Tying it all Together

By: Heidi L. Lane

 

White House

Washington, D.C.

 

“He said you were to wait in the Oval for him,” Charlie said as Sam entered the outer office.

“Really?” he asked, slightly confused.

Charlie shrugged, “That’s what he said.  He didn’t know when the meeting he’s in now will get over, so you have to wait in the Oval for him.”

“Alright,” Sam acknowledged, walking over to the door of the President’s office.  Feeling slightly awkward, Sam sat in one of the chairs and began looking over the notes he made for the President regarding the upcoming summit meeting.

Sam started to turn around as he heard an unusual sound behind him.  Before he could complete the action, a hand went over his mouth and nose and he found he couldn’t breath.  As he drifted into unconsciousness, Sam heard a voice say, “I left the note; let’s go before security gets here.”

 

Cheyenne Mountain Facility

Colorado

 

“Good morning,” General Hammond greeted the members of SG-1 as they seated themselves around the table.  “Approximately three hours ago, at 0900 local time, a presidential advisor was kidnapped from the Oval Office.  The kidnappers left a note stating that they came from Kilaea and wanted our advanced technology.  As far as anyone in the White House knows, Kilaea is a small island country.”

“But, of course, we know differently,” Jack declared, “Kilaea is the natives term for P3X-146.”

“They seemed friendly when we visited them,” Carter said, looking around at her teammates.

“Why would they kidnap a presidential advisor?” Daniel asked.

“Yeah,” Carter agreed, “and why would they think we’d give them advanced technology for his safe return?”

“Most importantly,” Jack added, “how did they get into the Oval Office without anyone bein’ the wiser?”

“It seems that they thought he was the President,” Hammond explained, “However, we don’t know how they entered and left the White House without being detected.  That’s what we want you to figure out.”

“What of the advisor?” Teal’c asked.

“Your primary mission will be to find and take out the means they used to enter a restricted area without being detected.  The President has expressed a desire for his advisor’s safe return, but he understands the gravity of the situation.  If it doesn’t impede your primary mission, do find him and bring him back with you.”  Pulling a photograph and dossier out of a file folder, Hammond said, “The Joint Chiefs feel that as soon as they found out he wasn’t who they thought he was they probably killed him.  His name is Samuel Seaborn. His official title is Deputy Director of Communications, but he also acts as a speechwriter and a lawyer.  He’s 33 years old.”

“He’s not even old enough to be President,” Carter said, looking at the stock photo.  The man’s expressive blue eyes and beaming grin made him seem more youthful than his chronological age.

“They’re aliens,” Daniel reminded, “They wouldn’t know how old someone has to be in order to be elected President.  So we’ll go find this device, whatever it is and if possible bring back Mr. Seaborn?”

“Yes, be ready in one hour.  Dismissed,” General Hammond said standing.

As SG-1 dispersed, Daniel scowled and shook his head.  Noticing this, Jack asked, “Something wrong, Danny?”

“I was just thinking how terrifying this would all be for Mr. Seaborn.  We’ve been captured before and our expectations… we’re prepared, for whatever happens.  Here’s this man, younger than me, a lawyer and a bureaucrat -”

“Bad combination, that,” Jack pointed out.

“My point is this, Jack, as mush as the Joint Chiefs are sure he’s probably dead, we don’t know for certain.  We can’t leave him for them to do with whatever they want.”

Holding up his hand to forestall any more arguments from the passionate archeologist, Jack said simply, “You’re right.  If the others go for it, we’ll make this a rescue mission too.”

“Oh,” Daniel said as he realized he didn’t have to convince the older man of his position.  “They’ll agree.”

“I know.  See you in 45.”

 

Kilaean Outpost

 

“Welcome, Mr. President,” Sam heard as he regained consciousness.  Looking around, he realized that they were talking to him.  He also realized that they weren’t altogether human.  They had long pointed ears and narrow almond shaped eyes.  They were also startlingly lean.

Sam blinked in astonishment and said, “B-but I’m not the President.  I’m his deputy communications director.  I’m not even old enough to be President.  Where am I?  Who are you?  Wh-what are you?” he asked, his eyes flicking around the darkened room. “Where are my glasses?” he added softly.

“Don’t try to lie to us; we know who you are.  Who else would be sitting in that office; reading files.  Don’t worry, you won’t be harmed.  If your people accede to our demands.”

“But they – the United States doesn’t make deals with terrorists and kidnappers,” Sam said, repeating the oft-used phrase.

“I think they will; after we send them a few pieces of you, Mr. President.”

Sam’s eyes got wide in fright; then he closed them to block out the malevolent gleam in the eyes of the person standing over him.  “Oh, p-please don’t,” he whispered.  He shuddered as he felt a hand on his shoulder.

“We won’t; if your people don’t force us to,” Sam kept his eyes closed tightly until he heard footsteps receding and the door open and shut.

“What am I gonna do?” he asked the empty air as he glanced around the room and tested the bonds that held him into the chair.

 

Part 2

 

Stargate on Kilaea

 

“We want you to know that this is the action of a fringe group, Colonel O’Neill.  We condone these hostile actions against your people,” Counselor Debryse said as he greeted SG-1.

“We understand,” Daniel said.

“Yeah,” Jack agreed, nodding, “Now, what can you tell us about this fringe group?”

“We believe that they wish to use your technology to take over our world.  As to how they entered a secured area, such as your President’s office, we believe they used a portal generator,” Debryse looked abashed and blushed to the tips of his ears, “We had no idea they could travel that far with them or we would have warned you.  It’s very risky as the portals are notoriously unstable.”

“Fringe groups don’t seem to care much about risks, Sir,” Carter pointed out.

“So I see.  We don’t know if it’s their only outpost, but we do know that it’s the largest one,” the counselor handed Jack a map.

Looking it over, Jack said, “Thanks.  Ah, I see you’ve noted the security on here as well as the probable location of that generator thing.  That’s helpful.  What’s this ‘x’ indicate?”

“The probable location of their prisoner,” Debryse stated.

“Ah… good.  You think he’s still alive?”

“Oh, yes.  Even if he told them he wasn’t the President, they wouldn’t have believed him.”

“Excellent, Let’s move out,” Jack said, slipping the map into a pocket in his flak jacket.

 

It wasn’t a long hike to the outpost, at least by military standards.  They reached the cluster of buildings by evening.  Once within sight, the members of SG-1 hunkered down to check out the defenses.

“It looks like the information Counselor Debryse provided us with is pretty accurate, Sir,” Carter said softly.  “I wonder why they’ve never done anything about this fringe group.”

“The Kilaeans, at least most Kilaeans are non-violent people, Sam, they wouldn’t attack unless provoked,” Daniel stated.  “That’s why these people are considered a fringe group.”

Jack nodded and looked at the map.  Pointing to one of the entrances he said, “It looks like the easiest access is here.  We’ll go in together.  When we get there, we’ll split up.  Daniel, Teal’c, you go see if Mr. Seaborn’s actually where Debryse thought he’d be.  If he is, spring him.  If not, check in.  Carter and I’ll take out the generator.  Then we’ll meet back up here.”

Jack glanced around to see that his team was ready.  Setting out quickly and quietly, they made it to the entrance of the main building without being seen.  Once they got to the entrance Jack and Carter took out the two guards with their zats, having agreed beforehand that the alien weapons were quieter than conventional guns.

“Okay, see you two in a bit.  Any problems, call us,” Jack ordered softly, before adding, “Good luck.”

 

“You’d think there’d be more guards,” Daniel said softly after he and Teal’c had narrowly avoided being seen by two Kilaeans.

“Perhaps they are elsewhere, DanielJackson,” Teal’c suggested.

“It’s where that elsewhere is that has me concerned.”  Consulting his map, Daniel said, “We go down this passage and the corridor leading to the door should be on the right.”  Suddenly an explosion rocked the building.  “That must have been the generator.  Should provide a good diversion.”

“Indeed,” Teal’c said as two more Kilaeans rounded a corner into the hallway facing them.  The aliens had enough time for shocked cries before they were zatted.

“They must have been guarding the door,” Daniel said, pointing at the unguarded door before them.  Teal’c nodded and pressed a button on the nearby wall panel, unlocking the door.

“Mr. Seaborn?” Daniel said, entering the dimly lit room.

“Oh, please…” came a soft reply.

“It’s alright.  We’re here to rescue you.  Teal’c see if you can find the light-” Daniel stopped as the lights came on.  “Thanks,” he finished.  Looking across the room he saw the man they’d come to rescue sitting tied to a chair.  His eyes were shut tightly and his breath was coming in strangled gasps.  “It’s alright, Mr. Seaborn,” Daniel repeated.  “We’re here to rescue you.  Are you hurt?”

“N-no,” the younger man said blinking in the bright light.  “They said that,” he locked eyes with Daniel and swallowed audibly, “They said that they were g-going to send pieces of m-me back t-to show that they meant business,” he said as Daniel untied his bonds.

“It’s alright.  You’re safe now.  Let’s go,” Daniel said reassuringly as he tugged the younger man along in Teal’c’s wake.  They encountered some resistance as they made their way back to the entrance.  Each time, Daniel let Teal’c handle the aggressors and saw to it the their quarry remained unharmed.  He was concerned about the younger man’s breathing, which was still coming in wheezing gasps, punctuated occasionally by racking coughs.

“That him?” Jack asked as they joined the others at the rendezvous point.

“Yes,” Daniel replied.  Turning toward the younger man, Daniel noticed that he had his eyes shut tightly and his hands on his chest.  “It’s alright, Mr. Seaborn.  You’re safe now.  Just try and relax.”  Turning back towards the others he asked, “Is it alright to rest here, at least until he’s calmed down a bit?”

“It’s secure enough,” Jack agreed, “We’ll see any pursuit coming long before they get to our position.  It’s also gettin’ dark so there’ll be less of a chance of pursuit.  We’ll make camp here; head out early tomorrow.  You and Carter see if you can get him calmed down.”

Both nodded and, as Jack and Teal’c busied themselves making camp, they helped Sam into a seated position.  Looking apprehensively at the man they’d come to rescue, Daniel started, “Mr. Seaborn-”

“Call me… Sam, please,” the younger man said between panting breaths, finally opening his eyes.

“Alright.  I’m Dr. Daniel Jackson.  This is Major Samantha Carter.  Over there are Colonel Jack O’Neill and Teal’c.  Are you feeling alright.”

“Fine… I’m just… My chest’s… a little tight.  It’ll pass on it’s own.  Usually does,” he replied softly.

“You have asthma?  Why didn’t anyone tell us?” Carter asked.

“It’s mild… and they don’t know,” he shrugged sheepishly and coughed.

“Do you have medicine?” she asked.

Shaking his head, Sam replied, “Not with me… I’ll be fine… It usually goes away when I… sit still for a while.”

Carter nodded and said, “Well, just in case, I’ll see if we have any bronchodilators in our medical supplies.  Daniel, try to keep him still and calm.”

Daniel nodded and advised, “You probably shouldn’t talk, Mr. – Sam.  You feel a little calmer now?”  Sam nodded.  Daniel nodded back and said, “They may come after us.  If they do will you be alright?”  Sam’s eyes widened and he looked around a bit frantically.  “I’ll take that as a ‘no’.  Sam – Mr. Seaborn, calm down.  You’re safe.  We won’t let anything happen to you.”  Sam nodded again and closed his eyes slightly.

“Janet put some Primatene Mist in the med. kit.  Maybe they provided his medical information with the picture and dossier.”

Daniel nodded and turned back towards the younger man.  “Do you need to take any medicine?” he asked.

“N-no, I’m alright now,” Sam assured them. “Um, if they come after us, what do you want me to do?”

“Try and stay calm, keep your head down and stay close to one of us,” Jack advised, sitting down across from them.  Sam nodded and looked up at Teal’c questioningly.

“He’s friendly, Mr. Seaborn,” Carter assured him.

“Call me Sam, please,” he said softly.  Turning to look up at Teal’c again, he asked, “You-you’re not exactly human are you?”

“I am a Jaffa,” Teal’c replied.  Sam nodded and smiled wanly at Daniel.

“They thought I was the President.  I tried to tell them I wasn’t but they wouldn’t believe me.”

“It’s alright, Mr. – Sam.  You’ve been through a lot.  Why don’t you try and get some rest?” Carter said quietly.

“Oh.  Um, alright,” he replied.  He curled up on his side and cushioned his head on one arm.  Soon he was fast asleep.

“Rest of us better get some shut eye too,” Jack said, settling himself into a bedroll.  “Carter, you want first watch?”

“Alright, sir.  Shall I wake you then?”

“Yep and I’ll get Teal’c.”

“And I shall wake DanielJackson.”

“Works for me,” Daniel said as he set his glasses aside. “Night all.”

 

Part 3

 

“Quiet watch, Daniel?” Jack asked the next morning.

“Yes, Samantha and Teal’c are reconnoitering and Sam’s still asleep,” he pointed towards the younger man.

“Let him, at least until we have breakfast ready,” Jack said.  “He looks so peaceful.”

“Yeah, like a child,” Carter said, entering the campsite.  “I didn’t see any sign of pursuit.”

“Good.  Coffee’s ready,” Daniel announced.

“Mm… coffee?” Sam said, coming awake slowly.  Rubbing his eyes he said, “They took my glasses.”

“That always seems to be one of the first things they do usually,” Daniel said.

“Yeah?”  When Daniel nodded, Sam smiled wryly and said, “Well, at least I’m not the only one.”

“Do you need ‘em to see?” Jack asked.

“Not really.  I’m hypermetropic.”  Jack gave him a perplexed look.  “Farsighted.  I need them for reading… and driving.  I can manage without them fine.”

“Good.  Drink up your coffee; then we’ll break camp.”

“I wonder where they were,” Daniel mused.

“Who?” Jack asked.

“It seemed like there should have been more people in that outpost, Jack.”

“Yeah, it did seem almost too easy,” Jack agreed.

“What’s the gate?” Sam asked suddenly.

“What?  Why?” Jack asked, caught off guard at the non sequitur.

“Because, they were questioning me and a person came in and said that strangers had been sighted talking to the Counselor near the gate.  That place didn’t have any fences, let alone gates, so that’s not what they meant.  Anyway, after that a bunch of them left,” Sam replied, seemingly all in one breath.

“You talk so fast,” Jack observed.  “There might be trouble when we reach the gate, folks, so look alive.  About how long was this before we got you out of there?”

“Mmm, about… an hour maybe two.  What’s the gate?”

“That’s how we get home,” Daniel explained.

“S-so if they’re guarding it, how are we gonna get home?”

“We may have to fight them,” Carter said calmly.

Sam’s eyes got wide and he looked over at Daniel.  “It’ll be alright.  Just keep your head down and stay close to us.”  Sam nodded and frowned apprehensively.

 

It seemed like they’d been walking for hours and while the others didn’t seem to be tiring much Sam was definitely in need of a rest.  I thought I was in pretty good shape, he thought as he started to lag behind.  Shows what I know.  “Um, Colonel O’Neill.  When can we rest?” he called noticing that no matter how slowly he moved the Jaffa, Teal’c, stayed behind him.

“Soon, Mr. Seaborn,” came the reply.  The man was easily older than Toby but he was just as easily in much better shape.  Sam sighed; at least he didn’t have to carry around any of those big heavy backpacks, though they had insisted that he put on a flak jacket before they’d set off.  Apparently, brought an extra along in case they’d succeeded in rescuing him.  Sam shuddered at what would have happened to him if they hadn’t.

“Are you cold, SamuelSeaborn?” the large man behind him asked.

“N-no.  I’m fine.”  Sam knew that there was nothing to be afraid of from the man, but the fact that he wasn’t exactly human and his imposing size made him nervous nonetheless.

“Keep up, Seaborn,” the Colonel shouted back.

“I’m trying,” he called back.  “My knee’s acting up,” he said softly.

“Did they hurt your knee?”  Major Carter asked.

“No, I hurt it in college.  Football.”  She gave him a perplexed look.  “I was a running back.  I’m small, but I’m fast.  Or I was in college.”

 

“Maybe we should rest, Jack,” Daniel said, from behind the Colonel.

“I know he’s tired, Daniel.  But if they’re guarding the gate I’d just as soon get there before dark.”

“I know,” Daniel glanced behind him.  “He does have a breathing problem, you know.”

“Daniel, there are Olympic athletes who have asthma.  He’ll be fine.”

“Olympic athletes are in better shape than he is, Jack.  He works at a desk and doesn’t get out much for exercise.  I’m just saying try not to push too hard, alright?”

“Alright, we’ll take five.”  He held up a hand to signal to the others that it was time for a break.  Both men heard the sigh from the young speechwriter.  “You alright back there, Seaborn.”

“Yeah, fine.  Can you call me Sam, please?”  He put his hands on his knees and breathed deeply.

Jack smirked and looked at Carter.  “Um, they call me Sam, Mr. Seaborn,” she clarified, “At least Daniel does.”

“Strange, then, that he’s the only one calling me by my name,” Sam replied.  “You I can understand; you’d probably feel like you’re talking to yourself.  Mr. - um, Teal’c, that is, probably doesn’t call anyone familiarly but really, Colonel, I’m more comfortable being referred to as Sam.”  Blushing a little, Sam said, “Well, that was uncalled for.  Sorry.”

“So, Sam, you always carry on conversations by yourself?”  Jack asked, grinning.

“No, only occasionally,” Sam replied with an easy grin.

“We’ll be there in about four hours if we keep at the rate we were going.  Think you’re up to it, Sam?”

“I’ll keep up,” Sam assured him.  Smiling again he asked, “Can I call you Jack?”

“Alright,” Jack replied, giving in to the younger man’s contagious grin.

 

They heard the people waiting by the gate before they saw them.  Jack peered through the bushes and whispered to his team, “There shouldn’t be too many problems there’s only ten of them.”

“But that’s twice as many people as we have,” Sam protested softly.

“It’s no problem, Sam.  We can handle it.  Stay here, keep your head down,” Jack ordered.  The speechwriter nodded and ducked his head down, covering it with his arms.

Meanwhile SG-1 went to work.  Jack stood up and said, “Throw down your weapons.  We have you outgunned.”  The reply was a volley of crossbow bolts.  “Alright then,” Jack said from behind cover.  The members of SG-1 returned fire with their zats, figuring that automatic weapons fire might frighten the young politician.  They were able to take out most of the aggressors.  The rest fled, deciding that fighting another day sounded like a good idea.  “Sam, you can come out now,” Jack said.  Turning to Daniel he added, “Dial us home.”

As Daniel dialed he talked to Sam who’d walked over to watch the procedure.  “That’s the Stargate,” The archeologist explained, “It forms a wormhole between two worlds, enabling us to go across the galaxy.”

“You mean, we aren’t even on Earth anymore?” Sam asked, aghast.

“No we aren’t.  We will be soon.  The way that we go back, it’ll be very uncomfortable.  We’re used to it, you aren’t.  It’ll be cold and it’ll probably make you sick to your stomach.  Ready?”

Sam chuckled nervously, “Not really.  But I want to go home and if that’s the only way…” he shrugged.

“It’ll be fine,” Jack assured him as he ushered the younger man through the gate.  Stepping through himself, Jack found Sam sitting on the platform on the other side, shivering.  “You okay, kid?” he asked.

“Yeah, fine,” came the weak reply.  After a moment, Sam looked up and said, “That was so not fun.”

Jack chuckled and nodded, saying, “You get used to it.”

“I won’t!  I just about fell over coming through.”

“Danny forgot to warn you about that.  It takes the velocity that you go through it at and increases it.  Good thing you didn’t run or anything.”  Sam chuckled ruefully and nodded.  Looking up Jack noticed that General Hammond was smiling at him.  “Mission accomplished, sir,” he reported.

“I see,” Hammond said.  Then he pointed towards the door, where an older man was standing.  “You should probably stand, Mr. Seaborn,” he advised.

Looking in the direction that the general was pointing, Sam beamed and said, “Good Evening, Mr. President.”

“Sam!” the older man greeted.  “Are you alright?”

“I will be, thank you, sir,” Sam said straightening his suit beneath the flak jacket he wore.  “Can I take this thing off now, Jack?  It’s awfully heavy.”  Jack nodded and looked over at the Commander in Chief who was beaming at his advisor with a fatherly expression on his face.  “Thanks,” Sam said shrugging out of the cumbersome article.  Once that operation was complete he bounded down the ramp and over to the President.  “Mr. President, did you send them to rescue me?”

“More or less, Sam.  How are you?” he asked, clasping the younger man’s hand warmly.

“Oh, I’m fine, sir.  None the worse for wear.  What’d you tell the others?  They must be worried sick about me.  Did you know about this thing?” he pointed up at the gate.  “Where is this place?  Is this that thing that Senator Kinsey’s all hot and bothered about?”

“Sam, calm down,” Bartlet advised.  Blushing, the younger man took a deep breath and slowly let it out again.  “What do you think, George, shall we tell him everything?”

“It’s up to you, sir.  It is top secret, but he wouldn’t be the first civilian to know.”

“I’ve been wanting to let one of them in on it anyway, and this affords me the opportunity.  Not that I don’t value your expertise, but it would be nice to have a civilian’s opinion on some things that are brought before the Joint Chiefs.  I’d be trusting to your discretion if I tell you, Sam; you can’t tell anyone, not even Josh.”

Sam nodded, “I understand, sir.  You don’t need to tell me anything.  I mean I don’t have code word clearance and this has to be… But if you want to, sir, you know I can be discrete.”

Bartlet nodded, “Dr. Jackson, perhaps, you’d be best at explaining this.  You are the one who made it all possible.”

Daniel nodded, “Well… It’s like this…”

 

Part 4

 

Epilogue

White House, Washington, D.C.

Two years later…

 

Sam shook himself out of his thoughts.  In the two years since SG-1 had rescued him from the Kilaeans he’d barely given what he’d been told a thought.  It was easier not to think about it.  The whole idea of evil aliens able to assume the bodies of normal people trying to take over the world was just too frightening to think about.  Know just how close they’d come didn’t help his piece of mind either.  Now after his unsuccessful run for Congress, Will Bailey was deputy communications director and he was about to get a new appointment.  When the President had asked Sam to meet him in the Oval early in the morning and hadn’t invited the others to see him installed in his new position, Sam remembered all the secrecy that had followed his return from Kilaea.

He entered the outer office, Charlie and Debbie weren’t even there yet.  So much had changed in the last two years.  If the e-mail he’d gotten from Jack was any indication it wasn’t only the staff in the West Wing that had changed.  Apparently, Daniel had ascended to a higher plane of existence.  Sam shook his head.  He’d been fond of the older scientist.  Of the team, Daniel had been the one who’d understood him the easiest.  The others thought like people in the military, which they were, of course.  But Daniel hadn’t rushed him along or given him any looks when he’d cringed away from the sounds that the zats had made when fired.  Honestly, neither had Jack.  Teal’c was so stoic it was hard to tell what he was thinking.  The only problem had been Samantha.  She wasn’t used to grown men being scared of the sound of weapons fire.  Of course, her father was in the military too so that explained how startled she’d been at his reaction.

Sam knocked on the door and peered inside, he’d only expected to see the President, maybe Fitz, so he was caught by surprise when he saw Jack, Samantha and Teal’c as well.  With them was a nervous-looking younger man.  He smiled reassuringly and the younger man smiled back.  “You said you wanted to see me this morning, sir,” Sam prompted.

“Yes, Sam, come in,” waving at the younger man, the President said, “This is Jonas Quinn, from Kelowna.  He’s the newest member of SG-1.  Mr. Quinn this is Sam Seaborn.”  Jonas waved slightly and smiled shyly at Sam.  “Sam do you know what your new position is going to be?” Bartlet asked.

“No, sir, but as always I serve at your pleasure,” Sam stated softly.

“That’s my boy,” Bartlet said, clapping him on the shoulder. “You get two copies of this, Sam, the one people can see and the one they can’t,” he added holding up two dark blue document covers.  “You also get two titles, the one that people can hear and the one they can’t.  Clear?”

“Almost, sir,” Sam said, nodding.

“This’ll clarify it.  I’m gonna install you with your official title, but your unofficial one is what everyone’s gonna call you.  And this’s one job that’s a lot more important than your last one.  Do you accept?”

“Yes, sir,” Sam said, beaming.

The President smiled back and with a nod said, “Samuel Seaborn, reposing special trust and confidence in your integrity, prudence and ability, I designate you to the post of Director of Alien Affairs and Senior Counselor to the President. And I do authorize you to execute and fulfill the duties of that office with all the powers and privileges and subject to the conditions prescribed. It is affirmed by my signature...” Here Bartlet picked up a certificate and signed it before continuing, “...and affixed with the Seal of the Unites States.”  Again the President paused, this time to stamp the document, before resuming with, “And it is done so on this day and in this place.”  Bartlet smiled again and shook Sam’s hand saying, “Congratulations, Sam.  I know you’ll do well in this job.”

“Thank you, Mr. President,” Sam said.  Glancing at SG-1, he smiled warmly, asking, “How’ve you all been?”  Sam chuckled nervously and continued, “So I’m going to be working with you now.  Wow.”

“Yes,” Jack said.  “We’re a little overwhelmed too.”

“Why don’t you all have breakfast and get to know each other better, hm?” Bartlet suggested.

Regaining his composure, Sam nodded and ushered the members of SG-1 towards the door.  “Thank you, Mr. President,” he said as they left.  He looked significantly at the others until they’d repeated the phrase.

“What did we thank him for?” Jonas asked.

“For his time.  He’s very busy and he took the time to see us, so we thanked him.  It’s traditional,” Sam explained.

“You’re a lot more comfortable now than you were the last time we saw you,” Carter pointed out.

“You’re a lot less comfortable.  We’re in my element now.  Let’s go see what they have in the mess.”

“There’s a mess here too?” Jonas asked.  Sam nodded and grinned at the younger man.

“They’re everywhere,” he said, winking.  “This way,” he said pointing towards the stairs.  “You like Danish?”

“What’s Danish?” Jonas asked.  The others just nodded. 

“Well, I’ll have to introduce you to the wonders of breakfast pastries,” he said his own grin got broader in response to the younger man’s smile. Sam could tell he was going to like the younger man.

 

End