A/N: It's weird because I always thought it was canon that Sam went to area 51 but watching season 9 lately it seems like more evidence points to that she was working on the Prometheus so that's what I'm going with (and because it makes the story work out better.)
Sam was laughing at Lisa's explanation of Teal'c's lack of origami skills when she suddenly sensed something. She looked up in time to see Jack pulling his gaze away from her and then looking back to the door.
He muttered something to Daniel before handing off his drink and moving to Hammond and Hayes with all the urgency of a man on a mission.
"Holy Hannah." She remarked, putting her glass on the table and hurrying after him.
"Sirs," He nodded curtly to each of them.
"Jack!" Hayes greeted jovially until he noticed the rarely seen seriousness in the General's eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Sirs," Jack began again, licking his lips, "I'm sorry. I appreciate the work that's already been put into this and the faith you've inconceivably placed in me but I don't think I can take the position."
Hayes blinked in confusion and looked to Hammond for explanation. George narrowed his eyes, "Jack, What's this about?"
Before Jack could go any further Sam had made it to his side, eyes wide and filled with fire, "Mr. President, General Hammond." She greeted before tugging on Jack's sleeve, "May I speak with you for a second, sir?"
Jack met her eyes but swallowed and turned back to the President and Hammond. Before he could speak Sam was again pulling on his sleeve, "Don't do it." He looked back to her, eyes dark and intense. She shook her head and in a quiet but steady voice, "Don't you dare do this."
He released a breath and looked back to his superiors, "Excuse me sirs." With a hand on her shoulder he spun Sam around and guided her to the other side of the door.
He had barely managed to say "Carter." Before she was interrupting him, "I'm going to take the post on the 303 development."
He blinked, "What?"
She shrugged, "You said to consider my options. I have. This is the one I'm taking."
His face ran through a myriad of reactions from surprise, to concern, to hurt, to guarded confusion.
When he spoke his voice was plain, "Why?"
Sam smiled, "I know Daniel and Teal'c don't really want to stay. I'm going to talk to them, tell them it's okay to go to Atlantis and Da'Karra; it's what's next, what's right. As for me, well, the nice thing about a posting with the 303 project is that since the installation of the Asgard transport beams the crew of the Prometheus is able to go home when their shift is over and the ship is in orbit."
"Sam..." Jack tilted his head, and leaned forward, "Do you understand why I wanted to retire?"
She smiled, "Yes. And it floors me that you would." She put her hands on his forearms, "Last night you told me that I could have anything I wanted after the funeral. I want this and I don't want you to retire. Listen to me. Working on the Prometheus I can beam down anywhere in between my shifts. My house, Cassie's apartment...somewhere else..."
Jack's eyes locked with hers and slowly a smile flickered across his lips.
She squeezed his arms, "I know you know how valuable you are to what we do. There's no one I'd rather have watching our six in Washington than you. You are going to do an amazing job and there are only more great things ahead for you. You're going to be a two star general; one of the most respected officers in all of the Air Force. Please, please don't give all that up because of me. I couldn't live with myself."
Jack's smile softened, "You know I've never been able to deny you anything when you say please like that."
Sam smiled brilliantly. Jack shook his head, "You're unbelievable."
His hand reached up and gave hers a quick squeeze before turning back to the other side of the door where the President and Hammond were waiting.
Jack's smile faltered for a second, "General…Do you remember that conversation we had about distance and the break in chain of command?"
The older general smiled knowingly, "I do."
Jack swallowed, "That goes for all branches of HWS? Including, say, hypothetically, the 303 project leaders?"
Hammond nodded approvingly, "As long as they report to their own command staff and not directly to HWS. Then yes."
Jack smirked and rocked on his toes. "Sweet."
The President shared a look with Hammond and grinned, "So Jack, what was that about not taking the position?"
Jack plastered an innocent look on his face, "Nothing sir, no idea what you're talking about."
Sam gave a small roll of her eyes.
President looked between the two, "I understand you plan on taking a little leave before finalizing the transition?"
Jack grew serious again, "Yes sir. Just a few days. I'll be knocking on Hank Landry's door within the week."
Hayes nodded approvingly, "No of course, if anyone, the four of you absolutely deserve a break. But you know, I've been thinking..." He smirked and winked at Hammond, "It might be best if we have you officially promoted and assigned to the Pentagon earlier then later. You're going to be keeping a foot in both bases for a while but we don't want to undermine General Landry and you should be of at least equal rank when you introduce him to the base."
"Sir?" Jack's brow furrowed, perplexed.
"Yes, actually I don't think we should delay at all sir." Hammond concurred with a playful smile.
Hayes nodded thoughtfully, "Do you have a pen general?"
Jack looked to Sam who just shrugged. Puzzled, Jack dug a pen out of his pocket and handed it over to his commander in chief.
He watched with interest as the president grabbed a napkin and put the date at the top. 'By presidential order B. Gen J. O'Neill is hereby promoted to the rank of Maj. Gen. and to be transferred to the office of HWS. Effective immediately. Signed, H. Hayes.'
"Sorry for the informality and the lack of insignia but here are your official transfer orders." The president handed the pen back to Jack along with the napkin. "We can have an official promotion ceremony later and I still don't expect to see you in DC until Landry is comfortably settled. This is just for the sake of paperwork, you know any pesky, technical protocols and regulations that always seem to get in the way at the most in opportune times." He smiled smugly.
Jack held the napkin loosely in his hand, eyes narrowed and mouth hanging open.
Sam was also staring at it. She looked up at the matching grins on Hammond and Hayes' faces and then back down at the napkin. Seeing as Jack didn't seem to be moving she carefully took it from him, folded it neatly and put it in his jacket pocket, "Don't lose that."
She nodded politely to the President, "Thank you sir." Then wrapped her arms around Hammond's neck, placing a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you."
"Just happy to see you happy." Her father's friend replied honestly.
"I am." She smiled. Jack still hadn't moved, so she gave him a small pat on the arm before departing to find her brother.
"I thought you said he was good under pressure George." The President stage whispered, eyes still on the thunderstruck, newly promoted Major General.
Hammond shrugged, "I also thought he was smart; but he's still standing here."
Jack shook his head, "Sirs."
"What is it Jack?" The President questioned, still smiling, "Were we too presumptuous? You can hardly blame us for wanting to meddle."
He opened his mouth, paused, looked back to Sam and then back to the men in front of him, "I don't want to cause any trouble for her."
The president put his hand on Jack's shoulder and looked him the eye with a deep earnestness, "There is no one on this planet who is going to give her any trouble." He stepped back and looked to George, "If there is, they are going to have to get through both of us and a whole lot of others first."
Hayes' smile softened as he looked around the room, "I know this should be a somber day but haven't we all had enough of those? Go. Be happy Jack."
Jack blinked one more time before he nodded slowly.
"Thank you sirs." He shook each of their hands and met their eyes before turning to stand shoulder to shoulder with Sam.