O'Neill was in his office, studying M.A.L.P. reports and trying to decide which SG teams under his supervision would be assigned to the different planets that were displayed. He went to the blackboard behind his desk and created five different missions, one of which involved SG1. A planet rich in ruins of all kinds: Daniel would be thrilled… he thought with a smile.

He was just about to pour himself a cup of coffee when a soft knock resonated on his door.

"Come in?"

Sam stepped inside, closing the door behind her.

"Carter?" he gestured toward the coffee pot. "'Want some coffee?"

"No thanks, Sir…" she was a tad fidgety, he noticed.

"What can I do for you?"

"Sir, I've just realized I've given 15 years of my life to the Air Force, and I believe it's time for me to move on. Here's my letter of resignation, Sir, taking effect as soon as you see fit within the next week…"

He looked at her with wide eyes, almost spitting out his coffee in the process.

"Carter?"

She stood still, hands crossed behind her back.

"As I told you earlier, Sir, I'd still like to continue working on the program, but out of the military. Until you find a suitable replacement for me though, I will remain the CO of SG1. I talked to Dr. Green, he wants me to stay as the head of the scientific department, and I asked him, as well as I am asking you now, to remain on SG1 for the off-world exploratory missions, but I guess that's something you will have to discuss with him."

He sat down, still trying to comprehend what she had just done.

"I must say this is a bit sudden, Colonel…"

"Well it just occurred to me that I had been missing the most evident solution to my problem, Sir."

"So you simply decided to resign now?"

"That seemed the most convenient thing to do, Sir. I hope you'll see it's for the best."

"If you're sure this is the only solution…"

"I am, Sir."

"Very well then, dismissed."

She exited his office leaving a very confused and thoughtful Jack behind. He sat back on his chair, picking his phone.

"General O'Neill here, tell Colonel Martin to come to my office as soon as he reports back from P5L-874, thank you."

Jack leant his elbows on his desk, burying his face in his hands, not sure of which attitude he should have: being deeply annoyed at the fact that Sam had not let him in on that sudden decision of hers before, although he had known of her intentions since she had confessed them to him, thrilled at the fact that they would therefore soon be actually free to pursue any relationship, and worried about the replacement he would have to find quickly for his team...

"Ahh crap!" he mumbled, sensing the first signs of a tremendous headache pump the veins of his temple. He picked his phone again, and dialed a number.

"Dr. Green?... I'd like to discuss something rather urgent with you… No, not on the phone… All right, I'll see you in your office in 5…"

He hung up and exited his office, walking towards the civilian direction.

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Several hours later, David Martin came into his office, saluting formally.

"Sir!"

"Sit down, Martin…"

The latter did as requested. O'Neill noticed he hadn't even changed yet.

"Have you gone through the infirmary already?"

"Well your orders were to report to you as soon as I arrived, I figured…"

Jack dismissed him with the hand and began toying with a pen, his eyes riveted on his desk. He showed him a printed sheet of paper.

"David, this is a letter of resignation…"

"You're resigning, sir!" the Colonel exclaimed, standing up brusquely sending his chair tumbling back.

"Calm down, David. I am not the one to resign…"

"Then who?" he asked, picking up his chair and sitting back on it.

"Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter."

A small smile crept on David Martin's lips.

"Isn't that a bit soon after her promotion, Sir?"

Jack sighed, leaning on the back of his armchair and looking straight into the man's eyes.

"She said it's for personal reasons. She wants to stay on SG1 as a civilian scientist, and with her experience and past, both Franklin Green and I think it's not inappropriate. But a problem remains: she thinks major Kopp's not experienced enough to take over military command of the unit, I was wondering if you had anyone in mind…"

"Major Sullivan, my 2IC…"

"How long have you known him?"

"Her… She's been on SG5 for 3 years, but was on SG8 before. She's a fine officer, and she's ready to take command."

"Of SG1?"

David Martin winced a little.

"Frankly I don't know… It's the flag team, and it's gone a long way…"

Both men fell silent.

"I've got an idea…" Colonel Martin said after a while.

"I'm opened to all suggestions…" Jack said dismissively.

"Why don't you give SG5 to Major Sullivan, and transfer me to SG1?"

Jack looked at his subordinate, raising an eyebrow.

"You?"

"Well I don't mean to brag or anything, but I'm the oldest and most experienced field officer after you in this base. I know your team, I know how they work and how you worked together. I must admit that you've been a great inspiration for me in my own team, Sir."

"Well thanks." Jack grimaced, obviously embarrassed.

"So what do you think?"

"It could work… When did you get so bright!" he joked.

David Martin chuckled.

"Sometimes the evidence is right under your nose and you don't see it…"

"I've never been known for my sharp mind…" he mumbled. "I guess I'll have to watch my six when you're around in case you'd want to steal my position…" he smirked, making the Colonel smile slightly. "If you're okay with this then I assume I should let you get away with it. We'll have to find another replacement for SG5 but that shouldn't be difficult, we need fresh military blood anyway, and there are several young lieutenants or captains that are a bit too eager to my taste in the offices. A field experience would do them good."

"SG1 would be a five-man team, then…"

"There's no established rule that SG teams must invariably be 4-man teams. On SG1, you have one Jaffa, and now not one, but two civilians, and although both are trained to military behavior, probably more than any Academy cadet, I need 2 military personnel for an exploration team such as this one, or neither Green nor even Hammond will let them go. You might as well resign too since you'd be the only military there… We've got to keep a semblance of military etiquette…" he said in a fake pompous tone.

"You've got a point…"

"See? I can be bright too! That's why they gave me those stars…" he smirked, waggling his eyebrows.

The Colonel chuckled.

"Well if you don't request my assistance any further, maybe I should take my turn in the infirmary and then take a shower."

"Meet me at 10.00 tomorrow in the briefing room with SG1."

"Yes, Sir!"

He saluted once more, and exited the office.

Jack picked his phone.

"Scientific department?"

"Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter please…"

"She's just gone home, Sir… Shall I pick a message?"

"No… Err yes… Tell her there's a meeting in the briefing room tomorrow 10.00, thank you."

"Very well, Sir."

"Gone home?" he questioned aloud. "What time is it!" he checked his watch… 22:41… No wonder his stomach was growling like an enraged tiger… He shook his head.

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Daniel was the first to enter the briefing room, making Jack turn swiftly from the small table at the back of the room where he was pouring himself a cup of coffee.

"Hey Danny Boy! Coffee?"

"That would be nice, thanks…"

Jack smiled and gave him the cup he'd just prepared before pouring another one.

"I hope Sam's not in trouble…?" Daniel asked cautiously.

"Why would she be in trouble? And why would you be worried? She told you she was going to resign?"

"Actually Jack it's… err… To be honest… It's me and Teal'c who've suggested she should do it without waiting…"

Although he didn't let anything show, he stopped briefly what he was doing before turning toward Daniel.

"I repeat Danny Boy, why should she be in trouble for that? Resigning is not a court-martialable offense as far as I know…"

What Daniel was about to say was interrupted as Colonel Martin and Sam entered, closely followed by Teal'c and Major Kopp, who closed the door.

"Sit down please." Jack said, doing so himself.

He leant his forearms on the big table and crossed his hands, looking pensive.

After a moment of silence where nobody dared utter a single word, General Jack O'Neill stood up and started pacing in the small space behind his presidential armchair.

"As you all now know, Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter has officially resigned from the Air Force, and I have accepted it. It will be effective as soon as she leaves this facility tonight. Her new status as the head of the scientific department of this facility allows her to remain on SG1, which would bear then two civilians, one alien, and Major Kopp of the USAF. This architecture unfortunately doesn't fit the requirements for exploratory SG teams, and I doubt Teal'c would want to be re-assigned to another SG unit. Furthermore, Major Kopp doesn't feel up to commanding SG1. All these considered, I have decided to give SG1 a new commanding officer: Colonel David Martin. As he himself pointed out, he's the most experienced field officer, and I believe if there's anyone capable of catching SG1's working spirit, then it's him."

He stopped speaking and observed the five people sitting in front of him. He went to sit back down in his armchair, and raised his eyebrows in a questioning look.

"Anybody has anything to say?"

"If I may, Sir" Major Kopp started. "I am proud to be serving under Colonel Martin's orders. But as I am not he oldest member of this prestigious team, maybe my opinion is not the most relevant."

"Daniel?"

"Well Jack I've been putting up with you for an eternity, I don't think Colonel Martin will be any problem.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Daniel…" He smirked. "Teal'c?"

"Considering what I know of Colonel Martin's record I am honored, General O'Neill."

He barely looked at Sam before asking.

"Colonel Carter?"

"My new civilian status on the team does not give me the right to contest your decision, Sir, but since I am still technically with the Air Force and you're asking for my opinion, I am eager to start working with Colonel Martin."

"Just beware of working too close to him, Sam…" he mumbled not so silently, drawing a chuckle from everybody, and a mischievous wink from said lady.

He stood up, calling the meeting off by signing the assignment sheet.

"All right people, I will therefore officially publish SG1's new status into the facility's records. You are free to go, thank you."

He didn't miss Daniel's half knowing smile and frowned playfully, at him as a means of answer, making the archaeologist slightly shake his head in amusement.

"I believe no team night is in order for right now, then." Teal'c asked Jack as he walked them to the door.

"If that's an attempt at a Joke, T', then let me say it's lame!" Jack slapped playfully the big man's shoulder who bowed his head with what could be considered as a Jaffa's mischievous look."

Sam was the last to exit the room. She waited a few minutes for the corridor to be clear, and turned to Jack.

"It is up to you now, Jack…" she smiled.

"Up it is…" he replied, waggling his eyebrows.

Sam rolled her eyes at the obvious double meaning of his words and stepped toward the corridor, but he caught her arm before she went farther.

"I guess we should talk?" he asked tentatively.

"That's a good start, General… My place 20:00? Bring the wine, red." She said, flashing one of her beautiful smiles to him. "You don't need to dress formal!" she said above her shoulder as she strolled down to her lab, leaving a goofily smiling Jack behind.

The day was going to be very long…