Title: Lifetime Part 7

Warnings: None just now.

Jack was walking towards the lift with Daniel when he suddenly stopped. "Danny, let's go to the commissary for a moment."

"Okay Jack. Can I have cake please? And chicken for Freya. She's hungry."

"When we get home. I just want to check something out." Daniel began to get nervous, something was wrong.

"Can we go home, Jack? Not hungry. Freya needs a walk." He tried to pull Jack's hand and direct him the other way.

Jack was getting more suspicious as they walked along. He picked Daniel up and walked up the stairs to the next level. He set Daniel down. "Don't want to go Jack. Please!" He put on his most appealing face but this time it didn't work. He thought about running in the opposite direction but he knew jack would catch him. Jack took his hand. "I can walk myself, Jack."

He stopped outside the bathroom. "Let's go in Danny." The last place he wanted to go was in there. Please let the klaxon go off, he thought. Where were the Go'auld when you need them?

They stood inside. "Right Danny. I want you to tell me where you were when the Marines came in."

"Not sure." He looked down at the ground.

"Daniel I want an answer." This was not the easy going Jack he was used to. This was Jack in full command mode. Daniel pointed.

"Tell me!" He bent down in front of him and lifted his head up. "Not going till you tell me buddy."

Caught thought Daniel. "Over there," he pointed again.

"Now you know I don't trust Marines in front of me but even they couldn't have missed you if you were there. Want to think again. I'll give you to the count of three." Daniel really didn't want to do this. "1.....2...."

Daniel didn't want to think what would happen if Jack got to 3 so he said," In the air conditioning vent."

"You were where?" Jack asked incredulously.

"In the vent." Jack went over and saw that the vent was indeed loose. He hammered it back into the wall.

"Would you like to explain this?"

Daniel wanted to say no but didn't think that was a good idea right at this moment. Jack looked seriously pissed. "I wanted to go to the Gateroom with you."

Jack stared at him," Daniel you're a child at the moment. What did you think you could have done?"

Daniel scuffed his trainers on the floor. "I dunno."

"Just as well it wasn't anything serious. You will not do this again, understand?" Daniel kept quiet. He hated making promises he might have to break. "I'm waiting."

"I understand."

"Let's go find that Marine unit, you have apologies to make and so do I. I tore a strip off that lieutenant."

Jack took his hand and took him to the phone. The unit were getting ready to go off world. Jack went into the locker room. Everyone stood to attention when he entered. "I'd like to apologise for earlier, lieutenant. It wasn't your fault, it was his." He pointed to Daniel. "He hid in the air vent. Danny." He pushed him forward.

"I'm sorry. It wasn't your fault."

"Thank you, sir, Danny." The young man looked amazed.

Jack took Daniel's hand and led him out. "Freya needs to pee, Jack."

He got them in the lift and to the surface in quick time. They let her down on the grass.

Jack lifted them both into his truck and drove home. There were a few packages sitting on his doorstep when he got there. He carried them into the house. Daniel let Freya out into the garden and followed her out.

When Jack looked up they were running around the garden, Freya chasing an old ball. Jack unpacked the bags. There was a collar and a lead and a bowl for water and food. He set them down in the kitchen. The other package contained dog food.

Daniel came running in, "Jack come on." He went out to join them. "Throw ball."

The young puppy chased the ball all over the garden and then flopped on the ground. "She's tired buddy, bring her in and put her in the basket." Jack had lined an old laundry basket with a blanket.

"Jack!!" Daniel squealed when he saw the lead and collar. "Thanks. You're the best." He gave a large yawn. "Don't think she's the only tired one. Why don't you lie on the settee and take a nap."

"Too old for naps," Daniel said yawning again. Five minutes later he had joined his puppy in the land of Nod. Jack sat down. The kid was wearing him out. He was so full of energy. He'd never seen Daniel this happy before, he seemed to smile or find things funny and giggle.

Jack picked up the phone and invited Sam, Teal'c, Fraiser and General Hammond for a barbecue. Sam and Teal'c were going to stop for food on their way over. He yawned as well and soon fell asleep.

As he woke up he felt a weight on his upper body. He looked down and a small blond head was resting just below his. He'd never even felt Daniel climb into his lap. He held the boy close. He was one cute kid. Daniel lifted his hands and rubbed his eyes. "Feel better?" Jack asked.

"Yes. Where's Freya?"

"Still sleeping. You wore us all out."

"You didn't mind me going on your knee, did you? I know I'm really 32."

"Buddy I don't mind, in fact I kind of liked it. It reminds me of Charlie at your age. He loved cuddling in on my knee."

"Don't tell anyone Jack. It's embarrassing."

"Won't hear it from me. I asked the team round for a barbecue."

"Great." Daniel jumped up.

"Danny, for that stunt you pulled at the base, you're going to, bed an hour earlier."

"You can't. I'm an adult." He stamped his foot.

"Not from where I'm standing. Do the crime do the time." Daniel pouted and then looked at Jack with his big blue eyes. "Won't work this time."

"Don't like you." Jack nearly laughed out loud. One minute he was dealing with a grown up Daniel the next a young child.

Daniel cheered up when the team came round. Sam had brought a football and they ended up playing in the garden. Jack got the food ready. Janet helped him with the salad. "Have to have something healthy," she said. "He seems happy."

"Yes, he's a happy kid. Wonder when all that changed."

"Think it was the way he coped with being rejected by his grandfather. And then being passed around all those foster homes."

"Amazes me that he is such a well balanced man," Jack said.

"Jack, save me," Daniel shouted as Sam chased him. He jumped into Jack's arms.

Daniel turned round and stuck his tongue out at Sam. "Jack," General Hammond said entering the garden from the side.

"Come in sir. Foods nearly ready."

Daniel got Freya and started to throw his ball to her. The puppy ran after it. "Food," Daniel, "Jack shouted.

They sat at the large table in the garden. Daniel fed snacks to Freya as he ate. "Not too much or she'll be sick," Jack said. "And you'll be cleaning it up. She's sleeping in your room but not on your bed."

The General enjoyed watching Daniel interact with his team. He loved to tease Sam and she had a great time pretending to be annoyed when he found the hose and squirted her with water. "Children," Jack said. "No more water."

"Spoil sport," Sam whispered to Daniel just loud enough for Jack to hear.

"Carter, just remember who's your commanding officer."

"Not mine Jack. I'm a cvilian." He couldn't quite say the word. He turned the hose on Jack and managed to get him before he could get off the chair. He ran off laughing.

By the time of Daniel's bed time he was actually glad to be going. He didn't even complain it was an hour earlier he was so tired. Jack tucked him into bed and kissed his forehead. "Good day?"

"The best."

"Sleep tight."

TBC