Author note and explanation - As promised, here is the start of the 'fluffy' version of this fic. It changes from the very end of the bar scene in Part 4 of the 'unfluffy' version. Now, please remember that this is not how I feel Sam and Jack would act, but I'm nice, so I will let you romantic souls have your moment.

An answer to Village Mystic – I don't know how the fact that 'Homeworld Security' is a section of the Air Force is handled. That was the position General Hammond was given at the start of Season 8 of the show. I can only assume they could explain it away under the heading of 'response to global terrorism'.

I will start posting a Sam/Jack fic by my good friend Jackie ONeillnut soon. You may have read her fic 'The Coldest of Hearts' that I posted for her under my name. This time I've made an account so she will get full credit, and the reviews will go directly to her. I hope to get the first part posted today. I can guarantee that any S/J fans who like a nice dose of hurt/comfort will love it. - Flatkatsi

Wives and Other Follies – the Fluffy Version Part 4A

"Good grief, can one person be allowed to have that many medals?"

Jason Vesland wasn't the only one to turn at their fellow scientist's question. Some sort of high ranking officer was walking towards them – a colonel or something he supposed, but he still hadn't managed to get the ranks and insignia straight yet. The man's jacket was certainly dripping with little ribbons and shiny metal things, but Jason couldn't see any real reason for the fuss – he'd recently helped to show the Joint Chiefs around the Institute and their medals equalled the ones worn by this man, and in some cases surpassed them.

It almost seemed as if the officer was coming towards them, but he turned away after a short conversation with that general that had been sitting with them until a few minutes ago, and moved off towards the bar.

The bar.

Jason gave his wife a swift glance, making sure she was occupied with her friends, and headed that way himself. He could do with a drink and he'd be damned if he would wait any longer for a waiter to reach him.

The bar area was crowded with Air Force personnel, and Jason found the only empty spot was next to the man he had been watching. He sidled into the small space, trying hard not to bump the elbows of those on either side of him, and waited patiently. It didn't take long, however, to realise that waiting patiently wasn't going to get him a drink.

"Excuse me." Jason raised a hand, trying to attract the busy bartender's attention, not very successfully if the way he was completely ignored was anything to go by.

"A beer please." The man beside him didn't raise his voice but the reaction was instantaneous. The bartender was standing opposite them in seconds.

"Yes, general. What type?"

"A Guinness thanks, and whatever my friend here is wanting."

Jason had to think hurriedly as the surprising move caused his mind to go totally blank. He finally managed to come up with an answer. "Ah. . .I'll have a Guinness too, thanks."

"Another Guinness fan, I see." The officer smiled pleasantly at him.

Jason decided to be honest. "No. Actually I've never had one before."

Two bottles and glasses were being placed on the counter as he spoke. The other man poured his beer carefully and took a sip before sighing with evident enjoyment. .

"I'll be interested to see what you think then. Guinness is a bit of an acquired taste."

Jason tipped his beer into the glass and took a mouthful. "It's certainly different. Got more of a body than the normal local beers." He took another sip as his companion watched. "I like it."

"Jack O'Neill. Pleased to meet you." The general extended his hand, smiling, and Jason took it, shaking it firmly.

"Jason Vesland. Likewise."

"You're with the Institute?"

"Yes. You're with the Air Force?"

His companion laughed. "The uniform gave it away I suppose."

"That and the fact you got served so quickly, General."

"Rank does have its privileges – occasionally."

They lapsed into silence as each took another swallow of their drinks. The crowd around them had grown in the few minutes since they had been served, and Jason grunted in annoyance as he was jostled for the second time in as many minutes. He noticed his companion wasn't having the same problem – the space around the general was still clear, almost as if he had an invisible force field to fend off junior officers. Perhaps he did, Jason decided, maybe one of those shiny badges was its on button. He'd probably be researching its applications when he got into work on Monday.

Another bump jerked him out of his musings at the same time as his drink came dangerously close to spilling over the top of the glass. He glared at the offender, realising that he hadn't even been aware of the near accident. Jason turned his attention back to the general to find O'Neill giving him a commiserating half smile.

"I think we should find somewhere a little less crowded. Why don't I get us both a refill and cede the victory to the rabble?"

Jason agreed immediately and, fresh drinks in their hands, the two men soon pushed their way out of the throng, O'Neill easily clearing a path with Jason following closely in his wake. Finally reaching a clear space, they stopped. The party was in full swing, the volume of sound rising in proportion to the number of people that filled the large room. Jason looked over to where the main group from his workplace had gathered, noticing that the two senior officers that had monopolised Sam Carter earlier in the evening hadn't returned. They had, however, been replaced by several more junior ones by the looks of it.

Vesland realised General O'Neill was looking in the same direction as he was. He thought for a fraction of a second – the man seemed pleasant enough, and he was obviously someone with influence at the Pentagon – probably even someone who the Institute would be working closely with in the near future. There was no harm in being friendly.

"Would you like to join us?" He gestured towards the group.

O'Neill's eyes narrowed, and for a moment Jason wondered if he had done the right thing, a slight shiver running down his spine at the almost hungry expression on the other man's face. Then his misgivings disappeared as the general smiled.

"I'd like that."

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Jack fought to keep his face impassive as he followed Vesland across the room. He knew that even though Sam had her back to them she was aware of his approach. He had seen her watching him ever since he had arrived – nothing obvious, just little glances and small smiles exchanged before turning her attention back to the people surrounding her.

He identified several of the Air Force officers around her as junior members of his own department, and assumed the civilians were her work colleagues. There were a few women scattered through the group, some clearly the wives or partners of the men they were with, others probably fellow scientists of Sam's. They all seemed to be enjoying themselves if the good natured laughter was anything to go by.

Their approach was beginning to register with some of the people, and Vesland sped up a little, smiling as he spoke. "I didn't ask which department you worked for, General."

"Homeworld Security."

"There's a new guy in charge, isn't there?" Vesland was obviously coming to the correct conclusion, so Jack decided to make it easy for him.

"That would be me."

"Jason. About time you got back." A short man wearing small rimless glasses turned to greet them before Vesland could respond.

"We were beginning to think you'd got lost." This time it was a woman who spoke, her black hair shining in the bright lights.

Jason smiled back. "Well, I had to fight my way through the madding hordes at the bar, but I managed it." He halted on the edge of the group, Jack stopping beside him. "May I introduce General O'Neill, Head of Homeworld Security." The scientist's voice had a certain hint of smugness, but Jack couldn't fault him for that – he was feeling just a little smug himself.

Vesland's words elicited a chorus of polite greetings from the civilians, accompanied by slightly embarrassed nods from the junior officers. Then the introductions proper began. Vesland started with a couple of middle aged scientists and their wives, passed quickly over a junior researcher, and stopped for a moment at the head of one of his own teams. Jack exchanged a few words with each, taking the opportunity to sip his beer between them, putting the empty glass on a nearby table just as Vesland got to Sam.

It wasn't until Vidrine had let Jack in on Sam's secret identity remark that he realised that very few people in Washington were aware of their relationship. They had chosen to keep their marriage as low key as possible, especially with Sam still technically posted to the SGC, even if only in an advisory capacity. Her frequent trips back to the Mountain, combined with the amount of work Jack had to cope with to get up to scratch in his new position, had meant they had little time for socialising here in Washington.

Most people wouldn't have recognised the wicked smile on Sam's face, but Jack had had more than enough experience over the years to know the way her devious mind was working.

"This is Doctor Samantha Carter, General O'Neill."

Jack took a step forward, taking the hand Sam was offering him, and brought it up to his lips, kissing it lightly. "May I say how beautiful you look tonight, Doctor Carter?"

"Why thank you, General O'Neill." Sam grinned and moved closer, putting a hand up to rest on his chest. "May I return the compliment, sir?"

Jack's heart began to beat faster and he moved slightly, making Sam's hand drop between them. "You certainly may." He snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her forcefully towards him.

Jack could feel the tension in the air around them as they became the focus of every eye, and he decided to go for it, his lips locking with his wife's in a very sensual kiss.