Disclaimer –The characters and every thing else copyrighted are owned by MGM, Gekko etc. ect.

Story is mine all mine I tell you (sorry brief moment of madness).

All of the teams were lined up in the gate room, awaiting their inspection. The room was filled with noise. The inspection should have started half an hour ago, but as of yet there was no sign of General O'Neill or General Hammond.

Sam stood beside Daniel; the other side of Daniel was Teal'c who appeared to be in an in-depth discussion with Walter. Daniel and Teal'c stood out from the rows of SG teams, as they were the only ones not in uniform instead they were wearing their best suits, attracting attention from a group of single female officers, who were quite obviously talking about them.

Sam stood with her lips pursed, she had a feeling why the two Generals were late, and she was feeling rather guilty about the situation. No matter how much the logical part of Sam's brain told her that it was up to jack what he did, she knew it was because of her, he was leaving.

Daniel could see that Sam was troubled by something, and was hoping she would tell him what was wrong. After waiting, what felt like a long time, Daniels curiosity and concern got the better of him. "Sam, what's up?"

Startled out of her thoughts, Sam turned and looked at him, "Oh sorry. I was just thinking about an experiment."

"Sam, I know you better than that! What's wrong?"

"Daniel, leave it! It doesn't matter"

Daniel although taken aback by Sam's snappy reply, decided the matter needed pushing. "Sam. You used to tell me everything; you've been really distant lately. I can understand why, but as a friend I'm telling you, you need to stop bottling things up, you'll go crazy. So come on what is it?"

"Sorry Daniel. I didn't mean to snap. It's just; it's not my place to say. If it was… Well it's not. And you're probably right, I think I'm already going crazy." Sam managed a fake smile towards Daniel, who saw straight through it.

"Sam whatever it is, it's obviously causing you problems, I think you'll be forgiven for telling be about it. I can keep secrets; I'm part of sg-1 aren't I?"

Sam had an internal fight with herself. Daniel was her best friend and he was also Jack's best friend, he was going to find out anyway, but wasn't it Jack's news to tell? Eventually she decided that she'd scream if she didn't say something soon, she was going to tell Daniel. She looked around to make sure no one was listening, "Daniel the general is retiring, that's why they're late."

"Well I suppose he is getting on a bit" Sam looked at Daniel shocked that he would say that, Daniel looked round and then quickly said, "don't tell him I said that. What I mean is that it'll give him more time to be with his grandchildren"

A look of understanding passed across Sam's face, "Daniel, I'm not talking about Hammond its O'Ne…"

"Jack!"

"Shhh!"

"Why though?"

"Love" Sam paused, "that sounded really corny didn't it?"

Daniel nodded, as he said, "um yeah"

Daniel took Sam's hand and squeezed it affectionately. He smiled at her warmly, "Sam you two deserve to be happy. God knows why you waited this long!"

"Nothing's happened yet Daniel. A month ago I was engaged to Pete, everything changes so fast!"

Sam drifted into her own thoughts until the two generals walked in. Everyone in the room grew an inch or two as they stood to attention. General Hammond walked up to the podium, set up at the base of the ramp, leading up to the stargate. Sam tried to judge the mood of jack, but his face was a blank book. However General Hammond had a large smile on his face.

General Hammond placed his hands on the podium and let his booming voice fill the room, "I have two words to say, Good job!" He let the words sink in before continuing, "Over the past year you have faced unimaginable situations. In my opinion the last year has been more dangerous for earth, than all the other years the stargate has been operational. You, have my complete respect and you certainly deserve more than I can give you."

"There is something else I wish to address you about" General Hammond looked quickly at Jack. "There is to be a change in command at the SGC."

There was a collective gasp; O'Neill was leaving already? Sam smiled at Jack but he looked straight through her. She was hurt, was he regretting his decision?

"General Landry is to be the new commander of the SGC, and General O'Neill, is to become the head of Homeworld security." Said General Hammond as he continued with his speech. "I am to retire, this is one of my last acts as head of homeworld security, I wanted to say goodbye to the best group of people I've had the pleasure of working with and to say good luck with the future. Keep being the best and earth will be safe."

General Hammond stepped away from the podium, igniting a round of applause. Sam looked at Jack, willing him to look at her so that she could look in his eyes, and understand why. She wasn't even sure how she felt, angry, sad, relief? Relief may seem strange but it was better than waiting for it to all go wrong, like everything did when it involved her.

Jack stepped up to the podium, still not looking at Sam or sg1, "After that brilliant flattering speech, I don't have much to say, apart from to say thanks for making my job easy, by being the best although I have to thank Walter for making the paperwork disappear. Well that's it. Carry on being the best of the best." There was a round of applause over which Jack managed to shout "Dismissed."

Sam rushed out of the room, she had a feeling that she was about to cry and that would not be a good thing for people to see. Not without questions being asked. Daniel, swore under his breath, how could Jack be such an idiot? "Sam! Wait up!" Shouted Daniel as he ran down the corridor after Sam.