Several weeks after Thanksgiving Janet, worried, sat locked away in her office looking over a telephone message, from Macein's school, that had been left on her desk earlier. The fact that Macein's school had called wasn't what worried Janet, so much as the fact that it was the forth of such calls in the last few weeks.

Looking over the message and seeing the underlined and capitalized word URGENT, Janet knew that she needed to return the call. Not being able to put off making the call any longer, Janet, wondering what Macein had done this time, set the note back down and picked up the phone in her office.

"Colorado Springs Junior High, how may I help you?" A female voice asked.

"Hello, this Janet Frasier. I'm returning a call from the Vice Principal, Mr. Stewart." Janet responded.

"Ms. Frasier yes, he's been waiting for your call. I'll put you right through."

"Hello Ms. Frasier. I'm glad you were finally able to return my call." Mr. Stewart greeted. "I asume you have an idea as to why I called. There was another incident, involving Macein, today."

"What has he done this time?"

"Neither side is saying any thing, but appearently there was a small scuffle between Macein and a couple of older boys. Aside from a few minor bruises Macein is fine."

"And the other boys?"

"One boy suffered a bloody nose and the other a black eye. Other then that the only other injuries were to the pride of the two boys. All three of them are currently sitting in detention."

"Well that's good."

"Yes, and the scuffle isn't the only reason I called. I'm concerened about the change in Macein's behavior recently. Also it's come to my attention that Macein's grades have started to drop. As I'm sure you're aware, Macein wasn't exactly a straight A student, but he was doing decently well intill now. At this point I think it would be a good idea if we could get together and discuss possible ways to manage this situation."

After spending another few minutes on the phone, arranging a suitable time for later that day, Janet replaced the handset into the cradle. Letting out a sigh Janet left her office to go and find one of her friends to see if they could maybe shed some light on Macein's recent behavior.

Pondering over possible reasons for Macein's recent behavior Janet, working on auto pilot, found her way into Daniel's office. Finally relising where she was at Janet looked up to find Daniel, surounded by books, papers, and with an empty cup of coffee still in one of his hands, slumped over his desk sound asleep.

Smiling Janet made her way over to his desk. Janet, knowing that Daniel couldn't sleep for very long when he was being watched, leaned both elbows on the desk and rested her chin between her hands, and soon enough Daniel began to stir. Attempting to figure out what had woken him up Daniel looked up to find Janet with an amused smirk on her face.

"And what are you smirking at?" Daniel asked never lifting his head of his desk.

"You and the fact that you just won me $20, by pulling another one of your all nighters." Janet answered.

At hearing this Daniel quickly lifted his head off his desk, causing him to fall off his chair. Sitting on the floor all Daniel could do was gape as Janet started laughing at him.

"I was joking. But thank you for the lovely reaction, I needed that."

"Ooook.........you wanna tell me whats going on?"

"Nothing really, it's just that I got another call from Macein's school today."

"Again, how many times is that now."

"It's the fourth one in these last few weeks."

"So what'd he do this time?"

"Got into a fight with a couple of older guys. I'm supposed to meet with his vice principal later today."

"Want me to go with you? I mean I could keep an eye on Macein or whatever, while you meet with his vice principal."

"I'd appreciate that alot, thanks."

=============

Later that day Janet and Daniel arrived at Macein's school. Entering the office they were greeted by the secretary who asked them to please wait while Mr. Stewart finished up with a staff meeting. Shortly after they sat down, the secretary brought Macein into the office. As soon as Macein sat down Janet began to discreatly glance him over to make sure that he was really ok.

"Will you please stop it." Macein admonished Janet, getting annoyed with the glances she kept sending his way.

"Stop what?" Janet questioned inocently. Macein mearly gave her one of those 'Don't-patronize-me' looks. "Ok I'll stop. I just wanted to make sure you were ok."

"Well I am. So stop giving me that doctor look thing you do when you're in doctor mode."

Of course at hearing this Daniel couldn't help but chuckle. Then seeing the 'Threat-of-bodily-harm' glare that Janet threw at him, Daniel quickly attempted to muffle his chuckle by turning it into a fake cough. "Not a word, I never said a word."

Mr. Stewart having come out of his meeting just in time to hear the conversation cleared his throat to get their attention. "Ms. Frasier, it's nice to finally meet you."

"Like wise Mr. Stewart." Janet shook his hand. "And let me introduce my good friend and fellow co-worker, Daniel Jackson."

"Pleasure." Daniel also shook hands with Mr. Stewart.

"Daniel was kind enough come with me, to keep Macein out of trouble while we talk."

"Are ya sure thats not supposed to be the other way around?" Macein mumbled under his breath.

Throwing Macein a be good look Janet followed Mr. Stewart into his office.

=================

"Please have a seat Ms. Frasier."

"Janet, you can call me Janet."

"Well then in that case, Janet you can call me Brian."

"Alright, Brian."

"Ok thats settled. Now about Macein, as you know, this recent change of behavior has me worried. I was kind of hoping you might have some kind of an idea to explain the changs in behavior."

"To be honest I'm has much in the dark about his behavior as you are. It seems like one minute he was doing fine adjusting to the new enviornment, you know new house, new school, new people, and then...."

"Yeah about, I understand that you adopted Macein, correct?"

"Yes about six months ago give or take."

"Is it possible that that has something to do with his recent behavior?"

"It's a possiblity, but I'm not so sure about that. I mean this is the second child that I've adopted, so you could call it parental intution, I just don't think thats it."

"Ok if its not that then have there been any kind of significant changes around the house or in his life outside of school?"

"Not that I can thi....no wait actally you know what now that I think about it there has been one change. About a month or two ago me and Daniel started going out and I never really thought about how Macein and Cassie would take it. Probably because even before we started going out Daniel has always been a big part of their lives, but it was always in an uncle kind of way."

"But now that he's moved out of the uncle role into something more...."

"Macein might be having some issues with that."