Here's the new story for you all to get your teeth into. I have to tell you though, it's not a NEW story as such; it was posted just over a year ago in the Stargate Zine, Revelations II, but has recently been released for posting. Some of you may have read it before, but here it is anyway, so I hope you enjoy it.
United We Stand
By Lingren.
Category: Angst, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Romance.
Pairings: Jack/Sam.
Season: 6
Spoilers: Slight ones for Meridian and Redemption, Entity, Abyss.
Summary: United we stand…Divided we fall! Sam gets her own command, but it comes with a high price she doesn't believe she can pay.
Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate SG-1. No copyright infringements intended. Just borrowing the characters for a bit of fantasy and imagination.
UNITED WE STAND
by Lingren.
Chapter 1
The blue light flickered round the room, bathing everything in its eerie glow. The shimmering wormhole softly shlooped and four figures calmly stepped from its centre. Two men, the one with a ball cap perched tightly on his head, casting his deep set eyes further into shadow, was sporting a huge grin; the other a slightly amazed and wide eyed, startled expression across his face. They were followed by a broadly smiling blonde woman, her blue eyes, bright and alert, and behind her, a rather sombre looking Jaffa who stood tall and proud, his weapon upright beside him at rest.
"Welcome home SG-1," General Hammond beamed from his position at the foot of the ramp. "The mission went well I take it?"
"Yes Sir," Colonel Jack O'Neill responded still grinning widely. He reached a hand up to remove his hat then ruffled his unruly grey hair, loving the feel of it being free after the confines of his cap. "The good folks on P2Z 385 would just love to have our company in the near future. They just can't wait to settle down and negotiate with ourselves. Break out the champagne General. The Naquadah's ours for the taking in return for some new farming methods, or whatever...yadda, yadda."
"Well done people. Get yourselves to the infirmary for your check ups then we'll debrief in 2 hours."
"Yes Sir!"
"Oh...em...Colonel..." Hammond stopped him while the others filed past. "I'd like a word with you in my office 15 minutes before the briefing."
Jack frowned slightly. Puzzled as to why the General should want to see him. He hazarded a guess at something to do with his long awaited report of Jonas' progress.
"Yes Sir!" he replied dutifully, despite his misgivings.
Jack turned and walked over to his team, waiting patiently by the door, and then led them towards the elevator. Hammond stood watching them silently, listening to the happy sounds of his premier team as they argued over who was going to grab the showers first. He smiled to himself, thankful that his favourite people were home safe and well again.
He just couldn't help but worry over all his people, though this team were something else. They held a special place in his heart, for they were good honest, hard working folks. People who had saved Earth from its own short-sightedness on more than one occasion. This team, who went about their work without looking for praise, nor receiving any thanks from the public for doing their given duty. The top secret nature of their job barring them from the reward they so richly deserved, but they never sought after fame or recognition, they simply enjoyed their work.
The General heaved a huge sigh of relief and pulled his thoughts together. Turning on his heels, he made his way back to his office, knowing that the news he was about to impart would finish that team's dynamics for ever, and put an end to an era with his reluctant words. He knew this day would come, but that didn't make it any the easier for the telling.
OoOoOoOoO
Jack knocked on the open office door and entered without waiting for an answer.
"You wanted to see me General?" he asked, stepping inside.
"Yes Jack. Shut the door and take a seat."
Jack obeyed, his mind turning over endless possibilities of wondering what he'd done now to incur this private tête-à-tête with his CO.
He sat stiffly, his feet firmly rooted to the floor, his hands pressed between his knees, held there to stop their nervous fiddling.
Hammond watched him for a moment.
"Relax Jack. You haven't done anything wrong..." He grinned across the expanse of his desk at Jack's surprised face. "...not this time anyway."
Jack let out the breath he was unconsciously holding and visibly relaxed, leaning back into the chair and stretching his legs out, before crossing them at the ankles.
"What's this all about then General?"
"It's about Major Carter actually."
"Carter? What's she been up to?" Jack sat upright again with curiosity.
"Nothing, as far as I know. That last assessment of hers you gave me, led me to believe she's ready for her own command..."
Suddenly Jack was all ears, on the alert for anything that would mean the end of their working partnership. He didn't want to be away from Sam.
Hammond continued.
"...As you know we lost Mankowitz last week, which means we've got an opening for a CO now. I'd like her to take over SG-7 Jack."
Jack leapt to his feet now, shaking slightly at the implications it projected.
"Sir…what about SG-1? Carter's invaluable...she's irreplaceable," he stuttered. "We just lost Daniel, we can't lose Carter as well," he was stunned to say the least.
"I'm sorry Jack but Major Carter's expertise is needed elsewhere right now. You yourself stated that she was ready to take on a command of her own."
"Yes Sir I know what I said...I meant for her to take over SG-1 when the time came for it."
"You thinking of retiring again?"
"No Sir, I wasn't, but now you mention it..."
"Jack! We need you out there. We also need Major Carter, and the best we can do is to spread our resources. She can do more good with her own team, than staying in the background with SG-1."
Jack began to stride, his movements jerky whilst he silently argued within himself. He had to agree with the General on that point, but he still didn't like the idea of Sam leaving the team. He was only just getting used to Jonas, and now he was being forced into training another new recruit. He wasn't happy by a long shot.
Hammond let him pace the office for a few minutes before he broke the uneasy silence.
"It'll work out just fine Jack. I'll give you the very best to chose from."
"I'd rather have Carter Sir," he sighed in exasperation.
"I know son..." He commiserated, knowing full well how he would feel if Jack were to retire. Having Jack under his command was no picnic, but he wouldn't have it any other way. They understood each other perfectly. They each afforded the other a healthy respect as well as their unswerving loyalty.
"It's okay Sir," Jack sighed coming to an agonising decision. He clasped onto the back of his former seat, leaning against it seemingly for support. "You're right, and I shouldn't hold her back. She deserves this chance. Therefore, albeit reluctantly, you have my backing General," he agreed, but it really felt like the rug had been pulled from beneath his feet; he'd lost his footing and his equilibrium was off balance.
The General glanced through the window overlooking the briefing room, watching the three team members take their places at the table.
"Let's get this briefing over and done with Jack. Will you tell her or shall I?"
"You tell her Sir. She may take it better coming from you."
Hammond nodded his assent, and led Jack out into the briefing room.
Sam looked up to see them approach the table, standing formally in respect. She could see something was bothering her CO, but he'd tried to hide it from her by putting on a false bravado and carrying on as if nothing had happened. He smiled brightly at her as he took his seat beside her off to the General's right.
TBC