"Daniel?" Jack said, leaning back on the sofa. He couldn't see the boy, but he could hear him running around Teal'c room, getting into stuff he shouldn't no doubt. "Could you keep it down?"
Daniel made his way to the side of the couch with deliberate heavy steps. He slammed his little hands down on the arm rest by where Teal'c was sitting. "I'm bored. This is boring", he gestured at the television.
"Jonas Quinn appears to greatly enjoy the adventures of Dora", Teal'c said, though really Jack suspected he was defending it because he was enjoying it too. Couldn't really blame him. It was unlikely the big man's childhood had involved cartoons.
"Think Jonas is out for the count T", Jack said, nodding his head down at the toddler leaning into his side, fast asleep. Though he would never admit it, the bright blond locks and big green eyes were starting to grow on him. "Maybe you could choose something else for us to watch Daniel?"
The five year old shook his head, dirty blond hair flying about his face. It was frightening sometimes how much Daniel reminded him of Charlie in this form. They had the same blue eyes, same dirty blond hair, same stubborn streak. "I don't want any more television Jack. I want books, work, you know, intellectual stimulation. I'm going stir crazy stuck in here."
Jack tossed ideas about in his head. Intellectual stimulation wasn't his forte, and he didn't want to give a five year old to some scientist, heck he didn't want these kids anywhere near a lab if he could help it. It had never occurred to him how many dangerous places the base had until he had two kids to look after. "How about a game of catch up top?"
Daniel's grip loosened on the sofa. "Sure. Fresh air could be good."
Jack lifted the toddler gently into his arms. It was getting late so it would be good to make sure they were both as exhausted as he could make them before handing them over to Doc Fraiser for the night. Jonas mumbled something, but soon fell back asleep.
"Daniel, wait", too late. The boy was out of the door and on a sprint for the elevators. He rolled his eyes, following.
Jack ended up being grateful for the two guard support they had to drag along in order to bring their 'dangerous cargo' up top. The guy seemed just as clueless as he did when Daniel started quizzing him about some long dead culture, but the woman was almost able to keep up. Seems her parents owned a old bookstore or some such thing, and she had spent a lot of time reading greek tales.
It was cute to see his eyes sparkle as they debated heavily the parentage of some ancient greek dude, who was probably a snakehead. His absence did mean that it was just him, Jonas and T for a game of catch. The other guard was watching the children and their surroundings carefully, shooting disapproving glances at his comrade for her lapse in duty.
Explaining catch to Jonas had been interesting. The boy had woken up when they had reached fresh air, but his eyelids still drooped a little. Still, the toddler had listened with that usual Jonas enthusiasm and soon knew all the basics, carrying them out proved a little more difficult.
For a toddler he wasn't half bad, he actually caught the ball on a couple of occasions. He had no problem telling where the ball was about to land, moving his hands to the right place, but his little fingers couldn't seem to close around the object quick enough. The ball simply bounced off, leaving the boy to walk over to where it went, pick it up and with a wide grin attempt throwing it to the next person. A big emphasis on the word attempt.
Jack imagined it would be very frustrating if it weren't so damn cute. Jonas couldn't quite get used to his new muscles, so throws rarely made it more than a few centimetres from where he stood.
"Maybe try underarm?" Jack suggested when yet another ball ended up being thrown directly into the ground.
Jonas obliged, and the ball flew up, then straight down onto the toddler's head.
"Maybe not", Jack said, instinctively crouching to rub at the boy's head. No lump that he could feel, which was good because Doctor Fraiser would kill him if they got anymore hurt.
"What is the purpose of this?" Jonas asked, not looking a bit bothered that he had just sustained a hit that would make most children his physical age cry their eyes out.
"Purpose of what?" Jack said, attempting not to look awkward as he removed his hand from the boy's head. It was difficult to remember that despite what he looked like, and acted like Jonas was still an adult in there.
"This game – catch", Jonas said, pointing down at the wayward ball with a chubby finger.
Jack frowned. "Its a game, you know, you catch a ball, then throw it. That's about it. Don't they play catch on Kelowna?"
"My brother used to try and play a game like that sometimes", Jonas said, looking thoughtful. "But no one played with him. He was a little odd. He had a huge imagination, but he would spend all his time playing games when he was supposed to be studying. Playing is not advised unless it has a purpose like learning knowledge."
"Hey catch has a purpose", Jack said, feeling a little indignant. "Fun for one, gross motor skills, bonding-"
His list was cut off as Daniel walked up to Jonas. "What types of games did your brother play?"
Oh great, Daniel was on a culture exploring mission again. At least it might keep him busy until bedtime, and out of his hair. Daniel was a lot more active as a child than he would have anticipated. He would have to tell the Doc that their behaviours were most definitely not unchanged.
"Lots", Jonas said with a grin. "But he really liked to play this one game over and over."
"Could you show me it?" Daniel asked. That was odd. Sure he knew it was for his 'intellectual' reasons, but there was no getting away from the fact that Daniel 'I'm not a kid' had just requested a children's game.
"Sure", Jonas said. "Usually its played in woods."
The woods were closer to the perimeter and definitely not in cleared zone for two children who as of a day ago had been adults. "I'm afraid we're staying here kiddies. It'll have to be an imaginary wood."
"That's OK", Jonas smiled up at him, before taking Daniel's hand and pulling him to a slightly more open space. "Most of it is pretend anyway."
"So its a game based on imagination?" Daniel asked. "Is that unusual in Langara?"
"Very", Jonas said. "Its not really a game, its more.. I'll show you. First we're in a wood and we've been wandering for a while, then finally we find a portal to another world."
"A portal?" Jack raised an eyebrow. "You got any psychics in that family of yours?"
"Not that I know of", Jonas said with wide eyes. "I don't know how he made it up, or who did. We used to play it together when we were preindependent age, but he was more into it, then I stopped and he didn't."
"So we find a portal", Daniel prompted.
"Yeah", Jonas gestured at the thin air in front of him as if that was where the portal was. "Then we step through it", he did just that, grinning. With an indulging smile, Daniel copied his action with less enthusiasm.
"Then on the other side is a brilliant table filled with food. All different kinds. It's amazing and there's so many that it'll never run out, not in a million years." Jonas's grin was huge. "Then we pretend to eat, and plan to bring more to the rest of the family. That's about it really. Like I said, its not really a game, but he used to play it over and over."
A small frown had settled on Daniel's face. "Were there ever ration shortages when you were growing up?"
"Yes", The grin on Jonas's face faded to a sad smile. "Only independent ages and adults were affected though. Everyone four and under still got their once a day ration."
"Is that why your brother played this game?" Daniel's voice was quieter now.
"He was always hungry", Jonas said, looking at where his pretend feast had been. "Even when we had our ration. Sometimes there weren't enough for everyone at the centre, so they gave them out based on test performance. Except he played all day instead of studied, so he got less food. We all thought him stupid because of that."
"But he wasn't", Daniel said softly.
"No", Jonas said, still with that sad smile. "He wasn't. He just didn't fit into society. That wasn't his fault."
Jack couldn't help but think of when Jonas had been the one that didn't fit in with earth's society. His enthusiastic efforts to do so took on a darker tone. How must it feel to grow up in a society where fitting in determined whether or not you got to eat that day? He shook off the thoughts, he'd never been into that psycho babble.
"Alright kiddies", Jack said, interrupting the silence. "I think its about time to get you two back to good old Doc Fraiser and tucked up in bed."
Jonas nodded obediently, already looking tuckered out. Daniel turned toward him with a dark look.
"The suns not even down", the five year old said.
"Doctor's rules", Jack, looking at Teal'c for some backup. "You guys have a big day tomorrow."
"Sleep is important for young bodies Daniel Jackson", Teal'c said, looking down at the tiny figure. "You must replenish your energy so you can better face the new day."
Doctor Daniel Jackson, phD folded his arms across his chest and pouted.
Jonas rubbed his hand across his eyes, feeling exhausted. Catch was a very tiring game when you were this small. Getting changed into pyjamas (his had more puppies on them) and brushing his teeth were olympic feats that had quickly sapped away at the energy he had left.
"Anything unusual in your moods?" Janet asked once she had finished checking his head for lumps.
"Not really", he shook his head, the words cut off by a large yawn. "Everything feels a little more overwhelming but I think that's because everything is so much bigger than it used to be."
"I can imagine", she smiled down at him. He wondered if she really could, or if she was just saying that. Before experiencing it he wouldn't have been able to imagine what this was like. While he knew he had been this size before, that was a long ago hazy time. Going from adult size to this small was something that might have even been beyond his brother's imagination.
"Daniel", she said, turning toward the boy sitting on the other bed. "How about your moods?"
Daniel stopped staring at his monkey covered pyjamas which he did not seem as happy with as Jonas was with his. "I've noticed having more energy, but nothing really significant in my moods."
Teal'c raised an eyebrow and O'Neills jaw dropped open.
"Daniel, you've got to be kidding me", the colonel said.
"Okay, okay", the little boy said, throwing his hands in the air. "So I might have been a little more volatile than usual. I wouldn't be if you let me do some work."
"Sure I'll get right on that", O'Neill said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm sure the air force would be fine hiring a five year old to work on their top secret files."
"I'm not five years old Jack", Daniel said, his fists clutched around the blankets. "I'm an adult, we both are. And I'm capable of carrying out the work I have done for years."
"Right now you're a little kid", O'Neill said, his angry tone making Jonas freeze in place. "You're capable of nothing more than playing and trying to stay out of trouble. And judging by that stunt today, you can't even do that right."
"You don't need to protect us Jack", Daniel said, his teeth gritted firmly around the words.
"Alright you two", Janet tried. "Not in my infirmary."
"The hell I don't!" The colonel all but shouted, ignoring her. "If I have my say neither of you are going near any lab, artifact or anything that so much as looks, smells or feels remotely dangerous while you are under my watch."
Daniel jumped up in the bed, scowling at the man. "We're not Charlie!"
Immediately the room fell silent. O'Neill's face took on a stoney look. Not even Janet seemed to know the right thing to say.
It took seconds for Daniel's shoulders to slump, for his angry expression to fall into one of deep regret. "Jack."
The colonel shook his head, reaching down to rustle an object from the plastic bag at the bottom of Daniel's bed. "Here", he said tossing the object roughly onto the mattress. "Thought you might get a kick out of that." With that he left the room. "Come on T."
Teal'c nodded at them solemnly before following his commanding officer.
Daniel sat back down on his bed, picking up the object the colonel had thrown and staring at it morosely. It looked soft. Jonas thought he might have seen something like it while looking through books, but he couldn't put a name to it.
"Daniel", Janet said softly.
"I know", Daniel said, sounding sad. "I screwed up. I'll apologise to him."
"Leave it until morning", Janet said. "I think you'll both be thinking more clearly by then."
She walked up to the boy's side, lifting the blanket and tucking it over his legs. Daniel didn't complain, just sitting at the top of his bed, holding the object O'Neill had given him. In a gesture more maternal than any she had given in the past day she stroked a hand through Daniel's hair, pressing her lips to the top of his head.
"Good night Daniel", she said with a small smile.
Daniel didn't look up from the object in his hands. "Good night Janet."
She approached Jonas's bed, tucking the blankets tight around him, before resting a hand on his blond hair. She seemed sad, maybe because of the colonel. He seemed sad too and angry, it made something nervous coil up in his stomach.
"Good night Janet", he said politely, trying to rub his eyes awake.
Her smile made his heart feel warm. It reminded him of his mother. "Night Jonas".
After she was gone, he remained lying in the bed, staring at Daniel. He wasn't sure whether to say anything, but the burning curiosity was driving him insane.
"Charlie was his son, wasn't he?" He had heard the tale from Sam and Teal'c in various forms. What he did know was that Jack's son had accidentally killed himself with a gun.
"Yeah", Daniel said, the words making him slump further.
Jonas felt bad for asking. Quickly he searched for a way to change the subject. "What is that?"
Daniel blinked at him, holding up the object so he could see it better. "A bear. I think he thought I'd find it funny."
Jonas frowned, raising himself up so he could see it better. "It doesn't look like a bear". He had seen bears in his books, they were muscle bound things with a long muzzle and sharp claws.
"A teddy bear", Daniel gave him a faint smile. "Its not supposed to look exactly like a bear. Its a toy for children to play with."
Jonas got the humor suddenly. They were physically children, so the colonel had given them a children's toy. It was a little funny.
"What's its purpose?" He said, suddenly wanting to get a closer look at this strange object.
"Purpose?" Now it was Daniel's turn to look confused. "To play with I guess. Some children use it for comfort, to sleep with."
That was confusing. "They went through all that work just to make a toy for comfort? Doesn't it build up any useful skills?" At the preindependent centre, he had toys but they always had a purpose to them. Balls taught physics concepts, stackers taught motor skills and problem solving.
"Don't children on your planet have things they carry around to comfort them?"
"Yes", Jonas said. "But to spend so much work making one just for that purpose. Mostly children carry worn cloth from a parent's old clothing. Something that doesn't take effort to make."
"Thats the case for most cultures on earth", Daniel said. "Its only first world countries like america that commercialize everything. Here." He threw the bear to Jonas's bed.
Jonas was fascinated. It had the very rough features of a bear but was extremely anthropomorphised. It was soft and around its neck was a large silk ribbon. The work that had gone into the design and materials were amazing. Back on kelowna the silk used on the bow would fetch a hefty price. It was amazing to think that this was a child's toy with so little purpose.
Daniel was watching him carefully. "You can keep it in your bed for tonight if you want."
"No", Jonas shook his head, feeling alarmed. "Colonel O'Neill gave it to you."
"As a joke", Daniel said, lying down under the blanket. "I never liked sharing a bed with soft toys. Books were the only things that I didn't shove out of bed. If you don't want it in your bed, then just put it on the floor or the side table or something."
"Daniel?" Jonas said after a moment. The other boy's eyes were closed. He only received a questioning hum in response. "How do you sleep with a teddy bear?"
Daniel opened his eyes, his lips curling up into a half smile. "I guess you just treat it like its another person in bed with you, like a younger sibling."
Ok. He could do that. He had slept next to all his siblings as a child. They had shared a makeshift bed, sometimes with his mother and father as well. "Thank you Daniel."
"No problem", Daniel's eyes slid shut again. "Good night Jonas".
"Good night Daniel", Jonas said before carefully tucking in the bear beside him. He knew that it was inanimate, but there was something about those big plastic eyes and stitched smile that made him feel really bad about the stuffed animal spending the night on the floor. Daniel said that children did this all the time, so it must not be that unusual on earth.
There was a lot of room in the bed, as it was designed for an adult, but the bear looked little and lonely so he brought it closer to him with an arm. Daniel had said to treat it like a younger sibling. His twin brother kicked and squirmed in his sleep, so he wouldn't pretend it was him. The bear was almost as big as him, so making it his infant brother seemed implausible.
Instead he closed his eyes and pretended that he was a child again, back in his house lying next to his younger sister Branwen. Though there were two years between them, she was the sibling he had been closest to. She had been fiercely smart, smarter than any he had seen before or since. She had blond hair even brighter than his own and was hardheaded and confident even as a child.
Sometimes when he saw Sam he imagined that this was how she would have grown up if she had the chance to. Being a child again and not having them around, he missed them more than he had in years.