Lifetime Part 17

by Stroma

Warnings : A couple of swats in this chapter. If you don't like don't read please.

They set off for Cheyenne Mountain," I want an iPod," Daniel stated.

"A what?"

Daniel rolled his eyes. "An iPod, it's for putting music on so I can listen to it at work while I'm working." Music what next Jack thought. "Sam can download it for me." Daniel slouched down in the seat looking every inch the teenager.

When they arrived Jack could feel all the airmen's eyes on them as they walked along the corridors.

"We could have stopped and got an iPod on the way here, you know," Daniel complained.

"You couldn't listen to that at the same time. We're here to meet the Tok'ra Danny."

"I know, I'm not stupid." Jack couldn't believe the change in Daniel. This was not the same boy he had been just the day before. Unfortunately Jack had had no experience of a teenaged Charlie so had nothing to compare his behaviour with.

"Are you going to change?"

"No. I'm comfortable as I am." Jack went into the locker room and got into his BDUs. Daniel sat on the bench waiting for him.

"Daniel Jackson it is good to see you again," Teal'c said entering the room.

"Like my new clothes T?"

"They are not your usual style."

"Those were for geeks T," Daniel answered. "These are cool."

Teal'c's eyebrow went up but his face barely changed expression.

"What time are the Tok'ra coming?" Jack asked.

"They will be here shortly, O'Neill. The General is waiting in the briefing room."

"Best go then. Come on Danny and cut out the attitude. I don't think the General will appreciate it."

Daniel looked at him and rolled his eyes.

Sam did a double take when she saw Daniel. She looked at Jack who just shook his head. General Hammond and Jacob were sitting at the table.

"General, Jacob," Jack said.

"Daniel?" Jacob asked.

"Yes."

"Did Sam explain about Daniel?" Jack asked.

"Yes, I just didn't expect ..... How old are you now?" Jacob stuttered.

"Thirteen. I still have all my memories it's just my body that's changed. I'll take the tablet down to my office." He went to pick it up.

"Daniel I need to stay with you. Our leaders want it well protected."

"What do you think I was going to do with it? Eat it?" Daniel answered sarcastically.

"Daniel!" General Hammond said angrily. That young man had spent too much time around Jack O'Neill he thought. "Apologise!" Daniel looked as if he was going to argue but he remembered the last talk he had had with the General. "Now!"

"Sorry."

Jacob went to his office with him and Teal'c went too. "Jack my office," General Hammond said. He sat behind his desk. "Sit Jack. What is wrong with that boy?"

"He's a teenager sir. Goes with the hormones I believe."

"He's downright rude. And those clothes?"

"We bought them earlier. He met some boys at the rink and they made a remark about his clothes . He just wants to fit in."

"Thank God it's only for a few days. He's developing quite an attitude Jack. You shouldn't let him get away with that. He needs some rules."

"Sir, he didn't have much of a childhood first time round I just want him to enjoy it this time."

"I won't have him speaking like that Jack."

"I'll talk to him."

"Good."

Daniel was sitting at his desk looking at the rubbings he had made of the tablet. They had also taken lots of pictures of it. He had one of his dictionaries sitting beside it. However he could barely concentrate on it. All he could think about was how he was going to get to Todd's that night.

"Daniel Jackson!" Teal'c said.

"What?"

"You seem preoccupied."

"It's a difficult text T." He looked at it again. He'd better work on it. He managed to translate some of the words.

"What do you think?" Jacob asked. "Our linguists were sceptical about its authenticity but I thought I'd let you have a look at it."

"It's very puzzling, Jacob. It tells of a weapon that is so powerful it was hidden away to protect themselves and others. It could be a trap that the Go'auld have set. They know how desperate we are to find a weapon but what if it is true we don't want it to fall into their hands. If we can find a gate address."

"Time to go home Danny," Jack said. Daniel made to protest he knew if he didn't Jack would smell a rat. "No. You can finish tomorrow. Let some of your team have a look. Do them good to practise their Ancient."

"Jack you know I'm the only one that can do this."

"Well about time you taught them how. Get your stuff."

Daniel picked up his laptop," Daniel!"

"Jack!"

"Leave it."

"Bossy Colonel. I am older than I look you know."

"Go." This was all going to plan, Daniel thought. Jack didn't suspect anything.

They arrived home at 6.45pm. Now all he had to do was get out.

"I'll make us something to eat," Jack called from the kitchen.

"Okay." Daniel opened the front door and ran for the truck. He hid behind it and watched to make sure Jack hadn't seen him. Then he ran down the road.

He made it to Todd's house and knocked on the door.

"Danny, come in," Todd said. "You know everyone here. Great gear." Daniel blushed. Todd had four large pizzas sitting on the table," Help yourself." Daniel was hungry. He also had a soda.

Todd handed him a pair of blades. "Try these." Daniel tried them on.

"They're just my size, thanks."

They soon finished and headed out to the park. Daniel soon managed to find his balance and was blading as well as some of the others. Some of the boys were doing stunts. Daniel really wanted to try them.

"Best take it easy," Todd said. "You don't want to break anything." Daniel wondered how quickly his arm or leg would heal if he broke it. He didn't realise how late it was until one of the boys said he had to go home. He looked at his watch. Ten o'clock. "You got to be home?" Todd asked.

"No! Jack lets me stay out." He was sure Jack wouldn't mind.

"Wonder what all the lights are about?" one of the boy's said. "They look like Marines over there."

Daniel's face went white. Of course Jack would call the Marines, he'd think someone had taken him. He had to get away. He made to skate off.

"Just where do you think you are going?" a voice said. Jack stood at the edge of the park his hands on his hips. "Well?" The other boys all went away very quickly.

Daniel didn't know what to do, "I ...."

"Take those things off."

"I haven't got my shoes, they're at Todd's." Daniel had never seen Jack this annoyed. He could almost see the steam coming out of his ears like it did on cartoon characters. He wanted to laugh but one look at Jack's face and he didn't.

"Let's go." He grabbed his arm and practically dragged him to Todd's house. They could hear Todd's father shouting at him in the house. Jack knocked at the door. Daniel sat on the step and took them off.

"Colonel," Major Chalmers said.

"Major, it seems Daniel left his shoes here." Todd looked at Daniel.

"Sorry," Daniel said.

"And why are you sorry? My son knows not to be out this late on a school night. He was supposed to be looking after his little brother. This is not your fault," Major Chalmers said. "And he won't be going out for quite a while."

Daniel put his shoes on. "Let's go," Jack said.

All the lights were on at Jack's house. Daniel was hugged as soon as he walked in the door. "Thank God you're alright. We thought you'd been kidnapped." She kissed his head.

"You are alright, Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c asked.

"Yes. I was just playing," he answered angrily. The very hard swat to his backside almost took his breath away. "Ow!"

"You're not allowed to do that," he said accusingly to Jack.

"That's just the start. Go to your room."

"No! I don't want to," he shouted back. This was so embarrassing. How was he meant to face Sam and Teal'c when he grew up.

Jack turned him round and delivered an even harder swat," I won't tell you again. If you aren't in your room by the count of five I'm going to finish that spanking right here in front of everyone. Go!"

Tears pooled in his eyes. "I hate you," he screamed.

"Well I love you and I won't have anything happen to you while I'm looking after you."

Daniel stopped," You love me?" he asked.

"Of course I do. You frightened the shit out of me when you disappeared." He pulled the boy into his arms. "Never do that again." He kissed Daniel's head. "I thought I'd lost you, Danny. I can't lose another son." He held him close. He heard the door shut as Sam and Teal'c left.

"I'm sorry Jack," he said beginning to cry.

Jack took him over to the settee and they sat down. He pulled him into his arms, Daniel's head lying on his shoulder. He could feel the tears soaking through his shirt. They sat that way for five more minutes, Daniel had stopped crying. "Off to bed," Jack said.

"Are you going to ..." Daniel couldn't finish the sentence.

"Yes. I'll be in, in a minute. We need to discuss some rules that we are both going to follow. Off you go." Daniel went to his room. Jack put his head in his hands. He felt like crying. He had thought he had lost another son and that was down to him not being firm enough. He wouldn't have let Charlie away with that behaviour so why Daniel. Well as of tomorrow that was all going to change.

TBC