AN: A huge thank you to everyone for their patience and support. Life has been… well, difficult.. and seriously hindering my ability to write. My apologies for this. Hopefully things will turn around. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Please also see the note at the bottom.

Don't think this one needs any special warnings outside usual ones.

***SG1***SG1***

Stepping off the plane onto the tarmac, Hammond snapped off a salute to acknowledge those he was receiving. "At ease," he murmured.

"Car is over here, Sir," the airman who was going to drive the three star around stated, gesturing toward a non-description black sedan nearby.

"Very well," George stated, heading toward it. Sliding in, he waited until the driver was buckled in before he spoke. "I need to go here," he stated, handing the driver a piece of paper.

"No problem, Sir," the airman acknowledged, sliding the address under the edge of the clip on the dash.

Watching as the scenery passed by him, George felt sorrow begin to pull at the edges of the anger that he still held over the way Jack had tried to manipulate him. A sigh escaped him as he thought about the lines that had been drawn and crossed since that time.

Lines that would either fix a portion of the damage or finish shattering the fragile shards that were left. A shudder passed through his chest at the thought.

***SG1***SG1***

"Hey, thought you were going to sleep in the bed?"

Hearing the softly spoken words, Sam fought to open her eyes to peer at the speaker. Focusing on the man sitting on the coffee table, she blinked sleepily. "Didn't make it there," she murmured, stretching her legs out. "What time is it?"

"Almost thirteen hundred," Jack murmured, brushing back the hair from Sam's face. He wasn't surprised she had crashed out after she had showed up at 0530 unannounced. From the look of her she had been up for several days. He had simply let her in and watched as she paced around the house, fighting off the adrenaline that had been keeping her going. When she began to sag, he wrapped her in his arms and pulled them both down to the couch until it was time for him to leave. "Just stopped in to see if you had found something to eat."

"Not yet," she breathed, rolling over. A frown crossed her face. "Flight suit?"

"Training run this afternoon," Jack replied, pulling on her hand to help her sit up. Watching her settle back and rub the sleep from her eyes, he said, "Not that I'm complaining, but didn't expect to see you this morning when I opened the door."

A shrug met his words as her eyes drifted away from him. She had been released two days prior from Bethesda to arrive in the Springs to a house that seemed too quiet. "Teal'c and Daniel are gone," she offered, throwing him a tight smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Seemed like a good time to see your new place." A murmured sound told her he wasn't convinced that was the whole story. Moving to get up, she had barely gained her feet when a tug on her hand stopped her from moving away from the couch.

"Carter."

The soft call of her name caused her to swallow and a sigh to escape. "The house felt," she trailed off and shook her head. Looking away she swallowed the lump that had appeared in her throat at the confession. "Guess I'm not ready to be by myself as much as I think I am," she whispered.

Running his thumb over the back of her hand, he kept his eyes down to give her time. "Mi casa es tu casa," he murmured, the forced lightness not quite covering the nervousness and concern under it. Raising his eyes, he tugged on her hand to encourage her to look at him. Reading the relief in her eyes when she did, he gained his feet. "You going to be okay here while I'm gone?"

Drawing in a shaky breath, she nodded. "Go," she said, trying to lighten her voice. "Have fun."

"Sure?" he replied, "Cause I could call in..."

"Go," she interrupted him, his tone causing warmth to seep over her. Turning toward him, she smiled. "I'll be okay."

Reading her, Jack nodded briefly. "Okay," he said moving away and dropping her hand. "I'll be back by 1900. If you get bored, there's laundry to do," he jested pulling open the door. The smile that pulled on his face dropped as he was stopped from leaving by the man standing on the other side of it.

"Sir," Jack said stiffly, his shoulders automatically straightening a little.

"Jack," Hammond replied, tipping his head. "Mind if I..." he trailed off gesturing toward the open doorway.

Stepping back, Jack warily watched the older man enter before closing the door. He knew that the General had seen Sam when he froze a few steps in. Stepping around to place himself between Hammond and Carter, he locked eyes with him. "What brings you to my little corner of the world, Sir?"

Leaning slightly to look around Jack, George tipped his head. "Major."

"Sir," Carter said, her voice belaying her nerves. Clearing her throat, she tried again. "General Hammond."

"Doctor Rogers said she had released you to go home," Hammond replied. "I'm glad you're doing better."

"Thank you, Sir."

Glancing back at Jack, George let out a sigh at the suspicion he saw in his features. "We need to talk."

"I'll just," Sam started to say but was interrupted before she could finish.

"Stay," Jack snapped, his eyes not leaving the General.

"This affects you too," George agreed. "You mind?" he asked gesturing to a chair. A subtle shrug met his request. Sinking down, his eyes followed the sway of the hat In his hand for a few seconds while he gathered his thoughts. "Since your little stunt," he said, raising his eyes to Jack, "there have been a lot of conversations about what to do with you two."

Jack's eyes darted to Sam before he raised an eyebrow at the General. "Sir?"

"There are some who would love nothing better but to throw you," he nodded at Jack, "into the brig and give Major Carter a dishonorable discharged. They see your actions as confirmation of fraternization." The subtle flexing of Jack's muscles telling him he was going to jump to Sam's defense had him holding up his hand. "Fortunately others realize the utter stupidity of that approach."

A grunt of agreement met the words.

"They have finally agreed that you will be promoted as we discussed and placed in charge of the SGC," George stated, judging the impact of his words as he said them. Seeing no reaction at the apparent dichotomy of the two options, he waited, knowing what was next. He wasn't disappointed.

"And Carter?" Jack asked nodding toward her.

"That depends on her. If she wants to retire, they've agreed to let her, with a caveat," he added, a sigh escaping him. Turning his head toward Sam, he saw her take a few steps forward.

"Caveat?" she asked, her eyes darting uncertainly to Jack.

"There'll be a permanent order attached to it that under certain conditions you can be recalled to active duty and you have to come, no questions asked. You will have to remain in condition to do that at all times."

A wince passed her face. "I'm not there even now," she breathed.

A slow nod met her words. "They understand that," he added softly. "You will be given more time to address the remaining effects of the last mission," he promised before a grimace passed over his face. "As long as things stay quiet," he added.

Jack licked his lips nervously. "And if it doesn't stay quiet?" his voice added quotation marks on the term.

"Or I choose to stay in?" Sam asked, her voice betraying the emotions of making that statement.

"You will be placed where you are needed," George stated flatly, his eyes catching Jack's.

Reading the underlying message that that could be at the mountain, a sound escaped Jack as he shook his head. "She can't. I can't," he stuttered, his feet carrying him a few steps away as he struggled with the implications of the announcement.

A sigh escaped the General. "I know this places you both in a difficult situation," George began only to stop at the derisive sound from Jack.

"You don't get it," Jack forced out, each word distinct, heavy, raw. A glance back toward the older man told him he was waiting to see what else he was going to say. "Carter can never be under my direct command again," he gritted out, "especially there. The stakes," a shudder passed through Jack's body, "the potential costs are too high."

A slow shake of the General's head and the frown on his face told Jack he had to continue. "The last couple missions, the hearing, 493," he winced as he referenced the planet where Sam was attacked, "it made me realize I can't do it anymore. French and Nelson were right in a way. As far as Carter's concerned, I've lost the ability," he started, taking the few steps back to the General hoping he understood.

Looking toward Sam, he saw she was pale, wide-eyed, her mind racing at the potential meaning of his words. Locking eyes with her, he quietly stated, "I'll always choose you. God help me, if it comes down to a choice between saving you or anyone else, earth itself," he gestured, "I'll choose you, no matter what it takes, who is sacrificed," he broke off, his eyes telling her he didn't have the right words to say what he needed. Looking back to the older man, he added, his voice rough. "That's why she can't come back there, not as long as I'm in command."

The sound of the minute hand advancing rang loudly in the room for several seconds.

"If that happens," George said quietly, his carefully modulated voice breaking the silence, "she will not be under your command." Raising his eyes to Sam, he added, "You will, at all times, be under my sole authority."

A frown pulled on her features. "I thought you were retiring."

Jack's eyes landed on the older man's shoulders as he realized what was different. "Three stars," he muttered, a crease etching itself into his forehead. "You've been promoted," he said, his voice louder. Seeing the subtle nod, he eyes widened. "If I'm at the SGC, you'll be," he trailed off, letting his question linger.

"Homeworld Security," George said, a sigh escaping with the words. "New office at the Pentagon." Looking up, he watched the narrowing of Jack's eyes as he worked through the latest twist. Seeing him about to question him further, he simply stated, "You're not the only one that'll do what they have to save people they care about."

"Sir," Sam choked out at the same time as Jack's muttered curse.

"We all need something different," Hammond stated, gaining his feet. "This way everyone wins." The tight smile on his face belied the words.

"And," Jack said slowly, his breath catching. "Us?" he continued, gesturing toward Sam.

Hammond pursed his lips. "Officially, any relationship that may develop will not be allowed to affect future decisions as to the placement or deployment of either of you." Softening his gaze, a small smile softened his features. "Unofficially, all I can say is it's about damn time."

***SG1***SG1***

AN2: Hopefully this didn't disappoint. As I said, writing time has been scarce and it is hard for continuity in tone with long breaks. I have to be honest and say I am toying with the idea of doing one or two more chapters to get them into a hold pattern and then calling this one done. It isn't fair to anyone to keep you waiting and I certainly don't want to ruin the story at this point. By doing this, when life settles down I could then pick it back up under another story. Nothing is set yet, just giving you a warning. Thanks again for your patience, support and reviews. They have meant the world to me. Until next time, enjoy.