The New World Part 25

Warning : Contains mention of a spanking, if you don't like please don't read.

The next morning Daniel was up very early. He couldn't sleep not with all the things he had on his mind. His chores were all done well before breakfast. He had no idea what he was going to do.

"Daniel," Catherine called. He ran into the kitchen. He helped her make the breakfast and lay the table. Jack and Sean came down the stairs laughing. He knew Jack was happy because he'd agreed to the adoption, he also knew he was going to break this man's heart when he left, he felt rotten but had to smile. He couldn't let them know what he and Sam had planned. They all sat at the table.

"Danny? Danny?"

"What?"

"You're miles away son. What's wrong?" Sean asked.

"Nothing. Just thinking about school."

"Worried about going back?"

"A bit."

"You'll be fine once you get there. Talking about getting there, you better get a move on. Last thing you need is to be late your first day back." Daniel got up and put his dishes in the sink. He grabbed his books and ran outside. Rya'c was waiting, Teal'c had saddled his horse for him.

"Thanks Teal'c."

He turned round to Ernest," Keep an eye on Thor. He's going to miss me being with him all day." Ernest picked the puppy up as he made to try and follow Daniel.

Rya'c was desperate to get going," Come on Danny. Miss Fraiser'll be mad if we're late." He rode off.

"I'm coming," Daniel said. He would rather be at the ranch than school but he doubted Jack would let him stay home.

They made it to class just in time. He slid into his desk. "Hi Sam," he said. She thought he sounded a bit down.

"You okay?" she asked quietly.

"Samantha!"

"Sorry." She put her head down, Miss Fraiser did not appreciate people talking in class unless they were asked to. Sam was very good at following orders. She concentrated on the work sitting in front of her. Daniel couldn't keep his mind on anything. he gazed out of the window.

"Danny." Sam went to nudge him but Janet was looking straight at her. "Daniel!" And then a bit louder, "Daniel Jackson."

His head jerked round as he said," What?" in an angry tone forgetting where he was. Some of the class sniggered then stopped when Janet glared at them.

"You, young man, need to learn to concentrate on your work and how to speak to a teacher."

"I didn't...."

"Well maybe some time in the corner will help concentrate your mind." She took his arm and placed him in the corner behind her desk. He hated the way Klorel smirked as he went past and would love to have hit him in the mouth to get rid of some of his own frustrations.

Once in the corner he was able to think about what he was going to do. However it didn't help, every time he thought he had a plan in his head he came up with reasons it wouldn't work. Damn he was going to have to do something and soon. He was so engrossed in working out his plan he didn't hear Janet calling him. His arm was grabbed and he was turned round to face an angry Janet Fraiser. "I don't know what is wrong with you today but you need to snap out of it or I am going to send you home. There's no point in you being here if you won't work. I'm sure Mr. O'Neill will know how to deal with you." Daniel was sure he would as well. "You can spend your breaks in her catching up.

Daniel couldn't stand it any longer. He ran and didn't stop until he reached the edge of town. He threw himself down under a big tree. He heard someone call his name. He looked up to see Sam running towards him. "Go away!"

"Danny, what's wrong?" He looked up at her through tears.

"It's all gone wrong, Sam . I don't know what to do." She knelt down and put her arms around him.

"Tell me what's wrong."

"Jack wants to adopt me. Do you know how long I wanted to hear that? I spent years wanting to belong somewhere and now when it's happened I can't stay."

"I'm sorry Danny." She let him cry.

After a while he lifted his eyes. "God Sam what a mess. When I first got here all I wanted to do was go home but now..."

"You've got to remember we've got family back there as well."

"That's why it's so difficult. But what if we go back and we're still kids. We've never considered that."

"We just have to hope we grow up. I don't know why we became young and everyone else is the same age. You're not the only one having doubts Danny. I love being with my dad, I never had time with him when I was this age before. He was always away. But I want my old life back."

Daniel could understand how Sam felt, part of him also wanted to go back and resume his life. He did feel better after having talked to Sam. "I'm going to leave letters for Jack and Sean. I can't just leave and not tell them why. That wouldn't be fair."

"I'm going to do the same."

"We'd best go back," Daniel said. "I hope you don't get into trouble for coming after me."

"Janet told me to come."

"Bet I'm in trouble again."

"Well Jack always says trouble follows you around."

"Wish it would follow someone else for a change." Sam was glad he seemed happier. "Jack's going to be mad. I've just broken his three strikes and you're out rule."

"What?" Sam asked.

"Just a rule he has. He's got lots, even more than our Jack has."

They arrived back at the school. "Time to face the music."

Daniel walked in and went straight to Janet. "I'm sorry for running out."

"Thank you for apologising. Take your seat. I still expect you to stay in at break and catch up."

"Yes ma'am."

It was a very long day. Daniel managed to do lots of the work before the end of the day. As the rest of the children made to leave she called him to stand in front of her desk. "Do you want to tell me what's wrong?"

"I can't," Daniel said. "I don't really know myself."

"I can't let this behaviour go unpunished." She lifted up the ruler from her desk. "Hold out your hands." She brought the ruler down three times over each hand. When she was finished he stuffed his hand in his pockets. There was no way Jack would miss seeing the marks. "And here's a letter for Jack."

Oh great, Daniel thought. More trouble. Sam and Rya'c were waiting outside.

"You okay?" Rya'c asked.

"Yes, don't know if I will be when Jack's finished with me." He showed them the letter. Sam was glad Daniel could laugh about it.

"Sammie," Jacob Carter shouted.

"Best go, see you tomorrow," she said running off.

"Danny," a voice shouted from the telegraph office. They rode over. "Can you give this telegram to Sean?"

"Sure, Mr. Hawes." He stuck it in his pocket.

When Danny entered the house he asked Ernest where Sean was. "He's in the garden," Ernest said. "He took Thor."

Thor came bouncing up to greet him. Daniel handed the telegram to him. Sean grabbed his hand. "What happened today?"

"I wasn't listening."

"That doesn't sound like Janet."

"There was other stuff as well. Who sent the telegram?" Daniel asked to change the subject.

Sean knew what he was doing but decided not to question him anymore. "It's from Mary's husband. She's had a baby boy. They're calling him Iain."

"Congratulations."

"Thanks. That's another new cousin for you."

"Are you going to see them?"

"I think I will. I haven't been for about a year. It'll be good to see them all."

"Who are you going to see?" Jack asked coming in.

"Mary. She's just had a baby boy. They've called him Iain."

"That's good. You can invite them to visit. I'd like them to meet Danny. About time he met the rest of the family."

"I'll do that. I'm going to pack and set off tomorrow."

Daniel stood with the letter in his hand. Best get this over with. He handed it to Jack who recognised Janet's writing. Jack's expression changed as he read it.

"Have you any reason for this behaviour?"

"No."

"We'll deal with it now and then you can do your work in the library. Go upstairs and wait for me."

"Yes sir." He ran as quickly as he could. He didn't want Jack to see the tears that had already formed in his eyes. He had let him down again. He threw himself down on his bed.

He heard Sean go past his door. A short time later Jack came in. "I'm sorry."

"Can you tell me why you ran out of class? Is it about the adoption?"

"Sort of. I can't explain."

"Do you still want me to adopt you or have you changed your mind?"

"No, I really want you to adopt me. Honestly Jack. I don't know why I got into trouble today."

"You know this is the third time you've gotten into trouble at school?" Daniel nodded. "Okay let's get this over with."

When Jack went downstairs Sean was in the library. "Did he tell you anything?"

"No, said he didn't have a reason although I don't think he was telling me the truth. He says he still wants me to adopt him. He has to realise if he misbehaves there are consequences just like there were for me."

"It's all part of parenthood, Jack. The good and the bad."

"I hate this part."

"I was never too fond of it either but sometimes it has to be done."

"I know."

Daniel came down the stairs and went to the desk. "I've got to finish this work."

"Okay. Need any help?" Sean asked.

"Please."

"I'll have to rethink the cattle drive, see if Teal'c can take them."

"I can stay with Catherine and Ernest," Daniel said. "If they were going he wanted it to be soon. He couldn't go on like this.

"Of course he can. You used to stay with them. If they could manage three of you they can manage Danny."

"You sure, I think he manages to find more trouble than we ever did." Daniel went red.

"Jack I don't think that's possible. If you want I can tell him about some of the many scrapes you got up to. I remember the time you and Martin decided to paint the cow green. And what about the time you decided to boil all the hens eggs and put them back under them."

Jack went red. "Dad! I can still remember the smacks I got with her wooden spoon for that one."

"And there were many other pranks you got up too so don't make out you never got in trouble. I'm sure Catherine and Ernest could think of plenty as well."

As they were eating dinner Daniel asked Catherine about some of Jack's pranks. "He was a devil when he was younger. Always up to mischief. And he led his brother and sister into it as well. He spent many a night in his room lying on his stomach. When you meet Mary and Martin they'll be able to tell you lots more."

"Enough," Jack said. "I wasn't that bad." Everyone laughed.

"No you were worse." Jack was glad to see Daniel smiling. He looked as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

TBC