Set season 10, after Unending. Slight spoilers for that.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Stargate!

Jack's back

Sg1 were sitting with General Landry debriefing after they returned from the newly upgraded Odyssey.

"Hey, guys." They all turned to see General Jack O'Neill stroll into the briefing room. "How's it going?"

"Jack," Daniel Jackson greeted him, "What are you doing here?"

"That's always nice to hear isn't it!" Jack replied. "Well, I was thinking we should have a BBQ. A little celebration if you will. Carter, don't suppose we could use you house?"

"Err, sure, of course, Sir. Can I ask what we're celebrating?" Carter asked.

"Why my retirement of course."

"You're retiring, Sir? Why?"

"Well, you know me and Washington, just wasn't really suited. Anyway I was getting a little tired of being 'the man', it's really not all it's cracked up to be. Plus I got a job offer, bit of a part time gig, training new recruits for the SGC. Pretty cool, huh!"

"Yea, sounds good, Jack. So you moving back to the Springs then?" Daniel asked.

"Sure am, Danny." Jack replied. "So is everyone free for tonight?" Jack said still grinning.

There was a round of "yea's" from everyone followed by "indeed!"

"You in, Hank?" Jack asked Landry.

"Of course, Jack, wouldn't want to miss your retirement!"

"Well, that's settled then."

"Okay everyone," Landry said, "since we've all just got back, why don't you take the rest of the day off. Dismissed." With that Landry stood up and said, "it's good to see you, Jack," shook his hand and headed into his office.

The rest of the group started to leave the briefing room. O'Neill put his hand on Carter's arm to slow her, "hey, Carter, you got a minute?"

"Sure, Sir, what can I do for you?"

"Oh, I just wanted to make sure you really didn't mind about tonight."

"No, of course I don't. Nothing like a good BBQ, Sir."

"Absolutely, just what I thought. There was one other thing though, kinda related to the whole me not having a house yet thing. I don't suppose I could stay with you? I mean, I don't have to, I can stay here, yea, I'll just stay on base, that'll be better." Jack babbled.

"Um, Sir, it's okay, you can stay with me. I know how much you hate having to stay on base all the time."

"You're sure? I really don't want to put you our or anything."

"No really, I want you to stay." She said shyly looking down at her feet.

"Cool, thanks Sam."

"Since I've got the rest of the day off, why don't we go get you settled. And we should probably get some supplies for tonight."

"Good plan! Let's go." Jack said motioning down the corridor.

"So when are you officially retired, Sir?" Carter asked.

"From midnight tonight you will no longer have to call me Sir." He saw the look of surprise on her face. "I didn't tell you guys before, I wanted to surprise you all."

"Well it worked, Sir."

"Good! You know I reckon you should get some practice on that whole not calling me Sir thing."

"Sure, Sir." Carter said grinning.

"Funny," Jack said as he smiled back.

"I'll just go get changed. Meet you in twenty," she paused then finished with, "Jack," as she turned to walk away, leaving a happy Jack behind her.

xxx

"Hey, Jack." Daniel said as he saw O'Neill enter his office.

"Hey. So Daniel, what do you think of my news?" He said sitting down on a stool near Daniel.

Daniel stopped whatever it was he happened to be translating now. "I think it's great, Jack, sounds like it'll suit you better that the whole pentagon thing. Plus we get to see more of you, which I think is a good thing." Daniel smiled at Jack showing he was just teasing him. "So you going to be staying on base 'til you find a new place?"

"Actually, Danny, I'm going to be staying with a friend." Jack said mysteriously.

"Oh really, anyone I know?"

Jack started playing with a random artefact that happened to be in front of him and mumbled, "Carter."

"Did you just say 'Carter'? You're staying with Sam?"

"Yes, I'm staying with Sam, as I said 'a friend'."

"Right, sure, Jack, 'a friend'." Daniel said with a knowing look.

"And what exactly does that tone mean Daniel?" Jack asked.

"Tone? I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."

"Good, that's what I thought. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go meet Carter." Jack said standing from the stool and heading to the door.

"Jack?" O'Neill turned back to Daniel. "It really is good to have you back." Jack nodded and smiled as he turned into the corridor.

xxx

"Do you think we have enough beer?" Carter asked sarcastically as she placed even more into the fridge.

"I'm not sure, do you think we should have gotten more?" Jack asked seriously.

"I was joking, Jack, I think we have enough to get half of the Springs drunk!"

"Well, it's always best to be prepared, especially when it comes to Guinness." Jack said opening two bottles and handing one to Sam, they went outside onto the patio and sat down. He sighed contentedly, "this is the life Carter, the only thing missing is the fish."

"You sure you don't mean the lake? After all I thought it was about the act of fishing, not the actually fish!"

"It is really, they just get in the way. I mean it though, Sam, this is perfect to me." He looked into her eyes and she knew exactly what he was trying to say. He laned over to her, clearly intent on kissing her when they heard the side gate open and Daniel yell; "Sam? Jack?"

"Back here, Danny," Jack shouted back to him. Daniel came round the side of the house followed by Vala. Jack made a mental note to ask Daniel what exactly was going on between those two.

"Hey guys," Daniel said as he saw them sitting on the patio. Sam stood up and took from Daniel a bag which looked to me containing cake. "I'll just take this inside for you, Daniel," she said, looking briefly at Jack before heading inside.

"Everything okay, Jack?"

"Everything's great, Daniel," Jack replied standing up. "You two want a beer?"

Daniel nodded to him. "Yes please, General," Vala said.

"I'm nearly retired, Vala, I think it can be Jack now." He smiled to her then went inside.

xxx

Jack walked into the kitchen to get the drinks. Sam was outing the cake into the fridge. "Hey," he said to her.

"Hey." She turned her head from the fridge to look at him and smiled.

Jack walked up behind her and rested his hand on her back as her got the drinks out of the fridge.

"About before," she said, seeing a look of sadness she quickly added, "I was thinking maybe we should wait until you've officially retired." Jack visibly relaxed at this. "I just want to do things properly."

"Sounds like a plan to me. Until midnight then, Colonel." Then he turned to leave the kitchen.

xxx

The BBQ had been a great success, despite the usual; Jack burning the meat and Daniel getting too drunk. But everyone had fun and Jack decided it was the perfect way they could have celebrated his retirement.

He shut the front door of Sam's house after Cam and Teal'c. They were the last to leave. He checked his watch, it was nearly midnight. He walked into the kitchen where Sam had started on the washing up. "You don't have to do that now, Sam. I'll do it in the morning."

"It's fine, I don't mind doing it now, Sir."

"Well, Sam," he said emphasising the use of her first name and walking up behind her. "I was thinking as it just turned midnight there would be something else you would rather do."

Sam put down the plate that she had just finished washing and turned around to face him. "I think you may have a point there, General."

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