The Musketeers
Chapter 4: New Assignments
Jack was pissed, and confused and not a little jealous.. and hungry. He'd spent so much time watching Carter and the two Colonels making her laugh that he hadn't gotten the opportunity to properly dig into his oatmeal.
He folded his arms and leaned back in his chair.
On his desk were three folders. They sat there, closed and neat, staring at him.
He didn't need to open them today. Jack had spent the last six weeks studying those three files. He'd carried them back and forth from work and to the Chinese place by his house, even to the bar on Fridays.
Atlantis needed a junior military officer. Marshall Sumner was a good man but he hadn't been through the Stargate except for his training missions. Jack knew the benefits of having someone on your team who thought outside the box. Sumner may have been assigned by the Joint Chiefs but Jack was determined to assign someone to keep him on his toes...
He couldn't send Carter. She was the highest-ranking officer, most experienced, under his commander. After all these years she deserved SG-1 and he'd told the President as much, which was the only reason Sumner had been assigned to the mission in the first place.
However both Colonel Mitchell and Colonel Sheppard were both well qualified, though their records weren't completely clean. While they were both clearly expert pilots Mitchell definitely played better with his superiors but Sheppard seemed to effortlessly inspire a great loyalty among those he served with.
Jack rested his forehead on his steepled fingers. Maybe he should just send them both to Pegasus.. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to dream.
Just for a moment.
Jack leaned back in his chair and watched the three Colonels sitting across from him. They sat there, sitting straight and looking neat, staring back at him.
He sighed.
"Well as I'm sure you're all aware you're here to receive your next assignments."
Sam re-crossed her ankles.
Jack carelessly flipped open the file folders and sighed again.
"We have several openings here at the SGC, the Atlantis Expedition needs a junior military commander and of course we're always looking for more F-302 pilots."
Cam and John exchanged a glance.
Sam didn't look up from the spot on Jack's desk that she had begun focusing on when he had started talking.
"Now, as much as I think you both could, and would, make invaluable contribution to the Atlantis Expedition that will not be my recommendation to the Joint Chiefs."
He leaned back.
"I'm sorry but without any off-world experience I can't in good consciousness recommend either of you as a truly effective second-in-commands."
Sam bit the inside of her lip to keep from sighing out loud. She knew she was being a horribly selfish person but she'd been separated from them for over ten years so why wouldn't she want everything done so she could keep this?
"So now you have a choice- you can continue your flyboy ways and I'll assign to either the Prometheus or the upcoming class 304 battleship."
Jack leaned his forearms against the desk.
"Or, I'm able to offer you command positions here at SGC."
Cam and John exchanged another glance. John shrugged and one corner of Cam's mouth turned up.
"Sure, why not!"
Jack rolled his eyes. He knew barely repressed enthusiasm when he saw it.
"Okay then..."
He clapped his hands together.
"Lt. Colonel Cameron Mitchell you are hereby assigned as the commanding officer to the exploration team SG-14. "
Cam nodded once and Jack turned towards the other man across from him.
"Lt. Colonel John Sheppard you are hereby assigned to the search and rescue team SG-6 as their commanding officer."
Jack signed the first two forms on his desk.
"Alrighty then..." He looked up. "You're all set."
The three Colonels stood.
"Obviously Carter, you'll be given SG-1."
Jack leaned over to sign the last form before shaking Colonels Mitchell and Sheppard's hands.
"Welcome to the SGC gentlemen."
Daniel and Teal'c found Jack still in his office several hours later.
knock, knock, knock
"Jack?"
He rolled his eyes. Obviously Daniel knew he was in his office, the damn thing was all windows!
"Come in!"
Jack finished signing the last of the forms Walter had dropped off, sincerely hoping that he wasn't signing off on a coup or anything else illegal or dubious in nature.
Teal'c remained standing in the doorway while Daniel took a seat in front of the desk.
The three men remained silent for several minutes.
Finally Jack closed the folder and leaned back in his chair.
He rocked a couple times before running his hands over his face and through his hair. He looked up and over towards Daniel.
"You don't think- I mean, they seem…" Leaning back his gaze fixed itself to the ceiling.
Teal'c quirked an eyebrow.
"I mean have you guys noticed any-" He stopped again.
Daniel leaned forward against the desk.
"What do you think of-" As he failed again Jack couldn't help the groan that escaped; he ran a hand through his hair again.
However, before he had the chance to formulate another attempt his thoughts Teal'c interrupted.
"O'Neill before you endeavor yet again to express your inquiry-"
Both Jack and Daniel were watching their teammate. He stepped into the office, closed the door without turning around, and took a quick deep breath.
"The question you are struggling with is clearly an important one, yet I feel compelled to remind you that there are some topics to which though our minds are curious their answers bring no peace."
One eyebrow arched gracefully.
Jack's gaze moved from Teal'c to Daniel. The young man had become his closest friend over the years and he was loath to look too deeply into his eyes today. Jack knew they'd hold understanding but he knew too that however hard Daniel tried to suppress it there would be pity. He didn't want to be pitied. Jack had lived his life and made sacrifices, not always well, but always aware.
He pushed back out of the chair clapping his hands together.
"All right then, who's turn for beers is it?"
Jack left the bicker start and wash over him, he handed Walter the evening's paperwork, changed, got in the elevator with his friends and teammates, and decided not to formulate another attempt.