"So now what?" It was Daniel, of course, who asked the obvious question. Except it wasn't quite so obvious. They were indeed home, but Jack knew that as soon as they told anyone then the circus would begin. They'd been abducted by aliens – and the medical tests and debriefings would go on for days, if not weeks.

He sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Maybe we should just not tell anyone," he said.

Daniel laughed. "Sure, we can pretend that we were all just on a camping trip."

"Except the General disappeared before us," Sam reminded him. "I don't think they'll buy the camping thing."

"No? How about a trip to Vegas?" Jack suggested. "You could say I was there and called and invited you to come for some fun. And we wouldn't have to tell them anything because you know what they say "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," Jack grinned.

"Right, and you don't think they'd have a fit to hear that a three-star General wandered off for a few weeks of drinking, gambling and girls without telling anyone?" Sam pointed out.

"Well I certainly wouldn't tell anyone I was going to do that," Jack protested. "And anyway, I wouldn't have gone off to find girls," Jack told her. "I have my girl and she's plenty for me!"

"You bet your socks she is," Sam said with a smirk. "But I don't think they'll buy Vegas either."

"Okay, here's what we'll do– we'll just go to work tomorrow and pretend nothing's happened. When ask where we've been we just look at them blankly, as if they're crazy."

"I don't think that'll work Jack," Daniel said skeptically. "I'm pretty sure they'll think we're the ones who are crazy."

"I suppose," he sighed. "So Teal'c, what do you think we should do?"

"I believe we should contact your superiors and General Landry and explain what has happened," Teal'c told him plainly.

"Spoil sport!" Jack huffed. "I wonder if there's any food in the fridge?" he asked abruptly, jumping up and heading towards his kitchen. "I think I might have – voila!" He pulled out a cold bottle of Guinness from his refrigerator, popped the lid and took a long swig. "I say we relax for a bit, order a pizza and then make the calls. I don't know about you, but I'm hungry."

Teal'c raised an eyebrow, Daniel hugged himself and looked concerned, and Sam laughed. "Sounds good to me," she said, "although if they ask, I'll say it was your idea."

"Teal'c? Daniel?"

"Fine," Daniel snorted. "It better be a good pizza! And let me have one of those beers!"

"I would like an "all-dressed" pizza," Teal'c informed him. "And I would also like a drink."

"Sure. I think I have some soda here. Sam?"

"I'll have a beer too," she laughed again. "And I'd like an all-veggie pizza."

"Of course you would," her loving spouse grinned at her. "Pizza's coming up!" he walked to the phone and called.

After they'd all had something to eat, and all of them, minus Teal'c, had downed a few beers, Jack decided it was time to let people know they were home. He had to think a moment to decide whom to call. The last person he wanted to talk to was General Cummings. The others had told him about the General's reaction to him disappearing. The man was a jerk – one of the worst commanders he'd had and he didn't want to deal with him. Oh well – that meant Connolly, the new Chief of Staff who'd taken over when Jumper retired. He was a bit of an unknown so far, but the word was he was fair, and so Jack decided he'd have to trust him.

"Okay – first let's give Hank a quick call and then I'll contact Connolly," Jack told them.

"Not Cummings?" Sam wanted to know.

"No. I'm afraid my dear CO is going to cause trouble," he sighed. "I really don't know why they have him involved in the Stargate program. He doesn't believe in it."

"How can he not believe in it," Teal'c asked, puzzled. "It exists."

"I don't mean he doesn't believe it exists – he doesn't believe we should continue the program. He's an isolationist and thinks we'd be better off on our own."

"Doesn't he worry about the Goa'uld, or the Ori?" Daniel wanted to know.

"He figures they'll leave us alone if we ignore them. Ignorance is bliss I guess."

"Or insane," Daniel shook his head.

"Yeah – that's why I'm calling Connolly. First though – Hank!"

He picked up the phone and dialed the main number for the SGC. It wasn't a secure line from his house, and he figured they'd be monitoring his cell phone (probably his house phone too, in which case they were probably wondering about the pizza) but he wasn't going to worry about that now.

"Hi – can I speak with General Landry please," he told the switchboard operator. "Yes, it's General O'Neill." There was a brief pause and he looked at his friends and lifted his brows. He was pretty sure the poor guy on the other end had just had a heart-attack.

"Hank! Hi, it's O'Neill." The others could hear their General exclaim loudly and then ask where he'd been.

"Well Hank – as this isn't a secure line I'm afraid I can't go into details. I just wanted to let you know that Sg1 is all present and accounted for. Yes, we're fine," he continued. "It was quite an adventure and I'm sure you'll hear about it soon. I'm going to call General Connolly now, but I wanted to let you know we were all safe." There was another long pause, and Jack nodded. "Sounds good Hank. See you soon!"

"He says 'Hi'," Jack told them. "And wanted me to tell you that you were late checking in!"

"Everything okay there?" Daniel asked.

"I think so- at least he didn't say there was anything bad happening. Mostly he was worried about us. Okay folks – now for the circus to begin!"

Jack was correct. The moment he contacted General Connolly things were set in motion. Cars arrived with security personal to escort the team to Andrews, where they'd be debriefed. Jack has asked Connolly if he could be the one to debrief them, rather than Cummings. Although it was unusual, and not proper protocol, the chief of staff agreed.

"I think he knows something's up with Cummings," Jack commented after he had hung up the phone. "He didn't object to bypassing mon dear general."

They arrived at Andrews, surrounded by security, and were taken to the medical facility, where they were each taken to a different examination room. What followed was probably the most thorough medical exam each of them had ever been given.

Jack padded to another secure room, again surrounded by security. He'd been given a clean bill of health – at least he was pretty sure he had been, although the doctor had been pretty mum. Probably under orders not to tell him anything.

He sat in the hard chair, waiting for whatever was next. He sighed, hating this whole thing although understanding the necessity. He just wished all of them could be together.

The door opened, and in walked Connolly, followed by a junior officer holding a tape recorder, a pad and pen. It was clear she was here to record the interview.

He stood respectfully, although it was hard to appear too dignified in a pair of scrubs and slippers, and gave the best salute he could. "General," he said, "it's good to see you Sir."

"At ease General," Connolly said. "This is Lieutenant Pearce. She's going to record our conversation."

Jack nodded his head and said hello and then sat down.

"It's good to see you, Jack. We worried that you were gone for good. But from what you've told me so far, you've had quite the adventure!"

"Yes, not quite what I expected when I took the job in D.C.," he grinned, "but it was kind of nice getting off world again!"

Connolly laughed – which caused Jack's eyebrows to go up. Maybe Connolly was a decent guy. "So, tell me exactly what happened."

So Jack started at the beginning, telling of his time in Lothyrwen and Glardomar. He spoke briefly about the prophecy regarding Sam and him – and did end with the wedding, which garnered raised eyebrows from Connolly, but otherwise he kept most of what had happened between the two of them private. The Air Force didn't need to know about his romantic (or sex) life!

"And you don't think there's any danger from the people on this planet?" Connolly asked.

"From Lothyrwen? No, I doubt it. Their society isn't advanced enough to do us any harm, and the Goa'uld, Gauwyn is dead. At least he is – there is the issue of Arawn/Katriona – the woman. Hopefully they'll keep her contained, although it is a worry."

"Any suggestions as to what we should do – if we can do anything?"

"Sam – Colonel Carter – mapped the stars while we were there. Her idea was to input them into the computer when she got back and check if they correlate to any known section of the galaxy," Jack said. "We'd also like to check in with the Asgard and Tok'ra to see if they know where this planet is. If we can find it, I'd like to go back with either of our allies. We said we'd try and help remove Arawn, the Goa'uld."

"I see. Well, that's something we can consider. Is there anything else you need to report, any other concerns or dangers? What about this mirror? Does that leave you, or anyone, open to being kidnapped again?"

"They promised they wouldn't use it," Jack told him, "although as long as it's there I suppose there's a danger. I don't know if they can use it on anyone, or if it was just for the prophecy. That might be something else we want to look into if we find them again."

"Okay," the General nodded and then let out a long breath. "You know that I believe you Jack – and I'm sure the others' stories will corroborate yours. However, due to the length of time you've been gone we have to be cautious. For now you and the others will in custody. We've already contacted the Tok'ra and they're coming with a Zat'ark machine to verify your stories. Once all the interviews here are done, the four of you will be transported back to the SGC, where you'll take the test."

Jack was relieved he was going to be with the others and that they were heading back to Colorado Springs. The thing he didn't like were the Zat'ark detectors.

"Those damn things," he scowled. At Connolly's surprised look he relaxed and explained. "It's a good idea Sir, and of course I'm willing to do it. It's just that – I haven't had the best experience with the things in the past."

Connolly nodded, vaguely remembering an incident he'd been told about from a few years earlier. "Well, hopefully there won't be any problems with this one, and once it's done you can get back to work!"

"Uh – General – about that," Jack rubbed the bridge of his nose with his finger. "I'm gonna want to talk to you about my job in D.C. See, now that I'm a married man -"

"But it was an alien wedding," Connolly interrupted, "and therefore not legally binding. Are you telling me you want to stay married?"

"Uh – yes Sir. Colonel Carter and I – well – we had started to see one another after she was transferred to Area 51. I assure you there was nothing between us before that. And well – spending time together over the last few weeks made us realize we wanted to be married. So, we plan on getting married again on Earth. I love her, Sir," he said quietly, "and I've decided it's time to spend some time on me – and Sam of course."

Connolly frowned, looking rather thoughtful for a moment and then he nodded. "I know there wasn't anything between you when you served together," he told Jack. "It was investigated pretty thoroughly as the result of some claims. But I hadn't realized you were seeing each other." He paused for a moment, regarding Jack seriously. Then he chuckled softly. "If there's anyone who deserves a bit of joy in life, it's you and Colonel Carter. Okay Jack – I'll see what we can do. We don't want to lose you so – I'll talk it over with the President and see what we can come up with."

"Thank you Sir." Jack nodded in thanks. As each moment went by he was getting to like the General more and more. He knew, however, that he might not be able to fix things for them. If he couldn't help them well – he had a retirement letter all ready and waiting to go.

"O'Neill, there's one other thing," Connolly looked grim for a brief moment and then his expression relaxed. "Can you tell me why you didn't want to speak with General Cummings? He is your superior officer."

Jack hated this sort of thing. He wasn't the kind of person to carry tales or to jump over the head of his superior. He preferred to deal with issues directly. But when it came to Cummings, he felt like he had to step lightly. There was something about the General he really didn't like or trust.

"Uh – well – I just – I guess it's because he makes it plain he doesn't really have much use for the Stargate program," Jack said in a rush. There – that was honest and said a lot, without saying too much.

"He didn't – try anything, or say anything that you thought was – odd?" Connolly asked carefully.

Jack frowned, wondering what this was all about. "Uh – not really, although he clearly – uh – didn't like me very much." Jack shrugged and grinned slightly. "Not that I was looking to make friends with him – but his feelings seemed to be more negative than were warranted by our positions. And I really hadn't had much to do with him before. Oh, and Daniel and Teal'c told me that he was pretty insistent that I'd gone AWOL when I went missing and that he didn't want to have anyone look for me."

"Mmm – I heard that as well." Connolly sighed and slowly sat back. He regarded Jack for a few seconds, and then spoke. "I think he was chosen to head the program because he hated it so much," he admitted. "Some members of Congress decided he'd be useful by destroying the very program he was running. And I'm sure he saw you as keeping him from his mission, so it's no surprise he didn't like you."

Jack looked in surprise at the chief. He hadn't expected such candor, and didn't know what to say. It appeared as if Connolly didn't want him to say anything, because he continued.

"We're looking into his activities," he said, without further explanation. "For now, you're to continue to report to me. And if you see or hear of anything strange, let me know. Something doesn't smell right about this whole thing."

"I will Sir," Jack said, his curiosity piqued. "Uh – does General Cummings know I'm back?"

Connolly smiled slowly. "Not yet. I plan to give him the news myself. If he tries to say anything to you or give you any orders – refer him to me."

"I will General, thank you." Jack was dying to ask more questions, sure that there were things Connolly wasn't telling him. For now, he was just relieved not to have to report to the old bastard Cummings!

Connolly slowly stood up. "I'll tell the base commander that you and your teammates can travel and wait together until the Tok'ra arrive at the SGC. I hope to have you back at the helm in no time General. We need someone we can trust!"

"Thank you Sir," Jack stood as well. He saluted again, and thanked the general. Once Connolly was gone, he slowly returned to his chair. He sat silently, his brow folded into two long furrows. Something definitely didn't smell right about with Cummings. He just wished he could do something, but for now was forced to wait.

Jack closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair, suddenly exhausted with everything that had gone on. He had expected to return to Earth and have some time to figure out what to do about him and Carter. Instead, he worried that he had landed square into a conspiracy.

He suddenly missed Lothyrwen.

It was ten minutes later when his door opened again – and in walked Teal'c.

"They informed me that we can wait together," his friend intoned.

"Yup – that's right Teal'c. The others should be getting here – oops, here they are."

Daniel entered, followed closely by Sam. She walked over directly to Jack, and pulled up the chair beside him. "I never want to have another physical, ever again!" she complained.

"Yeah, they even put Doc Frasier to shame, didn't they?" Jack said, leaning over and giving Sam a quick kiss on the cheek.

The four friends spent the next while talking about all that had happened and what was next. Jack didn't say anything about Cummings, deciding to wait until they were back at the SGC.

A few minutes into their conversation there was a knock on the door and an Airman showed up with clothing for each of them.

They each took turns changing in the small, attached bathroom. They'd been provided with BDU's – something they were all comfortable in.

"This feels so good," Sam exclaimed. "No more long dresses and laces!"

"I'm gonna miss them," Jack lamented. "Make sure you get the one you arrived in back. You can wear it on our anniversary.

"You can wear it on our anniversary," she told him in disgust. A moment later she asked the question she'd been thinking about since they had returned.

"What about us?" Sam asked softly.

"I explained everything to the General," he told her gently.

"Everything?"

"Not everything," he said, rolling his eyes. "I told him about the prophecy and that we got married when in Lothyrwen. I also told him we planned on getting remarried now that we were back on Earth."

"You did?' Sam said, her eyes growing big. "And what did he say?"

"Well, he was surprised, but when I explained that I loved you and I wasn't giving you up, he said he'd talk to the President. He was actually really decent about it. He seems like a good guy."

"Wow – that's – wow," Sam said. "I'm glad you told him though. I didn't want to hide things."

"Nope – not going to do that. We're married and we're gonna be together. If they give us a hard time, I'll just resign."

"Jack -!"

"I'm not budging on this one Sam," he told her seriously.

"I know, neither am I – but I'm sure we can work it out. I don't think you should resign."

He shrugged. "I will if I have to – and I won't feel bad about it." Suddenly he grinned. "I kind of like the idea of being a house husband. I can get a dog!" he said, sounding enthused.

Sam snorted and turned to Daniel and Teal'c, who were both laughing. "What did I get myself into?" she asked them.

"I expect life will become interesting for you, from now on," Teal'c told her.

"Oh yeah," Daniel snorted, "you'll have a puppy and Jack. Life will definitely be interesting."

"You're just jealous," Jack told them both. "I'll be able to relax, go fishing, watch TV, go for walks with the dog and at the end of the day Sam will come home to me. Sounds like the life to me!"

"You'd be bored in a week," his loving wife told him. "There's no way the President is going to let you retire anyway. They need you too much."

"Yeah," Jack gave a heavy sigh. "I expect that's true – at least that they won't let me retire. I don't know about needing me." He sighed again. "Oh well, the dream was nice."

Just then the door opened, and a security guard was standing there. "You're all to come with me," he told them. "Your transportation is here."

Soon they were on their way to Colorado Springs. Although no one said anything, they all knew that they'd only truly feel like they were home once they were back at the SGC.

As Jack sat in the plane, Sam dozing beside him, he suddenly thought of General Cummings and wondered what he was up to. A moment later his mind flipped over to another man he didn't trust – Richard Lions.

After he'd figured out what to do about his CO – he'd turn his attention to that slimy bastard.

Lions didn't know what was coming!

Jack settled back, closed his eyes, and proceeded to fall asleep. For now he was back on Earth, his love and his friends by his side. He could wait until tomorrow to deal with anything else.