General Hammond was not in the least surprised that every single member of SG-1 stayed on-base for the night; in fact, he would have been shocked had anyone on the team been able to blast themselves out of the mountain. The group had made a valiant effort at maxing out the temp quarters; no one wanted to leave Jack. The reality of his return was still elusive when the colonel was out of sight for too long, his presence among them once again beginning to seem like a dream that no one dared risk shattering by leaving overnight. A full duty-shift had circulated, the news of Colonel O'Neill's resurrection being handed off with stations, until by midmorning the next day everyone knew. The base was humming with energy, the stir of having a comrade thought fallen in battle return from the dead.

General Hammond had to own up to a small amount of that collective energy; he felt it, too, the incredible ease of weight from his chest because one of his men whose loss he'd let eat at him, a good man who'd died in a bad operation, was in fact alive. It was the same with POWs at last returned to native soil, soldiers listed MIA walking out of the jungle mist weathered and scared but little worse for wear.

A sharp knock on his office door tore General Hammond from his carousel of thoughts as he looked up, "Come in."

The door opened and Major Carter poked her head inside, "You wanted to see me, sir?"

"Yes, Major, please, sit down." While the major did as asked General Hammond queried conversationally, "How's Colonel O'Neill?"

Sam gave a genuine if fleeting smile, "Well, sir. He was released from the infirmary this morning... in fact, I just came from delivering my 'smuggled goods' to him." Sam gave another smile, this one touched with the tweak of devilish humor Sam Carter could sport when you weren't looking. Hammond had long known there was a very wicked sense of humor under the professional veneer of Major Carter, a side seen far too infrequently but probably correctly for the well-being of her military career. Hammond just hoped when she was higher in rank, privileged a little leeway with her personality, she would loosen the shackles on her wit. Then again, that freedom with position had been a mixed blessing in the case of Colonel O'Neill.

Hammond lingered on the 'smuggled goods' to which Sam was referring and smirked, left shaking his head. Last night Sam had approached him requesting permission to 'sneak' Jack a couple of beers as per his request. Despite the same reservations to the request Sam had originally had the general had proved no better at denying Jack a return-home gift than she.

"The reason I called you in here, Major, is that there are a few operational issues to address in lieu of Colonel O'Neill's return. Namely, the state and future of SG-1.

"Now, Jack hasn't asked me about resuming command of SG-1 yet, but I fully expect him to before the day is out, at the latest tomorrow. Before I spoke with him I wanted to hear your position on the matter."

Sam was just barely frowning, "I'm sorry, sir, I just assumed Colonel O'Neill would retake command."

"I imagine that's the assumption of a lot of people here at the SGC and also very likely if Colonel O'Neill expresses interest in reclaiming his old post; my question to you, Major, is whether or not that is what you want to see happen to SG-1? You are the current commanding officer of the team, and as such your opinion will be taken into consideration when I go to make my decision."

Sam was a little thrown, obviously trying to look more collected than the general's words had left her, "Sir, all due respect, even though I've found command a very engaging and interesting challenge and while I give my highest evaluations of Captain Rawlins for her expertise and conduct as a military officer... Sir," she looked straight at him, "we all want SG-1 back the way it's supposed to be. To be honest, General Hammond, I've considered SG-1 under the command of Colonel O'Neill the moment I saw him in the briefing room yesterday."

Hammond had to fondly smile just a little, "I'm certain the rest of SG-1's original team agree with you; however, Major, have you considered the option of maintaining a command position? I know you've assumed the team would be restructured into its previous form, but I'd like you to take a moment to think about making some of the changes made in Colonel O'Neill's absence long-term. I don't believe the program has tapped your full potential yet, and another venue to that end may well be command. I have every confidence in your ability to lead your people and SG-1 under your command has been a valuable group."

Sam fractionally shrank back in her seat. She squirmed in discomfort like a child after breaking their parent's window with a baseball, "What does Colonel O'Neill say to that?"

"I haven't spoken with him yet about any of this. I want to know your preference before I approach him; I intentionally spoke to you first because I didn't want his opinion to color your personal decision. You are an asset to the SGC, Major Carter, and if you decide you would like to continue a leadership role rather than suffer a demotion in functional positions then I'm willing to work with you to arrange for those conditions."

Major Carter was quiet a time, sullen, then said carefully, "If I wanted to press for a team of my own it probably wouldn't be the team I have now; Daniel, Teal'c, Rawlins."

"Probably not, no, there's even the distinct possibility that none of your former team would be assigned to you."

Sam gave it thought, did as she'd been asked, then looked back up at the general, "General Hammond, sir, I respectfully request immediate reassignment to the position of second in command of SG-1 under Colonel O'Neill."

Hammond didn't bother to ask if she was sure; there was the eagle-eyed severity in her blue gaze that told him all he needed to know. "Very well, Major, if that's what you want."

"Yes, it is; thank you for offering me the opportunity though, sir." As Sam was leaving she paused and turned back to the seated general, "Can I ask you a question, sir?"

"Of course, Major."

"Did you think I'd pick command?"

Hammond smiled, "Honestly, Major, I expected you to do exactly what you did. You know as well as or better than any of us how good SG-1 is... still, you deserved the choice."

Sam nodded, smile fighting to erupt over her face, "Thank you, General," then she ducked out of the office.