Lifetime Part 8

Jack heard the pad of feet come down the corridor before he heard his door open. he kept his eyes shut until a small hand tugged on his t shirt," Jack, can't sleep."

Jack opened his eyes, Daniel was standing in front of him holding his monkey under his arm. He looked at his clock," Danny it's 3 in the morning, go back to bed."

"Can't not tired. Your fault."#

"And how is it my fault?"

"You put me to bed too early."

"Okay, climb in and see if you can fall asleep in my bed."

"What about Freya?" he said rubbing his eyes.

"I'll bring her basket through here. Now climb in." By the time he came back Daniel was fast asleep. Jack got into bed and fell asleep again. Daniel turned to face him and cuddled in.

"Night Daddy," he said in a small voice.

"Night Danny." He kissed his forehead.

When jack woke up two very bright blue eyes were peering at him. "Why'd you put me in your bed?"

"I didn't, you came to me. Want to get up and we can have breakfast?"

Freya was up as well, attacking one of Jack's socks. He lifted her up and carried her to the living room. "Let her out the back door Danny."

As they were eating breakfast Jack asked," What do you want to do today?"

"Don't know. We won't be able to take Freya anywhere."

"We can go to the park. She should be safe there."

"Can we get her a toy?"

"Yes, we need to get some more things for you so we can go to the mall."

"What about Freya?"

"I bought a cage for her to go in the truck, she'll be fine."

They put Freya into her cage, she fell asleep. Jack took Daniel round the shop. He bought some more clothes. He couldn't believe how fast he was growing, he must be about 6 now. He also couldn't believe how messy Daniel was. As an adult he'd been very tidy and organised but as a 6 year old he was very messy, most of his meals ended on his t-shirts.

Daniel put a collar on Freya and attached her lead. She walked very well on the lead. Jack was grateful that Freya was already vaccinated and had been taught to walk on a lead. Daniel could hold her easily.

He spent most of his time throwing balls for her and having to retrieve them himself. "Why won't she get them Jack? Dogs like her are good retrievers."

Jack loved the way Daniel thought he knew everything, if that would only last into adulthood. "She's a puppy Danny, you've got to teach her and give her lots of praise when she gets it right."

"Okay." He spent lots of time getting Freya to pick the ball up and carry it to him. Jack admired his determination. That was Daniel all right Jack thought. He never gave up, even when Jack told him to. It was a quality he admired in the man.

Jack set up a picnic beside the pond. A woman and her small daughter were sitting on a bench nearby. "You've got a lovely little boy," she said.

"Thanks. Once he puts his mind to something you won't deter him. He's trying to train the puppy to fetch a ball." Jack could see her little girl watching Daniel. He said," Why don't you go help him?"

"Can I mummy?"

"Go on I'll be here." The little girl ran off. "I haven't seen you here before. We come every day after nursery."

"Danny's just visiting." There was no other way Jack could explain it.

"I see, I'm separated from my partner too, luckily I've got Georgie all the time." Jack didn't correct her.

"Want to join our picnic?"

"I don't want to intrude."

"We've got enough food." She sat beside Jack.

Georgie had run over to Daniel," Your dad says I've to help you." Daniel looked over at Jack. Trust Jack he thought.

"Okay, you throw the ball and I'll run with Freya."

"That's a nice name. Wish I had a puppy. We live in a flat."

"Jack has a house."

"You call your dad Jack?"

"He doesn't mind. Come on throw it." They played happily until Jack called them over.

Danny sat beside Jack. He had never been very comfortable around children when he was young. He was always the outsider. He didn't even notice when he fell asleep.

When he woke Jack was still talking to Georgie's mother, Georgie was sleeping beside her. He picked up Freya's ball. "Enjoy your nap buddy?" Jack asked. If they'd been alone Daniel would have made a smart remark but he couldn't do that.

"Going to walk Freya," he said.

"Not out of sight."

"Fine."

"They're so independent aren't they?" Georgie woke up and ran after Daniel.

They started to throw the ball around again. A group of boys came over," Want to play?" Georgie said.

"You're babies," they said.

"No we're not," Daniel replied.

"Sticking up for your girlfriend," one of them mocked.

"She's not my girlfriend, she's a friend. Come on Georgie," they went over closer to the pond.

Daniel threw the ball to Freya. One of the boys picked it up. The puppy jumped round him trying to grab the ball. "Give it back," Daniel said.

"Make me." Daniel didn't know what came over him, he ran at the boy and pushed him into the water. Jack heard the loud splash and looked over. He could see Danny and Georgie but he could also see a child in the water. Another adult was heading for them.

Jack and Georgie's mum went over. "You lout," the man said to Daniel. "He could have drowned." The boy was soaking from head to toe.

"He took my ball. He wouldn't give it back."

Jack came to stand beside Daniel. "What's wrong?"

"Is he your son?" Jack nodded. "Well you ought to keep a closer eye on him. he pushed my boy into the water."

Jack turned to Daniel," Did you?" Jack couldn't believe it, even at 6 Daniel could cause trouble. Daniel said nothing. "Well?"

"It wasn't Danny's fault. They took his ball. They weren't nice to us. They were teasing Freya."

"We were just kidding, dad. It was just a game."

"Maybe you should pick on people your own size," Jack said. "Think a 6 year old is too much for you."

The man glared at Jack ," No wonder he's the way he is. If he was mine he would have a sore bottom for pushing someone into the water."

"Maybe you should carry out your threat on your son and leave mine to me."

Daniel took Jack's hand. The man stomped off. "You okay?" he asked Daniel.

"Yes."

"You were really brave," Georgie said. "I liked it when he went under the water." They both giggled.

"Georgie," her mother said.

"Daniel!" Jack said.

They tidied up the picnic. "Hope we meet again," Georgie's mum said.

They waved as they walked away.

"Let's go home," Jack said.

Even going to the park was dangerous with Daniel in tow. How did he always mange to cause trouble wherever he went.

Sam and Teal'c couldn't help laughing when Jack told them about it later. "It really wasn't funny," Jack said smiling. Daniel was cuddled into his side sleeping as they finished off the beer and pizza.

"You managed to tire him out again," Teal'c said.

"Yes. He ran around all afternoon in the garden. He's full of energy. He wants to go to a museum tomorrow but I don't know what to do with Freya."

"I'll take her," Sam said. "I'll pick her up on my way to the mountain and you can pick her up later."

"Thanks Carter. I'd best get him to bed."

TBC