TITLE: WHEN THE WORLD HALTS - Chapter 1
AUTHOR: WITEZON
PARING: S/J friendship/romance
RATING: PG-13 or R (depending on how you feel about swearing)
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything but what my mind thinks up.
SUMMARY: JACK CENTRIC - What happens when the universe is at stake,
Hammond is missing, and everything rests on Colonel O'Neill's shoulders.
"SGs-2 and 10, report!" Ordered the Commander of the SGC, as the teams came through the Stargate.
Ferretti responded, "Sir, we didn't find anything. No signs of a fight, no signs of any injuries, or where they could have gone."
When Ferretti finished, Major Westmore, Commander of SG-10, agreed, "Sir, we searched in a 5-mile radius and absolutely no sign of General Hammond or SGs-3 or 12."
Staring at his team leaders, he nodded, "Get to the infirmary and cleaned up. I want a briefing in 30."
They left after acknowledging his orders.
Everyone in the Control Room looked up at him, waiting for this next order. They'd been doing that for the last twenty-four hours, ever since he'd been given command of the SGC. He knew they trusted him to pull a rabbit out of his hat, but damned if he knew how.
"Colonel."
Turning to the speaker, "Yeah, Davis?"
"The President would like to speak with you, Sir."
Nodding his head, he turned to Carter, "Major, recall all SG teams and activate the back-up teams for SG-3 and SG-12."
"Yes, sir, recalling all SG teams and activating the back-up teams."
He left as she began to implement his orders.
Davis escorted him to Hammond's office, but before O'Neill went in, "Ask COL Quince to wait out here with you."
He quickly walked over and picked up the phone, "Mr. President, this is Colonel O'Neill."
A brief moment passed, "Yes, sir. Both SG-2 and SG-10 returned and they found nothing."
He nodded, "Yes, sir. I suspect it was a trap to capture me, but got General Hammond instead."
The President of the United States exhaled a long breath, "Colonel O'Neill, you're the most feared non-Go'ald person in the entire Universe. The Go'ald know it, and the Asguard use it, as do the Tok'ra."
After a moment he continued, "Hell, we use it, and I'm going to continue to use it to protect Earth."
A brief second passed, then O'Neill answered, "Yes, sir."
Quietly the President asked, "Colonel, do you think that General Hammond and the teams are still alive?"
Lowering his head, he sighed, "Some of them may be, sir, and if they are then they're being tortured for information. In regards of security, I've changed all the codes for this facility. Using a coding system of mine, rather than anything the General may know."
The President continued, "I know that General Hammond is your friend, but if he's been compromised..."
"Yes, sir, I understand."
"Colonel, we're going to take the information from the Tok'ra as a serious threat against the Earth." He waited a moment, "Do you concur?"
Taking a deep breath, "Yes, sir, I do. I think that Heru'ur will try to attack Earth. Getting the General, or me, was just the spearhead."
"How much time do you think we have?'
"Sir, based on what we know now, they should be here in one week. But that's subject to change, sir, on any new information."
"Obviously keep me abreast of everything that you find out."
The President's tone changed, becoming more serious and official tone, "Colonel, after discussions with the JCS, the Department of Defense, and our allies, you are hereby appointed as the Commander of Earth Forces. Specifically, US forces, but also British, Canadian, Australian, Japanese, and Russian. The Italian, French, German, Mexican, Korean, and Indian nations have designated some of their forces to be added if you need them."
Another lifetime passed before he answered, "Yes, sir."
"Colonel, in regard to the needs of your nation and your past service, you are hereby promoted to Brigadier General with the brevet rank of General."
O'Neill caught his breath. 'Shit.' Again, giving the expected response, "Yes, sir."
Another moment passed, "Alright then, General, what do you need?"
'Goddamn it, I need for this not to be happening.' "Mr. President, I need the following units and for them to temporarily move to Peterson, and then into the Mountain. The Special Forces Group from Carson, one half of all of the Air Force Para-Rescue Teams, one brigade of SAS forces, ten SEAL teams, one Marine MEU, sir, and one each of Japan's engineering and medical brigades."
After a thought, "Also, two each of the Canadian and Australian Ranger units, sir, and a Russian infantry unit. I'll need their Commanders here immediately."
"Is that all, General?"
O'Neill had several scenarios running through his mind, "Sir, if you would also have a back up for each of those units on standby alert, I'd appreciate it. I'm also going to start stripping out the NORAD staff to supplement in the SGC and takeover the entire mountain and the area surrounding it. We're going to need the space."
He paused for a breath, then said, "Mr. President, I also recommend that we go to a DEFCON Two."
Three seconds passed, then the President nodded at the Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "Done, General. We'll get ready to send in replacements for NORAD. Anything else?" O'Neill knew the President wanted something else. Hope.
In a deadly voice, "Sir, we will do everything we can to protect Earth."
After a moment, "Goddamn it, General. How the hell did we get here?"
O'Neill's face turned into an expressionless mask, but his eyes burned with controlled violence, "We have a traitor, sir."
"Find that son-a-bitch now, General." O'Neill could hear the furious breathing of his President.
With a hard expression, "Yes, sir. " He had just the man for the job.
A moment passed as O'Neill heard different orders being issued in the Oval Office then, "General, bring some subordinate officers into your office for authentication of my orders."
Frowning, "Yes, sir. One moment, sir."
He put the phone down on his desk and walked into the hallway. There stood COL Quince and Major Davis.
"Colonel, come in. Major Davis, get Carter, Ferretti, Westmore and then get in here."
Davis nodded and went to the Control Room. After a few moments, there was a knock on the door.
"Come."
Everyone entered. They looked at him with trepidation, but solidly behind him. O'Neill turned to the speaker phone. "Mr. President, Colonel Quince and Majors Carter, Davis, Ferretti, and Westmore are here."
"Good. Colonel, Majors listen closely. Colonel O'Neill is hereby promoted to Brigadier General with a brevet rank of four-star General. Davis, see to it he's wearing the correct rank."
Davis acknowledged that into the silence, as they continued to stare at him.
The President continued, "General O'Neill, you and the SGC are the line between Earth and the Go'ald. You are weapons-free. You have the full authorization of the Office of the President to do whatever is necessary to ensure Earth's survival. Do you understand?"
Everyone stared at O'Neill in stunned awe, then muted sympathy. The burden placed on his shoulders was huge and unimaginable. The entire Earth was his responsibility.
"Yes, sir, I understand."
O'Neill looked as expressionless as a rattlesnake and equally as dangerous. He looked over at his commanders, "Carter, contact the Tok'ra, the Asguard, and Bra'tac in the Land of Light. Also try the Tollan and the Nox. I want a meeting with them within 24-hours."
Carter's eyes widened, "Yes, sir, General."
"Also, Major Carter, you are now the Commander of SG-1."
She nodded as she accepted the responsibility, "Yes, sir."
Sympathy conveyed its way from O'Neill to Carter. He turned to look at Davis, "Major Davis, you are now in-charge of the day-to-day logistical and administrative functions of the SGC."
He nodded, he expected it, and knew that it would actually be one of the hardest jobs there was.
O'Neill turned to Ferretti, "Major Ferretti, since Major Carter is now in command of SG-1, you are the Commander of the all SG-teams."
Carter turned to him surprise as did Ferretti and Westmore. O'Neill shook his head, "I know that normally the Commander of SG-1 does this, but Carter is needed for her scientific background to handle other things."
Turning to Col Quince, "Colonel, I would like you to be my 2IC."
Quince, studied O'Neill as O'Neill studied him, then replied seriously, "Yes, sir. It will be an honor."
Speaking up for the conference line, "Mr. President, is there anything else? Or may I contact you in two hours?"
A moment, "No, General, I think that's it. I'll be expecting your call." With that he hung up.
In the silence O'Neill watched everyone in the room, "Quince, Davis, sometime within the next 24-hours, we're gonna get several military groups, brigades, teams. From both the US and our allies. They're all gonna needs quarters. Get ready for them."
Sitting down in Hammond's chair, now his, "Majors, dismissed. Davis, Col Quince will be out to give you more information about our guests."
After they left, Quince gestured at a chair and O'Neill waved at him to sit.
The two men sat in silence, one already deep in strategy planning, and the other pondering O'Neill. They were totally different men. O'Neill tall, handsome, 'distinguished' gray hair, disciplined, hard, sarcastic, and a natural leader; but with a dark humor that misleads anyone who tries to look past the exterior to the extraordinarily brilliant military mind. Whereas Quince was medium height, blonde, green-eyed, very handsome, but also extremely disciplined and a good leader. Unlike, O'Neill who hid his intelligence to use as a weapon, Quince didn't. Totally the opposite, but both leaders, and while they weren't close friends, they were friends and respected each other. Quince was one of the first to realize that O'Neill was brilliant, even when his own team weren't sure what they were seeing. Though he did think Teal'c knew and respected O'Neill's silence.
He'd been watching O'Neill for about 3 months, trying to figure out why Hammond would choose this sarcastic, disrespectful man as his 2IC. Sure, O'Neill had the most time in grade, plus more command time than anyone else at the SGC, but still, why him? After those 3 months, Quince had realized what O'Neill was doing. He laughed silently along with O'Neill when others thought that they could bulldoze him or talk down to him and make him do things their way. They were never quite sure when everything exploded in their faces. He also used his supposed lower intelligence to make his team grow and move out of their scientific backgrounds into more rounded, thoughtful, and military minded, individuals. It was a style only someone supremely confident in their own abilities could use this effectively.
O'Neill looked over at Quince, "Mark, we're gonna have a hell of a battle on our hands." Staring at him, "But I'm not giving up on finding Hammond or the SG Teams."
He nodded after they exchanged a long look, "Yes, sir.
Quince studied the CG of the newly formed Earth Forces, "Sir, I'm assuming that you want me to work with Davis on the meet and greet with our guests?"
At O'Neill's smirking nod he continued, "Who are they?"
O'Neill quickly told him, then added, "We're gonna need to quarter them here in the Mountain. In fact, I want to takeover everything within a 50- mile radius of the Mountain. We'll use that for field training."
"What about the NID?"
O'Neill lifted his head to stare hard at him, "What would you like to do with the NID?"
Smirking, "Now that's an wide open question, sir, But can't we use them? If you're the Commander of Earth Forces (O'Neill grimaced at that title), then don't they belong to you?"
Thinking about that, "Maybe. We could definitely use their technology and they've all got the required clearances. But can we trust them?"
Exhaling, "Yeah, that's my thought, too, sir."
A knock at the door, "Come."
Major Davis walked in with a BDU jacket. "General, I hope you don't mind, but Major Carter and I went into your quarters got your uniform shirts to get the rank changed." Gesturing to the shirt in his hand, "The cleaners did this one up quickly for you, sir."
Sighing and accepting the inevitable, O'Neill stood up and took off his shirt, handing it to Davis. Davis tucked it under his arm as he handed O'Neill his new shirt.
Frowning, O'Neill turned to him and gestured at the rank, "Davis?"
"Well, sir, you were brevetted to General and when that happens you wear that rank insignia."
"Oh, yeah. Forgot about that." Quince snorted.
O'Neill glared at him, "Okay, gentlemen, go get the base ready. And, Colonel, I'll contact the NORAD Commander and let him know."
Hiding a laugh, "Yes, sir, I'm sure he'll be very pleased."
8-HOURS LATER - 0130 HOURS, O'NEILL'S QUARTERS
Throughout the afternoon and the evening O'Neill had run between 'his' office, the briefing room, and the control room. Finally at 0130, he decided he was too tired to do anymore and went to his quarters.
He closed the door behind him and tiredly leaned against it.
KNOCK, KNOCK.
Dropping his chin on his chest, he muttered, "Damn."
Opening the door he found Carter there with her camping gear.
Puzzled, "Carter?"
With a self-conscious grin, she said, "Hi, sir. Can I come in? I've got no where to spend the night."
Frowning, "And you want to spend it here? With me?" Contrary to his words he stepped back and let her in.
"Thanks, sir."
"Make yourself at home, Carter, but I get the shower first." That said he grabbed a t-shirt and sweat pants and went into his bathroom.
Carter watched him for a minute, then began to set up her cot and put her things on his desk and chair. After 5 minutes he came back out and stared at her.
Pointing at the shower with his head, "All yours, Carter. I'm going to bed. You can tell me why you're here if I'm still awake."
Grinning at him, "Yes, sir."
Another five minutes passed, then Carter came out in a tee and sweats. O'Neill had turned off the light by his bed, but had left the small desk light on for her.
"Okay, Carter, talk to me. To say I'm surprised you're here is an understatement."
The atmosphere momentarily tensed, but he quickly diffused it, "But, of course, I am the Commander of Earth Forces, who's going to say anything to me?"
Smiling at him, "Well, General, maybe the President, the JCS, and my father, but other than that, no one."
She sat down on her cot and slipped under the covers, "There really is no where else to sleep, sir. I gave up my quarters to the CG of the Special Forces Group and his aide. Daniel is bunking with Teal'c as the Marine MEU Commander and his aide got his quarters. Janet has half of her nurses in her room as she's called in her back-up staff and the para-rescue teams are dropping in groups of two."
"Oh, okay. Quince and Davis are still working on getting all the floors opened up?"
"Yes, sir. Major Davis is hoping to have it set-up by tomorrow night."
"Good enough. I'm tired, Carter, let's go to sleep."
CONTINUED IN CHAP 2
"SGs-2 and 10, report!" Ordered the Commander of the SGC, as the teams came through the Stargate.
Ferretti responded, "Sir, we didn't find anything. No signs of a fight, no signs of any injuries, or where they could have gone."
When Ferretti finished, Major Westmore, Commander of SG-10, agreed, "Sir, we searched in a 5-mile radius and absolutely no sign of General Hammond or SGs-3 or 12."
Staring at his team leaders, he nodded, "Get to the infirmary and cleaned up. I want a briefing in 30."
They left after acknowledging his orders.
Everyone in the Control Room looked up at him, waiting for this next order. They'd been doing that for the last twenty-four hours, ever since he'd been given command of the SGC. He knew they trusted him to pull a rabbit out of his hat, but damned if he knew how.
"Colonel."
Turning to the speaker, "Yeah, Davis?"
"The President would like to speak with you, Sir."
Nodding his head, he turned to Carter, "Major, recall all SG teams and activate the back-up teams for SG-3 and SG-12."
"Yes, sir, recalling all SG teams and activating the back-up teams."
He left as she began to implement his orders.
Davis escorted him to Hammond's office, but before O'Neill went in, "Ask COL Quince to wait out here with you."
He quickly walked over and picked up the phone, "Mr. President, this is Colonel O'Neill."
A brief moment passed, "Yes, sir. Both SG-2 and SG-10 returned and they found nothing."
He nodded, "Yes, sir. I suspect it was a trap to capture me, but got General Hammond instead."
The President of the United States exhaled a long breath, "Colonel O'Neill, you're the most feared non-Go'ald person in the entire Universe. The Go'ald know it, and the Asguard use it, as do the Tok'ra."
After a moment he continued, "Hell, we use it, and I'm going to continue to use it to protect Earth."
A brief second passed, then O'Neill answered, "Yes, sir."
Quietly the President asked, "Colonel, do you think that General Hammond and the teams are still alive?"
Lowering his head, he sighed, "Some of them may be, sir, and if they are then they're being tortured for information. In regards of security, I've changed all the codes for this facility. Using a coding system of mine, rather than anything the General may know."
The President continued, "I know that General Hammond is your friend, but if he's been compromised..."
"Yes, sir, I understand."
"Colonel, we're going to take the information from the Tok'ra as a serious threat against the Earth." He waited a moment, "Do you concur?"
Taking a deep breath, "Yes, sir, I do. I think that Heru'ur will try to attack Earth. Getting the General, or me, was just the spearhead."
"How much time do you think we have?'
"Sir, based on what we know now, they should be here in one week. But that's subject to change, sir, on any new information."
"Obviously keep me abreast of everything that you find out."
The President's tone changed, becoming more serious and official tone, "Colonel, after discussions with the JCS, the Department of Defense, and our allies, you are hereby appointed as the Commander of Earth Forces. Specifically, US forces, but also British, Canadian, Australian, Japanese, and Russian. The Italian, French, German, Mexican, Korean, and Indian nations have designated some of their forces to be added if you need them."
Another lifetime passed before he answered, "Yes, sir."
"Colonel, in regard to the needs of your nation and your past service, you are hereby promoted to Brigadier General with the brevet rank of General."
O'Neill caught his breath. 'Shit.' Again, giving the expected response, "Yes, sir."
Another moment passed, "Alright then, General, what do you need?"
'Goddamn it, I need for this not to be happening.' "Mr. President, I need the following units and for them to temporarily move to Peterson, and then into the Mountain. The Special Forces Group from Carson, one half of all of the Air Force Para-Rescue Teams, one brigade of SAS forces, ten SEAL teams, one Marine MEU, sir, and one each of Japan's engineering and medical brigades."
After a thought, "Also, two each of the Canadian and Australian Ranger units, sir, and a Russian infantry unit. I'll need their Commanders here immediately."
"Is that all, General?"
O'Neill had several scenarios running through his mind, "Sir, if you would also have a back up for each of those units on standby alert, I'd appreciate it. I'm also going to start stripping out the NORAD staff to supplement in the SGC and takeover the entire mountain and the area surrounding it. We're going to need the space."
He paused for a breath, then said, "Mr. President, I also recommend that we go to a DEFCON Two."
Three seconds passed, then the President nodded at the Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "Done, General. We'll get ready to send in replacements for NORAD. Anything else?" O'Neill knew the President wanted something else. Hope.
In a deadly voice, "Sir, we will do everything we can to protect Earth."
After a moment, "Goddamn it, General. How the hell did we get here?"
O'Neill's face turned into an expressionless mask, but his eyes burned with controlled violence, "We have a traitor, sir."
"Find that son-a-bitch now, General." O'Neill could hear the furious breathing of his President.
With a hard expression, "Yes, sir. " He had just the man for the job.
A moment passed as O'Neill heard different orders being issued in the Oval Office then, "General, bring some subordinate officers into your office for authentication of my orders."
Frowning, "Yes, sir. One moment, sir."
He put the phone down on his desk and walked into the hallway. There stood COL Quince and Major Davis.
"Colonel, come in. Major Davis, get Carter, Ferretti, Westmore and then get in here."
Davis nodded and went to the Control Room. After a few moments, there was a knock on the door.
"Come."
Everyone entered. They looked at him with trepidation, but solidly behind him. O'Neill turned to the speaker phone. "Mr. President, Colonel Quince and Majors Carter, Davis, Ferretti, and Westmore are here."
"Good. Colonel, Majors listen closely. Colonel O'Neill is hereby promoted to Brigadier General with a brevet rank of four-star General. Davis, see to it he's wearing the correct rank."
Davis acknowledged that into the silence, as they continued to stare at him.
The President continued, "General O'Neill, you and the SGC are the line between Earth and the Go'ald. You are weapons-free. You have the full authorization of the Office of the President to do whatever is necessary to ensure Earth's survival. Do you understand?"
Everyone stared at O'Neill in stunned awe, then muted sympathy. The burden placed on his shoulders was huge and unimaginable. The entire Earth was his responsibility.
"Yes, sir, I understand."
O'Neill looked as expressionless as a rattlesnake and equally as dangerous. He looked over at his commanders, "Carter, contact the Tok'ra, the Asguard, and Bra'tac in the Land of Light. Also try the Tollan and the Nox. I want a meeting with them within 24-hours."
Carter's eyes widened, "Yes, sir, General."
"Also, Major Carter, you are now the Commander of SG-1."
She nodded as she accepted the responsibility, "Yes, sir."
Sympathy conveyed its way from O'Neill to Carter. He turned to look at Davis, "Major Davis, you are now in-charge of the day-to-day logistical and administrative functions of the SGC."
He nodded, he expected it, and knew that it would actually be one of the hardest jobs there was.
O'Neill turned to Ferretti, "Major Ferretti, since Major Carter is now in command of SG-1, you are the Commander of the all SG-teams."
Carter turned to him surprise as did Ferretti and Westmore. O'Neill shook his head, "I know that normally the Commander of SG-1 does this, but Carter is needed for her scientific background to handle other things."
Turning to Col Quince, "Colonel, I would like you to be my 2IC."
Quince, studied O'Neill as O'Neill studied him, then replied seriously, "Yes, sir. It will be an honor."
Speaking up for the conference line, "Mr. President, is there anything else? Or may I contact you in two hours?"
A moment, "No, General, I think that's it. I'll be expecting your call." With that he hung up.
In the silence O'Neill watched everyone in the room, "Quince, Davis, sometime within the next 24-hours, we're gonna get several military groups, brigades, teams. From both the US and our allies. They're all gonna needs quarters. Get ready for them."
Sitting down in Hammond's chair, now his, "Majors, dismissed. Davis, Col Quince will be out to give you more information about our guests."
After they left, Quince gestured at a chair and O'Neill waved at him to sit.
The two men sat in silence, one already deep in strategy planning, and the other pondering O'Neill. They were totally different men. O'Neill tall, handsome, 'distinguished' gray hair, disciplined, hard, sarcastic, and a natural leader; but with a dark humor that misleads anyone who tries to look past the exterior to the extraordinarily brilliant military mind. Whereas Quince was medium height, blonde, green-eyed, very handsome, but also extremely disciplined and a good leader. Unlike, O'Neill who hid his intelligence to use as a weapon, Quince didn't. Totally the opposite, but both leaders, and while they weren't close friends, they were friends and respected each other. Quince was one of the first to realize that O'Neill was brilliant, even when his own team weren't sure what they were seeing. Though he did think Teal'c knew and respected O'Neill's silence.
He'd been watching O'Neill for about 3 months, trying to figure out why Hammond would choose this sarcastic, disrespectful man as his 2IC. Sure, O'Neill had the most time in grade, plus more command time than anyone else at the SGC, but still, why him? After those 3 months, Quince had realized what O'Neill was doing. He laughed silently along with O'Neill when others thought that they could bulldoze him or talk down to him and make him do things their way. They were never quite sure when everything exploded in their faces. He also used his supposed lower intelligence to make his team grow and move out of their scientific backgrounds into more rounded, thoughtful, and military minded, individuals. It was a style only someone supremely confident in their own abilities could use this effectively.
O'Neill looked over at Quince, "Mark, we're gonna have a hell of a battle on our hands." Staring at him, "But I'm not giving up on finding Hammond or the SG Teams."
He nodded after they exchanged a long look, "Yes, sir.
Quince studied the CG of the newly formed Earth Forces, "Sir, I'm assuming that you want me to work with Davis on the meet and greet with our guests?"
At O'Neill's smirking nod he continued, "Who are they?"
O'Neill quickly told him, then added, "We're gonna need to quarter them here in the Mountain. In fact, I want to takeover everything within a 50- mile radius of the Mountain. We'll use that for field training."
"What about the NID?"
O'Neill lifted his head to stare hard at him, "What would you like to do with the NID?"
Smirking, "Now that's an wide open question, sir, But can't we use them? If you're the Commander of Earth Forces (O'Neill grimaced at that title), then don't they belong to you?"
Thinking about that, "Maybe. We could definitely use their technology and they've all got the required clearances. But can we trust them?"
Exhaling, "Yeah, that's my thought, too, sir."
A knock at the door, "Come."
Major Davis walked in with a BDU jacket. "General, I hope you don't mind, but Major Carter and I went into your quarters got your uniform shirts to get the rank changed." Gesturing to the shirt in his hand, "The cleaners did this one up quickly for you, sir."
Sighing and accepting the inevitable, O'Neill stood up and took off his shirt, handing it to Davis. Davis tucked it under his arm as he handed O'Neill his new shirt.
Frowning, O'Neill turned to him and gestured at the rank, "Davis?"
"Well, sir, you were brevetted to General and when that happens you wear that rank insignia."
"Oh, yeah. Forgot about that." Quince snorted.
O'Neill glared at him, "Okay, gentlemen, go get the base ready. And, Colonel, I'll contact the NORAD Commander and let him know."
Hiding a laugh, "Yes, sir, I'm sure he'll be very pleased."
8-HOURS LATER - 0130 HOURS, O'NEILL'S QUARTERS
Throughout the afternoon and the evening O'Neill had run between 'his' office, the briefing room, and the control room. Finally at 0130, he decided he was too tired to do anymore and went to his quarters.
He closed the door behind him and tiredly leaned against it.
KNOCK, KNOCK.
Dropping his chin on his chest, he muttered, "Damn."
Opening the door he found Carter there with her camping gear.
Puzzled, "Carter?"
With a self-conscious grin, she said, "Hi, sir. Can I come in? I've got no where to spend the night."
Frowning, "And you want to spend it here? With me?" Contrary to his words he stepped back and let her in.
"Thanks, sir."
"Make yourself at home, Carter, but I get the shower first." That said he grabbed a t-shirt and sweat pants and went into his bathroom.
Carter watched him for a minute, then began to set up her cot and put her things on his desk and chair. After 5 minutes he came back out and stared at her.
Pointing at the shower with his head, "All yours, Carter. I'm going to bed. You can tell me why you're here if I'm still awake."
Grinning at him, "Yes, sir."
Another five minutes passed, then Carter came out in a tee and sweats. O'Neill had turned off the light by his bed, but had left the small desk light on for her.
"Okay, Carter, talk to me. To say I'm surprised you're here is an understatement."
The atmosphere momentarily tensed, but he quickly diffused it, "But, of course, I am the Commander of Earth Forces, who's going to say anything to me?"
Smiling at him, "Well, General, maybe the President, the JCS, and my father, but other than that, no one."
She sat down on her cot and slipped under the covers, "There really is no where else to sleep, sir. I gave up my quarters to the CG of the Special Forces Group and his aide. Daniel is bunking with Teal'c as the Marine MEU Commander and his aide got his quarters. Janet has half of her nurses in her room as she's called in her back-up staff and the para-rescue teams are dropping in groups of two."
"Oh, okay. Quince and Davis are still working on getting all the floors opened up?"
"Yes, sir. Major Davis is hoping to have it set-up by tomorrow night."
"Good enough. I'm tired, Carter, let's go to sleep."
CONTINUED IN CHAP 2