8) Two funerals in seven hours in two different states. It wasn't really something he'd ever thought he'd be doing and he definitely didn't relish the fact. It was hard enough burying his ex-wife. Now he had to watch his best friend be lowered into the ground as well.

He observed from afar, not wanting to overstep his bounds with her family. Though she'd sent him pictures, many over time, he'd never met Karol's children, though he and Richard Stevens had been friends almost as long as he and Karol had. He didn't want to intrude in case none of them knew who he was.

The family and friends of Karol Stevens started departing as Jack leaned against a tree for support. His best friend of forty years was dead.

He noticed two young men standing still, unwilling to move from their spot next to the grave. From the uniform he assumed one was Karol's son, Sean. The other must be his twin brother. He hadn't caught a look at their faces to be sure, but the teen walking away with his father was definitely her youngest son Kyle.

He realized just a little too late they were headed his way.

"Jack?" Richard said softly. He kept his hand on his son's back.

"Rick? Kyle?" Jack questioned briefly.

"Who the Hell do you think you are?" Jack winced at the young man's tone, but understood how different people handled their grief.

"Colonel Jack O'Neill, US Air Force," he answered as politely as he could.

"Kyle, I think you owe the Colonel an apology." Richard glared at his son, his obvious disapproval written across his face.

"Right, whatever. Tiff's givin' me a ride. See you later." With that the young man stormed off towards a girl waiting for him.

"I'm sorry for my son's awful behavior. He's not quite sure how to deal with any of this." The man held out his hand for Jack to take.

"It's been a long time, Rick," Jack said, walking with the man towards the vehicles.

"Yeah, too long. What, twenty six years?"

"Yeah. Thanks for taking care of Karol. I'm not quite sure what happened after I left, but I do know I didn't willingly lose touch with her." Jack's eyes roamed the crowd, focusing in on the young man he'd seen earlier.

"Do you know Sean?"

"Not quite. I haven't actually met him." Rick gave him an odd look, almost like he was sizing him up. It unsettled Jack, but knew there really wasn't any need for concern.

"Listen, Karol never spoke an ill word of you. I could tell by the letters sent between you two there was a connection there. She told me about you two. Best friends and everything."

The two men were walking back to the vehicles each heading to their own.

"I think Sean should come and talk to you when you get back to Colorado Springs."

Jack nodded slightly, and got into his truck ready to head home.