The next afternoon, Chris received a call requesting her to meet with General Hammond and she nervously headed to the SGC. She briefly thought about seeing Daniel first, he hadn't stayed the night before since he really did need some clean clothes and some real rest, but decided to just bite the bullet and headed to the General's office. She knocked and was commanded to enter. The General looked up and saw her and motioned for her to sit.
"Have a seat, please, Chris." He said and she noted that they were back at first name basis. Okay, that was a good sign. He folded his hands together and sighed. "I have never been a man that had to apologize for what I have said, Chris, but I feel that this is one time that I am going to have to." He said and she nodded.
"Yes, sir." She said, not knowing what else to say. Did one agree with a General even in this circumstance? She didn't think so, but from the constipated look she received, she thought maybe silence was best for the time being.
"I'm aware that SG1 has already apologized for what happened before, and I would like to extend that apology to be from me, also. I am sorry for doubting you before and especially for not giving you a chance to figure out what was going on when you denied our- my- accusations." He said, correcting his sentence at the last second. He waited to see what Chris's reaction would be and she leaned back with a deep sigh. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before speaking.
"Sir, I am hoping for two things from this meeting. One, I am hoping you will offer me my job back, with a couple of changes, of course- namely, no reporting to Kinsey." Hammond had to grin at that. " Second, I am willing to put what happened in the past as long as it stays there- for everyone involved." She said and he nodded seriously.
"I think that can be arranged." He replied and she smiled, glad. "As for the first part, I do plan on offering you your job back, and you will report to me instead of Kinsey. I spoke with the President and we decided that you will have full authority on approving requests under a certain amount and will only defer to me for an amount over that or if it involves bringing new personnel into the facility. Second, he will require quarterly reports directly to him- strictly confidential and only between you and him."
"And the other part?" she asked hesitantly.
"That is in the past as far as I am concerned, and I am sure that SG1 will agree. There is only one person that is going to have a problem with that and he cant talk right now because his jaw is wired shut." Hammond said and Chris couldn't hide her grin, which faded quickly at his stern look. "Chris, aside from hoping that slinging Senators against walls doesn't become a habit, I feel that I have to warn you. Kinsey is not going to let that go. He is going to try to get revenge somehow down the line. I don't know what that will entail, but I know what he is capable of. I ask that you be very careful." He said and she nodded seriously.
"Yes, sir." She replied and he finally grinned at her.
"Welcome back to the SGC, Chris. Hopefully the rest of your time here will run a little more smoothly than your past time."
"I certainly hope so, sir." She said, standing. "Oh, and, General?"
"Yes?"
"Can I please have an office NOT located between two supply closets in Timbuktu?" she asked and he had to chuckle.
"I'll see what I can do."
"Whoa, your office is nicer than mine!" Daniel said as he walked into Chris's new office- which was conveniently just down the hall from his office- two days later.
"That is because I now make more than you." She replied and he looked at her in shock. She laughed and slapped him on the shoulder. "Just kidding!"
"So, when are you and Sam going shopping?" he asked, plopping down on her small sofa.
"Saturday, if you aren't still on a mission. Did Janet clear you yet for active duty?"
"She wants to do one more nerve test to make sure there is no lasting damage and then I am good to go." He said. "We are scheduled for a routine recon on Friday, but from what I saw of the planet from the MALP images, it will mostly be Sam getting soil samples and the back home."
"Good. Well, hopefully by Sunday I will have a sofa and dining room table and everything. I also want a small guest room bed- maybe a futon or something and I can use that spare room as a study/ guest room." She said.
"Well, at least the painting is finished." He said and she nodded.
"So, you want to go out and celebrate your new boss and new position at the SGC tonight?" he asked and she smiled, sitting down beside him and taking a moment to snuggle into his side.
"Sure- just us or the gang?" she asked and he sighed.
"Oh, I guess we really should let them come for a change. They are always cooped up and all." He said and she laughed quietly.
"Well, now that you are out of that sling, maybe I can get another dance from you?" she asked and he chuckled.
"We'll see."
That night, SG1 plus Chris went out to O'Malley's again. This time, no one got completely smashed, thankfully, but they certainly enjoyed themselves. Chris gave Sam a run for her money when it came to pool and the men seemed to take particular joy in watching Sam actually lose one out of the three games. Daniel wasn't allowed to drink per Janet's orders, so he sipped at his diet coke while watching Chris shimmy around the table smugly, appreciating the view when she bent low over the table to sink the 8-ball. Jack, seeing where his friend's mind was, just rolled his eyes and walked over to a fuming Sam to ask for a dance. Daniel briefly wondered at the rather open display of affection as the two began to dance, but was pulled out of his thoughts as Chris walked over.
"Wanna dance?" he asked and she grinned widely.
"Of course!" she said happily and they walked out to the dance floor as a song began. Daniel gladly pulled her tight against his body and placed a soft kiss on her ear as they began to sway.
There's a calm surrender to the rush of day
When the heat of a rolling wind can be turned away
An enchanted moment, and it sees me through
It's enough for this restless warrior just to be with youAnd can you feel the love tonight
It is where we are
It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we got this far
And can you feel the love tonight
How it's laid to rest
It's enough to make kings and vagabonds
Believe the very bestThere's a time for everyone if they only learn
That the twisting kaleidoscope moves us all in turn
There's a rhyme and reason to the wild outdoors
When the heart of this star-crossed voyager beats in time with yours
And can you feel the love tonight
It is where we are
It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we got this far
And can you feel the love tonight
How it's laid to rest
It's enough to make kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best
Daniel kissed Chris gently as the song came to a soft close and she sighed deeply. She looked deep into his eyes and he smiled at her, then turned at the not-so-subtle cough from behind them.
"Hey, I think we are about ready to head out whenever you two are." Jack said and Daniel nodded.
"Yeah, sure." He replied and they regretfully left the dance floor. Daniel and Chris gathered their things and followed the rest of the group out, then drove home.
A/N: Okay, I know it was a stupid song that would probably never play in a bar...but it really is one of my favorite songs and seems to fit the show too perfectly to pass up. Anyway- what did you think? Blurp, blurp, blurp!!! Love ya guys!!!!!