Part 3

It was beautiful country that passed across Alex's eyes as the car sped towards the base. The grasses seemed a blur across her field of vision. A Deep topaz blue rested above her, unmarred with clouds. The only thing to impair the tranquillity was the officer sitting next to her; General Harvey was a liaison for her between the British and the American's. A human pacifier he smoothed the way over the ocean that distanced the two governments. He was supposed to make her job easier, if she were kind she would say he was only a little inept. General Harvey was a yes man, and yes men never really have your best intentions at heart. .

Looking up as the car's engine was terminated she saw a large tunnel that reminded her of the railway line back home in England, the Victorian brick tunnel had been a source of endless treasure for her friends during the long summer holiday's. She remembered the dares, the tricks that as a group they had played; looking back she realised how stupid it had been. When you are a child you don't always notice the hidden danger's in seemingly inert situations. Smiling she acknowledged that a few times in her adult life the decisions that she had made hadn't always been the wisest choice. When your young you don't realise how short life can be or how fragile it is. In your adult life the excuses can only camouflage your mistakes not erase them.

Following General Harvey towards the entrance to the base she stroked a few imaginary creases from her dress uniform. The black suited her well but the hat, that had never sat well, some people were hat people it could safely be said that she wasn't one of them! Well Best foot forward as her Aunt always said.

Peter Simpkin hated Guard duty, he wanted to be in the depths of it all, literally. He wanted to be up there with SG1 fighting the Guald, receiving the glory and fame that seemed to shadow those that saved the world on a daily basis. (This was why Peter Simpkin remained on guard duty he really wasn't bright enough for anything else.)

Shit he thought what a babe, I mean forget the Major Carter's, and the Captain Clay's this looker could have him any day, with a body like that she could give him a work out any day of the week. Her uniform wasn't something that graced these corridors with any frequency; it's stark Black only highlighted the alabaster glaze of her skin. Checking her pass he saluted as they gained admission into the base.

As She walked into the lift Alex felt a nervous tremor enter the pit of her stomach, outwardly she may appear calm and self- assured, but even she couldn't help but admit to herself that she felt a little trepidation at this second meeting between her Husband and herself. Captain Herries met them as they exited the lift

"General Harvey, General Hammond awaits you both in the Briefing room, if you'll follow me"

Daniel decided that he wasn't having a good day, firstly he had been late reporting on base, not unusual for him but today they were expecting a new member for SG1, some English Army officer. He had been so late that he had missed the briefing the General had called at 08:00, he had since discovered that his electricity bill was due and he had not noticed the red letters that had slipped underneath his mat.

"Well, as you all know today there is a new addition to SG1. Commander Hemmings is an extremely experienced soldier, who left university with a doctorate in archaeology and ancient history so I can only hope she will be a very beneficial addition to the team"

General Hammond would have continued but as he glanced up he saw the arrival of Captain Herries. Accompanying him were Two other Officers one who must be the new member of SG1.

Alex entered the briefing room, it was fortuitous that General Harvey had positioned himself unknowingly so as to conceal her from everyone except General Hammond's view. Hammond was a well-built man who if she was being kind she would say was balding, but he had the appearance of a good leader indeed his reputation rested well upon his shoulders.

"Commander Hemmings it is an honour to have your serve here your reputation has preceded you"

"Thank you General although you surprise me with that comment!" I replied

"The president himself speaks highly of you, you wouldn't have been approved for service on the stargate project otherwise"

"The president speaks highly of me! Well even I can't refuse a president can I?" I remembered distinctly our recant disagreement. The President wasn't a man who I had ever imagined would speak about me with praise unless it suited him to do so.

General Harvey turned to me; his torso still shielded me from SG1's view.

"Well Commander, I wish you well, serve your country and remember to check in with us every week"

"I always aim to serve my country well General, everytime I go out in it's service"

His reply to that was for my ears only, it appeared as if he did have a sense of humour after all! I mentally prepared myself for the imminent moment.

"Sg1 this is Commander Hemmings the new addition to your team"

On Hammond's words I turned, on Harvey's exit I had lost the concealment he had provided and I was now on full view to my new team members. I registered the shock on their features and also how quickly they concealed it.

That was apart from Daniel.

"Dr Jackson you never told us that your wife was in the military"

Passing my eye's over to the speaker I couldn't help smiling at the puzzled expression that pervaded Teal'c face. Well the cat was out of the bag now literaly! I had hoped that that fact hadn't come to the General's notice this early in the game.

"Commander Hemming's"

On these words the General turned to me and the look that was sketched on his face clearly meant that he expected an answer. Suddenly all around were the sounds of the alarms, and a voice repeating the words signalling that there was someone trying to use the Stargate without authorisation. It seemed that a reprieve had been granted. Not permanently that was clearly evident, but it gave me time to consider my explanation.

Saved by the bell how true those words were right now.