Signing the pro-offered clipboard and placing her palm on the security scanner she got the feeling that her life was about to change in ways she couldn't possibly imagine. After receiving a security pass and stepping into the elevator, the handsome young sergeant escorting Nikki said, "It's a long way down Ma'am. We're going 27 stories below the surface."

Smiling absently, she answered, "I was beginning to wonder!"

As they descended, she continued to silently berate herself. You and your self-righteousness! You were perfectly happy at Nellis! What a stupid thing to do! You just had to go and poke your nose into something that wasn't really your affair! Now look were you are!

It was my affair!! Her thoughts shouted back. Mayborne had to be stopped! The consequences might have cost this planet its freedom!

That may be kiddo, but what about your career? Her thoughts fired back. The military takes care of officers not some wannabe from the backwoods of Alabama!

Anxiety twisted her stomach into knots as the elevator came to a smooth stop and the doors opened with a soft whoosh. The sergeant guided her through a maze of hallways and corridors. At a second security point her escort stopped and an older officer took his place leading Nikki the rest of the way to her destiny.

"Just down here Ma'am," the major stated.

They came to a large outer office space surrounded by four office doors. Approaching the far right door, the major knocked sharply.

"Come!" was the barked command.

They entered the modest office with its sparse furnishings. Nikki was immediately aware of the commanding, no nonsense general behind the desk. He put down the pen and looked up at them. Nikki felt like his light blue eyes pinned her like a bug in a collection.

"General George Hammond, this is Lieutenant Nicole Stewart of Nellis Air Force Base," the major said. "Lieutenant, this is General George Hammond, commander of the Cheyenne Mountain Complex."

"Thank-you Major. Dismissed!" The general replied saluting.

With a smart sounding "Yes, sir!" the major departed the room.

The general looked like he was in his early fifties and had a round face with a ruddy complexion. He was bald on top with graying hair on the sides. He exuded authority and commanded respect from his subordinates. She detected a slight Texan accent in his voice.

Nikki had to force herself to remain. Her knees started shaking. All she wanted to do was get the hell out of there!

Get a hold of yourself Nikki! Her inner voice commanded. You are no coward! You did nothing to be ashamed of!

"Please have a seat Lieutenant."

"Thank-you sir!" She answered sinking gratefully into a nearby chair.

A sudden calm came over her as she regained control of the fears gnawing at her. Listen kiddo, that inner voice said, you got through the "Incident" with Mayborne, by some miracle, with nary a scratch and your rank intact. Why are you acting like a little girl that got caught with her hand in the cookie jar?

Feeling his ice blue eyes study her wide green ones, she had at that moment the feeling as if the general took her measure and liked what he saw, for he had just a hint of a smile around his mouth.

He leaned back in his chair and said, "Lieutenant, you were transferred here at my request."

"Sir?" Questioned Nikki, confused. Hadn't she been transferred out of Area 51 because of the "Incident" as she had come to call it?

"You were working in the research and development department at Nellis. Correct?"

"Yes sir, I was." Nikki answered.

"Can you tell me about it Lieutenant?"

"Sir", she hesitated. "Most of my work in the past four years was classified."

"I assure you Airman, that I have top secret clearance!" he said sharply.

"Yes sir." She took a deep calming breath before forging ahead. "About 2 months ago, I started working on a special project for Colonel Mayborne. It was a field study in Micro-molecular biology. I had asked for some files to be transferred to my unit for research. A large box of files was delivered and within that box I discovered a file marked "Top Secret". That in and of itself was not unusual, but what the documents contained was very unusual. The documents were about a secret project called the "Stargate". The only reason that caused my alarms to go off is because I had started work on that project several years before. I worked at the Pentagon with Captain Samantha Carter. We were working on the data that was brought to us by Colonel Jack O'Neill's team. Soon after that the project was scrapped. I was offered a job at Area 51 in the research and development department and Captain Carter had been transferred. I jumped at the chance to go. Much to my everlasting regret sir, I wish I had stayed at the Pentagon."

"I see," he said as he listened intently. "Continue."

"General Hammond sir, the documents I found said that there was a second Stargate located in the Antarctic and was scheduled to be moved to Area 51. I then came across more documents stating that a duplicate gate was to be made, packed up and taken to Area 51 while the real gate was to be shipped off to Iraq."

The general was silent for a long moment; so long in fact that Nikki was beginning to wonder at the wisdom of telling him the complete truth. Geez Nick! I think you may have just blown your career all to blazes. She cringed inwardly.

Leaning forward to place his arms on the desktop, Hammond asked softly, "Lieutenant Stewart, do you have any proof of these allegations?"

"Yes sir I do." She answered, reaching for her briefcase. Handing him a sheaf of papers, she continued her tale. "When I came across those papers, I knew that something was very wrong. I took copies of the documents and retained the originals. I placed the copies back in the file returned them to the box and locked them in the safe. The next day when I arrived at my office, the safe stood open and the box was gone. There was a pretense of an investigation, but after that…nothing!"

She hesitated for a long moment to allow the general a chance to upbraid her and start yelling for security to take her away to the stockade for theft.

"From that point," Nikki continued, "I tried to find out if the Stargate project had been reinstated and who was in charge. Everyone I spoke to denied that there was a Stargate project.

"During the following 2 weeks, my quarters were searched, my apartment was ransacked, and I had the feeling of being constantly watched. Luckily, I had the papers hidden in a private place."

She could see Hammond was hard pressed to hold intense emotions in check.

"No one ever came to me directly, but Mayborne made it clear that I was under suspicion and he would allow no one to interfere with his plans. Without explanation I found myself inventorying test tubes and microscope slides! I was just about to ask for a transfer when I received the travel orders to report here."

Hammond took a deep breath, stood, and crossed the room. "Let me show something to you." He opened a door that led into a large conference room. Walking to the far wall he pressed a button on a small panel.

The top half of the wall, which was actually one of those automatic white boards, slid up to reveal a large bank of windows overlooking a huge three story tall room with a gigantic ring standing silent and proud at the far end. Seven upside down triangular points with semi-transparent centers were positioned evenly around the outer circumference. A narrow inner ring was covered with 37 odd-looking hieroglyphics. A dark gray metallic ramp lead up to the center of the ring.

On the floor, a wide-painted boarder of alternating stripes of yellow and black with the legend "Keep clear" printed boldly set off the ramp and ring from the rest of the room.

Nikki stared at that huge circle totally dumbfounded. This is the Stargate! I did 3 years of research on this thing and never got the chance to see it, to touch it, or to activate it. Now here it is!

"Welcome to Stargate Command Lieutenant Stewart." The general said quietly.

She looked questioningly at him.

"I am head of the SGC and we need your help."

Suddenly, the room started to shake, alarms sounded, lights began to flash as the inner ring of the gate began to spin of it's own accord. A technician in the control room overlooking the gate room reported the activity of the gate. The spinning inner ring stopped when a match was found locking the 'chevrons' into place.

"Chevron Five encoded!" The voice announced.

"Follow me!" Hammond ordered.

Falling into step behind the general they went down the spiral staircase that led into the gate room.

"Chevron Six encoded!"

One by one the triangular points glowed red up as a different symbol locked in place.

"Chevron seven locked! Incoming traveler sir. It's SG-1."

The two-story tall circle roared to life shooting a huge plumb of silvery-blue plasma away from the center and back again. Nikki stood entranced as four people emerged from the swirling pool of light and walked down the ramp at the base of the ring. Just as suddenly as the gate activated, the eerie pool of light vanished.

"Welcome home SG-1!" General Hammond said to the first person to stop in front of him.

"General." A single word was all he said. Chills coursed down her spine and raced along every nerve in her slim body. He turned to face her. The look in his eyes was unnerving. Beautiful, warm, and liquid brown they slid slowly and deliberately over her face to lock with her green gaze. She felt powerless to break that electrifying gaze.

Executing and receiving a textbook perfect salute, he turned to face her. Brown eyes locked and did battle with green. A sharp jolt of desire shook O'Neill to his very core. He let his gaze wander slowly over her. Sun-kissed light brown hair was neatly french braided to hang midway down her back. The top of her head was just about eye level on him. Just the perfect height to kiss those pink lips! Where hell did that thought come from? Get a grip on yourself son! He commanded himself. Just acknowledge her and walk away!

He was simply the most handsome man she had ever seen! She stood rooted to the spot just staring at him. The heat in his eyes could torch this entire place!

A slight smile tugged at his finely chiseled lips as interest sparked in melting brown eyes. He stood a few inches over six feet in height. Brown hair streaked with silver peeked out at his temples and from the sides of his olive-green hat.

"Colonel Jack O'Neill, this is Lieutenant Nicole Stewart." Her jelly-like knees threatened to send her crashing to the floor as she, a bit belatedly, snapped a salute.

Nikki barely heard the general's introduction. "Colonel O'Neill?" Nikki said a bit breathlessly. "The Colonel Jack O'Neill that traveled to Abydos?"

So this is the man she'd read so much about! Her team had pored for hours over the reports and other data brought back form the alien world of Abydos. Along with Dr. Daniel Jackson, Colonel O'Neill had destroyed the hostile invader Ra.

"Guilty as charged, Lieutenant." He returned the salute and started to move away.

Just keep going O'Neill! Don't look back at her! She could complicate your life to no end! Jack's head warned his wandering eyes.

"I believe you know Major Samantha Carter," Hammond's deep voice intoned. "Sam!"; "Nikki!" Both women exclaimed at the same time.

"How are you?" Samantha asked as they hugged.

"Great! I see you've been promoted! That's great Sam!" Nikki stepped back to get a good look at her old friend. "You've cut your hair!" Her once long blonde tresses were stylishly cut to frame her beautiful face and enhance her clear gray-blue eyes.

"Quite a while ago!" She beamed self-consciously brushing the hair from her forehead. "What are you doing here?"

"Just got in this morning!"

"All of your questions will be answered at the team debriefing at 0800 Major Carter," Hammond informed them

. "Yes Sir!"

Nikki caught sight of Colonel O'Neill turning to leave the room. Her heart started to race. He had a strong, lean frame, and a purposeful stride. She fought the insane urge to run and kiss him within an inch of his life!

"Nikki, may I introduce Doctor Daniel Jackson," Sam said with a wave of her hand.

Tearing her wandering eyes away from O'Neill's retreating back she looked up to greet him. A shy smile lit up his boyishly handsome face. Longish sandy brown hair curled about round wire rimed glasses. He wasn't as tall as Jack, but he still had several inches on Nikki's 5' 8" frame. His was a slim, yet muscular build.

His intelligence, charm, and innocence were just as potent as the dangerous appeal of his teammate. She found both men sexy and exciting!

Normally she didn't go for guys like Daniel Jackson. She admired their work and dedication, but they tended to become so engrossed in their research that they forgot everything. Although, Nikki thought, one puppy dog look from those black-lashed azure eyes and she knew that she'd do anything for him.

Oh Nikki! She said to herself. You are in heaven with all of these gorgeous guys around!

"Hello Dr. Stewart." Daniel said as he shook her hand. "I've heard good things of your research in Quantum physics."

"Thank-you Dr. Jackson. I'm a great admirer of your work."

Daniel licked his lips and blushed with pleasure. "Call me Daniel, please!"

Upon hearing the exchange between Jackson and Nikki, O'Neill stopped mid-stride, spun on his heel to face the general and said disdainfully, "Another scientist, General? Please!"

"Lieutenant Stewart's placement on SG-1 is not up for debate Colonel O'Neill!" Hammond said sharply.

To Nikki, it looked like this discussion between these two men had occurred on more than one occasion.

That's just what I need to take my mind off of her enticing figure! Jack's conscience said. She was a scientist!

Not that he really minded them, after all Jack had a very strong protective, "big brother" instinct toward Daniel. There is no way in hell that you'd ever feel 'brotherly' with her! Why can't you get her off of your mind O'Neill? That was as far as he wanted to examine his feelings at the moment.

Maybe it was just that it's been so long since his wife left him. He needed something or someone to fill the void left by her leaving and his son's death. Better not go there just now.

At that moment, Nikki got the feeling she had misinterpreted the electrifying signals she felt upon first looking into Jack's mesmerizing brown orbs.

"Don't take it personally Dr. Stewart," Daniel quipped. "Jack hates all scientists!"

"Daniel!" Jack said with a warning in his voice.

He just continued to grin at the frowning colonel.

"Doctor Stewart…" O'Neill drawled.

"I do have a Ph.D. in Quantum physics, Astro molecular biology and Computer Sciences." Nikki interrupted him. "But Colonel O'Neill, I am a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Therefore it is proper for you refer to me by my rank, not my salutation!"

The moment she finished her angry tirade, she wished it back! You just don't go around smart mouthing your superiors.

Sam smothered a grin behind her hand remembering her own words almost exactly the same as Nikki's! Daniel must have also recalled Sam's words as he choked back a laugh.

"Ya think??" Jack said sarcastically as he turned and walked from the gate room.

Oh, way to go Nick! She chided herself. You would have to tick him off before you get a chance to know the guy! Five minutes is a new record to be sure!

"Nikki, this is Teal'c." Sam broke into her thoughts.

"I am honored." Teal'c stated with a slight bow of his head.

"Pleased to meet you too Teal'c." Nikki said somewhat taken aback by his appearance. He stood well above six feet in height. He was heavily muscled and held his large frame with pride. His skin was the rich color of creamed coffee. His dark eyes were slightly almond shaped that leant an exotic air to his presence. He had an oval shaped gold emblem imbedded in the center of his high forehead. His head was totally hairless and unlike Jack and Daniel, Teal'c had no five o'clock shadow on his face. He stood silent and proud, his features showing no emotion. Nikki would soon learned that the big Jaffa rarely expressed emotion.

"Major Carter," the general said from behind the foursome. "Please show the lieutenant our facility and help her get settled."

"Certainly General." Sam stated as the general followed Jack and Teal'c from the gate room. Daniel hesitated for a split second like he wanted to say something. A look of confusion crossed his features as he muttered a absent-minded "See ya later." And followed Hammond out the door.

Sam guided Nikki through the facility as the two caught up on 3 years of news and gossip.

"I'm not sure how much I can tell you of why I'm here, Sam. I'm not too sure of that myself!" Nikki confided to her.

"No problem Nick! I'm sure that everything will be clarified in the morning."

The women turned a corner to wait for the elevator. The doors slid open and Daniel stepped out with his arms full to over flowing with charts, files and tubes of paper. When he stepped out of the elevator, the tubes in his arms tumbled to the floor. Nikki and Sam bent down to help pick up the fallen rolls when a whispered; "He'll never change!" sounded very close to her ear.

It was Jack's voice. He leaned down to retrieve a tube and pressed it into a flustered Daniel's arms.

"May I help carry some of this for you Dr. Jackson?" Nikki inquired.

"No thanks. That won't be necessary," Daniel said. He gathered the rest of the tubes and hurried down the hallway.

"So, where are you kids off to?" Jack's asked in a silky smooth voice.

"I was going to show Nikki where her quarters are." Sam replied with a smile.

Jack motioned for them to precede him into the elevator.

"Ladies first," he said.

The doors closed and Nikki took advantage of being excluded from the conversation between Jack and Sam. He leaned against the wall with his arms folded about his chest. She stared at his chiseled features softened by the dim lights of the small space. The cadence of his rich voice held her totally spellbound.

"Are you coming Nikki?" Sam asked holding the elevator door open.

Startled out of her daydreaming, she quickly departed the elevator. She sheepishly smiled at Sam trying to avoid looking at Jack.

"Sorry, I must have been lost in thought!"

"Well, looks like these are your quarters." Sam said as stopping in front of a door. "Mine are just 3 doors down on the right. Daniel, Teal'c and the colonel are quartered on the floor below us." Sam said as she opened the door. They walked into the small room. On the right side of the tiny entryway was a small kitchen, barely wide enough for two people. A door off to the left of the kitchen led into a bedroom that was furnished only with a cot, a dresser with a mirror. A tiny storage closet connected the bathroom to the living room (if it could be called that!). The only furniture there was a coffee table and a floor lamp. There was another door along the west wall of the living room that turned out to be a good-sized closet.

"It's no Hilton, but it's not too bad." Jack said.

Nikki started upon hearing Jack's voice come from behind her. His breath was warm on her neck. She distanced herself slightly before turning to face him.

"Colonel O'Neill, I didn't see you come in!" she said.

"Nikki, I have to report to medical. I'll meet up with you in about an hour," Sam said as she put Nikki's bags on the cot in the bedroom. "We'll go into town for dinner. OK?"

"Sounds great Sam!" she answered, hugging her friend. "It's been great seeing you again!"

"I'll walk up with you Carter. I just came by to see if you needed anything," Jack said, following Sam to the door. "We'll see you at 0800."

Nikki watched them get into the elevator and the door slide closed.

This was going to be interesting to be sure! She smiled with delight.

Drifting off to sleep that night, Nikki had the vision of melting chocolate brown eyes, short sandy brown hair, and a wicked smile dancing through her mind.

Onto Nikki's Second Day

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