Flashes

Scenes from the "2010" Timeline

There is a little angsty Sam and Jack, but it's mostly Sam and Joe, just like the episode

There was so much that happened between Season 4 and the year "2010" that I would have wanted to see, so, I have written a yearly glimpse into the chronicle that we missed by watching "2010" before any preliminary information.

"General Hammond?" Jack asked, as he knocked on the open office door.

"Yes, Senator, the meeting is scheduled to take place here at the SGC between you, Ambassador Vaxin, Mollem, and Boren." He said into the mouthpiece of the red phone. As he did so, he motioned for Jack to enter. The Colonel only took one hesitant step inside.

"I know he seems…" The General said, continuing the phone conversation. He waited as it was clear that the senator on the line had cut him off. "I must admit, his suggestion to take a few more precautions is only prudent."

He was silent for a few moments, listening to the Senator's tirade. "I understand." He conceded, with a sigh. "Colonel O'Neill is to be nowhere near the Mountain during the negotiations tomorrow."

Jack almost flinched but he managed to resist the urge.

"Good-bye, Senator Kinsey. We'll see you tomorrow."

"Kinsey afraid I'll screw up his plans for intergalactic domination?" Jack asked as Hammond motioned for him to shut the door.

"Jack, I've tried to plead your case to the President, but after that power struggle you initiated with Ambassador Vaxin…"

"He asked if Carter was free for lunch. He knew full-well that she had plans after the negotiations."

"And you reacted inappropriately by answering for Major Carter. And when she accepted his offer, you ordered her to report to her lab!"

"Sir, as commander of SG-1, it was my responsibility and prerogative to remind Major Carter of her responsibilities to the team. We had a project that we were supposed to be working on at the time that the ambassador asked her to lunch. Major Carter was a vital part of that plan as she is a valuable member of the team." He said, standing perfectly at attention with his fingers creating a diamond at the small of his back and his feet a little more than shoulder-width apart.

"And that plan was to undermine the negotiations with the Aschen. A negotiation that Ambassador Vaxin is a very active participant in."

"General, I was not trying to undermine negotiations. I was merely trying to encourage deeper thought and investigation into them."

"Jack, I'm not going to fight with you. But ever since that incident, I've had a hell of a time trying to convince the Pentagon that your motives aren't simply self-interested."

"Self-interested?"

"Yes, Jack, I know you're trying to keep your feelings for Major Carter off the record, but that seemed territorial even to me."

There was silence before the General continued. "Jack, if that had been the only incident…"

"Yes, sir."

"Threatening a United States senator, whether provoked or otherwise, is a courtmartialable offense."

"So, now what?" Jack asked, his tone icy.

George Hammond sighed. Dealing with Jack was like dealing with a fifty-year-old teenager. "I tried to call in a few markers, but the best I could was early retirement. Effective immediately."

"And if I don't take it?"

"You would be facing a court-martial and possibly a restraining order from the Senator and possibly from the ambassador."

"Then I guess the Land Of The Clear Blue Water is calling my name." Jack said, his steely gaze focused on the plaques lined in the bookshelf behind the General's desk.

"Jack, I'm sorry."

Jack nodded, curtly.

"You're dismissed."

"Thank you, sir." He said, turning to leave.

He walked down the hall and ran into Daniel and Sam, who were going to the briefing room for another preliminary briefing for the negotiations the next day.

"Where are you going, sir?"

"Fishing, Carter."

She and Daniel exchanged looks of confusion. "Didn't you just take a vacation? I mean, Jack…I know you don't approve of the whole negotiation, but couldn't you at least pretend to care? Everyone around here has their own opinions, but we're all working very hard on this."

"I know, Daniel." He said, a disapproving look in his eye.

"You're not taking a vacation, are you, sir?"

"Nope. Early retirement. So…see you around."

He walked past them and Sam turned as if to follow him. "Sir, is this about your…disagreement with Joe? He doesn't have any residual hard feelings."

He stopped and turned. "No, Carter, it's about this whole damn Ass-hen mess, not your Mr. Perfect Ambassador boyfriend. The thing with Joe, well…that was the proverbial straw."

She and Daniel took deep breaths, trying not to get offended by his resistance to their hard work.

"What's so wrong about wanting an ally that is willing to help us defend ourselves?" Daniel asked. "I mean, is it just that we're saying wipe out that goa'uld that it's a bad thing? Or what?"

"Daniel, you tell me what happened when we told the Asgard about these negotiations. As I recall, they were our allies first."

Sam bit the inside of her cheek before answering. "They severed all ties with us when we were unwilling to discontinue our negotiations."

"And the Tok'ra?"

"Jack, when have you given a damn about what the Tok'ra think?" Daniel asked, suspiciously.

"You know what, Daniel? When you all realize that the Aschen are just going to blow you all to hell, don't come running to me. Because as of right now, I don't give a damn!" Then, he turned and walked away.

Somehow, both Daniel and Sam felt betrayed and guilty at the same time. They had let down one of their dearest friends, and now, he was leaving them behind.