Author's Note: Thanks to everyone for the lovely reviews. I hope you continue to enjoy the fic as it unfolds. Pleae keep those cards and letters coming. Now, on with the real reason you're reading this. :-)

Title: The Embassy

Disclaimers in Part 1

Part 5

Week 14 Day 1

JACK

Sam and SG-1 had left as soon as Moreen was up to the walk back to Hawai'iki City again. This time, not even throwing myself into my work wasn't enough to ease the ache of missing her. I counted every day, hour and minute until her next downtime.

In a way, it was good Sam spent her first day with Janet and Cassie. It was Saturday and I needed the time to prepare for our trip. My work was getting more and more demanding as we interviewed, analyzed, reviewed and summarized each candidate.

With each passing day, our excitement grew ever so slightly. I hoped the reality was half as good as we imagined. Some of the candidates the team immediately discarded due to an inability or unwillingness to spend long periods of time away from home. A few we dropped from contention for gross attitude problems – arrogance, extreme shyness, lack of self-confidence. Gradually, the list was down to 20 trainees, the final cut before classes started. The letters to the students notifying them of their acceptance went out.

Two days before our vacation was due to start General Hammond came to my new office with a request, almost a favor.

"Colonel, how goes the selection process?" He appeared nervous, yet angry. It was unusual for the general to come to me like that.

"Fine, sir. We made the final cut and I was just about to send you the list for your approval." I picked through the papers on my desk to find a copy to hand him. He glanced quickly through the roll and frowned slightly.

"Sir, anything wrong with our selections?"

"No, Jack, they're very good. I'm impressed," he assured me.

"But there's still something wrong, isn't there?"

Now, the anger was gaining ground on the nerves. "Yes. For one of the few times in my career I have to ask one of my people to do something I know to be wrong."

"I assume I'm the people, General." This was so not sounding good.

He nodded. "This morning I received a call from, shall we say, an extremely highly placed member of the government asking a favor from me. Despite considerable resistance, I have agreed to accept a candidate into the program who is not on your final list and, frankly, does not deserve to be there. The requestor assured me the favor would be quite advantageous to the United States, the Air Force and the future of the SGC."

"Who would this candidate be, sir?" I thought back through the names of those we'd left off the final list.

"First Lieutenant Nicholas Sweers. His father is an extremely powerful businessman who has favors he can call in from all over the government. This deal apparently squares most of them. He somehow found out the contents of the final list and started applying pressure." His disgust was evident as he spat the last few words.

"Uh, sir, if he washes out, are we allowed to drop him from the program?"

"The cause of expulsion would have to be pretty bad, Jack."

I grimaced. "Oh," was all I could think of to say.

SAM

I had a whole nine days of downtime stretching in front of me. I'd promised a day to Janet and Cassie. The rest was just for Jack and me. I loved the idea of going to his cabin and had told him so in my letters. We were getting pretty good at this snail mail thing. Despite the delay between writing a letter and receiving an answer, there was a certain sense of anticipation that simply wasn't there with email.

Moreen walked up to the DHD and dialed Earth, and then Alice sent the IDC. The door was open; all we had to do was take that first step.

"After you, ladies," I instructed. Dutifully, they passed through the event horizon and I followed, anxious to get home. Jack and I had agreed he wouldn't meet me at the gate. I'd spend that day and night with Janet and Cassie, then come to his house. It was easier that way. No saying hello just to say goodbye.

My day with the Fraisers was wonderful. Cassie had the day off from school, so we had a picnic in the park. Her dog, the same one Jack gave her so long ago, frolicked as actively as he could at his age, chasing his best friend around the park. Jack would have loved to see it.

In the afternoon, we went to a new movie they wanted to see. I was so far removed from life here that I gladly followed their lead. Doctor Fraiser was absent, replaced by my friend, Janet, that night. We ate only things that were bad for us and stayed up late, just the three of us.

Cassie finally left for bed around 0200, exhausted after a tough week at school. Janet settled back on her family room couch, a glass of wine in her hands.

"Looking forward to your week with the colonel?"

"What do you think?" I grinned at her.

"I kinda think, yeah, you are." She sipped from her glass and still managed to smirk back.

"You're right; you know me too well. You know, I'd better call a taxi now if he and I are leaving for Minnesota before dawn." I stood, stretched and reached for the phone. Arranging a taxi took only a moment, so I sat next to my best friend and leaned my head on her shoulder. Her arm slipped around my shoulders in a gentle hug.

"You know we really miss you since you came back to Earth, Janet. Are you still taking the transfer?" I raised my face to see her expression.

"Yes, I'm still moving to Hawai'iki. It's an opportunity, on several levels, that I don't want to pass up." My friend had the softest smile and most faraway look in her eyes.

"I'm really glad, Janet." I giggled, thinking of the trouble we could get into together. I glanced sidelong at her and just knew she was thinking the exact same thing.

The taxi was there in no time, so we said our farewells. I woke Cassie for a goodbye hug and hurried to the taxi. The ride to Jack's house was mercifully short.

"Just drop me off at the end of the driveway. I don't want to wake my friend up," I instructed the cabbie as I paid the fare.

My key slipped into the lock and I was inside. I set my two small bags to the side by his, ready for our trip. There was enough moonlight in the early morning to show me the way up the hall to his bedroom. There was still plenty of time before we had to leave, so I slipped out of my outer clothes, preparing to lie down next to him.

"Don't stop undressing on my account, whoever you are." There was a smile in his voice, despite the words.

"Obviously, my sneaking skills need some sharpening. And you might want to consider some glasses if you can't recognize me in this light, Jack." Two steps and I stood at the end of the bed. Crawling up to his side took only the matter of a second and I stretched out next to him.

"Sure, make fun of the elderly."

"I don't know, Colonel. You're looking pretty fine for someone who's supposedly aged." I drew my hand from his thigh to up his flat abdomen. "Care to show me how much you missed me?"

Waking up next to Jack again was wonderful. His strong arms held me tightly against his lean, hard body, and if I hadn't stopped thinking along those lines, we'd never have made it to the lake cabin. My couple of hours sleep wouldn't last me the whole day, but I had hours in the truck to catch up.

By 0600, we left his house, heading east. Jack drove for four hours before stopping, then I took over the driving. Trading places every few hours, the trip took less time than we thought it would, but still got us there in the early morning hours of the following day. Jack pulled the truck into a barely visible lane where protruding branches whipped constantly against the windshield. Suddenly, we pulled out into an open area before a small log cabin illuminated by the headlights.

"All out. Time to unload the supplies, Colonel," he barked, grinning.

"Yes, sir." I gave him my best good little soldier response. Within twenty minutes, everything was in the cabin and we started putting stuff away in the pocket-sized kitchen. While I finished the unpacking, Jack hauled wood in and stacked it neatly by the potbellied wood stove that looked to be the only source of heat. The early morning temperature was cool enough to warrant a fire.

The two of us snuggled on the ancient sofa in front of the stove, watching the merry blaze through the smoke-stained window, merely happy to be together again. The next thing I knew, the smell of coffee and bacon woke me.

JACK

"Hey, gorgeous, this is getting to be a habit between us," I called from the stove over to where Sam leaned on the back of the sofa, long graceful legs going on forever. God, she was beautiful.

"Works for me, Jack. I could get used to sleeping late and having a scantily clad hunk wait on me hand and foot." She smirked at my get up – a faded pair of boxers and an apron that read, "Kiss the Cook."

"Look who's talking about partially clothed, madam." I smirked back and she looked down at herself.

"What? You don't like crop tops and thong undies, Jack?"

"Oh, I like it a lot. Kind of reminds me of a time in the locker room …" I snickered, thinking of the first time she kissed me.

"Jack! Don't even think of going there." Her glower told me she obviously didn't need any reminders of her assault on a superior officer, Touched Virus or not.

I chuckled again and pointed to her left. "The shower's in there. It's pretty primitive, but much better than we had in the field. Breakfast is ready now. We can flip afterward for the first, and only, warm shower."

She insisted on cleaning up after breakfast, so I slipped into the bathroom for the warm shower I'd won in the toss. Making it as short as possible, I was done before the dishes were. While she showered, I gathered my fishing gear and loaded up a cooler.

"What's the agenda for today, Jack?" she asked as she came out of the tiny bathroom wearing shorts and a sweatshirt above sandals - with those incredible legs in between.

"You're looking at it." I held out the fishing rod, reminding myself that we had a whole week yet and I didn't need to jump her every time I looked at her. Her expression was tentative and she bit her lower lip.

"Will you be offended if I read instead of fished?"

"Nope. This is a vacation, not a mission. The only objective is to relax and enjoy being together."

"I think I can manage that." She walked across the living area to hug me and place a light kiss on the tip of my nose. The day was starting out very well.

SAM

I hoped Jack wasn't too bored just sitting on the end of his dock holding a fishing rod. By the time the mosquitoes drove us inside at dusk, I'd finished three professional papers that had been on my "To Read" list for months. I could have gotten used to this leisure thing.

"What's for dinner, Jack?" I walked to the only electrical appliance in the place, the small refrigerator powered by a small portable generator.

"Steak, baked potatoes, corn on the cob and salad. Simple fare, but filling," he answered from the stove he was stoking,

We set to the task of making dinner. I did the prep work and he cooked. This set the pattern we followed each meal for the week at the cabin. Days we fished, read, took walks hand-in-hand along the lakeshore or drove into town. Nights we talked by the fire and made love in the warmth of the double bed. Now I knew why he came here. I hoped we could come here as often as our schedules allowed.

"Time to go home, sweetheart." Jack stood by his truck. We were packed and loaded. The cabin was clean and we took everything perishable with us.

I looked wistfully back at the cabin and turned to face him. "Yeah, but we can come back, right?"

"Any time you want, Sam. Any time you want." He smiled reassuringly at me and I climbed into the cab beside him for the trip to Colorado.

Week 16 Day 1

JACK

"Welcome to the SGC, ladies and gentlemen. Your class designation is TG-1," I opened my speech to the very first training group. "Each of your instructors, plus Master Sergeant Maser and General Hammond will give their part of the orientation, which is slated to last all week. Tomorrow, you'll get a tour of the SGC, at least the parts that aren't too highly classified for your current security rating. For some of you that rating will change over the next 12 weeks." The implication was that the others would no longer be with the program. Some of those who washed out of the SG team training would take jobs at the SGC. As little as possible of our efforts would go to waste.

We'd made sure to schedule the gate room tour for when a team was due back. The more skeptical of them were finally convinced it was all real by the sight of the gate "flushing sideways." One student, however, remained stubbornly unimpressed by anything.

Lieutenant Sweers' studied expression of boredom persisted throughout the orientation and tour. I kept an eye on him during the Stargate demonstration. There was a hint of a flinch when the gate opened. For just a moment, his face lit up with an expression of greed, a longing for something beyond his experience. I wasn't sure whether to be reassured by the fact that he could still be moved or worried that his reaction was so negative. He was one to watch.

On the other end of the spectrum, Staff Sergeant Marie Jameson's cheeks glowed and her eyes lit up with joy and a deep curiosity as soon as the vortex erupted from the gate toward her. She was another one to watch, for very different reasons.

The orientation continued and classes started the following week. They had a lot to learn in the next three months, but would be infinitely better prepared for their jobs than we were. I only hoped it would help keep them alive.

JANET

This trip, I waited for my escort before leaving for Hawai'iki. "You and your men are a welcome sight, Lieutenant Moore."

"Yes, ma'am, you're a pretty welcome sight, too. We certainly appreciate you spendin' time at the embassy. It isn't quite the same without havin' a doctor there when you need one."

"I'll try to remember that when you all start coming in with blisters and skinned knees." I grinned to take the sting out of my words. I really did like these men. They worked hard and played hard.

The FRED was loaded as high as it could safely carry and it was pulling a cart. This delivery included everything from supplies and mail to the regular bullion shipment and some of my luggage.

I'd agreed with Daniel to stay for one month - as a trial in case things didn't work out between us. I knew I cared very deeply for him and thought it might be love, but only time would tell. Cassie was dying to get my letters saying how things went. She was such a romantic. I can't imagine where she gets it.

The trip to my new home was uneventful. Thank goodness. The day was warm, but not too warm. The sky was crystal clear, almost as if Hawai'iki was welcoming me, too. I could hardly wait to get to the embassy and Daniel.

TEAL'C

DanielJackson and ColonelCarter joined me in my room on the second floor. My needs were insufficient to warrant an apartment on the third floor. I preferred the simple existence I had known before becoming a first prime, a husband, a father.

"My friends, I have asked you to join me so we may discuss a matter of great importance to me. As you know, Rya'c has returned to the Alpha site. The task I set him is to prepare the remaining Jaffa rebels for Master Bra'tac's and my arrival next month. My master has recovered, but is not the Jaffa he was. It is my time to take charge of the rebellion."

DanielJackson was pensive for a moment. "Teal'c, I can understand your need to serve your people, but we need you here as well. Do you have to commit fully to the rebellion? Can you still spend time here?"

"I do not know, DanielJackson. The rebellion must find a home, and a new army. Accomplishing this will take much time." My two friends exchanged glances filled with meaning, but, for once, they excluded me from this silent communication.

"Uh, Teal'c, I can't promise you anything, but I may be able to help you with your first goal of a new home. Please, give me some time to discuss this with General Hammond and the President."

"Very well. I will make no changes to my situation until SG-1's next downtime."

"Thank you, Teal'c. I hope to be able to give you good news before then."

ColonelCarter smiled her reassurance, "Either way, Teal'c, you have our support."

Week 20 Day 1

JACK

My students were progressing, some better than others, as predicted. By the beginning of week four, the senior staff and I met to cull the group from 20 to 16. We offered places at the SGC to two of those four we released. They had already proved themselves to be among the best, just not the material we needed for the field.

Unfortunately, we hadn't been able to drop one Lieutenant Nicholas Sweers. His academic performance was acceptable, if not outstanding. His physical prowess was very good, but his attitude and influence on the other students was terrible.

At every opportunity, Sweers subtly mocked his superiors and peers. He made a mockery of military discipline, but we couldn't pin anything concrete on him - at least nothing concrete enough to stand up to his father's fleet of lawyers.

Three or four of the other students bought into Sweers' line of disrespect and arrogance. Fortunately, two of them were gone with the first eliminations. They were the two not offered jobs, just released with strong encouragement to hold to their non-disclosure agreements. We'd cull twice more before the final class make-up was complete. With luck, the lieutenant and his toadies would be gone by then.

I, on the other hand, had much happier things to think about. Sam and her team were due home for a week of well-deserved downtime. General Hammond gladly granted my request for a couple of days off. With the amount of leave I'd collected over the years, time off was no sweat. Plus, Hammond had finally given in to my nagging about a trip to Hawai'iki for the trainees. Persistence does sometimes pay off.

TEAL'C

Master Bra'tac was recovering satisfactorily, so I invited Rya'c to accompany me to visit the Ha'ktyl warriors. The last years of his mother's life and his life solely among male warriors since her death had tainted his attitude toward women.

To be entirely truthful, I also desired that he meet Ishta. I had met with her as often as my schedule permitted and had come to foresee a future that included her at my side. Rya'c was aware that I was lonely. I broached the subject as we walked toward the Stargate.

"My son, I have been alone since your mother died three years ago."

His expression was thoughtful. "True, my father, but that has left you free to pursue the war against the Goa'uld and to aid the Jaffa in their resistance to Goa'uld oppression."

"Yes, but I have been lonely. Even though your mother and I were seldom together, I always knew I was in her heart as she was in mine. The thought of you both gave me courage to continue the battle. When you have a family of your own you will better understand."

"I suppose I will, father, but what does that have to do with our visit to the Ha'ktyl?" He stared at me, confused.

"You know that the Ha'ktyl are women and girls rescued from the death sentence imposed by their Goa'uld master, Moloc?" He nodded, well aware of this fact. "Their leader is Ishta, the high priestess of Moloc who saved the female children from his decree."

"Yes, father, I know this! You have spoken of her many times." Rya'c was growing impatient with the slow pace of my tale.

"It is partly to be with Ishta that I go the Ha'ktyl. Not only are she and her warriors a significant addition to our forces, Ishta has filled a place in my heart left empty by the death of Drey'ac." His face twisted in anger.

"You seek to replace my mother with a woman who kills other Jaffa!"

"Di'dak'dida! No one will ever take the place of your mother." My tone was most emphatic, for it was true. "But I no longer wish to live without companionship. It is my wish that you and Ishta become friends. However, if you cannot accept her as my companion, then you will act with due deference owed her as the leader of her people. Kel'sha! Swaic?"

"Yes, father." Like a child far younger than he, Rya'c sulked until we reached the Stargate.

I must admit to being tired of his sullen silence and so offered, "Come, Rya'c. Do not be so unhappy. There are several young women of your age among the Ha'ktyl. A handsome young man will be well sought after."

"Yes, father." His smile returned and I wrapped my arm about his shoulders as we passed through the Chaapa'ai.

Ishta made us most welcome and introduced Rya'c to several young women. When I last saw my grinning son three giggling females were dragging him away toward the practice ground.

Week 24 Day 1

JACK

At last, the day arrived when I could go off world again. My team of trainees, TG-1, and I walked into the 'Gate room with a sense of anticipation that had us all abuzz. They were goggle-eyed at being in the place that was what the SGC was all about, the embarkation room, especially since they were going through the gate. Gone was their normal nonchalant attitude about everything.

"Colonel O'Neill," boomed the voice of General Hammond over the loud speakers. He stood in the control room watching SG-6 return unharmed from a routine mission. "It's good to see you in the gate room again, son."

"Thank you, sir. It's good to be seen again." Hammond snorted in amusement. Had he missed me? Sweet!

I turned toward the ramp when the leader of SG-6 called my name in greeting. I responded, "Hey, Pat. Good mission?"

"Same old, same old, Jack. At least we're all in one piece with no one too badly hurt. Can't complain too much about any mission we all come back from, huh?" His obvious weariness and filthy appearance took a little of the wind from my team's sails. Some of the reality began to sink in, at least for the five minutes it would take them to romanticize it.

"Nope. Take care, Pat."

"You too, Jack."

"Colonel?" I whirled to face the general who'd come down from the control room.

"Yes, sir?"

"I have something I'd like you to deliver to Doctor Jackson. He ordered it a few weeks ago and is quite anxious to receive it."

"No problem, sir." I was ready and willing to prove our usefulness to the SGC and the value of this training mission.

Hammond turned to the large door behind him and shouted, "Airman, please bring it in"
There was a definite air of amusement about the man.

What's going on here? I pondered, suddenly feeling a little apprehensive. Sgt. Hanover pushed a device so unusual, all work stopped in the gate and control rooms as everyone stared. "Cool! Daniel ordered this, sir?"

"Yes, it's is about the only form of transportation he could think of allowed in Hawai'iki except foot or horsepower. With the 'Gate so far from the city it's quite inconvenient for anyone trying to make a day trip of it."

"I can personally attest to that, sir." Grinning, I slapped the brace on my right knee as emphasis.

He continued, "We had this one modified to recharge from the embassy's reactor and a small solar collector on the handlebar. I'd like you to ride it to the embassy as a test."

As good as it had started, this day was looking up. I'd get to see Sam for several days and have a toy to play with. Sweet.

"Sgt. Hanover, would you show the colonel how it works?"

"Certainly, sir. Colonel, the controls work similar to …" and off she went explaining the doohickey's characteristics and workings. "… We configured it with the extra traction wheels and tires since you'll be off-road most of the time, and the manual is in the cargo bag here. Would you like to try it out, sir?"

"Try to stop me, Sergeant." She snickered. I stepped up, mounted the Segway and within five minutes I was chasing the young'uns around the gate room, much to the delight of the SFs and technicians. Finally, Hammond cleared his throat and I got the message.

"Sir, TG-1 is ready to leave. Do we have your approval?"

"TG-1, you have a go." He nodded to Sergeant Davis in the control room, who immediately began dialing PJB-007. The gate opened with its usual impressive display and the children all jumped back, still not used to the violence with which it engaged.

For once, I gave the general my best salute and spun the Segway to face the gate. I held out my hand and waved the trainees up the ramp before me. "To Oz!" I wanted to see who hesitated and why. Not that I'd particularly hold it against them. After all, hadn't I needed to push Sam through the gate the first time because she was so entranced by the shimmering blue pool?

JANET

It was two hours to party time and the preparations were going smoothly. I kept waiting for the inevitable problem to crop up. I had so wished Cassie could have been there; she was always great in a crisis, and a party.

Mamarce was having his fourth nervous breakdown of the day, but what else was new? When I conferred with him and Vesia earlier, she had assured me everything would be perfect. Major Adams' troops were looking very fine in their dress uniforms. Sam and I wore dresses locally made just for the party.

Mine was a lovely strapless black lace lined with white satin. The full skirt just skimmed my ankles, showing off spiky high heels. I felt like Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina.

Sam wore a gorgeous full-length royal blue dress with a sweetheart neckline that showed off her bust and slender figure perfectly. The satiny material gathered at the base of her spine below the plunging back, held closed by a sparkling brooch. It was elegant, yet so sexy that a certain colonel was going to either have a heart attack or throw himself at her strappy sandaled feet.

Shortly before it was time for us to meet the guys downstairs, she and I were sitting in my bedroom adding the final touches to her makeup. Sam had an amazing lack of experience with makeup and fancy dress for someone who'd grown up as a general's daughter and spent several years in the nation's capital.

"It's too much Janet! I feel like a clown," she had whined.

I looked over her shoulder into the mirror she faced. "But you look beautiful, Sam. Too bad Colonel O'Neill isn't here to see what he's missing."

"Yeah, I hope he gets here okay. I worry about him walking all the way from the Stargate with his knee or getting here after the city gates close," she sighed, wistfully. "Shouldn't we get downstairs?"

"I guess you're right. No more putting this off."

"Ha! Like you're not going to love this, Janet. You're in your element at things like this reception." She had me there, so we exchanged excited grins.

"Let's go." Her knowing smirk followed me to the door.

We gingerly made our way from my apartment down the two flights of stairs toward the foyer. I slowed down as we descended the grand staircase watching a very elegantly dressed Daniel all the time. My ego was gratified to note that his eyes were ready to leap out of his head at the sight of us in our finery. Even Teal'c widened his eyes ever so slightly. Rya'c grinned and eagerly ran up the stairs to escort us down, one on each arm.

Bravely, I challenged fate, let the games begin.

JACK

After the scene in the gate room, the recalcitrant part of my team was a little more respectful, but the monotony of the walk from the gate was wearing down their awe somewhat. Sweers was his usual sarcastic self, making comments every few minutes about how we could be in Colorado for all he knew.

"That's because you don't know as much as you think you do, Lieutenant. PJB-007 is 46,200 some light years from Earth and is the fifth planet in rotation around an F-class blue-white star."

"Sir, are any of the other planets in this system habitable?" Sergeant Jameson asked eagerly. The keen intelligence and curiosity that shone from her face were two of the many factors that had gotten her accepted to the Stargate program.

"Not that we know of, Sergeant. No one here with space flight capabilities has bothered to go to the other planets. Plus, astronomical observations of the system indicate that it's similar to ours in that the other planets are either too near or too far from this sun for humanoid life."

Suddenly, I heard a cry from the end of the line. I hoped off the HT and jogged back about twenty yards. Lieutenant Jones was down, grimacing in pain and holding his ankle. I checked him over but found no broken bones.

"Lieutenant Mugabe, please bring the HT here. Jones is going for a little ride." He ran to obey.

We were almost at the top, which was good luck for my knees. The kids all sighed happily as soon as the city appeared over the crest of the last hill. The sun was almost a bare glimmer on the horizon, the city walls glowing whitely in the last rays.

"Okay, people. It's a race from here. We have to get there before the gates close for the night. This is not a place you want to spend the night in the open." I sped up to a jog and felt every footfall jar my body from head to toe, stabbing through my knees each time. The team kept pace and stayed in a tight group. I thought perhaps that there was hope for them yet.

My breath was short by the time we passed through the gates just as the guards closed them, not to open again for anything or anyone until dawn. I stopped to count heads and noticed many of the trainees were gasping for breath as well. I didn't know whether to be pleased that I'd done as well as a bunch of twenty-somethings or to be disappointed my charges were only doing as well as a forty-eight year old with bad knees.

"Let's go, campers. We have a couple of miles yet before we're done for the night." There were a couple of groans, but no one said a thing.

TEAL'C

The festivities pursued a predictable course. DanielJackson had made a speech welcoming his guests and introducing members of his staff, the members of SG-1 and Doctor Fraiser. When he presented Bra'tac, Rya'c and I, there were several gasps of dismay from the assembled dignitaries. Jaffa warriors were associated most unpleasantly with the Goa'uld. However, the ambassador made sure to clarify our position as allies of the Tau'ri. After that, the guests were most cordial, if somewhat intimidated by our demeanor.

"Teal'c," hissed a familiar blue-skinned alien.

"You are Nem?" I asked, startled. "I am most astonished to find you here."

"Yes, it is I. Having fulfilled my quest to find the fate of Omaroca, my mate, I must now perform my duty to my people, the Oannes, long ignored." He made a slight bow, which I returned, much honored that he remembered me from such a short acquaintance.

We spoke for some minutes and then I excused my son and myself to attend to our duty. With so many races here, some whom we had injured or offended in the past, my task was to safeguard DanielJackson. Rya'c and I stationed ourselves to five and seven o'clock behind the man who now represented my adopted world.

DanielJackson and Doctor Fraiser made their way, arms linked, through one circuit of the reception hall and proceeded to greet guests in the foyer. His eyes frequently sought her face. By the time we arrived at the main door, darkness was beginning to fall in earnest and the multitudes of torches in the courtyard now supplied the only light. ColonelCarter had joined us and was speaking with Deela, the Nox ambassador, and Bragi of the Asgard.

A commotion at the gates caused eyes to turn from all over the courtyard. I scanned the building façade for Major Adams' men and was satisfied at their placement and alertness. Additional noise drew my attention to the gates where O'Neill stood with a group of young people, one of whom stood on a most peculiar apparatus.

JACK

The wrought iron gates looked a whole lot better this time than the last time I was here. Everything was clean and shiny. All the dead vegetation was gone. Sentries stood guard in dress uniform and came to attention when they sighted me. I heard music and the rumble of many voices from inside.

"Havin' a party boys?"

The sergeant to my left answered stiffly, "Yes, sir! Ambassador Jackson is hosting a formal reception to celebrate the opening of Earth's first off world embassy and the recovery of Master Bra'tac from very serious injuries."

"Very informative, Sergeant. Thanks." I winked to take the sting out of the sarcastic tone in my voice. "Alright if we go in here, or are we a little too grubby for the front door when there's company around?"

A slight smile came and went across his fresh face. "Sir, we were instructed to receive you here and notify the ambassador when you arrived. You are always welcome to enter by the front door, Colonel O'Neill." Again, I felt my stock with the children around me going up, but I knew it wouldn't last long with Sweers ready and willing to act like a porcupine in a bouquet of balloons.

"Thanks, Sarge." We walked to the open gates and passed under the arched stones, now adorned with festive flowers and twinkling lights. Humans and non-humans of all shapes and sizes, including some I'd never seen before, gathered in eclectic groups around the courtyard and spilling into the foyer. However, the sight of the freshly cleaned and gaily decorated courtyard filled with a dazzling array of aliens was nothing compared to a certain someone I saw standing next to the elegant fountain.

"Damn, she's a magnificent specimen. Who is that?" I glanced over at Lieutenant Sweers, who was for once at a loss for words as he stared at Sam. I could understand his amazement. She was incredibly beautiful in a dark blue dress that left little to the imagination from some angles; it bared most of the backside of her torso and flashed bits of shapely leg through the back slit. Her hair was different, too, a really good different.

"Put your eyes back in your head, Lieutenant. She is so far out of your league." A snicker, quickly stifled, came from behind me. He glared at me with his usual contempt and opened his mouth to reply, when a nervous voice cut him off.

"S-sir?" Alarm showed plainly on Lieutenant Jones ebony face. I turned to see what was causing his fear and saw a sea of captivated aliens coming toward us, converging on Jones. Hands of all shapes, sizes and colors reached out to the handlebar. He backed the Segway away from the crowd, causing gasps to erupt and astonishment played across the many faces.

"I must have one of these," one voice in the crowd declared.
"Young man, what will you take for this device?"

"It is a marvel. What makes it go?"

The voices and the approach of the crowd stopped at a shout from inside the compound. "Stop, let him enter!" Daniel surged through the mass of bodies, speaking to individuals as he went. The group around Jones receded slightly.

"Jack, you made it, and you brought the Segway!" Daniel held out his hand in greeting.

At my name, a golden head turned and her face lit up. Sam must have used every trick in her third-level hand-to-hand training to make it through that crowd, but all I could see was her smile, that special multi-megawatt smile, as she came toward me, waving.

"Jack," she yelled. I waved back.

I could practically hear Sweers' teeth grinding as she threw herself into my arms.

SAM

One minute I was speaking with Deela and Bragi about possible planets for colonization, the next Jack was holding me. I breathed in his scent as though starved for air and whispered in his ear, "I've missed you so much." In reply, he cleared his throat.

Without moving a muscle except my eyes, I glanced around at the sea of young faces, watching bug-eyed as I groped their commander. One countenance in particular was angry, nostrils flared. I backed away and straightened my dress, a smile frozen on my face. I kept my hand on his arm to reassure myself that he wasn't another fantasy.

"Uh, Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter, commander of SG-1, this is my training group, TG-1, here for off world orientation." He listed off the names, none of which stuck. I'd have to ask again, when my brain was functioning. What did register was the Segway.

"New toy, Jack?"

"Actually, Daniel ordered it. Apparently, it's made quite the impression with his guests." He gestured toward the vehicle and its rider. "Hammond asked me to deliver it. Lieutenant Jones sprained his ankle on the way from the gate and rode from the top of the hill." The young man in question avoided my eyes shyly.

"Well, maybe we should get your team settled and the lieutenant's ankle seen to, Colonel." I led the way through the crush of party guests in the courtyard into the equally packed foyer and to the back hall.

"Lieutenant, would you please help Lieutenant Jones down the stairs?" I ordered the young man I silently thought of as "Angry-face" and waited. With poor grace, he took Jones' arm across his shoulders and started clumsily down the stairs. I knew all of us living at the Embassy would feel better once the elevator Janet had asked for was installed. To Jack I said, "We'll be right back," then squeezed his forearm for a second. His answering smirk almost made my brain melt. I left him and the trainees in the center of a curious group of partygoers pressing close to inspect the HT.

"Turn left, the second door on the right is the infirmary," I advised. Angry-face supported his fellow trainee into the small clinic and we left Jones in the capable hands of Lieutenant Samuels. TG-1 and the Segway followed me out the back door, which a Marine guard firmly, but politely, shut in the face of the more persistent guests. He turned to us.

"The barracks are ready for your people, Colonel O'Neill. Go through the left-hand door across the garden. Someone will be inside to show you where to bunk," instructed the young man. "I'll get someone out here to put away the Segway."

"Thanks, Corporal Perry," I replied with a genuine smile. We walked through the revived formal flower gardens so beloved of Daniel's scholarly friends and entered the barracks.

Settling the "kids", as Jack called them, took no time at all; although Angry-face wasn't too impressed with the open floor plan and simple bunk he was shown. The permanent residents of the barracks had small private rooms on the second floor. Guests had to make do until the main building was finished.

JANET

As soon as Jack got one look at Sam in that dress, I knew he was a goner. Mind you, he'd been madly in love with her for years, but she was absolutely radiant that night. Daniel and I exchanged glances as Sam ran across the cobbled plaza to embrace Jack.

"How long do you think he'll hold out before he asks her to marry him?" Daniel whispered in my ear. I bit my lips to stifle the happy chuckle.

"Want to make a bet?" I breathed back.

"I will accept that bet, Doctor Fraiser," intoned Teal'c, a sly smile gracing his usually stoic face. "I do not believe O'Neill will hold out more than three months. He is a man of great will power, but some things no man may resist."

"Teal'c you're a romantic," I gasped, my mouth hanging open. "I would never have guessed it of you." He grinned ever so slightly and tipped his head in a tiny nod. "Two months. What are we betting for?"

"One full week free of 'The Duty'," offered Daniel, catching our mood. "The Duty" was our name for being available to all visitors. We each took our turn; we all hated it equally. If one of us had it free, the other two would have to fill in.

"Deal," I immediately answered. "Teal'c?" Again, he nodded. "Daniel, what's your guess?"

"Um, ten weeks - might as well pick right in the middle." We all shook hands to seal the bet and laughed happily, anticipating the continuing comedy-drama as our two friends danced around each other, coming ever closer.

Continued in Part 6