Alexander sat on a large stone staring up at the night sky, like it held the secrets of a life he couldn't remember. Why couldn't he remember? It bothered him, more then he wanted to admit.

Jack had been watching Alexander for a few minutes. He knew Alexander was aware that he was there but hadn't said anything. Jack was troubled by what he saw. The kid was hyper alert. Something he wasn't while in the base. Why was being outside causing a problem? He decided it was time to do the father thing.

"You want to talk about it?" He asked.

"Talk about what?"

"Why being outside is bothering you."

"It's not being outside that's the problem. It's because it's night. They attack at night."

"They who?"

"I think we were at war. With something that would only attack at night."

"We haven't encountered anything like that here. Doesn't mean we won't."

"Good to know, whatever it is, isn't here. At least not right now."

"You ready to move into your own place?"

"Yeah. All I have is one bag. I think I'll look for a furnished place. You want to help?"

"Yes."

"You know General Hammond thinks I should do OCS thru the Academy. Would they let me, me being Army, instead of Air Force?"

"Yes, the classes are the same. You thought about what your degree will be?"

"I have no idea. I've figured out, I love sci-fi, I enjoy reading, I've read everything the base library has. I probably learned Spanish in school, even if I don't remember learning it, but I have no idea where the Latin came from. Or why I can recognize Babylonian at a glance or translate a couple dozen Egyptian hieroglyphics. Maybe I really was part of the Program. About the only thing I have to go on, are these dreams I keep having."

"Dreams?"

"The brunette girl I mentioned the first day. I know, I know her. Last night I dreamed we were both five years old, playing a game. She was my Queen and I was her Knight. Hers, because she insisted on it. There are other people, but they're blurry. She stands out. That smile. She favored raspberry chapstick when we were older and I know what it tastes like on her lips. I don't even know her name, but I know her. Sarcastic, funny, bitchy, smart."

"Cordy."

Alexander looked startled. "What?!"

"That first day in the infirmary, you murmured that name, just before you woke up. Cordy, might be short for something."

"That sounds familiar. Cordy. Will I ever see her again?"

"I've come to believe, very little is impossible, so maybe. Come on, let's get back inside. Tomorrow we'll go looking for an apartment for you."

It wasn't hard to find a furnished apartment, not in Colorado Springs, it was a military town and military came and went. About a month later, Alexander started classes at the Academy. His freshman introduction class included a girl he'd later call, 'a short, blond tornado.' No matter how bitchy the hyper intelligent Jennifer Hailey was, Alexander thought she was great. It's wasn't long before they were friends. He alerted Major Carter to Jennifer's intelligence and the fact that she was bored at the Academy but didn't want to give up. Consequently, Sam Carter began to mentor her three years sooner then she would have otherwise.

"You and Jennifer seem to get along pretty well. You ever consider asking her out?"

"For about two seconds. Honestly, I think we're better as friends. Short, blond and bitchy just doesn't seem to do it for me. Maybe if she was taller and brunette."

"Most woman object to being called a bitch."

"Not her. She calls herself The Bitch, with capital letters. No, we work as friends. Like you and Daniel. Some people might say, you guys would make a great couple. But there's no fire between you. You make great friends thru."

"We do. So is there anyone who does catch your eye?"

"Yes, actually. I asked a girl named Amanda Jenkins out. We have a date on Friday. She fits the tall brunette description, we'll see about the rest."

"Have fun."

Alexander did have fun and so did Amanda. In between trips thru the Stargate and OCS classes thru the Academy, Alexander dated Amanda. They were together for over a year before, by mutual agreement they decided, their time was done. There was a small amount of regret on both sides, but only a small amount. They wished each other well and never saw each other again. Amanda met someone else shortly after, another military man and married him. When he transferred, she went with him.

SG 1 and General Hammond proudly attended Alexander's graduation from OCS, he'd placed well in his class rankings, in the top twenty and earned a commission as a second lieutenant. Jack proudly secured his rank to his shoulder boards.

"You might not be Air Force, but Army is not so bad. I'm proud of you, kid."

The startled look on Alexander's face alerted Jack to the fact that, Alexander had never heard that before. No one had ever told Alexander, that they were proud of him. Jack would have dearly loved to have found himself in Alexander's home reality, where he could have a conversation with the people who raised him.

"Come on, kid. You're still too young for a beer, but you can have a root beer. Teal'C loves it."

"Teal'C has great taste. And for some reason, the idea of real beer is off-putting."

Something else that twisted Jack's gut. Beer might very well have contributed to those healed fractures, Frazer's initial exam had found. Well, Alexander had a better life now. Jack was determined to make sure it continued to be a good life. He'd failed with one son, as far as he was concerned. He wasn't going to fail with a second one.

"So I figured out what degree I want to go for. I like the stars. I want to learn more about them. So I'm going for a degree n Astronomy."

Jack smiled. Yeah, this was his kid.