by ALC Punk! and Ryuu
Chapter Ten: Where Plans Are Made And More Sap Occurs
Every SG team leader was crammed into the briefing room. Half of them stood, leaning against the walls or the window that let into the gateroom. Jack approached them, several files in his hands, Walter trailing behind him carrying a mug of coffee. "I'm sure you're all wondering why I called you here today."
Only Lieutenant Colonel Carter smiled, although a few of them snorted.
Jack settled into his chair. "I was having a conversation with the President and Major Davis the other day. And they agreed to implement an idea I've been considering for a while." He flipped open a folder and pulled out a stack of paper. "Here, everyone take one of these. As of this week, there are to be three SG teams stationed at the Alpha Site. Think of it as being stationed overseas. You'll provide support for the Alpha Site as well as running normal SG missions. Exploring strange new worlds and all that crap."
During the pause, the papers were passed to the men and women standing, and Jack sipped his coffee. "The rotational schedules are tentative, for the moment. As we all know, no one can say that every SG team will be healthy in six months let alone three weeks."
"Sir?" Colonel Reynolds glanced at the other team leaders, "Is this a wise decision?"
"I think so, Colonel. After all, you never know when Earth will explode like the Death Star." He took another sip of his coffee, "It's probably best to have as many people off world as possible. By the end of the year, if this goes well, the ante will be upped to six SG teams."
"Three weeks on, one week off," Lieutenant Colonel Serena Carrington snorted, "What happens if there are injuries?"
"Like I said, it's flexible." Jack looked around at them. "You all know how dangerous this job is. To the best of your knowledge, is this an unworkable plan?"
There was a slow chorus of "No's" around the table. Jack nodded. "Thought so. Now, with the help of General Hammond and Major Davis, I've picked three teams to go. SG-1, SG-15, and SG-17." He met the eyes of the three team leaders. "I've previously discussed this with them, and they are apparently ready to go. Your first tour of duty, people, is five months."
"And just when do we go, sir?" the leader of SG-15, Colonel Joseph Lambert asked. He grinned. "I think my team's trying to get as much Earth-side party time in as possible, to be frank."
A chuckle drifted through the room.
Lieutenant Colonel Teryl Riker, leader of SG-17 nodded and caught Sam's eye, giving her a surreptitious wink. Sam bit back a grin. The dark-haired Colonel was one of the few female team leaders at the SGC and rumored to possess a fairly wicked sense of humor, although Sam didn't know her well yet. Base gossip had her down as one of Colonel Carter's staunchest defenders after her promotion. Sam was looking forward to getting to know her better at the Alpha Site.
"You're all scheduled to leave in two weeks," the General answered with a grin, "Which should also give Dr. Jackson time to stock up on coffee before his departure."
Another laugh echoed around the table.
"Any more questions?" Jack took another look around the table and nodded. "Good luck to our departing teams, then. If there are any questions or suggestions about this project, please feel free to come by my office. Dismissed!"
Teryl caught Sam's shoulder as they filed out of the briefing room. "Colonel Carter?" She smiled. "I thought I should at least say hi to you before we go off-world together." Her grey eyes were filled with warmth and good humor. "I've been looking forward to a chance to work with you, actually."
"Me, Colonel Riker?" Sam asked, surprised.
"It's Teryl." Her smile widened. "And you and SG-1 are well on the way to becoming legendary! Of course I have."
"Well, thank you. That's very flattering, but I have to say it wouldn't happen if my team weren't damn good at their jobs." A chuckle escaped her, "And General O'Neill certainly had a hand in it."
Teryl shook her head, "I've been reading old mission reports, Colonel, and you sell yourself short if you don't count yourself, too."
"It's Sam, Teryl. And thank you." Wishing to change the subject to something less embarrassing, Sam cast around and blurted, "What made you join the SGC?"
"That's a long story Col-Sam." Teryl grinned, "Best told over lots and lots of vodka."
Sam laughed. "Sounds about right for this place."
"Yeah. So, what made you join?"
Sam reached out and swiped her pass through the elevator's slot, "Well, I wanted to join NASA... You're right. This should require vodka, otherwise it'll be boring."
"Ack." Teryl suddenly looked at her watch, "I hate to greet you and run, but I promised Lieutenant Carver I'd spar with him after the team leader meeting."
"We'll talk later. It was nice meeting you."
They shook, and Teryl grinned again, "You, too, Sam."
"Kick Carver's ass!" Sam called after her.
"Plan to!"
Sam was still chuckling as she stepped onto the elevator and chose her floor.
"Hold the elevator, please!" A familiar voice called out. Daniel managed to launch himself through before the doors closed and looked at Sam, panting a bit. "Hey."
"Hey." She grinned. "Where are you headed?"
"My office, please."
Sam punched the button. "You want to go for coffee tonight?"
"My last Earth side coffee for three weeks?" Daniel gave an exaggerated shudder. "Yes, please."
Sam laughed. "You ever think it might be time for you to cut down?"
"Cut down on coffee? Are you nuts?" He grinned. "So... seen Jack lately?"
"I was just in a meeting with him," she replied evenly.
"Is that what the kids are calling it these days?"
She shook her head. "Daniel..."
"Oh, come on, Sam." He eyed her, then grinned, "So, go anywhere special during your two weeks off? Like, say, fishing, perhaps?"
As if he didn't know. Sam rolled her eyes. "I don't like fishing."
"Ah. He didn't ask? I'm disturbed, and saddened, Sam. I thought Jack would've found this the perfect opportunity to take you fishing."
"Daniel."
He glanced at her, "Fine, fine. I'll be good." Under his breath, he muttered, "For now."
"So, what did you do for your two weeks?"
"Made extensive notes on things, discussed the backlog with the rest of the lingual department."
"Drank coffee?" She teased as they exited on the same level.
"You have to ask?" Daniel made a face. "If I can even get drinkable coffee there..."
Sam laughed and beckoned him into her office. "Follow me, Dr. Jackson. I have something for you."
"Oooo... I get presents now?" He grinned and caught the paper bag she tossed at him. "Can I open it?"
"Yes." She rolled her eyes. "Drama queen."
Daniel let out a pleased sigh as he found a large package of Italian Roast and a smaller one of chocolate covered espresso beans. "Sam... I think I love you."
"Of course you do." She smirked. "Don't drink that all at once, now."
"Yes, mom."
"Daniel."
He grinned and headed for the door, "I have better things to do than bait you, Colonel-Doctor."
"And don't you forget it." She chuckled as he disappeared, and looked at her desk. And sighed. Time to make sure she had everything she might possibly need packed.
The phone rang, distracting her. "Carter."
"Colonel, this is Walter, General O'Neill requests your presence in his office, ma'am."
"Now?"
"Yes."
"All right, I'll be there." She hung up and considered. Obviously, this wasn't an emergency. But he could have said something this morning before leaving for his own house. Bah. She was being silly. Besides, maybe he'd heard from Langara. The Kelownans had to give her Jonas, dammit.
Or maybe he wanted some clandestine kissing on base. They'd made vague rules, like, "No sex when there's a crisis unless it's necessary." Plus, they both figured they'd been good for eight years, having to abstain again couldn't be that hard. Could it?
Remembering the rather pleasant way he'd awakened her to say goodbye, she shifted in the elevator.
Maybe thinking about the General and sex wasn't such a good idea. She rearranged her thoughts, mentally ticking off everything she needed to take with her to the Alpha Site.
Sadly, Jack's ass wasn't on it.
Knocking on his door, Sam resisted the urge to peer around the edge and see what the heck he was doing.
"Come in, Carter."
She slipped in and closed the door behind her. "Sir?"
He grinned and waved to a chair. "Have a seat. You ready to go tomorrow?"
Sam sat and smiled at him. "I think so, sir. Just getting Daniel caffeinated."
Jack shuddered. "That man and his coffee...did you know he tried to talk me into requisitioning an espresso maker for the Alpha Site? I'm amazed he still decided to go after I turned him down."
Sam chuckled. "He really believes in you, I guess." She leaned forward, trying to keep the eagerness from her voice. "So, what did you need to talk to me about, sir? Have the Kelownans contacted you?"
Jack sighed, and Sam suddenly felt disappointment settle into the pit of her stomach. "Carter, I-"
"They said no."
He nodded. "I'm sorry, Carter. I tried. But they insisted that Jonas was too important to the diplomatic process for them to let him go."
She tried not to curse. "I know you tried, sir. And thank you." She forced a smile. "At least SG-1 is a four-man team again."
"Carter-"
Sam stood, trying to show that she didn't need consoling over this. "I'll just go see if my team is finished packing-"
"Carter." His tone was firm.
She stopped and looked back up at him. "Sir?"
"I said they insisted. I didn't say Jonas agreed."
"What are you saying, sir?"
Jack began smirking, like the cat that ate the canary. Sam checked his desk for feathers. "I've got an early birthday present for you, Carter."
"Hey, Sam."
She blinked and turned to find the smiling Kelownan standing behind her. "Jonas!"
"In the flesh." He was smiling.
She moved and hugged him. "But, I thought -"
"Well, once I'd heard that SG-1 needed me, I realized something."
"Oh?" She stepped back, smiling.
"Langara has no hair gel."
The General snorted. "What he's neglecting to say is that he told them to screw themselves and came through the gate on his own cognizance."
"So... you ran away?"
"Kind of. Basically, I wanted to come. They wouldn't let me go, so I came anyway."
"That's great." Sam smiled, "Look, why don't you go find Daniel or Teal'c. They'll get you packed up and ready to go. Ok?"
"Sam?"
"Yes?"
"It's great to be back."
"Good." She waited until he'd gone, then carefully closed the door to the corridor. "So, General, was that all you wanted?" The door to the briefing room was already closed, and the blinds came down easily.
"Er, yes?"
"Ah." She moved around his desk and leaned against it, facing him. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
She bent sideways, and kissed him.
He squawked against her mouth, then apparently stopped thinking.
"I thought this wasn't allowed," he managed a few minutes later when she pulled back. Although that was relative, since she was now straddling his lap.
"Special circumstances." She smirked and kissed his nose.
"Yeah?" He grinned, his hands wrapping around her waist. "These circumstances happen often?"
"Well, when I want to thank you for doing such a good job..." Sam smiled and went back to kissing him.
He ventured a quick grope. "So... that's a 'no', then?"
Sam laughed softly, then sobered. "I'm going to miss you."
"Me too." He managed a smile and pulled her closer. "But it's only three weeks. We'll handle it."
"Yeah." She let her head rest against his shoulder for a moment, then kissed his neck.
He let out a deep breath, shifting in his seat lightly. "Carter... I think we need to stop now," he said, reluctantly. "Or move to a more appropriate location."
Sam grinned and gave him another firm kiss. "You coming over tonight?"
"Wild horses, Carter."
She raised an eyebrow. "Kinky..."
He coughed. "Colonel, I suggest you remove yourself from my lap. Walter's probably about to come tell me I've missed an appointment." His hand stole another swift grope.
"Darn." She kissed him one last time, then stood, smirking slightly. "Might want to stay sitting for a while, General. Think about taxes, Paul Davis, Anubis naked on a cold day."
"Carter." He growled.
"Sir?"
"You're evil."
"Of course, sir." She smirked and opened the door to find Walter on the other side. "The General will see you now."
"Uh, thank you, ma'am." Walter looked vaguely disturbed.
"What's up, Walter?" Jack determinedly did not watch Sam Carter's retreating ass.
"Anubis naked on a cold day, sir?"
"Colonel Carter was being silly."
"Yes, sir." Walter set down a stack of paper. "These are all requisitions for the equipment being moved to the Alpha Site tomorrow, sir. If you could just make sure they're all correct and sign them, we'll begin loading the skids."
"Right." Jack stayed in his seat and reached for the forms. "I'll take care of this, then."
"Sir?"
Jack managed a jovial smile. "Why don't you take five, Walter? Get yourself a cup of coffee or something? You've earned a break with all the work you've been putting into this project."
"Um... thank you, sir." Walter nodded confusedly. "Are you sure you don't need anything else?"
"I'll be fine." Jack gave his assistant a thumbs-up.
"Right, sir." Walter shot him one last disturbed look, then left, muttering "Anubis naked..." under his breath.
Jack made a face, then shifted in his chair. Damn her. Not that it was completely her fault, but still... "Once you've had Carter you never go back." He muttered, then turned to the stack of requisitions with a sigh. If this didn't help, he'd have to invite her to lunch. In the storage closet on level 19.
