Jack O'Neill easily found his way to his office in the Pentagon because he had already visited the real Vice Chief of Staff and the real Chief of Staff there in his reality. The Pentagon looked like the one he knew. Staff Sergeant Monroe, in his thirties, was following him. The other sergeant was parking the car.
Jack got another surprise when he entered the room where his aides were working. He had a team of four people, including Monroe and the driver. One of the remaining staff hadn't arrived yet or was somewhere else in the Pentagon.
The fourth aide was Lieutenant Colonel Paul Davis.
"Good morning, sir." Davis greeted O'Neill, while standing up at his desk when he saw the general.
"Good morning, Davis. How's it going?" the general replied, smiling because Davis had finally made it to lieutenant colonel.
"Fine, thank you, sir." Davis said. He seized a document holder on his desk and approached O'Neill.
"Waffles?" Jack invited, enthusiastic, raising a bit his hand holding the bag of interest. Then, he put his briefcase on the floor between his legs. He opened the bag and presented the contents to Davis.
"My..." Jack started and slightly got perturbed when he realized he was going to say the word. He finally said it, proud, "Wife made them this morning. She saved some for my people."
Pleased, Davis took a waffle and put it into a tissue. "You'll thank her for me, sir." the colonel said.
O'Neill handed the bag to Monroe and told him to save one for the fourth aide, Major Warner, based on what he could read on the desk plate.
"How is Mrs. O'Neill?" Davis inquired while accompanying his superior into his office.
"She's very fine. She's drinking this stuff that's giving her too much energy." Jack joked and sat at his imposing desk.
"Better to have too much energy than being sick." Davis commented with a smile, standing across the desk.
Jack understood Paul was referring to nauseas and other predicaments women would experience during their pregnancy.
Davis opened his document holder to brief the general, while maintaining his waffle beneath.
"Your video conference with Los Angeles is scheduled at 9:30. At 11:30, you'll have another one with General Manderley about the new recruitment campaign. Senator Wolff has requested to see you, we arranged with his office a meeting at 2:15. At 3:30, you'll be reviewing the budget with Mr. Marshall. I booked a two and a half hours slot for that, just in case, but I'll certainly book a couple of others in the next days. Finally, there's the meeting with Colonel Walker at 6, but it shouldn't be long. He said it will take thirty minutes. Oh, I've rescheduled your trip to Stargate Command, there was a problem with the flight reservation, but it's okay now. It's still planned for next week, the departure will be in the morning and not in the afternoon."
Davis closed his document holder and provided the last information, pointing out the laptop, "Your calendar is up to date, sir, and I forwarded you the flight details."
Jack's smile faltered. Davis added, "Do you have any question, sir?"
"Yes, Davis. When do I get to go to the bathroom?" Jack questioned, on the verge of being depressed by this schedule.
Davis smiled and answered, "You can certainly find a moment between 1 and 2:15, during your lunch with Mrs. O'Neill, sir."
"Thank you... Davis..."
"You're welcome, sir."
The colonel bent his head and left the room. Jack sank in his leather seat. The day would be rock'n'roll... like the others, certainly. Nevertheless, there were two key takeaways. First, he would have lunch with Sam. Second, he would go to the SGC, so he would have the opportunity to investigate this strange situation. He had to make sure nothing or nobody canceled this trip.
O'Neill observed his office. It was a big one, nicely decorated. He felt very powerful and also very calm in the place.
He was sitting at an imposing mahogany desk. The entrance was on his right, windows on his left. Leather sofas and seats and a low table were near the windows, next to a kitchen space. In that particular space, a furniture with a coffee machine, a kettle, and a microwave on it, plus a small fridge hidden inside the dedicated space that was part of the furniture. Other shelves were in the room, for professional purposes, as well as a TV and a big screen for video conferences. There were some photos on the shelves and the walls, but Jack didn't pay too much attention. A door in front of Jack was delimitating another room, probably a briefing room.
Jack turned on his laptop. He noticed a frame on the right side of the table and seized it. It was a picture of Patrick and William celebrating their second birthday. The boys were looking at two cakes, with a candle representing the number two on each cake. Jack and Sam were standing behind them, happy to celebrate the event with their little ones. O'Neill smiled. He felt joyful and peaceful.
A question popped up in his mind.
Would it be that bad to take the most of this situation?
Because he was loving it.
Except the busy schedule, but that was just a detail.