Author's note: haven't said this recently, SG1 do not belong to me, their children do as well as the Vannas. Please review; tell me who Greer belongs to really and who Winter is?

Chapter Three: Jack's Theory

"You really think she needs your help to learn Latin, Daniel? She's trying to get to you for some reason, maybe to use you against the queen, maybe she just wants your hot body I don't know, all I really know is that I have no intention of allowing this girl to have you all to herself. Set up a small tutoring session with more than one student, I don't care but don't be alone with her."

Daniel rolled his eyes even as he looked down at his daughter, into her dark brown eyes, ones that she shared with her Daddy Jack. Zale had blue eyes like Daniel but both children had taken on that incredibly dark hair of their surrogate mothers, something to remember them by though Daniel didn't think he would ever forget the women who made it possible for Jack and he to have these two beautiful children they were able to call their own. Jack was feeding Zale, and looking pleased to be doing so which made Daniel sigh with relief. Since they brought the children home and started caring for them full time without the twins, Jack had been reticent to touching Zale as if the little boy was touching a deep seated fear and sadness about losing Charlie before Jack joined Daniel going through the Stargate.

Daniel loved both of their children but he'd been so worried when Jack had been unwilling to touch Zale. Now he was talking to the little boy, whispering sweet nothings that his hard-ass Colonel seemed to be so good at, reputation be damned.

"You're staring at me, Danny," Jack muttered.

"Just happy to see you holding your son finally," Daniel muttered in return even as he kissed his daughter's stomach making her squirm in happiness.

"What?" Jack asked, his voice breaking a little.

Daniel smiled a little at his husband, "You think I don't know you well enough to notice that you weren't touching Zale. I can never understand the loss you suffered but we made the choice together to have these kids and I am glad you are finding some separation from Charlie."

Jack frowned and moved to sit next to Daniel on the couch. He tucked Zale against his shoulder and moved his other arm across Daniel's shoulder and held him close. "Danny, I never wanted to hurt you or Zale, all I can say is that I will do everything in my power to hold both these children of ours and let them know that I love them both so much it hurts sometimes. I miss Charlie and I would do anything I need to keep this family safe but I do understand that Zale and Zada are not Charlie."

Daniel sighed, "I know Jack, these children and you plus Sam and Teal'c are my family and I will do anything for you. I understand that it took time and you didn't hurt me with your distance."

"And Zale?" Jack asked as they both looked down at the little boy cuddled into Jack's shoulder, fingers grasping gently at Jack's shirt and his snuffling breaths breaking the silence a little at a time. He was a picture of contentment.

"I think he knows how much you love him," Daniel said with a gentle smile.

Jack smiled in return, leaning in and taking Daniel's lips in a deep kiss. Tongues tangle even as arms held children firmly but gently then Zada decided that she wanted to be the center of attention. She fussed and cried out gently, her little baby cried bringing her daddies apart as they both readjusted holds on children. Daniel pressed his forehead against Jack's to keep from retaking his irresistible mouth.

"She is going to be a handful, I can tell already," Jack said with a gently chuckle.

"Of course, she shares your DNA," Daniel returned.

"Har har," Jack responded without much humor.

"So returning to our prior conversation, you think I cannot keep myself safe from one girl? You think I am going to be the weak link for us and Zarkina?"

"Really Daniel, you know that's not what I meant. I know you always see the best in everyone and that tends to get you into trouble. You have always been the heart of the team, Sam is the brain and Teal'c and I are the brawn. You must be protected."

"I can protect myself!" Daniel reiterated sharply.

Zada squirmed in protest; Daniel walked her into the bedroom and settled her into the bassinet. Jack did the same with Zale, because of the children's abilities the daddies refused to have arguments in the same room with them, let alone while holding them. The empathic ability meant that Daniel and Jack had to be very aware of their emotions. Daniel walked back out of the bedroom and Jack followed, closing the door on the snuffling babies.

"Danny don't do this," Jack pleaded gently which made Daniel madder, like he had no right being angry with this.

"No, you are going to have to decide if you want a husband in this relationship or another child to protect."

Jack glared at him, "That is not what I'm doing!"

"Yes you are! I am sick of you coddling me as well as everyone else I come into contact with. I don't understand everyone's need to make sure I'm safe."

"Because you tend to get kidnapped, hurt or lusted after by everyone you meet!" Jack's voice rose in volume and they both could hear the whimpers through the bedroom door.

Daniel glared back, "Even in the other room, you're going to upset our children!"

"Dammit Daniel!" Jack hissed, lowering his voice a couple octaves even as he ran his hands through his hair and rubbed them back and forth. His pacing went on for a few seconds before flopped into one of the chairs, not daring to sit in the couch where Daniel was slouching with his arms crossed but that didn't last long. As soon as Jack leaned down and placed his head in his hands, Daniel stood again to pace.

"Colonel Jack has spoken right? I am supposed to just feel bad that I made you sad and let you control my life. You get to make a choice, let me be a man and make mistakes. Let me be your husband and partner in life, I am a father now and I cannot be treated as a child, not by the one person who should believe in me."

Jack looked up at him as Daniel stopped in front of his older husband. "I guess all this comes at the price of you getting into trouble, huh?"

Daniel rolled his eyes, "Jack, you've known me for a long time, when do I not get into trouble?"

Jack barked out a laugh but sobered immediately, "What if you get hurt? Die?"

And there is was, the fear that Jack lived with now that they were together. Daniel moved to sit on the small table that sat in the middle of the room, between the chairs and couch. He reached forward and took Jack's hands in his gently. "Then you'll be there to save me, or possibly mourn me but you have to continue for the twins from now on."

Jack looked at Daniel, a shimmer in his eyes that made Daniel lean down and kiss the Colonel's hand gently before looking up at him again, "I don't want to mourn you anymore," Jack responded.

Daniel moved one hand to cup Jack's cheek gently, "I will not allow you to die either. I will do anything to protect you and our children. This is a two-way street, this love we share. Now let me share it."

The last words were whispered into Jack's cheek and he couldn't stop Jack as he reached out to pull Daniel into Jack's lap. Daniel settled his legs over Jack's and relaxed into the Colonel's hold.

"I will do anything to keep you, even if that means letting you do stupid things that make me yell at you after I save you."

Daniel nodded against Jack's shoulder. He didn't understand what it was about knowing that love was Jack's reason made it hard to stay made at him.

"We really need a bigger place, I don't feel comfortable about making love to you when the babies are in the same room and there is no way we can do it out here when Sam and Teal'c could come back at anytime." Jack was whispering into Daniel's neck. The younger man grinned and kissed Jack's cheek before he pulled back.

"Yeah handsome, that does sound like a problem. I need to decide what to do about Winter."

Jack groaned, "That's a great mood killer."

"You can worry, you can mother hen but you do not get to decide my course of action."

"Uh huh, you forgot. I get to save you when it all goes horribly wrong."

"Yeah that too," Daniel said.

Jack continued to hold Daniel around the waist but one hand slid up to his neck and pulled Daniel in for a fierce kiss. It was drawn out and beautifully simple. This wasn't a kiss buried in passion, just love and contentment.

Daniel pulled back, "So you are sure that Winter is out to get me? To use me against Zarkina with her actions?"

"Pretty convinced on that, my love."

"Ok, I will be cautious," Daniel replied.

"Good man," Jack said with a grin. Daniel rolled his eyes and with that they untangled themselves from each other and went to reclaim their children who were pleased to feel the love and no remnants of the previous conversation.

Daniel pretended that he was supposed to decide between trust and automatic judgment, instead focusing on telling Jack about his idea about the little boy named Greer and who he suspected his parents really were.

And Jack let him.