I dedicate this chapter to anybody who has been morally harassed by a shitty boss. Don't stand for it, fight back. Let them know belittle someone, his work or his character is not acceptable without proper arguments. Get help, don't question yourself ten times a day, and kick their asses back. Bosses are entitled to have problems, they are not entitled to make you pay for it. You don't have their paycheck, you don't share their burden. Cheers!

And yes, 3 months notice … this is long when you don't want to be there anymore. But it goes both ways, you can't be fired either without the notice so it gives people time to find something else.

As usual, French is in italics. I didn't feel it was necessary to inflict upon you the original version, although you can ask for it if you feel like learning French hehe. Anyway, I had so much fun writing this. It is payback, and it is personal but I still hope you can enjoy it. Jack is so playful, and so is Henry Hayes.

She'd been so ready, to get her swift on the road with Kristan, and forget about the responsibilities of the world. Just a few months, half a year maybe, to relish in the joy of his presence and patch herself up from the hardships of the past. But it was not to be. Frances drove home with a little more resentment than usual, dodging other cars angrily until she parked down her building. Kristan was there, his hands deftly slicing into peppers and onions for dinner. The sight of him, bare-chested under the apron, sent a fresh wave of love through her heart. Yet, it didn't lift her mood, and her wonderful man picked up on her distress as soon as his eyes met hers.

Frances only shrugged, circling the kitchen counter to engulf him from behind, resting her cheek over his bare back and closing her eyes. Kristan froze, setting his knife down, accepting the extra heat without complaining despite the stifling heat. For a moment, neither said a word as the young woman relished in the beating of his heart, strong and sturdy, echoing in his chest. Its regular thud caressed her cheek, grounding her, giving her strength. Then, at last, Kristan twisted in her arms and gazed into her eyes.

— "What happened? Ran into trouble with your resignation?"

Frances struggled to meet his inquisitive stare. This was no matter of French regulations, or resignation letter delay. No. This was way, way worse.

— "The SGC called."

Swallowing audibly, Kristan folded his long arms around her, crushing her to his chest in an attempt to soften the blow.

— "We will be ready," came his determined voice.

Frances's arms tightened around him, drawing a little of his strength as his warm body enclosed hers. Just a little while, relishing in the raw power flowing through his veins. At last, Frances sighed; she needed to man up, and detached herself from the man she loved. It was worth a try. Albeit the battle was lost even before it was engaged; his jaw was set, his eyes steely as he gazed upon her.

— "Is there any way…"

Kristan cut her off, his voice stern. Tristan's determination shone in the hard lines of his features.

— "No. I'm coming with you."

— "Right. You don't even need me to finish my sentences."

A sad smile quirked Kristan's sensual lips, his hand brushing a stray strand of fiery hair out of her face.

— "You were not going to ask if I could take the garbage down, right?"

Frances shook her head, amused by his attempt to lift the mood when the ringing of her phone caught her attention. She scurried away to her bag, lifting its leather cover in haste to rummage through her mess.

— "It's Jack's tone," she said, failing to find the offending device.

Realisation dawned on Kristan's face.

— "Oh. That's why you took it last time, you've got a special tone for the SGC."

— "Yeah. And one for Jack as well. Damn phone!"

Kristan took the bag from her hands, and extracted the offending device a moment later, facing a gaping Frances.

— "How? Never mind"

Shaking her head at her magical man, she picked up the call.

— "Hey Jack"

— "Hey Kiddo. What do you say if we pick you up three days from now?"

Frances turned to Kristan who had resumed his slicing and dicing, mouthing three days to him. Her man nodded, and she breathed in relief that he would be so accommodating. How the hell were they going to handle cleaning their apartment and storing their stuff in so little time?

— "Hum, all right. Difficult, but feasible. By the way, who's we?"

There was a slight hesitation on the line; Jack was either embarrassed either pausing from dramatic effect.

— "Er. Myself, Daniel, and Henry"

Frances almost choked on her own saliva.

— "You gotta be freaking kidding me!"

Kristan frowned at her outburst, mouthing silently 'Qui c'est ?'. (Who's that?). She lifted a hand to stall him until she was sure of her response.

— "Nope," came Jack's playful voice.

Rolling her eyes, she could almost see his smug smile. Kristan's eyes were intense, set on her face. Frances put Jack on speaker so that her knight could participate in the conversation. Not that she expected him to comment, mind you. But he would, at least, hear them out.

— "So… Henry. We're speaking about the same Henry, right? The President of United States Henry, not Henry the janitor?"

— "Yep"

There it was, the little popping that Jack was fond of and betrayed his amusement. Frances almost slid to the floor like warm jelly, her legs having trouble keeping her upright.

— "My freaking God that's … that's unbelievable…"

Kristan's eyebrows nearly met his hairline, and he gestured to Frances while whispering, 'THE president, here?' She nodded, suddenly suspicious.

— "And pray tell, how did that come to be?"

Jack chuckled.

— "Damn, you're speaking like a lady again, Frances."

Kristan's eyebrows shot up, a faint smile lifting the corner of his lips. Frances's travels as the Keeper of Time permeated her so strongly that her speech sometimes swam between formal, medieval and modern. It all depended on the mood and the feelings she wanted to convey, and seemed to have little control over it. Especially when she settled to write her adventure, or read it anew.

— "Sorry. Don't dodge my question," came her stern reply.

— "Well, you know, Henry was quite outraged by your company's treatment of a US asset."

Frances deflated, shame overcoming her as she realised that her outburst over a stupid annual review had been shared with the president of the United States. Beside her, Kristan pursed his lips to refrain from laughing, and gently set his hand between her shoulder blades. She couldn't lift her head to meet his gaze, her face reddening by the minute.

— "Outraged? Jack, did you talk to Daniel? Have you been splashing my life?"

— "OK, OK, you got me. I was very pissed when I told him I had made a temporary contract for you and your knight, and he asked why you accepted it in the first place,"

Frances sighed in relief; she knew how Jack's bad mood could be communicative and his explanation made sense. Still, she should have known better than to complain. Had she kept her cool, and refrained from sending that mail to Daniel, her demise could have stayed private. What a shame! To lose her temper like this, damn!

— "That makes sense then."

— "Anyway, he said it had been awhile he wanted a few days in the south of France, and that August was the best period, and I suspect that he'd been craving for a reason to experience the hum … airforce express,"

France laughed heartily at this. During her last brief meeting, President Hayes he had nearly pleaded to be beamed aboard the Daedalus; Frances knew he would find a way to experience a little space flight. The President was definitely more straightforward than expected, and it was no wonder him and Jack got along well. She had also been surprised that he had read most of their mission reports. Even if she was not a woman to sweep the floor in front of the hierarchy, he had impressed her. And he was the President of the United States, goddamnit!

— "You know the man kiddo, when he has decided something there is nothing that can change his mind, even if the head security if ready to omit suicide with his announcement…"

Frances braced her hands on the counter. The President has already made his announcement; there was no way back. But … it was going to be so much fun! The young woman shared a smile with Kristan whose eye cringed in amusement – just the way she liked it.

— "Well, that's going to be a first, I want to see my boss' face when he receives that phone call."

— "Actually me too, I'm sure we can arrange a phone conference…"

Jack's mischievous retort made her laugh, but somehow, she felt unsettled by his idea.

— "Do you really think that the President has nothing better to do that the planning of this little event?"

— "Henry is playful. It's vacation time. He always dreamt of kicking French assess and that's the perfect opportunity for him to do so without creating any diplomatic incident…"

Somewhere in the back of her brain, her analytical mind was screaming bloody murder. Her feelings, though, were all over the place, blocking her rational thoughts easily.

— "My god, I hope the press won't make such a fuss about that, I do not want friends and family to get mixed to this mess."

— "No worries, I'll take care of your retrieval myself, that will be a little bit less dull than my usual paperwork…"

She had a bad feeling about this. Albeit, to be honest, having Jack around her insufferable boss was a rare treat.

— "Jack? Why do I feel like you are planning to enjoy yourself much more than would be needed?"

— "Who, meeee?"

His feigned innocence confirmed her doubts, and she whined in a perfect impersonation of Daniel's voice.

— "Jaaaaack"

— "Come on, I don't need a second Daniel here! I'll play nice … or not."

Frances snorted on the other side of the Atlantic, Kristan's hand passing from her shoulder blades to her neck in a sensual gesture. Then he murmured into her ear:

— "They deserved everything they're going to get. Don't spoil the fun, little fairy."

The young woman leaned into his embrace, her body humming at the contact before addressing the phone again. If even Kristan was set on playing the prank, what could she do? Defeat or acceptance? And somewhere in the back of her mind, she had to admit that the perspective of this day made her giddy.

— "That's the craziest idea ever…", she smiled.

— "Ah, come on kiddo, drop the stick up your…"

— "Jack!"

— "Anyway. Who else than the President to pick you up at work? Even Daniel agrees to this… That's classy!"

Kristan bent forward, resting his elbows on the counter as Frances turned beet red.

— "Super classy, General O'Neill. On behalf of Frances, I thank you."

— "Hey, sir knight. Don't worry, you're invited to the party."

A full grin bloomed on Kristan's lips as his eyes twinkled in mischief.

— "Wouldn't miss it for the world, general, they'll see the retribution is swift when harassing my woman."

Frances banged her head on the counter, torn between laughter and dread as Kristan and Jack exchanged the best disguised threat there ever was.

— "You're nuts, the two of you," came her muffled voice. "And that's why I love you both. Who's coming by the way?"

— "Well, Henry, me, obviously and a few security people that I will scatter around. Daniel, of course, we need someone who speaks 23 languages if we have to communicate with those morons. That won't be a big fuss you know, but enough for your boss to swallow her dislike and make her green from head to toes."

— "That's mean! I love it!"

— "Isn't life a bitch?"

At this comment, the young woman couldn't help but burst out laughing. Her heart was warmed by this altogether crazy scheme. This little incident, which should have stayed hidden, had taken huge proportion because of her heavy temper. Of course she had flaws, and most of their friends were dealing with that. Their support meant the world to her. Kristan had fumed, telling her that never again she would have to bow to illegitimate authority. He'd known slavery, his life only preserved by the love and admiration of their commander, Artorius Castus. He knew the importance of strong leadership, and the price of a poor one.

The way they treated his woman was unacceptable, and it was just as well the SGC had decided to retrieve her else … who knew what would have happened to her boss. Somewhere in this modern knight still simmered the fearsome scout. Tristan wasn't buried so far down…

Frances hung up, quite undecided whether she felt elated or horrified by Jack's meddling – he was so bored in Washington that he couldn't help finding fun at the expense of others. Lips pursed, she was nearly surprised when Kristan's hand covered hers and pulled her in for a chaste kiss.

— "There, elskede. You will depart the life of engineers with a great sortie."

His voice was barely a purr, like a caress to her ears and Frances watched him in awe – how did she deserve him again? The twinkle in his grey eyes told him everything she needed to know; Kristan was planning to have lots of fun as well. It was just as well; a good memory before war started again and swept them off their feet in the tumble dryer.

— "Yeah, I didn't get a grand entrance so it's only fair," she retorted playfully.

The tip of his tongue ran across his upper teeth in a nervous gesture and she had to refrain from jumping him, finding him adorable; the softer side to a ruthless warrior.

— "So, erm. How well do you know the President?"

— "Not well enough to call him by his first name; I only met him once. Jack, on the other hand…"

Frances was ushered for the first time in the big boss' office and her manager closed the door with febrile hands before sitting across her. Caroline – fifty years old, smartly dressed and a haughty disposition – was dead silent, her face paler than usual. The Keeper of Time savoured for once the little power she was granted. From their battered look it seemed that Jack had gone a little over the top with the special effects.

— "I just received the order to have a phone conference with the head of Homeworld security in the US in less than ten minutes, and to have you in my office. What's this mess about?"

— "Homeworld security? What the hell is that anyway?" exclaimed Jean-Pierre, "What do they want?"

Frances refrained a smirk, wondering instead if Jack had been the caller.

— "It was General O'Neill you got on the phone?"

Caroline seemed shaken.

— "Uh yes, I think."

— "Wicked humour? Disregard for formalities?"

The head boss addressed her a single nod, her blond strands swaying as she tried to assess the possible consequences of this unforeseen mess; her young employee seemed to be on good terms with a high-class officer of the United States. If Frances got them into trouble, she would have Jean-Pierre's ass for recruiting her. He was her N+1 after all.

— "That's him, then," confirmed Frances with a genuine smile.

— "Friend of yours?" asked her manager sarcastically, his nonchalant ways barely concealing the spite.

Frances' eyebrow shot up in a show of defiance.

— "Actually yes," she answered calmly, watching their features reflect pure astonishment. "He's a close acquaintance of the president."

"And you got any idea of what he wants?"

"That would be me, I guess. This meeting is probably linked to my letter of resignation."

Caroline glared daggers at her subordinate who seemed to shrink on his chair. Funny, how a man twice Frances' size could nearly disappear when in the line of fire when he usually used his stature to dominate. Especially younger and female employees.

"Your letter of…?"

Jean-Pierre's features fell sheepishly; the man knew how temperamental Caroline could be and he expected quite a tongue lashing.

"Yeah, I didn't get time to talk to you about that yet."

Her soon to be former boss tried to save the situation by addressing Frances with a very paternal tone.

"If that is because of what I told you on Friday, we need to talk…"

The young woman lifted an eyebrow; she was impervious to manipulation.

"We talked already, but you didn't want to hear me. And it is not the main reason, no. There are more important things in this world than a review. Still if it is easier for you to hold me responsible for your mess, I do not care, but I am not staying in a company that refuses to see its flaws and accuses others for it."

Her manager exhaled through his nose, and started ranting.

"Come on, don't react like a kid…"

"I am reacting like a kid? Let me laugh to death"

Wishing to avoid a re-enactment of the fight, Caroline held her hand up in a commanding gesture.

— "Don't get started, you two! We've got two minutes to sort this mess out. What's the link with …?"

Frances gave her a smug look. Caroline was such a tart in English that she couldn't even remember Jack's title.

— "Homeworld security?"

"Yes"

— "It has to do that I signed up a contract with them, and that they are probably contacting you to negotiate my release."

Her boss nearly jumped from his seat.

"You signed up a contract with the American government?"

"Yes"

Caroline shot her a dark look, possibly trying to assess how she'd been able to crush her.

"When?"

"Yesterday"

Her boss's frown was the best reward ever. How good it was to feel smug for once, Frances would have to thank Henry Hayes for this great moment of fun.

— "You can't do that, you are my employee!"

"Listen, it's been a while they are on my tail, but until now I was quite content with keeping a career here. Now they have urgent need of me, and it takes precedence over the rest."

And now that the Keeper of Time business was known, she could actually accept it without fearing to be discovered. A fact she purposely kept out of the explanation, of course. Jean-Pierre gave her a condescending smile, seeing through the game while Caroline tried to appeal to the greatness of the international company.

"What could possibly take precedence over such a great company?" she added.

Frances almost snorted. A massive attack on the galaxy, does it range higher than the greatness of an oil company?

And despite the fact that her boss's words had been the last straw, it didn't change the fact that the SGC needed her … them. Kristan and herself. And if the Valar had decided to kick her out of her comfort zone – namely the company she worked in for the past three years – she needed to step up for the challenge. And accept to put Kristan in danger by dragging him by her side.

"Listen. This is a matter of National Security. I should have said yes a long time ago, you just helped me take the right decision so I should actually thank you for pushing me out"

Jean-Pierre's eyes nearly bulged out of his skull, the realisation that is behaviour had reached far beyond the confines of his little team sinking in. He was in for a good thrashing and didn't look forward to it. Damn that stupid kid! He should have left her in Norway!

— "So what now?" asked Caroline, ever practical

— "Well, I'm leaving obviously."

A cold sneer marred her face.

— "You owe the company two-month notice."

"Oh," Frances said. "I thought it was three…"

Jean-Pierre's sneer shut her up as Caroline's screen started beeping.

"Never mind," she shrugged.

Frances turned to the complicated software they'd had to install to keep the conversation private. A white house Skype of sorts. They had probably lost a few hours in the process… Nothing new here. Her manager reclined in his seat, pissed off with the turn of the situation. The team was stretched, and he needed Frances to do her part; despite his remarks on her character, she worked fast compared to the other newbies. Without her, they would have no choice but to postpone the release of the software.

— "That's the law," Jean-Pierre muttered.

Frances shot him a hard look.

— "Like you care about the law… And everything is negotiable, right?"

Caroline started the software that would bind them to the white house, a fact they ignored yet.

— "So who's on the other side?" said her manager while gesturing to Frances a seat on the other side of Caroline.

— "If I guess well the chief of homeworld security, maybe his boss."

Caroline frowned, she badly wanted to ask about this title, Homeworld security but the twinkle in Frances' eyes called a shiver down her spine. The young woman was hiding something, and looking forward to this call to the United States; something was off.

— "His boss?" enquired Caroline

— "Yes…" she said cryptically

The dark screen beeped to life and a high-quality image showed up. President Hayes was sitting at his desk for more effect, and General O'Neill stood on his right clad in his full uniform. The trick worked fine; a sharp intake of breath from both her bosses told her so.

— "Mr. President!" exclaimed her manager, nearly jumping in his seat.

— "Good afternoon," stuttered Caroline, her eyes wide like flying saucers.

Jack snorted behind the President's desk, choosing to bend forward as if granting a confidence.

— "Actually, it is morning in the White House."

Caroline blanched and grit her teeth, embarrassed by her own stupidity. Stress had short circuited her brain and she breathed to regain her composure.

— "Yes, of course, of course, sorry"

Frances chose, for her part, to steal a formal acknowledgment from Thor.

— "Greetings," she said.

Jack smirked; he'd caught that one all right.

— "Hello Miss, it is good to see you again," answered the President with a smile.

Frances inclined her head in a formal bow, noting how, in a few words, Henry Hayes had informed her bosses that they indeed knew each other. Despite his straightforwardness, he was a fine politician.

— "Likewise Mr. President"

— "Hey kiddo!" exclaimed Jack from behind him, his smirk getting wider with the surprise effect.

— "Hey Jack!" she answered nicely.

The look of utter disbelief on her manager's face was a sight she'd remember to her death. She commuted it to memory, just for the sake of describing it to Kristan.

— "Well, well, now that introductions have been made we can probably discuss the reason for my meeting request," stated President Hayes, ignoring superbly that none of her managers had been given time to speak their names and titles.

Caroline gave a hypocritical smile.

— "Yes, of course"

— "I need this young woman to work for me, now. I am aware that this is a short notice, but I am sure you will understand that this is a matter of National Security"

Caroline was overwhelmed by the national security arguments and wondering how she would dance around it.

— "Of course, of course" she answered like a machine, her mind looking for leverage to get something out of it.

And then, the hammer fell down, its ripple effect enough to upturn the hill.

— "So how soon can I come and pick her up?"

At these words, the two managers nearly choked to death while swallowing their saliva, and Frances snickered silently.

— "You want to come here?"

— "You don't look happy about me visiting. Frances is a precious woman that must be treated with care. Would you not allow the President of the United States to make a short visit?"

Caroline was almost grovelling at his feet by now, and Frances quirked an eyebrow. Henry Hayes' words had touched her heart, even if he was having way too much fun at her boss's expense. By his side, Jack's smile almost split his face.

— "Oh, yes, of course, Mr President, please excuse my rudeness, we would be honoured to have you. Of course you can visit whenever you want."

— "You're forgiven" he said nicely, like a king to a commoner. If it didn't send her overboard with shame, Frances didn't know what would. "We'll be here in three days. That would give you enough time to get a buffet done for the departure of your employee."

Her boss gave her a startled sideways glance; he was utterly lost.

— "Yes, yes, I'm sure this can be arranged," she said, panic rising in her throat. "How many people would that be?"

— "Well, mainly me, and my Homeworld security chief there, and probably a few security people but do not worry for this. General O'Neill will fill you in regarding details, I got another important meeting in no time so I bid you farewell."

— "Of course Mr President, it will be an honour to welcome you."

— "Good, then I wish you a pleasant evening and am glad we could come to terms regarding the employment of this young lady. Frances, I'm looking forward to meeting you again."

— "Good day to you Mr President," said Caroline.

Frances' boss also started a sentence, but the screen had turned dark again before he finished it, and he sent a death glare to his employee. As silence came back in the room, the Keeper of Time struggled not to burst out in laughter. Both her bosses were regretting bitterly to have unleashed their frustrations and assumptions on her. Hell, that President seemed a bit pissed off, and Caroline had even been qualified as rude; one of the main misgivings she had launched on Frances. The daily power abuse had for the first time stricken back, and that was a hard blow to swallow.

— "Well, I guess I'm no longer needed then," said Frances casually, seeing her direct manager passing from red to purple in anger

— "Why didn't you tell us about all of this before?" he exploded.

In truth, Frances was surprised he had kept his temper in check for so long. Jean-Pierre had the nastiest habit of speaking out of turn and unleashing his wrath and rants onto innocent bystanders. Her eyes darkened, and she stood to her full height. Never before had they seen her wrath; she'd never shown her Keeper of Time's persona slip up in the office. But today was a day unlike others.

— "That President Hayes was an acquaintance? Because it wasn't relevant to this job."

"But we could have…"

Frances slammed her hand down on the table, startling both of her bosses.

— "Listen up! I'm not one for boasting, unlike some. You knew when you hired me that I sometimes worked as a contractor for them. The fact that I have made good friends while doing so is part of my personal life and you had no say in this."

"But…"

"Can I leave now? Surely if I have two days left, it could be good that I organise the tasks and data to pass it on."

— "Get out!" hissed Caroline, urging her outside and banging the door behind her.

The shouting match that ensued could be heard in the whole building, but Frances had not a care in the world. She needed to clean up her work and document for her poor colleagues to resume where she stopped. For a moment, she almost felt guilty to leave them with such a load. But then, reality reminded her that she and SG1 protected them, indirectly, and that she might very well die for employees to continue their dull existence in the office. So, in the end, she didn't feel so guilty anymore. It was up to everyone to share the burden. She, battling the Oris with her knight, and them … doing nonsense with horrible bosses.

To Koba: so great you're going to Italy! It's the best place in the world, I've been at least 8 times (that I remember well…) and passed the border so often because I used to live nearby. Where are you headed? Maybe I can help. Let me know, I can give you my mail address if you want some tips.