Hiya!!

Thank you to everyone who reviewed. I'm bowled over, seriously. I never expected this response. I just want to say, thank you all. You rock!!

This has always been one of my favourite scenes from Stargate. And as much as I love it, I had to change it a little. (Ducks as fanatics throw rotten fruit and veg at her for messing with cannon) Forgive me!

Oh, and I'll try to keep the A/N's to a minimum, ok? I know that pisses some people off.

Anyway, this chapter is a Hammond's eye view of the infamous briefing.

Enjoy!!

………………….

General George Hammond checked his file again, and then stood. He left his office and entered the connecting briefing room. Almost everyone was there, even Colonel O'Neill, who snapped a parade ground salute when he entered the room. No Captain Carter though. Hmmm.

"Gentlemen, take your seats," he told the assembled crowd. "Where's Captain Carter?" he asked Major Samuels, who was seated next to him.

"Just arriving, Sir." Samuels answered. Hammond had mixed feelings about the major. He seemed a good man, but a bit of a suck-up. "I'm assigning Sam Carter to this mission, Colonel," he told O'Neill when the Colonel looked up from his file.

Hammond took almost sinful pleasure in knowing the fact that Sam Carter was a woman. O'Neill was a good guy, and an excellent soldier. But he was a soldier, not one of the great thinkers of the century, like Carter was. It was going to be interesting when the two met.

"I'd prefer to put together my own team, Sir." O'Neill answered truthfully. "I'm positive Carter's great. But Sir, I'd prefer to have a team that I've worked with before."

"Not on this mission. Sorry. Carter's our expert on the Stargate."

O'Neill sighed, a hint of annoyance evident. Kawalski picked up on this, and attempted to lighten the mood of the room.

"Where's he transferring from?" he asked eagerly. Hammond liked Kawalski. He was O'Neill's 2IC during the first mission, and it seemed as if he was taking up that position again with ease.

"She is transferring from the Pentagon," a feminine voice answered from the doorway. Everyone turned to see the young blond woman standing in the doorframe, and Hammond was amused to see that Kawalski and Ferretti's jaws nearly hit the table.

"Colonel Jack O'Neill." She stated as she walked forward, and snapped a salute. "Captain Samantha Carter, reporting, Sir."

Before O'Neill could say anything, Kawalski butted in.

"But of course, you go by Sam."

"You don't have to worry Major," Carter retorted. "I played with dolls when I was a kid."

"Oh, G.I. Joe?" he asked, his face a picture of innocence.

"No. Major Matt Mason."

"Oh. Who?" Kawalski asked Major Ferretti, who was seated beside him.

"Major Matt Mason. Astronaught doll." He clarified. "Did you have that cool little backpack that made him fly?"

Carter smirked at him, and took her seat. Hammond decided to stop things before they got started.

"Let's get started. Colonel?" Now, the real fun was about to begin.

"Thank you General. For those of you on your first trip through the Stargate, you should be prepared what to expect…"

"I've practically memorized your report from the first mission." Carter interrupted. "I'd like to think that I've been preparing for this mission all my life."

Kawalski obviously found her eagerness amusing, and asked the Captain

"I think what the Colonel is saying is: have you ever pulled out of a simulated bombing run in an F-16 at 8 plus g's?"

He and Ferretti were both floored when she replied simple, "Yes." They looked to Colonel O'Neill for support, and Hammond couldn't help but be amused by how flustered they were. They both probably thought that she was a dumb blonde, but Hammond knew that Carter was so much smarter than the both of them combined.

"Well," Kawalski began again, "It's way worse than that."

Ferretti decided to try his hand at intimating the Captain, and told her that "By the time you get to the other side, you're frozen stiff. It's like you've been through a blizzard, naked."

Hammond would have intervened if he hadn't known Captain Carter more than capable of taking care of herself. And she didn't disappoint.

"That's a result of the de-compression your body undergoes in the millisecond required for re-constitution."

"Oh God, more technobabble," O'Neill sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "Another scientist. General, please?" he implored.

"Theoretical astrophysicist." Carter informed him.

"Which means…?"

"Which means she is smarter than you are Colonel, especially in matters relating to the Stargate." Hammond told him.

Kawalski and Ferretti nearly chocked trying not to laugh out loud, but they were both silenced by the death glare O'Neill sent their way.

Carter was not finished though.

"Colonel, I was studying the Gate technology for two years before Daniel Jackson made it work, and before you both went through. I should have gone through then," she informed him. "But you and your men" she glanced at Kawalski and Ferretti as she said that "might as well accept that I am going through this time."

"Well Doctor…" O'Neill began, only to have Carter cut him off again.

"It is appropriate to refer to someone by their rank, not their salutation. You should call me Captain, not Doctor."

"Captain Carter's assignment to this unit is not an option, it's an order." Hammond told O'Neill.

"I'm an Air Force officer just like you are Colonel," she told her CO. "And just because my reproductive organs are on the inside, instead of the outside, doesn't mean I can't handle anything you can handle."

Kawalski and Ferretti looked faintly impressed by Carter, and looked to Colonel O'Neill to see where he would take it. Hammond was reminded of a tennis match, watching two players volley back and forth.

"Oh, this has nothing to do with you being a woman," Colonel 'Neill assured her, sliding into his seat. "I like women, and I have known many fine female officers. I just have a little problem with scientists. Bad history," he explained.

"Colonel, I logged over 100 hours over enemy airspace during the Gulf War," Carter assured him. "Is that tough enough for you? Or are we going to have to arm wrestle?"

Hammond frowned. He could sense a spark between the two officers, a tension, something that the regs didn't allow. Thankfully, this was only going to be a short mission.

Samuels coughed to get people's attention, and Hammond had to suppress the glare of annoyance. It was just getting interesting between Carter and O'Neill.

"I hate to throw a damper on your enthusiasm," he told the assembled crowd, "But I still say that the safest, most logical way to deal with this is to bury the Stargate, just like the Ancient Egyptians did. Make it impossible for the aliens to return. It's the only way to eliminate the threat."

"Except it won't work," O'Neill told him.

"It worked before," Hammond reminded him.

"They know what we are now," O'Neill explained. "They know how far we've come. We're a threat to them. They've got ships, General. Ra had one as big as the great pyramids. They don't need the Stargate to get here. They can do it the old fashioned way. Now, with all due respect to Mr. Glass-Is-Half-Empty over here," O'Neill gestured to Samuels, and Hammond saw Carter grin. He'd really have to keep an eye on those two. "Don't you think we should use the Stargate to do a little reconnaissance before they come back, again?"

Hammond was persuaded, for the time being.

"I'll give you exactly 24 hours to either return or send a message through," he told O'Neill. "No Kleenex boxes please. Otherwise, we'll assume the worst and send a bomb through."

Hammond stood and went straight through into his office, therefore missing the look that his two newest officers exchanged.

………………

Jack shuffled his papers, and Sam straightened her uniform as the others filed out of the room, until at last they were alone. Jack looked at the closed door to Hammond's office, and back at his wife.

"You ready?" he asked her. She was clenching and unclenching her fists in a nervous habit, and Jack was dying to reach out and sooth her. But he didn't dare. He didn't want someone to walk in and see them. Then Sam's credibility would be shot. Jack knew the gossip mill would grind over-time, and insinuate that Sam only got the job because of their relationship.

"Ok. I'm ready." She told him, and they both walked towards the door.

………………………

Hammond had just seated himself when he heard a knock on the door connecting his office to the briefing room.

"Enter." He called out, and was surprised when Jack O'Neill stuck his top half in the doorway.

"You have a minute General?" he asked, seeming nervous.

"Of course Colonel, but shouldn't you be preparing for your mission to…" Hammond trailed off as O'Neill disappeared from the doorframe, and Captain Carter preceded him into the office.

"Can I help you Captain, Colonel?" Hammond asked the pair. They stood stiffly in front of his desk with their hands clasped behind their backs. Neither spoke for a moment until Hammond sighed his impatience.

"Sir," O'Neill began. "We feel it is our duty to inform you that there is a relationship existing between Captain Carter and myself."

Hammond was surprised. He had seen the spark between them, but he never expected them to be in a relationship. But thinking back, it made sense.

When Captain Carter had entered the room, she had immediately known who the Colonel was. And, they had never missed a beat when sparring, as if they were used to coming up with quick answers and quips in each others presence.

But more importantly, they never lied. They never insinuated that they hadn't met before. They never introduced themselves to each other either.

"So, you're telling me that the two of you are dating?" Hammond asked them.

"No Sir." Captain Carter told him. "We're married General."

"Married!?!" Hammond exclaimed. My God, that had been unexpected.

"Sir," O'Neill began, "As you know, it is not against the regulations for an ex-military officer to begin a relationship with an officer of a lower rank. Sam and I met after I retired from the service."

"Seventeen hours and twenty three minutes after you retired Jack," Carter joked, and Jack smiled at the reminder. Hammond was suddenly struck by the affection between the two, and wondered how he had not seen before.

"OK, this I wasn't expecting," Hammond told the couple in front of him.

"Sir, we both have exemplary records." O'Neill began. "I think we can both be trusted to keep our personal relationship out of this mission."

"That's not up to you Colonel," Hammond snapped. "I don't get it! How come it is not on your records? Either of yours?"

"Well, we only got married three weeks ago General." Carter told him. "I'd say those files are a bit older than that. Besides, we've always kept the relationship quiet sir; because Jack thought that people would think that I only got several commissions because of my relationship with him, even though he was retired."

"Come on Sam, you've told me how hard it was for you sometimes in training, and in some of the jobs you've had. I just didn't want to add to it."

Hammond took a deep breath, and splayed his hands on the table.

"Does your father know about this?" Hammond asked Sam.

She smiled a little. "He does Sir. Unfortunately, he couldn't come to the wedding."

"He did however, threaten me accordingly," Jack quipped, causing Sam to giggle.

"So giggling Captain," Jack ordered her teasingly, causing her to giggle even more. They both seemed to remember where they were at that point, and snapped to attention again.

"OK," Hammond told the pair, "I'm going to talk to the President about this. For the moment, you are both on the mission. Go gear up."

"Yes Sir." Carter said, and turned to leave. She stopped when she realized that her husband wasn't coming with her.

Jack was still standing in front of Hammonds' desk.

"Something on your mind, Colonel?" Hammond asked him.

"Well Sir, after you've spoken to the President, and if we are both still on for the mission, could you please not inform the rest of the base of our relationship?"

"Care to explain Colonel?" Hammond asked. He could see the hurt flashing in Carter's eyes as she turned around.

"Ashamed to be married to me Jack?" she asked, her tone conveying the depth of her hurt.

"God no!" Jack exclaimed, moving towards her and grasping her hand in his own. "Never that. You know how I feel about you. It's just, you saw those guys out there in the briefing room. Can you imagine how much more of a hard time they'd give you if they found out? You'd never have any peace, and after this mission when you are stationed here and I'm gone again, the gossip and comments will follow you. It's a pain in the ass, but it's true."

"Colonel, Captain," Hammond interrupted, "Gear up. I have to speak to the President about this. I'll inform you of his decision before you move out."

The two officers left his office, and Hammond put his head in his hands.

He had defiantly not been expecting this when he accepted this mission.

He had a feeling this was going to be an interesting command.

……..

Sam strapped on her helmet as she walked out of the Women's locker rooms. She saw the rest of the men on the team exit their locker room down the hall, and walked to meet them.

"Amazing day!" Kawalski joked as she joined them. "A woman who can get ready in less than two hours."

Sam bit back the retort that sprang to her lips, and resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She'd heard enough of those jokes to last her a lifetime when she was in the academy, thank you very much.

"Relax Carter," Jack told her as he caught her eye, silently giving her his support.

"Colonel O'Neill, Captain Carter?" The group entered the corridor to the gateroom, and found Hammond stand there, blocking their way. "Can I speak to you both for a moment?" he asked in a tone that made it obvious that it was an order.

Jack motioned for the others to go ahead and the rest walked on, until Sam, Jack and Hammond were alone in the corridor.

"I've spoken to the President," Hammond told them. "And while he, like myself, does not like the fact that you kept this relationship a secret, he recognizes that you are both vital to this mission; Colonel, for your experience, and Captain, for your technical knowledge. So you have a go. However, I expect you act at all times with conduct becoming an officer. I want complete professionalism people," he warned.

"Yes Sir!" they both saluted him.

"Oh, and Colonel?" Hammond continued. "This time, you're to follow orders."

"Sir?" O'Neill asked, confused.

"This time, you bring Daniel Jackson back with you."

"Yes Sir!"

Sam and Jack gave each other a relieved look, and walked quickly down to the gateroom.

"What was all that about?" Kawalski asked when Jack and Sam joined him at the bottom of the ramp.

"That? Oh, just Hammond warning me and Carter to play nice," Jack told him, grinning.

"Alright people," he called, "Move out!"

Ferretti went up the ramp first and walked without hesitation through the gate. The rest of the team followed a little more reluctantly however, until just Kawalski was left standing next to Jack and Sam at the bottom of the ramp.

"Captain…" Jack said.

"Don't worry Sir, I won't let you down" Sam told him, but Jack noticed that she was gripping her P-90 a little tighter.

"Good. I was going to say Ladies First." Jack told her in an attempt to lighten her mood. She smiled at this and Kawalski chuckled appreciatively and jogged up the ramp and through the gate.

Jack started up the ramp, and Sam followed him slowly.

"Don't be scared Sam," Jack whispered when they reached the event horizon. "It's a piece of cake."

"I'm not scared Jack," she whispered back. "I'm in awe. I mean. the amount of energy the gate must release to create a stable wormhole… it's astronomical to use the right word." She reached out to touch the silver surface, and gasped. "You can actually see the fluctuations in the event horizon…"

Jack rolled his eyes. He truly loved Sam, but his mind actually shut down when she started on in scientific terms. He could sense another technobabble speech coming on, and decided to act before she got going. He pushed her shoulder a little, causing her to stumble and step forward and through the gate.

Then, Jack closed his eyes and braced himself as he too stepped through and felt the familiar pull…

…………

So, what do you think?

Oh, and by the way, I know nothing of guns, so I don't know if the gun that Sam has in COTG is a P-90. I've read a few Stargate books, and in many other fictions people have mentioned P-90's, so I'm just borrowing them. If I'm wrong, I apologize.