Supporting Rumors - Part 85

"Another trip?" asked Sam as she watched Jack re-fold the papers that had come by special courier.

"Damn."

"Any ideas what this is about?"

Jack made as if to shrug, but caught the movement and looked up at Sam. "I could hazard a guess."

Sam couldn't help the look of surprise at his confession.

Jack grinned. "Sharing remember?" Sam smiled and indicated for him to continue. "I have a feeling that things are getting even more heated in DC."

Sam had to admit that the house felt like a conference facility at times lately. "And?"

"And, hints have been dropped about me going back – full time."

"You couldn't get any more full time than the hours you are putting in now," said Sam with a frown.

"Ya think?" Jack frowned. "Well, I've got a meeting with Hayes the day after tomorrow."

Sam's face fell. "I can't come, I'm due out on ... oh, hon."

Jack's face fell in genuine disappointment. The only bright side would have been having Sam in DC with him.

"Whatever you decide will be fine by me, I want you to know that."

Jack snorted. "If they think I'm going back ..."

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Swinging his chair back from the desk, Jack sighed heavily. He hadn't exactly been looking forward to this meeting, and now, he was positively loathing it.

Henry Hayes had been his usual charming self, right up until he hit Jack with the orders.

"I don't want to come back to DC, Mr President. If you don't like the job I'm doing from the Springs, then fine, I can resign."

"That isn't an option, Jack." Hayes rose and casually moved over to the drinks cabinet. He lifted the bottle questioningly. Jack shook his head so Hayes continued to pour himself a glass.

The meeting had been scheduled late and it was now early evening.

Hayes sighed and returned to his seat, sporting the drink. "Jack, I am sorry that you have to return to DC, I can have your wife transferred here if that's the problem."

Jack's eyes flashed and Hayes winced, clearly knowing he had just committed a deadly sin in the eyes of O'Neill.

"Don't you dare. Her career is important to her. She loves the job she's doing."

"Look Jack, I'll lay it on the line. Your orders are to report to Washington DC as Lieutenant General O'Neill by August tenth."

"What?"

Hayes sighed and rolled his eyes. "Your orders ..."

"No, as what?"

"You didn't think we were going to leave you as a Major General did you? As Head of Homeworld Security, your rank should befit the role."

"With the utmost respect sir, I couldn't actually care less about the rank. I would do what I have to do without ..."

Hayes raised his hand. "I know Jack, believe me, I know. That's one of the reasons why I need you here. I know I can trust you to do whatever it takes. Your part in taking down those traitors... I know you instigated the whole thing. When I think that the deputy chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee was also involved... I also know there's a hell of a lot more we need to worry about. I want and need you here."

Jack shook his head stubbornly. "I'm sorry. I can't do it. You can have my resignation now if you like."

"General O'Neill." Hayes rose and paced towards the fireplace. "We are a nation at war - hell, we're a planet at war actually. No resignation."

"I am not going to risk my marriage."

"I'm not asking you to. We can fly you down every damn weekend if that's what you want, fly Sam up here whenever she's free... I don't care what it takes."

"I do."

Henry Hayes emptied his glass and poured himself another. He sat back down near Jack and regarded the man seriously. "What can I offer you? What will it take?"

"Nothing. I want my wife to continue to do what she loves doing and she does damn well, saving the world. If I can't be beside her at the SGC, then I will wait at home for her."

"Damn it, Jack, listen ..."

"No ... with all due respect sir, I have been listening all of my adult life. I've gone above and beyond the call of duty. I've served my time, now I want my life."

"You're too valuable."

Jack's fingers began to drum on the arm of his chair. "No one person is indispensable, sir."

"That's where I disagree, General. I've been watching you for a long time. I've made a few judgments in my life that haven't always been for the best – but believe me when I say you are the one person that has made an incredible difference to this world and will continue to do so."

Jack's eyebrows rose and he shook his head. "How many of those have you had?" He indicated the glass Hayes held.

Hayes frowned for a moment and then snorted. "Not enough to deal with you apparently."

"Let me carry on as I am or retire."

"Not an option."

"There are always options!" Jack's voice rose. He was tired and the headache he'd been sporting for the last hour was banging kettle drums, totally out of tune...

Hayes stood. "You would be bored out of your mind."

"Well, Mr President, I have news for you - not many people consider I have a mind ..."

"Don't you give me that bull, General O'Neill!" Hayes's voice rose as well.

"I've got two wheels instead of legs – folk just see this, not me!" Jack thumped the arm of the chair.

"You telling me you won't come back to DC because you're in a wheelchair?" shouted Hayes incredulously.

The doors were flung open suddenly and two Secret Service agents came rushing in, weapons drawn.

Jack swung his chair around to face the men, freezing as he found two handguns aimed directly at him.

Hayes yelled. "What the hell is going on?"

The men gave each other a quick glance and then shouldered their weapons. "Begging your pardon sir, we heard shouting ..."

"And you'll be hearing more shouting. Out!" bellowed Hayes.

The men backed out quickly, obviously a little embarrassed.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Hayes stood fuming, glaring at the now closed doors. "Idiots." Quiet laughter came from behind him and he turned to find O'Neill's face full of amusement, the general making no effort to hide it. "You think that's funny?"

"Yes, sir, I do. The President of the United States and a general in a wheelchair yelling at each other because the general's been given a promotion. Must have looked a bit odd."

He couldn't help it, watching Jack's smile broaden, the whole situation began to ... yes it was funny ... and he joined in the laughter.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

They sobered a little and Hayes got back down to business. He sat and stared straight into Jack's eyes, letting his vulnerability and sincerity be known. "Give me one year. One year, that's all I am asking. If things don't work out ... then I will accept your retirement or give you whatever assignment you want. We need someone like you looking after our asses here, Jack. I need you."

Jack scrunched up his eyes then closed them, taking a few deep breaths to give himself time to think. One year. In one year perhaps he could get himself on his feet – literally ... one more year out of his life. Why the hell ... What he had said earlier about people just seeing the wheelchair ... it wasn't all bull – he hated the chair with a vengeance, he hated the way he was treated, oh not by everyone, but too many, too many people just saw the chair.

He opened his eyes and found the President still regarding him, a silent plea in his eyes. That the plea was genuine, Jack had no doubts ... one year ... he just hoped Sam would forgive him for taking their marriage long distance again. But being Jack O'Neill, he had to have one last dig... "So ... when can I borrow Air Force One again?"

xoxoxoxoxoxo

TBC