As Cam, Daniel, and Teal’c were crossing the parking lot from Cam’s car to Delaney’s Bar and Grill, they passed Jack’s limo with its 2-Star flags and uniformed driver reading a paperback behind the wheel.

“Sometimes that just doesn’t seem fair,” Cam said, pointing toward the general‘s car.

“You’re the one in the Air Force. Don’t you believe ‘Rank-Has-Its-Privileges‘?” Daniel asked. Then, upon consideration, he added, “Though I really think it’s because anyone crazy enough to accept the promotion to general can’t be trusted behind the wheel of a car anymore.”

“Funny, Jackson. But I meant that he and Sam get to play hooky while the rest of us are stuck back at the SGC.”

“You are still disappointed that the extraction ceremony was less exciting than you had anticipated,” Teal’c observed.

Cam shrugged. “We came, we yawned, we extracted. ‘Nuff said.”

By then they had reached the hostess stand and, upon inquiry, were directed toward a booth in the back. When they reached the table, Daniel cleared his throat loudly to announce their presence.

Sam and Jack nearly jumped out of each other‘s arms. “Hey, uh…. How’s it going, guys?“ Sam managed to ask a bit breathlessly. Daniel pretended not to notice her surreptitiously tugging her blouse back into place as he slid into the booth next to her. Teal’c and Cam slid in across the table.

“Glad you three could finally make it,” Jack added. In actuality, he didn‘t sound welcoming at all, and under the circumstances, Daniel could hardly blame him. “What took you so long?”

Uh-oh. Daniel pointed at Cam. “Don’t get him started.”

Too late. Figuring he might as well relax and enjoy the show, Daniel grabbed one of the beers waiting on the table and settled back into the booth. Across from him, Teal‘c echoed the move, only with cranberry juice instead of beer as Cam began: “Well, some of us had to go over the Tok’Ra ceremony in detail with Landry. You thought it was boring the first time? You should have been there for the instant replay. Sir.”

Jack, however, seemed nonplussed by the younger man‘s frustration. Smiling wryly and tipping his beer towards Cam as he did so, he explained, “Just wait ‘til you try to retire, Mitchell. Remember, you volunteered for this. Unlike some of us, I might add. Personally, I’d rather be on my way up to Minnesota tomorrow with nothing but Sam and a lake full of fish to keep me company instead of back to Washington and the roomful of politicians and bureaucrats waiting for me back there.”

Having gotten that bit off his chest, Jack seemed to relax, because he continued in a lighter tone. “On the other hand, if you’d like, I’m sure Carter has an empty slot you could fill. But, really, I suspect her debriefings aren’t any better than Hank’s. And if you think the scientific babble has been bad here, I’ll betcha it’s ten times worse when she‘s actually running the place.”

“Jack!” Sam protested, though her laughter rather spoiled the effect.

Jack turned to her, smiling, and as he did so, he seemed struck by another sudden thought. Looking back at Cam he suggested, “Actually, Mitchell, why don’t you take over the job in DC and I’ll transfer to whatever position Sam has open? Now that I think about it, days filled with debriefings and incomprehensible babble under Colonel C….”

The bowl of nuts Teal’c thrust suddenly under his nose cut Jack off just in time. “Peanut, O’Neill.” Coming from the huge Jaffa, it wasn’t a question.

“Thanks, T. Don’t mind if I do.” And grabbing a small handful, Jack proceeded to slowly pop the nuts into his mouth, rolling them with his tongue and smiling suggestively at Sam as he did so.

Daniel sighed dramatically as he asked, unable to completely suppress his laugh, “C’mon Jack, do you need me to get you two a room?”

Sam and Jack turned to look at him in unison, Sam trying without success to look more shocked and embarrassed then amused. Jack, however, just looked smug. Putting his arm around Sam, he explained, “As a matter of fact, Daniel, we’ve got one at the Hilton down the street. King size bed, whirlpool tub, balcony overlooking Pike’s Peak, and a bottle of champagne already chilling in the mini-fridge. But thanks for asking.”

Before Daniel could open his mouth to protest that that was probably more information than they needed to know, Cameron smacked his own forehead in sudden exasperation.

“Dammit, Jackson. We should have known it was too good to be true. These two are here on orders.”

“So?” Daniel asked.

“General O’Neill’s not paying for lunch. He’s on an expense account.”

Across the table, Jack raised his glass in a mock toast to Cam. “RHIP,” he observed, and took a long swig of beer.

A/N: Before I get a million comments, I understand per diem. Except, obviously, when you’re in charge of Homeworld Security, you get an expense account. Prove otherwise ;).