"Second Chances" by Tiffany Flowers

TITLE: Second Chances

AUTHOR: Tiffany Flowers

RATING: R

SPOILERS: Brief Candle, A Hundred Days(sorry), Solitudes, COTG, Urgo, Bane, Crystal Skull, A Matter Of Time, and Nemesis(all brief mentions). MAJOR spoilers for Shades Of Grey.

CATEGORY: S/J Romance and Action (go figure!)

STATUS: Complete. 3 Parts

ARCHIVE: SJRA ONLY!!!! All others ask first.

SUMMARY: Alternate ending to "Shades Of Grey." How *I* think it should have ended. Enjoy!! JACK'S POV.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Just had to change the ending the way I think it should have ended. If you do not like it, 'Oh well, h-e-double L' as Senior Drill Sergeant Holmes used to say. \\// represents thought.

DISCLAIMER: Don't own 'em, just playing with 'em. SG-1 and all other Stargate related people belong to MGM, Gekko, Double Secret and Showtime. Thanks to RDA and AT for giving us great characters to write about. Don't sue me, I'm poor. Absolutely NO money was made from this story. It's just out of my warped mind.

SEQUEL/SEASON INFO: Season 3. NO sequel is forthcoming, so please don't ask.

Copyright 2000 TIFFANY FLOWERS

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Sitting here amongst my pictures, commendations, awards and other military certificates, my eyes fall on a particular picture of a certain blonde haired, blue eyed major. She is standing next to me with her right arm around my waist, while my left arm is across her shoulders. She is smiling at the camera and I have a slight grin on my face.

I look down at the beer bottle in my hands, then launch the bottle at the picture frame. I watch as the bottle explodes, sending its liquid contents all over the framed picture and mantle. I suddenly realize that the glass in the frame is broken. Running to the kitchen to grab a towel, I curse at myself. Returning to the mess, I carefully move the shards of sharp glass out of my way, sopping up the liquid. I place the broken, framed picture on the coffee table to be fixed later.

After cleaning up my broken frustrations, I pick up the frame and open the back, removing the picture so I can see if it's been damaged. It's not.

\\Thank God.// I think to myself. I'd feel bad if this picture got damaged. Daniel had stopped by hours before to talk "Psych 101" with me. Not an hour after Daniel left, but Mayborne shows up to rub my "retirement" in my face.

I am now at the SGC to tell General Hammond about Mayborne's visit. Hammond tells me to stick with the plan. I agree with him, and leave his office. On my way up to the surface, I decide to stop and check on Carter. I was mean to her when I told her that I wasn't acting like myself, that I hadn't been acting myself since I met her. I knew after I said it, I hurt her feelings. I saw the hurt in those beautiful blue eyes. Eyes that burrowed into my soul and mind. I see her every time I close my eyes. She's the only person since Sara, that has made me feel alive. Not even Lara and Kynthia has done what Sam does to me.

Sam is bent over her Naquahdah reactor, disassembling the thing most likely. I watch, as her small hands reach for a variety of tools. She suddenly turns around, her blue eyes making contact with mine. I feel a sudden surge move through my body and soul.

\\How does she DO that?// I ask myself. She forces a smile, but it doesn't reach her eyes like usual. I am saddened by this.

"Hey, Carter," I say in greeting, hoping that she'll still talk to me. "How you doin'?"

"Colonel," she replies flatly, obviously not ready to forgive my actions or words. "What can I do for you?" She asks, acting as if I'm still her C.O., but I'm not. To her, anyway.

"Just came by to pick up some things and sign some papers for the general," I say, lying to her. "Thought I'd stop by and see how you were doing. And WHAT you were doing." I glance at her reactor then back at her, showing sincere interest. Even if I don't understand it all the time.

"Just working on the reactor, Sir." she counters, sounding a little more excited.

"Jack," I affirm simply. "Call me, Jack." She looks at me with confusion apparent on her face. I look at her with a slight grin.

"Sir?" She asks, voicing her confusion.

"What I'm saying, Carter," I explain. "Is that I'm not your C.O. anymore. Just your friend." Her features soften and I see her eyes tear up.

"Thank you, Si....Jack," she says, the smile finally reaching her eyes again. "I appreciate that."

"I'm sorry, Carter," I say to her. She looks surprised. "I'm sorry I acted like an asshole when I came back from Edora. And for the last few days. There was no excuse for it. I hope that you can forgive me." I spill out so fast, that I'm not sure she got it all.

"I forgave you a long time ago, Jack," she says, lifting the invisible weight off of my chest. "Just tell me we're going to be okay." She begs. My heart breaks at the tone in her voice.

"We'll be fine, Sam," I whisper, pulling her into my arms. "I promise." I suddenly notice how close I've gotten since I came to see her. She wraps her arms around my waist and I tighten my grip on her. I never want to let her go. I pull away from her before all reason is shot to hell.

"I have to go, Carter," I say sadly. "You take care of yourself." I study her one more time, and the look on her face looks as if I just slapped her.

"You too, Jack." she says sadly too. I stare at her for a minute.

Throwing all good judgement to the wind, I lean down and put a soft, friendly kiss on her right cheek, suddenly tasting salty wetness. I look up and see Sam's crying. Being the tender man that I want to be with her, I wipe away the tears that have fallen. She closes her eyes at my touch.

"I'll never see you again," she says suddenly, opening her moist eyes. "Will I?" I just look at her, torn.

"I don't know," I tell her, finally being honest to her. "Call me sometime, will ya?" I ask. Carter nods her head slightly, making her hair fall in her face. Not even aware of it, I brush a strand out of her eyes. Then, I walk a step or two back, turn and start to walk out the door.

"Will you be home later?" she asks, stopping me in my tracks. I turn around and grin at her. Slowly, I nod my head and slaute her. She salutes me back.

*******************************

ONE WEEK LATER

Well, I've been told to go along with Mayborne and the rogues. I now stand in the Gate Room. I'm going to Edora to "retire off-world" with Lara. Carter probably hates me. She never came to visit me at home. Even after she asked me if I'd be there.

I face the Stargate, waiting to go. I can feel the stabs of many angry, hurtful glares on my back. I can't face them, especially Sam. As I walk up the ramp, a voice stops me.

"Colonel." General Hammond says. I still face forward. Knowing good old General Hammond, him, Carter, Fraiser, and the other Airmen in the Gate Room are saluting me. I ignore them and walk through the event horizon, to the other side.

Once through the Stargate, I throw down my duffle and sprint to the DHD, quickly dialing the coordinates that Mayborne gave me. I then pick up my duffle bag and walk through the Stargate.

Upon my arrival, I was met by Newman, who then introduced me to Lieutenant Tobias. She explains the purpose of the do-hickey in front of her, but I stop her and say that she reminds me of someone in my old command. She instantly guesses Carter. I ask her how she knew about Carter, and Tobias tells me that she lost to Carter.

\\Good thing she lost to Carter.// I think with a sudden shudder. \\Carter's better looking.//

The rogues then went to a planet, which I later found out, was an Asguard protected planet. After we returned to the rogue planet, Newman contacted Mayborne, who gave us the symbols for the planet, on which the drop would be made. I said that I would do the drop alone, "to get familiar" with their way of doing things. And to find the "mole" in the SGC.

I gated to the planet, and just as I was leaving the "package," the Stargate was dialing up.

\\SHIT!// I thought. \\Someone's coming through.// I ran for the tree-line to hide. The next thing I saw, surprised me. SG-1, with Colonel Makepeace as the new leader, Carter and Daniel carrying a large container, while Teal'c hangs back, carrying his staff weapon in his right hand. I watch how they interact with each other. Daniel and Carter go off in one direction, Makepeace following them, Teal'c hangs back again and stops at the DHD. I hold my breath, hoping that Teal'c isn't the mole.

Teal'c then moves off in the direction Carter and the others have gone in. I release the breath I am holding. Time past, a few hours at the most. That's when I hear SG-1 coming down the path. I position myself on the rock that I am behind. I use a small binocular type thing to watch their movements.

Carter dials the 'gate and then punches in the GDO code, Teal'c and Daniel take point, Makepeace is on one knee, tying his boot. As Carter, Daniel and Teal'c walk toward the Stargate, Makepeace grabs the small device that I hid hours earlier. He tucks the device into his jacket and jogs to catch up with the others. I watch as Makepeace walks backwards into the event horizon. A move that he stole from me apparently.

I come out of my hiding spot when the 'gate shuts down. I quickly dial the symbols for the rogue planet and run for the Stargate. Once on the other side, I head straight for the DHD and dial Earth. I get into a little scuffle with Newman and tell the others that once the Asguard quit taking stuff, they'd take people. I go through the Stargate to Earth. Suddenly, the rogues started to come through.

After the Stargate shuts down, I walk down the ramp and ask Makepeace for a pair of the plastic cuffs. I quickly tie his hands behind his back.

"What the hell," Makepeace shouts. "What are you doing!?" I look at him with raised eyebrows.

"That would be my job." I report to him smugly. I then look at Hammond and grin. The prisoners are then taken away and Hammond explains the whole thing to Carter, Daniel and Teal'c. When Trevall and her escort enter the Gate Room, Hammond continues to explain, while I remain silent. Hammond then escorts the Tollans out of the room.

"I'm back." I say, stretching my arms out at shoulder level. I throw a smile in for good measure.

As we walk through the corridors, Daniel explains that they drew straws to see who would come talk to me. Daniel lost. Carter only smiles and walks away, leaving me with Teal'c, who walks past, stops and stares at me, then walks away with his nose in the air.

*****************************

Four hours later, Daniel, Teal'c and Carter come knocking on my door, arms full of food and drinks. Daniel heads to the kitchen to put the beers on ice and the chips in a bowl. Teal'c follows him, after taking the stuff that Carter has in her arms. I offer her a seat on the couch. I take the videos from her hands that Teal'c didn't take. I look at the titles, then set them aside for later.

"So, Carter," I say, trying to break the ice. "How's the Naquahdah reactor?" She looks at me with evident surprise. I can't help but laugh.

"It's okay," she says. "I'm still trying to take it apart and figure it out. But it's going fine, Sir."

"Carter," I say with some irritation in my voice. "The 'Jack' rule still applies, you know. At least at my house." I smile at her and am rewarded with one of her bright smiles.

"Sorry," she apologizes. "Force of habit, I guess." I look at her happily.

"It's okay," I reply. "Just remember, we're friends." She smiles in return. At that moment, Daniel and Teal'c come back into the room. Daniel pops one of the movies into the VCR and hits play. He hands me a couple bottles of beer and I pass one to Carter. I feel a jolt of energy burst in my body when her hand brushes mine.

After about four more hours of watching movies, talking and drinking beer, Daniel and Teal'c decide to go back to the SGC. They ask Sam if she needs a ride back and she says that she'll get one from me. I look surprised. With that, Daniel and Teal'c leave. I start the clean up efforts and I soon find Carter helping out, making it go faster than if I was alone. With that done, we go back to the living room.

Sitting on the couch, Carter suddenly lays on her back, with her head in my lap. I find myself smoothing back her hair. She doesn't seem to object with my actions. She closes her eyes and starts to hum.

"You okay, Sam," I ask, concern in my voice. She only purrs her answer to me. I smile. "Good. I'm glad to see you happy again."

"Jack," Sam says. "Would you really ever go back to Edora?" She asks. To say I'm surprised by her question is somewhat of an understatement for me. I am in complete shock.

"I don't know," I reply honestly again. "Probably not. Why do you ask?" I ask, curious about her choice of topics to talk about. She opens her eyes and I see she has thought long and hard about it.

"Did you love Lara?" she asks bluntly. I just look at her blankly.

"No," I say. "I didn't love her. I couldn't love her when my heart belongs to someone else." I say, sounding almost poetic.

"Sara." Sam replies. I can hear the disappointment in her voice. She turns her head away from me.

"No, Sam," I say. "You." Carter's head snaps around so fast, she almost hits her nose on my stomach. She sits up and looks at me.

"Do you mean that?" she asks, not sure if she wants to hit me or kiss me. At least I think that's what her tone says.

"Yeah I do, Sam," I admit. "I just didn't say anything because of the regs. But as I've said before...."

"Screw the regs?" she finishes for me. I nod somewhat. She scoots closer to me and puts her right hand on my cheek. She leans closer to me. So close that I can smell a slight vanilla scent.

\\Damn she smells great.// I think. Mentally, I slap myself. She leans closer, placing her pink, soft lips against mine. I place my hands on the sides of her face, drawing her closer to me. I feel her fingers entwine in my short, greying hair. It sends shivers down my spine. I open up to her better than I did with Sara. Sam understands me a lot better.

Sam's tongue begs for entrance and I grant her admission. I can't think, as our tongues dance their tango. I shift on the couch so that Sam can get to me easier. She lifts my black T-shirt out of the waistband of my khaki's. Feeling her cool fingers against my warm skin gives me goosebumps. I thread my fingers in her blonde hair. She pulls back to look at me, smiling. I smile back at her.

"I love you, Sam." I finally admit.

\\Lara made me realize that.// I finish in my mind.

"I love you too, Jack." She responds. I pull her back to me, taking her back into my previous embrace. I once again consume her mouth and tongue with mine, as my hands move to her back. I pull on the fabric of her pale blue shirt, then I run my fingers on her bare skin. I feel her shudder against me. I move her, so that I'm on top of her. She tugs at my shirt, begging me to remove it. I gratify her request and rip the fabric like Hulk Hogan. I hear her giggle at this.

"No giggling." I order mockingly, smiling at our little joke from Antarctica. She smiles and bites her lower lip, causing it to deepen to a darker red. This makes me want her even more, with a passion long forgotten.

I feel her fingers move down my lightly, hair-dusted chest to my belt. I pull her shirt over her head and throw it on the floor alongside mine. I return my hands back to their previous spot and run them up and down her arms, feeling every inch of her velvety skin under my callous fingers.

I bring my hands to her shoulders, then run my fingers, ever so lightly over her chest. I slide the straps of her bra off her shoulders and undo the clasp, causing the cottony fabric to fall to the floor when she removes it. I notice how quickly she wanted to get rid of the cumbersome item.

She traces my lips with her fingertips before comsuming my mouth with hers. Her tongue asks, once again, for entrance. I again begin to tongue-joust with her, feeling her passion escalate higher. I begin to feel the same way. Unable to stand the holding back, I get up, walk to the door and lock it, close all the blinds, and then walk back to the couch. I pick Sam up, who is trying to stifle a laugh, or giggle, I can't tell which. I then take her to my bedroom.

Lying her carefully on my bed, I straddle her thighs and place my hands on either side of her head. I look down at the woman I love, aware of the dangers ahead of us if Hammond finds out. Let alone what Carter's dad'll do to me.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Carter?" I ask, obviously voicing my concerns for both our careers.

"Yes, Jack," she replies. "I'm sure." She grabs my face and brings it to hers, kissing me gently, but with restraint. She then pulls on my bottom lip with her lips. I lay out flat against her, smoothing her hair back as I continue to progress down the road we're on.

Suddenly, I'm on my back. Sam pins my arms over my head, giggling. I glare at her, trying to be mad, but I can't. Not with her nibbling on my earlobes and neck. Even my shoulders. I can't help but groan with pleasure. She trails kisses down my chest, stopping at my stomach to trace patterns and designs with her tongue. Again, I groan with pent up pleasure.

I suddenly flip us, not wanting to end our sudden attraction. I pin her arms over her head, copying her actions. When I reach her stomach with my lips, I grin at her sudden gasp when I trace her navel with my tongue. I release her arms, sliding my hands down her arms, chest, sides and hips. I slowly make my way back up to her face.

Looking into her eyes, I notice that they have glazed over with passion and desire, a long time saved. I take her full, red lips in mine and kiss her more deeply than before. I feel her fingers run up and down my spine, causing me to shake with excitement. I move my right hand to her jeans and begin to unbutton them. I get no objections. I entwine the fingers of my left hand in the blonde hair that I love so much. The smell of it, the touch and the length.

I feel her hands move to work on the belt and button of my khaki's. She succeeds only in getting my belt undone, while I have complete success on getting her jeans open. She tries to glare at me in frustration, but smiles at me instead. Raising myself onto my hands, Carter now finishes her task and exposes my red boxer shorts. She groans in frustration. As I'm about to strip her of her jeans, there is a knock at my front door. I lower my head in defeat and exasperation.

Not bothering to fasten my pants, I tell Carter not to go anywhere, and I head to the front door. Unlocking it, I open the door and am surprised at who I see. I mentally gasp for air, feeling like I've been punched in the gut. My jaw drops.

"Good to see you too, Colonel O'Neill," General Carter says to me. "Getting ready to hit the sack?" He asks.

\\Boy, I hope you can't read minds.// I think suddenly. Then I realize I haven't answered him.

"Uh....yeah. So to speak," I reply to him. "What can I do for you, Sir?" I ask, remembering he's still a General in the US Air Force.

"I was looking for Sam actually," he tells me. "Doctor Jackson said that she was here, but that you were taking her home after while." He finishes. I can only stare at him blankly.

"Uh...." I stammer. "Let me see if she's out of the bathroom." I lie. Seeing his reaction, I know he knows I'm lying. I close the front door, gather Carter's blue shirt and bra, and run back to my room. When I burst into the room, Carter sits up in surprise.

"What's the matter," she asks jokingly. "Couldn't wait to finish what we started?" I throw her clothes to her.

"Get dressed," I bark at her. "Your dad's at the door looking for you. Here, run a comb through your hair." I say, passing her my comb to look presentable. After a few minutes, Carter looks the way she did nine hours ago. I have since dawned a new black T-shirt and tucked it into my khaki's, fixing the button, zipper and belt. Carter runs her fingers through my hair, making me shudder once again. I place my hands on her face and kiss her deeply, trying to keep the mood alive.

I hope that we'll be able to finish. We walk into my living room and I continue on to the door, opening it and inviting the Tok'Ra/General inside. Sam goes to her dad and hugs him tightly, afterall, she doesn't get to see him much. He glances at me and winks. I wink back at him, smiling. He and I talked months ago, and I found out that Jacob had wanted me to start seeing Sam. With his permission, of course. Hammond is out of the loop. As far as I know.

"How you doin', kid?" he asks gently. She grins at him.

"I'm fine, Dad," she replies, not sure whether or not to be afraid of his questioning tone. "Just fine. I was just spending some time with Ja....Colonel O'Neill." She quickly amends my name for my rank. Her dad notices, but remains silent. He then turns to me.

"Colonel," he says. "Can I have five with my kid?" He asks. I get up and walk to the front door, pausing to kiss Carter on her neck. She gives me a wide-eyed look which makes me want to laugh.

"Sure," I reply. "I'll be on the roof with my telescope." I tell them. As I'm about to close the door, I look at the blushing, wide-eyed Samantha Carter, and smile, closing the door behind me. I climb the ladder and settle in the chair that's on the roof's "patio" landing. I make a mental note to trim the tree back.

Opening up the laptop that I hide, and remove the telescope lens covers, I start my gazing into the night sky. Since the day Samuels came to retrieve me for Hammond, I haven't felt the same way about gazing anymore. I mean, what's the point, when I go further than our own galaxy?

About twenty minutes later, I hear the front door open, then the Carters' voices, then a car door closes and the engine starts, then drives away. Suddenly I feel two small hands tighten around my throat.

"Damn you, O'Neill!" Carter exclaims.

"What?" I ask, feigning innocence.

"Why didn't you tell me how you felt about me?" She sounds like she's trying not to laugh, but I hear the expression in her tone. I wish I could see her face.

"I was trying to be chivalrous," I admit. "So sue me." I say, prying her fingers from my throat and pulling her into my lap. She's smiling that wonderful, bright, cheeky smile that I love to see everyday.

Holding her close to me, I beging to nibble on her left earlobe and trail kisses down her neck. She turns her head so that I can get better access to her neck. I feel a growing heat that intensifies with each kiss.

Pushing her from my lap, I cover the telescope's lenses and shut down the laptop, placing it in its hiding spot when it's done. We climb down the ladder and go into the house.

As soon as the door closes, I lock it, pull Carter to me and once again, remove her shirt and bra. And while I'm at it, I undo her jeans as she kicks off her shoes. I too remove my shoes and socks. I succeed at getting her jeans undone as she removes my shirt and belt. I then lift her up into my arms and carry her back to my bedroom.

I lay her on the bed and sit at her feet. She gives me a questioning look and I smile at her. I grab the hem of her jeans at the ankle and give them a good yank, pulling them off. Carter laughs and I throw the denim pants over my right shoulder and lean over her body with mine. I can feel her body heat against my cooled skin. I shudder with renewed excitement and desire.

I run my fingers over the bare skin of her torso, causing her to shiver under me. I feel her hands wander down to my khaki's again and this time she is able to remove them completely, leaving only my boxers. I, somehow, am able to pull back the covers and sheet from under us.

Carter flips over, pinning me under her. She moves to my feet, tugging on my boxers, exposing the rest of my body. I watch as she removes the last article of clothing and returns to my side, laying her body against mine. I roll to be over her, looking into her eyes.

As I'm about to give in to four years of restraint, I hear the shrill ring of the phone. Carter and I both glare at the phone next to my bed.

"You touch that phone, O'Neill," she threatens. "And you're a dead man." I swallow, trying not to let the phone bother me. I can't do it and pick up the reciever.

"This better be good." I say into the reciever, hoping it's not Hammond.

"I'm sorry," I hear the voice say. "Is this a bad time, Jack?"

"I would think so, Daniel," I nearly shout. "Call me tomorrow, okay?" I say, before ripping the phone out of the wall, making Carter laugh.

"Now," she says with an evil grin. "Where were we?" She embraces me and kisses me deeply. I trace her lips with my tongue, waiting for her to open up to me. I find it easy to coax her mouth open. We feel the need to finally put an end to the tension.

I begin to rock against her, putting her into a slow and steady rythym. She arches her back, causing her chest to rise. I take one of her breasts in my hand and rub my thumb over the nipple. She gasps at the new sensation and entwines her fingers in my hair. I then place my arms on either side of her small, delicate body and begin to rock faster, causing her to arch further. I feel her tighten around me and we climax together, exploding together. Ecstasy feels great after so many years.

I lay beside her, legs entwined, and just the white sheet over us. Carter is sleeping soundly, her left hand on my chest and her head on my left shoulder. Or at least I think she's asleep. I brush her hair back thinking. I sigh heavily, from the moment shared or my thoughts, I'm not sure. Carter shifts her head to look at me. I look into her eyes and smile.

"Penny for you thoughts, Jack?" She asks, concern in her voice. I grunt and shake my head no. I kiss her temple and pull her close. I fall into a peaceful sleep. Carter sleeps next to me.

******************************

I wake up to the tender, sweet kisses of one Major Samantha Carter. I open my eyes only to see her hair wet and dripping on my face. I wonder what time it is. I look at the clock. 0630! That's when it hits me. The debriefing is at 0730, and it takes me twenty minutes to drive to Cheyenne Mountain.

Jumping out of bed, with only the sheet around my waist, I run to my closet and put on the only pair of blue fatigues I have at home. I dress quickly and gather my wallet, watch, keys and sunglasses. I walk down the hallway toward the living room, and stop at the dining room table. I see Carter has made breakfast. She steers me from the hallway to the table, forcing me to sit down.

"I made you food to eat," she tells me. "And I expect you to eat some of it." She is hugging me from behind, the left side of her face on my right cheek. She kisses my temple and sits down across from me to eat from her own plate.

I notice she made scrambled eggs with garlic, onion powder and parsley, bacon and sausage links on the side. Glasses of orange juice and milk on my right, while a cup of coffee is on my left.

"You went all out, honey," I remark. She looks at me like I've grown a second head. "What? What did I do now?" I ask, shrugging my shoulders. She just shakes her head. We eat and talk about last night. I find that neither she nor I have any regrets about it. We clean up the table and kitchen, then leave.

When we arrive at the SGC, Carter goes to the locker room to change. Being hormone driven like I am, I follow her. Finding only Space Monkey in the room, I restrain myself. He sees us and smiles. I smile back, shrugging my shoulders at his questioning glance. He leaves the room and I lock the door.

\\Ah, the advantages of having a single team locker room.// I think to myself. We, as in SG-1, have had our own locker room ever since Urgo was in our brains.

I walk over to Carter and remover her pale blue shirt from last night. I run my hands up her back and over her shoulders, then I place a kiss on each shoulder, up one side of her neck, then down the other, causing her flesh to prickle.

"Jack," she whispers. "Remember our agreement with Dad." She says.

"What agreement?" I ask dumbly, still kissing the back of her neck. She turns around as she slips on her black, long-sleeve T-shirt and tucks it into her blue fatigue pants.

"I told Dad that while we were on base, we'd be professional and military," she explains. "Can you handle that?"

"I'm up for new things," I say. I go to the door, unlock it and stand there watching her. "I'll see you upstairs?" I ask. All I get is a wave of her hand, while she digs around in her locker. With that, I leave and shut the door behind me.

********************************

TEN MINUTES BEFORE DEBREIFING

I walk into the Briefing Room to see Daniel pouring two cups of coffee, hands one to me and sits down. I stare at him oddly, watching him rock in the chair that serves as his usual spot. I notice Daniel is staring at me with an amused look, almost triumphant.

"WHAT!?" I ask as I raise my shoulders. "What did I do now?" I ask, sounding like a kid in trouble.

"Didn't say anything, Jack." Daniel states smugly. He just smiles and rocks. I turn my attention to the stoic Jaffa that enters the room. Teal'c bows his head slightly upon seeing me in the Breifing Room.

"Morn'n', Teal'c." I greet happily. I hear Daniel snort a laugh and I glower at him. Teal'c takes his seat next to Daniel, who is still laughing. Carter enters the room, glowing and radiating her beauty. I take the chair at the corner of the table, next to the general's chair, across from Daniel so I can kick him when necessary.

Carter takes the seat next to me, brushing my right knee with her hand as she adjusts her chair. But the adjustment is short-lived, when the general enters the room. Carter and I stand, waiting to be told to sit.

"Good morning, SG-1," Hammond greets. "I trust everyone's rested?" He asks. He looks around the table at us and stops to give a concerned look at Daniel.

"Doctor Jackson," he says. "Are you alright, Son?" Daniel looks at me and I shoot him an angry glare. Daniel's face becomes serious and blank.

"Yes, General," Daniel answers. "I'm fine." I roll my eyes and glance sideways at Carter. She's thinking the same thing I am.

We discuss our newest mission, then are dismissed for the rest of the day. So Carter and I go out to do something with Daniel, Teal'c and Fraiser. I can't resist not being able to keep my hands off of Carter, but I keep my hands to myself. Somehow.

When we get to the mall, I grab Teal'c and head to a nearby jewelry store. I look at many different wedding sets and see "the one" for Carter. I ask the clerk if I can look at the ring and she grants my request.

"What do you think, Teal'c," I ask the Jaffa. "You think Carter will like it?" I glance at him. As usual, he has one eyebrow raised, but he also has a slight smile on his normally emotionless face.

"I believe that MajorCarter will, in fact, like it, O'Neill." he replies simply. I look at him with a grin.

"Fine," I say. "Ma'am, I'll take this one please." I tell her politely, reaching for my wallet and pulling out my Visa card. After buying the ring, I hide it the best I can in my leather jacket and swear Teal'c to secrecy. He only nods his bald head once, still smiling.

After meeting up with Daniel, Fraiser and Carter, I have to stop calling her Carter, we decide to head to Sam's place for dinner and a chat session. The usual. At about 2150, we all decide to head back to the SGC and sleep the night there. That's where I plan to put everything into action.

At the SGC, I knock on Hammond's door and get an immediate reply. I open the door and see Jacob Carter sitting in a chair across from Hammond. I look shocked, or scared, whatever the case may be.

"Am I interrupting, Sirs," I ask. Hammond points to a chair. I decline the chair, but remain standing. "Generals, I...." I try to say, but stop, suddenly feeling like the teenager that meets "Dad" for the first time.

"What is it, Colonel?" Jacob asks. I glance at him, sweat forming on my face.

"General Carter," I say trying to get it out. "Permission....permission to marry your daughter, Sir?" I blurt out, obviously taking General Hammond by surprise, by the sound of his gasp.

"What do you think you can provide for Sam, Colonel?" Jacob asks, making a list pop up in my head.

"Love for starters," I report. "Secondly, respect, honesty, faithfulness and happiness." I finish. Looking at Jacob, I mentally ask what more he wants. He looks at Hammond then back at me.

"What do ya think, George?" he asks Hammond. General Hammond stands up and walks to stand in front of me.

"Colonel O'Neill," he says, sounding like he's going to give me a lecture. "You better make her happy, or so help me...." He suddenly smiles and pulls me into a quick hug. I'm taken off guard, but laugh anyway. I show the ring to Jacob and Hammond. General Hammond tells me to keep the home activities at home and professional here. I agree to his very reasonable terms. I tell him that I want to propose in the Gate Room. He agrees.

********************************

FIVE MINUTES LATER

I am in the Control Room, getting ready to make an announcement on the base's PA system. I'm shaking with the adrenaline rush.

"Now hear this," I say into the microphone. "I need the following people in the Gate Room, ASAP. Doctor Daniel Jackson, Teal'c, Doctor Janet Fraiser, General Hammond, General Carter, and last, but definitely by far, not the last, MAJOR Carter."

When I enter the Gate Room, Daniel, Teal'c, Hammond, Jacob and Fraiser are already in the room. Carter, I mean Sam, follows a minute later.

Up in the Control Room, techs, Rothman, Airmen and other SG teams are watching the chaos in the room below. I am getting nervous now.

"Sam," I begin, wiggling my index finger to get her to stand on the ramp with me. "We've seen many things on and off this ramp. We've passed out, shot bugs, almost been sucked up by a black hole, and so on. I really want that to continue. When I lost Charlie and Sara, I thought my life was over. Until the day I met you. Even though you're way smarter than I am, I found you to be a challenge. A challenge to my mind, heart, body and soul. I find that my day is never complete, until you've taught me or challenged me. You care about me, even if I don't deserve it. You brought me home when I thought I was stuck on Edora." I pause, wiping her fallen tears away.

Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the small, velvet box and get on one knee. It pops on the way down to my new position.

"Samantha Carter," I say, watching her reaction suddenly change. "Will you do me the honor of being my wife?" I hold my breath, waiting anxiously. She suddenly smiles and drops to her knees. She hugs me so tight, I can't breathe. I hug her back, then pull back so I can place the ring on her finger. I sigh warily, mentally crossing my fingers in a quick, silent prayer.

"Colonel O'Neill," she replies with a shaky, yet audible voice. "I would be honored to be your wife." She says happily. We stand up to the applause of both the Gate Room and the Control Room.

Daniel, who is rarely emotional, is wiping away tears, Fraiser's cryin' up a storm, both general's are smiling and Teal'c is actually wearing a huge, honkin' smile.

\\The Jaffa can smile.// I think. \\It's amazing.//

History has been made at the SGC. Conversing with the others at the bottom of the ramp, finds me either shaking hands or hugging people.

*******************************

SEVEN MONTHS LATER

Sam and I are married now, but she still goes by Carter. I don't mind really, but I'm trying to get her to put O'Neill in her name somewhere. Sam still has four months left on her pregnancy. Doc Fraiser says to expect twins. Sam says if one's a boy, I get to name him, and if one's a girl, Sam names her. I can handle that. Janet is excited, Cass too.

If one is a boy, I want to name him after my son, Charlie. Sam wants to name the girl Marika, after her mother. At least, I think that was Sam's mom's name. I like Marika. Sam says she likes Charlie. I don't know, I might change my mind. I've always thought about Christian.

I'm just as happy as I can be. I wouldn't change a thing. Okay, maybe a few bad moments, but not the good times. I still want to take Sam up to Minnesota to that lake I told her about, before Thor "kidnapped" me, that is. I still want to catch that elusive Crappie. The big bass too wouldn't hurt.

But like I said, I wouldn't change any of the good things. Especially meeting Samantha Carter-O'Neill. I'm happy. For now and always, I think I will be. I pray that I'm happy and with Sam until the day I die. Thank God for second chances.

THE END