Back to Work:

AN: I had a lot of trouble getting this chapter to come together and it ended up being a lot longer than I'd originally planned, which is why it took even longer than my usual month between postings. Next chapter is Dave's wedding which I have a better outline for, though it will probably still be 3 or 4 weeks before that one is up.

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Monday was, indeed, a very long day. They'd left the house at 0705 and arrived at the Pentagon with time to talk with Jack about the week's schedule over coffee before the 0800 staff meeting. The rest of the morning was devoted to preparing for the afternoon's briefings of the new liaisons. Deciding how much detail to go into to fulfill Jack's orders – give them enough to understand but don't scare anyone – proved more difficult than anyone expected.

Sam arrived just as the lunch Jack had ordered was delivered from the mess. "So how was your morning, Madam Director?" Jack teased his wife.

"Interesting. Everyone wanted to know about the naquadah generators." Sam told them about her orientation tour and some of her initial impressions of the NSF. "But I shouldn't have worn my uniform, it seemed to make some of the scientists uncomfortable. I really need to buy civilian business clothes. Elizabeth, are you up for another shopping trip next week?"

They were talking about their weekends when the door to the conference room opened and an Army 2nd Lieutenant backed in, pulling a cart with a TV on it. He turned around, surprised, on hearing voices, then swallowed and came to attention when the ranks of the room's occupants registered.

"What?"

"G…general, sir. I, … the monitor in this conference room is scheduled to be replaced. I was told it was needed today before 1300."

Jack indicated the lieutenant should proceed then ignored him, resuming his interrupted story. "Saturday night, Sunday really must have been 2 in the morning, we're sound asleep and a thunder storm comes through, wakes us up. Then it hits right on top of us, the cabin shakes, and there's this crash. Took a tree down, fell onto the deck."

Sam picked the story up from there. "So we spent what should have been a leisurely Sunday cutting up the tree and replacing part of the deck. But Friday and Saturday were good, we fished, read, basically lazed around."

Sam looked up and noticed the lieutenant pushing the cart with the old monitor out the door. "That was fast. Poor kid, walking into what was supposed to be an empty room and seeing all this brass. He looked scared to death. Were we ever that young? Or do I just feel old?"

"You, Carter? I could be his father, for crying out loud.

"We're all old enough to be his parents."

Ignoring her comment Jack continued "And no, we weren't, at least in the looking like a scared kid sense."

"You think so?" Elizabeth asked.

"The woman who stood up to Kinsey and bluffed a table full of System Lords has to ask? I can't see you ever being intimidated by anyone. Carter's Dad was a General, she was used to being around senior officers. Plus you're both way smarter than most, makes lots of people nervous, gives you both an advantage. Me, I didn't really care, just did my job and tried to avoid the muckety-mucks."

John chimed in. "All I cared about was flying, never was especially ambitious. If I had been I'd have gone into the family business, been CEO now."

Nancy Sheppard arrived not long after. John introduced her to the others then started the explanations. He didn't go into too much detail about the Stargate or anything else that would be covered in the general briefing that afternoon, just a quick overview. Instead he talked about the operation she'd been pulled into two years previously, finally able to let her know just what had been going on and why he'd needed her help, as well as answer her questions about what he'd been doing since he left Antarctica.

As the Department of Homeland Security's representative Nancy also had a more extensive need to know than the other new liaisons. Jack dealt with that part, the ships and weapons and transporters, the NID and the Trust and the other past, current and potential adversaries on Earth.

She was stunned. "I'm not sure which concerns me the most, the alien attacks, or Terrans?"

"Tauri" Jack and Sam said at the same time. "That's what the people of Earth are called by the rest of the Milky Way" Elizabeth explained.

"Oh, Ok, or Tauri who've tried to use what you've discovered for personal gain, undermine our defenses or worked with enemy aliens. And it's all been kept secret!"

She didn't have a chance to say anything more as Paul Davis escorted the first of the other liaisons in. Once everyone had arrived he handled the introductions and gave his briefing. He had drawn the easy part, the Stargate 101 lecture that they'd all given in the past. Then Elizabeth explained the political situation, on Earth with the IOA and other Governments and Earth's relations with other planets and alien races, and John the strategic considerations. It was just the basics, the Gou'ald and Ori, the Replicators and Wraith summarized as "we've made some enemies, defeated most and held our own against the rest". Then Jack briefed them on how the public part of Homeworld Security fit with the secret side they'd just learned about, what the liaisons were expected to liaise on.

Sam was the last to speak. "One of the reasons for making the existence of HWS public was to give us an outlet for bringing some of the new technology we've adapted into general use." She showed pictures of the devices the generator and medical scanner were based on, other things they were working on, even photos of some of the odder technology they'd come across. "To be truthful, there is no naquadah in our Solar System. We'll actually be towing asteroids in from other systems then bringing them to the moon's surface to extract the naquadah. We will exploit our asteroid belt as the President described, but for other metals."

"Now for the fun part." She held up one of the small plastic rectangles that had been placed in front of each liaison. "Everyone please stand up and put one of these in your pocket." Nancy looked at John, caught his nod and smiled, having figured out what was coming. The other civilians looked at one another, puzzled, but complied. Sam hit a button on her cell phone, said "proceed", and they were enveloped in a white light, which disappeared leaving the stunned bureaucrats staring down at Earth.

"Welcome aboard the General Hammond. We are currently in geosynchronous orbit over North America." Sam pointed to the view out the observation window, then stepped back to allow them to see for themselves. Turning to Elizabeth she whispered "This is weird, so much has changed since we beamed down, I feel like I don't belong here any more. But it's only been two weeks and the Change of Command doesn't even happen until next week." Elizabeth nodded, not needing to say anything. She too felt somewhat disconnected being back on this ship.

Sam was drawn back to the others by a question from one of the civilians. Elizabeth slipped away, unnoticed by everyone but John. He gave her some time before following, catching up to her in an empty corridor, staring out a porthole.

"Something's bothering you." Not a question, he knew her too well.

"This ship. The trip back from Atlantis, I spent a lot of my time wandering these decks, coming to terms with everything that had happened. Being here just brought it all back, the feeling that I wasn't really me anymore, not sure how much of Doctor Weir, human diplomat, was left in Colonel Weir, cloned, not completely human Air Force Officer."

John didn't say anything, just drew her into his arms. The hug didn't last long, both aware someone could walk by at any time. But it was enough for the time being.

They rejoined the others just before they were all beamed back to the Pentagon conference room. Now that they'd experienced the transporter Sam briefed them on the satellite system and the locators that would be embedded in their cell phones or Blackberries, which they would need to keep with them at all times. She precluded any grumbling with "it's that or the sub-dermal implants that we have".

The rest of the afternoon they spent answering questions, not breaking until 1800. Nancy hung back until the other civilians had left. "John, thanks for telling me about most of this before the others got here."

"Well, I did get you involved after Dad's funeral. Figured you deserved to know the whole story now that you have clearance."

They all walked out together, heading for their cars, the long day finally over. Unfortunately an accident on the Virginia side of the Potomac made the drive back to Georgetown twice as long as it should have been.

Phyllis met them in the foyer, having been listening for the door. "Good, you're finally home. I was afraid we'd have to start dinner without you. I think Kate and Charlie have been living in Florida too long, they've gotten used to Early Bird hours."

"Kate and Charlie, they're here?"

"Yes, dear. I told you they were stopping for a couple of days on their way back from the reunion."

Elizabeth and John shook their heads in denial. "Sorry Mom, but you didn't."

"Well, they're here. John, I moved your things in with Elizabeth's. I hope you don't mind sharing her bathroom too." Noticing their startled reaction she added "I couldn't sleep so I went down to the kitchen in the middle of the night to make some herb tea and noticed the guest room door was open, but obviously empty, when I passed. Now, go get changed. I'll have dinner on the table in 15 minutes." She left and they headed upstairs.

"That was embarrassing." John commented as they entered their room.

"Tell me about it."

"By the way, who are Kate and Charlie?"

While they changed Elizabeth gave him the basics. Aunt Kate, as she'd called her as a child, was Phyllis's closest friend from college, they'd been roommates their first year. The families tried to get together at least once a year, they'd come down from Boston or the Weirs would drive up there. "One of their daughters is my age, we'd hang out together, try to avoid her pesky kid brother. Their older sister was a lot older, at least she seemed to be when we were kids. I never really knew her too well."

In spite of the awkward beginning the evening passed pleasantly enough. John mostly listened, enjoying it when a "do you remember when…" involved Elizabeth and teasing her about it. Though he wondered if he'd regret it when, once they were in bed, she promised to get Dave to tell her about some of his childhood exploits.

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Tuesday was a much less hectic day. They spent the morning preparing for their Congressional testimony. Elizabeth took the role of committee member, throwing out questions for the others to answer, feeling like she was back in a classroom at Georgetown.

In his years as head of Homeworld Security Jack had testified often enough that he didn't need much preparation. Sam, too had given testimony and briefed the President and Joint Chiefs, so she knew basically what to expect. Their concern with her testimony was how to nuance it to highlight her scientific credentials, necessary for her nomination to be sent on for Senate confirmation, while not being able to reveal most of her work in a public hearing.

"And why am I here again?" John asked when they finally took a break. "Elizabeth's going to be grilled in the closed hearing about what she went through, the advanced races she told us about, whatever they expect from her once she's back out there with the Magellan. But shouldn't Woolsey be the one testifying about the situation in Atlantis?"

"If that was what the Committee wanted, he'd be here. This time they're interested specifically in the overall strategic situation in the Pegasus Galaxy. They get the Commander, Allied Forces, Pegasus, for that." Jack smiled at John's reaction. He knew that, officially, that was his position but tended to just think of himself as the military commander of the Atlantis Outpost. So he nodded and went back to his preparations for the hearings.

They worked through lunch again, finally breaking at 1430 when Jack had to leave for another meeting. His aide had arranged for John to interview three candidates to fill a new Senior Master Sergeant position on Atlantis so Elizabeth and Sam left the conference room for John to use and settled into Jack's office.

They chatted as they caught up with Email and other accumulated paperwork. Elizabeth was reviewing the Magellan's crew roster, hoping for at least a few names she recognized and noting how many positions were left for her to fill outside of the senior staff. One name on the short list of candidates for Chief Engineer caught her eye. "Did you know Jennifer Hailey applied for the Chief Engineer spot?"

"She's back?" Realizing Elizabeth didn't know what she was talking about Sam explained "Hailey was seriously wounded early in the war with the Ori. Last I heard she'd gone back to finish her doctorate while she was doing rehab. I would have tapped her for the Hammond if she'd been back on active duty a year ago."

While she was in charge of the SGC Elizabeth had been favorably impressed by the then Lieutenant Hailey the few times she'd dealt with the young officer, and Sam clearly thought highly of her. Elizabeth didn't need to think about this one, she just offered the job to Captain Hailey, unofficially until the paperwork to get her assigned officially could be processed. "I just wish all the senior staff positions would be this easy to fill."

"Tell me about it." Sam told Elizabeth about some of the problems she'd encountered in selecting crew for the Hammond, the worst being almost ending up with Kavanaugh as her Chief Engineer as a result of an HR mix up.

After working a while longer Sam put aside her laptop. Elizabeth had finished with her Email and was skimming through that morning's Washington Post.

'So, you never had a chance to tell me about your weekend. How did the dinner with John's brother go?"

"Surprisingly well. We heard all about how Dave and Serena, his fiancé, met and ended up together. We'll be seeing them again this weekend, they're getting married on Saturday and Dave asked John to be his Best Man. After dinner we went to a club, danced, drank a bit too much. Didn't get home until after 1." Elizabeth smiled thinking about Friday night. Sam noticed that and her saying "we" and "home" and smirked. "So what else happened?"

Elizabeth hesitated, they weren't keeping anything secret, they just hadn't actually told any of their colleagues anything yet. "Let's just say I won't need guest quarters when I visit Atlantis." Sam grinned, she was happy for them. Their conversation moved on to other topics, jumping between personal and work related, John joining them once he'd finished his last interview, until Jack finally came back from his meeting and they called it a day.

For a change there were no traffic problems and they got home early enough to take Sedge for a walk before dinner. They strolled hand in hand behind Phyllis and her guests to a neighborhood Italian restaurant the Weirs had frequented since Elizabeth could remember. The owners fussed over her, sent over a bottle of Valpolicella on the house to welcome her back, tsked that she was too thin. Good food, good wine, good company; Tuesday turned out to be a good day.

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Everyone was up early Wednesday morning. Elizabeth and John left the house later than the previous days, just after Kate and Charlie left for their two day drive home, walking over to Jack's house to join the two Generals to be driven to the Hill.

First up were the closed door hearings. The questions were many and detailed but at least there was no need for secrecy or half truths. The opening session focused on broad topics, most directed at Jack, staffing and budgets and overall threat assessments. Sam was asked for a summary of the technical side, the status of R&D projects, new off world discoveries and the like.

They had called a recess when Elizabeth was surprised when someone tapped her shoulder. Turning to see who it was she smiled. "Tom, how are you?"

"Fine. Good to see you again. I admit I was shocked to find out what you'd been up to the last few years. And relieved when we got word you were, ah, … rescued?"

"Close enough. I see you followed through on your career plan, Congressman O'Brian." They didn't have a chance to talk much before he was called away by an aide.

John, Jack and Sam had watched this exchange with interest. Elizabeth realized they must be wondering what her connection to the politician was and explained. "Tom and I worked together when he was a junior attorney for State and I was an assistant to an attaché. Basically we did the boring and time consuming but necessary behind the scenes stuff. He put up with my sometimes lapsing into other languages and I listened to his ramblings about his wife and baby."

The Committee's questions got tougher after the break. The close call the previous year was still on the Members' minds so most of the questions were directed at John and the fight against the Wraith. Elizabeth's assignment came up in that context. She was asked about the advanced societies she'd come across while disembodied and would be trying to make official contact with. She'd prepared for these questions and her answers were confident and detailed. The uncomfortable part came when one of the Representatives asked about the Replicators, but she got through it. She just hoped that this would be the last time she had to tell that story.

After lunch Sam headed over to the Senate side to face the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee as the nominee to head the National Science Foundation. Jack, the public face of the new Homeworld Security Agency, was testifying to the full House Armed Services panel. John and Elizabeth were there in an advisory capacity only so the afternoon dragged for them. But eventually the last question was asked and answered and they headed home, the worst of the week over.

That night convinced John he was part of the family; leftovers eaten at the kitchen table, the evening news in the background, walking Sedge after dinner. When they came back they almost tripped over two duffle bags in the front hall. They asked Phyllis about them when they joined her in the den. "Jack's driver dropped them off earlier. He said you'd know what they are and that 'Colonels Weir and Sheppard are to report to General O'Neill's house at 0800'. I gather that's a change of plans?"

Elizabeth and John had no idea what O'Neill had planned, and were even more puzzled when the duffels turned out to hold a set of ABUs each, complete with name tags and insignia. Whatever it was if it got them out of having to wear Service Dress for a day neither was about to complain.

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Sam ushered them into the kitchen telling them to help themselves to coffee as she refilled her own mug. She and Jack looked a lot more relaxed this morning. Elizabeth supposed she and John did too, though whether it was just the more comfortable uniforms or the fact that they'd gotten through the hearings she wasn't sure. Probably a bit of both.

Jack obviously relished this rare opportunity to forego the jacket and tie. He was sprawled in an easy chair, in his T-Shirt and ABU pants, his boot clad feet propped on the ottoman. "We're off on a road trip today, folks. The gurus at Area 51 have some new toys they want to show off. And we can take a look at Elizabeth's shiny new ship while we're there." Elizabeth was suddenly very interested. "We're not expected until 0800 their time. Until then I'd like everyone's thoughts on yesterday's hearings."

It was odd, sitting in Sam and Jack's great room going over their testimony instead of a Pentagon conference room. They were so immersed in their discussions that everyone jumped when Jack's cell phone rang, the transporter operator calling to inquire if they were ready for transport. He and Sam quickly pulled on their outer shirts, all four grabbed their hats, Jack signaled for transport and they were gone.

Elizabeth had expected to rematerialize in one of the underground hangars so was surprised to find herself standing in a non-descript waiting room, so over air conditioned she was grateful for the long sleeves of her ABU shirt. They were met by a young Captain, clipboard in hand.

"Generals, Colonels, welcome to Area 51's new arrival facility, set up so that personnel can transport in and out freely. I'm Captain Forrest, I basically run interference between our operations and the rest of Nellis. If you'll follow me?" He swiped a key card next to a door that opened into an elevator.

The doors opened on an obviously alien influenced space. Elizabeth and John couldn't help but stare.

"Quite a change from the last time you were here?" Jack asked Elizabeth.

"I've only been here once, for the medal ceremony after the Antarctic battle. It was basically Quonset huts and cinder block outbuildings on the surface and basic hangars underground. Is this tunnel Tok'ra?"

Sam answered "Yes, they provided tunneling crystals." After they boarded the waiting tram she continued. "The tram is a mag-lev, powered by a naquadah generator, top speed 200 kph. Someone from Chicago started calling it the El and the name stuck. There's another, longer track with scaled down train cars that runs from the primary entrance near the main part of the Base, the Main Line."

Elizabeth was impressed with the tram, it reminded her of riding the TGV in France. "Any chance these will hit the Northeast Corridor any time soon?"

"Knowing how low a priority high speed rail is, I doubt it. The French and Japanese are the ones pushing for this technology. They're using this site to test it and hope to start construction of their first lines within two years."

Captain Forrest had been flipping through the papers on his clipboard, waiting for a lull in the conversation "Colonel Weir, I understand you will be temporarily stationed here while final work is done on the Magellan and her shakedown is completed."

"Correct. I'll be reporting here in about 2 weeks, I don't have an exact date yet. We're scheduled to launch mid-August."

Forrest handed her a page he'd detached from his clipboard. "If you'll fill this out I can go ahead with reserving temporary quarters. Please let me know if you'll need a car." He handed her more paper. "Schedule of Base activities, those you'll be expected to attend if you're dirt side are highlighted in blue. There's a Dining In 17 July, that is mandatory. Standing Orders on uniforms are all personnel wear ABUs, flight suits only when actually flying or going to and from flights." Elizabeth frowned at that; the ABUs were definitely more comfortable than Service Dress but she preferred the flight suits. "General Brown is a stickler about that."

Jack's mumbled "why am I not surprised?" wasn't quite soft enough. Realizing everyone was looking at him he shrugged, glancing at his watch to indicate he'd explain later. Which he did once they arrived at the main part of the underground facility and Forrest excused himself to confer with another Captain.

"Brown was General West's protégé. Started as a cargo pilot, no imagination, real spit and polish. He actually admired Kinsey! Hammond wouldn't let him anywhere near the SGC.

"But he's had clearance since the beginning so keeps ending up at facilities where our people are, unfortunately. He's finally retiring the end of this year." Sam didn't say it but her tone of voice clearly indicated she thought that wasn't soon enough. Elizabeth made a mental note to ask Sam about her dealings with Brown when they got back to D.C.

The "Main Line" train had pulled in and people were milling around the large space, talking, helping themselves to coffee or cold drinks from a table along one wall. Elizabeth had just poured herself a cup of coffee when her attention was drawn by an English accented voice addressing her as Dr Weir.

"Dr. Gardner?"

"Good to see you again. I'm not sure I ever had a chance to thank you for taking time with me when you were at the SGC. You had enough to do thrown into Command and handling the aftermath of Anubis's attack, you didn't need the problems of a former Gou'ald host who was having trouble coping with what had happened to her."

Elizabeth assured Sarah that the time they'd spent talking, distracting the former host from the terrifying memories of her time as Osiris, had been a welcome break from the sometimes overwhelming reality of the SGC. And recommending the archaeologist for a job at Area 51 had been one of the easier decisions she'd had to make during her tenure as Commander.

"I hope you'll let me return the favor. I know our situations aren't exactly alike, but we have both returned from a sort of Limbo, so while you're stationed here if you ever feel like talking…"

"Dr. Gardner, I wasn't aware any of the artifacts people were invited. And you must be Weir." A deep voice interrupted their conversation.

Elizabeth, realizing who the man was, came to attention and gave a clipped "yes, Sir." Sarah stiffened, taking her time before replying. "I worked with the engineers on the R&D, as you must recall, General. I do know a bit about Gou'ald technology, after all. As part of the team of course I would be here for the demonstration."

Jack and Sam joined them, both wearing the over polite faces Elizabeth recognized from too many diplomatic events. "Brown, when's this show starting?" Jack demanded. The other man looked at his watch, assured his superior officer that it would be soon and excused himself. Everyone relaxed once he was gone.

"Sarah, how are you?" Sam greeted the archaeologist. "I haven't seen you in I don't know how long. Seems like whenever I'm on planet you're off." John had wandered over and was introduced to Dr. Gardner, then moved off with Elizabeth and Jack while the other two talked.

Eventually Bill Lee moved to the dais set up at one end of the room and got the proceedings under way. Elizabeth and John were curious, knowing there was to be a demonstration of some sort but not having any idea what technology they would be seeing.

"Everyone here is familiar with Zats and Wraith stunners, many from personal experience using them or being Zatted." Groans from many of those present attested to the veracity of Lee's statement. "So you can imagine the potential of an Earth engineered version, the police being able to stun suspects instead of using lethal force, special forces Zatting everyone in a building then sorting out the targets from innocent bystanders later, hostage situations, the possibilities are endless. Naturally we'd been trying to reverse engineer them for years but didn't have much luck. We finally succeeded."

Lee directed everyone's attention to the other end of the room where a target range had been set up. Two NCOs demonstrated the new weapons, a side arm version that opened into the familiar Z configuration and a larger version that resembled an UZI that opened like a clam shell.

After the demonstration one of the Area 51 scientists took over, giving a short technobabble presentation about the new weapons, the XSP-05, Experimental Stun Pistol "which we actually call a ZAT, it does look like a Z when open and T when closed, and XSR-02, Experimental Stun Rifle. Someone's going to have to come up with an acronym for that one." The scientist closed the presentation with that line, to chuckles from the attendees.

Everyone got a chance to examine the new weapons, led by Generals O'Neill and Carter as the ranking visitors. Elizabeth and John were included in the first group as members of the Generals' party. Though neither had immediate need of the new weapons, their assignments in Pegasus allowing them to use the original alien versions, they both could imagine many Earth based uses for them.

Lunch had been set up in a conference room in the facility where the Explorer class ships were being constructed. Elizabeth didn't eat much; though she'd never admit it she was too excited about seeing her ship for the first time. Which surprised her. Up to now she'd viewed commanding the Magellan as just another new job, one that fit the "new" Elizabeth Weir, Air Force Colonel. But sitting there, listening to Dr. Lee and Sam discuss some of the upgrades on the Explorer class ships with the project's chief engineer, it hit her, she was actually going to be the Commanding Officer of a Space Ship!

Her companions knew her too well. Toward the end of the meal Sam gave her a knowing smile. John squeezed her hand, whispering that she was like a kid in a candy store. Jack didn't say anything, he just made the first stop on the tour the bridge, then waived her to the Command Chair. Even with all her experience maintaining a diplomatic poker face she couldn't help the smile as she sat in that chair for the first time.

They spent a couple of hours on board, touring the ship, meeting those crewmembers, mostly engineers and maintenance people, who had already reported in. At 1500 they moved to a maintenance platform at the Magellan's bow, crew and construction personnel gathered on the hangar deck below.

Jack tapped the microphone to get everyone's attention. "These may be Air Force ships, but they are still ships so we're following tradition and christening them. Given the secrecy though we've changed things a bit. Instead of some politician's or Admiral's wife or daughter we have our ships' first COs do the honors. So Colonel Weir, if you would?"

Elizabeth wondered why Sam hadn't warned her this was coming, but schooled her thoughts and proceeded through the short ceremony, formally announcing "I christen thee USS Magellan" then swinging the suspended Champaign bottle against the hull.

They were back at the Generals' house by 1830 Eastern time and home shortly after that. Phyllis slid the lamb chops under the broiler and tossed a salad while Elizabeth and John changed, knowing they couldn't linger over dinner that evening. As soon as they finished eating she shooed them upstairs to pack for the weekend, promising fresh berries and ice cream when they were done.

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Friday seemed like a much longer day than it actually was. Writing reports on the briefings and hearings and completing the paperwork for new personnel were tedious tasks at any time, more so that day with the weekend's festivities to look forward to. At least they were able to leave the Pentagon at 1600, Jack and Sam equally anxious to get away. Of course on a summer weekend that was easier said than done. So they cranked up the AC in the rental, shed their jackets and ties, put on a CD and crept along with all the other cars heading away from the Capitol. Nothing was going to spoil their last weekend together for months.