Quick note about the foreign language translations: A couple people (here and on AO3) mentioned that they didn't like the new format for the translations. I don't particularly like using this format either. It's kind of a pain in the ass to scroll down and read/edit. I'm using it to get an accurate word count for my NaNo. I fully intend to go through the story on December 1st and change it back to the way I had it in Angelus Mortis (with the translation at the end of the paragraph). Please be patient with me until then and, as always, thank you for taking the time to read my story!
FOB = Forward Operating Base
Deirdre paced back and forth in Elizabeth's office, taking exactly four steps in one direction before turning sharply on her heel retracing the four steps back. Elizabeth stood in front of her desk watching while Jack stretched out in one of the guest chairs. Eliot leaned against the wall by the control panel for the door, Nemesis sitting at his feet, both of them tracking Deirdre's movements.
"This is…" Deirdre frowned as she scrolled through the tablet in her hands, "…not even remotely close to what we agreed to."
"That was our old agreement," Jack said, "This is the new one."
"You can't just-" Deirdre protested.
"Yes, I can," Jack insisted.
"This contract is for two years," Deirdre continued scrolling, "If the expedition ends before the term expires-"
"I'm sure Landry can find something for you to do at the SGC," Jack folded his hands over his stomach, "Or if that doesn't work out, I'll find something else for you in DC."
"You're more likely to die before then anyway," Eliot pointed out, "Eaten by space vampires…blown up by alien tech…shot by one of your co-workers…"
"Not helping, El," Deirdre didn't bother to look up at him as she paced, "This list of duties is-"
"Comprehensive," Elizabeth supplied, "You've been doing most of them unofficially anyway. We've eliminated the unnecessary work you've been doing for me and added things that will be more beneficial long-term. It's nothing more than you can handle."
"But it says I'm supposed to-" Deirdre frowned again, "No less than a dozen? I don't want to have to deal with-"
"You did say we needed an intelligence division in Atlantis," Elizabeth reminded her, "Who better qualified than you to run the department?"
"How am I supposed to pick-" Deirdre questioned.
"You aren't," Jack gestured towards Eliot, "He is."
"I have three months before I have to be in Chicago for my next job," Eliot drawled, "I told the General I'd train up some of the SGC people before I go. I know what you're looking for. I'll send the General my recommendations and he can assign them to you. I know a couple people outside the program that would work too."
"Like anyone you know would pass a background check," Deirdre huffed, "What about the IOA?"
"They already think you're working for Jack," Elizabeth leaned against the front of her desk, "Since he's doing some restructuring of Homeworld anyway, it'll seem like nothing more than a title change."
"It'll seem like a promotion," Deirdre muttered, "Since I'm getting minions. They won't like it. Am I getting a raise too?"
"Nope," Jack answered easily, "You get paid the same."
"I like being Elizabeth's assistant," Deirdre complained, "Why can't I just keep doing that?"
"Because the IOA is already suspicious of you," Jack explained patiently, "and the circumstances surrounding you joining the expedition. Not to mention the way you dealt with the Trust situation. And the whole Michael thing. This is the simplest way to keep the IOA and anyone else who might be looking from poking around in your background. We're hiding you in plain sight."
"By making me a government employee?" Deirdre pivoted sharply, "There's hiding in plain sight and then there's wearing a neon sign saying 'here I am, come get me'."
"Civilians don't carry guns," Eliot gestured to the gun strapped to Deirdre's thigh, "Disgraced CIA officers don't carry guns. That's your neon sign. Not an employment contract."
"Yes, they do carry weapons," Deirdre maintained, "When they're in a FOB. Atlantis may be civilian run, but it's still in a warzone."
"Technically, non-military personnel aren't allowed to carry weapons on base," Jack argued, "Unless they receive special authorization from the Military Commander, the SGC, or Homeworld Command."
"So give me authorization," Deirdre paused scrolling for a moment before continuing on, "You're allowed to do that."
"Which is what I'm doing," Jack rolled his eyes, "by making you an agent. The paperwork we put together before you left last year wasn't technically legal. You've been in a sort of limbo for the past year. This contract makes everything above board so the IOA won't find some loophole to get you removed."
"They're not going to-" Deirdre began scrolling again.
"The deal you made with Woolsey will still be viable," Elizabeth reminded her, "The plan might even work better this way, since you'll be able to send teams off-world. It's not going to work forever though. The IOA will eventually figure out that you're not really on their side. When that happens, they're going to look closer at your personnel file and employment records."
"No cover is a hundred percent," Eliot stroked a hand over Nemesis' head, "A contract is another layer for them to get through."
"You can't restructure an entire section of the government," Deirdre finally stopped pacing to look up at Jack, "just because you feel like it."
"I'm not," Jack replied evenly, "Homeworld Command isn't a separate section of the government. You know very well the President can't create secret military branches out of thin air. Adding a division to an existing organization is slightly less complicated. I am the head of the Military Operations Division of Homeland Security. I am restructuring my particular division to better serve our needs. You're not the only person getting a new job title. You are the only one being a pain in the ass about it though."
"I'm not being-" Deirdre stopped scrolling through the tablet.
"You are," Eliot interrupted, "You wanted to stay here, Dee."
"As Elizabeth's assistant," Deirdre scowled at him, "Not as a federal agent."
"Will you just sign the damn contract?" Jack groaned in frustration.
"If I sign this…" Deirdre looked from the tablet to Elizabeth.
"Il ne changera rien entre nous," Elizabeth assured her, "si cela est ce que vous êtes inquiet au sujet." [French: It won't change anything between us] [French: if that's what you're worried about.]
"Mais..." Deirdre shifted on her feet, "Si je signe cela, tout le monde saura qui je suis. Qu'est-ce que je fais ici. Comment suis-je censé être invisible si tout le monde me connaît? Comment suis-je censé vous protéger?" [French: But…] [French: If I sign this, everyone will know who I am. What I'm doing here. How am I supposed to be invisible if everyone knows me? How am I supposed to protect you?]
"Tout le monde vous connaît déjà," Elizabeth replied gently, "Vous ne devez pas être invisible ici. Il existe une menace plus caché pour moi. Les seules choses que je besoin de protection contre les e-mails sont de Rodney et vos soi-disant vampires de l'espace." [French: Everyone already knows you.] [French: You don't need to be invisible here. There is no more hidden threat to me. The only things I need protection from are Rodney's emails and your so-called space vampires.]
"This is a terrible idea," Deirdre mumbled, turning to glare at Eliot, "This is all your fault, you know. If you hadn't come here, this wouldn't be happening."
"Not my fault," Eliot shook his head, "I was gonna bring you back with me. You chose this."
"Yes, but it makes me feel better to blame you," Deirdre grumbled.
Jack let out an exasperated sigh as he repeated, "Will you just sign the damn contract?"
"I want a badge," Deirdre stared at Jack, "An official Homeland Security ID."
"Fine," Jack agreed quickly, "Sign it."
"I'm adding that in," Deirdre started typing on the tablet, "And if I'm going to be in charge of intelligence out here, I want final say on anyone in my department. I decide who stays and who goes. If you want me to do this, I don't want to have to fight other departments to get the personnel I need."
"Within reason," Jack amended, "You can't exceed the already set limits of personnel without my written authorization. Everyone who works for you has to agree to the transfer. You can't transfer someone just because you feel like it."
"Between twelve and twenty-four…" Deirdre kept typing as she looked up at Jack, "I want that alien guy that was on your team a couple years back, the Kelownan – Jonas Quinn. From what I've read of his file, he'd make an excellent analyst. With some training, he'd be a decent addition to a field team."
"I'll see what I can do," Jack shrugged, "He may not want to come to Pegasus."
"His planet is technologically advanced for the Milky Way," Deirdre looked back down to the tablet, "The Ori will be coming after them sooner rather than later. Offer him relocation to Atlantis, he'll take it. What are the chances of me getting Vala?"
"Vala?" Jack asked curiously, "Really?"
"My requirements are different than yours, General," Deirdre replied smoothly, "I'm not looking only for physical discipline or big brains. Intelligence work requires good people skills and flexible thinking. Vala has both. She would be a brilliant field operative."
"I'll talk to her," Jack nodded, "But I doubt she'll agree. She seems pretty attached to SG-1 already."
"Are you going to bitch if I want to hire non-Americans?" Deirdre questioned, "Or aliens from either galaxy?"
"It's an international expedition," Jack pointed out, "It'd be a bit hypocritical to employ only American intelligence agents. As for aliens, I'm not sure how the paperwork would work out but I have no problem with them working for you."
"Teyla came up with a compensation system for the Taranians working here," Deirdre waved a hand at him, "I can talk to her about something similar for the people I have in mind."
"You already have people in mind?" Elizabeth wondered.
"Yes, ma'am," Deirdre paused in her typing to glance at Elizabeth, "I have quite a few sources that could be officially employed as assets by the expedition."
"Of course you do," Elizabeth shook her head fondly.
"Look over the changes I made before I sign it," Deirdre handed the tablet to Jack, "I highlighted the things I adjusted," Deirdre looked over to Elizabeth again as Jack started reading, "Am I allowed to have an office? I'll need some sort of secure meeting space. I'm sure you don't want me to use your office every time I need to have a confidential discussion with someone."
"Did you have a particular space in mind?" Elizabeth asked curiously.
"There are a few rooms that would work," Deirdre said thoughtfully, "My first preference is currently designated as storage though."
"Talk to Major Lorne and Captain Randall," Elizabeth ordered easily, "See if the three of you can work it out."
"What if there are military personnel here I'd like to transfer?" Deirdre looked back to Jack, "I assume since it's the 'Military Operations Division', they could be laterally transferred to my department and wouldn't have to resign from the military."
"Technically, yes, but that's between you and Sheppard. He won't be happy if you start poaching his guys. If you find someone that you really think is necessary and Sheppard gives you trouble, I can run interference for you," Jack handed the tablet back to her, "Same thing with Elizabeth and McKay. Everything looks fine, sign it."
"What about supplies?" Deirdre narrowed her eyes at Jack, "Do I get a budget for that? I'll need surveillance equipment, weapons, items to trade for information…"
"You'll have funds available for use," Jack answered calmly, "but it comes out of Homeworld's budget so you can't go crazy. I'll have Master Sergeant Thomas forward you all the details."
"My department will be autonomous?" Deirdre questioned, "If I need to send a team somewhere in a hurry, I don't want to have to track down someone to get permission."
"Again, within reason," Elizabeth responded carefully, "If we're under lockdown for any reason, your people aren't exempted from that."
"You don't have free reign to do whatever you want," Jack clarified, "But, yes, you are independent from any other departments and your missions will be on a need to know basis. You are required to share any relevant intel gathered with the senior staff here and I expect regular reports to be sent to me."
"What about-" Deirdre started.
"Will you quit stallin' and sign the contract?" Eliot interrupted, "You can work through your commitment issues some other time. There's a ship waiting to leave and you're delayin' everyone."
"Asshole," Deirdre glared at Eliot.
Elizabeth picked up a stylus from her desk and held it out to Deirdre.
Deirdre sighed and took the stylus, signing her name neatly at them bottom of the tablet.
"This is a terrible idea," Deirdre shoved the tablet and stylus towards Jack, "Here."
"You said that already," Eliot barely refrained from rolling his eyes, "Several times."
Jack took the tablet and added his signature before handing the stylus back to Elizabeth.
"There," Jack declared as he stood, "Done. Finally. Congratulations, Special Agent Vaughn – you are now officially employed by Homeworld Command as the head of Atlantis' newly formed Intelligence Division."
"Don't screw it up," Eliot smirked.
Deirdre flipped him off as he pushed away from the wall.
"One final thing before I leave," Jack drew her attention back to him, "I did say there would be a punishment for deliberately misleading us."
"Have you decided?" Deirdre straightened to attention.
"I talked it over with Dr. Weir," Jack glanced over to Elizabeth and back to Deirdre, "We decided it would be a two-part punishment, since you deceived both of us."
"For the first part," Elizabeth started calmly, "We've decided that you will be responsible for informing the senior staff of your updated duties and change of status. You will provide every member of the senior staff with both written and verbal notifications in English and answer any questions they may have about the situation."
"Elizabeth," Deirdre complained, "Do you have any idea how much trouble that's going to be?"
"That's what makes it a punishment," Elizabeth paused shortly, "Special Agent Vaughn."
"Do I have to answer their questions honestly?" Deirdre scowled.
"Within reason," Elizabeth's lips twitched into a smile, "You obviously don't have to answer any questions that would compromised your cover or Mr. Spencer's."
"And the second part?" Deirdre asked evenly.
"Dr. Zelenka has a team assigned to catalogue all the Ancient artifacts in," Elizabeth paused to turn and pick up a tablet on her desk, tapping the screen before reciting, "Level 5, Section 37, Room 4. He's requested that someone with a naturally occurring ATA gene assist in activating and identifying everything."
"Light-switch duty?" Deirdre's expression fell, "For how long?"
"Until that particular room is finished," Elizabeth set the tablet back on the desk, "Dr. Zelenka estimates four days. Minimum."
"All at once?" Deirdre's shoulders slumped forward.
"Spread out over the course of the next week," Elizabeth pronounced, "If you try to con someone else into helping, you'll be assisting with the next three cataloguing projects."
"Yes, ma'am," Deirdre agreed sullenly.
"Cheer up, Dee," Eliot bumped his shoulder against hers, "It could be worse."
"Says the man who's never had to do it," Deirdre brushed a hand over Nemesis' head as the large cat squeezed in between her and Eliot, "You have no idea how horribly boring it is."
"Better you than me," Jack tucked the tablet under his arm, "Well, time for us to get going. I think we've kept Colonel Emerson waiting long enough."
"I'll walk you down," Elizabeth pushed away from her desk.
Jack let Elizabeth walk through the door first, Deirdre, Eliot, and Nemesis following closely behind.
"Sir, ma'am," Chuck nodded to Jack and Elizabeth, "Colonel Emerson says the Odyssey's ready to leave when you are."
"Thank you, Chuck," Elizabeth brushed a hand over the top of his console as the group continued through the control room.
All of AR-1 and most of SG-1 were waiting at the bottom of the stairs, Sam and Rodney arguing over the top of a tablet while everyone else chatted quietly.
"All set, General?" Cameron questioned.
"All set," Jack nodded.
"Which one did you end up signing?" Sam looked up from the tablet to Deirdre.
Deirdre turned to Jack and narrowed her eyes, "There was more than one? Meaning you had more than one contract for me to choose from before you got here?"
"Too late now," Jack grinned.
"You're such an asshole," Deirdre muttered under her breath, "Вы никогда не были собирается сделать меня оставить." [Russian: You were never going to make me leave.]
"Hey," Jack protested, "Is that anyway to talk to your boss, Special Agent Vaughn?"
"Special Agent?" John wondered, "What happened to Operations Officer?"
"Restructuring," Deirdre huffed, "General O'Neill made me sign a two-year contract with Homeworld, so I guess I'm a federal agent now."
"Contract?" Rodney yanked the tablet from Sam's hand, "With Homeworld Security? Does that mean you're leaving? You can't leave. I have stuff for you to do. If you leave, I'll be stuck with Zelenka."
"No, Rodney, I'm not leaving," Deirdre sighed fondly, "Looks like you'll have to share that Nobel after all."
"Nobel?" Daniel asked curiously.
"It's classified," Rodney sniffed haughtily.
"What about you?" John looked over to Eliot, "Staying or going?"
"I'm going," Eliot glanced over to Deirdre and back to John, "Make sure she doesn't collect too many people, Colonel. She has a habit of adopting strays."
"I haven't collected anyone," Deirdre protested, "I don't adopt strays."
Eliot looked from Deirdre to Rodney pointedly.
"That doesn't count," Deirdre's cheeks pinked, "Er ist mein Freund." [German: He's my friend.]
"I'll keep an eye on her," John smirked as he turned to Rodney, "On both of them."
"Good luck. You're going to need it," Eliot tapped both hands on his chest, "Umarmung." [German: Hug.]
Nemesis stood on her hind legs, putting her front paws on Eliot's shoulders and bumping her forehead against his.
"Gut sein," Eliot massaged Nemesis' neck gently, "Take care of her." [German: Be good.]
Nemesis chirped in agreement as she pushed way from Eliot, dropping to all fours before she padded over to Deirdre.
"I can take care of myself, El," Deirdre stepped over to Cameron, hooking a finger in his tee-shirt collar to pull it to the side, "Is that a hickey?"
"Uh," Cameron flushed red, "No?"
"What is a…" Teyla's forehead crinkled in confusion, "hickey?"
"A love-bite," Vala supplied smugly, "and yes, it is."
"You didn't have to mark your territory, El," Deirdre looked over her shoulder to Eliot, "Sofern Sie nicht auf halten diese ein zu planen?" [German: Unless you plan on keeping this one?]
"Sieh mich nicht," Eliot held up his hands, "Es war die Piratenprinzessin. I know better than to leave evidence." [German: Don't look at me.] [German: It was the pirate princess.]
Ronon came closer to look over Deirdre's shoulder at Cameron, "Got him pretty good."
"Are we really having this conversation right now?" Cameron flicked a nervous glance over to Jack.
"I didn't hear anything," Jack smirked.
"Must be all those explosions, sir," Sam smothered a grin, "They've effected your hearing."
"Wow," Daniel came over to join Ronon behind Deirdre, "That's very…purple."
"This isn't happening," Cameron closed his eyes, "This is not happening right now. Can we please leave now? Galaxy needs saving, no time for gossip."
"All right, that's enough," Vala moved over next to Cameron, removing Deirdre's hand and placing hers on Cameron's shoulder, "Leave poor Cameron alone. The love-bite is a reminder of a wonderful evening spent between three consenting adults. Fun was had by all and that's all you need to know."
"Three?" Jack raised an eyebrow, "Really, Mitchell?"
"You're not listening, sir," Sam reminded him.
"Right," Jack gestured towards Sam.
"Three, Cam?" Sam turned to Cameron with a grin, "Really?"
"Definitely a genetic thing," Rodney snorted.
"Thanks a lot, Vala," Cameron groaned as he opened his eyes, "Do you not remember that talk we had at all?"
"What?" Vala slipped an arm around his waist, "General Jack said he wasn't listening. No one else is bothered," Vala looked around at the group, "Are you?"
There was a chorus of no's and nope's before Vala turned back to Cameron with a brilliant smile, "See?"
"It was lovely to have you all here," Elizabeth pressed her lips together to hold back her smile, "But you'd better be on your way now. I hope your quest goes well, Dr. Jackson."
"Yeah," Daniel nodded, "Me too."
"Bye, Mika," Deirdre smiled softly at Eliot, "פרוש כנפיך." [Hebrew: Spread your wings.]
"Bye, Rae," Eliot returned her smile, "ולעוף אמיתי." [Hebrew: And fly true.]
The two groups separated and Elizabeth reached up to tap her earpiece, "Colonel Emerson, they're ready for you."
Timeline thing - Eliot mentions having to be in Chicago for a job in three months. This is referring to the pilot episode of Leverage (The Nigerian Job) when they go after Pierson Aviation. I think this pushes the Leverage timeline up a couple years, but I'm not sure.