Date: 25th June 2003

Category: Angst

Author: Della

Email: blindbadger@blueyonder.co.uk

Rating: 10+ for one naughty word...

Pairing: None

Author Website: *sniffle* I do not have the know how.. *sniffle*

Disclaimer: Oh I sooooooo wish they were mine, but sadly they're not... They belong to Gekko, MGM and any others that have a rightful claim to these wonderful Characters and the programme they reside in...

Archive: Stargatefan.com ... Kelly's site http://www.icomingwormhole.com ...Thank you both... Any others, just let me know...

Feedback: "Constructive flames keeps the fire smouldering, but the good stuff gives it life..."

Spoilers: "One Hundred Days" - This is not a tag to that episode... It's AU cos Daniel has all his memory, but I guess it would be after Fragile Balance... so thinking about that it may have a spoiler from there too, but nothing to do with Mini Jack...

Summary: SG1 go back to Edora to complete the Treaty Agreement mentioned in One Hundred Days, however, whilst there, Jack find outs something that is of particular interest to the Asgard...

Author's Notes: If this story breaks any rules whatsoever, please, Moderator's, let me know... Depending on the rule, I'll try and work around the breaking of it...

"...On Guard for the Asgard..."

General Hammond, a stocky man with a gruff, but softly spoken Texan accent strode into the briefing room and, as the people there started to stand, he uttered, "Be seated people."

SG1, which consisted of Colonel Jack OíNeill, Daniel Jackson, Major Sam Carter and Tealíc, each raised their eyebrows at each other, then shrugged and sat again.

"So, sir," OíNeill asked, "what have you got for us this time?"

"A treaty to see to Colonel," Hammond informed him.

"Ah crap," Jack muttered, "canít another SG team sort that out?"

The General nodded, "I suppose they could," he softly agreed, "but I thought *youíd* like to oversee this one..."

"With all due respect, sir," Jack sarcastically added, "but what the hell made you think *that*?"

The General allowed himself a small chuckle as he flipped open the folder heíd brought with him and then said, "Well, I thought you might like this one, Jack, considering the world that youíre going to be visiting is where youíve requested for your place of retirement..."

"Are you trying to *say* something, sir?" Jack frowned suspiciously at Hammond.

Sam Carter chuckled and replied for the General, "I, uh, I donít think so, Colonel. I think what the General is trying to tell you, is that the meeting for this treaty is to be on Edora..."

ëOhí, Jack mouthed, "Edora you say?" he said aloud, "Okay, yeah, Iíd go for that."

Hammond laughed at him, then shook his head and said, "I thought you might."

"So, when do we go then?"

"As soon as, Jack..."

"Okay," Jack replied and stood.

"Uh sir?" Sam asked, not quite managing to dispel her amusement at Jackís sudden eagerness to attend a *treaty* meeting. If it wasnít Edora, she would be suspicious right about now, but considering it was and knowing her Commanding Officerís impatience, she just had to smile.

"Yes, Carter?"

"I, um, I think what the General means is, as soon as this *briefingís* over with? Sir..."

Jack first looked at Carter, then at Hammond, then catching a snicker from Daniel he glared at the archaeologist. The only one that didnít surprise him was Tealíc whom just looked at him with a raised eyebrow. Suddenly feeling a little awkward he cringed, sort of shrugged his shoulders, then sat again and said, "Sorry, sir...You, uh, you go right ahead with the briefing."

"Why thank you, Colonel," Hammond replied with a chuckle, his body jiggling with his laughter.

Jack simply pulled a face at everyone that clearly stated, ëYeah okay, I made an idiot of myself. So, whatís new?í

Hammond shook his head then looked to Carter and asked her to hold the briefing.

# #

"Garran?" Laira called to her son, "are you ready yet?"

"Mother," Garran whined, as he walked into the front living room, "Jack isnít due for another two hours or so, why do I have to be ready now?"

"Because, my dear boy," Laira chuckled, "like many times before you would only be rushing at the end."

Garran sighed.

"Arenít you eager to see Jack again?" Laira asked.

"Yes, yes I am," Garran replied, then a tiny smirk appeared on his face as he added, "but obviously not as eager as you, Mother." He then ducked away as a hand shot out to clip him and he ran back into the other room laughing.

Laira shook her head and smiled. It would be good to see Jack again. She had spent many a lonely night thinking of him, but now, it all seemed worth it. She had such news for him that she had no doubt would make him happy for her.

"Laira?" someone softly called for her.

She turned and came face to face with Salyan; her friend whom, along with Paynan and several other men, had at once taken a disliking to Jack but had eventually become friends with him. "Hello Salyan," she softly greeted him with a smile and a hug. "Fair day is it not?"

"It is, Laira, and made fairer by your beauty."

"Smooth talker," she laughed. It was another thing that Jack had brought out of her friend; his sense of humour, and she revelled in it whenever he allowed it to surface. It was rare but so very good to hear.

"Some would say," he smiled, "but then the truth is the truth." Laira simply shook her head at him, but could not help the smile of pleasure at his words. She could feel her cheeks redden at them and then she secretly stored away such a compliment for when she would feel less than how he perceived her. "Have you eaten?" she asked.

Salyan smiled at her and said, "As if you donít know?"

Laira chuckled at that, then went to the table and cleared a place for him. "Sit and I shall serve you, once I have gotten my misbegotten son ready for the meeting today."

"Ah, yes, the return of the prodigal son, Jack OíNeill..." Salyan chuckled, then he looked to a crib that was situated in the dark corner of the room and said, "I hope he shall be happy for you. I know that I am."

"I hope such news makes *him* happy Salyan, and thatís *all* I wish."

Salyan gazed at her, unable to quell the deep respect he had for such a beautiful woman. Time had been hard and harsh for her, but now, she practically glowed and it was such a blessing to see. She lit a room as surely as the lanterns at night and breathed warmth into each soul of those that were once cold and brittle; such as his. He looked to the crib again and smiled.

# #

Jack leaned over and straightened the bottom of his combats over the top of his boots. If anyone had been there he knew they would have questioned the overt attention he appeared to be giving them, but he couldnít help himself. And he knew why...

When General Hammond had first mentioned going to Edora heíd felt his heart skip a beat with anticipation. Heíd missed Laira, more than he thought he would. Okay, that wasnít strictly true, he *knew* heíd miss her, so it was no surprise to him that he had.

Heíd been so confused when heíd been rescued. Seeing Tealíc hanging from that rope inside a cavern that had been blown out by Carter, desperately digging his way out; not only to free the Stargate there, but also to save his own life; heíd felt this overwhelming sense of gratitude that someone was still trying to get to him.

That had lasted until heíd met Carter and Daniel, with Tealíc, at the end of the rise. Heíd finally, that day, come to terms with the fact that he was never going home and his life now belonged to Laira and her son, Garran. He now thought that fate had gained a hell of a lot of pleasure with him, by the twisting of a knife heíd felt enter his belly the moment heíd realised that he would be leaving behind a woman he had grown to love.

Heíd told her he wasnít happy about leaving and he hadnít been, but the Gaíould, the bastard Gaíould, needed stopping first before he could even think about gaining a life for himself. He had known it; Laira had known it and so they had, sadly, parted; even though a promise to see each other soon had been made.

Now he was about to see her again. He knew how *he* felt about that, but how would Laira feel? Sheíd have every right to throw him out on his ear, not that he had any intention of starting where they had left off. How could he when he and she would know that he would be leaving again? And so these thoughts accompanied him when he finally stood and made his way to the Gate-Room.

"You all right, Jack?" Daniel asked when he got there.

"Fine," he replied, "Why?"

"Oh, nothing," Daniel shrugged, "Síjust I thought youídíve been the first here... You know, Edora and... and Laira..."

"Yeah," Jack breathed out at him, but left it at that.

As Jack turned away to face the viewing room, Daniel turned to Sam, his eyebrows rising in enquiry at her, to which he received a shrug and a frown.

"SG1, you have a go," Hammond called down to them over the microphone.

Jack raised a hand and said "Thank you, sir." He then turned back towards the ramp and with a quick nod at the rest of SG1 they all walked up the ramp and into the vortex that connected the SGC to the planet Edora.

# #

Jack was the first to arrive on the other side of the vortex and he immediately spotted Laira; but his mind also took in the strapping young man standing next to her with his arm about her waist. He felt a pang of jealousy go through him and wanted to go over to that strapping *young* *man* and stake his claim on Laira. The moment that thought had been thought, he was internally shaking himself free of it and forcing himself to be pleased that she had made a life for herself. ëAt least now,í he thought, ëI know where I stand.í

He saw her smile and knew then that that had been what heíd missed the most. Heíd had many dark moments during his time on Edora, but she had always managed to lift them with a smile and a hug and... ëO-o-okay,í he thought, ëletís get this over with.í

He walked down the slight incline towards them both and returned their smiles. "Laira," he softly greeted and nodded to her with the smile still on his face. He then turned his attention to the strapping young man and raised an eyebrow of enquiry at him.

"Jack, this is Salyan. Heíll be heading the treaty meeting," Laira replied, itching to move forward and hug her one time lover, but not knowing how he might feel about that; so she kept her place until she was sure where she stood with Jack, content just to see him.

Jack held out his hand to Salyan and said in greeting, "Fair day, Salyan."

Salyan smiled, grasped the hand offered and enthusiastically replied, "Tis a fair day indeed, OíNeill."

Jack then half-turned behind him and introduced the rest of SG1 to him.

"Yes I remember, OíNeill," Salyan replied and said to the others, "It is good to see you all once again. Please, follow Laira and I, and we will first show you where the meeting shall be held and then where you shall be staying."

And so they followed. Jack a little behind the others, watching Lairaís interaction with Salyan. It was interesting, pleasing, but also a little painful too. Salyan kept a hand on her waist the whole time they walked, even though he chatted animatedly to Carter. Jack knew why, he used to do the same to Sarah whenever they were in company. It was a bit like staking your claim on the woman you loved, especially if the conversation was with another man that you thought might be better than you, but it also gave a quiet assurance to that woman whenever the conversation was with another woman; silently telling the woman you loved that you had no desires for that other woman.

ëYeah,í Jack sighed, ëI know that way to well.í

# #

They all soon entered a small hut that simply housed a table and chairs and nothing else. There was a fire roaring in one wall and it was explained that that would be for refreshments and food.

"Iím sorry we have no comforts to speak of," Salyan suddenly announced slightly embarrassed by that fact.

"Hey," Jack muttered, "youíd be surprised, but this is as comfortable as anywhere else." He winced when it appeared even to him that he was trying maybe *too* hard to make the man feel comfortable. But more importantly, ë*why* was he trying so hard?í

"Thank you, OíNeill," Salyan gratefully replied, unaware of anything, especially the curious looks that Jack was receiving from the remainder of his team.

Jack simply looked at his boots and scuffed them a bit. When he finally looked up it was to see a curious look from Tealíc and then the trademark rise of his eyebrow. He was tempted to look at his boots again, but, hey, he was the commanding officer here, so he looked back at Tealíc with a look that said, ëYeah, and what are you gonna do about it?í But getting a further rise of an eyebrow aimed at him, he frowned then turned to Salyan and said, "So, uh, when does this all start then?"

"As soon as you are able, OíNeill," Salyan replied and added, "Perhaps after we have shown where you are staying and after Laira has informed you of her wonderful news."

"Salyan!" Laira exclaimed, but blushed as well, taking the heat out of her exclamation.

Salyan simply chuckled.

Jack blinked at Laira and then at Salyan, then he shook himself and whispered, "Uh, news?"

"Yes, Jack, some good news," Laira replied with a sly look at Salyan, whom simply chuckled a little harder.

Jack was getting dizzy from seeing the interplay. ëAh crap,í he thought, ënot a wedding?í He then felt sick to the stomach with the next thought. ëSheís not going to ask me to be best man, is she? Ah, crap.í

# #

Salyan had left the moment they had entered the house they were staying in. On departure heíd said that it had been his but was more than happy for them to reside there whilst they discussed the treaty. He re-offered it again when Carter said they could stay somewhere else, by claiming that he would spend his time with a friend.

Jack had a feeling he knew exactly who that friend was and he still couldnít get rid of the pang of jealousy whenever he thought about it. He sighed, entered the bedroom, decided on the farthest bed in the room and placed his kit on it.

Laira followed him. "You do not wish to hear my news, Jack?" she softly asked.

Jack almost jumped through the wall such was his surprise. Heíd not expected anyone to follow him and Laira was the *last* person he *would* have expected, *had* he been expecting someone. He winced at his thoughts and felt a headache coming on. He wasnít actually looking forward to her *good* news and he certainly wasnít looking forward to the possibility of being asked to be best man at her *supposed* good news. ëFor crying out loud,í he silently sighed, ëGet it over with, Jack. You can smile, accept the offer and then leave. Simple...í

He eventually turned, plastered a smile on his face and said, "Uh, yeah, sure, sorry forgot..."

"Youíre positive?" Laira asked with a frown of puzzlement.

"Ab-so-lutely!" Jack announced with a grin, and poked a finger in her shoulder to show just how positive he was.

Laira frowned, not completely convinced, but the news to her was too important to be concerned too much and she was positive that he would be as pleased as she, so she smiled, hooked her arm in his and lead him from the hut.

Jack prayed that Daniel wouldnít come out with some stupid smartass statement like, ëDonít do anything I wouldnít do...í or Carter with something like, ëTake your time, sir...í He actually winced as he left the hut, expecting either one of them to say something, but sighed a huge sigh of relief when he and Laira left in silence.

"So, whatís the news then?" he asked no more than two steps away from the house they had just left.

Laira chuckled, "I see some things have not changed with you. You are as impatient as when I first met you."

Jack shrugged at that, not really having anything to say. He tried to discount it, but well, essentially it was true. Sometimes his impatience was out of wanting to see something, but in this case it was more of an urge to just get it over with as quickly as possible, so he could then sort out his thoughts and get the hell of this planet as quickly as was humanly possible.

Laira shook her head with amusement as they both entered her home; utterly unaware of Jack's misgivings.

Jack winced expecting to see Salyan there, but only the fire that burned brightly along one side of the wall; causing their shadows to perform a crazy dance together on the remaining walls; was there. He frowned, "Whereís Salyan?"

"Oh heís about," Laira whispered and added, "He thought it best that you and I should be alone when I tell you the news."

"Mother?" Garran suddenly called.

Despite his anxiety, Jack could not help the chuckle. "Alone?" he laughed.

Laira also chuckled, sighed then shook her head as she left Jack standing in the middle of the room, to see to her son.

Jack was fascinated by something in the corner of the room. The shadow there was darker than any other and it was larger too. He cautiously moved over there and peered down. There in the middle of a crib was the cutest of babyís; its face scrunched up with, well, whatever was making the baby scrunch its face up; its body covered to the chin with a blanket. It gurgled suddenly and then started to cry.

Laira was beside him in an instant.

Jack stepped away and, with his hands in the air, he suddenly protested, "I didnít do a thing..."

Laira laughed out loud. She then picked the baby up, sat in an armchair, rocked it a little while, whilst she hushed and shushed at it, then when the baby quieted she looked up at Jack, "So what do you think of my news?" she softly asked.

It took a moment for Jack to process that. No wedding. Okay, no wedding... The baby, the baby is the good news... and then it clicked... The one thing that Laira had wanted was a child... Of course... ëDoh!í came to mind, but there was no way heíd ever say it. He looked at her and then the bundle in her arms, his face softening in an instant. "Itís great, Laira," he muttered with sincerity, "Heís a looker too..."

"Yes, just like his father... Heís also called Jack..."

"You... you named your baby after me? Jack gasped and then, when he received a nod from her, he blushed with the compliment... "Thatís nice, Laira... real nice... Thank you..." He then glanced down at the baby in her arms and whispered, "Iím glad you got your wish..."

"And so am I..."

"So..." Jack then muttered, but had no idea how to say what he was going to say.

"So?" Laira replied.

"So, uh," Jack muttered a little uncomfortably, "So, whoís the lucky fella then?" he suddenly blurted and cringed with embarrassment. "And that *so* came out the wrong way..." he quickly apologised.

Laira laughed but admitted, "Well, Iíve not been with another man since you Jack..."

"Ah right, but... but how... Huh?" he suddenly looked up, shocked to the bone.

"You gave me a beautiful baby boy, Jack," Laira wistfully explained, glancing down at the boy in her arms. "A beautiful baby, with the darkest shade of eyes I have ever seen... Except yours, of course..."

"Mine?" he gasped.

Laira nodded eagerly. "Yes," she breathed out at him, her eyes alight with the love she had for him all those moons ago.

"Huh?"

Just then the baby let out another wail of protest. She hushed and shushed him again and then with a look of longing she held the baby out to Jack.

He took a step back.

"Jack?"

"Hey," he tried to brightly say but even he could hear the tenseness of his own voice, "Look Iíd, uh, Iíd best get back to the rest of SG1. You know, uh, see how theyíre, uh, how theyíre settling in and all that." With that said he turned smartly on his heel and left Lairaís home.

Laira gazed at the place that Jack had been standing only moments before, her eyes tearing up with the less than eager reception Jack had given the baby. She thought it would have been such wonderful news for him, as wonderful as it had been for her, but it hadnít been... That at least was *very* clear.

Chapter Two

"Mother?" Garran asked with a frown. He looked to the door, surprised that there was no sign of Jack in the main part of the room, and then he looked back at his mother again, his frown deepening. He knelt beside her, placed a hand on her arm and softly called, "Mother?"

"Oh Garran," she whispered, her breath catching with her upset, "Iíve been such a fool. I... I thought heíd be pleased."

"He wasnít?" Garran asked, ever more surprised now.

Laira shook her head and softly kissed the babyís cheek.

"What did he say?" Garran demanded, his tone harsh and growing colder by the minute.

"Nothing. It wasnít what he said," Laira offered in explanation, "but more of what he did."

"And that was?"

"He... he would not hold the baby and he left without even glancing at it. His own flesh and blood and he would not even look at it."

Garran held his mother for a moment until the shudders he felt dissipated, then he stood and silently vowed retribution for one Jack OíNeill that had stolen his motherís heart only to return it to her in pieces.

# #

Jack returned to the rest of SG1 with his mind in turmoil. He opened the door and entered to find Tealíc in Kel-No-Reem and Daniel and Carter talking animatedly beside the fire. He was about to about-turn, but Carter suddenly stopped him.

"So, *was* it good news, sir?" she innocently asked, though Jack could see the twinkle of amusement in her eyes as she asked the question of all questions.

"I guess," he muttered, his instincts screeching at him to leave.

"You guess?" Daniel remarked with a frown. "It either is or isnít, Jack." When his friend simply stood in the doorway, stating nothing but emanating an awkwardness that Daniel had rarely seen from him, his frown deepened and he asked, "She, uh, she didnít ask you to marry her, did she?"

ëNow *that* I could have handled,í Jack thought, ënot the earth shattering news that I *did* get.í

"Jack?" Daniel called.

"Uh, no," Jack eventually replied, then very quickly added, "Uh, listen, Iíve... Iíve forgotten something for the, uh, for the meeting. I think I left it in my office. I guess Iíd best go get it." And with that he turned and left the house.

Sam frowned with puzzlement. Firstly, as far as she was aware, Daniel and she had all that was needed for the meeting, and secondly, never had she seen her commanding officer, well, to put it bluntly, so off balance. She stood, muttered something about seeing if he was alright to Daniel and then followed Jack from the house.

# #

"For crying out loud," Jack softly muttered to himself, "A kid. Iíve got a kid. What the hell am I going to do?" He heard a twig crack behind him and he turned in an instant, his trusted companion, a P90, rising as he did so.

"Itís me, sir," Carter called out with her hands raised.

Jack sighed with relief, then turned and started to walk towards the Stargate again. Some might think him a little dense at times, but even he knew what Carter was here for and heíd be damned if he was about to talk to her about it. The *last* person on Earth, even though they were on Edora, heíd talk about *this* to.

"Sir?"

"Carter?"

"Are... are you all right, sir?" Sam asked, knowing she was treading on thin ice, but still felt compelled to add, "You seem a little, um, a little distracted."

"Iím fine, Carter," Jack replied and kept on walking. "Why donít you go back and talk over the Treaty meeting with Daniel again."

"Sir?"

Jack turned and faced Carter, his teeth grinding with annoyance. "Iím fine. Youíre fine. Lairaís fine. *Everyoneís* fine, so why donít you go *back* to Daniel and leave me the hell alone." He then turned smartly on his heel and left Carter standing in the middle of wherever they were, gawking like a fish out of water. Yep, he could admit that he was going to regret that outburst, but right at this moment in time, he really couldnít care on iota. He needed to be alone, in familiar surroundings; away from prying eyes and the chance that Laira might come looking for him, demanding an explanation; and his office was the best that there was.

He stepped up to the DHD and pushed the corresponding buttons for the co-ordinates to Earth. He waited for the whoosh of the unstable vortex to spit out at him and then tapped some numbers into his GDO. After a moment or two, he walked up the steps and stepped into the vortex without looking back.

# #

"Incoming Traveller," Sergeant Walter Davies suddenly announced.

Hammond was at his side in an instant. "Any idea who?" "Itís SG1, sir..." he replied with a frown of puzzlement.

"You sure?"

"Yes, sir..."

"What the hell could have gone wrong this time?" Hammond muttered and then louder he said, "Open the Iris, son. Iíll go see whatís happened."

"Yes, sir," Walter replied and started to punch out a designated number on his keyboard.

Hammond left the viewing area of the Gate-Room and entered the room; stopping at the bottom of the ramp to await the arrival of SG1. He saw Jack OíNeill walk from the vortex and then down to where he stood; the wormhole dissipating with a whoosh behind him. "Jack?" he queried with a frown.

"Uh, sorry, sir, I think I forgot something."

Hammond was about to question him on that, but before he could utter a word he saw Jack leave the Gate-Room without a by-nor-leave. "What the..." he muttered and then left to follow his 2IC.

He was there to see Jack open his office door, enter and then close it again. He knew what that meant. It meant that Jack wasnít up to any visitors, but by god was he going to get one. Hammond approached the door, knocked once, but without waiting for an answer he entered and closed the door behind him. "You want to explain, Colonel?" he asked with his hands on his hips, accentuating his annoyance.

Jack winced. He knew heíd been rude to his Commanding officer, his friend, but he just needed time alone. Enough time to get his head around the revelation that Laira had just dumped on him. Uncalled for and really unfair and he *didnít* blame her. It was just a shock to him and he needed time to sort it out.

He could feel Hammond looking at him and with a sigh he eventually looked up into the face of a man that looked pissed at him, but also slightly concerned. "I know I was out of line, General," he muttered in explanation, "and Iím sorry, but... but can you give me a moment...alone?"

"No can do, son..." Hammond stated, "Not until you tell me what the *hell* youíre doing back here. The truth, son.... And while youíre at it, you can also tell me why you felt the need to treat me in the manner that you just did."

"I canít, sir," Jack muttered and winced as he softly added, "Iím having a hard time *myself* coming to terms with why Iím here in the first place and... and for the Gate-Room? Iím truly sorry, sir..."

"Has it something to do with the Treaty? Has something happened that it now canít go ahead?"

Jack shook his head, "No, nothing like that, sir. The meeting should be," he glanced at his watch before adding, "should be going ahead in an hour or so."

Hammond frowned, "All right, son, so why *are* you here then?"

"Itís of a personal nature and one that I really donít want to discuss... at this moment in time," he added, hoping it would leave any further questions on the boiler and be asked again at a time when he might be able to actually answer them himself.

Hammond sighed at his 2IC. He wasnít pleased with his answer and if the truth were known he was a little curious as to what the ëof a personal natureí entailed, however, even though one Jack OíNeill had an inuring habit of getting under your skin and getting to the heart of *your* business, he would not do the same to this excruciatingly private man. He sighed again as he said, "Well, Jack, you know where my office is if you ever *do* want to talk..."

Jack smiled. He knew that the General had called him by name to re-affirm to him that although he did outrank him, the chat in his office would be off the record and between one friend and another. He was grateful and as the General opened his door, he said, "I do, sir, and... and thank you..."

"Youíre welcome Jack, but... just get your thinking done and your butt back on Edora as soon as, okay?"

Jack nodded.

"I imagine there are at least a couple of people missing you at this moment in time," Hammond added with a smile as he turned and left; gently closing the door behind him.

# #

Jack sighed and sat back in his chair. He knew that the General hadnít meant Carter and Daniel when he mentioned two people most likely missing him right now. He knew heíd meant Laira and her son, Garran. "Ah, God" he softly exclaimed. "What a mess."

He was in turmoil. He wanted to be happy, desperately wanted to be happy and he was, somewhere deep down inside of him, but the most overwhelming feeling was a sense of panic that he could neither describe nor explain.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in, feeling his heart hammer ruthlessly inside his chest and exhaled, leaning his head on the back of his chair. Why couldnít he be happy? Hell, he knew he should be. All right, why wasnít happiness the *first* thing he felt? Why did he run? He shouldnít have run, he knew that, but his feet had moved before heíd even thought about it. Heíd found himself almost running back to the house he and the rest of SG1 were staying in. Why? Why did he feel the need to get as much distance as he could from Laira and the baby?

He instinctively smiled when he thought of the boy. He looked more like him than Charlie ever had. Charlie had looked like his mother. Huge sea-blue pools for eyes and just as expressive. A dimple would appear in his cheeks whenever heíd laughed and a sneaky smirk that had told him much more than any words ever had.

Jack glanced at his desk drawer and pulled it out. There on top was a cigar case that held his life to this moment in time. All of his past, including a medal heíd got for bravery and had given to Charlie for a present. He swallowed deeply the pain that always surfaced when he thought of his son; his *late* son. He moved forward and leant on his elbows with a sigh; scrunching his eyes shut and rubbing his thumb and forefingers over them; discreetly wiping away a tear that always followed his actions of trying to dispel his despair.

Now he knew why he had run. It had nothing to do with the fact that Laira had had a child by him, a boy in fact, but more because of the implication that he could not ignore. He was afraid. Afraid that she did not want him there to help bring up their beautiful baby boy, but more afraid that she *would* want him there. He knew with this revelation that a life, a life that had always been a possibility, but never thought of because of other commitments, had now been thrust upon him without warning.

Instinct, good old instinct, had told him to run and hide from this decision that there was *no* hiding from. Yes, he and Laira, no matter how painful it had been, had come to a decision to part company, but now there was a child involved and he just wasnít sure he *could* walk away. Not now, not ever.

But what about SGC and the bastard Gaíould? What about that, *this*, life? What would the others say? Could he leave them? Could he be that selfish and leave them to their fates? The reason heíd left Laira in the first place is because no place was safe until the Gaíould were no more. But could he leave now?

He rubbed at his temples willing the headache that was forming from his head, but to no avail. He came to the conclusion that no matter how hard he thought about it, he *couldnít* come to a decision. And when he thought that bit more on it, he realised he was trying to come to a conclusion without actually talking to *Laira* about it. This couldnít be made alone. She might not want him there and he couldnít blame her for that. But, as he did when he came to a positive decision, the opposite was just around the corner and he found himself willing her to want him there.

He gave his eyes the quick once over with his fingers again, sighed, closed the desk drawer and then stood. He mentally braced himself for the days ahead and what decisions *might* have to be made, then walked around his desk, opened his office door and softly closed it behind him.

# #

Garran knocked on the door of Salyanís home and shuffled from one foot to the other, agitated but angry enough to be there in the first place. He entered when someone called him to do so and looked around the room.

"Hello Garran," Sam smiled in greeting, "What brings you here?"

"Is Jack here?" he asked.

"Uh, no, he said he had to get something from his office back on Earth," Sam replied and added, "You could wait though. Iím sure he wonít be long."

"Thatís okay," Garran replied with a smile he forced upon his features, "Iíll go meet him at the Stargate."

"Okay... Oh," Sam added, "Can you tell him to hurry? The Treaty meeting is due to start any minute now."

"Sure," Garran replied with the same smile on his face, but the moment heíd left the house, his look became as hard as rock and his steps were forceful and determined.

# #

Jack turned and saluted his friend in the viewing area of the Gate-Room, then faced the vortex, walked up the ramp and returned to a world that he had vowed would be his place of retirement. ëIt still could be,í he cajoled himself, as he stepped out of the vortex and onto Edora soil.

His first view was of the sloping hills in the distant, haloed in the sunlight. He took a breath in and relished the sweet scented air about him. He then looked down and came face to face with Garran. "Hey, there Garran," he smiled in greeting, but it fell the moment he got a good look at the young manís face. ëA storm cloud if ever I saw one.í Jack thought, "Wonder what could have brought that on?í

He got to the bottom step and instantly stepped back up one when Garran approached. He frowned with puzzlement. ëGees, what the hell is wrong with him?í

"Forgot I was there, didnít you, *Jack*?"

"Wha..."

"Forgot that I was privy to your breaking my motherís heart, didnít you, *Jack*," Garran spat at the older man and shoved him in the shoulder.

ëAh Crap!í Jack thought and winced when he felt another shove on his shoulder. "Look, Garran, Iím sorry," Jack tried to explain.

"Save your pity for yourself, *Jack*," Garran shouted in anger, "You need it far more than I. Or better yet, save your pity for the son that killed himself with your *own* *gun*. Give *him* your pity. He at least deserves *that*, though his *life* would have been a *better* gift."

"How the hell..." Jack muttered.

"I was there too, when you explained to Mother *why* you were sad and I pitied you. Pitied you enough that I thought you could look upon me one day as you once did your *own* son, but I was wrong...." Garran gulped in huge breaths of air as he tried to control his anger, but the moment he felt strong enough, he added, just as angrily, "I *was* wrong, you have showed that to me tonight. You *took* my mother when she *loved* you. You took her and left her and then returned, only to break her heart again."

"Garran, thatís not true..." Jack whispered, his heart hurting from the young manís angry, hateful words, and tried to place a hand on Garranís shoulder to re-assure him.

Garran stepped back and swiped the hand away. "It *is* true," he vehemently argued, "If it were *not* so, then how is it that my mother sits in her chair, with my brother, weeping? Telling me that you could not even afford the baby a glance once you had discovered that it was yours..."

Jack took a step forward and opened his mouth to explain, but Garran took another step away and through gritted teeth of anger, he whispered, "Donít come any nearer and do *not* go anywhere near my mother!"

Jack stood there by the Stargate stripped to the bone. He silently looked on as Garran then turned and strode away from him; his back ramrod straight with his anger. He then sat heavily on the last step leading up to the Stargate, stunned and numb with what had just been said to him. He felt sick to the stomach that his relationship with Laira had been maligned, debased to the point that their relationship had only occurred to satisfy some base need of *his*. He denied it in his mind, reliving the time heíd had with Laira, but instead of them consoling his thoughts they added to his despair, until he could think no longer.

He glanced at his watch and noticed that the time for the Treaty meeting had arrived, so he wearily stood and started to make his way to the hut where it was being held; Garranís words of hate playing an eternal repeat in his mind.

Chapter Three

Jack arrived at the hut where the meeting was being held to find that it had already started. He was uncomfortable as it was, but more so when each member that was attending the meeting turned and stared at him as he opened the door. "Sorry," he whispered with a wince, "thought Iíd forgotten something, but... I hadnít," he added with another wince and a frown.

"Síalright, Jack," Daniel breezily accepted his excuse and added, "Weíre not far into the meeting and we can go back over what you *have* missed, if youíd like?"

"No, no thatís fine. Iím sure you have it all in hand... Just... just carry on..." he muttered and moved over to sit next to Carter; despite the frown of puzzlement he was getting from her. When Daniel started talking again, Jack silently indicated with his head and a raise of his eyebrows that maybe she should be listening to what the archaeologist had to say, rather than what was so puzzling about him.

Sam nodded in understanding and then turned to Daniel.

Jack sighed inwardly with relief, but the last thing he was hearing was whatever Daniel had to say. All he heard was Garranís voice, angry and accusing, stripping him bare with each word that had spewed from the young manís mouth. He looked to his hands listening intently to the angry voice, vaguely aware that his fingers restlessly twisted and turned within each other; vaguely aware of his stomach tossing and turning with each word.

He took a deep breath and glanced at Laira seated opposite him and felt the imaginary knife turn that little bit deeper. Heíd been surprised to see her here in the first place, but he supposed, much as why he had attended, that this was too important to let personal issues get in the way of it.

He could feel the occasional glance from Salyan and guessed that maybe he was also privy to what had happened between Laira and him. He winced when he thought about the possible altercation that could occur between him and the young man. If it was anything like Garranís he would bet his last wage packet that it was not going to be pleasant. He would probably get a lecture on how Salyan knew that Jack Junior wasnít his, but that he would raise him as if he was. That *he* was the one that would lose out on such a wonderful thing and that *he* should be assured that Laira would be happy, far happier with Salyan than she would *ever* be with him.

"Jack, you wanna add to that?" Daniel asked, interrupting his unpleasant musings.

"Hmm?" he mumbled with a blink of surprise.

"Is there anything you want to add to what Iíve just said?" Daniel re-iterated, but with an accusatory look of ëI know you havenít a heard a word.í

Jack looked away. "Uh, no," he muttered, "Youíre doing fine, Daniel. You just...just carry on..."

"All right," Daniel replied and did just that.

Jack sighed, wishing his painful musings a swift and just as painful death, but, he conceded, he couldnít see that happening for some time. He glanced at Laira again and sighed with regret.

# #

Lairaís heart skipped a beat when she turned to see who it might be interrupting this important meeting, and saw Jack. The last person she ever expected to see was him. However, she supposed, that these meetings were more important than any personal occurrence. Still, she could not stop the painful twist of her heart when she did see him or what heíd done no more than an hour ago. She quickly looked away and glanced at Salyan, pleased to feel a hand go to hers and squeeze it with re-assurance. She was grateful for it. Without it she might have descended into the blubbering, embarrassing state that Salyan had found her in when he had come to take her to this meeting. She gently smiled at him and then looked away.

ëWhy did he run?í flashed into her mind. Why was he not pleased with her news? Why had he not taken the baby from her and showered it with affection? She glanced up at Jack and quickly looked away when she found him looking straight back at her. She could not deal with him right now. Was he so disgusted with her? Had their love been so shallow? She hadnít thought so at the time, but then maybe she had wished too hard for such a thing and had *imagined* his love for her. But even if that *was* the case, how can he reject such a beautiful thing as the baby?

From the moment he had told her of his sonís death; the unfortunate and painful accident that had occurred; she had wanted to give him something that, she knew, could never replace what heíd already had, but could perhaps ease the troubled soul she had seen and heard. Her eyes lit up as she thought of the day she had given birth to Jack Junior. It had been painful, as all births were, but the moment her eyes had lit upon the wailing bundle wrapped in a blanket, it had felt as if all her prayers had been answered in that one single moment.

Later she had been tempted to contact Jack and tell him of the news, but Salyan had come to her with his own very special news. Heíd told her of the Treaty Meeting between Edora and Earth and that Jack and the rest of SG1 were going to be the oneís representing *their* planet. Sheíd hugged Salyan with laughter and love. Another prayer answered.

She glanced again at Jack, this time lingering a little when he appeared to be engrossed with his hands. His face was dark and foreboding; his mind, she was certain, was far away and not with this meeting; just as hers was. ëHow could he not love the boy?í she thought. The first time the baby had opened his eyes and had blinked at her with his dark, almost black, pools of wonderment, she had fallen in love. Why was it so hard for Jack?

She suddenly noticed that the soft drone of Daniel Jacksonís voice had changed pitch, so she looked up and sure enough the doctor was closing his folder and closing the meeting until tomorrow. Laira sighed with relief and started to stand. She forced a smile on her face as Sam greeted her with a ëFair day, Lairaí and then turned to leave with Salyan.

# #

Jack turned to his team and said, "You go ahead. Iíll be along in a minute."

Daniel looked at Salyan and Laira at the doorway, then looked back at Jack and nodded. Now he thought he understood why his friendís mind had not been on the meeting. Trouble was brewing, he could sense it; he just hoped that it would not affect the Treaty that was in discussion. With that thought still lingering, he took a hold of Samís arm and led her past Salyan and Laira and from the hut. Tealíc silently bowed his head at the two Edorans then he too left.

Jack looked around to make sure no other remained and then satisfied they were alone, well, he Laira and Salyan, he turned back to them and opened his mouth to say something.

"I would be very careful in choosing what you have to say, OíNeill," Salyan softly seethed.

"Yeah," Jack replied on an exhalation. "Iíve, uh, Iíve been doing that," he admitted, indiscriminately waving a hand at the table where the meeting had been held.

Salyan simply raised an eyebrow at him and then said, "So what is it that you wish Laira and I to hear?"

"Actually" Jack muttered uncomfortably, accentuating his discomfort with a slight cough, "I was kinda hoping it could just be Laira and *me*." He then watched a silent interplay between them both, before he saw Laira suddenly nod her head at Salyan. He swore he heard a disbelieving ëAre you sure?í from Salyan, to which he replied, with a slight hint of annoyance, "Hey, Iím not about to beat the crap out of her, you know."

Salyan turned to him and said, "You do not have to be *physical* with someone to hurt them, OíNeill. I thought, *especially* now, that you would know as much."

Jack twiddled his cap in his hands, finding it a far more pleasing thing to see than the anger that was emanating from Salyan. "Yeah," he eventually whispered, "*so* know that."

"Laira has requested my leave," Salyan added as though Jack hadnít spoken, "and I shall do so, *against* my better judgement, however, mark my words, OíNeill," he warned, "should I find her as I found her today, you will rue the day you ever set foot on Edora."

Jack silently nodded, understanding the threat and accepting it. He hoped it would not come to physical blows between him and the young man, but that depended on what was going to happen in the next few minutes. He watched Salyan bend at the waist, gently peck Laira on the cheek, then turn to him with a glare of warning. He acknowledged the glare and waited patiently as the Edoran left.

"So, Jack," Laira eventually whispered, her voice wavering with emotion, "What is it you wish for me to hear?"

"Can we sit?" he asked and on her nod he sat on the chair that was closest to him. He turned and watched Laira sit on a chair that was the farthest from him and he sighed. Not good, but completely understandable. Looking at his hands on the table, he suddenly breathed out at her, "That... that was *some* *news*, Laira."

"I thought it would be the best of news, but I was obviously wrong," she simply replied.

"*Not* wrong," Jack gently countered, "It *was* the best news."

"It was?" Laira muttered with a frown of confusion. "If I am *not* wrong then *why* did you run?" she asked.

"Laira," Jack softly offered, "youíve had almost a year to come to terms with this... Iíve had just a... a second or two and you expected me to raise the roof with overwhelming gladness *in* that second."

"It is not difficult to do, Jack," Laira whispered. "I knew I loved the boy the moment I set eyes on him. I expected the same would be for you. However, once again, I was wrong."

"*Not* wrong, Laira," Jack again admitted.

"Then I do not understand..."

"Hey, Iím like that," he softly whispered with a smile, trying to lighten the mood, but seeing the look Laira was giving him, he knew she would have nothing to do with his attempt. He swallowed deeply, took a breath and started to explain, "*This* news *is* the best news I could have *ever* gotten, but my commitment to SGC hasnít changed. The Gaíould are still out there, terrorising, taking and destroying worlds. *That* hasnít changed."

"I understand that, Jack," Laira softly whispered.

"Do you?" Jack questioned, "Well, youíre a better man, uh, woman...whatever, than me, because right now I really *really* *donít* understand it at all."

Laira stood and moved to the chair that was next to Jackís. She gently placed a hand on his arm and sat.

Jack sighed with relief, her first overt step towards forgiving him, but he had more to say. He just as gently placed his hand over hers and whispered, "The first time I left was because of my commitment to the SGC program and also because both you and I knew that we belonged to another planet that couldnít be exclusively ours. We were needed elsewhere. But this news, this baby, has changed that. Iím also needed *here* now. You have given me a son, Laira," Jack softly whispered in awe, "a beautiful baby boy, a... a second chance and one that Iíve wished for, for so very long now..."

"I know..." Laira softly whispered.

"What am I going to do, Laira?" Jack whispered back at her, unable to keep the pain of indecision from his voice or his face.

"Youíll know Jack... Just try not to be so impatient..." Laira replied with a smile and added, "Sometimes, especially the hardest of all decisions, it takes time and a lot of thought. Itíll come to you... all you have to be is a bit more patient than you have been."

"Me? Patient?" Jack muttered, his eyebrows rising with surprise, his face then softening as he heard her whispered chuckle. He turned to face her, grateful that she was as forgiving as he remembered and placed a hand on her cheek; gently caressing it with a thumb. "Yes, oh wise one," he eventually whispered with a smile.

Laira softly chuckled a little longer, then took his hand from her cheek, kissed the palm and said, "Why donít you come see the baby again? I think he misses his father..."

More than anything Jack wanted to do just that, but now was not the time. "I... I canít," he stuttered and on her look he added, "Please, Laira, itís not like before. More than anything Iíd love to, but I really should get back to the others. Well," he shrugged, "at least try and get from Daniel what exactly *did* occur during the meeting today."

The look of suspicion fell from Lairaís face the moment Jack had uttered a need to see the baby and she chuckled with understanding, concerning his lack of tangible detail relating to the meeting. "As should I from Salyan," she gently admitted.

"Not here either, huh?"

"No," Laira shook her head, "rather more in a place that held so many dark thoughts... a place that held me prisoner and would not let me escape."

Jackís hand found its way back to her cheek and he whispered, "And Iím sorry for that..."

Again she took a hold of his hand, but this time she held it in her lap and whispered, "I know, but all is well again, Jack." She then looked up into his eyes and said, "Letís go hear what weíve missed."

Jack laughed out loud, kissed the back of her hand and then pulled her to her feet as he too stood. "Letís," he agreed as he placed a hand to her back and led her from the hut.

# #

Salyan chewed on his lip, certain that it would soon bleed with his concerned administration and turned to resume his anxious pacing. His thoughts were definitely with the couple that were inside the hut. He had wanted to stay, to be there for Laira, to ensure that whatever OíNeill had needed to say to her would be said and that they would not hurt her. He wished he had not used such a threat towards the older man, but seeing Laira and the distress she had been in and he had found it difficult to assuage his anger at the man that now was talking with her... alone.

His ears pricked at the sudden laughter that wafted out to him through the open window and he breathed a huge sigh of relief. He turned with a puzzled but light smile on his face as the door opened.

Laira turned to him in an instant and smiled, "Are you still here, Salyan?" she gently queried.

He felt a fool now having waited for her, despaired for her, so he meekly shrugged his shoulders and nodded without uttering a word.

"I *am* grateful," she replied with a hand out welcoming him, "but you neednít have," she added and glanced at Jack, her eyes alight despite the dimming light from the sunset.

Salyan grasped her hand and gently squeezed it, silently communicating to her that he understood and was as pleased as she. He then smiled and said, "So, am I to assume that the talk went well then?"

"Which one?" Jack muttered and then spluttered, "Uh, not that what you had to say at the meeting wasnít, uh, tip-top and on the mark."

Salyan actually laughed out loud at that and chuckled, "Then the praise should actually go to Daniel Jackson, for today I had nothing to say."

Jack cringed and swallowed hard. "You, uh, nothing, huh?" he muttered.

Salyan shook his head, but could not hide his amusement. "Never fear, OíNeill, I am sure that Laira here heard just as much, or as little I should say, as you and I think she too will want to bend my ear on what has actually transpired during the meeting." Salyan again laughed to see a blush appear on Lairaís face. He was enjoying this.

"You know," Jack said, but with a smile, "I think youíre liking this much more than you should...be... uh, liking this...."

Salyan clapped a hand on Jackís shoulder and admitted, "It *is* good to know that I still have to do very little to have you tongue-tied and making an ass of yourself, OíNeill."

"Salyan!" Laira exclaimed, but could not help the giggle at the end.

"From *both* of you?" Jack exclaimed in reply.

Salyan chuckled some more and then said, "So, another mouth to feed?" he asked.

"Um, no," Jack replied and instantly looked to his boots, "Iíd best get back to Daniel, Sam and Tealíc," he softly added, "let them know that Iím okay."

"Do you not have a communications device on you?"

"Yeah," Jack uttered with a frown and automatically fingered his radio in the top left pocket of his jacket.

"So call them, then," Salyan replied, "let them know that all is okay and that you will be having dinner with Laira and I."

"So, now you are inviting yourself to dinner, eh?" Laira chuckled and lightly thumped Salyan on the arm.

Jack's frown of puzzlement deepened at that. Why *wouldnít* Salyan be there? However, he mentally shrugged, shook the thought from him and said, "Iím not sure I should be here, Salyan. I mean, I was pretty offish with Carter earlier today, and I guess I should really apologise."

"Well, itís up to you," Salyan sighed.

Jack looked first at the young man and then at Laira, bemused as to why they were more intent and content to have him for dinner that to spend time together, alone. Eventually he sighed and fingered his radio. "Carter?" he called down into the mouthpiece.

The radio whined and crackled a moment before Samís distorted voice could be heard, "Yes, sir?"

"I, uh, I... uh..." Jack spluttered, but then leant back in shock as Salyan slapped his hand away, depressed the talk button and started speaking.

"Major Samantha Carter, your Commanding Officer shall be a while yet. He has been invited to dine with Laira and I, to which he has graciously conceded to... However," Salyan added with a smirk, "he does wish for you to remain awake so that he might apologise for his abominable behaviour towards you earlier today."

Jack furiously slapped at Salyanís hand, muttering, "Give me that..."

Salyan stepped back, drew an arm about Lairaís waist and laughed out loud, especially when he heard a bemused ëSir?í from Sam over the radio.

Jack glared at him, but when another enquiry could be heard from his 2IC, he fingered the talk button, took a deep breath and said, "You heard what the man said, Carter, now... uh... do as youíre told..."

The radio whined and crackled quite a while before Sam uttered a bemused "Yes, sir."

"Letís eat," Salyan suddenly announced, then with his arm still about Laira he turned with her and started to walk away.

Laira held her hand out for Jack, but he shook his head and whispered, "Síalright, Iíll just hang back here a minute."

She frowned at him, but then was soon caught up in a conversation with Salyan to pay Jack much attention.

# #

Jack stood at the doorway of Lairaís home and smiled contentedly as he watched her go back inside. He took a deep breath of the night air and exhaled with pleasure, before starting to make his way back to Salyanís home.

As far as he was concerned the evening had been a blast. The moment heíd entered heíd picked Jack Junior from his crib and had gently cradled him the whole evening; chortling and whispering baby-talk as the baby had tightly grasped his thumb. Heíd waggled the hands, tickled the toes and had revelled in the sound of the babyís laughter.

His radio suddenly burst to life, interrupting his musings, with a panic sounding Daniel. "Jack? Can you talk?"

He fingered the talk button, depressed it and said, "Yeah, I can talk..." ëDuh!í came to mind.

"Jack, Thorís here and he say he needs to speak with you, like... like now."

Jack blinked in surprise. ëThorís *here*? Now?í He depressed the talk button again and said, "All right, Daniel, tell Thor Iím on my way...."

"Okay, will do..."

And with that the radio blinked off. Jack widened his stride and thought ëWhat the hell could the little guy want with him *now*?í