Author's Note: Just so you all know, I don't live all that far from Mt. St. Helens, which for you who don't know, is a volcano in Washington state that erupted in 1980 with quite a bang. It's rumbling again – and has been for the last couple weeks, and they're expecting another eruption, although the USGA says they're not expecting anything like what happened in 1980. (You can see info on NWCN . COM (without the spaces, of course) If you hear about it blowing up, and don't hear from me for a while, just assume there's a problem with ash in the air messing with communications and such. (Just in case, I didn't want you to all wonder what was going on – I hate not updating)

OOOOOOOO

By the time he'd finished the tour of the SGC Hayes was pretty much speechless. He'd read the reports, of course, and had even seen a few videos taken on various missions, but to actually see the place up close and personal was just incredible. Here brave soldiers and scientists had been fighting an enemy most of the world was completely unaware of and had been risking their lives to protect people – not just Americans – that had no clue how much they owed these folks. It was humbling.

He'd asked a few questions, mostly about what made the Stargate work, and what made various other devices function, and Major O'Neill had answered them with what he supposed was simplistic responses. The only problem was; Hayes didn't have a clue what she'd been talking about most of the time. It must have showed, because after the second question had been answered, Colonel O'Neill leaned close.

"I never understand a quarter of what she's telling me, either, Sir," he'd whispered softly, "And I've been around her a lot longer."

Hayes had grinned – he hadn't been around O'Neill long, but he'd already decided that he liked the man. He was self-confident and assured – something that Hayes knew was necessary in a Command officer, and the wry sense of humor was enough to forgive the slightly irreverent manner of the man.

Kinsey had overheard the comment, and had glared at the Colonel, but Jack O'Neill hadn't even graced the Vice President-elect with so much as an apologetic look. Obviously, O'Neill wasn't intimidated by Kinsey – or even himself – Hayes decided. That was good, too.

"Do you see what I mean?" Robert had asked him the next time they'd been on the go – walking from one section of the SGC to another. It was the fourth time on this one tour that Kinsey had come up to walk with him on the sole purpose of bitching about something. "He's exactly what I was talking about. No one should be so flippant with-"

"Bob," Hayes had just about had enough of the man for the day. "Hush."

"What?"

"Shut the hell up," Hayes repeated, scowling. "I'm trying to figure this place out, and I can't do it with you complaining in my ear every ten minutes."

"But-"

Hayes had walked off, leaving Kinsey staring at him, a mixture of fury and disbelief on his face, and Jack O'Neill had walked past, still following the tour even though he had very little input in it.

"Looks like he has you figured out, Kinsey," O'Neill had said as he went by.

Kinsey reached out, grabbing Jack's sleeve and pulled him back before he could get out of reach. They were at the back of the group, so very few people noticed.

"Don't screw with me, O'Neill," the Vice President-elect hissed. "You're not the President's fair-haired boy anymore. There's a new President, now, and a new administration, and I'm going to-"

A low growl interrupted him, and he looked down to see the big black lab had stopped when Jack had. Jaffer wasn't going to put up with anyone touching his Jack – especially someone that he could tell Jack didn't like. He hadn't been given permission to attack, yet, but he was only looking for an excuse, and he was close to it just then. The large canines were glaringly white and long, and against the black face, there was no mistaking the intent in the dog's mannerism.

"Get your hand off me, Kinsey, before I break it off..." Jack had murmured, his own voice just as low as the growl that was emanating from deep in Jaffer's throat. "I don't know why Hayes chose such a fawning boot-licker like you to be his running mate, but if you think that I'm going to roll over and watch you try to bring this place down with your petty machinations, you're in for a rude awakening."

Kinsey released O'Neill, his face vivid with anger that either one of them had dared threaten him. They dared! He debated sending a kick towards the dog, and it must have shown in his face, because Jack had a final word of warning for him.

"It'll come back a bloody stump, I promise you..."

Then he and the dog had walked off, leaving the Vice President-elect stewing in a simmering rage as he watched them. The bastard! He looked around, and saw that even though they had been in the back of the group, several of the Marines who were in charge of security had witnessed the exchange, and weren't bothering to hide their amusement. This only served to anger Kinsey further, and the man was actually shaking with rage as he tried to gather up the remains of his dignity and follow the rest of the group on the final leg of the tour.

He'd get even with them. All of them. Starting with O'Neill. That sonofabitch.

OOOOOOOOO

"George," Hayes offered his hand to Hammond. "Thank you for taking the time to show me around."

They were back at the surface, now, and getting ready to leave after what had been a very interesting morning.

"You're welcomed, Sir," Hammond said, smiling. Things had gone far smoother than he'd expected – although Kinsey looked almost apoplexic before the walk through was over and he was sure that had something to do with Jack – and nothing had happened to make the facility look bad. "Come back anytime."

"I plan to," Hayes assured him with a smile. The President-elect turned to Sam, and graced her with his most charming – and genuine – smile. "Major, I hope to see you again sometime. Maybe next time I'll understand what you were trying to tell me."

Sam smiled sheepishly, almost apologetic.

"I'm sorry-"

"Don't be," he said with another smile. "It's not your fault I don't understand what you do. Just keep up the good work."

Hayes didn't know it, but he'd just raised another point in Jack's estimation. Any time you were good to Sam, you were getting up there in Jack's opinion. Hayes then turned to Jack, his hand extended.

"Colonel, it was an honor to meet you."

"Thank you, Sir. You, too."

Jack looked over at Kinsey to see what reaction there was to this, but the man was stalking towards the limo, his expression hard and his face set in barely controlled fury.

Hayes followed his gaze.

"Watch that one, O'Neill," the President warned him, softly. "He really doesn't like you..."

"I can handle him, Sir," Jack assured him, confidently. "But I do hope you understand when I say I wish you the best of health for the next 8 years..."

"Thanks."

The President-elect chuckled, and turned to walk over and join Kinsey in the limo. He had another meeting in Washington, soon, and they were on a tight schedule. Besides, he was ready to lose the Vice President (who was staying in Colorado for another couple o days for meetings of his own).

As the limo drove off a few minutes later, Jack had a final glimpse of Kinsey's face through the open window. And so did Sam and Daniel, who had walked over to stand next to him.

"Wow, he looks pissed," Daniel noted.

"He'll get over it," Jack said, shrugging. "I already am."

"You certainly know how to bring out the worst in him..." Sam said, shaking her head.

"Yup." Jack turned, ready to go back in. It was November, after all, and not warm. "Who's hungry?"

Jaffer wagged his tail. He was!