"You rang, sir?" Jack asked as he walked into Hammond's office the next morning.
"Jack, I have some bad news. They are reassigning you. I don't know where yet, but you're no longer on SG-1. Hell, I'm hoping you'll still be here at the mountain."
"What!? Who made that decision?"
"The Air Force Chief of Staff."
"Son of a bitch! These bastards really have that much influence over our military?"
"It looks like it. I did everything I could, called in favors, but it didn't do any good. I'm sorry, Jack."
"Not your fault, sir. Thanks anyway. You promoting Carter to take over the team?"
"I'm considering it."
"That would be my recommendation, sir. If it matters."
"It does, son. I'll keep that in mind. I need to assign a new member to SG-1 today, are you going to break the news before I do?"
"Nah, you can do it, sir. I'll talk to them when I know what I'm going to be doing."
"Ok, well I'll call you in when I get word of your next assignment."
Jack nodded and hung his head and turned to walk back out of Hammond's office.
...
An hour later, the three members of the flagship team were waiting for General Hammond in the briefing room.
"What do you think this is about?" Daniel asked.
"I am unaware, Daniel Jackson."
"I wonder where the Colonel is," Sam added.
"Colonel O'Neill will not be joining us, Major," Hammond announced as he walked in.
"Sir?"
"Colonel O'Neill has been reassigned. I'm here to inform you that Captain John Horton will be assigned to SG-1 as your fourth member."
"What!? He's been reassigned? Where?" Sam asked frantically.
"We don't know yet. He was planning on telling you when he finds out."
"This is because of the last mission?" Daniel asked.
"Yes, Dr. Jackson. I pulled all of the strings I could, but it wasn't good enough."
"They can't do this!" Daniel shouted.
"I find it hard to believe that your leadership is foolish enough to withdraw a warrior and leader such as O'Neill from the fight against your enemies," Teal'c growled with fury lighting up his eyes.
"I know, Teal'c. They seem to believe that the presence of the Helvecons reduces or eliminates the threat. Anyway, Major Carter, you are the new leader of SG-1 and will receive a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel."
Sam was startled out of her stupor by this and snapped her head back up to look at the General.
"Thank you, sir."
"That's all for now, folks. You're dismissed."
As Hammond left the room, Sam was filled with mixed emotions. The Colonel not on SG-1. Just the thought of it felt like an anvil sitting on her chest. She would miss him out in the field, but she knew sooner or later his disregard for orders was going to come back to bite him. Still, she doubted they would take him away from the mountain. He was too valuable. She forced the negatives out of her mind to dwell on the positives.
She will be leading SG-1. She was a bit nervous, but excited about that. Silver oak leaves. Her father will be so proud of her. So will Danwig. She had been seeing Danwig since shortly after he arrived for the negotiations, and it was going well. He was attractive, intelligent, and kind. They're both military, so they can relate. She didn't have to hide her work from him. As long as she ignored the silent knot in her gut, she could convince herself that her life was perfect, career and love life. She put a smile on her face and left the briefing room.
…
The following morning, Jack arrived early at the mountain with an envelope in hand. He would find out today what his new assignment was, but he knew that chances are he wasn't going to like it, so he brought his letter of resignation with him. Today was also Carter's promotion ceremony, so he would stick around for that, and probably never set foot in the mountain again.
In a bit of a daze, he made his way to Hammond's office and knocked. He opened the door when he heard "Enter".
"Sir, what's the verdict?"
"Jack, sit down. They are reassigning you to MacDill."
"MacDill? What the hell for?"
"Something about working with SOCOM, they didn't give me any details, son."
"Wanted me as far away as they could get from this place, huh? It really doesn't matter, sir," Jack offered and handed over his resignation.
"I can't say I didn't see this coming. I'll put it through, Jack. You deserve that much."
"Thank you, George. It really has been an honor, sir."
"I just can't believe after all of your antics over the years, this is what chased you out of here."
"Yes, well, we didn't have to answer to our new friends before either. Anyway, sir, I wanted to ask a favor."
"Sure, Jack."
"I wanted to ask if I could pin Carter today. It being my last day and all, it would mean a lot."
"That is one thing I can do for you, son."
"I appreciate it, sir."
With that, Jack left Hammond's office and went to find his t…, well, former teammates.
...
Sam, Daniel, and Teal'c were all gathered in Daniel's office when Jack walked in the door. Sam immediately noticed the sadness in his eyes before he quickly schooled them.
"Morning, kids," Jack announced himself with a false cheerfulness in his tone.
"Any news, sir?" Carter asked him.
"Not 'sir' anymore, Carter. I'm retired."
"What!? They couldn't have forced you out for this?" she snapped indignantly.
"No, they were going to send me to SOCOM HQ, so I retired instead."
"MacDill?" she asked, and he nodded.
"In Tampa? What the hell are they doing, Jack? Why would they try to take you away from this place?" Daniel asked him.
"I don't think our new friends care to have me in a position to deal with them, Danny boy."
"I doubt that, sir. Danwig said he was doing everything he could to get you out of trouble for this."
"Yes, Carter, I'm sure he was," Jack quipped, his voice dripping with sarcasm, which surprised Sam. She knew that the Colonel didn't like Danwig from the start, but she really didn't look too hard into why that could be. He didn't give any specific reasons, so she just ignored it. Danwig didn't seem to show the Colonel any undue animosity, so why wouldn't he want to help?
"O'Neill, I pledged my loyalty to you in defense of the people of this world. I will not be able to continue in service of those that would cast aside a hero of this and many people throughout the galaxy."
"Don't say that, T. They still need you around here. Everything will go on the same, probably better without me holding you guys back. I'm just a dumb, old soldier that disobeyed orders one time too many."
"Sir, how can you say that? It will never be the same without you around here."
"Relax, Carter. You've been ready for command for a long time. You don't need me around here anymore. You'll be great."
"That's not what I was talking about, sir."
"Why, what else is there?"
That shut her mouth. She sucked in a sharp breath at the pain she saw flash in his eyes. Before she could come up with anything to say, Daniel butted in again.
"Jack, aren't there any people you know or favors you could pull to stop this?"
"Not this time, Daniel. Hammond tried, and even if I could, I wouldn't waste them cashing in on this. It wouldn't be the last time this happened, especially with the Helvecons running the show now."
"Anyway, guys, I just wanted to let you know. You know how to get in touch with me. It's been an honor."
"Indeed it has, O'Neill." Teal'c grabbed Jack's forearm in a Jaffa handshake. Then he turned and left the room.
…
It was 1700, time for Carter's promotion ceremony in the gate room. Jack was walking down the hall in his dress blues when he saw Sam and Danwig standing just outside the gate room. Carter was laughing, then leaned in and they shared a passionate kiss.
The bowling ball in Jack's gut never really went away anymore, but it felt like it grew a few inches, choking off his air supply. Nevertheless, he held his breath, put on his mask, and walked right past them into the gate room. He went and stood next to General Hammond at the top of the ramp.
Once Carter and Danwig entered the room, everyone stood at attention in the gate room and awaited the General's words.
"Folks, we are here to honor the exemplary service of our own Major Samantha Carter. Here is her long time commanding officer."
Hammond then stepped away from the podium and Jack stepped up to it.
"It's my honor to be here this evening to preside over the promotion of Major Samantha Carter to Lieutenant Colonel. Major, please come forward."
She looked a bit taken aback, but did as ordered. Jack then turned to face her, his eyes completely shuttered tight.
"The President of the United States, acting upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the Air Force, has placed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, integrity and abilities of Major Samantha Carter. In view of these special qualities and her demonstrated potential to serve in the higher grade, Major Samantha Carter is promoted to the permanent grade of Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force."
"Colonel, raise your right hand and repeat after me. I, insert name."
"I, Samantha Carter."
"Having been appointed a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force," Jack continued, Sam repeated.
"Do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic."
"That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same."
"That I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion."
"And that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office of which I am about to enter, so help me God."
Jack then pulled a worn, black box out of his pocket with his own silver oak leaves inside and opened it up. Sam's eyes got huge and moisture was gathering in the corners. He then removed her gold leaves and pinned on her new insignia.
"Congratulations, Colonel."
As Jack saluted her, he cracked a smile, allowing his pride and love for her to show through his eyes, causing Sam to let out a small gasp, and then handed her the worn box with her gold oak leaves in it.
"Goodbye, Sam," he whispered in her ear before turning on his heel and leaving the gate room as everyone else was making their way to congratulate her. She just stood and watched him leave with a dazed look about her.
...
One evening a few days later, Jack sat on his roof just staring up at the darkening, twilight sky. He had packed his truck for Minnesota and was planning on leaving in the morning, so he was just going to relax, well, at least as much as he could, until then. Suddenly he heard a car pull into his driveway. His treacherous heart hoped that it might have been Carter, but that was quickly dashed when he heard Daniel's voice.
"Jack, you up there?"
"Come on up, Danny boy."
Daniel and Teal'c climbed the ladder to his rooftop retreat.
"What brings you guys here?"
"O'Neill, I am here to inform you that I will be returning to Chulak to join the ranks of the Free Jaffa."
"T, I wish you wouldn't, especially if it's because of me."
"It is, O'Neill. If your leaders feel that your world is safe enough that they do not require your service, then it is safe enough for me to choose to fight the Goa'uld with my people."
"I understand, Teal'c. Good luck out there. And come visit me at the cabin sometime."
"I will endeavor to do so, O'Neill."
Teal'c then grabbed Jack's forearm in the way he had done many times before and said, "You are my brother, and I will always be available to fight at your side."
"Aw, come on T. You're gonna get me all soft and emotional like Daniel here." Jack released his arm and gave him a quick man hug.
"When do you leave?"
"As soon as we return to Stargate Command."
"You guys can hang out for a while if you want."
"I wish we could, Jack, but I have to get back there and help Sam find a replacement for Teal'c. We have a mission tomorrow."
"Right. Duty calls. See ya, Daniel. Take care of yourself big fella."
"And you as well, O'Neill."
"Later, Jack."
