Chapter 17: Music is the Spice of Life (Part Two)

Disclaimer: Only my stuff is mine.

A/N: Sorry it's taken me so long to update!! My life took a huge turn for the worse and I completely forgot about my story!! I am soooo sorry…

Okay, so I thought of one more DE. It's gonna be a bonus chapter. Posted ASAP.

ENJOY!!!!

P.S. This story has a mushy ending. I warned you from the beginning it's a SamJack story…so it ends with SamJack. LOL. I hope you like it!

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, General George Hammond!" the young Sergeant finished exuberantly, as he clapped and moved quickly away from the podium. General Hammond stood up and straightened his uniform before stepping up to the mic. He cleared his throat and gave the assembled crowd a mock reproving look. They all quieted down.

Except one.

Jack continued clapping for a few seconds, his lone claps echoing around the hall. He never broke eye contact with George; his eyes glinting with humor.

When Sam could stand it no longer, she covered Jack's hands with her own and proceeded to scold him under her breath. Jack slowly dropped his hands and pouted at her. Sam shook her head and continued to scold him.

George stood at the podium for a moment just watching them. They looked like an old married couple. Or a mother scolding a child. George decided he liked the former analogy better; it was less incestual that way.

Shaking his head internally, George cleared his throat again, regaining the room's attention. "Thank you all for coming." Hammond looked down at his prepared speech, but couldn't bring himself to read from it. He looked back up at the sea of faces in front of him.

These men and women…these soldiers…fought for their world everyday. They fought for their families, their friends, for people they didn't even know. It was an honor to work beside them everyday.

And he was leaving them.

Mind you, he was leaving them in very capable hands, but still…

George felt his heart constrict and a burning behind his eyes. He wouldn't cry; the soldier in him wouldn't allow it. The General had known that the decision to retire would be hard…but he hadn't known just how hard hard can be.

All he wanted was to hand the SGC over to Jack and get the hell out of there.

George smiled nervously and tapped his fingers on the podium. "I had a speech prepared…but I don't think I'm going to read it." He took a deep breath. "Let me start off by saying, it has been an honor to serve with each and every one of you. You give yourselves wholly to your jobs and never give up. Thank you."

George's eyes moved around the room. "As many of you have already figured out, this is not just a "blowing off steam" party…but also my retirement party." A subdued silence followed his words. Only a handful of people looked shocked. Hammond glanced at SG-1's table and saw them glancing sadly at each other. "I hope you've all had a good time. You deserve more nights like this." There was a murmur of assent.

"Having said that, I don't want to take up anymore time. Ladies and gentlemen…it is my distinct pleasure to announce to you my replacement." George smiled proudly. "Men and women of the United States Air Force, I give you…Brigadier General Jack O'Neill!"

The room erupted in applause. George turned his attention to SG-1's table again. Teal'c was clapping and giving Jack a slight bow. Daniel and Sam were on their feet, clapping harder than anyone, beaming madly. Jack, on the other hand, was sitting quite still. His face was unreadable and his eyes shadowed.

He looked very much like he was trying to determine whether or not this was some cruel, elaborate joke. He nearly jumped out of his skin when Sam touched his arm, silently urging him to stand up. Jack did so, but didn't move towards the stage. Both Daniel and Sam shoved him gently and he took a few halting steps forward.

"C'mon, Jack." George cajoled, gesturing with his hand. He smiled in amusement as Jack climbed the steps and moved towards the podium. When he was standing opposite George, Jack cleared his throat and anxiously pulled on his uniform jacket.

"Sir?" The Colonel-Soon-to-Be-General's voice was carefully measured, but slightly disbelieving.

"No, Jack, this isn't a joke." George said, pre-empting the inevitable question. Putting his hand over the mic and leaning closer to Jack so that only he could hear, George said quietly, "I already put in for your promotion, Jack. As my last official order of business, I'm offering you my position as head of the SGC. Do you accept?"

Jack stood stock still for a full minute, unblinking. George looked towards SG-1's table, if not a little nervously. Sam was watching Jack, unaware that Hammond was watching her. Daniel was looking from Sam to Jack and, when he noticed Hammond's look, he shrugged.

Which was rather unhelpful in George's opinion.

"Actually, sir…" George's eyes snapped back to Jack's when the younger man spoke. "I was thinking about, you know, retiring."

Without thinking, George looked back at Sam. Jack caught his glance, but didn't say anything. "Jack…this shouldn't be the end of the line for you." He made to continue, but Jack shook his head.

"There are more important things than moving up through the ranks." Jack's voice was solemn with an edge of meaning in it.

Hammond sighed. "Jack…I'm not supposed to tell you this. Hell…I'm not even supposed to know about this." Jack cocked his head, waiting. "Earlier, when I said that the Air Force is changing…I meant some of the regulations and leniencies, Jack."

"Oh?" George could practically see the barriers shut over Jack's eyes.

"Yes. Jack, take the job. It's not going to hinder any plans you might have." George raised his eyebrows meaningfully.

After another long pause, Jack nodded his head once. The crowd, having seen this, roared with applause again. George stepped away from the microphone and Jack stepped up.

"Hi." 'Wow.' Jack rolled his eyes to himself. 'That was possibly the most intelligent thing I've ever said.'

The crowd laughed appreciatively. "Thank you, George," Jack purposely stressed his former commander's name. "For that rousing introduction. Well, since you all know how much I love speeches…I'll make this quick."

He paused to let the appreciative laughter die down. "So…this was a night of much change, I guess. I, uh, I hope I can be as good of a leader as you deserve." Jack stopped, not knowing what else to say. His roving eyes locked with Sam's and his mind went even more blank than usual. "So…a toast to General Hammond." Jack nodded as they all raised their glasses. "And to you."

"Here, here." Daniel said and everyone drank and clapped. Jack nodded to them and stepped away from the podium.

"George." Jack smiled as the former General moved to shake his hand. "It's been an honor, sir."

"That it has." George smiled and downed the rest of his champagne.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

An hour later found the ballroom full of dancing Air Force officers. Tables had been set up around the dance floor, but most seats were empty. The lights had been dimmed and a disco ball flashed with multi-colored lights as the music pulsed through the speakers.

Sam, Daniel, and Jack sat at a table off the right side of the dance floor all watching with amusement as Teal'c was dragged around the floor by four women from the Marine demographic of the SGC. Sam had said they felt that Teal'c was a real man and all others of the male species paled in comparison. Jack had scoffed self-righteously and Daniel had leaned over to Sam and whispered, "But I bet you disagree."

Sam had swallowed reflexively her eyes snapping to Jack before she could stop herself. "I thought so." Daniel said smiling proudly. He prided himself on being one of only three people who could tease Sam about her oh-so-obvious thing for Jack.

Daniel knew, however, that that "thing" had long since developed into love. And that scared the crap out of Sam.

"Alright, alright, alright! Ladies and gentleman! Movers and shakers! It's that time of the night!" The DJ announced loudly over the microphone. Sam, Jack, and Daniel looked at each other, all equally perplexed.

"Movers and shakers?" Sam muttered, rolling her eyes. Jack and Daniel laughed.

"What time of the night?" Jack asked, leaning his elbows on the table.

"I'm sure he'll tell us." Daniel said as the DJ began speaking again.

"All you guys out there grab a gal-pal and sweep her off to the dance floor! It's slow dance time…" The overly exuberant DJ shot a glance to the former General of the SGC as he said the last part. The older man nodded to him and diverted his glance to a pretty blonde officer and an older man.

Daniel looked between Sam and Jack, just barely managing to keep himself from bouncing up and down in anticipation.

And frustration.

'I swear…,' Daniel thought. 'Two of the bravest people in the world…they can fight aliens and Goa-uld without batting an eye…but ask them to do a simple thing like dance and they become cowards!'

"Janet!" Daniel called out. The small woman turned and smiled at Daniel.

"Daniel."

"May I have this dance?" Daniel gave her an exaggerated bow and she giggled.

"You may." Catching Daniel's nod towards Sam and Jack (who were actively avoiding each other's gaze) she turned to Sam. "Sam, you're not gonna sit this one out are you? I'll bet that cute Major from SG-6 would just love to spin you onto the dance floor."

Jack jerked almost imperceptibly and finally let himself meet his 2IC's gaze. "Carter? You, uh, wanna dance?" Jack paused, rubbing the back of his neck self-consciously. "With me." He added unnecessarily.

Janet and Daniel smiled at each other quietly backing away from the pair. Daniel took the doctor by the hand and pulled her onto the floor, both soon forgetting about their "shy" friends.

Sam blinked several times. She couldn't believe he was asking her to dance. "Yes, sir. I would like that very much."

Jack smiled and stood from the table offering his hand to Sam. She took it and allowed Jack to lead her onto the dance floor. "And, Carter?" Jack murmured in a low voice as his hand rested on the small of Sam's back.

"Hm?" Sam let her hand fall on Jack's shoulder.

"It's Jack, Sam. When we're dancing…it's Jack." His eyes held Sam's and she felt herself blushing because of the intimacy in his gaze.

"Jack." The foreign words slipped over her lips and she found that she quite enjoyed saying his name.

They spun slowly across the dance floor in silence for a moment before Jack spoke again. "Before…when we were on the balcony…you said something about regulations and change. What did you mean?"

Sam pulled herself from his gaze in order to answer. "I don't know. I thought maybe you would know if any protocols were changing seeing as how, you know, you run the SGC now."

Jack frowned, running calculating eyes over her face. Sam's blush deepened. "Right." Jack cleared his throat. He opened his mouth to question her further when Sam's head perked up. "This song…" she muttered. "I know this song…"

Jack listened for a minute. It seemed familiar, but he couldn't place it. "It's familiar."

Sam closed her eyes and let Jack lead the dance as she inhaled his scent and burned this dance into her memory. She was dancing with the man she loved…but in true Cinderella fashion…she may never get this chance again. Taking a deep breath, she let her head rest on his shoulder.

Sam heard Jack's surprised intake of breath, but he didn't pull away. In fact, he wrapped his arm around her even tighter. Sam smiled and swayed in tune with Jack as the song played around them.

"Take me slow dancing
Slow dancing
She took me slow...dancing
All night long."

The name of the band finally came to Sam. She remembered hearing this song several years ago at some military function. "I love U2." Sam sighed, not realizing she had spoken.

"What?" Sam smiled as Jack's voice resonated against her cheek. The music was too loud and he couldn't make out what Sam had said.

Sam lifted her head, blinking contentedly. "I said," she raised her voice to a shout.

Across the room, unbeknownst to the dancing couple, Daniel signaled the DJ who cut the track off, throwing the room into silence.

"I love U2!" Sam finished even as she tried to stop herself. Her mind had registered the utter silence just as the words passed her lips. Jack stopped moving.

As did the rest of the room.

Janet, who had both of her hands covering her mouth and her head buried in Daniel's chest, was trying in vain to hide her laughter. It was no use. It was the only sound in the room.

'No! No, no, no!' Sam's mind screamed. 'I meant the band! The band, the band, the band! Oh, please, no…' Sam and Jack pulled away from each other at the same time, both blushing furiously.

"General. Major." Both officers turned at the stern voice. George Hammond stood in front of them.

With the President.

Both men were wearing unreadable expressions. Jack gulped.

"Sirs," Sam started in a panic. "That wasn't—I mean—what I just said…" She let out a burst of nervous laughter. "Um…when I said that I-I meant the band. The band U2." Sam gave them her brightest smile.

"A band? Called U2? I've never heard of it. Have you George?" President Hayes frowned at Hammond who played along.

"I most certainly have not. What do you two have to say for yourselves?" He demanded in his best General voice.

"Sir, please, I didn't mean anything by it." Sam cursed herself for her quaking voice…which was severely lacking a convincing tone. "I'm so sorry. It's just the music was cut off…and I didn't realize…and the name…didn't mean…" her voice trailed away as both of her superiors glared at her.

"All excuses, Major." The President said disappointedly.

Sam jumped as Jack's hand pressed into the small of her back. Part of her wanted to turn around and shout, "Not helping!" but a bigger part of her wanted to bury her face in his chest and never move for as long as she lived.

"George," Jack said easily. "What's the problem?"

Sam squeezed her eyes shut and fought the urge to run away. Hammond looked at Jack in surprise and the President fought a smile. "Problem? Problem?! Your second just announced that she loves you in front of more than half of the SGC!"

"You said it yourself, George. The military is changing and I have to make the right choices. Well, I've just made a very important one." Jack stared hard at George. Something was seriously wrong here. Both Hammond and the President looked ready to burst into laughter.

"Have you now? And what would that be, Jack?" Hayes cocked his head.

Jack smiled. "My first official order of business…is to get something off my chest."

"The floor is yours." George's voice was dripping with false sarcasm.

Jack took a deep breath, praying that his instinct was right. If it was, what he was about to do would garner some applause and whistles. If it wasn't, a shiny new court martial would have his name on it.

"Carter…" Jack gently turned her so that she was facing him. "I love you too." He saw bridled hope and confusion flit through her eyes. "And I don't mean the band."

Sam's jaw dropped.

Along with half the other's in the room.

"Oh…" When her voice failed her, all she could do was smile. Jack smiled too and before she knew it, he had dipped her and captured her mouth with his.

The room erupted in applause, whistles, and calls of "It's about damn time!" and "Finally!"

After an indiscernible amount of time, Jack righted her and leaned his forehead against hers. "I love you, Jack. I really do." Sam breathed, unwilling to face the real world just yet. Jack smiled, but pulled away to look at his superiors. His expression was challenging, but, instead of finding two very unhappy men in front of him, he saw two smiling faces.

He could also swear that he saw Hayes slip Hammond a wad of cash.

But he wouldn't mention that.

"Congratulations, you two. You have the military's full approval and permission. You have mine as well."

Hardly daring to believe it, Jack shook the President's extended hand and then George's. Sam shook Hayes' hand too, but George caught her in a hug. "Your mother would be so proud."

"Thank you." Sam whispered. George was like her second father.

Father.

'Oh. My. God. DAD!'

Sam straightened automatically and grabbed Jack's arm intent on reminding him that her father was present and had just witnessed their very public display of affection. "Sir." She hissed out of habit. "My dad--,"

"Is standing right next to you." Her father finished for her as he seemed to appear out of thin air between Jack and Sam.

"Sir." Jack straightened.

"Jack." Jacob looked Jack up and down before sighing. "Well, it's not like I haven't known." He clapped Jack on the shoulder. "I accepted my fate a long time ago. Have at it." With that, he turned, kissed Sam's forehead, and disappeared into the crowd.

Sam stared after him, open mouthed. Have at it? Had her father really just said that?

Her questions were answered when Jack kissed her again. Sam grinned and sighed. "That's never gonna get old, is it?"

"Nope." Jack said.

The next hour was filled with congratulations from friends and co-workers, team banter, and stolen kisses.

And, unsurprisingly, the happy couple decided to take the hotel up on their offer of a free room for the night.

One long, happy night.

The End!!!!

A/N: Thank you all so much for reading this story! I hope you enjoyed it! I'm really sad to see it end; writing out the scenarios gave me many weeks of hilarity. Be on the lookout for a bonus chapter. It should be up relatively soon.

It won't have anything to do with this story line, other than the fact that it will be SamJack and DanielJanet.

Thank You!!!!

P.S. Song was "Slow Dancing" by U2