Chapter 33

Daniel was excited about the party, he was also apprehensive. All these people were related to him but he couldn't tell them who he was. He tossed and turned in his bed. He could hear Cal breathing deeply in the bed next to him, fast asleep.

He was just about to drop off when he heard the phone ring and Sean go down the stairs to answer it. He couldn't make out what Sean was saying until then end of the conversation when he said alright quite loudly. Then he heard his footsteps coming up the stairs. The light went on in the hall outside his bedroom and the door opened.

Sean went to Cal's bed, "Cal, Cal," he said shaking his shoulder. "Waken up."

Danny threw back his bed covers and asked, "What's wrong?"

Cal sat up. Sean sat beside him, I've just had a phone call from General Hammond. Your Dad has been injured in manoeuvres. He's alright," he said as he saw the panic in Cal's eyes. "He was slightly wounded and he's asking for you. Your grandmother is coming from San Francisco to look after him when he goes home and he'd like you there as well."

"Okay," Cal said rubbing his eyes. "Sorry," he said to Danny, "I'll miss the party."

"It's okay. You've got to go to your dad. I understand, I'll see you when you get back."

"You get dressed and I'll pack for you."

"He is, okay?" he asked nervously.

"Yes. General Hammond wouldn't lie."

"Thanks. How am I getting home?"

"Sam Carter is coming for you."

"Can I see her too?" Daniel asked.

"Of course, but she won't be here for long."

Danny helped Sean pack Cal's clothes. They were downstairs when Sam arrived. "He really is alright?" he asked Sam.

"Yes," she said ruffling his hair, "I've spoken to him. It's a flesh wound but he lost quite a bit of blood."

Sam hugged Danny, "See you soon."

Daniel went back to bed after Cal and Sam left. He missed Cal already. He'd never had many friends as a child and he liked Cal and his dad. He didn't have to pretend around them. He felt Thor's cold nose against his hand. He lifted him up and cuddled him as he fell asleep.

In the morning that was how Sean found them, fast asleep in Danny's bed. "Danny time to get up."

Danny rubbed his eyes and sat up. "It's early."

"It's nine o'clock."

"Is it?"

"Breakfast is ready." Danny got out of bed "I'll take Thor down. He'll be needing out." Soon Danny was down eating his breakfast. "You're quiet," Sean said. "Missing Cal?"

"Yes but it's not just that."

"What is it then?"

"The party. All the people."

"You're frightened?"

"No. It's just…how are you going to explain me?"

"Well unfortunately we can't tell them the truth. How would we explain that in 7 months you'd grown to be an adult."

"That's what I mean."

"Danny if you don't want to go to the party I would understand."

"I do want to go it's just…. I …"

"I do understand ," Sean said. " But I can't do anything to help."

"I was hoping that…," Danny paused, he knew this was a lot to ask of his grandfather and that Jack would not be pleased but he had to ask. "Would you take me to the field where I met the Creators. If I can speak to them they might be able to make me big again."

"Jack won't be pleased," he said but looking at Danny's face he could understand why the boy wanted to do this. "But at least you are asking and not going off to do this on your own."

"Please!" Danny said. Sean looked at his big blue eyes and that was it.

"Very well. I'll come with you."

Danny jumped up," I'll get the horses ready." He raced out and was soon back.

They rode out and were soon at the field. Danny dismounted and started to walk into the field. "Are you there?" he shouted. "I need your help."

The wind started to howl and leaves whistled around him. Time seemed to stand still. He looked back at Sean but he looked as if he had been frozen.

"You called us, Daniel Jackson?" the shimmering form said.

"Yes. I need your help. My family are coming for my Granny's birthday party and I don't want to meet them like this."

"We are sorry, we cannot change you back. You have to wait until the year is over."

"Please, there must be something you can do," Daniel pleaded.

"We cannot change you back but we might be able to help. We can give the illusion you are grown up."

"Illusion?"

"Yes. You will still be small but to everyone there it will look as if you are an adult. It cannot last for long." The shimmering shape opened its hand, a ring was sitting on it. "Take this and put it on your finger just before they arrive. The power in the ring will only last for about 24 of your hours. It will only work once."

"It'll really work?"

"Yes." Daniel grabbed it and put it in his pocket.

"We are sorry we have made you so unhappy. It was not our intention."

"I'm not unhappy all the time," Danny added truthfully. "It's just I've not had a family for a long time and I want to meet them as myself."

"We understand. If you need us we will come to you. You have helped us."

The wind around him stopped and everything was moving again. He walked back to Sean. "I'm sorry they didn't come," he said.

"But they did. Could you not see them?"

"No. You just walked into the field, shouted and then walked back."

"They gave me this ring to wear," he held it up, "It will make e appear older but it will only last for 24 hours."

"I'm glad for you Danny," he said hugging him to him.

"Thanks Grandpa."

They rode back to the house. "We'd better get this place ready for a party. Luckily Mrs Strachan says she'll come and help us set it up."

"It'll be nice to see her."

"Can you help blow up balloons?"

"Yes." Sean got Danny the balloons and the tank of helium. "I know I can trust you not to be silly with this.

Mrs Strachan arrived and helped Sean get the house ready. "How is your mother?" Danny asked.

"She has good days and bad days Danny. This is one of her good ones. A neighbour is sitting with her until I get home."

"Will you be coming to the party?"

"I will try but it is so difficult to leave her as she relies on me to do everything and I can't keep asking neighbours for help." Danny gave her a hug. "Thank you,"

Sean smiled at him from the doorway. Daniel was a very loving child. "Mrs Strachan, thanks for your help. I couldn't have done it without you." She blushed.

"No need to thank me Mr O'Neill."

"I wish you would call me Sean."

"I will but only if you call me Alice."

"Alice it is."

They heard a car pull up outside. Danny ran to open the door. Jack and his grandmother got out. Jack tried to help her," Jack O'Neill the day I need help getting out of a car is the day I won't get into one."

Danny laughed. Jack went over and tousled his hair. "How have you been?"

"Good." He hugged Jack.

"Okay what have you been up to?"

"What do you mean?" Danny asked.

"I know you too well. You have been up to something."

"You have a suspicious mind," his grandmother said. "Let the boy come and give his Granny a hug." Daniel ran to her and hugged her. How did Jack do that. He always knew when Daniel had done something he shouldn't have.

"Wow the house looks lovely," Jack said as he walked in. "Hello," Mrs Strachan," he said.

"Hello Jack."

"Her name is Alice," Daniel pipped up.

"Now would you like to tell me whatever it is you are hiding."

"Don't get mad," Daniel said. "But I saw the Creators."

"You what?" Jack almost exploded.

"I was with him," Sean said.

"Dad, anything could have happened."

"It didn't. You need to calm down and think of Danny, I understand why he did it and so should you,"

Jack ran his hand through his hair. "I get it Danny I do. It's just I couldn't bare it if anything happened to you."

Danny held up the ring. "They gave me this. It won't change me back but for the time everyone is here they will see the real me."

"Alright but if you decide to meet them again, please speak to me first."

"He wasn't hurt, Jack," Granny said. "I shall look forward to seeing Danny as a grown up."

"I've shown you photos."

"It's not the same thing. Now come here and tell me everything you've been up to." Jack and his dad walked into the kitchen.

"Sorry Dad, it's just …."

"I know."

"I'm not going anywhere," Danny said from the door. "And remember in 7 months time I'll be back to normal."

"That's when I'll really start worrying," Jack said. "You know how accident prone you are."

Mrs Strachan came in. "Everything is ready. I must get home and see how mother is."

"I hope you can come later."

"Is there much more to do?" Sean asked.

"Not really. I think we just need to get ready," Sean said to Danny.

Danny suddenly felt very nervous. Jack saw the look," It'll be alright."

"What if they don't like me?"

"What's not to like?" Jack said.

Danny smiled. "Thanks Jack." He ran upstairs to get ready. He got dressed and then sat on the bed. He was waiting until the first guest arrived before putting on the ring.