AN: Thanks for all the reviews. Keep 'em coming! I'm posting 2 chapters tonight so I hope they're good enough. Did I mention this story is un-beta'd? All mistakes are mine.
"But General..."
Sam entered quietly as Hammond continued. "No buts, Colonel. You will greet our new visitor. After all, you were the one who extended the invitation in the first place."
"Aww, come on, sir! That was almost five years ago!"
"I don't care, Jack! Now get down to the gate room and that's an order!"
Jack walked away muttering again.
Sam paled and her stomach knotted. Five years ago? Invitation? Please, no! She wouldn't really come here, would she? It's been almost five years! Surely she doesn't still harbor feelings for him after all this time.
"Major, nice of you to join us," Hammond's voice broke into her thoughts. He was losing patience, fast.
"Sorry, sir,"
"That's alright," he sighed, "Why don't you go down to the gate room with the Colonel and try to keep him out of trouble?"
"Yes, sir." Sam's heart was racing as she walked down the stairs. Why is he sending me? Surely he knows how I feel about it. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it's not her.
"Fair day, Jack." Laira greeted the Colonel. "Fair day, Laira," Jack replied a little less than enthusiastically. He looked up to see Sam entering the room.
"It is good to see you. It has been too long. I was hoping you would come back to Edora to visit."
"Um, things have been pretty busy around here...haven't really had much vacation time. What brings you here?"
"I came to see you, Jack."