Chapter 6
Jack walked through the meadow as the wormhole disengaged behind him. Never in a million years had he thought that he would be here again. And especially not under these circumstances. He came to a fork in the road and took the left path. Before he knew it he had arrived at the small Edoran village. It was full of activity. Children played in the streets. Wagons filled with crops were parked in front of the general store. Jack wandered over to some old men smoking pipes in front of the saloon.
-Excuse me. Could you fellas tell me where I could find Garan?
One of them eyed Jack suspiciously.
-Who's askin'? And why's a young snapper like you want to know?
Jack smiled at being called a 'young snapper'.
-Name's Jack O'Neill. And as to why I'm looking for him...that's none of your business.
The old men laughed so hard that it turned into a coughing spurt. Then one of them took out his pipe and stared in shock.
-Wait a second; did you say your name was O'Neill? Are you Colonel O'Neill?
-Uh...
The old men stood up and hollered to the people on the street.
-Hey, folks, gather around!! This here is Colonel O'Neill!!!
Jack groaned loudly.
-Look, fellas, I just want to know where Garan is. I don't want to cause a commotion.
-The new house is down by the river. 3 or 4 miles west. Tell him Hank sent ya.
Jack nodded and started off towards the river,
-Much obliged. You folks have a good day now.
Jack breathed a sigh of relief as soon as he left the village behind. It wasn't too long before a beautiful stone house came into view. The door opened and two young children ran out. Jack smiled at them.
-Hi there boys. Is your daddy home?
They stared wide-eyed at him and then ran back into the house. A moment later Garan came out with a little boy attached to each leg.
-Well, Colonel, I was wondering when you'd come. It's good to see you again.
Garan offered his hand. Jack grasped it and smiled.
-Nice place you've got here.
-Thanks. I've worked hard.
-I can tell. Who've you got there?
Jack pointed to the little boys. Garan smiled.
-Well, the one on my left leg is our oldest, Danny. He just turned 4. The one on the right is Teal'c. He'll be 2 in the fall.
Just then a young woman came walking out with a baby in each arm.
-Colonel, you remember Naytha.
Jack tipped his hat and smiled.
-Pleasure.
Garan motioned to the sleeping babies.
-This is Samantha and Laira. They're a month old today.
Jack cringed at those two names being used in the same sentence. It just wasn't right.
-Garan, could I have a word with you. Alone.
-Sure. Boys, you've got to get off now.
The little boys reluctantly detached themselves from their father and ran over to Naytha. Garan and Jack headed down to the river. Garan waited quietly for Jack to say what was on his mind. After a few minutes Jack sighed.
-Garan, I'm not gonna beat around the bush. I can't do this. I can't take care of Brady.
-I know, Colonel. I know you don't think you can. But, you have to.
-Garan...it's not that I don't think I can. I can't!!! We go off on missions two or three times a week. There's no telling when I could get myself killed. It's dangerous work. That's no way to raise a child.
Garan sighed.
-I wish I could help you, Colonel. I wish I could tell you that he could stay here. But he can't. As I said in the letter, I have a wife, 4 small children and a farm to care for. Not to mention the fact that Naytha's mother is ill and just moved in with us yesterday. You'll just have to figure something out.
-Well, it was worth a shot.
Jack turned around and started to head back toward the Stargate. Garan called after him.
-Colonel!!!
Jack looked back over his shoulder.
-Yah?
-Good luck.
-Thanks. I'm gonna need it.
With that Garan headed back to the house and Jack headed back to the SGC.