The door was barely closed on Jack's office when the President unbuttoned his jacket and sat down with a sigh of relief. Jack handed Hayes a cup of coffee before he took his own seat and picked up his own delicate china cup nervously.

'So,' Hayes leaned forward and made eye contact, 'I have to tell ya, Jack that George told me your decision already.'

Jack swallowed in surprise. 'He did?'

Hayes kept the eye contact. 'He also told me the plan for you retiring and running the SGC as a civilian.'

Jack almost choked on his coffee. He set the cup back down, tried to act blasé. Had he had a stroke and forgotten telling Hammond he wanted to retire? 'Oh that plan and here I had a whole speech prepared.' He joked to cover his shock.

'I think it's a great idea.' Hayes said.

'You do?' Jack stared at the President.

'Well, as George explained refreshing the senior military chain of command here at the base and at the Homeworld office may help to satisfy the Joint Chiefs in regards to some of the perceived disciplinary problems.'

'Yes, there's that.' Jack said bemused.

'But with you in place as a civilian leader we retain your skills and experiences and your understanding of how this operation needs to run. It'll certainly keep the IOA happy.' Hayes leaned back. 'I also agree with the suggestion that your new civilian position would report directly to me and would be the lead for the SGC as opposed to the senior military position. It brings the SGC back in line with what I originally intended.' He grinned. 'I have to admit it, Jack, you've all come up with a heck of a solution. I really think this idea is the right plan for the SGC going forward.'

Jack blinked at him. 'I'm sorry, sir. It could be the early start this morning but did you just agree that I'll retire but remain at the SGC as a civilian leader with a direct reporting structure to you? And that you think this is a good idea?'

'That's right.' Hayes said cheerfully. 'Like I said, George explained the plan to me this morning.' He peered at the General across the table from him. 'Are you OK, Jack, you seem a little shell-shocked?'

'I'm fine, sir.' Jack said trying to recover from the feeling that he'd stepped into an alternate reality somewhere between the elevator and his office.

'Good because there's a lot of work to do.' Hayes said. 'It's going to take time to find the right candidates for the new senior military position here and obviously George's replacement. I'm sure you'll have recommendations as will the Joint Chiefs but I am giving final approval to George. I agree with Doctor Jackson's argument that George is best placed to understand the right mix of personality and military discipline required in both positions.'

Jack blinked at the President; had he just said Doctor Jackson's argument?

'Until George makes his decisions on the candidates,' Hayes continued, 'you'll remain on active duty. You should know I've already made a call to the Joint Chiefs this morning to inform them of the restructuring plan.' He smiled. 'It came as something of a shock to them.'

'I'm sure it did, sir.' Jack would have paid money to have witnessed their reaction to the news.

'I've also informed them that while I don't usually interfere with individual assignments, I am supporting George's refusal of their transfer request regarding Colonel Carter. The restructuring will require the knowledge and experience of your senior staff especially one with specialist expertise in the Stargate.'

'Thank you, sir.' Jack said.

'Your retirement will become official once I'm convinced we have everything in place to make the new structure a success. I'm sure there's a ton of procedures that will need revision.'

'We'll get right on it.' Jack confirmed.

'Good.' Hayes nodded in satisfaction. 'So, tell me, what else has been happening here since the last time you guys saved the world?' He asked moving the conversation on.

Jack sighed in relief and began his usual report. A brief knock on the door sometime later had both men rising to their feet.

'I guess it's speech time.' Hayes murmured looking at his watch. 'Thanks for the update, Jack.'

'My pleasure, Mr President.'

They stepped out into the briefing area and were quickly hurried down the stairs to the gate room. It was filled with most of the squadron and the civilian personnel; a few personnel remained in place to ensure the base security was maintained. There was a certain degree of pomp and ceremony as the President walked up the ramp and took his place at the lectern with the Stargate providing a dramatic backdrop.

Jack took his place by Hammond who carefully avoided Jack's eyes as the President began his speech.

'I don't often get the opportunity to come out here as much as I'd like,' Hayes began, 'not only because I love to see the Stargate in action and wonder at the technology that has made our journey into the stars possible or to see first hand some of the strange discoveries I read avidly in your mission reports.' There was a smattering of laughter. 'But because it is too rare that I can openly recognise the achievements of this facility and the incredible job that it does in protecting Earth while at the same time accelerating the development of the entire human race. Each and everyone of you plays an important role in your success and I have nothing but praise and amazement for your continued ability to provide us with an effective first line of defence and to sustain alliances that will hopefully continue to benefit our planet for a long time to come.' He paused and looked around the room. 'For your recent achievements, on behalf of myself and every citizen of this planet, I thank you.'

Hayes accepted the applause and whoops before he stepped aside with a wave to let Jack take the stand.

Jack kept a smile fixed to his face as he took the lectern and shuffled the papers so his own speech sat before him. God, he hated public speaking. Maybe he'd get lucky and the Asgard would beam him out before he actually began.

There was an expectant silence in the room.

Crap, Jack thought, no Asgard. He cleared his throat. 'I'd firstly like to thank the President for his words and for honouring us once again with a personal visit. It is our pleasure and privilege to serve…' he settled into the speech happily recalling from memory the lines Daniel had forced him to learn that morning so they rolled off his tongue naturally. 'And finally, I'd like to remind everyone that we have a special celebratory lunch today in the commissary. And finally, finally,' he noticed Daniel's surprise as he changed the wording, 'I'd like to add my own personal thanks to everyone here for their continued support and hard work. You folks are truly the best. Thank you.'

There was another round of applause and whooping before Jack ushered the President down the ramp and out of the gate room. He vaguely heard the yell as the squadron was dismissed behind them. The commissary had been rearranged for the Presidential visit and its small area was soon packed. Hayes stayed longer than they expected and luncheon was almost over before Jack finally escorted him back up to the surface with Hammond.

'As always a pleasure, Jack.' Hayes shook his hand, returned the salute and turned to Hammond. Another salute and a handshake. 'I'll see you back in Washington, George.'

'Yes sir.' Hammond agreed. He and Jack stepped back as the President disappeared into his limo and the convoy of vehicles drove away.

'I guess we should get back to the party.' Hammond noted.

Jack waited until they were alone in the elevator before he stuck his hands in his pockets and glanced at the two star General beside him. 'So…you'll forgive me sir but when exactly did we discuss my plan to retire and run the SGC as a civilian?'

Hammond smiled at him. 'Our apologies, Jack. Daniel and I only put the finishing touches on the plan this morning before I left to meet Air Force One and there was no time to discuss it with you before you saw the President. Daniel did mention you had briefly discussed the idea with him before?'

'In passing.' Jack said trying for a light tone.

'He's a clever man, Jack.' Hammond said. 'It's a good plan. The Pentagon's power will be restricted but they get new personnel here. You remain leading the SGC and the President's happy.'

'That's Daniel.' Jack murmured. 'He's the best at this stuff.'

'That he is.' Hammond smiled.

Jack shook his head. Trust Daniel to come through for them; he always did as did the man in front of him.

'Off the record, Jack?' Hammond said quietly.

Jack nodded.

'You know why I like you so much?'

'My rugged good looks and sparkling wit?' Jack suggested.

'In all the time I've known you, you've never truly asked for anything for yourself.' Hammond said. 'For your team, for others, for the safety of the planet but not for you. Daniel pointed out to me that you would probably have remained in place at the SGC, maybe even have taken the Homeworld job after all, while there was a threat to our operational approach.'

'General…'

'Let me finish, Jack.' Hammond squared his shoulders as he met the younger man's eyes. 'I'm not unaware of the personal sacrifice that you would have made if you had taken the job, or indeed the personal sacrifices you have made in the past. I know you and Sam care deeply for one another and please,' he held up a hand, 'don't give me that bull about her just being a valuable member of your team.'

'Nothing has ever…' Jack began.

'I know that, son.' Hammond said quickly. 'Neither of you has ever given me cause to doubt the job comes first, heck, Jack, you even shot her when she got taken over by that alien. But the fact is I should have separated you both a long time ago.' He sighed. 'Back when I ran the SGC, I felt the unique combination of talents within SG1 was integral to our success. Now, that might have been the right decision for the safety of the planet but whichever way you slice the cake, I did you both a disservice as people.' He noted how uncomfortable the other man looked at being forced to discuss the situation directly and decided to wrap it up. 'When Daniel explained how his plan could solve our wider political issues, it seemed like a good opportunity for me to correct that disservice.'

Jack shuffled his feet a little, glanced back across at Hammond. 'I think I owe you a big thank you.'

'You don't owe me anything, Jack.' Hammond said. 'As I recall I still owed you for getting me reassigned to the SGC after that business with the NID threats to my family.'

'Ah that.' Jack smiled. 'Well, consider that debt repaid. Thank you, sir.'

Hammond nodded. Given Jack had told him once that the price was Jack's soul that was quite an admission. 'I'd thank Daniel if I were you. It was really his plan and he formulated the arguments I used with the President.'

Jack nodded slowly and the two men smiled at each other.

'So…' said Jack as he searched for something that changed the topic.

'I understand Teal'c's leaving at fifteen hundred for Dakara?' Hammond jumped in.

'Yes sir.' Jack confirmed gratefully. 'You staying for it?'

'I'd like that.' Hammond said.

They stepped out of the elevator and headed back to the commissary as Jack filled his CO in on what they had planned for Teal'c's send off. They separated at the entrance and Jack entered the milling crowd. He looked for Sam first. He always did. He found her talking with Daniel and Teal'c. She suddenly looked over in his direction and smiled at him. He made his way across the room to them and, because he couldn't help himself without warning or regard for how it might look, swept Daniel into a bear-hug. Sam and Teal'c glanced at each other amused.

'Jack?' Daniel asked a little worriedly.

Jack released him, patted his cheeks and stepped back leaving Daniel to adjust his glasses and smooth his tie. 'Thank you.'

'The speech really wasn't that good.' Daniel said bemused.

'Not for the speech.' Jack said as he accepted the glass of juice Sam handed to him.

Daniel smiled happily. 'He went for it?'

'Thinks it's a great idea.' Jack confirmed taking a gulp of his juice. 'Hammond's planning to announce the news within the next couple of days, get the ball rolling.'

'What news?' Sam asked.

'I believe it involves Daniel Jackson's plan to prevent the SGC falling into the hands of another General Bauer.' Teal'c said.

Daniel caught Sam's inquisitive look. 'I'll tell you later.'

Sam was about to demand that he tell her immediately when her eyes caught on the clock. She gestured with a jerk of her head at the time.

Jack followed her gaze and felt his good mood dim a little.

Teal'c watched them and felt his own spirits drop. 'It is almost time for me to depart, O'Neill.'

'Ah, Teal'c, before you go,' Daniel said, 'there's been something I've been meaning to give you but it's still in my office.'

'Why don't you two go pick it up and we'll meet you in the gate room?' Jack suggested casually.

'Great idea.' Daniel said. 'Shall we?'

'After you, Daniel Jackson.' Teal'c followed the archaeologist through the base to his office. He anticipated that it was nothing more than a delaying tactic for whatever surprise O'Neill had planned for his departure but after years of living with the Tau'ri he had no wish to spoil the pleasure that the others would elicit from the moment of revelation.

Daniel hunted through his office although he knew exactly where he'd placed the item in question. He finally picked up a box he had hidden out of sight at the side of his bookshelf. It contained a small, beautiful wooden table with fifty-holes drilled into the varnished lacquer.

Teal'c recognised it immediately; it was an original Jackal and Hounds game from Ancient Egypt, one that he and the younger man often played together. He had owned it once previously when the other man had ascended but on Daniel's return he had insisted on returning the game to its rightful owner.

'I want you to have this, Teal'c.'

Teal'c stared at Daniel for a long moment, a muscle working silently in his jaw. He bowed his head. 'I am honoured, Daniel Jackson. Be assured that I will take good care of your gift.'

Daniel felt a lump in his throat. 'I know you will, Teal'c. And hey, I expect to have a game every time I visit you on Dakara.'

'Then you will have to visit me often, Daniel Jackson, so we can maintain our knowledge and skill of the game.' Teal'c said huskily.

Daniel nodded. 'Deal.' He glanced at the clock. 'I guess we'd better get you to the gate room.'

'I will need to retrieve my staff weapon.' Teal'c said.

'Sure. We can do that.' Daniel hurried him out of the office and it wasn't long before they had the staff weapon and were walking through the door to the gate room which was already awash in the eerie blue light from the outgoing wormhole.

Teal'c stumbled to a halt. He had suspected a surprise but nothing on the scale of what had been done. The room was filled again with people. More were gathered in the control room. There were easily more people in attendance than had been crammed into the room for the Presidential visit. He nodded an acknowledgement to many as he made his way to the ramp where there was a short line of people waiting to say goodbye to him.

Daniel quietly placed the box containing the game on the waiting buggy that would take the rest of Teal'c's belongings through to Dakara. He slipped into place on the opposite side of Sam as the stunned Jaffa came to stand in front of the man who had once commanded the SGC.

'Goodbye, Teal'c.' Hammond said solemnly. 'Words cannot express my gratitude to you for what you have helped us achieve.'

'Nor my gratitude to you, General Hammond.' Teal'c placed a clenched fist across his chest as he bowed his head.

Hammond nodded and stepped off the ramp to leave Teal'c to say a goodbye to his team.

'Daniel Jackson.' Teal'c firmed his lips as a sudden wave of emotion hit him. This man, more than any other, should have hated him and yet he had forgiven him and more than that, had befriended him. 'I am honoured to consider you my friend and my brother.'

Daniel stepped forward and hugged Teal'c hard before he let him go. 'Take care, Teal'c.' There were tears glimmering in Daniel's eyes as he stepped back.

Teal'c turned and found himself embraced by Colonel Carter. He hugged her gently. 'I wish I could stay with you at this time, Colonel Carter, but I cannot.' He whispered.

'I know, Teal'c.' Tears choked her voice. She hurriedly eased back.

'You are my sister, Colonel Carter,' Teal'c stated his fondness for her coating every word, 'know that you will always be welcome in my house.'

Sam bit her lip to keep control, tears shimmering in her eyes and Teal'c couldn't look at her anymore.

He focused instead on the man who had changed his life, who had given him hope and who had believed in him. 'O'Neill.'

'Teal'c.' Jack's voice was rough with the emotions he was suppressing.

'You are my brother and it has been a great honour to serve at your side. My people and I owe you a great debt. Should you need me, O'Neill, know that I am yours to call upon.' Teal'c murmured.

Jack couldn't wait any longer. He hugged Teal'c. 'Back at ya, Teal'c.' He forced himself to stand back, let the Jaffa go. He gave a sharp nod to the control room and the buggy rolled forward through the wormhole. Teal'c looked again at his team-mates as they shifted to stand in a line at the bottom of the ramp. They had fought together, saved each other together and were bonded in ways few could ever know or experience. They were his family. He bowed his head.

Hammond called the order for attention, for the salute of honour. Every man and woman gathered followed it whole-heartedly. Jack's hand snapped up as did Sam's; Daniel followed the Jaffa tradition of a fist across the chest.

Teal'c blinked hard against the press of his own tears. He executed his own salute and with a final look at his SG1 team-mates, whirled away and into the wormhole. The event horizon disappeared leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the Stargate.