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.

The End

Author's Note: Thank you for reading. I hope you've enjoyed the story!