Butterflies

'So what do you think?' Daniel asked gesturing at Jack across the breakfast table in the SGC commissary.

Jack sighed and lowered his spoonful of Fruit Loops. 'Daniel, did we not agree after the whole time loop thing that you would never ask me that question especially when we were having breakfast and I was eating Fruit Loops?'

'We did not agree that.' Daniel denied.

'Yes we did.' Jack shot back.

'Did not.'

'Did.'

'Not.'

They both looked at Sam who tried hard not to laugh as she confirmed the archaeologist had made that promise to the General.

Daniel sighed. 'When did you start eating those things again anyway?'

Instead of answering, Jack stuffed another spoonful in his mouth and chewed. He was grateful that Sam diverted the conversation onto the Atlantis data she and Daniel were both working on, in between helping to finalise the restructuring plans for the SGC.

Atlantis.

Jack shook his head. The day after Teal'c had left they had received an incoming transmission from the Pegasus Galaxy. One point three seconds of compressed data. Some of it had been messages home but some of it had been critically needed information and more importantly, a plea for help. The original expedition had got into a whole heap of trouble and were about to be overrun by some kind of life-sucking vampire-like aliens they called the Wraith. The newly found ZPM had been rushed into service to open a wormhole that delivered a team of Marines to help hold the beleaguered city. As soon as the wormhole closed, the ZPM was transported on the new and barely tested hyperspace-capable X303, the Daedalus, to Atlantis to help power the city's defences. So, they had managed to find and relinquish a ZPM all within the space of a week. Easy come, easy go, mused Jack philosophically.

It had been the right call. They had held Atlantis against the odds. The senior officers of the Atlantis team had arrived back with the Daedalus to debrief in person. It had been good to see Doctor Elizabeth Weir again, Jack thought, and to see her in action. When Colonel Caldwell had questioned the suitability of John Sheppard in leading the Atlantis military command, the way she had replied had been a pleasure to watch. It had been Jack's pleasure afterwards to promote the young Major to Lieutenant Colonel. The Atlantis team had left a ton of information before the Daedalus had taken them back. Sam and Daniel had been working through it every spare moment they got. It had even taken priority over the contents of Catherine Langford's estate that had been bequeathed to Daniel. The archaeologist had reluctantly handed that over to his research assistants.

Jack watched them debating on the other side of the table, not really listening, as he finished his cereal. Since Teal'c's departure, they had re-established their old routine of all meeting for breakfast in the commissary. Jack would never admit how much he enjoyed it or how much he had missed it since he had started to run the SGC. He also refused to admit how much he enjoyed the daily contact and working with his former team-mates on the restructuring. In some ways, it felt like old times. Daniel would put forward one argument; Jack would disagree; Sam would referee and usually they'd all find their way to a compromise position that was all the better for their different viewpoints. Of course, they were driving Woolsey loopy, Jack thought gleefully.

Richard Woolsey had worked for Senator Kinsey in a previous attempt to take control of the SGC but ultimately had acted honourably. He had turned over damning information on Kinsey to the President and ensured the future of the SGC. The President had made him a liaison to the IOA. When the IOA had protested that they had not been informed about the restructuring, Hayes had agreed to have Woolsey provide an oversight function for them to smooth ruffled feathers. Jack had given in less than gracefully to the order. He didn't like the man and had thought his presence would stymie the whole process. He still didn't like the man but he had to admit, albeit grudgingly, that Woolsey was doing a good job; had even provided some useful input like suggesting that since Sam was the foremost expert on the Stargate that she should be on permanent assignment to the SGC reporting directly to the Homeworld office. So despite all of the delays and interruptions that were part of the daily operation of the SGC they were on target to finish the plans within Daniel's original estimate.

Only one week and four days to go and he would be officially retired from the US Air Force and running the SGC as its new civilian leader. Jack's eyes flickered to Sam; one week and four days before he would finally be able to have the discussion with her. The one where he confessed he loved her and prayed she did the same. He wondered at the nerves crowding in his belly. He hadn't been this nervous since he'd been a teenager. The signs were good. He felt the closest he had to Sam since…since forever and yet nothing had substantially changed in their relationship. He was just her CO and former team leader and she was still just a Lieutenant Colonel under his command and a former team-mate. There was still nothing more between them than professional respect, a deep, platonic friendship and feelings neither could admit to. But they had hope now, Jack mused. Hope that in one week and four days they would finally have a chance and Jack was determined he wasn't going to screw it up.

At least, he considered as he regarded her animated face, his slight worry that Sam would be grieving too much and wouldn't be ready for the discussion had all but dissipated. Not that she was 'over' her father's death, and Jack briefly wondered if anyone ever really recovered from a loss of a parent and he knew for certain a parent never recovered from the loss of a child, but she seemed to have regained a lot of her…what had Carolyn called it…balance. He knew she had spent a lot of time off base with Cassie, some of it with him and Daniel. On base, it seemed the whole SGC team made sure she ate properly and rested. She hadn't mentioned the grief counsellor and he hadn't asked. Nor had they discussed the imminent session Jack would have with the SGC CMO on whether SG1 came off stand down especially as their new team member was arriving that morning. Jack put his spoon down and reached for his coffee, retuning into the others' conversation to hear Sam asking Daniel if he was fine not going to Atlantis. The Daedalus was scheduled to leave for another trip to the Pegasus Galaxy in less than a week.

Daniel rolled his eyes. 'I already told you, Sam, I'm OK with not going.' He glanced over at Jack with an expression that clearly said help.

'I need Daniel on the restructuring, Carter.' Jack inserted easily. 'He's not going this time.'

'Besides they'll be other times now we've got the Daedalus to provide transportation.' Daniel pointed out.

'Yes, there will.' Jack agreed.

Sam looked from Daniel and Jack, and back again. They both gazed back at her with seemingly innocent expressions. God, but she loved them, she thought even if a part of her felt that they were mollycoddling her unnecessarily. Not that she was ungrateful; she truly had no idea how she would have coped without them since her father's death. But, she grumbled inwardly, she was much better. The past month of downtime had been exactly what she'd needed. As much as she loved her job going off-world, staying at the SGC and working through her projects, helping with the restructuring, spending the time with Cassie…it had been all been personal time she had needed. She wondered if Carolyn would approve her return to off-world missions…maybe not. She had formed something of an embryonic friendship with the other woman over the previous month and had found her very similar in a lot of ways to her late friend, Janet. Carolyn's judgement would only be based on what she felt was best for her patient.

Sam sighed and glanced at her watch. She took another hasty sip of coffee and shoved her chair back. 'I'd better get to the surface. I told Cam I'd meet him up top at oh-eight-hundred.'

Jack frowned at the mention of the young Lieutenant Colonel who was joining SG1. 'Did I really say he could have anything he wanted if he made it out of that hospital bed?'

'Yes, sir.' Sam said. 'You did and he's really excited about joining SG1 so don't tease him. Sir.'

'Just checking.' Jack smiled at her. 'Be sure and give the kid a tour before he reports for duty.'

'Yes, sir.' Sam flashed a smile at him before she hurried away.

Jack sighed and put his own coffee down. 'I'd better get the day started.'

'Are you interviewing today for the SGC senior military commander?' Daniel asked getting to his feet when Jack rose.

'Oh yes.' Jack sighed. 'Three Colonels and another Brigadier General.'

'At least General Landry agreed to take the Homeworld position.' Daniel said as they made their way out of the commissary. 'It seems like a good fit.'

'It is.' Jack smiled. He'd been pleased Hank had agreed to the assignment. He and Hank had served together. Hank didn't have much tolerance for incompetence, which endeared him to the Pentagon, but when he believed his people were competent, he gave them a great deal of latitude. He actually reminded Jack of Hammond.

'Is he coming for the interviews?' Daniel asked.

'Yeah. So's Hammond.' Jack shook his head as they entered the elevator. 'I have to wear the suit again.'

'How awful for you.'

Jack shot him a look. 'You want to sit in?'

'As fascinating as it sounds, no. Thank you.' Daniel pushed his glasses up his nose. 'I need to catch up with Nyan on where he is with Catherine's estate and I want to re-look at the some of the Atlantis data. You know there's a fascinating section…'

'Sounds like a busy day.' Jack said cutting in before Daniel got started.

Daniel smiled. 'Thanks for the save with Sam.'

'She's doing better, don't ya think?' Jack said pushing his hands in his pockets.

'You're getting the second evaluation report today, aren't you?' Daniel asked perceptively.

'Carolyn should be waiting in my office.' Jack admitted.

'She is doing better, Jack.' Daniel reassured him. 'Have you heard from Teal'c yet?'

'Not since the message he sent when Bra'tac visited.' Jack said. There had been only one visit to the SGC from the Jaffa at Dakara since Teal'c's departure; Bra'tac had accompanied the returning SG7 team along with Major Davis. Jack figured Teal'c was making a conscious effort not to return and let them all adjust to the reality he wasn't there anymore. His message had been brief; he sent greetings and hoped they were in good health. Jack's reply had, for once, been even more succinct than his friend's as he told Bra'tac to tell Teal'c that they missed him too.

'Have we heard anything from the Jaffa since then?' Daniel asked.

'Nope.' Jack shook his head.

'That's a little worrying, isn't it?' Daniel mused. 'I mean, they ask us to leave and then don't talk to us?'

Jack shrugged. 'Bra'tac didn't seem that worried. He just said that the Council felt they needed to find their own way.'

'What did Major Davis say?' Daniel asked.

'That the Council felt they needed to find their own way.' Jack repeated.

Daniel looked at him sceptically.

'OK,' admitted Jack, 'so Davis may have mentioned that he believed there might be some problems, some vague anti-Tau'ri thing going on.'

Daniel frowned heavily. 'Is Teal'c going to be OK?'

'You know Teal'c.' Jack said as they stepped out of the elevator. He was pleased when Daniel sighed but didn't press it further. They separated at a corridor junction and Jack made his way to his office. He paused in the doorway at the sight of Carolyn Lam and her father, General Landry both standing inside staring at each other angrily in absolute silence. The air was thick with tension.

Jack cleared his throat and tried a cheerful smile as he entered the room. 'So…I believe you two have met before.'

Carolyn shifted awkwardly as Landry took a deep breath. 'General.'

'General.' Jack answered.

'I just came to let you know I'd arrived, Jack.' Landry glanced over at his silent daughter. 'I know you have a meeting so I won't keep you.'

'Good to have you here, sir.' Jack replied. As a Major General, Landry outranked him and could have insisted on full protocol.

Landry nodded. 'I'll see you for the interviews.' He turned back to Carolyn. 'Perhaps we can speak later?'

'I have a busy day.' Carolyn said shoving her hands deep in the pockets of her white lab coat.

'Then I won't hold you up any longer.' Landry strode out of the office shutting the door behind him.

Jack sat down and indicated for Carolyn to take a chair.

'Why didn't you tell me he was taking the Homeworld job?' Carolyn said angrily.

'You didn't get the memo?' Jack joked trying to avoid the conversation.

She stared at him and he sighed at her furious expression.

'Would it really have made a difference?' Jack asked gently. 'Under the new structure, all civilians will report to me including yourself so it's not like he's just become your new boss.'

'You should have told me.' Carolyn insisted.

'I admit I should have told you.' He admitted. 'Now can we move on?' He waited until she gave a sharp nod.

Carolyn settled back in the chair. 'I've completed the second evaluation on Colonel Carter. Doctor Kenny confirms that the Colonel has been very cooperative and is making remarkable progress. She'd like to continue her counselling sessions but she sees no reason to prevent Colonel Carter from returning to full duty particularly given the Colonel has passed her physical.'

'I can take SG1 off stand down?' Jack checked.

'Yes.' Carolyn tapped her fingers on the arm of her chair. 'On the condition that Colonel Carter continues with Doctor Kenny.'

'OK. I'll give her the good news.' Jack said.

Carolyn nodded and waved at his desk. 'I've also completed my comments on the latest draft of the new procedures.'

'Great.' Jack saw the buff folder and his heart sank. One week and four days, he reminded himself. 'Thank you, Carolyn.'

'General.' She rose gracefully and exited through the door to the corridor.

Jack started at the knock on the other door and gestured for Walter to enter. He half-listened to the run down of his day and accepted the briefing folders Walter gave to him. 'Walter, I'm going to need ten minutes with Colonel Carter when she brings Colonel Mitchell to report to me and you'll need to add SG1 back into the mission rotation as of tomorrow.'

'Yes, sir.' Walter suppressed the urge to sigh. 'I'll make the adjustments in your schedule as required, sir.'

Jack glanced up at the recently promoted Chief Master Sergeant and smiled. 'You're doing a great job, Walter.'

'Thank you, sir. You have a briefing with SG12, sir.' Walter indicated the team waiting in the briefing room before he left Jack with the briefing folder for the mission.

He flipped through it on his way as he wandered into join the SG team; the mission seemed a straight-forward meet and greet. He approved it and made a notation on the relevant form for the mission to be included into the gate travel schedule. He was heading back into his office when he heard Sam's voice coming up the stairs. He spun on his heel and waited for her. She appeared with the smartly dressed Lieutenant Colonel Cameron Mitchell.

God, but he made him feel old, thought Jack ruefully. Mitchell could have been a poster boy for the Air Force; a thirty-something all-American male with piercing blue eyes, an attractive face and short brown spiky hair. There was no sign of a limp from the young pilot's past injuries sustained when his F302 had crashed protecting SG1 in their battle with Anubis over Antarctica over a year before. Mitchell's doctors had been astounded at his recovery rate and he had passed every fitness test and the Stargate training programme with flying colours. Jack was amused when Mitchell caught sight of him and came abruptly to attention.

'Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell reporting for duty, sir.'

Jack didn't look at Sam for fear they would both start laughing at Mitchell's formality. 'At ease, Mitchell, before you sprain something.'

'Ah, yes sir.' Mitchell breathed out.

'Carter given you the grand tour?' Jack asked.

'She has, sir.' Mitchell's blue eyes gleamed with excitement. 'I can't wait to get started.'

Jack smiled. 'I like your enthusiasm and I have to tell ya, SG1's the best gig on or off the planet.'

'That's why I requested it, sir.' Mitchell couldn't prevent the smile forming.

'Well, welcome aboard. You've been told about the restructure?'

'Yes, sir. Sa…Colonel Carter mentioned it to me, sir.'

Jack caught the almost mention of Sam's name. He knew the two were friends from their Academy days and Mitchell had actually gotten his promotion before Sam. In theory, he was the senior officer. 'OK. So, some ground rules. Firstly, we don't leave our people behind. Ever.'

'Yes, sir.'

'Secondly, try not to get possessed by an alien today. It'll ruin your first day and quite frankly, I don't need the paperwork. Thirdly, Carter's the boss. She's the SG1 leader and she's logged the most off-world time of anyone in this facility including myself…'

'Well, only if you don't count the times you've been stuck on a planet, sir.' Sam interrupted. 'And Daniel's time on Abydos or his whole Ascension thing.'

Jack's gaze flickered to her. 'Trying to make a point here, Carter.'

'Sorry, sir.' Her lips twitched as Jack's gaze moved back to Mitchell.

'If you've got a problem answering to Carter, now would be the time to tell me.' Jack held the younger man's gaze evenly.

'Not a problem sir.' Mitchell answered sincerely. 'I'm here to learn.'

'Good. In that case, why don't you take this to Sergeant Harriman,' Jack handed him the folder he was holding, 'and have a look at the gate control room. I need a moment with Colonel Carter.'

'Yes sir.' Mitchell took the folder and snapped off another salute before he headed for the stairs.

'And Mitchell,' Jack called over to him as he took the first step.

'Sir?' There was a quizzical expression in the blue eyes.

'The fourth rule is; don't touch anything.'

'Sir.' Mitchell nodded and headed down.

Jack smiled at Sam's obvious amusement. 'My office, Carter.'

'Yes, sir.' She followed him inside and took a deep breath as he closed the door to the briefing room.

Her anxious expression got to Jack and he decided not to prolong the wait. 'SG1 is officially off stand down. You'll go back on mission rotation tomorrow.'

'Thank you, sir.' Sam breathed out in relief.

'There is a condition.' Jack said.

'Oh?'

'You have to continue with Doctor Kenny.'

He saw her absorb it and the slow nod of her head as she accepted it. 'Yes, sir.'

'OK…well…'

'Unscheduled incoming wormhole.' The announcement came over the tannoy at the same time the alarms and sirens initiated.

Both of them ran for the stairs and clattered to a halt behind Walter in the control room.

Mitchell glanced across at them and held his hands up. 'I swear I didn't touch anything.'