A/N: So, how many of you figured out what my monsters were from the last chapter? Let me know! I did leave hints, but it should all become clear in this chapter if you weren't quite sure! What did you think of my monsters anyway lol. Didn't hear from too many of you, so wondering how many of you I got confused! Anyway, we're at a bit of a crossroads here in the story, some big changes happening soon! And more excitement coming up for sure!

Chapter 9: Choices

When Jack got to the infirmary, he could hear the shouting before he even entered, and recognized the source of the disturbance immediately.

"You must let me go! You do not understand!"

"Now hold it right there, you wait just one minute partner…" Jack rounded the corner to see Teal'c on one of the beds, the Marines of SG-3 surrounding him and blocking his path. A pile of packs, helmets and other gear showed they had come straight here rather than stopping off at supply to leave their gear. Their faces had been wiped hastily clean, but still bore the telltale marks of body paint. Teal'c did not look happy being kept where he was. Dr. Fraiser stood nearby, and Jack couldn't tell if she looked amused or pissed off. One of the Marines noticed his entrance.

"Colonel, sir!" The others snapped to attention, but continued to block the boy on the bed. Jack raised an eyebrow.

"Care to tell me what's going on here gentlemen?" Jack cast a quick look about the infirmary but did not see either Sam or Daniel, and he also gave Teal'c a quick look, but was relieved to see the boy looked unharmed.

"Sir! Yes Sir!" one of the men barked, and Jack almost rolled his eyes.

"At ease," Jack looked at the man; Henderson was his name he thought, one from the fairly new batch. "Corporal."

"Yes, sir!" The man relaxed marginally. Jack resisted the urge to nearly roll his eyes again as the man launched into his report in a clipped military efficient tone. "We encountered this boy and two other children in the corridors, but when we attempted to detain them, they ran from us. This boy was the only one we could catch. He's been demanding to speak to you, sir."

"Thank you Henderson," Jack told the man, pleased to see he got the name right when the man nodded. Turning his attention to the bed, Jack saw that Teal'c was now sitting quietly, no longer trying to escape. "Well, Teal'c? What have you got to say for yourself? Half the base is out looking for you, and where are Sam and Daniel?" he addressed the boy.

Teal'c looked down. "I do not know where they are Colonel O'Neill. We were trying to locate you, however, when these men came upon us. We did not recognize them for whom they were. Samantha and Daniel became frightened and ran away, and I do not know where they are now." Teal'c refused to meet his eyes and Jack knew that Teal'c had also been frightened, but had not wanted to admit it. He cast a look over at the discarded equipment, and remembered how the Marines had looked and how noisy they'd been when they'd returned though the gate, and what they must have looked like, in full battle gear and helmets, hefting packs, howling with laughter as they made their way down the dimly lit corridor. Add the face paint and it was no wonder the children had bolted.

"Corporal," Jack spun back around.

"Yes, sir!" The man snapped to attention again, and Jack just shook his head ruefully.

"Where were you when you found Teal'c and the others?" He jerked his thumb in the direction of the now subdued boy.

Henderson exchanged a look with his teammates, and told him. Picking up his radio, Jack quickly radioed the teams closest to where Teal'c had been found and told them what had happened. And then he dismissed the Marines. As the group turned to go, one of the others looked at him.

"Sir, you called the boy Teal'c, and mentioned the others, the boy and girl, where named Daniel and Sam… sir, do you mean to tell me that…" he started to say, but Jack cut him off.

"Yeah, its complicated, some stuff came up while you guys were out there on your last mission. Look, Doc can fill you in, I gotta take Teal'c here up and talk to Hammond." The man nodded, his expression troubled as he studied the boy with this new information, and Jack noticed that he walked with a slight limp, and that all of them bore a few scratches. Jack held out his hand. "C'mon Teal'c." Teal'c hesitated, than got off the bed and followed him.

They went right up to General Hammond's office and Jack knocked, immediately receiving permission to enter. He pushed the door open and propelled Teal'c in with him. Hammond looked up and smiled at the boy, before turning his attention to Jack.

"I see you've found Teal'c, Colonel. I trust he's well. Any sign of Sam or Daniel?" Hammond asked, putting his pen down.

Jack shook his head no. "SG-3 found them, but they've never seen a Marine in full battle gear, let alone in the dark, and they panicked and ran before they could catch them. Teal'c put up a bit of a fight as it was." Jack gently squeezed the boy's shoulder to show him that he wasn't blaming him for fighting against the Marines when he hadn't recognized they were friendly.

"I see," Hammond frowned, and studied Teal'c, looking like he wanted to say something, but not in front of the boy. Sensing what he wanted, Jack squeezed Teal'c's shoulder again.

"Teal'c, why don't you wait just outside in the briefing room, I'll be right out, then maybe you can help me find Sam and Daniel ok?" Teal'c looked at Jack, and hesitated, obviously torn, but finally he nodded, and left quietly, closing the door behind him.

After Teal'c left the room, Hammond sighed again. Jack looked at him. "Sir?"

"Colonel, this is a military base, and not a place for children. I've been having second thoughts about keeping the children here. The events of the last few hours just confirm it." Hammond's brow was furrowed, his voice troubled.

Jack stiffened slightly. "What do you mean sir?"

"Colonel. Jack," his voice softened. "It's for their own good, they've been here almost a week, and no progress has been made. We need to start exploring other options for their care."

"Like what?" Jack asked, his voice low.

"Like finding a family or families with the proper clearance to take them in until a more permanent solution can be found." Hammond said gently.

"So you'd just send them away to complete strangers, even split them up?" Jack's eyes narrowed, and he started to pace.

"Jack, you know they can't stay here. They can't defend themselves, and imagine if this had been a real emergency, if SG-3 had been hostiles. They are children, and as such they don't belong here. I don't believe we have a choice, we have to send them away from here." Hammond's voice was firm, and Jack could tell he'd made up his mind.

Jack sighed, pacing over by the door before he stopped, and all his thoughts and feelings of being with the kids over the last few days came tumbling back to him. "What about me, sir?"

Hammond blinked. "What about you?"

"Well, I don't have much of a team right now, and I don't really relish the idea of picking out a new one. Besides, they trust me. And, well, I feel responsible for them," he finished, shoving his hands into his pockets and shifting uncomfortably.

The General studied him silently for a long moment, and then nodded. "I want you to think about this Jack. It's a big decision, and not one to be made lightly. Let's find Daniel and Sam, and talk to the kids, and then you let me know."

Jack nodded, but he had a feeling that his mind wouldn't change.