Sorry for the delay in posting. It has been a hectic couple of weeks. Between school and homework, and play practice and opening night, I've been lucky to do anything other than what is required of me. But here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy. Hopefully I'll have another chapter up later this week. Please review.

Chapter 5: A Battle of Wills –

"Enter."

Sam stepped into General O'Neill's office at his response to her knock. Once again she was reminded that this was not the General O'Neill from her reality. Her General O'Neill would have recognized her knock. This one seemed aware only of the fact that his solitude had been disturbed. Sam stood at attention in front of his desk, waiting for him to acknowledge her presence.

Jack was aware that whoever had knocked on his door was standing in front of his desk awaiting his acknowledgement. However, he just wasn't in the mood. He was too busy silently fuming at Janet. It wasn't bad enough that Janet had contacted Teal'c yesterday without his authorization. But he had just found out that she took Teal'c and alternate Carter off base this morning. The fact that she pulled rank as CMO to do that without notifying him first meant one thing: Daniel was in town. No doubt she'd called him too.

Suddenly Jack was ready to acknowledge the person in front of him, if for no other reason than to vent his frustration. Looking up, the words died on his lips as he realized who stood in front of him.

"What can I do for you Colonel?" Jack's harsh and cold tone would have intimidated most SGC personnel, but not Carter. He did however notice something akin to sadness flicker across Sam's eyes before the soldier took over and her face was unreadable.

"General, it appears that I may be here a while, seeing as how I don't know how I got here and therefore have no way back. Request permission to join an SG team, sir."

"Sorry Colonel, there aren't currently any openings and there is a long waiting list."

"What about SG1?"

"SG1 has been retired." Jack snapped. Looking at Sam, he narrowed his eyes. "But you already knew that." Sam nodded.

"Permission to speak freely, sir?"

I'm probably going to regret this, but… "Permission granted."

"I realize that you don't like this situation, General." Sam said, looking at Jack for the first time as she left 'attention.' "I can't say I'm real keen on it either. However, for the time being, I'm stuck here. Whether you like it or not, I have as much knowledge of and experience with the Ori as any other member of this command. I should be out in the field using that knowledge to save Earth, and maybe find my way home along the way."

"Not going to happen Colonel."

"With all do respect, sir! You will want to reconsider that decision."

"Oh really?" Jack said menacingly, raising an eyebrow.

"Sir, you worked with Major Carter for 7 years before she died. Surely you are aware of just how annoying I can be when I want to. I assume I'll be staying on base to avoid certain questions. Being completely relegated to base, I'm likely to become stir crazy and look for outlets of my frustration."

"Are you blackmailing me Colonel?" Jack's voice became deadly.

"Of course not, sir." Sam responded innocently. "I'm simply stating facts. If put on an SG team, I can take my frustration out on the Ori, you will only have to see me for briefings or other official business, and I get to stay busy. It's really a win-win situation."

Jack glared at Sam for a couple long minutes. She knew he was trying to intimidate her, but she'd had 8 years to build up an immunity to that look. So she stared back, not once flinching.

"I'll have Walter deliver personnel files to you. You have until the end of the week to pull together a team." Jack growled.

"That won't be necessary, General. I already have my team."

Jack's eyes flew to hers. For the first time since she entered the office, Sam was shaken by the look in General O'Neill's eyes.

"There is no way in hell Colonel!"

"Whether you like it or not General, I know them best. But most importantly, they know me. You know that we work well together." Sam paused, wondering if she should make the next statement. "No one else should be called SG1, sir. Isn't that why you retired the designation?"