This was part of my latest CoC chapter originally, but then I realized I want this to go somewhere else. And yes I know that I already have two stories about this ep. But I can't help it, it's one of my favorites. Beta'd as always by the lovely ebineez01.
~o0o~
SG-1 were sitting in the briefing room. Hammond had already dismissed them when the colonel looked at him.
"Uh sir if I may?"
"Sure Jack, go ahead."
"I'd like a word with my team sir if you don't mind."
George didn't envy his 2IC. He knew what that mission had taken out of O'Neill. He'd fought him with everything he had when he was told not to let the rest of his team in on the nature of that mission. And yet he had to give in and follow orders in the end, keeping the people he trusted most out of the loop because the higher ups – and their allies – thought it was the best course of action. The general knew SG-1 had some healing to do.
So he simply stood, nodded at Jack with what he hoped was an encouraging smile, and left the room, closing the door behind him.
Jack drew a breath and let it out slowly, looking at each of his team members – his friends – in turn. T didn't look any different than usual. Carter kept her eyes on the table, her expression hard to read. Danny was practically vibrating with nervous energy, but didn't meet his eyes either.
He took another breath.
"OK people. Those were a rough two weeks. I need you to think carefully about whether or not you still want to follow my lead. I suggest you take the weekend to make that decision. And on Monday I expect you to either report to me or ask for reassignment."
He rose from his chair. Daniel stared at him wide eyed.
"Jesus Jack. Did you just dismiss us?!"
"Yes, Daniel, I did."
The linguist pushed his chair back and stormed out of the room, the door banging shut behind him. Carter flinched and rose, too.
"Sir", she said with a nod – way too cool and way too formal for Jack's liking. She closed the door silently.
Teal'c stood and looked at Jack.
"I will not require the weekend to make this decision, O'Neill. There is none to be made. I always have and always will consider you my friend and my commander."
Jack let out a breath.
"Thank you, Teal'c."
"May I offer my advice, though?"
"Sure."
"I think MajorCarter and DanielJAckson might need convincing."
"T, I won't talk them into a team they don't wanna be part of. Nor will I beg."
"I meant to imply neither. But I think they might be waiting for you to take action. As their friend, not as their commander."
Jack hated it when T was right.
~o0o~
He turned up at Carter's door step an hour later. For a moment he thought she'd brush him off, but then she pulled herself together and asked him in. He decided to come straight to the point.
"Carter, I know you're pissed, but -"
"No, I'm not."
"Excuse me?"
"Sorry sir. Didn't mean to interrupt you, sir."
"Oh for crying out loud, Carter, would you stop siring me and hear me out?"
She gave him a small smile.
"So, what I was trying to say was: I understand that you're pissed. I would be, too. But please try to see it from my point of view. I couldn't tell you. Can you try and understand that?"
"I still think you could have told us. I was – hurt because you didn't trust us enough. I thought we were a team. We used to trust each other with our lives."
Used to. That hurt.
"I still do", he said softly. Sam deflated. He waited for her to say something, anything. But she didn't. When it became obvious that there was nothing she wanted to add he turned to leave.
"Think about it, Sam. I need you. On my team, I mean."
~o0o~
That had gone well...and he'd come to Carter's place first because he'd expected that conversation to be the easier one.
~o0o~
Daniel didn't even let him in. He just glared at him for a long moment, and then he said:
"Tell me the truth. Was your place really bugged?"
Jack had to break eye contact for a split second. It was enough of an answer for Daniel.
"Get out."
"You have to understand -"
"No. I don't. Get lost, Jack."
And the door closed in Jack's face. Damn the guy.