Storytime with Rachel F Hundred

Chapter 25

Jack and Teal’c stepped out of the wall and into the corridor. It was empty. Jack hoisted his weapon and silently indicated for Teal’c to proceed. They made their way back through the maze of corridors and stairwells. Jack unerringly led the way; he had memorised the way knowing – hoping – they would use it on the way back. He couldn’t stop the hope building in his gut; they had a plan, a way of stopping the galaxy from being destroyed and a way to get off the rock they were currently stuck on. It was more than they’d had in hours. They would do it; they would get home, Carter would get medical attention and…

And then what, his mind asked bluntly.

And then, he was not going to miss his window of opportunity, Jack thought fiercely. No more trying to hide behind his excuses; thinking there was time, worrying about whether he was right for her. He just needed to get over himself. He loved Carter – Sam. He wasn’t going to be an idiot, not again.

They came to a halt in the stairwell of the original tower and Jack held up a fist and lowered his hand as they got to the door. He and Teal’c sank to the ground as they listened.

‘Unas?’ Jack mouthed.

Teal’c nodded.

Jack nudged the door open a crack and peered into the operations room. There was a group of Unas lurking – Jack counted twenty, maybe thirty of the reptilian creatures. They filled the tower room. He wondered briefly where they had come from and whether there were more lurking. There was no way they were going to be able to go through them. He gestured at Teal’c and they moved to the floor below.

‘There’s over twenty.’ Jack kept his voice low. ‘We don’t have enough ammo.’

‘We do not.’ Teal’c said.

‘We’ve used the C4.’ Jack continued.

‘We have.’ Teal’c confirmed.

‘And there’s no way we can take them all out hand to…whatever they have.’ Jack commented.

‘It would be difficult.’ Teal’c admitted calmly.

‘Options?’ Jack said, gripping his gun tightly as he darted a look up the stairwell.

Teal’c considered his answer. ‘We must find another way to the bridge.’

‘Right.’ Jack replied. ‘And how do we do that exactly?’

‘Perhaps we can observe a way from one of the balconies above us.’ Teal’c suggested.

Jack winced at the thought of climbing up the stairs but nodded. They made their way up quickly, careful to make as little noise as possible. They checked the next level up but there was no balcony and barely any visibility of the bridge. They took another flight of stairs. They were almost at the top of the tower.

Teal’c shoved the balcony door open and Jack stepped out. The heat struck him and he wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. The air was sticky and humid. Somehow he didn’t think the force-shield holding back the lava above them was going to hold for much longer.

He leaned over the edge of the balcony and looked down. It was a good drop to the bridge – twenty feet at least. They had rope they could rappel down, Jack considered. He frowned, wondering how Sam would be able to do it in her concussed condition. One of them would have to take her.

‘O’Neill.’ Teal’c pointed downwards.

Jack looked down to where the Jaffa’s finger extended. His brown eyes widened in horror. The ground far below was a moving red river – a river that was beginning to rise. Obviously the shield had already been breached on the lower levels.

‘It is rising rapidly.’ Teal’c commented. ‘I do not believe we will make it back to the control room and back in time to make it to the bridge before it is consumed.’

Teal’c was right, Jack realised. They might have made it if they’d all been fit but not with Carter injured and there was no way they were leaving her behind.

He felt his earlier optimism start to fade away.

Dammit, Jack thought angrily. They had already given so much – lost so much, and this was to be their reward for saving the galaxy again? Dying on some Godforsaken rock thanks to Ra? Oh the Goa’uld must be laughing with glee in whatever afterlife he had ended up in at the irony.

And it wasn’t as though they could wait for the Prometheus to arrive and beam them out; the planet was going to blow within the hour. Jack froze. Beam them out. He turned it over in his head. The Ancient transportation device – maybe it had some way for them to get to the temple.

‘I have an idea.’ Jack said. ‘Let’s get back to the control room before…’

There was an angry growl from the bridge below them. An Unas stared up at them and howled; it beat its chest angrily.

‘They discover us.’ Jack completed with a sigh. He was already turning toward the door, Teal’c beside him.

They ran for the stairwell but turned back abruptly as they met the charging Unas on the way up. They ran down the corridor, taking an alternative set of stairs down to the right level.

Jack could hear the pounding footsteps behind them as the Unas followed. A stick sailed past his head and he ducked instinctively. He stopped as they neared a corridor intersection, turned and fired his weapon.

One Unas went down; the others charged over the body.

Jack turned and ran; he ignored his racing heart, the burn in his lungs, the way his knees ached with every jolt as his feet hit the ground. He focused on getting back to the control room.

He slipped as they rounded a corner and fell; Teal’c hauled him to his feet by his vest and he felt the stiff material cut into his underarms – he was going to be sore and bruised. He pelted for the wall – held out his hand and felt Teal’c clasp it firmly. They sailed into the wall and landed in the control room. Jack rolled to soften the landing.

‘Sir?’

‘Carter, keep working.’ He ordered as he got up and pointed his gun at the wall. He was barely aware of Teal’c stood beside him in a similar pose and a heartbeat later Daniel joined them.

A split second later, there were thuds.

One.

Two.

Jack counted a dozen before they ceased.

‘Guess they don’t have the secret password.’ Jack quipped as he tentatively lowered his weapon. He willed his heart to return to a more normal rhythm.

Teal’c and Daniel followed his example and lowered their weapons.

‘What happened?’ Daniel demanded, waving a hand at the wall.

‘The Unas were in the tower room.’ Jack explained succinctly, wiping his brow. He leaned on a console, trying to make it appear that he wasn’t as exhausted as he felt.

‘We cannot go back the way we came.’ Teal’c added. ‘The bridge will soon be consumed by lava.’

‘Then how do we get out of here?’ Daniel asked, his gaze travelling between them.

Jack waved his hand at the console where they had found the transportation device. ‘Maybe we can get that to work.’

‘That’s a good idea.’ Daniel said sounding surprised.

‘I have them occasionally.’ Jack said dryly. He put his gun down and walked over to Carter. ‘How are you getting on?’

‘I’ve switched off the machine so no further energy is being siphoned into the subspace device.’ Carter informed him, barely sparing him a glance as her fingers flew over her keyboard. He belatedly realised she had plugged in her own computer as an interface. ‘I’m draining the residual energy built up within the subspace device now, sir. It should only be a few minutes.’

‘OK.’ Jack said relieved to hear that part of their plan was going to, well, plan.

Carter glanced at him. ‘You OK, sir?’

‘I’ll survive.’ Jack said softly, warmed by the concern in her blue eyes. ‘You?’

She shrugged and dropped her gaze back to the monitor.

Jack felt his heart drop. She usually said she was fine even when she wasn’t; her non-answer was filling him with fear. ‘Carter?’

Sam stared at the monitor. ‘I only have partial vision, sir.’

His heart seized. Losing her vision was an indication of something else being wrong – swelling, bleeding – something. He wished he’d paid more attention to the docs.

‘We’re going to get you home.’ Jack promised her. ‘And we’ll fix it.’

Sam paused in her typing but she continued again without responding to him.

‘Hey.’ Jack laid a hand on her arm and she looked up at him. ‘We’ll fix it.’ He repeated roughly.

Their eyes met and held.

Jack stroked his thumb over her bare arm, marvelling at how soft her skin was.

‘I need to…’ Sam gestured at the screen.

‘I should probably…’ Jack indicated behind him.

Sam nodded again. He squeezed her arm gently and let go. He made his way back over to the transportation device. Daniel was hunched over it with Teal’c stood behind him.

Jack pointed at the device. ‘Can we use it?’

‘Maybe.’ Daniel said absently. He frowned at the screen before he looked over his shoulder at Jack. ‘Oh, I figured out the gate address to Earth.’ He motioned at his journal on the side bench. ‘I wrote it down.’

‘It isn’t going to be much use to us if we can’t get to the temple, Daniel.’ Jack snapped impatiently. He wanted them out of there; off the planet and safe at the SGC.

‘Sam needs to drain the subspace device.’ Daniel retorted.

‘She’s almost done.’ Jack shot back. ‘Are you?’

‘If you just give me a minute.’ Daniel said, clearly irritated.

‘We don’t have a minute.’ Jack said.

‘Yes, we do.’ Daniel shot back.

‘We don’t.’ Jack retorted.

‘Do.’ Daniel said.

‘Daniel.’ Jack shoved his hand through his hair and shot Sam a look before he turned back to the others. He lowered his voice. ‘Carter’s lost some vision.’

Daniel stared at him with dawning horror and Teal’c bowed his head. Both of them knew that it was a bad sign.

‘She what?’ Daniel whispered.

‘She’s lost some vision.’ Jack repeated. ‘We need to go as soon as she’s done.’

Daniel looked over at Sam concerned before he turned back to the console obviously intent on finishing.

Jack nodded relieved and gestured at Teal’c. ‘Let’s pack it up.’ He and Teal’c focused on the mundane task, stuffing items in an unconscious order back into the backpacks.

‘Colonel?’ Sam called out to him weakly. ‘I’m done.’ She was dismantling the connections to her laptop.

He walked swiftly over to her and helped her pack up. ‘Come on. Let’s get you out of here.’

‘We have a problem.’ Daniel said bluntly.

Jack walked Sam over to the transportation device and lowered her gently into a stool.

‘What’s the problem?’ Jack glanced at the countdown. Just over thirty minutes remained before the planet blew.

Daniel looked at him. ‘The way this works is for the device to be told coordinates and target items for transport. It has to be exact. My maths isn’t up to it.’ His eyes glanced at Sam and the unspoken question of whether she was up to it with her worsening head injury was clear.

Jack rubbed Sam’s shoulder. ‘Are you OK to do the calculations?’

‘Yes, sir.’ Sam said crisply.

Daniel shook his head. ‘That’s not all.’ He looked at them sadly. ‘Someone has to press the activation button – someone who isn’t a target.’

Jack looked back at him with a sinking stomach. ‘So, what you’re saying is…’

Daniel nodded. ‘One of us has to stay behind.’

Chapter 26

‘That’ll be me.’ Jack said forcefully before any of them could say anything. He straightened, hands on hips as though defying them to argue with him.

Teal’c raised an eyebrow eloquently.

Sam almost smiled at Jack; he was so very predictable when it came to protecting them. Daniel was already beginning to protest when she raised her voice above his. ‘Sir, with all due respect, you don’t get to make that decision.’

‘I’m the ranking officer.’ Jack said firmly. His eyes met hers. ‘My call.’ It was said lightly but it was clear he meant it.

‘I’m dying.’ Sam shot back. She kept her tone even; factual. She ignored the way Teal’c lowered his gaze and how Daniel winced, his face distorting into a grimace as he looked away from her.

Jack flinched but he held her gaze and she could see the pain she’d inflicted with the simple truth.

‘My head injury may be beyond help.’ Sam continued softly, looking at each of them in turn. ‘You all know that. It should be me.’

Daniel glared at Jack who looked instead to Teal’c. The Jaffa looked back at him and something unspoken was communicated. Sam shifted; she knew it was about her – whatever went unsaid.

‘Carter…’ Jack began gruffly. He shifted to sit beside her. He looked at her and her breath caught at the depth of emotion swirling there. How had she ever doubted he loved her, she wondered. ‘The key word is maybe.’ He continued. His hand crept towards hers and stopped. ‘I’m staying. End of discussion.’

‘Sir…’

‘Ah!’ He held up a finger. A familiar gesture that brought back a whirlwind of memories. ‘No arguments.’

‘But…’ Sam felt her eyes fill with frustrated tears and she blinked them away furiously.

‘We can’t just leave you either, Jack.’ Daniel protested passionately. ‘We don’t leave people behind. There has to be another way!’

‘I concur.’ Teal’c added.

‘We’re running out of time.’ Jack said sharply. He looked around the group again. ‘Look, this isn’t a discussion.’ He said exasperated. ‘You’re going.’ His eyes moved back to Sam. ‘That’s an order.’

There was a tense silence.

‘Jack…’ Daniel began again, taking his glasses off to rub at his eyes.

‘It’s worth it, Daniel.’ Jack said gruffly. He hadn’t moved from Sam’s side and his eyes were pinned to hers.

Sam looked back at him. Her vision was dimming. She could barely make out his features through the grey haze and the tears.

Jack cleared his throat and pointed at the monitor. ‘Are you up to getting this set up?’

Sam sighed heavily; she could see in his eyes that he expected her to follow his order, to save Daniel and Teal’c; to save herself. ‘Yes, sir.’

Jack motioned for Daniel to move and the archaeologist got up reluctantly. Sam took his place. She frowned at the device as Daniel talked her through what needed to be input. She felt relief flood through her; the math was complicated but relatively easy for her. She could do it.

‘This could take a few minutes.’ Sam determined. She looked at her three team-mates, hovering over her shoulder and gestured towards the half-filled rucksacks. ‘Why don’t you guys finish packing?’

They moved away from her and she turned back to the monitor, relieved. It took her seconds to input the coordinates of the temple; to set the target information. She double-checked to be certain. A lancing pain arrowed through her temple and she grimaced, blinking away the black spots that danced in front of her eyes. She looked over at Jack.

He had always sacrificed himself for them; always. It was what he did. He was their leader and it was his responsibility to protect them; to get the team home safely. It was something he had instilled in her when she had assumed his position. Her heart ached with the thought of losing him, leaving him behind.

Sam knew she was dying; she knew deep down that she wasn’t going to make it. His death would be pointless. She couldn’t let him do it. She was the reason why they were there.

Sam let her gaze sweep over the three men.

Teal’c who had been her friend and her big protective older brother for so long; he had taught her how to truly be a warrior; a protector. He would be a great leader – was a greater leader although she missed him terribly; his solid presence and wise counsel.

Daniel, who always left them and who always returned. She loved him so fiercely as a brother, as someone who shared her intellectual curiosity and who sparked her ideas. Daniel who had taught her so much about compassion and looking at the world differently, whose imminent departure to Atlantis she was dreading…

And Jack…he was everything. She had never told him that; never explained. He had taught her how to lead, when to follow. His simple faith and belief in her always gave her the courage to try, to succeed. But more…she loved him. Everything about him; his sharp intellect, his kind heart…his grumpiness and the way he could always make her smile.

She wished she had a moment to tell him how much she loved him; how she had decided to stop hiding behind her fears, how she had decided to stop running and be with him…but such a moment would give her plan away.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard.

Jack looked up suddenly as though he had heard her thoughts. He straightened abruptly as he read the look in her eyes. ‘Carter…’

His voice was unusually panicked and it caught the others’ attention.

‘Sam.’ Daniel’s voice was as equally stricken as he realised her intent.

Sam tried to hold back her tears but they tumbled down her cheeks. ‘I’m sorry.’ She whispered as she caught Jack’s alarmed gaze, as he took a step toward her urgently…

Her fingers hit the enter key.

The beam flashed brilliantly in the confined space but she held onto the image of Jack as he disappeared along with Daniel and Teal’c, their belongings swept away in the beam’s wake. She shifted; quickly reaching for the journal Daniel had left on the edge of the console. She hurriedly pressed the symbols Daniel had identified as the Earth address into the DHD to establish the wormhole and prayed that it had worked.

She was alone.

They were safe.

She sank to the floor, curled up against the wall. Her body ached; her head hurt. She felt every bruise, cut and scratch. There was nothing to do but wait, Sam thought tiredly; nothing to do but wait for the inevitable explosion. She could barely see and she took comfort in the prospect that it would be quick, that she would probably have lost consciousness by the time the planet blew anyway…

Someone was crying.

Sam opened her eyes.

Grace sat beside her, tears flooding her brown eyes. ‘Don’t die. Please don’t die.’

‘She’s not going to die.’

Daniel’s confident voice had her head turning toward the hallucination of her friend. Her eyes widened. He was surrounded by a white glow she recognised all too well. The tendrils of energy swept over her. Her body warmed and she felt his brotherly love comfort her, wash away the worst of her pain. The energy receded, leaving her body weak.

Grace sprang forward and hugged her hard.

Sam barely acknowledged the pain in her ribs before the little girl disappeared completely.

Daniel remained; he’d solidified into a human image.

‘Daniel.’ Sam sighed. ‘You’re not a hallucination.’

He raised a finger to his lips and smiled at her brightly. ‘They might hear you.’

Sam smiled weakly. He was Ascended. He wasn’t supposed to help her; there were rules about interfering. ‘I guess that means you’re not going to help me out of here.’

‘Sorry.’ Daniel said apologetically even though he didn’t look particularly apologetic. He lowered himself to the floor beside her and crossed his arms over the white sweater he wore. It took a moment for her to realise her vision was back.

‘Have you healed me?’ Sam asked, wondering whether to be relieved given the situation.

He shook his head. ‘Not completely.’

‘Daniel, I don’t understand.’ Sam murmured, frowning, as she moved to look at him fully. ‘I didn’t think an Ascended being could time travel.’

‘We can’t.’ Daniel said. He pushed his glasses up his nose and gestured at her sheepishly. ‘I’m not your Daniel.’

She looked at him blankly.

‘My SG1 went back in time in the puddle-jumper in a previous timeline.’ Daniel explained.

‘You…’ her eyes widened as she realised his hair was different – and suddenly, he looked different, ‘you’re from the original timeline. You were the ones who went back in time to Ancient Egypt. You found the ZPM and left us the videotape saying you were stuck there.’

Daniel nodded.

‘What happened?’ Sam whispered in wonder. ‘What happened after the videotape?’

‘We screwed up.’ Daniel admitted with a familiar grimace. He wet his lips and motioned at her. ‘We started the rebellion too early and messed up the timeline. You…’ he winced again, ‘you were all killed.’

Sam pressed her lips together in silent sympathy.

‘A few years later, another you, Jack and Teal’c showed up.’ Daniel reassured her. ‘They, uh, kind of started another rebellion. It was successful that time.’

‘Wow.’ Sam shook her head. ‘So we started the rebellion on Earth that drove Ra away.’

‘And allowed us to develop into a force that could challenge him.’ Daniel nodded. ‘I know. Weird, huh?’

‘Weird.’ Sam agreed.

Daniel sighed. ‘After the rebellion, we all discussed what we needed to do.’

‘You couldn’t stay on Earth and risk altering the timeline again.’ Sam realised.

Daniel nodded. ‘Teal’c left first. He agreed to keep a low profile and he did. The rebellion he led remained small and he kept his people isolated. They became known as the Sodan.’

‘Teal’c’s spoken of them.’ Sam noted and wondered what that meant for the causality. ‘He said the legend of the Sodan influenced Bra’tac and himself into believing the Goa’uld were False Gods.’

‘We left soon afterwards through the gate.’ Daniel said quietly. ‘We found an isolated planet. The other Sam and Jack were happy together until…’ he sighed, ‘she died from a bad flu; Jack went soon after.’

‘They were together?’ Sam questioned gently. It sounded like they had been a couple.

Daniel smiled at her question. ‘Yeah, you and Jack seem to be one of the universal constants.’

‘So the original me and Jack…’ Sam left the question dangling.

‘You were together.’ Daniel confirmed. ‘Not together together – not until we’d been in Ancient Egypt for over a month and you decided that we weren’t going to make it back to the future. I mean, Jack had arranged to retire; you and he were going to marry. It just hadn’t happened before we did the, uh, going back in time thing.’

‘But they got together in Egypt?’ Sam checked.

Daniel nodded again. ‘They married; I officiated.’ His eyes focused on the past; on his memories; a time and place thousands of years before. ‘Teal’c was bridesmaid.’

She laughed appreciatively.

Daniel grinned. ‘They were happy.’ He paused, the smile falling away to be replaced by a hesitant look. ‘They had a child.’

Sam stared at him in shock.

‘A little girl.’ Daniel expanded blithely. ‘You should have seen Jack. He was over the moon. The day she was born…he held her so gently, Sam.’

‘Grace.’ Sam realised. ‘She’s their child.’

Daniel smiled. ‘Sam loved her so much. You told me, I mean, my Sam told me about what had happened on the Prometheus when she named her.’ He smiled. ‘I told Grace.’

‘Self-fulfilling prophecy.’ Sam murmured, trying to work out the temporal paradox of how Grace could have appeared to the original Sam, Grace’s mother, and to her. She shook her head and turned the news over in her head. Grace wasn’t her; wasn’t her child; she was a child borne out of an alternative timeline which didn’t exist and stuck in a timeline in which she couldn’t exist.

‘A couple of years after the other Sam and Jack died, Grace got sick. She was all I had left of you and Jack, and I couldn’t lose her too.’ Daniel said simply. ‘I went to Kheb.’

‘Oma.’ Sam concluded on a shaky breath.

Daniel nodded. ‘Oma agreed to Ascend us and she sent us back to Earth to watch and ensure the original timeline came to pass again; allowed us to make some small interferences to make sure it did until I was born again.’

‘And then…’

‘We left Earth.’ Daniel said. He shrugged as though to dismiss how hard that must have been for them.

‘But you’re here now?’

‘Well, Oma is gone and Grace felt your pain and loneliness – just as she did on the Prometheus.’ Daniel said. ‘You and she are connected somehow. I came to make sure her interference was kept to a minimum and didn’t attract attention. We can’t descend if we’re discovered.’

‘Because you don’t belong in this timeline.’ Sam murmured. Her tiredness was stealing back over her; her eyelids were becoming heavy, a lethargy stilling her limbs and slowing her breathing.

Daniel nodded. ‘Luckily, your hallucinations have provided some cover for us.’

They fell silent.

‘We’re not together.’ Sam murmured suddenly, fighting to stay awake. ‘Not yet. I was going to tell him I loved him and now it’s too late.’

‘Jack knows.’

‘Daniel, I really don’t want to die.’ Sam said, feeling the pull into unconsciousness. She would die; she knew that. Time was ticking away on the planet. It was going to explode and take her with it. She had sent the others away and this Ascended Daniel wouldn’t help her – she wouldn’t ask him to – he had to protect Grace, had to make sure she lived even if it was on another plane of existence.

‘I’m going to be right here with you, Sam.’ Daniel promised. She felt the warmth of his energy touch her as his hand covered hers. ‘Just remember; don’t give up.’

His words echoed in her head as she lost the fight to stay conscious and darkness descended.

Chapter 27

‘NO!’

Jack’s anguished cry echoed through the temple room. He spun around in the midst of the artefacts and debris desperately as though to deny where he was – where Carter had sent him. His heart was pounding unsteadily and he could barely catch his breath in the stifling heat.

‘Jack.’ Daniel tried to speak with him but Jack dismissed him with a curt wave of his hand, brushed away the hand Daniel placed on his arm.

‘She can’t do this.’ Jack muttered, his eyes glaring at the archaeologist through the semi-darkness.

They both started as the chevrons on the Stargate lit up; each one casting an eerie amber glow into the room.

Teal’c grabbed both Jack and Daniel, yanking them down as the wormhole blossomed out into the room and missed their heads by inches. The white and blue kawoosh settled back into a shimmering blue puddle. It lit up the room in an eerie blue glow and illuminated the stricken faces of the three men, lying on the floor.

‘It worked.’ Daniel said in wonder. ‘The DHD in the control room must power this Stargate.’ He gestured at the wormhole.

Jack lurched to his feet. She was still alive if she’d opened up the wormhole for them; still conscious. She could still undo this. His fingers were unsteady as he reached for his radio. ‘Carter!’

A radio crackled at his feet and echoed with his voice. He crouched and picked it up as though in disbelief. She had transported all of their belongings; all the packs, weapons, her radio…everything. His hand clenched around the plastic casing as he raised it to his forehead and closed his eyes unaware that a devastated Daniel and Teal’c looked on concerned.

Impotence surged through Jack. He couldn’t talk to Carter, couldn’t demand she return him to the damn control room where she was, couldn’t ream her out for what she had done…rage bubbled through him. What the hell had she been thinking! He rose abruptly and hurled the radio into the far reaches of the room. He whirled away before it hit the wall and crashed in pieces to the floor. He kicked a rucksack and it skidded across the floor, bowling over a dozen artefacts in its wake. He stumbled and righted himself.

‘Damn it!’ Jack snarled as he whirled back around and glared at the wormhole. He closed his eyes and dropped his head as he stood tensely, shaking, breathing heavily.

It was supposed to have been him.

He was the one who was supposed to have stayed behind; there was supposed to have been a goodbye…one last touch…one last kiss…

But he couldn’t even talk to her. He couldn’t reach her.

Couldn’t tell her he loved her.

Couldn’t tell her that it didn’t matter if he died, that nothing had changed for him; he would rather die than lose her.

‘Jack.’ Daniel laid a hand on his shoulder and Jack jerked away. He glared at the archaeologist.

‘You should have worked out the damn coordinates.’ Jack snapped reaching for his anger again and feeling momentarily satisfied when Daniel flinched despite the sharp guilt that followed at his unjust accusation.

Daniel swallowed convulsively. Jack could see his blue eyes shining with tears behind his glasses before he looked away.

‘O’Neill.’ Teal’c’s voice was gruff with pain. ‘This achieves nothing. We could not have guessed at Colonel Carter’s intention.’

‘I should have.’ Jack shot back. ‘I should have. I…’ His voice dropped. And suddenly his anger was gone and there was only pain. He fell as his knees gave way.

Teal’c caught him and lowered him to the floor to sit.

Jack covered his face again, an arm over his eyes and he tried to regain his composure. He could barely breathe; he wasn’t sure he wanted to – his chest ached. Was it possible for a heart to physically break? If it was, he was sure his was doing just that – splintering into pieces, shards in his body, piercing and final. He took breath after shaky, pain-filled breath and tried to ignore the rasp that hinted they were close to sobs.

It was too late after all, Jack thought devastated. It was much too late. His window of opportunity had slammed shut on him and Carter was gone. He should have retired the instant he knew Pete was out of the picture, Jack thought angrily; the instant she had turned to him and thanked him for simply being with her as her father died. All those weeks wasted because he’d pretended that he was giving her time – pretended that it wasn’t fear that stopped him from telling her he wanted to be with her.

Too late.

Again.

All his half-formed plans to really talk with her, to ask her out on a date, to tell he loved her, to hold and kiss her; to tell her he was prepared to do anything to make them happen, anything: all of his plans were gone.

Again.

He couldn’t think, could barely understand the kaleidoscope of jumbled thoughts and self-remonstrations cascading through him. He could only feel and for the first time, he truly felt old.

Daniel sat beside him. ‘I can’t believe she…’ his voice was thick with tears.

Jack dropped his arm to look at the archaeologist; the younger man was pale, shaking. ‘She knew what she was doing, Daniel.’ His lips twisted. She had been protecting them, saving them.

Daniel looked at him and Jack met his gaze. He apologised silently with a hand on the younger man’s shoulder; he’d had no right to blame him. Daniel nodded almost imperceptibly and dropped his gaze.

‘She sacrificed her life for ours.’ Teal’c said solemnly.

‘It should have been me.’ Jack repeated.

‘We should have found another way.’ Daniel argued. ‘No one should have had to stay behind.’

‘I’m not leaving.’ The words left Jack before he even realised he had spoken them and before he could acknowledge the truth of them. Purpose filled him again and Jack welcomed it. He stood up startling the others into following. ‘I’m going back.’

‘Jack…’ Daniel followed as Jack marched towards the door they had found earlier. Daniel caught hold of him before he entered the corridor. ‘It won’t work.’ His blue eyes shone with more sorrow. ‘It needs you and Sam to get the next door open, and the bridge will be gone. It will be covered with lava. You’d literally be walking into hell.’

A muscle tightened in Jack’s jaw. He held Daniel’s gaze. ‘I have to try. I’m not leaving her there.’

Daniel nodded understandingly but kept hold of Jack. ‘Sam…Sam wouldn’t want you sacrificing yourself, Jack.’

A part of Jack wanted to deny Daniel’s words; to argue that he didn’t know what Sam would want but he couldn’t. Daniel only spoke the truth. Jack recalled the look in Carter’s eyes as she had transported them out. He had seen that look before when she had looked at him from behind a blue flickering force-shield. He had refused to leave her then too. She had never wanted him to die because of her; had never wanted him to sacrifice his own life for hers. She had never got that without her, he had no life.

‘Look,’ Daniel said urgently, ‘if you want to think of some way of saving her, I’m all for that, but this,’ he waved at the door, ‘this isn’t it.’

A muscle clenched in Jack’s jaw. He knew Daniel was right.

Suddenly, a rush of wind barrelled out of the corridor, it knocked Daniel and Jack to the ground in a heap before it rushed over them, warm and strong and strangely reminiscent to Jack, like the familiar touch of someone he knew…

The gust blew through the Stargate and sent ripples through the blue…it raced over the artefacts and debris sending the smaller objects scuttling everywhere, rolling across the ground.

Dust rose like a tornado in the centre of the room, obscuring everything and then…

As suddenly as it had appeared; it was gone.

‘What the hell was that?’ Jack asked as he helped Daniel to his feet.

‘O’Neill!’

Teal’c’s cry had them both turning back to look at the Jaffa. He was crouched down on the floor, sweeping more artefacts back out of the way.

Jack hurried over to him and immediately saw what the wind had uncovered and what Teal’c had found…

‘Rings.’ Daniel said out loud as he came to a halt beside him. ‘Of course, Ra rigged the Stargate so he probably came here in a ship. He would have had to have used rings to transport down.’

‘What about into the city?’ Jack asked, trying to keep his burgeoning hope under control.

Daniel nodded. ‘Maybe. I mean, the rings are Ancient technology, right? It has to be possible.’

They all looked at each other with renewed hope.

Jack moved, helping Teal’c remove the rest of the clutter. ‘There has to be a control panel around here somewhere, Daniel; find it!’

Daniel hesitated but in the next instant, he was a blur as he moved from pillar to pillar checking for the panel.

Jack swept his hands over the ground, shoving the dust aside, uncaring that it coated his skin and clothes. There was suddenly a chance again, a chance for him to save Carter, save them both, and he was taking it. Teal’c helped him, batting objects out of the way. Finally, the large circle was uncovered.

‘Found it!’ Daniel yanked an old tapestry away to reveal the rings’ control panel. Teal’c moved to assist him and they threw the ruined tapestry away.

‘Does it still work?’ Jack felt his throat close on the question. His heart was pounding as he waited for the Jaffa to answer. If the panel was broken…if the rings didn’t work anymore…

Teal’c nodded swiftly. ‘Indeed.’

Jack searched the floor and grabbed his P90. ‘OK. I’ll go back and get Carter. If we’re not back in,’ he checked his watch and grimaced – they had wasted so much time already, ‘fifteen minutes, go.’

‘I will accompany you, O’Neill.’ Teal’c offered, stepping forward to join Jack.

‘Me too.’ Daniel added.

‘No.’ Jack said firmly, waving them back.

‘We love her too, Jack, and you don’t know where those rings go to – you might end up on the other side of the city and nowhere near Sam or land in the middle of the operations room with a stack of Unas.’ Daniel said softly.

‘Daniel Jackson is correct.’ Teal’c said supportively.

‘We’re coming with you.’ Daniel concluded.

Jack shook his head. ‘I’m not arguing with you guys. There’s no time.’ He held up a finger. ‘If we’re not back; go.’

Daniel nodded reluctantly and Teal’c bowed his head in acknowledgement.

‘Wish me luck.’ Jack muttered as he gestured at Daniel to activate the panels. The archaeologist moved into position.

‘Good luck, O’Neill.’ Teal’c said solemnly.

Daniel pressed the buttons.

Jack watched as the rings descended and braced himself as the familiar zing of the transport shifted him in a bright flash of light.

Chapter 28

Jack held his breath, his gun poised and aimed forward as the rings zipped away. He looked around the room he found himself in cautiously. It was a typical ring room; bare and empty, the walls plain and unadorned. There was nothing else in the room. A doorway beckoned to his left; behind him red light spilled in through the large floor to ceiling windows. It seeped into the black vest and t-shirt he wore and heated his skin.

He had no idea where he was, he realised, and he needed to find his way back to the control room – quickly. He took a step towards the door.

A child’s cry stopped him in his tracks.

He froze momentarily.

Jack shook his head and started forward again. It had to have been his imagination. There was no way it could have been a child.

The sound came again.

He whirled around.

A little girl stared back at him from outside the window; curly light brown hair, dark chocolate eyes, and a beguiling face streaked with tears. His heart clenched tightly in his chest. He had to get to Carter but…the little girl was standing outside of the window. How had she gotten into the city? How had she gotten onto the small balcony? He thrust the thought away; it didn’t matter. There were Unas around, maybe there was a human group somewhere else in the city…

He made his decision swiftly.

‘Stay there!’ Jack called, motioning for her not to move as he made his way to the window. ‘I’ll come and get you. Just…stay there.’

He quickly found the latch and pushed the heavy glass open. The blast of heat had him staggering back but he ignored it and climbed out, only to find the little girl had gone. His eyes zipped to the ground but there was no sign. He grimaced, looking around wildly.

He so did not have time for this…he had to get to Carter and…

Jack stilled. Outside with a clear view of the city, he realised with sudden clarity that he knew where he was. He was in the right tower. He located the bridge they usually entered by beneath and realised he was only a floor away from it – two floors from Carter. He climbed back into the room hurriedly but glanced back at the window; nothing.

Maybe he had imagined the little girl…

He shook his head as he started running, knowing time was of the essence. His movements were quick, assured – the soldier in him rising up and taking control. He silently mapped the route so he would know his way back. He didn’t think about what it would mean if he didn’t get to Carter in time. He focused on the mission; get Carter, get out, get home.

The floor lurched under Jack’s feet but he retained his balance. The clock was ticking; he could feel it in his bones. The planet was in turmoil; in its last death throes.

o-O-o

Teal’c watched as Daniel Jackson paced helplessly in front of the wormhole. He saw him check his watch again. Teal’c maintained his own position; standing stoically by the ring platform, hands clasped behind his back and ignoring the faint trickle of sweat down his spine.

‘This isn’t right.’ Daniel said abruptly, stopping and gesturing at Teal’c.

An eyebrow rose in automatic response.

‘You can’t tell me you agree with him, Teal’c, because I know you don’t.’ Daniel said passionately.

He was right. Teal’c did not agree with O’Neill’s decision. He understood it. There was no guarantee that ringing into the city would enable them to retrieve Samantha Carter before the planet exploded. O’Neill was attempting to safeguard their departure – better that two of the team survived than none. But Teal’c believed that they should have gone with O’Neill regardless.

‘We should have gone with him.’ Daniel echoed Teal’c’s thoughts. He thrust a hand through his hair. ‘I mean, he could have ended up anywhere in the city!’

‘Indeed.’ Teal’c agreed calmly.

‘And what about Sam?’ Daniel continued as he began pacing again. ‘How’s he going to get her back? She could be unconscious.’ he stopped again, clearly searching for more reasons to continue his argument.

‘He may have also encountered more Unas.’ Teal’c added helpfully.

‘Exactly!’ Daniel gestured at Teal’c. ‘Exactly! He needs back-up.’

They looked at each other. Their decision was made in complete silence.

Daniel picked up his P90 in response as Teal’c walked over to set the rings to transport after a moment’s delay – it allowed him to get back into position.

‘You know the planet’s going to explode in fifteen minutes.’ Daniel muttered as Teal’c took his place beside him.

Teal’c looked at him pointedly.

‘Just so we’re making a completely informed decision.’ Daniel said, far too cheerfully given the situation.

‘We are.’ Teal’c confirmed with satisfaction.

They were SG1 after all.

The rings descended.

o-O-o

The corridors were empty of Unas and Jack spared a thought to wonder where they had gone, whether they were running from the rising lava outside, whether they were huddled somewhere in fear at the end of the world. He gave a small prayer that wherever they had gone to, they were not where he was; it made his job easier but he kept his gun held in position, ready to shoot just in case.

He took another corridor and recognised it. He was moving quickly. He could hear his feet pounding on the floor; his heart beating; his breathing. He rounded the corner; the holographic wall was ahead of him and he didn’t stop, didn’t hesitate, just ran straight through it.

Jack skidded to a halt in the centre of the control room, his eyes desperately searching for Carter. He didn’t see her at first and his heart just about stopped in his chest.

Where was she?

The glimpse of blonde hair by the side of a console had him hurrying over to her. Carter was slumped against the wall; her face grimy and sweaty; her bruises and scratches raw and stark against her pale skin.

He took her face in his hands, revelling for a split second in the ability to touch her, to feel her alive and warm under his fingers. He felt for a pulse on her neck; it was surprisingly strong.

She gave a low moan and stirred. Her eyes opened on Jack and widened in horror. ‘You came back.’ Her voice broke on the last word.

‘You should know,’ Jack said roughly, reaching for her, ‘that once we get out of here I intend yelling at you, Carter.’ He lifted her into his arms.

Sam curled into him, her arms sliding around his neck trustingly. ‘How?’

‘Rings.’ Jack said shortly, understanding she was asking how they were going to get out and not how he was going to yell at her.

They stepped back through the wall. Jack began a slow jog; his knees protested and he ignored them. He needed to get her home; needed to prove they hadn’t missed their opportunity after all. Sam held onto him, her fingers clutching his shoulders.

He followed his path back to the ring room. The tower shifted beneath his feet and he felt Carter’s hold on him tighten as he adjusted his balance. The lava was beginning to sink it into the core of the planet, the shield failing as the planet died.

Jack kept going.

His lungs were burning; his arms ached with carrying Sam but Jack knew he couldn’t stop, couldn’t afford to rest. He had to get them home; had to get her home. Sweat dripped down his face; his black t-shirt was soaked with it. He ignored the discomfort.

Carter; she was what was important.

He shouldered open the door to the stairwell and froze.

‘Sir?’ Carter asked worriedly. She turned her head to look. ‘Oh boy.’

A group of Unas stood on the stairs; their reptilian faces contorted into fury. They growled and began to advance.

Jack took a step back. ‘Carter, I’m going to put you down slowly.’ He said keeping his tone conversational. ‘I’ll lead them away. You get to the ring room; it’s two floors up.’

‘No.’ Sam clung to him and he looked down at her in frustration. She shook her head. ‘Not without you.’ Her blue eyes held his determinedly.

The Unas growled, breaking the spell.

‘Plan B?’ Jack suggested, his eyes flickering to his gun. It was still attached to his vest, if Sam could reach it…

She nodded in understanding.

Suddenly, the Unas sprang forward…

Gunshots rang out.

Jack dropped to his knees on the floor, covering Carter with his own body. He looked up as the stairwell fell silent and blinked at the dead Unas.

Teal’c pushed them aside and Daniel followed.

‘I told you to go.’ Jack said exasperated as he relinquished Sam reluctantly to the Jaffa despite his body being relieved; he had strained every muscle carrying her. ‘Does anyone actually follow my orders anymore?’

‘Teal’c was worried.’ Daniel said as he held out his hand to help Jack up from the floor.

Jack grasped it and Daniel pulled him to his feet.

The building shook around them.

‘Let’s move!’ Jack ordered briskly. They all ran; back up the stairs, past the Unas. They raced for the ring room and Jack staggered into it with relief.

Daniel headed immediately for the controls and Jack covered them while Teal’c held Carter firmly. The floor tilted and the archaeologist stumbled back into the centre of the rings. Jack grabbed him before he could barrel into Teal’c and Carter.

‘Now would be good.’ Jack said breathlessly as they watched, horrified as lava poured past the window – the shield had failed.

The rings activated and deposited them back into the temple, back into the light from the white-blue glow from the shimmering circle of the event horizon. Jack absently noted that Daniel was inputting the IDC into the GDO as they headed toward it.

‘We have got to go!’ Jack yelled as the walls around them shook.

They ran for the wormhole…

Chapter 29

Cold.

The journey through the wormhole was always cold.

The sensation of flying…her entire body buzzing and nothing real…all senses filled with noise and silence at the same time…thoughts drifting in and out…

Unable to breathe…

Speed and lightening…shockwaves propelling them forward…

Nothing to hold onto…

Except the familiar presence of the others;

Strength she always associated with Teal’c…

Compassion that was all Daniel’s…

Love for her, for them: Jack holding them together, keeping them together as they travelled home…

She wondered vaguely what they felt from her…maybe awe that they got to actually travel through wormholes…

It wasn’t logical; wasn’t scientific, knew it couldn’t be real…but she could feel them, could almost reach out and touch them…

Suddenly, the wormhole released her and Sam was flying through air; the hard metal ramp welcomed her a moment later, and she was aware of the thumps around her as her team-mates joined her; one, two, three. She breathed out in relief. They were all home. She ignored the crowd in the gate room, the familiar sounds of the wormhole disengaging and the slide of metal as they closed the iris. Her breath left her body in a groan as pain radiated through her and she closed her eyes as though to shut out the agony.

‘Don’t move!’ Jack was suddenly beside her. ‘I need a medic! Now!’

Sam could hear the scurrying of feet in response to the commanding tone that demanded immediate compliance.

Jack laid a hand on her arm and she shivered under his touch. ‘Carter?’

The concern had Sam opening her eyes to look up at him; trying to reassure him she was fine. Daniel was beside him; his blue eyes equally as anxious as Jack’s, and she knew without looking that Teal’c was on her other side. They all reached out as she struggled to sit up.

For a long moment, she held onto them, unable to believe they were real, that it was real; that they were home.

Jack’s gaze softened in understanding; his hand tightened on her arm, giving her something solid, something real to hold onto. ‘We got you, Carter.’

‘We’re here, Sam.’ Daniel reassured her.

‘We are all safely home, Colonel Carter.’ Teal’c added.

Sam couldn’t speak; just held on. One hand fisted in Teal’c’s t-shirt, one in Daniel’s and her eyes were pinned to Jack who kept holding onto her despite where they were and the audience.

‘I sent you all away.’ Sam murmured, trying to make sense of what had happened.

‘You don’t get rid of us that easy, Carter.’ Jack promised her. His lips curved upwards.

A throat being cleared didn’t register at first. Not until Doctor Edwards moved further up the ramp.

‘Sir?’ The doctor not so politely nudged Teal’c aside and Sam watched as the Jaffa only moved enough to let the doctor examine her. ‘Injuries?’

‘She has a major concussion; she lost some vision earlier.’ Jack recited urgently.

‘It’s back.’ Sam protested weakly; she hadn’t had time to tell him. ‘My vision.’

Jack frowned at her as though unconvinced. ‘Bruised ribs.’ He continued. ‘Scratches and she has a bad cut on her hand.’

Sam winced as Edwards shone a penlight in her eyes. She followed his finger obediently. ‘I feel fine.’ She smiled reassuringly at Jack who raised an eyebrow at her assertion.

‘Let’s get you to the infirmary, Colonel.’ Edwards stated. ‘We’ll run some tests and see how bad the damage is.’ He stepped away and Jack immediately moved. He nodded at Teal’c who lifted Sam easily into his arms and placed her on the waiting gurney.

She let go of the Jaffa. Her eyes sought Jack’s again.

‘General O’Neill.’ Landry interrupted. ‘The President is waiting for a debriefing.’

Jack rolled his eyes at Sam and she almost smiled as she caught his flicker of desire to keep the President waiting. ‘I’ll catch up with you later, Carter.’ He said quietly. His eyes moved to Daniel and Teal’c; the silent order to stay with her issued with complete understanding by the two men despite no words being uttered.

‘Yes, sir.’ Sam felt the gurney move under her. Daniel and Teal’c fell into step beside her but her eyes remained on Jack’s until she couldn’t see him anymore. She let out an unsteady breath and closed her eyes.

It felt unreal.

She was home and they were all safe. They had saved the galaxy again. She frowned. She wondered if she had imagined the other Daniel and Grace…were they real or had she imagined the whole thing?

The infirmary beckoned and she was finally separated from the others as she was whisked away for tests. She suffered through the various examinations before they stripped, cleaned her up and placed her in an infirmary bed. The familiar room with its stark walls and medical paraphernalia comforted her.

Edwards hovered beside her bed reading her chart. He had a deep frown.

‘So what’s the damage?’ Sam asked tiredly; her body craved sleep but she wouldn’t give into it, not until she had seen the others. She was tired enough that the missing presence of her late friend, Janet Fraiser, in the infirmary caused a wave of grief to shudder through her.

Edwards shook his head as though in disbelief. ‘Well, from the symptoms you and General O’Neill described, I would have suspected that your head injury had caused a subdural haematoma in your brain but there’s no evidence of any bleeding.’

‘That’s good, right?’ Sam checked.

‘Very good.’ Edwards said with a sigh.

Sam remembered the healing touch she had felt when surrounded by the other Daniel’s Ascended energy; even if he hadn’t healed her completely, he must have healed her enough, she mused wearily.

‘I want to keep you in for observation for the next twenty-four hours. If nothing else, it’ll give the bruises a chance to heal.’ Edwards determined closing the file. ‘I’ll let Area 51 know your transfer will be delayed.’

‘Thank you.’

The doctor shrugged and smiled. ‘I’d better go and tell your team-mates before they wear out my linoleum.’

The infirmary door shut behind him and she knew in a few moments she would be surrounded by her team again.

Sam breathed deeply and turned her head.

Grace stood beside her bed, smiling widely. She could see herself now in the shape of the face and nose; the smile reminiscent of her own. The eyes though; those Grace had inherited from Jack. And possibly the personality, Sam realised, thinking back over her encounters with the little girl.

‘Hi.’ Sam said slowly.

‘Uncle Daniel says I have to go now.’ Grace whispered.

Sam nodded, sadness welling up inside her. She knew inside it would be the last time she would see Grace. ‘Your Mommy and Daddy would have been very proud of you.’ She said huskily.

Grace reached over and kissed her cheek. Sam closed her eyes at the delicate touch.

When she reopened them, Grace was gone and Ascended Daniel stood beside her. He was dressed in a white sweater and slacks; he glowed brightly. She smiled. ‘Daniel.’

‘You’re going to be fine, Sam.’ Daniel said with an answering smile.

She nodded slowly, pleased at his assurance. ‘You know before all this started I thought everyone was leaving me.’

‘And now?’ Daniel prompted kindly.

‘I understand now. They’re a part of me.’ Sam murmured. It was why her mind and heart conjured them up whenever she was alone and hurting; it was why she felt them in the wormhole. It was why she had sent them away to safety and why they had come back for her. ‘I take them with me wherever I go.’

Daniel smiled sadly in agreement, crossing his arms over his chest.

‘You’ve come to say goodbye too.’ Sam noted.

‘We’ve stayed longer than we should.’ Daniel said, regretfully. ‘I can’t risk us staying any longer.’

‘Grace?’

Daniel nodded. ‘I promised I’d keep her safe.’ He shrugged. ‘And you guys will be fine.’ His eyes turned distant as though he could see ahead to the unknown future. ‘You’ll always have each other even if sometimes things don’t turn out the way they were planned. Just remember…’

‘Don’t give up.’ Sam supplied.

‘Right.’ Daniel touched her hand gently. ‘Goodbye, Sam.’

And he was gone. Sam snuggled deeper under the covers as her eyes closed. Ascended Daniel had truly lost his team but she had not lost hers. Not in any meaningful way. They would always be there to bring her home. Daniel, Teal’c and…Jack.

o-O-o

Jack waited until Carter was out of sight before turning back to Landry. ‘Shall we?’ There was bite in the words; Jack was tired, his knees were hurting – actually his whole body was hurting and they’d just wheeled Carter away. He allowed a moment’s resentment that they were back to where they always were; the job coming first and them second.

Landry patted his arm consolingly as he fell into step beside him. ‘It’s good to have you back, Jack.’ He glanced at him. ‘There was something about a Doomsday machine?’

‘We took care of it.’ Jack said absently. ‘The planet blew up though. We might want to get the Prometheus to check on that.’

‘The planet blew up?’ Landry checked, almost stumbling on the stairs.

Jack slowed as he spotted someone in Landry’s office and his brow lowered ominously. ‘Woolsey?’

‘Yeah.’ Landry sighed. ‘He was sent by the IOA to investigate your disappearance.’

Jack sighed heavily. He was so not in the mood for the IOA representative. He mentally doubled the amount of time that he had estimated the debriefing would take. ‘Let’s get this over with.’

Woolsey stood up and adjusted the button on his suit jacket as Jack entered. ‘General O’Neill, it’s good to see you again.’

‘What are you doing here, Woolsey?’ Jack bit out impatiently.

‘I thought it would be best to make my report to the President at the same time as you make your own.’ Woolsey said evenly.

‘Why don’t we proceed, gentlemen?’ Landry interceded smoothly, stepping behind his desk.

‘Fine.’ Jack agreed. He perched on the front of Landry’s desk as Woolsey resumed his seat.

Landry nodded at Walter who switched the monitor on that had been wheeled in specially and made the connection to the video conference. The monitor flickered to life and the President appeared. He was evidently sitting at his desk in the Oval office; the trappings of the Presidency clearly in view in the background.

‘Mr President.’ Landry greeted him and dismissed Walter with a thankful nod.

‘Hank. Richard.’ Hayes’s gaze moved to Jack. ‘Jack. I take it this means your mission was a success?’

‘Yes, Mr President.’ Jack said dryly. ‘Colonel Carter is back at the SGC.’ He filled the other men in on the details; on the forest fire that had prevented their return, the Doomsday machine and discovery of the Ancient city, the Unas, the way Carter had worked out the machine; the transportation device and how she had sacrificed herself for her team-mates given her injury; how they’d found the rings and how they had been able to retrieve their team-mate. Jack took a deep breath as he finished.

The President gazed back at him solemnly. ‘It looks like the universe owes you all another debt of gratitude.’

Jack shrugged uncomfortable with the praise. ‘We got lucky.’

‘Yes, you did.’ Woolsey agreed.

Jack looked at him sharply, his eyes darkening with anger at the comment.

Hayes sighed and leaned back in his chair. ‘You have something you want to add, Richard?’

‘I’ve completed my investigation and I think you’ll find the findings interesting, Mr President.’ Woolsey stood up and moved to stand directly in front of the camera. ‘I appreciate that the end result of this mission is a successful outcome in more ways than simply retrieving Colonel Carter…’

‘But?’ prompted Jack harshly.

‘But the fact is that you should never have taken the mission.’ Woolsey stated outright. ‘Decisions were made because of the emotional bonds you share with your former team-mates, General. You, Doctor Jackson and Teal’c all reacted on an emotional level to Colonel Carter’s disappearance. You volunteered for the rescue mission without considering the wider impact should you have failed to return. Further, I believe you and the rest of SG1 made it difficult for General Landry to make any objective decisions and undermined his authority.’

‘You…’ Jack began angrily.

‘What’s your evidence, Richard?’ Hayes asked, speaking over Jack.

Woolsey reached for his notebook. He opened it and began listing the decisions that he believed made his case.

Jack’s mouth tightened as Woolsey started his litany. He could feel his anger building, roiling through him demanding he speak but he tamped down on it. Hayes was a fair man and he would get his chance to speak. But as Woolsey continued, Jack began to feel his ire drain away as some of the comments struck uncomfortably close to home; Daniel allowing Teal’c to walk into the SGC without Landry’s express permission, his own insistence on travelling to the SGC, leading the SAR despite the fact that the last time he’d been off-world had been the whole thing with Maybourne; that all three of them had insisted on being part of the SAR.

Woolsey continued, picking up on some of the comments Jack had made during his own report; Teal’c providing them with back-up and leaving Carter, his own decision to risk the whole team rescuing Carter from the Unas, her sacrifice for them, going back for her…when Woolsey finally ran out of words, Jack wondered what the hell he could say in defence.

‘Hank,’ Hayes said, ignoring Jack to focus on the other General in the office, ‘what’s your view?’

Landry leaned over his desk, clasping his hands on the polished wood. ‘I understand why Mr Woolsey has drawn the conclusions he has but I don’t agree with them.’

Jack stared at his old friend, partly in gratitude and partly in surprise. In Hank’s shoes he’d be pissed at SG1.

‘You don’t?’ Hayes checked. The President motioned for Landry to explain.

‘Mr President, in the last few days I’ve come to realise that the bond between the original SG1 team-members is unique. They’ve fought side by side for eight years and more, they’ve fought for each other at every turn, and because of that they’ve achieved great things.’ He paused and his eyes stayed firmly on the President’s.

‘They’re not merely a team but a family, and that sense of family has extended out to every member of the SGC. There’s a depth of respect for, and belief in, all four members of SG1 that I have rarely seen expressed for anyone during my time in the military. No-one here doubted they would return or be successful. They have the absolute confidence of the men and women on the base.’

Jack found himself speechless again.

‘You can’t seriously believe that level of emotional bond is a good thing in a military environment.’ Woolsey argued.

‘I don’t.’ Landry agreed with a hint of a smirk. ‘There’s a reason why we don’t usually keep people assigned to the same team for eight years; relationships do get too close, objectivity does get clouded by emotions. I admit that I’d prefer a little more formality around here.’ He sighed. ‘But I’ve also come to see this isn’t a usual situation. What’s normal around here is…is Doomsday machines that might destroy entire galaxies.’ He spread his hands. ‘This isn’t a usual military environment and I don’t believe that the objectivity of any of the former SG1 team-members has been compromised when it really counted.’

Hayes’s bright eyes slid to Jack. ‘General?’

Jack straightened and suddenly he knew what he was going to say. ‘I think both men make valid points, Mr President.’

‘You do?’ Woolsey stuttered in surprise.

Landry ducked his head and Jack realised he was hiding a smile of satisfaction at Woolsey’s disconcertment.

‘I don’t deny that I might have possibly,’ Jack waved his hand at the monitor, ‘sometimes, maybe,’ he pulled a face, ‘allowed my thinking to be influenced by my, uh, feelings.’ It came out in a rush; the words almost running together. He took a breath and looked apologetically at Landry. ‘And I agree that we should have allowed Hank some space in his decision making. But I don’t believe any decision,’ he stabbed a finger at the table, ‘any decision,’ he repeated, ‘has ever been detrimental to the safety of Earth.’

‘I agree.’ Hayes said firmly. He sat forward, leaning over his large desk and staring into the camera with serious intensity. ‘Jack, if you were leading SG1 or were commanding the SGC then I would consider this a problem; a big problem.’ He paused for what Jack presumed was dramatic effect. ‘But you’re not. SG1 is moving on, I suggest we do the same.’

‘And the next time Teal’c has some emergency on Dakara,’ Woolsey tried valiantly to press his point, ‘or Doctor Jackson goes missing in Atlantis or Colonel Carter has a lab accident…’

‘Or I get injured by a paper cut?’ Jack added glibly.

‘You can’t deny that your first reaction will be to want to help them.’ Woolsey pointed out, refusing to back down from Jack’s now evident annoyance with him.

Jack’s eyes flashed. A muscle in his jaw tensed as he fought to keep the angry retort that sprang to mind off his lips. He took a deep breath. ‘Maybe it will be my first reaction,’ he allowed tightly, ‘but I’ll try to trust that others will ensure their safety.’ He managed eventually.

‘That’s good enough for me.’ Hayes said warmly.

‘But…’ Woolsey protested.

‘I think we’ve covered this enough, Richard.’ Hayes’s tone left no room for argument and the IOA man acquiesced with resignation. ‘Richard, Hank, I’d like a moment alone with Jack.’

The other two men left the office and Jack found himself the singular focus of the leader of the Free World.

‘I hope you intend keeping your word on this, Jack.’ Hayes said seriously. ‘I can’t afford to lose my Head of Homeworld Security every time one of your family members gets into trouble.’

‘Yes, sir.’ Jack said, trying to keep his voice even.

‘So,’ Hayes said relaxing and leaning back in his chair, ‘I guess I owe you another medal or a pay rise.’ He smiled suddenly. ‘Doctor Weir said something about a list and you should probably get something for saving the galaxy again, right?’

He stared at Hayes for a long moment unsure whether to take the opening that had presented itself or…or what? Wait? He was through waiting for him and Carter – hadn’t he decided that already? Hadn’t he decided he wanted to take his opportunity?

Jack cleared his throat nervously. ‘Actually, Mr President, there is something.’

Chapter 30

Teal’c stepped out of the gate and breathed in the grassy plains of Haktyl.

‘Father!’ Rya’c approached him swiftly and Teal’c gathered his son into a warm embrace.

‘Rya’c.’ He placed his hands on his son’s shoulders and regarded the young man fondly. Rya’c had put some weight on since Teal’c had seen him last; the extra bulk was muscle. He could feel it under his hands. He had grown his hair out a little; it was braided closely to the skull and his dark eyes shone brightly. ‘You look well.’

‘You do not.’ Rya’c retorted. His dark eyes scanned over his father and Teal’c could imagine how he looked to his son; lines deeply carved into his mahogany skin, shadows lurking under weary eyes. ‘You look tired.’

‘Hmmm.’ Teal’c acknowledged the observation with equanimity as he straightened his long robes. ‘It has been a difficult few days.’

‘Tell me more.’ Rya’c encouraged as they turned toward the settlement and began the walk.

Teal’c found himself confiding in his son; how he had arrived back from rescuing Colonel Carter to discover the talks on how to progress on Dakara had deteriorated; two of the tribes had been on the brink of war. It had taken two days of diplomatic cajoling by him and Bra’tac to get everything back on track. Teal’c had found himself unexpectedly enjoying the political wrangling; he and Bra’tac had come up with a strategy and executed it perfectly. Both sides were reconciled and the talks were back on track.

‘You are doing well, Father.’ Rya’c said proudly and it warmed Teal’c’s heart.

‘We have much to do.’ Teal’c cautioned. ‘But we are making good progress.’ He inclined his head. ‘And what of you and Karyn?’

‘We are doing well.’ Rya’c smiled. ‘We have built a small house in the settlement. You will see.’

He did see; he saw the small well-built house and the home Rya’c and his wife had made for themselves. It was solid; a small bathroom and two main rooms – a large bedroom and an open plan living and kitchen area.

He was welcomed to their table where they shared the meat they had hunted and the food they had grown. Teal’c was impressed when Rya’c excused himself to train some of the settlement’s youngsters.

He wandered over to the training ground with his son and watched Rya’c put a group of young boys through the same training exercises Teal’c had once taught Rya’c; as Bra’tac had once taught him.

He felt Ishta approach before he scented her perfume. He turned to greet her. They kissed warmly before Teal’c held her as they watched the training. His arms were around her small waist; her head rested on his broad shoulder, the blonde strands tickling his chin.

‘I am sorry I was away when you arrived.’ Ishta said quietly. Her eyes were pinned to the flurry of wooden staffs.

‘Rya’c informed me you were trading with another planet.’ Teal’c said easily.

‘For linen.’ Ishta acknowledged. ‘The winters are cold here.’ She looked at him. ‘As you will discover.’

Teal’c almost smiled at the less than subtle hint regarding their future. ‘Walk with me?’

Ishta nodded.

Teal’c made a gesture to Rya’c who grinned; Teal’c’s lips twitched. He knew his son wanted nothing more than for Ishta and his father to marry.

They wandered away from the training ground and into the nearby woods.

‘It is good to see you, Teal’c.’ Ishta noted as they wandered along the path ambling without hurry or intent. There was no sign of any danger or risk, only the sounds of small animals in the undergrowth and wind rustling through the leaves.

‘It is good to be seen.’ Teal’c said quietly, enjoying the warmth of the sun’s rays.

‘How long will you stay?’ Ishta asked politely.

‘Until sundown. I will travel to the Tau’ri and meet with Daniel Jackson. We are assisting Colonel Carter in her move to Nevada.’ He halted and Ishta stopped beside him surprised. He cleared his throat. ‘I should have visited sooner.’

‘You have many demands on your time, Teal’c.’ Ishta’s hurt glimmered in her eyes despite her words.

Teal’c reached for her hand and clasped it tightly. ‘You are important to me, Ishta.’

‘But?’ Ishta cupped his cheek and her eyes searched his.

‘There is no but.’ Teal’c rejoined. ‘I regret that I have caused you to doubt my feelings in this matter.’ He placed her hand against his heart as though to hand it to her. ‘In winning our freedom, I feared losing my own. This has been a most difficult transition. I had not realised that it would be so.’

‘You do not need shoulder the burden alone, Teal’c.’ Ishta said firmly.

‘There has been so much change.’ Teal’c commented. ‘I believed that I was not ready for another.’

‘And now?’ Ishta said quietly.

‘And now I would like to see where our freedom takes us.’ Teal’c said evenly. His dark eyes held hers and noted the spark that lit them with satisfaction.

She looked at him curiously. ‘What did you have in mind?’

‘I believe we have much to learn of each other if we are to move forward to a more formal union.’ Teal’c said softly.

‘This is true.’ She spread her hand flat against his chest.

‘I propose we spend time with each other.’ Teal’c suggested. ‘I will live on Dakara when the Council is in session but I will return to Haktyl when it is not.’

‘And you will live where on Haktyl?’ Ishta cocked her head, her eyes measuring his reaction to her question.

‘With you.’ Teal’c suggested. ‘Or I can build my…’

Her fingers stopped the words at his lips. ‘With me is fine, Teal’c. In fact I insist upon it.’ She smiled and removed her hand, replaced it with her lips.

He kissed her deeply.

They shifted apart and Ishta gazed at him happily. ‘So tell me of the Council.’ She tucked her hand in the crook of his muscular arm. ‘I understand Gerek is becoming a stronger voice with every day.’

Contented, Teal’c wrapped his hand around hers and began to share his news with her as they walked on into the woods.

o-O-o

Daniel looked up at the sharp rap on his office door. Landry walked in, his eyebrows rising with each step at the mess of boxes, books and papers.

‘It’s not as bad as it looks.’ Daniel defended sheepishly. He almost raised an eyebrow at the leather flight jacket Landry wore but hid his reaction by looking back at the book he held; the one that had caught his attention when he’d gone to pack it and which he’d been reading for the last hour.

‘Are you actually going to be finished by the time the Daedalus leaves for Atlantis?’ Landry quipped, his eyes twinkling.

‘I will be.’ Daniel promised fervently. He wasn’t planning on doing anything that would prevent him from making the trip.

Landry nodded. ‘I have a favour to ask of you.’

Daniel looked up inquisitively from the book.

‘Colonel Mitchell will be arriving tomorrow. I was hoping you would be able to spend some time with him; bring him up to speed on events.’ Landry waved his hand. ‘I understand you visited him in the hospital during his recovery.’

‘I did.’ Daniel said. ‘He saved our lives in Antarctica.’

‘So…’

‘So I’ll be happy to brief him.’ Daniel confirmed. ‘He knows I’m not staying in SG1 right?’

Landry looked bemused. ‘You know I’m not sure Jack’s told him.’

‘Probably not.’ Daniel said smiling. ‘Knowing Jack.’

‘Yes.’ Landry said dryly. ‘He is full of surprises.’

Daniel hid his amusement. ‘I understand the new Head of Medicine, Carolyn Lam, is your daughter?’ Landry looked at him sharply and Daniel held up a hand in surrender. ‘I swear I didn’t know.’

‘Yes.’ Landry sighed. ‘She is although I would appreciate your discretion.’

‘Of course.’ Daniel nodded.

Landry gave a wave of farewell.

Daniel raised the book he held in acknowledgement as the General departed. He continued packing happily for a while. He cleared a couple of shelves before his hand fell on the first of his mission journals. He picked up the first battered copy.

The first mission to Abydos where it all started; it seemed like a lifetime before. He gave a humourless laugh. He guessed given the number of times he had died and come back, it was actually a lifetime before at least. He scanned the words he had written; of the hostility of Jack’s men – of Jack. The slow dawning of respect between them. Sha’re. His first meeting with her. He placed the journal to the side and picked up the picture of his late wife.

His heart ached but he knew it was a mere echo of the pain he had once felt. He loved her; would always love her; would always regret that he hadn’t saved her. But it was time to move on and he was ready.

He could feel the call of Atlantis; the brief taste of the Ancient city they had encountered in rescuing Sam had only increased his hunger. He was looking forward to it. Elizabeth Weir was a good leader. He’d enjoyed working with her during her time as SGC commander and he had a feeling he would enjoy working with her in Atlantis. Sheppard seemed OK and he was looking forward to meeting the Athosians. They sounded as though they had a fascinating culture.

The only downside was leaving his friends – family – but they’d all seemed more accepting of his decision to leave since their last mission – Jack especially. Maybe they understood his decision more or maybe they were more settled with the changes in their own lives. Daniel only knew he was going to miss them like crazy. In some ways, it was though he was a young bird leaving the nest for the first time. He was scared but it was a good scared – the kind he’d been when he’d taken up Catherine Langford’s offer.

He smiled at his thoughts.

‘Daniel?’ Calliday poked her head through the open doorway. ‘You got a moment?’

‘Sure.’ Daniel waved her in.

‘I need help with this.’ Calliday handed him a piece of parchment. ‘By the way; loving the new look.’ She winked at him.

Daniel rubbed a hand over the stubble on his jaw. He’d decided against shaving when he’d got back from the planet, thinking maybe a new look would complement the new start. He realised she was waiting for him and focused his attention on the parchment. ‘Hmmm.’ He frowned and peered at it closely. ‘This is French or an old dialect of Parisienne French. Where did it come from?’

‘P1A778.’ Calliday grimaced. ‘We found it in a burned out library. It looked like there had been some kind of revolution.’

‘Really?’ Daniel waggled his eyebrows. ‘Sounds very French.’

‘You have any idea what it says?’ Calliday asked returning his smile with one of her own.

Daniel read through it and smiled. ‘It says that only revolution can free the people from the hardships of the aristocrats who drink the blood of their slaves and eat the sweaty carcasses of the children who die in their name.’

‘Nice.’ Calliday remarked with a mock shudder.

Daniel carefully handed her the parchment back.

‘Thanks.’ Calliday said.

‘No problem.’ Daniel said as he reached for another stack of books ready to pack them.

Calliday glanced around in amusement. ‘This looks like a bomb hit it.’

‘I know.’ Daniel said ruefully, placing the books into a box. ‘I think Landry’s worried that I’m not going to finish in time.’

‘If you want any help, I could give you a hand.’ Calliday offered.

Daniel shook his head and reached for the next stack. ‘I’m OK, thanks.’

Calliday sighed in dramatic acceptance. ‘Well, how about I take you out for that drink I owe you?’

Daniel froze like a deer in headlights. ‘Uh, well, I…’

‘It’s only a drink.’ Calliday wheedled. ‘No pressure, I promise, and I would really love to hear about the city you found and the Doomsday machine.’

‘Actually, Teal’c’s arriving in an hour.’ Daniel explained hurriedly. ‘We’re going to head to Nevada and help Sam get settled in.’

‘Ah.’ Calliday nodded understandingly. ‘How is she?’

‘She’s good. Her ribs are still sore.’ Daniel said, lifting his hand from the box.

‘I guess that makes moving a bit difficult.’ Calliday said.

‘That’s why we thought we would go and help.’ Daniel said lightly.

Calliday nodded. ‘Give her my best.’ She gave an embarrassed smile and made to leave.

‘Helen.’ Daniel stopped her just as she got to the door. ‘How about Monday?’

She looked at him blankly.

‘For that drink you owe me?’ Daniel smiled. ‘The Daedalus doesn’t leave until the end of next week.’

She smiled broadly. ‘It’s a date.’ Her face suddenly morphed into horror. ‘I mean, not a date, just a friendly drink.’ She assured him hurriedly.

‘I’ll pick you up at seven?’ Daniel suggested. He smiled. ‘For our not date?’

‘Sounds good.’ Calliday waved her parchment at him and left.

He shook his head as he reached for another set of books and looked around the mess of boxes in his office. It did sound good.

o-O-o

Sam looked around the mess of boxes in her living room and wondered when she had accumulated so much…stuff. Stuff was the word for it as much as she hated to admit it. She sighed. She had given in and gotten a packing firm to actually pack her house in Colorado but she had refused to let them unpack. She didn’t want a stranger helping her decide where her stuff went and as Edwards had insisted she take a few days of downtime before starting her new position at Area 51, she had the time or rather she had thought she had the time.

Her new house was rented and was on a small suburban street. The accommodation services company had been pretty good. The house was pretty – small but it was all she needed. There was a nice park nearby; a gym and little deli shops two blocks away. It was a twenty minute drive to work. The yard was nice; needed a little work and the lure of the outside was becoming more and more appealing to Sam with every minute.

Her ribs twinged as she lifted a stack of crockery into a cupboard and she gave a wince. She stopped for a moment to rub at the protesting area before she continued. No pain, no gain, she grumbled to herself.

The phone rang and she almost fell off the step-ladders as she hurried to answer it, refusing to acknowledge her hope it was Jack. She snatched the sunshine yellow phone from the wall.

‘Hey.’

‘Hey, Sam.’ Cassie’s cheerful voice disappointed her and delighted her in equal measure.

‘Hey.’ Sam repeated, turning to lean on the kitchen counter. ‘Are you on the way?’

Cassie sighed. ‘Actually that’s why I’m calling. I know I was going to drop by and help with the unpacking but there’s a bunch of us who want to go see the new Spiderman movie and I was wondering…’

‘Go.’ Sam said with a sigh. ‘Drool over Toby Maguire. Have fun.’

‘I knew you’d understand!’ Cassie said gleefully. ‘Can you give Daniel and Teal’c a hug for me?’

‘Sure.’ Sam twisted the cord in her fingers.

‘Is Jack coming?’ Cassie asked with an innocent air that didn’t fool Sam for a moment.

‘I don’t think so.’ Sam replied honestly, working hard to keep the disappointment out of her voice. ‘He’s still in Washington.’ He’d been recalled before they’d debriefed – before she had even left the infirmary. In some ways it had been good that he had left. It had given some space to realise that her feelings hadn’t changed; she wanted to be with him. She sighed and grimaced when she realised Cassie would have heard it.

There was noise in the background where Cassie was and Sam felt envious of the laughter that echoed through the phone.

‘Call him. Got to go; bye!’ Cassie disconnected and Sam was left holding the phone in her hands.

Call him. How could she call Jack, she thought as she placed the receiver back in its cradle. She had his numbers in Washington, her inner voice whispered; in fact, he had explicitly given them to her again before he had left. She could call him. She checked her watch. It was late in Washington. He was probably gone for the day; probably at home. Maybe he’d already retired for the night. In fact he probably was in bed; she really shouldn’t disturb him.

Sam sighed heavily and sat down on the steps of the ladder. She had thought she was over all of the doubts and questions after the last mission; through running away how she felt about him. She loved him and there was no doubt in her mind that Jack loved her; he had been so caring toward her, so determined to save her. And she knew he wanted her. The brief memory of the kiss they’d shared brought a smile to her face.

He’d been calling her too. All too brief calls; one every day for the last few days. But she couldn’t ignore that they had been friendly, light, touching on nothing more serious than how she was. The day before they had barely exchanged hellos before Jack had been called away from the phone. The phone calls were brief and light enough that Sam called into question whether Jack was interested in pursuing something more. Just because he loved her, just because he wanted her, it didn’t mean he needed her in his life in the same way she needed him.

She missed him.

It was a deep physical ache and one Sam acknowledged grimly she had felt every day since he had transferred to Washington. She was used to seeing him every day; talking with him. He had been such a major part of her life for so long that losing him was wrenching even though she was comforted by the thought that he would always be a part of her life.

She sighed and rubbed her hands on her jeans. She had promised herself that she would stop running away from how she felt about him; that she would do something other than allow the inertia to continue. There was nothing wrong with one friend calling another friend to check in, see how they were. She could keep it as light as Jack had.

Sam took a deep breath and picked up the receiver. Her fingers trembled slightly as she punched in the number for his office. She worried the edge of her cotton shirt as she waited for the phone to pick up and tried to ignore how her heart was pounding.

‘General O’Neill’s office.’ The brisk efficiency of the answering aide had Sam automatically straightening her posture.

‘This is Colonel Carter for General O’Neill.’ Sam kept her tone professional.

‘I’m sorry, ma’am.’ The aide replied. ‘The General has already left for the day. I can take a message?’

‘No, no.’ Sam stuttered. ‘Thank you.’ She hung up quickly.

She stared at the yellow phone as though it was a particularly distasteful Goa’uld. She made a face and picked it up again. She recalled his apartment phone number from her memory and dialled it. It rang and her fingers tapped restlessly against the counter-top as she waited for him to pick-up.

‘Jack O’Neill.’

‘Sir…’

‘I can’t take your call right now so leave a message.’ The message clicked off and Sam sighed at the beep.

‘Sir, it’s me.’ She hesitated and closed her eyes in despair at her inability to leave a simple telephone message. ‘Carter. I just wanted to say hi. Uh, Cassie bailed on the packing but Daniel and Teal’c will be over later so…anyway, just wanted to check in. Hope you’re OK.’ She bit her lip and put the phone down. She slumped back onto the step-ladder and dropped her head into her hands. She couldn’t have babbled anymore if she had tried. She rubbed her face and straightened her shoulders. She could always try his cell phone…

No.

Sam grimaced. She had tried his office and his home. If he was out somewhere – maybe even on a date – she was so not disturbing him. She had tried; she had left him a message. She had reached out. She was proud of herself.

Right.

The boxes stared back at her depressingly. She got to her feet and stomped on one empty cardboard box until it was flat. It was therapeutic and made her feel a little better. She bent to pick it up and take it out back to the trash.

The doorbell rang.

She checked the clock; too early for Daniel and Teal’c. It was probably some salesman selling something. She dropped the cardboard and headed for the front door.

o-O-o

Jack hovered nervously, looking around the yard to give him something to focus on and to prevent himself from feeling too much like a teenager calling on a girl for the first time. It was a nice neighbourhood; quiet street. The houses looked well kept; cared for.

He rolled his eyes behind his shades. He couldn’t remember being this nervous with any other woman. Maybe because it was Carter and it meant something; it meant everything. He knew the guys would be arriving later and thought he would time it to arrive early. He and Carter needed to talk and as much as he loved Daniel and Teal’c, it was a conversation that he wanted to have without them walking into it.

In some ways he was pleased that he’d been called back before Carter was out of the infirmary. The break-in to one of the major suppliers of component parts of the 302s had needed Jack’s attention and Carter had understood. He had been strangely sorry to have missed the debriefing but figured that it had been easier for Carter that he had. Her official report detailing her encounters with an Ascended Daniel from another timeline along with an Ascended child named Grace had made interesting reading even if he couldn’t quite shake the feeling that Carter had left out some details. He figured the child he had seen in the window must have been Grace. He wondered how that Daniel had come to be babysitting a kid; maybe he would ask Carter. Still, the early recall to Washington had given Jack some time to get some equilibrium about what had happened back on the planet and he hoped it had given her some equilibrium too.

Back on solid ground without the threat of death hanging over him, Jack had determined that his feelings had been real. He was through with pretending that all he felt for Carter was friendship; that it was enough. It was a risk; changing their friendship for something more but he had a feeling it was a risk worth taking. Maybe he was still worried if he could make her happy; that their relationship would call her achievements into question but…if she was willing to take the chance they had so was he.

He winced at the muggy heat through his clothes. He always forgot how hot Nevada got at times and how bright. The sun drenched everything in an amber glow. He adjusted his shades, shifted the box he held and pulled at the white t-shirt he was wearing. He hoped he wasn’t too sweaty. He finally heard footsteps approaching the door from the other side and straightened, smiling widely to cover his nerves.

‘Sir.’ Sam’s face transformed from shock to pleased delight – at least he hoped it was pleased delight.

‘Hey.’ Jack remarked lightly, taking off his sunglasses. ‘Heard you needed a hand with some unpacking?’

Sam stepped back and he walked into the cool inside with relief.

‘Oh thank God.’ Jack said standing under the air conditioning vent and lifting his face to it with a sigh of pleasure.

‘Beer, sir?’ Sam asked, amused at his glee at finding cool air.

Jack nodded. ‘That would be great.’ He left his spot semi-reluctantly and followed her into the kitchen where he took the cold beer she offered with a nod of thanks. He wondered if it was a good omen that it was his favourite brand. He looked around with interest.

The place looked complete chaos; boxes everywhere, some packed up still, some unpacked. She’d unpacked some photos and placed them on the mantle-piece. He wandered over to take a look; one of Cassie, another of her father, a Carter family group shot when Sam had been young, some school photos of her niece and nephew, another of the team taken in their first year, single shots of Daniel and Teal’c and…and a candid shot of Sam and himself sitting on the dock at his cabin, fishing. He didn’t try stopping the rush of pleasure as his finger traced over the frame with more confidence. He turned around to find her looking at him steadily.

‘I like what you’ve done with the place.’ He said teasingly, gesturing with his beer.

‘I’ve had to take it slowly.’ Sam explained, blushing slightly.

Jack rocked back on his heels and his grip tightened on the box he still carried. ‘Quite right.’

She indicated the doors to the outside with a tilt of her head and he answered her silent question with a nod. She led the way out to a wide deck, encircled with a solid railing. She eschewed the table and chairs and settled at the railing, leaning forward, her elbows on the wood, her own beer dangling between her fingers on the other side.

Jack leaned on the railing next to her. ‘How are the ribs?’

‘Sore.’ Sam smiled to lessen the impact of the simple word. ‘My head’s good though.’

‘Which is excellent news for us all.’ Jack quipped. It felt good to stand next to her in her new place. There were no memories associated with it yet but the ones that were still to be made. It made it truly feel like it was a new start; a clean slate. And it felt good to stand beside her with no uniforms, no rules and no force-shields blocking their way anymore.

She finally gestured at the box he was still carrying. ‘Is that for me?’

‘Actually it is.’ Jack handed it to her.

Sam placed her beer to one side and reached for it. She carefully undid the wrapping and shook the lid free. Jack watched her with anticipation; he was sure she would love the gift but he still couldn’t help the small flicker of fear in his gut that she would hate it.

She reached in and pulled out the telescope. ‘Oh wow.’ She turned it over reverently. ‘Sir, this is…’

‘From Jack.’ Jack stressed a little tersely. He wanted her to know it was a personal gift; not one from an old CO to a junior officer embarking on a new command.

‘Jack.’ Sam said, her eyes lifted to his and he could see the genuine delight rippling through the blue depths before she lowered her gaze again. ‘This is great.’

‘I figured we could set it up later. Watch the stars. It’s supposed to be a great spot out here to see everything.’ Jack explained. Their love of astronomy was something they shared and Carter had often remarked that she had loved his old observation spot on the roof of his house.

She nodded and carefully repacked it. She set aside on the table and before he could react, her lips grazed his cheek. ‘Thank you.’ She made to move back to her original position.

Jack caught hold of her hand. She watched him, a wary note entering her gaze. Jack pressed his lips together as he silently assessed her. She hadn’t moved; was looking at him openly, waiting. He placed his beer on the railing beside him and plucked hers from her loose grip to join it. He shifted to face her fully.

He wondered how he started; what he would say. All his rehearsed words fled his mind. She looked up at him expectantly. Her wariness shifted to amusement as the silence continued.

‘Oh to hell with this.’ Jack tugged her firmly toward him and covered her mouth with his.

Need.

It was all he could feel. Sam was all that he could taste. He revelled in her response; the way her lips parted, the way she clutched at his t-shirt, her body pressing into his. He shifted his weight to bring her closer, his hand releasing hers to slide around her body and hold her against him. His other hand slid upwards, through the short blonde strands.

They needed air.

Jack eased away from her; only an inch. He wasn’t sure he wanted anymore distance between them. His thumb caught the moisture brimming at the corner of one eye. He held her; his head dipping into the crook of her neck as he wrapped himself around her.

‘So,’ he said eventually without letting go of her, ‘I’ve been thinking.’

‘Uh-huh.’ Sam agreed; her words mumbled into his chest.

‘About marriage.’ Jack froze at his words and winced as she immediately stiffened. ‘I mean, a date.’

Sam shifted in his arms to look at him.

‘Actually, I was thinking about marriage.’ Jack admitted ruefully. ‘But I figure we should probably do the date thing first and Hayes kinda agreed when he gave us permission.’

Sam blushed at the realisation he’d asked for permission even as she laughed. She smiled brilliantly at him before she kissed him.

It distracted him.

‘Jack.’ Sam said teasingly when she pulled away, just enough to look into his eyes. ‘I don’t need the date thing.’

‘You don’t?’ Jack looked at her sceptically. ‘You sure about that?’

Her eyes lit up with a happiness that stole his breath; he’d done that, made her happy.

‘Just you.’ She said quietly.

‘That I can do.’ Jack promised her. He buried his face in her hair; soaked in the feel of her. They still had the details to work out but it didn’t matter; what mattered was that they’d finally stopped wasting time and taken their chance. He couldn’t believe he was holding her; that she was finally in his arms; that they were finally together. He frowned suddenly. ‘Did you, uh, just agree to marry me?’

Sam nodded, giving away her own sense of shaky disbelief. ‘I think I did.’ Her fingers caressed the back of his neck before ruffling through his short hair. She stared at him. ‘This is real, right?’

Jack kissed her. ‘Real enough for you?’

She tugged him back to her.

‘Sweet.’ Jack was smiling when he kissed her again.

A breeze rushed over them, warm and familiar, like the approval of an old friend. It caused them to shift closer and the sun continued to shine overhead, encompassing them within its light.

fin.