SGC Gate-room, 1410 Hours
Hammond breathed a sigh of relief as the Gate activated only ten minutes later than SG-1's scheduled return time. For a moment there, he'd been concerned. As much as he'd welcomed the peace and quiet of the past few hours, he did not wish them ill. They attracted trouble like lightening to a rod and he couldn't help but worry whenever they didn't return on time. For all their quirks and oddities they were a good team. The best. And he had no desire to lose a single one of them. However much of a pain in the ass they could be at times.
"Receiving IDC, sir. It's SG-1."
Hammond nodded. "Open the iris."
With that he made his way down into the gate-room. By the time he'd reached the floor in front of the Gate, SG-1 were strolling down the ramp. O'Neill was in the lead pulling off his cap - his sunglasses would be next – then Major Carter and Doctor Jackson chatting amiably, with a silent Teal'c bringing up the rear. Nothing looked out of place.
"Welcome back, Colonel." Hammond acknowledged their return.
"Thank you, sir." O'Neill said, tucking his cap back inside his vest but making no move to remove his sunglasses.
"I take it the mission went well?"
"Oh, you know how it is, General – " O'Neill airily waved a hand in the air. "We went, we wandered around, picked up a few souvenirs, we came home. Same old, same old."
Hammond nodded, frowning slightly. He was still wearing his sunglasses. That was odd. He would normally have removed them before now, it was only common courtesy after all. It was difficult to get a feel for how the man truly felt the mission had gone, without being able to see his eyes.
"Debriefing at 1700 hours, people. In the meantime, get yourselves down to the Infirmary for your post-mission check, then you can."
"Aye, mon General."
Hammond frowned as the Colonel walked past him. He still hadn't removed his sunglasses. And he certainly didn't require them 28 floors underground.
"Ah, Colonel?"
The man froze in place, his back still to his CO. He cleared his throat. "Yessir!"
"Is there a reason why you feel it necessary to wear your sunglasses indoors?"
O'Neill gave a heavy sigh. "Ah…no, nope…not really."
Hammond tensed as he recognised the snorting sound of suppressed laughter. He glanced behind him at the remaining members of SG-1. Teal'c looked as impassive as always. Major Carter and Doctor Jackson on the other hand were sporting identical smirks. Hmm…
"Perhaps you could remove them then, Colonel?"
More snorting from behind him. Quickly converted to coughing as O'Neill spun round on his heel to face him. Oh, this was going to be good. He could tell.
Another sigh. Resigned almost. "Yes sir."
Jack pulled off his shades, letting them dangle on the cord round his neck. Hammond's lips twitched. Around each of the Colonel's eyes was a perfect black circle.
Jack cleared his throat again. "If that's everything, sir, I don't know about anyone else but I'd kinda like to go get cleaned up. Those dust-ball planets leave me dying for the shower…"
Hammond smirked. The man was doing his best to pretend there was nothing wrong and to be fair, he was doing a damn good job of it. But he couldn't just let this one go. Moments like this were priceless and sadly too far and inbetween.
"Granted, Colonel. In fact I'll make it an order."
Jack grimaced. He did not look happy. Which considering how long he'd had to live with boxer or brief jokes after last year's little incident was hardly surprising.
'What goes around, comes around, Jack.'
Though he doubted the man would appreciate that particular clichéd sentiment at this moment in time. If ever.
"Thank you, sir. I think."
Jack strode out of the room, the other members of his team nodding politely to Hammond as they followed him out, grins lighting up nearly all of their faces.
Hammond chuckled softly as he made his way back to the control room, shaking his head. Maybe there was some justice in this crazy universe after all…
o0o
