Teal'c stood in the doorway a moment before speaking.

One Year Previously.

"And do you Samantha Jean Carter take Jonathan James O'Neill to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

She looked up at the man she had been so dedicated to and so infatuated with for the past ten years. This was it; this was what they had waited for.

"Yes."

This was the beginning of their life together. They had waited so long for this day.

She ignored the throbbing emptiness inside her and the thrumming of unspoken obligation. One she could see reflected in Jack's eyes.

Present Day

"We have accomplished much here, but now it is Atlantis that is in need of you." His voice rumbled formally across her lab.

She smiled.

"Yeah, part of me is looking forward to going, but-" Sam paused.

"There's part of me that thinks that maybe it's too soon-" she avoided his gaze "that I'm leaving my work unfinished."

Sam knew that it was a bad cop out but she still looked up questioningly.

A Few Weeks Previously

It really wasn't all that bad. They really had barely spent any time together- different interests, different posts, and as it turned out different lives.

Jack had found out that the President was going to pass over her for the Atlantis post because of their marriage.

Well he certainly wasn't going to let that happen, especially since theirs didn't quite fit the definition of 'a real marriage'... except of course that one time in CoCo Beach. He would always cherish that memory.

"I do love you, you know that right?"

She smiled that special smile that he had always loved. "Of course Jack- just like I love you."

Present Day

Gently but firmly he shook his head. "No. Your work will continue on Atlantis." He bowed his head briefly, considering the worth and weight of what he was about to say. "Both Daniel Jackson and I feel that this is the right move for you. At least at this moment in time."

She nodded, slipping her brave soldier face back on. "You're right. It's time for me to go. I need a little break." Sam chuckled humorlessly.

Teal'c bowed his head again, this time in agreement.

Finally she looked him in the eye again. "Promise you guys will come visit me?"

He smiled. "Undomesticated equines could not keep me."

And she rushed, nearly comforted, into his arms.

As she stood at the gate she did mourn the failed marriage between her and Jack but she knew at least she still had her family.

General's Landry and O'Neill stood overseeing in the control room, Daniel and Teal'c with Cameron and Vala were in the gate room with her. Sam hugged them all before she left.

But her future was still a head of her- through the wormhole and to Atlantis.

Taking a final breath she didn't look back over her shoulder.