Thanks for all the reviews! And please continue - all are appreciated.

Chapter 3.

Jack reached into the desk drawer and removed the envelope he had placed there a week ago. He studied it for a moment and then slipped it into the briefcase lying on top of the completely clean desk. All of his personal items had been sent on to the Pentagon and he was just finishing up with his paperwork. For the first time since he'd taken over the SGC his inbox was empty and his outbox held only a few last minute items that had to be approved before the new commander took over. Walter had been in numerous times today, hovering, trying to help, trying to anticipate anything the General might need. But Jack didn't need anything – everything was ready.

Jack stood and slowly turned around the room looking at the bare walls and the clean desk, remembering all the hours he'd spent here and wondering what lay in store for him in Washington. Oh, how he hated Washington! He hated leaving the SGC, Daniel, Teal'c and most of all Carter. 'Enough of that,' he silently reprimanded himself, picked up his briefcase and walked out of his office, closing the door behind him.

He stopped at the observation window and stood silently gazing at the miracle before him. He wondered if he would ever again step through the event horizon to a distant world, saddened that he hadn't realized when it had been his last time. You never knew when the things you loved would disappear; it was always that way. You didn't know until it was too late that you had passed a crossroads in your life and couldn't turn back.

Suddenly he had a flash of shoving Carter through the gate that first time and smiled. Then his mind stretched across time recalling all the missions he'd led through the Stargate, some victorious, some painful. Very few were unworthy of memory, but worthy or not, he let them all flow through his mind. Air Force, Marines, civilian and alien, they all marched across his memory demanding their place in his personal archive, followed by a slow procession of every soldier that hadn't returned.

And in natural progression came the letters, letters he'd written to families of those that had fallen, small comfort to those left behind, he knew, but it was better than nothing. Someday…someday they'd know and he hoped understand and be proud that their sons and daughters had fought and died for their freedom – the freedom of every human being on Earth. There were also the faces of those tasting freedom for the first time and the many celebrations they had been allowed to join. He would always remember.

And there were a few regrets. There were some promises that he would be unable to keep, worlds that he would never see and he might never again be lucky enough to be involved in something so fantastic. He didn't know exactly what he would experience in Washington, but he knew it would pale in comparison to stepping through that Gate with SG1 beside him.

But maybe he could keep the Gate open a little longer or make the way a little easier for his teams. That would be worth it. And maybe in some small way he could still help to keep Earth safe, even talk to Thor once in a while.

"Jack?"

"Daniel!" He smiled broadly at his friend and silently stored away the memories he'd been reviewing, turning all his attention to Daniel.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing. Just thinking, remembering."

"You're going to miss it, aren't you?"

"Yeah. I'll miss it. Hell, I miss it already. It's been a while since I've gone through on regular missions, but it's important that someone continues to go through. Maybe I can make that happen." He turned to Daniel smiling broadly. "Gonna miss you, too, Danny."

"Yeah, me too, Jack. I hope it goes well for you in Washington. Be sure to keep in touch."

"Of course, wouldn't forget my friends!"

Daniel smiled and looked down at the floor letting the silence settle over the room, then looked over the tops of his glasses at Jack. "Make sure you don't, Jack. Soooo, will you be back here tomorrow?"

"Yeah, just for the ceremony. Say, where are Teal'c and Carter?"

"Um, not sure. Sam was in her lab earlier this afternoon but I haven't seen her for a while. Teal'c was reading or something, in his quarters."

"Ah!"

"Um, you're not leaving right away are you, I mean, you'll be home for a few days, right?"

"Yeah, I still have some things to do, packing, close up the house. You know."

"Ok, well, let's all get together this week-end then. Saturday? Team night? We can't let you go without that!"

"Great!"

Jack smiled, picked up his briefcase and headed for the stairs with Daniel beside him. But his mind traveled to their last 'team night' with Carter stirring up all his emotions. He didn't want to go through that again, but he couldn't refuse – it would be the last time the team would be together – maybe the last time they would ever be together. They continued to chat as they walked to the elevators and then rode to the top of the mountain. Jack stepped out into the daylight and the guards on duty visibly "snapped to" saluting him as he approached. Normally he joked with them and acted as if he was nobody, but today he raised his hand and executed a sharp salute to all the guards on duty. This would probably be the last time he saw some of them and it was his way of paying tribute to them.

"Hold the fort, Airmen!"

And as he passed them and dropped his hand from his forehead, smiled as he heard an equally sharp, "Yes, Sir, General!"

"Yep, I'm gonna miss it. Night, Daniel."

"I know. Night, Jack."

TBC-