AN: Wow. Sorry it's been so long since I last posted. I'm about to graduate college and I've got a lot on my plate right now. I have several big papers coming up and I've just been swamped. I don't know when I'll be able to post next, but I think this is a fairly long chapter, so don't hate me please. I hope you enjoy it...
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Chapter 19: Facing the Music
At Daniel's: The Next Morning...
"Morning, Jack." Daniel was at his kitchen table with a cup of coffee.
"Morning." Jack groused. He hadn't gotten much sleep last night and was not looking forward to this meeting with Hammond. He glanced at the clock on the microwave and saw that it read 7.00. Great. Two hours left to figure out what I'm going to say to the General. "I need to get back to the base. See you later."
"Jack, we don't have a briefing until 11.00."
"I know, but the meeting Sam and I have with the General is at 09.00 and I need to sort my thoughts out."
"At least have some coffee."
"Fine, to go."
Daniel grabbed a Styrofoam cup and poured Jack's coffee and handed it to him. Jack took the cup from Daniel's hand and looked into it. He made a face when he thought of pouring the black liquid down his throat. Well, at least it's not the sludge that the commissary calls coffee. he thought to himself. Then he opened the door to leave.
"Good luck, Jack."
"Thanks, Danny-boy."
Daniel inwardly cringed at the nickname but smiled on the outside. Jack needed all the encouragement he could get.
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When he got to the base, Jack went straight to Sam's lab. I wonder if she's even here yet. Sure enough, the lab was dark. He searched her usual haunts around the base. The commissary, the locker room, the gym, the control room. Oh well, it's probably better this way. I don't know if I would be able to think clearly if she were here. He went topside to clear his head. What have you gotten yourself into? Jack looked at his watch and noticed it said 08.30. Great, half and hour. Sam has to be here by now. He took the elevator down and hurried to her lab. He found her hanging up her coat on the hook by the door.
"Morning sir." Sam smiled but it didn't reach her eyes.
"Carter." Jack nodded in acknowledgement. He inwardly grimaced at the use of his title but he understood that she hated it as much as he did. "How was your night?"
"It was good." She smiled softly.
"Regrets?" Jack looked unsure and vulnerable.
Her smile grew. "Nope."
He grinned. "We better get going. Any revelations?"
Sam sighed and shook her head.
"Well, we'll just wing it then."
They stepped out into the hall. "Yes sir." Sam nodded.
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Sam and Jack sat nervously in the General's office. It was 09.05 and they were beginning to squirm. The General was never late, especially to meetings that he himself scheduled. Jack glanced sideways at Sam and caught her eye. He gave her a reassuring smile and reached out to pat her hand. She smiled back stiffly and turned her hand to give his a quick squeeze. Just then they heard footsteps outside the door and their hands dropped. General Hammond entered the room and they jumped to attention and saluted. He came around to his desk, returned the salute and gestured for them to sit.
"So, I trust you've come to some kind of conclusion together?"
"Yes sir." Jack replied for the both of them.
"Well?"
Sam was the one to answer this time. "Sir, we are completely dedicated to the SGC and we would never do anything to endanger the welfare of this program but we have come to a crossroads. The Colonel and I have decided that we can no longer maintain a strictly professional relationship. We have examined our feelings for one another and we have concluded that we would like to pursue a romantic relationship."
"Colonel O'Neill, is this true?"
"Yes sir, General. Major Carter and I are willing to do anything to remain together, including removing ourselves from the military or from this program."
The General sat for a moment and then he sighed and shook his head.
God. Jack thought. He's disappointed in us. That was the thing Jack was most afraid of. Major General George Hammond was the finest commander Jack had ever served under and he considered him a friend and mentor. He hated disappointing him. Jack reached out for Sam's hand. She met him halfway and they linked their fingers together once more.
General Hammond placed his elbows on his desk and rubbed his temples. He then looked up at the two finest officers he has ever had the privilege to command and grinned. They were both taken aback at this change in demeanor. "Congratulations, you two. It's about time you did something about this thing between you. All of this unresolved tension has been giving me headaches."
"Sir?" Jack looked at him questioningly. "What about our futures with the military?"
"Oh, you're quite secure, Jack. I spoke with the President yesterday and he has granted you both a full exemption from the regs. I explained the whole situation to him and he saw that the regulations in your case were in fact causing problems instead of solving or preventing them. You will both report directly to me and the regulations concerning your relationship are now subject to my evaluation. As long as it doesn't affect this base's operation or your team negatively, you have my blessing."
Jack and Sam sat staring at the General. He chuckled and said, "Now, why don't you two lovebirds take the rest of the day off and get to know each other a little better."
"Th-thank you sir." Sam replied.
"Oh, and I don't want a briefing on the details." he grinned at them.
"Yes, sir." they spoke in unison.
"Dismissed."
They both jumped to their feet and saluted once more and Hammond returned it.
After they had gone, he sighed heavily and leaned back in his chair. He deserved a promotion or an early retirement for dealing with those two on a daily basis. SG-1 as a whole really. At least one of them was always coming back from a mission hurt, infected, or dead. They'll be the death of me yet. He chuckled to himself.
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AN2: So...what'd ya think? Please review and let me know...constructive criticism is appreciated.