Diplomatic Relations

Summary: Jack finds time for a little 'diplomatic relations' with Thor. A 'man to Asgard' chat ensues…

Notes: My first is short and plotless (Enough, For Now), my second is fairly has a short but twisty plot (In The Shadows- four chapters) and this is my first serious attempt at making a proper story. Hence, I need to set the scene so there is not as much gratuitous Sam and Jack interaction at the beginning as I had in previous works. It's heading for something big if I can pull it off and I have some interesting twists in mind so stick with me here…

Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate or any of the characters and I make no profit from my writing. No copy write infringement is intended. However, if I did own these characters…my oh my…

Content: Sam and Jack ship. Humour. Adventure. Angst. Romance. Hurt/ Comfort…we have it all, I hope J

The briefing room was hot, even underground the summer heat had managed to pervade and the air conditioning was doing little to help anyone. Only Teal'c appeared unaffected, calm and composed as always despite the thin sheen of sweat on his brow.

Daniel stared at the door while Sam flicked listlessly through a file in front of her. Jack had his arms crossed on the table, forehead resting on them.

Sam looked at the Colonel out of the corner of her eye as she pretended to read the notes she had been preparing from the last mission. She knew him well enough to know that he knew she was watching, she also knew that he would undoubtedly come out with some little piece of useless trivia or unwanted insight at any minute now, with the express intention of amusing her. He always did…it was just a matter of time…

"Hot, hot hot". He said in a muffled complaint. "Y'know, it'd be nice and cool down at the cabin right now? He raised his head to address the room. " A gentle breeze drifting over the lake, plenty of beer in the fridge." He snapped out of his reverie as general Hammond marched purposefully into the room and sat down.

"As you were people", he said immediately, pre-empting anyone standing to attention in his presence.

Sam let the smile fall from her face where she had begun to grin at her superior and turned her gaze over to Hammond, awaiting his explanation for the sudden briefing.

Jack held her eyes before she looked away, observing the hint of a flush that was beginning to appear and the remains of the grin that had started to form in his honour. Never in his life had he enjoyed acting the class clown so much as he did here - she made it all worth it. Half the people on the base thought he was a complete idiot, but it didn't matter, as long as he made her smile…and he'd perfected the art of doing that a long time ago.

"SG1, I have a little mission for you…actually for just one of you, to be more precise". He team pricked their ears as he paused, interest piqued immediately as they considered his words.

"I had a little visit from the Asgard this morning". In actual fact he'd nearly choked on his coffee as Thor appeared suddenly in front of him whilst he was scanning a report over breakfast but he continued confidently, declining to impart that little piece of information.

"As part of the new treaty they have requested a visit from one of our personnel in order to conduct a little research on the 'Tau'ri'. They seem to have developed a soft spot for SG1 and they requested I send one of you in particular." He looked at them each in turn as he spoke, weighing them up in his mind before he continued.

"As we know, they have visited earth covertly, many times over the years but they have never truly been able to understand us completely. They feel, as do I, that it would be beneficial for the diplomatic relations between our two peoples if they could speak to someone who could answer their questions fully rather than some random civilian, half scared out of their wits and ignorant of the Stargate program and the existence of the Asgard race. The President is in agreement with me on this matter so I'm looking for a volunteer."

"GeneralHammond", began Teal'c, attaching name and title into one as was his way.

"I am Jaffa and so would be of no use in this matter", he stated the obvious, oblivious to the smile playing over the General's lips.

"Indeed you are Teal'c, but I didn't want to exclude you from this meeting since you are a member of SG1". Teal'c inclined his head solemnly in acquiescence.

"Captain Carter", Sam looked expectantly at the General.

"Doctor Frasier tells me that you are currently occupied assisting her with the scientific diagnosis of the deceased Goa'uld larvae that were recovered from the locker-room floor after our encounter with Hathor?"

"Yes Sir.", she replied immediately, disappointment flashing across her features for the briefest of moments before being replaced with enthusiasm for the work she was already ensconced in. "It's going really well so far Sir!" She began with excitedly. "We've run a few tests and scans and we're ready to begin a full disec-".

"STOP", O'Neill exclaimed with distaste. "Carter! I've just EATEN…do you MIND?"

The Colonel extended his last word in emphasis, shuddering as he grimaced at the unwanted images intruding into his thoughts.

"And there goes lunch", he continued. "I just remembered it's spaghetti on the menu…". He faded into silence under the reproving glare of general Hammond.

"Sorry Sir", chorused Jack and Sam simultaneously, Sam speaking to the Colonel and he to Hammond.

Jack turned his head marginally to catch Carter's eye and allowed one side of his mouth to quirk upwards into a secret smile that only she could witness from their position. His eyes twinkled in spite of his carefully schooled, deadpan expression.

My god he's good at this, she thought to herself admiringly. His irreverence was a sham that he was capable of dropping at any moment the situation dictated. He walked the fine like between rudeness, insubordination and propriety with…well…with military precision.

The General nodded and turned his attention to Daniel. "Doctor Jackson, you would be the logical choice here but I understand you have pressing business on Earth that requires your attention?, he enquired earnestly.

"Well I have been asked to attend a dig site in South America General. I've received information from a former colleague that there are some inscriptions that don't match up to the language and dialect of the time. She believes they may be Egyptian in origin, I'd really like to check it out, it sounds like it could be useful if it's true. On the other hand" he started…", thinking aloud as usual

"General Hammond?" the Colonel interrupted with lightening speed.

"Am I right in thinking that this requires as off world visit to an Asgard Mothership? A nice, cool, air-conditioned Asgard Mothership to visit our little gray buddy Thor?". Jack's sudden interest was completely transparent and Daniel frowned at the same time as Carter raised her hand to cover her mouth, surreptitiously hiding another smile.

Man, I could never play poker, she thought ruefully.

"Yes Colonel, that's correct, but in this case I feel that Doctor Jackson has the diplomatic skills we are looking for.

"OHHH you're after a diplomat!", Jack leaned back in his seat, his spiel coming, unrehearsed, to his lips as the General listened patiently.

"Y'should have said so right away Sir. Daniel is far too busy - and he's really the only one who can look into this valuable new development. I, on the other hand" he gestured grandly to himself.

"Am ready and willing to exercise my formidable diplomat skills on the unsuspecting Asgard. They won't know what's hit em Sir…figuratively speaking of course…I wouldn't hit one of them…that wouldn't be very diplomatic at all Sir would it?", Jack's twisted logic ran around the room a couple of times whilst everyone attempted to digest his meaning as he beamed blissfully at them all.

"I'm the man general, I AM the MAN", he leaned forwards, his expression deathly serious and his eyes intent as if he had just made the most profound statement in the history of mankind.

"In a way Sir, he does have a point. Teal'c isn't human", Daniel gestured over at the Jaffa before continuing. Sam is at a crucial stage in the experimentation on the Goa'uld larvae and much as I hate to admit, I really am the only one of us that can go and look at these temple inscriptions. If they want a member of SG1 then Jack is the only person we can spare…" Daniel hesitated, looking over with chagrin at a grinning O'Neill.

"Besides" he added, his tone thoughtful. "They do already know him…I mean…it's not like he could really cause any kind of major diplomatic faux pas is it? "Ahmm", he cleared his throat, retrospectively considering Jack's potential to cause offence.

General Hammond nodded as he digested Doctor Jackson's speech his eyes falling upon the grinning Colonel. He shook his head momentarily, preparing a warning to the errant officer.

" Colonel O'Neill? I don't believe I have to impress upon you the importance of maintaining excellent relations with the Asgard?" despite his words he ended his sentence with the hint of a question in his tone.

"I know you believe Thor to be your friend but you must act appropriately with all the Asgard that you might meet. Your words will be the words of us all", he continued relentlessly, drilling his point home with deathly seriousness.

"Anything you do and say could affect us all, this is no time for flippancy. Do I make myself clear Colonel?"

Jack put on his most sincere expression, allowing a hint of injured pride to show around his eyes. "Of course Sir! As you know, I am the very soul of discretion when it comes to things like this", he stopped prematurely, gauging the General's tolerance to perfection, as usual.

And then, in typical Jack fashion, he overstepped the mark, unwilling to let the opportunity pass by without further input.

"One small step for the Tau'ri…one giant crick in the neck for the Asgard….y'know I really don't believe they used to be as tall as us Sir?" …"Sir?".

General Hammond, refusing to dignify his comment with a response, stood up, pushing his chair back as he did so. The decision had been made and he had many other pressing matters to attend to.

"Be ready to leave in one hour Colonel". "SG1?" he address the rest of the team "Carry on".

The General turned on his heel and departed leaving SG1 to follow suite. Sam stood immediately, showing her respect for the retreating officer just as Teal'c turned his attention over to Jack. "I believe it is customary to wish one luck on such a mission". "I wish you luck O'Neill", he said, taking his leave of the team with a solemn nod.

Daniel and Sam also stood, mirroring the Colonel as he rose from his seat. "Well people, I'd love to stay and chat but I have packing to do". Jack grinned. "Enjoy the jungle Danny-boy! I've heard it's real nice at this time of the year!". Sam grinned openly, watching for Daniel's reaction.

"Yeah. Thanks Jack", he said, grimacing at the thought if the oppressive heat and humidity of the South American rain forests.

"Looks like I wont be missing lunch after all Carter, despite your evil attempts at sabotage and starvation! See you before I leave. His look conveyed a thousand words and as she turned to leave she knew, without doubt that she would be speaking to him again within the hour. In fact, she thought to herself, I bet I could hide in a store cupboard and he'd still pop his head 'round the corner to say goodbye. She smiled in response and left on Daniel's heels, her mind already turning to the experiment she would be conducting this afternoon.

Jack smiled broadly as he made his way down the metal staircase. It had been a good morning - a great morning in fact. He was getting out of this sweltering hellhole to spend time chilling out with his old buddy Thor. He liked the Asgard, there was something about the little fellow that made him smile. This was gonna be great!

Sam was immersed in study when she became aware of the Colonel standing across from her, she stood in greeting, leaving behind the calculations on the screen in front of her. For a moment, neither of them spoke, a tiny moment, but it was a thing she cherished as much as he did. One of those unforgettable encounters where they had a genuine reason to be in one another's company and the solitude with which to simply stand and admire each other for a second, without the intrusion of anyone else upon their reverie.

Jack swung a loaded bag from one shoulder and placed it at his feet. He was wearing all black, in deference to being alone on this mission, she thought, rather than out of any real need for camouflage or secrecy. Old habits die hard she thought to herself. 'I wonder how many hopeless missions you've been on dressed like that, dressed to kill', she thought - the double-entendre was not lost on her and she struggled to prevent herself from oggling overtly.

'I wonder how many times you have dressed in black like that expecting that you would never return home?'

'I wonder how many times you've returned home, your sable clothes torn and stained with mud, dark patches a mute testament to your injuries and still more telling the tale of bloody violence done through necessity to your fellow man?

'I wonder how many times you have dressed in black for a friend's funeral, unable to console his widow with even the simple details of her husband's final moments, unable to ease the suffering of his children's grief and pain?'

'I wonder how many times you have reached the sanctuary of your home and opened a beer before you even thought to loosen your tie and cast your jacket to the floor?'

She beheld him silently, her mind screaming at her to take him in her arms and hold him, yet she remained in her seat, long years of practice schooling her to resist.

So handsome, so strong. Her heart leapt, her heart melted and her eyes betrayed her guilty adoration.

Jack was enjoying his own moment as he gazed upon her. She had been so intent upon her work that she hadn't even noticed when he'd sneaked a quick peek into her lab. The room was too dark, the monitor before her casting unnatural shadows in the room, illuminating her golden hair and her pristine features. He almost couldn't bear to disturb her, but neither could he bear to leave without saying goodbye.

He entered loudly, announcing his presence with a smile and throwing his pack onto the floor with gusto. Her surprised look was a treasure - she was SO goddamned beautiful that it took his breath away. He knew that the saying went that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder', but she had always been gorgeous, from the very first moment that she had walked into his life - it's just that now, after all they had seen and done together - her inner beauty shone forth to him as well, a beacon in the darkness to ease his soul and gladden his heart.

"Well Carter", he began playfully. "I'll be seeing you", the words he spoke were plain and uncontroversial through necessity and unspoken agreement but the words conveyed by his eyes in that moment were a different matter entirely - he was an open book to her alone and despite the tone of his voice he contrived to put more passion and desire into his look than even the Shakespeare could have imparted in an exchange between the ill-fated love of Romeo and Juliette.

"Yes Sir. Good luck with the Asgard", her own eyes mirrored his desire and he felt lifted and strengthened by her words of encouragement.

"Well Hammond reckons they might want to do some physical examinations but I told him…if they try anything like that then I'm outta there quicker than you can say 'anal Probe'." his mock-seriousness was a picture and she tried hard not to let herself get distracted by visions of a naked Jack O'Neill.

"I don't think it will come to that Colonel", she replied earnestly. "But you never know". She left the statement hanging, enjoying his shocked expression.

'He should have been an actor' she thought to herself momentarily as she played the vast extent of his serious expressions through her mind -virtually none of which, in reality, were truly serious in the slightest.

"Good luck Sir, see you soon", she imparted this last upon him with a heartfelt look of her own, making his knees weak and his heart flutter as he nodded his ascent and walked away, leaving her to continue with her preparations.

To be continued…