning? You came here to give us some answers, some help with our children. I know this news you just got must be unexpected and strange but is it the best time to have it out?"
Akina shook herself out of the sadness she was living in. Just finding out she had a child with her beloved and that child had been ripped from her before she even knew she was pregnant was a cruel thing, and Jack had to wonder how even someone as magical as the Vannas were capable of pulling such a thing off.
"You are correct as usual Jack, I came here to give you and Daniel some answers and I will give them. Kirkan, after I speak with my second mother be prepared to answer some questions because they will be coming to you very soon."
Kirkan nodded and with a bow, each of the brothers left the house including Greer who still looked uncertain about what was going on but skipped out with his 'brothers' before Akina had a chance to call after him.
Jack pulled Daniel to sit in two of the chairs across from the couch and they both waited for the realization to calm, for the other couple to remember why they were here in the first place. Akina looked over at Daniel, glaring which made Jack want to tell her to watch it. It wasn't Daniel's fault; there was no reason for Akina to be pissed at Jack's younger partner.
"How long have you known?" Akina asked quietly.
"I suspected from the first time I saw Greer, but I found out years later for sure. Kirkan was given express rules about people knowing where Greer came from and that no one know before you do. There was so many times I wanted to tell you once I knew for sure but I was sure there was a reason for the choices that were made to take him away in the first place."
"You figured there was a reason for someone to keep my son from me, from us?" Akina said and William held her tightly to his side.
"Look at how old Greer is and your ages? When were you pregnant with him and why don't you remember it?" Jack asked, trying to pull all that blame away from Daniel.
"It must have been right after we were married and then had our bond pulled away from us. Faye must have realized I was pregnant and took the baby from me somehow with the Trinity healers' help. And then my mother died and they didn't have any new orders about the baby so they just continued to love and protect him."
"I don't know what else to tell you besides I'm sorry I didn't know what I should say. I couldn't imagine finding out I had a child that I didn't remember, Akina…"
"I understand Daniel, you're right that it shouldn't have been your responsibility to tell us."
Jack heaved a sigh that she wasn't going to blame Daniel for something that happened to be in effect so long before they ever came to live with the Vannas, something left over from Akina and William's turbulent past that Daniel and Jack hardly knew about.
"Tell us of your concerns about the twins," William said, figuring since he was there he might as well stay and hear them out.
"Well Zada and Zale have been lying about access to their Magis, they have been talking to the twins and helping them learn some different powers including what got Zale off the island in the first place. Zada we just need to get her into some training to deal with the magical element to this strange two for one deal but Zale," Jack stopped, not knowing how to continue without breaking down at the thought of what Xylander had done to their son.
Daniel took Jack's hand and continued where Jack left off, "Zale's magis Xylander has been trying to convince Zale that Jack doesn't love him, that we are both trying to keep him from fulfilling some grand destiny with the Vannas. The Magis is actually harming him from within, Jack had to help him box up Xylander and no we don't really know what our options are."
Akina frowned and she got that 'phone face' as she talked to her Magis, "Zara says that these actions from Xylander are not all that surprising."
"Zak agrees as well," William reiterated as well. It was tough to learn that so many of the Magis had poor opinions of the creature living in their son, Jack didn't want to know what the implications really were, didn't want to know what would happen to their son if they weren't able to keep a handle on Xylander.
"Zada's Magis Sarafina agreed as well," Daniel stated quietly. "Xylander was slowly chipping away at our son's kindness and sweet nature. We don't really know the extent of the Magis influence in his moods and self esteem lately. It wasn't really until he went after Jack that he had such a major change in attitude."
"What was he like?" Akina asked Jack.
"Arrogant and argumentative which is so unlike Zale, he also looked at me like I was just in the way and I was lucky he was taking time to care about me."
Akina nodded, "Once upon a time, Zara and I had a similar relationship but she was always good at her core. From what I understand from Zara and the others, it was not the same with Xylander. I will endeavor to learn more about him from a few of the other Awakened Magis who have recently found their way to the surface of several Vannas."
Jack nodded, "And Johnny is getting worse. He grabbed Daniel and actually hurt him somehow."
Akina frowned, "Well as you know healing is not really one of my greater talents, that's why I employ my best friend and her husband in this area. Where is Johnny?"
"Upstairs," Jack responded. All the children were up in their rooms, having some quiet playtime.
"Tell me what it was like Daniel," Akina requested gently, sitting forward and leaning her elbows into her knees. Jack, after all their time together no longer felt the jealousy of the relationship between Daniel and Akina. As he locked eyes with William, Jack realized the same was true for Akina's husband. They both understood the kindred spirits that bound Daniel and Akina together had nothing to do with sex and attraction but to do with the kind of people they both were. They both cared too much; making them strong leaders and friends but also made them targets.
Jack felt Daniel's grip on his hand tighten, "He had some kind of vision and grabbed my arm. I could feel his terror like normal but then with a pulse, like his heartbeat I could feel pain coursing up my arm and into my body. I think he was having some sort of pain and it got transferred through the contact. It's never happened before and I wouldn't really want it to become a habit but I couldn't pull away. I think it was giving him comfort or a break from the pain."
Jack frowned at Daniel, as he watched Daniel writhe in pain the day before he'd been sure the reason Daniel couldn't get away was because Johnny's grip was too much to throw off because of his powers or something. Then again Jack didn't have a problem believing that Daniel would rather feel pain than cause their son more pain by pulling away from him.
"Well, the pain might have been a mental reaction to the vision or he might be building on other powers that we haven't noticed before because of the silence and the premonitions."
Daniel nodded. They were all in uncharted waters, the Vannas might be good at making babies but Zale and Zada were the first children to be born without the power base but also born with an Awakened Magis. Akina said it herself that she'd never known of someone having premonitions at such a young age that were causing Johnny's mental problems.
"Can I see him?" Akina asked gently. Daniel nodded and walked up the stairs slowly. He called out to the children, trying to find which room their youngest was in.
Jack turned back to Akina who was watching him, "You have made your decision then? To be here with your family?"
Jack nodded, "You have done everything you could for my family, for my Danny and my kids but there comes a time when being in the field is no longer the most important contribution a man can make. I would still like to train at the arena but on a more part time basis. With everything going on here, the children need more attention."
Akina smiled, "I think you are making the right decision, Daniel and your children need you and even though I will miss having you on my protection detail, this is where you belong now."
Jack smiled and turned as Daniel led Johnny downstairs. The little boy had his head down dejectedly and Jack couldn't understand why but then he hadn't been able to really talk to Daniel since this morning when the vision happened. Johnny sat down next to Akina who curled a gentle arm around his shoulder even as she took one of William's hands in her other. She laid her forehead against his gently and Johnny, used to this kind of exam with the Vannas, just waited to see what Akina and William might say. Jack smiled at his son, wishing he could touch him, hold his hand instead of sitting over there without one of his dads holding him close. Akina pulled away after a few moments and Johnny looked up at her to get her permission to move to which she nodded her ascent. Jack held out his arms and Johnny walked over and climbed into his Papa's lap and curled into Jack's chest, seeking comfort there.
"You were able to hear about what he saw through Zada and Zale?" Akina asked Daniel which brought Jack's gaze over to his husband. Again, Daniel and he hadn't been able to talk about any of this.
Daniel nodded, "Yeah, it was something about being forced out of this world. He didn't say anything really specific."
"He did not see anything specific but I am amazed that he actually spoke into your mind, that is an amazing leap for him. He usually speaks in emotions and sensations which I think is why you felt the pain, he's empathy is picking up, now he can sense some emotions without contact and also he can push those feelings and impressions into others."
"Are you saying that his premonitions are physically hurting him?" Jack demanded.
"No, I believe the fear transferred into pain when he grabbed Daniel. He was trying to communicate the fear he feels when he saw you being cast out of this world but I promise you we will do everything in our power to keep that from happening. There is no real way to know what the vision is saying until we let destiny roll along for a time. For now, though it would seem Sam is working on something for Johnny and hopefully she will have it for you soon."
"What?" Jack asked, his head snapping back to look at Akina.
"Didn't she tell you?" Akina asked him.
"Sam told me the day Jack got kidnapped, I didn't have a lot of time to relay information while he was off having one last hurrah."
Jack rolled his eyes; he knew it would be too much to ask that Daniel forget everything that just happened a day or so before. Sometimes it was still frustrating when Daniel decided to hold a grudge though it didn't really happen all that often and when it did there was a reason. And this grudge was only really because Jack had made the same mistakes over and over again. Jack knew he was lucky he was only getting snarky comments instead of the cold shoulder and sleeping on the couch.
"Well she is working on the problem," Akina said and stood to walk towards the door. Jack wondered what the Queen was going to do about learning of her son's existence but then he had more than enough trouble here at him so he couldn't really worry about her issues.
Daniel stood to walk Akina out the door, followed by William. Jack watched the quiet exchange and Daniel held Akina's hand and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. Daniel shook William's hand and they left.
"Were you planning on telling me about Sam's device?" Jack asked, standing and sending Johnny back upstairs. He waved to them shyly receiving loving smiles and hugs in return before he walked up the stairs and away from the impending conversation between fathers.
"There was nothing to tell you yet and as I said, I didn't see Sam until after I left for school and you left for the arena and I forgot at lunchtime then you were gone."
Jack rubbed his hands briskly through his spiky silver hair, "Daniel you have got to stop with the attitude especially in front of the children. I know your mad at me, I know I screwed up but they don't need to start thinking we're breaking up or fighting because of them."
"Why would they think that Jack? We've been fighting around them for the last eight and a half years."
"Danny, Zale is suffering from basically split personality disorder. Johnny is actually in pain because of his powers, Zada is growing up too fast and the twins aren't getting any real attention because their siblings are special needs. Right now they are going through a lot and they don't need any uncertainty about how much we love them and each other."
"I'm not the one they need to be worried about, Jack! I have been here for them since they day they were born. You're the one that has found more than one reason to leave and go searching for yourself. This is who you are, these children need you more than Akina does. I need you more than the Vannas need you."
"I know that Danny!"
"Keep your voice down," Daniel hissed.
"Why Daniel, they know what's going on down here. They know you're mad at me, they know the powers each of them have are changing our lives in ways we never thought possible and because of them we have received the possibility of maybe going home and its actually a curse now."
Daniel frowned at him as Jack crossed his arms and kept watching his nerdy husband, "Where did you get that idea?"
"The vision, it was about us leaving this time."
"We don't know what that really means Jack and you know damn well that once we became a couple, we could never really go home and especially now that we have the children who need special care that our world wouldn't be capable of providing."
Jack watched as Daniel paused then he walked close to Jack so they could whisper and not even their super senses Vannas children would be able to hear what he might say next which made Jack all the more nervous.
"Do you wish that we'd never gotten together? That we never had our children?"
Yeah, for sure Jack didn't like the words coming from Daniel and he glared down at those blue eyes, which demanded a response. An honest response. "Once upon a time, all I wanted was to go home and in a lot of ways my opinion hasn't changed. We could have found our way to each other back home and maybe adopted but now there is nothing but judgment and danger for our children if we ever leave here so yes, sometimes I wish we'd never been dosed by Love and her cronies."
Daniel walked away and Jack so wanted to punch himself in the face.