Jack watches as Tim slowly loses the shell he's been carrying most of the evening. Pizza, beer, and two good movies have gradually been bringing the young man to the relaxed state he'd been in the previous night. Jack remembers how a slight raising of his hand had brought them to this state and again has to tamp down on the desire to choke the ever-living shit out of the man who has been hurting his son.

Looking at the other members of his team, his own small family as they've become over the years, Jack sighs and wonders if he'll be able to keep Tim here or if he will lose him to Gibbs. There are ties that bind those two together even if neither one knows about it, or rather, the one refuses to acknowledge them. Tim has felt a bond to Gibbs since he started working for the man; Jack knows that it's a primary reason he's stayed with the team this long. Unfortunately Gibbs can't see or refuses to see the man behind the shy computer geek. To do so, would mean acknowledging the similarities between Gibbs' dead daughter and Timothy McGee.

Sam waits until they've stopped the second movie and Jack has cleared the coffee table of their empty boxes before asking the question they've all been wondering about.

"Tim, I hate to ask this, and you're going to wonder why we're so curious, but why are you trusting us? Seriously, if I'd been treated the way you have the last six months, I don't know that I could be that open-minded."

Tim smiles and leans up against Daniel who smiles good-naturedly at him. "This is why." He then stands up and walks over to Sam and quietly asks her to stand up. When she does he asks her politely if he can give her a hug and she nods. "This is another reason." Teal'c stands up for his hug and Tim smiles, "This is the main reason. You all accepted me into your midst when Jack first brought me here a year ago. There was no hazing, no frat-boy smacking, no petty jealousy, just an open curiosity and acceptance. There's a sense of camaraderie here that I haven't felt anywhere else, and so I just...I feel I can trust you. I've felt that way since Jack first introduced me to our family." Tim looks around the room at the surprise on their open faces and gives a small embarrassed smile as he says, "Because you all are a family."

Jack sits back in the chair with a grin, the pride palpable as he beams at Tim. With a nod of his head towards Tim, he holds his beer up in a casual toast. "That's my boy!"

"Timothy, I have to agree. I came here after being disgraced from the Jaffa and left everything behind. I was accepted with open arms and they are indeed, my family now. I was Apophis's first prime until I started listening to Master Bra'tac. He helped plant the seeds of doubt in my mind." Teal'c starts to say, but breaks off at Jack's snort.

"Seeds of doubt? Teal'c, you've been around Daniel too much!"

"Hey!" Daniel replies laughing before sipping at his beer.

Tim smiles at the comfortable conversation and jesting and cocks his head slightly. "So, what happened?"

"I started to doubt the Goa'uld in my mind. There are many things that have happened that lead here. All of which have been forgiven." Teal'c bows his head towards Daniel and closes his eyes gracefully. Tim watches with interest as Daniel returns the gesture and smiles soothingly at his friend. "Before I became a part of this family, I joined Apophis in the search for a new host that his mate would take. We travelled to Earth and kidnapped a female Air Force officer..."

For the first time, Tim sees pain in Teal'c's calm eyes and glances at Jack. Jack simply nods and turns to his friend. "Hey, big guy. That's in the past now."

Teal'c glances up and nods once, slowly. "Yes, O'Neill. It is, but I believe it is relevant."

"Danny, you okay with this?" Jack asks as he sits forward to lean his elbows on his knees. Daniel nods before getting up and walking to the kitchen.

"Um...look, I don't want to..."

"Hey. Tim, it's okay." Sam soothes and places her small hand on his arm. "Trust me, Daniel's fine."

Teal'c watches with a keen eye and continues. "We travelled then, to Abydos where we kidnapped Skaara and Sha're. Both were very close to members of this team. Skaara now serves the Goa'uld as does Sha're."

Tim sees a momentary darkness pass through Jack's eyes and frowns. "Ja..Dad, what's wrong?"

"Skaara was a good kid. What happened to him...hey, Teal'c. It's in the past, okay. We don't blame you for what happened."

"Thank you, O'Neill." Teal'c replies solemnly and stands. With a slight bow, he makes his way into the kitchen to follow Daniel.

"Tim, Sha're was Daniel's wife. It's still a sore subject, but he doesn't hold it against Teal'c." Sam added and watches as shock flitters across his face.

"Why are you all telling me this?" Tim asks with a frown, unable to understand how they were as close as they were.

"It is simply, Timothy. We are a family. We have all wronged at one point in time, but we love and care for each other. That makes us stronger and helps seal our bond." Teal'c heads for his seat on the couch sitting down just as Daniel walks back in and reaches over to give Teal'c's shoulder a squeeze.

"Yes, we are." Daniel says, and takes his seat amongst them once again.

"So, as family…Daniel…what are you hiding from us?" Jack's voice is casual but they can all hear the concern he's not concealing.

"I'd like to hear this as well. Hello everyone…" George smiles as he walks in the front door. Tim turns to greet the older man with everyone else and pales when he sees who walks in behind him.

"General…Gibbs…what are you doing here?" The others watch as Tim's relaxed mood changes…drastically. The silver-haired man behind George Hammond sighs silently as he watches the young man tense almost as if he's going to flee.

"At ease folks…for now, Agent Gibbs is going to sit and listen. If he can't do that, I've already told him that he'll find himself on a one way ride back to D.C. In the meantime, Jack," George hands him a box and a bag.

Jack looks at the bag and grins, "Donuts and coffee for the morning. Bring it on back sir. Teal'c…look after our guest." The last is said in a flat tone with narrowed eyes and an emphasis on the word guest and Teal'c inclines his head in regal agreement.