A/N: Another big, long honest discussion of practicality

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Take 65: More discoveries

Category for this take: Angst / Romance

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"This is great."

"I told ya!"

"I can't believe we didn't do this years ago."

"Yes, well, let's not dwell."

"Didn't that tape say there were no fish in your pond?"

"Close enough."

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"Carter, do you have something you want to tell me?"

"No. I can't think of anything, Sir."

"Walter insisted I get caught up on my paperwork before I left."

"Since when do you report to Walter, Sir?"

"Funny. I don't. But he can be really annoying sometimes. I didn't finish it anyway."

"You didn't?"

"No. I was distracted by the second request on the pile."

"Oh."

"Yes. Oh. So, Carter, do you have something you want to tell me?"

"You did see it. Here I thought I put it at the bottom of the pile."

"I like flipping the pile and working from the bottom."

"Oops."

"Carter."

"I was hoping you would see that after the trip so we could just enjoy the week without all the anticipation."

"Anticipation? I'm just pissed my right hand and former 2IC, the person I trust more than anyone, has decided to leave me without an explanation!"

"I'm not leaving you."

"Area 51 is in the middle of the desert, fercryinoutloud!"

"I'm just getting out of your chain of command."

"Am I that bad of a CO?"

"Of course not, Sir. Being out of your chain of command present certain other...opportunities."

"Haven't I given you every opportunity? Ask the other lab geeks and the other SG team commanders. None of them get what they want as much as you."

"You've been playing favorites?"

"No, you just have better judgment about what really needs to be done. Well, except for that insane space race you wanted to be in. But that was Hammond's call, not mine. It's not just you. Teal'c, too. With him it's because he so rarely asks for anything, I'm worried he'll go on a Jaffa revenge mission if I don't agree. Also Daniel, except I like messing with him some of the time. I guess it might seem like I play favorites, but you guys are the best. So tell me what opportunity have I not given you?"

"The one with you."

"Oh. That."

"Yes. I need to give 'us' a try before it is too late. That is, if you want it, too."

"Is that the only reason you are transferring?"

"I could think of other reasons. Just none as important."

"What reasons?"

"Is this because you aren't interested anymore? I need to know, Sir."

"Carter. Sam. Please trust me. What are the other reasons?"

"Cassie has been having trouble at UCLA. I think she is still grieving and is worried about me on missions. Area 51 is closer, so she could visit more easily on weekends. I'll also have more regular hours so we can talk on the phone more. As it is, I've been working double duty trying to help with the Daedelus' system integration issues while still commanding SG-1. At Area 51, I can help directly with the new ship. I'll be twice as effective in half the time. If I stay at the SGC, I'll be stuck breaking in a new team because Teal'c won't be around much, and Daniel..."

"He slid his Atlantis transfer request under yours, so I saw it right before yours."

"So you see the only thing keeping me at the SGC is the chance to see you every day. But I've gotten to the point where I'd take seeing you every so often with an 'us' rather than seeing you everyday with no chance of an 'us'."

"Do you want this even if there wasn't an 'us'?"

"I wouldn't be as happy, but yes, I guess I do."

"Head of R&D at Area 51 is a good career move, as long as it is temporary. We'll need you back on the front line eventually. You never know when the planet might need saving."

"Wait, did you say 'Head', Sir?"

"Carter, that place is full of civilian geeks. You'd be the third highest ranking officer on the base, the other two of which are not scientists. And oh yeah, you'll be the smartest geek there."

"I wasn't looking to be the Head of-"

"Remember that little pitch you all gave me last year about being able to do whatever you want?"

"Oh yeah."

"So you want this even if the chain of command was not an issue?"

"Yes. I'm not letting you retire for us."

"Fine. Consider the transfer approved when I get back, Carter. And for the record, nobody ever lets me retire."

"What do you mean, Sir?"

"General Hammond gets to retire this time around."

"Do you know who is going to take his place?"

"Who do you think?"

"You have got to me kidding me! Dammit!"

"I think they're nuts for picking me. I'm going to have to pack away the weapons so I don't shoot somebody."

"I've never going to be able to get out your chain of command unless one of us quits!"

"True. But that's ok."

"No it isn't, Sir. Now, we'll never have a chance.'"

"Carter, calm down. Remember, 'I can do anything I want.'"

"Within reason. Breaking the regs is not within reason."

"I'm in charge. It is if I say so."

"Sir, I don't think-"

"Yeah, right. Carter, you always think. Just hear me out."

"Ok."

"The new job gives me an accelerated second star, although they are thinking of making it a three star position in the future. Regardless of rank, I've been assured only four people get to order me around: the President, the CJCS, the Vice CJCS, and the CSAF. All of them have assured me a "don't ask, don't tell" policy will apply to my personal life. That was my condition for accepting the position and is in writing."

"Seriously? So we sneak around?"

"No. We just don't advertise. All PDA is private DA. Public dates are 'dinners between friends.' We might occasionally 'crash at a friend's place.' Anybody who 'asks' is referred to the CSAF, who will tell them to get their own life and leave us alone. Unfortunately, anything official and legal will have to be put off until my retirement. That's the 'don't tell' part of the policy."

"They are willing to let us break the regs?"

"They know I would shoot someone I care about more than I am supposed to if it meant saving the planet. That is good enough for them. Your department appropriations must be approved by Congressional Oversight or the IOA, so there is no conflict of interest. I won't be your direct CO anymore, so I won't be writing your evals."

"I can't believe you talked to all of them about us."

"No. They didn't ask who it was. That's the policy after all. They might have guessed and maybe increased their personal amounts in the SGC betting pool, but I officially know nothing about that."

"What betting pool?"

"Ask Walter. He had a line at his station in the observation deck after you broke it off with the cop."

"You're right. I think I don't want to know anymore. So let me get this straight, Jack. We're in the clear?"

"Yes."

"Right now…without waiting for the transfer?"

"Yes."

"As long as we don't advertise or get married until after one of us retires?"

"It's complicated. I know."

"Not exactly. We can work with this."

"So do you still want to transfer? Unfortunately, I'm going to be in DC."

"Yes. It's farther away, but not so much by phone, plane or F-302, and I'll be testing the Daedelus transports a lot. Cassie does need me. By the way, she could use some more regular calls from you, too. Or even better, regular visits on weekends to see both of us."

"As long as you are happy, Sam."

"If we are finally going to have a chance, I'm happy."

"Me too."

"Since we are in the clear-right now-what do you plan on doing about it?"

"C'mere"