Sorry for the delay… wasn't very nice considering the cliffhanger I left you on… but I'm here now with some more…

Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

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Jack watched his clone's reaction to the news. All of a sudden the kid looked very, very young.

"What? How? I killed him?" John was shaking his head. His face had gone pale.

"No. He had an aneurism or stroke or something."

"And that could have been caused by the trauma I inflicted." John insisted.

"Except that he also has a strange burn on his forehead and nose that the doctors can't explain."

"You're kidding me."

"I'm afraid not."

"You're trying to tell me that a snake got into Frankston's room and fried his brain with a hand device?"

"Looks that way." Jack shrugged.

"And you're going to explain that to the FBI how?" John stood and paced. "Why the hell would a goa'uld be here to kill some random bastard teacher?"

"Probably something to do with the FBI case and Frankston's immunity from prosecution. No doubt it also involves the NID and the Trust as well. They'd hate to miss out on a good intrigue."

"You don't know though, do you? You don't know what's going on. I am so screwed. They're gonna think he died because of what I did and I'm just some nobody kid who can't even vote and…"

"Stop it. We'll get to the bottom of it like we always do and we'll protect you. Whatever it takes. Okay?"

"Okay."

"You're covered – alibi-wise – since you left the school yesterday?"

John took a deep breath. "Yeah. Daniel was here till this morning, then Ally came over and then we went to Heather's. Of course, all those people have every reason in the world to lie to protect me."

There was a less than gentle knocking at the door. The two O'Neills exchanged glances. Without a word, Jack moved to position behind the door just in case. He nodded that he was ready and John opened the door.

"Mr Marlowe…"

The investment banker stormed into the room obviously in quite a state. "John. Have you heard about Frankston?"

"Yes."

"Did you kill him?"

"What?"

"You heard me." He grabbed John by the shoulders and stared at him intently. "Did you go to that hospital this morning and kill him?"

"No, sir. I did not."

"I wouldn't blame you if you had. I just needed to hear the truth. My legal team are standing by to defend you in case things get crazy."

"Thanks."

Mr Marlowe suddenly realised Jack was there. "Oh, we haven't met. Jim Marlowe." He shook Jack's hand. "CEO. Marlowe and Shore Investments."

"Jack O'Neill. Colonel. The Airforce." Jack replied and then belatedly added. "Ah… sort of a distant relative of John here."

"Yeah…" Behind Mr Marlowe's back, John gave Jack a 'what the hell' look. "I think our grandmothers or great-grandmothers were sisters or something."

"Ah…" Mr Marlowe replied, tactfully avoiding asking more questions though it was fairly plain that he was wondering why Jack hadn't adopted John when his parents had 'died'.

Changing the subject, John asked quietly. "Does Heather know?"

"Yes." Mr Marlowe sighed. "She just went very quiet and said 'well, that's that then' and went back to her plans."

"Plans?" Jack asked.

"Heather wants to set up a support group for the girls affected and she wants me to teach them self defence."

"Strong girl." Jack approved. "Good plans."

"Ally?" Mr Marlowe enquired.

"Asleep in my room. She doesn't know yet."

"Ah." Heather's dad sighed, obviously glad he wouldn't have to be the one to tell her about Frankston's death. "Listen, John… I've had your suspension lifted but since then I've spoken to Ally's parents. They don't want her going back to school for a little while – and I feel the same about Heather – and we all feel that if the girls aren't going to be in school we'd rather you were not obligated to be there either. Does that make sense?"

"I think so." John replied cautiously.

"Both my Heather and especially Ally are strong-willed, young women. They might not be ready to go back to school but they're most likely not going to sit at home the whole time either – obviously Ally's already been out all day as it is. All of us parents would feel a lot better knowing you were going to be wherever they are so that we know they're safe."

"I can definitely do that."

"You can count on John, Mr Marlowe." Jack agreed.

"I know." Mr Marlowe shook himself. "Well, I must get back home. Mrs Beidelmeier is arranging for your teachers to send you some classwork at some point but don't stress too much about completing it. Thank you again, John. For everything."

John just nodded.

Jack closed the door behind Mr Marlowe. "So your suspension just turned into a holiday. Bet that doesn't happen very often. Or ever."

"Whatever. It makes no difference to me."

"Sure it does."

"Okay maybe a little." John agreed. "I'm just so freaking tired, Jack."

"I'll head off then and you can follow Ally's example…"

"No, I mean… god, Jack, how many times have you retired now?"

"A few."

"Well, you know what I'm talking about. I should be looking at setting myself up with a fishing pole, a pond and a barbeque. Instead I have to start my whole life again. Work out what and who to be. Trying to make sense of this fucked up existence. Don't get me wrong – some days I think it's kind of cool – to have a second chance and do things differently this time around. Shake things up a little. But mostly I'm just tired. The body and mind are on fire but the soul is exhausted."

"Look, it's been a rough couple of days but you'll be fine." Jack coughed uncomfortably. "Stop being so melodramatic. You've got at least a week of R'nR. Make the most of it."

"Yes, Grandpa."

"Oh my god. You did not just call me that."