Thanks to Eternal Density for letting me know I called the ship BC-304 instead of DSC-304. I'd like those kinds of things to be accurate in my writing so I appreciate very much being told when I get it wrong. :) It's been fixed in the story.

Previously in chapter 3 - Then as now the conversation wound around and stumbled over the word retirement.

Chapter 4

Except at that time there was no retirement. Instead Hammond served at the pleasure of the President playing a vital role in defeating Anubis, getting his third star and agreeing to head the newly created department of Homeworld Security. And there was a lot going on that needed overseeing: SGC, Area 51, BC-303 and DSC-304 programs, the Antarctica outpost and everything else related to the defense of the planet. Even when he retired from active duty and O'Neill took over Homeworld Security, Hammond continued to serve the President and Joint Chiefs in a civilian capacity. Now he was retiring, for good this time and Jack knew just how much he would miss him.

The bald man shook his head slowly and sighed. "I've wanted to retire for a long time, but now that it's here," he paused, rubbing his left hand gently over the top of his head. "The last three years have been three of the best Jack."

"For me too, Sir," O'Neill responded without sounding too sentimental. Neither man subscribed to the notion that sentimentality is for suckers. They'd both suffered immeasurable losses in their lives and were kindred spirits in grief, pain and heartache.

Jack understood that part of retiring was the chance to finally share it with the one person who stuck with you throughout your career – your spouse. The military is hard on relationships, especially marriages and Hammond didn't have his anymore. Hammond's life partner died of cancer years before and Jack knew his friend wished she could be around for his retirement... it should have been their retirement. Jack was thinking too much and knew Hammond was too so he tried to lighten the mood.

"I know it's not retirement bothering you so it must be all the parties," Jack knowingly quipped, having attended a couple of the get-togethers in the last week. The one at the White House two nights previously was all senior officers, both active and retired.

He knew Hammond had connections so he wasn't entirely surprised when a few Admirals showed up along with many Generals from the other service branches. Several of his friends and acquaintances from the CIA*, NSA**, State Department and DOJ*** were also there and everyone enjoyed listening to their tales of Hammond's adventures and exploits. Everything was sanitized, but still humorous and the best news for both Jack and George was the complete absence of anyone representing the NID or IOA.

"I'm very glad the Washington ones are out of the way. I have lots of good memories, but…." Hammond paused, thinking about the person who shared his many years of service, the one who wasn't here now. The widower still wore his wedding ring and Jack knew he'd probably never take it off. To think about dating someone, let alone marrying them meant taking off the ring.

He watched as his friend unconsciously rubbed the plain gold band with his thumb, obviously thinking about his late wife and the shared retirement denied. She couldn't be here, but it was still a happy occasion and Jack needed to change the focus.

Already knowing the answer he asked, "Kayla and Tessa excited about you coming home?"

Hammond grinned, and Jack liked the way the man's eyes twinkled with joy and pride when anyone mentioned his granddaughters.

"Oh yes, the few trips back to Colorado and their week in DC this last year have not been enough for those two. Even with the web cam my being away has been hard for them," he reminisced. "It's been hard for me too."

Jack thought back to the occasions at Hammond's home and the get-togethers at his own house when the girls came with his favorite CO. He'd only seen them a few times in the last year, his schedule and theirs making it difficult to connect in person. The two young ladies never forgot their Uncle Jack and never failed to make him feel special when they did get together.

"They're great girls, Sir. I'm going to miss them," he admitted truthfully. He never minded their tight hugs or even the sloppy kisses when the girls were younger. Their giggling was infectious and on more than one occasion his stomach had hurt from laughing with them.

Hammond looked at his friend and smiling said, "I'll make sure their web cam is working, Jack."

Jack's slight smirk said as much as his words. "I wouldn't know anything about those things, Sir."

"Of course you wouldn't," Hammond jokingly chuckled. He knew that Jack knew that he knew that Jack knew much more about computers and web cams and everything else than he ever admitted. It was fine. They both knew. They both kept quiet about it.

They felt the plane descend and after hearing the announcement proclaiming their imminent landing, many found the way to the facilities one last time. As everyone buckled their seat belts, the Air Force One staff disappeared from view to sit in their designated places and all around O'Neill and Hammond secret service agents and others found seats.

The wide body jet descended some more as both men felt the landing gears and knew they'd soon be on the ground. The flight so far was uneventful and they both hoped that would include landing. Just because it was the President's plane didn't rule out some problem, mechanical or otherwise. It just made it unlikely.

"I'm glad Hank likes barbecuing as much as we do," O'Neill offered, keeping the conversation light.

One of the get-togethers was to be at General Hank Landry's home, or rather in his back yard and would be a sharp contrast to the DC parties where it had been mess dress with mingling, appetizers and drinks followed by a formal dinner.

Smiling, both men momentarily thought about grilled marinated steaks, juicy ribs and cold beer sipped from the bottle while relaxing at an outdoor table under clear blue sky. And they didn't forget about the fresh air. The air in Washington DC isn't horrible, it certainly could be worse, but it's not Colorado mountain air, the kind of magical air found at just above 6000 feet. And the sky doesn't get any bluer either. Their next memories were the same yet just a little different.

Hammond's thoughts centered on meadow grass and leaping grasshoppers as he and the girls picnicked in the shadow of the majestic Rocky Mountains enjoying the clean smell of pine trees early in the afternoon. The girls were getting older, but they still loved trekking the familiar paths they had both enjoyed since they first learned to walk. O'Neill closed his eyes for only a second, his thoughts drifting from ice covered mountain lakes and snowy ski slopes to steep hiking trails and backwood roads before finally settling on the clear night sky and the hours spent star gazing.

Then the wheels touched the runway interrupting their daydreaming. Their thoughts were slammed back to reality of the here and now, but their souls glowed in the memories and the anticipation. Being back in Colorado will do that to a person. It cleanses then replenishes your soul. The plane decelerated quickly with the noise inside the cabin increasing just slightly and it was less than a minute before they left the runway and were taxiing to the designated spot on the tarmac.

A Navy Lieutenant Commander pushed open a window shade before he was verbally chastised by a secret service agent who quickly closed it again while the man looked suitably scolded. He knew better and Hammond and O'Neill could only hope he took the task of holding onto the nuclear football a little more seriously. They guessed not as he tried to peer through a crack left by the closed shade.

A throng of vehicles left a nearby hanger as some of the passengers rose from their seats preparing to disembark. O'Neill and Hammond unfastened their seat belts, but made no move to get up. There was plenty of time since the rolling stairs hadn't even arrived yet. They turned in their seats slightly and ignoring the others continued their quiet talk.

"Tell me if you know anything," Hammond implored his friend, looking at him seriously. "I'm expecting the SGC roast, Walter spilled the beans."

"Yes sir," he confirmed, gazing compassionately at his tired friend. He hoped nobody roasted him when the time came. "Other than the cookout at Hank's, I honestly don't know of anything else that's been planned." It was the truth.

Knowing for certain that his friend wasn't disappointed there weren't more retirement festivities planned, he lightly quipped, "If you want I can arrange a couple more fancy dinners."

Hammond laughed aloud, giving O'Neill a mock stern look. "Thanks, but no thanks. Hank's cookout is tomorrow?" he asked, reminding himself that he already knew the answer.

"Yeah, he said early in the early afternoon and the weather is supposed to be really nice. He's got something the next two days after and then I have to be getting back."

Hammond winced internally before revealing, "You know Jack, the President has the idea that you'll return to Washington with him." He noticed his friend tense up, but didn't respond so he continued.

"The IOA will try to get even more involved, attempting to force their opinions into every Homeworld decision, not just the big ones. Jack, they're pushing for unilateral control, total decision making power over SGC and Atlantis. No limits, no restrictions."

O'Neill's lips thinned and his eyes narrowed as he glanced at his former CO. The President and Joint Chiefs tried very hard to get some ground rules put into writing, but up until now it seemed that the international group of meddling know-it-all civilians just wanted to be in charge of everything. Ordering Daniel killed was just the latest in their struggle for power.

"What did it cost the President to keep me?" Jack knew there had to have been fallout from his decision to shut down the super gate that allowed the Ori ships to come through.

Hammond shrugged saying, "I'm not sure, but don't worry about it. I understand the President and Joint Chiefs had Woolsey and two others from the IOA in the oval office for an hour."

Jack's eyes met Hammond's in unspoken agreement. He knew the score, knew what was at stake. The President promised more support and Jack promised he would try to pick his battles, accepting the reality that he couldn't win them all. President Hayes, Mike Mantley and the other Joint Chiefs had gone to bat for him and he wouldn't let them down. He knew the following weeks would be busy and stressful so he had purposely taken leave now. Unfortunately, it looked like it wasn't going to work out and his former CO's next words confirmed it.

"I asked him," he started, then back stepped, "I told him that you needed an extra couple of days, reminding him that you haven't had any leave in months. He understands, but…." Hammond paused, hoping Jack knew he hadn't broken any confidences.

"He's willing to pick you up on the way back from California late tomorrow night so you can still be with me at Hank's... unless you want to skip it. I understand if you do." Hammond was saying everything without saying anything. He was giving O'Neill an opportunity to do whatever he had in mind before President Hayes got back.

Jack shook his head indicating he wasn't skipping the barbecue so Hammond continued. "Additional time off will have to come later." Hammond recognized the closed look on O'Neill's face, the one hiding his true feelings behind the piercing eyes and stiff jaw.

"It won't be long, Jack," Hammond confidently stated as he stood up. Jack was standing too when Hammond added, "He's only concerned because of recent events."

They both knew what recent events the President was concerned about. Daniel's Prior transformation and rebellious ways even though Odyssey got an advanced cloak, O'Neill's foray on Odyssey, Carter disappearing from an SGC lab only to reappear two weeks later with one hell of a disturbing parallel universe story, the escalating war with the Lucien Alliance, the destruction of Dakara and the splintered Jaffa council were just a few.

Before O'Neill could respond, a faceless voice called out, "General O'Neill," interrupting the thoughts of both men. He turned and was slightly startled as the man in front of him was a little too close, rudely invading his personal space. Needing more personal space than the special agent apparently required, Jack moved back slightly waiting for the man to step back too, which he did.

"There's been a change, Sir. You're in #3," the man dryly announced with a neutral expression and very minty breath.

Jack's eyes narrowed slightly as he considered the instruction and was about ready to come back with one of his 'if only I could patent this' remarks when he stopped, mouth left partly open. What would be the point? Probably be wasted on this minty mouthed guy who reminded him of Mollem or Boring... no, Borren, that was it, of the Aschen Confederation. General Hammond passed him the hanger with his uniform jacket and Jack took it.

Knowing his comment wouldn't benefit anybody, O'Neill nodded once in acceptance and the agent withdrew. Wondering and then silently hoping that the Aschen had their own problems with the Ori, he turned to his friend and replied, "Thanks George," and passed back the empty wooden hanger.

It wasn't often O'Neill called his favorite general by his first name even though the man kept reminding him to do just that. Even retired Hammond would always be General or Sir to O'Neill and others who had served in his command. It was actually easier to call General Mantley Mike than to address Hammond as George. Too many years and too much respect O'Neill guessed. The same was true for Hammond and the President. Hayes told George to call him Henry, but only Sir or Mr President came out of his mouth. It was the same thing.

Both generals slid into their jackets, adjusting the shoulders and sleeves before fastening the buttons and Hammond nervously smoothed his tie. They were only vaguely aware of being observed by the staff as Jack retrieved his cover, briefcase and Hammond's portfolio.

"So, I'm guessing my ride broke down," O'Neill jokingly quipped, passing over the item.

His eyes shining with amusement, Hammond replied, "That or someone miscounted."

"How do you miscount Air Force sedans?" Deciding it didn't really matter about the car, O'Neill slung back with a grin, "I care only about legroom," and adjusted his stance and posture to reveal his true height so anyone looking would notice his long legs.

Hammond replied with a small smile of his own and then knowing they had little time left, he returned to their conversation before being interrupted. "About the extra days… give it a month or six weeks at the most and you can have four or five days in a row. " He glanced around cautiously before softly adding, "The Joint Chiefs said they'd even loan you a Gulfstream or use of the Odyssey transporter when the time is right."

O'Neill looked surprised before solemnly nodding, understanding that he was walking on eggs with the IOA after going against their so-called orders and not wanting to let down the President, the Joint Chiefs and Hammond, who seemed to have absolute confidence in him.

TBC

*CIA – Central Intelligence Agency

**NSA – National Security Agency

***DOJ – Department of Justice