Chapter Eighteen: Goodbye Love
Daniel woke slowly, to the slow glide of fingers through his hair. He frowned and turned to see Jack sitting next to the bed. "Hey," he whispered, his voice raw from sleep and the pain pills.
"Hey Danny," Jack whispered as his fingers never stopped the gentle caress.
"Where are my babies?" Daniel asked.
Jack smiled and used his hand to tilt Daniel's face around and he turned to find all five of his children on the other side of the bed. Their hands were suddenly pressed close to him, their emotions slipping into Daniel through skin on skin contact. It was subtle, but the love was there and Daniel grinned in response.
"Daddy!" they chorused in quiet excitement.
"Hey babies, how are you feeling?" Daniel asked.
"Good," they said in unison.
"We are bringing you home now," Zale told Daniel and leaned forward to press his small hand against Daniel's cheek. He smiled gently and pressed his lips to the palm of his son's hand. Then he turned back to Jack and smiled.
"I wanna go home Jack, our real home."
Jack nodded, "That's the topic for today, as soon as we get you into a wheel chair and get you back to the house. Akina wants to discuss what is going to happen and hear our decision."
Daniel nodded slowly then allowed Jack to help him sit up on the bed. Jack shooed the children to the other side of the curtain and Jack helped him into some sweat pants and a zip sweater, wincing when Daniel had to pull against his wound to put his arms through the sleeves. Jack knelt in front of him and slipped on some tennis shoes then Jack fumbled for something in his pocket, bringing out the flash of silver that Daniel didn't even realize wasn't on his finger.
"How did you get that?" Daniel asked as Jack slipped his wedding ring back onto Daniel's left hand.
Jack smiled, "They took it off before doing x-rays and everything, they were concerned about swelling so they gave it to me along with your other personal affects which didn't include much. Mostly the clothes they cut off and your shoes which was without blood thankfully."
Daniel pressed his hand to Jack's cheek as the other man stood and stepped between Daniel's spread legs. He noticed now that Daniel was more alert that his husband looked incredibly tired, verging on the edge of sick-child exhaustion which not a huge part of their life but when Zada had gotten sick before they were forced back here the weariness in Jack's features were reminiscent of those days. "You slept with the children? On the floor or something?" Daniel asked.
"How'd you know that? Are you magical like your son?" Jack asked with a smirk.
"Of course not Jack, I just know you. With me here and the kids coming down from whatever those bastards did to them, I am guessing you weren't willing to leave their side."
Jack shrugged, "Well after knowing each other for more than ten years, I guess it's not hard to understand that you could guess what I am going to do in any given situation."
Daniel twitched a quick smile and sobered looking up into Jack's brown eyes, "Tell me about them, are they doing okay?"
"I had the Doc run full panels and some tests, the drugs have completely worn off for all of them. Johnny has been very withdrawn and Zada is worried about him. Zada and Johnny both have some bruising and split lips from where somebody hit them, Johnny was hit with a stun stick I think as well as choked. They just want to go home where we were all safe. If Akina hadn't shown up, I would be willing to keep trying but now, I'm with you."
Daniel nodded, worried about Johnny and Zada as well as Zale whom he knew had forced his captors to drug him to the point of destroying his connection to the magic so his GPS would work. It was the reason they'd been able to find them but he didn't know what the long-term side effects might be.
"Hey, we are all going to be okay Danny, we all made it through."
Sighing, Daniel allowed himself to be tucked into the wheel chair even though he didn't feel like he needed to be in it at all. Jack pushed him through the hospital and then after signing them out, they walked with the gaggle of five children all around the wheelchair. Johnny was holding one of Daniel's hands and he couldn't help but notice that his little boy wasn't transmitting the warm feelings he usually did. Johnny, for the first time in his short life, was closed off from his Daddy and that was more frightening than any other response. Daniel pulled the hand close, leaning over to press his lips to the skin of Johnny's knuckles and the little boy turned to give him a sad little smile. They got outside and Jack loaded the kids into the car then helped Daniel into the front seat before they headed back to the house. Daniel closed his eyes and just let the quiet conversation in the back of the van wash over him, nobody was being loud or enthusiastic but they weren't silent. Daniel felt Jack's hand slip into his for the rest of the trip and when they arrived Jack helped his injured spouse into the house. The children wandered in around them as Daniel was pressed slowly into the couch then Johnny climbed up to curl up next to Daniel, then Zale and Zada climbed up as well on the other side. Janet and Claire smooshed themselves between Daniel's legs and he looked up at Jack who was scratching his head, "Well I guess I've been replaced huh?"
"No. You could never be replaced, I got some lips here for you even if we can't sit together," Daniel said. Jack chuckled before he leaned down and pressed his lips to Daniel gently then he sat on one of the arms of the couch. Daniel looked over and watched as Akina, Greer, Lust and Desire walked in from the kitchen. They must have been outside playing in the backyard. Teal'c and Sam came in as well with their children who were quiet and withdrawn as well. They all piled into the living room and stayed quiet.
"Well here we all are," Akina started. "How are you feeling Daniel?"
Daniel nodded but didn't say anything. Akina nodded then she tilted her head and Daniel could feel the woman slipping into his mind and after the last nine years with the children he didn't care so much anymore even though it was rude. That was just Akina.
"Knock it off," Daniel whispered, "I'm doing fine."
"Uh huh," she said though it pretty much sounded like she didn't believe him.
Then the doorbell rang and Jack stood quickly, going to open it to show someone in. Daniel was surprised to find George Hammond and Janet there as well as Jack's parents. Ben and Lauren moved to sit at one of the tables where the children did their homework most afternoons and George and Janet were offered seats quickly. "What's the damage George?" Jack asked.
"The only way we can really protect you is if you go through the Stargate and do not come back. The people who took the children were obviously not wiped out in the raid and there is clearly a leak in the SGC otherwise they would have never known. We found footage of Zale using his abilities though it was subtle; they were looking for proof of supernatural abilities."
"NID can get through the Stargate," Jack interrupted, "The only option that can truly keep the children safe is returning to the Vannas time with Akina."
"Akina?" Hammond asked.
Akina raised her hand, "That would be me, the Magical Queen of the Vannas. And you are?"
Hammond shook his head and proceeded to look at Daniel then Jack, "Is she serious?"
Daniel nodded, "She's also Greer's mother. Greer is the one who brought us here, with Akina's help they can get us all back."
"Our kids are at risk as well?" Teal'c asked though it didn't really sound like a question. Hammond nodded anyway. Sam pressed her lips to Ishtar's curly hair where she was sitting in her mom's lap.
"They were taken same time that Jack and Daniel's kids were taken. They didn't have any reason to take them but it happened anyway," Hammond responded.
"We should start packing up a few things to take with us, some of the school materials for the kids and start making up the stories to explain our disappearance again," Jack responded.
"You shall return home then?" Akina asked for clarification.
"No! No Jack you can't do this!" Lauren shouted, causing everyone to flinch especially the kids.
Daniel frowned at the woman amazed at her attitude, "Please don't yell in front of the kids, they just got brought back home from being kidnapped and drugged."
Lauren glared at him before turning back to Jack, "Are you seriously considering leaving us behind again? You want us to never know if you make it there or that you have a good life. You are walking away from your family again!"
Jack stood next to the couch, putting a gentle hand on Daniel's shoulder, "I am picking my family. The children will be safe and accepted and I love you both so much and I hate the idea of leaving you guys again but just know that my children have to come first. I already lost one child, do you really want to see me lose another, let alone all five if someone gets their hands on them?"
Lauren gasped, she clearly hadn't thought about that. She was thinking about herself, Daniel found that to be a constant for his husband's mother. He didn't know if she had always been like that or if it was something that happened after thinking they lost Jack and then being reacquainted with a Jack that she barely recognized as her son.
Daniel shifted his gaze to Ben, the older man so much like Jack that Daniel had a hard time not falling in love with the elder O'Neill. He was a loving man who had treated Daniel like a son, had loved their children equally and had made an effort to really turn them all into a family. He could see in the other man's face that Ben had accepted this decision, he knew they had to go somewhere their children would be safe. The tears in his eyes wrenched at Daniel's heartstrings and he wished he could hug his surrogate father but he couldn't step away from his children who needed him more at the moment.
Sam and Teal'c stood and their children followed though they moved around the couch to hug some of the children and Daniel and Jack. Daniel hugged each child and Sam leaned down to kiss Daniel on the cheek, "We have to go home and pack a few things. General, should we report to the mountain this afternoon to figure out our story?"
Hammond nodded, "Please do Major."
The other family walked out of the living room and Daniel sighed. Sam and Teal'c should not have to return with them but the children were no longer protected by anonymity, people thought they were capable of something and though they all were possibly born with magic, they had never shown any affinity unlike Daniel and Jack's children. It didn't matter to the people who would steal children, all of them powers or no powers were all science projects worthy of a repeat kidnapping.
"I need to return to the mountain and figure out what our story is going to be, you just worry about getting your family safely back to where you need to be," Hammond said before he stood and walked towards the door.
Daniel watched Janet who remained in her seat, "I'm staying to help, make sure the children are recovering for their ordeal and then make sure that Daniel is not working to hard."
Jack laughed, "That's a good plan, I need another babysitter for my husband."
"Ha ha, so funny Jack," Daniel as he rolled his eyes.
Akina looked over everyone in the room, "As long as what you carry is being held in your hand or has contact with you in some way, it will travel with us but do not get carried away, it will take power and concentration to get everyone to the correct moment in time. Greer and I will be here to help with this process but I will also be working closely with him and the Magis within to make sure that this trip happens flawlessly. For now though I believe you should say your farewells to those you would leave behind."
With that, Akina and Greer started upstairs but the little boy turned back and ran over to hug Ben around the waist. Daniel sighed, trying to hold back the tears that threatened. Ben leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to the dark hair before he rushed up after his mom.
"Kids, go to your rooms and pack your backpack with those things that you would like to take back to the Valley. Remember that you will have to carry it on your back," Jack said and they started out of the room, sharing warm hugs with Ben and awkward touches with Lauren before filling out of the room. The girls went to the den and the boys followed Akina and Greer upstairs.
Jack moved to sit on the couch and Ben moved to sit on the other side of Daniel, pressing himself close in a one armed hug and pressed his forehead to the side of Daniel's temple in a move that was so like Jack that Daniel couldn't stop the tears from forming in his eyes. "I was so worried when you came back here covered in blood, it was like the assault all over again and if your safety and the safety of my grandchildren means that you have to go to this other place then that's what matters."
Daniel sobbed a little, turning a little to press his face into Ben's neck. This was the firs person to ever come close to the parental love he'd received from his mother and father before they were taken from him. He could feel Jack's hand pressed against his back as well. "I don't want to say goodbye to you. You have been my father since we met. I love you Pop." The last words were whispered into Ben's neck, he felt horrible for not feeling the same about Lauren but there was nothing he could do about that except not lie to her. He felt the gentle pressure at the back of his head as Ben stroked his hair though he didn't hold Daniel tight enough to put undue pressure on his wound.
"I know Daniel, I love you too son." Ben whispered and Daniel cried all the harder though it stayed quiet enough to hide if it wasn't for the fact that Jack knew what was happening for both of them and Lauren probably didn't care. If Daniel weren't here she wouldn't have to keep explaining her intentions about Sarah. Though he knew that was a harsh sentiment but she hadn't given him much to work with for months of them being here.
"Come on Ben, he's the reason Jack is leaving us!" Lauren hissed and Daniel sighed while she proved his point. Every time he even thought about trying to give her another chance, the woman opened her mouth and said things like that. Ben pulled away from Daniel and he wiped the tears from his cheeks as Ben looked over at Lauren and Daniel turned to curl into Jack's arms.
"Would you rather see him heartbroken and dying inside again instead of this? I can tell you that I don't plan on seeing that." Ben said to his wife.
"I just don't think I can lose him again," Lauren whispered, sniffing slightly.
"I would rather have them safe and out of sight then close to home and constantly in danger. Those kids are too young to have to deal with the trauma of being taken from their loving parents and home; they should not have to live in such fear. Would you be pleased to see your boys living in such a way?" Ben demanded.
Lauren looked from Ben then to Daniel and Jack and scoffed, "Just go and be done with the pain of goodbyes but do not keep expecting me to call Daniel one of my own."
Daniel flinched at her hurtful words and watched as she walked out the front door and Ben watched her go before he turned to look at Daniel and Jack who still held each other. Daniel heaved a sigh and gave Ben a tremulous smile, "She was never going to accept me or my children, maybe Zada and Johnny but not the twins and Zale. Its not her fault."
Ben smiled sadly and took one of Daniel's hands gently between his weathered palms, "Daniel you are giving her a lot of credit as you always have. No matter what Lauren says, I don't want to watch Jack's heart die again and if you die Daniel, if those children get hurt I don't know if Jack would survive it."
"I wouldn't," Jack mumbled into Daniel's hair as his arms tightened around his husband's body.
"Then do what you must to protect your family."
Daniel felt Jack nod, lips still pressed against the skin of Daniel's temple. He knew they should get up and get everything prepared for leaving, he wanted to contact the school and download some lesson plans and books and some language training guides onto the kids' laptops and reading pads. He was sure that Sam could find a way to recharge the technology but he would also take some books. Jack was undoubtedly going to put a limit on the books he was allowed to bring plus there were a few articles of clothing he enjoyed wearing which took extra time and energy to build in the Vannas world because they didn't have the same kind of fabrics. There was so much he should be doing right now, going to the mountain and saying goodbye to the people that he was leaving behind, especially Tyan who had been such a close friend over the past months and an amazing brain for the archeology department and deserved to take over for Daniel.
So much to do and yet, he just stayed curled up next to Jack with Ben holding his hand. He just focused on soaking up the love he felt here and how much it meant to him and the welling of emotion he felt not only for Jack but for Ben as well. Ben healed him in a small way that Jack had been unable to not through lack of trying. Daniel had missed out of having a father and mother from the time his was nine years old and no one had ever cared enough to fill the gaping hole in his heart until he met Jack's father. He felt the tears welling in his eyes and turned his face into Jack's neck, listening to the crooning noises his husband made, and Daniel felt the comfort he always did when Jack cared for him without really speaking or doing anything, just held him and mumbled loving words into his ear.
He didn't notice when Lauren stood and walked out of the room, but Ben did. He spoke to his wife momentarily then moved away from Daniel and Jack. Again Daniel didn't really feel like moving so he just stayed tucked into Jack's neck and he waited for the energy to get to work or the children to rejoin them, whatever came first.