Lifetime Part 18
The scream that woke Jack up had him running to Daniel's room with a gun in his hand. He stopped at the door. Daniel was standing in front of the mirror. "What the hell's wrong?" Jack asked looking around the room.
"This!" Daniel pointed to the reflection in the mirror.
Jack looked," What? You look just fine Danny."
"I haven't grown."
Jack shook his head. "Maybe you didn't grow much at 14."
"Jack I haven't grown at all. I'm the same as last night."
"The growing process maybe slows down as you get older."
"They didn't say that would happen. We need to go back to the planet. I need to talk to Guidus about this."
"Hold on a minute, Danny. We can go to the mountain and see what Dr. Fraiser says first."
"I need to go back. I need to get this fixed." Jack went over and grabbed his shoulders.
"You need to calm down. Now get dressed and we'll head up to the base."
Daniel got dressed as quickly as he could. He was waiting at the truck before Jack came downstairs. "Don't I get to eat?" Jack asked but seeing the anguished look on Daniel's face he said," Okay let's go."
They drove to the base in silence. Jack had phoned General Hammond and Dr. Frasier when he'd been upstairs dressing and told them about Daniel. As soon as they got to the Infirmary Daniel was escorted away by Janet. Jack went to speak to General Hammond.
"He wants to go back to the planet," Jack said.
"Let's wait and see what Janet has to say. It may be nothing."
Jack went off to do some paper work; Janet would not allow him in when she was doing tests so he had a long wait.
Finally they were all called to the General's office. "Daniel is right, the growing process has stopped." Daniel looked down. He just knew it; he was going to be stuck as a 14 year old boy for ever. "Well the rapid growing has stopped," Janet clarified.
"Why?" Jack asked.
"I'm sorry sir. I have no idea."
"I told you Jack we have to go back to the planet," Daniel said.
"Just wait a minute," Jack said holding up his hand. "That is a decision we have to make."
"What?" Daniel shouted. "It's my life."
"Sit down and calm down," Jack said forcefully. Daniel looked like he might argue but managed to control himself. Arguing with Jack would just make it worse.
"Sorry!"
Jack turned to General Hammond," I think Danny is right we have to go back. We need to speak to Guidus." Daniel looked relieved.
"Very well Colonel you have a go."
They all went to the locker room to change. "Thanks Jack," Daniel said.
"You're welcome kiddo. But on this planet I'm the boss, remember that. NO wandering off or you won't like the consequences."
Daniel nodded," I won't. I just want this sorted."
They walked down the steps of the gate on PX 768 and walked towards the village. The people were all working. Jack saw Guidus and headed for him. "Good day."
"Not really," Jack said.
"You have chosen?" Guidus said.
"Chosen?" Daniel said.
"The age you want to be. The ageing has stopped."
Jack walked up to the man," You didn't mention this before."
"I..... I forgot." Jack looked at him sceptically. "I forgot about it, honestly. I hoped you would come back and I could tell you but you didn't return."
"Well we're here now. Fix this."
"I cannot." Jack looked ready to hit him. "I am sorry."
"I want to be the age I was before this happened," Daniel said.
"But you have chosen. There is nothing I can do. Your body will get older now but as the proper pace. It is what happens. All our people choose what age they wish to stop growing quickly. Some want to be babies others older."
Daniel said,"I can't be this age. I don't want to be."
"I am sorry. Once the process has stopped we cannot start it again."
"Damn!" Jack said. Daniel turned and ran. "Danny, come back," Jack shouted. Daniel kept running. "Carter, stay here. I'll get him." Jack ran off after Daniel.
Daniel ran as fast as he could. Tears ran down his face. He tripped over a root that was sticking out of the ground and fell. Jack caught up with him before he could run off again. He pulled him to him. "Calm down Danny."
"I don't want to be like this. I don't want to be this age again. It was horrible the first time. I won't be able to work at the Mountain. What will I do?" The tears started again. Jack tightened his grip on him.
"Let's sit down." He pulled him over to a fallen tree. "At least you can grow up again. You're not stuck at this age."
"Great!" Daniel said sarcastically. "I get to be a teenager all over again. How lucky!"
"Hey," Jack said. "I thought I talked to you about the sarcasm last night."
"Sorry. But Jack what can I do? Who's going to look after me?"
"Me of course. Unless you want someone else."
"You would? But what about your work?"
"I'm sure we can work something out. After all Janet's got Cassie."
"I can still translate things for the SG teams. I can work in the Archaeology and Linguistics departments."
"Sure you can. And you've got friends Danny. All those boys you were blading with. You can have fun and so can I," Jack said enthusiastically.
"I did enjoy hanging out with them," Daniel admitted.
"So being this age isn't going to be too bad then?"
"I suppose. Do you think General Hammond will let me go off world?"
"We'll see. Ready to go back?"
"Yes."
Sam was glad to see Daniel was looking happier. "Guidus has something else to tell us. It has to do with why Daniel's character has changed."
"It was designed so that the parents could see something of themselves in their new children."
"What was?" Jack asked.
"The children take on some of the characteristics of their new parents."
"See I told you it was your fault I was so sarcastic," Daniel said.
"Did you have to Carter? Now everything that's wrong with him is going to be my fault. Thanks!"
"Yes, thanks Sam," Daniel said.
"Okay kids, let's go home." He led them back to the Stargate. Life was certainly not going to be dull that was for sure, Jack thought. He wrapped his arm round Daniel's shoulders and Daniel gave him a huge smile.
The End
