Chapter 7 Telling the General

Jack cleaned his teeth and walked himself up to General Hammond's office.

I feel like I'm going to see the headmaster.

You should have done this months ago.

I know, I just wanted Sam to stay on my team.

You appear to have to choose, in your team or in your life.

Yeah, no contest. Jack knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Jack was surprised to see Sam sitting opposite General Hammond. "I didn't know you were busy, Sir."

"Major Carter has finished updating me on her research. She was just about to leave. Major, you're dismissed."

"Um, General, Sir, it's kinda about Major Carter that I wanted to speak to you. I.. er.. think perhaps she should stay."

"Colonel?"

Colonel Jack O'Neill stood to attention. "General Hammond, Sir, I would like to formally request that you assign Major Carter to another team."

"And what would be the reason for this, Colonel?"

"So I can ask her out on a date, Sir!" Sam nearly fell off her chair.

"I'm afraid that won't work." Jack's face fell and his shoulders drooped in defeat. Sam was still too shell shocked at her CO's request to say anything. "Why haven't you asked her out before?"

"Because it's against regulations."

"Exactly WHAT is against regulations?" General Hammond sounded mad.

"Having a relationship with a member of my team outside the professional one."

"Are you trying to tell me that you HAVEN'T got a *relationship* with Major Carter outside the professional one?"

"Well ."

"And have had this *relationship* for some months, if not years?"

"Sir, I."

"And do you think I am so blind that I haven't been able to see this *relationship* and its effect on yourselves, the rest of SG1 and other members of SGC?"

"No, Sir. Of course not, Sir, but."

"And so why do you think I have turned a blind eye to this *relationship*, which is already totally against regulations, even if you never ask Major Carter out on a date?"

"I don't know, Sir. 'Cause you like me??" As soon as it was out of his mouth, Jack knew that was a mistake.

"Don't be flip with me, Colonel!" Just then, a phone on General Hammond's desk rang. Swearing under his breath, Hammond picked it up. After listening for some time he sighed, "Yes, I will deal with it, immediately." And hung up. He activated his intercom. "Get some security down here, I have two officers under arrest here, who need escorting to the brig."

Jack looked around the room, there were no officers here for Hammond to be referring to .. except Sam and himself. "Oh, crap!"