Smith led River over to a good-looking guy sitting in one of the easy chairs nursing a cup of coffee that he hadn't tasted.

"River Hayden, meet Phillip Morgan."

Morgan stood, smiling and holding his hand out to River, who juggled his coffee and roll and a moment later took his hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, River."

River decided that things were not as they appeared. He wasn't as suspicious as his roommates – few people were as suspicious as Ian, in any event – but he wasn't dumb, and the men in front of him certainly didn't seem like surfers to him.

"What's going on?" He asked, taking his hand back. "Why do I get the feeling neither of you even know who my dad is…?"

Morgan smiled, wryly. A calculated smile designed to put River back into a comfort zone, since he knew things could go bad very quickly if the boy grew too defensive before they had a chance to talk.

"I do know who your father is, River – and your mother, too. First rate surfers, both."

Of course he did; he'd read River's file.

"And you're really here to get me to pass on a gift for them?" River didn't sound so assured, and Morgan knew it was time to come clean.

"Not exactly."

"Yeah, I didn't think so." The Californian was just a bit miffed – his weekends were precious free time and he'd just wasted part of one. He set his coffee and roll down on the small table beside the chair Morgan had been sitting in. "Have a good day, gentlemen."

"Wait, River," Morgan said, quickly. "We didn't come to discuss surfing – or your parents – but we do need to talk to you."

"About what?"

"About what's going on below Cheyenne Mountain."

River scowled – something he didn't do nearly as often as certain other cadets did – and shrugged, wondering what the heck they were talking about. Cheyenne Mountain was where NORAD was, and where Jack and Sam worked – along with Daniel, Teal'c and now Ian.

"You called in the wrong person," he said. "I don't have a clue what's going on there."

"Would you like to know?"

River's scowl turned into a confused frown.

"Not especially. Deep space telemetry isn't all that thrilling, truth be told."

He turned to go.

"What if I told you there was far more going on there than what you think there is?" Morgan asked.

River knew there was. He knew there was a research and development area down there, because he knew that's what Sam did – and presumably Ian as well. But it was still not all that interesting. The only new technology he cared about was aviation technology – and there weren't a lot of airplanes in the mountain, he already knew that.

He didn't even turn back, instead heading for the door. Only to have a stranger come through it – another well-tailored man who had to be with Morgan and Smith – blocking his path.

River scowled, looking back at Morgan and Smith. It wasn't like he was all that worried. They were in a public place, after all, even though this particular room was deserted. It wasn't like he couldn't call for help if they threatened him.

"What the fuck is going on?"

Morgan frowned.

"That particular language is uncalled for, Mr. Hayden. I just want a chance to talk to you – and explain to you what I want."

"I don't care what you want," River told him. "Tell your goon to move before I move him."

"He's not threatening you, Mr. Hayden," Morgan said. "Relax, okay? Aren't you even curious what Ian Brooks is doing that keeps him away from the Academy?"

Well… yeah, he was – a little. Not enough to ask Ian, who would probably smirk at him and give him some smart assed answer.

"How do you know what he's doing?" River asked. "It's secret-"

"Because I'm with a group that firmly believes what he's doing is far too important to be overseen by the Military."

"You're not military?"

He'd assumed that they all were. How else would they have known about Cheyenne Mountain?

Morgan smiled and shook his head.

"No. I'm not."

"Then how do you know what Ian's doing-"

"Because someone has to pay for it – and that means politicians are involved."

"You're politicians?"

"I work for some, but no, I'm not a politician."

"Then-"

"Mr. Hayden… please… come sit down and I'll tell you what you want to know."

Well aware that he could leave any time he wanted to – even with the guy at the doorway – River debated doing what he was asked, trying to decide if he was interested enough to stay. And decided he was. He walked back over, but didn't touch the coffee or roll, and didn't sit down.

"What do you know?"

Morgan smiled, but made sure it wasn't a gloating smile.

"First of all, have you ever heard anyone use the term 'Stargate'?"

OOOOOOOOOO

"I'm starving," Ian complained as he slammed the door to the convertible closed, pocketing his keys. "If this place sells anything more substantial than a cookie, we're going to stop and eat – even if Hayden isn't here."

Shawn nodded. Ian had been far more patient than he'd really expected – and Shawn wasn't positive why, but he was grateful for it. He deserved a break – and besides, Shawn was hungry, too.

"Sounds good. I'll even buy."

"Even better." Ian started to say something else, but then he spotted the black suburban in the parking lot on the other side of the building, seeing it through the large glass windows that made up the front portion of the coffee shop. He actually did a double-take, because he couldn't believe it was the same car. But the license plate was a dead giveaway, and Ian remembered the number easily.

"Son of a bitch…"