With that the brief message ended. I'm really not getting my memos, he thought. This is one meeting I actually want to attend! Go figure!

AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE

After the tragedy of 9/11, an entire section of the Pentagon had been rebuilt. As part of the rebuilding effort, a wing of the new construction had been set aside for top secret, eyes only operations, to be specific, Homeworld Operations. Entrance to this particular wing was restricted to the officers and hand picked government officials in the know regarding the Stargate and all related activities.

Jack arrived at the first check point of the secure wing already ten minutes late for the staff meeting. Making his way through the final security check, he knew Hammond and the rest of his colleagues would not be pleased. They called it military precision for a reason. But then again there would be the blue eyes of a certain Colonel. Yes, that would more than make up for Hammond's momentary disdain and his own embarrassment.

On both counts, Jack was not disappointed.

"Nice of you to join us, General," Jack's commanding officer said pleasantly enough as he approached the glass enclosed conference room.

"Sorry, Sir," Jack said, somewhat repentantly. "I lost track of time and you know, these crutches, they really slow me down."

"Jack, you were late for meetings when you were ten years younger with perfectly fine legs," Hammond replied. "Enough of that, we've got our work cut out for us tonight."

"I thought tonight was fairly routine …" Jack said, his voice trailing off as he took his first look through the glass into the meeting room. Almost immediately, a pair of blue eyes caught his attention and locked on. Sam. And her smile, soft, restrained, but he knew, just for him. He watched as she composed herself and regained her military persona, but it was enough. Then, as he scanned the other fifteen or so attendees, the other shoe dropped.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Jack asked indignantly. Sitting next to Sam was none other than Brigadier General Raymond Francis.

"Jack, take it easy," Hammond began, silently praying his friend would keep his reaction to himself. "I didn't have a choice."

"General," Jack persisted, gesturing for Hammond to join him around the corner out of sight of the conference room. "I told Francis he was on administrative leave until the charges were resolved. What's he doing here?"

"Orders from the four-star, my boss, Jack," Hammond said, clearly not pleased. "We've been overruled. General Francis is to retain rights, privileges and responsibilities of his rank until such time as formal court martial proceedings are convened. The man's got some powerful friends."

"That's great, that's just great," Jack said, biting his tongue and putting on his best diplomatic face. "Let's get this over with then, shall we, Sir."

"After you, Jack."

With that, Generals O'Neill and Hammond made their entrances. Those already assembled looked relieved that the meeting could finally get underway. None of the officers had great love for evening meetings, particularly those with families. Still most of the men and women nodded in Jack's direction, acknowledging his arrival. The exceptions were Raymond Francis, who seemed to make a point of totally ignoring him, and the newly arrived commander of Atlantis.

Samantha Carter had all she could do to avoid a totally unprofessional display. As it was, she was beaming in spite of her best efforts to appear somber, serious and professional. "It's good to see you again, Sir," she said calmly as Jack entered the room.

"Carter," Jack answered, with barely a glance of recognition. There was no way in Netu he was giving Francis any ammunition to use against Sam. He knew she'd be hurt, but he planned to make up for it later. "Gentlemen, ladies, my apologies for being late," he said sincerely.

"Don't do it again O'Neill," Jack's head security operative said with a light teasing tone. "Next time dinner's on you."

"Deal, Patrick," Jack said. Then, turning to Hammond, he asked rhetorically "What do you say we get this show on the road?"

"Good plan, Jack," Hammond said. "I believe we all know Colonel Samantha Carter, commander of Atlantis station. We're privileged to have her with us for a first hand account of the most recent developments in the Pegasus Galaxy."

And so the meeting got underway. It had been six months since Home Ops was treated to a first hand, in person report on the status and plans for Atlantis and all were eager to hear the latest directly from the woman who'd captured the plum assignment.

Sam began her report, acutely aware that all eyes, except those that mattered most, were on her. As she spoke, deftly running through the latest accomplishments, challenges and plans for the station, her heart focused on the cold welcome she'd received from Jack. The others, many of whom she'd never met before, had shown more enthusiasm for her arrival. What was wrong with him? She could have sworn he'd be happy to see her, especially after his note and their long distance chat. Had she totally misread him? Was it her own wishful thinking that told her he was ready to change the status quo?

Something was wrong. Sam knew it, she just didn't know what. Then again, she and Jack had worked like this, almost ignoring each other, for a long time. She could do it for another hour or so. And she did, hiding behind techno-babble and professional decorum, her eyes discretely trying their best to find his every so often, only to be disappointed time and time again.

Jack gave his best performance of carefully studying the hard copy of Sam's report as she continued her live presentation. It was one of the hardest things he'd ever done; after six months, he wanted nothing more than to look at her, feasting his eyes on every centimeter of the woman who occupied so many of his waking and sleeping thoughts. But now was so not the time. Still, he could listen to her voice …

"… overall, the past six months have been a time of expansion on the station. Granted we've had our share of challenges and continued enemy incursions. But in my opinion, we've handled them ably…" she was saying. Sam's report was coming to an end.

OoOoOo

The staff meeting was over by 2200 hours. After Carter's report, there had been the requisite question and answer period, where Sam had deftly handled informational questions as well as logistical concerns voiced by a bevy of her superior officers, including Raymond Francis. It was yet another instance where Jack was insanely proud of the officer Samantha Carter had become.

Home Ops officers had dispersed soon after the conclusion of the meeting, understandably eager to make their way home at the late hour. General Francis had been one of the first to leave the building with his entourage of aides. Jack had said his goodbyes to Hammond, resolving to pursue the issue of Francis' continued involvement on the team. Now it was time to catch up with Carter before she disappeared into the night.

And there she was, making her get-a-way through the last of the checkpoints. Oh, no you don't he thought. We've waited long enough. We are so going to talk.

"Carter, wait up," Jack called, hobbling behind her as fast as he could manage with the hated crutches.

"Sir, what can I do for you?" Sam said, stopping in her tracks and turning to face him. She'd become expert on reading his body language and his slightest nuanced expression. What she saw now was an anxious, almost desperate man, not at all the indifferent Major General who'd avoided eye contact all through the meeting.

"Sam, I'm sorry," he said softly. "Let's talk. I need to explain some things."

"General, I'm tired," she said, unwilling to have her hopes dashed twice in one difficult evening. "It's been a long day; I'm on my way to the hotel and probably back to the Springs in the morning. They're expecting me to return to Atlantis day after tomorrow. Do you think this could wait?"

"Sam, please …" he all but begged, willing her to hear him out.

Sam's heart responded to the sincerity of his voice. "Okay, Jack. Let's talk," she said, certain this had nothing to do with her report. "But no games, understood?"

He could face down an army of the worst the galaxy had to offer, survive nameless torture devices and unspeakable evil, but right now, in an all but abandoned top secret wing of the Pentagon, Jack O'Neill knew fear. Sam was calling the question. And finally, he knew it was time to answer.

TBC

A/N: Wow, sounds like very few readers out there like Christina very much at this point! Poor lady!

Glad to see you're still reading. I hear that some folks think the story is dragging, so I'll do my best to get it moving!

Please continue to review. It makes all the difference and is certainly pushing me to crank out the chapters!