Jack stood before Hammond's desk, his arms behind his back and his eyes staring straight ahead in perfect military stance. Hammond was just sitting there, in his nice, big, cozy chair watching Jack and waiting for him to break.
The two stayed like that for some time, the only noise in the office being the ticking of the clock on the wall. Finally, it was Hammond who spoke first. "What happened, Jack? Why now? Why the hell now?"
Jack's eyes darted down; "Sir?"
Hammond sighed, "I was informed last week that we are to be placed before the oversight committee next week. Un-orderly conduct among officers is the charge. It seems the NID has been watching you and Major Carter – just waiting for this to happen. Why now?"
Jack's focus returned to right above Hammond's head, "It was right after Janet's funeral, sir. We were both drunk and it… happened."
"Has there been anything else going on before or since?"
"No, sir. And, sir, if you'll accept it – I'd like to resign, effective immediately. Retirement sounds pretty good right now."
Hammond sighed again, "I'll see what I can do. Just so you know, there is a civilian post opening soon – the president wants to set up a Delta Sight. It seems just two sights to evacuate to aren't enough any more."
"Thank you, sir."
"Oh, and Colonel? Do you love her?"
Jack faltered. "I… don't know, sir. It's possible. I care about her a lot, though. If that counts for anything."
Hammond nodded, "It does, son. Go see her."
"Yes, sir."
Sam felt the pressure release her body as Malady left, spirited away into the jar. Sam wanted so much to just jump out of bed and hug everyone – especially Jack, for the child that had almost condemned her, then saved her. But at the sudden release of the burden, Sam's body went into a coma. It was the same coma Holly was suffering from after the effects of Hope.
Sam struggled back to the land of the conscious a few days later, voices befuddled her mind as she began to awaken.
Her light blue eyes opened slowly, careful to avoid the shock of the florescent lights. Deep, chocolate brown eyes greeted her. She smiled softly, "Hi."
"Hi," Jack said, happy to see her awake. "How do you feel?"
"Thirsty. Glad to be awake, sir."
Jack smirked, "Guess what?"
"What, sir?"
His grin grew wider, "You're no longer allowed to call me that, Sam."
"What? Why!"
Jack sighed, "You've been in a coma for a week. And in that time the President has looked over our situation here at the SGC. Some changes have been made."
Sam had just woken up, was thirsty beyond belief and now Jack was playing mind games with her! That was just wrong! "What changes?"
"For starters – Colonel Carter – you are the leader of a new team called SG-25. It's a new, all scientist team to be composed of at your leisure and to not start active duty until after you've gotten back from maternity leave."
Sam sat in the commissary with her new team: Lt. Jennifer Haley; Dr. Andrew Hopkins and Captain Tiffany Weber Ph.D. All of them were eating their choice of desserts and discussing the first planet they would be visiting (lots of interesting technology and possibly a few space guns).
The premier trip was a mere three months away. Sam had given birth four months before and her baby boy, Shane Thomas O'Neill, would be weaned in the few months ahead. Jack was actually looking forward to being able to spend more time with his young son – Sam got all the cool jobs!
"So, Colonel O'Neill?" Jennifer asked politely.
"Yes, Haley?" Sam responded like any good teacher.
"Are you still going to be working full time with Shane running around?"
Sam put down her spoon and looked at the younger woman carefully. "Why would you think that I wouldn't?"
She shrugged, "There's some rumors going around that you're resigning."
Sam frowned, "The rumors said 'Colonel S. O'Neill is resigning?'"
"No, just Colonel O'Neill."
Sam's grin was malicious at best, "Jack's resigning. The President has a civilian post all lined up, but Jack wants to spend the majority of his time with Shane – not gallivanting across the galaxy."
"So… Colonel O'Neill is going to be a house-husband?"
Sam's grin widened, "No, General Hammond said they're going to convert one of the rooms into a nursery."
"Oh. Cool!"
Fin