A/N: The twins just recently turned four years old.

CHAPTER 22: A PRESIDENTIAL VISIT

Jack O'Neill was getting used to having his way. Unique talents and friends in very high places seemed to make that happen.

Today was no exception. Jack had told President Hayes in no uncertain terms that he needed more time in Colorado Springs with his family. So when he'd been summoned to Washington for yet another important meeting, he'd respectfully declined the Commander-in-Chief's request. From past experience, Lt. Gen. O'Neill was certain he could avoid court martial and he was right.

The next day, the O'Neill family prepared to welcome the President of the United States, accompanied by a cadre of five secret service agents, to their suburban Colorado Springs home. Seems the President needed to have a face-to-face chat on matters of homeworld security with his foremost expert in the field and was willing to make the trip. Jack had been notified just two hours ago and Sam decided to take the twins on an outing for the day so the meeting wouldn't be interrupted.

As usual, things didn't exactly go according to plan. Jack and Sam were behind schedule in getting the twins ready to go and Henry Hayes was early. Jack apologized for the situation as President Hayes, his time limited, entered the home.

"Not a problem, General. Why don't I keep an eye on the children while you and your wife finish getting things ready for the day?"

"Are you sure you want to do that, Sir?"

"I think between myself and the Secret Service, we can manage these two. I do have grandchildren, you know."

As the Head of Homeworld Security and his wife, the smartest woman on the planet, packed for a day at the beach, Jake and Grace O'Neill interviewed the leader of the Free World.

They proceeded to ask all the embarrassing questions young children tend to ask.

"Why does my daddy call you Sir?" Jake asked as he started to play a game of Chutes and Ladders with the President.

"Well 'Sir' is a title of respect, Jake," President Hayes replied simply.

"What's respect?" Grace asked. "What do you do anyway and who are all these men?"

"You know how your daddy is a general and a general is a leader, right?" Both twins nodded. "Well I'm a leader too. I lead our country. These men are some of my helpers," he explained patiently.

Graced nodded knowingly, "You must need a lot of help. You're old, aren't you?"

Henry Hayes just about swallowed his tongue on that one. He did burst out laughing; just couldn't help himself.

"Is my Daddy your boss?" Jake continued, unfazed by the laughter of the most powerful man on this particular planet.

"No, Jake, he's not. In fact once in a while I get to tell him what to do." By now, the two secret service agents who had remained inside the house with President Hayes were struggling to keep straight faces.

"Is your hair really grey like my Daddy's?" Grace persisted, as she was ready to move ahead of the old President on the game board.

"If you really must know …."

Sam walked in with a backpack full of supplies just as the President was ready to reveal information no politician should ever disclose. We should have warned him, she thought. All kids were curious, but Jake and Grace usually elevated curiosity to a new art form. Smiling, she realized that was the phrase Jacob Carter had used to described little Samantha Carter a long time ago.

Like mother, like daughter ... and son.