I don't own them, wish I did, because I'd have changed a few things!

Jack saw Airmen Simon Wells pull in his driveway a few minutes early so he ended the call he while he was grabbing his personalized stainless steel travel mug full of hot coffee, the mug had been a Christmas gift from Cassie Frasier the year before. He was using one of the perks that he'd intentionally avoided until today since he'd always felt that seemed a tad pretentious to have a driver, like he was the CEO of some Fortune 500 company, so until today he'd opted not to use it.

In Jack's opinion, people rarely used chauffeurs in Colorado Springs, except during proms and at weddings. However, today he had no choice. His beloved truck was in the shop for extensive and expensive repairs. More importantly, as far as President Hayes was concerned, he had a summit to prepare for and precious little time to 'cram'.

Jack hadn't been the one slated to be Earth's representative at the summit, his truck was in the shop because as he left work the night before he'd heard a very unusual and worrisome grinding noise coming from the engine so he immediately called for a tow to his garage. The diagnosis sounded like it would hurt his bank balance. Maybe he'd just call it quits and buy a new vehicle. Not that he couldn't afford it, It was something he didn't want to do if absolutely necessary. Even though getting a new vehicle, would allow him to get a hybrid, and help the environment. While at the shop, he'd called and asked that Simon Wells, who he knew was on restricted duty, pick him up in the morning.

The past few days on base had been very hectic as he was doing the work of two, he was replacing Major General George Hammond who had just retired after a heart attack. Hammond had been the one scheduled to go, as the Director of Homeworld Security he had the status to be Earth's representative. George had ignored the warning signs so he'd suffered a mild heart attack and the health emergency jolted him into the awareness he really needed to retire before he didn't have the health to enjoy it. This was the first summit since the fall of the Gould and the eradication of most, if not all of the replicators, Hammond regretted this development. The representative from Earth needed to be high-ranking official to be an equal with those who'd meet. This had been prerequisite of several attendees. This time they would not accept a lowly colonel, which the Asgard had forced them to years before. They demanded that Earth's representative this time have the rank of Major General, or its civilian equivalent. They had asked for this so they would not have to deal with Jack O'Neill. Ironically, circumstances were against those at the summit who didn't want to deal with Jack. Once again, Jack was to be the representative from earth.

When he'd developed the position of Director of Homeworld Security, President Henry Hayes had just one person in mind for the job when the time came that Hammond retired. The sole person on the list was Hammond's former second in command. Jack O'Neill.

Hammond would continue at the White House in an official capacity, but he was medically prohibited from attending the off world summit. George had called Jack from the Oval Office, no less. He now was a special advisor to the President; thankfully, he would only have to be available on the phone, unless the president wanted him in DC. Until the house sold, he'd stay in DC, and then move back to Colorado Springs.

Jack knew that Hammond had to retire eventually. After all, when they'd met nearly a decade earlier Hammond had said he was just months from retirement. However, he never saw the promotion coming, what happened next. He was now a Major General, and it was an unorthodox promotion in many respects, as he'd been a brigadier general for less than one year. He knew he didn't have the spotless record often needed for high command. He knew he had a habit of "hacking off" the 'man, a habit which had likely held him back career-wise.

The promotion was exceptional in another aspect--it was over the phone. Hayes described it as a battlefield promotion. The official promotion ceremony would take place at the Pentagon soon, but for the record, he'd had the right to wear the second star.

When he'd received his first star, Jack was greatly disappointed not to have family or friends attend the ceremony as last minute issues had come up with nearly everyone. Major Samantha Carter, Teal'c, and Daniel Jackson had been unexpectedly delayed by inclement weather in Colorado Springs. Denver was open, but the conditions were too dangerous to take off in the smaller town. The tower had originally stated that it would only be a short delay; the three were quite annoyed at this development, as they'd returned to earth, in plenty of time to make the flight. By the time they were cleared for takeoff it was too late to get to DC on time. Because of this, they were able to surprise Jack, who'd figured they weren't coming when delayed by the storm system. He'd watched the Weather Channel. Unfortunately, for Jack, scheduling conflicts did not allow a delay of the promotion ceremony until the three could arrive. His family had also planned to attend, however, a twenty-four hour bug had hit them leaving just one healthy enough to attend and she was two years old. Inwardly, Jack had been relieved he'd been able to keep his deepest secret a while longer.

When Hayes informed him of the identity of the civilian photographer assigned to record the summit Jack was thrown for a loop. "Face it Jack, he's kept the secret for this long. I don't think he'll go running to his friends in the press about the SGC. Sean has too much to lose to talk about it with others."

The photojournalist originally scheduled was someone chosen by cronies of the disgraced Kinsey, she had no choice but to withdraw when rushed to the hospital the day before, her appendix had about to burst. Hammond quickly chose her replacement, his only choice for this important event. He could've picked someone stationed at the SGC but it was high time someone from the public had the opportunity to go through the gate. President Hayes had an idea, why not pick a Pulitzer-prize photographer---and someone they both knew could keep a secret. Before traveling to Colorado Springs, and going off world the photojournalist would need to sign a small mountain of required security papers. They knew he'd jump at the chance, of this they were sure. Because of the time constraints, General Hammond and President Hayes would brief him at the White House; afterwards he'd be escorted to Andrews Air Force Base and flown to Peterson Air Force Base. They could not delay the start of the summit for him alone. It was one reason why President Hayes called when he did, to make sure that Sam Malloy made it to the mountain on time.