Authors Note: Hello all :) Not sure when the next chapter will be ready but just wanted to give y'all a new year treat. I hope you enjoy it, and if you're anything like me, I hope you enjoy rereading the story so you remember what the hell happened. Thank you to everyone who has read, followed, favourited and reviewed. Best wishes and a Happy New Year. Mishy x

As the elevator rose to the surface, Sam sighed deeply and shifted the weight of her bag across her shoulder. The rhythm of her ID tapping against her hand increased as the numbers grew smaller and smaller.

'Carter.' The General said softly.

'Sorry, Sir.' She replied glancing sheepishly over at him as her hands stilled.

'S'fine.'

'Thank you for lunch, Sir. It was a nice surprise.'

The elevator doors sprung open.

'Yeah, well I figured there wouldn't be much of a chance for us all to chat at the party tonight, so I thought, why not get the old team back together?'

Sam had been clearing out her locker when, over the intercom, sounded Walter's voice.

'SG-1 to General O'Neill's office. SG-1 to General O'Neill's office.'

She frowned and zipped her bag shut before making her way to his office.

'Sam!' Daniel called catching up with her, 'Any idea what this is about?'

'No, not a clue.'

As they drew closer, Sam's nose wrinkled. 'Do you smell that?'

'Yeah, is that… no, it can't be.'

They walked through the conference room stacked with cardboard boxes but even so, they could quite clearly see through the star map window into the General's office, the sight of three large pizza boxes stacked on his desk waiting for them.

'Guys!' he called, 'Come on in.'

They entered the office to see Teal'c already seated around the desk and a fourth chair pulled into the room from around the conference table.

'Jack, what's this?'

'Lunch, Daniel. More specifically, three delicious wood fired pizzas from Leonardo's.' he answered. His desk had been cleared of everything except the red phone to make way for the pizzas and pack of sodas. 'Walter's under strict instructions to make sure we're not bothered for the next hour. So, sit, relax and enjoy.'

As the pizza boxes creaked open and soda cans hissed, the team settled around the desk for an hour of warm conversation and laughter as they reflected on years passed and the different paths ahead of them. Teal'c spoke animatedly about Dakara and his new role in the Free Jaffa Nation. Daniel prattled on about his up-coming trip to Atlantis. She chatted very briefly about the projects she'd be able to pick up again now that she would no longer have field missions. And the General, well, he remarked on how he was no longer going to be just the man but the man and lamented about the size of desk that awaited him with his usual sarcastic candour.

It had been a wonderful and unexpected way to spend one of her last hours under the mountain.

'Yeah, your right. It was good to get together just the four of us. Thanks again.' She said as they approached the final checkpoint.

'My pleasure.'

She handed over her ID and signed out for the last time. Her eyebrows knitted together as she watched him swipe out and then tuck his ID back in his wallet.

As they headed out to the parking lot he explained, 'Hank is coming by Thursday morning for a quick handover, since I'm not actually going on vacation, I figured I'd swing by and show him the ropes rather than let Reynolds do it.'

'You're really not going to your cabin?'

'Nope, guess I'll just have to make do with relaxing on my deck with a beer in hand for the next few days.'

'I'm sorry, Sir.' she mumbled.

'It's fine. It could be worse.'

'How so?'

'At least I've got a week before my new official duties start. You've only got two days.' he teased as they approached his truck.

'Well, gee, thanks for that.' she replied sarcastically as she hopped into the cab.

He rolled his eyes and clambered in the driver's side of the truck.

'I'll just end up unpacking for most of it too.' She sighed.

'6 boxes? You'll be done with plenty of time to take a wander down the strip, see some of the sights. Definitely more interesting than my plans even if it is just for a day.' He said starting up the engine and heading down the mountain.

'True.' she agreed. 'Not sure it would be much fun on my own though.'

'You said that some of you neighbours were part of the program, you could maybe meet them,' he suggested, 'Maybe even get a drink.'

'That's not really how I want to spend my weekend.'

'How do you want to spend your weekend then?'

The corners of her mouth pulled up into a smirk. When she was first accepted to the post to Area 51 her plans for the weekend following her departure from the SGC would have ideally involved him, a bed and not much else. But his promotion to Washington seemed to have turned a dead certainty into a snowballs chance in hell.

'Oh, you know, just a lazy weekend, relaxing in bed.' she replied the corners of her mouth still turned upwards.

'That sounds like a great idea.' he replied with his own grin, 'Think I might steal it.'

She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and wondered if he had had to change his original plans too.

They arrived at the Academy in good time. There were just a handful of students in the hall as they made their way inside.

Sam smiled softly at the General before making her way to the back and finding a space to practice hands through clouds. She watched from the corners of her eyes as he made his way around the group, smiling and offering comments of support and development. More of the class trickled through the door. Sam was more than a little surprised when Fitzgerald made his way over towards the back to stand next to her and begin mirroring her movements. She couldn't help but smile warmly at the young man's actions, hopefully this was further evidence of his desire to take in all he could from the class. The General caught her eye with a quizzical look and tilt of his head at the Lieutenant. She simply grinned and shrugged her shoulders.

'All right everyone, let's get started.' he announced.

The General took them through the form, taking care to slow down at the final segment the class had struggled with the day before. He repeated that section twice more before instructing the class to move through the segment without him leading it.

'You're improving but let's break it down a little more so we can do even better.'

'Okay everyone, take 10.' he said once they had achieved a level of expertise that he was happy with. Sam wandered to where she'd left her water bottle and watched as the General moved through the crowd to seek out Fitzgerald. Sam noted the jolt of respect and just a hint of fear that shot through Fitzgerald at his approach but seeing a warmth in the General's eyes she felt a smile spreading across her lips. Her eyes stayed settled on the pair, watching as they spoke briefly. The General ended the conversation with a question and a single nod to which Fitzgerald responded by squaring his shoulders, almost standing to attention, and nodding vigorously.

The General stepped away and headed towards her.

'What was that about?' she enquired as he approached.

He held out his hand and automatically she handed over her water bottle as she had done for years in the field.

'I've asked him to lead the form at the end of the lesson.' he said before taking a drink of water.

'The last form of the whole week?' she asked with a raise of her eyebrow.

He nodded and swallowed. 'I think it'll be good for him.'

'I think so too.'

'I have been known to have a good idea or two.' he replied, sounding very pleased with himself and with good reason.

'Yes.' she agreed thoughtfully, 'Thank you.'

He frowned softly in confusion, 'What for?'

'Inviting me to your class, lunch, everything, the whole week. It's been...' Her gaze swung across the room searching for the right word to sum up the past few days before returning to the man in front of him, his eyes drawing her in, '...wonderful.'

'It's not exactly what I had planned, but I'm happy I was able to help make your last week in the Springs memorable.'

She felt a rush through her body, thoughts of what he might have planned swirling through her mind, wondering if they may have mirrored her ideal lazy weekend in bed.

'You know,' he continued, 'The week is not over yet.'

'What?!' she squeaked drawing the attention of a few students close by.

He smirked. 'The party tonight. I'm sure it'll be great fun.' he replied offering her water bottle back to her.

'Yeah,' she breathed, her voice still unsteady as he turned and made his way back to the front of the class.

'Great fun.' she repeated sarcastically before pressing the water bottle to her lips once more. She pulled the water into her mouth, trying to dismiss the notion that the taste of him lingered on the cap pressed to her lips.