Two days later Jack and Cassie stood at the ramp leading to the shimmering vortex. "Now Sam is going to meet you at Midway station, okay? This trip through the gate may seem like it takes a little longer, but it will be fine."
Cassie nodded and looked up at him. "I'll be fine, Jack. I promise."
"You sure about this?"
Cassie nodded. "I think it will be good for me."
Jack smiled. "Okay then, I will walk up the ramp with you."
He waited while she hugged Daniel and Teal'c goodbye, then she grabbed her bag and the case Doctor Lam had given her to give to Doctor Keller and joined him walking up the ramp. He stopped short of the event horizon and turned to her.
"You be careful, and do exactly what Sam tells you to do okay? Atlantis is not Earth. There are some very real dangers there." Jack said.
"I will. I promise." Cassie replied. A noise made her look down the ramp.
Technicians were guiding supply carts up the ramp with equipment and supplies for the city.
"I better get out of the way." Cassie said. She turned and looked up at the control room window to see General Landry looking down at them.
He leaned over to the microphone. "You have a go."
Cassie waved acknowledgement then started to the wormhole. She stopped, dropped the case and wrapped her arms around Jack. "Thank you Jack. For everything. You are the best Dad ever."
She then tiptoed to kiss his cheek. "I love you."
Jack's eyes were wet. "I love you too."
She nodded and stepped into the wormhole.
Jack slowly made his way down the ramp past the carts with supplies on them being fed into the wormhole.
Daniel and Teal'c walked up to him. "You okay Jack?"
"Yeah, I'll be okay." Jack replied as they walked to the door. Landry came through as they got to the door.
"Sam radioed back and said to makes sure you knew Cassie was there safe and sound." He announced.
Four weeks later Jack was sitting in a meeting, once again trying to figure out why Teal'c had denied him permission to borrow his staff weapon.
Of course Teal'c's excuse that he did not want to face Colonel Carter's wrath for helping Jack eliminate the leaders of this planet because, as Jack had put it, "They deserved it.", had a valid point. Sam had often scolded Jack about controlling his temper with politicians. And Teal'c knew O'Neill well enough to know that if he did in fact have access to weapon during these meetings; his temper might very well override his self-control.
He looked at his watch yet again and sighed. He did not notice the amused look his Commander in Chief shot him from down the table.
After watching Jack squirm for another ten minutes, Hayes finally spoke up. "Well gentleman, I hate to cut this off, but my wife has informed me that I will be at her call no later than five." And he looked around the room. "And I highly suggest you people use the time to spend with your significant others as well."
The young man standing at the podium spoke up. "Mr. President, I only have a few more slides." He protested.
"Tim, are you married?" Hayes asked.
"No sir." Tim answered, clearly confused by the question.
Hayes smiled. "Then let me give you fair warning and see if you can pick up on how marriage works. I am the President, supposedly the leader of the Free World, and in that position comes several perks. That title and those perks mean absolutely nothing to my wife when she decides there is something she wants me to do. My wife has told me I will be available at five. I intend to be available at five. It's safer for all concerned. Trust me."
Tim looked even more confused now and a little left out at the knowing grins from the married men and more than one of the females at the table. "Uh, yes sir."
He stepped away from the podium as Hayes stood up. Everyone rose.
"Relax people, go, and enjoy the evening. Jack, a second?" Hayes said.
Jack walked over to him. "Yes, Mr. President?"
"Today the return?" Hayes asked.
"Yes sir."
Hayes smiled. "Good. Let me know how it goes, and if you need anything okay?"
"I will sir." Jack said as he watched Hayes head to the door.
Hayes turned and looked back at Jack. "Oh, and tell Miss Frasier that I look forward to having her come visit."
Jack was startled by that one. "Uh, yes sir?"
Hayes smiled. "Jack, from what I understand, that little girl has had you wrapped around her finger since she got here. Outside of only one other person we won't be naming here, she is the only one I have seen get hint of compassion out of you. That must make her pretty special."
He turned to walk out calling back over his shoulder. "Maybe for a dinner soon?"
Before Jack could reply he was gone.