A short time later, General Hammond, Dr. Janet Frasier and the four members of SG-1 sat at the table in the briefing room. "…And that's basically what we know," concluded Jack, as he finished debriefing the others on what he and Daniel had recently discovered.

"And the two of you believe this story to be authentic?" General Hammond wondered.

"I've thought a lot about it, sir. I haven't found too much cause to doubt its plausibility. It's obvious they'd seen the experimental plane I'd been flying. It's also a matter of record that a nomad couple brought me out of the desert two months after I was declared MIA. As to what happened during that time, however, my mind's still a blank. Can't remember a thing."

General Hammond turned his attention to Daniel, asking, "And you, Dr. Jackson?"

"Well, the scrolls themselves are very detailed," replied Daniel. "The complexity seems to indicate that the tale is either authentic or someone went to a great deal of trouble to fabricate a hoax. A very great deal of trouble. The use of so many multiple languages in a coded format makes them difficult for almost anyone to translate, human or alien. Especially since there is a mixture of various earth and off world languages. The translator would have to not only understand each language and be able to decipher the code, but would also have to be able to read the written form of each language. Whoever wrote this would have to be very knowledgeable in linguistics, as well. So, I'm inclined to believe that this Ariana was a sort of Harcesis hybrid and for the reasons that Colonel O'Neill's already presented, the two of them have a son hidden somewhere on earth. These scrolls are a sort of journal, a legacy she's left for their son."

"Yet you've managed to translate part of them?"

"Experience. As you know, not only am I familiar with several ancient earth languages and cultures--some of them the very ones used in these scrolls--but I've also picked up significant linguistic and cultural knowledge from the various off world places we've visited. Not meaning to sound conceited, but I doubt that few humans or aliens would have either the opportunity or the inclination to develop such an in-depth linguistic knowledge."

"Do you think you'll be able to translate the rest of the scrolls?"

"It may take some time, but I think I can figure out most of them."

General Hammond addressed the entire group, now. "All right, people, we'll accept the information as genuine," he said. "Therefore, we must locate Colonel O'Neill's son ASAP. I am in full agreement with the suggestion the colonel made earlier, however. Due to the delicacy of this mission, it needs to be handled on a need-to-know basis, limited only to those now in this room. Dr. Jackson is to give translation of the scrolls top priority in case they provide further clues. Any other suggestions on how we might proceed?"

Sam spoke now, saying, "We know that Ariana left her newborn son with an American couple visiting Egypt around 1965. I suggest the rest of us use whatever resources available to us to identify as many possible couples as we can. Then, we can delve deeper into these peoples' backgrounds to cut down the list of possibilities. In the end, we may have to come up with a cover story and conduct private interviews with our remaining candidates concerning their time in Egypt. This may be difficult and time-consuming, but unless Daniel is able to learn something more from those scrolls, it's the best alternative I can think of."

"What she said," Jack agreed.

Daniel, Teal'c and Janet nodded in agreement. Then, Janet stated, "Once we've limited the list to a handful of candidates, we can identify each couple's son and can conduct blood and DNA testings to isolate the most likely prospect. Until we're certain we've found Jack's son, we'll have to draw the blood at an off base location. Since we're giving this top priority and operating on a need-to-know basis, I'll fix each of you up with a kit in case I'm unavailable when you need it done. When we're finished, I'll give you a demonstration on the proper way to draw this blood. Of course, we'll need a cover story for drawing it in the first place. I'll think about it and let you know what I come up with."

"Sounds good, people," declared General Hammond. "We'll meet daily at 0900 to discuss our progress and any new avenues we might take. Okay, let's get started. Good luck. And you're dismissed."

- - -

Several days later, Daniel was translating the scrolls in his office. He had discovered an interesting section and had stayed up most of the night translating it. Ariana had written about an archaeologist couple she discovered at a dig near the hidden city in the summer of 1970. She spoke with them, and in time, they became good friends. Ariana wrote in great detail about this couple. They were both American, husband and wife. Five years before, at another Egyptian dig, they had endured a terrible tragedy. During a sandstorm, the woman had gone into labor and with the two of them there alone, the man delivered their son, who died shortly after birth.

Ariana seemed very empathic about the deep pain the two of them still felt over this tragedy. As she spoke with them, however, she realized that it was the love the couple had for one another that had gotten them through it. She envied them and hoped that one day she, too, might find that kind of love. Ariana further described the couple, stating their approximate ages and giving some physical characteristics.

Having read these physical descriptions, Daniel paused. Given these descriptions and the location of the dig, the couple sounded a lot like his parents, Claire and Melburn Jackson. Except, that couldn't be possible. The couple Ariana wrote about had lost their son in 1965, the same year he was born. As he thought about it, Daniel became excited. That was the year Ariana had taken her son back to. Since she admired this couple so much, these were probably the people she had left the infant with. She must have taken him back shortly after he was born. Then, she would have traveled to the other digsite. If she could have somehow hidden her son nearby and convinced the couple to allow her to deliver their baby, she may have found a way to switch the two infants without the couple knowing. This would have been the ideal hiding place. Even her child's foster parents would believe her child was theirs.

Daniel's excitement turned to shock as he was struck by the implications of this. Under these new circumstances, the couple could possibly have been the Jacksons and that would mean…He was Jack's and Ariana's son! He was the one they were searching for!

As the shock began to wear off, Daniel realized there was one way to find out. Opening his desk drawer, he pulled out the kit Janet had given him. Deciding to keep his suspicions private until they could be confirmed, Daniel also decided that he should draw the sample while he was somewhere off base. It wouldn't do to have the procedure show up on one of the base's surveillance cameras. It was shortly before dawn and would be a few hours until their scheduled meeting. He'd drive into town for breakfast, then take the blood sample before returning to base.

- - -

Shortly after 8:00 a.m., Daniel returned to the Cheyenne Mountain base and headed for the infirmary. Janet was already in her office. Pulling the vial of blood from his pocket, Daniel said, "Here's some blood for you to test. I think I may have discovered Jack's son."

"You do!" exclaimed Janet, as she had expected the task to take much longer.

"Some of the translations that I was working on last night provided some possible clues to his identity. I was able to discover a likely candidate, and this blood should confirm whether I'm right or not."

"Okay, I'll get Colonel O'Neill down here and we can get started."

Daniel frowned. "Jack? Do we have to let Jack know? Can't we wait until we have the results before we let anyone else know? I'd hate to have them think we've solved this if we haven't."

"Daniel, there's no way we can keep this from the colonel. I need to take some of his blood to compare with the sample. Now, I'll see if he's in yet." Janet picked up the phone and dialed the extension to Jack's office. When he answered, she told him that he was needed in her office immediately.

A few minutes later, Jack entered the room. "What's up?" he wanted to know.

"Daniel thinks he may have found your son," Janet replied.

Jack glanced over at Daniel and asked, "You do?"

"I'm not sure. I may have," Daniel answered. "Ariana wrote about an archaeologist couple she befriended in 1970. From what I've read, I think she may have chosen them to care for your son."

"If you're right, this is great. So, Daniel, if this guy is my son, where can I find him? He must not live too far away. You haven't been gone from base that long."

"Not too far at the moment," agreed Daniel.

Jack wasn't satisfied with Daniel's vague response. "A little more specific would be helpful. As in city and street address."

"Not yet. There's something we have to talk about first."

"What?"

Daniel hadn't thought about it at first. Then, he just didn't want to risk giving anyone false hopes. Now, it was more than that. When Janet had mentioned calling Jack in, he began to have doubts. Jack had kept talking about protecting his son ever since they'd found out. Daniel had to be certain that things wouldn't change--at least, that one thing wouldn't change. Therefore, Daniel explained, "If he's your son, this guy wants written confirmation that he will be a permanent member of SG-1. Otherwise, his identity is not to be divulged."

"You told him about the Stargate!" screamed Jack.

Daniel was becoming angry, too. "No, Jack. I didn't tell him about the Stargate," he hissed. "He already knew about it. You sound like you think I'd compromise our security without reservation. As if you thought I had nothing better to do than reveal our little secrets wherever I go."

"Then, how did he find out?"

"Like I said, he already knew. Now, will he be allowed on SG-1?"

"You know the danger threatening my son. There's no way we can even consider it. He'll be better protected here. If he wants to be part of the project, maybe he can help you with your artifacts and translations."

"No!" cried Daniel, adamantly. "That isn't what he wants! He needs to be part of the team!"

Jack would not be swayed. "Daniel, he will not be assigned to any team. It's too dangerous. We don't always get everything we want, and no matter how special he is, my son is no exception. He needs to realize that. Now, where is he?"

"He has his right to privacy, too. If he wishes to remain anonymous, I won't compromise his security--anymore than I have the Stargate's."

"Daniel," growled Jack, threateningly.

"I can't tell you. End of discussion." With that, Daniel turned to go and noticed the vial of his blood that was resting on Janet's desk. He brushed his hand against it, knocking it to the floor.

"Daniel!" cried Janet, in frustration, as she quickly picked up the largest piece, which still held a small amount of blood.

"Sorry," mumbled an unrepentant Daniel.

Jack was furious. "What do you think you're doing?" he spat.

"I said I was sorry." With that, Daniel left the room, headed for the sanctuary of his own office.

"I could strangle him," a still angry Jack told Janet.

"Well, don't act too hastily. That might not be necessary," returned Janet, smiling slightly. "I think I've saved enough blood to perform several of the more vital tests. There won't be enough to make any conclusive determinations, but we should have enough to find out whether there's a strong possibility of kinship. If there is, we can always arrange further tests, provided we can get Daniel to share his information."

"Oh, he'll share, all right. He may find that our discussion is far from over."