AN: So I have the day off today. Did I get this posted first thing... no... my day rarely goes the way I plan. lol. Anyway the assistant manager for my store is helping at a shorthanded store. Another store begged for help like we aren't already short staffed. Our district manager found out shoulder surgery does not magically heal in 2 weeks and my boss had to cancel her vacation and shift my hours to mostly open to adequately cover the hours needed because we are supposed to have a floor supervisor for stocking and the stock manager is supposed to coordinate the stock room stuff. It's gonna be a weird week Campers...

Chapter 1

Jack frowned and tapped his pen in aggravation while the President, the Vice President, the head of the IOA and the Joint Chiefs argued about Atlantis. The Congressional Committee was remarkably quiet for a change, but Jack suspected it was because they didn't quite believe they were discussing a base in another Galaxy, let alone on another planet.

"You have something to say, Jack?" Henry finally asked him.

Jack scowled in response. "She's not going to like it. You gave her a two year rotation and now you're yanking it out from under her because of politics." Jack said, his tone clearly indicating his disapproval. "When you yank an officer off an assignment, it should be because they are doing a bad job not because a year later some pencil pusher wants to play at being king. No offence, Richard."

"None taken." Woolsey told him, unperturbed by the General's comments. He and Jack had come to some personal agreement after their time on Atlantis two years ago. He hadn't liked how things in his division were done before and had made effort to undo some of the worst of it. "But the position was always intended to be a civilian one not military. I don't expect Colonel Carter to resign her commission and I wouldn't ask it of her, she has too much potential to make General herself." He told Jack sincerely. He knew Sam as yet was not his biggest fan but he hoped to improve that situation one day.

"Don't forget, our science liaison is now on maternity leave and the father of her child has also requested a transfer, leaving Atlantis without a training specialist." The Navy Chief reminded them, joining in the conversation. McRaven had handpicked Hopkins for a position at the SGC. The rules were grey about the fact that he'd fathered a child with an officer in the Air Force who still outranked him even though they worked in separate divisions in the complex. Jack had typically not informed anyone that his handpicked runner was in a physical relationship with the guy he'd handpicked to train the staff of the Atlantis in defense.

Jack pulled on his lip as he turned to the man. "With your permission, Bill, I'd like to assign him back to the SGC. He and Major Schultz intend to get married as soon as they are able which should solve most of the issue." Jack mused. The military had no rules about married couples serving together. It was how they usually swept fraternization under the rug.

"You're rewarding him for breaking the rules, Jack." Bill admonished him.

"SOP." Jack said with a shrug, looking like he didn't care. He wasn't fooling anyone. Jack was notorious for protecting the reputations of his teams and the facilities he headed up.

"I have no problem with it." Henry commented, knowing many at the table would not argue with him. "It solves a rather awkward problem that's developed."

"Sir, it's not like she's the first woman to be sent home from an assignment because she got pregnant." The head of the Army argued to the president.

"She's not." Henry agreed. "But just because we've always done something doesn't mean it's the right way to do things. They both have opportunities in the facility they formerly served at. There's no reason not to accommodate them if it serves our purpose as well."

Jack nodded. "I'm recommending Schultz for head of R&D at SGC. Dr. Lee is a qualified scientist but he's a civilian and he doesn't always see the value of chain of command."

"Fair enough. She sounds like a good replacement for Carter who has advanced past that position anyway." The vice president agreed. "Ideally what is your suggestion for Colonel Carter, Jack?"

Jack thought for a long moment. "I think we can all agree she's command material. Let's promote Peters and give Sam the Hammond when it's ready. See how she does."

"But the Hammond is only an orbital security ship, Jack. Are you sure after commanding an entire base, Colonel Carter is going to be happy with that assignment?"

Jack shrugged. "Hank is doing well running the SGC and Carter isn't ready to get her stars just yet. This will give her the opportunity to show you guys what she's made of as a commander. So when he's ready to move on or retire, she's prepared for the position."

"That was always the end game for you, wasn't it, Jack?" Bob accused.

Jack just shrugged though. "I saw her potential as a captain. I've seen nothing to indicate she's not still on track. She has a good rapport with the SGC, knows more about the scientific program than anyone other than McKay and Schultz. It's a natural transition." Jack told them in a neutral tone.

"So we're in agreement then?" Henry asked.

Jack sighed and nodded. Everyone else muttered assent.

"Then it's decided. Richard, pack your bags. You are officially assigned as leader of Atlantis, effective immediately." Henry said and signed off on the paperwork. "Everyone but Jack can leave." He said by way of dismissal.

The Joint Chiefs, the Congressional Committee and Richard Woolsey all shuffled out of the room with varying nods and salutations.

Henry got up from his desk and waved Jack down. "Off the record, Jack." He said simply.

"Off the record? She's going to be pissed."

"I figured. You can smooth it over with her?"

"Have you met my wife, sir?" Jack asked Henry dryly.

Hayes chuckled. "I know, Jack, I know, but it's not a military position and there's too much pressure from Congress on this one this time."

Jack sighed again. "Yah. Just don't be surprised if she shows up armed at your next formal shindig."

"Duly noted." Henry said with a chuckle. "How are the kids?"

Jack grinned. They were now on his favorite subject. "Gracie can read." He said proudly of his three year old daughter. "Sammy and Jon are muddling through high school. If anyone has caught on, they haven't said anything. We had to read in her fosters during that whole Ori thing... and my oldest nephew apparently because the two of them decided not to keep their big yaps shut." Jack made an annoyed face. "The fosters took it well, being former members of the SGC themselves. Good news is that they started adoption proceedings. Sam and I agree it gives her an added layer of protection if anyone gets any funny ideas..." He smiled. "Cassie is going for her doctorate in biomedical engineering."

"Thoughts on having any more?"

"We put those plans on hold when Sam took the Atlantis gig. We almost had an oops on my trip at Christmas but it was a false alarm."

Henry chuckled. "High marks for enthusiasm." He told his friend.

"Yah… I was a bit more careful after that. You think she's going to be mad now, imagine how pissed she'd be if she had to come home because she's knocked up." Jack said, with a chuckle.

"She wasn't very happy with Schultz getting pregnant, if I remember."

"That was inevitable unfortunately. I knew as soon as they were assigned to the same facility again, they would pick back up where they left off."

"You knew then?"

"Frank isn't exactly a subtle guy, sir." Jack said, with a chuckle.

Henry answered him with his own chuckle of agreement.

"I knew if I sent him out there without her, he would just pace like a caged lion so I let him sweat for a few months and then sent her out too without telling him."

"You do that a lot, Jack." Henry said with a shake of his head.

"I like imagining the looks on people's faces. Sometimes I get video feed of their reactions." Jack admitted, his face deadpan.

"And Sam finds this side of you attractive?"

Jack shrugged. "I don't have the slightest clue what my wife sees in me but I'm not going to complain about whatever it is."

Hayes laughed heartily at that. "Those kids do know they aren't stuck with each other, right?"

Jack chuckled. "I don't think you could separate them if you tried." Even with Jon's self-esteem issues and Sammy's pushy behavior, they didn't love each other any less then he and Sam did each other.

"What about when he leaves for school?"

"Well, unless he gets a wild hair up his ass and switches track for an art degree, he seems pretty set on following me into the Air Force."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"I'm not sure me going in was a good idea but he misses it. Hell, I miss it. I hate flying a desk." Jack admitted.

"I know but I need you, Jack, at least for a couple more years anyway." He looked at Jack sadly. The one thing Henry had learned about Jack was that… he really wasn't in it for the medals or the glory. For him, it was truly love of country – correction – love of the planet, a man of honor, and a dedication to those who served with him. Jack was probably the most honorable man he's ever met. For Jack, it was never for personal gain.

Jack sighed and looked out the window of the Oval Office. "There's a lake calling my name out there." Jack said, wistfully.

"And Congress calling for your head." Henry joked, in a feeble attempt at levity.

"All the more reason to get the hell out of Dodge."

"For what it's worth, I agree with your assessment of both Carter and Schultz. Hopkins - I don't know as well but he came handpicked by McRaven so I'll trust both your judgments on the man."

Jack made a dismissive sound of assent. "It's not his fault he fell in love with that argumentative little geek. She is really cute if that's your type."

Henry chuckled. "We'll have dinner after Sam is home. I'm sure she's missed your daughter."

Jack sighed. "Yah. I had to pry the kid out of her arms when I took her home from Atlantis."

"Which reminds me - you still owe me for letting you take an underage civilian to another galaxy."

"Here we go." Jack muttered.

Henry just chuckled.