The Irkallan's had lived in harmony for generations and Pell had never felt anything other than peace and contentment from her companions. Certainly, there was the constant worry that their civilisation would be discovered but she had always had complete faith in the elders and their assurances that they would always be safe. Why then was everyone so unsettled by the arrival of the four strangers?

Perhaps it was the fact that only one of them appeared to have the genetic marker that was the legacy of their forefathers. Having those who were not gifted walking amongst them was a strain. Pell had never really considered how she would feel if she could not hear the thoughts of others… or what a strange quiet place the world would be. She found herself wondering if they were ever lonely.

And speech seemed such a cumbersome way to communicate.

Still, they would be gone soon and life would return to normal. They seemed as eager to leave, as she was to see them go.

There had been some discussion amongst the elders as to whether they should be allowed to leave. The knowledge they possessed was dangerous. Pell hated to think what would happen if the Arkkadians ever realised that this planet was more than a refuge for prisoners. Even this village was nothing more that a front. A simple people, living a simple existence… it was so much more.

She doubted that outsiders could ever truly understand the reasons why they had to hide. Pell hated the questions they asked, their insatiable curiosity about the way her people lived… and the fact they never seemed satisfied with the answers. It wasn't something she couldn't ever hope to understand.

Why would anyone want to explore a new world?

Was there own so terrible that they felt driven to find somewhere else?

"They want to return," Pell informed the elders.

"Then they will find nothing," she was told.

"So we will start again?"

"It has been decided."

Pell would be sorry to leave, but if there was the slightest chance the outsiders could lead the Arkkadians to this place…

"And the Stargate?"

It was their last connection with their ancestors. One day, it was hoped, they would use it to return and walk once more amongst the people they had left behind… to view the results of their genetic experiment.

"Must be abandoned."

And they would truly be alone.

&&&

You'd have thought he'd have learned by now, George Hammond mused as he watched SG-1 troop into the conference room. Washed, scrubbed and fresh from their post-mission physicals they didn't look any the worse for their extended stay off world. SG-1 were like the proverbial bad penny … they always turned up eventually. Admittedly, they had been away for much longer than anticipated and, with no ship to send after them, George had to admit that he'd been on the point of giving up… but at least he hadn't gotten around to holding the memorial service. That would have been darn embarrassing.

The debriefing was long. Given the length of the mission, it could hardly be anything else. As they spoke, George was profoundly reminded of the reasons why he'd agreed to stay on at this post. He felt his childhood fascination with the unknown return as he listened to SG-1 described the places they'd been and the things they had seen. To think there was a flourishing civilization on the Earth's cosmic doorstep… It was just a damn shame that they were so openly aggressive. And from what Jack was saying those that lived on the more hospitable planet were too concerned with keeping their existence hidden to care about anything else.

Dr. Jackson had theorized that they were part of the race who originally built the Stargate system and he made a pretty strong case for going back. George wasn't convinced. As far as he was concerned, the new territory was hostile and he wouldn't send another team without considerable forethought.

"They may be able to gain access to the Stargate," Teal'c suggested.

"Colonel?" George questioned.

"Given the defences in place … I doubt it," O'Neill said.

"Then we have nothing to worry about."

"The Arkkadians know we're here, sir. They know Earth is here. Their planet is dying and they'll use any means necessary to find a new one."

"Major Carter, how long do you estimate the transit time between Earth and Arkkadia would be?" George asked.

"Without FTL capability… about eight years," she replied.

"Then we have time."

Time to prepare, time to put some kind of warning system in place. The galaxy was becoming a dangerous place and the human race seemed to be making more enemies than just the Goa'uld. After Apophis had sent his ships there had been some discussion with regards to placing string of satellites in the outer region of the solar system. George realised it was time to dust off those plans and put them into action.

"Thank you SG-1," he said, bringing the briefing to a close. "Go home, get some rest and I don't want to see any of you back here before the week's out."

There was a general mumbling of 'yes sirs', although no one seemed very enthusiastic. SG-1 were the only people he knew who seemed to think that a weeks leave was some kind of punishment. George shook his head as he chuckled to himself, there was no pleasing some people. He noticed that Colonel O'Neill was hanging back.

"Something I can do for you, Jack?" Hammond asked.

"Yes sir."

He seemed a little nervous and George wondered exactly what his request might be.

"It's about my leave, sir. I want to take it on Edora," O'Neill said.

"Jack?"

"I'm not going to retire, if that's what you're worried about. I have to go back, I have to know…"

He left the sentence trailing.

"Understood," George said, "do what you have to, Colonel."

&&&

His team were there to say goodbye. Even though Jack knew he wouldn't be gone long, they were acting as if he were leaving forever. He was starting to wonder if they knew something he didn't. There was only one reason for his journey… to find out if his night with Laira had had any consequences. Jack had been thinking a lot about what he'd said to Daniel in the desert city. If Laira had gotten pregnant then…

"We'll keep the light on, sir," Carter said as Jack walked up the ramp.

The last time he'd been to Edora, Jack had passed through so fast that he'd barely had time to register the changes in the place. Now, taking the time to look around, he could see that the Edorans were well on the way to rebuilding their home. He imagined himself living here again. Helping them build their barns, tend their crops… Somehow, the picture was flawed and he couldn't work out why. There would always be something missing, he realised… even if he couldn't say exactly what that something might be.

It wasn't long before he spotted a group of villagers coming to greet him. The village wasn't far from the Stargate and he guessed that someone must have heard it activate. Laira was there, her smiling face betraying her pleasure at seeing him return. Jack's eyes immediately drifted to her stomach as he tried to detect signs of a telltale bump. Even if she hadn't been wearing full skirts, he realised that it would still be too early to see anything.

The short walk to the village was filled with chatter and laughter. Laira strolled by his side, and Jack couldn't help feeling guilty about what he was about to do to her. He couldn't decide if it would be easier to say something now, or wait until they were alone.

Having settled on the latter, he found it was more difficult that he expected to spend some private time with her. Jack it seemed was in demand. First of all, he was dragged away by Garan to look at the new barn. By the time, he got back to Laira's house the villagers were in the midst of preparing their evening meal. Prudently, Jack refused the liquor Paynan tried to push on him. There was no way he was getting drunk again.

When the party finally broke up, Laira led Jack back to her cottage. She did not speak when they got there, and Jack realised that he would have to make the first move.

"How have you been?" he asked, trying to think of a delicate way to put the question that was uppermost in his mind.

"I am well," she replied.

There was a touch of melancholy in her tone. Laira was no fool and she knew why he was here.

"I promised to come back," Jack went on.

"But not to stay."

"I would if…"

"There is no child Jack."

"I'm sorry."

"I wish it were different."

Jack couldn't find the words answer. He wasn't about to lie and tell her that he was sorry.

"You'll be leaving now?" she asked.

"I have to. There's a threat out there… I'm a soldier not a farmer. I have to protect my home, my friends."

"Our worlds were always too far apart."

"That they were."

Her face was shadowed and he couldn't tell if she was crying or not. Or if she was just trying to be strong. His arms ached to hold her, but he stepped away. Jack had to make a clean break… for both their sakes. His original intention had been to stay the night, but he found he wanted to get home.

"Fair day and be well," he told her.

"Be well, Jack."

He wasn't so sure about that. Jack was well aware that he might be turning his back on his last chance for a home, a family but he kept on walking. He had people waiting for him. Despite General Hammond's orders, Jack knew his team wouldn't have left the base. Daniel would have found some excuse to bury himself in his books. Teal'c would not yet have returned to his wife and son. And Carter… Jack couldn't help smiling as he thought about her. She'd probably be asleep in her lab or gossiping with Janet. She really did work too hard. Next time they had some leave he was going to make sure she took it.

Picking up the pace, he hurried towards the Stargate.

Towards home.