WackyJacqsFanFiction

Tangled Threads (Ch 28-30)

 

CHAPTER 28
 

"That was great, Jack," Daniel said as he dropped his napkin onto the empty plate and relaxed back into his seat.

 

"Indeed, O'Neill. It was most nutritious," Teal'c added with a satisfied smile, with Sam nodding in agreement.

 

"It was very good. And not a burnt piece of steak in sight," she grinned cheekily.

 

Jack shot her a warning look from his seat to her left and she pursed her lips to try and tame her obvious amusement. Their interaction caused Daniel and Teal'c to share a look of their own before Daniel cleared his throat to catch their attention.

 

"So, uh... what's with... that?" he asked warily, waving a hand vaguely between Jack and Sam.

 

They glanced at each other in confusion, before returning their gaze to Daniel.

 

"What's with what?" Jack asked, a blank expression on his face.

 

"Uh, well... General Hammond gave us..." He gestured to Teal'c who was sitting between him and Sam, "Well, you both, uh, seem..."

 

Jack sighed as Daniel shot Teal'c a look for help, while Sam bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from smiling.

 

"Daniel Jackson merely wishes to say both yourself and Colonel Carter appear most at ease in each other's company."

 

"Yeah, that's what I meant," Daniel confirmed sheepishly.

 

"What's that got to do with Hammond?" Jack asked.

 

Teal'c opened his mouth to answer, only for Daniel to jump in.

 

"It doesn't matter," he said, waving off his concern as nonchalantly as possible.

 

He knew Jack wouldn't let the issue go for long, but he really didn't want to have to explain it right now. Especially considering neither Jack nor Sam had given him anything to work with since his arrival.

 

Jack narrowed his eyes at Daniel in suspicion, before sharing another quick exchange with Sam. He shrugged an eloquent shoulder before pushing back his chair and began to gather up the dinner dishes.

 

"There's nothing 'up' Daniel," Jack started. "Carter's just realized what a vacation actually entails... and decided she's enjoying it."

 

"It would be better if there were fish for her to actually fish with though, no?" Daniel asked sarcastically, his eyebrows furrowing above the top of his glasses.

 

Jack sighed dramatically. "It's not about the fish per se, Danny Boy," he explained, waving his hand emphatically. "It's about the act of fishing."

 

At Daniel's disbelieving stare, he rolled his eyes.

 

"Oh fer cryin' out loud," he muttered as he reclaimed his seat. "Okay, so maybe there used to be fish in the pond. Over the years... I don't know, I guess Mother Nature had her hand in things and the numbers slowly diminished. The local wildlife also invited themselves to dinner," he added glibly. "I always intended to restock it, but since I'm not here that often, there didn't seem to be a point. Besides, it's nice to do absolutely nothing but sit in a chair and relax for a change," he finished with a shrug.

 

"So... you have actually caught a fish?" Sam asked, surprise evident in her face.

 

"Why, yes I have, Carter. Don't look so surprised," he replied, slightly affronted at her doubt.

 

"How big was it?"

 

"Oh, it was big."

 

Seeing his three friends in doubt as to the size of his catch, he rolled his eyes.

 

"I'm telling ya. It was this big," he insisted, proceeding to confirm his point by opening his arms out wide.

 

"What age were you?" Daniel asked with a raised brow.

 

"Fffmer."

 

"What?"

 

"Four or five," Jack mumbled, causing the rest of the table's occupants to burst into rapturous laughter.

 

Mumbling something incoherent, he stood again and stacked the final few plates before reaching over the table for Daniel's. The younger man stopped laughing long enough to risk a quick glance at Sam, before shaking his head.

 

"It's okay. I'll give you a hand," he said, wiping the tears from his eyes and leaving an amused Teal'c and Sam sitting outside. As he stepped inside the cabin, they tried not to laugh again when they heard Jack's sarcastic 'Watch yourself, Danny,' echoing from the doorway.

 

***
 

Jack unceremoniously dumped the plates into the sink, causing Daniel to grimace at the noise. When he turned on the hot water, the younger man glanced over his shoulder and took a deep breath.

 

"So..."

 

"So?" Jack repeated, his back facing Daniel.

 

"Sam seems to be doing okay."

 

It came out as more of a statement than a question, and Daniel couldn't help but wince as the words left his mouth. He had planned to bring the conversation around to Sam casually instead of jumping in with both feet like he had. However his wince turned into a concerned frown when Jack finally turned to face him with a slight grin on his face.

 

"What?" he asked in confusion.

 

Drying his hands, Jack casually threw the cloth on the worktop behind him before leaning back against it, one hand braced on the edge either side of his body.

 

"Not even bothering with the small talk this time," Jack asked casually.

 

"Uh, well..."

 

His mumbling caused Jack to raise an eyebrow in amusement. It was only when Jack's eyebrow remained arched, that Daniel noticed he was expecting small talk of some kind. He rolled his eyes as he attempted to pacify the fully-grown child standing in front of him.

 

"Jack! Enjoying your vacation?"

 

"Why yes, Daniel. As a matter of fact, I am."

 

"Good! Good."

 

"Missing your rocks yet?"

 

"Jack!"

 

"What?"

 

"They aren't rocks."

 

"Yes they are."

 

"Are not."

 

"Are too."

 

"Whatever. You're avoiding my question."

 

"What question?"

 

"About Sam."

 

"Oh. No, I'm not."

 

"Are too."

 

"Are not."

 

"Are too."

 

"Are not."

 

"Too."

 

"You're avoiding mine."

 

"What?"

 

"Rocks!"

 

Daniel let out a low growl of frustration. How he always managed to get suckered in to Jack O'Neill's games, he would never know. And once he saw Jack smirk, just before he turned back to the sink, he rolled his eyes.

 

"So..."

 

"So?"

 

"Is she okay?" Daniel asked exasperated.

 

Jack hung his head before slowly turning back to face his friend.

 

"Yeah, she's happy."

 

Slightly startled that Jack answered his question so honestly, it took Daniel a few seconds to actually register his answer.

 

"Oh, well that's... that's good," he answered.

 

Jack studied him closely. He pursed his lips before jerking his head at Daniel to spill whatever was bothering him.

 

Daniel shifted uncomfortably at Jack's silent demand. He should have known nothing would get past a Black Ops trained soldier like Jack O'Neill.

 

"Has she, uh, with Jacob..."

 

"She'll be okay, Daniel," Jack quietly reassured him, not really wanting to talk about Sam breaking down in his arms a couple of nights previously.

 

Daniel nodded slowly at Jack's answer. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and focused on the floor in front of him as he rocked back on his heels a couple of times before finally returning his gaze to Jack. He tilted his head to the side and noticed the sudden change in his friend. He watched in fascination at the softness in his voice, his eyes, his entire stance as he stood leaning against the worktop. He was calm, genuinely calm and vastly different than the deceptive calm exterior he so often liked to portray. Right now, Daniel saw a man no longer burdened down with regrets or horrors. Instead, he saw a man who was content, at peace, happy.

 

"I know she will, she always is," Daniel spoke up, "But... she'll not keep everything bottle up, will she? I mean -"

 

"No."

 

Jack tilted his head to the side as he observed Daniel's reaction. His eyes had widened slightly at the short answer he had been given, but as he looked to Jack, he read the conversation in his eyes. In turn, Jack saw the instant realization passed through Daniel's. She had already started to mourn her father, and Jack had been there with her, and for her. As it should be.

 

"Dessert's in the fridge," Jack stated, turning back to the sink and indicating the end of the conversation.

***
 

"How's the bug repellent holding up, Teal'c?" Sam asked once Daniel and Jack had entered the cabin and she had her laughing under control.

 

Teal'c's brow furrowed slightly at her question and she smiled, rephrasing her question.

 

"Is it keeping the bugs away?"

 

Understanding, he dipped his head slightly.

 

"Indeed, Colonel Carter. It appears most effective in repelling the... bugs."

 

Sam found herself giggling again before nodding her approval. "Good."

 

After a couple minutes of comfortable silence, Teal'c spoke.

 

"Daniel Jackson was indeed correct."

 

Seeing Sam's brow arch in curiosity, he continued.

 

"It appears you are most at ease at O'Neill's cabin."

 

Choking on the sip of beer she had just taken, Sam waved a hand at Teal'c when he moved to assist her.

 

"I am," she choked out, once she regained her composure. "Really, I am."

 

She gave Teal'c one of her megawatt smiles and as he studied her closely, he nodded in approval.

 

"I am most glad," he added, a small smile appearing on his face.

 

They didn't need to say anything else. Teal'c had been the one to hold Sam when Jack had been missing with Maybourne, and Teal'c was the one who spoke to her from the heart less than a week ago about taking that final step with the General. She was just about to thank Teal'c for his valuable advice when she caught Jack and Daniel returning.

 

"Who wants cake?" Jack sing-songed as he stepped back onto the small deck and set a delicious chocolate cake down at his place setting.

 

Snorting in amusement, Sam stood up from her seat and lifted the cake over to her setting. At an undignified grunt from Jack, she shrugged sheepishly.

 

"We do all want some cake, Sir."

 

She winced immediately and Daniel and Teal'c didn't fail to miss Jack tense at her slip up.

 

"Sorry," she mumbled.

 

Darting his gaze to his hands, he reached out silently and passed Sam the knife to divide the cake.

 

"Uh, guys... is everything okay?" Daniel asked warily, noticing how the tension around the small table had just multiplied tenfold at such a small word.

 

Neither Jack nor Sam gave him an immediate answer, but he watched as they slowly met each other’s gaze. Seeing them have one of their infamous conversations with their eyes, he was more than content to wait for an answer.

 

Eventually, at the slightest nod of Jack's head, he saw Sam's shoulders slacken slightly. She resumed her task of cutting the cake, while Jack cleared his throat awkwardly, running a hand across the back of his neck.

 

"Everything's fine," he admitted. He let out a deep breath and puffed out his cheeks, before continuing. "But we need to talk to you about something."

 

They saw their friends' exchange concerned glances, but they remained silent and waited until they all had a slice of cake.

 

All of them ate in silence for a few minutes, none of them sure as to who should begin the conversation, or how.

 

Eventually, it was Sam who spoke.

 

She had only had one mouthful of cake, and whilst it was good, she realized she wasn't hungry anymore and resorted to pushing the food around her plate as an alternative. Looking up, she gave each of her teammates a long, caring look before sighing softly. She set her fork beside her plate and let her hands fall to her lap, her fingers intertwining.

 

"This is it, isn't it?"

 

She noticed all three men tense slightly, before exchanging knowing looks. Daniel mirrored her earlier actions and pushed his plate away from him. Teal'c sat even straighter in his chair and Sam could just make out the slightest glisten in his eye as he fought to control his emotions. Lastly, she saw Jack. His expression was neutral and his eyes were black. She went to reach out to him under the table when his fingers brushed lightly across her knee.

 

Her question was short and simple, but the answer was anything but. It was a loaded question for the four people around the table, but they all understood her statement clearly. This was likely to be their last ever get together as SG-1. At least officially... And probably for a considerable amount of time now that they were about to go their separate ways.

 

"Yeah," Jack eventually mumbled. "Yeah, it is," he added, lifting his eyes from the tabletop.

 

Sam closed her eyes and dipped her head as she heard the news confirmed, but she was strengthened slightly as Jack's grip tightened on her leg.

 

"I intend to return to Dakara as soon as possible to help the newly freed Jaffa," Teal'c said solemnly from Sam's right.

 

She cast him a small smile whilst Jack nodded slightly, as did Daniel.

 

"I shall miss you all greatly," he continued and Sam felt herself swallowing hard.

 

It was one of the rare occasions where Teal'c's emotions were on the surface as he battled with his emotions. She could see how much this was affecting him from the way his muscles in his neck and around his mouth twitched as he struggled to inform his friends of the new direction his life was taking; a new direction without them by his side every day of the year.

 

"However," he added with a tilt of the head. "I will endeavor to maintain regular contact with you all."

 

One of Sam's hands was now interlaced with Jack's under the table, but with her free hand, she reached across the table and squeezed Teal'c's arm.

 

"I'm going to miss you too, Teal'c," she said, her voice thick with emotion, but she refused to let her tears fall, not yet. He nodded at her 'goodbye' before encasing her hand in his and giving it a gentle squeeze.

 

"Uh, yeah," Daniel piped up after a moment.

 

He pushed his glasses up his nose before furrowing his brows as he thought over his words.

 

"I'm, ah, heading out to Atlantis," he said eventually, scanning his friends' faces before returning his attention to his half eaten slice of cake.

 

Sam's eyes glistened even more as she heard Daniel's words. He was like a brother to her and when she first joined the SGC, he was the one she had bonded with immediately. She had watched him fight for what he believed in. She had watched him fall injured in the line of duty. She watched him die and she still marveled that he was given back to them, but now she was facing the fact that he was going to be in an entirely different galaxy soon, and unlike Teal'c, would be unable to make a casual trip home through the gate.

 

It was all too much for Sam and she felt Jack squeeze her hand as she drew a shaky breath.

 

"I'm going to miss you too, Daniel," she said with a sad smile, before pulling her hand free from Jack's and swiping it hastily under her eyes.

 

"Same here, Sam," Daniel answered as he looked at her through glistening blue eyes of his own. "And I know I'll not be able to visit anywhere near what I would like too, but..."

 

He trailed off as a wistful smile crossed his face.

 

"Just think of all the cool technology I'll be able to bring you back when I do eventually visit," he offered.

 

She chuckled softly at his attempt to lighten the mood and couldn't help but reciprocate the wink he sent her across the table. They all fell into silence again, and when Daniel took a deep breath before looking at Teal'c, both Sam and Jack knew what was coming.

 

"What about you two?"

 

They glanced at each other and had another brief conversation with their eyes. They knew there were two different levels to Daniel's question. One was professional, the other personal. As one, they decided to answer the professional aspect first.

 

"Hammond's retiring," Jack started, knowing Sam would appreciate the extra minutes to gather her thoughts together. He studied his beer bottle, picking idly at the corner of the label. "I'm replacing him as head of Homeworld Security."

 

Daniel's eyes widened and his jaw fell open at Jack's declaration. Opening and closing his mouth a couple of times, he stumbled over his words before frowning.

 

"Uh, well, congratulations. I guess," he answered hastily as he witnessed a myriad of emotions run through Jack's features. When he nodded his thanks, Teal'c joined the conversation.

 

"Indeed, O'Neil. This is a most worthy appointment."

 

"Thanks, buddy," he said quietly, and whilst his thanks was genuine, Daniel could tell his enthusiasm for his new role wasn't.

 

His eyes slid across to Sam and he tilted his head. She still seemed upset, but nowhere near as shocked as he thought she would have been at the latest announcement.

 

"Sam?" Daniel asked quietly, lifting a brow when her eyes flew to his.

 

She sucked in a breath before clearing her throat. When she spoke, her voice was quiet.

 

"I'm being reassigned to Area 51. I'll be overseeing their R&D department."

 

Daniel's reaction was pretty similar as to Jack's announcement and both him and Teal'c offered their congratulations again. After a minute Daniel frowned - partly in confusion and partly in bother - as he thought of his friends' reactions.

 

"You don't seem surprised at the news," he said slowly, fixing them both with a pointed look.

 

"No," Jack answered before Sam had a choice.

 

The abrupt answer caused Daniel's eyes to widen in surprise but he decided against saying anything else, opting to wait for Jack to continue.

 

"We, ah... talked... about our new roles before you guys arrived," Sam offered as she realised Jack wasn't going to.

 

"Oh. So, you're both... leaving?"

 

Daniel's question made them share another quick exchange.

 

"I'm heading to Washington. Sam's headed to Nevada."

 

"I'm going to spend some time with Cass, while I'm there," Sam added.

 

Daniel nodded his approval at Sam's reason, while Teal'c dipped his head slightly.

 

"That is most honorable, Colonel Carter," Teal'c said earnestly.

 

She smiled at him, but when she met Daniel's eye, she frowned.

 

"What's wrong, Daniel?"

 

His eyes bugged at her question and he stumbled over his answer.

 

"Th... that's it?" he asked in disbelief.

 

"Yeah," Jack said softly, feeling Sam tense beside him.

 

"So... you're both leaving? Alone?"

 

He resisted the urge to roll his eyes as his friends sat in front of him. He was so sure that something was going to happen between them, but from the way they were talking, he was no longer sure. And from the sounds of it, it was because their jobs were getting in the way. Again.

 

"We don't have a choice, Daniel," Sam said softly, reading his underlying question.

 

"Yes, you do!" He replied in exasperation as he pulled off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

 

"Daniel -" Jack warned as he felt Sam tense again at his outburst.

 

"Oh, come on Jack! We're on vacation, so we can talk freely, right? After everything you've been through... this is how it's going to be?"

 

"Daniel," Jack repeated, his voice low.

 

"You're just going to walk away... and put your jobs before yourselves again?"

 

"Daniel," Sam quietly pleaded.

 

"This is probably the best chance you'll ever have to -"

 

"Daniel!"

 

Jack's barked answer caused Sam to jump in her seat, Teal'c to raise an eyebrow in alarm and Daniel to immediately shut up. He let out a small groan as he ran a hand across his face and letting out a deep sigh, he looked straight at Daniel.

 

"We have our orders, Daniel," he said simply, as if that explained everything.

 

Casting a quick glance at Sam, who was fiddling idly with the pendant on her necklace, Jack continued.

 

"No matter where Sam would transfer, she'd still be under my command - the rules would still be there."

 

Daniel let out a short bitter laugh at his friends' words.

 

"You know," he replied slowly as he placed his glasses back onto his nose, "This is one of the reasons I can't stand the Air Force. It's so fu-"

 

"Daniel Jackson," Teal'c interrupted, sensing exactly what his teammates next words were going to be.

 

Sam drew another shaky breath before pushing her chair back.

 

"If you'll excuse me for a minute," she said quietly, offering a wan smile.

 

She refused to meet any of their gazes as she brushed past Jack and headed into the cabin. Just before she slid the glass door closed behind her, she heard Jack's concerned, but angry growl.

 

"Nice going, Daniel."

***

CHAPTER 29

***

Sam focused on placing one foot in front of the other until she reached the safety of Jack's guest room. She closed the door behind her and sank heavily against it as she tried to stop the swimming sensations going around her head.

 

Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes slowly and tried to stamp down the overwhelming rush of emotions bombarding her.

 

She knew Daniel was frustrated, and she didn't blame him for reacting the way he did, but she also couldn't help the frustration building inside of her. Both her and Jack had tried to get his attention as he spoke, but to no avail.

 

Ultimately, their decision to tell their friends about their 'whirlwind romance' was not going at all how they planned.

 

Then again, Sam snorted, they hadn't really planned on how they were going to tell them, just that they would. Yet, once Daniel started arguing about them putting their jobs before their own happiness, and he refused to listen when they tried to interrupt, she knew everything had gone to hell in a handbasket.

 

It was why she had made the decision to leave. Despite sitting outdoors, in the fresh Minnesota air, she felt like she was suffocating and needed time away to catch her breath.

 

She also needed to clear her head and think of a way to salvage the evening, and bring the conversation back around to her and Jack's relationship. This was one thing she really didn't want to put off telling Daniel and Teal'c for long - and not just because of the limited time frame they already had. They were a team; they weren't supposed to keep secrets from each other, that much they had decided years ago.

 

Sam sighed heavily. She loved Daniel, she really did, but there were times when he would become so fixated with something, so absorbed in something, that he would miss the point entirely. She jumped suddenly at the thought. Ironically, her description of Daniel, was much like herself with her work and she realized that she couldn't hold that criticism against her friend. He was only arguing for something he believed strongly in, and the fact that it concerned her and Jack's happiness, touched Sam.

 

However, his earlier words and subsequent reaction to her and Jack still having to be apart to be together hit her harder than she thought and as she listened to him talking, she thought about how difficult their new relationship really was going to be.

 

She knew there were numerous military officers who had a successful marriage, despite the likelihood of them being away from home for months at a time, and she couldn't help but think of her mom and dad. They also had a happy marriage and her mom did a fantastic job with her and Mark when their father was away on missions. Yet she knew her father's absence wasn't always welcomed in the household. Not namely because his devotion to his work meant he failed to pick up her mom from work one afternoon and...

 

Sam squeezed her eyes shut at the memories and staggered to the bed, sitting down heavily. When her breathing evened out again, she scolded herself. She knew she was panicking, and right now, that was the last thing she needed.

 

Staring blindly at the space in front of her, Jack's words rang around her head.

 

I know we can make this work.

 

She smiled softly. He was right. They would make it work, because it was them.

 

Bracing her hands on the edge of the bed, she pushed herself to her feet and walked over to the small dresser beside the bed. Crouching down, she opened the bottom drawer and pulled out her toiletries bag. As she unzipped it, her eyes fell upon the black velvet box Jack had given her that morning and she plucked out the engagement ring.

 

She bit the inside of her cheek as she studied it closely. Making a decision, she wrapped her fingers around it and took a deep breath.

 

***

Daniel stared at Sam's retreating back in shock before becoming strangely infuriated at Jack's growled warning.

 

"What?" he snapped back.

 

His reaction surprised Jack briefly before he schooled his features, his eyes darkening to the point of black.

 

"Oh, come on Jack! You're not as stupid as you pretend to be. You're really going to just let Sam walk away... again? Didn't you learn your lesson with Pete?"

 

"Of course I did," Jack retorted, anger creeping into his voice. "But -"

 

"But what, Jack?"

 

Jack slammed his beer down on the table before dragging a hand through his hair.

 

"What do you want me to do, Daniel?"

 

"I... well... uh..."

 

"Exactly!" Jack said, flicking his hand towards the now speechless younger man. "You think it's as easy as walking up to the President or the Head of the Air Force and saying, 'Screw your regulations?'"

 

At Daniel's silence, he continued.

 

"Because it's not. And I know because I tried it," he said in a low, dangerous tone, before taking a swig of beer.

 

"You... you tried it?" Daniel asked, his eyes widening in shock.

 

"When I was in DC," Jack admitted quietly, his earlier anger vanishing.

 

"And they said no?" Daniel asked incredulously.

 

"Keep your voice down, Danny," Jack hissed.

 

"They really said no?" he repeated.

 

"Yup."

 

"Just like that?"

 

Jack shrugged non-committedly as he answered. "They gave some speech beforehand... but essentially, the answer was no."

 

Jack winced the moment the words left his mouth and he watched out of the corner of his eye as Daniel shook his head in bewilderment, not knowing what else to say. He returned to picking at the label on his bottle of beer and he could literally hear the thoughts running around Daniel's head.

 

After everything Jack and Sam had given the Air Force. After all the times they had risked their lives to save Earth...

 

Jack risked a glance at his two friends, but once he saw Daniel's head snap up, he let out a heavy sigh.

 

Shit.

 

He knew what was coming, and he really didn't want to explain it to Daniel when Sam wasn't by his side. He couldn't - wouldn't - do that to her.

 

As if reading his thoughts, Daniel's voice cut through the silence.

 

"What do you mean 'essentially'?"

 

Jack remained silent, and as Daniel started to repeat his question, Jack placed his bottle down on the table.

 

"I heard you the first time."

 

"Okay. So...?"

 

Jack's jaw tensed as he tried to think of an answer, but all he could think was 'Where the hell has Sam got to?'

 

After a moment, he sighed.

 

"Look, Daniel -"

 

"Jack -"

 

"Daniel, will you just shut up and listen?"

 

Doing as he was told, Daniel snapped his mouth shut before having the decency to look sheepish.

 

"See, how is it that you can do what you're told now?" Jack grumbled as he downed the remains of his beer.

 

The younger man shook his head in confusion. "Huh?"

 

"Did you not hear me tell you to shut up back there?" Jack replied, jerking his head towards the cabin where Sam had disappeared.

 

Daniel frowned. "When did you say shut up?"

 

"When I said your name the first time!" Jack bit out.

 

Seeing Daniel's brows furrow deeper, he rolled his eyes. "When you were off on your rant about the Air Force, didn't you hear Carter or I try to get you to stop?"

 

Daniel spread his hands in front of him, waving them around widely in the air. "Only because you didn't like what I was saying."

 

"Only because we had more to tell you," Jack snapped.

 

At Daniel's silence, Jack raised his eyebrows in an 'oh yeah' gesture. He opened his mouth to speak when movement out of the corner of his eye drew his attention. Snapping his mouth shut, he waved an index finger as a warning for Daniel to keep quiet.

***

Sam smiled as she returned to the table and hoped it didn't look as fake as it felt.

 

"Sorry, I just..." She started to apologize for her abrupt departure when Daniel cut across her.

 

"No, I'm sorry, Sam. I shouldn't have said anything... it's just..."

 

He cast a glance between his friends before looking at Teal'c.

 

"We care about you - both of you - a lot," he stressed. "We just want you to be happy."

 

Jack and Sam shared a look before smiling softly.

 

"I know," Sam said as she dragged her attention back to Daniel. "And we appreciate it," she added, before stretching underneath the table for Jack's hand.

 

He clasped her left hand in his and brushed his thumb across her fingers, freezing when he reached her ring finger. He felt himself grin slightly and as he risked a glance over at Sam, he noticed she had the same look on her face. He knew this was it.

 

"Jack's right," she said, sounding more confident than she felt, and at Daniel's confused expression, she continued. "The rules are still there, and technically I would fall under his command, no matter where I was stationed."

 

Seeing that her friend was about to interrupt, she continued quickly. "I wouldn't resign my commission from the Air Force. Neither Jack or I want that -"

 

"Neither does the President," Jack interjected, earning a glare from Sam.

 

"But..." she emphasized, casting one final look at Jack. When he gave her an imperceptible nod, she added; "They did give us an alternative."

 

Two pairs of eyes shot to Jack at her words, before Daniel and Teal'c slowly looked at each other.

 

Daniel looked astounded at her confession, whilst Teal'c looked mildly smug; and as the former remained sitting gaping like a fish, Teal'c spoke with an incredibly calm voice.

 

"To what do you refer, Colonel Carter?"

 

"Well," she said, taking a deep breath.

 

"Hayes made it clear that the frat rules weren't going to go away," Jack replied. "But with my going to Washington, and Sam going to Area 51, we could get around them."

 

"So... for you to be together... you have to be apart?" Daniel chimed in with a frown as he found his voice again.

 

"Essentially," Jack nodded.

 

With a slight nudge from Carter's elbow in his side, Jack continued.

 

"Carter's time at the SGC finishes in about 10 days time, but her posting at Groom Lake doesn't begin for a further four weeks after that."

 

"And...?" Daniel asked impatiently as he tried to figure out where this was going.

 

"And..." Jack drawled as he enjoyed teasing his friend.

 

"Jack won't be my Commanding Officer for those four weeks," Sam confirmed, looking the man straight in the eyes.

 

At this, Teal'c caught Jack's eye and Jack watched in amazement as a genuine smile graced the usual stoic face of the Jaffa. His friend had got it, and he couldn't help but grin. Now, he just needed to wait for Daniel to catch up.

 

"So, you'll... do what for those four weeks?" the younger man asked.

 

Another nudge was swiftly sent in Jack's direction when a smug smile crept on his face.

 

"I mean," Daniel said, rolling his eyes and desperately trying to ignore the blush he could feel spreading across his face, "Once those four weeks finish... you'll go back to the way things were?"

 

"No," they chorused.

 

Daniel leant one elbow on the table and leant forward in his seat as Sam took a deep breath.

 

"The only way we can be together officially after those four weeks... is if are married."

***
 

Daniel's elbow suddenly fell off the edge of the table, whilst Teal'c raised both eyebrows upon hearing Sam's words.

 

"Uh, you, uh... what?"

 

Sam opened her mouth to repeat her sentence, only for Teal'c to intervene.

 

"I believe O'Neill and Colonel Carter are to be wed in holy matrimony," he said simply, not hiding the obvious grin now on his face.

 

"Uh..."

 

"I'll take that as a 'Congratulations', Danny?" Jack grinned.

 

"Uh... wait... you said yes?"

 

Sam stifled a laugh at the incredulous look Jack threw Daniel, and realizing how it sounded, the younger man sank back into his chair and cringed. Sam however knew Jack was on the verge of some smart retort, so she jumped in to answer her friends' question. With a genuine smile on her face, she untangled her hand from Jack's and lifted it above the table for the first time since she returned.

 

"Yes, Daniel," she said as she held up her hand to let them see for themselves that she had, indeed, said yes.

 

Dragging his eyes away from Sam's hand, Daniel looked at Jack and was met with a shit-eating grin. He shook his head in disbelief, but within seconds, he was wearing a similar expression.

 

He slowly pushed his chair back and walked around the table to reach Sam. Sensing what he was going to do, she stood and immediately found herself pulled into a fierce bear hug.

 

"Congratulations, Sam," he whispered in her ear when she trembled slightly in his arms. Pulling back, Sam smiled at the genuine happiness she saw on Daniel's face.

 

"Thank you," she whispered.

 

He reached over and gently wiped away a stray tear, before pulling her closer again. He held her for a few seconds before placing a kiss on her cheek. Glancing over her shoulder, he was surprised to see Jack was now also standing and watching them with interest.

 

Giving Sam's hand one last squeeze, he stepped around her to Jack. Coming to a stop in front of him, Daniel started to say something, before he stopped. Instead, he nodded his head slowly before smiling.

 

"Congratulations, Jack," he said honestly.

 

"Thanks, Spacemonkey," Jack replied good naturedly as they simultaneously moved to pull the other into a 'manly' hug, slapping each other on the back.

 

Resting a hand on Jack's shoulder, Daniel followed the older man's gaze and turned to see Teal'c speaking quietly to Sam. When he had finished, he had tears in his eyes and they watched Sam's shoulders shake an instant before they heard a choked sob. The next thing they witnessed was Sam flinging herself into Teal'c's arms whilst he tenderly held her.

 

They stood like that for a few minutes before Jack stepped forward and grabbed Teal'c's arm as he accepted his congratulatory words. Releasing his friend, Jack shifted to stand just behind Sam and place his hands on her shoulders. Her left hand immediately came up to rest on his and she intertwined their fingers. She angled her head to look up at him and smiled as Jack pressed a kiss against her temple.

 

Daniel and Teal'c shared a look of their own as they watched their friends slowly lose track of time as they stared into each others' eyes.

 

"Oh!" Daniel suddenly exclaimed, his eyes widening in realization of something. He clicked his fingers and virtually jumped up and down on the spot, before swinging around to Teal'c saying, "I get it now!"

 

"Get what?" Jack asked with a frown as he looked up.

 

"Nothing," Daniel replied quickly before he turned to Teal'c. With a pointed look, he nodded towards the cabin.

 

"Uh, Teal'c, why don't we clear up here."

 

Understanding his friends' hidden message, he dipped his head and complied. Jack and Sam moved to help only to be halted when Daniel held up a hand.

 

"No, we've got it covered," he insisted with a sly smile.

 

His response caused his two friends two exchange a suspicious look, but before Sam could say anything, Jack tugged gently on her hand.

 

"C'mon," he murmured.

***

CHAPTER 30

 

***

Jack led Sam down from the deck and towards the small dock. Coming to a stop at the edge, he turned and pulled her closer. His arms formed a secure loop around her hips, whilst hers snaked perfectly around his neck, her fingers playing with the short hair at the nape of his neck.

 

"You okay?"

 

Sam smiled at his question, before answering just as quietly.

 

"Ya sure you betcha."

 

Nodding his approval, Jack's eyes darted to her lips. Before he could make any further moves however, Sam leant forward and pressed her lips to his.

 

It was a simple gesture and the most delicate of touches, but as Jack responded, it became so much more. It was a slow sensual kiss; one full of passion, love and promise. A true lover's kiss.

 

Breaking apart when the when the need for oxygen became too great, Jack rested his forehead against Sam's as they tried to catch their breath. The sound of Daniel conveniently clearing his throat nearby drew their attention, but neither of them moved; they were content to just remain in each other's arms.

 

"Whatcha got there?" Jack asked curiously when Daniel and Teal'c came to a stop beside them.

 

They were holding their hands behind their backs and Jack leant towards them slightly to try and get a better look at what they were hiding, but a playful tap from Sam on his shoulder had him pulling back.

 

"Remember when I said I got it?" He waited until Jack nodded an affirmative. "Well, it makes a little more sense now," Daniel said cryptically, causing both his friends to frown.

 

Jack raised his brows in a silent demand for Daniel to explain what he was talking about. The younger man rolled his eyes at Jack's impatience before he smirked and produced a long, narrow gift bag from behind his back.

 

Seeing the couples' expressions, Daniel silently asked for permission to investigate further. At Jack's nod, he peered into the bag and whistled quietly in appreciation before pulling out a bottle of very fancy and very expensive looking champagne.

 

"Salon 1995," Sam uttered quietly as she read the label.

 

"Nice," Jack whistled, causing three pairs of eyes to look at him with interest.

 

He shrugged innocently.

 

"What? It's not all about the Guinness, y'know?" he quipped, causing Sam to snort, and Teal'c to tilt his head and smile. Daniel sighed in exasperation at his friends' answer, and as he caught Sam's eye he watched the slightest frown crease her forehead.

 

He handed the bottle to her as she shifted in Jack's arms and he let go long enough to let her to take the bottle from Daniel, before he slipped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist again.

 

Seeing her unspoken question, Daniel smiled knowingly.

 

"General Hammond sends his regards."

 

Jack leant forward at Daniel's words and rested his chin on Sam's shoulder. He watched as Sam carefully lifted the label tied around the neck of the bottle. She felt Jack grin against her neck before replacing it with a quick kiss.

 

It's about time.

 

Congratulations!

 

Uncle George

 

x

 

"He, ah, dropped by the mountain just before we left. He gave us this, but didn't say why," Daniel explained. "For what it's worth... I couldn't agree with him more."

 

"Indeed," Teal'c added warmly before producing four glasses from behind his back.

 

"Shall we?" Sam asked, holding up the bottle.

 

"We shall," Jack grinned, taking it from her.

 

He popped open the champagne and filled the glasses before delegating one to each of his friends.

 

"I think this calls for a toast," Daniel said after a minute.

 

He looked at the three people before him. They were no longer just his team mates. They were his friends. Friends who had stuck by him through his loss, his numerous injuries, his death and subsequent return to civilization.

 

They'd seen him at his best, and worst. They'd seen him when he was sane, when he had been brainwashed and when he had been crazy. They knew his strengths and weaknesses, yet they had never turned their back on him, or failed him. And he knew they never would.

 

They helped him when he Sha're was abducted and taken host by the Goa'uld. They supported him when she died at the hands of Teal'c. They supported him the many times he was captured or lost off-world. They trusted him to lead the way as they made initial contact with new civilizations, and they believed in him when no one else would.

 

Even as they prepared to go their separate ways and he would soon be joining the Atlantis crew, he knew Jack, Sam and Teal'c would always be there for him, and waiting for him to come home.

 

"To friends," he said, his eyes glistening as he held his drink in the air.

 

***
 

Sam glanced to the three men standing around her. They had been her teammates for the last eight years, and even with the General's promotion, she would always view him as part of their team. SG-1.

 

It was the best command Sam had ever been fortunate enough to be a part of, and for the first time in her career, she felt like she actually belonged within an Air Force unit. They were the first teammates who viewed her as someone. Not just a woman. They were able to look beyond the blonde hair, blue eyes and long legs to see the real officer underneath.

 

They knew she was a strong soldier and good at her job, but over the years as they watched her receive her promotions, she knew they watched her develop into an even stronger soldier and a leader. Despite her initial reservations, they supported her and encouraged her in her new role.

 

They treated her as their equal, something she appreciated. They knew she was more than able to defend herself from an enemy attack - verbal or otherwise - but they'd also be the first to jump in and defend her because they respected her, cared for her, loved her.

 

They'd seen her at her best and worst. They were aware of her strengths and weaknesses. They had always been there for her and she knew they always would be.

 

Her job had given her so many opportunities and allowed her to experience things others could only dream about.

 

It had healed her once strained relationship with her father and given her a few more precious years to spend with him. Now, whilst his death was still fresh in her mind and she knew there would be days when she would miss him more than anything; there was no doubt in her mind that she would be okay.

 

She knew, because her job had brought these three men before her into her life. They were no longer her teammates. They were no longer even her friends. They were her family.

 

She lifted her glass to meet Daniel's, trying desperately to ignore the prickling sensations in her eyes as she held back the tears.

 

"To family," she said softly.

 

***
 

Teal'c stood tall as he studied each one of his friends, the slightest arch to his brow.

 

He thought back to their first meeting. His teammates - then prisoners - were staring death, their own death, in the eyes, yet they refused to let their fear show. Instead, as the other prisoners ran screaming in terror, they stepped forward in an effort to hide them; shield them from the impending firefight.

 

But there was something about O'Neill, when he asked him for help back on Chulak, which had struck Teal'c.

 

It was his eyes.

 

As First Prime of Apophis, Teal'c had witnessed and been forced to carry out some truly horrific acts for his 'God'; and when he met O'Neill's eyes across the holding cell in Chulak, he saw into the eyes of a man equally haunted by the terrors of war - the orders he too had been instructed to carry out by his superiors.

 

There was loss, desperation, frustration in his dark eyes; but there was also an underestimated strength and determination. Fight. Belief. Trust.

 

In that second, Teal'c knew the man standing before him was different to any he had come across before; he knew he was worth the risk of turning against Apophis, turning away from his family and leaving everything he knew behind.

 

The transition to Earth, its customs, its government had not been a smooth journey, but he knew one day - alongside SG-1 - that he would deliver freedom to the Jaffa.

 

And they finally had.

 

It had taken eight long years and sadly a lot of sacrifice - some very personal to each of them - but he had succeeded in his quest for freedom. The future was uncertain and it would not be easy for his people to adapt to their new way of life, but after everything he had accomplished at Stargate Command and with the people beside him, he knew everything would be okay.

 

"To freedom," he stated with pride and a small smile on his face as he too lifted his glass into the air.

 

***
 

Jack's eyes slid across the three people standing close to him and he smirked to himself. If anyone had told him eight years ago that his best friends would end up being an archeologist, a theoretical astrophysicist and an alien, he would have laughed - loudly - before seeing about getting them committed.

 

Before he accepted his command at the SGC, he was a mess. His son had accidentally killed himself with his personal gun whilst his wife divorced him - not surprisingly - shortly after. Everything worth living for in his life, namely his family, had gone, leaving him on the verge of suicide. It was part of the reason he took that first mission through the gate, not particularly caring whether he came home or not.

 

When he did return home, his wife was gone, but he no longer felt as desperate or as lost as he once did. And he had Daniel to thank for that.

 

When he was recalled to Cheyenne Mountain, he was reunited with his old buddies Kalwalsky and Ferretti. He was also introduced to the national treasure that is Samantha Carter.

 

It was a moment he would never forget. It was a moment he felt something stir inside of him that he had never experienced before. It was the moment he knew his life was about to change forever.

 

He remembered her walking tall and proud into the Briefing Room as a young Captain, desperately eager to prove herself to a room full of male, and far more experienced, superior officers.

 

He admired her blonde hair, her wide twinkling blue eyes which he could drown in, the way her dress blues molded to her tall slender frame, the way her voice washed over him in waves.

 

He admired her naivety, her spunk and her courage to challenge him to an arm wrestle across the briefing table.

 

He smirked.

 

Yes, long gone was the bubbly, beautiful, excited Captain Carter. In her place, stood an even more beautiful Colonel Carter.

 

She still received the thrills as she stepped through the gate or when she made a new discovery, but her naivety had disappeared.

 

She had seen for herself the true terrors of war and had to carry out acts that would haunt her in her sleep. She was a lot stronger, both mentally and physically, than she had been all those years ago.

 

Over the years, Jack had also - subtly - watched her body change and become more muscled, more toned as their missions increased their fitness levels, but she still remained slender, much to his pleasure. If anything, he was convinced her new physique only accentuated her curves. It had to; no one besides Sam Carter could make BDU's look that good.

 

Sadly, she also wore the price of the battle. Scars, some tiny, some excruciatingly large, decorated her entire body as permanent reminders of what she had endured. But they were nothing to the scars he couldn't see. Those made from the times she had been tortured; the times when the enemy tried to mess with her head.

 

Despite everything, it had only made her stronger.

 

Irrespective of gender, she was a damn fine soldier; one of the best he had ever worked with and he felt an overwhelming sense of pride as he observed first hand how she had learnt from him during her time under his command on SG-1, before flourishing as its leader when he was promoted.

 

He was proud of her and now, she was going to be his. After all this time; all the heartache, all the battles, all the sacrifice, he still loved her and she loved him. Their time to be together had finally arrived, and whilst it was far from conventional - not to mention ideal - it would have to do for the moment.

 

After living a far from conventional life for the past eight years, they were more than willing to continue and take the opportunity given to them. He knew he might screw up in their relationship, but he would make damn sure he would do everything in his power to fix it, because now that he had Sam, he wasn't for letting go.

 

He wasn't for letting go of his other two friends either.

 

Even though Teal'c would be stationed off-world and Daniel would be in an entirely different galaxy, Jack had already decided he would be keeping very close tabs on them from Washington.

 

They had been his teammates. They had become his friends. And now they were his family.

 

He'd seen them sick, injured, die, return from the dead, be stranded on some godforsaken planet, brainwashed and tortured. They'd also saved his sorry ass more times than he cared to remember.

 

He'd seem them laugh, argue, joke, cry and get drunk.

 

He'd seen them relax, fight, remain strong, show weakness, mourn a lost life and celebrate a victory.

 

They shared their lives with him, and he had shared some of his with them in return.

 

They had given him a reason to live. They'd given him a second chance at life, love, a family.

 

He glanced to the now starry sky before looking at each of his friends' once more in turn.

 

He slowly raised his drink to join the others, the soft clinking sound of glass echoing in the quiet surroundings and they watched a grin spread across his face as he offered up his own toast.

 

"To SG-1."