And here's the next ficlet! It's quite a bit less angsty than the one before…of course, it's not all that shippy either. Ah well…

And, in case you're interested, I always wondered what his speech was going to be and, well…

II. Fair Game—Jack's Speech

He sits at his desk, staring at the white paper in front of him that looks more menacing than a whole group of snakeheads. A speech. He has to write a speech. God, he hates this stuff.

I would just like to say that it has been a pleasure having Samantha Carter under my command. No. That's horrible. He's never called her Samantha before, except for that one time when she had the dress and…and he's not about to start calling her it now. Samantha leads to Sam which leads to daydreaming about dinner and movies and coffee and…see, there he goes. No Samantha.

He stares at the paper some more, tapping his pencil idly on the edge of his desk. Think. If it was someone else, anyone else, he would bullshit and make up some patriotic crap and buy them a beer later. But her…he doesn't want to think into the sentiment much, but he knows that she deserves something special. Something that gets across exactly how amazing she is, how capable and confident and so damn smart.

Normally, I'm a man of very few words. Not exactly true, unless you're talking about words that are respectful and professional and mature. Not very many of those. But…But there are not enough words in the dictionary to express the excellence for Captain—now Major—Carter. Carter is more intelligent than I can even begin to comprehend, brave, talented, and fully dedicated to her work and our mission here. I have never met anyone more likely to be the last one working and the first into the field, the last off the base and the first there in the morning. It has truly been an honor to work with her.

And I'd like to say that I cannot think of anyone who deserves this more. Congratulations, Major Carter.

That's good. It…gets what he wants to say across, and he's surprised to find that it's all completely true. He means every word of it. It has been an honor, and it will continue to be. Congratulations, Major Carter. Congratulations.

And there you have it! Reviews make me happy! And thanks so much to everyone who reviewed last time! Sp