"We weren't doing anything," McKay said, annoyed at having his only company sent away – especially when it was female and seemed to hang on every word he said. Well some of the words, anyways.

"General Hammond wants me to do a thorough checkup on you two," Fraiser said. "Which means-"

"Thorough checkup?" McKay asked, interrupting. "What does that mean?"

"It means that he wants you two to be able to sit for a joint press conference with the others – preferably without looking ready to fall over. Then I'll be able to release you."

"Really?" Ian asked, interrupting.

She scowled at the interruption, but nodded.

"Your father is antsy to have you up and about, and the sooner we get Doctor McKay here out of the infirmary the sooner things can return to some form of normality here."

"We're doing a press conference?" McKay asked, looking smug. "Excellent."

Ian frowned.

"What if we don't want to do a press conference?"

"What do you mean we don't want to do a press conference?" McKay asked. "Of course we do!"

"I don't."

"It might be fun," Cassie told him.

"Then you do it."

She smiled, not at all put off by his grumpiness. After all, if she couldn't handle that, she'd have never started dating him.

"You might like it. A crowd of people all gathered around you trying to find out every last detail about your life, and passing that information on to millions – probably even billions – of people hanging on every word…"

Janet didn't even need to look at Ian's expression to know that the thought didn't appeal to him.

"You're not helping things, Cass," she said, waving the girl off of Ian's bed. "Why don't you go find something to do to occupy yourself for a while?"

She didn't need her underfoot anyways.

"And take Jaffer with you."

Cassie smiled and hopped off the bed.

"Okay."

Jaffer was more than willing to join her. The lab wanted out, anyways, and Cassie could take him. A few minutes later the two of them were heading out the door and Janet turned to her patients.

"Doctor? Shall we start with you?"

McKay leaned back in his bed, spreading his arms as he sprawled.

"Have at it, doctor."

Janet frowned, decided that he was going to enjoy it far more than she wanted him to – or than she wanted to be a part of – and took a step back, gesturing towards one of her colleagues. "Jeff? Will you come take care of an exam for me?"

The doctor who answered was almost fifty, balding and muscular.

"Of course."

McKay lost his smile.

OOOOOOOOOOO

Elizabeth Weir was standing outside the infirmary when the door opened. She wasn't actually lurking, she was simply uncertain what she wanted to do next and was debating which politician she wanted to have breakfast with as she tried to consolidate support for her Atlantis idea.

She was startled to see Cassandra Fraiser walk out, accompanied by the large dog that belonged to Colonel O'Neill. Cassie smiled a greeting.

"She kicked us out, too."

Elizabeth couldn't help but echo the smile.

"I think Lieutenant Brooks probably paid her to kick me out…"

"Yeah?"

Weir nodded.

"He doesn't like me…"

Cassie shrugged.

"He's just like that."

"With everyone?"

"Pretty much."

"So how do I get through to him?"

Cassie chuckled, and shrugged again.

"Good luck with that."

"You got through to him, obviously…"

It was more of a question.

"I caught him when he was off guard," Cassie admitted.

Elizabeth nodded, but didn't ask the obvious question – and Cassie didn't offer the answer.

"So I'll just have to keep at him, then."

"And don't get offended when he tells you off," Cassie suggested.

"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks."

"Sure thing."

She headed off down the corridor with Jaffer trotting beside her, and wondered if she should warn Ian that Weir seemed really determined to get him to do whatever it was she wanted him to do. And decided that it would just put him on the defensive against her, so she figured she'd stay out of it. Whatever it was.

OOOOOOOOO

"A press conference? Are you out of your mind?"

The President frowned.

"No. The American people – not to mention the rest of the world – are waiting to get a look at the people who saved them from certain doom, and we can't hold them off much longer."

Hammond shook his head.

"I understand that, Mr. President, but-"

"You know, you should get used to calling me Henry again, George…" the President interrupted.

"I honestly think this is a bad idea…"

Hayes scowled.

"Why?"

"Because none of them have ever given an interview before, for one thing."

"They did for Emmett Bregman."

"That wasn't live…"

"They'll adapt just fine."

"Colonel O'Neill won't appreciate-"

"He's going to have to get used to it, George," Hayes interrupted. "He'll be seeing a lot more of the press with his new job. Besides, the world needs to get used to him, too."

Hammond could understand that, but he still didn't think Jack was going to be all that thrilled by the idea. And worse…

"Does Nathan Brooks know about this?"

"I doubt it."

"You might want to let him know."

The President sighed, but nodded.

"Yeah, he wouldn't appreciate it if I just sprang it on him, would he?"

Hammond smiled.

"I think it'd be safe to say he'd be a little angry…"

Especially since the general knew all about the conversation between Nate and the President concerning his son – and thrusting him in front of a pack of eager media was not the best way to avoid making a political tool out of someone.

"I'll go find him now… You go tell SG-1 – and I don't want them wearing their formal uniforms. I want them looking relaxed and casual. But not too casual."

"Yes, sir."

"Henry, George."

Before Hammond could correct himself, the President left the room.