Sam spent the rest of the day hidden in some console or another. Ba'al had made modifications to his ship that the SGC scientists were still trying to figure out. She'd made quite a bit of progress by the time the sun had begun to set only to be interrupted by Jack. When he called her name she rolled out from under another console to find him standing above her with a smile on his face. "Sir?"
"You've got a smudge, just here," he said as he wiped his own cheek just under his right eye. He laughed as she rubbed at it, spreading it. "Give it up Carter, you're making it worse."
She shrugged as she pulled herself up to a sitting position. "What can I do for you Sir?"
"Get your stuff ready. The Joint Chiefs are hot to get home. I know," he said as he offered her his hand and pulled her up. "You want more time to go over the tech. I plan to ask Hammond to let us back but, we got to escort the big wigs home."
Sam smiled a small smile at him. "Of course Sir. Give me a minute to update Grant."
A half hour later SG-1 and the general's were making their way to the Gate only to be approached by Mal'tec and Ead'ogar. The two men bowed their heads and when they raised them the only had eyes for Sam. "Major Carter," Mal'tec offered gently. "May we speak with you?"
"Ah, guys now's not a great time," Jack started.
He paused when Sam placed her hand on his arm. She looked from Jack to the two general's. "Sir's, if I may have a moment?"
"By all means Major," Schwartz offered.
Sam stepped away from the group with the two Jaffa but not so far that they wouldn't be able to hear what was said. "What can I do for you?"
"We do not wish for you to leave Major Carter," Ead'ogar offered.
Sam couldn't help but raise her brow in true Teal'c fashion as her head tilted just so. "I'm not sure I understand you Ead'ogar."
"You are a true warrior," he continued. "And a true friend to the Jaffa. Many of us who were forced to serve Ba'al would be honored to work alongside you. As do a number of the free Jaffa."
Sam's brow knitted together as she looked to Mal'tec, he was the former first prime after all. "It is true Major Carter. Many Jaffa have expressed a desire to work closely with you and Ba'al's former Jaffa; many more since you released us from our oath. We would be honored if you would remain."
"I can't stay," Sam offered, taking a deep breath. "I have orders to return to the SGC. I do have hopes of returning, there's a great deal more work to do. I would be honored if we could continue this discussion when I do return?"
Mal'tec and Ead'ogar offered their desire for the same before they bowed and retreated from the group. Sam watched them leave with a critical eye before Jack called her back again. She smiled at him when she turned around to reassure him. "What are you thinking Carter?"
"What makes you –"
"Agh! Carter, you're always thinking. So, what's up," he asked as she came to stand
beside him and they led the group back to the Gate. "That I'm glad Teal'c talked to me before we came here."
"Teal'c?"
"O'Neill," he offered from his place by the general's.
"What did you tell Carter?"
"The truth O'Neill."
"Which would be," Jack asked as he looked over his shoulder at the Jaffa.
Teal'c looked to Sam a moment and she tossed him a bright smile. "Bra'tac and I informed Major Carter that the Jaffa were likely to attack her."
"What," Daniel cried.
"Major Carter informed Bra'tac and myself that she expected nothing less from the Jaffa. Bra'tac had hoped to prepare her for the challenge; however, she said she was capable of taking care of herself. As she defended herself to Ead'ogar's challenge with honor and distinction I concur that she did not require assistance."
"Honor and distinction," Jack repeated as he looked back to Sam. "Good job Carter."
"Thank you Sir."
"Now go dial the Gate."
"Yes Sir," Sam offered with a chuckle.
The group made their way back to the SGC where they were given an hour to swing by the infirmary, shower, and change. When SG-1 made their way into the briefing room Hammond was in his usual seat with Schwartz and Amos sitting on either side. It was clear that the three general's had been talking quietly amongst themselves. Hammond informed them to take a seat. As the group did so Sam and Jack shared a moment of silent conversation.
"Major," Hammond began. "I'd like a recap of your conversation with Bra'tac and Teal'c, as well as with Ead'ogar."
Sam did as asked, informing Hammond that Teal'c and Bra'tac had wanted to warn her and that she had told them she was fine. She let him know that she had walked up to the group of Jaffa expecting a fight and that she had made a point to show her willingness to confront Ead'ogar. She told him of what she said, everything from her harsh words towards Ead'ogar as well as what she had said to the entire Jaffa.
"Mal'tec and Ead'ogar asked you to stay," Hammond asked, clearly knowing the answer.
"Yes Sir."
"You said you wanted to go back."
"Yes Sir," Sam offered, just short of a shrug. "Whatever modifications Ba'al has made to the ship are rather brilliant. We could learn a lot about what the Goa'uld have done with the Asgard technology that Anubis stole from Thor. And the entire reason I volunteered for this mission was to try and maintain our alliance with the Jaffa. They are willing to work with us now, we can't just walk away from that."
"I disagree," Teal'c offered.
"How so," Hammond asked.
"The Jaffa wish to work with Major Carter. While she was studying the ship many Jaffa approached me. They wished to know more of Major Carter and her accomplishments. I informed them of her skills as a warrior. Many Jaffa expressed a desire to work with Major Carter, if that meant working with the Tau'ri they would abide. I believe that the Jaffa-Tau'ri alliance will only survive with her assistance."
"Fantastic," Schwartz smiled. He smiled at Sam's evident confusion as she looked from Teal'c to him and his smile grew. "We've already spoken with the President and made our recommendations, this just confirms it."
"Sir," Sam offered as her brow knitted together.
"You're being assigned command of our efforts on the planet," Hammond said as he tried to hide the pride he felt for her.
"But Sir I –"
"You'll be promoted before you go off to take over," Amos offered.
Sam looked from general to general, still not understanding what was happening. "You didn't really think we tagged along for peace talks did you? We wanted to see you in the field Major," Schwartz offered. "Promoting you has been suggested several times; especially when it was shown that you never talked to Ba'al. Not many officers would have managed to keep quiet or to survive that. You've also responded to this entire situation better than most would. You're ready for a promotion and for this command. And I sure as hell wasn't about to let the Marines try to lure you away."
Sam studied the three and licked her lips. She looked to Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c before returning to Hammond. "What about SG-1? I'm not ready to give that up Sirs."
"Until further notice your presence on SG-1 will only be requested for missions where your expertise is necessary. We'll hold your spot Major."