This is the standard disclaimer. They don't belong to me. This story is not intended to violate any copyrights held by Showtime/Viacom, MGM/USA, Double Secret Productions and Gekko Productions. No copyright infringement is intended.

Thank you to my betas Spacepixel and Lee, for all their hard work and marvelous suggestions.

Jack stepped through the gate and landed solidly on the ramp in the gate room of the SGC, gun slung casually over one shoulder and face set in a fierce scowl. Colonel Jack O'Neill's body language radiated irritation from every pore. Jack zeroed in on one of the personnel at the end of the ramp and narrowed his eyes in displeasure.

From the bottom of the ramp General Hammond and Doctor Fraiser sighed in unison and traded concerned glances. Hammond knew if Jack was this pissed, either they found Daniel unharmed and he was annoying the hell out of the colonel for taking him home so soon or they found Daniel and the boy was hurt. Judging by the way that O'Neill's eyes had instantly locked on the doctor, he suspected it was the latter.

Teal'c appeared behind Jack and answered the question of Daniel's state of health. Tucked securely against the huge man's body was the bruised and bandaged missing archaeologist. Teal'c barely made it through the gate before O'Neill had turned and reached for the fur draped figure. Both men supported Daniel, carrying the shaking young man part way down the ramp to make room for Carter, Wilson and the rest of SG-4 to come through the event horizon.

Daniel's good arm was snaked tightly across Teal'c broad shoulders, his right hand fisted into the Jaffa's jacket. Daniel automatically leaned into Jack's hold as the older man slipped one arm around Daniel's waist and the other under his knees, mirroring Teal'c's grip on the other side. With a relieved sigh, he let his head drop to the side to rest on Jack's shoulder as he was transported down the metal grid.

Braving a quick glance up at Teal'c, Daniel blushed at the slightly raised eyebrow and small frown of disapproval the Jaffa bestowed on him. Darting his eyes up to Jack's, he was met with an equally grim expression of disappointment.

Daniel dropped his gaze to avoid any further eye contact and studied the beautiful fur blanket that covered his entire body. Morage had insisted he wear it on the trip back to the gate to protect him from the bitter winds and freezing temperature of the planet. Jack had been just as insistent that he wear it and a space blanket through the gate to protect him from the chilling effect of wormhole travel on his battered and newly healing body. As a result of the two overprotective men's precautions, Daniel could feel the sweat running down his spine, making him shiver at the sensation.

Jack and Teal'c were both instantly aware of the sudden tremors coming from the bundle in their arms and misinterpreted them. Daniel wisely stayed silent and blinked innocent, wide eyes at the hovering duo, milking all the mileage he could from his wounded status.

Jack instantly forgot all the reasons he was upset with his young charge and called out brusquely, "Hey, Doc? You got a minute? Daniel's got a few souvenirs from his trip to show you."

The mirthless tone and pinched, thin-lipped smile made Daniel tuck his head closer to Jack's chest, preventing the possibility of any further eye contact. Daniel concentrated on looking lost and forlorn. Sympathy from Janet and the General would go a long way in damping down Jack's ire for the moment.

Two airmen and a stretcher arrived on cue as Janet met the trio at the foot of the ramp. She watched as Jack and Teal'c gently deposited the young archaeologist onto the gurney. Despite his anger, Jack was careful to cradle Daniel's head protectively until it rested on the thin pillow. His touch was tender as he slid his arm out from under Daniel's legs and settled the injured ankle carefully. Janet smiled to herself at the obvious affection the gruff older man had for his youngest team member.

Carter quickly joined the party of people crowding around the stretcher, covertly slipping a hand onto Daniel's uninjured shoulder to comfort him. She kept her efforts to a wordless smile and a comforting pat.

General Hammond stepped to the foot of the gurney and looked affectionately down at his retrieved civilian. Taking in Daniel's pale face and anxious expression, Hammond smiled encouragingly back at the young man. He reminded himself that despite Daniel Jackson's brilliance and outstanding accomplishments he was still so very young and naïve. The boy would be lost without the 'family' members that surrounded him and made his life as secure as possible under the conditions they lived under. He was just glad to have the boy back alive.

Hammond's familiar voice rumbled out a heartfelt but restrained greeting. "It's good to have you back, son."

Daniel's genuine smile of pleasure at the affectionate words lit up his entire face. Darting a quick glance up to gauge Jack's reaction, the smile dimmed a little when O'Neill failed to return the look, but quickly brightened again when he felt a familiar hand squeeze the back of his neck briefly. Jack had yet to break physical contact with Daniel since coming through the gate.

Knowing better than to approach O'Neill's side of her patient, Janet deftly insinuated herself between the stretcher and Teal'c. "I'll take a look at the full slide show in the infirmary, Colonel. If you'll excuse us, sir?" She signaled the orderlies and Daniel disappeared out of the gate room.

General Hammond called out to the weary men and women. "SG-1 and 4, report to the infirmary. Colonel, I'll expect you, Captain Carter, Teal'c and Major Wilson in my office in one hour for debriefing. Good work, people. I'm very relieved to see our boy back in one piece."

SG-1 headed out of the gate room doors the instant Hammond dismissed them. The remaining band of returning travelers began to move out slowly. After the long hike back through the blustery, bitter winter weather on the planet, each team member was in search of a hot shower and cup of something warm to drink. All except one hardened Air Force colonel, who only had one thought on his mind, the health and safety of one wayward young archaeologist.

Jack pulled up short in response when his name was called out. Several paces ahead of him, Cater and Teal'c pointedly waited for him to join them.

"Colonel O'Neill?" The towering, bulky form of Marine Major Wilson caught up to him and stopped beside him. The remainder of his team formed a semicircle behind him. "My men and I are glad Doctor Jackson is back and in relatively good shape, sir." Wilson dropped the deadpan, military formality and smiled. "But we're really, really glad he's back under your watch, Colonel."

Tipping his head to one side, O'Neill stared at the 6-foot 4-inch tall, heavily muscled, hardened marine commander and thought about what exactly Wilson was trying to say. Knowing the man genuinely liked Daniel and had felt guilty about his disappearance made Jack decide to accept the gentle ribbing for what it was--one protective alpha male needling another and in doing so, delivering a compliment. No one could watch out for Daniel Jackson the way Jack and SG-1, his family, did. And no one wanted to. They didn't want to try and live up to Jack's standards when he wasn't around.

Gracing the big man with an amused smile, Jack cocked his head to one side and said, "Yeah, Wilson, I'm kinda glad he's back where I can keep an eye on him too. You and your men did a good job out there. Thanks."

Wilson took a chance that O'Neill's good mood would weather his next comment. "Maybe next time you should assign a whole unit just to him, Colonel. It takes more than one pair of eyes to keep track of that boy." Wilson's smile slipped a little and concern filled his eyes. "I'd hate to think about what might have happened out there. He's a good kid, but he doesn't listen for shit, sir. Begging the Colonel's pardon, sir."

With one last nod of acknowledgement and a sarcastic twist of his grin, Jack answered, "Ya think, Major? I'll see what I can do about it." Waving a hand in a vague circular motion through the air he continued, "And I'll take that platoon thingy under advisement."

***************

Jack O'Neill was far from perfect. He was cranky, overprotective, overbearing, opinionated, self-assured and insufferably alpha male in all things. He badgered Daniel about his eating habits, his sleeping habits or lack of, his work hours and what he did in his few off-hours. He rarely listened to Daniel when he tried to enlighten Jack about the history of the cultures and artifacts they found. He wasn't even remotely interested in anything that excited Daniel. Definitely opposite sides of a coin.

Although the number of years between them wasn't great enough for it to be biologically possible, they were very much like father and son. However, when the huge gap in their years of life experiences was taken into account, the possibility was far more plausible. Even to the casual observer they were undeniably family.

Jack's years of military service as a covert ops agent, POW, and officer had put years of extra miles on the man's insight and coping mechanisms. His life as husband and father had brought forth his instincts to nurture and guide and his son's death had intensified his need to protect and safeguard the ones he loved, almost to overwhelming proportions.

Daniel's life as an orphaned eight year old and frequently shuffled foster child had left the young man with deeply rooted feelings of abandonment and rejection, but he also learned to adapt and accept new situations quickly. His subsequent years as a brilliant boy wonder in both languages and archaeological studies kept him painfully busy achieving goals beyond his tender years, and further isolated him from making close relationships.

Daniel had loved and adored his mother, missed her terribly in the darkness of night, more so when he was feeling sick or especially lonely. With the loss of his mother, Daniel had lost some part of the understanding that he was important, that his needs and taking care of himself were important, resulting in his tendency to always putting his own needs last on the long list of priorities.

Daniel was hesitant about getting emotionally dependent on people, but he desperately wanted and needed the love of a family. As with most young boys, the loss of his father was the most telling on his development. The absence of a strong authority figure in his life made him feel lost and adrift, with no one to look to for guidance in times of extreme stress and indecision. Daniel needed an anchor to allow him to safely swim out into the sea of life, to explore and experience with the knowledge that whatever happened, whatever he did, he had a home to come back to and someone who loved him no matter what. And that someone was turning out to be Jack O'Neill.

Along with Sam and Teal'c, they were forming their own little version of family life. Teal'c was Jack's brother in arms. Warriors in their hearts and in their deeds, brothers bonded by a creed and a lifetime of training and experiences only they could understand and would never fully share with the younger members of their family. Teal'c made Daniel feel shielded and protected.

Sam was becoming Daniel's co-conspirator and confidante. She occasionally ran interference with Jack when Daniel needed a hand wiggling away from Jack's insistent nagging. As a fellow scientist, she understood and valued his opinions and enjoyed his depthless knowledge on ancient cultures and civilizations. Being motherless herself, she understood his sorrow at the loss of his parents and the occasional sad memory that would burst out of the past when least expected. In her own way, Sam frequently offered the comfort a mother's presence would give. Big sister Sam made Daniel feel valued.

Then there was Jack. Cranky, sarcastic, overbearing, overprotecting, loving Jack. Jack always knew what Daniel needed, even when Daniel didn't want what it was he needed. Jack knew when Daniel needed to be pulled back from an exciting new find and when he needed to be dragged away from work to eat, sleep and play. More importantly, he knew when to hold Daniel and shelter him from the stresses of the outside world until Daniel had a chance to build his defenses back up. Jack made Daniel feel safe, cared for and unconditionally loved.

Unfortunately for Daniel, Jack also knew when he needed to be sat down and lectured, most frequently about the importance of following orders and the possible severe consequences that could occur when he didn't follow those orders. The rescue mission to G45-726 was the perfect example of those consequences and Daniel knew it. As soon as Major Wilson gave his report, Jack would know it too.

Daniel turned that thought over and over in his head as he watched Dr. Fraiser redress his shoulder wound. An embarrassingly thorough physical was finally over and he was left with just his anxiety-inducing thoughts. He was startled out of them by the arrival of the person he both least and most wanted to see right now.

"Hey, there, Doc." Jack smiled his most endearing smile at the woman and started on his campaign to be allowed to stay in the room with Daniel while she finished her exam and treatment. "Just thought I'd drop by and see if you needed a hand holding Danny down or anything." Jack transferred his amused gaze to Daniel to watch the younger man pinch his face together in the expected petulant, defiant pout.

Janet raised her eyebrows in response and replied, "Why thank you, Colonel. Yes, I could use a hand." The surprise was evident on both Daniel's and Jack's faces.

Janet hid her satisfied smile and continued, "X-rays show his ankle is dislocated, quite severely in fact. I'm going to need someone strong to help me put traction on it so I can reduce it properly. Even with sedation to relax his muscles, it's going to be difficult. It's gone untreated so long that the swelling is going to make it tricky. I can't understand why it's still so swollen after three days, but it is and that's a problem."

"You think maybe, oh, I don't know, walking on it sometime in those three days would have done it?" Jack stared at Daniel until he guiltily lowered his gaze and all traces of defiance drained from his face.

Daniel bit at his lower lip and darted a quick look up at Janet. He was immediately sorry he had risked it. The disbelief and displeasure in the doctor's expression didn't bode well for the duration of his stay in the infirmary.

"Daniel! Tell me you didn't." The hard edge of Janet's tone made him flinch involuntarily. Daniel hated to disappoint the people who were important to him.

Not bothering to look up at his disapproving audience, Daniel muttered softly, "I was trying to come home. They wouldn't let me leave and I wanted to get back to the gate. I had to try."

"How far did you get, Daniel?" Jack's voice was even less forgiving than Janet's was.

Daniel swallowed hard and risked another look up. Both stood at the side of his bed, arms crossed over their chests and identical stern parental expressions on their faces. God, he hated it when he felt ten years old.

"Ah, well, as far as-as the front door." Daniel picked at the edge of the thin blanket laying over him, letting the frayed end of fabric hold his attention. The exhaustion he had been fighting since they had made the long horseback ride through the high snows to the gate was beginning to show. His energy was draining off and his ability to put up a brave front was wavering.

Jack opened his mouth but Janet beat him to the offensive. "Then what happened?" Her tone was slightly less condemning this time as she noticed the color fading from his complexion, making the dark circles under his eyes stand out even more than before. Without his glasses to hide behind, Daniel's face was an open book.

Daniel nervously cleared his throat and reluctantly tore his attention away from the sheets and back to his companions. "I-I fell down, threw up and passed out. Morage found me just as I lost consciousness and took me back inside. I didn't get far, I only took a dozen or so steps." He slipped into panic mode at the twin looks of outrage that were being directed his way. "I was trying to come home."

Jack dropped his crossed arms and move closer to the bed, hands clenched into white knuckled fists. The impact of what his youngest had endured was just starting to register now that the urgency of finding Daniel was over and Jack could start to think about what had taken place on the planet in his absence. Jack was definitely having trouble forgiving himself for not being there to protect and care for the young man.

At the sight of Jack's clenched fists, Daniel's words rushed out in a jumble, his voice begging for understanding. "I put my boots on and laced them up really tight. I didn't think my ankle was broken and it's not." Daniel's pleading blue eyes reflected both fear and uncertainty. "Don't be mad, Jack, please. I just really wanted to come home."

Jack couldn't stand the thought that Daniel had misinterpreted his anger to be directed at him. "Danny, I'm not mad at you. I'm just upset this whole thing happened to begin with. You're not going on any more missions without SG-1. Period. I should have been there. It's not you I'm angry with."

Jack's anger was directed at himself, but Daniel misunderstood and leapt to the defense of the only other person he thought Jack would blame.

"It's not Major Wilson's fault either, Jack. He told me not to wander too far from the base camp, but I saw the most amazing mosaics and-and I just wanted a quick look. Just so I could come back later with the proper equipment and really examine them. But they stretched further into the back of the temple and I followed them and before I knew it I was really deep into the alcoves and then I figured that since I was already there I might as well get a better look and---."

"You didn't let Wilson know where you were?" Jack's tone was deathly calm and quiet. A tiny little shake of Daniel's head answered him along with a pained squint of tired eyes and a quick arch of his eyebrows. "He couldn't find you when the animals attacked, could he? He didn't know where you were."

Once again the tiny shake, this time with a ducked head and a stammered reply. "N-no. No, he didn't. It took him a minute to find me. I-I didn't hear him calling. That's why we were the last ones through the gate. Or he was." Daniel sucked in a shaky breath and slowly blew it out again. "It wasn't his fault, Jack. He didn't know where to look for me."

Jack stood very still and thought hard about his next words. He'd had this conversation with the young scientist before. Several times, in fact. And each new time some new and fascinating must-see-right-now item caught his attention and the last lecture about safety and military protocol went right out the window. Jack had addressed it from a professional point of view many times. Maybe this time a more up close and personal approach was the way to go. After all, even Morage, a complete stranger, seemed to know how to get and keep Daniel's attention successfully. Maybe he should have been taking notes.

Jack settled for a cold stare and a hard-edged tone when he said, "You, young man, are in so much trouble. I'm thinking maybe the Ramord had the right idea after all."

Daniel's mouth fell open and his eyebrows shot up at the thinly veiled threat. "Ja-Jack?" He blinked rapidly up at the older man wondering frantically if he was serious or just trying to get a reaction from him. He hadn't reached a decision before Janet stepped in and called a temporary truce.

"You two can hash that out when I'm done. Right now Daniel needs his shoulder immobilized and his ankle reduced. Colonel, why don't you take a seat until I'm ready for you." Janet nodded at the chair beside the bed and turned back to her patient.

The lupar bite was healing well and x-rays revealed that the dislocated shoulder had been expertly set. Since the fresh dressing was already in place, Janet immobilized his left arm with a sling that was fitted with extra straps to hold his arm snuggly to his chest to give torn and stretched ligaments and tendons time to heal unstressed. It also served to remind him he couldn't use his left arm for any reason.

Next she called for one of the nurses to come and help monitor Daniel while she administered medication through his IV port. Within moments Daniel was blissfully unaware of his surroundings and most of the doctor's actions.

Motioning for Jack to come over to the bedside, Janet had him hold Daniel's left leg just below his knee. After a final check of the films, she manipulated Daniel's ankle with the use of a constant opposing force to Jack's firm grip. She eased the joint back into position with a satisfying pop that made Jack grimace.

During the procedure a soft, distressed moan escaped Daniel's lips followed by a shallow series of pain-filled gasps. Jack shot an accusing glare at the doctor.

"He's fine, Colonel. He'll never even remember this. Trust me." Janet continued to work as she reassured her patient's self-appointed protector. She skillfully casted the ankle to immobilize the joint. "The ankle wasn't broken, but it was severely sprained and dislocated. The cast will support the joint and give the torn and stretched ligaments and tendons time to heal. Daniel will need to stay completely off of it, no weight-bearing at all."

"For how long, Doc?" Jack anxiously watched Janet smooth the plaster soaked gauze into place.

"Well, considering the amount of damage, I'd say at least three weeks, maybe four. His shoulder will take at least that long to heal, plus he's looking at a couple of weeks of physical therapy after that. He really suffered some painful damage this time out, Colonel. Add to that the trauma of being attacked and chewed on by one of those disgusting beasts we saw on the tape and Daniel's in for some rough days and nights. I know I'd have a few nightmares over that one."

Jack absently reached out and brushed Daniel's bangs off of the young man's forehead, palm momentarily pressing against the skin to feel for a fever. He glanced down, surprised to find the skin beneath his hand slightly chilled.

"He's cold. Is he supposed to be cold?" Concern pushed anger to the back of Jack's mind and he turned to use both hands to cup Daniel's face.

"It's a side effect of the medication. It'll wear off shortly. The next question is how do I keep one antsy archaeologist occupied while he recovers in my infirmary for the next three weeks without tearing my hair out?"

"You won't have to. He'll be coming home with me. General Hammond put SG-1 on stand down until Daniel's back in shape so I'll be taking care of him at my place."

"Does Daniel know about this?" Janet arched a disbelieving eyebrow at him.

"Not yet, but he will as soon as he wakes up. Do you really think he'll object when the alternative is here? No offense, Doc."

"None taken. You do realize he's going to be a lot of work. He can't use his left arm at all so he can't use crutches. And he can't bear weight on his left ankle. He's going to be extremely dependent on you. Are you ready for that?" Moving around the bedside she checked Daniel's vital signs and softly tapped his cheek. Daniel remained peacefully unresponsive to her touch.

"We'll work it out. Daniel and I have a lot of things to discuss about this little adventure of his. I intend to put the time to good use."

"After hearing what he had to say about his behavior with Wilson, you can add another slap on the wrist for me. One of these days he's going to wander off and that boy isn't going to make it back here." A frown of genuine exasperation creased the woman's forehead and reflected Jack's own misgivings.

"Oh, don't worry. I'm thinking about a little slapping," Jack muttered, "but I wasn't visualizing his wrist as the receiving part of his body."

Janet gave a soft chuckle. "I have the same fantasy too at times like these. And speaking of slapping, are you aware that Daniel has a large red mark on his backside? A red mark that appears to be a giant-sized handprint?"

"Ya think?" Jack's innocent act failed as a slight grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Janet's only response was to raise a questioning eyebrow higher.

Jack relented and decided to confide in her. She was Daniel's doctor. "The Ramord have a thing about discipline and obedience. Their society is strictly structured and they live under potentially dangerous conditions daily. Conditions on the planet are harsh. They know they need to work together as an organized unit to keep from becoming extinct and that takes discipline. They learn to obey the rules from an early age or they won't live long enough to regret it."

"Sounds like the military."

"Kind of. They're a race of hunters, warriors, protectors, so I guess, yeah, sort of like us. They teach their children the rules they need to survive and they're not above using spanking to reinforce them."

"Ah. So when Daniel tried to take off--" Understanding lit up Janet's eyes.

"Yeah." Jack grimaced slightly. "That didn't go over too well. Morage, the big guy, the really big guy that found Daniel took offense to our boy's 'amazing lack of self-preservation', I think he called it. I think the red mark came from a swat Morage gave Daniel just before we left. Kind of a hint as to what the big guy thought Daniel deserved when he got home for the choices he made while he was there."

"What to expect from you?" This time both of the doctor's eyebrows disappeared into her bangs.

"For crying out loud. Come on, Doc. Daniel kept asking for me. You know how he calls my name as soon as he wakes up when he's scared." Jack shrugged his shoulders and tipped his head to one side in embarrassment. "The guy thought Jackson meant 'Jack's son'. He thought I was Daniel's father. He expected me to discipline him when we got home. Hey, don't look at me like that, it's their way."

"Still, that was hours ago." Amazement warred with disbelief in Janet's tone.

Jack raised both hands in the air like he was illustrating the size of a fish he had caught. "They have really big hands, biiig hands. For crying out loud, the guy was ten feet tall, Doc. He had shoulders as wide as a picnic bench and arms as thick as my waist. Morage must have been holding back. Danny's lucky his butt's just red."

"Well, Dad, I'd say Daniel's lucky he has you." Janet patted Jack's arm and rounded the bed to take one more look at her patient, careful to avoid the scorching look Jack sent her way. Leaving Daniel in the capable hands of a nurse and the ever-watchful hawk eye of his 'dad', Janet slipped out, a satisfied smile on her face.

Jack looked down at the sleeping young man beside him. One hand still cradled a cool cheek while the other rested lightly on Daniel's chest, unconsciously monitoring the sedated boy's breathing. "Sometimes, Danny, I wish I was your father. Half the time I think you do too. Lord knows you make me feel like I'm old enough."

***************

"If you think that pout is going to change things, you, mister, are sadly mistaken. So can it, Daniel. You're staying with and that's final." Jack shot the young man a piercing look meant to quell the building rebellion before it erupted. His tone held enough firmness to bring home the point that the subject was closed.

"I don't need any help. I'm fine. My apartment is smaller than your house. I can get around in it easier. I want to go there." Daniel set his lips into a thin line and stared defiantly at the wheelchair.

Jack continued trying to ease him off his seat on the infirmary bed. Being one handed and unable to support his own weight on both feet, Daniel was having little success fending off the larger man's efforts.

"Jack!" Let me alone, don't hover, don't make me look weak in front of you!

"Daniel." Listen to me, do as you're told, follow orders for once!

Teal'c silently listened to the escalating verbal war. He stood patiently behind the chair waiting to assist in Daniel's transfer out of the infirmary and off base. They had been arguing for several minutes and Teal'c knew Jack was just about through talking.

Both Teal'c and Jack noticed Daniel's attempts to avoid any kind of eye contact with them throughout the debate. In fact, Daniel actually leaned into Jack's personal space as if seeking comfort whenever Jack came near him. Daniel's words continued the fight, but his body language transmitted a different message all together.

Both men drew on their experience as fathers and exchanged a knowing look of exasperated concern. On an unspoken signal, they stepped forward and began to secure their reluctant charge regardless of what Daniel said.

Jack blew out a sigh of high frustration and tugged Daniel forcefully off the bed and into the wheelchair. Jack protectively cradled Daniel's injured shoulder against his chest, long arms around Daniel's slim waist, while Teal'c made sure Daniel's casted ankle swung freely past the chair's foot rests. Daniel landed with a grunt of surprise.

Daniel huffed an indignant, "JACK!" Don't manhandle me, don't push me, give me some space.

Jack growled forcefully, "Daniel." Don't fight me on this, don't argue, the last thing you need is space.

Since waking from the sedation in the infirmary, Daniel had alternated between being obstinate and uncooperative when faced with all the restrictions and limitations Janet had placed on his activities to teary-eyed and apologetic when Jack came down on him for his attitude. One minute Daniel was being unreasonably demanding and strong-willed and the next he was brushing tears off of embarrassed red cheeks and leaning into Jack's body for comfort.

"J-jaaack." I don't want to be alone, I hurt and I'm scared.

"Daniel." You're not alone, don't be scared, I'm here.

Jack's voice turned gentle but firm. He tried to convey all the understanding he could into Daniel's name, knowing the young man would be able to read his thoughts from just his tone.

Daniel scrubbed his hand over his face and shot a tentative glance up at Jack. One look reassured him that Jack wasn't going to relent. Miffed he had lost the argument in front of Janet and Teal'c, but greatly relieved Jack wasn't going to back down and let him have his way, Daniel sighed and relaxed back into the chair, signaling he was surrendering for the moment.

"I suggest, DanielJackson, that you allow O'Neill some latitude in this matter. Your resistance is insolent and childish. You are obviously incapacitated and in great need of assistance."

Daniel risked a quick look up at Teal'c and cringed slightly at the raised eyebrow the man bestowed upon him. An unhappy Teal'c was not a good thing. "Um, yes, you're right, Teal'c. Sorry." Daniel blushed an even deeper shade of red at the stern words.

"I am not the one to whom you should be apologizing. I believe O'Neill is being far too lenient with you. If O'Neill is not to your liking as a caregiver I would be honored to take his place. I would not have that same problem. On Chulak, as on Ramord, the young know where their place is and obey those in a position of authority. I would be most willing to show you our ways of teaching our young, DanielJackson."

Daniel's eyes flew open in distress and alarm at Teal'c's implications hit home. Not catching the same surprised expressions flicker over Janet and Jack's faces as he fought to gain control over his own reaction, Daniel ducked his head and stammered out a quick response. "N-NO. No, Teal'c, that's okay. Jack's fine. Jack's good. I'm- I'm just tired of strange beds and unfamiliar noises around me all the time. I don't need to go to my apartment, really." Daniel turned a sweetly apologetic and pleading look Jack's direction. "I'm sorry, Jack. Let's just go home."

A decidedly smug twinkle in his eye betrayed Teal'c's strategy to Jack and Dr. Fraiser. Luckily, Daniel was too busy watching for Jack's approval to notice.

Jack grinned in response and grabbed Daniel's pack full of medications and fresh bandages off the side table. "That's our boy. Come with."

Jack took point as Teal'c maneuvered the wheelchair and began the trek to the elevators to go topside, all the while pondering the fact that even after two months in his own residence, Daniel continued to refer to his own place as 'his apartment' but consistently called Jack's place 'home'.

Jack found he had to swallow several times before the lump of emotion in his throat decreased in size enough for him to feel comfortable again. A warm rush flushed through his body at the thought that Daniel looked to him for the safety, comfort, and love of a home, something the young man had not had much experience with in his short life span.

Jack expected that the next few days would be a roller coaster ride for the traumatized young man. Reliving the terror of the lupar attack every time he closed his eyes and the remembered fear of abandonment he had experienced when the Ramord took him away from the gate preventing his return home was more than enough for the young man to deal with.

Coupled with the pain and limitations caused by his injuries, Daniel was awash in a sea of ever changing emotions. From frustration over his restrictions to apprehension over Jack's reaction to hearing about how he had disobeyed Jack's number one rule of letting the others know exactly where he was at all times when they were off world, Daniel's thoughts and feelings were in constant conflict with his rational self.

Too tired to do battle with both Jack and himself, Daniel let instinct take over. He let the one person whom he knew would continue to care no matter how difficult he was take the brunt of his distress. Jack was in for a rough couple of days.

**************

"Eat, Daniel."

"I'm not hungry, Jack."

"I didn't ask if you were, Daniel."

"I'm not going to eat if I'm not hungry, Jack."

"Yes, you are, Daniel."

"No, I'm not. JACK."

"Are so."

"Am not."

"Are so."

"Not."

"Are."

"NOT."

"Not."

"Are--damn it, Jack! Why would I do that? Give me one good reason why I should eat if I'm not hungry."

"Besides I told you to?"

"YES, besides you told me to. Give me a sound, logical reason and I'll gladly comply, but there is no other reason for me to eat besides being hungry. Which I'm not."

"How about because the schedule Doc Fraiser wrote out says you have to take all your medications with food. And since the schedule says that these white ones are ever four hours, and these beige thingys are every six hours, and these little octagon ones are every six hours, it just so happens that all of them are due at the same time right now. Do you really want to take six pills, three different kinds of medication that are supposed to be on a full stomach on an empty, queasy one?"

The stern, faintly disappointed look on Jack's face made Daniel blink back a sudden stinging sensation in his eyes. Daniel shifted uneasily in his spot on Jack's couch and dropped his gaze from Jack's face. He picked at the afghan draped over his flannel clad pajama bottoms and raised his eyebrows several times in obvious indecision.

"Ah, well. Okay." Daniel sighed. Giving into Jack was difficult at times and especially so when the older man was so smugly, undeniably right.

"Ah, you-you might have a point." Knowing Jack was right but unwilling to completely comply with Jack's commands simply because they were commands, Daniel attempted a distraction while he evaded the point of the argument. "But I don't think I can keep much food down yet."

Jack's immediate response of picking up the phone to call the base infirmary made Daniel backpedal with a vengeance. "But-but I guess I-I could try." The phone instantly landed in its cradle and Jack's smile of pleasure actually made Daniel glad he had given in.

"That's my boy. Now sit up here a little straighter and dig in. That steak sub is only really good if it's warm and the cheese is still all gooey." Jack moved the bed tray over Daniel's lap one more time and turned to go back to the kitchen to grab his own meal. He didn't quite catch Daniel's softly muttered reply.

"Yes, Dad."

Jack called over his shoulder as he disappeared into the upper level of the house. "And finish the soup, too. I don't want Fraiser thinkin' I'm just feeding you empty calories and fat infested takeout."

"Yes, Dad."

This time the insolent tone registered on Jack's hearing but not the words. He returned to the living room with his own lunch in hand and narrowed his eyes at the stiff posture and resentful expression Daniel now wore. "You say somethin' Daniel?"

"Yes, Dad." Daniel spit out the words without daring to look up.

"Okay. Time out, kids." Jack pulled the tray from Daniel's lap and set it to one side on the coffee table. Settling down on the edge of the sofa he nudged Daniel's good leg with his knee to get his attention. "We need to get a couple of things straight right here, right now, Daniel. So listen up and listen good, mister. You are staying here in this house with me for the next couple of weeks. No discussion, decision made and agreed to."

A sour pout began to take form on the young face. Jack ignored it and plunged ahead. "And while you're here, under this roof, you'll live under my rules. No discussion there either. They're the same rules Charlie lived under so if an eleven-year-old can do it, I know you can do it too. You will do as you're told, when you're told and you won't always get an explanation as to why. Sometimes 'because I said so' will just have to be enough for you."

"That's not fair! I'm a grown man, Jack!" Daniel's cheeks burned brightly with equal parts anger and embarrassment. Jack didn't seem to notice.

"You're not acting like it much these days, Daniel. On a normal day you're forgetful, tardy, preoccupied and single-minded about the things you care about. But you've been pouting, defensive, argumentative, insolent, bad-mouthed and unreasonable since we found you. I know you were hurt and frightened back on the planet. I know that. That's one of the reasons why you're here instead of my leaving you to Fraiser's nurses, but you can't fight me over every little thing. Everyone needs a little help sometime, Danny. Just accept it."

Daniel blushed and squirmed under Jack's intense gaze. "Okay, okay. You're right, I do need help with some things."

"And…?" Jack's face held the expectant look of an impatient parent confronted with a willfully disobedient, but intelligent child, mandatory raised eyebrow in place and all.

Daniel heaved a frustrated sigh of defeat and look directly at his new keeper. "And I understand what you're saying and I'll try my best to cooperate here."

Gazing up with a baleful expression on his pale face, Daniel had the grace to look contrite. "I'm sorry Jack. I'm tired and sore and feeling useless. I'm really glad to be home and I appreciate your taking care of me. I really do. Even if I don't act like it." Daniel dropped his gaze to his lap and peeked up at Jack from under suspiciously moist lashes. His voice turned soft and hesitant as he said, "I'd rather be here than any other place I can think of, Jack. I, um, I feel safe here. With you."

"Christ, Danny." Jack leaned forward and wrapped Daniel in a gentle but forceful hug, making sure the younger man was firmly tucked to his chest in an alpha male effort to hide his own overly bright eyes. "That's good, that's really good to know, Big Guy." Jack smoothed a comforting hand down Daniel's back, skillfully avoiding the bandages he could feel through the flannel of Daniel's overly big pajama top. "I feel better knowing you're here with, too."

Daniel nodded into Jack's neck and sniffed twice before pulling back to settle his length more comfortably into the sofa cushions. His injured leg rested against the back of the couch, elevated on two bed pillows while two more padded his back and immobilized shoulder.

Jack sat perched on the edge of the cushion Daniel's hips rested on. As he let Daniel slip from his embrace, Jack trailed his hands down Daniel's arms until they reached the edges of the sling. He watched Daniel thankfully ease back into the pillows with a soft sigh.

"We need to finish up this discussion of the rules so you can eat and get these pills down or Fraiser won't be the only one who'll be looking to have my hide."

"Jack?" What now? We just agreed on things, didn't we?

Confused, reddened eyes blinked up at Jack. Jack reached out and casually wiped a stray lone tear from Daniel's pale cheek. Fixated on Jack's determined expression, the tear's owner appeared not to notice the gentle swipe.

"Daniel." You weren't listening again. We're not done.

"For crying out loud, Danny, we're not done going over the rules here. Some of these are Doc Fraiser's and some of them are mine. All of them are just common sense. That's why I have to go over them, so you'll recognize them."

"Cute, Jack. Insultingly juvenile, but cute."

"Knew you'd like it. Pipe down and let me finish up. I'm hungry. Along with the 'do as you're told' stuff, I expect you to be resting, eating and sleeping according to Fraiser's recommendations. That doesn't include coffee, candy bars, working or all-nighters."

"Jack--"

"Fraiser wrote that in big red letters on your instruction sheet. Along with frequent small feedings with lots of liquids, vitamins and protein. Neither one of your favorite foods count and you know it. You take your pills on schedule and you eat something with all of them."

"Jack, I'll explode. I can't--"

"Ah, ah, ah!" One raised finger brought silence to the room. "You stay in bed or on the couch for now. Your leg needs to be up whenever you're not in the bathroom or getting to the bathroom. Hey, save the glare for Fraiser. She says the pills will make you drowsy and lightheaded. And NO skipping doses either or you'll be back in the infirmary in a flash."

"Terrific."

"Do what you're told and everything will work out fine. See how that cleverly goes back to my first rule?"

Daniel's only answer was a sour face and a few soft words spoken in an unknown language. Jack had a good idea what they meant anyway.

"Ah, ah! None of that. Only English around here. If I'm going to be insulted I want to know what's being said before I wash your mouth out with soap. You wouldn't want me to mistake something and you end up foaming at the mouth for nothing, do ya?"

"WHAT? Jack, you can't be serious?"

"Try me. I know you're frustrated, but that isn't the way to express it. So can it. You're a linguist, I'm sure you can think of something more appropriate to say."

"Damn it, Jack--"

"Ah. That's two. Three strikes and you're licking Dial off the roof of your mouth, Daniel."

Daniel blinked several times in total disbelief then opened his mouth to comment. At the sight of Jack squinting and turning his head slightly to mimic hearing better, Daniel snapped his mouth shut and rethought his answer until only a frustrated, "Riiiiight!" came out.

"I usually am. Okay, we got the 'do as you're told, the sleeping, eating resting, taking your pills on time, no foreign languages I don't know' thingy done. That just leaves the 'no walking and no unauthorized use of injured limbs' thing. That means I help you bathe, dress, undress and help with the bathroom private stuff when you need it."

"The 'bathroom private stuff', Jack? You're going to wipe--" Daniel effected an air of smugness at finding an activity Jack was reluctant to take charge of.

"Hey, you still have one good hand. I'll be there to get you in and out, the rest is up to you, rock boy."

"So if I needed you, you wouldn't be there for me?" Daniel's mocking tone grated on Jack's good intentions. Jack leaned forward and captured Daniel's self-satisfied look in his own steely gaze.

"If your tender little butt meets up with my hand, Daniel, it won't be to wipe it. You'd better think about what exactly you do over the next few weeks, little boy, because after your behavior off world with Major Wilson, I am so in the mood to try out Morage's little suggestion. He didn't seem to have any trouble getting and keeping your wandering attention."

"J-Jack?" You can't be serious. I know I was wrong and maybe I deserve to be punished but you can't mean that.

"Daniel." I'm thinkin' nothing else is working here.

"Jack!" Tell me you're joking. Please.

"Daniel" I'm dead serious here. You don't want to push me.

Daniel blinked back his surprise and disbelief. "Um, I think, ah, I'd better eat now."

"Sweet. It'll be time for your next dose of pills before you even get this one down at this rate. Fraiser's not gonna be happy, Daniel. You know she's worried about you."

Eyes downcast, Daniel nodded. It was Janet's job to worry about his health. More interestingly, Daniel marveled at the fact that Jack cared enough about him to be pushed into thinking about this extreme method to ensure his continued chances of survival. This last trip through the gate had made those odds look very slim, even to Daniel.

As dark thoughts about his life and death struggle with the wild beast on the last planet filled his mind, a fine sheen of embarrassment began to color his pale face accenting the dark circles of exhaustion he carried as mute testament to his real health. Concentrating hard on the food now back in front of him, Daniel risked a peek at Jack under eyelids that were growing steadily heavier as the afternoon and the argument wore on.

Jack's face held a combination of tenderness and exasperation, the fine lines in the corners of his eyes crinkled in a small smile of approval at Daniel's willingness to 'do as he was told'. His eyes reflected a combination of concern and love that Daniel hadn't seen on anyone's face in decades. At least not directed at him. Not since his parents had died. Daniel found it warmed and unsettled him at the same time.

"Jack?" Are we okay?

"Daniel." Everything is just fine, more than fine. You betcha.

Overwhelmed with an almost forgotten yet familiar, intense sense of parental joy and affection, Jack used the excuse of getting up to allow himself to lean forward and place a quick kiss on the top of Daniel's head as he rose up to retrieve his own lunch. Retreating to the chair opposite the couch, Jack dug into his meal with fresh enthusiasm.

Shortly, Daniel's eyes began to flutter shut. Jack sat back to enjoy the sight and sounds of his youngest safe at home after a harrowing and traumatic couple of days. Jack didn't want to think too much about what could have happened on Ramord, what would have happened if the gentle giants hadn't rescued and cared for Daniel when they did.

Just as he began to think that the next few weeks might not be as big a challenge as he originally thought they might be, Daniel's body jerked upright in a painful twist of his already aching and tortured limbs.

A cry full of terror and pain split the air and had Jack out of his seat and back over to the couch in seconds flat. "No, get off me. Jack, help me! Jack!"

Jack grabbed hold of Daniel's wildly flailing arm and pinned it to his chest along with the rest of Daniel's body. He stroked his free hand up into Daniel's fine hair and gripped the back of the tense neck tightly, calling Daniel's name and reassuring the now awake, but confused and frightened young man.

"Danny, Danny. Hey, it's okay. It was just a dream, a dream, Big Guy. Wake up now."

Large, widely dilated blue eyes stared back blankly at him for a full five seconds before recognition lit up Daniel's face. Gulping frantically for air, Daniel pushed all pretense of self control aside and buried his face in Jack's shoulder, his free arm wound around Jack's neck and his confined hand clutched in the shirt stretched across Jack's chest.

"Jack. I-I was dreaming-dreaming about that a-animal that attacked when we went through the gate. It-it bit me and tore at me and flipped me---"

"Ssh, ssh. It's over. You're safe. Just relax. I got ya." Jack held on tight and petted a hand over Daniel's disheveled strands of gritty hair. Tomorrow a bath was on the schedule that was for sure. For now, only comfort and reassurance were on the top of Jack's list.

Jack gently rocked Daniel until the drug haze of sleep stole away the young man's consciousness once again. Hoping for a dreamless rest this time, Jack lowered his charge to the cushions and tenderly wrapped the covers over the battered, sprawled form. Easing back to cast an appraising eye over Daniel, Jack reluctantly admitted it was going to be a couple of long, long days ahead.

*************

Daniel's eyelids fluttered against the faint flush of his fevered cheeks in a reluctant struggle to open. With a soft moan of regret Daniel's efforts were marginally successful. He allowed several groggy minutes of uncertainty about whether to get up pass as he lay still and replayed last evening's events in his mind.

After a restless, but dream free nap Daniel had awakened sore and feverish, his attitude in a less pleasant frame of mind than his physical health. Reliving the brief, but vivid memory of the attack on Ramord had left his emotions raw. He found himself snapping at Jack over every other statement the older man made. Daniel held Jack personally responsible for the uninteresting TV schedule, the hardness of the couch cushions, the dryness of the February winter air that made his sinuses ache, and even the reddened area on his neck where his sling had already begun to rub his skin raw.

Jack had been uncharacteristically patient and accommodating with his volatile young friend. He suggested they order a movie off the pay-per-view feature on the cable to substitute for the boring TV line-up and he spent a long suffering twenty minutes rearranging pillows and blankets to provide a more comfortable nest on the couch. Jack even dug out a long forgotten cool mist humidifier out of a closet to set on the side table near his petulant, stuffy charge to ease the throbbing discomfort of Daniel's finicky sinuses.

Daniel gave startled look of surprise when Jack produced the nearly forgotten appliance. Jack gruffly explained he and Sarah had bought it one year when Charlie had experienced a bad case of croup. Jack choked a little when he said Sarah must have forgotten about it when she left. After that unexpected revelation, the moments that followed were unusually pensive and strained between them until Jack's dictated early bedtime for Daniel rolled around.

Daniel forced his eyes open the rest of the way and tried to roll onto his back. Landing against a mountain of pillows propped behind him and under his casted leg, Daniel didn't roll far. Jack had made very sure that he would be comfortable and supported throughout the night, tucking in numerous pillows and a mountain of blankets until Daniel thought he would be mummified alive. He had to admit he had slept well.

With a small sigh of disgusted exasperation, he gave up on finding a more comfortable position on his own and strained to get a look at the clock on the bedside table. The red LED display wavered in and out of focus. 10:34 am.

Daniel rested his heavy head back down on the pillow and listened for sounds of life from downstairs. Jack had said he would be home for the next week. He promised he would be here for Daniel on a daily basis, helping with all the little things Daniel couldn't do for himself, like dressing, cooking, shaving, showering, washing his hair, and getting to the bathroom. The last one was high on Daniel list of priorities right now.

Daniel let out another deep sigh, this time of frustration. He didn't want to have to call for help for something so small. The bathroom was only ten feet away, situated between both spare bedrooms with adjoining doorways. He thought he could make it the few feet on his own, if he held onto the furniture and took his time. A twinge from his full bladder reminded him that time wasn't something he had a lot of right now. Not if he wanted to avoid an embarrassing accident and create more work for Jack, as if he hadn't imposed enough already.

After yesterday's pointless arguments and terror inducing nightmares, Daniel was left feeling stressed, useless, burdensome and angry. He wasn't even sure why he was feeling some of these emotions but he certainly was having a difficult time keeping himself from acting out when they surged all too easily to the surface. Daniel was surprised Jack hadn't called Doctor Fraiser to have him shipped back to the infirmary by now.

Daniel slowly used his good arm to push himself up off the mattress, sliding his casted ankle off the pillow supports and down to dangle off the side of the bed, he let a soft gasp escape as the movement pulled and stress every injured muscle he owned. Steadying himself with a quick grab at the bedside stand for balance, he allowed a second whimper of discomfort to fill the still room as blood throbbed into his limbs.

"Come on, you can do this. You don't need Jack to come up here to drag your sorry ass ten feet to the bathroom." A sense of urgency struck him again, fueling his effort to stand. "I can do this. I can do this. I can do this."

Just as Daniel began to ease himself off the bed and upright, an unexpected stern voice seemed to boom out of nowhere, but sounding suspiciously like it was in his left ear.

"Kree!"

The sudden sound startled him so badly that he slipped off the bed and crashed to the floor. Or would have, if strong arms hadn't wrapped themselves around his waist and effortlessly lifted him into the air before his body had a chance to land onto the unforgiving floor.

Daniel grunted at the firm, unyielding grip, knowing exactly who was at his back. Almost against his will, one eye peeled open and peered up. One extremely unhappy Jaffa stared back. Daniel didn't think he had ever seen Teal'c's eyebrow raise that far before.

"I believe you are in need of assistance, DanielJackson. Were you and Colonel O'Neill not in agreement that you would summon assistance whenever mobility was called for?"

Daniel barely whispered, "Oh, God. This is not going to be a good day."

"Indeed. If you persist in disobeying every command O'Neill and Dr. Fraiser have issued to ensure your successful recuperation, it will not be a good day, DanielJackson."

Daniel gulped back the indignant remark on the tip of his tongue. "Teal'c! Where's Jack? I-I just needed to go to the bathroom. I still need to go, by the way. Pretty badly as a matter of fact. So, if you don't mind, I'll just--" Daniel gulped again as he was deftly swung through the air and turned, leaving him scrabbling for a secure hand hold. Teal'c lifted him higher into the air with one arm while his other caught Daniel behind the knees.

Daniel's free arm latched onto Teal'c's shirt and twisted deep into the fabric, a silent signal of the level of his apprehension. Teal'c decided it was as much Daniel's worry over Teal'c's reaction to finding him trying to walk by himself as it was to being manhandled unexpectedly. Either way, a little healthy fear on the young man's part was a good thing in Teal'c's mind. Part of the reason people obeyed authority was apprehension over the consequences of not obeying. Teal'c felt Daniel could use more than a little increase in 'apprehension' in his young, defiant life.

Walking to the bathroom with his package of trouble, Teal'c expressed his opinion as only the powerful Jaffa could. "I am displeased at your willfully disobedient actions, DanielJackson. You have been instructed to obtain assistance with all activities such as this. Why did you not?" Teal'c stopped before the commode and placed Daniel gently on the floor, holding him around the waist until he gained his balance on one foot.

Daniel's hand hesitated at the band of his pajama bottoms. He risked a quick glance up at the support beam holding him in place and frowned at the determined look on Teal'c's face. Daniel pitched his voice to be both hesitant and conciliatory. "Because the bathroom is really close? Um, I'm fine now, Teal'c. Ah, um, thanks for the help."

Teal'c remained rooted to the spot as Daniel turned slowly on one foot, holding onto the sink as he pivoted. A red blush intensified the slight fever glow Daniel was already sporting when he realized Teal'c had no intention of leaving him alone. Unfortunately, Daniel's bladder was sending a message of its own. Daniel squirmed and fumbled with the waistband of his bottoms.

"Ah, Teal'c--"

Teal'c realized Daniel's need but waited several satisfying seconds before answering. "I will remain here unless you are seated to complete your bodily functions."

Daniel's mouth gaped open and closed as he thought of several indignant protests, but none made it past his lips. He was in enough trouble already at the moment.

"You are unsteady and should not be left alone otherwise."

"Teal'c, I--" A strong twinge of urgency cut off his indignant out burst. "Okay, okay. Just go."

Teal'c remained standing, one eyebrow raised and passively watched until Daniel hastily dropped his pants and awkwardly lowered himself to the commode. "Fine. Happy now?"

"Extremely." Teal'c allowed himself a small smile of triumph as he turned to step outside of the still partially open door. His smile increased slightly as he heard Daniel muttering a continuous list of complaints, unaware that Teal'c could hear every word.

"If I'd known he was going to be there I'd have stayed in bed. Just my luck he's waiting in the bedroom. I knew I should have turned over first. It's all Jack's fault for putting so many pillows behind me. And it's his fault for not being here to help me himself. If my morning is this bad, what's the rest of the day going to be like? God, I'm useless like this. Who else has a grumpy Jaffa warrior carry them to the bathroom? Who else has to come and live with his tyrannical commanding officer when they get hurt? No one else, that's who. Just me. This is all Jack's fault. If he'd left me in the infirmary I wouldn't be in trouble with a man who can annihilate me with one hand. This is definitely all Jack's fault."

The mutterings ran on and on until Daniel had finished and stood to wash his hands and face in the sink beside him. Running a hand over his stubbled face, he decided to wait for Jack to ask for help to shave. He didn't think handing Teal'c a sharp object was the wisest plan at the moment. Daniel sighed and finally called out. "Um, Teal'c? Ah, I'm ready to come out now."

"One would hope you are also finished with your self-recriminations as well." Teal'c reentered the room and tugged Daniel into his arms as the younger man wavered upright on one foot.

"What? I'm injured. I'm not--" Righteous indignation radiated off of Daniel.

"Indeed. Is this also the fault of O'Neill, perhaps?" Teal'c headed out of the bathroom and deposited Daniel back onto the bed. Without asking if this was where Daniel wanted to be, Teal'c began to arrange Daniel's casted leg on pillows and cover him with a half a dozen blankets.

Having the grace to blush when he realized he had been overheard and at the implication that he had been acting childish and unreasonable, Daniel ducked his head and gnawed distractedly at his lower lip. "Um, well, ah, n-no. Where is Jack?"

"O'Neill will return shortly. He has left me in charge of your care." A steely glare caught Daniel's nervously flitting glaze and held it until Teal'c was sure the boy understood the gravity of his situation. "Unlike O'Neill, I can not be manipulated into needless allowances that have no benefit to your recuperative status. If you disobey me, I will not hesitate to respond appropriately, DanielJackson."

Daniel stared up at the huge Jaffa, his blue eyes wide with uncertainty and just a touch of fear, his mouth open in a small 'o' of disbelief. Not exactly sure, but not willing to ask what Teal'c actually meant, Daniel decided to change the subject. "Jack said he wouldn't leave."

"O'Neill was summoned back to the complex by General Hammond." Teal'c made his tone casual and unconcerned, trying to convey reassurance to his skittish and vulnerable young friend.

Daniel raised an admonishing finger in the air. "But he said he'd be here." Mistaking Teal'c's casual tone for sympathy, Daniel allowed a petulant whine to work its way into his demanding words.

"His presence was required elsewhere." Teal'c stopped arranging blankets to give Daniel a hard look of disapproval that the other failed to catch. Noting a flash of insecurity tinged with uncertainty cross Daniel's face, Teal'c reassured his reluctant charge. "I am fully capable of tending to your needs until O'Neill returns."

"I don't have any 'needs'." Daniel shifted restlessly in place and avoided eye contact with Teal'c. Each little movement of his body brought a fresh stab of pain from his healing wounds, reminding him just how untruthful his words really were.

"I believe you are mistaken." Teal'c turned a stern, disapproving frown on Daniel. "Neither Dr. Fraiser nor General Hammond was in favor of his shouldering the burden of your care, DanielJackson. Despite that, O'Neill expended great efforts to obtain your release. Dr. Fraiser refused until the colonel accepted all of her restrictions and demands, of which there were a great many. Be grateful O'Neill cares enough to accept that burden willingly. Only someone who truly cares would put up with both their demands and yours. Of this I am certain. It has been my experience that a sick child is not a pleasant companion. Only a parent would sacrifice themselves to the whining, frustration and torment. Your current behavior reinforces my own knowledge and observations."

"Torment? Sick child? I'm not sick, I was injured. And I'm not whining. What behavior? I'm sick and you expect me to be happy. Riiight!"

"Were you not 'sick'?" Amusement tugged at the corner of Teal'c's mouth.

"I'm…I just…I mean…damn it, Teal'c!"

Leaning down, Teal'c placed a calming hand on Daniel's forehead and frowned. "You are overly warm, DanielJackson. Perhaps you are delirious with fever. You require fluids and medication." Placing several pillows behind Daniel's back, he forcefully propped him up in a sitting position. "I will return shortly with both."

Making his way to the bedroom door he pulled up short when Daniel snapped an irritated reply at his back. "Maybe I am delirious and your being here is just a bad dream."

"If this insolent attitude persists you may awaken to a find yourself in a nightmare upon my return." Teal'c hard, unyielding expression caused Daniel to gnaw at his lower lip with suppressed anger. Teal'c watched as the younger man's eyes darted around the room as he mentally searched for a something biting to say back to the intimidating warrior.

"Don't think you haven't starred in a number of mine already." The moment the words left his mouth Daniel regretted them. Silence filled the room and both men went completely still. Teal'c turned to cast an implacable look at Daniel.

Daniel's face turned ashen beneath the flush of his cheeks, reflecting all the misery his heart could pour into his choked whisper of remorse. " Teal'c, I'm so sorry. I--"

"It would be unwise to speak of this now. You are unwell."

"Teal'c, please. I'm sor--"

"I will return. You will rest until then." His tone held a note of finality in it that upset Daniel.

"Teal'c! Please!" The unreasonable feeling that he would never see Teal'c again was overwhelming. If anyone knew that abandonment came in many forms, it was Daniel Jackson.

Teal'c exited the room without looking back, closing the door firmly and cutting off Daniel's whispered plea for forgiveness.

Teal'c continued on to the kitchen and poured a glass of juice from the refrigerator. Checking over the half a dozen prescription bottles sitting on the sink counter, he selected one he recognized as medication for a fever and shook two tablets out into his palm. Remembering Fraiser's warning that they should be taken with food, Teal'c popped two slices of bread into the toaster and waited patiently for the snack to brown.

Running over Daniel's harsh words in his mind, Teal'c grunted softly then slowly his featured softened slightly. Teal'c remembered his own son's biting words of complaint whenever he had been ill enough to be forced to bed for several days.

Smiling, Teal'c immediately dismissed Daniel's angry words as the familiar antics of a sick and petulant child, one hell bent on making those closest to him share in his misery and boredom by pushing as many limits as he could. When Jack breezed through his front door moments later, Teal'c still had an extraordinarily pleased look on his face.

"Hi, honey, I'm home." Jack pulled up short at the unexpectedly pleased expression replacing the usual stoicism of his friend's face.

"Hey, T. What's with the face? Don't ya feel good?" Jack raised both eyebrows and opened his eyes wide in mock questioning gesture, fully aware that Teal'c wasn't really grimacing.

"I am well, O'Neill. DanielJackson has awakened." Teal'c returned Jack's confused look with what for Teal'c was a beaming smile. The corners of his mouth were actually raised slightly.

"Ah. And how is the little monster this morning? Cranky because I was gone?" Jack vaguely gestured towards the bedrooms.

"Indeed. DanielJackson has been willfully defiant and disobedient."

Jack bobbed his head in reluctant acceptance of Teal'c's cheerful report of Daniel's poor behavior. "Nothin' like coming home to a happy family after a hard day at work."

"Indeed. He also appears to be suffering from a fever as well as a moderate degree of discomfort." Teal'c pulled the toast out of the toaster and buttered it, placing it on a plate along with the medication.

"So what's got you bursting at the seams with joy? You have a thing for abuse I don't know about? Ya know, they have a 12 step program for that." At Teal'c's blank expression Jack waved a hand in the air dismissing the comment. "Never mind."

"DanielJackson treated me with impatience and disrespect. He then attempted to be verbally cruel."

Jack flinched in surprise. "Christ, I'm sorry, Teal'c. What did our sweet little archaeologist say?"

"He implied that I am the cause of many of his nightmares. I believe he was referring to the events surrounding my selection of Sha're as host to Apophis' queen."

"And that makes you…happy? I'm missing something here, I think."

"Examine DanielJackson's behavior. Have you not seen it before? Whenever Ry'ac would become unwell, he behaved in a similar manner to the way DanielJackson is acting now."

"Well, yeah. Charlie could be a royal pain in the butt when he was sick, too. But what has that got to do with our juvenile delinquent up there and you?"

"Consider, O'Neill. If faced with meeting one of your co-workers or friends while ill, would your son have treated him with the same bad behavior as he treated you?"

"What? No, of course not. He would have been polite and prayed the guy left before too long."

"Indeed." Teal'c's satisfied look intensified.

"Okay, I'm still missing the point here. You want to draw me a picture?"

"DanielJackson is treating me much the same as he would you, O'Neill." Teal'c tipped his head in a small gesture of pleasure. "As family."

Realization struck Jack and he returned Teal'c's smile. "So, since Daniel is treating you like crap…"

"He has accepted me into the intimate circle of his new family. I am indeed honored."

"Oh, yeah. It's always been a real honor to have the little shit in my face, too. If they gave merit badges for being petulant and obstinate, Danny would have a whole drawer full by now."

"Indeed." Teal'c smile twitched slightly before settling down to his normal stoic expression. He picked the plate of toast and the glass of juice up, intending to deliver them upstairs. Jack reached out and took them from him.

"Here, better let me do that. Throw some fresh meat to the lions. He needs the rest of his pills now too." Jack crossed to the counter and began measuring out multiple pills into a clear medicine cup Fraiser had given him. "Maybe you could whip a little something up for lunch for us while I go and kick a little butt."

Teal'c gave a little bow of acceptance. "As you wish, O'Neill." He hesitated a moment then said thoughtfully, "Perhaps it would be of greater value if you were to consider 'smacking' a little butt."

"Come again?" Jack cocked his head to one side in disbelief. Teal'c couldn't be saying what he thought he was saying.

Teal'c returned Jack's stare with an unwavering gaze of his own. "It is my opinion that DanielJackson could benefit greatly if there were an increase in the amount of trepidation he feels over possible consequences of his defiant and disrespectful manner." Teal'c inclined head meaningfully. "A more physical and painful consequence."

This time Jack's eyes widened with surprise instead of disbelief. "Physical and painful. You mean spank him? Daniel? The kid's probably never been spanked a day in his life before Morage got his hands on him."

"Highly unlikely, O'Neill. DanielJackson would not be the kind, caring individual he is if he had been raised in a manner that would allow his willful nature to run unchecked."

Daniel was an amazingly sweet, considerate person under most circumstances. He only let himself be pissy when he was faced with a Goa'uld or comfortable in the company of his teammates. Even then, he was never selfish.

Jack mulled the thought over in his mind several times and slowly realized it was probably true. "Ya think dad may have landed one or two, huh?"

"I do. Although during his years within the social structure the Tau'ri call 'foster care' he may have gone without this manner of parental caring and guidance. It is my understanding this is not a substitute for a stable, loving family environment."

"Not really, no. They try, mostly, but it's not anywhere near the same."

"He undoubtedly has always been a precocious child, wandering off, absent-minded, brilliant and preoccupied, it is his nature. I am confident DanielJackson learned at an early age, as all children do, to use his sweet nature and shy looks to manipulate every adult within his sphere of influence. Especially during the years after his parents' death. He has not changed with the addition of a few years of physical growth."

"Ya think? But spanking?"

"I do. DanielJackson continues to pout, argue and demand where and when he sees fit with little margin for opposing viewpoints or the appropriateness of the situation. He has merely learned to add fact and evidence to his arguments to sway his audience towards his goal. Combined with his, I believe Captain Carter calls them, his 'lost puppy dog looks', it makes it doubly difficult for many, General Hammond and yourself included, to hold a firm position against him. Few are immune."

"Hey, I've had all my shots. Fraiser and my butt are close friends." Jack's indignation was clear to see.

"But you still are not immune, O'Neill. DanielJackson frequently manipulates you."

"Oh, for crying out loud. He's a bright kid and he's not military, Teal'c. He deserves a little special consideration sometimes." Jack placed the plate, pill cup and glass back on the counter. Leaning back, he crossed his arms over his chest. This was becoming an eye opener of a conversation. He knew how he felt about Daniel but was surprised to find such a willing ally in his Jaffa brother.

"Yes, You are correct. He is exceedingly intelligent. And, he is inventive, courageous, self-sacrificing, and kind-hearted. But when attempting to get his own way, he can be impressively manipulative and passively defiant. I believe you stated that he lied in order to be allowed to go to Abydos on your first mission."

Jack shrugged his shoulders in easy acceptance of the obvious. "Kids, ya gotta love 'em"

"I believe this is exactly what DanielJackson is endeavoring to prove to himself."

"That we care about him? Love him?" Jack sighed and ran a hand over his face and into his hair, mussing the already tousled and spiked silvery threads even more. "Yeah, I guess that kinda makes sense, in a screwy kinda Daniel way. Ever since his parents died, Daniel's been tugged from one temporary family to another, foster homes, colleges, dig sites, Abydos and the SGC. I guess that if you learn to show your worst and they still keep you, it's got to mean something." Jack released another huge sigh. "So, we get to live through his rebellious teen years until he can convince himself he's wanted. Sweet."

"Would bittersweet not be more appropriate, O'Neill?"

Jack half nodded in reluctant agreement. "Tell me about it. But the kid's been back for 3 months. Something must have triggered this now. Might have been deciding whether we're worth the trouble or not."

"I believe DanielJackson made that decision concerning you, O'Neill, a year ago on Abydos when he chose to save your life at the cost of his own. It has been Captain Carter and I that he remained uncertain of. I believe the captain passed his test some time ago. I was the last to be measured. "

"Cool. Now that we're one big happy family, what's next? Maybe something happened on the last mission that brought his insecurities to the surface. He can't go pulling this monster act every time he's unhappy or sick. He's going to get himself in trouble with someone who isn't so understanding of his…'Danielness'."

"I agree. It is now that DanielJackson must learn to fear the consequences of his actions. At present there are few consequences that apply to him outside of personal regrets as he is, as you say, 'not military'."

"Come on, Teal'c. I can't exactly report him for insubordination at home. Or ground him. Or restrict him to his quarters." Jack threw up his hands in frustration.

"Maybe not in the military sense, but have you not used a version of all of these disciplinary actions with your own child at one time?"

"Well, sure thing, but Danny isn't--"

"DanielJackson regards to you as the authority figure in his personal life as well as at the SGC. All that know the two of you are aware of this. Now is the time to define what is acceptable and what will not be tolerated with his behavior. You must set limits and appropriate punishments now, while DanielJackson is settling into this new 'family'. He must learn them now so that he equates them with the very beginning of this intimate structure and grows comfortable within its established confines. Then there will be no question of whether or not he is fully informed of his chosen role within its boundaries."

Jack heaved a sigh of resignation and gathered the plate and glass back up. "And you think spanking should be included in that?"

"Whether it is the mere threat or the actual act, it has been my experience that corporal punishment is an effective determent when dealing with the young. The Ramord seemed to know this as well."

"It's been my experience that you can't make threats you aren't prepared to back up with action, Teal'c."

"Indeed. I have expressed my opinion on the matter. It is for you to decide whether or not to implement such measures. Let it be known that you have my support whatever decision you arrive at, O'Neill."

"Thanks, T. I have a feeling I'll need that support if Carter ever finds out. Remember you said that." Jack left the kitchen to amble slowly towards the guest bedroom. "Wish me luck, I'm off to the lion's den."

"I will, O'Neill. Be brave, my brother." The amusement was easy to read in Teal'c's voice.

Jack shot an exasperated grimace over his shoulder. "Smartass Jaffa warrior. Who's the one staying in the safety of the kitchen?"

A soft snort of amusement was Jack's reward for his sarcasm. "And here I will remain, O'Neill, supporting from a prudent distance."

"Yeah, sure, youbetcha."

*****

Jack forcefully nudged open the bedroom door, taking a tiny bit of satisfaction from the fact that the hunched form on the bed jumped slightly at his entrance.

"Ah, J-Jack."

Stopping just inside the room, Jack silently paused a moment to allow his tall, broad-shouldered silhouette to be framed in the doorway highlighted by the brighter light from the hallway. Satisfied he had set a suitably intimidating start to their coming discussion, Jack ambled over to the bedside and set down the items he was carrying. He then grabbed the straight-backed chair from the corner desk and silently dropped it next to the bedside, facing a nervous Daniel. Never taking his eyes of his prey, Jack smiled inwardly as he watched the growing signs of trepidation in his errant young charge as he sat down.

Daniel shifted in place, squirming his butt from side to side and fiddling absently with the edges of his sling with his good hand. He swallowed hard and raised his eyebrows several times as his anxiety grew. He rotated his uninjured shoulder to try and ease the tension building there. Daniel released a gasp when the action pulled the muscles in his healing wound as well.

He glanced up at Jack to gauge the older man's reaction to his obvious discomfort and found himself swallowing hard at the unbending, displeased expression etched into the lined and weathered face of the man he not so secretly idolized. Instantly stilling his nervous actions, Daniel ducked his head, bit at the corner of his mouth and peered up through his lashes to check for any signs of Jack's legendary iron will bending. Instead of the expected concern Daniel found a familiar container full of pills and a glass of citrus juice thrust in his face.

"I-."

"I don't want to hear it, Daniel. Swallow them."

"You-."

"Ah."

"But--."

"Daniel." All comes back to 'do as you're told'.

"Jack." It's a stupid rule.

"Not…another…word."

Not hearing any margin for discussion in the terse command, Daniel accepted the cup and glass and did as he was told. Handing back the empty glassware he was traded glass for plate and Jack let the sudden narrowing of his eyes speak for him. Daniel silently ate both pieces of toast. As the last bite disappeared, Jack snatched the plate away and deposited it on the stand with the glass, allowing the crockery to thud heavily onto the tabletop. Daniel flinched at the sharp sound that filled the too-quite room.

Jack let the silence and the anxiety in the room grow until the embarrassed flush of Daniel's cheeks had extended all the way to his neck and ears. Reaching out to still the fingers nervously drumming on Daniel's thigh, Jack kept the thin wrist captive within his own firm grip.

Daniel tugged at it once but dropped the challenge when the grip remained steady and firm. He continued to stare wordlessly at their joined hands while Jack hitched his chair closer to the bedside.

"Teal'c tells me you were just peachy to him while I was gone." Daniel averted his eyes and studied the binding of the blanket over his lap while Jack studied what little of the pale face he could see under the curtain of golden brown hair. "Well, he actually said you 'treated him with impatience, disrespect and were verbally cruel'. I'm taking a wild stab at this, but I think that means you weren't very nice to him."

"I-I tried to say I was sorry." Daniel voice managed to be petulant and remorseful at the same time.

"From what I hear, you should be. Teal'c was here to take care of you and make sure you were comfortable and safe while I was at the mountain. He wanted to be here, to do that for you."

"He wouldn't let me apologize. I tried." Petulance was gaining on the remorse.

"Wanna tell me why you had to apologize in the first place? What's going on?"

"Nothing's going on. I'm fine." Daniel lightly twisted his captive wrist, not really tugging away just reminding himself of his tangible connection to Jack.

"Wonder if Teal'c feels the same."

Daniel flinched. "I didn't mean it, Jack."

"Then why'd ya say it?"

Daniel shook his head, misery written all over his pinched, young face when he finally raised it to look Jack in the eye for the first time since the other man had entered the room. "I don't know. I don't understand why I'm saying and doing half the things I have been since I got back from that damn planet. I just don't know."

"Ah!" One raised finger was enough for Daniel to duck his head sideways in acknowledgement of the newly set restrictions on his vocabulary. "Try me."

"Ja-ack." If I don't understand it, I can't explain it.

"Daniel." You can do this.

"Right." Daniel sighed and looked up at the waiting man, drawing reassurance from Jack's steady gaze. "I was angry--at you. For bringing me home, for taking so long to find me on that da--ah, damp planet, for surprising me with Teal'c, for being gone when I woke up. For a lot of things, not all of them reasonable, I know." Daniel's next sigh was filled with something close to despair. "Anyway, that's why. I told you I didn't understand all of it." Daniel's progressively roughening voice dropped to a bare whisper of hurt. "I screwed up, just like I usually do."

Confused blue eyes blinked up at Jack, telling him more than Daniel's words did. He saw Daniel's uncertainty at being pulled from the familiar safety of the anonymous, impersonal care of the SGC medical staff, and the fear of waking up in the care of someone he wasn't sure he completely trusted yet. He heard Daniel's lingering anxiety over wondering if he was ever going to see home and his teammates again. But Jack actually felt Daniel's fear of being left, abandoned, all alone one more time in his young turbulent life.

Well, Jack was going to make damn sure Daniel never questioned his commitment to the young man again, never questioned his place in Daniel's life or Jack's place in his. Never wondered where he stood or what would happen if he did screw up. Things were about to be blindingly, maybe painfully, clear. Jack shifted forward and grabbed Daniel's chin with his free hand, forcing Daniel to look him directly in the face.

"Daniel, I think we need a little heart to heart here, Big Guy." Jack gently squeezed the wrist in his hand to reassure Daniel that this was a good thing. "I need to make a few things clear. I want to be 100 percent sure you understand what I'm about to say to you, young man." Jack gently shook Daniel's chin but kept his tone unyielding. "Payin' attention?"

"Right. Yes, okay." Daniel blinked back a sudden sting at the back of his eyes and continued to force himself to hold Jack's stern glare.

"Okay, listen and don't interrupt." Jack dropped his hold on Daniel's face but tightened his grip more securely around his wrist. "You, Daniel Jackson, have been an unholy terror ever since we got you back from G45-7 whatsits--."

"726. I have not--."

"726." Narrowed eyes and one death glare silenced Daniel's indignant protest. "And while I can tolerate and have tolerated a lot of outlandish behavior from you up until now, this whole rebellious teenager phase is coming to a shrieking halt. Either the behavior stops or you start to bear the consequences."

Daniel's mouth worked but no sound escaped. Between the blinking and the small 'o' formed by moving but oddly silent lips, Jack wasn't at all sure that the younger man wasn't having a small seizure. But since Daniel remained upright and conscious, Jack forged ahead.

"And those consequences are going to be things you're already familiar with but with a little twist. As a member of SG-1, you already know what insubordination, grounding, and being restricted to quarters mean. For you, not much, because you're a civilian." Jack watched as Daniel visibly relaxed. Apprehension was prematurely replaced with a small amount of relief. "Well, you're not in Kansas any more, Danny and they're going to take on a whole new meaning just for you."

"Jack?" What are you saying?

"Insubordination is now called talking back. Unacceptable with a few situational exceptions."

"Jack!" You must be drunk.

"I don't want to hear it, Daniel. Grounding for Carter-types means no off world missions, for you it means no extra curricular activities once you leave the base." Jack waved a dismissing hand through the air. "No museums, lectures, movies, dinner out, ectera, ectera."

"Jack! Are you out of your mind?" Daniel tried to wrap his uninjured arm around his body but was rudely reminded that both of his arms were unavoidably restrained.

"Shut up, Daniel. Then there's 'confined to quarters'. That means your room, here, and many, many boring hours of just bedroom walls."

"You are out of your mind." Total disbelief was written across Daniel's face and reflected in his body language as he tried to lean away from Jack and into the pillows behind him. It wasn't a move Jack was willing to let him make, so all he accomplished was to receive a firmer hold on his wrist and Jack leaning further into his personal space.

"And last, but certainly not least, there's the grand daddy of them all. You break any of these restrictions once I've placed them on you and you'll find yourself looking at a good old-fashioned spanking. I think that just about wraps it up."

"A what?" Panic pushed Daniel's eyes wide open and elevated his heart rate alarmingly. "This a dream, isn't it? I'm asleep, aren't I? Please tell me yes, Jack, even if you have to lie to me."

"Sorry, Danny, you're wide awake."

"Jack, you can't be serious. I haven't been spanked since I was--I was eight years old!" Daniel blushed as the memory of the almost decades old incident and his father's immediate response to his reckless actions rushed out from the closet were he hid all his truly intimate secrets.

Jack watched Daniel's expression and knew what the young man was reliving in his memories. Jack had done the same thing with memories of Charlie when Teal'c had surprised him with the suggestion. They may have had moments of punishment, but they were also moments that were done out of love and caring. And they had both had these important people ripped from their lives unexpectedly. Jack gently reminded Daniel, "I seem to remember it happening just recently, if my memory serves me right."

"Not by my father! I mean--I mean someone I think of--who acts like--I -I mean treats me like a--you know what I mean." Frustration boiled up and rendered Daniel fumbling for words.

"Yeah, Daniel, I think I do. And I'm gonna be here for ya." Jack tugged Daniel forcefully to his side, half dragging the young man off the bed and into his lap. He wrapped his arms around Daniel's back and cradled him roughly when he felt Daniel try to pull away.

Embarrassed by his own desire to be reassured and held, Daniel put forth a weak attempt to escape Jack's embrace. Knowing this was exactly what he craved didn't make it any easier for Daniel. He was used to doing without what he desired, making do with what little affection people doled out and being grateful for the occasional pat and back slap most others deemed him or his accomplishments deserving of.

Only Jack understood his need for human contact, the desire to show and be shown affection and caring in a more visceral, tangible manner, the need to be blanketed in a circle of love so fierce that mere words and thoughtless deeds could never sever the link. The ties that formed a family, a harbor of safety, acceptance and love were what both searching souls needed.

Daniel gave in and allowed Jack to tuck his head into the crook of Jack's neck. The hard won peace lasted several long moments, as both basked in the much-needed affection and comfort of the warm embrace.

Heaving a sigh of contentment and exasperation swirled together with a splash of confusion, Daniel mumbled into Jack's shirt. "I want to get up. I need to find Teal'c and I want to call Sam." It was a blatant attempt to try and down play his desire for Jack's comfort, but Jack recognized it as the essential defense mechanism it was and let it go.

Daniel sniffed and reached up to rub at his gritty feeling eyes. The pain meds were starting to take the edge off his sharp awareness and relax his well-honed and practiced defenses. Like any experienced commander or father, Jack swooped in to take advantage of the moment.

"Bath first. You smell like old animal hides and stinky herb stuff. Your hair's all gritty with moss or something. I think there's a dust ball or twelve in there too. That's what you get for mopping up Morage's floor with your body."

Daniel scowled and pulled away from Jack's hold as far as he could without falling off of his perch against Jack's solid form. Seeking refuge in his usual avoidance tactics, he cut short the conversation with an impudent, "I don't want to talk about Morage, least of all with you."

Jack used one hand to tilt Daniel's face back around so their eyes could meet. Hardening his tone and tightening his grip ever so slightly, he let Daniel know his tone wasn't appreciated or going to be tolerated, not after what they had just discussed.

"What did I just say? Weren't you listening at all a few minutes ago?" Jack watched as Daniel mentally backpedaled and trepidation coupled with frank disbelief surfaced again.

"You weren't really serious about those p-punishments? All of them? Even the--the last one?"

Pulling Daniel into a standing position, Jack's voice took on the calm, unflustered tone he saved for sensitive situations. "Completely serious, Daniel. You choose to break the rules, then I choose the punishment. You do the time for the crime, I enforce it. Kind of a time honored way for a family to work."

Daniel took in the grim, determined tilt to Jack's head and the firm, decisive glint in his eyes and swallowed down the lump of mixed emotions suddenly blocking his ability to speak.

Part of him was appalled at Jack's one-sided decision to impose restrictions and rules on him outside of the SGC. But he had to admit a part of him, a very persuasive part of him, had latched onto the declaration and warmed to it with a single-minded dedication Daniel found unsettling.

A part of Daniel was thrilled Jack was willing to take on such a personal and demanding role in Daniel's life. Teachers and mentors had all taken an interest in his abnormally brilliant academic career, but he hadn't had a male authority figure take an interest in his personal well being since his father died.

The thought of physical punishment wasn't as upsetting to him as others might think. After all, his own parents had used it when he had been too independent for his own good while they worked in the ruins and sand dunes of countries and cultures where a sweet, young boy was all too often considered a valuable, sellable commodity or an unwanted burden, depending on who was doing the buying. But the thoughts of adapting to punishments and restrictions doled out by another was intimidating.

Jack tugged Daniel's arm across his shoulders and slipped an arm around his waist, heading for the bathroom. "We clear on this? You understand the ground rules here, Daniel?"

Unsettled by his instinctive impulse to unconditionally agree, Daniel's only response was a searching look. Seeing love, caring and firmness in equal measures reflected back at him in Jack's weathered and expressive face, Daniel gave a jerky nod and answered in a low, emotion roughened voice. "Yes, if you think you can put up with me, Jack."

Jack bestowed a crooked grin on his young charge and lifted a hand to ruffle Daniel's hair. "Two way street, Danny. I figure you're going to have to put up with a lot more from me than I am from you. You're the one who has to live with the rules. I just have to enforce them. You understand me, young man?" Jack reinforced his words with a warning squeeze to Daniel's neck.

Daniel's initial trepidation increased to panic as the truth sunk in. He raised a finger and tapped at the air near the corner of his mouth in protest. "Ah, ah, well, just a minute--"

"Sweet. Glad we agree."

"Jack--." Exasperation pushed the panic down to a tolerable level for Daniel.

"I'm not going away. Get used to the idea, Danny." Jack let the calm, sincere, final tone of his voice wash over his skittish, young friend. He watched as Daniel slowly shifted from panicked to frustrated, finally arriving at relieved.

"Let's get you cleaned up and then you can go apologize to Teal'c. He's making lunch. Carter will be here in half an hour so we need to get a move on."

Jack half-carried, half-dragged Daniel into the bathroom. Placing him gently on the closed toilet seat, he propped Daniel's cast up on the over turned waste basket for support then started pulling shaving items out from the cabinet.

"I was going to ask Teal'c for help with this earlier but…"

"It occurred to you that it might not be a good idea to hand him a sharp object while you're trying to verbally gouge his heart out? Must be when all those Ph.D.s started to kick in."

Instead of taking the jibe for the teasing it was Daniel's insecurities blossomed one more time. "I didn't mean it. I told you that. Why won't anybody listen? I-"

"Daniel." Jack became very still and his tone dropped two octaves to a very low rumble. "Not another word."

Surprised by the change in congenial atmosphere, Daniel didn't hesitate to raise his eyes to lock in place with Jack's uncompromising gaze. Daniel swallowed hard and pulled his lower lip in to gnaw on while he studied Jack's unhappy expression. Even Daniel was surprised at his own immediate and compliant response.

"Right. Okay."

Jack mentally cheered at the small victory. Maybe he actually could get the motor-mouthed academic to think before he spoke. Someday.

Jack expertly shaved Daniel's morning stubble off then ran the water in the tub while Daniel worked his way through the task of brushing his teeth.

Jack removed Daniel's arm sling and worked his loose pajama top off of Daniel's shoulders and into the laundry hamper. Tugging Daniel upright far enough to slip the pj bottoms down to Daniel's thighs, he pointedly ignored the furious blush that accompanied the action. Daniel eased back down to the seat and Jack worked the baggy pants off over Daniel's foot and cast.

After one final check that the water temperature was tolerable, Jack helped lower Daniel into the water, grinning at the pleased sighs of satisfaction from his aching ward. Jack placed the upside down plastic wastepaper basket in the tub and steadied Daniel's cast on top of it. Jack nodded his approval as Daniel sank back against the tub wall and closed his eyes. Snagging the shampoo from the shower shelf and a cup off the sink, Jack knelt down beside the tub.

"Tilt your head back, Danny. I'll get your hair."

"I can do that." Daniel's eyes popped open in surprise and discomfort. The thought of Jack washing his hair forced them wide open. It was embarrassing to have the older man doing menial tasks for him. He reached for the supplies only to have his hands batted away.

"Don't argue. You've only got one working wing, it'll go faster if I do it. Food is waiting." Jack saw the discomfort but ignored it and focused on the task, keeping his actions casual and unthreatening.

"That's not my fault. You're the one who--."

"What did I just say?"

"Ah--" Daniel wrapped his good arm around his bad and held on, his eyes darting around the small, enclosed space searching for something neutral he could pretend interest in besides Jack.

"What did I just say?" It was clear Jack expected a coherent answer this time.

"Ah, don't argue?"

"You were listening. Sweet. Now shut up and tilt your head back."

Daniel tensed but tilted his back and closed his eyes as a flood of water cascaded down his head and face. Long moments passed as Jack shampooed and rinsed the long, silky hair taking the bare minimum of time to accomplish the task to minimize Daniel's discomfort, but making sure every last strand was clean.

"Christ, you can be quiet for more than 2 minutes at a time. Who knew?" Jack tossed a dry washcloth onto Daniel's unturned face and sat back on his heels.

Daniel wiped the last of the rinse water off his face and turned a baleful glare on his caregiver. "It's difficult to talk when you're drowning, Jack."

"Spoil sport. Hold still while I take off these bandages. Fraiser said to keep the wound clean, so I didn't want the dirt from your hair getting rinsed into it. It can come off now. I'll re-bandage it when we're done." Jack grabbed a clean washcloth and soaped it up. "I'll wash what you can't reach and then you finish up, okay?"

Daniel pulled in a deep breath to protest then realized that the older man was right. He did need help. He could reach only half of his body and he did really need a thorough bath. Even he couldn't stand the smell one more day. Too tired to fight over every detail any more, Daniel finally turned control over to Jack.

"Okay. That sounds good. Thanks, Jack." Daniel gave his shy little smile of embarrassed acceptance coupled with a self-conscious duck of his head.

The action reminded Jack of the body language his own child had used on self-conscious occasions and he felt a definite tug at his heartstrings as the pieces of his shattered heart where slowly being dragged back together. Unable to come up with a suitable wisecrack for the occasion, Jack settled for a sincere, warm, "You're welcome."

The bath was quick and efficient, at least Jack's half of it, and twenty minutes later an exhausted Daniel was washed, dried, bandaged, dressed in clean pajamas and refusing to go eat lunch.

"I'm not hungry. I want to read for a while. Where are my glasses?"

"Put away. You'll get them back when you need them."

"I need them now, Jack."

"No, you don't."

"Yes, I do."

"Don't."

"Do."

"Don't."

"Do too."

"Do."

"Don't--That is so childish, Jack."

"You'd be the expert on that right now." Jack tapped his temper down and held his ground as securely as he held on to Daniel's waist as they made their way back into the bedroom.

"Oh, good one, Dad. You have a psychology degree hidden away where nobody's ever going to know about it, especially if you use it? OW!"

Daniel spat out the words and barely had time to regret them when a large, firm hand contacted smartly with his backside as another one steadied him in place from the front. The sudden pain was as intense as it was unexpected. The stinging burn radiated inward from the right side of his butt and buried itself deep in his unprotected cheek spreading a path of dull flame as it traveled.

Okay, so maybe Jack did have a limit to the amount of bad attitude he would tolerate from now on. Daniel drew in a small gasp to help settle the pain to a dull roar and turned wide, uncertain eyes on Jack.

"How about I knock you on your overeducated, young ass?"

A regretful, jerky shake of Daniel's head answered him. Jack caught a glimpse of healthy fear of the unexpected in Daniel's eye and smiled to himself. Teal'c may have been right. Maybe 'increased fear of consequences' was the key to taming a wayward, rebellious, young archaeologist.

****************

For little more than an excuse to break the tense stillness of the room, Daniel frowned at the TV screen and tossed the coveted remote on to the coffee table beside him.

"There's nothing worth watching, even on the pay-per-view."

"Come on, Daniel. There are 324 channels on that cable. I'm sure you can find something."

"I can't. It's all boring. The same old news highlights and sports reruns. That and B science fiction movies."

"Those are called 'instant replays'."

"Reruns, replays, what's the difference? They were boring the first time they showed them and they're even more boring the second, third, fourth time around. Only a moron would watch them."

"Ah, ah, ahh!"

"What?"

"Language skills, Dr. Jackson. Remember your highly prized and revered, overdeveloped nuncupative skills and their new limits."

"'Nuncupative'? Oooh, Jack, can you even spell that?"

"Yes, I can. Daniel, do you know what D-I-A-L spells? Better yet, do you want to find out how it tastes? I'll bet that antibacterial action they keep raving about on the commercials leaves your mouth feeling Clorox clean, ya think?"

"That's not fair! I didn't swear at you."

"We both know who the 'sports moron' in the room is, Daniel. One thing I won't tolerate from a subordinate is disrespect. I won't take it from a member of my team, and I certainty won't accept it from you. Family doesn't do that. So can it and watch your lip."

"F-family?"

"Oh, for crying out loud, yes, of course, family. Haven't you been paying attention? Where exactly have you been since I brought you back from Abydos? Is that aura field thingy Carter's always talking about from one of her naquadah experiments affecting your brain? You're going have to stay out of her lab more often, Danny, your mind's turning to mush."

Daniel ducked his head and chewed thoughtfully on his lower lip, eyes darting hesitantly between watching the fingertips of his immobilized hand and watching Jack's exasperated face.

"Family, Jack. I haven't thought about being a part of a family again. I-I don't know if I can do that one more time. Really."

The pain in Daniel's voice made Jack's chest tighten and ache. Reaching out, he cupped his hand behind Daniel's head and gently ran his fingers through the fine hair. Lowering his tone of voice to match the gentleness of his actions, Jack said, "Too late, Danny, you've already been adopted. No backing out and no resigning."

"Too late, huh?" Daniel leaned into the caress. Tears shone brightly in his wide blue eyes, his lashes spiky with moisture and dusky shadows of fatigue outlining their perimeter highlighted his uncertainty and barely restrained need to believe in Jack's backhanded declaration.

"Yeah, sure, youbetchya. Way too late."

"You, Sam, Teal'c and-and me? A family?"

"Yeah. I'm the dad/CO. Teal'c is kinda like my brother. And Carter, Carter is-"

"Sam's like my big sister most of the time."

"Okay. Big sister." Jack's tone seemed reluctant to go with that description.

"So, um, what does that make me? The little brother?" Daniel's hesitation was clear.

"Maybe to Carter."

"Ah, what's it make me to-to you?"

"Well, let me see. If I'm the dad, and Teal'c's my brother and Carter's your big sister, than that must make you--my son." Jack pretended to ignore the look of surprised delight that lit flickered across Daniel's face before Daniel hid it away.

Hell bent on distracting his charge, Jack plunged on with a mind-boggling display of his own convoluted sense of humor meant to confuse and distract. "Of course, then that makes Teal'c your uncle because he's my brother. I'd be careful there if I were you, especially with this recent attitude problem. But if Carter's your big sister then she's my daughter and I'm so not going to go there, so let's say she's a step-daughter from my previous marriage to a much older woman. No, she isn't really my daughter, more like a distant cousin, real distant, not even blood related, name only, family tree kind of by marriage thing. Got it?"

"Ah, not really. You kind of lost me back at the attitude thing. What attitude?"

Jack purposely ignored Daniel's question. "Oh. Let's just say, she can be your big sister, but there is no way I'm thinking of Carter as anything else besides my second-in-command. Not out loud anyway. Clear now?"

"Ah. No."

"Cool. Maybe she could be a mother figure."

"Mother? I don't know, Jack. I'm not sure Sam would like that."

"Probably not, but I'd like it better. Let's not tell her."

Eyebrows raised in confusion, Daniel blinked hard as he tried to follow Jack's rapid train of derailed thoughts. "Okaaaay. I don't want to know, do I? " At Jack's exaggerated shake of his head Daniel's mind danced back over to the most important part of Jack's monologue. "So, you said that makes you kinda like my, um, my father? Kind of?"

"Kinda, yeah, if that's okay with you. Kinda. Kinda goes with being your CO and being older and wiser, smart--okay, older, more experienced kinda thing. Did I mention older? You know, been there, done that. The father thing I mean."

"Ah, yeah. Been there, done that. The son kinda of thing, I mean. But it's been a long time, Jack. I-I'm not sure I remember how to do it right. I'm not sure I ever did it right the first time."

Jack turned concerned, searching eyes to study the sudden grimace of pain that twisted Daniel's face in the effort to keep from sobbing out loud.

"Daniel?" Tell me what's wrong. Trust me.

"Jack." I don't want to talk about this, but it's slipping out and I can't stop it. Help.

"Danny." I got ya. I got ya. Let it out.

Jack sat down on the edge of the coffee table and angled himself so he was facing Daniel full on. A simple touch to Daniel's face in a gesture of support and understanding started the tears to fall unchecked down the pale face still dotted with bright spots of fever-pink. Daniel stammered out his unguarded thoughts in a rapid flow of words and emotions, gnawing gently on his lower lips in between sentences.

"I-I mean, I used to think if I had been a g-good son, a b-better son, maybe my parents wouldn't have died. Maybe if I had been a better grandson, my grandfather would have wanted me. If I-I had b-been a better foster son, somebody would have f-fought to keep me. Maybe, maybe if--if I had been a better son-in-law, Kasuf wouldn't be mourning the loss of his only d-daughter."

Daniel choked down the lump of self-loathing that had formed in his throat. "I think you're going to be pretty disappointed, Jack. I don't have much success in the good son department. Lots of practice, but I never--I never get it right." A shy smile that was more of a grimace of pain twisted Daniel's tear-soaked face.

Jack dropped to the floor by the couch and wordlessly tugged Daniel's head close to his chest, tucking it tight to his heart. Cupping the back of Daniel's head with one rough-skinned hand, Jack carefully gathered the younger man to him in a tender embrace, muffling the near frantic sobs of heartbreaking pain and newly released demons. Long moments passed as both comforted the other, mainly by the sheer strength of their presence alone. Finally, Jack was in control enough of his voice and thoughts to break the comfortable silence.

"Hey, I've stumbled all the way down to my knees and hit the floor face first in the 'good father' department myself, Danny. But it's too damn late to change things now. This adoption is final. Got written in blood on that first trip to Abydos when you took that hit from a staff weapon for me. I think it got signed that first night I brought you home from Abydos. I have to admit, I could have just smacked you senseless when you volunteered to be a host, but it would have been pointless at the time, seeing as you were already senseless." Jack ruffled the silky, clean hair under his hand and dropped a quick kiss to Daniel's temple. "Nothin' much has changed since then, has it?"

Daniel's choked snort broke the spell of deep sadness hanging in the air

"Jack!" You're ruining a perfectly good moment here.

"Dan-iel." I made you laugh, just a little.

"Jaaack." Thank you. I'll be fine. We'll be fine.

"Daniel." Yeah, sure, youbetchya.

The abandoned and discarded son had finally found the desperately searching father with the hole in his lonely life just the right size for one brilliant young dweeb of an archaeologist to fill. They'd smooth out the rough edges as they went along.

Or not.

End