Chapter 26

By the time the three of them reached the control room Teal'c and Jacob were already walking down the ramp. They went down to the gate room to meet them. Jack was still waiting on an answer to his question from General Hammond and wasn't sure what Jacob Carter would think about the new situation between him and Sam.

"Always good to see you, Jacob. Glad to see you're alright," Hammond said, giving Jacob a firm handshake.

"Glad to be home, George."

Sam pulled her father into a tight hug.

"Hey, Sam," he said, returning her embrace.

"We weren't sure how the Tok'ra were doing since Anubis's attack," Hammond said.

Jacob nodded his head gravely. "It's been rough, but we're surviving. Teal'c tells me you guys have made some new friends."

Hammond nodded. "Let's head to the briefing room." He turned to Jack. "Jack, would you go check on Dr. Jackson and see if our guest is free to join us in the briefing room?"

"Yes, Sir," Jack said and stood there a moment, hoping Hammond would end his suffering. Jack clenched and unclenched his fists nervously and wanted to scream, "What are you going to do to me?"

Hammond frowned at Jack. "Did you need something, Colonel?"

Jack shook his head and let out a deep sigh. "No, Sir," he said and stalked off to the infirmary.

Jacob frowned. "Is Danny ok? Anything Selmak can help with?"

Sam sighed and shook her head. "No, not this time, Dad. You'll hear it all in the briefing room."

Hammond led Jacob, Sam, and Teal'c toward the briefing room. "You're just in time, Jacob, to congratulate your daughter."

"Indeed," Teal'c said with an affirmative inclination of his head.

Sam blushed and wondered which news Hammond was referring to.

Jacob smiled curiously and wrapped an arm around his daughter's shoulders. "Is that right? What's the news, Sam?"

Sam smiled awkwardly. "Well, I was just promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and head of SG-1."

Teal'c raised an eyebrow. That certainly wasn't the news he'd been expecting. "Congratulations, Colonel Carter. What has become of Colonel O'Neill then?"

"Oh, don't worry, Teal'c. I have plans for him," Hammond replied with a mysterious grin. He knew exactly how much torture he was putting O'Neill through, and he damn well deserved it.

Jacob stopped walking and pulled his daughter into a hug. "Sam, that's great. I'm so proud of you," he whispered into her ear.

Sam smiled. "Thanks, Dad. Thanks, Teal'c. The Colonel does have something a little new in line for him."

"That's such a nice surprise," Jacob said as he let go of her.

"It is certainly not the last," Teal'c said simply.

Carter and Hammond both glanced at Teal'c, mouths hanging open. Teal'c regarded them with the slightest hint of a smile. Jacob looked at Sam questioningly, but she only shrugged her shoulders and headed on to the briefing room.

"Yes, well, let's head into the briefing room," Hammond said.