A/N: Here as a special present to those who have reviewed my other stories. It's a little story I've been working on in my spare time. Like so many of my other stories, this is not finished, but it will give you a little something to chew on while I'm gone. Enjoy. (Look to profile to find out when I'll be back.)

Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate or any of the characters herein. However, I appreciate them letting us experiment with the characters. Gracias.

Chapter 1

"Receiving SG-1's signal, sir," Sergeant Walter Harriman said, and sighed in relief. For once, the SGC's flag team was on time, and everything seemed to be normal.

General Hammond nodded, his face echoing the other man's relief. "Open the iris," he commanded, and made his way down to greet the incoming team.

The iris swished open, revealing the open end of the wormhole. A few moments later, SG-1 walked through. However, they were unusually quiet. Hammond could instantly tell that something was wrong. No one seemed injured, but Colonel Jack O'Neill stood apart from the rest of his team, and his gaze was somewhere else entirely. Teal'c's sober gaze was locked on his friend and commander, while Daniel and Major Carter seemed to be trying to look anywhere else.

General Hammond stopped in front of the team, drawing three of the four gazes to himself. Teal'c faced him, the concern on his face plainly visible to those who knew him. Daniel seemed nervous and uncomfortable. He kept fiddling with his glasses and shooting the occasional glance at the Colonel. However, under Hammond's concerned gaze, he stilled and faced him. Major Carter stood straight in proper military position, her eyes full of concern and never leaving General Hammond's face. Only O'Neill seemed to not notice the General's approach. He had stopped automatically with the others, but it had been an unconscious action. General Hammond cleared his throat, and slowly the other man seemed to wake up.

"Colonel O'Neill?" Hammond asked, his tone very authoritative. Jack came smartly to attention and locked his gaze on his commanding officer's face. Hammond was shocked at the amount of naked pain that briefly manifested itself in his friend's eyes before Jack managed to hide it.

"Yes, sir?" Jack asked, standing straight, his lean frame rigid and proper. His dark brown hair was beginning to turn silver at the temples, normally the only sign of his approaching age. However, today he seemed haggard and worn.

"Is something wrong? Did something happen during your mission?"

Jack slowly shook his head in a negative. "No, sir. The mission was a complete success. P7B-257 is completely Goa'uld free. Routine mission, sir." Jack's gaze was direct and unwavering and there was no deception in his look. However, Hammond knew the man too well. Something was seriously wrong, but Hammond also knew when to back off.

"Very well. Colonel O'Neill, report to the infirmary. We'll debrief as soon as your team is cleared." Jack nodded and, without arguing, turned and left. Hammond swallowed nervously. Something was definitely wrong. Anyone who knew Jack would understand. The man hadn't muttered a single sarcastic word or complaint since they had returned. He seemed strangely old, tired, and uncharacteristically depressed.

Hammond wheeled on the remaining members of SG-1. "What happened?" he asked, his temper flaring with his worry.

Major Carter shook her head. "We aren't sure, sir. He's been that way nearly the entire trip. We reached P7B-257 on schedule and split up. He and Teal'c covered the northwest direction, and Daniel and I covered the southeast. We didn't see anything, sir. The place will make a perfect habitation next time we need to relocate someone. Best of all, it's from the ancient data base, so the Goa'uld have no record of it."

Hammond turned to look at Teal'c. "Did something happen while you and Colonel O'Neill were checking out your areas?"

The stoic Jaffa shook his head. "He remained unusually silent. In fact, I do not recall O'Neill making any attempt at humor."

The worry deepened on the faces of SG-1. Hammond sighed, "Well," he said, "knowing Colonel O'Neill, if it's a private issue he won't tell us what's wrong anyway. Hopefully he gets over it soon. I'll make sure Janet gives him a thorough examination though, just to be sure."

The other members of SG-1 nodded, the worry still very evident in their every movement.

Jack had meant to go to the infirmary, really he had. However, when he came to himself, he realized he had wandered into the locker room. Without really thinking about it, he opened his locker. Habit made him glance around to make sure he was alone, and then he pulled out the old Van Dyck box that he kept at the bottom of the locker. He slowly opened the lid. Charlie's smiling face greeted him as he pulled out the picture and gazed at it.

"Charlie," he thought, the word echoing through his mind. He remained that way for several moments before he slowly took the picture off the top and placed it on the bottom of the pile. Right underneath it was another picture. One of a much younger Jack, his hair died blond and far longer, his arm around a young man, broad grins on both their faces. To the side of them both were two motorcycles, leaning comfortably against each other.

Jack's eyes creased in pain and another word began to resound through his memory.

"Sam."

Spring 1991

"Hi, Mr. Thronton!" The young man's eyes sparkled with delight and excitement. Jack couldn't help but grin with excitement too.

Pete Thornton didn't look nearly so happy. However, he greeted the younger men with a smile. "Sam," he said and shook his hand. Then he looked at them both and asked, "What, are you guys all packed for your trip?"

Jack stepped forward, "Just finished."

Pete hesitated and then muttered, "Oh, uh, Macgyver," and reached into his jacket to pull out a paper. "The Phoenix board asked me to give you this."

Jack shook his head, rolled his eyes, and drawled, "Pete..."

Pete quickly intercepted him, "It's an offer of a new contract and it's very generous. I think you ought to take a look at it."

Jack didn't glance in its general direction. "We've been through this before, Pete." He stopped and smiled fondly at his newly-discovered son. "Sam and I have a little catching up to do." Sam grinned broadly as Jack playfully patted him on the cheek.

Pete watched the exchange affectionately, then deliberately stuck the paper back in his jacket. "Well, I, I told them I didn't think you'd go for it." There was a long pause, and then Pete's smile fell away. "You know, I can't even imagine what it's going to be like without you around here."

Jack's felt sadness briefly overwhelm him as he gazed at his old friend. "Well," he said, "it was bound to happen. Things change."

"Not always," Pete said, "good things don't."

Jack smiled slightly. Pete gazed at him and said, with more seriousness than Jack had ever seen before, "Don't you EVER change, Macgyver."

Jack felt sadness fill his heart.

A voice suddenly cut through his thoughts causing him to jump. "Colonel Jack O'Neill!" barked the intercom. "Report to the infirmary immediately." Jack shook his head, bringing himself out of him memories. He carefully replaced the photos and stood up, unconsciously dusting himself off. Then he turned and left the room.