Sam's Shoes
(#17 in Shoelaces LD universe)
by Jennamajig

SUMMARY: Daniel and Jack try to deal with Daniel being little Daniel. Inspired by the DJsSG-1Lverse yahoo list.

SEASON/SPOILERS: None.

DISCLAIMER: The characters mentioned in this story are the property of Showtime and Gekko Film Corp. The Stargate, SG-I, the Goa'uld and all other characters who have appeared in the series STARGATE SG-1 together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of MGM-UA Worldwide Television, Gekko Film Corp, Glassner/Wright Double Secret Productions and Stargate SG-I Prod. Ltd. Partnership. This fanfic is not intended as an infringement upon those rights and solely meant for entertainment. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author.

Prior to his transformation, he'd always had a healthy, friendly relationship with Sam. Jack affectionately called them the science twins and Daniel felt he had found the closest thing to a sibling that he would ever have and he had hoped the feeling was reciprocal.

Since his regression into Lilliputian land, their relationship had changed. Yes, Sam was still friendly and inviting, but she was also awkward and unsure. Their shopping trip in the beginning had gone well, but Sam hadn't been alone, Janet was there to assist her.

It was when the two of them were by themselves that Daniel felt uncomfortable. There always seemed to be the slight tension, like those first moments of being the new kid in school or your very first date. It was obvious neither of them knew exactly how to start and Daniel feared that Sam was uncertain of how to treat him, like a child or an adult. He, himself, was confused being indefinitely stuck in this "awkward phase."

Therefore, when Jack dropped him off at Sam's place for the afternoon, Daniel wasn't exactly looking forward it, which bothered him immensely. Sam was his friend. He was hers.

At least, he hoped he still was.

Sam opened the door and he waved good-bye to Jack, before stepping inside her living room. He'd been to Sam's before, yet pint-sized, the place suddenly seemed daunting.

"I rented some videos," she told him and he brightened. He and Sam used to watch movies featuring archaeologists and scientists and hopelessly point out all the obvious errors the actors or the writers made when portraying the field. It was silly, yet incredibly fun, and was usually accompanied by a large bowl of popcorn that ended up as ammo to throw at the scene during particularly inaccurate scenes. Doing such things made them forget about saving the world and the burdens of long hours, and for, Sam, military standards.

So, he smiled and threw down his backpack filed with various allergy and asthma meds - Jack was way too overprotective - and headed for the Blockbuster bag sitting on Sam's coffee table. His smile, disappeared, however, when he looked through the bag.

Sponge Bob, several Discovery Kids videos, and a couple of Disney labels stared up at him.

Kiddie movies. He blinked. Did Sam think he'd want to watch these? He was angry for a moment, but it quickly faded. Sam was trying, right? He looked six and these were some good choices for a six year old. He tried to not focus on the fact that he was actually slightly tempted to pop the Sponge Bob tape in.

Instead, he lowered the bag and sat on couch, trying his best not to look surprised. He didn't want to hurt Sam's feelings.

It didn't matter. She immediately frowned. "I wasn't sure what to get and the woman at the video store said that these were some of best choices for..."

"A six year old?" he finished.

"Yes," she added softly. She sighed. "I'm sorry, Daniel."

"About what? These are great, Sam. Really. I appreciate it. I-" He stumbled and for a brief moment, he worried he might cry. He was completely torn and just wanted things to be normal between Sam and
him.

Sam sat down on the couch next to him. She looked uncomfortable and he realized that his transformation wasn't just a nightmare for him. It was a burden to Jack, and now he saw it wasn't easy for the rest of his friends, as well. Janet took it in stride, but she'd already been through and was going through an interesting motherhood, raising an alien teenager. She adapted and tried and Daniel appreciated it. Teal'c treated Daniel nearly the same, but Daniel supposed even when he was big, he was still a child in Teal'c's hundred year old eyes.

It was even more apparent now that Sam was struggling.

He blinked and sniffed and before he knew he'd pushed himself up against Sam on the couch, his little body seeking comfort. Great, this was a wonderful time to act six when you just wanted Sam to see you were still the same old Daniel.

But he wasn't.

Sam reached out a hand and held it frozen in the air a moment before snaking it around his shoulders. She started rubbing.

"I'm sorry, Daniel," she repeated. "I wish I could help." She paused. "This is hard."

He sniffed again and looked at her. "I know. It's hard for me. I'm still here, Sam. I'm not..."

"Six?" she finished, this time. "My brain knows that, but then I just look at you, and well, it doesn't want to compute. When I went to the video store, the salesperson saw me wandering and asked what I was looking for. I said I was looking for a few videos for my younger friend and she asked how old you were and then, well, you see what happened. I listened to her and ignored my brain. I mean, you just love playing with cars now and look so different, that sometimes I forget that Daniel Jackson still exists.

"I miss him," she admitted. "And I know that's a horrible thing to say. You're not gone, you're sitting right next to me, but..."

"It's not the same," he said. "I'm not the same. Daniel Jackson, but not. I say words like yucky and throw tantrums and can't stop myself from doing such a thing. Last month I drew you a picture to hang on your fridge when the same time last year, you were trying to convince me to go on a joyride on your motorcycle.

"I miss me, too." He blinked again and hoped he wouldn't cry. He was sick of crying and sick of telling himself he was sick of
crying.

Sam shook her head. "Oh, don't say that Daniel. And I didn't mean-"

"I know," he told her. "But we were friends, Sam. Just like I was friends with Jack. But now Jack acts like my father and I hate it, yet crave it. But you and I, well, I'm not so sure. Are you my friend, Sam?"

The question took Sam by surprise and he watched her swallow, wondering if she would cry. "Of course I'm your friend, Daniel. I'm lucky to be your friend."

"Even if I stay this way?"

She nodded and swallowed again. The next thing he knew, she's swept him up into a hug so tight he couldn't breathe.

"Sam," he muttered and she released him.

"I'm sorry about the videos," she said.

"It's okay. You don't need to apologize again. I, ah, actually *do* like Sponge Bob," he admitted and stared at the floor.

"And cars."

"And cars," he repeated. "But I'm not a child, Sam. You don't need to treat me, well, I guess most of the time, you don't need to treat me like one. I still know twenty-three languages and still have a college degree. But sometimes, I well, want...I don't know." He sighed. "I'm a bit of a basket case. Jack will tell you that."

She smiled. "No, you aren't. I can try, Daniel. But I think I might need a reminder now and then."

"Okay. I may still draw you pictures. I'm sorry if they aren't very good. I have six-year-old hands."

She laughed. "You have one-of-a-kind hands."

"Archaeologist's hands."

"Right. And speaking of archaeologists, I think there's one tape in there that you, me, and Daniel's everywhere can enjoy." She reached into the bag and withdrew a Disney label and put it in his hands.

"Atlantis," he read and a grin made it's way across his face. "I think we need some popcorn."

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