Ch. 34 Replacing the Irreplaceable

Jack wandered into the control room just as the gate disengaged. "Sir?" he questioned, coming to stand by his superior's side.

"That was our scheduled contact with P3X-744. The Prometheus is heading home," Hammond informed Jack. There was relief in his voice. He'd been eager to get the ship home since it was stranded on Tagrea. Something as expensive and state of the art as Prometheus was something you didn't leave on another planet without getting a little antsy.

"'Bout time," Jack responded.

Hammond nodded in return. "Colonel, it's also about time you recruited another team member." The general started towards the stairs, indicating he wanted Jack to come along.

"Well, sir," Jack stuttered slightly as they entered Hammond's office. "I've been considering a few people." It was a lame excuse. He hadn't been considering anyone else. He didn't want anyone else.

"Have you ever thought about asking Lieutenant Hailey to join SG-1?"

"As in…Jennifer Hailey?" Jack asked, surprised. The mini trooper?

"Yes," Hammond replied succinctly.

Jack had only gone through the files his commander had given him once. He hadn't actively looked for a replacement for Sam. When he'd looked through the personnel files, he had briefly considered Hailey as a candidate. However, he'd soon dismissed her along with everyone else. Sure, she was perfect for the job. But if anything, she reminded Jack of someone he missed very much.

"Well, perhaps, sir. But-"

"Jack," Hammond said gently, folding his hands on his desk.

Jack withheld a sigh at the use of his first name.

"I know this is difficult. But if you don't make a decision soon, one might have to be made for you." Hammond's voice was firm, though sympathetic. "I assume this is a choice you want to make, but you might want to consider my recommendation. Unless you had someone else in mind?"

"No, sir, I don't," Jack admitted, grudgingly.

"Well, think about it. She's on Prometheus' return trip. It will take them a little longer than normal to get back. They can only make short jumps with the hyperdrive they are temporarily using."

Jack sent his boss a tight smile. "I'll consider her, sir."

"Very well. Remember, Colonel, it's just a suggestion. You still have the other personnel files I gave you."

"Yes, sir," Jack replied with a nod.

"Dismissed."

Jack left the office with a heavy feeling in his chest. He wished SG-1 could stay a three man team, but Hammond was right. They needed someone like Hailey. A clever scientist. A warrior. A perfect mix of both worlds. Hailey was the best option.

Sam had taken the prodigy under her wing and guided Jennifer Hailey into a meaningful Air Force career. Being assigned to SG-1, that would be the young lieutenant's crowning moment. You couldn't get much better than that. And Jack knew that if Sam were there, she'd propose Hailey to take her place as well.

But no matter the best option would cause him pain, she was the top choice. For the sake of the team, she would be chosen. No matter that Jennifer Hailey would conjure up memories of Sam, day in and day out. Jack would have to live with it. There were certainly differences in the two, but he'd been around Hailey enough to see the similarities.

They'd used to make him smile.

o-O-o

"So?"

Lieutenant Jennifer Hailey stared in disbelief at Jack. "SG-1? Me?" she gaped.

"That's what I said," Jack replied, shoving his hands into his pockets and waiting for the young woman's reply.

"But…I'm sure there's someone else more qualified. I'm just a lieutenant, sir," Jennifer stammered, her mind reeling.

"A very qualified lieutenant. Do you want the job or not?" Jack asked, slightly irritated. This wasn't exactly his idea of a good time, and she was just dragging it out.

"Yes, sir!" she accepted quickly. "Thank you, sir!"

"All right then. Welcome to the team, Lieutenant." Jack gave her a somewhat curt nod before turning to leave.

Jennifer swallowed hard as she watched her new commanding officer disappear around the corner.

She was on SG-1. She was taking Samantha Carter's place. Those were shoes she'd never be able to fill, or could. Not in a million years. She swallowed again.

What had she gotten herself into?

TBC in 'Never Again'