Recognizing the futility of the situation, Jack and Teal'c prepared to abandon their efforts, ready to flee the house after the others. Just then, the sky darkened instantaneously and sheets of water blew almost horizontally through the porch screening. In seconds, the flames were extinguished, leaving scorched, steaming wood and heavy smoke. A relieved, but mystified Air Force General pulled his friend's arm to lead him from the porch, closed the door to hopefully contain some of the smoke and left the house to join his family and friends outside.

CHANGES

Immediately after the fire was out, Jack and Sam stood huddled together with the children, waiting for the SUV to be brought around. They both sent silent prayers of gratitude to whatever higher powers existed and to Elizabeth and her friends as well. It went without saying, at least for this couple, that the sudden rainstorm was the intervention of none other than the children's 'guardian angels'. As they sat in the SUV waiting for the fire department to arrive (the neighbors had called once they'd seen flames leaping from the screened in porch), their relief was palpable. They easily could have lost both of their children in what was an unforeseen accident.

Later that day, Daniel had sat with them at General Hammond's home in Washington where they'd been welcomed to spend as much time as they needed while their ownhouse was being cleaned. Daniel, remembering the start of the episode with the candles, recalled his amazement on Kheb when the priest and later Oma had lit the candle and swelled the fire with only the strength of his mind. He wished he'd remembered this at Jack's house when the candles first began to light on their own. Daniel blamed himself just a bit, trying to figure out how he could have warned the family and maybe prevented the whole episode.

Teal'c immediately threw himself into the role of chief protector of the family. He'd offered O'Neill his services on a full time basis, requesting a transfer of his station from Colorado to the Washington area, so that he could more adequately watch over his godchildren. Warmed by his faithful friend's willingness to leave everything in order to protect his family, Jack assured him that this would not be necessary, but that certainly, more frequent visits would be helpful and appreciated.

Luke Sisko was shaken by the events of the birthday party in more ways than his obvious distress over the fire. The day had started out as yet one more occasion where the O'Neills had opened their home and their hearts to him. Luke knew Jack and Sam were aware of his recent divorce and lack of family connection. He was surprised and humbled by the ways they'd included him in many family occasions, like the birthday celebration. Much to his surprise, he'd come to like Sam and Jack O'Neill and what's more, respect them and their values.

OoOoOo

The O'Neills had been back in their home 2 weeks. The smell of smoke had finally dissipated and in some ways things were getting back to normal.

Sam was learning that normal was a state of mind. Struggling to balance the demands for her time at the lab with the needs of her husband and children was proving once again to be a daunting challenge. She didn't know how much more of this she could take, especially what with her renewed worries for the twins.

The fire had been a turning point. Until then, it had been possible to ignore the possibility that the twins' childhood would be anything but normal. Now with reminders throughout the house of smoke and water damage, not to mention the small scar on Grace's arm and the terror of that moment still living in her own heart, denial was impossible. It was the unknown that was the worst. It seemed even Oma, who'd assured her that these powers would develop gradually for the children, wasn't really able to predict the course of events.

Thank God for Jack. In his inimitable style, he'd taken the horrific end of the twins' party in stride. His focus on structural repairs to the side of the house attached to the now gutted porch had effectively distracted him from dealing with some of the intensified worries she knew plagued him as well. Though he liked to pretend otherwise, Sam knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he worried about the twins every bit as much as she did.

OoOoOo

Luke simply adored Grace and Jake. Pediatrics had been his first love in medicine and these kids were his first primary care patients - like a real doctor - not a researcher, in nearly five years. This was what he was meant to do, take care of children directly. What's more these were great kids. Handsome, strong, smart and full of enthusiasm, they were obviously the pride and joy of both parents. Several months ago, he'd known he could never do anything that might place them in jeopardy. Weeks ago he'd stopped asking any questions about possible telekinetic episodes. He didn't want to know; if they didn't tell him, he'd have nothing he could possibly report to his handlers.

As he'd spirited Grace from the house the day of the fire and applied first aid to her burn immediately thereafter, he knew he had to come clean with these new friends about the plot that had been set in motion.

Once he'd made that fateful decision, he didn't waste any time. It was his only choice. He'd seen first hand that the kids certainly had the talent the Trust had been waiting for and would likely grow to use it more efficiently over time. This would be valuable beyond belief to the men who had hired him. But the family he'd grown to care about didn't deserve his betrayal.

Luke's first step was to approach Uncle George. Before anything else, he told Hammond about his relationship to Senator Kinsey. He couldn't miss the fact that the older man he admired so much paled and then glared at the mention of Uncle Bob's name. Hammond responded to his young friend with as much gentleness as he could muster under the circumstances.

"And what exactly have you supplied them with so far, Luke?" he asked, military precision finding its way into his normally friendly voice.

"Blood samples, Uncle George, just blood samples, when Grace and Jake were first born and then six months ago. They've been after me to document any special abilities the kids might have, but until the birthday party, as far as I knew they were developing as normal healthy children. But now…"

"But now, what do you plan to do? What were you planning on doing?"

"You have to understand Uncle George. I'd been told that Jack O'Neill destroyed my uncle, the only family I had after my parents' death. For no reason, for no reason, he destroyed him. Just for spite, he destroyed him. I'm not a total fool. I know Robert Kinsey wasn't perfect or always ethical, but I believed in him. The problem is I've gotten to know Jack O'Neill now too. I can't imagine the man doing what I've been told he did to my uncle, to anyone."

"You're right, son. Jack is the best of us. When you talk about a hero and a stand up guy, he's your man. He's done more for this planet than you can imagine."

"Doesn't surprise me actually. You know the final straw was seeing him with those kids. He's a great father. The kind of father I'd like to be some day. Destroying the O'Neills won't make me that man."

"No, it won't Luke. So what are you going to do?"

"Talk with the O'Neills, let them know what's happening. Then I think I know some ways to help keep the secret, if that's what they want."

"You'd do that?"

"Absolutely; it's the least I can do for them."

OoOoOo

Luke was true to his word. The next day he met with Jack, Sam, General Hammond and the remainder of the original SG1, summoned for the occasion by George Hammond.

Predictably, Jack was furious that his family had been spied upon by someone they'd trusted.

"How dare you? Get out of my house before I tear you apart!"

"Jack, please!" Sam interceded, struck as she was by Luke's willingness to reveal the plot and the obvious sincerity of his apology.

"No, Sam, he's right. I don't deserve to be here. But before I leave, I need to give you some names, people you need to look out for, the same people who recruited me. They're in some pretty high places and if I won't play ball, I'm sure they'll find someone who will. You need the information, believe me."

"Why should we believe you about anything? Just tell me that one Luke. How do we know you're not setting us up now?"

"I guess you don't. I wouldn't trust me either in your place. Those kids are too important to risk."

"Damn straight!"

"I'll send the information, Jack. Thanks for you time." Luke gave up and turned to leave. He noticed Sam's eyes sadly watching him, while Teal'c glared as only Teal'c could glare.

Within twelve hours, Jack had received a fax detailing the plot and those involved. The names were certainly right up in the stratosphere of political power and the intelligence elite. If possible, he was fuming more now than before. These people were a threat to his family. Left to his own devices, he'd like to have beaten them into full confessions of their involvement. That assumed that he believed that sniveling weasel, Luke. George had told him the story of Luke's epiphany and he wasn't so sure he believed it. Luke sure as hell was never coming anywhere near his children again.

OoOoOo

Weeks later, Jack came home from work where he had just ordered the detention of two of the major players in the Trust. It had been a long day.

To his surprise, he saw Daniel sitting on his front doorstep.

"Hey, Daniel. I'm glad to see you, but why are you sitting on my doorstep?"

"Couldn't get in, your door's locked, nobody's home. Take your pick!"

"What do you mean? Sam wasn't planning to go anywhere tonight. God, I hope they're okay. Didn't you try to get in?" He asked testily as he turned his own key in the lock.

The house was silent as they entered. The twins must be sleeping by now. Walking in, he found his wife asleep at her desk in the den, her head lying on the keyboard of her laptop.

Approaching slowly to avoid startling her he sat next to her and laid his hand on her shoulder. When she didn't respond he shook gently and called her name. He was relieved to hear a quiet moan and see her begin to respond, slowly opening her eyes and smiling up at him.

"Hi. Sorry, must've fallen asleep. I was going to get dinner together before you got home. Are the kids okay?"

"I'm sure Grace and Jake are fast asleep. But you look exhausted. You really haven't been sleeping, have you? This has got to stop, Sam. You need your rest."

"I can't stop worrying about them Jack."

"So that's why you're awake most of the night?"

"What if they wake up when we're asleep and accidently hurt themselves? You know what it's been like around here. It's like it was when I first experienced my own abilities. I think between Grace and Jake they have more power and even less ability to control it, probably because of their age. I tell them over and over 'wait for Mommy, don't do it yourself', but before I know it Grace has emptied the refrigerator looking for a juice box or Jake has pulled down a box from the top of the closet looking for a toy I've hidden away."

"Sounds like they're hitting the terrible twos early, Sam. If I remember correctly, the answer to just about everything around now is one big fat 'NO!" Daniel volunteered, finally alerting Sam to his presence.

"Daniel, what are you doing here? I didn't know you were coming."

"Actually neither did I until about an hour ago. I spoke at a conference in Baltimore and my flight out was delayed, so I thought… Besides I have news. But it can wait. It sounds like you're really upset. Maybe I should just let you and Jack talk for awhile. I know you weren't expecting me."

"Don't you dare think about leaving Daniel! You're part of this family too." Turning her attention to her husband, Sam continued, clearly disturbed, "I feel like Grace and Jake are in danger and I don't know what we can do to help them. This is progressing faster than we thought it would. It's like walking or talking or any new skill they develop, they just want to do it over and over again to perfect it. Only with this they could really hurt themselves or each other."

"That's why we're here, Samantha."

The O'Neills and their good friend looked over their shoulders into the hallway to find ghostly apparitions of both Oma and Orlin, each encased in a film of white light. Speechless, all they could do was stare, as Orlin continued.

"We're here to take the three of you to Kheb. We can help."

"Did someone call you two or were you just in the neighborhood?" Jack asked, not meaning to be funny.

"I believe you need our help General O'Neill. Your wife is correct, the children are in danger. But there is another way. Your wife can help the children control their abilities."

"How?" Sam asked, genuinely intrigued.

"The cottage. Elizabeth tells me she taught you to lock the gift in a safe place – "the cottage"- when it wasn't wanted or needed. You can learn to do that for your children as well. Come with us, the sooner we start, the better for all of you," Oma explained.

"I have to reschedule some appointments at work, but I should be ready to go tomorrow morning," Jack volunteered.

"I'm sorry, General O'Neill," Orlin replied, "you must remain here. You do not belong on Kheb. I believe your presence would destroy the balance."

"Okay, now that is so not right!"

"Orlin, what do you mean. Why can't Jack come with us? What's going on anyway?" Sam asked.

"Unascended humans were never intended to be burdened with these powers. We've had no experience in teaching small mortal children to manage their abilities. We'd doubted that your children would possess such phenomenal strength of mind." Orlin explained.

"Daniel Jackson tells us that given the history of you and Jack O'Neill, we should have realized your children would be extraordinary, even without telekinesis." Oma added.

"Thank you, Daniel," Jack said under his breath. Then loud enough for all to hear, "So what's this got to do with going to Kheb and why can't I go?"

"We can teach Samantha to control their powers until they are old enough todo sothemselves. Samantha and the children belong with us on Kheb, you do not."

"And that would be because…"

"They have an Ancient gift which must be trained and Kheb is where that training takes place. You have the mind of a warrior. We cannot allow you to interfere."

Jack was quickly getting irritated, in fact down right angry. Daniel could see it coming and moved to head off the explosion. "I could go, couldn't I? After all, I've been ascended twice and I've never had the mind of a warrior."

"Yes, Daniel Jackson, your presence would be most acceptable on Kheb."

"Jack, I'll go with them. I promise I'll watch out for them. You know I will. I don't think Oma's going to agree to let you go."

"He's right Jack. We'll be alright, I've been through this before remember?" Sam interceded, trying to convince her husband that this was the only way.

"I didn't like it then either, Sam. As you recall, I didn't exactly know where you were. And now, to take the twins with you. They're only fourteen months old, are you sure this is safe?"

"It's at least as safe as having them fly objects around the room when we least expect it."

Jack was beat. He had to agree with that. Jake had come within inches of being knocked on the head with a skillet during the last kitchen adventure. Telekinesis gave the term "child-proofing the house", a whole new meaning.

Taking Sam's face gently in his hands, he looked deeply into her eyes and whispered, "You're sure you want to do this?"

"I'm sure we need to do this." She answered just as intently.

Jack nodded imperceptibly in a way only Sam understood and turned to his good friend.

"So help me Daniel, if anything happens to them…"

"I know, Jack."

"We will take care of your family, General O'Neill. They are also a part of us now."

Try as he might, this was one time that Jack O'Neill could not come up with a Plan B.

"Okay, just let me say goodbye."

OoOoOo

A/N: I have to admit I've been discouraged by the decreased readership of this particular story. Getting absolutely no reviews for the last chapter was a sign to me that this piece of the Alone 'saga' isn't exactly capturing people's imaginations.

So I've decided to bring this part to a close.

I'd hoped to make this chapter the conclusion, giving some closure to 2 or 3 "plot bunnies", but it got much too long. And The Greatest of These is Love will conclude with the Kheb adventure and a surprise in the next chapter.