Author's note: Thanks so much for all the reviews. I'm sorry I can't thank you each personally. I will answer a couple of questions from Jessica though – Sam isn't retired. She is seconded to the Institute, and is on leave from the Air Force while she works there. Her colleagues only know her as Doctor Carter as she is working there in a basically civilian capacity and she isn't advertising the fact that she's military. I've made the whole scenario up, on the basis that the top brass would see a period of at least a year where Sam isn't working directly under Jack's command as enough of an excuse to allow them to marry – therefore they have done it that way. It is just a flimsy excuse to write the story the way I wanted it. Also, I have never been able to see either Sam or Jack retiring to get married. The Air Force is their career, and one they enjoy, and they are both too valuable to the SGC to retire.

Wives and Other Follies – Part Three

"It seems to be going well." Beatrice Ritson surveyed the large room with pleasure, one eye on her husband and his group of friends. Most of the guests had arrived, and she was finally beginning to relax and enjoy herself. Oliver had hooked up with Ross Greenburgh almost as soon as they'd walk in; leaving her and Angela to make sure the evening ran like a well oiled clock. Of course the Pentagon did have people whose job it was to organise these affairs, but the little details needed a woman's touch and the two general's wives had plenty of experience in making sure things worked the way they wanted them to.

Angela Greenburgh nodded in response. "Has General O'Neill arrived? I'm interested to see what all the fuss is about."

"I don't think he has – I asked Oliver to let me know if he did." Beatrice caught her husband's eye and received a quick shake of the head. "He must have been delayed." She took a delicate bite of her canapé, expertly balanced along with a glass of white wine and a small plate complete with napkin.

There was only one thing wrong with the scene before her – the plan to get the scientists and the secretaries together didn't seem to be working very well.

Angela spoke as if she had read Beatrice's mind. "Who is that woman?"

"I have absolutely no idea."

The two generals' wives watched as the woman in question laughed at something one of the circle of men around her had said – a circle they were displeased to see not only included the Institute's scientists, but even some of their own men. Major Davis was almost attached to the blonde's left arm, and to the surprise of both the women, General Vidrine didn't seem immune to her charms either. The normally staid officer was smiling broadly in response to her laughter. For a brief moment Beatrice thought the general must have told a joke, but dismissed the idea as ludicrous.

"She must be a staff member from the Institute." Angela raised one perfectly curved eyebrow. "Unless she's a wife."

"Well, if she is her husband isn't taking good care of her. The men are acting like bees around a honey pot."

"She is quite pretty I suppose – in a blonde sort of way."

"Couldn't possibly be a scientist."

Both women nodded in agreement, red and brunette hair moving in time with the motion.

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Sam couldn't deny it - she was thoroughly enjoying herself. She laughed at the punchline to General Vidrine's joke, and lowered her voice so that only the two men on either side of her could hear.

"You don't have to guard me you know."

"But we do." Paul Davis threw a glance at the senior officer opposite him, and qualified his statement. "At least I do. I have strict orders from General O'Neill not to leave your side until he arrives. You wouldn't want me to disobey a direct order, would you, Colonel?"

"No, of course not." Sam patted Paul on the arm and smiled before turning her attention to the general. "I know Jack can't have ordered you to watch me, sir, you outrank him. What's your excuse?"

"Why do I need an excuse to spend some time in the company of a beautiful woman?"

Sam grinned at Vidrine's gallant reply, but refused to let him off the hook so easily. "General?"

"Jack may have said something about making sure you weren't thrown to the wolves."

This time Sam laughed outright. "Wolves? I hardly think my work colleagues qualify as wolves."

"I don't think he meant your colleagues, Colonel. I think he had some of his own colleagues in mind." Paul Davis gave a quick nod of his head towards a group of men in Air Force blue. "I gather the news of your marriage to General O'Neill isn't common knowledge."

Sam thought for a moment. "We haven't exactly kept it a secret, but I suppose we haven't broadcast the fact we served together either."

"Most of the men in this room have no idea you are not only Doctor Samantha Carter, a scientist currently working with the Institute, but also Colonel O'Neill, wife of General Jack O'Neill." General Vidrine pointed out.

Sam nodded. "I suppose you're right." She grinned again. "It's like I have a secret identity."

"I think your secret identity is about to be blown, Colonel."

Sam looked in the direction Paul indicated, seeing her husband striding across the room towards them. "He's earlier than I expected." Then she had a wicked thought. "Sir." She quickly spoke to Vidrine. "Could you please ask Jack to wait a while before he joins me? I want to spend a little more time with my colleagues before he drags me away from them. You know what he's like with scientists."

The general muttered his agreement and headed off to waylay Jack. Sam turned to Paul Davis. "You don't need to guard me now, Major. How about you mingle a little?"

Major Davis took the order gracefully and moved away towards the buffet table, his hunger clearly getting the better of him. Sam caught Jack's eye and smiled the special smile she reserved just for him, before moving towards a group of Institute staff.

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