Author's Note: So this took a lot longer to get out than I initially planned. Part of it is that I got the new computer, but the other part is that I needed to go back and do a bit of rereading, so I don't trip myself up – or repeat anything that was already done. I'm sorry about making you guys wait. The next shouldn't take nearly so long – although I am going to Seattle this weekend. I should be able to write on the downtime while I'm there. You can also see me on twitter now, too! Sort of. Look in my profile if you want my name to look up.

OOOOOOO

"What do you need, Doctor McKay?" Hunt asked as they walked into the mountain.

"I don't know, yet," Rodney replied, a little annoyed. How was he supposed to know what he needed until he knew what was wrong? "Probably just a technician capable of understanding what I'm telling him when I tell him to hand me a wrench. Aside from that, I just need a chance to take a look and run some diagnostics and see what happened and what I have to do to fix it."

Not as used to McKay's abrasiveness as those people in Atlantis who worked with him all the time, Hunt couldn't stop from scowling at the implication that his people were all morons in McKay's eyes. They were the best of the best, after all, and he was proud of them. However, he also really wanted his shield to be working, so he bit back the sharp rebuke (which wouldn't have done any good anyway) and nodded.

"Anything else?" he asked, dryly.

"A cup of coffee."

McKay wasn't one for small talk – one of the reasons he and Ian got along so well, really – so the ride in the elevator was completed in silence. McKay didn't have a keycard for the SGC so he was forced to wait impatiently by the first security door for the general to open it, then he led the way into the control room, looking around at the skeleton crew of mostly security people.

"How many teams do you have off-world?" he asked.

"Two," Hunt replied. "Neither due back until well into next week. We recalled everyone else."

"Good."

His work wouldn't be interrupted to allow people in and out. Not that he expected things to take too long, but still… it would have been annoying. He walked over to the computer that controlled the shield as well as the iris and most of the gate functions and waved the technician who was sitting at the console out of the way.

"I need in there."

The tech hesitated for a moment, looking at Hunt and then McKay.

"I need to make sure that the overflow of the-"

"I'll take care of it," Rodney interrupted. "Move."

With an annoyed sigh, the tech moved over, leaving room for McKay to slip into the chair he'd just vacated. He started typing, pulling up the first of the files that he was going to have to check and completely ignoring the slightly awed look the technician was giving him as he watched a true master at work.

"Do you need any help?" he asked, hesitantly.

McKay didn't even look up.

"I need you to bring me a cup of coffee and then not bother me."

Hunt sighed, and waved for the tech to go get a cup of coffee. It wouldn't be long, he told himself. He'd even put up with McKay if that's what it took to make his people safe.

OOOOOOOOOOO

The party wasn't until the next day, but since there were going to be more than just a few people present for it – including the president and vice president of the United States, as well as all of those needed in support of them; Secret Service, the occasional press corps member and traveling staff – there was a lot to be done to prepare for it. A detail of Secret Service agents arrived only an hour or so after Ian and River had arrived with the children. Their job – and one that they took very seriously – was to make sure the area was truly safe. After all, it wasn't just one or the other coming to the party, it was both Jack and Nathan, and that meant that if someone truly wanted to strike at the United States, they had the perfect opportunity.

It was understandable, but still somewhat annoying and a lot inconveniencing. There wasn't really too much to worry about as far as security for the house; between what Shawn knew from his many years working with the Asgard, and what Ian and McKay had brought with them from Atlantis, there were plenty of security devices that would be put into play once things started happening the next day. Not to mention the fact that Chelani himself would be there to keep Jack (and Sam and the children) safe. What he couldn't do Ian, Shawn and the rest would. But the Secret Service didn't know about all of that. All they knew was that keeping POTUS safe was their job, and they weren't going to back down when it came to doing it.

Luckily, even though Ian hated the fact that they were interfering with his rare vacation away from any real responsibility, Cassie was there to keep him from stewing about it. They watched the proceedings for a couple of hours, trying to ignore the fact that they were being treated like they were underfoot and spend some downtime talking about mutual friends. When one of the Secret Service agents made an off-hand comment about having to dodge one of the twins, Ian started to open his mouth to tell him where to put his head, and Cassie put her hand on his shoulder to stop him.

"Let's get out of here," she suggested to them all. "We can't cook." The kitchen was filled with food but it was being prepared for the party by a caterer and her crew, because Shawn refused to allow Gina and his friends to try and handle such a huge amount of preparations themselves. What had started as a little get together birthday party was turning into something insane, as far as he was concerned. "Let's go someplace for lunch."

It would give the Secret Service people a chance to finish their sweeps and security preparations, and keep them from butting heads with Ian.

"Someplace nice," Gina said, speaking up before someone – almost certainly River – could suggest a hamburger joint. There would be plenty of time to take the kids to A&W – she knew the twins would beg to go there at least once, and she understood completely – but she wanted to be able to eat someplace they wouldn't have to divide their time between eating and supervising the kids on some playground equipment.

"There's a new Italian place," Andrew suggested. "It's pretty good, and not too fancy that the kids will be scowled at."

Shawn looked at Ian, who shrugged.

"It's your party. You choose."

He liked Italian as much as he liked anything else – although from a parenting standpoint it was a real pain in the ass to clean kids who'd stuck their heads into a plate of spaghetti and he knew it from experience. Of course, it was just as hard to clean them up after tacos or burritos or any number of other different types of food. He was used to it.

"Italian it is," Shawn decided, not waffling about it once Ian had shown he didn't care. He already knew Gina liked the place – they'd eaten there more than once with Andrew and Dottie.

It was even better, then, that it was early in the day, because the place wouldn't be crowded with the dinner set, and they wouldn't have to worry about annoying other people.

The kids were more than willing to leave off playing with the labs in the back yard to go get something to eat – which wasn't a surprise to anyone, really. But Michael had another request, his dark eyes lit with hope as Ian told them they were going to go out to eat.

"Can we take the convertible?"

Carter squeaked with excitement when his brother made the suggestion, and even Dotty turned hopeful eyes to Ian – big giant little girl eyes that he had absolutely no defense against.

Cassie smiled, knowing right away that they were going to get their way, and Ian didn't even scowl as Dotty insinuated herself at his knee, leaning forward eagerly.

"Please, Uncle Ian? Please?"

He smiled.

"You won't fall out?"

She shook her head, serious.

"I promise."

"Okay."

The twins squealed with delight, running outside and almost trampling an agent who was coming in at just the wrong time.

"I'll bring Alex with me and Jessica," River offered.

"And I'll ride with Gina," Cassie said, smiling. "That way Shawn can ride with Ian and help pick up kids as they tumble out."

Which wouldn't happen of course, but Cassie was enjoying her time with Gina, and this way Shawn and Ian would have a chance to chat for a bit, too. As much as they could with three youngsters in the back seat.

"Sounds good."

Andrew joined River in the van, while Shawn pulled the cover off the convertible and tossed Ian the keys. With the kids in booster seats in the back – Dotty tucked safely between the twins, who promised to keep an eye on her – Ian put the top down and then kissed Cassandra on the cheek as she watched River load Jessica beside Alex.

"Drive safe," she told him, more out of habit than anything.

He grinned, unable to hide completely that he was pleased to have a chance to drive the convertible.

"I promise."