-- Chapter Nine: Doing What We Have To

"You have GOT to be kidding. Who do you think you're messing with, you ..."

"Careful, General. You're the one calling in favors."

"Not from you!" Jack barked at Kinsey as he stood in Hammond's office at the SGC.

"Yes, from me. The President is willing to help you bend the rules in return for a little favor."

"Favor? I'm retired, you lunatic!"

"You want those kids?" Kinsey threatened.

Jack walked into Kinsey's personal space, his eyes on fire with rage.

"Don't threaten me with my children."

"They aren't your children yet, General. I can either help you, or hurt you. The choice is yours."

"Of all the idiotic, lunatic, ill-conceived, moronic notions that ... that ..."

"Jack, slow down, and tell me what happened."

"That ... that MORON ..."

"Jack, we have children who can hear you," Daniel warned firmly.

"Danny, he wants us to go on another mission."

"What? Why?"

"Some mess with the Hedronix and the Nox ... again. Something apparently only we can sort out. I don't know."

Jack threw his brown leather jacket onto the bed. Daniel shook his head and folded his arms.

"How can we do that? I mean, even if we wanted to ..."

"Danny, he's threatening to take away our kids. You should have heard him. Not one caring look in his eyes. He's going to take Jen, David, and Noa away from us if we don't do what he wants." Jack put his head in his hands and turned his head sideways for a moment. Vulnerably, he continued, "I don't know how to fight him. The President apparently feels we are the only ones who can solve this ... fiasco that the Pentagon has created, and Kinsey is having a field day shoving it down our throats."

Daniel sat down next to Jack and took his hand. When he spoke, his voice was strong and determined.

"We have to do whatever is necessary to protect our family ... all of them." Daniel frowned. "If we do this, Jack, do you think that'll be the end of it?"

"I don't know. If it was just the President, probably, but with Kinsey? Who knows? He's ... twisted."

"Okay," Daniel said, reluctantly. "We'll do this one mission, but that's it." Jack nodded and sighed, desperately trying to fend off his anger. He stood again and paced the room, his voice full of a tempered rage.

"General Armstrong is coming in tomorrow. They want us to meet in Hammond's office at 1000 hours."

"1000 hours. Gawd, I thought the General ..."

"Don't worry, Love. It's only temporary. We'll have to call Sara and Mark ... see if they can ... babysit a house full of kids."

Jack sat down again on the bed and quickly found his hand enveloped in that of his lover.

"Poor Mark." Daniel laughed lightly as he brought Jack's hand to his mouth and kissed it. "I thought he was going to faint when we told him about our newest additions."

"Yeah, he had just barely adjusted to ..." Jack suddenly decided to change gears for a moment. "Danny, what about the baby? Are we going to call her Jennifer, too?"

"My husband's grandmother once said that sometimes things just happen. Why don't we wait and see what feels right?"

"Jennifer," Jack smiled, "both of them. Danny, we both had Jennifers, I mean in that ... weird reality. I remember that now."

"Maybe it's been our destiny all along, Jack. Maybe ... maybe we need both Jennifers for our family to be complete."

Jack shook his head in wonder. The sudden shift in conversation had calmed him a little. He loved their family, but it amazed him the way it was developing.

"This is a crazy universe. Angel, do you think this has anything to do with that mess a few months ago?"

"You mean with that ... with Cummings?"

"Yeah."

"No. I think if Kinsey had been involved with that, he wouldn't be doing this now. We were pretty vocal with our options. We have ..." Daniel's voice died out slowly.

"... dirt on the scumbag? Is that what you're trying to say?"

Daniel answered, "Yeah. Kinsey knows we could match him on the blackmail angle. He also knows we have ... had ... limits on how dirty we'll fight to protect ourselves."

Had? Jack frowned. He never liked it when Daniel had to use a darker side of his personality, a side that was mostly foreign to him, a side that only came out when there was no other choice. It always meant the younger man was doing something against his nature, and whenever that occurred, it both angered and saddened Jack. It was time for a change, something more lighthearted than the doom they were both feeling inside.

"I don't want to think about this anymore. I'd rather ..." Jack raised his eyebrows.

"Jaaaaack. Now?"

"We're alone, in case you haven't noticed."

Daniel listened and figured they had about twenty minutes, if they were lucky.

"Then why are you just sitting there?"

Jack laughed as he got up and locked their bedroom door. Twenty minutes was just long enough for a good make-out session.

"I love you, Jack."

Daniel smiled watching Jack's movements.

"I love you, too, Angel."

"Daddy will be home soon, Little Danny," Jennifer said reassuringly as she touched the baby's head. "He's a little warm. Should I call Doctor Preston?"

Daniel had gone to the SGC to catch up with some of the recent missions by reading mission reports and talking with some of the SG teams. He wasn't sure if it would help, but he thought the more he knew about what had transpired in recent months, the better prepared he'd be for whatever they may find on the mission they were about to undertake. Meanwhile, Jack was home with the children, including Little Danny who wasn't feeling very well.

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea, Jen."

Jack watched as Jennifer placed the call, using Sylvia's private line to ensure getting through to the physician. He was impressed with their new daughter, but he was also determined that she remain a teenager. He was pleased that she was beginning to let go a bit more, realizing that Jack and Daniel were there for David and Chenoa so she could just be their big sister, not their parent.

"Doctor Preston, please. This is Jennifer Mor..." the teenager stopped and looked at Jack who gave her an encouraging smile, and she finished, "Morgan. Um, I'm calling for Jack Jackson-O'Neill."

Jack listened as Jennifer explained who she was and then described Little Danny's symptoms -- "His fever is 101.3, and his nose is runny. He's coughing a little, too."

Jack watched the intensity of Jennifer's face ... "Uh huh ... okay ... hold on ... Jack, is he congested, do you think? ... He says a little bit ... no chills that we've seen ... okay ... okay ... okay. Thank you, Doctor Preston ... yes, I'll tell him. Goodbye."

Jennifer hung up the phone.

"What's the verdict?" Jack asked.

"She said to watch the fever. If it climbs any, she wants you to call, but she thinks it's just a cold. She said you should turn on the humidifier, and maybe bathe Little Danny using the eucalyptus oil she gave you. Um, let's see, there was something else. Oh, when he sleeps, she said to elevate his head a little bit."

"Yeah, I remember doing that with Charlie."

"Charlie?"

"Yeah. He, uh, he died, Jen. He was our son."

"He's the one you mentioned that day when I was being a jerk."

"You had a reason, Jen."

"Is Charlie the boy in the picture on the mantle?"

"Yes."

"What happened to Charlie?"

"It's a long story. Maybe later."

Just then Aislinn woke from her nap, and Jennifer walked to the crib and picked her up. While there, she checked on Jonny, smiling as he slept soundly. Little Danny began to cry a little, so Jack rocked him a bit.

"I know, little one, you want Daddy. He'll be home soon. In the meantime, Dad will have to do," Jack laughed, kissing his forehead. He looked at Jen. "Whenever Little Danny is sick, he wants his Daddy."

"He doesn't seem so unhappy to have you around."

"I keep the monsters away. He knows that."

"For him ... and for Daniel."

Jack smiled and nodded, echoing, "And for Daniel."

"Sara, it's Jack."

"Oh, please. No more! I just got Mark breathing again," Sara spoke with laughter in her voice.

"Sara, Daniel and I are serious. You two don't have to ..."

"Oh, shush up, Jack. We took a couple of weeks to think about it, and we decided it was the right thing to do. We want to be there for you two, and Sam, if the need ever arises. I don't want to hear another word about it, Jonathan!"

"Ouch!" Jack laughed. "The last time you called me that I thought we'd never have Charlie."

"Don't make me say it again."

Jack smiled, an inward love for his ex-wife growing. He was lucky to have her in his life, and he was more thankful than ever that they had turned into such an extended family.

"Sara, Daniel and I need a babysitter."

"Sure, what night?"

Jack coughed, knowing he was pushing the limits of the Wilson's tolerance, and quickly answered, "For the next three or four days."

"Days?"

"It's ... Sara, the government ... they ... oh, crap, Sara, we don't want to go, but we're being forced into it."

"Forced?"

Jack sighed, knowing he should create a cover story, but he simply didn't care.

"Yes, forced. They want us to go on a mission that for some friggin' reason they think only we can handle. Sara, if we don't go, there are a couple of pompous ..." Jack struggled not to let out a long line of swear words over the phone to his ex-wife, "... there are people who are using the Mouseketeers to get us to cooperate."

"Mouseketeers?"

"Oh, yeah. David has a thing for Mickey Mouse. According to Jen, when their folks died, she was able to keep David feeling more secure by adapting the Three Musketeers tale ... you know, one for all, and all for one?"

"I know the story, Jack."

"Sorry. Anyway, Jen adapted that to David's love of Mickey and said that the three of them were the Three Mouseketeers -- that they wouldn't be separated, and all of that! So now Danny and I refer to them as the Mouseketeers. David really seems to like that, and if it makes him feel more comfortable, then ..."

"Then you'll do it." Sara sighed. "You're an amazing man, Jack O'Neill, to take on those three when you've just had triplets."

"What's so amazing about loving children, Sara? Besides, they make it easy, and remember, I have Danny. He makes everything worthwhile."

"Jack, back to this situation you're in. Do you mean the government might take them ... the Mouseketeers," Sara said with a chuckle, "away?"

"That's exactly what I mean. We don't have a choice. I know you don't know them well, but ... they're our kids. We love them, and no one, NO ONE, is going to take them away from us, no matter what we have to do, including another trip ..." Jack stopped.

"Through the Stargate?" Jack said nothing. On the other end of the line, Sara smiled. "Don't worry, Jack. We have plenty of room in the new house for all the children. How about Bijou and Katie?"

"Would you mind?"

"Can't separate a family."

"Thanks, Sara. You're really incredible, and Mark? Just ... try to tell him ... you know."

"He knows, Jack. Oh, how's Little Danny's cold?"

"A lot better, or we wouldn't be going anywhere."

"Okay. I'll talk to you soon."

"You mean you used to be married to Sara?"

"That's right," Jack answered as he sat on the bed in Jennifer's room. "She's a wonderful woman. It took us a while, Jen, but after a few years, we realized we were still great friends."

"Sounds like it's more than that to me. What does Daniel say?"

"What does Daniel say about what?" Daniel asked as he walked into Jennifer's room.

"Nothing."

Jack smiled as he looked at Daniel and said, "Sara. I was trying to explain our relationship with her."

"Oh gawd," Daniel responded, smiling and then sitting down on a stylish bench that sat near a wall opposite the bed. "Jen, Sara is fantastic. I know it sounds crazy, but we love her, both of us. It didn't happen over night, but it did happen, and now, she's part of a very small, very devoted circle of friends we depend on."

"And trust," Jack added emphatically.

"You mean I can let her in the house, like Sam and Murray."

"Exactly," Daniel answered.

"I don't get it. She's Jack's ex-wife. That's so ... weird," the teenager said, physically cringing at the thought.

"Trust me, Jen, you'll love Sara, and after a few days with her, you'll be a believer, too."

"Ohhhhhkay, if you say so, but I still think it's weird with a capital W."

"I can't believe we're really doing this," Daniel said as he changed into his green BDUs. "We even have the same lockers."

"Somehow, I don't think they ever reassigned them."

"What makes you think that?"

Jack held up an unopened box of Froot Loops. It was one of the small breakfast size boxes he used to sneak into his pack to take on missions.

"Found this in the corner just now."

Daniel laughed, and then the two closed their locker doors. Jack buttoned his vest and walked over to Daniel who had just slipped his on. The older man reached out and pulled the vest closed.

"Jack, I can dress myself."

Jack laughed as he continued to close the vest, much to Daniel's chagrin.

"I know. Danny ... for once, obey my orders."

"I'll try, but ..." Jack sighed and nodded, and then leaned in for a kiss. "Jack, we shouldn't. Not here. Someone could ..."

"Let them."

Jack took Daniel in his arms, deepening his kiss. Daniel held on tightly and let out a soft sigh of love and peace. He kissed a small spot where the skin on Jack's neck was showing, and then pulled back.

"And no heroics, Jack. For once, follow my lead when we get to that point."

Jack smiled. With his fingers sticking through the black gloves he wore, he gently traced the golden wedding band Daniel wore. The two had refused to take them off. He nodded and whispered, "No heroics, Love, and that works both ways."

"Both ways," Daniel agreed.

After one final kiss, the two headed for the gate room to meet up with Sam and Teal'c. Then, for the first time in quite a while, SG-1 walked through the Stargate.

"You're not so sure about me, are you, Jennifer?" Sara asked the teenager.

While David and Chenoa had been happily playing with Angela outside, Jennifer had been observing ... Sara.

"I ... I just think it's strange, that's all."

Sara smiled, then asked, "Why? Jack is a good man; so is Daniel. Why shouldn't we all be friends?"

"You were married to him. I mean, a friendly divorce is one thing, but this is ... unnatural."

"Well," Sara moved to another piece of furniture to continue her dusting chore, "I know it's unusual, but I think Charlie wanted it this way."

Jennifer let out a tiny gasp which drew Sara's attention.

"You do know about Charlie?"

"Jack's son."

"And mine. He was a beautiful child. That's him," Sara pointed to a photo on the wall. "He sure loved baseball."

"Jack said he shot himself. I'm ... sorry."

"Me, too," Sara said solemnly.

"Mrs. Wilson ..."

Jennifer walked closer, but before she could continue, she was cut off.

"Sara. We don't need to be formal. My daughter calls Jack her uncle."

"What does she call Daniel?"

Sara sighed. Jennifer was a tough cookie to crack. Her tone had been not only skeptical, but accusatory.

"She calls him 'Daniel'. Jennifer, if Charlie hadn't died, Jack and I would still be married. Now, we could live our entire lives in would haves, could haves, and should haves, thrown in with a plethora of what ifs, and be miserable. In fact, we did, for a while. Jack and I were still in love after the divorce." Sara saw confusion and even a bit of anger in the teenager's eyes. "It's true. You can ask him, but we couldn't make it together. It hurt too much. At that point, the memory of our son was more ... painful, especially for Jack."

"You blame him."

"No, I never blamed him, not ever."

"It was his gun."

"And I allowed him to keep it in the drawer sometimes. I knew it was there. So you see, Charlie's death, that accident, was as much my fault, as it was my husband's."

"Ex-husband."

"I will always love Jack, Jennifer. Always. He knows that. Daniel knows that. You know what else? Mark knows it, too." Sara walked towards the long-haired girl. "This may surprise you, but Jack still loves me."

"You want him back."

"No, Jennifer. Love is ..." Sara paused, taking an audible breath and pausing to find just the right words, "Love comes in all kinds of ways, and there is a huge difference between loving someone and being in love with them. What Jack and I have is very special. It took us a long, long time to be able to be together in the same room and ... laugh. For so long, it was all about pain. Now," she looked again at the photo on the wall, "it's about baseball, Monday night Spaghetti feeds, and family picnics. We laugh now. We didn't at first."

Jennifer didn't know what to say, and she wasn't sure whether or not to believe Sara. Finally, she said, "I am sorry about Charlie."

"I don't know why, but I do believe that everything happens for a reason. I'm not the same person I was back then, and neither is Jack. He's incredibly different now."

"How?"

"I think that's a question for him to answer."

"I still think it's weird."

"You know what, Jennifer? Me, too, but it's the way it is, and for the four of us, it works, so ... if you have questions, you can ask them. You don't like me, Jennifer, and you don't have to understand, but you will be respectful in this house, or when I'm in yours. Do we have an understanding?" Jennifer nodded. "Good. Now, I'd better get this cleaning done."

Jennifer watched the woman continue to clean. Watching Sara is something she'd be doing until her new parents came to get her. She hoped that by then, she'd have a handle on Sara O'Neill Wilson because right now, she wasn't sure of anything.

Two hours after walking through the Stargate, the four members of SG-1 were at the edge of Hedry, the capital city of the Hedronix. SG-3 was trailing the team by fifteen minutes, and SG-14 was guarding the Stargate. They weren't expecting trouble, but the situation had been deemed critical.

"Daniel!" the leader of the Hedronix called out, pleased to see the archaeologist.

"We come with honor, Ardyl," Daniel spoke, bowing his head briefly. "You remember Jack, Teal'c, and Sam?"

"Of course. Please ... come to my suprel. We must commune quickly."

"Daniel?" Jack whispered expectantly as they walked behind Ardyl.

"Uh, suprel would be a ... meeting place."

"And exactly what does he mean by commune?" Jack asked suspiciously.

"Jack, get your mind out of the gutter. Communing is their main word for negotiating."

"I knew that," Jack said as he tapped on his P-90 rhythmically.

"Carter, how long do you think he'll be in there?" Jack asked impatiently from outside the suprel.

He hadn't been happy to learn that the communing process meant just Ardyl and Daniel, especially since forty-five minutes had passed.

"It's hard to say, Sir. We don't even know what the problem is for sure."

"Have I mentioned I don't like surprises? Haven't I made that clear?"

"Yes, Sir. I'll be sure to tell that to the Hedronix."

Jack took a nervous breath.

"The problem, Carter, is that I'm not sure these people are to blame for whatever has happened."

Just then Daniel walked out of the suprel and headed over towards his teammates.

"Daniel?"

Daniel motioned them away from the suprel and anyone who might be close by.

"Jack, the Pentagon has botched this up big time. Either that, or the NID still has rogue operations going on."

"Explain."

"The Hedronix signed a preliminary treaty with Earth. They honored their side of the agreement." Daniel looked at Sam. "Have you seen or heard anything about something called Rolarx?"

"Rolarx? No. What is it?"

"Apparently, it's an energy source, stronger than anything else we've heard of, if you believe the Hedronix ... and I do."

"Then I should know about this ... Rolarx."

"Yes, you should."

Daniel looked at Jack, conveying his fears.

"You think the Pentagon ran off with this stuff? Daniel, wasn't the exchange done with SG teams?" Jack asked.

"No. Jack, you remember what I told you about these people. Honor and respect are extremely important here. They do everything through the Commune."

"And ...?" Jack prompted.

"And according to Ardyl, he had a Commune with someone he had met before. He said the man had accompanied SG-9 a few times, but for the Commune, the man came alone. The Commune hadn't been planned for that day, but the man explained there had been a change of schedule because of some special event on Earth. Again, you have to remember the Hedronix operate on a system of honor. They believed him. Ardyl had the Commune and gave the man the Rolarx. In exchange, we were supposed to send four educators to stay here on the planet for several months to teach the Hedronix more about our ways."

"Daniel," Sam interrupted, "Are you saying all they wanted for the energy source was to learn about us?"

"Yes, that's it."

"So what's the problem?" Jack asked anxiously.

"When the educators didn't show up as promised two days later, Ardyl contacted the SGC. The SGC knew nothing about the Commune. General Hammond told them he'd check on it, only when a response came, it wasn't from Hammond, but again from this man who told them there'd been a delay. Long story short, four days later SG-9 showed up for the Commune as scheduled."

"Wait. I thought you said Hammond was checking on it."

"That's what Ardyl said he was told, but the next contact was from SG-9 acting as if nothing had happened. Things got ... heated. Ardyl and his people feel like we've accused them of dishonor. They want to cut off all contact with Earth and have asked to have their gift returned."

"And that hasn't happened."

"Apparently not," Daniel answered, almost in a drawl.

"I do not believe the Hedronix are capable of lying, O'Neill," Teal'c spoke.

Jack paced around in a circle before he spoke.

"But I don't get it. If Hammond was looking into this, how could SG-9 waltz through the Stargate the way they did?"

The team exchanged a look.

"We need to go back to Earth, Jack. We have to talk to the General."

"Daniel, what about the man who had the Commune. Do you know who it was?" Sam asked.

Daniel nodded and folded his arms across his chest as he looked off into space for a minute. He took a deep breath and reluctantly looked at Jack.

"They gave me the name he used, and from the description, it ... it matches."

Daniel paused, not wanting to think the worst about a friend, and also worried about Jack's reaction.

"Well?" Jack asked impatiently. "Are you going to share, Daniel, or do we have to play Twenty Questions?"

"It's, uh, Paul." Jack stood, stunned. Daniel couldn't possibly mean ... "Paul Davis."

"Jack, the matter was resolved. I made some initial inquiries, and then received a message from Ardyl that there had been a mistake made. He apologized."

"A message from Ardyl? Directly?" Daniel asked.

The General paused, then answered, "I assumed it was. I didn't speak with him directly. I had gone to a meeting, and the communique was on my desk when I returned. It looked normal, like any communication we receive from an off-world dignitary."

"Sir, we need to speak with Major Davis," Daniel stated.

"Major Davis? He hasn't been here in some time."

"I'm not so sure about that, Sir," Jack commented. "According to Ardyl, Major Davis is the one he spoke to."

"Do what you have to, Jack. Dismissed."

Hammond rose from the chair and left the briefing room.

"MOM ... M'MY ..."

Chenoa was having a nightmare. Jennifer sprang up from her bed and rushed to the bedroom where the toddler was sleeping, but when she got there, Sara was already holding the curly-haired blonde.

"Your mommy loves you, Chenoa."

"Bye-bye," she sniffled.

"She's right here. Your mommy will always be in your heart. She's watching you, loving you. She'll always be with you," Sara said soothingly, rocking Chenoa in her arms.

They were in Angela's room. Angela was one year older than her new friend and had a greater grasp of language.

"Noa's mommy die?"

"Yes, Honey. You go back to sleep." Sara turned her attention back to the young girl. "You know what? When I was a little girl, my mommy used to sing to me. It always made me feel better. Can I sing to you?"

She felt Chenoa nod, so Sara began to sing a tender lullaby, and soon, the toddler had fallen asleep. Still, Sara continued to hold her.

"You poor thing, but I promise you, your mommy is here, and she will always love you and protect you. I believe that, Chenoa." Still rocking the sleeping child, Sara whispered, "I know it's not the same, but Jack and Daniel love you. Noa, they love you so much, and they'll do their best to keep you safe. It may not seem like it now, and, goodness knows, growing up, it may not be easy on you or your siblings, but you're a lucky little girl to have Jack and Daniel as your adoptive parents."

Chenoa was totally relaxed in Sara's hold. Sara smiled.

"You are a beautiful little girl. Heaven knows I don't ever want this to become necessary, but I promise you, darling, that if the worst ever happens to those two wonderful parents of yours, I'll do my best to raise you right. You'll be loved. You and David and Jennifer ... and the Munchkins ... and the girls ... oh, and the fish. Can't forget the fish. You have a home here, Chenoa. No matter what, so you're safe."

Sara began to sing again, still rocking the toddler. Jennifer quietly backed away and returned to her temporary room. When she did, she looked around, noticing for the first time that the room was appropriate for a teenager. In fact, though she had seen the teen magazines and Britney Spears CDs, she hadn't questioned their presence.

Why would you have these? Angela's your only daughter.

Jennifer sat on the bed, and then remembered David's room.

There's a Mickey Mouse stuffed animal in there and ...

Jennifer realized the room David had was full of microscopes, a spinning globe, and lots of books.

There was something else she realized now. The Munchkins had their own room, completely furnished. It was a nursery, but Angela was three-years-old, way too old for the items in the brightly-decorated room.

And the girls. There's a beanbag ... oh no, now that I think about it, there's four different beanbags that I've seen. I don't understand. Why has Sara done all of this?

Jennifer leaned over on her side, grabbing her pillow. She was confused. Deep in thought, it was over an hour before she returned to sleep.

"Jack, I don't think we should do this," Daniel whispered.

He was standing with Jack, Sam, and Teal'c outside the townhouse where Paul Davis lived, just outside of Washington D.C. It was in the wee hours of the morning, about 2 a.m.

"Daniel, do you think Davis is a traitor?"

"No."

"So if he knows something, do you think he's going to be able to talk freely in his office at the Pentagon?"

Daniel motioned for Jack to lead on. Jack told Sam and Teal'c to maintain surveillance around the residence. Then, he jimmied open a ground floor window and climbed through. Daniel followed immediately behind him.

"Can't believe the guy doesn't have an alarm system," Jack whispered as soon as Daniel had climbed through. Jack motioned for them to go upstairs where they assumed Paul would be asleep, which he was ... until he was startled awake by the feel of a pistol at his temple.

Daniel wasn't happy with Jack's choice on how to wake the sleeping man, but this wasn't the time to debate it. He watched as Paul looked up at the two intruders.

"General O'Neill? Daniel?" Paul asked, still somewhat in shock.

He tried to get up, but Jack hadn't moved.

"That's Doctor Jackson-O'Neill to you, Major."

"Jack, give it a rest."

"Sit up, Major, but don't move any more than that, and keep your hands where I can see them."

"What's going on?" Paul asked, moving slowing to an upright position.

"That's what you're going to tell us."

Paul sat up against the headboard. He was clearly nervous, his eyes darting all over the room.

"Paul," Daniel spoke from the foot of the bed, "do you know anything about the Hedronix?"

Paul's breathing was heavier than normal. He looked over towards his window, and then he closed his eyes. When he opened them, he made direct eye contact with Jack. Paul looked at his phone and then at a picture on the wall. He looked back at Jack and nodded, praying Jack understood his silent message.

"Never heard of them, General," but instead of shaking his head as he spoke, Paul nodded.

"We don't believe you, Davis."

Jack walked over to the picture and examined it and then the area behind it. He saw a small listening device planted on the back of the frame.

"I don't care what you believe. You can't just barge in here."

"I can do whatever I want. I'm retired. No more rules."

"I can have you arrested," Paul spoke as he reached over for a notepad and pen and jotted down a note.

He handed it to Jack, who read it:

"Please. Hit me. Do something. They won't believe me otherwise."

Jack looked at Daniel for a moment, and then with a furious anger in his voice called out, "You're a lying fool, Davis. I always knew you were a brown-nosing little weasel. Had you pegged from day one."

Daniel moved to stand behind Jack's shoulder and read the note. Paul handed over a second note which both Jack and Daniel read: "Wash Mon 0530."

"You're just an insubordinate queer, General!"

"Okay, that's it."

Jack grabbed Paul by the collar of his pajama top and hit him. Daniel looked away. Paul may have requested Jack do it, but it didn't make it any easier to witness.

"Jack, just leave him. He's not worth it," Daniel said pleadingly.

He knew that anyone watching or listening would expect him to try and stop Jack from beating someone up.

"We're going to hound you, Davis. Anywhere you go, we'll be there, starting now!"

Paul ran his hand across his lip to stop the trickling blood that ran from the corner of his mouth, and then Jack and Daniel left.

When they climbed out, Sam said, "Sir, we're being watched."

"Yes, I know. Let's go."

By 5:15 a.m. that morning, SG-1 was in position near the Washington Monument. Minutes later, Paul jogged by, acting surprised to see the team.

"I told you, Davis," Jack said, "we're your worst nightmare."

"Just act ... intimidating. I'm being watched."

"We figured that out," Jack said, giving Paul a small shove back. "Danny ... act ... you know, how you act."

Daniel rolled his eyes then approached Jack, as if he were arguing.

"Make it fast, Davis," Jack ordered.

"It's a cell from the old NID operation. They're still out there, General, and they're less concerned about hurting people than they ever were. They want power. They don't believe we're doing enough to ..."

"Yadda, yadda, Davis. We know that. The Hedronix," Jack again ordered.

"This operation ... they want to use the Rolarx to make sure that America has control of the Stargate."

"Make sure? How?" Daniel asked.

"The Rolarx is more powerful than naquadah or anything we've ever seen. They want to harness that power and prevent other countries from acquiring it."

"They don't want to share," Jack clarified.

"We already have teams from Russia as part of the SGC and more international teams are in the works. No, General, they don't want to share."

"Major Davis, how are you involved?" Sam asked.

Jack saw the flinch, the hesitation, the shift of the Major's eyes.

"They have something on you, don't they?" Jack smirked.

"Jack."

"Ðaniel, why else would he go along with them? Why would he sell out the world unless he had something to lose ... something personal."

Jack grabbed Paul and shook him "just for appearances, you realize." A part of Jack was enjoying this. He had never really liked Paul. He'd been jealous of him from the day they had met. Daniel considered the Major a friend, however, and Jack had to admit that Paul had come through for them when needed a few times in the past. He certainly didn't believe the Major was a traitor; still, Jack's old Mr. Jealousy was enjoying the show being put on for the people watching them.

"They ... they've ..."

"Out with it, Davis."

Paul swallowed hard.

"They have Colonel Reynolds, Sir. Everyone thinks he's on assignment, but he's not. They kidnapped him, and they, uh, they ..."

Daniel watched his friend having such a hard time explaining what was happening. His sixth sense was beginning to kick in, but he hadn't yet put together the pieces of the puzzle.

"They WHAT?" Jack said with a raised voice, but not so loud that his voice would carry.

"They're threatening to kill him, slowly. Torture him first is what they said they'd do."

"Major, why not report this?"

"I couldn't. They took him, Sir."

"How do you know the Colonel isn't on the assignment he's supposed to be on?" Sam asked.

"Because ... I was with him when they took him, and I'm the one who made sure everyone thought he was on a covert op."

"Oh, for crying out loud, why would you do that? What in Netu is Reynolds to you?"

"Oh gawd," Daniel heard himself say, the proverbial light bulb having gone off in his head. "Jack," Daniel looked away, gently touching Jack's arm and trying to pull him along with him.

"Wait, I want an answer."

"Jack, what would you have done if they took me?"

"I'd ..." Jack looked at a very nervous Paul Davis ... nervous and sweating. "I don't believe it."

"Daniel is correct, General. Colonel Reynolds and I ... we've ... well, for a ... long time, Sir."

"A long time?" Jack asked incredulously.

Jack wasn't sure whether he wanted to kill Paul or not. If Paul was dating a man, then maybe Jack had been right all along, and Paul really wanted Daniel for himself. On the other hand, if he and Reynolds were a couple, part of Jack felt sorry for the Major for having to endure "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

"Years, Sir ... before he was a Colonel. We met when he was stationed at Area 51, and we began working together on some of the potential uses of some of the devices the SG teams were bringing back from missions."

"The ring. He's the one you were talking to?" Both Daniel and Paul looked at Jack with inquisitive eyes. "I thought you were ... I mean ... I heard you on the phone ... and ..." Jack's voice trailed off as he looked at Daniel. "I'm sorry, Danny. I ... you remember a few years back?"

"Jack, you're an idiot. Do you know that?"

"Good thing you ..." Jack suddenly remembered they weren't home alone and let the discussion drop. "We'll discuss it at home, okay? Right now, we need details. Don't leave anything out, Major."

Using information supplied by Paul, SG-1 devised a plan. They had learned that there were at least two members of the NID cell operating inside the SGC. One was Technician Laura Cunningham. She usually had the night shift in the control room. She was an expert at manipulating computer records. The other was someone high up, but Paul didn't have their name. He was sure that it was this man who had left Hammond the note about the incident with the Hedronix having been resolved.

They set up surveillance on Cunningham, and at the same time, Sam and Teal'c reviewed weeks worth of security tapes in Sam's lab.

"Colonel Carter, I believe we know the identity of the traitor," Teal'c said calmly.

"I'll call the General and Daniel," Sam said as she moved to her phone.

"Colonel Damron, reporting as ordered, General."

Kyle Damron saluted as he stood in Hammond's office.

"At ease, Colonel. You know General Jack O'Neill."

Hammond nodded at Jack who was leaning against the wall, arms folded across his chest.

"Haven't had the privilege, but you're reputation precedes you, General."

"Believe it," Jack responded.

"Colonel Damron, SG-1 is about to embark on a top secret recon. Your expertise is required. You leave immediately."

"Leave? To where, Sir."

"Through the Stargate," Jack informed him, smiling deceptively.

"But to where ... exactly?"

"You'll see. Let's go."

By the time Jack and Damron reached the gate room, the kawoosh of the Stargate had blasted through the airwaves. Sam, Teal'c, and Daniel were waiting at the base of the ramp.

"Glad you could join us, Colonel," Sam said as she headed up the ramp.

"You want to tell me what's going on, Carter?" Damron asked.

"Hey," Jack stepped in front of the man. "I said you'll find out soon enough. Let's go."

Once through the Gate, the five travelers looked quickly around the smoggy swampland of PR2-991. They wasted no time getting down to business.

"Okay, Colonel," Jack spoke. "You have exactly sixty seconds to start talking."

Jack held his P-90 so that it was aimed at his adversary's chest.

"What is going on here?"

"I want to know where Colonel Reynolds is, and we want to know where you've stashed the Rolarx."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Teal'c moved into Damron's personal space. He towered over the 5'11" military man. "We believe you do know."

"I, uh ..." Damron gulped.

"Listen, Damron," Jack said standing about a foot away. "We don't have time to do this the long way, so you have a choice. You either cooperate and tell us what we want to know, in which case, Teal'c here will simply escort you back to the SGC where you'll be arrested and spend the rest of your miserable life in jail, or ..."

"You have to love Jack's 'or's'," Daniel taunted. "He is the master of the 'or.' Trust me, I know."

"Or," Jack continued, "Teal'c here inflicts you with some nice bodily harm, and then we leave you here on this fine paradise. You'll notice there's not much in way of food or shelter, and there's no such thing as GDO here.

"And don't forget, Sir ... the lockout?"

"Oh, yes," Jack smirked, "this paradise will be yours forever. Hammond will be locking it out of the computer program. You're choice, Damron. Sixty seconds."

Damron was convinced Jack was bluffing. He stood his ground, smiling cockily, even as Jack was staring at his watch, timing out the seconds.

"Okay, Daniel. Dial it up."

Daniel walked to the DHD and dialed Earth. Sam walked through, and then Daniel.

"Teal'c, have fun."

Jack walked to the Stargate.

Damron processed all the stories he had heard about Jack O'Neill. He believed every one of them.

"Wait!"

Jack turned, smiled, and listened as the now-very-cooperative Damron told them everything they needed to know.

"Sara, you said I could ask you questions," Jennifer said after breakfast.

"Yes, I did. Ask away."

Jennifer gave a summary of her observations about the rooms, and then asked, "Why, Sara? Why do you have all this stuff out?"

Sara sighed as she pressed the power button that turned on the dishwasher.

"I think that's another question for Jack and Daniel."

"That's another thing. I heard you last night, with Chenoa ... when she had that nightmare. I don't understand why you'd say that."

"Say what?"

"That we have a home here. We don't even know you."

"You need to talk to Jack and Daniel," Sara responded, trying to be reassuring and yet a bit nervous.

She gave a soft smile and then walked into the living room.

"I'm asking you."

"But I'm not your parents."

"You talk like you are. I mean, you did with Chenoa. I want to know to why."

Sara approached the teenager.

"Jennifer, I know you do, but I also know that you're old enough to respect that some things need to be answered by your parents. It isn't my place to ..."

"You said if something bad happened ... that ..." Jennifer backed away several feet and folded her arms in front of her replaying the conversation. "Oh wow. You're going to take us if something happens to them. All of us? All six of us?"

There was no point in being evasive any longer.

"Actually, it's eight ... the triplets, you and your brother and sister, Bijou and Katie ..."

"And the fish."

"And the fish. I promised Daniel."

"Oh wow. Oh wow!" Jennifer put her hands to her head as she walked. "Oh wow," she said yet again, and then she looked back at Sara. "Seriously? All of us?"

"Look, Jennifer ..."

"Jen. They ... call me Jen."

Sara smiled. It was the first real tone of friendship she'd heard from the teenager.

"Jen, you really need to let Jack and Daniel explain, but yes, if the worst happens, Mark and I are part of their ... plan. Please ask them about it. It's really not my place."

"And you've done all this? You've decorated your house, given us rooms ... just ... I mean ..."

"You'll be here a lot, when they have work to do. I want you to feel comfortable. We have a big house, with plenty of room."

"Wow. Oh wow."

The phone rang, and Sara excused herself to answer it. Jennifer listened. She could tell it was a friend of Sara's wanting her to go shopping. Politely, Sara refused. Jennifer knew it was because of the Jackson-O'Neill children, but as she listened, she didn't hear any resentment or sorrow in Sara's tone.

"Oh wow." I ... I think maybe I was wrong about her.

"Okay, let's synchronize our watches. On my mark, it'll be 1010 ... mark." Jack instructed the SG teams present -- SG-1, SG-3, SG-13, and SG-14. "We can't afford mistakes. Stay focused. Move out."

With that, the teams stepped through the Stargate to the coordinates Damron had provided -- PX5-283. It had been in the SGC computers as a "no visit/lockout" planet, though no one could recall even having discussed the planet before. Damron had confessed that Cunningham had been ordered to enter the lockout information.

Once on the planet, the teams spread out, heading for an encampment five miles south of the Stargate. According to Damron, that was where the Rolarx was being studied and experimented with.

The trips through the Gate by the rogue unit were infrequent, always done when Cunningham was on duty, and when skeleton crews were around. The klaxons were disengaged for the activations, and the handful of Marines on duty were simply ordered not to discuss those specific "top secret" missions. The technician would then use her skills to delete any record of the Stargate activation. It was a procedure that had worked remarkably well for the six months it had been in use.

Just outside the encampment, Jack marveled at the numbers of guards, both human and alien, protecting the site.

"Go figure. The Pentagon fights us for every dollar and some lunatic foots the bill for this? It doesn't make sense."

"They just want the power, Jack."

"That might be, Daniel, but they sure have picked a funny way to go about it. Secure this stuff for Earth and then turn around and make a deal with the Tobans. Those goons are more weapon crazy than the Pentagon."

"And if they determine how to manufacture Rolarx on their own, they'll probably go to Hedronix home world and try to take it by force if they can't get more any other way," Sam said.

Jack checked his watch. They still had a few minutes before proceeding with their plan. Timing was very important. Damron had said that the cell possessed a Goa'uld communication device which they were using to send messages from the planet to Earth, to the site where Reynolds was being held.

They didn't want to tip their hand by going in too early. As the SG teams on the planet moved in, so would Marines on Earth with the goal of capturing as many of the rogue agents as possible and freeing Reynolds.

Jack was worried about the presence of the Tobans. They were a callous race, extremely self-involved. Their main goal seemed to be the acquisition of more and better weapons with which to conquer the worlds around them.

"They remind me of the Borg," Jack had said when they had first run across the Toban three years ago.

"Jack, does everything remind you of a TV show or movie?" Daniel had asked in frustration.

"Everything but you, Love. You're my one in a bazillion. Unique."

Jack had ended that discussion by starting a new round of lovemaking, and to be honest, Daniel hadn't resisted in the slightest. Now, though, they both waited for time to march on.

"One minute. Get ready," Jack ordered.

Jack. I love you.

Jack looked at Daniel, wishing he could kiss his lover, or just hold him. If they had more time, he might just do that since "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" wasn't an issue for them anymore, but the seconds were counting down. He smiled.

Love you, too, Angel. Stay close.

I'll watch your six.

Jack took a breath. They were about to do battle, and when that happened, the outcome was never guaranteed. They had so much to live for. He wished Kinsey was here.

I'd shove him in the path of these Borg and watch them eat him for breakfast. Of course, they'd choke on him.

He checked his watch, and then motioned the teams forward to proceed with their plan.

"Don't move," Jack ordered the rogue agents and the Toban when they entered the encampment. "Don't do it," he aimed his weapon at a young man about to reach down for a weapon.

Without warning, a member of SG-13 was fired upon from behind, and battle began. It was a bloody crossfire that had the SG teams scrambling for cover. Jack moved behind a column, continuing to empty round after round from his P-90. He looked briefly for Daniel.

Daniel? Where are you?

Over here ... by the crates. To your right, Jack.

Jack fired off more rounds and glanced over his shoulder. He saw Daniel firing his Beretta from behind a four-foot high stack of crates.

"Sir!" Sam shouted, looking to the far end of the building where a wave of Toban were filtering in.

Just what we need. More Borg.

They made some headway, but a grenade-like device had taken them by surprise and was taking a toll. Two members of SG-14 were down, and Sam had been knocked out briefly from the remnants of a blast. Daniel heard another blast, and saw Teal'c engaged in battle with the leader of the Toban. A moment later, the leader was dead. At last, the SG teams were gaining an advantage.

With their leader gone, the Toban became disorganized in their fighting strategy. Though they were aggressive beings, they were used to following the orders of their leaders, and when that procedure was disturbed, they had a hard time functioning.

At last, the fighting seemed to end. Jack aimed his P-90 at the last man standing between him and what he assumed was the Rolarx.

"That wouldn't be a smart idea," Jack stated as the man stood his ground.

"Neither would moving too fast, General," Jack heard a voice from a few feet behind him. "Slowly, General. Wouldn't want me to get jittery, would you. It might have nasty consequences for your boyfriend here."

Cautiously, Jack turned. One of the rogue NID agents held a pistol to Daniel's temple.

"You hurt him, and you're dead," Jack promised.

"Put your weapon down, General, and order everyone else to do the same."

"O'Neill, we cannot allow the Toban to ..."

"I know that, Teal'c ..." Jack cut off his friend's words, not needing or wanting to hear the obvious.

Danny? Remember lesson nine?

Ready when you are.

Angel, I ...

You're the best, Jack. I trust you. Forever and Always.

Forever and Always.

Count of three, Love .. okay?

Okay. One ... Two ... Three!

In a split second, Daniel jabbed the man with his right elbow and dropped to the ground while simultaneously Jack aimed his weapon and shot the man right between his eyes, killing him instantly. Daniel saw the bloodied body fall next to him and stared.

"Danny ..." Jack ran to his lover and bent over to help him up, drawing him into a tight embrace. "Are you all right?"

Daniel nodded against his husband's shoulders as he breathed in the reassuring scent of his lover.

"You?"

"Just peachy."

Jack pulled back to look at his lover. He needed to see the cerulean blue eyes, to see their crystal clarity, to know that Daniel was truly all right. The young man smiled, and a second later, both nodded and pulled apart to attend to the clean up.

Sam checked on the Rolarx and made sure it was contained while Teal'c made sure the prisoners were secured. A few hours later, SG-1 returned through the Stargate. General Hammond and Paul Davis were both waiting at the bottom of the ramp.

"Colonel Reynolds?" Daniel asked.

"He's fine, Doctor Jackson," the Major responded.

Jack and Daniel saw the gratitude in Paul's face, but they couldn't say anything more at the moment.

"General, we need to return to Hedry and try to regain their trust again."

"Daniel!" Jack said harshly.

"Jack, we have to finish this. The Toban might go after the Hedronix. We have to warn them, and even more importantly, try to convince them that what happened was a ... a ..."

"Mistake?"

"It wasn't a mistake exactly. It was the fault of misguided individuals. We have to get them to understand that those people are the minority; convince them to give us another chance."

"SG-9 can go."

"Jack, Ardyl won't listen to ..."

"... to anyone but you."

Daniel sighed as he repeated, "We have to go to the Hedronix planet, to their capital city of Hedry."

Jack wanted to scream. He wanted this interruption of their lives to be over.

"Fine. Dial the planet," Jack shouted up to Sergeant Davis in the control room.

"General, perhaps it would be better to have Doctor Fraiser ..."

"No, Sir, it wouldn't. We're getting this over with now."

Seconds later, the Stargate event horizon appeared, and SG-1, accompanied by fresh backup in SG-2, returned to the planet, eventually making contact with Ardyl.

"Come, Daniel. We will Commune."

"Yes, we will," Jack stated as he closed the distance between him and Ardyl.

"Jack."

"General, the Commune is ..."

"Sacred. Yes, I know. I also know that you claim honor and respect are your highest ideals."

"They are. We live by it. We trust."

"Then I am asking you to honor me. We just survived a nightmare, one in which Daniel almost got killed ... again. I love him. I have no intention of letting him out of my sight for at least a week, maybe a month, or a year ... maybe never."

"Jaaaack!"

"Show some trust in Daniel and in me. Bend the rules. Change them. Create something new. We'll meet you half way." Jack removed his P-90 and handed it to his 2IC, and then returned to Daniel's side. He took Daniel's hand in his. "Where he goes, I'm going."

"So it shall be. This way."

You are so going to pay, Jack.

It worked, didn't it?

And what if he had said no?

Plan B.

Which was?

Don't have a clue.

Jack, let go of my hand. We're negotiating here, not going to a party.

Not letting go.

Jack!

Not letting go.

You can be so aggravating sometimes.

Thank you.

You aren't helping your case.

So yell at me when we get home, and that's the ultimate goal, Danny -- to get home, safe.

Stubborn General.

Daniel gave up the battle, letting Jack hold his hand during the entire Commune, though he was sure Ardyl must think they were being overly paranoid.

"We are agreed. We will give the Tau'ri another chance. The educators will come in three days?"

"Yes," Daniel said as he nodded his affirmation, adding, "And we are glad that you understand about the incident, that it was an error caused by individuals who don't represent the majority. It was ..."

"We care only of honor. It is not your apologies, Doctor Jackson, that have convinced us, nor is it your assurances that nothing like it will happen again. You see, promises are only as good as the people who fulfill them. You can promise for yourself, but not for an entire nation."

Daniel wasn't sure how to respond to that, so he asked a question.

"Then if you aren't convinced, why have you agreed to continue the exchange with us?"

"Honor and respect are highly valued, but above all else, that which means the most to us, is family. You, General O'Neill, have convinced us. Your refusal to let the one you love go without you when you felt uncomfortable moved us. And you, Doctor Jackson, though clearly displeased with the General's wishes, you went along."

"Yes, I did."

"Because you honor him, yes?"

Daniel smiled shyly, freely admitting, "Yes."

"Honor. In the end, the way one honors and respects their family speaks louder than most anything else. The General's protectiveness and your acquiescence showed a higher level of evolution for your people. We wish to learn more, and are honored you, too, wish to learn about us as well."

Jack had said nothing, but had a smirk on his face.

Jack, you are still in trouble.

And I can't wait for you to make me quake in my boots.

When I make you quake, Jack, you will not be wearing your boots.

Jack chuckled as he squeezed his lover's hand, and then SG-1 said their good-byes and returned to Earth. This time, Kinsey was present, and Jack and Daniel were forcefully reminded of their reason for taking on the mission in the first place, not that they had forgotten for a millisecond.

They headed for the briefing room, and when the briefing was done, Jack, Daniel, Hammond, and Kinsey walked into Hammond's office for a private meeting.

"Okay, we've done what you wanted, and almost got killed for it. Now, I expect you to honor your agreement."

"The President is willing to intervene," Kinsey smirked, "after your next mission."

"Excuse me?"

Daniel walked into Kinsey's personal space, looking him eyeball to eyeball with not an ounce of sympathy in his eyes.

"Your next mission, Doctor Jackson."

"That's Doctor Jackson-O'Neill to you, and there isn't going to be another mission."

"Then say goodbye to those orphans you want so badly."

"I'm going to break your neck," Jack said firmly, the veins in his neck bulging as his rage built.

Kinsey sneered, "I don't take threats casually, General. It's your choice. I'll expect to see both of you here tomorrow morning. General Armstrong will be here to brief you. General Hammond," Kinsey acknowledged as he headed for the door, but suddenly, Jack grabbed the navy blue blazer, spun Kinsey around and shoved him against the door.

"General O'Neill!" Hammond called out.

"You listen to me, you are NOT using my kids as blackmail, and I don't make threats!"

"Jack!" Daniel reached out, grabbing Jack's left arm, and tugging him back towards the center of the room. "He's not worth it."

Kinsey regrouped, making sure his suit was in place.

"Tomorrow morning, General," he said and then walked out.

"I'm sorry, Jack," Hammond sighed, sitting back down in his chair. "Kinsey has a lot of pull with the Pentagon right now, even though the President isn't a fan of his. I didn't know he was going to do this."

"He isn't."

"Jack ..." Daniel said in warning tone, and then he turned to Hammond, "We'll be in touch, General. Let's go, Jack." Jack stood, angry and sulking. "Jack, let's go. The children are waiting for us."

"Our kids," Jack said to anyone listening, following Daniel out of the SGC.

Jack drove his truck with precision. His look was intense. He hadn't spoken a word. Then again, neither had Daniel ... until he noticed Jack hadn't taken the usual route to their home.

"Jack? Aren't we going home?"

Jack shook his head, but said nothing. Daniel looked out the window, letting his mind wander. He wanted to go home and hug their children, but he also wanted ... no, he needed something else, and he suspected that Jack was feeling the same thing.

When they arrived at their destination, Jack quietly got out of the truck and headed for the door of their Colorado cabin. Daniel followed, a step or two behind. The older man unlocked the door and entered. Daniel stepped inside, closing the door behind him, and then locking it. The moment he turned around, he was "attacked" by his husband.

"I sort of thought that's what you had in mind," Daniel gasped at the first possible moment.

"Arguments?"

"Only that we're talking."

"Oh, I can stop that."

Jack didn't utter another sound for an hour, except for grunts and groans. Daniel's sounds were limited to moans and cries of "Yes" and "There." This was one of their more intense sessions, as had often occurred after a mission when their lives were at stake. Both usually felt a need to reconnect in the strongest physical way possible, and this time was no exception.

Afterwards, Jack held Daniel securely in his arms.

"Geez, Danny. When he had that gun to your head ..."

"Don't think about it, Love. It's over."

"Timing had to be perfect, and even then, if that gun had gone off ..."

"Jack," Daniel looked up into his spouse's eyes, "I love you. We're both safe. Let's concentrate on that." Daniel paused for a kiss. "Now, explain to me about Paul and that ring conversation."

"Do I have to?"

"Yes, Babe, you do."

Jack sighed and explained how during the Paul Duncan nightmare he had overheard Paul on a phone call. Davis was talking with someone about a ring, and he was holding a gold wedding band. Jack's Mr. Jealousy had been in full bloom, totally convinced Paul had been talking to Daniel.

"I almost forgot about that nightmare," Daniel said softly.

"Me, too. I'm sorry, Angel, for bringing it up, but when he said how long he and Reynolds had been together, I realized that must have been who he was talking to. I never would have guessed about those two."

"I had no clue either. Just think, Jack. All the years you've been so jealous of him ... all for nothing ... and I'm not trying to throw that in your face, I just ... I wish ..."

"I know, Love. I was an idiot because we belong to each other, and no one could ever come between us."

"I hope you never forget that."

"We should probably get home to our family."

Daniel knew he should agree. He was desperate to see their children, but he also knew that once they walked in the door, the demands on their time would forbid any quality snuggling time with his lover for quite a while.

"Jack, would you be angry if I ..."

"If you what?"

"I want to stay tonight. The children are fine, even Little Danny's cold is all gone. I need you, Jack. I was ... scared, too," Daniel admitted softly.

"I'll get the cell and phone Sara; make sure she's okay with it."

"She will be."

Daniel's tone was confident, something that tickled Jack. If he lived to be one thousand, he might never understand how Daniel and Sara had grown to be such good friends, and so attuned to each other's feelings as they seemed to be.

"Ash, you're getting so big," Sylvia said. "I'm so proud of you." The doctor turned to the proud parents. "Perfection. Simply perfection, gentlemen. Outside of the occasional ear infections for Ash, and Little Danny's tendency towards being overly quiet, your triplets are doing beautifully."

"Yes! I knew it. We have the most perfect babies in the entire world," Jack boasted.

"You're a little prejudiced, Jack," Daniel responded, his eyebrows going down to punctuate his comment.

"What? You don't think our Munchkins are perfect?"

"I didn't say that." Of course they're perfect.

I heard that, Danny.

Daniel smiled as did Sylvia who then concentrated on making a few notations in her file. The triplets were undergoing their eleven-month checkup at Sylvia's private office in her home. She had just recently opened the medical office having remodeled her family room. It was not only more convenient, but also allowed her to enjoy a bit more of a hands-on general practice, turning away somewhat from the specializing that so dominated the medical profession. It was something she had been wanting to do for a long time.

At the moment, the triplets were on the carpeted floor in a sectioned off play area so they couldn't get into too much trouble. The play area had flexible railings and a soft canvas material as its walls. As the adults talked, the babies crawled around, happily investing their little world. Jonny especially seemed to be examining the constraints of the play area.

"Okay, let's just check a few more things for fun's sake, shall we? Ash, how about a little game of patty-cake?" Sylvia asked, picking up the baby again and placing her on a table.

"Patty-cake?" Daniel asked.

"Sure," Sylvia said as she began the game, and soon the youngest Jackson-O'Neill was playing along with her. "Good girl, Ash!"

"Danny, look," Jack grabbed his husband's arm forcefully.

Daniel was about to object at the tight hold until he saw Jack's face. He turned and saw Jonny. The boy had always been ahead in the motor skills department. As a newborn, he had been moving on his abdomen long before most newborns moved much at all. They watched quietly as Jonny pulled himself up at the corner of the play area. He'd stood alone before, for brief seconds, but now, he stood confidently, a smirky smile on his face.

"I swear, Jack. He's planning a break out."

Almost on cue, Jonny stooped down slightly.

"My, he is ahead of the game. That's definitely an advanced skill," Sylvia commented.

Jonny stood back up and seemed to eye the play area confines again, and as before, he stooped down, but this time he also attempted to move his body through the a patch in the canvas. The patch was where the canvas was bound together, using Velcro strips, only no one had noticed that part of the Velcro hadn't affixed to the other, so there was an opening.

"Oh gawd. He found the opening," Daniel said, hurrying to the play area and scooping Jonny up. "Son, you can't do that." He turned to face his husband and warned, "Jack!"

"What?" he answered defensively.

"You're teaching our son covert maneuvers, and he's not even a year old yet."

"I haven't done anything. I swear!"

"Right."

"Daniel, he's eleven-months-old. How ... tell me HOW I could have taught him that, or anything for that matter?"

"I don't know, but you did!"

"Did not!"

"Did, too!"

"Not!"

"Too!"

"Da ... Dada ... no," Aislinn spoke, pointing up to her each of her fathers.

"I think she's trying to tell you two something," Sylvia said, a slight warning in her voice.

"Aw, Ash," Jack went to his daughter and picked her up. "That wasn't a fight. Daddy and I don't fight."

"Jack, don't lie."

"Well, not in front of you. It's okay," he bounced her in his arms. Then he walked over to Daniel and smiled. "Watch." Jack kissed Daniel, the two babies slightly squished together as they the kiss blossomed. Then the babies giggled. "See, Ash. Piece of cake." He placed a kiss on her cheek. Looking at Daniel, he said, "I love you."

"I love you, too, but I know what you're doing with Jonny."

"Danny!"

Daniel laughed and put Jonny down in the play area again. He whispered, "Dad is so easy to frustrate."

"Daniel!"

"Gentlemen, if you don't mind," Sylvia interceded. "One more test for Little Danny, and we'll be through."

"He's not really talking, Sylvia. That's not a problem, is it?" Daniel asked.

"No, babies develop at their own speeds. These charts we use are guidelines, Daniel, not set-in-stone rules. They help us to know where the average baby should be, and if they're too far behind, we can start looking to see if there's a reason behind the delay, but look at Jonny. He's far advanced in motor skills, and Ash is a little ahead of the game on vocabulary. Little Danny here is just taking his time. He's quite the observer, isn't he?"

"Yeah, he is. I swear, Syl, this little guy doesn't miss a thing," Jack stated proudly. "He's a bit of an imitator, too, especially with the girls."

"Bij and Katie?"

Daniel laughed as he answered, "He loves to do whatever they are, especially Katie. He mimics them, like in Katie's play yard, he tries to dig like she does. It's really cute to watch."

"So stop worrying. When he's ready to talk, he will."

"And if he's anything like his Daddy, and I know he is, once he starts talking, he'll never shut up."

"Jaaaaaack!"

Sylvia laughed and finished her examination, a joy in her heart that she had been a tiny part of the happiness that now filled her friend's lives.

A few days later, Jack walked outside to the patio steps and sat down next to Daniel. The younger man was watching David, Chenoa, Aislinn, and the beagles playing happily in Katie's play yard.

"Jennifer is reading to Jonny and Little Danny."

"What book?"

"The Lord of the Rings."

"You're kidding?"

"Nope, and the Munchkins are loving it, not that they understand a word."

"They just love her."

Jack nodded.

During the past week, the couple had done everything they could to get out of Kinsey's tightening hold on them. They had finally gotten through to the President, who had told them that yes, he was happy to help them, but that Kinsey had made it clear that only Jack and Daniel could solve the latest dilemma. He had asked them for their help, "a personal favor" he had said, and then he could talk to Kinsey.

There was just one problem with that: the couple knew Kinsey would keep coming up with excuses, and even though the man had long ago fallen out of favor with President Hayes, he had since managed to regain his hold over powerful Senate and Pentagon officials, and as such, he couldn't easily be ignored.

Jack and Daniel were well aware that the President was in a difficult position. As a man, Hayes disliked Kinsey, but as a politician, Hayes would more than likely have to heed Kinsey's desires in order not to rock the boat with his political party.

They also knew there would always be some crisis that "only they" could handle. The irony of it was that they also believed that Kinsey was forcing the issue only because it was making Jack and Daniel miserable, not because the politician truly believed the couple were invaluable to the SGC. It was the Senator's revenge for years of lost battles and for his having had to resign his Vice-Presidency, though neither Jack nor Daniel had had anything at all to do with that.

Jack sat nervously beside his husband. He had been contemplating something for the last couple of days, but he didn't know how to say it.

"Jack, we're not giving up our family, and we're not going back to work for Stargate Command."

Jack studied Daniel. He almost didn't recognize him. This wasn't the compassionate, loving, understanding, "we have to negotiate" man he usually saw. Instead, there was a focused protector, a defender, a man Jack recognized as a mirror of himself. Jack hated Kinsey for forcing Daniel to get in touch with this side of himself.

"Daniel?"

"I called Sam and told her we needed her to take a few days leave and stay with the children. I didn't tell her why, Jack, but I think she has an idea."

"Danny, what are you thinking?"

Daniel looked deep into Jack's eyes as he answered, "The same thing you are. No one is taking the Mouseketeers away from us, especially not Kinsey."

Daniel stood up and walked over to the play yard. He got down on his knees and led his children on an impromptu family dig to excavate some of Katie's toys.

I agree with you, Angel, but I hate that you've reached this point. I ... I can live with the aftermath, but can you? I know you've had to do a lot of things that go against your beliefs, but this ... I don't think you realize how hard it's going to be to ... forget.

Over the next few days, Jack and Daniel spent every hour they could with their children. They didn't talk about their plans at all. Both knew what it was coming down to. The words didn't need to be spoken, and so they weren't ... except to agree on their exact plan of action.

Initially, Jack had been sure that his husband would waffle in his stance, but he hadn't. Jack wasn't sure how to deal with that. It was rare for Daniel to be the aggressor in something like this, but he also knew that when it came to family, people were capable of much more than most gave credence to.

By the weekend, the couple had made all the necessary arrangements. They'd hugged their children goodbye and were in Jack's truck, headed for Vermont where Kinsey had a second home and would be staying for the next few days.

"Danny, are you sure about this?"

"We tried everything, Jack. We used all the arguments we had used on Cummings, but Kinsey doesn't care about that stuff. Our contacts weren't able to help, and the thing is, Kinsey won't stop. He'll keep finding a way. He'll always want something. So, unless you really want Thor to take us to a galaxy far, far away, we don't have a choice."

"We could do that. Leave here."

"Yes, and you and I would be in paradise because we don't need anything except for each other. We've proven that, but what about our children? Don't they have a right to make their own choices? They'd be loved and cared for, but what would they have to look forward to as they grew up? Jack ... you and I ... I don't ... we're not normal at all. I've thought a lot about this, and as much as we care about people, and as much as we love our children to the ends of time, we ... gawd, we only need each other."

"Our nation of two," Jack whispered in response as he drove.

"Jack, Thor could leave us on the muggy swamp planet, and as long as we had a shelter and food, we'd be ridiculously happy."

Jack laughed, knowing that was the truth.

"Yeah, we would," he admitted. "And you're right. Our kids have a life to live. If we're lucky, they'll all find what we have one day."

"I hope so."

"This is pretty extreme, Daniel. You've never had to do anything like this before."

"I won't let him take our children. It's not as though some other family is waiting to take the Mouseketeers. They'd be split up. Noa might be okay, but I'm not letting David and Jen be shuffled around foster homes until they turn eighteen. You know what would happen to them Jack." Daniel's voice cracked a little and then grew very strong once again. "We have to do whatever is necessary to protect our family."

"Daniel, we could have Thor zap Kinsey someplace."

"And there would be an investigation. Jack, we've both threatened him. It won't work. He's too visible."

Jack continued to drive, still searching his mind. He was really worried about his husband and what was about to happen. He tried suggesting that Daniel leave this to Jack, but his husband was having none of it.

With a cold distance necessitated by what they were about to do, Daniel firmly stated, "No way in Netu am I letting you do this alone, Jack. Like you always say, it's not going to happen ... not this time."

The couple was traveling along I-71 toward Cleveland when they stopped to eat at a truck stop. A radio played country music in the background as they quietly ate their food. It was the top of the hour, and headline news began.

"Senator Robert Kinsey, the former Vice-President who resigned in disgrace only to regain his seat in the Senate, was found dead at his home in Manchester, Vermont this morning by his wife. The Senator was shot through the back of the head, and local authorities have called in the F.B.I. At this time, however, there is no known motive for the murder and no suspects."

Jack and Daniel stared at each other in complete shock.

"He's dead?" Daniel asked.

"I guess so." Let's not talk about this here. Finish your food.

"Jack?"

Eat, Daniel. Don't react. It's just another news story.

Jack.

Don't argue with me, Daniel.

The ballgame had just changed, and until he knew exactly what was going on, Jack had just entered undercover mode, and the first order of business was making sure they said or did nothing to stand out or attract attention.

Thirty minutes later, Jack and Daniel pulled over at a rest stop. They hadn't talked since the revelation in the truck stop, both needing to process the information. They got out of the truck and walked for a minute, just stretching. Each noted they were alone at the stop, no other vehicles present. They walked into the field at the rear of the stop, the lovers finally needing to talk about what they had heard.

"Jack, do you think he's really dead?"

"This may sound harsh, but I friggin' hope so."

"What do we do? He faked his death once before ... that time when you were framed by that rogue NID agent that stole the mimic devices." Daniel suddenly grew alarmed. "Jack, what if he knew we ..."

"He couldn't. No one knows, except maybe Carter." Jack walked forward a few feet, his left hand running through his hair, his right on his hip. He turned to face his soulmate. "We have to be sure."

"We keep going?"

"I think we have to."

Daniel crossed his arms in front of him, twisting his body slightly as he looked around the open space they stood in.

"Jack, if someone sees us, they may make a connection."

At that moment, they heard a car. Each turned and watched as a man got out and went to the restroom. They were nowhere near the casually dressed person, but the timing of the car's arrival highlighted what Daniel had just said.

Jack took a deep breath. He appeared to look away from the restroom, but Daniel knew his lover was still focused on the car. He was covertly watching, too. This wasn't a time to take chances or make assumptions.

"We didn't do anything."

"We know that, but they might not."

"I'm open to suggestions."

Daniel took a deep breath. He thought about having Sam do a complete check, but he didn't want to involve her. After several minutes of pacing, he couldn't think of a viable alternative to covertly verifying Kinsey's death themselves. They'd have to continue their journey to Vermont, and no matter what, they'd have to make sure they weren't seen.

"Okay, well ..."

At that point, Jack's cell phone rang, the tones heard from the truck. They hurried for the Ford F350, fearing there was something wrong with one of their children. Just as they reached it, the man exited the bathroom, got into his car, and drove off, never even looking at Jack and Daniel. Jack picked up his cell.

"Jack, what is it?" Daniel asked, seeing Jack stare at the phone in shock.

"It's a text message."

"Jack!"

"It says, 'Starsky. Problem solved. Handled personally. Hutch'."

Daniel was stunned, so much so that he stuttered his response, "May...Maybourne? Harry Maybourne killed Kinsey?"

Jack swallowed and said casually, "I guess he got tired of being king."

"I didn't think he'd ever leave that planet. He seemed ... happy there."

"You know Harry. He needs ... spice." Jack paused as he looked around the area for a moment. The last time they had seen Harry, he was on a planet where he was adored by the natives; they even called him a king. Harry had seemed at home there, content to be their leader, but apparently, something had changed. Jack wondered how Harry had managed to get back to Earth. Then again, he wasn't sure he wanted to know. Maybe he just ... took a vacation. With a sigh that was a combination of worry and relief, Jack said, "Let's go home, Danny."

"But, Jack, how would he know?"

"How does Harry ever know anything?"

"Jack ..."

Daniel turned away from the truck and began to vomit, suddenly feeling the reality of what they themselves had been on the verge of doing. Jack rushed to his spouse and pulled him into his arms, holding on firmly until Daniel stopped shaking. He moved away for a brief minute, grabbed a bottle of water from the truck, and passed it to Daniel so he could rinse his mouth out.

"Better?"

Daniel nodded as he dried his mouth and walked away for a second, but Jack was on his heels. He reached out and touched his lover's right arm, spinning him around. The younger man looked so vulnerable at that second that Jack's heart broke. Quickly, he pulled Daniel to him.

"It's okay now, Danny." Jack's left hand went to his lover's shaggy brown hair, clinching part of it. He kissed Daniel on the mouth, then his cheek, and finally, his neck, nuzzling into the space as they pulled in even tighter. "Everything is okay."

"We...we were ... we were ... going to ..."

Jack hated Kinsey, dead or not. The man had forced the gentle soul that was Daniel to a dark place that no one should ever have to go to. He was glad Harry had intervened.

I owe you one, Harry.

Daniel would have hated himself had they gone ahead with their plans. This was difficult enough -- the realization of what they had almost done. Jack held Daniel as tight as he could.

"Daniel, it doesn't matter. We didn't do anything."

"I love our children, Jack. I can't let anyone hurt them."

"And no one ever will."

"Jack, forgetting all the questions about how and why Harry left the planet and got back here; forgetting all of that, why ... why would Harry do this ... I mean, for ... us? I don't understand."

"I don't know. Harry's ... he's crazy; marches to his own drummer and his own sense of right and wrong."

"Jack, um ..."

"What, Love?"

"You didn't ... I mean, you wouldn't have asked Harry to ..."

"Danny, I didn't even know the man was back on Earth, so, no, I didn't ask him to do anything. Daniel, I swear to you that I don't know how he knew. I'm guessing he's still keeping tabs on the NID and everyone associated with it. Maybe he just found out on his own and ..."

"Why would he do it, though?"

"I don't know, and to be honest, I don't really care; and, no matter how it sounds, I'm just glad he did it."

Daniel nodded and took another look around. He was tired, emotionally drained, and he just plain and simply felt sick.

"I want to go home, Jack. I want to see our babies. I want Bij and Katie to curl up next to us and ... and I want to hold Jen, David, and Noa and never let them go. I just ... I want to go home."

They kissed and then headed back towards Colorado Springs.

"Hey, they're all fine."

Jack's arms wrapped around Daniel's waist. They'd been home for two days, and since then, Daniel hadn't taken his eyes off their children, nor had he forgiven himself for what they'd been about to do. Kinsey wasn't a Goa'uld, even if he acted like one. It was a difficult reality for the caring and compassionate Daniel Jackson-O'Neill to contemplate.

Both Jack and Daniel knew the truth: if Maybourne hadn't intervened, Daniel would have gone ahead and done the thing he now couldn't even bear to think about. Jack had never felt so grateful for Harry Maybourne in his life.

You wouldn't have been able to live with it, Danny. Geez, it would have torn you into pieces. How could I have even let you get in that truck? Crap, how was I going to stop you? Still ... thank you, Harry, wherever you are.

"I know."

"Danny, you have to let go. We have a lot to do."

"I know that, too. The funeral is tomorrow, and then it will really be over."

"It's already over. The President called. He said he'd push the right buttons. They're ours, Danny. The Mouseketeers ... they're ours. We need to focus on them, not some moron that the world is better off without."

Daniel nodded, leaning his head back against his husband's shoulder.

"Jack, this will sound crazy, but I need ..."

"I know just the thing, Angel, but right now, let's go to bed."

The next day, Jack again corralled Sam to babysit for two days, and then he scooped his lover into arms for a kiss before spiriting him away to their Colorado cabin for two days. Daniel needed to regroup, to find himself again, and truthfully, so did Jack. They had come so close to doing something neither really wanted to do, and now, they needed some time to revel in their nation of two. At their cabin hideaway, they would let nature refresh their souls.

This time, though, they brought Bijou and Katie with them. It was Jack's idea, ostensibly to ease the burden on Sam, but in reality, he just wanted the extra sets of eyes on his husband.

As they relaxed by the lake, Jack noted that the beagles understood their role. Whenever Jack was away from Daniel, the two dogs were glued to him. Fortunately, the two-day retreat was exactly what Daniel needed, a refueling of his oneness with Jack, that they were still unbeatable when together, and that their future was untarnished by the act they had almost performed, but had been saved from doing by a traitor who had an odd affection for Jack O'Neill.

By the time they returned home, Daniel's smiles were genuine, and the Jackson-O'Neills moved forward with their adoption of the Mouseketeers, now on a fast track thanks to President Hayes. They were once again taking joy in the simple living of their lives.

"I had a great time at the cabin. Thank you, Love."

"My pleasure, Angel."

"And you two," Daniel knelt to the ground to pet Bijou and Katie, "you did a great job of watching me. Thank you. I needed you two there. I love you."

"Didn't buy my act, huh?"

"Jack, Bij and Katie are helpers with the children, not burdens. You wanted them here to make sure I was never alone, a reminder that our family was secure and full of love." Daniel looked back at the dogs. "And it is. It really is."

Things were back to the new normal for the family, transitions and adjustments still being made, and everyone continuing to learn more about each other.

At the moment, Jack and Jennifer were with the Munchkins in the nursery while Daniel had taken David and Chenoa, along with the beagles, to the park for a while.

"Jack?"

"You rang?"

"No, I talked," Jennifer chuckled.

"Smarty pants," Jack teased.

"Anyway, there's a crafts fair this weekend."

"And you want to go?"

"I ... I wanted to call ... Sara, and ask her if she'd take me. Would that be okay?"

"Sara?"

"I noticed she had a lot of crafts in her house, and we talked a lot about creating keepsakes and things, so I ..." the teenager shrugged. "Could I ask her?"

Jack smiled and nodded.

"Yes, it's okay."

"I'm going to give her a call." Jennifer started to walk out, but she stopped at the doorway. "Sara's nice, Jack."

"Yes, she is."

Jennifer had never asked Jack or Daniel about what she had overheard. She didn't really need to, and the specifics didn't matter yet. What was important was that she knew this wonderful woman she barely knew was willing to change her entire life just to keep the Jackson-O'Neills together. Once the teenager had understood that, her doubts had lessened, and she had remembered Jack's words about not making assumptions or judgments.

Her other concern had been quickly dispelled as well. After watching Jack, Daniel, and Sara together a few times, she was also reassured that Sara was no threat to Jack and Daniel's relationship. There was love there, but it wasn't the same between Jack and Sara as it was between Jack and Daniel. In the end, Jennifer had gained a new friend, and she was happy about that.

Again, Jennifer started to walk away, but she turned back one more time. She spoke a bit hesitantly.

"Jack?"

"Mmm?"

Jack looked up from the rocker where he now sat rocking Jonny.

"I think the Munchkins are super lucky because they have you and Daniel as their parents, and I think David, Noa, and I are lucky because you're our new parents. And ... well, I think Charlie was lucky, too, because he had you ... and Sara as his parents. I'll be back."

Jack smiled as he held Jonny in his arms.

"Actually, Son, I'm the lucky one. Who would have thought I could have this paradise here with your daddy, and your siblings, and great friends like ... Sara?"

Jack kissed his son, feeling peaceful in side.

That's progress! Now, if I could only get her to wear blouses that actually cover her belly button
On to Chapter Ten ...