General Landry hung up, satisfied that the O'Neills would be at Cheyenne Mountain as soon as safe provisions were made for their children. He was well aware of the priority both Ambassador O'Neill and Colonel Carter placed on the safety and integrity of their family. He'd always respected that and hoped that the current situation would not force them to make impossible choices.

PART 2: PREPARATION

Over the years, Sam and Jack had learned that their children were resilient and surprisingly independent. They had been through some pretty traumatic events for their young years. Their parents would have preferred to protect them from any distress, but realized it wasn't always possible, especially given their high profile, unpredictable careers.

Jake, Grace, Jon and even Beth, at the tender age of three, had come to expect the unexpected. One or the other parent frequently was at work, or called to work, at odd hours. Yet more often than not, either their mother or father would be available to them. Today would be one of those rare times when both parents were called away, perhaps for a protracted length of time.

By now, both Sam and Jack were up and efficiently packing what they knew was needed for a possible off world excursion. As she worked, Sam was on the phone with Janet, negotiating arrangements for the Jacksons to care for the children in their absence. (Janet and Daniel had finally married 5 years ago, welcoming their first child, Ethan, just 6 months ago.) As she completed the call and went to wake the children, Jack reached for her.

"Sam, I've got a bad feeling about this … what if Thor has some idea that we are going on a mission for him again? We can't both leave the kids; you know we discussed this a long time ago." As he finished, Jack's eyes locked with his wife's and she was mildly alarmed to see the concern that filled their depths.

"Let's not borrow trouble, Jack. Right now, we've just been called into work. We'll take it a step at a time. We won't do anything to jeopardize our family."

Jack silently wished he could feel as relaxed about this as Sam obviously did. She gave him a brief peck on the cheek and went off to the children's rooms, turning on lights as she did so. This left Jack alone to pack and brood about the times missions never seemed to turn out the way they were intended, going to hell in mere seconds.

Within 20 minutes, the O'Neills were all awake and at least somewhat alert. Actually, Jake and Grace were fairly excited about the prospect of spending maybe a whole weekend with the Jacksons (and the family's new Xbox).

In the midst of the last minute preparations, Jake, always sensitive to his father's moods, approached Jack with a question.

"What's wrong Dad?"

"Wrong? Nothing … you know this happens every so often when your Mom and I are called into work. Sorry about the game we had planned, Jake. I'll make it up to you when we get back."

"That's not what I mean, Dad. You're worried; I can always tell, you know."

At 12 years old, Jake was the most perceptive pre-adolescent Jack had ever known. Well, granted he wasn't an expert with kids, but he'd spent a lot of time with his son and his friends over the past few years. From baseball to neighborhood street hockey and, supposedly hidden from Sam, dancing lessons, Jack O'Neill had proved to be a very hands-on father. Jack enjoyed every minute of it and Jake, well Jake thought his dad was "the best dad on the planet".

"It's about the Stargate, isn't it? They want you and Mom to go in, don't they"?

Suddenly, Jack flashed to the time nearly 3 years ago when Jake and Grace had been involved, without their parents' knowledge, in a covert NID operation which very nearly ended up in an unscheduled trip through the Gate. In fact, as a result, Jack, Sam and the United States Air Force had had no choice but to explain some part of the Stargate program to two fourth graders; precocious fourth graders perhaps, but fourth graders, none the less.

Of course, that had only been the beginning. For some reason, the brief proximity to the Gate during that kidnapping episode appeared to trigger night terrors involving Stargate activity. Although the emotional impact of these dreams faded when discussed with their parents, the frequency of the dreams increased as the children got older. So, unlike their younger siblings, Grace and Jake now had a pretty good idea of the danger their parents might be facing when they went to the mountain today.

"We'll be back as soon as we can, son. In the meantime, I need you to help with Jon and Beth. Can you do that for me?"

"Sure Dad. I just wish I could come along."

"I know you do Jake. I know you do".

Taking a deep breath, with a reassuring hand on Jake's shoulder, Jack turned towards the kitchen and called, "Okay, kids, the O'Neill transport is leaving at 0700. Let's get a move on!"

"We're ready", Sam replied, appearing with two very bleary eyed daughters at her side. Actually Grace was carrying Beth who was just about sleeping on her shoulder.

On their short drive to the Jackson home, the rains came down in torrents. Though it wasn't all that cold, Jack felt chilled to the bone. As the family pulled up in front of Daniel and Janet's, Sam kissed the children goodbye from the dry warmth of the SUV before Jack bundled them together and made a mad dash for the Jacksons' front door. Daniel was there to meet them. As he opened the door, Beth jumped into the arms of her favorite uncle.

"Uncle Danny, what are we going to play today? It's all wet outside, so I can't ride the bike". Beth was learning to ride her first two-wheeler and it was becoming an obsession.

"Daniel, thanks for watching them on such short notice. I hope we'll be back sooner than latter, but you never know. "

"Don't worry about the kids, Jack. You know we love having them. Hey, it gets us in practice for when Ethan gets older. You just take care of yourselves."

At that Jack hugged each of the children in turn. When it came to Grace's turn, the girl's arms just stayed wrapped tightly around her father's neck and she refused to let go.

"Princess, I've got to go. I'll be back just as soon as I can."

"Promise?" she asked, in a voice suddenly younger than her years.

"Promise. I love you too much to stay away very long, Grace." At that Grace pulled away and fixed her father with a teary eyed gaze. In other circumstances he would have stayed with her awhile, but it just wasn't an option today. Just when he thought she was getting to old to hug her old dad in public, he was reminded that she was still a little girl at heart.

Truth be told, he was glad.

"We'll take good care of them, Jack", Daniel called, starting to lead the girls into the family room. Janet was there as well by then; both she and Daniel knew that, hard as it was, Jack and Sam needed to get moving.

"Thanks again", Jack called back, as he turned from the door for a quick run back to the SUV and the trip in to the mountain.