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Epilogue

Daniel smiled as he sifted through his pockets for his house key. Jack would be surprised to see him visiting from college in the middle of April, but one thing Daniel learned about Jack was that the man secretly loved surprises.

A lot had happened since Daniel's hospital stay almost twelve years ago. The adoption process hadn't been easy. His grandfather Nick didn't want to relinquish custody, despite that fact that he didn't want to take care of Daniel either. Daniel could still remember the fear that a social worker would suddenly appear on Jack's doorstep and yank him away from Jack forever.

But Jack fought. It took three trips over the Atlantic for Jack to track Nick down and convince him. But he did.

So Daniel Jackson became Daniel Jackson O'Neill, keeping his parent's name to honor their memory, as Jack put it. So he'd never forget where he came from.

For Daniel, it meant he could finally concentrate on where he was going.

So there were Little League games, despite the fact that Daniel wasn't great at bat. And family Christmases with a real Christmas tree, a Grandma who couldn't stop gushing, and an Aunt and cousin that taught him what relatives were all about. There were some not so great moments, like the increase in Daniel's allergy attacks and when he got glasses at age ten and was teased for them. And while Daniel never did get another sibling, Sam and Murray had their own little boy that Daniel took under his wing.

Daniel smiled at the memories as he found the right key and slid it in the lock. The door swung open and he peered into the living room.

The medal was still on the mantel, the Purple Heart for Jack's injuries in the line of duty. Charlie's picture was to the left of it, the brown-haired boy smiling, forever age eleven. But now there were dozens of other photos. Daniel at various ages, some with Jack, some without. Pictures from their trip to Disney, their camping adventure, Daniel's high school graduation.

" It's April. There's no long weekend in April. What are you doing here? "

Daniel turned at the voice. Jack's hair was still gray, and much to Jack's delight and pride, still all on his head. He was wearing a pair of scrubs from the hospital, so Daniel figured he'd just gotten off shift. Though now only a couple of years from sixty, Jack wasn't slowing down one bit. And his young patients still loved him.

Daniel held up an envelope. " I got in. "

Jack grinned. " To the PhD program in Chicago? That's great! "

But Daniel shook his head. " No, into Johns Hopkins. "

Jack's brow furrowed. "For archaeology? I thought Chicago was your top choice. "

" It is. It still is. But this is for another stop along the way." He handed Jack the envelope. "Read it, Dad. "

Daniel watched Jack open it and scan the contents. " This is an acceptance to medical school. "

Now Daniel smiled. " I know. "

Jack still looked confused. " I thought you wanted to be an archaeologist. Like your parents. "

" I do," Daniel agreed. " And I'm still going to. But I'm going to study medical archaeology. I'm going to use archaeology to visualize medical history from the ancient civilization of Egypt, Mesoptamia, Greece, India, Mexico, China, Peru. There's so many places to choose from, to cover. And while I know I don't need an M.D. to do this, it helps. It cuts out the middle man. Plus it has me following in the footsteps of the three most important people in my life. "

Jack looked up at him a moment and didn't say a word. Daniel frowned. Wasn't he happy?

Then Jack blinked and started beaming. His brown eyes were full of emotion. " Daniel, I don't know what to say. "

Daniel just shook his head. "You don't have to say anything, Dad. I already know what you mean. "

Jack's eyes always gave him away.