Chapter 3

Jonas and Brady were the last to arrive. Jonas set him down on a table and breathed a sigh of relief.

-Brady, either you're heavy or I'm out of shape.

-You're out of shape.

Jonas blinked at Brady's deadpan.

-How old are you anyway?

-5.

-5. Wow.

Jonas walked over and leaned against the wall a foot or two away from where Jack stood. General Hammond approached Brady.

-Son, how do we know that you are who you say you are?

Brady smiled.

-I'm sure your doctor can do some tests. But until you get the results...these should explain everything.

He pulled 4 sheets of paper out of his pocket and gave them to General Hammond. Two of them were pictures, the other two letters, both addressed to Jack. The General handed the letters to the colonel and stared at the pictures. One was of Jack surrounded by rubble, digging for something, presumably the Stargate. The other was of Jack in a boat, fishing. Brady smiled.

-Mother drew them.

Then he turned to Jack.

-Read the blue one first. It's from Garan.

-Garan, huh? How's he doing?

Brady shrugged.

-Read the letter.

Jack did. This is what it said:

Colonel O'Neill,

I'm sure right now you are very confused and very angry. I know you never expected to meet Brady, but fate has a cruel way of making these things happen. Mother died yesterday. On her deathbed, she made me promise that I would send Brady to you. She said he deserved a chance to know his father. I protested saying that I could care for him. Mother pointed out that I have a wife, 4 small children and land to care for. So, I submitted to her wisdom and sent him. Please don't be angry with mother or I. We did what we had to do. Brady is a wonderful little boy, extremely bright for his young age. Also, he has an almost empathetic gift for judging someone's mood and mental state. Our doctors have not been able to figure out why. Maybe yours can. Take good care of him.

Garan

After Jack finished Garan's letter he took a deep breath, then read the next one.

Jack,

So you're finally meeting Brady. What do you think of him? Although I did not know you as a child I imagine he must be just as you were. He's such a special boy. He looks just like you don't you think? I wanted to name him Jack but I thought you might be offended, so I settled for your middle name. I'm sorry this had to happen this way. I wish I could have introduced him to you many years from now when he was all grown up, but it was not meant to be. I'm sorry you have to go through this. I know in time you will learn to love him, not because he's my son, but because he's your son.

Laira

As Jack had been reading General Hammond had been trying to figure out what to do. When he saw that Jack was finished he took a deep breath.

-SG-1, I'd like to have a meeting in the briefing room.

Jack sighed.

-Sir, if I may, I'd like to speak with you privately.

-Very well. My office.

-Yes, sir.

Jack left the room quickly. The general followed him.