Author's Note: the secret service guy isn't meant to be Major Lorne from Atlantis. I just needed a name for the guy and I used it.

OOOOOOOOOO

After that, the interview went downhill immediately. So quickly, in fact, that only a few minutes after the interruption from the secret service agent, Emmett sighed and called it off, telling Ian they could try to pick it up later – and fairly certain it wouldn't happen. The secret service agent who had been watching – under the watchful and mistrusting eye of Nathan Brooks – was joined by another, who gave warning that the President was entering the corridor outside the room and on the way.

Emmett moved into Janet's office to get out of the way, although the cameraman stayed out in the main area of the infirmary, ready to film whatever was to come. Janet followed Emmett into her office.

"Sorry about that…"

He smiled and shook his head.

"It wasn't going all that well before the interruption."

"He said he was going to cooperate," she said, frowning, which caused him to smile again.

"He was cooperating. It's just that he wasn't saying all that much. It was like pulling teeth."

"Oh…" she looked out the window at the crowd that was forming at the door, and realized that the President wasn't the only VIP who was coming into her infirmary. She could see Ian scowling as he realized it, too. "He's not the most talkative kid in the best of circumstances…"

Emmett nodded.

"I know. Luckily, Jack and the others gave great interviews, so we'll be able to focus more on those than Ian and McKay."

"Which will be fine with Ian, I'm sure."

"And will drive McKay crazy," Emmett added. "But his isn't any more usable than Ian's."

"Well, if Jack is going to be such a public figure now, it won't be such a bad thing to have all the publicity."

Bregman nodded.

"Although he probably won't like it anymore than Ian."

"True."

OOOOOOOOOO

It wasn't just the President. Ian noticed that right away, and from the way his eyes narrowed, so did Nathan.

"Hey, look," McKay said, looking over as well, and obviously excited enough to make up for the lack of enthusiasm from the others. "They're all coming."

"Yipee," Ian replied, sarcastically.

"They probably want to give us medals," Rodney added hopefully.

"Joy."

Before McKay – or anyone else – could say anything else, the entourage moved over towards the beds, and the medical staff cleared out of the way as the President led the way.

Hayes stopped at the edge of Ian's bed, and was visibly surprised to see Nathan standing there. Ian had to admit – privately, of course – that it was a bit gratifying to see that the President actually seemed uncomfortable with his father there.

"General Brooks," Hayes said, holding his hand out to Nathan. "It's a pleasure to see you here."

Ever the politician, Hayes even looked like he meant it.

Brooks nodded, shaking his hand.

"Mr. President."

He looked over at the other dignitaries, and his expression went from guarded to one much more pleased.

"Julien."

The French ambassador beamed, and walked forward to take the hand Nathan had proffered.

"Nathan! I am so happy that you are here." He frowned. "But Maggie is-"

"She's here, too," Nate interrupted. "Thanks to you."

The ambassador shook his head.

"She is the one who insisted on coming with me."

"Well, I'm grateful, just the same. You might have saved her life."

The ambassador shrugged, but shook Nate's hand again.

"She is a wonderful woman – and hard to ignore when she is intent on something. As I'm sure you know."

Nathan laughed, because that was exactly how he would have described his wife.

"We'll have to talk more once you're done."

"It will be my pleasure, Nathan."

And the ambassador turned toward the rest of the group, who were waiting somewhat impatiently for him to finish the conversation with the American. The President gave the two a slightly sour look, and turned his charm on as he looked over at Ian.

"So, young man!" he said, cheerfully, acting as though he hadn't been in the same room as Ian only that morning. "We owe you a huge debt."

Ian scowled. He knew the President had seen the cameraman, and was talking more for that than he was actually talking to Ian.

"You don't owe me anything, sir," he said.

The President smiled, looking at the others.

"He's too modest…"

The other VIPs all nodded their agreement, beaming at Ian as well.

"I helped," McKay reminded them all.

Hayes stepped between the two beds, careful to make sure that he never actually turned his back on the camera – or those watching.

"So you did," Hayes agreed. "And we won't forget it, I assure you. Perhaps you and Lieutenant Brooks could give us an account of what happened on your amazing and daring mission?"

Ian frowned.

"We already-"

"We'd love to," McKay interrupted.

OOOOOOOOO

Sam sidled up to stand beside Jack, who was leaning against one of the doorways that led to the main room of the infirmary and watching the chaos that was going on in the middle of the room.

"How's he doing?"

He looked over, giving her a smile of greeting and sliding his arm around her waist to pull her up against his side. Since he was relatively out of the way and everyone was pretty much focused on the two people in the beds, he hadn't been pestered by anyone and could freely cuddle – a little, anyways.

"He looks like he's being forced to take medicine…"

She smiled, looking over to see for herself. Sure enough, Jack's description was a pretty good one.

"You could go take over…"

Jack snorted good-naturedly.

"Not a chance. I'm going to have a chat with him, but not until everyone's gone."

Sam couldn't blame him a bit.