Prelude to "Rising, Part 1"

Written By – Caldwell's 2IC, SEW Crew Member

O'Malley's Bar and Grill is a popular spot in Colorado Springs. Jukebox music, ice cold draft beer and prime rib steaks are always a winning combination among the costumers.

A tall handsome man in his early 50s is standing nearby the pool tables with a Guinness long neck bottle in his right hand; he seems to be watching the football game in the large screen hanging from the wall but from time to time his gaze wanders to the main entrance.

Now a beautiful dark haired woman with sparkling green eyes is standing at the door, talking to a waitress. The tall man walks towards them.

"Dr. Weir! Last time I saw you was…"

"…this morning?" She smiles at him.

"You know, time flies when you're having fun". He turns to the waitress. "We have a reservation. O'Neill. Two 'L's".

Dr. Elizabeth Weir is drinking her coffee while General Jack O'Neill enjoys the biggest slice of cake she's ever seen served in a restaurant.

"Are you sure you don't want some dessert?"

Elizabeth shakes her head. "After that steak, I couldn't eat anything else" She looks around. "I like this place, General".

A mischievous grin lightens up Jack's face.

"Remind me to tell you some other time how Daniel and I trashed this place. General Hammond had to bail us out of jail…"

"Really?"

"Oh, yeah…"

"You should be ashamed". Elizabeth is smiling. "But somehow I'm not surprised. And I want to know all about it".

"Rain check ?. Now I want to know all about your trip."

"Well…"

Elizabeth knows everything is ready; all the civilian members of the expedition are spending the night at the Cheyenne Mountain Complex. Colonel Sumner is still not happy about taking Major John Sheppard along for this mission, but he'll obey O'Neill's orders anyway and his team is ready to deploy. Dr. Daniel Jackson is not happy either because Jack denied his permission for the archaeologist to join the expedition to Atlantis.

Atlantis…It seemed like just a dream for a while, but now, the night after the scheduled departure of the group of scientists and explorers she is leading to a distant galaxy…

All is packed. Everyone is ready.

And Dr. Weir is leaving behind the man she loves. She imagined he would be thrilled about the idea of joining this carefully selected group of scientists, but he chose not to go.

But Elizabeth is not alone; her friend Carson Beckett will be there and top pilot Major Sheppard, handpicked by her for this mission, will be there as well. And she has the best scientists in the world to work with. Choosing them was like having a magic wand, you just wished for someone to join the team and the SGC would make it happen.

Except for Simon.

Regrets? No regrets.

Now she smiles at Jack O'Neill.

"Everything is ready, General".

"I hope so; and don't forget your toothbrush. I doubt there will be a Kwik-E Mart around…"

O'Neill gives the waitress his credit card without even looking at the check.

"Let's get back to the base; you have a big day tomorrow. Is your car outside?".

"No. I called a taxi to come here"

"Good" Jack jingles the keys of his truck "You are driving. I had a few beers…"

"Yes, sir".

They reach O'Neill's truck and Elizabeth deactivates the alarm, but the General opens the door for her.

"Thank you. You know, General, this is my last night on Earth and I didn't have anything to drink"

Jack winks at her.

"So? I'll send you a bottle of champagne".

And he did.