"I heard that Major Carter was sleeping with Colonel O'Neill and that's how she got her posting on SG1," one of the new Captains whispered.
"I heard that she slept with General Hammond," another replied.
Jack heard every word they said and was shocked. He hadn't even thought that people would think that about Sam, he knew that she had earned her place on his team herself, with no preferential treatment, from him or from Hammond.
He was about to turn around and set them right, he didn't want his seconds accomplishments blunted because people thought she had gotten to where she was by sleeping her there, when another voice spoke. "Don't ever let anyone hear you say that, especially not SG1. Major Carter earned her place here the same as anyone else and she got any promotion off her own back, don't ever question that. If anyone who has worked here more than a couple of months ever hear's you say that you won't be able to run fast enough or far enough to get away without some serious pain being inflicted on you or at least get one hell of a chewing out."
Jack smiled to himself, so he wasn't the only one a little protective over Sam and her accomplishments, by the sounds of it the rest of the base were too.
He heard a crash and then one of the people who had spoken before strutted, "S…s…sorry Major Carter."
Jack stuck his head out from behind the paper he had been reading, which had also kept him concealed from the unfortunate newbies, and saw Sam brushing dry cereal off the front of her BDU's. "That's ok Captain, just pay more attention to your surroundings in future, you wouldn't want to spill food on someone like Colonel O'Neill."
"Hey," Jack finally spoke up, "I find that offensive Carter."
"Sorry sir," Sam said, trying to look sorry but Jack could see the slight quirk of her lips.
He just waved her away and smirked when he saw the two young Captains who had been speaking before pale, realising that Jack had heard every word they had said.
They both hurriedly stood and made their way out of the mess hall. The officer who had been with them, Major Castleman, gave Jack a nod before he too left.
Sam sat opposite Jack and gave him a questioning look before asking, "What was that about sir?"
Jack shrugged and pushed the bowl of blue jello across the table to her. "Must have had some errands to run."
