After the news of the President's decision Sam had gotten to work. She had finally gotten Jack to agree, begrudgingly, on the terms of the SG team operations. She would play a similar role to Hammond; she'd schedule the team rotation and review their reports before forwarding them (and her recommendations or concerns) on to Hammond for potential follow up. Her priority would remain the same as always; protect her people and her outpost. Teams out in the field would report to her for further instructions, including Jacks team. However, Jack would be her second in command of the SG teams while Colonel Tutor remained second in command of the rest of the outpost. She meant no offense to Jaime but the man had never been on an SG team – that would be fun explaining that to him.
After they had laid that much down they had made their way to the SGC and informed Hammond of the new command structure. He'd raised a brow at Sam's announcement and she simply shrugged, telling him that 'Colonel O'Neill' refused to interfere with her command; never mind the fact that he outranked her. Following that conversation they'd informed the rest of the SG teams about the new expansion. Of course Daniel, Teal'c, and Hailey had already jumped on board and were to report to Eleftheria in two weeks (they had that much time to finish their pending reports). Before the end of the day seven other teams had volunteered, leaving Sam and Hammond to decide on which teams would make the transfer.
They'd been working out the details for the last three days and now Sam leaned back in her chair with a sigh. "Talk about timing," she offered gently.
"You're determined to go back to the outpost today, aren't you," Hammond asked as he sipped his coffee.
"I'm scheduled to go back today and I'd rather not mess with the leave rotation. Jamie and I have finally gotten things panned out on that end … and the sooner I tell him about the command changes the better."
"Sam … how do you really feel about Jack reporting to you?"
"Honestly," she offered with a sad smile. "I don't know. Ever since Hailey was assigned to SG-1 I never imagined that we'd be in a position to need special dispensation, let alone that our roles would be reversed. Hell, I'm still confused as to how a Lieutenant Colonel can be in command of an entire outpost sometimes. You and I both know if the Jaffa didn't play such a huge role in Eleftheria then there would be a General in my place."
"Probably," he agreed. "But, I don't know anyone that could do what you've done Sam. You manage the scientists, stop a mass murder, oversee cultivation of a planet, and broker an alliance between the Jaffa and the Tok'ra … how did that happen exactly?"
"Off the record, Uncle George?" Sam watched as he nodded, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Dad."
George couldn't help but smile, this was going to be a good story. "What did he do?"
"I was working with one of the Jaffa from Dakara on a trade negotiation. We've managed to end up with a surplus of food stores and thought that they could use some. Dad was there for the same reason but, he arrived a few hours after Draghinazzo. Apparently Draghinazzo killed a friend of Selmak's years ago while under the rule of a Goa'uld and when they meet things got rather heated.
"I had to order them both to sit down," Sam offered with a bit of a cringe. "I made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that Eleftheria was neutral territory and that fighting between the two groups would not be tolerated on my outpost. If they couldn't handle that then I was perfectly fine kicking them the hell of my planet. Once I got them to agree to the terms and pass them on to their respective leaders - the next thing I know I have delegates from both groups coming to me to mediate their meetings when one of them needed something from the other. Apparently that was much more frequently than either of them was willing to admit. In all honesty I got tired of having to do their work for them, especially while I was trying to keep an eye on Sneed. I may have told the Jaffa and Tok'ra leaders that they needed to grow up because I had other things to do then babysit them."
"Oh Sammie," George scoffed. "You didn't!"
"Oh I really did. It actually worked to. The next thing I know Dad and Draghinazzo are standing in my office asking me to mediate the alliance. Dad swore it'd be the last time I had to mediate anything between them. So far things are going well. The meet on a monthly basis on Dakara regardless of whether they need anything or not; they usually use that time to gauge each other's dedication to the alliance. They still send delegates to the outpost for their actual negotiations but they don't need me to mediate anymore. I think they just like to use Eleftheria for a comfort factor. Nothings gone wrong but if anything ever did both groups know I'd take care of the situation."
George couldn't help but laugh a roaring laugh that he couldn't shake. Not even when Walter came into the briefing room. "What is it Walter," Sam asked gently as she smiled at the man's surprised expression.
"Uh, we've finished loading up all the supplies and personal items for the outpost Ma'am."
"Thank you Walter, I'll be down shortly."
"Yes Ma'am." With that Walter made a hasty retreat back down to the control room and George finally regained his composure.
"Are you alright Sir," Sam asked with a brilliant smile.
"Yes Colonel, I'm fine. Looking forward to seeing your father again but, fine all the same. Now," he said standing up and Sam followed his lead. "I'll have SG-1 report to Eleftheria in two weeks. As for SG's 3 and 9 I'll have them report in about three weeks. They're both due back tomorrow and I'll tell them you've accepted their transfer. But I'd like to give them a few days of down time."
"Of course," Sam nodded as they continued through the Control Room and down to the Gate Room.
"Good, SG's 12 and 15 should be there by the end of the week."
"Wait a minute," Jack cried from his place in the Gate Room with the rest of SG-1 and Janet. "I thought we were the first ones to report!"
"With all due respect Sir, SG's 12 and 15 have kept up with their reports and they're already on downtime," Sam offered bluntly.
"Fine," he pouted.
Sam shook her head as she moved over to Janet and gave her a hug. "Did I ever thank you for taking the Colonel off my hands," Janet asked teasingly.
"Yes, although I don't think my CMO is going to appreciate it very much," Sam offered with a smile. Sam moved from Janet to Teal'c and Daniel, giving them both a hug before offering Hailey a warm smile. She turned to Jack and shook her head while he studied her. "You'll enjoy harassing Dr. Suh just like you enjoy harassing Janet, Sir."
"Oh I don't doubt that, I just thought I should give you something before you head out Carter." Sam's brow furrowed as she watched him. Jack was clearly up to something and she really didn't like it – not on base and not in front of everyone else either. Jack held up his hand and, there in between his finger and thumb, was a gold ring with a single diamond. "Marry me Carter."
Sam's eyes grew wide with surprise and she nervously took a step away from him while everyone watched them. Jack took a step closer to her with a wicked smile. "Sir," Sam ground out. "I don't think this is the time or place for this."
"I think it is, especially with what we learned earlier this week."
Immediately Sam went from shocked and annoyed to pissed. Clearly Jack wasn't going to drop this and Hammond had yet to reprimand the man, leaving her with no choice but to answer. "I swear to god if you are asking me this because –"
"Ah ah," Jack cried. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded up piece of paper. He handed it to her with a smile and Sam glared at him before she ripped it out of his hands and opened it up. She read through the document and her anger fell away into confusion.
"But …" she offered as she looked up to him. She looked back down at the paper and shook her head gently. "What …"
"Breathe Carter," Jack said as he stepped forward. He placed the ring on her left ring finger but Sam didn't budge. She was still staring at the piece of paper in speechless shock. Jack placed his hands on her shoulders and lead her towards the waiting Mal'tec and Ead'ogar. With a nod Mal'tec moved to her side and walked her through the Gate.
Jack turned back to the group as he started to whistle. "Sir, what did you hand her," Janet asked in surprise.
"Oh just the dated receipt from when I bought the ring."
"Dated," Daniel asked. "When did you buy that ring Jack?" Jack just smiled as he whistled and headed out of the Gate Room.