A/N: Could be any time late season 9. Glad everyone liked the emails last chapter, thanks for the support!

When I saw Jack again it was definitely a surprise.

The kids' summer camp organized a long weekend field trip to DC and myself and a few parents from the group had volunteered as chaperones. We arrived Thursday afternoon and Friday morning everyone woke eager for a day full of sightseeing.

Well, sightseeing had been the plan but it was waylaid by the 3 hour wait we endured to take a tour of the White House. We had finally gotten on the back end of another large group when the tour guide drew us to an abrupt halt just outside a door.

"I'm sorry." She announced far too perkily, "But the schedule had that the President would be out of the office by now but apparently his meeting is running long. The Secret Service has asked us to wait here."

Jason let out a sigh and leaned back against me, arms crossed across his chest. Megan kicked at the dirt. I shared a knowing exasperated look with Shannon, my closest friend in New York. Her youngest, Todd was teetering dangerously on the edge of a tantrum.

"Maybe we should just go." I whispered.

She glanced around, "I don't know if they'd let us. We're already so far past the check points."

"Oh, looks like the meeting just let out." Pointed out Terrance, another chaperone who was trying to entertain his young daughter on his shoulders while keeping his 13 year old from popping her bubble gum.

I followed his gaze to where a crowd of military uniforms were filing out, each pausing at the door to secure their hats.

"Wow..." Jason and Todd both were watching with rapt attention and I noted the adults in the group were similarly captivated.

Not that I could blame them, even with my jaded view it was hard not to be impressed by the number of stars on the shoulders and commendations on the chests. Even without the hardware the men carried themselves in such a way that commanded attention and respect.

I was just about to look away when a familiar flash caught my eye.

He had two stars on each shoulder and on first glance fit right in with the rest of the crowd but I could tell; could see the slightly more relaxed set of the shoulders, the casual stride allowing him to inconspicuously fall to the back of the group, the dark sunglasses that hid his eyes.

"Jack?" I called out without thinking twice.

His head swiveled and locked in our direction. His lips quirked into a grin and he said something in parting to the Army general he had been talking with as he turned in our direction.

"General..."

A lieutenant colonel with a kind face and carrying an attache case hurried up behind him.

Jack stalled him with small wave of his hand as he drew close to us and removed his sunglasses and smiled warmly, "Sarah. What a surprise."

I tried to keep from beaming at the reactions on the faces of those with us. "Talk about surprises Mr. Major General."

He glanced to his shoulder then back to me, "Did I not tell you about that?"

"No, no Jack. You failed to mention." I smiled to show that I wasn't entirely surprised. In fact over the last year his emails had become fewer and fewer. I had assumed that perhaps he had succeeded in starting a relationship with that CIA agent and had thus found another person to confide in. We still shot something back and forth about once a month but rarely anything detailed or personal.

"Congratulations. You look good with two stars."

"They're heavy." He admitted with a grimace but I knew he wasn't talking about the brass itself and I appreciated the obliquely shared confidence.

He glanced back and forth at our small group and smiled at the children staring up at him in awe.

"Hi folks." He greeted jovially before squatting in front of the two flanking my sides, "You must be Megan and Jason." He held out a hand and with a glance at me first they each stepped forward and shook his hand, "Sarah's told me quite a lot about both of you. Welcome to Washington."

"Thank you." Jason said simply but I was not surprised was Megan was not so deferential.

"Washington's boring." She said pointedly.

Jack grinned, "I would agree with you but that's just because I have to work here. You look like you're on vacation; you're not having fun?"

"We've had to wait in line forever!." She griped.

Jack frowned, "You're right that does sound boring." He pushed himself back to standing and glanced around the adults in the group. "Taking the tour?"

They all nodded andl I explained, "It's been 3 hours of stop and go. Haven't actually started yet. The kids are a little antsy."

"I bet." He smirked with understanding.

He turned around, "Davis?"

The younger man stepped forward, glancing at his watch, "Sir, you've got lunch with General Jumper at twelve hundred before your call with General Landry at thirteen thirty and the Senator Thomas at fifteen hundred."

"I'm taking the rest of the day off." Jack interrupted brusquely.

"Sir..."

Jack waved him off, "I was just in there with Jumper for 2 hours, he can get lunch by himself. Tell Thomas' aide that we'll move it to first thing Monday. And Hank will understand. If it's urgent he has my cell number." He stared at the shorter man whose internal struggle between frustration and protocol was evident on his face. Jack watched with indulgent patience, "Speaking of my cell phone, may I have it?" He held out a hand with a flourish.

The colonel nodded and dug through his brief case before turning the device over to Jack. "Sir, I really don't think..."

"Paul, I was going to leave early any way today. This just bumps it up a little bit. Don't worry about it. Take the afternoon yourself, go...fly a kite or something."

The younger man's mouth opened to argue one more time but a quick exchange of looks with Jack and his mouth finally snapped closed, lips tipping up in amusement. He gave a small shake of his head, "Okay. I'll clear the schedule. Thank you sir. Enjoy your afternoon."

"You see that you do as well Davis." And the younger man hustled down the drive to a nondescript black car.

Jack was still turned away from us as he dialed and brought his phone to his ear, "Mrs. Sheridan, it's Jack O'Neill. I was wondering if I might be able to request a favor..."

Not two minutes after Jack hug up the phone a trim woman in her late 60s and a simple suit came out of the door Jack had previously exited.

"General? Is this your group?"

Jack welcomed her with a smile and turned back to me, "Sarah, this is Mrs. Sheridan, the president's executive secretary. Mrs. Sheridan, this is my friend Sarah, the group is with her."

Mrs. Sheridan looked us over warmly, "It is a pleasure to meet a friend of General O'Neill's. Please, follow me."

The rest of the larger tour group looked on in envy as the 15 of us followed the secretary through the white door and into the building.

She stopped us in a lobby, "So I understand that you all have been waiting for a tour?"

We nodded collectively, even the children seemingly aware the place they were in called for quiet.

"Well, I'm sorry to pull you away from the official tour, but I hope you'll allow me to give you our own little version." She smiled pleasantly and Jack smirked.

"Mrs. Sheridan here knows more about the White House than anyone and trust me, she gives the best tours."

She rolled her eyes in his direction but accepted the compliment, "Why thank you General. Shall we?"

So we followed the petite woman all through the building and listened with rapt attention as she told the stories behind the rooms and various art works and answered the many questions.

Jack happily tagged along, remaining toward the rear of the group obviously having been on 'the Sheridan Special' before as he occasionally asked questions which would earn him a pointed glare from Mrs. Sheridan before she would acquiesce and share a scandalous anecdote or two about historical occupants of the building.

At one point Jack elbowed me, "You should have seen her with Daniel. I think she actually answered every question he could come up with."

"What was that about Doctor Jackson?" The older woman peered at Jack.

"Nothing." He answered quickly.

She narrowed her eyes for a beat but then smiled, "Will he be attending this evening?"

Jack shook his head, "I'm sorry Ma'am. He's staying in Colorado."

Mrs. Sheridan pouted but then brightened, "What of Colonel Carter? Surely you and she will be attending?"

I looked up at Jack with interest as he shifted uncomfortably, "It's still being discussed."

"Well tell Samantha that we would all love to see her although I can understand if you'd both rather stay at home." She smiled and patted his arm as she brushed past him leading the way down another hall.

"She can understand if you and Samantha would prefer to stay home?" I questioned. It seemed like an obvious enough implication but knowing Jack and Sam's history as I did I found it difficult to believe and knew there could be perfectly innocent explanation for the Colonel's visit.

"Later." Was Jack's gruff reply as he turned away to follow the group even as a smile slowly spread across my face.

Finally we ended up in the executive offices. I was assuming the tour was coming to an end when I noted a distinctive slope to wall and suddenly a familiar voice boomed through an open door, "Are these our special visitors?"

Even after our exclusive tour everyone in our group gaped in shock as President Henry Hayes welcomed us into the Oval Office.

Even Jack looked mildly surprised, "Sir, I didn't expect you to be here."

Hayes grinned widely and slapped Jack on the shoulder, "Don't be silly Jack. In all the time I've known you this is the first personal favor you ever requested; I wasn't about to miss it!"

He turned to the group arm still around Jack, "You folks should be honored, this is a real American hero right here."

I couldn't help but grin at the honest flush that crept up Jack's neck and on to his cheeks as he avoided eye contact and shifted his weight.

Hayes noticed as well and laughed, "It is way too easy with you, Jack. Relax." Even as Jack grimaced the President turned back to us, "Now, who wants a turn in my chair?"

As the parents stood back and watched each child have their picture taken behind the Resolute desk Shannon elbowed me in the ribs and leaned in, "So I need to know; is that Jack, Jack? As in your ex husband Jack?"

I glanced over to where Jack was discussing fishing with Terrance and Chris, another Dad in the group. I looked back to Shannon and nodded. Her mouth parted slightly and her eyes widened as she looked over to the men, her eyes flicking up and down.

"And you let him go...why?" I had to smirk at her tone even though I had no intention of indulging her question.

"It was the right thing for both of us. Not to mention a couple of life times ago. We're both different now."

She looked at me in disbelief, "Honey, I love Greg too, think he's a great guy. But are you kidding me?"

I shook my head, "Nope. Things are just how they were meant to be."

"Well I have to hand it to you." She faltered for a moment as her eyes tracked Todd but Jack snagged the young boy before he had a chance to interrupt the picture currently being taken. Her eyes arched as Jack hefted the boy up and encouraged him to go ahead and occupy himself by playing with the eagle on his chest while maintaining his conversation. Her eyes darted back to me, "I can barely stand to know my ex husband is still breathing out there somewhere. Never mind ever considering doing him a favor like this."

I shrugged, "Well I think that's unfortunate. Just because we don't love each other any more hasn't changed the fact that Jack is my oldest friend."

"Oldest friend you say?" I jumped, startled as the president came up a next to us. "I knew someone here had to be special to warrant Jack requesting a favor. How long have you known our mysterious General O'Neill?"

Jack apparently overheard the question as his eyes grew wide. I smiled gently back to the president, "A long time sir. I met him the day before he started at the Academy."

Hayes' eyes lit up with delight and he glanced back to Jack before turning back to me, "No kidding! Well how about that? You must have some stories."

I couldn't help the taunting grin I shot to Jack, "You could say that sir."

Hayes grinned, "Well, can you tell me this, was he always such a smart ass or did that come with the stars?"

Jack rolled his eyes and I had to bring a hand to my mouth to cover the giggles that were escaping. "Sir, I do believe you could call that his trademark."

"And all this time I thought it was just for me." Hayes mock grimaced. He held out a hand, "Well it was a pleasure to meet you, I hope it won't be for the last time." He looked around the group after releasing my hand, "It was wonderful to spend time with all of you, make sure Mrs. Sheridan has your address and we'll send you the pictures. I have to go but please, take your time."

Everyone shared their thanks and appreciation.

Before he left the president tilted his head at Jack. Still holding Todd, Jack moved closer.

"Will we be seeing you tonight Jack?"

"Maybe."

Hayes kept a steady eye on Jack's face before a small smirk tugged at his lips, "Colonel Carter coming in this weekend?"

Jack nodded but his smile slid into a small grimace, "It's just a little difficult since she's been transferred back."

"I thought we cleared this up months ago. It's not an issue with anyone who cares. We'd like to see you. Both of you." Hayes' tone was dismissive.

Jack's face remained serious, "It's not just the people who matter who can make her life difficult."

Hayes nodded in slow understanding, "Well of course you shouldn't do anything that makes her uncomfortable. But it's still ridiculous that anyone would."

"Yes sir." Jack agreed.

With a huff of defeat Hayes nodded, "I do still hope to see you tonight, if not give her my best."

"Yes sir." Jack smiled amiably and the president finally made his departure.

We did not linger long before also saying our goodbyes and thanks to Mrs. Sheridan and stepping back outside. Jack followed us out to the street.

"We're going to get lunch somewhere down by the Archives if you'd like to join us." I indicated over my shoulder as the other adults corralled the children.

Jack smiled, "I appreciate it but I'm going to head over to the State Department; take care of a few things to make up for the people I blew off today."

I held back a grin at the implication that despite his impromptu personnel time that Jack was still very much duty bound and obviously not as dismissive as he had lead Lieutenant Colonel Davis to believe.

I nodded, "Well I'm glad you did; blow them off that is. Thank you so much for this, it was amazing."

He shrugged, "Hey, I know what it's like waiting in line with kids."

I assumed he was referring to the disastrous trip to the baseball hall of fame that he had chaperoned for Charlie's little league team and smile at the shudder.

"And," He continued, "It was way more fun than what I would have been doing. Thanks for letting me tag along."

"It was good to see you." I said sincerely.

His large grin shrank to a small but more honest smile, "Yeah, you too."

I bit the inside of my lip and looked him over for a moment, "So...Colonel Carter, eh? She didn't take a married name?"

Jack winced, "Uh, no. Actually the wedding never happened."

I nodded slowly, "And you're working here full time?"

"Yeah. Hammond's old post at the Pentagon." He glanced over his shoulder in the general direction of Arlington.

"And Sam is coming in to visit this weekend?"

He nodded.

"That's nice of her." I commented slowly, watching the muscles tense across Jack's face. "But too bad Dr. Jackson won't be joining you."

I had to take a step back as Jack coughed suddenly in reaction to my comment. "Umm. Yeah. It's fine. He's been out before."

"Mmmhrm." I smiled smugly. "And the CIA agent doesn't mind your single female friend coming to visit you alone?"

Jack's eyebrows raised above his sunglasses and even with the dark shades I could tell his eyes were wide.

"So that's a no on the CIA lady friend?" I teased to which he mutely shook his head back and forth.

I smiled and leaned up to give him a gentle parting hug. "I'm glad Jack." I released him and stepped back, "Thank you again."

Having recovered his equilibrium he smirked, "Any time." He gave a wave to everyone else in the group before drawing my attention again, "Hey, shoot me a note next time you're coming to town."

I nodded, "Of course. You do the same if they give you any more stars."

He smiled indulgently, "Yeah. Sure."

I looked down as Megan pulled insistently at my hand.

"Go." Jack encouraged, "I also know what it's like when children get hungry."

"Thanks."

"Bye." He waved.

"I'll see you around." I countered.

His grin brightened and he nodded before he turned and disappeared into the busy Washington crowd.