"Higher, General Jack!"

From her spot on the park bench, Sam laughed as Jo demanded to be pushed higher on the swing.

"Higher!"

"Oh, for crying out loud," Jack muttered in good-nature as he pushed the swing once more.

Within seconds of arriving at the park, Jo had appointed him as her official 'swing pusher', but it was only after he'd checked with Liz and Mark that it was okay, that Jack had found himself standing behind the little girl – and that had been almost twenty minutes earlier. Not that he minded, but it was another hot day and there wasn't much protection from the sun where he stood. That, and having to stand in the same spot for so long and repeat the same few motions over and over again started to tell on his knees and back.

"Aunt Sam! Tell General Jack I want to go higher!"

Sam smirked and opened her mouth to respond, when Jack sent her a warning look. She shrugged and then smiled.

"You heard the girl, sir. She wants to go higher."

"That she does," he agreed. He suddenly smirked and turned to Ben and Beth who were on the other two swings. He winked at them and loudly said, "I suppose you guys want to go higher too?"

They grinned. "Yes, sir!"

"Excellent! Alright Carter, you heard the kids. They want to go higher – so get your butt over here," he said as he motioned for her to join them.

She narrowed her eyes at Mark as he chuckled at the situation, and she refused to acknowledge the General's smirk as he watched her make her way over to them. When she came to a stop beside him, he leaned closer.

"That'll teach you to be insubordinate, Colonel," he murmured in her ear.

He pulled back and Sam glanced at him from under her lashes. "Yes, sir."

"Good. Now, push," he smiled as he waved her towards Ben and Beth.

After another ten minutes, Jack decided his knees really needed a break and glanced towards the park bench where Liz and Mark watched.

"You guys want to take over?"

"We're good thanks," Liz called back while Mark nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, you're doing a great job, Jack."

He huffed out a laugh. "Yeah, well," he said, "this old guy need a break, kiddo."

He clamped his hands firmly around the chains of the swing and brought Jo to a smooth stop. She frowned as she jumped off the swing and turned to grab his hand.

"You're not old, General Jack."

"For that, you get an ice cream," he smiled, while Sam shook her head. She'd almost reached her brother and sister-in-law when she heard her niece squeal and she turned to find Jo perched on the General's shoulders. She was about to ask if he was having more fun than the kids when she noticed he seemed to be favoring his left knee. He met her eye and shook his head. Before Sam could say anything, Jack cut in.

"So, who all wants ice cream?"

"I do!"

He frowned, then looked at Sam.

"Did you hear something, Carter?"

She decided to play along. "No, sir."

"Huh." He shrugged. "So, that's an ice cream for Ben and Beth –"

"And me, General Jack!"

"Liz? Mark?"

"Please."

"Sure," he nodded, then chuckled as Jo started to fidget.

"Carter?"

"Yes, Sir?"

"Am I forgetting someone?"

Sam pretended to think over his question before she glanced over his shoulder at her niece and, seeing her pouting, decided to put her out of her misery. In one swift motion, Jack had lifted Jo from his shoulders and now balanced her on his hip.

"Well, well, well, look what we have here," he drawled.

"You're silly."

Jack feigned hurt at her words and stared at Sam.

"Carter, what did you do to these kids? When I left your house yesterday, she liked me."

Sam rolled her eyes, but bit back a response as he set her niece down.

"So, ice cream for everyone," he said a moment later.

"I'll get them," Sam said with a smile. "It's not far," she added as she grabbed her purse and turned in the direction of the ice cream truck. She'd only made it a few yards when the General called after her. She waited for him to catch up.

"Sir?"

"Thought I'd join ya," he shrugged, "and make sure you don't eat my ice cream on the way back."

"Ha ha."

"What?" he smirked. "If you –"

"Aunt Sam! General Jack! Wait for me!"

They both turned just in time as Jo collided with Jack's legs.

"Oomph!"

He reached out to steady her while Sam waved back at Liz and the three of them started walking.

"Do you want to make sure your ice cream is safe too?"

"Very funny, sir."

"I'm needed back at the base – once I drop the kids off," Jack said almost an hour later as they headed back to their vehicles. Liz, Mark and Jo were at the front of the group, with Ben and Beth close behind, while Sam and Jack brought up the rear. "Will you be okay for a while? I can send Teal'c –"

Sam shook her head. "That won't be necessary, sir. I'll be fine."

"Okay," he nodded. They walked in silence for a few moments before he spoke again. "Hammond and a representative from the Joint Chiefs are scheduled to arrive at 1600, and Cassie's flight gets in at 1700. Daniel's going to meet her at the airport but she wants to see you for a while tonight, if you're up to it?"

"Of course, sir. It's Cassie."

He smiled. "I thought you'd say that."

She returned his smile and they continued to walk when she noticed a change in the General's body language. She risked a glance at him.

"Is everything okay, sir?"

He sighed as he ran a hand over the back of his neck. "They want me in Washington for a couple of days."

"Who does?"

"The President and Joint Chiefs," he grimaced. "I leave with Hammond the morning after the memorial service. I'm sorry, Carter. I know I said I'd stick around this week, but –"

"Duty calls?"

"Something like that, yeah," he sighed.

Sam considered his answer for a few seconds before they started walking again.

"Why are you needed in Washington?"

He rubbed at his neck again. "Well, with the Goa'uld defeated, one of our primary objectives has been achieved. I guess it's to discuss what happens next," he shrugged.

Sam thought about his words. He was right. Their initial objective at the beginning of the Stargate Program was to acquire goods and technology to help Earth in the fight against the Goa'uld – and that had finally been achieved. Sure, they still had thousands of planets to explore, but now that their greatest enemy had been destroyed, the SGC was in a state of limbo and experiencing a peace it hadn't known for years.

And then it hit her. Everything she had worked for over the last eight years; the allies they had made; the friends and family she had lost in battle; the war was over.

"Carter? You alright?"

She jumped when the General placed a hand on her arm and she realized she'd been lost in her thoughts. She didn't speak and when Jack pulled his shades away from his eyes, she saw his concern.

"I'm fine," she mumbled, averting her gaze to his chest.

Jack canted his head to the side and raised an eyebrow.

"Honestly," she insisted. "I'm just... tired, that's all. I think the events of the last few weeks are starting to catch up with me."

She offered a small smile and was relieved when he seemed to believe her. He loosened his grip and ran his hand down her arm to lightly capture her hand in his. He brushed his thumb over the back of her hand and Sam briefly closed her eyes. When he reached her ring finger, he stopped and Sam's gaze snapped up to meet his.

Jack's attention fell to her hand and back to her face.

"Where's your ring?"

"It's gone," she whispered.

She held her breath as Jack studied her for a moment. He then gave her a smile and lightly squeezed her hand.