I'd like to thank you all for your reviews. I hope this chapter is okay; I'm not very good at writing speeches. I absolutely hate speaking in public too as I'm a bit of a mouse in reality. I get all tongue-tied.

So, on to the penultimate chapter. Enjoy!

Title: Unity.

Author: LetitiaRichards.

Previously:

"Yeah. Me too," he sighed in resignation, but he was fuming inside. Angry at his treatment from those bastards who tortured him. There was only one more thing to do then. He had to go and see Hammond.

Chapter 38

Jack bared his soul to his commanding officer who sat and listened to his grievances and his plans without interrupting. When Jack had finished, Hammond could see a mixture of frustration, disappointment and anger hovering just below the surface.

He knew exactly how Jack was feeling and if he'd been in the same position he would feel like it too. Lucky for him, he'd had a word in the President's ear and together they had hatched a plan of their own. He did reveal a part of it to the man sitting opposite him who was greatly troubled by the idea at first, but eventually agreed that perhaps it would be for the best if it gave him what he wanted.

Major Carter had already been in to see him earlier that morning and knew that neither of them had broached the subject with each other. Well, here was one way of making things right for them in the future; but that was his secret and it wasn't time to reveal it all yet. At this point he was happy to just go with the flow.

"Are you sure you want to do this Jack?" Hammond sighed looking down at the resignation in his hands.

"I've had enough of the Air Force General. They forced me into a situation that I should never have been in, and now I want out."

"I wouldn't have allowed it to go that far Jack had I had known..."

"I know. Neither of us had any choice sir. I wouldn't have wanted you to face disciplinary action on my behalf General. If I do this, it will be because it's what I want. They won't be able to put me in that position again sir, I would just quit."

"What about the others. Will you tell them?"

"Yes sir. They're my team; I owe them that much."

"Well, at least the President was easy to convince it was for the best," Hammond sighed.

"I think it will work out just fine sir, and thank you for everything."

"It's been my pleasure Jack. Don't forget I've rescheduled the assembly for 17:00. Can you get this over with by then?"

"Yes sir. That shouldn't be a problem."

"Good. See you then Jack."

"Thank you sir. Good luck General."

Jack stood awkwardly giving his CO a salute, before he made his way out of the office slowly and all but collapsed wearily into the wheelchair and ordered Teal'c to take him back to his office and then round up the rest of the team.

OoOoOoOoO

"Sir?"

"Jack? What's all this about?" Daniel demanded as he and Sam entered the office.

"Take a seat kids."

Sam and Daniel exchanged a look and shrugged at each other, but both found themselves a chair and sat down.

Jack felt nervous now, wondering how he was going to broach the subject with his team. How were they going to take it?

"I've...em...I've had a word with General Hammond, and I wanted to tell you my decision before it was officially announced. There's a distinct possibility that with my feet as they are, walking will always be a problem, therefore, I've decided to stand down as CO of SG-1."

"Sir. Jack!" Sam gasped at the idea that he'd gone ahead and retired. "You can't!"

"What?" Daniel cried in disbelief. "But..."

"No Daniel," he said, holding up a hand to ward off not only his questions but also those of the others too. "I don't think there's much of a choice open to me. I'm not leaving the SGC. I have another job lined up, but I have resigned from the Air Force, so this will be in a civilian capacity."

"Jack?" Sam gasped incredulously. She couldn't believe he had done that. Before she could say anything though, Daniel beat her to it again.

"What will you do Jack? You hate paperwork," Daniel said without hesitation. Just what was there for Jack to do here? SG-1 would certainly never be the same without him.

"Oh don't worry about me kids, I'm sure I'll find something to do around here. A little paperwork, yeah, but I'll have a little more time to go over it, and perhaps a little help too. I may still be allowed to go off-world on occasions, depending on the mission. I'll be able to do things I couldn't before." He looked directly at Sam and she felt herself blush under his direct gaze, knowing what he was driving at.

"So you and Sam can..."

"Daniel! Let's wait and see huh? I'm not jumping the gun just yet." His eyes met Sam's as they peeked at him from under her lashes. Isn't this the opportunity they had been waiting for? She hadn't quite expected this though.

Sam blushed at the intensity of his look, ducking her head, wondering how all this would affect them in the future.

"We have an assembly in the gate-room at 17:00. General Hammond wants all you kids there. He wishes to make an announcement to everyone about my change of duties. Dress uniform, Major!" he smirked, emphasising Sam's rank.

"Yes sir. I'm going to miss you being on SG-1 sir. Do you know who will be taking your place?"

"I do, but General Hammond wants to announce that as well."

Sam sighed. She hated change but at least it would give her a chance to be with Jack now, she hoped.

"Oh, and by the way. Diaz is okay now. General Hammond sent Colonel Reynolds round to the hospital security wing and had the poor guy shot with a zat. I knew it would work. He's on sick leave at the moment until they figure out what to do with him. Personally, I think they might retrain him for something else, or he may resign; Who knows?"

They sat and chatted over old times, and how Jack's absence from now on might affect them. At 15:00, they went along to the commissary for some coffee and cake which Jack had stated was a must, before the ordeal ahead of him.

OoOoOoOoO

At 17:00 sharp, Jack sat uncomfortably in the wheelchair at the foot of the ramp, while all the others stood at ease. When General Hammond entered, Sergeant Davis called them all to attention. Jack stood too. He wasn't going to sit there all the time for this. He could rest later. Janet glared at him from across the room, but he smiled sweetly and ignored her silent protest.

General Hammond walked up the ramp and turned to stand at the podium, calling them all to stand easy. He looked at Jack who nodded almost imperceptibly and he began his speech.

"With recent events in Iraq, all of you know that Colonel O'Neill was called upon to return to that country. Most of you know by now that that tour of duty was almost a disaster for him, and that we are lucky to have him back with us. However, what most of you will not be aware of, is that due to the grievous injuries caused by his captors, he feels he is unable to carry on as CO of SG-1. As one of the first people ever to step through this Stargate to another world, he has seen more wonders in these last seven years than most people get to see in a life time. He has, thank god, survived countless attacks by the enemy, outwitting them all to bring his team home again, safe, but not necessarily sound."

There was a ripple of laughter and snorts of amusement in the crowd, and Jack turned a spurious scowl on them.

"On more than one occasion he has driven my blood pressure through the roof and tested the limit of my patience with his unorthodox methods, only for me to rediscover that his fierce loyalty, integrity and exceptional leadership skills have saved this planet yet again from another inhumane threat. His enthusiasm to get the job done infects us all with an eagerness only borne of devotion to duty. A true champion for the cause..."

The Colonel felt himself cringe as Hammond went on singing his praises, embarrassed by it. He shot a slight shrug and a wry smile to Sam when she glanced at him. He'd had no idea what Hammond was going to say. Jack tuned the drone of words out and wished perhaps he'd sat down after all. His feet were killing him. It was the first time he had worn his uniform and dress shoes since Iraq, and even if it was hopefully for the last time, they felt painfully tight and uncomfortable.

A round of applause brought Jack back to what was happening. He blushed a little for having been daydreaming but nodded an acknowledgement to the crowd gathered there.

"It is with a little sadness," Hammond continued when the noise quietened down, "that I also announce my retirement from the SGC. I will be standing down in a few weeks time. I was just about ready to retire when I took on this command, and now after almost eight years, I find it is time to step down and let a younger man take on the responsibilities I have taken so seriously. I hope I can rely on you all to continue to serve your new commander to the best of your abilities and to do your duty whether you are part of the Air Force, Marines and even as a civilian worker, it is no more than he deserves. Having said that, the new man is one the President has every confidence in, and believes he is the only person who is able to follow in my footsteps. Even as a civilian commander of this facility it should bring about no change in your duties or respect for him, just because he doesn't wear a uniform. I would like you all to join with me to welcome the new civilian commander of the SGC." Hammond paused whilst there was a murmur of surprised mutters and people looked around to see who it might be. "Please step forward Jack O'Neill."

For a moment there was absolute stunned silence and Jack hesitated, wondering if he'd made a mistake in taking on this role, but then all hell let loose and there were deafening cheers and applause. Jack shrugged and awkwardly made his way up the ramp to stand beside General Hammond. He grinned at the shocked faces of his former team members and that of Janet whose mouth was hanging open in disbelief.

George shook him by the hand and congratulated him on his new appointment.

After a while, when everyone had calmed enough, Jack held up his hands to quieten them down further, so that he could say a few words.

"I hope that as the new commander of this base, I can fill those very worthy and shiny shoes with the same honour, fortitude and integrity as their previous occupant. You all know me and how I operate and I will continue to carry on as I see fit, as long as you continue to give your commitment and support to the SGC. Together we will see that this planet remains free from Goa'uld domination as it should be. I am sure that all of you will join with me in wishing General Hammond a happy and healthy retirement and thank him for being such an outstanding and great leader, whose reputation I can only aspire to live up to. Thank you General!"

Jack shook his hand again and called the gathering to attention. Then gave a salute to his old CO, as did everyone else in uniform, then he too took a salute from those assembled for the last time.

General Hammond, having recovered from Jack's speech, said he had one more thing to do.

"Before I go, there is one duty which I have the greatest pleasure to perform, and that is, I have been authorised to promote Major Samantha Carter to Lieutenant Colonel. Please step forward Major."

Sam was absolutely stunned and gasped when Jack just winked at her. He'd known all the time but hadn't said a word to her.

Jack helped Hammond exchange her insignia and then she took the oath. Jack was very proud of her and couldn't stop grinning at both the shock and delight on her face.

When she had finished being sworn intoher new rank, Hammond dropped another bombshell. He was giving her command of SG-1.

There was another round of enthusiastic applause; a popular choice by all accounts.

They held a small buffet in the commissary for the General, and for Jack too, though all he wanted to do was go home, sit down, kick his shoes off and rest his weary feet.

Jack wasn't taking on the full responsibilities of his new duties yet until he'd been properly cleared by Janet, so although he was officially no longer in the Air Force, George was going to stay on for a while and help Jack settle in.

When Hammond gently reminded everyone that there was still work to be done, there was only SG-1, Jack and himself left in the room.

Jack was looking pale and hadn't moved from his wheelchair since they had wheeled him there, which said a lot for how bad he was feeling. General Hammond told him to go home and not to return for a few days more. He glanced at Sam and nodded with a small smile and Jack wondered what had passed between them.

Teal'c pushed him from the room before he could ask any questions. He sighed and sat quietly, pensive even, as he rode the elevator to the locker room, wondering what Sam was up to.

TBC