Never raise your hand to your children;

                                it leaves your midsection unprotected.  Robert Orben

 

                                                                        * * * * *

 

Kneeling on the dirt floor inside one of the recently abandoned structures, sifting through the contents of a small chest obviously not considered worthy of hauling across the galaxy, the last thing Jack O’Neill expected to hear was a crying child.  Immediately dropping what he was doing, he rose on protesting knees and hurried outside.

 

Momentarily blinded by the bright sunlight, he squinted and fumbled his sunglasses onto his nose then tugged the bill of his cap lower over his eyes.  Carter and Teal’c had gone to the lake to retrieve the inflatable raft while Jack and Daniel and SG‑9 combed through the village to make sure nothing of importance was left behind.  Once Lotan had agreed to stop the terra forming and transport the Enkarans to their home world, no time had been lost in packing up whatever was essential and getting everything and everyone on board before the Gadmeer representative changed his . . . its mind.

 

If it were up to Jack, none of the stuff discarded by the Enkarans would be worth hauling home.  But, of course, Daniel Jackson had different ideas.  He’d found all sorts of interesting reasons to convince Jack and the others to lug crates of clothing and pottery and glassware to the base of the Stargate awaiting the final trip home.

 

Looking around, Jack saw only Tarkman and Winters from SG‑9 going through what looked to be a pile of hand tools.  The archeologist was noticeably absent, and he supposed one could only hope Daniel had completed his treasure hunt and had gated back to the SGC.  Unfortunately, considering Daniel was a notorious pack rat, Jack was pretty sure his team member was still trying to decide what he could and couldn’t get by with taking home.

 

Hearing the cry again, Jack swivelled towards the sound, and spied Carter and Teal’c entering the village.  Teal’c was carrying the large duffel which contained the inflatable raft, and Carter had one hand wrapped firmly around the wrist of a small child who was sobbing uncontrollably and trying to break free.

 

His mind racing, Jack met them halfway.  “Carter?”

 

Struggling to keep her grip on the child, the major eyed him sadly.  “Sir, we found her near the lake.”

 

“Let go!”

 

Sam tugged the girl closer, smiling at her.  “It’s okay.  We’re not going to hurt you.”

 

“No!”  The girl, who looked no older than five at most, doubled her efforts to pull free.

 

“Shit,” Jack mumbled.  How the hell had they missed a kid?  A box of books, yeah.  A crate of old clothes, no biggie.  But a kid!  Forcing his anger back, Jack knelt on one knee in the dust, lowering himself to the girl’s level.  He grinned.  “Hey.  I’m Jack.  Who’re you?”

 

It took only seconds for the child’s struggles to cease, and she turned golden, tear-filled eyes to look at him.  Her lower lip quivering, she stared at Jack, and didn’t even seem to notice when Carter released her hold on her arm.  Bundled up in a homespun cloak, looking a bit like a miniature Hedrazar - minus the hat and the shoes - the girl was all tears and dirt and dark brown curls.

 

She was definitely a cutie, and Jack felt his smile soften even as his heart wrenched for her parents, wherever they were.  “So, what’s your name?”

 

“Maci,” she informed him, her breath hitching as her sobs quieted.  She sniffed loudly, and rubbed a small fist over her wet face, smearing dirt and tears and snot.

 

“Maci, huh?  That’s a nice name.”  Jack reached into his back pocket and pulled out a handkerchief.  “Come here.”  Frowning up at Carter, Maci tentatively stepped forward.  Jack gently wiped her face then held the handkerchief to her nose.  “Blow.”

 

She did, waiting quietly while he finished cleaning her up.  She watched his every move as he folded the handkerchief and shoved it back into his pocket.  When he was finished, she reached out and touched curious, grubby fingers to his sunglasses.

 

“You’re the colonel,” she pronounced.

 

Jack grinned and pulled off his glasses, wiping the smudge from the lens.  “That’s right.  But you can call me Jack.  Okay?”

 

“Okay.”  She pointed up at Carter.  “I don’t like her, Jack.”

 

Slipping on his shades, Jack looked at Sam who seemed shocked that someone didn’t like her.  He tried not to laugh, and looked back at the young girl who was seriously considering him.  “Really?  You don’t like Carter?  But, everybody likes Carter.”

 

“I don’t.  She’s mean, and she’s bossy, and she hurt my arm.  Look.”  She held out an arm for his inspection.

 

Jack pushed up the sleeve of the cloak, and carefully examined the pale, fragile limb.  “Well, I think it’ll be fine.  And, I’m pretty sure Carter didn’t mean to hurt you.”

 

Maci glared up at the offender in question.  “You shouldn’t hurt little kids.  It’s not nice.”

 

Sam leaned over, trying to touch the injured arm which was abruptly pulled out of her reach.  Straightening, Sam forced a smile.  “I’m sorry, Maci.  The colonel’s right.  I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

 

But Maci had already turned her attention back to Jack.  “Are you going to take me home now?”

 

“Uh,” he looked up at Carter, who frowned and shook her head.  Clearing his throat, Jack looked back at the girl.  “Well, I’m afraid that may take a while.  But, I’ll tell you what, why don’t you come back with us until we can get you home?  How’s that?”

 

In response, golden eyes teared up, and a small chin quivered.

 

“Hey.  Hey, now.”  Reacting immediately and instinctively, Jack scooped her up in his arms.  Standing, he unclipped his P‑90, holding it with one hand and the child with the other.  Maci wrapped arms and legs tightly around him, and pressed her face against his neck.  “Carter, round everyone up and head back to the gate.  I’ll go ahead and get her back.  Let Janet have a look at her.  Teal’c, you’re with me.”

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

The three of them made their way to the gate without speaking.  His collar wet from her breath and tears, Jack watched Teal’c dial Earth and punch in the code on the GDO, and he marveled at the feeling of a child in his arms once again.  There was nothing quite like it.

 

“Jack?”  Maci raised her head and looked at him.

 

He studied the golden eyes and the tear-stained, freckled cheeks.  “What?”

 

“I got lefted behind, didn’t I?”

 

Jack smiled and hugged her closer, planting a kiss on her forehead.  “Yeah, baby.  You did.  But, we’re going to take good care of you.”

 

                                                                        * * * * *

 

When they stepped through on the Earth side of the gate, Jack could feel Maci’s little body trembling.  “You okay?” he softly asked.  The only response was small arms scrabbling for a firmer grip, clutching him desperately.  He tightened his hold, and walked down the ramp to meet a puzzled looking general.  “Sir.”

 

“Colonel?  What have you got there?”

 

Smiling, Jack passed off his P‑90 to a nearby SF.  “This is Maci, General.  Carter and Teal’c found her.”

 

Exchanging a worried look with Jack, Hammond gently patted the girl’s back.  “Hello there, Maci.  Welcome to Earth.”

 

He had to pry the girl off his neck.  Then, cupping her face in his palm, he forced her head up.  “Maci, I want you to meet General Hammond.  He’s a nice man.  You’re going to like him a lot.”

 

“I have two granddaughters just about your age, young lady.”

 

At that, Maci looked at him; with tears still brimming in her eyes, she grinned shyly and ducked her head.  “Can I play with them?”

 

“Well, now, maybe that can be arranged.”  Hammond smiled and patted her again then looked at Jack.  “Colonel, I think we need to talk.”

 

“Yes, sir.  But, I thought a trip to the infirmary might be warranted.”

 

Hammond nodded.  “Teal’c, would you mind escorting her to the infirmary so the colonel and I can go over a few things?”

 

“I would be honored.”  Teal’c stepped up beside Jack, and reached towards the girl.  “Maci, would you permit me to carry you to the infirmary?”

 

Clutching at Jack again, Maci shook her head.

 

“Come on, Maci.  Teal’c’s a good guy.  He won’t hurt you,” Jack promised.

 

“No,” she mumbled against his neck.

 

Jack shrugged, and Hammond smiled.  “Why don’t you deliver her yourself then join me in my office.”

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

                                                                        * * * * *

 

Heads turned as Jack, escorted by the regal Jaffa, carried his small prize to the infirmary.  By the time they arrived, Maci’s head was on his shoulder and her small hands had loosened their grip on his shirt; half-asleep, she was limp and growing limper by the minute.

 

“Colonel, what have you got there?”

 

“Seems the Enkarans left a little something behind, Doc.”

 

Janet frowned.  “Oh, no.”

 

“Yeah.”  Jack couldn’t agree more.

 

Maci’s head popped up and her fingers dug into Jack’s shirt as she glanced warily at Janet.  “I got lefted.”

 

“Oh, sweetie.”  Janet rested a hand on the small arm wrapped across Jack’s chest.  “I’m so sorry.”

 

“Jack’s gonna take me home, aren’t you, Jack?”

 

He touched his forehead to hers.  “We’re sure gonna try.”  Bouncing a soft giggle out of her, he turned to Janet.  “Doc, I thought you should check her over.”

 

“Of course.  Put her down over here, and I’ll give her a quick once over.”

 

Jack had planned to leave Maci in Teal’c’s and Doc’s capable hands while he talked to Hammond, but his plans quickly changed.  He pried her out of his arms, set her on the exam table, and took a whole five steps before she started screaming.  As he rushed back to her side, she stood on the bed and grabbed him around the neck.

 

“Don’t leave me, Jack.”

 

He put an arm around her, and looked at Janet.  “I’m not really leaving.  I just have to go talk to the general.  I’ll be back in a few minutes, okay?  Janet and Teal’c will take good care of you.”  As he reached up to gently remove her hands, the sobbing increased in pitch and intensity, and small fingers desperately grabbed at him.  The sound tore at him, and he found himself once again picking up the panicked child, cradling her head with a calloused hand and planting a soft kiss in her hair.  “It’s okay, baby.  I’m right here.”

 

As Doc and Teal’c silently looked on, Jack soothed and bounced and rocked until the sobs quieted and the breathing slowed, and Maci relaxed in his arms.  Wondering if she was asleep, he turned so that Doc could see the girl’s face.  Janet smiled and shook her head then reached up to stroke Maci’s hair.

 

When she spoke, her voice was hushed.  “Sir, why don’t you sit down on the bed and hold her while I check her out?”

 

“Yeah.  Okay.”

 

As long as Jack kept her on his lap, one arm wrapped around her, Maci allowed Janet to slip off the thick cloak and the rough undergarment, exposing her thin, pale torso.  Without the bulky clothes, Jack was struck by how fragile she seemed.  She wasn’t much more than a baby.  Certainly too young to be wandering around by herself.  Once again, anger flared momentarily but was quickly replaced by a pang of empathy for what must be two grief-stricken parents.  His hold on her tightened reflexively and she snuggled closer.

 

As Doc warmed a stethoscope in her hand then pressed it against the small chest, Jack looked over at Teal’c who stood like a sentry at the foot of the bed.  “T, talk to Hammond.  I want to send a team back.  I know we can’t check all the villages but we can at least check the ones closest to the gate.  I want to make sure we didn’t miss anyone else.”  Teal’c nodded in agreement.  “You’re the best tracker we’ve got.  I want you to go with them.”

 

“Certainly.”  Teal’c looked decidedly amused as he turned to leave.

 

“What?”

 

The Jaffa paused, eyeing Jack with a lifted brow as he delivered his parting words.  “She appears to be quite taken with you, O’Neill.”

 

Janet snorted softly, and Jack glared at her then looked down at the child in his arms.  Maci’s head was tilted back.  She had her thumb in her mouth and was playing with her eyelashes with her index finger as she stared up at him half-asleep.  Jack brushed a sweaty curl off her forehead.  “She’s a cute kid.”

 

Maci smiled around her thumb, her eyelids drooping heavily.  Janet watched as the child fell asleep in Jack’s arms before quietly informing him that she seemed fine.  “I’ll need to run a few tests to be sure, but other than looking a little under-nourished, I’d say she’s fine.  I think, right now, more than anything, she needs a good nap.”

 

“Yeah, well,” Jack stood carefully, trying not to wake her, “she’s had a rough day.”

 

“Let’s put her down over here, sir.  It’s a little softer.”

 

Jack followed Janet to one of the hospital beds.  She turned down the sheets and he laid Maci on the bed; the move reminded him of the many times he’d tucked a sleeping Charlie into bed.  This time when a child roused, the eyes that looked up at him were golden.

 

“Jack?” she mumbled sleepily.

 

Resting his elbows on the bed, he leaned close.  “I’m right here.”

 

Eyes closing once more, she curled on her side and clamped a tiny fist around his trigger finger.  “Don’t let me get losted, okay?”

 

God, the power kids wield.  “Okay, baby.”

 

                                                                        * * * * *

 

“She’s younger than Cassie was when you found her.  My God, what kind of parents would let a little kid like that run around unsupervised?  Much less leave her behind in a village that was about to be destroyed?”  The soft tenure of Janet’s voice failed to mask the underlying tautness, betraying her emotions.

 

Jack shook his head, scrubbing his face wearily with a calloused hand, unconsciously checking for stubble.  “I don’t know.  My first reaction was wanting to kick their asses all over the galaxy for being so careless, but now . . . .”  He stared at the tiny lump of humanity dwarfed in the hospital bed, a tangle of unruly curls peeking from beneath the blanket, a small hand still gripping his finger.

 

“Now, Colonel?”

 

“Now, all I can think about is the hell they must be going through,” Jack murmured.

 

“But . . .,” Janet sputtered, disagreement writing an essay across her features.

 

“Doc, I know the Enkarans.  They love their kids.  They’re good people, but sometimes . . .,” his voice trailed away.

 

“Sometimes, accidents happen.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Janet chuckled softly.  “Even Mary and Joseph lost Jesus for a while.”

 

“What?”

 

“Just remembering a Sunday School lesson from a long time ago, Colonel.”  Janet smiled and reached to gently caress the sleeping child.  “And no comments about how long ago, sir,” she warned.

 

“It’d take a braver man than me to do that.”  Jack flashed her a grin before allowing his gaze to linger on the little girl.  “So, what do you think?  Five?  Six?”

 

“Hmm.”  Janet studied their sleeping charge.  “Just guessing, I’d say four or five.  No older.”

 

“Geez.”  Jack shook his head again.

 

“And, Colonel, don’t forget the problems Earth poses for the Enkarans.”

 

“Radiation,” he murmured, delicately extricating his finger from Maci’s grasp.

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

He frowned at Janet.  “So, will she be okay here?”

 

“In the base?  She should be okay.  But, we should monitor her to be sure, especially if she’s here for any length of time.  Outside?  No.”  She shook her head.  “No, I would recommend against taking her outside the mountain.  Even brief trips could prove hazardous.  The effects of a few short trips could be cumulative.  And, until we know more, I suggest we err on the side of caution.”

 

“You got it.”  Smiling, Jack tentatively reached down to touch a dark curl.  “Keep an eye on the munchkin, Doc.  I have to report to Hammond.”

 

                                                                        * * * * *

 

“Any idea what we’re going to do with her, Colonel?”

 

“Honestly, sir, I hadn’t gotten that far yet.  I’m still having a little trouble getting past what would have happened to her if Daniel hadn’t delayed us by hauling half the village home.”

 

Hammond’s expression was grim as he added softly, “Thank God.”

 

“Yes, sir,” Jack agreed.

 

“Well, Teal’c and SG‑3 are back on the planet as we speak.  I instructed them to perform a thorough search of the immediate area around the village.  I assume that . . . Maci, is it?”  At Jack’s nod, the general continued, “I assume that she’s a fluke.  But . . . .”

 

“We can’t take any chances.”

 

“Exactly.”  Hammond paused, briefly studying his second-in-command before chuckling softly.

 

“What?”

 

“If I’m any judge of horse flesh, I’d say she’s going to be quite the little handful.”

 

“Yes, sir,” Jack snorted.  “She’s already got Carter terrorized and hiding in her lab.”

 

“We’re not exactly set up for child care here.  I assume Doctor Fraiser has cleared her?”

 

“Yes, sir,” Jack nodded.  “She advised we should keep Maci on base because of the radiation thing.  But otherwise, she’s healthy.  That’s not an issue.”

 

“Good, that’s something.”  Hammond leaned back in his seat.  “Well then, what’s the status of her people?  Can we get her back to them?”

 

“That might be a problem, General.  The Gadmeer ship could be halfway to the Enkaran home world by now.”

 

“Which is where?”

 

“Damned if I know, sir.  Daniel was on the ship with Lotan when the Gadmeer computer spit out the data, but as far as I know, he didn’t get the coordinates for the planet.”

 

“Let’s assume for the moment that Doctor Jackson does have the coordinates.  How does that help us?  Didn’t your report mention that the Enkaran world has no Stargate?”

 

Jack nodded reluctantly, “Yes, sir.”

 

“What about our allies?  Could any of them take her back?  Perhaps we could contact the Tok’ra.”

 

“No, sir,” Jack interrupted, his jaw clenched as he leaned forward.  “There’s no way in hell, I’d trust–”

 

“Colonel, need I remind you that the Tok’ra are our allies?”

 

“No, sir, you don’t.”  Jack stopped.  “It’s just, I had to turn over one kid to them knowing what they’d do with him.”

 

Hammond’s expression softened.  “You had no choice, son.  The Reetou created him wrong.  That child would have died if you hadn’t allowed the Tok’ra to intervene.”

 

“That may be true, General, but this time I – we do have a choice.”

 

“Do we?  The girl needs to be with her family.”

 

“Agreed, sir, but - all due respect to you - not by way of the Tok’ra.”

 

“I’m open to suggestions.”  Hammond stared with practiced neutrality.

 

“Thor?”

 

“Well, that’s certainly worth exploring.  I’ll issue an immediate order to attempt to contact the Asgard.”  Hammond paused.  “But, Jack, we both know that the Asgard have a habit of responding when they get around to it.  What do we do with her until we get an answer?  And, keep in mind, this is all assuming Doctor Jackson even has the coordinates and that the Asgard are willing to deliver her.”

 

“I’ll take care of her.”  Jack shrugged.  “For some reason, she seems to like me.”

 

“I’d noticed that,” Hammond smiled dryly.  “But, are you sure you’re up to the extra responsibility, Colonel?  I don’t have to remind you that caring for a child is a lot of work.”

 

“I realize that, but until Thor or something else comes along, I don’t think we have much choice.  Besides, she needs us, sir, and for some reason, she trusts me to take care of her.  A child’s trust isn’t something to take lightly, General.”

 

The general’s eyes were solemn as he nodded in agreement.  “No, it certainly isn’t.  Very well, Colonel.  For the duration, you have a new charge.”

 

“Thank you, sir.  I’ll do my best.”

 

“Of that, I have no doubt.”  The telephone pealed and, still smiling, the general picked it up on the second ring.  “Hammond.”  From where he sat, Jack could hear a blur of words and a shrill noise coming through the phone line.  The general cringed, jerking the phone away from his ear.  Maintaining a safe distance from the receiver, Hammond yelled into the mouthpiece.  “Understood.  I’ll send him right down.”  Frowning, Hammond hung up the phone.  “That was for you.  Dr. Fraiser requests your immediate presence in the infirmary.  Apparently, your ‘charge’ is awake.”

 

Jack rose quickly.  “Then, if you’ll excuse me, sir, duty calls.”

 

“Good luck, Colonel.  From the sound of things down there,” Hammond snorted softly and shook his head, “you’re going to need it.”

 

                                                                        * * * * *

 

The elevator had never been so slow.  Jack cursed that he hadn’t opted for the stairs.  As the car rumbled to a stop and the doors slowly opened, he could hear Maci screaming his name.  Gimpy knees forgotten, he jogged to the infirmary.

 

She was drawn into a trembling ball, her bony knees against her heaving chest.  Clutching the blanket in tiny fists, her eyes were wide and frightened, and her mouth was poised to loose another scream when she caught sight of him.  Fighting back tears, Maci blinked rapidly and moisture leaked from beneath the long lashes, working hard to form proper droplets on her cheeks and nose.  “I tried to be brave, Jack.  I woke up and you had lefted me.”  She tore her eyes from his face long enough to favor Janet and Sam with a glare.  “She was talking to that one that hurt my arm.”  She sniffed and held out the wounded arm sorrowfully.  “I was scared.”

 

“Sir, I just brought her some Jello from the dining hall,” Sam stammered.  “They had blue, and I thought Maci might like it.”  She shot a look bordering on desperation in Janet’s direction, silently beseeching her to confirm her story.  “I read somewhere that kids like blue foods,” she added lamely.

 

“Relax, Carter.”  Jack waved dismissively, even as he was reaching for the frightened child.  “Come here, Maci.  I’m here, baby,” he crooned, patting her back as she burrowed her face against his shoulder.  “It’s okay.  I’m here now.”  He eased himself onto the edge of the bed, rocking gently, and ignoring the look of surprise that passed between the women at the unexpected glimpse into his more tender nature.  His murmurs accompanied by the child’s soft hiccups blanketed the cubicle, muffling the ordinary sounds of the infirmary beyond the curtain.

 

The gurgling growl was amplified in the artificial truce he had created.

 

Janet chuckled.  “Was that you or Maci, Colonel?”

 

“Both, Doc,” Jack grinned, as Maci risked peeping out of the safety of her burrow.  “What do you think, kiddo?  Are you as hungry as I am?”

 

A second loud grumble sufficed for her answer.  She giggled and nodded.  “I haven’t eaten in forever, Jack.  But I don’t like blue stuff,” she declared loudly, examining Sam’s melting offering with disdain.

 

“Doc, what do you say?  Can Maci and I take a stroll to the dining hall and see if we can find something that isn’t blue?  We should be okay if we stay away from the meatloaf.”

 

“That’s fine, Colonel, but no pizza.  In fact, stay away from anything spicy.  Let’s stick with a bland diet for now,” Janet ordered.

 

“I like pizza,” Maci interrupted, carefully pronouncing the word.  “Don’t we, Jack?”

 

“Yep, we love pizza.”  He smirked as Janet rolled her eyes and shared a long-suffering look of resignation with Sam.

 

“At least until we find out how her system handles it.  Understand, sir?”

 

He nodded and tossed a conspiratorial wink at Maci.  “Got it, Doc.  No pizza and nothing blue.  Maci, let’s go explore the wonderful world of oatmeal.  Care to join us, Major?”

 

“No, sir.  No, thank you.”  Sam cringed as Maci glared in her direction.  Retreating a step, she stammered, “I’m pretty busy doing . . . stuff.”

 

“Stuff, Major?”

 

“Yes, sir.  In my lab.”

 

“Well, carry on with your . . . stuff then, Carter.  Maci and I’ll catch up with you later, won’t we?”

 

Sam’s nervous smile wilted beneath the child’s covert communication.  “Great.  See you later, Maci.”  Maci ignored her as she stared at her exposed arm and sighed dramatically.  Sam fled.

 

Jack ignored the exchange as he reached for Maci’s coarse garment.  “Let’s get you dressed.”

 

“Here, Colonel.”  Janet handed him a blue scrub top.  “That looks pretty grimy.  This should work until we can get something better.”

 

Maci raised her arms, allowing Jack to slip the top over her head.  The scrubs ballooned past her knees, making her appear smaller than before.  “Got a piece of gauze I can borrow, Doc?”  Cutting a length, he wrapped it around the tiny waist and tied a neat bow with a flourish.  “Perfect,” he declared as he tossed her in the air amidst peals of delighted squeals.  “Let’s go eat.”

 

“Colonel, a moment, please?”

 

Jack set Maci down.  “Hold on just a second, kiddo.  Let me see what Doc needs.”

 

Holding Maci’s discarded dress, Janet stared into the pocket.  With a tentative frown, she reached in and held up a cracked, brown speckled egg.  Clearly puzzled, she looked at Jack.

 

“Don’t have a clue, Doc.”

 

“That’s mine.  All of them are.”  The adults exchanged a worried glance.  “I found them down by the lake, and put ‘em in my pocket to save ‘em from the Badmeers.”  With a sinking feeling, Jack stared into the yolky clutch of ruined eggs.  “Jack, should I put them in my new dress you made me?”

 

“Tell you what,” Jack swallowed, “why don’t we let Janet take care of your eggs for now?  That way they won’t get in your way while we’re eating.”

 

“Sure, sir.  I can probably find an incubator for them.”

 

Maci giggled.  “That’s dumb.  They need a nest, not a inkabater.  Don’t you know nothing about turtle’s eggs?”

 

“Yeah, Doc, what’s wrong with you?” Jack scoffed.  “Come on, Maci, let’s go find that oatmeal.”

 

                                                                        * * * * *

 

Maci squirmed in his arms.  “Put me down, Jack.”  He set her down then smiled as the fist closed around his finger once more.  Drawing stares and smiles, the two walked down the long hall towards the stairway.  “Jack, what’s a inkabater?”  Taking long steps, trying to match Jack’s shortened stride, Maci stared down at her bare feet.

 

“Well, when eggs lose their momma and their nest, an incubator is a nest we build for them to keep them warm and safe.”

 

“Oh.”  Grabbing onto his wrist with both hands, Maci lifted both feet off the ground, giggling as Jack took the hint and gently swung her as he walked.  “So we can hatch the baby turtles?”

 

Grimacing at the bitter taste of the white lie, Jack forced a tight smile.  “Yeah.  Sure.”

 

As they neared the stairs, Maci lowered her feet to the floor and resumed walking.  “Jack?”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Am I in trouble?”

 

He stopped at the top of the stairs and looked at her.  “What do you mean?”

 

The tiny chin suddenly quivered and golden eyes began to tear up again.  “I didn’t mean to be bad, but the Badmeers were coming and the baby turtles were all gonna die.  Gartan said so.”

 

Ignoring his creaking joints, Jack sat down on the top step, lowering himself to her eye level.  “Who’s Gartan?”

 

“He’s the oldest.  He told me the turtles would get all burned up, and then the Badmeers would eat them.”

 

Jack stroked the dark curls.  She needed a bath, and he had a feeling that when the time came for it, Janet and Carter would be AWOL.  “Come here.”  Pulling her onto his lap, he rubbed her cold, dirty feet.  “Is Gartan your brother?”  She nodded, watching Jack’s hands on her toes.  “How many brothers and sisters do you have?”

 

Her eyes still watery with unshed tears, she smiled up at him.  “I can’t count that many.”

 

“Well, then, what are their names?”

 

Her head bobbing with each one, Maci rattled off the names.  “Gartan and Jinar and Fagyn and Miya and Namar and Lata and Maci.”  She grinned.  “Daddy says that’s a lot of little mouths.”

 

Jack chuckled.  “Yeah, well, I’d have to agree with him.”  Seven kids?  No wonder this one got lost in the frenzied dash to escape the planet.  “So, are you the baby?”

 

“I’m not a baby!”

 

“No, of course, you’re not.  I meant, are you the youngest?”

 

She shook her head.  “Miya is the baby.  She still poops herself.  I’m big.”

 

“Yeah.  You are.  Do you know how old you are?”  Frowning in earnest, she held up five grimy digits.  “You’re five?”

 

She started to nod then ducked her head instead and grinned up at him shyly.  “I’m really this many.”  Using her other hand, she folded down her little finger.

 

“You’re four?”  She nodded.  “Four’s pretty big.”

 

“Yeah.” She sighed deeply, and stared up at him.  “Jack, I wasn’t a’sposed to go to the lake.  I was a’sposed to stay with Gartan and Fagyn to go with the Badmeers.”

 

“But you had to get the turtle eggs so they wouldn’t get all burned up and eaten.”

 

She nodded.  “Am I in trouble?”

 

Jack frowned, and took his time answering.  “I don’t think so.  I think when we see your mom and dad, we’ll just tell them about the eggs and I’m pretty sure they’ll understand.  I mean, yeah, you’re supposed to obey your parents, but maybe they didn’t know about the eggs.”

 

“Will you tell them so I don’t get in trouble?”

 

“Sure.  I can do that.”

 

Maci grinned.  “I like you, Jack.”

 

He squeezed her dirty toes.  “Good, ‘cause I like you, too.”

 

“You know what?  You can play with Pootie.”

 

He snorted softly.  “Pootie?”

 

“Yeah, he’s–,” Maci gasped and her eyes widened.  “Oh, no!”

 

“What?  What’s wrong?”

 

Small hands grabbed his shirt.  “Jack, Pootie got lefted!  The Badmeers will burn him all up and eat him!”

 

                                                                        * * * * *

 

Jack leaned over the microphone, staring down at the rippling blue of the event horizon.  “From what she’s told me, I’d say their place was probably just east of where Hedrazar lived.”

 

There was a moment of hushed static before Teal’c’s voice traveled the length of the wormhole.  “We will search the structure thoroughly.”

 

“Thanks, T.  I take it you haven’t found any more strays.”  Jack watched as Maci climbed into the empty chair in front of him and worked her way towards the microphone.

 

“No,” Teal’c responded, “we have search–”

 

“He looks like a babbit,” Maci yelled at the microphone.

 

“Maci,” Jack gently pulled her back down onto the chair.

 

“Tell him, Jack.”

 

Walter snickered, and Jack glared at him before smiling down at the girl.  “Okay, okay.”  He leaned back over the microphone.  “Teal’c, uh, this . . . thing you’re looking for, from the way Maci described it, I think it looks kind of like a rabbit.”  Maci frowned up at him, and Jack had to fight back a grin.  The kid was seriously worried about her toy, but considering the fact that she stood to lose everything she’d ever known, a stuffed animal that looked vaguely like a bunny rabbit was no small thing.  “Teal’c, did you copy that?”

 

There was a lengthy pause.  “A rabbit.”

 

“Yeah.”  He glanced down at Maci who was tugging on his sleeve.  “What?”

 

“Tell Teak, his name is Pootie.”

 

Walter choked and swiveled his chair, turning his back to Jack and Maci.

 

Jack frowned.  “Something wrong, Sergeant?”

 

“Uh,” his back still turned, Walter cleared his throat, “no, sir.  Everything’s fine.”