-1Sam was sitting over her laptop bored out of her mind, they were on a planet that had nothing for her to do. Daniel and Teal'c were translating some runes while she and O'Neill were sitting just out side the temple. The Colonel had his cap covering his face as if sleeping when the radio cracked on

"SG1 this is the SGC come in" Hammonds voice came thru the radio.

Jack pulled off his hat and looked puzzled at Sam before answering "This is O'Neill, what can I do for you sir?"

"Jack you need to return to the SGC" Hammond voice came back.

"Sir I just started-" Daniel started to say before Hammond cut in

"Not you son, just Jack" Now Jack was really confused "Sir if I may, why?"

There was a long pause before Hammond answered "I would prefer to speak with

you privately about it Son"

"Umm. Ok sir I'll be back in 30 minutes" Jack responded

"Good SG9 is on its way, you'll meet them half way, oh and bring Major

Carter with you, SGC out." then the radio went dead.

Sam closed down her computer and muttered 'bless that man' under her breath

so only Jack could hear. He couldn't help but chuckle.

They met up with SG9 half way to the gate "O'Neill, Carter" their leader said "Keragen" "Sir" were there responses.

Jack pulled Keragen aside "Got any idea what I did?"

The man looked and shook his head "All I know is Dixon left this morning." Jack's face fell, and he nodded to the other Colonel.

"Have fun with Danny, and don't kill him, he does come in handy some times." Jack said over his shoulder as he and Sam continued on their way.

It took them another ten minutes to get to the gate. When they got there Sam dialled and Jack sent the signal thru. When they reached the other side the General was there waiting for them, "Major please go and get your medical done and shower then come to my office I need to have a word with you." Sam nodded, as she started to leave she heard the General speak to Jack "Come to my office son." before she was out of earshot.

They walked up to the briefing room and into Hammonds office. Walter was waiting for them "I'm sorry sir, but you asked to be told when I got an answer."

"Ah yes thank you Walter, and what did they say?" Hammond asked

"That the plane will be ready to leave in three hours sir"

"Good, that will be all. Oh, hold all my calls until I'm finished"

"Yes sir" then Walter left closing the door behind him.

"Jack, have a seat" Hammond pointed to the chair across form him. When Jack was seated he asked "Which one died sir?"

Hammond looked at Jack, he new he wasn't as dumb as he acted around people, hell he'd read all of Jack's record, "there was a phone call from a Kristen O'Neill, it was sent on to me because you were off world". Jack cringed at the name "she was calling to inform you that an Alex O'Neill was killed in action." Jack paled considerably as he leaned forward and put his head in his hands. Hammond chose to continue "and his funeral will be held in two days in Ireland". Jack looked up at his CO.

"There's a plane waiting for you at Peterson" Jack just nodded "I'm sorry son; I'd say he was a fine officer"

Jack put his head back down "Alex was a she not a he sir, and she was a damn fine officer. I should know, I trained her."

"Then I'm positive she was" there was a pause before Hammond spoke again "Go and get your medical done then all you have to do is pack and get to Peterson". Jack rose and was about to leave before turning to Hammond "Sir, Dixon has left right?"

"Yes son, he and his family left this morning" Jack nodded and left the room.

Hammond looked back down at his desk, Jack had lost a lot of people and Hammond had seen how he reacted, he'd never seen him so…he didn't even know what it was he saw in Jack this time.

Jack made his way to the infirmary. When he reached it Sam was just leaving and the two bumped into one another "oh sorry sir" he just nodded and moved to leave. "Sir is every thing ok?" but he didn't respond just kept going, she looked puzzled and worried at the same time. He looked so lost. She thought it would be best to not speak of it to him so she decided to skip her shower and went to see the General.

When Sam reached Hammond's office the door was open. She knocked and he looked up "ah Sam, come in and close the door". She did as she was told

"Sam I need a favour from you" she looked at him suspiciously.

"Does it have to do with the Colonel sir?"

"Ah I see you've seen him then, yes it does. I want you to go with him Sam."

"Where sir?" she asked

"Ireland" he said "now if you need to stay to organize your wedding with Pete, I understand-"

"No! Its fine sir" she said quickly "When do we leave?"

Hammond looked at her suspiciously but couldn't see a thing. "Two and a half hours from Peterson" Sam nodded and rose when she just reached the door Hammond spoke agene "Oh and Sam",

"Hmm?"

"Jack doesn't know you're going with him yet" he smiled sweetly.

"Oh thanks" she muttered not knowing George could hear.

Sam made her way to the locker room. When she got there Jack was changing "Oh sorry sir."

He looked at her "it's ok"

"Umm.sir?"

"Yeah"

"The General wants me to go with you to Ireland." At her words Jack stopped and turned to look at her "what did he tell you?"

She frowned, that was not the question she was expecting, she was thinking he would say 'why'.

"Carter?" he said snapping her out of her trance

"Umm just that you had to go to Ireland sir," he nodded

"Ok, well if you're coming get a move on" she nodded and began to change "I'll wait outside" then he turned and left.

TBC...