So ends another of my stories. I hope you all enjoyed what turned out to be a much longer journey than I anticipated. I cannot tell you how much your encouragement, comments, suggestions and critiques helped me get through this - when sometimes I felt like quitting. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

"You know that over the past few weeks I've been meeting leaders from all over Earth", the President began. "The Asgard have been moderating the meeting, as a neutral party. It's been grueling, but we finally have agreements in place that I think will allow us to continue to heal the wounds inflicted, not only by the Heptae, but by years of abuse of our planet and peoples."

"That sounds good Mr. President", Jack finally said after Hayes had stopped speaking. Somehow, however, he knew there was more.

"Yes, well, it wasn't one of the easiest sessions I've ever attended. There was one thing that we all agreed upon, however, and that was that Earth is still vulnerable to attack from space. We also agreed that the security for the whole planet can't lie with just one country, but has to be the responsibility of everyone."

Jack nodded, still wondering what was coming. He could see that Henry was working up to it, but he really couldn't figure out where the President was going with this.

"That sounds reasonable Sir", he murmured.

"Yes – well – that was the easy part. The hard part was figuring out how we were going to do that." He looked at the General seated across from him and took a deep breath. "Jack, the only way everyone would agree to work together was if you were the one to head it up. You are the hero of the day – and many of the countries you've worked with said they trust you. The Russians, especially wouldn't take anyone else."

There was a stunned pause, while O'Neill tried to figure out what Hayes was saying. "Uh – head what up Sir?" he finally asked.

"The international security force responsible for planetary security. In essence, you will still be head of Homeworld Security – but now you'll have the backing of the whole damn planet. Your forces will be made up of representatives of all the different countries, although you'll get to pick your senior officers and advisors. The only other stipulation is that Colonel Carter serve as your second in command."

As Jack drove home that evening, Henry's words kept playing over and over in his mind. He hadn't given the man his answer, but both of them knew he had little choice. For all the various leaders to agree to work together was unheard of – if it took him leading the military security for planetary safety to ensure they did – well, he couldn't exactly refuse.

He'd been tired when he'd gone in to see the President, but when he'd been told that he would essentially by the big man now, and that Carter would still be in his chain of command, he'd wanted to curl up and cover his head with his blankets and never come out. All he could think of was that he'd done enough! He'd given enough of himself – hadn't he? Couldn't there be just a little time left for him and for Carter? It had almost been too much to bear.

He pulled up to his dark house, knowing that it was after midnight, and that it was too late to tell Carter what had happened. She would be home, in bed asleep by now. She was exhausted as well and deserved her rest, especially considering what he had to tell her tomorrow.

Sighing, he unlocked his door and entered the house. He'd finally managed to clean it up a bit after he'd been able to leave the mountain, but he still had spent hardly any time here in almost a year, and it had a musty, unlived in smell. Still, it was home – at least for now – and it was his. He was glad to be home, he realized but, at the same time, felt a deep sense of sadness that he was all alone. It had been many years since anyone had been waiting for him when he returned home, but right now, he would have given anything for someone to be there, someone who cared about him and who would welcome him with gentleness and love.

He didn't bother turning any of the lights on, he simply threw his jacket in the closet and kicked off his shoes. He made his way to the kitchen to get a glass of water and then he was going to crash in his bed. As he poured himself a drink he glanced out into his yard. The moon was shining brightly and he could see the grass illuminated in the back yard. It all looked so normal, so peaceful. It was hard to believe that he'd arrived that day from another planet, and that Earth was just getting over an alien invasion. He laughed softly to himself – it showed how resilient this world and this universe were, he guessed. Things went on even as chaos and tragedy struck again and again

Taking a deep breath he headed towards his bedroom to try and relax after the events of the day – hell, after the events of the past 10 years! He laughed, knowing relaxation was probably not something that was going to happen in the near future, not with everything that had to be done.

He walked down the hallway when suddenly he got a weird feeling. He wasn't alone. Someone, or something, was in his house. The door to his guest room was ajar, and he was sure he'd heard a sound from inside the room. Walking quietly over to the door, he carefully opened it the rest of the way and peered in.

It took a brief few seconds for his eyes to adjust and then he realized that someone was on the bed, a quilt pulled over top and, by the look of things, sound asleep. He grinned suddenly, as the children's tale of Goldilocks popped into his mind. Someone – and she had golden hair – was sleeping in his bed!

He stood watching for a few minutes as the moonlight shone on her face. She looked tired, he realized sadly, with dark shadows under her eyes. At the same time, the soft light highlighted her beauty and made her look almost ethereal. He approached the bed silently and reached out to touch her but then carefully drew his hand back, not wanting to wake her. He wondered briefly why she was sleeping here, but then realized that he knew. Like him, she no longer wished to be alone.

"Jack?" Her blue eyes were open, looking at him. He smiled down at her and she shifted and opened her arms. This time it was she who uttered those words he had used, so many times, to show her he cared.

"C'mere".

He sat down carefully on the edge of the bed and looked at her in awe – she was so amazing. Then, with a deep sigh, he leaned forward and let her put her arms around him and hold him. He was finally home.

It was a long time later before either of them spoke. They had not needed words – they had only needed each other. In the other they had been able to let go, to release the pain, the loss, the worry that both had lived for so long. In sharing, through touch, they were both able to find strength and to feel the renewal of hope – and of life.

"Are you okay?" she finally asked.

"I am now", he answered simply. By this time they were lying down, entwined in each other's arms. There had been nothing more than touching and holding. Now was not the time for passion – but for peace and for love.

"Is everything all right?" she continued. She had known immediately, when she'd awoken, that something had happened. He'd looked so tired, so worn out, she'd wanted nothing more than to hold him and to help him.

"Yeah." He didn't say anything else for a few minutes and she didn't push. She knew he was one only to speak when he was ready. "They've got an agreement from all representatives to build an international coalition to deal with everything that's happened and to rebuild."

"That sounds good."

"It is, I guess, although I'm sure it will be harder to implement than it was to agree on." He stopped and pushed himself up on one elbow so he was looking down at her. "There's something else."

She knew, from his tone, that whatever it was affected him, and by extension, would affect her. "What is it?"

"They want me to head up the international security force. For some strange reason they decided it had to be me."

She understood immediately why he had been chosen. He was a man who cared nothing for politics and was a man of honor. He was someone they could all trust, knowing he would always do what was best for the planet, not for himself and not for any particular country. He could not see it in himself, but others could. "What did you tell them?"

"Well, it was just Hayes – he was the one they asked to speak with me. I – uh – I told him I'd tell him tomorrow – I guess today", he amended, looking at the clock on the night table.

"Do you know what answer you're going to give him?" she asked – although she didn't need to.

"Yeah – I don't think I have a choice", he said softly, looking at her with something in his eyes which she couldn't read.

"No, I don't suppose you do", she answered calmly. "Always duty before self, I guess."

"Yeah, I guess." He dropped his head back on the pillow and looked up at the ceiling. "Uh, there's something else", he continued.

This time she was the one who propped herself up and looked down at him. "What?"

"They want you to be my second in command."

"Oh." She flopped back down and covered her eyes with her arm. She wasn't going to cry – nope – she was a Colonel in the United States Air Force and she was not about to let her emotions take over. She was stronger than that.

"So", she eventually managed to speak. "I guess that means we're back to square one. I'm in your direct chain of command and so we can't – " She suddenly sat up and threw her legs over the side of the bed. "I shouldn't be here", she continued, a catch in her voice.

As she went to stand up a hand came out and gently grasped her arm. "Sit down Sam", he said gently.

"But Sir, we can't – I – this is wrong."

"No it's not. Please, sit down and listen to me." He pulled her around so that she was facing him, although she wouldn't look at him. He knew she was on the verge of tears and he could feel the tenderness well up inside him. He wanted to pull her to him and kiss her and comfort her, but first, he knew he had to explain.

"When Hayes told me this, I had the same reaction as you did. All I could think of was the fact that we'd waited all these years and finally we had a chance to be together – and then they put us back in the same old position. At first I wanted to tell Hayes where he could put this whole thing. I was going to tell him I refused, that I wanted nothing to do with this job and that I certainly didn't want you reporting to me. Then I realized that I really didn't have a choice. I have to think of Earth, and duty and honor – and I know you would feel the same. At the same time, I wanted to rant and scream and kick something." Smiling, he remembered how frightened Hayes had looked. He must have thought, for a brief moment, that he had a madman with him.

"But you didn't", her soft voice interrupted.

"No, I didn't. But Hayes knew something was wrong and asked me what it was."

"Did you tell him?" she asked, wide eyed. Even after all this, he thought, she was still worried about being seen to break the regs.

"Yes, I told him."

"Oh God, what did he say?" she asked, worried.

Jack smiled softly in remembrance. "Well, at first he looked shocked - "

"He had no idea of our – feelings?"

"Oh, he knew about that all right. No, he was shocked that I was 'such an ass', as he put it."

"He called you an ass? But why?"

"Well, he told me that he'd known how we'd felt about each other since the first time he met us. He told me that he'd wrangled the whole set up – with you being my second – because of my feelings for you."

Sam looked stunned. While he waited for her to catch her breath, he couldn't help but think back on his conversation with the President.

"Jack, you ass, why do you think I did this? Of course you two should be together!" He stopped as Jack mentioned the issue that had kept them apart until now. "Obviously I know about the regs – I've always known, and that they were why you didn't do anything before now. While things were going along normally, that was fine. Now, however, things are very different. Jack, who the hell do you think is going to come after you for disobeying regulations? Most of the senior officers are gone – in fact, you're one of the most senior members left. Once you take this position, you'll be the most senior member of the Air Force, hell, of the entire world military. Any anyway, I think people have a hell of a lot more to worry about than whether two people, who have worked together for years, have decided they want to be together in a totally different way." He stopped and stood up, taking a deep breath.

"Personally, I think you and Sam being together is the best thing that can happen. It'll show people that life goes one – life, love – nothing has really changed since the Heptae. You and Samantha can lead the way into this new world together, sharing the hardships and pain I'm sure this job will bring, but more importantly, you can share your love with each other – and take joy in being together."

Jack was speechless, for the second time in as many days. He couldn't believe it, the president was telling him to screw the regs – not only to screw them - but be an example to the rest of the bloody world.

He came back to the present when he realized that Sam was looking at him quizzically. He reached over and gave her a big hug, but released her quickly, knowing she needed to hear and understand what had happened. He spent the next few moments telling her all that Hayes had said. At the end of it he was pretty sure that Samantha Carter was about ready to bounce on the bed. The thought made him grin.

"Really? You mean he's given us his blessing? We can actually be together?"

Jack grinned even wider – he was really enjoying shocking Sam Carter. Usually the shoe was on the other foot. "Yes, we can actually be together. As far as giving us his blessing – hell, he practically gave me an order! He really believes it's important that we set an example and move ahead as normally as possible."

Sam laughed. "I expect he just wanted to win the bet!"

Jack blinked. "You know about that?"

"Yes, I found out when Thor asked me what a 'bet' was. It turned out that he'd been asked to take part in it. Thank God he's too smart to get involved with some slimy wager that Ferretti and Griff probably pulled together."

He didn't have the heart to tell her that Thor was in on it too. Somehow he didn't want to disillusion her about their little alien friend.

"So", she said again, this time with a very different expression, "we can actually be together."

"Yup", he said with a big grin. "Forever and ever."

"Of course. I wouldn't take anything less!"

After that they again curled up together and soon were both sound asleep. There was time tomorrow – and the next day and the day after that – in fact, they now had all the days in the world to talk, to figure out what next, to explore being together and what it would mean. For now, they simply enjoyed the closeness, the freedom to sleep in each other's arms.

The next morning, just as the sun was coming up, Jack awoke. He looked over at the woman at his side and felt a sense of peace and rightness he hadn't felt for many years. With everything they'd been through, they finally could be together. Although the reality was, they had always been – even through pain and separation – even through other people, other lovers – even through simple friendship and teamwork – and always would be.

"Mmmm?" Sam murmured. "Good morning."

He rolled over onto his side and looked at the sleepy, rumpled woman at his side. "Good morning", he grinned, "sleep well?"

"Better than I have in years", was her soft reply. She scooted over and wrapped herself around him.

Her soft skin and that scent that was uniquely Sam made him yearn for her. Pulling her even closer he leaned down and gently touched her lips with his. Whereas last night had been a time for gentle touches and soft words, now was the time for passion.

"So", he said, much later, lying there in the warm and relaxed afterglow, "I can't believe it took us 10 years to do that!"

"No, it seems crazy now, doesn't it." There was a short pause. "Was it worth the wait?" she asked, half teasingly, half nervously.

"God – you have to ask? It was worth everything Sam – you're worth everything." The next thing he knew he had a little tigress on his hands. He was actually surprised at how quickly he was able to respond again! He thought briefly of Thor's words. Maybe that light worked after all. He sure was feeling good - and very, very happy.

The next time he was able to think clearly – as he relaxed on his bed (he'd suddenly grown a great appreciation for his guest bed) - another thought popped into his mind. He turned to look at Sam, a puzzled frown on his forehead. "Uh Sam?" he asked.

"Yes?" She turned to look at him, an expression of total love and trust in her eyes. "What is it?"

"Did you really tell Thor you wanted to 'jump my bones?'"

The next day Supreme Commander Thor received a message that a package was waiting for him on Earth. He beamed it up and was surprised to see a paper envelope – one often used by the Tauri. He opened it up and out fell a stack of paper money – the kind used in America, he knew. Along with the money he noticed a note which had fallen to the floor. He bent to pick it up. All it said …

"Congratulations, you won your first Tauri bet." The Asgard's eyes blinked slowly and his tiny mouth turned up in a small smile.

"Way to go my friend", he said as he stood alone on his ship.

Epilogue

He lay back on the lawn chair and looked at everyone enjoying the warm summer day, and reflected on all that had happened. The world still had a long way to go, but there was hope and people were – for once – working together. He glanced over at Teal'c, standing with his arm around Ishta. He finally had his freedom and now he had found love again.

Daniel too looked as if he were on his way to finding someone, so many years after losing his wife. He and Sophie were practically glued at the hip and both looked pleased with the world. He was happy for his friend. Sophie kept Daniel grounded, but still allowed him to dream and to get lost in his research. She obviously both loved and respected Daniel, which was just what he needed. Jack hoped that his friend had finally found the happiness he deserved.

He then watched as Cassie ran around with some of the other young people, laughing and tossing around a Frisbee. She was doing well and was returning to university as soon as it reopened in the fall. Janet would be so proud of how her daughter had turned out. He just wished she could be here to see her.

The young people, who had spent so long with them at the SGC, were doing as well as could be expected. Most had been re-united with family and those whose family had been lost had found people willing to take them in. Lou and Lola Ferretti had given a home to Hannah Bedard and Emma Stoltz's parents had taken in Scott. Jack knew it was going to be difficult for them all, but he also trusted they'd be fine. They were a strong group of kids.

Those who had returned from Valara were also well, although were having to deal with the changes of a new Earth – and for some – a brand new home. He watched Paul, standing with his heavily pregnant wife. He looked incredibly happy, as did she. He couldn't help but grin at the man who certainly deserved all he got. Jack was also pleased that Paul had agreed to stay on as his assistant. With his new responsibilities he needed someone he could trust and that was certainly Colonel Davis.

He looked again towards Lou, who stood proud as a peacock. He'd just promoted him to full Colonel – an honor long-since deserved. Lou, along with Reynolds and Carter, were his chief military advisors. Daniel, of course, acted as their diplomatic advisor and general conscience. Hank had given him a hard time for stealing some of his best people.

The fact was, the men and women of the SGC had shown again that they were Earth's best. It was because of them that their planet was once again safe. As long as good people stood for what was right, Jack knew that their home would be safe.

He thought briefly of General Hammond and Janet and Jacob and expected that they were all watching and looking out for their friends and family on Earth. "You'd be proud General", he said quietly, to his old friend. "Your people came through once again. Jacob – don't worry – I'll love her and look after her and yes, I know you'll haunt me if I don't! You can be proud of her too Jacob. She's not only a fine officer, she's one amazing woman. And Janet – you looked after us and kept us alive for years and I know you're still watching out for us. Don't worry – we'll look after Cassie and love her as if she were ours. You did good by her and by us."

Finally, he spoke to his son. "Charlie, I love you son, and I still miss you. I hope all my friends are taking good care of you. I'll be there to see you again one day but for now I have lots to do down here. Don't worry though – we'll still have time to toss that ball around." With a final prayer he entrusted his son to the care of all those who had left this world. He felt blessed to know that so many souls were watching out for his family still here on Earth.

"Who are you talking to Jack?" Sam had come up behind him and now she moved around and sat on his lap. She was dressed in a simple pink sun dress, that showed off her beautiful long legs and firm, sexy body. He still couldn't believe that now she was his, that she could openly sit on his lap and reach over and –

He kissed her back passionately. God, he couldn't get enough of her. For the first time that afternoon he wished all their guests were gone.

"Hey", Daniel shouted from across the lawn, "get a room you two!"

"Sorry Daniel", he called back, once the kiss was finished. "We don't do rooms anymore." Daniel looked puzzled but Sam giggled and laid her head on his shoulder.

"So, who were you talking to just now?" she asked again.

"Oh, just telling George and Janet and your Dad that we're doing good."

Her movements stilled but after a few seconds she lifted her head and looked at him, total love in her eyes. "We are, aren't we?" she asked. "And I bet they're happy for us." She laid her head back down and looked up to the sky. He knew she didn't just mean the two of them, but all the people here.

"Yes, I'm sure they are. You know, I didn't know if we'd make it, not after everything that happened. I was pretty sure the world was finished. Instead, we showed everyone that we can survive, that we're tough, and that we love life too much to give up."

"Yes, we did – you did – and because of that life goes on."

He smiled gently and leaned forward to kiss her again, knowing finally that Thor was right. He was truly blessed and he was happy.

Up in heaven a small group of people looked down in joy, knowing that the Earth had not ended with a bang or a whimper – but it would go on - because of courage, and honor and because of love.

The End