~

Jack let out a slight sigh as a possible new source of trouble walked into the office, before he stood and offered his hand.

“Jack Carter,” he introduced himself, “Town Sheriff.”

The man bit back a smirk as though enjoying a private joke, “Sheriff Jack Carter,” giving a quick tilt of his head he shook Jack’s hand, “I’m Dr Daniel Jackson.”

“So, you’re the new…”

Daniel gave a quick shrug, “The title on my contract says Project Supervisor, what that means who knows.”

Jack chuckled, instantly liking this man. Hearing Jo’s phone ring in the background he offered Daniel a seat and pulled out the standard forms.

“Well as long as you don’t try to destroy the town or anything like that,” Jack told him as he handed Daniel the stack of paper to sign, “We’ll get on just fine.”

Daniel laughed scribbling his name several times, frowning at the sound of Jo talking across the room.

“General O’Neill…” the Deputy was arguing, Daniel and Jack turned seeing the grimace appear on her face.

Jack watched intrigued as the other man stood and walked over to Jo, he reached out for the phone. Jack was stunned when Jo not only handed it over but gave him a smile.

“Are you finished?” Daniel asked sharply to whoever was on the other end of the call, “Jack, I signed a contract. Yes, I know you can get me out of it, but I don’t want you to. Listen to me, you have two options. You can hang up, and we’ll never talk again, or you can accept my decision.” There was a pause before Daniel noted, “I’ll call you once I’m settled in.”

Smiling to himself Daniel hung up after the reply before looking down at Jo, “Sorry, he can be a little…aggravating.”

“You got that right,” Jo nodded.

“Well, that’s everything I need, Dr Jackson,” Jack said handing him a copy of the forms.

“Then I’m going to find my new house,” the other man replied, “Thank you, Sheriff and,” he glanced back, “It’s nice to see you again, Jo.”

Jo smiled at him again, “You too, Daniel.”

Just as Daniel started out, her phone rang again.

“Dr Stark,” Jo answered, and Jack headed out after Daniel.

“Hold on,” Jack caught up with the other man, “I’ll give you a lift.”

~

Daniel sat in the Sheriff’s jeep watching the town fly by, he was still amazed that he was here and that something hadn’t stopped him leaving the SGC. It’d been a hard decision to make but after more than ten years, the times he’d been tortured, the sacrifices he’d made and the losses that he knew he’d never truly get over, Daniel needed a break. Landry wouldn’t accept his resignation, instead it was noted as an indefinite hiatus. Unfortunately, Daniel had no idea what to do as the archaeological community still thought he was nuts, not to mention it would be impossible for him to hold his tongue on an old-fashioned dig. Especially after being under Jack’s influence for so long.

Thankfully over the years he had made some contacts and Major Davis had called a few days before Daniel’s vacation began with an offer to work in another top-secret facility. The Global Dynamics offer had surprised him but, after looking over what they were offering, he signed the contract.

The other members of SG1 argued with him, tried to persuade him to stay but Daniel needed to be away from the Stargate while he worked out where his future lay.

“You didn’t have to drive me,” Daniel said, glancing over to the other man.

“Well, if Stark is looking for me then I’m getting as far away as I can,” the Sheriff told him.

Daniel chuckled, “I’ve had that feeling.”

“How do you know Jo?” the other man asked.

Daniel smiled, “She was assigned to be my bodyguard for a few days several years ago when I was sent on assignment for my old job.”

Carter clearly had follow-up questions but didn’t ask them, instead noted, “Here we are.”

Daniel stared a little surprised at the small bungalow they pulled up to with a neat garden at the front and from what he had seen as they drove up a back garden and garage, “That’s not exactly what I expected.”

“What did you expect?”

Daniel shrugged, “I have no idea.” When Daniel slid out the car and opened the front door, he let out a soft whistle seeing all his boxes were already in the house in the correct room, “Efficient.”

“I have other words for them,” Carter noted with a grin before his radio jumped to life and Jo called, “I have to go. Look after yourself, Dr Jackson and keep out of trouble.”

As the other man drove away Daniel let out a soft sigh, he could only hope. Checking his watch, he had an hour before his meeting so decided to have a quick shower and change. He could unpack later.

~

“Good afternoon, Carter,” Alison greeted him as he jogged into the office in GD that used to belong to Stark.

“What’s up?” Jack demanded instantly, he would rather be anywhere but in this office right now because that usually meant his day was going to go downhill fast.

“I thought you’d be ecstatic,” Nathan said as he walked in, “You’re here to find out who’s replacing me.”

“Nathan,” Alison scolded him softly; “They won’t replace you. You’re too valuable,” at his raised eyebrow she added, “To the town.”

Jack let out a sigh, “Of course they won’t replace you. I don’t have that much luck.”

They all took their seats and waited for General Mansfield to arrive. Jack watched Alison trying to work out what he had to talk to her about, it was beginning to annoy him. Finally General Mansfield walked in making them all turn to him expectantly.

“Thank you for coming,” Mansfield said before getting to the point, “Dr Stark, the decision has been made that you are no longer the Head of Global Dynamics. A replacement has already been appointed and is waiting to meet you.”

As Mansfield turned Jack, Alison and Nathan all shared a look of confusion before it became astonishment.

“Dr Jackson?” Jack demanded as the man he’d met that morning walked in.

“Sorry I didn’t tell you why I was really here,” Daniel said, “But until it was announced I was asked not to say anything.”

Jack shrugged, “Just don’t let anyone blow up the town.”

                        *********************************************

Daniel stepped into the wonderfully named Café Diem relieved that the day had ended well after Dr Fargo getting trapped in the energy bubble. Despite the danger, it had allowed him to see the people he would rely on while here and what they could do.

They were all impressive and, although he hoped his time here wouldn’t be as exciting as today had turned out to be, it was wonderful to witness.

The one thing he hadn’t told anyone was that his contract was for one year only, at the end he would decide if he wanted to continue in Eureka or return to the SGC, with an option to head to Atlantis.

“Hello, Dr Jackson,” a man with curly hair hurried over to him, a huge grin on his face, “It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Vincent, and this is my place.”

“Nice to meet you,” Daniel said before asking, “Do you have a menu?”

Vincent waved his hand with an amused chuckle, “You want it, we got it.”

“Really?” Daniel stared at him in surprise, “That’s…a little overwhelming.”

“Well todays special is lamb and potatoes,” Vincent told him.

Daniel smiled, “I will take that and a mug of coffee.”

Vincent disappeared and Daniel found a table in the corner. He watched people wander in and out, greeting friends and colleagues suddenly feeling sad. This was the first time in a long time that he was alone. Since Abydos Daniel had been a part of a group, he’d had friends and colleagues who would sit to eat with him, talk with him and he felt suddenly that his decision might not have been the right one.

“So,” Jo appeared suddenly and slid into the seat across from him, “How’s your first day going?”

Daniel shrugged, “It’s been interesting.”

She shrugged, “Our town motto. And your memory these days?”

Chuckling softly, Daniel replied, “It took some time for me to get everything back but it’s all in here now.”

“Good to know,” Jo said, she stopped speaking as Vincent appeared with a plate of lamb, potatoes with peas and carrots along with a mug of coffee.

“Can I get you anything, Jo?” he asked.

“Do you have any more of that pasta from yesterday?” she asked with a hopeful look.

Vincent nodded, “I should have just enough for you. Coffee too?”

“Thank you, Vincent,” she said.

“What about you? How are you?” Daniel asked once Vincent left them alone again, “Wow, this is incredible,” he murmured as he ate the lamb.

Jo grinned, “One of the advantages of living here, Vincent’s food. And I’m doing well, I like my job, and this town.”

Before Daniel could say anything else, several people he recognised walked over to the table. The Sheriff, Dr Deacon and Dr Blake all pulled a chair over to join them. Vincent appeared moments later with food for them all.

As they began to chat, Daniel listened although not feeling like one of them yet, knew they were including him which felt good.

Although he’d only been here a few days, he missed his friends, but it felt nice that the tight knit group were allowing him in.