"Now pay attention, Jake, because we can't spell the names wrong. The military frowns on that…"

Jack was sitting at his desk, one hand holding a pen that he was using to fill out paperwork, the other arm cradling his son, who wasn't paying attention at all. He was far more interested in his hand, which he was chewing on. There was drool running down his arm and chin, soaking Jack's shirtsleeve, but Jack didn't mind. He was used to drool.

"C-O-L-O-N-E-L…" Jack said, still talking to the infant while filling out his name. "That spells Daddy. We can also spell Daddy with a-"

The door opened, and Jack looked up, wondering who was coming to save him from the monotony of paperwork. He smiled when Sam walked into his office, but noticed right away that she wasn't in a particularly cheerful mood – although she did smile when Jacob noticed her and pulled his hand out of his mouth.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"I thought you were working on your drive doohickey?"

"My laptop crashed, and the tech guys are telling me it won't be back up and running until at least tomorrow."

Which explained why she looked annoyed, Jack decided. And then found out he a moment later that he was wrong. Sam sat down, and crossed her arms, looking at him sharply.

"Did you really tell General Hammond to send Ian to summer camp?"

He nodded.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Because it'd be good for him…"

"How is sending him to a place filled with strangers and children good for him?"

"We talked about this, Sam…" Jack said. "Remember?"

She shook her head. There was no way she had had this conversation. She would have remembered.

"I don't think so, Jack."

"No… we did. Right after Jake was born… we said we should send him to camp for some rest and relaxation. Because he was looking so tired."

Now she remembered what he was talking about, and she frowned.

"I wasn't serious."

"Have you seen how tired he's been looking lately?" Jack asked, ignoring her reply. "I thought it'd be good for him to get away – get some fresh air, spend some time out in the middle of nowhere and-"

"I've seen him, Jack," Sam said, interrupting. "He's furious. And he has every right to be. You know he doesn't like camping. You know he doesn't like kids. Why would you think that this is a good idea?"

"Because you said it would be," Jack told her. "I figured you knew what you were talking about."

"I was joking when I suggested it."

"I didn't know that."

Or maybe he had – but it had been months ago. How was he supposed to remember? A lot had happened since then.

"I'll talk to Hammond and tell him it's not such a good idea, after all," Jack offered.

"It's too late. He already gave the order."

"Oh."

Which of course meant he couldn't change his mind. It would make him look indecisive – and no officer could look indecisive to his or her men.

"I'm sorry, Sam. I really thought he needed some time off…"

She couldn't fault him for trying to look out for Ian – even though he'd done a lousy job of it this time. She shrugged.

"I told General Hammond that it might be easier on Ian if he had other people he knew with him."

"Misery loves company?"

She smiled.

"Shawn likes camp."

Jack hesitated, and Sam knew he was suddenly worried about Shawn and the fact that he seemed to be a non-stop target for Ashrak. He wouldn't want him too far away from him – where Jack could be right there in case he was needed. However, Jack had allowed Shawn to go with River to California during Spring Break and nothing had happened. Camp Millcreek was a lot closer than California.

"He'll have Ian and River both with him," Sam said, gently.

"I know."

Jack looked down at Jaffer, who had been stretched out by his desk until Sam had arrived. Then he'd moved over to say hi. The black lab would give Shawn an extra bit of protection – in the event something happened – but Jack didn't think he'd be on his best behavior for a week straight.

"Shawn's a good choice to go. He can keep Ian from losing his head."

"Most of the time," Sam agreed.

"When do they leave?"

"Camp starts Monday."

That would give Jack time enough to get used to the idea – although Sam knew Ian would need a lot longer.

"I'll call them and let them know they're going on vacation," he told her.

"I'll let General Hammond know Ian will have company."

She also had to go talk to Ian – who wasn't going to be happy – although she hoped he'd at least understand that she'd tried.

"Ask him to do me a favor," Jack said, shifting Jake, who had started to squirm. "Don't let him tell Ian this was my idea."

Sam smiled, standing up and reaching over to take the baby from him.

"I'll pass it on."

OOOOOOOOO

Author's note: If you look in Far Horizons, they actually did discuss Ian being a counselor… (just a little piece of trivia)