Chapter 7

Hammond sighed as he hung up the phone. If Jack wanted to talk off line, he was pretty sure he could guess what it was about. Jacob was dead and Sam Carter had canceled her wedding and given that cop his walking papers. George had watched how Jack had cared for Sam during and after Jacob's funeral. Maybe Jack was finally getting his act together. It was about time, but if he was, then there were some very real considerations to contemplate. Air Force regulations couldn't just be waived, even for those two. Saving the World a half dozen times wasn't going to get them squat in the Special Dispensation department without some manuvering and Don't Ask, Don't Tell didn't apply when your enemies were powerful members of the Congress, the NID, the Trust and various world governments.

George had arranged to meet with O'Neill for dinner at Jack's at the end of the week, during his routine tour of 51 and the SGC. Hammond would hold off further speculation until he heard it straight from Jack, himself. Too bad getting another bet into the pool would tip-off Walter and acting on this news was probably insider trading, but damn! the pot was pretty high by now.

Jack answered his front door after the first ring. "Sir, it's good to see you. Thanks for coming. Come in."

"Jack, how many times do I have to tell you? It's George." Hammond walked in and handed Jack a bottle of Single Malt.

"Glenfiddich? Good taste, Sir . . . George." Hammond shot Jack a long suffering look at the honorific. "Please, come in. Make yourself comfortable. Steaks are on."

They sat down to dinner and small talk of George's daughter and grandkids, base gossip and a few serious personnel matters. After dinner, Jack opened the Single Malt and poured them each two fingers.

Jack raised his glass in toast, "Slainte."

"Slanite." George took a sip of the whiskey and put the glass down with a distinct thump and pinned Jack with his patented Texan stare. He'd had airmen turn to goo with that look and Jack had dithered quite long enough. It was time to get to the point. "Jack, much as I'm enjoying dinner, I know you better to believe you're just missing my company. What's up?"

Now or never, O'Neill. Jack took another sip of his Glenfiddich for courage and turned to face the General. "Sir, when Jacob died he made me make a promise." Jack toyed with his glass, spinning it around, placing it on the coaster then spinning it again. This conversation had been sooo much easier when he'd rehearsed it in his head. Jack glanced at George, but the older man wasn't giving him slack. Jack was on his own.

"He told me that I was an idiot." Again Jack stole a glance at Hammond. The Texan was still waiting patiently. "Jesus, I feel like a junior airman about to speak to a General for the first time." The comment was voiced low, but George heard it and his features softened.

"Why don't you just spit it out, Son. The saying doesn't get any easier when you drag your feet."

George had called Jack 'son'. It immediately put Jack at ease. This man was also a father figure to Jack and now it felt like he was talking to George, not General Hammond. He could do this.

"Iloveher." Jack said it in a rush and a flush spread up his neck to disappeared into his silver hair. God, he felt like a schoolboy.

George sat back in his chair, secretly grinning to himself. It was as he suspected, but he wasn't going to make this easy either. Old Generals had to have their fun too. "You mean Colonel Carter?"

"Who else?" Jack took a deep breath, "yeah, Carter. It's always been Carter. I've loved her for years, George. I tried not to, really, I did. I don't know when it started. Maybe that first day. I tried to deny it for a long time. When she started dating that cop, I tried to put it behind me, but I can't. I just can't." Jack's voice trailed off. He'd been talking almost to himself at the end. He gathered himself and looked up at George.

"Before Jacob died, he made me promise to take care of her. He said we both loved each other and were idiots if we didn't do something about it." Jack forced a small, twisted little smile. "So are you going to call the MP's and court martial me?"

George contemplated the younger man for a long moment. He'd been determined to have a little fun with Jack, but the look of desolation on the man's face was too telling. He could have a little fun later. Right now, Jack needed his honesty.

"Son, I've seen this conversation coming for a lot of years. Frankly, I'm surprised it's taken this long. I had a feeling this might come up since she called off the wedding."

Jack was taken aback. "Was it really that obvious?"

"No. You two have been the finest examples of Air Force officers I've ever commanded and your professionalism was never subject to question by me. I've known for a lot of years there was more between you than CO and 2IC, but it never had any negative effect on your team dynamic or command decisions. In fact, I think it made your team that much stronger. You never gave me any reason to question your integrity, Jack. Yours or Sam's."

"That means a lot George. Thanks." The General's heartfelt support was a welcome relief. "But what now? I don't want to wait anymore. We saved the world again. The Goa'uld are all but routed and the Replicators are history. I've done my time. I want to retire and with any luck, Sam will agree to marry me. I'm not getting any younger."

George snorted. "None of us are, Jack, but I can't let you retire yet. The Joint Chiefs won't allow it. They've put a Stop-Loss on your file."

Jack's face turned stormy. "Hear me out. Jack. There may be a way." Jack settled, but the wary look didn't leave his face.

"I'm ready to retire. I was supposed to be on my final tour when I took over the SGC 8 years ago. The President and Joint Chiefs are going to approve my retirement as long as I stay on in a consulting role. That means my position is open. I want you to fill it and take over Homeworld Security. It would mean a move to Washington, but it would also get Sam out of your direct chain of command. She'd still be under you, but indirectly. You wouldn't be writing her performance evaluations or be responsible for promotion decisions."

Jack stared blankly at Hammond for a moment and sat back in his chair. They wanted to promote him again? Leave the SGC? He'd never even thought of it. Washington held no appeal for him, but he was quick enough to understand it was the only compromise for his problem, short of Sam retiring and being retained as a civilian. And that wasn't much of an option. It would ruin the career she'd built so far and she would still be under his command. Civilian status wouldn't excuse the frat regs.

"Will it work? Would we be in the clear, with no recriminations?"

George was surprised at how quickly Jack was capitulating. He'd expected more of a fight, especially since the solution would involve a move to D.C. The man really had it bad.

"I can guarantee you wouldn't be harassed about the frat regs or court martialed for any relationship you might pursue with Sam. I can't promise that rumors won't run rampant. You know there'll be talk, don't you? People will say that her rapid rise to Lt. Colonel will be because she was sleeping with the all along. Are you prepared for that, Jack? Is she?"

It was a harsh reality and Hammond wanted to make sure Jack was prepared. All efforts would be made to crush such rumors and bring anyone caught spreading them to swift and severe punishment, but that wouldn't stop them.

Jack sighed. "Over the years, I've thought of all that, George. For myself, I don't care what's said, but for Carter? I'd give my life for her and a good deal to prevent her from bearing the brunt of that kind of talk. It's unfounded, but you're right, unfounded or not, it will happen. The best I can do is talk to her about it. See how she wants to handle things. We're both assuming she even wants a relationship with me!"

George laughed, "Son, I've no doubt she wants what you want. You both just need the courage to reach for it. Good grief, you've faced down half the System Lords in the galaxy, but when it comes to speaking honestly, you both run and bury your heads in the sand. Promise me you wont let it wait long? I want to retire within a month. Now, any ideas who you'd peg to run the SGC?"

Talk continued long into the night over a potential replacement for Jack, the state of Homeworld Security and how best to implement the upcoming changes. When they were finished, George gave Jack a hearty pat on the back.

"You know, with Jacob gone, I'm the closest thing Sam has to a father. You'd better do right by her, son. If not, I'm hunting you down."

Jack laughed. A great weight lifted. He turned suddenly serious. "I'll be sure to take good care of her, George. I've loved her for a long time. I promised Jacob and I'm promising you. I will always take care of her."

"I know you will, Son. I know you will."