Author's Notes - Stumbled across a finished chapter, so thought I should post it.

Not betad but hope you enjoy.

I hate the snow.

It's cold, wet, miserable...And I guess I'm just feeling a little sorry for myself.

Three weeks today is Christmas, and I just realised I'm going to be ten for the holiday. It's not like I didn't know this until now, but it's just hit me today.

Trust me if anyone suggests getting my picture taken with Santa, they will seriously regret it.

There's also something else going on with Jack and the others that they're not letting me in on it. Yes, I know I look like a kid at the moment, but I'm not and, unfortunately, there are times when the others seem to forget this.

Pip barked at my side, and I reached out to pet my puppy.

"Sorry," I told him, "But we won't be able to go to the park today."

He whined and gently pushed his nose against my leg.

"Because it's snowing," I replied, still absently stroking his soft fur, "Which means it's really cold."

Another bark.

"You can go out the backyard to do your business," I said before frowning at him, "It's not my fault it's snowing."

"Daniel," Jack called, appearing in the doorway, "You okay?"

I nodded, "Pip is just complaining we can't go to the park."

Jack did the strange grimace he sometimes does when I talk about something he doesn't quite understand before he shrugged.

"Well lunch is ready if you two want to come get it," he told me.

Pip barked and ran out the room making me smile.

x

"So, we don't need to go to the base today," Jack said, while I was finishing lunch, "I thought we could start Christmas shopping."

I grimaced, it wasn't something I liked to do under normal circumstances, but at this size it definitely wasn't something to look forward to. I had intended to do it all online to be honest.

"I can't take Pip," I noted.

Jack shrugged, "Fraiser said she'll look after him."

I glanced down at my puppy who looked up at me with big eyes, "It's not my fault you can't come to the mall."

He whined slightly and I rolled my eyes, "I'll get you a toy, okay?"

Pip barked before disappearing to get his leash because Janet insists on it.

"So," Jack placed a mug of hot chocolate on the table in front of me before taking the seat beside me, "Want to tell me what's wrong?"

I looked up at him knowing he'd make me talk eventually, it's his gift and for some reason I am not immune to it...yet.

Letting out a long sigh I took a drink before answering, "I don't want to be a kid for Christmas."

"Oh, Danny," Jack whispered, his arm wrapping around my shoulders in the comforting way that I tried so hard to resist.

"I know I'm being stupid," I sighed, giving in and resting against my best friend, "But there's just something about the thought of spending Christmas as a kid."

"You were enjoying this experience before now," Jack reminded me before asking, "What changed?"

I shrugged.

"We don't have to do anything for it," Jack told me, "We can hole up in here, watch movies and eat take-out?"

I looked up at him, "What about the others?"

Jack shrugged, "They can do what they want. Look, Daniel I know how hard the holidays are for you to begin with and this year circumstances have made them a little worse. So, we will do what you want for Christmas. Okay?"

Warmth filled me and I hugged my friend tightly, "Thanks, Jack."

"No problem, Danny," he told me, "It's never a problem."

x

It's not easy finding a present for your best friend who is caring for you when you've been turned into a child. I mean what do you get someone who is doing all that for you?

It was hard enough when we were both adults, now I'm ten and he's been more than my best friend for me for the past few months, he's been basically a father to me during this whole experience.

There isn't exactly a gift line for our situation.

I checked during our shopping trip for something, but I saw nothing I could get for him.

"Hey, kiddo," Jack's voice cut through my musings, "Why don't you head to bed?"

I looked up at him realising that I was still on the couch half-asleep against Jack who was smiling amused at me.

"Okay," I sighed starting towards my room, I stopped and turned back to him, "Jack."

"Yeah?"

"Christmas wouldn't be so bad with everyone," I told him with a shrug.

Are you sure?" Jack asked me.

I nodded, "Yeah. Cassie would be disappointed if we weren't there."

Yawning I headed to bed with Pip following on behind me.