The 4 members of Stargate Commands front line team each took their seats at the SGC Briefing room table right on time. On the left hand side was Lt Colonel Mitchell who even though the most senior and the commander of this elite team, was also the newest member.

To his right, sat his 2IC, Lt Colonel Samantha Carter. Although previously the leader of SG-1,Carter had only recently returned from a 5 month stint at the pentagon heading up a new research team for the development of Prometheus II. If she was honest with herself though the real reason behind the transfer was the personal losses she had suffered just prior to the position becoming "conveniently available", her father's passing and the moving onwards and upwards of a particular Colonel left her questioning the real reasons she was in this job in the first place..

On the opposite side of the table sat her two best friends, Dr Daniel Jackson, her rock, her lifeline and the only man who seemed to be a constant in her life, and Teal'c who although he didn't say very much would always be there for her no matter what…

"Goodmorning SG-1" The newly appointed General of the SGC strolled towards the table but did not sit down. "You are probably curious to know why I have called this briefing so early on a Friday, Well… Your mission to P4C-978 has been cancelled for today you are officially on standown for the next week"

"Sir.. Can I ask why?" Mitchell asked.

"Well, we have a visitor arriving…. (Looking at his watch) any minute now actually, and he has an important announcement to make that will hopefully answer that question for all of us."

As if on queue the briefing room door opened and Walter announced the arrival of this "visitor".

"Sorry to interrupt Sir, but the General has arrived"

"Show him in, thank you Walter"and hemoved towards the door to greet the guest.

Carter held her breath as the all too familiar figure strolled in through the door. Dressed in his dress Blues and removing his hat as he walked towards the table was General Jack O'Neill.

"Good morning Kids" came the familiar phrase as O'Neill glanced at each of the wide eyed, opened mouthed people at the table. "Great to be back".

"It is good to see you well O'Neill, it has been many months" Teal'c unusually was the first to speak.

"Good to see you Jack" commented Daniel as he stood and shook the hand of his best friend.

Still sitting at the table and only justrealising she was still holding her breath Carter looked at Jack. As she did, he caught her eye.

"Carter?"

"It's good to see you sir" She remained seated

"Likewise" he commented.

O'Neill spent a moment longer looking at the face of his old 2IC, "She looks tired" he thought to himself "But as beautiful as I remember… Jeez Jack, it's only been 5 months…. Yeah 5 months too long…"

"General" Mitchell stood interrupting Jack's train of thought. "Good to see you"

"Taking care of my team I hope"

"Well we're all still here"

"Glad to see that"

General Landry put an end to the small talk eagerly wanting to know why the Head of Homeworld Security had said he urgently needed to speak to him and the members of SG-1 and had requested that they were put on standown for the next week..

"So General, would you like to sit down and tell us why you are here"

O'Neill moved around to the other end of the table but remained standing with his hands gripping the back of the black leather chair. As he moved, the men standing all retook their seats..

"Well…" O'Neill spoke "As you may or may not be aware this weekend marks the 10th anniversary of the Stargate Program"

All eyes were on O'Neill..

"I know I know…." he continued "Hard to believe we have been at it this long.. Well, in order to commemorate the 10th anniversary, The President has decided to invite you all to a celebrator bash at the Whitehouse this weekend, Saturday night to be exact"

Shaking herself out of her daydream, Carter spoke up. "Sir, that seems a bit unusual, I mean why now? The president could have invited us years ago to the White House, I thought the whole idea was to keep us hidden away down here, not go throwing a huge party in our honour?"

Jack was completely taken by surprise by her reaction. Can this be the same woman that he left only 5 months ago. That Sam Carter would never have said that the idea was to keep them hidden and even if it was, she had never expressed her disliking of it to anyone.

"Well Carter, I can't speak for the President, but I don't think he was planning on hiding you forever, nor the Stargate Program, and anyway that's not what this dinner is all about, it is to thank you all, actually "US" all for saving the world…What at least 100, maybe 200 times over…"

"Yes Sir" Carter continued to look down at the table afraid to look at the man who 5 months ago broke her heart when he left the Stargate Program to become Head of Homeworld Security. The man who she had loved for over 5 years, ok 8 if she was being completely honest, and he just up and walked out of her life with giving her so much as a second thought.

Daniel, sensing the tension between the two spoke up "Well I for one am looking forward to it, When do we leave Jack"

"As soon as you are ready Daniel, there is a plane ready to take us all back at 2000 tonight"

Standing, General Lamley brought an end to the so called briefing "Well, there you have it, thank you for coming down and telling us all personally General, I am sure the team here are going to have a wonderful time.

"Are you not coming General Landry" Teal'c raising an eyebrow asked.

"Ah no, unfortunately not Teal's I am needed here, I have 12 teams off-world at present and plus, I have only been here for a couple of months, but you should all go, you are all on downtime, have a wonderful time SG-1 and I will see you all back here bright and early on Monday morning… Dismissed"

All parties at the table stood as Landry headed towards the door.

Mitchell walked after him "Ah General, can I have a word in private" with that, the two newest members of the SGC left the room, leaving the 4 original team members standing around the table.

"So Jack.. How's life in Washington" Daniel asked..

"Good Daniel, full of paperwork, you know how it is, what about here, everything going ok"

"Well Sir, you should know, don't you read all of our mission reports" Carter now feeling more relaxed addressed her former CO.

"Yes Carter… I was just making conversation" Jack was quick to point out. "Well, you should all go home and pack I guess… and that means go home Carter, not stay here for another few hours and then head home…"

Managing a small smile and remembering the way Jack use to tease her about not having a life and working too hard she looked at the men standing around her "Yes Sir, see you tonight" and left the room.

"I too have much to do, I will see you this evening O'Neill" Teal'c nodded and followed in Carter's footsteps.

"Ya know Jack…" Daniel started bring Jack's attention back to the room. "Sam hasn't been the same since you left, I mean you thought she worked long hours before, you should see her now, she never goes home, she's constantly in her lab working on something that doesn't really require her 24 hour attention…. She….."

"I know Daniel, I know.." O'Neill looking back towards the door whispered quietly, not so much to Daniel than to himself…