Okay, so, this has been a long time in coming, but I hope it's okay. I know it's short, and I'll try to update again soon, but this is a necessary scene. You may have noticed that this is the first point at which a scene is completely different to the film. Hope it's fairly believable.I havn't re-read it or anything, so please let me know of any mistakes.

This chapter is dedicated to Nicho, for such a nice review. Thanx sooooo much.

She picked it up as it came to rest in front of her, making to hand it back, but stopping, hand half outstretched, staring at the paper. "Captain?" Jack questioned, glancing up. "Sir…this is in Braille…" "Of course it is Carter, how else am I going to read it?" "I…what…you're blind?"

Captain Doctor Samantha Carter hurried through the corridors of the underground complex of Cheyenne Mountain, heading for General Hammond's office. After her unexpected discovery about her CO, she hadn't known what to do. Stuttering an excuse, she had practically sprinted from the room and back to her new office, where she had spent the last hour trying to wrap her head around the fact that her new CO was blind. Blind! How on earth could a blind man be in the Air Force, let alone a Colonel leading a highly skilled team into an unknown field situation. It had to be a mistake - maybe he'd been joking - but then why would he have all his notes written in Braille? It just didn't make sense, and, after an hour, she knew what she had to do. The General would be able to answer her questions - perhaps he didn't even know that his 2IC was blinder than a bat. Yes, she'd go and see the General.

Colonel Jack O'Neill was annoyed. The Captain's reaction had not been unexpected - he'd experienced it so many times he almost didn't notice it any more - that uncomfortable silence and then the murmured excuse - but he still much preferred Kawalski's reaction. The man had paused, and then swung at him. After Jack had brought him to the floor, the other man had grinned, slapped him on the back, and never questioned his ability since. Ferretti had been much the same, and as a result, he counted both among his closest friends. In fact, he thought he might go and find one or both of them right now. They had eight hours until departure, and his experience with the Captain had left him feeling in need of some shooting practise.
Major General George Hammond was, for the first time in several days, marginally relaxed. He was currently enjoying a much needed cup of coffee with an old friend. Major General Archer and he went back a long way, and it had been Archer who had recommended that he give O'Neill this job. He wouldn't have done it for anyone else, but he trusted his old friend's judgment that this man was more than he seemed. As such he was enjoying a pleasant reminiscing session when the knock came. After a sharp "Come in", the blond head of Captain Carter made it's way into his office, quickly followed by the rest of her.

Hammond's stern face softened an little - soldier she might be, but he had known her since she was a child, and couldn't help being fond of her. "What can I do for you, Captain?" He asked, studying her. She looked uncomfortable. "Well, Sir, I was wanting to ask…I mean…did you know that ...that Colonel O'Neill is…blind?" Hammond glanced at Archer beside him, before replying evenly "I was aware of that, yes Captain. Is there a problem?" This time the Captain definitely looked uneasy. "Well, Sir, I'm sure the Colonel is a very competent person, considering his disability, but I just can't see…well…how can he lead a team? He can't see, Sir."

"I do believe that that has been established, Captain". Hammond frowned slightly. "I can assure you that Colonel O'Neill is more than capable of leading a team."

Carter furrowed her brow slightly, obviously trying to find the right words for what she was wanting to say. "Well, yes, Sir, I'm sure, but perhaps, something a little more…well…the Stargate project is very high skilled….and…" she trailed off at the look in the General's eyes. Hammond was becoming annoyed. Carter looked slightly wary as he started sternly, "Captain, I do believe that I have made myself clear. Colonel O'Neill is a perfectly good officer, more than capable-" At that moment, Archer spoke up from his seat, gently interrupting the other man, "Perhaps a practical demonstration might be helpful? I believe that the good Colonel will have retired to the gym for some practise."

Carter now looked positively horrified, "Oh no, Sir, that's not necessary, really, I-" But there was a steely glint in the General's eyes as he stood, saying firmly, "I insist, Captain. Perhaps you would be so good as to lead the way?" Left with no other choice, she saluted smartly, about turning. "Yes Sir!"

Review replies:

Thanx very much indeed to :

Desert Blossom-by-the-Sea : Thank you. I find myself struggling to avoid describing Jack's experience in terms of sight, so I'm glad it came across okay.

Rignach : Yes, Sara is also dead in this fic. Both she and Charlie died, but neither shot themselves. Not sure when I'll introduce how they did die…As for his sight, Jack is completely blind. You'll find out later how he can function in the Air Force. Thanx for the positive comments.

Sith Jesto : Thanx! I hope to introduce more of Jack's background in later chapters, and any I don't will be posted on my yahoo group.

Shafa : Thank you very much. As you can see, I am continuing it.

Angel8818 : Wow, your review made me sooooo happy. I literally squealed. Thank you very much indeed, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

AT Fan : As you can see, you're not the only one questioning why a blind man is in the Air Force. I know it would never happen in real life, but I do have what I hope is a fairly plausible explanation which will come up in the next few chapters. At least, plausible within the realm of fighting parasitic snakes on other worlds through a giant ring.

Nicho : As I said, this chapter is dedicated to you. I can't believe you printed this out! Thank you sooooo much!

Anyway, hope I didn't miss anyone, feel free to flame me if I did. Pleeeeeeeeeease review for this chapter - I have some time to write next week, but I'll need inspiration!

Have a great Xmas, or Winter celebration, to be pc,

Thanx for reading,

Aqua Mage