A/N: Thanks to all that left a review, I really appreciate it. I can't believe the response to the first chapter, I only hope that I can keep it up. Anyways, here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 2 – A Higher Power
"If you two got married, protocol dictates that I be informed. Personnel files, among other things, require updating when people under command get married," General Hammond said when he finally found his voice.
"You don't have to worry about that, Sir. It's already been taken care of," Jack offered, rather pleased with himself.
"Taken care of? By who?"
"The Air Force Chief of Staff"
"The Air Force Chief of Staff? Why would he be the one to do that, I'm sure he's got more important matters that demand his time," Hammond said, in utter disbelief at the direction this conversation was headed.
"Well, when the President of the United States asks you to do something, it's a good idea to go ahead and do it. Even I know that, Sir," Jack finished having a hard time hiding his smile.
"The President? Now why would the President do that… and how would he even know about you two?"
"That's and easy one, Sir. He did it because he wanted to see your reaction to all of this," Jack said waving his hands around. "Oh, that reminds me, I need to make sure I get a copy of the surveillance videos from earlier. Anyways, as for your other question, well it came up in conversation when we talked about a month ago. And before you even ask, the story about how we ended up talking is for another time."
"Major Carter, I'm guessing you're still going by Carter, you've been rather quiet during all of this, is there anything you would like to add?" Hammond asked turning his attention away from Colonel O'Neill, still not sure what to make of everything he just heard.
"Yes, Sir, it's still Carter and no, there's nothing that I would like to add except that the President should be contacting you later today to officially notify you that I will now be reporting directly to you, and to go over a few other changes. If there is nothing else…"
"That's it for now," Hammond interrupted. "You two are dismissed… oh, and by the way, Congratulations!"
"Thank you, Sir!" they replied in unison, and then exited General Hammond's office.
***
After leaving General Hammond's Office Sam headed for her post-mission medical exam and debriefing while Jack headed to her lab to wait for her to finish up. Fortunately they were both able to avoid conversations about their actions in the Gate room earlier, while news of the kiss had spread around the base the conversation with General Hammond had not. There were whispered conversations wherever either of them went but no one was willing to confront them.
By the time Sam finally made it back to her lab all it took was one look at Jack before they both burst out laughing. After regaining her composure Sam spoke up, "I can't believe how on edge everyone is, it's like they're walking on pins and needles around us."
"I would imagine that right now they are all trying to figure out why we have locked up and charged with breaking regulations for… our little display earlier," Jack said with a mischievous grin. "So, got any ideas for a big reveal to the base? I figure we should have as much fun with this as possible."
"I don't, but I'm guessing by that look in your eye that you do. So spill, what have you got in mind?"
"Well, since you asked so nicely I was thinking that…" and for the next few minutes Jack explained what he was thinking.
"Oh that should be fun and I'll go along with it, but on two conditions; first that after this we keep a low profile on base, and second that we let General Hammond know what's going on. The first because while everyone will know about us, it wouldn't be conductive for the work environment for us to walk around holding hands and giving each other kisses whenever the mood might strike. Hey, don't give me that look Jack, you know I'm right. And the second because, well quite frankly I don't think General Hammond's head has stopped spinning from the first bit of news he got from us and I really don't even think about how he would react to this next bit. Deal?"
"Alright Sam, deal," Jack said somewhat disappointed. "Just don't expect me to keep a low profile once we get off this base."
"Oh, you had better not. Seven years of that is more than enough for the rest of our life." With that Sam reached over to grab the phone, "so why don't you give General Hammond a call to give him the head's up on your plan…"
"Fine," Jack said taking the phone from Sam. A minute later the phone call was finished and Jack hung the phone back up. "So, wanna go get something to eat?" Jack asked extending his arm towards Sam.
"I would love to!" Linking her arm with Jack's, they headed off towards the commissary.
***
Walking into the commissary Jack couldn't help but notice how crowded it was in there. "Since when does everyone get their dinner here? I don't think I've ever seen it this crowded," Jack whispered to Sam.
"Since a new head chef was hired last week the quality of food on the menu has drastically improved, and like any changes that happen on the base, it didn't take long for the word to spread about the new cuisine. Next thing I know, people are showing up here that I didn't even know worked here."
"Well, I guess everyone got tired of brown-bagging it," Jack said gently guiding Sam towards the line with a hand on the small of her back.
The line to get dinner moved along quickly and they had just reached the dessert counter when someone called out, "Jack, Sam, over here." Turning their heads they looked around to see Daniel waving them towards his table. Jack quickly grabbed a couple pieces of cake and handed Sam a dish of blue jello before heading towards the table.
Upon arriving at the table Jack started looking around when Daniel interrupted, "if you're looking for Teal'c, he will be arriving shortly. We were planning on meeting I just got here a little early to make sure we got our usual table."
Nodding, they all took a seat and began eating their dinners. After a few bites Jack turned his tray around and was reaching for a piece of the cake when an elbow was jabbed into his side. "Oww, what was that for?" Jack asked turning towards Sam.
"You know better than that Jack. Dinner first and then dessert," she quickly answered with a stern look. Silently admitting defeat, Jack turned his tray back around to finish eating his dinner.
During all of this Daniel, along people at the surrounding tables, had stopped eating and turned to watch what was going on between Jack and Sam. Before they even had a chance to notice the stares, Teal'c had showed up. With a quick glance, Teal'c knew that something was off, "what is going on here?" he flatly asked.
That was all it took, hearing his voice, everyone else that was eating in the commissary turned to see what Teal'c was looking at. Jack and Sam simply shrugged and then resumed eating. A moment later Daniel finally spoke up, "umm, guys what's going on between you two?"
"Just eating dinner," Jack said with a mouth full of mashed potatoes.
"That's not what I meant and you know it. Jack, since when does Sam call you by your first name."
"Well, Daniel," Jack started to say emphasizing 'Daniel', "it is my name, so…"
"JACK! Enough already," was all Daniel could say at the moment, getting too frustrated to say anything else.
At that moment Sam started giggling, "oh come on Jack, haven't you had enough fun? Just go ahead and tell him, and them," she said gesturing to everyone else that had their eyes glued to the unfolding scene.
"Me, have enough fun? Never! Besides, you know I'm no good with words." Standing up, Jack stretched his hand out towards Sam. "Come here," was all he had to say before Sam stood up. Pulling her into a hug, Jack said "love ya!" and leaned in and kissed her on the lips.
The commissary was so quiet you could have heard a pen drop. The kiss was finally interrupted when General Hammond's voice came over the speaker.
"Colonel O'Neill, Major Carter, please report to my office immediately. Oh, and Major Carter, if he tries to find a way to sneak off the base you have my permission to use whatever means you have to get him here. Just make sure that your husband doesn't cause any trouble along the way."
"HUSBAND?" every voice in the commissary, and probably the base, called out.
"Umm, Jack, Sam, was there something you wanted to tell us?" Daniel asked gesturing to himself and Teal'c.
"Yep, Sam and I got married a little over two weeks ago!" and with that Jack shoved his hand into his pockets, and left the commissary whistling with a huge grin on his face.
All Sam could do was shrug her shoulders and follow him out. After all, she had to make sure he was going to General Hammond's office.
Once they reached to elevators, Sam finally asked, "So how did you get General Hammond to agree to say that over the speaker system?"
"It was quite simple really, I simply promised to go over everything that I've been up to since he reassigned me to the Academy."
"Well this is one conversation I've got to hear. I don't even know what you were up to while you were there; you managed to stay under the radar on that one. I even asked a few professors that I know there, and none of them could recall a Colonel O'Neill teaching classes. They don't know everybody, but let's just say you have a way of making your presence know where ever you go."
Jack's smile just got even bigger as they approached the door to General Hammond's office.
TBC
Well, what do you think? I'm still deciding what subject I want Jack to have spent his time teaching, so if you have any ideas let me know, I'm always open to suggestions on what you would like to read.
