In a sudden jolt, Victor awoke, his soul bruised by an unbearable nightmare, his heart pounding so loudly in his chest it felt as if it might burst through his temples. A muffled cry escaped him as he felt a cold, rigid wall against him at an oppressive distance. The shock made him leap, and in his haste, his legs tangled in the sheets. Without time to comprehend what was happening, he crashed heavily to the floor. The echoes of his fall immediately drew attention.

Sam quickly appeared in the doorway, her eyes widened with concern. "Are you okay?" she called out, her voice slicing through the darkness.

Victor gritted his teeth, wincing from the throbbing pain. His fingers brushed the back of his head. "Yeah... Well, I think so... But apparently, someone decided to rearrange my room. My bed isn't usually this close to the wall."

A reassuring smile lit up Sam's face. She reached out a hand to him, helping him regain precarious stability. "We're not on Ivadoll," she said, her voice soft and almost soothing.

Victor furrowed his brow, sweeping his gaze across the room. The dark wood of the walls, the gentle and warm light filtering through the curtains... Nothing was familiar. "Where are we?" he articulated, betraying his growing anxiety.

Sam placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "On Earth, in Minnesota."

Chaos ensued in Victor's mind, each memory struggling to find its place in this tumultuous puzzle. "What am I doing here?"

Sam's answer was vague, almost evasive. "Jack and I thought you'd be better off here for your recovery."

And suddenly, it all came back to him: Atlas, the Titans, Calypso, Ayden's pendant... and the blade that had pierced him. A cold shiver ran through his body as he instinctively touched his belly. Lifting his shirt, he discovered the swollen sutures marking his skin. His breath quickened.

"You need to rest, Victor," Sam whispered, pulling the curtains aside to let in a flood of light. "Doctor Lam and Kira saved your life. But you're not fully recovered yet."

His gaze met Sam's, "Where are Kira and Ayden?"

"They're at the SGC base, with Daniel and Teal'c," Sam replied, trying to infuse as much comfort as possible into her voice.

Victor took a deep breath, suddenly aware of the isolation around him. "I want to join them." But Sam firmly held onto his arm, anticipating his hasty departure. "We'll go back when you're healed," she insisted, her voice gentle yet resolute. "You came close to death, Victor." Her last words wavered, revealing the emotion she was trying to conceal.

Victor nodded, understanding the magnitude of the situation. He headed towards the exit of the room, with Sam following closely behind. They stepped into a spacious living room with rustic charm, bathed in the golden afternoon light. Sturdy wooden furniture, cozy cushions, and soft rugs all contributed to a warm and inviting atmosphere. He took a moment to absorb this unfamiliar environment, trying to acquaint himself with this bewildering reality. Then, he crossed the threshold of the house, his eyes drawn to a shimmering pond nearby, nestled in the heart of a dense forest. A serene silence enveloped the place, their solitude broken only by the chirping of birds. It dawned on him that they were literally in the middle of nowhere.

"Are we alone here?" Victor asked, his gaze fixed on the tranquil expanse stretching before him.

Sam smiled. "Jack went out for groceries. He'll be back soon." Her voice was calm, her gaze lost in the contemplation of Minnesota's wild nature.

In the labyrinth of secrets that was Dr. Jackson's office, Kira and Ayden found themselves immersed in a world that seemed as ancient as time itself. An array of antiquities and unfathomable treasures populated the room, each relic whispering millennia-old sagas and tales with distant echoes. Amidst the artistic chaos of scattered sketches, haphazardly placed notes, and the mosaic of partially open scrolls, everything seemed to vibrate with the voracious aspirations of a brilliant and eager mind: Daniel's. He stood at the heart of this creative melee, his face bathed in the flickering light of an antique desk lamp, his glasses slightly lowered, allowing his blue eyes to delve into the mysteries of a book about the Titans of Greek mythology.

However, for Kira and Ayden, this sight held no fascination. On the contrary, their initial excitement had turned into growing impatience. Daniel had invited them into his lair of knowledge, but since their arrival, they had only received a vague greeting and a pending promise: "I'll be with you in five minutes." Those five minutes had stretched into a heavy eternity, each tick-tock of the clock sounding like an amplified torment. They exchanged looks laden with frustration as the seconds ticked away.

Finally, Daniel let out a liberating sigh, as if he had just deciphered a persistent puzzle. He gently set aside the book he was holding, lovingly caressing the worn binding with his fingers. His eyes, once entranced by mythical epics, rose to connect with those of the two teenagers. "Ayden, can you show me the Kairos cube?" he asked, extending his hand towards the young man.

Ayden nodded, a shy smile curving on his face. The cube rested against his chest, suspended on a delicate yet sturdy chain. With great care, he detached it and handed it to Daniel, presenting it with an almost mystical reverence.

Daniel took the artifact with the same delicacy, his fingers lightly touching its cryptic surfaces with an almost childlike fascination. His intense gaze scrutinized every detail, every edge, every facet. "When you discovered this object, did you learn anything about its origin?" he inquired, his fingers wandering over the cube, seeking answers in its texture and geometry.

Ayden nodded, his eyes shining with restrained excitement. "Not much, to be honest. I just know it belonged to Kairos and that it lights up when an opportunity to change the course of history arises," he replied, eagerly anticipating Daniel's reaction.

Daniel tilted his head slightly, a flicker of interest crossing his gaze. "And do you have any idea what happens when it activates?" he insisted, his voice betraying his enthusiasm for this enigma.

Ayden displayed a proud smile, an air of self-satisfaction spreading across his face. "According to the inscriptions in the temple where I found it, it seems to transport its holder to the exact place and moment where they can influence their destiny," he explained, his hands sketching the mystical aura of the cube in the air.

Daniel's excitement was now tangible, but his eyes couldn't discern any additional inscriptions on the cube. He then handed the object back to Ayden, who reverently repositioned it around his neck.

Daniel took a deep breath, "We sent a MALP probe to explore Hesperides, but nothing. No trace of the Titans. I deduced that they had probably returned to their home planet," he explained, his hand instinctively reaching for an old manuscript nearby. The book opened to a specific page, dust flying with each pass of his fingers over the printed lines. "According to Greek mythology, Othrys was the Titans' place of origin. Does that ring a bell to you?" he asked, his eyes lifting to fixate on the teenagers.

Kira, wearing a puzzled expression, shook her head. "Not at all. To be honest, I didn't even know about the existence of the Titans until Victor told us."

Ayden, his intense gaze fixed on Daniel, nodded with a raised eyebrow of surprise. "It's new information to me too."

"That's strange," murmured Daniel, his hand resting on his chin as he delved into his thoughts. He lightly scratched his nose, a sign of his intense concentration. "The Ancients banished the Titans, so it would make sense for you to have heard about their history at some point."

Kira raised her hand to emphasize her point. "We could go back to Ivadoll and ask Professor Charon. He's likely to know more than we do," she suggested, seeking Daniel's approval in his eyes.

"That's an idea," Daniel admitted, his gaze wandering through the maze of different options. "However, I doubt that Jack would approve."

Ayden furrowed his brow slightly, seeking to understand. "Why?"

"It's a long story," replied Daniel in an enigmatic tone, hinting at unspoken tensions. He knew that the relationship between the two men was strained and couldn't be summarized in a few evasive sentences.

Victor sprawled out on the dock, relishing the comforting sensation of weathered wooden planks against his back, warmed by the fading rays of the sun. His head rested in the crook of his left arm, his eyes fixed on the celestial vault, silently witnessing the transition between day and night. His other arm hung lazily over the edge of the dock, his hand gently dipping into the calm waters of the pond. He savored the aquatic caress, a sensation that enveloped his skin and soothed his mind with an almost hypnotic serenity.

The harsh creaking of wood, disturbed by determined steps, interrupted his introspection. A familiar voice cut through the silence, tinged with barely concealed sarcasm. "Ah, Sleeping Beauty has finally consented to open his eyes," Jack teased.

Almost in slow motion, Victor shifted his attention towards the source of the irony, a glimmer of surprise in his eyes. With meticulous care, he withdrew his hand from the water, allowing droplets to scatter on the wood. He nonchalantly sat up, folding his knees towards him in a relaxed posture.

"Sleeping Beauty?" Victor repeated, trying to decipher the puzzle hidden behind this reference. His eyebrows lifted slightly, betraying his astonishment at the comparison.

A mischievous smile played on Jack's lips, amused by the reaction of his young interlocutor. "One day, I'll explain the story to you, and then you'll understand," he said.

Intrigued but resisting the urge to push further, Victor changed the subject. "How long have we been here?" he asked, trying to assess the passing time.

"We arrived yesterday," O'Neill declared, adjusting his grip on one of the bags he carried, his muscles quietly protesting the effort.

Jack stood there, still, his shoulders slightly hunched under the weight of the bags. "Are you hungry?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of pragmatism.

"Yeah, a little," the teenager admitted, his eyes fixed on the bags, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Do you want some help?" he offered, a teasing tone in his voice, insinuating that Jack's load might be a bit too heavy for him.

An ironic smile twisted Jack's features, his head shaking in amused refusal. "I'll manage; I'm not yet an old wreck. But you should head back, the cold sets in quickly here."

Preparing to get up, Victor stretched his legs. "I'll be there in five minutes."

The darkness of twilight gradually enveloped the cabin as Sam immersed herself in a labyrinthine world of codes and diagrams. Sitting at the dining table, she deciphered the screen of her laptop with keen concentration. Information scrolled under her gaze, each line of code forming a fraction of a bewildering puzzle she was trying to decrypt. The bright hues from the screen mirrored in her eyes.

Suddenly, the rhythmic tapping of her fingers on the keyboard ceased, replaced by the creaking of the door as it swung open. Jack burst in, his arms laden with bags. His gaze shifted towards her, and a welcoming smile lit up her face. Without hesitation, she put her work on hold and rushed to Jack in the kitchen.

"Let me help you," she offered, moving closer to relieve Jack of his burden. Together, they set about sorting and organizing the provisions.

"I ran into Victor," Jack began, his voice inadvertently hardening. "He seems to be recovering." As he spoke, a can of green beans found its place on a shelf.

Sam, having just placed a bottle of orange juice in the refrigerator, turned towards him. "Yes, it's encouraging," she nodded, offering a reassuring smile.

"I'll be able to involve him in some activities," Jack declared, a smile taking hold of his features.

However, their organized dance of tidying came to a halt as Sam's expression shifted. A glimmer of concern settled in the deep blue of her eyes, disrupting their precise choreography.

"Victor asked me where Kira and Ayden were. He wants to join them," she began, her voice trembling with apprehension. "I told him we would return to the base once he's fully recovered... but I'm not sure that will be enough for him."

A heavy sigh escaped Jack. The idea of seeing Victor return to the constant chaos of the SGC unsettled him. "I'll talk to him," he decided firmly, pushing aside his own worries to offer unwavering support.

Sam's expression softened at the sound of those words, Jack's promises acting as a soothing balm to her anxiety. They resumed their rhythm, finishing putting away the last groceries in the cupboards.

The warm glow of the SGC's mess hall faded behind them as Kira and Ayden ventured deeper into the base's corridors. The dim fluorescents cast an austere light on their faces, and their hushed whispers bounced off the cold steel walls, overshadowing the distant hum of the base's machinery. After sharing a meal with Daniel and Teal'c, they were making their way to their quarters, meandering through the veins of the underground complex.

Ayden strolled with a restless energy in the corridors. His fingers drummed against the icy metal walls, and his eyes sparkled with eager curiosity. "So, what's this mystery you discovered during your simulation?" he asked.

Kira rolled her eyes, a mischievous smile betraying her amusement. "I told you I didn't want to talk about it," she retorted, her body closing up like a fortress with her arms crossed over her chest.

Ayden's expression darkened, his curiosity giving way to genuine concern. His serious features revealed growing tension. "Does it have something to do with your healing power?" he inquired, referring to her ability to heal Victor's wound.

Kira shook her head, a hint of irritation creeping into her voice. "No, it's not that."

Ayden wasn't one to give up easily. His gaze hardened, his penetrating stare sought to unravel the mysteries Kira was fiercely guarding. "Then what is it?" he insisted, his voice tinged with impatience but mostly laden with deep concern for his friend.

Kira stopped walking and locked her eyes with her friend's. She knew he wouldn't leave her alone until she revealed everything.

"Kira, you can trust me." Ayden's voice was almost pleading.

"It's not a matter of trust," she retorted in a soft voice. "It's just... complicated to explain."

"Try," Ayden insisted, determined to understand.

Kira looked away, her mind racing. She took a deep breath, searching for the words to describe the indescribable. "Okay," she whispered, her voice betraying a certain fragility. "Sometimes, I can see ahead... what's going to happen."

Ayden's face went from confusion to astonishment. "You mean you can predict the future?!"

Kira shook her head, furrowing her brow as she tried to clarify. "Not exactly. I see fragments, glimpses of what might happen or what will happen. It's not always accurate, and I don't control it."

Ayden seemed stunned. His initial concern had become even more intense. "That's incredible! Victor can transport to a distant planet, you can see the future, and here I am stuck with a simple cube that doesn't work," he joked, touching the object hanging around his neck. "I'm really out of luck!"

A melancholic smile illuminated Kira's face. "I'm not sure Victor and I are that lucky..." she murmured.

"You should talk to Daniel about it," Ayden suggested.

"Absolutely not! This is between you and me, and no one else," she firmly opposed, her arms forming a protective barrier.

Ayden tried to protest, "But..."

Kira interrupted him, her voice filled with emotion, "Please! Don't make me regret confiding in you." Her hands trembled slightly, betraying her anxiety.

Ayden capitulated, though doubt still lingered in his eyes. "As you wish," he consented, reluctantly accepting her secret while still not fully grasping its implications.

"May the Force be with you..." The solemn and resonant words of Obi-Wan Kenobi filled the space, yet failed to disturb Victor's deep slumber. Curled up in the cocoon of his armchair, his head resting peacefully on the backrest, sleep had overtaken him within the first few minutes of the movie.

It was after a friendly dinner that Jack had suggested watching Star Wars. He was convinced that the epic tale of that distant galaxy would captivate Victor's interest. The proposition seemed perfect, boldly combining adventures, bravery, and a touch of the unreal.

Sam sat beside him on the couch, observing the scene with a mix of amusement and tenderness. A smile lit up her face, echoing the sparkle in her eyes. She snuggled closer to Jack, enjoying the reassuring warmth of his presence. "I don't think Star Wars really excites him," she whispered, noting that their son was clearly more inclined to be lulled by Morpheus than by the far, far away galaxy.

Jack, blending disappointment and amusement, shook his head. "I thought he'd like it," he retorted in a hushed voice. With a gentle hand, he tightened his embrace around Sam's shoulders, seeking even closer proximity to her. "But I can't blame him. After all, science-fiction movies aren't really my cup of tea either."

After a while, Jack gently released his hold on Sam and approached Victor. With paternal tenderness, he brushed the teenager's chestnut hair, trying to wake him without startling him. Victor's eyelids fluttered open slightly, revealing his still drowsy blue eyes. "You'll be more comfortable in your bed," Jack murmured softly.

Guided by Jack's voice, Victor struggled to his feet, sleep weighing down each of his movements. With caution, O'Neill took his arm, patiently guiding him to his room. Once they arrived, Jack helped him to lie down. Still groggy from sleep, Victor quickly slipped under the sheets, instinctively seeking the comforting warmth of the duvet. But in an unfortunate movement, he turned onto his injured side, causing a dull and throbbing pain. A groan escaped him, forcing him to turn back to ease the discomfort.

"Are you okay?" Jack asked, his eyebrows furrowed with concern, as he placed his hand on the teenager's shoulder.

Victor mumbled something incomprehensible, sleep already taking over again. Respecting his need for rest, Jack gently brushed his forehead to check for any signs of fever. Assured that everything seemed fine, he quietly left the room, making sure to close the door without a sound.

Back in the living room, Jack found Sam busy gathering the scattered remnants of glasses on the coffee table. "I'm afraid his injury is still causing him pain," he confessed, his gaze locking with Sam's, revealing his underlying concern.

In a serene and contemplative stance, Sam responded in a calm voice, "Carolyn mentioned that it would take about ten days for a complete healing." Her hands remained suspended in the air, seemingly frozen in time, her eyes fixed on Jack, displaying an unwavering pragmatism that adeptly concealed her anxiety.

"Don't you think he's sleeping a lot?" Jack questioned, feigning intensity in his gaze, seeking reassurance in her features. A slight tension in his forehead betrayed his worry, while his hand nervously wandered through his hair.

With a tranquil understanding, Sam replied, her hands descending slowly to rest on the table, delicately picking up the last of the glasses. "He's been through so much in the past few days, it's not surprising."

Agreeing, Jack allowed his eyebrows to relax and his hand ceased its nervous exploration in his hair. He took a deep breath, acknowledging the truth in Sam's words.

As Sam moved closer to Jack, an intoxicating gentleness emanated from each of her movements. As if drawn by a magnetic force, Jack let himself be enveloped by the subtle aura that radiated from her.

As they stood there, the surrounding universe seemed to dissolve into a soft and hazy mist around them. Jack instinctively placed his hands on Sam's delicate cheeks, his fingers tenderly tracing along her jawline, mapping every hollow and curve of her face as if he were inspecting a precious artifact. His thumbs gently brushed her cheeks, while his right hand trailed down her neck, playfully toying with the unruly strands of her hair.

Their breaths intertwined in a silent and harmonious ballet as Jack leaned his face towards Sam's. With agonizing slowness, their lips finally met, their first contact delicate, as if they were savoring a precious and fleeting moment. But as their bodies intertwined, their embrace tightened, and the kiss evolved into a more intense passion. Their hands moved with growing confidence, exploring the familiar territory of bodies that knew each other so well. Jack's fingers slid through Sam's silky hair, while her arms enveloped him, pulling him even closer. Sam's lips responded with disarming tenderness to his, evoking a shiver of anticipation that traveled down Jack's spine.

Under the shadow of the dawning light, Sam's eyes slowly opened, welcoming the soft glow seeping through the bedroom blinds. The alarm clock cast a red hue, signaling the arrival of the sixth hour of the morning. A sigh escaped her as she realized her day was surprisingly free from any obligations; she would have loved to sleep a little longer.

Lying on her side, Sam gently attempted to extricate herself from the comforting warmth of the bed. However, Jack's embrace held her captive, a loving trap that kept her firmly in its grip. His arm wrapped around her waist formed a solid barrier against any attempts at escape.

With tenderness, she lightly brushed her hand over his, trying to wake him without startling him. But Jack, lost in a deep slumber, remained unresponsive to her efforts. Sam eventually managed to turn onto her back, yet this maneuver only seemed to worsen her situation. As if guided by a protective instinct, Jack tightened his hold, drawing her even closer to him.

A mischievous smile illuminated Sam's face. It was a familiar scene, a situation she had experienced many times before. She found it easier to outwit the constraints of a prison in the far reaches of the galaxy than to escape from Jack's embrace when they were in bed together.

With no other option, Sam firmly grasped Jack's hand that held her, and with controlled strength, she lifted his arm to make her way out of the bed.

Jack's reaction was immediate. Unbalanced by Sam's movement, he found himself lying on his back, groaning with his voice still sleepy. "Oh, for crying out loud, Sam ! I'm sure it's still early."

"Sorry for waking you," she whispered, leaning in to plant a kiss on his lips, "but the call of coffee is too strong."

Jack returned her kiss with a pout before rolling onto his side, muttering, "Alright... I'm coming... Soon... Well... You know what I mean..."

A mischievous smile illuminated Sam's face as she gently left the room, leaving Jack to his final attempts to reclaim sleep.

As she entered the living room, she was surprised to find Victor comfortably settled on the couch, absorbed in the images flickering on the television.

"You're already up?" she exclaimed, intrigued by his presence at such an early hour.

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep anymore," Victor replied, his voice barely audible as if each word weighed heavily on him.

"What are you watching?" Sam inquired, making her way to the kitchen to prepare her precious coffee.

"The news. It's depressing... Humans are so... aggressive towards each other," Victor sighed, his voice tinged with confusion and apprehension.

Sam decided that a philosophical debate about human nature wouldn't be the best choice to start the day. Instead, she offered him a coffee, an offer he accepted without hesitation.

The wall clock proudly displayed eleven o'clock, its regular ticking seemingly echoing the intricacies of Sam's thoughts. Seated in front of her computer, she immersed herself in the maze of complex calculations displayed on her screen. Her focus was complete, light-years away from any distractions.

Earlier, Victor had attempted to join her, but his interest in equations had been short-lived. When Jack had made an appearance, Victor had chosen to follow him, leaving Sam alone with her numbers and formulas.

The silence of her intense work was abruptly disrupted by the roar of the phone, tearing through the air like an unwelcome warning. Daniel's name danced on the screen of the device. Sam picked up the call, and the archaeologist's voice, laden with palpable concern, crossed the line. "Hello, Sam, how's Victor doing?"

"Hello, Daniel. He's doing fine," Sam assured him, momentarily shifting her gaze from the computer to observe the picturesque scene unfolding outside the window. Jack and Victor, fishing rods in hand, engaged in lively conversation by the edge of the pond. The sight softened Sam's features, and a smile spread across her lips.

Daniel then shared his latest discovery, "I've identified the origin world of the Titans. I think they might have been able to travel there, but neither Kira nor Ayden can give me more information. What about Victor?"

"I'll ask him," Sam promised, still observing Jack and Victor. Their movements were a soothing spectacle.

Daniel's voice resonated again through the receiver, "And what about the research on the solar eruption?"

Sam's tone tinged with slight frustration, "We're at a standstill. I tried to involve Victor this morning, but he seems more interested in fishing than in physics."

Daniel then proposed an alternative, "I was wondering... What if Jack or Victor tried to activate the Kairos cube? They might be able to get it to work and, therefore, travel back in time."

A sigh made its way to Daniel's ear. "It's an option, Daniel, but I'm not sure Jack would allow Victor to attempt such an experiment." As she replied, she left the house and headed towards the duo.

Daniel gently reiterated his argument, "I understand, but it might be our only chance to alter the course of events."

"I'll talk to Jack about it," Sam assured him. Her voice oscillated between hesitation and resolution, a sign of the significance of the discussion ahead.

She now stood by Jack and Victor, whose lighthearted discussion about the virtues of fishing starkly contrasted with the gravity of the conversation she had just had.

"Daniel, I'll call you back," Sam promised before ending the call.

Victor, a furrow of perplexity on his forehead, exclaimed, "I don't get it. There are hardly any fish in this pond. Why are we wasting our time waiting for an unlikely miracle?"

Jack, his face exuding serenity, carefully adjusted his fishing line. "Fishing, Victor, is not just about the concept of catching a fish."

A raised eyebrow appeared on the young man's face. "Really? So, what's the concept then? The art of effectively wasting one's time?"

"It's a matter of patience, of introspection," Jack replied, his eyes fixed on the shimmering expanse before them.

An ironic smile crept across Victor's face. "Without bait to attach to the hook, you do need quite a bit of patience indeed."

Jack was about to reply, but Sam intervened, though amusement sparkled in her eyes from their verbal sparring. "Jack, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Jack nodded, making a remark to Victor. "You can continue pondering that notion of patience," he gestured towards the pond with his fishing rod before walking over to Sam.

A resigned sigh escaped Victor, rolling his eyes in a perfect display of annoyance. One last jab escaped his lips, "And to stimulate my reflection, what do I do? Count the hooks we don't have?"

As Jack walked away to join Sam, he cast a final glance at Victor. He raised his hand, forming a perfect circle with his thumb and index finger, the universal symbol of approval. "There you go, you're starting to get the idea!" he called out, a mischievous smile lighting up his face before disappearing with Sam.

Victor shrugged, confusion painting his face with a bewildered look as he watched his parents walk away.

Once at a safe distance from Victor, Sam revealed to Jack the content of her recent discussion with Daniel.

"I categorically refuse to return to the base now. It's too early, far too early," Jack asserted with authority.

"I share your opinion," Sam conceded. "But we have to admit that Daniel's idea is somewhat intriguing. It might be wise to try with the cube."

Jack furrowed his brows, his face displaying evident reluctance.

"Victor barely glanced at my calculations. He doesn't seem willing to help me find a solution. I'm at a dead end. We need a plan B," Sam argued. "Why not have them come here?"

"I don't know... Every time we leave them alone together, they end up vanishing," Jack replied, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his voice.

"What if we organize an outing with Daniel and Teal'c? Bowling, for example. It will distract them, and the context will be less formal," Sam suggested, exploring options to ease the situation.

"Wait a minute... You're suggesting I try to activate this cube right in the middle of a bowling alley? And if, by some miracle, it works, what will be the impact on the people around? I doubt the President would be thrilled about exposing the population to extraterrestrial artifacts," Jack retorted, highlighting the countless potential consequences of their choice.

"Um... Jack... If you manage to activate the cube and change the past, then our bowling outing will never have taken place... and thus, no one will be aware of anything," Sam explained with unwavering logic, as if she were stating the obvious.

Jack nodded, his head gently swaying from side to side, absorbing Sam's unassailable logic, and finally acquiesced to this daring proposal.

Sam dialed Daniel's familiar number once again, her fingers dancing on the keypad. She explained their plan for the evening—a challenge on the bowling lanes. Daniel's palpable enthusiasm resonated through the line, his joyful curiosity contrasting starkly with the weight of their mission.

As the sky gradually lost its daytime colors, donning the flamboyant hues of twilight, Jack, Sam, and Victor got into the vehicle. Forty-five minutes of travel stretched before them, like a tranquil interlude amid the anticipation that lay ahead.

Gradually, the landscape became more urban, and the panorama of neon signs from the bowling alley took over. The neon lights, like captive lightning, reflected in Victor's eyes. The place was bustling, carried by an almost tangible vitality. Daniel, Teal'c, Kira, and Ayden were already waiting, their silhouettes standing out like familiar beacons in the crowd's tumult.

The sight of the three teenagers triggered a swift ballet, their bodies merging into a fervent embrace that conveyed both relief and the euphoria of their reunion.

The time came to head to the counter and choose their shoes. A simple ritual, but one that marked the beginning of their evening. Their selection sparked exchanged knowing glances and radiant smiles, heightening the excitement of the teenagers.

Finally, they took to the lane assigned to them. A long strip of polished wood stretched before them, with colorful spotlights punctuating the glossy surface. Nearby, a screen displayed their names, a silent invitation to the friendly competition that lay ahead.

"I suppose none of you have played before?" Jack addressed the three teenagers, a mischievous smile stretching across his lips.

The trio simultaneously shook their heads, their faces showing a mix of uncertainty and anticipation.

"Alright, I'll quickly explain the rules." And Jack began, detailing the objectives of the game, how to roll the ball with precision, the importance of positioning and coordination, and most importantly, the need to relax and have fun, turning the learning experience into a playful and captivating lesson.

As time flew by, the bowling game became more lively. Teal'c stood out, his throws displaying a power and precision that seemed almost supernatural.

On the sidelines, Sam and Teal'c supported Kira, offering advice for her next throw. Meanwhile, Victor took on the role of provocateur, throwing mocking jabs to unsettle Kira. Not one to back down, Kira responded fervently, sparking a verbal sparring match that had become their routine over time.

With the poise of a warrior ready for battle, Kira approached the bowling lane, ball in hand. With singular fluidity and determination, she released the ball, sending it crashing into the pins, one after another. The scoreboard lit up, declaring a 'Strike.' Victory in her eyes, Kira turned to Victor with a triumphant smile, asserting her superiority. It was the first time she had achieved such a feat, unlike Victor.

"Don't get carried away. If this damn injury wasn't bothering me, I would have beaten you a long time ago!" grumbled Victor, his hand instinctively touching the scar under his t-shirt.

"Oh, my poor boy, you're breaking my heart," retorted Kira, her tone ironic and feigned pity. Ignoring her sharp jibe, Victor positioned himself for his throw, reigniting their spirited duel.

On a secluded bench, Daniel and Jack were engaged in a calm conversation, each holding a glass of cola.

"Go ahead, ask him," Daniel murmured to Jack, discreetly pointing his finger towards Ayden.

"Now?" Jack responded, his voice tinged with doubt.

"Yes, Victor and Kira are pretty occupied," Daniel replied, glancing briefly at the adolescents in the midst of their quarrel.

Jack cleared his throat and turned towards Ayden. "Could you lend me your cube of... I forgot whose?"

"'I forgot whose?'" Ayden repeated, clearly taken aback by this odd phrasing.

Daniel, visibly irritated, discreetly nudged Jack with his elbow. Realizing his mistake, Jack quickly corrected himself, "The Cube of Kairos, I'd like to take a closer look at it." He accompanied his request with a gesture towards the object in question.

Ayden, puzzled by this unusual request, remained still for a moment, his eyebrows furrowed. After some contemplation, he silently nodded and carefully detached the pendant from his neck, handing it over to Jack, who received it as if it were a precious artifact.

"And now, what do I do?" Jack asked, his eyes fixed on the strange object in his hand, delicately spinning it and examining it from every angle.

"I have no idea," Daniel admitted, his arms crossed and his gaze unfocused.

"Are you kidding me?!" Jack exclaimed, giving his friend an incredulous look. "You're the expert!"

"Close your eyes and try to focus on the moment in the past that you want to reach," Daniel suggested, demonstrating the process by closing his own eyes.

"Which moment? I've got plenty in my mind right now," Jack replied, gesturing with his arms to illustrate the abundance of memories.

"But I don't know!" Daniel exclaimed, raising his hands in frustration. "You probably know better than me when you conceived Victor!"

"That's the problem, Daniel. I don't know exactly!" Jack, growing increasingly tense, rubbed his face, betraying his irritation.

Daniel, visibly annoyed, massaged his temples. "Fine... I guess you and Sam became intimate during our fishing weekend." He paused to gather his thoughts.

Jack, in response to this supposition, nodded and replied with a barely audible "Yes."

Daniel resumed his analysis, his fingers drumming mechanically on his knees. "Then... Proceed by elimination, until the moment when Sam had a miscarriage. There must be a moment when you are sure she was pregnant, right?"

Jack, clearly uncomfortable, averted his gaze. He looked up at the ceiling as if the answer could be written there in the bowling alley.

Daniel quickly picked up on O'Neill's embarrassment. "Don't tell me you and Sam slept together every day?!" His face displayed an incredulous shock.

"Enough, Daniel! I don't owe you any explanations," Jack retorted, clearly defensive.

"Damn it, Jack! If you go back in time when Sam is not yet pregnant, it could absolutely change everything," said Daniel, feeling completely helpless.

"Hey! How was I supposed to know I had to be careful about that kind of thing?!" exclaimed Jack. His emotions oscillated between irritation and worry, fully aware of the gravity of the situation he had gotten himself into.

Daniel tried to regain his composure. "Alright! Let's simplify it. Focus on a specific day, a week before we found out about her miscarriage. That should be enough."

Jack nodded silently, his eyelids closing slowly to isolate his gaze from the outside world. His hand tightened around the cube, as if the object could imbue him with the energy needed to delve into the depths of his memories.

Daniel watched Jack's hand intently. The minutes stretched on, each second feeling like a heavy weight in the air, but nothing seemed to happen. That's when Kira and Victor appeared, their presence diffusing the palpable tension between the two men. Unconsciously, they settled in the midst of this theater of tension.

Sam and Teal'c, still in the midst of their game, were unaware of the delicate situation unfolding next to them.

Alerted by the movement of the teenagers, Jack opened his eyes again and loosened his grip on the cube, making it visible. Victor, sitting beside him, noticed the object and, in an impromptu move, grabbed it before Jack or Daniel could react.

"What are you guys doing with this cube? Are you trying to activate it?" Victor asked in a casual tone, spicing up the already tense atmosphere.

"Please give it back to me," Jack pleaded, a certain tension perceptible in his voice.

"Why?" Victor's question carried a mischievous innocence, and he seemed amused by the evident unease in Jack and Daniel's gazes. "Afraid I'll activate it and get sent into the darkness?" he finished theatrically, adding to the already somber ambiance.

Victor's nonchalance sharply contrasted with the electric tension enveloping Jack and Daniel. The teenager toyed with the cube, passing it from one hand to another, caressing it, shaking it, as if trying to invoke something from within.

But nothing happened. With a shrug, he handed the cube back to Ayden. "Relax, it doesn't work," he said, nonchalant.

A sigh of relief, almost simultaneous, escaped from Jack and Daniel. Their shoulders relaxed, as if liberated from the burden that had oppressed them. The anxiety that had been gripping them gradually dissipated.

The game continued in a continuous flow, with the pins falling one by one, and laughter erupting like an exorcism of the previous incident. The bowling served as a soothing balm over the underlying anxiety.

As expected, Teal'c, with his stoic concentration, dominated the lanes. His score created a wide gap between him and the other participants. Laughter and applause erupted in tribute to his performance, as he humbly accepted the crown of the winner.

After a meal in town, filled with local flavors and lively conversations, they decided to finish the evening at the cabin.

Gathered in the living room, they toasted with beers, their voices blending into a chorus of praise for Teal'c's achievements. However, two people were missing from the gathering. Victor and Kira had discreetly slipped away.

They found themselves on the dock, barefoot in the water, savoring the calming dance of the waves against their skin. The moon, a silent accomplice, illuminated their faces, allowing Sam to spot them through the window of the living room. A smile of relief touched her lips as she could reassure Jack, who had been momentarily worried about their disappearance.

In the veil of the night, Victor and Kira shared a suspended moment. Their worries vanished, if only for a stolen instant from the hustle, enchanted by the calming charm of the water surrounding them.

"Are you thinking about Calypso?" Kira asked, observing Victor lost in his thoughts.

"What? Oh no... Since I don't have the bracelet of Hades anymore, I don't really feel the need to see her. It's very strange," Victor explained softly.

A contented sigh escaped Kira's lips, her gentle voice breaking the silence. "You were right, it's peaceful here," she whispered.

Victor nodded, his gaze captivated by the silvery dance the moon painted on the water. "I'm always right," he replied, a mischievous smile lighting up his face.

Kira's reaction was immediate, a light tap on Victor's arm, a playful tease that turned to concern when she saw his grimace of pain. The teenager instinctively placed his hand on his stomach, where a recent scar still marked his skin.

"Does it still hurt?" she asked, her forehead furrowed.

Victor tried to downplay it, "Just a little," he lied, wanting to reassure Kira.

But Kira wasn't fooled, "Let me see."

Hesitant, Victor slowly lifted his shirt, revealing the still-present wound.

Kira observed it carefully, "It doesn't seem to be getting better," she noted, a hint of concern in her voice.

"It's nothing, it'll heal," Victor stammered, ready to conceal his scar.

Before he could cover it up, Kira stopped him. "Wait," she whispered. With an almost reverential caution, she positioned her hand above the wound, without touching it. Her eyes closed, her face contorted in intense concentration. Victor then felt a strange sensation, a warmth that seemed to seep into his flesh, soothing the pain. Kira remained like that for a while, and then, as if exhausted from a colossal effort, she took a deep breath and removed her hand.

Stunned, Victor looked at his stomach. No trace of the injury remained. Not a hint of pain.

"How did you do that?" he asked, his voice revealing his surprise.

Kira responded with an enigmatic smile, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "You could say thank you," she retorted.

Victor observed her, his gaze softening, infused with a certain affection. His hand, suspended in mid-air, lightly brushed Kira's face with an almost palpable delicacy. Their bodies drew closer, leaving only a thin line of air between them. Victor's blue eyes got lost in Kira's, a half-smile revealing his imminent intention. Reading his look, Kira bridged the tiny gap that still separated them and kissed him.

The kiss began with a hesitant caress, which transformed into a fervent, intense embrace. However, Kira was suddenly overwhelmed by a sense of dread. She pulled back abruptly, assailed by unbearable images. A haunting vision materialized—Hilda, Victor's adoptive mother, lying in a pool of blood, struggling to breathe. Kira could almost feel the woman's pain. Hilda's final breath, accompanied by a feeble gesture, pointed to an indistinct figure. With this last horrifying flash, Kira pushed Victor away, as if trying to push away the vision itself.

"Is something wrong?" Victor inquired, his expression betraying his confusion. He scrutinized Kira's face, marked by deep distress.

Kira, overwhelmed by horror, let tears roll down her cheeks. Her trembling hands quickly wiped the salty drops as she rushed towards the cabin, leaving her shoes forgotten on the dock.

"Did I do something wrong?" Victor exclaimed, reaching out towards the retreating figure. He got up hastily and chased after her.

The frantic race through the living room caused confusion. Victor, furrowing his brow and clenching his jaw, followed closely behind Kira, words escaping his lips like an incantation to understand.

"Tell me what I did!" he cried out, striking the air in frustration.

Kira sought refuge in the first room she found, slamming the door shut. Against the sturdy wood, she felt momentarily safe, until Victor managed to force his way in, his determined eyes piercing through the threshold.

"Please, tell me what's wrong? Please," Victor implored, his hands reaching out to her in a gesture of appeasement.

"It's... it's horrifying, Victor!" Kira moaned, her shoulders shaking with emotion, her fists clenched against her chest.

With caution, Victor approached, his hand gently lifting her chin to seek her gaze, "What's horrifying?"

"I had a vision... about your mother... Your mother is going to die," she confessed in a frightened whisper, her eyes silently pleading for understanding.

Victor remained frozen, his face paling at the revelation. "What?! Sam!" His gaze turned towards the door, his hand reaching out to it, ready to rush to find Carter.

"No, Victor, Hilda... Hilda is going to die," Kira's words were just a whisper, but they thundered with the force of lightning.

"How can you know that?" Victor stammered, his trembling hands running over his face in dismay.

Kira made a vague gesture with her hand, as if to draw the unpredictable images that assailed her, "I sometimes have visions... glimpses of what will or could happen."

Suddenly, the door burst open, revealing Sam with an intense gravity marked on her face. "What's going on?" she asked, her gaze sweeping alternately between Kira and Victor.

"We need to go back to Ivadoll. Immediately!" Victor replied, his voice sharp as a razor, locking his eyes with Sam's, his unwavering determination leaving no room for doubt.

To be continued...