I'm sorry. I know little about how the JCS work, so I am making up most of it. I'm assuming that you get there and that's pretty much it. Although, I read about the existence of the Combatant Commanders and the Secretary of the Air Force. Well, you'll see the mess that I made, and hopefully, you won't mind (hey! If you got up to hear after all my grammar errors, probably some literary magic won't make you angry *fingers crossed*)
Chapter 11 - The proposal
That morning the breakfast table was once again empty when he got there, albeit it was only for the first six or ten minutes after his arrival.
"Good Morning. Malcolm was it, right?"
"Yes." Malcolm doubted, "Hunter?"
"That's me. Before you ask, yes, I am the son of Daniel Jackson and Vala Mal Doran. And yes, I am who you think I am. Now that we have all that out of the way, and I already got my coffee. I should hurry up to catch up with Alex."
"Alex?" Malcolm asked.
"Yes, Terran and Alex being the military brats they are; probably woke up at ungodly hours, went for a run with their parents, came back, showered, had breakfast and left to make the arrangements for the kids. Hey, by any chance, do you know the location of the school?" Hunter said all at once.
"I…"
"Good Morning Malcolm, hi Hunter. Alex mentioned you might need the coordinates of the school. Here let me sent it to you," Sam said. Malcolm frowned as he saw her roll her bracelet several times, and when she stopped, pressed it twice. Hunter's bracelet glowed then.
"Awesome, thanks," Hunter grinned. "I'll see you all later!"
"Malcolm," Sam said, gaining his attention. "We are ready whenever you are ready. You know, I could get you a transport bracelet, so you can leave the house and look around if you wish."
"What are those bracelets anyway?" Malcolm asked.
"Transports. Based on the ring technology, every house, prominent place, or community place has a structure that allows us to carry whoever has a bracelet to the place pointed on the bracelet."
"Oh, no! She is techno babbling again!" Jack said, entering the room and hugging his wife's waist.
"I need more coffee," Sam said, and they filled their mugs joining Malcolm for his breakfast. Once he finished, they walked outside to the fountain, Malcolm found the previous night. They set everything up, and another interview day started.
"Now, you both are looking twenty-five years old and confronted the JCS successfully, I guess for what we know," Malcolm started.
"Well, the rest of 2013 was uneventful," Jack said.
"Except for that visit to my brother and the one to your family," Sam pointed out.
"Yeah, there was that."
2013
San Diego.
"How you think your brother would take this?" Jack winced as they stopped in front of Mark Carter's household.
"You mean, the looks? The marriage? Or the kids?"
"All the above?" Jack winced.
"Well, I hope he will like our kids?" Sam grimaced.
"Why I had a feeling you would say that?"
2050
"How was it?" Malcolm asked curiously.
"Well, my brother and I had a very strangled relationship," Sam started. "I hadn't seen him since 2004. We lost contact after my father passed away. I used to call him every time I could, but between going off-world and the fact, I didn't tell him about my wedding or my kids, I kinda blurted it all out in that visit."
2013
"Calm down, Mark," Sam hissed in frustration. "It's not a big deal!"
"You come here, looking like a young version of yourself with a young version of General O'Neill in tow and not one, but four kids after disappearing for nine years and you want me to calm down?! I tried to track you down, and at least during four of those nine years, you didn't have a cell phone or movements in your accounts! You didn't even call to say, hey brother, I'm still alive!"
"Hey, it's not her fault!" Jack intervened. "It took us some convincing to get permission to let you know this."
"Permission? You are both grownups! Who the hell do you need permission to share your life with your flesh and blood?"
"The JCS," they both answered gravely.
"Oh, come on! You can't be serious! You are blaming the highest-ranking military officers of not being able to say to your brother you are alive, got married, and have kids?"
"Yes!" Sam shouted.
"Why?" he eyed both of them suspiciously
"Because it's classified! Well, our marriage is classified for the military. Also," Sam sighed. "I didn't know how to tell you."
"What about a 'hey, Mark? I am getting married,' or 'hey, Mark, guess what? You will be an uncle?' 'Hey Brother, how are you? I'm pregnant again!'" Mark shouted.
"Well, I didn't know how to do it. I knew you wouldn't like who I was marrying. I'm sorry. I was a coward. I should have called, but I didn't. What can I do now?" Sam pleaded.
"Stay away, Sam. If you didn't consider me a part of your family when it mattered, why are you even here?" Mark snarled.
"Because you are my family!"
"It sure doesn't look like that," Mark hissed.
"It's not like that, Mark. Not even one of my friends knows who my husband is, or that Jack and I got wed. We didn't have a choice!"
"You know what… just leave! I need time to sort this," he shook his head.
"Mark… please, I love you; I need to know you will forgive me one day," Sam pleaded.
"I don't know, Sam," Mark shook his head. "For all it's worth, you have a beautiful family."
2050
"It took him at least six months to come up with an answer. We agreed to meet, and we did that at least once a year until he passed away ten years ago," Sam smiled sadly.
"What about your family, Jack?" Malcolm asked.
"My family visit, well, that was weird."
2013
They had arrived five minutes earlier, they took the older kids out of the car, and seeing the big garden, Alex and Terran had rushed to the backyard. Jack helped Sam to accommodate Sasha and Allistair on their cart, and then, they walked inside the house.
"Annie?" Jack called his sister when they found an empty living room. Recognizing her brother's voice, she walked outside the kitchen and rushed to the living room.
"Jack? You look so young! What happened?" She asked.
"Do you mind if we wait for everybody so I don't have to repeat it?" Jack grimaced.
"Sure! They all should be arriving soon. We thought you wouldn't join us this year," she grinned "again."
"Jack?" another woman said, entering the room.
"Nancy! Dana! Where are Mitch and Alan?" Jack asked.
"We are here!"
"Jesus Christ! Jack! I want whatever you have been drinking!" Mitch joked.
"Sorry, can't do," he smiled, "Now we are all here, allow me to introduce my wife, Sam," the five looked at Sam perplexed. "Sam, these are Annie, Nancy, and Dana and their husbands Mitch and Alan."
"Hi, Jack told me a lot about all of you," Sam smiled.
"Well, then you got the advantage, 'coz he said nothing about you," Annie grinned. "Not that he says anything about anything to us," she finished.
"Gosh, you are so beautiful! I bet you will have beautiful kids," Nancy added dreamily.
"Well, two of them are in the backyard if you want to check that by yourselves."
"The other two are right there," Sam added, pointing to the twins' baby cart.
"You have kids?" All his sisters asked in awe.
"Yup," Jack nodded.
"Four of them," Sam added.
"And you didn't mention that before?"
"Sorry," Jack shrugged.
"Aww! They are so cute! Congratulations!"
2050
"Well, they were used to my secrecy and all," Jack shrugged.
"They took us in gladly. Annie and Dana still send us stuff from Earth every once in a while."
"Then, 2014 arrived, and that marked my last year at homeworld security," Jack grinned. "They figured out that, even though I looked younger, the years of experience over my head made me a good replacement for the Air Force Chief of Command. Congress also made me Chairman of the Chief of Staff."
"Since he was General for longer than I was, they called general Learie to take over HWS. However, his lack of expertise on the SGC related items gave him an early leave. In 2015, Aidan and Nadia joined the family, and 2016 brought me to the HWS Office," Sam grinned.
"So, you were both in Washington?" Malcolm asked.
"No, we mentioned this before. The year I took over HomeWorld, the Joint Chiefs moved it to the SGC. It was 'closer to the action' according to them. I guess they never thought it would keep us away from each other," Sam said, rolling her eyes.
"The nice thing was that everything was calm until 2019," Jack grinned.
"You mentioned before that your friends figured out you two were married by 2020. What happened? How they learned it?"
"Well, 2019 marked the end of my career at the USAF and the beginning of my political career."
2019
"General Carter," the Chairman of the Joint Chief, greeted her as she entered the meeting.
"General O'Neill," Sam said and saluted him.
"At ease, Carter, "Jack said.
"Generals, Admirals," Sam nodded to the rest of the table.
"Carter, help me here," Jack said, breaking protocol a bit.
"What do you need, sir?"
"Can you see if they are really who they say they are?" Jack asked, pointing to the table.
"Yes, sir. I can run a DNA comparison to prove it, sir. May I ask why I should request such a thing?" She wondered, Jack could read the amusement in her voice.
"They are offering me a retirement," he said thoughtfully. Carter's eyes widened for a split second before a confused frown replaced it.
"They are offering you retirement, sir?"
"Yes!" He said as if that was the most unthinkable thing.
"I see," she said, walking to the door.
"Carter?" he called, stopping her from going out. "Where are you going?"
"I have to pick up the things I need to run the DNA comparison, sir. No offense, sirs."
"What is so remarkably strange about offering him a retirement?" one four stars General of the Marines, asked slightly bemused.
"Oh, nothing," Jack shook his head. "I got my last retirement letter denied, what? two days ago?" He said, turning to Sam, who nodded in agreement. "Just like the last…" Jack trailed
"264, sir," Sam provided
"264 previous ones."
"But we are offering your retirement," the only Admiral in the room stated.
"If that's true, General," she trailed, looking at Jack.
"Yes, Carter. It seems they are offering me retirement."
"With all due respect, Generals, Admiral. What's the catch?" she asked, turning to the Joint Chiefs.
"See, that's why she made General so young while we didn't, and I didn't even have a say on it!" Jack grinned proudly.
"There's no catch," one general affirmed, Sam squinted at him.
"So, you are letting him retire… just like that; two days after denying him his request?"
"Oh, for crying out loud! Carter, they want me to be the damn Candidate for Presidency!"
"Like in the United States President, sir?" Sam frowned.
"Yes, Carter! And that's some bat crazy shit!" Jack huffed.
"I won't mind serving with you as the Commander-in-Chief, sir," Sam grinned,
"Oh, come on, Carter, who would even vote for me?" Jack rolled his eyes.
"I would, sir. Probably all this table, and most of the officers who served at the SGC, and their families," Sam pointed out.
"So, are you saying I should take the offer?"
"I am saying you would be a good Commander, sir. You already are, and you always have been. That's common knowledge," Sam said. He looked at her and then looked down at his uniform.
"I know I shouldn't be asking this, but what about you... Carter?" He said grimacing. Being 'personal' was something they couldn't bring themselves to do while on uniforms.
"Sir?" she said, questioning the reason behind his question.
"Oh, come on! They all know who you are to me! Just tell me what you think," he pleaded with her.
"With all due respect, sir. You are wearing your uniform, so am I. The Joint Chiefs summoned here me, and we are in a military facility. I can't do such a thing neither can you as you already stated, sir," she said firmly.
"I know, I know! See with what I have to deal with!" he said to the table full of very surprised military top brasses. "Maybe now you understand what you made us do all these years! Agh! Admiral, Generals, I'll need time to analyze your proposal, and run this throughout my wife. I'll let you know when we reach a decision."
"General O'Neill, we will wait for your answer, don't take too long."
"General Carter."
"Generals, Admiral."
A couple of Generals and Admirals later, they were alone inside the Pentagon Briefing Room.
"Carter, we are alone now," Jack whispered.
"Yes, you, me, and the four hundred IP cameras of this room, sir," Sam said amusedly.
"Well, there's that. What about lunch then?"
"I can do that, sir," she grinned brightly
"I hoped you could."
2050
"They offered me my longed retirement with the condition that I should run for President. If I won, then I would be President. If I lost, then I would be free."
"And you took the offer," Malcolm stated.
"After checking it with Sam, who thankfully was in DC for a meeting with the Russians, and who knows who else, I did."
2019
"Now, seriously, Sam, what do you make out from that stupid proposal?"
"Will they let you retire and not bother you again?"
"That's what they told me, and hell, they can't even promote me anymore! Geez! I am more than ready to be done with all of this. Heck! I was ready when I was still a Colonel! You know this, Sam."
"I know. We both are ready to leave," Sam agreed. "Ok, back on track; what happens if you take the offer and don't win?"
"I'll be Jack O'Neill, two L's, husband and proud father of 6 who happens to be a retired four-star General that happens to be an ex-candidate," he grinned.
"But will you remain retired?" she inquired.
"That's what I was told, yes."
"I'll say being President will be the perfect closing for your service years, Jack."
"I'll say you are a crazy broad."
"And you love this crazy broad," she said with a grin. "No, I mean it, Jack. You fought for this country for longer than anyone else. You did everything that it's humanly possible, and then more. If someone is fit to be THE MAN, that's you."
"But Sam, I don't care about being THE MAN, and I know you don't care either. I want to retire and be your man," he wriggled his eyebrows.
"You are my man, and I can be proud of you... Of us. Especially, after all the stunts we pulled out to get here, but you know what? I think you could be a good President, and you should do it. If what I think is not enough, I can call Daniel, and then you will hear an ear full of the wonderful things you will be able to do," she said.
"I know, I know, but we will be in the spotlight."
"And what they could get about us? Huh? That we resigned to get married, and we have been punished for it ever since? That we are a military couple... and old couple? That we have six beautiful kids? That we are married to each other? Everything else is classified and falls under national, hell! World security," she pointed out.
"But what about the damage something like this can do to your career, Sam?" Jack wondered.
"To the career that I have been trying to leave behind for the past ten years?" She chuckled.
"There's that. What about the spotlight? Won't you mind having your life being shown everywhere to be poked and prodded for the whole nation to see?"
"Yes, but it will be for a good reason. Hell, it would be for far better reasons than the last what? Fifty times that our enemies picked and prodded me? And who knows, maybe they finally let me retire too," she grinned, but he grimaced. "What?"
"They wanted you as vice president, but I said hell, no! I know you can take care of this whole country, but I don't want to go to Presidential dinners and not have you with me. Unless you want to be the Vice President, I won't mind if that's what you want."
"I think I'll pass, but you know who would be an excellent Vice President?"
"Nope."
"Daniel."
"No way."
"Think about it, Jack. He saved our butts enough times to know what's good, and he has excellent skills," she pointed.
"Yeah, but that would mean we would have an alien at the White House."
"Vala? She gave for this planet more than she did for her homeworld. Besides, she won't live in the White House, and she will keep things interesting around here."
"That she'll do... so are we confident we want to do this?"
"No, but we want to retire before our kids get grandkids," she chuckled.
"I can't believe we will do this," he shook his head in disbelief.
"We will not do this, Jack. You will do it. I am still the hidden wife, and your kids are still the hidden children," she winked at him.
"Ugh! Don't remind me of something like that! There must be another way."
"You can probably bargain for it, but it doesn't mean I will have time to travel around with you while I am traveling around with all those politicians. And when I thought there wasn't anything worse than a DC politician, there comes an ally ready to negotiate a treaty."
2050
"Their offer was good, and Sam was okay with it. So, I took it. What I didn't expect was the result."