Part 6

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SAM

Three weeks after we regained our home, Jack returned to Eden. He'd stayed behind partly to finish his recuperation and partly to coordinate re-provisioning. The list of materials needed to repair Eden Base and continue the interrupted building was depressingly long.

Thanks to Janet, her staff and the construction crew, our infirmary was ready for patients again. Hammond was generous with the money and people, so we all threw ourselves into repairing everything broken, blasted or burned. Plus, there was a long list of new security measures to implement, starting with an iris for the Stargate.

A few people had left, deciding life on the frontier wasn't for them, and others arrived, looking for the challenge of a frontier. We had a new security force to replace those killed or seduced by the rebellion. Amazingly, there was a long line of people wanting to join us.

The day my love came home, I declared a two-day holiday. Everyone needed some time off and a celebration of life. The date didn't coincide with any traditional Earth holiday, so we made our own tradition.

Janet, Daniel, Teal'c and Dad were already here for the party and we recruited them for various projects in the preparations.

"Eric, is everything ready for the party tonight?" I yelled from my office to his. I'd just read an email from General Hammond announcing that several "special" guests would be attending.

"Everything's on schedule to be ready, ma'am," he said from the door to my office.

"Can we handle another 15 people? General Hammond just warned me about some brass coming."

"Through the Stargate? They're actually gonna leave Earth? Wow, we must be more important than I thought." Eric shook his head and turned back to his desk.

"Are you kidding? We're the opportunity to tame the Wild West all over again for these guys - from the comfort of their leather chairs, of course," I quipped cynically.

"Ma'am, you've been spending way too much time with Colonel O'Neill. You're beginning to sound like him," Eric joked from the other room.

"I'll take that as a compliment, Eric. This time," I yelled back, smiling. I heard his chuckle, as he returned with my daily mail.

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JACK

I stepped through the gate and breathed the uncontaminated air of Eden for the first time in almost a month. Sam and two SFs I didn't recognize were there to greet me. Even though we'd met twice in briefings while I was on Earth, we'd had no time to ourselves.

"Jack, welcome home." Sam flashed the most beautiful smile at me and I felt truly at home. Her eyes promised much more once we were alone.

I caught the SFs grinning at our sappy display, so I faced the two and said, "You two, atten-hut!" They snapped to attention, watched by a curious and amused Sam. "About face!" They pivoted perfectly and stood facing into the woods.

I raised my index finger and crooked it back towards me a couple of times. Sam was barely containing her laughter at my antics, standing near the frozen airmen. I mouthed, "Com'ere, gorgeous," And she stepped into my arms.

Breathing in her scent, I whispered to her, "This is the medicine I've needed." I captured her lips in a searing kiss that went on and on until we had to come up for air.

Sam pulled back grinning widely and addressed the two young men, "At ease, airmen. Let's get back to base. The party starts as soon as we get there."

"Not waiting for the brass, Sam?" Grabbing her hand, I lead the way down the graveled road toward home.

"Nope. I told Hammond when the fun starts. If they want to crash our party, they can be on time," she said saucily. I glanced back and noticed our escort grinning behind their hands. They cleared their throats and put on serious looks.

"Hey, guys. I have things to say to the colonel here that you're both too young to hear. Wanna walk ahead of us for a while?" I ordered the two. The taller, Sgt. Baird, screwed up his face, looking conflicted.

"Uh, sir, Major Vance would have our butts in a sling if he knew we left you two alone out here. We had specific orders to not let either of you out of our sights and have already kinda disobeyed when we faced the woods."

"What's he thinking, putting you in that position?" I muttered. Sam stood back, eyebrow raised, mouth pursed.

"Doing his job as my 2IC, that's what. Doing just what I did those five years for you - keeping your ass alive," she snapped back, smirking. The two SFs snickered, but quickly sobered at my glare. "Oh, give 'em a break, Jack. They're just following their superior's orders."

"Alright, sorry guys," I offered. A little petulantly, I must admit. Their relieved smiles were answer enough. But, damn, I wanted to be alone with her. "Well, since it may be hours until we can get away, you should have this back now." I took her ring out of my pocket and slipped it on her finger. She gasped happily and her arms flew around my neck.

Her whisper tickled my ear delightfully, "Thank you so much, sweetheart." It more than made up for the all the fast-talking it took to keep the trinket out of the evidence log.

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SAM

About 15 minutes after we arrived, the party was open for business. My people were tired and ready for a blowout. Within an hour, the celebration was in full swing. An amateur band, made up of anyone on Eden who owned an instrument, played everything from reels to vintage rock and roll to waltzes.

Daniel, Teal'c, Jack and I stood off to the side, enjoying the show. I was watching Dad lead Janet enthusiastically around the dance floor when Sgt. Bodine, rather the worse for a considerable amount of alcohol, asked me to dance. I handed my drink to Jack and noticed an amused twinkle in his eye. He didn't seem to mind as I accepted.

Fortunately, the sergeant was still quite capable of moving the two of us smoothly around the floor. As soon as the song finished, I had another partner, then another and another. After a particularly energetic reel, I excused myself and headed for the beverage table.

Glancing around for Jack while I downed my second glass of punch, I saw him standing where I'd left him; except, now he had more company. Our visitors had arrived. Grabbing two more glasses of the delicious stuff, I made my way around the edge of the converted and festooned mess hall. After stopping every few feet to speak with someone, settle an argument, give my blessing to a new idea, and so on, I finally reached my destination.

General Hammond made the introductions. My eyes must have gotten bigger with each name as he presented the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Secretaries of Defense and State and a few of their aides. Jack's elbow in my ribs woke me to the fact that they were all waiting for me to reply. You'd think as a general's daughter, I'd be better at meeting high ranking people, but I'm a little out of practice after several months on Eden.

"Excuse me, sirs. I'm just a little surprised by your taking the time to leave Earth for our little celebration," I tried to cover for my gaff. Dad smirked from the sidelines, with his usual sardonic attitude toward formal situations. Our friends stood with him, grinning. Something was up and they knew what it was.

The Secretary of State, a diplomat by trade, graciously smoothed over my lapse, "Entirely understandable, Colonel Carter. We've all been searching for a good reason to visit your little paradise. Thank you for providing it."

"Any time, sir. You're always welcome here."

Leaning closer he stage-whispered in my ear, "You wouldn't believe how envious the President is that we get to come and he doesn't." I snickered, then bit my lip, not having voted for the current president.

"You two have made impressive progress on the settlement. What are your plans for next year?" asked the Secretary of Defense, obviously fishing for budgetary forecasts. General Hammond fielded this one, thank goodness. He launched into what sounded like a stock description of the proposed expansion. Next, Jack waxed eloquent on his favorite subject, the designs for the colony, and invited them all to see the site tomorrow.

The discussion continued, boring the pants off me, until I noticed my 2IC off to the side, gesturing frantically for Hammond's attention. Smiling slyly, my superior whispered to the general next to him and nodded to Vance. What the heck…?

My eyes followed the major across the room and up to the stage, where he grabbed the microphone away from the lead singer. The band wound to a screechy halt, getting the attention of every person in the hall.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Secretary of Defense, Mr. Donald Rumsfeld, would like to say a few words," Vance announced. I looked at Jack only to see the same expression of confusion I assumed was on my face. Dad's face glowed with… I'm not sure what. Pride, joy, anticipation? Perhaps all three.

The secretary thanked everyone from Eden for allowing him and his party to join their celebration, going on about how lovely Eden is and how great their accomplishment was. I started to zone out, when he nodded to General Hammond, who had silently joined the secretary on stage.

Hammond's parade ground voice boomed from the speakers, "Would Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter and Colonel Jack O'Neill please come up onto the stage? Will the military members please come to attention?" We complied immediately as the general stood back. I was dying with curiosity.

As soon as Jack and I stood at his side, the secretary stepped forward again and began, "Colonels Carter and O'Neill are true heroes who, along with the people under their command, have save the world numerous times. You all know this and so do the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the President and his cabinet. Frankly, we've given them every medal we can without involving the entire U.S. Congress." He paused to gauge the reaction of his audience and saw he had their rapt attention.

"Colonel Jack O'Neill has consistently displayed extreme dedication to the safety and integrity of the United States of America and the planet Earth. Repeatedly he and his team have not only saved the planet from destruction or invasion, but have occasionally given their lives. My colleagues and I have decided that it is beyond time to show our appreciation for this commitment. It is with great pride that I announce the promotion of Colonel Jack O'Neill to the rank of brigadier general. Please step forward, General O'Neill."

The crowd broke into a raucous burst of cheers and whistles of approval. I even saw my father applauding. I think I shrieked. At the very least, my arms darted around Jack's neck and I hugged his unresponsive body enthusiastically, murmuring congratulations. I pulled back to look at his face to see an expression of total, unbelieving, adorable shock. Now, it was his turn to be stunned into immobility.

"Jack… Jack, the secretary's waiting for you," I whispered in his ear. He gave a slight shake and pulled away from me toward the Secretary of Defense.

Hammond held the case with Jack's new stars while Rumsfeld pinned them on. I was so proud for Jack. I knew he didn't give a rip about being a general, but the recognition by the top brass and two Cabinet officers had to be very gratifying to a man who'd given so much of himself for so little in return.

"People, please come to attention again. The secretary isn't finished," Hammond bellowed again. Immediately, silence reigned over the sea of flushed, happy faces.

Once again, he stepped to the microphone and began, "Ladies and gentlemen, I have one more happy duty to perform tonight. Because of her intense devotion to her country, planet and people, Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter," I gulped, frozen again, "has far surpassed the expectations and responsibilities of a lieutenant colonel. Despite the very short time she has been in that rank, we felt it incumbent on us to reward her with the rank she so properly deserves. It is my honor to award to Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter the rank and privileges of Colonel. Please step forward, Colonel Carter."

No one had to wake me this time. I stepped forward on a cloud of unadulterated joy. My father, his eyes sparkling with pride, held the box with my silver eagles for the secretary. The ceremony was over so quickly, I was startled by being swept up into Jack's arms, my feet a foot off the floor. Hands from everywhere slapped our backs, grabbed ours for a handshake, or merely patted us, as though our good fortune would rub off.

A loud bang sounded from the direction of the door. We both dropped into a defensive posture, ready to stave off any new invader. Suddenly, a hand holding a bottle of champagne was punched toward the sky and a voice rang out, "Woo hooooo, let's celebrate!"

The tension broke like a dam and we laughed crazily in relief. Beside a large stack of cases, I saw a JSC aide, a general himself, directing the opening and distribution of the wine. Within minutes, another aide arrived with a tray of glasses and we all raised our glass to the future of Eden base and the colony. Jack's arm snaked its way around my waist at some point and stayed there for the rest of the night. Finally, the band announced the last dance, a slow one.

"Wanna?" a grinning Jack asked, jerking his head toward the dance floor. I put my hand in his and followed my love out onto the floor. Wrapped in each other's arms, we swayed to the music, perfectly happy just being together again.

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GENERAL HAMMOND

I stood off to the side with two of the Service Chiefs and Jacob Carter, enjoying the party immensely. Watching people having well-earned fun is always gratifying.

"They're quite a handsome couple; very much in love," the Air Force Chief of Staff commented, pointing with his glass at Jack and Sam, who were obviously lost in each other. "Are they ready for the challenges we have planned for them?"

"More ready any than any two other people I can think of and very much deserving of every happiness after all they've been through," I said acerbically, pointedly referring to the non-fraternization regulations. We'd had numerous discussions about the applicability of certain regs to the personnel under my command.

My good friend, Jacob, came to the four-star general's rescue before I launched into my speech. "So, George, you promised to tell me what happened when they met."

I snorted softly at his interference and began, "Well, it all started with her daring him to arm wrestle …"

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Continued in Ancient Eden