Nyan and the Munchkins
Author: Orrymain
Category: Slash, Drama, Romance, Established Relationship
Pairing: Jack/Daniel ... and it's all J/D
Rating: PG-13
Season: Beyond the Series - January 12, 2009
Spoilers: The Broca Divide (minor), New Ground
Size: 36kb
Written: October 17-19,21-24,27,31, November 1-2, 2005
Revised for consistency: August 12,26, 2007
Summary: Nyan of Bedrosia meets the Munchkins of Colorado Springs.
Disclaimer: Usual disclaimers -- not mine, wish they were,
especially Daniel, and Jack, too, but they aren't. A gal can
dream though!
Notes:
1) This fic, in part, is by request of Leo, who wanted a little more
background on what Nyan is up to.
2) Sometimes, Jack and Daniel speak almost telepathically. Their
“silent” words to each other are indicated by asterisks instead of
quotes, such as **Jack, we can't.**
3) Silent, unspoken thoughts by various characters are indicated with ~
in front and behind them, such as ~Where am I?~
4) This fic stands alone, but it does reference my other fic(s),
“Modulations”
5) Thanks to my betas who always make my fics better: QuinGem,
Claudia, Tove, Patti, Heather, Linda!
Nyan and the Munchkins
by Orrymain
Jack tucked in his shirt as he spoke, “Danny, are you sure Nyan is
prepared to deal with the Munchkins?”
“Yes, I'm positive,” Daniel responded, rolling his eyes as he buttoned
up his tan and white striped shirt.
This had been the twelfth time in the last twenty-four hours that Jack
had asked that question. He was concerned because today, for the
first time, Nyan would be caring for the Munchkins. It would only
be for an hour or two, and they'd be close by, but the lovers felt it
was important to give their triplets time to adjust to Nyan before
leaving them alone with him.
The couple wasn't worried about the older children. If they were
ever with them at the SGC and something happened to draw Jack and
Daniel away, the couple felt confident that both Jennifer and David
could handle themselves and take care of their younger siblings, but
the more likely situation to occur was for Jack and Daniel to just have
the Munchkins with them. Eventually, that might also include the
twins, but right now, the two youngest Jackson-O'Neills weren't taken
to the SGC with any regularity.
“Maybe we should stick around and ...”
“Jack, we're toying with fire if we wait,” Daniel warned. “There
are days when we have to go to the SGC and have to take the Munchkins
with us. If something happens while they're there, we need to
make sure they will be cared for by someone they, and we, trust.”
“I know, but ...” a somewhat resistant Jack began.
“Jack, we've talked about this over and over again, and you agreed,”
Daniel admonished as he combed his hair. “In fact, it was *your*
idea.”
The general sighed as he sat down at the foot of the bed, lightly
clasping his hands in front of him.
“Yeah, it was,” the older man acknowledged as he thought back on their
November conversation.
//Flashback//
“I think we need to find someone specific, and anytime we have the
brood with us, that person is solely responsible for guarding the
kids,” the older man suggested.
“Their own bodyguard: in our offices?”
“Outside the office. I thought we could come up with something to
keep them close, so they'd be right there if the alarm sounded or we
were called.”
“So out of our hair, but ...” Daniel began.
“There in a flash,” Jack completed.
Nodding, Daniel responded, “I like that, but it has to be someone we
trust, Jack.”
“We can talk about that.”
“Jack, I know,” Daniel said excitedly. “What about Nyan?”
Nyan had been on Earth for several years now. He'd helped SG-1
out of a dangerous situation when they'd visited his home world of
Bedrosia. He'd subsequently been given refugee status on Earth
and had begun working as a research assistant for Daniel almost from
the second he'd first arrived through the Stargate. He was an
easy going archaeologist who had proven himself to be courageous and
open minded.
Daniel continued, “When we bring the kids, he can easily work in the
general lab. It's just across from my office and down a few
yards. He'd be close by, easily available. Jack, the
children would love Nyan.”
Jack nodded, considering it for a moment, and then agreeing, “Hammond
would like that; wouldn't pull an SF off their regular routine, and I
trust Nyan, too. He's capable, reliable, and ...”
“You trust him.”
“I trust him,” Jack said with a smile. “Little Danny will drive
him crazy with questions.”
Daniel laughed and then commented, “And that's why Nyan would be
perfect. I think he'd be patient with the children, and we could
talk to him about what kind of things they can or can't know.”
“Do you think he'd do it, without being ordered to?”
“Jack,” Daniel spoke almost as if the word had been a chastisement.
“Okay, let's talk to him. Danny, Nyan shares workspace with some
of the other civilians, right?”
“Yes.”
“Would it be inappropriate to just give him his own workspace; let him
use that general lab full time?” Jack asked, thinking their lives would
be even easier if they didn't have to go searching for the Bedrosian.
“He'd love that.”
“And what about the others? Jealousy?”
“We move people around all the time, Jack,” Daniel spoke.
“Besides, Nyan's due for some recognition. He's really been
helpful over the years. I was talking with Margorie last week,
and she said they finally found the link between ...”
“Danny?”
“Hmm?”
“Let's not talk shop.”
Daniel smiled and said, “The point is, I feel comfortable making a
request for Nyan to get that space; he's earned it.”
“Okay, then,” Jack agreed, kissing his husband.
//End of Flashback//
Smiling sweetly, Daniel sat down next to Jack and took his life
partner's right hand. They hadn't needed to implement their new
Munchkin protocol until today, which was fortunate since it had taken
several weeks to gain both Nyan's and General Hammond's agreement and
approval and to get Nyan's new lab situated to handle both his job and
the children, if necessary.
After hearing their concerns and discussing the possibilities, Nyan had
readily agreed to help Jack and Daniel safeguard the Munchkins, when
requested. Nyan loved children and was looking forward to having
some of his own one day soon. In the meantime, doing some
occasional babysitting for Jack and Daniel seemed like good practice
for child rearing.
Jack and Daniel had also talked ad nauseam to the friendly Bedrosian
about not underestimating their children.
“They may only be two, Nyan, but all three are ... creative,” Daniel
had told Nyan recently.
“We don't talk down to them; we talk to and with them,” Jack had
explained, adding, “They have Daniel's brains. I think they're
smarter than me already.”
“Jaaaaack!” Daniel had whined, though he inwardly agreed that a slight
warning about Little Danny was appropriate, since they had recently
discovered the toddler to be a genius-in-the-making.
Nyan had chuckled, certain the Jackson-O'Neill children would be an
interesting group of youngsters to get to know.
--
“They'll love Nyan, Jack, and they'll be safe if something does
happen. That's the most important thing, isn't it?” Daniel asked,
squeezing Jack's hand gently as the lovers sat on their bed.
“Yes. I don't know why I'm suddenly so unsure,” Jack commented.
“I do.”
“You do?” the older man asked.
Nodding, Daniel explained, “We're their parents, and we're responsible for what happens to them. I know we take the Mountain for granted. I mean, uh, we know it's dangerous, but, to us, it's ... a piece of cake. Now, though, we're bringing our children into it. We've taken some of them through the Stargate and exposed them, not just to other cultures, but to other worlds, worlds that are far, far away. By setting this up with Nyan, we're admitting something could happen and that we might not always be there to protect the Munchkins, or our other children. That's why you're so unsure, Jack. You're scared.”
“Aren't you?”
“Petrified, for them,” Daniel answered.
Jack and Daniel paused their conversation, each with small smiles on
their faces as their eyes spoke of their nation of two. They
weren't afraid of any part of their future, not even mortality, just as
long as they were together.
After a few moments of this silent understanding, Jack took a deep
breath and let out a long sigh, letting go of his fears.
“Ready?” Daniel asked with a smile.
The older man nodded, replying, “Let's get the Munchkins.”
“I love you, Jack,” Daniel said, still holding his husband's hand.
“I am so grateful for that, Danny. Every day is better than the
last -- every day,” Jack spoke lovingly.
Sharing a tender kiss, the lovers stood and continued on with their day.
====
Jack and Daniel's real intent in going to the SGC today was to
introduce their triplets to Nyan. With General Hammond's
blessings, Nyan's morning had been set aside solely for the purpose of
getting to know the children. The plan was for the couple to
spend an hour in Daniel's office. Nyan would come in, be
introduced, and stick around, ostensibly to help Daniel with something,
but he'd really to be there for the kids to get used to.
After an hour or so, Jack and Daniel would leave the office, leaving
the Munchkins in Nyan's care. They weren't going far, only to
Nyan's new office. General Hammond had been pleased to allocate
the general lab across from Daniel's office for Nyan's sole use.
Sam had set up a monitor in the office so that the couple could watch
the interaction between Nyan and their children.
The couple did have a briefing scheduled with Hammond and their
teammates that would last about forty-five minutes. It would
focus on an upcoming mission to Hedry, paying a courtesy call on the
Hedronix, one of the Tau'ri's most trusted and needed allies at the
moment.
“Excuse me,” Nyan said shyly as he tapped on the doorframe and then
walked a couple of steps into Daniel's office. “Is this a good
time?”
“Yes, uh, it is,” Daniel said, setting down the tablet he had been
studying. “Jack,” he called out to his lover who was working in
the other half of the office.
Looking up, Jack nodded and stood up. He walked over towards the
center of the enlarged space that was Daniel's office. On his
side of the office sat the portable playpen they called
ToddlerTown. Inside, the three children were happily playing with
various toys.
“Munchkins, Daddy and I have someone we'd like you to meet,” Jack said
as he leaned over to pick Jonny up.
Daniel was just a second behind, picking up Little Danny and then
putting him down on the floor. He then reached for Aislinn,
pulling her up and out of the playing area. He had intended on
putting her down on the floor, too, but she was clinging to him a bit
forcefully, so he continued to hold her in his arms.
Jack continued, “Munchkins, this is Nyan. He works at the
Mountain with Daddy, studying rocks and things.”
“Jack!” Daniel chastised. Facing Nyan, he added, “Don't
mind him.”
“I never do,” Nyan teased, feeling brave in teasing the general today.
“I could have you fired,” Jack retaliated in jest. He'd always
told Nyan that humor was a good thing and was needed in the
workplace. When Nyan had first begun to work at the SGC, he was
very studious and focused on his tasks. He still was, but every
time Jack had the chance, he would try and joke with the alien about
something and encouraged him to engage in some lighthearted banter,
especially when in a casual atmosphere like they were at the
moment. ~You've come a long way, Nyan. Well done!~
“Jack!” Daniel warned again, shaking his head.
“Or I could just be quiet,” Jack said, smiling at his son.
“I was just teasing, Sir,” the five-foot-six alien clarified.
Suddenly, a snicker drew the adults' attention.
It was Jonny, laughing, “Dad quiet?”
“Everyone's a critic,” Jack retorted off-handedly; then he smiled at
Jonny and gave his son a quick kiss.
“Nyan, that's Jonny,” Daniel said, pointing to the small boy Jack held
in his arms. “The one tugging on your pants leg is Little Danny,
and this is our little princess,” he said, smiling and bouncing Aislinn
once, “Aislinn. We call her Ash.”
“Hello,” Nyan said pleasantly, looking at each of the children and
smiling. “*Little* Danny?” he questioned, looking down.
“Lil' 'cause Daddy big Danny,” Little Danny quipped.
“Boy, I'll say. He's so big ...” Jack began, his mind lusting for
his husband something fierce.
“JACK!” Daniel said, eyes flashing daggers.
Jack grinned, pleased with himself, although since the children were
present, he decided it was best to change the topic of discussion.
Little Danny tugged on Nyan's pants again, and when the alien looked
down again, the little boy held up his arms to be held.
Obligingly, Nyan picked him up, smiling as he did so.
“You arkgist like Daddy?” Little Danny inquired curiously.
“Archaeologist,” Jack mouthed quietly, though it was unnecessary.
“Yes, I am now. I had a lot of knowledge from the place I was
born, but when I arrived here, I had to go back to school, to learn
about this place,” Nyan answered. “Actually, my expertise is in
Anthropology.”
“That Daddy, too,” Aislinn responded.
“And linkist,” Jonny added, bobbing his head up and down definitively.
“Lingish,” Little Danny corrected.
“Linguist,” Daniel said, correcting both of his sons. “Let's sit
down and talk for a while.”
The group moved over to the cot that was against the far wall, the
lovers impressed when Nyan sank down to the floor and crossed his legs
Indian-style instead of using one of the chairs. Little Danny
immediately sat down to Nyan's right, so Jonny sat down on Nyan's
left. Aislinn was content to stay in Daniel's arms for the time
being.
“Where you from?” Little Danny asked.
“Nyan's from a faraway place. It's a secret,” Daniel stated.
“We keep secrets,” Jonny said.
“Are you sure?” the younger father questioned.
“Daddy!” Aislinn scolded.
With a laugh, Daniel informed, “Nyan is from a place called
Bedrosia. You can't talk about it because it's ...”
“... secret,” Jonny completed, a scowl on his face about being doubted.
“Where Bosia?” Aislinn questioned.
“It's someplace very far from here,” Nyan answered.
“What these?” Jonny inquired, getting up on his knees to reach over and
touch the side of Nyan's face.
“Sideburns,” Nyan responded, turning his face to the profile, giving
the little boy a better chance to feel the hair.
“Long!” Jonny commented about the extra-long sideburns that went well
below Nyan's ears.
“We go 'Rosia?” Little Danny asked as he, too, checked out the long
sideburns.
“No, you can't,” Nyan answered with a sigh. “My people are at war
and have been for a very long time.”
“Why?” Aislinn asked.
“They don't listen to each other,” Nyan answered. “And, each side
thinks they're right. They don't want to compromise. Do you
know what that means, to compromise?”
Jack and Daniel listened with approval as Nyan gently told the children
about his planet, designated P2X-416, though he was careful not to
refer to it as another planet, but just as a faraway land. He
told them about his 'country' (world) being divided into two 'political
powers' (continents), Bedrosia and Optrica, and how a long time ago
(roughly two-thousand years ago), Bedrosia went through a period of
violent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, which they called the
Upheaval.
“Daddy, 'Rosia like Ank'et Egypt?” the Munchkin genius asked.
“Uh, well, in a way, I guess,” Daniel answered, not really sure which
way to go in his response.
“It lost, like 'Lantis?” the boy questioned.
“No, Little Danny, it's not lost. It's just someplace we can't go
to because of their ... political situation,” Daniel responded.
“My people don't like outsiders,” the alien sighed.
“But why you argue?” Little Danny asked as he untied Nyan's shoelace.
Chuckling at the boy's actions, but not interfering, Nyan replied, “My
people, the Bedrosians, believed that life was created by
Nefertum. He was our creator.”
“God created us,” Aislinn said softly.
Daniel replied, “Yes, he did, Ash, but different people believe in
different things, and some people call God by different names.
Nefertum, though, wasn't a real god. We'll talk some more about
that later.”
“Okay,” the little girl agreed, leaning her back against Daniel's
shoulder.
Nyan continued, “The Optricans didn't believe in Nefertum. They
believed that our people had evolved in another 'country' (world) and
been brought to Bedrosia by a special device (an interstellar gateway).”
“Plane?” Jonny asked.
“Sounds good,” Jack spoke, trying not to get too far off the beaten
track with their little white lies but jumping on anything that sounded
simple and also appeased the triplets' curiosity.
“Why fight?” Little Danny asked, scrunching his nose in confusion.
“They fought because both sides wanted to be right, and they weren't
happy unless they were right,” Nyan answered. “Even when shown
proof that they were wrong, the Bedrosians refused to believe it.
They preferred to keep arguing and continue fighting,” he said with
acceptance, but longing in his heart.
“What 'bout family?” Aislinn asked, finally scooting down from Daniel's
safe haven to kneel down in front of Nyan. “You go visit?”
“No, I can never go home,” Nyan responded.
“That sad,” Aislinn spoke.
“Don't be sad,” Nyan requested. Smiling, he said, “I have a new
family now. Everyone at the SGC is my family. Besides, I'm
a scientist, and being a scientist means learning new things and
exploring new ways. Your father has been a great teacher,” he
said, smiling gratefully at Daniel.
Daniel nodded and noted, “Nyan's been a great help here. He's
very curious about the universe, and he's open to new things, something
that is very important in archaeology and anthropology. In fact,
he started out as a research assistant, but he learned so fast that it
wasn't long before we promoted him to be a cultural consultant.”
“What that?” Little Danny asked as he looked up at his father.
“He's an expert on different lifestyles,” Daniel explained to the
pint-sized genius in the making.
“What that mean?” Aislinn questioned.
“It means he compares how we live here with how people live in Japan,
and even how The Simpsons live in Springfield,” Jack teased.
“Who are the Simpsons?” Nyan questioned curiously.
“Homer funny,” Jonny laughed.
“Unfortunately, there was little humor in my 'country',” Nyan
informed. “Who's Homer?”
Jonny gasped, “You no know Homer?”
“No, I don't,” Nyan answered.
“But you know Bart,” Aislinn said, nodding as if to will the man to
answer 'yes'.
“No, I don't,” Nyan repeated.
Jonny gasped again, got up, and toddled over to Jack, saying, “Dad,
hafta show Nyan Homer!”
Jack laughed, tickling his son's abdomen, and suggested, “Maybe the
next time you come to the Mountain, we can bring a DVD and show
him. How would that be?”
“That good!” Jonny turned around and walked back to his spot,
plopping down on the floor. “We show you Homer.”
“I'm sure it will be entertaining,” Nyan responded dryly.
====
After a few more minutes, Jack and Daniel got up and continued with
their work, leaving Nyan to chat with the Munchkins. Aislinn's
initial hesitancy had disappeared totally.
The parents covertly watched the interaction until Daniel glanced at
his watch and stated, “Jack, we have that meeting to go to.”
“Maybe you ...”
“Jack, we *both* have to go,” Daniel insisted as he stood up.
**But, Danny ...**
**The Munchkins already love Nyan, and he's been great with them.
We won't always be here to watch, and, uh, considering we'll be
*spying* first ...**
**Okay, okay,** Jack relented.
“Where going?” Aislinn asked her parents.
Jack and Daniel both knelt down as Jack explained, “Daddy and I have a
meeting to go to for a couple of hours. While we're gone, Nyan is
going to stay with you.”
“Nyan tell more 'bout 'Rosia?” Little Danny asked.
Seeing Nyan looking at them, Daniel answered, “Yes, he can.
Munchkins, you be good. Uh, Dad and I need to chat with Nyan for
just a minute, so back in ToddlerTown.”
After securing the three children and kissing them goodbye, Jack and
Daniel, along with Nyan, went into the corridor.
“Nyan, it's okay to talk in general about Bedrosia, just keep equating
it to a country and reiterate that it's faraway. Don't let them
back you into a corner,” Daniel stated.
“Nice job, by the way, on what you said about Bedrosia,” Jack
praised. “That was good thinking, but you might want to keep some
diversionary tactics in your mind. The Munchkins are very
inquisitive.”
“I noticed,” Nyan chuckled as he nodded. Glancing through the
door at the trio, he commented, “They're happy.”
“And we intend to keep them that way,” Jack replied. “We've
already discussed the rules for when they're in ToddlerTown and for
when they're running loose in Daniel's office. Don't be afraid to
enforce them, and whatever you do, don't turn your back ...”
“On Jonny. He's an escape artist; trust us,” Daniel said,
completing Jack's sentence as he stood with his hands in his
pockets. “If you let him out of ToddlerTown, watch him like a
hawk.”
“He's not afraid to roam the halls of the SGC; we've learned this from
experience,” Jack said, wincing slightly from the memory of one of the
Munchkins very first visits to the SGC.
“I'll keep an extra eye on him,” Nyan promised.
Jack and Daniel nodded and then headed for Nyan's office. Nyan
knew they would be monitoring for a while, and he was fine with
that. The brown-haired man returned to the office, going over to
the children.
“How would you like to play a game?” Nyan asked the triplets.
“Yay!” all three Munchkins cheered.
Nyan took them out of ToddlerTown and sat them down in a circle.
He told them to hold hands and close their eyes.
“Each of you think of your favorite place,” Nyan told them.
“Daddy's arms,” Aislinn said.
--
In Nyan's office, Jack looked at Daniel and smiled, saying, “Children
say the darndest things.”
“Yeah, don't they?” Daniel replied, sighing and leaning in to Jack for
just a moment. His heart was singing from Aislinn's words.
~I never knew I'd be this lucky.~
--
Nyan smiled and patted the little girl gently on the head, saying,
“That's a great place, but think of a building or place.” Nyan
waited, chuckling at the intensity of the children's concentration,
noses scrunched, faces wrinkled, and grunts of effort emanating from
all of them. “Now imagine that place on another world, just like when watching a science fiction movie on TV. You
meet a stranger, and you have to describe this special place to
them. You can't tell them what it is; you can only say how it
makes you feel. Who wants to go first?”
There was silence for a minute, but then Little Danny broke the circle,
opened his eyes, and raised his hand as he said, “Me!”
“Tell me about this special place,” Nyan said.
“It big.”
“What's it made of?” Nyan asked.
Little Danny looked to the side for a second, and then said, “Like
Lincoln Logs -- wood.”
“What are Lincoln Logs?” Nyan asked, having never heard of them before.
Jonny frowned and chastised, “They *Lincoln* Logs.”
“I'll have to research that,” Nyan chuckled.
“That easy; it Bij 'n' Katie's house,” Aislinn said.
“Assssssh! Nyan s'pose guess,” Little Danny whined.
The little girl brought her hands to her mouth and gasped, then
exclaimed, “I sorry; forgot!”
Little Danny sighed, but then he smiled and leaned over to hug his
sister, saying, “It okay. What you think of?”
--
“Jack?”
“What, Love?”
“We're very lucky,” Daniel said. “But we also need to get to that
briefing.”
“You're right,” Jack agreed, reaching for the remote that turned off
the monitor. “Remind me to buy Nyan some Lincoln Logs.”
“I'll do that,” Daniel chuckled as they headed for the briefing.
====
Nyan smiled at the two children who were currently arguing over the
status of an artifact he'd shown them. Jonny was insisting it was
a 'rock', and Little Danny was glaring at him saying it was an
'art'fact.' There was no anger in the quarrel, and it simply
reminded Nyan who the boys' parents were.
The man smiled and wondered how he'd grown so fond of the little devils
in what seemed like minutes.
~They definitely have their parent's charm,~ Nyan thought.
Aislinn was apparently tired of the bickering as she rolled her eyes
and said firmly, “It rock and art'fact.”
“Aislinn's right, Boys,” Nyan confirmed, deciding the young girl had
the right idea about bringing the argument to an end, especially since
he suspected the two boys could argue like this all day.
The group was interrupted by a knock on the door. A Marine came
in, carrying a pile of papers.
“This is a translation for Doctor Jackson to take a look at,” the
military man said.
Nyan reached out a hand to take the documents just as three irritated
voices yelled out, “Jackson-O'Neill.”
The Marine gave the children a disgusted look and sneered at Nyan,
“I've heard of sleeping your way to the top, but babysitting your way
there is new.”
Careful to keep his tone up-beat so he didn't upset the children, Nyan
simply smiled and pointed towards the door as he said, “Goodbye,
Carson.”
The Marine left, and Nyan turned to look at the children, hoping the
Marine hadn't upset them. It seemed he hadn't as Jonny and
Aislinn were now playing with some of their toys. Little Danny,
however, was looking at Nyan with a curious expression.
“Nyan, what 'sleeping way to top; mean?” Little Danny asked.
Nyan hesitated, but thinking quickly, came up with what he hoped was a
good enough distraction, asking, “Little Danny, are you ticklish?
I'm not.”
The little boy's eyes grew wide, and then he squealed with delight at
the game that was apparently beginning and ran to hide behind Jonny and
Aislinn, who were now giggling as well.
====
The giggles filled the hall of the SGC as Jack and Daniel headed back
to the archaeologist's office.
“Sounds like they're having a good time,” Daniel remarked.
The lovers paused outside of the door, each able to see a glimpse of
Nyan and the Munchkins. Nyan was on the floor with Jonny on his
chest. Little Danny was on his feet, and Aislinn was fingering
through Nyan's wavy hair, giggling.
“Nyan, make us 'Drosia Stew?” Little Danny asked, his stomach growling
from sudden hunger as he referred to a food item Nyan had mentioned
earlier that was a favorite of his on Bedrosia.
“Maybe we can have it for lunch one day, if your parents agree,” Nyan
answered.
“We eat your place?” Jonny asked.
“Maybe,” Nyan replied thoughtfully. “I have a little place not
far from here.”
Jonny drew a breath as he rocked back and forth atop Nyan, and then he
asked, “You married? Dad 'n' Daddy married.”
“No, I'm not, but I hope to be soon,” Nyan responded candidly.
“Who you marry?” Little Danny asked inquisitively.
“She like your burns?” Aislinn inquired before Nyan could answer Little
Danny's question. She leaned over so that her head was
practically on the floor to see the side of Nyan's face and added,
“Burns very long.”
Laughing, Nyan corrected, “Sideburns, Ash, and, yes, she does.”
“She pretty?” Aislinn asked.
“She is very pretty,” Nyan said, his eyes shining as he thought about
his lady love.
“Is she scitist like you 'n' Daddy?” Little Danny asked.
“No, far from it, but she has a beautiful heart,” Nyan responded.
--
“Jack, did you know Nyan was seeing someone?” Daniel asked quietly.
“It's that girl from the Land of the Light,” Jack explained.
Seeing his husband's blank expression, Jack smirked, “Come on, Danny,
remember when we went for that feast last year? You couldn't miss
their goo goo eyes.”
“Goo goo eyes?” Daniel asked, staring at his lover.
Jack tilted his head slightly and shrugged innocently before saying,
“She's the one, though.”
“Oh,” Daniel replied. Chuckling slightly, he observed, “I, uh,
guess that's why he's always volunteering to go on the cultural
exchanges there.”
“It takes the meaning of a long distance relationship to a whole new
level,” Jack smirked.
“It, uh, opens up a lot of questions, too, Jack, like, well, where
would they live?” Daniel asked. “Does Nyan ... commute through
the Stargate?” he asked, smiling.
“Are you trying to stand in the way of true love, Daniel?” Jack asked.
“Not me, Babe,” Daniel responding lightly, peeking in the office
again. “Besides, I'm not the one who would have to arrange for
her clearance.”
Jack gave his lover a look, but then shook it off, deciding to let
things play out in their own time and way.
--
“We go to wedding?” Aislinn asked eagerly.
**Rescue time!** Daniel said, moving into his office. “Hey,
Munchkins, we're back!”
“Daaaaddy!” the Munchkins cheered. Seeing Jack, a chorus of
“Dad!” rang out, too.
The children got up and ran to their parents who knelt down and gave
them hugs and kisses.
“Did you have a nice time with Nyan?” Daniel asked.
The children delighted their parents with a rambling discourse of their
two hours with Nyan; it was clear that Jack and Daniel had made a sound
decision in having Nyan be responsible for the Munchkins whenever they
had to be out of the office.
“It's time to go home. Go get your jackets,” Jack ordered, the
children running over to the Munchkin-size coat rack that was on Jack's
side of the expanded office to do as they were told.
“Were they okay?” Daniel inquired.
“Daniel, they were a lot of fun. I'm glad you asked me to spend
some time with them. They're good practice for the future,” Nyan
answered.
“Yes, and about that,” Jack said, putting his arm around Nyan's
shoulder as he walked him towards the doorway, “When's the wedding to
that cutie from the Land of Light?”
As Nyan ducked his head shyly, Daniel called out, “JACK!” in rebuke.
Turning around, Jack shrugged, which seemed to be his answer for most
everything today.
“Thank you, Nyan, and seriously, if there's anything I can do to help
facilitate things with ...” Jack offered.
Nyan blushed slightly, called out his good-byes to the children, and
then hurried back to his office.
“Jack, you're incorrigible!” Daniel told his lover.
“Daddy, Nyan make us stew?” Aislinn said.
“If he'd like to, I think we can arrange that,” Daniel told the
Munchkins. “Let's get these jackets on.”
====
Approaching the first set of elevators they would use to exit Cheyenne
Mountain, Daniel was holding both Jonny's and Aislinn's hands while
Jack was holding Little Danny's. Nearby, Carson and two others
were engaged in conversation.
~I 'member him.~ Seeing the familiar face of the Marine reminded
Little Danny of something. As they walked, he asked, “Dad, what
mean 'sleeping way to top'?”
In an instant, both parents stopped in shock and exchanged a quick
glance.
Kneeling down, Jack questioned, “Where did you hear that expression,
Little Danny?”
The little boy looked around and, finding his target, answered, “He say
it. He bring Daddy papers.”
“Did he mention any names, Son?” Jack asked nonchalantly.
“No. Dad, Nyan at top?” Little Danny asked innocently.
Jack smiled disarmingly as he asked, “Why?”
“He say Nyan babysitting to top. We not babies!” Little Danny
argued.
“Not babies!” Jonny reiterated.
“Daniel, I forgot something. Can you get these ragamuffins to the
truck without me?” Jack asked, his eyes conveying his true mission.
“I think we can manage, Jack,” the archaeologist answered.
**Don't kill him.**
**That would be too easy.**
“Dad, what it mean?” Little Danny asked again.
“It means getting a good night's sleep so that you can be your best,”
Jack answered, twisting the truth slightly.
“No un'erstand,” Little Danny said.
Daniel clarified, “It's just an expression, Little Danny. Adults
say silly things sometimes; that's one of them.”
“It bad, huh?” Little Danny deduced.
“It's impolite,” Daniel stated.
Little Danny scrunched his nose, obviously thinking things over.
Then his eyes widened as he made a realization.
“Nyan trick me,” the young boy revealed.
Jack and Daniel shared a look, and then Daniel asked curiously, “How
did he trick you, Son?”
Little Danny looked impressed with Nyan's sneakiness as he replied, “I
ask him what it mean 'n' he 'stract'd me with tickles.”
**That was pretty smart, Jack, managing to distract our little genius
with a tickling game.**
**Nyan's a good man ... alien, Danny.**
“We'll see you upstairs,” Daniel told Jack as he hurried the children
along.
Once Daniel and the children were in the elevator, Jack put on his
general persona and walked up to Carson and the two others.
“Dismissed,” Jack said to the other two Marines, who both made a quick
retreat. He smiled at Carson, grinning so much that it made the
man nervous. “Marine, I'm only going to say this once. If
you ever say anything inappropriate in front of my children again,
you'll be building latrines in Asia. Do you understand me?”
“Sir, yes, Sir!” Carson exclaimed.
“Let's make sure of that, shall we, Private?” Jack said as he went to
the nearest corridor phone and called Sergeant Walinski, who was in
charge of the cleaning detail.
Carson groaned inwardly hearing Jack's orders. He had just
ordered Walinski to see to it that Carson cleaned all the bathrooms on
the base personally, after he finished his regular duties.
Jack hung up the phone and returned to Carson, warning, “Mess up again,
and you'll really be cleaning up the messes. Don't ask me to be more
specific because you won't like my answer; and, Marine, no one sleeps
their way to the top around here, but you're on a fast track to talking
your way out of here. I'd advise you to keep your mouth shut from
now on. Dismissed.”
The Marine saluted and made a hasty retreat.
Jack sighed, knowing ignorance and hate would always be a part of their
world. He vowed to do his best, though, to keep their children as
free of it as possible. It would be a daunting task, but it was
vital. One of the keys would be to downplay the importance of
people like Carson in favor of positive influences like Nyan.
~Some of the best Tau'ri are aliens,~ Jack thought, shaking his head as
he headed for the elevator.
====
Later that night, as they sat on the roof deck, staring up at the
stars, Jack and Daniel smiled. Their circle of trusted friends
was growing, and it made both feel warm inside.
“Ash wasn't sure at first,” Daniel commented.
“I noticed, but I think we did the right thing not pushing it,” Jack
replied.
Daniel leaned back against Jack's shoulder, his hands atop his
lover's. He sighed contently.
“Jack, I think we should ask Nyan if he'd like to make lunch for the
children. I mean, the more they trust him and are used to him,
the easier it will be if they have to be with him for a longer period
of time.”
“I agree. They've already got the rest of the brood curious about
him,” the older man observed.
“Jack?”
“Yes, Love?” Jack responded.
“Nyan and the Munchkins ...”
“What about them?” Jack asked innocently.
“It sounds like a movie or something,” Daniel laughed.
Jack laughed as he shifted, lowering Daniel to the floor of the roof
deck, and said, “Now that's just plain silly.”
“You're right. Kiss me, Silly Man,” Daniel demanded.
With smiles on their faces, the lovers kissed under the watchful eye of
the moon, full of love and warmth, and the knowledge that their
universe was truly forever.
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