Carolyn joined General O'Neill and the members of SG-1 in her father's office the morning that Spike received his assignment. She hung back by the door, reluctant to intrude on the team moment, but Cam turned to look over his shoulder at her. He winked, gesturing casually for her to stand beside him, so she pushed herself off the doorframe and walked over, smiling as Vala placed the puppy atop her father's desk and coaxed him to sit.

A trip to PETCO earlier in the week had afforded him a military-style vest and several bandannas, one of which he was wearing now. There was only one thing missing. Her father reached inside his desk to remove a little box from the top drawer. He handed it ceremoniously to Cam, who slid it open to display the now-familiar SG-1 team badges, which all of the team, including General O'Neill, had donned for the event. Cam took them out of the box and presented them to Vala with equal solemnity.

"Now, this is a big responsibility, Spike," Vala said as she affixed a badge to the back of the puppy's vest. "But, I know you won't let us down."

Spike looked curiously back at her and tilted his head, seeming wonder if his human friends had all lost their minds. Vala finished with the badge and stood back, allowing everyone a moment to applaud. Then she frowned, pursing her lips thoughtfully. She glanced from the dog to the general and then to the rest of her team.

"I don't suppose we could make him an honorary member of the Air Force as well?" she asked.

"What?" Carolyn's father asked, eyes widening.

"Well, then he could have one of those nifty little code names. Like…" she turned questioningly toward Cam. "What's yours, Mitchell? I've forgotten."

"Shaft," he said slowly. "But I don't think…"

"No," the general said flatly.

"But--"

"No."

"Oh, all right," she huffed, scooping the dog back into her arms. She gave him a little hug, then grinned, "Come on, everyone. Pizza in my quarters."

"You're springing for pizza?" Sam asked in surprise.

"Of course not. DoggyDaddy is," Vala winked, slipping past Daniel, who swatted her backside lightly as she exited the room. "Hey!"

"You asked for that!" he called after her, then followed her out of the room. General O'Neil rolled his eyes at their antics, but a smile flickered over his lips as he and Sam exited the room together. Teal'c filed out after them, leaving Cam and Carolyn with her father.

"Everyone means you too," Cam told her, moving to the door and gesturing her through with a flourish.

"What, you think I'd turn down free pizza?" she laughed, shaking her head fondly.

"Just makin' sure," he replied. He swept out into the hall with her, the fingers of his left hand lightly brushing her arm as they fell in step.

"I still think he needs a code name," Vala was saying conversationally. Everyone should. Why don't you have one, Sam?"

"It's called a call sign," Sam explained with a laugh. "Pilots use them to communicate over the radio. The idea is that it's quicker to use a call sign than name and rank. Personally, I think it just makes them feel special."

"Yep. Exactly," General O'Neill agreed.

Cam rolled his eyes and heaved a put-upon sigh. "I'm not even gonna touch this one."

"Good for you, Mitchell," Vala called over her shoulder. Then she paused and frowned lightly. "Wait, where's General Landry?"

"I'll get him," Carolyn volunteered. She spun around, hurrying back toward her father's office. Shoving her head through the open door, she called, "Hey, you're supposed to be having pizza too--"

She broke off as soon as she caught sight of him, still standing in front of the desk. His right hand covered his forehead, fingers pressed against his temples in an obvious gesture of suppressed pain. Carolyn straightened, crossing her arms as she stepped through the door again.

"You got another headache?" she asked.

He hurriedly looked up, shaking his head in dismissal, and smiled. "Well, can you blame me? I work in a circus."

"Yeah, well, it's never caused headaches before," she said, stepping closer.

"Sure it has," he told her, waving a hand. "Carolyn, you gotta learn to stop being a doctor once in a while."

She tilted her head skeptically. "Why haven't you been to see me?"

"Because I knew we'd end up having a conversation just like this," he replied lightly. "People get headaches."

"Yes, and sometimes those headaches are symptoms of a serious medical condition," she said.

"And sometimes they're just headaches," he said over his shoulder. "Now, c'mon. Let's get some pizza."

"Wait a minute--"

"Carolyn, Mitchell's waiting."

"What!" she exclaimed at his disappearing back.

"What do you think I am, blind?" he yelled back.

"What…? Dad…!"