'You OK?'

Daniel's quiet question got Jack's attention. 'Yeah.' He sighed again. 'Just…' Jack gestured. 'I'd better go talk to her.' He shoved his chair back.

'I'll come with you.' Daniel said.

The SGC was a hive of activity as they made their way through the corridors taking the familiar and well worn path from Jack's office to Carter's lab. She was at her computer sipping on coffee and examining reams of what appeared to be gobbledegook.

Jack knocked on the door. 'You have a minute, Carter?'

'Yes, sir. Of course.' She swivelled in her chair surprised to see him and Daniel both enter the room and felt a quiver of nervousness at the way Jack closed the door and the strange expressions on their faces. She waved at the monitor behind her. 'I was just reviewing the initial spectral analysis of the ZPM.'

'Fascinating.' Jack said insincerely. He cut to the reason for their visit. 'I just got a visit from Hammond.'

'Oh?'

Jack jumped up on the lab table next to her as Daniel hovered close by. 'He's received a transfer request from the Joint Chiefs.' He met her confused eyes. 'For you.'

'Me?' The blue eyes widened.

Jack nodded. 'Apparently, the head of Area 51's SG R&D division is recommending you as his replacement.'

'He is? Wow.' Sam shook her head. 'That's incredible.'

'It is?' Jack hadn't been sure what her response was going to be but he hadn't expected those exact words. To say he was taken aback was an understatement.

'I mean, I don't want the job, sir,' Sam hastily assured him, 'but it's still quite an honour to be recommended.'

'You're sure you don't want the job? Because you seemed kinda excited for a moment there.' Jack said surprised at how even his voice was.

'I don't want the job.' Sam repeated. 'I love my work at the SGC and I love commanding SG1. Why would I want to give that up?' She stilled. 'It is just a request, isn't it, I can turn it down?' Her voice was a little panicked and it was that more than anything that reassured him.

Jack gestured. 'Well, the request technically went to Hammond…'

'So he's turning it down?' Sam checked.

'He's trying to, Carter, but we're going to need to give him better ammunition or his refusal will get shot down in flames and it will end up as an order.' Jack said bluntly.

Daniel explained about the politics and Sam nodded thoughtfully. 'What do we need to do, sir?' Sam asked.

'I've told Hammond that it's my professional opinion that you need to maintain your support network right now.' Jack tried not to squirm as her eyes narrowed on him. 'I'm ordering you to take a full physical and psych evaluation with our new CMO.'

Sam frowned. 'You told him I was on the edge of a breakdown?'

'We didn't say that exactly.' Jack denied.

'What exactly did you say?'

Jack looked at Daniel and indicated he should speak.

Daniel cleared his throat. 'We may have, might have, just implied that if he didn't want to risk your health then you shouldn't be transferred.'

'Oh well, that's a whole lot better.' Sam retorted.

'Ammunition, Carter.' Jack shot back. 'Who's the one person who can overrule an officer of any rank in regards to health matters?'

'The CMO…' Sam answered.

'So?' Jack asked waiting for her to make the connection.

'So our CMO could file a medical report recommending or countermanding a transfer order particularly if she feels it would be detrimental to my health.' Sam chewed her lip. She still wasn't certain she liked the idea of that being on her record. 'Maybe there's a different way to approach this, sir.'

'I'm open to suggestions, Carter.' Jack said.

'I know Colonel Mayhew. Maybe I can call him and get him to retract the recommendation.' Sam suggested.

'That might work.' Daniel said.

Jack gestured at the phone. 'So, what are you waiting for?'

Sam slid of the stool with an exasperated sigh and crossed to the phone. She picked it up and dialled the operator number at Nellis. 'You do realise he's probably not even in the office at this time.'

'Doesn't hurt to try, Carter.' Jack said folding his arms.

'Oh hello. Yes, please can you put me through to Colonel Mayhew's office? Thank you.' Sam said as the operator picked up at the other end. The phone rang; once, twice. It would go to his messaging service on the fourth ring, she mused. She straightened suddenly as the phone was picked up.

'Colonel Mayhew.'

Sam recognised the brisk tone of the outgoing Area 51 SG R&D commander immediately. 'Colonel Mayhew, sir. This is Colonel Carter. I hope I'm not calling too late, sir.'

'Not at all, Colonel. What can I do for you?'

'I wanted to thank you for your recommendation, sir and to ask…'

'Hold on a moment, Colonel Carter. What recommendation are you talking about?'

Sam turned her back on Jack and Daniel who were both in their own way making gestures for her to get to the point.

'The recommendation that I succeed you, sir.'

There was a brief silence before Mayhew cleared his throat. 'Colonel, I think there's been a misunderstanding. I recommended my current deputy Lieutenant Colonel Harding to succeed me.'

'Oh.' Sam wondered if it was possible to feel anymore embarrassed than she was right at that moment. Her brow creased with confusion. Jack or Daniel singularly getting the wrong impression she could understand but both of them? It took her a moment to realise Mayhew had continued talking.

'…I considered you but to be frank, Colonel, I felt that you at this point in time your skills would be better employed in lab work and progressing projects rather than in the pure management of them. However, if you want to transfer here I have several projects that have your name written all over them…'

'Thank you, sir, but I'm very happy at the SGC.'

'That's what I thought.' Mayhew cleared his throat. 'Can I ask where you got your information, Colonel?'

'From my chain of command via General Hammond, sir. He's currently reviewing the transfer request from the Joint Chiefs.'

'I see. Perhaps I should speak with him.'

'I think he would appreciate it, sir. He's currently on base here at the SGC.'

'I'll make the call.' Mayhew sighed. 'Off the record, Sam?'

'Of course, sir.'

'There're a lot of rumours circulating about what the Pentagon has in mind for the future of the SGC and the Stargate programme. A lot of nasty political manoeuvring going on and it sounds like they've put you right in the middle of it. Watch your back.'

'Yes, sir.'

'Good night, Sam.'

'Thank you, sir. Good night.'

The phone went dead and Sam hung up thoughtfully. She tapped a finger against the receiver.

'Well?' Jack asked impatiently.

She turned to see both men looking at her anxiously. She crossed her arms over the black t-shirt she wore and sat back down on the stool. 'Mayhew didn't recommend me.'

Jack's eyebrows shot up. 'He didn't?'

She shook her head.

Daniel frowned and adjusted his glasses. 'But if he didn't recommend you then why would General Hammond think that he did?'

'He hinted off the record that it might have something to do with the Pentagon's plans for the future of the SGC.' She couldn't help the shiver that coursed down her spine. 'He warned me to watch my back.'

'Good advice.' Jack said. 'I'd better go tell Hammond.'

'Colonel Mayhew was going to call him, sir.' Sam said.

Jack nodded. He seemed to hesitate before he continued. 'I think you should go ahead with the physical and psych exam. Knowing that you weren't Mayhew's recommendation isn't going to be enough to deny the request. We need as much ammunition as we can get.'

Sam looked at him unhappily. 'What if the report gives me a clean bill of health?' She couldn't believe it would say otherwise; she was coping just fine.

'Then we'll think of something else, Carter. That's what we do.' He sighed. 'Look, just be honest with your answers and let's see what the report says. Frankly, given what you've been through, I should have followed procedure and ordered an evaluation days ago anyway.'

Sam nodded dejectedly. 'Yes, sir.'

Jack jumped down from the table; there was nothing else to say. 'I'll meet you guys later for some dinner?'

'Sure.' Sam and Daniel answered in unison as he disappeared through the door.

Daniel leaned back against the lab table. 'You alright with all this?'

'Not really.' Sam admitted. She tried a smile. 'I will be though.'

'Hang in there, Sam.' Daniel rubbed her arm comfortingly.

'Thanks, Daniel.' She gestured at the screen of figures behind her. 'I'd better get back to it.'

Daniel nodded. It was how Sam dealt with things; by losing herself in calculations and equations just like he lost himself in translations and artefacts. He headed to Teal'c's quarters. Teal'c might be leaving but it didn't seem right that he was the only member of the team unaware of the evening's events. He rapped briskly on the door and opened it at Teal'c's call to enter.

'Daniel Jackson.' Teal'c's eyes warmed at the sight of his friend.

'Teal'c.' Daniel gestured. 'You have a minute?'

Teal'c nodded and Daniel stepped into the room closing the door behind him. The archaeologist's eyes widened at the half-filled chest and the already neatly stacked boxes.

'Wow. You've been busy.'

'I have accumulated many things since my arrival here.' Teal'c noted.

'Moving always does that.' Daniel said vaguely. He caught Teal'c questioning head tilt. 'When we move places it always seems to reveal items from the past that we had forgotten we even owned.'

'I have not forgotten any of the items that I own.' Teal'c said firmly.

Daniel smiled. 'I guess it's a human thing.' He gestured for Teal'c to sit and they both took places on the floor sitting cross-legged. Teal'c listened patiently as Daniel filled him in on Hammond's visit and what had happened with Sam in the lab.

'This is indeed concerning, Daniel Jackson.' Teal'c murmured.

'You know I just don't get how Sam transferring to Area 51 fits in.'

'Colonel Carter has a unique understanding of the Stargate and its technology.' Teal'c pointed out. 'If she is removed from the programme it will be weakened by her absence.'

Daniel sighed. 'Because she's not around to make the SGC look good.'

'I agree with your assessment, Daniel Jackson. This appears to be a stratagem to weaken the position of the current SGC and its leaders.'

'But why?' Daniel asked plaintively.

'That I do not know.' Teal'c replied. 'But I have often observed that there are many in your military and government who do not approve of the Stargate programme and who wish it was run differently.'

'But I thought we'd gotten rid of the rogue elements when we cleaned up the NID.'

'It is often the case that when one evil is destroyed, another rises to take its place.' Teal'c said.

'Thanks, Teal'c.' Daniel said dryly. 'That's really…comforting.' He shoved his hands through his hair before gesturing angrily. 'This is just so frustrating. I mean we finally get rid of Anubis, force the remaining Goa'uld to run for the hills and deal with the replicators and…and it's like we're getting punished for it.'

'General Hammond was correct when he stated that the SGC had more power when Earth was under attack.' Teal'c surmised. 'While such threats as Anubis and the replicators existed those wishing to seek changes to the SGC were unable to do so for fear of weakening the planet's defences in its time of crisis.'

'And now we're safe they've finally got an opportunity?' Daniel said. 'As Jack would say that just sucks.' He shook his head and took his glasses off to rub at his eyes. 'It wouldn't surprise me if we ended up with another Bauer in charge.'

Teal'c raised an eyebrow. The temporary assignment of General Bauer, a hardliner and stickler for military protocol, as the SGC commander a few years previously had not been a success. 'That would not be advisable, Daniel Jackson.' His eyes suddenly focused completely on his friend. 'Would O'Neill not remain in place while such a threat to the SGC existed?'

'Yes.' Daniel sighed. 'I guess he would.' Which means Jack wouldn't retire, he thought, and there was no chance that Jack and Sam would get together. He shook his head, wrenched his mind back to the problem at hand. 'There's still a chance whoever succeeds Hammond could be a hard-ass and let's not forget how long Jack lasted with Bauer.'

'Presumably General Hammond is able to name his successor if he was able to offer O'Neill the position.'

'Maybe but I think the President likes Jack so it would have been made it difficult for the Joint Chiefs to have refused. Plus the Pentagon agreed that Jack was the best candidate when he was placed in charge of the SGC so they'd look pretty foolish if they seemed to change their opinion now.' Daniel murmured. He got to his feet and began pacing. 'When Hayes initially took over he believed that it was wrong for the SGC to be solely in the hands of the US military. Why?' He didn't wait for Teal'c to answer but supplied it himself. 'He didn't agree with the programme being led by the military and wanted to give it a friendlier face in case the existence of the programme would be revealed to the public.'

'He appointed Doctor Elizabeth Weir to run the SGC.' Teal'c supplied.

'Yes, he appointed a civilian to run the SGC.' Daniel pointed at him. He continued pacing. 'Until such time as Elizabeth recommended that Jack would be the ideal candidate to lead the SGC in the eyes of the IOA and that's important!' Daniel whirled to face Teal'c. 'That's it! I think I know how to fix this.' He started to back out of the room and beamed at his friend. 'Thanks, Teal'c.'

'I am pleased to have been of assistance, Daniel Jackson.' Teal'c murmured unsure exactly how he had helped. 'Do you require any further…'

'No, no.' Daniel called over his shoulder as he left the room. 'I have to go speak with General Hammond.'

He marched down to the VIP quarters and after checking which room Hammond was occupying knocked on the door.

Hammond opened it. He'd discarded his jacket and tie, had rolled up his shirt sleeves and Daniel could see that he'd interrupted the General's meal.

'I'm sorry, General Hammond, but I need to speak with you urgently.'

Hammond's puzzled eyes regarded Daniel as he gestured for the younger man to enter. He closed the door. 'What can I do for you?'

Daniel turned to face Hammond and the General almost took a step back at the fierce look on the other man's face. 'I know how to save the SGC.'

Hammond took in the intelligence and excitement that gleamed from the younger man's eyes; the same look that had preceded many a plan that had saved the planet. He felt his own diminished hope rising and nodded. 'I'm listening, son.'