Chapter 5

A week later, Jack informed Daniel and Teal'c that he would like them to join him in the briefing room for a meeting with the SGC Oversight Committee representative. He had not been called to Washington as he'd expected. Instead, General Hammond had been sent as the representative from the committee for this initial meeting and the President was scheduled to call during the meeting.

Since Sam's virtual disappearance, Teal'c and Daniel had met with Jack on several occasions to discuss changes to their positions and where they felt they fit in the new SGC. He'd asked both of them to refrain from making any decisions until they'd heard from the Oversight Committee.

The meeting began pleasantly with a little catching up between old friends. Jack lamented about all the paperwork and tedium that came along with his new position and George smiled a lot. They'd only been speaking for about ten minutes when the President made his call.

"Jack? This is Henry, how are you doing?" The President's voice sounded congenial.

"I'm starting to find my way here, Mr. President," Jack said, trying to sound positive.

"Good, glad to hear it," Hayes responded. "Listen, the Oversight Committee has decided to make a little change in the way the SGC is run. I don't want you to think this change has anything to do with you or the job you've been doing. This committee has been meeting and began making these recommendations since before you returned."

Jack nodded and then realized the President couldn't see him nodding. "Yes, sir," Jack said while giving General Hammond a questioning look.

"I'm going to let George give you the details, but I wanted to be the one to introduce you to the person the committee has chosen to lead the civilian operations there at the SGC."

"Excuse me?" Jack asked.

"This choice was unanimous," Hayes continued. "I think you will find her to be a trusted and invaluable partner as you go forward from here. I believe you've already met…"

Jack turned as he heard someone opening the door behind him. A vague sense of déjà vu came over him as he saw the figure silhouetted in the doorway. He'd seen this scene before, only she wasn't wearing a dress uniform this time.

He stood, stunned into silence by the sight before him. Carter was walking into the briefing room and taking a seat by General Hammond. The others were standing too, Jack noted. They all sat at the same time Carter did, but Jack remained standing. He couldn't even think at the moment. Carter… "no," he corrected himself, "Sam," sat right in front of him, in a paisley print blue skirt and a baby blue sweater set. She looked fantastic.

"Jack? Are you still with us?" The President's voice drew him back into the reality of the moment.

"Uh, yes…sir," Jack said as he finally took his seat.

"I know this must come as a bit of a shock to you, so I'm going to hang up now and let you get this all sorted out with George and Doctor Carter."

"Thank you, sir," Jack said just before he heard the phone disconnect. Jack snuck a peek at Daniel and Teal'c before he turned his attention back to General Hammond. Daniel was looking at the table, trying not to chuckle. Teal'c was looking at Jack with a serene expression and when their eyes met, Teal'c shifted his gaze to Sam. Jack swallowed and looked to the General, deliberately not looking at Sam. He just couldn't…not yet.

"So, General," Jack said as he squinted his eyes and steeled himself to hear what George had to say.

"The Oversight Committee has restructured the organization of the SGC. The committee felt it would be beneficial to separate the military and the civilian assets, but knew exceptional leadership would be needed in both areas. They have chosen Dr. Carter," George turned and smiled at Sam, "and yourself to be those leaders. You will serve as equals, both reporting directly to the Oversight Committee and the President."

"Equals…" Jack said, and then allowed himself to look at her for the first time since she'd sat at the table.

"Yes, Jack," Sam said, smiling.

"This document," George handed a bound booklet to Jack, "outlines the new structure and defines each of your duties. I will serve as your first contact through the Oversight Committee."

That piece of news caused Jack to smile a little and he felt his shoulders relax a bit.

"This is starting to feel very familiar…but different," Daniel said.

"Indeed," Teal'c agreed.

The meeting continued for another hour before General Hammond announced that he was expected by his granddaughters for lunch. Teal'c and Daniel accompanied him to the elevator while Jack and Sam remained in the briefing room.

After several minutes of uncomfortable silence, Sam began walking toward the door.

"You could have told me what you were planning," Jack said.

Sam stopped, but didn't turn. "I didn't know if I would get the job. It was a long shot. I didn't want to raise any expectations for you."

"I see," he said. He was mentally kicking himself. He'd been so angry, so hurt by her leaving and now he learned that she hadn't really left at all. Instead, as usual, she'd found a way to stay and had removed a pesky little regulation that had stood between them since the beginning.

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't tell you, in case it didn't work out," she said.

"What if it hadn't worked out?" he asked. "Would you have just walked away?"

"I don't know," she said, honestly. "I couldn't let myself think about that."

"Single minded and determined to the last?" he asked, smiling.

"I suppose," she replied, returning his smile.

"I guess I have a pile of reading to do to catch up on all this new organizational stuff," he said, looking at the booklet in his hand.

"Or," she said with a precocious grin, "you could take me to dinner and I could explain it to you."

"Dinner, huh?"

"Well, I will need most of the day to get the furniture settled," she said.

"No, dinner sounds good," he said. "Grab whatever help you need with the office set up. I'll stop by later to take a look. I suppose we should schedule a meeting tomorrow to announce the change to both of our respective divisions."

"I suppose you're right," she said.

"This is going to be interesting."

"Yes, it is," she agreed. Then she turned and continued out the door.

Jack watched her walk away, enjoying the view. He was going to have to get used to seeing Carter…Sam in regular clothes. He was going to have to get used to calling her Sam, wasn't he? Or maybe Carter would still work while they were at work. Well, he'd have time to figure that all out…now.

For the first time in a long time, Jack O'Neill walked into his office with a bounce in his step and a smile on his face. This job wasn't going to be so bad, after all.

The End