"Major, why don't you go home?" General Hammond suggested at five o'clock on Saturday, "You too Colonel."

"I've just got to finish entering this data, but yes sir." Sam replied.

"Yes General. Do you have any plans for the weekend sir?" Jack asked.

"Only filing some requisition forms, I'll be here for another few hours yet."

"Do you need a hand sir?" Jack offered.

"You've been assisting Major Carter all week I think you both deserve a night off. Besides the base is on a skeleton crew. It should be quiet."

"Yes sir. If you don't need me Major, I'll see you tomorrow." Jack said.

"Yes sir." Sam replied.

~ ~ ~

Jack was waiting for Sam when she stepped off the elevator on the floor on which her base quarters were located.

"Is everything set up?" He asked.

"Yes sir. Cassie is bringing the cake when she arrives, everything else is in place. Everyone should be arriving at just after 1900. One of the SF's will call General Hammond to the storage room when we signal him."

"Sweet."

"If you'll excuse me sir, I need to go and get ready. That reminds me I have to go and find Teal'c."

"Why?" Jack asked.

"He's lending me one of his cowboy hats."

"Are you sure it will fit? Teal'c has an abnormally large head."

"He has one that is too small for him, it should fit. I'll see you later sir."

"Yeah sure you betcha."

~ ~ ~

There was a knock on Sam's quarter's door.

"Who is it?" She called.

"It's me Janet can I come in?" Janet asked. Sam opened the door and let her in. She was dressed as an Indian and had a wig with long black plaits and feathers in.

"Very nice. Cassie here yet?" Sam asked as she picked up the hat so Janet could sit on the bed.

"Jacob just brought her; she's got him and Jack helping set up the cake."

"And you'd like some help with your wig?" Sam asked.

"Yes. Plus I want to see your outfit. I have strict instructions to check how many buttons you have done up. But you're not dressed yet so I can wait." Sam was wearing a bathrobe.

"Actually I am, I just put on my robe so I didn't get make up on my top. Let me just put on my boots and I'll show you the complete outfit." Sam sat on the bed and pulled on her knee high cowboy boots and placed Teal'c cowboy hat on her head before standing and taking off her robe. "So what do you think?" She asked.

"Wow and I thought you looked good in the blue dress. And a skirt that short should be illegal."

"Cassie talked me into. I was planning on buying a new pair of jeans instead. But it's only for one night. At least I haven't got any visible scars on my stomach. The one where I go stabbed a few years ago faded really quickly."

"I know. You look good but you need undo another button or face the wrath of Cassie." Sam undid the extra button and flattened her denim skirt that stop before her mid thigh. She also had on a blue gingham short sleeved top, which with Cassie's button demands showed rather a lot of cleavage, and the lace edge of her bra and was tied in a knot under her breasts showing her stomach.

"So what do you think of Cassie's outfit?"

"I think she had more fun dressing you up. I approve. One suggestion though put a long coat on before you go up, you'll get a better impact that way."

"Who said I was going for impact?" Sam asked.

"How can you not be in that outfit? So will you help me with my wig?"

"Of course come here." Janet shuffled closer so Sam could pin her hair up add the wig and add additional pins to keep the wig in place. "There you go. As for long coat, I have a very long cardigan I wore in this morning that should cover everything. So are you ready to go up?"

"Shouldn't we check where General Hammond is?" Janet asked.

"I've got that covered." Sam picked up the radio which was set on the table. "Lieutenant, it's Major Carter, what is the location on Eagle?"

"Eagle is in his den ma'am." Came the reply.

"Thank you Lieutenant. I'll signal you when we're ready."

"Yes ma'am."

"Eagle is in his den?" Janet questioned.

"General Hammond is still in his office." Sam explained. "Let's get out here, everyone should be here soon." Sam slipped on her long cardigan and zipped it up. She took the gift that was sitting on the table and opened the door so Janet could leave in front of her.

Sam and Janet greeted lots of the SGC personnel who most of which were dressed as cowboys on their way in to the storage room. A giant banner covered the back wall with the words Happy Birthday General emblazoned on it.

"Hey Sam." Jacob said coming up and hugging her. "So am I going to get to see this outfit Cassie keeps telling me about?

"If I can speak to Selmak for a second first." Sam said. Jacob lowered his head.

"Samantha this is a most intriguing concept. I am learning greatly more about the human culture everyday. Gardening is a most enjoyable activity."

"I'm glad. My garden looks wonderful. I need you to keep reminding my Dad that I am over 21, I can take care of myself, that I save the world on a regular basis and above all this was Cassie's idea."

"As you wish Samantha." Jacob lowered his head again and switched back to Jacob. "So do I get to see it now that Selmak is going to keep me under control?"

"Sure." She undid the zip and slipped the cardigan off. A deadly silence filled the room.

"See I told you she looked good in it." Cassie said in a minute breaking the silence.

"Major Carter." A voice came over the radio. "Eagle is on the move."

"Everyone is here." Cassie supplied.

"Lieutenant, make the announcement. We're ready."

"Yes ma'am."

"Dad." Sam prompted.

"Everyone shut up and someone kill the lights." Jacob bellowed.

"Thank you."

"General Hammond to storage room C- 65. General Hammond to storage room C- 65." The tannoy bellowed.

"What seems to be the problem airman?" Hammond asked stood outside the storm room.

"I have no idea sir." He opened the door and Hammond walked in. Someone switched on the light and they all began a rousing rendition of happy birthday.

"Many happy returns General Hammond, you may require this." Teal'c handed him a gift.

"Thank you Teal'c." General Hammond said before opening the box. Inside was a cowboy hat. Hammond took it out of the box and placed it on his head.

"It suits you sir." Jack commented. "Happy birthday General."

"Thank you Jack. But who gave you permission to have a party n the base?" He said in a stern tone.

"General Ryan sir." Jack quickly replied.

"In that case we need some music." The music switched on.

"So, what do you think Uncle George?" Cassie asked.

"It's a wonderful surprise Cassandra, I had absolutely no idea."

"Do you like the theme? It took lots of research and a few recon missions."

"I'm very impressed. But I feel a little overdressed."

"Your daughter brought you a change of clothes sir. She asked me to tell you to enjoy yourself and she and your granddaughters will pick you up at 0900 to take you out for the day. Colonel O'Neill is going to take charge of the base as he's going to be here assisting me tomorrow anyway."

"Thank you Major. I'll just go and change then I'll be back."

"So do you really think he didn't know?" Jack whispered to Sam.

"He knew sir. Your excuse for why we needed the storage room was pretty lame sir. But if you'll excuse me sir, I have to return the radio."

"In that?" He asked. "Are you planning on killing all the skeleton crew or just your Dad?"

"Dad's fine, Selmak is keeping an eye on him. Besides which I promised I'd take them some food since they have to work. And finally sir, I can take care of myself and I out rank all of them. Excuse me."

"She told you." Daniel said from behind him. "So what do you think of Sam's outfit."

"It looks . . . . cold."

"You sound like you should be her father. Jacob got over the shock, I think she looks great and like she said you know she can take care of herself and any airmen who get out of hand."

"I need a beer." Jack said marching to where the bar had been set up.

"Nice choice Cass." Daniel whispered.

"She only needed a little push. She looks great."

"It will annoy the hell out of Jack all evening."

"That was the Mom and my plan."

"It's working well so far."

~ ~ ~

"This I recognise." Hammond said two hours later. "Sam do you remember how it goes?"

"Yes sir."

"Shall we show them how them how it should be done?"

"Yes sir. Keep an eye on my beer." Sam said as she got up and accompanied General Hammond onto the dance floor.

"I didn't think she'd remember how to do that." Jacob said filling the seat next to Jack that Sam had vacated.

"Remember?" Jack said.

"She learnt how to barn dance when she was thirteen. I didn't think she'd remember how to do it. You see when Sam was a kid I was transferred all over place and when Sam was thirteen I was transferred to Lackland for six months, that's where I met George for the first time. Sam always found the best way to make new friends was to take up a new activity. So when we got to Texas she decided she wanted to learn barn dancing for some reason. She took lessons for four months, she got pretty good. So one day when I was out on exercises and Sam's mom was out for the day Sam decided she needed to have a chance to use her skills. So she called up the base CO offices and made an appointment to see. He was intrigued why a thirteen year old girl would want to see him. Sam went into his office and set on a spiel about what she learnt and how the base personnel didn't spend enough time with their families and she wanted him to throw a barn dance." He paused.

"She walked in to the base CO office and told him she wanted him to throw a barn dance?" Janet questioned.

"Yeah. She didn't tell anyone, the first I knew I was called into his office a few days. I thought Mark had been throwing firecrackers again. He wanted to congratulate me on having a well spoken daughter who was able debate her point. She got her barn dance and was recommended to join the academy when she was old enough. She has the habit of turning on the charm with the big brass and usually getting what she wants. Doesn't always work but still."

"Being charming with the big brass doesn't always work." Jack slurred.

"But it helps sir." Sam said coming back and sitting on the edge of Jacob's knee. "I haven't done that in years."

"But remember it well Major. Things like that never leave you." General Hammond said.

"Yes sir. If you'll excuse me sirs I need to go and check up on a few things. I'll see you later Dad." Sam hoped of his knee and headed out the door.

~ ~ ~

"Lieutenant, lend me your jacket please." Sam said as she typed into the keyboard. "Then see if you can find me the blue file I left down here earlier."

"I told you, you should have had more clothes on Major." A voice that was definitely not that of the Lieutenant who had been helping.

"Sorry Colonel I thought you were Lieutenant Smith."

"Carter, you're supposed to be at a party not working." He slurred slightly.

"I know sir, but I had a flash of inspiration so I thought I'd better write it down now before I forgot. Why aren't you at the party sir?"

"I came to save you from Airmen."

"Thanks for the thought sir, but as you can see I'm fine. A little cold but fine." She kept typing.

"I still." He took a step towards her and tried to put his hand on a chair, but the wheels ran away from him and he stumbled to the floor.

"Colonel." Sam was quickly at his side helping to his feet. "I think you've drunk to much sir. Come let's go."

"Ma'am I couldn't find it." Lieutenant Smith said rushing in.

"Stand guard of that computer and don't let anyone touch it until I come back. I just need to go back upstairs for a few minutes."

"Yes ma'am." Sam helped Jack into the elevator.

"Keys." Sam demanded as she stood outside Jack's quarters.

"Are you positioning me Major?"

"No sir, I'm putting you in your room so you don't create and incident and then I'm stealing your shirt because I'm cold. So please hand over the keys." Jack dug out the keys and handed them over. Sam unlocked the door for him to go through then followed him in. "Boots off now."

"You know that's edging on insubordination Major."

"I'm sure there is a rule about being drunk on an military base too sir. You can sleep in your clothes but you shouldn't sleep in your boots. She picked up one his over shirts which he wore as part of his uniform and slipped it on. "Good night sir."

"Night Sam."

TBC