The smell of fresh coffee woke Carson from one of the soundest night's sleep he'd had in a long time. He opened his eyes, feeling lazy, and found Melony sitting on the edge of her bed with a mug of coffee in her hand. She was once more in full armor, which did nothing to make him less attracted to her, and if anything reminded him that she was the most exotic woman he'd ever known. And again, he wondered what she saw in him.
"Good morning," she told him cheerfully, taking a sip of the coffee before handing it to him once she was certain he was awake.
"Good morning." He tried the coffee, knowing that it'd be perfect – she was a past-Master at making a good cup of coffee, after all. She'd had plenty of practice. "You're up early."
She nodded.
"Things to do and people to see. But I thought I'd at least wake you up before I go."
"I'm glad you did."
He'd have time to get dressed and ready for the day's activities, as well, now. Melony had told him that Jack had told her to assemble the Jaffa in the command center – which wasn't going to be an easy thing to do – and he knew her next stop was going to be that very room, so she could decide where best to put them before they even arrived.
"I'll see you later, okay?"
He nodded, and watched as she left, her armor creaking with every motion.
OOOOOOOO
"Colonel Mitchell."
Melony hadn't gone far when Teal'c's deep voice stopped her, and she turned to see the Jaffa coming down the corridor towards her. He, too, was in full Jaffa armament; including a staff weapon that he was carrying as easily as a hunter might carry a shotgun.
"Teal'c. Did you get my message?"
Just because he was dressed up, it didn't mean she was going to assume anything. The Jaffa nodded, however.
"Indeed."
"And you're positive you want to do this?"
"It is a great honor."
She was glad someone thought so. But at least it was Teal'c, and he'd never call her his goddess, so that was a plus.
"It's my privilege to have you."
The Jaffa nodded.
"There are a few matters that I would like to speak of with you – at a later date."
"My door's always open, Teal'c. Remember that."
She was lucky he'd spent so much time with Jack. Tao would never have understood the phrase, and that thought made Melony ache again. She'd never minded explaining herself to her First Prime – and sometimes she got a kick out of saying something off the wall just to see the confusion in his normally stoic expression.
There's nothing wrong with missing him, Hot Shot, Talon told her, embracing her with his own love to take away the sting of loss – although it was already more bearable than she had thought it would be. Time did heal things, after all, no matter what people thought. I miss him, too
"I will, Colonel Mitchell."
She frowned at the address.
"You know… you could call me Melony…"
The Jaffa smiled slightly and shook his head.
"No, I cannot. However, if there is a title you would prefer I use besides your Military rank…"
No, of course he couldn't. She shrugged.
"Whatever you're happy with, Teal'c. Let's go see check out the command center. Jack wants the Jaffa assembled there at 0900."
"May I inquire as to the reason for this?"
"You could, but I don't have a clue, so you'll have to ask him."
With her new First Prime looming beside her, they walked down the corridors and headed towards the command center, ignoring the stares of those who hadn't seen her dressed like she was the day before.
It doesn't hurt to have Teal'c as an accessory, Talon said, cheerfully. The symbiote was well aware of just how impressive the Jaffa looked – especially when most of the Atlanteans weren't all that used to Jaffa in the first place.
True
When they entered the command center, they startled a couple of folks as well. Not on purpose, of course, but Grodin and McKay were both surprised at the sudden arrival of the two – and Rodney was a little uncomfortable around Teal'c in any case.
Melony explained what they were doing there, and she and Teal'c stood at the top of the stairs, looking down at the room and mentally calculating just how much room they'd need for their 300 Jaffa, and how much room would be left for the others – presuming the others would be there as well.
OOOOOOOO
"Wow…"
Carson heard Rodney's sharp intake of breath as the two of them entered the command center and couldn't help but agree with the sentiment. The place was filled; Melony had her Jaffa at one side of the room, flanking the Stargate, each warrior standing at a stiff form of attention as they waited for whatever was to come. The Athosians were there, as were Kale and Char and the other Light Ones who had been at Atlantis helping during the Wraith ambush. Kale was no longer bandaged and his bruises were fading, but Char was still sporting the bandage on his hand and forearm – although he was in good spirits. The Light Ones were dressed once more in the clothing they'd worn to Tao's funeral.
The Atlanteans were in formation as well, on the other side of the room from the Jaffa. The scientists were wearing their best uniforms, and the Military men and women were in dress uniforms. Marines in their black and blue, Air Force in their blues, and all of them were at a stiff parade rest, waiting as well.
"Wonder what's going on?" Carson said, softly, walking over to stand beside Weir, who was near the top of the staircase, where she had a great view of those in formation below her.
"General O'Neill hasn't said," Weir told him, smiling a greeting at both of them. She was just as curious as the rest. "Has Colonel Mitchell mentioned anything to you?"
Beckett shook his head.
"I don't think she knows."
"Huh. That's odd. You'd think-"
She was interrupted by the opening of a door, and Colonel Mitchell walked into the room. The Jaffa came immediately to attention, their already rigid backs straightening further, their heads coming up and their staff weapons clanging dully as they acknowledged the arrival of their leader. Mitchell nodded her approval, but didn't say anything, instead coming over to stand alone on one side of the top of the staircase. A moment later, Jack O'Neill walked through the same door Mitchell had arrived through, and the Military staff all came to formal attention, not willing to be outdone by the Jaffa. Jack walked over and stood at the very top of the staircase.
"Corporal Pascal Sanchez. Front and center!"
Surprised at being called, Duck hesitated where he stood with the rest of the security teams in their dress uniforms, but only for a moment. He broke ranks and stepped forward, walking up the staircase and feeling as if every eye in the room was on him – which was the case. When he reached Jack, he saluted, and Jack returned it.
Jack looked over at his aide de camp and nodded, and the young Lieutenant handed him a piece of paper, which Jack already knew by heart.
"Corporal, in recognition of your contributions to Operation Wraith Hunt, the President of the United States of America has ordered that you be promoted to Sergeant, with all the responsibilities and privileges that accompany that rank."
As Jack was speaking, his Aide de camp was removing the insignia on Duck's uniform, and then handed Jack the insignia of a Sergeant, which Jack pinned onto the young man's collars. Then he smiled, as much because he actually enjoyed decorating people, and because of the utter surprise in the young man's expression.
"Congratulations, Sergeant."
Duck grinned.
"Thank you, sir."
Blushing a brilliant red, the young Sergeant descended the stairs and rejoined his friends, who slapped his back in congratulations, although their attention was still on the top of the staircase, since it was obvious that General O'Neill wasn't finished.
"Major John Sheppard. Front and center."
Sheppard looked over at Elizabeth, who smiled proudly, and then walked over to stand in front of O'Neill.
"Major, in recognition of your contributions to Operation Wraith Hunt, the President of the United States has ordered that you be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, with all the responsibilities and privileges that accompany that rank."
Again, the insignias were removed from John's uniform by Jack's Aide de camp, and replaced by the General himself with the silver leaf of a Lieutenant Colonel, and Jack saluted him.
"Congratulations, Colonel."
Sheppard smiled, returning the salute.
"Thank you, sir."
Still smiling, he turned and walked back to his position, accepting the congratulations of those around him.
"Operation Wraith Hunt?" Weir whispered as he stopped beside her.
John smiled, still bemused by the sudden promotion.
"I suppose they had to call it something…"
Before she could say anything else, he turned his attention back to O'Neill, wondering what was next. Everyone else was watching as well, obviously wondering the same thing.