"This place is a madhouse…" Nathan Brooks said, looking around as he bulled his way through the crowd of people – military and civilian – who were gathered around the hospital. After the President's speech the crowd had grown even larger, as if everyone hoped that the two who were being cared for inside would magically appear to them so they could see who it was. The press was all over the place as well, broadcasting from every viewpoint they could, standing in front of their vans, or in front of the main entrance of the building, trying to interview anyone who would stand still long enough to answer a question – especially if they were heading inside like Nathan and Maggie were – with Nathan holding Jaffer's leash (the big lab was straining against it, excited and wagging his tail mightily) and Maggie carrying an equally fidgeting Jacob.

Only the large dog and the equally imposing general kept the reporters away from them as Nathan showed his ID to one of the National Guardsmen at the front entrance. Even though he didn't have any official reason to be there, there was no way the lowly Pfc was going to tell him that he couldn't pass – especially since Nathan wasn't asking for permission.

"I hope we can find Sam and Jack in this…" Maggie said, looking around the lobby as they entered.

Since Nathan was actually having trouble holding Jaffer back, he shook his head.

"I don't think that'll be a problem. Jaffer seems to have at least some idea of where to go."

Maggie looked down at the lab skeptically, but there was no denying that he was trying to pull Nathan towards the left hand corridor.

"They probably won't let us bring him in here. It is a hospital, after all."

"He's a service dog," Nate said. "I'll act like I'm blind…"

She rolled her eyes with a smile.

"All service dogs try to pull their master's arms out of the socket…"

Nathan smiled, and shrugged.

"I didn't come this far to be stopped now."

And really, Maggie hadn't either. As much as she enjoyed young Jacob O'Neill, she knew that his mother was missing him even more.

"Well, lead the way then, o mighty blind one."

Nate looked down at Jaffer.

"You sure that's the way you want to go?"

Jaffer just wagged his tail harder and strained against the leash. He knew where to go!

OOOOOOOOOOO

"They're definitely human," Sheldon Long said in answer to the question the reporter put to him. "I was right up close to them both and they were as human as I am."

Shawn rolled his eyes, looking from the TV to Andrew.

"There has to be something else on…"

Andrew shook his head, flipping through the channels – again.

"Long… Long… President's speech rehashed… Pictures of the hospital… Long… Pictures of the cornfield – again… President's speech… Long… Guys from Roswell insisting it's the aliens trying to fool us… Lo-"

"I get it," Shawn interrupted. "Try the Cartoon Network. There has to be something worth watching there."

Andrew flipped the channel and Shawn groaned.

"Anime…? Ugh... Go back to the interviews."

Andrew grinned and flipped the channel again.

"…The only thing I really can tell you is that one was young and one was older – and they were both hurt. I know. I was right there with them."

"What are you guys doing?" Jack asked, coming through the door with Daniel and Teal'c.

"Trying to find something better on than interviews."

"Why don't…" Jack trailed off, frowning, and looked towards the door.

"Jack?"

He didn't answer, and a moment later he couldn't have. 120 pounds worth of very excited black lab was suddenly rushing towards him through the opening, jumping up on him and knocking him backwards into one of the small sofas.

"Jaffer!"

The dog was trailing his leash, but he didn't seem to be at all tangled by it as he covered Jack with sloppy dog kisses, pinning him down with his weight so he couldn't escape.

Of course, Jack didn't mind a bit. He was just as exited to see Jaffer as Jaffer was to see him, and he kept thumping the dog happily on the shoulder and sides, occasionally stopping long enough to rub his ears and give him a cheerful hug.

"Where did you come from, Little Man?" Jack asked him, finally, pushing the dog away enough that he could sit up.

"We brought him," came the answer from the doorway.

All of them looked over and saw Nathan and Maggie standing there – with Sam, who was smiling hugely and cuddling Jacob close. Jack stood up, his own smile just as pleased as Sam's, and crossed the room with Jaffer walking closely beside him, touching his leg with every step. It was obvious that he had no intention of leaving Jack's side any time soon.

"Hey…" Jack said softly, reaching over and putting his hand lightly on his son's head. As much as he wanted to take him and cuddle him, he knew Sam needed it just as much – and probably more – and besides, he could settle for Jaffer for the while. He smiled again, though, when Jake turned his big brown gaze to his father, and Jack turned to Nathan and Maggie. "When did you guys get here – and how did you know where-"

"Lucky guess," Nate said, shrugging it off, but wearing an amused grin. "I figured I'd just look for the place where the most trouble was happening, and assumed you'd be right in the middle of it with your team and my son."

Maggie looked around the room, and with a sinking feeling in his stomach Jack knew she was looking for Ian.

"I tried to call you earlier," Sam said, her smile fading as she realized the same thing.

"We were in flight," Nate said, his smile fading as he felt the change of mood in the room. "Is Ian around?"

Jack hesitated, looking between Maggie and Nathan for a moment, his eyes serious and his hand brushing against Jaffer's head as the lab nudged him.

"We need to talk, you guys…"

It was time for Maggie to learn everything – since the rest of the world was soon going to know some of it at least – and time for both of them to find out what Ian had done.