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

"You know Sam's going to see her new position as a demotion – punishment," General Hammond's voice came through the helmet headset without context.

They'd been at the White House for many hours more than either had anticipated. The only good thing about not coming back until the pre-dawn hours was Jack had been able to commandeer a new prototype X-302-Bravo. The two-seater, space flight capable fighter plane had been in DC after a dog and pony show for the politicians earlier in the week – it's regular pilot a Lt. Colonel C. Mitchell would have to hop a transport back to Peterson. Jack was thrilled to get to take the new toy for a spin and General Hammond allowed it since he desperately wanted to have been in an American-made space craft even once in his career.

"I know," Jack acknowledged, deciding that as long as he had the stick in hand, it would be positively wasteful not to really put the craft to the test. He triggered his radio, and without consulting his boss, and passenger, registered his intention with the classified air traffic control at Peterson, "Peter Rabbit – this is Cottontail – I'm going to circle the moon real quick – just a head's up."

"Jack?!" Hammond reprimanded from behind while the radio crackled to life with, "Acknowledged, Cottontail."

Jack put the plane into a steep vertical climb before continuing his conversation with General Hammond. "This latest episode shows she's not ready for a field command. And with Daniel and Teal'C moving on to diplomatic positions, she'd have to be moved to another team to keep a field position."

"She would likely prefer that."

"Likely. But I think it would look worse on her resume to be a team 2IC for six plus years and then not only not take command, and get moved to another team, but not even be 2IC on that new team. Transferring her to head up Research at Area 51 looks like a promotion on paper, keeps her under fairly tight supervision – at least until we figure out what's up with her lately, gets her genius mind working on tech and, maybe most critically in a location that has previously held more loyalty to the NID than the overall good of the planet. As the new head of Homeworld Security – are we really gonna call it that? – you're going to need somebody you can one thousand percent depend on being loyal to you, and Earth, out in Nevada."

They were already nearly at the moon so Jack slowed down for their orbit around it, allowing both of them a chance to get a good look.

"That's quite a sight. If someone had told me when I watched the first moon landing on television by my father's hospital bed that I'd someday be this close, I'd have known they were crazy. Yet here we are."

"Crazy doesn't really mean the same thing now as it used to. Does it, sir?"

"No, I suppose 'crazy' has become our everyday reality. But an astounding reality."

"Indeed," Jack mimicked Teal'C's signature phrase to the amusement of both men.

They finished the lunar orbit in a companionable, if awe filled silence, before Jack directed them back toward Earth and Hammond resumed their conversation.

"Are you planning to tell her all those reasons when you re-assign her?"

"I'm hoping, having had some time to think about it, she'll be more willing to tell one of us what her real motivation was. If she does, then I'll commend her for doing her duty and accepting a posting that will keep her from gate travel. And if she's still being uncommunicative, I guess I'll point out that she's simply reaping what she's sowed."

"Hmm."

"You disagree." It wasn't a question.

"As a commanding officer – no, I think it's the only call to be made. As her godfather and a friend to each of you, it's a hard thing to see."

"From this side too."

"You realize with Sam primarily at Area 51 and you still at the SGC, she'll no longer be in your chain-of-command."

A click, "Peter Rabbit, this is Cottontail – we are approaching your air space. Please prepare to welcome us home."

"Cottontail – the welcome mat has been rolled out. Come on in." Another click.

"No comment?" Hammond prodded.

"I doubt she's gonna be too interested in that after the dressing down I gave her yesterday. Or the day before now, I guess." After all, the sun was peeking over the horizon on their right as Jack turned the plane to line them up for landing.

"And if she was still interested, would you be?"

"Not to mention all the secrets I've been keeping all these years."

"So, moving her to another chain-of-command played no part in your decision?"

The plane touched down and Jack taxied to the indicated hanger, trying to keep himself too occupied to answer the accusation.

But as the canopy popped open, and they prepared to re-enter the world of fact from the realm of speculation, Jack spoke quietly so only he and Hammond could hear.

"Hope is essential for life and there's never anything wrong with having a dream."

Author's Note: A short chapter today. But a necessary one to set the foundation for a thing or two later in the story. Thanks for reading! ~ Vi