SECOND CHAPTER

The morning of the third day since Jack's request, Jack, Daniel, Teal'c, SG2 and SG9 which included one Samantha Carter all sat around 2 tables in the commissary discussing there next mission. They all were to go and help the Tokra for 2 weeks moving to another new planet as they had feared that there current one was exposed.

Jack not paying any attention to the conversation at all just playing with his oat meal failed to notice an airman standing beside him trying to get his attention. Daniel giving Jack a little jib with his elbow getting Jack's attention while he pointed to the young airman.

"Sorry Airman what can I do for you?"

"General Hammond would like to see you in his office straight away Sir!"

"Thank you" Jack replied getting up from his chair.

"Jack?" Daniel looking at him questionably.

"It's fine Daniel I know what it's about"

"And?"

"Bye Daniel, Guys" with that Jack turned on his heals and left, leaving questions on everyone minds.

"General you wanted to see me Sir"

"Take a seat Jack!"

Making sure no one heard this conversation sending the airmen further down the hall and closing the door behind him Jack took a seat opposite the General.

"I have received an answer from the Joint Chefs and The President. Your request has been accepted, they also agree with your recommendations to put Major Carter in command of SG1; despite the recent events they think she is the perfect person for it. Congratulations Jack you now are the Commander of the Beta Site!"

"Thank you Sir. I know you had a lot to do with this." Hammond giving a small smile.

"Well there are going to be a few changes to the next mission that SG1 is going out on tomorrow." "I will put Major Carter in charge of SG1!"

"Sir are you going to tell them that I am leaving?"

"No! I think that is your job Jack! Waiting for a response Hammond realised speaking to Jack in a low tone that spoke volumes "You're not going to tell them are you?"

"No Sir I think it is better this way!"

"I hope you are right son!" Hammond shaking his head continued

"Ok this is what we are doing you have 1 week as of today to do all the final paper for SG1 and organise everything you will need for your new position, then you have a week downtime to organise any personal matters. Is that enough time for you? You will be going to the Beta Site as soon as your back to start receiving your personal through the following day!"

"That is perfect Sir I will be here in 2 weeks ready and looking forward to it Sir!" Jack said in a cheerful tone.

Hammond smiled gave Jack a nod and said "Dismissed!"

As Jack was leaving he thanked the General one more time.

"SG1, 2 and 9 please take a seat!" Hammond said getting this briefing under way.

"Is Colonel O'Neill joining us Sir" everyone wanting to know where he was as no one had seen him since this morning when he was summoned off to the Generals office.

"No Doctor Jackson, Colonel O'Neill will not be going on this mission!"

"Sir?" Daniel questioned

"The Colonel has too much paperwork to be aloud off-world at this point, he has been given one week to complete all his paperwork and then he is taking one week personal leave. Now that you know what he is doing do you think we can start this meeting Doctor Jackson?" Hoping that would put a stop to all the questions.

Seeing that everyone at the table were all trying to hide a smile Hammond thought that worked well they all think I have grounded him for not doing his work. If only they new that he always had the report typed up on time but just handed it in late so that no one found out how smart this man really was and to annoy me.

Forcing his attention back to the briefing Hammond realised that none of the people before him will be here when Jack goes through, as this was a two week mission and they leave tomorrow that would bring them home a day after Jack has gone. After a long briefing Hammond Dismissed everyone heading to his office to take a break that was needed after what seemed to be along day.

"Well that was interesting. Congratulation Sam, you get to order Teal'c & I around for the next 2 weeks." Daniel teased.

Sam just gave a small giggle and kept walking "Whose hungry I am going to the Commissary?" Looking around seeing all the nods and Yes Sir's as they all smiled everyone had noticed since Jack wasn't around for the meeting and wont be coming on the 2 week long mission, Sam's mood had gone from solitude and quiet to happy and joining in the conversation. Teal'c feeling that there is more to O'Neill not coming along to the Tokra home world decided to go and see him. "I will not Major Carter I'm going to see Colonel O'Neill." With that Teal'c turned and walked down the corridor towards O'Neill's office. Everyone else was heading for the Commissary knowing that this afternoon they all had to get geared up as they were heading out at 0600 hours.

Teal'c knocked and opened the office door not waiting for a reply. Entering he noticed Jack's desk was full off files. "O'Neill I do not believe you are grounded for not doing your required paperwork and that this is extra paperwork." Smiling, Jack looked at his friend knowing that he could not fool him.

"Take a seat!" Doing so Teal'c new there was more.

"Teal'c what I'm about to tell you does not to leave this office! Understand?"

Replying "Indeed"

"I am leaving! Not the SGC just Earth, I'm the new CO of the Beta Site."

"I will be reporting to Hammond every week by transfer but only coming back to earth every six months to report to the President."

"Why have you not informed us of your decision O'Neill?"

"Cause it's easier to go this way!"

"Are Major Carter and Daniel Jackson not your friends and deserve the right to be told you are leaving?"

"Yes Daniel is my friend and he will understand." Getting frustrated with the conversation "Major Carter and I are no longer friends Teal'c and never will be again!

"I believe this to be untrue O'Neill"

"Sorry Teal'c but I have a lot of work to do." With that Jack gave a wave as a dismissed gesture.

Getting up from the seat Teal'c looked at O'Neill.

"It was an honour O'Neill, you will be missed!" leaving Jacks office heading for the commissary to join the rest of his team.

Arriving at the Commissary Teal'c grabbed a plate of fruit and took a seat next to Daniel.

"How is he?" "O'Neill is well Daniel Jackson!" "That's not what I meant Teal'c!"

Teal'c only reply was "Indeed" Everyone looked at him knowing this is Teal'c way of saying something is up and that he knows what it is.

"Well are you going to tell us?" Daniel looked at him curiously

"It is not my place to say!" was the answer returned.

Daniel gave up knowing Teal'c, he would get nothing.

Vowing that he would go and see Jack before he left in the morning for their mission.

Daniel looked at Sam with a questioning eyes and only getting a shrug as she looked at her now empty plate.

As it turned out Jack wasn't on base that afternoon he had been called over to the training camp for SGC personnel and Daniel had missed him. Daniel rang Jack on his mobile but Jack had said he was busy and would talk to him when Daniel gets back from the mission. Accepting this for now Daniel had no clue that Jack wouldn't be here when they got back.

Beta Site was one of the biggest secrets around at the moment no knew about it. The only people that knew were the ones that were going to go there. It was kept quiet due to the politics that surround another site running off world. Jack and his new staff were due to leave in 14 days. Not even the team leaders that were going to lose one of there members new.

Sam had been worried since Teal'c and Daniel's conversation. What is he up to, he never missed a mission and General Hammond has never grounded anyone other than medical reasons. What if Jack is sick? No he would see Janet and she would tell Daniel or me. Not going to find out any time before the mission she promised that when she gets back she would corner him till they talk every thing out and were friends again. She was still glad that he wasn't going on the mission with them because she didn't want this tension to interfere with the job, and there talk would have to be out of the mountain and somewhere they could talk openly. If she could get him to talk at all! She mused. Sighing she headed towards her quarters to get some sleep before they left at 0600, she hated early starts.

As the Walter announced over the PA "Chevron Seven locked" and a big "Kawoosh" as the gate came to life. Hammond said "SG1, 2 and 9 you have a go and god speed" Sam turned "Thank you Sir" Looking up at the control room noticing Jack standing there watching them leave. They locked eyes for a moment and as Sam gave him a small smile trying to tell him that they would be ok he turned and walked away with the military face that he had perfected over the years, hiding all emotion.

Jack headed up to the briefing room to watch as she stepped through he didn't mean to get caught watching her but he could do nothing about it now. This was his last chance to look at her. He loved her with all of his heart and with resent events his heart now broken into a thousand pieces.

The next week went fast he had completed all the final arrangements for the Beta Site now all he had to do was the personal stuff. Heading out for his week leave he ran into Janet at the elevators. "Heading off Doc" Smiling Janet looked at Jack and sore that he too was warn out. "Are you ok Sir?" "Yeah I was wondering if Cassie is free to spend a couple of days with me, maybe later in the week. I know she is in school but I could do with some company. I'm going to my cabin day after tomorrow for 3 days I would love for her to come?" "I will ask her Colonel I'm sure anything to get out of school." They both started to laugh as the elevator came to a halt. Both walking to there respected cars Janet called out "I will get her to call you tonight, if that's ok?" "Yeah I will be home!" With that Jack opened his truck and started to head home, he had started to pack his things already so there wasn't much more to do other than put it on the market, once everything was put in storage. He had selected what he wanted to take with him and most of it was in his base quarters. Jack had spoken to Sara and asked if she wanted anything but she declined saying that she had everything, they had talked for hours that night and Jack had told her about Sam, he asked her to look after the sale of his house and what he wanted to do with the money. He already lined up someone to buy his truck and motorbike so all that left was the Cabin which is why he was going up there. Janet had rung that night saying Cassie would love to go and organised anything that she would need while she there.

Jack had picked Cassie up at 0400 and where now driving along the highway. Cassie had slept till well pass 0900 and was not putting her favourite CD in the player. Lucky for Jack it had been a band called Matchbox 20 which were pretty good. Cassie told him all about the latest gossip at school and her new wonderful boyfriend.

By 4 in the afternoon they had talk, well truth be told Cassie had talked all the way about everything going on in her life, now it was Jacks turn. "Cassie? Lets get all the stuff inside then I will take you for a tour and cook up a couple of steaks! Sound good?" "Yeah sounds great" Cassie so excited running off like she used to when she first came to earth.

"Now that is done lets go for a walk around the lake!"

"Sure" as they started to walk Jack started to tell Cassie all the interesting stuff.

"Cass I'm not good at this but I'm going to try ok? I am I think of you as my daughter the one I never had! And this is harder than I thought!"

"What's going on?"

"I'm leaving earth! I got a promotion; I'm going to be in charge of another site, on another planet!"

Cassie stopping with her jaw wide open tears starting to form "You can't go!"

"I have to Cass it's for the best, I want you to have this place. If you don't want it you can sell it I can give you some names of some people who will help you find a buyer."

"Jack I don't want you to go why is it because Sam's marrying Pete"

"No Cassie it's not but it is because of my feelings for Sam, we can't do it anymore both of us!"

"Do they know you are going does mum know?"

"No and I'm not going to see them before I leave now!"

"When are you going?"

"As soon as we go back!"

"I want to keep it. I like what I see so far! But I don't think I will be fishing maybe swimming but no fishing!" both bursting into laughter Jack grabbed Cassie and gave her a big hug.

"I love you as my own daughter and I am very proud of you!"

Bursting into tears again Cassie said "I love you too and I'm going to miss you."

Moving from their position they walked around the rest of the lake and cocked up those steaks Jack had been talking about.

Over the next couple of days they talked played around have water fights swimming Jack even got some fishing in. But most of all Jack told Cassie all about the cabin and its importance to his family.

Arriving back home both sitting in his truck out the front of Janet's place, knowing that this is the last time they will see each other for a very long time. They hugged saying their goodbyes. Jack had asked that Cassie kept it to her self till after tomorrow. She agreed not liking it but agreed.

As Jack had already put his house on the market so his last night on earth he was staying on the base.

By 0600 the next morning it had gone around the base that Colonel O'Neill was leaving, the Beta Site was not a secret anymore. Everyone was giving him their best, good luck's and it was an honour Sir as he was walking into the infirmary to get his last physical all the nurses cleared the room. Obversely Doc knows he sighed knowing this was going to be painful, when Doc was angry with you she bought out the big needles.

"I can't believe you are leaving without saying goodbye." Was Janet's first comment

"Doc you know why I can't! And don't blame Cassie I made her promises?"

"Cassie knows?" Janet looked in a state of shock!

"I guess Cassie didn't tell you then?"

"No! It was one of the nurses!" she replied. Realising Cassie new

"That's why you took Cassie up to the cabin to say goodbye?"

"Yeah and give it to her!"

"What?"

"I gave Cassie the land and Cabin! I have organised a guy to up kept the place and it is all paid for!"

"I have also told Sara to give the rest of the money from the sale of the house to Cassie for you to put into a trust fund for her!"

"Jack you can't!" Janet yelled in total shock
"Yes I can she is like a daughter to me and I have no one else to give it to!"

Janet and Jack discussed a lot of things over the next half an hour as she was doing the physical.

When Janet had finished she looked Jack in the eyes with a sad expression.

"We are going to miss you Jack!"

"Are you ever going to come back?"

"I have to report to the President every 6 months, so six months it is!" smiling at Janet

"Surprisingly I'm going' to miss ya Doc!" pulling her in for a hug embracing as friends.

Letting her go he headed to the lockers to get ready.

Walking into the gate room in full dress blues, it looked like every person on this base was in the gate and control rooms. Janet noticed that Jack had a star on his uniform. He had been promoted to Brigadier General. As Jack walked to the base of the ramp where Janet and the rest had lined up. He had to walk past everyone to get to this point as he past each SGC member they saluted him with respect that Jack thought he didn't deserve. There was not much room in the gate room from the personnel that were going through with him and the ones that were saying goodbye.

Walter announcing over the PA each Chevron as it locked, as the gate came to life Jack turned around to watch it, it was his favourite part, other than stepping through it. General Hammond walked up to Jack and held out his hand. "Good luck son and God speed" "Thank you and I will have my report done in seven day Sir" Jack said smirking as he saluted the General returning the gestor Hammond saluted thinking that man will never change!

General O'Neill turned to his personnel addressing them "Beta Site Personnel move out turning around Jack put his sun glasses on "see ya later Doc" Janet shaking her head "Yeah see ya Jack!" Looking over his shoulder at Janet he smirked as he walked through the event horizon. With that Jack O'Neill was gone. Leaving his best friends and the woman he loved behind and they didn't even know!

Guess they will find out soon enough! Janet mused heading back to the infirmary. She was going to kill Cassie for not telling her.

END OF SECOND CHAPTER