Katie Woodman, former high school chief counsellor, was now officially an employee of the Air Force, although she was most definitely still a civilian. The only military person she was to answer to was General Hammond, then straight to the President himself. The Joint Chiefs had no say over her and no politician could sway her decisions. Her sessions would be private and only she would keep notes. They weren't to be computerised, no one else would have access to them, not General Hammond, not even the President himself, and no one knew the decisions that were made except the teams she was talking to and her two superiors. Now all she had to do was turn up to the mountain first thing on Monday morning when Hammond was briefing the base personnel on the new regulations.
Katie had finished working at Cassie's school the previous week and it was killing her that she couldn't tell anyone why she'd quit, not even her friends at the base. The President had made it very clear that there would be an announcement once she was in place and not a minute before, in case relationships started before the counselling could. Katie felt it was a little extreme but hey, he was the President and he'd done something pretty cool in changing the regs so she could wait. After all, she only had the weekend to get through before she started work bright and early on Monday. Now she only had to decide what to wear for her first day.
The weekend seemed to drag on interminably for Katie but finally it was Monday morning and she was awake before the sun had even risen. But she was so excited she couldn't sleep so got up and got ready for her first day as an official air force employee. It was still early when she drove into the mountain, parked and headed down the two elevators, but she didn't want to be late.
All the teams had been kept off rotation for the day and had been told that they had to report at 0800 for a base briefing. The only room big enough to hold them all was the gateroom so, after dropping her things off at her office, it was to Level 28 that Katie headed with a scattering of other personnel who had arrived at the same time as she. The room was filling up as she walked in and she was promptly accosted by three members of SG-1.
"Hey, Katie! Hi. Um... why are you here so early on a Monday morning?" Daniel asked curiously.
"Not that it's not good to see you, of course!" Sam piped up, glaring at her rude teammate, "But... well... it's a school day."
"So, Doc," the Colonel asked warily, "What do you know about this shindig?"
Katie figured they all knew something was up but she kept her lips sealed. "I'm here because the General asked me. Yes, it is a school day, but he asked nicely. And Colonel Jack, a shindig is a party and I wouldn't really say this qualifies." She turned and continued past them, smirking at Sam who was laughing at her CO's impression of a fish in the face of Katie's up-front attitude. Even after six months she was still able to floor the surly Colonel.
Katie waited in the crowd until she spotted General Hammond entering the room. She slowly but purposefully made her way over to his side. Hammond had had a screen mounted on the back wall and a projector placed in front of it, and everyone turned when they realised a picture was coming in to focus on it. It was a familiar picture of the Oval office with its famous desk and behind it sat the President himself.
"Mr President, Sir," Hammond spoke over the whispers that stopped immediately as the personnel stood to attention, realising they were actually in the presence of the President.
"General. Good to see you, George, and everyone else."
"Good to see you, too, Sir. I'm impressed with the technology, Sir. You know how sceptical I was."
"I do, George. Now, down to business. To all the SGC personnel..." the President began, whereupon all the SG teams clicked their heels and, if it were possible, all grew another inch. It amused Katie but also made her proud. These guys were willing to do a hell of a lot for their country and they deserved the changes that were about to be announced. She turned back to the screen as the President continued. "I realise the special circumstances of working at the SGC with all the secrecy involved but it has been brought to my attention that this command may be suffering because the SGC is taking up all of your time. While I admire your devotion to the cause, I feel I can do something to improve your personal lives."
This was not a usual Presidential speech and everyone began looking around at everyone else, wondering what the heck it was all about.
"There have been some changes made in your regulation handbook. You will all receive this in writing to make it official but I wanted to tell you all personally today. The changes involve the fraternisation regulations and, in particular, whether people in the same chain of command can be in a relationship."
There was a general gasp around the room as the President's words sank in and then people began murmuring to each other. Katie could also see several key personnel begin to blush, those she'd already pegged as being in the position of almost breaking the regs. There was abrupt silence in the room, however, as the President continued to talk to them on screen.
"Having spoken extensively to General Hammond and consulted a… shall we say… outside observer, there is to be a significant change. Relationships within the base are allowed. I know that ostensibly they already are, although they were frowned upon, especially as you often go on missions with more than one team. Relationships between military personnel within teams are also to be allowed. However, in these cases, there will be a strict protocol to follow, and I am not talking about where you can go on dates."
There was a smattering of laughter this time at the thought of the President planning dates for the people in the room but it died down quickly as the SG personnel thought more about what the President was saying.
"I know for some of you these changes will not sit well. However, it is after much thought and evidence that I have come to this decision. The rules are as follows. If you and a member of your team wish to embark on a relationship you must both first make an appointment with the new SGC counsellor. Once that initial meeting has taken place the counsellor will then meet with both you and the rest of your team, as any relationship will naturally affect all members of the team. She will then make a recommendation to General Hammond. If he, in consultation with the counsellor, approves it, and only then, will you be allowed to pursue a relationship within the confines of the team. If, however, the counsellor has any concerns about the cohesion of the team should two members wish to pursue a relationship, then she will share those concerns with you and you can then decide whether to continue to pursue a relationship or simply remain as team mates."
The President looked around at all those present before continuing in a much more serious tone. "But I want to make it absolutely clear that anyone caught in a relationship, or even just on a date, who has not followed this protocol will be severely punished. The rule may be changing but it is to make a more transparent system, one in which open honesty is valued and hidden affairs are condemned. If a relationship is allowed, the whole team will meet regularly with the counsellor to ensure that all team members remain happy with the situation and the relationship isn't affecting team dynamics while you are off world. This will continue for as long as the relationship continues. There is to be no dissention or favouritism in the field as your lives, and the safety of the entire planet, may depend on it. Any team member also has the right to ask for a discussion about the relationship at any time if they have a problem personally with the situation or see problems in the field because of it. That is something you will have to deal with if you wish to remain on the same team. Of course, there is still the option of one of you transferring to another team, and that may have to be considered if the situation is not working out." There was a moment of complete, shocked silence when the President paused. "So, are there any questions?"
After a few beats Jack put up his hand, realising that the President could see him. "Yes, Colonel?"
"Sir, this is interesting and all, but who is this 'outside counsellor' you have lined up for us?"
Katie smiled. Jack could be really dense when he wanted to be. She could see Sam nudging him. Clearly she had worked it all out.
"Well, Colonel, the outsider has been in your midst for several months now, and it is on her recommendation that we have made these changes. Your new counsellor comes highly recommended, by you, actually, Colonel. It is Miss Woodman."
As one all eyes in the room turned to Katie, some with relief, others showing a little concern, and many with sheer awe that after only six months she could have been instrumental in such a momentous change occurring. Katie was unsure what to say to alleviate the tension in the room but was spared having to speak when the President spoke again.
"General Hammond, I will leave you now. Duty calls." The President nodded to everyone in the room, looked to his left, and the picture disappeared. Katie thought she would be immediately bombarded with questions but everyone else was silenced when Jack spoke up.
"General, could I speak to you and Miss Woodman in private?" It may have been phrased like a question but the tone and pent up anger with which it was asked took Katie aback. She'd assumed that he, above all others, would approve of the changes.
The other personnel looked on warily as the 2IC of the base seemingly fumed at the latest announcement and waited for their CO's response.
"Very well, Colonel. Miss Woodman, would you please accompany me to my office? The rest of you back to work, please."
Katie trailed behind the two senior officers but did catch the look in Sam's eyes as she passed. Sam looked positively heartbroken. Clearly she liked the new regulations and was baffled and upset that Jack was so angry.
The men were entering Hammond's office by the time Katie reached the briefing room. General Hammond took a seat behind his desk and Katie stood beside Jack, who was literally seething with anger.
"What's the problem, Colonel?" Hammond asked, wondering why Jack was so upset.
"With all due respect, Sir, I think you and the President have been badly informed and shouldn't have changed the regulations," he said through gritted teeth.
"Colonel, while Miss Woodman did give some advice, this wasn't her decision."
"Sir, Miss Woodman is a civilian and doesn't understand the military way of life. Changing regulations will alter how we perform in the field."
Katie sighed. She'd assumed he would be happy with this.
General Hammond took a breath, clearly unsure how to proceed. "Colonel, the regulations have been changed but this is to be an 'observed change' if things don't work out then they will be reviewed and teams will be separated."
"I'm sorry, Sir. I think this is the worst command decision I've ever witnessed and my only hope is that no one's killed in the process when all of this goes horribly wrong."
Hammond stood, his face getting redder, he was not happy with tone used by his 21C. "Colonel, perhaps you should remember who you are talking to," he said very firmly, then paused seeing a slight evidence of contrition on O'Neill's face. He sat back down and eye-balled Jack again "Now, unfortunately, I have to make an important decision regarding the future of SG-1." He ruffled some papers on his desk. "Since it would appear you have no wish to take part in the new scheme, I have to decide if you can still function successfully as a team after the reports I've read from the za'tarc testing. You're dismissed, Colonel."
There was stunned silence in the office as both Katie and Jack processed what Hammond had just said. Jack glared at Katie then stalked past her out the door. Katie was unsure what to do now.
"I expect you feel I was too hard on him," Hammond said, gesturing for Katie to sit down in one of the chairs that faced his desk.
Katie took a second to think through her response. "General, when you found out what was disclosed by both Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter last month, it took a lot of guts not to disband SG-1 straight away. If they choose not to be together, you're put in a very difficult position. So actually, no, I don't think you were too hard on him."
George looked up at her and Katie could see the surprise on his face. "In case you haven't worked it out yet, Katie, that comment is exactly why the President and I feel you are the best person for this job."
"Thank you, George," Katie replied, awed by the support she was receiving. "Sir, something the President said confused me. Exactly why are personnel to make official appointments with me?"
"Ah, well, that's the President's idea. He doesn't want to make it too easy for potential couples. They need to have the guts to come and speak to you in person. No email, no phone call, face to face. Yes, it may be an embarrassing conversation, but I'm sure you can cope with that, Katie." Hammond smiled at the counsellor and Katie had the impression that she might be on base as his counsellor as well as for his personnel.