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Anyways, hope you like this chapter! It's unbeta'd but if WarmTea has time, I'll ask her to do it... she's going on a trip, lucky girl!
Sam collapsed into the booth at O'Malley's and sighed.
"I want to elope."
Jack, carefully as he wasn't sure how Jacob would take it, placed an arm around her shoulder. "It'll get better... trust me."
"Better?" She said incredulously. "We've been shopping for the past ten hours and the only thing we have so far is decorations!"
"Daniel and I have tuxes," Jack reminded her. "And Teal'c and your dad's will be here in a week."
"Who's going to be your best man Jack?" Jacob questioned.
The Colonel hesitated. "I haven't decided."
"Sam?" Her father asked. "Maid of honor? Bridesmaids?"
She shrugged. "Janet, Cassie..." The Major trailed off. "I can't... think of anyone else." She said slowly.
"Hailey," Jack suggested. "She'd love too."
Sam nodded. "Yeah, thanks."
"Where you going to have this wedding?"
Daniel swallowed his food. "We could have it in..." He trailed off. "Oh, I don't know."
"Is not the infirmary the most logical choice?" Teal'c asked. "It is the largest room in the SGC."
Sam looked thoughtful. "You're right Teal'c..."
Jack shrugged when she gave him a questioning glance. "I don't care, honest Carter."
"It is settled then," Selmak said. They must have looked puzzled about the switch of 'hosts' because the Tok'ra offered: "My host was momentarily overcome with emotion-"
Jacob bowed his head hastily and a second later spoke. "I was not overcome with emotion- the whole thing was Selmak's imagination."
Carter covered a grin. "Of course dad."
The five continued to talk amongst themselves while they ate. Carter was exhausted- Shopping from 9-7 had that effect. And she only had about 20 days left.
She suddenly felt very tired.
Å
After they got back, they talked to Janet about being able to use the infirmary for the wedding.
After much discussion, it was decided the infirmary could comfortably hold 200 people, maybe 250.
And since they were only going to have SGC personnel, the President and his bodyguards, and a few other friends, it would be plenty of room.
Right?
Sam began drawing up a guest list while Jack decided between Daniel and Teal'c for best man.
Teal'c won because Jack was secretly afraid the absent minded archeologist would lose the ring.
Not that he would tell anyone that.
Daniel wasn't bothered by the decision. He understood that Jack wanted Teal'c to feel involved in the wedding… plus, after finding out that Janet wasn't to be the maid of honor but Cassie (the good doctor's idea), he was rather pleased. After all, who wouldn't be thrilled to spend a few hours with the pretty doctor?
Sam wrote the names everyone she could think of that would attend the wedding then left it on the desk so Jack could add his names to it. She said good night to her dad and fiancée and then 'hit the hay', unaware tomorrow would be a busyday.
For everyone.
Å
General Hammond stopped the commissary that night before going to bed and left some orders with the staff.
They had an important guest coming!
Å
Samantha Carter woke up for the second day in the row with a man on her bed.
Only it was her father this time.
The Tok'ra looked a little awkward. "Morning Sam."
She blinked. "Dad?" She yawned. "What time is it?"
"7:30."
She rubbed her eyes, a childish gesture that made Jacob smile. "What are you doing here?"
He shifted slightly. "Selmak wanted to tell you that she was really proud of you."
She raised an eyebrow. "Selmak?"
"Okay, I did." He admitted. "I know I haven't said this as often as I should but… I'm really proud of you Sam."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I know I haven't been the best of father's-"
"Dad, you've been great-"
"No, listen to me.'
She shrugged, too tired to argue.
"I love you Samantha… and I'm proud of you… I'm happy for you… I'm just…" The Tok'ra cleared his throat.
Sam took pity on her father and yawned. "Okay, dad. I love you too."
He beamed.
"Can I finish sleeping though?"
He nodded, looking relieved. "Yes, I'll just… leave."
She waited until the door closed to let her head drop back on the pillow.
Å
Jack surveyed the kitchen staff. They were scurrying around frantically, wiping tables, sweeping floors… the smell of goodies could be smelt throughout the entire floor.
"Is it just me," He began conversationally. "Or is something up?"
"The sky O'Neill."
Jack stared at him. "Was that a joke T?"
The Jaffa inclined his head. "Cassandra Fraiser insists it is the proper way to greet someone who asks you that."
"Well, good for you."
"Thank you O'Neill. I concur that an unusual event is taking place today."
"What do you think it is?"
"Perhaps Senator Kinsey will come to see the new commander of SG-1."
Jack shuddered. "Don't ruin my day."
Teal'c inclined his head again. Jack debated scaring the staff into telling him but decided against him. "So, whatcha wearing to this thing?"
"What I usually wear to such occasions."
Jack nodded. "I s'pose I have to wear my blues…" He said glumly. "Peachy."
"You are longer part of your goverment... why must you continue to wear their uniform?"
"I don't have anything else," He complained.
Teal'c ignored him as he finished his waffle. A minute later, he stood up, bowed and departed- presumably for Daniel's lab as he carried a large mug of steaming hot coffee. Jack, bored, decided he might as well go along.
It didn't look like the archeologist had gone to bed. He was wearing the same clothes- albeit more rumpled- and he had a glassy look in his eyes.
"Daniel Jackson, I have brought you more of your caffeinated bever-"
The archeologist snatched it, mumbled a 'thank-you' and went back to work on the tablet he had been translating since 12:12 A.M that morning.
"Have you slept?" Jack demanded.
The archeologist nodded vaguely. "Crashed for an hour then a fax came- this tablet is thousands of years old," He began, warming up on his subject. "These aliens were extremely primitive but yet they had an amazing-"
"Don't care," Jack said firmly. "Drink your coffee."
He frowned but sipped the dark brew again. "So, what are you guys doing?"
The ex-Colonel shrugged. "Just waiting around until such time as the new commander of SG-1 gets promoted."
Daniel looked up at that (his focus had wandered back to the tablet). "I forgot about that! Who do you think it'll be?"
"Reynolds most likely," Jack muttered. "I was going to suggest Carter but… Hammond was busy."
Teal'c lifted an eyebrow but remained silent.
Daniel looked thoughtful then gave a small shrug. "Gotta find something to wear…"
"Whatcha gonna wear?" He asked (More out of boredom then curiosity.)
"Nothing," the archeologist muttered absently.
"Eww… not again…"
Daniel raised his head. "Huh?"
Å
Carter barely registered her door opening and groaned loudly.
"This is looking so wrong," She muttered. "How on earth do people have so many keys for my room?"
"'Cause half the base fantasies over you," Jack said only half joking. "Coffee?"
She rolled over. "Yes!"
Jack shook his head with mock dismay as the astrophysicist gulped the coffee down. "That's disturbing."
She handed him the half empty cup. "Thanks sir… I need to get dressed…"
"Go ahead."
"Sir!"
"I'm kidding!" He said with a pout. "Really."
She looked pointedly at the door. He grumbled something and turned to leave.
"Wait!"
He thought maybe she was relenting until she took the mug away. "Thanks sir."
He grumbled again and left the room.
Å
On the surface, three limos entered Cheyenne Mountain.
Å
Carter smoothed the blue skirt and ran a comb through her hair.
Honestly, she had half hoped that she would get the command of her team. She had forced herself to remember when Colonel left after the Tollan incident and Colonel Makepeace had been sent to SG-1. Major was a far cry from Colonel… even Lieutenant Colonel.
She sighed and checked her watch. They would meet the new commander in an hour and three minutes.
"Peachy."
Å
General Hammond shook the hand the man offered warmly. "It's good to see you Mr. President," He said warmly.
"It's good to be George," The President said warmly. "It's been a while."
"Yes it has. Will you come this way?"
He nodded and trailed after the General, Secret Service agents following closely behind.
Å
"Will all SGC personnel please assemble in the embarkation room? Will all personnel…"
Sam looked up from her toast. "Must be time."
Daniel nodded, swallowing the last of his sausage. "Yeah."
"Ready campers?" Jack called from the double doors.
Teal'c inclined his head and the four walked through the doors. In the elevator, they speculated on who the person might be. Teal'c didn't say anything, which convinced them that he knew who the person was but the Jaffa refused to say anything.
The elevator let them off at the 27th floor and they walked the other flight.
The embarkation room was packed- not unusual on such occasions but what they weren't expecting to see was the President of the United States of America standing there.
"What's he doing?" Jack whispered to his fiancée. She shrugged and followed him to the foot of the ramp, which was decorated with red, white, and blue bunting.
The rest of the personnel hurried in then silence fell. The entire room was surprised by the sudden visit of the President.
General Hammond stepped up to the podium and cleared his throat. "You have fought with valor and courage, sacrificed for each other, for this country and for this planet. To honor the men and women of the SGC, I present to you… the President of the United States of America."
The President stepped forward. "Welcome everyone… I just wanted to say… well, words aren't enough to express our gratitude for everything you do everyday. You risk your lives every day in a way more dangerous and fantastic than any of us could have ever dreamed. Understand that I represent every person of this great nation when I salute your ongoing heroic spirit. You should be proud."
General Hammond smiled. "Before we finish today I have one other bit of business. Please come to attention."
He was instantly obeyed.
"From the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force in recognition of Major Samantha Carter's outstanding work, I hereby authorize her immediate promotion the rank of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Major, step forward."
Sam exchanged incredulous glances with her former CO. He smiled and nudged her. She started up the ramp and noticed that her father was on the ramp too, dressed in his former Air Force uniform. She gave him a wide smile and he gave her a small nod.
"The United States Air Force recognizes that you have fulfilled tasks and duties beyond the responsibility of Major," the General continued as he removed the golden oak leaves and placed them on the podium. Jacob stepped forward and both General's attached the new silver ones. "It is with great pleasure that I bestow upon you the responsibilities, the respect and the rank of Lieutenant Colonel." He finished warmly.
Carter was still shocked but managed to salute him. "Thank you sir," She half whispered before turning to her father. He squeezed her shoulder. She stifled the desire to giggle and walked back to her place, a wide smile on her face.
"In closing, Colonel Carter's former supervisor, Colonel Jack O'Neill would like to say a few words."
"I do?"
General Hammond gave him a meaningful look. Jack nodded and stepped up to the podium.
"As most of you know… I've retired." He said looking at the lines of people. "I just wanted to say… I'm proud to have served with each and everyone of you."
Felger perked up.
"And… I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I am engaged to Colonel Carter and invite you all to our wedding."
As one, the room rang with applause.
General Hammond joined in and said over the applause."May I present to you the new leader of SG-1… Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter!"
I wasn't sure exactly what to say for the ceremony- they have two in the history of Stargate- one in Fair Game and yet again in New Order Part 2… sorry if this is inaccurate. I got the medals from an Air Force pay site... I hope it is correct as well.
(Reviewers laugh.)
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and…
PLEASE review!