Hi… this is my first BIG mission SG-1 and I wanted to go somewhere different with this, but still stay true to MY OWN style and genre of fanfic. I apologize if I am confusing any SG-1 fans. This is taken from the end of season 7. Jack is NOT General yet and I have no intention of ranking him that way, but nevertheless, I hope you enjoy what I have… and to all those hard-core SG-1 fans out there, I'm sorry if I offend you.

I'm only a rookie.

Please R&R

Jack flexed his bicep, as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. He was coming on 60 years old and he wasn't as actively strong as he once was, and the signs were beginning to show. Jack O'Neal, current standing Connell, had returned from a mission with the SG-1 team, only two days previous. He'd had his debrief and been cleared for a bill of health, it was only Jack who knew his health wasn't up to scratch. But he had no desire to share his health with any other members of his team. It was not who he was.

Jack felt the pain shooting up his arm, just as he had suffered through it on the mission, ignoring it though he had pushed on and silently endured alone. He was aware it was of aging aches and pains, and had it been something minor, he might have complained into all hours of the night until one of his team mates gave in and sympathized with him, if only to shut him up.

He rubbed the spot on his arm, with the ointment he had "borrowed" from Janet's nurse's station. It seemed to help a little.

A knock on the door caused Jack to jump back from the mirror startled as his body jolted. He grabbed his shirt from the bed and swiftly pulled it over his shoulders shoving his arms in, with effort. It only took a moment to button his shirt before he trudged over to open the door.

"Carter…" he smiled weakly.

"Sir, may I have a word?" she was standing at attention, hands to her side, an impassive expression on her face.

Jack frowned, only slightly annoyed, any time with Sam was made for stimulating conversation, but with his health deteriorating and his body aching intensely, the appeal had dimmed slightly.

"Is this a bad time?" she asked. Sam suddenly looked a little nervous. Jack couldn't help thinking how cute she was as she chewed timidly on her bottom lip.

"Ur, no… come on in," he said stepping aside.

Sam smiled briefly and came into his room. Her eyes wondered for a moment. Jack noticed that her hair had grown a few inches over the past few weeks. He had always liked her blonde hair short; it suited her small oval face.

Jack closed the door behind her and approached the bed.

"What's the problem?" he asked.

There was a pause in Sam's reply. "I don't mean to pry, Sir, but I noticed something. If you think I'm over stepping the mark, then by all means tell me to mind my own business-"

"Carter, what's the problem?" Jack didn't have the patience for small-talk.

"I noticed that you didn't quite seem yourself on the last mission, and I just wanted to make sure that you were-?"

"I'm fine," he stated. His tone was a little harder than he intended. But Sam didn't seem insulted by it. "I am perfectly normal…"

"Are you sure of that, Sir, you just seemed-"

"Major!" he warned.

Sam nodded once and left the conversation at that. "Yes, Sir."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Is that all?"

"Yes, Sir. I just wanted make sure that everything was okay," she assured him. Sam didn't look convinced.

"I'm fine, Carter. There is no problem here. I'm right as rain… fine and dandy… good as good… best as ever… healthy as a horse…" he rambled.

Sam smiled. "Got it, Sir."

Jack walked her to the door and watched as she made her way to her own private quarters, and then he turned in early. His arm ached. He was sure by morning it would be detached. But nevertheless, sleep claimed him and he prepared himself for what the next mission entailed.

I'd love a review or two… let me know I'm doing okay :)