Author's Notes - This is the final chapter of this, many years later.
Hope you enjoy.
Daniel was sitting on the floor of Janet's living room with Pip's head resting on my kid's lap while Daniel watched the movie Cassie had picked for them.
It had been an odd holiday season.
Christmas wasn't exactly easy on Daniel under normal circumstances. He'd only made it through last year, his first without Sha're, because it was Cassie's first on Earth and he threw all his energy into making the holiday special for her.
This year he'd had issues with being ten for Christmas but once again he didn't want to ruin Cassie's holidays so had joined in the festivities for her. Every so often I spotted him hiding in a corner staring into space absently stroking Pip, but considering everything, he was allowed.
We'd made it to New Years Day and the holidays would be over in a few hours. It also meant we had only four days left with kid-Daniel because he would be getting upgraded to twenty soon.
After the movie finished, and Janet loaded us down with food, I took my kid home. We were starting the process of packing up Daniel's things from this incarnation tomorrow morning and I was looking forward to it, but I also wasn't.
Pip was running around our feet while Daniel and I packed up everything, except what we would need for the last few days of his ten-year-old self. Since we were on a roll, we decided to clean out my garage a little at the same time. Which on the first few days in January is a really dumb idea, but the work kept us warm and kept Daniel from worrying about his next upgrading.
If worrying was an Olympic Sport, the kid on a normal day could represent the country, but leading up to the upgrading he was in overdrive, so physical labour kept him from driving me insane.
"Get out of the road, Pip," I snapped at the overenthusiastic puppy bounding around my legs, trying to catch the piece of rope hanging from the box.
He bounced around barking, obviously enjoying himself.
"Daniel," I called, "Do something."
Rolling his eyes, Daniel tapped his leg, "Pip, come here."
The puppy barked once more before running over to his master. I tried to hide my smile at the bond; it would be interesting to see how this transferred over to Daniel being himself once more.
x
I was buried in the back of the garage finding books I thought I'd thrown out when I heard footsteps behind me.
"Daniel," I called, "You might end up buried in here if you come in any further. I'll be out in a minute."
Turning slightly, I saw a fist just as it came towards me. Taken by surprise I went down, pain radiating through my jaw, and I saw a man in a black suit standing above me.
"Get the kid," the man ordered another before kicking me in the stomach.
I grunted in pain pulling myself away, panic filling me when I heard Daniel cry out for help. The man above me turned, giving me the opportunity to grab an old golf club hidden at the back of my garage, making me wonder briefly where the hell I got it from. When the guy turned back, I swung the club at his knees taking him down. Using the club once more, I managed to get to my feet and staggered out to find my kid.
"Daniel?" I called.
I could see Daniel running towards me, the guy chasing him was holding his arm making me smile proudly seeing Daniel had obviously bit him to get away.
Hearing barking coming from the house I opened the door, letting Pip loose, "Get them," I ordered the puppy.
The small ball of fur flew past me before running past Daniel and, teeth bared, attacked the man chasing Daniel. I grabbed my kid when he reached me watching, in complete astonishment, as the small dog took down the bad guy.
Grabbing the phone, I quickly called for some back-up trying to keep Daniel close while watching Pip attack the bad guys.
x
Daniel was sitting on the floor in the corner of the briefing room, feeding Pip treats for protecting him as I waited for word on what happened to our attackers.
I was angry and didn't care who knew about it. They had clearly known this was the last time to grab Daniel as a child and decided it was worth a risk.
They learned they were wrong, and I was extremely grateful that Thor had done his magic to Pip.
"Well?" I demanded when Hammond put his phone down.
"Our friends are refusing to talk," he told me.
"Then let me or Teal'c talk to them," I stated coldly.
Hammond frowned at me, "I don't think that is a good idea."
"Really, cause I think it's a fantastic idea," I replied darkly.
"Jack," Hammond said reasonably, "Daniel is safe and staying here until Thor comes, once that happens, he will be an adult again and they'll stop coming after him. Our friend will go through the proper channels and be punished, I promise you that."
I nodded, although planned to ask Thor for an extra little favour.
"I suggest you take Dr Jackson to get something to eat," Hammond told him, "And remind him that he will be staying here until Thor comes. I know it's earlier than originally planned."
Glancing over to where Daniel was sitting, I could see the kid was rattled and knew at least there wouldn't be any complaints about staying in the SGC.
x
Pip trotted dutifully beside his master as we walked towards the VIP rooms. We were set up in rooms beside one another, giving Daniel his own room but close enough to me in case I was needed.
Thankfully he seemed to be okay, despite the attack earlier, I think the fact the puppy had shown exactly how vicious he was to anyone who went after his master had calmed him.
"Are you hungry?" I asked as we reached his room.
Daniel shrugged, "A bit."
"I'll go grab us something," I offered before watching him sit on the bed looking down.
I sat at his side, "I know we had some plans for the next few days."
"But best not to give them another chance to grab me," he sighed, "I know that."
Wrapping my arm around his shoulders, I gave Daniel a hug knowing he truly needed it. Chuckling when Pip began to poke his nose at us trying to get into the hug too.
"You'll be your normal size in a few days," I reminded him, "And this will all be a memory."
"A good one?" Daniel asked amused.
I laughed, "Some parts anyway."
Patting his shoulder, I started out the room seeing Daniel sit on the bed properly leaning against the headboard with Pip curled up beside him. I was looking forward to Daniel being an adult again, but I was going to miss the pint-sized terror.
