Summery: A routine trip off-world has long-lasting effects for SG-1. Meanwhile, Jack has terrestrial trouble too, when his half-sister is recruited to the SGC and his worlds threaten to collide and all his secrets are in danger of being exposed.

Disclaimer: I do not own "Stargate SG-1" the series. I believe it is owned by MGM. No copyright infringement is intended. No disrespect is intended. I am merely intrigued by the possibilities.

A Matter of Degrees

by: Visions2share a.k.a. Vi

Jack was pulling suspiciously green or furry things out of his fridge and adding them to the large black trash bag sitting between his feet. This is what happened when a routine twelve-hour mission turned into three days in the infirmary and three more confined to base. What a waste. Thankfully, Colorado Springs hosted a farmer's co-op that was open seven days a week – so Jack wouldn't have to wait for Saturday's Farmer's Market to restock his fridge.

Jack had just dropped the black trash bag into the can at the curb when he heard a car turn onto his dead-end street. A street that ended with Jack's house and the forest beyond, so traffic on his street was rare. And this car didn't belong to any of his neighbors, he realized as it came closer. The champagne-colored Ford Taurus was familiar, however – he parked beside it every day at the mountain – General Hammond's car. Guess he had company coming.

It was rare for General Hammond to just show up at his house unless he was hosting some sort of get together – a BBQ, a birthday party, or – more likely – a wake. Jack had hoped after their private tête-à-tête that morning he'd have a few days to assimilate before tackling the topic again.

Jack walked back up his driveway but waited in the open garage door for his guest rather than try to hurry inside and pretend he hadn't noticed him. As Hammond was pulling in the driveway and turning off his car, Jack glanced around the garage trying to remember if he'd left anything out he didn't want seen.

"Jack, I'm sorry to bother you at home," Hammond called as he climbed out of his car and walked up to meet Jack.

"You're always welcome, General Hammond," Jack turned to lead the way inside through the attached garage, "come on in," as they passed from the garage into the house Jack remembered his manners, "Would you like a cup of coffee, General?"

"Thanks, I'd enjoy that."

"Make yourself comfortable," Jack waved a negligent arm in the direction of the living room and went to fetch the coffee he'd brewed more for the aroma to make the house feel lived in again than any desire for the beverage.

Jack filled two mugs and added sugar to one of them – good thing Hammond didn't take cream in his coffee because what little he'd had left was now in the garbage can at the curb.

"Here you are, sir," Jack handed the sugared coffee off to General Hammond as he passed by the general's chosen chair to take a seat on his couch and to hear what his guest had to say.

"I've spoken with the Secret Service clearance squad and the President. The team they had dispatched turned around mid-air and returned to D.C.," Jack nodded but didn't interrupt, "President Rhodes, however, has decided he wants to fold Dr. Mallory's research into the program."

"How so, sir?"

"He wants to recruit her to run her project out of the Academy Hospital and give her access to Dr. Fraiser's studies of the 'foreign' medical procedures we've encountered. He's hoping that within the next couple of years she might have tangible findings that could be made public – something to point to when Kinsey and his ilk kick up a fuss about the lack of profitable results from the projects."

Jack sighed – this was going to get complicated.

"Is the President planning on giving her a choice about this?"

"He's hoping that an offer to increase her funding slightly and provide many more potential patients will make her want to come willingly …"

"But …?

"But … her research is funded primarily with a government grant – so he is going to have her on board either way."

"I see," Jack sighed again and pinched the bridge of his nose – being told what to do was going to rub Susan the wrong way and make her dig in her heels – this had the potential to get ugly. "Sir, Susan isn't somebody who will take kindly to orders or ultimatums. However, she is very susceptible to flattery. If he worked it right, the President could likely have her nearly begging to be brought on board."

"That would be simpler and please the President. What do you suggest?"

"She should be approached with the truth – that the President has taken an interest in her research – he's interested in giving her some additional funding in return for her using wounded soldiers in her expanded study. It should be mentioned that the government is already supporting some advanced medical research that has shown promise with similar theories. That'll be key. She'll want to see the other research. Inform her that since said research is tied to ongoing classified projects and operations, she can't see it unless she joins the team. Make it an offer, not a threat. I imagine she'll jump at the chance."

"I'll pass all that along to the President. But he mentioned he'd like you to recruit her."

"No, sir, that is not a good idea."

"Why not?"

"She won't take me seriously – she'd think it was a prank – or a cruel joke. As much as we get along without that type of nonsense, the rest of our family has never been able to pass up the opportunity to make themselves feel better by making somebody else feel rotten."

"Jack?"

"Her father isn't a particularly kind or well-adjusted man and, while Susan seems to more take after our mother, our younger siblings weren't so lucky," Jack sighed again – he really didn't want to get into it – ever. "Basically, sir, I don't think she should know I'm involved in the program until after she's been read in and had a little time to adjust her world view."

"Very well, I'll let the President know. He can go with a modified standard recruitment," General Hammond drained the last of his coffee and got up to leave.

"I think that would be best, sir."

Hammond led the way out through the garage to his car. "I'm headed home to bed – hope that coffee doesn't keep me up."

Jack smirked as he watched Hammond unlock his car. "I wouldn't worry about that, sir. It's decaf."

Author's Note: Thanks for reading! ~ Vi