Jack closed the door of the passenger seat to Jim's rental as the other put on his seat belt and started the car, "your team must have some interesting stories," said Jim mildly.
"Interesting is one way to describe it" said Jack as he settled back into his seat. Jim nodded, but didn't push the issue. He knew the meaning of the word classified.
"So," said Valenti, "I heard you say on the phone that Max healed you?"
Jack hummed a sound and nodded, "I'm surprised he did though. He was terrified of me from the moment he woke up."
Jim raised an eyebrow at Jack's response, so Jack continued, "Daniel likes to disregard orders he feels are in his words, 'dumb.' Needless to say he was visiting with Max against my orders- before we could figure out if the Kid was a threat, and I expressed my anger at Daniel a few times in front of Max. We were still building trust with the Kid, so my displays of anger towards Daniel's actions put a damper on the whole process. Hence my surprise when I woke up in the Infirmary in tip top shape."
Jim took a moment to gather his thoughts, "I know Max has a big heart, but I don't know much about Max's powers other than what I saw him do yesterday. I imagine he probably pulled some kind of memory from someone at your base that helped him push past his fear to help you. He must've seen something about you worth saving Colonel." Jim paused before adding, "you know, you could always just ask him why he did it."
Jack nodded then jokingly added, "I could, but that might take the mystery out of it."
The pair drove for a while in comfortable silence before Jack said, "I'd like to do a check of the Evans' bags when we get them back to the car."
Jim nodded, "I expected as much. I will also wait until we're back in the car to tell them why we brought them here. They will probably want to wrap him in bubble wrap and drag him back to Roswell. Though I'm not entirely sure that's the safest route. I know your group has their own ideas as well. It might take some convincing to get them to agree to anything."
Jack hummed another sound, "I'm sure Max will be able to convince them of whatever he wants."
Jim snorted, "oh yeah."
There was another lull in the conversation, "Look Colonel," said Jim, "I'm not sure what exactly you get up to at that Mountain Base of yours. And honestly I couldn't care less. However, I do understand that I'm privy to information that you'd rather keep hidden, so if you need me to also sign any forms or whatever then I'm happy to do so. But you don't need to read me in on anything new."
"The General would be happier with you signing the paperwork, so we appreciate your willingness to cooperate with that," said Jack. He paused, then added, "You have any kids?"
"A boy, Kyle. He's about Max's age," said Jim, "you?"
Jack was quiet for a long stretch before saying quietly, "Charlie...he died... around five years ago. He'd be about Max's age now also."
"I'm sorry for your loss," said Jim, not pushing for more information, "it's hard to lose a child."
Jack didn't add more about his own son just, "the time we have with them can be so short. You really have to embrace the time you are given before you don't have it any more."
"Yeah," said Jim as he turned into the airport parking garage, "I'm starting to realize that."
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"Jim!" Called Diane as she exited the terminals, Phillip right behind her rolling a small carry-on suitcase. She hugged the Sheriff for a brief moment before stepping back and letting her husband shake his hand, "Hi Jim. What's so important we had to come out here?"
Valenti ignored the question for the moment to introduce O'Neill, "Diane, Phillip, this is Colonel Jack O'Neill, United States Airforce. He's stationed in the area and we will be heading back to his place. I promise to answer all your questions in time, but for now I'm going to ask that you be patient for a little while longer."
"Is this about that thing we talked about a few days ago?" Asked Phillip, catching onto what Valenti wasn't saying.
Jim nodded, "the car's this way. Do you guys need anything before we get there- bathroom break, coffee?"
"Actually," said Jack, "I'd like to do a quick sweep of your suit-case and your clothes if that's ok. And yes, this is probably related to what you talked about a few days ago. I take the security of what we are talking about very seriously and I know you will appreciate the extra effort in a few hours."
The parents shared a concerned look before nodding in unison, "lead the way then Colonel," said Phillip, "we only have this carry-on."
"Great! Right this way please," Jack flashed his Military ID to a security guard on duty and was given permission to use a free holding room to check over the couple and their luggage. He led the way there and started with the suit-case, then asked the Evans to empty their pockets completely and take off their shoes.
When everything came up bug free, Jack allowed them to repack the bag and Jim then led them to their car.
The Evans parents sat in the back seat together while Jack took the front passenger seat again. Everyone was strapped in with the car pulling out of the garage and onto the highway before Valenti spoke again, "Diane, Phillip. I'm going to let the Colonel here tell you the information we have. I'm going to ask that you let him finish before asking questions. I will guarantee now that whatever he says is 100% legitimate, okay?"
The Evans nodded and turned their eyes to the back of Jack's head. Jack turned sideways in the seat, careful to not block Valenti's view of the mirror to face the Evans straight on. "I understand," said Jack, who looked Phillip and Diane in the eye, "that you were told your son Max was killed at Area 51 a few days ago, am I correct?"
"Yes," said Phillip, not sure he liked the direction this conversation was about to go, "one of Max's friends told us about how the special FBI unit kidnapped him then killed him." Neither did Diane as she grabbed her husband's hand to start squeezing it.
Jack nodded, "The day after a bunch of teenagers snuck into an abandoned military base on Area 51 property, my team was in a different building on the same property on our own classified mission. One of my team members heard something very out of place coming from a closed off section of that building. When we went back that night to complete the mission we also investigated what he'd heard. We found your son Max, strapped to a table being operated on and pumped full of drugs that should have killed him."
Diane let out a gasp and started to cry. Phillip quickly put his free arm around her in silent support, "my team neutralized the agents in the room and freed Max from the table. However he was seriously drugged, and bleeding from multiple lacerations on his chest and stomach. We did some field first aid, and brought him back to our transport to bring him here, where he would be treated by the base's head doctor. She was able to stabilize his condition and we put him in his own room in the infirmary. We were aware of his status from the minute we saw him at Area 51, but I want to assure you he has been safe in our care ever since."
Jack paused for Max's parents to digest what he just said, "oh my god, Phillip- Max… he's alive!"
Diane's sobs had all the men secretly shedding their own tears. When she calmed down some Jack continued, "when he woke up, he was terrified. He had no way of knowing where he was, who he was with, or who we were. Eventually we were able to establish a mutual trust with Max, enough that he agreed to get looked over again by the base doctor and given his own room. However, because of Max's status, and because we knew of at least one agent from
the group that grabbed him was on or around the base, it wasn't safe for him to leave the premises."
"You could've called us," said Diane, both happy that this group had saved Max, but pissed they had then endangered his life again.
Jack nodded, "had we had more time to speak to Max after he was moved from the infirmary to a normal room, we probably would have done just that. However, the group that took him was impatient to get him back and they staged an attack within hours of us taking him to a new room. They successfully got him off base, but didn't account for his powers. He managed to escape on his own and has been staying at my cabin with my team and I ever since. That was two days ago, where he secretly called Jim here. Valenti arrived the next morning and we called you after talking to him. That's why I asked to check your bag for bugs at the airport. The group that took him is a bigger threat to him than you realize and I take the Kid's safety very seriously."
"I wasn't sure what I was going to be walking into," added Jim, before Diane or Phillip could ask why he hadn't told them right away. "It's procedure to make sure the environment is secure before allowing civilians into the area. I wanted to make sure Max was safe and he knew that you knew everything about him. Diane- you know how terrified he was to tell you after the grease fire. He's had a pretty traumatic week as it stands. You showing up before he realized you knew… I'm not sure what he would've done."
"But he's safe now?" Asked Phillip quietly, still processing everything the pair up front told them.
"Yeah," said Jack, "my team's with him and he has shown he's more than capable of taking care of himself if need be."
"Thank God, my baby is safe," said Diane, sagging against her husband again, suddenly exhausted.
There was another small pause as Jim tried to find the best way to word what he wanted to say next, "Diane, Phillip- I know Max is still technically a minor, and you guys are probably going to want to secret Max away somewhere safe. Believe me- if this was Kyle that's probably what I'd be doing right now. But Max isn't a kid, and he's been affected by this whole thing pretty deeply. When we are talking later- because there is still lots that needs to be discussed, please don't try to keep him out of the conversation. He doesn't need kid gloves, he needs your understanding and support. He's been dealing with a lot of things for this entire year- hell since he was found in the desert as a child, and it's made him extremely independent. If you try to smother him, you might lose him."
Jack nodded, "let him talk, and really listen to what he says. This is a lot bigger than just him and us, as you'll find out when we get to the cabin. Certain things can't be said until everyone who's not already in the know- that's all of you, sign like a 300 page confidentiality agreement.
As a lawyer, Phillip suddenly realized the scope of what O'Neill and Jim were saying, "we'll do our best," was all he could say.
The rest of the car ride included lighter topics- like how Max made his mom's cookies for the team, and how Jack had taken him fishing. And the Star Wars marathon they'd been having because Jack's teammate hadn't seen it yet.
"He hasn't seen Star Wars?!," "Really?!," and "How is that even possible?!" was everyone's response.
All too soon, Jim was pulling the car up to Jack's cabin and turning it off, "I'll get the bags, you guys go ahead."
Jack let Diane and Phillip go ahead of him up the steps and in the front door. He also nodded to Teal'c in the window that the pair were clear of bugs, before strolling in behind them.
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Max stood in the entryway of the cabin when he heard the car pull up and the doors all opened then closed. He had an arm across his chest, holding the other at the elbow- not sure what would happen now that his parents were here. He knew logically that they knew about him, but it didn't stop the slight fear from overshadowing the logic. /"Still want me to call your parents? Came Pierce's voice, as he flashed back to being strapped to the table in the White Room at Area 51./ His breath hitched as he pushed the memory away.
Then the door was open and his mom was there, "Max… oh Max…" And then she was holding him and crying onto his shoulder as she rocked him in her arms, "oh my baby… you're alive…"
More arms came around them both - /Dad./ Max realized as his father's head came down over his and he felt his father's arm rubbing over his back, "it's okay son, you're safe. It's okay."
A weight was lifted off Max's heart as he realized they didn't care about his alien status. They still wanted him. They still *loved* him. His free arm came up (the one not trapped by his mom's body pressed against his own), and he clutched at his father under his jacket, a small wounded noise escaped from his mouth
His parents just hugged him tighter in response.
It felt like hours to Max, but was really only about five minutes, before his mom was detangling from the hug to hold his face and wipe away his tears, "Max, sweetie, I'm so sorry you were scared to tell us about you. I know how hard it was to feel like you couldn't speak to us. I'm so sorry if we ever gave you the impression we would send you away."
Max shook his head in his mother's hands, "it was… Issy and I… we were scared you would abandon us like our real parents did. And the thought of losing our parents twice… It was too much."
Diane just brought his head down to kiss, then pulled him back into another hug, "I understand honey. But we won't leave you. I promise."
"As touching as this is," said Jack ruining the moment, "I believe it would be a lot more comfortable in the living room or dining room table. Something does smell pretty good- is it lasagne?"
"Yes Sir," said Carter, as Diane let Max stand up again to turn to the rest of Jack's team, "Max and I made lunch for everyone."
Jack narrowed his eyes at his second in command, "Carter… we didn't have ingredients for lasagne at the house."
"No Sir, we didn't," confirmed Carter with an innocent expression.
Jack crossed his arms, "didn't I tell you not to leave the house?"
"Nobody left the premises, O'Neill," confirmed Teal'c.
The Colonel thought over what Carter and Teal'c had said before turning to the teen with exasperation, "I told you not to use your powers!"
"Actually Jack," said Daniel amused, "you told him not to overuse his powers. Which he didn't."
"Yeah," confirmed Max with a small smile that he couldn't get rid of, "I didn't."
"Ugh," said O'Neill, pinching the bridge of his nose, "children. All of you."
"Hello Mr. and Mrs Evans," said Daniel, ignoring Jack's antics for the time being, "my name is Daniel Jackson, an archeologist and civilian consultant at Cheyenne Mountain. This is Captain Samantha Carter, and Teal'c. We are all part of Jack's team. We can tell you more after we have you look over some paperwork and sign some waivers. It's standard procedure for people getting read into the program."
"Why don't we sit down for lunch, and Daniel and I can go over the preliminary forms, then after lunch you can read everything over and decide what you want to do next." Added Carter as she escorted everyone into the dining room. Jack noticed that the size of his dining room table had expanded to make sure everyone fit and there were definitely more chairs there, but he chose not to comment. Though he did side eye Max, when he made eye contact and the teen realized Jack knew about the extended furniture.
Once everyone was seated, with drinks and food, Daniel pretty much led the conversation. He kept it light, and gave a very vague and brief history of the Stargate program- things he had told Max the first day they'd met in the teen's infirmary room. As a lawyer, Phillip asked some pointed questions about the forms that O'Neill was able to field.
After lunch O'Neill brought out the confidentiality agreements while Teal'c and Carter cleared the table. "Max, you will need to sign these as well, so you might as well sit tight," said Jack, when the teen got up to help with the dishes.
Max raised an eyebrow but understood what Jack was saying. It would be better for him to have more of a paper trail of legal documents, to make a better case against the NID and any future kidnapping attempts.
It took about an hour, before Phillip was done reading through the paper work with a lawyer's eye. He nodded to his family and Jim, all of whom had also read it over, but with a lesser level of understanding. "Basically, this is asking us to keep our knowledge of this Stargate program a secret. We are getting a security clearance that protects them and will make jail time look like a picnic if we break the oaths we are signing. No going to the press, no talking to people not ready in the know, that sort of thing."
Daniel nodded, "that's the most general idea of it. We can give you more information about Max's rescue, the group that's looking for him, and when it's safe, a tour of the Mountain, as well as more detailed information about what we are actually doing."
He then walked everyone through the pages they needed to sign. Once everything was signed and put away for filing, the group moved into the living room. Max sat between his parents on the couch, while Carter and Valenti got the arm chairs. Teal'c, Daniel, and Jack brought in chairs from the dining room table to complete the circle.
When everyone was comfortable Daniel started his 'Welcome to the Stargate Program,' speech. "In 1994, I was brought to Cheyanne Mountain to consult on some ancient Egyptian artifacts, help decipher the hieroglyphics, that kind of thing-"
"He was able to figure it out in a matter of hours, while the 'scientists' brought in to study it had gotten nowhere in months," added Jack helpfully.
Daniel rolled his eyes before continuing, "The code I broke was actually an address to a planet in our solar system. Jack was brought in to lead a military team through the Stargate, the device that transports us through space, to make contact and assess the threat level to Earth…"
He kept up his explanation with minor interruptions while the Roswell adults listened in wonder at what they were hearing. When they got to Teal'c's alien status, Diane interrupted with, "Teal'c is an alien as well?"
"Yeah mom," said Max, "when I first woke up at the Mountain, he was with me in the infirmary room. Jack's team wanted me to trust them. They thought Teal'c's and my shared status would help foster that trust."
Teal'c nodded in agreement, "I was the one who heard Max's distress in Area 51. I would have rescued Max Evans with or without assistance from O'Neill, but I knew that it would be unnecessary- O'Neill also refused to leave him there."
"I will never be able to thank you enough for that," said Diane as she went over to pull Teal'c and Jack into huge hugs before sitting herself back on the sofa next to Max.
"The group you know as a special Unit for the FBI is actually another secret organization called the NID," said Jack as he sat back down from the hug. "They were responsible for Max's imprisonment at Area 51. We were there because they have a habit of pinching things that don't belong to them."
"At Area 51, Max was moved to another building while he was drugged asleep," said Jim, "the NID then set a trap for Isabel, Michael, and the others. They were trying to catch Nasado, and anyone who knew about Max. Liz Parker came to me with their plan and what they were doing. I barely got there in time to shoot Pierce and get Michael away before he was also caught. I'm assuming the Colonel's team rescued Max the next night, because Isabel wasn't able to reach him at all. That's when they believed he was truly dead."
"Thank you Sheriff," said Max, as he looked Jim in the eye.
Jim shrugged, "just doing my job. No thanks needed." The pair shared a look of understanding that they didn't share with the rest of the group.
"Max," said Carter gently, "can you tell us more about you and the others?"
Max shrugged, "I don't know much," he said hesitantly as he glanced around the room then down at his lap, "I have a brief memory of space, and then the crash in Roswell. But then all I know is waking up in an organic pod in a cave in the desert. Isabel and Michael were already awake. Michael was so full of energy- he didn't want to stay put, constantly moving around, very skittish. There was another girl- Tess, still asleep. I felt a connection to her, but also to Isabel- which was stronger. When she put her hand out to me, I took it and we left together. It was dark and we were scared, but less so because we had each other. When the car pulled up to us, Michael was spooked and ran away before we could reach out to him. We were put in an orphanage and adopted a few months later.
"We didn't realize we were different from other kids, but then I healed that bird," he looked to his mom before looking back to his lap, "and when you reacted shocked, we realized it wasn't normal- that we weren't normal."
Phillip pulled Max into his side, while Diane squeezed his hand again. "We reconnected with Michael in elementary school and tried to stay hidden as well as we could. Then I went and healed Liz from that gunshot wound and alien hunters and the NID started showing up left and right. They all thought I was Nasado."
"Tess, Michael, and Isabel," said Valenti, "went with Nasado to rescue Max, only he was shot and killed by the NID agents. Though Tess did mention something about Riverdog and healing stones?"
Max nodded then added, "we used them to heal Michael a few months back. Riverdog showed us how to do it. He'd brought Nasado back from the dead before as well, using them. If the others were able to get to his body, they probably also could've revived him."
"Tess and Michael convinced Isabel and Nasado that the four of them wouldn't be safe here. They were talking about Nasado taking them back to your home planet, but I don't know where that is out there." Valenti waved a hand in the air in a vague gesture of space.
"We'll have to check with Norad," said Carter, thinking over how the quartet could've gotten off the planet, "to see if there's been any unusual readings, or visuals of their ship. If we can figure out what that looks like, it will help us better track them in space. I can also run some tests back at the Mountain."
There was a pause in the conversation as everyone processed the new information. SG-1 had a silent conversation with their eyes in the lull, trying to decide who would be best to bring up the idea of the Evans moving to Colorado Springs.
"So," Daniel started slowly, addressing Max's parents specifically, but got everyone's attention a little while later, "the NID will continue to go after Max. They aren't known for their self restraint. However, I have an idea that might help diminish their threat level."
Phillip and Diane shared a look over Max's head that the teen pretended to ignore. Phillip nodded for Daniel to continue so the archeologist did, "if you bring Max back to Roswell, the NID is stationed at Area 51. It would be extremely easy for them to grab him again and secret him off to a new secure location that we might not be able to get to. However, if you move here to Colorado Springs, we- both SG-1 and all the people working at Stargate Command would be able to better help protect him. While he is very independent, there is the issue of the drugs that the NID used to neutralize his powers after they grabbed him the first time. If they can pump their drugs into him again, Max's chances of escape drop down to zero. You would never see him again."
Diane inhaled sharply at Daniel's blunt assessment of the situation, "you want us to leave Roswell?"
Daniel nodded, "It would be safer for Max to have more people that are aware of his abilities close by to help him if the NID did try something. We could mobilize faster to start a search and rescue as opposed to needing to fly to Roswell first."
"I'm not su-" Phillip was cut off by Max quietly adding, "I'd feel better if we were here dad- please." He looked his father in the eye, "I can't get caught by them again…" he shook his head as the memories fought for dominance in his mind and terror built in his eyes. He also brought a hand across his stomach to hold his other arm at the elbow again.
SG-1 suddenly realized the significance of the move from the teen. It was a trauma response with the amount of times he unconsciously did the move when he was scared. The NID must've used that arm as the basis for putting drugs and other substances into Max's system. Daniel thought back over the flashes he'd gotten from Max, and confirmed their thoughts with a subtle nod.
"Oh honey," said Diane, as Phillip pulled Max closer to his side. The pair had seen and heard the terror in Max's tone, "I'm not saying no son," said Phillip, "I just need to make sure we have enough information to make an informed decision."
Max nodded, but didn't add anything else yet. He let his dad ask some questions.
"Who's to say they won't grab him from your base again?" Was the first one Phillip asked, which impressed Jack.
"We are constantly beefing up security measures," said Jack, fielding the question, "things are never 100% guaranteed, but like Daniel said, if you are here we can mobilize faster to neutralize a threat than if you are across the country. With this last attempt my team was on the tail of the moles within- what a few hours? Of finding out he was taken."
"About four hours Sir," added Carter, "the gas they used on you both wasn't too potent. I doubt they had time to get anything stronger. They messed with the security cameras some, but ultimately they were more concerned with getting Max off base than anything else."
Jack nodded, "we had eyes on Max within an hour of that as well and we've been keeping him safe ever since."
"We could set you up with off base housing where a lot of the base residents live. We don't all spend every waking hour on base," Carter said as she pointedly ignored the raised eyebrow from Jack, "a lot of the members have families to go home to after missions."
"Max could transfer to the local school and we could also help him develop his powers in a controlled environment, like on weekends." Added Daniel. "If you all felt like the NID was nearby, or if something felt wrong, you could always come to the base, or call us and someone would come to your house."
"And," said Carter, "Max could help us find his sister and friends. Not go on missions, per say. But if he can learn to control the flashes, we could find a way to tap into his latent knowledge and figure out where specifically they are heading and try to intercept them."
"I want to help find Isabel," said Max as he looked between his parents, "the others… they aren't going to be trusting of anyone who claims that I'm actually alive. I know how their powers work- they would have no problems neutralizing any team sent after them and getting away without anyone realizing it."
"When you say neutralize…" Jack trailed off, the military commander in him coming out to analyze the potential threat they could pose.
"Nasado's been killing people for almost sixty years and has a complete disregard for human life," said Max bluntly. "He can fake human emotion, but finds them to be a weakness. He'd kill anyone from the SGC without batting an eyelash. Michael, Tess, and Isabel are also going to be extremely wary of you. I can't say for sure what would happen or if it would be fatal, but they would definitely do something to protect themselves." Max paused to let everyone process what he was saying. "The four of us are connected. With the drugs and the distance between us, it's stretched to thin. We didn't know enough before my rescue to realize it wasn't completely cut."
"Yeah," said Jack, "it would be a better idea to have Max with us if we did attempt some kind of rescue of the wayward teens. We would of course take precautions to make sure he was safe- scouting ahead, sending for him after we secured the area or planet they were on, that kind of thing." He added, to cut off the brewing argument about Max' safety before his parents could voice it.
Max didn't contradict the Colonel, he realized the statement was to reassure his parents more than anything else. He knew the SG teams wouldn't be able to get close to his missing family without something happening to them. He'd just have to convince Jack that the measures he was talking about now would be useless- but only after his parents agreed to move and he could do it privately.
"My own son is Max Evans' age," added Teal'c, "we could perhaps work out a way for them to meet, so they have someone to interact with their own age when he comes to visit me here on Earth."
"Woah," said Jack with wonder, "Teal'c just totally set up a playdate for his son and the Kid!"
Everyone either cracked a smile, hid a laugh with a cough, raised an eyebrow at O'Neill or rolled their eyes, that last of which was completely Max.
"I think you guys should do this," said Valenti after another moment, "there's only so much I can do in Roswell. I wasn't fast enough to get to Max before he was taken the first time and he really suffered for it. Here, you would have a whole military contingent willing to drop everything and mobilize a search and rescue."
"We don't blame you for that Jim," said Diane.
Valenti nodded, "it doesn't change the facts though Diane. Max- all of you, would be safer here."
"Also," said Daniel quietly, "the trama Max experienced in the White Room- he wouldn't be able to really talk to a regular therapist or counselor about it without explaining his status. We have a few therapists on base that he would be able to talk to freely, it would go a long way to helping him get over any lingering fears or possible nightmares."
"What about your job Phillip? You have an established practice in New Mexico and are close to retirement. You would have to retake the bar and everything." Said Diane. She also wasn't saying no, but they did have to look at all the angles.
"Actually," said Daniel, "we could use your current credentials to help better reign in the NID. They are based out of New Mexico, and Jim was telling us you are already pursuing charges against them. We could work together to make a stronger case for you and then perhaps you can help us put something in place to better monitor and regulate what they are doing. It'd be a win-win for all of us."
Jack kept his comment about sticking the lawsuits up Maybourne's ass, but his team read it on his face anyway and silently agreed.
"It might be a bit more traveling between here and there," added Carter, "but it would do a lot to get the NID in check."
"Mom… dad… please?" Max pulled out the puppy dog eyes to turn on his parents. The same look he used on Jack yesterday day. Jack had to again restrain himself from commenting out loud other than a small hiss of released air and a soft, "oh devious move, Kid."
Diane and Phillip shared a look, trying to ignore the look Max was giving them, "Max, Sweetie," said Diane, "your father and I need to go talk about this for a moment. There was a lot of information presented today, okay?"
Max felt his anxiety spike a moment and squeezed his arm that he was still unconsciously holding. Diane noticed the move and made a note to bring it up with Phillip when they talked.
"Let me show you the upstairs rooms," said Jack as he stood. He realized the pair needed to talk alone for a minute, "you can chat up there without being disturbed." He led them upstairs, chatting lightly as he did so.
When the trio were out of sight, the others turned to Max, "We gave them a lot of information Max," said Daniel to the distraught teen, "they didn't say no. But this would be a huge thing for all of you."
"They want to work out the best way to keep you safe Max Evans," added Teal'c. "As a parent they do not want you to feel alone or unsafe. It is important to them to choose wisely. I have no doubt they will agree to what you want to do, but they must get to that conclusion on their own."
Max nodded, but didn't release his arm. The others realized he was working out contingency plans if they *did* decide that staying in Roswell was the best move. They silently debated if they should comment on what he was doing, but ultimately decided not to. If his parents did choose Roswell, they would make sure Max stayed safe in whatever way was best.
Jack came back downstairs to the living room and put a hand on Max's shoulder in silent support, as well as to see if he could get a flash from the teen. He did -/it was a flash of a solar system that looked vaguely familiar./- He would bring it up with Carter when they got back to base. It would be a good starting point to finding Max's alien family.
With the hope of taking Max's mind off what was happening upstairs, Carter talked him into baking more cookies. If the teen used his powers throughout the process no one said anything- even Jack.
Because Max was using his powers, they somehow ended up with a few dozen cookies in the time it took Diane and Phillip to come back downstairs again.
"Alright," said Phillip, as the pair went over to Max in the kitchen. He put his hands on his son's shoulders, looking Max in the eye as he added, "we agree that the best option is to move here so you *are* safer, can *feel* safer, and can learn about your powers in a controlled environment. We have conditions about how long you visit the Mountain and when you can visit, but we can work that out more together later okay?"
Max sagged under his father's hold, suddenly releasing all his anxiety about what they would decide. He asked quietly, "really?"
At his mother's nod, and "yes really Sweetie," he hugged them both tightly with a slightly louder, "thank you."
"Cookie?" Asked Jack, holding up the plate when they all let go, "this recipe is divine Mrs. Evans. I have no idea how you are able to get such a delicious chewy concoction, but I'm glad you taught Max how to make it."
"Secret family recipe, pasted down from my great grandmother," she said cryptically as she picked up a cookie then took a bite. She winked at Max with a small smile when the teen grabbed his own to eat.
Teal'c tilted his head and moved towards the front door, "O'Neill, there are two vehicles coming up the driveway."
Jack was moving before Teal'c was even done speaking, "we aren't expecting anyone. If all the civilians could please move up the stairs to the upstairs hall that would be great. Please stay clear of the windows and rooms facing the front of the house. Carter, grab Valenti a side arm from the stash, then come back down here. Daniel, stay with Max and Jim."
"Yes, Sir," said Carter at the same time that Teal'c added, "They are SUVs from the Mountain, O'Neill, two of them" from the front door.
Everyone else was already following Jack's orders and moving upstairs. Max debated staying to help, but realized he would be a liability since Jack's team didn't know all of what he could do with his powers.
"Stay close Kid," said Jim when he realized Max was going to go upstairs with them, "you will be on protection duty as well." He, at least, was more aware of what Max's powers could do and would be able to work around them if needed.
The cars parked as two armed airmen got out of both cars to do a perimeter check around the vehicles. "Clear." one called back to the others still in the black SUVs.
Hammond and one more airman got out of the second vehicle. The General allowed the other to lead him to the porch.
"Colonel O'Neill," said Hammon exasperated, when he reached the bottom of the steps, "when I said take a mandatory break at the cabin, I thought you would at least have a working phone line for us to contact you with."
Jack and Carter opened the front door, clearly armed then moved forward to the stairs. "Carter?"
"They're clean Sir," said Carter a moment later when she didn't detect Naquada in their guest's blood.
Jack nodded, engaged the safety on his gun, then whistled into the house. He knew Daniel would tell the Roswellians that it was a false alarm and put away the handgun he'd had Carter give Valenti. He also knew Daniel would keep them upstairs until Jack said otherwise.
"You did say distraction free leave General," said Jack mildly, "we were just following orders."
The look Hammond gave him was actually a pretty good imitation of Teal'c's blandest stare. Jack was impressed, even if he wouldn't ever tell the General that.
"General Hammond," said Teal'c joining them on the porch, "have you come to partake in our Star Wars Marathon? I must say, the movies are quite good. I am excited to view the other films created by this George Lucas."
"Perhaps later Teal'c." said Hammond, "I came to inform you that the leaks at the SGC have been completely plugged. I've personally overseen the investigation and filed court marshals for two airmen who also had ties to the NID. The agents who we found in the truck were taken to prison as well. Life sentences."
"And the manhunt for the Kid?" asked Jack with a false lightness in his voice.
"Called off with the apprehension of the NID's agents," said Hammond with a small smile, "if you happen to know where he is, you can let him know he is welcome to come back to the base until further arrangements can be made."
"No need General," said Jack as he gave another short whistle as he moved back towards the front door, "why don't you come in and tell him yourself."
The airmen guarding the General didn't even bat an eye at their superior's conversation. For them, it was just another day of the week with how the two operated. Before going in Jack turned to Hammond and his guards, "Cookie? I promise, it is out of this *world* how delicious they are."
Hammond did roll his eyes this time, but nodded towards the house so the soldiers would also go in.
"Guns at the door please!" Said Jack as he moved further into the house. Hammond nodded, and guards took off their guns to leave inside the door. Teal'c closed it after everyone was inside.
The house was actually pretty full with the addition of the group from the SGC, so Jack opened the french doors to allow more movement between the kitchen and back deck. After the airmen all had a few cookies, Hammond ordered them to do a perimeter check and guard the doors.
They all saluted, moved back to the front to grab their guns, then went outside to follow through on the order.
"General Hammond," said Daniel, "let me introduce you to Max's parents, Phillip and Diane Evans, and Jim Valenti, Roswell's Sheriff. Everyone, this is General Hammond, commander of the SGC."
After the obligatory hand shakes, and "nice to meet you,"'s, Jack handed the General the briefcase of signed confidentiality agreements. "Everyone here's been read-in Sir."
Hammond nodded as he took the briefcase. With his other hand he reached out to shake Max's hand, "I'm glad you're alright Son."
"Thank you General, me too," said Max, happy there was no more tremor in his voice as he spoke to the SGC's leader. Hammond also noted the change, happy that Max was starting to trust all of them a little more.
"Well," said Hammond as he turned to Max's parents and Valenti, "with these all signed and out of the way, if you need a place to stay while you are still here, we'd be happy to set you up at the Mountain in our guest quarters. SG-1 can debrief me on what you've all decided for next steps and we can also talk more about the best ways to protect Max from the NID, if you haven't already done all that." However, Hammond also knew the group had probably already figured all of that out already.
"Already done General," Daniel confirmed a moment later, "Max's family will move here to Colorado Springs. Mr. Evans is also a lawyer, who has a few suits in the works for the FBI, which he will probably transfer over to the NID now. There is still a lot to debrief you about, but that can wait until we get back to the Mountain."
George nodded as he thought through what Daniel had told him.
"We wouldn't want to impose General Hammond," said Diane, "we'd be happy to get a hotel, it wouldn't be any trouble."
"Nonsense," said Jack, "it wouldn't be any trouble to house you at the Mountain for a few days. This way you don't have to commute back and forth to the hotel, there's free meals, AND you would be right there for us to chat about the logistics behind your move and resettling."
"Then thank you General," said Phillip as he looked at both his wife and son for confirmation, "we accept and appreciate your hospitality."
"For me," said Jim a moment later, "I'm gonna head back to my hotel and try to catch a flight back to Roswell for tonight or tomorrow. It seems you all have this in hand here, and I should really be getting back."
"Phillip, Diane," said Jim, "I think we should go with the story I mentioned over the phone yesterday. About you finding out about Isabel and her friends being found dead. It would be easier for everyone if they believed you'd lost both children and needed to get away from Roswell to start over- away from the painful memories."
Jack nodded, "I agree that Jim's plan is a sound one. He can let the school know and Max's human friends as well."
"Tell Liz and the others that Nasado killed them," said Max, "I didn't trust him before, it was a feeling I couldn't explain, and it will be more believable to them since they saw Michael and I arguing about it more than once. When mom and dad go back to pack up the house, they can have a memorial, and you can get some pictures of Isabel and Michael's 'corpses,' that have that handprint on them. We can get them to you before you leave, from a false file created somewhere far from here for the 'case.'"
Everyone had at least one eyebrow raised at how well thorough Max's plan was. Hammond and Jack both realized he would be a huge asset to the program when he was a little older, if he agreed to officially work with them.
Jim shook his head as he shared a look with O'Neill, "two steps Colonel," he said with a small laugh.
-End Chapter 6-