A/N: This was a story idea I got from a conversation I was having about the salaries of service men and women. Personally, I don't think they get paid nearly enough for everything that they do to keep us safe. So this story is dedicated to all of the service men and women out there.
The story is set sometime shortly after the Season 2 premiere.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story.
"I got something for you, Carter."
Sam looked up from her work to find the Colonel in her doorway.
"Hi, sir. What are you still doing here?"
Daniel had already left the base for the night and Teal'c was in his room. She didn't expect to find the Colonel around.
"Just went to see General Hammond. He gave me these," he said, holding up two identical envelopes.
"What are those, sir?" Sam asked.
"Our paychecks," he said, with a smile on his face. He moved into the lab and handed her one of the envelopes.
"Thanks, sir," Sam said as she accepted the envelope.
Jack stood by her chair awkwardly for a moment before saying, "Well, good night, Carter. You should get to bed soon. Early mission."
"Yes, sir." Sam said with a smile.
As the Colonel left, she opened the envelope and removed the check. Noticing something amiss, she called out, "Colonel."
Jack stuck his head around the door. "Carter."
"This is wrong. This amount is too much."
"Oh, yeah. Apparently, we get a big bonus for saving the planet."
With a smile, he left the lab again. Carter smiled as she set the check aside and turned back to her calculations.