Sam hesitated outside his office. Her leg still ached horribly and it protested at her shuffling, finally making her reach out and knock the wood.
'Come in.'
'Sir.' Sam said coming inside and closing the door a file in hand though it didn't stop her from coming to attention.
Hammond waved his hand to command her to ease, very aware of her recent injuries. 'Take a seat, Major.'
'Thank you, Sir.'
'How's the leg?'
'Healing. Slowly.' she admitted with a wince.
'Well, no rush. I want you back to 100% before I even think of putting you back out in the field.'
Sam took a moment to respond, the pause almost saying more than her words. 'That's what I would like to discuss, Sir.'
Hammond sighed loudly. 'Your father warned me this might happen before he left.'
'My dad?' she squeaked worriedly, 'What did he say?'
A flicker of a frown graced the generals features at the sound of the panic in her voice before he said reassuringly. 'He just said that you might be looking to move on from SG-1. He didn't say why.'
Sam simply nodded.
'If that is the case, we should probably call Colonel O'Neill and...'
'No!' she said leaning forward, then grimacing at the pain that shot through her leg at the movement.
'No?'
'No, sir. Um... Colonel O'Neill is the reason we're having this conversation.'
His facial expression suddenly very grave, he responded. 'He hasn't done anything, has he?'
'God no! He's one of the best officers I've served with.' she stated earnestly.
Hammond leaned back in his chair and regarded her carefully, waiting for her to continue.
Her fingertips toyed with the edge of the file nervously.
'In fact...' She continued. 'Although I want to leave SG-1, I'm rather hoping that Colonel O'Neill would like to remain a presence in my life but in a more personal capacity.'
She glanced at him nervously, not the least bit surprised by the look of shock on his face.
'What?' he asked needing clarification.
'I'd like to leave SG-1 in order to pursue a personal relationship with Colonel O'Neill. I'm prepared to resign my commission and work as a civilian if that's what it takes,' she said setting the file she brought with her on his desk, 'but I'd prefer not to leave the SGC.'
'Your father knew about this?' he asked, his voice squeaking in a manner unbecoming of a man and a general of the USAF.
'In a manner of speaking.' She said tentatively, before rushing into a full explanation. 'It was at the alpha site before the attack. I told my dad I was dating someone, meaning Pete. He looked pretty angry at first but then he seemed to give in and asked if you had managed to cut us a break, meaning myself and Colonel O'Neill. Later, he explained that Selmak noticed small indications in our behaviour and concluded, not incorrectly, that Colonel O'Neill and I have had quite strong personal feelings towards each other for sometime now.'
She stopped seeing the look of bewilderment and confusion on the General's face.
It took a few moments, but eventually he found his voice and said in an even tone; 'You're telling me, that you, Major Samantha Carter, have feelings for your CO, Colonel Jack O'Neill and want to leave SG-1 in order to pursue a relationship with him?'
'Ye-'
He raised his hand. 'And your father knew about your intentions?'
'Yes, Sir. I believe he guessed that I would take this course of action.'
Hammond drew in a deep breath and then let out a sigh as he leaned back into the depths of his chair. 'Then...I'm surprised Jack was still breathing when Jacob left.'
'Sir?'
'I've been around long enough to know that rumours have a basis in truth.' he said watching her carefully. 'But as long as that was all it was, rumour and heresay, I was happy to let it lie. The lack of footage of the two of you retaking your za'tarc test is about the closest thing there is to evidence but there's no way to prove what was said now is there?'
Sam was a little shocked at how much Hammond seemed to have considered the matter, maybe her dad had been right? Maybe he would be able to work something out so she wouldn't need to leave the SGC.
'That's true, sir.' she murmured hopefully.
'I'm thankful for your honesty, Sam, but it also puts me in somewhat of a difficult position. If you can give me your word that nothing has happened...'
'Of course not, Sir.' she said earnestly before he'd even finished the question. 'Never.'
'Then let's keep certain details of this conversation purely between us.' He said taking up the file she'd brought with her and pressing it to the shredder under his desk. As the machine whirred her resignation into a mere memory, the general set another file on the desk that was no doubt prepared after the conversation he had with her father before he left. Hammond continued; 'You're requesting a transfer from field work to focus on research and development of alien technologies within the SGC. That's it. It will be processed within the next week in time for your projected return to work. I presume any personal actions you wish to take can wait until then?'
'Yes, Sir.' she said a little disbelieving at how easy it all seemed to be.
'You may, of course, inform Colonel O'Neill about your new position before then.' he said holding the file out to her. 'I take it that's something you wish to do yourself?'
'Yes, Sir.' she said standing and taking her new orders.
'Good luck with that.' he said with obvious mirth. 'Though, it might be best if it doesn't take place on the base.'
'Yes Sir, thank you Sir.'
The next few hours consisted of her sitting in her office staring at the blinking lights of her equipment wondering how the hell she was going to explain all this to Colonel O'Neill.
